ing, with great pleasure and enlargement of heart; blessed be the Father of mercies. The words dwelt upon were, "Which of you intending to build a city, or a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost?" It was a merciful season indeed. Lord's day was a sweet day to my soul. It pleased God to melt my heart exceedingly in pleading with him in behalf of the nation.

Preached at Warley to a very large assembly, many of whom seemed to be deeply affected. O that I O that I may be thankful for the mercies poured upon us at that happy season!

Monday afternoon, we spent six hours in prayer. Seven young men were called to the exercise, and were much assisted.

1682.

June 28th.-Having performed my closet exercises, and spent some time in studying, preparatory to my journey, I set my family in order and committed them to God in prayer. After dinner I set forward for Lancashire, and as I rode over Blackstone Edge I propounded four subjects for meditation; but could only go over the two former-What God hath done for me since I first came that road?—What requital I had made? -What God calls for me to do?-What he calls me to suffer, and how? God graciously helped me. I lodged at R. Milne's, at Rochdale.

29th.-Rose early and God affected my heart very sensibly in secret prayer. O what a melting season it was! In the forenoon I gathered Lady Hewit's rents. Dined at R. M's, and after four o'clock set out towards Manchester. found brother Wilson indisposed, and was helped to pray for him.

Here I

30th.-God enlarged my heart in prayer, and graciously assisted me. Visited Mr. Tilsley, went to Mr. Newcome's and received the Lord's supper at his hands, when God gave pledges of his love: blessed be his name. In the afternoon, rode to Blakeley, and preached to a full company at widow Travers's house. Came back to Manchester; blessed be my good God.

July 1st. In the morning, rose at four o'clock, and after reading four chapters, prayed, and went with sister Hilton to Mr. Barlow's, and preached to a considerable company on Micah v. 5. God deeply affected my heart in prayer for the church, having heard bad news. I visited some, and then travelled. Called on Mr. Sargeant at Stand, brother Colburn's at Radcliffe Bridge, and lodged at T. Woofman's at Darcey Lever. Blessed be God.

2nd. I was helped in prayer, went to Cockey chapel and preached on 2 Tim. iii. 5. God graciously enlarged my heart in his work. Dined at Lawrence Lomax's and at night went to brother Colburn's, where God assisted me in repeating my sermon and praying with a great number of persons.

3rd.-Early

3rd. Early in the morning, God helped in prayer in my chamber, and in the family. Then I set forwards to Bolton, called at my father's house in Little Lever, and arrived at Bolton at twelve o'clock. Heard Mr. Boardman preach in the church. Visited Mr. Lever, my dear child in Christ. Alice Crompton came to me in bitterness of soul, on whom God had wrought by my ministry; I discoursed and prayed with her. Lodged at brother Okey's; blessed be my good God.

4th. In my chamber this morning I met with more than ordinary incomes of grace, and out-goings of heart to God. Then I had some conversation with Mr. Lever. Afterwards came to Darcey Lever, and preached a funeral sermon at Thos. Woofman's, for a daughter of cousin Alice Greenhalgh on Micah vi. 7. God graciously helped. At night I repeated it to a full company. Despatched other business, and lodged there safely.

5th.-God helped me betimes in prayer and reading my chapters. Spent the forenoon with my sister Esther. Towards eleven o'clock rode to Breightmet and preached a funeral sermon for Ann Scolcroft on Rev. xxii. 14. God graciously assisted. Lodged at Cousin Crompton's, Crompton Fold.

6th.-Was helped to pray and bless my God for many mercies, especially for my dear wife who was born in this house. After family prayer, I rode to Little Lever, discoursed and prayed with my sister's daughter, who is married and going to live in my father's house to whom it belongs. Discoursed with D. Holt, in Bury, and came to Rochdale at six o'clock. Preached at a friend's house, and lodged at R. Milne's.

7th.-God helped me in my chamber earnestly to plead with him, and to bless him for my journey so far and the mercies thereof. Then we had prayer, breakfast, and conversation. Set forward on my journey, in which God protected. Called at Josiah Stonefield's, and arrived at home by six o'clock. Had a large and sweet letter from my son Eliezer. Blessed be God for returns of prayer.

Sept. 25th.-Set forward for Lancashire, accompanied by my wife. Called at Littleborough, and lodged at Rochdale, with P. Ogden.

26th. In the morning was helped in prayer with my wife.

We visited friends, dined, and rode to Manchester. God graciously preserved us and brought us safely to brother Hilton's, where we found mercy. Blessed be God.

27th. In the morning I was assisted in prayer. Visited friends in the forenoon. After dinner walked out, and at six o'clock preached at Martha Taylor's, on Prov. iv. 23. God in mercy gave assistance, and we had a full company.

28th. In the forenoon, visited Mr. Hooper, &c. After dinner rode to Booth-hall, near Blakeley, and preached on Cant. v. 3. God helped me. I returned and repeated my sermon at brother Hilton's. Blessed be God.

29th. In the morning my wife and I took our journey to J. Leach's, at Newton, where I preached to a good company. Dined and came back to Manchester. Visited Mr. Scolfield, and then preached at Mr. Barlow's from seven o'clock till nine, on Isa. xl. 31. God appeared for me: blessed be his name.

30th. In the morning we committed our concerns to God, and visited friends in Manchester. After dinner my wife and I set out for Cockey-Moor. Met with a drunken man in StandLane, who threatened us; but God in mercy protected us. We came to Ratcliffe Bridge and lodged at Lawrence Lomax's.

Oct. 1st.-Preached at Cockey chapel all day, on Gal. i. 4. God helped me in prayer and preaching, There was a very numerous assembly. Met cousin N. Heywood and his mother. Found mercy all day. Repeated at night at Lawrence Lomax's to a house full of people, and lodged there. Blessed, blessed be my God.

2nd.-God graciously helped me in the morning to plead for the church, and made it a good day. I went to Bolton and heard the lecture. Met with cousin Bradshaw, discoursed with him about my sons, and had encouragement. Conversed and prayed with E. Crompton. At night repeated to a house full at brother Okey's, where we lodged.

3rd. In the morning God assisted. Then got ready, and after family prayer, departed. Called on my sister Esther, discoursed and prayed with her and sister Heywood. Rode to my father's house, where James Lomax now lives. Preached to a full assembly on Zeph. ii. 3. God afterwards helped in despatching business. Received rents and returned to Bolton.

4th.-After prayer and breakfast we took leave, and set out on our journey. Called and dined at cousin J. Crompton's, at Breightmet. Set forward and called on Mrs. Gregg, Bridgehall. Came to Mrs. Hallow's, near Rochdale; lodged there and much mercy. Blessed be God.

5th.-In the morning God graciously met my heart in prayer

with my wife. After family worship set myself to spend some time in secret prayer before dinner. O what a melting season it was! Blessed be my God. After dinner rode to Mr. Ogden's, and preached there at night to a full company, on Prov. vi. 23. God wonderfully helped. We lodged there.

6th. After closet and family duties, I and my wife came forwards. God preserved in and from danger. We called at Miss Stead's. Came home and found all well. Blessed be

God.

Several friends came to welcome us home.

THE Warrant, by virtue whereof Mr. Hardcastle* was taken at Shadwell, with twenty-four more, he for preaching, they for hearing.

To all Bailiffs, Constables, and other his Majesty's Of ficers, especially to John Aneyard, and Matthew Wilkinson. Com. Ebor. WHEREAS we are credibly informed that divers West Rid. Sectarians and other disloyal persons, do oftentimes in great numbers, to the terror of the king's liege people, riotously, seditiously, and impudently meet in divers places, within the said Riding at unlawful assemblies and conventicles, under colour and pretence of exercise of religion, in other manner than is allowed by the liturgy and practice of the Church of England; which meetings they are the more encouraged to hold, by the wilful neglect and carelessness of the constables, and other officers in the said Riding to suppress the same, in which conventicles under colour of preaching, divers schismatical and nonconformist clerks, and other dangerous and disloyal persons do traduce and revile the king, and the church aforesaid, and endeavour by such means to disaffect the people to the government, and as far as in them lies consequently to disturb the king's peace, and turmoil the nation in new combustions and confusions, which said conventicles are notorious, and in those parts in contempt of the government are notoriously held.These are therefore in his Majesty's name to will and require you and every of you, taking with you such assistants as you shall think fit from time to time, to prohibit and discharge the said conventicles, and unlawful assemblies, and at all times to apprehend and seize the persons in the said meetings, and to carry them before two of his Majesty's Justices of

See pages 114 and 253.

the peace for the said Riding, to be prosecuted against according to law, and hereof fail not at your peril.

Given under our hands and seals the 22nd of May, in the 17th year of his Majesty's reign.

JOHN ARMITAGE.

JOHN KAY.

FRAN. WHITE.
J. N.

SOLILOQUIES.

MANY of Mr. Heywood's Soliloquies were composed on various events of his life, and are so interwoven with his history that they have necessarily been inserted in the preceding memoirs. Others relate more generally to his religious experience, and may be read with interest by Christians as descriptive of those spiritual feelings common to all the regenerated family of God.

As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man." The relation and comparison of religious experience have often proved an effectual means of encouraging weak believers, instructing young converts, and promoting the general welfare of souls. The spiritual experience of David as recorded in the book of Psalms, has been of incalculable benefit to the church of God in every succeeding age, and many who are now on their pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerusalem are thankful for what the inspired Psalmist has declared of the "things God had done for his soul." One end of christian biography, and that too not the least important, is, that the present and future race of spiritual combatants may become acquainted with the conflicts of those who are now inheriting the promises, and with the means by which they "came off more than conquerors." The following extracts from the remainder of Mr. Heywood's soliloquies, will therefore no doubt be acceptable to the pious reader.

The remarks inserted by Mr. Heywood on a blank leaf of the volume containing his soliloquies, will form a suitable introduction to the extracts. "I intend to write in this book some private soliloquies and ejaculations, wherewith my soul hath been very much delighted under the various pressures and burdens which have frequently encumbered me, and sat heavy on my spirits. I have experienced this divine act of meditation and self-argumentation to be the most sovereign way to dispel the 2 C

VOL. I.