4. In all the means which he hath appointed to bring men to this knowledge of him, and communion with him: In his Ordinances, which are his voice speaking from heaven unto us, according to our estimation whereof, he accounteth himself regarded by us, Luke 10. 16. In his Ministers, to whom he hath committed the word of reconciliation, whom his people have received as Angels of God, Gal. 4. 14, 15. unto whom what respect, or disrespect is showed, Christ looketh on as done unto himself, Mat. 10. 40, 41. And here I cannot but follow the example of our Apostle towards these ⟨p. 31⟩Philippians, Chap. 4. v. 10—14—19. & with joy and thankfulness make mention of the zeal and Christian care of this Honourable City, both to provide a learned and faithful Ministry, and having such to speak comfortably unto them, as Hezekiah did, and to encourage them in the service of the Lord: And this your work of faith, and labour of love, is the more acceptable, in that it hath flourished in these loose times, wherein many unstable and seduced souls have been misled by the profane impulsions of such as bear evil will to the prosperity of our Zion, to load the Ministers of Christ, as the Jews did their Lord before them, with execrations and reproaches. This your zeal hath been famous in all places at home, and I persuade my self in all the Churches of Christ abroad; and I doubt not but it will be a rejoicing and a crown unto you at the appearing of the Lord. And truly your Honour standeth not so much in your spacious City, in your goodly Structures, in your great River, in your numerous ships▪ in your wise Senate, in your full Treasures,1 in your vast Trade, in your ancient Name (for you have been a most famous Emporium upon record, for above fifteen hundred years) all these are but thin and empty Elogies unto that one, Ezek. 44. 35. The name of the City shall be Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. This is, this will be your honour, if you be a City of truth, the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy Mountain, Zach. 8. 3. The Gospel is the riches of a Nation, Rom. 11. 12. obedience and wisdom the renown of a people, Deut. 4. 6.
4. In all the means which he hath appointed to bring men to this knowledge of him, and communion with him: In his Ordinances, which are his voyce speaking from heaven unto us, according to our estimation whereof, he accounteth himself regarded by us, Luke 10. 16. In his Ministers, to whom he hath committed the word of reconciliation, whom his people have received as Angels of God, Gal. 4. 14, 15. unto whom what respect, or disrespect is shewed, Christ looketh on as done unto himself, Mat. 10. 40, 41. And here I cannot but follow the example of our Apostle towards these ⟨p. 31⟩Philippians, Chap. 4. v. 10—14—19. & with joy and thankfulnness make mention of the zeal and Christian care of this Honorable City, both to provide a learned and faithful Ministery, and having such to speak comfortably unto them, as Hezekiah did, and to encourage them in the service of the Lord: And this your work of faith, and labour of love, is the more acceptable, in that it hath flourished in these loose times, wherein many unstable and seduced souls have been misled by the prophane impulsions of such as bear evil will to the prosperity of our Sion, to load the Ministers of Christ, as the Jews did their Lord before them, with execrations and reproaches. This your zeal hath been famous in all places at home, and I perswade my self in all the Churches of Christ abroad; and I doubt not but it will be a rejoycing and a crown unto you at the appearing of the Lord. And truly your Honor standeth not so much in your spacious City, in your goodly Structures, in your great River, in your numerous ships▪ in your wise Senate, in your full Treasures,1 in your vast Trade, in your ancient Name (for you have been a most famous Emporium upon record, for above fifteen hundred years) all these are but thin and empty Elogies unto that one, Ezek. 44. 35. The name of the City shall be Iehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. This is, this will be your honor, if you be a City of truth, the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy Mountain, Zach. 8. 3. The Gospel is the riches of a Nation, Rom. 11. 12. obedience and wisdom the renown of a people,
- 1Londinium—Copiâ negotiatorum▪ & commeatu maximè Celebre. Tacit. annal. lib. 14.
