Zion's sad Tears, FOR Ninevehs Just Fears.  
OR, Hours of Mourning, FOR Years of Sinning; Being Some few directed OBSERVATIONS OF Divine Mercy, & Sinful Returns: With an humble Offering towards Regulation of Land and Maritime affairs.  
By an humble Seeker of Truth and Peace.  
Fools, because of their transgressions, because of their iniquities, are afflicted; their soul abhorreth all manner of meat, and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his Word, and healed them, etc.  Psal. 107.17, 18, 19, 20. 
Then said I, Woe is me; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts,  Isai. 6. 
Read the whole: for the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.  
To sigh and mourn for what we cannot do,  
Is to come short: yet we must do it too.  
Printed at London, 1653.   

To the great God of wisdom, and sole Essence of Power.  
O Thou holy one of Israel, and preserver of men; I the worst of thy creatures, all sullied with the dirt and blood of my own, and the sins and Transgressions of my poor Family, do here offer up to thee the sacrifice of thy beloved Son, and dejection of my sinful heart, begging of thee humbly, but earnestly, not to mark strictly what is done amiss (being of purer eyes) but on the former, being an Oblation sufficient for the sins of the whole world. O great God of wisdom, and Lord of Hosts, renew thy holy Spirit in me, purify me throughout; and as thou hast preserved me to this, teach me, not only to glorify thy Sacred Name, but also as thou hast (at first faint desire upon occasion) taught my hands to War, and fingers to Fight; so now teach my heart to indite a good matter, and make my Pen the Pen of a ready Writer: and whereas formerly a Petitioner to earthly gods, whose breath is in their nostrils, so now to thee only, that it may turn thine eyes from my sin, to thy own righteousness. O thou that art my only true beloved now in the Cloud, proclaim thy holy Name as in former days, The Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin: O reserve yet a good proportion of mercy for thy Israel: why should they be destroyed by worse than themselves? make them all, O God, seek and find thy Kingdom, and then administer to them all good things: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my Redeemer. Thus begging of thee to hasten all that is convenient to thy poor afflicted people, and thy most unworthy servant, I desire to render to thy blessed Name but what is most due; all honour, praise, glory, Power, and Dominion, now and ever.   

To the Right Honourable O. Cromwell Esq; General of all the Land-Forces under the pay of the Parl. in England, Scotland, and Ireland; Member of the same Parl. and Council of Sat.  
Sir.  
YOu may justly challenge that impudence, which from Rags presented a great person with a Cup of cold water, when the Conquer or without peradventure could have commanded choice Liquors; yet that escaped not unrewarded, though another with a higher Present from a more gallant hand, through a covetous end, did. Truly, Sir, I can only say, I am yet a living Monument of mercy, having sometime been a small Atom of a Soldier under your happy conduct; and considering our enemy's pressure now at our Walls, to be great, as once at Haddington, before that approaching glorious Deliverance and Victory, I should be ingrateful to God, as sometimes I am, my Country, and your Honour, if I should not bewail the present conditon of affairs, and cast my small Mite into the Public Treasury, towards support of a Christian interest, though shaken, and never more threatened. Would my tears prevail, I should desire to weep to death; that so a day of Jubilee might cover the face of this place of my Nativity, now near her extremity, wherein her Faith, Patience, and Meekness will not only be tried, but must be extended; The God of glory give the blessing. Indeed, Sir, your known greatness and worth, must give me leave (though a low, simple, despised fellow) to be plain with you; for albeit a Raven bring you bread and flesh in the morning of this accomplished New-year, and water from the Brook, despise it not; your former favours to me (when clouded in carnality) have induced me to this weak Oblation: I must acknowledge it with thanks to our Creator, the love of his dearly beloved Son, and sacred Spirit resting in his Saints; but withal confess (as I have said) in my heart, that as he was just by afflicting me by so bad as myself, (though externally my Superiors) so likewise in admitting some to be punished by worse than themselves, and to shake their body Politic, who first touched my Oeconomick; yet since it was to call forth my slender Candle, before hidden under a Bushel, though lighted at a Divine Torch, and the Talon which before lay buried in a dirty Napkin, I cannot deny my Countrymen a sight of those thoughts which may trouble us all; if I am a Shimei, be you a David. Sir, I here bring you a Brat called forth with Lazarus (I hope from the grave of corruption) and lay it at your feet, because I am not so able as you to prefer or maintain it: you may do well to take the grave  off, lest it stink too much, and dress it in the attire you most desire to see it; though it cannot prattle, yet to call you Excellent, or your Excellency at every word, yet in time it may be blest, and have occasion so to do. Truly Sir, I am hearty sorry I have no better New-years-gift for you that have deserved it; but you (if you come to me) must be content with what I have, not what I would have. I hope the Lord of Hosts will sanctify your heart to the advancement of his glory, and defence of his Saints; else, Sir, what shall be done to those late-raised Princes, who continue to walk (without light in these days) in the steps of their Predecessors? surely, so much War as attended the gate of them, must attend theirs; yet is there an appointed time for Nimrod's ruin or safety. I hope it was in your heart to build the Temple; well, it's enough, you shall live to see the materials brought together that shall do the work. The Lord God of mercy incline the Pillars and Members to seek his Face whilst it may be found, and the Evil day crush us not altogether; be confident in your Maker, and he may yet do much by you. The God of wisdom and innocency enrich your heart therewith from his Fountain, that the Nations about you may have occasion to bless God for and with you: So prays hearty him that is  
Decemb 20. 1652. A poor Fellow-labourer, a dead Dog.  
Sir, inquire not after the Author of this, but that of us both.   

To the Reader, of what sort soever.  
PEradventure you (as others) may style me mad or otherwise (as some in other cases have) in respect of the main disproportion of several things in this parcel; but I shall not say you are so, if censorious. If I am mad, 'tis for your cause; if sober, 'tis too God. I shall not invite you much to look on the Infant, for its names or Father's sake; but if you like it, or it you, 'tis yours, not mine; I beg no customers or company now, being indeed never less alone, then when alone. If you find the Child in the rushes, and preserve it, in time it may produce better things; however, my travel in its birth, shall not be lost, for I have gained what I in part desired to see. The God of Power sanctify it, and then it shall be blest, if not kissed by you. The piece is not a nine days wonder, but some few void hours in that time; the matter I commit to you, not the form, for haste makes waste, and prevented me in putting things in order, though my end was good, and my judgement I hope with my God; this is only truly for an humbled people; I have no hard words or Aenigmas to christian it with; but what I have, you are welcome to; if you be a Christian, 'tis well enough, it may receive the attendance of some vacant minutes; if it make you weep to see it, do so, I cannot help it; rock it, perchance it may gain sleep though the poor father little; if you shall curiously search his Name, you may find it Homo: then seek no farther, unless you bring tears to attend his Funeral, who had rather for you die, then read your Elegy. To deal plainly with you, I am here called forth to show you part of what I have; but it being ill Cooked, and dished with as bad sauce, if you can receive and digest it, I am like to show you more; however, give me no occasion to answer for it, lest you make me stark mad; and then (deprived of my senses) not be able. An Infant, Idiot, or Lunatic (all which I am) is (as I take it) excusable by the Law of the Land; Sed, si pereo, pereo; greater Pillars will be shaken, when mine are so: yet this is my comfort, Cedars fall, when Mushrooms will spring. One secret I must tell thee, that Part of my right hand, till I extended it in writing, was shrunk up, and then again I found its use, yet not able to write over again what I writ, or indeed remember it in former things of late. The fruit of my glean I wish you, and to see better things from you; contribute your talon with mine now in time, now in time of necessity; it can do no hurt, but may enlarge my thoughts expecting it; and your bringing in what you have to the Public: praying for the prosperity of all the friends of Zion, I remain  
Yours in all due respects, A Servant of Truth and Peace.   

To Nineveh and its People.  
O Nineveh, Nineveh, Nineveh, the former three most resplendent places in the Nations about us; and this in particular, though I have been a Beggar for you: What more could the Lord have done by and for you, than what was done? What unthankful returns hath he received from you? ye had need of 3000 jonahs', so many Trumpets, and as many years, to awaken and call you to true repentance. Did Divine mercy raise you to the Empire over your sisters, to repay your heavenly Father in the imperfect Coin of your own base ingratitude, or walk after the carnal lusts of your own hearts? Can you be apt to Sign such Oaths, Protestations, and Covenants of men's inventions, and never seriously make one in your own hearts with the giver of all good things; to live soberly and uprightly in this present life, to his glory and your own comfort, as also the mutual defence and preservation of each other therein? But every one of your hands is full of oppression and violence, and for your wicked desperate Oaths (crucifying again the Lord of life) the Land now mourns and trembles before the presence of the Lord. Must the God of Power deliver into your hands your betters, even the declared Kings and Princes of the earth, and can you continue still walking in their impious steps? Must you return as Dogs to the vomit, or a blind people to the Onions and Garlic of Egypt? Surely the Lord may yet reserve mercy for you, if you can but by Faith eye the Arm which hath (not long since) rendered itself bare for your preservation, and now contends with a flaming sword against you; not only so, but threatening a Mortality within your own Walls and Pavilions. O heavenly Father (if it be thy will) let every individual Member of the people here and abroad, lay these things seriously to heart, and let the crucified Image of thy Son be fixed in and upon every soul and spirit, that shall read or hear these Funeral-Elegies, though clothed in rags; preserve thy choice ones as the Apple of thine Eye, let them not always be dying Sacrifices for worse than themselves: restrain the fury and madness (O Father of spirits) of the Wolves and Bears of the Forest, which now thou hast called forth; and spare thy poor people, when thou shalt deal with them: And all this for thy dearly beloved Sons sake.   

To the rigid Presbyters, and rude Pulpit-knockers of these times.  
KNow ye not that holiest David, and wisest Solomon had their crimes; yet both reproved, repent, and found mercy? Where is Pharaoh your Covenanted Idol become? Is he not seeking all ways and means to destroy your hopes, and lay them in the dust? Must you Idolise the sons of men, and even betray all Governments that put you not in the room of Christ himself? Nor know ye, that for the transgressions of a Land, many are the Princes thereof? Why cannot ye submit to that Power the Lord hath appointed, and veil your Plumes in the time of sudden Calamity, and indeed join heart and hand with despised little ones, to seek your Maker in humility and love? O condescend in time, lest else your untempered Mortar suddenly make our Walls fall about our ears: let your moderation be known to all men, and be you Serpentlike wise, but Dovelike innocent; not Wolves in Sheep's clothing, to fleece the Flock and feed the belly-gods, but study the peace of the Government and people, if you can do no more; letting alone the Civil Magistrate to punish Turbulencies and Seditions: Indeed you should more observe and proclaim the holy Name of the everliving God, his dearly beloved Son, and sacred Spirit, more and more; nay deny yourselves (if true Disciples) take up his Cross and follow him wheresoever he shall call you, or into what condition soever. But 'tis to be feared you more serve the god of the world, not preaching in season and out of season, fearing not what man can do unto you, in persecution, and out of persecution. You may observe, the first Horn of the Beast in the last unhappy Queen's time, fell immediately with it depending thereon, the Prelacy; the second, I must say, comes too near yourselves, and ye have had Power to procure the Image of the Beast to speak, and some to be slain which worshipped not the Beast: But beware, though you cannot see it, Babylon is fallen, is fallen in the hour of God's judgement, the great City; and the reason is rendered, She made all Nations drink of the Wine of the wrath of her fornication. But let such as taste thereof, take heed they drink not of the wine of the wrath of God and his indignation poured forth without mixture. Your Hierarchy is even grown threadbare; and as it crushed the Bishops, 'tis but just yours be crushed. You'll say I am a mad fellow to tell you Diana is falling. I am of your opinion; yet not ashamed to maintain or write truth at any time: prosecute me if you dare; you shall shortly be your own prosecutors, so well as I have been mine; then read me some pretty Homily of your conversion to comfort me. But lest I should make you so mad as myself, let me soberly advise you to join your Prayers publicly and privately with the Saints, for the deliverance of a justly-afflicted people; peradventure God may have mercy on you and them, if ye unfeignedly repent, amend, and advance Christ without private end.   

To the Covenanters.  
SUrely in 43 my Friend was an Infant at Law; yet having then a place by his Master Gamliel's Excellency, in mundane affairs, worth more than 100 l per an. he, according to the trust on, and duty in him, tendered the Covenant to many; amongst the rest, viz. the Prelatical and Royal Clergy and Gentry, whom he found (though silenced their imperfections) that after much trouble on their own spirits, they could in humane eyes, embrace any thing to preserve their large Revenues, without seeking first the Kingdom of heaven, & laying up treasure there; notwithstanding, at that time some chosen ones refused to take that earthly honour from the dust by such means. For Oh my friends, (if so to God and your own spirits) tell me the Plot and issue; was it not more from Northern Policy, then Southern Piety, that we should engage to preserve a Nebuchadnezars or Belshazzar's dying fate with yours, though then by those in hostility against both, ye espied not the Vision and Handwriting on the wall? Truly, I cannot but acknowledge my friend declined it, though his Master brought forth more Law than Gospel for it; and suddenly his employment (God calling him thence by his own hand to a more retired way, lest he should abound and wax worse) fell from him, as several times since, on other occasions. Had this Idol-creature and other things before and since entered into, been, or savoured more of God than man, so much blood, treasure, & sweat surely had never been extorted to serve the three Nations, and yet no deliverance: no (my hearts) I doubt you yet but grope (as 'tis convenient) till true light appear; but when it doth or shall glorify the giver, reject not the means, but embrace it, lest your condemnation in the great day be just; which asseveration I believe you ignorantly took in the conclusion of the Covenant: hereupon I entreat you (for God's cause) to consider you have doted more on man than God; seek God's face more, man's (viz. honour and carnality) less and less; writ but a new Covenant on your hearts, to serve the God of glory, promote Christ's Kingdom, and seek the union and common defence of his people more now then ever; never more need: then joining your constant prayers therewith, trust God with the issue; it may be Crowned with everlasting success, if God once speak the word; however, you shall have done your duty: for what is earthly, tends to its Centre; but what is heavenly in you, to a glorious Essence. Be wise in time, and repent, lest ye all likewise perish, the Kingdom of heaven being now close at hand.   

The the moderate People of the three Nations.  
O My beloved ones, though you may be styled Laodiceans, or worse, continue in your Sphere Serpentine and Dovelike; God will do glorious things by his despifed people, in this latter Act now in motion; stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord; be confident therein, and ye shall be hid in the great day as the Apple of his Eye; nay, if ye be his, he will rebuke Kings and Princes for your sakes; yea, he will crush them for the same: Therefore with humble (but faithful) hearts, seek his Face; if you have not had your hands in blood, ye may yet live to see Salomon's Temple builded; however, none truly seeks his Face and returns unfatisfied.  
You'll carnally object, We have laid forth our selves for the Public good, and can do no more Give me leave to say, Your Prayers and Tears may be yet enlarged; then sure contribution of relief to those that go forth for you, will not be wanting; better do so, till the Almighty send you deliverance, then become subjected to the Conquering Tyrant; when God shall by any means (though externally despised) grant it, than you must embrace it. In the interim, The Lord God of glory continue or give you his Peace, which passeth all understanding; so unfeignedly prays the whimsical, but submissive Author of this his latter Piece.   

To every Individual Member of the Army.  
HAst not thou been one of those, that God Almighty, the Lord of Hosts hath been pleased to bless in the trials of fire and smoke? Hast thou not in thy time sent, or endeavoured to return Trophies of thy success to thy friends and Brethren at home, to magnify thyself? Didst thou, or thy Assistants, ne'er promise the people succour or assistance, to procure their Freedoms and Liberties? What then did they pay thee for, to continue ever upon their charge, and never endeavour it, or indeed to call thee to Maritime as well as Land-affairs? Oh ye foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you to seek God little, man and thy interest much; forbear seeking truth and freedom, and pursue vanity!  
Indeed, what fruitful returns hast thou given to thy Preserver? You will say you were a servant, (I hope not Mercenary) you might advise, nay truly urge better Counsel when the House was declining; you must therefore now help to support it.  
Well, now it seems that the Lord (by some confiding more in War then Truth and Peace) must call you or your Comrade once more forth, as well to qualify the wickedness of the Mariners, (a spirit bad enough, and too too soon, though lately raised) as to try once more to bring home victory from an insulting Foe, even at the gate; Deny not when you are called, cast yourselves into the arms of your heavenly Father, he shall direct you and his chosen one's for ever, and will even for ever and ever preserve. But in thy heart Covenant with God, or at least wish an happier Restauration to our Rights and Privileges now, then by blood at Sea, and that from thy soul: which if thou hearty pursue, the God of glory may Crown it with a blessing, and return the benefit into thy bosom. Remember, that the greatest of Power was the Lamb of Peace, so well as Lion of the Tribe of Judah; but the still commands all Powers.   

To the Members of Parliament and State.  
O The wisdom of the World! Oh that wisdom I will overturn, overturn, overturn, saith the Lord; not in haste (though provoked) I hope: for Thou Lord art gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy, and doing good. It hath not been hid from your eyes, that the Lord hath overturned your Predecessors twice, which without peradventure acted (or at least sought) better things: Then what shall the Lord in the great day of his controversy do unto you? I would know which of you hath most in Bank now in the enemy's power, or if you could find no other ways to spend the sinews of the people and Army, then in a Maritime War, delayed when victory was promised & answered; neither friend or enemy, but the devouring Sea, like to be the better for it. Hath God even delivered into your servants hands the Enemies of the three Nations, to be thus requited, in stead of seeking the face of his Divine Majesty with unfeigned prayers and praises, doing good to the whole work of his hands, and as a Deliverer of our Rights and Privileges from the incursion and subjugation of Tyrants? Are not we, even we, that God hath made Moses-like to stand in the gap in the terrible day, when the deluge of your Enemies approached your nearest confines, very sad now? Well, what reward? A new War, and bad involvement in fresh Seas of sorrow. Nay, before the matter (as is supposed) was fully stated, or materially ripe for action, and other creatures that never appeared in the late-got victories, or in the least contributed thereto, must first be preferred and promoted in the fruits of our bloody and dirty travels, for your safeties and our own, even as Mercenaries or worst of men slighted. I must acknowledge, 'tis just with God the searcher of hairs, and tryer of the reins, to cast sometimes the Rod into the fire, which proves dry, stiff, or barren; yet will he keep mercy for those of them, that will yet look from vain humane Powers, and to his Face alone for comfort and deliverance. How seasonable would one years ease be, to a declining people, even almost exhausted already, whose languishing Privileges have commanded my watchful eye and weaker Pen to this sacrifice of some retired hours! Inquire not after my name in the flesh, to persecute it, lest your own hearts meet with enough within to judge yourselves; not that I sear any other than my God, my Deliverer, and Preserver; and that Angel he hath appointed to attend me, and minister unto me. Oh friends, I'll call you good Masters, when you by your Christian, sweet, and good disposures, shall find true Religion and pursue it, in relieving the Widow, the Fatherless, and Orphans; and easing the heavy-laden of their burdens. You may say, The time is now past. But, O Sirs, let every one of you enter into the privatest Closets of your hearts, and with tears bewail those glorious opportunities God hath put into your hands, though rejected and neglected; and then draw a new Covenant with the great God of Power, who deposeth and setteth up Princes at pleasure, now most cordially and really to seek chief his glory, and the advantage of the Commonwealth, and the mutual preservation, defence, and comfort of all his people in general; especially those under your charge, if God may deliver you and them; and do you yourselves first sign it with your hearts and hands, then distribute it among the people: also, unto a common Treasury to be appointed, do you yourselves advance what liberal sums you can possibly spare, to perfect or accommodate this great work, that others may follow your example; and if you can lend any of your persons to the work, do.  
And here if I may produce two or three considerations from a piece entitled Sir Walter Raleighs Maxims of Sat, I shall.  
" Sometimes the Romans, for Public good, without respect of wealth, fetched some of their Senators from the Plough, and some from the School.  
Such would now be visible in the rooms of achan's, Achitophel's, and miscarrying Iscariots, if any such there be.  
In another place thus, as touching a Political Prince.  
" David being a most worthy and excellent Prince, for Wisdom, Valour, Religion, and Justice, and so highly deserving of the Commonwealth, yet grown into age, grow withal into contempt, and had many both of his Nobles and common people that fell from him, first with Absalon, then with Adonijah, who affected the Kingdom, and rebelled against him; for remedy whereof, he stirred up himself to Public actions which might show his vigour and sufficiency to manage the affairs of his Kingdom.  
" After the victory of Absalon, he forced himself to forbear mourning, and shown himself to his discontented Army, when all were like to fall from him. He also sent kind messengers to Je. rusalem and other principal places, and men of Judea, putting them in mind of their alliance with him, with these words, That they were of his own flesh and blood, with protestation to provide for them with the like kindness and affection of theirs to wards him. He assembled a Parliament of his whole Realm, etc. He shown bounty and magnificence, in congesting matter for building of the Temple, as Gold, Silver, etc. He revived Church-government, and set it in right order. He ordained Solomon his Successor.  
" By these and such like other means, he retained his Majesty and Authority in his old age, and then died in peace.  
I leave the application to the most Pious and Politic of you, with this caveat, that when you use Policy, you never tender it more than as a handmaid to true Piety; which then will make it more warrantable, and abide the test of fire itself.  
" O hear what Moses speaks: Thus saith the Lord, I have surely seen the affliction of my people, and I have heard their cry, by reason of their Taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. Thus you may see God will take special care of his low despised one's: and observe what Paul says, (O I could wish you noble Senators to be so as the wise Bereans, who studied the Scriptures for glorious ends, that I might join with him to you thus) Though I am absent in the Flesh, yet am I present with you in the Spirit. But thus as to highest glory, and lowest good; Come, come, learn to be perfect Christians, so well as Morally honest; deny yourselves, take up the Cross (now near you) and follow him.  
Clouds gathered, menace Rain, I wish not ruin, or that it spoil not you, because you manage it no better; either take your hearts and hands to you, to maintain Public interest, or draw aside, take Physic a while, and admit others that you dare trust as Deputies with that, or part of that high trust in you; commit yourselves to the preserver of men, and let nothing be wanting in, by, through, or from you, that may manifest yourselves to be Patres Patriae, advancers of the Kingdom of Christ, and the prosperities of his Saints: Which that you may do, shall be the prayer of the Author, to the chief Author of mercy.   

To my honest Fellow-Commoners.  
TRuly Sirs, I have nothing worthy to be called a present for you in this day of your great Trial; but if you will accept it, I render you the sorrowful countenance of a dejected heart, wishing it might sigh and mourn itself away for your deliverance, which sure will approach: every night hath its morning, and that its perfect day. When God hath afforded you mercies greater than ever, putting your trusties in fair ways of establishing your long-desired Rights; have you been truly thankful, or have not your fresh sins still called and renewed more judgements? Seriously I now fear your case, yet the Lord will (if you trust him) not suffer poor souls for ever to groan under the Altar of mercy, but give them a glorious issue of their desires. Patiently wait, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Man can do no more than God permits, nor can Pharaoh with all his Chariots pass the Red Sea; but ye may escape, if ye steer affairs by Divine direction. Well, this is further to try your spirits, if not humble, and lay them in the dust.  
If ye are perfect Christians, ye cannot refuse your Master's Cross. But say you, We expected our Freedoms and external Privileges to be settled long since. I bewail your want, I desire to mourn with you. When God had even planted you in peace, and had pruned you, what fruit brought you forth? were you not so bad as myself, a barren Figtree, which justly deserved this curse upon all our hopes? or indeed brought ye not forth wild grapes, which occasioned God to pluck down your walls, and leave you a prey to the Bears and Wolves of the Forest? but those of you that are in Christ, shall be in safety; if War and pestilence cover the Land, he will watch tenderly over his, and preserve them from all dangers; Gog and Magog must fall, Truth only stand. Oh Friends, be ye just and upright, then shall your path be as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day; and be ye not as the wicked which walk in darkness, who know not whereat they stumble. I shall desire you to offer up your hearts in sighs and groans to the God of mercy, for an happy restitution of your Christian Privileges now sinking, by reason of those corruptions. Observe Divine Providence, let nothing be wanting towards support of the Church yet Militant, for your sakes, I mean those that shall go forth for you; for those must bring in Materials to build the true Temple, as David did.   

To all present Powers.  
WHat God, or man by him shall dictate, observe and follow; lest God find you so disobedient as your Predecessors, and accordingly afflict, though he may love you; For God was once in the still voice: I wish the same may modelize you (as it will) and manifest more to you then the poor Author.  
I desire to be spent for you and my poor Country, I mean spiritually; that ye may also taste and receive more excellent things, excellency waits at your gates.   

To the Mariners and Sea-Commanders.  
HAth God brought you to this for punishment or mercy, judge ye? Oh what Blaspheming and Retrogade spirits have ye been! Oh Friends, judge yourselves in time, lest ye be now adjudged to torments. Shall I deal plainly with you? Ye are the Vessels of Wrath, which the Omnipotent hath appointed to scourge so bad as yourselves, though more numerous; some of you must fall for the rest, by a Rod of your own gleaning, yet it shall preserve you, though ye cannot but by faith espy the hand that moves it. Oh in time (with me) bewail the Face of affairs and Divine judgements, which your treacherous sins to God and man hath called upon our own heads.  
Pray why was not victory pursued, when your Enemy fled before you? Was it to betray your Country, or enlarge their fears, sorrows, and exhaust their declining Sweat and Treasure? Well, for this I tell you, though the Lord of Hosts (in whose Almighty presence we are always) will (notwithstanding, though for your sins punishing you) let you by another hand more than yours, see deliverance.  
Then trust God and his pure Spirit in his Saints; leave Oaths and wickedness, that ye may be converted and live, and indeed be Instruments yet of as much glory and Conquests, as the God of Forces hath made some of his Children by Land, that you or yours may see Peace established in Righteousness, and so Posterity have occasion to bless God for you, though wicked Instruments of his glory; for now the ungodly will punish the wicked.  
O let the Spirit of Christ reign in and over you, that it may not only deliver you and us in the evil day, but confirm you to the enjoyment of the great glory shall be discovered and made manifest in (though out of) the flesh; then be ye conformable to the dictates of the same, walk humbly in his sight, that ye may be bold as Lions in your Enemies, and they be crushed before that greater invisible Power, in or with you; which I most hearty wish.   

To all people of and in God.  
I Suppose our Bears must not only destroy those without, but rob them of their Whelps, if they make haste; and by or before the beginning of March next, resolutely and unanimously attempt and persevere in it: then trust God with the issue; two or three bouts will do the work, if you and they desire the Lord of Hosts to do it for us: to further which, I wish a new Covenant written in every one's heart and spirit, to seek Truth and Peace, and pursue it, immediately after the deliverance, and in the height of our Conquest; that mercy may be minded, and so burning Coals heaped on the heads of the Enemies; and I wish the rigid Presbyters and Anabaptists ruin not themselves. Also, a Public Treasury to be erected, for every one worth above 200 l. de claro, to advance a twentieth part of substance towards the propagation of this great work, to be repaid immediately after victory, (if our State can bear it) with interest at 8 per cent. with the voluntary contribution of others in that nature, towards support of affairs, and of the Widow, Fatherless, and Orphans that must happen. Also the Soldier and Mariner (when duly paid) will be humbler and better servants. As to suppression of Tories, Moss-Troopers, and Vagabounds in Arms, which must increase in Ireland and Scotland, That in the first place a Marshall-General, and strict Advocate with Force, may continually (convenient rest in a place allowed) be allotted to Quarter on their Landlords or Grandees; and setting forth a Proclamation for every one of those Wolves to come in by a due season, immediately else hang up every one at the next Tree they shall meet in Arms; and all suspected disaffected disarmed.  
As for the Navy, honest Commanders of the Army, joined with the Naval, to qualify the Spirit, will crush the Enemy.  

Had not Sol afflicted Merc'ry in Cancer,  
Crabs to Rams had never found an answer.   
Soli Deo Gloria.  
FINIS Coronat Opus.   


Let Bears decay, Wolves fall, and Lions stand,  
First gone, others wasting, lost, and last command;  
When heaven once shall unfold this Mystery,  
Heavens in earth receive a Jubilee.  
Wake not my Love, when now wishes slumber;  
Crush your Enemy though exceeds number.  
The Author hath been too busy for you,  
Yet his pointed work he must do:  
Let Babylon fall, that truth may flourish;  
Then Peace, Joy, all blessings shall you nourish.