University of Virginia Library

For wise and Cautious Consciences
Are Free to take what course they please.
Have Plenary Indulgence, to Dispose
At Pleasure of the strictest vows,
And Chaleng Heavn they made 'em to,
To vouch and witness what they do.
And when they prove averse and loath,
Yet for convenience take an Oath;
Not only can dispense, but make it
A greater Sin to keep, then take it;
Can binde and loose all Sorts of Sin,
And only keepe's the keys within;
Has no Superior to Controul,
But what it selfe sets ore the Soule;
And, when it is injoyn'd t' obey,
Is but Confin'd, and keepe's the key;
Can walk invisible, and where,
And when, [and] how it will, appeare;
Can turn it selfe into Disguises
Of all sorts, for all sorts of vices;
Can transubstantiate, Metamorphose,
And Charme whole Heards of Beasts, like Orpheus;
Make woods, and Tenements, and Lands
Obey, and follow it's Commands,
And settle on a New Freehold,
As Marcly-Hill, removd of old;
Make mountaines move with greater force,
Then Faith, to New Proprietors;
And perjure to secure th' Injoyments
Of Publique Charges, and Imployments:
For True, and Faithfull, Good and Just
Are but Preparatives to Trust,
The Guilt, and Ornament of things
And not their Movements, wheels, and Springs.

How many Offices, and Places
Would salve a Conscience in all Cases!
Hence 'twas he raysd his Price so high
That what one Place before would buy
Now all together in a Lump
Would not Come up to his Accompt.
For He Reducd all things to Trade,
And both for right, and wrong was payd.

Conscience is a Damnd Lampooner,
That Feares no Court of Law, nor Honor.

Because a Feeble Limb's Carest,
And more Indulgd then all the Rest;
So frayle and tender Consciences
Be humord to do what the[y] please;
When that, which Go's for weak and Feeble,
Is found the most Incorrigible,
To outdo all the Fiends in Hel
With Rapine, Murther, Bloud and Zeal.

Tender Conscience, Th' half-stervd Snake,
Which those that in their Bosoms take
To cherish, are Rewarded for't
And stung with Gratitude to th' Hart.