In those times Mr. Flavel being at Exeter, was invited to preach by many good people of that city, who for safety chose a wood about three miles from the city to be the place of their assembly, where they were broke up by their enemies by that time the sermon was well begun, Mr. Flavel, by the care of the people, made his escape through the middle of his enraging enemies ; and though many of his hearers were taken, carried before Justice Tuckfield, and fined ; yet the rest, being nothing discouraged, re-assembled, and carrying Mr. Flavel to another wood, he preached to them without any dis- turbance ; and, after he had concluded, rode to a gentleman's house near the wood, who, though an absolute stranger to Mr. Flavel, en- tertained him with great civility that night, and next day he return- ed to Exeter in safety. Amongst those taken at this time, there was a Tanner who had a numerous family, and but a small stock ; he was fined notwith standing in forty pounds ; at which he was nothing dis- couraged, but told a friend, who asked him how he bore up under his loss, That he took the spoiling of his goods joy fully ^ for the sake of his Lord Jesus,for whom his life and all that he had was too little.
As soon as the Nonconformists had any respite from their trouble, Mr. Flavel laid hold of the opportunity, and returned to Darmouth, where, during the first indulgence granted by King Charles II. he kept open doors, and preached freely to all that would come and hear him ; and when that liberty was revoked, he made it his busi- ness notwithstanding to preach in season and out of season, and sel- dom missed of an opportunity of preaching on the LordVday. During this time, God was pleased to deprive him of his second wife,
Vlll THE LIFE OF THE LATE
which was a great affliction, she having been a help-meet for him ; and such an one he stood much in need of, as being a man of an in- firm and weak constitution, who laboured under many infirmities. In convenient time he married a third wife, Mrs. Ann Downe, daugh- ter of Mr. Thomas Downe, minister of Exeter, who lived very hap- pily with him eleven years, and left him two sons, who are youths of great hopes.
The persecution against the Nonconformists being renewed, Mr. Flavel found it unsafe to stay at Dartmouth, and therefore resolved to go to London, where he hoped to be in less danger, and to have more liberty to exercise his function. The night before be embark- ed for that end, he had the following premonition by a dream ; he thought he was on board the ship, and that a storm arose which ex- ceedingly terrified the: passengers , during their consternation there sat writing at the table a person of admirable sagacity and gravity, who had a child in a cradle by him that was very fro ward ; he thought he saw the father take up a little whip, and give the child a lash, saying, Child be quiet, I will discipline, but not hurt thee. Upon this Mr, Flavel awaked, and musing on his dream, he concluded, that he should meet with some trouble in his passage : his friends being at dinner with him, assured him of a pleasant passage, because the wind and weather were very fair ; Mr. Flavel replied, That he was not of their mind, but expected much trouble because of his dream, adding, that when he had such representations made to him. in his sleep, they seldom or never Jailed.
Accordinglv, when they were advanced within five leagues of Portland in their voyage, they were overtaken by a dreadful tempest, insomuch that betwixt one and two in the morning, the master and seamen concluded, that, unless God changed the wind, there was no hope of life ; it was impossible for them to weather Portland, so that they must of necessity be wrecked on the rocks or on the shore. Upon this Mr. Flavel called all the hands that could be spared into the cabin to prayer; but the violence of the tempest was such, that they could not prevent themselves from being thrown from the one side unto the other as the ship was tossed ; and not only so, but mighty seas broke in upon them, as if they would have drowned them in the very cabin. Mr. Flavel in this danger took hold of the two pillars of the cabin bed, and calling upon God, begged mercy for himself and the rest in the ship. Amongst other arguments in prayer, he made use of this, that if he and his company perished in that storm, the name of God would be blasphemed, the enemies of religion would say, that though he escaped their hands on shore, yet divine vengeance had overtaken him at sen. In the midst of prayer his faith and hope were raised, insomuch that he expected a gracious answer ; so that, committing himself and his company to the mercy of God, he concluded the duty. No sooner was prayer ended, but one came down from the deck, crying, j&d'rcerancc !
REVEREND MR. JOHN FLAVEL. IX
Deliverance! God is a God hearing prayer ! In a moment the wind is come fair west ! And so sailing before it, they were brought safely to London. Mr. Flavel found many of his old friends there ; tand God raised him new ones, with abundance of work, and ex- traordinary encouragement in it. During his stay in London, he married his fourth wife, a widow gentlewoman, (daughter to Mr. George Jeffries, formerly minister of King's-Bridge) out now his sorrowful relict.
Mr. Flavel, while he was in London, narrowly escaped being taken, with the reverend Mr. Jenkins, at Mr. Fox's in Moorfields, where they were keeping a day of fasting and prayer. He was so near, that he heard the insolence of the officers and soldiers to Mr. Jenkins when they had taken him ; and observed it in his diary, that Mr. Jenkins might have escaped as well as himself, had it not been for a piece of vanity in a lady, whose long train hindered his going down stairs, Mr. Jenkins, out of his too great civility having let her pass be- fore him.
Mr. Flavel after this, returned to Dartmouth, where with his family and dear people he blessed God for his mercies towards him. He was in a little time after confined close prisoner to his house, where many of his dear flock stole in over night, or betimes on the Lord's- day in the morning, to enjoy the benefit of his labours, and spend the sabbath in hearing, praying, singing of psalms, and holy discourses.