Britain's Remembrancer Containing A Narration of the Plagve lately past; A Declaration of the Mischiefs present; And a Prediction of Ivdgments to come; (If Repentance prevent not.) It is Dedicated (for the glory of God) to Posteritie; and, to These Times (if they please) by Geo: Wither |
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 | Britain's Remembrancer |  |
The meaning of the Title page.
Behold; and marke; and mind, ye British Nations,
This dreadfull Vision of my Contemplations.
Before the Throne of Heav'n, J saw, me thought,
This famous Island into question brought.
With better eares then those my Body beare,
I heard impartiall IVSTICE to declare
God's Benefits, our Thanklesnesse, and what
Small heed, his Love, or Iudgements here begat,
I view'd eternall MERCIE, how she strove
God's just deserved Vengeance to remove.
But, so encreast our Sinnes, and cry'd so loud,
That, at the last, I saw a dismall Cloud
Exceeding blacke, as from the Sea ascending,
And over all this Isle it selfe extending:
With such thicke foggie Vapours, that their steames
Seem'd, for a while, to darken MERCIES beames.
This dreadfull Vision of my Contemplations.
Before the Throne of Heav'n, J saw, me thought,
This famous Island into question brought.
With better eares then those my Body beare,
I heard impartiall IVSTICE to declare
God's Benefits, our Thanklesnesse, and what
Small heed, his Love, or Iudgements here begat,
I view'd eternall MERCIE, how she strove
God's just deserved Vengeance to remove.
But, so encreast our Sinnes, and cry'd so loud,
That, at the last, I saw a dismall Cloud
Exceeding blacke, as from the Sea ascending,
And over all this Isle it selfe extending:
With such thicke foggie Vapours, that their steames
Seem'd, for a while, to darken MERCIES beames.
Within this fearfull Cloud, I did behold
All Plagues and Punishments, that name I could.
And with a trembling heart, I fear'd each houre,
God would this Tempest on this Island poure.
All Plagues and Punishments, that name I could.
And with a trembling heart, I fear'd each houre,
God would this Tempest on this Island poure.
Yet, better hopes appear'd: for, loe, the Rayes
Of MERCY pierc'd this Cloud, & made such waies
Quite through those Exhalations, that mine eye
Did this Inscription, thereupon espie;
Britaines Remembrancer: &, somewhat said,
These words (me thought) The Storme is, yet, delaid,
And if ye doe not penitence defer,
This CLOVD is only, a REMEMBRANCER.
But, if ye still affect impiety,
Expect, e're long, what this may signifie.
Of MERCY pierc'd this Cloud, & made such waies
Quite through those Exhalations, that mine eye
Did this Inscription, thereupon espie;
Britaines Remembrancer: &, somewhat said,
These words (me thought) The Storme is, yet, delaid,
And if ye doe not penitence defer,
This CLOVD is only, a REMEMBRANCER.
But, if ye still affect impiety,
Expect, e're long, what this may signifie.
This having heard and seene, J thought, nor fit
Nor safe it were, for me to smother it:
And, therefore, both to others eyes, and eares,
Have offred, here, what unto mine appeares.
Iudge as ye please, ye Readers, this, or me:
Truth will be Truth, how e're it censur'd be,
Nor safe it were, for me to smother it:
And, therefore, both to others eyes, and eares,
Have offred, here, what unto mine appeares.
Iudge as ye please, ye Readers, this, or me:
Truth will be Truth, how e're it censur'd be,
Geo: Wither.
| Britain's Remembrancer | |