J. WHITAKER. 193 above all these dominions, and thrones, and powers; that you may account all these things low and little, dregs and dust, dung and dross, in comparison of things eternal. Also, what poor things are Pompey, Cwsar, Nimrod, and Nebuchadnezzar, to the Abels, whose thoughts are fixed on things everlasting! " May it please your highness to consider seriously, how religion is not only weakened by divisions, but almost wasted by the daily growing of alterations. The reins of government a long time have been let loose, and are now lost in the church totally : in families extremely so, that masters know not how to order their servants, nor parents their children. All grow willing to command, but unwilling to be commanded : sabbaths are generally profaned, ordi- nances despised, the youth playing whilst the minister is preaching, the consciences of many growing wanton, abus- ing liberty to all licentiousness. And there are none left in places to put offenders to shame for any of these abomina- tions. The good Lord persuade your heart to appoint such justices whose principles and practice lead them to restrain vice; who do account the sabbath their delight, that the inferior officers may be by them encouraged. 46 I. beseech you also, in the bowels of Jesus Christ, to remember the many poor prisoners in the land, who in uprightness of their heart lent the greatest part of their estate upon public faith. The Romans were finced in like straits to borrow of the people; but it is recorded to their glory, that their wars were no sooner ended than these public debts were discharged. Let not paganish Rome rise up in the day of judgment to condemn unfaithful England. The neglect of this will involve the land in national guilt. I am persuaded, if the Lord help you to defray these debts, that you shall win the hearts of very many, and stop the mouths of your greatest adversaries. " And now that I have taken upon me to speak; let not your highness be angry with your poor servant, if he implore your pity and candour, and petition for the safe return of Mr. Cawton, a sincere servant of Christ ; who, being involved in the business for which Mr. Love suffered death, half a year since suffered a voluntary banishment in great extremity and hardship. May not the blood of Love suffer for that offence ? Have not others in other kinds done as much and more, and yet found favour? I beseech your honour's protection, that the beginning of your government may be with. acts of grace ; and oh that such a day of
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