some dark Dungeon this is a part of his Punishment though not as yet tryed judged Condemned nor Executed Eccle. 12.7 only he may have been carryed before some Judge or Justice as the Souls of all men return to God at Death Mat. 25.46 and the wicked receive a Sentence of Commitment to Prison to be bound in Fetters and Chains and put in some dark Dungeon untill his great and Final Tryal and Judgment for Life or Death Eternal Observation 5. Death and the Grave puts an End to all Oppressions They hear not the Voice of the Oppressâ—r Mat. 5.27 There is Oppression in Voice and Oppression in Intention and Oppression in Act Oppression in Intention and Purpose is accounted so by God as well as Adultery though never Acted as a good Mans Intentions though many times never come into Act is accepted It was well God told Davâ—d 1 Kings 19.2 it was in his Heart to Build hâ—m a Temple so Jezabels Intention to destroy Elijah shall be accounted one day as if it had been done Actually The word for Oppression Nagas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is sometimes rendred Taskmasters as in Exod. 2.7 Arias Montanus saith Exactors it signifieth in a special use one which Exacteth or Extorteth Money or Tribute to the grievance of a Person 2 Kings 23.35 in the 10. Zachariah 4. It s rendered an Oppressor so Chap. 9.8 No Oppressor shall pass through the Land any more It s so used because those Exactors many times impose against Right and Equity Mulcts and Fines upon the Subjects as to be sin'd for Worshiping God according to the light of our Conscience which is Consistent to a Peaceable and quiet Living in the Land this is Oppression and Sinful Exaction and against the very light of Nature for no man that owns a God Exod. 33.9 and that he ought to be Worshipped would be done so by God prohibited Israel from Oppressing a stranger then to Oppress a Native a Contry-man a Subject yea quiet and Peaceable Subjects Isai 5.7 is far worse May not God Expect in a Land of Gospel-Light Judgment and Justice But if instead thereof there should be a Cry yea a great Cry of Oppression how sad is this For those Cries to Enter into the Ears of the Lord of Sabbaoths James 5.7 or Lord of Hosts Let the Oppressor look into these Scriptures as into a Glass to prevent the Sin of Oppression for the time to come Isa 30.12 Wherefore thus saith the Lord because ye despise this Word and trust in Oppression and perversness and stay there therefore this Iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall swelling out in a high Wall whose breaking cometh suddenly on an Instant O how many do trust to nothing else but Oppression Psal 62.10 and the ruining of honest Families contrary to that Prohibition Trust not in Oppression Isai 49.26 Such shall be fed with their own Flesh and made drunk with their own Blood as with sweet wine Zeph. 3.1 Moreover a Woe is denounced against the Oppressing City Psal 72.1 yea Christ shall break in pieces the Oppressor Isa 14.2 in pleading the poors cause They shall take them Captivâ—s whose Captives they were and they shall Rule over their Oppressors Let these following Scriptures be as a Comfortable Cordial to all the Oppressed in this day of Jacob's Trouble Psal 9.9 God will be a Refuge for the Oppressed yea 103.6 the Lord will exercise Righteousness and Judgment for all such 12.5 For the oppression of the Poor and sighing of the Needy Job 3.18 now will I arise saith the Lord Isa 14.4 and set him in safety from him which puffeth at him Isa 14.4 The time is coming God hath promised we shall no more hear the voice of the Oppressor 51.13.16.4 Then shalt thou take up this Parable against the King of Babylon Psal 146.7 How hath the Oppressor or Exactor of Gold Ceased And where is the fury of the Oppressor They are Consumed out of the Land God Executeth Judgment for the Oppressed and giveth food to the hungry the Lord looseth the Prisoners 6. Observation An Arrest by death bringeth Rest to Prisoners There the Prisoners Rest together That all must die is the Statute-Law of Heaven it was threatned on Adam Heb. 9.27 and all his Posterity Gen. 2.17 That in the day he did eat of the forbidden fruit he should surely dye or as the Original in dying thou shalt dye certainly and all thy Off-spring for thou art a publick head I spoke in Truth if thou eatest thou dyest and as thou shalt certainly die so thou shalt die perfectly Soul and Body as Austin saith as the Separation of the Soul from the Body is a natural death Eph. 2.1 2. so the Separation of the Soul from God is a Spiritual hence all men by Nature are said to be dead in Trespasses and Sins Chap. 2.17 19. and to be without God in the World yea Strangers and Forreigners in respect of any saving Spiritual Acquaintance Moreover thou shalt die or be in a dying condition as soon as thou dost eat of the fruit subject to sickness weakness Corruption Pain and Death yea thou and all thy Posterity must die Eternally except Grace prevent for as man hath an Immortal Soul if he by Sin brings a spiritual death on the Soul and separate it from God it must for ever remain under Wrath 1 Thes 1.10 and at a distance from him unless he bring it near by the Blood of his Son Gen. 3.15 and this God did promise after the Fall the Messias that is the seed of the woman should break the Serpents head take away his power which he had by the Fall over Adam and his Posterity so that now through Christ death is no loss but a gain to Believers Ye Believing Prisoners 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word which we translate Prisoner Asar signifieth one bound and fastened confin'd Numb 30.3 there it refers to a being bound by a Vow Job 12.18 He looseth the Bonds of Kings c. it 's taken for that binding which is an act of coercive Authority Gen. 40.3.42.17 19 24. Numb 15.34 Levit. 24.12 Death and the Grave will put an end to all Oppressions and usher the Body into Rest the Bodies of all bad Prisoners as well as good shall hear the Voice of the Oppressor no more we shall know no more Apprehendings under the power of no more Witnesses nor hear no more of Take him Jaylor keep him until he be cleared by due course of Law we shall have no more Bolts nor Bars then on us no more looking for the Keeper then nor speaking to Friends through Iron-grates death is a debt we owe and when that is paid we shall receive an acquittance a Quietus est many Captives and Prisoners will have little Rest until they go to their Grave some
which did use to feed our Souls this must needs be ground of mourning the Jews had their signs of sorrow upon the death of friends they Rent their Cloaths Deut. 14. â— they cut and prickt and made themselves bald by plucking shaving they went bare-footed and bare-headed and cast dust upon their heads also covered their Lip by casting the Lap of their Cloke over it Micah 3.7 they used Ministrils who with sad tunes inclin'd the people to mourn they had also mourning women who were skilful for Lamentation now it 's no matter for those outward signs Mat. 9.23 if we are but truly affected with the hand of God our loss is a Spiritual Soul-loss our mourning should be suitable to our loss God complains that his dispensation of this nature was not considered Isa 57.1 The Righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart it seems God would have such things laid to heart by those which are alive and there is reason for it if we consider the latter part of the words none considering the Righteous are taken from the Evil to come or from that which is Evil the death of good men seems to be a forerunner of some Judgment therefore God would have us to lay such things to heart Shall a Moses and a Joseph die and shall we not mourn but give God cause to say of us as of old The Righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart God forbid A Word of Consolation The time is a coming when the Prisoners of Christ shall have true Rest and no more hear the Voice of the Oppressor though now it may be said of the Lords Interest as the Prophet Isaiah once said of Gods Heritage Isaiah 42.22 This is a People Robbed and Spoiled they are all of them snared in Holes and they are hid in Prison-Houses they are for a Prey and none delivereth for a spoil and none saith Restore But this shall cease and be over 1 Sam. 28.14 the Prisoners shall in Gods time rest together and then Men or Devils cannot disturb them when once in the Grave From hence we may learn that could not be the Real body of Samuel which the Witch of Endor brought up before Saul for first it s very Improbable that God who had denyed to Answer Saul by Ordinary meanes should now Answer by Extraordinary Secondly Rev. 14.13 no Witch or Devil can disturb their Bodies or Souls which Dye in the Lord Because they Rest from their Labours as saith the Spirit Thirdly had this been Samuel which had been Raised no doubt but he would have Reproved Saul for Consulting with a Witch This Rest in the grave is a Fore-runner of Eternal Rest in the Saints union of Soul and Body with God It s with a godly Man in this Troublesome and uneasie VVorld as it was with the Dove who could find no Rest for the Soul of her foot because of the swelling Waters of affliction what from Sin and hot burning Persecuters in dwelling Lusts and Corruptions Rom. 7.24 which made Holy Paul Cry out O Wretched Man that I am and elsewhere saith We that are in this Tabernacle do Groan bâ—ing Burdened Add unto all those the accusations of an accusing tempting Devil 2 Cor. 5.2 and it s no wonder a believer hath little Rest in this VVorld if Satan will accuse God to Man as he did God to Adam Gen. 3. in telling him God forbids him Eating of the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil for his hurt to keep him in Ignorance for if he would but Eat he would be as a God knowing Good and Evil so also he accuseth Man to God so he did Job in representing him as an Hypocrite Hence he is called Satan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth an Adversary an accusing Adversary as Psal 109.20 when this Name is Applied as an Adversary to Gods People it usually meaneth the Devil as Job 1.6 Mat. 4. but being spoken of an Adversary to the Wicked and defender of the Church it s Applyed to a gâ—od Angel as Numb 22.22 The LXX usually Render it Diabolos 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth an accuser so Job 1.6 the Septuagint there Render it so Satan is the great Accuser and Callumniator of the People of God and all that use this Diabolical work are called by this Diabolical Name 1 Tim. 3.11 Women saith the Apostle must not be Slanderous Diabolos not false Accusers this great Adversary doth not a little break the Peace of Gods People but the time is hastening they shall all rest in their Beds Isaiah 57.2 each man which hath walked in his uprightness and after the Resurrection comes the day of Jubile in the Jubile of old upon the sound of the Trumpet they were every man to return to their Possessions so when the great Trumpet shall sound and the Dead in Christ Rise first we shall take Possession of our Eternal Inheritance which Christ is gone to prepare and secure for us this Jubile was to return of old but once in fifty years but in Heaven in glory it 's all Jubile in this year of Jubile the Jews were not to Sow nor Reap but it was to be a year of Rest unto them O! when we enter upon our spiritual one all our labouring under Sin Suffering Satanical Temptations will have an end and we shall Rest from our Labours This Temporary Jubile continued but a year and then to their Toyl and labour again Oh but the Spiritual Jubile will be an Everlasting Eternal one Heb. 4.9 that Rest which remains for the people of God will know no end God promised Israel of old when they were got over Jordan he would give them Rest from all their Enemies so when we are got well through the Wilderness and safely carried through Jordans Swellings we shall come to the good Land and be at Rest where the Inhabitants shall no more say Isai 33.24 I am Sick for all Tears shall be wiped away from our Eyâ—s and we shall sorrow no more because Sin no more Israel of Old thought it a great Mercy to be quiet and at Rest from their Enemies forty Years Rev. 7.17 but what is that to Eternity To Conclude let us all take the Counsel of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians after he had been telling them of the Resurrection of the Saints and that they should Rise first 1 Thess 4.16 17.18 also informing them of the coming of our Lord Christ and that when he comes we shall all be caught up in the Clouds to meet the Lord in the Air and so be ever with the Lord now what is his Exhortation and Conclusion Comfort one another with these Words While Sin Satan and an Unkind World is Discomforting you do you in a lively Hope of the Resurrection of the Body the coming of Christ your Meeting of him and continuing with him cheer up and Comfort one another with these
in the place And though the Head hath broken short off from the helve of their sledge yet have not said There is no Hope God we see is against us but rather with Pharaoh will seek to patch on his Charioth-wheels when God takes them off and as it was in literal Babylon they laid their Idols upon their Beasts till they were weary so the imposing of Spiritual Babylon's Inventions on the People of God makes them or is design'd to make them weary either in the Penalties inflicted upon them for Non-Observing them or else to make them weary of the way and VVorship of God Dan. 7.25 as Daniel hath it of a certain King that shall speak great Words against the most High and shall wear out the Saints of the most High and shall think to change times and Laws He shall Endeavour to wear them out either to wear out their Bodies or make them weary of their Country or if possible their Religion wicked Men weary themselves sometimes in one Sinful way sometimes in another some in gaming some in uncleaness some in Drunkeness some in Persecuting as it s observed concerning Antiochus Epiphanus that infamous troubler of the Church that he undertook more Troublesome Journeys and went more hazardous designs to trouble Oppose and vex the Church of the Jews then ever any of his predecessors about any other Conquest or Noble Enterprize he went further to do mischief then some Saints to do good and the story is concluded with this general Truth All such Wicked ones go with more Trouble to Eternal Death then the Saints to Eternal Life Now this ariseth from inconsiderateness Prov. 7.22 Chap. 5.11 12.13 they go on like an Ox to the Slaughter and as a Fool to the Correction of thâ— stocks till a Dart strike through his Liver as a Bird hasteth to the Snare and knoweth it not that it is for Life Then he Mourneth at the last when his Flesh and his Body is consum'd and says How have I hated Instruction and my Heart despised Reproof and have not Obeyed the Voice of my Teachers nor inclin'd mine Ear to them which instructed me Then they will say as in the Apocripha We Fools accounted his Life madness Wisd 5.4 and his End to be without Honour but how is he Numbred among the Children of God and his Lot is among the Saints then will they see that word fulfill'd in Habakkuk That they Habak 2.13 14. Labour'd in the Fire and wearyed themselves for very Vanity for notwithstanding all we have done the Earth is filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea the Apostle Paul tells us that he was Injurious and Persecuted the Church of God out of Ignorance Agnoon Ignorantly this with the Seventy is the same with Asham in the Hebrew which signifieth guilt wickedness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Ignorance is an inlet to wickedness but let all such remember that Christ will take Vengeance by Flaming Fire as well on them which are Ignorant 2 Thessa 1.8 as on them which are Disobedient Psal 9.17 The Wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations which forget God Observation 4. Job 14.1 The most Rest that ever a Wicked man hath will be in the Grave All Mankind are born to Trouble as the Sparks flyeth upward naturally man is naturally born to trouble but as he is a wicked man is obnoxious to more for not only while he is alive is he troubled and tormented in Conscience but after the Resurrection will be tormented Soul and Body for ever In the Grave his Body doth rest Psal 16.9 but it is not in hope as the Bodies of the Saints do who have hope in their Death By Rest here some understand it of the Saints whom the wicked have troubled but forasmuch as the next verse speaketh of the rest or sleep of the Oppressed we may well conclude it s spoken of the Wicked for their Bodies do rest in the Grave also as if the Spirit should say The wicked as long as they live will never rest but be always troubling the Godly they will never be quiet until I bring them to the Grave but then they shall leave and trouble mine no more the Root Nuach here rendred Rest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is sometimes translated for any thing accepted as Gen. 8.21 Gen. 8.21 God smelled a sweet smell in Noahs Sacrifice or a savour of Rest as it was tipical of the Great Sacrifice Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us this God cannot smell in a wicked mans Death But Precious in the Sight of the Lord is the Death of his Saints 1 Cor. 5.7 It s also taken for the Churches resting from their Enemies Esther 9.22 and for the Souls resting in God Psal 116.7 Return to thy Râ—st Psal 116.15 O my Soul it s oppos'd to travel and labour Exod. 23.12 Gen. 8.9 the Bodies of the Reshagnim The wicked one shall rest in the grave and be quiet but how as an insensible hardened Malefactor which is bound in Chains and secur'd for Judgment and condemnation and forasmuch as mans Soul is immortal it must have a being and a place after it is parted from the Body and to imagine a wicked mans Soul to be then without any sense of torment is to be in a better case then it was in the World for now and then he had as it were an Hell within him and every where the Scriptures of truth Represents a wicked man after the Death of the Body in a far worse condition then when alive Luke 16. and a good mans far better and that the Souls of Just men are in glory is undeniable from the first of Colâ—ssians verse 20th And having made peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to Reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether thâ—y be things in Earth or things in Heaven Mark it seems there are some things in Heaven Reconciled by the Blood of Christ Luke 23.43 now what can or may those things be it cannot be the good Angels there for they never fell so needed not to be Redeemed however they may be Established What then can it be in Heaven Redeemed by Christs Blood Acts 7.59 Truly nothing else but the Souls of Believers If then their Souls be in Heaven while their Bodies are in the Grave it cannot be rationally supposed Mat. 10.28 being Immortal Substances that they can be without some feeling if some feeling it cannot be of Misery none suppose that in Heaven then it must be capable of some Joy and Blessedness from the same Purity of Reason the Souls of the wicked must be in some Misery and far Separated from that place of Joy and under some Impressions of Gods wrath though not to the full as it shall when Soul and Body is Re-united as a Malefactor when Apprehended Imprisoned Fettered and put in
of Christs Prisoners have spent the seventh part of their time some the sixth in Prison the word Iashan 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated Rest here in the Text properly signifieth Sleep in many places the word is so used as Psal 3.5 In Ezek. 34.25 we find it metaphorically taken and used to set forth the Rest the Church should have from their Oppressors it 's translated Rest in the Text signifying that as we have Rest in Sleep being then out of all sence of care trouble pain and all manner of distraction so in like manner shall we be in the Grave There are several sorts of Prisoners there are some justly so 1 Tim. 1 9 10. Knowing this that the Law is not made for a Righteous man but for the Lawless and disobedient for the ungodly and sinners for unholy and prophane for Murderers of Fathers and Murtherers of Mothers for Man-Slayers for Whoremongers for them which defile themselves with Mankind for Men-stealers for Lyars for perjured persons and if there be any other thing contrary to Sound Dâ—ctrine Secondly there are Spiritual Prisoners such as are in the Bonds Fetters Iron-Chains and Prison of Sin which Christ hath promised to set free by the Preaching of the Gospel Thirdly there are Prisoners for Christs sake Isa 61.1 hence saith the Apostle Eph. 3.1 For this cause I Paul the Prisoner of the Lord for you Gentiles chap. 4.1 I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord or in the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith you are called Therefore we are not to think strange of a Prison we are not the first depriv'd of Liberty air mercies purchased by the Blood of Christ and no doubt but an account must be given for depriving the Lords Interest of these mercies without just cause should we be hindred of what is our Right by purchase we should think it hard unjust yea unmerciful but we are not alone Joseph was in Prison for as little cause and his feet was hurt with Fetters and his Soul Psal 105.18 as the Hebrew is came into Irons Sampson was made to grind in a Prison Judg. 16.21 and saith Ahab of the good Prophet Micaiah Put this Fellow in Prison 1 Kings 22.27 and feed him with the Bread of Affliction and water of affliction until I come in Peace which indeed never was for a certain man drew a bow at a venture the Original is Jer. 37.16 in his Simplicity and God directed the Arrow for it smote Ahab between the Joynts and Harness or Brest-plate chap. 38.6 which was what the Prophet Prophesied of Good Jeremiah is not without his share for he was put into the Cells or Cabines and let down with Cords into a dark dungeon where was no water but mire wherein the Prophet sunk So John Baptist because he Reproved Herod for Incest Mark 6.22 in Marrying his Brother Philiphs Wife was Beheaded in Prison without any cause assign'd any Witness Judge or Juries Acts 16.23 24. and all for to satisfie the Lust of a vain woman or two So Paul and Silas was put into the Inner Prison and their feet made fast in the stocks Peter was bound in Prison bound with two Chains but Prayer was made by the Church for him chap. 12.6.5 18. which proved his deliverance and the Apostles were put in the Common Prison among the Abjects yea many of the Saints were shut up in Prison probably very close Prisoners they were chap. 26.10 and could not see their nearest Relations shall we think a Prison much when our Lord and Saviour was taken from Prison and from Judgment in whom was no guile found 'T is necessary that we treat a little of Prison-Comforts as well as Prison Confinement Isa 53. how much of the Presence of Christ have they had to inable them to bear the Cross quietly patiently contentedly Jer. 31.18 not like a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoke and though some cannot boast of Raptures and Extasies yet they have cause to bless God for making good that promise to them John 16. ult That as in the world they have Tribulation so in Christ Peace as that good man the last that died in Prison upon a question I asked him on his Death-bed what experience he had of Gospel Peace made this answer My way is plain and Evidences clear but the former on his Death-bed had a sentence which savoured something of a Rapture or Extasie saith he Habak 3.16 The Prophet Habakkuks belly trembled and his lips quivered in the thoughts and hearing of the Approaching Judgments which were coming on the Church of the Jews but saith he my belly trembles and my lips quiver in the thoughts of the Approaching Glory that will be upon the Church of God Though others dare not pretend so much to a being in the Mount of Raptures yet they may bless God for Contentedness in their Condition though limited to one Room which was our Kitchin our Cellar our Lodging-Room our Parlour yet through Grace had as much peace and satisfaction as when we could walk in our houses from one Room to another from thence into the Garden Deut. 33.25 from thence into more open air and go from house to house to visit friends Blessed be God we have bread for the day as the day so our strength hath been God is as good in Prison as out we are content to be where our Father will have us be for that place is best If God will by his Providence open a door for Liberty that is best Phil. 4.11 if God will shut the door that 's best I have learned saith the Apostle Paul in every State to be Contented Beloved it is one thing to Read the Promises another thing to trust upon God by them and experience the truth of them some can say As we have heard so have we seen in the City of our God The Promises God hath made to Prisoners Psal 69.13 the consideration of them are Comfortable God will not despise his Prisoners though men may and do yet God will honour them which honour him the Sighs of the Prisoners shall be heard John 12.26 and God will arise to set him at liberty from him which puffeth at him let men and Devils do their worst Psal 12.5 God will in his own time loose the Prisoners Gods Church of old was in Egypt four hundred and thirty years 't is said they came out the very same day Exod. 12.12 yea the very night according to Gods Determination a night to be observed unto the Lord saith the word We shall none of us stay a night beyond Gods Determination rather than we shall stay longer God will work a Miracle for his Acts 12.5 chap. 16. as of old for Paul and Silas and Peter who made all the Prison doors fly open and every mans Bands were loosed yea God can make our very Prison-Keepers to come to
things Reader I will here adjoyn an Elegy on the Deaths of Mr. Bampfield and Mr. Ralphson which for the Substâ—â—ce of it was first compos'd by a Friend of Mr. Ralphsons design'd on him alone but forasmuch as the preceding Discourse was occasion'd from both their Deaths I have put it into that Order as the whole Elegy may be applicable to both in all Respects First As they were Ministers of Christ Secondly As they were Sufferers for Christ Thirdly As to their Zeal against Anti-Christ Fourthly In Respect of their longing for Sions Welfare and their mourning under Sions Calamities Fifthly In Respect of Soul-seedings and Soul-supportings by all the ways and means they were capable of in their Confin'd Estate An Elegy on the Deaths of Mr. Bampfield and Mr. Ralphson who Dyed Prisoners for Christ in the Press-yard Newgate May not all fear when Heaven denounceth woes Aloud by Signal and by Fatal blows Smiting the Shepherds Calling Guides away That Flocks are left to wander starve and stray Even when the Wolves the Foxes and the Boar Rage for the Prey and harmless Lambs devour Was it for nought that Blustring Sparkling Rays Of strange stupendious Comets did the Eyes Of Earths Inhabitants so long detain In times but lately past who can refrain Considering our Stroaks so great so sad Heightned with Circumstances dark and bad All saying Sure these wonders did Presage Some Future Tragedy to this poor Age It s Progress now makes many People think The following things will make mens Spirits shrink Since many splendid Lights Extinguish'd are As now those Stars those lovely shining Pair These are put out and we Depriv'd of Light And left to stumble in so dark a Night By Tongue I cannot nor by Pen Express My Thoughts of them and their great Worthiness Of their Refined Zeal their Heart Contrite Of their Compassions with a publick Sp'rit Their Liberal Souls were highly to be Priz'd Also their Stedfastness some Magnifies O Zealous ones who in the Gap did stand True wrestling Watchmen to preserve the Land Striving with all the Gospel to promote Whose Trumpet sounds a true and certain Note In Faithfulness they duely warned all As did that Hand by writing on the wall Show Belshazzar his Sacriledge and fall Those Seers are both removed from their Station A signal Loss both to the Church and Nation Leaving now off their Cry'd their Sighs and Groans Petitions Pleadings Tears Complaints and Moans Their sublime Souls in Prison Languishing Groan'd for Relief Cries to their Heavenly King Help Sioâ— Lord her Controversy Plead Remove her Sorrow and increase her Seed How long O Lord when when wilt thou relieve Thy tossed Church when wilt thou Freedom give VVhen men those Seers from Preachings did Restrain Their Meeting-Houses clos'd up did remain Through Watch and Ward then none could entry take They thus depriv'd by Life and Pen did make Apologies and worship true defended Which still doth Preach although their Preaching's ended After that they to Prison both were sent And finding divers Dishes were content To distribute what in their Basket came From their Kings Table and divide the same Gave through the Grate that hungry Souls might share With them partaking of their Prison-fare What double Grief to their Seraphick mind Was it to be Imprison'd and Confin'd And so Restrain'd from serving of their Lord From Publishing and Preaching of his word While many Souls were crying out aloud Starved almost for want of Heavenly Food Of Gospel Springs and Ordinances pure The sadest loss that any can endure Come join and mourn with me O come O come And help me to express now sitting dumb In Melancholy Muteness and in Tears Sob forth our present loss and ground of Fears But stop a little though there 's Cause to weep That those great Seers are both fallen asleep Yet they Transported in Triumphant Fame Rejoicing praise the great JEHOVAHS Name Free from all Cares have now Eternal rest With such Delights as cannot be exprest Let none grudge this praise to their Memory No Pen is fit to write their Elegy Their works are finish'd they have run their race And who 's behind for to supply their place Since those Elijahs Heaven have ascended Convoy'd with Holy Angels who attended Their Souls to Glory since they did defend The Cause of Sion to their very End By Tongue and Pen the Deluge sought to stop And in ascending did their Mantles drop Let all her Children pray yea plead and call For some Elishas to appear who shall Their Mantles take and with a double measure Of Holy Wisdom and Celestial Treasure Supply their place Truth teach and Truth defend And haste the Scarlet Whore to her last end That so all these Terrestrial Kingdoms may Christs Kingdoms be let Sions Children pray For their work 's finished they 're both set free Call'd from a Prison to Felicity To Heavens rich Mansions to Salvations wells To Gods right hand even where all fulness dwells Their Gracious Lord mov'd by their Sighs and Groans Their Grievances their Tears and bitter Moanes Sends speedy Help his Prisoners relieves And calls them thence out of a Den of theives So Graciously Conveys their souls above To full fruition of his Matchless Love Where they enjoy what no man can express Celestial Joy Perpetual Happiness VVith Living Streams Solac'd without Cessation Triumphant Glory Endless Consolation Joyning in Praises Songs and Heavenly Hymns VVith Angels Saints Arch-Angels Seraphims FINIS