University of Virginia Library

If you consider these things as you ought,
(And shall not be displeas'd to hear them brought
Thus bluntly to remembrance) I have hope
I may still scape the Gollows and the Rope
For speaking Truths in season, unto them
Who, their well-willers caulesly condemn;
And, from their Native Countries, banish those
For whose sakes, GOD hath kept them from their foes,
Waiting with long-long-sussering, when to him
They will return, that, he may turn to them.
This you may do; And I have hope of it:
For, GOD is resident among you, yet.
His Candl stieks are not from you removed;
Within your Borders, of his best beloved
Are many thousands, for whose sake, he hath
Remembred Mercy, in his hottest wrath.
Good Laws you have; some, likewise, who profess
And practise them, in truth and righteousness
Though from your first Loves, you are fallen much
And, your defects are at this present, such
As in the seven Asian Churches were
When first the Mystery was hatching there
Which now ore-spreads the world: you have not that
Comply'd with, but, the same abominate;
And therefore, that you may, return to him
GOD hath premonish'd you as he did them,
Expecting that you better should improve
Then heretofore, his patience and his love,
Lest else, you speedily may be bereft
As they were, of what, yet appeareth left.
A moral Charity retains a place
Among you, though grown colder then it was.
You have a form of GODliness, whereon
If you depended not as you have done,
That, which essential is, would more have been
Improved, and the power, thereof more seen.
Among your many Vices, blended are
Some Vertues, which, if you would take more care
To cherish, God would such assistance give
That they should, for the future, better thrive.
Though you have multiply'd prevarications
By many carnal, gross abominations,
And, are with Jezabel (that Sorceresse)
(Who counterfeits herself a Prophetesse)
Open Confederates; some of you hate
Her Heresies, and their, who imitate
The Nicholaitans: God, now therefore
Hanges forth to you a Flag of Truce, once more,
(Into a Comet form'd) and sets it there
Where, it, at one view, may to both appear;
That you might speedily and joyntly, do
Through Fear, that which Love could not win you to.
For, though the Wisards of preceding Ages
And, some now deem'd no despicable Sages,
Think these prodgious Meteors called Stars
Are constituted of such Characters
And shapes, as do undoubtingly fore-shew
What things particularly will ensuce,
(Because such consequents have often been
Observed, they are much deceiv'd therein.)
There's no such vertue proper to their natures;
For, they are only serviceable creatures
Employ'd by Providence, to such an end
As we by fixed Beacons do intend,
When an Invasion's threatned; They declare
In general, that foes approaching are;
Stir up the Nation to a timely heed
But, who their Foes are, what plagues will succeed,
How long they will continue; upon whom
They first will seize; at what time, they will come;
Or such like things by them we cannot know;
For, they no more then Beacons can fore-show.
So, this late Exhalation doth portend
Some Judgment on offenders will descend
Ere long, to make them watchful, and prepare
To do those duties which expected are;
But, in particular presignifies
Nor this, nor that; nor any terrifies
Who more desires to know, how by GODS grace,
To do his will, then what will come to pass.
He that is so affected, seldom fears
The influence of Comets, or of Stars;
Whereas, they who in folly are benighted
Oft, with a harmlelss Glow-worm are affrighted.
Thus far, my mind I have once more exprest
And hopeful am, ere long to be at rest
From all my Labours; for, my life, almost,
To bring this seasonably forth, it cost.