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A09659 A godlie exposition vpon certeine chapters of Nehemiah, written by that worthie byshop and faithfull pastor of the Church of Durham Master James Pilkington. And now newly published. In the latter end, because the author could not finish that treatise of oppression which he had begonne, there is added that for a supplie, which of late was published by Robert Some, D. in Diuinitie Pilkington, James, 1520?-1576.; Foxe, John, 1516-1587.; Some, Robert, 1542-1609. Godlie treatise of the church. In the ende .. a treatise against oppression. 1585 (1585) STC 19929; ESTC S114273 162,441 172

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continue as in the beginning But ynough was said of this matter afore in the 2. Chap. 19. verse This is then the remedie that Dauid vseth in all these griefes fall to prayer commend thy cause vnto the Lord fall not from him for any storme tarie the Lords leisure and plaie the man comforte thy heart looke for the Lords comming and sate vnto him with Dauid haue mercy on vs O Lord haue mercie on vs for we are vtterlie dispised Our soule is full of the sclaunders of these wealthie worldlings dispising of the proud No doubt the Lord wil comfort thee confound thē as our daies haue well declared 4. Harken thou O our God for we are dispised turne their shame vpon their owne head and make them dispised in the land of their captiuitie 5. Couer not their wickednes and let not their sinne be put out of thy sight for they haue prouoked the builders 6. Then we builded the wall and the whole was ioyned togither vnto the halfe hight and the people had a minde to worke AFter that he had described the mockings and threatnings that they had for their bold enterprise in building to discourage driue them from it if they could if it had bene possible he now declareth what remedie and comfort he found by praier at the Lords hand Nehemiah seeing their great daunger turneth him to the Lord the people praying with him and saieth Our God that hast chosen vs onelie though most vnworthie for thy people amongst the whole world and whom onelie we worship and at whom we seeke for help and deliuerance in all our trouble hearken we beseech thee O Lord bow downe thine eare and heare our praiers for thou art a righteous iudge and mightie reuenger of all thy faithful seruants we thy poore people are in a miserable case we looked for aide at our neighbours hands they are our vtter enemies we hoped for comfort of them and they vtterlie dispise mocke and contemne vs but thou art a God that neuer for sakest any that come vnto thee nor castest anie awaie that faithfullie trust in thee heare vs O gratious God and turne their owne shame that they would lay on vs for building thy citie on their owne heades that villany that they would doe to vs let it fall on them-selues If thou let this crueltie scape vnpunished thou shalt be thought negligent and careles of thy people these Samaritanes that be so cruell against vs be straungers in the countrie where they dwel as we were in Babilon they were brought out of their owne countrie and placed here by Ezer-haddon King of Assiria make them O Lord to be dispised in this land of their captiuitie as well as they dispised vs in our miserie O Lord let not their wickednes be hid but make it knowen to all the world and all ages to come how dispitefully they deale with vs for thy sake others will attempt the like if this scape vnpunished Forgiue not their sinnes but euer keepe them in thy remembrance thou shalt not be thought arighteous iudge if thou wincke at such wickednes they hinder not our owne buildings but they prouoke the builders of thy house and Citie They dispise vs because we serue thee They hate vs not for any of our wickednes but for the hatred that they beare to thy house Religion and Citie which they would haue lie wast ouerthrowen and troden downe We grant we haue deserued to be cast awaie from thee if thou deale with vs in iustice and yet after thy fatherlie correction we obedientlie returne and submit our selues vnto thee whereas they contemptuously still rebell against thee and hate vs because we loue thee If they did persecute vs for our owne deserts we wold beare it but to see thy maiestie defaced we cannot abide it they would haue thy Citie to lie vnbuilt that men might speake ill of thee that thou were a weake God not able to defend thy people that call on thy name so mightelie as their Idols do them that know not thee The shame that they would lay on vs shall turne vnto thee O Lord for it is done vnto vs for thy sake and hatred of thee and thy word Auenge thy owne quarell O God and looke not at our owne deserts for though we haue grieuously offended thee yet we repent and they obstinately stand in defence of their owne wickednes O Lord forget not this malicious dealing of them toward vs for thy sake abate their pride assuage their malice and confound their deuises that they intend against vs comfort and encourage thy poore woorkemen builders whom they prouoke to anger and graunt vs that we may by thy aide with good successe finish that which we haue through thy goodnes so well begonne Amen Out of his praier may arise two doubts one whether it be godlie good men may vse the like that he praieth for here that is that the same ill may fall on them that they would doe vnto the Iewes The other that their sinne should not be forgiuen them The Scripture teacheth both to praie for our enemies and to forgiue them and also that God would reuenge their cause him-selfe in his iustice Our sauiour Christ praieth for them that crucified him saiyng Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe S. Steuen likewise But Dauid manie times praieth the contrarie as Let his sorow be turned on his owne head and let his wickednes fall vpon his owne pate Againe let them be confounded and ashamed that seeke for my life and let them be driuen backe and ashamed that seeke to 〈◊〉 me euill These Psalmes and others are full of such like speeches And where some expound such places to be a prophecie and fore-telling ofsuch mischiefes as should fal on them rather then a wishing or praing that they should fall it is not ill that they saie but it maie be doubted whither it be most agreeing to the text but howsoeuer it be this must be most taken heede of that in all such praiers nothing be asked of mallice against the partie which is hard for our froward nature to do but only for the glorie of God which is to be sought in all our doings and praiers which maie be in shewing his iustice In the Lords praier we saie halowed be thy name we desire not God onelie that he would direct both euerie man in his doings to set forth his glorie that his name may be hallowed but also that he would staie confound and take away all hinderers of the same with all their deuices and subtill practises that all stumbling blockes being taken awaie his name may be sanctified in all nations So praied ` Dauid O my God make the counsell of Achitophel to seeme foolish so in the commaundements the affirmatiue is included in the negatiue and the negatiue in the affirmatiue as thou shalt not kill wherein we are not onelie forbidden all crueltie but are
Sacraments sacrifices which thou appointedst vs to keepe in thy Religion and in them to worship the we haue not duelie regarded and kept but cast them awaie and followed the fashions of the heathen people about vs and such as we deuised our selues Our Priestes and Prophets haue taught vs lies and deuises of their owne heades yet haue we beene more readie to heare beleeue and follow them then thy holie will and word declared vnto vs in thy Booke oflife The Ciuill lawes by which thou appointedst thy common wealth to be ruled we haue broken disobeied liuing at our owne luste pleasure Our Iudges Rulers and lawyers haue sought their owne gaine more then Iustice to their people oppressing them wrongfullie There is no goodnesse in no sorte of vs Prince Priest People Iudge Ruler and all sortes from the highest to the lowest we haue all run astraie we denie it not but with many tears greiuous heart we fal before thy throne of mercie earnestlie crauing faithfully beleeuing to find mercie grace and pardon at thy hands With these and such like words he powred out his greife before the Lord. For no doubt he spake much more then is here written but these maie suffice to teach vs the like 8. Remember I besecch thee the word that thou commaundedst Moses thy seruant saying Ye will offend I will scatter you among the heathen 9. And if ye turne vnto mee keepe my commaundements doe them if ye were cast to the vttermost partes of heauen from thence I will gather you and will bring you to the place which I haue chosen to set my name there 10. They are thy seruants and thy people whom thou hast redeemed in thy great powre and with thy mightie hand 11. I beseech thee my Lord I praie thee let thy eare be bent to the praier of thy seruants which desire to feare thy name And giue good successe I praie thee to thy seruant this daie and graunt him mercie in the sight of this man And I was the Kings cupbearer Giue me leaue Lord I beseech thee to speake vnto thee and put thee in remembrance of those things which thou seemest to vs to haue quite forgotten Thou forewarnedst vs by thy faithful seruant Moses that Ifwe offended thee thou wouldst driue vs out of that pleasant countrie which thou gauest vs and scatter vs among the heathen people in all countries yet ifwe would turne vnto thee again and keepe thy commaundements there was no parte vnder heauen so farre of nor none so mightie or cruel against vs but thou wouldst bring vs again and settle vs in that place which thou hadst chosen and appointed vs to call on thy name there The first parte O God we finde too true we haue sinned and thou hast punished vs we haue broken thy lawes and thou hast scattred vs into all countries And if we liued among a people that knew thee or loued thee our banishment and losse of our countrie would be lesse grieuous vnto vs. But alas good God we liue amongst them that hate thee and laugh at vs they worship Gods of their owne making and thinke them to be of greatermight then thou the almightie and euerliuing God art This griefe we can-not digest this is so tedious vnto vs that we cannot be merry vntil thou restore vs. After our long captiuitie by Nebuchad-nezzar in Babilon thou seemedst to remember vs some thing moouedst the good king Cirus to giue licence to as many as would to goe home and build thy temple againe and this was some good token of thy loue and fauour toward vs but yet alas O Lord there be as many yeares or moe past since Cirus began this our deliuerance and y et we liue among the vnbeleeuing Persians a people as cruell and wicked as the Babilonians and the Caldeans were thou chaungest our captiuitie from one Kingdome to another and from countrie to countrie yet we neuer a whit the better We are not brought to thy promised place and holie land our Citie is burned vp and lieth vnhabited the walles are pulled downe and the gates lie open that our enemies may rush in on euerie side spoyle and murther vs at their pleasure By thy good seruant King Darius thou didst build vs a Temple to call vppon thy name in it that was some good hope that thou wouldst fullie deliuer vs from our enemies and mercifullie restore vs to our vndeserued countrie Thou seemest O Lord to haue kept parte of thy promise but yet the greatest parte is behinde Remember O God I beseech thee thy promise and bring vs home againe finish the thing that thou hast so prosperouslie begunne Thy enemies will thinke that eyther thou canst not or wilt not performe thy promise Arise O Lord deliuer vs fully that the world may know that thou art a true god in keeping thy promise Let thy enemies see that there is no people so strong to holde vs nor countrie so far of but thou both canst wilt destroy them that rebel against thee fully deliuer vs and bring vs home againe Pardon my rude boldnes gratious God which so saucily speake vnto thee the griefe of my heart is so great it brusteth out I cannot hold in but talke vnto thee as one doeth to another The faithfull hope that I haue in thee that thou wilt perfourme thy promise fullie maketh me thus boldely to speake yet the greatnes of our miserie and the weaknes of our faith maketh manie to thinke that thou hast forgotten vs. Beare with our weaknes and pardon our impatience The sick man that lieth in great paines looketh for the phisitians comming thinketh he cōmeth but slo wlie when he maketh all the haste he can and when he is come except he giue him some ease quicklie he thinketh that eyther he cannot or will not help him But the wisedome of the phisitian is such that if he should purge or let him blood presentlie it were great daunger or if he should satisfie his phantasie letting him eate and drinke what he list it would increase his paines and therefore he tarieth vntil he see better occasiō giuen so we O Lord lie in great paines and thinke thou tariest long we would gladlie haue our desires fulfilled but thy wisedome seeth the time is not yet come Giue vs patience O God to tary thy leysure or rather a speedifull deliueraunce Our weaknes is such that we cannot but murmure and grudge at our delayes and thinke thou hast forgotten vs. Beare with our foolishnes O Lord which cannot vnderstand the secret wisdome ofthy doings we iudge the according to our owne wits as we thinke good and submit not ourselues to thy wisdome which knowest what time is best and meetest for vs to taste of thy vndeserued goodnes We thinke thou hast forgotten vs is thou speedely satisfie not our desires Arise gratious God and deliuer vs that the world may see that thou remembrest thy promise
of men be infected withall Manie lustie yonkers thinke not them-selues braue inough except they can looke bigge speake stoutlie and picke a quarrell against euerie simple man dealing hardlie with all sorts that they can come by they thinke all is well gotten How common this kinde of dealing hath bene I leaue it to the consideration of others And for that diuers haue fallen to a great sobrietie and liued orderlie since they learned Religion God is to be praised and God encrease the number They be not made Souldiers to doe wrong but to correct them that offer wrong they enter not that trade to liue without law but to bring them in obedience that offend the law They may not thinke the Princes coffers to be at their disposition but must content them-selues with wages and that portion that is alotted to them He that dealeth other waies getteth it vniustlie though he thinketh he dealeth so cunninglie that it cannot be espied yet the righteous Lord wil punish it in this world to his shame if he be not more merciful most greeuouslie in the world to come Thus praier and pollicy ioyned togither make a perfect worke and the one halteth if it want the other Dauid when he fought with Goliah though he refused King Sauls Armour yet he tooke his Sling and stones in his shepheards bagge and calling vppon the Lord ouerthrew that Giant mightelie So shall it be in Gods Church when the ministers and people pray earnestlie the Preachers speake boldlie beat downe sinne mightelie and watch night and day that Sathan by his members creepe not in subtilly disturbe the flocke of Christ. God graunt vs so to watch and praie that the Lords name maie be worthelie praised in vs for so S. Paul teacheth be diligent in prayer watching in it with thankes giuing And S. Luke saith watch pray at al times that ye may scape all the euils which are to come This kinde of fighting against all fierie assaults of Sathan is as necessarie in Gods Church as open warr is against the enemies of the cōmon wealth 10. And Iudas said This gappe was not so soone stopt but there bursteth forth another worsse then that Open enemies can doe litle harme if the other parties within be true amongst them-selues But if the souldiers within the Citie fall at a Mutinie among themselues disobey their captaine discourage their fellowes or worke anie treason drawing parties togither then the daunger within is greater then anie can be without The greatest parte of the tribe of Iuda now waxe faint-hearted drawe backe discourage their fellowes murmure against the Captaines and would gladlie leaue working A perilous practise in such a daungerous time and able to ouerthrow all One coward in an armie breaking the aray running awaie or discouraging the rest maie easelie discomfet the whole armie But here come now a great companie not of the meanest sort but of the Kings tribe of Iuda and they murmure they discourage they disswade and hinder the worke as much as they maie The Israchtes in Egipt when Pharaoh encreased their labour because Moses and Aaron would haue them deliuered they crie out on Moses Aaron for their weldoing When they were come out of Egipt and wanted their fleshpottes they crie out of Moses and Aaron which brought them out and would returne againe into Egipt The spies that were sent afore to bring word what a people and countrie they should come vnto were faint-hearted and discouraged the rest saying the men were great Giants their Cities stronger then they could conquere though the ground was fruitfull and pleasant of it selse Thus Sathan neuer ceaseth to deuise something to ouerthrow Gods building The reasons that Iudas alledgeth were great and able to perswade any man first the workmen were wearie say they their shoulders aked with bearing so manie heauie burthens their strength was gone they were not able to beare anie more Secondlie there was much morter to carie awaie both of the olde rubbish of thebroken walls and also new morter to be brought in for the new building The Hebrew word will serue for both which I had rather follow though some learned applie it onelie to the olde rubbish of the olde walls and some to the new morter to be caried for the new building This troubled Nehemiah more then anie bragges of his enemies abroade For of these he looked for help and of the others none These should haue comforted him and now they discomfort Now he must first pacifie and please the men then he must comfort them and also stirre them vp to their worke lest others should faint and fall awaie as well as they It is an easie matter to begin a good worke but a speciall gift to stand in all stormes and continue to the end The proud Papist at this daie at whose hands no goodnes is to be looked for neyther toward God nor good man doeth not hinder the building of Gods Church and preferring of his gospell so much as these faint-hearted Protestants white liuered Hipocrites double dissemblers and seruers of time When they set them downe and looke into the world what saie they we haue wrought our selues wearie these fiftie yeares and profited litle our showlders ake the more Popish rubbish we carie a waie the more we see remaine behind Our open enemies are so many and so cruell that they wil not let vs worke our friends are so weake that they are not able to help them-selues and vs manie of those that seeme to be friendes are saint hearted waxe colde and deale cunninglie against a new day and a chaunge doe come and 〈◊〉 we shall be left in the bryers So much olde Popish rubbish is left behinde in the Church that it will neuer be caried out so much new good order and discipline is to be brought in that it is hard to tell whether it be a harder matter to carie out the olde dreggs or to bring in new morter to build new walls How manie haue they burned how greedelie doe they gape to be broyling againe S. Peter in the Actes of the Apostles asketh why they would goe about to lay that yoke of Moses Ceremonies on the necke of the disciples which neyther they nor their fathers were able to beare And if that might be trulie said then of those ceremonies which came from God himselfe how much more may it be verified now on those which come from the Pope the father of all superstition The double dealing of wyly wordlings is such that it is to be feared this popish rubbish will neuer be cleane rubbed of For we euer keepe some Romish roume in store to turne our selues on so oft as the world shall turne And this olde Iudas may well be a figure of the latter Iudas that betraied our master Christ and al other such hipocrits which being faint hearted would betraie the building and builders that Gods Citie should not be finished There is great
out so now rather then in the building of the tabernacle by Moses or the first temple by Salomon which both were finished with great quietnesse and when he hath mused on it long he saith that it fared with this outward Temple as it doeth with euerie particular man that is the spirituall Temple of the Lord. when God made man in his innocencie it had bene easie for him to haue stood ifhe had would but after that he fell it was much harder to restore him againe It is harder to repaire an old rotten house then to build a new And to make an old man strong then a young God made Adam with a word easilie and breathed life into him but after that Adam fell what trouble and miserie fel afore he could be restored Christ Iesus must come downe from heauen vnto the earth nay into Hell to pull vs out of hell he must be accused whipped scourged falslie condemned thrust to the heart with a speare die and be buried ascend vnto his father againe open heauen gates which afore our sinnes had locked vp and abide manie moe sorowes afore we could be restored into Gods fauour againe and folow him where he sitteth on the right hand of his father So it is an easie matter to enter into Gods Church by Baptisme but if thou fall after how hard it is to rise againe daylie experience teacheth We mustrepent fast pray giue almes forsake our selues condemne our selues with bitter teares and trembling worke our saluation stand in continual warr against the deuil the world and our owne affection which thingsto do are more common in our mouthes then in our liues and more doe talke of them then practise them God for his mercies sake forgiue vs and amend vs all It fareth so likewise in the outward Church of God in all ages In the beginning Peter conuertedat one sermon 3000. and at another 2000. Paul filled all the countries from Ierusalem to Illiricum with the Gospell The Apostles and their suc cessors conuerted the whole world vnto the Lord in few yeares but how manie ofthese countries where their successors preached haue fallen backe and how litle hope there is oftheir returning againe vnto the faith the Iewes Turkes and Infidels declare whome God hath giuen vp to their owne lusts and though they inhabited the same countries where true Christians dwelt afore yet they haue hardned their harts that they wil not vnderstand nor open their eies to follow the footsteps of them that went afore that they may see the light How hard a thing it is at this day to turne a Papist and speciallie to see one that knew the trueth once ifhe fall to Poperie or other errours to rise againe and beleeue the gospell we haue to manie examples to teach vs. I feare the saying of the Apostle may be verified on them it is vnpossible for them that were once lightned and knew the trueth if they fall away to be renued by repentance The Lord in his mercie stay vs that we fall not from him for it is horrible to fall into the hands of the liuing God in his Anger 22. And 〈◊〉 that time also Now when Nehemiah had thus perswaded the nobles the rulers the people manfully to stand in defence of their city diligently to follow their worke in building of the walls hadset both the souldiers the 〈◊〉 in order aray like a good captaine master of the workes looked diligentlie to ech of them all the day long that they slipt not away from their charge nor loytered at their worke kept the trampet with himselfe as a thing of great importance trust to giue warning if the enemie did approch lest there might some mischiefe fall out in the night he appointeth awatch for the night season also to preuent al practises that might be deuised against thē A good Captaine will so prouide both for day night in peace warre that the enemie who is euer to be feared euen when he pretendeth most quietnes and friendship and when he seemeth to flee retireth ost on a sodaine to see whether there be anie power remaining to hold him out he will forsee I say that the enemie haue no vantage against him but euerie place be well manned and fensed to withstand him He willeth the people therefore that euery man shall watch in the street afore his owne dorewith his seruants that no mischiefe fell out within the Citie where so manie hipocrites and hollow-hearted people and vnwilling folke of all sorts to further this worke did dwell The outward enemie might do much harme but inward treason might ouerthrow all in a short time For the vtter enemie the watch of the wal would be able to withstand him giue warning to the rest for aide and if any practise were within the Citie the watch in the streetes might suppresse it for a time vntill more aide came He had good cause to prouide for this for experience taught him as is written afore that the tribe of Iuda was wearie and discouragedthe people to worke Semeia and Noadia as though they were Prophets sent from God counselled him to take sanctuary and saue him selfe for they sought his life which was not for anie good will but to discourage him from his worke and diuers of the rulers were ioyned in friendship and marriage with Sanballat and Tobias receiued messengers from them and bewrayed his doings to them againe as appeereth hereafter and therefore not knowing whome he might well trust he could doe no lesse but keepe watch and ward day and night on the walles and in the streetes both against the outward and the inward enemie O worthie wise and stout Nehemiah where is one courtier that hath folowed thy footsteps since thou wast borne God for his mercie raise vp some that though not with that fulnes of spirit yet with such courage and measure of grace as shall please him to giue some one may in ielousie of spirit take in hand the repayring of the olde ruinous walls of Gods Church house and Citie that both the outward and inward enemie which haue wrongfully possessed inuaded and wasted the Lords inheritance may be vanquished and suppressed and Gods Children may in quietnes of minde worship and serue the Lord our God as he hath taught vs. After all this watching and warding he is not wearie but we will to our worke againe saith he as soone as the day peepes Who could or would haue taken these paines but he it would haue discouraged anie man but him But Nehemiah knew well that Sathan neuer ceaseth to trouble the Lords flocke and though slothfull Idlenes be meetest for him to worke by yet he forsaketh not the painfull labouring man and will assault him like wise Let euerie man therefore take heede how he standeth and see that he fall not for Sathan refuseth no sort of men to ouerthrow them no time nor place he disdaineth but is glad if he
can deuour the poorest simple sheepe of the Lords if he cannot meete with a better pray The people are worthie no lesse praise then the rulers for they are as readie to obey as the other to commaund and so ioyning to gither in the feare of God brotherlie loue and due obedience to their rulers this worke goeth forward and God blesseth their labour As for me and my breethren Now lest Nehemiah should seeme to busie and impious to commaund all other and to doe nothing himselfe which were a point of oppression or tyrannie as Pharaoh did to the Israelits in Egipt he saith both he his breethren seruants and watch-men tooke as much paines as the worst of them which is the propertie of a good Captaine to doe for they wrought and watched so diligentlie that they put not of their cloathes to sleepe or take rest but onelie when they were foule and must needes be washed O worthie example God graunt vs manie such rulers and Captaines both in Gods Church and common-wealth When the people and souldiers shall see the rulers Captaines take paines as well as they doe it maketh them both ashamed if they draw back and also encourageth them to be with the foremost Iulius Cesar to encourage his souldiers would not take paines himselfe but the rather to stirre them more willinglie to labour he calleth them not souldiers nor commaundeth like a Captaine but gentlie speaketh vnto them calleth them fellowe-Souldiers as though he were no better then one of them So in great workes the chiefe master when it commeth to a dead lift or some daunger like to folow he will lay to his hand him felfe he will climbe he wil lift as busilie as anie of his seruants and say to them now good fellowes spitt on your hands lift once againe and we haue wonne it now play the men and we shall be past the worst streight waie Such examples of the better sort with gentle perswasions in words will make the common sort to refuse no paines be the danger neuer so great Abimelech when he would smother the men that fled into the towre of Sichem and could not get them out he gat first him selfe boughes of greene Trees and bad euery one of his Souldiers doe as they saw him doe When euerie man had loden him self with greene boughes Abimelech goeth first and setteth his boughes on fire the rest of the Souldiers seeing him so bold and forward they set their boughes on fire too and so easilie they killed them that were within with smoke So much can the example of a Captaine or good master doe God graunt manie such foregoers in Gods Church and then the people will follow fast ynough What maketh the people draw back so much at this day but that gentlemen preists goe not afore Want of good example and due correction maketh manie to doe ill without feare of God and man Dauid when he would stirr vp the people earnestlie to serue the Lord and diligentlie to resort to the Tabernacle of prayer saith O come let vs sing vnto the Lord let vs reioice in the strength of our saluation He biddeth them not goe pray and he will goe play but he will be foremost him selfe in praysing the Lord call on them to follow When they were thus to watch and ward night and day to forgoe their pleasures take infinit paines in building this earthlie Citie and walls of Ierusalem it teacheth vs how diligent we ought to be in building the spirituall Ierusalem Christ his deare Spouse and Church by prayer preaching watching fasting and all other Godlie exercises A PRAIER AS thou O Lord of thy infinit and vndeserued goodnesse stirredst vp thy faithfull seruant Nehemiah to pitie the lamentable state of Ierusalem and gauest him such fauour in the sight of King Artaxerxes procuredst licence and liberty great rewards liberalitie to all them that would repaire the broken walles of the Citie mouedst his heart to leaue the wanton pleasures of the Court aud madest him willing to toile at thy worke not onelie prosperedst their doings but defendedst them from their mortal enemies manie and sundrie times being cruellie assaulted both by inward hypocrites and outward force so we beseech thee most mercifull father for thine owne mercies sake looke pitifullie at thy ragged and torne church the contēned spouse of thy deerely beloued son Christ Iesus raise vp some faithful seruants in euerie countrie that may obteyne such fauour in the sight of Chistian Princes that with freedome of conscience and quietnesse of the countrie the Kingdome of thy sonne and our sauiour may be truelie preached obedientlie receiued faithfullie beleeued and diligentlie followed to the ouerthrow of Antechrist and all his members and the endlesse comfort of thy poore afflicted people Confound O gratious God Sanballat Tobias and all their partakers which laugh to scorne the simplicitie of the Gospell and builders of the Church make them to be scorned that the world may see what foolish wickednes it is to rebell against thy holie will and how litle all such shall preuaile in the end Turne awaie all open violence that shall be deuised against vs outwardlie Keepe vs from ciuill warre and sedition inwardlie Confound all wicked counsells and conspiracies of Ahitophell with his fellowes and ouerthrow the subtill practises of Iudas and such hypocrits Encourage the people that they feare not their braggs nor bigge lookes but manfullie may stand in defence of thy trueth and boldlie confesse thee in all dangers knowing thee to be the onelie Lord and giuer of all victorie that none shalbe ashamed nor left succourles that flie vnto thee in their great necessitie Giue vs grace to pray and put our trust in thee as this people haue done afore vs that we may finde the like grace fauour and deliuer aunce that they did Giue vs we most humblie beseech thee O gratious God such guids and Rulers in the common-wealth as will worke with the one hand and fight with the other keepe watch and ward night and day to driue awaie the outward enemie and will defend thy poore sheepe from the Rebellious practises of Sathan among our selues Thurst forth such faithfull preachers for the adauncement of thy glory only which without any worldly respect of profit or pleasure may purely teach thy holy will declared in thy blessed word roote out all errours in doctrine and deformities in life and may by the powre of thy holie spirit bring home all those that be runne astray confirme and strengthen those that doe stand and raise vp those that be fallen that in vnity of minde brotherlie loue and Christian faith we may be liuelie stones in the spirituall building of thy house may acknowledge thee our onelie God and thou of thy accustomed goodnes and free mercy maist take vs to thy children and defend vs as our Lord Teach vs as a Schoolemaster feed vs as a Shepherd make vs partakers of thy glorious