difficulties were truly great, but God mercifully provided for them, so that scarcely any perished for want, and though they were often imprisoned for breaking this law, none were imprisoned for debt.

Mr. Heywood, in a soliloquy on this act, thus expresses himself: "Another step the restless adversary hath taken, by God's permission, to disquiet poor, ejected ministers, by casting them out of their own houses, from their flocks and families, from cities and towns corporate. This act commences March 24, 1666, a clear evidence, that Satan and his instruments are unwearied in seeking to wear out the saints of the Most High. But the enemy has overshot himself, for this act, above all other means, tendeth much to the furtherance of the gospel. It produced strange thoughts of heart, and strong workings of affection at the separation of nearest and dearest relations; yet even in this it hath done some good, as well as in many other respects. Instead of one house that we had to preach in, we have now at least a score. By travelling abroad our acquaintance is exceedingly enlarged, and so are our opportunities of doing good: the persecution of seedsmen is the dispersion of the seed, which much tends to the propagation of the gospel. Whereas, before this act, we were confined to our own houses; we are now sent to many families with the word of life, and every honest man's house is our home. God hath not left us comfortless, but hath come to us and made us sweet and satisfying discoveries of his power and love to us in the houses of our friends. We find, by delightful experience, that the Lord is every where by his wisdom, power, faithfulness, and loving-kindness, and that it is as short a way to a throne of grace abroad, as at home: the omnipotent arm of a merciful Father can reach us even

at the ends of the earth.

Blessed be God, men cannot banish God from us, nor us from him. The affliction is heavy on several of God's servants, and even on thee, O my soul, who hast had thy share of wandering already: but consider, thou hast wandered from thy God, and now he causeth thee to wander: a suitable punishment, wandering for wandering: though men be cruel, God is righteous. O my soul, couldst thou be content to enjoy a settled state when God's ordinances are in a great measure withdrawn, and the gospel seems to stand on the tip toe? Yet consider, it is not so bad as it might have been. Thou hast thy liberty to walk abroad at large, not shut up in a close prison as many; thou art not banished into a foreign land amongst a people of strange speech; thou art among thy relations and christian friends, and hast more opportunities among them than before: all which are advantages to health, estate, and spiritual graces. Hast thou not become more acquainted with the variety of christian states and experiences, and hath not this done thee good? Surely goodness and mercy have followed me all my days, and in all places. I have found precious mercies in prohibited places, where God hath watched over me and been a wall of fire round about me: never have I experienced such free liberty and large companies in my own house, as since I have been by law excluded from it. O what cannot God do! 'How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!' God telleth our wanderings, and putteth all our tears into his bottle. My soul, think it not much to wander, since thy dear Saviour trod many a weary step for thee: he had not so much as a place where to lay his head, though Lord of the whole earth, and King of kings! Labour to imitate thy master in going up and down doing good, and

leave some savour of goodness in all places where Providence doth cast thee. Few have thy advantages, for God hath given thee credit, and inclined his people to desire thy company. O my soul, be faithful in thy work, and, it may be, God will make thee successful; beware of self-conceit and ostentation, observe the calls of God, beg of him christian prudence, to direct thee in the disposal of thy journeys, follow the Lord in duty, and he will follow thee in mercy. Hitherto God hath secured and assisted thee in all thy ways, and he will guide thee by his counsel, and afterward bring thee to glory. There remaineth a rest for wandering pilgrims, a blessed rest on the bosom of Abraham, a house not made with hands, a city which cannot be shaken, and from which thou shalt never be banished. O blessed day! O happy rest which remaineth for the people of God!"

On the 24th of March, 1666, the day appointed for putting in force the Five-mile Act, Mr. Heywood began his "Diary," from which many of the following extracts are selected, containing a minute account of his journeys in this interesting part of his life. "This is a great scattering day," he says, "hundreds of ministers being by act of parliament banished five miles from the places where they formerly preached, if they take not an oath which they generally refuse; and this day I came out of Yorkshire to Denton, to live in exile. O the tears that have been shed for breaking up families, and separating husbands and wives, parents and children, pastors and people!" He now left his two little motherless sons in care of his faithful servant Martha, and set out on his pilgrimage, scarcely knowing whither he went. His first stage was to Halifax, where the day was spent in taking leave of his friends and former hearers. On this oc

casion he says, "It melted our hearts, having been above fifteen years together, and there having been many endearments betwixt me and my people. The second day I came to Denton, it was the most tedious journey I have had that way, which I have gone many hundred times; but scarcely ever with so sad a heart, and in so severe a storm of weather. On Wednesday, my father Angier and I travelled to Sir John Stanley's, of Auderley, where I, being called on to go to prayer in that large family, the first night we came, was tempted to study and speak handsome words from respect to the company; but reflecting to whom I prayed, and that it was no trifling matter, I set myself to the exercise in serious earnestness, and God helped me to speak to him devoutly with respect to the state of their souls and the good of their family." Mr. Heywood and his father-in-law Angier, spent several days in various respectable families, in different parts of Cheshire and Lancashire, were entertained with the greatest hopitality, and embraced many opportunities of preaching where they visited. Having much leisure in this journey, Mr. H. completed his first publication, entitled, "Heart Treasure."

Notwithstanding the kindness with which they were every where received and entertained, Mr. Angier appeared out of his element, and longed to return home; indeed, he was partly compelled to return, being unfitted for much travelling by age and growing infirmities. He said to Mr. H. "Come, son, let us trust God and go home." They returned to Denton, and Mr. H. soon came to Yorkshire, when he thus wrote: "After six weeks wandering abroad to visit friends, I am at last arrived at my own house, May 3rd, in the night. I find my family removed, (but I hope it is for the better,) to a more commodious house at Coley-hall,

without land, which as times are, may prove still very much in my favour, with less danger, trouble, and hazard. Being left alone in my new house, I see God is to be found in all places; for my soul hath had a precious season: blessed be God. Many came to see me, and I spent two Lord's days at home, with a considerable number of Christians, to my abundant comfort. They were refreshing days and duties. I preached to my neighbours several times on the week days, and observed a solemn fast, May 15, with almost twenty in my house, and God was wonderfully with us. morning after, by sunrise, I left home."

The

May 21st. I went to Leeds, a prohibited place. At night, I preached at J. C's house, where we had a very great number to hear. The Lord protected us; though a bailiff came to R. Hickson's house, where I slept, and therefore I chose to leave Leeds. On the Wednesday night, I went to Hunslet, where I preached to a full congregation, at J. Beck's house. The Lord made it a refreshing night to many souls, though our adversaries watched and gnashed their teeth, when they saw so many coming together. May 27th, spent the Lord's day at Penistone in public, without disturbThere was a numerous congregation from all parts, and I had great liberty of speech in preaching and praying; but not those meltings of heart I have sometimes enjoyed, nor was I so affected with the state of souls as my heart desires. On Friday, June 1st, I returned home in the night, without danger, and spent the Lord's day there. God helped me in my work, and preserved me and my company."

ance.

The next day, Mr. H. set out on his third journey, but did not go far from home. On his return, June 5th, about 10 o'clock at night, he was assaulted near his house by two men. "The one," he says, "was ill