his own language, had not been to translate, but to polish his admonitions. Such a plain harangue, it is like, may be nauseous in a critical age, where learning and wit ride in triumph; yet a soul, touched with the same loadstone that his was, can relish the sweetness of it: himself was afraid, that the simplicity of the language would be an offence to the curious readers; and therefore begs of them, when they came to peruse it, to make greater use of their charity, than their sagacity. The same I must say of the Polonian's confession, where you must expect no better entertainment; he could but just express his meaning, and was no greater scholar than nature had made him. I was at first in some doubt, whether I should publish the Captain's answers to my queries and expostulations, because some of them savour of prophaneness: yet considering that the Evangelist hath thought fit to acquaint the world with the ill language of the one, as well as with the penitent expressions of the other malefactor, Í was willing to follow that great example; hoping that those loose discourses of the man may serve as sea-marks, to warn passengers from running upon these sands. That which I chiefly observed in him was, that honour and bravery was the idol he adored, a piece of preposterous devotion, which he maintained to the last, as if he thought it would merit praise, not to decede from what he had once said, though it was with the loss of God's favour, and the shipwreck of a good conscience. He considered God, as some generous, yet partial prince, who would regard men's blood, descent, and quality more than their errors; and give vast grains of allowance to their breeding and education; and possibly the stout behaviour of some of the ancient Roman bravo's, for he had read history, might roll in his mind, and tempt him to write copies after those originals; or to think, that it was great to do ill, and to defend it to the last. Whe ther after my last conference with him he relented, I know not; those that saw him go to his execution observed, that he looked undaunted, and with a countenance so steddy, that it seemed to speak his scorn, not only of all the spectators that looked upon him, but of death itself. But I judge not of the thoughts of dying men; those the searcher of all hearts knows best, to whom men stand or fall. I cannot say, that remember every syllable of the several conferences; but sure I am, I have not mistaken the sense of what he said, nay think I have kept to the very words, he then used, as much as is possible. I would not wrong the living, much less the dead; but truth is a thing, which though not always conveniently, yet may lawfully be said at all times: this was all I aimed at, and because reports are already spread abroad of other discourses and expressions, this unhappy man should use to me, and how he af fronted me in prison, it was fit the world be undeceived. At the Savoy, March 13, 1681, ANTHONY HORNECK. 2 SIR, FOR DR. BURNET. I heartily thank you for all your kindness; and promise myself, that, according to your word, you will publish my little writings, intended only to let the world see, that I came not into this country with a design of being engaged in the late black deed. And, since the Justices have not declared what I can say, or did say for myself, the rabble, it is like, will be of opinion, that money brought me over into these parts: in which verdict, they will be undeceived, if you will be pleased to let them read, in English, what I have set down in these papers. Written in the Prison, I remain, Sir, your obliged Servant, JOHN STERN. THE LAST MEDITATIONS, PRAYERS, AND CONFESSION OF LIEUTENANT JOHN STERN. Let God have all the Glory, and Man acknowledge his own Unworthiness. I. SEEK ye first God's kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you, Matt. vi. 33. I said in my trouble, I am cast out from thine eyes, notwithstanding, thou didst hear the voice of my weeping. When I cried unto thee, thou didst see my trouble, and didst know my soul in adversity. Watch, and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, for the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour. In the third book of Moses, it is written, thou shalt bear no malice to any of the children of thy people; by these are meant our neighbours. In the first book of Moses, chap. vi. The inclinations of man are said to be evil from his youth; but the spirit of God can endure no such maliciousness. I have been a traveller, any time these twenty-three years, and have perceived but little malice in my heart; though I have had too often cause and provocation, yet have I committed all to God, as the supreme judge of all. What hath brought me to this present misfortune, is known to God alone; yet I am greatly to blame, because I did not abandon the world, lived in carnal security, and minded the lusts of the flesh, more than God, blessed for evermore; for which I am heartily penitent, and I thank my God, who hath brought me to a knowledge of myself, and given me his grace, to come to a true sorrow for my manifold sins; if I have been enticed, or tempted by any person to this wickedness, as it is evident I have, I beg of God to pardon him, for Christ's sake: and I desire all persons, that shall read what I have written here, during my imprison. ment, to consider of it seriously. Let no man rejoice at his neighbours' misfortunes; every man's last hour is not come yet: when you see a prisoner led along, pray for him, for the same may happen to you: have compassion on your neighbours, and God will have compassion of you. Be merciful, and God will be merciful to you. I give thee thanks, sweet Jesu Christ, son of God, that thou hast given me to understand so much out of thy holy word; give me constancy and perseverance, that I may obtain the salvation of my soul. Amen. II. God saith, man, help thyself, and I will help thee: but alas! while we are in this valley of tears, we think seldom, or not at all, of the divine assistance; our eyes are darkened, and we con sider little besides the lusts of the eyes, and the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life, of which Christ himself hath sometimes com. plained, when men have forgotten him: happy is the man that feels true repentance in his heart. Lord Jesu! give me that grace, who am the chief of sinners. God, thou hast not sent thy son into the world, to condemn sinners, but to save them: O, save me not for my sake, but upon the account of that precious blood, which was shed for me on the cross. III. I pray God, nobody may be scandalised at what I write, but let every body lay to heart what a poor sinner writes in prison. Ye children of the world, when will you bethink yourselves, and consider the things which belong to your peace, but it is hid from your eyes. O, may it not continue hid from you! keep close to the word of God, and think on the woman's seed, which was to bruise the serpent's head: be vigilant, and pray, that ye fall not into temptation; think often, that your sins are an abomination to God: take heed you give no ill example to young children, which if you do, your account will be dreadful. IV. John, the forerunner of our Lord Christ, when he began his ministry, the first words, he let drop from his mouth, were, to recommend repentance unto the impenitent, Matt. iii. and Matt. iv. saying, the kingdom of heaven, and the day of grace, is come to you, and at hand, and God offers you pardon of sin, and eternal life. In the vith of St. Mark, the twelve apostles went out, and preached, that men should repent; and Acts iii. Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. And Acts xiv. What mean ye, sirs, we preach unto you the gospel, that ye may turn to God. O my dear Lord Jesus, make me partaker of this conversion, for thy name's sake! Amen. V. Acts xvii. 30. Ye men of Athens, the times of ignorance God winked at, but now he commands all men every where to repent. Act. xxvi. 20. St. Paul shews to king Agrippa, that he was there fore called from heaven, to be an apostle, to preach repentance both to Jews and Gentiles. Ye that are parents, if you have children, keep them close to the fear of God; teach them the creed, and the ten commandments; send them to school, and bind them out to an honest trade; be not ashamed of this, it is better than an idle life, or French gallantry, dancing, &c. Keep your children out of bad company, whether they be sons or daughters. A heathen writes, that, evil communication corrupts good manners, which myself hath had very sad experience of. Before my twenty-three years tra vel, I should have learned a trade; but it is too late now. God give me patience in all my sufferings. I hope, by the help of God, I shall, before long, be separated from the world; for it is my greatest desire and comfort to dwell with God. Amen. VI. Gen. iii. God saith, in the sweat of thy brows, shalt thou eat thy bread, till thou return to the earth, of which thou art taken. Psal. civ. When the sun rises, man goes forth to his labour; but not to such labour, as the devil suggests and tempts men to. VII. John xxi. When Peter was more concerned about St. John, than about himself, the Lord said, what is that to thee! Luke vi. It is said, thou hypocrite first pull out the beam that is in thine own eye, and then thou shalt take the mote out of thy brother's eye; and thus it is with us. The mote in our brother's eye we easily spy, but are regardless of the beam in our own eye. VIII. Rom. xiv. It is said, who art thou that judgest another man's servant; he stands or falls to his own master; he shall be holden up, for God is able to hold him up. Preserve my steps, O Lord, that my foot slip not. O Lord, by thy power, strengthen the weakness of my flesh, that I may fight manfully, and, both in life and death, may press toward thee. Amen. IX. And now ye that are governors of the world, abstain from anger, exercise justice, let not the sword grow rusty in the scabbard, though you begin with mine own head; let the will of the Lord be done. Ye princes and great lords, do the same; have an eye upon your officers, and take notice, how, instead of doing justice to the widows and orphans, they go about banqueting, visiting of play. houses, playing and hunting; the rest I will not name, for fear of giving scandal to the younger sort; see that none of them take bribes, for unjust bribing cries to heaven for vengeance. By the word governors, I understand kings, princes, viceroys, lords of countries and provinces in Christendom; colonels, captains, and whatever titles they may have; punish none that are innocent, re lease rather ten that are guilty, than condemn one innocent man. Ye kings, princes, and presidents, let no proud and fantastick dresses be allowed of in your land; for, through pride, the angel turned devil. Ye fathers and mothers, cloath your children decently, when they are little; when they grow big, they soon become bad enough. Let no man be taxed or rated above his ability; oppress not the poor, rather help him to bear his burden, as much as it is possible. X. Let us say, out of Psal. xviii. 28. The Lord my God turns my darkness into light. In Genesis we read, that the thoughts of man's heart are evil from his youth. The spirit of the Lord can take away that sinful inclination: I will say with David, Psal. lxxxi. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me; cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Out of Psal. cxv. O Lord, not unto us, not unto us, but unto thy name, give all the honour and glory. He that is fallen into poverty, let him hope in God, he will help him. Psal. 1. God himself saith, call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt praise me. My strength is made perfect in weakness, for Christ is good and gracious; and, because he is merciful, let us call upon him; as it is said, Luke xv. Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants. XI. The apostle St. Paul mentions, in a certain place, how a man may have all things and yet have no charity. Christ also exhorts us to love one another. I may say as it is in the song, Love is quite extinguished among the children of men. Deut. xxii. If thou see a stranger's ass, or ox, go astray, thou shalt take them into thy house. Levit. xix. Thou shalt bear no grudge to any of the children of thy people, which have provoked thee to anger. Prov. xxi. If thine enemy hunger, give him meat; if he thirst, give him drink. Matt. viii. and Luke vi. I say unto you that hear, love your ene mies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them that persecute you, and despitefully use you, that ye may be children of your father, which is in heaven, who is good to the unthankful, and to the evil. Think of this ye proud, vain-glorious, and wrathful men, who say, Shall I yield? I am much better than you. Agree with your brother quickly, while you are yet in way with him. When you come to your long home, you will be weary, and find another register, or book of account before you. And here I beg, of all those who shall read these lines, if in any thing I have been against them, or offended them, to forgive me, for Christ's the sake. XII. Eccles. vi. Solomon saith, It is an evil that I saw under the sun, and it is very common among men, that God hath given to some men riches and honour, and they want nothing that the heart desires. By such, Solomon understands lords, and governors in this world: take heed of pride, and voluptuousness, wrath and anger, for these are now become very common; and such men are apt to cry, am not I a lord? Am not I a governor? King David was very peni. tent. Exod. v. Pharaoh tells Moses, who is the Lord, whose voice I should hear? But notwithstanding he must sink in the Red Sea. Take heed, the sea of sin is deeper than the western ocean; make haste, make haste to get into heaven's boat, that ye may get into the ship of God. XIII. Ye proud, who is there among you, that will take a view of his life? This is very usual with you to cry, I have sent my taylor into France, to bring me newest modes and fashions. Thou hadst |