_Jer. 18. 1.-10._
Be also intreated to have a continuall and conscientious care not to
impeach the Parliament in the hearts one of another by whispering
complaints, easilier told then tryed or trued. Great bodyes move but
slowely, especially when they move on three leggs and are over-loden
with weighty occasions. They have now sate full six years without
intermission to continue your being, many of their heads are growne gray
with your cares, they are the High Councell of the Kingdome, the great
Gilead of your Balme, the Phisitians of all your sicknesse; if any of
them doe amisse, blame yourselves, you chose them, be wiser hereafter;
you cannot doe the State, your selves, your posterity a more ungratefull
office then to impaire them with disparagements and discoragements who
are so studious to repaire your almost irreparable ruines.
Be likewise beseeched, not to slight good ministers, whom you were wont
to reverence much, they are Gods Embassadours, your Ephods, your
Starres, your Horse-men & Chariots, your Watchmen, & under Christ your
Salvation, I know no deadlier Symptome of a dying People than to
undervalue godly Ministers, whosoever despiseth them shall certainly be
despised of God and men at one time or other.
A most humble heel-piece.
to the
Most Honourable Head-piece
the
Parliament of _England_.
I Might excuse my selfe in Part, with a speech _Lycurgus_ used in the
like exigent of State, _senectute fio audacior, publica necessitate
loquacior_, but it much better becomes mee with all lowlinesse and
uprightnesse, wherein I have failed to pray pardon on both my knees,
which I most humbly and willingly doe; only, before I rise, I crave
leave to present this six-fold Petition.