University of Virginia Library

Here, I have time to meditate upon,
What, I my self, and other men have done,
Occasioning my suffering, at this time,
And, in relation to what's thought my Crime:
Lest, therefore, I may him offend who gave it,
I will improve this Leisure, whilst I have it;
For, when my Musings, are exprest in words,
The better means to Scan them it affords;
And to declare, what I shall now expresse,
I may hereafter, want both Time, and Place;
Or, being dead, before my Tryal-day,
My false Accusors, to my charge may lay,
What they shall please; and none be certain, why
I was committed in this Jayl to die.
GOD give me strength, to finish this; and than,
Let all my foes, do, and say, what they can.

I am not only question'd, for a thing,
Presum'd misdone, but also, for the Spring
Whence 'tis deriv'd; and pleas'd some are, to say
That rending of my whole Estate away,
Had me provok'd unto an angry-fit,
Which was the Cause, of what I lately writ;
And, that I had a scurrulous intent.
To cast asspertions on the Parliament.
To make it so appear, depriv'd I am,
Of what best proves, that, I deserve no blame.
My last Conception, (which, before to Light
It could be brought, was snatcht out of my sight)
May forced be to speak, what I ne'r thought,
Or, else, be smother'd, as a birth worth nought:
Or, (that an ill intention may appear)
Some Verses may be pickt out here and there,
(Without those Qualifyings, which precede,
Or follow, to illustrate what they read)
Whereby, some Inferences may be made,
That, on Good-manners, I, intrenched had,
In summing up, and personating that
Which I have heard, the Common-voice relate:
Thus much to be intended doth appear,
By what, I do already see and hear.
Which falsehood, if, but barely I deny
I shall in words alone, retort the Lie;
And, Reason may be born down by the noises,
Arising from plurallity of Voices,
Yeld forth by them, who shall intrude to do,
That, which nor GOD, nor Good-men calls them to.
I, therefore, will produce a Vindication,
That may be justifi'd by demonstration;
Or, by such Reasons as will do me right;
Unlesse they shall be kept from open sight,
Or clipt; or, I not suffered be to say
That, which to clear, my self produce I may:
And, if so; by the consciences of them
I shall be quit, whose words will me cendemn.

My Cause, may for the present, injur'd be;
But, all the World can do no harm to me.
Though that which is without me, wrong'd hath been
And may be still, all shall be safe within,
So long as GOD, assisteth me, by whom
I, with this confidence, am arm'd become;
And peradventure, they who think to spoil,
This confidence, may give themselves the foile.

Their scandal, in the first place, Ile assay,
To wipe off, who suppose my losses may
Provoke me, or, that my oppressions had
Prevail'd, to make me grow a little mad;
But, they mistaken are in that surmise;
For, to the world-ward, I am not so wise,
To be by them distempred, in a mood
Like those, who trust in Riches more than GOD;
And, by what I am like to undergoe,
It will be proved, whether it be so.

I am not so in love, as men conceive,
With that, whereof the World can me bereave,
As to ingage, for such poor Interests,
My quiet in this life, by those contests
Which I adventure on, if I saw nought,
That much more worth such hazards, I had thought:
And, this mind, if my Actions did not shew,
In former times, those will that shall ensue,
When, more undoubtedly those things appear,
Which of my Writings, the chief motives were.
And will shew whether, I did ought intend
To drive on an ignoble, or self-end.
It may he known, by what was heretofore
Divulg'd, that, nothing now befalls me more
Then I expected; That, I did foresee
What lately seiz'd on other men and me:
That, having been here, in the Worlds great School
So long a time, I was nor so much Fool,
As not to know, how, Friends, and means to make
In seasonable time to save my stake
And mend my Game; if I unto that end
Had play'd it, which most other men intend;
Or, if I thought those men, who look on me
With most contempt, were better then they be.
I knew as well as any, how to Fawn,
And flatter; what to give, and what to Pawn
For my advantage, if I could have thought
That, worth my seeking, for which most men sought.
But though I find it an imperfect Light
Whereby at first, I walk'd, it gave me sight
Of much more then the World believ'd, I saw,
And, kept me of mine own heart so in awe,
That, notwithstanding I did for a season
Oft stagger to and fro, 'twixt Faith and Reason,
(And stumbled otherwhile, into those things
Which Ruine, unless Grace prevention brings)
I, in the main, pursu'd a Good Design;
(Not, I confess, by any power of mine)
And by some Symptoms, at the last, perceiv'd,
That, till of my Estate, I was bereav'd,
My work, would neither well be carryed on
(When that time came, wherein it should be done)
Nor, take so good effect, as it would then,
Upon my Self, or upon other men.
For, which cause, when I saw it must be so,
Without reluctancy, I, let all go,
And without nourishing a secret spleen
Against their persons, who my foes have been.
This, future things, much better will display
Then all which at this present, I can say;
As also, that, they who from me of late,
Have torn unmercifully, my Estate;
By far worse motives thereunto were led,
Then those, which me inclin'd to what I did.
Loss to prevent, or to regain what's lost,
I did adventure no more pains or cost,
Then Reason warranted, and obligations
Which bound me to have care of my Relations;
Or might, then, by pursuing of that course
Assure me, how much better'd, or grown worse
Men, by those Judgements and those Mercies were,
Which GOD, had variously dispensed here;
And, having thereby learned what GOd meant
I, with my losses was as well content
As is a Christian when by Turks pursu'd
(Who overpower him by their multitude)
He wracks his Vessell on a friendly shore,
Where, he hath Life and Freedom, though no more.

Why, should I angry be to see that gone
Which if I had not lost, had me undone?
Which also, will undo them, who now have it,
And (if good heed he take not) him that gave it?
Or, which will be restor'd again to me,
If, for GOD's Glory, and my good it be?
Why, should I be displeas'd to be bereft
Of that, whose loss hath an assurance left
Of better things? Of that, which, whilst possest,
Increast my troubles, and disturb'd my rest?
Of that, which I must shortly leave (though mine)
And, know not (when the same I must resign)
Whether, it to their Weal or Woe, shall tend,
To whom, when I am dead, it will descend?

These things considered, all wise men know
That, nor these, nor my former Musings flow
From discontentments, or from wrath that springs
From loss of inconsiderable things:
And Wisemens, good esteems, if keep I may,
A rush I care not, what fools think or say,
On whom, the less impression it will make,
The more I rationally write, or speak.

But, that, whereby most blame to me may come,
(And, which will probably be charged home)
Is an Impeachment for a hainous thing
That some are pleas'd to call a Lybelling
Against the COMMONS; which, if proved true
Ile ask no favour: For, I think none due;
And, if it be an unjust imputation
I for my sufferings claim a Reparation,
Expecting (which ought not to be refus'd)
That, what is call'd a Lybel be produc'd
To open view, and sight of ev'ry one
Who may concerned be, in what is done:
And, that, none may usurp a Priviledge
Thereon to passe a Sentence as my Judge,
Who shall not read, or hear the same throughout:
For, Solomon hath freed it so from doubt
That, to averr, I shall not be a fear'd,
He, that doth Censure what he never heard,
Deserveth shame; And I shall rather laugh
And Jeer thereat, then either grieve or chafe;
Because, (at worst) I, then a Doome shall have,
Much like as if, a Fool had call'd me Knave.
If left to Publick view, my Poem be,
And finisht as intended was by me
No worse construction, thereof can be made
Then this, that, I have call'd a Spade a Spade;
And, means devis'd, whereby men may appear
Unto themselves, what others know they are.

By fained speakers, I have onely said
What was to me by Common-fame convey'd
And murmur'd in most places, to worse ends
Then that, wheteto my harmless Poem tends:
And, if I may presume the Truth to tell
I am rewarded ill, for doing well:
For, thereby, I not onely turn'd aside
That general reproach which was apply'd
To all the House of Commons, and, alone
To them confin'd it, who brought blame thereon;
But, likewise, without personally blaming
(Or marking any forth) to their defaming,
Have sought to bring it to their Cognisance,
Who might thereby, the Publick weal advance;
And, who, if it prov'd worthy Approbation
Might useful make it for the Reformation
Of that, which else, will have a Consequence
More hurtful, then my Innocent-Offence,
For, though by publication, I had done
What might have seem'd a fault; (and now is none)
The Generality but little more
Had thereby known, then what most knew before,
When to worse ends, and more apparant wrongs
'Twas tost, upon the Rackets of mens Tongues;
Who, so dissatisfied seem to be
By what, they lately feel, and hear and see,
That very frequently they are offended
Ev'n with what for their welfare, seems intended;
Because, they having often been deceiv'd
Suspect, some future mischiefs then contriv'd:
Yea, then, are things, when plausibly projected,
The lesse believed, and the more suspected;
Not by those onely, who now called are
Phanaticks, but, by those likewise that were
Distinguish'd by the name of Cavalier;
Yea, and our Jacks indifferent, do begin
To be more Talkative then they have been,
Because, they find themselves in danger (whether
They are of this, or that side, or of neither)
So long, as things which Reason order might,
Shall passe by number onely, without weight.

To intimate, that, Parliaments had been
Disturb'd, by some of those, who were brought in
A surrepticious way; and, that by them
The People were abus'd, is no great crime;
Nor is affirming, that they were deceiv'd
Unfitting to be spoken, or believ'd,
When generally avow'd; nor to averr
A Parliament in grosse, may sometimes err,
Since, neither to be wise, or Innocent,
Is, an inseperable Accident
Of Parliaments; as hath apparant been,
By that, which we in our own dayes have seen:
For, that, they may with Treason, and with Murther,
Be charged, we shall need to look no further
Then, unto those Transactions which have past,
Both in this Parliament, and in the last.

What have I then misdone in making known
How foolish, mad, or wicked some were grown?
How much opprest men are; how griev'd; and how
Exasperated, more and more, they grow?
What fault commit I, when I hear men say
What's done, and what I see done every day,
If I declare (sedition to prevent)
That I perceive most men are discontent,
And froward? since I neither made them such,
Nor, therein am concerned half so much
As other men? nor did intend a course
Thereby, to make what's evil, to be worse?
And, since, by that, which lately written was
By me, no mischief can be brought to passe,
Unless, by accident befall it may,
As when Heat melteth Wax, and hardens Clay.

It seems hard usage (therefore) to be thrown
Into a Jail; of all that was mine own,
In my old Age dispoil'd; shut up alone,
Where, sick or well (attended on by none)
I must in longest nights the hazzards take
Of what may happen, sleeping or awake;
Not impudent enough, to beg or borrow,
Nor having certainty of bread, to morrow,
If Charity should fail: which, is a case
Much worse, then oft befalleth in this place,
To Thieves and Murtherers: yet, this is not
Here mention'd as repining at my Lot;
For, whereas I am onely lodged there,
Where Murtherers and Thieves confined are,
The Son of GOD, who for my Ransome dy'd
Was twixt a Thief and Murth'rer crucifi'd:
And, in my present suff'rings I am eas'd,
By being well assur'd, that GOD is pleas'd
With what befals; and that I shall at last
Be fill'd with sweetness, by what had a taste
Of Bitterness at first; and, that to them
Who, me and my endeavour now contemn,
Things may hereafter profitable be,
Which are at present, mischievous to me.
Despised Instruments will be of use
To bring to mind, that which will help reduce
Confusion into order, when apply'd
By Meekness, and not spurned at by Pride;
And, things which by the world, as much were Jeer'd
As Josuah's Rams-horns, when he first appear'd
Surrounding Jericho, will bring about
As great a Miracle, as then was wrought;
Though no Examples, yet, nor good advice,
Nor private Admonitions make those wise,
Who have not Eyes to see, what they behold
Nor Ears, to hear a Truth, when it is told.

The hour is not yet come, which I expect
May probably give this a good effect.
But, there are times wherein that will content
For which, we shall at other times be shent.
My Poem, stiled OPOBALSAMUM,
(Though) more offensive, then my last, to some)
The Commons (named the Long Parliament)
Did winck at, without show of discontent:
Yea, though in plain terms, I made bold to tell
Wherein, their faulty-members did not well.
I, then (as in the last) had so divided
The Goats from Sheep; and had so well provided
To save their honour, who least guilty were
That (though when first, that Poem, did appear,
I was to them a Prisoner, for telling
What some of them to hear of, were unwilling)
They me inlarged, and vouchsaf'd me more
Respect in show, then e're they did before.
For, prudently observing, that the shame
Which they in chief deserv'd, who were to blame,
Was upon all, without distinction flung,
(Till, unto those to whom it did belong,
I had confin'd it) not one word was spoken
To me, which their displeasure might betoken;
And, some good use was made, (though I confess
Not very much) of what I did express:
And, when, by time, that out of mind was wore,
I, had as little favour as before.
And, so I have had also, ever since;
For, still, some at my writings took offence,
And more my wrongs, by one foe, one day, were
Then all my Friends, could right in twenty year.

I may have hope, the Commons before whom
I must be try'd, as prudent will become.
The Priviledge of WATERFORD affords,
The Freedom of explaining their own words
To all her Citizens. If my words are
Allow'd but that Sense onely, which they bear
Grammatically, I no more desire,
So that my Poem be preserv'd intire,
And perfected with my last thoughts thereon
According to my mind when 'twas begun.
For, no great credit gain thereby they shall
Who weigh a matter, till they hear it all,
And, they will much bewray their ignorances,
Who heed not Causes, with their Circumstances.

There was before my Book, an Epigram
Whereby, I wholly Vindicated am
From that which is pretended; and, I hear
That will not be permitted to appear.
If so, I find it, there is mischief meant
Which I shall find a Medium to prevent,
Unless there be, in some an impudence
Much more deserving blame then my offence.
That Epigram did evidently shew
My Book designed for the private view
Of Clarendon, (suppos'd so wise and just,
That, him, the King is pleased to intrust
Ev'n with his Conscience) to receive his Doom
Before, that forth in Publick it should come:
Because, that, I was hopeful it might bring
By means of him, some notions to the King
Whereof his Wisdom, would have made some use
To further, what shall to his Weal conduce;
And, if that Epigram concealed be
It both dishonours him, and injures me.
For, lyable it makes him, to suspect
That, me, in Ill designs, he doth protect;
The wrong to me is without precedent,
For, e're I had expressed what I meant
With my imperfect Poem, I was seiz'd;
Accus'd of whatsoever others pleas'd,
And here, unto an ignominious Jail
Committed am unheard, and without Bail.

I hope for better usage, when the Ring
Of suff'rings I have trod, till me it bring
Before my Judges: (for what e're is thought)
Their honour, I have not infring'd in ought.
Their charge, against me, I, yet no not how
May honestly be prov'd; but, this I know,
The House of Commons may much honour get
By well approving that which I have writ
(Considering, I therein have appeal'd,
To GOD, and men) if, it be not conceal'd.
From open view, and mulcts upon me laid
For mentioning in private, what was said,
In publick by the People; who, thereby
And, therein, are concern'd as much as I;
Because, my purpose, in that Poem, tends
To common good, without sinister ends.
And, if we to our selves, may not relate,
Our thoughts in words, and them Communicate
To Peers intrusted by the Supream Power,
(For Preservarion of their peace and our)
We are in danger, shortly, to become
The veriest slaves throughout all Christendom.

But, (as I said in that which was surpriz'd)
The Prudent Commons, will be so advis'd
When they with seriousness, have that perused
Whereby, they are suppos'd by me abused,
That, finding none reproved save onely those,
Who them in their debatings did oppose;
And, that they likewise (after next October,
Who were half mad in June) grown wise and sober
Will mend their former manners, and become
As helpful, as they have been troublesome;
Both Parties then, will, peradventure be
Thenceforth, as fully, reconcil'd to me
As I to all men am; and, what was not
Ill-meant, shall be well taken, or forgot.
If it be so; It will a Symptome prove
Of an abatement, if not of remove,
Of some oppressions, to prepare the way
For what's reserv'd, untill another day.

But, to what end is this Apologie?
Not meerly, from this place wherein I lie,
To free my Person; or, from that, which may
To me befall upon my Tryal-day.
No; those effects, must from an abler spirit
Proceed: All I can say, or do, or merit,
To add a contribution thereunto,
So, little, will to such a purpose do,
That, rather, more provoke my Foes, I shall
And deeper, into their displeasure fall:
For, 'tis not pleading in the fittest Season
A Righteous Cause, with Arguments of Reason;
Nor is it our well-doing; or our saying
The Truth; nor Preaching; nor unto them, Praying;
Nor our long-suff'rings; nor (when past they are)
Good services to them, how great so er'e,
That so much moves, as Flattery, making Friends,
Large Gifts, and serving of their present ends.

I, therefore, have but an occasion took
Thereby, to mention somewhat, yet unspoke
A Nobler Cause concerning then mine own,
(And whereon, Words will better be bestown)
Wholly to GOD committing the success
Make that, the chief aim of what I express.
For, hearing what is done, (by common Fame)
And partly knowing, that, oblig'd I am
Not by my Nat'ral faculties alone,
On me conferred for that end, (or none)
But, also, by my Christianity,
(And, not a little, by a Moral-Tie)
To speak, and write, and do the best I may,
To bring them who are out, into their way;
And, Ile express, what e're to that effect
I do believe may tend; without respect
To Persons of a high or low degree;
Or, any Powers on Earth, who e're they be.

Councills and Parliaments, and Soveraign Kings,
I do acknowledge to be Sacred things,
Whose Reputation, whilst (at least) they are
In being, ought with conscientious care
To be preserv'd; because on them depends,
That, which to publick woe or welfare tends.
Yet, He, from whom all Powers their Being had,
And they, for whose sakes onely they were made
Ought so to be preferr'd, that, nought be wav'd
Whereby their dues, and honours, may be sav'd.

We have oft seen and felt, in our own times,
That, they of such Confusions, and such Crimes
Hath been the cause at least of letting in
Much more destructive Plagues, then all the Sin
Of Privare Persons; and, that which we know
Was heretofore, may be hereafter so.
Yea, may and will, in every Age grow worse
Unless there be provision of some course
To regulate them; and, a free concession
(To Persons qualified with discretion)
To mind them of their duties, who have dar'd
When they to Publick places were prefer'd,
Imploy those Priviledges as their own
Which were for Publick services bestown;
And, often do abuse them, to the wrong
Of them, to whom of right, they do belong.

'Tis now high time, that Earthly Kings & Judges,
Should wiser grow; and use their Peiviledges,
To better purposes then heretofore:
For, his great Kingdom, now is at the door,
Which will destroy those Empires that begun
In NIMROD, and through various forms did run
Until the Tyrannies, beginning than
Shall have an end in that Misterious-man,
Who, by the Dragon, Scarlet-Whore and BEAST,
(Though mystically) truly are exprest.
Then, shall those Tyrannies, and Usurpations
Whereby he, long time, hath opprest the Nations,
And therewith, every Branch that sprung therefrom,
Unto an everlasting Ruine come;
Though some of them are seemingly Besainted,
And with fair shewes of Holiness Bepainted.
For, I believe (although it doth appear
To few men, yet) Divine Records declare
Aswell the Term of NIMROD'S Emperies
As of Mysterious Babels Tyrannies,
Whose time, Six hundred sixty six is known
To number out: and, which must be ov'rthrown
With that, from whence it sprung, when ripe 'tis grown.
That, to be All in all, GOD, may be known.
And (as I've oft inferr'd) they, who belong
To that new Empire, which will then grow strong,
Shall no way need their Persons, to ingage
By violent Actings; but, to bear the rage
Of their opposers with a patient heart;
For, suff'ring onely, will be their chief part.
And, he who in the Assyrian hoast did smite
Fourscore five thousand Persons, in one night,
Shall by the Pow'r and vertue of his Word
Perform that work, without thier hand or sword.

The CUP of Fornication, so bewitches
With love of Pleasures, Honours, and of Riches
The great men of the Earth, that, they think none
Are sober men, unless they dote upon
Those Vanities, and prosecute those Ends
To which, their Policy and Power tends,
Until they grow as mad or drunk as they;
And, then perhaps, for wise men, pass they may.
As David sayes, They will not Understand;
They will not heed what GOD hath now in hand;
But, obstinately still adhere to those
Who, tempt them on, unto their ov'rthrowes,
Till Ruine comes: For, they are not aware
How cheated by those Mountebanks they are;
Nor how those Parasites increase their store,
Ev'n to excess, by making of them poor:
Nor heed they, how, these cause them to destroy
Those men, by whom they safety might enjoy
With Love and Honour, if they did not lend
Their Ears to those, who no Good-men befren'd.

They shut their Eyes, and therefore cannot see
Into what dangers they approaching be;
And, those as much they hate who cross their will
To save them, as if they did come to kill.
That, which they call, the Reason of the State,
Too far insisted on, is often that
Which proves the bane of Kingdoms; & yet still
Either false Prophets, Priests, or their self-will
Therewith besots them; though they have bin told,
What thereon hath ensu'd in times of old
When, Princes, GOD's directions had despis'd;
And acted that, which their own hearts devis'd
Although they by experiments had seen,
What, of their Policies, the fruits have been.

These were of old examples: Saul, thereby
Deprived was of Life and Soveraignty.
King Solomon, by something like that Knack
(To please his Wives) in honour suff'red Wrack.
So, Jeroboam, though, GOd promis'd him,
And to his seed, a lasting Diadem,
By that State-policy, whereby he sought
To keep the Throne, the loss thereof was wrought.
Jehu, regardless of GOD's promises
The same course following, had the like success.
High places, Altars, Groves, and Priests of Baal
Were chief occasions of King Ahabs fall,
The bringing of the Gods of Edom home,
In hope that they a strengthning might become
Unto his Kingdom, was the overthrow
Of Amaziah, and of many moe.
State-Policy, made Judah's King contemn
The Prophets Counsel, when Jerusalem
Was first destroyed, and the Jews inslaved
Who, might then, from that Bondage have been saved;
And, they who truly sought their preservation
Reputed were (as now) Foes to their Nation,
Disloyal to their King, seiz'd as supitious,
And punished as Factious or Seditious.
State-Policy, caus'd breaking of that Oath
For which GOD was with Zedekiah wroth,
And punished in such a Signal wise
That he lost both his Kingdom and his Eyes:
And, Politick enlarging of Possessions
Or Power, by loading Nations with Oppressions,
To further State-Designs (until it wracks
Their Loyalties, and then their patience cracks)
Hath been, and will be, in all times, and Nations,
The cause of Wars, Rebellions, desolations
And changing Governments: But, now ere long
When human Policy, hath made most strong,
The MISTRIS of Terrestrial Potentates,
By Counsel, Strength, and by Confederates,
Combin'd as they intend (and when their might
Hath raised Expectation to the height)
Then, She, and They, shall be unto each other
A mutual Plague, and be destroy'd together,
With ev'ry Person, Family, and Nation,
Which is a Member of that Corporation:
And then, those PEDLERS who are now so jolly,
Shall, packing up the Tokens of their folly
Run to seek out where they their heads may hide,
From that, whereby, they shall be terrifi'd.
Let him, that hath an ear to hear this, hear it;
Let proud men tremble; Let the mighty fear it;
And let the Meek rejoyce; For, GOD will turn
Their Sorrows into Gladness, who now Mourn.

It is not only, now, of much behoof,
But, necessary too, that sharp Reproof
Advice and Admonition, should be given
To all Estates and Princes under Heaven,
Yea, and particularly be apply'd
By some, and in some cases, when aside
They from the way of safety, stray so far
That, to apparant danger, nigh they are;
(How ere they take it, or what ever shall
Thereby, to their Premoniters befall)
Because, by States, if wickedly inclin'd,
The greatest Plagues do fall upon mankind.

This made Elia's to become so bold
When Ahab, of his wickedness he told
Unto his face; and when, to like intent,
A Writing, he to King Jehoram sent.
This, to reprove King Asa, without dread,
The SEER Hanani encouraged.
This, made the Prophet Samuel so to School
King Saul, that in effect, he call'd him Fool;
And, John the Baptist, speak as plainly too,
Of Herod, as now they term'd Quakers do
To some with us: This, also, did induce
King David, who observed the abuse
Of Courts and Councils, to cry out on them
To this effect; how long! will ye condemn
The poor and Innocent? how long! oppress
The man, afflicted, and the Fatherless?
How long? will ye unrighteously neglect
The cause that's just, for personal respect?
Do Justice, and vouchsafe compassion more
Hereafter, then ye have done heretofore;
For, (if it be not) to you, be it known
You walk in darkness; you have overthrown
The worlds Foundations; wilfully inforce,
All things to move out of their proper course;
And, that, though GOD himself hath call'd you Gods
A difference making (with no little odds)
Twixt you and common men, yet, die you shall
Like them; yea, die such Death's, as did befall
To wicked Princes, who, unto their place
Went down, with greatest horror and disgrace.

Although such rough Reproofs on silken Ears
Grate harshly, and are thought by Flatterers
To sound like Blasphemy: This in old times
The Language was, in which great Princes crimes
Rebuked were; This was the usual mode,
Till slavish men, fear'd mortals more then GOD.
Thus, David spake unto the Congregations
Of mighty men; Thus, through all Generations
To them should Truth be told, as need requir'd,
By those who, to that purpose are inspir'd:
Republicks, Kings, and Councils, Objects are
Of such Reproofs, and so reproved were,
And, how inrag'd soever they are grown
GOD, will be King; his pleasure hee'l make known
By whom soever he pleases, that their crimes
May now, as well as in preceding times
Reproved be; For, States and private men
Are every whit as guilty, now, as then.
The same at this time, or, the like Omissions,
The like Exorbitances, and Oppressions
In this our Generation may be found;
And more and more, are likely to abound
If not prevented: for, the things we should:
We neither do, nor suffer those who would,
And, if we can but force men to professe
As we do, though against their Consciences,
We think we have secur'd them to our side;
Whereas, when such mens Truths come to be try'd,
Who are for fear, or for advantage won
To act what is against their Conscience done,
(They, being both to GOD, and Men unjust)
In them, there's of all other, the least trust:
For, how long? or to whom? or unto what
Will they be true, who Conscience violate?
Doubtless, without a speedy Reformation,
It wholly, will corrupt this Generation,
Fit us for nothing, but, for what is Evil,
And, to be serviceable to the Devil.

As therefore 'tis unfit that ev'ry one
Should States, reprove, 'tis as unfit that none
Perform that Work, and brutish, to conceive
That, GOD, the Worlds last and worst Age, should leave
Without Premonitors; or, that the dayes
Most wicked grown, requir'd not stranger wayes
Of Admonition, then have been in use
When, of GOD's Grace there was much less abuse:
For, Providence, that nothing doth omit
Which, either Work or Season, may befit,
(Although, but little heed thereof be took)
Hath lately, to this Generation spoke
By many Prodigies: Each Element
Hath very plainly Preached GOD's intent:
Yea, many Dispensations, which to us
Seem to be wicked, or ridiculous,
Have somewhat in them, which relates unto
That, which we have done, or else ought to do,
Or have Omitted; or else to be Signs
Of that, whereto this later Age declines:
And, that such things as those, in these last Ages
Should be, we have Authentical Presages.

But, Visions, Revelations, Prophesies
Or such like, now, the common-voice decries
As at an end: which I, confesse, is true
As they concern revealing Doctrines new
To saving Faith relating: yet, of that,
Which may concern the Temporarie State
Of CHRIST'S Church Militant, or his Elect
In Actings or in Suff'rings to direct;
Or, of unfolding Prophesies to them,
Which were seal'd up, till an appointed time,
GOD, hath vouchsaf'd in season, Revelations
As need required in all Generations,
By whom he pleas'd; and frequently, by such
As, by the world, were not esteemed much.

Some think, that nothing meriteth regard
Save what by Ancient Prophets, was declar'd,
Who were immediately inspir'd from Heaven,
By special Warrant and Commission given.
Be not deceiv'd; the same Commission, still,
Is extant with us, under hand and Seal,
In Execution to be put, by all
Whom, for time being, GOD shall please to call
To be his Prophets; who, aswell may now
As heretofore, be called from the Plow,
From Herds, Fruitgathering, Fishing, from a Trade
Which, in the World small reputation had,
Or (as when Christianity began)
From being an extorting Pablican;
This, may believed be; for, what is else
The meaning of that Scripture which foretells
Their Sons and Daughters in the later times,
Should Prophesie? That, old men should have Dreams,
And young men Visions? Mind too (if forgot
It be) and know it, if you know it not,
That every one, who hath an Interest
In CHRIST, is now, King, Prophet and a Priest,
(Anointed, at renewing of his Birth,
To do him services here upon Earth;
And stands oblig'd, as he occasion sees
To execute all these three Offices
According to the measure of GOD's Grace
Bestown, and in his proper Time and Place;
And, these impower'd by his Commissions are
To Parliaments, and Councils to declare
(At least in general terms) what may prevent
Dishonouring God, or common Detriment;
And be Remembrancers, of such like things,
As need requires, unto the greatest Kings.

Kings, also, should have still attending them
Such SEERS, as to David in old time
The Prophet Nathan was. But, in the stead
Of such, Baffoons, or Jesters do succced,
In Princes Courts; by whom, they sometimes are
Inform'd of useless truths, by way of Jeer;
And, other while, perhaps, a formallist,
So far as it with Courtship may consist,
Will mind them of such duties as they see
By them perform'd; but, such as wholly be
Neglected, and by whose neglect they may
Be quite destroy'd, they, not a word will say.

On many Kings; their lies a heavy charge;
Their Kingdoms are both Populous and large;
There, likewise, are so many thousand cases
Which do concern their Persons, or their places
Or other men; and such a few there are
To represent them to a Royal Ear
And, likewise of those few, there are so few
Who represent unto them what is true,
That, whilst a freedom is allow'd to none
To shew them what's destructively misdone,
Or, what is fam'd; All their Prerogatives
May not secure their Honours and theit lives:
Especially, at such a time as this
Wherein GOD searcheth after what's amisse;
And, hath already, both begun to cast
Into his fiery Furnace, and to blast
All Humane Wisdom, Pow'r and Righteousness
(Yea all, wherein their confidence men place)
That, they may know, all Evils do from them
Proceed, and all things, that are good, from him.

Moreover, that, which long since was foretold,
Some of this Generation shall behold,
In differing States, and with as different Passions
According to their differing Inclinations;
And by the Men, and means the world despises,
In spight of all that Hamaue wit devises
It shall be brought to pass; And, they who did
Defend the noblest Cause, then, best shall speed.
Oblig'd, for these respects, is ev'ry one
To do, what in his place is to be done,
That GOD's Will, so far forth as Power is given,
May here be done on Earth, as 'tis in Heaven:
A safe condition, they are alwayes in
Who trust not in their merits; hate their Sin;
And their endeavours labour to improve
In Faith, and Meekness, Patience, Hope and Love;
That this may be effected, whatsoever
It costs them, in pursuing that endeavour.
For, Priviledges of the Humane Nature,
More Sacred are then those of any Creature
Beneath the GODHEAD; and, to all Mankind
He is a Traytor, who hath ought design'd
Against that Interest; and therefore, I
Vow, in defence thereof, to live and die.

In order thereunto, I now employ,
The Faculty and Talent I enjoy,
Which, GOD hath made proportionable to
The works, and men, with whom I have to do.
That, which I suffer for, on this Account
Was done; By GOD's Commission I have done't.
If truth I write, I am no whit to blame,
If it be false, I an Imposter am;
And, let the Commons, when that next they meet,
Deal with me for it, as GOD shall permit.
I have discharg'd my Conscience: And, if me,
He will not save, I, saved will not be;
Nor will I, in this Cause plead one word more,
Then, this, and what I've written heretofore.

I know the World; she also knows her own
And, we shall both ere long be better known:
Mean while, this my Imprisonment to me
Will my Teipsum nosce, prove to be.
This also, and what's formerly exprest
Of me, and of this Age, will be a TEST.
Now, Ile retire unto my self, and sing
To GOD, be glory; and God save the King.