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 [Page 8]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.

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 [Page 9]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 [Page 10]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.

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, [Page 11]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; [Page 12]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.

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 [Page 13]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.

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.

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 [Page 16]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 [Page 17]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.

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, [Page 19]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.

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 [Page 21]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.

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 [Page 22]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.

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 [Page 23]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.

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 [Page 24]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.

Soli Deo Gloria.