IT having pleased the Lord to take unto himself a choice and eminent Servant of his, to wit, Joh. Pendarves, Minister of the Gospel, and Pastor of that Congre­gation at Abingdon; whose interring we did meet to solemnize the 30th of the 7th Month, that being one end of our coming together: judging it our duty to perform the last office of love to so faithful a Servant as he was, indeed a Prince in Israel, who did in his life time naturally care for Sions welfare, wholly giving himself up unto the Lord's work: and hereby a price and oportunity was put into our hands to bring many of the Lord's people together, from several parts of the Nation, in this dark and gloomy day, to seek his face for the understanding of his minde and will, what his Remnant (remaining faithful in this great day of A­postacy) ought to do. To which end, there were several heads agreed upon; ac­cording to which they might seek his face with understanding, as by these parti­culars here mentioned, will more plainly appear:

1. That we humble our selves before the Lord for all our sins and iniquities, wherein we have justly provoked the eyes of his holiness, through our lukewarm­ness, indifferency of Spirit, rashness, and want of love i [...] this great day of open Apostacy and backsliding; wherein, it is to be feared, we have much added to the measure of the iniquity of this day.

2. That notwithstanding all the complaints of the Lord's people, there hath not been that diligent heart-searching into the minde and will of the Lord, what his people ought to do.

3. To remember before the Lord with mourning, that there is not that natural care for Sion, as there ought to be, especially, when he hath chastened us by taking away such choice Instruments as he hath done of late: but most men now, seeking their own, and building their own cieled houses, saying, The time is not yet: the time that the Lord's house should be built.

4. To entreat earnestly of the Lord, that he would be pleased so to own this present Meeting, that the light which he hath given in amongst the body of his people inquiring after his minde and will in this day might be so gathered into one as that we might be able to read his minde and will, together with our duty, in this dark and gloomy day: And, that he would pour forth a plentiful portion o [...] his Spirit upon the Remnant of his faithful ones, whereby they may be enabled t [...] prosecute his minde and will so made known unto them.

5. To remember the afflictions of Joseph in all the parts and quarters of th [...] world, and particularly in this Nation, wherein the Saints are imprisoned, espe­cially by those that are under so great a profession of Light.

6. That God would be pleased to deliver them that are insnared with the A­postacy of the times, and remove them that stand in the way of his work.

Nevertheless, leaving the Spirit of the Lord to breath in his people as he should please to minister unto them.

And accordingly upon the day above mentioned, we met together at Abing­don, in the house of the late deceased Servant of the Lord; and we may with a holy boldness declare. That we did in some measure behold the light of his coun­tenance that day breathing through such of his servants, whose hearts were stirred up to speak unto and from the Lord. The next day being the first instant, we were again met together and spent the whole day in waiting upon him: where we de­sire to acknowledge with humility and thankfulness, That (though we were un­worthy to receive any thing from our Father, yet) some of us and many others did behold such tokens of his presence, by his smiling countenance through our Lord Jesus Christ, such quicknings of his Spirit, such melting & brokenness of heart, such tastes of his peace and joy, such renewings of first-love, such endearing of Saints to each other, such longings after the glory of God, and groanings for the prosperity of Sion; as some ancient Professors [...]ffirmed, they seldom experienced the like: divers of the Souldiers and others (though adversaries to this Meeting) were forced to acknowledge God was amongst us of a truth; and in particular, when the party came on with violence upon our friends, one of the Souldiers had this word, Psal. 105. 15. set upon his spirit with much power, (as he profest) Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm: he was a Brother, and promised to break his sword when he came home.

For which we desire to bless and praise the Name of the most High our Father, because he hath not forsaken them that seek him, nor is it a vain thing to wait at his posts.

The next morning, being the second instant, we intended to have met again, the former refreshings having thereunto sweetly engaged us: but being prevented, we shall give a plain account thereof, and bless Jehovah for the worst men have or can do to us, seeing our God will turn that also to his praise, and the same doth and will work together for the exceeding good of them that sincerely love him.

About seven in the morning, several of us lodging at the sign of the Lamb in Abingdon, were in the Inn-yard, some looking to their horses, others getting themselves ready, the better to be prepared for the meeting intended, had the Lord pleased to have afforded it unto us: about which time three Troopers came into the Inn; and after they had put up their horses, went up stairs to another of their company who had continued in the Inn (most part of the time that we were there) as a spy, to take notice, and give information of what he could hear and see done amongst us. Presently after, they went into several of our chambers, and took away a Hawking-bag belonging to one George Allom of Exceter, being a Mes­senger of the Church there; and took out of it all his writings, being as we un­derstand of private concernment only: whereupon it was asked by what autho­rity they did it: to which they replied, That they had order: but the question being again put, Where their order was, they put their hands upon their swords, [Page 3] and said, There was their order: to which some of us said, That if they could produce no other order, a High-way-man, demanding our purses, could produce as good a commission for his action as they did. Upon this, another came in, be­ing, as we afterwards understood, Commander of the party then in the Town, Lieutenant Barker by name: some of our Friends asked him also by what autho­rity this search was made: to which he replied. That it was sufficient he said he had order for what he did, and that he was not bound to shew his order if he had any, to every one that asked him. But our Friends still pressing for a sight of his order, with words spoken to the same purpose aformentioned, by which the said Lieutenant was much inraged, riding suriously about the Inn-yard striking several of our Friends violently with his Cane, endeavoring to ride over them with his horse, using many uncivil words towards us, commanding us to go up to our chambers, saying, That we should know, if he commanded us to go up, we must go, without any farther inquiry.

Soon after this, some of us went out of the Inn to the meeting place, intending to have gone in, but two Troopers keeping centinel at the door refused to give liberty to any man, presenting Pistols to their brests to hinder them from going in­to the place, and in particular our Brother Mayo, who lived there, was so far hindered from coming in, that they cocked their Pistols, and presented them to his brest, so that he was forced suddenly to step back, fearing lest they should fire upon him. From thence, our Friends being disappointed of their meating [...]ent into the Market-place: one of our Brethren began in prayer, another seconded him in speaking, after him our Brother Jones of Longworth in Barkshire, an ancient grave Christian, who was formerly persecu [...]ed by the Bishops proc [...]rded with a word of exhortation: then our Brother Austen a member of [...]h [...] Church at Oxford, who was late a member of the Army, exercising. The Souldiers drew [...]ound about us, and after a short time made an attempt upon u [...], hoping to have scattered us; which the Lord prevented, though no opposition was made on our parts: then the Trumpet sounding, they drew off, and came on [...]gain in a body with much violence: the Commander of the party came in, and broke through violently with his sword drawn (having first broken his Cane) he cut divers, one of our hats being sl [...]shed in three or four places; and most of the Souldiers, some with drawn swords, others with swords in their scabbards, violently smiting, and driving us one from another, whereby we were forced to desist from our duty unto God the Lord of hosts, before whose throne we were in prayer, and continued, till pulled down by force: one was forced to tumble over stones to shift their strokes to his hurt, by another Note, that the Officers car­ryed themselves more uncivilly then the com­mon Troopers. Officer endeavouring to ride over him, spurring and beating his horse to that purpose; but the Lord suffered it not to be. Some had their Garments rent and torn on their backs: some offering to go and see their friends (seized upon in the tumult) were threatned to have their swords thrust through their howels: several being haled about the Market-place so long, that one of their ow [...]: [Page 4] company cried out, For shame drag not a man thus. Moreover one speaking to a soldier, that he must answer this one day before the Lord: he replied. He would an­swer our God well enough. At this time also, the ancient Brother before mentioned had many blows made at him; but through the goodness of the Lord received a [...] hurt; though divers others, men and women, were shamefully beaten at this time: and after this, riding about where they saw any together, fell in amongst them to disperse them taking several as prisoners, and afterwards letting several loose in a private manner, laying nothing to their charge, somwhat like that in Act. 16. 37. After this, that party of horse which had been so insolent and inhumane, drew out of the Town, and within a short time after, came in with them about seven or eight Troops more, who suddenly divided themselves into several Inns where we lay, shutting up the gates, and securing such as they could finde. Soon after this, one whom they call Major Gen. Bridges, with several others, came into the Town, and at the new Inn proceeded to examination of such whom they had taken, and such also whom they had detained in the several Inns as prisoners but in the end, they were all dismissed except five, who were carried away to Windsor-Castle: of whose particular charge, we can give little account, only thus much we are c [...]edibly inform'd, that one of them was charg'd only for making an appeal to God [...] prayer between us & them; there being little against any as spoke or done at them [...]ting.

That which was chiefly the ground of their commitment, was drawn so [...] by insnaring questions asked them when they were examined against themselve [...] [...] of their judgement and conscience: which we leave to every unbiass [...]d person to judge o [...].

And this we desire further to mention, T [...]at one of the subscribers, Joh. [...]omk [...]n [...], an Elder of the Church at Abingdon, being well known for his grace, cautions and very sparing in his expressions at all times, had this laid to his charge when he was examined, That he chal­lenged one of the Souldiers to fight with him upon Sal [...] lu [...]y plain; also, that he should say we had thirty thousand men more to come to us: [...]n [...] the souldier that spake there words, proferred to bring three men to swear to the truth of [...]t, though it is well known there were no such words spoken by him directly or indirectly: by which the Reader may observe what sons of Belial they have amongst them, who dare adv [...]nture to swear any thing: likewise to advise the Reader not to give much credit to reports contrary hereunto.

This Relation is presented to publick view, to prevent any false Informasion that may come from any particular person, or from our enemies, who may endeavor to possess men, that there was a design of rising at this meeting, which we do hereby declare against, as wel as testisie to the truth of this Relation.