Miscellaneous works of George Wither

The POET poetizeth, here,
Great Britans GENIUS to appeare;
Expostulating (first of all)
Some Slips, and Faults in generall.
And, tells what of that GAME, he spake,
In which, the publike, lies at State.
Next, shewes, how He doth move the King,
Himselfe into his Orbe to bring;
What, will, assuredly, succeed,
Unlesse, he shall returne with speed;
How, and by whom, and likewise, why
He hath been hindred to comply;
And, that, the Men, and Hopes, which he
Depends on, will his ruine be.
Then, are declared, some debates
Of Prelates temporall estates;
What ought to be believ'd, by Him,
As touching their old Claimes, and Them;
How much, a Prince obliged stands,
To keepe up, such like Deodands;
Pleads in what case, a State, or King,
May sell a Dedicated-Thing;
And, makes you, by plaine reason, see
How false the claimes of Tyrants bee.

Then, having took some Blocks away,
Which stop the Kings repentance may;
Provokes thereto; and (though the root
Seems bitter) warrants pleasent fruit.

When, in his might, the Dogstar, raigned, here,
And, when our City, and our Armies, were
Made jealous of each other, by their wiles,
Who, sought to nourish Discord in these Iles.

Fill'd full of Thoughts, and sad, and sleeplesse lying
Upon my Couch there, silently, surveying
With contemplations eyes, the sick estate
Of these three Kingdomes, and, their likely Fate;
My rambling Fancie (which was newly come,
From whence I know not) brought into the room,
A reverend Person, who, upon him wore,
A Sea-green mantle, which was wrought all o're
With silver wavings (well resembled those
Which curle the Ocean, when a strong gale blowes)
And, had a Verge, or bordering imbost
Of Rock-work, like the cliffs, that guard our cost.
Rais'd with white Saphirs, looking o're a strand,
Bestrow'd with orient Pearls, and golden sand.

In his left hand, he seem'd to bring with him
A threefold, but a broken Diadem,
Each third whereof contained counterfeits,
Of many differing shaped Coronets,
(Which had adorned it) most part of which
Seem'd also, broken, or defaced much;
And, not improperly, an emblem were
Of something, which this Emperie may feare.
With an heroick look, a Princely pace,
And awefull presence, entred he the place:
But, so, that look, and pace, and presence, had
A shadowing drawne over them, which made
Appearance, of a heart displeas'd, and sorry;
Yet, gave it, rather, excellence and glory
To his demeanure, then diminishment,
Of what, beseem'd a Person excellent.

Nor heeding me; nor seeming much to care
Who, then, was present, or, who was not there,
A turne or two, he walk'd; rais'd to the skies,
As one admiring, his majestick eyes;
And, with hands elevated, and display'd
Thus, like a much displeased friend, he said,

SEE, SEE! how MISCHIEF, like the Lernean Snake,
Renewes her heads, and still new life doth take!
The fire of WAR within our fields did flame,
A while agoe, and Gods hand quench'd the same.
The match and powder were together laid
In our chiefe City; and, he, also staid
Those probable effects, which could have shooke
These Ilands, if the project, then, had took.
As soone as that was past, another Traine
Was closely laid, to blow up all againe;
And, make these Nations, like the clod-borne brood
Of Cadmus, broachers of each others blood.

Is there no end of madnesse? but, by fits,
Must they, who should be wisest, loose their wits?
And, still be forging new Designes and Gins,
To plague themselves, and others, for their sins?
Will not, the blind, selfe-seeking parties, leave,
Snares for themselvs, with their own hands to weave?
Will not the Serpent cease to bruise their heels,
Whom he pursues, though broken heads he feels?
Nor will the harmlesse Doves, become so wise
To know the Birds of prey, through their disguise,
Till they are all beguiled with their showes,
And, quite devour'd, by Buzzard, Kites and Crowes?
Shall wholsome counsell, alwaies, be withstood?
And, will you reinvolve your selves in blood,
What ever your best friends indeavour can,
And, as it were, in spight of GOD and man?

O GOD! what dulnesse hath possest these Nations?
When shall the Spirit of Infatuations,
Be dispossest, ye Britans? when shall peace
Unite your hearts? when shall dissention cease,
And, we behold againe within my Coast,
Those blessings, which they willfully have lost,
Who, sleighted counsell, when it was in season;
And, yet, resolve, not to be rul'd by Reason?

How long! oh Lord! how long shall they neglect
The Teachers of a better intellect,
And, in those courses frowardly persist,
Whereby, they must arrive at had I wist?
How long! shall that contagious Cloud of lies
Which through the streets, almost each morning flies
On paper wings, with slanders, poyson some?
To others, instruments of death, become?
Corrupt weake judgements? Interrupt the choice
Of good things? drown the Pacyfying-voice
Which, to their great advantage, they might hear,
Unlesse deaf-Adder like, they stopt their eare?
Or, listened to those falshoods, weich delude
The wisest, and enrage the multitude?

How long! shall men persever to delight
In cursed words, and actions of despight?
In studying reciprocall disgraces?
In flinging durt into each others faces?
And, as it were, in striving, who best may
The Devills part, upon cach other play.

How long! will you in an unhappy course,
Run from one bad extreme, into a worse?
How long! will you pretend, protest, and vow,
To be reform'd, yet, nothing better grow?
How long! will you condemne what others do,
Yet tread their paths, yea go beyond them, too,
And think ye shall enough your selves commend,
To publish, wherein others do offend?
Or punish them, whose crimes but veniall be,
When Capitall Transgressors may go free?

How long! will you observe the scorners Fate,
Yet, never, mend, before it be too late?
How long! shall God forbear? how long! for you
Befoole the wise, yet fooles no wiser grow?
How long! shall he keep off a Forraigne pow'r,
While you, at home, each other to devour,

And seek, by ev'ry new Deliverance,
Your owne Designes, and profits to advance?
As if the publike Mercies, which GOD sends,
Were all vouchsafed for your private ends?

How long! will you lie underneath the stroke,
Yet, his displeasure ev'ry day provoke?
Or being frighted from what was misdone,
Commit the same fault, when the fear is gone?
How long! shall prudence preach a safer way,
Yet, you renew your dangers, day, by day?
And, though you, still are told what will succeed.
Still carelesse be, of taking, timely, heed?

How long! will you good principles with-stand,
And fortifie with pebble stones and sand?
Or paper workes, or stubble-structures frame,
When, round about you, all is in a flame?
And, at the givers of good counsell, jeere,
That others, may be fooled as you are?

How long! will ye, whilst your blind-Harpers play
Divisions, Jigs, and Fancies, dance the Hay,
And, breake each others heads, and shins, and faces,
At Blind-man-buffe, (aswel to your disgraces
As to your losse and smart) whilst most about you,
Both for your madnesse, and your follies, flout you?
And whilst thereby your adversaries gaine
That, which they could not, otherwaies obtaine?

How long! will you permit, Ambition, pride,
Selfe-love or Avarice to be your guide?
And persevere to trust, and to commit
Your being, unto some who have nor wit,
Nor grace, nor modesty? as if he had
Forsworne good counsell, and, a Covenant made
VVith your oppressors, to resigne all pow'r
To them, who seek to prey on what is your?
And, still to prostitute your free Elections
To strengthen private ends, and nourish Factions?

How long will they, on whom your trust is plac't,
Put off, what should be first, untill the last?
How long will they irresolute appeare
Whereto they should undoubtedly adhere,
And, thereby keep, from knitting fast together,
Divided parts, till there be strength in neither
To reunite? Or, till all teare asunder,
Like Clouds disperst, by their own in-bred Thunder?

How long shall Knave be Trump? & all the Cards
Be pack't, to give unmerited rewards?
Or, deale forth undeservedly, to those
Who are best friends, the portion of your Foes?
And, O! how long shall such men play your Game,
Who have betray'd, who will betray the same,
And, still promote (though better be profest)
A Private, or, a Forraigne Interest?

Hear, O ye Islands! harken and beleeve,
Your Genius, who, doth see your waies, and greeve,
If you shall act, much longer, as ye do,
Your City, Army, Priest, and People too;
Your King, your chosen Commons, and your Peers,
Your Independents, and your Presbyters,
The worst disposed, and the best affected;
The faithfull, and the man of fraud detected;
The Freind, the Foe, the Foole, and he that's wise;
The Rich, and he who at his threshold lies;
English, Scot, Welsh, and Kerne, shall all together
So jumbled be, so juggle with each other,
So stagger from their Principles, and Friends,
Through foolish hopes false feares, or private ends;
That most shall be deceived, and, undone,
To make a winning-Game for Lookers on.
For, these have eyes upon you; and expect,
From your encreasing Discords, an effect
To their advantage: These, rejoyce to see
How senslesse of your owne true peace, you be;

How frowardly you act to your own cost,
And, play for them, that Game which they had lost.

With serious, if sleight things I may compare,
Ye, Britans are now playing (as it were)
A Game at Cards: for there are many faces,
Among you, like Kings, Queens, Tens, and Aces,
Beside the Vulgar pack; and much strange dealing,
Strange shuffling, and strange cutting, (worth revealing)
Is veiw'd, whereby the publike hath had wrong,
(And many private persons) over-long.
Some, by the Players; others by the Foxes,
Who have obtain'd the keeping of your Boxes;
Some, by their want of skill; and some by betting
Upon both sides; by violence, or cheating,
Are like no share at last, what you to lose;
Then, laugh to scorne, your Folly in the close;
Because, you good advantages did sleight
And, plaid your Game no better, when ye might.

How have ye lost, what you had lately got?
When all men saw, you had the better lot?
Of Hearts and Diamonds, you a while ago,
As faire Games had, as any hand could show:
But, some by-standers, who, your cards can view,
Are much afraid, that now ye have but few.
Of Spades and Clubs, yet (if well paid) ye have
Enough at least, whereby your stakes to save.
Ye had, but of one Queen, a diffidence;
And, shee was plaid away, a good while since:
The Knaves are shared so by either side,
That, little odds betwixt you is espi'd;
And, they, who yet seem Newters, (out of play)
At last, may serve to count upon, some way.
One King, alone, you have; and what to do
With him, a friend of yours could tell you too,
But that he is no Player, and he hath spoke,
Already, more, then many have well took.

Yet this I'le say; you cannot make your Game,
By all the Kings, and Court-Cards, you could name,
As by well playing him. As you dispose
Of him, so, you are like to win, or lose:
So, ye shall either gaine or misse, your ends;
So, you shall multiply your Foes or Friends:
GOD, give you grace to take the safest way;
VVhich, (if vaine hopes delude not) yet, ye may.

And, GOD, direct him, and incline him too
So prudently to suffer, and to doe,
That, he pursue no more sinister ends:
For, at this present, upon him depends
The Fortune of his House: And, therewithall
Shall many other, either stand, or fall,
VVhose Fates are yet, by very few discerned
To be in his well-doing much concerned:
Yea, thereupon, dependeth greater things,
Then are the Risings, and the Falls of Kings.

My Spirit, therefore, groanes within my brest,
And, is with violent desires opprest,
That, he, and they, who seem yet stupifi'd,
Might wake out of their Dreamings, to provide,
Against those many mischiefs, which of late,
Have menaced the ruine of this State:
And, seeing, by a neare relation, I
Am more oblig'd then any Stander-by,
To seeke your welfare, and prevent your woe,
I'le give such hints of what you ought to doe,
As are permitted; O! take therefore heed,
Of what ye now shall either hear or read:
For, without Riddles, I will plainely tell,
VVhat courses ye may follow, and doe well.

First, let your erring, and deluded King,
Himselfe, his Crowns, and Scepters humbly bring,
And, lay them at his feet, to whom, alone,
Belongs the supreme Glorie of each Throne.

For, GOD, will not be mock'd: (though for a space
He winks at many, who neglect his Grace)
But, will on every one, avengement take
Who, in his wickednesse doth progresse make.

Let him acknowledge that Supermacie,
And falling downe, before that Majesty,
Which is offended, ask to be forgiven
For his offence against both earth and heaven.
And, that he may obtain it, let him weigh
What Common Fame unto his charge doth lay;
What just occasion he hath given, why
Things are suspected, which ye may deny;
And, what his heart may justly smite him for;
Till, all his errors he doth so abhor,
That GGD may pardon them; and men may see,
His Grace is greater, then their sinnes can bee.

That this be truly done, let him not spare
To make his Failings, truly, what they are,
By, secretly, anatomizing them,
In every circumstance, 'twixt God and him:
For, in the world, it hath not yet been knowne,
That any King was cast out of his Throne,
Without a crying-sinne: Or, that God shooke
A Kingdome; or a Nation, ever strooke;
Or humbled any man, for his offence,
And re-advanced, without Penitence:
Except, when he, in wrath, did them restore,
To make their sufferings, and their shame the more.

Which, that he may prevent; let him delay
No longer, from a penitentiall way:
But, make return, before he run so far,
As to become a pris'ner at the

Insula Vectis.

BAR.
Or, let him take good heed, when he is there,
Lest other mens designs, and his own fear,
Or, such vaine hopes, as he hath had too long,
Occasion him to fall (by stearing wrong)

On Scylla, or Charybdis: Or, least, they
Who, seek their own advantage, him betray
By practise underhand: For, such as these
Will but prolong their owne: and his Disease,
With harme to others; and exasperate
Those humours, which will hasten on the Fate,
That may be fear'd. Thus, therefore, let him do,
Yea, doe it quickly, and sincerely too.

Let him, a while, withdraw himselfe, apart,
(Ev'n to the secret closet of his heart)
Excluding company, but chiefly, them
Who, from his Duties, long have hindred him,
By wicked counsells; or, by flattery;
Caus'd him to dote upon a Majesty
Which is not reall; and have thereby, turned
His glory into shame, and made him scorned.

Let him, shut out all those that shew unto him,
Those pictures of himselfe, which may undo him;
And, make him, like Narcissus, on a Bable
To dote, till he be fool'd into a Fable,
For, some, with so much Piety, besaint him;
With such fain'd Excellencies they bepaint him;
Yea, they so impudently magnifie him,
And, with so much Divinity bely him,
As if, to deifie him they profest;
Or, else, to canonize him, at the least.
And, but, that thousands know him; and, know too,
How much, men flatter Kings, (and what they do
Who idolize them) some would halfe beleeve
He were, not only, blamelesse, but conceive
That, seldome such a King, or such a man,
Had raign'd, or liv'd, since first the world began;
And, that these Kingdomes, have afflicted been,
Without his fault; yea, for the peoples sin
Against his God-head, onely: And, this course
Hath made him nothing better; but, much worse;

For Pharoah-like, it him, still more obdures,
And, ev'ry day, new sins, new plagues procures.

Let him, with prudent anger, therefore throw
Such cheating Glasses from him; and, those too,
Which multiply the faults by others done;
And, represent offences, which are none,
In hope to make themselves the fairer seem,
By casting blurs, on other mens esteem:
For these Impostors cheat him, with false showes,
That, he to save their Stakes, himselfe may lose.
Let him take heed of their Compliances,
Who are declined from those Principles,
Whereby, they in meere conscience, and true zeale.
Appeared active for the Common-Weal,
Against his Int'rest; and, in show or won
A counter course, in their Designes to run,
In aid of his desires, with hope of those
Rewards, or Honours, which he shall propose:
For, on such giddy Turne-coats, all his cost,
Time, promises, and favours, will be lost,
Both to himselfe and them; Because those flashes,
Are but a smoake, rais'd out of Dust, and Ashes,
And shap'd unto a Cloud; which being fill'd,
With noysome Aire, and, thereby, vainly swell'd,
Up to a shew of something, shall, at last,
Vanish to nothing by a suddain Blast.

Let him consider, what sad desolations
His wilfulnesse hath brought upon three Nations;
Upon himselfe, and Children; what great fears
And sorrowes he hath heap'd, now, many years,
On others too, aswell as upon them,
Whose peace, and weal, he ought not to contemne:
Let him take notice, with how little sense,
Of their Afflictions, and of their expence
In Blood and Treasure, he hath passed over
Those losses which he never can recover.

And let him ponder what may more befall,
Unlesse the pow'r of God prevent it shall.

Let him observe to what despised things,
Below the honour, not alone, of Kings,
But, of Inferiour Persons, he is brought,
By seeking that, which he in vaine hath sought;
By list'ning to bad Counsell; and, by still
Pursuing those beginnings which were ill.
Let him impartially resolve in mind,
To what conditions it hath him confin'd;
What heights of Glorie it hath cast him from;
To what a depth of Troubles, he is come;
What meanly-qualified Groomes, of late,
He hath been faine, disguis'd, to personate;
What triviall Fellowes he is forc'd to feed,
Ride, and converse with: yea, let him take heed,
From what sleight Jockies, and what Scatter-wits,
He seeketh aid, and thereby nothing gets,
To further his designes; nor ought but Lies,
Rodomantadoes, and such Vanities.
Nay, let him mark it once, and then againe,
What beggerly Companions he is faine
To fawne upon; to humour, bribe, and woe,
With promises, of wealth, and honour too,
To serve his ends, when thereto they can add
No more, then from a Porter may be had;
Except it, peradventure, be Returnes
Of ruine on themselves, and, on him scornes.

Let him examine, by himselfe, alone,
What he committed hath, or left undone,
For which this change befalls him; And not dream
That, these afflictions have pursued him
For other mens transgressions altogether,
And let him seriously consider, whether
There can be hearty penitence, or no,
For wrongs, without some satisfaction too,

Let him examine, if a sacrifice
Of words, and protestations, may suffice
For bloodsheds, and those many robberies,
Which on his Person, and his Party lies:
Or, whether he, and his Prerogatives
Were ever worth so many thousand lives,
As they have cost: or, whether, when to make
His last accompt, he cometh, GOD will take
So triviall an answer, as to say;
His will, and pleasure, they would not obey;
But rebells were, who did that power resist,
Which he doth claime, of doing what he list
As his Vicegerent, and, as he wrs taught
By those, whom he, to be true Prophets thought.

Let him consider, what best guards a Throne,
And, keeps him safest, who doth sit thereon;
By whom, Kings raigne; why they at first were made;
And, for whose sakes, authority they had:
That, he may not suppose GOD, did provide
His Kingdome, only to advance his pride:
Or, to inflict an heavy curse, upon
Whole Nations, by inslaving all to one.

Let him consider, in what infamies
A Tyrant lives, in what uncertainties,
Fears, doubts, and dangers: and with what esteem,
Content and peace, he wares his Diadem,
Who raignes, as knowing, that he had his Crown
More, for his peoples sake, then for his own.
And, let him kick away those Parasites,
Whose Counsell to Oppression, him invites;
Or, foolishly perswades him, to improve
Pow'r, wealth, or pleasure, by the losse of love.
And, thereby, makes him labour to enjoy
That pow'r, which will at last himself destroy.

Let him consider, soberly, if he
In honour, or in conscience bound may be

Himself, for those, to hazard, who pretended
His Honour, and his Rights, to have befriended;
Whereas, it may, (by many a circumstance)
Be made appeare, that, at their owne advance
They chiefly aim'd; or, to prevent the Lot,
Which, they had by his Grace, already got.
For, to prevent approaching Beggery,
Some strength'ned him in acts of Tyranny;
Some, to disturb the waters, that in them,
They might be thriving Fishers, under him.
And very few (what e're they counterfeit)
To him adhered, but, to save, or get.
Or, though their love ingaged them; yet, none
Is bound to more, then can by him be done:
Nor is it just, that he, himself should lose,
Because, he wanteth pow'r, to save all those
Who stood with him ingaged: Nor, would they
Desire it, if they lov'd him, as they say.

Let him not trust to those fanatick things,
Who, dote upon the Accidents of Kings,
And sleight their Essence: For, as hitherto
These, by their aid, did but themselves undo
Without his benefit; so shall it bee
Hereafter, till their errour they can see.

There is no help in humane policy,
Nor any way, but down-right honesty
To his security; or to redeem
Their happinesse who have assisted him:
For ev'ry course, and politike designe
That, shall be drawne out, by a crooked line,
Will but beget new mischiefs, and inforce
New projects, whose effects will still be worse;
Till spight of pow'r, and fraud, long swords, and daggers,
He stand enrowl'd among the Royall Beggers;
Or, with those Kings, who, from their honour fell,
Because, they sleighted those, who wish'd them well.

Let, him not fancy, that their seeming love,
Who Court him, yet, will worth regarding prove,
Though, daily more and more they shall repaire
To kisse his hand; or, fill the empty aire
With acclamations; or, although they may
Upon his birth, or Coronation day
Make Bonefires, ring the bells, drink healths unto him,
And such like triviall, and rude honours do him;
For, herein, these, act but a sensuall part,
Delightfull to themselves, without a heart:
Some, to expresse their present discontent,
And dis-affection to the Parliament:
Some, for selfe-ends; some out of levity,
And, many other, they well know not why,
Seem zealous of his honour, who would soone,
Repent what, they now covet-should be done,
Were he restor'd unto them, with that mind
Whereto, as yet, he seems to be inclin'd;
And, they who do this day Hosanna crie,
Would say, perhaps, to morrow, Crucifie.

The common People, rather live by sense,
Then reason; and so quickly take offence
At present suffrings, that they oft are pleas'd
To cut their own throats, that they may be eas'd.
And, when it shall distast their Fantasies,
Will tread on what they did Idolatrize.

If, therefore, he would in their love confide,
And gaine from them affections which will bide;
He must protect, them from receiving wrong,
In things, which to their Freedomes do belong:
Of their proprieties, he must take care;
And, that their Persons and their purse he spare,
Till he shall need them; and untill they see
How for his honour, and their good 'twill bee:
For, they will then, be forwarder to give,
Then he shall be to ask, or to receive;

And, when just cause the same occasion may,
Fling, for his sake, both goods and lives away.

Let this be then his aime, and his intent,
When God shall joyn him with his Parliament;
With Justice, let him round impale his Throne,
And, set before it, like King Solomon,
A guard of Lions, that, may keep away
Those Apes, Baboons, and Foxes, which assay
Thereon to make intrusions; or, devise
How to invade him, with such flatteries,
As may delude him; and, divert him from
Those Duties, which his Dignity become.

All his Prerogatives, likewise, let him
So mix with equity; so, circle them
With pious Charmes; and, so confine, and awe
His Vassals, by Example, and by Law,
That, in all times to come, nor he, nor they
Who shall succeed him, find occasions may
To dim his glory, or his pow'r to shake;
Or, on the Subjects right, a breach to make.
So, shall the people their just claimes enjoy,
So, you, who do each other now destroy,
Shall in each others happinesse delight,
And, raise your Mountaine to a glorious height.
What, can he more desire, then to excell
Among those people, with whom all is well?
Whither can he aspire, but to possesse
On earth, the chiefest earthly happinesse?
And, what can he have lesse, then he now gaines
By seeking more, then to a King pertaines?

But, lest, what his good Genius would advise,
He may, by meanes of their deceits despise,
Who have the Jannes and the Jambres been,
By whose enchantments, he continues in
Obduratenesse: Let him, take speciall care
Of those false Priests, and Prophets to beware,

Who sooth him up with lies; and, make him dream,
That, by endangering his Crowne for them
He should preserve it; and, that, to provide
Large meanes to feed their gluttony and pride,
Is to promote GODS glory; let him not
Believe those truthlesse vanities, a jot.

Though some good men, have heretofore been fed
With Babels portions, and unforfeited,
Preserv'd their innocence, (with much ado)
Yet, now, those dainties, have corrupted so
This Generation; that there's cause to doubt
Their Charmes. And, therefore, let him shut them out
From heart, and eare, (what ever formall shew
Of Sanctity, they make in outward veiw)
Believing, that their chiefe intentions here,
Are to repair their breaches; or, endeare,
And sweeten, to the ruine of this Nation,
Those Philters, and that cup of fornication,
Whereby, their Scarlet Mistresse, giddifies
All those, who listen to her Witcheries.

Let him, above all others, take good heed
Of these deceivers: adde this to his Creed
Concerning them: ev'n this, that they are not
Gods Prophets; that, God ownes not for his lot,
That they so call, and, that, though him they raise
Above the Moone, with attributes of praise;
It is, but for the service of the Dragon,
Their Lust, their great Diana, or their Dagon,
That, they so court him: yea, though they adore
The seat he sits on, as divine (or more)
And, canonize him (as it were) for one,
Who, all his Predecessors had out-gone
In piety, (because, he stoutly stands
To keep them with full guts, and idle hands)
Let him not be deceiv'd; nor think so glorious,
So honourable, or, so meritorious,

What he would do for them, (if he were able)
For, Jesabel did feed, at her owne table,
Eight hundred Prophets; and, appear'd no doubt,
In her owne way, as bounteously devout,
As he would be: yet, did her superstition,
With other sinnes, occasion her perdition:
And they were but false Prophets, whom she fed,
Who shortly, after, likewise perished.
Hypocrisie. and superstition, may
Be sooner flattered by such as they,
Into stupendious-bounties, then you see
The best men can, by true devotion be:
And, this, the Sacrifices, Altars, Groves,
Shrines, Idols, Temples, and that Bounty proves,
Which hath been dedicated unto men,
To Angells, and to Devills, now and then.

Then, let him, not their Praises prize; nor feare,
Against their claimes, that covenant to sweare,
Which is establish'd by his Parliament,
Their mischievous encrochments to prevent:
For, though they have made captive his esteem;
Not only to their callings, but to them;
Nor they, nor that (once theirs) now, sold and bought,
Are so divine, as they would have them thought.

Yea, though these call it sacriledge, in those
Who, to discharge the publike debts, dispose
What was of late, employed, but to feed
Bel and the Dragon; and, would scruples breed
Within his conscience, making him beleeve,
That GOD, is rob'd, if others do receive
What, lately they possest (and have too long
Usurp'd already, to the publike wrong.)
Let neither King, nor people, be afraid
Of what by these Impostors, hath been said,
To save their Kitchenstuffe; and, that their back
Hereafter, may not their soft raiment lack.

Let him not fearfull be to sell, ot buy
Those portions, in their great necessity,
Unlesse they sell, or buy them, with a mind,
To prey on others rights; or, are inclin'd
To have them though they think it may be sin;
And whether right, or wrong be done therein:
For, such a man himselfe doth guilty make
Of Sacriledge, though but his owne he take.

A true Disciple, doubtlesse may injoy
Things carnall; and whilst them he doth imploy
As he is bound, none ever grudges him
Their use; nor doth him, in their use, condemne:
But, when, his own false int'rest to advance,
He shall mis-name it, Christ's inheritance,
Or otherwise shall mis-imploy the same
Against Truths Friends, and honor of GOD's name;
He forfeits what he had. Moreover, know,
That Christ, whose service they pretend unto,
Bequeath'd them no such Lordships, as they claime:
Nor Salaries, like those, at which they aime:
But giving them Cmmmission (whom he sent
His work to do) injoyned them content
With his allowance; strictly charged them,
To trust to none, for wages, but to Him:
And, to expect their Labours hire from none,
(Or any where) but, where the work is done.

But, see, how great a difference now appears
Betwixt these Priests, and Christ's Commissioners:
So impudently they do now presume
The Titles, and the Wages, to assume,
Which were forbid; so largely, they provide,
Not necessaries onely, but for pride,
For luxury, and for magnificence,
Beyond the limits of a modest Prince;
So loose at their deportments, and so vaine;
Such Ruffians and Buffoones they entertaine:

Of common faults, and of each crying sin,
So manifestly guilty, some have been;
So peevish are they, so uncharitable;
Amid their plenty, so inhospitable;
So ignorant, they have been otherwhile,
And their Apostleships do so defile;
That, to suppose CHRISTS Officers were such
As they appear, were in effect, as much
As to professe, his Kingdome were become
Terrestriall, and his Court, indeed, at Rome;
And, he who shall receive these, in the name
Of CHRISTS Disciples, will receive but shame.

'Tis pitie, that their Bounty, who were Nurses
To piety, at first; and, who, their purses
So prodigally empti'd, to endow
The needy Saints, should so perverted grow;
And, that, men were so gracelesse in their use
Of Blessings, as to lose them by abuse.
Yet, just it was, that they who did suppose
GODS bounty, not enough; their owne, should lose.
And, that, gifts which he gave not; and, which may
Pervert his purpose, should be took away;
(At least) when their possessors do begin,
To turne, what flow'd from vertue, into sin.

And, how could you imploy their vast wealth better,
Then, to discharge that, wherein you were debter
By their default, who, sought to have destroy'd
Your Birth-rights, by that wealth which they enjoy'd?
Since, Offrings made to GOD, (and, which to owne,
He doth accept) may be on men bestowne,
In times of need, when mercy, justly cries
To be prefer'd, before a Sacrifice.

Thus, did, without reproofe, the Jewish Kings
By, otherwhile, with Dedicated things,
Their Kingdomes peace; and purchas'd uncontrold,
Their Liberties with sanctified Gold;

So, with their wealth, by whom your wars begun
To pay the Souldier, you have justly done.

But, that your King more plainely may espy
His disobligement, to the Prelacy;
(Which comprehends those Boutefeu's, by whom
He, and his people, are almost become
The ruine of each other) Be it knowne;
These, were, at first, no creatures of his owne,
Or, of his Predecessors; though, they gain'd
A legall Oath, by them to be maintain'd,
As part of holy Church; and, though a while,
They sate among the Peerage of this Isle.
But, they were first created, to promote
The Kingdome of the BEAST, and, to devote
Their services to him, in raising high,
In making strong, and large, his Emperie;
Or, in debasing Kings; and, how, they did
Performe that service, you in stories read.

Now, when for bloody tyranny, from hence,
That Tyrant was expell'd, by Providence,
These also, (if they had not been befriended)
Had into banishment, their Chief, attended.
But, they pretending to a Reformation,
(Perhaps, to keep possession in this Nation,
For their grand Signior; and, to bring to passe
What, now of late, almost effected was,)
Obtained grace: And, proving to be fit
For their ambition, who aspire to get
An arbitrary pow'r, they did arise
Almost to all their former dignities;
And, grew so active, and, so wise became
In playing of the Kings, and their owne game,
That, here, (as plainly as in France) we see
There's no such Tyrants; as where Prelates bee.
And, he, perhaps, did mean the self-same thing,
Who us'd to say, no Bishops, and no King.

They were advanc'd, like Jeroboams Priests,
But to preserve usurped Interests
Upon the people; and to help encrease
Those claimes which Tyrants covet to possesse,
By falsifying Charters and Commissions,
From Sacred Writ, to justifie oppressions:
And Jurisdictions, to that end, they had,
To force, when wit they wanted, to perswade.
Then, to oblige the more, and, that they might
Be like to Jeroboams Priests, outright;
They, from the poorest, and the basest sort
Of people, rose, to highest place in Court.
This is their Jus divinum, whatsoe're
Their friends, or they, would make themselves appear:
Which, by clear demonstration, I make good,
And, not by tales of Tubs, and Robin-Hood.
Thus, what they were; and, what they had to do,
And, what at best their pride hath brought them to,
I have declared; that, your King no more
May cheated be by them, as heretofore:
Or, think, that Law, or Conscience, him obliges,
To keep up their usurped Priviledges,
But, thereby know, that, if he shall delight
In that, which is indeed the Royall-right;
He, their vaine services, no more, will need,
And, joy, that from such Flatt'rers he is freed.

If any shall object, that, he hath took
An Oath on their behalfe; that might be spoke
Aswell of Kings, perhaps, who took away
Old Idol Preisthoods: For, 'tis likely, they
Vow'd their protection, when the policy
Of Jeroboam rais'd his Hi'rarchy
To fix the Kingdome. But, no Oaths oblige,
Which in unlawfull actions would ingage:
And, his Oath is not broke by him, who took it,
When, that, which made it lawfull, doth revoke it.

If it be said, those things to God were given,
Which they possest. What then? in earth, and heav'n,
God, is the sole possesser of all things;
And, (whatsoever any takes, or brings)
Hath neither more nor lesse; nor doth allow
That any place on earth, or portion, now,
Of things meere earthly, should be made appeare
More holy, or more his, then others are;
For, man intitling GOD, to mens estates,
Is, but a Priest-cheat, which he greatly hates.

When, you give more to God, then he commands,
His Thanks is; Who requir'd it at your hands?
Nor doth he those Oblations ever prize,
Which from a superstitious ground arise;
Nor counts, a charitable deed made void,
When gifts abused, better are imploy'd.

Oh! let not then his hazzards to preserve
Their temp'rall claimes, be more then they preserve.
Let him not tire himselfe to change a boot,
Which he may weare with ease, on either foot.

Let him not, by his undue care of these
Which were the chiefest cause of his disease,
Against his owne just Int'rest make him erre,
By seeking their advancements to preferre
Before his owne well-being. Let him not
Permit their formall wisedome to besot
His understanding so, that he shall scorne
This Counsell; or, continue to adjourne
Compliance with his people in those things
Which are the Cement betwixt them and Kings;
And, will be so approved, maugre that
Which, to deceive him, they both print, and prate.

Let him not trust to their enchanting Spells,
Nor to the braine of their Achitophells;
For, if faint, or false-heartednesse in those
Who, for the Publike, his attempts oppose,

Shall not for private, or, by-interest
Betray the cause and trust they have profest;
GOD, at this present time, will lower bring
The tyrannizing pow'r of Priest, and King.
Nor King-craft, Priest-craft, nor the policies
Of all, who preach or fight by tyrannies,
Shall long prevaile, though, to support each other
All Europes Tyrants should unite together:
But, GOD, when they suppose to reach the tops
Of their designs, will frustrate all their hopes;
And, cause them to perceive, that he intends
To prosper that, whereto they are no friends.

Before that day, from all equivocations,
From all close ends, and mentall Reservations,
Let Charles, begin a resolute retreat;
Else (MARK this) when sev'n years he shall compleat
Among the Beasts, with Nebuchadnezar,
Th'event of his demurrers will appear:
And, he, who, yet a Leadstar, might become,
Of just Dominion, to all Christendome,
Shall misse the best advantage offred, yet,
To any, King, who on his Throne did sit.
Though clouds rise in the South, and in the North;
There is a Doome-conditionall, gone forth
To be reverst, or stand, as he shall, now,
His want of prudence, or, his wisedome show,
As when the Sun ascends, to run his race,
From his ecclipsed honour, and disgrace,
He, now, may rise; whereas, if he passe by
The present offred opportunity,
He may perhaps, begin the fatall dance,
Which ev'ry King must foot, who doth advance
Himselfe above his bound. He, may, now, make
Their expectations frustrate, who, yet, take
An old prediction, in that sense, which he
Would be unwilling so fulfill'd should be.

For, through these Islands this Tradition goes,
That He, who made the English Damask Rose,
Or, else some other, being curious growne,
To know the future fortune of his Throne,
Receiv'd, in hieroglyphick-wise exprest,
Their Portraitures, who, when he was at rest,
Should in his Kingdome, after him succeed;
With words, in Latine Verse, thus Englished:
A Man, a Child, a Furious-One;

Vir, puer, &c.

A Maid, a Fox, a Lion, None.
I would not, any much should trust, or feare
Such Prophecies; yet, when events appeare
To answer unto that, which was fore-told,
Wise-men should make what use of them they could:
Seek how they might extract, ev'n from the Devills
Deceits, an antidote, against his evills;
And, so direct their actions, that his Charmes
And cheating riddles, may not do them harmes.
Lo, that prediction, is this day fulfill'd;
Six, as it was fore-typifi'd, have held
The Scepter of that King; and, now there's none,
Who either weares the Crowne, or fills the Throne;
Nor, any thing to furnish out the same
Belonging to that race, except a Name:
And, here shall end that Prophesie, unlesse
It further be fulfild through wilfulnesse.

If he, who ownes that name, shall harken to
Their counsell, who will tell him what to do;
That name, at last, much like that stamp, may be
Which was preserved, when the Royall-tree,
Once, representing Nebuchadnezzar,
Was felled down. And, as he did appear
In former Glorie, when he had confest
His failings, and the living God profest;
So, shall it be with Charles, if he repent;
God, will the ruine of his House prevent;

Restore him to his Throne, and make his fame
To grow the fairer, through his present shame.
But, if he shall defer, till 'tis too late,
Let him prepare for King Belshazzars fate,
And, let all those, who shall to him adhere,
Expect, in his sad dooms to have a share.

As Samuel did for Saul, till God did fling
That Tyrant off, and chose another King;
So shall I pray for him (with mourning too)
Till I perceive what GOD, and he will do.
And, therefore, touching him, I will (before
I speak to others) utter somwhat more.

By no externall symptoms, can I find
That, he doth yet, begin to change his mind;
But, so, in his first march proceedeth on,
As if, he wrongs receiv'd, but none had done.
And, whereas GOD, for penitence doth call,
Doth seem to think, there needeth none at all;
But, rather, that his people (if not heav'n)
Should supplicate, to be of him forgiven,
For suffring, such an Innocent as he,
So scandalized, and so wrong'd to be.

Yea, and the people (as it is their guize)
When some offender at the gallowes dies,
Whom they themselves brought thither, do begin
To look more on the streight that he is in,
Then, on the reason of it. And as when
A Township, having seized guilty men,
Who had much wrong'd their servants, stole their goods,
Devour'd their cattell, sometime shed their bloods,
And, threatned their destruction; in a rage
They force them to the stocks, or to the cage,
Or to the Justice, and are like to teare
The Rogues in pieces, too, ere they come there:
But, when they are examin'd; and when they
Must, at their Parish charges them convey

Unto the Goale; be bound to prosecute;
Take paines, and spend some money in the suit,
That Justice may be done (the Land to free
From such a plague as those were like to bee)
Then, if the Rascals whine (as they will do)
And make their moan, they faine would let them go.

Thus, fares it with the people; they complain'd
Against the King, of wrongs by him sustain'd,
And, of worse like to come. They saw, he drew
The Sword upon them, therewith to pursue
His Usurpations; and, they were compel'd,
To arm, and to oppose him in the field;
Where, GOD, the victory bestow'd on them;
And, in their own defence, they conquer'd him.

Then, finding, that this Conquest drew on charge,
And, that it further would their cost inlarge
To keep what they have got, (lest all the cost
And blood already wasted, should be lost,
And worse things follow) they impatient grow,
And, are discourag'd, and besotted so,
That, they begin to pity his estate
More then themselves; to scandalize, and hate
Ev'n their Deliverances; to underprize
GODS mercies, their own safety to despise;
And, to behave themselves, as if they had
An inclination in them to be mad
About next Moon in Iune: Or, had their Doome
In spight of their Defenders, to become
Perpetuall slaves: And, this base Generation,
(Foes to themselves, and to their own salvation)
Have so confirm'd the Kings obduracy,
By their imprudence, and apostacy,
That, he, perhaps, perswades himselfe, there needs
No penitence for any of his deeds
Against the publike Rights; and that his ends
To compasse, this vain Rout will yeeld him friends.

Now, therefore, all excuses to prevent,
Though I have shew'd, whereof he should repent;
Informed how; and in some part, of what;
Yet, here Ile touch a little more of that,
That He, and they who think him without blame,
May somewhat now consider of the same.

Deserves it no repentance, to invade
Those priviledges which his people had?
And those proprieties, which they injoy'd
In their estates, unjustly, to make void,
Or, from their antient freedomes, them to thrust?
Or, from their due possessions for his lust?
Or, maintenance for luxury and pride,
By other mens undoings, to provide?
And, then by Proclamation, to pretend
Some necessary, and some publike end,
Which, could be manifest to no mans veiw,
And, which, was generally knowne untrue?

Was it no sinne, by base Monopoles,
To raise the price of most commodities?
To take away free trades and occupations;
To vex men with perpetuall Molestations,
By Courts and Officers, devis'd for nought
But, that men into bondage might be brought
To his Prerogatives? and by degrees
By new exactions, Services, and Fees,
Be screw'd up, (through demands, appearing small)
Till he hath got a seeming right in all?
For if that be his due, which was receiv'd;
So, is the rest, if Priests may beleiv'd.

Was it no fault, deserving penitence,
To take away the meanes of their defence,
From his most faithfull Subjects? to ingrosse
And, raise the price of powder, to their losse,
And their apparent danger? to disarme
Their persons, who intended him no harme?

To put them under the command of those
Who are their knowne Oppressors and their Foes?
To make them lend what he ne're meant to pay?
To make them buy what he should give away?
To make them give, who had no list thereto;
To make them sell, what they would not forgo?
To act, what may of all their dues deprive them?
And to deny them that, which should relieve them?

Deserves it not a sigh, that in his Court
Prophanenesse, and Oppressions, were but sport?
That, Judges were compell'd to wrest the Lawes?
Divines the Scriptures, to maintaine a Cause
Which GOD abhorres; that all oppressions should
Be there upheld, and sin be uncontrold?
That School-boyes not arriv'd at years of reason,
Should suffer death, as culpable of Treason,
For childish words; as if Kings grew afraid
Through guiltinesse, of what young Infants said?
Deserves it not bewailing, to repaire
By fines, unjustly rais'd, the House of prai'r?
To punish, men of merit, with disgraces,
Dismembrings, Stigmatizing of their faces,
Imprisonments, exiles, and separations
From friends, wives, children, yea, from all relations,
For things not capitall; or, deemed crimes,
By Law; or, blamable in better times?

Was nothing done, whereof he might repent,
When ev'n the speaking of a Parliament,
Was made a crime? when Members were confin'd,
For doing what by duty was injoyn'd;
When all their Priviledges were so broke,
That, some should violently have been tooke,
Ev'n from their Sanctuary; which, of old
To violate, no Tyrant was so bold:
And for which act, alone, this free born Nation,
Would quite have ruin'd all his Generation,

In former times; if, they had ere obtain'd
So great advantages, as now are gain'd?

Deserves it no repentance, to bestow
Those honours which to virtue he doth owe,
On vitious men? Or, such as had no worth
But, wealth and arrogance, to set them forth?
Or, could be instruments to help undo
Their honest neighbours, and the Kingdome too?
Is it no wrong, to set such Rascalls, over
Their well knowne betters, that they may uncover,
And rise, and bow, before them; who, are fitter
To lacky by their horse, Caroch, or Litter?
Or, rather to be baffled, kick'd and scorned,
Then, with a Coronet to be adorned?

Was nothing purpos'd, fit to be repented,
When that Designe was first of all invented,
Which, to promote, (and, thereby to inforce)
He sent both for Commanders and for Horse,
To Germany? And, was there nothing plotted,
When on our Seas that Spanish Navy floted,
Which anchor'd in the Downes? Is there no teare,
Or sigh due, for those things which acted were
Concerning Rochell; whereof, to this day,
The Protestants of France complaine, and say,
It cannot be, but, that both GOD, and Man
Will vengeance bring, for what they suffred then?

Is there no need of penitentiall prayers,
For innovating of the Scotch-affaires?
For doing, and undoing? For complying,
And falling off? For granting, and denying?
For all those falsifyings which fore-went
The first, the second, and this Parliament?
For all those injuries, which have been since?
For all the acts of fraud, and violence,
Committed in these Islands, since this Warre,
By him, and those, which of his party are?

For all these, is there no compunction due,
Which, he before the world, is bound to shew?

No cause, can he discover of contrition,
For that Idolatrie, and Superstition,
Which daily multiplyed in these Lands
By his connivance, or by his commands?
And, by the vaine hopes, fear, or fraud of those
Whose piety consists in mimick showes?
And, since there is a Statute, in this Isle
Which treasonable makes, to reconcile
This people unto Rome; did it appeare
No fault, to tolerate an Agent here,
Or Nuntio from the Pope, to innovate
In matters of Religion, and the State?
Is there not cause enough he should repent
(Though no cause else were found) that, he hath spent
So many years before he doth begin
That penitence, which brings forgivenesse in?
That he adventured so many falls,
Neglected and with-stood so many calls?
Made outward shewes, of sorrow and remorse,
Yet, was no whit the better, if not worse?
That, in his heart, he still prepares for Warre,
When all his words for peace, and Treaties are?
That GODS long suffrings, and th'indulgencies
Of his wrong'd people, he doth still despise?
And, that, although he now is in a chaine,
His former hopes, and purposes remaine?

If he repent not, may he not at last,
Be made repent it, when the time is past?
That, he is so unwise, as to provoke
Those men so far, by whom his pow'r is broke,
As by apparent signes, to let them see
His aimes to compasse their destruction be?
And, how, for that intent still meanes are tri'd,
All parties, from each other to divide,

And from themselves? Moreover, may he not
Find reason to repent, what, by the Scot
He hath endeavour'd to effect his ends?
What by the Citie, Armie, and his Friends
In either House? yea by the people too,
That, he may make all Parties help undo
Themselves, and him, whose fall till he repent,
No pow'r, will be so powerfull to prevent.
For, though they thriv'd a while, both he, and they
Whom he corrupteth, shall descend one way;
And, GOD this Kingdome shall in order set,
By men and meanes, not thought upon, as yet.

More might be said; much more, to let him see
What causes, of repentance there may be;
Which I had rather he himselfe should find,
(And, seriously consider in his mind)
Then hear them from another; and, but that
The Common Voice, these faults enumerate,
I, had not mention'd them: nor, shall these prove
A blemish to him, if all this may move
His heart to penitence: For, then Ile say
Enough, to take all guiltinesse away;
And make him cleaner, then he was that morn,
In which it was first said, that he was borne.
And, GOD, so blesse my hopes, as I intend
All this, to bring his troubles to an end;
And in this manner do it, that past evills,
Nor future sinnes, nor spight of men, or Devills,
May power obtaine, to stop him, or to fling him
From that estate, whereto, I wish to bring him.

The way, by me designed (I confesse)
To be a path, full of uneasinesse
To flesh and blood; and, not without much terror,
At first to those, who liv'd in waies of error.
It is not so with violets bestrow'd,
With pinks and roses, as the path way show'd

By his deluding Prelates; but, I'le say,
This, confidently, 'tis the safest way,
And easiest I could find, for one who had
Such long and obstinate by-wand'rings made;
And, I unwilling am, he should begin
A course, which he might lose his labour in;
As those do, who close up a fest'ring wound
With healing salves, while filth in them is found.
My course may harsh appeare, and full of dangers,
To them, who to such practises are strangers;
Yet, I dare warrantize, (for I can tell)
It leads to heaven, although it lies by hell:
And that it will at last be well approved,
Of those, who him for his own sake have loved.

But, lest, the Maximes, which Court-breeding gives
To Kings, and zeale to their Prerogatives,
May steel his conscience; and, still, make him dream
That, all his Kingdomes, and all things in them,
Are his by right: And, that, if it be so,
All those endeavourings conducing to
The keeping of that Right, may, then be done:
And, lest he thence infer, he wrongeth none,
On whom, he maketh war, with an intent,
Incroachments on his Kingship, to prevent;
But, that, they rather, who have him with-stood,
Have down upon their own heads, drawn their blood.

To take the frothie vanity of that
Conceit away; thus, I expostulate:
If Kings have such a right; how was it gained?
From whom, was that Prerogative obtained?
For, sure, what ever Parasites may please
To feigne; Kings are not Ab Origines,
But had beginnings, like to other men,
Who rise, and fall; are born and, and die agen;
And, came to their preferments, either by
GODS gift, or mans, or else by Victory.

'Twere blasphemy, to say, that God bestow'd
That pow'r upon them, which to be allow'd
They now contend: and, they from hell did fetch
Their Text, or comment, who such Doctrine preach.
It cannot be, that God, who, is Perfection;
Goodnesse it self; the Essence of Affection;
And, Fountaine, out of which free mercy goes,
Throughout the whole creation, and o're-flowes:
It cannot be, that from among those creatures,
(Which are in all things, of the selfe-same natures)
He should not only, one or two, advance
Above the rest, but by his Odinance
Declare it, likewise, to be right and just,
In them (even meerly to fulfill their lust)
To take from others, when it pleases them,
Child, honour, goods, life, liberty and limb;
Or, practise cruelties upon them: No,
It neither can be, neither is it so:
For, in his Word he tells, what Kings should do;
There makes description of such Tyrants too,
As those, for which their suit his People made;
When, in his wrath, a King bestow'd he had;
Because, they long'd for that vaine Gallantry,
Which they among the Nations, did espie.
He sharply threatens Kings, who tyrannize,
Or, use their pow'r, in an insulting wise;
And sayes, he gave them their Prerogatives,
That, men should under them, lead quiet lives;
That Swords they have, to execute the Law;
Defend the just; ungodly men to awe;
And, so to raigne, that no good man might feare
The port they carry, or the Sword they beare.

Whence then obtain'd they that exorbitant
Dominion, whereof, now so much they vaunt?
Did first the people, give them such a pow'r
And, set them up, of purpose to devour,

Vex, and inslave them? That were to conceive
A madnesse, which no wise men will beleeve;
Nor many fools, their folly so betray,
As thus to think; much lesse, the same to say,
And, doubtlesse hitherto, no Nation had
So little reason, as to grow so mad.

Did they then raise themselves, unto their height?
Where got they pow'r, to conquer such a right?
If others helpt them, whither did they run,
To keep themselves free, when that deed was done?
It seemeth likely, they would stay to share,
Their portions, where they so victorious were;
And did not sure, intend to set up one,
By whom, they would themselves be trod upon.
Nor, could those valiant men become so base,
To leave behind them, an inslaved race,
By takeing such conditions, as are now,
Impos'd on many Kingdomes, which you know.
Or, if a Nation, might be fool'd so much,
Who knowes, this Peoples lot, to have been such?
What antient History, or what record
Thereof, a testimoniall doth afford?
If none, how do your British Tyrants claime
What they usurp; and that whereat they aime?
If they obtain'd it by deceiving trust,
Which is most true (then, make amends they must)
And if spontaneously they do the same,
They lose with honour, what they got with blame.
If they prescription plead, from times of yore;
Time makes not wrongs, to be the lesse, but more.
By Conquest, will they claime it; know ye, then,
The Conquerours are conquered agen;
And, what time, and the sword away have tore,
Time, and the sword, doth righteously restore:
And, that, time is no bar to rightfull things;
Is for the people, true, as well as Kings;

But how, their Peoples freedomes, goods and lives
Shall Kings protect, if their Prerogatives,
Should be infring'd, or lost? there is indeed
A just Prerogative, that he may need
In some Immergencies, which both by reason,
And, by the law of nature is in season,
When things which for the Publike safety are,
Require them; and, when no knowne lawes declare
What may be done. In such necessities
No Common-Wealth, no prudent man, denies
An Arbitrary Pow'r to private men;
Much lesse, to Magistrates, and Princes, then.
No Nation is so foolish to restrain
That just Prerogative, and so make vaine
Their owne security: they will and may
Be Judge of those nccessities; for they
Are most concerned in them; and if he
Whom they to guard them chose, depriv'd shall be
Of meanes to do his duty; they must bear
The blame of what ensues: for, he is clear.

Thus, I could answer to all other things,
Which are objected by usurping Kings,
If need requir'd; and bring them light to see,
How they by hypocrites, abused be;
And, say enough, were he thereto inclin'd,
To make your present King, to change his mind.

But, GOD, that only turnes the hearts of Kings,
And to himself reserves such glorious things,
As their conversions; will I hope, in time,
Produce that miracle of grace in him:
For, if I guesse right, he would now be glad
To know, where wholesome counsell might be had;
And knowes what 'tis, to want, in his distresse,
Such men as dare the truth to him professe,
Without regarding carnall hopes, or feare;
Or, who displeased, or well pleased are.

There are some Prayers left upon record,
That, plead yet, strongly for him, to the Lord,
And, which, by his forgot Remembrancer,
Were offered up for him in his first year,
When that, which now is truly come to passe,
By him foreseen, and justly feared was.
It may be, at this present time, those Praiers
Then sent up, for this King, and his affaires,
Begin to take effect; for, who doth know
What mercies from the Fount of Grace may flow?
Or, what for him, those offerings might prepare
Which made, by Faith, in Fiery Trialls were?

Oh, if they take effect, and if he find,
Such motions (as are wish'd for) in his mind,
To spring up; let a blessed deaw from heaven,
Descend, that growth unto them, may be given.
With true humility, let him begin,
To meet them kindly, and to welcome in
Those guests with such respect into his heart,
As may there fix them, never to depart.
Let not a shame, to be repented of,
Or, their derisions, who perhaps will scoffe
At such a change, deter from persevering;
Or, by their threats, beget in him a fearing
Of what may follow: for, it glad shall make,
And cheere his Soul, when all their hearts will ake.

Let him not entertain the least suspect
His Penitence will want a due effect,
If it be true; or, that a guard or wall,
From being manifest, restraine it shall,
When once it workes: Nor let his people feare
To trust him, when he proves therein sincere:
For, hearty Penitence, is of a straine
Not like to that, which hypocrites do faine;
But, moving, unresistable, and cleare,
When, and in whomsoere, it shall eppeare.

Yea, thereunto, so great a pow'r is given,
That, hearts, alone, it breaks not ope, but heav'n,
And, maketh way to reconcile agen,
The greatest sinners, both to GOD and Men.
For, whosoere is truly penitent,
Meerly with tongue and eies, doth not repent,
With vowes, with protestations, and with tears;
Or, with such formall complements, as theirs
Who keep an out-side-fast, or cloath the back
With vestments, and with long cloakes, died black;
Or, who make faces, or look for a while,
So sad, as if it were a mortall sinne, to smile:
But, wheresoere true penitence you see,
Like rising up from death to life will bee.
It wholly changes, and new moulds, new makes
That man, within whose heart, it rooting takes.
As well within, it cleanseth as without:
And, that the truth of it, ye may not doubt,
The sinner from ill habits, it estranges;
His words, his thoughts, his company it changes:
His works, his waies, his plots, and his designes;
Of good intentions, giveth certaine signes,
He daily growes more fruitfull, takes more care,
To be indeed reform'd, then to appeare:
Regards not, what of others, he is thought,
So, he, unto perfection, may be brought;
Fears nothing more, shuns nothing more then sin,
And, that abhorred course which he was in.
Forgiveth every one, that was his foe;
Gives unto all men, that which he doth owe;
Shames, neither to bewaile, or to confesse
To GOD or men, his former wickednesse;
Nor any good advice, will disesteem,
How mean soere the counsellor shall seem:
And, when the King, thus changed shall returne,
Who, would desire his coming to adjourne?

When thus a true repentance doth improve him,
VVho would then, forgive, and trust, and love him?

For, when you find a metamorphosis,
In him, so supernaturall as this,
Nought formerly by him, mis-said, mis-done,
Or, misconceived, shall be thought upon
To future disadvantage, though the sin
Hath black, or, of a scarlet tincture bin.
Though by an over-good conceit of him,
Who stood suspected, he restrained them,
Who sought to bring his fathers death to triall,
And, gave offence, by giving a deniall
To Justice, in that cause, to take her course;
And, rais'd suspitions, too, of somewhat worse:
Yea, though he were a sinner, twice as bad
As he (by those, who love him least) is made;
And, had, beside the blood his Party spilt,
More sin upon him, then the double guilt
Of King Manasseh; he, as pure should grow
By such repentance, as the Mountain snow.
And, when to this repentance he is brought,
Who can object? or, how can it be thought,
That, in fulfilling of the covenant
(As touching him) you shall one title want,
Of that Branch, which, expresseth your intent
To bring delinquents to due punishment?
For, if you can conceive, what 'tis to bring
The lofty heart, and spirit of a King,
To stoop so much, as to descend unto
What, he that's truly penitent must do;
Or, if you could believe what self-denialls,
What inward torments, and what fiery trialls
Are undergone, and must be passed through
By those, who truly penitentiall grow,
You would confesse, that, nor restraint, nor chaines,
Nor death it selfe, had in them feares or paines,

So terrible, so full of grief and smart,
As those, which exercise a contrite heart;
And, you would say (when forth this fruit he brings)
No sinners; no such Penitents as Kings.

Oh what a blessed, what a glorious thing
It were Great Britan, to behold thy King
Come back thus chang'd, and with a mind to do,
That, which thy Genius hath advis'd him to!
And, that, which his owne conscience cannot chuse
But tell him, it were madnesse, to refuse!
How, would his drooping Subjects, then rejoyce,
To bid him welcome, both with heart and voice!
How would his friends, triumph, how would his foes,
Their aimes, and wicked expectations lose?
How would those hypocrites among you tremble,
Who did with him and all the world dissemble!
How, would their soules be comforted, who were
To him, and to the Common good sincere!
And by both sides oppressed, for abiding
In their first principles; and, for not siding
With this, or, with that faction, to make strong,
Themselves and other men, in doing wrong!

What hopes thereby would other Nations take,
That his example would some changes make
In their oppressors? How, would they be struck
With terrors, who have Tyranny mistook
For Kingship; and, by strained Monarchie
Themselves infected with Lycanthropie!
How, would your noisome Grashoppers, and Flies,
Frogs, Lice, and Caterpillers, which arise
From their corruptions (fearing to delay,
Their lingring here) hop, fly, and crawl away!
How, would the BEAST then rage; the Scarlet Whore,
Then, curse and raile; the Devills howle and roare;
As fearing, they their heights were falling from,
And, that the Kingdome, which they hate, were come!

But, his conversion, would not long adjourne
Their miseries, to whom he should returne,
Unlesse they take more care, and, more delight
To make their conversations more upright,
Then heretofore; unlesse to meet him too,
They better shall prepare, then yet they do;
Unlesse they more unite; more wise appeare,
In resolutions; and then, more adhere
To that which is resolv'd; unlesse more jealous
They grow of Publike honour, and more zealous
Of Publike Faith; more clear in their intent;
More diligent, more studious to prevent
Supplanting wiles, more sensible of wrong,
Sustain'd by them, who to their side belong,
More carefull, that their Friends may firm abide;
And, that all others may be satisfi'd
According to just hopes; and plainely see
The common-good, their chiefest aim to bee.
For, sure, the Kings repentance will availe
But little to their comfort, who shall faile
In such like duties; or in meeting him
With such affections, as he brings to them.
But, when all other sinners grace receive,
They shall with Hypocrites, their portion have;
And, to their shame great vexation, then,
See those, whom they thought worst, the better men.

The British Genius, as, if he had in
Some secret Musing, or Devotion been,
Here made a pause; and, therefore, here will we
Take breath, a little, if you pleased be.

University of Virginia Library

The Contents of the first Lection.