University of Virginia Library

As to your outward welfare, all things, yet,
To prosper, GOD doth graciously permit.
Some of you, have by loosing all, got more
Then ever they enjoyed heretofore;
Some other, though of all; no less bereft
Are twice as rich as they, now nothing's left,
By having thereby learn'd to prize that most,
VVhich being gotten never shall be lost.
And, they who this worlds wealth do more desire
Have means enough their longings to acquire.
The chiefest Forraign Trade to you is given
In all the Realmes and Countries under heaven.
Your Ships are numberless, your Merchants more
And richer, then the Tirians heretofore.
Your Ware-houses are stor'd by your Commerce
VVith all things precious through the Universe;
For which you were envyed by all those
VVho either seem'd your Friends or are your Foes.
Your Naval Forces if you timely might
Perswaded be sincerely to unite,
In Righteousness, would ballance all the rest
Between the Orient Indies and the West
And both the Poles, enabling you to give
Those Laws to all men, who by Traffick live,
VVhereby, there might, for all, sufficient Trade
In safety, and with equity be had;
VVithout which, whatsoere you shall obtain
VVill prove but an unprofitable gain.
And, (which is more considerable, far,
Then all your honours, power and riches are)
GOD, hath among you, sown the seeds of Grace
More plentifully then in any place
Below the Sun: his Plants refreshments wanting
Though set in blood and Fire, at their transplanting
Into your Borders, so well thrived there
Ev'n then, that millions from them sprouted are;
And, more from them continually shall sprout
In spight of those who seek to root them out;
Yea, though you by your folly forfeit those
Advantages which he on you bestows,
For their sakes, whom some of you do revile
Oppress, and from their native Lands exile.
For, GOD hath made your Countrie, to become
The strongest Bulwork in all Christendom,
Both against GOG and MAGOG cover'd Foes
And such as openly, the Saints oppose;
That, saving Truth and sincere innocence
Might thereby be preserv'd from violence;
Especially, from their hate, who pursue
The precious feed of Christ in them and you,
By Antichristian wiles, which hatched were
In your own wombs, and nursed up now are
By seeming Friends, who hide their fallacies
VVith gaudy vails, and vain formalities,
Untill the souls for which they traps prepare
Are hunted unto death, or to their snare.
These Ingineers, within your bosomes lie,
And, what their chief aims are, no doubt have I.