7. The Lord, blessed for ever, by his prophet _Ieremiah_ Chap. 29.7. gives it in command to the captive Israelites that were dispersed among the heathens, that they should continually pray for, and endeavour the peace, welfare and prosperity of the city wherein they dwelt, and the inhabitants thereof. This the _Iewes_ have alwayes done, and continue to this day in all their Synagogues, with a particular blessing of the Prince or Magistrate, under whose protection they live. And this the Right Honourable my Lord _St. Iohn_ can testifie; who when he was Embassadour to the Lords the States of the united Provinces, was pleased to honour our Synagogue at _Amsterdam_ with his presence, where our nation entertained him with musick, and all expressions of joy and gladnesse, and also pronounced a blessing, not onely upon his honour, then present, but upon the whole Common-wealth of _England_, for that they were a people in league and amity; and because we conceived some hopes that they would manifest towards us, what we ever bare towards them, _viz._ all love and affection. But to return again to our argument, if we are bound to study, endeavour, and sollicite, the good and flourishing estate of the city where we live, and the inhabitants thereof, how shall we then murder their children, who are the greatest good, and the most flourishing blessing that this life doth indulge to them. 8. The children of Israel are naturally mercifull, and full of compassion. This was acknowledged by their enemies, _Kings_ 1.20, 31. when _Benhadad_ King of _Assyria_ was discomfited in the battel, and fled away, he became a petitioner for his life to King _Ahab_, who had conquered him; for he understood that _the Kings of the house of Israel were mercifull Kings_; and his own experience confirmed it, when for a little affection that he pretended in a complement, he obtained again his life and fortunes, from which the event of the warre had disentitled him. And when the _Gibeonites_ made that cruell request to _David_, that seven of _Saul’s_ sons who were innocent, should be delivered unto them, the prophet saies, _now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel_, Sam. 2.21, 2. as if he had said, in this cruelty, the piety of the Israelites is not so much set forth, as the tyranny, and implacable rage of the Gentiles, the _Gibeonites_. Which being so, and experience withall declares it, _viz._ the fidelity which our nation hath inviolably preserved towards their superiours, then most certainly it is wholly incompatible, and inconsistent with the murdering of their children.