" They were not full
four years in building the temple, and finished it in the sixth year of
Darius, Ezra. iv. 24 with vi. 15. Now all the rest of his reign did pass,
and all Xerxes' reign, and much of Artaxerxes Longimanus's reign, before
the walls of Jerusalem were built, for about that work was Nehemiah from
the twentieth year of Artaxerxes to the two and thirtieth year (Neh. v.
14); and if great chronologers be not very far mistaken, the temple was
finished fourscore and three years before the walls of Jerusalem were
finished.(1403)

It is far from my meaning to cool your affection to the laws, liberties,
peace, and safety of the kingdom. I desire only to warm your hearts with
the zeal of reformation, as that which, all along, you must carry on in
the first place.

One thing I cannot but mention: The reverend Assembly of Divines may
lament (as Augustine in another case), _Heu, heu, quam tarde
festino!_--_alas, alas, how slowly do I make speed!_

But since now, by the blessing of God, they are thus far advanced, that
they have found, in the word of God, a pattern for presbyterial government
over many particular congregations; and have found also, from the word,
that ordination is an act belonging to such a presbytery, I beseech you
improve that "whereto we have already attained" (Phil. iii. 16), till
other acts of a presbytery be agreed on afterward. Yourselves know better
than I do, that much people is perishing (Prov. xxix. 18), because there
is no vision: "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few,"
Luke x. 2, Give me leave, therefore, to quicken you to this part of the
work, that, with all diligence and without delay, some presbyteries be
associated and erected (in such places as yourselves in your wisdom shall
judge fittest), with power to ordain ministers with the consent of the
congregations, and after trial of the gifts, soundness and conversation of
the men. In so doing you shall both please God and bring upon yourselves
the blessing of many poor souls that are ready to perish (Job xxix. 13);
and you shall likewise greatly strengthen the hearts and hands of your
brethren in Scotland, joined in covenant and in arms with you. I say
therefore again, "Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with
thee," 1 Chron. xxii. 16; yea, the Lord is with you (Hag. ii. 4, 5)
according to the word that he hath covenanted with you, so his Spirit
remaineth among you: Fear ye not, but "be strong in the Lord,