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On-line at PTW: December 26, 2004

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The W A Y to the

O R T H E

O F T H E

T O W H I C H

Are now added; two Discourses of the Author, never

before Printed, viz.

The Journeys of the Children of Israel, as in their Names

and Historical Passages, they Comprise the great

and gradual Work of Regeneration.

A N D

A Treatise of Extraordinary Divine Dispensations, under

the Jewish and Gospel Administrations.

By Mr. T H O M A S B R O M L E Y.

Printed for N ATHANIEL B ELL , Bookseller in YORK,

and sold by Mess. R IVINGTONS , Booksellers in St. Pauls Church-yard, LONDON;

and by most Booksellers in Town and Country.

1744.

T HE following Treatises of Mr. Thomas Bromley , except the first (which was Published a second time in 1692, with a short information to the Reader, which here follows) have hitherto been conceal'd in Manuscript; and are now Printed at the Request of some of his Friends, and several others, who having Read his Sabbath of Rest , (which hath been Translated into the German and Low-Dutch ) desired to Peruse his other Writings, which has induced those that were intrusted with the Copies to commit to the Press, for the Use and Edification of many.

T H E

T O T H E

T HE following Practical and Experimental Treatise of the New-Birth, was Writ and Publish'd by the Author in his Youth, about Forty Years since; and having been long out of Print, and desired by many, has put those who are intrusted with his Writings to Communicate it to the Publick a second Time, with some Alterations and Amendments, by the Authors own Hand, to prevent any occasion of Offence or Mistake. And forasmuch as it hath pleased the Lord, not long since, to take his Servant up into that Rest, whereof so many Years ago he had given him so ravishing a Pisgah sight (as will in part appear from the following Sheets) it has been the desire of many of his Friends (to whom his Memory is and ever shall be most sweet and precious) that this Discourse might be usher'd in with a short Account concerning Him, and some of his last Moments, until a fuller Relation of his Holy Life be prepared for publick View, which is a thing much desired by many; to the End, that so Saint-like and Exemplary a Life might serve for a Copy and Encouragement of the Godly, and for the Reclaiming and Converting of the Wicked and Profane in these Dregs of Time, wherein we have so great a Scarcity of such Examples, and in which true Religion and Fear of God seem to have left the Earth. But in the mean time, till some or other undertake this Task, be pleased Reader, to accept of these short Hints, concerning the Instrument by whom our good God has been pleas'd to reach forth the following Truths and Directions, in the Way and Progress to the New-Birth (that Land of Rest and Peace) unto thee, and all those who have Ears to hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.

Mr. Thomas Bromley was born at Upton upon Severne, in Worcestershire, of an Ancient and Honourable Family, according to the Worlds Account. (But methinks in mentioning this, I sink below the Subject I am speaking of; for whats this to one who by his better Birth, was a Son and Heir of God, and Coheir with the King of Kings, and Lord of the Lords, the Holy and ever blessed Jesus?) He was in his younger Years religiously Educated, and after he had gone through the Learning of the Schools, became a Member of All-Souls College in Oxford, where God was pleased to reveal his Son in him, and to make great and glorious Discoveries of himself unto him, such, as it may be, should they be here related, some would scarce be able to understand or bear. And from that time forwards the Supreme Love having ravish'd his Heart with his All-surpassing Beauty, became a Vail to his Eyes, keeping him from beholding Vanity, or lusting after it; and he began in return of this special Divine Grace and Favour, wholly to dedicate himself to his Service from his Youth; and parting with all, and denying himself, became a faithful Follower and Disciple of this great Lord and Master, the Holy Jesus, and a true Minister of the Gospel, not of the Letter, but of the Spirit, one that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

B UT having spoke a few Words of the Rising of this Bright Star, I must next lead you to its Setting, passing by its whole Course; he therefore having thus for many Years walked with God, the Lord was pleased (before he took him to himself) to exercise him with a long continued Weakness, which yet did not hinder him from exercising the Functions of an Evangelical Preacher. About three Weeks before his Departure, he Preach'd his last Sermon from these Words, Acts. 14.22. the latter Part of the Verse, That we must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God; from whence he took occasion to discourse not only concerning the Outward, but more especially concerning the great Inward Spiritual Sufferings and Combats of Gods People. After this Sermon he grew so weak that he could not Preach, and but seldom Pray in the Family: Yet at sometimes when he felt the Power of God upon him, he would have them call'd into his Chamber, and would pray with great Fervency and Strength of Voice, as if he had been in perfect Health. During this time (for his Setting was of one piece with his Rising and whole Course) he gave many holy Exhortations to those that came to visit him, and would often say: He could take delight in nothing but God, as having been dead to the World these many Years. He declar'd to a familiar Friend of his more than once, That except the Lord would be pleas'd to restore him to such a degree of Health, that he might preach the Gospel, and so help to Edify the Church of God, he had rather (if he might choose for himself) die than live; for he knew whither he should go, viz. to God and Christ, and all the Blessed Angels, &c. But that he resign'd. And would often say, That he lived in the Will of God. He was observed to be much introverted and exercised in Mental Prayer, or Prayer of Silence; and when he heard too much talk in his Chamber: He would say, Be silent, be silent; for Silence and Stillness is best.

H E had one Evening (being about Ten Days before he died) such a mighty Power of God upon him, as many Years ago he had experienced in the Company and Communion of his special Spiritual Friends, so that having call'd some dear Friends up to his Chamber, he broke forth into singing and praising of God, to the great Joy, Comfort and Refreshment of all that heard him; and so likewise did about four of five Days before his Decease. Sometime before this, he discoursed to some Friends of the Difficulty of Salvation, which was not to be secur'd but by giving our Hearts wholly up to God, without any reserve whatsoever. And then mentioned the great Love he had to Souls, and desire that they might not miss of Salvation; and testified his Universal Charity to all that fear'd God, of what Persuasion or Division soever.

T HE Day before he died, some Friends being come some Miles to visit him, he with great earnestness and demonstration of Truth discours'd to them of God, of the Immortality of the Soul, the Excellency of the Holy Scriptures, and how much those who profess to believe the Christian Doctrines, are bound to live a holy Life: And so gave a short, but powerful Exhortation to Holiness, as the only way to Happiness. And then said, I have Peace of Conscience, I have lived up to my Light, and loved God above all things. And at another time he said to two intimate Friends, I have Peace of Conscience, I have walk'd with God, tho' I have made no Noise in the World.

T HE same Day he died (which was on Easter-Monday, April 13th, 1691,) he often cry'd, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly! O when! when! And one time he said, My Lord! my Rock! and my strong Habitation! Which Words came from him with great Power. The last Words that ever he spoke were, Watch, watch, whereupon he fell into a sweet Slumber for an Hour, and in it departed; thus truly falling asleep in him, to whom, for whom, and in whom he had lived, to whom be Glory and Praise for ever and ever.

T HIS was the End, R EADER , of that Precious Saint, who from the Light and Grace of God conferrd upon him, pend the following Treatise; concerning which I shall not need to add any thing further, seeing the following Advertisement of the Author, gives a full Account of the Design and Usefulness thereof. The Paraphrase in Verse upon the 13th Chapter of the first to the Corinthians (printed at the End of the Treatise) being found amongst the Authors loose Papers, was thought fit to be Publishd herewith, because it expresseth much of his Spirit and Temper.