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 Reader, of what sort soever.

PEradventure you (as others) may stile me mad or otherwise (as some in other cases have) in re∣spect of the main disproportion of several things in this parcel; but I shall not say you are so, if censo∣rious. 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 custo∣mers or company now, being indeed never less a∣lone, 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 Chri∣sten it with; but what I have, you are welcome to; if you be a Christian, 'tis well enough, it may re∣ceive 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 fa∣ther 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 ra∣ther 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 re∣member 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 bring∣ing 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.