Issachars Ass Braying Under a Double Burden

TO THE KING HIS SACRED MAIESTIE, ISSACHARS ASSE, BRAYING Under a double Burden.

WHen old ISRAEL prophetically pronounced this Doome concerning his son Issachar, that he should bow his shoulder to bear, he likened him to a strong, or osseus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , bonie Ass: as needing much strength to bear a great burden. And it was thought of old, that the burden of the Ministry, Vni praeesse Ecclesiae, to have the charge of one Church, & non duabus subesse Ecclesiis, and not to be over-charged with under-going two, was such, that in the balance of the Sanctuary, weigh the burden with the strength, the one surpassed the other, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ? and who is of sufficiency for discharge of that Calling?

But now-a-days the cure of Souls, is either weighed in Belshazzar's balance, and found too light: or men's backs are thought like Samson's shoulders, strong enough to bear two Kirks at once, as he carried the two posts of the gates of Azzah, to the top of the Mount which is before Hebron.

A strange thing, that men's policy should so meet a Princes piety, that where he intended the bettering of the Kirks-impoverished-estate, by some competent provision, at least, to each one: If Patrons cannot evite the necessity of obedience to that law of his Royal Parliament, and Decreet of his honorable Commission, they shall find out such a political course, as in effect the same shall be but frustrate, how-so-ever: for where two Kirks are to be provided severally, getting the charges united, & making one sing dumb, they have made the poor petty portions, united together likewise, to equal that measured mean competency of provision appointed in the Act: as if bettering of provisions for several Kirks had not been meant; but that in the Kingdom the impairing of the few number, both of Kirks and Pastors, had been intended. And making there-by some Ministers that it may be said of them, as of Hercules Pillars, Nil ultra: being life-renters only to wear off, and none there-after in those places anymore to succeed them.

Because (for-sooth) men are so loath to parte with the patrimony of the Kirks, should there-fore be made such an illicite matrimony and conjunction, as is much less tolerable than with the Jews under the Law, to have plowed with an Ox and an Ass together: or a-like unlawful, as when they coupled them-selves with the Women of Ammon and Ashdod?

Or should such a monstrous metamorphosis be made, that so many Kirks, and Congregations, which before were Substantives, and stood by them-selves, shall be now so woeful and variable Adjectives, as a sound agreement and happy consolidation is never to be expected, and as their ruinate Cases shall here-after declare?

We detested before Idols in Kirks, but we are making now Idole-Kirks, hence-forth not to be ob solatia vivorum, but to be caemiteria mortuorum, the sound of God's word no more to be heard in their Pulpits, but of the dead tolling of the Bell at Burials in their Steeples.

As the Philistines filled up Isaac's Welles of springing water, which his father Abraham had digged in his time: so here-by closing up the Cisterns and Conduites of that still and living water which gave refreshment to the Lord's flock: and encroaching upon the limits of that green Pasture where-in the Lord's Sheep were duelie made to feed.

As if there were no means howe the Kirks of this Kingdom here, could be other-wise to such a mean competency of maintenance provided, out of their large and sacrilegiously detained Patrimonies, than by making the Israelite and Egyptian, who in Moses time strove together of them, killing one of them, to preserve another.

Or as the Ephraemites, who could not so grossly pronounce Shibboleth, but Sibboleth, with a smaller voice, were all slain by the Gileadites, at the passages of Jordan: Even so, that all such Kirks that are not excessive in burden and bounds, and of the grossest and greatest in the Land; but of any meaner and lesser sort or syze, should be so extinguished, swallowed up, and devoured, as with Korabs punishment, or Pharaohs dream, they should symbolize, men miss-construing here-in (as seemeth) the words of our Savior, That to him that hath, more shall be given: and from him who hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken from him.

David, when he sat in his house, and had rest given him round about, from all his enemies, did advise to build God's House: So his peace bred him piety; and his rest, religion. But it is contrary with us: our peace hath bred such policy, and the fruit of our rest, is the robbery first, and next, the ruin of GOD'S House, counting Kirks to be like Esau to us, not to be Planters, but Supplanters there-of: Contracters, and not In-largers of the Kingdom of CHRIST. And thus (as the Prophet Micah saith) the great man spake out of the corruption of his soul, and so they wrapped it up.

But assuredly, such Appendices as they have made many Kirks of, will be seen at length, never to have proceeded of a good Thesis: neither will ever such a perilous Copulative Conjunction, do what they list, admit of, nor take places in a good Construction.

Before Pastors were impoverished, and now shall their number thus be diminished? The Church first stripped (like Joseph ) of her Coat, which should warm her: and next, of her Watch-men, which should arm and defend her: under pretense of some Restitution of means, to make her woefullie destitute of Men: Is not this the vilest sort of Sacrilege? Or how far is it from the practice of Julian in likeness, qui extinxit non solum Praesbyteros, sed Praesbyterium.

And how agreeable this Syncope, or Contraction, is now to Piety, or Reason, may be clearly discerned, that when not only the Sheep of the LORDES Pasture are increased, and the People (as in David's time) are multiplied exceedinglie; but the number also of the Wolves, who assault the LORDES Flock, daily like-wise groweth: and the Foxes, who destroy the Vines, even the Vines which have small Grapes: (to wit, simple and unlearned Christians.) Should then the number of the careful and watchful Shepheardes, be diminished, and made fewer?

It was the Precept of our Savior, because the Harvest was great, and the Laborers were few, That we should pray the Lord of the Harvest, to thrust out many faithful Laborers in-to His Harvest. But to this Precept of His our practice now-a-days is flat contrary, and contradictour: yea, absurd, and against common Reason, where much work is, there fewer Work-men to be.

It was Pharaoh's working-wisely (in-deed) to augment the Israelites Taske, and to impair their strength, and means to perform the same. But such policy, being void of piety, did procure plagues only, and drew on misery.

And as the Church, to the great advantage of her enemies, receiveth (as is said) here-by a notable injury, what wrong is like-wise done to Learning and Universities, any one may easily perceive.

Colleges and Schools, the Seminaries of Sciences, and Nurseries of Religion, (like Goshen in Egypt, where the light of the Land is) they shall carefully trayne up, and yearlie send forth, a more and more numerous Off-spring, at Parentes large expenses, like Levi to be divided in Jacob, to teach the LORDES judgementes, and to be scattered in Israel, to teach the people His Law; and yet the places which they should fill, and live by, by a new practice of Annexation of Kirks, next unto Church-Rents, shall be occupied Titulo oneroso only, for the most parte, and taken up by others.

If this then be a way, either to encourage Parentes, and hearten Youth; or a practice to replenish the Schools of the Prophets here-after: and so consequently be profitable either to Church or Policy: or rather be not a mean to effectuate the contrary, and make Bethel a Babel, let any indifferent or pious mind judge.

The Country in like-manner, howe with Church and Schools it may many ways cry out, the apparent scars of her deep in-flicted wounds shall here-after offer them-selves conspicuous, & make the truth here-of more than clear and manifest.

At the time of that Reformation of our Country, where rather a Deformation was in many parts, through populare and unruelie confusion, (Greede, and not Godliness, possessing the minds of many) it was not enough then, to the grief of the godly, to level with the ground, deface, and cast down Kirks thorough the Land, and other Religious places, which might have served (beside the Ornament of the Country) for other better uses crying only in the language of Edom, Raze them, raze them, even to the foundation: as if (against the Law) the House, having the Leprosy, could not be purged, but by pulling down: so that as yet in many places there remaineth but the monuments of headless Furie, & seges ubi Troia fuit: But also men now-a-days, and goodly Professors (forsooth) thinking that there are too many Religious places as yet in the Land, and Houses of GOD'S Worship, have redacted two till one: and made there-by a second Defalcation, to abridge the sum.

It is reported of Hannibal, a Captain of subtle policy, that he saw in a dream, being in Italy, which he intended to subdue to him-self, a monstrous Image appearing before him: at the sight where-of being amazed, asked what it was that so ghastlie appeared? The Image answered, Vastitas Italiae. But this Image deceived Hannibal: for after the sight of his Brothers head, sent unto him by the Romans, he was forced to flee from Italy to Carthage: and so frustrate of his expectation.

It shall proovelyke-wise but an unluckie prodigy to them, the devastation of their Country: who by laying waste so many Kirks of goodly and godly Ornamentes, shall make the same, in short time, to become like Achan or Absalom's Burials: heaps of Stones, here and there through the whole Kingdom.

Our Savior was much moved, and as a great motive it was also used by the Elders of the Jews, to persuade and induce CHRIST to grant the Centurions petition, and heal his Servaunt, Because he loved their Nation (said they) and had built to them a Synagogue. Where they make there this outward action a sure testimony of his sincere and in-ward affection towards their Religion.

Then what can be the affection or zeal that many Professors now bear to the Worship of GOD which they profess, when in place of building Synagogues, or Temples, and multiplying their number, where-of this Kingdom standeth so much in need; they rather by such Uniting have impaired the number, & exposed the edifices to ruin and contempt? Thus (as the Prophet saith) while everyone of them runneth to build up his own house, and prepare Galleries syled with Cedar to him-self, the House of GOD is not only left, but made forsaken and desolate.

Civility hath ever also been seen to have been the Daughter of Religion: which as she pointed out, Quae DEI sunt, so like-wise Quae Caesaris: teaching to be holy towards GOD, and righteous towards Man: and so to give each one their due, and observe both Tables. And Experience hath taught, where Piety hath bid Fare-well, there Civility and comely Policy hath, like Ruth, inseparablie followed Naomi, and godless Barbaritie taken up their room. And where GOD is not feared, the King cannot be rightly honored: for these two, like Gemini, both go together: and the strongest In-forcer is known to be the Conscience: which, where it is not informed, no marvel that deformity of manners, and breach of duty be both to GOD and Man.

Now, where it was requisite then, moe Kirks for this effect in sundry partes of our Country to have been erected, should such a concise abridgement of the number of these been made, which were auncientlie for several Service appointed, and had several maintenance for that cause allotted, as now-a-days, (necessity flat contrary requiring) two to be redacted to one, especially their bounds being become more habitable, and moe people now in-dwelling also the same?

Poor people in like-manner in many places, how they are here-by wronged, their grieved hearts furnishing matter of regrate to their plain & pleaning tongues, and their sad querimonies poured forth in-to the ears of every man, indifferently give sufficient proof: when by the toilsome labor of the six days commanded, their bodies being worn and wearied, they shall be made, up-on the Lord's Sabbath, with grieved hearts, and grudging speeches, to pass by, and desert their own commodious and kindly Parish Kirks, where-in so frequentlie they had received the comfort of the Word and Sacraments; and to trudge further to these new made Mother (I had almost said Step-mother) Kirks: where, in discontenting amazement, after they have heard a Stranger-seeming voice, returning home-ward, and back-treading their tedious and uncouth way, after mutual regrating, they may justly say, That they have gotten both Preaching and Penance together.

And what scandal and offense it is to those simple ones, when they shall see Religion thus so little regarded by goodliest Professors, and great men of the Land, the exercises of the Worship of GOD in so many places extinguished, so many Lamps of the Candle-stick of the Sanctuary plainly put out, Mammon to have subjected men's hearts so to her slavery, that she hath made their hands to pull down the Lord's Houses, and Manor-places of His Divine Worship, the publishing of His Gospel so to be confyned, the number of His Ministers so to be impared, the Kirks Patrimony, still to be retained, and now eternized, as it were, to the Posterity, and in place of Restitution, nothing to be either had, or heard, but mockage, or railing, as if Cham were revived, or Shimei set on foot again.

If this be not matter to scandalize weak ones: (and woe be un-to him, who giveth offense to such:) or if this be an examplare persuasion to such, who are given moste to follow the example of their Superiors, to respect Religion, to reverence the Worship there-of, to regard Pastor or Place, or to be un-fallen away, either in Error, or in mere Atheism, let any one of judgment discern.

Yea, I dare boldly and confidently, with conspicuousnesse of truth and equity, avouch, Where two Parishes are made one, that it had been more urginglie necessary, of such Parishes that are but one, and where-of there is a great number in the Land, a division there-of to have been made, each one in two or three competent & sufficient ample parishes at least: the most of such great parishes, rather like petty Shyres, or Countries, in their several Circuites, being in the Inn-Country, and most populous, and best in-habited partes of the Land. In which huge parishes of so many thousands of Communicantes, and of such far and large extended bounds, those that dwell in the utmost and remotest parts there-of, are like the Jews, who once in the year only came up from their Borders and Coastes, to the Temple of Jerusalem, to worship. Such is their anniversary visiting of their parish Kirks only: it being not a Sabbath-days, but a Weeke-days journey, to go thither, though not the same day to return.

And as Reuben and Gad, and the half Trybe of Manasseh, when they were dissmissed by Joshua, and had returned to Gilead, the Land of their possession, were forced for the longinquitie, and far distance of place from Shilob, where the LORDES Tabernacle was, to build an Altar, for a memorial, to them-selves: even to testify, That they had parte in the GOD of Jacob, and were not aliens from the Common-wealth of Israel.

So, I say, many one, and much people, in such parishes a-fore-said, and in many partes of the Land, have more than great necessity, in respect of their far and remote habitations from their parish Kirks, to have erected amongst them-selves Temples of GOD'S Worship, and exercise of Religion: Seeing that in moste of these parishes, the poor people, other-wise remain, through want thereof, like blind Idiots, nusled up in Ignorance, and Atheism: whose reuthful condition, like that Vision of the man of Macedonia, to the Apostle Paul in the Acts, doeth plead for like aid, and in-vocateth like pity. And amongst whom, if our blessed SAVIOR were corporallie, as He was amongst the Jews, He should be seen with like pity, and sighs to complain, and bewail them: because He saw them like Sheep wanting a Shephearde: it passing the power of any one man, though never so diligent, to discharge a Pastoral duty; no, not to the half.

Hence it is, that not only, as by the Prophet the LORD complaineth, That for want of knowledge His people perish, and pitiful ignorance is seen in their minds: but also, that such Barbaritie and viciousness is seen in their manners. Hence it is, that moe are often-times seen in their Church-yardes gazing, than with-in their thronged Kirks gathering. Hence it is, that poor Infantes, especially in Winter season, have died with-out Baptism, before that either the Pastor could be advertised, in such a long and lingering way, up-on necessity to come; or the Infant by any means, quarter way, could be brought. And hence it is, that many a poor Soul, with-out Pastoral praesence, or notice, hath died with-out comfort: beside the many fayntinges of poor and silly ones, by a wearisome way, which made CHRIST to be compassionate towards the Multitude, and there-fore would not send them away empty: For some of them came from a-far (saith the EVANGELIST.)

Where other-wise, through putting up, and not pulling down of Kirks: Raysing, and not razing Christian Synagogues: Pastoral duty in in-forming Ignorantes: Reforming the vicious: Comforting the distressed: and watching over all, should this way be better discharged, Subjectes and poor people more should be eased, the Country and Kingdom more should be decored, the fewer starting Holes left to the subsidiarie Seminaries of the envious Adversaries, Popple and Tares in the LORDES Fielde, and the glorious GOSPELL of JESUS CHRIST, more plenteously should abound, and shine in the Land.

But what shall I say? Too doleful experience of this clayie Age, hath too well taught the facility of pulling down: but the too great difficulty in their places of putting up of Kirks, and the Ablative, hath ever been in far easier use with us, than any ways the Dative: Practizing so the first parte of Zacchaeus life, but not acting the last parte of his restitution: and to impede here-after any expectation of the same; converting now, by a Retrograde, the plural number of Kirks, in-to a simple singular.

Yea, to speak to such men, of building of Kirks, where in such populous a-fore-said places there is more than need: or, as Solomon's Precept is, of honoring the LORD so with their Riches; a man shall seem to them, to be a Barbarian, whose Language they know not: or like Joseph with his Brethren, as needing an Interpreter: yea, they shall think, as is said of Peter, That he wist not what he said, when on Mount Tabor he would have built one Tabernacle to Moses, and one to Elias, and one to CHRIST: or as Festus objected to Paul, That too much Learning had made him mad: So that they who mind such things, too much Zeal hath made them frantic. But speak of casting down two Kirks, to make up one: or annexing one unto its neighbor Parish, hence-forth ever to be but one Cure, and in sundry places: as it were alluding to Trinity and Unity, to cast three in one, they will straight ways applaud, with that of the Poêt,

It is reported of Pericles, that being asked by Alcibiades, Why so often he seemed so sad and pensive? Who answered, Because (said he) I remember up-on that Account which I have to make for that which I have received to build a Portch to Minervas Temple in Athens. But howe few are now like to Pericles, who mind how much they are addebted to GOD, to build His Church, or maintain His Service: or what Account they have to make before GOD, and His Angels, for the Means which they with-hold, and where-on the same should be done? But on the contrary, make no conscience, zeal-less-lie, through Greede, to ruinate those which zealouslie, through Godliness, were formerly by others already erected.

Go to the Yles of Chittim, and behold: send unto Kedar, and inquire of the Nations round about, If any such thing be done: let be by Christians, but by very Turks and Pagans, to their God's, as to the true GOD, whom in CHRIST we worship a-right. What Temples, or Religious places of theirs, once dedicate, deface or expose they, to contempt, ruin, and daily decay, as named Christians now-a-days, who will not only first rob the Rentes from them; but next (like Antiochus, who made the daily Sacrifice of the Temple to cease) will abrogate and exile the Exercise of GOD'S Worship, in Word and Sacraments, out of them; and set up the Abomination of Desolation in the places where it ought not? An ill Positive (for-soothe) admitting no-where a Comparative.

Let this clayie Age look back also to their Fore-fathers zeal, and be ashamed: with their Chapels with-out their Houses, and Oratories with-in: with their Kirks piouslie respected, and their Hospitals plenteously then doated: the swarms of Church-men with-in Towns, like Baals Prophets, sitting at plentiful Tables: and those with-out, like Aegyptes Priests, aboundantlie provided for: Erecting also daily, and not, as now, dejecting, Religious Temples: and, like Nebuchadnezzar, first spoiling the Vessels, and Treasury of the Temple; and then razing the Edifices there-of: first to be Church-robbers, and then, ere they restore, to be Church-ruinaters.

Consider also in that flowrishing and Reverende Neighbor Church of ours, where far less Parishes are in sundry partes: and search as narrowly as Laban searched the Stuffe of Jacob, if this be their practice: or aniewhere else, where GOD in mercy hath restored His Gospel, to bury the memory of so many ancient Kirks, as Jacob buried the strange God's of his House-hold under the Oak which is beside Shechem.

Not that any-way I speak against such Uniting as is permitted, and clearly mentionate in that Statute of Parliament: to wit, using the very words of the Act it self, Where the Fruits of any one alone will not suffice to entertain a Minister: and that the Rentes and whole Patrimony there-of are no-ways aunswearable to the proportion of the quantity of five Chaulders Victuall, or five hundredth Markes of Silver in yearlie commodity, and value: and where for distance of place, and other lawful causes, they are not also found incommodious so to be united. Of which sort there are few, if any, with-in the whole Kingdom. But where beside distance of place, and other lawful causes, why they are incommodious, fair Parishes and famous Benefices are united together, the value of the Rentes, Fruits, and Patrimony of any one where-of, will exceed far the meanest fore-said proportion: to wit, of five Chaulders Victuall, or five hundredth Markes Silver: yea, equal, and surmount the highest quantity: to wit, of ten Chaulders Victuall, or a thousand Markes Silver: and double, if not triple, the same.

Where such as these then are coupled together, like Ratches for the Game of Hunting, what importeth such a smothering Union, but the fore-said sad Sequeles? Or what better Fruit can such a bitter Tree produce, but sour Grapes, to set the Teeth on edge?

And with what Eternal-like Prorogations, Ratifications, and Securinges, (putting from them the Day of the LORD a-far) they have now fastened unto them-selves, not only their own, but even the Tithes of others also? giving a little Bayte, to draw on a great Bootie: and by a small Skirt, to assure them-selves of GOD'S whole Coat: So that they, and not the Church, have received the Benefit. And howe Christianlie, or Conscionablie, they every-where use them, everyone doeth know, and many one doeth regrate.

For I dare avow, that those who were most easily dealt with themselves in their own, are not-with-standing the sharpest Scourge of other Gentle-men for their Tithes, which they have catched of theirs in-to their hands, even by an Ismaelite sort of merchandize, out of Benefices, and erected Praelacies, as is matchless, and scarce would seem credible, through the whole Kingdom: Being here-in like the Pharisees, who bound full heavy Burdens on other men's Shoulders, and would not touch such them-selves with their little Finger: Or like that pardoned Servaunt him-self, by his bountiful Master, who throtled his Fellow-servaunt at meeting, who was owing him but a little, with-out reuth, or pity.

Which sort of Tyrannicall and extorsing impositions of slavish conditions, and exhausting huge Girssomes, where-of there is too doleful experience through the Land, (but in special, and extraordinary, within the bounds of mine own Residence and Service for the present) giving their law and will peremptorlie there-in, as Princes unto vanquished Captives. I may truly say, if your MAIESTIE were in-formed there-of, and knew a-right, how not only Men, but the very Land, groaneth, and crieth, under such heavy Bondage, your MAIESTIES Heart, with admiration, and astonishment, should melt in pity towards these, your loyal, but not free, Liedges: whose Mouthes only at your last Royal praesence amongst them, (and as yet) in bursting Heartes, suppressed their just Complaintes: even for fear, as Rehoboam's answer was to the people, by the counsel of the young Men, That his little Finger should be heavier up-on them, than his Fathers Loynes: and where his Father chastised them with Roddes, he should here-after correct them with Scourges: So if they got not remedy from your Well-willing MAIESTIE, that these grievous Exacters, like unto Aegyptes Taske-masters, should rather there-fore increase their Burden, and where their Yoke was grievous, should make it yet more heavier: and so, like the man's estate whom the unclean spirit, returning, did possess; their last condition should so become worse than their first.

Yea, to such an height in many places is this Bondage of theirs already come, through excessive ambition, and violent greede, that men can-not think howe it can be anymore worse with them: while as out of their sore-troubled spirits, with Hannah, and heart-bursting grief, they openly are not only made to profess their slavery, as if they were made subject to the Curse of Cham; but are forced to regrate like-wise, through their exhausting, by such exorbitant Girssomes, which in very few years shall be able heritablie to buy their Lands: (and so the Tithe, like Pharaoh's lean Kye, in short space, to eat up the Stock:) that there-by they are so woefullie in-debted, as their rightest marshalling, and last refuge, is like to be with persecuted David's Associates, to rank them-selves in order: of whom it is said, That there gathered unto him, all men that were in trouble, and all that were in debt, and all those that were vexed in mind, and he was their Captain. Having proof of no greater courtesy used towards them, than such where-of that Roman Fimbria boasted of, which he shown to Quintus Scaevola, whom he slew at the Funerals of Cajus Marius, Quod non totum telum corpore suo receperat: though he killed him, yet that he thrust not his Dagger in-to his Body up to the Hiltes. So where the Tithes are not casten, or untimelie led, yet men are both slaved and beggared, by paying for the same.

Neither, SIR, shall there ever be but increase of tyrannical Burdens and Bondage, and there-by the expectation of some fearful and desperate breach, at last: and that your Land, like Aceldama, shall be a Fielde of Blood: Nor yet shall ever your Loyall Subjectes enjoye true Freedom under your happy Governament, to be truly called, The free Liedges of their Royal and Native Prince, and to be emancipate to his service, and only to attend the same: Neither shall settled Peace, and Christian Love, be expected in your Lande, with encouragement to industrious Virtue, or comely Policy: Neither shall the minds of all men, for the moste parte, so generally be contented: and the perpetual and established Weale of your Kingdom, both in Church and Policy, unto GOD'S Glory, and your Eternal Memory happily be procured; until that every Inheritor be Master, and have the right of his own Tithe.

O happy then should that Day be to this KINGDOME forever, and the noise of the cheerful applause there-of, making the Earth, as at Solomon's Coronation, to ring, should never hence-forth in any Age cease: this only being agreeable to the Word of GOD, for a man to redeem, and appropriate to him-self, his own Tithe: as all other practice, to appropriate the Tithes of others, and make GOD'S Staff, Mans Scourge, is flat contrary, and contradictour there-unto: and much more shall draw on the Curse of GOD, to in-haunce such a Right, than that which is less praejudiciall, to violate the Neighbors Boarders.

But thus, contrary-wise, (as saith the Prophet, is the Rodde flowrished, Pryde hath budded, and Crueltie is risen up, in-to a Rodde of wickedness: our Church, the Princes in the midst of her, are like Wolves, ravening the Prey, and destroying souls for their filthy lucre: so that she may take up Micah's Lamentation, saying, Woe is me, for I am as the Summer gatheringes, and as the Grapes of the Vintage: There is no Cluster to eat: The good man is perished out of the Earthe: And the best of them now is as a Brier: And the moste righteous is sharper than a Thornie Hedge. The LORD set Watch-men also over them, who said. Take heed to the sound of the Trumpet: But they said, We will not. And since His Prophets cried out of Wrong, and proclaimed Desolation, there-fore the Word of the LORD was made a reproach unto them, and in derision daily.

Yet under a Simeon -like Vayle of profession they say, We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us: but loe, certainly in vain made He it. And the Pen of the Scribes is in vain. It is near in their Mouthes, but it is far from their reins. They have a show of Godliness, but have denied the power there-of: For they abhor Idols, and yet commit Sacrilege. Or as the LORD by the Prophet, saith, They have their Idols in their Heart: and put the stumbling Block of their iniquity before them.

But let those hear that have declared their sins like Sodom, and hide them not. Is it a small thing for them to grieve Men, that they will also grieve GOD? Or, Is it not because I hold My peace, saith the LORD, and that of long time, that there-fore thou fearest not Mee, and that Judgment is turned backwardes, and Justice thus standeth a-far off? For Truth is fallen in the Streetes, and Equity can-not enter. But their own wickedness shall surly correct them: and their turninges back, reprove them. Their day also shall decline: and the Shadows of their Evening shall be stretched forth. For (as the Prophet saith) it hath not seemed a small thing for them, only to have eaten up the good Pasture: but they have trodden down the residue with their Feet. Or, (as Jeremiah speaketh) proceeding from evil to worse, they have first robbed, and then razed the Kirks.

Shall, there-fore, that two-edged Sworde, which proceedeth out of His Mouth who walketh in the midst of the gold̄ Candle-sticks, like Peters, after he had stricken off Malchus Eare, be made in many places so to be put up in-to its Sheath, through a conspiracy, which is found amongst the men of Judah, and the In-habitantes of Jerusalem, and the making of a Famine in those partes, not of Bread, nor a thirst of Water, but of the hearing of the Word of GOD: And shall not this move the LORD to draw out such a destroying Sword against them, as David saw in the Angels hand, in the Threshing Floore of Araunah, or that which ranged through the Land of Egypt?

Or is not this flat contrary to Nehemiah's Exhortation, to the great men, and Princes of Judah, To draw up-on us the reproach of our enemies, which are round about us, when in the time of less light, but greater zeal, that which the Predecessors built, as places of GOD'S Worship, for His Name to dwell in, their Successors should now demolish: they doting the holy things, and these devouring the same?

As Moses then (SIR) commiserating the estate of the wronged Daughters of the Priest of Midian, who were driven away from the Troghs of Water, which they had filled to water their Fathers Flocks: As he, I say, defended, and brought them back again to those places, and gave their Sheep refreshment: So (SIR) pity the wronged estate in like-manner of the Church in your Land: defend it like-wise, and make patent again the Doors of so many Christian Temples, shut up like the Caves of the Canaanite kings: that comfort again may be with-in them ministered to the LORDES people: that the Flock of His Heritage (as the Prophet speaketh) may be fed with the Rod of His own Mouth, as in the midst of Carmel: and that they may pasture in Bashan, and Gilead, as in old time.

And as Zacharias, the Baptists Father, though for a short time he was stricken dumb, yet as at last his mouth was again opened, by sensible and clear speeches to prophecy, and proclaim that Horne of Salvation, that was raised out of the House of David; and Day-spring, which from on high had visited his people Israel: So (SIR) restore in like-manner, to speech and prophecy again these dumb, yea, dead-stricken places of GOD'S Sacred Worship: that the same Gospel may be as yet published, and that the same tender mercy in them may still be manifested through all the corners of your Land; to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of Death, and to guide their feet in-to the way of peace.

Or as the Whale, how-so-ever she swallowed up Jonah, dis-gorged him again up-on the dry land: Even so (SIR) how-so-ever this Uniting of Kirks, through the moyen and greede of men, hath past, the true Cases of many where-of were never (I am persuaded) clearly known to your Honorable Commission: Like a wise Solomon, then, pronounce the Sentence of Division: and that as the two Women which pleaded before him, were each one restored to her own Child; so that every Church may be restored with a competent maintenance, to its own former & primitive condition: Else, it had been better both for Church and Kingdom, that, poor as they were, still as yet they had remained several.

And let not (SIR) Abraham's Altar be as it were Baals Grove, that GOD should be left to plead for Him-self: But sway that Scepter of Royal power, which, one after an-other, for the defense of His Cause, He hath put in-to your hand.

Let not Christian Temples go down in your Kingdom, which were as the Tents of the Shepheardes, where the LORD'S Well-beloved went forth by the steps of the Flock, and there fed her weak and tender Kids, with the Spiritual Food of the Bread of Life. Especiallie where greater need is to put up moe.

Neither let the Watch-men, which go about the City, of whom the Spouse in the Canticles seeketh her direction, where she may find him whom her Soul loveth, be diminished in number, where there is more necessity they should be augmented.

Let not Nahash his enter-pryse come also now-a-days in practice: where two eyes are to pull out the one: and bring a shame so up-on the LORD'S Israel. Neither let the barking Dogs be removed from the LORD'S Flocks: except there-by we would please the devouring Wolves.

The LORD (SIR) hath done to you, as He did before to good Nehemiah: you have found the Hand of your GOD ever to have been good over you: and He hath strengthened your Royal hand to do much good: So that according to the Elders and people's apprecation to Boaz, you have not only done worthily in Ephrathah, and is famous in Bethlehem; but the sound of your Noble Fame, like Solomon's, hath gone a-far off; & like a poured-forth savory Ointmēt, by the delectable & sweet smell there-of, it hath spread it self to the uttermost Coasts of the Earth.

Let not the hand, then, of the LORD'S Anoynted any-ways be weakened: But go on: and the Name of the GOD of Jacob shall defend you, and send you help from His Sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion: yea, He shall fulfill all your purpose, and with Godly Hezekiah, prosper your Sacred MAIESTIE, in all the Works which you intend for the Service of the House of your GOD.

It is true (SIR) the reparing of the Walls of Jerusalem, and the ruins there-of, hath ever had great lets; some with Sanballat, and his associates, to mock and despise the work: (who there-by show that they have no right, nor portion, nor memorial in Jerusalem: ) and with mocking, who next, up-on sight of some farther progress there-in, will join wrath, and subtle machination: (but the LORD shall ever bring their counsel to naught:) and some, with Tobiah, aided with the secret intelligence of the very Princes of Judah, by cunning, advertising, and advising Letters, only to put Nehemiah, that Godly Prince, in fear; & so weaken his hands in the LORD'S Work: Who not-with-standing will ever the more in-courage him, and dis-cover their craft; prospering him still: until, at last, the Walls be set up, and the House of GOD with-in be set in comely order.

Let the same assurance, then, (SIR) of the like constant aid of the Hand of your good GOD, which you have ever found stretched forth for your miraculous many Deliveries, and continual defense, encourage you to over-come all such lets, or other impediments what-so-ever, tending to the delay, or inter-mitting of the work of the LORD'S House; whose Nursing-Father you are: and where-in also you are a nursed Child. But let the Walls of HIERVSALEM still be going up, maugre all opposition: Repare the ruins of your Church, restore the rapines there-of: and in the well-ordered House of GOD, let the Levites, being restored to their Portions, be reponed also, and set in their places: who may read in the Book of the Law of GOD distinctly, and give the sense, & make the people to understand the same: that so your GOD may remember you still in Goodness, and not wype out your kyndnesse, which you have shown up-on His House, & up-on the Officers thereof. AMEN.

AD AVTHOREM AMICISSIMVM G. G. DE SVIS REIP. ECCLESIASTICAE QVERELIS CELEVSMA.

APPARATVS LIBRI. IDEM:

To the Author.