IT was a grieuous wrong ( Deare Lord and dread Soueraigne ) done by the men of Gibeah , Iudg . 20. that made the Leuite to complaine so to Israel in Mispeh : Nomb . 22. It was oft smiting and an extraordinarie extremitie ( as a secundarie cause ) that made Baalam , the sonne of Peors Asse to speake : And doeth the wilde Asse bray when hee hath grasse ? Iob . 6.5 . or loweth the Oxe when hee hath fodder ? ( saieth that mirrour of patience Iob ) A grieuous increasing bondage likewise made Israel to grone : Exod . 2.23 . And a desperate-seeming-danger droue Mordecai to Esther , Esther . 5. and her againe venterouslie to the King .

Euen so woefull desolation in most partes , and that of no small boundes of your Majesties Kingdome here , where the Kingdome of CHRIST by preaching thorow want of prouision with-holden , is not yet established , and the musseling of their mouthes who treadeth out the Lordes Corne , Deut . 25.4 . 1. Tim . 5.18 where they are retained , but beggerlie intertained , and the ouer-loading of them with base contempt , forceth vs all to come to your Majestie at this time , with Peters wordes in our mouthes , Matth . 8.25 . crying and crauing , Master helpe vs , else we perish .

It was the will of the Supreame Lord of Heauen , if thou seest thine enemies asse lying vnder his burden , Exod . 23. helpe him vp againe : And a righteous man regardeth the life of his verie beast ( saieth that wise Preacher . ) Prov. 12.10 If pitie & charitie then command helpe to the brute of an enemie ; and if God commende care of the beast of the fielde , what may these then expect of their Supreame Lord on earth , beeing his owne Leuites , and his makers inheritance , fayling for weaknesse proceeding of want , and falling for wearinesse proceeding of contempt ?

As Hannah then answered to Eli , 1. Sam . 1.15 . blame vs no to haue powred out our soules before our Lord , nor that wee come as the people did to our godlie Nehemiah Nehem . 5 5 ( whose soule the Lord binde in the bundle of Life ) complaining of our necessitie and wrong , that there is no power left in our handes : for others haue our liuinges , and wee are in subjection , Genes . 49. being like Issachars asse , couching downe betweene heauie burdens : but most vnlike to Iudah's , which was tyed to the best Vine .

For it is th' estate of the poore Ministerie that wee moane , and would haue mended , who as if with the Capucian they had wowed pouertie , are so plumed vpon by these whose greede would haue neede , an inseparable accident , quarto modo proprium to Ministers , that as Beth-auens Priestes are depriued of their lawfull Matrimonie , so they thinke that Beth-els Preachers should bee denuded of their lawfull patrimonie : Exod . 36 2. Mac. 4. and therefore they haue turned Israels afferre to the Sanctuarie , to Lysimachus auferre from the same : beeing onelie skilfull to decline in the ablatiue case , their onelie Arithmeticke consisting in substraction from the Church , to make vp an addition to themselues , Psal . 69.9 . Iohn . 2.17 . and inverting that speach of David competent vnto CHRIST , for their zeale hath eaten vp the Lordes house .

Shall Israel then fulfill their taske , Exod . 5.7 . and haue their straw with-drawne , to gather short stubble to themselues ? Shall Iaakob feede his masters flocke , Genes . 31. Nehem . 13. and haue his wages so changed and impaired ? Shall the Leuite bee either forced to desert the worke , because of the portion with-holden , as in the time of captiuitie and desolation ? Judg . 18. or else to turne in to Micahs pettie portion , as in the time when there was no King in Israel , and a whole Tribe scarse cared for one Priest amongst them all ?

Shall Scotia bee rightlie construed darknesse , in regarde of manie places thereof , where that light which is the life of men neuer yet shined , nor that worde of glorious peace neuer yet sounded , but are a people sitting in the shadow of death , thorow want of the meanes of the Gospel of Life ? And shall the Ambassadoures of the King of Israel bee so vngratelie intreated by the Ammonites , Sam . 10. as to be so nearlie shauen , and their garmentes curtailed ; and shall not this bee showne to our godlie David ?

Pouertie is now so seated where plentie was installed , and contempt where honour had place , that where the Churches bread was sometime like Ashers , Genes . 49. fatte and abounding , nowe shee must bee content of Ruthes scattered glaininges , Ruth . 2. Lament . 1.2 Mal . 2.7 for all her friends haue dealt vnfaithfully with her , and are her enemies : And where many excellent thinges were spoken of her ( as of the citie of God ) and glorious were the feete of those that brought the gladde tydinges of peace , nowe shee may exclaime , saying , Lament . 1.11 See , O Lord , and consider , for I am become vile .

Pastors , as if they were professed Poenitentiars , in manie places are kept at vnder in disciplinarie subiection , 2. Sam . 13. nill they will they , like Amnon , looking leane from day to day , their Cottages more spacious than specious ( albeit little of either : ) a great part of their plenishing , 2. King . 4.10 beeing with Elisha , their stoole and bed , their table and candle-sticke : and forced in other thinges to goe in one categorie with Gibeons ambassadours sent vnto Ioshua : Ioshua . 9.13 . beeing so farre vnable to vse hospitalitie ( as th'Apostle requireth in such ) to others , 1. Tim . 3. as they haue more neede to bee receiued ( like Eliah , 1. King . 27. with the Widow of Sarepthah ) in hospitalitie by others .

People , who starue for the bread of Life , haue Zions dolorous threnodie put in their mouthes , Jerem . 4.31 . and are moued to crie , Woe is mee nowe , for my soule fainteth because of the murtherers : So that justlie may the Lord expostulate by the Prophet , saying , Also in their winges is found the blood of the soules of poore Innocentes , Jerem . 2.34 . I haue not found it in holes , but vpon the high places : practising flatte contrary to that prayer , Matth . 6.10 . Mat . 8.34 . Let thy Kingdome come : and with the Gergesins for their filthie lucres sake , expelling CHRIST out of their coastes .

The poore , by this sacrilegious robberie , who are our flesh and CHRISTS members , and whose crie , is his crauing , and their hand his treasurie , are cruellie bereft , and carelesselie troden vnder : So that where out of their hospitall oratories a consort of prayers and praises for their bene-factours should haue beene like incense offered vp to the Lord , they are forced in their feeble strayinges , and bed-fast staruinges , to poste such groanes to the Tribunall of Iustice , as may bee sittest complainers of their want , and pleaders for their wrong .

The Schooles of the Prophets , and Seminaries of the Church , what interest they haue receiued , euen forrainers doe knowe , and home-bred doe regrate . As the Philistims filled Isaacs fountaines , Genes . 26. which his fathers seruantes had digged ; so stopping likewise by their earthlie auarice , those sacred conduites , which others had founded , from whence the pleasant streames of Sciences should flowe and fill the land , ut hinc etiam , & lucem & pocula sacra .

O leaue then , Sir , such a sacred stampe of your Royall presence at this time , for the comfort of the mourners behinde you , that the happie relish thereof may delight the posteritie to recorde , & characterize in letters of loyall loue vpon the tables of rejoyced heartes , Basilic . dor . booke 2. pag . 44. that which your Majestie acknowledgeth to bee the fairest stile of a Christian Prince , to bee a nursing father of the Church of IESVS .

And as your Majesty hath caused restitution of the portions of the Prelates of the Church , thereby to abolish our paritie , so extende your gracious and like tender care to the Preachers of the Church , and abrogate their pouertie , 1. King . 3. who with the poore woman that pleaded restitution of her fraudefullie-stollen childe from her , before you , our godlie and wise Salomon , claimeth equitie likewise , suum cuique .

And as you are a Defender of the Faith , bee likewise of the maintainance of the meanes thereof , and so inlarge his Kingdome , who peaceablie hath inlarged yours : and see that hee haue his right , who must keepe you and yours euer in your right Royall : counting euer ( as your selfe saieth ) the flourishing of the Church to bee one of the chiefest pointes of your earthlie glorie . Basil . dor . 2. booke , fol. 43.

In some part then , Sir , let the pietie and prudence of your selfe and your estates , amend at this time that former act of annexation : whereby not onlie landes , ( which more tolerablie may be retained ) but also besides tithes , the very small gleanings of poore & petty Vicarages are monstrouslie metamorphized temporall , and made Lordes and Barons customes : so that the Patrons nowe are Parsons , and they fleece the sheepe who feede not the flocke . Or ( as that reuerende Father affirmed ) if erections can not suffer further correction , & robberie restitution , that Salomons dimension at least of due sufficiencie , may be measured foorth , which may both vindicate from pride and contempt .

Whome you loue , therefore , let them not keepe such an eating moth , and consuming canker , which howsoeuer for the present like stollen waters the same seeme sweet , yet in end it shall proue but like the accursed water , whereof the guiltie woman did drink , causing swelling at first indeede , but consuming rottennesse at last : And as Iaakob was to Esau , Genes . 25. the holie thing shall bee the supplanter of the vnholie vsurper : so that getting the pottage , and hunting their profite , they shall lose the birth-right , and misse the blessing .

For Dans Serpent will so bite the horse-heeles once , Genes . 49. that assuredlie the ryder will in ende fall backwardes : Ioshua . 7. Genes . 41. and Achans theft will bring him and his whole house to a consuming fire at last : Pharaohs leane Kye and blasted Eares of Corne , when they haue deuoured the fatte and the full , shall bee still as leane and blasted as before : 1. King . 41. and Achabs robbing of poore Naboths Vineyarde , will lose to him his life , and his rich Kingdome . Dan . 5 Nebuchadnezars spoyling of the Temple , will once bee seene on Belthazzar his successour : ●xod . 16.20 . and Manna's residue kept against command , will but turne to vermine , prouoking God , and polluting the vessels , ●●nas . 4.7 . Ionas gourde must wither and decay , because of the hidden worme at the roote thereof : ● . King . 4. And if coloquintida bee gathered amongst the other herbes , death doubtlesse shal be in the pot . Esops crow with her collop to the nest , shall carrie the cole with it : and assuredlie the execution of the threatned curse shall follow on the medling with the forbidden tree : Genes . 2.17 Mal . 3.9 Hab. 2.6 Deut. 27.17 ●nd 24 , 15 So that Israels prouerbe shall bee taken vp against him that increaseth that which is not his , by inquiring , Ho , how long ? And if he bee accursed who incroacheth vpon his neighboures borders ; or if the detaining of the wages of an hyred seruant cryeth for wrath : much more who doeth so on the Lordes limites , and shall that of the Lords imployed messengers shout aloude for vengeance .

When the Starre shined which ledde vnto Christ , Math . 2.9 the Wise-men of the East following the direction thereof , came to Bethlehem , and gaue giftes to Christ . And shall it bee thought wisedome nowe , when the Starre of the Gospel hath re-appeared , against the direction thereof to pull from Christ ? Revel . 11 Shall the Lampe of the Sanctuarie bee kindled , and the Oyle thereof bee with-drawne ? Isai . 7.2 Shall the Aramit-papist seeke the ouer-throwe of Hierusalems doctrine , and our Ephraemite-professoures joyne with them to seeke the ouer-throw of the maintainance of doctrine ? the one beeing like the Iewes , who sought Christes life : the other like the Romane Souldiours , who parted Christs garmentes .

And shall Mount Sion , the Lords chosen , Isai . 1.8.30 remaine thus still as a cottage in a Vineyarde , like a lodge in a garden of cucumers , and as a citie besieged of the enemies ? Shall the ministerie of the worde , the foundation of this Countreyes peace , bee as a Widow left to the spoyle , as an cake whose leafe fadeth , and a garden that hath no water ? And shall they still receiue onelie in their handes , that which the Souldioures put mockinglie in Christes , * * Such are many modified stipendes and assignations . Matt . 27.29 . Jerem . 2.9 . an emptie hollowe reede ( to wit ) to vpholde them .

Goe to the Iles of Chittim , and beholde : and send vnto Kedar , and the Countreyes round about ; and take diligent heede , and see , if there bee anie such thinges : Mal . 3.8 Isai . 5.7 . or what nation there is that hath robbed their gods . Surelie , the Lordes expectation was otherwise , hee looked for judgement and zeale but beholde oppression , and robberie : for righteousnesse , but beholde a crying .

And indeede ( Sir ) while they were catching all into their angle ( beeing with the Prophetesse sonne , Hab. 1.15 . Isai . 21. Genes . 49.21 as speedie robbers , and swift to the prey : ) They were as Naphthali , like hindes let goe , giuing goodly wordes , and promising sufficient plantations : but they haue proued in ende as Benjamin , of whome it is saide , Genes . 49.27 Hee shall rauin as a wolfe , in the morning hee shall deuoure the prey , and at night hee shall diuide the spoyle . So that the Church may say as is saide , Lament . chap. 3. vers . 10. They were to mee as Baires lying in waite , and as Lyons in secrete places . So they get the goods , leauing the good of the flocke altogether vncared for : for like skilfull aiming Benjamits , ●●dg . 20. they haue hit the mark they would beene at , albeit sinistrouslie , with the left hand , and there they put a period , inuerting that speach of the King of Sodom to Abraham , Gen. 14.20 . Da mihi animas , bona cape tibi : to giue vs the goods , and let others take the soules cure .

And as Ieroboam to aduance his Idolatrie made Priestes of the lowest and skirtes of the people who were not of the sonnes of Leui : ● . King . 12.31 So manie named patrons , so they may inhaunce their commoditie : and like Micah , ●udg . 18. by a priuate paction for a pettie portion indent with the intrant , they care not whome they present : ● . Sam . 5. albeit Dagon should bee set vp anewe beside the Arke of God : counting no longer for the Preacher than hee can serue for their particulare , and so long onelie will sit by Cherith , ● . King . 17.7 ●onas . 4.7 or repose vnder the gourde , as the one flourisheth , or the other floweth .

With good Nehemiah then , Nehem . 13 11.14 . Nehem . 5.9 . Sir , say to your Rulers and great men , Why is the house of God thus forsaken and neglected ? That which you doe is not good : ought you not to walke in the feare of our God ? for the reproach of those that are our enemies , and assemble your Leuites , reponing them in their places , that your God may remember you , and not wipe out your kindnesse that you haue shewed on the House of GOD , and Officers thereof .

And as the Angel saide vnto Gideon , Iudg . 6.12 . The Lord is with thee , thou valiant man : goe then , Sir , in this your might , and purge your land of such hatefull robberie , And wee hope that the prosperous successe that followed good Hezekiah , shall likewise attend your Majesties zeale heerein : whereof it is spoken , 2. Chron . 30.12 . that the hand of God was vpon all Iudah , and hee gaue them one heart to obey the Kinges commandement according to the word of the Lord . And of whome it is recorded in the register of eternitie , that in all the workes that hee began for the seruice of the house of God , 2. Chron . 31.21 . because hee did them with all his heart , therefore hee prospered ( saieth the Scripture . )

By doing whereof , wee hope also in the mightie GOD of IACOB , that your Majestie shall haue the greater assurance of securitie against all the enemies of your Royall person and estate : And † † Goureā or Powder treasons . Joshua . 3.6 blood-red , Genes . 25.25 or fire-red Esaus , that traiterouslie are hunted out against your sacred Majestie : and that the prayers of your relieued Leuites , sent vp vnto him whome they carrie on their shoulders before the people in the Arke of his eternall Couenant , shall bee a secrete guarde , like Elisha's , against both their Shimei-like malice , and Achitophel-like machinations . 2. Sam . 16.

And if hee was pronounced blessed who enlarged Gad , much more shall you and your land bee , Deut . 33.20 who enlargeth GOD , his right whereof hee is robbed , and his Leuites inheritance .

And if heathen Pharaoh was so carefull for his Priestes portions in the scarsitie of Aegypt , Genes . 47. that they should retaine their landes ; much more are wee assured , that our Christian IACOB , and zealous Soueraign , wil haue a care of the Preachers of Iesus , in some sufficient measure to restore them their Liuinges .

And seeing that Baals Priestes are so bountifullie dealt with by Achab in Israel , and sit at Iezabels table , that our godlie Iehosaphat will not suffer the Lordes Prophets in Iudah to bee vncared for likewise : 1. King . 18. or , as the glaininges of the grapes of Ephraim were better than the vintage of Abiezer ; so that the smallest accidents of Popish shauelinges , Iudg . 8.2 . should bee still better than painefull Preachers greatest allowance .

And what woefull effectes , and fearefull fruites this damnable bramble of sacrilegious rapine and impouerishing of the Church produceth , is too well feene , but not so sorrowed .

For first this impouerishing of the Ministerie maketh both them and the calling contemptible , as if the curse of Ruben were brought vpon the same : the excellencie of dignitie , Genes . 49.4 . and the excellencie of power is gone , and Ieremies threnodie put in their mouthes , saying , I am made as the off-scouringes of the worlde , Lamen . 3.45 and as the refuse in the midst of the people : So that Obadiahs reuerence to Eliah is forgotten : 1. King . 18. Acts 10. 2. King . 13. Cornelius honour to Peter , and Ioash estimation of Elisha , is buried in the graue with him . Wherefore the like judgement is to bee feared , as for the like cause was threatned by the Prophet , saying , The anger of the Lord hath scattered them , neither shall hee any more regarde them , for they reuerenced not the face of the Priestes , Lament . 4.16 nor had in estimation the countenance of the Elders .