University of Virginia Library

Think on these things, and whether 'tis from me
Or from God, that you minded of them be;
For, what I had to write when I begun
I knew not; nor shall I know when 'tis done,
What, by my Prompter, I was mov'd unto
Untill I read it over as you do,
To see what is of God in ev'ry line
As if those writings had been none of mine.
When GOD, by despicable means and men,
(As he to do is pleased now and then)
Speaks to a King or Nation, it doth carry
A shew of somewhat extraordinary
To be consider'd on with serious heed,
And it importeth somewhat to succeed.
When waving men train'd up in learned Schools
He speaks to them, by those whom they count fools,
Makes others (as of old some Prophets were)
Actors in things that scandalous appear
To most Spectators, yea, ridiculous
To sober men (as oft of late with us)
Rendring them signs unto their generation
Of what's to come; 'tis worth consideration;
(Especially when injuries and scorn
Are patiently with sober stoutness born,
For conscience sake) and all men, truly wise
(Although such dispensations fools despise)
Are deeply sensible, of what on those
The ignorance and hate, of some impose,
To whom, it will be manifest ere long,
That, they have injur'd those, to their own wrong.