A MESSAGE Sent from the Kingdom of IRELAND TO A Member of the ARMY, under the command of His Excellency the Lord General Fairfax, concerning their proceed in this Nation, and the crowning of their heads with Laurel.  
WITH Several Queries, touching the bleeding condition of both Nations, VIZ. 

I. Whether there be any way to unite the Representative Body of a State, and cut the heart in the middle.  
II. Can a Kingdom think you stand fast, and the affections of men in it tatter to and fro.  
III. Shall the Presbyterian strive to get a Vote one day, and the Independent another the next, that so the day following you may be the fit to clash one another a pieces; and do you think this way to better and settle a Kingdom?    
Imprimatur, Theo: Jennings.  
Imprinted at London, by B. A. MDCXLIX.   

New News from Ireland.  
Noble Captain,  
MY unfeigned love, and courteous respects remembered unto you, I understand by your last, that you have left Col. Whalleyes Regiment, and have now a command under the Lord General's Brigade .. I likewise hear that God of late hath done great things for you, I pray the Lord of Hosts to make you humbly & sincerely thankful, and that you may not bury in oblivion, those memorable mercies that are yet among you: for truly, I do wish your real happiness, and the continuance of your splendour with my heart, and that your light may so shine forth on earth, that it may glorify your Father which is in Heaven: But I hear there are divisions among you, and indeed I partly believe it, yet if any man seems to be contentious, you know we have no such custom, no nor the Ghurches of God, but there must be Heresies among you (I do not mean with consent and toleration) that those that are made manifest, may be the more approved. Now if it be not so, how comes it then to pass, instead of helping of us in our quarrel, you earnestly dispute the lawfulness thereof. Methinks that B●ittain degenerates from himself, that goes about not only about to prejudice, but circumvent himself, and as our proverb, though a homely one relates, 'Tis a very ill Bird that defiles its own nest. Shall David, joshua, or jehosaphat be afraid to fight against the Moabites, Hittites; or the Amorets, because it was their native Country: but it may be you'll object, they had immediate command for what they did, & truly so have we, only here is the difference, God spoke to them by his Prophets, and sends us word out of his Holy Word and preaching Ministers; or thus, Shall Esau let fall his birthright for mess of pottage, and may not his brother stoop to take it up; or shall some great man born to a vast estate forfeit and surprise it by rebellion, and shall not this great man, notwithstanding his great birth, be punished and made sensible thereof: Do but impartially examine the present course of Justice, that you are now upon; but to wave this, seriously (acquaintance) let me tell you, did you but walk so exactly, and so close as many in the world suppose you do, you could not choose but in some measure sympathize with grief mourning with them that mourn, considering those in bonds as being bound yourselves: then pray resolve me friend, is it not a sad thing that we which have expected some comfort and relief this 6 or 7 years together, now that the Lord has put into your hand a gracious opportunity, crowning your heads with Laurel where ever you go, making you Victors of a spacious field, that you should be so churlish and unkind, as to deceive us of our expectation. Are we not your Brethren, or do you out us in the state of grace, because we jump not with you in opinion; you do confess yourselves, that difference in judgement, should not differ men in love. But may be you will say, when a safe and well grounded peace is settled here, and the kingdom quiet, than you'll do something for us; indeed, should I see some impotent poor sick man ready to perish for want of bread, and hereupon should tell him, I would but step home, and see if my own family wanted not themselves, and ere I should return, this same poor Creature should faint and die in the street, my conscience would go near to trouble me for this. If whilst you are settling one kingdom another should be lost, I cannot see by any rule that's right, that you should any way be gainers by it. Besides, do you ever think to settle a kingdom, till your affections be so? is there any way to unite the Representative Body of a State, and cut the heart in the middle? Can a kingdom think you stand fast, and the affections of men in it tatter to and fro? Shall the Presbyterian strive to get a Vote one day, and the Independent another the next, that the day following you may be the fit to clash one another a pieces? And do you think this way to better a kingdom? Shall the Presbyter complain in the Pulpit, and the Independent revile in the Press, and will you yet press forward for a peace? Shall the Presbyter diminish his affection where a steeple is, and an Independent that makes it their chiefest pretence, neglect the duty of love, and do you think this way to settle a kingdom? Do you imagine when a fountain is corrupted, that the streams will ere glid clear? Can the heart of a kingdom be sick, and the Suburbs of it be sound? Come Christians, be wise, and take a fool's advice, give some visible demonstration, and manifest testimony to the world, that though some of you descent about the Law, none of you do so in love; and though you differ in the Mould, yet you agree in the mettle: to that end, let the Presbyter preach, and pray against known and scandalous offences, and the Independent against Sects, Heresy, and Schism: Let the Presbyterian practice what he doth know, & the Independent know what he doth practise: Let the Presbyter lend his hand to set up the Sceptre of Christ, and the independent join his to pull Dagons down, and both in the simplicity of soul, and sincerity of heart, endeavour to keep unfeignedly the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace; by which means you will quickly purchase joy, and we gain some relief from England.  
Consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in all things, which yet hath been, and still shall be the prayer of  
Your assured, though forgotten iriend, William Hopkins, Dublin ult. Feb. 1648.  Luke 10.36; 37. 
Which now of these three thinkest thou, was neighbour unto Him that fell among the Thiefs. And he said, he that shown mercy on him; then said jesus unto him, Go thou, and do likewise.  Luke 6.33, 34. 
For if you love them, which love you, what thanks have you; for sinners also love those that love them; and if you do good to them, which do good to you, what thanks have you, for sinners also do even the same.  
Postscript.  
SIR,  
I Have sent your son Samuel a Copy of Verses; We can spare you a few of our Irish Cries, though you cannot spare us a little of your English love; but we hope the next fair wind to hear or see better things from you.  
VALE.   

Contribution for Heaven.  
THis is a taxing Age wherein we live,  
Then blest Emanuel, let me ever give  
Due praise unto thy Name, that taxes no man  
To pay the least of things more than he can;  
And let my Soul, my poor Soul ready be  
To pay a Contributiall Fast to thee.  
And since my sins so evident appears,  
Oh let me pay Excize of sighs and tears,  
Unto thy Name for aye; but let them be  
Never repaid with base Reluctancy:  
But let me freely sorrow, and bewail  
My sinnh 'gainst thee, and my most blessed Bail,  
My arrears are all behind; 'tis very right,  
If thou strainst for 'em, 'tis my undoing quite;  
But if thou please to set me but a day,  
I am persuaded that thy Son will pay:  
I cannot work with so much art, 'tis true,  
As many of thy Saints and Servants do:  
And yet I hope thus far to prevail,  
To bring a Trowel, Hammer, and a Nail,  
Towards the perfecting what is begun,  
By thy all holy, and most sacred Son:  
And do not doubt in everh fitting place,  
To purchase so much grace, as call for grace.  
And truly Lord, I do conceive I ought  
To tax my heart for every idle thought.  
And if thou wilt thy heavenly grace afford,  
I'll tax it too for every idle word:  
And if thy breathe do apace distil,  
I'll make my deeds to pay against their will,  
The Incomes of thy spirit will suffice  
Far better than an Army when they rise:  
Then rouse my soul, and see thou never be  
A sad Antagonist to thyself and me.  
Perfect, O perfect, what thou hast begun,  
Dear Father speak the word, the deed is done;  
My feeble prayers may perchance molest thee,  
Yet I'll not leave the Lord, until thou bless me.  
Then grant me my desire, for fear I be  
A second Widow, in my wooing thee:  
My eyes have seen salvation; I surcease,  
Now when thou wilt, let me departed in peace.  
FINIS.