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.

To the Members of Parliament and State.

O The wisdome of the World! Oh that wis∣dome I will overturn, overturn, overturn, saith the Lord; not in hast (though provo∣ked) I hope: for Thou Lord art gratious, full of com∣passion, 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 pro∣mised & 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 Ene∣mies 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 ma∣terially ripe for action, and other creatures that ne∣ver 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 dir∣ty 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 bar∣ren; 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 lan∣guishing Priviledges have commanded my watch∣ful eye and weaker Pen to this sacrifice of some re∣tired 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 Chri∣stian, sweet, and good disposures, shall find true Re∣ligion 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 en∣ter 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 ad∣vantage of the Common-wealth, and the mutual preservation, defence, and comfort of all his peo∣ple 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 pos∣sibly 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 consi∣derations from a piece intituled Sir Walter Raw∣leigh'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 Com∣mon-wealth,

yet grown into age, grow withal into contempt, and had many both of his No∣bles and common people that fell from him, first with Absalom, then with Adonijah, who affected the Kingdome, and rebelled against him; for re∣medy whereof, he stirred up himself to Publick actions which might shew his vigour and suffici∣ency to manage the affairs of his Kingdom.

"After the victory of Absalom, he forced him∣self 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 Po∣litick of you, with this caveat, that when you use Policy, you never tender it more then as a hand∣maid 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 ab∣sent 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 ru∣ine, 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.