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 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
[1.]
Before a Storm is actually begun,Or, Symptoms of it, in the Skies appear;
Both Birds and Beasts, for shelter fly and run,
To scape the Dangers, then approaching near.
To what these are by Sense inclind, in season,
Men are assisted (for their preservations)
By Strong Impulses, both of Grace and Reason,
Till they neglect, or sleight those Inclinations.
7
Owes what may possibly by him be done:
For, there's a Portion due from him that's poor,
Though from the Rich, there is expected more.
2.
I had some education in the Schools,But my best Teachings, came another way,
And, neither to the wisest, or meer Fools,
Is that intended which I have to say.
My Muse is to a midling-temper fitted,
What suits with their capacities to write
Who, (not much under or much over witted)
More in the Matter, then the Words delight.
By that means, when with Trifles I begin,
Things useful, are oft, thereby Skrewed in,
Which peradventure, had not else been sought,
Where, they appeard more likely to be taught:
What I but to one end, at first intended,
Occasions many Cautions, ere 'tis ended.
So, sometimes, twenty businesses are done,
By him, who went from home, to do but one.
3.
Sometimes too, by what in this mode is hinted,(On sleight occasions in a Vulgar Strain)
Such Notions have been in the heart imprinted
As were more plausibly exprest in vain:
Yea, otherwhile, a few plain words, in season,
Experimentally in private spoke,
More operate with Sanctified Reason,
(And of what they import, more heed is took)
Then is (although more gloriously arayd)
Of what's but formally, in publick said.
Now therefore, I contribute thus, alone,
To what was this day, publickly begun.
But, stay! what Pannick fear hath seizd this Nation
That, they who Triumphd but one day ago,
8
And Fast and Pray, at least, pretend thereto?
Their Jollitie is at a suddain pause,
And to the Temples, they begin to flock;
God make th'effect, as real as the cause,
That, him with formal showes we do not mock,
Lest Plagues increase, and when of what is better,
We are in hope, our fears grow dayly greater:
For, till our sins are heartily repented,
By Fasts and Prayers, Plagues are not prevented.
5.
Most, dedicated this moneths first AuroraTo their own fleshly Lusts; and spent the day
In sacrificing to the Strumpet Flora,
Which was by some employd another way,
Perhaps though not Prophane, more superstitious
Then holy: for, all is not sanctifide
That is not vulgarly reputed vitious;
Nor all unholy, which will not abide
A Sanctuary-Test: But, somwhat hath
Doubtless, been acted which provokes Gods wrath
Against our Nation, since this Month begun,
That brings us on our knees, before 'tis done.
6.
Our Safety, Peace and Glory lie at stake;And, we are forced such a Game to play,
As makes us tremble, and our hearts to ake
Twixt hope and fear of that which follow may:
Ev'n they, who lately foolishly did boast,
And with proud Vaunts and scorns contemn their Foes,
Do find, that Recknings made without their hoast,
Arise to more then they did presuppose.
Of Foes without them, their regard was small;
Of those within them, less, or none at all:
But, now, to be assaulted, they begin
With outward perils, and with fears within.
9
7.
Beyond reteating we ingaged areWith forraign enemies; and not quite free
From Factions, threatning an intestine War,
If our Presumings unsuccessfull be.
As foes do multiply, so, friends grow fewer;
And, in those few, there is but little trust:
For, none can in another be secure
Who, to himself is neither kind nor just.
War is begun; the Pestilence doth spread;
And, though of Dearth we feel but little dread,
They, by whose Labours, plenty was increast,
Are by a wasting Poverty opprest.
8.
The Rich are discontent, the Poor much grievd:The first have small hope to be better pleasd;
The last as little hope to be relievd,
And most men are grown stupidly diseasd.
Men with Ill tidings in all places meet,
Bewailing loss of Goods, or want of Trade:
All day they hear complainings in the street;
All night, they and their Families are sad.
Hereof, they upon others lay the blame
Who have been chief deservers of the same:
Most, apprehend a general Distress,
But, no man knows which way to make it less.
2.
They, who should act, or mediate at least,Some course to stop the fury of the Current,
Finde, it will most advance their Interest,
To be at this time Fishing in the Torrent.
They, who have now most cause, least frighted be:
Those few alone, who with a filial fear
And Christian hope, Gods purposes foresee,
Submissive to his Dispensations are:
The rest are active still, in their own mode,
As if in their own power their safety stood;
10
If (as twas once said) GOD would Neuter stand.
16.
For our defence, a Naval preparationIs made, as strong, as ever heretofore
In any Age, was modeld by this Nation;
Yea, stronger much, though not in number more.
And, if they who thereof have management,
Shall not thereon (as if it could not fail)
Or, in themselves, be over-confident,
It may against our ablest Foes prevail:
But, not unless, we timely lay aside
Our malice, our profaness, and our pride,
Which by the Lord of hosts, are so abhord,
That, they destroy more, then both fire and sword.
11.
In mournings, we so little do delight,That, whatsoever sad event befals,
Which to humiliation doth invite,
It seldom supersedes our Festivals.
A Fast therefore, so near a Feast begins,
To moderate our Mirth, and make us minde
A true and speedy mourning for those sins
Whereto we have been, and are still inclinde.
A change of Feasts to fastings threatned was,
Which is within a little come to pass;
And, that, may peradventure be effected
Which we most fear, when it is least expected.
12.
Hereof the Civil powers having sense,And, fearing what might probably befal,
Unless, we strengthned are by Providence
Much more, then by their moving wooden-wall;
They lately summond us by Proclamations
To meet, and on the last of May begin
In our head-Cities, such Humiliations
As may declare a true Remorse for sin.
11
Their summons, either then forget, or slight,
GOD, seconded their Act, and from our beds
With Peals of Thunders, raisd our drowzie heads.
13.
If I was not deceivd, five hours togetherThat Summons lasted, (with few Intervals)
Made signal by Rain, Lightning, Stormy weather,
And Thunderbolts, which pierced through stone-wals.
It brake and melted Bells; consumd a Steeple;
Scard Fowls and Beasts, yea, and afraid did make
Even them, among those unrelenting People,
Who, heed of nought but smart and noise will take;
And in security again sleep on
Assoon as ere the pain or noise is gone.
Alas! what horrours will such men confound,
When they shall hear the seventh Trumpet sound?
14.
I did obey this Call; and knowing too,That in the common peace, mine doth consist,
In meekness, I prepard my heart, to do
What might secure the common Interest.
The best have failings, and the worst have more;
Though therefore they oft erre, who are in powre,
With their defects, we must our own deplore:
For oftentimes their faults take root from our.
King Davids crime sprung from the Peoples sin;
For his offence, a Plague on them broke in:
Thus, to each other, men of each degree,
A mutual cause, of sins and suffrings be.
15.
This makes me the more cautious, to take heedWherein, I personally give offence;
And, ere I censure that which others did,
Bewail mine own misdeeds with penitence.
All of us have offended, (if not more)
As much as our forefathers have transgrest:
12
And, my sins, have the common guilt increast:
My self, to humble therefore, I went thither
Where good and bad men congregate together;
And, where, the worst are, or (before they die)
May be, for ought I know, more just then I.
16.
He seems to me, unlikely to appeaseThe wrath of GOD, or mortifide to be,
Who, offers Prayers like that Pharisees,
Who judg'd the Publican less just then he.
There is no sign of true Humiliations,
But, of a proud self-overweening rather
In those, who judge unclean whole Congregations
Who with them, serve one Spirit, Son and Father;
And (although members of another Colledge)
Adore one GOD according to their knowledge.
According unto mine, therefore, with them
I joynd in Love, and left their doom to him.
17.
I dare not such a separation makeTwixt persons, things or places, as may bar
A freedom in those Duties to partake
Which necessary or expedient are.
When sins and Plagues grow Epidemical,
It such Humiliations then requires,
As may in that respect, be general:
For, private tears quench not the publike Fires.
In all Fraternities and Constitutions,
Among men, are both errours and pollutions;
Yet safe converse; for pious men hath bin
With such, (even then) in all things, but their sin.
18.
VVith others, I preferred those petitionsVVhich with Christs prayr assentially agree;
VVith them, I joyned in all those confessions
That seemed proper both to them and me.
13
Who were in hazard by the War now wag'd:
With GOD, I meekly did expostulate
Concerning that wherein we are engag'd.
For others sakes, those fears my fears I made,
Whereof, no sense, for self-respects I had;
And wished all their hopes might be enjoyd
Whereby, their true bliss might not be destroyd.
19.
Although particulars inclusive areIn Universals; yet, they who neglect
Their single Duties, justly loose their share
In what the general Devoirs effect.
I have contributed my best endeavour,
To what I think is publickly intended,
And in that duty purpose to persever
Which is to my performance recommended.
For all things, and all men (so far as they
Are objects of our Prayers) I do pray;
And, when I doubt, what to insist upon,
Conclude my prayer thus: GODS will be done.
20.
Their welfare seeking, who would me enslave,The person I distinguish from his Crime;
And rather would a wicked people save,
Then let the Righteous be destroyd with them.
To their proceeds in wickedness, I say
GOOD speed to none; and whensoere, therefore
I pray against their sins, for them I pray:
Yea, when they seem worst, pray for them the more.
When LOT was prisner among Sodomites,
Against their Foes, to free him, Abram fights.
When universal Plagues on us befal,
Not knowing good from bad, I pray for all.
21.
I have a long time taken so much heedBoth of GODS righteous, and our crooked ways,
14
I finde just cause to give him hearty praise.
So oft, experience I have likewise had,
My losses, wants, and those things which I feard,
To have been unto me more gainful made,
Then such, as more desirable appeard;
That, whensoere GOD granteth or denies,
My soul is pleasd, and on his love relies.
For, when they seemed most severe to be,
His Judgements have been Mercies unto me.
22.
Such they were, such they are, such will be still,Not unto me, and to some few alone;
But, if they be submissive to his will,
Such likewise, at all times, to every one:
And, though he grants not always that Request,
Which is preferred, he doth condescend
To what is better; yea, to what may best
Conduce to what we chiefly should intend.
If, what we pray for, he denies to grant,
Humility, or Faith, or Love we want;
Or else, there are some other great defects,
In those Petitioners, whom GOD rejects.
23.
Sins National, so far forth as they wereConfest in Publike, I with those confest
To whom I joynd; and in particular,
If possible, they ought to be exprest.
I know we are obliged at this time
(Considering why together we did come)
To mention such, (or part at least of them)
As brought what we would be deliverd from.
I hope such were acknowledged by many;
But, since I heard it not performd by any,
I will enumerate some few of those
Provoking sins, from whence most danger flows.
15
Hath in displeasure stretched forth his hand;
And for our sins, doth strike us, here and there
With every Judgement, yea, and every where.
24.
We are a Nation to whom God hath givenAs many priviledges, as bestown
On any people that is under Heaven:
But, therewithal more proud, then thankful grown.
VVe overween, as if we thought none were
Our equals; and with so much impudence
Our selves before our Neighbours do prefer,
That, more Disgrace then Honor springs from thence.
Some vaunt as if none ought to be compar'd
VVith them, in what is by their valour dar'd;
And, some, as if none went, or knew the way
VVhereby, men shall ascend to heavn, but they.
25.
If what GOD hath conferd, or for us doneVVere mentioned, to stir up thankfulness
In us; or, to advance his praise alone,
Thence would spring many great advantages.
But that which most men rather do pursue,
Is but before mens eyes a Blinde to raise,
And, hide their shameful nakedness from view;
Or, blow the Bubbles of an empty praise.
And, (as if we were not befoold enough,
VVith such ridiculous and frothy stuff)
In Ballads, which are for such objects meet,
VVe sing out our own shame, in every street.
26.
Perhaps in such like things the neighbring NationsOpposing us, as guilty are as we:
But, our own sins, in our Humiliations
Is that, which to confess, oblig'd we be.
Our sins, our sins, are horrid, great and many,
Those Plagues too, which they bring on us, are great;
16
As ought to be, nor such confessions, yet.
So loth we are that other men should see
(Or, we our selves) in what sad case we be,
That, we our scabs and scores had rather hide
VVith any Clouts, then let them be espide.
27.
So loth we are, in that course to proceed,VVhich GOD and Reason offers to our heed;
So apt, to take the clean contrary way;
To heed, what every Mountebanck doth say;
So ventrous, any hazard to endure,
VVhich our enjoyments present may secure;
So prone with Bugbears to be frighted from
VVhat may secure a happiness to come;
And, are so wilful in pursuing things
VVhich every day, more mischiefs on us brings,
That, very seldom we approve of that
VVhich may be for our good, till tis too late.
28.
And then, surprised with a sudden dread,To any God, to any Idol run;
Move every way, like Dors without a Head;
Do every thing save that which should be done:
Catch hold on sticks, and reeds, and chips & straws,
To save our selves; descend, to fawn on those
VVhom we contemn'd; and to support our cause,
Against old Friends, confederate with Foes;
Yea, with the greatest enemy of Christ;
And, rather hazard all our Interest
In him, then here to be deprivd of that
Which we enjoyed, and have aimed at.
29.
VVe are so much inclined to relyUpon the trustless and bewitching Charms
Of State-designs and humane policie,
On Armies, Fleets, and strength of our own Arms,
17
To those who shew to us the way of peace;
Good counsel maketh us to be the madder,
And, doth but raging violence increase.
Yet, they who know they shall not be excusd
From doing their endeavour, though abusd,
Must speak what on their Consciences doth lie,
Whatere thereby befals; and so will I.
30.
Such times have been, and such are come agen,Wherein, the Sluggard to the Ant was sent;
The Wise instructed were by simple men
How to reform their wayes when they miswent.
GOD, by them, Kings reprovd, ev'n for their sake
Whom they had then inslav'd; and they were heard.
Yea, unto Balaam, by his Ass he spake,
And, at that present he escapd the Sword:
But they who to their words gave no regard,
Receivd their obstinacies due Reward.
They, who were penitent escapd the blow
Which then was threatned; so shall all such now.
31.
Ore them a very dreadful Plague impendsWhom to the will of men, GOD, doth expose,
Though such they be whom they suppose their friends
And, have thereof made fair external shows.
A greater Plague it is, when known foes are
Impowred upon them to exercise
All cruelties, and outrages of War
Which rage will act, and malice can devise.
But, when so terrible a doom as this,
And mercie too, much and oft sleighted is,
It will be then more horrible then all
That can be thought, into Gods hands to fall.
32.
Alas! how shall this horrour be prevented,If none in such a time should silence break?
18
Unless, to that intent the stones could speak?
And, what may they speak likely to prevail
Upon a Generation grown so giddy?
The Stars to do their duty did not fail;
The Elements have often spoke already,
And acted in their place, as well as spoken
What might our duties, and Gods minde betoken;
Yea, so much, and so oft, that what they heard
Or saw, few men did credit or regard.
33.
Hereby are blessings turnd into a curse;Those hardned, whom it should have softned more;
They who were bad before, grow to be worse;
Some wicked, who seemd good men, heretofore.
Our sins are as immoveable as Rocks;
Our Guides and Leaders, either lame or blinde;
The Shepherds as great straglers as the Flocks,
And both alike, to wickedness inclinde.
That, which we thought should make us, doth undo us,
All things do seem to cry VVo wo unto us:
And, that which should have movd men to repent
Doth but their Rage and Blasphemies augment.
34.
Most, against those by whom they were offendedAre so imbitterd, that although in them
They see performances to be commended,
Such, naytheless, they totally condemn:
Yea, those who have ingenuously confest
What seems to be in these worth approbation,
They judge to be Time-pleasers, not the best:
VVhich is a bar to Reconciliation.
Our Proverb bids us give the devil his due;
And, they the ways to peace, do not pursue
VVho are unwilling, in their Foes, to see
Good things, as well as those that evil be.
19
35.
The Knowledge men have gotten hath destroydThat Love, which ought thereby to be increast.
The Publick peace, that might have been enjoyd,
Is vitiated by Self-interest.
The Gospel is abusd, Law made a snare,
Or, of Unrighteousness a confirmation:
The Consciences of men inslaved are,
To nothing left so free as Prophanation.
The Rich do quarrel, and the Poor must fight,
To serve their Lusts, who do them little right;
And they whose Lives to pawn for them are laid,
With Deaths or VVounds, or with neglect are paid.
36.
Religion is to Policy becomeA servile Handmaid; and few persons are
Conceivd to be so dangerous as some,
VVho are in Christian Piety sincere.
Now, not to be like others Superstitious,
Or to be strict in moral Righteousness,
Gives cause of more suspect then to be vitious;
Or else, at least, it them ingratiates less.
Foundations are so overthrown, that few
Are safe in whatsoever they pursue:
For, liberty, life, credit, and estate,
In hazzard are by all that aim thereat.
37.
Pickt Juries, and suborned VVitnessesMay, if assisted then with partial Judges,
Bring quickly to destruction, whom they pleases;
Frustrate all Laws, and all our priviledges:
And (what was never heretofore in Reason
Thought probable) charge falsly upon some
The plotting and pursuing Plots of Treason
At open meetings whither all may come.
In likelihood, they have nor wit, nor fear,
Nor need be feared, who so foolish are:
20
If I should fear such Plots, as then were framed.
38.
VVho erre in malice, or to get reward,Shall forge an Accusation, though it be
Improbable, with favour shall be heard,
VVhen none seems guilty of the Plot but he.
They, who of all men do least conscience make
Of Perjury, at pleasure may destroy
An Innocent. They who false Oathes dare take
May rob rich men of all they do enjoy.
The Lyar is not out of danger ever;
But, he that speaks truth boldly, is safe never
Until his death, unless by God protected
From what may be by wicked men projected.
39.
This also, doth increasing Plagues pretoken,(Unless we to repair it speedy are)
The Bond of Christian Charity is broken,
And brotherly affection lost well-near.
Both Persons and Societies seek more
Their several new Structures to uphold,
Then Disciplines and Doctrines to restore
Unto that purity which was of old.
From hence doth spring impair of peace and health
In minde and body, Church and Commonwealth.
For, though few heed it, thence our private Jars
At first proceeded, and then, open VVars.
40.
All Constitutions both in Church and StateAre, for the most part, made but properties
To add a grandeur, and repute to that
VVhich pride and avarice did first devise.
Not those alone, which may essential seem
Unto the Civil powre; but also, some
Which have among Divine Rites most esteem,
Are serviceable to the flesh become.
21
Self-profit or self-honour to advance:
Yea, ev'n the Lords day and the Sacraments
Are made expedients for the same intents.
41.
Judgements & Mercies have not in their courseWrought that on us, which they were sent to do:
For, what should make us better, makes us worse,
And others by our ill examples too.
Good counsels timely given we have slighted,
Scoft and derided seasnable forewarnings,
Neglecting that, whereto we were invited
Both by our own and other mens discernings:
And, if these failings be not heeded more
Now, and in time to come, then heretofore,
The Consequents, will not much better be
Whether the Dutch are Conquerours, or we.
42.
Those Animosities we must repentWhich are pretended to be laid aside;
Else pride and malice will so much augment
Those Practices which more and more divide,
That, as the ruine of Jerusalem
Had been compleated when the time was come
By those three Factions, which then wasted them,
Although it had not been destroyd by Rome:
So, though we should subdue French, Dutch & Dane,
Our own distempers would become our bane;
And, that which others are inclind unto,
Our follies and our wilfulness will do.
43.
The breach of Covenants, of Faith and OathesWe must lament, and from that falshood turn:
For, GOD that capital transgression loathes;
Oathes, (now, if ever) make the land to mourn.
We must confess our sin of bloudshed too,
The Blood of Innocents much more bewail,
22
Else, of our expectations we shall fail.
For, to no more a bare confession tends,
Then to increase our guilt, without amends.
He that neglects performing what he knows
To be his duty, merits nought but blows.
44.
We have moreover, failings by omissionsWhich it concerns us to be humbled for
No less then for those actual transgressions
Which we are now engaged to abhor:
Not one day, no not one year will suffice
To recollect them. And yet if we would
Our selves but so much humble as it lies
In us, GOD, would accept of what we could.
Hereof apparent evidences are
In Nineveh and Nebuchadnezzar:
For, by these Paterns, King and People too
Instructed are, what in our case to do.
45.
When that King, for his sins had been bereavenOf understanding, and for sevn years space,
To live with Beasts, was from his Kingdom driven,
And re-inthroned, when unlikely twas;
Himself he did abase, Gods powre confess,
Acknowledge him, to be in chief ador'd;
Declare that powre, extol his righteousness,
And that Free grace, by which he was restor'd:
Yea, praised him for their deliverance
Whom he himself opprest; them did advance
Who suffred; and reverst that Law whereby
He had compeld them to Idolatry.
46.
This signal Patern of HumiliationWas Royal; but, by one both popular
And Regal, unto what beseems a Nation
In our condition, we directed are.
23
Like this, some in the Temples GOD adoring,
Some there, inclined more to sleep then pray,
Some, in an Alehouse, or a Tavern roaring;
Some, who did of their duties Conscience make,
Some who perform'd it, but for fashion sake:
But I believe, that with more Veneration
They testified their Humiliation.
47.
Both King and People joyned there as OneIn penitence, not being less sincere
Then formal in pursuing what was done.
Strict their commands and executions were.
The King, his rich Apparel from him cast
(By good Examples, precepts are made strong)
He, and his Nobles did proclaim a Fast,
VVith all the Rites, that to a Fast belong.
The Prophet was believd, in what he said;
The Royal Proclamation was obeyd.
God, thereto had so gratious a regard
That, King and People, thereupon he spard.
48.
Alas! how comes it that now Christian men,Are deaf to what GODS Messengers do say?
Not so meek-hearted as those Heathens then?
More dead in Sins and Trespasses then they.
Imperfect was their Penitence, no doubt,
Yet God accepted what they did endever,
And (though perhaps, their zeal did soon burn out,)
He, in vouchsafing mercy did presever.
So might it be with us, if we would heed
His judgements, and perform what Ethnicks did:
For, GOD, upon a Formal penitence,
Did with a part of Ahabs doom dispence.
49.
But, though we have as much cause to bewailOur sad condition, we have much less fear,
24
Until with mischief overwhelmd well-near.
Then, likewise, we endeavour all we can
To hide what cannot cured be till known,
Dissembling grosly, both with GOD and Man,
And will not see what's evidently shown.
Yea, so presumptuous are, that, now GOD sends
His Judgements, and his Arm in wrath extends,
VVe labour to obscure it, lest the heeding
Of his Proceeds, may hinder our proceeding.
50.
And as among the Jews in former agesThere were false Prophets and corrupted Priests,
VVho prophecid and preachd for Balaams wages,
And to promote their carnal Interests,
Then Flatterd them into Security:
So we have some among us, who as much
Do magnifie this Nations Piety
As if it never had till now been such.
They boast of our prosperities encrease,
And promise us both Victories and Peace,
As if vain words believd should rather be
Then what we feel, as well, as hear and see.
15.
Though sensible enough of sin we are notTo humble us; or though Plagues yet deferd
(How near at hand soever) we much fear not,
Nor thereby for this duty are prepard:
Methinks the loss of so much blood and Treasure
As hath been spent; At home, decay of Trade
And Manufactures in so large a measure;
Abroad in Colonies, the havock made
Should humble us, or that at least, which hath
More cause of dread then War, or sudden Death,
To wit, a PRESS, whereby some grieved are,
More then by all the worst events of War.
25
2.
For, War is pleasing to those Voluntaries,Who, Wealth or Honor, hope thereby to gaine;
Through every difficulty them it carries
With very little sense of dread or pain.
By Suddain Death likewise all Plagues are ended
Which Sin, or Folly on our bodies bring;
Yea, thereby finished ere apprehended,
In which respect, no very dreadful thing.
But, to be snatcht at unawares away,
From all Relations by a Suddain PRESS,
And, from all our Affairs, as at this day,
Is more injurious, then words can express.
Whole Families, thereby destroyd become;
In soul and body, it tormenteth some;
And, thereby greater Griefs occasiond are
Then do befal, by life or death, in War.
54.
I know well that, the Civil powrs intendThe prosecution of those Services
Which to their Substitutes they recommend,
Should be pursu'd without just Grievances:
And, to inform us in this very case,
(Of taking men to serve them in the Wars)
A Law among the Jews establisht was
To be our Guide in some particulars:
Let it observed be, lest that Oppression
Which is occasioned by indiscretion,
Those persons to our damage may inrage,
Whom we think, for our safety to ingage.
55.
With others I did publickly bemoneThose things which we ought joyntly to deplore;
And, in my Spirit, I lament alone
That for mine own Sins, I can sigh no more.
I sigh for those two Pitchers, which are knocking
Against each other, when they mind not me;
26
Or, not well pleasd with my good meanings be.
I sigh to see their Charity decrease
Who are pretenders to Religiousness;
Not for my self, though I perceive tis grown
Less then it was, five shillings in a Crown.
56.
I have now, somwhat more then fifty years,Been oft mine own and your Remembrancer;
And whilst I live, as oft (as cause appears)
Resolved am such Cautions to prefer.
For since GOD hath so long preservd me from
A total Ruine in such Services,
I will continue during life to come
Whilst I see need, in services like these,
Not doubting but his Mercy shall outlast
The Time to come as well as what is past;
And, still, as comfortably be enjoyd,
Though life in their pursute should be destroyd.
57.
This, I have therefore, now contributedIn private to what publickly was done,
With hopefulness, that when it shall be read
It will to good effect be thought upon:
For in the common Lot, I shall have part,
To whatsoever the success may tend,
And dare to arrogate no self-desart,
More then they justly may, who most offend.
From Publick sins my self I count not free;
What is in others bad, is worse in me,
Since, he whom GOD so many years hath taught,
If bad, is worse then others who are naught.
58.
Yet, as there is no Righteousness in me,That, may with safety be confided in;
So whatsoere the Common Plagues may be,
In me there is no slavish fear of fin:
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Who hath Redeemed me, I, so confide,
That, I despair not of a Soul-salvation,
Whatever to my Body shall betide,
And, know, that, whilst to live, more then to die,
Shall tend to what GODS name may glorifie,
My life shall comfortably be enjoyd
When thousands round about me are destroyd;
And that all, who are firm in this belief,
Shall see a glad end of their present Grief.
Lord in that patience keep me alway strong,
Which, to the Saints probation doth belong.
50.
There was a Promise made long time ago,To some, who then in our condition were,
(And, in what they were to believe, and do,
As much as they, we now concerned are)
To them, it by GODS Prophet was declard
That, from their wickedness if they returned,
One with a Writers Inkhorn was prepard
To set a Mark on all who truely mourned,
Assuring all who had his Mark upon them
That when the common Judgements seized on them
It should not harm them, as to that, at least,
In which a real safety, doth consist.
60.
That Mark is set on thousands at this day,And many VVriters hither have been sent
To shew it, and inform us how we may
The Mischiefs threatned, seasonably prevent.
Prophets rise early, and do sit up late,
To mind us of our duties, yea, there are
Some thousands ev'n this day, declaring that
Which they are bound to speak, and we to hear.
To that end also, GOD, hath now and then,
Employed me, and my Despised Pen,
28
What I have writ, and what I have to say.
I might—
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |