The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-wealth,…The reformation of the church to be endeavoured more then that of the common-vvealth,…

7. The oppressions in worship and Religion are far more grievous then those of the outward man; therefore ought Magistrates to ease the godly in these respects, rather then in any other. No doubt to the godly Israelites, Gideon was more welcome, in that he destroyed Altars, then in that he vanquished the Midianites. Conscience is the eye of a man, and any little crumb of dust blown into that is very grievous; This made our godly ancestors, lying under the burdens of Popery, to cry out, like David, for the water of Bethlehem; Who will give us to drink of the pure waters of Gods ordinances? How many have found an hell in their hearts, for communicating with false worship? Our worthy reformers at first, if it had been matter of purse or state, they could have born ⟨p. 11⟩it; but when oppressions were in doctrine and worship, this made them choose reproaches with Christ, rather then the treasures of Rome. It is true, there are men whose consciences are like the Leviathans skin, no spear can enter into them; let there be an Image set in the room of David, any Idols in the place of Christ, they are not much troubled. That is observable in the Jews, though senseless enough under their Idolatry, while they were in outward prosperity, yet being in captivity, how tender are they? Psal. 137.3, 4. In that Psalm many things are observable to our purpose; as first, though they were by the pleasant rivers side, yet they could not but mourn for Jerusalems sake. Again, its observed by Calvin, as a great testimony of their faith and godly zeal, that they carried their harps with them into so strange a land from their own country, as their dearest household stuff, which they would keep, till God restored them to their worship in Jerusalem again. Further, you may take notice of their refusal to sing in a strange land; the public worship of God, and the legal Sacrifices, might not be celebrated in a polluted land. Hereupon, see into what an holy passion the Church breaks out, ver. 6. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy: Here are spiritual and heavenly hearts, that can rejoice more in the restitution of the worship and ordinances of God, then in all their own private advantages:

7. The oppressions in worship and Religion are farre more grievous then those of the outward man; therefore ought Magistrates to ease the godly in these respects, rather then in any other. No doubt to the godly Israelites, Gideon was more welcome, in that he destroyed Altars, then in that he vanquished the Midianites. Conscience is the eye of a man, and any little crumme of dust blown into that is very grievous; This made our godly ancestours, lying under the burdens of Popery, to cry out, like David, for the water of Bethlehem; Who will give us to drinke of the pure waters of Gods ordinances? How many have found an hell in their hearts, for communicating with false worship? Our worthy reformers at first, if it had been matter of purse or state, they could have born