University of Virginia Library

I, likewise did by parable expresse
In that book, with what servile flatteries
They fawn'd on their own Creature, whom they had
Hew'd out of common blocks, and Idols made,
With what would follow it: and, my intent
VVas not, by my Perpetuall-Parliament
To make that such (as some have thought I meant)
But, rather that Defignment to prevent
By some Diversion: for, full well I knew,
That my proposals they would not pursue.
And, they who my Poetick fury read,
VVhich was by me last winter published,
May thence collect, that I did then forsee
The Kings Return, and how it so would be,
Though I my proconjectures did expresse
(As then I thought) with some ambiguousnesse
To be excus'd; because, of that Relation
VVhich then I had, and my Faiths preservation:

For, though that Poets in the worlds first ages,
VVere Prophets, Priests, and Magisterial Sages,
And, in all former times (as in Commendam)
Have been allow'd a Quid libet audendum;
Yea, though there doth to sacred poesie,
Belong a necessary Liberty
In Language, not so pertinent to those
VVho hammer their Conceptions out in prose,
Yet, that Good Spirit, which directs their Muses,
Therewith, a prudent warinesse infuses,
That Malice may not thereat take offence
To do them wrong, without much impudence,
Or grosse Injustice; and, for which wrong, he
VVill take Revenge, by whom inspir'd they be,
VVhen he shall pleased be to call them to
That work, which he prepared them to do.
And though my musings hitherto appear
But dreaming Fancies, whereat many jeer;
They who observe what at the foresaid time
Befel to me, and afterward to them,
And also knew, that all true Christians be
Kings, Priests, and Prophets too, in some degree,
Shall find at last, that this Age prophets had,
And sober men, (though they were judged mad)
VVhom God stir'd up, to set before their eyes
Those needful Cautions which vain men despise,
Because, it pleaseth him to give them passe
By Instruments more scorn'd then Balaams Asse.
There are some at this day, on whom nick-names
Are cast; and, whom, the Vulgar much defames;
Who (thouoh they failings have) are by Gods warrants
Authorized to do such needful Errants
As to these times relate, and to deride
Our complements, our vanities and pride:
And, whatsoever Spirit them hath moved,
VVe (not without cause) are by them reproved
Of things, whereto our consciences, with them
Bear witnesse, though their persons most contemn.

Among these (as aforesaid) I am one
By whom the work of GOD is to be done;
And he thereto is pleased to make use
Of poesie (at this time) when th'abuse
Of that gift, hath prophaned it, much more
By Ribaldries, then ever heretofore.
It may be too, I serve my Generation
Thereby (although not wealth nor reputation
It gets me) and my GOD, as well as they
VVo seek to take my purchas'd Lands away,
As sanctified to them; for, ev'n by these
My scriblings (as to term them some do please)
Occurrences, which else would be forgot,
(And passages which many minded not)
VVill so remembred be, that GOD shall have
Some glory by them, and men good receive.
And though I take no care at all to trick
My Poems up, with flow'rs of Rhetorick,
A day will come, wherein with due respect
They shall more heeded be, and take effect.

You, who believe this, and each Dispensation
Of GOD's, to merit your Consideration,
Improve them as you ought, in what strange ways,
Or, in what form soe'er he them conveys:
And though you suffer many persecutions,
Or losses, in the various Revolutions
Which do or may befal; be of good chear;
Yea, whatsoever you shall see or hear,
Be not afraid of ought, which this last Turn
May threaten to bring on, or to adjorn:
Nor be discouraged what ere the King
Permits, omits, or acteth, which may bring
Harm in estate or person: for, he comes
To do GOD's work, and executes his dooms,
With, or against his will, and shall proceed
No further, then hath been by hlm decreed.
His pow'r and heart are always in his hands:
As well as we, accomptable he stands
For all that he shall do: and GOD of him
Now proof is making, as he did of them
Who reigned last. Yea, peradventure now
In proving him, is also proving you
And me, and all these Nations, that his Grace
And Justice one another may embrace.
In which TEST, if we meekly wait th'Event,
Till we behold how far this Parliament
Will stretch their mercy; and then, till we see
How far, the Kings Grace will extended be,
(Of his meer Goodness, and Self-inclination,
Beyond their narrow limited Compassion)
You, either shall by him, have an effect
To answer what you justly may expect
Or by GOD's Providence, who, if he please,
Can turn your losses to advantages.
For Consequents will follow to requite
Your long-long sufferings in the worlds despight.
GOD will appear, for your just vindications,
Who truly sought the welfare of these Nations
In order to his glory; and so do it,
That, to be his own Act, most men shall know it.
And, by the King that Grace vouchsafe will he,
Except his heart as hard as Pharaohs be;
Or, is by such Inchaunters led aside,
As Jannes and as Jambres typified.

Try all things ere you counter act, and heed
Whether or no from GOD they do proceed:
For, by their work, if well the same you mark,
Are work-men known, and work-men by their work
As truly as a Tree is by his Fruit;
His bark, his leaves, his blossoms and his root.
Since all is in GOD's hand, rest well assur'd
That your chief interest will be secur'd
In his best times, although the Royal power
He more exalts, and brings the people lower.
For, his way, to the highest exaltations.
Is by Debasings, and by Degradations.
And, whether more or less, he gives or takes,
To, or from him, or them, 'tis for their sakes
Conferred or withdrawn, to whom pertains
That Kingdom, within which, no Tyrant reigns.
GOD, is our King, and doth but him depute
To be here for a time, his Substitute:
We are his people, and his pasture-sheep,
Whom he is sent to govern, feed and keep;
Not to oppress, to fleece, or to devour;
And, GOD, retains us always in his power.

What, can we have, or wish for, more then this?
In whose hand are we safe, if not in his?
Whether we have a Government or none,
Whether it be by Many, or by One:
In him External and Internal peace
Must sought for be; In his especial Grace
Is our Well-being: and without the same,
All Governours, by whatsoever name
Distinguished, and ev'ry Government,
Which all the wit of mankind can invent,
Will be destructive: and, when left we be
Unto our selves, such, to our selves are we.
When we have Kings, & hope that they will save us
From wrongs, they oft endeavour to enslave us.
The more pow'r we upon them doe confer,
The more thereby at last enslav'd we are.
For, they of Wealth and Pow'r admit no measure
That's not as large as their own will and pleasure.
If you confine them by a thousand laws,
They break those bonds as easily as straws;
And oft, when large in promise them we find,
Their own advantage chiefly is design'd.
When on a Parliament our trust we laid,
We thereby were oppressed and betray'd;
And, may set up (as things are carried on)
Four hnndred Tyrants in the stead of one;
Or, make that which our bondage should prevent,
Help to inslave us by our own consent.
If rather, in an Army we confide,
They'l either turn unto another side,
Or else prolong their service, till it shall
Effect their ends, or eat us out of all.
If on the common people we depend,
They heed not that which to their Weal doth tend
In common: for, their individual cares
Are to encrease, or keep their private shares.
And to enjoy their Lusts a year or two,
Will all their own posterity undo.
If to themselves they should assume their power,
They could not use it prudently one hour:
So, scatter'd lies, through many heads, their brain,
That half a Nut-shell will their wits contain:
And fire and water, may as well agree,
As they, who of so many Judgements be,

The Nobles would deserve our trust no better;
For, they would still endeavour to be greater,
By making others lesse; and breed distractions
Incurable, by everlasting Factions.
Most men, the trust on them impos'd, abuse;
As well the chusers, as they whom they chuse:
The first so slavish and so brutish are,
They'll sell their birthrights, for Rost beef and beer,
(As they but lately did) and, so, expose
Our Lives, Estates and Freedoms unto those,
VVho look more like our tumblers and our players,
Then Senators, by whom our Grand Affairs
Should be determined. The Last, with zeel
Make shew a while, to serve the Commonweal,
Till thereby, some Advancement gain they may,
And, then, their zeal is turn'd another way.
If, our chief city, we our Trustee made,
Shee, to inlarge her charters, and her trade,
To make her self more pow'rful, and more rich,
Hath ever been inclin'd so over-much:
And, to and fro, her self so often windes,
To this and that, as she occasion findes,
That, when in her we do repose our trust,
VVe shall have charters written in the Dust.