THE ●VMBLE ADDRESS Both of Church and Poor, To the Sacred Majesty of Great BRITANES Monarch. ●or a just redress of the Uniting of Churches, and the Ruin of Hospitals.  
By WILLIAM GUILD, Minister of ABERDENE.  PSAL. xx. 9. 
Save, LORD, and let the King hear us in the day that we call.  
Imprinted in ABERDENE, by Edward Raban, 1633.   

To the most Reverend Fathers in GOD▪ JOHN, By the Mercy of GOD, L. Archbishop of Sainct-andrewes', Primate, and Metropolitan of SCOTLAND: And PATRICK, By the same Mercy of GOD, L. Arch- Bishop of Glasgow, etc. the main opponer to these Unions.  
D. D. A.   

THE ●VMBLE ADDRESS both of Church, and Poor, to the Sacred Majesty of their dread Sovereign, CHARLES, Great Britannes' Monarch, etc.  
For a just redress of the Uniting of Churches, and the Ruin of Hospitals.  
WHen old Israel (most Sacred Sovereign) prophetically pronounced this Doom concerning his son Issach●r, 
Genes. 49.14.  that he should co●ch down between two burdens, he likened him to a strong Asse●s needing much strength to bear so great a burden. And it was thought of old, that the burden of the Ministry, Vni praeesse Ecclesiae, 〈◊〉 have the charge of one Church, & was d●●bus subesse Ecclesus, and not 〈◊〉 be overcharged with under-going two, was such, that in the balance of the Sanctuary, weigh the burden with the strength, the one surpassed the other, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and who is of sufficiency for discharge of that Calling?  
But nowadays the cure of Souls, 
Daniel, 5. judg. 16.  is either weighed in Belshaz●●rs balance, and found too light: or men's backs are thought like sampsons shoulders, strong anough to bear two Churches at once, as he ●●rried the two Posts of the gates of Azzab, to the top of the Mount ●hich is before Hebron.  
A strange thing, that men's policy should so meet a Prince's piety, 〈◊〉 where he intended the bettering of the Churches impoverished ●●ate, by some competent provision, at least, to each one: If Patrons can 〈◊〉 evite the necessity of obedience to that law of his Royal Parliament, and Decreet of his honourable Commission, they shall find out ●●ch a politic course, as in effect the same shall be but frustrate, how●●-ever: for where two Churches are to be provided severally, getting 〈◊〉 charges united, and making one sing dumb, they have made the ●oore petty portions, united together likewise, to equal that measured mean competency of provision appointed in the Act: as if bettering of provisions for several Churches had not been meant; but that 〈◊〉 the Kingdom the impairing of the few number, both of Church's 〈◊〉 Pastors, had been intended. And making thereby some Ministers that it may be said of them, as of Hercules Pillars, Nil ultra, being lyfe-renters only to wear off, and none thereafter in those places and more to succeed them.  
Because (forsooth) men are so loath to part with the Church's Patrimony, should therefore be made such an illicite matrimony & conjunction, as is much less tolerable than with the jews under the Law, 
Deut. 22.10. Nehem. 13  to have ploughed with an Ox and an Ass together? or alike unlawful, as when they coupled themselves with the Women of Ammon and Ashdod?  
Or should such a monstrous metamorphosis be made, that so many Churches, and Congregations, which before were Substantives, & stood by themselves, shall be now so woeful and variable Adjectives, as a sound agreement and happy consolidation is never to be expected, and as their ruinated Cases shall hereafter declare?  
We detested before Idols in Churches, but we are making now Idole-Churches, henceforth not to be ob solatia vivorum, but to be ca●●teria 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.  

Gen. 26.18  As the Philistines filled up Isaaks Welles of springing water, which his father Abraham had digged in his time: so hereby closing up the Cisterns and Conduits of that still and living water which gave refreshment to the Lord's flock: 
Psalm. 23.  and encroaching upon the limits of that green Pasture wherein the Lords Sheep were duly made to feed.  
As if there were no means how the Churches of this Kingdom here, could be otherwise to such a mean competency of maintenance provided, out of their large and sacrilegiously detained Patrimonies, that by making the Israelite and Egyptian, 
Exod. 2.11  who in Moses time strove together of them, killing one of them, to preserve another.  

judg. 12.  Or as the Ephraemites, who could not so grossly pronounce Shibboleth▪ but Siboleth, with a smaller voice, were all slain by the Gileadites, at the passages of jordane: Even so, that all such Churches that are not excessive in burden and bounds, and of the grossest and greatest in the Land; but of 〈◊〉 meaner and lesser sort or size, should be so extinguished, swallowed up▪ and devoured, 
Num. 16.31. Gen. 41.17 Math. 13. 1●. 2. Sam. 7.  as with Korabs punishment, or Pharaohs dream, they should symbolise, men miss-construing herein (as seemeth) the words of our Saviour, That to him that hath, more shall be given: and from him who hath 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 him piety; and his rest, religion. But it is contrary with us: our peace 〈◊〉 such policy, and the fruit of our rest, is the robbery first, and next, the ●uine of GOD'S House, 
Genes. 25.  counting Kirkes' to be like Esau to us, not to be Planters, but Supplanters thereof: Contracters, and not In-largers of the Kingdom of CHRIST. 
Micah. 7.3  And thus (as the Prophet Micah sayeth) the great man spoke out of the corruption of his soul, and so they wrapped it up.  
But assuredly, such Appendices as they have made many Kirkes' of, will be seen at length, never to have proceeded of a good T●esis: neither will ever such a perilous Copulative Conjunction, do what they lift, admit of, nor take places in a good Construction.  
Before Pastors were impoverished, 
1 Pastors made fewer.  and now shall their number thus ●ee diminished? The Kirke first stripped (like joseph) of her Coat, which should warm her: 
Genes. 37.  and next, of her Watchmen, which should arm and defend her: under pretence 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. 
2 Advantage to seducers.   
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 LORD'S Pasture are increased, 
2. Sam. 24.  and the People (as in David's time) are multiplied exceedingly; but the number also of the Wolves, who assault the LORD'S Flock, daily likewise groweth: and the Foxes, who destroy the Vines, 
Cant. 2.15.  even the Vines which have small Grapes: (to wit, simple and unlearned Christians.) Should then the number of the careful and watchful Shepherd's, be diminished, and made fewer?  
It was the Precept of our Saviour, 
Matth. 9.37.  because the Harvest was great, and the Labourers were few, That we should pray the Lord of the Harvest, to thrust out many faithful Labourers in-to His Harvest. But to this Precept of His our practice nowadays is flat contrary, and contradictour: yea, absurd, and against common Reason, where much work is, there fewer Workmen to be.  
It was Pharaoh's working-wiselie (indeed) to augment the Israelites Task, 
Exod. 1.10  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 Kirke, to the great advantage of her enemies, receiveth (as is said) hereby a notable injury, what wrong is likewise done to Learning and Universities, any one may easily perceive.  
Colleges and Schools, 
3 Colleges hurt.  the Seminaries of Sciences, and Nurseries of Religion, (like Goshen in Egypt, where the light of the Land is) they shall carefully train up, and yearly send forth, a more and more numerous Offspring, 
Gen. 49.7.  at Parents large expenses, like Levi to be divided in jaacob, to teach the LORD'S 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 Kirke-Rents, shall be occupied Titulo oneroso only, for the most part, and taken up by others.  

4 Parents discouraged.  If this than be a way, either to encourage Parents, and hearten Youth; or a practice to replenish the Schools of the Prophets hereafter: and so consequently be profitable either to Kirke or Policy: or rather be not a mean to effectuate the contrary, and make Bethel a Babel, let any indifferent or pious mind judge.  

5 The Country harmed.  The Country in like-manner, how with Kirke and Schools it may many ways cry out, the apparent scars of her deep in-flicted wounds shall hereafter 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, (Greed, and not Godliness, possessing the minds of many) it was not anough 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, 
Psal. 137.7. Levit. 14.41.  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 Fury, & seges ubi Troia fuit: But also men nowadays, 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.  

Cic. de divi. Lib. 1.  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 himself, a monstrous Image appearing before him: at the sight whereof being amazed, asked what it was that so ghastly appeared? The Image answered, Vastitas Italiae. But this Image deceived Hannibal: for after the sight of his Brother's head, sent unto him by the Romans, he was forced to flee from Italy to Carthage: and so frustrate of his expectation.  
It shall prove likewise but an unlucky prodigy to them, the devastation of their Country: who by laying waste so many Kirkes' of goodly and godly Ornaments, shall make the same, in short time, to become like Achan or Absalon's Burials: 
joshua, 7. 2. Sam. 18.  heaps of Stones, here and there through the whole Kingdom.  
Our Saviour 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 Centurion's petition, 
Luke, 7.  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, whereof 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 sayeth) while every one of them runneth to build up his own house, 
Agg. 2.  and prepare Galleries syled with Cedar to himself, 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: 
6 Civility hindered.  which as she pointed out, Quae DEI sunt, so likewise 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 Farewell, there Civility and comely Policy hath, 
Ruth, 1.16. 1. Pet. 2.17.  like Ruth, inseparably followed Naomi, and godless Barbarity taken up their room. And where GOD is not feared, the King can not be rightly honoured: for these two, like Gemini, both go together: and the strongest Inforcer 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, more Kirkes' for this effect in sundry parts of our Country to have been erected, should such a concise abridgement of the number of these been made, which were anciently for several Service appointed, and had several maintenance for that cause allotted, as nowadays, (necessity flat contrary requiring) two to be redacted to one, especially their bounds being become more habitable, and more people now indwelling also the same?  
Poor people in like-manner in many places, 
7 Poor people and Subjects, both miseased, & scandalised.  how they are hereby 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 labour of the six days commanded, their bodies being worn and wearied, they shall be made, upon the Lord's Sabbath, with grieved hearts, and grudging speeches, to pass by, and desert their own commodious and kindly Parish Kirks, wherein so frequently they had received the comfort of the Word and Sacraments; and to trudge further to these new made Mother (I had almost said Stepmother) Kirks: where, in discontenting amazement, after they have heard a Stranger-seeming voice, returning homeward, and backe-treading their tedious and uncouth way, after portuall regrating, they may justly say, That they have gotten both Preaching and Penance together.  
And what scandal and offence 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 Candlestick 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 Lords Houses, and Manour-places of His Divine Worship, the publishing of His Gospel so to be confined, the number of His Ministers so to be impaired, the Kirks Patrimony, still to be retained, and now eternised, as it were, to the Posterity, and i● place of Restitution, 
Gen. 9.22. 2. Sam. 16.  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 scandalise weak ones: (and woe be un-to him, who giveth offence to such:) or if this be an examplare persuasion to such, who are given most to follow the example of their Superiors, to respect Religion, to reverence the Worship thereof, to regard Pastor or Place, or to be un-fallen away, either in Error, or in mere Atheism, let any one of judgement discern.  
Yea, I dare boldly and confidently, with conspicuousness 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 whereof 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 Shires, 〈◊〉 Countries, in their several Circuits, being in the Inne-Countrey, and most populous, and best in-habited parts of the Land. In which huge parishes of so many thousand of Communicantes, and of such far and large extended bounds, those that dwell in the utmost and remotest parts thereof, 
1. Sam. 1.21. Luk. 2.41.  are like the jews, who once in the year only came up from their Borders and Coasts, to the Temple of Jerusalem, to worship. Such is their anniversary visiting of their parish Kirkes' only: it being not 〈◊〉 sabbath-days, but a weekdays journey, to go thither, though not the same day to return.  

joshua, 23.  And as Reuben and Gad, and the half Tribe of Manasseh, when they were dissmis●ed by joshua, and had returned to Gilead, the Land of thei● possession, were forced for the longinquitie, and far distance of plac● from Shiloh, where the LORD'S Tabernacle was, to build an Altar, fo● a memorial, to them-selves: even to testify, That they had part in th● GOD of jaakob, and were not aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel.  
So, I say, many one, and much people, in such parishes aforesaid, and in many parts of the Land, have more than great necessity, in respect of their far and remote habitations from their parish Kirkes', to have erected amongst them-selves Temples of GOD'S Worship, and exercise of Religion: Seeing that in most of these parishes, the poor people, otherwise remain, through want thereof, like blind Idiots, nuzzled up in Ignorance, and Atheism: whose reuthful condition, like that Vision of the man of Macedonia, 
Acts, 16.  to the Apostle Paul in the Acts, doth plead for like aid, and in-vocateth like pity. And amongst whom, if our blessed SAVIOUR were corporally, as He was amongst the jews, He should be seen with like pity, 
Matth. 9.36.  and sighs to complain, and bewail them: because He saw them like Sheep wanting a shepherd: 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 Barbarity and viciousness is seen in their manners. Hence it is, that more are oftentimes seen in their Kirke-yardes gazing, than within their thronged Kirkes' gathering. Hence it is, that poor Infants, especially in Winter season, have died without Baptism, before that either the Pastor could be advertised, in such a long and lingering way, upon necessity to come; or the Infant by any means, quarter way, could be brought. And hence it is, that many a poor Soul, without Pastoral presence, or notice, hath died without comfort: beside the many fayntinges of poor and silly ones, by a wearisome way, which made CHRIST to be compassionate towards the Multitude, 
Mark. 8.2.  and therefore would not send them away empty: For some of them came from afar (sayeth the EVANGELIST.)  
Where otherwise, through putting up, and not pulling down of Kirkes': Raising, 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, Subjects and poor people more should be eased, the Country and Kingdom more should be decored, the fewer starting Holes ●eft to the subsidiary Seminaries of the envious Adversaries, Popple and Tares in the LORD'S Field, and the glorious GOSPEL 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 Kirkes', and the Ablative, hath ever been in far easier use with us, than any ways the Dative: Practising so the first part of Zaccheus life, but not acting the last part of his restitution: and to impede hereafter any expectation of the same; converting now, by a Retrograde, the plural number of Kirkes', in-to a simple singular.  
Yea, to speak to such men, of building of Kirkes', where in such populous aforesaid places there is more than need: or, as Salomon's Precept is, 
Prov. 3.9.  of honouring 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, 
Genes. 42.  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 builded one Tabernacle to Moses, 
Luk. 9.33.  and one to Elias, and one to CHRIST: or as Festus objected to Paul, That too much Learning had made him mad: 
Acts, 26.  So that they who mind such things, too much Zeal hath made them frantic. But speak of casting down two Kirkes', to make up one: or annexing one unto its neighbour Parish, henceforth 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 strait ways applaud, with that of the Poet, 
Vnio divina est, etc.   

Polion. Lib. 1. strat.  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 upon that Account which I have to make for that which I have received to build a Portch to Minerva's Temple in Athens. But how few are now like to Pericles, who mind how much they are addebted to GOD, to build His Kirke, or maintain His Service: or what Account they have to make before GOD, and His Angels, for the Means which they withhold, and where-on the same should be done? But on the contrary, make no conscience, zeale-less-lie, through Greed, to ruinate those which zealously, 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, 
jer. 2.9.  If any such thing be done: let be by Christians, but by very Turks and Pagans, to their Gods, 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 nowadays, who will not only first rob the Rents from them; 
Dan. 8. 1●.  but next (like 〈◊〉, 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 (forsooth) admitting no where a Comparative.  
Let this clayie Age look back also to their Forefathers zeal, and be ashamed: with their Chapels without their Houses, and Oratories within: with their Churches piously respected, and their Hospitals plenteously then doted: the swarms of Churchman within Towns, 
1. King. 18 Genes. 47▪  like Baal's Prophets, sitting at plentiful Tables: and those without, like Egypt's Priests, abundantly provided for: Erecting also daily, and not, as now, dejecting, Religious Temples: and, like Nebuchadnezar, 
2. Chron. 36.  first spoiling the Vessels, and Treasury of the Temple; and then razing the Edifices thereof: first to be Church-robbers, and then, ere they restore, to be Church ruinaters.  
Consider also in that flourishing and Reverend Neighbour Church of ours, where far less Parishes are in sundry partest and search as narrowly as Labau searched the Stuff of jaakob, 
Genes. 31.  if this be their practice: or anie-where else, where GOD in mercy hath restored His Gospel, to bury the memory of so many ancient Churches, as jackob buried the strange gods of his Household under the Oak● which is beside Sechem. 
Genes. 35.   
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 itself, Where the Fruits of any one alone will not suffice to entertain a Minister: and that the Reutes and whole Patrimony thereof are no ways aunswearable to the portion or qua●titie of fi●e Chaulders Victual, or five hundreth Marks of Silver in yearly commodity, and value: and where for distance of place, and other lawful causes, they are not also found incommedious so to be united (Of which sort there are few, if any, within the whole Kingdom) But where beside distance of place, and other lawful causes, why they are imcommodious, fair Parishes and famous Benefices are united together, the value of the Rents, Fruits, and Patrimony of any one whereof, will exceed far the meanest foresaid proportion: to wit, of five Chaulders Victual, or five hundreth Marks Silver: yea, equal, and surmount the highest quantity: to wit, of ten Chaulders Victual, or a thousand Marks Silver▪ and double, if not triple, the same.  
Where such as these than are coupled together, like Ratches for a Game of Hunting, what importeth such a smothering Union, but the foresaid sad Sequeles? Or what better Fruit can such a bitter Tree produce, but sour Grapes, to set the Teeth on edge?  

Exod. 2.19  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 Father's 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 likewise, and make patent again the Doors of so many Christian Temples, 
joshua▪ 10  shut up like the Caves of the Canaanite Kings: that comfort again may be within them ministered to the LORDS people▪ 
Micah, 4.14.  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 Bafhan, and Gilead, as in old tyme.  

Luke. 1.  And as Zacharias, the Baptists Father, though for a short time be was stricken dumb, yet as at last his mouth was again opened, by sensible and clear speeches to prophesy, and proclaim that Horn of Salvation, that was raised out of the House of David; and Dayspring, 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 into the way of peace.  

jonas, 8.  Or as the Whale, how-so-ever she swallowed up jonas, disgorged him again upon the dry land: Even so (SIR) how-so-ever this Uniting of Churches, through the moyen & greed of men, hath past the true Cases of many whereof were never (I am persuaded) clearly known to your Honourable Commission: I yke 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 and primitive condition: Else, it had been better both for Church and Kingdom, that, poor as they were, still as yet they had remained several.  

Gen. 13.5.  And let not (SIR) Abraham's Altar be as it were 〈…〉 that GOD should be left to plead for Himself: 
judg. 6.30  〈…〉 that Sceptre of Royal power, which, one after another, for the defence of His Cause, He hath put into your hand.  
Let not Christian Temples go down into your Kingdom, which were as the Tents of the Shepherd's, 
Ca●●. 1.7.  where the LORDS 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. Especially where greater need is to put up more.  
Neither let the Watchmen, which go about the City, of whom the Spouse in the Canticles seeketh h●r direction, 
Ca●●. 3.3.  where she may find him whom her Soul loveth, be diminished in number, where there is more necessity they should be augmented.  
Let not Na●ash his enterprise come also nowadays in practice: 
1. Sam. 11.  where two eyes are to pull out the one: and bring a shame so upon the LORDS Israel. Neither let the barking Dogs be removed from the LORDS Flocks: except thereby we would please the devouring Wolves.  
But let the Walls of JERUSALEM still be going up, maugre all opposition: Repair the ruins of your Church restore the rapines thereof: 
Nehem. 8.8.  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, and make the people to understand the same: 
Nehem. 13.14.  that so your GOD may remember you still in Goodness, and not wipe out your kindness, which you have shown upon His House, & upon the Officers thereof. AMEN.  
FINIS.   

The Poors Complaint, For a just Redress of the ruin of Hospitals.  
NO sooner (Dread sovereign) was the voice of the Turtle heard in our Land (as the Spouse speaketh in the Canticles) or did the Gospel of Grace make a Goshen; 
Cant. 2.12  but as soon was that speech, Up, Moab, to the spoil, put in speedy practice; and (as the name of the Prophet's son was) li●e speedy Robbers, they were swift to the Prey: So that the zeal of God's House (with David) did not eat them up; but their zeal did eat up the Lord's House, while as they hungered, not for the Good, but the Goods of the Church, and made the Lords Patrimony to be like the Baptist, who said of himself, Me aportet ●inni.  
Neither were they content to do so to the Lords Ambassadors, as Hanun did in curtailing the Garments of David's servants, and making the Church (as the Prophet speaketh) like a Widow left to the spoil; but the very Hospital Oratories, where the poor members of Christ were placed and planted, comforted and relieved, have not escaped their supplanting, and ●apacious devouring: so that what former Pity and Piety did in Endowing such Places, latter impiety hath done clean contrary, in Undoing thereof. Not remembering that speech of holy Augustine, Si sterilitas in ignem mittitur, rapacitas quid meretur? & si qui sua non dedit semper ardebit, quid recipiet ille qui aliena abstulit?  
Yea, not only have they robbed Christ jesus more cruelly of his Coat than those Roman Soldiers who did cast lots thereon, but also for extinguishing the memory of such mortifications, upon these very Houses to which they did belong. They have practised that speech of Edom, Raze them, raze them, even to the foundation, making cursed jericho of such blessed places, which was sacked, and sown with Salt, and which is so evident in the truth thereof thorough the Land, that in place of Proof, it needs rather Reproof, and forceth this humble Address to Your Majesty at this time for a speedy Redress.  
Consider then (Sacred SIR) how horrible a Sin this is, which cries so in GOD'S Ears for revenge, and in Yours for reparation, what ingratitude is it to GOD, what stain to the Gospel, how ignominious to this Nation, injurious to the Poor, hurtful to themselves, scandalous to others, prejudicial to posterity, and in a word, every way damnable.  
And as David when he came to his Kingdom for the kindness that he found at the hands of jonathan, kithed his thankful affection to his son whom he left behind him, poor lame Mephibosheth: Even so (SIR) seeing the LORD hath advanced your Royal Majesty, and brought you safely to your native Kingdom, for this kindness of His to you, show your thankful affection to the Poor, Lean and Lame Members of CHRIST JESUS, whom he hath left behind him in his stead to his second coming: and remember that the cry of their robbery and oppression cries to your Sacred Majesty, as the saved Thief did to CHRIST on the Cross, saying, LORD remember me when Thou comest ●o Thy Kingdom.  
And at worthy and wise Solomon, at his entry of swaying the Sceptre of royal authority, redressed both prudently and powerfully the wrong that was done to the true Mother of the living Child, which was theftuouslie interchanged and stolen away from her, and a dead Child left in its room: Even so (SIR) let this distressed Mother that pleanes and pleads now before you find the like comfort, even those Nurseries of the Poor, piously founded, but impiously subverted and confounded, which cry now and crave to be restored to that which theftuouslie in like manner hath been taken from them, and nothing at all left, in the towme thereof, no, not so much as the empty walls of their habitations.  
Neither let such a Gild (SIR) lie on your Land, nor Stain on the Gospel, that the Church should not only be seen sacrilegiously robbed of her due Patrimony; but also beside the Vintage of Abiezer, that the very Glean of Boaz, or Ephraim, should not be left; & not only the children's Bread taken away; but, not so much left as the very Crumbs of the Poors Alms unsnatched up greedily.  
Indeed, the LORD, these many years bygone, hath continued with us the Gospel of Peace; and, with it, an happy Peace and Plenty; the Comfort of the one, and Commodity of the other: and shall He be● so requited for all that he hath done to his Vineyard; that in place of the sweet Fruit of the Works of Charity, He shall find the sour Grapes of the works of Cruelty? And like the sin of the sons of Eli, shall the LORDS. Offering, by such rapacity, be abhorred, to cause fearful wrath at last seize on your Land? and shall this not be shown to our Zealous Sovereign?  
Hath not th●s caused the taunting obloquy of the Adversary, that o●r Profession is not only a solitidian Religion, but that our Faith (like Pharaos' lean Kine) hath devoured the fat of the Fruits of the Charity of others, which should have been adorned and perfected by our own, to others? Hence is it that our goodest Proof ●ours are said to b●e (and are too well seen) most powerful only like the Loadstone in the attractive faculty; skilful in the Ablattue, but ignorant in the Dative Case; Arithmeticians only in substraction from GOD, to make up an addition to themselves, whose hearts are as Nabals, or Dives, destitute of Pity, and whose hands are as Hopb●ies fleshhooks, nimble in rapacity: but as jeroboame arm, dried up, and destitute of charity.  
It was the former glory (SIR) of your native Kingdom, that no Nation did over-match it (according, yea beyond the power thereof) in stately Erections, and rich endowments of religio is Places: But now her glory is turned to her shame; while as the eye of the most curious survey shall not in any Country or Kingdom, round about, behold so many religious Places and Hospitals promisc●o●slie demolished; as in this our Nation▪ and not only CHRIST'S Patrimony devoured, appointed for His Worship; but the Poors also, ordained for their comfort: whereby those who should be in these places supported, and relieved (like A●no●, looking leaner from day to day) are now forced in their feeble Straying, and bedfast Starving, to post up such Groans, & Grievances, to the Throne of justice, as may be fittest Pleaders of their Cause, & playners on their Wrong.  
This is the Cause (SIR) of such Desolation in the Land, and that it staggereth and reeleth to and fro, like a drunken man. This is the Cause why so many ancient and noble Houses draw near the period of utter Exterminion: and that the line of Desolation is spread over them, and the stones of emptiness are to be found in them. This is the cause that such a visible Curse is seen to follow upon the eating of the Fruit of this forbidden Tree. For assuredly the LORDS Portion will be unto them, and their estates, as that Worm which was at the root of jonas Gourd, which caused a speedy fading, and final decay, like achan's execrable thing, which was his ruin, and his whole Families: or as the Ark to the Philistines which never ceased to plague them, till it was sent back to the right owners. And as jacob supplanted Esau, the holy thing will be ever the supplanter of the unholy Usurper: the bread of deceit will turn into gravel in the mouth: and tho stolen waters be sweet, yet like the accursed water to the guilty party, although they cause swelling of their Rents at first, yet they shall bring upon them a consumption at last.  
But fearfuller shall be their ditty hereafter, when Christ's words not only of, Non pavistis, but pabul●m abstulistis, shall be pronounced against them: and most fearful shall be their doom of eternal damnation, which like that threatening against the House of Eli, shall make their ears to tingle; and make them more dreadfully astonished, than ever was Balthassar. The imprecation whereof is set down as the sentential and usual clause and clausule of such Mortifications▪ saving thus▪ and as from Eball thundering, If any shall take away, or apply to any other use, that which I have mortified and bequeathed to the indigent, (as I hope none will dare ever to attempt) let him be ANATHEMA, and let his count be without Mercy at the dreadful day of judgement, when he shall compeare and receive his doom at the hand of the judge both of Heaven and Earth, to whom I dedicate the same.  
This (Sir) is the Cause likewise why so few new Erections of such Places are in the Country, or charitable Dotations, out of men's devotion, while as they see how the liberal donations of others, and pious erected Hospitals are so grossly devoured and ruinated remediless: and thereby vehemently suspect, yea, assuredly expect, that it would no otherwise far with that which they would in like manner out of pity and piety erogate and consecrate to God.  
Neither have Laics only had their hands in this cursed Crime, but Levi hath also joined with Simeon, to be Brethren in evil▪ and both have linked together, as Sampsons' Foxes, to waste the Lords Field: so that judas, quid mihi dabitis, et ego tradam e●m? hath not died with him: but without Sense, or Shame, hath been the manner of latter bargaining by his Soulless successors; their conscience being more leper than the body of G●b●zi: & a more dreadful judgement abiding such, no● that for the receiving of the gift from Nama●: for as Lamech said to his wives, so may I, if this horrible Crime in Laics be avenged seavenfolde, doubtless in such who should be Trumpets, to cry aloud against the same, and should be preservers of such places, it will be avenged seventy fold. And be he of what degree soever, who for Bribe, 〈◊〉 favour, like judas, or Pilate, hath betrayed or delivered Christ i● his poor members, and their Rights, to the barbarous and crue●● hands of those who have Canniball-like devoured them, with judas and Pilate, such should be justly repute to have no Place in so holy, a ministration, and may with them fear the like woe and judgement.  
Let not then (Sir) your land herein be an Aceldama, or the blood of the poor (like that of Abel's) cry still against the same for vengeance. Deliver your subjects from such a fearful curse: & cause their maws (like the belly of jonas Whale) to disgorge the poors portion, who have swallowed up the same, that (as job says of himself) the blessing of him who was ready to perish, may come upon you, 
job 19.13 14, etc.  and ye may cause the hearts of the poo●● to sing for joy. Put on Righteousness then, and let it clothe you, judgement, & let it be a Robe & a Diadem unto you: be Eyes to the Blind, & Feet to the Lame: and the cause of the poor, which ye know not, search it out. For it is your part (Sir) to purge th● land of such blood-guiltiness, and to make a straight inquisition with joshua, concerning the execrable thing: to break the jaw●● of the wicked, and to pluck the spoil out of their teeth, and to the poor at this time to leave a blessed memorial behind you 〈◊〉 So may ye promise to yourself, that ye shall die in your 〈◊〉 & multiply your days as the sand: your Root also shall spread● out by the Waters, and the Dew shall lie all night upon you● Branch: Your Glory, in like manner, shall be fresh in you, and your Bow shall be renewed in your Hand: and amongst all the Titles of Honour & Dignity, which the Lord hath multiplied▪ & heaped upon your sacred Majesty, this shall not be the leas● wherewith your Royal Grandsire, of blessed memory, was styled▪ to be called, THE POOR MAN'S KING.  
FINIS.