The Bedfordshire Prophesie:
OR,
The strange and wonderfull Vision of Mr. Godson of the
Town of Nonwich, who sickn'd on the 18th. of April, 1690. and lan-
guish'd to the 26th. and then dyed; yet after Twelve hours his Spirit
return'd to him again, and he gave this following Relation.
The Truth of this Attested by William Celly, Thomas Roberts, William Hornby.
To the Tune of Bernard's Vision, or, Aim not too high. Licensed according to Order.
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GOod People all I pray you to attend
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Unto this Ditty which I here have penn'd,
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Of a strange Wonder late in Bedfordshire,
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The like before I think you ne'er did hear.
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Within the Town of Nonwich there did dwell,
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One Mr. Godson, who was known full well,
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To be a true Religious Man indeed,
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Who would the Poor distressed often feed.
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At length it was the Lord's most gracious Will
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That on the Eighteenth day of April
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He sickn'd then, and languishing he lay,
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And dy'd upon the Six and twentieth day.
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He lay Twelve hours there depriv'd of Breath,
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In the cold Icey Arms of pale-fac'd Death,
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Then did his Soul reassume his former State,
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Unto the World strange things he did relate.
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Then turning to his Wife and Children Dear,
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With other Friends, he pray'd them to give ear;
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Saying, I have a Message to you all,
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And therefore now to God for Mercy call.
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In whose most Blessed Presence I have bin,
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Since my Departure from this Flesh of Sin;
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Where I such splendid Glory did behold,
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Which was more bright than pure refined Gold.
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From whence I know this wretched World below
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Are Vanities will bring both Grief and Woe;
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If true repenting Tears do's not make way
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For your poor Souls before a dying day.
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Your Gold and Silver is but Dung and Dross,
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Ten thousand Worlds cannot repair the Loss
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Of one poor Soul that unrepented dyes,
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Turn from your Sins I do you all advise.
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From the Celestial Mansions am I sent,
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To this Terrestial earthly Tenement,
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With a brief Message, then I must away,
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My time is short I have not long to stay.
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I stay but Seven days, and then return,
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Therefore I pray observe this great Concern:
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When first that Place of Glory I beheld,
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My Soul was then with admiration fill'd.
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One streight in Glory did before me stand,
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Having a Golden Vial in his Hand,
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From whence into my Mouth Water did flow,
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Said I, Good Lord, What shall thy Servant do?
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I am thy Fellow-servant, then said he,
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Go back, and tell the World the Lord's Decree;
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His People's Prayers he has been pleas'd to hear,
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And therefore now their Foes they need not fear.
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He likewise said, K. William should Sail o'er,
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With a vast Army to the Irish Shore,
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And there subdue his Romish Enemies,
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Who soon shall fall a bleeding Sacrafice.
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He likewise said, K. William soon should take
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He that his Promise did so often break,
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Where full Six Months he should confined lye,
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And at the length yield up the Ghost and dye;
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But yet a Twelvemonth still the War should last
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Until the Europe Princes they should blast
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The fading Glory of a mighty One,
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Who by this means shou'd then be overthrown.
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For looking over a high Castle Wall,
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His Head should be struck by a Cannon Ball,
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And then all Places should Surrender streight,
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And bloudy Wars would presently abate.
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This is the Summe of what he did declare,
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To his dear Wife and Neighbours which was there
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Hereby you to my words may credit give,
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I have no more than Seven days to live.
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And then he told them all that he should dye,
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The which it seems he did accordingly,
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The Truth of this strange Wonder will appea[r]
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From honest Men of Credit far and near.
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