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 | Miscellaneous works of George Wither |  |
These Trustees, will at last deceive us, whether
We trust them singly, or else altogether.
If then, we should to this conclusion draw,
Be govern'd by the Letter of the Law;
That, in it self, is grown so questionable,
So like a Nose of Wax, so variable,
And so uncertain made, as Lawyers please
To make them speak for their advantages
VVho most advantage them; that, we shall there
Continue as unsettled as we were,
Till we are certain in what sense to take them;
VVhich will not be as long as Lawyers make them,
VVho take more care to drive their own ends on,
Then to provide that Justice may be done,
We trust them singly, or else altogether.
If then, we should to this conclusion draw,
Be govern'd by the Letter of the Law;
That, in it self, is grown so questionable,
So like a Nose of Wax, so variable,
And so uncertain made, as Lawyers please
To make them speak for their advantages
VVho most advantage them; that, we shall there
Continue as unsettled as we were,
Till we are certain in what sense to take them;
VVhich will not be as long as Lawyers make them,
VVho take more care to drive their own ends on,
Then to provide that Justice may be done,
Let me be bold to write Truths without blame,
(VVhich I know may be written without shame)
No person, persons, or that Government
VVhich wisest men by general consent
Shall constitute, is able to bring hither
Both Truth and Peace, to settle them together,
Until Almighty GOD shall to this Nation
A means discover for the Regulation
Of those, who for their private interests,
Confine both Law and Gospel to their brests:
For, from them chiefly, most of all that springs,
Which either to this people or their Kings,
Hath hurtful been; and till this be amended,
Our Plagues may be adjourn'd, but never ended:
For, by this means (mark if it be not so)
Humane Affairs, thus for the most part go.
Councils and Parliaments do counter-act
Unto themselves, in Judgement, and in Fact.
And the same person, by the self-same Law.
For the same deed, they honour, hang, and draw.
Howe'er the Pow'r in being forms the Cause,
For that, streight speaks Divinity and Laws.
Let but another Pow'r assume the Throne,
Which quite contraries what the last hath done,
Both Law and Gospel streight confirms the same,
Ev'n by their tongues from whence the Judgement came
Which ratifide the former, and had laid
Strict penalties to make their Votes obaid;
So, that which was the last year Truth and Reason,
Is made the next year Heresie and Treason;
And, Judges act that guilt which they condemn
In others, whilst they are condemning them.
Oh impudence! how! how! is Justice lost?
How are poor men, like Dogs in blankets tost?
What great Revenues have been yearly paid,
And what vast sums bestow'd to be betray'd!
Or, were at best, upon blind Guides confer'd,
Who knew not, whether they went right, or err'd?
(VVhich I know may be written without shame)
No person, persons, or that Government
VVhich wisest men by general consent
Shall constitute, is able to bring hither
Both Truth and Peace, to settle them together,
Until Almighty GOD shall to this Nation
A means discover for the Regulation
66
Confine both Law and Gospel to their brests:
For, from them chiefly, most of all that springs,
Which either to this people or their Kings,
Hath hurtful been; and till this be amended,
Our Plagues may be adjourn'd, but never ended:
For, by this means (mark if it be not so)
Humane Affairs, thus for the most part go.
Councils and Parliaments do counter-act
Unto themselves, in Judgement, and in Fact.
And the same person, by the self-same Law.
For the same deed, they honour, hang, and draw.
Howe'er the Pow'r in being forms the Cause,
For that, streight speaks Divinity and Laws.
Let but another Pow'r assume the Throne,
Which quite contraries what the last hath done,
Both Law and Gospel streight confirms the same,
Ev'n by their tongues from whence the Judgement came
Which ratifide the former, and had laid
Strict penalties to make their Votes obaid;
So, that which was the last year Truth and Reason,
Is made the next year Heresie and Treason;
And, Judges act that guilt which they condemn
In others, whilst they are condemning them.
Oh impudence! how! how! is Justice lost?
How are poor men, like Dogs in blankets tost?
What great Revenues have been yearly paid,
And what vast sums bestow'd to be betray'd!
Or, were at best, upon blind Guides confer'd,
Who knew not, whether they went right, or err'd?
| Miscellaneous works of George Wither | |