To all our Christian Brethren in England, which wait for the kingdom of Christ, increase of the knowledge of the truth be multiplied unto them, with strength and patience, and perseverance unto the end.  
MY state is known unto many of you (my Brethren) how that of certain time (though weakly & untowardly) I have striven, and withstood the yoke of spiritual bondage in the worship of God, which the man of perdition have yet left behind for our sifting and trial. From the which that I might be delivered (the Lord God the searcher of hearts I take to record) that it have been mine only quarrel, and the cause of stirring me up to do that, which I did. Concerning the which cause, I did not think it lawful for me (though I could have escaped in time enough) to withdraw myself into any other place, for mine own liberties sake, until I had more openly witnessed the same cause. Which when it seemed good unto God, that I with some others should do, by abiding imprisonment a certain time: Then having offered ourselves to suffer whatsoever our vexers should lay upon us, and espying nothing like to be done unto us, but to be holden with linger imprisonment, and that without liberty of communicating unto others the instruction of the same cause, which we professed: we thought good rather to undergo some exile (as it were) for redeeming at least some liberty of worshipping God with safety of conscience. Which when we did, and divers of our Brethren, which were willing to come unto us were restrained: and we were persuaded, that to return unto them thither, whereas by imprisonment we should again be holden from them, would little avail: I have judged that we have been debtor to them to bestow upon them some thing which might help to increase their spiritual courage and comfort. In which behalf, when the expectation of me and divers others rested upon some, who in the end did but slenderly answer, and satisfy the same: Then I, which for my unworthiness and poor gift, had thought never to have set forth any thing publicly, yet was provoked to endeavour myself, in some part, as far as the Lord should make me able, to satisfy that want, which I thought to be great. And I went about a piece of work touching Church government. But partly by sickness, & partly by weighing the cost of the print, and finding it to be above my reach of ability: I was hindered, and have let stay that work, until the Lord further enable me.  
In the mean time I thought good to write some other little treatses, and I chose this 122. Psalm, thinking thereby to have occasion ministered to speak of divers of those points, which concern the cause mentioned. And I was determined to have spoken somewhat briefly upon the whole Psalm. But in the first entrance meeting with those points, which I thought good they should be discussed somewhat largely for edifying sake: Again, sickness and other causes cutting me short: I was constrained to end at this time scarce finishing the first verse. Neither was it my desire to seem to speak much upon a little Text, (yea I confess that I have passed the bounds of Scholar like handling the Text) but the things which offered themselves to be spoken of, seemed to my judgement to require so much measure. Herein my desire unto the lord is, that my poor labour may be accepted of him, and may be profitable to his people.   

I Would have the Reader advertised, that whereas in one place of this book, I have these words: The Author to the Hebrews speak of certain Christians, which were racked, etc. My meaning was not, but that I judged him to speak especially of those which suffered persecution, before the coming of Christ in the flesh: which believing in Christ to come, may also well be called by the name of christians. Yet after it was printed, I suspecting that it might be an occasion of cavilling to some: I thought good to set down a word or two of my meaning therein.   

PSAL. C.XXII. ver. I. I rejoiced when they said unto me▪ We will go into the house of the Lord.  
RIght well is it said, that where the treasure is, there will the heart be also: 
Mat. 6.19.  which thing is seen in this servant of the Lord, who behaved himself worthily in the Ark bringing home. And as it was the lords work, so did he carefully acquit him selfet, hat the curse should not lay hold on him, 
jere. 48.10.  which belongeth to the working of the Lords work negligently. But that he did, he did with all his power, and when he had finished his joyful work, his joy was not ended, but rebowned again and again, with a sweet Echo in his soul. So as it was meat and drink to him to do the will of God: so was it also his pleasure to think and muse upon the same, and he hath conceived the grace of God's spirit, and hath brought forth this Psalm, as the fruit of so godly a meditation, leaving us a glass and pattern wherein to see the spots of our deformed and loathsome negligence, and a lantern he hath set bright before us, that we may see to take our way to go and lay hand on the Lords plought, to do his acceptable work. Out of whose example and words in this Psalm, we mind, by the good furtherance of God, to gather some advertisements to stir ourselves up, yet whiles it is called to day, 
Hebr. 3.13.  lest we should be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  
First we have to speak of his joy and the cause thereof, the remembrance of which, he doth now feed upon, and chew the cudd upon this joy of that happy day, which he thus remembreth. 
Psal. 78.71.  The Lord chose David from the sheep folds to feed his people in jacob and his inheritance in Israel. And as it is spoken of him that he fed them in the simplicity of his heart, 
Ver. 72.  so did it even appear in his first entrance of his kingdom. For nothing held him careful in comparison of this, to have the Lord to vouchsafe to come home again unto his people, and to be at peace with them, to love them, & remove shame and rebuke far from them, by returning his holy Ark, the token of his presence, and the lively image of his countenance upon them, as the taking away thereof was the turning his back upon them, and turning away his face, as he had threatened before for sin. 
Deut. 31. 1●  And it was the reproachful staining of the glory of Israel: as it said, The glory is departed from Israel, 
1. San. 4.22.  for the Ark of God is taken. Therefore was the care of David, & his zeal set on fire within his breast, which thing he mightily declared, and the ●●aine thereof appeared, when he swore unto the Lord and vowed a vow unto the mighty God of jacob, saying, 
Psal. 132. ●.  I will not enter into the Tabernacle of mine house, nor come upon my palet or bed, nor suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber, until I have found out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of jacob. Now although it be my purpose, and order requireth to hasten to the cause of David's joy, which he hear mentioneth, yet it standeth with dew order in this place, as it doth with edifying to stand upon his great care, in waiting for that thing, which being obtained, this his joy succeeded. For lively and sound is that joy which the heart feeleth, when it is refreshed from care & grief going before.  
When the Lord had delivered his soul out of all adversities, which he sustained in the days of Saul, and had brought him to the glory of his kingly Throne: herein he showed the simplicity of a true heart, in that he was not changed by the sudden alteration, nor his heart beguiled by those pleasures, to cause him to forget God. He was not high minded, 
Psal. 131.1.  he had no proud looks. But he kept his soul, as a child that is weyned from his mother's breast. Yea at this time he throughlie weaned himself, from taking pleasure in any thing, until the Ark of God should be brought home & placed in Israel, which he calleth by the name of the Lord, 
Psal. 13●. ●.  and the mighty God of jacob. Thereunto doth he swear and vow, not to have regard unto his own tabernacle nor house, not to count it his home, or settle himself therein, neither to take any sound rest until he had seen this business of the Lord in due forwardness. Thus was he thankful unto the Lord, which had remembered him, and all his afflictions.  
Let us examine ourselves & call to mind the years that are past, when the fiery sword did hang over our heads in the days of Queen Marie, & that by so weak a thread, that we looked every hour when it should fall upon us, when we being strangers from our own houses, walked from house to house, at such time as the Owls and Backs look forth and fly: And thought it well if we might live so without house or land, or aught else save bare bread for the life.  
We were as the jews which by Hamans' means were sold to be slain, 
Ester. 3.13.  and destinate to a day of death. And we were as humble Hester, which would make no request but for life only. 
Ester. 7.3.  Now when we sighed and cried for the bondage, and the cry for our bondage came up unto God, 
Exod. 3.33.  and God heard our moan, & remembered his covenant: Then he brought again our captivity, 
Psal. 126.1  as he did of jacob: then were we like unto them that dreamt. Even for sudden joy, doubting whither we dreamed those happy tidings, or no. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, & our tongue with joy. Then the Nations about us said, that the lord had done great things for us. And we sang thereunto, the Lord have done great things for us, whereof we rejoice. Christ jesus seemed then to us as a shining and burning Lamp, and we seemed for that time to rejoice in the light thereof. But our giving of thanks and singing praise unto god, was scarce so good as that of the people of Israel, mentioned in the fourth Chapter of Exodus, 
Exod. 4.31.  who when they heard that the Lord had visited them, and had looked upon their tribulation, they bowed down and worshipped. But when tribulation was increased upon them, 
Exod. 16.2.  they murmured against God and his servant Moses. So could we bow down and worship in the day of our deliverance, but since that time, not through bitter affliction as did they, but through too much pampering with more flesh, then the pots of Egypt have, we have waxen fat, and have forgotten the day of our penury and hunger. Yea we have forgotten, and forsaken the Lord the holy one of Israel, in that we are gone backward. And better hath the Ox known his owner, 
Esa. 1.3.  and the Ass his masters crib, than we have known him that saved us. For if we knew him, we would also surely know, that he redeemed us from that fiery furnace that we should burn with more zeal of furthering his kingdom upon earth to the advancing of his glory. But the people of England in that day when the Lord did lift up their heads, were far from the zeal and practice of David, who being advanced to his kingdom, had not yet the thing he would have, and gave himself no rest, until he had done dew homage unto the lords kingdom, by furthering, procuring, and labouring about those things which appertained unto the true worship of God, until he did see them at a good stay. But our Clergy first, which should with great affliction have laboured about the Lords work, to have seen that first finished, before they had instauled themselves into their own rooms: they contrariwise laid hold on the great livings, catch who catch might the rich bishoprics and fat Benefices.  
And as Achsaph the daughter of Caleb, 
josua. 15.19  when her father had given her a portion of high ground, desired still more, namely, places with springs of water: so was their desiring, and desiring again. For those which were served with Benefices where corn ground was most, they must have an other, where good store of pasture lie. And when they were served with that, they must long for one where store of sheep are kept, and then they think they should be well. But would to god, it had been no worse affection & desire, then that of Achsaph, which desired the increase of her portion of that land, which the Lord had given and blessed unto her people: but these men have been greedy of the fat spoil, and have not been aware that it was the spoil of jericho, which ought not to have been meddled withal, but to have been execrable things unto us. I mean not as though that wealthful spoil might not have been taken use of, 
josua. 6.17.  by converting it another way. But those things holding still their nature & strength which they received of the Cananitish Roman, aught to have been to us execrable things. And even as the lord gave unto the children of Israel the first conquest in the land of Canaan, namely, over jericho, without bow or sword, horse, 
josu. 6.  horseman, or any battle, or any hand moving of theirs, in token that he would always stand on their right hand, and their victories should proceed from him, if they would go forward to fight the lords battle: so the Lord gave us this victory, not with noise of battle, or tumbling of garments in blood, but by his own hand alone from heaven, the thing to us unlooked for, thereby encouraging us to march forward under his banner, and under the good luck of this watcheword: The Lord liveth, which brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and out of Babel, & the Lord liveth which have brought again the captivity of his poor suppliants, from the iron yoke of Antichrist: and the Lord also giving us the earnest of assured victory in those battles which were to ensue in the behalf of his sons kingdom, against his professed enemy Antichrist, if we would have been so gracious, as once to have taken them in hand. But we refused to go to the battle any more, though the Cananite dwelled still in the land, and bore the sword to slay every true Israelite therewith. I mean that man of Rome, who by his Canaanitish offices, and Canons of his laws, standing still in their strength, beareth the sceptre right up, even a rod for the righteous. Thus have we behaved ourselves, not as faithful josua, and his soldiers, which from jericho ceased not to go forward to more battles, and therein saw the great salvation of God fighting for them, when the Sun and Moon stood still in heaven, 
joshua. 1●. 13.  and hasted not to go down for a season. But we have done more like the Amalekites, which invaded Zicklag, which did eat, drink, and dance many days, 
1. San. 30.16.  because of the great spoil they had taken, until sudden slaughter & vengeance came upon them in the midst of their mirth. So let us take heed, that we do not so long eat and drink of the spoil, and dance in security, until that David Christ jesus come at unawares, and take away all, and our lives therewith also in most just judgement.  
We also have done as that other generation of the jews which arose up after josua, which regarded their own ease more than the Lords commandment, and his glory, which stood upon the rooting out of those wicked ones, whose sin was ripe & their day was come: those Canaanites Perezites, and jebuzits suffered they to dwell still among them. Therefore the Lord said, that they should be thorns to their sides, 
judg. 2.3.  and their Gods should be their destruction, as it came to pass. Even so have we ten times more made covenant with that cursed brood of antichrist's birds, not only entering into near familiarity with the men, but also borrowing many of their ceremonies, entertaining their form of service for the most part, being turned but from Latin to English: and yet which is worse, holding our necks under their girdles, by making ourselves willing slaves to their Ecclesiastical sword. And because this practice could soonest be achieved, and this ungracious work could most speedily be jumbled up: then was it counted Policy, to wipe men's noses with, and to give them amocke. But be not deceived, God is none mocked, who redeemed you from adversity to this end, that you should deal wisely and faithfully in all his house. Therefore it did stand you upon to have taken better advisement in the reforming of religion, and matters about God's worship, knowing that above all things it is a matter most curious. And you should with fear and much trembling, setting apart your own affairs for a season, as David did here and that with a solemn vow making, that you would first seek the building of God's kingdom: you should thus, I say, have been conversant in this business, knowing that then all things would have prospered with you. You should also have known that the lord in his worship might not admit any strange devise under pretence of pleasing some, nor might admit any mingling of his wisdom with men's wisdom, any tolerations of vanities with a smooth and feigned promise to take them away in time to come. Why did the Lord show such a terrible and fearful example upon the two sons of Aaron, Nadab & Abihu, 
Levi. 10.1.  as to scorch them with fire from heaven? Because they took fire for their censeres, from the hearth, which they should have taken from the Altar. And they were but young scholars in those ceremonies, & the observations were many, and it was at the first beginning of their training to practice: yet the lords jealousy burned with fire. And why? Had the Lord so great regard, for a coal of fire? was it not to leave a fearful monument for all men to behold, that they might take heed least in matters pertaining to the worship of God, they altar and change even the least thing? If any man want skill, let him withdraw himself. For it is written: Take heed to thy foot when thou interest into the house of God, 
Ecclesiastes 4.17.  & be more near to hear, then to give the sacrifice of fools, for they know not that they do evil. Behold, how many in the Realm of England have done and daily do presume to set in their feet into God's house, and have not learned how to sacrifice aright. Offer not they the sacrifice of fools? And they will not know that they do evil.  
But to return to those which have been chief master workmen in the reformation of religion at the f●rste: Can they not behold, how that for want of this faithful zeal, which was in this servant of God David: For want of dew fear & trembling, careful crying for the spirit of wisdom, and whole attending upon the lords work, with hearts free from worldly entanglings: And for want of that entire love and charity, 
1. Cor. 13.  which seeketh not her own things, but those which are Christ's, and her poor brethren's: I say, for want of these things, and being drunken with that new vessel of wine of worldly concupiscence than set abroach: Can they not espy how they have drawn their lives so far wrong, that skilful workmen, yea now every bungler can not but wonder to see such work. For they have framed their timber, some toe long, and some toe short, in such sort, that the building hangeth all on the one side, tottering and reeling with every wind, and waiteth but for a blast from the Lord to cause it to fall, and to slay all those, which have committed themselves to such a false building. And as for the form & fashion of the house, where was the pattern which God showed Moses in the mount? 
Exo. 26.30.  It was to be found, but it was not sought, the haste was so great to other things. Therefore because the Lord's pattern was refused: no marvel though he refused to send his spirit of wisdom unto those, which stood in stead of Bezaleel, 
Exod. 36.1.  and Aholiab, and the rest of the workmen. For view and try out this reformation. Look unto your brethren of other nations round about which have reform, if they have admitted such things as you, who yet notwithstanding come short enough 〈…〉 duty. But look unto the word of God, and espy out there, how many coals of fire, you have taken, not from the altar Christ jesus, but from the smoking chimneys of the Canaanites which dwelled in the land, the Papists I mean. Therefore repent and return, or else take heed of the Lords fire from heaven, who although he use more patience and long sufferance towards you, than he did towards Nadab and Abihu: yet be you assured that he hath not now less regard and jealousy for the body, than he had then for the shadow.  
And whereas some say, what? It is a house, though it be a downegate thing, though it want roof, though some walls, though it want this and that. Many such songs the babes in the cradle hear, to rock them a sleep. But by their own words I will judge them. For suppose that some noble man mindeth to build a house, he hireth workmen and many servants: part of their wages he payeth, for the rest he appointeth dew order, and make with his workmen straight covenant in all things, hastening the work. Since he goeth into an other country, and return five and twenty years after: if he then find his house half unbuilded, and the timber which is laid, rotten for default of covering in dew time, and likewise the mortar crumbled away, & the stones some fallen and some ready to fall: the workmen they take their wages, and spend it every day at the alehouses and taverns, eating, drinking, and playing, when they should be at work: will not that Noble man at his coming cast in prison those workmen and servants, and give his steward also a great rebuke, and put out his house to other workmen? And yet these chief builders of whom I have spoken, many of them, yea most of them have confessed and do confess until this day, that many things are amiss in the Church, and yet we must be content and bear them. And in deed are there many things wanting and missing to the finishing of the lords house, and can they sit still and eat and drink, and not buckle themselves to their business? Or may the Lords work above other things suffer delay, and wait our good leisure? Or are they the Lords remembrauncers, which can give him rest, and themselves also, 
isaiah. 62.7.  before they see jerusalem, the praise of the world, redeemed and re-edified from the ruin thereof? Can they so long time use the tabernacles of their houses hanged & decked with arras, and Tapestry, and far deliciously every day? Can they so long go to their palet & bed, and suffer their eyes to slumber and sleep, before they have found out a place for the Sceptre of Christ, his lawful government, and made ready a Throne for him to sit and rule, and tread antichrist under foot? This is counted but a small want. O deep security! This we must bear: and we are content so to do, as long as the Lord hath made any promise to bear with wickedness. But he is merciful, and long suffering: but so, as he will not hold the sinner innocent. 
Exod. 34.7.  And if he spoke by his Prophet, saying, 
Esa. 1.14.  that the Sabothes and solemn feasts of the jews (which notwithstanding were after his law) were a burden unto him, and he was weary to hear them: How think we is he weary to bear so many Sabothes, which he never made, and so many ceremonies & other devices & strange Church government, which never entered into his mind: whither are these things a burden or no unto him think we? Yea such a burden, that as he hath spoken concerning them, so hath he concerning us also: Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries. Yea he must needs scour our dross. 
isaiah. 1.24.  For in deed our silver is become dross, and our wine is mixed with water, far otherwise than it was among them. But they say, we must bear now, for the time is past, when the matters of reforming the Churches were chiefly handled, and we must tarry until a fit time come again. In deed, there was a time carelessly slipped at the beginning, when the iron was hot, but the workmen were lazy, and neglected to frame and fashion the work, before the iron was cold. What gracious liberty might not have been obtained, if they, of whom I have spoken, had been as careful and sorrowful for these things, as Nehemiah, who fasted and prayed certain days, 
Nehem. 2.2  and mourned so much because the Wall of jerusalem was not yet builded, that the King could easily discern his sorrow by his countenance, and was moved with compassion, to bid him ask what he would have, before Nehemiah durst mention his suit unto him. And there is no doubt, but like sorrow and care should have found like compassion to have been refreshed with, and no less furtherance to every godly enterprise. For the Lord would surely have done it, who have the hearts of Kings and Princes in his hand. And as we have heard, there wanted not some gracious offer concerning these things. But the Lord lay not to our charge, that which is past. If occasion offered by him, be not taken, our care, fear, and grief in repenting, aught to be the greater, & our endeavour the more vehement to recover our losses. Seek the Lord then, while he may be found▪ Labour better than before. Disburden you of all, either offices or livings, which hang on and press down, 
Heb. 12.1.  to hinder you in the work. Give glory to God and his son Christ jesus, by setting up his royal Throne among us, which is that you call Church government, which many thousand tongues have confessed and complained to be wanting. Once again, remember I say the lords deliverance, h●we he saved us as he did Israel from Pharaoh in the red Sea. Let us sing as Moses did at the shore: He is my God, and I will prepare him a Tabernacle. 
Exod. 15.2.  Therefore are we escaped the drowning, that we should make the Lord a Tabernacle. Let us not only promise it in singing or saying, but perform our vows unto the Lord, which we made in the day of our distress: and let this Tabernacle be so made, that being viewed in the end by our Moses Christ jesus, 
Exo. 39.43.  the work and the workmen, may receive a blessing. This let us do, and go on, and prosper, and live in the Lord: if not, let us be sure, the consumption & plague determined, shall overspread and overwhelm us by gods righteous judgement, 
2. Cor. 10.6  who have vengeance ready for all disobedience.  
Thus have I showed, how especially the Clergy have acquit themselves in the day of the Lords visiting of us, if it had not been hidden from our eyes.  
And now concerning the rest of the people (I mean those which had some knowledge and zeal) they also have been well agreed with their guides in their negligence. For they having once obtained a service in the English tongue, thought it so great a matter, that they might lawfully be holden excused though they sought no further: and having gotten a shadow, wherein they might cool themselves in the heat of the day, and rest a little from their weariness: They have given themselves to eating, drinking, and sleeping under that shadow, and forget the rest of their journey, until dark night come wherein no man can walk. 
john. 9.4.  Neither have they known, that as the Lord gave to the children of Israel a cloud by day to shadow them from the heat, 
Exod. 13.21  to this end, that they should journey forward to their resting place: So also the Lord gave them a defence from that present heat, to the intent that they going through the valley of tears, 
Psal. 84.6.  should journey forward, and go from strength to strength, until unto every one of them, God had appeared shining out of Zion the perfection of beauty. 
Psal. 50.2.  No, but the people have been as a strong ass couching down betwixt divers burdens of spiritual bondage. 
Gene 49.14  And they have seen that rest is good, and that the land is pleasant, therefore they have bowed their shoulder to hear, and have been subject unto that yoke, which is contrary to the liberty, 
Galat. 5.1.  wherein Christ have set us free. Even so it is certainly. For the pleasures of this world have stolen away the hearts of many, and have caused zeal and religiousness to be frozen up: so true is it that one can not serve both God and Mammon, but either he must love the one and hate the other, 
Luk. 16.13.  or at the least in leaning to the one, he must neclect and despise the other. For the people of England, I mean those which either at that time, or since, have felt some motions of God's spirit unto godliness: the most part of them, I say, whiles they have applied themselves to eat and drink largely, as in the days of rest, to buy and sell, and to smile merely upon gain coming in, and to welcome it with giving it the hand, their hearts have been stolen before they have been aware: so that they being once delivered from the filthiness of the world, 
2. Pet. 2.20.  through the knowledge of the Lord, have again entangled themselves therewith, and have returned as the dog to his vomit, & as the sow that is washed, to the wallowing in the mire. For upon this taking a smatch and taste of worldly ease & wealth, whereof I spoke, the stomach have become greedy, & there have been no end of seeking gain, laying up in store, making the barns wider, joining house to house, 
isaiah. 5.8.  & land to land. So that now if one come and tell them of further seeking the face of God, & building his kingdom: he speaketh to the belly which hath none ears, & his speech is like unto his, which speaketh with a strange language, and he speaketh to them which far as if they were in a dream. For the wine of the fornication of this world have cast them into a sleep, and they have not known, neither will know till it be to late to recover it, that they have sold their birth right for a mess of pottage: 
Heb. 12.16.  And have not followed the counsel of him which saith: When thou eatest honey, take heed thou eat not too much, 
Prou. 25.16  lest it hurt thee. Neither have they bought the precious Pearl of God's Kingdom: 
Mat. 13.45.  but they have sold it for that which glistereth, and yet is no gold.  
But we ought to have taken heed of all such worldly things, especially until we had further finished our work and labour in the lord: herein following the example of those men, which defer their eventide meal, until they have ended their work, though in such time of the year, as part of the night do overtake them. For their experience do teach them, that whilst their hand is now in work, it is not greatly grievous, though they abide some weariness and cold: But when they have with eating and drinking been satisfied, and have basted themselves well by a good fire, than it is death to go to work again: but forthwith the feeling of that ease craveth more, until the time of sleep.  
Therefore ought we to have holden ease and rest, and worldly commodities, even at the sword point, as enemies to those which fight the lords battles, by denying them selves and all things, and taking up the cross, and also as clogs & weights to them which have a race to run, except that they were used, as though they were not used, and let pass as strangers, not entertained, and welcomed as beloved friends.  
Yet notwithstanding this people have in the midst of their carelessness, an answer ready as good as an apron of fig leaves. For say they, we must abide a time, and the time is not yet come, and they are not ashamed to call it, the Lords leisure, which is their own leisure, seeing the Lord have complained a long while since, as being weary of their lasines, saying: How long will it be yer this people will go up? And concerning not being yet time, the Prophet Agge answereth them: The Lord of hosts speaketh: thus sayeth this people: 
Agge. 1.2.  The time is not yet come, that the lords house should be builded. Is it time for yourselves to dwell in your sieled houses, & this house lieth waste? And with what courage can this people build, yea and that gorgeously, siele, hang with clothes, & plant: & se● the stones of the lords house lying still in the dust? Alas that care is wanting which we have mentioned here to be in David, who swore and vowed not to take as it were, the possession of his house, the Ark of God being from home.  
That care, zeal, and endeavour is wanting, which was in Nehemiah, & those which were with him, which in the speedy building of the Wall, 
Nehe. 4.23.  did not put off their clothes but only for washing, until the work was finished, which endeavour the Lord blessed with mighty success.  
They moreover in their answering pretend that we must be thankful to god for that we have, and charge them with unthankfulness, who with grief and great mourning bewail that is wanting, and bend unto it: But what unthankfulness was in Hanani, one of the Israelits which came to Nehemiah, and being demanded concerning the state of the jews, he said, they were in affliction and great reproach, 
Nehem. 1.3  because the wall of jerusalem was not builded up. Was he unthankful to God which had returned their captivity, granted them his true worship in their own land, with re-edifying the Temple? And was the material Wall such a matter, to complain of? And what unthankfulness was in Nehemiah, to conceive great grief thereupon, 
Nehem. 1.4.  and to fast and mourn certain days? It should seem that they were straight in their own bowels, when as the Lord was liberal and bountiful towards them. But they knew, that the full building of jerusalem was the lords praise, and the honour of his people, and every ruin which was to be beholden there, was to all nations and people which should see it, a witness of their shame: In as much as it was a monument of the Lords anger, which had dishonoured them, who by their transgressions had dishonoured him.  
And if in those material things, & figures, the case standeth so: What reproachful people are we, and what blind, dissolute, and miserable men, which see not our reproach and misery, neither do we feel any burden thereof, as striving to be eased of the same. But rather we boast thereof, and glory in our shame, and say, thanks be to God, we are well, and have religion reform better than many other countries: And such like smooth speeches and sweet words, which we have been taught of divers of our teachers to heal our deadly hurt. 
jere. 6.14.  For that which we want is more than a thousand city walls: and all the cities in the world are not worth one lively church which is God's Kingdom, wherein the throne of Christ is only exalted, and the throne of Antichrist is laid for his footstool.  
And until you see this thing brought to pass, O ye people, and see yourselves also the living stones of this living building: mourn and lament bitterly. Fast and pray. Bid farewell to pleasures, and to the day of mirth. Let the Bridegroom come out of his chamber, & the bride out of her closet Weep upon your fair seeled houses your enlarged pastures and fields, your sweet gardens, pleasant arbours and bowling allis. Know yourselves to be in more grievous bondage of soul, by being holden from Christ his true government: then the people of Israel were in bondage of their bodies, when they walking forth by the rivers of Babel, 
Psal. 137.1.  could not be refreshed from their woe, but they sat down and wept, when they remembered Zion. It was not the pleasant walking by the rivers of waters, that could entice them to be merry, and forget their grief, and forget their country, from which they had now long time been absent. seventy years could not instraunge them, nor wean them from the remembrance of jury, and jerusalem, and mount Zion: Not so much because there was their dwelling, as because they dwelled there together with the Lord, giving there outward tokens of his presence. Therefore they vowed, and wished hard things unto themselves, 
Vers. 6.  if they preferred not jerusalem before all joy 〈◊〉 if they should be joyful, before they should see jerusalens full deliverance.  
Thus should it far with us. And even as a woman which full dearly have loved her husband being now deceased this life, can take no pleasure in beholding his garments: but rather renew the remembrance of her loss, and increase her woe and grief: So should houses, fields, pastures, pleasant gardens, orchards, gold, silver, yea wife & children, and whatsoever else of outward things: we should enjoy them, & look upon them, shasting the head, with wailing and wrinking the hands, crying, alas for our husband Christ jesus, which have left us all these good things, and he is not with us: But our sins have caused him to departed a side, seeing he have been so despitefully used amongst us, by exalting the sword of his enemy, and treading his sword under foot. And lest any should think me to overreach, in saying we are in grievouser bondage than were the jews in Babylon, though to speak of it will be thought of some, straying from my matter, yet I must regard edifying more than any other order. Therefore I demand of those which have any eyes to see, whither they can behold their souls to be sold for handfuls of Barley, and morsels of bread, even for tithe sheaves (whereas if we had been sold for slaves, appointed to bodily toil, we might have held our peace) For doth not he which have money, or the letter of some great man, or favour by other means, doth he not get the gift of a Benefice of some Patron, and being presented to the Bishop, he is forthwith sent to be instauled? and so the guides of our souls, are appointed unto us without our advice and counsel, whose life and death of soul it standeth upon to try our guides, that after they have been found able to cut and divide our portion of the bread of life in dew season, they might be approved of us, & received. But that which is more grievous, when a blind leader is come to take us by the hand, we have no authority as the Church of God, to refuse him, or to complain for redress, or to remove him, after we have tried his inability. Are not then our souls in bondage? Furthermore, we have no authority to complain of that, or any other mischief, in our own congregation, 
1. Cor. 5.4.  that by the power of our Lord jesus, which there ought to flourish and bear the sway, even in every Church of his, that mischief might be remedied: but other Lords besides Christ do rule over us, 
isaiah. 26.13.  and over the whole Church, yea over many hundred churches: and them we must seek up through the province, them must we dance great attendance, and to them we must complain: and if our complaint be of any thing done against the honour of Christ, or against our liberty which he have given us, our mouth shall be stopped, and we shall be cut shorter. But if it be a matter against their own honour, touching their injunctions, as of the garment of obedience, and the cap of maintenance, or for taking down the imagery work about the font, or such thing, than we are good parishioners, they will visit us, and redress those things well enough. Are not now our souls in bondage? Furthermore, we can not serve God, or worship him publicly in spirit, as we ought to do, for we are tied to the dead letter, and stinted out our measure, that we must give God this day, even as much, and the self same, which we gave him the last day, that must we also give him every day in the year, all the time of our life. Wither he be pleased or no, that is his stint and his fee, he may no more have. And though he be weary of that and loathed with it, because it is all one disse of meat continually, (and that would loath any man's stomach) yet he must have it all, and never a whit less. He is a cruel master, which will urge his bond slave to eat up three or four meases of pottage, when his stomach will not bear one, without regorginge. But the Lord is worse served at our hands. And we are forced to mock the lord: after this manner, in bringing him such a worship, as he spueth out of his mouth, & that to the endless hurt of our own souls. Are not then our souls in bondage? Moreover, if half a dozen, or half a score, do consent and agree together, and choose a man sit to guide them: can they bring him in? or for want of him, or any other man sufficient, may they freely go to another place, to hear the word and receive the Sacraments? No, there is a law, and by that law, they must come home to their own Parish, there must they feed upon the rocks and stones, or else starve. Will any unmerciful man deal so with his beast, as to tie him where there grow not one spire of grass? And release can the poor souls have none, until there may come new laws, which may bring redress and grant further liberty, although they never come, but still straighter & straighter. Even as the Israelites were more hardly dealt with, after they had motioned their suit of going into the wilderness to sacrifice & worship God as he commanded. 
Exod. 5.17.  Are not then our souls in bondage? That I speak nothing of our subjection to the jurisdiction of that court, which our own conscience, and the voice almost of all the people in the land, cry out that it is popish and Antichristian, and yet not one man among a thousand have spirit and courage to withdraw himself from it, neither will they know it to be a sacrilege, and treason against Christ, to go and bow before the sceptre of antichrist: and flatter themselves, saying, that Christ rule in their hearts inwardly, & they serve him inwardly, and outwardly they serve that idol, which the Devil have set up, worse far away then the idol which Nebuchadnessar set up in the plain of Dura. 
Dan. 3.1.   
But the people say, If the Mass and images come again, they will rather die, than they will receive those. Will you fight the lords battles, and will you needs choose your own standing? Must not the soldiers fight with that band and wing of the enemies, whereunto their Captain appoint them? But O foolish and blind men. For whither is greater wickedness? The Mass and images, or that rule and power, which have authorized, and established the Mass & images? Whither is greater, the apple, or the tree which bringeth forth the apple? For the Mass and images & all other wicked ceremonies, were but apples of this cursed and bitter tree of popish government. And although we have cut of a few twigs, which bore some kind of apples, yet the tree remain, and the root hath yet very deep hold in the ground, and it bringeth forth other cursed crabs, to set our teeth on edge withal. And though the Devil would bear us in hand, that they were as good apples, and set as great a praise on them, as he did on the apple, which he feofft Eve with: Yet in eating thereof, 
Gen. 3.  the Lord shall prove our disobedience.  
These abominations which I have spoken of, & many more which I have not named, declare whither our bondage, or the Babylonian bondage of the jews, were more grievous and dangerous. And if they hanged up their haps upon the willow trees: 
Psal. 37.2.  Whither have we cause to set apart Lute & Cithern▪ Uiols, shawms, Cornets, Sackbuts and Dulcimers, and all the instruments of Music with dancing and mirth: and to sing the songs of dolefulness? Let us rend our hearts and not our garments. Let us no more sit down to eat & drink, and rise again to play: but let us eat the bread of adversity, and drink the water of affliction▪ and pray continually so, that in praying, our bitter complaints may ascend up to the Lord, & we may rightly speak with like affection, as did the poor banished jews saying: 
Psal. 123  Behold▪ as the eyes of the servants look unto their masters, and the eyes of a maiden to the hand of her mistress: so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have suffered to much contempt. Yea if we had any grace to take to heart, the reproaches of the papists which mock our patched service, and scorn us, as not able to build our house of religion, without borrowing most of our stones and timber from them: And cast in our teeths: Where do you tell your church? Or whence have you any jurisdiction or church government, but from him whom you scorn in words, namely the Pope? As in deed it is in every man's mouth to cry, fie on the Pope: & yet we bow the knee before him by submission to his Court. Therefore are we mocked of the papists, as our sins have deserved. Which spiritual evil if our dull hearts could feel: we might add also with those careful jews: Our soul is filled full of the mockings of the wealthy & the despite of the proud. For it is a time of reproach, and our shame lieth open in the eyes of all nations (if we could discern it) whiles neither Temple is builded, wherein we may worship the Lord aright, neither the city wall, whereby the Heathen might be kept out, that they no more come into the lords heritage, 
Psal. 79.1.  to defile his holy Temple, & to make jerusalem an heap of stones. Now therefore, although we at the beginning, have not done as faithful David did, to swear and vow unto the Lord, concerning his acceptable work finishing with all possible speed: let us yet at the length hear the lords voice, 
Psal. 95 8.  without hardening our hearts, and swear & vow to seek his face, and build his kingdom otherwise, than we have done, and not to rest as heretofore, till we have performed our vows, and passed even through the valley of tears & mourning, 
Psal. 84.6.  digging fountains to quench our thirst (I mean abiding all trouble and persecution) until we draw near the lords rest in Zion: before the time that he swear, 
Psal. 95.11  and seal the decree of our never entering in thither, and so we be shut also from his eternal rest, in his kingdom, for our too much contempt of his glory, which should appear in the advanced kingdom of his dear Son, and for our luke warm professing his name, without doing his will, and working his work.  
Thus have we heard concerning the care, which David had for the bringing home the Ark. It followeth to speak of the joy, which he conceived, when the Lord vouchsafed to be with him, & to bend also the hearts of the people thereunto, when it was brought home.  
I rejoiced when they said unto me, we will go into the house of the Lord.  
King David according to the vow and promise which he made unto the Lord, so he continued faithful and steadfast, 
1. Chro. 15.  and prepared a place for the Ark of God, and pitched for it a tent, and longed for the day, when it should be placed there. Yet for all his faithfulness and exceeding great care, it pleased God to humble him, by that great judgement, which fell upon Vzzah, 
1. Chro. 15.  that he might be sifted, and tried to the uttermost, and the Lord spared not David, in that little thing which was committed awry, in that the Ark was carried on a cart, and drawn by Oxen, which ought to have been borne upon the Levites shoulders. 
Exo. 25.14  Therefore the Lord made him to behold a doleful sight in the death of Vzzah, and turned his joy into heaviness, for that present time. Thus jealous is the Lord always for his true worship: For he will be sanctified of those, 
Levi. 10.3.  which come near him. Where is now any place left for toleration of any disorder in the state of the Church? when as the Lord would not tolerate & bear with thus much, for his servant David's sake, whose care was so great, whose heart was so faithful, whose hand was so forward, and his labour so painful, to restore true religion, & to promote the Lords glory. But what have our reformers of religion done? only in one thing have they followed the example of them which were with David to help home the Ark the first time: for they to ease their own shoulders of the burden, and to avoid that great labour, which belongeth to the building of god's church rightly and effectually, have been content to shuffle up the matter, and have committed the carriage of the Ark to brutish Oxen: even dumb & blind Ministers. And these Oxens feet are not shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, 
Ephe. 6.15.  therefore they stumble at every step, and have long ago overthrown cart, & Ark, & all: although there have been Uzzahs appointed to put toe their hand & help the oxen. I mean teachers have been appointed, to learn the ignorant ministers to preach: how they prosper, men may well know, except they had power to work miracles, to make the dumb to speak, and the blind to see, and that only by teaching. But let those Uzzahs, and the appointers of them understand and know a more excellent way, namely, that the Levites take the burden upon their shoulders, weigh it never so heavy, by trouble, persecution, and painful labour, and let them cheerfully bring home that Ark, even Christ jesus, upon whose shoulders the government lieth, 
isaiah. 9.6.  and place him in his Tent pitched for him, even his Zion, his Church and kingdom, that he may bear that rule and government, which unto him belongeth, without so much as the print of the foul footsteps of Antichrist, remaining in his Tabernacle to his dishonour.  
And here it shall not be amiss upon occasion, to touch the courage of David, who although he was a little daunted at the first, by that miscarrying of the Ark, in so much that he said: How shall the Ark of the Lord come unto me? 
2. Sam. 6.  yet notwithstanding he fainted not, neither gave over his purpose: but feared the Lord more, and sought out more circumspectly, where the fault was, and how it might be redressed: And again girt up his loins, and addressed himself with more cheerfulness, yet again to bring it home. Many there be in the Realm of England, which have been zealous of Church government, and of the removing the ceremonies, of men's traditions, and stinted service: and because they have made long tarrying, & have had a cold offering, and have hoped long of redress by parliaments, whereunto they have made suit, and have been disappointed of their hope: Therefore as though they had done their whole duty, they have set them down, and waxed cold and careless, and have slept on both ears, and think that the Lord must needs now hold them excused, until the Lord cast it upon them, & put into their mouths. But they must know, that they are not to cease seeking the kingdom of God, 
Mat. 6.33.  and for other things they shall be cast unto them without their careful thought. The kingdom of God must suffer violence of those, 
Mat. 11.12.  which with violent zeal do draw it unto them. Many run, but few get the crown. 
1. Cor. 9.24  We must so run, as we may obtain. It is not enough to be wishers and woulders, as many be at this day counted religious and favourers of government, because they can say: O we must pray, we must pray: thereby satisfying themselves and others, being not a little glad, that they may buy it so cheap, to sit at their ease, and follow the world. Therefore what cries and complaints their prayers be, may easily be discerned. Prayers without practtses, are but poor prayers, & the heart which setteth not the hand a work, do not burn with much heat. We must so pray, as continuing and increasing in greater fervency, giving the Lord no rest, nor suffering any nay: though he seemeth to send us away with a rough answer, as our Saviour Christ did unto the Canaanitish woman, refusing her suit, and calling her dog: yet she left him not, but desired at the least that which a Dog might have, 
Mat. 15.16  even the crumbs which fall from the children, and so obtained her suit with commendation of her faith.  
And we, if we have wished & desired, & therewith made suit to the higher powers, & laboured in the behalf of true Ecclesiastical government, and yet have returned empty, & confounded, because the lord have not vouchsafed to let us see the Ark come home: we are to fear so much the more before the face of the lord, 
Sam. 2.6.  as it is said that David feared the lord, in the unspedie day: he feared God before, but now his fear was increased. And in this fear ought we to examine the cause, why the Lord have not made our enterprise prosperous, & to search our ways, whither we have taken the right path or no: whither we have gone to the place where it is, or we have sought it in a wrong place: whither we have put our shoulders to the burden, or we have gone about to cart it, that it might come easily unto us, and as it were, alone without our helping hand. Thus ought we to search until we find out in ourselves the cause of God's displeasure, for the which we are deprived of this benefit. And having found the cause, let us repent and redress that is amiss, and strengthen the feeble knees of ours, 
Heb. 12.13  making strait steps to our feet, lest that which is halting, be turned out of the way. Let us recover the right path, from the which we have wandered wide, and gird up our loins, that we may with more courage and swiftness walk therein, then before we have done in our wrong & false way.  
And some there be which have attained unto this knowledge, that the kingdom of God come not by observation, 
Luk. 17.20.  and waiting and suing, here and there, but is near unto us, even within us: and no more is to be required, but that we remove ourselves from evil, and worship God according to his word, choosing rather to suffer the cross, then to deny Christ by slavish giving over of that authority & liberty, which he have given unto his people. Some I say, have attained unto this knowledge, yet notwithstanding they have been dismayed and offended, beholding the wayward footsteps of divers which have gone before, even in the right path, though not with steady foot, but have slipped, halted, and fallen in the way by committing some thing which have displeased the Lord, as sometime in the chief City in England, there were many which withdrew themselves from this spiritual bondage mentioned. But some only making conscience at the Cap & Surplice, and therein stood all their religion. Some entering that way, despised all other, but pitied them not in the bowels of compassion, that they might be brought unto the truth, but were proud in their own conceit. Most of them also ignorant how they should come to the end, or yet to the midst of the way, which they had entered, neither being humble in seeking out the same, but thinking rather that they knew all things. Therefore when they were tried and weighed, many were found too light, and their miscarrying of the Lords Ark, and the judgement which fell upon some of them, as sore as did upon Vzzah, discouraged many, & weakened their hands. So by their untowardness they caused the savour of the Lords work to stink in the nostrils of the people.  
And of late an other attempt have been given that way by one, of whom I must needs say, that the Lord used him as a means to bring the truth to light, in many points concerning the true government of the Church: who, I wish for the glory of God, if it had been his good pleasure, that he had stood in integrity, without swerving and leaning to Antichristian pride, and bitterness. And for me to make mention thereof, may seem very hard, which am not so able therein to save myself from the reproach of many tongues, as I am to clear myself of the deserving the same. Yet notwithstanding a wound being made in the brethren's minds: I have thought it my duty rather to labour to heal it, than to feign myself not to see it.  

Mat. 24.12.  True it is at all times, that iniquity prevailing, causeth the love of many to abate. For every iniquity committed especially in those enterprises, which bear the chiefest show of holiness before the Lord, and draw nearest his work, procure a more grievous and speedy judgement, to cause a lamentable success therein. For as I have alleged: The ieleous God will be sanctified of those which come near him, 
levit. 10.3.  and he cause his judgement to begin even at his own house. 
1. Pe. 4.17.  This judgement being beholden, causeth fear, and daunteth the courage of many which had begun to step in the way. Even as if two men riding through a water, the former slip into some groope and perish, the other had rather turn back, and lose his journey, then to go forward, though there be space enough to go by, and avoid that danger. At the least with fear and trembling he seeketh out his way. And no marvel it is though the beholding of such judgement, because of iniquity prevailing, cooleth greatly the heat of love, and dulleth the edge of courage for a time. For even valiant josua thereby was stricken full sore. 
josua. 7.  For he rend his clothes and fell to the earth, at the evil success in the battle at Ay. And he cried: Alas O Lord God, wherefore hast thou brought this people over Iorden, to deliver us into the hands of the Amorits, & to destroy us? Would God we had been content to dwell on the other side Iorden. Oh Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turn their backs before their enemies? Thus he seemed to repent his coming over Iorden, As though that journey had not been taken in hand in the Lord, and by him furthered, and the furtherance thereof confirmed and honoured by a great miracle of the Lords mighty hand. But the Lord raised him up, and told him that iniquity committed in Israel, had caused the reproach of that unspeedie day. Also Aaron, Eleazar, and Ithamar were so dazzled with the judgement, 
Levi. 10.19  which fell on Nadab and Abihu, that they did not eat the Goat in the holy place, as they should have done. Moses was so grieved at the evil success of the children of Israel, not being able to come to their rest because of their iniquity, that he chose rather to be razed out of the book of life, then to hear and see that reproach, 
Exo. 32.31.  which should come unto that people, and to the name of God. jeremiah wished that he had never been borne, because Israel in stead of a blessing, had rewarded evil unto their own souls. Rebekah when the children strove in her womb, 
Gen. 25.22  thought it had been better not to have conceived. And David when he saw the death of Vzzah, brought not home the Ark at that time, but feared and lamented, saying: How shall the Ark of God come unto me? Great fear came on the church of jerusalem, at the terrible judgement of Ananias and Saphira. 
Act. 5.  Most of these have been partly afraid and discouraged, as though their enterprise and work, which was of the Lord, had in itself obtained that hard hap, and unprosperous event, which proceeded of some other evil coming in by the way. But as josua, when he had found out the fault, and purged it, renewed battle again, and saw the mighty power, and great salvation of the Lord for them, with comfort and gladness: and as David when he also had espied the fault and redressed it, renewed his endeavour, and brought home the Ark with more joy and cheerfulness: and as the Disciples of jerusalem ceased not from giving alms, but their fear tended to this, that they should do it with more singleness of heart: So let not us be offended, and stumble at the sin of any man, to give over our zeal and love unto the lords cause, the truth whereof his word hath confirmed unto us. But rather let us search out, where the iniquity is, and let the offender bear his shame and rebuke, how excellent a parsonage soever he have been, for turning the truth of God into a lie: and let the Lord have his glory, who is always found true, 
Rom. 3.7.  when every man is found a liar. And his truth abound the more, through the lie of man unto his glory.  
The children of Israel which came out of Egypt to go into the land of Canaan, could not attain thither, but their carcases fell in the wilderness: Might one have said therefore, that they came not out by the Lord's commandment and his conduct? Yes, and greater was the glory of GOD, who was not hindered from performing his promise by the unbelief of that people: but their unbelief made his faithefulnes more appear. And their unrighteousness commended the lords righteousness, 
Rom. 3.5.  which recompensed them their just desert, and yet raised up a better generation, to enter into his resting place. So will the Lord evermore make his cause to stand, though they which handle it amiss, shall fall before it in the way. And as for men of great credit and estimation, the Lord often times will make their weakness and vanity to appear, that no glory might be transferred from himself to mortal men, and that we should never make flesh and blood our arm, neither trust in man, in whose nostrils is breath: 
Esa. 2.22.  for what is he to be esteemed? Solomon the glory of the Kings of the earth, called also the Lords beloved, 
2. Sam. 12.25  a spectacle for wisdom: whom the Lord used also for a special instrument unto many things: yet did not he persevere in wisdom, but became a fool in committing wickedness against the lord 
1. Kin. 11.6.  jehu, which valiantly wrought the lords work at the first, 
2. kin. 10.31  turned also to idolatry, and forsook the Lord. And Gedeon, 
jud. 8.27.  a worthy instrument, which the Lord chose for his work, made the Ephod, which was an instrument of evil.  
These and many more examples there be, which teach us, that although we see before our eyes never so many which begin in the spirit, and end in the flesh, that we condemn not their beginning, neither fear to enter into that way, but rather take heed that we walk so fast, and so steadily, and so well armed, that sin do not overtake us, & overthrow us in the way. The evil example of life showed by those Nations which are called Christian this day, make the savour of the Gospel to stink before the jews, Turks, and other Heathen, which refuse therefore once to search, what Christian religion is. Therefore are they still holden back from Christ & his kingdom. Like recompense shall we reap, if the untoward example of any man quench our zeal and care of searching out the lords cause, that we should not take it in hand.  
But there are not wanting, which unto the slow runners about the lords business, lay more weight of lead upon their feet, and bring them into a further security, by afraying them, by the example of Vzzah, that they attempt not any thing about matters pertaining to the Church, because they have no calling. As though that vengeance showed upon Uzzah, was for taking upon him a wrong calling▪ and not rather for doing that which was no man's calling to do. For there was no man in Israel which had any such calling, but if that he had driven the Cart and done as Vzzah did, it is like he should have been spared as little as Vzzah was. And David in the 13. verse of the 15. of the first Chron. speaking to Sadock and Abiathar, say not, the Lord have made this breach among us, because Vzzah did evil: But because we (saith he) sought him not in, dew order. And although he say also, because you were not hear: his meaning is not that they being present, should have done that which Vzzah did.  
But admit he was punished for overreaching his calling: (as in deed whosoever pass the bounds of duty, pass the bounds of their calling also in that respect) Is it not the calling of every Christian, to remove himself from their communion, which worship God vainly, as by the directing of the blind and dumb ministery, that execrable abomination in God's sight: and to join only, where the lords worship is free, and not bound or witholden with the bands of any jurisdiction of this world. How can they make the kingdom of God near us & within us, 
Luk. 17.20.  if we can not by gods assistance, make ourselves members of his outward church & kingdom in this world, which only hath the promise of blessing and life for evermore: 
Psal. 133.3.  without the authority of man, & waiting their leisure, for a commandment thereunto. And whereunto are all christians made kings & priests? 
reve. 1.6.  Have they no calling thereby to seek the means of their salvation? If my salvation should depend upon the courtesy of any in this world, I were in most miserable taking. But the righteousness of God dealeth other wise: and our salvation dependeth upon that king, whose banner is always displayed before us, 
Mat. 28.20  and he is with us to the end of the world.  
But now concerning those which are able to teach & instruct in the way of the Lord, they must not meddle without calling (say they) although there be no calling suffered and allowed of in a Realm or Dominion, but that which they confess to be utterly unlawful. So must the flock of Christ tarry and be starved, whilst we wait for that, which they can not direct us where to have, or how it should be. It must be, say they, by divers true Ministers calling and allowing him: and so he must be ordained. But how many of the Ministers in the Realm of England dare be seen in this doing? If faith can not be begotten without a Preacher, and a Preacher can not be without lawful sending: and this be the only way: 
Rom. 10.13  why suffer they the people to be deprived? Why are they afraid and ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? Why rather do they not abide persecution? But the lawful calling and sending of the Ministers, which is the only mean to make them have fruitful wombs to beget faithful children, and fruitful breasts to nurse the same: also dew government, which is the only advancing of Christ his kingdom, & the cutting short of sin and wickedness: Also our Christian liberty to worship God with free conscience, according to his word: and our comfortable joining in the true fellowship and communion of saints: And to conclude, the means of our salvation must be kept from us, until a civil law send them unto us, although there be never so long delay: as though they were not sent from heaven, and offered to all that will receive them. We can defy the Papists doctrine, for making part of our salvation, to hang upon our own deserts: but we can not taste the bitterness of the root of this doctrine, that the building of god's kingdom, for the mean and furtherance of our salvation must depend upon civil power, and Christ jesus with all things pertaining unto him, are made underlings thereunto, and caused to dance attendance upon it. Those which walk after this doctrine and teach men so, do break not one of the least, but one of the greatest commandments, teaching men so: and therefore shall be counted least in the kingdom of God, if they do not repent.  
And again, concerning this calling, which must needs be done by divers Ministers which will not do it: But admit they would, from whence have they their calling, sending, and authority, such as pertaineth to a Minister? Had they it not from those which sit in the chair of Antichrist? Yea, how many are in all Christendom, which have been so rightly ordained, but that their ordination have come from the popish Prelacy, with in three or four generations at the most? Now if a man take a griffe of a sour fruit, and plant it, & then take a griffe of that new planted, & plant that: and take of that again & plant it the third time, and so continue unto the hundredth time: will it lose the sourness, and gather sweetness? No more can an unlawful calling bring forth a lawful, though it descend from one to another an hundred or a thousand times. Therefore except they can approve the lawfulness of their calling to the ministery under some other title then that which they now have by the Clergy: it will fall out, that there shall hardly be found a Minister duly called in all the world, and also that there is small hope that ever there shallbe any. But whatsoever burden they lay upon us, I lay no more upon them, but that they having the approving and consent of their flock, do the works of a Minister, namely, that they feed their flock whereof the holy ghost have made them overseers, if they make not themselves unworthy, and that they keep back from them, nothing that is profitable. 
Act. 20. ●●.  So then they must not keep back nor suffer to be kept back (they standing still) their liberty & authority, which the Church should have, and the true worship of God in all points safe and sound, the sceptre of the government of Christ borne upright, and having dew honour, removing themselves and their flocks, at least from all open abomination in life and religion, whereby reproach should redound to the name of God. These things if they do, and whatsoever else appertaineth to a ministers duty: their work shall commend them, and testify their calling, and shall be in stead of an Epistle or rather a licence written in their own hearts: 
2. Cor. 3.2.  understood also and red of all men. Our Saviour Christ being demanded whither he were the sent Saviour, or they should look for an other: did not answer that he was sent a Saviour, 
Mat. 11.3.  but said: Tell John what you have herd and seen: The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor receive the Gospel. As if he should have said: I do the works of the Saviour, which the Prophets bear witness of, that he should do: Therefore I am the sent Saviour. As namely Isaiah witnesseth, saying: He hath sent me that I should preach the Gospel to the poor, 
isaiah. 61.1.  and that I should heal the broken hearted etc. And our Saviour Christ witnesseth in an other place, saying: I have greater witness than the witness of John: 
john 5.36.  For the works which the Father hath given me to do, those testify of me, that the Father have sent me. Therefore whosoever do the work of Ministers, and have not known the deepness of Satan, neither have the cursed learning of Antichrist: I judge none other burden to be put upon them, 
Revel. 2.24.  but that they hold fast the doctrine of Christ until his coming: And their work shall declare their calling, and seal it before all men. Otherwise the answer of our saviour Christ to them which came from John, and the proof of his calling should not be forcible.  
And moreover, whereas they tie the Ordination of every Minister, as it were, unto the girdle of other Ministers, that of necessity it must at all times depend and stay upon them: that is to lay a greater bondage upon the churches, than they are able to bear. For admit there be only one church in a nation, and they want a pastor: must they seek over Sea and land, to get a minister ordained by other ministers? But what if there should be but only one apparent to us in the world: shall that church for ever be deprived, after they have once wanted a minister, for default of authority to call and ordain an other? By this reason, every church should not be perfect in itself, nor have in itself means and power to continue by that measure of lines which the Lord have measured out unto it. And is it not a dishonour to Christ jesus the head of every congregation, which is his body: to say that his body together with the head, is not able to be sustained and preserved in itself?  
Moreover I demand what calling the dispersed disciples of the church of jerusalem had, that they did preach and teach the Gospel as they went? Were they all ordained ministers, by whose means it is said that many did believe, 
Act. 11.21.  and that the Lord was with them? And those whom they did ●egette, and bring forth as new borne children to God through the Gospel of his son: did they want authority to feed them and give them suck being so brought forth? Which if they might do, than came they very near to the work of the pastor, which hath his name of feeding. And was not only charity a calling to these men, who meeting with such as they found worthy, overslipped not that occasion of doing so great good? If the Samaritan be commended for doing the part of a neighbour unto him which fell among thieves and was wounded: 
Luke 10.36  because he had compassion on him, took him up, and washed his wounds, and in all things provided for the safety of his life: Why should they be reproved as passing the bounds of their calling, who meeting with souls wounded by the sword of Antichristian robbers, or any way bound by Satan with the chains of ignorance: shall help to lose them, and mollify their wounds with the oil of God's truth, and bestow upon them what spiritual gift they are able, to refresh them, and save the life of their souls? Yea if they do it not, they shallbe found merciless, and like to fail of mercy in the time of their need.  
In all this I deny not but that there is use of other Ministers, when they may be had, for mutual help in trying and examining, & alowinge those whom they find meet, that by their judgement the other churches may so much the more be confirmed.  
Thus have I passed the bounds of the text somewhat in this discourse, I confess. But I crave pardon of the reader. For not without due occasion have I been led thereunto. And now at length I come to speak of David's joy, which I thought to have done long year now.  
And first of all, therein we espy the footsteps of that faith whereby the author to the Hebrews witnesseth, so many excellent practices ●o have been achieved: which is the ground of things which are hoped for, 
Heb. 11.  and the evidence of things which are not seen. For hereby David despised all the glorious things with visible show, which belonged to his Royal kingdom, and did bid them give place, in comparison of the unspeakable treasure of God's favour, and all the good which flow from thence, which he saw not but by the eyes of faith, and possessed only by the title of that evidence, which is concerning things not seen but hoped for, yet herein he joyed fully. The multitude say: 
Psal 4.6.  Who will cause us to see good? They know what they see here, but they know not what they shall have. But the faithful say: Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, and so thou shalt give us more joy of heart, than the people have of their abundant harvest and vinetage. 
Ver. 7.  They know not, or at the lest will not acknowledge for their own the things of this world But those things which out of God's countenance turned towards them, they do conceive, they know for their own, and they declare that they seek an enduring city.  
So then even as David by faith had overquelled the Lion and the Bear, and by faith had enterprised to fight with Goliath, and had prevailed: so by faith he obtained the bringing home of the Ark. And though he seemed at the first to be disappointed, & walked on his way weeping, sowing dear seed (as did Abraham when he so long went without an heir, 
Psal. 126.6.  and at last was commanded (as it were) to bury the hope which he had of the promise in his only heir, by appointing him unto the death): Yet as Abraham did, 
Rom. 4.18.  so he believed in hope against hope. Therefore in the Lords appointed day, he returneth with mirth and gladness, bringing his sheaves with him, when as by faith he had gotten access unto the grace wherein he stood, 
Rom. 5.2.  and rejoiced under the hope of the glory of God, wherein he saw a lively image in his holy Ark, with an undoubted pledge of love and favour towards him. Thus he faileth not of that wherewith he strengthened his soul in the time of weakness & temptation, saying: Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou so disquieted within me! 
Psal. 42.11.  wait on god for I shall yet see the time to give him thanks for the help of his presence. He is my present help, and my God. Thus he waited with patience, which taught him experience, which experience brought forth the increase of his hope, 
Rom. 5.4.  and his hope made him not ashamed: seeing he was not disappointed of that he hoped for, but saw the greater salvation of the Lord in the day of his rejoicing, to the further sustaining of his hope, to wait for greater things also at the lords hand. So we see that which I have spoken, that by faith he entered into the Lord's rest, when as the Lord vouchsafed to have his resting place and holy habitation with him, and by faith he rejoiced in this, esteeming it above all other causes of joy, because he looked to those invisibe joys, which hereby were promised and sealed unto him.  
And now to apply this unto ourselves. This also is a glass which we have not dressed ourselves by: for very many can say, Wait, and tarry. But whither do we think, that they mean, until the Lord help and further their painful endeavour, which is never a whit, or until they have filled their insatiable and bottomless Coffers with uncontrolled traphiking? For, where is the disquiet and casting down of the Soul? Where are the afflictions which the Lord should remember, as he did David's? Which should whet the edge of patience, that patience might have her perfect work, 
james 1.4.  that they might be entire wanting nothing. But above all things, where is faith, without the which it is impossible to please God? And without the which God will not show his glory before any people, to their salvation, but to their confusion? for want of which, our Saviour Christ wrought not those miracles in some places, which otherwise he would have done? Where is this faith, I say, when those which are the chief and principal leaders of the people, which should bear the Ark upon their shoulders: they say, and have taught the people to say, It is not possible it should come home: and why? For not only the chief of the Clergy, but also the chief which have the reins of the civil regiment, are against the establishing of church government. I demand, whither it be from heaven, or from men. If from heaven: with god all things are possible, & he will then further his cause in our hand, when we believe. And when it shall please the Lord to further his cause: 
Rom. 9.19.  who can resist his will? For then every Ualley shall be exalted, and every Hill shall be brought low, for the loftiness of men shall be abased, and the Lord GOD only shall be exalted in that day. 
isaiah. 2.  The rough way shall be made plain. This will the jealousy of the Lord of hosts perform, & his own arm shall sustain him to do the work if we could believe: yet we say it can not be. Where is that faith, whereby our Fathers subdued kingdoms, 
Heb. 11.34  wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of Lions, quenched the violence of the fire, escaped the edge of the sword, of weak were made strong, waxed valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the alients? Let us fear for the grievous judgement of God, which befell to the children of Israel in the wilderness, which were ready to have entered into the lords rest: but suddenly through unbelief conceived of the evil tidings which the spies brought, 
Deut. 1.28.  they did shut the door against themselves. And what was the matter? The walls were so high, and the people were so strong. But the height and strength of the lords arm was forgotten, which had been stretched out upon Pharaoh and Egypt unto destruction: But upon them unto deliverance. Even so we, for we would fain enter into the Lords Zion, a true reformed Church: but some body is against it. I know whereof you mean. A Lion is in the way: but Solomon say, that that is but the excuse of a ●●uggarde. 
Prou. 22.13  Those spies were evil enough, which went into Canaan, and brought home an evil answer. But what shall we say to those spies which tell an evil answer before they will step one foot out of the door? We have high walls against us also, and strong Prelates, whose bodies if they were grown as far out of square, as their pomp & authority is grown from the lines of their calling, they should not be like the Anakims' in Canaan: but rather like unto the Giant, which the Poets have feigned, to have stood but up to the knees in the Sea, where it is at the deepest. But for a mean to pluck down this height, and weaken this strength, the hand of the Lord is forgotten, which was stretched out, even within this generation, upon the high walls and swelling Babilonishe buildings of the Abbeys and Monasteries. Even when there was no hope or likelihood of any such thing by man's reason: Then came a day from the Lord, upon every high tower, and upon every strong wall, 
Esa. 2.15.  to make those places void dens. For thistles and nettles grow in their high halls, and privy chambers, and the owls shriek there, and the crows & the ravens gail there by Gods just judgement. There came a day also upon all their pleasant pictures, and all their galant images, whereof they were glad to cast some into holes to the moules and the backs, to keep them from the fire. 
Ver. 20.  The day of the Lord came also upon the Cedars of Lebanon, 
Ver. 13.  & the Oaks of Bashan, even the great & mighty Cardinals, Abbots, Monks and Friars, and the rest of the Prelates, which bore the sway in the land. These wanted not strength. For they were like horses prepared to battle, they were clad with iron habargions, 
Revel. 9.7.  they had Lions teeth. They had also crowns on their heads, and stings in their tails. For there was not one of them in whose presence to speak any thing against their idolatry: but that it was as much, as a man's life was worth. These also have the breath of the Lords mouth sent into the bottomless smoking Lake, from whence they came. These things have the Lord done for us, even in our fresh remembrance, to beat down the hills, and make the way smother to the residue of our journey. He hath opened a wide door unto us: But we being drunken with the ease of this world, have reeled against the posts thereof, & fallen backward and lie sleeping. Let us take heed lest we sleep so long, until the Lord shut the door, and nail it up also with an oath in his anger, if he have not done it already.  
Seeing then the Lord have given such an onset, doing so great things for us, bringing us thus far on our way out of Egypt: let us take heed there be not in us an evil heart and unfaithful to depart from the living GOD, 
Heb. 3.12.  lest we be deprived. But let us go on our way cheerfully: and fear not the heat of the day, nor the darkness of the night. 
Esa. 4.5.  For the Lord shall create upon every place of mount Zion, and upon the assemblies thereof, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence, and a covering shall be for a shadow in the day for the heat, and a place of refuge and covert for the storm and for the rain. Neither let us fear for the high walls of jericho, I mean the Antichristian Canon law, which is the strength of his government. For by faith the walls of jericho fell down at the blasts of the Trumpets. 
Heb. 11.30  And what are all the execrable buildings of Antichrist, which still remain amongst us, that they should stand before the Lords Trumpeters, if they have faith, and do not only blow their blasts, but also compass the City as oft as they should, and blow their blasts in due time and place, as the Lord have appointed? Moreover, let us know, that as the walls of jericho fell down, so also by faith the walls of jerusalem were builded up. For Nehemiah misdoubted not either the fewness, either the poverty of the jews, either the malice of the enemies, but stepped unto the work in the midst of those unlikelihoods, for the which their adversaries did mock them drily, saying: What do these weak jews, 
Nehe. 4. ●.  will they fortify themselves? Will they make the stones whole again, out of the heaps of dust, seeing they are burnt? And another answered: Although they build, yet if a Fox go up, he shall even break down their stony wall.  
So therefore when the heart of god's people shall be to work, encouraged by faith, so that their hands also be strengthened, and put to the business, though never so many Ammonites & Ashdodims be wroth and conspire all together to come against jerusalem, 
Nehe. 4.7.  & to hinder the building thereof, yet shall God bring their counsel to nought. For God is in the midst of it: 
Psal. 46, 5.6  therefore shall it not be moved: God shall help it very early. Though the nations rage against it, & the kingdoms be moved: God shall utter his voice, and the earth shall melt: God shall speak unto them in his wrath, 
Psal. 2.  & vex them in his sore displeasure. He will persecute them with his tempest, and make them afraid with his storm. 
Psal. 83.15  So shall the haters of Zion be ashamed and turned backward. 
Psal. 129.  For the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of jacob is our refuge, when we are under his Banner, and fight his battles without vain fear. For he will teach our hands to war, 
Psal. 144.1.  and our fingers to fight. He will break the Bow, and cut the Spear, and burn the Chariots with fire. But our arms will he strengthen, so that they shall break even a bow of steel. And our feet will he make like hinds feet, that by the might of our God we shall leap over the highest wall, which Antichrist hath reared: And though our haters vex us many times: they shall not prevail against us. Though they plough upon our backs: 
Psal. 1ST.  the righteous God shall cut their cords in sunder. Though they would devour us quick: yet God will not give us as a pray unto their teeth. Wait therefore and know that the Lord is God. 
Psal. 46.  He will be exalted among the heathen, he will be exalted in the earth.  
Let us give him glory therefore by trusting in him, that we may take his work in hand, and further it with all our might, not suffering our eyes to behold, nor our hearts to consider the impossibilities of finishing the same. For God is faithful, who hath promised, saying: To him that disposeth his way aright, 
Psal. 5●  I will show the salvation of God.  
Again concerning David's rejoicing, in the day when the people assembled willingly to accompany him at the bringing home of the Ark, and the Lord made all things to prosper: It seemed to be the fullest & soundest joy that ever he had, both for that he then danced, and leapt, and sprang as one ravished, and fully possessed with an heavenly pleasure, and also taketh refreshement, as it appeareth in this psalm, in remembering, meditating, and singing of the happiness of that time, which teacheth us what affection we should put on in matters pertaining to the Lords glory, as when his kingdom is builded, and furthered, when he is well known amongst us, 
Psal. 76.  and his Name is great as in Israel, & his Tabernacle with us as in Salem, and his dwelling as in Zion.  
We read of David, that when the Lord had given him to see his son Solomon placed in the throne of the kingdom, 
1. King. 1.  he worshipped upon the bed, and said: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who hath made one to sit on my Throne this day, even in my sight.  
This also was a godly rejoicing, as it is a godly and commendable thing in all Kings & Princes, to have care to see that matter so well ordered and disposed in the time of their life, as much as in them lie, that the people whose safety the Lord have committed to their care and charge, may enjoy continuance of peace and welfare after their decease, 
Psal. 144.  that there be no invasion, nor going out, nor crying in the streets of their dominions afterward: As also it is godly and commendable to joy, and bless God when he give them to see with their eyes, the hope of a good stay within their kingdoms: which is so far from derogating from their honour and renown, that it tendeth greatly to the increase & advancement of the same. For David took this for an honourable salutation at his servants hands, when they said: 
1. Kin. 1.47  God make the name of Solomon more famous than thy name, and exalt his Throne above thy throne. This I say, was one joy of David's, yet not comparable to the other: as appeared in that his care to behold this thing was not so vehement, and he was near to have overslipped too long, the laying of his hand to the furtherance thereof, in respect of Adoniah's over hasty attempt, and he had need of stirring up by the suit of Bethsaba, and the advertisement of Nathan the Prophet. Whereas in the other business of bringing home the Lords Ark, he needed no spurs to prick him on forward. Flesh & blood kindled not that zeal in him, but the Lord had inflamed his heart with the Spirit of love and fire. And this burning affection of love bore he from time to time, unto the Lords holy Tabernacle, for his true whorships sake, and his glory therein appearing. And as it was his life to dwell in the Courts of the Lord by often frequenting them: so was it even death and great distress for him to be a stranger from the same, as appeareth by his pitiful complaints in the days of his banishments, as when he sayeth: 
Psal. 42.2  As the Hart braieth for the Rivers of water: so panteth my soul after thee O God. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God. When shall I come and appear before the presence of God? His tears were his meat day and night, and he powered out his very heart when he remembered the dear times past, when he had gone with the multitude, and led them into the house of God with the voice of singing and praise, as a multitude that keepeth a feast. But we alas declare what poor and feeble joy we would conceive, if the Lord would restore the glory of his sons kingdom in open sight before our face, and purge his Court and Sanctuary, & plant us therein, when as we being bereft of this benefit, have so small thirst, so little panting & braying, and so little sadness of soul, and shedding of tears, for this manner presence of the Lord.  
Yea we hear the voices of many, and the thoughts of more lie open before the Lord, whereof some say, and some think, that they have no great need of Christ his Ecclesiastical government, seeing they can govern themselves, and live in the fear of the Lord well enough, as they imagine with themselves. Therefore they set their hearts at rest. But have they more stay of themselves, and towardness unto Godliness than David had? Or do they think, that he was clean absent from God, that he could not pray and praise his name? Yet do he say: When shall I come to appear before the presence of God? And scarce could he comfort his own soul, which was then in heaviness, though he hoped for a day of return. Thus he accounted, that he should stand before the presence of God, when he should be present in the place, which the Lord did choose to put his name there, and should enjoy the sight of those things, which the Lord appointed for the tokens of his presence among them. And therein was his great delight, according as he uttereth, 
Psal. 84.  saying: O Lord of hosts, how amiable are thy tabernacles? My soul longeth, yea and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. For mine heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. Blessed are they that dwell in thine house: they will ever praise thee. And although he behaved himself carefully before God, when he was absent from the Lords tabernacle: yet he acknowledged his strength not to be so great, but that there was danger to be feared by the want of those things which the Lord had appointed as means to hold them in his true worship. For this cause he complaineth unto Saul his persecutor, not so much for persecuting him, as for chasing him from the place where the Lord vouchsafed to dwell. For he saith: If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, 
1. San. 26.19.  let him smell the savour of a sacrifice: but if the children of men have done it, cursed be they before the Lord: For they have cast me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go serve other gods.  
This love to God's house, had King Ezekiah, 
2. Kin. 2.20  who in his sickness (whereof word was brought him that he should die) was grieved for nothing so much as this, that he should no more go up into the lords house.  
For this cause were his prayers and tears. As appeareth by the word which came from the Lord by the mouth of the Prophet. Thus sayeth the Lord God of David thy Father, I have heard thy prayer, and seen thy tears. I have healed thee, and the third day thou shalt g●e up unto the house of the Lord.  
This zeal also & love to the Lords house appeared in the ancient fathers which returned from the captivity of Babylon, who as they could not be comforted in their exile, but sat down, & wept by the rivers of Babel, when they remembered Zion. So in the joyful time of their return, yea in the joyful day of laying the foundation of the Temple, which they above all things had desired, in the midst of the joyful shouting and singing of the residue of the people, their hearts yet melted within them, & they wept with a loud crying, in so much that the noise of the shouting could not be discerned from the noise of the weeping, 
Ezra. 3.12.  and all was for this, because they had seen the former Temple. And the foundation of this was not comparable to that. What shall we say, Did these old men dote? were they fond upon an outward show of fair building? No: but as their chief delight was in the house of god, so the increase of the glory thereof, was their joy, & the diminishing of the glory thereof, was their sorrow and grief of mind. Thus jealous were they over God's glory, that in the outward shows and shadows they were impatient of any want. But amongst us, there is small weeping, though the builders in their building have left out the chief corner stone, which should be the garnishing of all the work. They have left out the government of Christ, without the which, that their Church can be his house, though they face and brace never so much, how should they think it possible? For they must know, that Christ dwelleth not, where he ruleth not. He may not be an idle Idol. His Church and Kingdom in this world, is outward and visible, and except he govern visibly, even by his outward ordinances: It is vain for us to say, He ruleth in our hearts: and in the church that we are joined unto we submit ourselves to the ordinances of Antichrist. We shall soon banish Christ from our hearts, if we have no more care of his glory then so, but can abide to see his Sanctuary profaned and polluted by that Heathenish stranger of Rome, which not only set his foot in there every day, but also erecteth there his own altar of incense▪ For prayers and thanks giving must be measured out and appointed after his fashion.  
If ever we had seen the beauty of the first building, I mean in the time of the primitive Church, we might well now, if we had not stony hearts, weep and lament with loud crying, in seeing this building before our eyes. Not so much for that it is inferior to the other in glory: but for that it hath neither glory nor beauty at all, being fashioned not after any pattern showed of God, but after the devise and counsel of man. In which misery if our notable anguish and grievous groans were heard in the ears of the Lord, and in us there were no want to call and stir up one another, and join hands, for the help of the furtherance of the work in bringing home the Ark of God: there were then greater hope of the day wherein we might & ought to rejoice, as David here did.  
Moreover, we note in David, that his joy was so great in the Lord, that he contained not himself, but so leapt and danced, that he seemed in the eyes of the wicked, as a fool, which uncovereth his shame, and become vile. For after that manner did Michal his wife reproachfully taunt him, 
2. Sam. 6.  as one which had so vilely uncovered himself, that he should be a mocking stock unto the Maidens of Israel. But he answered, that it was before the lord, who had performed unto him so great mercy: for whose cause he would be yet more vile and low in his own sight. And said moreover, that of the same Maidens whereof he had spoken, he should be had in honour. Whereby we see, how little he weighed to become base and low in the sight of the world, so he might set forth the glory of the Lord his God.  
At this day amongst us, one of the greatest lets & hinderances of the Lords work finishing, is, for that it can not be done without the abasing of the loftiness of many men which are exalted without the Lord. As for the titles of Gracious and Honourable Lords, our Saviour Christ taught his Apostles that they might not be amongst them. Therefore if these men so exalted, would love and care for the Lords honour more than their own, and would willingly give over their monstrous livings, and all their worldly pomp, though they think it were a great shame for them, and that they should seem vile before men, (which they ought willingly to undergo, 
Heb. 12. ●.  for his glories sake, who suffered the cross and despised the shame) yet if they could see it, it would tend to their more true dignity. For of all the people in England which wait for a more full appearance of God's glory in his house, they should be had in honour. Where as now contrariwise they receive honour only of a few flattering serving men, within their own houses, which live by bringing dishes to their Table, and almost to all the residue of the people of the land, their name is in reproach, and they are become a byword and a common talk.  
Our Saviour Christ thought it no shame to abase himself to wash his Disciples feet: by that example, 
john 13.5.  and many more teaching those which will follow him, that they must not think much to be baze and vile, and dishonourable in the sight of men, if they will look for true honour in the sight of God. The Angel Gabriel said unto Zacharias, 
Luke 1.15.  that his Son john the Baptist should be great in the sight of the Lord.  
But what greatness he had in the fight of the world, it appeareth, when as his clothing was of Camels hear, & his meat was Locusts and wild honey. The author to the Hebrews speaketh of some Christians, which were racked, and would not be delivered, 
Heb. 11.35.  that they might receive a better resurrection. They would needs abide torment and shame, that in the Lord they might have their only refreshment, and their only glory. And he became their glory, and the lifter up of their head.  
Our Saviour Christ who thought it no robbery, to be equal with God, he yet in his nature of man, became vile, and took upon him the shape of a servant: He turned his face to the striker: He humbled himself, even to the death of the cross. Therefore was given him a name and dignity above all names, 
Phil. 2.9.  that at his name every knee should bow.  
But great is the darkness and ungodliness of these days, when those which profess themselves to be his Ministers, do so order their doings, and conform themselves so little unto the image of his life, that we may sooner trace out the show of all the great glory of this world, then of Christian poorness in spirit by their footsteps. And it is too manifest, that they are overcome with the temptation of him which said: All these glorious things will I give thee, 
Mat. 4.9.  if thou wilt fall down and worship me. For they declare how hardly they would abide themselves to be plucked up by the roots, that they might be planted in a better resurrection, when as they will not suffer their superfluous branches to be cut of, which do so overhange and annoy the lanes, that the lords passengers can not ride on their journey towards Zion.  
There be also of the Temporalty divers, which esteem it to vile a thing, and unfitting for their dignity, to come under the censure of the church, that their faults should be looked unto, and they should be subject to the Admonition, Rebuke, and Excommunication of the Minister and the Congregation. Therefore they say: Let us break their bands in sunder, and cast their cords from us. 
Psal. 2.  But if they understood the great mystery of the Lord, and the decree, which is sealed up amongst his Disciples: 
Psa. 8.16.  they should well know, that their renown & glory is no more impaired by bowing & giving due homage to Christ's Sceptre, than the flower and oil of the widow of Sarepta was diminished, by giving away part of that little which she had, unto Elias. For certainly the great and noble Potentates of this world, if they do not entertain the Kingdom of Christ jesus, though their name reach the clouds: yet in truth their honour and renown is small, and scarcely to be accounted an handful, which when it is spent, they die. Then their name perish, and their pomp will not follow them. 
Ecclesiastes 9.4.  Then is a living dog better than they. For doth not their dignity go away with them? 
job. 4.21.  Do they not die and that without wisdom? Whereas if they would be content to give away unto our Elias Christ jesus, a little of their honour by abasing themselves before his Throne of government: they should have never the less, but a great deal the more: yea the continuance of true honour for ever. For they should stand as the faithful witnesses in heaven, their names being registered in the book of life. According as the Prophet Esaiah speaketh of the renown of the Church, and accounteth it the renown of Kings and Princes, to worship therein with their faces towards the earth, 
isaiah. 49.23.  and to lick up the dust at the feet thereof.  
lastly as touching David's affection of joy, and his delight which he had to see the glory of God shine forth: as it was declared by signs, yea the whole disposing of himself, to be great at that present time: so did the continual practice of his life afterward, give token that it was entire and unfeigned. For he continued his care and study to be an instrument to advance God's glory.  
Of our soon hot & soon cold zeal: and of our gladness, which bewrayed itself to be more for the shining hope of our worldly welfare, then for the hope of the increase of God's kingdom, and the speedy coming thereof: And of our love, which have given place to iniquity soon getting the upper hand: And of all our forwardness and goodness, which appeared in the day, when the Lord opened one door for us to come out of prison, and an other door to have entered his Tabernacles, if we would have but strained ourselves a little to have removed a few blocks in the way: Of this our goodness and forwardness, how that it proved but as a morning mist, which vanished before any heat of the Sun braced forth: I have spoken before. Little was that we had, therefore was taken from us even that little. Great was the true and sincere joy, faith, zeal & love which David had: therefore was given unto him more. For he continued faithful to him which had called him through grace, and for the remembrance of his great goodness, he still in heart desired to add more labour unto the Lords work. For the Ark being brought home, & placed in a tent, he desired to build an house for the same. And if it had seemed good in the eyes of the Lord, to have used his hand therein, as he did accept of his heart and goodwill: he would have chose rather to have been destitute himself of a princely palace, then that the Ark of god should have been without a royal house, for the more manifesting of the glory thereof. And when he received answer from the Lord, that he should not build an house unto him, but his son should build it: yet as much as he might, he did with all his power, and became a chief builder one way, when as an other way he could not, namely, in preparing those things which should furnish the work, and set it forward with speed, when it should be begun. For he said: My son Solomon is young and tender, and we must build an house for the Lord, 
1. Chro. 22.  magnifical, excellent, and of great fame and dignity throughout all Countries. I will therefore now prepare for him. And he prepared an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of Silver: And of Brass and of Iron, passing weight: And also Timber and Stones, and he had set Masons to hew and polish the stones in readiness. And yet for all this, his hunger for God's glory, was not satisfied, but he complained that he was able to do no more. For he said to his Son Solomon: according to my poverty I have prepared these things. 
Ver. 14.   
There was then no necessity of an house: For the Ark was kept in the Tabernacle, which figured the church, and that was after God's institution. And the necessity of having the Temple came not until the Lords commandment appointed a time thereunto. Neither was there any ruin of things pertaining to God's house at that time. Yet you see how David behaved himself, not constrained by any necessity of the time, but inflamed by his true affection, which hungered for the further glory of those things, which represented God's glory.  
There be witnesses in England, which know, how that exceeding many mouths of the teachers, and of those which speak as they are taught, have confessed concerning their Church: Some, that it is ruinous: Yet will they make the stones whole again out of the dust, not with a work, as Nehemiah did with building: but with a word or two, in saying, it is the church of God yet notwithstanding.  
Some say, It is naked, and yet a Church: And though it be both hungry and naked, they give it such a beggars alms, as the Apostle james speak of: Go warm thee, and fill thy belly. 
james 2.16.  For they say, God help it, we shall pray for it. In the mean time nothing is ministered to sustain it with, touching that they complain to be wanting unto it, therefore what helpeth it?  
Some say, It is as a man that want a leg, and yet a church. But the Scripture say, That that which is halting, is near to be turned out of the way. 
Heb. 12.  Some say, It want but an arm, etc. But all this while they espy not wherein the greatest deformity lieth, namely, In that it hath a little pretty body, and a great sort of monstrous great heads. I mean those of whom we may well complain with the Prophet, and say: O Christ, 
isaiah. 26.13.  Other Lords besides thee have ruled over us.  
But because I know herein my ment will be sifted: I say for myself, that I judge them not, nor condemn them. The word of the Lord judgeth all them and me.  
But concerning the Church of England, as they inticle it: It is a notable dishonour unto Christ jesus, to make all the Parishes in England generally his Church, he will give no thanks for that liberality. Yet I am persuaded (the Lord I take to witness) that in the Realm of England there be divers Churches. And I hope also that there be many more true worshippers, or such at the least as the Lord doth accept, which abhor and detest to bow the knee to the Antichristian sceptre, more I say, then seem to appear, as was in Israel in the days of the Prophet Eliah. But that the book which is for God's worship and service, and yet beareth not the name of God, that ever it caused Tabernacle to be so framed, as that the Lord should know it for his own, I utterly deny.  
But to return to my purpose. Seeing the case so standeth that the ruins and decays of the Churches be apparent by a general confession almost of all: Yea seeing it is also confessed, that she is sick unto death, and lie panting for breath: let us not think, that sweet and smooth words will heal her deadly hurt, as to say: yet it is a famous Church, and other nations have thought well & reverently of the Church of England. etc. But let all with whom is yet the fear of the living GOD, and any desire of his glory, lay the hand to the work, no more but even thus, by eschewing evil, and doing good, that although they go forward in fewness, according to their poverty for a time, yet by their example, and advertisements, they may win many unto righteousness, by calling, and stirring up after this manner: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, 
isaiah. 2.3.  to the house of the GOD of jacob, and he shall teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.  
Let them also say each to other, that because we sought not the Lord in dew order, therefore hear we this complaint to our rebuke and shame: There was never more wickedness than is now.  
Thus if we do, labouring not more faintly, because iniquity hath gotten the upper hand, but more valiantly to redeem the times, because the days be evil, we shall be found in the sight of the Lord, according to our ability, to have polished & made ready living stones for the Lords building, that although we can see the work go but slowly forward in our days, yet in the next generation it may rise more speedily to the glory of God. And let none utter these words of unfaithfulness, Alas what can I do, or what can two or three of us do, or how are we like to go forward?  
So I may say, what can a grain of Mustard seed do? It is small to behold. But being cast into the ground in dew time, and watered, we see what it doth, and how it spreadeth. So we may say, what can we do, if we sit still? But if we labour in the lords business, so as we give ourselves over to be sown in the earth for his truths sake, undoubtedly, out of our dead bones or ashes there will springe up many more witnesses, until the glorious cause flourish gloriously.  
But to proceed.  I rejoiced when they said unto me. etc. 
It is written in the Chronicles, that David gathered all Israel together, 
1. Chro 15.  to go up to jerusalem. And in that the people were so heartily willing, saying, That they would go up to the house of the Lord, and their feet should stand in the gates of jerusalem, we may note this, that the Lord now being with David, after he had feared before his face, and carefully sought him in dew order, he addeth blessing unto blessing unto him, to make his joy full. For he doth not only make him to see the Ark come home in peace, but also give him the hearts of all the people, as one man rejoicing with him, and praising the Lord, than the which nothing could refresh and solace his mind more cheerfully over his grief paste.  
Thus doth the Lord make things to succeed with them (yea oftentimes more than they look for) which seek him in fear and trembling, and attempt to work according to his will.  
Thus Nehemiah, when his heart had conceived that enterprise of building of the walls of jerusalem, he not only obtained leave of the King to go thither, which thing he hoped not for without fear: but also the Lord made him obtain that which was least looked for, even help and furniture of Timber towards the work. Moreover, the Lord gave him the hearts of the people, who notwithstanding their poverty and fewness, yet were encouraged to work with unwonted forwardness.  
So Moses, though he had a froward company to guide, yet when he went about the Tabernacle making, with all things appertaining thereunto, according to the lords commandment, he found the people's hearts so willing and ready to offer, and their hands so full of gifts, that he cried, Ho, and commanded them to cease from offering any more. 
Exod. 36.6.   
Therefore, let there be no unchearfull words amongst us, to weaken our hands before we begin to work. As some say, How is it possible? Where shall we have fit men for Elders? Where shall we have sufficient Ministers enough? And where shall we have this and that?  
It is the property of a slothful servant, to tell before he go out, how he is not like to speed. Let us in the midst of all straightness and impossibilities, take in hand our enterprise in the Lord with humbleness, wisdom, & singleheartedness: and we shall see success not only in those things which we can foresee & hope for: but also many things unlooked for of us, shallbe prospered into our bosom.  
Now whereas the people speak so willingly, saying: We will go up into the house of the lord: it declareth their forwardness unto a good enterprise. But the King had called them & stirred them up thereunto. So peradventure it may seem that the people are not to go up into the lords house: especially to go about such an heavenly business, as they now did, without their Kings & Princes going before them. As for the Ark, though it bore a spiritu all representation of holy things, yet it was a material thing, & the bringing of it home required outward furniture and preparation accordingly. But what the Priests and people might have done as touching it, if the King should have been to slack: when I shall understand it to be doubted of: answer shall be made as GOD shall give leave.  
In the mean time, it is not amiss to speak some thing of a question which flieth much abroad, which have been taken up rather of desire to entangle, then of any love of the truth, as should seem by the disorderly framing and propounding thereof. The question is this: Wither the Prince or the people ought first to begin reformation in the Church?  
I answer with propounding other questions. Can they tell whether Prince or people ought first to turn to the Lord? Whether Prince or people ought first to do their duty? Or, whither the head, the hand, or the foot ought first to do that, which severally appertaineth to the office of each of those members to do? For Kings & Princes ought to reform without delay or waiting for other, so far as the bounds of their calling reach: and the people they ought to reform without all delay or tarrying for other, so far as the bounds of their calling reach also. But how far the bounds of each do extend, therein lieth the chief point.  
In the name of God, let Caesar have whatsoever unto him belongeth, even all civil power and Dominion ordained of God. And woe unto him, say I, which shall hold this, and teach men so, that there is no use of the Magistrates sword among Christians. For that is to remove the dole of the great and large field which the Lord have measured out unto them. And that is also to deprive Christians of that benefit of peace which the Lord have ordained that we should enjoy by their means.  
For it is written: Exhort, that Prayers, 
1. Tim. 2.2.  and Supplications be made for Kings, and all that be in authority, that under them we may lead a godly and peaceable life.  
Therefore I am thus persuaded, that as the Kings of juda did reform by their civil power, those things which outwardly were set up for abominations: namely, as they did break down the altars, cut down the groves, burn the images with fire, slay the priests of Baal, and such like things: So also it appertaineth to the Magistrates now, to break down the idolatrous altars, pluck down their buildings, burn their images with fire, & to slay those, which have revolted from Christianity to open idolatry. And herein we praise the Lord, who strengthened our Prince's hands, to work so far, as was wrought therein. And if our sins had not displeased the Lord, we should have seen more. 
2. King. 13.18.  For I would to God the Arrow had not been shot against the ground only three times, but three hundred times three times, that a full conquest for ever might have been gotten over those Antichristian Aramits.  
And now concerning those abominations, which remain, which partly I have spoken of: As the offices, rooms, and livings of the Lordly overrulers of many churches, together with Deans, & Deaneries, Prebends and Prebenshippes, Cathedralles with the Chanters therein, and their Marmaiden music, Bishop's chancellors, Archdeacon's, Commissaries, Proctors Officials, Sunners & Questmen, which all do rob the church of her authority & liberty, and strip her naked: These I say, with their Courts & Canon laws, as also freehold Parsonages & Uicariges, which hinder the free election & deposing of the Minister: Also blind & dumb ministers, with the form of stinted service to be read, being the staff of strength of upholding them: All these wormwood dregs of antichrist's cup, & whatsoever more, it appertaineth only to the office of the civil Magistrate, to power out and rinse even from the bottom. Which the Lord grant that it may soon be done.  
And whereas we are charged that we will take upon us to remove these things, & establish new laws for other government: we are most iniu●i●uslie slandered. For we contrariwise charge all in the name of God, that they be not so hardy, as by any authority which they may imagine they have, as being of the church of God, to meddle once to move the hand to take away these things: For that were to take the sword out of Caesar's hand. Therefore they ought to wait for this manner of reformation, with continuing inferuent prayer to God for the hastening thereof. But herein lieth the duty of God's people, to remove themselves from these & all other abominations, & not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: 
Ephe. 5.1.  not to join hands with open wickedness, but to keep ourselves unspotted thereof, not to go under any yoke of spiritual bondage, 
Galat. 5.1.  to betray the liberty & authoriritie which Christ have left with us to keep, but to stand fast in the liberty wherein he hath made us free. By the virtue of which liberty and authority, the Church of God have to try and examine the gifts, and conversation, of those which should lead them, and finding them meet to choose them, and perceiving them afterward to fall to any evil heresy in doctrine, or to looseness of life, and will not be reclaimed by dew admonition, to depose them. Also by the power of the same liberty and authority, the church of GOD have to use their dew admonitions, and rebukings of offenders. Every one may bring his complaint in due order: And such offenders as will not hear the church, and be reform, 
Mat. 18.17  must feel the sword of excommunication by the word of GOD, to be cut of, and to be delivered unto Satan, 
1. Cor. 5.  to stir them up to bewail their wickedness and to repent, if the Lord so touch their hearts. And this authority of punishing the transgressors by the Ecclesiastical sword, may not be taken out of the Church's hands, neither can the Church give it over without denying Christ, who have left this his power under their charge: 
Mat. 18.18  Although the civil Magistrates may and ought also to strike with their sword, every one which being of the Church, shall openly transgress against the lords commandments.  
Moreover, it standeth with the liberty of the lords Congregation, to use prayers and thanks giving always, as the present occasion requireth.  
These and such like things appertain to the office of the lords Ministers, together with their Congregations. And as for the reforming of these things, where soever any want be: What ungodly tongue dare be so bold, as to say, we ought to tarry one hour? No, but if we tarry for a new grant from men to do our duties in the true worship of God, when as we have already sufficient grant from heaven: we shall die in our sins, and our blood shall be upon our own heads.  
Now, if the Ministers and people's duty and charge extend unto this which I have mentioned: it followeth, that nothing is wanting unto true Church government, but so much as the people, and especially the Ministers which should guide them, are wanting unto their duty enjoined to them by the Lord.  
Wherefore in the Lord, I do require some of those Ministers in England, which think hardly of our doings, and yet persuade them selves that they heartily desire the full repairing of the Walls of jerusalem: That they would set down by proof of the word of God, that which is wanting to true & full church government, besides that which is their duty to do, together with their Congregation, whom they ought to stir up to their duty likewise. If there be any thing at all: I will promise and vow faithfully to tarry and wait which them also. If there be nothing, why do they make so long suing at the Parliaments, & suffer so many poor souls at home to be deprived of their heavenly well far, and to suffer sin so too overspread by their default, which by their keeping the lords watch, might be cut shorter? For what sew they for unto the Prince and Parliament? Even for a law to compel them to do that which the Lord have commanded them to do. Why do they it not in haste, by the virtue of God's commandment already given, so long as they can in peace? And when they no longer can, why suffer they not persecution for his sake, whom they must obey before man? and who have said: Blessed are they, which suffer persecution for righteousness sake: 
Mat. 5.10.  for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  
Whose kingdom and glory we must seek both in wealth and woe, 〈◊〉 in peace and persecution. His 〈◊〉 come with speed. And to 〈◊〉 length, let us give the hand, 〈◊〉 the song of hearty entertainment  
Hosanna, 
Mat. 11.10.  Blessed be the kingdom that cometh in the name of the Lord of our Father David: Hosanna, O thou which art in the highest heavens.  
AMEN.