Zion's sad tears, for Nineveh's just fears. Or, Hours of mourning, for yeers of sinning; Being some few directed observations of divine mercy, & sinful returns: with an humble offering towards regulation of land and maritime affairs. By a humble seeker of truth and peace.

Zion's ſad Tears, FOR Ninevehs Juſt Fears.

OR, Hours of Mourning, FOR Yeers of Sinning; Being Some few directed OBSERVATIONS OF Divine Mercy, & Sinful Returns: With an humble Offering towards Regulation of Land and Maritime affairs.

By an humble Seeker of Truth and Peace.

Fools, becauſe of their tranſgreſſions, becauſe of their iniquities, are afflicted; their ſoul abhorreth all manner of meat, and they draw neer unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, he ſaveth them out of their diſtreſſes. He ſent his Word, and healed them, &c.

Pſal. 107.17, 18, 19, 20.

Then ſaid I, Wo is me; for mine eyes have ſeen the King, the Lord of hoſts,

Iſai. 6.

Read the whole: for the holy ſeed ſhall be the ſubſtance thereof.

To ſigh and mourn for what we cannot do, Is to come ſhort: yet we muſt do it too.

Printed at London, 1653.

To the great God of wiſdome, and ſole Eſſence of Power.

O Thou holy one of Iſrael, and preſerver of men; I the worſt of thy creatures, all ſullied with the dirt and blood of my own, and the ſins and Tranſgreſſions of my poor Family, do here offer up to thee the ſacrifice of thy beloved Son, and dejection of my ſinful heart, begging of thee humbly, but earneſtly, not to marke ſtrictly what is done amiſs (being of purer eyes) but on the former, being an Oblation ſufficient for the ſins of the whole world. O great God of wiſdome, and Lord of Hoſts, renew thy holy Spirit in me, purifie me throughout; and as thou haſt preſerved me to this, teach me, not onely to glorifie thy Sacred Name, but alſo as thou haſt (at firſt faint deſire upon occaſion) taught my hands to War, and fingers to Fight; ſo now teach my heart to indite a good matter, and make my Pen the Pen of a ready Writer: and whereas formerly a Petitioner to earthly gods, whoſe breath is in their noſtrils, ſo now to thee onely, that it may turne thine eyes from my ſin, to thy own righteouſneſs. O thou that art my onely true beloved now in the Cloud, proclaim thy holy Name as in former dayes, The Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, long ſuffering, and abundant in goodneſs and truth, keeping mercy for thouſands, forgiving iniquity and tranſgreſsion and ſin: O reſerve yet a good proportion of mercy for thy Iſrael: why ſhould they be deſtroyed by worſe then themſelves? make them all, O God, ſeek and finde thy Kingdome, and then adminiſter to them all good things: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy ſight, O Lord my ſtrength and my Redeemer. Thus begging of thee to haſten all that is convenient to thy poor afflicted people, and thy moſt unworthy ſervant, I deſire to render to thy bleſſed Name but what is moſt due; all honour, praiſe, glory, Power, and Dominion, now and ever.

To the Right Honorable O.Cromwel Eſq; General of all the Land-Forces under the pay of the Parl. in England, Scotland, and Ireland; Member of the ſame Parl. and Councel of Sate. Sir.

YOu may juſtly challenge that impudence, which from Raggs preſented a great perſon with a Cup of cold water, when the Conquer or without peradventure could have commanded choyce Liquors; yet that eſcaped not unrewarded, though another with a higher Preſent from a more gallant hand, through a covetous end, did. Truly, Sir, I can onely ſay, I am yet a living Monument of mercy, having ſometime been a ſmall Atome of a Soldier under your happy conduct; and conſidering our enemies preſſure now at our Walles, to be great, as once at Haddington, before that approaching glorious Deliverance and Victory, I ſhould be ingrateful to God, as ſometimes I am, my Country, and your Honour, if I ſhould not bewail the preſent conditon of affairs, and caſt my ſmall Mite into the Publick Treaſury, towards ſupport of a Chriſtian intereſt, though ſhaken, and never more threatned. Would my tears prevail, I ſhould deſire to weep to death; that ſo a day of Jubilee might cover the face of this place of my Nativitie, now neer her extremitie, wherein her Faith, Patience, and Meekneſs will not onely be tryed, but muſt be extended; The God of glory give the bleſſing. Indeed, Sir, your known greatneſs and worth, muſt give me leave (though a low, ſimple, deſpiſed fellow) to be plain with you; for albeit a Raven bring you bread and fleſh in the morning of this accompliſhed New-year, and water from the Brook, deſpiſe it not; your former favours to me (when clouded in carnality) have induced me to this weak Oblation: I muſt acknowledge it with thanks to our Creator, the love of his dearly beloved Son, and ſacred Spirit reſting in his Saints; but withal confeſs (as I have ſaid) in my heart, that as he was juſt by afflicting me by ſo bad as my ſelf, (though externally my Superiors) ſo likewiſe in admitting ſome to be puniſh'd by worſe then themſelves, and to ſhake their body Politick, who firſt touched my Oeconomick; yet ſince it was to call forth my ſlender Candle, before hidden under a Buſhel, though lighted at a Divine Torch, and the Talent which before lay buried in a dirty Napkin, I cannot deny my Country-men a ſight of thoſe thoughts which may trouble us all; if I am a Shimei, be you a David. Sir, I here bring you a Brat called forth with Lazarus (I hope from the grave of corruption) and lay it at your feet, becauſe I am not ſo able as you to prefer or maintain it: you may do well to take the grave cloaths off, leſt it ſtink too much, and dreſs it in the attire you moſt deſire to ſee it; though it cannot prattle, yet to call you Excellent, or your Excellency at every word, yet in time it may be bleſt, and have occaſion ſo to do. Truly Sir, I am heartily ſorry I have no better New-years-gift for you that have deſerved it; but you (if you come to me) muſt be content with what I have, not what I would have. I hope the Lord of Hoſts will ſanctifie your heart to the advancement of his glory, and defence of his Saints; elſe, Sir, what ſhall be done to thoſe late-raiſ'd Princes, who continue to walk (without light in theſe dayes) in the ſteps of their Predeceſſors? ſurely, ſo much War as attended the gate of them, muſt attend theirs; yet is there an appointed time for Nimrod's ruine or ſafety. I hope it was in your heart to build the Temple; well, it's enough, you ſhall live to ſee the materials brought together that ſhall do the work. The Lord God of mercy incline the Pillars and Members to ſeek his Face whileſt it may be found, and the Evil day cruſh us not altogether; be confident in your Maker, and he may yet do much by you. The God of wiſdom and innocency inrich your heart therewith from his Fountain, that the Nations about you may have occaſion to bleſs God for and with you: So prayes heartily him that is

Decemb 20. 1652. A poor Fellow-labourer, a dead Dogg.

Sir, enquire not after the Author of this, but that of us both.

To the Reader, of what ſort ſoever.

PEradventure you (as others) may ſtile me mad or otherwiſe (as ſome in other caſes have) in reſpect of the main diſproportion of ſeveral things in this parcel; but I ſhall not ſay you are ſo, if cenſorious. If I am mad, 'tis for your cauſe; if ſober, 'tis to God. I ſhall not invite you much to look on the Infant, for its names or Fathers ſake; but if you like it, or it you, 'tis yours, not mine; I begg no cuſtomers or company now, being indeed never leſs alone, then when alone. If you find the Child in the ruſhes, and preſerve it, in time it may produce better things; however, my travel in its birth, ſhall not be loſt, for I have gain'd what I in part deſired to ſee. The God of Power ſanctifie it, and then it ſhall be bleſt, if not kiſt by you. The piece is not a nine days wonder, but ſome few void hours in that time; the matter I commit to you, not the form, for haſt maks waſte, and prevented me in puting things in order, though my end was good, and my judgment I hope with my God; this is onely truly for an humbled people; I have no hard words or Aenigma's to Chriſten it with; but what I have, you are welcome to; if you be a Chriſtian, 'tis well enough, it may receive the attendance of ſome vacant minutes; if it make you weep to ſee it, do ſo, I cannot help it; rock it, perchance it may gain ſleep though the poor father little; if you ſhall curiouſly ſearch his Name, you may finde it Homo: then ſeek no farther, unleſs you bring tears to attend his Funeral, who had rather for you die, then read your Elegie. To deal plainly with you, I am here call'd forth to ſhew you part of what I have; but it being ill Cook'd, and diſh'd with as bad ſauce, if you can receive and digeſt it, I am like to ſhew you more; however, give me no occaſion to anſwer for it, leſt you make me ſtark mad; and then (deprived of my ſences) not be able. An Infant, Idiot, or Lunatick (all which I am) is (as I take it) excuſable by the Law of the Land; Sed, ſi pereo, pereo; greater Pillars wil be ſhaken, when mine are ſo: yet this is my comfort, Cedars fall, when Muſhrooms will ſpring. One ſecret I muſt tel thee, that Part of my right hand, till I extended it in writing, was ſhrunk up, and then again I found its uſe, yet not able to write over again what I writ, or indeed remember it in former things of late. The fruit of my gleanings I wiſh you, and to ſee better things from you; contribute your talent with mine now in time, now in time of neceſſity; it can do no hurt, but may enlarge my thoughts expecting it; and your bringing in what you have to the Publick: praying for the proſperity of all the friends of Zion, I remain

Yours in all due reſpects, A Servant of Truth and Peace.

To Nineveh and its People.

O Nineveh, Nineveh, Nineveh, the former three moſt reſplendent places in the Nations about us; and this in particular, though I have been a Beggar for you: What more could the Lord have done by and for you, then what was done? What unthankful returns hath he received from you? ye had need of 3000 Ionahs, ſo many Trumpets, and as many years, to awaken and call you to true repentance. Did Divine mercy raiſe you to the Empire over your ſiſters, to repay your heavenly Father in the imperfect Coyn of your own baſe ingratitude, or walk after the carnal luſts of your own hearts? Could you be apt to Signe ſuch Oaths, Proteſtations, and Covenants of mens inventions, and never ſeriouſly make one in your own hearts with the giver of all good things; to live ſoberly and uprightly in this preſent life, to his glory and your own comfort, as alſo the mutual defence and preſervation of each other therein? But every one of your hands is full of oppreſſion and violence, and for your wicked deſperate Oaths (crucifying again the Lord of life) the Land now mourns and trembles before the preſence of the Lord. Muſt the God of Power deliver into your hands your betters, even the declared Kings and Princes of the earth, and can you continue ſtill walking in their impious ſteps? Muſt you return as Doggs to the vomit, or a blind people to the Onions and Garlick of Egypt? Surely the Lord may yet reſerve mercy for you, if you can but by Faith eye the Arme which hath (not long ſince) rendred it ſelf bare for your preſervation, and now contends with a flaming ſword againſt you; not onely ſo, but threatning a Mortality within your own Walls and Pavilions. O heavenly Father (if it be thy will) let every individual Member of the people here and abroad, lay theſe things ſeriouſly to heart, and let the crucified Image of thy Son be fixed in and upon every ſoul and ſpirit, that ſhall read or hear theſe Funeral-Elegies, though clothed in raggs; preſerve thy choyce ones as the Apple of thine Eye, let them not alwayes be dying Sacrifices for worſe then themſelves: reſtrain the fury and madneſs (O Father of ſpirits) of the Wolves and Bears of the Forreſt, which now thou haſt called forth; and ſpare thy poor people, when thou ſhalt deal with them: And all this for thy dearly beloved Sons ſake.

To the rigid Presbyters, and rude Pulpit-knockers of theſe times.

KNow ye not that holieſt David, and wiſeſt Salomon had their crimes; yet both reproved, repented, and found mercy? Where is Pharaoh your Covenanted Idol become? Is he not ſeeking all ways and means to deſtroy your hopes, and lay them in the duſt? Muſt you Idolize the ſons of men, and even betray all Governments that put you not in the room of Chriſt himſelf? Nor know ye, that for the tranſgreſſions of a Land, many are the Princes thereof? Why cannot ye ſubmit to that Power the Lord hath appointed, and vail your Plumes in the time of ſudden Calamity, and indeed joyn heart and hand with deſpiſed little ones, to ſeek your Maker in humility and love? O condeſcend in time, leſt elſe your untempered Morter ſuddenly make our Walls fall about our ears: let your moderation be known to all men, and be you Serpent-like wiſe, but Dove-like innocent; not Wolves in Sheeps clothing, to fleece the Flock and feed the belly-gods, but ſtudy the peace of the Government and people, if you can do no more; letting alone the Civil Magiſtrate to puniſh Turbulencies and Seditions: Indeed you ſhould more obſerve and proclaim the holy Name of the ever-living God, his dearly beloved Son, and ſacred Spirit, more and more; nay deny your ſelves (if true Diſciples) take up his Croſs and follow him whereſoever he ſhall call you, or into what condition ſoever. But 'tis to be feared you more ſerve the god of the world, not preaching in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, fearing not what man can do unto you, in perſecution, and out of perſecution. You may obſerve, the firſt Horn of the Beaſt in the laſt unhappy Queens time, fell immediately with it depending thereon, the Prelacy; the ſecond, I muſt ſay, comes too near your ſelves, and ye have had Power to procure the Image of the Beaſt to ſpeak, and ſome to be ſlain which worſhipped not the Beaſt: But beware, though you cannot ſee it, Babylon is faln, is faln in the hour of Gods judgement, the great City; and the reaſon is rendred, She made all Nations drink of the Wine of the wrath of her fornication. But let ſuch as taſt thereof, take heed they drink not of the wine of the wrath of God and his indignation poured forth without mixture. Your Hierarchy is even grown threed-bare; and as it cruſh'd the Biſhops, 'tis but juſt yours be cruſh'd. You'll ſay I am a mad fellow to tell you Diana is falling. I am of your opinion; yet not aſhamed to maintain or write truth at any time: proſecute me if you dare; you ſhall ſhortly be your own proſecutors, ſo well as I have been mine; then read me ſome pretty Homily of your converſion to comfort me. But leſt I ſhould make you ſo mad as my ſelf, let me ſoberly adviſe you to joyn your Prayers publickly and privately with the Saints, for the deliverance of a juſtly-afflicted people; peradventure God may have mercy on you and them, if ye unfainedly repent, amend, and advance Chriſt without private end.

To the Covenanters.

SUrely in 43 my Friend was an Infant at Law; yet having then a place by his Maſter Gamliel's Excellency, in mundane affairs, worth more then 100 l per an. he, according to the truſt on, and duty in him, tendred the Covenant to many; amongſt the reſt, viz. the Prelatical and Royal Clergie and Gentry, whom he found (though ſilenc'd their imperfections) that after much trouble on their own ſpirits, they could in humane eyes, imbrace any thing to preſerve their large Revenues, without ſeeking firſt the Kingdom of heaven, & laying up treaſure there; notwithſtanding, at that time ſome choſen ones refuſed to take that earthly honour from the duſt by ſuch means. For Oh my friends, (if ſo to God and your own ſpirits) tell me the Plot and iſſue; was it not more from Northern Policy, then Southern Piety, that we ſhould ingage to preſerve a Nebuchadnezzars or Belſhazzar's dying fate with yours, though then by thoſe in hoſtility againſt both, ye eſpyed not the Viſion and Hand-writing on the wall? Truly, I cannot but acknowledge my friend declined it, though his Maſter brought forth more Law then Goſpel for it; and ſuddenly his employment (God calling him thence by his own hand to a more retired way, leſt he ſhould abound and wax worſe) fell from him, as ſeveral times ſince, on other occaſions. Had this Idol-creature and other things before and ſince entred into, been, or ſavoured more of God then man, ſo much blood, treaſure, & ſweat ſurely had never been extorted to ſerve the three Nations, and yet no deliverance: no (my hearts) I doubt you yet but grope (as 'tis convenient) till true light appear; but when it doth or ſhall glorifie the giver, reject not the means, but embrace it, leſt your condemnation in the great day be juſt; which aſſeveration I believe you ignorantly took in the concluſion of the Covenant: hereupon I intreat you (for Gods cauſe) to conſider you have doted more on man then God; ſeek Gods face more, mans (viz. honour and carnality) leſs and leſs; write but a new Covenant on your hearts, to ſerve the God of glory, promote Chriſts Kingdom, and ſeek the union and common defence of his people more now then ever; never more need: then joyning your conſtant prayers therewith, truſt God with the iſſue; it may be Crowned with everlaſting ſucceſs, if God once ſpeak the word; however, you ſhall have done your duty: for what is earthly, tends to its Centre; but what is heavenly in you, to a glorious Eſſence. Be wiſe in time, and repent, leſt ye all likewiſe periſh, the Kingdom of heaven being now cloſe at hand.

The the moderate People of the three Nations.

O My beloved ones, though you may be ſtyled Laodiceans, or worſe, continue in your Sphere Serpentine and Dove-like; God will do glorious things by his deſpifed people, in this latter Act now in motion; ſtand ſtill, and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord; be confident therein, and ye ſhall be hid in the great day as the Apple of his Eye; nay, if ye be his, he will rebuke Kings and Princes for your ſakes; yea, he will cruſh them for the ſame: Therefore with humble (but faithful) hearts, ſeek his Face; if you have not had your hands in blood, ye may yet live to ſee Salomon's Temple builded; however, none truly ſeeks his Face and returns unfatisfied.

You'll carnally object, We have laid forth our ſelves for the Publick good, and can do no more Give me leave to ſay, Your Prayers and Tears may be yet enlarged; then ſure contribution of relief to thoſe that go forth for you, will not be wanting; better do ſo, till the Almighty ſend you deliverance, then become ſubjected to the Conquering Tyrant; when God ſhall by any means (though externally deſpiſed) grant it, then you muſt embrace it. In the interim, The Lord God of glory continue or give you his Peace, which paſſeth all underſtanding; ſo unfeignedly prayes the whimſical, but ſubmiſſive Author of this his latter Piece.

To every Individual Member of the Army.

HAſt not thou been one of thoſe, that God Almighty, the Lord of Hoſts hath been pleaſed to bleſs in the tryals of fire and ſmoak? Haſt thou not in thy time ſent, or endeavoured to return Trophies of thy ſucceſs to thy friends and Brethren at home, to magnifie thy ſelf? Didſt thou, or thy Aſſiſtants, ne'er promiſe the people ſuccour or aſſiſtance, to procure their Freedomes and Liberties? What then did they pay thee for, to continue ever upon their charge, and never endeavour it, or indeed to call thee to Maritime as well as Land-affairs? Oh ye fooliſh Galatians, who hath bewitched you to ſeek God little, man and thy intereſt much; forbear ſeeking truth and freedome, and purſue vanity!

Indeed, what fruitful returnes haſt thou given to thy Preſerver? You will ſay you were a ſervant, (I hope not Mercenary) you might adviſe, nay truly urge better Counſel when the Houſe was declining; you muſt therefore now help to ſupport it.

Well, now it ſeems that the Lord (by ſome confiding more in War then Truth and Peace) muſt call you or your Comrade once more forth, as well to qualifie the wickedneſs of the Marriners, (a ſpirit bad enough, and too too ſoon, though lately rais'd) as to try once more to bring home victory from an inſulting Foe, even at the gate; Deny not when you are call'd, caſt your ſelves into the armes of your heavenly Father, he ſhall direct you and his choſen ones for ever, and will even for ever and ever preſerve. But in thy heart Covenant with God, or at leaſt wiſh an happyer Reſtauration to our Rights and Priviledges now, then by blood at Sea, and that from thy ſoul: which if thou heartily purſue, the God of glory may Crown it with a bleſſing, and return the benefit into thy boſome. Remember, that the greateſt of Power was the Lamb of Peace, ſo well as Lyon of the Tribe of Judah; but the ſtill commands all Powers.

To the Members of Parliament and State.

O The wiſdome of the World! Oh that wiſdome I will overturn, overturn, overturn, ſaith the Lord; not in haſt (though provoked) I hope: for Thou Lord art gratious, full of compaſsion, ſlow to anger, and of great mercy, and doing good. It hath not been hid from your eyes, that the Lord hath overturned your Predeceſſors twice, which without peradventure acted (or at leaſt ſought) better things: Then what ſhall the Lord in the great day of his controverſie do unto you? I would know which of you hath moſt in Bank now in the enemies power, or if you could find no other ways to ſpend the ſinews of the people and Army, then in a Maritime War, delayed when victory was promiſed & anſwer'd; neither friend or enemy, but the devouring Sea, like to be the better for it. Hath God even delivered into your ſervants hands the Enemies of the three Nations, to be thus requited, in ſtead of ſeeking the face of his Divine Majeſty with unfeigned prayers and praiſes, doing good to the whole work of his hands, and as a Deliverer of our Rights and Priviledges from the incurſion and ſubjugation of Tyrants? Are not we, even we, that God hath made Moſes-like to ſtand in the gap in the terrible day, when the deluge of your Enemies approach'd your neereſt confines, very ſad now? Well, what reward? A new War, and bad involvement in freſh Seas of ſorrow. Nay, before the matter (as is ſuppoſed) was fully ſtated, or materially ripe for action, and other creatures that never appeared in the late-got victories, or in the leaſt contributed thereto, muſt firſt be preferred and promoted in the fruits of our bloody and dirty travels, for your ſafeties and our own, even as Mercenaries or worſt of men ſleighted. I muſt acknowledge, 'tis juſt with God the ſearcher of hears, and tryer of the reins, to caſt ſometimes the Rod into the fire, which proves dry, ſtiff, or barren; yet will he keep mercy for thoſe of them, that will yet look from vain humane Powers, and to his Face alone for comfort and deliverance. How ſeaſonable would one years eaſe be, to a declining people, even almoſt exhauſted already, whoſe languiſhing Priviledges have commanded my watchful eye and weaker Pen to this ſacrifice of ſome retired houres! Enquire not after my name in the fleſh, to perſecute it, leſt your own hearts meet with enough within to judge your ſelves; not that I ſear any other then my God, my Deliverer, and Preſerver; and that Angel he hath appointed to attend me, and miniſter unto me. Oh friends, I'll call you good Maſters, when you by your Chriſtian, ſweet, and good diſpoſures, ſhall find true Religion and purſue it, in relieving the Widow, the Fatherleſs, and Orphans; and eaſing the heavy-laden of their burthens. You may ſay, The time is now paſt. But, O Sirs, let every one of you enter into the privateſt Cloſets of your hearts, and with tears bewail thoſe glorious opportunities God hath put into your hands, though rejected and neglected; and then draw a new Covenant with the great God of Power, who depoſeth and ſetteth up Princes at pleaſure, now moſt cordially and really to ſeek chiefly his glory, and the advantage of the Common-wealth, and the mutual preſervation, defence, and comfort of all his people in general; eſpecially thoſe under your charge, if God may deliver you and them; and do you your ſelves firſt ſign it with your hearts and hands, then diſtribute it among the people: alſo, unto a common Treaſury to be appointed, do you your ſelves advance what liberal ſummes you can poſſibly ſpare, to perfect or accommodate this great work, that others may follow your example; and if you can lend any of your perſons to the work, do.

And here if I may produce two or three conſiderations from a piece intituled Sir Walter Rawleigh's Maximes of Sate, I ſhall.

"Sometimes the Romanes, for Publick good, without reſpect of wealth, fetch'd ſome of their Senators from the Plough, and ſome from the School.

Such would now be viſible in the rooms of Achans, Achitophels, and miſcarrying Iſcariots, if any ſuch there be.

In another place thus, as touching a Political Prince.

"David being a moſt worthy and excellent Prince, for Wiſdom, Valour, Religion, and Juſtice, and ſo highly deſerving of the Common-wealth, yet grown into age, grow withal into contempt, and had many both of his Nobles and common people that fell from him, firſt with Abſalom, then with Adonijah, who affected the Kingdome, and rebelled againſt him; for remedy whereof, he ſtirred up himſelf to Publick actions which might ſhew his vigour and ſufficiency to manage the affairs of his Kingdom.

"After the victory of Abſalom, he forced himſelf to forbear mourning, and ſhewed himſelf to his diſcontented Army, when all were like to fall from him. He alſo ſent kind meſſengers to Je. ruſalem and other principal places, and men of Judea, putting them in minde of their allyance with him, with theſe words, That they were of his own fleſh and blood, with proteſtation to provide for them with the like kindneſs and affection of theirs to wards him. He aſſembled a Parliament of his whole Realm, &c. He ſhewed bounty and magnificence, in congeſting matter for building of the Temple, as Gold, Silver, &c. He reviv'd Church-government, and ſet it in right order. He ordained Salomon his Succeſſor.

"By theſe and ſuch like other means, he retained his Majeſty and Authority in his old age, and then dyed in peace.

I leave the application to the moſt Pious and Politick of you, with this caveat, that when you uſe Policy, you never tender it more then as a handmaid to true Piety; which then will make it more warrantable, and abide the teſt of fire it ſelf.

"O hear what Moſes ſpeaks: Thus ſaith the Lord, I have ſurely ſeen the affliction of my people, and I have heard their cry, by reaſon of their Task-Maſters, for I know their ſorrowes. Thus you may ſee God will take ſpecial care of his low deſpiſed ones: and obſerve what Paul ſayes, (O I could wiſh you noble Senators to be ſo as the wiſe Bereans, who ſtudied the Scriptures for glorious ends, that I might joyn with him to you thus) Though I am abſent in the Fleſh, yet am I preſent with you in the Spirit. But thus as to higheſt glory, and loweſt good; Come, come, learn to be perfect Chriſtians, ſo well as Morally honeſt; deny your ſelves, take up the Croſs (now near you) and follow him.

Clouds gathered, menace Rain, I wiſh not ruine, or that it ſpoyl not you, becauſe you manage it no better; either take your hearts and hands to you, to maintain Publick intereſt, or draw aſide, take Phyſick a while, and admit others that you dare truſt as Deputies with that, or part of that high truſt in you; commit your ſelves to the preſerver of men, and let nothing be wanting in, by, through, or from you, that may manifeſt your ſelves to be Patres Patriae, advancers of the Kingdom of Chriſt, and the proſperities of his Saints: Which that you may do, ſhall be the prayer of the Author, to the chief Author of mercy.

To my honeſt Fellow-Commoners.

TRuly Sirs, I have nothing worthy to be called a preſent for you in this day of your great Tryal; but if you will accept it, I render you the ſorrowful countenance of a dejected heart, wiſhing it might ſigh and mourn it ſelf away for your deliverance, which ſure will approach: every night hath its morning, and that its perfect day. When God hath afforded you mercies greater then ever, putting your Truſtees in fair wayes of eſtabliſhing your long-deſired Rights; have you been truly thankful, or have not your freſh ſinnes ſtill called and renewed more judgements? Seriouſly I now fear your caſe, yet the Lord will (if you truſt him) not ſuffer poor ſouls for ever to groan under the Altar of mercy, but give them a glorious iſſue of their deſires. Patiently wait, ſtand ſtill, and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord. Man can do no more then God permits, nor can Pharaoh with all his Chariots paſs the Red Sea; but ye may eſcape, if ye ſteer affairs by Divine direction. Well, this is further to try your ſpirits, if not humble, and lay them in the duſt.

If ye are perfect Chriſtians, ye cannot refuſe your Maſters Croſs. But ſay you, We expected our Freedomes and external Priviledges to be ſetled long ſince. I bewail your want, I deſire to mourn with you. When God had even planted you in peace, and had pruned you, what fruit brought you forth? were you not ſo bad as my ſelf, a barren Fig-tree, which juſtly deſerv'd this curſe upon all our hopes? or indeed brought ye not forth wilde grapes, which occaſioned God to pluck down your walles, and leave you a prey to the Bears and Wolves of the Forreſt? but thoſe of you that are in Chriſt, ſhall be in ſafety; if Warre and peſtilence cover the Land, he will watch tenderly over his, and preſerve them from all dangers; Gog and Magog muſt fall, Truth onely ſtand. Oh Friends, be ye juſt and upright, then ſhall your path be as the ſhining light, which ſhineth more and more unto the perfect day; and be ye not as the wicked which walk in darkneſs, who know not whereat they ſtumble. I ſhall deſire you to offer up your hearts in ſighs and groanes to the God of mercy, for an happy reſtitution of your Chriſtian Priviledges now ſinking, by reaſon of thoſe corruptions. Obſerve Divine Providence, let nothing be wanting towards ſupport of the Church yet Militant, for your ſakes, I mean thoſe that ſhall go forth for you; for thoſe muſt bring in Materials to build the true Temple, as David did.

To all preſent Powers.

WHat God, or man by him ſhall dictate, obſerve and follow; leſt God finde you ſo diſobedient as your Predeceſſors, and accordingly afflict, though he may love you; For God was once in the ſtill voyce: I wiſh the ſame may modelize you (as it will) and manifeſt more to you then the poor Author.

I deſire to be ſpent for you and my poor Country, I mean ſpiritually; that ye may alſo taſte and receive more excellent things, excellency waits at your gates.

To the Mariners and Sea-Commanders.

HAth God brought you to this for puniſhment or mercy, judge ye? Oh what Blaſpheming and Retrogade ſpirits have ye been! Oh Friends, judge your ſelves in time, leſt ye be now adjudged to torments. Shall I deal plainly with you? Ye are the Veſſels of Wrath, which the Omnipotent hath appointed to ſcourge ſo bad as your ſelves, though more numerous; ſome of you muſt fall for the reſt, by a Rod of your own gleaning, yet it ſhall preſerve you, though ye cannot but by faith eſpie the hand that moves it. Oh in time (with me) bewail the Face of affairs and Divine judgements, which your treacherous ſinnes to God and man hath call'd upon our own heads.

Pray why was not victory purſued, when your Enemy fled before you? Was it to betray your Country, or enlarge their fears, ſorrowes, and exhauſt their declining Sweat and Treaſure? Well, for this I tell you, though the Lord of Hoſts (in whoſe Almighty preſence we are alwaies) will (notwithſtanding, though for your ſins puniſhing you) let you by another hand more then yours, ſee deliverance.

Then truſt God and his pure Spirit in his Saints; leave Oaths and wickedneſs, that ye may be converted and live, and indeed be Inſtruments yet of as much glory and Conqueſts, as the God of Forces hath made ſome of his Children by Land, that you or yours may ſee Peace eſtabliſhed in Righteouſneſs, and ſo Poſterity have occaſion to bleſs God for you, though wicked Inſtruments of his glory; for now the ungodly will puniſh the wicked.

O let the Spirit of Chriſt reign in and over you, that it may not onely deliver you and us in the evil day, but confirm you to the enjoyment of the great glory ſhall be diſcovered and made manifeſt in (though out of) the fleſh; then be ye conformable to the dictates of the ſame, walk humbly in his ſight, that ye may be bold as Lions in your Enemies, and they be cruſh'd before that greater inviſible Power, in or with you; which I moſt heartily wiſh.

To all people of and in God.

I Suppoſe our Bears muſt not onely deſtroy thoſe without, but rob them of their Whelps, if they make haſte; and by or before the beginning of March next, reſolutely and unanimouſly attempt and perſevere in it: then truſt God with the iſſue; two or three bouts will do the work, if you and they deſire the Lord of Hoſts to do it for us: to further which, I wiſh a new Covenant written in every ones heart and ſpirit, to ſeek Truth and Peace, and purſue it, immediately after the deliverance, and in the height of our Conqueſt; that mercy may be minded, and ſo burning Coals heaped on the heads of the Enemies; and I wiſh the rigid Presbyters and Anabaptiſts ruine not themſelves. Alſo, a Publick Treaſurie to be erected, for every one worth above 200 l. de claro, to advance a twentieth part of ſubſtance towards the propagation of this great work, to be repay'd immediately after victory, (if our State can bear it) with intereſt at 8 per cent. with the voluntary contribution of others in that nature, towards ſupport of affairs, and of the Widow, Fatherleſs, and Orphans that muſt happen. Alſo the Soldier and Mariner (when duly paid) will be humbler and bettter ſervants. As to ſuppreſſion of Tories, Moſs-Troopers, and Vagabounds in Armes, which muſt increaſe in Ireland and Scotland, That in the firſt place a Marſhall-General, and ſtrict Advocate with Force, may continually (convenient reſt in a place allowed) be allotted to Quarter on their Landlords or Grandees; and ſetting forth a Proclamation for every one of thoſe Wolves to come in by a due ſeaſon, immediately elſe hang up every one at the next Tree they ſhall meet in Armes; and all ſuſpected diſaffected diſarmed.

As for the Navy, honeſt Commanders of the Army, joyn'd with the Naval, to qualifie the Spirit, will cruſh the Enemy.

Had not Sol afflicted Merc'ry in Cancer, Crabs to Rams had never found an anſwer. Soli Deo Gloria. FINIS Coronat Opus.

Let Bears decay, Wolves fall, and Lions ſtand, Firſt gone, others waſting, loſt, and laſt command; When heaven once ſhall unfold this Myſterie, Heavens in earth receive a Jubilee. Wake not my Love, when now wiſhes ſlumber; Cruſh your Enemy though exceeds number. The Author hath been too buſie for you, Yet his pointed work he muſt doe: Let Babylon fall, that truth may flouriſh; Then Peace, Joy, all bleſſings ſhall you nouriſh.