A discourse of the building, nature, excellency, and government of the house of God…

Alas here's Children, here are great with Young; Here are the Sick and Weak, as well as Strong. Here are the Cedar, Shrub, and bruised Reed; Yea, here are such who wounded are, and bleed. As here are some who in their Grammar be, So here are others in their A B C. Some apt to Teach, and others hard to Learn; Some far off, others can scarce discern That which is set before them in the Glass; Others forgetful are, and so let pass, Or slip out of their mind what they did hear But now,¹ so great our differences appear

1. 11 John 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Ephes. 3.18. Heb. 5.12, 13.

Wherefore our Jacobs must have special care They drive their Flocks, but as their Flocks can bare; For if they be o'er driven, presently They will be Sick, or cast their Young, or dye. The Laws therefore are more and less of force, According as they bring us to the Source, ⟨p. 29⟩Or Head, or Fountain; or are more remote To what at first we should our selves devote. Be we then wise in handling of the Laws, Not making a confused noise like Daws In Chambers, yea let us seek to excel, To each mans profit; this is ruling well. With Fundamentals then let us begin, For they strike at the very root of Sin: So the Foundation being strongly laid, Let us go on, as the wise Builder said. For I don't mean, we should at all disdain Those that are less, we always should maintain That due respect to either which is meet; This is the way to fit at Jesus Feet.¹

Wherefore our Jacobs must have special care They drive their Flocks, but as their Flocks can bare; For if they be o're driven, presently They will be Sick, or cast their Young, or dye. The Laws therefore are more and less of force, According as they bring us to the Source,