nuisance on the ways of God and nickname the professors of holiness? What plottings are there to thrust me from this place? what withdrawings of maintenance ? what heart-burnings, surmises, and divisions among the people of God? what bitter and biting words, neglect of duty, and improper conduct among the strictest professors? whither will all this lead? will God take away the candlestick, and give men, in judgment, what they desire? I do not know what he will do with the congregation, but I fear he hath a bitter scourge for it. A desire and endeavour to set up the discipline of Christ hath exasperated many; they hate to be reformed. Now my troubles are coming thick upon me. God hath long spared me that I might become furnished for assaults and fiery trials. He hath indulged me for seven years together with the love and favour of the people, and encouragement on all hands; but summer will not always last, and now wintry storms and blasts are come. O why should the hopeful blossoms be nipped, and never come to perfection? Some persons pretending to be builders weaken our hands, and others openly deride. Think upon them, O my God, and turn their hearts unto thee, or restrain their malice. How are we the reproach of all, and the drunkard's song! Remember me in all my personal afflictions, and think of thy people, who enlist themselves under thy banner: for thy sake we have borne reproach. It is a great mercy that men have not power to put us to death, for God is above them,., and will make them and their actions as his footstool to advance his glory. In the meantime, O my soul, wait thou on God and keep his ways. Be engaged in thy work, and commit the issue of all to him in prayer, who will keep thee in all thy ways; there are more with us than with those that are against us."

Mr. Heywood's troubles became complicated in their nature, and increased by a variety of circumstances. The nation had long been in an unsettled state, and though he was too prudent, as a minister of the gospel, to distinguish himself by political zeal, he could not but have his sentiments and wishes as a member of the commonwealth. As a Christian and friend to his country, he was attached to that form of government, which in his opinion appeared most adapted to promote the real welfare of the nation. He was no friend to the arbitrary measures of Cromwell, and the anarchy that was too prevalent during the interregnum. When taking a view of what he considered, "Public Woes," he thus expresses himself, particularly in reference to the state of religion, and the horrors of internal contests. "Shouldst thou, O my soul, contain thyself within the bounds of thine own heart, and not intermeddle with more public affairs that concern the church and state? The sudden rumour of some strange circumstances, which respect the church's decay, hath much affected the hearts of many precious saints. When Eli heard the doleful tidings of the ark of God, he fell backwards and died. No wonder that sympathizing saints should be afflicted on account of the sins and sorrows of the church, seeing we have peace, liberty, and sweet enjoyments under her maternal wings. When she hath trouble, why should not we lament over Jerusalem's ruins, and have compassion on the scattered stones of this city of our God? How can we expect to have a share in the church's enlargements who partake not of her sorrows? Come then, my soul, and view this guilty nation. Thou needest not make long journeys to behold our miseries, thine eyes will soon affect thy heart, and objects sad enough will be presented to thee. When thou attentively surveyest England, doth not a Golgotha appear? We were not

long ago a Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, but our scarlet sins have changed the prospect, for it floweth with blood, and swelleth with cruelty, and is turned into an Aceldama. The blood of many a warlike hero, and worthy saint has flowed in abundant streans on the earth, and stained our country. Alas, we have become a mere skeleton, and do daily walk among tombs and monuments. Our faces are pale,

and our hearts tremble also for the ark of God. But is not the Lord still the God of the nation? And if he be with us and for us, who can be against us? What need have we to complain? Alas, this is the greatest grief of all, that God is leaving England! this, this is the quintessence of our calamity. Alas, how can our land fare well when God has departed? Well, and if poor England's best days be past, we alone may thank ourselves: we must condemn ourselves, and justify God. Our people have been surfeited with the gospel. They cry out, away with formalities; the manna is light food, it creates loathing. We need not wonder then, if God should take away what has become offensive to the nation. Will his Spirit always strive? It is true, indeed, many hopeful Timothys have lately been sent to work in the Lord's vineyard; but are they therefore obliged to remain in England? Perhaps it is God's design to make an engaging, attractive appearance at parting, to let us see what he can and would do if we would obey. God knows I do not desire these things to come to pass; I love my dear mother, the church of England, would hope the best, and pray for better things than I can well hope. I shall not be sorry if my fears are groundless, but shall much re-. joice in God's free mercy and undeserved love; I shall then cry out with admiration, that God's mercy is above all his works. O that he would display the riches of

his grace, and not destroy this sinful nation! Should not the sins of this poor island, (the cause of all its miseries) much affect thee, my soul? Wilt thou not imitate the pious practice of renowned patriots of former days, who lamented for those that did not lament for themselves? Canst thou look abroad and not behold iniquity? canst thou see it and not lament it? The whole head of authority is sick, and the whole heart of the nation is faint. The Lord has been pleased to lay aside some excellent spirits as useless for a season, and, because of our provoking sins, hath put into their place sensual, self-seeking, and intruding persons, who like drones, eat up the best of the land. These are opposers of reformation, and contrivers of ruin, by means of oppressions, taxes, and vexatious proceedings, together with a shocking toleration of blasphemies, and abused religion, under the harmless pretext of liberty for tender consciences, the consequences of which we have already experienced, and shall continue to feel. O what a blow hath true religion sustained, under pretence of harmless opinions about mere circumstantial points, whereas they raze the foundation. We were weary of monarchy, but shall be more weary of anarchy. Is there no one to sit at the helm of the ship of our poor commonwealth, but an army of rude, unruly, and contentious soldiers? Alas, this is a sad case! Yet it is so, or worse; for men overawed by them, must rule and govern us. The sword alone must now dispose of all moral, civil, and ecclesiastical affairs. Ah poor ship, must thou be driven away without a pilot? Then farewell safety. Whither will not the furious blasts of men's interests transport thee? On what rocks of infamy and misery will they not dash thee? Alas, poor ship, whither thou must go God only knows! The sword of the

civil magistrate is sheathed, and the word of the spiritual minister is slighted. The sword of justice is drawn to support injustice, and the power of authority encourages such as do evil, and discourages those that do well. Were not ministers once the chariots and horsemen, the strength and beauty of our English Israel? but are they not now the scorn, and offscouring of the world? The clergy of England a few years ago were the glory of the earth; but now such as can speak have a bolt to throw at them! Stand and wonder, O my soul, at this woful, frightful, and prodigious change from one extreme to another. They that lately were slavish in their fear and obedience, so that they scarcely durst speak or act without their priest's directions, now contemn the Lord's directions and his ministers! Those silly ignorant persons, that admired learning, and almost worshipped scholars, now trample all under their feet, and would have universities demolished, literature banished, and darkness introduced! Do we not see illiterate, haughty, and presumptuous soldiers and artificers perched up in congregations, and without controul oppose sound doctrine, sow tares, and teach the people to despise and malign their pious, prudent, faithful, peaceable, and learnedly religious pastors? All this they do with such scurrilous language, as if the devil were at their tongue's end, doing his best to speak the worst of those he cannot destroy. Are not the people apt enough to hate their ministers, but they must be taught to cast reproach upon them? Is this the reward the ungrateful world affords us? It is our happiness then, that God is the portion of the tribe of Levi. We are not men's servants, and they are not to give us our reward, this is our comfort, and blessed be God for this hope; his providences, promises, interest in him, and communion with him, are what