The prophecy of Haggai, interpreted and applied in sundry sermonsThe prophesie of Haggai, interpreted and applyed in sundry sermons

A great help hereunto might have been the example if it had continued of many, who heretofore out of other places, and lastly out of this have broken the bread of life amongst us. But what shall I complain of the mass of freewill-offerings, when even those that were necessarily appointed, either the morning or the evening offerings are oftentimes wanting, so that often that which should be offered in the Evening, is offered in the Morning, is offered in the morning, as at this present. Howbeit, that the free-will offerings so long continued should be intermitted the next year after God had delivered us from the Spaniard, I cannot but lament, when such offerings should rather be increased to the glory of God, and testimony of our thankfulness for so wonderful a deliverance.

A great helpe hereunto might have beene the example if it had continued of many, who heretofore out of other places, and lastly out of this have broken the bread of life amongst us. But what shall I complain of the masse of freewill-offerings, when even those that were necessarily appointed, either the morning or the evening offerings are oftentimes wanting, so that often that which should be offered in the Evening, is offered in the Morning, is offered in the morning, as at this present. Howbeit, that the free-will offrings so long continued should be intermitted the next year after God had delivered us from the Spaniard, I cannot but lament, when such offrings should rather be encreased to the glory of God, and testimony of our thankefulnesse for so wonderfull a deliverance.

The fault hereof I cannot lay on them that before took pains herein, or on the chief Magistrate, for that of them many are otherwise employed. And the Magistrate I think was ignorant, that it hath been the use for them in that place to solicit others, for this thing was at the beginning of the entrance into his office. But I beseech you that are the Lords remembrancers, that you would use all means to procure that these free-will offerings may be continued again. When there had been long want of rain in Israel, Elijah promised Ahab, at length, that there should be rain, and going to the top of a mountain sent his servant to look, who at the first saw nothing, and he still sent him down till at the 7 time, when at length he saw a little cloud arising like a hand at the first, whereof afterwards ensued great rain: It may be you shall not have your desire at the first, nor at the second time, yet I beseech you not to omit this thing for at length, doubt not after seven times you shall see, though it be not a cloud, whereof may ensue great store of rain. A cause of the intermitting hereof may be the dislike which by some division amongst us by preaching might be bred, because that all of us are not of one mind. For though all agree that the foundations and walls of the building of the Lords Temple be laid, and raised amongst us, yea some think the covering of the same is not so good as it ought to be: others are of opinion that it is good and sufficient, some think that there wanteth a fence about it for the keeping out of beasts, as we read Nehemiah required him