University of Virginia Library

The sixth Canto.

Bvt, am I well advis'd? and doe I know
From whence, & from what Spirit this doth flow?
Doe I remember what, and who I am,
That I this famous Monarchy should blame?
Am I assur'd no ill suggesting Spirit
(In hatred of thine honourable merit)
Seduceth me (oh Britaine) that I might
Become an instrument of his despight?
Have I considered of what esteeme
Thou art? How great thy Piety doth seeme?
What glorious titles, and transcendent stiles
Thou hast obtain'd above all other Isles?
What attributes unto thy selfe thou givest?
What of thine owne perfections thou beleevest?
And what thy flattring Priests and Prophets say
Of thy admired happinesse this day?
Yes, yes; all this I ponder'd, and I know
What good or evill from this act may flow.
I am not ignorant, that thou hast beene
Among the neighb'ring Countries as a Queene,
Among lier Ladies. Formes of Government,
Or Lawes, or Customes through Earths Continent,
Are none received that more pious be,
Or more upright then those that are in thee.
Among faire Sions Daughters, none doth sit
More free from blemishes (then thou art yet)
In points of Christian Doctrine (though there are
Some, who that simplenesse begin to marre)
No people doth retaine a Discipline
More Apostolicall, then some of thine.
No Church that's visible, hath kept more pure
The grounds of Faith, nor countenanced fewer
Of Romes innumerable Superstitions;
Of uselesse, or of burdensome Traditions,
Then thou hast lately done. I feele thou hast
Some warmth yet left. As yet, so brazen-fac'd
Thou art not growne, but that thou dost despise
Notorious Crimes, and open Heresies;
Because the hidden Leaven of thy sin
To sowre the Lumpe, is (yet) but new put in.
Ile doe thee right, and give thee all thy due,
Before thy follies further I pursue.
I know that thou with patience heretofore
(Ev'n like the Church at Ephesus) hast bore
Thy Christian Labours; that, thou hast been moved
Against offenders; that, thou such hast proved,
Who falsely did affirme themselves to be
Apostles; and, strong Faith was found in thee.
Yea, thou didst long those heresies resist,
Which God abhorreth; and didst them detest.
I know, that like the Smyrnian Congregation
Thou hast through poverty and tribulation,
Got heav'nly Riches: neither didst thou feare,
When they, who of the Church of Satan were,
Blasphem'd the Truth, and did themselves professe
True Isra'lites, when they were nothing lesse.
I know, that when thy Lott it was to dwell
Like Pergamus, ev'n where the throne of Hell
Erected was (and in their bloody Raigne,
By whom so many Martyrs here were slaine)
Thou didst not then the Faith of Christ deny,
Nor from professing of his Gospel flye.
I know, that Thyatira-like thy love,
And thy devotion did unfained prove;
And that thy piety, and righteousnesse,
Did (for a season) more and more encrease.
I know, thy goodnesse is not quite bereft,
But that (like Sardis) thou some Names hast left
That walke with Christ, from all pollution free,
In those white Garments that unspotted be.
I know, that like the Church of Philadelph,
Thou hast a little strength within thy selfe:
Gods word, and holy Sacraments yet are
(As pledges of his love) preserved here.
And I doe know, that, since thou heretofore
Didst love the Truth; God will his Grace restore,
On thy repentance; and in all temptation
Become, thy sole-sufficient preservation;
Yea make all them, who now false boasters be
Of true Religion, to subscribe to thee;
Confesse he loves thee; and to thee hath given
That Cities title, that came downe from heaven.
But, much is, yet, amisse; and (to prevent
Thy Ruine) I advise thee to repent.
Remember (oh! remember thou) from whence
Thou fallen art; and seeke by penitence
To rise againe. Thy former works renew;
Thy lately practis'd wickednesse eschew;
What thou hast lost, endeavor to regaine,
Hold fast that Faith which yet thou dost retaine;
Awake, and use thine utmost pow'rs, to cherish
Those Graces, which in thee are like to perish.
Oh! doe it speedily, whilst he doth knock
That opes the doore, which no man can unlock,
And shuts, where none doth open: yea (lest he
Come suddenly, and take away from thee
Thy pretious Candlesticke) renew thy zeale;
And unto him thy sinne, betimes, reveale.
Marke, to the Churches, what the Spirit faith;
And purchase thou of Christ (by lively faith)
To make thee rich, gold tryed in the fire.
To hide thy filthy nakednesse, desire
The pure white rayment of his Righteousnesse.
Thy former sight, that thou maist repossesse,
His eye salve take: The conquest strive to get,
That of the hidden Manna thou maist eate;
And gaine the Stone inscribed with a Name,
Which none can know, but he that weares the same.
For, I must tell thee, thou art run astray,
And (like a whorish wife) hast cast away
Thy old affection: thy first love is gone,
And other friends thy heart hath doted on.
Thou hast not halfe that zeale, which thou hast bore
To thy Redeemers honor heretofore;
That simplenesse, thou hast not in thy workes;
Put, base dissembling in thine actions lurkes.
Some Doctrines also are in thee profest,
Without reproofe, which God doth much detest.
Thou dost let goe unpunished in thee,
Those persons that notorious sinners be,
And impudently wicked: thou mak'st light
Of their misdeeds, in vertuous mens despight.
Thou hast conniv'd at those, who in the Land
Have with an high, and an imperious hand
(Like Iezabel) oppressed and bereav'n
The poore mans portion, in contempt of Heav'n.
Thou hast blasphemers, who doe falsely say,
That they are Catholiques, (and none but they)
Yet, if they heeded what their words imply,
Their owne Distinction gives themselves the Lye.
The Babylonish Strumpet thou (as yet)
Within thy territories dost permit;
Who doth seduce Gods people, and thy Nations;
And make them drunken with her Fornications.
Tho hast those Hypocrites that make a show
Of zealous hearts, when they are nothing so.
Thou hast those Baalamites, that in the way
Of weake Professors, stumbling blocks doe lay:
And practise cunning fleights of policy,
To bring thee backe unto Idolatry.
To trouble and distract thee, they invent
Strange questions, doubtfull, and impertinent.
By needlesse provings, by their vaine confutings,
By over nice distinctions, and disputings,
And by their multitudes of windy notions,
They have so incorrupted thy devotions,
So over-whelm'd thy Faith; so tired out
Thy knowledge, (with still running round about)
That there is left but little care in thee,
How much decayed thy good manners be.
Indeed, of thy lost Vertues, there's a Fame
Remaining still; and thou hast yet a Name
To be alive; but, some doe greatly feare
That thou art either dead, or very neare.
Though Laodicea like thou proudly vauntest,
That rich thou art, and that thou nothing wantest:
Though thou art happy in thine owne esteeme,
And dost to thine owne selfe quick-sighted seeme:
Yet, were thy Iudgement cleared, thou wouldst finde
That thou art wretched, naked, poore, and blinde.
Thou dost almost that lukewarme temper hold,
Which neither can be termed hot, nor cold.
Thy wickednesse is (well neere) growne as ripe,
As hers, that served for thy Prototype.
Nay, Gods great Uolume mentions not a sin,
Wherewith or place, or person, taxt hath bin,
But thou hast practis'd it; and of thine owne
Hast added others, to those times unknowne.
With our first Parents, there are some in thee,
Who strive to eate of Gods forbidden tree;
And have upon them such an itch to know
Those things which he vouchsafeth not to show:
That, from their eyes true wisedome it hath hid,
And more endanger'd them, then Adam did.
Thou hast a brood of Cainites, that envies
Their brethrens better pleasing sacrifice;
And persecutes, and slanders, (what it may)
All those that walke not in their wicked way:
And thirst with greedinesse to shed their blood,
Who seeke their safeties, and effect their good.
There be, among thee, some just like that Race,
Who (being made the Sonnes of God, by Grace)
Did with mans female issue fall in love;
And these beget a mungrell brood, that prove
The Giants of their times; and, those, that will
The measure of the worlds misdeeds fulfill.
They (as those carelesse people did, on whom
An universall Deluge once did come)
Eate, drinke, and take their pleasure, without care,
How many or how great their follies are.
And, though a Iudgement on their head is pour'd,
They will not heed it, till they are devour'd.
As soone as any Plague from us is gone,
We build and plant, and in our sins run on:
Or when (with Noah) blessings we have had,
(Instead of being in Gods favour glad)
We doe in some vaine mirth bewray our folly;
In drunken feastings, or in games unholy.
Since out of beastly Sodom they were got,
Thy Children have among themselves (like Lot)
Committed much uncleannesse; whence proceeds
A Race, which discord in thy borders breeds.
Like Laban, many wickedly detaine
The workmans hire; and make unlawfull gaine
From their owne Children. Some (with Ismael)
Are bitter mockers; some (with Esau) sell
Their heav'nly Birth-rights: & for what d'yee think?
For worse then porridge; ev'n for smoake and stinke,
We have as mighty Hunters (now adayes)
As Nimrod, and as wilfull in their wayes.
Some, of their brethren merchandizes make,
Like Iacobs Sonnes, and money for them take.
With Simeon, and with Levi; some, pretend
Religions cause; when for some other end
They doe project: and, markes of holy zeale
Doe often bloody cruelties conceale.
For wives, for wealth, and for our vaine delights,
We change Religion, like the Sichemites.
We have those Iudges, who will (Iudah-like)
Their brother, for his fault severely strike;
Deride, taunt, censure, and without compassion,
To death condemne him, for the same transgression
Which they are far more guilty of then he;
And, those the Plague-sores of this Iland be.
We have in either sex, of those that are
As wicked as the wife of Potiphar.
Ev'n those, who so wil slander, and accuse;
If any to obey their lust refuse.
Like Er and Onan, we have wicked heires,
Who rather would consume themselves, and theirs,
In fruitlesse vanities, then part from ought
By which their brothers welfare might be wrought.
With Phar'oh, we Gods judgements do contemn,
And grow the bolder, and the worse by them.
When he most plagued us, we most presumed;
And sinned most, when we were most consumed.
Nor blood, nor frogs, nor loathsome lice, nor flyes,
Nor murraines, biles, nor botches can suffice
To make our Nations their bad lives reforme;
Nor Locusts, nor the leafe-devouring worme;
Nor horrid darknesse, liable to sense,
Nor Haile, nor Thunders, nor the Pestilence;
Nor bringing us to springs that bitter are;
Nor sweetning those things that unsav'ry were;
Nor strange deliv'rances by sea and land;
Nor Gods protecting us with his owne hand;
Nor Quailes, nor Manna, (blessings which be rare)
Nor favours which more ordinary are:
No, nor Gods dreadfull Anger, nor his Love,
Can our hard hearts unto repentance move;
But, we (like Ægypt) in rebellion be,
And, full as faithlesse as the Iewes, are we.
Among us, we have wealthy men, who may
Whole Groves dispend; yet on the Sabbath day
They'll gather sticks. Ev'n to the Devill, some
With no lesse worthy sacrifices come,
Then sons and daughters. For, what lesse do they
Who them in wedlocke wickedly betray
To open Hereticks? Or, they that make
Their mar'ages, for wealth, and honors sake,
Without affection? And (I pray) what lesse
Doe they, who force their children to professe
Vnlawfull trades? There be among us, living,
Too many, that, ev'n whilst the Law is giving,
Doe set up golden-calves. Such men are they,
Who in the Church, or on Gods Holiday,
Are plodding on the world; whilst they should bend
Their eares to God, and on his will attend.
We have (our best proceedings to withstand)
A Iannes, and a Iambres in the Land,
Who (by their sorceries) continue shall
Some people of this Monarchy in thrall:
Vntill a Plague (like Ægypts lowsinesse)
Shall make them God Almighties pow'r confesse.
Young Nadabs and Abihues, we have some,
That with strange fires unto Gods altars come:
Their dull devotions kindled are with sticks,
And wither'd leaves of humane Rhetoricks;
They offer up to God, them vaine Orations,
Compos'd of Clinchings, and Adnominations;
Which he abhorres; with all that frothy stuffe,
Of which this age hath more then thrice enough.
Our brethren by extortion we oppresse:
The stranger, (nay, our kin) are harbourlesse;
And those offences we have Patrons for,
Which many Heathen people did abhor.
With Miriam and with Iaron, we have such,
Who at their brethrens due preferment grutch;
Hot spirits, troublesome to civill states;
Like Corab and his rude confederates.
These argue much for pop'lar purities,
And raile upon all civill dignities;
But, when they can attaine them, none speake louder
In their defence; nor are there my prouder.
We Gallants have more impudent, then e're,
Yong Zimri, and his Cozbi did appeare:
And doubtlesse we have Achans, who have hidden
Some Babylonish things which are forbidden.
For all the Land much troubled we may see;
And many thinke, it shall not quiet be,
Till they be found. Reveale thou their transgressions,
O Lord! and be thou prais'd in their confessions.
We have, this day, amongst us, many a Bramble,
That, like Abimelech, knowes how to scramble
Above their owne deservings: and (though base
Vnworthy shrubs) durst arrogate a place
More eminent, then dares the noblest Plant,
Whereof the Mountaine Libanus doth vaunt.
By others vertues these ascend on high,
And raise themselves to such authority,
That our most noble Cedars are o're-topt;
Our pleasant Figtrees, are bescratcht and dropt,
Our Vines are shadow'd, and unfruitfull made;
Our Olives robbed of that oile they had;
Yea, all our forrest and our garden trees,
By their ambition, fruit, or honour, leese.
Thou nourisht hast, and fondly doted on
Those cunning Dalilahs, who having won
Thy good respect, doe practise how to spye
Wherein the chiefest of our strength doth lye;
That (having by their flatt'ries lull'd asleepe
Those watchmēs eyes that should our fortress keep)
They may (unheeded) steale our pow'r away,
And to our greatest Foes our lives betray.
Here want not such as Michah, who with ease
Can make a new Religion when they please;
Coine formes of worship proper to their Sect;
A private Church among themselves erect;
Make Priests at their owne pleasure; furnish them
Ev'n with their owne new-fangled Teraphim;
And preach abroad for good Divinity,
The tumours of their windy fantasie:
Nay, some of them far stranger things can doe;
For, they can make their gods, and eate them too.
There be of us, as wilfull Favourites
Of wicked men, as were the Benjamites;
And, rather then we will deliver them
To feele the stroke of Iustice, who contemne
The wayes of goodnesse; we will hazardize
Our peace, our fame, and our posterities.
We have those Prophets, who (with Balam) know
Gods pleasure, and what way they ought to goe:
And, yet, will for preferment doe their best,
That they his plaine revealed Will may wrest.
And though they are, perhaps, asham'd to say
Their minds in publique, closely they'll betray
The Lords inheritance; and Scripture proofe
Inferre for all things to their owne behoofe.
If of the pop'lar faction these become,
And thinke some gaine may be atchieved from
That side; Gods word they will produce for those
That would disloyally their King oppose:
If by the Prince advantage may be had,
Then, God himselfe an instrument is made
To warrantize their claimes, and, Tyranny,
Shall proved be a lawfull Monarchy.
As rash as Iephtha, in our vowes are we;
As Flouds gift, such oft our presents be.
In entertainments, some like Iael are;
And, in their complements may well compare
With bloody Ioab: for, they make their table
Become a snare: and (when most serviceable
They doe appeare) unheeded, they unsheath
Some fatall instrument, that wounds to death.
Like old indulgent Eli, some connive
At all the sins, in which their children live:
Nay, glory in their lewdnesse; and maintaine
In them those follies, which they should restraine;
Till their owne shame, and their undoing followes,
And their wilde brood be tamed at the Gallowes.
Nor were the sonnes of Eli, heretofore
More wanton at the Tabernacle doore,
Then some young Priests of ours; whom to correct,
The Fathers of our Church so much neglect,
That if they long connive as they have done,
The glory of our Isr'el will be gone.
Like those Philistians, whose advice it was
To fixe God's Arke, and Dagon, in one place,
We have too many; and, they cannot see,
Why God and Baal in one, should not agree.
But, when they raise their Idol in these Lands,
Lord, let it fall, and lose both head and hands.
We are as curious as the Bethshemites,
And long as much to see forbidden sights:
Like those of Ekron, we professe to know
The truest God, and whence our troubles grow:
Yet, are so stupid, that we sleight his Grace,
And, send him from us, to another place.
Yea, like the Gadarens, we for our Swine,
Would banish Christ, and sleight his love divine:
With Saul, we doe neglect what should be done;
And sacrifice, when God requireth none.
Fat Sheepe and Oxen we prefer before
Obedience to the Lord; and follow more
Our wills then his. When God saith kill, we spare,
And where he bids, be kinde, we cruell are.
No love, no kindnesse, no sincerity,
No tokens of unfained piety
Can stay our furies, or divert our mind.
When we are once maliciously enclin'd.
Goliath like, Gods army some contemne;
With Rabshakeh, some others doe blaspheme;
Some curse (with Shimei) Gods best beloved;
As causelesly, to grieve them they are moved,
And are of gaine as greedy. For, if they
Have but an uselesse Groome escap'd away,
(Or lost a beast) for such a petty prise,
They will not stick their lives to hazardize.
VVe have those Michols, which will scoffe & flout
At such as are most zealously devout
We have those dog-like Doegs in our Courts,
That gladly heare and utter all reports,
To disadvantage them, whose wayes are pure,
And cannot their impieties endure.
VVE have those Nabals, upon whom all cost,
All curtesies, and kindnesses are lost.
We have (like Uzzah) those that dare to touch
Gods holy Arke. Nay, we have worse then such,
Ev'n those that rob it; and themselves adorne
With Iewels, from the Sanctuary torne:
With David, some have thought their sins to hide;
And, their Adulteries, in Murther dy'd.
Officious knaves (like Ziba) we have some,
VVho by their Masters falls, to greatnesse come;
And (though they did men innocent betray)
VVithout reproving, they doe passe away.
VVe have those wicked Ammons, who defile
Their sisters. And, to lay a cunning wile
For helping their companions to a drab,
VVe have more subtile Bauds then Ionadab.
Those disobedient Absoloms there be
Among us here, t' at wish and seeke to see
Their Parents deaths; like him, they can conceale
Their ends, till they (by faire dissembling) steale
Mens hearts away; and then abuse them so,
That all seemes just and honest which they doe.
VVe have Achitophels, that are as wise
Against Gods honor, projects to devise,
As if the Delphian Oracle were sought:
But, still in their owne pit-fals they are caught.
For, he that honest purposes doth blesse,
Converts their wisedome into foolishnesse.
VVe have with Solomon (though none so wise)
Men wonne by women to Idolatries.
VVith Ieroboam, we have those who strive
A settled temp'rall fortune to contrive
By ruining Religion; and to win
An outward peace, by tolerating sin:
Not heeding, that a greatnesse so procur'd,
Hath seldome to a third descent endur'd.
To serve an Idoll we like him proceed,
Although Gods Messengers reprove the deed.
And though our arme be wither'd, for our sin,
Our obstinacies we continue in.
VVe want not Rehoboams Counsellors,
VVhose unexperienc'd Policy prefers
Harsh courses, rather then a calme proceeding;
VVhen times are troublesome, & dangers breeding.
VVe have (with Ahab) those who covet so
Their neighbours Vineyard, that they sullen grow,
And can nor eate, nor sleepe, till they may plot,
How their ungodly longings may be got:
And we have Iezabels enough, to further
Their claimes by slanders, perjury, and murther.
Nor want such Elders, and such Nobles here,
As those that Citizens with Naboth were.
For should (as God forbid) our hopefull King,
Desire to compasse any lawlesse thing,
Or seeke his loyall Subjects to bereave
Of what their Ancestors to them did leave:
We have of those (I doubt) that would effect it
According to their pow'r: nay, project it,
And urge him, and perswade him, that (of right)
He overthrow their lawfull freedomes might.
We have of those (I feare) that would command
A Fast (like Iezabels) throughout the Land,
And underneath a maske of Piety,
Proceed to practise any Villany,
Which might advance their greatnesse: and, I doubt
Some Priests would helpe to set the project out.
Yea, we those Iudges, and those Elders have,
That if a man his neighbours Vineyard crave,
He need not, for his purpose, name the King,
Or Letters from the royall Signet bring
To move the same: Nor were it necessary
That (to corrupt them) he Epistles cary
From some great Lords. For, if he can but make
The tongues of golden Angels for him speake;
Or get some one, on his behalfe to write,
That is but servant to a Favourite;
The deed is done: and they will feele no sense
Of others griefes, or of their owne offence.
We have such Prophets as Zidkiah was,
Who are no whit asham'd, in publique place,
To speake false messages; and those to smite,
That in Gods name have spoken what is right.
We have Gehezies; fellowes that will take
Vnlawfull bribes: ev'n those who sale doe make
Of what their Masters should have, gratis, done;
And force out fees, where they can challenge none.
Geheizhes did I call this crew? I feare
I wrong the Leper: for his brib'ries were
But petty pillages, to those rich preyes,
On which some one of these his fingers Iayes.
He askt, and had a willing gratulation,
From one both rich, and of another Nation:
But, these extort, compell, and slily serue
Vnjust demandings, as a lawfull due.
From friends, from strangers, from both poore & rich
Their fingers to be scraping have an itch.
For making their poore suitor, wait and pray,
(When they might have dispatcht him) he must pay.
For surly speeches, and for proud neglect,
They must be humoured with all respect.
When to their Client, they a wrong have done,
He must not seeme to know or think thereon;
But, faine all noble thoughts of them to have,
Or, in some other persons call them knave.
And bribe them still, in hope they may be won,
Yet, at the last, be cheated and undone.
We have among us, men as very fooles
As Na'man was; who thinke Damascus pooles
As good as Iordan: and (like him) at home
Some serve one God; and when to Court they come,
Professe another. We have those that be
As trustlesse of Gods promises, as he,
Who in Samaria's gate was trodden on:
These may behold the favours which are done
To faithfull men; but, till they can beleeve,
They shall not taste what blessings those receive.
Here be like Haz'el, those who seeme to hate
All tyrannizing, in their low estate;
Yet, being once promoted, throw aside
All pity; and all piety deride.
Yea, that which formerly they did condemne,
(As vilifying, and debasing them,
Below a Dogs condition) they allow,
VVhen to their height of greatnesse once they grow.
(If none yet live) we had in former time,
Ev'n those that guilty were of Zimries crime.
Most Officers like Iehu, doe begin
Good reformation, at first entring in;
Their violent Zeale doth seeme to say, Come see,
How just in our proceedings we will be.
But, oft they prove meere Hypocrites, who having
Acquired meanes to colour their deceiving,
Surpasse the worst; and by degrees proceed,
Till they appeare the men they were indeed.
Like wicked Haman; some, unlesse they may
Insult and trample on poore Mordecai,
Are so distemper'd by their haughty minde,
That they nor pleasure, nor contentment finde,
In honours, riches, or in any blessing,
VVhich they already have in their possessing:
But, will pursue, and ruine, if they can,
VVhole Kingdomes, for their malice to one Man.
As proud are we as Nebuchadnezar:
In feastings, as profuse as Balthazar,
And as prophane as he. VVe sometime seeke
The god of Ekron, Abaziah like.
Like Amiziah (an informing Priest
Of Bethel) we have those that will resist
Gods Messengers; and would not heare them bring
Into the Court or Chappell of the King,
The sound of that reproofe or punishment,
VVhich to pronounce among us they were sent:
And, these, perhaps, when they my Arrand see,
VVill prove as busie as that Priest with me.
But, if they doe (as Amos said to him)
Although I be no Prophet, nor of them
That are the sonnes of Prophets; God doth know
He called me to this (which now I doe)
From viler actions, then from gathering fruit,
Or foll'wing herds: And I will make pursuit
Of what he bids me; though oppos'd I stand,
By all the Priests and Prelates in the Land.
And if they contradict, what well is done
Their heads, at last, the shame shall light upon.
Some Courtiers now, like Daniels foes, there are,
That will object as things piacular,
The truest Piety; and seeke to bring
Ev'n those to be suspected of the King,
Who strive most loyally, to keepe his Name
In honor; and his Kingdome without blame.
As Iudah had (in Zephaniahs times)
Her Priests of Baal; the name of Chemarims;
Those, who the heav'nly army did adore;
Those also, who by God, and Mal hom, swore;
And multitudes among them, who did weare
Fantastick Habits: So, we harbor here
Some Shavelings yet; some Romish superstitions;
To Saints we offer up some vaine petitions;
Equivocating Oathes we often take;
And, we ourselves, in our apparell, make
Deformed, by a skittish imitation
Of ev'ry new-found guise, in ev'ry Nation.
I doe not think (nor have I ever thought)
That in it selfe it is materiall ought,
What shaped Robes I weare: nor do I hold
That any Fashion, whether new or old,
Doth so much handsome or disfigure any,
As it may seeme to do, perchance, to many.
It is the Time, or else their mindes, that weare
Such clothes, which make them good or bad appear.
Those fooles who bring new fashions first; and they
That hast to follow them (and thinke it gay
And generous) are those unworthy ones,
That bring such folly, shame, and cost upon's.
But, when those Garbes grow generall; then, we
That first abhorred them, compelled be
To take them up: lest our old clothes be thought
New fashions from some forrain kingdomes brought:
Or, lest we should by some be thought to erre,
In being over nice, and singular.
Most other people, both at home, and here,
Doe in their habits, like themselves appeare:
But, wheresoe're we come, we change our shapes,
And, in our gestures, are all Nations Apes.
True gravity, we so are fallen from,
And, so absurdly blockish are become;
That, strangers jeere us, to behold how soone
We get the garbe of ev'ry fond Baboon.
Yea, they are proud, to see that we condemne
Our ovvne attires, by imitating them.
And I doe blush to thinke, that our whole Nation
Should of it selfe admit a transformation,
So suddenly (as oftentimes we see)
To imitate the guise of two or three.
But, so it is: And at this present tide,
Our female Gentry is so frenchifi'd;
That we have scarce a Gentlewoman now,
In clothes, more handsome bodied then a Cow.
Those women who e'rewhile were goodly creatures,
Proportion having, and (me thought) sweet features;
Doe looke as triple-bodi'd Gerion did,
When they in their mis shapen gownes are hid:
For, either arme, in such a mould is cast,
As makes it full as fulsome as their waste.
Their necks stand sneaking out, before those ruffes,
Which lie behind their backs with wide mouth'd pufs
As doth a peeled Ewes, whose fleece unshorne,
Was from about her neck with brambles torne.
Their flaring curles about their shag-shorne browes,
Doe, of the fairest Lady, make a blouse.
Those demy-skarfes, they wreathe about their chaps,
(Which may be comely to some eyes, perhaps)
Doe make them seeme as Antick-like to me,
As Hags, that sent to fright yong children be.
And I am sory, that a foolish pride
Should make our Beauties their perfections hide
In such a masking suit. And that a few
Fantastick women, so great numbers drew
To follow their new-fangles; and besot
Their judgements, by that fashion newly got.
For, not meane wits alone; but, of the wisest;
(Nay, of the most religious, and precisest)
There are great multitudes befool'd in this:
And, She, that of that Guise their Patterne is,
(Perhaps) derides their ficklenesse. For she
Is from their minde, and from their folly free.
Nought, but her country fashion, she hath worne:
And, that which them deformes, doth her adorne.
Yea, they have either missed of her dresse:
Or else she gives it much more lovelinesse,
For to my eye there is some excellence
Which puts t'wixt her and them much difference.
And this opinion is not mine alone:
For, so much hath beene said by many a one.
Oh! shew the sweetnesse of your disposition,
In hearing me, and granting my petition.
Lay off your strange attires, that we may know
If you be Englishwomen, yea or no.
Your monstrous habit, each true Britaine lothes;
And, were your bodies formed like your clothes,
(Which, God in Iustice, may effect, perchance)
You might go seek your fortunes out in France,
From whence your new proportion hither came:
For, we shall never truly love the same.
Because, if other men have thoughts like mine,
It would appeare to be some fatall signe,
To see our women leave their native fashion,
And, turne themselves into another Nation.
But, let these Females goe I hope that she
Who shall be mine (if any such there be)
What ever accident or change befalls,
Will still retaine her English naturals.
More blame then this might in this kind be laid
On women: but, unwillingly I said
What here is uttred. And, if they had bin
In those attires that I have seen them in,
I had not on this over-sight reflected;
But, left them to be counsell'd and directed
By their neare Friends or Husbands. Yet, alas!
We have of them, whose levity doth pass
The ficklenesse of these: and, they alone
Are oft the cause, that these have so misgone.
Nor ever did this folly more appeare,
Then now it doth; ev'n in this very yeare,
Wherein the Pestilence devoured so:
And, as that Plague decreased, this did grow.
But, in Transgressions, how we parallell
The times before, I will proceed to tell.
High-priest have we, who send our spies to watch
The Preachers of Gods word; and pick, and catch
Advantages against them. Some of us
Are like the Silver-smiths at Ephesus,
And, for their private lucre will contend
Against the Truth, and Heresies defend.
We, Demas like, have those Apostataes,
Who, for the world, forsake the Christian cause.
And, some there be, that with Diotrophes,
Affect preheminence in these our dayes.
Some, like the Scribes and Pharises do rinse
The Cup without; but, have no care to clense
The loathsome inside. Some, have arrogated
Such Holinesse, that they are separated
From others, as a spotlesse Congregation,
That is without all blame, or prophanation.
Some, like to those, their Brethren disrespect;
And, lordly titles over-much affect,
As did the Iewish Rabbies. Some, as they
On others backs uneasie burthens lay:
VVhich they themselves, to cary do refuse.
The Orphane, and the Widow, some abuse,
By shewes of piety. And, we have some,
In tything Anniseed, and Mint, become
Exceeding zealous: yet, have neither care
Nor conscience, in those things that waighty are.
VVe have our sev'rall Brotherhoods of those,
VVho seriously do Sea and Land enclose,
(And practise, by a multitude of sleights)
To win unto their Sects new proselites:
Not out of love to Truth, or Charity,
But rather to advance their Heresie.
VVho ever all their crotchets doth embrace,
Is instantly become the child of Grace,
(In their opinions) whatsoever he
In other points, or in his manners be.
But whosoe're he be that shall despise,
One branch of any toy, which they devise,
Is judg'd a Reprobate. Yea, though in all
The grounds of Faith, and in his works he shall
Appeare unblemished; they will contemne
His judgement; and traduce and censure him.
Yea, some of those there be who have descride
A tricke to know who are unsanctifide;
Though they have all the markes of holinesse.
Nay, some are not ashamed to confesse,
To know what persons those hid marks do beare,
Which knowne to no men but their wearers are.
Like Ananias, and Saphira, here
Are they that holy Brethren doe appeare,
Yet want sincerity. And, I could tell ye
Of multitudes, who meerly for their belly,
Doe follow Christ. With Herod, we have such
Who heare men gladly, till those Crimes they touch
Which are their Darlings: But, then mad they grow,
And what they truly are, they truly show.
Like Dives, we have those that ev'ry day
Are fed with dainties; cloth'd with rich aray,
And, full as mercilesse unto the poore,
That lye uncloth'd, and hungry at the doore.
We have a rattle-brain'd and wilfull Crew,
That with a purblinde zeale the Truth pursue:
And would be found, were not their pow'r so small,
More bloody, and more violent than Paul,
Before his name was changed: for, they teare
That Robe, whereof they doe professe a care.
We have those Nobles, who with Felix, can
Confesse the innocency of a man
Accus'd before them; and, yet leave him bound,
If ought to their advantage may redound.
We have of those that parcell Christians be,
As King Agrippa. Othersome have we
That walke for company, they care not whither;
And, some that sleight Religion altogether.
Nor want we those, that while they Christ professe,
Convert his Graces into wantonnesse.
We are almost as wicked as old Rome:
Of Heresies we are as full become,
As Amsterdam. Nay, many men have we,
That can of three or foure professions be,
(Ev'n all at once) although that ev'ry Sect
Each other doth directly contradict.
We have an Elimas, who doth apply
His cunning to pervert the Deputy:
Like Simon Magus, we have Merchants here,
That were baptized; and yet without feare,
Dare buy and sell those things that holy be;
And which, by Gods donation, should be free.
Nay, in the gall of bitternesse they lye,
More deepe then he, from whom their Symony
Deriveth name: for, he, in shew, repenting,
Did crave the Churches prayers for preventing
Of his deserving: whereas, these devise
Quaint arguments, their sin to patronize;
Or make it lesse. Else, by equivocation,
Or, by their tricke of mentall reservation,
They hide their fault: and (that the sin they doe
May grow compleat) themselves they perjure too.
There be, that Mammon, for their God, adore:
That make Christs members, members of a whore:
And stained be with those offences all,
Whereof the Gentiles were accus'd, by Paul.
We all are guilty of much fraud debate,
Imprety, uncleannesse, envy, hate,
Backbiting, stealing, pride, maliciousnesse,
Dissembling, murther, lying, spightfulnesse,
Truce breaking, disobedience, ignorance,
Implacability, bold arrogance,
Want of affections naturall, excesse,
Inhumane cruelty, ungratefulnesse:
Blaspheming, swearing; and innumerable
Transgressions more, of that ungodly rable:
And, some (when God Almighty poured hath
Vpon their heads the Viols of his wrath)
Instead of penitence, encrease the score
Of their offences; and, blaspheme the more.
Nay, that we may be partners of their guilt,
That have the blood of Gods Anointed spilt,
With Pilate and the Jewes, we have, againe,
The Lord of Life, both crucifi'd, and slaine.
Thou hast, Oh Britaine, ev'ry thing misdone,
That Ashur, Moab, Ammon, Babylon,
Or any Kingdome hath transgressed in,
Which unto Piety a foe hath bin.
Of whatsoever Isr'el was detected,
For whatsoever Iudah was corrected,
Thou maist be taxed; for, among thy Nations
Are daily practis'd their abominations.
Their tricks thou hast, to hinder and oppresse,
Those men who tell thee of thy wickednesse.
Right so thou dost debase; so slander them:
Right so, their just reproofes thou dost contemne:
And, though their words are daily verifide,
Yet, thou dost alwayes wilfully deride
Their admonitions; and, passe all things by,
As failing on thee but by casualty.
I doe beleeve, and know, that, yet, in thee
Some Obadiahs, and some Ezraes be.
Some Courtiers, and some Nobles yet remaine,
Which doe their true Nobility retaine:
But, most of them their dignity have lost;
And can of nought but painted Scuchions boast.
As did of theirs, the Iewish Prophet say,
Thy Princes doe procrastinate the day
Or thy Calamity; and will not heare,
Of that affliction which approacheth neare:
But, of Iniquity they climbe the seat;
And, by extortion make their houses great.
Their Palaces, they feele and trim with gold,
Gods Temples being ruinously old.
On beds (more pretious then of Ivory)
They stretch themselves, and live luxuriously.
The pasture Lambes, and wainlings of the stall,
Suffice not them; but they make prey of all,
Which liveth in the wood, or in the field;
Or which the land, the sea, or ayre doth yeeld.
Their lushious wines in pretious bowles they quaffe;
While Ioseph is afflicted, they doe laugh;
And sing unto the Violl, wanton straines,
While Syon in captivity remaines.
They have but little care of Gods commands;
They breake his yoake, and cast away his bands.
Thy men in honour, without knowledge be,
Like beasts that perish; and, dishonour thee.
Some have aspired to their present heights
Of wealth and greatnesse, by ignoble sleights:
Of others houses, they have got possession,
And, furnished their chambers, by oppression.
Their wives and children, waste in brave attire,
The poore mans portion, and the workmans hire.
Their credits they have pawned, to maintaine
Their luxury, their pride, or gaming vaine.
And, by their Honors have so faisly sworne.
That men their Idoll, and their oath do scorne.
Some, have so blushlesse and so shamelesse beene,
To let their Coach, and foot-cloth horse, be seene
At common Strumpets doores: their Favorites,
(And they, in whom their Noblenesse delights)
Are gamesters, roarers, persons dissolute,
And such; for unto them such best do sute.
To bold fac'd Rimers, Iesters, or to those
Who make their Lordships laugh with foolish prose;
To Fencers, Fidlers, Tumblers, and to such,
Who any way their sensuall humors touch,
Their hands are prodigall; and these obtaine
Rich favours to requite their idle paine.
Their tongues, to speak on their behalfe are free;
When question'd for the foulest crimes they be.
(Ev'n fellonies and murthers) but are mutes
In vertuous causes, and in honest suits.
When wise and painful men, have spent their wealth,
Their strength consumed, or impair'd their health,
In profitable works; and to reveale
Such things as might advance the publike weale;
Their labours (for the most) are over-past
Without encouragement; sometimes, disgrac'd
By arrogant impostors; who arise
To greatnesse, by discrediting the wise;
Or broaching such good projects for their owne,
Which were by those mens industry made knowne,
Whom they have ruined. For, what were some
(That now to places eminent are come)
Before they got aloft on others wines,
But, poore unworthy, and ignoble things?
Nay, what (as yet) appeare they (unto those
Whose good experience their true value knowes)
But gilded ignorance? who having got
The shadowes of the substance they have not,
Doe passe for men of worth, in their esteeming,
Whom they have cheated, by a cunning seeming.
Admit but some of there into such place,
VVhich may afford them priviledge or grace,
To speak before their Prince; and you shall heare
Their tongues to run, as if their knowledge were
As great as Solomons; and that of all
The plants, ev'n from the Hysope of the wall,
Vnto the Cedar, they could tell the nature;
And knew the qualities of ev'ry creature.
They, Proteus like, will any thing appeare;
A Sea-man, Ship-wright, or an Engineere,
Or whatsoe're they list: and having bought
Of some poore Artists; or (some worse way) wrought
Their project from them, that they may be showne,
As if the quaint invention were their owne:
(And, having gotten also termes of Art,
To help them in the acting of their part)
To such opinion of themselves they rise,
That men of soundest knowledge they despise;
Deride experience; and, ev'n to their face,
The skill of most approved men disgrace.
Make these men Counsellors, and though till then
They knew not halfe so much as common men,
Nor had the meanes of knowing any thing,
But how to ride a horse, or take the Ring,
Or hunt, or hawk, or caper: yet (behold
A wonder) in a moment they grow old
In State affaires; and nothing doth concerne
Or peace or war, which they have need to learne.
If any question be, before these, made,
Of Merchandise; the skilfull'st in the trade
Are fooles to them; and tis an arrogance
To offer to instruct their ignorance.
If armes be treated of, there's no man knowes
By practice, that which these men can disclose
By contemplation. And though they have seene
No other warres but those at Mile end greene,
Or Tutle-fields; great Mars himselfe, of these
May learne to be a Souldier, if he please.
If any thing concerning Navigation,
Be tendred to a grave consideration,
These either dare affirme, or to deny
What all the Masters of the Trinity
Oppose them in; and Novices would make
Of Hawkings, Frobisher, and famous Drake,
Were they now living. And, yet such as they,
The wreathes of Honor soonest beare away.
With empty Names, and Titles, being blowne
Above themselves, they are unweildy growne;
And greater in their pride, and in their traine,
Then their consumed fortunes will maintaine.
Which doth compell them, by unworthy wayes,
To seeke the patching up of their decayes:
And, still in their profusenesse they proceed,
As if their prodigality should breed
New fortunes; and, were like those wells that fill,
And grow the purer, by exhausting still.
In feasts, apparell, furniture, and things
Of such like nature, many Christian Kings,
To equall them shall finde it much to doe:
But, them they cannot very far outgoe,
Vnlesse they meane to draine their fountaines dry,
With Fooles, in prodigality, to vye.
Hence comes it, that the Rents and Royalties
Of Kings and Princes, which did well suffice
In former times, to keep in comely port
An honour'd, and an hospitable Court,
(Yea, and an Army if occasion were)
Can hardly now the charge of houshold beare,
For, they must either in their large expence,
Come short of that profuse magnificence
Among their Vassals: or else waste away
The price of many Lordships, to defray
The cost of one vaine supper; and, from this,
With other such like things, growes all amisse.
For, one excesse another still produces;
One Foole out-vies his fellow Fooles abuses;
Vntill their wealth, and hopes, and reputation,
Be wasted in a witnesse emulation:
Not heeding what is taught them in the Fable,
That when a Toad hath sweld while he is able,
An Oxe is bigger, and with ease can smite
His pride to nothing, when it is at height.
This over large profusenesse, they are faine
By many evill courses to maintaine:
By bribery, by griping, by the sale
Of Iustice yea of Conscience, and of all
That may be sold for mony. From hence springs
Deceiving, and mis-leading of good Kings.
This, makes their Treasuries to ebbe so low;
This, makes their Subjects discontented grow;
This, makes the Merchant, and the Tradesman, break;
This, makes the arme of Justice grow so weake;
By this, are States unjointed, by degrees;
By this, their honour and their love they leese;
And, that confusion in upon them steales,
Which ruines Nations, Kings, and Commonweales.
From hence are all those rascall Suits derived,
By which the common dammage is contrived:
Hence, they (who by the publike desolation
Would raise themselves) pretend the reformation
They purpose not: and, by their faire pretences
To cure old grievances, breed new offences.
Hence comes it, that to keep themselves on hie,
They sell their country, and posterity
To slavery and bondage; caring nought,
So they have rest, how dearly it be bought.
This, makes the Grants of Kings become so tickle,
And Orders, and Decrees of State, so sickle,
That no man knowes when he hath ought procured,
How he, of what he hath may be assured;
For, in a righteous cause, though he proceed,
And have it ratified and decreed,
By all Authority, that may be gained;
A sleight suggestion (without reason feined)
May frustrate make the Royall-confirmation,
Or keep him in an endlesse expectation,
Till he be quite undone. And, if his foes
Have wealth, (though no good reasons to oppose
His rightfull cause) he may be wheel'd about,
With Orders, that will fetch him in and out,
Till he be tyr'd: and, neither side is sure
Of conquest, till the other can procure
No bribe to give. VVhich is more wicked far,
Then those injustices which practis'd are
In heathen Kingdomes: since, when any there,
For Iustice, or Injustice bribed are;
A man shall have his bargaine. And in this
More just they be then many a Christian is.
For, when some here are forced for their owne
To give great fines, they afterward are throwne
From their possessions, if another come
To buy Injustice with a larger sum.
Oh! what a madnesse is it, for one day
On earth, to foole Eternity away?
To sell both soule and body for meere toyes;
And reall comforts, for deceiving joyes?
To build their house with morter, which will burne
The timber, and the structure overturne?
Perchance before the finishing be done,
But (doubtlesse) e're the third descent be gone?
What folly is it for a man to waste
At one vaine triumph (which an houre doth last)
More then the portion, ten and ten times told
Which all his predecessors leave him could;
That, to his prejudice it may be knowne,
How hastily a rich man be is growne?
What meaneth he, who doth consume upon
One banquet, what a towne of Garison
Might live a yeare withall; to heare it spoken,
That so much soft was but a certaine token
Of his corruption? And that all the store
He wasts, was got by making others poore?
Or that the greatnesse of his new gain'd glory,
Is of the common wrongs a reall story?
Who praiseth him for this? or who doth call
Him honorable, wise, or liberall.
For those expences; but the rascall rable
Of Coxcombs, and of Gulls, that haunt his table?
What honour is it? or what can it please,
To be the Lord of many Palaces?
To have their Cambers, and their Galleries
Adorned with most precious rarities?
To feed, and cloath, and patronize a number
Of Parasites, and of Buffoones, to cumber
Their walks and lodgings? To have ev'ry day
Their servants following them in rich aray?
Rich stuffes, with rich embroyderies to bury,
To ride on princely charets? or to hurry
In gilt Caroches? or on pampered Steeds,
(From Turky fetcht, or from the Barbary breeds)
To praunce about the streets to show their pride?
Or with vaine titles to be magnifi'd?
What pleasure is all this, when they shall heare,
How loud the clamour sounds in ev'ry eare,
Of their oppressions, frauds, and cruelties?
And how the people curse their tyrannies?
Their state, and their ambition to maintaine;
How many, oh! how many to complaine
Constrained are? Alas! how many a one
Have their proud followers tyranniz'd upon?
And of their servants, what great numbers too,
Doe these by thir ambitiousnesse undoe?
The faces of the poorer sort they grinde;
The bread of Orphanes (who the while are pinde)
They feed upon. The people they have sold
For old-worne shooes on Altars they lay hold;
And, of each holy thing they make their prey,
Whereon their sacrilegious hands they lay.
The portion of their brethren they devoure;
And, by usurping an unlawfull pow'r,
They save each other harmlesse from the lawes;
And overthrow the poore complainants cause.
Their neighbours, often, and their nearest friends,
(To whom they daigne respect but for their ends)
Are so engaged to uphold their pride,
That they their foolish heads are faine to hide.
Some Tradesmen, for their vaine credulity,
(In trusting to their Honors) now doe lye
Imprison'd for their aptnesse to beleeve:
And, what they suffer, or how much they grieve,
Their Lordships care not: For (except their owne)
Of all mens troubles they are senselesse growne.
Their houses, and their lodgings, ev'ry day,
Are full of Suitors, who as humbly pray
For what's their owne, as if that they were some
Who to entreat for charity were come:
And oft are answer'd with such harsh replyes,
For their compelled importunities,
As if it were an impudence or wrong,
To aske the debt which had beene due so long.
The Baker and the Butcher, sometime serve
Great men with bread and flesh untill they starve
Themselves almost: and, if they doubt they shall
Be quite undone before it so befall,
They oft are glad to lose the summe that's due,
Through feare that for their own if they should sue,
(In stead of recompence) receive they might
Some evill turne, their boldnesse to requite.
For, some are growne so base, that now and than
Their Costermonger, yea their Butterman,
And Herbwife is halfe begger'd and undone,
By suffring them upon their scores to run.
Oh! with what faces can these Tyrants ride
Along the streets, in such a height of pride,
As oft they doe, when they are lookt upon
By those poore Tradesmen whom they have undone?
What joy have they to see, or to be seene
In those gay feathers, which have plucked beene
From others wings; whose nakednesse appeares
To cry aloud for Iustice, in Gods eares?
And what a Plague is fallen on that Land
Where such as these have places of command?
Where these are chose for Statesmen, what protectiō
Is Vertue like to finde? what due correction
Hath Vice where such controule? or what is he
Can looke for Iustice, where such Iudges be?
Would I could say, oh! Britaine, thou hast none
Of these Or else might name thee such a one,
As lawfully, as I might boldly do it,
For thy advantage, were I called to it.
But, that authority which I have got,
Checks faults alone, with persons meddles not.
Thy ancient Vertues are not wholy lost,
In all thy families. Yet, for the most,
As are thy Princes, now, thy Gentry be;
According to the height of their degree.
They spend their youth in lust and idlenesse;
In impudent prophanenesse, and excesse;
In foolish complements; in thriftlesse games;
And in oblivion do interre their Names:
Through want of knowledge, and that reall worth
Which sets the lustre of true Gentry forth.
The markes of Gentle-blood, and that which praise
Did thereunto acquire, in former dayes,
Were Iustice, Temp'rance, Courage, Prudency,
True Courtsie, Meeknesse, Liberality,
And such as these. Their Exercises were
Those which the mind or body might prepare
For vertuous practices: as leaping, running,
To handle Armes, to shoot, to shew their cunning
In managing great Horse; in studiousnesse
Of piety, and of the Sciences,
Which we terme liberall. But now, alas!
The Gentry, Britaine, is not as it was.
To be a Gentleman, is now, to weare
Fantastick habits, horrid oaths to sweare;
To wiffe Tobacco; to be drunk, and game;
To do a villany, and boast the same.
To dare the Pox; to talk with impudence,
How oft they had it, without griefe or sense,
Of their misdoings; nothing to professe
Or practise, but to live in idlenesse;
To quarrell; to be insolent, and proud;
To cheat, and brag, and lye, and speak aloud
In stead of speaking reason: to presume
Above his worth; unwisely to consume
His patrimony; fast and loose to play;
To borrow, without purposing to pay;
To spend their time in fruitlesse visitations,
In beastly and prophane communications;
In telling and in listning after newes;
In viewing idle sights, or haunting Stewes;
With such like exercises: as if they
Were made to flutter all their time away
Like Butterflyes, and lived, purposely,
For nothing, but to eate, and drink, and dye.
Their noblest mark, is dieting a brace
Of handsome Nags, to run a squitting Race.
Or keeping of a cast of Norway Kites,
To show them yearly halfe a dozen flights;
Or else, the feeding of a stinking pack
Of yelping Hounds; that when discourse they lack,
They may whole dayes together, prate a story,
In which some Dogs, or Hauks, or Horses glory
Is magnifi'd; and him they count a Clowne,
That in their folly is no partner growne.
Oh! would these lines had po'wr to make thē see,
How foolish and absurd their courses be:
And that my Muses now could reach the straine,
Might win them nobler thoughts to entertaine.
But, mine will hardly prove such Charmes, I feare;
For, at the very root we rotten are;
And, where our Maladies their cure should have,
The dangerous infections we receive.
Our Nurseries of Arts are not so pure,
But that in them our bane we may procure.
Our Inne of Court have lost their good repute,
By harboring of persons dissolute.
The schooles of Law are Sanctuaries made
For Out-lawes, and where once our Gentry had
That nurture which enobled them; now, there
By lewd examples, which too frequent are,
Or, by too great a liberty, we gaine
A habit in all courses that are vaine.
And most of those, of whom the world beleeves
Most good (among them) are but civill theeves.
For, Lawyers, and some Officers, in thee,
(Which Ministers of Iustice seeme to be)
Have made the Courts and Offices, whereby
We should of wrongs receive a remedy;
To prove to us things more uneasie, far,
Then those, for which their just complainings are.
So costly be their wilde interpretations
Of Lawes and Customes; and such variations
Are found in their opinions, that few know
When they uprightly, or in safety goe.
If any Common Barreter will please
By suits unjust his neighbors to disease;
The Plea may be maintained, though that all
His allegations prove untrue they shall:
Or manifest, by doubtlesse demonstration,
He purpos'd nought but wilfull molestation.
For, Lawyers will defend and plead the Cause,
Which to their knowledge doth oppose both Iawes
And Conscience too; as if they did contemne
His threatnings that pronounced woe to them,
Who justifie the wicked in their sin;
Or him gainsay which hath not faulty bin.
Ev'n in our Court of Conscience, some things are
Vnconscionable. For, if any here
Be causlesly complain'd on well is he
If uncondemned in the suit he be.
For, this Defendant hath small remedy,
Save that, and patience, for his injury.
His causlesse troubles, and his large expence,
Hath no requitall save his innocence.
For, if all they that are unjustly grieved,
By having costs or suits should be relieved;
Or if the Plaintiffe should his Bill averre
Vpon his oath, as ev'ry Answerer
Confirmes his Answer, many a brawling Knive
Would then be quiet, and that Court would have
Far lesse employment: yea, and were it not
Their Traverses did knit againe the knot,
Which Answers upon Oath, almost unty,
Suits would not halfe so long unended lye,
This, many Officers doe seeme to feare;
And therefore (as if Courts erected were
To make them rich, by nourishing contention;
Much rather then to compasse the prevention
Of wrongs and discord) they continue still,
That course which brings most grifts unto their mil.
If I would make a Libell, it should be
By way of Suit: for, I did never see
A scurrilous Rime or Pamphlet, so compact
Of slanders (nor so cunningly detract)
As doe their shamelesse Bils, and their Replies,
Who seeke, that way, mens names to scandalize.
They dare pretend (as if with warranty)
Those things of which no probability
Was ever seene. For, though they prove it not,
They know the very mention of a blot
Doth leave a staine; and, that aspersions laid
Supposedly, are often so convaid,
And so disperst; and in dispersing, will
Such new additions gather to them still;
That, at the last (although most false they were)
For truths, they told and heard, of many, are.
But, their Intergatorie, have a tricke
Beyond all other Libellings, to stick
An infamy on any: for, in those,
Or all which they will causlesly suppose
Within their Bils; they may the question move,
To whomsoever they pretend shall prove
What they object And, though no proofe be broght,
Nay, though it never came within his thought,
That is complain'd against; to doe or say
Those things which they object against him may:
Yet, he that is examined, or he
That reads what matters question'd of him be;
Suspects, perhaps, (although he nothing knew
Concerning them) that ev'ry thing is true
Which their Intergatories doe imply.
For, why thinks he (that meaneth honestly)
Should Propositions of these things be made,
If they no likelihood of being bad?
Or who (supposeth he) hath so abhord
A mind, as to suggest, and on record
To leave aspersions (of deserving blame)
On him, that no way merited the same?
Yet, this is frequent: and this libelling
Much profit to their Common wealth doth bring,
Who gaine by others losses. And, there's none
Or whom this mischiefe may not fall upon.
For one example of such grosse abuse,
My selfe I can, and justly may, produce.
For, sitting lately in a roome alone,
My owne occasions meditating on:
Two men, who talking at the doore had him
(And, as appeared, knowing me within)
Made entrance and be sought me both to heare,
(And witnesse) what they had agreed on there.
I heard them; and I purposed to do
As they required, being call'd thereto.
But, mark what follow'd. Twelve months after that
The one of these (not well content with what
His bargaine was; and knowing, I alone
Cou'd testifie what they agreed upon)
Did in this knavith cunning wise project
To make my witnesse take the lesse effect.
Forsooth, he makes me party in the cause;
A pitifull complaining Bill he drawes;
Wherein his learned Counsell did devise
Such Combinations, and Conspiracies,
Such Plots, such Practices and such large tales,
Of Premises, of Bargainings, of Sales,
And such like Heathnish stuffe: and his pretence,
Was worded out with so much impudence;
That, surely, whosoever came to see
That peece of Chauncery, supposed me
A very cheating Rascall: or, that I
(At least) was privy to some knavery;
Whereas he knew, who then did so abuse me,
I blamelesse was of what he did accuse me,
Yea, then so farre was I from any plot,
Or purpos'd wrong; that I had quite forgot
Both man and master: and, but for his Bill,
Had beene (I thinke) unmindfull of them still.
A wrong like this, if any please, he may
Inflict upon me ev'ry other day,
With safe impunity. For, such as he,
Intituled Amici Curiæ be:
And, many thousand fees would quite be lost,
Were they, in such like suits, to beare the cost.
If I should here disclose what I have seene,
The practice of some Lawyers to have beene;
What cunning in conveyances they use,
How strangely their Profession they abuse:
And what a glory to themselves they take,
When they an evill cause to thrive can make:
Or, should I here character their Delayes,
Their Errors, their Demurs, their many wayes
Of hindring Iustice; their impertinent
And costly tedious Formes, their impudent
Extorting from their Clients double fees;
For Motions, which they willingly doe lesse:
How they doe move by halfes; how they mistake
(Of purpose) for themselves, new work to make;
How oft their Orders have by procreation,
Made up, almost, the hundreth generation;
What double-tongu'd Reports, for double fees,
Are gotten by corrupted Referrees;
(Who when the truth is plaine, can coine a doubt
To bring againe the falsest Cause about)
How senselesse of mens losses, griefes, or paine,
They are in all things which concerne their gaine;
To what expences they their Clients bring;
How they doe ride them in an endlesse Ring,
And prey upon them: or, if here I should
Disclose as evidently as I could,
How full of wicked bribes, their closets be;
What brutish cruelties mine eyes did see;
How many honest Causes I have knowne,
For want of prosecution, overthrowne;
Because our tedious formes of triall, stretch
Much further then the Clients purse can reach,
How many miles poore men are forc'd to come,
For trifling suits, which might have end at home;
But that our higher Courts more seek encrease
Of their base profits, then of blessed peace.
Should I relate, with what strange tyrannies
Some Officers their places exercise;
What partiality they shew; what pride:
How they insult on men; how they deride;
How big they speak; how scurrilous they be,
In taunting and reviling men more free
From vice, then they themselves: Or, should I tell
How little tendernesse doth seeme to dwell
VVithin their bosomes, when they do oppresse
The needy widow, and the fatherlesse:
If all these things I should insist upon,
And so describe them, as they might be done;
The world would know that all those injuries,
For which the Law appointeth remedies,
Are oft lesse grievous to the Common weale,
Then most, who most pretend her sores to heale:
And that as little help from them she sees,
As when she sets her Cats to keep her Cheese.
For, some of them are trusty in their kind,
And so, some trusty Lawyers she may find:
Yea, those there be, that in these evill dayes,
Like Rubies mixt with pebles, send forth rayes
Of Christian pieties; which do declare,
That some remaine who yet an honor are
To that profession; and all those are free
From being taxt, or blamed here by me.
The rest shall beare their shame; for, they were born
To be our plague; and they shall be my scorne:
Their torments do afflict both night and day,
And there are few such torturers as they.
For, of those wrongs which we by them sustaine,
We scarcely are permitted to complaine.
Nor will this land better dayes behold,
So long as Offices are bought and sold,
Nor shall I ever think that any one,
Much cares, what right or injury be done,
That buyes or sels an Office; chiefly he,
Who chaffers that where seats of Iudgement be.
For order sake, to these my knee I bend;
Or, I to give them titles can descend,
And ev'ry outward reverence; that so
The place they beare, contemned may not grow:
Yet, nobler far he seemeth in mine eyes,
Who, by a due election, doth arise
To be but Heardman in some Country Borrough,
Then all those Lordlings who have passed thorough
The greatest Offices, by giving pay;
Or by some other unapproved way.
When mē were sought, that Office they might bear
And had it gratis; they such persons were,
Whose worth, whose vertues, and whose noblenesse,
Brought honor to the seats they did proffesse.
With faithfulnesse, their duties they discharged;
No ancient fee unjustly was enlarged;
Or new extorted; neither did they take
The poore mans money, when he mone did make:
For, by an easie entrance they were able
(When need required) to be charitable.
Their just expences, also, to provide;
And to sustaine a comely port beside.
But, since men sought out Offices; and thought
Of their owne merits, better then they ought,
(Intruding, without modesty, to sit
Vpon that Seat, for which they were unfit)
Since men experienced (by serving long
In some inferior places) had such wrong,
That ignorant impostors got possession
Or what pertaines to them, by due succession:
Yea since to sacred Calling men are chose
By them, that should not of such things dispose;
What can e're long expected be, unlesse
It be an overflow of Barbarousnesse?
Since each base fellow (who, perhaps, by stealth,
By fraud, or by extortion, scrapes up wealth)
May purchase, by his evill gotten pelfe,
A place of honor, to ensconce himselfe,
And fortifie his wickednesse withall;
What hope of good proceedings follow shall?
Since needy, worthlesse, base, & shameles grooms,
May serue their persons into noble roomes,
By meanes ignoble; no man must expect
From such a Cause, to draw a good Effect;
Or, that he honor gets, who in such times
To any honorable title climbs.
He's but a theefe, that in at window comes;
The buyer sells, and sells for greater sums;
By bribery, he bribery defends,
Of unjust Mammon he doth make him friends,
To nourish Pride; or else to make up that,
Whereby possession of his place he gat;
Without compassion, he doth grieve, oppresse,
And rack the widow, and the fatherlesse:
All places, and all things that appertaine
To ev'ry place, he puts to sale, for gaine:
Yea, most men of each other, now, make sale:
Of their owne liberties, of lives, and all.
Great Officers pretending to the gift
If some inferiour places, make a shift
To save the giving, and, so dearly sell
That their poore underlings they oft compell
To serve without allowance; or to raise
Their maintenance, by some unlawfull wayes:
VVhich they must countenance; or else contrive
That others at such doing may connive.
VVhereby those places held disgracefull be,
VVhich, otherwise, from scandall, had bin free.
VVhy then reproach we such with odious names,
Since they that are the authors of then shames,
(And those to whom base termes do appertaine)
Are their great Masters, who make wicked gaine
Of what should freely be bestow'd on those
To whom they ought such places to dispose?
From them, and their corruption, doth arise
The multitudes of base enormities
That swarme among our petty Officers.
It is a sum of mony that prefers
To ev'ry place; and that makes knaves, and sharks,
Of Sergeants, Waiters, and of Vnder-clarks.
This maketh Registers, in ev'ry Court,
And other Ministers, so much extort:
This makes them seek out knots, demurs, delayes,
And practise many unapproved wayes,
To make up that which foolishly they paid:
Yet, in the grave, their heads, perhaps, are laid
Ere halfe recover'd be: and oft their wives,
(VVhose portion bought those places for their lives)
Are lest, with many children, to a lot
Vnpitied, as they others pitied not.
For, many a one of these, although you see
Their wives and children in apparell be
As costly as a Lords (that yearly may
Dispend as great a sum, as these did pay
For their new Offices) engaged are
To Vsurers, for twice the better share
Of their large Fines: and, sometime they undoe
Themselues, their kindred, and their neighbours too.
Hence comes it, that Receivers, Bailifes, Reeves,
And other such, are worse then common theeves;
And rack and pill so boldly; and from hence
It flowes, that few suppress their insolence:
Ev'n from their base corruption, who do thrive
By such mens losse; and not alone connive
At their misdoings, but, oft patronize them,
And from just censures an escape devise them.
For they that else would Furze and Brambles burne,
Will cherish them, where they may save their corne.
Thus, Britaine, most of them have used thee,
Whose Offices, by purchase, gotten be.
These, and a multitude of other crimes,
They cause, and act, and suffer in these times:
And are so insolent in what they doe,
That they dare practise, and defend it too,
Without remorse of mind, or seeming sense
Of being guilty of the least offence.
Nor come thy Priests or Prophets much behind
The worst of these: but, passe them in their kind.
For, though a learned Clergy thou possessest,
And ev'ry day in knowledge much increasest:
Although I do beleeve thou hast in thee
Those Guides whose wayes are from reproofe as free
As are the best on earth: yet, thou hast more
That are perverted, now, then heretofore.
Of late, thou heaps of Teachers gotten hast,
Resembling empty vapours, or a blast
That breathes no comfort. What God never ment
They publish forth; and come e're they are sent.
Thy peoples hurts, they cure with sugred speech;
When there's no peace at all, of peace they preach;
Thou purblind Watchmen hast, and some that see,
As blindly walke, as they that blindest be.
DumbDogs thou hast, who spend their time in sleep;
And, some who barke, but to affright the sheepe.
Like hungry Curres, some alwayes gurmandize;
Yet nothing can their greedinesse suffice.
They follow their owne wills, and their owne waies
They hunt for their owne profit, their owne praise.
They tread the paths where common sinners walke;
Amongst themselves, they most prophanely talk;
And, at the Tavernes meet, and sit and swill
Strong drinke, and wine untill their guts they fill.
In taking Gifts, and compassing Promotion,
They shew more zeale, and practice more Devotion
Then in their holy Callings. They delight
In Flatteries; and the fawningst Parasite
In all the Courts of Europe, cannot prate
More Heathnishly, nor more insinuate
Then some of them. The blessed Sacraments
And holy Word, are us'd as instruments
To compasse that, for them, which they projected;
And oft polluted are, and oft neglected,
Their sacred Orders, are abus'd and made
To serve them for an Office, or a Trade,
To be inriched by; and to that end
The preaching of the Gospel, they intend.
They come not by the doore into the fold;
Things holy, they have often bought and sold;
Conspiracies they make in matters sowle;
They prey vpon the body and the soule;
And, fat and rich, and mighty to become,
They daub and plaister with untemper'd lome.
With lies, and faire pretences they beguile;
And violate the Law of God, the while.
His Altars they prophane, they starve his flocke;
They make Religion but a mocking-stocke;
And, by examples horrible and vile,
Cause other men, Gods Temples to defile.
There is no avarice which theirs exceeds;
No malice which a mischiefe sooner breeds:
No pride so sutly as their Clergy-pride,
Except among the Beggers, when they ride.
They, who but few yeares past, would halfe have broke
Their kindreds, to have purchas'd them a cloake;
And in poore threed bare Cassocks sought to preach
Beneath an Vnder-Curate; or to teach
The children of some Farmers, for their meat:
And seem'd scarce worthy so much grace to get,
Vntill by counterfeit humility,
(By sawning mixt with importunity,
And gilt with fained zeale) they wrought on some,
To bring their wandring feet into their home.
Ev'n some of these, so well have acted out
Their parts, of seeming honest and devout;
That (either like to Micahs Priest, by leaving.
Their Patrons; and their hopefull trust deceiving:
Or, some such likely wayes) they have acquired
A hither station, then they first desired.
They have so quaintly humour'd, and so pleased
The present times; that they have proudly seized
Supremest places: and, now, over peere
Their heads by whom, they first advanced were.
And very profitable, sure it is,
To heed them, since their metamorphosis.
For, if thou mark, how stately now they beare
Their lofty heads; how insolent they are;
How pitilesse to suters they become;
With what contempt poore men be rated from
Their angry presence; what imperious Lords
Their Doctorships are grown; what haughty words
They thunder forth; what Antichristian state
They take upon them; how extreame ingrate
And inhumane they prove (ev'n unto those
By whom, they from the dunghill first arose)
Wer't well observ'd how strangely they contemne
Their ancient friends; and twixt themselves, & them,
What distances they set; or, to their kin
How harsh and evill natur'd they have bin;
(Except to those, that having meanes to rise
As well as they, their folly do despise.)
Wer't knowne, what selfe opinion they have got
Of their owne worths; how they themselves besot
With arrogance; how peevish, and unquiet
They be in their attendance, and their diet;
In small or trifling matters how severe;
In those which of the greatest moment are,
How carelesse growne: how envious of the grace
Or gifts bestow'd on those, in meaner place.
Were notice also taken, with what straine
Of pride and loftinesse, they entertaine
Their brethren of the Clergy, when they are
By any summons called to appeare
Before their Lordships; with what Pope like phrase
They seek to terrifie, and to amaze
Their humble Suppliants, with what balde conceits
They vent their humors, that the crew which waits
To claw and sooth such follyes, may begin
(In stead of some applause) to fleere, and grin.
How tartly they can chide, and raile, and play,
And jest on those, who but the other day
Did equall them in tempr'all dignities;
And are more worthy, though less high they rise.
Were these things heeded, and some passages
Which name I could, as worthy note as these;
A man would harely think, that these had beene
Those Priests, who but a while before were seene
So beggerly, and so expos'd to scorne;
But, that, they had (at least) beene Prelates borne.
None could have thought that these mē had bin they
Who lately did so bitterly invey
Against the pride Episcopall; and plained,
To see themselves so sleighted, and disdained
Of their superiors: no man would have thought
These had bin poore mens children, who had nought
To give them nurture; or, that they, bereft
Of all their friends, were to the parish left.
None would beleeve, almost, that any such
Should from so little, rise to have so much
In such a Calling; and so worthlesse be
In their condition: for, it seemes to me,
They little conscience make of that Profession,
Whereby they have those glories in possession:
Since then (me thinks) so far they would not swerve
From his pure word, whom they pretend to serve.
Oh! pray that God would make those watchmen see
What blots and errors in their courses be.
And, that, by good example they may teach,
What they by word, unto the people preach:
For, by their actions, many overthrow
The growth of that, which they themselves did sow.
Or by their failing, or their falling from
A Christan zeale, make others cold become.
And, some of these are those, of whom Christ sayes,
We should embrace their words, but not their wayes.
But, many a one will neither say nor doe,
What we may follow, or give heed vnto.
Yea, we have now among us many a one,
(That could have spoken well) whose voice is gone,
By growing over fat with double Cures:
And pampring up themselves like Epicures.
How many Doctors have we, who before
They were advanced, from conditions poore,
Were glad and willing twice each Sabbath day,
To preach, and all the publike pray'rs to say?
Yea, without any show of being weary,
The Sacraments to give; to wed, to bury,
And, often in the week, those works to do,
Which by their Calling they were bound unto?
Of those how many in these dayes are seene,
That having to promotion raised beene,
Are well nigh silenc'd, now performing neither
Of all those duties, for whole months together?
Of these, how many lately have I knowne,
So proud (or else perhaps so lazy growne)
To cast upon their hirelings all that care,
And al that pains, which they themselves should bear?
Vouchsafing not so much as once a day,
(Though they are present) publike pray'rs to say;
Or preach; or, of the duties to be done,
To ease their Curate, in performing one?
But (sitting as meere strangers, or as he
Who thought such works, for him too meane to be)
Take ease and state upon them; more I wis,
Then either needfull or beseeming is.
Indeed (when they are any way engaged
By publike studies, weak, or sick, or aged)
Sometime to ease themselves, deserves no blame:
But having no excuse, it is their shame.
How unbeseeming is it, to behold
Our Doctors, who nor crazy are, nor old,
Nor any way disabled, save through sloth,
Or through their pride (or else perchance through both)
To leave that charge to some inferior one,
Which is too worthy, to be undergone
By him that's worth'est, in respect of all
Those dignities, the world afford them shall?
Why should the adding of a new Degree,
Or larger meanes (which no additions be
To their essentiall worth) make wise men seeme
So highly praised, in their owne esteeme,
As to debase that worke, for whose meere sake,
Gods mercy them so eminent did make?
For, if it were not so, why do they more
Neglect those duties now, then heretofore?
Why, in performing them, respect they so
The times, and persons, as we see they do?
At solemne feasts, or in those places where
Most honorable personages are,
Why do they preach more often? why baptize,
And wed, and bury, where their living lies,
The richer fort, and let the poore alone;
If what they do, for conscience sake be done?
Alas! preferment, and the being rich,
Doth choak up vertues, and the mind bewitch.
The daughter sleights the mother. For, Devotion
Brought forth by painfull travell, faire Promotion;
And lo, no sooner is Preferment borne,
But, proud she growes, and doth her Mother scorne.
They who did much for little; now, possessing
A great abundance, do requite the blessing
With doing lesse, in stead of doing more;
And, marre with pride, what paine did plant before.
The greater favours we from God receive,
The greater thankfulnesse we should conceive.
Yea, when that he advanceth us most high,
We should expresse the more humility;
And think, that ev'n the meanest circumstances
Belonging to his holy Ordinances,
Could not with reverence enough be done,
When we have all our worthinesse put on.
And, doubtlesse, when to God most high we raise
Our hands, in offring up his publike praise,
The man (in my opinion) fitteth best
That work; who seemes more worthy then the rest.
And, whosoever should that act eschew,
(Except just cause within himselfe he knew)
I know (how high soe're his place hath bin)
His Calling is dishonored therein:
Or, if to be assistant he doth shun,
When any priestly work is to be done,
Where he hath Cure: for, into others roomes,
To make intrusion, no man it becomes.
God grant those men humility, and care,
Who otherwise, in this, affected are;
And show our Clergie what uncomelinesse
Appeares in this. For, some herein transgresse
By other mens examples; and indeed,
Some other men, by want of taking heed
Of what they doe; who having weigh'd the fact,
Will never put the same, againe, in act.
Lord waken these; and, humble those, I pray,
Whom pride, or vanity, have led astray.
And oh! ye house of Levi, warning take ye;
Lest God, for times to come, examples make ye,
As he that Clergie, your example made,
Whose monstrous pride, the age before you, had
So great a fall. Oh! minde it, and be more
Regardfull of your Charge then heretofore:
Lest they that spight the Churches dignities,
(And of her Dowry seek to make a prize)
For your ambitious pride, occasion take,
On Gods Inheritance, their prey to make.
So will our Clergie, which is yet respected,
Be scorn'd, become as poore, and as neglected,
As in those Countries, where their former pride
Hath made their Calling to be vilifide.
Oh! leave, oh! leave your haughtinesse betimes,
Your avarice, your envy, and those crimes,
That are observ'd among you; lest for them
God shake the wall of our Ierusalem.
For, heav'n and earth for me shall restifie,
That this my Muse in nothing doth belye
Your manners; but that you are more then stain'd,
With ev'ry fault whereof I have complain'd.
And as it was their Priests and Prophets sin
That brought the Deluge of those troubles in,
Which overwhelm'd the Iewish Commonweale:
So, if with us the Lord severely deale,
Your sinnes and errors will enlarge the rent,
Through which the mortall arrow shall be sent,
That deepest wounds. Oh! God defend us from
Such judgements; or, if thou be pleas'd they come,
Vpon our sinfull bodies strike the blow;
And keepe us from a spirituall overthrow.
Excuse me worthy Prelats; and all you
Whom God with large preferments doth endue,
And raise to honor, out of low degrees,
Because ingrasted in your hearts he sees
Such inward vertues, and such outward graces,
As doe become your high and holy places;
Excuse me if in ought deliver'd here,
Injurious to your worths I may appeare:
For, not a Line of these reproving straines,
To you or any one of you pertaines;
Nor need you care, if any shall apply,
These tart reproofes, to blur your Callings by:
Because you know, that none are this way harmed,
Who are by true and reall vertues armed.
Because you also know, that some have shamed
Your places by such crimes as I have named.
I know you will not frowne, though I did say,
That some of Christs Disciples would betray
Their Master to his foes. Since this no more
Redounds to your disgrace, then heretofore
It did to his Apostles, that he said
How he by one of them should be betraid.
None taxe you shall, by meanes of this, but heady
And hairebrain'd fooles, that are your foes already;
Nor would I for the world unloose my tongue,
To do the Vertuous, or your Calling wrong.
Let no man gather hence, my Muse envies
The Clergie, or the reverend Dignities
To them pertaining; or dislike to see
Great Prelates raised up from low degree:
For, them I honor most, who from a race
Of meane esteeme, have gain'd an honor'd place,
By true desert. And (might I be as able
As willing) I would make more honorable
Their holy Callings; and for ever close
Their greedy mouths, and bind the hands of those
Who speak, or act, what might infringe their due,
Who in those places good examples shew.
I know, among our Bishops, there are some,
Who make their outward honors to become
A meanes to keep Religion, and their Calling,
From being vilified, and from falling
Into contempt: of Stiles account they make not,
For their owne glory: to themselves they take not
Their Lordly Attributes; but to adorne
Their Office, and to keep the same from scorne.
Some such there are: and for the sakes of such
It is, that yet our Clergie hath so much
Of that esteeme which our forefathers left them;
And that these greedy times have not bereft them
Of those endowments which were granted here
When Kings the Churches nursing Fathers were.
From these reproofes, let such therefore be free;
And fall the blame on those that faulty be.
But, as the Shepherds have deserv'd the strokes
Of Gods displeasure; so their wanton Flocks
The same have merited; and, blame there lyes
On all conditions, and fraternities.
I would not speake what might offend the Throne
Of Justice; or the King that sits thereon.
From all taxation let him scape as free
As he is innocent; yea let him be
Vntouched: and, let ev'ry vertuous Peere,
Be free from all, that shall be spoken here:
For, I will ayme at none, but whom it shall
Become an honest Muse to chide withall.
In this, beleeve me Readers. For, I pray
Forgive my bluntnesse. And I dare to say
The Court is fraught with bribery, with hate,
With envie, lust, ambition, and debate;
With fawnings, with fantasticke imitation,
With shamefull sloth, and base dissimulation.
True Vertue's almost quite exiled thence,
And vice with vice, for chiefe preheminence
Maintaineth wars. The most profuse Excesse,
And Avarice, one bosome oft possesse:
The greater part are of a Mushroome breed,
Spring up upon a sudden, without seed,
Or plant, or graft, and, often, in one day,
(Yea sometime in a moment) swept away.
With lyes, they seeke their Soveraigne to delight;
And act their impudences in his sight.
They slay the people, and their flesh they teare
Ev'n from the bones; as doth a greedy Beare.
They cannot brook the mention of their error;
They drive out of their mindes the day of terror.
Deep pits, to hide their mischiefes in, they make;
And think that God no heed of them will take.
They live upon the Commons; and yet grow
More fat, then others in enclosures do
And, that which followes their encreasing pow'r,
Is but to be devoured, or devoure.
Their wealth consists of Projects: their esteeme
Is that which they to one another seeme.
Their Honors are bare Titles; and, that state
Which they themselves do fancy and create.
Their Zeale is wilfulnesse. Their Faith is such
As Reason breeds; and, most times, not so much.
Their Hope is something, but I know not what.
Their Charity is nothing; or else that
Which I should call Self-love. Their Strength is in
Opinion and in ablenesse to sin.
Their Wisdome, and their Policy, (if we
May guesse at things that undiscerned be)
Is to resolve on nothing: so, the Foe
Shall never compasse their designes to know.
Their Courtesie (if men will be content
To think it may consist in Complement)
Is wondrous great. Their Valour is in oaths.
Their greatest Glory doth depend on cloaths;
In which they are so vaine, that ev'ry morne
(Almost) a new attire by some is worne,
Of sev'rall stuffes or fashions: and they dresse
Their bodies, with such tedious curiousnesse,
And, such a multitude of hands there are
To trim them (and their trappings to prepare)
That halfe so many, of good workmen, may
Erect a house, e're they themselves aray.
Of Honesty they scarce the name afford:
For, should I terme one, there, an honest Lord;
It might be thought as clownish, so to do,
As it were false, perhaps, to call him so.
Gods holy Sabbaths, most among them, there,
Observe not much; except it be to weare
Their finest clothes. The Bus'nesses, that may,
And should be done upon some other Day,
Are then debated on, as frequently,
As those affaires which by necessity
Are urg'd upon them. And, all sorts of men
(When they should serve their God) are forced then
To wait upon the world; to whom God gave
Sixe dayes; for ev'ry one which he should have.
Nor, thereby, many other mens unrests
Occasion they alone; but, ev'n their beasts
Are then disquieted; and cannot have
That right, which both Gods Lawes, & Natures, gave.
Sometime, they to remove, that Day, prepare;
Yea, then begun, sometimes; Removalls are;
And in the Court, more Carters, we may see
Employ'd that day, then through the Kingdome be.
On Sundayes far more Coaches rumble thither,
Then doe in some three other dayes together:
And, seldome have they leisure for a Play,
Or Maske, except upon Gods Holy-day.
I doe not think we are obliged to
A Iewish Sabbath, as great numbers do:
But sure I am, from Piety we swarve,
Vnlesse a Christian one we do observe.
And, though to them no fault it may appeare,
Who on such Evenings do but only heare
Or (for their honest recreation) view
The action of some Enterlude, or Shew;
Yet, needs it must be knowne, to some of these,
That to prepare for such Performances,
To many persons must occasions be
Of Sabbath-breaking in a high degree.
In whom this fault most lyes, as yet, my Muse
Descrieth not: but, sure I may excuse
The King: and if but halfe so forward were
Those Clergy men that have his royall care,
To cause him such enormities to see;
As they are thought in other things to be
Which lesse concerne them; he would soone forbid
Those customes; and as Nehemiah did,
More hallow'd make the Sabbath. Nay if none
Of them, whose wisdome he dependeth on,
In this have mis-inform'd him; he will prove
Our Nehemiah, and this fault remove,
When he hath warm'd his Throne: for we have hope
That all our Breaches he e're long shall stop.
But leaving him, I'le finish the report
Which fits the greater number in the Court.
Religion they have some, but many care not
If there the use or mention of it were not:
Some others have divided it betweene
Our gracious Sov'raigne, and his royall Queene;
And, till in one Religion they agree,
They stand resolv'd, that they will Neuters be.
Oh! make betwixt them, Lord, a blessed Vnion,
And, us partakers of thy blest Communion.
Our Cities are as wicked as the Court;
Of her transgressions they come nothing short:
But, rather passe them; if a man might say
That Infinites admit exceeding may.
And, London, thou thy Sisters all hast passed,
In all the faults, whereby they have transgressed:
To thee alone, my speech I therefore bend,
And will in thine their follies reprehend.
I know that thou hast many soules in thee,
Who truly zealous of Gods glory be:
Yea, thousands that by prayers and repenting,
Doe seeke thy peace, and labour the preventing
Of thy perdition; and, though they indure
Scoffes, taunts, and injuries, from thy impure
And faithlesse Children; yea, though such as are
Thy shame, and markt Gods heavie wrath to beare,
Contemne and malice those, and use their pow'r
Those innocents to ruine and devoure:
Yet, they are those who keep away Gods wrath;
And for whose sakes be so long spar'd thee hath.
They make that pleasing Number, who restraine
Those flames of Sulphure, that consum'd the plaine
Which now the Lake Asphaltis overflowes.
And when (from out of thee) God calls for those,
Thou feele it shalt; and, not unlike become
Those Asian Churches, which departed from
Their ancient love, and are the loathsome den
Of Satyrs, Faries, and of Beasts uncleane.
A place for Zim, and Iim; a nest for Owles,
Night Ravens, Vultures, and ill-boding Fowles.
And, then, in ev'ry house (as heretofore,
When popish darknesse spred this Kingdome o're)
Men shall be frighted with strange dreadfull noises;
Deformed visions, and hobgoblin voices.
I know, Good-works in thee are to be found;
And that, above the rest, thou dost abound
In publike Charities. I know thou hast
All Cities, in this Kingdome, over-past
In plentifully preaching of Gods word;
And, that thou bountifully dost afford
Large voluntary pensions to that end.
(Yea, somewhat else I might in thee commend.)
But, if thou take a note of thy transgressions:
If thou at thy Assises, at thy Sessions,
Or, at thy other Courts, observe, or heare,
How many horrid crimes detected are;
How many filthy and abhorred things,
God there discloses, and to Iudgement brings;
And if thou think, withall, how many mee
Committed are, which few do come to know.
Or heededst thou how few, and worthlesse, all
Those works appeare, which thou dost Vertues call:
What would they seeme, compared to thy sin?
Or to those favours, which have heaped bin,
By God, upon thee? Doth he owe thee ought,
Or hast thou done him services for nought?
Oh! LONDON, hath he not advanced thee
The Mistris, and the Soveraigne to be
Of all the Townes, and Cities of this Ile?
Hath he not rais'd thee many a goodly pile?
Art not thou plac'd above, and they below?
Continuing blessings doth he not bestow?
And many priviledges, yet, deny'd
To all the Burroughs of the Land beside?
Behold, thou hast the principallest Trade,
And all their Merchants are thy Chapmen made:
Thou art the Royall Chamber of the King;
Whose residence doth wealth and honor bring
To magnifie thy greatnesse. Kept in thee
His Parliaments, and Courts of Iustice be.
Among the famoust Cities under heaven,
God hath to few a situation given
For pleasure, health, and profit, well united,
To thee compar'd. Yea, God did seeme delighted
In thee to make his Dwelling (ev'n among
Thy Temples) by maintaining here so long
His Harbengers, and Ledgers, to provide
Fit mansions, for his Graces to reside.
Thy God, to be thy Husband, thou hast had;
And, wer't by him a fruitfull Mother made,
So plentifull in Children; that, they play
Like swarmes of Bees, about their hives, in May.
No place in Europe, hath been so supply'd
With soule and bodies food; or, fortifi'd
By Garisons, Forts, Bulwarks, and munition,
As thou art hitherto (by Gods tuition)
Without such charge or trouble. And the day
Will come, wherein, if any man shall say
What peace thou hadst; and, in what plenty here
Thy Children lived (without want or feare)
It will not be beleeved, that a Nation
So blest, could suffer such an alteration.
For, as (by Seas) from ev'ry other part
Of Earths vast circuit, thou enclosed art:
So, from the sudden comming of invasions,
And from the many troubles and occasions
Of Wars and wants, which in the world, we see;
Divided, also, these doe seeme to be.
Such is thy blest condition; and, although
Thou hast, about thee, of all things enough,
That may thy pleasure, or thy need suffice;
Yet, all the dainties and the rarities,
The World affords, are yearely hither sent,
From ev'ry quarter, of Earths Continent.
Oyles, wines, and fruits, that good & pleasant are,
Swimme hither through the Straights of Gibraltar.
Cold Norway, (or the parts adjoyning) greets
Thy River with materialls for thy Fleets.
America doth oft renew thy store
With Suger, drugs, with gold and silver Ore;
With Ambergreece; with woods that sweetly smell;
And other things, that please thy fancy well.
Ormus, with Pearle thy beauties doth adorne,
The Silkes of Persia, in thy streets are worne.
From divers parts of Africa, (and from
Cham's linage there) white Ivorie doth come;
And Apes and Feathers. China, where they printed,
And used Guns, ere we those Arts invented,
(If Fryers be not lyers) doth impart
The fruits of their Inventions, and their Art,
To thy Inhabitants. Rare stones of price,
Sweet smelling gummes, and odoriferous spice,
Are brought unto thee many thousand miles;
Ev'n from the Easterne Indies, and their Jles.
This shewes Gods bounty: and of his compassion
Thou lately hadst, (ev'n by thy preservation,
In thy great Plagues remove; and by his pitty
Vouchsafed otherwaies, unto thy City)
Such evidence: that all men may confesse
He did respect thee, with much tendernesse.
What should I mention more, since, to recount
Gods benefits would doubtlesly amount
To many Volumes? and sure none is able
To number that which is innumerable?
This may suffice (for this time) to expresse
His Bounty, and thy great unthankfulnesse.
For, what hast thou returned him, for these,
And all those blessings, which his Love doth please
To showre upon thee? What hast thou repay'd
For all the Charges which he hath defraid,
(In fencing, planting, and manuring thee)
That worthy, such a Husbandman, may be?
Thou hast faire-seeming Grapes, I must confesse,
But, they are sowre, and full of rottennesse.
Thou mak'st great show of charitable works;
But, that hypocrisie within them lurks,
Which marrs their acceptation. Thou hast built
Some Churches, yet, art tainted by the guilt
Of Sacriledge: and, those thy gifts that cary
The pioust showes have scarce beene voluntary.
Great numbers, in thy Hospitalls are fed,
And lodg'd, and cured: but, the men are dead
Who founded them; and few doe bring supply
To such good works, till they are sick, or dye.
Thou entertainest Preachers, but they must
Speake pleasing things; or else away are thrust.
Thou hast of Pastors, some who shewes do make
Of so much Conscience, that they will forsake
Their Livings rather then it shall be said
Theyle weare a Surplesse: yet, some are afraid,
That most of these, doe cunningly conceale
Much pride or avarice beneath their zeale,
And that their suffring of a silencing,
Doth much more liberty or profit bring,
Then two good Personages: and that, thereby,
Good meaning folke are brought to beggery.
Thou hast redeem'd some Captives; but, it was
With sparingnesse, and hardly brought to passe.
Thou plantest Colonies; but, thou dost draine
The nourishment away, that should maintaine
And settle them. God grant some be not glad
To flye (for this) to them, that should have had
More helpe from thee, and in farre Countries perish,
Because those plants they did no better nourish.
Much know thy people; but (alas) they do
As if good life belong'd not thereunto.
Strict Gospellers thou hast, that can professe
Religion, with much formall holinesse:
But they, like Zodoms apples, prove within
As loathsome, as their outsides faire have bin.
Yea, they (against their brethren) oft are found
In hate, and pois'nous malice to abound.
Good Orders, lawes, and Customes thou hast many;
But, very seldome exercisest any,
Except for private gaine; or to acquire
Some Vengeance, which thou dost, perhaps desire.
Thou hast judiciall Courts, wherein I (heeding
Their Lawes) saw promises of just proceeding:
But, marking well their Formes, they seemed, rather,
Devices for thine Officers, to gather
Rich fortunes by; then to afford redresse
For those, whom their oppressors doe oppresse.
Thou hast a Magistracy, to maintaine
The peace of honest men; and, to restraine
The rage of wickednesse: but, loe; ev'n some
Of those are patrons of mis-rule become;
Disturbing quiet men, and thriving by
Befriending sin; else I have heard a lye.
Yea, some are famed, to encrease their living,
By cunning rigour, mixed with conniving:
Deceiving honest people, by strict shewes
Of punishing of those whom they excuse.
For when by doing Iustice they compell
A wicked man beyond their bounds to dwell,
(Some think) their griefe, and losse, it doth augment,
As much as losing of a Tenement.
Thou hast Correction houses; but, thou mendest
Not many, whom to chasten thou pretendest:
For, thither they are oftner sent to ease thee
Of them, or of their pilfrings, which disease thee;
Then out of Christian purposes, to force
Such vagrant people to a better course:
And, therefore are thy Suburbs pestred now,
With beggers; yea, for that, so large doth grow
The number of thy vagrant Rogues, and Cheaters,
That they begin to imitate their betters,
In Government, and Method: and, are growne
To have both Lawes, and Language, of their owne.
Thy Children yeeld some good conformity
To Rules and Precepts of Morality:
But, most observe good orders, to enjoy
Their owne state safe, and to prevent annoy
That might betide themselves; much rather, then
In true obedience unto God, or men.
Within thy Corporation, I likewise
Have notice taken of Societies,
Which beare a goodly shew of ordering
Thy sev'rall Trades: and I in many a thing
Theire use commend: yet, some of them, to me,
Grosse Monopolies, doe appeare to be.
Which do in secret, with some open shewes
Of publike good, the publike weale abuse.
Nor would it be amisse, if some things were
More free, which by their meanes restrained are:
Or if the State would better looke unto
Those injuries, which many of them do.
For, when these Bodies politick oppresse,
Their pow'r doth make the wrong without redresse:
Their purses, and continuance, may o'rebeare
The rightfull'st cause (if so they pleased are)
The friends, and oft, the very noise they'll make,
(Because a multitude) much hold doth take
For their advantages; although the cause
Be both against good Conscience, and the Lawes.
Nay, should the Common-wealth her selfe, oppose
These Corporations, for some wrong that flowes
From their proceedings; it would scarce obtaine
That pow'r which could these Petty-weales restraine.
For, having gaine or losse, accrewing by
Their Claime, which doth concern thē, far more nigh,
Then that, oft seemes to touch those men, who stand
To take the Kingdomes gen'rall cause in hand,
It makes them to pursue it, more then they;
More Patrons to procure, more bribes to pay;
And, at the last, to conquer, by that course,
Which makes the better cause to seeme the worse.
This brings to mind some wrongs that I have had,
And what account of honest suits is made,
If once a greedy foolish multitude
Vpon the right of any doth intrude.
But, left by thinking on it, mixe I may
My private harmes, with what I meant to say
For publike ends: here breathe I will a space,
Vntill my present thoughts I can displace.
Forgive me, Lord, if J have guilty beene
In this my worke, of any private spleene.
My Musings hallow thou; confirme thy love:
Infuse me with thy Spirit from above,
With better things then flesh and blood discernes;
Inspire me with each Vertue which concernes
The finishing of what J undertake:
Make profitable all that J shall speake.
And, to thy Name some honor let it be,
Although it should both shame and ruine me.