 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
112
A Meditation upon the many Prodigies and Apparitions, which are mentioned by Publick writing, or common Fame.
VVe are inform'd, by questionless Presages
(Vouchsafed to instruct succeeding Ages)
That warnings of Christ's coming, should be given
By signs and wonders manifest from Heaven:
And, we have seen, in Histories recorded,
That, Providence, in all times hath afforded,
Some Premotions of those Desolations
Which fell on Persons, Places, States and Nations,
Before they came: For, our most gracious GOD,
(As doth a loving Father) shewes the Rod
Before he whips, that he thereby may fright
To Penitence, ere he begins to smite;
And, frequently, prevail, if that means may,
Us to reclaim, he flings the Rod away:
Which kind Indulgence, is in these times, more
Inlarged then, it hath been heretofore.
(Vouchsafed to instruct succeeding Ages)
That warnings of Christ's coming, should be given
By signs and wonders manifest from Heaven:
And, we have seen, in Histories recorded,
That, Providence, in all times hath afforded,
Some Premotions of those Desolations
Which fell on Persons, Places, States and Nations,
Before they came: For, our most gracious GOD,
(As doth a loving Father) shewes the Rod
Before he whips, that he thereby may fright
To Penitence, ere he begins to smite;
And, frequently, prevail, if that means may,
Us to reclaim, he flings the Rod away:
Which kind Indulgence, is in these times, more
Inlarged then, it hath been heretofore.
New Prodigies, we hear of ev'ry day,
And, likewise hear, how they are puft away
As but meer Fictions. If we find them so,
This, justly, thereupon inferr I do,
That, more presumptuous we in these times are
Then ever any other People were:
For, very much corruption it implies
To be in those who make and publish Lyes.
If there be Truth, in any of those Visions,
Or Extraordinary Apparitions,
Which are affirm'd; 'Tis no less wicked daring,
So to affront GOD's visible appearing
In Signs and Wonders, as, both to contemn,
And seek by all means, how to smother them:
But, it is worst of all, to publish Lyes
Of purpose, to discredit Verities,
As if we meant, to do the most we can
To try the Patience both of GOD, and Man.
And, likewise hear, how they are puft away
As but meer Fictions. If we find them so,
This, justly, thereupon inferr I do,
That, more presumptuous we in these times are
Then ever any other People were:
For, very much corruption it implies
To be in those who make and publish Lyes.
If there be Truth, in any of those Visions,
Or Extraordinary Apparitions,
113
So to affront GOD's visible appearing
In Signs and Wonders, as, both to contemn,
And seek by all means, how to smother them:
But, it is worst of all, to publish Lyes
Of purpose, to discredit Verities,
As if we meant, to do the most we can
To try the Patience both of GOD, and Man.
If, we believe the things that are aver'd,
Why of GOD's Judgements, are we not afeard?
And, either seek to pacifie his Wrath,
Or, magnfie his Mercy, who, so hath
Forewarn'd, of what is likely to ensue,
That, we his Indignation may eschew?
If we suspect, what publickly is told,
Why do not they, who are in Pow'r (and should)
Search out the Truth, that, by due punishment,
They such like Provocations may prevent?
For, out of question, to connive at Lyes,
Or smother Truths, worse things presignifies,
Then all the Apparitions, that have been
These twenty years, in this our Climate seen;
(Though nothing doubted of) and will go nigh
At last, to turn all Truths into a Lye.
Why of GOD's Judgements, are we not afeard?
And, either seek to pacifie his Wrath,
Or, magnfie his Mercy, who, so hath
Forewarn'd, of what is likely to ensue,
That, we his Indignation may eschew?
If we suspect, what publickly is told,
Why do not they, who are in Pow'r (and should)
Search out the Truth, that, by due punishment,
They such like Provocations may prevent?
For, out of question, to connive at Lyes,
Or smother Truths, worse things presignifies,
Then all the Apparitions, that have been
These twenty years, in this our Climate seen;
(Though nothing doubted of) and will go nigh
At last, to turn all Truths into a Lye.
I must confess, that, though unto my Ears
There have been brought within these twenty years
So many strange Reports, of sights and Voices,
Earthquakes and Thunders, dreadful Storms & noises;
Of Ebbs and Tides, of Suns, and Moons, and Stars,
And Armies in the Clouds, portending Wars,
With such like, as would have perhaps, amounted
Unto a hundted, if I them had counted;
Not one of those I saw: yet, so unjust
I am not, as those good men to distrust
Who have aver'd them: for, though Prodigies
And such miraculous Appearances,
Are daign'd in chief, to Infidels, and those
Who in God's word, no confidence repose;
Yet, they are likewise, otherwhile, reveal'd
To true Believers, lest, they be conceal'd
From those whom they concern; or lest, by them
Quite slieghted, who, the Works of GOD, contemn;
They, also their own welfare so neglect
That, they be totally without effect.
On trust, I therefore take them: for, if we
Confirmed by their Witness may not be,
Whose Conversations are to us well kuown;
How, can we any Affirmations own
For Truths, Historically writ, by those
Whose Conversation, no man living knowes?
There have been brought within these twenty years
So many strange Reports, of sights and Voices,
Earthquakes and Thunders, dreadful Storms & noises;
Of Ebbs and Tides, of Suns, and Moons, and Stars,
And Armies in the Clouds, portending Wars,
With such like, as would have perhaps, amounted
Unto a hundted, if I them had counted;
Not one of those I saw: yet, so unjust
I am not, as those good men to distrust
114
And such miraculous Appearances,
Are daign'd in chief, to Infidels, and those
Who in God's word, no confidence repose;
Yet, they are likewise, otherwhile, reveal'd
To true Believers, lest, they be conceal'd
From those whom they concern; or lest, by them
Quite slieghted, who, the Works of GOD, contemn;
They, also their own welfare so neglect
That, they be totally without effect.
On trust, I therefore take them: for, if we
Confirmed by their Witness may not be,
Whose Conversations are to us well kuown;
How, can we any Affirmations own
For Truths, Historically writ, by those
Whose Conversation, no man living knowes?
For, my part I have with my carnal Eyes,
And, otherwise, beheld such Prodigies
In Words and Deeds, that, although none of that
Were true, which I hear other men relate,
I (at the least Mysteriously) discover
All those old Miracles, new acted over,
In my time, which in Pharaohs days were wrought,
When Israel out of servitude was brought;
And, many a such like wonderful proceed,
As we recorded in the Scriptures read.
And, otherwise, beheld such Prodigies
In Words and Deeds, that, although none of that
Were true, which I hear other men relate,
I (at the least Mysteriously) discover
All those old Miracles, new acted over,
In my time, which in Pharaohs days were wrought,
When Israel out of servitude was brought;
And, many a such like wonderful proceed,
As we recorded in the Scriptures read.
I've seen th'Inchanter's (yea, and Aarons) Rod,
Turn'd into Serpents; Waters into blood.
I have seen Froggs sent, and remov'd again,
And, yet, we as hard hearted still remain.
I have observed, (at least once or twice)
Our Dust, to be transformed into Lice.
Plagues, which resembled Locusts, Flies, and Hail,
Yet not a jot upon our hearts, prevail.
The People, ev'n as Murrains do our Beasts,
A Sin that's Epidemical, infests;
And, so with Blaines and Byles we smitten be,
That, in a moral sense, meer Scabs we be.
Ægyptian Darkness too, hath here, among
Our other Plagues, continu'd very long,
With likelihood to be as grosse, as there,
Unless, the Sun of Righteousness appear;
Yea, I have seen our First-born also slain,
Yet, still, we in obduracy remain.
Turn'd into Serpents; Waters into blood.
I have seen Froggs sent, and remov'd again,
And, yet, we as hard hearted still remain.
I have observed, (at least once or twice)
Our Dust, to be transformed into Lice.
Plagues, which resembled Locusts, Flies, and Hail,
Yet not a jot upon our hearts, prevail.
115
A Sin that's Epidemical, infests;
And, so with Blaines and Byles we smitten be,
That, in a moral sense, meer Scabs we be.
Ægyptian Darkness too, hath here, among
Our other Plagues, continu'd very long,
With likelihood to be as grosse, as there,
Unless, the Sun of Righteousness appear;
Yea, I have seen our First-born also slain,
Yet, still, we in obduracy remain.
I, therefore, wonder not, if private Visions,
Prodigeous sights, and Dreadful Apparitions,
(Discern'd but here & there) have nought effected,
Since, things more Signal, are so much neglected.
Where, Moses and the Prophets are not heard,
One from the Dead, will find but small regard.
In vain are Dumb-shewes, where, a speaking sign
Can to no heedfulness, mens hearts incline.
When CHRIST's own Words, will not with credit pass,
In vain, will be the speakings of an Asse:
Yet, speak must, when GOD shall his tongue untie; pass,
And, whatsoere succeedeth, so will I.
Prodigeous sights, and Dreadful Apparitions,
(Discern'd but here & there) have nought effected,
Since, things more Signal, are so much neglected.
Where, Moses and the Prophets are not heard,
One from the Dead, will find but small regard.
In vain are Dumb-shewes, where, a speaking sign
Can to no heedfulness, mens hearts incline.
When CHRIST's own Words, will not with credit pass,
In vain, will be the speakings of an Asse:
Yet, speak must, when GOD shall his tongue untie; pass,
And, whatsoere succeedeth, so will I.
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |