Miscellaneous works of George Wither :: :: University of Virginia Library

FIRST COLLECTION

CAMPO-MUSÆ,

OR THE FIELD-MUSINGS OF Captain George Wither, touching his Military Ingagement for the KING and Parliament, THE Justnesse of the same, and the present distractions of these Islands.

DEUS dabit his quoque finem.

To the ENGLISH.

Am not I now in England? Is not this
The Thames? Is not that London? Sure it is.
Me thinks that vast, and ancient structure, there,
Looks just like Pauls, and that like Westminster.
Loe, yon is High-gate, yon is Hamsted-mill,
There Bansted-downes, there Kent, there Shooters-hill.
This doubtlesse is that Countrey: but why then,
Are here now living so few Englishmen?
Are all those English-men which now I see?
All true-bred English-men? the Devill they be.
Indeed I finde there are a few among them;
And for their sakes I will not so much wrong them
To say, the Land hath none, within whose veines
The blood of our old Worthies yet remaines.
But, out of question, if the greatest part
Were not a mungrell brood, and without heart,
They could not lie so tamely in their beds,
And see what Plague their Countrey over-spreads;
Yea seem content, to be inslav'd to slaves,
And carie guilt, and curses to their graves.

Perhaps they are asleep. Ho! Englishmen!
Awake, and be your selves, yet, once agen.
Heark, how the Trumpet sounds! heark how the Drum
Beats up, and cals in English, Come, Come, Come!
Heark, how the ghosts of your poore Brethren, slain
and massacred in Ireland, do complain
And call for vengeance! heark, how loud they cry,
And threaten, if you passe their murthers by!

Heark, how the countrey round about you mourns!
See in how many parts it flames and burns!
Mark, what a desolation, in one year,
Is broken in among us! and, how near
Our just and everlasting ruine drawes
If we become no warmer in this Cause!
And that your cooled zeal may re-inflame,
Take up this Paper, and new light the same.

CAMPO-MUSÆ,

OR, The Field-Musings of Captaine George Wither.

To his Excellence the Earle of ESSEX, Lord Generall of the Army raised for defence of the KING, Parliament, and Kingdome.

The Contents.

A Question presuppos'd, the Muse
Replieth, and her freedome shewes:
Tels with what heart, with what intent,
This Warre her POET under-went.
Averres that Reason and the Lawes
Will justifie him in his Cause:
The publike woe, she doth expresse;
Lamenteth, and implores redresse:
Fights Combats with Delusive-Reason,
Her Partie to acquit from Treason,
Their hearts incourageth to doe
What GOD, and Nature calls them to.
And many matters here and there
Inserteth, not related here.
Then, mentioneth a Voice of PEACE
That she hath heard; and there doth cease;
Intending, ere She will proceed,
To make some proofe, how this may speed.

Yes; now Ile write againe, and neither care
Though nor Apollo aid me, nor the NINE:
Nor whether Mars or Mercury appeare
Crosse; or in Sextile, Quadrine, or in Trine.
Nor carefull am I whether HEE, or SHEE,
Be pleased or displeased with my Muse:
For, none to sooth or vexe my Musings be;
But, now I write, because I cannot chuse.

To answer each mans curious expectation
Who asks why thus I said, why this I do;
Is not the scope of my determination,
Though somwhat here conduces thereunto.
The Sword hath had his turn, and now the Pen
Advanced is to play her part agen.

The naked Svvord and Pen my Cornet bears;
Pro Rege, Lege, Grege thereupon
To be my Motto for the Field, it wears;
And shewes for whom this Warfare we begun.
But, Rymes and Reason growing out of date,
And Pens (lesse modest now then heretofore)
Such lies and railings have divulg'd, of late,
That I once thought to touch my Pen no more.
Besides (with griefe) I have observ'd in those
Whose judgments have most need of Reformation,
That there is left no pow'r in Verse or Prose,
To make them wise, or move to reformation.
For Wisdomes Charmes, and Reasons best conclusions
Beget but Furies, and inlarge Confusions.

Yet since my muzings when I shall be dead,
(And lie unactive in a loanly roome)
May peradventure to good use be read,
By men reserv'd for better times to come:
And, since it will not onely be an ease
To mine own heart, my num'rous thoughts to vent,
But also may some honest Readers please,
Ev'n in these times of gen'rall discontent.
Yea, lest malignant censures passed on
My late ingagement for the publike peace,
Should (if I silent to my grave had gone)
Have caused false-opinion to increase,
My Pen I re-assum'd, in hope, to shew
My practice never prov'd my words untrue.

My Pen I re-assum'd; and (full of matter)
Sate down to write: but, ere I ought exprest,

The Trumpet sounding, all my thoughts did scatter,
And gave me, since that houre, but little rest.
Destructive times, distractive muzings yeeld,
Expect not therefore method now of me,
But such as fits Minerva in the Field,
Where Interruptions and Confusions be.
Like or dislike, I somwhat now shall say
Which must be heard; and heard to purpose too;
At least in gaining heed, or making way
For what (if need require) is yet to do.
When sin and self-conceit befools the wise,
They must be taught by those whom they despise.

For, let not these Field-muzings be suppos'd
The fruitlesse flashings of a Giddy-wit,
Because in measur'd-words they are compos'd,
Which many judge for serious works unfit:
Nor let them counted be a sleight invention,
Though souldier-like blunt complements I use,
That I may draw those fools to give attention,
Who will not els perhaps regard my Muse.
He that hath matter that concerns the King,
Comes not and ringles at the doore with feare;
But knocks, untill he makes the pallace ring,
And spurns it open, if they will not heare:
Ev'n so do I; and think I have done well
To make my language like the tale I tell.

If I shall mention what some would not hear,
The fault's not mine; for, if men madly do,
I am a thing which once in twenty year
Shall seem to be a kind of mad man too.
And though mean-while my Calling I pursue,
(Seeming to heed the times as they do me)
Yet I am alwayes mindfull of my kue,
And act my part when I my time shall see.
One while I chide; somtimes faire words I give
To praise men into what I fain would have them:

And when those Favours I misplac'd perceive,
I call them backe, and am asham'd I gave them.
When thus I faile, my Fancie prompts me then;
But, now another Spirit guides my Pen.

I will not blame the Times, though bad they be,
Nor to the jeering world bemoane my Lot:
For, to these dayes my God appointed me,
And guards me so, that mischiefe hurts me not.
My Birth I had in blest ELIZA'S reigne;
To JAMES, I blaz'd the sins of wanton Peace,
For those rewards which Truth will ever gaine,
Where Nobles rise by Pieties decrease.
To CHARLES I shew'd what Plagues were drawing neare,
And, saw them come, e're I beleefe could gaine.
And, when they came, I saw the chiefest care
Was, how each Foole his Bable might obtaine.
For, warnings are on wilfull sinners lost,
Till honour, pleasure, life and soule it cost.

SIN not repented, (but augmented rather)
The Violl, poured forth, began to spread;
The spreading mischiefe still more strength did gather,
And, every day new Plagues the poison bred.
Divisions then arose, which did increase,
And, into Sub-divisions branch about,
Which overthrew the Pillars of our Peace,
And, drove good Order, Law, and Iustice out.
These Evils, with my Pen, I long withstood,
And, bold reproofes in Tyrants faces threw;
But, when I saw my Pen could doe no good,
With other Patriots my Sword I drew:
For, who that weares a Sword needs feare to draw,
To save the King, the People, and the Law?

I drew it not in rage, or private hate,
Or to incroach on Prince or Peoples-right,
Or to recrute a ruined estate;
But, that both Prince and People guard it might.

I was not arm'd to violate the Crowne,
Or please the fancies of a fickle braine,
To set one up, and pull another downe,
Or Schisme, or Superstition to maintaine:
But, fought our Fathers honour to defend;
Our Mother, from his jealous rage to save;
To bring their base abusers to that end,
Which Traiterous-flatterers deserve to have:
And he that armes himselfe to this intent
Shall ne're be shamed, though he may be shent.

I therefore boldly marched to the Field,
Not unresolv'd, or stagg'ring in the Cause.
I made my Pray'rs my shot, Firm-faith my shield;
My Breast-works are Good-Conscience, and the Lawes.
I stood not off, when I was called on,
To mark what Peeres or Commons led the way;
To think I might be made, or quite undone,
Or whether side was like to get the day.
But of the Publike Ruine was my feare,
Or, of those Plagues for which the Sword makes roome;
And of the barbarousnesse which every where
Is like to follow, where his followers come.
And could have wish'd it had as easie bin
To drive out mischiefes, as to fetch them in.

The cure propos'd, though very sharp it be,
And threatens losse of members, and of blood;
Before it was adventur'd on by me,
Appeared needfull for the Common-good.
According to my Fortune and my Place
I therefore further'd it, not discontent,
Though others had the publike thank and grace
For that, which I in private did invent.
Where I then liv'd, I was the first of those
Who did contribute to my Countries aid;
And (though it may be censur'd by her Foes
An evill signe) I joy to heare it said

That in those parts I was the first of all
To whom a totall Plunder did befall.

And sure it was for good it so befell:
For, he that is inrowled for the Wars
Shall never prosecute that Calling well
If he intangled be with other Cares.
Affaires of Peace effeminate the Minde;
A Barne well filled, and a house well fraught,
Are not with ease, for poverty resign'd
Till they from us, or we from them are caught.
For, who those things can willingly forsake,
Of which, he feeles he may have daily need?
Who can to wants and wounds himselfe betake,
That may at home, with ease, on Plenties feed?
Or who can fight that's clog'd with Carts and Ploughs.
Books, Houshold stuffe, Teems, Oxen, Sheep and Cows?

Such things as these did ne're affect me much,
But for their sakes, of whom I must have care:
Nor did their losse my heart so nearly touch
As their neglects, who thereof Causers were:
For, if my Counsels had beene duly heeded,
And my Presages timely beene beleev'd,
The Rage of War had not so far proceeded,
As me to Rob, and others to have griev'd:
Yea, had the Castle (to my care committed
Without supply of mony, meat, or Men
Save my halfe Troope) been well and timely fitted
With what was needfull, and long sought, e're then,
I should not sure, from thence have called bin,
To let the Kingdomes foes come safely in.

Nor to their dammage, or their detriment,
Who me to that command had freely chose,
Had I unto another place been sent,
Exposing them, unarmed, to their foes:
Nor (when a Groundwork I had also laid,
Which had, not onely, probably secur'd

Those parts, from that whereof they were afraid,
But, also, to the Bordering Shires assur'd
Good likelihoods of safety) should my Care
And Propositions, have been quite neglected,
By those, to whom they first proposed were;
If they, the Cause, or Me, had well affected:
Nor had so ill (thereby) our Partie sped:
Nor had our Foes, by that meanes, gather'd head.

Nay, if an Envie of the place I had,
Or some designe of theirs who brake their Trust,
Had not the way for my removall made
To let in mischiefe, at a nick so just,
So many had not mustred been, so soone
(Of my Malignant Neighbours in that Shire)
To force my House; my Goods to ceaze upon,
And, shew such malice, and such fury there.
Nor had I met affronts in other kindes
As I have done; But that among us, be
Some, that doe walk our wayes, with other mindes,
With other hopes, and purposes, then we:
But, let them take their course, my Course is weigh'd;
And, Words nor Deeds, shall make my heart afraid.

What I resolv'd on, hath had firme foundations,
Not laid in sands, or built upon with sticks,
Nor garnished with vaine Imaginations,
Or kept repair'd with Fallacies and tricks.
I was not frighted by the Proclamations
Penn'd by abusers of the Royall-Name:
Nor startled by those tedious Declarations,
Which with more Wit then Truth, full fraughted came.
I knew how Lawyers and Divines had cheated
The World ere then; and when the holy-Text,
Or Lawes were misapply'd or misrepeated,
Or, with false Comments wrested, or perplext.
And, falshood moves not me, although it brings
The Votes of Doctors, and the threats of Kings.

My heart, the storms of danger did not shake,
Faire promises (which have so many caught)
On me, the least impression could not make,
Though where I serve I scarce worth heed am thought.
Nor was I moved much to see, that some
(Who Stars appear'd) in their first Love did faile,
Because I knew the time was fully come,
Which tryes our firmnesse by the Dragons-taile.
Nor start I at their Censures, who have said,
That, what I counsell'd, I have left undone;
That, from my owne Predictions I have straid,
And made them erre, if they amisse have gone.
For, they that have mistaken Truth-divine,
And, wrest Gods Word, may soone misconstrue mine.

To say in Words, that so, or so, I meant,
I thought not halfe so pow'rfull as to show
By active proofes, the truth of my intent,
And teach by Deeds, which way men ought to goe.
When therefore that great Counsel call'd for aid
(With whom the King-ship alwayes doth reside,
In whose Commands, the Kings are best obey'd,
From whom, the King cannot himselfe divide)
To serve the King and Parliament, I came
So loyally, that, if it Treason be,
I will not ask a pardon for the same;
Nor thanke him for it, who shall give it me:
But laugh at him, who should that Trifle bring,
Disdaine to live; and dye, and be a King.

For, no man honours; no man loveth more
The Soveraigne-Person, then I did, and doe.
For him, I therefore feared, long before,
What Ill-advisers now have brought him to.
I told him when he was but newly crown'd,
(As plainly as my Warrant gave me leave)
Those things which He and We too true have found,
Yet still misinformations Him deceive.

Yea, though the stile of Rebell now I beare,
My Prayers for him, have before the LORD
Stood eighteen years; and, yet before him are,
(To testifie my love) upon

Brit. Rememb. Cant. 1.

Record,
And all his Captains, Armes and Armies too
Secure him not, as those my Prayers doe.

That which I prayd for then, and pray for yet,
I fight for now: Because, I held this, ever,
That, whatsoe're to pray for should be fit,
For that we are obliged to endeavour.
I know thrt by Allegiance I am bound
To what effentially thereto pertaines;
Not to bare Complements, or to the sound
Which of that Duty, lying flattry faignes,
Much lesse to that which totally destroyes
This Virtues essence; and whereby the King
Our loyaltie against himselfe imployes,
And to destruction, his owne House may bring.
Such mischeeves, therefore, that I might prevent,
I sided for Him, with his Parliament.

Thereby to serve two Masters I assaid,
Till I by their Divisions was undone:
And saw three Kingdomes by some Acts ill plaid,
In danger to be neither two nor one.
I sided not, but as a Stander-by,
Who hath two friends at ods, and loving either,
Feares that in one, the losse of both may lye,
And (in those two) of all his joyes together.
If either I oppose, I doe it more
To save then wound: and to prevent that blow
Which, he that gave it, in his heart had bore,
If through that other, we had let it goe.
And, he that thinks this duty doth him wrong,
May finde a Friend, but shall not keep him long.

I moved not thus far, but by Command
Of Soveraigne-Pow'r, whereto if it be Treason

To yeeld Obedience, we must understand,
They Trayters are, who walk by Law and Reason.
The Soveraigne-Person may command that thing
For which, the Soveraigne-Pow'r, if I shall doe it,
Me to the Gallowes for my paines may bring.
And hang me with my Pardon when I show it.
Because when Soveraigne-Pow'r doth ought command,
Therein, the Soveraigne-Person is contain'd
So fully, that by Law, no deed can stand
In opposition thereunto maintain'd.
And, he by whom this Truth is not beleev'd,
Is taught by Fooles, or else by Knaves deceiv'd.

Nor King nor Parliament doe I affect
For private ends; nor did they e're bestow
On me, the least appearance of respect
More then what they to all men use to show:
Nor can I hope that what I doe or write
(Till men grow better) an effect shall bring
Sufficient to preserve me from despight
Though favour'd both by Parliament and King:
How then, or by what bait have I been caught
That I for Balams wages have been said
To contradict the

Brit. Rememb.

Messages I brought?
And from my owne good Counsels to have straid?
Or who can say whose tongue it shall become,
That my Allegiance I have swerved from?

As elsewhere I have writ, so write I here,
No hand against the King, that is, no hand
We should against his Royall-Person reare
Though he injoyn'd a tyrannous command.
Nor should a private-man, or private-pow'r
Take armes against him, though he should intend
Them, in their innocencie to devoure,
Not meerly their owne persons to defend.
For should each petty member of a State
Be armed at his pleasure, for Offence,

Their breaches of the peace would ruinate
Themselves, the whole Republicke, and the Prince.
And, should a King from violence, not be free,
Till God shall strike; none so unsafe as he.

Yet, when by wicked Counsellers misled,
A King, shall his whole Kingdome so oppresse,
That, he, therewith appeares indangered;
Me thinks, it were a Tenet reasonlesse,
To say, there were not in a Parliament
Such, as is our (or if no such we had)
No powre in his Liege-people, to prevent
The hazard of a consequence, so bad:
Or, that they might not lay upon their King
A charitable, and restraining-hand,
To stop him from pursuing that rash thing,
Which might undoe himselfe, and all the Land:
Or, that there were not nat'rally a right
In Them, against his will, for Him, to fight.

When by the fawnings of some cunning-whore,
A nat'rall Father shall be so misled,
As that he beats his children out of doore,
And causelesse drives their mother from his bed,
Beleeving they are bastards, she unchaste;
And, fir'd with jealousies, attempteth further,
To burne his house, to lay his dwellings waste,
And, with his family, himselfe to murther:
As, then, that Family, with an intent,
Him, from his ill-advisers, to withdraw,
(And his and their destruction to prevent)
May lay restraining hands, by Natures law,
On such a father, and yet therein be
Preserv'd from breach of houshold-duties, free.

So, when the Father of our Country, shall
By Flatteries, be drawne to such a course,
As may produce his owne and Kingdomes fall,
Vnlesse we intervene, by timely force;

And, when, so loyally, the same is done,
That, to our utmost powers, we still assay
Not how to save his life, and rights, alone,
But, how his honour, too, preserve we may;
The Lawes of God, of Nature, and of Reason,
Will, doubtlesse, warrant it, in their despight
Who brand it with Rebellion, and with Treason;
By shamefull Termes, from lawfull deeds, to fright;
Els, cut-throat Parasites, are onely they
Whom for the truest Liege-men, count we may.

That, we have thus ingenuously proceeded,
Nor waging war, nor our distrusts revealing,
Till our affaires those actions highly needed,
(And, made each Grievance fully ripe for telling)
Our conscience assure us; though the flanders
Of our Opposers, have our Truths beli'd,
And led the people through those dark Mæanders,
Which our faire dealings, and their frauds, may hide.
And, therefore, should the King, by wilfull stay
Among that crew, miscarry in the fight,
(Which to prevent, we still shall watch and pray)
Vpon our heads the blame should not alight;
For, who that woes the Plague, hath health assur'd?
Or, who can save, what will not be secur'd?

I came (as I professe) with single heart,
To stay the mischiefe, which I saw begun;
And, entred, with my Sword, to act that part
Which, without blame, I knew not how to shun.
For, when God cals for blood, and will not heare
Our pray'rs, untill (his Justice to appease)
Those Beasts, among us, sacrificed are
Whose life prolong'd, prolongeth our disease;
'Tis time we should observe, that we, like Saul,
Those Flocks, and those Amalakites, have spar'd,
Whose preservation may become our Fall;
If his commands no better we regard.

'Tis time, thought I, that in the gap we stand,
To stop the breach, that els will drown the land,

The Red-horse then appear'd; and thereupon
That Rider forth advanc'd, at whose command
Those bloudy executions must be done,
Which both defile and purge, a sinfull Land.
A mixed multitude made up our Traine,
Which God, for divers ends, together brought:
Some, to avenge his cause; some, to be slaine;
Some, that Repentance might in them be wrought.
Our Army being rais'd, the Trumpet sounds;
The Colours are displaid, the Drums do beat:
To make a passage, thorow bloud and wounds,
For Iustice, Truth, and Peace, we forward set.
And, whilst we marcht, my heart, with thoughts confus'd,
Was over-fild; and thus I sadly mus'd.

Those dreadfull Tragedies, must I, O LORD!
Must I, not onely now survive to see.
Which were so long time fear'd, and so abhor'd?
But live, in them, an Actor too, to be?
Is that abused Peace which we injoy'd,
So many years (whilst ev'ry other State
Was plagu'd with war, and some nigh quite destroid)
In these our Islands, now, grown out of date?
Have we prolong'd Repentance, till the Flame
Which from the neighb'ring Countries did appeare
(Like Beacons, given warning of the same)
Spreads, and devoures, with no lesse fury, here?
And, is the time now come, in which this Nation
Must pledge them in thy Cup of indignation?

Who did so much as dreame, some years agoe,
To see the Devill so, prevailing here,
To conjure up to ev'ry man a Foe
Among those Friends that in his bosome were?
Who thought to see so many brothers rage
Against each other? Fathers, without griefe,

To ruinate the Pillars of their age?
So many sonnes, to seeke their fathers life?
Who could have, then, beleeved this; that, friends,
Familiars, neighbours, kinsmen, mothers, daughters,
Should have, so madly, sought each others ends?
And mention, without teares, their wounds & slaughters?
And, finde this hellish poyson, to be shed
Almost in ev'ry village, house, and bed?

Who did suspect, that men who dote on wealth,
And make a God of Pleasure and of Ease?
Esteeming highly, safetie, limbes, and health;
Should madly foole away their part of these?
And side, and quarrell so, about those things
Which most of them, regarded not a whit?
For, what their duties were to God, or Kings,
Or Commonwealth, it troubled not their wit.
Nor doth it now, if their discourse and life
May shew what Conscience of such things they make:
And, from this observation, I, with griefe,
Infallibly, may this Conclusion take;
That nothing else, this mischiefe did begin,
But, universall ripenesse of our sin.

How could there else, so soone, so many be
So hardned in the cruelties of war?
And, multitudes so forward as we see
For Rob'ries, Rapes, and Murthers, as they are?
Who did a while agoe suspect he had
Acquaintance, neighbours, houshold servants too,
So wicked, so malicious, and so bad,
To put in act, what now we see them doe?
War hath occasion given, to disclose
What ev'ry man affects. And, ev'ry one,
As opportunitie he gaineth, showes
What things his heart is truly set upon.
Oh! if Wars entrance with such guilt begins,
Before it ends, how great will be our sins?

Observe, aud credit this which now I say,
(Though I perhaps not worth regard may seeme)
Lest you repent it else another day,
And, finde too late, my words were worth esteeme.
If Peace we seeke not, and pursue it too,
Before there be too great an obduration,
Ere long, so hardned men in sin will grow,
That on his neighbour, none will have compassion.
But, ev'ry one, according to his powre,
Shall only labour his owne Will to gaine;
And shall corrupt each other, and devoure,
Till wealth, nor wit, nor honestie remaine.
Nor ought, but such a raskall Generation,
As merits Gods, and good mens execration.

How happie had we been, if we had fear'd
Before these feares had ceaz'd us? and how blest?
Had we with penitence those warnings heard
Which notice gave, of this unwelcome ghest?
But, now the Breach is made; the Floods break in,
And, we with miseries, are overflowne.
We shall be losers, though the day we win.
When spoiles we take, the losse will be our owne.
Because, from forraigne foes, we fear'd no harme,
God, for our sins, hath rais'd us foes at home.
Our selves, against our selves, we strongly arme;
And slaught'rers, of each other, are become.
An universall Ruine is begun;
And, he that was most rich, is most undone.

Behold, the Plough, by whom we are all fed,
Is throwne into the ditch; Our Herds decay:
Our Shepheards, and our Husbandmen, are fled:
Artificers, may shut up shop, and play.
The Labourer, must either starve, or fight;
The Gownman, must a Swordman, learne to be;
Nor Magistrate, nor Lawes, can doe us right;
The Creditor, and Debtor, may agree.

The Glutton, must be glad of homely fare;
The Drunkard, must drink water, or be drie;
Old lowsie rags, Pride, must be faine to weare;
Our idle Dames, in vaine, for bread shall crie.
And, they who late, in finest linnen lay,
Shall scarce have leave, to lodge in straw, and hay.

How are our goodly buildings overthrowne!
How are our pleasant arbours hackt, and hew'd!
How bare and rude, are those neat places growne,
Where fruitfull Orchards, and faire Groves, we view'd!
Through Walks and Fields, which I have visited
With peacefull Mates, and free from fear of harmes;
Yea, there, where oft Faire-Ladies I have led,
I now lead on, a Troupe of men in Armes.
In Meadowes, where our sports were wont to be,
(And, where we playing wantonly have laine)
Men sprawling in their blood, we now doe see;
Grim postures, of the dying, and the slaine.
And where sweet musique hath refresht the eare,
Sad groanes of ghosts departing, now we heare.

In ev'rie Field, in ev'rie Lane, and Street,
In ev'rie House, (almost in ev'rie place)
With Cries, and Teares, and Loud-complaints we meet;
And, each one thinks his owne, the saddest case.
But, what are private Losses, while we view
Three famous Kingdomes, wofully expos'd
To miserable Ruine, and so few,
Lament that plague, wherewith we are inclos'd?
My selfe, and my estate, I shall contemne,
Till we, in freedome, sing our Syon-Songs;
Till we have peace, in our Ierusalem;
And Church, and State, have what to them belongs.
For, what to these, are Oxen, Sheep, and Kine?
Or, any losse, that is but your, or mine?

But, how should we have Peace, or Consolation?
Whence can it come? whilst, each of us neglects

The meanes, of such a blessed expectation?
And from bad Causes, looks for good effects?
Who yet repents? who, all alone, bewailes
His private sins? Or, since this Tempest rose,
Hath taken downe, one furle of his proud sailes,
That we the publike Vessell might not lose?
Few of us, yet, have truly laid aside
Our Self-conceit, our Envie, or our Spleene,
Our Avarice, our Wilfulnesse, or Pride,
And, doubtlesse, whilst among us, these are seene,
In vaine, we hope, our miseries will cease;
In vaine, we, look for Comfort, Truth, or Peace.

Give me, Oh God! give me those moving teares,
Those deep-set sighes, and those prevailing groanes,
Which may have powre to pierce through all the Spheres,
And fetch downe Pittie, for distressed ones.
Give me enough for one, that would deplore
The sins of three great Nations; and, lament
For his owne share, a little world-full more,
Which he too long deferred to repent.
Give me those Teares that acceptable be;
Such, as on Syons evill day were shed;
Such, as in bottles are preserv'd by thee;
Such, as were dropt, when Lazarus was dead:
Such, as if Teares might so much virtue have,
May three great Kingdomes, from destruction save.

Help us to that Peace-Offring, whence, may fume
Into thy nostrils, that sweet-smelling savour,
Whereby, thy Majestie may re-assume
These Kingdomes, once againe, into thy favour.
With holy Charmes, thou hast delighted bin;
For, when in mournfull Elegies, to thee
The Son of Iesse did bewaile his sin,
From all his guilt, thy grace did set him free.
Why may not, then, to me, for whose example
Thy Spirit hath his pietie recorded,

(Having within my heart, thy Inner-Temple)
Compos'd a Song, like mercie, be afforded?
In hope it shall, to thee, O Gracious-God!
My Spirit groaneth forth this mournfull Ode.

Alas! how darkesome be!
How gloomy, and how dim!
Thy Privie-lodgings, LORD, in me,
Which, Ioy was wont to trim?
What Ghosts are they that haunt,
The Chambers of my breast!
And, when I sleep, or comfort want,
Will give my heart no rest?
Me thinks, the sound of grones,
Are ever in mine eare:
Deepe-graves, Deaths-heads, and Charnel-bones
Before me, still appeare.
And, when asleep I fall,
In hope to find some ease,
My dreames, to me, are worst of all,
And fright me, more then these.
Ah me! why was I borne
So late? or why so soone?
To see so bright, so cleare a Morne,
So blacke an Afternoone?
What in my youth I fear'd,
What was long since foretold,
And, oft with scornes, and sleightings heard,
Fulfild, I now behold.
The Queene of Europes Iles,
The Princesse of her Lands,
(Late happy, in thy loving smiles)
Now, neare to ruine stands.
For, by their Crying-sins,
Prince, Peeres, and People too,
Have brought their feet into those Gins,
Which no man can undoe.

Our Cunningst-wits have tride
To help untwist the Snare;
But, when they thought the cords would slide
They more insnarled were:
And, since it is not words,
That can our Peace restore,
We now betake us to our Swords,
And make the mischiefe more.
How great is our distresse!
How grievous is our sin!
That ev'ry thing doth more increase
The Plague, that we are in!
There is yet, LORD, in thee,
A meanes of ease and aid,
Whereby, we sav'd from that might be,
Whereof, we are afraid.
O God! thy helpe command;
(For humane helpes are vaine)
And, in compassion to this Land,
Returne thou, once againe.
And, if so much regard,
May to my suit be showne,
Let me behold this Tempest clear'd,
Before my Sun goe downe.

O Lord! returne with mercie to these Lands;
Give not thy Glorie over to the Foe.
Leave not thy Churches, in their bloodie hands,
Who seek, in this, thy Kingdomes overthrow.
Returne, before our Spoilers hand have laid
On ev'rie pleasant, ev'rie pretious thing.
Before the Lions on thy Lambs have preyd;
Before they shall thy Flocks to ruine bring.
Before our habitations doe appeare
Like heaps of Rubbish, or the ploughed earth:
Before our pleasant fields, and gardens, are
Like Fornace-Fels; or, Highlands in the North.

And, e're our Palaces, late neat and trim,
Are made the walks, and haunts, of Zim, and Iim.

Once more! once more, oh God! in mercie heare
These miserable Iles, of whose neare fall,
Their neighb'ring Foes in expectation are,
And, to behold it; on each other call.
Thy foes they are, oh Lord! as well as our;
Oh! give not therefore, way to their despight.
Let not their malice, nor our sins, have powre,
Vpon our Tombes, to build up their delight.
Though they Divide, permit them not to Raigne;
But, let our Head, and Bodie, so accord,
That we, the stronger, may be knit againe,
And, in their bosome, sheath our angrie Sword:
For, our blest reconcilement, further shall
Thy Churches triumphs; and, their Babels, fall.

Their date is neare, if I aright have hit,
The meaning of that Number, which by thee
Was left, to trie the strength of everie wit,
Which longs the fall of Antichrist, to see.
To Them, I turn my speech; and thus dare say,
His Friends and Helpers are now moving on,
The cunningst plot, that they have left to play;
And, when that's past, their game will quite be done,
Some SAINTS, their policie will so beguile,
That, they to their Designe shall furth'rance bring:
Yea, they shall help it forward, for a while,
Who favour nor the Persons, nor the Thing.
But lest your hearts may faile, through long delay,
Give eare, and heed, what, now, my Muse will say.

That yeare, in which ROMES long-liv'd Emperie,
Shall from the day, wherein it was at height,
Sum up, M, D, C, L, X, V, and I,
In order, as these Letters here I write:
That Yeare, that Day, that Houre, will be the date
Of her continuance; preserving neither

Top, Root, or Branch of that accursed State,
Nor Head, nor Bodie, Limb, Horne, Claw, or Feather.
For, here are all the Numerals of ROME
In order, as they are in valuation;
Which cannot make a lesse, or greater sum,
Without Disorder, Want, or Iteration.
Nor can she longer stand, or sooner fall,
If I mistake not Him, who governes all.

By Number, Weight, and Measure, worketh He,
Allotting to each thing the Bound, and Season,
Which may both correspond with his Decree,
And, somewhat, also, suit, with Humane-Reason.
In Ægypt, thus a certaine time of stay
Was to the seed of Iacob, there assign'd;
Thus likewise, to a fore-appointed day,
The raigne of Baltashazar was confin'd.
Thus, from the time of Daniels supplication,
Till Christ should come, the time foretold appeares
To be, a pre-ordained limitation,
Vntill the date, of Seventie weekes of yeares.
And, thus ROMES declination may, no doubt,
Be numbring, till her NVMERALS are out.

Two famous Numbers, are in them contain'd;
The first, declares that length of time, wherein
The Devill was, by Powre-Divine, restrain'd
From setting up, the Mysterie of Sin.
The later, is the Number of the Beast;
Which, when the Let was taken quite away,
(Whereby he was a thousand yeares supprest)
Doth number out his Kingdome, to a day.
It is the number of the Name, or Powre,
Ev'n of a Man (of that mysterious-Man)
By whom Sin-mysticall is to this houre,
Continu'd; and, by whom, it first began.
And, he that can begin the thousandth yeare,
Shall finde the Number of the Beast, is neare.

To search out that, it seemes not hard to me,
Since I beleeve, that when of her chiefe sin
ROME to be guiltie, did first prove to be,
Her Declinations did then first begin.
And, sure, of all her sins, the greatest Crime
Was crucifying of the Lord of life ;
And, in unjustly persecuting them,
Who tendred Saving-Truth, to their beleefe.
Then, therefore, I presume ROMES fall begun,
And that GOD, measur'd, weigh'd, and numbred hath
How many backward Rounds, her wheele should run,
When she had gain'd her glorioust height on earth:
So, in those NVMERALS, which are her owne,
(And all she hath) her Fate was written downe.

To bring this work to passe, there is a Let
To be remov'd, of no meane consequence:
The op'ning of it cannot, well, as yet
Be borne, among us, without much offence;
And, warrant I have none to make my heart
So bold, as to disclose it: neither may it
With wisedome be revealed, till that Part
Be furnished with Actors, fit to play it.
And, of this Mystery, perhaps, the Key
Must be delivered by some Abler-one,
Who shall have powre to doe, as well as say,
What, God, hath fore-appointed shall be done.
They first must take the Works, without the Walls,
And then, the great Malignant-Citie falls.

Then, with exceeding infamie, and scornes,
The BEAST, which yet so dreadfull seemes to some,
Shall lose his Heads, and moult away his Hornes,
And, to the world, a laughing stock become.
Then, many things, that have been long conceal'd
(And which, to blinde the carnall Readers eie,
In seven darke Mysteries, were closely seal'd)
To ev'ry faithfull soule shall open lie.

That Kingdome, which the Iew did long agoe
Mould out, according to his erring braine,
And whereof, many zealous Christians too,
Vnwarrantable fancies, dreame, or faine,
That Kingdome, whereof, yet, but types we heare,
Shall to the world, essentially appeare.

Be patient, therefore, you that are opprest;
This Generation shall not passe away,
Till some, behold the downfall of that Beast,
Which, yet, among us, with his Taile doth play.
Then, will the Lambe of God begin to take
The Kingdome to himselfe: And, ev'rie King
That on his rights, doth usurpations make,
To judgement, and to ruine, he shall bring.
No Kingling, then, assume the boldnesse shall,
Blasphemously (for know it is no lesse)
To stile himselfe The King-Catholicall,
As if Earths universall Globe were his:
For, though another hath usurp'd thereon,
That Title, doth belong to Christ, alone.

And, tis no marvaile if the Potentates,
And Princes of this world, shall now combine,
By policie, to strengthen their estates;
And, with the Beast, and Gog, and Magog, joine:
No marvaile, if enraged they appeare,
Through jealousies and doubts, of losing that,
By which, their pride and lusts, maintained were,
And, which, base Feare, and Flatt'rie first begat:
For, all those Kingdomes, and those Emperies,
Throughout the world, which their beginning took,
By humane wit, fraud, force, or tyrannies,
Shall passe away, and vanish into smoake.
An Armie, whereof yet there's little hope,
Shall wrest the Scepter both from Turke, and Pope.

Religion, and meere showes of Pietie,
Have beene so long the masks for base designes:

The great Vice-gerents of the Deity,
Have made such Polititians of Divines;
And these together have so fool'd and cheated
The consciences of people well inclin'd,
That, of all Freedomes we are nigh defeated,
Belonging to the Body and the Mind.
Yea, GOD they so have mock'd; and on his Throne
And his Prerogative, so farre incroach'd,
That, of his honour he is jealous grown,
And, will no longer, be by them reproach'd:
But, to the Saints, their liberties restore,
And, give those Kings their Portions with the Whore.

D'ye startle at it? as if I had spoke
High-Treason? or, as if what now I say,
Without a Warrant, I had undertooke
To certifie? Perhaps, you think, I may.
Know, therefore, that, I had this information
Not from a private Spirit; but, from his
Known and unquestionable Revelation,
Which, to the world, long since, revealed this.
Those Kings, which, to the Lamb their crowns resigne,
And shall (the Beast opposing) be content
To raigne, according to the Discipline
Which Christ commands, shall keep their Government:
The rest shall weep, and waile, and curse their birth,
With wicked Kings, and Merchants of the earth.

Christ, and his Law, shall then beare all the sway,
By Governments, resembling that, perchance,
For which the Iewes Gods Yoke did cast away,
The King-ship, of the Gentiles, to advance.
And, as Gods people, foolishly did crave
Instead of his mild Scepter, to obtaine
That Heathnish-Monarchy, which doth inslave
And seek, by Arbitrary-Powre, to raigne:
So, shall all people, then, desire to leave
Their Ethnick-Chaines, and, with his holy-Nation,

Christ's precepts, and his discipline receive,
And, be partakers too of their Salvation.
And, when this glorious Kingdome shall begin,
The Fulnesse of the Gentiles, enters in.

God, hath so long deferred the possession
Of that great Blisse; because, our worldlinesse,
Hypocrisie, and discord, keepes the Blessing,
From ripening into such a Happinesse.
Some, in unrighteousnesse, the Truth retaine,
And, make the same thereby, the lesse beleev'd.
Some, by an Outward-holinesse doe gaine
The meanes to have their Heresies receiv'd.
While some pursue the Antichrist, without them,
An Antichrist, ariseth up within them;
Which, if they look not warily about them,
New work for Reformation, will begin them:
But, God will finish what he pre-ordain'd,
When Penitence, and Sin, their heights have gain'd.

Oh! that I could expresse what glorious sights,
My soule hath glimpses of, by contemplation,
And to what brave and unbeleeved heights,
They screw me, by an unperceiv'd gradation!
That blessed Kingdome, which, by faith I see,
And know shall come; me thinks, doth now appeare
Described by a Patterne unto me,
As if it painted, in dim Landskip, were:
And, my unbounded soule, runs rambling over
So many objects, that, if she should give
Account, of ev'ry thing she can discover,
I should relate, what few would yet beleeve;
And give to fooles occasion, one time more,
To scoffe me; as they have done, heretofore.

Whilst thus I muz'd, behold, the foe came on
And to possesse the bord'ring hils began;
My Colonell, experienc'd Midleton,
A valiant Scot, that day led up the Van.

A Troupe that flankt him on the left I led:
The word was ordred forth; the souldier shouted.
Our martiall musick them incouraged,
And, each from other, fears of danger flouted.
Our forces joyn'd in clouds of fierie smoke;
Whence many whizzing thunder-bolts were shot:
Our glittring swords, like flashing lightning, stroke
Each others eyes, and bloudy showres begot;
Enough, whereby our courage might be tride;
And, yet, with no great losse, on either side.

For, lest, while of (each part) the Forlorne-hopes
Together strove, our Side might seek to take
A narrow-passe (which might have made some stops,
To their great hazzard, in retreating back)
They wheel'd about, as if to gain some ground
Of more advantage: so, before the place
We rightly knew, or their intention found,
Instead of a Re-charge, we gave them chase:
Which being finish'd, and my warmed blood
Grown colder, by our Adversaries flight,
Another Foe, which long my peace withstood,
A Challenge brought me, for another Fight:
And, in the dark, when that dayes march was done,
A second furious battell we begun.

A strong Brigade, was mustred up together,
And many cunning Engines forth were brought,
Which, doubtlesse, had I come unarmed thither,
Had gained him the Victory, he sought.
To undermine me, he, at first, perplext
My heart, with many deep and subtill questions:
To win that Fortresse, he assayed, next,
By strong perswasions, and untrue suggestions.
Then, with confused throngs of dangers, feares,
And, other such like Instruments as those,
By violence, to storme it, he prepares;
And, force prevailing not, his craft he showes:

Which, taking like effect, he beat the Drum,
And to a Parlee we began to come.

His Generall was that Deluding-Reason,
Which hath so much befool'd this Generation,
Defaming Loyaltie with termes of treason,
And seeking Truths, and true mens defamation.
This is that Grand-Impostresse, which hath had
The powre of late, our Clergie to misguide,
To blinde the King, to make the Nobles mad,
And lead the Common-people quite aside.
This is the Mountebanck that cheats the Land,
With Romish-Drugs, and fills our heads with toyes
That buildeth Forts, and Churches in the Sand,
And faire and firme foundations, oft, destroyes.
And this is she that men so blinde doth make,
The shadow, for the substance, to mistake.

She thus began: Within thy Soveraignes Land
How darest thou, bold Traitor, to appeare
Without his Approbation or Command
With that thy Troope of armed Rebels, there?
Hast thou not heard those Royall Proclamations,
Which threaten those who thus themselves aray?
Hast thou not read those learned Declarations,
That shew thee how thy Leaders goe astray?
Hast thou not heard the rev'rend Prelates preach,
That, all the Kings Commands must be obey'd?
Hast thou not heard approved Doctors teach,
That, all we have must at their feet be laid?
And, that a Mortall cloath'd with Majestie,
Is little lower then the Deitie?

Thy service and obedience to the King,
Even God himselfe injoynes: why dost thou then
Assistance to his Adversaries bring,
And, rather disobey thy GOD, then men?
Nay, thou thy selfe hast that Allegiance taught,
Which now thou violat'st, and couldst foretell

What mischieves would upon their heads be brought,
Who should against their Soveraigne-Prince rebell.
Yet now, behold, thou neither having awe
Of thine owne Conscience, or the royall right
Of GOD'S commands, or of the Kingdomes Law,
Dost arme thy selfe against all these to fight.
And by pretences for the publike good,
Defil'st the Kingdome, and thy selfe with blood.

An Arbitrary-government you blame,
And to the Lawes, your Actions seeme to tie,
Yet by your Ordinances, doe the same
Which to the King, unjustly you deny.
You for the Subjects libertie contend,
Yet into Prisons, freemen you have throwne.
To ease them of Taxations, you pretend;
Yet make them greater then were ever knowne.
You take from whom you please, and what you list;
And no man is assured of his owne,
Or dares to contadict, much lesse resist.
Yea, lately, you so insolent are growne,
That, not the People onely you undoe,
But, many wayes, abuse your Soveraigne too.

To make him rich, faire promises you made;
But, so far off have been from adding more,
That you have taken from him what he had,
And, rendred him lesse able then before.
To cherish Virtue, or to punish Vice,
Or to protect the wrong'd, or to relieve
The needie soule; you neither offices,
Nor Armes, nor Rents, to his disposure give.
Gods glorie, and Religious puritie,
Sincerely to affect, you make a show;
But, thereof, we have small securitie,
Whilst pious Monuments you overthrow.
And, whilst, you favour, cherish, and protect
The Schismaticks of every Giddy-Sect.

The King denieth nothing he may grant;
But voweth and protesteth, to maintaine,
The true Religion of the Protestant;
And, lets the Subjects dues, to them remaine.
Of him you foster Causlesse Iealousies;
For, to the People, or the Parliament
He hath intended no such Injuries,
As your seducers causlesly invent.
He aymeth at the reall preservation
Of Rights, Lawes, Customes, and of all that's due
To Church, or Common-weale; for which this Nation
A publike, or just private claime, can shew;
And, that which to preserve he doth assay,
You, Rebels, seeke to change, or take away.

He stands oblig'd the Kingdome to protect;
But, you his Townes, Armes, Forts, and Ships doe ceaze;
Whereby his Office wants a prime effect:
And, you against him arme your selves with these.
The People you seduce; and you invent
Devices, cunningly, to drive away
The Lords, and Commons from the Parliament,
That your owne pleasures, there, enact you may.
The Kings best friends for traitors you pursue:
By Sequestrations, you have made them poore:
Nay he himselfe misjudged is of you,
At least, a fav'rer of the Scarlet-Whoore.
And, he that was to be your Glorie borne,
Is now become an object of your scorne.

How can you therefore safely live or die
In such a Cause? How can you, without feare,
Be actors in that bloody Tragædie,
Whereto, thus blindly, you advancing are?
How will you to your GOD? how, to your King?
How, to this wronged Kingdome, answer make?
When by their powr they shall that Vengeance bring,
Which will be due, for what you undertake?

Thus far she rav'd; and, further, as I think
She had proceeded: But, I having ey'd
My Troopers (and perceiving some, to shrinke
At her last words) I rein'd my horse aside
To cheere my Troope; then, wheel'd a little back,
And, to confute those falshoods, thus I spake.

Trait'resse to Reason, that high heav'n-born-Queen,
Whom ev'ry earthly Monarch should obey;
Thou who the Cause of all those Plagues hast beene
Which overflow this Iland, at this day:
How long wilt thou persist, with showes of truth
To colour falshood? and, from thy delusions,
Draw forth (to cozen heedlesse age and youth)
Inconsequents, and frivolous conclusions?
In vaine thou seek'st with words to terrifie
From what, with good advisement, is begun.
With honour, we have hope to live, and dye,
What ever can by thee be said, or done,
And, in our just resolves will settle fast,
In spight of all the Sophistrie thou hast.

Imprudent Amazon, why com'st thou arm'd
With Potguns, and with Kexes to invade,
A Skonce that's triple fortifi'd, and charm'd,
By Spels, which to secure it, Reason made?
Beleevest thou, Lies, Fallacies and Showes
Chew'd into paper pellets, can affright
Ought else but Regiments of Dawes and Crows,
Or things that come to feed, but not to fight?
When to my face thou falfly dar'st accuse
My Conscience, which none knowes but God and I,
And wouldst my owne beleefe thereof abuse,
Behinde my back, how wilt thou me belye?
My Writings too, in favour of thy Cause,
Thou understandest, as thou dost the Lawes.

Their Author is in being, so am I;
The Lawes true sense is that which they shall give;

And, I am he that best can testifie
The meaning of my Poems, whilst I live.
I have not swerv'd essentially from ought
(If well my words, and deeds be understood)
Which I have either counselled or taught,
Pertaining to the King or Common-good.
And though thy friends report that I rebell,
And, Balam-like, against my knowledge too,
(When I had both foretold, and counsel'd well
What would befall, and what men ought to doe)
I shall occasions finde, my selfe to cleare
Of all, whereof I guilty may appeare.

The factions of our Clergie I foresaw,
The progresse of their factions I foretold,
Which way the one our Soveraignes heart should draw,
VVhich way the other, tempt the people should;
And, thereupon my soule (as well it might)
Fearing such mischiefes as from thence doe spring,
According to the measure of her light,
Did counsell both the People and the King.
The King proceeded as his Prophets taught,
(For their despight made void my good intent)
The other faction of the Clergie sought
To worke upon the peoples discontent:
And had not then a miracle been done,
It had, long since, Rebellion here begun.

For, had not God beyond all hopes of our,
VVhen plotted mischiefs were to ripenesse come,
Vouchsafed us a Parliamentall powre,
The sin, which I most fear'd, to keep us from:
My wit perceives not how the peoples rage
(Provoked so, as then it would have bin)
Should meanes have found that furie to asswage,
VVhich would have brought a true Rebellion in.
Nay, to such heights was discontentment rais'd,
That, if this present timely Parliament

(Which never can sufficiently be prais'd)
Had not enabled beene, as well as sent
By God himselfe, a wondrous worke to doe;
They had, e're long, beene flaves, and rebels too.

But, having by meere Providence procur'd
The Priviledge for their continuation,
To be by an Enacted-Law secur'd,
Till they saw cause to give it limitation;
Such courage thereby took they, and such hope,
Their good endeavours should not be undone.
As heretofore (through want of time and scope
To perfect things which they had well begun)
That, they have qualifi'd the fierie zeale,
Which might have kindled a rebellious flame;
And armed lawfully this Common-weale,
To make a just defence, as her became:
For, tis her safetie, that secures the King;
And her destruction will his ruine bring.

We are not come, our Soveraigne to oppose,
But, for him, we thus armed now appeare,
By Warrant, and Authoritie from those,
Who, to confer it, well enabled were:
Ev'n by that Supreme-Counsell, whence doe come
All acts that most concerne the Publike-weale;
The sacred Senate, from whose finall doome
We cannot to another Judge appeale.
When that commands, the Kings commands they be,
More binding, then his personall Injunction.
In their contempt, dishonoured is he,
And disobeyed in his noblest function.
In his, we but his Person disobey;
In their, his Powre, and Office we gainsay.

We heare indeed, sometime, a Proclamation
Injoyning that, or else forbidding this:
But how, I pray, shall we have information,
Whose will and pleasure, and whose deed it is?

The Person of the King we seldome see;
His Court is now a place uncertaine growne:
With him, no lawfull Counsellors hath he;
How then, of us, can his true minde be knowne?
Since in his Name, anothers Will may come,
We neither knowing whence, nor yet from whom?

The Court of Parliament appeares to all,
To have therein, the Royall Powre, and Name:
It keeps the Place, whereto the King did call,
And virtually abideth still the same.
That Order, Ordinance, and that Commission,
Which issues forth from them, to us appeares
To be their act and deed, without suspition:
And we obey it as the Kings and theirs:
Why, therefore, should we be reproach'd, and blam'd,
Because, we are not rather guided by
A printed sheet, wherein the King is nam'd,
To draw us our knowne dutie to deny?
By telling us, a trait'rous part we play,
Vnlesse, our King and Countrie, we betray?

Me thinks, it were a motive somewhat odd,
That those few lines, which ill-advice might draw,
Beginning thus, Charles by the grace of God ,
Should more oblige, then equitie and Law.
Yet, this is our condition; and, unlesse
We will suspect our eie-sight, and our hearing;
And say we are in state of happinesse,
When universall ruine we are fearing;
Or else beleeve (or say and sweare we doe,
Though false it be) what ere our foes perswade;
And will be Infidels, and Asses too,
Or such tame Fooles, as they of some have made,
We must be censur'd in our noblest action,
To have unjust designes, and side with faction.

Vnlesse with Rehoboams Cavalleers,
We will bring aid and counsell to oppresse:

Vnlesse we will not think that all our Fears
Are without reall ground, and reasonlesse:
Vnlesse we will beleeve Achitophel,
The Parasites of Ioash, Iudahs-King;
The Priests of Ahab, Baal, and Iezabel,
Which to Idolatrie this Land would bring;
Vnlesse our selves meere slaves we will repute,
Vnlesse we will against all right and Reason,
Gods Epithetes, to Princes attribute,
Or, falsly say, our Loyalty is Treason,
Or, do, as Fools and Traitors have appointed,
We fight (forsooth) against the Lords annointed.

Yea, then it must be told me, I rebell;
That, I resist my Soveraigne and the Lawes;
That Balaam-like the truth I could fore-tell,
And know the right, yet aid an evill cause.
But, what am I? Thou sayst, the Parliament
(Though showes of other purposes it carry)
In practice doth approve that Government,
Which, in the King, they say, is Arbitrary;
Which is untrue. For, Arbitrary Sway
Is that which governs by the Will of One;
But, when their Ordinances we obey,
To Reason we submit, agreed upon
By many, chosen out to that intent,
Both by our own, and by the Kings consent.

What ever then that Counsell shall ordaine,
Is in effect the Pleasure of the King,
And our united; whereof to complain,
It were a causlesse and a foolish thing.
And, though we may have grievances thereby,
We cannot call them injuries, by reason
'Twas to prevent a lasting misery,
By making us to suffer for a season.
The Parliament abridgeth no mans right,
Takes no mans Liberty, or goods away:

To favour some, and others to despight:
Or, that themselves therewith inrich they may;
But, seize it for the Publike; and from those,
Who, to the publike harme, thereof dispose.

Perhaps, unruly souldiers, and some too
Who them command, will practise, now and then,
Harsh violence, as Devils use to do,
Who, at these times, come forth in shape of men.
But, from such insolencies I am free
And ev'ry way so clear; that though our Foes
Of

To the value of above 2000. l.

all I had have quite despoiled me:
And, though I was authorized by those
Who pow'r might give, my losses to redresse
On them who robbed me; I have not sought
Without compassion, or with greedinesse,
To mend my Fortunes, as, I heare, 'tis thought:
But, only taken, what the present need
Requir'd; my self, and Family to Feed.

Yea, save when we from home had marched farre,
And thither, where, perforce, we did indure
The hard and strong necessities of warre,
Through want of means, things needfull to procure:
We nothing took without a recompence,
Nor (to my knowledge) either then, or there,
But, with good words, and, without violence;
And, nought but what did need, and they might spare.
Nor did I, or, my Troupers, leave unpaid
Our Quarters any where, whilst we had pay.
And, since our entertainments were delaid,
They have my word for paiment, when I may.
And, by thus taking, Souldiers grieve men lesse
In times of War, then Courtiers did in Peace,

We take not, as Monopolizers do,
And, begger Many, to inrich but One:
Nor take we from, both poor, and wealthy, too,
As Tyrants, that our pleasure might be done,

Nor as the damn'd-selfe-damming Cavalleer,
Who for his lust, and for the Kingdomes harme,
From good and bad, from friend and foe doth teare,
What ever may be reached with his arme.
The Parliament (a Body representing
The Kingdome) takes from none; but of her owne
Takes part, for furtherance, or for preventing
Of good or evill, either fear'd or knowne.
And if this be unjust, or lawlesse taking,
It is not by a Law of Reasons making.

For, as the Bodie-naturall may take
From hands or feet, or any other part,
To wrap about the head, when it shall ake;
Or, warme to keep the stomack, or the heart,
When life is else in danger: right so, may
The Body-politike, without reproofe,
From any of her Members, take away,
For it owne preservation, or behoofe.
Yea, doubtlesse, if a man his goods may spend,
His body to redeeme; or give consent
Some Blood to lose, or Member, to this end,
That he the losse of life might so prevent;
Much more may that Great-Bodie doe the same,
Without the brand of injurie, or blame.

The taxes, which our Parliament impose,
Are not to grieve the people; but, to aid
And strengthen them against the powre of those,
By whom uneasie burthens have been laid.
If they be greater now, then heretofore,
It is because necessities are greater;
And, now require, we should bestow the more,
To make hereafter, our assurance better.
And, pitty were it, but he should be father
To none but slaves; or, to a generation
Who should not dare, old rotten rags to gather
Without a Patent, and a Proclamation,

Who for his Country, thinks his goods too much;
Or, would his life in this adventure grutch.

As for their loyall offers to the King,
They ready were; and are as ready, still,
Their wealth, and powre, and all they have to bring
To serve him, if his part he shall fulfill.
They would be loth his treasure to increase,
To purchase instruments, wherewith to slay them.
Or, raise an Armie, to disturb their peace;
Or, to corrupt their Captaines, to betray them;
They should be loth to give him Rents and Lands,
Buffoones, and men unworthy to advance;
That they might weaken us, and arme his hands,
To make us Subjects A la mod' de FRANCE.
But, for his Guard, and for the publike-peace,
Our Goods, our Lives, and all we have is his.

If his Revennues, in their hands they stay,
It is not without reason (as is thought)
But, to secure his Crowne, and to defray
The charge of War, which he on us hath brought.
If they, from his disposure, now withdraw
Some things, by Him, dispos'd of heretofore,
It is because their right it is by Law;
And, ought to be neglected so no more.
When things permitted out of good respects,
Are challenged as customary rights;
And, when good meanings bring forth ill effects,
Tis time to take more heed of oversights;
And, that, by having erred heretofore,
We may not be undone for evermore.

Ships, Forts, and Armes belong unto the Prince,
Not for himselfe, but for the publike use:
They therefore keeping them for his defence,
(And for the Kingdomes good) what needs excuse?
Or, if they ceazed on them, with intent
To prepossesse them, that they might, in time,

Their foes inhumane purposes prevent;
It was no fault, or, else, a veniall Crime.
They made their Ordinances not for Lawes,
But, for the present need, to be in force;
Lest Law-proceedings being at a pause,
The mischiefs (over-great) grow daily worse,
And, none denies the Parliament, this powre
But, they who seek their freedomes to devoure.

Though Libellous Detractors, and that Rabble,
Whom thy deluding Sophistries deceive,
Pretend their purpose is dishonourable,
And, of his dues, our Soveraigne to bereave;
Your sland'rous Allegations are untrue,
And rais'd by those who hate the Parliament;
Because, a Reformation they pursue;
And that, which may their purposes prevent.
Far is it, either from their thought, or our
The King, of his just profits to defeat;
Or to deprive him of that Kingly powre
Whose want may make his honour incompleat.
By taking, or by clipping (to his wrong)
Those Rights, which to his Office doe belong,

When ought they take, it is to take away
That mischiefe, which may take him from his Throne.
When they deny, it is not to gainsay,
But, that his lawfull pleasure may be done.
When they disarme him, tis but that his foes
Might not with his owne weapons him destroy.
When they his Rents withhold, it is that those
Should not his wealth to his owne losse employ.
Have they restrain'd his powre? they did it not
To limit him; but, that his Parasites,
Should not to his dishonour, him beset;
And, make that Pander to their appetites,
Till by their wicked practices, first, we
Are to their wills inslaved; and, then He

The worst condition they would bring him to,
Is onely this; that, if he or his Son,
By ill advisement, would themselves undoe,
No innocent should thereby be undone.
Nor they, if during life, Manasseh-like,
They could repent. This brave Prerogative,
This Priviledge, for him, and his, we seeke;
That, nothing of his Throne might him deprive.
We labour, that it gloriously might stand,
By Righteousnesse upheld: and, that his Line
May beare the Royall-Scepter in this Land,
As long as either Sun, or Moone shall shine,
By being made, true Homagers to Him,
That weares the universall Diadem.

They would not have him, or his childe, hereafter,
Suppose that an advantage can be had,
By bringing to his bed King Pharaohs daughter;
Or, any with whom, God, the Banes forbad.
VVe would not have him, Rehoboam-like,
Advance his Throne by tyrannous oppression:
Or (led by foolish Counsell) Shadowes seeke
Till he had lost the Substance in possession.
They would not have him set up golden-Calves,
VVith Ieroboam; and suppose to save
By policie, and serving God, by halves,
That Kingdome, which to him, he freely gave,
Till he, like him, hath made the people sin,
And, brought our Endlesse-desolation in.

They would not have him, Ahab-like, misled
By wicked female Counsels; or, by those
Dissembling Priests and Prophets, who have bred
That Plague, which now this Iland, overgrowes.
Nor would they that (with King Iehosaphat)
Some fruitlesse complements, or causlesse feares,
Should draw him, to become confederate,
VVith such as are profest Idolaters:

But, that like David, he should purge his Court
From impudent offenders; and from all
Those practices, which are of ill report;
And chiefly those, which will for vengeance, call:
That so his Kingdome might be safe in God,
From traytors here at home, and foes abroad.

They would not have his Minions rob his Name
Of all that honour which thereto belongs;
And, in requitall, make him beare the blame
Of their loud-crying cruelties, and wrongs.
They would not have each honourable Place,
Fild up, in stead of Princes, with such groomes,
As to this Kingdomes, and our Kings disgrace,
Late fild, and yet defile those noble Roomes.
Fellowes, of whom the publike fame records
No merit; unlesse merit be in roring,
In being trusty Panders to their Lords;
In gaming, drinking, quarrelling, or whoring.
For, by these virtues, from a trencher-man,
A Princes Minion, riseth, now and than.

They would not at the sacred Counsell-Board,
That, Lust, and Pride, and Avarice should sit
Arrayed, and intitled like a Lord,
That hath nor credit, honesty, nor wit.
Or, such a Ruffian, as (when suiters, there,
In humble wise their greevances prefer)
Shall sweare, God damne me, I will nothing heare,
That is inform'd against an Officer.
Or such, as with notorious impudence,
Shall taunt imperiously, or tartly blame
A man, that is of well knowne innocence,
When they themselves doe merit publike shame;
Because in publike view, and without awe,
They violate divine, and humane Law.

We would preserve our Soveraignes honourable:
Not by a blast of ayrie Attributes;

Much lesse by those that are unwarrantable,
And, such as flatterie, alone, imputes.
We wish he may be great, but not (with some)
So great, as from a lawfull King, to swell
Into a Tyrant; and, by that meanes come
To gaine a Principalitie in Hell.
We wish him rich; but, not by tricks, that may
Inrich Projectors more: and, lastly prove
A cheat, procuring him, another way,
A greater dammage in his peoples love:
But, of these things, we wish him so possest,
That, they make him happy, and us blest.

The Parliament, would so our Kings enable,
If they, by their advisement, would proceed,
As that, hereafter, no dishonourable,
Vnsafe, or unfit courses, they should need.
We blush (and are asham'd, as well as greev'd)
That they of whom, we, Justice should obtaine,
(When injuries from others we receive,)
Give cause of greater sufferings to complaine.
We thinke, what ere seducing Prelates say,
They should have consciences as well as we:
And, may have soules, which will, another day,
Made subject to the Common Judgement be.
And, we would have them none of those, that shall
Crie to the Mountaines, downe on them to fall.

We would not have them, to our daily sorrow,
And their dishonor, wrong'd by such, as they,
Who keep them still so needie as to borrow:
And, never in condition to repay.
We would not have them live, and die in debt,
(As usually they doe) without regard,
Whose wants, and whose complainings they forget:
And whose deserts they leave without reward:
Or, need to be incumbred with so many
Oppressing Officers (who from us teare

A shilling for themselves, for him, a penny;
Yet, Raven-like, still, hungry Carions are)
If their estates were setled once aright,
And, managed by men that are upright.

Then, should our Princes never need to send
Their Privy-Seals, to borrow for their use;
And, when they came where nothing was to lend,
Be much displeased at a just excuse.
Nor should they need to seek, as oft they do,
By petty loanes, a generall supply;
And (which ill suits with borrowing) threaten too,
If we their expectation shall deny:
Nor take such other courses, as of late
Have been devis'd; and, which are baser, farre,
Then our Collections at the Church-yard-gate;
Yea, baser then our Countrey Help-Ales are:
And, which a generous mind would scarce admit,
Whilst he had rags to wear, or pulse to eat.

For, who can mention, without Indignation,
Those Rascall Projects, wherewith some pretended
His Majesties Revenues augmentation;
As when, with Sope, and Pins, they him befriended;
Or, when they raised Fines, by Proclamation,
From Labourers, and Beggers Cottages;
Or, from their new-invented-Corporation,
Salt, Mault, and Coals, with such like things as these:
Or, if I erre not, some, from baser things,
To raise the Kings Revenue, made a show,
Ev'n from old Rags, from Guts for Fiddle-strings:
And, if these Projects had not been enow,
I think, ere this, there had been some device,
To raise a profit out of Nits and Lice.

We scorne, this Kingdome, or our King should be
Dishonour'd by such beggarly inventions:
To make him rich, a nobler way have we,
When he shall please to like of our intentions.

And, whatsoere thy sland'rous tongue hath said,
Wee, seek our Soveeraignes welfare; and, with him
No guilefull, or disloyall Parts have plaid,
To wrong the Scepter, or the Diadem.
Nor have we raced any Monument
Of Christian-Piety; the Crosse except,
That we might those Idolatries prevent,
Which in, among us, by that Relique crept.
And, down (for ought I know) the Crosse was took,
As justly, as the brazen Snake was broke.

For, though, when Christianity began,
And Iewes, and Gentiles, mentioned with scorn,
Christ-crucifi'd, unto the Christian-man,
That badge was then with approbation worn,
Because, it witnes'd them, no whit asham'd
Of Him, in whom they did professe belief,
Though doom'd he was, unto a death defam'd,
And suffer'd as a murtherer, or theef:
Yet, since the Popelings have a trick devis'd,
To lift it up, above the civill use,
And, for a Saint, the same hath canoniz'd,
And, stain'd it, by idolatrous abuse.
We have rejected it, as, now, become
A wanton Token from the whore of Rome.

That Sects, or Schismes, we favour, I deny;
For, Law, and true Religion we befriend,
Against their fury and Idolatry,
Whom you have arm'd, injustice to defend.
We to be regulated are content,
(Not, by the fancies of one private braine,
Or, by a few, that came ere they were sent)
By those, to whom such matters appertaine.
Some Lawyers have the sense of Law estrang'd
From what it was: some, Priests, and Prelates too,
Both Doctrines and Church-Discipline have chang'd,
From that, which was establish'd long agoe;

That, therefore, we might in the truth abide,
VVe by the Fountaines would have all things tride.

Though of her Members, faulty some appeare,
The Parliaments maine purpose is upright:
And, while preserved their Foundations are,
The Righteous cannot lose their labours quite.
Although the Kings intentions may be good,
(As I still hope they be) yet, most of those
That give him counsell, now, are men of blood;
And, such as dutie bindes us to oppose.
Twere no discretion to commit my Sword
To him, who straight would give it to my foe:
Nor were it wisely done to take his word,
VVho knowes not, what he shall have powre to doe.
For, oft, from Reason, other men estrange us;
And, otherwhile, our owne corruptions change us.

Thou saist, the King hath vowed, and protests,
Our Lawes, and our Religion to defend.
VVe ask no more, unlesse, as in the breasts
Of private men they are, he shall intend:
Or, shall conceive that he the Law doth carie
VVithin himselfe: For, that doth plainly show
The government he seeks, is Arbitrarie;
VVhich, humbly we denie to be his due.
I say the Law now armes me. He sayes no;
And, calls me traitor, for what I have done.
The Parliament affirmes I faile to doe
My duty, if another course I run:
And how the King in Law more skil'd can grow
Then they that made it, I would gladly know.

It were a fancie, to affirme he gained
A knowledge of our Lawes by Revelation,
Or that he studied them: then, he obtained
His notions of them, by meere information,
And who are his informers, now, but those,
That, are the chiefe transgressors of the Law?

They, who essentially the same oppose?
Who, from it, their obedience quite withdraw?
They, whose delinquencie hath made them feare?
To let the Lawes true powre, or sense be knowne?
Because, if their true vigour should appeare,
These, and their Structures, would be overthrowne.
Yea, they from whom, he learn'd his chiefest skill,
Are they, who tell him, Law is, What he will.

If thou shalt say, his Informations are
From those, that in our Lawes most skilfull be,
And, men unblam'd; admitting, such they were,
(Though that is nor beleev'd, nor knowne of me)
This, I am certaine of, my undertaking
Was, by no such meane counsell undergone;
Nor by a warrant of that private making,
But, by a stronger; by a publike-one.
Ev'n by that Senate, whence our Law doth spring;
By that great Court, which is, by all, confest
Chiefe-Counsell, to the Kingdome, and the King;
The Lady and Commandresse of the rest;
By those, from whom the Laws that binde this nation,
Receive both being, and interpretation.

Should I the judgement of that Court despise
For their, whom yet, I neither heard, nor saw?
Because a few, did other waies advise,
More blam'd for arrogance, then fam'd for Law?
And, is it not of dangerous consequence,
That, to his rev'rend Parliaments disgrace,
The King, in doubtfull points, should leave their sense
For judgements, which from private spirits passe?
For, if a private judgement vouch'd may be
Against that Court, for Him; why may it not
Against Him, be as well avouch'd for me,
If to contend, I powre enough had got?
Grant this, and every man as well may hope
To damne a Generall-Councell, as the Pope.

Grant this, and none can doubt the Kings intent
The Protestant-Religion to maintaine,
And all the Freedomes of the Parliament;
For, they are in his Bosome, and his Braine.
And what he will, yea, sometime, what his Groome
Shall make him to beleeve, or understand,
(Though all his dictates he receiv'd from Rome)
Is then, the Law and Gospel of the Land.
Most Prelates, and most Iudges were the Creatures
Of Princes, and their Minions; therefore, these
Make for them (as their Vassals, and their Debters)
Religion, and the Lawes, ev'n what they please.
And, hence our strifes, and all divisions spring,
Twixt God, and us, the People, and the King.

We would not bar our Sov'raignes, any powre
Which fortifies, or dignifies the Crowne:
Nor lose one lawfull Priviledge that's our,
When we are well inform'd what is our owne.
The People, did first make both Lawes and Kings:
And, for their owne securitie, did make them.
Then, he that shall repute them, to be things
Ordain'd for other ends, doth much mistake them.
Now, for themselves, if Lawes and Kings they made,
The makers had beene madmen, to intend
They should a meaning, or a Powre, have had
To make them uselesse to their chiefest End,
And give Prerogatives, or meanings to them,
That, should, in stead of saving, helpe undoe them.

True Reason, therefore, warrants me to say,
That, when we to the Law a sense doe give,
Which taketh any publike right away;
Or stretcheth so the Kings Prerogative,
As that the Kingdome is opprest thereby,
Or, of the publike safety brought in feare;
Or, doubtfull of approaching tyranny;
Or liable to mischiefes may appeare;

That sense of Law is false; usurped be
All such Prerogatives: And, nor by time,
Or frequent presidents, oblig'd are we
To let our Freedomes, be infring'd by them:
But, we should claime, and take, what proveth our,
As oft, as GOD shall give us means and Powre.

Though some Historians, and the flatt'ring Pen
Have sti'ld the Norman, CONQVEROR; nor he,
Nor any one before him, or since then,
Can say, that we a conquer'd Nation be.
For, by a Composition, and on Termes
Becoming Free-men, we remain'd possest
Of Liberty; and William threw down Armes,
Accepting of that share we valued least.
And, had we not as well by Oath, as Word,
Beene reinvested in our Native-right,
That which we lost unjustly, by the Sword,
At all times, by the Sword, attempt we might
To re-possesse, when GOD makes warrantable,
That enterprize, by making of us able.

For, this, I partly fight: not with the King;
But, with those Miscreants who seek our harme:
And, his abused Name, and Person, bring
Vnwarie people, by faire showes, to charme.
And, ere they shall accomplish their intent
By slaving Him, their projects to befriend;
Or by dishon'ring of the Parliament;
My life time, in this Quarrell, I will spend.
Or, if I must unhappily survive
To see our English-Honour overthrowne,
I will not (if I may avoid it) live
To be a slave where I did freedome owne.
Nor willingly, in any Land remaine,
In which a Tyrant (call'd a King) shall raigne.

This Quarrell, above thirty yeares before
The Sword was drawne, I fought in, with my Pen,

Till I by Tyrannie was made so poore,
As that I thought, I ne're should rise agen.
Without an Armie, or a Parliament
To side withall; without one able friend;
Without reward; without encouragement,
To further that which I did well intend:
Nay, strugling through much envie, and despight,
That Warfare I continue to this houre:
And, in this warfare, am resolv'd to fight,
Whilst I to hold a Sword or Pen, have powre,
Till I have compast, what, in hope, I have;
Or, brought my tired Body to the Grave.

For, peradventure, we are growne so bad,
So false to God, so false in ev'rie thing,
Both to our selves, and others; and have had
So many Mercies, whence, no fruits doe spring,
That, God will give this present Generation,
To be what most deserve, and some desire;
Ev'n to be slaves to that Abomination,
With which their lives are doomed to expire.
If so; then am I called thus to fight,
But, onely, that my dutie might be done;
And in this manner, have beene mov'd to write,
That, for our sin, excuse we may have none,
And God's great worke, which he will bring about,
Shall be delayd, till this vile Race be out.

Then shall the age to come, pick up, and gather
Those droppings of my Pen, which now they scorne;
And, wonder, men esteemed them no rather;
And pittie those afflictions I have borne.
Then, they shall scan each page, and ev'rie Line,
And, finde rak'd up, among my Vanities,
Expressions, which will show, that Sparks divine
Of Heav'nly-Fire, in earthly Cinders lies.
Then, they shall come to understand and know,
That many future things I did behold,

Beside that one, which is acknowledg'd now
To be fulfilled, as it was foretold.
But, MVSE, thou art almost without the List:
Returne againe to thy Antagonist.

Thou chargest us, Delusion, with such things
As no way correspond with our intentions,
And, proofe whereof, no creature living brings:
For, they indeed are meerly thy inventions.
The goods of none we ceaze, or sequestrate,
Because, they to the King, are faithfull friends;
But, for their faithlesnesse unto the State,
And, serving Him, to base and evill ends.
Nor of our Soveraigne, censure we amisse:
But them we rightly judge, that him misguide;
For, in his Actions, that which evill is,
To them pertaines, who draw his heart aside.
In publike Acts, The King can do no wrong,
Because, unto his Counsell they belong.

The King can do no wrong, as he is King:
For, God ordained, and man did intend,
Him, not to hurt, or plagues on them to bring,
But, for their good, and good men to defend.
The King, as King, can do no wrong; because
He can do nothing, but, what he may do
According to divine, and humane Lawes;
And, what the publike-peace invites him to.
The King can do no wrong; because, what ere
He doth as King, is never duely done,
But, by some publike Vote, or Officer,
Or, they consenting, if he act alone.
For, all he doth, whence any wrong proceeds,
Are not his Royall, but his private deeds.

The King can do no wrong: For, if there be
Injustice done; his Officers are they
Who did it: and, by Law they onely be
Accomptable. And, therein, praise I may

The wisdome of our Lawes; for, had there been
By them, provided Legall Punishment
For Kings; no man would be a King, I ween,
But he, that could not such a Lot prevent.
For, were it so; Then, if Court-Parasites
Corrupt young Kings, and draw them to command
That sin, whereto their ill-advice invites,
Kings, at the Barre, for their Offence, might stand:
And they might free themselves from ev'ry thing
Which they mis-doe; and lay it on the King.

And, who would be their Officers, if Kings
Were liable to Legall punishment
In person (as a Subject) for the things
Mis-done by their commandment, or assent?
For, if they shall be Tyrants, or such Princes,
As make but little conscience of their way,
Whom will not they accuse of those Offences,
To free themselves from suffring, if they may?
And, then though they accuse men innocent,
Who would not think a King should be beleev'd
Before his Vassall? and appear content
He, thereby, should from suffering, be repreev'd?
Yea, great absurdities from thence might flow,
If Law conceiv'd, the King a wrong might do.

The King can do no wrong; and, therefore, those
Who shall his personall commands obey,
In ought which doth his Legall Will oppose,
Should beare, alone, that paine the Law doth lay:
Beeause, the Law of nothing els takes heed,
But, onely of those things which it commands,
Or, of those evills which it doth forbid;
And, for no private will, or pleasure stands.
The King can do no wrong: For, it destroyes
The Effence of a King: and, doth deprive
Of ev'ry Priviledge which he enjoyes
By Virtue of a Kings Prerogative.

And, from Allegiance frees in ev'ry thing,
Which he commands, beseeming not a King.

For, unto Kings, is our Allegiance sworn,
Not unto Tyrants, who shall fondly dreame
That Kingdomes have beene made, and Subjects born,
For nothing else, but to be slaves to them.
Yet, here mistake me not: we are not (tho
They tyrannize) from all Allegiance free;
But, onely, from an Obligation to
Obedience, in those things that lawlesse be.
We, to their legall wills and pleasures, ever
Must yeeld submission; and, with due respects,
In ev'rie act of Loyaltie persever.
And, leave to God, their personall defects.
For, well enough great misciefes it prevents,
When Law takes hold, of all their Instruments.

What can a King to harme the publike, doe
In his owne person? If by Law we may
Lay hold on those, that counsell him unto
A wrong? and those whom he shall mis-employ?
If in the lawfull-powre, a Right there be;
And, there with, Strength enough to seize on Them;
He hurts us not. And, if too weake are we,
What get we, though the Law might punish Him?
Then, as his Person by our Law, is freed
From ev'rie violence (except from that
Which may restraine his Person from a deed
Destructive to his Person, or the State;
So be it ever free. And, blest be those,
That, serve him, with true service where he goes,

We, no man charge with treasons, none we blame,
That, guiltlesse is of his imputed crime,
And free from just suspitions of the same;
As will be rendred manifest, in time.
The King, from all aspersions cleare would we,
Which without publike dammage might be hid,

Though, to himself, those things assum'd hath he,
Which (as a King) we know, he never did.
What earthly wisdome can a means devise
His honour to preserve, against his will?
Or, do him right, that hearkens unto lies?
Yet, this, we, to our pow'r, endeavour still.
And, free we are, from being justly blam'd,
For having, wilfully, the King defam'd.

We none seduce, but, labour, how we may
Prevent seducements, by right informations;
And, those effects, to change, or take away,
Which may arise from lying Declarations.
By us, no Member of the Parliament
Was driven thence: But, for their private ends,
Vnworthily, some from that service went,
Which ev'ry worthy Member stil attends.
Some, to the King repair'd, in hope, to get
A Title: Some, because they had mis-done:
Some wanted honesty, some wanted wit;
Some went, because their Mistresses were gone.
Some fled for company; and, some did fly,
(If I am not deceiv'd) they knew not why.

Thus much I know: that He, who led them forth,
And They, who follow'd him, in hope to find
A Cloud, to hide their project, in the North;
Did leave us, nor so sottish, nor so blind,
But that we found their aimes; and soon perceiv'd,
What tales, they meant, the people should believe;
What hooks they baited, and what webs they weav'd,
The (soone-misguided) people to deceive.
And, he, that will, may know, that, neither They
Who follow'd, neither He, that went before,
Knew reason, why he should depart away.
For, here he might have stayed, honour'd more,
More safe, more fear'd, more lov'd, more happy, here
Then they, or we, by their departure were.

Could any, but meer impudence, averre
That nothing, of our due, the King denies?
When they who chief in our Oppressions are,
Are, at this day, most favour'd in his eyes?
Can we have hope our safeties to enjoy,
When they are still his Counsell, who intend
Our lawfull Rights, and Freedoms, to destroy?
And, thither all their force and cunning bend.
Is true Religion like to be maintain'd?
While they, who innovated ev'ry day,
(And, have their old Affections, yet retain'd)
Are kept in hope their former parts to play?
Or, can we think, the Popish Generation
Are arm'd, for our Religions preservation?

Can we have in us, either heart or braines,
If we believe this? when to mind we call
How great a multitude of soules complains,
Which in the Irish-Massacre did fall?
If we propose before our ears, and eyes,
The horrid murthers of our brethren there,
Their fears, their sad destractions, and their cries,
When, by their Butchers, they surprized were.
How terrible it was, when they beheld
Their bloudy neighbours, rudely rushing in,
And, saw, perhaps, their dear companions kild,
By those, with whom they had familiar bin,
Yea, saw, before they doubted, cause of fear,
A murth'rer, or a mischief, ev'ry-where.

If we remember, that the mazed Father,
And, trembling mother, in the winter-night,
Were forc'd, in hast, without their cloaths, to gather
Their children up, and, with them, take their flight
Through fields, and boggs, and woods, with naked feet,
Lesse fearing thirst, and hunger, frost, and snow,
Then with those cursed Edomites to meet;
Who neither manhood, nor compassion know.

If we consider, why they first began
Their hellish Tragedie; how great a flood
In ev'rie Irish Towne, and Village, ran
Of harmlesse Protestant and English blood;
How, in their tortures and their feares, they joy'd;
And what great numbers they had soone destroy'd.

If we consider this, and that a Nation
So bloodie minded, and professing too
A worship which is our Abomination,
Should by his Majestie be favour'd so,
That after all their mischiefe, all their spoile
And cruelties, committed in that Land,
They should be called over to this Ile,
To kisse (with good respect) the Royall-hand.
Can we, these things considering, symptomes finde,
That ought for us, but mischiefe is intended,
To soule and body? Can we have a minde
So sottish, as to hope to be befriended
In our Religion, by the Kings protection?
While such as these, have place in his affection?

Maintaineth he our Lawes, as he hath sworne,
When he maintaines Law-breakers, in despight
Of common equitie? And, as in scorne
Of Justice, at the root of Law doth smite?
Or, doth he keepe his oath, though he alone
Allowes of Lawes enacted heretofore?
If he to us denyes, as he hath done,
What might secure the common safetie more?
Or, hath he done his dutie, in denying
His, and the Kingdomes counsell, to embrace?
Or, in imprudent, and unjust complying
With Parasites, to his, and their disgrace?
Or, valuing men of Rascall Reputations,
Before the wisest of three noble Nations?

No change in Church or Commonwealth we crave,
But, what Gods Word, and Reason shall allow.

That, we are bound to seeke, and ought to have;
And what that is, hereafter you shall know.
Our Churchmens honour we envied not;
But, could, what they enjoyed, have allow'd,
Had it beene rightly us'd, and fairly got.
But, they have long beene lazie, false, and proud.
And, I foretold them many yeares agoe,
The course they tooke, in hope thereby to stand,
Should cause their fall. And, if it now be so;
It is the worke of God Almighties hand:
And, since it proves, their honour did them hurt;
I am content, to see it, in the durt.

The King is not obliged to uphold
Their outward pompe; when his great Counsell shall
Informe, that if the same abide it should,
It may become the ruining of all.
Him, doth his Oath or Place, engage, to cherish
A rotten Member? though by doing so,
The whole Republike may grow sick, and perish?
Or Pietie receive her overthrow?
Or, should we fancie that the Law intended,
This Realmes whole bodie, should not be beleev'd?
When they complain'd of that which them offended?
And told which way they best might be releev'd?
Or can he think, his Oath he broken had,
When they shall him acquit, for whom twas made?

When on the Prelates, Law did first confirme
Their Dignities; the common-people thought
They came from God; so wisely they could charme,
To compasse for themselves, the things they sought.
And, ev'rie age brought forth a man or two,
Whose knowledge and whose pietie made way
For them, who came, another work, to do;
And, whose first founder, now, discerne we may.
Then, since we now discover them, to be
Not Christs Apostles, as we once beleev'd,

But, Engines for the Papall-Monarchie,
And hypocrites, by whom we were deceiv'd:
Why should we now suppose we do them wrong,
To take away, what they have kept too long?

Why should we think it sacriledge, or sin?
To take both wealth and dignities away
From those, to whom they never due have bin?
And, such as would the Cause of Christ betray?
Why should his Jewels by his Foes be worn?
Why on his bread should Droanes and Robbers feed?
To cloath a wolfe, why should a sheep be shorn?
Or they be spar'd, whose fall is fore-decreed?
Let them learn true humility of Christ,
And, study how in Spirit to be poor;
Their earthly honours will not then be mist:
Their want of wealth, will be a want no more:
And, they shall honour GOD, and blesse the day,
In which he took their needlesse Trash away.

It is my grief, that I am forc'd to bring
Those Reasons of defence which may appear
Reflecting on the honour of the King,
Which keep I would from all aspersions clear.
But, his dear Favourites have blended so
His Acts with their designes, and their, with his:
That, we their malice cannot fully show,
Without some touch, on what he doth amisse.
And, that consider'd, makes their fault the greater;
And, Him (though their ill-service he approve)
To them, for, what they claime, the lesse their debter;
Because, his Honour they but little love:
For (till these Times) though Courtiers plaid the knave,
They sav'd their Honours, who, them sought to save.

But, whatsoever, by the Parliament,
Or by my Pen, he seemeth to have lost
In point of Honour; if he shall assent
To that, which will be nothing to his cost,

But, rather for his profit; Let the same
Be, at my hands, requir'd: unlesse I shall
Finde out, not onely means, whereby his Name
Shall publikely stand faire, and clear from all
Dishonourable staines; but, also shew
How his, may, all his Predecessors glory
Out-shine: and, leave to times that shall ensue,
An everlasting honourable Story.
Which to believe, me thinks he should be mov'd,
Since, all I yet fore-told him, true hath prov'd.

Gods will be done; within whose pow'rfull hands
The hearts of Princes are; and, let us wait
With patience, till, for us, his Grace commands
That aid, which make things crooked to be streight.
Meane-while, we must not those just means neglect,
Which to the publike safety may pertaine:
Nor cease from doing good, though an effect,
Not purpos'd, make him causlesly complaine.
Our Cause we must expostulate; that, We
May, to the world, approve our innocence:
And, that he may, thereby, informed be,
How little cause we give of just offence.
And, to that end, to what I said before,
In our defence, Ile add a little more.

Though others may be fool'd with Protestations,
And, words or oaths; which, peradventure, none
Did vow, or make, but he, whose Declarations
Have, lately, for the Kings, among us gone.
The Parliament hath many piercing eyes,
That, in the dark, descry their foes devices:
And, by discov'ring of their Treacheries,
Ere they come forth, destroyes those Cockatrices.
When mischiefs are, by Providence, fore-seen,
And, then prevented: they that would have done them,
Make Friends, and Fooles, beleeve they had not been,
Because, they were destroid ere they begun them,

Yet, some, who saw not where the Foxes went,
Can finde where they have haunted, by their scent.

What things the King hath sworne, I doe not heare;
But, should he sweare ten times, and ten times over,
There were no cause to dread, what yet we feare,
Me, of that feare, his Oathes could not recover:
For, though I should beleeve, that he thought true
What he had sworne: yet, what should me assure
That he his owne Designes should still pursue?
Or, that unchanged he shall still endure?
And, though his heart bide fixt, how can I know
That, he shall still have powre to doe me right?
Since they, who seeke his Kingdomes overthrow,
Alreadie, are Commanders of his might?
And, so prevailing, that, in him, I see
Nor Will, nor Powre, his owne true friend to be?

Though others can beyond beleefe, beleeve,
And, hope beyond all hope; I cannot, yet,
In Reasonable things, permission give
Vnto my Fancie, to befoole my Wit.
In flights-divine, my Contemplation flies,
Without restraint: But, in all humane things,
My Vnderstanding, still, my Iudgement ties
To Reasons principles; or clips her wings.
What ever, therefore, other doe, or say;
What ever sounds, or showes, I see, or heare;
Each weightie-matter, by it selfe, I weigh,
With ev'rie circumstance, that may appeare:
And, when that all things I have throughly prov'd,
I silent am, or speak, as I am mov'd.

So did I in this Cause, before I dar'd
Resolve upon the course, that I have tooke.
And, e're I hither came, came so pepar'd.
That, nothing to affright me, can be spoke.
Though all, for whose defence, I hither come,
Should use me worse then yet my foes have done,

(As, I already have been us'd by some)
I would not leave the path I have begun;
But, meerly for the justnesse of the Cause,
And conscience sake, perform my best endeavour
To vindicate Religion, and the Lawes:
And, in this duty to my death persever;
That, I may live to see our Freedome sav'd:
Or, bravely die, before I am inflav'd.

For, though some, wilfully; and, weakly, some
Object unto us, that in Primitive,
And purer ages, Christians did not come
With Fire and Sword, the Law of Faith to give:
Nor seek by force of armes, to make defence
Against those Tyrants, in whose lands they taught;
(Much lesse, came arm'd, against their native Prince)
To settle that Religion which they brought.
This argument of their is but a cheat,
To cozen Innocencie, with a show
That's empty: For, the difference is great
Betwixt their Cause, and that, we mannage now.
VVhich I should make more plainly to appeare,
But, that too tedious, for this place, it were.

They had no Party, to defend their cause;
They came to preach, where Freedomes they had none;
The Sword was not allowed by their Lawes;
And, greatest good, by suffring, might be done.
To Ruffia, or to Turkie, should I goe
Our Faith to publish there; the likeliest way
To settle it, would then be sufferance, too:
And, meekly, on the block, my head to lay.
Must therefore, we permit the Whore of Rome,
To send her Bastards, and her Fornicators?
(Whom Law forbids within our coasts to come)
To teach her Baudrie to our sons and daughters?
And, make the Kings, and Princes, of these Nations,
Drunk with the Feees of her Fornications?

Because, the Martyrs suffred by that State,
Whose settled way of Worship, they gainsaid?
Must, downe to those, who come to innovate
Our settled Truth; this Kingdomes neck be laid?
Shall we be able an account to render,
For our neglect; now we in danger see
(Of Romish-Slaverie) our Faiths-Defender,
If we endeavour not to set him free?
Shall we sit still, and whine, when Law, and Reason
Cries out All-arme? untill we be, indeed,
Traitors; by fearing Loyaltie is Treason?
And bring both Plagues and Curses on our Seed?
Doe as you please, my way to me is knowne;
And, I will walk it, though I walke alone.

For, that without a partiall inclination
(To either side) the right I might disclose,
It was, and is my full determination,
To set aside respect of friends or foes.
And, let me be, by both of them abhorr'd,
If I now utter, or have uttred ought,
For private ends; or, what shall not accord,
In ev'ry sentence, with a loyall thought.
To keep me from Delusion, I have pray'd;
I have look'd up, above me, to discover
What notions, may be downe to me convayd;
Of those things which above our heads, doe hover.
And, downe below me, I have cast mine eyes,
To mark what fogs may up from hell arise.

About me I have look'd, on either side,
On disagreeing, and agreeing actions:
The manners, and the speeches I have tride,
Of most Professions, all Degrees, and Factions.
And, from them all, have made for my directions,
(And for my informations in this Cause)
A chaine of Observations, and Collections;
From whence, my Iudgement, her conclusions drawes.

Behind me, I have look'd, to take a view,
Of what was done, or suffred, heretofore:
What did on this, what did on that, ensue:
What makes a Curse, or Blessing, lesse, or more.
And, I have look'd before me too; and see
Events of things, that shall hereafter be.

I have consider'd what I had foreseene
In that great Plague, which this Kings Raigne began:
What I foretold him; what fulfill'd hath beene;
What courses He and His, since that time ran.
I have considerd, why I did prefer
That hearty-prayer, for Him, which yet stands,
As registred, in my Remembrancer;
And hath beene published through all his Lands.
I have considerd well, what kinde of men
Were then his Counsellors; and, who are now:
What Parliaments and Promises, were then
Made void: and what effects from thence did flow.
How fast, injurious Projects were encreast;
How cruelly, the people were opprest.

I have well weigh'd, what persons were preferd
In Church and Commonwealth; and, with what sleight
Acceptance (if not with a disregard)
All honest services they did requite.
Their Proclamations, did from yeare to yeare,
Proclaime to me, much more then they intended
I should have knowne. And, though I silent were,
I could have told, in what they should have ended.
The Life, and suddaine Death of Buckingham,
The Voyages of Rochel, and of Ree,
And other things, whereto I privie am,
Were true Prognostications unto me;
And, to my understanding more foretold,
Then all the Constellations did unfold.

And, though I live among the Country Clownes,
(As one who scarcely knew, or heeded ought)

The Spanish-Fleet that perish'd on the Downes,
I heard of; and, to minde it somewhat brought.
Sometimes, I have intelligence from Rome;
And, know what in the Conclave hath beene done.
I have observed other men, to come
On businesse thence, as well as Senior Con.
I know Archbishop Laud; and he knows me,
The worse for him, by many hundred pounds;
For which, I recompenced looke to be,
When he, againe, at Lambeth walks his Rounds.
And, I, from these, though they suppose not so,
Some Reasons drew, for that, which now I doe.

I heard, of what, within their Cabinet,
The Machiavilian-Counsellers debate;
And, information, other while, did get,
Of ill-presaging secresies of State.
The German-horse, that should have trotted hither;
Prodigious Straffords projects, deeds, and triall,
With other Characters, speld all together,
Have showne me Truths, that can have no deniall.
And, when my heart had rightly pondred these,
Weigh'd, what they are, with whom we have to doe;
Their words, their hopes, their lives, their practices,
What things they seek, whom they belong unto,
With such like notes, as these; me thinks, they be
All blinde men, who perceive not what I see.

And, when I had with these considerations,
Consider'd too, for what a worthlesse Crew,
The suits and cries of two most loyall Nations,
Have wanted those effects which are their due:
That He, who for the Sheep, his life should give,
Can give them to the Wolves, and see them slaine:
That He, who should our grievances releeve,
Can adde unto our torment, and our paine:
That He, because we feare his Dogs will bite,
(And, for that reason, pray they may be ty'd)

Can therefore, let them loose, and take delight
To see them kill, whom they have terrifide:
These things considered, me thinks, we wrong
The Humane-nature, to be tame so long.

When I perceived our deare Countries Father,
So peremptorily affect his will,
That, he would hazard three brave Kingdomes, rather,
Then his unlawfull pleasure, not fulfill;
And, when I saw the Devils, who inspire
This wilfulnesse into him, ceaze the goods
Of his best subjects; their faire houses fire;
Deflowre their Virgins; shed their Old-mens bloods;
Betray their nearest Kinsmen, slay their Brothers;
Deprive the blamelesse Infants of their lives;
Enslave their Fathers, kill their frighted Mothers:
Abuse their Daughters, and defile their Wives:
It griev'd me, that this Iland should afford
One man, who for this Quarrell drew no sword.

But, since I have consider'd, that, from Rome
These Plagues, these mischiefes, these unhappy warres,
And all, our present miseries, did come,
With our unequall'd Irish-Massacres:
And, that (beside the many thousands here)
Well nigh two hundred thousand Protestants
Were slaine, and rooted thence, within one yeare,
By those, to whom the King high favours grants:
And, since tis (not improbably) beleev'd,
They called are to be our Butchers too:
(If we permit our selves to be deceiv'd,
Till they can compasse what they meane to doe)
Me thinks, we have not beene so tame, as mad,
To have so slow a hand, as we have had.

And, lastly, since I weigh'd, that, not alone
A plot is laid three Kingdomes to undoe,
But also, in their spoile, to have undone,
All other true Reformed-Churches too:

That, Gods own glorie, and the servitude
Of Christian soules, is in this Cause concern'd;
From thence (whatever other will conclude)
I, these Conclusions, with good Warrant, learn'd:
That, those whom in this Warfare we resist,
Are, neither worse, nor better, but, those Bands,
And those Confederates of Antichrist,
Which are to be his Champions, in these Lands.
And, that whoever fighteth on their side,
When this is known, hath God, & Christ deni'd.

I see, as plainly as I see the Sun,
He draweth neare, that, on the

Rev. 19. 11.

white horse rides.
The long-expected Battell is begun:
The Beast, to muster up his Kings, provides:
With him, will all his Edomites conspire;
The seed of Hagar, and the sonnes of Lot:
Philistia, Gebal, Moab, Ammon, Tyre,
And, all that with his Mark themselves bespot.
Those brave white-Regiments, me thinks, I see,
That, on the Lord of Lords, & King of Kings,
Attending in triumphant habits be;
And, which, with him, against our foes he brings.
Me thinks, I hear his

Rev. 19. 17.

Angel call the Crowes,
To eat the Kings, and Captains of our foes.

If this be so; as, with a heart unfain'd
I do believe it is: how brave a lot
Have we? that were, before all worlds, ordain'd,
To be, for souldiers, to the Lamb, begot?
With what high courage should we march along
Against this Foe? That, being Conquerours,
We may, with Angels, sing a Triumph-Song,
And, crowned sit, among Celestiall Powers?
Why should we be afraid to speak, or write,
What may, from his curst Army, fetch our King?
Why should we feare, to perish in that Fight,
Which will through Death, to Life immortall bring?

Or, why should any, now, this work delay?
Or, doubt the truth of that which here I fay?

I beg no grace from King, or Parliament,
If an Impostor I shall prove to be:
Or, if men find not by the Consequent,
That, GOD hath spoken to this Land, by me:
And, that the maine of all my Musings were
Inspir'd by Him; though, often, he permit
My foolishnesse, among them, to appeare,
That, nothing be ascribed to my Wit.
Excuse I crave not, but a just correction,
Or, Approbation, as my words may merit.
If an ill-spirit hath been my direction,
What thereunto pertains, let me inherit.
And, if the truth be spoken, do not grieve me,
VVithout a cause; but, hearken, and believe me.

Suppose not (my deare Countrimen) that here
I have been over-bold, although you see
A bitternesse doth in my lines appear:
For, in this Cause, great things concerned be:
It doth concern our children, and our wives.
The publike safetie, and the publike good;
The honour of our Nation, and our lives,
The just avengement of our brethrens blood:
The freedome of our persons, and estates;
The honour, and the safetie of our King:
Our present being, and our future fates,
And, almost, ev'ry other precious thing:
Yea, it concerns our souls: and, more then so,
It highly doth concern GODS glory too.

Now then, for conscience, or, for shame, begin
To call to minde the duties that ye owe:
Let what appears without, be found within;
That, by your actions, we your hearts may know.
For your own sakes (if not for GODS, and our)
Be zealous in the cause you undertake:

Lest you, ere long, have neither means, nor pow'r,
Your peace with GOD, or Them, or Vs, to make.
For, both to GOD, and man, above all creatures,
The most abhorred, are those hypocrites,
Who can comply with disagreeing natures,
Yet, false to all, but to their appetttes.
Take, therefore, counsell from a souldiers Pen:
And (while you may) be warn'd, be wise, be men.

Asham'd (if not a little mad) I am,
To see so many, in this cause, so cold,
So false, so faint, so cowardly and tame,
That can, in other causes, be so bold.
And (not without affliction) this, I say:
Should this good cause miscarrie, all our foes
Are not more guilty of it, then are they,
Who give it, unperceiv'd, and secret blowes.
None do it so much dammage; none so wrong us.
As they, who seem to be our faithfull friends;
They, who at meat, and counsell, sit among us;
And, serve the publike; for their private ends.
Our Scœne of bloud, ere this, had els been done:
And, peradventure, never been began.

In ev'ry Village, Town and Corporation,
Let all, that are true Protestants profest,
Let ev'ry Canton, Province, Tribe, and Nation,
Which doth against the Romish-Whore protest,
A timely League, with one another make;
Vnite themselves by firme Associations;
And, by a sacred Covenant, courses take
Both for their joynt, and sev'rall preservations.
And, to be sure, they make a firm defence
Against their foes fierce furie, and despight;
Let them be cloth'd, with Love, and Innocence,
Arm'd, with that armour, wherewith Christians fight;
And, be prepared, alwayes, to resist
The Body, and the Limbs, of Antichrist.

Feare not the furie of your present Foes,
For, by their mixture, you discover may
They are but part of that great STATVES toes,
Whose Feet were made of Iron, and of Clay.
If they receive but one good knock, or twaine,
The Clay, and Iron, will divided be:
The Protestant will be himselfe againe:
For, Light and Darknesse never can agree.
Though horn'd, but like the LAMB, they yet appear,
(Pretending to be arm'd for innocence)
Their Voices do discover what they are;
And, that the DRAGONS Creature is their Prince.
Oh therefore, as you love your preservation,
Give eare, ye Britans, to this Proclamation:

Charles by the grace of God, the Sov'raigne King,
Of England, Scotland, Ireland, and of France,
Intending in his heart no other thing,
But, how his Regall powre he might advance,
In that pursuit, a little straying from
His faithfull Parliament, through ill advice,
Was by an ambuscado, sent from ROME,
Surprized lately, in a traiterous wise:
And (whereof all good subjects should have sense)
Imprison'd lyes: where both his eies and eares,
So poysned are, by false intelligence,
That, nothing he, now, truly sees, or heares.
As by those Actions, which his name doe beare,
It may, now, too apparently appeare.

Moreover, they have in despight of Law,
Advanc'd a Popish Armie, by some showes
Of what they purpose not; and, daily draw
The Protestants, each other to oppose.
And, have so fairly cov'red their intention,
That, what they could not, by themselves, have wrought,
We may assist them in, till past prevention
Their Plot, and our destruction shall be brought.

Come therefore, Oh all ye! that are profest
The sonnes of Reformation! Come away,
From giving your assistance to the Beast;
Lest, in his Judgement, you be swept away.
On paine of ruine, Come, and helpe to bring
Our Sov'raigne home: And so, God save the King.

Let him, that would a Christian man appeare,
His drowzie soule awake, and rouze his Faith.
Let him, that hath an eare to heare, give eare
To that, which through my Trunk, the Spirit saith:
And, cursed let him be, till he repent
(His wilfulnesse) that, when he heares this Muse,
And feeles his heart, inclining to assent,
(To what is true) her counsell shall refuse.
Accursed let him be, on like condition,
That through a Selfe-conceit, or thorow Pride,
Shall blast these usefull Musings, with suspition
Of ill intents; or, my just hopes deride:
Or, by his envie, malice, or neglect.
Deprive them, of their purposed effect.

Accursed let those Townes, and Cities be,
Which willing entertainment did afford
To our Pursuers; and, were glad to see
Their Armies with them, both at Bed, and Boord.
The curse of Meroz, and those execrations,
Which to her base Inhabitants befell,
Alight on their Malignant-habitations;
And, that of Succoth, and of Penuel:
Till they with shame and sorrow, shall repent
Their falshood to themselves, and to their friends:
Their falshood to the King and Parliament:
And, help to bring those Traitors to their ends.
And let all Places, which have done their best
Against those Rebels; be, for ever, blest.

And (if my Sentence, which is here recorded
May passe for good) let ev'ry one of those

That hath for any services, beene Lorded,
Wherein, their God, or Country they oppose,
Weare his false Badge of Honour, ev'rie where,
With infamie, with beggerie, and scorne;
With terrible vexations, and with feare,
Till his unworthie Name away be worne:
Or, till, by some apparent penitence,
By God, a pardon shall to him be given:
And, then, let all his folly, and offence,
Remitted be on earth, as 'tis in heaven.
And, so let all the rest, by my consent,
Like mercy finde, as soone as they repent.

For, we are all transgressors: he that's best
Is bad, and but a Brier, or a Thorne.
He, that among us hath trangressed least,
Deserves more plagues, then he that's worst hath borne.
He, that hath much offended, hath, perchance,
Not out of wilfulnesse, offensive bin:
But, through temptation, or through ignorance;
For which, true penitence may mercie win.
Yea, some, perhaps, who most of all offend,
Were left to their corruptions, for our crimes:
And, when we shall our wicked lives amend,
They shall repent, and we have better times.
Yet, still, most blessed be those men, and places,
Who from this Battell, have not turn'd their faces.

For ever blessed, and renown'd, for ever,
Let Glo'ster be; that, being far from aid,
Did in her firmnesse, gloriously persever,
When round her Wals, the King his armie laid.
For ever, let the towne of Manchester
Be blest and famous; that, with slender Guard,
Without a neighboring-second (and well neare
Without all helpes) her dangers all outdar'd:
And, by God's aid, alone, did trample downe
The powre, and pride of Darbies armed son:

Yea, where the Popish-Faction, strongst was growne,
Prevail'd, in spight of all that spight had done:
And, hopefull bides, that He, who did befriend
Her paines, thus far, will blesse it to the end.

And, far above them all, renown'd, and blessed
Let London be, who for the preservation
Of three great Kingdomes, wofully distressed,
Hath acted things begetting admiration.
For ever, let her Bountie, and her Zeale,
Her Constancie, her Counsels, and her Pray'rs,
Her Valour also for the Commonweale,
When we were almost sunk into despaires:
Let all these, be remembred, to her glory:
And, let her high deservings by the same,
Be so recorded in some well writ Story,
That, all great Cities may envy her fame,
And, so to honour her, let us agree,
That, all her praises, to God's praise, may be.

Let all those Worthies also, that have done,
Or, suffred bravely, for the Common-good,
In this great Cause (untill Times round is run)
Be blest and honour'd, in their Names, and Blood.
Let valiant Essex, Warwicke, Manchester,
Stout Fairfax, Waller, Roberts, Brooke, and Gray,
(Who forward for the publike safety were)
Be crowned with a never-dying Bay.
So crown'd be Skippon, Mericke, Stapleton,
With Hampden, Massy, Bruerton, and Gel:
The English and the Scottish Middleton,
My noble, and my valiant Colonel.
And, let nor malice, time, nor death, be able,
To make them lesse then good, and honourable.

Remembred be, with an heroick fame,
Balfore, and Ramsey, Cromwel, and D'Albere,
The Meldroms, and he chiefly of that Name,
Whose worth did in relieving Hul appeare.

Let mention'd be with honourable-men,
Much daring Luke, and Hazelrig the bold:
Aldridge, Browne, Barcley, Holborne, Harvie, Ven,
Brooke, Norton, Springer, Morly, More, and Gold.
To all of these, whose worth shall reall be,
Let reall honours be: and, be it so,
To all of good desert, unknowne to me;
Of whom there are, I hope, some thousands moe,
Whose memorie, shall never be forgot:
Though, here, to name them, I remember not.

Let them, that shall hereafter counted be
Most honourable persons, never more
Be they, who shew the longest Pedigree,
From Kings, and Conquerors, as heretofore:
But, such as are most worthy: and, next them,
Their Off-spring, who were Patrons for this Cause.
And let them share more honour and esteem,
Then he that his descent, from Princes drawes.
For, if it may enoble, to be borne
Of those, who out of avarice, or pride,
From others, wrongfully, their lands have torne:
How much more, ought they to be dignifide,
That, from the loines of parents, are descended,
Whose Swords, their Country, King, and Faith defended?

And, to make full my blessing: three times blessed,
Be ev'ry Member of the Parliament,
Which hath not been unwillingly oppressed,
With burthens, our undoing to prevent.
Blest, be their constancy, and blest their paines,
With safety, credit, and with consolations,
And, with all blessednesse which appertaines,
To make them happy, through all Generations.
And, blessed be the King, with such a heart,
And, such a resolution, to retire
To us in love: that he may have a part
In all that blisse, which we our selves desire.

And, that from these our troubles, I may raise
A Trophie, to his honour, and GODS praise.

Before, my tongue had finish'd this defence,
To warrant my ingagement: that Delusion
Which had so hotly charg'd me, sneaked thence,
And, staid not, to give eare to my conclusion.
Her forces vanished, (and she with them)
Consisting, chiefly, of their Sophistries
Who had been prest out of that Academ,
In which, the Magazine of mischief lies.
It was, first, founded for a Court of Knowledge,
(A schoole of duties, morall and divine)
And, to that end, had many a goodly Colledge,
To nurse up youth, by prudent Discipline:
But, 'twas, of late, a nest of Birds unclean;
And, is now made the Wolves, and Lions den.

My foes departed, I began to sleight
Their Trenches, and the Forts which they had rear'd:
Those Engines, likewise, I demolish'd quite,
That make young souldiers of their force afeard:
And, was at leisure, then, my selfe to please,
With other thoughts; and, thither to retreat,
Where I might be refresht, and take mine ease,
With such provisions, as my men could get.
My Quarter was the Field: my Tent and Bed,
A well-made Barley-cocke: the Canopie
And Curtains, which, to cover me, were spread,
No meaner then the starre-bespangled skie.
GOD set the Watch; the Guard, he also kept,
And, without harm, or feare, I safely slept.

Next morne, before the dawning of the day,
My heart awoke; and, warm'd with GODS protection,
(And with his love) did praise him, and assay
To meet him, with reciprocall affection.
My purpose he accepted, and descended
To impe the wings that mount my contemplation.

And, kindly, raised, strengthned, and befriended
My soule, by sweet, and usefull meditation:
With musings on things present, on things past,
And things to come, he exercis'd my thought.
Some, of his mercies, gave my soule a taste;
Of sin, and judgement, some, the relish brought.
By some, I did my private duties learne:
And, some, the Publike-safetie did concerne.

One Ray, forth-darting from his pow'r-divine,
(Whose way of working cannot well be told)
Infus'd into my heart, a high Designe,
Which, with good liking, now, I might unfold.
But hark! the Trumpet calls me to the field:
My horses, are already at the doore.
Place to the Sword, my Pen, againe, must yeeld:
At better leasure, I may tell you more.
To what, I further purpose to declare,
This, for an Introduction, is prepar'd:
And, if I finde, you so well temper'd are,
That, more (with hope of profit) may be heard;
I'le tell you Newes, which, yet, is but a Dreame,
And, Vox Pacifica, shall be my Theame.

A Voice, not of a Vaine Pacification,
Form'd out of Ecchoes, or uncertaine sounds:
But, of a Peace, of whose blest confirmation,
There shall be likely Hopes, and reall Grounds.
A Voice, in somewhat, imitating his,
Who (to prepare the great Messiah's way)
Became a Crier in the Wildernesse;
And, to beget Repentance, will assay.
A Voice, that shall prepare the way of Peace.
A Peace, that shall with Righteousnesse, embrace.
And, by their sweet embracements, more encrease
The Peace of Conscience, and the Peace of Grace.
A Peace, which, if my hopes effect I can,
Shall reconcile us, both to God, and Man.

A Peace, not closing up a festring sore,
To ease, but for a while the present smart:
And, making afterward the torments more,
By spreading mortall Gangrenes, to the heart.
A Peace, that by a true-love-knot, shall knit
Three Nations, with such nearnesse, into One;
That, nothing shall have pow'r to loosen it,
But, wilfull sin, impenitently done.
A Peace, which to the People, and the King,
Shall (if not hindred by some Crying-sin)
Truth, honour, wealth, powre, rest, and safety bring:
And, keep us everlastingly therein.
This Peace I seek; this Peace, that God may send,
My soule doth pray; and, so, these Musings end.

Sic dixit, qui sic cogitavit:
Et, prædicando quod putavit,
Haud multum peccat, si peccavit.

All the Glorie be to GOD.

What Peace to the wicked?

OR, An Expostulatorie Answer TO A Derisorie Question, Lately made CONCERNING PEACE.

BY A Free-man, though a Prisoner.

[_]

The Author spares his Name; not, that he dares not
To let you know it; but, because he cares not.

One, who hath, seldome, in his daies,
From Fools, or Knaves, had love or praise;
And, who, throughout this Isle, is knowne,
With cheerfulnesse, to have bestowne,
His Wit, Paines, Person and Estate,
The Publike-Rights to vindicate,
A long imprisonment hath had,
For calling of a Spade, a Spade;
Which (if a Court-Card) might have been
Next to the King, except the Queen.

As He, in his confinement lay,
Some asked him, the other day,
When he suppos'd this Warre should end,
Or what successes would attend
Our hopes of Peace: which Question, tho
From Levity it seem'd to flow,
Or, scoffingly, to be exprest,
Receiv'd this Answer, not in jest.

Why ask ye when this Warre will cease?
Or, when this Kingdome shall have Peace?
As if you thought, I could fore-shew
What things hereafter would ensue:
Or, as if when the Truth were told,
You value, or believe it could;
Who, nor esteem, nor use have made
Of those Fore-warnings you have had?

They that will know what shall succeed,
Must of Things-past take serious heed;
And, gleane Instructions, whilst they may,
From Actions of the present-Day:
For, past, and present Time declares,
What, for the Future, God prepares;
And, till these quicken their fore-sights,
Men sit in darknesse, till he smites.

If to this Question, you would know
An Answer, which the Truth shall show,
And, not (with Ahab-like-Desires)
Wish all your Prophets would be liers;
Then, ask your Consciences, and they
Will tell, what things expect you may:
For, let my Troubles never cease,
If ever some have other Peace
Then what their Consciences fore-see,
Though King and Parliament agree.

But, lest the Conscience may be sear'd;
Or, lest Delusions have appear'd,
Which promise Peace, when she is fled,
(And Vengeance hangeth over-head)
Ask your own Feares, and humane-Reason,
What they conjecture of the season:
Ask them, what signe it is of Peace,
When wickednesse doth more increase;
What may be hop'd for of that Nation,
That sleights her dayes of Visitation;
That mendeth not for words, nor blowes;
That, in reforming, worser growes;
That suffers them who serve Her best,
To be most wronged, and opprest;
And, on her Face, all tokens hath
Of desolation, and of wrath.

When this is well inquired out,
If still you shall remaine in doubt,
What we may seem fore-doom'd unto;
Let me perswade you thus to do.
Get information, when the King
Intends a Palinode to sing;
When he will their ill-counsells leave,
Who are deceived, and deceive:
What setled peace we can devise,
Whilst Irelands-blood for vengeance cries:
Whilst they, who sought to have begot
A Schisme betwixt Us, and the Scot,
Have Trust, or Power: or, els, whilst they
Escape unblam'd, who scandals lay
Upon that Army, by whose hand
God, hath from Thrall, redeem'd this Land;

Both to the grief, and shame, of them,
VVho, their beginnings did contemne.
Or, whilst the person of the Prince,
(VVhich traiterously was sent from hence)
Is kept in France, to have some fine
New-foolish-mischievous Designe
Rais'd thereupon; for, who can tell,
But, that, he there so long may dwell,
As, his due birth-right to recover,
And, bring his Peasant-Subjects over,
To help perswade with us, that we
VVould, here, be slaves, as, there, they be.
Now, if this be the plot, I feare,
It will be long, ere Peace be here.

VVhat Peace can we expect, whilst they
Who spoiled us, not onely may
Finde mercy, (which we could allow)
But, so imperious, also grow,
As, to reproach us to our Faces,
Ev'n in our priviledged-Places?
Who, once, thought better fruits would come
By that which we have parted from:
But mark the end; and judge what Peace
VVill follow, when your friends decrease;
VVhen more Malignants are return'd;
VVhen they who love the State, are scorn'd;
And some, who serv'd it, heretofore,
Are growne as mad, as they are poore.

If, yet, you cannot well discerne,
VVhen Peace will back again returne,
Get knowledge, with all speed ye may,
VVhat game Malignants have to play;
How farre they have, as yet, to run
In that wild Course, too soone begun;
VVhen they are like to call to minde
VVhat lies before them, and behinde;
VVhat future-plot it may advance,
To let so many passe to France,
On their bare words, who carelesse are
Of what they either say, or sweare:
VVhat can be hoped-for, of those
VVho are, irrationally, Foes:
VVith safety, what we can propound,
VVhere, little, save deceit, is found:
Or, what good Harvest can be mowne,
VVhere, onely, mischiefe hath been sowne:
And, when these things are truly weigh'd,
You'l thinke as much as may be said.

If not; then, next, inquire, how long
Divisions will be rais'd among
The Lords and Commons; and, when we
Shall finde both Houses so agree,
That, to the publike detriment,
Nor House, nor Member shall dissent,
Or be united; but, insist
Upon the common-interest;
And, Priviledge, nor Custome, straine,
An Innovation to maintaine,
VVherby they may invade each other,
Or, separate from one another:
For, you have heard what lot betides
A House, or Kingdom, that divides;
And know, what's likely to succeed,
Till our Peace-makers are agreed.

If, wast, Jerusalem was made,
VVho, therein, but three factions, had;
This Island, how may we deplore,
VVherein are three times three, and more!

Some, with the Parliament partake;
Some, for the King a party make,
As he is King: And, some, that, He
A Tyrant might become to be:
Some, would a Popular-estate;
Some, Aristocracie create:
Some, are a faction, for the Pope;
Some, to maintain the Prelates hope;
Some, for the Presbyterians vote;
Some, Independency promote,
Some, strive for this, and some for that,
Some, neither know, nor care for what,
So Wars go on, and get they may
Free-quarter, Plunder, and their Pay.
Some, fight their Liberties to save;
Some, that they others might inslave;
Some, for Religion, and for CHRIST;
Some, that, they may do what they list;
Some, for the Common-wealths availe;
Some, for themselves, with tooth, and naile;

And, they that have the basest end,
As fairly, as the best, pretend;
Not caring, whether their desire
Obtained be, by sword, or fire;
By truth or lies, with love or hate;
By treachery, or faire debate.

This is our posture; and, whilst we
So foolish, false, and factious be,
Or whilst affaires continue thus)
Who knowes what will become of us?
Or, when the man, who these lines pen'd,
Shall find good usage, or a friend?

Ask those who now of peace do dream,
Who, shall procure the same, for them,
If many are become their foes,
Whom they to be their Champions chose:
If these our substance have bestown,
To make new fortunes, of their own;
If they the publike wrongs encrease,
To gain themselves a private peace;
If yet, the people doubtings have,
What to refuse, or what to crave;
If they unsetled, yet, abide,
And constant unto neither side;
If, scarcely, they resolved are,
Whether, they would have peace, or warre;
Or, whether re-admit they shall
Charles to be King, or none at all;
For, doubtlesse, if these matters go
As honest men much fear they do,
A wise man needs not break his brain
To search what peace we shall obtain;
Since, whilst thus blind, and mad we be,
What will ensue, a foole may see.

Ask of our Lords, that, were the skreen
Which, anciently, did stand between
The King, and Commons, what th'intaile
Of titles, without power, availe
To such an use; And, how the shade
Of what their Predecessors had
Shall find sufficiencie to do,
What, oft, the substance reach'd not to:
And, having weigh'd what they are now;
What they have been; what they may grow,
And, what we feare, till fixt they are,
As honourably, in their spheare,
As heretofore: Or, till the State
Shall all her spheares anew create,
And place them so, that, neither Orb
Each others motion shall disturb;
Think, what we justly may expect
Those clashings will, at last effect,
Which now obstructive are; and may
Destructive prove, another day;
If some new mischief should begin
Without our circle, or within,
Before the feinds appeas'd are grown,
Which, we have almost conjur'd down:
For, by consid'ring things like these,
You may conjecture, if you please,
(Without a new Prognostication)
What will befall this Generation.

Yet, least presumptions may arise
(To foole you with false hopes and lies)
Observe the Commons, if, of them,
None serve two Masters at a time:
Nay, search if none among them be
Who, servants are, this day, to three,
And false to all: Observe, of those
Whom we for publike-service chose,
How many fail'd the Common-trust;
How vile some are, and how unjust:
How perilous, and hard a taske
It is, those Members to unmaske
That, in affection, are unsound;
How much more hard when they are found
To cut them off: what mean effect
The faithfull party must expect
Concerning peace, while such as they
The cunning Ambodexters play;
And what small hope there is of rest,
While we have Cancers in our breast.

Ask them, who sit to take Accounts,
To what their two years paine amounts;
Or, what the Common-wealth it betters,
When they have found who are her debters;
If, when their guiltinesse is known,
And published throughout the town,

A cheating-Sharke may raile at them
Who justly have convicted him;
Yea, be employed as before,
Where he may cheat the State of more;
And be as confident, as tho
He merited by doing so.
Aske, if they have not power to call
Aswell the great ones, as the small,
To give accompt; Those, whom we heare
Cum Privilegio (as it were)
Have plunder'd, at an easie rate,
Coyne, Jewells, Houshold-stuffe and Plate;
And if you find they have not leave
To question all men who deceive
The Publike-Trust, know, we are yet,
For Peace with Righteousnesse, unfit.

Then search, if you have eyes to see
Paths, that so blind, so crooked be,
What courses those Committees take
Which, every where, such rumblings make.
Marke seriously, if they appeare
Such, as the people say they are;
So false, so proud, so insolent,
So carelesse whom they discontent;
So scandalous unto the State,
In prosecuting private hate;
So bold, from Equity to varie,
By courses meerly Arbitrarie;
And if you finde them to be such,
You need not then to question much
What will befall this harrowed Land,
VVhile these Authorized shall stand.

Then, mark what favours now some have
Who sought these Kingdomes to inslave;
How well-befriended, some appeare,
Who Neuters were, and worse now are;
How, some exposed be to scorne
Who, of this warre, the heat have borne;
What scandalls are of them devis'd;
How their deserts are under-priz'd:
And, having heedfully survey'd
How good, with evill, is repay'd;
Mind well the Doctrine, and the use,
And think, what these things may produce.

Enquire, moreover, how you find
To workes of mercy, men inclin'd;
How, their poor wives and children fare,
Who for their Countrey slaughter'd are;
How, honest causes are preferr'd;
How speedily your suits are heard;
How Offices conferred be;
And if some have not two, or three,
Who for the publike, neither spent,
Nor gave, nor hazzarded, nor lent,
Ought worth regard, whilst they have none,
Who in your service, were undone.

Observe, how equally men share
Those Pensions which allowed are:
How little Best-deservers get;
How many of them, nere a whit;
How conscionably, and, how well,
Rewards, and Punishments, we deal,
Which are the Pillars, whereon stand
The Peace, and Honour of the Land.
Observe, if when we spend a day
In praises, or to fast, and pray,
If preaching tend not more to strife.
Then to sound-Doctrine, or good-life;
If more we seeke not to fulfill
Our sev'rall humours, and our will,
Then to performe a Thank-oblation,
Or, duties of Humiliation;
Or, if the worship we professe,
Be not an out-side holinesse,
No deeper rooted then the tongue;
Forc'd fruit, that fades as soon as sprung:
For, as it proveth, when you see
These things to tryall brought shall be,
You may without much failing, ghesse,
What likelihoods we have of Peace.

Then, if you be not some of those
Who slight what other men propose,
How probable soere it seem,
(Unlesse it may advantage them,
Or propagate the private ends,
Of their Confederates, and Friends)
An eare, and eye, pray somtime have ye
Upon our Armies, and the Navie:

An eye, securely to behold,
An eare to heare what hath been told,
Of some, who much intrusted were
With Armes, and with provisions there;
Or, had Commissions to array,
To furnish, fortifie, or pay
Ships, Forts, or men: And, those in chief,
Employ'd for Irelands first relief,
And our first Armies; Ev'n, when all
Did lye at stake, and seem to call
For faithfull, stout, and honest men:
Observe, how they discharged, then,
The trust repos'd; how, some were made
Commanders; pay, and titles had;
But scarce a man: how, others, now,
Have us'd the Commonwealth, and you:
And, if in any, you shall find
Deceit, in this accursed kind,
Forgive them not; yea, when at last
Acts of Oblivion shall be past
For open foes; no grace provide
For men untrue to their owne side,
Least, as our Peace they have defer'd,
They marre it, likewise, afterward:
But, as occasions offered be,
Find them, although you mind not me:
For, where, in favour, such are found
Then peace is made, 'twill not be sound.

Enquire, (if you can tell of whom
To make enquirie) what's become
Of all the publike Protestations,
Engag'd for private Reputations;
What, of that Vow, which did expresse
A mutuall-aid, in all distresse;
What of the selfe-denying Vote,
Which godly hopes in us begot;
What of those Orders, whereupon
Some trusted, till they were undone;
What of the publike-Faith, in which
We thought our selves exceeding rich,
Though all were lost, so that remain'd
Unviolated, and unstain'd:
Enquire (I say) throughout the Land,
In what condition these now stand;
For, when of these you have obtain'd
That certaintie, which may be gain'd,
It will, undoubtedly, appeare
What we may either hope or feare.

Inquire yet further, (least you may
Expect perhaps a Sunshine-day,
And meet a storme) in what good mind
That sort of people you shall find
Ycleep'd the Clergie: For, the Stem,
Of all our mischiefs was in Them.
Their faction, avarice, and pride,
Did, first of all, this Isle divide.
From them, at first, the Fireband came
That set this Empire in a flame;
When 'twas nigh quench'd again, they blew
Those coals, which did the fires renew,
They did the Nations re-ingage;
The peoples vexed minds inrage,
By fained showes, and false pretences,
Abusing tender consciences.
The course, by them, at first, begun
Is, to this day, continued on:
And, therefore, take this Truth from me,
For, you shall find it true to be:
That, till you see these more estrang'd
From what they were; their posture chang'd;
Yea, till they better their condition;
Confine themselves to their Commission;
Leave off to jangle, fool, and fiddle
With what they shuold not intermeddle;
And, be as pious, and as wise
As they are outwardly precise;
(And, as those few among them are,
For whose sakes God abates the war)
Nor King, nor Peers, nor Commons neither,
Nor these united altogether,
Shall able be that Peace to make
Which their contentions will not shake.

Make one inquirie more, to see,
And search, what most of these men be,
On whose endeavours you depend
To bring your troubles to an end.
Mark, how their Duties they attend
In private, how their time they spend:

VVhat company they most frequent;
VVhat matters give them best content;
VVhat conscience of their debts they make;
What wrongs they do; what bribes they take;
What by their neighbours they were thought
Til they obtained what they sought;
And, to what purpose they employ,
The power, and places, they enjoy.

Then cast an eye upon the Rabble;
And, taking view (if you be able)
Of all together, great and small,
Mark well the Tantamount of all.
Mark, if we be not like an Hoast
That's routed when the battell's lost;
And, if we deale not gifts, and blowes,
Like madmen, both to friends and foes:
Mark, how those hypocrites, that here
Promoters of the truth appeare,
VValk in their masking-suits abroad,
As if they thought, to cozen God,
As they do men. Mark too, that crew,
VVhich is prophane in open view,
How boldly, and how daringly
(Ev'n when Gods thunderbolts do fly)
They do offend; and, whether we
May not to those, compared be,
VVho, sawing are those planks asunder,
VVhereon they stand, when Hell is under.

VVhen these inquiries you have made,
To see what light may thence be had;
And when you know, as well as I,
Those hindrances, and reasons, why
That VOICE of Peace, yet goes not on,
VVhich this time twelve moneth was begun;
And, shall observe, with due regard,
VVhat hath been formerly declar'd;
I will disclose a great deal more,
Then I have told you heretofore:
But, not till then: yet, least you may
Despaire, or faint, before that day;
I will deliver, ere I go,
A comfortable word or two.

There may be PEACE, ere long, though yet
We nor know how, nor merit it:
For, GOD oft shewes great mercies, where
The greatest of all sinners are;
And if self-seekers be descri'd,
Before this Isle they more divide;
If Factions, VVrongs, and Discontent
Indanger not this Parliament;
And, if the Faithfull-Members can
But cast out from them now and than
A trouble-house: And, timely swage
The vexed peoples rising rage;
Offer, three more, such peace-oblations
As that was of th'EXAMINATIONS;
And out of Counties, Towns, and Cities,
One Hecatombe of their Committees;
And, by their prudence, worke it so,
That honest men esteem'd may grow;
That, Priest and People, down may lay
Their works of stubble, and of hay,
Their names, and terms, of SEPARATION,
And meekly seeke the preservation
Of TRUTH, in LOVE; if, in one yeare,
Peace be not firmely setled here;
My loanes, and losses, yet unpaid,
(With my Arrears, three years delay'd)
Ile forfeit wholly to the State;
And, live still, as I've done of late,
By swallowing wrongs, by empty Aire,
And, patience, kept, through faith, and prayer

Thus, to the Question made, you have
That Answer, which our Prisoner gave;
VVho, other Tales will tell, if He
Much longer, shall imprison'd be.

A Spaniel beaten, at your foot will lie:
An English-Mastive, at your face will flie.

Take this, and consider of it, till more comes.

Carmen Expostulatorium:

Or, A timely EXPOSTULATION VVith those both of The City of London, AND The present Armie, VVho have either endeavoured to ingage these Kingdoms in a Second Warre; or neglected the prevention thereof.

Intended, for averting (if it may be possible) of that generall Destruction thereby threatened; and to that purpose, hastily (upon the immergent occasion) published.

By Geo. VVither.

Suffer fools gladly, seeing ye your selves are wise. 2 Cor. 11. 19.

Though, I have spoken heretofore in vaine,
And may do now; yet, I will speak againe,
In hope, that what by Reason, nor by Rhyme,
Could be effected, may be done by Time:
And, that, although my words be lost to some,
They shall not fruitlesse, unto all, become.

Hark! how the Drums beat! how the Trumpets are
Sounding Alarums to a second-warre,
Before the first is done! and, whilst yet green
The wounds upon our bodies may be seen!
Behold, that, which was coming long ago,
Drawes now so neer, that none shall need fore-show
What next will follow; or, what will ensue
On that: For, we, without a glasse, may view
Such things in kenning, that unlesse our GOD,
To them shall please to set a period;
Or, make some such diversion, as no man
Conjecture of, by any symptome, can,
An universall Plague, on us will seize,
Instead of Remedies, for our Disease.

Why, then, shall I, in time of need, with-hold
That, which my conscience tells me, should be told?
Why should I keep those premonitions back,
Which I conceive, my friends at this time lack?
A poore-mans counsell, once, (as we heare say)
Did save a City: So, perhaps, this may.

Excuse me therefore, if (much grieved at
Your rash proceedings) I expostulate,
The sad condition, wherein, you to me,
By this renewed warre, may seem to be.

Renowned Citizens! what do you meane,
To make your dwellings, that unhappie Scœne
Whereon there shall, in probability,
Be acted, now, the bloodiest Tragedie,
That e're this Kingdome saw? Are you grown mad?
And, is there no Physitian to be had
For, this Distemp'rature? But, must it, here,
Be Cuckow-moneth, or Dog-daies all the yeare?

Have you no drugs, that may lost wits restore?
Can Patience, Herbagrace, nor Hellebore,
Nor any other Simple, or Confection,
Work out that noysome humour and infection,
(That hath besotted you) till you grow fit
For Bedlam? where, are no such mad-men yet.

Will nor Plaine-speakings, Parables, nor Charms,
Make you regard, your safety, nor your harmes?
But, that, as in despight of all that can
Be threatned, or fore-told, by GOD, or man,
You will resolved be to hurrie on,
Till you beyond all remedies are gone?
Are you distemper'd so, that nought can please,
Save, what, still more increaseth your disease?
Thinke you no Balme, or Salve, or Physick good,
But, that which mortifies, or draweth blood,
To your destruction? would you faine make void
All your late hopes? would you see all destroy'd
That, so much treasure; so much blood hath cost;
And, let it, everlastingly, be lost,
Your humour to fulfill; or, for a toy,
Which, also, you perhaps, may nev'r enjoy?
Nay, will you now for nothing? or, for worse,
Will you to purchase mischief, and a curse
To you, and to your children, re-ingage
Into a war? and, by a bruitish rage,
Expose those Freedomes to an over-throw,
For, which your fathers did their lives bestow.

To leave them unto you? And, which might be
Confirm'd for ever, if you could agree
Upon those principles of common-Reason,
Whose violation is the highest Treason?

Have you not yet discover'd who be they
Who cheat you? nor whose game it is you play,
By your divisions? And, when others find
Your falshoods for you, will you still be blind;
Or, wink, as carelesse of the things you heed,
Till, by long winking, you grow blinde indeed?

Discerne you not whose Kingdome is befriended,
Whilst, GOD and CHRIST, are formally pretended?
Nor whose designes, promoted are, the while
Some, with faire shewes of piety, beguile
Well-meaning men? And, carrie on their actions,
By working with, and in, those differing factions
Which they first raised? Marke you not, how, by,
And in, that duplifi'd-capacity,
Their Ingineers doe screw themselves into
Most secrets on both sides? how, they undo
(By meanes of that their unperceived gin)
What, hath most privately contrived been?
And, see you not, that thereby they doe bring
What, e're the City, Parliament or King,
Or any other party, doth propound,
Advise or act, to give it selfe a wound,
And further their particular designe,
Till GOD prevents it by some countermine?

Can you not yet discover (through their mist)
Those juglings, which the spawne of Antichrist
(False Priests, and lying Prophets) practise, now,
To raise themselves, and work your overthrow?
Nor, with what impudence they spread their lies,
Their bitter jeerings, and their blasphemies,
To make new breaches, or to widen those,
Which Love, and Prudence, had begun to close?
And, which ere this, quite closed might have been,
Had not they cast untemper'd dirt between?

Perceive you not, that, some of both your factions,
Do labour an increase of your distractions,

Because they seem not safe from questioning,
For falshoods, to the Parliament, or King,
Unlesse they shall endeavour to prevent
The setling of that peacefull Government
Which furthers justice? Yea, and see you not
How, they conspire; how, they contrive, and plot
To ruine all, in hope they may, by hap,
Amidst the tumults, their just doomes escape?
Or, by dispairing of a good conclusion,
Bring all things, with themselves, into confusion?

Is it a time your Quarrells to renew,
When all is hazzarded, that's deare to you?
Observe ye not, three Factions, like to them
Which were the ruine of Jerusalem,
At strife within your walls? Doe you not see,
What spighfull sparklings in their eyes there bee?
How sharply, they at one another whet
Their slanderous tongues? how grinningly they set
Their teeth against each other? And how they
With pens dipt in black poyson, doe assay
To re-ingage you; and, by cursed words,
Provoke the re-unsheathing of your swords,
That ev'ry sonne, and father, friend, and brother,
May sheath it in the heart of one another?

Are you besotted so, not to perceive
Who hath befool'd you? who, the snares doe weave,
That have intrap'd you? and who spic'd the Bowle
Which makes you drunken, stagger, reel and rowle
Into perdition? doth it not appeare,
That, to prevent the mischiefs which you feare,
You run a hazzard, to draw downe upon you
A greater, then they ever could have done you,
Whom you distrust? And, that, in hope to shun
Uncertainties, to certaine deaths you run?

Is GOD, now acting for you, and doth lurk
Within a cloud, to hide from you his work?
And, will you work against him, to destroy
That preservation, which you might enjoy,
By living to behold that saving-health,
Which he was bringing to this Common-wealth?

Have you concluded never to retire
In your Career, till all is on a fire?
And you, and yours, lie sprawling in the plashes
Of your own blood? or, in your Cities ashes?
Or, till you view this goodly spacious frame,
(The work of many Ages) in a flame?

Have you so often heard it said, from him,
(Whose true presages, no man will contemn,
But Reprobates) what miserable Fate
Attends that House, that City, and that State,
Which is divided? Have his Prophecies
So often been fulfill'd before your eyes?
And, are they, at this day, so likely, too,
To be, ere long, fulfilled upon you;
And, yet, will you a new-division run,
As if you studied how to be undone?
Or, as if you resolved on that path,
Which to avoid, ev'n GOD fore-warn'd you hath?

Have I my selfe, by GOD's permission, too,
So often told you, what you would mis-do,
What courses you would follow; what, reject?
Fore-shown you plainly, what it would effect,
If you did otherwise? Have you oft seen
Those things fulfilled, which fore-told have been,
And spoken of them? Nay, have you oft read,
And descanted on that which I have said,
And jeered my predictions? yet, will you
In ev'ry circumstance fulfill them now?
Shall I be made (as me in scorn you call)
A Prophet, as it were, in spight of all
Which I fore-shewed you, with an intent,
That you might take occasion to prevent
What was fore-told; and make my true predictions,
By penitencie, to appear but fictions?

Have you crack'd all my Almonds? And (instead
Of making them a meanes of taking heed
What course you steer'd) so acted, as if you,
From them, had tooke occasion to pursue
Forbidden paths? that, future times may know
GOD'S providence was pleased to fore-show

What would be done by men impenitent,
Though warnings doe precede their punishment?

But, let that passe, which cannot be undone;
And, to prevent, what you, as yet, may shun,
Let me upon the credit gotten from
Things past, finde means from perills yet to come,
Your City to preserve; and, let me lose
Or thrive, as I to you shall things propose
To be consider'd on, without designe,
For any private, or base end of mine;
Or to contribute strength to any Faction,
Or, weaken anie Party now in action,
But as relating to the preservation
Of this indanger'd City, State, or Nation.

Have you consider'd rightly of the cause
Which on your City, this ingagement drawes?
And rightly weigh'd it, with all circumstances
Thereto belonging; and what 'tis advances
Your quarrell to this height? or how you find
Those Leaders, by their principles inclin'd,
Whose prudence you depend on? do you know
How dim the sight of wisest men may grow
By private interest, or by respect,
To those men whom they malice, or affect,
Or to opinions? If not, have a care
How you ingage: especially if warre
Be like to follow. For, we daily see
By those discourses which divulged bee
By disagreeing parties; that, when they
Each others writings happen to survey,
At ev'rie page they seem to take offence,
And judge it void of learning, truth, or sense;
When he that is as wise, and in his waies
Unbiassed, peruseth it with praise.

Have you consider'd, seriously, how strong
Your foes may prove? how chargeable, how long
This warre may be? who, shall the cost defray?
How willingly the Citizens will pay
That ayd which you may need, when they are made
Unable by a long decay of trade?

Yea, when so many thousands want their bread,
Who were by constant labour daily fed,
And, shall consume their lives, or strength away,
By watchings, and hard dutie, night and day?

Have you well-weighed, for how long a space
Provisions may be stopped from this place?
How greatly, Famine may increase your charge?
How, want, and nastinesse, may then inlarge
The Pestilence begun? how much, the three
Dissenting Parties, which among you bee,
Your troubles may augment? Or, doe you know,
When you advanced are, to meet a foe
Without your walls, what mischiefs may begin
By meanes of some, whom you must leave within?
Especially, when poverty extreme,
Revenge, or avarice, hath tempted them,
By unexpected opportunities,
To act things for their own advantages?

Are you, in these particulars, assured,
To bee, at each extremitie, secured?
Have you conceiv'd, how truly miserable
You shall be rendred, if you prove unable
To over-come? And, though you victors be,
How little comfort thereof you may see
When you have summed up, what you shall lose?
And (by removing them) what other foes,
You may make way for, to the consumation
Of all the strength, and glorie, of this Nation?

Yet, once againe, look downe into that hell,
Wherein you are preparing now to dwell:
Can you suppose, that all, whom you intend
To arme, your Cause, and City, to befriend,
Will act as you expect? Or, think you, they
Can do, as much for you, as they can say?
Can you, by any caution, be assured,
Your goods and families will bee secured
From your owne Party? Or, your persons free
From outrage, when, among you, there shall be
A generall confusion, and their need?
And yours, shall daily new distractions breed?

Which ev'rie day, and week, will still grow greater,
Till your afflictions have advis'd you better?

Can you beleeve, that all your power and wit,
(Which make small shew of such effects, as yet)
Shall able be, by force, or, gentle waies,
To conjure downe the spirits you may raise?
Or, draw a circle, or provide a charme
So strong, that none of them shall do you harme?

Have you some works, which fain you would have done,
For your owne ends? and, thinke you, they have none?
Or, that, they who did sleight a greater power,
Will conscience make of trampling upon your?
Or (if provok'd) of treading on you, too,
When they dislike of anie thing you do?

Can you conceive, that though you armed were
Against all those whom you abroad may feare;
That, in your streets, your houses, (nay, within
Your chambers) there will not (as there hath been)
A Party be, which will assay to make
Your hopes abortive, if this course you take?
Yea, multiply your sorrowes, till th'event
Grow desperate? Or, you too late repent;
And, shall be over-whelmed with disorders,
Fears, out-cries, violences, flames, and murthers?

Do you believe, those listed Reformadoes,
Who puffe you up with vauntings and bravadoes?
(Mistake me not; I purpose no disgrace
To all (who now abiding in this place,
Are cast out of imploiment) do you think,
Those, who are most couragious in their drink?
Those, of the roaring Frenchified-Rout,
With untruss'd breeches, with shirts hanging out,
And Codpeeces beribanded about
With partie-colour'd Inkle? Or, that those
Apprentices, who late in tumults rose,
And, without check (to your perpetuall shame)
To force th'unguarded Senate, rudelie came,
(And foamed raging furie at their doore,
Like billowes beating on the patient shore)
Think you, that such as these ordain'd have been

To save you from the feares that you were in?
To be Deliverers, do you believe
These likey? or, are those, who to receive
New entertainment (and perhaps old pay)
Have onely aim'd at, such like men as may
Be so reli'd upon; as, to ingage
Your Citie now, a second warre to wage?
If so; Oh! be more cautious, be more sage.

Oh, where! where now, is all that piety,
That prudence, and that Christian charity,
Which you pretended to? where is that care
Of publike safetie which did once appeare?
Where is that conscience of the preservation
Of your owne families from desolation,
Which doth or should in ev'rie Christian dwell,
That is not far below an Infidell?

Oh! be not wilfull in the prosecution
Of an unfit and frantick resolution,
Which, doubtlesse, by the malice of the Devill
(And by his instruments) is now for evill
Instill'd into you; that, he might make void
Those hopes, which we, e're this time, had enjoi'd,
If want of faith, and love, to one another,
Indanger'd not our perishing together.

Be, therefore, well advis'd, what will ensue,
Before this cursed warre you do renew?
Be not deluded, or provok'd by those
Who care not how your Citie they expose
To hardship, and to hazzard: For, it may
Indanger all; if I know what I say.

Invite you not, from ev'rie quarter, hither
Those plagues, and those confusions, altogether,
Of which most places now have had a tast;
Lest, all the storm descend on you at last;
And you constrained be to swallow up
The verie dregs of their most bitter cup,
As you by Riddles, intimation had;
Though you of them, but small accompt have made;
And, as all use to doe, whose sins are ripe,
And, take no warnings, till they feel the stripe.

Regard not, what your flatterers pretend,
But, rather, hearken to your faithfull friend,
Who plainly doth fore-see, the sad effects,
To which your course intended, now directs.
Be, yet, perswaded, your own selves to pity;
Your friends, your little ones, your wives, your City;
And do not unadvisedly fulfill
Your foes designes; by your perverted will:

What is't to me, what course you pitch upon,
Who to the world-ward wholly am undone,
And ruined alreadie, by neglects,
Of justice, on th'one side; and by th'effects
Of war, on t'other? and, whose cheef wealth lies
In those things, which the world doth most despise?
And which (I hope) till I my life shall finish,
Nor peace nor war, nor ought els, shall diminish?
What have I got? or what can I obtaine
By seeking thus, your madnesse to restraine,
But their displeasure, who delight in war?
And, my despightfull foes, alreadie are?
The profit will be yours; And, this alone
My recompence will be, that I have done
My dutie, in perswading you unto
That, which my heart believes, you ought to do.

Contemn not, therefore, what I now advise,
Though I may seem despised, in their eyes,
Who counsell otherwise. Seek to be quiet;
And, add this short receipt unto your diet:
To qualifie your selfe-destroying-rage,
Take, Time, Rue, Patience; and as much of Sage
As may be needfull: Then, mix speedily
All these ingredients, and, them so apply
As you have oft been taught; So, GOD shall cure
Or qualifie this English-Calenture;
Which is, an Epidemicall disease,
That, on this nation, every where doth seize,
As did the Sweating Sicknesse: If we may
Confide, in what Chronologers do say.

Why will ye perish and indanger all
Your neighbours; and, three Kingdomes by your fall,

Since you may shun it, and be safe and blessed?
A refuge, to the needie, and oppressed?
What moveth you, that, to escape a feare,
You flie into a mischiefe, or a snare?
What is it makes you feare, where no feare is,
And, fearelesse of true dangers, but, ev'n this,
That, neither of GOD'S threats, you awefull grow:
Nor love your neighbour, as you ought to doe?

Some of you, have, it seems, a thirst for blood,
And, peradventure, for that reason, GOD
Will give them blood to drink. Their heart is far
From peace; and, he will come to them, in war.
The sons of Consolation have been scorned;
And, therefore, he his Messengers hath turned
To sons of thunder, who, as they desire,
Will speake to them in Sulphure and in Fire.

A Spirit of detraction, and of lying,
On paper-wings, among you hath been flying,
Till, as it seems, GOD hath, for that offence,
Expos'd you to a reprobated sense,
Believing lies; and, to an Appetite
Bewitched with a gluttonous delight
In blasphemies, and falshoods; which are vented
For every mornings breakfast, newly minted:
And, that grosse diet, hath begot in you
Those evill humours, which distemper, now,
Your Bodie-Politike; and makes your Peace
Disrelish, by a loathsome nauseousnesse.

You may, perchance, believe, by their delusions,
Who have abus'd your trust, to your confusions,
And their own shame; that, you your selves are banding,
For Christ his Kingdome: And, arm, for withstanding
Of his opposers: But, take heed, I pray,
Lest you prove, rather, to be such as they,
Who, think they do GOD service, when they spill
The blood of those, who seek to do his will.

I will, and must acknowledge, that in you
There is a zeale: But, this is also true,
That, most of you have not obtained, yet,
That knowledge, which true Zealots doth befit.

Religious, I confesse, you are; and, so,
The Jewes were too, when GOD did overthrow
Their greatest City; yea, they never seem'd
So worthily devout to be esteem'd,
(According to their Law) yet, then GOD shook
Their whole foundation, and quite from them took
That Law, and place, for which they did not spare
Their lives, nor ought, which unto them was dear.
Yea, through that means, by which they would prevent
That losse, they lost it: Ev'n when innocent,
And guiltlesse blood they spilt: And, they who run
Their course, will doubtlesse fare as they have done.

Your selves therefore delude not, with bare showes
Of sanctitie; but seriously dispose
Your minds to charity, that Christian peace
May setled be; and bruitish discord cease.
For, all your pious, and your morall works
Are nothing better, then are those of Turks,
Or Pagans, till a will renew'd doth move
To action, by a principle of love.

You preach; but, preach ye Christ, with lesse contention,
And, that shall be of strife a good prevention:
You write; but, put lesse gall into your ink;
And, let not your expressions tast, and stink
Of bitter slanders, to the provocation
Of vengeance, and of furious indignation:
For, when from us unseemingly speeches flow,
Although our cause be right, we are not so.
You fast: But, if you fast not more from strife,
Oppression, pride, and from a wicked life;
Your fastings, never will procure your peace,
But, rather, your confusions more increase.

You pray: But, pray as Phineas did; and wee
Shall better fruits of your long-prayer see.
You list your selves, the Army to resist:
But, to be reconcil'd, have better list
Then you have had: And, seek, and follow more
The likely way of peace, then heretofore.
For, you may conquer more with loving words,
Then with your pistolls, and your naked swords:
And, you shall get more profit and more praise,

Then by those Forces you intend to raise:
And, thousands, who would dying, curse your rage,
Shall live, and blesse you, in another age.

What makes you, and our Army now to bee,
So jealous of each other as, we see,
But, ev'n selfe-love and pride, which you, and they
Pursue in others? Or, because each day
You more and more, in manners grow like them,
Whose guiltinesse you raile at, and condemn?
For, most of those, who in these times pretend
To Reformation, do but seem to mend
Their neighbours faults, that, they, thereby, to make
Themselves, and Fortunes, may occasion take;
Yea, zealouslie they labour to remove
And punish Tyrants: But, it may from love,
And not from hate of Tyrannie arise,
That, they remove those men who tyrannize.
For, it is done, perhaps, that in the roome
Of Tyrants, they, like Tyrants may become;
Else 'twere not possible, that we should see
Suppressed Tyrants, ev'rie day to be
Out-vi'd by their Successors; and out-gone
By those, who blamed most, what they have done.
'Tis not, because you seek the publike good,
That you renew this War: For, letting-blood,
(Especially, now when the Dog-starre reignes)
So neare the heart, and in those master-veines,
Now likely to be op'ned, seemes, to me,
Not Physicke, but, true butcherie, to be.
'Tis not for GOD, that you do now promove
This Quarrell: For, you know, that GOD is Love;
And, when he doth ingage you in a warre,
It alwaies evidently doth appeare,
How it conduceth to the preservation
Of amity, and union, in a Nation;
And that we cannot otherwise avoid
The having of those Freedomes quite destroid,
By which we should conserve it: But, in this
Your quarrell, no such thing apparent is.

'Tis not, because one Party doth incline
Unto a differing forme of Discipline,

Which t'other side dislikes, from whence arose
This Quarrell, (though from thence it partly flowes:)
For, prudence, wheresoever love remaines,
In any measure, tempers or restraines
From all extremes; as you by those may see,
Who moderate in either Partie bee,
And firm to principles, which do preserve
The essence of our Faith: And, they observe
That your contentions, rather, do arise
From fleshly lusts, and carnall vanities,
Then from that zeale pretended; and, there's none
Will doubt it, if you wilfullie go on
In bloud-shed; and, indeavour not for grace,
To make your fury, give discretion place.

'Tis not the failings, or the imperfections
Of your opinions, but, of your affections,
Which heightens discords; and a will to please
Back-sliding Demas, and Diotrophes,
Which hath surpriz'd you. 'Tis a disregard
Of Justice, in chastisements, and reward,
And, that respect of persons, which each side
Is guilty of; if both bee not beli'd.

For, if by simptomes, I the truth may gather,
The City, and the Army too, had rather
Adventure their safe being (by deniall
Of yeelding up their minions to triall)
Then to permit, that Justice shall proceed
Impartially. Both are, it seems, agreed,
What ever their well-willers do propose,
To save their Malefactors, though they lose
Themselves, and all their Tribe, (as, for that crime,
The Benjamites once did, in former time)
And (which more aggravates) ev'n thus they do,
Though they haue seen the King, for doing so,
Set halfe beside his Throne; And, though they see
This Parliament, indangered to bee,
Ev'n for the selfe-same fault: So hard a thing,
It is, ev'n for the best of men, to bring
Their wills, and their affections, to submit
To justice, though they cannot fly from it.

But, they will still be trying to avoid
Her just injunctions, till they bee destroi'd,

And hence, hence, chieflie floweth all those factions,
Those mischiefs, discords, and all those distractions,
That are among us; And, he that assayes
To shew them the disorder of their wayes,
(And their unsafenesse) though with no intent,
But, their, and your destruction, to prevent:
Or, when he minds them of it, though he spares
Their persons; And the matter so prepares,
By couching it in generalls, that they
Who are to blame, correct their errours may,
Without disgrace; yet, they return him still,
Unkindnesses (at least) for his good will;
Deprive him, of his freedome, or estate;
Eclipse his credit, or his person hate;
Or, at the best, regard what he hath spoke,
No more then doth a Statue, or a block.

And, ten to one, when some of those doe hear
These motives unto peace; they, will go near
To question it before Authoritie,
As if I had enfeebled much thereby,
The peoples hands. The Jewes, to this effect,
In such a case, did spightfully object
Against the life of Ieremie; but, he
Who sav'd him then, will do the like for mee.

Oh! let the Citie; Let our Army too,
Consider wisely, what they have to do;
And, that, among the best, are imperfections
Which call to us, for brotherly affections
To cover them; and, helps, to cure them, rather,
Then Instruments to seek, or, Armes to gather
To spoile each other. 'Tis our Ignorances
And want of love and meeknesse which advances
Our spleenes against our brethren. We so long
Have, at each other, bitter-speakings flung,
And shot the Arrowes of reviling words;
That, they provoke us, to unsheath our swords,
And, execute; before it doth appeare
Which partie is to blame; and which is cleare:
Or, whether any cause may be perceived,

Why both (though guilty) may not be reprieved.

Their party, or their single interest
Doth, oft, so biasse men from what is best
For them to practise: And, vain policy
In outward seeming, doth appeare so nigh
To blamelesse prudence; that it drawes them on
To thinke injustice warrantably done:
Or, that, (at least) it warrants them to think,
They, at injustice, in their own, may wink:
Especially, if they conceive, it may
From anie good designe, take strength away.
And this false principle, and wrong proceed,
Made thereupon, much injurie doth breed.

This makes, the Presbyterian-Party mad,
That, anie of their side, though nev'r so bad,
Should question'd be. This, also blinds them so
From seeing what it doth invite them to,
That it hath rend'red them much willinger
To hazzard all by a renewing-war,
Then, leave them to that triall, which perchance
Would cleare them; And their innocence advance.

This maketh manie, on the other side,
As partiall, and unable to abide
That, their partakers, should with ought be charged:
Whereas, had their impeachments been inlarged
With such of their own party, who, by fame
Proclaimed are, to be no lesse to blame,
Then some accused; And, of whose offence,
They might have got as good intelligence;
It had prevented all those jealousies,
Which from their seeming partialities,
Have lately sprung; and, which will be removed,
When they, who so advised, have improved
Their counsell into practise; As e're this
It had been done; but, that, you know there is
A Remora in most things; and, that some
To all good motions, opposites become.

Had they (as I presume they mean to do)
Cast resolutely off, all leaning to
That, which their party doth denominate,
And, only sought the setling of the State,

According to the Lawes; and how to bring
An Union 'twixt the people and the King,
By bringing all, indifferently to bide
Th'impartiall Test, by which they should be tri'd;
It had, before this day, a period set,
To our chiefe troubles. And, this peace is, yet,
But, for a time, deferr'd; unlesse you marre
That future blessing, by a present warre.

Demur, therefore, a while, e're you pursue
Those thoughts or actions, which your hearts may rue.
Doe not false courage from those vap'rings take,
Or, those high-flying vaunts, which they do make,
Who would engage you; though, with fair pretence
To reason, justice; and with confidence,
They would beguile you. For, no men appear
More arrogant, more bold, or lesse to fear
Then they, whom GOD infatuates, rejects,
And giveth over unto those effects,
Which their owne wit to put in action chose,
As in despight of what he doth propose.

Let not those foolish, fruitlesse, policies,
(Those impudent and those truth-seeming lies)
Which they on all occasions do invent,
As their most usefull gin and instrument
To worke their ends; Let not these draw you to
Their course, from that, wherein you ought to go:
For, they do but delude you. When ye heare
That, they give out, the Counties will appeare
To be your aid; believe it not, till you
Perceive them coming: For, they do not know
Your Quarrell; neither why you should oppose
Your most deserving Friends, as greatest Foes.

When you shall heare them, for the King pretend,
That, they may draw his party, to befriend
Their new designe. Or, when they cry, The King!
The King! The King! with promises to bring
His person hither; and make shew to settle
Your peace by him: Believe them, but a little,
For, they who so pretend, do neither dare
To bring him hither; neither able are.

And, though they were; The King so well descries

Where, his best play, and chief advantage, lies;
What, with his principles, may best agree?
Why, they, who would not have him, willing bee
To have him now: Yea, so to him 'tis known,
Who for the publike ends; who, for their own,
Restrain him, or inlarge him; whom to trust;
Who, firm, or fickle were; who false, or just,
Either to him, or others; And, hath made
So many proofs, of things whereof he had
No triall heretofore; that, well I know,
His bought experience will permit him, now,
To trust to none but them, whose honestie
Is their chief honour, and best policie:
And, when GOD hath inclin'd him, so to do;
He shall trust us, and we shall trust him too.

That, this Conjunction may not be prevented,
Let that, which you determine, be repented.
Quench, ere too late, the fire which is begun;
And, lest, to be unquenchable it run,
Remove the fewell; powre upon the flame
True penitentiall teares; And, grow more tame,
More wise, more charitable, yea, more meek;
And, in GOD'S grace, your peace and safetie seek:
Which, cannot be expected, whilst with them,
You are at variance, who are dear to him;
Or, whilst you those resist, whom he doth call
To do his work; although, perhaps, they shall
Not do it for his sake, as they pretend;
But, for their owne, and some unworthy end.

By, generally, shutting up your shops,
Make not a sad obstruction, in the hopes
Of your subsistance; which, will over-soone
Consumed be, though that were left undone:
For, by this Stratagem, your Politicians,
Will but accelerate their own perditions,
By heightning of their furie, who thereby,
Shall feele the gripes of helplesse povertie:
Use, rather, what good meanes your wits afford
As well to keep off hunger, as the sword;
That, you may have a being, till GOD please
To consummate the cure of this disease.

Take heed, what those good Priests, and Prophets say,
Who preach to you, a charitable way,
Unto your peace; And, do not be beguil'd
By those, who counsell to divide the Child;
But, trust unto his wisdome, and his doome
From whom, the sentence, on your wayes, must come:
And if you needs will armed be, put on
(As you ought, long ere this time, to have done)
The Christians compleat Armes. For, then, if you
Shall be destroyed, so, will I be too.

If, for the publike-weal, that Host appeare,
Of whose intents, you seeme to stand in fear;
You have no cause of dread. If, they conceale
A private ayme, beneath a publike zeale;
Or vaile their pride, their Avarice, or hate,
With Godlinesse, or service to the State;
If they shall seek, one faction to suppresse;
Indulge the wicked, or the wickednesse
Of their owne partie; And, proceed, as tho
God would not heed, what they unjustly do;
Then, God himselfe against them shall appeare;
And, for your Cities guard, a standard reare:
A buckler he shall weild, and interpose
'Twixt you, and them, to ward away their blowes:
Then, he shall save you from their crueltie,
And, be aveng'd on their hypocrisie,
Without your guilt: And, crumble them, till they,
With all their hopes, and glories, fume away;
As theirs have done, who out of grace were thrust,
In former times, for their abused trust.

And, this will be, successively, the doome,
That shall on all our false Reformers come,
Till all such perish; and, till such appear,
As, neither will, for profit, love, or feare,
Corrupted be. If, for sinister ends,
You false have plaid, with your wel-meaning Friends:
If, you, to gain advantages, have straid
From due performing ought, which you have said:
If, out of wilfulnesse, or, out of pride,
And haughtinesse of minde, you thus provide
To give them battell; GOD will finde it out,

And punish, till amendment he hath wrought.
Yea, both of you, if both of you shall be
Alike perverse, alike reward will he.

But, hark! a strong Alarum I doe heare,
The Army, you so dread, is drawing neare,
And, will not long be hence; I will therefore
(Before the Drums beat, and the Cannons roare
Too loud for them to heare me) now direct
Some words to them, in hope of good effect:
For, thousands of them know me: and, perchance,
It may more profit you, then an advance
With all your force against them. Howsoever;
Ile try, how GOD will prosper my endeavour.

Friends of that honour'd Army, by whom, we
Have had assistance; and, yet hope to see
This War concluded; me with patience heare.
And, to that end, a little while forbeare
To prosecute that worke, which may be done
Yet soon enough. And, oh! I feare, too soone.
I come with no defiance; nor to bring
A charge against you, touching any thing
Wherein you may be censur'd to abuse
Your power or trust: For, thereof to accuse,
I neither have Commission, nor intent:
Nor knowledge, have I, were I thereto bent,
Of the determinations, or the waies
Which you pursue; save, as that Rumour sayes,
Whose contradictions, do so much condemn
Her owne Relations, that, I trust not them.

Nor do I blame you, though it be confest
In your expresses, that you have transgrest
The bounds of Common-Order, in some things:
Because, to me experience, knowledge, brings
Of that Necessity, which lawfull makes
What Law forbids: And, that when self-will takes
A lawlesse Liberty, which may disable
To save the publike, by meanes warrantable,
In ordinarie course; the SUMMUM JUS
Of humane nature, then, intitles us,
Unto a rightfull freedome, to dispense
With anie humane Law, in our defence.

Because, our preservation, is that end,
Whereto all Lawes do principally tend.

Now, whether you necessitated were
To such a course, you more concerned are
In weighing it then I; and, better know
Upon what grounds you have conceived so.
I know that such necessities may be;
I know, that they, who feel them, best can see,
How great they are: I, likewise know, that they
And their adherents, who the tyrants play,
Have seldome such necessities confest,
To light on any, till they were opprest
Beyond repaire; And, therefore, leaving, now,
This matter to be scan'd, alone, by you,
And your own consciences; I will present
What, I think, future mischiefs may prevent.
If, therefore, now, among you, any be
Who need it, take this brief advice of me.

If you come armed, not for war, but peace,
And, look, that GOD should your proceedings blesse;
Remember those main principles, whereon
You seem to ground, what hath, by you, been done.
GOD's glory, publike safety, and the Lawes,
With your just liberty, were all the cause
Of your engaging; and, therefore take heed,
That, you for no designement, now, proceed,
Of private consequence, least you destroy
The hope of that, which you might els enjoy.

Let, in your sight, your brethrens blood be deare;
Let not the riches of this place, appeare
A prize, to draw, or tempt you, further then
Becometh just, and bravely-minded men.
To this renowned City, wherein you
Have many Friends, a true compassion show,
Though she provok'd you; know, that nobler, far,
Are Saviours, then an Executioner.
Let Justice have due course, though hand she lay
Upon your Darlings: For, one Achan may
Indanger your whole Camp; and you have seen
How plagued, for Injustice, wee have been.
From needlesse violence, with-hold your hands,

Let moderation be in your demands;
That, by your actions, they, whose Papers flie,
To your dishonour, may receive the lie.

To utter now unto you, I have more,
Yea, many things materiall, yet, in store.
But, whil'st this line is writing, I am told,
Our Line is enter'd, and our Southerne-Hold.
And, therefore, here I pawse—

These words are vain; and, all, that we can do,
Except, GOD adds his blessing thereunto.

“O LORD! thou great Peace-maker, therfore say
“Amen to that, for which I now shall pray.
“Out of our present dangers, safety bring;
“Out of our darknesse, let thy true light spring;
“Peace, out of these our warres; love, out of hate;
“Out of disorders, a well-setled State.
“Let People, City, King, and Parliament,
“And, all dissenting-parties, now, assent,
“And, so, unite; that, none may them divide:
“Make us well-principled; and, so, abide.
“Make us sincerely practise, and professe
“A single-Truth, in simple-Righteousnesse.

“Yea, now, when all the Powers within this Land,
“Are in confusion, and amazed stand,
“Affrighted by each other; now, when sin
“Is like to hazzard all; do thou begin
“To work alone; and, raise, thou, out of that,
“A Change, which all the Land shall wonder at.

“And, if my own corruptions be not, yet,
“Too many, such a blessing to permit,
“Minde me in mercy too; And, minde me, so,
“That, they, who have oppressed me, may know,
“I am a Servant, who, to thee, is deare;
“What ever, to the world, I may appeare:
“And, hasten that Deliverance, O LORD!
“Which thy compassion shall to me afford:
“For, in my sufferings, I am left alone;
“And, friend, or hope, but thee, LORD! I have none.

Fiat voluntas Dei.

AMYGDALA BRITANNICA, Almonds for Parrets.

A Dish of Stone-Fruit, partly shel'd and partly unshel'd; WHICH (If crack'd, pick'd, and well digested) May be wholsome against those Epidemick Distempers of the Brain, now predominant; and prevent some Malignant Diseases, likely to ensue.

Composed, heretofore, by a well-knowne Moderne Author; and, now published according, to a Copie, found written with his own Hand.

Qui bene latuit, bene vixit.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing, see not: and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the Prophesie of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand: and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive.

For this peoples heart is waxed grosse, and their eares are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their eares, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and healed.

MATTH. XIII. XIII, XIV, XV.

When Wisemen found plain-dealing did offend,
In Hieroglyphicks they their Musings pen'd;
And, to the meek, conveighed in a cloud,
The light, which was disdained by the proud:
That, so, the scorner, hearing, might not heare,
Nor seeing, see, what plainly doth appeare:
For, just it is, that they should lose their sight,
Who would not see their safety, when they might.

'Tis much observed, that this Generation
Hath taken up the Parrets inclination,
Who loves, on shells, to exercise his beake,
And, words not understood, delights to speake:
Wee, therefore, (since the labour may be spar'd)
For private entertainment, have prepar'd
This dish of Stone-fruits; whereof, there are some,
That yeeld a kernell, better then the plumb;
And, such, that, if they well digested bee,
Will cleare their eyes, who have a mind to see.

Here, till affaires are wholly mis-transpos'd,
You shall perceive, in Parables, disclos'd,
Upon what actions, and contingencies,
The Fortune of this British Empire lies;
And, by what symptomes, you may truly know,
Which way the Publike Fate will ebb, or flow.
Thus he conceives, who seriously hath weigh'd
Those things; & in these words his thoughts arai'd.

All things terrestriall have their dates,
Kings, Kingdoms, and the greatest States;
And, warnings do appeare, to some,
Of all such changes, ere they come;
Whereby, were timely means assaid,
Plagues might be scaped, or allaid:
And, peradventure, to that use,
This, which ensueth, may conduce.

The time drawes neere, and hasteth on,
In which strange works will be begun;
And, prosecutions, whereon shall
Depend much future blisse, or bale.
If, to the left-hand, you decline,
Assur'd destruction they divine;
But, if the right-hand course ye take,
This Island it will happy make.

A time drawes near, in which you may,
As you shall please, the Chesse-men play:
Remove, confine, check, leave, or take,
Dispose, depose, undoe, or make,
Pawne, Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, or King,
And, act your wills in every thing:
But, if that time let slip you shall,
For yesterday, in vaine you call.

A time drawes near, in which the Sun
Will give more light, then he hath done:
Then, also, you shall see the Moon
Shine brighter then the Sun at noon:
And, many Stars, now seeming dull,
Give shadowes, like the Moon at full.
Yet, then, shall some, who think they see,
Wrapt in Egyptian darknesse be.

A time drawes near, when, with your blood,
You shall preserve the Vipers brood,
And starve your own; yet, fancy, than,
That, you have plaid the Pelican:
But, when you think, the frozen Snakes
Have chang'd their natures, for your sakes,
They, in requitall, will contrive
Your mischief, who did them revive.

A time will come, when, they that wake,
Shall dreame; and sleepers undertake
The grand-Affaires: yet, few men know,
Which are the Dreamers of these two;
And, fewer care, by which of these
They guided be, so they have ease:

But, an Alarum shall advance
Your drowzie spirits, from that trance.

A time shall come, ere long, in which
Meer Beggars shall grow soonest rich;
The rich with wants be pinched more,
Then such as go from door to doore;
The honourable by the base
Shall be despighted, to their face;
The truth defamed be with lies;
The foole preferr'd before the wise;
And he that fighteh to be free,
By conquering, inslav'd shall be.

A Time shall come, when they that would
Discredit truths, which were foretold,
Of ev'ry newes will stand in feare,
And, credit ev'ry lie they heare;
Till they, by penance done, have paid
For ev'ry truth they have gainsaid.
Then, they who have expected Fish,
Shall finde a Scorpion in their dish:
The children shall have stones for bread,
And, starved be, whilst dogs are fed:
Then also shall each work you do,
Ere it be finish'd, make you two;
And, render all, when much is done,
Far worse, then when the Plague begun.

A time drawes neere, in which your peace
Shall make your quarrells more increase:
Then shall you by false-brethren lose
More, then by all your open-foes:
Then, one-mans hate shall rob of more
Then five times twenty can restore:
Three men shall act more mischiefs here,
Then three great Kingdoms well can beare:
And then shall they be better priz'd,
Whose counsells have been long despis'd.

The time is drawing near, when wee
Our own Antipodes shall bee:
When our most dangerous disease
Shall be the Scribes and Pharises:
When Seamen shall usurp the whip;
Plowmen presume to guide the ship;
The Children frequently begin,
To teach their grandams how to spin:
And, then shall that, which was a crime,
Be deem'd the vertue of the time;
And, that, impietie be thought,
Which hath, for sanctitie, been taught.

A time will come, in which the Flocks,
Shall see their Shepheard play the Fox,
And range and ramble up and downe,
Till he into a wolf be growne;
Then, they that hounds and sleugh-dogs keep,
Shall hunt him, till he growes a Sheep;
And, then, if what he seemes, he be
He shall be safe; and, so, shall we.

A time will come, when see you shall
Toads fly aloft, and Eagles crawle;
Wolves walke abroad in humane shapes;
Men, turne to asses, hogs, and apes:
But, when that cursed time is come,
Well's he that is both deafe, and dumbe;
That nothing speaketh, nothing heares,
And, neither hopes, desires, nor feares.

The time will come when you shall see
A Headlesse-body active bee,
And, many actions full of dread,
Performed by a Trunklesse-head;
Which Head, and Body, being brought
To knit together, as they ought,
Might prove to be, in time to come,
The joy, and awe, of Christendome.

But, e're such happie daies be seen,
There will some changes intervene
Our hopes and them, to make or marre
the sequele, as they mannag'd are;
And, therefore, that discerne you may
When these approach; and, which are they;
And, what to do, when they are knowne,
Here, they in easie types are showne;
Or, by those tokens, which fore-hint,
What you should labour to prevent.

When, you see many things effected,
Which were nor feared nor suspected;
The Mountains sink, the Valleyes clime;
Stars rise, and set, before their time;
Grosse Meteors, from the mud exhald,
To highest Spheres, and Planets call'd;

And, utter darknesse termed light;
Then, bid your happy daies, good night.

When, you embrewed, in their blood,
Behold three Lions of one brood;
If, then, a fourth shall interpose,
It will but more increase their woes;
Till but one head, possesse they shall,
And, but one heart, among them all.
Which, whosoe're to passe can bring,
Shall be the darling of a King.

His prickles, when the Thistle showes,
Within the borders of the Rose,
If, with the Flower-de-Luce it close,
Designing what the Orange does,
The stile of blessed it shall lose;
Yea, cursed be, where e're it growes;
And, by such faithlesnesse, expose
It selfe, and others, to their Foes.

But, being, only, for a time,
(To cure the Feavers of that Clyme)
Transplanted South-ward; if it spread,
And root, no further then the bed,
Where, by the Gardner, it was set,
To cure us of our Ague-fit;
It, of our Garden, shall be free,
And, call'd the blessed-Thistle be.

When Charles his waine, begins to reel,
And, retrograde shall seem to wheel;
If, rambling forth, the Driver be.
Without his Orb, but one degree;
What hope soe're he hath of help,
From Lionesse, or Lions-whelp,
Twill be a hundred unto one,
If he return, when he is gone.

When from one hand, let slip, you view
Two Dogs, one Leopard to pursue;
Though ev'ry passage you beset,
And ride, and run untill you sweat,
The Game will at the last get free,
If Patch, one of your Gray-hounds be;
Or, if you think, to take the beast,
By Huntsmen, who are such profest.

When Britaines Gerion you shall see,
With Single head, on bodies three,
Put forth his face, in a disguize,
(Undecently betwixt his thighes)
Be warie then, and take great heed,
In your affaires, how yee proceed;
Least, you be laid in little ease,
Betwixt the French and Kings disease.

When frequently, observe you shall,
S. Peter rob'd, to pay S. Paul;
When Butterflies, Silk-wormes out-brave;
When Maggots waste, what Ants did save,
And, wasps, and drones, and hornets drive
Your Bees, to seek a Forraign-hive;
Then, fly to providence divine,
And, do, as that shall you incline.

When, you see breaking stones, and glasses,
For zeale in true Religion passes:
Aswell the Clergie, as the Lay,
Learne, how at fast, and loose, to play:
Hermaphrodites begot with child;
Herod, and Pilate, reconcil'd:
The Moralist, his light abuse;
And, Christians, turning Semi-Jewes;
You may, where e're you go, or ride,
Have Ignis fatuus, for your guide.

When, in this Isle observe you shall
The tenth part of great Babel fall,
And, Reformation, fully made
Of them, and their mysterious trade,
Who merchandize most holy things;
Then GOD to speedy vengeance brings,
With Gog, with Magog, and the Whore,
The Beast, which Nations, yet, adore.

When you perceive the Common-Creed,
Renounc'd; and, whimseyes in it steed;
The words, which our chiefe Rabbi taught,
Despis'd, or out of practice brought;
And, some abuse the God-head, more
Then all the Gentiles heretofore;
They, who his nature do mistake,
Shall then grow like the God they make;
And, think it, when they do oppresse,
But sanctity, and righteousnesse.

When, they, that are of Babel shie,
Shall further into Babell flie;

When, they, who Superstition shun,
To greater Superstitions run,
And, to escape prophanenesse, shall
Into meer Atheisme fall;
Then, will, at full, those plagues appeare,
Which, now, are but beginning, here;
And, they, who live those daies to know,
Will thinke of him, who told you so.

When, in this Isle, the people sees
A confus'd heptarchie of Pees,
Their peace, disturbing, by distraction;
Their power, become a three-square faction
Of equall sides, and, each inclin'd
To what, it fancy hath design'd;
And, few regarding Common-good:
Then, shall the Moon be turn'd to blood,
Unlesse, you can by Chymistrie,
The Sulphure, Salt, and Mercurie
So temper; that produce it shall
The true Elixar from them all.

When, loud the British waters roare,
And, flow up to the Senate doore;
If, then, the wind shall also blow,
To make their swellings higher grow:
Then whether you to them give way,
Or, seek to stop them, by a bay,
In vain, to curb them, strive you shall,
Without the Balsome-box, and scale;
Though you diversions make (in hope
To do it) and, cast Mountaines up.

When, you observe the Civil-sword,
Usurp the power of the word;
And, (where declining Babel stood)
Men, laying Sions walls, in blood;
Then, some, who for the Lamb professe,
The Dragons Kingdome will increase,
Untill, they shall be better taught
How, living Temples should be wrought.

When, you have pull'd the great Popes down,
And, set up one in every Town;
When, in each house, a Church shall be,
And, in one house, a part of three;
VVhen, one shall tell you Christ, is here;
Another say, loe, he is there;
More comfort they shall then receive,
VVho love; then they, who these believe.

VVhen, onely, number'd out, you see,
VVhat, weigh'd, and measur'd, too, should bee;
When all, that you shall save, or lose,
Dependeth on their yeas, and noes,
VVho, peradventure, may intend,
Selfe-will, selfe-profit, or selfe-end;
Then, selfe-deniall must proceed
From words, into a reall deed;
And, more regardfully you must
Consider, whom you ought to trust;
Least, e're this tragedy be plai'd,
You, and your Freedomes be betrai'd.

VVhen, cloth'd like lambs, the wolves appear,
VVhen, Foxes preach, and Goslings hear,
VVhen, Hawkes to guard the Doves are chose,
VVhen, wounds must cured be with blowes,
And, when your frogs and mice renew
Their foolish warre; Then, will ensue
VVhat hath by wisemen been fore-told,
In tales and parables, of old;
Unlesse, your keepers eye affrights
The Romish Eagles, and the Kites.

When, you perceive the Harper play
His Harpstrings, and his Harp away;
The Miter, hazzarding the Crowne;
The sword, instructing of the Gowne;
The members, that in darknesse be,
Informing, how the Eyes should see;
And, hands, and feet, aspiring to
That, which the Head, and Heart should do;
Then, you, a while, their lots must share,
Who, in their guts, their braines do beare.

When, you shall see Death richly clad,
With what, the living should have had;
And, then, behold a Church bespread
With rags, and reliques of the dead,
Exposing that to open scorn,
Which was in publike triumph born:
If, then, with seriousnesse you heed
The simple doer, and the deed,
It shall occasion shame to some,
Who thought, much honour'd, to become:

And, let a just occasion in
To rake up, what might hid have bin.

When Blocks, and Stones, offence shall take,
And riots in your Cities make;
Beware: for, if heed be not took,
A sparke shall casually be strook,
From some rough flint, which will devour
Your wealth, your glory, and your power;
That future times may not despise
The wrath, and spleen, of Ants and Flies.

When you see Gallants take their vies,
As if they would ore-skip the skies,
Or, give the Sun, and Moon, a Law,
Yet, then, scarce over-leap a straw;
Or, when conceptions-mountainous
Shall bring forth nothing, but a mouse,
(After great throes, 'twixt hopes, and feares,
Sustained, by you, many yeares)
Then, your declining state deplore,
And, take a dos of Hellebore.

When, here, you shall re-act the sin
Of Pharoah, and of Benjamin;
Keep Jezabels, and Ahabs Fast;
In Jehu's mold Reformers cast;
Give honour unto Golden Calves,
And Idols, setting up themselves;
You shall but bring, to quench your flame,
That oyle, which will increase the same:
And, GOD, your Offrings will despise;
Till Justice be your sacrifice.

When Out-lawes shall themselves propose
For your Law-givers to be chose;
Felons, grow makers of your Lawes;
Effects, producers of their Cause;
Th'accused, his own Judge become;
The thief, pronounce the true-mans doome;
Your greatest foes, turn seeming-friends;
And, greatest wrongs get least amends:
Then, to no earthly hopes aspire;
But, unto GOD, alone, retire.

When, most the Charmers-voice shall heare,
And, like deafe Adders, stop their eare;
When, they who sit in Judgment, be
Inexorable, more then He
Who did both GOD, and Man, despise;
(And, sleight ev'n Importunities,
Continu'd without intermission)
Then, feare, O Britain! thy condition.

When, most that heare, and pray, and fast,
No sweetnesse, in those duties tast;
But, formally, in them go on,
Depending upon what is done;
And, others, so beleeving grow,
As, that, they no good works will do:
Or, when small difference shall appeare
'Twixt persons, times, or places, here;
And, those Ideas, men embrace,
Which have nor body, forme, nor face;
And, run vagaries without bound,
As if, no medium's could be found,
'Twixt two extreames: Ev'n then, shall they
Who love the light, enjoy the day;
And, then, shall look'd for be, of some,
A Kingdome, that will never come.

When, in your City-paramount,
This Realm is called to Account,
(And, they, who do receive and pay,
Forsake the old Exchequer way)
If those may then their triall shun,
By whom, the greatest wrongs are done,
Your hypocrites will soon appeare
So many, and so powerfull, here,
That, GOD himself th'Accompts will take,
Which they unwilling are to make.

When folly, avarice, and pride,
Upon the publike-Asse shall ride,
And, labour to subject the State
Unto that base Triumvirate;
Such justice, piety, and knowledge,
Will, then, proceed from Gotham-Colledge,
That, blinde-men, plainly shall perceive,
What, they, who see, will not believe.

Then, they who now delight in lies,
(Which their own malice did devise)
And, those predictions do deride,
Which they see daily verifi'd;
Shall view with shame, and feel with feare,
Those truths, of which they would not heare;

And, they who, their despights have borne,
Shall laugh their pride, and hate, to scorne.

When, you hear thousands make their mones,
And prayers, unto Blocks and Stones;
Poore Suiters, prosecuting Causes
In circles, labyrinths, and mazes,
Till scarce a neighbour, friend, or brother,
Believes, or loveth one the other;
Or, till they have nor house, nor bread,
Who, for the Kingdomes-cause, have bled;
Then, you fulfilled shall behold
So much, that, more needs not be told.

When, you shall heare your Pipers play
Till none will either dance, or pay;
Or, till among you doth begin
A second bloodie matachin;
Then, will clean hands, and honest hearts,
Besteed you more, then Irish darts;
Secure you better from your foes,
Then guards of guns, of bils or bowes;
And, then, will they, whom Pride doth scorne,
More happie be, then Princes-borne.

When, you most sleight what Tel-troth saith;
When, you have prov'd the Punick-faith;
When, you see those, who have misdone,
In spight of Councell, still, go on,
To prosecute their wild designes;
Then take you heed of those Divines,
Who, to effect their carnall end,
For God and Christ, will much pretend:
And, that, you no way do abuse
The Flat-caps, or the Clouted-shooes.

When, they who greatest Traytors are,
With Patriots, reward shall share,
And, be with large allowance fed,
VVhilst, your best servants, scarce bave bread:
VVhen doing justice, shall be thought
Ill manners; and, they men untaught,
VVho are so daring, to afford
A poor man, right against a Lord;
Then, shall men purchase land, and fee,
For little price; which deere will be,
To ev'ry purchaser, unlesse
By piety, and righteousnesse,
The sale be sanctifi'd; and you
Give both to GOD, and men, their due.

VVhen your Reformers, shall begin
To out-doe those men in their sin,
VVhom to reforme they did pretend;
And, like sowre ale in summer, mend:
When, they the Rule shall misapply;
And give by deeds, their words the lie;
Till, that, be mentioned with scorne,
VVhich is your praise, and saving-horne,
Then, Jehu's temper will undoe you,
Unlesse you can invite unto you
Eliah's spirit duplifi'd
On some Elisha, to provide
A speedy cure, for that disease,
VVhich on your Vitall-parts will seize.

When, men and women blushlesse grow
In filthinesse; and act it so,
As if, a Stallion to be knowne,
A Princely quality were growne;
Or, when your Ladies do appeare
(As if old heath'nish Rome were here)
By Coachfulls, with a brazen face,
To see men run a naked-race:
And, when fin to a ranknesse springs,
Beyond the reach of libellings;
And, libellings so common bee,
That none shall from their dirt be free,
Though ne're so innocent (but those
Whom no man hates, envies, or knowes)
Then, look for that which will ensue
Such impudence; if God be true.

When, men shall gen'rally confesse
Their folly, and their wickednesse;
Yet, act, as if there neither were
Among them, conscience, wit, or feare:
When, they shall talke as if they had
Some braines; yet, do, as they were mad;
And, nor by reason, nor by noise,
By humane, or by heav'nly-voice,
By beeing praised, or reprov'd,
By judgements, or by mercies mov'd:
Then, look for so much sword, and fire,
As such a temper doth require.

When, in this Isle, you shall behold,
What's term'd, the Devills ring of gold,
To be in use; and, then, shall see,
Both, pawn'd, and, forfeited, to be,
The richest-Jewell of the State;
Take order, therefore, ere too late,
To save your credits: For, you know,
That, London is not Mexico.
Or, if it were, we plainly view,
By Genoa; what may ensue.

When, your Betrayers shall divide,
And, seem of a contrary side,
That they the better may contrive
Their own Designments; or, perceive,
What is endeavour'd, to prevent
Those mischiefs, whereto they are bent.
Then, look about you; or, be sure,
Your safety you shall not secure:
But, when you heare it often said,
By whom, you should have been betraid,
In what, they false, with you have plaid;
And, how they gave your spoilers aid,
With such like falshoods; and, then, see,
Such common Fames, neglected be:
Th'accused countenanc'd; and, those
Traduc'd, and, punished, as foes,
Who, out of conscience, and, of zeale,
To save this drooping Common-weale,
Their knowledge, and, their feare declare;
Then, of a sudden blow, beware;

When, they, who, but the other day,
As low, as in the channell, lay;
And; had nor presence, wealth, nor wit,
(And, scarce the meanest of them, yet)
Your most pragmatick-men become,
And, places of chiefe trust assume:
Your Mastives, then, shall Spaniels grow;
Your Hens, and Capons, learn to crow,
Disarme, and silence, all your Cocks;
And, men, weare petticoats, and smocks.

When you, who, at the first, begun
With honesty (and, thereby, won
Advantages) shall act, or plot
Ill means, to keep what you have got;
As, if the GOD, you seem'd to serve,
Could not, as well, to you preserue,
By reall virtue, what was gain'd,
As, give it, by a virtue fain'd:
Then, you shall thrive, as did that King,
Who was or'ecome, by conquering;
Because he serv'd false gods, whose lands
The true GOD gave into his hands:
And, you shall then, the difference know,
'Twixt being just, and seeming so.

When, Justice cuts of Hydra's heads,
And, sees arising, in their steads,
More, and more monstrous ones, then they
Whom Reformation par'd away:
When Tyranny beginns to varie
The form and shape, of Arbitrarie
And willfull-rule; when, she inslaves
By mean, and despicable knaves;
When, they who 'scape the Lions-pawes,
The teeth of Wolves, and Harpies-clawes:
Shall look for safety, and for ease,
And, then, be eat by Lice and Fleas;
Or, be in pieces, rent and torne
By vermine, once, below their scorne:
Then; then, shall you begin to see
Your masked Foes; and who they bee
That sought your weal: and, then, in vain
Shall wish for, what you now disdaine.

Then, some, shall much perswade you to
What, none but such as they would do,
Who whet their knives, and cut their throat
To cure a chollick, in their guts:
For, then shall they, who seek your harm,
Seek how to cut off your right-arm,
That, of your chiefest guard bereft
There may be no hand but the left
To save your heads: And, then, perchance,
You will perceive your ignorance.

For, then, new troubles will begin,
Whereby, they who have blamed bin,
Shall suffer much: But, they shall beare
Most burthens, who most guilty were;
And, many, then, who now despise
These Lines, will think them Prophecies.

Then, shall they seek, and crouch, and bow
Who are most proud, and surely, now;
Petition long, without regard;
Make prayers, which will not be heard;

And, find as little mercy, then,
As they have showne to other men.

They, from the sword shall thither flie,
Where they for want of bread shall die;
Or, hoping Famine to avoyd,
Be, by the Pestilence, destroy'd;
Or, (that they may one sorrow shun)
Into a hundred mischieves run,
And, find no rest, till they repent
Their pride, or, meet due punishment.

Then, shall the principles that lurk
Within mens hearts begin to work,
Upon their humours; and, purge out
Much poyson, now dispers'd about
Through eve'ry Member: yet, at first,
That, shall seem best, which would be worst,
And, few men be so wise to know,
What they were best resolve to do.
For, you shall in a Medium stand,
'Twixt Ægyt, and the Holy-Land,
As in suspense, whether to make
A progresse thither, or turn backe
To your old servitude, or worse:
And, that will seem the safest course,
Unlesse the Masters of your School
Shall take the counsell of a Fool;
And be directed and advis'd
To act the thing they have despis'd.

Which if they do; your foes shall be
Your friends; and both be safe and free
From what is fear'd; and, live together
A mutuall strength to one another;
Whose factions, if they long endure,
Will prove a plague, without a cure.

But, mark (oh City!) mark this well;
(Thou, who dost all this Realm excell,
In sin, and virtue) That, when thou
Shalt see thy Trustees partiall grow
In doing Justice; with respect
Of persons; and, with high neglect
Of truth and judgement: Then, unlesse
The mercy and the righteousnesse
Which thou pretendest, shall encrease
To fortifie thee in that peace
Thou yet injoy'st; and, teach thine eyes
To see, wherein thy safety lyes:
Thou, wilt but treasure up thy store,
To make thee miserably poore;
Grow, by a new-Militia strong,
To ruine thine owne strength, e're long;
Draw, day by day, occasions hither,
Of discords, and of plagues together;
Till all the plagues, through Britain spread,
In thee, be gather'd to a head;
And, break upon thee, in conclusion,
To thy dishonour, and confusion.

E're long the welfare, of this Land,
Upon a ticklish point will stand;
And, at that time, if you perceive
The Body representative,
Act by two Factions; and, admit
Their Grandees, to invassall it
To their designs; and captivate
Their equalls: you, shall after that
Find little comfort, till you see
Extracted a third Party bee
From out of those, to search into
Their actions, and with courage do
As they finde cause: But, then, you shall
Perceive a turne will joy you all.

And to draw neerer to the But,
At which, all these our shafts are shot,
When, those two Diamonds of this Land,
Which are the basis, whereon stand
The publike-welfare, polish shall
Each other; and, quite rub off all
The rotten pieces, rags, and flawes,
Which disesteem upon them drawes;
And, perfect make, in ev'ry thing,
Our ancient threefold Gimell-ring,
That's lately broke; Then, you shall see
A change, that worth your praise will be:
And, he that gives you stones to crack,
(Which cause, perhaps, your hearts to ake)
Will, when that blessed season comes,
Give you a dish of sugar-plumbs.

But, know, that while this Emperie
Neglects her Triple-Trinitie;
To wit, three Realms, beneath one Throne;
Within each Realm, three States in one.
And GODHEAD one, in Persons three,
You shall not without troubles be:

Or, possibly attaine to that
Which your well-willer aimeth at,
Till, you shall, purely, God adore;
And to the common use, restore
At least th'Essentials of that power
Which makes your Earthly-saving-Tower.
Which much the stronger, might be made
And fairer too, if you could add
To strengthen and adorn the same,
Some parts of the Venetian Frame.

And, know; that, when a Declaration,
As publike, as a Proclamation,
Shall offer to consideration,
The many failings of this Nation;
If, then, you seek not preservation,
By prayer, and humiliation,
And, by a serious Recantation;
GOD, threatens sudden desolation.

Now, much good do't you; And, yet, stay:
Before I send you quite away,
Take these blanch'd Almonds without shels,
Whereto are added nothing els
But, some few kernells in their stones)
For, though they seem but bitter ones,
Yet, if you taste them, we believe
They'l prove a good preservative.

First, chaw on this; that, you in vain,
Seek, here a blessed peace to gain,
Till justice, and till mercy, more
Advanced be, then heretofore;
And, till you shall have more regard
To punishment, and to reward.

Next, know, as vainely you presume
Informed, rightly, to become
In things of faith, whilst you depart
From what is written in the heart;
And, act contrary to the natures,
And Lawes, of reasonable creatures:
For, how shall they who cannot learn
Things morall, things divine discern?

Next, be inform'd; ev'n you, who had
The righteoust cause; that, you have made
Defaults enough, to let all see
The best had need forgiven bee:
And, let that make your hearts inclin'd
To pardon all, in whom you find
That penitence which doth intend
Crimes past, sincerely to amend:
Yea, if ye mean, in peace, to live,
Let all strive, who shall most forgive;
That by so doing, all may move
Each other, to a mutuall-love;
Which grace, they onely are deni'd,
Who could be true to neither side.

And, lastly, let no more despights
Unto your Fundamentall-rights,
And, Constitutions, now, be done:
For, if the Ground-worke, be overthrowne,
What, can the wise, or justman do?
What to sustaine it, add thereto?
Or, what will councell be, but wind,
To them, whose ruine is design'd?

Some, little hope is left: And, yet,
Lest no effect, our words beget,
That, then, the times to come, may know
A Messenger was sent to show
What would befall this age, before
It came to passe. This one pearl more,
Is cast before you,) without fear
Of such, as would in pieces tear)
Observe it well, O Generation,
Regardlesse of thy visitation.

When, you have had hard work to do,
And, added five, to forty two;
You shall perceive a good Play spoil'd,
And, by unworthy Actors, foil'd;
The Scœnes transpos'd, the Acts confus'd;
The Poet shamefully abus'd:
The first intention of the Plot,
By those confusions, quite forgot:
Yea, them, to Tragick-Acts design'd,
Who enter'd with a Comick-mind;
And, then, what now our eye fore-sees,
(Like him, who saw men walk, like trees)
Shall be discover'd, by that light,
Which, never doth deceive the sight.

Then, they who mark it, shall perceive
Your Politicians, will contrive
Their own indempnity, whilst they
Pretend for yours; that, so, they may
Secure themselves, from answering that,
Whereby, they have abus'd the State:

And, then (unlesse you can prevent
The fraudfulnesse of that intent)
They, who did most their wealth increase,
By cheating you, will buy their peace;
And, sell your Freedomes, unto those,
With whom, they do designe to close.

Then, will such Juggling-tricks be plaid,
That, publike-debts will nere be paid,
As long, as either foole, or knave,
Shall have the power to give, or crave;
Or, they enjoy a Trustees place,
Who have put on a Janus-face.

Then, most men, plainely shall behold,
What, few believed, though fore-told.
The noblest parts, worst plaid shall be,
Till, men their errors come to see;
Good-action, shall be much mistook;
Ill-meanings, will be fairely spoke;
Some, for ill-doing, shall have meeds;
Some, shall have blame for lawfull deeds.
Some, personating double parts,
With double tongues, and double hearts,
Shall, from one side, to to'ther run,
Till they are scorn'd of ev'ry one.
Fools, Clownes, and very dunghill things,
Shall act the parts, of Lords, and Kings,
Till, few know what to do or say;
How to command, or to obey.

Your Fountain shall be turn'd to puddle;
Yea, all reduc'd to such a huddle;
That, your Ill-willers will be glad;
Your much abus'd Spectators mad;
And, in their furiousnesse go near
The Players rags, from them to tear;
Or, pul the Stage, and Play-house down;
Unlesse a med'cine, yet, unknown,
Be soon appli'd: Or, on the Stage,
(To stop the peoples rising rage)
Some quick-devise, and pleasing-straine,
Be brought, to charm them down againe.

With which Catastrophe, we pray,
The Tragedie, conclude you may,
And, see the Scœnes, and Acts, to come,
Lesse bloody, and lesse troublesome;
For, if Conjectures faile him not,
Who hath consider'd well the plot,
(And, whose fore-warnings, none believes,
Till 'tis too late), he plaine perceives
A Storm will in the South be bred
Whilst you a Northern-Tempest dread,
And conjur'd hither, by some Fiends,
Who, seem to have much better ends
Then they pursue: And, then, unlesse
JUDAH, and ISR'EL shall confesse
Their sinnes, and, reconcile, betimes;
Manasses pray, repent his crimes
Unfainedly (as David did,
When, from Jerusalem he fled)
And, with full resolution, do
What, prudence would advise him to:
The Babylonians will conspire
With Amalek; your neighbour Tyre
Shall (as a slie spectator) stand,
To take advantage under-hand:
And, by those means (when peace seems near)
The troubles, which did first appear
In thirty nine, prolong'd will be,
Till fifty two, and fifty three.

And, what new courses will be took,
When those yeares wheel about, Go look:
For, here, already, we fore-show
More, then you can deserve to know;
Till, you more lovingly shall deale
With such, as labour, for your weal;
And, their estates, and time, have spent,
Your likely ruine to prevent.

Ere, GOD, his wrath on Balaam wreaks,
First, by his Asse, to him he speaks;
Then, shewes him, in an Angells hand,
A sword, his courses to withstand;
But, seeing, still, he forward went,
Quite through his heart, a sword he sent;
And, GOD, will thus, if thus they do,
Still deale with Kings, and Subjects, too:
That, where his grace despis'd is grown,
He, by his judgments, may be known.

Fiat Voluntas Dei.

GoD eXpeCteth oVr repentanCe, gIVIng eXpresse VVarnIngs InVItIng thereVnto; haVe earLIe respeCt therefore, Vnto sVCh VVarnIngs, and repent not sleIghtLIe yoVr offensIVe VanItIes.

A single SI QVIS, and a quadruple QVERE, with the Occasions of them, presented to the Members of the honorable House of Commons, touching a Petition, with certain Verses annexed, and lately layd at their feet in the said House of Commons, by Major G. W.

The SI QUIS, and the Occasion of it.

That day, in which Victorious Cromwel sent
His first Express, (to your great wonderment)
Of Hamiltons Defeat; which, whilest a Scot
Shall be remembred, will not be forgot:
Ev'n on that Day, before your feet I spread,
A sad Petition, humbly prefaced,
By these ensuing lines;

He that is prostrate on the floor,
Lies there, whence he can fall no lower:
So does this Orator of Your.

Petitions, he, hath oft conveyd
Into your hands; yet finds no ayd
These, therefore, at your Feet are layd.

Where, let them not neglected lie,
Nor, unregarded, throw them by,
But view them with a gracious eye.

And, let our Parents not provoke
Their Children, till offence be took,
By which, their patience may be broke.

Consider those, who lie below;
For, you shall reap, what you do sow;
And, find such mercy, as you show.

Refresh their spirits, who are sad,
As God, this day, hath made you glad,
By those good tydings you have had.

Among the rest, this Beadsman here,
That feels the wants, which they but fear,
Who, dread th'effects of this moyst year.

And, blame him not, that, thus he shows
His Cause, as well in Verse, as Prose,
And, in a Path untrodden goes.

For, scarce, Earth, Water, Air, or Fire
Enjoys he; or, wherewith to hire,
That Pittance Nature doth require.

And, men in danger to be drownd
Lay hold on any Trifle found,
To reconvey them safe a ground.

But, his annexed Paper view,
And let him favor'd be of you,
As, that, which it avers, is true.

And, if for that, which he prefers
His suit, there stand Competitors,
Let it be neither, His, nor Theirs,
But, as most equitable, it appears.

These (to my Prayer fixed) for your view,
I left upon the Pavement, and withdrew;

In hope some kind hand, would have been extended
To raise it, that my Cause might be commended
To free Debate. But, six days, now, are gone,
And, God, since then, the favor late bestown
Doubles and triples upon you; yet, I
Still at your door, unheard, unheeded, lie;
And find not so much as a Friend, by whom
To learn, what of those Papers is become.
Of private searches, therefore, being wearie,
I set up now, a Si quis, and a Quære,
And, thus, it follows here: If any man,
“Who sits, within your Walls, instruct me can,
“How I may know, what hand convey'd away
“My Prayer from your sight, upon the day
“Of your glad tydings: Or, if he that seiz'd
“Those humbled Papers, will be nobly pleas'd
“So to produce them, that, I may obtain
“Due remedy, for what they do complain;
“It shall beget a servant, who will strive
“To merit those Occasions it may give
“Of that obligement: And, for his reward,
“Shall gain him Prayers, too; which will be heard
“For him, and his, perchance, when feel they may,
“What 'tis to be neglected, when we pray.
But, whatsoe're effect vouchsafed be;
God bless the King, the Parliament, and Me.

The quadruple QUERE, and the Occasion of it.

Your House receiving notice, twelve moneths since,
Of my long-suffrings, and known Indigence,
(Occasion'd by your service,) thought it fit,
To some selected Members, to commit
The finding an Employment, to supply
Subsistence, till, my great necessity
Might be removed, by discharging that,
Which is yet owing, to me, by the State:
And, having long, without success attended,
I now, at last, by them, am recommended

To serve as one of those Commissioners,
By whom, Supream Authority confers
Wine Licences. Wherein, since, there appears,
With me, nor few, nor mean Competitors;
And that the Place, hath been aspersed by
Some, lately, as a Grand-Monopoly.
I humbly make these Queries.

“First, Whether he, that hath suspected bin.
“To hate that Cause, which you ingage us in,
“Standing Competitor with him that's known
“To hazard for it, more then all his own;
“Can be prefer'd, without a wrong, to you,
“And an incroachment, on the others due?

“Next, Whether, a Competitor defam'd
“For breach of Trust, (by whomsoever nam'd,)
“Ought rather, by your Votes, to be befriended,
“Then he, that to your House is recommended
“By your own Members? and, 'gainst whom, no man
“Exhibite, justly, an Impeachment can.

“Then, Whether, he your Grace deserveth best,
“Who hath for you, lost all his interest,
“In outward things? Or they, whose wealth is more
“Since these Distractions, then it was before?

“And lastly, Whether ought may be compriz'd
“Among things, judg'd, to be Monopoliz'd,
“When all the profits, which from thence arise,
“Are brought into the publike Tresuries?
“And, whereof, neither one alone, nor few,
“But ev'ry man receives his proper due.

Consider, I beseech you; but of these
Few Queries, and then do as you shall please:
For, though my hopes in these poor suits may fail,
Yet, in my noblest ayme, I shall prevail.
Yea, ere this Land hath rest, a day will be,
In which, there shall be some regard of me;
And, wherein, that, which is perus'd with Jeers,
Shall fill their scornful Readers full of Fears.

Fiat Voluntas Dei.

G. Wither.

VATICINIUM CAUSUALE. A RAPTURE Occasioned By the late Miraculous Deliverance OF HIS HIGHNESSE THE Lord Protector, From a Desperate Danger.

With, a NOVERINT UNIVERSI, in the Close.

By Geo: Wither, Esq;

Who so dwelleth in the Secret, of the MOST HIGH,
shall abide in the shadow, of the ADMIGHTIE.

I will not let this, slip into the Dark,
Or keep the Light, without a special mark:
For, when GOD Acts, or speaks, each Word and Deed.
Should be observed, with some vseful heed.
That, which hath hapned, cannot be undone,
Or ly conceal'd; For, many Lookers on,

And, (some, who love to trumpet forth Mischances,
With Descantings, on all their Circumstances)
Have publsh'd what befell. Thence, Rumour spreads;
Puts various Fancies, into Peoples heads;
And every one draws Uses, or, applies
As Malice fools him, or, Love makes him wise:
But, Providential favours, are exprest,
As well in worst, Events as in the best;
And, they who know not this, will never finde
The Ports of Comfort, with an Adverse-winde,
When he that heeds this, steers through all Events,
Or, Censures, without fears, or Discontents:

Then, as a Secret, why should we disclose
From man to man, what ev'rybody knowes?
And, put the Jealous Vulgar, in a fear
There's somewhat done, not fit for them to hear?
Why, is it whisper'd, still, as if, to be
Surpriz'd by those things, from which none are free,
Dishonour on his Highnesse could be throwne?
Or, as if him, it misbeseem'd to owne
That Action, which occasion'd an Event
Producing, some external Detriment?
Or, why it is conceiv'd, as if, to Us,
Or, unto him, his fall were Ominous?

Is it not good, we should have, now and then,
Somewhat to minde us, that we are but men?
And, that our trust in Princes, gasping lies
In that short blast, which from their nostrils flies?
When he did Fall, was it not wondrous well,
That, from his seat, into GODS's Armes he fell?
And, that, He falling, fell not in such wise,
As they, who Rise, to fall; But, Fell, to Rise?

And to Arise with an improvement too,
By Thankfulnesse, for having scaped so?
As also, with that Mark, upon him set,
Of being GOD's especial Favourite?

If, what befell, must needs be understood
As Ominous; why, should it not of Good,
An Omen be? (as I beleeve it will,
Much rather, then prove Ominous for ill?
For, who can think, that, He was saved from
A Mischief, that, to Mischieves he might come?
Or, that, We, by his safty, from the Curse
Of Anarchy, are saved, for a worse?
Or, that, when Mercies GOD, is pleas'd to shewe,
They do portend some Evils to ensue?
What Inference more wicked, can be brought?
What more prophanely! what, more vilely thought!

Tir'd with continual Cares, (in hope, to finde
Refreshments, by Diversions of the minde)
Er'e serious thoughts, were wholly laid aside,
He grasp'd those Raines, which, he had often tride
To mannage heretofore, with good successe,
When, Small things he more minded; Great things, lesse:
And, though he sped not, as in former time,
His Acte, was not unseemely; nor a Crime,
As they suppose, whose Memorie forgets,
What, others, or, what, best themselves befits.

For, 'twas not judged an Unprincely Game,
To drive a Chariot, when th'Olimpian Fame,
Was thirsted after; And, when on that Hill,
Kings, with their Equals, therein shew'd their skill;
And wrapt in Clouds, rais'd by their horses heeles,
And, Thundrings, from their furious Charret wheeles,

Were emulous, the high-priz'd Wreaths to wear
Belonging to the skilfull'st Charioteer.
And, what detraction, from the Reputation
Of Princes, is that Manly Recreation,
More now? or, then it was, when, Charles, of late,
For his disport, upon the Coach-box, sate?
(As many times he did) and not disdaine
To let Inferiours, ride in Charles his Waine?
Or, what Dishonour is it, that, through one
Mishap, he fail'd, of what was, oft, well done?

It was not want of skill, to use the Raine,
That stout, and chast Hippolitus was slaine:
But, an unlookt for, dreadful Apparition,
(Of purpose rais'd, to hasten his perdition)
Frighted his horses; which, with headstrong furie,
Their Driver, from the Beaten paths, did hurry
Among the Rocks: And, what, thereon befell,
(The Storie is so known) I need not tell.
Yet, this I will observe, (to make the Fable,
To my Intention, further serviceable)
That, though asunder dragd, his Members were,
It magnifide his Wisdome, Love, and Care,
Who made him sound, more then it harmed him,
Who had that hurt: For, every scatter'd Lim,
Was re-united, without detriment
In any kinde, by that dismemberment
Only, to Virbius, from Hippolitus,
His name was chang'd, as, it befalleth us,
When, from our Selfnesse, we are rent and torne,
To be Regenerated, or New-borne.
And, fo (I hope) when we have sum'd up all
Which, to his Highnesse hapned, by his Fall,

His gaines, will be much greater then his cost;
And, nothing, but self-confidence, be lost.
This, by the way: now I to that will come;
Which mov'd me, on this subject to presume.
A free Officiousnesse, doth me employ
To be, this once, instead of Philips boy,
Who, ev'ry morning, call'd on him to minde
That, he was Mortal, and of humane kinde:
For, though his sad disaster hath of late,
In likelihood, remembred him, of that,
It will not be amisse, that, I ingage
His Caution, further, by this surplusage;
Lest, though his Piety, shall him incline
To do his duty, I may faile of mine,
Who think my self oblig'd, when I shall see
Occasion, his Remembrancer to be,
As I have bene to others; who, thereto
Gave lesse regard, then he (I hope) will do.

As GOD, hath often shown, 'twas he, that, arm'd
His head in battel; and, preserv'd unharm'd
His Person, when the chance of Warre he tride,
And thousands slaughtered fell, on ev'ry side:
So, he now gives a new Experiment,
That, it is he alone, who doth prevent,
The Danger of his Peace; and, that, there are
Perils inclosing him, when none appeare.

It doth informe him, with a silent tongue,
What warinesse, doth now to him belong
More then in former times; and, that there are
Aswell in his Retirements, as in Warre,
Gards, Sentinels, and Watchings, necessary
With strictnesse to be kept; lest he miscarry.

Moreover, it informes, that, had he none
Maligning him; Ev'n he Himself, alone,
Might be his own Destroyer; by forgetting
Due Care: Or, else, by acting, or omitting
Such things, as have a very nigh relation,
Either to Danger, or to Preservation.

It calls on him, to minde, how many wayes,
And meanes there are, of cutting short his dayes
If GOD, prevent not: yea, it calls on him,
Both, to redeeme, and husband well, his Time;
And, loudly calls; that, for the Mercy showne,
It may, in shewing Mercy, be bestowne:
That, they, who of his Justice, well beleeve,
May blesse him, for the Comforts, they receive;
That, they, who, in his ruine would have joy'd,
May rather wish, their own Designes destroy'd;
And, that, the Blessing, may be carried on,
Which, his, and our Protector, hath begun.

It likewise, calls upon us all, to heed
Both our own wayes; and how, GOD, doth proceed;
Chiefly, in what, of late, vouchsafed was
By his applying of preventing Grace,
For is Deliv'rance, in whose life consists
The likeliest Gard of publike Interests;
And, which, includes, of Mercies, yet to come,
Another Pledge: and, as it were, the sum
Or, brief Epitome, of all things done
For our availe, since first the Wars begun.

My contemplating of his Dangers-past,
Makes them seeme great: yet, it hath made this last,
Exceed them all; and so great to have bin,
That, surely, had not, God himself, stept in,

To bring him Succour, suddenly from heav'n
No safety had been found; no Quarter giv'n.

Thus have we seen, a tender Mother, run
(Or, rather fly) when her dear only Son
Was innocently playing in the street;
And snatch him, from among the horses feet
Indangering his Life: Thus, have we seen
A Loving Bridegroome, throw himself between
Death, and his Bride; and bravely fetch her from
A Peril, which was desperate become.

To tell this Danger, were to tell you that,
Which I can better Fancie, then relate;
And, which (as I conceive it) cannot well
Be better showne, by any parallel,
Then when a brave Ship, on huge Billowes tost,
With Sails full-spread, Helme broke, and Ruther lost,
Is by a strong storme, in the darkest night,
Forc'd to a strange Coast, with a winde fore-right,
Upon the Rocks, which over-hanging, lie,
The foming Flouds, a hundred fathomes high;
Where, every Wave, all cries for help, out roares;
Threating destruction, both from Seas and shoares:
Where, can be seen nor Earth, nor Heav'n, nor Light,
But dark blinde wayes, to everlasting night;
And, where, no succour, finde admittance can
By all the Power, and all the wit of man.

By this Description, you, perhaps, may guesse
From what a depth of desp'rate dang'rousnesse
His Hignesse was repreev'd; and, who, alone
Must, then, be his Deliverer, or none.
Thence, you may likewise, gather, if you will,
(And not continue blinde, and froward, still)

Who takes charge of him; Whom, they do oppose;
Who without cause, at this time are his Foes;
And, for what end, such aids vouchsafed be
In great immergencies; And, so may HEE.

Oh! let us, therefore, better now, improve
The evidences of Eternal Love,
Then we have done: and, let his Highnesse, minde,
How bountiful, how gracious, and how kinde,
Our GOD hath been to him; that, so he may
Unto his People, part thereof repay,
In love to them: Let him remember, too,
Had he miscari'd, what had been to do:
What, likely to be suffer'd; not alone
By some of us; but, ev'n by ever'y one,
Who breaths the British aire; and, not despise
This Counsel, though the Giver seeme unwise.
Yea, let it be consider'd, (to improve
A hast'ning, unto Unitie in Love)
What sad Confusions, had anew been hurld.
Upon this much unsetled British world,
(And, upon others, whom we would respect)
If, what was almost done, had took effect.

Let this great Mercy, never be forgot;
Chiefly, of him, who hath the largest Lot
In this Deliverance; Lest worse he speed,
When of a Helper, he shall stand in need.
And, let it make him, more to hasten on
That, which his Prudence prompteth should be done;
Lest, some such Humane Casualtie prevents
The manifesting of his good Intents,
And gives his Foes, occasions to beleeve
Their owne vaine thoughts; And makes his friends to grieve.

I doubt not, what I counsel: If I did,
It had with me, in mine own heart, lain hid.
But, He, who me emboldneth unto this,
Perswades me, that my aims, I shall not miss:
Gives me, for earnest of them, a presage,
Of healths Returne, with future Tutulage:
Shews me, by what conditions, he may gaine
Th'Eshablishment, he labours to obtaine;
And (secret things consider'd) bids me, tell him,
'Twas Mercy, not a Mischief, that befel him:
That, also, there are greater Mercies, yet,
For him, reserv'd; if he shall not forget
This Favour; nor the Vowes, and Protestations,
Made heretofore, to GOD, and to these Nations:
Assures me, that, on these Conditions lies,
The highest glory, whereto he can rise;
And, that, if he escape the stumbling stones,
Environing th'Ascent, to Earthly Thrones,
He, without fear of any harme, shall tread
On Vipers, Aspes, and on the Dragons head:
That, Emperour to stile him, should not better
His happy Lot, or make him ought the greater;
But, rather seeme, a foolish over-lay
Of purest Ophir Gold, with common Clay.

Thus, otherwhile, Remembrances I scatter,
As, GOD, and Man's proceedings, offer matter;
Not without some discernable effect:
(Though neither they, nor I, gain much respect.)
For, on my Self, they have an operation
Not needlesse; yea, the lesse good acceptation,

They have with others, they, thereby, to me
The more effectual, sometimes rendred be;
And, teach me to be quiet, and to beare
What misbefals me, with more Joy, then Care.

Thus, when the Bowes of Malice are ful bent,
And, poys'ned shafts, made ready to be sent
Against th'upright in heart; I, interpose
Minerva's sheild, sometimes, unknown to those
Whom it secures; and, when, for what was done,
Others, with all the thanks, away have gone.

Long since, with suchlike Spels, and Charmes as these,
I did assay, to cure the Kings disease;
But, either, he was over-deaf to heare,
Or else, not strong enough, my Charmings were.
Oft, afterward, I sung unto the State,
Some Lessons which, when 'twas a day too late,
Were called for; and frequently there fell
Much ill to me, for wishing others well.
Sometimes, I, to the Common-people fidle
To still their madnesse; and, oft foole, and riddle
To make them wiser: but, with little gaines,
To them; and, losse of labour, for my paines.

And now, to charme those, I endeav'ring am,
Who seek to turne his Glory, into shame,
Whom GOD, hath honour'd; That, I might make lesse
(If possible) their sottish bruitishnesse,
Who wound themselves, through him; and scoff and jear
At Mercy, shown to their Deliverer,
In such a Danger, as could be, by none
Removed, but, by an Almighty-one.

Vaine sons of men, how long, will ye despise
Good Counsel! and, still, follow after Lies!

Not knowing, or not heeding, that, GOD hath
Maugre your Spite, your Envie, and your Wrath,
Made him to be your Lord, whom you contemn;
To Supream honours height, advanced him;
Laughs you to scorn; Turns al your oppositions,
To his advantage and your own perditions:
Not heeding, GOD, hath given all these Lands;
All these three Nations, up, into his hands;
And, him, on them bestow'd; to make proof, whether
He, or else They; or, both of them, or neither,
Will hearken to his Voice: that, he may do,
What their proceedings will incline him to.

Fooles! 'tis not as you dream: But, whatsoe're
He Was, or Is, or, shall to you appear,
GOD, from among your selves, did him advance,
To gard his Flocks, and his Inheritance;
To be a friendly comforter of those,
Who are his Friends; A terror to his Foes:
And, what, you fret and storme at, was not done,
By mans designments; but, by GOD, alone.

Through all these Islands, be it therefore known;
And, to all persons, every where, which own,
Relation to this Empire; that, by him,
Who hath dispose of every Diadem,
(Of Scepters, Crowns, & Thrones) the change was made,
Which did remove the Government we had;
(When our great sins deserv'd to be bereft,
Of all those Priviledges, which are left)
And, that, GOD, in meer mercy, did translate
The Power, which was in other men, of late,
To be with him intrusted, who is now
Stil'd, your PROTECTOR. Know, likewise, that, you

Are bound, by Law and Conscience, to obay;
And humbly at his Throne, your selves to lay
On those Conditions, only, whereon, he
Hath your Protector, undertook to be.

Moreover, Be it known, that, if he shall
Performe his Part; and, you perversly fall
Into rebellious actings; or, not cease
From those, which may disturbe the common-peace;
His Scepter, shall, perforce, your stif necks bend
To that, which he doth Righteously intend;
And, either thereunto obedient make you,
Or, therewith, bruise; or, else, to peeces break you:
Lest, your perversnesse, bring a Tirant hither,
To break us; never to be set together.
And, that, if prudently you do comply,
He may, at last, improve his Sov'raignty,
To make you farre more happy, and more free,
Then else, you had been, or had means to be.

And, now great OLIVER, to thee, likewise,
Let this be known; and, do not thou despise
The Publisher; GOD, doth expect to have
Honour from them, to whom he honour gave:
That, such, who have the rule o're men, be just:
That, they their Vowes infringe not, nor his trust:
That, they consider, he bestowes large measure,
Of Power upon them, not to act their pleasure,
Or to fulfill their lust; but, doth inlarge
His Bounty, that their Place, they may discharge
With Courage: That, he Riches doth provide,
Lest Avarice, might draw their hearts aside;
Or, wants, to do injustice, them compell:
That, he gives honours, not to make them swell

Above their Brethren; but, them, to exempt
From what, may fall upon them, by contempt:
And, that, all these things, are on them bestown,
Much more, for others sakes, then for their own.

Know SIR, that, GOD, from persons in your place,
Expects all this; and thereto offers Grace,
And Power, for asking: That, (what ere some say)
He, none necessitates to go astray;
Nor leaves, nor hardens any (not the worst)
Till, Love to selfnesse, makes them, leave him first.

If, this, thou well considering, shalt act
Accordingly; performing thy Contract,
With GOD, and with his People; he, shall then,
Give thee the Love, and Hearts, of all Good men:
Fixe thee as firmly, as the Rocky shoares,
Which sleight the Ocean, when it foames and roares:
And brighter make thy Fame, and spread it more,
Then any mans renowned heretofore:
For, in Fames Book, thou maist inrolled be
The first, who, made a People truly free:
And first-borne, of those Viceroyes, who, shall take
Their Throns from HIM, whose Kingdom down will break,
All Monarchies of Tirants; with all those,
Who, help patch up, the Clay and Iron toes,
The Reliques of that Image, which hath bin
The prop of him, that's call'd, the man of sin.
All this may be: and, if thou strive to go
The way, that open lies; It shall be so.
Oh! lose not this advantage, for a Buble,
Which, in vain hope, begins, & ends with trouble.

And, lastly, Be it known, (not by event
Which may be to thy future detriment,

But, by pre-caution) that, if faile thou shalt
Without this Peoples obstinate default,
Of what they, justly may from thee expect,
Who art advanc'd their freedomes to protect;
Or shalt abuse thy Power, them, to oppresse;
Or, leave them unreliev'd, in their distresse,
So, that, they must be forc'd to cry, and call,
To GOD, for help: GOD, hear, and help them shall:
Search what is done: And, though their former sin,
Hath great, and full of provocations bin,
He, for the present time, will passe it by,
And on thy failings, only, cast an eye:
Avenge their Cause; call thee, accompt to give,
Of all those Favours, which thou didst receive;
(Of that late Mercy, too, among the rest,
Which hath occasion'd, what, is here exprest)
And, with much indignation, cast thee down,
When, to its height, thy Confidence is grown.
Yea, they, who shall most flatter, and with whom
Thou, shalt, then, think most safe thou mayst become,
Will help destroy thee: And, this, shall to Thee
A sad presage, of thy destruction be,
Which, may be made a Prophecie Divine,
Of Everlasting Good, to Thee, and Thine.
But, to his Saints, GOD, gives a blessed close;
And, keeps his Vengeance, only, for his Foes.

Thus, I have shown, that, Mercy which produces
Contempt in Scorners, came for better uses:
Let it, by all, whom it concerns, be weigh'd;
And, when, I've more to say, It shall be said.

Geo. Wither.

Epistolium-Vagum-Prosa-Metricum:

OR, An Epistle at Randome, IN PROSE and METRE.

To be delivered, to all whom it may concern; but, was first intended only, for two or three of the Authors Friends in Authority (if he hath so many left) to mediate in Parliament, the Redress of his destructive Grievances; in the expression whereof, many Particulars of Publick Concernment are interwoven.

When Justice raigns, the Land doth flourish;
When, 'tis unthron'd, the People perish.

[_]

The Author, is George Wither Esq;

Who, in writing this Address, being transported beyond the sense of his Personal Sufferings, discovers by a Poetical Rapture, that whereon the peace of these Nations depends; and, what IS, and what VVILL BE, their sad Condition; as also, what New-Purgatories, and Fiery-Tryals, they are likely to pass, if GOD's Mercy, prevents not: which that they may endeavour to obtain, their old Remembrancer gives them, once more, a Fore-warning; resolving, this shall be his Last Time, of sounding them an ALARM.

When Disrespects, to Wrongs doth Ruine adde,
He, may be wise, who seems a little mad;
And, in that FIT speak things that needfull be
To cure those men, that are, more mad then he.

[When I was young, these Words my Motto were]

When I was young, these Words my Motto were
I, neither have, nor do I want, or care:
And, Death, will make them truer then they are.

[Though very much, and long, I have endur'd]

Though very much, and long, I have endur'd,
And, desp'rate Griefs, must desp'ratly be cur'd;
I, try no extaordinary Courses,
Till strong necessity thereto inforces:
For, though sometimes, I feel so great a smart,
That, I am therewith pinched at the heart,
I, still finde ease, within a little space,
By Patience, well prepared with Herb-grace.

My Genius, lately mov'd me to this Charm,
(Which, if it doth no good, can do no harm)
And, therefore, I thus prove it: GOD, direct
And, bless it, with a prosperous effect:
For, if what over-hangs us, at this time,
Nor Prayers, Narrative, nor Prose, nor Rime,
Nor Reason, can incline this Generation
In sixteen years, to Justice, or Compassion,
I, shall believe my days of private mourning,
Must, till another Publick-overturning
Prolonged be; or, else, till I shall have
A Cure for all my Suffrings, in the Grave.

However, (as I do) I will till then
To keep my Claims on foot, employ my Pen
Sometimes in private, to make Proof of those
Who to the World-ward, have made holy shows
That either by their ayd, I may obtain,
What, I have long petition'd for in vain;
Or, that to men unborn, I may declare
How merciless, their Predecessors, were;
How shamelesly unjust; how may ways
GOD proved them; how many several days,
Weeks, months and years, he waited, to make tryal,
How long, they would defer that self-denial
Which they had voted; and that, times to come,
May glorifie GOD, in the Final Doom;
Which, to the World, will openly be known
In greater Judgments, or, in mercy shown,
When our three Factions, parallel to them,
Which were the Ruine, of Jerusalem
Have acted out, their Parts; and left the Stage,
To those, who shall begin another Age.

GOD, is the same, in all his Attributes
(Whatere to him, our Vanity imputes)
And, just now, by the Eies of Contemplation,
I see a mixed-Cup in preparation,
Wherein, such Drugs are blended, sharp & sweet,
As, for our present Maladies are meet;
By which, I gess, what things may come to pass,
As Good, or Evil Counsels we embrace;
And, I will tell my Thoughts, though being told,
I fear, they will be slighted as of old:
For, I confess, that which my Soul foresees,
She sees like him, who saw, men walk like trees.

The ruine of the BEAST, is now at hand,
Which doth as yet, the HOLY-LAMB withstand;
And, he of late, hath so affrighted been,
Lest, his approaching Downfal must begin
Among these Nations, that, with all his might
He seeketh means his Vassals to unite

Who must assist him; and in secret wise,
He hath conveyed hither, in disguize,
Those Locusts, which ascended with a smoke,
Whereby, they unperceiv'd, Disguizes took
Of sev'ral Forms, resembling many Creatures
Of diff'ring Shapes, and of as diffring Natures,
To hide their Fraud; These, lately pow'r have had
By Sorceries, to make the people mad,
And, by fomenting Discords, to destroy
The means, whereby, that peace they might enjoy
Which would preserve them, & prepare a path
To that great work, which God determin'd hath.

For, though the sons of Belial, do condemn
This Power, which God hath now set over them,
Because, in outward shew, no such effect
Is like to spring, from thence, as they expect;
Yet, shall the Power (against which many prate,
And raile, and write, maliciously of late)
Henceforth, from Violence, protected stand,
And be destroyed by no mortal hand
Except their own; and, till they shall in heart
From just and pious Principles depart:
But, either quite destroy, or foil all those,
Who, them, in their Authority oppose.

Yea, though, those Interruptions they have had,
Whereby, they are not, now, so able made
As they may be, when time, adds thereunto
Compleatness, for the work they have to do:
They are, all that's remaining at this season,
Conducible thereto, in humane Reason;
And, what to disadvantage them, doth seem,
May give them, at the last, the more esteem.
The more contemptible, they now are thought,
The more dishonour will on them be brought
Whom they subdue. If, they be poor, and weak,
The louder, to his glory, will that speak
Which, he, by them effects, who foils proud Kings
And mighty Foes, by despicable things.

This, is the power, whereto we should adhere;
And, though to many men, it doth appear
Both by deficiency of Members lame,
And, some, still to retain, who do it shame)
'Tis GOD's Reserve, to save us from the Curse
Which we deserve: and we should make a worse
(As we are qualifide) if, he, now should
Permit things to be done, as many would,
Who know not, what some underhand intend,
That make fair shews, their Freedoms to befriend.

GOD, hath like Daniel in the Lyons Den
Them, from the beastly rage, of brutish men
Preserved hitherto, (ee'n, when to me
It seem'd impossible, they safe could be)
And, this not for their righteousness was done;
But, meerly for his mercy sake alone,
That, those few, who their trust in him repose,
Be not insulted over by their Foes.
For, in them now, the safety doth consist
Of ev'ry justly-claimed interest,
And, of each person, who seeks not to do
Those things, that are destructive thereunto;
Or, to himself, by breaking of that peace
Which tendeth to our gen'ral happiness.

If to make up this Representative
There do remain but forty men alive
Of all those persons, which all England thorow
Should represent each City, Shire and Burrough,
If they be persons principled aright,
Who in the fear of GOD themselves unite,
They shall perform the work that's to be done,
As if of their full number wanted none:
Nay, better, though among them there be some
Who to that work destructive would become.
That number, them, doth lawful constitute
By Custome, and for Action doth repute
Sufficient (whilst together they shall stay)
Though all the rest absent themselves away,
And to exclude all, who offensive are,
Though, one half of their hands and eyes they were.

They are essentially, as fully free
To all Intentions, as they need to be,
Or can be now made, without extirpation
Of that, which is for common preservation,
Made lawful, by a Law confirming more
True, Soveraignty, then any heretofore;
Ev'n by a sentence, for this Commonweal.
Decreed by him, from whom there's no appeal:
And all the Arguments which I have yet,
Heard or perused, to invalid it,
Are so infirm, so frivolous and vain,
That, whilst it here, a Being shall retain,
I'll add thereto, my help, to make them strong,
Whether to me, they shall do right or wrong.
Which help, though chiefly it, consists in words,
Will sometimes be as useful as their swords,
Unless despis'd: And, if they can believe
What will be said, such help, this Charm will give
Though it begins with terors. Mark it well:
For, 'tis a helpful and a lawful SPELL.

The Drums are beaten up. The Trumpet sounds
Alarums, threatning future Deaths or Wounds.
That Grand Conspiracy, which was foretold
And typifi'd, by Isr'els foes, of old,
Is forming up a Body, to prevent
What may arise out of this Parliament;

Ashur, and Ammon, Amaleck, and Tyre,
Yea, Earth and Hell, against them, now conspire.
Their Foes, from all parts, do begin to clustre,
Gog, Magog, and the Man of Sin do mustre
Their Forces up. In their own bosome, lies
An Ambush too, of dangerous enemies;
And, nothing gives me so much cause of fear,
As, that, which may lye hid in secret, there.

Yet that fear, is surmounted far by Hope,
Which, hath unto despairing set a stop:
For, they are that small Remnant, whence may spring
Those Armies, of our everlasting King,
Which will subdue the world, and set his Throne
Upon the ruines of great Babylon,
IF, they desert not, what they have profest,
And, in his favour, lose their interest:
That IF, remembring (left before the I,
We set the F, and cry aloud, Oh FI)
Let them be mindful, in humiliation,
That this year, is their last year of Probation;
And of all willful failings, now take heed,
Lest worse things, then befel them, do succeed.

Let them take courage also, and not fear
What, they shall either suffer, see, or hear:
For, he that saves by few; the wise, befools,
Defeats the strong, and works with any tooles
Resideth yet among them; and will never
Forsake them, whilst they do their best endeavor.
That, so it may be done, let them still minde,
Both what's before them, and what lies behinde.
Let them remember, He that stands may fall,
That, ev'ry promise is conditional;
And, that, GOD's promises, will be to them
Perform'd, as they to others, and to Him
Perform their promises: for, though this wrong
He pardons oft-times, and forbeareth long,
There is a set time, which now draweth near,
In which, he will, no longer, so forbear.

Let no man slight these Cautions, though by him,
Pronounced, who may despicable seem:
For, in these days, it often comes to pass
That, GOD, speaks, (as to Balaam by his Asse)
To wisest men, by those whom Fools they deem;
To Kings, by persons that ignoble seem;
And, if their Wills, as wilfully as he
They shall pursue, like his, their End shall be.
This Power now ruling, raigns by God's Commission;
Yet, not without a fore-premis'd condition:
For, by unrighteousness, it shall not stand,
Though it were as the Signet on his hand.
If, they themselves with outward washings, flatter,
And shall not cleanse the inside of the platter;
If, those defects of Justice and Compassion
Which lately brought Confusions on this Nation,
Be not forthwith repair'd in some degree,
(As means by GOD's grace, will vouchsafed be.)
And, if a Model truly Genuine,
This August sixteen hundred fiftynine,
Be not conceiv'd, and fully born, before
The time, exceeds the end of nine moneths more,
With all the essential parts, of such a thing,
As may receive a timely perfecting,
(To qualifie that Rage, which may increase
The Breaches made into the Common-peace)
Then, all that this Power, thenceforth can endeavour,
Will either be a nullity for ever;
Or else, a furth'rance, to that horrid pother
Which will make facile entrance for another
Oppressing hand, that, will but Justice do
So far, as Vengeance doth amount unto.

Hear this with patience; altho spoke by me:
Consider well, if thus it may not be,
All ye, whom it concerns: For Israels Rock,
(Who hates requiting mercies with a mock)
Hath said, that he must rule with Righteousness
Who doth ov'r men, a ruling power possess;
And, we have felt, that Piety is vain,
Unless therewith morality, doth raign.

But, all may yet be well; unless, the Beast
With many heads, mars their own interest
By ignorance, or wilful disobeying;
Or else, our Trustees (by our trust betraying)
Fail in performing, at their promis'd day,
That, which is hop'd for, and for which we pray.
Most awful GOD! who when this world was made,
Gav'st that a Being, which no Being had:
Whose Wisdom, from a Chaos made of nought,
All things into a perfect order brought;
And, by thy Word, eternally Divine,
Didst out of Darkness, cause the Light to shine;
Enable those, who have the present Power,
To act, what will be for their Weal and our.
And now, Oh all ye people of this Land,
At their need, aide them, with a liberal hand
And loyal heart, to act for your avail:
Let not the fault be yours, if they shall fail:
Lay all your Animosities aside,
For, though to them dishonour may betide,
The Consequence thereof, will make you sorry:
Their shame, will be the ruine of your glory.
If, otherwise it happen, what success
May follow, 'twill be needless to express,
And, to prevent it, I, thus often, here,
Adde this word IF, (which else less needful were)

For, great will be our sorrows, when they shall
Unmindful be of that conditional.

We many ways lye open to perdition;
And, GOD, hath Magazeens of Ammunition
Enough, to punish, all Offenders, either
Singly; in parties; or else, all together
As he shall please: yet, he vouchsafes a show,
Of such things, as he probably may do;
That, we, our wills, and practises may bend
To act with Him, in what he doth intend.

Those Judgments, may not all at once ensue,
Which may be fear'd, and will be justly due;
For, GOD's Long-suffering, shall perhaps once more
Justice with Mercy mix, as heretofore;
And, prove us, by a means, that some abhor,
And, other some, have madly longed for.

We have a Grand-Foe, whom he laid aside,
And, will reserve, till he hath foolifi'd
Their Expectations, who forgetful grow
Of what they suffer'd, but a while ago:
And, as he shew'd how mischievous a thing,
The Jews desired, when they crav'd a King,
By granting of it: (that, they might perceive
By feeling, what they would not else believe)
So, by the like Experiment, perchance,
He'll once more, cure this Nations ignorance:
Because, the gracious sentence by him given
On their behalfs, within the Court of Heaven,
Hath been by them despised, and contemn'd,
By siding with the party, there condemn'd.

Good GOD! how dare such Traytors to pretend
Their Countries Laws, and freedoms to befriend?
What Humane Law, or Power, will such as they
With Conscience, or due Loyalty obey,
Who disobey Thine? Justifie thy Foes?
Thy awful sentence, wilfully oppose?
And, either will have him, to fill the Throne,
VVhom Thou hast thence ejected, or else none?

This Provocation, may thy Justice move
By some enlargement of his Chain) to prove
How fit, for what he claims to be his own,
That Out-cast, is by thy Corrections grown.
At that time, (if, it possible shall be
That such a time, may be vouchsaf'd by thee)
If, he, unfeignedly himself resigne
To that Course, which thy Providence Divine
May dictate, to compleat an Instrument
For settling such an equal Government
As by thy Laws, and by the Laws of Nature,
Belong'd of old unto the humane-Creature,
And, will conduce unto the Common-good,
VVithout expence of Treasure, or of Blood;
A Blessing might succeed unto these Nations,
Beyond our present hopes and expectations:
And, they, who now are plotting to make voyd
Thy purposes; would see their own destroy'd.
Then, should the glorioust work be brought to pass,
That ever for mans good, designed was;
And, way made, for that Kingdome, which their pride
Doth, as a meer Phanatick Dream deride;
And which, some Saints, too, (who in faith attend
The coming of it) much misapprehend,
By fanc'ing things, which greatly inconsist
VVith such a Kingdom, as is that of CHRIST.
VVhose final Conquests, not a Carnal-Sword
Must make; but, that two-edged one, the Word;
Ev'n that victorious Instrument, the Truth,
VVhich doth proceed out of his sacred-mouth.
And, they, whom he doth arm against his Foes
VVith tother Sword, are but in place of those
By whom the trees & stones, were feld & squar'd,
VVhen matter for the Temple was prepar'd:
Partly by servants of the King of Tyre,
(Who wrought not for God's honor, but for hire)
Partly by Solomons; who did intend
Their labours, to a far more noble end.

If, he premised, shall have an intent
This way to act; and such a settlement
Can bring to pass, as may preparatory
Unto the Kingdom of Gods Grace and Glory
Appear to be; he, thereby should attain
More honour, then to repossess again
The Kingdoms lost, and to have thereunto
Annexed, three times thrice, as many moe:
For, then, that Roman-Monarchy, whose date
From her full-growth, with His, who sprang from that
Seems numb'red, to the set time of their falls,
In that sum, which her proper numerals
Make up (when simply joyn'd in numeration
According to their worth in valuation,
Reck'ning from that year in which CHRIST was slain,
And in which, Rome did to her height attain)
Should fall by his ayde; and win him a share
In that, which for thy Saints, thou dost prepare;
And I do wish he may (by shunning that
VVhich hazards it, before it be too late)
Be partner in that honour, if it be
No bar, to what determin'd is by Thee.

He, might, then, possibly survive to view
How far forth my Conjecture will prove true,

Who (finding that the length of Satans chain,
And of the time in which that BEAST must raign,
Are, as they should ensue successively,
Summ'd, in M. D. C. L. X. V. and I,
Which takes in every Roman numeral)
Do gess the time, when Babylon shall fall;
Will yet be forty years, or thereabout.
In which account, although I may be out,
Of this I'm certain; that it shall not stand
Beyond thy time, and that thy time's at hand.

But, should God (unto whom alone 'tis known,
What special mercy, shall to him be shown)
Vouchsafe to prove him, and he then contemn
That Course, which Justice will propose to him,
As probably he will, and covet that,
Which was by others, lately aimed at.
If, he strive, to establish such a Throne
As his forefathers lately sat upon;
He, may prolong the Judgements, and the wrath
Which, on these Isles, God's Angel poured hath.
He, may be vexed, and inrag'd like them
Who, when they should repent, do but blaspheme;
As many now do, and as 'twas foretold
That (when GOD'S wrath, was poured out) they would.
He, may defer the mercies, which appear
To many of the Saints, approaching neer:
But, nothing better can be hoped from
That Kingdom, which his Party prays may come,
Or from himself; till we more cause have got
To trust him, then his falshood to the SCOT
May promise; or, their Tutorings, from whom
He, fraighted, with ill Principles may come.

Almighty God (should he be pleas'd to prove him)
Can suddenly destroy him, or remove him
If he, when re-admitted, tyranniz'd,
Or, from what he profest, apostatiz'd:
He, that can make the worst thing serve his ends,
As well as that, which to his pleasure bends,
May make what proofs he will: But, we who know
No more, then what time, and events do show,
Must Act as Reason dictates: Else, we shall
Or may be ruin'd, by what will befall.

If we well weigh what hazards they will make
Who, to keep tame that Lyon undertake,
Wch from the dam hath liv'd wild in the wood,
And been a long time fed with humane-bloud,
And also, what a charge, and what a pain
It is to keep him always in a chain.
If, we heed well, what Plagues unsufferable,
It threatens, hither to admit the Rabble
Of Malecontents, which that ejected King,
Would with him, by his re-admission bring;
How much, those will deceive their expectation,
Who are most zealous of his restauration;
And, that, our charge, our dangers & our trouble,
They will in likelihood, much more then double,
Rather then make our miseries the less,
Or, bring with them, a settlement of Peace;
These, & such things consider'd, we, are more
Then mad-men, if we him again restore;
Unless, GOD sends him for a punishment,
Or makes him such a real penitent
As was Manasses; whereof, we yet have
No signs, nor so much faith as to believe
So great a Miracle, when there is nought
To us appearing, why it should be wrought.

I, write not thus (and, GOD, so prosper me,
As this is truth) that, he debar'd should be
From ought, which for his weal might be enjoy'd;
But, that, my Countries weal be not destroy'd.
I am no Foe to him, because that so
He is to me; but, as my Countries foe,
Or, one, who seeks unjustly to become
Possest of that, which GOD debars him from;
And, I believe, (whatere he, may suppose,)
Scarce one man in a hundred, among those
VVho, now his cause, or him, seems to befriend,
Doth it, for any conscionable end,
Or love to him, so much, as out of hate
To those, who now possess the Chair of State,
Through hate, or Envy; or, in hope that they
Shall by a change, be profited some way:
And that the most part, mov'd through levity
Neither considring, what they do, or why
They so would have it, only, ebb and flow
According as the present winde doth blow:
For, most of these are but deluded Fools;
Men, from malignant Families, or Schools
New come; or, else, of desperate Estates,
Or, of crackt Credits, or of crackt brain'd-pates;
(Or, such as live by vanity and sin)
Who, most desirous are to bring him in.
And, I believe, that all men, whom he draws
To joyn with him, shall perish in his Cause.

Tho some, (whom we know liers, and intend
To cheat us,) very much of late commend
His manners, praise his meekness, magnifie
His Christian Patience, and his piety;
And have induc'd some honest men, to hope
He is not so vow'd vassal to the Pope
As we have heard: yet, they who find the fraud,
And purposes, of those who him applaud;

(As also, whereunto they, are inclin'd,
Who publish this,) are not become so blind,
As not to see the bottom, and the end
Whereto their words and their endeavours tend.
And, these (not without cause) are much afraid
A Wolf, may in a Lamb-skin, be araid.
These fear, that from the Skarlet Strumpets Cup
He, and his Party, have such dregs drunk up,
That, they are now in those Distemperatures,
Which renders them incapable of cures;
And, so much, with those vanities, besotted
Whereon most Princes of the earth have doted,
That, these, when their hopes, are at height, will feel
(Like ill-wrought clay, upon a Potters wheel)
Themselves, to durt be crumbled in the making;
Or, crack, and break to pieces, in the baking:
And, that, whatere the Peoples dotages
May promise, there will be no hope in these
Or in their Prince; unless there may be given
A testimonial of their change from heaven:
Nor, will it be for our advantage, then,
Unless, we also, be reformed men.

How, GOD, of him, or will of us dispose
Is kept in secret, and he, only knows:
But, whether, he shall better be, or worse,
(Likely to be a blessing, or a curse)
He, neither is so good, nor yet so bad,
But, he, or such another, will be had
As we demean or selves. Such, as are we,
Such, ev'ry way, our Governours will be.
For, GOD, gives ev'ry People, as their dues,
Such men to be their Princes as they chuse;
And whether, good or bad, puts them together,
To be a curse, or blessing to each other;
Till them from their allegiance he shall free,
As their demerits, or their merits be
Relating to themselves, or unto him,
That is the Soveraign over both of them.

Ah! were this Generation, but as wise
As compleat, in their martial Bravaries;
Or, but as meek, as they are wise in show,
And knew as well, the things they do not know
As those they do; and could more lay aside
Their avarice, their selfness, and their their pride,
Which bar them from the knowledge, & the love
Of that, which would their best expedient prove:
They would begin, their failing more to mark;
Find how they grope, and stumble in the dark,
And, GOD, would give them open eyes to see
How, and whereby, their peace might setled be;
And that the Course whereby they thought to flourish
Is but a by-path, to their ways that perish.

As we are yet, our struglings be in vain,
To cast our burthens, and shake off, our chain:
We do, but, when one side, doth scorch & burn,
The other side, upon the Gridiron turn:
Or, shall but leap, (do whatsoe'er we can)
Into the Fire, out of the frying-pan;
Till, we our duties, better think upon
To GOD-ward, then we hitherto have done;
Until more generally, we do obey
This Power, which over us now beareth sway;
Till also, they make good the expectation
Conceiv'd, since their additional-probation;
And, till among these Nations, here be seen
A greater change, then hitherto hath been.

But, what change can here be, to set all right,
But such a change, as must destroy us quite,
And make all new? unless, the change be made
By him, from whom, all things their being had?
Or, some expedient, or reserve be found
Like that, made use of, when the World was drown'd?
For, most among us, are grown so deprav'd,
That, very few, can to Good use be sav'd.
Their wisdom, power and wealth, most men imploy
The welfare of each other to destroy.
The Common-people, do not understand
Those things, which GOD, and men have now in hand;
And, give assistance to rebellious Forces,
By railings, imprecations, skoffs and curses,
Instead of Prayers; and, so mis-believe,
That, now, no Charmer, can them undeceive.
So harsh and general a Diapaze
Of discords, in no Climate ever was
Since in Jerusalem the triple-faction
Foremention'd, wrought incurable distraction.
No People ever were so blinde, so giddy,
So vain, so false, mad, foolish, and so heady,
But, where a sad unparallel'd confusion
Threatned to bring a terrible Conclusion.

They, like to Sampsons Foxes, from each other
Turn heads; but, are united so together
With Firebrands, by their tails, that, as well they
Who run the same, as they wch thwart their way
Destroy the Cornfields thorow which they run,
And, meet with greater mischiefs then they shun

He, that oppresseth, doth of those complain
Who, do apparent wrongs by him sustain;
And, oft, finds means to tell so smooth a tale,
That innocence is dasht against the wall:

He, that the truth, nor loves, nor tells, nor teaches,
Writes, fights, pretends, yea, pays, and prays, and preaches,
As if he did profess it without guile;
Yet, is a friend to falshood, all the while.
Some, without honesty, the truth profess,
Some, hold the truth, but in unrighteousness;
And, twixt these two, (as they the power divide)
CHRIST, and most honest men are crucifide.

With Tragedies, they make their Party glad,
And, joy in that, for which good men are sad.
They love no news, like that which breedeth strife,
Lies, (as if they were nourishments of life)
They feast on; and at them, who their untruths
Disown, they storm, as if then, from their mouths
The bread were snatcht: yea, when they know them false,
They love to tell, and hear, seditious tales,
By which the Common-peace may be orethrown,
Although thereby, they quite destroy their own,
And multiply those burthens, which, they lay
To their Charge, who, had took them else away;
Or, if not hindred in their enterprize,
By malice, falshood, and Apostacies.

Their slandrous Tongues, and Pens, whom wound they not
Save him that is unknown, or else forgot.
They skoff, and jeer (not wickedness and folly,
Wch may be jeer'd) but things that are most holy:
And, since times round began, no humane eyes
Did read so many cursed blasphemies,
So much prophaness, and scurrility,
Or such impure and filthy ribaldry,
As in this Isle, hath in so little space,
Been publish'd, to our National disgrace.
But, what can more from those expected be
Who think none but licentious men are free?
And, whose ambition, more affects to have
The freedom of a Beast, or of a Slave,
Then that which both by nature, and by grace,
Belongs of right, unto the humane race?

Like earboar'd slaves, (who, bondmen have been made
So long, that, when their freedom may be had
They slight it) so do these; and, as conceiving
There were, no possibility of living
In this world, (or hereafter to be sav'd)
Except they serv'd a Tyrant, and were slav'd;
They, now rebelliously, a Captain chuse
To lead them back to bondage, like the Jewes;
As if it were designed by these Nations
To be like them, in all their deviations.

Oaths, against Oaths, and Covenants are took,
Fitter to be repented of, and broke
Then to be kept; and, Piety, they make
A seeming warrant to infringe and break
That which obligeth all mens Consciences,
And, wherewith, nor GODS Laws, nor mans dispenses,
Thus, at this present, constituted is
This Nation; and, what change, must mend all this?

Oh madmen! (if ye are not so bereft
Of reason, that among you none is left)
Be you your selves the Judges, if I lay
That to your charge, which is not as I say.
Or, whether I dar'd say it, in a time
So wicked, without warranty from him,
Who, in this sad day of our Visitation
Inclines me to it, for your preservation.

To cure these Frenzies for his future glory,
GOD, is preparing a New-purgatory,
To purge what may be purged from the dross,
That, of the Pure Gold there may be no loss.
The Judgements, now beginning, shall go round,
And through these Islands, till all those are found
Who have been false, in that which they profest
To GOD, or to the Publick-Interest.
From house to house, from man to man, they shall
Procession make, till they have seiz'd on all.
All shall be proved, whether poor they be
Or rich, or, of a high or low degree,
By outward, or by inward fiery trials,
Till they are brought to real self-denials
Twixt GOD and them, through mercy to repent
Their failings; or, to outward chastisement.

Those, who shall in this Island, scape his hand,
Vengeance, will seize on, in a Forraign-Land:
The Foes of Peace among the Common-rout,
A Pestilence, or Famine shall root out.
They, who have shuffled from the Souldiers fury,
Shall fall into the mercy of a Jury;
And, when they, from the Sword, are in some hope
To hide; shall then be hamper'd in a Rope.
The mischiefs they have shunned in the street,
Within a secret Chamber, they shall meet.
Those men, whom nothing publickly pursues,
Their Consciences, in private, shall accuse;
They, who immovably do think to stand,
Shall fall, without the motion of a hand;
And when the things they fear'd, cannot annoy them
That, which they sleight, and fear not, shall destroy them.

Exceeding dreadful, during such probations,
Will be the many suff'rings of these Nations,
Except those days be short'ned, or GOD, shall
Enable to sustain what may be fall.
For, that, which now is coming to the Test,
Is not, alone, the peoples interest,
As, what was lately controverted here
Betwixt them, and deceased Oliver;
Or, him and Stewart: or, a thing so vain
As now, the Dane and Swede, or France & Spain
Are striving for: But, whether good or evil;
CHRIST, or the Man of Sin, GOD, or the Devil
Shall have the Soveraignty; and wo to those
Who shall, that righteous interest oppose,
Which is to be decided, when the day
Shall come, to set their battels in aray.

But, 'tis already come; at least, so nigh
As to be seen by Contemplations eye.
Tis come; and, (though not, as 'tis misconceiv'd
By those, who have a Throne for CHRIST contriv'd,
As carnal as that is, which now must fall)
It will ere long, be visible to all,
Who have that eye-salve, which may help their eyes,
To see Truth shining through dark mysteries.
The Banners, of both Parties are display'd;
Both their Militia's, are in part aray'd;
The souldiers wages, on both sides is known,
The secret word, on many is bestown:
And, not one Promise doth to me appear
Of an escape, from that, which men may fear,
Save, as in their Probations, they make good
Their charge, (though to the loosing of their blood
If need require) with trusting to that grace,
Which, neither Is, nor shall be, nor ev'r was
To any wanting, who did not refuse it,
Nor when it is received, shall abuse it.

But, what will follow, can alone be known
To them, on whom that grace shall be bestown;
Or, by th'Events, of those Contingencies,
VVhich from a just progression, will arise;
And, must, the steps-probationary be
To that, which is GOD's absolute Decree;
For, whose accomplishment, I will attend
Till that time comes, or, till my life shall end.

Here, I had ended; but it fares with me
As with him, who, again shall never see
Those he departs from; and would leave behind him,
Somewhat, to make them, otherwhile to minde him.
Thus, would I do; or, rather, if I may
Make others minde themselves; & what this day
Seems drawing nigh. Oh, let him, with regard,
That speaks for you, (not for himself) be heard.

Let him, Oh Englands Representative,
Who, now, hath but a little time to live,
(And, fain would write, or say, before he dies,
That, for thy Weal, which thou shouldst not despise)
Let him this once be heard, with that respect
Which may produce a rational effect,
Lest, all thy Consultations, Cost and Pain,
Do prove at last, to be bestow'd in vain.

To him, who to your selves, did you restore,
Your selves resign, more now, then heretofore;
And, seek not, like your tyrannizing Kings,
At this time, to contrive and settle things
More for your selves, then to advantage those
Who, trust in you, for better ends repose;
Or, to advance your Freedoms, more then their
Just Rights, for whose sake, they conferred are.

Let not him, suffer more, who shall accuse
For breach of trust, then they who trust abuse,
As heretofore: For, there was once a time
Wherein, to charge a Member, for a crime,
Was prosecuted with a greatet zeal
Then his Guilt, who, then wrong'd the Commonweal:
Ev'n when to Stangate, yea, (some say) well nigh
To Lambeth-house, the People heard them cry,
'Tis for a MEMBER: and preserv'd was he
VVithin that House, who ought expel'd to be:
And, all the mercy, to th'Accuser shown,
VVas, to be kept a Pris'ner in his own.
But they who did it, were by Providence
Cast out; GOD keep all such, for ever thence.

Consider whether there do not, as yet
To your own knowledge, men among you sit
VVho much obstruct the mercies, GOD intends,
And, your progression in those righteous ends
VVhich you propose. (I mean not any one
VVho erres through humane Frailty; For, then none
Should be excus'd) but such as do transgress
Through Envy, and malitious wilfulness;
Or such Presumers, who, as Achan did,
Took Gold & rayment (things, that were forbid,
On danger of a Curse) such as bereave
The poor of their subsistence; or deceive
The Commonwealth; and whom their Avarice
To other things unlawful did intice,
VVhereby oppressed Innocents are wrong'd,
And Justice to their ruine, is prolong'd.

Consider, what may be the sad event
VVhere any such as these, are prevalent;
And, if you find such, and desire to thrive,
To them, in time, their due demerits give;
For, why, by palliating of their guilt,
Should your blood, like the Benjamites be spilt,
VVho brought on their whole Tribe, a wrath divine,
For murth'ring but one Levites Concubine?

Consider, when your Pardons were bestown,
VVhether it were not for ends of your own;
More to secure your selves, or to befriend
The Nations Foes, who on your Grace depend;
Or, otherwhile, because, you durst not do
That Justice, which you were oblig'd unto,
Much rather, then sincerely to express
Your love to mercy, and to righteousness:
If so, you finde it; then, betimes lament
Your failings, and effectually repent.

Consider, if, when we, to pacifie
The wrath of GOD, a day shall sanctifie
In Fastings, or Thanksgivings; whether, he
Can pleased with those sacrifices be,
Which cost us, nothing, but to spend a day,
(And formally, to pass some hours away)
In Emptiness, or Fulness; or, to hear
Those sins reprov'd, which, we will not forbear;
Yet, not to leave behind us, till the morrow,
One symptome, of true thankfulness, or sorrow?
Had it not then been fit, to lay aside
Some part of what, in Vanity and Pride
Hath been consum'd; their sufferings to relieve,
VVho cannot from the Publick purse receive
VVhat is their due, until GOD shall restore
Abilities, to make that Pittance more?

Consider, (since among you there are some,
VVho, do believe, a Kingdome is to come,
VVhereof CHRIST must be King) whether or no
Your Government, should not be modell'd so;
That, when the People, shall Elect by Voyce
Double Trustees; GOD should by lot make choyce
Of which him pleaseth? VVhen that we have had
Our Option, wherefore should not His be made?
So 'twas, when Isr'el, first a King enjoy'd,
And, when the first Apostleship was voyd.
Who would not be content to stand or fall
VVith what, would so indifferent be to all?
Or, not submit to him, who will become,
Do what we can, the Giver of our Doom?
Or, who will this oppose, but they who doubt
GOD, will in his Elections, leave them out?

More might be said: But, you know how to draw
The Body of a Lyon, by the Paw.
If, these things, you consider; and shall do,
Your best endeavour to conform thereto,
This, I am sure of, (though I cannot tell
VVhat will be done) that, all they, shall do well
VVhose Consciences, unfeignedly attest
That, they, to do all well, have done their best.

How pleasing, this will prove, well know I not;
But, how I might have pleased, well I wot.
If, I, had flattered those men in their waies,
VVho, whatsoev'r they merit, look for praise.
If, Pillows to their Elbowes I had sow'd,
Sooth'd up the Covetous, fawn'd on the Proud,
And been like many other, so ripe-witted,
My Poems with their humours to have fitted:
Had I, another been, not he I am,
None knowing what I was, or, whence I came;
Then, had (as I did) thirty years ago,
Foretold what should be, and, what see they do
Accordingly fufill'd; and then, had got
By that success, (which often faileth not)
Amongst the People, such a reputation,
As they, who seem to speak by Revelation;
It may be I had been a Saint esteem'd
As Madmen are in Turky; or, now seem'd
Less despicable; or, else, my predictions
Had been as well regarded as those Fictions.
Or foolish lying Prophesies, by which
Impostors, this deluded age bewitch.
If, I, on that advantage, had made known
Some Crotchets or Chimera's of mine own,
For selfish ends; or, had I then pretended
To some new-light; such Novelties commended
To his age, as are pleasing, at this day.
Or had I, (which, I could, as well as they
VVho practise it) put on the tempting Dress
Of seeming zeal, and formal-holiness;
Forborn to speak, what few men love to hear;
Not bid them leave, what no man can forbear;
And, in those things complide which most affect;
I might have been the Father of some Sect:
Yea, so, should have been favoured perchance,
As to have got some temporal advance:
For, few men, (could my heart therewith comply)
Had better means, for such a cheat, then I.

But, these were not my Aims, & I have gain'd
As much, as I had hope to have attain'd.
And, having fully prov'd what is in men,
VVill henceforth lay by, my displeasing Pen:
Not doubting, but this Letter, will effect
As much as whilst I live, I must expect.

I, now have writ enough, to that intent
VVhich first I had; yea, much more then I ment
VVhen I began, this; and thereby make known
A Cause, more worthy heeding, then mine own;
Wherein, if I prevail hereby, no more
Then, by what I have written heretofore,
I, shall believe th'effect would be much less
Hereafter, should I, any more express.

The Preface last year to my SALT on SALT,
Fore-warned (and I think it not my fault
If none regard it) that, to us, this year
Effects of dreadful Thunders, would appear;
And, so it comes to pass: yet, little heeded,
Save as things, which have casually succeeded:
I'll therefore, henceforth let them credit give
To what they dream, and I do not believe.
Enough is here writ, to make most of those
That shall be Knaves, or Fools, to be my Foes.
And, where can I live, (unless God shall please)
Where, I can long be safe from some of these?
But, in their presence, he my Table spreads;
My Soul, nor their Power, nor their Malice dreads;
He, heretofore, hath me defended from
Their Purposes, and will, for, time to come,
In that which most concerns me; though men may
Take Life, Estate, and outward things, away.

I have already said, and writ enough,
For men prophane, and Hypocrites to scoff:
Therefore, henceforth, let each man do the thing
That likes him, as when Isr'el had no king.
Let him, that will be wilful, have his will:
Let him that's filthy, so continue still,
Until another, to supply my room,
Shall with a more prevailing Spirit come.

Look to thy self, Oh BRITAIN! I will here
No more be thy despis'd REMEMBRANCER:
For, as those, who (when they neglects did meet,
Were bid, to shake the dust from off their feet)
I, am excus'd; and, 'tis not my belief,
That, I am bound to preach unto the Deaf,
And cast away my Pearls, as I have done,
Where they and I, shall still be trampled on.
My Soul, is clear from any blood of thine;
GOD grant, thou mayst as guiltless be of mine,
Thine own, and other mens; and at thy need,
Speed better, in thy suits, then yet I speed.

I will no more, affright thee with Alarms
By my Predictions, of approaching harms,
As in times past, nor add to thy offence,
By minding thee, of thine impenitence;
Nor seem to play the Fool, to make those wise
Who, will not see, wherein their safety lies:
But, cease to meddle in those Publick-matters,
Which, thy False Prophets, and Prognosticaters,
Have puzzell'd: But, to him, a suitor be,
VVho, from what's threatned, can deliver thee.

To works of this kind, here, I fix a bound,
This, is the last time, wherein I will sound
My Trumpet to these Nations; or make known
Ought which concerns thy matters, or mine own
In publick wise, or, in a private way,
Save, as my Neighbours, either do, or may;
Unless, I, from within, have such a Call
As cannot safely be dispens'd withal:
Or, else, an outward Call from those who may
Command me, if they think, that I can say
VVhat to the Publick welfare will relate:
But, there is little likelyhood of that;
And, therefore, I intend to spare my breath,
To vent my Thoughts in private till my death.

Oh that I fail not, of my expectations,
(In this dark Den, of cruel habitations,
By outward or by inward perturbations)
To take thy Kingdom, (wherein, at this day,
Thine enemies and mine, the Tyrants play)
COME, come, LORD JESU, quickly come away.

EPIPHONEMA.

The more, I muse, the more I may,
Till night, ends in eternal day:
For, ev'ry hour, brings forth new things,
From whence, new matter dayly springs,
Whereof, I shall but speak in vain,
Whilst my Corruptions do remain:
But, when I must depart to Him,
Who nor begun, nor ends in Time,
And, hence, quite out of sight, am gone,
My words will more be thought upon.
Or they (when recknings are set right)
Will help make measure and full weight.
Ensuing times, will useful make them,
Tho I, (in scoff, call'd Prophet) spake them:
And, when of nothing, I have need,
They, paradventure, or their seed,
Who in my life-time, have undone me,
Will (dead) bestow a Grave upon me;
As they that (issuing from their wombs
Who slew them) built the Prophets tombs.

VERSES Intended to the King's Majesty,

BY Major GEORGE WITHER, Whilst he was Prisoner in NEVVGATE:

Which being found Written with his own Hand, among his loose Papers, since his Commitment close Prisoner to the TOVVER, Are now Published, as pertinent both to his Majesty, and to Him.

Sir, though I neither of your Grace despair,
Nor lack sufficient Faith, to make a Prayr
In Court: yet, wanting means to prosecute,
I'le trouble you at this time, with no Suit;
But, treat of somewhat, that no more will cost,
Save Labour, which I many times have lost,
And, thereby, not been made a jot the worse,
Either in mind, in body, or in purse.

When Rebels did King Davids flight constrain,
And, GOD was pleas'd to bring him home again,
They, who to drive him out, had forwardst been,
Made hast to joyn with those who brought him in.
And, he, with GOD, in Mercy so comply'd,
That, not one man for that Rebellion dy'd,
VVho follow'd Absalom, that had contriv'd
The Treason, and well-meaning men deceiv'd.
A traitrous Child's life, that Rebellion cost;
But, by our War, a Fathers life was lost:
And therfore, though some bloodshed that produc'd,
In humane Reason you may be excus'd,
VVhom natural Affection mov'd to shed
The blood of some, by whom your Father bled;

Since you more Mercy freely have bestown
Than Davids, or your Foll'wers would have shown.
Which much augments your Honour: For, no Jem
So beautifies a Royal Diadem,
As Mercy, when it is enameled
VVith Justice, and with Prudence riveted.

I had presum'd a personal Address
Long since; but, difficult is an Access
For such as I appear, who hazard blame,
And disrespect enough, where I now am;
Because, what Conscience chargeth me withal,
Is by some judged to be criminal.
In that regard, this Paper must make way
For gaining an admittance, as it may;
And will, I hope, presented be, by some
VVho shall have entrance, where I cannot come.

I am despoiled so of ev'ry thing,
That nothing for a Present I can bring
Except (of Grace) your Majesty shall please
To daign acceptance to such Gifts as these;
Which (though but mean, and in an homly dress)
VVill then illustrate your true Worthiness,
As amply, as the candid Acceptation,
Of what may seem of greater valuation.

I cannot write strong Lines, with swelling words,
VVhose Elegancy scarcely room affords
For sober sense; nor muster up their Names,
Whom History, and whom Tradition fames
For brav'st Atchievements, since time first begun,
And then say, you have all of them outgone;
As if my foolish words, might add unto
Your Honour, more than your own Deeds can do.
Or, as if any Wise-man would give creed
To what they in a flatring Poem reade.

It is not in the pow'r of any other
By Pen or Tongue to clear up, or to smother
Your true Deserts; For, in your self that lies,
VVhich either them beclouds, or dignifies.
No other Thoughts I entertain of You,
But such as I may think, and you allow:
Yet, to extol your Worth I shall not dare,
Till I know truly what your Vertues are.
For, though to Flatrers all Kings seem to be
Of like desert, they seem not so to me.
I'le serve you faithfully in what I may,
And, as my King, love, honour and obey.
I would conceal, not publish your defects,
If I knew any; and give due respects
To all your Merits; but, I will not own
One Line that praises them, till they are known:
For, till I know, I give but what is due,
I am a Lyar, though my words be true;
Since equally, both good and evil things,
Are famed of the best of men, and Kings.

A Stranger likewise, you have been long time
To most of your own Subjects in this Clime,
And, I was never where I did behold
Your face, since you were two or three years old:
VVhat Good soever therefore I aver
Of you, I shall but seem a Flatterer;
Yea, you your self would think so, should I add
Those Virtues, which you know you never had;
And, Praise, which is ascrib'd to any one
In that mode, is a little less than none.
But, little Credit also hath a Poet,
To celebrate your Worth, when he shall know it,
Or counterpoize, or silence Contradictions,
Since most esteem his Writings to be Fictions;

And you will be more honor'd, than in them,
By these blunt Lines, if they have your esteem.
I therefore, so shall study to increase
Your Honour, that I may not make it less;
And whatsoever I can say or do,
(Although you give a Countermand thereto)
I'le say, and do it; when I shall be sure
Your Life, or Peace, or Honour 'twill secure:
And, if this be a fault, I do intend
To be thus faulty, till my life shall end.

I know, most Royal Sir, who 'tis that saies,

Et magnis placuisse Viris, non ultima laus est. Hor. de Arte Poetica.

To please great men, deserves not meanest praise:
I see how 'tis approv'd, and what they gain
Who can that thriving Faculty attain.
Yet, I shall wave their Art, and will assay
To do you honour in another way,
By giving you occasion to express
Your Justice, Mercy, and your Prudentness;
So that your self may make the world to see
Your Virtues more, than words can say they be.
To that end, much might in my case be shown:
But, rather for your sake, than for mine own
Is this Address; Yea, rather to prevent
What may be your harm, than my detriment;
Ile therefore wave that too; that no self-end
May frustrate what I chiefly do intend.

Some, questionless, before your Restoration
Contributed for your Accommodation
In true sincerity; and some, no doubt,
Thereby to work their own Salvation out;

And many a one, perhaps, like Ziba speed,
VVho merited no better than he did.
Some other would have done as much as they,
But, neither had the means, nor knew the way;
And many, who against You then combin'd,
Are now, so truly of another mind,
That, you in them are safe: for, Love in such
Will much abound, who were forgiven much.

I, who obeyed late preceding Pow'rs
Compulsively; now, willingly to yours
Profess Allegiance; and, as true as those
Will be, who of their Truth make fairest shows.
For, when I saw GOD on your side appear,
I was reclaim'd by Conscience, not by Fear;
Yea, I foresaw, and likewise did foretel
(To them who were in pow'r) what since befell;
Attending passively, what I expected,
By Providence divine would be effected:
And my professed Loyalty to you
Is not alone unquestionably true,
But also, may appear to be more free
From self-ends, than their Loyalty can be
In whom you most confide: For, they from Bands
Exempted are; have Honours, Goods and Lands,
Pensions or Offices, wherein you do
Protect them; and, they have your Favour too.
But, all these wholly are to me destroy'd,
And I by your Protection have enjoy'd
Nought, save a dying-life, a living-grave,
Or that, whereof so small esteem I have,
That, if my Work were done, and GOD would say
Amen, I would resign my Life this day.

Yet, so far am I from repining at
My Portion, or my seeming sad estate,

That, in this Posture I will serve as long,
As to endure it GOD shall make me strong;
Not doubting, but when all things come to proof,
My Suffrings will be much to my behoof:
Mean time, left otherwise, my good intent
To you, some causualty may prevent,
I will, so far forth as my Chain will stretch,
(And mine now shortned arm and hand will reach)
Exhibit such Expedients, as from Time,
And other Herbs, I've suckt within your Clime;
And, wanting better Gifts, will offer you
This little Cluster of those Grapes, which grew
Upon my wither'd Vine: For, though they are
But sowre, your Kingdom yeelds none wholsomer,
If you shall seasonably press out the Juice,
And then assume it without prejudice.

This Time is critical; The wayes be ruff,
And many of those Chariot-wheels fly off,
By which your Marches expedited seem'd,
And lost Advantages must be redeem'd,
Lest when you think that they are come to hand,
Your main Expectances be at a stand,
Or, put so far back, that you may survive
Your hopes, and your own happiness outlive.
I wish it otherwise; and know it may
Be as I wish, if you the means assay,
Not giving ear to those, who will withstand
Your Good, & that which GOD hath now in hand.
I have discharg'd my Conscience; and so shall,
VVhatever for so doing doth befall,
In hope that will not wholly be dispis'd,
Which now shall be in faithfulness advis'd.

To those men do not over-much adhere,
Who think all Wisdom lies within their sphear;
For, Honours, Riches, and self-Interest
Have made wise-men as brutish as a Beast.
Heed otherwhile, what Common Fame doth say.
Aswel as what your Courtiers whisper may;
Lest you be ignorant of many things,
Whose cognizance is pertinent to Kings.
Make no man your chief Confident, but he
That's both discreet, and honest known to be;
Lest he deceives your trust, and in the close
Destroyes your old Friends, or begets new Foes.
Let Justice be your Scepter, let your Crown
Be Mercy; and, if you would keep your own,
Give that to others, which to them belongs,
And free the Poor and Fatherless from wrongs:
Especially, your main Endeavours bend
To make and keep your Sov'reign Lord your friend.
And if you would be setled on your Throne,
Take care that His usurped be by none.
Enjoy your Conscience, whatsoere it be;
So other men may have their Conscience free;
And, hang me for a Traitor, if thereby
You then enjoy not more Security,
Than what your Strength by Sea and Land now gives,
And all that humane Policy contrives.
Let Truth and Error fight it out together,
Whilst Civil Peace disturbed is by neither;
Which may be so provided for, that none
Shall justly be displeas'd with what is done;
Nor you hereafter be (for evermore)
Disturbed, as you have been heretofore.

If You neglect this, and I disobey,
Twill be with much grief, and no other way,

But only passively, and whatsoever
I suffer, will your Welfare still endeavour.
To be of this mind, thousands are believ'd,
VVho are not into favour yet receiv'd:
And whilst they are excluded (though in peace
They live) suspitions daily will encrease;
And from their Malice, who nor GOD, nor King,
Much care for, some ill consequence may spring,
By which You may have trouble, and they blame,
VVho shall be no way guilty of the same.

Your taking timely Opportunities
Now offred (and, of what before You lies)
May render You a blessed Instrument,
In making passage to that Government
VVhich Tyrants fear; more glorious make Your Throne
Than ever any King yet sate upon:
And make Your Name a terror to all those
VVho to that Kingdom shall continue Foes.
Herein I've spoke according to my creed,
Wishing my just hopes may thereon succeed;
And that upon Your heart it may work more,
Than what I've spoke to others heretofore.

But GOD's time is at hand; within his pow'r
Are all mens ways; yea, both your hearts & our;
And I will patiently subject unto
VVhat either He or You shall please to do,
Not asking (whatsoere I seem to want)
Ought more, than you spontaneously shall grant:
For, what I may expect, if you denie,
So far as need shall be, GOD will supply.

These words, when I was young, my Motto were,
I neither have, nor want, nor do I care:
So are they now I'm old; yea, somewhat more
Essentially than ever heretofore;

And thereof I will not abate one Letter,
Till GOD and You dirrect me to a better.

The Liberty I covet to enjoy,
Is that which no man living can destroy.
The Wealth I aim at, is nor less, nor more,
But to be well contented, Rich or poor:
And, if I had a mind my Wits to strain,
That I to earthly Honours might attain,
I should to no such common heights aspire,
As now are objects of most mens desire;
Or, to a stile of so mean consequence,
As is an Earl, a Marquess, Duke or Prince;
Or, to be call'd your Cousin: For, no less
VVould satisfie my large Ambitiousness,
But so much worth, at least, as did commend
His Loyalty, whom David call'd his Friend,
And wit enough to make a parallel
Of ev'ry Traytor, with Achithophel.
For, then you should in very short time see,
That no man more deserves esteem'd to be
Your Majesties loyal Subject
Than, Geo. Wither.

Newgate, Mar. 22. 1662.

FINIS.