Miscellaneous works of George Wither

ONIV.OF

£

. Issue, -no- I& -J

MISCELLANEOUS WORKS

OF

GEORGE WITHER

THIRD COLLECTION

PRINTED FOR THE SPENSER SOCIETY
1874

PRINTED EY CHARLES SIMMS,
MANCHESTER.

PR

CONTENTS OF THE THIRD
COLLECTION.

The references are to HazlitCs Bibliographical Hand Book.

1. The Two Incomparable Generaliflimo's of the world, with their Armies

briefly defcribed and embattailed, vifibly and invifibly oppofmg each
other. The one is the old Serpent the Devill, Generall of the
Church Malignant. The other is the Lord JESUS CHRIST, Generall
of the Church Militant. G. W. London Printed, for lames Butler.
1644. (i leaf.) \H. 26.]

2. Jujlitiarius juftificatus. The luflice juftified. Being, an Apologeti-

call Remonftrance, delivered to the Honourable Commiffioners, of the
Great Seale, by George Wither Ef quire; and occafioned by Sir
Richard Onflow Knight, with fome others, who moved to have him
put out of the Commiffion of the Peace, in Surrey : In which
private-Defence, many things are expreffed, verie pertinent to publike-
confideration ; and, to the vindication of the Liberties of the Subject,
in generall, and of Magijlrates, in particular. 1646. (Cleaves.)

\ff- 33.]

3. The dark Lantern, containing a dim Difcoverie, in Riddles, Para

bles, and Semi-Riddles, intermixt with Cautions, Remembrances
and Predictions, as they were promifcuoufly and immethodically
reprefented to their Author, in his Solitary Mufings, the third of
November 1652. about Midnight. Whereunto is annexed, a Poem,
concerning a Perpetuall Parliament. By Geo. Wither Efquire.
London, Printed by R. Auftin, and are to .be fold by Richard
Lowndes at the white Lion in Paul's Church-yard, neer the little
North Door. 1653. (41 leaves.) \H. 55.]

IV

Contents of the Third Collection.

4. Weflrow Revived. A Funerall Poem without Fiftion. Compofed by

Geo: Wither Efq. That God may be glorified in his Saints; That
the memory of Thomas Weflrow Efq; may be preferved, and that
others by his exemplary Life and Death may be drawn to imitation
of his Vertues.

Bleflare the Dead who dye in Chrifl;
For, from their Labours they do refl;
And, whether they do live or dye,
His Saints are precious in his eye.

To the Reader.

Reader, perufe this thorow : For, to Thee
It moil pertains, though Weftrow named be;
And, gives (as by the way) foine fhort hints, there,
To what Intents, He, chiefly doth appear,
And whereof, if good heed lhall not be took
Somwhat, ere long, more fully will be fpoke.
Both Mofes, and the Prophets, many a day
Have fpoken ; and a Greater one then they.
Hear them : For when God fendeth by the Dead,
His Meffages will come with much more Dread
Then Comfort', and few men, with good effect,
Shall hear thefe, the former do neglect.
Be wife, or elfe; .Z?ut, He, now fay no more,
The Feet of mejfengers are at the door.
London: Printed by F: Neile in Alderfgate-flreet : 1653.
(36 leaves.} [H. 56.]

5. An Improvement of Imprifonment, Difgrace, Poverty, into Real Free

dom; Honeft Reputation; Perdurable Riches; evidenced in a few
Crums and Scraps lately found in a Prifoners-basket at Newgate ;
and faved together, by a Vifttant of Oppreffed Prifoners, for the
refreming of himfelf and thofe who are either in a worfe Prifon, or
(who loathing the dainties of the Flejti) hunger and thirft after
Righteoufnefs.

He, who,yfr^ thoufand hungry Souls had fed
With two f mall FiJJies, wi&five Loaves of Bread,

Contents of tJie Third Collection. v

\Vould have the Fragments fav'd : for, that is fweet
To fome, which others trample under feet ;
This Prifoners late Experiments may be,
Of ufe to them, who know much more than he :
For, men to credit thofe, are fooneil mov'd ;
Whofe Words to be fincere, by Deeds, are prov'd.

By GEORGE WITHER. London, Printed in the Year, 1661.

(63 leaves.} [H. 78.]

6. Tuba-Pacifica. Seafonable Precautions, whereby is founded forth a

Retreat from the War intended between England and the United-
Provinces of Lower Germany. By GEO : WITHER, a Lover of
Peace, and heartily well-affecled toward both Nations. Nimis
Cautela non nocet. Matthew 5. 9. Blefsed are the Peace-makers,
for they JJiall be called the Children of God. Anno. 1664. Im
printed for the Author, and is to be difpofed of, rather for Love
then Money. (16 leaves.} \H. 85.]

7. Sigh for the Pitchers: Breathed out in a Perfonaf Contribution to the

National Humiliation the laft of May, 1666. in the Cities of London
and Wejlminfter, upon the near approaching Engagement then
expected, between the EngliJJi and Dutch Navies. Wherewith
are complicated fuch Muftngs as were occafioned by a Report of
their Aflual Engagement; and by obferving the Publike Rejoycing
whilfl this was preparing by the Author GEORGE WITHER.
Hold, If ye knock, ye are broke. Hold.

Unlefs, God prevent.

Imprinted in the fad year exprefled in this feafonable Chronogram
LorD haVe MerCIe Vpon Vs. MDCLXVI. (24 leaves} [H. 91.]

1644*

The Two Incomparable Gene

raliilimo's of the world.

[HAZLITT, No. 26.]

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Juftitiarius juftificatus.

[HAZLITT, No. 33.]

(I)

Juftitiarms jujlificatus.
The luftice juftified.

^

Commiffioncrs, ofihe Great Sealery George Wither Ef quire; and
occafwned by Sir Richard Onflow Knight, ivithfome others, w/to
rrioved to have him put out of the Commiflion of the Peace, in
Surrey: In which private- Defence, many things are expr effect,
verie pertinent to pub like -confederation; and, to the vindication
of the Liber lies 0/V//6' Subject, mgenerall.andofMagiftrates, in
particular.

Honourable Lords, and Gentlemen, to whofe cuflodie and difpen-
fation, the great Seal and Confcience of this Kingdom is Committed ;
niftier, I befeech you, with patience, that, an humble Servant to the
Mufes, may, for a few minutes, make his defence before you, againft thofe
who have lately abufed both Him, and You, by an impertinent Infor
mation. In the nobiefl Ages, and mod glorious Common-wealths, they,
who were reputed Retainers to Apollo, were ever heard (in making their
defences ) with good refpecl ; yea, even in thofe times and places, wherein ge-
nerofitie, & civilitie, were lead regarded, men hav fo much wit, that though
they fecretly hated them, yet, for their owne honour, they ufually kept
fair quarter, with that Generation : and, it is a fymptome of much fottifh-
nefle, when men do needleflely ingage thcmfelves by provoking others
to the hazzarding of their credit, and quiet. Miflake me not, I pray you,
as if I thus began, my Apologie, to intimate fome fuch imprudencie in you,
my moft honourable Judges-, for I unfainedly profeffe, that, I neither have
any purpofe, nor know any juft caufe, fo to doe: but, have made this
preamble, only, to hint unto thofe againft whom I plead, what danger they
might have incurred, if I had been one of thofe Wits, whofe Jambicks, can
to be make men their owne executioners ; or, if I mould have raged-out, an
Invective, in bluftring Numbers, inftead of this Apologie, which I now,
calmely, deliver in Profe. But, to the matter.

It was my ill fortune (without my own feeking, defire, or fore-know
ledge thereof, untill it was done) to be made a Commiffioner for the Peace
and Goak-Ddivery in Surrey, fince the beginning of this war ; and, I fore-
feeing the troubles which I might thereby bring upon my felf, by reafon of
the faclioufneffe and malignancie of thefe times (and the fmall eftate, which
the furie of the Common-enemy had left me ) thought it good difcretion not
to accept thereof : and was fo refolved, untill that refolution was unhappi-

A l<

ly changed by the perfwafion of Friends, who made me believe, that God,
by my iinfoitght-for admittance, evidenced his calling of me, to fcrve him
and my Countrey, in her great ncceffities ; and, that, honefly and good affitti-
ons joyned with an ordinarie underftanding, might make me as ferviceeable,
as fome other, who had abler Faculties, and larger Eftaies. Thereupon, I
accepted thereof, becaufe my education in the Vniverfity and Innes of Court,
made me, as I thought, no leffe capable of that Office then fome other of my
Fdlow-Commiffioners'y and, becaufe, alfo, my knowne conversation, my
fafhion of living, & my being ever fmce my youth, an acceptable companion
to many noble and honourable perfons, would render me fas I conceived J a
Commiffiotier without contempt; though mofl part of my eflate was taken
away : which, I thank God, I have hitherto been, except among fome of
thofe, creatures without under/landing^ who ufually value themfelves, and
others, according to their Trappings : But, I chiefly accepted thereof, be
caufe I faw many poore foules grievoufly oppreffed by their tyrannous
neighbours, and hoped, God would by that Authentic, enable me to re
lieve fome of them.

But, inflead of what I then hoped, that, which I feared not, came to paffe :
For, Sir Richard Onflow, and fome other of his Friends in the Countie of
Surrey, have as it feems found it pertinent to the eflabling of their Defigtis
or Government there, that I mould be thrufl out of the Commiffton of the
Peace, as I have been, out of fome Committees, and out of my habitation,
for no other caufes, but fuch as are concealed in the bread of the fliid Sir
Richard', who, having got (as it were) the Supremacie over all Caufes, and all
Perfons Ecclcflajlicall and Civill, within his Dominions, difpofeth of Ele-
ftions, preferreth Deputie-Lievtenants, maketh and unmaketh Jujlices of
the Peace, Committee-men, Colonclls, and all other inferiour Militarie
Officers, MarJJialls, Trcafurers, and Collectors, as hee pleafelh ; yea, fa
vours and dif-favours, impofeth and taketh off, imprifons and fets at li-
bertic, builds up and puls downe, armeth and dif-armeth, ordreth and dif-
ordreth, according to his difcretion, with little or no contradiction. And
that his pleafure may be fulfilled in all things, your Honours (as I am in
formed) have been lately follicited, by him, to cafhiere me from the Bench.

At mil hearing thereof, I fleighted it as a thing not worthy my regard ;
and within my felfe, laughed to fcorne the poore vanitie of mine Adverfa-
rie, who thinks all my honour lyes, as his doth, about Guildford, and the
Weft-Divifion of Surrey ; or, that, my contentment confifleth in having
authoritie and power over others, upon fuch tearmes, and to fuch frivo
lous ends, as mofl men defire, and affume it for : and, thereupon, I thought
to paffe it over with perpetuall neglect. But, having better confi-
dered thereof, and what encouragement it might give mine enemies,
to improve their malice, in matters of more concernment, to my felfe, and
perhaps, to the disheartening, and enflaving of others, by his prevailing
againfl mee; I faw it verie neceffarie, to take fpeedy notice of the
wrong done: not only, lefl my Opprefiburs fliould be encouraged to op-
preffe me the more ; but, left they might, alfo, foolifhly conceive, that be
caufe

(3)

ufe 1 do not, therefore I could not vindicate my felfe.

Vpon this confidcratinn, I have humbly prefumed to make an Apcloge-
Rcmonjlrance againfl them and their proceedings, who have appea
red before you, to do me fuch an affront, as had been too much, when Ty
ranny raigned ; and is therefore, much leffe to be endured now the Sword
is drawne for the Rights, and Liberties, of a Free People. And, though the
honour which I care for, and chiefly aime at, is not fuch as may be added,
unto me, or taken from me, at other mens difcretions ; yet ( I being a little
fenfible of that Difgrace and Reputation, which men of my conflitution
and frailtie are ufually affected withall ) have a mind to prevent \\\Q fcorne of
Fooles, if I may, by preferving my credit ( through your favour and juftice )
in kcepeing that authoritie, which my Adverfarics endeavour to take from
me; or, elfe, by making them and their Favourers to fee, that, I know how
to honour my felfe, twice as much, another way; and, how to hew
Staires, out of their Affronts, whereby I may afcend highejl, when they
think they have brought me to the lowcft condition.

I need not tell your Honours, how great a difgrace it is thought, to be
put out of that Commiffion : For, you verie well know, it is not ufually
permitted, fave for verie groffe and apparant mifdemeanours ; and never
upon any clandeftine, or Height informations ; except, Will flood for Law,
and when they kept the Scale, who did arbitrarily put men in, and out, ac
cording as they were fvvayed by their own, or by other mens corruptions :
of which, I am not jealous at this time ; becaufe, I have good hopes of your
J^qititie, many evidences of mine owne Intcgritic, and, no feare of my
greateft Enemies ; except it be, that, they will not defifl. from caufelefly, and
foolifhly troubling and provoking me, till they compell mee to make all the
Kingdome know them by name, and underfland their purpofes, and condi
tion, as well as I do. I cannot, therefore, beleeve that perfons fo honoura
ble, and fo wife as your LordJJiips, will permit me to be (as it were) kic
ked off like a foot-ball without hearing ; I, having been once reputed wor
thy to fupply the room of a fudge upon Record', feeing, it" fuch an indigni-
tie mould be offered, no man of merit, or of a right underflanding, would
adventure himfelfe upon fuch a tottering feat as the Seffions- Bench ; or, be
much incouraged to relieve, and deliver the oppreffed, from their injurious
and tyrannous neighbours ; left, when he was doing his dutie, and thought
himfelfe fufficiently authorized to be a comfort to others, he might be
fecretly difabled, from fecuring his own perfon, from difgrace and mine.

Nay, my I^rds, if honed men fliall be (as it were) purpofely fet up, to
be pulled fuddenly downe againe, to their difparagement, without hearing;
upon the motion of an Adverfarie ; yea, and when their converfations and
deportments (who are traduced, or follicited againfl) have been fuch, that
they dare abide and challenge triall, as I do : Or, if the Office of a Jujlice of
Peace bee but a complement of refpecl, which you, of higher place,
fhall think fit to flicw us ; a thing to be played withall ; or, an Ornament to
be put upon us, and torne from us againe, at pleafure, according to the hu
mours, and changeable inclinations of others ; let them take it, who are plea-

Aa fed

(4)

fed with fuch toics ', yes, let the grcatcfl focls cf the Kingdom monopolize it
to themfelves : for, I (hall be fo far from defiring to be continued in it, on
thofe tearmes, that, I fhall fcorn it, as fitting for none, but fncaking, bajfad,
and pcorc-fpiriicd Fclloives.

But, the Dignitie of that Trvjl and employment, is indeed fo honoura
ble, and the due execution thereof is of fo much confequence, that it ought
to be preferred from contempt, by being conferred on perfons deliberately
chofen, and eminent where they live, for their underftanding and upright-
ncfife, having, alfo, eilates competently fufticient, to bear the charge of their
Magiflracie, and to be anfvverable for their over-fights : And, when fuch
are once authorized, it is fitting that their reputation ih-juld be preferved, fo
long as they continue in their integritie, & that they Hand not in hazard of a
difgraccful removal, by the dif-favour, or fecret fupplantings of other men,
fo long as they are able and willing to ferve their Countrey. For to con
fer that, or any other Office of Judicature (for an uncertaine term) Du-
ranti bexc piacito, exprefiively or implicitely intended, rather than with
this claufe, Qii^m diu fe bem gcjfcrit, was the practice of Tyrants, who
intended, thereby, to make their Officers the more ferviceable to their
Arbiiraris Defignes \ and, therefore, it ought not to be endured in a free
and well-governed Common-wealth : efpecially, in a time when Reforma
tion is intended, and by us, who have had experience often, and lately, to our
cofl and fmart, that, when men were confcionable of their duties, and active
in the execution ^ Jii/iicc, according to the letter and equitie of the Lawes,
f without fear or refpecl of perfons; it was ufuall to remove them with
difgrace; and to fupply their places, \vith fuch as would be conformable
to the corrupt will and pleafure of tyrannous Princes, and their Parafiticall
Favourites and Ccunfdlours, to the pubiike detriment, and diihonoar.
And, doubtleile, when a man (which is my cafe) who never fought for it,
or defired it, fliall be called to an Office of trujf, and made to pay great fees
for being admitted, and for accepting to do the publike fervice, to his own
trouble, and further cofl, without profit ; if then, and, even, after he hath
faithfully executed the fame (to the accumulating of hatred to himfelfe,
for doing juftice) he (ha.ll be difgracefuliy cajl out, before hearing, or any
Caufejhowne, be left a cafliiered Officer upon record ; it is an injurie jufiiy
to be complained of, and fit to be remedied, and provided againii.

I cannot imagine, that, the Gentlemen who took pains to appear, and
follicite your Honours againfl race, brought any cor.fidcrable argument to
prove reafonable that which they defired; or, that the difplacing of me,
was any thing pertinent to the well-governing of Surrey; nor have I yet
any certaintie of what they alleagcd, becaufe nothing is upon record. But,
what moved fome of them againfl. mee, I do verie well know; yea, and
why they are fo defirous to be rid of my feliowfhip, and neighbourhood in
Surrey ; which, I will forbear now to mention ; and, that I may be the
more fure to take off all thofe juft exceptions, which, in my underflanding,
may feem helpfull to accomplish their purpofc, I will fuppofe objections,
and make diflincl anfv/ers unto them, for my vindication.

All

(5)

All Obje&io::u, which I think can juflly be made againfl mee, or any
other, to render him uncapable or unworthy to be continued a CommiJJlo-
ncr of Peace, mu (I cither concern his manners, his Religion, his knowledge or
judgement ) his faithfulneffe to Supreme Authentic, his upright ruffe in the
execution of his Q$w, or the Competence of his ejlatt\ and I will make
it apparent, that in all thefe refpecls, I am as little to be excepted againfl., as
fomc of thofe, who are, yc<, to be continued in Comnnffion, with their good
liking, who have excepted againil me : yea, I prefume I mall approve my
felf free from any jtifl exception, (notwithftanding the statute} the times,
and the prefent condition of this Rcalme, being rightly confidered.

As touching my manner -5, my life, and converfation, (though I am a
great (inner to God) I thinke no man hath impudence enough to lay any
thing to my charge; no, not Sir Richard Onflow, who I am confident
would not fpare to difcover any thing, whereby he might fafely, and jufl
ly, difparage and undo me ; and. therefore, I will apologize for my felfe
no further in that refpecl, untill he, or fome other, (hall accufe me. My
Religion tcachcth me to renounce the Popes Supremacie, and, that is Re
ligion enough, to keep mee Rill in the Commijjion of the Peace, though I
profeffecl no more; therefore, I fha.:! not need to catechize my felfe, or
to make a larger Confcffion of my faith, upon this Occafion. My knowledge
and judgement, hath, hitherto, been as fcldorn, and as little queflioned as
any of my neighbours: and, if it be but fufficient (as I hope it is) to en
able me to fpeake, and difcharge my dutie, without the controule or ad
vice of my Clerk, I am perf.vadcd, it is more fufncicncic, then all my
Feilow-Juflices, throughout this Kingdome, may truly boafl of. My
faithfulncffe to the State, is fo over-much evidenced to my dammage at
this prefent, and fo generally knowne, by my expreflions and fufferings,
heretofore, as well as by my great loffes, disbiirfemeuts, endeavours,
and the hazarding of my life, in this War, that, mofl men of qualitie in thefe
parts, do repute mee a man, to be unquestionably confided in, by the
State \ and in my ccnfcicnce, if it had been other wife, fome who are now
mine Enemies, would have been my verie good Friends.

In the execution of my Office, I have neither denyed, delayed, or per-
vcried Jitfiicc, fmce my admiffion thereunto; nor put anic man to fo much
cofl for it, as the expenfe of one Clerks-Fa ; becaufe, I have hitherto dif-
patchcd all bufinefies with my one hand, and am loth to put any man to
more charge then need requires. I confeiTe, I have not adled fo much in the
duties of that place, as the many diforders, and the prophanenefle of
many among us requires ; by reafon, that, fome of thofe, who now labour to
put me out of the CommiJ$ton, have done what in them lies to drive me
out of the County alfo, and have made my refidence, there, to be of late verie
feldome and uncertain : yea, and as far as they dared, they, have done me
difrefpecls, and difcourtefies (if I may terme them no worfe) in the ex
ecution of all my Warrants, which have come to their knowledge; and
laboured to make me vile, and contemptible, among my neighbours, with
out caufe.

For.

(6)

For, when I had fent my Warrant for a dangerous knave and a Whore,
who had travelled together out of Surrey, into the Kings Quarters (per
haps, imployed to conveigh intelligence) and, who lived in manifeft un-
cleanneffe, at their returne ; thefe (refilling contemptuoufly to be obedient
to my Authority] were countenanced therein, to my difgrace; and to the
incouragement of fuch varlets, and bafe people, in their contempts, and fil-
thineffe. And, whereas I had lately committed two fufpitious fellowes,
upon very ftrong probabilities of horfe-flealing, and had fignined what e-
vidence I had of their being dangerous perfons, and not fit to be bailed, but
by very good fureties ; fome of thefe Gentlemen, having the Prifoners
carried afterwards before them, by the Conftable, (who was to have con-
veighed them immediately to the Goale, according to his duty, and my
Warrant) the matter was (as it feeraeth) fo fleighted, that the faid
Conflable fuffered one of them, negligently, or wilfully, to efcape that
night : and, for the other, a few weeks after, mean Baile was taken, by one,
or moe of the faid Gentlemen; not without fcandalotis intimations (as I
have heard) that the poore fellow was not, by me, proceeded againft, fo
much for being a fufpinous perfon, as for that I thought thereby to get his
horfe ; he being apprehended, in a Mannour where the Felons goods belong
unto me : of which intimation, if any of them were guilty, it implies an
inveterate malice, much to be taken heed of: and, if my reputation flood in
need to be cleared of fuch bafe afperfion, it will be vindicated at the
next Goale-deliverie in Surrey : For, the fame partie whom they fo bailed,
as a man whom I fufpecled, not without evident caufe, hath (fince he was
let forth upon Baile) committed divers other Felonies j and, is now, re-
apprehended, and, a prifoner againe, by my diligence.

Now, if the exception made againft me, be grounded upon that obfo-
lete Statute which requires everie Jujlice of Peace to have Land of inhe
ritance, of fuch, or fuch an yearly value, in the County (which, I am cer-
taine is all that can be reafonably objecled to have me put out of Cornmif-
fion) then, there is a coulerable exception againfl me: For, indeed, I have
no inheritance there, but onely a hundred pounds per annum for a terme
to come, and fome poffibilities of more hereafter. And, if I mall be remo
ved for that only ; then, my removall is without any fault of mine : For,
it is not meerly my fault, (and I think your Honours will believe it) that
I have not land enough to be a JuJUce of Peace, in everie County of the
Kingdome: nor doth, indeed, either the pradife, or conftitution of the
times require the Uric"* obfervance of that Statue, but permits, and
neceffitates a difpenfation thereof: And, fome, even in that County, who
have not eflates there anfwerable to the Letter of the Law, are, never-
theleffe, kept Hill in Commiffion ; and were firft admitted (as I am infor
med) by means of fome, or one of thofe, who feek to have rnee call out,
for the fame inconfiderable defect. Amongft which perfons, there are
two verie obfervable ; one of them (who hath but a little plot of Ofiers
in that Countie) is fo well befriended at Oxford that, (as I am credibly in
formed) he had lately a Warrant for Venifen out the walled park near King-

fton,

(7)

flon, under the Kings own hand : the other, who, fcems to be either Ad-
•i'ocate or Solicitor General! for Delinquents, at Kingfton-Committee,
hath no more but a poore Potters cottage near Chertfey in that Countic,
of about eight pounds per annum. There, is otherwhile, as much need of
7«v'/ and honsfty, in the execution of that Office, as of a Landed-man. Men
of large fortunes, and little conference, have fo long engroffed places of
Power, and Truft, and made fuch ufe of Magiftracie, for private and fi-
niftcr ends, that, they have dcflroycd our Peace, and indangered all our
i't\\\lomes\ and, therefore, it is now requifite (and, God, in juftice, will
fo have it) that, the (lout, faithfull, and prudent Citizens, and the men of
midling-Furtunes, who were heretofore fcorned and opprefled, fhould be
called into Office and imployment, that (if it be poflible) their courage, wif-
dome, pietie, and integritie, might help our honourable Senators, to redeemc
us from thofe miferies, and ilaveries, into which the Cannibals of the
Court, and the Sagamores of the Countrey, have by their pride, and perfidi-
oufneffe, lately brought us. And, doubtlefle, though this temporarie caufe of
difpenfmg with the Statute were removed, it were no intrenchment upon
the true intent and equity of the Law (according to which your Court
ought to judge )\{ a Juftice of Peace be continued, who hath a perfonall e-.
(late, fufficient to keep his Authority from contempt ; and, to inable the
difcharge of his dutie : efpecially, if the Kingdome be fo much indebted un
to him (as it is now to me, even in the fame Countie where I am a Com-
miffioner) that, it may fuflice to repaire, all publike, and private dammages
alfo, which may be fuftained by the Jujlices imprudence, neglect, or cor
ruption. Sure I am, if none fhould be Commiffioners of the Peace, in fome
Counties, as our affaires now (land, but great Landlords ; there would be
little hope of equity, in many places.

Having thus pleaded to every exception, which may be colourably made
againfl me ; I could fay fomwhat els, lying now at my tongues end, which
if it were plainly cxprefTed, and could be as well proved to others, as it is
manifeft to my felfe, would, perhaps, both continue me in the Commij/ton
of the Peace, and make me of the Quorum alfo, if it were uttered in a good
houre : But, becaufe good dayes, and houres, are verie rare and uncertaine
with me ; and, left a worfe thing may befall me, than putting out of Corn-
mi ffion (if it be ill timed) I will filence my prefent thoughts, for ever; or un-
tiil I fee fuch a day, as may give them a happie birth, without hazard ; and,
I will now exprefle fomewhat, to take away that rigid opinion of me,
which may, perhaps, be entertained, by reafon, fo many Gentlemen of
Surrey have appeared with Sir Richard Onflow, to follicite your Honours to
put me out of Commiffion. For, doubtles, it could not but make the whole
Court, and all there prefent, who knew me not, to conceive unworthily
of me ; and therefore, though not for mine owne fake, yet for the fake of
that which God hath heretofore enabled mee to exprefle, concerning this
Nation, and the judgements now upon us (which may, elfe, be made the
lefle regarded, and the leffe effecluall to thofe who read me) it feems necef-
farie, that I fliould apologize, a little, to that purpofe.

If

(3)

If I did not know, that to be an honed man, and a profeft enemy to cor
ruption and oppreffions, were enough to make me hated and perfecuted of
fomc men ; or, if experience had not acquainted me, how cunningly fome
can draw in others, to make their prefence a countenance to their defignes,
who know not why they are called (as, by their own confeflion to me, it
fared with fome who accompanied Sir Richard Onflow to your Honours)
I fliould have much wondrecl, that, fo many Gentlemen fhould have con
curred in fo difcourteous an office, confidering, mod of them have feemed
to refpecl. me, and are men whom I love and honour; and, confidering alfo,
how civilly I have ever behaved my felfe toward them, and all other of
that Countie, notwithdandir.g many provocations to the contrarie.

For, I folemnly proted before God, that, to my remembrance, I do not
know any perfon in Surrey, with whom I had any qnarrell, or unkind
contedation, before this War, or fince it began, but, with refpecls, meerly
to the Publike Caufe; neither any one, whom I have, wittingly, wronged
fo much, in deed or word, but, that, one penny will make fatisfaction, for the
whole injurie, feven-fold. Nay, I have not done to any one of thofe Gen
tlemen fo much as a feeming injurie, or dif -refpecl, except, it feemeth a dif-
refpecl, to have refufed to joyne with fome of them in the creeling
of Ale-houfes, or in fiich like concurrences, which I thought unfitting
to be affented unto : Or, except it may feeme a dif-refpeft to Sir Ri
chard Onflow, that I lately fet at libertie a poore man, whom (as I con
ceive) hee had arbitrarily, and wrongfully committed, without caufe
fhewne, to the infringement of the jufl Freedomes of the people, and the
Lawes of the Land : Or, except he thinks it a dif-refpcft unto him ( as I
have heard he takes it to be, with an imputation of ingratitude unto mee)
that, I will not acknowledge my fclfc to have been made Captaine of the
Hone firft raifed in Surrey, for the Parliament, meerly, by his friendfhip ;
whereas, he, and the Countie knowes, I was made choyce of, by the V/ell-
ajyecled, before he had any thought of me to that purpofe ; yea, and in oppo-
fition to his election : For ( till he favv it would be in vain ) hee laboured to
bring in the fon in Law of Mr. Mufchamp, then, reputed a violent Ma
lignant \ and the Gentleman whom hee would have made Captaine, was
not, at that time, barely fufpecled, but fo really a Malignant, that hee be
came, foone after, a Commander for the King; where (I verily beleeve)
hee did him worfe fervice, than hee might have done, had hee commanded
thofe Horfe in Surrey. Or, except it feemeth a dif-refpeft to Sir Richard,
that I would not re-admit upon his Letter, (and upon his engagement un
to me for him) the naturall fon of the faid Mr. Mufcamp, to be Cornet of
my Troop ; out of which place (the faid Sir Richard having preferred him
thereto) I cafhiered him, becaufe hee behaved himfelfe mutinoufly, and
fought to allure away my Troopers, and my Lievtenant to ferve the King;
unto whom the faid Cornet went, (hortly after, and was made a Captain
alfo. My Lievtenant, being likewife of Sir Richard Onflouh owne
choice, I was forced to cafhiere, as well becaufe he leaned the fame way, as
for other mifdemeanours. Or, except it feems a difrefpctt, to Sir Richard,

that

(9)

that, before his confcnt thereunto, I was (without my feeking or know
ledge thereof, untill it was determined) freely, and unanimuully nomi
nated for Coloncll, by the Committee of the Militia for Surrey, ( being a very
full Committee1 fitting at Kingflon} and was (by the fame Committee) Au-
gufl 7. 1644. ordered to take charge of all Forces, then raifed, and to be raifed,
in the Eafl, and middle Divifions of Surrey ; and, that, I prefumcd to accept
thereof, without Sir Richard Onjlowcs confent ; who, indeed, was much out of
patitience therewith, and could never after be at quiet, untill he had contrived
the new modelling of the Militia, there, according to his own fancie ; For,
thereupon he procured the reducement thereof under the Licvtcnancie again, by
which &c. Or, except it feeme a dif-refpefl, unto the faid Sir Richard, that
when he offered to be Commander in Chief, over the whole Militia in Surrey.
and to make mee his Lievteuant-Cdonell, I refufed the fame, thinking it
no difcretion to quit a fuperiour, for an inferiour Command] or, to hazard
the being twice deceived, by one man ; or, to fubjecl: my felf, to him, v/ho
(I thought) regarded neither my profit, nor my credit, nor my life: and, I
partly refufed it, becaufe I was loath to be fliarer with him in the honour
gotten (if I may fo call it) at the fiege of Bafuig; which was famous, at that
time, through the whole Kingdom.

Or, except it feem a dif-refpefl unto him, that I feldome concurred with
him, in his defignes ; efpccially, in his oppofition to the Affociation ; in his
arming Malignants, and others promifcuouily ; and, in his putting the Coun
ty into thofe poilures, and to thofe exceffive-impertinent charges, and trou
bles, which, in my judgement, were more likelie (by weakening, and dif-
contenting the people) to indanger, then to fccure, thofe parts. Or, un-
leffe he conceive it a dif-refpcfl unto him, that, when in my Se-Defendendo,
I publikely vindicated my fclfe, from being anie way blamcablc, that, Farn-
ham-CaJUe (whereof I had command at the beginning of this ivarre) was
left imprudently (if not treacheroully ) to the Enemy, and fo clea
red my felfe, that, I thereby gave thofe who were unfatisfied, occafion to
feek further, and lay the fault where it was. Or, except it feem a dif-refpecl
to Sir Richard Onflow, that I mould fay, I thought, his procuring me to
be put into the fore-faid Cajlle, was not for that end which he fiid pre
tended : For, when I confider the fcrics, and concatenation of his procee
dings in Surrey, and his continuing endeavours, from time, to time, in pro-
fecutions, with reference to that Cafile, (with the manifold charges, diflur-
bances, and divifions, which have been occafioned, by his refllefle feeking to
accommplifh fome fecret defigne of his own, which, I conceive he hath, or
hath had, upon that Place} I am flill, fo perfwaded, my thoughts have
therein done hhri no wrong ; that, I profeffe againe, I do verily believe, he
hath aimed at fomc eilabliftiment there, for his own advantage, ever fmce
the warre began : and, that he hath thereby occafioned mod of the miferies
which have wafted Hampfhire, and Surrey ; and, becaufe this beleefe (hall
not appeare to bee without a Foundation, I will, out of a long c/iaine of rea-
fons, linked into each other, prefent you with a few.

The reafon why I do beleeve, that hee, the faid Sir Richard t occafioned

B much

(10)

much of the fpoyle made in Hamp-fnire and Surrey, is, for that, it feemeth
unto me, to be chiefly (if not altogether) his fault, that a ilrong Garrifon was
not eflablifhed at Farnham, when the command thereof was iirfl given unto
me: For, had that Southerne paffage to London been ftrongly guarded, by
well fortifying of Farnham, for the prefent, and by removing the Garrifon,
afterward to Bafmg (according to my defigne then propofed) wee fhoukl
have fo comforted, and encreafed, the Well-affected ; and fo difcouraged, and
fuppreffed Malignants, that, many of thofe occafions would have been pre
vented, which drew both Parties, fo often, that way, to the impoverifhing,
and difcon ten ting of thofe Counties; yea, and a little charge (in refpect of
what was afterward neceffitated ) would, at firfl, have kept out the floud,
which made the firfl breach, and fpoyl ; and which, being once made, could ne
ver fince be flopped fo flrongly up, but that everie little Torrent broke in upon
us ; to the encreafing, or prolonging, of our afflictions.

The reafons, why I beleeve it his fault, that, for preventing thefe mif-
chiefs, a flrong Garrifon was not timely compleated at Farnham, are thefe :
Vpon due examination, of his beginning and his proceedings, I could perceive
no affurance, that he intended to fortifie it; unles it might be for fuch ends as he
fecretly purpofed : For, the Commiffi0n,VJ\izrt>y I was made Governor (though
procured, by Sir Richard, in my Name, and delivered to me) was fo drawn up,
that, what I feemed to be, I was not. He himfelfe, and another, had a fuper-
intendencie over me, and I was, from them, to expect Orders, Ammunition,
Provifions, Armes, and all the Forces, which I was likely to have ; and, no
thing was left in my power, but the difciplining of my Horfe, (of Foot,
when I could get them) and the guarding of undefenfible, and bare Walls,
without works, or fo much as Jlrong gates ; which, to make the place more
tenable, ought fpeedily to have been looked unto, and provided for, in time;
as might have been, and, as the opinion, which I then had of Sir Richard Onflow
made me hope it fhould be. But, after many meffages, vifits, (and the keeping
of Dawes, and Crowes, there, till I was afhamed of my command) Sir Ri
chard himfelfe came unto mee, and, inflead of what I expected, perfwaded
me to quit my Government of the Cajlle, and to betake my felfe to my Troop
only, as likely to be of longefl continuance : For, (faid hee) though I procu
red you this Command, for the prefent, and, to avoyd furprifall by the Ene
my; it is not purpofed, it fliall be long held for a Garrifon', and, that if it fhould
be fo continued, yet, I could not then command both. Vpon which overture,
if (as perhaps was expected) I had perfwaded him, to affume the govern
ment upon himfelfe, and, fo comply ed with him, that he might commendably
have taken, thereby, occafion alfo, to have fo contrived it; I am perfwaded, I
had, then, anfwered his expectations: But, I bluntly replyed to this effect : That
I knew the place of fuch concernment, as would make it of ill confequence, if
it were not fpeedily fortified, and continued defenfible ; that, to have the kee
ping of an Inland-Gar r if on, without Horfe (an Enemie being in the field)
was a kind of imprisonment ; that, I, having taken upon mee the truft, and
profeffion of a Souldier, it would be difhonourable to mee, to give up the befl
part of my Command, to mine owne difadvantage, without any fecuritie, or

benefit

benefit to the Publike ; and, that therefore, I would not aflent thereunuo, un-
till I faw no remedy : which, gave him fo little contentment, that, with
fome faint promifes of fupply, he departed; and, never fent mee any thing af
terward, but words, and difcouragements; untill I, and my Troop, were
called thence, to the undoing of the Countie, & to the plundring of my eflate,
by leaving the Caflle to the pofleffion of the Enemy : And, from that time till
this, hee hath never been my friend, but fometimes from the teeth outwards ;
and apparently injurious to me, oftentimes. Other reafons I have, moving
mee to beleeve what is afore faid, which I will omit till further occafion.

If the faid Sir Richard conceive, that fuch thoughts, and fuch a beleefe of
him, as is afore expreffed, area wrong unto him; or, if it be injurious unto
him, for me to think (as, I confefle, I do, upon verie good grounds, in my
opinion) that he is the greateft Favourer of Delinquents, and the mod bitter
and implacable Enemy to them, who are eminently Well-offered to the Par
liament, of any man in Surrey, fo much pretending the contrarie, as he hath
done ; Verily, he himfelfe, and not I, is caufe of the injurie (if any be) by
giving many occafions of fuch thoughts, and beleefe of him, as make it im-
poffible for me, yea, and (as I heare) for many hundreds, to beleeve other-
wife. It had been poffible for me, to have concealed this beleefe, if his pro
vocations, and the perpetuitie of his malice, had not neceffitated an expreflion
thereof ; as well, heretofore for the Publike Securitie, as now, for my pri
vate vindication ; and he had fooner heard of it, but that wee knew not how
to make approaches, for defence of the fafetie, and priviledges belonging to
the whole Body of the Comonaltie, without endangering our ruine, by fee-
ming to violate the Sanctuary of perfonall priviledges, though we did but break
thorow their incroachments, to do our duties.

Thefe particulars confidered, Sir Richard Onflow might have manifefled
more prudence, by forbearing, to provoke mee beyond all moderation ; for,
the patient creature, who can pafle by fcornes, and injuries, or let a Foole
ride him, three or foure yeares together, without kicking, or hurling his
Rider into the dirt, may be pinched in fuch a place, or Withcr-gaird in fuch a
hot feafon, that his wronged patience may, perchance, turne into madnefle,
and fo, both the Foole, and the Afle, mifchiefe each other. The heaving of me
from the Seat of Magiflracie, is not that which now moves mee to make
this Vindication, though it occafions it ; but, the confequences, which are ex
pected, fliould follow ; For, I was once before put into authorise, and out
againe, ere I knew either the one, or the other ; or, without fo much as af-
king, or caring, who did it, or why it was done : For, I can be as merrie, and as
wife, when I am out of authoritie, as when I am a Juflice of the Peace \ my
Friends love me as well, my Companions think I am as good company, and
(if I have not too high an opinion of mine own good difpofition) the Gentle
men, who have taken fo much paines, to put me out of their Fello^i/Jiip, may
have a worfe Companion, than I have hitherto been.

For, I am not fuch a Cynick, as manie, who know me not, have fup-
pofed me to be; but, can fit at a Seffions, or weekly-meeting, and heare
fome of my wotjJiipfull AJj'ociatcs, make long fpeeches, to the Countrey-

B 2 people,

(12)

people, without envying the wifdome, which is attributed unto them, for
it : and, whether they fpeake fenfe, or, non-fence ; impertinences > or, to
thepurpofe, it never much troubles me, fo bufmeffes be timely difpatched,
and, our duties honedly performed, at the lad. I could, alfo, verie contentedly,
continue filent by them, upon the Bench, and permit them to have all the talk,
and the mannaging of everie bufmefle, without interruption; yea, and
fuffer them to reprove, or incourage, as there was caufe ; or, to the advance
ment of their own repute, without driving to put in my word, or my opi
nion, when it feemed needleffe; except it were, that, the people might
take notice of mee, and know mee to bee a man in authoritie, as well as
they : And when the merit of the Caufe, the furtherance of Jujlice, or
the prevention of an injurie, likely to befall any man, fhall move mee to
fpeak, I love to do it, in as few words, as I can ; that, they whofe cuilome
it is, may have time to heare themfelves fpeake, if any fuch bee prefent.
I hope (though I have heard fo) there is no man among them fo foolilh, as
to think me a difparagement to the Commifflon, becaufe 1 have the title of a
Poet \ for, King yi?;;/^ was fo ambitious to be fo called, that he prefTered a
Wreath of Lawrell (the Pods Crownc) before his Golden Diadem, as ap-
peares by fome of his coines, and medalls : yea, that title, hath been, by the
learned, reputed an honour, even to Salomon and David ; the tranilation of
whofe holy Songs, and Pfalmes, by me, into Lyrick numbers, hath beene a
means, fo to fanctifie my Poefie, for divine ufes ; that, this Faculty will not
now render mee defpicable, but among Barbarians; and, how they e-
deem of me, I care not.

My Lords, I perceive, this purfuit of my ftip'pent JuJKcc-Jkip, hath made my
pen out-run the Conftable, before I am aware : I will therfore, add a concluding
dafh or two, and make an end. I doat not fo upon fitting upon the Bench,
with Sir Richard Onflow, as to be follicitous, for mine own fake, whether I
am in, or out of the Commijfion, for ever : But, for my Countrey-fake, and
for the preservation of the Priviledges, due to a Free- Sub jefl, 1 could not
permit your candor, and credulitie, to be abufed, by remaining mif-informed ;
nor will my pen to be at red, untill I fhall be fairly heard, to the repaire of my
credit, ( if any be lod ) and, to the repoffeffing of that refpect which is due
to a faithfull Officer : Nor will I be filent (if a patch of Freehold be fo con-
fid erable, that no worth or defert is to be regarded without it) till I have, at
lead, fuch a proportion of my Lojfes, Disburfements, and Arreares, paid
unto me, as will buy me fo much land of inheritance, as may make me a more
confiderable man in that Countie, where they have fought to difgrace me.
No, nor will I then be filent, untill I fee the Law, by which my JuftUf-Jkip
is quedioned, to be executed, or difpenfed, equally, to all men, without
partialitie; and, untill the election, and continuance, of all fuch Officers, as are,
or were, ordained for prefervation of Peace, the diftribution, or execution of
lujlice, and \hzfafety of the Peoples lives, and Liberties, reduced to what (by
Law or equity} they ought to be.

My hope, to fee that effected, makes me indure, the more patiently, the
fcorne now cad upon me, in requitall of all my loffes, fufferings, hazzards,

and

(13)

a- id the forbearance of my Arrears. And, I doubt not but there will come a
day, in which I mall not be thought fo impertinent, as fome of my neigh
bours, in Surrey, now think me to be : but, may perhaps (without fawning,
or bribing for it) be thought as fit to feme in my own Countrey, in fome
place of profit, and credit, as to govern e in the Summer-IJlands, whither I
fhould have been fent, lad yeare, (and whither I would willingly have gone,
if my loffes, and arrears, might have been firft obtained, to fit me for the voy
age) upon hope whereof, though that which is due to me for my Service, and
by the Publike Faith, is enough ( befide my long forbearance thereof) to pur-
chafe more then ten times fo much land in anie Countie of this Kingdom, at
this day, as a Jujlice of Peace is required to have ; And, though I cannot yet
be difpenfed withall, as well as my neighbours, I wil, neverthelefle, attend
patiently, till that day of favour comes ; and untill the Star res, both of the
greater, and leffer magnitudes, in our EngliJJi Firmament, fhall meet in a
Conflellation, which will be more favourable to me ; and, make my inconfi-
derable defects, as little liable to exceptions, as other mens.

I perceive, many other, afwell as my felfe, expofed to fuch ufages, who
are wearie of complaining ; or, who dare not complaine, leaft they may be
ufed worfe, by thofe, who have the advantages of Time, and Place, openly,
to illuftrate their own praife, and, fecretly, to difparage other men. I fee,
daily, that they, who were generally reputed the mod dangerous Malig-
f Hints, and, who never (hewed themfelves for the Parliament, but by com-
pulfion, (or, untill it began, evidently, to prevail) are, now, become power-
full among us ; yea, they are politikely ingratiated, indeered, and brought
infenfibly in, to flrengthen a Party againfl thofe, who (from the beginning)
have acted faithfully, and freely, for the publike ; and, for the difcoverie of
their neutralitie, and disaffection, who, by now feeming to be with us,
will more undo us, and more dif-advantage the Common-fafety, then all our
open-Enemies-, yea, and make our habitations unfecure, and our lives, for
ever, miferable unto us, if their combinations, and purpofes, be not timely
prevented, by fome Ordinance, forbidding the admifTion of anie fuch to be in
Authoritie. For, fome of them are already in Surrey (as I heare) and elfevvhere,
in fpight of the well-affecled, made Committee-men, Commijfioncrs of the
Peace, Deputy-Lievtenctnts, Colonells, Captaines, and other Militarie Of
ficers, (I will not, yet, fay Parliament-men, though I thinke I might)
to the grievance, and oppreffion of manie, who dare not feek Remedy left
it prove worfe to them then the Difeafe. Infomuch, that it is evident to me
(and, as I believe, plain to manie thoufands) that, fome have an intention,
to difcountenance, and difgrace, by degrees, thofe who have been eminently
zealous, and freely bountifull of their blood, and eftates, for the Common-
liberty, *xi&fafety\ and, are putting themfelves and their Confederates, into
fuch a poflure, as may probably, enable them, to continue the people in fla-
verie to their pride, and arbitrarie pleafure, when advantages may be fecurely
taken : which advantages, may, no way, be more fafely gained, then by put
ting thofe out of Authoritie, who have been a comfort to the well-affected
from the beginning; and, placing in their (lead, thofe, who may difcounte
nance

('4)

nance them, and incourage their malignant neighbours, as they do in Surrey,
and elfwhere, alfo, as I am informed.

Your Lordfhips will, perhaps, think me tedious, over-bold, and fom what
impertinent, in this Apologie, and Remonftrance ; but, you would excufe my
tcdioufneffe, if you knew experimentally, how hard it is for a man to be fi-
lent, when he hath once gotten an opportunitie to fpeake (of thofe things
which are grievous unto him) before Perfons, whom he thinks able to give
him fome eafe ; and, you will, I hope, pardon alfo, my bluntneffe, and di-
greffions, when you fee (as in my Caufe) what neare relations the pub-
1 ike-grievances, and the private-fufferings of honeft men, have one to
another, juflly occafioning fome tranfitions from private, to publike, and
from publike, to private confide rations, to the lengthening of difcourfes, be
yond our intentions.

It may be thought, likewife, at firfl apprehenfion (& to my difadvantage, if
it be fo taken) that I have fcandalized a Member of the Honourable Houfe of
Commons, by nominating Sir R. Onflow, in this Apologie; but, I defire it may
be ferioufly confidered, how effentiall it was unto my effecluall juflification,
that I mould nominate him ; and, in what manner, and, with what circum-
flances I have done it ; for, I think it will then appeare, to the wifdome of
the reft of the Members, that I have done my felfe right, without wronging
Them, or Him : If it prove otherwife, I mail repent, and acknowledge my
errour, with much contrition. For, I prefer the prefervation of their juft
Priv Hedges, and Honour, fo far before mine owne reputation (though I pre
fer that before my life) that, I would expofe my felfe to any hazard, rather
than to profecute mine owne vindication, by wilfull intrenching upon their
Ejfentiall-Privilcdges. And, I am perfwaded, I fo well know, how to di-
ftinguim between Scandahim datum, and Scandalum acceptum, that, I doubt
not, but to make it evident (if it be any way queflionable) that, I have kept
within the Spheare of mine owne Priviledges; and, that it is poffible, to
purfue fuch an Adverfarie, even to the Homes of the Altar, and, yet, not pol
lute the Sanftuarie.

The Common-wealth is more indangered by Mutes, then by Vowells; by
Flatterers, then Frce-fpcakers ; and more dilhonoured, by fome of their
owne Members, who are over-violently zealous for perfonall Priviledges,
then by anie of thofe, who, out of care, to preferve the whole Body, may
wring a part of it, for awhile, by miflake, or mif-information. There was
an Ananias among the Difciples, without any difparagement to the reft; and
as there have been Falfe-Brethren, among the Lords, and Commons, hereto
fore, fo there may be, now, and hereafter, notwithftanding any affurance we
have to the contrarie. Therefore, to thofe who are upright in the Houfes,
and unto the whole Common-wealth, we do more wrong, in being afraid to
fpeak freely, and plainly, of thofe corruptions, and of thofe Perfons, whom we
think in our confciences, may occafion publike detriments and dangers, then
we can do injurie, by difclofing of them, according to our Covenant, and
duty ; though it mould be done with fome indifcretion, and circumftances,
to the difparagement of a particular Member; feeing, it were better that

one

(15)

one fliould fuller, then, that, all fhoukl be indangered, by our filence.

This, is my judgement; and, my practice hath been accordingly, all my
life ; yet, I have not, either directly, or personally, charged any one hither
to ; partly, becaufe, I apparently know manie things to be true, which
I cannot prove legally, to other men : but, principally, becaufe, I love
not to be an Accufer of my brethren, or, a profecutor of other mens infir
mities, to their open perfonall fufiering, fo long as I may have hope to do it fe-
cretly, for their reformation, and without doing wrong, to the publike. But, if
I find not the Infolencies of fome men to be fpeedily reformed; and the good
Affeclions, lojfes, and ferviccs, of thofe, who have borne, and forborne, for
publike-refpects, to be better reprefented to the Parliament, (who, being o-
verburthened by the multiplicitie of emergent affaires, daily renewing, and
prefling upon them, cannot difcover fome things by fitting in the Houfe,
which we fee, too often, by walking abroad) I fliall be more particular in my
reproofs hereafter, then I have been heretofore, whatever come on it : and,
though I cannot, perhaps, deliver my felfe, from difgrace, and that undoing,
which my Adverfaries threaten; yet, I will perifli to fome purpofe (if I mufl
perifh) by facrificing my endeavours (and life, if need be) for the reliefe of my
Fellow-fufferers, whofe patience is almofl quite loft by their practices,
who, by pretending to act with, and for the Parliament, doe fecretly,
and cunningly, what they can, to bring dif-honour, and contempt thereup
on, by their hypocrifie, and injuftice, which, I pray God to prevent :
and, to let me live no longer, then 1 fliall purpofe, and endeavour (according
to my underftanding) to preferve the power and reputation, of that Su
preme Court, in whatfoever I publijh, or fpcake; though fome Members
thereof, do, now, and may hereafter, forget their duties, as others have done
heretofore ; and, may thereby force me to exprefle fomewhat, for the pur
ging of a corrupt-part, that the health and life, of the whole, may be preferved.

If, therefore, my Tongue, or my Pen, fliall now, or, at any time, flip
through indifcretion, or frailtie, let me be confidered, according to the pro-
babilitie of my good intention, and the forrow which I fliall expreffe for my
overfights : For, I defire to preferve a good opinion with your Honours,
and, with all men, if it may be, in the performance of my duties; and, that
thofe, whom I love and honour, as I do your Lordfliips, and the two Houfes,
(whereof you are Members) may not, at this time, be made Inftruments of
my difparagement, without caufe : Seeing, if my heart were as legible as
my words, it would be no contentment unto you, that I fliould be fen-
tenced, before you had heard as well what might be fpoken for mee, as
againfl me ; neither would you thinke it added any thing to your honour, if
when your fliort terme of Authoritie is expired, I fliould be left in worfe
repute, by your Aft, then I was at the late renewing of your owne Commif-
fum. But, Fiat voluntas Dei, I have difcharged my confcience, and, am aflu-
red, that God, who hath manie times heretofore delivered me from power-
full, and malicious Enemies, to my reputation, and their fliame, will be as
mcrcifull unto mee, now, and, hereafter.

GEO WITHER.

(\C]

The dark Lantern.

[HAZLITT, No. 55.]

The dark Lantern,

Containing

A dim Difcoverie, in Riddles,

Parables , and Semi- Riddles , intermixt with

Cautions, Remembrances and Predictions, as

they were promifcuoufly and immethodically repre-

fented to their Author, in his Solitary Mtifings,

the third of November 1652.

about Midnight.

Whereunto is annexed,

A POEM,

Concerning

A Perpetuall Parliament.
By Geo. Wither Efquire.

L O N D O N ,

Printed by R. Aujlin, and are to be fold by Richard
I.oumdes at the white Lion in PAUL'S Church
yard, neer the little North Door. 1653.

To the Reader.

Poems were delivered forth to be publifhed
about three moneths part, with an expectation
that they fhould have been imprinted forthwith, and
had either an accidentall or a negligent delay prevent
ing their publication the laft Term ; and perhaps ( I
being abfent) they were afterward purpofely delay
ed, that they might come forth at the beginning of
this Eajler Term, by their defign, who more confider-
ed the Bookfellers advantage, then how much the
haftning of them might concern the publike ; by which
means it was not finifhed, untill that very day where
upon the Parliament had an unlocked for period :
and yet peradventure, in regard of the many timely
Cautions and Remembrances, which have been hereto
fore defpifed, or negle<5led, Providence hath permit
ted thefe to be delayed, untill their publication
came too late, for effe6ling that which was in
tended.

Howfoever it will be ufefull to fome other ends ;
at lead to teftifie to the world, that what is now
come to paffe, was forefeen, and endeavours ufed
for prevention thereof, which might probably have
had good fucceffe, if contempt of many fore warn
ings had not hundred the fame, it may be, to make
way for the accomplifhment of fomewhat, fore-de
clared in my Britains Genius ; in which Poem, I la
boured as much in vain to reduce the late King, to
make ufe of that means which would have effec"led his

reftoration

reftoration, as I have hereby done to preferve the Par
liament: and I heartily befeech Almighty God, that
I may not have occafion to be as fatall ^.Remembrancer
to them who are now \x\.Throne\ left worfe things hap
pen to them, then to their Predeceffors, which I am af-
fured will follow, if their proceedings (which I yet
fufpect not) be not really defign'd, and made anfwer-
able to their fair pretendings. There are many faults
efcaped in the printing, by reafon of my abfence, and
a Copy haftily, and not very plainly written, fome of
which are here corrected, the reft I leave to be amend
ed, as you find them.

PAge 5. line 25. for corall read carnall. p. 32. 1. 9. r. Then fuch as
Innocencies caufe, &c. p. 49. 1. 29. r. ALgvpts thrall, p. 72. 1. 13.
for foot r. fork.

TO THE

PARLIAMENT,

AND

PEOPLE

O F T H E

Commonwealth of England.

SO let me fpeed, in all that I purfue,
As, in what followes, I mean well to you :
And, as I bear a loving faithfull heart,
To all Qiyou, united and apart ;^
Although, I peradventure, may appear
On fome occajions, bitterly fevere,
To thofe, in whom, I private-failings fee,
Which, to the Ptiblike may obnoxious be ;
To make themjndge tliemf elves, and fcape the doom,
Which, from another judgement, els may come :
For, at no Jingle perfon, have I ftrook,
By any line, or pajfage, in this book.

If here, I further feem to have prefum'd,
Or, more upon my felf to have affum'd,
Then may be warrantable thought, at firft,
Examine it, before you judge the worft ;
And, try by circumftances (as ye may)
What Spirit, hath directed me this way ;
Or, for what likely ends, or for whofe/a&e,
I could, or dared, this attempt to make ;
Except it were for GODS, for your, and mine,
As they with one another, do intwine.

A 2 Yea,

Yea, fearch, if my Religion, ftudies, wayes,

Or, manners (which have beene throughout my dayes,

Before your eyes) may any Jlgn afford,

That, I have, hitherto, in deed, or ivord,

Been an Impoftor ; or, prefented you

With ought, that hath been ufeleffe, or untrue ;

And as that juftly may incline your mind,

Let thefe exprejfions acceptation find.

If madneffe, they appear ; confider well,
That, fuch mifcenfurings have often fell
Qnfober men, when thofe deluding crimes,
Were prevalent, which raign in thefe our times.
\ifoolijh, they be thought ; remember this,
That, trueft wifdome, feemeth fooliJJineffe
To worldly prudent men, when, God, forth brings
To fool their wifdome, defpicable things.

Men, hear foots gladly, when themfelves are wife,
And, meekly pity, rather then defpife
Their folly ; learning, thereby, fometimes too,
More, then by their own wifdome, they could d o :
But, ivife, mad,foolijh, or, what ev'r I am,
To do this work, into the world I came ;
To thefe times, was referv'd ; to this end, taught ;
And, to the fight of many things, am brought,
Which, els I had not known, nor would have feen,
But, that, I ty'd, (as by the legj have been,
(Ten years together, ten dayes work to do)
To know them, whether I fo would or no.
And, when I knew them, I would fain have done
My own work firft, or els, like Jonas run
To Tarjls, or Lundee, or any whither
(Adventuring through Seas, and Tempefts thither)
Much rather, then to have proceeded on,
In doing that, which I, at laft, have done.

For,

For, I am like the world, in many things,
And, oft fo tempted by her promifmgs
Of eafc and/afety, in another courfe,
That, I, with much ftrife, did my heart in force,
To profecute her duty ; as ye may,
Perceive, if, you the following tratt furvay.
But, my own thoughts, would neither let me deep,
Nor fuffer me a waking-peace to keep,
Or, follow my affairs (though they were brought
Neer to a point, of coming quite to nought)
Till, I, my mufmgs, had in words array'd
To be, by you, and of her men, furvay'd.
All thofe affairs, afide, I, therefore threw,
To cloth my meditations, for your view ;
Which, being fmifh'd, I can now lye down
And fleep, as well as any man in Town.

The times are dangerous ; and, I am told,
By that which is my Guide, I fhould not bold
Beyond difcretion be ; which makes me talk
In riddles, and with this Dark Lantern walk :
That, I may fee my way, and not be feen
By ev'ry one, whom I may meet, between
My goings out, and /;/ : and that it may
Give light to fome, who are befide their way,
As I occafion find ; and, where I fee
The light that's offer'd, may accepted be.

But, what my vijlons are, as in relation,
Unto this Parliaments perpetuation
I plainly fhall unfold ; becaufe, it may
Concern you all, with good advife to weigh.
Yea, fearlefly, my free thoughts, I will mew,
What liking, or diflike, foe're enfue.
For, though to all intents by me defign'd,
They may not reach ; it much contents my mind,

A 3 That

That I have freed my/on/, by thus imploying
My Talent, to an inward refts injoying ;
And, rais'd a Witneffe up, that may declare
To future times \ what GOD'S proceedings are.

If this find acceptation, it will be
Ajign of future peace, to you, and me.
If, you reject it ; I will fit my mind
To bear the troubles, which are yet behind :
Bewail, our manifold procraftinations,
Of GOD'S intended blejfings, to thefe Nations.
Poffeffe the little portion, I have got
As loft, or, els, as if I had it not ;
And, ftrive to wean my heart, from things abroad,
To feek my reft, and peace, alone in GOD :
A refuge, fo fecur'd to me, that, neither
My frailties, faults, or foes ; or thefe together :
Or friends, or Truftees failings, either may
Hazard, or forfeit ; tear, or fool away.

Your moft humble, and moft
faithfull Remembrancer,

Geo. Wither.

i

{S^^^^^^A^^^^^^^fr

DARK-LANTERNE,

OFFERING

A Dim Difcovery, in Riddles,

Parables, and Semi-riddles, intermixt with Cau
tions, Remembrances, and Predictions, as they
were promifcuoufly, and immethodically re-
prefented to their A utkor, in \\\sfolitary
mufings, the third of November
1652. about midnight.

And, concluding with \heRefult of a Contempla
tive Vijion, revealing a probable means of ma
king, even this prefent Parliament, to be
\xrt\iperpetuall, and acceptable to thefe
Nations to the end of the World.

He, that goes with this LIGHT, his way may find:
Him, //Wagainft \\. comes, itmaketh blind.

HE, from whofe perfect Light, all true L ights come,
Spake Parab/es ; yea, fpake nought els, to fome ;
And, Providence, by many various wayes,
Of difpenfation, to the world convayes
The means, of carrying on, thofe works which tend
To man s perfection, at his later end\
And, to the wonderful! accomplifhment,
Of what, eternally is his intent ;

A 4 Bring-

2 The Dark Lantern.

Bringing oft times about, the f elf-fame things,
(Or, fuch like) towards their accomplifhings ;
That, prudent men, might underfhand thereby
What he defigns, and therewithall comply.

When Jacobs Off-fprings (who, for many ages
Were figures, types, examples, and prefages
^Qr future times, andyfoter) became perverted,
And, grew to be fo blind, and ftubborn hearted,
As to defpife the warnings, precepts, cautions,
And good advife, which for their prefervations
Their Prophets had perfpicuoufly declar'd ;
GOD, juftly, fent unto them afterward,
His mind in Parables, whereof but few
The meanings, or interpretations knew:
And as they more and more, from him declin'd,
(And, from the truth] the more he couch'd his mind
In dark exprejjwns, till they nothing faw
But what their pleafure made to be a Law.

Prince, Prophet, Priejl, and People, then, became
Wholly corrupt ; a fcandall, and a (liame
To their Profeffions, and to all their Nation,
By an unlimited prevarication ;
Whereby, the means ordained to recure them,
Was rendred inftrumentall to obdure them,
By their own fault, and thofe hypocrijies,
Which, juftly, drew a vail, before their eyes.
For, whereas, ufually in times preceding,
GODS^mz;^,were madeplain,at theirfirft heeding,
So, alfo, were their Priejts, and Prophets, then,
Renowned, wife, and honorable men,
Ev'n in their outward being', which, did add
Repute to that, which in command, they had :
But, Heardfmen, and fruit-gatherers, afterward
(With fuch as brought no motives of regard,

Ac-

10

The Dark Lantern.

According to theyfr/ft) were fometime fent;
Which, in their hearers, did but fcorn augment.

And, thus, contempt incrcas'd : the truths then told,
Were not alone, wrapt up in manifold
Strange ambiguities, obfcure exprejjions,
Dark Metaphors, or much beclouded Vijlons,
Which few could underftand ; but, fome, likewife
Illuflrated their words, and Prophecies,
(Or, rather vailed them,) with circumftances,
Which, did inlarge their hearers ignorances ;
As alfo their difdains: for, otherwhile,
They perfonated things, abfurd, and vile,
In vulgar apprehenfion : fuch as feem
Deferving rtt&vc flighting^ then efteem ;
Yea fuch, fomttimes, as wicked did appear
To thofe, who morally men righteous were :
As when, they were mzfefignes, unto that Nation,
Of their Jliamc, nakedneffe, or defolation,
And of GODS lofting love, although they had,
By their adulteries, him jealous made.

As with the Jewes, he, formerly hath done,
GOD will proceed with us ; and hath begun
Already, fo to judge fand vifit here)
As he did them, when they rebellious were.
He, fo, by changes, moves us to repent ;
And, ]udgcments blends with mercies, to th'intent
That, he, into capacity might wooe us
Of that great good, which he defires to do us.
This, makes him, fometimefmi/e, and fometime/r^cv/;
Now, raife us up \ to morrow, pull us down :
This day, he, to our ftrongeft enemies,
Renders us dreadfull : They, whom we defpife
That nigJit triumph ; and make us glad to fly
Into our chambers, and there fneaking lie ;

Whil'ft

1 1

4 The Dark Lantern.

Whil'ft they deride, infult, affront and jeer us,
Who, fome few hours before, did greatly fear us.

This, makes him often fool our wifdome fo,
That, we are at a non-plus, what to do ;
And, then, in our diftreffe, to make our want,
Weakneffe, and failings, more predominant
For our deliverance, in a fatal 1 hour,
Then all our ^vealth, our ivifdome, and our p&iver.

This, makes him lead us through the wilderneffes
Of doubts, dif pairings, troubles, and diftrejfes
To our defired Canaan, as he led
His Chofen heretofore; and, as he did
To them in their refpective aberrations,
So hath he done, and will do, with thefe Nations.

As their, right fo, our Princes, for oppreflions
Are driven from their Thrones, and their poffeffions,
To eat (ev'n with confufion of their faces)
Their bread with fcarcity, in uncouth places ;
Where, peradventure, they were mindfull made
Of thofe forewarnings, which they timely had.

Our Lords (as their Remembrancer, foretold,
When they had greateft likelyhood to hold,
And to encreafe their greatneffe] this day, fee,
Their Houfe of Parliament, deftroy'd to be,
Ev'n by itfelf; and, that they are become
Vagrants abroad, or, els defpisd at home.
Some of their Pallaces and Piles of State,
Are ras't, defac't, or left quite defolate,
For Zim, and Jim \ for Vermine and fuch fowls,
As Dawes, and Ravens ; great and little Owls.

Our Priejls, that were the gloriouft Hirarchy,
And proud'ft in Europe, next the Papacy ;
(Who, by the fame pen warned, did return
Sharp perfecutions, injuries and fcorn)

Are

12

The Dark Lantern.

5

Are now defpoil'd of all the pomp they had,
Difhonor'd, poor, and defpicable made.
Their fair Cathcdrall Temples (land forfaken,
With ftill increafing mines, rent and fhaken;
And, in their fteeds, thofe forfvns are deputed,
Whom they mod hated, and moft perfecuted.
The Threats long fince pronounced, now prevail,
The Prieft and Prophet, are become the tail\
And meer Mechantcks made difpenfers are
Of thofe things, which to them committed were:
Perfons, of fo mean gnifts, and fmall refpect,
That, truth out of their mouths, gets but neglect ;
Except with fuch, as nndervalue not
Good wine, though offered in an earthen pot.

For our unthankfulneffe> and difregard
Of nobler Teachers, whom, we long have heard,
Without improvement ; for, hypocrijics,
Meer outjide worjhip, and formalities,
\T\ prayers, fafls, and praifcs ; and, for, giving
That which cofb nothing, for great boons receiving :
For our backjlidings, and, then, perfevering
In frequent finning, after frequent bearing'.
For actions, not agreeing with OUT faying:
\*Q* painting, guilding, and for overlaying
Our Cor rail fir uftures, with faitid piety :
(Falfe gold, producted by our CJiywefiry}
For falfifying, with a brazen brow,
The ferious promifeSi which we did vow
To GOD and men, before the face of heaven,
When we into extremities were driven :
For adding to devouring flames, morefuet/:
For being, in our very mercies, cruell :
For turning carelefly, our eyes, and cars,
From Widdows prayers, and from Orphans tears :

Yea,

6 The Dark Lancern.

Yea, though Remembrancers did (as it were)
In publike, often pull us by the ear,
To mind it; yea, where many ftanders by,
Obferv'd it ; and, our groffe ftupidity.

For thefe things ; and, for many fuch as thefe
God, having fpoken to us, in our dayes,
By ordinary Preachers ; now, begins
By others, to reprove us for our fins:
Not only fuch, as reafon may allow,
Though called from the Shop board, or the Plough ;
But, fuch, as we feem juftly to contemn,
As making truths adhor'd, which come from them.

In fteed of Teachers, train'd up in the Schools .
Of Arts, and of the Prophets; children, fools,
Women and madmen, we do often meet,
Preaching, and ihYQ&tmng Judgements, in the ftreet :
To fome, pronouncing blejfings\ to fome, woe\
Scatt'ring their bread, and money, as they goe,
To fuch as need ; ^though, in appearance, none
Can poorer be, then they, when that is gone :)
Yea, by ftrange actions, pojlures, tones, and cryes,
Themfelves they offer to our ears and eyes,
Ksjigns unto this Nation, of fome things
Thereby portended', which (although this brings
Contempt upon their perfons} may be fo,
For ought, the wifeft of us, yet doth know ;
As were thofe actions, perfonated by
Some Prophets, whom the Jewes did vilifie.

It may be on that darkneffe, which they find,
Within their hearts, a fuddain light hath fhin'd,
Reflexions making, of fome things to come,
Which leave within them, mujings troublefome
To their weak fpir its \ or, too intricate
For them to put in order, and relate;

As

The Dark Lantern. 7

As they will cafily believe, on whom,
Such, more then naturall, out-beamings, come)
And, that, hath peradventure, thruft them on
To a6l, as men in extajles have done;
Striving, their Cloudy Vifwns to declare
(And, of what confequence, they think they are)
Till they have loft the Notions, which they had,
And, want but few degrees, of being mad.

This, Providence permitteth, to correct
Our deafneffe, and our former difrefpect
Of nobler instruments, whofe lights did fhine
More clearly; and, who, laying line, to line;
Precept, to Precept; in and out of feafon,
Taught reafonably, ev'n tnitJis, tranfcending reafon :
Or, els, it hath permitted been, to make us
Leffe heedfull, of the plague, that may or'etake us;
By tokens, and by fymptoms, to us giving,
That, feem not worth our heeding, or believing.

And, I, perhaps, among thefe, may be one,
That was let loofe, for fervice to be done.
In order to fuch kinds', (as, I believe
I am ; as when I am gone, fome will perceive,
Though, none obferve it now) For, though I dreffe
The mind, and matter, of my mejfages,
In meafur'd words, with fome fuch other fancies,
As are allowed in Poctick frenzies,
And, paffe for fober garbs : yet, now and then,
I blunder out, what worldly prudent men
Count madneJJ'e; and, what, oft, the beft men, too,
Diflike awhile, and wifh me not to do.

But, I beft know my ivarrant; and proceed
As I am mov'd, with little fear, or heed,
What others judge: for, till fome^/7/^j, or errors
Expofe me, to be liable to terrors,

There's

8 The Dark Lantern.

Ther's nothing, to my hurt, can dreadfull be,
Save my ownjte/h, and he that gave it me.
And, as this makes me, madly feem to dare ;
Ev'n fo, that feeming madnejfe, doth prepare,
And draw fome, out of novelty, to heed,
What, they had never, els, vouchfaf 'd to read :
And, thefe my ridlings now, are an invention
Defigned partly, unto that intention ;
And, partly likewife, to amaze thofe Readers,
Who, to \ny purpofes, are counter-pleaders.

When, others think, the times afford me may
Enough to fpeak of, I have nought to fay :
When my heart calls upon me, I cart by
My own affairs, and to that call apply,
As I occafions find, uttring fometimes,
My thoughts mprofe, another while in rimes',
One while, \yy fliarp, and bitter ftrains reproving;
Sometimes, by admonitions, calm, and loving;
Yea, Jigs of recreation, fometimes fidling;
And, now, I'm fain into a fit of Ridling.

Riddle my Riddles, then, you, that have heard
Truths, oft, and plainly fpoke without regard,
(Except it were in mifchiefs, to combine
Againft their peace, who caft their Pearles tofwine]
Riddle them if you can : For, in them lies,
A dim character of our deftinies.
Within thefe Problemes, thofe things couched are,
Which I once thought, more plainly to declare :
But, from ths&purpoft, have now chang'd my mind,
That, feeing, you might fee, yet ftill be blind:
That, you might read, and yet not underjland
The work, which GOD and men, have now in hand :
Or, which of thofe things will be firjl, or laft,
Left, future fates appear by what \spaft:

And,

16

The Dark Lantern, 9

And, that, your mi/interpretations may
Produce thofe good effecls, which you delay :
For, to that purpofe, all, which I unfold,
Hijlcrologically fhall be told.

You, likewife, who oft read, in ferious wife,
SJdptons Predicts, and Merlins Prophecies ;
Or, vain con]ec~lures, from the conjlellations,
Wherewith, Impoftors, have long fool'd thefe Nations,
Neglecting that, the while, which both forefeet,
And, brought topajfe, in your own dayes, hath been :
Riddle thefe Riddles \ or, at lead perufe them,
And, if you find them frivolous, refufe them.

Riddle thefe Riddles too, ev'n you, that feek
The common peace, with hearts upright and meek:

You, that have underftanding to difcern
The prefent times ; and, willing are to learn
Good leffons from a Pifmire: For, to you,
By this Dark Lantern, I fhall give a view,
Of things far off, and rubs now in your way,
Whereat, through want of light, you ftumble may :
And, likewife, of effects, whereto, perchance,

You, by thefe glimmerings, may raife advance.
Obferve them well, without enquiring, what
Their Authors meaning was, in this, or that,
Till, you yourfelves, have fearch'd, how they /;/ reafon,
Suit our affairs, ourj>er/bns, and the/eafon,
According to your judgements: for, that, fhall
Be fomewhat to the purpofe, though not all.
But, where no fenfe that's likely, you can rear,
Leave it, as that, which lies without your fphear\
For, that, which SHALL BE, will receive a being,
From each diffenting Readers difagreeing;
From that mans knowledge, who the fenfe hath got ;
From that mans ignorance, who knowes it not;

And

io The Dark Lantern.

And he that would, and he that ivould not too,
Shall help effeft, what GOD intends to do.

Thus, through a long lane, I have drawn you in,
Where my new Grove of Riddles doth begin,
With, now and then, a plain Lawn iritermixt,
And, here and there, a tmd\\ Jherewood betwixt;
With fuch digrejjlons, that, you'l fometimes doubt,
Whether I lead you, further in, or out:
But, 'tis a wild plot, where are walks, and boivers,
Made for my own content, as well as yours :
And, if they tedious feem, you may be gone
At next low gap, you fee, and no harm done.

The harvejl of our ALra now drawes near,
And, faithfull Labourers will then appear
To order that fair field, wherein was fown
The Corn, which now with tares is overgrown :
And, to diftinguifh Wheat, from that which had
Refemblance of it, both mftalk, and blade.
Yet, ev'ry day, Impojlors creeping in,
Will, by pretended holineffe, begin
To plant themf elves \ feeking their lufts to feed,
By fcattering adulterated-feed\
And lab'ring, to deftroy thofe means, whereby
Truth may appear in perfect purity.

In little time, fhall many changes be,
And interchanges, which will make men fee
Their wifdome to \3Qfolly, their chief might,
~F\d&feebleneJJe', their high efteemed light
Meer darkneffe\ and, that, moft things by them done,
Will have effects, which they nev'r thought upon.

In that Catholicon, or Mithridate,
Which Providence, confected hath of late,
To temper, or difpell, what hath difeas'd
The Body Politike\ it hath been pleas'd

(As

1 8

77u- Dark Lantern.

11

( As finding it, a mixture requisite)
Vipers, and mortall poyfons, to unite
With ivholefome Mngs\ yea, mineralls and mettle,
Sulphur, and Steel, fixt matter, to unfettle:
The Serpents brains, with faithfull Turtles hearts'.
Of Lions, Lambs, and Foxes, fome choice parts:
Somewhat of Hares, that fwift and fearful be :
Somewhat of Snailes, in whom we nothing fee,
But flowneffe, and, by well compounding thefe,
A cure preparing is, for our difeafe.

Fire, Water, Earth, and Ayr, (though difagreeing,
In qualities,) if well mixt, give a being
To that, which cannot be, by any one
Or, any two, or three of thefe alone:
And, fo, at laft, fhall ev'ry contradiction,
Among us, add fome Dos, to our perfection :
Yea, they who ///// down, and they who erect
Shall in the clofe, concur in one effect;
That, he, who's all in all, may have due praife
By ev'ry contradiction in our wayes;
And, that, out of their difcords, he may bring
A Diapafon, making ev'ry thing
Affent together, in the confummation
Of his defegnment, at the worlds creation.

For, whil'ft this medicine fermenting lies,
The wJieels of temp' rail contrarieties
Move on ; and, ev'ry day, abroad will fend
Productions, few, difcerning to what end:
And, yet, each individuall circumjlance,
Somewhat, the Grand-dejignment, fhall advance.
Yea, foolings, failings, fraud, and treachery
As well as truth, and true fencer ity,
Shall add thereto; and, herein, will alone,
The diff'rence be; fuch, as have juftly done

B Their

12 The Dark Lantern.

Their duties', and, in doing them perfever,
(Or, willingly, and knowingly endeavour
As they are able) will enjoy the bliffe,
Which, they who counter-operate fhall miffe.

I. G. N. R. N. S. with, other fome,
Such like, confederated are become,
To ruine this Reptiblike ; and, have laid
Dcfignes, whereby it may be foon betray'd,
And, infamous, infenfibly, become,
With all wife men abroad, and here at home.
Thefe ^though but few obferve itj have, long, had
A purpofe thefe three Hands to invade]
And, to poffeffe them, with a people far
More barbarous then Kernes, and Redjhanks are.
Some of their Party, to promote their ends,
Do yet appear to be our faithfull friends;
And, into every place of Power, and Truft,
Themfelves, and their confederates have thruft.
In Townes and Boroughs, Cittadells and Cities,
In Courts, and Councells, and in all Committees;
In offices of profit, and command,
Throughout the Commonwealth, at Sea, and Land
They have Abettors; and, fo bold they grow
That, every man almoft, their aimes may know ;
And, their attempts, although but fools they are
Are at this prefent time, improv'd fo far
That, they have fliaken that, wherein confifts,
Our honor, and our nobleft interefts;
And into pra6life, they begin to draw
Among us here, the Clagefurtian Law.

M. N. O. P. Demas, Diotrophes,
Peripateticks, Stoicks, Pharifees,
With others, who, in judgement diffring be,
Will, altogether, as one man agree,

To

20

The Dark Lantern. 13

To fortifie their private intereft,
Indangering (by what fhall be poffeft
Unduly) that, which is to others due :
Untill the faithfull Shepherds do purfue
Their claim aright; the fame deriving from
Their Foftcr-Fathers, whence, it firft did come;
And, of whom, it was long fince propheci'd
That, GOD, by them, a portion would provide
For thofe, he fends forth, to preferve the beauty
Of holinejfc, when, man, forgets his duty.

Some other accidents, time will beget
Which may be mark'd out, by our Alphabet:
By, and for envy, jealoufie, and pride,
Shall, A. B. C. be laid awhile, afide.
Defpifed alfo, V. and I. fhall be
P P. and S. againft C S. and P.
Shall then confpire ; and, for a Salve employ
That, which it felf, and all things, doth deftroy,
If Alpha and Omega, help not more
Then all the other letters, did before :
For, common helps, will be apply 'd in vain,
The fury of their madnejfe, to reftrain.

The caufes, whence this hazard will arife,
Are fuch as this ; obferve it, and be wife.
The Temple of the Gods, which heretofore
Stood open to the prayers of the poor,
Is clofed up, and few admitted in,
But, fuch as are conveyed by a gin,
Contriv'd fo narrow, that the people fay
It was choak'd up, the firft, or fecond day :
And, with diftemper, they exclaim, that this
Of all their grievances, the greateft is:
Becaufe it puts their patience, to more trialls,
Then, if of Juftice, they had quick denialls :

B 2 Turnes

21

14 The Dark Lantern.

Turnes hopes into defpairs\ converts their lives
To living deaths, their bahnes to corojives.

The Saints likewife, that muft propitiate,
On their behalfs, and offer at the gate
Qijujlice and of mercy, their petitions
Are not fo fenfible of their conditions ;
Nor from all partiality fo free
As Mediators alwayes ought to be.

This, makes one grumble in his privacies ;
Another, gapes out open blafpJiemies :
Some, with fuch indignation rilled are,
As, if they Giant-like, would make a warre
Againft their GODS (if, lookers on, may gueffe,
By their diftempers, of their purpofes^
And, univerfally, there is a cry
So lamentable, and rais'd up fo high,
That, if thefe Deities, fhall not in time,
With due compaffion, bow their ears to them,
And, their juft Prayers, and requejls fulfill,
A Jiigher power, thefe plaints examine will,
And thefe inferionr Gods, fhall tumble then,
From heav'n like Lucifer, and die like men.
Riddle this Riddle, and refolve me whether
This Temple, be Pantheon, or fome other,
Wherein Subdeities, invoked are:
What Temple e're it be; we wifh it were
More open; left upon thofe Gods, it bring
Contempt, or worfe, and ruines ev'ry thing
To them fubordinate : for, hence doth flow
Moft other grievances, complain'd of now;
And, hence rife thofe confiifions, which increafe
Our troubles, and procraftinate our peace.
From hence is it, mensfuits prolonged are
Beyond their lives; and after tivice five year,

As

22

The Dark Lantern. 15

As far from ending, as when they begun;
Yea, endleffe, till poor Suiters are undone,

At thefe words, an Illufion cry,d, take heed;
And, further do not in this Jlrain proceed \
Left, fome Interpreters, interpret, fo,
Thy Riddles, that the Ridler they undo.
The fuddain caution, ftartled me a while ;
Yet, back return'd it with a ftrong recoil;
Suggefting, that I over-much bewray 'd
Their nakednej/e \ and them too open laid
Whofe fhame I ought to hide, and, that fo far
It may provoke them, who foon angry are,
As thereby to indanger at the leaft,
My quiet, and my private intereft.
How, therefore, this objection I paft over,
E're further I proceed, Tie here difcover.

Againft thefe doubts, my Genius up arofe,
And, quite out of my heart, their poyfon throws;
Affuring me, I had no caufe to fear
What other mens interpretations were;
Or, to fuppofe the fafety of this Nation
Were not more worthy of a prefervation
Then their repute, who are quite fenfleffe growne,
Both of the publike danger, and their owne.
Or think it better that a generall
Difeafe o'refpread us, rather, then to call
A Scab, a Scab, or, timely to declare
The cure of thefe things, which deftruftive are.

It told me, (and with arguments not weak)
The caufe, and time, requir'd me now to fpeak
Without refpecl of perfons; and, that, I
Was bound unto it by my fealty.
It told me, 'twas a duty whereunto
I was ordain'd; and, which I'm kept to do.

B 3 It

1 6 The Dark Lantern.

It reprefents unto me, from what ftrong
And fpitefull Adverfaries', and, how long,
I have preferved been, fmce I begun
To do fuch works, when they were to be done.
It bids me to record, by what fhrange wayes,
("And means unlikely) I have all my dayes,
Deliverances obtain'd; ev'n when I had,
OppreJJions, that might make a wife man mad ;
And, not one friend, me, in thofe (freights to own,
But, fuch as GOD ftill rais'd me up unknown.

It bids me mind, how oft (when I have had
No other help) his Providence hath made
The malice of my foes, things to project
Againft me, which my fuccour, did effect;
And, without which, I probably had loft
Juft expectations, with much pain and coft.

It bids me mark, how many there are ftill,
(Who, without caufe, have born me evill will)
That daily do expect to fee me ftumble,
When they may add a kick, to make me tumble :
How, in thofe High Affemblies, where they deem,
It may moft difadvantage my efteem,
They whifper out detractions', or, fpeak loud
Thofe things, which cannot juftly be avow'd :
How envioztfly, they often make relations
Of what GOD gives, beyond their expectations;
With fuch periphrafes, as may infer
That, my fupplies, were got as ill as their.

It wills me, likewife, ferioufly to heed,
How, they in other things, with me proceed;
How, by \\-it\rfpight, all publike favours done me.
Bring nought, as yet, but coft, and troubles on me,
Which had e're this deftroy'd me, had I not
Preventions, from a Poiver above them got :

And,

The Dark Lvntern. 17

And, by thefe mercies, it conjures me to

What, conference, and my ]udgement, bids me do.

It minds me to be mindfull of that powre,
Which hath preferv'd in every evill hour.
How plentifully, I have ftill been fed,
Ev'n when I faw not means, of next dayes bread
But, what was in their hands, who would not fpare,
The leafty/////j/, when moft diftreft we were.

How, my repute, with good men, was maintain'd,
When with unjufl afperfions, I was ftain'd :
And, when our Princes, on their Jtidgement Seats,
Thundred againft me, nothing leffe then threats.

It charmes, to obferve, that, though I get
Little or nothing, of that publike debt
Which was aflign'd, and which hath now been due
Ten years (by claimes approved juft and true,
On treble trialls) and, though ever fince,
It yeelds me nought, but troubles and expence ;
That GOD, hath naytheleffe, improv'd of late,
My Mite, into a competent eftate ;
Meerly, by fuch unlikely means, as thofe
Which Jacob us'd, when in the watering troughs,
He laid his whitled flicks, till he was paid
The wages, which his Mafter had delaid.

It calleth on me, to look back upon
Thofe works, which have within my dayes been done ;
(And chiefly thofe, which ftand in fome relation
Unto my J 'elf, together with this Nation)
What grange cffecls, and unbelieved things,
Have followed my fore conjet~turings\
What rifings, and wbak/aflrngs, I have heeded:
What mercies, and what judgements have fucceeded
Our various paths. It urgeth me to weigh,
What may bety'd me, if I difobey

B 4 The

1 8 The Dark Lantern.

The motions of my heart, and what event

He may expect, who fhall be negligent

To do his duty, when his eye perceives

What GOD intends ; and, when his heart believes,

He dreams not ; but, is really required

To a6l, according, as he is infpired :

And, fomewhat tells me, that, if after all

Thefe mercies, and remembrances, I fall

From my refolves\ GOD juftly may expofe,

And leave me, to the malice of my foes.

Left, yet, my frailties, m f elf inter eft,
Or carnall reafons, fomewhat might fuggeft
To blow all this away ; it, comes fometimes,
At midnight (as it did of late) and chimes
Dreadfull Alarms, which, do awaking keep
Mine eyes, when other men are faft afleep :
From darkneffe, then, it frefh advantage taking, [king)
(And from vain thoughts, which too oft keep me wa-
Thus, it invades me; what is that, which thou
Li'ft muzing on, and ruminating now?
Art thou contriving, how to \xy foundations
For thine ownfamify, when Kings, and Nations,
Are tumbling down? and, when impartiall /#/£$•,
Are overthrowing Monarchies, and States?
Is this a time to fettle, when there are
Earthquakes, that fhake the mountains, ev'ry where ?
Is this a time to plant, when thunder-ftrokes,
Root up high Cedars, and break downflrong Okest
Is this a time to purckafe, when the trouble,
And hazards, make the payments more then double ?
Or wheel thee fas by triall thou haft found,)
Into a fruitlefs and a tedious round?

But, if a feafonable time, it be
For others, can it fo befall to thee,

Whil'ft

26

The Dark Lantern. 19

Whil' ft thou delay eft his affairs, from whom,
The means to make thy purchafes, muft come ?
When, GOD, to build thy houfe, hath now begun,
Wil't then, to finifh it to others run?
As if, he, who from nothing, heretofore
Thus far, hath brought thee, now, could do no more ?
Oh take good heed, what courfe, thou doft purfue,
(And, what neglect) left els, thy courfe, thou rue.

God, hath already, made thee to poffeffe
The gates of thofe that were thine enemies :
And by a means unlooked for, reftor'd
That, which was taken from thee by the Sivord:
Houfes, by others built, to thee are granted,
Orchards and Gardens, which thou haft not planted,
He gives, in recompenfe for what was loft
\\\ publike fervice\ yea, without the coft
Of this Republike\ and, had more beftowne
E're now, perhaps, if thou to do thine owne
Had'ft not delay'd his work, and, to thy Jwpe
For this (it may be) he will put ^Jlop.

Why, then, with fruit lejffe mujings, bufied are
Thy thoughts, on what, muft be anothers care?
Deferring that, which thou art call'd unto,
And feeking daily, fomewhat els to do?
Art thou afraid, left thou thereby may'ft lofe
Thy late recmits? or, reinrage thy foes?
Or, marr thy quiet ? curfed is that fear ;
And, thou too, if therein thou perfevere :
For, when a temp' rail blejfing, makes us worfe,
It is a plague, beyond a tem'prall curfe
And, if thou take not heed will quite deprive thee
Of that which Providence, did freely give thee.

But, who are they? or, where inhabit thofe
Who dare to take away, what, GOD, beftowes

If

2O The Dark Lantern.

If thou adhere to him ? whom need'ft thou fear,

If in thy duty, thou fhalt perfevere?

Nay, rather, which of thofe, that feem to be

Moft dreadfull^ fhall not be afraid of thee

If he be guilty? and, who (though on high

He bears his head) fhall not, in privacy,

Think on thy lines, with trembling, when he hears

What they declare, and what his confcience fears ?

If thou, faid my good Angell, haft not, yet,
Quite fhaken off, tiny fears, and f anting fit ;
Confider, wifely, of this Generation,
In thofe things, which have thereto, nigh relation :
Sum up together, that, which thou haft heeded
In thofe thoufear'ft: mark, how they have proceeded;
What, they have been; what, at this time, they are;
What, they may be, before they are aware;
What, they dejign, in what /#/&$• they are going;
What, they have done', what, they are daily doing;
What Labyrinths involve them; what, confujions
Enclofe them round, as alfo what conclusions
Are following; and, then, thou wilt not fear
Their power as foes, nor for their friendfhip care.

If, ftill, fome outward intereft, be that
Which thou defir'ft to fave; confider, what
Thereto conduceth : for, fometimes, the thing
We fear to loofe, is kept by hazarding :
And, loft in feeking to preferve the fame,
By other means, then that, through which it came.

If, thoti, permit ti&e proud, without a check
To follow their career, they'l break, their neck.
And, with themfelves (as our affairs, now ftand)
Indanger all the people of this Land.
Where, then, wilt thou be fafe? or, where wilt thou
Injoy with peace, what thou poffeffeft now?

But,

The Dark Lantern.

21

But, if a word infeafon, thou (halt fpeak,
Who knows, what inftrtimcnts defpisd and weak
May compaffe? and, who knows, but that, of tJiem,
Who, heretofore thy cautions did contemn.
Some, touch'd may be, with fenfe of their condition,
And, turn back, from the path-wayes of Perdition ?
And, who knows not, that many may be found
( Whofe tf^/tf^blameleffe are, whofe faiths are found)
That, by thefe hints, may hart and courage take,
Their Neighbours, from their dreamings, to awake?
At leaft, therein thy duty having done,
If any be fecur'd, thou fhalt be one.

When thefe things were infpir'd, and duly weigh'd,
My heart, which was a little while difmay'd
From profecuting, what I had begun,
Affum'd new courage, and went boldly on :
And, thefe expostulations, may perchance,
Some others, to the like refolves advance
On like occajions\ unto which intent,
Thefe few fhort fteps, befide my way I went :
For I confeffe, my tJieam I following not,
Have rambled out, as if I had forgot
What I at firft propofed; and infteed
Of Riddles, to plain language do proceed.
But, I will wheel about, and with the rein
Turn Pegafus, into his path again;
Though, he, in his digrejjions (as we fay
Of Beggers] never is befide his way.

Once on a time (thus did old talcs begin,
E're I was born, or thought I fhould have been)
A foolifli people, over much at eafe,
Their wantonnejfe, and vanity to pleafe,
Among \hz\r may-games, brought home from the wood,
Trees, which had els, till now, unheeded flood.

Of

22 The Dark Lantern.

efe, they made, \zyhewings, knock$,&h&fmoothing,

That, look like fomething, which refembled nothing.

And, out of knotty, JJtapeleffe logs, did hew

Somzftatues not uncomely to the view.

Thefe, e're quite fhaped, with fame jeers, and mocks,

They fet up higher, upon other blocks.

Then, them repolifhed, and painted fo,

That, of whatytujfe they were, few men could know.

Beginning then, their own work, to admire,

They raris'd them higher ev'ry day and higher,

Till Idols they became; with whom, they grew

At firft, familiar, and did them beftrew

With flowers and garlands', fhortly after,- they

Bow'd humbly down before them, ev'ry day;

Till cuftome, had their judgement more befool'd ;

But, then (when thefe, mifhrin'd they did behold,

Sparkling with Jewells, and with gold aray'd)

They, of their own Creations, grew afraid.

And, at the laft, (as at the laft, all do

That whoring after their own fancies go ;)

Thefe fools, repented of their fuperftition',

Bewail'd the flavery, of their condition ;

With fome appearances, of an intent

To grow more wife, as well as to repent : (not,

Yea, to blafpheme, their new made GODS they fpar'd

And, would havepul'd them down again, but dar dnot.

For, by \kz\rflattring attributes (long, given)
They had advanc'd them, to *.fphere, or heav'n,
Where, uneontroul'd, a power they exercis'd
According to their luft\ and thofe defpis'd (them
Whofe£aia£had made them,& whofe £ra*/#had blown
Too high, for their ambitioufneffe, to own them.
Yea, by their incantations, thefe, had brought
Strong fpirits, into what their hands had wrought;

In-

The Dark Lantern. 23

Inliv'ning, and enabling them unto

Thofe actions, which their makers might undo.

Yet, perfevere, this blockiJJi people will

To make fuch idols, and advance them (lill ;

Till both they, and their idols are deftroy'd

Unleffe the GOD of Gods, my fears makes void.

For, moft men being of zjlavifli mind,

Are nat'rally to Jlaviflmeffe inclin'd :

And to fulfill their bruitifh luft will fawn

Upon a Dog, and lay their fouls to pawn.

Riddle this Riddle, if you can, and tell

What People, this may be, and where they dwell :

Which I believing you with eafe may do,

Will add this following Parable thereto.

There was a time, when filly Bees could fpeak,
(A people, of much induftry, though weak)
And, thefe, among themfelves, made grievous moans,
As being much oppreffed, by their drones ;
Who (having made intrufions among thofe
That had an uncontroulable difpofe
Of their Republike) did in fundry wife,
Incroachments make on their proprieties',
And, greedily, unto themfelves derive,
Thefatneffe, and \hefweetncjje of the hive.

Complaints in private, no redreffe obtaining,
Increaft to open, and avow 'd complaining'.
Which finding like fucceffes, they begun
To buz, as when thcurjwarming time, draws on:
Then, toJJiut up their cells, tojhake their wings,
To leave their wonted work, and JJiew their Jlings.

The Drones, at firft, were ftartled much thereat;
But, being not fo ivife, as they are/<z/;
Negle&ed ftill, the courfe which might prevent
The mifchief then appearing imminent:

Which,

24 The Dvrk Lantern.

Which, when I faw, I would no longer ftay ;
But, faid, GOD help them ; and fo come away.
This Parable, if rightly moralliz'd,
Affords a meaning not to be defpis'd.

And fo doth this which follows : as I went
On Pilgrimage unto the Parliament,
Difperfed in my way, I faw the cocks,
(Which kept the hens, and capons from the fox)
With broken wings, with backs, without a feather
To hide their naked bodies, from the weather ;
With plumeleffe tails, with fcarred necks and brefts ;
With empty bellies, and with combs, and crefts,
Cut quite away; and fcraping with their feet
On dunghills, for their food, and in the ftreet,
So defpicably, that it could appear
By nothing fave their fpurs, what once they were:
And, Popinjaies, and Parrets, cloath'd and fed,
By what the valoiir of thefe purchafed,
(And, trim'd with ill got feathers) ftrutted by,
Carting upon them a difdainfull eye :
Which when I faw, methought (I tell you true,)
It was no good preface; pray, what think y out

News, if you look for, I but little know,
Save, fuch as this next Parable doth fhow.
Kfair Jhip, now lies floting on the floods,
Well fill'd with Pajfengers, well fraught with goods,
Labring to fix an Anchor on the ftrand
Of her wifh'd harbor, which lies neer at hand.
By many ftormes, much tackling, (he hath fpent ;
Her Majls are fhater'd; and her Jhrowds are rent:
Her ammunition, and her Jlores are wafted,
Her bread and bevorage is evill tafted :
Her keel fprings leaks, through her uncawkedy^wj;
Her knees are weakned, bruized are her beams'.

Her

32

TJic Dark Lantern. 2$

Her Pump is broke, no Cable found hath (he;
And, Anchors have been flipt, till none there be:
Her Helm hangs loofe, her Cards have great defects;
Her compare likewife often mifdire6ls :
And ev'ry where, fhe crazineffe doth feel,
From Prow to Stern, from topmaft, to the Keel.

In this condition, too and fro fhe drives,
And, on the waves, with much ado, yet lives \
For, now of late again, the Seas go high;
KJtiffgale blows, and fhe expos'd doth lye
To many hazards, clofe without the Bar,
Betwixt two Forelands, which in kening are:
If fhe were^fto/, forth again to ftand
To Seaward, Pyrats threaten; if to Land
She makes; the rocks lye fcattered, here and there,
In which, as great, or, greater dangers are :
And, which is worfe, they, who in her abide,
Are mutinous; and, fomwhat els befide :
Some ignorant, fome treeherous, and, fome
Ambitious, how, poffeffors to become
Of what is other mens: yea, fome of thofe
Who, have this goodly fhip at their difpofe,
Have in delayes, their time, and Mores, mifpent,
For private ends ; or, for accomplifhment
Of worfe dejignes-. and, in this great diftreffe,
(In part through fear, in part through guiltineffe)
So much amuz'd, and fo amuzed are,
That, they are at a loffe, what courfe to fleer,
Themfelves to fave; and compaffe their defign\
Without which, to no courfe, they will incline

The Owners, and the Paffengers, have waved
No means, whereby this Vejfell might be faved:
For, to that purpofe, they have not alone,
Put hand, to all things needfull to be done;

And,

33

26 The Dark Lantern,

And, faithfully, unto their labour flood ;

fEv'n with the frequent hazard of their blood)

But alfo, willingly away have caft

Their goods; yea, fome have thrown forth to the laft

Of all their outward vifible eftates'.

Few of her Mafters, or her Mafters Mates,

In her extremities, adventring ought;

Although their Cabbins, with rich goods are fraught.

The danger ftill increafeth ; and thofe few
In place of truft, who to their truft are true,
Perceiving all endeavours rendred vain
By their decreafe, to whom doth appertain
That Veffells charge ; they labour'd ferioufly
To find out an expediment, whereby
Some other Pilots might be timely fent
Their neer approaching fhipwrrack, to prevent.
And, that by making of their Canons roar,
They might invite help, from the neighbring foore.

The motion pleafed all, fave fuch as had
Self -ends to fear ; and, thefe a faction made
So ftrong againft it, that, this Veffell, yet
Hulls there, with many perills, round befet ;
Not knowing (without hazard,) either how
To ride fafe, tack about, or venture through
The narrow Channell ; whofe hid winding lies
Obfcured from their knowledge, and their eyes:
And, one dark night, or, but one tempeft more,
Might wrack her on the fands, or on the fhore.
But, maugre all thefe hazards \JJie at laft,
In her wifh'd harbour, fhall an anchor caft;
For, to the Leeward, lies an itnfeen Bay,
Where, through the foft Ouze, run aground fhe may
Without a bruize ; and, fhall recruits take in,
Ev'n where 'twas fear'd, fhe fhould have fplitted bin.

You

34

The Dark Lantern. 27

You therefore, who conceive your intereft
To be concern'd by what is here expreft,
Praife God alone, when fafe this $hip fhall be,
For none could have fecured her, but he.

And let not thofe, to whom the fame relates
Slight what this Parable infinuates,
Which next enfueth: for, it hath an ufe,
That much to their advantage may conduce.
A homebred Lion (of a hair unknown
In Africa) by being overgrown,
And dreadfull to his Keepers, will thereby
Awake the rage Q{ f mother d jealoujle,
And lofe his tail\ except between \\\spawes,
He couch his head, and hide his teeth and clawes',
Or Rampant grow; and what will follow then?
Ask thofe you credit, they are Cunning men :
Of me you ask in vain ; for 'tis my fate,
Seldome to be believ'd, till 'tis too late.
But that flout Lion by his prudency
May eafily improve \\\\s jealonfie,
Both for the Pub like fafety, and th' increafe
Of his own honor, alfo, if he pleafe ;
And I do probably prefume he will,
If my wcll-wijhes, have not fool'd my skill.

Before that time, they who have took delight
In deeds of darkncjfe, will put out the light
By which \hzfootfteps of their foes are known,
And whereby they might fee to guide their own:
Infteed whereof, perhaps erect they fhall
An ignis fatuus, which will hazard all.
To each man then fhall Providence difpofe
That, which for his chief happineffe he chofe :
The dogs, who to their vomit do retire,
And/wme (who love to wallow in the mire,)

C Them-

35

28 The Dark Lantern.

Themfelves with their beloved filth fhall fill ;
And they that are unclean, fhall be fo Mill.

The w ilf nil Adder, who doth flop his ears,
And will not heed the Charmer whom he hears,
Shall feel a voice within him, that will fhake him
Out of his dumps; and from his deafneffe wake him,
When 'tis too late to hear what might prevent
The dint of his forewarned detriment.
The Leaches fhall by fait a vomit take;
Or els continue fucking, till they break.
The Bubbles, who in emptineffe do find
Their pleafure, fhall be puffed up with wind
Till (being blown to nothing) there appear
Nojignes, that in the world fuch bladders were.
The fons of earth, who with the Gods make war,
Shall heap up hills on hills, till crufht they are
Ev'n by their own Defignes; the Dogs that prey
Upon their Flocks, and tear their wool away,
Shall bark no more, but only fnarle and grin,
And run about the fields without a skin.
The.Jhrubs and Briars, which more proud are grown,
Then were the Cedars, lately broken down ;
Among their leaves and thornes, &fire do hide,
Which on a fuddain will confume their pride.

The grubs and maggots, but e'rewhile fo fmall,
So poor and weak, that they could hardly crawl,
Have got bulk,Jlrength, neiv formes, afpiring wings ;
Yea dreadfull teeth, and horns, and claws, m&ftings\
But, by ^.Jlorm, whereof they have no dread,
They fhall confume as faft as they were bred :

Within the circuit of our Northern Clime
Not long before, or after thefe, in time,
Out of the putrified barbed Jleed,
Shall generated be a num'rous breed

Of

The Dark Lantern. 29

Of noyfome hornets, which abroad will fly,
Much mifchief doing, and next winter die.

Friends poflibly may meet (our Proverb fayes)
But mountains never ; yet in thefe our dayes,
That Proverb's croft : for hills have often met,
With purpofe on each other to beget
A long'd for iffue ; and it is believ'd
By many, that they fomewhat have conceivd
Of great concernment : but you'l fee the birth
Prove nothing, but a moldring lump of earth \
(As they themfelves will be, till clay and dujl,
Seek better things, then to fulfill their luft:)
For none can anfwer now our expectation,
But that great hill, whence cometh our falvation.

All this from objects which are found within
Our Britifli Orb, hath preconjectur'd bin;
But thofe that follow next, to me appear
By things which I obferve without our fphere.

The blafted Orange, and the crooked Vine,
With many trees on either fide of Rhine
Shall twift together, that beneath their Jhade,
A fhelter for the Thijlle may be made,
Till they perceive what cnrfe is in purfuit
Of that rejected //#;//, root, branch, and fruit;
And then they'l wifer grow ; left they may become
Expofed juftly to the felf-fame doom.

Mean while, the tawny Olive fhall affay
His roots into thofe Vallies to convay,
From whence it was difplanted ; and effect
His purpofe, by a Wile which few fufpect ;
Except the Willow, and the Oke forefee
What for their mutuall good fhould thought on be :
And both \\\Q frogs and mice, which are in fight,
Be wary what is watch'd for by the Kite.

C2 By

37

30 The Dark Lantern.

By which means they fhall break a grand defign
Which is on foot, their States to undermine ;
And they who of this Peace firft movers are,
Shall of that blefiing reap the greateft fhare.

Obferve this well : if ever you fhall fee
(As poffibly it may permitted be)
That from it height,^ RED-CROSSE fhall decline,
The half moon for that time fhall Northward fhine,
(With an ill influence upon the Seas)
Beyond the Pillars of great Hercules,
And Southward not be retrograde again,
Till that a reafcenjion fhall attain.
But lojfes are fometimes a gainfull/m*7;
By ovcr-Jights, men grow to be more wife ;
And they who know not yet what may concern
Their welfare, will perhaps more wifdome learn,
When more experience makes their judgment fhronger,
By fuffering loffe and fcorn a little longer.

We, on this fide the water, are not yet
Confus'd enough that Order to beget,
Which muft eftadlifh us; and fhall therefore
P 'urfue J. ~elj ~-intereft, a little more.
With new wine our old bottle muft be fil'd,
(Endangring wine and bottle to be fpil'd)
Till fuch as are in powre be pleas'd to hear
The counfell of & flighted engineer:
With new cloth our old garment patch'd muft be,
(Whereby the rents made wider ye fhall fee)
Till every old rag be worn out, and then
The Robe fo rent, fhall be renew'd agen :
And they that own it, be fecured more,
And much more dignifi'd, then heretofore;
If they who muft compleat it make their choice,
By lot divine, as well as humane voice \

Where-

The Dark Lantern. 31

Whereto felf-feekers never will agree,
Untill inforced by temtflreigkts it be.

But when this comes to paffe, there fhall appear
A neiv light fhining in our JicmifpJicre,
That will difperfe the clouds and fogs, which make
So many croffe each other, and miftake
The way tffafcty; then we fhall perceive
Our Oppofites defire to interweave
Their interefts with ours; and to have mare
In that which God will for thefe Ifles prepare:
Wherein if we accord, we fhall poffeffe
Each other, and the world in Chriftian peace;
Till he approacheth to afcend the Throne,
Who muft unite all Nations into one.

Then fhall the blazing Comets, which have feem'd
Fixt Jlars, and been by many fo efteem'd,
(Ev'n of the greateft magnitude,) down from
Their heights be thrown ; and more defpis'd become
Then Glowormes, or thofe rotten chips, that glare
In darkneffe, as if reall lights they were.
Then ev'ry Jingle perj ron fhall be brought
Unto his Tejl-, and that which he hath wrought
Shall paffe a fiery Triall, fuch as were
Made fat vi\\h. publike fpoils ; and cloathed zxt
By ruining of others ; will that day
Be hungry, poor, and naked fent away,
And rendred the fcorn of ev'ry one,
Whom they oppreft, defpis'd, and trampled on.

Then they, who large indulgences contrive
For others, that themfelves they may forgive ;
Who cunning are, at/?/? and loofe to play;
Who take to morrow, what they give to day ;
Who make their feeming favours, means unto
Thofe mifckufs, which their malice could not do.

C 3 Who

39

32 The Dark Lantern.

Who Spider-like, weave cobwebs, with pretence

To catch the noyfomefaes which give offence.

When none but harmleffe Bees their engines take,

For, through them wafps and hornets paffage make.

They, who do facrifice unto the dead

That wherewithall the living fhould be fed ;

Ev'n when they (wanting what fhould life preferve)

Lie naked, harbourleffe, and like to ftarve.

And then fuch as innocents caufe betray,

And juftifie the wicked, then fhall they

Who add more g-reafe to fatnejfe\ and where's none

Scrap't off, the flefh that's left unto the bone.

Then fhall all thefe, and fuch like, to their doom

With fear, with trembling, and amazement come,

And undergo deferved punifhment,

Unleffe beforehand timely they repent :

In which condition they may yet receive

Remijfion, and in future fafety live.

Then alfo they, who now are forc'd to take
The juiceleffe apples of Afphaltis Lake,
( Infted of that which was the price of blood,
Limbs liberty, and of their livelyhood)
Shall better be rewarded ; and confeffe
There is a GOD that loveth righteonfneffe.
Then they who have received ftones for bread,
(Scorpions for fijh) fhall vi\\\\ good things be fed.
Then they, who ferv'd like Tantalus have bin
(With fruits and waters, which their lips and chin
Have often touch'd in vain) fhall that enjoy,
For which they fruitleffe labours now employ:
Yea, they who got but gall and vineger,
When in their greateft Agonies they were,
Shall fee what Sampfons Riddle hath imply'd,
On them, and their oppreffors verifVd:

Out

40

77/6' Dark Lantern. 33

Out of their eaters carkaffes, will meat
Extracted be ; and fweetneffe they fhall get
Out of the bones and ruines of \hzftrong,
By whom they formerly received wrong.

Then ravenous Wolves, fhall Lambs zn& Kidlingstez&
The thiftly field fhall bring forth pretious feed:
The Crocodile (hall tears of kindnejffe weep ;
The Ramping Lion, to the crofs fhall creep :
And fuch things as were noyfome heretofore,
Shall make our future benefit the more.

Then, from the buried Oxe, will forth arife,
A fwarm of thrifty honey making flies,
That fhall with fweetnejfe, and with plenty fbore
Thefe Hands, from the midland, to \hzJJiore \
And, fpread ti\€vc floting hives o're all the Seas,
Twixt both the Tropicks, to th' Antipodes,
(And all without) that blejfmgs which now are
Somewhere enjoy 'd, may then be ev'ry where ;
To make preparatives for that which brings
Into one body, all difperfed things.

Other events, that feem of confequence,
I do forefee approachings, not far hence :
But fo obfcurely, that I cannot fay
^Without fome doubtingsj whereto tend they may
For, far beyond my apprehenfion lies
The chain of thofe conceal'd contingencies
Which draw on future things : and that frail glaffc
Through which the light, difclofing them, muft pafle,
Is fo defective, that it may perchance
Mifreprefent them in fome circumftance.

Yet by th' inlightnings, which \hefacred Writ
On fanclificd reafon doth beget,
If we will weigh, confider, and compare
Thofe WORDS andworfcs, which paftzn&prefcntare,

C4 To

/

34 T/ic Dark Lantern.

To GOD and men relating; we of fome
Things future, may aright inform'd become.
Yea, out of queftion, by thefe are forefhown
To all intents, as much as need be known,
Relating either to our private fates,
Or unto Kingdomes, Commonwealths, and States:
Jf thereto, for the right end, men apply
Their fenfe in faith, and with humility.

To find what fenfe my Parables contain,
No man that's wife, fhall need his wits to ftrain ;
For e're three years, are three moneths paft the middle
Moft men the meaning of them will unriddle,
Without an Oedipus ; and think that he
Who made them, had Caffandrds deftiny.
But thefe meer trifles are, reflecting that
Of whofe approach I tydings can relate :
For long it fhall not be, e're that be done
Which will cut off all tyrannies in one:
Yea that which many thoufands have expected,
Hundreds of years, mail fully be effected,
Before the Wheel of Time, now rowling by
Hath paft M. D. C. L. X. V. and I.
Which numbers how to calculate aright,
From this that follows take a little light.
Firft, to begin it, you mufb learn to find
What year the Roman Empire firft declin'd,
All whofe Characters, us'd in numeration,
Thus plac'd, according to their valuation,
Explain a myftery. for of that State
Whereto they did belong, they fhew'd the date:
And at that feafon 'twill compleated be,
Jn which Rome looks for her next JUBILEE.

My Ridling fit now leaves me for a time ;
And here J'le put a period to my Rhime.

My

The Dark Lantern. 35

My inward perturbations are pad over,
My brains begin, by fetling, to recover
Thofe wits, whereby I may, like other men,
Converfe; and follow my affairs agen.
My night adventures I have paffed thorow,
And they who meet me in the ftreets to morrow
Will fcarce believe how mad I was this night,
Untill they fhall perufe what I now write ;
And moft of them, will then, (it may be) deem,
That others are more mad, then I yet feem.

The

43

37

The Perpetuall

PARLIAMENT.

BEING

The Refult of a ContemplativeVi-
Jion, revealing a probable meanes

of making this Parliament to be both perpe-
tuall, and acceptable to thefe Nati
ons, if they fo pleafe.

A Paradox, though this appear tofome,
Confeder it, left els, a mifchief come.

IS that defign'd / then it is time to vary
MyT/ieme, left, on a fuddain, all mifcarry.
Riddles adieu, let clouds away be blown,
And my Dark Lantern, quite afide be thrown ;
That e're it be too late, I down may charm
The Spirits conjur'd up, to do us harm:
For in my contemplations I have had
A Vijion, which hath fome difcov'ries made,
And in a plain fong I intend to fmg,
How we may concord, out of difcords bring,
Order out of confujions, and reftore
That Peace, whofc late infringements we deplore;

Where,

45

3 8 The Perpetuall Parliamcn t.

Where, to begin the work\ how to proceed,
That which is yet but words, may be a deed,
And to declare our means vi fettlement,
To be an everlafting Parliament.

It may appear, (and will be thought perchance,)
At leaft much rafhneffe, if not arrogance,
That I adventure to employ my pen
Upon difub]ec~t, which more able men
Have hitherto declin'd, and which of late,
Hath ground adminiftred of much debate,
(And much difpute) to Counfells of renown,
Without a full refolve, as yet made known :
But thefe are blafts, whereof fmall heed I take,
For chaffe and feathers only, they can fliake ;
And he that all things hath at his difpofe,
Is pleafed fome expedients to difclofe
To poor and fimple perfons, now and then,
Which he conceals from wife, and noble men :
He, fometimes calls men from within the grates,
To Counfell grave, and mighty Potentates \
And they in meeknejfe have embrac'd the fame
Without a jealoufie of any fhame
Which might thereby reflect difparagements
Upon their wifdome, from thofe inftruments.

Nor is there any caufe, why fuch as are
Made inftrumentall, thofe things to declare
Which may be ferviceable, fhould therefore
Efteem their wifdome, or themfelves the more ;
Since they have nothing, but what they receive,
And are but earthen pipes, to help derive
To others, what into themfelves they take,
Not fo much for their own, as others fake.
And if affume ought to my felf I would,
J nothing know, that arrogate J could

By

46

The Perpetual Parliament. 39

By what fliall be propofed, more then they,
Who have not to this end a word to fay,
Jf they defire to ferve you ; when they fliall
Meet fuch occafions, as J met withall.

For, as when two great Armies, long ingag'd,
Having each others fury fo inrag'd,
That over all the fields there are befpread,
Diforders rais'd out of defpair and dread \
Such renovations on the hills and vallies,
Of charges and retreats ; of routs and rallies,
So loud a noyfe of drums, &\\& guns, and cries \
Such clouds vtfmoke and duft to blind their eyes ;
Suchy?0/.r by them that^ettil and wounded \y,
Such throngs and tumults among thofe that fly,
And, fuch confujions, that the Chief Commanders
Know not what courfe to take; if then, by-Jlanders,
Upon a neighboring hill, fhall thence difcern
Where fome advantage lies, which may concern
Their friends ingagd; and from among them one
Shall (Ventring down,) inform them what is done ;
Where their foes weaknefs lies ; and how they may
Rally their broken troops, and win the day,
What great thing hath he done, whereof to boaft ?
Or what difhonor hath that Army loft,
By his officioufneffe ? or what's his gains
But knocks perhaps, or woundings for his pains ;
From thofe, it may be, of his Party too,
Who know not what he thither came to do.

This is my cafe ; who for fuch fervices,
(And fuch adventures heretofore as thefe)
Have gain'd fo little, that none needs envy
The profit which J have receiv'd thereby ;
Or, thofe advantages J might expeft,
Jf that which J propofe fhould take affec~l;

Con-

4O The Perpctuall Parliament.

Confidering, how many ftill there be,

To make my beft deeds mifchievous to me.

But, whatfoever fhall thereon fucceed
With what is now intended, Tie proceed,
As my peculiar work ; and to be done
By no man, if I let the fame alone.
For, (as it by my Journall Books appears)
Somwhat above the term of forty years
I have been on the hills of contemplation,
A voluntary Watchman for this Nation.
I, oft, when none to fecond me I knew,
In times of greateft danger flood perdue.
I oft was pris'ner took, and did inlarge
My felf, at all times, at my proper charge.
I, more then once, to fcape my Foes made fhift,
With nothing, but my life, and raiment left ;
And have perfwaded been fev'n ever fmce
J reacht the years of ripe intelligence)
That (next unto his fervicej GOD, in chief,
Gave me my being, faculties and life,
To ferve my Country, and to have an eye
On thofe who hindred her profperity ;
And, to imploy my ftudies and my wit,
Jn fearching out what might advantage it,
Though no man fhould regard it ; yea, though ftill
J injuries receiv'd for my good-will :
And this hath oft produc'd fuch fruits as thefe,
Judge me, or ufe me for it as they pleafe;
J fhall, at laft, be paid for all J do :
And, fo fhall they, who dare oppofe it too.

Having t\msprefacd, to anticipate
Mifcenfures, ], my Vijions thus relate.
When with fad thoughts J many nights and dayes,
Had over-look'd my one, and others ivayes,

Confidering

The Perpetna I / * a r! lament. 4 1

Confidering ferioufly, both what they were

And in what poflure, our affairs now are;

I faw fo much confufion, and disorder,

The Chaos daily, fo much widing further

By neiv confufions, and fo few, that fee

Or credit, in what hazards we now be,

That in thefe overwhelm ings I almoft

Was fwallowed up, in danger to be loft :

And doubtleffe in thofe whirlpools loft had bin,

But that the clew, by which I ventur'd in,

Did bring me forth, and fet me on a Station

Where I might view them, without perturbation ;

Withyk/Jtfy too, and with fo true a light

That, thereby plainly, I difcover might

From whence this Chaos fprings ; and by what courfe

We might (if poflible,) drink up rhe fource,

Or make fome fuch diverfion, as would win

An entrance, where good order might begin.

As I flood mufmg, how this could be done,
A voice within me faid ; this works for none
But him to do, who firft did out of nought
"Bring foittctJtingj3ind fromfometking, all things brought.
Then faid my heart, LORD, though this work, to thee
Belongs alone, yet inflruments there be,
By which thou workeft all things here below;
Some inftrumentall means, now therefore fhow,
Whereby this may be done ; and, then alone
Shal't reap that honor which infues thereon.

Infteed of vocal I anfwcr hereunto,
A firm perfwafion, that it fhould be fo
Poffeft my font; and that he whofoever
Would faithfully and ferioufly endeavour
A rejlauration, either fhould acquire
The full accomplifhment of his defire;

Or

& 49

42 The Perpetual Parliament.

Or fo much toward it, as might at lead

Secure him in his noble intereft.

Herewith well fatisfi'd, afide I threw

My own affairs, and privately withdrew

Into my felf, in feafon to begin

That undertaking which I now am in ;

And whereto you, by thefe long lanes are led,

To fignifie that I've confidered

The Proportions, which to light I bring,

With good precautions, and examining.

One afternoon, as on my couch I lay,
About the evening twilight of the day,
My contemplation introduced there,
A mask, that might befeein a theater ';
And many grave fpectators : for thereby
Was represented our late tragedy
From that time, when the Prologue did begin,
Ev'n to the very act, we now are in ;
With each materiall circumftance, which might,
Be ufefully prefented to my fight,
Pertaining to this Nation, and to thofe
Who are, or have been, thereto friends or foes.

It likewife drew a map before mine eyes,
Of all our part, and prefent miferies,
With thofe diftractions, and thofe contradictions
Which do prolong or multiply afflictions'.
As alfo of each actor and his actions
Confufedly wrapt up with their tranfactions,
As they to me, and other men appear,
When we do look upon them in our fear;
Or as they paffed by us day by day,
Whil'ft we among the fame confufions lay.

This mummery withdrew: and then me thought,
It back again, ea,d\ part and actor brought,

Di-

5°

The Perpetual rarliamcnt. 43

Diftitiaiy reprefented, fo that I

Might perfectly difcern with reafons eye,

What in themfelves they were ; and that we had

Of many things a wrong conjecture made.

That fome, which to our practife were commended,

Have to our fhame, and our deftruction tended :

That others, which we judged might deflroy

Our intereft-, produc'd what we enjoy.

That wicked projects, otherwhile brought forth

As good effects, as thofe of reall worth,

(Though not without a woe, to them, by whom

Offences, and prevarications come,)

That fome, which good appear'd, were nothing fo,

That, others, making but an evill ihow,

Were (if confider'd fimplyj very good,

Or, better then they feem'd, if underftood

According to the time, and prefent ftate

Of thefe affairs, whereto they did relate.

A Curtain then was drawn afide, that fhew'd
A Table, whereon portraited I view'd
A Directory, teaching me the ufe
Of all that I had feen, with their produce :
Which could my memory, have brought away,
Had done this work fwhich I intend to day)
Much better, then tins picking out again,
What their impreffion left upon my brain.

A thoufand fev'rall things (fome, neither fit
For my expreflion, nor in feafon, yet
To be divulg'd) were brought as in proccjfwn
Before me, in an orderly progrcjjlon.
Sometimes confufedly, there paffed by
Strange Apparitions, which away did fly,
E're I could well difcern them ; or my thought
Take notice, to what purpofe they were brought.

D Some-

44 The Perpetual Parliament.

Sometimes bright Jhinings from a light I had,
Which cheer'd my heart, and made my fpirit glad.
Another while, a darkneffe me furrounded,
Which, all my notions, for a time, confounded,
And fadned fo my fpirit by privations,
That I well neer loft all thofe obfervations
Which I had made fometimes appear'd to me
Such things, as in our Antimasks we fee
Ridiculous, and worthy laughing at ;
Sometimes things terrible, and after that
Appearances, which promifed to fome,
Much comfort, peace, and happineffc to come\
And fo the Vijion vanifh'd, and the day
By that time to the night had given way.

But by what reprefented thus hath been,
By well confided ng what I have feen ;
(Ry f pelting out, what every character
Held forth, and what things evidenced were
By readring all together} found hath bin
Where that great work muft firft of all begin,
Which may make up our breaches, when thereto
Our felves we fettle, as we ought to do.
In brief, I faw, that in ft\& fettlement
And conftitution of this Parliament
Upon a )\& foundation laid with fpeed,
A courfe of rejlauration might fucceed ;
And draw on by degrees, a means to bring
Into right order, ev'ry other thing
Conducing to our Weal; and if we take
That way whereof propofall I fhall make,
I dare adventure, if it do not thrive,
To lofe my head, or be inter'd alive.

I have attain'd affurance (and without
So much as any fliadow of a doubt,)

That

The Perpetual Parliament. 45

That by this Parliaments mifconftitution

We are uncapable of that fruition

Which we expect ; that for the moft part thence

Proceed the caufes of our indigence

And myferies ; and that 'tis naytheleffe

The chief t orfole means left of our redreffe.

Ev'n this in being now, this which men feek

To bring into contempt, and to diflike.

This, which they (juftly too, in fome refpect)

Have laboured to make of no effect,

And to annihilate, as if thereby

(And thereby only) they fhould perfectly

Injoy their full defires, and be fecur'd

From all the troubles hitherto indur'd.

Ev'n by this Parliament, God will effect

That future fettlement which we expect,

If we too long delay not the purfuit

Of an impartiall rativall recruit.

For though the body of it being made
Of many members, hath among them had
(And hath yet) overmany fo corrupted
That they have not alone much interrupted;
The activeneffe of thofe that have been found,
But are oft likely alfo to confound
The whole at once, by feeking how to pleafe
Their lujls, or friends, or how themfelves to eafe:
Yet by their faithfulnefs, who have been true
Unto their truft, and active to purfue
The publike intereft, redeem'd we are
From that captivity in which we were ;
And many things enjoy of him efteem
("Though by fome wants, enjoyments leffe do feem)
Whereof we had e're this been quite difpoil'd,
If they in their endeavours had been foil'd.

D2 If

53

46 The Perpetual Parliament.

It therefore were an A61 of Tyranny,

( Of high injuftice, and of cruelty,)

To wrap up thefe, with thofe that have mifdone,

Becaufe fome fail, to have refpect to none ;

But caft off all at once, and from us thruft

With men unrighteous, thofe that have been juft.

For if we weigh things well, it is their praife,
That they have marched through uneven wayes,
(Oft, ill accommodated^ and have long
Oppofed without wearineffe, a ftrong
And cunning enemy ; that they have bin
Affail'd by fome without, and ftob'd within
By bofome foes\ that they were lamed too,
In their own limbs, yet forward ftill did go
With perfeverance : and that alfo they
Stand for us in the gap, ev'n to this day ;
It is their glory, rather then their blot,
Though their good purpofe they accomplifh not.

It is from thefe that we denominate
This Parliament', in them is lodg'd the fate
Of this Rcpublike\ yea, what e're it feem,
This, as I faid, is that which muft redeem
Our late loft honor; and if e're this fhall
Diffolved be, down all our Structures fall,
Not to be rais'd, without the coft of more
Then hath been fpent upon it heretofore.

For what fhould keep it up ? can wife men think,
They fhall uphold it, that it may not fink,
Whom thefe depute? who while they do fubfift,
Preferve, with much care, their own intereft?
Can any of us, reafonably believe
The power which to their Subftitutes thefe give,
When they themfelves are outed, fhall be able
To keep up ftrongly, that which is unftable,

Un-

54

The Perpetual Parliament. 47

Untill a Phoenix, yet unhatch'd arife
Out of their afhes, with renew'd fupplies f
When, having far leffe power, and leffe efteem,
(As being an extraction out of them
Who are prejudicated) they fhall contend
With thofe immcrgencies, that may afcend ?

But, grant it poflible, what way fhall we
Contrive, whereby this power diffolv'd may be
Without a force, that may indanger more
Qurfafety, then it hath done heretofore?
(Since by a Law, it was perpetuated
Which is not rafhly to be abrogated',
And which without inforcement, can by none
Repealed be, fave by it felf alone f)
It were not rationall we fliould petition
That they now fitting (weighing their condition)
Diffolve it fliould, till they can be affured,
How they may for the future be fecured,
For giving their intruftcd power away,
To thofe they know not ; or, to fuch as may
Ruine both them, and thofe too, for whofe fake,
They ferv'd, that reafonleffe refolve to make ;
Yea, fhould they leave to fuch uncertainties,
(And, to fuch hazards, as might thence arife)
This Commonwealth, it were an A61 unjuft,
And, an unanfwerable breach of truft.

This Parliament, though (by and for our fin)
Her vigorous actings have delayed bin,
Through thofe objlruflions, which it long hath had,
And, is by many foul befpatterings made
Unacceptable; though, that it fhould raign
O're them, ihefous of Belial, do difdain:
Although, fome alfo (without caufe) have thought
That, to defame it, I my felf , have fought

D 3 (Be-

48 The Pcrpetuall Parliament,

(Becaufe thereto mifunderftandingly,

They fuch invectives, and reproofs apply,

As were intended only againft thofe,

Who feeming to \&frimdsy were fecret /#£$-.)

Yet fmce it firft begun (ev'n all along)

I have perceiv'd what works thereto belong,

And ever had a care how to prevent

Their fcandall, by a plain diftinguifhment

Of Doves from Crowes, and of mzns private faftions,

From publike, and authorized tranf actions.

For as that man, who can nor hear, nor fee,
And half whofe limbs, corrupt and rotten be,
May poffibly be all the means referv'd,
By which a noble houfe may be preferv'd
From extirpation', fo, how bad foe're
This Parliament may be, (or may appear)
I am affur'd, by many a circumftance,
It is that means by which GOD will advance
This Commonwealth, unto that fettlement,
Which may accurfed Anarchy prevent,
If thofe conditions be not long neglected,
Whereby our happinefs may be effected.

As heretofore, when Sarah was bereav'd
Of that which gave her hope to have conceiv'd,
She, naytheleffe, obtain'd a lovely fon,
In whom a nunfrous Off-fpring was begun :
And whence did fpring that light, and that falvation,
Which is the happinefs of ev'ry Nation;
Ev'n fo, when we had wanted many a year,
The likely Symptoms of enjoying here,
Another Parliament', yea when a flop
Was raifed and proclaim'd, againfh the hope
Of fuch a mercy, when nought did appear
But that whereby difpairs increafed were:

When

The Perpetual Parliament. 49

When Tympanics had fvvoln our Sarahs womb,

And made it rather feem to be the Tomb

Of dead things only, then to quicken ought,

Which for our comfort could from thence be brought;

Lo, then, (and not before,) it did conceive

A fon of Confolation, to revive

Our drooping hearts; and which, \{ faiihlcfncffe

Deprive us not of what we may poffeffe,

Will free us from all tyrants, and reflore

Thofe rights which they ufurpcd heretofore :

And not reftore our liberties alone,

But propagate the blefimg here begun,

Throughout the world, untill all other Nations

Are freed from their Opprejfors ufurpations.

Before the fans of Jacob entrance found
Into their promts d Land, they had a round,
Or Progrefs to fulfill, and many years
They in the Defarts were Probationers,
By fev'rall hardjtiips, thereby to improve
The feeds of faith, new fown at their remove
From sEgypt, and \yy figns and wonders mown)
To make unto themfelves their frailty known.
But they at each reftraining of their luft,
Brake forth into repinings and diftruft;
Yea into flat rebellions, into rearing
Of Idols (when his Law GOD was preparing)
Into a wicked caufleffe murmuring
Againft the means of their delivering
From ALgypts triall; and into wifhes vain
That they might thither back return again.
For which of many hundred thoufands none
Enjoy'd the promts d reft, but two alone.

And we are juft like tkem; yea, we have done
Since God, to bring us from our thrall begun,

D 4 The

57

5O The Perpetual Parliament.

The very fame things in the wilderneffe

Of our Probation, and our carkaffes

Shall there be left, unlefs we do betimes

Make an attonement, for our paffed crimes;

And with unfainednefs that courfe purfue

Which leads unto the reft, that is in view.

So fhall our Leaders, likewife, who comply

With fuch tranfgrejfors, and unfanctifie

Their power : fo fhall, moreover, thofe

Who with our DatJians, and Abirams clofe

In their confpiracies, and quite from all

Their likely hopes, and prefent glory fall.

For on conditions, fas King Jehu had

His Throne) the peoples heads, they have been made,

And if they fhall from thofe conditions fwerve,

They muft expect the portion they deferve.

Let them endeavour, therefore, how they may
Remove that fear and jealoufie away
Which doth poffeffe the people, and withdraws
Their good affections, with apparent caufe :
Let thofe, (evn thofe, who have among the reft,
Been leafl to blame, and have deferved beft)
Confider, that by fuch as careleffe are
Of thofe great burthens, which they feem to bear,
The weight increafeth, and, that they fo faft
Decreafe, on whom their weightinefs is caft,
As will e're long o'rewhelm them, if with fpeed,
They do not to fome remedy proceed.

Let them take notice, that the people rage
At their delayes, as likely to ingage
In fome dif orderly refolve, unlefs
They fee that follow'd with more ferioufnefs
Which they defire; either a Parliament
New made, or fomewhat that's equivalent :

For,

The Perpetual Parliament. 5 1

For thereby, they conceive, (and that thereby
Alone,) tib£\r fufferings may have remedy.
And fomewhat to that end (although not fo
As moft would have it) may be fit to do.
Yea, if I have not mifadvifed bin,
Our cure muft with the Parliament begin.
AfTift ye therefore, to promote the fame,
Left ye partake with fmners in their fhame.

There is a courfe, whereby without difgrace,
Or danger, you may bring that work to pafs,
And free your felves from that great coft and pain,
Which without thanks, or profit you fuftain;
Affli6ling others too, by thofe confujions
Which are increaft by your irrefolutions.
Untill a better, therefore fhall appear,
Be pleafed that expediment to hear,
And, if of thofe preventions, or that good,
It promifeth, you find a likelyhood,
Take heed, that no felf-intereft, divert
That Approbation, whereunto your heart
Inclineth you; for God will find it out,
And crofs the counter-work you go about.

In England, and in Wales, there is a Shire,
For ev'ry week that's numbred in the year.
By tivelve, according to the moneths divide
The Counties, with their perfons qualified
For Knights and Burgeffes, proportioning
As neer as may be, to an equalling
The number of the ivhole, fo, or fo many
Unto each moncth, without omitting any.
Afcertain then, the moneth and day, wherein
Each twelfth part an election fhall begin;
(The middle of the week, appearing beft
As being furtheft from the day of reft}

On

59

52 77/6' Perpetual Parliament.

On each firft Wednefday, of each moneth, let thofe

By whom their Deputies are to be chofe,

Refpeclively convene in ev'ry Shire,

Upon that moneth, and Wednefday ev'ry year,

Which is to them aflign'd ; and having chofen,

(At moneths endj let each twelfth part, of the dozen,

Send up their chofen men, to reprefent

Their Shires and Boroughs in the Parliament'.

And on that very day, in which they come,

Let all their Predeceffors give them room.

Thus one moneth fome; and moneth by moneth for e-
Let each twelfth part, ftill orderly perfever fver,
To take a turn, till ev'ry fhare hath had
A moneth in ev'ry year; and having made
Their choice, let them ftill enter and withdraw
Succeffively, by •& perpetuall Law,
No man a place of truft, fupplying there,
At one election, longer then one year.

Thus, as the Thames, doth ftill continue one,
And is the felf-fame river, though there run
A new fupply of waters ev'ry day
Along the channell, fo continue may
This Parliament, by annuall fupply,
To be the felf-fame everlaftingly,
With very little charge or moleftation
To thofe who chufe, or reprefent the Nation.
Thus may this Parliament, be both together
SucceJJive, and perpetuall; yet neither
Enjoying fuch a perpetuity
As can occafion future tyranny,
Or prefent grievances', nor \k&\. fucceffion,
Which may bring danger by an intermijjion :
But make that conftitution, which will add
All power, which may from both of them be had,

Ei-

60

The Perpetual Parliament. 5 3

Either to compafs, what good men affect;
Or to prevent the mifchiefs they fufpect,

What I intend may plainly be conceiv'd;
And to that end, fome things may be contriv'd
Much better, if your wifdome fhall refine
The rudenefs of my profered defign;
And by authority, fome rules provide
Whereby th' elected may be qualifVd;
And their Electors too; for 'twere unjuft,
In things of this concernment, thofe to truft
Who have diflurb'd our Peace, untill a time
For their Probation be allotted them :
And till they likewife, by fome good defert,
Make manifeft a reconciled heart,
Atefted, and approved by thofe Judges,
Who fhall fufpend their former priviledges.

And fince, ev'n they who are the beft affected
To Publike ivelfare, often have elected
Such as deceive their hopes; fince ther's no eye
But GODS, that fees the hearts hypocrifie:
Since it appeareth in the beft Record,
(Ev'n in the volumes of \.\\zfacred Word)
That lots were needfull in the choice of thofe,
On whom they did a Supreme Truft impofe:
Yea, fince, ev'n when the purefl Congregation,
In all the world, had with deliberation,
(And from among the moft approved men,
Which to their knowledge liv'd among them then)
Elected two\ a lot was alfo caft,
That GODS Election might on theirs be plac'd,
To fend forth him, who was to be employ 'd
In executing of the place then void:
Since alfo GODS Election, joyn'd with our,
May peradvcnture on the Elected pour

New

61

54 The Perpetual Parliament.

New gifts •; fmce we by doubtleffe warranty
May with that antient Prefident comply :
Since it will probably give good content
To prudent men, and may oft times prevent
The choice of thofe, whom for fmifher ends,
A numerous corrupted Party fends :
Why may not? nay, why fhoulcl not two be chofe
For ev'ry place that's void, and one of thofe
Be fent by lot} that GOD may have a voice,
And joyn with men in making up their choice^
Since they, who muft this Nation reprefent
Are GODS Vicegerents in the Government,
As well as our Trujleesl who would not more
Confide in fuch a choice, then heretofore
They did in others? or, then they will do
In them, who fhall not now be chofen fo ?

Why was it not? why fhould it not be thus,
If this the Kingdome be of GOD WITH US?
But that felf-feekers find, were this admitted,
They by reputed fools, fhould be out-witted ?
And get no Jnlet, others to devoure
Hereafter, by an evill gotten power?
Yea, wherefore hath the lot been from among
All our Elections kept away fo long,
But that Ufurpers, and Intruders know
It would their Kingdomes wholly overthrow;
Make them afraid, that CHRIST would raign indeed
Among us, (as they fometimes hear and read)
And that they fhould hereafter never come
To revel (as they have done) in his room:
Nor will they, doubtlefs, if this take effect,
Except it be our failings to correct;
When GOD fhall by permiffion for our fin,
Reject the lot, and let a Knave come in.

If

62

The Perpetual J\nrliament. 55

If therefore fome Provifwn might be made,
That we fhould lots to our Elections add,
A great fecurity would thence redound,
And much contentment therein might be found.
Moreover, as an out-work pertinent
Remiffenefs in Electors to prevent,
( Upon whofe due performance much depends,
Which to the pub dike woe, or welfare tends)
It were not labour loft, if whenfoe're
To execute that duty we appear,
Some fhort fpeech might be made, or cautions read,
Whereby it fhould be offred to our heed,
How much it will concern us, to take care
What choice we make, and what the dangers are
Which may enfue; left for finifter ends,
(For fear of great men, or to pleafe our friends)
We may difplace our trufty and caft away
Our felves, and all, for ever, in one day.

To which intent, our Orator fhould fhow
What trufl it is, which we that day beftow :
What benefits may gen'rally arife
By chufing men couragious, Jionejl, wife,
And fearing GOD; what/m&f will enfue
(Which by forepart examples he may fhew)
If cowards, fools, ungodly men, and vitious,
Or to i\\Q prefent Government pernitious
Elected be; he likewife may declare
How qualifid fuch perfons fhould appear,
And warn them, that they never do unhallow
Their choice, with any fuch as thefe that follow.

Men over-talkative, and loving much
To hear themfelvcs fpeak; for not many fuch
Can keep or give good counfell ; and they'l prate
Much precious time away, in vain debate.

Your

56 The Perpetual Parliament.

Your common Gamejlers'. for, they are unjuft

Unto themfelves, and them we fhould not truft

With other mens ejlates, who have been known

To lofe, or hazard, defperately their own.

Men to their pleafure overmuch addicted,

For Ptiblike works, will be by thefe neglected.

Such as apparently are Avaritious,

Or of Promotion greedily ambitious :

For if their ends thereby acquire they may,

Thefe may be hir'd, their Country to betray.

Such as indulge their luft, and famed are

jn their uncleannejfes to perfevere\

For they will leave their Charge, to pleafe their whore,

And fhame their fellows, if they do no more.

Of irreligious perfons make no choice,
For thefe will very feldom give their Voice,
But in the Negative, to any motion,
That may be for advancement of Devotion.
Chufe none who are defanJd in any kind,
As being vitious; for thefe means will find
To hinder all enaclings, which reftrain
/// manners', or tofober life pertain.
Elect not children : for it is unfit
That in our Supreme Counfell they fhould fit,
To Vote in Grand Affairs, whom Law retrains
From managing, what to themfelves pertains.
Chufe none, who are obferved to withhold,
Their long due debts, when they dif charge them could;
Or outlaid d perfons\ for, unfit are they
To make our Lawes, who will not Lawes obey.
C/ittfe none, who JJiall folicite, or propofe
That they for your Law makers may be chofe\
(And their Electors, by the old abufe,
Qi feafting, wine, and banquetings feduce;)

For

64

The Perpetual Parliament. 57

For they, who fhall uncall'd, themfclves advance
To that great work, have much more arrogance
Then worthy and it is alfo ten to one,
They for themfelves, have fomething to be done.

And laftly, take good heed, that none get in
By your Elections, who have active bin
Againft this State, till you, of them have had
Good proof, whereby fecure you may be made :
For he that hath into fubje6lion brought,
A Thief, who on the way, to rob him fought,
And ftraight way trufts him, with hisykwdfand horfe,
Takes not a very fafe, or prudent courfe.

This being done, (as in preceding ages)
Let thofe who are Elected have their wages
Well paid, and rendered proportionable
To what the times require, to make them able
To ferve their Country in the Parliament
Without their private coft or detriment :
For both our Lawes, and equity requires,
That Labourers mould be allow'd their hires:
Yea, 'tis a kind of bribery, in thofe
Who offer, without wages to be chofe ;
And BorougJts, which unable feem to beare
That charge, not worth the reprefenting are.
Befide, their choice, is (for the moft part) made
By fome Malignant Stewards; or, or'e aw'd
By mifaffected Landlords, to the wrong
Of what to them, with others doth belong:
And their objections are but cavillings,
Who fliall alledge, that thefe ejlablifliings
Infringe their Antient Right', for, be it known,
The Commonwealth no privilcdgc can own
Deftru6live to \tfclf: much rather, we,
Who now, by Conqueft, reinvefted be

With

5 8 The Perpetua I Parliamen t.

With what was loft, are bound to fettle it,
Not as our foes wifh, but as may befit
The prefent, and the future prefervation
Qtfafety, peace, and freedome to this Nation.

Moreover, as upon the Houfe of Peers,
It was the cuftome, in preceding years,
That there the Sages of the Law, attended;
To whofe debate tuc\\ points were recommended,
As to the Law related ; fo, let fome
Selected be, and fummoned to come
To whom each matter quefhioned relates,
To be advis'd withall, in their debates,
As needfull it fhall feem ; whether the caufe
In controverfie fhall concern the Laws,
War, Merchandize, or whatfoever may
Require their beft experience on the day
Thereto affign'd : that ev'ry work begun
May by it proper instrument be done.
Which will prevent much doing, and undoing,
And make new comers, in fhort time, as knowing,
As they that have fate long, and finifh more
In three weeks, then in three moneths heretofore.

Thefe outworks, will much ftrengthen, and fecure
The works within-, yet that they may endure
All fieges, underminings, and fcaladoes,
Battries, affaults, and ftormings, with Granadoes,
By foes without, and treacheries within,
To build a Cittadell, let us begin
Upon fome Fundamentally ; and provide
They may for ever, unrepeal'd abide.

Let it inviolably be decreed,
That Cities, Shires, and Boroughs do proceed
Once ev'ry year, upon the time affign'd,
(On penalty of being deeply fm'dj

To

66

The Perpetual Parliament. 59

To make Elections \ that we never may
For time to come, be headlefs for one day.

Let it be everlafting banijhment
To him, who (hall to change this Government
From being a Republike, motion make :
And to a6l further if he undertake,
Let it be death, with totall confiscation
Of his eftate, without commiferation ;
Unlefs the great Difpofer of all things,
(Who, as he lifts, fets up and pulls down Kings,)
Shall thereto by a conquering power compell;
And, not to do it then, were to rebell.

Whoever with the publike Treafury
Shall ftand intrufted ; and doth knowingly
Defraud the Commonwealth ; or fhall purloine,
(Whether it be in goods, or ready Coyne}
The worth of twenty ounces in pure plate,
Let it be lofs of life, and of eftate.

Whoever this Republike fhall betray
Malicioufly, or for advance or pay,
Refigne his Truft\ or cowardly give up
What he had means to keep, or likely hope ;
Let it (when prov'd) be death without reprieving,
Or any hope of temporall forgiving.

Whoever fhall from any foraigne State,
Or Prince, take penfion ; or negotiate
With them, or with their Agents, when they are
With us in Treaties, or in open war,
In State affairs, unlefs the State gives leave;
Let him, without a pardon, death receive.

Above a moneth together fufifer none
To fit hereafter in the Speakers throne,
On fome great penalty : Becaufe thereby
Both /*£/£& wrongs y and private injuries

E May

60 The Perpetual Parliament.

May be occafioned. Impofe the like
On him that fhall abfent himfelf one week
From Parliament, without a good caufe fhown ;
Or, that without leave fhall depart the Town.
Let fome appearance every day be made,
That this great Body never want a Head
That's vifible ; and to prevent what may,
Unthought upon, befall us in a day.
Yea, on the Sabboth, for an houre or two,
Convene : for, 'tis a Sabboth-work you do :
And Venice, hath by long experiment
Found, that this Caution may be pertinent ;
Nor will it over-burthenfome appear,
When they are to continue but one year.
Let none in Parliament have toleration
To mention ought to their dif reputation,
Who abfent are; except they undertake
Of what they fhall aver good proof to make,
On pain of an expulfion ; or, permit
An Intimation, likely to beget
A mifconjecture, to the injury
Of him, that is not prefent to reply:
But let th' Accufers and their Accufations
Be known, that thofe may have due vindications
Who are traduc'd; For, no man fhould enjoy
Kpriviledge, his neighbour to deftroy.
Moreover, left the Parliament become
(By multiplying Suits) more burthenfome
Then all thofe other Courts, of whofe oppreffions
We have complain'd, (and render our conditions
Lefs curable) let it admit no Caufe
But fuch as hath no remedy by Lawes
In force; or, for a non-fruition
Of luftice, by their partiall execution.

For,

The Perpetual Parlia men t. 6 1

For, by removing of fuch grievances,

And to provide againft immergencies

Which may occurr (both in affairs abroad,

And here at home) they will have ftill their load.

If not: the being of a Parliament

Thus conftituted, doubtlefs, will prevent

So many mifchiefs, that it will return

Large recompences for all charges born.

Let it cxpulfion be from thence, for ever,
With fome great mulft, for any whofoever,
That, as a Member of the Parliament,
Shall fit two years together; yea, though fent.
And, let no Lawyers practife for a Fee,
Or plead, whil'ft of the Parliament they be :
Or any, who there fiteth as a Peer,
Be ludge of zny fupreme Court that yeer;
Or, during that imployment, execute
A Place, permitting not a Subjlitute\
That, in Appeals, none may infringe the Lawes,
By being ludge and Partie in one Caufe.

And, that to all mzn,juftice may be done,
Among your Fundamental^ make this one\
That whatfoever fhall be taken from
One, few, or many (through all times to come,)
Inpublike wants, and dangers, be repaid
By equall Taxes, generally laid :
And, that they fhall not make, or abrogate
A Law, diminifhing one mans eftate
More then anothers, without recompence,
On whatfoe're occafion or pretence.
Yea, let all mens eftates reduced be
To leffe \hznfortyfJiillings, yearly Fee,
Rather t\\zn friend or foe, fhould juftly fay,
^\\^ pnblike faith were broken, any way.

E 2 Which

62 The Perpetuall Parliament.

Which would inrich us, and innoble more
Then, if our hills of chalk, werejilver Oar\
Our fand pure gold', our pebles, pearls of price,
Our fields as fruitfull as old Paradife-,
And, evvyfon, which forth each mother brings,
As Prince, or Lord, and all their Fathers Kings.

Then to prevent, the drawing thofe together,
Who, for by-ends, would fortifie each other;
Let him that place in Parliament fupplies,
Who fhall by letter, word, or otherwife,
Either contrive, folicite, or propofe
Another, during that time, to be chofe,
Be from his Truft, exiled with difgrace,
Never to be admitted, to that place.

And, that all Fundamentalls ratifi'd
In Parliament, for ever may abide
Inviolated ; let no man be fent
A City, Town, or Shire, to reprefent,
Till by Indenture, under hand and feal,
He ftand ingaged to the Common-weal,
And his Electors, that by no endeavour,
He fhall repeal, or any way for ever
Weaken thefe Fundamentalls', but affay,
At all times, to inlarge them what he may :
For, Parliaments (as heretofore our Kings)
Are but Trujlees-, and therefore in fuch things,
As to the publike damage may redound,
As well as they, (hold A61 within fome bound.

By thefe provijions, (with fome other fuch
Made Fundamentalls, we might very much
Advantage this Republike\ and as far
As humane indujiries enabled are,
(To promife fafety and eftablifliment)
Secure from change fat prefent Government,

Till

70

The Perpetual Parliament. 63

Till men may dry-fhod walk upon the fand,
From Deal, and Dover, Cliffs to Callis llrand ;
Or, Penmin Maure, be fet on Snow-down hills,
And, Time unto ti\€\rfprings, turns back the rills.

This, would be like the river, wherewithall
The Tyrant Qneller, clens'd th' Augean flail,
(As Poets faign) and wafh away that foil,
And bloud, and filth, which doth our beauty fpoil.
By tJtefe means, we might both in one, contrive
A \x\\zfuccejfive Reprefentative,
Compleated in a fafe eflablijhment,
For ever, of the felf-fame Parliament,
Producing all their juft defires together,
Who feek the one, or who defire the other \
And with prevention of all harms, that may
Be feared, by the one or other way.

By thefe means, we fhall never be without
A Supreme power, or live in any doubt
Of harmfull change, if wifely we purfue
This courfe\ and to our f elves continue true.
By thefe means, there will dill be an appearance
Sufficient, to keep up a perfeverance,
In all great undertakings, with due order,
And with fuch quick difpatch, the fuits to further
Of men oppreft ; that, they may hope to fee
Thofe plaints determin'd, which yet endlefs be ;
And never will have end, till wit or force,
Reduce us unto this, or fome fuch courfe.

By this expedient, they that are in place
At prefent, may refign without difgrace
The Trujl they have, to take awhile their eafe,
(Or follow their affairs, as they fhall pleafe)
And after one year, back perhaps return
To reaffume the burthens they have born.

E 3 Here-

64 The Perpetual Parliament.

Hereby, a likely means will be contriv'd

Of fa&fecurity, which is deriv'd

From many Counfellors\ and, diftribution

Of burthens, will make eafie execution ;

More quick, yea, and more cheap difpatches too,

For thofe, who fhall have ought with them to do.

By thefe means, if, a worthleffe Member come
Among our Worthies, to fupply a room,
His heart may changed be; whereas, now, they
Who came in honefl, are oft drawn away
From their firft Principles, with them to clofe,
Who, mean to gain, what e're the Publike lofe:
Or, at the worft, he muft from thence be gone
Before much mifchief, can by him be done.
And, fuch as do confederate and plot
That, for themfelves, advantage may be got,
(Though to their Country es lofs, and neighbors wrong)
Shall want the time and means, which doth belong
To fuch contrivements, as are frequent now,
When, moft, each others minds, and interejls know :
For, by new Parties, monethly, coming in,
They'l break, as fa ft as they to knit begin ;
And, Gins, which heretofore effe6ls have took
By kindred and alliance, will be broke.

By thefe means, they, who do command, to day,
Shall learn again to morrow, to obey.
Many, fhall be encourag'd to enable
Themfelves, in publike, to be ferviceable ;
And, in few years, fome thoufands more then now,
The common intcreft, will learn to know ;
And, how they may advance it, when they come
From that grand School, to live again, at home ;
And, think themfelves, obliged, ev'ry where,
To further it, as well as fitting there.

By

72

The Perpetual Parliament. 65

By this means, ev'iy man, within his Orb
Shall be reftrain'd ; and none have power to curb
Supreme authority; or, to afpire
By his ambition to a Station higher
Then (hall be/afe to all, and judged fit
For tills free State, with prudence to admit:
Nor (hall the daringft tyrant in the land
Prefume to move a tongue \ or lift a hand
Againft that power; or plot, vent, or concceal
Ought which may damnific this Common-weal.
Yea, by this means, we calmly fhall reduce
The Parliament, unto it genuine ufe,
Without advent'ring what may intervene
By Intervalls ; and, what hath feared been
(Not without caufe) by hazarding to call
A new one\ or, by an additional I
Supply to this; as now affairs relate
To home dejlgns, and our next neighboring State:
But, if we fail in any circtunftance,
Here mentioned, we never fhall advance
The Publike interejl to that effe6l,
Which by this Parliament we might expect ;
Nor fcape that tyranny, which is defign'd
By thofe, who are contrarily inclin'd :
For, they that would be tyrants (knowing thofe
Who did the Regal I tyranny oppofe
Still zealous, for the peoples liberty)
Will to effect their purpofes comply
With any party ; and, then, by dif placing,
By difenablingt or els by difgracing
The well-affecled, at laft, compaffe that
Which is by them, in fecret aimed at,
(Unleffe prevented) and involve us more
\nfervilcjlaveries, then heretofore.

£4 Thefe,

73

66 The Perpetual Parliament.

For, doubtlefs, moft of thofe who did befriend

The tyranny of Kings, will to that end

Adhere to thefe, in hope by doing thus,

To be reveng'd at laft, on them and us.

Thefe are no fuch Propofalls, as may hatch

A Cocatrice\ or, be abus'd to catch

A private intereft. No impoftures are

Beneath a fair pretence obfcured here :

Nor doth their Author a6l the Mountebank

To any end : For, he expects not thank

For ought by him defign'd ; nor, cares for more

But to difcharge the debt upon his fcore;

And ( if occafion bej to find a gap,

Through which, without a mif chief, ^ may fcape.

Which, if he do, he will confefs, 'tis more

Then ever he could boaft of heretofore ;

Or, any other, who thus interrupted

The wilfull praflife of a power corrupted,

Unlefs that GOD, whom nothing can withftand,

Secur'd him, by an over-ruling hand ;

Or, by a miracle did change their heart,

As when he did great Nineveh convert

This is the fum of that, which I remember
Kept me awake, fome nights of this November,
When my affairs, which then at hazard lay,
Had tir'd in vain my body all the day;
For, my necejjities requir'd the one,
My confcience cry'd, the t'other muffc be done ;
And, if, now ought the worfe thereby I fare,
My lot, as I am able, I will bear.

Much more was reprefented to my view,
Which I am unprepar'd (as yet) tofliew,
And you to hear: but, if I had &pen
As acceptable, as fome other men,

And

74

The Perpetual Parliament. 67

(And undifturb'dj it might produce perchance,

That, which the Publike weal, might much advance :

Or, had I but a volubility

Of tongue, to help my fluid memory;

Or, durft declare my thoughts, e're them I fee

Array'd in words, that, weigh'd they firft might be :

Yea, could I fpeak, as many now can do,

More in one hour, then they e're thought in two,

(Or, then I can be underflood in three)

Much more efteem'd would my Propofalls be.

Here I had fixt, but, that there comes to mind
A fupplemcnt, remaining yet behind,
Of fomwhat reprefented, as relating
Unto this Parliaments accommodating,
With due conveniences ; and with fupply
Of things pertaining to the Majejly
Of Supreme Senates'. For, though, doubtlefs, they
Are bed adorned, who themfelves array
With holinefs ; though, they have moft renown
When righteoufnefs and mercy, is their Crown :
And, though the dignity of Governments,
Confifteth not in outward ornaments,
Or, neat accommodations ; yet, the wife,
Having regard to mans infirmities,
Did in all ages, by their joynt confents,
Add to effcntiall things, fuch accidents
As might to thofe men, make their worth appear,
Who could not fee, what in tltemfelves, they were :
And, that they who difcern'd it, might not find
Difcouragements, in that which is in]oyrid,
To which end, we prefcribe unto the fick,
A gilded pill, and trim with Ret/wrick,
Our Arguments, thereby to palliate
What, we to others would infmuate.

And

75

68 The Perpetual Parliament.

And, to this end, were tipifi'd to me,
Some things, which will, perhaps, hereafter be.
Mark them, if they be worth your heed : if not,
Let them be paffed over, as forgot.
Methought, I faw WHITEHALL, new model'd out;
With Toivrs adorn'd, wtihftrong ivalls fenc'd about ;
With buildings, having much variety
Contriv'd into a neat conformity
Of fair afpecJ, and duly beautifVd
With Gardens, walks, and with what els, befide,
Did render it magnificently fit
For their abode, who did inhabit it.

Befide the Fabricks, deflined unto
Meer/a£/&£ ttfe, and common works to do ;
As, in the Firmaments wide Orb, there are
Twelve manfions ; fo, twelve ftrucJures, faw I there,
In each of which (as in the Zodiake,
The twelve celeftialjigns, their Stations take,)
The Senators, who moneth by moneth, were chofe,
Had their diftincl: abodes; each one of thofe
In lodgings, by himfelf ; yet, altogether
In one pile, who, in one moneth were fent thither:
That, for conveniency they might be neer
On all occafions; and, that ev'ry Shire,
Might thereby find the eafier addreffes,
And, quick difpatches in their bufineffes.

A conjlant Table, of one meal a day,
Was there prepared for a frugall pay,
That none might be compelled to ftray forth
To places unbefeeming men of worth :
And, all things pertinent to prefervation
Of health, with ev'ry fit accommodation,
Was there contrived, fo, as they might
Purfue the Publike fervice, with delight.

No

76

TJu Perpetual Parliament. 69

No family, was licens'd there, to hoft ;
No, not a wife (except a week, at moft,
In gueft-wifej left the publike fcrviccs
Might be difturb'd by houfhold bufmeffes:
Or, leaft the drudgeries, or naftineffe,
Occafion'd by a numerous acceffe
Of children, fervants, and their vifiters,
Might fpread difeafes, in infectious years:
And, left among them, fome, through want of grace,
Might bring an evill name upon that place.

Nothing uncomely, or diforder'd there
Could I behold ; no noyfes did I hear,
Or fuch loud clamors, as have oft been heard,
Among the rude Jncommers, and the guard \
But, fuch an aivfull filence, as if there
The Turks Grand Signior, always prefent were
By Mutes attended. To offend the eye,
Qrfmell, no dung, or finks, did open lye.
I faw not then, a defpicable fhcd ;
No Coach lions' d there, or any Coach horfe fed :
No little children in ^& garden fprawling,
Or, in the Galleries, or Chambers yawling :
No Bakers Boy went tooting of his horn :
No Milk pails there, from place to place were born,
As in thofe Courts, and Allies which we fee
Pcfter'd with Inmates, &&& poor lodgers be\
Nor was there born tJirougJi any pajfage there,
(Save fuch, as out of common concourfe were)
Unfcemly burthens, or, ought els permitted
But what the honor of the place befitted.

A Guard was needleffe then for their defence,
(Since, ]ujlice, mercy, and true innocence,
Are guard enough, and keep more fafe, by far,
Then if an armed Phalanx doubled were)

They

77

70 The Perpetual Parliament.

They had true peace within ; and through the land
No man againft them, durfl to lift a hand;
But, ev'ry one was ready to attend them,
And with their lives, as their life, to defend them.
Yet, for magnificency, and to further
The prefervation of refpetl and order,
In times vfconcourfe; and that no addrefs
Be made, but with all due refpecJivenefs,
They had an able Band of men fele<5led
Out from among thofe perfons ivell-affec~ted,
Whofe faith and valour had been well approved
\v\ publike fervices \ who, had unmoved
Stood firm in trialls, and whofe converfation
Had gained them an honeft reputation ;
And thefe, arm'd, govern d, decently array d
In liveries alike, and duly paid,
Appear' d to give attendance altogether
When Princes, or Ambaffadors came thither:
And, in their turns, at other times, to do,
That Jervice, which they were injoyn'd unto.
Then, forafmuch, as outward habits draw
Refpe6l unto mens perfons, there, I faw
That cuftome, which all Senators did hold
In ftri6l obfervance, through moft times of old,
The Knights and Burgeffes who reprefent
The Nation, entred not the Parliament
In common habits only ; but, each one
A robe, or tipper garment, did put on
Peculiar to that Senate, differing neither
\n. fajhion, fluff e, or colour from each other.
To fignifie (as I conceive) thereby
Their brother-hood, and their equality ;
And that, they being thereby differenced
From vulgar perfons, might be honored

Ac-

The Perpetual Parliament. ^ i

According to their place, and known among,
And by the people, as they part along
Into the Senate-, or, as to and fro,
From place to place, on their affairs they go.

Moreover, when that they had laid afide
Their Senate robes, about their necks I fpi'd
A golden Wreath, which thereat pendent had
A Tablet, whereon was enamelled,
The Britiflt IJles, within the Ocean plac't ;
And with a Verge of curled waves embrac't :
Which was beftown upon them for a badge
of honor, and likewife to priviledge
Their perfons, wherefoe're they were unknown;
That due rcfpcct might ev'ry where be fhown,
And no affronts receiv'd. Thefe badges were
From man to man, (and ftill from year to year)
Refign'd to their Succcffbrs, to be born
By thofe whorn^ their Electors fhould return.

Much more I faw, which fhould I here relate,
Would yet appear, things worthy laughjng at;
(As thefe declar'd, already do to fome)
But, when the daies of their admittance come,
(Which I believe draw neer) it will be found
That thefe Previfwns had fome likely ground ;
And that the heart, from whence all this did flow
Meant well to you, though thefe things prove not fo.

Hear me with patience, but a few words more,
And, to their freedome, Tie your ears reflore.
As country folks, to keep out Witches, do
Within the threjhold, nail a horfes JJwe,
So did I, at the fore-door of this piece,
Infert a charm, to keep out prejudice:
And, now, if fome way els, it in be brought,
That, at the Back-door, I may thruft it out,

I'le

79

j2 The Perpetual Parliament.

Tie fix a Si quis, (or it may be mo)
Upon the Poftern Gate, before I go.

If any think \\\Q pofture we are in
Will ftill as prosperous be, as it hath been,
Or, that GOD will this Nation ftill deliver
By miracles, although we mail perfever,
In high prefumptions, 3&&fupreme neglecl
Of that compliance, which he doth expect;
They greatly are deceiv'd : For, know, the end
Of moft things, on contingence fofi\ depend.
We of this Nation, having walk'd upon
The Pythagorean Y or, Ypjilon
Are come unto the f oof thereof, this day,
Where lies before our face a double ivay,
The one of them diredleth us unto
Profperity ; the other to our woe :
On this hand, Blifs, on that hand, Curfes lie',
Proceed this ^vay, and live ; go that, and die.
Ev'n Davids temp'rall Kingdom, ftnough there had
Large promifes, concerning it, been made)
Was on his heirs intail'd, for their fruition,
Not abfolutely, but upon condition ;
Which, being broken ; all th' externall power
And glory of it vanifht ; fo fhall our.

Moreover, if that any fhall believe
Our hazards are far lefs then I conceive ;
Let them not truft to fuch a dream as that,
Left they difcover, when it is too late,
The dangers threatning us: For, I have been
Informed aright, what perills we are in.
And, whereas, of thofe things which paffed by
From time to time, I fought to fatisfie
My private knowledge only, (that I might
Affured be I had obferv'd aright)

if,

So

The Perpetual Parliament. 7 3

If I had thereby gathe'rd proofs, to fhow

To other men, the truth of what I know,

I fhould of fuch things demonftration give,

As few fufpecl, and fewer would believe :

And you would fee, that we are in a courfe

Like his, who in a dark night rode his horfe

O're Chepjlow bridge, upon a fmgle board,

When lowd to him, the dreadfull waters roar'd,

(Beneath the broken arch) and feem'd to fay,

Oh fool ! take heed, thers danger in the way.

And fome, perhaps, if they affured were

What /iazzards\h.Qy have paft, would die through fear,

As it is faid he did, when he had fight,

Next morn, of what he fcaped over-night.

We think perhaps, we all this while have been

Upon as plain firm ground as Richmond-green,

Or in a Courfe, wherein as fafe we run

As on the race at Banfled-downs at noon ;

When we are rather dancing o're the tops

Of tottering pinacles, on rotten ropes,

Where, but that we by providence are kept,

We down had fell, at every ftride we ftept.

Yet, for the moft part, every lojfe &&&ftreight
Which we are in, makes us but lay more weight
Upon the weak ; and each Deliverance
Doth but increafe our pride and arrogance,
As if we were refolved, without heed
Of judgments, or of mercies, to proceed,
Untill confujion fhould compell us to
What we might orderly, and timely do.

Laftly, if any fhall be pleas'd to fay,
Or dream (as peradventure many may;
That, with affairs I intermeddle here
Which pertinent to my Superiors are,

And

81

74 The Perpetual Parliament.

And not to me : To all thefe be it known,

The bujineffe which I treat of is mine own.

I claim, in this Repnblike, with the beft,

KJJiare, proportion'd to my intereft\

Andfreedome, boldly to expreffe my mind

As often as I juft occafion find.

The common liberty, and common peace

Are truly mine, and no mans, more, or lefs:

I fought for't, and \ pay for't, thrice my Jhare,

According to the/ar/, which many beare.

My Countries wrong is mine\ her grief my forrow,

And therefore they that wound her thrufb me thorow.

They, who her wealth or honor fool away,

Fool me, when in that kind the fools they play:

And, therefore they, who thereto Traytors be,

Are therein alfo Traytors unto me ;

And no man can without apparent wrong

Reftraint impofe upon my pen, or tongue,

In pleading of her caufe; nor will I fear

To a6l my own work in my proper fphere.

For, though I have not power to make a Law,
Or raife an Annie, which can keep in awe
Her private enemies, and open foes',
Yet, I have charms equivalent to thofe,
In fome refpects; which operate unfeen
Thofe ends, whereto they have intended been ;
And will have due effefts, in their defpight
Who feek to trample on the common Right.
In this affurance, here Tie add a clofe,
To this, and leave th'event to G O D'S difpofe;
Who, if v/e fhall neglect (a few weeks more,)
Good connfell, as we have done heretofore,
Will break down that, which might preferv'd have bin,
And, on another Bafe his work begin.
.. FINIS.

82

Weftrow Revived

[HAZLITT, No. 56.]

IV E S T R 0 W

REVIVED.

A Funeral! Poem without Fiftion.
Compofed by Geo: Wither Efq.

That GOD may be glorified in his Saints ; That

the memory of Thomas Weftrcnv Efq; may be preferred,

and that others by his exemplary Life and Death may

be drawn to imitation of his Vertues.

Blejl are the Dead who dye in CHRIST-,
For, from their Labours they do rejl ;
And, whether they do live or dye,
His Saints are precious in his eye.

To the READER.

READER, penife this thorow : For, to Thee
It moft pertains, though WESTROW 'named be;
And, gives (as by the way) fome fhort hints, there,
To what Intents, He, chiefly doth appear,
And whereof, if good heed (hall not be took
Somwhat, ere long, more fully will be fpoke.
Both Mofes, and the Prophets, many a day
Have fpoken ; and a Greater one then they.
Hear them : For when GOD fendeth by the DEAD,
His Mejfages will come with much more Dread
Then Comfort ; and few men, with good effect,
Shall hear thefe, the former do neglect.
Be wife, or elfe ; /?ut, He, now fay no more,
The Feet ofmejfengers are at the door.

LONDON:

Printed by F: Neile in Alderfgate-ftreet : 165 3.

I

WES TROW

REVIVED.
The 6r& CANTO.

The Authors mufings here areJJicnvn
The Night, ere ought, to him was known
dyWeftrowes death; -whereof, the Morrow
AJJtir'd him, to his greater forrow ;
Then, that which he hath more to fay,
Is put off, to another day.

TWas midnight; and, I had
In hope, the nights remainder, for my reft
Had been allowd ; and, in that hope, all thofe
Diftradlings, which my Minde might difcompofe
Quite threw afide, and haftned to the place,
Where, that refreJJiment, offer' d an embrace.
But, \\ijleeps pofture, ere I down was laid,
A Thought within my heart, ftart up, and faid,
Wejlrowe, thy beft, and moft deferring Friend,
Lies feeble, and approaching to his end,
By thee unvifited (though two days, now
Are paft, fince of his weaknefs thou didft know)
How, canft thou anfwer, fuch a groffe neglecting,
Of one, fo well, fo truly thee affecting ?

A fecond Thought thus anfwer'd thereunto,
(To make amends) to morronv I will go

A 2 In

2 WES TROW Revived.

In hope (fmce I, for this negleft am griev'd)
A juft excufe, will kindly be receiv'd ;
And, that love reall, (hall not through defeft
That's accidental, fuffer by fufpecJ.

To morrow, faid a third thought, comes too late ;
His Lifes Commiffion, is quite out of date ;
And, that, which might have been enjoy 'd to day,
Is, by procraftination, loft for aye.
Thou, too too long, thy put-pofe haft forbore,
And, never now, fhalt hear, or fee him more.
Yet, be not grieved, that it happens thus,
For, he is fafe : And, as good Lazarus
Loft nothing, by a ficknefs unto death,
Save only that fufpention of his breath
For fome few days, which did a means provide,
Whereby, both GOD, and he, were glorifide
In greater meafure ; fo, it may, be thou,
Shalt hereby, have occaftons offered, now,
Of that, whereby, hereafter may be made
Advantages, which could not elfe be had.

Ad-vantages! cride out, another Thought,
Alas ! what good effect can forth be brought
By fuch an Accident, if I fhall hear
That, to be true, which yet, is but my fear ?
How can my pretermiflion ought produce
Of any future comfortable ufe ?
Or, to what likely profitable end,
Can fuch a comfortles privation tend?

In Fancies Tennefcourt, thus, to and fro
My Thoughts were toft, and plaid at hazzard fo,
That very much diftemper'd I became,
With that unlook'd for, and unpleafmg game.
Their fdent Dialogue made fuch impreffions
Upon my heart, and fo inhanc'd my pajfion
That, all the night enfuing they did keep
My mind on him, and bard mine eyes from fleep.

WES TR O W Revived. 3

I, likewife, have fo frequently perceiv'd

My fouls prefagings true, that I beleev'd

This fad Surmize; and thereon did proceed

To mufe, as if he had been dead indeed

And buried too. From whence, break in upon me,

Such apprehenfions of the Favours done me,

And of his kindnefles in my oppreflions,

That, they exacted from me thofe confeflions

Which in the following pages wil enfue

To give, what to his memory is due.

Dear GOD! */" humane mercy fo indears
So fweet, fo pretious, if that Love appears
(Andfo obliging) which enjoy1 d may be
By Creatures ! what is that, which flows from thee?
If, little fparklings, may beget a flame,
What may be thought 0/"that, from whence tJiey came?
And, why from M\w\fJtould not my foul afcend
To clafp thy love, oh my Eternal Friend !
Who wert, and art, and wilt continueyfr,
When all the World fJiall into nothing go !
Some will atyfry?, perhaps, with prejudice
Perufe, what in this Poeme I exprefie,
On this Occafion ; judging, that, hereby
/, fomtwhat would, beyond the verity -,
Infinuate; to makey/na// things, appear
More in \htfhow, than they vcifubjlance are.
But they (hall fee at A//?, that, I purfue
My Theame no farther than I make it true :
And, bear me witnes, ere this hath an end,
That, I have done but what becomes a Friend ':
That, teal caufe, occafion'd my unrefl :
And, that, of Aim, my thoughts are here exprefl,
Without hyperbo es ; without devifmg
Or adding, what the World cal s Poetizing:
And, that, I rather put upon ike/core
LeJJe, then 7ow his memory, then more.

A 3 But

4 WESTR 0 W Revived.

But, to the matter: being full of grief,

By what my fear had rais'd up to belief,

To fay, within myfelf, / thus began ;

Wejlrowe, that noble fingle hearted man,

Whom GOD, had in a time of need beftown

To be my friend, is now no more his cnvn.

Alas ! nor mine : Weftrowe, that heretofore,

Was, to the Widdow, Fatherlefs, and poor,

A Husband, Friend, and Father, them to feed,

To cloath and harbor, in the time of need.

Wejlrowe, GODS faithfull Almner; he, from whom

No needy foul, who for relief did come,

Went empty (if his needines requir'd,

Undoubtedly, the fuccor he deferv'd)

And, then, as GOD doth, he did alms beftow

Upon \hegood, and bad, o\\ friend, and Foe.

Yea, and when none did ask, what he could grant,

Sought where to find out thofe, who flood in want :

And, often, was directed unto them,

By Providence, in acceptable time.

That Wejlrowe, now, hath left us to bemoan

Our loffes. For thereby, he can have none.

Nor meant us any : But, is gone away

That, our contentment, he make perfect may

By his well-being, in a fafe poffeffmg,

"His portion, in an everlafiing BleJJing:

And, that, we may look off, from him, to heed

His Love, from whom, all mercies do proceed.

Wejlrowe is gone, and we remaining have
No more of him, but what is in his Grave:
There, now, he refteth, and exchanged hath
Life mortifide, for an inlivening death.
And, him I do behold in contemplation,
So reprefented, by transfiguration,
As having laid that earthly vail afide
(Which from the World, his better parts did hide)

That,

WE STROW Revived. 5

That, I will now difclofe them ; therefore, flay
And, know him Reader, ere thou go away.

Nor few, nor mean Advantages he had
Relating to this life, But, thefe were made
Of fmall account, with him ; and, ufed fo,
As if with them, he little had to do,
Except, for others fakes : For, he denide
Him/elf, to all things, but, Chrijl crucifide;
And, in refpe<fl of him, plac'd thofe among
Such defpicable things, as droffi and dung;
lie therefore, let them pafs, to be forgot;
And, will not mention, what he prized not.

He, living, walk'd upright, in crooked -ways,
And, chofe the be/I part, in the worft of days.
He, dying, cheerfully, himfelf denide,
That (being thereby wholly nudifide
From all that was his own), he might be clothd,
With what he lov'd, inftead of what he lothd,
And, he that can throw off, fuch Rags as thefe,
Shall find himfelf, exceedingly at eafe.

How, can I know this, fome, perhaps, may fay,
If he be dead, and I now far away :
Thus \ when I faw him laft, I, faw him then
Himfelf undrejflng, from that bane of men
Self-love, andi/elfnefs ; and I know, he never
Would fall from his intention, and endevour,
Till that were done. For, I was always neer him,
\\\fpirit, though, I did notyk, nor hear him.
We did communicate (when not by quill,
Or with our tongues'] infpirit, and in will
As Angels do : yea, many times, when we
In words and terms, appear'd to difagree,
(Becaufe of that defect which is in thofe)
Ev'n then, in will, zxi&fpirit, we did clofe:
And, they whom fuch experiments acquaints
With that communion which belongs to Saints

A 4 Do

6 WES TROW Revived.

Do know, that men may credibly aver,
Sometimes, what they did neither fee, nor hear :
And, worthy my regard it doth not feem,
What, others, of this miftery fliall deem.

This confidence of Him, is but the fame
Which he exprefl of me, when laft I came
To vifit him ; at which time, I receiv'd
Affurance, of what is of him beleev'd :
For, thefe, the la/I words were, which from his tongue,
I heard ; and, they, from this occafeon fprung.

I told him, that I might be faulty judg'd,
(Considering how to him I was oblig'd)
That, nor by converfation, nor by pen,
I, lately had with him, (like other men)
My thoughts communicated, but perfu'd
My own Affairs, as if to be renu'd,
Our FriendJJiip, needed not thofe complements
Which difcontinance ofrefpeft prevents.

To fuch effect I fpake ; whereto, he gave
This anfwer (which I oft repeated have
With much contentment ;) trouble not thy felf,
With needlefs things, we are now paft \\\&J7ielf,
That (hip- wracks friend/kip. That, which feems negleft
To others ; and begets a dif-refpeft,
Secures you more to me, then if you had
Left your affairs at hazzard ; vifits made ;
And added to your frequent vifitations,
Acknowledgements of Debts, and Obligations
As others do : It would not give me more
Affurance of you, than I had before.
For, my own heart, hath fo informed me,
Of what you are ; and what you mail be
With an affurance, fo undubitable,
(And everlaftingly irrevocable)
That, whatfoever fliall of you be told,
(Though we each other never more behold

Nor

WE S TROW Revived. 7

Nor line comes from you) I, (hall live, and dye,

More confident, of your fincerily

Then, if it were expreffed every day,

By all that you, or other men could fay.

Thefe words (though mine) give, really, the fence,

Wherein, he did exprefs his confidence :

In \h\sfence, his loft words to me he fpoke ;

And, fo, my everlajling leave I took.

I think, it may inferred be, from hence,
Things may be known, beyond the reach of fence,
Without corporall prefence ; and that we
Qf/ome things, though but part of them we fee,
May know the reft : He, that doth fee me go,
And hear me /peak, may, without queftion, know
That, I have heart, and lungs ; although his eye
Ne'r faw them, or ft\& place in which they lye:
And, he, that knows but what he hears, andykr,
Is from a bea/l removed fo few degrees,
That, I (hall mention unto him, in vain
What to the Saints communion doth pertain.
Only to thofe I, therefore will proceed,
To fpeak, who can beleeve, as well read :

To be, he rather labor'd, then to/gem ;
And, fought his honor \nfelf-difefteem.
He wanted not repute, of being good,
Save, where his meaning was mifunderjlood ;
Which feldom hapned, but where prepofleffion
Gain'd entrance, by a mif \>zgotfufpition,
And what he fuffered by it, did produce,
Effects, which were to him of fome good ufe :
And fuch as gave fometimes occafions, too,
Of that, which good to other men will do.

Such, as did know him well, knew none to be
A tnur Friend, or better man then he.
He, by youths frailties, learned to improve
In riper years, th' increafe of Faith, and Love ;

And

8 VVESTRO W Revived,

And, by his life, exemplified that,

Of which the Formalijl, doth only prate.

His Charity, was large ; yet, what he did
As much as might be, he from others hid.
For, often, his mifdoings, he would tell,
But, feldom mention, wherein, he did well.
He took more comfort, in a needfiill giving,
Then pleafure, in large benefits receiving.
And (liking not their thrift, who do defer
Aim/deeds, until their treafures ufelefs are
Unto themfelves) he did, by timely giving,
Forgiving, and a feafonable relieving,
Shew, he beleev'd, that, thereby leave he mail,
More to his childe, then if he left him all.
And, that, he fear'd, mould he not frudtifie,
(When, in his hungry members, Chrift, pafs'd by)
Till, that which may be call'd his own time, came,
He, and the curfed Jigtree, were the fame.

He, in \\& judgment, joyned not in one,
With fome good men : But, difagreed with none
So far, as to infringe the band of peace ;
Or, hinder Chriftian charities increafe :
Becaufe, he knew, the wifejl, here belowe,
Know but in part, the things they ought to know :
And, that, to clear \\\s> fight, GOD, now and then,
Did leave a darknefs upon other men ;
Yea, and fometimes &frowardnefs, to prove
And exercife, his patience, and his love.

The Chriftian liberty, he did profefs,
Without allowing of licentiotifnefs.
He, labour'd, that, the Confcience might be free,
From force, (yea though depravd it feem'd to be)
Becaufe, he faw more hypocrites thereby
Then Converts made; and, that hypocrifie
Is worfe then error; For, it feldom burns,
For Confcience ; and, to GOD, as rarely turns.

Becaufe

10

WES TROW Revived. 9

Beeaufe likewife, he was not without fears,

That, fame, who bura'd in zeal, to weed out tares,

Might purpofely, or caufually, inflead

Of that which they pretended forth to weed,

Either pluck up the wheat, or do it hurt,

By carelefs treading it, into the durt

For, hardly, can diflinguifhment be made

Twixt Ray, and Wheat, when they are in the blade.

Moreover, fmce the owner of the Corn,

Commanded, that fuch weeds mould be forborn

Till Harvcft, to affent, he was afraid,

That, this Commandment fliould be difobaid.

Left, to himfelf, he might contract the guilt

Of blood, that may be innocently fpilt.

And, from this tendernes, fome took offence,

Not juftly given, or arifmg thence.

If, he fometimes, did put himfelf to trouble,
By vainly building, with wood, Jlraw, or Jlubble,
(As all men do) which quite away confumes
To nothing, when they&rj/ try all comes;
The lofle was his, which only did redound
To lofle, of what, was better lojl, then found.
He was but man ; and man at beft, is light,
And muft have grains allow'd to make him weight.
As he \ivd. fallings, and his humane failings,
So he had alfo riftngs, and prevail ings ;
And all GODS Saints have leffe advantag'd been,
By their own righteonfnes, then by their fin :
For, both muft be difclaim'd, and they brook word,
And find it hard eft, to renounce theyi'/y?.

He, by Mil cleaving to the \xv& foundation,
(And gratious Author of our prefervation)
Found himfelf 'fafe, when all thofe works were gone,
Which he had vainly builded thereupon.
And was well pleas' d to fee that turn'cl \ofmoke,
Wherein, he, formerly had pleafure took.

Which

II

io WES TROW Revived.

Which, were it heeded well, would (fans all doubt)
Conclude thofe Quarrels, which arife about
Our fuperjlmfttires, and mufl be denide
As ufeles, when by fire they lhall be tride.

To truth effentiall, he did firm adhear
Although fomethnes, in termes, he did appear
To leave it : And, when thither he retired,
Where, he in qtdet privacy, expired ;
His mind, he fo compos'd, did fo confute
K\\felf-mi/lakings, by * felf-difpute ;
And, fo examined, and fo repented,
All, whereto by miftakes he had affented,
Unwarrantably (whether, it related
To ought which had been publickly debated,
Or privately, For Chtirch, or Common-weal.
For GOD or men. ) And, there, fo fetled all
His Intertjls ; that with a quiet mind,
He did enjoy \\\Q peace, he fought to find ;
And, unto GOD, a refignation made,
Of will, opinions, and of all he had :
Even of \nsfelfnes ; and therein, found more
Enjoyment, then, in all the world before.

His body, was confumed, by the zeal
He bore to GODS houfe, and this common-weal,
(And, by forefeeing, that he might outlive,
The honour of that Reprefentative
(Of which he was a Member, For, when he
And I, our thoughts confer'd, we might forefee,
That, in a fhott time (as my mufe foretold,
Some moneths before it came) that happen would
Which now is come to paffe, although thofe few,
Who to the Publike Interejl were true,
Had neither cotmfel, nor endeavour fpar'd,
To help keep off the mifchief 'that was fear'd,
Ere, therefore, acJiially it did enfue.
Tir'de out, with vain endeav'rings, he withdrew.

I 2

WESTRO W Revived. 1 1

A place for his retirement he had chofe,

Near to the Banks of Thame, where backward flows,

The Tide at highe{l, up againft the ftream ;

That, he might neither be too far from them,

To whom he had Relations, nor too nigh

To fuch as might diflurb Mis privacy.

There, what he could not other wayes promote,

He fought to further by a zealous Vote.

There, private prayers •, offered he at home,

That, GOD himfelf would (for the time to come)

Aflume the Work, and call in thofe thereto

Who, might accomplifh, what they could not do.

The World, thus left He er'e it him forfook :
Againft the Flc/fi, the Spirits part he took ;
And by their combatings, attain'd to have
A Refurrettion, er'e he had a Grave.
But, lo, their long fought Battel now is pad,
The Spirit triumphs, and the _/?##, at laft
By yeelding to be conquered, hath won,
More, then by being viftor, it had done ;
And now is lodg'd, in her -withdra-wing-room,
To reft, untill the triumph-day fhall come.

There, from its labors, let it therefore, ceafe ;
There, let it lye in hope, and reft m peace,
Till, to a better life, that Flt/h, and we,
Rais'd by a fecond Refurreftion be.
There to appear, where we (hall fully know
What is but darkly, apprehended now :
Where, we fhall fee the root of all thofe things,
Whence flow our needlefs bitter Quarrellings ;
And, where, accordingly we fhall receive,
To what we acfled, or, as we beleeve.

Oh ! come LORD JESUS come, and fetch us thither;
Gather thy Saints, and chofen-ones together ;
And, mean time, in that Saint be glorifi'd
For whofe commemoration I provide.

By

1 2 WESTRO W Revived.

By thine, and their examples, who do follow

Their Heps, oh ! fo inform us, how to hallow

Our hearts, fo cleanfe our hands, and guide ova-feet,

That, they now gone before, and we may meet.

Thou, that art both our life, and way thereto ;

That open door, through which we are to go :

A Fountain alwayes flowing, to refrefh

The thirfting Spirit, and the fainting Flejh ;

Supply unto us, by thy Holy Ghojl,

What, by our felves, and others, we have loft.

O thou ! who (being GOD'S eternal Son,}

To free us, from a dungeon, leftft a Throne,

And, underneath his heavy wrath didft lye

Till thou crid'fl out Lamafabaklhani.

To Heavenly joy es, convert our earthly greef;

Decreafe our doubtings, and increafe Beleef;

Our carnal love, improve to love divine,

Till our Affections loofe themfelves in thine ?

Oh ! let that Love, from whence all beings flow,

Which made all things above, and all below :

Whofe Wifdom, did firft fet them in their way,

Whofe Providence, preferv'd them to this day,

And fhall hereafter, govern and difpofe,

That which keeps Order, and that, which mifgoes,

Oh ! haften to perfection ! haften on,

The work intended, ere the world begun ;

And, let that Glory, which produce it (hall,

Be his (and his alone) that's ALL in ALL.

Thus, mufed I, or, much (if not the fame, )
To this effect, before the morning came.
Thefe contemplations, ere I knew him dead,
By thinking on my Friend, conceiv'd I had,
Which afterward, in words, thus, up I dreft ;
To leave it thereby, vocally expreft,
'Wh&t penance, I was put to, for omitting
A duty, my obligements well befitting

The

WES TR O W Revived. 1 3

Then, as the dawning Light began to creep
About my Chamber, I fell fart afleep.

Next day, (no longer meaning to defer
A V if it i but till means prepared were)
I, meeting with a Friend of his and mine,
Informed him, what, I did predivinc ;
What I \iaAfuffered, what, I have done,
With what, I had that day refolv'd upon j
And, to prevent it, was affur'd by him,
That, my Prefagings, were no idle dream ;
For, he was dead indeed, and on the morrow
To be interred ; which did renew my forrow,
And, reingage me, further to purfue
What, to his pious Memory is due.

For, there is much behind, as yet unfaid j
Which, being truly known, and duly weighd,
Will add a fairer luftre to his Fame;
Not without fome refleclings, to my Ihame,
For, leaving him, without a Valediction,
Who was fo true a Friend in my affliction.

Afibon therefore, as I have gotten leifure,
What's yet remaining, forth in Words, to meafure
Expect it; and in pawn thereof, (till I,
Shall to your view expofe it) let this lye ;
With this enfuing Epitaph, till He
Shall honour'd, by a better tmtfing be.

The EPITAPH.

His GRAVE (though he defired none
With Name, or Title thereupon)
Was made below this Marble ftone ?
And, here, interred, now, He lies,
To wait CHRISTS coming in the Skies,
At whofe approach the DEAD fhall rife.

Yet,

14 VVESTROW Revived.

Yet, feek not here, among the DEAD,
(Onjlones, or brafs, or JJieets of Lead)
What, to his honour may be read :
But, if you more of him, would hear,
Perufe faeflteets, whofe Forefronts bear
His NAME infcribed ; and read him, there,
For though that MONUMENT be built
Withou coft, graving, paint, or guilt,
It mail remain, when this is fpilt :
Yea, though it hath but paper wings,
It mall out laft, thofe lading things,
Which, make up Monuments for KINGS.

CA NTO the fecond.

After a due preoccupation,
// offers to commemoration,
Particulars : Infifts upon
A rarely memorable one.
Illuftrating a matchles friend ;
And, fo, this Canto hath an end.

THe foll'wing evening, after I had heard
That verifide, whereof I was afeard
The night before, I, then afrefli infpir'd,
To give my Mufings utterance, retir'd :
And, that no interriiptions I might find,
Put all my own concernments, out of mind :
For, he, that honeflly one work, would do,
Mud not, the fame time, be imploy'd on two.

And

16

WESTROW Revived. 15

But, on the paper, ere I fixt my pen,
Such things, as poflibly by other men
Might be objected, queflion'd, or alleadg'd,
To hinder that, wherein I was ingag'd,
Rufh'd in upon me ; and, delates, had wrought,
Had I not on a fudden kickt them out ;
And given fome of them, (ere they would go ;)
A reafonable civell anfwer too.

Among the reft, One (who fcarce went away
Well fatisfide with ought that I could fay)
Thus queftion'd me : Art thou become fo vain,
To think, by charmes, and words to raife again
The dead to life; or, to preferve the Name
Of 'friends deceafed, by furviving Fame,
Among this Generation, wherein none
Or few, regard what (hall \>zfaid, or done,
To that effect ? Canft thou have hope to bring
By poefie (which an nnhalfaved thing,
Is now accounted) any due refpect
To him, whofe memory thou doft affect ?
Or, think that thou maift dignifie his Herfe,
By fuch a defpicable thing, as verfe ?
Canft thou hope this, when he that ver/ifies,
Seems but a coyner, of facetious Lies ?
When lovers of the imifes, are fo fcanty,
That, there are hardly two, in five times twenty,
Who, if thy Poem ferious be, will heed it ;
Or, (if they will) that have the wit to read it,
More gracefully, then if an AJfe fliould play
Upon a Harp, or to the Viol bray ?
For, neither heeding accents, points, or time,
They, only make a clinking on the Rime.
More harfhly grating on juditious ears,
Then /craping trenchers, which none gladly hears?
And, what, of all thy mnfings, have th' effects
Been hitherto, but troubles, and negletfls ?

B This

1 6 WES TROW Revived.

This being urg'd, I, thereto made reply

Thus, in my felf : Admit all this, quoth I :

Mo wifeman fears to do, what mould be done

Through dread of that which may mis -fall thereon :

Nor, fo much cares, what may thereof be thought,

As to be always doing, as he ought.

It is the Mufes duty, to be there

Moft afiive, where, moft Difficulties are ;

And, moft couragioufly, there to advance

Their Standards, where appears moft Ignorance ;

That to fucceeding Ages they may leave

Thofe things, which prefent times, will not receive.

It is a portion, whereto they were born

To be expofed to contempt and fcorn ;

And, tis their honour, to have wifely dar'd

Jujl things, for which, the world gives no reward.

Though Poets are defpis'd, and, will yet more
Contemned be, (and thruft behind the doore)
As Ignorance gets ground ; and, as the Bafe
Shall rife, to fit in honourable place;
There was a time, when Princes did contend
In Poetry , and Poets to befriend ;
And, when the one mail confecrate his Mufe,
True Piety, and Virtue to infufe ;
And, men in power, by Righteoufnefs maintain
Their dignity, it mail be fo again.

The Mufes, in times paft, fo awfull were
That, they made Kings to fawn, and Tyrants fear.
The Vulgar, they made Herds-, Hero's GODS :
Drew Trees and Beajls, out of the falvage woods,
To follow them : That is, they drew together
Blockijh and bruiti/Ji men (as rude as either
Wild Plants, or Beajls, and them allur'd unto
What reafonable creatures ought to do.
Their Charm threw down the vicious to that hell,
Where everlafting Infamy doth dwell.

Rais'd

iS

WES TR O W Revived. \ 7

Rais'd up the well defervers from the Grav e,
The life of never dying fame to have,
Yea, by their charms they have expel'd the devil/,
The furious, and the melancholy evill.

And, not alone in former Generations,
Among the learned, and mod chrill Nations,
Had Poefie efteem, and good effects,
In fpight of envy, malice, and neglefts.
But, alfo, here, and lately fome have lived
Who, by their mufings, honour have received.
And been enabled, by their infpirations,
To vindicate the Mnfes reputations.
Yea, (in his meafure) ev'n the barbarous Bard,
Is of his, people, fo belov'd, or fear'd ;
That, whom fo'ere he pleafes (by his rimes}
He makes to be the minion of the times
Within his Orb : And, they among us here,

Who of \\i\sfaculty the majlers are

(As to the language) can th' affections raife,
And move the Readers pajjlons various wayes,

By their compofures ; though they do abufe

His gift, who did tint, faculty infufe;

As I myfelf have done, till he that gave it,

Inform'd me better, to what end I have it.
Then, why, with confidency may not I,

Hope by the help of facred/0#fc,

So to embalm my Friend, by that perfume

(Which fluently will by extraction come

From his own vertues} that, a fweet breath'd/a»^,

Disfufed from the Orders of his Name,

May draw fome after him ? and make them grow

In love, with what doth from thofe Orders flow?

And, thereby wooe them to an imitation

Of him, and to a virtuous emulation ?
If David, in an furi 'rail fong preferved,

The memory of that, which well deferved,

B 2 In

1 8 WES TROW Revived.

In wicked Saul his foe ; why may not I
Seek to preferve a good mans memory ?
Why may not I with warranty commend
The matchles love of my deceafed Friend?
Why may not I, as fully as I can
Illuftrate my beloved Jonathan ?

If, alfo, they, whofe poefte affords
Little fave empty mews, and fwelling words,
Forc'd Metaphors, and frothy Jlrains of wit,
(Which on tins fancy, ticklings do beget)
Perufed are with fome effect that's good,
And, are moft pleafmg, when leaft underftood)
Why may not I, be read by two, or three,
With more advantage both to them, and me,
Then, by a thoufand, that are pleas'd with chaff,
And, at my plain expreffions jeer, and laugh.

Why may not I, who have advantages,
Of truth, and real merits (which helps, thefe
Impojlures had not) trophies hope to Rear
That mall more lading, and more fair appear
Then fuch as they build, who compofures fain
Out of the durty notions of their brain,
Or, from the vapours, tin&tjtrong drink infufes,
To dignifie the fubjecT; of their mttfesl
Why may not I, this faculty imploy,
To build up that, which others do deftroy,
By their abufmg it ? and, hope thereby
So to repreeve it from that Obliquie,
Which now it fuffers, that, the be/I of men,
May fall in love with poefie agen,
And, not (as now they do) avert their eyes,
As if afham'd of him that verfifies ?
For, this is part, whereto my Poems tend
Though, peradventure, I may mifs my end.

Let it not therefore, feem a prophanation
Of Piety, unto this Generation,

That,

20

WES TROW Revived. 19

That, I adventure to redeem from blame

The gift, by fome employed to their fhame ;

Since, it was firft confer'd on each receiver ;

To raife up his o-wnfpirit, to the grver\

And, then, to roufe up other mens affections,

From carnal, popular, and vain dejections ?

Or that, to take my Rtader, by the ear,

I lay among my verfes, here and there,

Some hooks, with reafon baited, which, fometime,

Doth catch thofe who expected nought but rimf.

Nor, let this, (though a \ongpreoccupation)
Seem to be needlefs, or a vain digreflion ;
For, though it nothing adds, to my intents,
The lokingfomewhatfrom them, it prevents ;
Which being done, ile now proceed to that
Whereof, I purpofe, further to relate.

r£\&fubjeft of my Mufings, being large
Tis not within my grafpings, to difcharge
What's thereto due ; nor can it be confin'd,
Within that compaffe, which I have defign'd,
To tell you therefore, fully, what he was,
Or, what he was not, would fo far furpafle,
This limit, that I only mufl exprefle
So much as may enable you to guefie
At what remains untold, (though it be more
Then here enfues, or hath been faid before)
And that I may, his infidt lay to view
Which I much better, then his outfide knew.

He was a Man, indowed with no lefle
Of piety, then moral Righteoufnes ;
And in the practifing of both, fo harty
That, to the hone/}, and the godly par ty;
(As calFd fome are) he brought a fupplement,
Of reall worth, as well as Ornament-,

B 3 And

21

20 WESTRO W Revived.

And aim'd at that reward, for which he ran,
Not in the ouhvard, but the inward-Man.

From youths extravagancies, which (as he
Hath oft confeffed) he once thought to be
Th' accomplifhments of Gentry, without which
They had in vain, been nobly born, or rich,
From thefe (ev'n when he moil indanger'd feem'd)
He was by GODS efpeciall grace redeemd,
(And brought off, by his providentiall hand)
In feafonable time ; even as a brand
Snatchd from the/>v. For, thofe commodious places,
Prepared for the Miifes, and the Graces,
To coinhabite in, for education,
Of youth, in knowledge ; and to keep this Nation
From Barbarifme; Places, were become
So fraught with Vices, and fo perilfome,
To foul and body, that, he was almoft
By /// examples, and lewd conforts, loft.
For which a threatning vengeance hangeth over
Thofe Seats, that will admit of no Remover
Of what is menaced, till their Foundation
Is rooted up, or faved by purgation.

With what prevarications, he, was there
Impoyfon'd, and what principles they were
Whereby he was indangerd, he to us
Rendr'd as banefull, and ridiculous
As words could make them ; that, it might advance
GOD'S grace vouchfafd, for his deliverance ;
And make them ufeful, unto thofe who heard
What he was faved from, and what was fear'd.

He was among the firft, whofe knowing zeal,
Flamd out, to vindicate this common-weal
From thraldom and opprejjfion ; thereto moved
In confcience, and by principles approved.
Not ftirred up, byfafitous dif content,
By raflmefs, want, or by malevolent-

Affections,

WESTR O W Revived. 2 1

Affections, or Deftgns, though not without
Some coitnterpleas, in what he went about :
For, in immergencies, which do relate
To private conference, and Affairs of State,
The wifeft man, his rcfolution brings
To fettlement, by various combatings.

With him, thus far'd it : Then he to withftand
The/»W/Vvfc Fo, was honor'd with Command;
Wherein, he ventur'd not his life alone,
Without that profit, which by many a one
Was aim'd at, and enjoy'd) but lent, and gave,
And, wafted his EJlate, to gard, and fave
The Pitbliqt<e Interejl, without a prayre
Exhibited, or temporall repair.

Unfought for, (as I verily beleeve)
He, afterward, the honor did receive
Qtfupream tmjl ; and, without caufe of blame,
According to his powre, difcharg'd the fame ;
The fpeaking, of no needfull truth forbearing ;
The/<7wnr, or prefence, of no perfon fearing;
Swaid not by hatred, neither by affeftion,
To others ; nor by that which had reflection
Upon himfelf : But, freely faid his mind,
And confcience, as he did occafions find,
In whatfoever matter was debated ;
Whether the thing propos'd, to GOD related,
Or Common-wealth : if they who prefent were,
(As I beleeve they did) the truth aver.

And, if it fo did happen that, fometime
A tender pity, did prevail with him
To plead for mercy, on behalf of fome
Made liable, by law unto the doom
Of mulrt, or death ; the fame he never preft
Ought further, then the Pnbliquc Interejl,
With fafety might allow it : And altho,
He felt what other men are moov'd unto,

B 4 B

22 WESTROW Revived.

By naturall Affections, he did ftill
Conform his Judgment, and confine his will
To Juftice: And, this, rather doth increafe
His honour, then appear to make it lefs.

And, though the Author, of the Hi/lory
Of Independents, hath injurioufly
(Among his other Leazings) added him
Unto his lying Catalogue, of them
Who, to the damage of the common-weal,
By their Commands, Gifts, Offices, oifpoil,
Inriched, and aloft advanced be.
From poore eftates, and from a low degree ;
On him, that flicks not, but, reflects difgrace
Apparently, upon that Liers face.

For, to all thofe, who knew him, tis well known,
That, with a large eftate, by birth his own,
He was indow'd. His Mother, yet, in Kent,
Survives ; a Lady, rarely eminent
For Charity, and for a open doore,
To fuch as are in mifery, and poore.
And, as he no way needed to inlarge
His portion, or the Common-wealth to charge
By lwk.fupplies, as others have defired
(And often furreptitioujly acquired)
So, he was all his life, fo far from craving,
From wifhing, from receiving, and from having
Gift, place, or office, whereby he might add
An augmentation, unto what he had,
That, many whom the Common miferies
Had begger'd, and whofe/#£ ickfervices,
And wants he faw neglected, he reliev'd
Out of his own ejlate-, and them repriev'd.
From ruining, when helper they had none :
Among which number, I my felf, was one.

And, that, which in this kind he lent or gave
Was meant (as I beleeve) as well to fave

The

WES TR O W Revived. 2 3

The Nations honour, as to do a deed
Qifimple Charity, in time of need :
For, he preferr'd, the Publick Faith before
\\isprivate Credit ; and, did fo abhor
Their Avarice, who by a mutual Giving,
Forgiving, and unfeafonably relieving,
Obftrucled thofe performances, whereby
Our deep Ingagements did negledled lye ;
That, to prevent it, he thought fit to fcatter
A portion of his bread upon the water
Left after private miferies, things worfe
Enfude ; a nationall a public curfe.

Then, thofe large Legacies, which he in death
To Charitable nfes, did bequeath,
(Confider'd, with his frequent bounteous giving,
To fuch as were diftreft whil'ft he was living),
Do make it, without queftion evident
That he, both had enough, and fuch content
With what he had, that, he upon his fcore
Leaves nothing, that fhall make his Children poor
As they will do, who gave and took the bread,
Wherewith the Fatherlefs Ihould have been fed ;
And, have, with what their Servants blood did buy,
Inlarg'd their Fields, and rais'd their houfes high.

But, I to little purpofe thus go on
To fet my candle up before the Sun.
They who had eyes to fee it did behold,
And knew as much before, as I have told.
They, who by wilfulnes, dark-feghted be
Set up what light we can, will never fee.
Now, fome of you, (it may be) will fuppofe
That my conjectures only, I difclofe ;
Or that a knowledge of fuch things I fain
Which to his private a ft ings do pertain ;
Or, take them up on Trujl. If, fo, they think,
So, let it be ; I will not ftrive to fink

A

24 WES TROW Revived.

A mil/lone in ajhallcnv di/Ji of water ;

Or feek to fill a viol, with fuch matter,

As it admits not. Things, which mufl be known

As well by others eyes, as by my own

To make them certain ; He no further mention,

Without proof it feem & fdf invention

That, which hath paffed 'twixt us two alone ;

Thofe things, whereof my knowledg can by none

Be doubted of) to mind I will recall ;

And, out of many, bring forth one for all;

One, that mall fet forth his deferving more

Then all that I have mentioned before ;

(At left according to that excellence

Which fuits ^ftnfuall Intelligence)

And, when with that exprejjion I have done,

He rather leave it to be thought upon,

Then imitated ; till J elf "-love begins

To loofe that ground, which hitherto it wins.

He, that is really zfaithfull friend,
Hath that, which doth within it comprehend
All mo rail verities ; yea, and therewith too
That charity, which from true Faith doth flow :
For, fuch a perfon cannot be alone
(In being fo) a faithj *ull friend to ONE ;
But alfo to all others yea, extends
His love to all GODS creatures, as his friends :
And, doubtles, far above all thofe, to him,
Who, for himfelf alone created them.

This vertue therefore, doth on men confer
The higheft excellence they can have here ;
And, this rare vertue, (whereof, I, the Sound
Had vainly heard before) in him, I found
And thereof, fuch experiment will give
That, you mall think of him, as I beleeve ;
And that in charity, he did out go
Mofl men, who thereof, make the great eft ./&0W.

That,

WESTROW Revived. 25

That, you may know him ; whom I knew fo well,

My means of knowing him, thus, firfl ile tell.

The late inteflint Wars, which with %. flood,

Of miferies, and with a fea of blood

Ore flow'd thefe Nations, like a raging torrent

(Which bears down all with an impetuous current),

Brake in, ev'n at firfl rifing, where then lay

My chief Eftate, and fwept it all away ;

That, little thereof, which elfewhere was left,

Was alfo, by th' Oppreffbrs hand bereft,

Save only fome fmall part of my Eftate,

Confifting in rings, houfholdftiiff, and. plate,

Which being portable, preferred were,

Or got together, by my future care.

That, which expos'd my portion to the raging,
Of my dejlroyers, was, a free ingaging
Againft the common foe And, they, with whom
I, for the Publiqtie, did ingag'd become,
Gave me the Publiqne Faith, that what I loft
Should be repaired at the publique coft ;
And, that my Children, mould be look'd upon
With favour, and regard, when I was gone.

By thefe incouragements I did purfue
Their /et vices, untill I neither knew
Which way my prcfent wants, might have fupply,
Or whereon, for ^RK future to rely;
And then, perforce, tetreated for recruit,
To profecute the Cauft with frefh purfuit ;
Whereof I got fome few effects \n.Jhow,
Which in the fubjlance, prov'd not to be fo.
But rather brought, much greater mifchiefs on me,
Then all my open enemies had done me.

For, fome who had but fainedly pretended,
To that, which I had ferioufly defended ;
Perceiving, me, preparing to difclofe
Their falfhood, did become my open Foes;

And

26 WES TROW Revived.

And through their complices (who by the hand
Of Providence were weeded from the Land,
Soon after) they fo wrought, that Innocence
And Faithfulnefs were judged an offence,
Maugre apparent proofs and demonftrations
Yet extant, by their own examinations :
So, I was fmde, confinde, and on my head
That cenfure lay'd, which they had merited
With feven fold more ; and for my fervice pafl
Into difgrace, was innocently caft,
With nothing for fubfiftence, but, that poore
Houfe-furniture, which was within my doore.

To add more burthen to thofe heavy weights,
And drive me, thereby, into greateryZra^/j ;
My Friends, and my Acquaintance, then began
To look upon me as a faulty man
Who had deceiv'd their hope : fo that, if they
Who (though too few to help me) day by day
Were at my trial, had not feen and heard
Th' injuftice done me, and the fame declar'dj
I had, in likelihood, ere this day, ended
My life in want ; difgrac'd, and unbefriended.

For, as my Friends fell off, my Foes fell on
With frefh purfute of what they had begun,
And had not GOD in an unlook'd for houre
Deprived them of their abufed powre,
They had deftroy'd me quite. But, I, at lafl
Efcap'd ; and they into the pit were caft.
Mean while, they infolently domineer'd,
Madey2?«g,r and pamphlets on me; fcoft and jeer'd,
And had fo villifide my Reputation
To thofe who reprefented, then, this Nation,
That, of four thoufand pounds (to which account
My due (prov'd fully) truly did amount)
I could not get one penny for relief
Of me, or mine, to mittigate our grief;

Though,

WES TROW Revived. 27

Though, I had forced ivords into their ears,
Which from byjlanders, oft, extracted tears;
And, to companion, might that Jitdg have wan
Who neither feared GOD, nor car'd for man.

To add yet further, to my great afflictions,
GOD, with zjicknes, (fpreading forth infections)
Vifits my houfe, and drove all thofe from thence,
Who were fome comfort in my indigence,
That, being fhut up, and excluded from
All other helpers, I, to him might come.
My children were all fick of that difeafe ;
Theiry?«£/<r keeper, to her little eafe,
Was their/?;/ Mother, whilft (as fad as (he)
I, fought, whereby they might fupported be.
And we, who ferved were, a while before
With fixteen houfeholdfervants, (fometimes more)
Had then, but one Boy (who, fick alfo lay)
And one poor -woman, hired by the day.

To pay, and feed thofe, I my plate had fold :
My Wife, the Silver, and the lace of gold
Which lately trim'd her Garmnts, ript away ;
To buy things needfull, for the prefent day :
Her Ornaments (he chang'd for bread, to eat :
Then, fold the dimes, which did hold our meat :
And laft of all, our higheft valued things,
The pretious Jlones, thejeive/s, and the rings,
To us, from honorable Perfons fent,
As tokens of refpect (the fame way went.
And what was left, ill fpar'd though it could be)
To follow, for ought I then could fee,
Only this hope remain'd, that GOD had fent
Kftcknes, which by death, would wants prevent ;
Or, give us by his own hand, fome repair:
For, of his love, I, never mail defpair,

In this good hope, the IVorlds neglect I fcorn'd,
And my petitions, into prayers turn'd,

Directed

28 WESTROW Revived.

Directed unto him ; who only knew

My wants, and what was likely to enfue.

But, he likewife, to anfwer me delaid ;

And for a while feem'd deaf to what I pray'd:

Yet knowing not, what els remain'd to do,

Or whether, or to whom, for help to go ;

Nor caring (if GOD left me) forjupplies

From other hands ; I ftill renew' d my cries

To him alone, and fuddenly was cheer'd

With fomewhat, which to fence no where appear'd.

And, as a Lover, thinking (in a dream)
He hears his beft Be oued calling him,
Starts up in haft, and runneth out to meet
The voice that cals him, ere he find \ns>fcet,
And goes he knows not whether : So, with me
It far'd, who (hoping not deceiv'd to be)
Walk'd forth to fee, improvidence divine,
Would bring to fight, or mind, foine Friend of mine,
Or his, from whom, I might that ay4 receive
Which to obtain from GOD, I did beleeve.

And, mark his goodnes, Oh ! all you that read it !
So mark it, and with ferioufnes fo heed it
That, (if I mould forget it) you may be
Remembrancers, hereafter unto me
As I have been to you, in former time,
Of what concerns this Nation, and this Clime,
In this diftrejfe, he, meets me, of whom here
I am difcourfmg ; And with pleafmg chear
Salutes me thus : Amid thy troubles now
How is it with thee Georgel how fareft thou ?
I, anfwer'd, SIR, I live, though I am poore;
And, of my -welfare, cannot fay much more.
Take heart faid he ; Thefe dayes will have an end,
And future times will better thee befriend.
I fought thee at thy houfe, not with intent
To trifle out an hour in complement

But,

IV ES TR O W Revived. 29

But, lovingly brought thither, by a fear

Left more lay on thee, then thou well mighft bear.

For, thy Petitions I, have heard, and feen,
Of thofe tranfadtions I have witnes been,
Whereby thou, vvert oppreffed ; and wherein
Thy Country hath no leffe abufed been.
I, alfo publickly have heard debated
Thy claims, and when they were allow'd, and ftated ;
Saw what was juftly, or unjuftly done ;
And am allured GOD will look thereon
Yea, I have fo well heeded what thou haft
Both lately and in former time expreft
For GOD, and alfo for thy Countries fake,
Whereof enfuing times will notice take
That, I, myfelf to be obliged, thought
To feek thy welfare ; and from GOD have brought
This token of his love: thus having faid,
Juft twenty pounds into my hand he laid
Of currant gold \ whereat (as one amaz'd)
On him with overflowing eyes I gaz'd j
Not able, for the prefent, to afford
The retribution of one thank full ivord.
For, out of me, my heart away was gone
To GOD, who made him do, what he had done.

But, after recollefliont SIR, faid I,
He that hath mov'd you, to this charity
Will doubtlefly with intereft repay
What you have miniftred to me this day ;
For, GOD himfelf alone, and none but he
(Who knows in what diftrefles all men be)
Could, you, to me fo timely have direcled
Oppreft with wants, and of all friends neglected :
Or, fo inlarg'd your heart, to bring relief
Proportionable to my prefent grief.

And,

30 WES TROW Revived.

And, therefore, now il'e tell you, in what Hate
You find me, that you may rejoyce thereat,
By making you affur'd, that you have wrought
A work, which in it felf rewards hath brought
That will requite it fully, though I liv'd,
To let flip out of mind, what I receiv'd.
Then, told him all, that is before expreft,
And fo much more as did infer the reft
That might have follow'd, if GOD had not fent
His charity, my ruine to prevent.

The fame impreffion, which his Aft had made
On me, my words on him, effected had ;
And, I am confident, that, had I given
To him, the greateft gift, on this fide Heav'n,
He had not gone away, with more content
Then, in his being made an inftrument,
Of fuch a timely mercy ; and, that he
So opportunely too, mould meet with me.

Now judg, if this be true, which I proteft
(Except the words, wherein it is expreft,
And, fome few circumftances, to fupply
Thefary, with & formal decency,}
Is real truth ; and no poetick Jlrain,
More adding, then the EJfence did contain.
Judg now, what, I, could honeftly have leffe
Hereof declar'd, then here I do expreffe,
Confid'ring what he was to me, till then ;
And, what I was to many other men.

For, at their dore, for whom I had of late,
My life adventur'd, loft my whole Eftate;
(And thofe expos'd, who were more dear to me
Then life, and livelyhoo&, deftroy'd to be)
Ev'n at their dore, I, perilling was left
Of credit, and FJlate, at once bereft :
To let me thereby know, and knowing, heed,
That in the times of trial!, and of need,

Tis

WESTROW Revived. 31

Tis none of thofe Acquaintance, or thofe Friends,

Which we our/elves get, or whofe love attends

On our Profperities ; nor that, which we

Think, obligations, upon them to be ;

Nor, publick Faith, nor Vows, nor Prolc/lations,

Either of Princes, Parliaments or Nations ;

Nor that which is, nor that, which we fuppofe

A merit in Us, (or, for Virtue goes)

Which, for helps, are to be relide upon,

In great extremities ; But, GOD, alone,

And, that, in our Dcfertions, he, can make

Not only, grangers, pity on us take;

But, alfo, from the malice of our Foes,

Raife us up help, falve mortall wounds, by blows ;

Cure us by fuktiefs ; make us rich, by loffes ;

Give us true/py, in grief ; Content, in Cro/es\

A life, by dying ; and the firft beginning

Qtjuflifying righteoufnefs, pfenning:

Yea, by the hiding (for a time) his Face,

Affurances of everlajling grace :

And to confirm my oft experiment

Hereof; GOD, made this Friend an Injlrument,

To give me, of that mercy, onepledg more,

Of which, he gave me many, heretofore.

And yet, this is not all ; for, ere thofe weights
Which lay upon me j and the many freights,
Then prefling me, removed were and pail,
(Which, fome yeers, and fome months to boot, did laft)
In times of like need, he continued on
That work of mercy, thus by him began ;
Till, in this manner, he upon his fcore,
Had fet me, twenty hundred Crowns, and more,
Without defmng Band, or Bill, or Note,
To teflifie the lending of one groat ;
Or urging me, betwixt ourfelves, to fay
I ow'd him ought, or that I \vould repay.

C Thus

32 WESTRO W Revived.

Thus much for this time : For, tis cold, and late ;
And, that you may have tiine to ruminate
On what is faid ; ile now break off, and borrow
An hour or two, from my affairs to morrow,
So much, of what remaineth, to recite
As feemeth pertinent : And fo, good night.

The third CANTO.

The Author, _/7z<?zw//2 to what end,
This Poem, was defign'd, and pen'd.
Next, he proceedeth to unfold
What, is begun, and left itntold
Relating to his Friend, and Him ;
And gives you then, a breathing time.

WHen I have fpent the day, as oft I do,
In wheeling round, and trudging to and fro,
Through that meander, which do what I can
Still further leads, (then when I firft began)
From my defired reft ; and nothing leaves me,
But new affurance, that the World deceives me ;
And yet ftill keeps me aclive, with a thought
That, I am thereby doing what I ought ;
(Becaufe, ev'n by perufing what is vain,
A knowledge of fome ufefulnes I gain,
Which els could not be had) I take content
In fuffering what I labour to prevent ;
Permitting GOD, to order as he pleafes,
Me, and r&y Jbmething, and my nothing-neffes.

And, in the night, when all to reft are gone ;
I mufe on things more worthy thinking on,
And, how, to others, and my felf, I may
Add fomewhat, by our loffes in the day.
Nor are my watchings, in that ftollen leifure,
So painfull, as fome think ; but full of pleafure.

Nor

34

WEST ROW Revived. 3 3

Nor do my folitary Mufings tend

To that deceitfull, and unfruitfull end,

As is perhaps thought, in thofe lucubrations,

Wherein I take my loanly recreations ;

For, that, which me all night doth waking keep,

Refreftieth more myfpirit, then myjleep.

The/ufy'etf, which this hour employes my pen,
Makes my dead 'friend ', to live with me agen :
I, vifit him, and oft he vifits me
With inter- courfes, which no eyes can fee.
Within my Chamber •; (none els being there)
Me thinks, we two, as if alone we were
Converfe together, and he brings unto
My memory, and thought, what I mould do
To order fo my life, that when I dye,
No living foul may be more glad as I.
Sometime, with him I walk unto his grave,
To view what kind of lodgings dead men have,
And whether I can, fee among them, there,
Snch dreadfull things, zsflejh and blood &o\.\\ fear.
Yea, there, at midnight I have with him been,
And every corner of the grave have feen,
By Contemplation, (which fees many fights,
Not to be view'd by ordinary lights)
Yet there I did behold no greater dread,
Then when I fleep moft fweetly in my bed.
Sometimes, he comes into my mind, and brings
A multitude of temporary things
To be by many thought of, who yet live,
And were of that late Reprefentative,
Which from it honor, and, it being fell,
Becaufe they nor beleev'd, nor atfed well.
Of fomethings too, that neerly will concern
The wife, (till they are grown too wife to learn)
He me remembers, by thofe conferences
Which we oft had, when he enjoy'd his/i/i/fr.

C 2 And,

35

34 WEST ROW Revived.

And, whereupon, I oft did more then guefle

At what was verifide in their fucceffe :

Yea, and fometimes, he makes me think upon

T\\eprefent Po^vre, and on what's yet undone,

And mould be done, and will be done, ere long,

Unles, it grows, in felf opinion flrong,

And Heights that counfel, which may fave the State,

As their Foregoers did, till 'twas too late.

Sometime, the thought of him, tranflates me hence

To Heav'n ; where, what tranfcends intelligence

And my expreffion, is to me difclos'd,

By fractions, and by notions difcompos'd ;

Which, nay the leffe a certainty declare

Of fome things, which for edifying are.

Sometime again (for we can any whither

Go fafely) we defcend to Hell together

By contemplation j and there, take full views

Of that which on Hypocrifie enfues ;

And, on each other failing, and offence,

Perpetuating an Impenitence ;

And, thence, affume occafion to improve

My thankfulnes, for that eternall love

By whom I am fecured from that place,

Through las preventing, and ajjifting grace.

By thinking upon him, who in his grave
Lies thoughtles, of what thinkings I can have.
Thus, I myfelf employ ; and, by things pa/I,
The ordering of future things forecaft ;
And, find a means whereby I do refrefh
My Spirit, whilft imprifon'd in the FleJJi.

And wherefore, judg you, I my time thus fpend ?
Is it to tell the World I had a Friend?
How vain were that ! fince, I am not to know
It cares not, whether I have Friends, or no.
And, loves to hear of no refpect that's mown
To any, whom (he takes not for her own.

It

WES TROW Revived. 35

Is it to gain a gratioufnes with thofe
Who, have, what he hath left at their difpofe ?
That were to fall, ten thoufand leagues below
Iky fpirit ; and more bafe in me, would (how
Then it would do in them, to look upon
With fuch a thought, what, here, by me is done,
I;or, thefe my retributions, are as free
From fdf-ends, as his bounty was to me,
And, rather mould be paid back, ten times double,
Then I would loofe my freedom for that buble.

It is to pleafe his near and dear relations,
With large applaufes, and commemorations
Of him that's gone ? Alas ! that doth but keep
Sorrows awake, which els would fall afleep,
Doth but his knowledg in \h&flejh renew,
Which keeps his better being, from their view ;
Adds brine to thirft, and to devouring fire
Cafts Oyl, which makes it but to flame the higher :
And, if no better ufe, could hence be rais'd,
It came to far lefle, then, not to be prais'd.

Is it to honor him, that's in his Grave ?
That were the firnpleft thought the_/W/ could have,
What honor can they want, who tryumph there,
Where fulnes of eternall glories are ?
WThat honor can he have from earthly things,
Or glory, from a. fame with paper wings,
Which cannot make a flight for many miles,
Beyond the compaffe of thefe Britijh JJles ?
Or, from an Epitaph, on ftone or brafle,
Read by a few in fome obfcured place ?
Or, how will it concern, or pleafe him now,
Who, to himfelf, would not, in life, allow
Thofe attributes of honor, which appear'd
Then due ; nor, for an empty title car'd ?
And, would have been difpleas'd, if he had known
I, would on him, this triflt, have beftown,

C 3 (Only

37

3 6 WESTRO W Revived.

(Onely because, it to his honor tends)

Although, therewith, compos' d to other ends ?

Befide (although it fomwhat may concern

His reputation'] I am not to learn

That thefe Blafts, for the moft part, oftner rear

A dull, to cloud it, then preferve it clear ;

Or, flirs up, envy, hate, or evill-will,

To brawl, which elfe (it may be) had lain flill.

For, to the Flower that fpreads the faireft blooms,

The Cankerworm and Caterpiller comes.

Moreover, they, who leaft deferring are

May in this kind of honor have a fhare

With beft Defert ; and buy, with what was theirs,

A better Monument then this appears.

Is it for fome advantages defign'd
Unto my felf? fure no; for none I find
Hereby acquirable ; nor had I brought
My poverty to light, if I had fought
Self -honour; feeing, there is nothing more
Dishonourable thought, then to \>e poore.

Well then ; if it were neither fo nor fo,
What is any purpofe, in what now I do ?
Ev'n this, That, from the bejl man whom I knew
Here living, I might fet forth to your view
A. felf -denial!, through the want of which
The Common-wealth grows poore, and poore men rich.
That, alfo, by him, in whofe charity,
GOD, did appear, in my neceffity,
Others may be provok'd, through his examples,
To mew more love unto thofe living Temples,
In which he dwelleth ; and at leaft, forbear
To mine them, although they have no care
Of their Repair : For, this is one of thofe
.Deficiencies, which multiplies our woes,
And, through defedl, whereof QVCC former cojl,
And prefcnt hopes, will fuddenly be loft,

As

WESTRO W Revived. 37

As they have been ; unlefs we do with fpeed

Put, what is yet but words, into a Deed ;

Not dreaming flill, that, we from GOD can hide),

What is by men, apparently efpide :

For, though we will not fee, what we behold,

Nor credit what we know true, being told,

It fhall, in fpight of all our impudence,

Let in a Fear, againfl which, no defence

Can poflibly be made ; and, then, the doom

We fear'd in fecret, openly fliall come.

He, of this felf-den tall was a Teacher,
Yea, and as well a Pattern as a Preacher,
Who, taught with/<™*r, fuch principles as thefe,
And, not as do our Scribes and Pharifees.

\ wrote this partly likewife, in requital
Of his rare kindnefs ; and by his recitall
Of what he was, to ftir up imitation
In all thofe who had any near relation
Unto \i\sfleJJily being; and, thereby,
To pay my debt to his pofterity ;
And, that (if well improved) it might be
Some retribution, for his love to me.

But, (in the firft place, though I name /'/ la/I)
This opportunity I have embrac'd,
To keep flill vifible, before mine eyes,
That ObjecJ, which the world doth mod defpife
To look upon ; ev'n that, difgracefull, poore,
And lowe eflate, in which I, heretofore
Was friendlefs left ; and, in how juft a time,
GOD, fent me full Deliverance, by him ;
One, from a Thoufand chofe, to fignifie
Thus much ; that, (notwithftanding they whom, I,
Remembrcd often ; me remembred not)
His everlafting love, was not forgot.

Having now fhewu the Reafon of my Rime,
I will retum again to fpeak of him

C 4 Who

39

38 WESTRO W Revived.

Who caufed this difconrfe, \vhich I am in ;
And, where I left off, there, I will begin.

Before, the bounty, which from him did come,
Amounted to the fore expreffed fum,
Afhamed in my felf, to fee how far
He had ingag'd me, without taking care
Of reimburfement ; unto him I fent
Unask, a true and full acknowledgment
Of all I had received : But, to my hand,
He back returned it, with this command
That, to no Perfon, I a word mould fay
Of what had paft betwixt us, in that way.
For, well I know, faid he, both you, and I,
Shall get but difadvantages thereby.
The World, is full of envy, and malicious,
Making to us, our beft works moft pernitious.
They who in her affairs, are chiefly wife,
And, view, our actions, with meer carnal eyes,
Will judg me but a fool; and, think perchance,
Your wit, hath wrought out of my ignorance
Or tafmes, that, which is an effect
Of GOD.S good providence, and my refpeft:
PIccp it in fccret therefore ; for, from thence,
There can arife no mifchief, or offence.

Thefe Reafons charm'd me ; and, with much ado,
I filence kept, becaufe, he wil'd it fo.
Only, (fome few dayes after he forbid
This to be mention'd) I friendly chid
By thefe cnfuing Verfes, which are next
Inferted here, as not befide my Text.

SIR, though, fo friendly, you to me have been,
7Yiat, to forget it, were a mortall fin,
Yet, I am one, -whom divers dofuppofe
To make no difference, betwixt Friends, and Foes.
In my reproovings ; And, if that be tme,
My worthy noble Friend, then, have at You,

For

40

WEST ROW Revived. 39

For, you forget your felf, and Jlrive to clini(

To heights, fo unfrequented at this time,

That, Ifupptfe, I urn in ccnfcience tide

Your temper, and your praclifea to chide,

Lsft by f oft- hear ted kindncs, and compajfton

(withfuch like vertues, now grown oi4t offaJJiion)

It may defervedly befaid, byfome,

One ofthefe Sectaries you are become,

(And, ofthefe Hereticks thought worfe then Turks)

Whojhew their true beleeving, by their works ;

And,feem to bring their ftmple cnftome hither,

Of living well, and lovingly together,

Fyl have you honored been to fit among
The wifejl of this Common- wealth yi? long?
And where, the men, who do thcmf elves fuppofe
To be (at lea/I) the wifejl part of thofe,
Can many dayes, weeks, moneths, yea many years,
Hear Widdows out-cries, and fee Orphans tears,
\Vithout the cajiing of one look afede
On thofe, who by their path, Jland Crucifide?
And will you fo degenerate from them
Whofe practices, are patterns for the time.
To look on him, whom they have trampled on,
And left, as to the world-ward, qitite undone ?
Can you defcendfo low, to fix your eyes
On thofe, whom men in honor do defpife ?
Yea, in a manner, feek unto them, too,
Who are dijlre/l, (before they feek to you ?)
Wooe them to be relcev'd, by your expence?
(As ifyoufuffer'd, by their indigence)
And charge them, that they tell it unto none,
As if a deed of darknes, you had done?

Beleeve, it SIR, this is a novelty,
Which doth betray you, fo apparently
That, were it known, your beft Friends TtvwA/ not Jlick,
To voice you, publickly, a Schifmatick.

Scarce

40 WES TROW Revived.

Scarce paralleled: For, vou in this divide

From all I know, in all the World befide,

Excepting one or two j and you, and they

Make up that little Congregation may.

With whom CHRIST/rwra&VA* would prefent be,

Though it confijled but of two, or three :

And which was prom if ed, (for ought I hear)

Though none of them, a Prieft, or Prelate were.

The circumjlances heeded in your acts,
Do very ftrangely aggravate the facts.
Had it been only, in a humor done,
Or, in a fit, but once, or twice alone
(As works of charity, are, now and then,
Performed, and repented of agen,)
Or, had that charity, from yo*u diftiVd,
But, drop by drop, or had it forth been fiVd
By thimbles full, (as unto thofe we give,
Our Aquavitae, whom we faint perceive)
Had it been fo, orfo, I JJiould have thought
So much thereof, as I in reafon ought;
(Thmigh, with much more refpetfl then yet I fee,
My publike fervices, will thought on be,)
And would haveftriv'd, as far as I was able
To make the gifts, and thanks, proportionable,
As wife men do; or,fome way complemented,
And ctiflomary fervices prefented,
According to thefaJJiion : But, the courfe,
That you have took, Acknowledgments inforce
Beyond all Prefidents : For, Sir, youjlretch
Your noblenss fo far beyond the reach
Of my weak faculties, to retribute
Acknowledgments, which therunto mayfuit;
Yea, andfo oft, fo long, fo gen'roufly
You have releeved my necejjity ;
That, therewith overcharged, that I am fain,
To break out of the rode, into aflrain,

Som

42

WESTROW Revived. 41

Some way extravagantly to declare,

As often infuch flraights as tJiefe we are

Conftrairfd to do ; And, as once Peter did

Whtn through CHRISTS manhood, he the Godhead^/,/;

And, when, he having Jijtid all night for nought,

And drew a whole (hip lading at one draught,

Hecrideout, LORD, go from me (get thee gone)

For I confeffe my felf a finfull one.

As, is the Fruit, fo, may the feafon be
A token of the nature of the Tree :
(As that which cometh by the Rivers fede,
And, whereby Righteous men arc typifide
Ilhiftrates well,) I, therefore, in ref petti
Ev'n of the time, mayfomewhat here object,
ToJJioiv, yet farther, how you rend from thofi
Who have our earthly things, at their difpofe.
For, atfuch times ofnccd,Jlill, ayd you lent,
As if by GOD himfelf, it had been fer.t,
Who, only, knew my wants ; and unto whom
I, onlyjhew tliem, whenfmh great ones come :
Bccaufe, in greatejl wants, I do perceive
Men readier to deftroy, then to relieve.
Sttch, is thejlate of many in dijlrejfe;
Such, is the hate, of thofe, who do opprejfe.

The rightly timing of a benefit,
Doth, very often, more then double it :
And, though fuch charity, may, in thefe dayes,
Return you little prefent gain, or praife,
Yet, GOD obferves it; and, at fure, as he,
Will of a cup of Water heedfull be
Beflow^d on him who doth ajjume the name,
Of his Difciple, (although not the fame)
Your timely, and your large benevolence,
Shall have a timely, and large recompense.

Me, in due feafon, GOD not cnlyJJtaU
Enable too, fome way, to pay you all;

Put,

42 WESTRO W Revived.

But, add mean time, a blefllng to defray
That intereft which he doth yet delay:
And, in that place, where fame of thofe (I fear)
Who, me opprejl, will tremble to appear,
You,Jhatt be welcomed \ with come ye bleffecl,
Who fed, and doatttd me, when I was diftreffed.

Thefe things confuler 'd, this, which I begun,
Pretending fome reproof, intendeth none :
Butt rather, is, (that debts be not forgot)
A memorandum only, or a note,
S^^bfcribed with my hand, for intimation,
That, you, with me, Jhall have his obligation
Whofe word is pafs'd already to reflore
Whatever Jhall be lent unto the poor :
And, who, doth good to every one intend,
Whofe heart he moves, the needy to befriend.

Yet, that, mean time, I may not failing be
To pay as much in hand, as lies in me ;
Receive this Benediction. Whenfoere
The day of fiery tryall Jhall appear,
To prove your Faith, and purge you quite from all
Your felfnes: which ere long time will befall.
Let, then, your Faith bejlrong, and GOD be feat
A friend to you, as you to me have been :
And let your charity before himjtand,
To manacle, and weaken every hand,
7^hat would opprefs thofe, whom you leave behind :
Let them GODS favour, in all troubles find ':
Befafe preferved, in all times, and places,
By his free mercies, and preventing Graces ;
And let this prayer,///, about GOD'S Throne
Be fluttering, till he faith, fo be it done.

Thefe Verfes, for his large benevolence
Were, for a long time, all his evidence.

Nor

! i-

WE STROW Revived. 43

Nor would he more receive, though many a time

Security was ofler'd unto him.

And, once, it was in words like thcfe, denide :

When firft I your neceffity fupplide,

My purpofe was not, meerly to relieve

V'our prefcnt need ; but, likewife, ayd to give

That, by your own endeavour, (with my cofl)

You might recover that which you have loft.

The State, hath no part fatisfied, yet,

Of your allow'd, and overlong due debt :

And, till that fliall be done, I will expect

No payment, neither ought to that tffcft.

But, his ajfiftancc having made me ftrong,
That, to recover, which had been by wrong
Detained from me, in a private hand ;
(And having fomwhat more at my command)
I thought my felf oblig'd (as I was able)
To render fome returns proportionable
To my Efiate. So, he accepts, at lafl,
Security for part, and left the reft;
(Of which, to him, I fomewhat yearly brought)
Without his asking, as expecting ought
(By any thing expreffed) untill that,
Were pay'd me, which is owing by the State;
Or, till the refulue, I could repay,
By fome enablement another way.

This, fliews it is no frivolous occafion
From whence this Poem fprings ; or, Obligation
To be as inconfiderable, flighted
Which me to this acknowledgment invited :
But rather, in regard of GOD, and Man,
An act, which ought, as fully as I can
To be expreft; That, for it I might give
Thc/nM/S- to GOD, and, men th' example have.

For, by his charity, GOD'S love appuiis :
I was, thereby, prcferved many years

From

44 WES TR O W Revived.

From perilling : Thereby, likewlfe, together

With that afliftance, which I had from other

Concurring helps, (which have the fame way, been

To me by GOD'S good providence, fent in,)

I got to be poffeffor of the gate,

Of thofe, who were mine enemies of late ;

And, thereby, alfo, partly to expreffe

To others, in their need, my thankfulnefs.

Thereto, the Noble, and much Honored

Bradjhaw, and Dixwett, ayde contributed,

Among fome others, who are not forgot.

Although their kindnes, I here mention not ;

Yea, GOD, for me, fo likewife, did difpofe

Thepttrpo/f, of my avaritiottsjfer,

That, doubly, it advantag'd me, and more

Then all thofe loving friends had done before.

Which, fuddenly improoving my Eflate

Beyond, what I did hope, or aimed at j

The World doth feem to think, and fome do fay,

That, I, to thrive, have pra<Slifed her way ;

And, on my conference, would now love me too,

If, truly, fhc bclcev'd it had been fo :

For, nothing renders her, a Foe to me

But, that file fears my words, and deeds agree.

And, that, though baits, and fnares for me are laid

To ferve her ends, I (hall not be betraid.

Now, having finifhed this little ftory,
Which hath a neer relation to GOD'S glory
As well as to the honour of my Friend,
With fome brief inferences^ I will end.
But, left, thefe may detain you overlong,
Here paufe ; and read them, in the following Song.

The

46

WE S TROW Revived. 45

The fourth CANTO.

O^Chriftian love, the large extents ;
The fad, the bad, the mad events
Cydifcord, here the Mufe difplaies-,
That Idol SELFNES open laies.
Some other things to heed commends,
And, then, with praife, and Prayer ends.

WHat (hall that Mufing profit, which affords
Nothing bat bare Relations, or meer words ?
Or, what will things avail, that fhall be read,
Concerning thofe, who deep among the dead
If no advantages at all they give
To benefit, or better thofe that livet
Sure none ; Left, therefore, thefe may juftly paffe
For tingling Cymbals, or for founding Braffe,
Some ufeful notes, or notions, ile difcover
On this occafion, ere I paffe it over.
And though I cannot talk, as others do,
Ile preach my way; and, preach to purpofe too.

Of many things, which merit mention may,
Wherein my Friend, hath pattern'd out the u-ay
Of walking, and of pro-life ; three things, here,
Shall be infifted on, as thofe that are
Deferving fpeciall heed : Such, as (if we
Well imitate) a true ALL HEAL (hall be :
End all Quarrels ; Take off, from our eyes
The blinding/ra&r, andyf//»«r ot prejudice
Which keeps us dark, and from a right perceiving,
of truth % and, in a wilfull misbeleeving.
An imitation thereof, would bring hither
Outward, and inward peace \ and knit together

CflRISTS

47

46 WES TROW Revived.

CHRISTS difunlted members fo, that love
Would ripen knowledg ; knowledg help improve
A fa ving Faith ; That Faith renew the Will;
A will renewed^ would GODS minde fulfill,
And therewith fo acquainted make us grow
That, we fhould learn to Aflt as well as know.

The firft of thefe is Love ; love, not extending
It felf, to thefe, or thofe, but comprehending
All things created, with an imitation
Of CHRIST, by meeknefs in his converfation
With Publicans, and fmners ; and, with fuch
As knew but little, and beUfftfd not much.
Such, was CHRISTS love; and (if I do not mifs)
According to man's meafure, fuch Avas his.

For, though, that vail offlejh which others wear,
And, that, which clothed him, when he was here,
Difguiz'd his inward man, and made him pafs
For one of thofe, who running of a Race
Doth beat the air in vain ; yet, they, whofe eyes
Obferved him when he was neer the prize,
Saw, he had ufde the means, and chofe the ground,
Which beft advantag'd him, and would be crown'd,
When, many, at a lofs themfelves would find,
Who, better dieted, and difdpliitd
Were thought to be ; For, none could know fo well
What beft befitted him, as he might tell.

Near to his latter end, he had attain'd
Such love to all, and, therewith, fo unfain'd
A longing both to win, and to be won
Unto the Tnith, that, he was Fo to none
So much, as to himfelf : and, by forbearing,
By hopefnlmfs, long-fuffering, patient hearing,
And meeknefs, without bitternefs offpirit,
True quietnefs of heart he did inherit
Within himfelf; and waited, when GOD'S leifurc
Would of his grace, to others, fill the meafure.

My

IVESTRO W Revived. 47

My cognizance of him, perfvvades me fo,
And, whether he thus perfect were or no,
It ferves the turn, as well to let us fee
What JWK, and I, and every man fhould be.

Yet, of this Chriftian temper I had proof,
To make it forth, with evidence enough.
For, though in fundamentals we agreed,
Eflentially (as by what did fucced,
Is manifefl) yea, though we did accord
In one GOD, in one CHRIST, one Faith, one word.
One -will, and hope; (as all true Chriftians do,)
Yet, in fome accidentall means thereto
We difagree'd ; yea, often, did diffent
In fome things, which 'twixt others made a rent.
And, I was oft, fo earnefl in difpute,
His tenents to difprove, and to confute,
That, they who fhould have heard us, might have judg'd
Not me to him, but him to me, oblig'd,
And that like Paul and Barnabas, at leafl,
A parting, would have followed our contefl.

Yet, though we both flood firm, to what we thought,
Nor loffe of love, nor breach 'twixt us, it wrought ;
But, rather, to each other kept us nearer,
The firmer in our friendfhip, and the dearer :
Becaufe we both knew, that, one Judg we had,
In whom Atonement, would, at laft, be made :
Becaufe, we both intended, not that He,
Or, /, might conquer, but, Truth victor be :
And, this declareth his deferring, more
Then all, that I have faid of him before.
For, what man els, but he, would not have thought
My Obligations, fhould my foul have brought
In bondage to his Judgment ? or, at leafl
Kept me from owning mine, by hot conteft ?
Who els but he, would have continued on
His love, and bounty, unto fuch a One.

D As

S 49

48 WES TR 0 W Revived.

As thwarted his opinions ? and, not rather

Have made me fcatter what he holp to gather ?

Converted former friend/flip, into hate,

And, fought to mine me, in my Eftate ?

Which had with eafe been done; fmce, at that time,

My chief fubfijlance, was receiv'd from him.

But, of \as> judgment, what er'e think I might

I knew his love was firm ; his heart upright ;

And, this beleef of no man, I could have

Who gave his charity, to make &Jlave :

Or, who from bondage did my flefh unbind

To lay a greater Thraldom, on my mind.

No, (though fcomferv&udf, he fet me free)

If he, thus cruel, fliould to others be.

Nay, though a King, with me mould fhare his Throne,

And prize me, as his chief elefted one,

Were he a Tyrant over other men,

I could not give him love, for love agen:

Nay, further (be it fpoke with reverence

To him I fpeak of, and without offence)

Could I believe that GOD, in whom I truft

Were (though he lov'd me) cruel and unjuft,

I would not feek with him in Heav'n to dwell,

But, rather, go, and live alone in Hell.

For, he, that's with effential GOD delighted,

And, thereunto by hearty love united ;

Should therewith feel to him, fuch vertue giv'n,

As would tranflate the lowejl Hell to Heatfn.

I fear, I go too high in my e-xprefflons,
He therefore ftoop again, from thefe digrejfions
To fpeak what's poflible to be beleev'd
Of thofe, by whom this cannot be receiv'd.
And mew them, in my common Jlrain, how far
From Chriftian love, the greateft number are,
Who mod profeffe it ; that, affect they may
A far more excellent, and better way,

If

WES TROW Revival. 49

\icarnall Injls, will give them time to read it,
And, t\\t\r fdf-love, admit of Grace to heed it.

It is not love, but cruelty in thofe,
Who, would on others confciences impofe
Their Yoaks, or break the bands of loving kindnes,
Becaufe their friends have weaknejfes, or blindnes :
Nay, (which of cmelties appears the worfl)
Becaufe, they would not be, from that divorft,
Which is their comforts chief prefervative ;
And, without which, none happily can live
Here, or hereafter ; And, when doing fo,
To thcfe impofers, no true good can do.

What is a friend for; or, what better are
Thofe friends, then fas, who neither can forbear
Nor help to bear, that Friends infirmities
With meeknes, whom he hath been pleas'd to prize ?
But, beat the lame, becaufe, they cannot run,
Leave him that's blind, becaufe he fees no Sun ;
And, feparate from them, for that, which they
Would willingly difclaim, and caft away
If they were able ; or, els, did not fear
They, thereby, fenners again ft Confdence, were ?
Whereas, they rather mould with thefe abide,
To lead the lame; to be the blind-mans guide :
And, with long-fiiffring, to inftrucl the other,
Till he becomes a true beleeving Brother.
Oh ! how far off ! how far ! are fuch as thofe
From imitating him, who lov'd his Foes ?
(And dide to fave them ?) who purfue with hate
Their friends, for thofe concernments, which relate
Unto themfelves alone ? How far are fuch
From loving them, who have offended much ?

This temper at this time, is very rare,
For gen'rally almoft, we bite and tear,
So barbaroufly, each others flefh, &nd faeces,
And rend CHRISTS Robes into fo many peeces,

D 2 That,

50 WESTRO W Revived.

That, we feem rather Woolves, and doggs,
Belonging to that Flock which he doth keep.
Nor are they, only, Woolves in flieeps array,
Who, thus their Woolvifh nature do betray,
But, ev'n on fome of us, who of his Fold
Are Members, this, diftemper doth lay hold.

Ev'n we forfooth, for whom our GOD hath done
So much of late ; we, we, who look upon
Our felves at this time, as a People chofe
By fpeciall providence, to fcourge his Foes ;
And, to be they, whom he firft cals to bring
Unto his Throne, our Everlajling King,
Whofe Banners LOVE ; Ev'n we, have here of late,
Inftead thereof, advanc'd the Flagg of HATE
To be our Standard ; and, the fame difplay
With as much virulency as we may
Againft each other : Yea, againft thofe, too,
Who feek GOD'S face, as truly as we do.

Some of us, fo aloft, our felves do carry
With hope of great atchievements temporary,
That, we forget from whence we firft afcended ;
Slight them, for whofe fakes, we have been befriended ;
None loving, but our felves ; and looking on
All els, as if the Earth, for us alone,
Had been created ; and all others, bora
For objects of our hatred, or our fcorn :
And, leave them unrewarded, by whofe hands
The ground was won, on which our building ftands.

Some of us, on z.fpirfaiall account,
To fuch an overweningnes do mount,
As if, we only, were the men, to whom
Belongs that Kingdom, which is yet to come ;
Or, as if Heaven, for none els were ordain'd,
But, thofe, who are among us entertain'd ;
Bound up to our Rules ; marked, with our Prints ;
Or, qualifide with our diftinguiJJiments :

And,

52

WES TR O IV Revived. 5 1

And, fo bewitch't are we, by our own Dreams,
With that, which we have Preach'd upon thofe Theams,
That, if we take not heed, twill bring about
That mifchiff, which we purpofe to keep out.

For, we through want of love, are fo devided,
By having this way, or els that way, fided
To raife what others build up, or, in flriving
To raife a Babell, of our own contriving ;
That, fome perchance, may fee the Dragons tail,
Swing once more over us, ere we prevail.
Yea, want of love, on all fides, fo mijleaches,
Here, fuch Objlwftions makes, and there, fuch breaches
That, we are like to make our common Foe,
An eafie paffage, where he could not go.
Yet, tis not poffible to make us wake
From our vain Dreams, a fafer courfe to take ;
Unles, GOD, (hall, our Adderlike deaf ear,
Pierce by fome ftranger charms, then, yet, we hear :
For, they are thought to fpeak words mofl in feafon,
Who fpeak moft impudently, and leaft reafon :
In which befottednes, if he walk on
Much longer, as too long time we have done,
(Acting, as if we thought, to (hew, our folly
Would be an argument to prove us holy.
And drive ftill furioufly againft each other,
As if all fliortly would be mad together,)
They, will not much miftake therein, who (hall
This Ifle, Great BEDLAM, now Great BRITAIN call.

The other vertue, of my now dead Friend,
Which to our imitation, He commend,
Is, to be zealous, in the pulling down
Of our great Idol, now, more famous grown,
Then was Diana ; and, ador'd by us,
Much more then (he was once, at Ephefus.
That weak, that bafe, that defpicable ELFE,
Cal'd SELFNES, which, man fets up in himfelf ;

D 3 And

53

5 2 WE STROW Revived.

And, for whofe fervices, and adoration,

We from all things within the whole Creation,

Make patterns to our felves : And, not of thefe

Alone, make -wzfantaftick images

But, of things alfo, which had neither birth,

Or being, on or underneath the earth ;

Neither within the water, ayr, or fire,

Or any where, in lower place, or higher.

This, is that God, which now is worfhip'd more,
Then Baal, and all thofe Idols heretofore,
Which did provoke to wrath. There, are our loves
Moft fixt. Thereto, our Temples, Altars, Groves
Are confecrated ; and, what els, befide
Whereby, an Idol may be glorifide.
Thereto, thofe Tithes, thofe Duties, thofe Oblations,
Thankfgivings, Prayers, folemn Obfervations.
All forms, and ceremonies, (whether taught
By tnith, or, fuperjlitioujly in brought ;)
Our Governments, our Parliaments, our Laws,
Our Armies, our unjuft, and righteous Caufe;
Our Conquejls, all our wifdom, all our wealth ;
Our honor, beauty, with our youth, and health j
Our righteoufnes (if we in us, have any ;
Our wickednejfes, (whereof we have many ;)
Ev'n Scriptures, Judgments, mercies, Sacraments,
With what els, GOD ordains, or man invents,
Are all, by fome among us, now converted,
(Or, rather, to fpeak properly, perverted)
Some way to ferve, as to advance the praife
Of SELFNES, that great Idol of our dayes.
And, fome, who vote, and fpeak againfl it more
Then many ; more, then any, her adore.

Moft, who pretend, to ferve the Common-weal,
Do moft intend, from thence to rob and fteal
Wherewith, to facrifice before \\\QjJirine,
Of that lou'd /</<?/; which doth glare, and mine,

With

54

WES TROW Revived. 53

) gold, and thofe embdliJJiments,
Which fhould have been the publike Ornaments,
They, from poor Orphans, and fad Widdows, tear
Their Garments, for their pfeudo-god to wear :
Pluck from their hungry mouths, their bread and meat,
For that devouring God of theirs to eat :
And, then, for his drink-offerings, pour forth floods
Of faithfull fervants, Friends, and Childrens bloods.

Moft, who pretend true Juftice to maintain,
Do more contend, to wrong thofe who complain,
Then how to right them ; that thereby they may
Make innocents, this curfed Idols pray :
And, to \h&\i faithful friends, are moft fevere ;
Either, to make a fhew, as if they were
Impartial! : or, perhaps, thereby, to pay
A good defert, the clean contrary way.

Mod, who pretend to charity, do give
Either, in hope they, thereby (hall receive
Some benefit; or els in hope to raife
A Monument, or Trophic of felf 'praife :
And few out of a tendernes of heart,
Give, to releeve, or to reward defert.

Moft, who pretend i& friendJJiip, do but buy
With complements, or fome cheap courtefie,
Theiry^ ad vantages; and, to more charge,
When they are put, it is but to inlarge
Their felfnes, and, fome way thereby, among
Such other ends, to make their party ftrong.
For, when unferviceable, thefe are grown,
They caft them off, as Perfons never known.
Yea, when the times doth come, which truly mows
Who is a Friends, they then become their Foes.

Moft, who pretend for GOD, that verttie fain
For nought ; with them, is godlines, but gain.
They frequently, more bold with him do make,
Then with all others ; and from him dare take

D 4 What

55

54 WES TROW Revived.

What ere they can, to facrifice unto,

This Idoll ; and fuppofe no wrong they do.

Yea, thofe pert Jewi/Ji women, who had given

And, would give fpice Cakes to the Queen of Heaven

(And had befoold their Husbands to confent

That, them they fhould, in GODS defpight, prefent,

Took not his Oyl, his pure Wheat, and his fpices,

To make, their wicked wilfull Sacrifices,

With bolder impudence, then many a one

Among us, for this to Idols ufe have done.

A Spirit, being, GOD, in no need ftands
Either of Churches, Tithes, or Rents, or Lands,
Or Forms, or any of thofe other things,
Which, for GODS worfhip, our devotion brings :
For, thefe will do his deity no good :
But, felfnes, is a God of flejli, and blood,
That will be highly pleas' d with thofe, oblations
Which GOD Almighty, counts abominations,
If not made ufe of, with all circnmftances,
Which, in a right way, piety advances.
And, therefore, we do purpofe (if we may)
To take them, for this Idol, quite away.
But peradventure, ere effect that finds
We may be taken hence, or change our minds.

This, is in every heart, the Antichrifl,
Which doth ufurp CHRIS TS Temples, and refift
His raigning there. There, paramount is he
(Though other Antichrijls, there, alfo be)
His chiefeft oppofite ; and gives offence,
More then his Foes, of greater eminence.
The Devill, doth in the World, againft him rant,
As his chief Foe ; In his Church militant,
(At large) The man of fen ; And. this, or that
Corruption in each individual State
Or Congregation : But, this, hath alone
In every Jingle man, fti&fitpream Throne

Of

WESTR O W Revived. 5 5

Of oppofetion ; though, fometimes, appearing
In one beloved fen, and fometimes wearing
Another habit, as it beft befits
The //for, or perfon, where, inthron'd it fits:
And, though the Devill, Turk, and Pope, and all
Whom, in their /fi/iears, The Antichri/l we call
Should down be thrown ; we fhal rejoyce in vain
If, in our hearts, this Antichrift ftill raign.

This, is that Idol, which prolongs our woes :
This, is that Idol, which, if ere we lofe
Our prefent hopes, is that, which will effect it :
And, I do more then probably fufpe<5l it.
This, is the laft thing, my deceafed 'friend,
Declaim'd againft, before his latter end,
As likely to be that abomination,
Which will occafion here, a defolation ;
If not deftroy'd, or, at leaft, debafed
Within thofe Temples, wherein it is placed.

This Idol, hath in every heart &Jhrine;
Yea, (though I hate it) doth poffefle in mine
The inmojl room ; there, fcrewed in fo fart,
That, thence, I fear, it hardly will be caft
Till all that Fabrick (hall be broken down,
Wherewith it is incorporated grown,
It knows what now I think, what now I write,
And flicks the clofer to me, in defpight
Of all that I can think, or fay, or do :
Yea, and by means of this performance too,
The more exalted in my heart will be,
If, GOD himfelf, (hall not deliver me.
But, he will add fufficiency of Grace ;
For, I intend ev'n in that very place,
Where fixt it (lands, to facrifife the Beajl
With all the trinkets of felf Interejl :
Which, if I can do, while 'tis fixed there,
Will better pleafe, then if de/lroy?d it were.

Another

57

56 WESTRO W Revived.

Another Virtue in my Friend, no lefs
Deferring heed, was Confdentioufnefs
In words and works ; whereof, an imitation,
Would bring much happinefs unto this Nation.
For while good Conference, entertain we mall,
It keeps a never-ending Feftivall,
Which gladdeth more the heart, then when we feaft
To entertain our beft beloved Gneft.
If fleighted ; it becomes our great eft Fo :
If cheriflied ; it fuch a Friend will grow,
That, when all elfe forfake us, and abufe us ;
When they opprefs, and cauflefly accufe us ;
When opportunity the Devil wins,
To mufter up again ft us, all our fins ;
When, GOD perhaps, doth lay upon us too,
A heavy hand : when Death (as it will do)
Arrcfteth us, our countlefs debts to pay,
And, to his dungeon carries us away ;
Ev'n then, when all our honors and our wealth,
Q\\x yottth, GWtftrength, o\\r pleafures, and our health,
Shrink from us ; when, our beft beloved Friends,
Our wives and children, upon whom depends
Our greateft earthly comforts, will forgo us ;
Lodg us among the dead, where none fhall knovv us ;
And, leave us without fuccour, all alone,
To give account for that which we have done :
Then, will this Friend, if well we cherifh her ;
(Yea, though me formerly abufed were,
If we be forrowfull for our offence
And reconciled by imz penitence)
Will go along with us unto the Grave',
Remove all thence, whereof, we dread may have ;
Sleep there with us, whileft there we fhall remain ;
Rife with us, when we mail arife again ;
And, make us there, with joyfulnefs appear
Before that Judge, when other men (hall fear :

For,

•58

WESTROW Revived. 57

For, having in this life, the privileges,
Of our Accufers, Witneffcs, and Judges,
(Which none elfe hath by our terrejlriall Laws,)
.Before hand, (he determineth our Cauft.

She, by the Law that's written in our hearts,
Doth judg us ; and no jot from that departs ;
So that no Soul, can juftly counter-plead,
An Ignorance; or (land in any need
Of an Interpreter, or, witnefs brought,
To teftifie, of what, was good or nought :
For, none, will (he condemn for that offence,
Whereof, he bringeth not an evidence
Within himfelf, to clear, or to condemn,
For that, which is objected unto them.
And, whofoever to \ti\sjudgment comes,
Shall blame themf elves, and juftifie her dooms.

Look therefore that you keep this Judg your friend,
And that, by your fault, fhe who will pretend
To be this Confcience, be not entertain'd
Inftead thereof: For, Confcience may be ftrain'd
So far, and by accuflomed refufmg
Good counfell ; and by wilfully abufmg
Her juft reproofs, till her away we chafe
And let an evil confcience take her place.
And, what events, may afterward eufue,
I leave it, to be thought upon, by you.

How, we may know a Confcience reclifide ;
How, to preferve it, we may means provide ;
How to recover it again when loft;
Time to compofe a large difcourfe would coft.
To found the depths, I therefore will forbear,
And onely add, for your example here,
What, by occafion of my Friend, that's gone,
I have, fince his departure, mufed on.

Good Confcience, whereof high efteem be made
Three 'Objetfls hath ; to which there mufl be had

59

58 WES TROW Revived.

A due refpect, afunder, and together,
Without neglecting, what belongs to either ;
Except in things, wherein the hfs is debter,
To wave his due, for that, which is the greater.

GOD is theyfr/?; our neighbours > or our brother
(In fome refpects) the next; owcfelves the other;
Whofe welfare, in fome cafes, may before
T\i&fecond be preferr'd, and render'd more :
Becaufe, it is the Rttle whereby to fquare,
That love, which to our neighbours, we mould bear.

Our duties to all thefe, were in the heart
Firft written ; and renew'd again, in part,
By common grace : But, fen hath fo defaced
That Table, and that writing fo much rafed,
That, we muft feek to make up that Record
By what, GOD hath fupplied in his Word;
And, they, who would preferve the confdence fair
And blamelefs, to that Glafs, muft oft repair ;
Which, (by that aid, which GOD to add will pleafe)
Shews us, our feveral duties, to all thefe.

All they, whofe Confdence is this way renew'd,
Know what fliould be embrac'd, and what efchew'd.
Such, will not of his honor, GOD, bereave,
To fave their Countrey ; nor, their lives to fave,
Spoil or betray that ; nor, themfelves deprive
Of ought, which they to ferve thefe, did receive
Through cowardife mjloth ; nor, to enjoy
The pleafures of theyf^, the Soul deftroy.
To GOD, they will not make a facrifice
Of guiltlefs blood ; or, honour him with lies :
Or, offer to him things achiev'd by Health,
By fraud or rapine ; nor their Common-wealth
Repair, inrich, or ftrengthen, by opprejfions;
By tollerating any known tranfgreffions,
To Piety deftructive ; or, to that
True Juftice, whofe defect, may ruinate

Humane

WES TROW Revived. 59

Humane fociety ; either, by fearing
To draw their fworcls againfl a Tyrants daring;
Or feeking, by a warlike way of murther^
How, to inlarge their territories further;
In hope of needles gain, or fruitles glory,
Rais'd out of black deeds, by a bloody Jlory :
But, perfecute the troublers of their peace,
T\\\fafety, may be fetled j and, then, ceafe :
That, throughout the World it may be known,
They fought not to inlarge, but fave their own ;
And to difable thofe from doing wrong,
Who, els, would all the World embroyl, ere long.

Such, will not make their Publique Faith a fcorn,
That they who live, and they who are unborn
May in times future, be difcourag'd from
Affifting, when another need (hall come ;
And, let all, rather unto ruine run,
Then truft, what is not to be trufled on.
Such, will not (as in times of need they may)
Take fome mens lands, and livelyhoods away,
The Publiqne to fecure, without fupply,
For lofle of that, which it was faved by :
But, to each private fufferer, reimburfe
Their private damage, from the Publiquc purfe.

Such, will not mifemploy their Pcnvr, in place
Of/upream Trujl, unjuftly, to difgrace
Their faithfullfervants, upon bare furmizes,
On mifreports, which evill will devifes
To blaft their credit, ruine their EJlate,
(Perhaps their lives too) by objecting hate
Which is untrue. For, they not being there
Who could refute that, wherewith charg'd they were,
(Nor fuffred to take notice, from whofe tongue
They, in their abfence, did receive that wrong)
A prejudice, doth bring a cenfure on them,
Which ere they can prevent it, hath undone them.

. If

61

60 WESTR O W Revived.

If they good confcience have, who thus can do ;
He think, the dnnll hath fome confcience too ;

How feared are the confciences of thofe,
Who, give their friends, much leffe refpect then foes f
Obliging them by favours whom they fear,
Would els be traytors, (or perhaps fo are)
And difoblige true men, becaufe, they know
No injury can make them leffe then fo ?
What confciences, have they who do pretend,
The Publique hath not, to releeve a friend
That's perifhing ; and, yet the felf-fame day
(Though no need were) profufely give away
Large fums among themfelves j and gratifie
Thofe men, who with their fadtion do comply ?
(And own their ways, opinions, and defigns)
As if they did poffeffe, the Indian Mines ?
What Confciences have they, who pay fome worft,
Who merit beft ; and laft, who ferv'd them firft ?
Provide for thofe ; who fory "elf- ends do ferve ;
And let the Common-wealths true fervant ftarve ?
Give ready Coyn to fome ; and unto them
Who did the fame work, at the felf-fame time,
Not any thing at all ? except, perchance,
A Warrant, Order, or an Ordinance,
Which by begetting others, doth ftill add
New troubles, and expence to what they had ;
And without profit, fo inlarge their cofl,
By pretious time, and tedious labour loft ;
That, if at firft, their debts they had forgiven
(And added fo much more, to make all even)
To get a flat deniall ; fome, had gain'd
Much more thereby, then will be now obtain'd,
Though they were pay'd to morrow ? One, I know
Who by experiment, hath found it fo ;
Yet, fome of them, who may this confcience own,
Would feem to think, great things on him, beftown :

Becaufe,

62

WESTROW Revived. 61

Becaufc, Gods mercy, other waycs fuppiles
That, which to him, their Jnjlice yet denies.

What partiall Conferences are alfo theirs ?
Who, in eftablifhing of jufl Arrears,
Gave fome full Intei-cjl for debts delay'd,
And none to others, for like debts unpay'd
Ten fummers after ; and, which may, before
They are difcharg'd, (land charged ten years more ?
And then at laft, perhaps, afide be lay'd
Among thofe debts, that never fhall be pay'd ?

From fuch corrupted conferences as thefe,
Hath fprung our Epidemicall difeafe\
Thofe manyfold complainings, in our ftreets,
Wherewith each friend his fad companion greets :
Thofe fcandals, which are publifli'd in difgrace
Of perfons, who were lately in the place.
Supream TruQ : hence, alfo, flows that hate,
The Quarrels, difcontentment, and debate,
Which is amongft us : Hence, thofe hazzards rife
Which make us fearfull, and our Enemies
Still hopefull, that, it either fhall occafion
Some broyl within, or, fome without Invafion.
And, if I may beleeve what my heart tels,
That, which they do expect, or fomewhat els
Equivalent, will Ihortly come to pafle,
If we below, and they who are in place
Above us, make not confcience of our wayes
More then we have done, in preceding dayes.
For, if there be a GOD, as my foul knows
There is, by that, which daily from him flows :
If there be devils, as I know well to,
There are by what, I fee their fervants do.
GOD, or the Devill will to us appear
By fome new Aft of Grace, or uork of fear,
To purge hearts, from death procuring works,
And that kvpocrifee within them lurks ;

And

62 WE STROW Revived.

And keep us to the rule of doing fo,
To others, as we would be done unto.
Of which good praclife, whilft he here was living
My Weflrow (having by examples of giving)
Deferved to be a pattern, I, contrived,
This way, of having him, again revived ;
That, I, and you, and others, by the light
From hence reflecting, may walk more upright.

Lord, let thefe overflowings of my Spirit,
Which, in themfelves have neither powr, nor merit,
Produce forth good effects; and not be found
Like that, which gives an iifeles, empty found.
Let it befome way, fruitfull unto them,
Who had relations in the flem to him,
Who, hereof gave occafion ; and, fome way
To every Reader, who perufe it may\
And, not a memorandum only be
To other men ; but, likewife unto me.
Vouchfafe me grace, whilfl, here I live toferve
(In this my Generation) not tofwarve
From my appointed work ; but to perfever
In doing it, with vigilant endeavour,
That, of my Talent, vvhen I tmifl appear
To give account (which time approacheth near)
I may be faithful found, and to that)oy
Admittance have, which nothing can deflroy.

Let neither fears, nor hopes, neglefts, or wrongs,
Deter from doing what to me belongs:
And, though my faculty hath fmall ejleem,
And needles to the World, perhaps, mayfeem,
In thofe affairs which may be pertinent
To thy great work : make it afupplement
Of fome good ufe; that, times to come may fee
My withered leaves, did help adorn the Tree
During thatfeafon, wherein cloth* d it flood j
And, were for cure of fome difeafes good.

Of

WES TR O IV Revived. 63

Of what, in others, to be good, or ill,

2 have obferJd; let application, ftill,

So to my f elf be made, that "a'hat 1 '/nx1,

To be amijfe in them, may me withdraw

From erring paths ; and, in their Jleps to tread,

IV ho have uprightly walKd, (alive or dead. )

That, I may truly foot thy meafures, too,

As -well as pipe them out, to thofe that do :

Left, I my f elf, a Reprobate be found,

When all things have compleatly daunc'd their round.

Let not the Revolutions, or the changes,
Or, that prevarication which now ranges
Throughout the World, me, from my ftation carry ;
Or, caufe me from good Principles to vary.
But, in the ftream, of all thofe great diflraclions,
Diffring opinions, counter-marching actions,
Flattings, defegnings, threatnings, and pertakings,
Whimfees, Chimeras, doubtings, and miftakings,
Fawnings, and frownings, praifes, or dif graces,
Wants, and aboundings, in all times, and places,
Softeddy keep my Judgment, andfo clear,
That, all my Life, I firmly may adhear,
To truth, and honefty ; and, plainly fee
What man intends, or is defigrfd by thee,
And, whatfoere, without me, makes a din;
Let, me have alwayes, peace, and)Qy, within,

My life, hath been a Warfar to this day ;
And troubles multiply : Yet, if it lay
Within my powr, to chufe what other lot
The bcft man living hath, (or I have not)
And, might my felf, my OT.UU felf being make;
Let me no comfort, in my Portion take,
If, I, would chufe aught els, but that which now
I Jiave, and thy free mercy, JJtall allow :
For, of thy \<y\z,fo well ajfur^d am /;
Of what, within thy pow' r doth affo-lu1:

E Ami

64 WES TR O W Revived,

And how, thou bejl knowjl, what for me is be/I,
That, on thy Wifdom, Powr, and Love, He refl.

I, love to fee the doing what thou doft,
(Oh GOD ! mofl holy, powrful, wife, am/juft)
And, therefore, though my flefh be terrijide
By thy approaches, and, oft loth to bide
Where, I may Jland to fee thcc marching on,
And doing, here, fitch things as thou hafl done;
Yea, though fometime, fitch horrors on me ceafe,
That, they dofJiake my bones ; yet naytheles,
My Spirit, fo is pleafed, to behold
Thofe Judgments, and thofe mercies manifold,
Which I obferve; that, in no other time,
Nor, (might I chufe) in any other Clime,
Would I have liv'd, fave whej e I might have feen
Such things, as have to me dif covered been :
No, thotigh thy Judgments, which, now on tis be,
Have, in the flefh, with others, ^vrapt up me,

For, whatfoever former times afford',
Whatever, hath been written in the Word ;
What figns, or wonders, have been to thy glory
Recorded in prophane, or facred ftory,
Hath been a new tranfafted, in my dayes.
So, have I feen the River, and the Seas
Made pajfable : So, have I feen thy wonders
In blood, and Vermine ; in fire, hail, and thunders ;
And, in thofe other dreadfull figns, whereby
Thou, heretofore didfl Pharaoh tenifie;
Myjlerioufly, or morally (at leajl)
If not in all things, li? rally exprejl :
And, have obferv'd, that, they on other men
Have now, the fame ejfscls, which they had then.
To carnal wifdom, but events of chance
They do appear ; and, fuch, to ignorance.
Great Kings, and Princes, will not yet be wife,
But fool thcmf elves, with vanities, and lies ;

And,

66

ll'XSTROW Revived. 65

A nd, arc like Pharaoh, daily hardnedfo,

As if they dared thee, thy worjl to do.

Yea, their inchanters, though they cannot Jland

Before thee, (and acknowledg tis thy hand,

Which is upon them) do endeavour Jlill,

Tofcek themf elves, and to refift thy will.

And, all of us, almoft as heedles are,

Of what thou dojl, as Jacobs offs-pring were.

Thy Judgments, mercies, threatningK, promifes,
Thefeverall caufes, and effects of ' thefe,
Have been to me, exemplifide a new,
By that, which hath been offred to my view :
Th* occurrances, betwixt thy Friends, and Foes,
Long time ago, foretipifying thofe
That JJiould fucceed, (and, were for Prefidents,
That like proceedings, would have like Events
Throughout all ages) Pvefeen paralleled
By thofe, which with mine eyes, I beheld :
And, by thofe tipes, compared with what I faw,
Did, fomctimcs from them J "itch conclufions draw,
That, I foretold, when few beleeved me,
What, they and I, have liv'd, fulfil' d to fee.

And, though, thou art not pleased to let me know,
Perfpicuoujly, wJiat is approaching now :
Yet, I fee dim appearances, whereby
I mayfufpecJ a mifchief drawing nigh.
A Cloud, which like a mans hand/cents to be,
Or, els, a mans hand, like a Cloud I fee
Threatning a dorm. I fee, me thinks, oh ! Father,
Vapours far offdifperjl, begin to gather
Into divided bodies, whence may break
A voice of Thunder, and things dreadfull, /peak,
With fad events ; If we with fpeed repent not ;
And, thou, the plagues, which we deferve, prevent not.
Oh ! therefore, turn our hearts ; and unto thee
So, from our oivn wayes let us turned be,

E 2 That

66 WES TROW Revived.

That, thou maiftftill continue thy compaction,
With thy accujlom"1 d favours, to this Nation.

And, my beloved Brethren, for whofe warnings,
I, thus adventure my <\\m.fore-difcernings
To publique cenfure, though not for my fake,
For your own fafety, notice of them take :
And, of your vanities, repent with fpeed ;
That, Judgments, but conditionally decreed,
May be averted : And, that, thofe good things,
Of whofe approach t\vzfeafon fymptoms brings,
Deferred may not be : For, there is, yet,
Somwhat, to be removed, which doth LET,
That Kingdoms coming, for which, many pray ;
And, that Removall, muft prepare the Way.

If, GOD, this way, by judgments, muft inforce,
It will, for us, now living, be the worfe ;
And, we mail bear the ftrong pangs of that BIRTH
Which, that myfterious WOMAN will bring forth,
On whom, the DRAGON waiteth to devour
The MANCHILD, who (deliver'd from his power
By his Almighty Father, and our GOD)
Shall rule the Nations, with an IRON ROD.
But, if we willingly remove from hence,
That LET ; it mail produce a recommence,
Which will requite our labour, and deftroy
The great Obftmfter of our promis'd Joy.

Here, I had done. But fomwhat, preffeth in,
On which, I could anew again begin.
It doth not much concern my Theam, I know ;
But, what, of that ? It may concern you, tho.
My Mufe, oft times, when fhe is on her wings,
Wheels from her Game, to unexpected things
Which come to view ; and, thereby more hath won
Somtimes, then if afide fhe had not gone.
So, may fhe now ; He therefore, let her fly
At what fhe fees, although I know not why.

The

68

WES TR O W Revived. 67

The Kingdom look'd for, feems to be near

By many tokens, which to me appear,

As well upon the Governments of thofe

Who, thereto are profeft, or fecret Foes,

As on the SAINTS : For, when I was but young,

(And ever fince my child-hood, all along)

I, thereto had an eye ; And, in this dime,

(Or little World} I've feen within my time

Four Governments, almofl as differing

Both in the roots, from which they forth did fpring,

And difdpline, as DANIELS Monarchies:

And, much, to be confider'd, in them lies,

To make me to beleeve, that, CHRIST is fliaking

The Worlds foundations ; and, approaches making.

The firfl was, when much fam'd ELIZABETH,
Raig'nd here ; In whofe time, (though I drew my breath
Not thirteen years) I, obfervations made
Of things, then faid and done, both good, and bad,
More then my age did promife, and, er'e taught,
Was to the beft part, of my knowledg brought.
During this Monarchy, I did perceive,
Sincerity, begin to take her leave ;
That, Chri/lian zeal abate, and cool again,
Which was fo hot, when me began to Raign ;
And, introductions of fuch deviations,
As, both forego, and forefliow alterations.
Yet, that, which then did feem to.keep in aw
Thefe Nations, was, the GOSPEL, and the LAW.

Next her, out from the Caledonian Wood,
A ramping Lyon came ; and, up he flood.
As, he firfl got this pow'r, he kept the fame,
By a<5ling of the Fox, and feeming tame.
To his devourings, he impos'd no meafure :
The Law he govern'd by, was WILL, and PLEASURE;
And, he purfude, what he defign'd at firfl,
As far, as any crafty coward durfl.

More

68 WES TR O W Revived.

More ftoutly, his Succeffbr, carried on,
Then politickly, what his SIRE begun ;
And after many ftruglings, and much coft,
Himfelf, his Kingdoms, and defigments he loft.
Yet, for that Government, thus much He fay,
Juftice and piety, wore in that day,
The faireft out fide ; and, were trim'd about
With many Ornaments, now, nigh worn out;
And, goodnes, had a very glorious JJiell,
Although the kernels therein prov'd not well.

Againft this Government, the People rofe,
In throaning them, whom they themfelves had chofe :
And whijft they were continu'd on the Throne;
NECESSITIE, was law, for what was done:
Which Law, to lengthen, and corroborate,
They, new NECESSITIES did ilill create;
Till their Adorers, did their Pow'r contemn,
And, found great need of all things, but of THEM.
For, by indulgingy^7/£r, they deftroy'd,
What had, \>y felf-deniall been enjoy'd;
And made themfelves fo rich, and fome fo poor,
That, now, the Peoples choice, is out of dore.
Yet, whilft they kept the Throne, GOD, by them wrought
Effects, which will not wholly come to nought :
For, \ho\iign. f elf -feeking, moft prevailed then,
There were among them, good, and righteous men,
(To GOD, and to their Country ferviceable. )
Whofe number, had it been proportionable
To ten, for each five Cities, Towns, or Skiers ;
Had made the work, referv'd for others, theirs.

The SWORD, hath now, obtain'd \hefoveraign pow'r,
Let it, Oh LORD ! protect, and not devou'r.
Let, it take notice, that it is prepar'd,
The Vineyard, only, to fecure and gard,
(Or, cut away thofe Plants, which might annoy
The fruitfull Vines, and their fweet grapes deftroy)

Not

70

/ 1 'JtS TR O IV Revival. 69

Not to poflcffe the fame as if it own.
. Let us (although the/^w/V thereon beftown,
Should be abus'd) obediently attend,
Till to the raign, thereof, thou fetfl an end :
For, when thou pleafcft, thou, canft in one hour,
Make it dcflroy it felf, by its own Powr,

To rule us, thou had now advanced it;
Let us, for confcience fake, therefore, fubmit,
Whether it be for future good, or ill ;
Becaufc, to have it fo, it is thy will.
Thou canft as well by Arms, as by the Gown
Rule peaceably, and make thy mercy known.
Although it be a Sioord> that bears the fway,
Let, it thine Adverfaries, only, flay;
Let none of thine, have any caufe to fear it :
And, let it no wayes dammage thofe that wear it.

Still, mindfull make it, for whofe good, and ayd
'Twas firft advanced, difciplin'd, and payd :
Who, did contribute, what, firft, made it ftrong
To conquer : who, ftill adds, what doth belong
To keeping of that P(nvr ; and, let it not
Indanger thofe by whom it was begot ;
Wrong their propriety , whom it defended;
And whofe juft prefervation was intended;
Nor, breake thofe antient bounds which kept mould be
'Twikt man and man] and, betwixt man, and Thee\
And, upon whofe Infringers thou haft laid,
Curfe, whereof, all, ought to be afraid.
Let it perform the works thereto appointed ;
Make way for Jujlice^ and for thy Anointed :
And, when the time defign'd thereto is done,
Let it, to what muft follow, yeeld the Throne.

The next, I hope mall be the LIVING- WORD.
Let his long look'd for KINGDOM come, Oh LORD !
Let over us, that King of Nations raign,
To whom, all praifo, and Glory doth pertain.

For,

70 WESTROW Revived.

For, whatfoer'e this proves, that beft will pleafe us.
Come therefore, quickly: Quickly come, LORD JESUS.

Mean while, accept a facrifice of praife,
For what hath been vouchfafed in thefe days,
By way of preparation, to that End,
For which, in Faith, and hope, we do attend.
Accept of praifes, from \hefingle hearted,
For all thy Saints, which are from hence departed ;
And, for all thofe, who mall make up the mm,
By which thy Kingdom, will compleat become.
Accept my Thanks, for what thou didft confer
On me, by him that's gone, and thofe, yet here :
Accept it rather, for that love of thine,
Vouchfafed from thy felf, to me and mine,
By frequent pledges-, and, for that Free grace,
Whereby before all time, I chofen was,
To be eternally made One with Thee ;
And, in \hyfelf, accept them LORD, of me.

Thus, having my Friends Obit, truly truly kept
Six nights, (ivhil/l others round about mejlept)
Here, that Contexture, -which conceived I had,
Is now produced, fpun, «;^/weav'd, rtWdTmade.
' Tis true the Object, of my contemplations,
Was WESTROW : But, from him, my Meditations,
Rofe higher; and my foul did contemplate
Things, -which concern thefe Nations, and this State;
And, thereupon, fome hints, are intenveaved,
Which will (ifpajfed by, as unperceived)
Make this, which is, the Mufes way of giving
Life to the Dead ; to be, unto the Living,
An ominous prefage ; at leafl to fome,
Of death, <?/"mame, or, ofit>orfe things to come.

FINIS.

I 1 66 1.

I

An Improvement of Imprifon

ment, &c.

[HAZUTT, No. 78.]

I

^
*&

AN IMPROVEMENT
T Imprifonment, ) 0 ( Real Freedom ;
Of < Difgrace, \ S < Honeft Reputation ;

\ Poverty, ( Perdurable Riches ;

Evidenced in a few

Crums & Scraps I

Lately found in a

PRISONERS-BASKET
AT

I N E VV G A T

-*

*§*

And

Saved together, by a VifitantofOppreffedPri-

/oners, for the refrefhing of himfelf and

thofe who are either in a worfe Prifon, or

(who loathing the dainties of the Fk/h)

hunger and thirfh after Righteoufnefs.

HE, who, Jive thoufand hungry Souls had fed
With twofmattFiflus% and Jive Loaves of Bread,
Would have the Fragments fav'd : for, that is fweet
To fome, which others trample under feet ;
This Prifoners late Experiments may be,
Of ufe to them, who know much more than he :
For, men to credit thofe, are fooneft mov'd ;
Whofe Words to be fmcere, by Deeds, are prov'd.

By GEORGE WITHER.

- • --- -- • - ______

London, Printed in the Year, 1661.

(3)

THE

AUTHOR

OF THESE

Fragments,

TO THE

Humble, the Poor in Spirit, and to all

thofe Afflifted-Ones% who difdain

not thefe CR UMMS.

Experience, though to Fools it Miftris be
Oft, makes men Wife] For, fome effects on me
To that end it Jiath had: & though with mocks
Moft entertain my Triple-Paradox,
// will, by what enfues (I hope) appear
That, Truths, by me, therein averred were ;
And, that, whatever Jhall fucceed thereon,
My Words, and Actions, do concur r in One.
Thofe few, who did here vijit me, in love,
Seem'd, withfo much contentment to approve
Tlieir homely Entertainment with thefe Scraps,
That, tJiey were pocketed \ and fome, perhaps,

A 2 TJtem

(4)

Them, will Communicate : Which if they do,
So let it be, and much good do't them too :
I wiJJi, for their fakes, that they better were,
But, if, as they did mine, their hearts they cheere,
I, may to Conftancy, encouraged be
By their Example, more than they by me
Atprefent are ; and mutual Ayd's, ere long,
Shall make the weakeft of us, to grow flrong ;
For, by GO Us Providence, (iiot feldom) fprings
Nobleji Effects, from mojl contemned things.
"Let, all, who of thefe Fragments, Coppies had
" Thefe Lines (to be perfixt before them) add.

C A P T I-

k«^«iiSSftS

(9ipfl
<^^¥¥^H^¥¥¥¥^^^^

CAPTIVITY

IMPROVED INTO

FREEDOM

By the Grace of GOD.

GEORGE WITHER, to his Friends, who

have inquired after him y fence the latefeizure

of his Perfon, Books and Papers.

WHere I now am, you much de-
fire to hear,
What, I *mblanidfor\ what,
I wanty or fear y

Which, this will briefly tell you : I am well,
(In Purgatory, between Heaven and Hell)
My Fatty (which I acknowledge, in good footh,
May fome offend) is only writing Truth \
And, that is, in prevaricating times,
Much more offenfive, then fome hainous Crimes.

I nothing Wanty that's truly needful, fave
Due thankfulnefs to G O D, for what I have,
Who hitherto, in an unufual wife,
Without my care, vouchfafeth me fupplies ;

Which

Which hereby, I acknowledge, to this end,
That, others may in ftraits, on him depend.
All, I need now to fear, is, that before
I fhall be freed, I way be made fo poor
The Meffenger, will hardly get his fees,
Or, that the Remnant of a Loaf and Cheefe,
Which at my now forfaken Chamber lies,
Will mouldy be, or eaten by the Mife.

I do not fear, that what I have exprefl
Or publifhed, will not abide the Teft,
Unlefs my Judges, do, by looking back
The General-Pardon, ineffectual make :
For, that, which I laft wrote, was but fruit torn
Out of the Mothers Womb before 'twas born,
Which, whether Life, or Death receive it fhould,
No man with certainty, determine could ;
And, if (according unto my Appeals}
That, which I purpos'd for the Publick-weal,
And honor of the King, may be perufed
Intirely, and not palpably abufed,
By taking from, or adding theretmto,
I do defie the worft, this World can do ;
Well knowing, that, if fhe conceal what's done,
From Publick view, yet paffeth doomes thereon
Which may be to my wrong, 'twill be reveal'd
And judg'd by G O D, to whom I have appeal'd.

Though now there be not left with me, one Line
Of what I laft wrote, I no whit repine :
For, Providence will further my intent,
Thereby, much better, than the courfe I meant;
Or, elfe will raife up, if that be calcin'd,
A fprightlier Product of the felf-fame kind,
Which to obliterate, none fhall prefume,
Nor time abolifh, nor the flame confume,

Till

(7)

Till it hath took effeft to that good end,
For which I did at firft, the fame intend ;
And, Jofeph-like, when I (hall tried be,
Either the King, or GOD, will fet me free,
To whofe Free-mercies only, I appeal
Ev'n in thofe things, which I intended well :
For, extream Jnjlice, is a dreadful thing,
Whether pronounc'd by G O D, or by a King :
And, otherwhile, men of an upright-way >
Permitted are, in fomethings to mif-fay,
That Spirits may be tri'd, and thofe things known
Which are of G O D, from that, which is our own.

I have not purpofely, one Paper hid
To cloake the worft, that er'e I faid or did ;
And if men would but at my frailties wink,
Fie tell them, when they pleafe, ev'n all I think t
Although againft my Life it might offend
So, their Demands to publick wellfare tend :
For, to that purpofe, if it needful were,
I dare fay more, than many dare to hear,
(As would be known by what is now furpriz'd,
might it be read in publick, undifguis'd)
Yet, not exceed my limits ne'r-thelefs,
Or, bounds of Reafon, or of Sobernefs.

I have difcharg'd my Confciencey as I thought
The prefent times required that I ought,
Confidering, that otherwife, fuch Tools
May be of ufe ; and, men reputed Fools
Speak things, as pertinently in fome cafes
As they, who are imployd in Wife mens places.
I am not ignorant, with what difdain
Our Pantaloons my Poems entertain ;
Nor ought difpleafed, that what I have writ
Seem'd Frothy-fluffy unto a Flafliy-wit,

My

(8)

Myfowr Herbs are as pleafing to fome pallats
As Apricocks, Muskmillions, or fweet Sal lets
To wanton Appetites ; and wholfomer
Than that, wherein they more delighted are.
My Verfe, to them, feems Vanity to be ;
So feem They, and all Earthly tilings to me.
By them, I numbred with Phanaticks am,
And they, by me, reputed are the fame.
My Mufe, harm founds unto their ears applies,
Their Manners do as much offend mine eyes ;
And, if I merit Punifhment, who chid them
For things mifdone, what merit they who did them ?
Should none Reprove, but perfons wholly free
From Sinfulnefs, no Sin Reprov'd mould be ;
And where our general Reproofs offend,
Few men, their private Errors will amend.

All that is in my Thoughts, my Words or Deeds
Approvable, from GOD's free Grace proceeds,
And none deferveth blame, but I alone
(If I do) for what now is thought mifdone.
Yet, come not at me, till you may be fure
Your Vijits may no detriment procure
Unto your felves ; for (though that I am zealous
Qipublick Safety) many are fo jealous
Of our Sincerity, whom they fhall find
From them, in fome things, of a diffring mind,
That they, who walk by Gofpel and by Law,
May chance to fuffer like Jack Fletchers Daw,
Which taken among Pigeons, Pies and Crowes
For whom a Net was laid, did fpeed like thofe :
And, to help keep an Innocent from fbarving
May cenfur'd be, by fome an Ill-deferving,
Which paradventure may be now my Lot.
(If Chrijlian Charity prevent it not)

More

(9)

More to their fhame than mine, who, now have here
Been their Remembrancer, nigh fifty year.

But, for me, take you neither care nor grief \
Death, will much more advantage me than Life:
I walk not blindly, in the Paths I tread,
And they will make me fafe, alive, or dead.
I am affured, that his Providence
Which orders things of much lefs confequence
(Whether conceal'd or publiflied) will make
That which I've written, good effects to take ;
And alfo by their means, perhaps, who be
As yet difpleas'd, both with my Book and me. (then

Grant me but NA TURE'S Freedoms, and let
The Priviledge of COURTS and SINGLE-MEN
Do what they can : for, I have broke no Law
Whereof, a fober Man fhould ftand in aw ;
Nor need I Patrons ; nor ought have I done
To make me be afraid, through want of one.
I, reverence the Powers that are Supream,
And, know fo well, what doth belong to them,
That, I cannot offend by Libelling
Either againfl the Parliament, or King
As many may fuppofe ; for, VICE may be
Reprov'd, yet, they kept from Afpertions free ;
As will appear, when I have open laid
What, for my Vindication may be faid.

I love and honour more, a Foe, that's juft
Than him, whofaves my life, and breaks his truft:
And, will not thank them, who, fhall fee wherein
I merit blame, yet palliate my fin ;
Or, fhall excufe me from due punifhment,
When I fhall know my fault, and not repent.
Nor will they be excus'd, in future times, (crimes
(Though yet they may) who make our DUTIES

B Mine,

(10)

Mine, is (if any) no more but OmiJJlon
Of fomewhat ; or, at worft, but a Mifprition :
And, my Cafe now, may be refembled well,
By what, unto a Northern Laffe befel,
Who, having been corrected very fore
For calling of her younger Sifter Whore,
Which was indeed untrue ; her Mother, faid
Unto the leffer Girle, tell truly Maid,
Didjhe not call thee Whore? She anfwer'd, NO,
(She did not) but,y^<? thought to call me fo.
I know there are thofe, who confider can
What ufe there may be of an honejl Man
Who feeketh not for Honours, or for Pelf;
Hates none ; affects his Neighbour as himfelf ;
Fears nought but GOD, and his own heart \ his
Doth reverence, and can in Prifon fmg: (King
When more defire to be affected thus,
It will be better both for them and us :
And, he who makes thefe things his chief ambition
Though Wrongs he feel, can never fear Perdition.
If lefs than formerly, I am befriended,
I, and my Suff' rings, quickly mail be ended.
If I find favour, you mail hear that from me
Which, to acknowledge, it will well become me :
Till then therefore Adeiv\ and hereby know
That I am pleas'd, and well, if you be fo.

Chr. oUr reDeeMer LIVeth.

Aug. 12. 1 66 1. From Mr. Northrops, one of
the Kings Meffengers in Wejlminfter, where I
am civilly ufed.

George

(II)

George Wither, His firft Meditation,

upon his Commitment to Newgate,

Aug. 22. For his Poem called Vox

Vulgi, neither Publifhed

nor Finifhed.

I.

SO ; I do now begin to be prefer'd ;
And from an Owl within an Iviebujh,
Advanced am, to be a Newgate-Bird,
As faft incaged, as my foes need wifh.

My Feathers have fo pluckt already been
That, no more I can lofe now, but my skin,
And when that's torn away, I may prefume
My Flefh and Bones, in fhort time, will confume.

II.

I was reflrain'd before, but, not fo ftrait
Was my Reftraint, nor in fo clofe a place ;
I had my load, but not fuch overweight,
Nor feem'd I, fo expofed to difgrace.

My Friends were overcharg'd with me before,
And will, this way, be now oppreffed more :
For, that whereof my Judges me condemn,
Falls not fo much on me, as upon them.

III.

But, is this Newgate, whereof fo afraid
Offenders are ? Is this the difmall place,

B 2 Where-

(12)

Wherein, before I came, I heard it faid
There's nothing, but grief, horrour, aud difgrace ?
I find it otherwife ; and, doubtlefs, either
It is bely'd ; or, they who are fent hither,
Within themfelves, when to this houfe they come,
Bring that, which makes it feem fo troublefome.

IV.

I no worfe here, then where I was before
Accommodated am : for, though confin'd
From fomethings, which concern my Body more
Then formerly, it hath inlarg'd my mind.

Here, by degrees, with what the world moft fears
(With Torments, and their Executioners)
I may be fo acquainted, if I pleafe, (eafe.

That, things which threaten pain, fhall bring me

V.

Here, I can fee the bottom of that Pit
Which gapes to fwallow me : here, I can view
What fome, who have more profpeft, fee not yet,
Nor will, till they their fears cannot efchew.
Here, I find Objects to prepare me for
That, which myFe/kand Blood, doth moft abhor;
And, am affur'd, that, to what place foe're
I, hence am fent, that GOD, will meet me there.

VI.

Though here, my outward-being, feems no better,
But, in appearance dayly worfe to grow,
My Inward comforts and my hopes are greater,
And, will be greateft when they make leaft fhow.
Although my Oyl and Meal doth not increafe
Since I came hither, 'tis no whit the lefs:

Yea,

03)

Yea, though I am at more charge every day,
Then did of late, a weeks expence defray.

VII.

For that coft, they fupplied have, to whom

My life, it feems, is dearer, then to me ;

And, they ingaged for me are become ; (thee ?

LORD ! whence proceeds this kindnefs, but from
So is it, that, I now can hardly tell (zeal

Whether, my Friends, to fave me, mew more

Or they more malice, who have fought of late

To ruine both my Perfon, and Eftate.

VIII.

I find already, by what I have noted,
My beft Expreffwns will concealed be.
My Verfes (as the Devil Scripture quoted}
Produc'd by Scrapps, to difadvantage me.
I fee my felf oppos'd by no fmall odds,
Frown'd on, by mighty men, and mortal Gods
Who fit fo high, that they nor feel, nor know
What things are fuff'red, by poor-men below.

IX.

Not onely Railing Foes, on evety fide,
But my Acquaintance alfo, and meer Strangers,
Unjuftly, me defame, Jeer, and deride;
Threats follow me behind, before, lie dangers.
Yet to no mortal for fupport I fend,
Nor make complaints by Letter, or by Friend ;
Nor will, except to them, to whom belongs
The Judging of my Aftious, and my wrongs.

My

('4)
x.

My foul, thefe things confider well, and whence

They do proceed : confider why, likewife ;

Who, puts into thy heart, this confidence ;

Who, by unknown hands, each dayes want fupplies ;

Who, comforts doth augment as griefs increafe ;

Who, cloathes and feeds thee in this Wildernefs,
And, when Terreflrial ayds, are quite bereaven (ven.
Rains on thee, Quailes and Manna down from hea-

XI.

Mark, how this Realm is here Epitomiz'd,
As to a Bleft, and Reprobate condition :
How Mercies, and how Judgements are defpis'd,
By mofb men, at the brinck of their perdition ;
How few, be wrought upon, in either place,
By Threatnings, or by promifes of Grace.
How many, laugh, fmg, fwear, curfe and Blafpheme
Even when, Hell, ready feems to fwallow them.

XII.

Here, thou fhalt fee, that meer Stupidity
And gracelefnefs, tranfporteth many a man
To out-face Death, with lefs Timidity
Then fome with all their Moral Verities can :

Here, thou fhalt learn, that if thy Profecutions,
Thy zeal, thy Courage and thy Refolutions
Spring onely, from a Natiiral Eftate,
Thou, with all thefe, mayft be a Reprobate.

XIII.

Let therefore, thefe Experiments, which are
Be enteraain'd ; and, if henceforth God fhould

(As

('5)

(As he perhaps will) common helps withdraw,
Let them quite go, and catch on him f aft hold.
For, if thou then defpaire, or fhalt diftruft
His Love, who never was to thee unjuft,
This, will then prove to be a carnal-boaft,
And, thou, with all thy vain hopes wilt be loft.

XIV.

Since alfo, thou doft feel thy heart more prone,
Byfmi/es and favours, to be drawn afide,
Then by harfli ufage, to be wrought upon,
Let thy weak'ft Bulwarks be moft fortifi'd,

Left, they, who have not ftrength enough to win
The Fort by force, by Stratagems get in ;
And, thou then ruin'd, be paft all repair,
As many are, by thofe, who fpeak them fair.

XV.

That Spirit, try, which thy Refolves begets ;
For, other while, as refolute are they
Who are poffeffed but with Ranting-Fits,
As any, in whom Pajfion bears no fway. (Madnefs,
Contempt of Torment, fometimes fprings from
Stontnefs, from Anger, or defpairing-fadnefs\
Martyrs, and men, of Reprobated fence,
Bear fuffrings, with fmall outward difference.

XVI.

Search thou thy heart, therefore, with prudent care,
That, Malice, Pride, nor Vengeance lurk therein :
That Love of GOD, and all mankinde be there,
Linckt with a deteftation of all Sin ;

And, if thou find it fo, be not afraid

What e're againft thee fhall be done or faid:

For,

(.16)

For, Refolutions built upon that Rock,

Will, of all raging Stormes, endure the Shock.

XVII.

Though Princes in their SupreamCouncils blame thee,
And fuch as zxtprophane, FANNATICK call thee;
They fhall not able be, to fright or fhame thee,
By any confequent which may befall thee :
And, if fo prudently thou guide, thy Pen
That, when it ftrikes at faults, it fpares the men,
The Wife will from the Fools, themfelves devide,
And, every Juft-mans Vote, be on thy fide.

XVIII.

Though it alwayes proves not, do not grieve
Nor vex thereat : for, what GOD calls thee to,
To put in Execution thou fhalt live,
In fpight of all this froward world can do;

And future times, will laugh to fcorn the farms
And Mountains, rais'd by Gyants, againft worms
When they fhall fee, (which they will fee at laft)
The Toivers of Babel on their Builders cart.

XIX.

Make Jefus Chrift, to be the fole Foundation,
Of thy Affettion, of thy Hope and Truft,
Of thy Belief, of thy Sanflification,
Of all thy Mujings, and of all thou doft :

For, nothing Juflifies, but, doth Condemn,
That is not, In, for, from, and by him,
Without refpect to any Intereft,
Except, what, with his Glory, may confift.

LORD,

('7)

LORD, thou haft, by renewing, in fome meafure
My much depraved Will, inclined me,
In all things, to fubmit to thy good pleafure,
Let what's defective, now, made perfe<5l be,
That, known it may be to this Generation,
Man may attain to fuch a Resignation,
That, he fhall more delight, thy will to do,
Then, that, which his own ivill, provokes him to.

XXI.

Prais'd be thy Blefled Name, who, as thou didft
For Jofeph (when he was in Prifon bound)
For me, in my Imprifonment provid'ft,
And, by tinyfervants, every where art found :
Be with me, as to be thou haft begun,
Until my Generation Work is done,
And, when that's fmifh'd, for which I was born,
Let me with Joy, into thine Arms return.

To the Right Honourahle the Lord Mayor,

and the reft of the Commiffioners of the

Peace and Jail-delivery, for the City

of London, now Affembled in a

General Sejfions.

T/te Humble Petition of George Wither.

THe faid Petitioner, having fix and thirty years
now paft (before the great Peftilence raged)
lived in this City ( about half that time,
after he came to mature Age) did in Affe6tion
C there-

thereunto, make here, his Voluntary Refidence,
when hundreds of thoufands forfook their Habita
tions, that if GOD fpared his life during that
mortality, he might be a Remembrancer of his Judge
ments and Mercies, both to this City, and the
whole Nation ; which he performing according to
his ability, hath hitherto (with his life onely, and
a good Confcience) efcaped the Plagues of War, Po
verty, Peftilences, and Parliaments', and is now a
Prifoner in your Jail of Newgate, in order to be
try'd, by the Hoiife of Commons, at their next
Meeting, for intending to offer to the private
confideration of the Lord Chancellor of England, a
Poem called Vox Vttlgi, furprized (before it was
fmifhed) in this Petitioners hands; who being
lately fo Totally deprived of a confiderable eftate
as not to be left worth this piece of Paper, is in
danger through want of neceffaries, to perim with
in your Walls, before the time of his Tryal will
come, unlefs GOD (as he hath lately done) fhall
Extraordinarily provide him his dayly bread, by
the Charity of fome, who, perhaps are fcarce able
to provide for themfelves and Families.

The faid Petitioner therefore, ( conceiving
him f elf obliged by the Law of Nature, to do
what he can to preferve his life (though there be
nothing therein confiderable, for its own fake)
humbly prayes your Honours that, if he can
procure Bail, it may be accepted for his ap
pearance, when it fhall be required, before
the faid Hoitfe of Commons ; who being the
Reprefentative of them, whofe welfare he hath
preferred before his own, and the Court to

whofe

(19)

whofe doom hefccms to be referred by the War
rant for his Commitment hit/ier, the faid
Petitioner, will patiently fubmit thereunto.

If it be in your Power, and may Jland
with your good plcafure to vouchfafe him
this humble requeft, the faid Petioner
thankfully acknowledging your Juftice
and compajfion, will pray for you as in duty
he is bound.

George Wither.

The foregoing Petition, being delivered to
the Lord Mayor at the Seffions, and no
Bail allowed to the Petitioner, he forth
with compofed this Epigram.

To the City of London.

WEre I, a Perfon, who had power to better
Thy Trade, or make thy Priviledges grea-
Or take away thy Citizens Eftates, (ter

Thy Walls difmantle, or break down thy Gates,
I had been lookt upon, though I had done
To thee no kindnefs, neither meant thee one.
But, of his love, there is no value made
Who nought can to to thy wealth or greatnefs add,
Though he his life mould hazzard for thy fake,
That, thee for ever, he might happy make.

C 2 BAIL,

(20)

BAII, will not be vouchfafd; but, I muft lie
Among thy Rogues, expos'd to live or die ;
To ftarve or begg; and wholly be debar'd
Of Liberty, unpitied and unheard
For doing what was honeftly intended ;
And, wherein, I againft no Law offended.
This is, I muft confeffe, nor lefs nor more,
Then, I had reafon to expect before :
Yet, all my labour, is not caft away,
For, it occafion gives me, thus to fay.

I wifh'd thee well, and will, what ever fhall
To me, in my extremities befall ;
For, here's a number yet within this place,
Who are of thofe in whom the Seeds of Grace
So fru&ifie, that GOD hath fuperfeded
For their fakes, that for which his Juftice pleaded;
And I have in my perfonal diftreffe
So tailed of their Charitablenefs,
That, thereby I, enjoying health, and life
(My felf not feeking, but thy peace in chief)
Expect that Juftice only, from thy hands
Whereon thine honour and thy welfare ftands ;
Which neither is thy Riches, or thy Power
For, thefe may come to nothing, in one hour;
And, if to them, thou overmuch incline,
I will not change my poor eftate for thine.

Among the Prodigies, by many feen
This year, I, might for one, have numbred been,
If I, fhould all Particulars relate
Which do concern my Perfon and Eftate :
But, they muft now Phanaticks counted be
Who, either do believe what they fhall fee,
Or dare take notice, of thofe things that vary
From GOD's proceed, in courfes ordinary;

And,

(21)

And, therefore, I think fitting to conceal them,
Till that, which is to follow, doth reveal them,
To manifefb, without all Dubitation,
That, God hath fpoken to this Generation.
Mean while, I'le fuffer: for, our Peace mufb now
Not from our Actings, but, from fuff'rings flow.

Yet, whether, I deferve refpe6l or blame,
Know LONDON, fmce I now thy Prifoner am,
That, if I have not wherewith to fubfift
Thou art oblig'd, to find me bread, at leaft,
Whilft here I fhall confinement undergo,
Though I had alwayes been thine open foe ;
And, that 'tis Tyranny (what ere they are)
To lay on any, more they can bear.
Know likewife, that, if here I (hall mifcarry
Through lack of what, for life is neceffary
Thou, thereby forfeiteft, (as I conceive)
A better Charter, then the King can give :
Becaufe, through want of Charity to foes,
Much more to Friends, our part in Chrift we lofe.

What I have been to thee, it hath been fhown ;
What thou to me art, it will now be known.
And, poffibly, another Generation
Will heed, that I am fomewhat to this Nation,
Deferving better, then that lie I fhould
Within a Jail, at feventy three years old,
For acting and defigning nothing worfe
Then, how to fave them from a greater curfe.

Look to your felves ; For, whether bond or free
I am; I know, my GOD, will look to me;
And, I and mine, fhall be both cloath'd and fed,
When they who flieghted us, want Robes & bread.

So believeth George Wither.

Ano-

(22)

Another Meditation, (or Ballad as the World
perhaps, will call it) compofed by the
fame Prifoner fmce his Commit
ment to Newgate.

I.

MY Soul, fmce we are left alone,
In our Confinement here,
Where we difturbed are of none,
To God, come, draw we near.
For, part of his three dreadful WOES,

Are now, fo carrying on,
That, if to him, we cling not clofe
We may be quite undone.

II.

Our felves, let us examine fo,

That though our foes condemn,
We may, for what we did mifdo,

Make now our Peace with him ;
Left, when the world hath fully try'd,

How, here we may be vext,
We, greater mifefies mufb abide

Where, fhe will throw us next.

III.
SIN, to full ripenefs, is not come,

nor malice, to her heights ;
And, we e're they receive their Doom
May look for more defpights.

Thefe,

(23)
Thcfe, which we have endured yet,

Have been fuftain'd with eafe;
But, GOD, it may he will permit

Much harder things then thefe.

IV.

"Tis but the Suburbs unto Hell,

whereto, we now are fent ;
And (for the future) none can tell

What, hereto us is meant.
To better men, worfe things befall

Then feem to be our Meed \
And, our Afflictions are but fmall,

To thofe, which may fucceed.

V.

We have not that dark Dungeon feen

Wherein, is endlefs Night \
Nor in thofe, Lowfee lodgings been

Which ev'ry fence affright ;
We feel not that, which many lack ;

Nor Bolts, nor Gives we wear,
Fit things for Belly and for Back,

As yet, fupplyed are.

VI.

With ficknefs, we are not oppreft,

In body, or in mind;
No outward cares difturb our reft

No Inward fears we find.
For, all the fufT rings wherewith we

As yet, afflicted feem
Are onely fuch as grievous be,

In other mens efteem.

But,

(24)

VII.

But, fhould I, (being old and poor)

Difeafed grow within,
With Aches, have my Limbes made fore,

Or, with an Ulcer'd skin
Be turn'd into the Common Jail

To lie upon the ground,
And, all thofe outivard helpes quite fail

Which I have lately found.

VIII.

Should this befall us, where might then

Our hope and courage be ?
This, happens oft to Righteous men,

And, this, may fall on me.
What, but complaints and mournful cryes

Would then, be in this place ;
Harts aking, or dill weeping eyes,

Scorns, and defpaire of Grace ?

IX.

Thefe will be then the beft Reliefs,

That, Flejh and Blood can fee,
To cure or Mitigate their Griefs

Where fuch Defertious be.
Yet, be of nought (my Soul] afraid,

For, by his Angels, then,
Shall GOD's Affiftance be convaid

When thou art left of men.

X.

They came unto the Rich mans door
At which the Lazar dy'd,

And

(25)

And, him to reft Eternal bore

To whom, he Crums deny'd ;
And when Elias had of bread

The meanes deprived quite,
He by the Ravenous Fowls was Fed

At Morning, and at night.

XL

Their GOD is mine', and if in him,

My Trujl, I ftill repofe,
He, will to me, be as to Them,

To fave me from my Foes.
Or, if of that depriv'd I am

which fed me to this day,
I know he will fupply the fame

As well, another day.

XII.

The Earth is his, with her increafe,

And wafted were her ftore,
He hath within a Richer place,

Enough, to fend me more ;
And, till it comes; That which do\hjtarve,

Difcomfort and dejlroy ;
My life (whilft ufeful) fhall preferve,

And more increafe my Joy.

XIII.

The Plagues, which others to Defpair,

And to Blafpheming move,
Shall ftir me up, to Praife, and Prayer,

And fill my heart with Love.
Yea, that which on the Kings of Earth

Will dreadful horrors bring,

D Shall

(26)

Shall make me with Triumphant Mirth,
A HALL EL UJAH Sing.

XIV.

The Piirging Fire, which them doth burn,

Who, therein Raving, lye,
Thy Droffe (my Soul) to GW^fhall turn,

Thy Silver, Purifie.
And, when thy Fiery-tryaVs paft,

No lofs will come to thee,
If thy works Fixt on CHRIS T, thou haft,

Though built of Straw they be.

XV.

Refolves, which I had not before,

Thefe Mufings do beget;
And though, her Furnace feven times more,

The World, henceforth fhall heat,
My Soul, return thou to thy Reft ;

For, GOD, hath me affur'd,
That, were I ten times more oppreft,

It mould be well endur'd.

XVI.

How bleffed is that Heavnly Place,

Where thou, Oh CHRIST, doth dwell /
If thou canft bring fuch Joy and Peace,

Into this Earthly Heltt
He, with whom, thou ftill prefent art,

What ere on him is laid,
If, thee he loves withall his heart,

Needs, no where be afraid.

Mewgate, Sept. 3. i 6 6 i.

KRe-

(27)

A Return, in Anfwer to fome of them, who fent to
know how it fares with me in my Imprifonment.

GOD, gave me Grace ; by Grace I did conceive
kfaving Faith \ \yyfaving Faith I live.
My life of Fait Ji, hath had a prefervation,
By Hearing, Acting, and by Meditation.
By Meditation, I reduce to Words
What my Experience in this life affords.
By that Experience which I have attain'd,
A Patience in my troubles I have gain'd ;
My Patience hath fuch hopefulnefs begot,
That, this dif graceful Prifon fhames me not.
Though I am poor (and, as our Proverb fayes)
As poor as Job] unto my God be praife,
I am no Beggar ; for, I have not yet,
Been forc'd to ask for Money, Clothes, ot Meat ;
Nor tempted (having dayly bread) to borrow
Through fear of wants, that may befal to Morrow :
And, well remembring, who was pleas'd to fay
There's Care enough belonging to each Day,
I, for a day to which I may not live,
Will not of what I have, my felf deprive.
With my Condition, I am pleas'd, and merry,
Of my long-fit firings I am not grown weary.
And wifh thofe who purfue me with mod hate
No worfe, then to enjoy the like e'ftate,
Except my Bands. I have acquir'd this reft,
By thofe Means and Degrees, afore expreft,
And, this, unfeignedly, to you declares
How, at this prefent time, with me it fares.

Sept. 7. 1661.

from Newgate. George Wither.

D 2 A

(28)

A Pafs-By, in Relation to thofe, who feem offend
ed at my Frequent- S crib lings, as they call them.

ME thinks, I hear fome fay, who look upon
Thefe Papers; will this felloiv ner have done?
Which Queftionifts, I, with a fmile, contemn,
Suppofmg, labour loft, in anfwering them:
For, nothing is more pleafmg to their ears
Then Scurril Pamphlets, Bawdy Rimes, and Jeers.
To them alone, therefore, who take delight
In wholfome words, He fhew why flill I write;
Prefuming, that my Reafons will not feem
To merit, altogether, difefteem.
Although my former Poems, and my Mufings
Had not until of late Dayes, thofe perufmgs
Which I expected, nor now valued be
Of many, they have much refrefhed me ;
And, otherwile, for fupplements have flood
Inftead of fleep, of Rayment, and of Food.
In Troubles, me, they more content have made
Then Wealth, Repute, and all the Friends I had.
They caufe me to be fearlefs of my Foes ;
When I am vext, my fpirit they compofe;
When I am Poor, they are in (lead of Wealth,
When I am Sick, they help repair my Health ;
When I am Well, they are my Recreation,
When tempted to Defpair, Hopes Reparation.
Thereby, when Sadnefs comes, to Mirth I turn it ;
When I %.mjlieghted, they do make me fcorn it.
In Prifons, when my Body is confm'd
They do fo many wayes inlarge my Mind
That, doubting whether will for me prove beft,
The Freedom loft, or that which is Poffejl,

I ufe

(29)

I ufe the means of Both ; but, wholly leave

The choice to GOD; and what he gives receive.

They are Companions, when I'm left alone;

They find me work to do, when I have none.

By day, me from ill Company they keep ;

Make nights lefs tedious, when I cannot Jleep.

They eafe me, when I am oppreft with wrongs ;

When I want Mufick, they do make me Songs.

To Friends, who like them (where's no bettet cheer)

They, acceptable Entertainments are :

Oft, likcwife, I make ufe of them, inftead

Of Charms, when, I of Fools would fain be rid ;

For, if I read them, but a page or two,

They ftrait, grow weary, and away they go. (mind,

They fix thoughts, which would quite flip out of

And, when writ down, I them, know where to find ;

Yea, other men, thereby, have oft teceived

Ref re fitments, if their words may be believed:

And (which is more then all this) to GOD's praife,

They are, and may be ufeful, fundry wayes.

For thefe refpedls, whoever (hall appear

Pleas'd or difpleas'd, to me my Mufmgs are

Confiderable ; and if any one

They do offend, them, he may let alone;

For, though they have been tendred unto many,

I never, yet, inforced them on any,

Againft their wills; except perhaps it were

To fave them, whofe deftruction I thoughr near;

And, (I will not be (hie the Truth to fay

No men, have worfe requited me, then they :

But peradventure, if that dead I were,

None daring to be their Remembrancer,

(As I have been) they may more mifchiefd be

Through want of one, then troubled now by me.

George

(30)

George Wither's Appollogy for compojlng the
Poem called Vox Vulgi; being a Welcome
home from the Counties, Citties and
Burroughs, to their Prevaricating Mem
bers ; faving the honour of the Houfe of
Commons, and of every faithfull and di-
fcreet Individual member thereof ; which Po
em was furprifed before quite Jiniflied.

The Contents.

The Author, here makes his defence ;
Clears his affperfed Innocence ;
And frees himfelfe, from Juft fufpition,
Of acting ought, without Commiffion.

HEre, I have time to meditate upon,
What, I my felf, and other men have done,
Occafioning myfuffering, at this time,
And, in relation to what's thought my Crime :
Left, therefore, I may him offend who gave it,
I will improve this Leifure, whilft I have it ;
For, when my Mufings, are expreft in words,
The better means to Scan them it affords ;
And to declare, what I fhall now expreffe,
I may hereafter, want both Time, and Place ;
Or, being dead, before my Tryal-day,
My falfe Accufors, to my charge may lay,
What they fhall pleafe ; and none be certain, why
I was committed in this Jayl to die.
GOD give me ftrength, to finifh this; and than,
Let all my foes, do, and fay, what they can.

I

(3O

I am not only qucftion'd, for a thing,
Prcfum'd mifdone, but alfo, for the Spring
Whence 'tis deriv'd ; and pleaf'd fome are, to fay
That rending of my whole EJlate away,
Had me provok'd unto an angry-fit,
Which was the Caufe, of what I lately writ ;
And, that I had a fcurrulous intent.
To caft affpertions on the Parliament.
To make it fo appear, depriv'd I am,
Of what beft proves, that, I deferve no blame.
My laft Conception, (which, before to Light
It could be brought, was fnatcht out of my fight)
May forced be to fpeak, what I ne'r thought,
Or, elfe, be fmother'd, as a birth worth nought :
Or, (that an ill intention may appear)
Some Verfes may be pickt out here and there,
(Without thofe Qualify ings, which precede,
Or follow, to illuftrate what they read)
Whereby, fome Inferences may be made,
That, on Good-manners, I, intrenched had,
In fumming up, and perfonating that
Which I have heard, the Common-voice relate :
Thus much to be intended doth appear,
By what, I do already^ and hear.
\\l\i\c\ifalfehood, if, but barely I deny
I fliall in words alone, retort the Lie',
And, Reafon may be born down by the noifes,
Arifmg from plurallity of Voices,
Yeld forth by them, who fhall intrude to do,
That, which nor GOD, nor Good-men calls them to.
I, therefore, will produce a Vindication,
That may be juftifi'd by demonflration ;
Or, by fuch Reafons as will do me right ;
Unleffe they fhall be kept from open fight,

Or

(32)

Or dipt ; or, I not fuffered be to fay

That, which to clear, my felf produce I may :

And, if fo ; by the confciences of them

I mail be quit, whofe words will me cendemn.

My Catife, may for the prefent, injur'd be;
But, all the World can do no harm to me.
Though that which is without me, wrong' d hath
And may be ftill, all mail be fafe within, (been
So long as GOD, affifteth me, by whom
I, with this confidence, am arm'd become;
And peradventure, they who think to fpoil,
This confidence, may give themfelves the foile.

Their fcandal, in the firft place, He affay,
To wipe off, who fuppofe my loffes may
Provoke me, or, that my opprefjlons had
Prevail'd, to make me grow a little mad ;
But, they miftaken are in that furmife ;
For, to the world-ward, I am fo wife,
To be by them difhempred, in a mood
Like thofe, who trufh in Riches more than GOD;
And, by what I am like to undergoe,
It will be proved, whether it be fo.

I am not fo in love, as men conceive,
With that, whereof the World can me bereave,
As to ingage, for fuch poor Interefbs,
My quiet in this life, by thofe contefts
Which I adventure on, if I faw nought, (thought:
That much more worth fuch hazards, I had
And, this mind, if my Actions did not mew,
In former times, thofe will that mall enfue,
When, more undoubtedly thofe things appear,
Which of my Writings, the chief motives were.
And will mew whether, I did ought intend
To drive on an ignoble, or felj f-end.

It

(33)

It may he known, by what was heretofore
Divulg'd, that, nothing now befalls me more
Then I expected ; That, I did forefee
What lately feiz'd on other men and me:
That, having been here, in the Worlds great School
So long a time, I was nor fo much Fool,
As not to know, how, Friends, and means to make
In feafonable time to fave my flake
And mend my Game ; if I unto that end
Had play'd it, which moft other men intend ;
Or, if I thought thofe men, who look on me
With moft contempt, were better then they be.
I knew as well as any, how to Fawn,
And flatter ; what to give, and what to Pawn
For my advantage, if I could have thought
That, worth my feeking, for which moft men fought.
But though I find it an imperfett Light
Whereby at firft, I walk'd, it gave me fight
Of much more then the World believ'd, I faw,
And, kept me of mine own heart fo in awe,
That, notwithftanding I did for a feafon
Oft ftagger to and fro, 'twixt Faith and Reafon,
(And ftumbled otherwhile, into thofe things
Which Ruine, unlefs Grace prevention brings)
I, in the main, purfu'd a Good Defign ;
(Not, I confefs, by any power of mine)
And by fome Symptoms, at the laft, perceiv'd,
That, till of my Eftatt, I was bereav'd,
My ivork, would neither well be carryed on
(When that time came, wherein it fhould be done)
Nor, take fo good effe6l, as it would then,
Upon my Self, or upon other men.
For, which caufe, when I faw it muft be fo,
Without relu6lancy, I, let all go,

E And

(34)

And without nourifhing a fecret fpleen
Againft their perfons, who my foes have been.
This, future things, much better will difplay
Then all which at this prefent, I can fay;
As alfo, that, they who from me of late,
Have torn unmercifully, my Eftate ;
By far worfe motives thereunto were led,
Then thofe, which me inclin'd to what I did.
Lofs to prevent, or to regain what's loft,
I did adventure no more pains or coft,
Then Reafon warranted, and obligations
Which bound me to have care of my Relations ;
Or might, then, by purfuing of that courfe
Affure me, how much better' d, or grown worfe
Men, by thofe Judgements and thofe Mercies were,
Which GOD, had varioufly difpenfed here ;
And, having thereby learned what GOd meant
I, with my loffes was as well content
As is a Chriftian when by Turks purfu'd
(Who overpower him by their multitude)
He wracks his Vejfell on a friendly more,
Where, he hath Life and Freedom, though no more.

Why, fhould I angry be to fee that gone
Which if I had not loft, had me undone ?
Which alfo, will undo them, who now have it,
And (if good heed he take not) him that gave it ?
Or, which will be reftor'd again to me,
If, for GOD's Glory, and my good it be ?
Why, fhould I be difpleas'd to be bereft
Of that, whofe lofs hath an affurance left
Of better things ? Of that, which, whilft poffeft,
Increaft my troubles, and difturb'd my reft ?
Of that, which I muft fhortly leave (though mine)
And, know not (when the fame I muft refign)

Whether,

(35)

Whether, it to their Weal or Woe, (hall tend,
To whom, when I am dead, it will defcend ?

Thefe things confidered, all wife men know
That, nor thefe, nor my former Mujings flow
From difcontentments, or from wrath that fprings
From lofs of inconfiderable things :
And Wifemens, good efteems, if keep I may,
A rufli I care not, whatfoo/s think or fay,
On whom, the lefs impreflion it will make,
The more I rationally write, or fpeak.

But, that, whereby moft blame to me may come,
(And, which will probably be charged home)
Is an Impeachment for a hainous thing
That fome are pleas'd to call a Lybelling
Againfl the COMMONS ; which, if proved true
He ask no favour : For, I think none due ;
And, if it be an unjuft imputation
I for vpy fufferings claim a Reparation,
Expecting (which ought not to be refus'd)
That, what is call'd a Lybd be produc'd
To open view, and fight of ev'ry one
Who may concerned be, in what is done :
And, that, none may ufurp a Priviledge
Thereon to paffe a Sentence as my Judge,
Who fhall not read, or hear the fame throughout :
For, Solomon hath freed it fo from doubt
That, to averr, I fhall not be a fear'd,
He, that doth Cenfure what he never heard,
Defervethjhame\ And I fhall rather laugh
And Jeer thereat, then either grieve or chafe;
Becaufe, (at worft) I, then a Doome fhall have,
Much like as if, a Fool had call'd me Knave.
If left to Publick view, my Poein be,
And finifht as intended was by me

E 2 No

(36)

No worfe conftru&ion, thereof can be made
Then this, that, I have call'd a Spade a Spade;
And, means devis'd, whereby men may appear
Unto theinf elves, what others know they are.

By fained fpeakers, I have onely faid
What was to me by Common-fame convey'd
And murmur'd in moft places, to worfe ends
Then that, wheteto my harmlefs Poem tends :
And, if I may prefume the Truth to tell
/ am rewarded ill, for doing well :
For, thereby, I not onely turn'd afide
That general reproach which was apply'd
To all the Houfe of Commons, and, alone
To them confin'd it, who brought blame thereon ;
But, likewife, without perfonally blaming
(Or marking any forth) to their defaming,
Have fought to bring it to their Cognifance,
Who might thereby, the Publick weal advance ;
And, who, if it prov'd worthy Approbation
Might ufeful make it for the Reformation
Of that, which elfe, will have a Coufequence
More hurtful, then my Innocent-Offence,
For, though by publication, I had done
What might have feem'd a fault ; (and now is none)
The Generality but little more
Had thereby known, then what mofb knew before,
When to worfe ends, and more apparant wrongs
'Twas toft, upon the Rackets of mens Tongues;
Who, fo diffatisfied feem to be
By what, they lately/?*/, and hear and fee,
That very frequently they are offended
Ev'n with what for their welfare, feems intended ;
Becaufe, they having often been deceiv'd
Sufpe6l, tome future mifchiefs then conceiv'd :

Yea,

(37)

Yea, then, are things, when plaufibly projected,
The leffe believed, and the more fufpe&ed ;
Not by thofe onely, who now called are
Phanaticks, but, by thofe likewife that were
Diftinguifh'd by the name of Cavalier;
Yea, and our Jacks indifferent, do begin
To be more Talkative then they have been,
Becaufe, they find themfelves in danger (whether
They arc of this, or that fide, or of neither)
So long, as things which Reafon order might,
Shall paffe by number onely, without weight.

To intimate, that, Parliaments had been
Difturb'd, by fome of thofe, who were brought in
A furrepticious way; and, that by them
The People were abus',d is no great crime ;
Nor is affirming, that they were deceiv'd
Unfitting to be fpoken, or believ'd,
When generally avow'd ; nor to averr
A Parliament in grojfe, may fometimes err,
Since, neither to be wife, or Innocent,
Is, an infeperable Accident
Of Parliaments ; as hath apparant been,
By that, which we in our own dayes have feen :
For, that, they may with Treafon, and with Murther,
Be charged, we mail need to look no further
Then, unto thofe Tranfactions which have pad,
Both in this Parliament, and in the lajl.

What have I then misdone in making known
How foolifh, mad, or wicked fome were grown ?
How much opprefl men are ; how griev'd ; and how
Exafperated, more and more, they grow ?
What fault commit I, when I hear men fay
What's done, and what I fee done every day,

If

(38)

If I declare (/edition to prevent)
That I perceive mod men are difcontent,
And froward ? fmce I neither made them fuch,
Nor, therein am concerned half fo much
As other men ? nor did intend a courfe
Thereby, to make what's evil, to be worfe ?
And, fmce, by that, which lately written was
By me, no mifchief can be brought to paffe,
Unlefs, by accident befall it may,
As when Heat melteth Wax, and hardens Clay.
It feems hard ufage (therefore) to be thrown
Into a Jail\ of all that was mine own,
In my old Age difpoil'd ; fhut up alone,
Where, fick or well (attended on by none)
I mufb in longeft nights the hazzards take
Of what may happen, fleeping or awake ;
Not impudent enough, to beg or borrow,
Nor having certainty of bread, to morrow,
If Charity mould fail : which, is a cafe
Much worfe, then oft befalleth in this place,
To Thieves and Murtherers : yet, this is not
Here mention'd as repining at my Lot;
For, whereas I am onely lodged there,
Where Murtherers and Thieves confined are,
The Son of GOD, who for my Ranfome dy'd
Was twixt a Thief and MurtKrer crOctfi 'd :
And, in my prefent fufT rings I am eas'd,
By being well affur'd, that GOD is pleas'd
With what befals ; and that I fhall at laft
Be fill'd vtlthfweetnefs, by what had a tafte
Of Bitter nefs at firft ; and, that to them
Who, me aud my endeavour now contemn,
Things may hereafter profitable be,
Which are at prefent, mifchievous to me.

Defpifed

(39)

Dcfpifcd Injlruments will be of ufe
To bring to mind, that which will help reduce
Confufion into order, when apply 'd
By Meeknefs, and not fpurned at by Pride \ (Jeer'd
And, things which by the world, as much were
As JofuaKs Rams-horns, when he firft appear'd
Surrounding Jericho, will bring about
As great a Miracle, as then was wrought ;
Though no Examples, yet, nor good advice,
Nor private Admonitions make thofe wife,
Who have not Eyes to fee, what they behold
Nor Ears, to hear a Truth, when it is told.

The hour is not yet come, which I expect
May probably give this a good effect.
But, there are times wherein that will content
For which, we fhall at other times be fhent.
My Poem, filled OPOBALSAMUM,
(Though) more offenfive, then my laft, to fome)
The Commons (named the Long Parliament}
Did winck at, without fhow of difcontent :
Yea, though in plain terms, I made bold to tell
Wherein, their faulty -members did not well.
I, then (as in the laft) had fo divided
The Goats from Sheep; and had fo well provided
To fave their honour, who leaft guilty were
That (though when that firft Poem, did appear,
I was to them a Prifoner, for telling
What fome of them to hear of, were unwilling)
They me inlarged, and vouchfaf'd me more
Refpect in fhow, then e're they did before.
For, prudently obferving, that the fliame
Which they in chief deferv'd, who were to blame,
Was upon all, without diftinction flung,
(Till, unto thofe to whom it did belong,

I had

(40)

I had confin'd it) not one word was fpoken
To me, which their difpleafure might betoken ;
And, fome good ufe was made, (though I confefs
Not very much) of what I did exprefs :
And, when, by time, that out of mind was wore,
I, had as little favour as before.
And, fo I have had alfo, ever fmce ;
For, ftill, fome at my writings took offence,
And more my wrongs, by one foe, one day, were
Then all my Friends, could right in twenty year.

I may have hope, the Commons before whom
I muft be try'd, as prudent will become.
The Priviledge of WATERFORD affords,
The Freedom of explaining their own words
To all her Citizens. If my words are
Allow'd but that Senfe onely, which they bear
Grammatically, I no more defire,
So that my Poem be preferv'd intire,
And perfected with my laft thoughts thereon
According to my mind when 'twas begun.
For, no great credit gain thereby they fhall
Who weigh a matter, till they hear it all,
And, they will much bewray their ignorances,
Who heed not Caufes, with their Circumftances.

There was before my Book, an Epigram
Whereby, I wholly Vindicated am
From that which is pretended; and, I hear
That will not be permitted to appear.
If fo, I find it, there is mifchief meant
Which I mail find a Medium to prevent,
Unlefs there be, in fome an impudence
Much more deferving blame then my offence.
That Epigram did evidently mew
My Book defigned for the private view

Of

Of Clarendon, (fuppos'd fo wife and juft,
That, him, the King is pleafed to intruft
Ev'n with his Conference} to receive his Doom
Before, that forth in Publick it fhould come :
Becaufe, that, I was hopeful it might bring
By means of him, fome notions to the King
Whereof his Wifdom, would have made fome ufe
To further, what mail to his Weal conduce;
And, if that Epigram concealed be
It both diflionours him, and injures me.
For, lyable it makes him, to fufpecl:
That, me, in /// de/igns, he doth prote6l;
The wrong to me is without precedent,
For, e're I had expreffed what I meant
With my imperfecl: Poem, I was feiz'd ;
Accus'd of whatfoever others pleas'd,
And here, unto an ignominious Jail
Committed am unheard, and without Bail.
I hope for better ufage, when the Ring
Qtfuff'rings I have trod, till me it bring
Before my Judges: (for what e're is thought)
Their honour, I have not infring'd in ought.
Their charge, againfl me, I, yet no not how
May honeftly be prov'd ; but, this I know,
The Houfe of Commons may much honour get
By well approving that which I have writ
(Confidering, I therein have appeal'd,
To GOD, and men) if, it be not conceal'd.
From open view, and mulcts upon me laid
For mentioning in private, what was faid,
In publick by the People •; who, thereby
And, therein, are concern'd as much as I ;
Becaufe, my purpofe, in that Poem, tends
To common good, without fmifter ends.

F And,

(42)

And, if we to our felves, may not relate,
Our thoughts in words, and them Communicate
To Peers intrufted by the Supream Power,
(For Prefervarion of their peace and our)
We are in danger, fhortly, to become
The veriefrjlaves throughout all Chriftendom.
But, (as I faid in that which was furpriz'd)
The Prudent Commons, will be fo advis'd
When they with ferioufnefs, have that perufed
Whereby, they are fuppos'd by me abufed,
That, finding none reproved fave onely thofe,
Who them in their debatings did oppofe ;
And, that they likewife (after next October,
Who were half mad in June'] wife, and grow fober
Will mend their former manners, and become
As helpful, as they have been troublefome;
Both Parties then, will, perad venture be
Thenceforth, as fully, reconcil'd to me
As I to all men am ; and, what was not
Ill-meant, fhall be well taken, or forgot.
If it be fo ; It will a Symptome prove
Of an abatement, if not of remove,
Of fome oppreffions, to prepare the way
For what's referv'd, untill another day.
But, to what end is this Apologie ?
Not meerly, from this place wherein I lie,
To free my Perfon ; or, from that, which may
To me befall upon my Tryal-day.
No ; thofe effects, muft from an abler fpirit
Proceed : All I can fay, or do, or merit,
To add a contribution thereunto,
So, little, will to fuch a purpofe do,
That, rather, provoke more my Foes, I fhall
And deeper, into their difpleafure fall :

For,

(43)

For, 'tis not pleading in the fitted Scafon
A Righteous Caufe, with Arguments Reafon ;
Nor is it our well-doing-, or our faying
The Truth ; nor Preaching-, nor unto them, Praying-,
Nor our long-fuff' rings ; nor (when paft they are)
Goodferviccs to them, how great fo er'e,
That fo much moves, as Flattery, making Friends,
Large Gifts, and ferving of their prefent ends.

I, therefore, have but an occafion took
Thereby, to mention fomewhat, yet unfpoke
A Nobler Caufe concerning then mine own,
(And whereon, Words will better be beftown)
Wholly to GOD committing the fuccefs
Make that, the chief aim of what I exprefs.
For, hearing what is done, (by common Fame)
And partly knowing, that, oblig'd I am
Not by my Natural faculties alone,
On me conferred for that end, (or none)
But, alfo, by my Chriftianity,
(And, not a little, by a Moral-Tie)
^vfpeak, and write, and do the beft I may,
To bring them who are out, into their way ;
And, He exprefs, what e're to that effe6l
I do believe may tend ; without refpe<5l
To Perfons of a high or low degree ;
Or, any Powers on Earth, who e're they be.

Councills and Parliaments, and Soveraign Kings,
I do acknowledge to be Sacred things,
Whofe Reputation, whilfb (at lead) they are
In being, ought with confcientious care
To be preferv'd ; becaufe on them depends,
That, which to publick woe or welfare tends.
Yet, He, from whom all Powers their Being had,
And they, for whofe fakes onely they were made

F 2 Ousfht

(44)

Ought fo to be preferr'd, that, nought be wav'd
Whereby their dues, and honours, may be fav'd.
We have oft feen and felt, in our own times,
That, they of fuch Confufions, and fuch Crimes
Hath been the caufe at lead in letting in
Much more deftrudtive Plagues, then all the Sin
Of Privare Perfons ; and, that which we know
Was heretofore, may be hereafter fo.
Yea, may and will, in every Age grow worfe
Unlefs there be provifion of fome courfe
To regulate them ; and, a free confefjion
( To Perfons qualified with difcretion)
To mind them of their duties, who have dar'd
When they to Publick places were prefer'd,
Imploy thofe Priviledges as their own
Which were for Publick fervices beftown;
And, often do abufe them, to the wrong
Of them, to whom of right, they do belong.

'Tis now high time, that Earthly Kings & Judges,
Should wifer grow ; and ufe their Pciviledges,
To better purpofes then heretofore :
For, his great Kingdom, now is at the door,
Which will deftroy thofe Empires that begun
In NIMROD, and through various forms did run
Until the Tyrannies, beginning than
Shall have an end in that Mifterious-man,
Who, by the Dragon, Scarlet- Whore and BE AST,
(Though myftically) truly is expreft.
Then, fhall thofe Tyrannies, and Ufurpations
Whereby he, long time, hath oppreft the Nations,
And therewith, every Branch that fprung therefrom,
Unto an everlafting Ruine come ;
Though fome of them are feemingly Befainted,
And with fair fhewes of Holinefs Bepainted.

For,

(45)

For, I believe (although it doth appear
To few men, yet) Divine Records declare
Afwell the Term of NIMROD'S Emperies
As of Myfterious Babels Tyrannies,
Whofe time, Six hnndrcdfixty fix is known
To number out: and, which muft be ov'rthrown
With that, from whence it fprung, when ripe 'tis
That, to be All in all, GOD, may be known, (grown.
And (as I've oft inferr'd) they, who belong
To that new Empire, which will then grow ftrong,
Shall no way need their Perfons, to ingage
By violent Actings ; but, to bear the rage
Of their oppofers with a patient heart ;
For, fuff' ring onely, will be their chief part.
And, he who in the Aflyrian hoaft did fmite
Fourfcore five thoufand Perfons, in one night,
Shall by the Pow'r and vertue of his Word
Perform that work, without thier hand or fword.

The C U P of Fornication, fo bewitches
With love of Pleafures, Honours, and of Riches
The great men of the Earth, that, they think none
Arzfober men, unlefs they dote upon
Thofe Vanities, and profecute thofe Ends
To which, their Policy and Power tends,
Until they grow as mad or drunk as they ;
And, then perhaps, for wife men, pafs they may.
As David fayes, They will not Under/land ;
They will not heed what GOD hath now in hand ;
But, obftinately ftill adhere to thofe
Who, tempt them on, unto their ov'rthrowes,
Till Ruine comes : For, they are not aware
How cheated by thofe Mountebanks they are ;
Nor how thofe Parafites increafe theiry?<?7r,
Ev'n to excefs, by making of them poor :

Nor

(46)

Nor heed they, how, thefe caufe them to deftroy
Thofe men, by whom they fafety might enjoy
With Love and Honour, if they did not lend
Their Ears to thofe, who no Good-men befren'd.

They fhut their Eyes, and therefore cannot fee
Into what dangers they approaching be ;
And, thofe as much they hate who crofs their w ill
To fave them, as if they did come to kill.
That, which they call, the Reafon of the State,
Too far infifted on, is often that
Which proves the bane of Kingdoms; & yet ftill
Either falfe Prophets, Priefts, or their felf-ivill
Therewith befots them ; though they have bin told,
What thereon hath enfu'd in times of old
When, Princes, GOD's directions had defpis'd ;
And acted that, which their own hearts devis'd
Although they by experiments had feen,
What, of their Policies, the fruits have been.

Thefe were of old examples : Saul, thereby
Deprived was of Life and Soveraignty.
King Solomon, by fomething like that Knack
(To pleafe his Wives) in honour fuff'red Wrack.
So, Jeroboam, though, GOd promis'd him,
And to his feed, a lafling Diadem,
By that State-policy, whereby he fought
To keep the TJirone, the lofs thereof was wrought.
Jehu, regardlefs of GOD's promifes
The fame courfe following, had the like fuccefs.
High places, Altars, Groves, and Priejls of Baal
Were chief occafions of King Ahabs fall,
The bringing of the Gods of Edom home,
In hope that they a ftrengthning might become
Unto his Kingdom, was the overthrow
Of Amaziah, and of many moe.

State

(47)

State-Policy, made Judatis King contemn
The Prop/icts Counfel, when Jerufalem
Was firft deftroyed, and the Jews inflaved (faved;
Who, might then, from that Bondage have been
And, they who truly fought their preservation
Reputed were (as now) Foes to their Nation,
Difloyal to their King, feiz'd as fupitious,
And puniflied as Factious or Seditious.
State-Policy, caus'd breaking of that Oath
For which GOD was with Zedckiah wroth,
And puniflied in fuch a Signal wife
That he loft both his Kingdom and his Eyes :
And, Politick enlarging of Poffeffions
Or Power, by loading Nations with OppreJJions,
To further State-Dcfigns (until it wracks
Their Loyalties, and then their patience cracks)
Hath been, and will be, in all times, and Nations,
The caufe of Wars, Rebellions, defolations
And changing Governments : But, now ere long
When human Policy, hath made moft ftrong,
The MISTRIS of Terreftrial Potentates,
By Counfel, Strength, and by Confederates,
Combin'd as they intend (and when their might
Hath raifed Expectation to the height)
Then, She, and They, fhall be unto each other
A mutual Plague, and be deftroy'd together,
With ev'ry P erf on, Family, and Nation,
Which is a Member of that Corporation :
And then, thofe PEDLERS who are now fo jolly,
Shall, packing up the Tokens of their folly
Run to feek out where they their heads may hide,
From that, whereby, they fhall be terrifi'd.
Let him, that hath an ear to hear this, hear it\
Let proud men tremble \ Let the mighty fear it\

And

And let the Meek rejoyce ; For, GOD will turn
Their Sorrows into Gladnefs, who now Mourn.

It is not only, now, of much behoof,
But, neceffary too, ih&tJJiarp Reproof
Advice and Admonition, fhould be given
To all Eftates and Princes under Heaven,
Yea, and particularly be apply'd
By fome, and in fome cafes, when afide
They from the way offafety, ftray fo far
That, to apparant danger, nigh they are ;
(How ere they take it, or what ever fliall
Thereby, to their Premoniters befall)
Becaufe, by States, if wickedly inclin'd,
The greateft Plagues do fall upon mankind.

This made Elias to become fo bold
When Akab, of his wickednefs he told
Unto his face ; and when, to like intent,
A Writing, he to King Jehoram fent.
This, to reprove King Afa, without dread,
The SEER Hanani encouraged.
This, made the Prophet Samuel fo to School
King Saul, that in effect, he call'd him Fool',
And, John the Baptifl, fpeak as plainly too,
Of Herod, as now they term'd Quakers do
To fome with us : This, alfo, did induce
King David, who obferved the abufe
Of Courts and Cotmcils, to cry out on them
To this effect ; how long ! will ye condemn
The poor and Innocent? how long ! opprefs
The man, afflicted, and the Fatherlefs ?
How long? will ye unrighteoujly neglect
The caufe that's juft, for perfonal refpect ?
Do Jujlice, and vouchfafe compajjion more
Hereafter, then ye have done heretofore ;

For,

(49)

For, (if it be not) to you, be it known
You walk in darknefs ; you have overthroivn
The worlds Foundations ; wilfully inforce,
All things to move out of their proper courfe ;
And, that, tJiough GOD himfclf hath caWd you Gods
A difference making (with no little odds)
Twixt you and common men, yet, die you (hall
Like them \yea, die fuch DeatJis, as did befall
To wicked Princes, who, unto their place
Went down, with greatejl horror and difgrace.

Although fuch rough Reproofs on filken Ears
Grate harfhly, and are thought by Flatterers
To found like Blafphemy : This in old times
The Language was, in which great Princes crimes
Rebuked were ; This was the ufual mode,
Till JlaviJJi men, fear'd mortals more then GOD.
Thus, David fpake unto the Congregations
Of mighty men ; Thus, through all Generations
To them fhould Truth be told, as need requir'd,
By thofe who, to that purpofe are infpir'd :
Republicks, Kings, and Councils, Objects are
Of fuch Reproofs, and fo reproved were,
And, how inrag'd foever they are grown
GOD, will be King', his pleafure hee'l make known
By whom foever he pleafes, that their crimes
May now, as well as in preceding times
Reproved be ; For, States and private men
Are every whit as guilty, now, as then.
The fame at this time, or, the like OmiJJions,
The like Exorbitances, and OppreJJions
In this our Generation may be found ;
And more and more, are likely to abound
If not prevented : for, the things we fhould :
We neither do, nor fuffer thofe who would,

G And,

(50)

And, if we can but force men to profeffe
As we do, though againft their Confciences,
We think we have fecur'd them to our fide ;
Whereas, when fuch mens Truths come to be try'd,
Who are for fear, or for advantage won
To a<5l what is againft their Confcience done,
(They, being both to GOD, and Men unjuft)
In them, there's of all other, the leaft truft :
For, how long ? or to whom ? or unto what
Will they be true, who Confcience violate ?
Doubtlefs, without a fpeedy Reformation,
It wholly, will corrupt this Generation,
Fit us for nothing, but, for what is Evil,
And, to be ferviceable to the Devil.

As therefore 'tis unfit that ev'ry one
Should States, reprove, 'tis as unfit that none
Perform that Work, and brutifh, to conceive
That, GOD, the Worlds laft and worft Age, fliould
Without Premonitors ; or, that the dayes (leave
Moil wicked grown, requir'd not flranger wayes
Of Admonition, then have been in ufe
When, of GOD's Grace there was much lefs abufe :
For, Providence, that nothing doth omit
Which, either Work or Seafon, may befit,
(Although, but little heed thereof be took)
Hath lately, to this Generation fpoke
By many Prodigies : Each Element
Hath very plainly Preached GOD's intent :
Yea, many Difpenfations, which to us
Seem to be wicked, or ridiculotis,
Have fomewhat in them, which relates unto
That, which we have done, or elfe ought to do,
Or have Omitted; or elfe to be Signs
Of that, whereto this later Age declines :

And,

(50

And, that fuch things as thofe, in thefe lafl Ages
Should be, we have Authcntical Prcfages.

But, Vifions, Revelations, Prophefics
Or fuch like, now, the common-voice decries
As at an end : which I, confeffe, is true
As they concern revealing Doctrines new
To faving Faith relating: yet, of that,
Which may concern the Temporarie State
Of CHRIST'S Church Militant, or his ElecJ
In A clings or in Sufferings to direct;
Or, of unfolding Prophefies to them,
Which were feal'd up, till an appointed time,
GOD, hath vouchfafd in feafon, Revelations
As need required in all Generations,
By whom he pleas'd ; and frequently, by fuch
As, by the world, were not efteemed much.

Some think, that nothing meriteth regard
Save what by Ancient Prophets, was declar'd,
Who were immediately infpir'd from Heaven,
By fpecial Warrant and Commiffion given.
Be not deceiv'd ; the fame Commiffion, ftill,
Is extant with us, under hand and Seal,
In Execution to be put, by all
Whom, for time being, GOD fhall pleafe to call
To be his PropJtets ; who, afwell may now
As heretofore, be called from the Plow,
From Herds, Fruitgathering, Fijhing, from a Trade
Which, in the World fmall reputation had,
Or (as when Chriftianity began)
From being an extorting Pablican ;
This, may believed be ; for, what is elfe
The meaning of that Scripture which foretells
Their Sons and Daughters in the later times,
Should Prophefie'* That, old men fhould have Dreams,

G 2 And

(52)

And young men Vijions? Mind too (if forgot
It be) and know it, if you know it not,
That every one, who hath an Intereft
In CHRIST, is now, King, Prophet and a Prieft,
(Anointed, at renewing of his Birth,
To do him fervices here upon Earth;
And ftands oblig'd, as he occafion fees
To execute all thefe three Offices
According to the meafure of GOD's Grace
Beftown, and in his proper Time and Place ;
And, thefe impower'd by his CommiJJions are
To Parliaments, and Councils to declare
(At leaft in general terms) what may prevent
Difhonouring God, or common Detriment ;
And be Remembrancers, of fuch like things,
As need requires, unto the greatefl Kings.

Kings, alfo, fhould have ftill attending them
Such SEERS, as to David in old time
The Prophet Nathan was. But, in the ftead
Of fuch, Baffoons, or Jejlers do fuccced,
In Princes Courts ; by whom, they fometimes are
Inform'd of ufelefs truths, by way of Jeer;
And, other while, perhaps, a formallift,
So far as it with Courtfhip may confift,
Will mind them of fuch duties as they fee
By them perform'd ; but, fuch as wholly be
Neglected, and by whofe neglect they may
Be quite deftroy'd, they, not a word will fay.

On many Kings ; their lies a heavy charge ;
Their Kingdoms are both Populous and large ;
There, likewife, are fo many thoufand cafes
Which do concern their Perfons, or their places
Or other men ; and fuch a few there are
To reprefent them to a Royal Ear

And,

(53)

And, likewife of thofe few, there are fo few
Who reprefent unto them what is true,
That, whilft a freedom is allow'd to none
To fhew them what's deftruftively mifdone,
Or, what is fam'd ; All their Prerogatives
May not fecure their Honours and thcit lives :
Efpecially, at fuch a time as this
Wherein GOD fearcheth after what's amiffe;
And, hath already, both begun to caft
Into his fiery Furnace, and to blafl
All Humane Wifdom, Powr and Righteoufnefs
(Yea all, wherein their confidence men place)
That, they may know, all Evils do from them
Proceed, and all things, that are good, from him.
Moreover, that, which long fmce was foretold,
Some of this Generation (hall behold,
In differing States, and with as different Pajfions
According to their differing Inclinations ;
And by the Men, and means the world defpifes,
In fpight of all that Hamaue wit devifes
It (hall be brought to pafs ; And, they who did
Defend the noblefl Caufe, then, beft fhall fpeed.
Oblig'd, for thefe refpec~ts, is ev'ry one
To do, what in his place is to be done,
That GOD's Will, fo far forth as Power is given,
May here be done on Earth, as 'tis in Heaven :
A fafe condition, they are alwayes in
Who truft not in their merits ; hate their Sin ;
And their endeavours labour to improve
In Faith, and Meeknefs, Patience, Hope and Love;
That this may be effected, whatfoever
It cofts them, in purfuing that endeavour.
For, Priviledges of the Humane Nature,
More Sacred are then thofe of any Creature

Beneath

(54)

Beneath the GODHEAD; and, to all Mankind
He is a Traytor, who hath ought defign'd
Againft that Intereft ; and therefore, I
Vow, in defence thereof, to live and die.

In order thereunto, I now employ,
The Faculty and Talent I enjoy,
Which, GOD hath made proportionable to
The works, and men, with whom I have to do.
That, which I fuffer for, on this Account
Was done; By GOD's Commijfion I have done't.
If truth I write, I am no whit to blame,
If it be falfe, I an Importer am ;
And, let the Commons, when that next they meet,
Deal with me for it, as GOD fhall permit.
I have difcharg'd my Confcience : And, if me,
He will not fave, I, faved will not be ;
Nor will I, in this Caufe plead one word more,
Then, this, and what I've written heretofore.

/ know the World ; Jhe alfo knows her own
Andy wejhall both ere long be better known :
Mean while, this my Imprifonment to me
Will my Teipfum nofce, prove to be.
This alfo, and what's formerly expreft
Of me, and of this Age, will be a TEST.
Now, He retire unto my felf, and fing
To GOD, be glory; and God fave the King.

They, who are wife will obferve thefe things ;
and Jhall under Jland the Loving kindnefs of
the LORD. Pfal. 104.43.

Ano-

(55)

Another Meditation in Newgate, fomewhat
alluding to this old verfe in Seneca,

Nunquam non Potcft, effe Virtuti locus.

Which implies, that no Place, or Time can
difadvantage an Honeft-man.

(Places,

T Here's diff'rence in the felf fame Times and
As GOD conferreth, or withdraws his
Or, as our Caufe is; or, as we fhall find (Graces',
Our hearts, to be ought more or lefs inclin'd,
To bring the FleJJt into a due fubjection,
Unto the Spirits Dictates and direction.
For, this Place, I perceive to be the fame
To me, which I unto my felf, now am,
And, not that, which it is to moft of them
Who are with me confined at this time.
My Burthens (though as great) are made more light,
Then theirs are unto them ; The day or night,
Are no whit tedious ; nor unpleafing make
MyJIccp, nor Cares renew, when I awake :
But, I as well contented am become,
In all rcfpects, as ev'r I was at home ;
Although, as well by my Intelligence,
I, my Afflictions feel, as by my Senfe : (bitter,
For, ev'n thofe things, which in themfelves are
To cure Diftempers, prove not onely fitter,
But fweeter too, then that which in times pad
Was more defir'd, and did mod pleafe my tafte.

The

(56)

The want ofjleep here, and of fuch like things
As elfe where, and at other Seafons, brings
Pain to the FleJJt, and to the Soul vexations,
Are eithet made to me fweet Recreations,
Or give InftruEtion, in another mode,
And more effectually, then things abroad.

Laft night, as in my Bed I mufmg lay
How Time and Life, and all things pafs away;
How needlefly our felves we vex and pother,
Deftroy, afflict, and perfecute each other;
What coft, and pains, and time, we fpend to build
That, which will in a little while be fpoil'd ;
And, how, the quiet of our lives we trouble
About our ftruftures of wood, ftraw and Hubble;
Which, when our feveral Fiery Tryals come,
Will into fmoke and Afhes, quite confume;
It made me take into confideration
What I had Built, and upon what Foundation,
That, I my felf, might therein be fecure
Although my Works, the flame fhould not endure.
And, thereof, having an affurance got
The lofs of all my Works difturb me not :
For, I, a thoufand times more pleas'd am grown
With his on whom I Build, then with mine own.

My Soul then, (which in her complantings,
Flies like an Eagle mounted on her wings
Through wayes, which to no othet can appear)
To various Objetts, fcatter'd here and there,
Her Flights directing; at the laft defcri'd
That Flame, whereby the works of men are try'd ;
To which, mine Eye of Contemplation turning,
To fee each fmgle htimane Jlrufture burning,
It was to me, a much more pleafmg fight
Then Bon-fires on a Solemn Day at night

When

(57)

When young and old men round them in a Ring
Do fit and hear a Fidlcr play and fmg ; (yielded,
And, 'mongft all things, which to the Fire then
The Paper works which have been lately builded
Did make the greateft Blaze \ and to mine eyes
Appear'd to be the beft Burnt-facrifice
That had been off'red in this Age by men,
By, at the leaft, nine and a half in ten ;
Becaufe, they have a prime occafion been
Both of our prefent Plagues, and of much Sin :
And, griev'd I was not, that, fome of mine own
Muft into that refining fire be thrown,
For, though that ufeful they might be fome way,
Much of them, have (I fear) too much alay.

There are among our Papers- Edifices,
Some ufeful, fanctifi'd, and harmlefs Peeces
Which may be helpful to preferve thofe Notions
Whereby, our Faith, our manners and Devotions
May be improved, and likewife to clear
The Lanthorn, which \\-\Qfaving Light doth bear,
From thofe bedaubings, which the Foggs of Time,
And mifts of Ignorance, have made fo dim,
That, many things, it very dubious makes
And doth occafion manifold miftakes :
But, they are buried fo in heaps of trafh,
So choakt, with intermixed Balderdafh,
And, fo fuppreft by them who hate the Light,
(Or, perfecute the Authors with defpight)
That, they are but like here and there &fpark,
Which lies at Bopeep, twinckling in the dark ;
And, would be quite quencht, if not oft reviv'd.
By him, from whom, they were at firft deriv'd.
Yet (like the Fire which in a Wafry-Pit,
Was hid) although fachfparks be clouded, yet

H They

(53)

They will break forth ; and kindled by the blaft
Of GOD's out-breathings, raife a flame at laft,
That fhall quite burn up, thofe huge Piles of vain
And Peftilent contrivements of the Brain. (Tinder

For, they are, and have long time, been the
Of Pride and Luft, and D if cord. They, do hinder
The Publick Peace ; The growth of Truth and Love
They do obftrucl ; All wickednefs promove,
And all Prophanefs ; Ignoranee they cherifh,
Deftructive Animofites they nourifh;
Yea, have fo fill'd the world with Books of lies,
Patcht up with forged probabilities,
That, 'tis impoffible the Time fucceeding
Should know the Truth of any thing by reading,
Without a more then common Intellect
Or, fome Divine Affiftance to direct.
For, they have put on moft things, fuch difguifes,
That, Vertues, hardly can be known from Vices,
Or Truths from Herefies, or wit from folly,
Or things prophane difcern'd from what is holy ;
Nor cheating Sophiftries, from foundeft Reafon,
Nor Right from wrong, nor Loyalty from Treafon ;
Nor Reprobates from Saints ; nor Saints from De-
Nor faving Doctrines from deftroying Evils, (vils,
Except fome help which hath vouchfafed been
From GGD, fhall much improve the Light within.

This notwithfbanding, pleafed be to know,
(Although there is to them pronounc'd a Woe
By whom offences come) it fitting were
That, if an Evil be, it fhould appear :
And, (fmce GOD doth permit it for Probation
That good and evil in each Generation
Sholdu manifeft it felf ) that by the Crimes
Of others, men Approved may know the Times,

We

(59)

We with a fanctified heart fhould heed them (them
And, to thofe ends improve them when we read
For which they were permitted. Thus, from A£ls
That evil are, the prudent man extracts
Good ufes, as Phyfitians when it needs,
Extra6leth Phyfick out of poyfonous Weeds.

Thus far, my Mufe before I was aware
Had rambled ; But, lie caft the Lure up, here.

Thefe, & fuch thoughts as thefe, me waking kept
Whilft, many Dream'd of other things, and flept.
This, of the laft nights Mujings, portion was ;
(Which, if you pleafe, may for a Vijion paffe)
And, when the morning came, thus, into words
I put, as much as memory affords.

Newgate, the 27th. day
of the 7. Moneth, 1661.

A Meditation, occafioned by the fame Pri-
foners calling to mind, Jeremies Pro-
phecie to Ebed-melech, the Blackmore,
Jerem. 39. 15.

I Am oblig'd, as much as I am able,
To be to other men as comfortable
As they have been to me ; and, though (as John
And Peter faid long fmce) Gold I have none
Norjilver) what I have, I will repay,
And, that, perhaps, may ufeful be fome way.
What was Ebed-melech, but, one of thofe
Who, Nationally, were efteemed Foes,

H 2 To

(60 )

To GOD, and to his Church ? which way, can we

By what is writ of him, advantag'd be

More then by other Common Hiftories,

If, from what's mention'd in fuch Peopkefies,

We may not with good warranty, apply

The fame rewards of Faith and Charity,

(To ev'ry man in every Generation)

Which was recorded by the Jewiflt Nation,

Both to infufe and warrant, the fame hope

Which was confirmed to this ^Ethiope ?

But, doubtlefly we may ; fmce, for our learning

For our direction, comfort and forewarning,

All thofe things, principally, were ordain'd

Which, in the holy Scriptures are contain'd.

This perfon, reprefents to us, our ftate
By nature, and as men regenerate.
The life of Jeremiah he preferved,
Who, elfe, within a Dungeon had been ftarved :
Him, forth out of a lothfome Pit he drew,
When, nor Prince, Peer, or Prieft, nor any Jew
To him vouchfafed mercy: he, alone,
Did more then any Ifrdlite had done,
Although a Gentile, and a Courtier too,
Who, feldom, works of Charity, will do.
And, this, was fo accepted of the LORD,
That by the felf fame Prophet, he fent word
(Ev'n whilft that he detain'd in Prifon was
As I am now) that, when upon the place
Of his abode, the dreadful doom foretold
Infli6led was, he fhould the fame behold ;
And, that, to him, on their deftru&ion day
His life, fhould be vouchfafed, for a prey.

This Signal Mercy to my mind was brought,
In ti\\$ place, pertinently, (as I thought)

Why,

Why, from this Patent therefore, may not I
Who, for declaring truth, imprifon'd lie,
Shew forth that mercy which I have receiv'd
And whereby, I am hitherto repriev'd
From what to me, might probably have been
As bad, as that which Jeremy was in ?
For, Age and Poverty, in fuch a place,
Might quickly have deftroy'd one in my cafe.
My Soul, for this Companion, praife thou him
Who hath vouchfafed it ; and bleffe thou them
My gracious GOD, who were the Inftruments
In that, which my deftruction here prevents :
Although, they of a forraign Nation are not
They, Neighbours, Kinfmen, or Familiars were not
But all of them (except a very few)
Such, as untill of late, I neither knew
In P erf on, or by name', fome of them be
In judgement alfo, differing from me
In fome points; which, infallibly doth prove
Their Faith is true, and perfected by Love.
Their Charity. (This I dare boldly fay)
GOD, will reward, upon their Tryal day;
And, in thofe future dreadful Vijitations
Which, likely are, to come upon thefe Nations
Preferve their lives, to fee them, who oppreffe,
Receive their portions with the mercilefs.
As fure, as I yet live, it will be thus;
Or, they, at lead, when Chrift calls them, with us,
Before his Judgement-throne \ repaid will be
What they have here vouchfafed unto me ;
For, mercy, though extended to a Beajl
(Much more to man) with fome reward is bleft,
And, though I were a more unworthy wretch
Then was by Nature, that Ebed-melech,

Yet,

(62)

Yet, forafmuch, as me they have received
As one of Cbrifts Difciples, and relieved,
(What er'e I am) he, Charity regards,
And, they, accordingly fhall have rewards.

Newgate, Sept. 26. 1661.

An Antidote againft Fear, compofed upon
the Citizens being unexpectedly in Arms,
Sept. 28. 1 66 1. at night.

GOD, keep all fafe abroad', I'm in my Bed,
And, fee no danger yet, or caufe of dread.
Emanuel my Protector is become,
He, keeps all Pannick-fears out of this Roome,
And, though the Devil and my Foes together
Confederated, they can bring none hither.
Here's nought, that any way doth me difeafe,
Unlefs, it be a few poor Jlarveling Fleas,
Which, I perceive are more afraid of me,
Then caufe I have of them afraid to be :
For, if I do but fhrugg, where it doth itch,
They skip into a hole, and there they couch.
No Thief, I think, to rob me dares appear,
Within thefe Walls, the Gallowes are fo near;
And, likewife, I believe, 'tis known full well,
I've nought to lofe, nor ought for them to fteal.
I no Back-biters had, fmce to this houfe
I my Commitment had, except, one Loufe
Which now is dead, (not having left behind
Kfon or daughter, that I yet can find)

And,

(63)

And, though I were affaulted with a fcore
(As here, fome are oft-times with many more)
I am affur'd, my Landrcfs hath a gift
To rid them; and it is a cleanly fhift.

I do fufpe6l, that, thus it doth not fare
With all men, who rejoyce that I am here ;
But, that, although they fpeak big words and grin,
They have more fears without them, or within ;
And, that, fome thoufands who yet walk the ftreet
With more, and with worfe mifadventures meet :
For, Terrors are abroad, and ev'ry where
It doth in Language, or in looks appear.
I, juft now, hear a found like to Alarms ;
Drums beating, and the clattering of Arms ;
I (as they pafs along, hear Souldiers voyces,
Words of Command, and Military Noifes,
Which, by the time, and darknefs of the night,
Doth many of the Neighbour-hood affright,
And makes me think (although I cannot tell
What is amifs) that, all things go not well.

What fhould the matter be ? I hope, the men
Whom we faw dead, are not alive agen ;
For, though I live yet, (and live longer may)
I did expe<5l to rife, affoon as they.
Moft hoped, they, er'e now fhould have been free,
From that, wherewith difturbed they ftill be ;
But, many fee, here's dayly an increafe
Of what, may more infringe the Common-peace.
The Citizens, I hear, ftric~t watch do keep
This night, in Arms : I hope, were they afleep
We fhould be fafe ; and that, this will hereafter
Yield much lefs caufe tfforrow, then of laughter:
For, all our Factions are now of each other
So fearful, that they'l hardly come together,

Unlefs

(64)

Unlefs affrighted in the dark they are,
And fall foul on each other, unaware. (pleas'd)

Men might (if there withall they could be
Of pains and coft and troubles, be much eas'd,
(With much more fafety, and more, honour too)
Yet, make no night Alarms as now they do.
He, that's a pious, and an honeft liver, (Quiver,
Needs not the Mores Bow, nor the Parthians
Nor, to be fmgly, much lefs double garded :
For, Innocence is by it felf, well warded ;
And, when fhe's moft malicioufly furrounded,
Then, fooneft, her Oppreffors are confounded.
Of all the Foes, that are, or ever were,
There's none fo bad, or dangerous as Fear :
For, it not onely many a man diftreffes,
When Plenty, Power, and Honour, he poffeffes,
(And all the pleafures of his life deftroys,
Whilft ev'ry thing he feemingly enjoyes)
But, makes Plagues alfo, which will never come
To be a greater torment unto fome,
Then they are, or, then they can be, if all
Whereof they are afraid, mould them befall.

Moreover, it is fuch a foe as none
Can eafily efcape when feiz'd upon.
Nor Power nor Policy, nor Walls of Braffe
To keep it out, can ftrengthen any place ;
Nor Flefh and Blood, by Sratagem, or Ginn
Expell it can, when it hath broken in.
Were all the Wealth and Weapons in the Land,
And all the People, at one Mans Command,
They could not fortifie his heart from fears ;
For, Terrours will creep in ev'n at the ears,
And paffage make through ev'ry other Sence,
In fpight of all refiftance and defence.

That

(65)

That Fear is fuch a Terrour, I well know
For I have felt it, though I do not now,
Save, as a natural pajfwn, which, if well
We moderate, is, what a Sentinel
Is to an A rmy ; and by Flcfh and Blood,
Though, poffibly, it cannot be with flood,
(Efpecially, when by a wilful Sin,
Againft Good Confcience acted, it breaks in
And growes in raged) yet, by Grace we may
Subdue it ; And, this, is the only way.

Take Fear and Love, well tempered together,
(As much, as may fufficient be of either)
Fire quencheth Fire ; The oil of Scorpions, heals,
The Scorpions fling ; and, if, of all things elfe
You would be fearlefs, you muft fear GOD, fo
As man ought ; Do, as to be done unto
You would expect, and to that Fear, add Love ;
For, Love expelleth ev'ry other Fear
(If placed on right Objects, and fincere)
Plucks up all Vices, and plants in their places
Habitual Vertues, and Celeftial Graces.
The Love of GOD, with Filial Fear begins,
And with a deteftation of all fins.
The knowledge of our Natural Eflate,
In us, Defires to cure it will Create.
The Love of GOD in Chrift, then, being known,
(And, what, when we incurable were grown
He hath done for us) will more Love beget
If we no falfe fuggeftions do admit ;
That Love, will alfo, dayly flronger grow
If we GOD's nature truly learn to know.
And, not as Eve did, him fufpect of Evil ;
Afcribe to him, what's proper to the Devil ;

I Sufpca

(66)

Sufpect the Promifes which he doth give us ;
Nor think that he intendeth to deceive us.
For, if we love him, we will then believe him,
In all his Attributes due Glory give him.
We then will do, and not difputing ftand,
Of that which he forbids, or doth command.
Nor fear, nor ftagger, from that Refolution
(Who ever countermands their execution)
But, love him fo, as having underftood
That all his Works, and his Commands are good :
So love him, that, we love his whole Creation,
Nought hating, but what's his abomination.
We will not then permit Humane Tradition
With his known will, to ftand in competition ;
Lay bonds on them, whom he from Bondage frees ;
Charge him, with Ordinances and Decrees
Which he did never make ; but forged were
By him, who, layes for ev'ry Soul a fnare ;
Or, by his Inftruments, whofe Merchandizes
And Pomp, are much advanc'd by thofe devifes :
We will not, when he gracioufly invites,
To penitence, reject him with defpights,
And, foes implacable, to them appear
Who zealous of their Weal and Safety are.

Thefe are the Well-fprings of thofe many errors
Diffractions, miferies, and Pannick Terrours
Which are among us. That, which chiefly here
Begetteth troubles and augmenteth fear,
Is, want of fuch a Fear, and fuch a Love,
As may become effectual to improve
Thofe Judgements & thefe Mercies, which our eyes
Have feen; & whereby, (though we fee GOD tryes
Thefe Nations to this day) nor Prince, nor Peer
Nor Prieft nor People, doth as yet appear

So

(67)

So mindful as they ought to be of that
Which, was, for, or againft them, done of late :
Nor fee I any Fruit which thence proceeds,
Save Thorns & Brambles, Thirties, tares or weeds.
But, they who ftop their Ears and fliut their Eyes,
Againft thofe Wonders and thofe Prodigies,
Which have been lately fent to ftartle them
From \\\a\.fccurit}>, wherein they Dream;
And they who are not much difpleas'd alone
With Publication of what God hath done,
But, alfo with his Word\ ftiattfee and hear,
Thofe things, ere long, with trembling & with fear,
Which will not be concealed ; but, befall
So openly, as to be known to all.
Thefe, have the caufes been, that Chrijlendom
Is lately, an Achcldama become;
For, thefe are thofe things, which advance the
Of Antickrift, and make way for the Turks, (works
Let us repent therefore, whilfb we have fpace,
Left Fields of Blood, be turned to Golgotha s.
Let us, in this our Vifitation day
Give ear unto GOD's Voice, whilft yet we may ;
Not like Bruit Beafts purfuing one another,
But, lincking faft in Charity together,
Be reconcil'd to GOD, with Loving-awe:
For, that fums up the Gofpel, and the Law.
Do this, and if of ought you fearful be,
Let all, that you can fear, fall upon me.

I 2 A fhort

(68)

A fhort Excufe, rendering fome Reafons
why this Prifoner makes no Adreffes for
his Releafe, to great Perfons for their
Favour in his Caufe.

I Am inform'd, by men of good report,
That, there are Noble Perfnages in Court
Who hate Injuftice, and, are of their Tribe,
Who love not bafenefs, flattery, or a Bribe ;
And, that, fhould I my felf to thefe Adreffe,
I might perhaps obtain a quick releafe.
'Tis poffible; But, I may much indanger
Their Quiet ; and, am now grown fuch a ftranger
To Court/hip, that I cannot Complement,
Or, act effectually, to that intent ;
Nor think it prudence (were I mov'd that way)
To feek a Needle, in a T ruffe of Hay.

' Tis not my Principle (though other while
I have been over-ruled, to beguile
My underftanding) that courfe to endeavour ;
And, having found it unfucesful ever
Refolve now (be it for my gain or lofs)
To fignifie my Caufe, to them in groffe,
In open Courts, to whom it doth belong,
To be my Judges of what's right or wrong :
For, if impartially, they will not hear
My caufe at large, and do me Juftice there,
I will not be oblig'd to any one
To do for private ends, what fhould be done,
For Juflice-fake ; becaufe, where one man mall
Be fo corrupt, it may corrupt them all ;

And

And in each Cafe, by turns, for unjuft ends,
They rrtay Bribe one another for their Friends
As heretofore they did, and, as they may
Hereafter, whatfoever I do or fay.

Not much efteem of any thing I make,
Which other men, can either give or take.
Nor Safety, Wealth, or Honour pleafeth me
But that which will infeparable be
From me ; and which I may attain unto,
And, alfo keep, whether men will or no.
Vertue's the Fountain whence true honour fprings ;
Not Popes, Grand Segniors, Emperors or Kings,
For, what they give to make men Honourable,
To me appears to be fo defpicable (it

That, though moft men, do their chief darling, make
If they would give it me, I would not take it :
What, is there likely for me to be done,
By thofe, who fuch-like Baubles dote upon ?
I, never hitherto, a kindnefs had
By any Friend, which I my felf have made ;
But, by fuch onely, as God had inclin'd
(Without a by-refpec~t in any kind)
To do me Juftice, or to fhew compaffion,
Mov'd by their own Heroick inclination :
And, to that end, GOD, often heretofore,
Hath from among meer Jlr angers, rais'd me more
True Friends at need, my caufe to undertake,
Then I deferved, or had pow'r to make ;
And, as it me contented much the better
So, thereby, was their honour made the greater.
Moft feek the Judge; but, I believe his word,
Who faid, The Judgement comethfrom the LORD ;
And, unto me, it feems an indirect
Afperfwn, or a Symptom of fufpeft,

A Judge

A Judge, in private to preoccupate,
And, him by Friends, or Gifts to captivate;
For, in great Counfels, men fhould nothing do
In love to Friends, or hatred to a Foe.

I have obferved, that, Judicial Courts
Whether they be of good or bad reports,
(Or, whether, what is actually there done,
Seem juft, or to the wrong of any one)
Are guided by a Spirit, which directs
To what is alwayes Righteous, in refpects
Unto GOD's Juftice, though perhaps it may
A Humane Righteoufnefs infringe fome way;
Or, though they, to whom Judgement is refer'd,
Through Ignorance, or Wickednefs, have err'd.

He therefore, make no Friend, nor fear a Foe,
But, when the COMMONS call me I will go
To hear their Charge, for which I have begun
To fufifer, er'e 'tis known what I have done ;
That, leaft I break or die before the time
In which I mufb make payment for my crime,
(If crime it prove) they, rather, overweight
May lay ; then, that, which is a Dram too light ;
For, punifhments are ufually well paid,
Though other debts till Dooms Day are delay'd :
And, Innocence, is oft purfued further
Upon fufpect, then real Theft or Murther.

In that, for which unheard, fome precondemn
My Perfon hither; I, TO GOD and them
Whom it may moft concern, Appeals have made
Whereon, I ought a Tryal to have had
Before I fufFred. My Appeal prefer'd
To GOD, hath betwixt him, and me, been heard
Within his Court of Confcience in my heart ;
And, there am quit of what may on his part

Be

(70

Be brought againft me for what I have writ.
He fees it, though the world conccaleth it ;
And, read it muft be by the Commons too,
Ev'n quite throughout (if Juftice they will do)
Before they cenfure it: Needlefs it were,
If juft and confcientious men they are,
To Court them to their Duties; and fo ftrong
No Charm of mine can be, whereby a wrong
May be prevented, if to take that ill
They be refolv'd, which flowed from Good-will.
At all aduenture, wholly to the Laius,
And to their Confcience, He refer my Caufe ;
Alleage for my defence, what I can fay,
And bear that, which will follow, as I may.

A Compofure, for his private RefreJJiment
made by the fame Pr if oner, upon considering
the fad outward Condition of his Dear eft Re
lations in the FleJJi : after which is added the
Narrative of a fudden diftemper thereupon
enfuing.

MY Contemplation, evr'y hour fo travells,
In new purfuits, and into all things Ravells
With fo much reftlefsnefs, as if me ment
The whole world in a Mapp to reprefent.
One while me maketh inrodes on my Foes,
To bring me fome Intelligence from thofe;
That, I confid'ring what they go about
Their malice, may the better weather-out.

Ano-

(72)

Another while, to me fhe reprefents,
What mifchiefes, troubles, fear and difcontents
There are abroad ; that, I may thereby fee
How, they are troubled, who have troubled me;
How 'twixt the two fhoars, Pharohs Army reels ;
How, GOD hath taken off their Charret Wheels
How, he obdures the Infolent and proud ;
How dreadfully, he looks out of the Cloud
Which he hath placed, betwixt them and thofe,
Whom they purfue to their own overthrowes.
Sometime, fhe brings to my confideration
GOD's Love, and inexpreffible compaffion,
Who, in an extraordinary wife,
Not onely hath vouchfafed me fupplies
By thofe who to my Perfon ftrangers are,
But alfo, with fuch love and tender care
Of my fafe-being, that I may of them
(As Chrift did, when his kindred ask'd for him)
Say, Thefe my kindred are ; Thefe, are my Mothers ;
Thefe, are my real Sifters and my Brothers.
My Dear'ft Relations in the FleJJt, among
Thofe Friends, this day, appeared in the throng
To be confider'd ; and, I mufb confefs
My Bowels yern'd, to think on their diftreffe,
And, mov'd with pitty, it compel'd my Mufe,
To clothe in words, that, which now next enfues.

I.

A\\fuff* rings, that have tended

To my probation, here,
Cannot be comprehended

In what my words declare;
For, though to help expreffion

I have a knowing- -fenfe,

The

(73)
The fum of my Condition

Cannot be gathered thence.

II.

In Plcafures, and in Sorrows,

I have had no fmall fhare ;
Sad Nights, and joyful Morrowes,

My Portion often were ;
That, which with Joy affecls me,

Is far above the Skie,
And, that, which yet afflicts me

As deep as Hell doth lie.

III.

My near'ft, and dear'ft Relations,

Unmention'd though they be,
Among my Meditations,

Are not forgot by me.
For, though I would not mind them,

My heart, them fo retains,
That, there, I ftill ftiall find them,

As long as life remains.

IV.

Left that might have mifcarry'd

Which, to negle6t I fear'd,
Like one, quite dead and buried,

I have to them appear'd :
And by my late employments,

Defpairful they are made,
Of me, and thofe enjoyments

Which elfe, they might have had.

K Re-

(74)

V.

Reciprocal Indearments,

Are by my troubles croft ;
The means of their Preferments

With my Eftate are loft.
Thefe times, have" quite bereft them

Of that which gave content,
And, in their power nought left them,

New mifchiefes to prevent.

VI.

My Bloffoms are quite wither'd,

My Leaves are much decay'd;
My Fruits, by thofe are gather'd,

Who nothing for them paid ;
I, from whom (when they need them)

They fhould fupplies have had,
Have neither Fruits to feed them,

Nor boughes to give them made.

VII.

We could, when we were troubled,

Each others hearts have eas'd ;
Converfe, our pleafures doubled,

When we with ought were pleas'd ;
Such Comforts, now to give them,

Companion they have none,
But, they (what ere doth grieve them)

Muft fit, and grieve alone.

VIII.

In Mercy, LORD, look on them,
And pitty their Eftate;

The

(75)
The wrongs that I have done them,

Proceeded not from hate ;
I did, what I conceived

Doth to thy work belong,
But, that's thereby bereaved,

Which is to them a wrong.

IX.

Thereof, be therefore heedful,

Them, favour not the lefs,
Supply with all things needful,

In this their great diftreffe ;
And, when thou me fhalt gather

Out of this Land of life,
Be thou my Childrens Father,

A Husband to my Wife.

X.

When I with them muft never

Speak more, by Tongue or Pen,
And, they be barr'd for ever,

To fee my face agen.
Thy Loving kindnefs fhow them,

Loft comforts to receive,
Inftead of what I owe them,

And pay not whilft I live.

XI.

Let all my former failings,

Through frailties, in time pad,
And, what may caufe bewailings,

Quite out of thought be caft ;
And, onely recordation

Of thofe things be expreft,

K 2 Where-

(76)

Whereby their confolation
May dayly be increaft.

XII.

Preferve them from each Folly,

Which ripening into Sin,
Makes Root and Branch unholy,

And brings definition in.
Let not this World bewitch them,

With her befotting Wine,
But, let thy Grace inrich them,

With Faith, and Love Divine.

XIII.

And, whilft we live together

Let us, upon thee call ;
Help to prepare each other,

For what, may yet befall ;
So juft, fo faithful hearted,

So conftant let us be,
That, when we here are parted

We may all meet in thee.

This being writ, and once or twice fung over,

My Reafon, did fufficient fbrength recover

Thofe Pafjions to repell, which did begin

Upon my heart at that time to break in :

But, ere they were alay'd, an Accident

Fell out, which that good iffue did prevent ; !

I have fo much of common Manlinefs,

(Which might more profit me if it were lefs)

That, all the frailties of the Humane Creature

(Co-incident fince my depraved Nature)

Still fo attend me, that do what I can

I fall into diftemper, now and then ; And

(77)

And ere that day was wholly overpaft,
I, by a fudden accident was caft
Into a Pajfion, which did give occafion
Of this enfuing fad Ejaculation.

L ORD, help me now ; ajjlft me now, to bear
That, unexpected brunt of Hope and Fear,
To which I on a fuddain am exposed,
( Whilft other mifchiefes have me round inclosd)
For, great and many, though my trottbles be
They, hitherto have not diftemper'd me.
But, now I feel my Conftancy to JJiake,
My Flefh to tremble, my fad heart fo ake,
That, if thou dojl not fpeedily apply
A Cordial, / may droop, and faint, and die. (you !

My Treacherous Flefh and Blood, Jww falfe are
To me, and to your ownfelves, how untrue !
How quickly to revolt do you begin !
Hoiv coivardly have you my Foe let in
At Ids fir ft fummons ? how have y oil confpird
To give him that advantage he dejir'd f
And whilft I for your fafety did prepare
Joyn to furprize me ere I was aware?
LORD, let them not prevail', but, help me rally
My fcattered Forces, and to make a f ally
On thofe who my weak Citadel bcfet :
For they havefeiz'd but on my Out-works yet,
And, if but over me, thou pleafe to hover,
( Though at a diftance) I fliallfoon recover.
Therefore, at this Affault,/0r me appear ;
From me, this Black Cloud, by thy prefence, clear1,
Reneiv my courage in this day of trouble ;
Increafe my Faith, my former Hope redouble \
And let thy Spirit teach me fo to pray,
Tliat what I Jhall requeft, obtain I may.

Be

(78)

Be likeivife pleas d the chatter ings of the Swallow,
And mournings of the Turtle, y# to hallow ;
That thofe things which are now expreffd by me,
May be both acceptable zmto thee,
And unto thofe who hear them not in vain,
Though to my private fuff' rings they pertain :
For per adventure, that which me oretakes
Hath partly been permitted for their fakes ;
That they, by heeding what on them at length
May fall, might by my weaknefs gather Jlrength ;
For, what is in it felf a Jingle Trouble,
By circumftances, may be fometimes double.

My beft Friends peradventure, now will wonder
How, I am thus, as with a clap of thunder,
Struck fuddenly ; and my Foes, with a feoff
Will Jeer, to fee me fo foon taken off
From my late courage and high Refolution,
(Whilft I was putting it in Execution,)
When they mail know, that, but concerns my Wife,
Which breaks through all the comforts of my life,
And thus diforders me : But, when they hear me
Ev'n fome of them, who at the firft will Jeer me,
(If they have any Manhood left in them)
Shall me of no fuch levity condemn,
As yet they may, when all the circumftances
I have declar'd to cure their ignorances :
For, one of GOD's choice Prophets, had a Tryal
Not much unlike this, of his felf -denial,
When he (as I do) in his Generation,
Bore witnefs of their great abomination :
Which (if ought more) had little more effect,
Then I may, at this prefent day, expect.
He (whilft GOD's work he follow'd) to the heart,
Was pierced (through his Wife) with forrows dart.

She

(79)

She (as the holy Scripture teftifies)
Was unto him, as precious as his eyes,
The comfort of his life, and far more dear
(As I believe) then all things tranfcient were.
And peradventure he had grieved more
Then yet I do, had not the day before (too,

GOD, both foretold her death, and charg'd him
Not to bewail the Wife he loved fo.
What, this to me doth intimate, I fhall
Forbear to tell now ; but, if that befall
Which I may fear, it will have an effect,
Whofe demonftration, I fliall not neglect
If fo long I furvive, as to declare
That Sequell, for which, it will way prepare, (row)
Mean while (fince hope hath taken race with for-
For fome few dayes, that little time lie borrow,
To make it known, how, by a Pannick dread
I am at prefent, fo diftempered ;
And in fuch fober Language will declare it,
Without Hyperboles, that, if men hear it
With like fobriety, it will perchance
Their edifying in fome kind advance.

When, I had finifhed thofe Meditations
Laft mention'd (which concern my dear'ft Rela-
As to the world) A meffenger of forrow (tions
That very day, (I, looking for, next morrow
My Wives arrival) brought, not newes alone
^hdkfuddainficknefs, her had feiz'd upon;
But, that, fhe likewife in a Feaver lies,
With which are complicated Maladies
Portending death : and Death defired fo
That, they about her, can with much ado
Preferve her life. This newes, as foon as told,
Laid inftantly, upon me fuch faft hold,

That,

(So)

That, er'e I could into my heart retire
I feemed to be wholly fet on fire :
And (being for furprizal, the more fit
By what, that day, for better ufe was writ)
Inftead of that, which might have quencht the fame
I fnatcht up oil, and threw't into the flame.

So frail I am not (though made of fuch Mettle
That I am fometime foft and fometime Britle)
As to be fhaken meerly with a fear
Of things which ev'ry day expefled are ;
But, many fad concomitants attended
This Meffage, not till then fo apprehended ;
For, at that inftant every thing preft in
Which might a doleful Tragedy begin,
With fuch confufion, that, what entred firft
I knew not, neither which difturb'd me worfb.
So that, I nought could call to mind, but that
Which my Afflictions, did more aggravate.

Imprifonment, I felt not till that day,
Wherein I found, that I was kept away,
Where, I to her could no affiftance give,
For, whofe fake, I did moft defire to live ;
My Fancie reprefented to my fight
In how difconfolate and fad a plight,
She there was left, difpoil'd of all fhe had,
Excepting, what might make her heart more fad.
With foes furrounded, not one to befriend her,
Not fervants in that weaknefs to attend her,
No good Phyfitian living there about,
Scarce any thing within doors, or without,
For food or Phyfick : for, while fhe had health
Her courage did fupply her want of Wealth,
And all things elfe, with help, of what from Heaven
Was by his providence in all wants given,

Who

(8.)

Who hath been my fupport ; By him alone
She hath in many ftraits been carryed on,
And all oppreflions with fuch courage bore
As if (he had been rich by being poor :
Which her defpightful neighbours heeding well
(And, that fhe far'd like trodden Camomel)
Words unto this effect, were heard to fpeak
Will not, with all this lofs, her flout heart break ?
GOD, was, and ftill, her helper he will be;
But, for all this, what thanks is due to me ?
What help am I who fhould a help have been,
When fuch extream Affliction fhe was in ?
Dear BETTY, how inhumanly opprefl ?
Art thou ? and oh ! how is my Soul diftreft
Now, I here think upon thy high defart,
And, how difcomfortably left thou art ?
If it might comfort thee, would thou, didft know
(-Elfe not) what tears out of mine eyes do flow :
For, I, from whom the worlds defpights can flrain
Nor fighs, nor tears, from tears cannot reftrain.
Woe's me (my Dear) my life I would refign
Might it accepted be, to ranfome thine,
And were at my difpofe ; for, caufe am I
Of that fad plight, wherein thou now dofh lie;
Since, what the world hath done, is nothing more,
Then thou haft alwayes look'd for heretofore.
Yet, take it not unkindly; for, to thee
No ill was meant, in what was done by me :
He, (as I thought) to whom my felf I owe,
(And, who did thee, and all I had beftow)
Requir'd the fervices that brought upon me
That, which to thy undoing, hath undone me;
And he will either back again reftore
What's loft, or give us better things, and more.

L This,

(82)

This, knowing thou believ'ft, and doft confide
In him, hath much my Pajfion qualified ; (ther,

And makes me hopeful, GOD, will bring thee hi-
Or, me to thee, that, we once more tegether
May praife his Name, and live till we can part,
Without the leaft diftemp'rature of heart.

Whilft this hope lafts, left notice being taken
That, I with one fmall puff of wind am fhaken ;
Left alfo, this begets a fear in fome,
That I may totally be overcome,
When they perceive, that he, who hath profeft
So much, hath with fo little been oppreft;
And, left they alfo may difcourag'd be,
(If I fmck under that which lies on me)
I will, for that caufe, hence occafion take,
(Afwell, for their, as for mine, and her fake)
So plainly, what befals me to expreffe,
That, no heart which hath any tendernefs,
Befeeming men, fhall think a greater Tryal
Of humane patience, in &f elf -denial
Can ever in the Flefh be undergone,
Then this, which they fuppofe ^Jlender one.
I have a juft occafion too, by that
To render her, that honour in the Gate,
Which is her due ; and whereto I do ftand
Obliged by King Lemuels Command ;
And, from what I expreffe, perhaps, likewife,
There may fome other good effefts arife.

What could the malice of the Devil invent,
To make more grievous my Imprifonment
Then at this time, wherein (for ought I know)
The laft, and needful^ duty that I owe
Unto my deareft Friend, ought to be paid,
To be unjuftly in a Prifon ftaid ?

Were

(83)

Were I detained but from fuch a one,
As many have, (a Wife in name alone)
I fhould be glad perhaps, I now am here,
Or, though within a far worfe place it were :
But, if I may with modefty exprefTe,
What I believe, I can affirm no lefs
Then this ; Though many women have done well,
Mine, with the beft may be a parallel:
And, fmce my pow'r to nothing elfe extends
Which may, for what fhe fuffers make amends,
In words, at lead, He give her what is due
And fay no more, then I believe is true.
Perhaps, when told, it will fo far exceed
What is according to the common Creed,
That, many will fufpect it; But, know this
There is in that man very much amiffe
Who, of his confort, doth not fo believe
In fome degree, as I of mine conceive.
For, if he finds her not a helpful Wife,
Either, for this, or for the other Life ;
The fault's his own, though fhe may faulty prove ;
And he ingratefully requites GOD's Love.
GOD gave her not, but, he himfelf acquir'd her,
By fome ill means; or, for thofe ends deuYd her
Which make no Marriages, but what are evil,
And, were made by the World, Flefh and the Devil.
Elfe, he would honour Providence Divine,
By praifing of his Wife as I do mine.
Or, by confeffing freely, as he ought,
That, GOD is juft, in giving what he fought.
Whether mine live or die, let none who hear them
Grudge her thefe praifes, for her worth will bear

(them.
L 2 At

(84)

At firft, I lov'd her, for his fake that gave her ;
Of him, I fought her, and from him I have her,
If fhe be yet alive, (which I yet hope,
And, that he to my fear will put a flop.)
That, we each other might affe6t the better,
(And, to be mutual helpers prove the fitter)
As EVE from ADAM, GOD did, as it were,
Firft, make her out of me ; then, me by her
He made more perfe6l; And fince Eve was made
No man on earth a fitter helper had.
If any woman may Charactred be
By Lemuels pattern, I think this is fhe :
For, having oftentimes compared them,
Betwixt them, little difference did feem.
She is a Prize, worth ev'ry precious ftone
In India, were all their worths in One.
My heart in her hath trufted fo, that yet
I never, fince I knew het, felt a fit
Of Jealoufie or doubt, in any kinde,
Which brought the leaft diftemper to my mind.
She, at all times, much good to me hath done,
But, evil, in her life time, did me none.
With courage, her Affairs fhe went about
By Day ; at Night, her Candle went not out.
She was among the loft, who came to bed ;
The firft, who in the Morning rais'd her head ;
And, that no duty might be left undone,
Martha, and Mary, fhe ftill joyn'd in One.
In all Dome/lick Bujinefs, fhe was skil'd,
Both in the houfe, and likewife in the Field:
And whilft my time was otherwayes beflown,
Difpatch'd both my affaires, and her own.
She was no Prodigal, nor bafely fparing ;
All things were done without vexatious caring ;

She

(85)

She chid thofc, who (when chiding was in feafon)
Were to be quickncd more with noife, then Reafon ;
And, when to angry words they did provoke,
Her anger ended, when the words were fpoke ;
When, alfo, they were griev'd, who did mifdo,
She pardon'd, and with them, oft, grieved too.
All her Affairs, fhe managing with Reafon,
Appointed work and meat, in their due Seafon
To ev'ry fervant ; and good notice took
Both of what was well, or /// done, or fpoke.
She feared GOD, and honour gave to them
Who were inverted with a Pow'r Supream ;
Her life, fhe fquared by GOD's holy Word,
According to the Light he did afford;
And, had her felf fo exercis'd therein,
That, often fhe my Concordance hath been ;
Yea, and in Humane Hiftories, to me
Been in the flead of my MNEMOSYNE.

A better Woman, Miftris, Mother, Wife,
I never faw, nor fhall fee during life.
Rebecca like, fhe gave me flill to eat
Afwell moft favory, as wholfom meat ;
And, when GOD fent me food, good care fhe took,
The Devil fhould not fend me in a Cook.
To me, to mine, and our poor neighbourhood,
She, in the flead of our Phyfitian flood ;
She, flill according to her power was ready
To give what things were needful to the needy ;
Who did not wilful Beggarjhip profeffe,
That, they might live in forded Idlenefe ;
And, purchafing her own food with her fweat,
Abhor'd the bread of Idlenefs to eat :
She could fpcak well, yet readier was to hear\
Exceeding Pleafant, and yet zsfevere

As

(86)

As Cato. Though Corporeal Beauties be
Worn out with Age, fhe is the fame to me
She was at firft, and 'twas no mean perfection,
Which, in my Youth, furprized my Affe6lion.
This is her Character, and in the word
Of Truth, this is thereof, a true record.
In her, I did as much contentment find,
As if I had enjoy'd all Woman-kind :
For, though a poor mans Confort fhe hath been,
She had zfpirit might become a Queen ;
Yet, knowing how to want and to abound,
Could make it fboop ev'n to the very ground ;
And, if fhe die, I fhall but little care
For any thing fhe leaves behind her here,
Except her Children, and that which relates
To GOD, and to our Spiritual Eftates.
The deprivation of her company
And, of thar joy in her fociety
Which I have had, is far a greater lofs,
Then, all thofe many Baubles and that droffe,
Whereof the world deprives me ; or, of them
{Had they heen mine) which others moft efteem.
This feperation is the great' ft defpight
That malice could have done me at her height ;
And might we live, where we might live alone
To talk of that, which GOD for us hath done,
(And means to do) my Joy would be much more
With competence, then with the worlds whole ftore,
Were I depriv'd of her ; who, might be here
So neceffary a Remembrancer.

Now, Judge (if you or I, do this believe)
Whether I had not caufe enough to grieve,
That we were fo, divided from each other,
Left hopelefs, we again fhould meet together.

Though

(87)

Though fuch in ev'ry point, fhe may not be,
Yet, fmce that flie doth fuch appear to me;
Think, if by fear of loofing fuch a Prize,
A man who is far ftronger, and more wife,
Might not, when thereby fuddenly oretaken
As much with like diftemfi ratures be fhaken :
And, whether (taking to confideration
The fenfe I have of ev'ry Humane Paffion)
Ought may befall, as I am Fleffi and Bloody
That could more difficultly be withftood.

But, notwithftanding what's expreft, let no man
Suppofe I have forgot fhe is a Woman.
I am not fo Uxorious, or unwife,
To think that fhe hath no Infirmities ;
Or, that to any other fhe doth feem
So worthy as fhe is in my efteem.
The rough hard fhells in which rich Pearls do lie,
Shew not their Beauty to a ftrangers eye.
And Vertues, when that they moft perfect are,
Sometimes, \\kzfatilty Actions may appear
To lookers on, who have not means to know
How done, nor to what end, nor whence they flow ;
And then efpecially, when their Spectators,
Are Envious, or their Foes, or Verities haters.
The mildeft Medicine, fore eyes, difeafes,
A fickly Stomack wholfom'ft meat, difpkafes ;
And fo the befl and noblefl Difpofitions,
Are moft diflik'd by men of bafe Conditions ;
Becaufe their Vertues, if they neighbours are,
Do make their Vices greater to appear.
Her precions Balms, have fometimes made me
But, I confeffe, the caufe was on my part, (fmart,
If fhe adminiflred a bitter pill
In love, to make me well, when I was ///.

And

(88)

And well (he might fometimes occafion find,
To give me wholfome Phyfick of that kind,
By cautions and remembrances apply'd
In feafon, when my wit was foolifi'd :
For, nothing purpofely, from her I hid
That, in my life, I faid, or thought, or did.
And (that me might, at full, be privy to
My whole Affairs, and all I had to do)
No Letter unto me in abfence came,
But leave I gave her to break ope the fame.
Which freedom (with fuch) mutually beftown
Made me to her, and her to me fo known,
That, what the outfide of my Actions be,
My Confcience hardly better knowes then me.
Small ufe of an Affettion can be there,
Or proofs of Friendjhip, where no failings are.
There's hardly poffibility of living,
With any one, who never needs forgiving]
For, he, who in his Confort, finds no blame,
When he fails, will confounded be with fhame.

By thefe ExpreJJions, which have mown in part,
My PaffionSy I have fomewhat eas'd my heart.
And, though impertinent they feem to be
To others, they are pertinent to me,
In fhewing me my weaknefs, and from whom
My helps, in all extremities muft come.
My Pajfion is the fame ; but, this, makes way
For Reafony to command, which did obey ;
And, this Divertifment a flop, brings in
To that, which elfe, might have deftru<5live been.
Yet, Inftrumental, though my Reafon was
Herein, th' Efficient is Preventing Grace :
And therefore, Him, from whom this Mercy came,
I, thus Petition to compleat the fame.

My

(89)

My God ! my heart, thou baft now toucfad nearly,
And dojl in that, which I affecJ mojl dearly,
Begin to try my Faith ; That Faith of mine
Which (if a true Faith) was a gift of thine ;
It was by thee, upon my Soul begot :
Into Temptation, therefore lead me not
Beyond my ftrength ; But LORD deliver me
From Evil, that, I may not foiled be :
Thy onely Son, to thee, taught me to pray
In words to this effect, when any way
I was opprejl ; CompaJJion therefore take
On me, (tJwugh not for mine) LORD, for his fake ;
And me difmiffe not, in this fad Condition,
Without a kind reply to my Petition :
For, as Lot faid of Zoar, LORD, the boone
/ now requeji is but a little one ;
A nd, per adventure, Jhould my foes perceive
Thou doft of every comfort him bereave
Who hath defied to magnifie thy Name,
It miglu occajion give them to blafpheme,
Or, make thy fervants to begin to Fear
That, thou regard' ft not how opprejl they are.

That Helper, which thou didft on me bejlow,
(And, Whofe ajjiftance is much needed now)
Thoufeetrift to call upon me to rejign,
As one, who mufl no longer now be mine.
Be not difpleafed LORD, ifljhallfay
Thoti takft the comfort of my life away ;
And that, I do expect thoufhotddft not leave me
Quite comfortlefs, if thou of her bereave me.
Why doft ttiou Dictate to my lieart this Prayer,
If thou intend" ft, to leave me in defpaire f
It cannot be, thou move me fhouldft to crave,
That, which thou doft not purpofe I Jhould have.

M I do

(90)

/ do depend on thee, and hazarded
Both her, and all that in this world I had
For thy Caufe, if my heart be not untrue :
Though therefore, nothing is by merit due,
Vouchfafe, (if with thy will accord it may)
Her life with health, and for a longer day,
That, we with thankfulnefs, in praifes giving,
May fliew thy Mercies forth, among the living.
With Tokens of thy favonr, make us glad,
According to the Troubles we have had.
And, make thy other fervants hopeful be
Of that Salvation, which thoti Jhew'ft to me.

Make it appear unto this Generation
That, we have the fame GOD, the fame Salvation
In thefe our dayes, that was in former times,
Afwell, as fuch like Tyrrannies and Crimes.
Make it appear that thott haft love for us
Afwell as heretofore for Lazarus ;
That, thou, who did/I hear Hagar/^ a Son,
And, Hannah's Prayer, whenjhe beg' d for one,
Doft not defpife my Prayer for the life
Of my beloved and Afflicted Wife ;
Or, haft lefs pitty now then heretofore
Thou had/I of other fome, who did deplore
Their dead or dying Friends ; and when they mourn' d,
Had them into their bofoms back returned.
Let it be known to thofe who do begin
To think, thou art not that which thou haft been,
Becaufe that this Age hathprodudd occajions
Tojhew thy f elf in other difpenfations.
Though to run back to Egypt, we are ready ;
As froward, as Rebellious, and as giddy.
As they whom thou brought/I thence; though, every way
As falfe, as faithlefs, and as apt as they

To

(9')

To fet up golden Calves : Though, as 'were then
There be among us here, fuch wicked men
As Jannes, and as Jambres, ivho refift
Not Mofes, but a greater, JESUS CHRIST',
And,ftrive by their Inchantments how to bring
Us back to bondage, andfedtice the King
By curfed forceries ; yet, make it known ;
That, thou in Btittain doft a People own :
That as ivhen Ifrael was from Pharoh faved ;
That, as thon wert with Mofes and with David,
And with thy People wJto in thraldom were
At Babel, thou art prefent with us here.
(LORD ! I befeech thee mind thou not the lefs
My private fuit, although my zeal to this
Diverts me from it : for, He further yet
Purfue that, though thou me fhouldft quite forget)
Apparant make it, that, fome yet inherit
A Portion of the f elf fame pow'rful Spirit
Which fiWd Elias ; and if need require,
That thou haft Prophets, who can call down Fire,
Hail, Thunder-bolts, and other dreadful things
Upon the Troops and Armies of thofe Kings
Who Perfecute thy Saints ; and Heaven conftrain
Eitlter to let fall, or withhold the Rain,
A s to thy fervice it fliall appertain !
For, this, tJwugh, Jtardly yet belief d of any,
Willjhortly be made manifcft to many ;
And thy vouchfafeing this requeft of mine,
May make it, to this Age, perhaps, ajigite
That, thou, as heretofore, doft lend an ear
At need, to every private fufferer.
As well as unto Publick Grievances,
And, that, when ripen' d are Iniquities

M 2 *

(92)

A greater Conqueft will be got by Words,
Then ever was in any Age, by Swords.
My Dear Redeemer, if it may be thus,
Be pleas' d to Mediate this boon for us.

Thatfuit, for which this Prayer was begun
I will renew, now this digrefTions done',
Yet, neither this, nor ought elfe He require,
( Though rather then my life, I this dejire)
But, what, with thy Good pleafure may conji/l :
And, thou hajl nothing openly exprejl
To make me doubtful that may not be done ;
For, then, I therein thus far, had not gone.
All, things thoufeetrift to will, accord not to
That, which thou hajl decreed for us to do,
As being abfolutely neceffary:
For, fame of them are but Probationary :
Things, by us, rather to be will'd, then done,
As when, to Sacrifice his Onely Son
Thou didjl command thy fervant Abraham;
And, when that our obedience is the fame,
With us, it otherwhile, doth fo fucceed
That, thou the Will, acceptejl for the Deed ;
And, mayji another Sacrifice, this day
Accept in her Jiead, for whom I now Pray.
This, moveth Duft and Ames, now, to do,
What Natural Affection prompts me to :
Make her and me, fo perfectly rejign
Our felves, that our will, may be one with thine ;
A nd, Pardon this bold pleading ; for, had we
No will, which may befaid our own to be,
There could be no obedience. Good nor 111,
Can be, in him, that is not free to will.

L ORD / this my Confort, is as dear to me
As Ifaac unto Abraham could be \

Yet

(93)

Yet, if tJion wilt refume her at this time,
(Although with me thou deal not as with him)
As abfolutcly, as he did intend
His Sacrifice ; /, her to thee commend.
From thee I had her ; up to thee I give her ;
I, wholly unto thy difpofure leave her •
And, whether thoujlialt keep, or give her back,
lie wear it as a Favour, for thy fake.
A nd, this is all lie abfolutely crave,
( Wherein, I know, I my requeft Jliall have)
If, ivith thine honour, it may to her good
Conduce, to let her make with me abode
A little longer time, that time allow ;
Or elfe with all my heart, refume her now.
For,fave to ferve thee, and our Generation,
According to the end of our Creation,
(And for thy Glory) neither JJie, nor I
(If I do know her) ivijh to live or die.

If, her appointed labour now be done,
(A nd I muft here abide to work alone,)
Take her into thine Arms before Jhe go -,
Make her not barely, to believe, but know,
That, this our fad attd fuddain Separation
Is for thy Glory, and for our Salvation :
(For, from the life and Death of greatejl Kings
Butfeldomfo much real honour fprings
To glorifie thy Name, as doth from fome
Who fill on earth, a defpicable Roomed)
Give her an earned, that Jlie Jliall pojfejfe
Thy love, in everlajling happinefs \
And, that, we, whom Jhe leaves afflicJed here,
(Continuing in our love to tJice fincere)
Shall by the Mediatorfhip of him
Who bought us, meet at thy appointed time,

Where

(94)

Where we JJiall never part ; where, Tyrannies,
Of others, nor oiir own Infirmities,
Nor any thing which is to come, or paft,
Deprives, of what for thine, prepared thon haft :
A nd, if/Jte live, fo let our deeds expreffe
Whilft here we live, what we in words profeffe ;
That others, may, until my dying day
Believe thers truth, in what I write and fay ',
To that end, keep us pleafed with our Lot,
Though little, much, or nothing JJiall be got
Of what we had\ my GOD preferve us too
From ftumbling, and from reeling to and fro,
Or ftagg* rings in our Tryals, whereby they
Who are in like Afflictions, ftagger may:
Bzit, with true Joy,fo let thy Holy Ghoft
Replenijh us, that, (although all be loft
Belonging to this world) thy Saints may fee
That, there is All-fufficiency in thee. (done ;

Now, live or die my DEAR, GOD's will be
He fills my heart, and my Diftempers gone.
Since, GOD hath freed me from this Carnal Fear,
Let World, and Devil henceforth do what they dare.
The greater weights they fhall upon me lay,
The fooner, I from them fhall fcape away.
If, me, they fhall into a Dungeon throw,
Both dark and deep, that none may come to know
What, I fay, think or do ; yet, what's done there,
By thefe my Scraps and Crums, it will appear,
Though fcribled haftily, yea, help prevent
What, perad venture, is the Worlds intent :
And hint, that, though Clofe-Prifoner me they keep,
I fhall not wholly fpend my time in fleep.
For, doubtlefs, to my GOD, there, fpeak I fhall
Like Jonas, in the Belly of a Whale,

And

(95)

And (as the Blood of Abel did) fpeake then,
That, which will more prevaile then Tongue or Pen.

Ifaiah 38. The living, The living (O GOD) JJiall
praife thee as I do this day. ( YET) Blejfed
are they who die in the LORD\ for they ftiall
reft from their Labours, and their works follow
them. Revel. 14. 13.

Oftob. 6. 1 66 1.

Another Spiritiial Song compofed, by occafion
of the loft mentioned Diftemper.

I.

WHen in the Morn we rife,
Alas ! how little think we on,
What through our ears or eyes,

May pierce our hearts, ere that day's gone ?
I, did but borrow
From what, next Morrow,
I hop'd to have enjoy'd ;
And that, hath quite
The whole delight
Of both dayes, now deftroy'd.

II.

My thoughtful heart grew fad,

And reprefented unto me,
Such things as in the fhade

Of Death's approaches ufe to be :

With

(96)

With many a doubt,

(Which Faith keeps out)
My Fancy fills my head ;

And clouds are come,

Which with a Glootne
This day, have overfpread.

III.

If, whilfl the Sun gives light,

Become fo dark, fo foon, it may,
How black will be the Night

That fhall enfue fo dark a day ?

My Soul, I fee

Betray'd wee'l be,
By our own want of care,

To have prepar'd

A dayly guard,
To keep out carnal Fear.

IV.

No pow'r was in the World

Whereby a Pafjion like to this,
On me could have been hurl'd,

Had nought, been in my felf amiffe :

By day or night,

(Be't black or bright)
The Devil hath no power

Which can procure

Diftemp'rature,
Without fome fault of our.

V.

How frail a thing is man,

That, lifelefs words, aray'd in white,

This

(97)
This Morn affright him can

Who, fcemed fearlefs yefter night ?
Dread of ill newes,
Too plainly fhews
That, with us all's not well :
For, if it were
We need not Fear,
Though ftorm'd by Death and Hell.

VI.

For, if beneath GOD's Wing

Our fafe repofe we fought to make,
None, fuch III newes could bring,

That, much our Courage it could fhake ;

Of, Plagues that fmite

By day or night
We need not ftand in awe

Of poyfonous things,

Of Serpents flings,
Nor of the Lyons Pawe.

VII.

Therefore, my Spirit rowze

(Our Foes, we fee, are not afleep)
Let us, no longer drowze,

But, better watch hereafter keep ;
Come, Courage take,
And we fhall make
Thefe Bugg-bears take their flight ?
For, 'tis our Fear,
No ftrength of their
That now doth us affright.

N 8. The

(98)

VIII.

The Pafjlons of the mind

Are but the fumes of FleJJi and Blood,
Which make the Reafon blind,
By mifprefenting ///, or Good.

If, unto thefe,

We clofly preffe,
And, wiftly on them look,

They will appear

Such as they are,
And, pafs away like fmoke.

IX.

And, yet, my Soul, beware

Thou bring not to affault thefe Foes
Goliatis fhield or Spear,

Nor in his Head-piece truft repofe.

No, nor unto

What Self can do,
But, take thou Davids fling,

And, what he took

Out of the Brook,
Of Grace, among them fling.

A Meditation whilft he was taking a Pipe of
Tobbacco.

T

Hough fome, perhaps will think the things I
Much lefs then Idlenefs, amount unto ; (do,

Yet,

(99)

Yet, to have no work troubles me, at leaft,
As much, as therewith to be overpreft ;
And, then to be quite Idle, I had rather (ther,
Pick ftrawes, catch Flies, or fhells, and Pebles ga-
Or, (as I fometimes do) the time to pafs,
Number my fteps, or tell the panes of glafs,
And often when a trifling aft is done,
Make fome good ufe of that, which promis'd none.

Here, all alone, I by my felf have took,
An Emblem of my Self, a Pipe of Smoke :
For, I am but a little piece of Clay
Fill'd with a Smoke that quickly fumes away.
This Vanity, our Clymat never knew
7111 near the time, in which, firft breath I drew ;
And otherwhile, it is of wholfome ufe
(Though, for the moft part fubje6l to abufe :)
Since firft I fmookt it, after (it came hither)
I laid it by, nigh thirty years together,
And for my healths fake, then, did reaffume
That Bauble wherewith we Tobbacco fume ;
(Not hitherto difabled to forgo it,
If any way offenfive I fhould know it)
And, that in mind, as well as bodily
I might he fomeway profited thereby,
Such Meditations come into my thought,
As thefe, which now, unto my mind are brought.

Ev'n as this Pipe was formed out of Clay,
And may be JJiapelefs Earth again this day,
So may I too. So brittle, that one touch
May break it, this is ; I, am alfo fuch.
When it is broke, made whole it cannot be
By Humane Art; fo will it fare with me
When I to duft (hall be reduc'd by Death,
Until reviv'd by an Eternal Breath.

N 2 This

(100)

This brittle ware, we, oft have ftrangely feen
Preferv'd from breaking : and fo I have been.
When foul it growes, it muft be purifi'd,
By Fire ; I, in like manner muft abide
Thofe Fiery- Tryals, which will purge away
That filth which is contracted every day.
Moreover, when therein, this Herb's calcin'd,
Such things as thefe, it brings into mind ;
That Cujlom, by degrees, prevaileth ftill,
To draw us, both to what is Good and /// ;
For, when this cuftomarily is taken,
It can by very few, be quite forfaken,
Or, heeded, how they turn unto abufe,
That, which is otherwife, of fome good ufe ;
Yea, fo it them deludes, that oft they think
That, is well fcented, which doth alway ftink ;
Yet, me it makes, with thankfulnefs to heed,
How, GOD wraps up, a Blefjlng in a Weed:
And, how (when I have weighed things together)
He makes one vanity to cure another ;
Turns that to Good, which was, perhaps, for Evil,
At firft, fent in among us, by the Devil.
It minds me too, that, as this Herb by fire
Muft be confum'd, fo, muft all our defire
Of Earthly things ; and, that wherein we took
Moft pleafure, turn to Ames and to Smoke.

When I had writ thus much, of what I thought,
My Candle, and Tobbacco were burnt out.

(101)

A Hint, of that, which may hereafter (if not
defpifed) conduce to the Setting of Peace and
Concord in Church and State.

This Scrap, though fome will not difgeft,
Is caft in here, among the reft.

ELias like, I thought my felf alone,
A while ago, and of my mind, knew none :
But, many I now hope, here living be
Who, joyn in one Faith, and one love with me.
My Soul, I long time, feemed to poffefs,
As when the Baptift in the Wildernefs
Was to be Difciplin'd, and there prepar'd
For, that, which he performed afterward.
As when he Preach'd Repentance, in his dayes,
High Priefts, nor Lawyers, Scribes nor Pharifees,
Nor of the gay Herodians, any one
(Nor many, but the Vulgar fort alone)
Regarded it; fo, likewife, I might fay
Of all my Premonitions, to this day ;
And may (for ought I know) without regard
Purfue my Work, till I have his reward :
If fo it happen, I am well content
To follow fuch a holy Precedent.

I, am now (as it were) one in exile,
Like John, when banifh'd into Pathmos IJle ;
And, to \\iefeven Churches in thefe Nations
As he then, to the Afian Congregations

Had

(102)

Had fomewhat to expreffe ; fo, I from HIM

(As I believe) who fent his mind to them

By that Difciple, have a needful Errant,

To be delivered, by Authentick Warrant,

Which, muft lie Dormant, until them to hear it

GOD, fhall prepare, and fit me to declare it.

Mean while, I caft in this Preoccupation,

To be a furtherance to that Preparation

Whereto GOD's Grace will ripen me, and Them,

(Hereafter, in his own appointed time ;

If nothing that fhall be Co-incedent

Doth intervene, that purpofe to prevent)

Thus Chrift, did to a future time adjourn

What, he had then fpoke, might it have been born ;

And, his example doth inftruct my Reafon,

To chufe for every work, a proper Seafon.

I have a Love for all the whole Creation,
Much more, for every Chriftian Congregation :
I, for each Member of them (whatfoere
Infirmities, I fee in them appear)
Have fuch a Love, and fo inlarged, that
I can with every Church Communicate,
In all Effential duties, though they may
Be fometimes, much abus'd with an Allay:
Becaufe, what me therein offendeth, I,
Without offending others, can pafs by ;
And, at another time, in private, feek
To make them underftand what I diflike ;
And, by a meek compliance in what's good,
Bear with a failing, not well underfbood.
Their Ignorance, or mifled Confciences,
Give me no caufe of Perfonal offences,
So, they the Fundamental Truths, profefs
Without malicious minds, or wilfulnefs ;

Or

Or by approving, or continuing in
Prophannefs, and committing open Sin.
For, fmce he that knows moft, knows but in part
And, hath a Cloudy Region in his heart,
They, of my Pitty, rather Obje6ls be
Then of my hate. They, fo much hurt not me
As damnific themfelves : And, I, thereby
Have of my Meeknefs, Faith and Charity,
Thofe Exercifes, for which (if I have them
In true fincerity) GOD, chiefly gave them.
And, which way can they better be employ'd
Then, that a common good may be enjoy'd ?
And that we to our Brethren may extend
That mercy, when we think they do offend,
Which GOD's long fuffering doth vouchfafe to us ?
And, fmce he did command it fhould be thus ?

The Church Catholick, is a Corporation,
Whereof, the feveral Churches in each Nation
Are Bodies Corporate, as here we fee
In LONDON, many Corporations be
Members thereof diftinc~t, govern'd by Laws
Peculiar to themfelves, as they found caufe
To conftitute them ; yet, unto all thefe
Belong the Cities gen'ral Priviledges ;
And every Individual Perfon ; there,
Conforms unto thofe Lawes which proper are
To this whole City ; and they live together
In Peace, without intruding on each other.
What hinders (but our Ignorance, Ambition,
Our Avarice, and Love to Supcrftition?)
That, Chrijlian Congregations may not thus
Be form'd, and regulated fo with us,
That, we may live henceforward in true Peace,
Morality and Piety increafe ?

Pro-

(104)

Prophanuefs be fuppreft ? and, no more, here,
Affairs Divine, and Civil interfere ?
What hinders this, but, want of that true Love
And meeknes, which our knowledge might improve ?
And, whence flowes Difcord, but from intermedling
With what concerns us not ? fooling, and Fidling
About thofe things impertinent, which, whether
Their tendance be to this, or that, or neither
'Tis not material, fo, that may not be
Infringed, which to all, ought to be free ?
That Peace may be preferv'd ; men kept in awe
From violating of the morall Law,
And, GOD permitted to poffeffe alone
The Confcience as (on earth) his Proper Throne ?
For, he from none, will an account receive,
According to what other men believe,
Or fhall command-, but, anfwerable to
What he commands us to believe and do,
According to the Light he fhall afford,
By his affifbing Spirit, and his Word:
And, therefore, they, who, out vijlavifh Fear,
Of thofe who peaceably inclined are,
Force Innocents, to any hard Condition
(Thereby to free themfelves from their Sufpition
Which is incurable) are Tyrannous,
And foes to GOD, unto themfelves, and us.
In my late Tryal, I have had a fhake,
But, it hath deeper driven in the flake;
And hath, I hope vouchfafed by that FIT,
An earnejl, he fo fad will fettle it ;
That, all the Tempefts which in future dayes
The World, the FleJJi and Devil have pow'r to raife,
Shall more increafe my courage ; and, by mine
Some other, to the like Refolves incline.

GOD,

GOD, give us Grace, with ferioufnefs to heed
Thefe things in time, with what, elfe may fuccecd.
There is a way, how that, may yet be done
Which hitherto, is little thought upon ;
And, thereof, in what is expreffed here,
A Hint, if well obferved, may appear.

A Hymn of Thankfgiving to Almighty GOD;
compos d by this Prifoner, for the gracious
rejloration of his Wives life and health; who,
lying mortally fuk (as was fuppofed) at 52.
miles diftance during his Imprifonment, in a
fad difconfolate condition, and reputed to be
dead, about the f pace of an hour, was miracu-
loujly rejlored.

To the Tune of the 148. Pfalm.

I.

HOw foon, my gracious GOD,
Haft thou my Prayer heard ?
How juft, how kind, how Good,

Haft thou to me appear'd ?
Bleft, be this Day :
For, what did fright my heart laft night,

Thou doft allay :

The Clouds, that made, this Morning fad,
Are blown away.

O As

(io6)

II.

As when his moan to thee

The good Centurian made,
Though I unworthy be,

Like favour I have had
Vouchfaf 'd to me ;
Nay little lefs, in my diftrefs

Receiv'd I have,

Then She, whofe Son, and onely one,
Was near his grave.

III.

At leaft, I, fo much Grace

Of thee, this day have had,
As daign'd to Jairus was

Whofe Daughter thou foundft dead,
Upon her Bed :
For, when my Wife, depriv'd of life

Had long time laine,
Thou, heeding there, our Prayers here
Gav'ft life again.

IV.

Thus fhe, who firft was thine
(And fo fhall alwayes be)
Hath now, been twice made mine,
And, is enjoy'd by me ;
For which, to thee
A double praife, LORD, all my dayes,

I ought to give;
Affift I pray, this due to pay
Whilft here I live.

And

V.

And, let all, who now hear

What, thou for me haft done,
Help me thy praife declare;
For, not to me alone
Extends this boone ;
This A61 of Grace, vouchfafed was

That, they thereby

Might at their need, know where to fpeed
As well as I.

VI.

LORD, I have nought to give
For all thou haft beftown,
But, what I did receive

And was, and is thine own ;
Oh ! now therefore
This Sacrifice, do not defpife

For, I am poor;

Therewith, I fhall give felf and all,
Who can give more ?

A Penitential Hymn, compofed by occajion of a
Dream the \ Qth. of Oftob. i 6 6 i . about
Midnight.

M

I.

Y GOD, thou didft awake me,
This night out of a fad and fearful Dream,
O 2 That,

(io8)

That, fenfible did make me
Of Sins, which heretofore fmall Sins did feem ;
And, ere I perfe6l heed could take,
Whether I flept, or was awake,
He, that is watching ev'ry hour,
Whom he may mifchief, and devour,
Sought, how he might thereby advantage make :
Rebuke him, for my Dear Redeemer's fake.

II.

Permit thou no Tranfgrejfion,
Whereof, I heretofore have guilty been,

Nor great, nor fmall Omijfwn,
Which I forgotten have, or overfeen,

(Either through want of penitence

Or of confeffing my offence)

To rife againft me, great or fmall ;

For, LORD, I do repent them all :
And, likewife, (be it more or lefs)
Renounce all truft, in my own Righteoufnefs.

III.

As Job complain'd, fuch Vijions

To me feem'd reprefented this lafb night
Of my failings, and Omiffions

That, fleeping, they did much my heart affright ;
Me thought a Spirit paffed by
Not to be feen with mortal eye ;
And, I was minded by a Voice
(That, fpake unto me without noife)

Of things preceding, which (then quite forgot)

So, as I ought to do, I heeded not.

Oh

(I09)

IV.

Oh God ! moft kind, moft holy,

Remember not the errours of my life ;
Call not to minde my folly

To add a new Affliction, to my Grief.

World, FleJIi and Devil, my foes are,
And, much more then my ftrength
On me, they have already caft, (can bear
Unlefs, that thou compaffion haft ;

Oh / throw my fins out of thy fight therefore,

That, they may not be feen, or heard of more.

V.

My Soul doth now abhor them,
Thine onely Son, hath with his precious blood

Made fatisfaflion for them ;

Thou, didft accept it ; I believe it good : (make
And, therefore, though they fomtimes
My heart to tremble and to ake,
My Soul is confident they pard'ned are
As if they ne're committed were ;
Confirm it fo, that, fleeping and awake
Sweet reft in thee, I may for ever take.

VI.

Dear GOD, of my Salvation,
Preferve me by thy Love and mighty Pow'r

From perilous Temptation,
In Weal, in Woe, and at my dying hour :
Me, let thy Gardian Angels keep
When I do wake, and while I deep,
From fhame without, and fear within :
From evil thoughts, and A6lual Sin,

That,

(no)

That, Friends and Foes and every one may fee,
No man in vain, doth put their truft in thee.

M

A Requiem to the Soul.

I.

Y Soul, vex not thy felf at thofe,

Who, to all Godlinefs are Foes,
Although they make fair outward fhowes,

And fpread and flourifli like the Bay\
For, deplorable is their cafe,
They, as the fcorched Summer Graffe,
Shall foon into oblivion paffe,

And all their Beauty fade away.

II.

I have been young, and old am grown
And, many changes I have known,
Whereby, it hath to me been fhown

Whereto, their wicked courfes tend :
With Honour I have feen them Crown'd,
With Pow'r and Riches to abound,
Whofe Place no where can now be found ;

For, all their Pomp is at an end.

III.

VJ'tfh Jhadows they themfelves beguile,
'And, GOd, doth at their folly fmile;
With patience therefore wait a while,

And, grudge them not their Portion, here ;
Deftruftion, toward them is hailing,
Their Time is fhort, and dayly wafting,

But,

fill)

But, thine will be for everlajling,

And, Griefs, as if they never were.

IV.

Employ thy felf in doing we//,

And, GOD, with thee lhall kindly deal ;

Thou, in the Land fhalt fafely dwell,

Well fed and clothed, all thy dayes.
And when the Glory of their Name
Is blur'd out, with an evil Fame,
Then, (hall thy Poverty and flame

Be mention'd unto thy praife.

V.

Let wordlings feed upon their Chaff,
Their Cups of Fornication quaff,
And at thy fufferings grin and laugh ;

A midft thy Foes lie down and fleep.
Whilft in their malice, they perfift,
In GOD's Protection take thy reft,
For, though thy Body be oppreft

Thee, fafe, in fpight of them, he'l keep.

He, ivhofoever he be, thatfpeaks this Charm,
Unto his Soul in Faith, Jhall have no harm ;
Therefore, as a Receipt approved, take it :
For, for my felf alone, I did not make it.

(112)

A Meditation upon the many Prodigies and
Apparitions, which are mentioned by Pub-
lick writing, or common Fame.

WE are inform'd, by queftionlefs Prefages
(Vouchfafed to inftruct fucceeding Ages)
That warnings of Chrifis coming, fhould be given
fty figns and wonders manifeft from Heaven :
And, we have feen, in Hi/lories recorded,
That, Providence, in all times hath afforded,
Some Premotions of thofe Defolations
Which fell on Perfons, Places, States and Nations,
Before they came : For, our moft gracious GOD,
(As doth a loving Father) fhewes the Rod
Before he whips, that he thereby may fright
To Penitence, ere he begins to fmite;
And, frequently, prevail, if that means may,
Us to reclaim, he flings the Rod away :
Which kind Indulgence, is in thefe times, more
Inlarged then, it hath been heretofore.

New Prodigies, we hear of ev'ry day,
And, likewife hear, how they are puft away
As but meer Fictions. If we find them fo,
This, juftly, thereupon inferr I do,
That, more prefumptuous we in thefe times are
Then ever any other People were :
For, very much corruption it implies
To be in thofe who make and publifh Lyes.
If there be Truth, in any of thofe Vifions,
Or Extraordinary Apparitions,

Which

Which are affirm'd; 'Tis no lefs wicked daring,

So to affront GOD's vifible appearing

In Signs and Wonders, as, both to contemn,

And feek by all means, how to fmother them :

But, it is worft of all, to publifh Lyes

Of purpofe, to difcredit Verities,

As if we meant, to do the moft we can

To try the Patience both of GOD, and Man.

If, we believe the things that are aver'd,
Why of GOD's Judgements, are we not afeard ?
And, either feek to pacific his Wrath,
Or, magnfie his Mercy, who, fo hath
Forewarn 'd, of what is likely to enfue,
That, we his Indignation may efchew ?
If we fufpecl, what publickly is told,
Why do not they, who are in Poufr (and fhould)
Search out the Truth, that, by due punifhment,
They fuch like Provocations may prevent ?
For, out of queftion, to connive at Lyes,
Or fmother TrutJis, worfe things prefignifies,
Then all the Apparitions, that have been
Thefe twenty years, in this our Climate feen ;
(Though nothing doubted of) and will go nigh
At laft, to turn all Truths into a Lye.

I muft confefs, that, though unto my Ears
There have been brought within thefe twenty years
So many ftrange Reports, of fights and Voices,
Earthquakes^.^ Thunders, dreadful Storms %inoifes\
Of Ebbs and Tides, of Suns, and Moons, and Stars,
And Armies in the Clouds, portending Wars,
With fuch like, as would have perhaps, amounted
Unto a hundted, if I them had counted;
Not one of thofe I faw : yet, fo unjuft
I am not, as thofe good men to diftruft

P Who

("4)

Who have aver'd them : for, though Prodigies
And fuch miraculous Appearances,
Are daign'd in chief, to Infidels, and thofe
Who in God's word, no confidence repofe ;
Yet, they are likewife, otherwhile, reveal'd
To true Believers, left, they be conceal'd
From thofe whom they concern ; or left, by them
Quite flieghted, who, the Works of GOD, contemn ;
They, alfo their own welfare fo neglect
That, they be totally without effect.
On truft, I therefore take them : for, if we
Confirmed by their Witnefs may not be,
Whofe Convocations are to us well kuown ;
How, can we any Affirmations own
For Truths, Historically writ, by thofe
Whofe Converfation, no man living knowes ?

For, my part I have with my carnal Eyes,
And, otherwife, beheld fuch Prodigies
In Words and Deeds, that, although none of that
Were true, which I hear other men relate,
I (at the leaft Myfterioufly) difcover
All thofe old Miracles, new acted over,
In my time, which in Pharaohs days were wrought,
When Ifrael out of fervitude was brought ;
And, many a fuch like wonderful proceed,
As we recorded in the Scriptures read.

I've feen th' Inchanter's (yea, and Aarons) Rod,
Turn'd into Serpents ; Waters into blood.
I have feen Froggs fent, and remov'd again,
And, yet, we as hard hearted ftill remain.
I have obferved, (at leaft once or twice)
Our Dtifl, to be transformed into Lice.
Plagues, which refembled Locujls, Flies, and Hail,
Yet not a jot upon our hearts, prevail.

The

("5)

The People, ev'n as Murrains do our Beads,
A Sin thats Epidemical, infefts ;
And, fo with Blaines and Byles we fmitten be,
That, in a moral fenfe, meer Scabs we be.
^Egyptian Darkncfs too, hath here, among
Our other Plagues, continu'd very long,
With likelihood to be as groffe, as there,
Unlefs, the Sun of Righteoufnefs appear;
Yea, I have feen our Firjl-born alfo flain,
Yet, ftill, we in obduracy remain.

I, therefore, wonder not, if private Vijions,
Prodigeous fights, and Dreadful Apparitions,
(Difcern'd but here & there) have nought effected,
Since, things more Signal, are fo much neglected.
Where, Mofes and the Prophets are not heard,
One from the Dead, will find but fmall regard.
In vain are Dumb-Jliewes, where, a fpeaking fign
Can to no heedfulnefs, mens hearts incline.
When CHRIST'S own Words, will not with credit
In vain, will be fti&fpeakings of an AJfe: (pafs,
Yet, fpeak muft, when GOD fhall his tongue untie;
And, whatfoere fucceedeth, fo will /.

A Riddle for Recreation, not impertinent to
this Place.

INto a Park, I lately came,
Wherein are many herds of Game,
Whereof the Keepers take no care,
And yet, they in abundance are.

P 2 They

They are a Cattle of ftrange Breed

Which, on no Browfe, nor Graffe do feed ;

Are Found, before that they are fought ;

Afwell mjleep, as waking caught :

So filently, they hunted are

That, neither Hound nor Horn we hear

When chatc't : They, are the onely things,

Left free for Beggars and for Kings

To Hunt at wzll : and, all that we

Affur'd of by our Charters be.

What Park is this ? What Game are thefe ?

Tell me, and Hunt there, when you pleafe.

A Proclamation made by this Prifoner, with the
advife of his Privy Counfel, the Mufes.

OH Yees, Oh Yees, Oh Yee's: if any man
In Country, Court or City tell me can
Where my laft Poem calPd Vox Vulgi lies,
(Seiz'd lately in my Chamber by furprize)
On penalty, of what elfe follow may,
Let him produce it, e're my Tryal day ;
(Which, yet, I am not certain, when, or where
It will be, neither do I greatly care.)
He, who to me, the fame will timely bring,
Shall be rewarded : So, GOD Save the King.

Given, this I7th. of the 8th. Month, 1661.
At my Head Qquarters in Newgate, which
is, at prefent, all the places of abode upon earth,
which the Prince of this World and his Prela-
cie have left me.

Geo. Wither.

A

A Concluding Epigram.

(play'd,

With thefe Cards, I, an After-game have
But, there's one Card, by fhuffling, fo mif-
That, now my fore-game's loft; yet, if I may (laid,
Juft Dealing find, Fair Gamfters, and Fair-play,
What ever happens, I no queftion make
But, I at laft, may thereby fave myjtafce ;
And, when the Sett is ended, win much more
Then ere I got by Play, or Work before.

If any good Effects, hereby enfue,
A Thanks to GOD, is for my Troubles due :
For, had he not made way to fend me hither, (ther.
Thefe Fragments, had not thus been fcrap'd toge-
Thofe Papers, which are hitherto fuppreft,
Shall that occafion, which will manifeft
(At laft) a more effectual operation
Then, if they might have had free Publication.
If, alfo, God, me, here mail exercife
With greater Tryals, better Fruits then thefe
They will produce : Therefore, they mall to me
Be welcome, when, or whatfoere they be.

Yet, for the fakes of other men, well pleas'd
I fhould be, from my Troubles to be eas'd ;
Becaufe, until mine mall have fome redreffe,
Their fuff'rings, are not likely to be leffe.
L ORD, therefore, if thou pleafe, make it a Jign,
Their Troubles willfoon end, by ending mine.
I, thereof, am a little hopeful made,
By fome foretokens, which I newly had.

Three

(n8)

Three likely figns thereof, he daigned hath;
For, my Beloved Confort, he from death,
Was pleas'd to raife (ev'n whilft within this place
I have remain'd, expofed to difgrace
And Poverty) he, for my Children too,
Whilft this was writing, hath provided fo
That, without Portions, to their good content,
They married are, without difparagement ;
All parties, Chriftian confidence profeffmg
Of their dependance on GOD's future bleffmg.
He, in the prefence, and amidft my Foes,
Hath fpread my Table ; and, fuch bounty fhowes,
That, thefe are nothing, but the Scraps and Crums
Of that fupptyy which, dayly, from him comes.

AppelloDEUM, REGEM, POPULUM, PARLIA-
MENTUM.

I do, appeal, to judge of my intent,
To GOD, King, People, and the Parliament:
For, one of thefe, I'm fure, my Friend will be,
And, I hope well, of all the other three ;
But, they know not my heart, fo well as he.

A Pojl-fcript to the Readers.

THefe Pieces, being communicated to feveral
Perfons in writing, were fent back to me im
printed; by what Printer I know not. Two or three
large Cantles, are thrown in among them; which,
though you would have difliked, in refpect
of their Quantity, I mould have made no
fhorter; for, I could with more contentment have

lengthned

lengthned them. So much was neceffary to exer-
cife my Q\vnfpirit, and ftrengthen my Faith and Pa
tience, during \\\Q prcffures which lie upon me. There
fore, if they begin to feem tedious, give over the
perufal : For, they were intended to be communi
cated to thofe onely, who were voluntarily defirous
of them, to whom I befeech GOD to fandtifie them
in the reading. They were diftill'd out of me, by
that Fiery-tryaly which will extend to many other
before it be ended, and which will evidence that
they are no counterfeit or Sophiftical Extractions,
though they may feem trivial to fome, becaufe they
relate chiefly to my felf; for, they will be found
ufeful to many of them, who, are or (hall be, exer-
cifed with like Pafllons and Afflictions.

That, which tends to the Vindication of the
Poem occafioning my Commitment hither, will
concern others as well as my felf; So, may alfo that
which expreffeth my fuddain diftemper, at the firft
hearing of my Wives Sicknefs, lying at 52. Miles
diftance in a very difconfolate Condition, as to all
outward things : And they who are as truly fenfi-
ble of a Conjugal and Paternal Affeftion as I am,
will perhaps, think when they read what I have
written, that it may be of ufe to fome of them,
when they confider well the ftruglings between my
Flejh & Spirit during that Tryal ; and, in regard it is
in probability, the ftrongeft Temptation whereby
the world and the Devil fhall have power to afflict
me. But, whatfoever fhall be thought of that, of
the reft of thefe Parcels, or of me, I fent them to
thofe in writing, who defired to have Copies of
them, and to paffe further, as God fhould give
leave.

To

(120)

To write no more, I long fmce did intend ;
But, none but GOD knowes now when I fliall end,
For, ftill, I find, when I think all is done,
As much to write, as when I firft begun.

Your tme Friend, and Brother in the
beft Confanguinity, who thinks it
no difltonour, to fubfcribe himfelf,

GEORGE WITHER,
of Newgate, in the City
of London, Prifoner.

The I Qth. of the 8th.
Moneth, 1661.

An Appendix in Relation to what concerns
his Wife.

MY Confort, (who ftill meanes what ere fee f ayes)
Perujing what's here mentioned to her praife',
Protefts, her modefty it fo offended,
To find her f elf in fuch aftrain commended,
That,fhees a/ham d to live, and, to be dead
Had rather, then to fee it publijhcd.
To be aveng'dfor this dijlike, therefore
lie to the reft, ad this one Vertue more,
Which had been elf e forgot; and if JJie do
Therewith find fault, lie then, ad twenty moe.
For, I forbore her Praifes till 1 fear' d
That, them,Jhe never Jhould have feen, or heard,
A nd, had expofed them to Publication
Before I was quite cured, of my PaJJion.

A Table

(121)

A Table of the feveral things contained in
this Book.

1 . nP/fc Epijlle of the Author. Pag. 3.

2. LA MiJJive to his Friends, who enquired for
him, after the apprchenjion of his Perfon and the
feizure of his Books and Papers. Pag. 5.

3. His firjl Meditation after his Commitment to
Newgate. Pag. u.

4. His Petition at the Sejfions, that Bail might be
accepted. Pag. 17.

5. An Epigram to tJu City of London. P. 19.

6. This Pr if oners fccond Meditation in Newgate.

Pag. 22.

7. Anfwer to fome Friends who fent to know how it
fared with him after his Commitment. Pag. 27.

8. A Pafs-by, to them who feemed offended with his
frequent f crib lings (as they call them) Pag. 28.

9. The Authors Apology, for his writing that Book
which occafioned his Imprifonment. Pag. 30.

10. Another Meditation, alluding to this Verfe in Se
neca, Nufquam nonpoteft ejfe Virtuti locus. P. 55.

u. A Meditation upon Jeremies PropJuJie to Ebed-
melech, the ^Ethiopian. Pag. 59.

12. An Antidote againft Fear. Pag. 62.

13. A JJwrt excufe, why he makes no Adrejffe to great
Perfons-for their Favour in his Caufe. Pag. 68.

1 4. A Meditation upon his coujidcring the fad out
ward Condition of his Relations in theflcfo. P. 71.

1 5 . A PaJJionate exprejfion of a cafual and fuddain

Q dejlemper

(122}

deftemper, upon hearing of his Wives being mortally
Sick, as he ivas credibly informed. Pag. 76.

1 6. A fpirilual Song compofed upon the loft menti
oned diftemper. Pag. 95 .

17. A Meditation whilft he was taking Tobacco.

Pag. 98.

1 8. A Hint, conducing to the Settlement of Peace
and Concord in the Church and State. Pag. 101.

19. A Thanksgiving for his Wives rejlauration to life
and health. Pag. 105.

20. A Penitential Hymn. Pag. 107.

21. A Requiem to the Soul. Pag. no.

22. A Meditation upon the late Prodigies and Ap
paritions. Pag. 112.

23. A Ridle. Pag. 115.

24. A Proclamation by the Mufes. Pag. 116.

25. A Concluding Epigram. Pag- u/-

26. A Poji-fcript. Pag. 118.

THE END.

The Authors Dream, the night before the Im
printing of this Book, and (as he believes)
the true Interpretation thereof.

I Am awake : GOD's bleffed Name be prais'd,
That, he to fee the Light, my eyes hath rais'd :
¥or,Jleep, I fee, which we repute the beft
Of Temporal things pertaining to mans Reft,
(Next to a quiet Confcience) may become
A Torment, very near as troublefome,
If he, that giveth his Beloved fleep,
Did not, within a Bound, nights terrours keep.

My Soul, fo toyl'd, and tired out, hath been
With what, this night, in Dr earnings I have feen,
That, peradventure, if I waking, had
Been fo oppreft, it might have made me mad :
For, from the twelfth hour, to the fourth, well nigh,
I have been ftrugling, in an Agonie,
With fuch Confufions, that, if I would tell
How, I have been turmoyl'd, I, might afwell
Another World endeavour to Create
Out of a Chaos, as the fame relate :
And, not a littie troubled is my mind,
Now I am waking, how, I forth may find w
What it prefignifies : For, I believe
Thofe Notions, I did not in vain receive :
And, therefore, (fince no Daniel I do know,
Who, either can to me my Vijion fhow,

Q 2 Or,

(I24)

Or, what it means) He, by GOD's Grace, affay
To make the beft ufe of it, that I may ;
Not doubting, but, that he will condefcend
To fhew fome glimpfe, of what, he doth intend.

It hapned (which, forget not to remember)
The day before the Kalend's of November,
The firft year (and may be the laft) wherein
I had infranchifed in Neivgate been,
For off'ring to Record, what I have heard
By common Fame, and, was by me declar'd
To no worfe end, then, that, prevent it might
Such like Confujions, as me thought, this night
To me were reprefented. And, who knowes
But, that, this Dream, a Confequent forefhowes
To that relating, which, fulfilled will be
Either, upon thefe Nations, or on me,
Or both of us, if God, averts not from
The beft of us, that, which is like to come ;
And, as dreadful our waking Dreams may be
As this was in my Jleep, laft night to me.
This very day, moreover, (as I hear)
Thofe Mufings, which by me compofed were
Since my Commitment hither, pafs the Preffe\
And, our confufions, will be more or lefs,
As they fliall take effea. GOD's Will be done,
(What ere, he pleafeth fhall fucceed thereon)
For, he, who wak'd me out of this fad Dream,
Will, when, at their worft, raife me out of them ;
Or, when the Refurrection morning comes,
Save, me, at leaft, from all dejlruflive Dooms,
This, (though my Dream admits no explanation)
I take to be a true Interpretation.
But if, that any finds me out a better
I will approve it, and remain his debter.

Errata.

ERR A TA.

PAge 3. line 17. read Appeal, page 14. line 30. for which
are, r. "with awe, 1. 34. r. entertain V, p. 16. 1. 13. r.
Though fo, p. 23. 1. 3. r. be for he, p. 26. 1. 23. r. doft for doth, p.
32. 1. 1 8. r. notfo. p. 36. laftl. r. contrived, p. 39. 1. 26. ?. firft,that,
p. 42. 1. 14. r. grown wife andfober, 1. 33. r. more provoke, p. 43.
1. 2. r. ofReafon, p. 44. 1. 5. r. of letting, L II. r. concejjion, 1. 28. for
is, r. are, p. 59. 1. 6. r. extraft good, p. 75. 1. 22. r, Revive, p. 79.
1. 15. for race, r. truce, p. 91. 1. 30. r. every for very. 1. 26. blot
out now, p. 96. 1. 13. r. we for wee I. p. 102. 1. 9. for their r.
p. 108. 1. 23. blot out my, p. 1 10. 1. 2. r. his /rw/?.

1664.
Tuba-Pacifica.

[HAZLITT, No. 85.]

Tuba-Pacifica.

Seafonable Precautions, where
by is founded forth a Re-
Treat from the War intended between Eng
land and the United-Provinces of Lower
GERMANY.

By GEO: WITHER, a Lover of Peace, and
heartily well-affected toward both Nations.

Nimis Cautela non nocet.

Matthew 5. 9.

Blefsed are the Peace-makers, for
they fhall be called the (Chil
dren of God

ANNO. 1664.

Imprinted for the Author, and is to be difpofed of,
rather for Love then Money.

TUBA-PACIFICA.

Sounding a Retreat from the

War intended between England and the United
Provinces.

An Ancient Emblem, relating to the faid Nations.

Si Collidimur frangimur,
If we knock, we are broke.

AN hour is come, in which muft be renew'd
That Work, which I have hitherto purfude ;
And, I to utter what I have to fay,
Will take the Kite that's offer'd whilft I may,
In hope that they, whofe Prudence can defcern
Thofe things which their well-being do concern,
Will hear and heed therh, e're it be fo late
That Premonitions will be out of date :
For, Opportunities may flip away
To morrow, which are offer'd us this day ;
And 'tis all one to Wife-men, whether Strangers
Or Friends, premonifh them of likely dangers,
Or, whether unto them, Alarums from
A Silver, or a Rams-horn Trumpet come.

To me there are but two wayes known, by which
Men may fpeed well or ill, grow poor or rich ;
To wit, by profecuting Good or Evil,
By cleaving clofe to God, or to the Devil

A 2 And

4 Tuba-pacifica.

And, they are two fuch Mafterfliips, that, neither
Is pleas'd with him, who ferves them both together ;
Becaufe, what is endeavour'd for the one
Obftru6ls what for the other fhall be done.
Prefuming therefore, you depend alone
On him, whom I ferve, thus proceed I on.

A common Fame Reports there will be War
Betwixt the Englifh and the Hollander
And, by their preparations, I conceive
We may with probability, believe
It will be fo. Theft many panick Fears,
Their groundlefs hopes, their bitter Scoffs and Jeers,
Caft on each other, are plain fymptoms too,
Of what, in likelihood, they mean to do.
We likewife, by the Truths and by the Lies
Which to divide them wicked men devife,
And, whereby fuch Partakers on both fides
Augment that hatred which ftill more divides,
May fear, as well as by their other deeds,
The mifchief will go on, as it proceeds,
Untill the power doth reft in GOD alone,
To undo, what is wilfully mifdone.
But, that, which moft confirms it, is theyzw,
The Crying Crimes, that both continue in
Without Repentance : For, among the reft
Thefe I enumerate are not the leafb,
(Nor any whit abated, fmce GOD made
The late Breach up, which them elfe ruin'd had)
Such, as their bragging vaunts of that frail ftrength
Which will deftroy their foolifh hopes at length ;
The confidence, the fottifh vulgar gathers
From Ships and Armies, long hair, Muffs & Feathers;
Their hot conteftings which fhall have the hap
To wear the greateft Bauble in their Cap.

Or,

Tuba-pacifica. 5

Or, whether 'twill at lafl, be brought to pafs,
That th' Affe (hall ride the Man, or Man the Affe.
Thefe, and fame other things, that are perceiv'd
Now a6ling, or about to be contriv'd,
Have made me, with fmall diffidence to deem
Moft of them are as mad as they do feem.

And, is it evenfo ? mud you now lafh
Each other, and your earthen Pitchers dafh ?
Muft you, that have fo long been friends, now knock
Untill you into Potfherds quite are broke ?
None taking heed or care how to prevent
That mi/cburf which appeareth eminent,
And was prefag'd about the ninetieth year
Now pad, by this your well known Emblem here ?
Have you not one among you, rich or poor,
So wife as he, whofe Counfel heretofore
Preferv'd a City, and did then receive
The fame reward, which men in this age give
For fuch-like fervices ? Hath neither, place
A man fo prudent as that Woman was
Who rais'd the fiege from Abel, by her wit,
When Joab with an hoaft beleagur'd it ?
But, are you all of wifdom fo bereft,
That, no Expedient feemeth to be left
Whereby to act untill the fequels are
Ignoble Peace, or a dejlruflive war ?

If it be fo, from whence could it proceed
But from your failings both in word and deed ?
From fordid Avarice, Pride, and Self-will,
Inticing FleJJily Luftings to fulfil ?
For, thefe deprave the Judgments of moft Nations',
Caufe them to fall away from their Foundations ;
Then, fly to Refuges patcht up with Lies,
Seek Power and Riches by thofe vanities

A 3 Which

6 Tuba pacifica.

Which multiply Opprefsions and increafe

Confufions to the ruine of that Peaee

They might enjoy : For, then their ftrength confifts

In, and by thofe corrupting Interefts,

Which will ingage them to rum further on

In their Oppreffive ways long fmce begun,

Till they grow deaf to all that can be faid

To make them of their juft deferts afraid.

And fhould they then, their crooked paths forbear,

Moft private Tradings at a non-plus were ;

Yea all thofe Incomes whereupon depend

Their Formal Grandeur would foon have an end.

For, many thoufands, who did vaft Eftates

Get and uphold, by cherifhing Debates,

By multiplying and delaying long

Vexatious fuits, to many a poor mans wrong,

Would think themfelves undone, if ev'ry State

Their Courts of Jujlice mould reduce to that

For which they were ordain'd ; and Tyranny

Would want fit Tools to bring to flavery

The common people. Very few know how

They may to GOD and their Superiours now

Perform their duties, and not both difpleafe

Or th' one or th' other ; For, what is by thefe

Commanded, is not feldom, either quite

Repugnant, or obliquely oppofite,

As they Interpretations of them make

Who to be Judges of them undertake.

Yea, thofe Profeffions, and thofe Trades whereby

Moft live, are fubje6l to fuch vanity

That honeft men are difficultly able

To ufe them with a Confence warrantable.

It is no eafie matter to devife
What would become of all thofe Butter-flies

Who

Tuba-pacifica. 7

Who flutter up and down in Princes Courts,

If their oppreffive Projects of all forts

Were took away; and what cafe were they in

Who at this day do live upon the fin

Of one another? But they'l be fupply'd

What ever to the Publick fhall betide;

And at the laft, (although their Friends they fecm,)

Deftroy thofe Governments that nourifh'd them,

Unlefs, according to what's juft and true

Themfelves they modulize, with fpeed, anew;

Which, how, and by whom, that might well be done

Were an Expedient worthy muzing on.

Perhaps, if you did ferioufly take heed,
How this concerns you, and what would proceed
From fuch a Constitution, you might know
From whence the quarrellings between you flow,
And how to reconcile thofe differences
Which now increafe your dangers and expences.
Perceive you not, that your Prevarications,
Your Falfhoods, and your grofs diflimulations
With GOD, and with each other, fo provokes
His anger, who on all mens actions looks,
That 'tis impoflible you fhould have Peace
With him, your f elves or others, till you ceafe
From provocations, and bring forth fuch fruit
As with a real Reformation fuit,
And with thofe ChurcJtcs which are truly Chrijls ?
Yea, that your hopes wil fail, though flattering Priejls
Do promife peace, and impudently, too,
Perfwade, that GOD is pleas'd with what you do ?

Obferve you may, by what enfues thereon,
How, GOD abominates what is mifdone
In managing the Myfteries of State,
And heeds what is in fecret aimed at

By

Tuba-pacified.

air pretendings\ and how, they thereby
So long have fought themfelves to fortifie
That, moft men are inclined to believe
Left Good is meant, when fiveeteft ivords they give-,
And that they have forgot on what conditions
Or, to what end God gave them their Commifsions.
Know you not, that &fpirit of delufion,
To bring upon you merited confufion,
Was Licenfed to go forth and delude
Thofe Prophets, by whofe counfel are purfu'd
Unrighteous Actions, that you may be fent
On Voyages like that which A kab went ?
Are your eyes wholly blinded ? heed you not
That, fuch another Spirit is begot
'Twixt^w, and 'twixt the People ev'ry where
Within your feveral Borders, here and there y
(And at this time as active) as was that
Which GOD permitted to infatuate
Abimelech and Sichent, till it had
Deftroy'd them; all their Counfels fruftrate made,
And brought upon both Parties that reward
Which for blood-thirfty perfons is prepar'd ?
If thefe things you have heeded, be not ftill
By thofe deluded who intend you ill ;
But, wake out of your deep fecurity,
And from that Trance wherein you feem to lie.
Confider ferioufly, what you intend ;
E're it begin, think well how it may end ;
What an intolerable heavy load
'Twill lay on moll at home, on fome abroad,
What Treafure, and how much blood will be fpent ;
How, both your Countries will be thereby rent
And fhatter'd ; befide, what not yet fore-feen,
Is likewife pofTible to intervene,

From

Tuba-pacifica. 9

From them, who watching to enjoy the fpoil
By your contendings, laugh and jeer meanwhile;
Which to prevent, I found out this Retreat
From that War, wherewith you each other threat.

I nothing aim at, or defign to do
But what I know GOD hath inclin'd me to,
And which you too, may know, if you well weigh
What I have written, with what I might fay;
And, I believe, that man (who ere he be)
Who fhall obftru6l what's offer'd now by me
Shall thereby fuffer as one who withftands
The mercy he intendeth to both Lands.
With nought I charge you, but what th' one or th'
Is fmgly guilty of, or both together; (other

Nor ought whereto, unlefs you feared are,
You in your felves a witnefs do not bear :
For my part, I fhall neither gain nor loofe
By Peace or War, or by that which enfues ;
Becaufe, he that on GOD his whole heart fets,
Will be the fame, what ever he permits.
I love both Nations, truly wifh them well,
And therefore fhall not any thing conceal
That may concern your fafety, though with fcorn
My Premonitions you fhould back return :
Permit me then, to fpeak a word in feafon ;
For,fometimes, he that is a Fool fpeaks reafon.

Though Jofeph was a flave in deep difgrace ;
A Prifoner more neglected then I was
In my late Thraldome; (no whit lefs in danger
By falfe Accufers, becaufe, more &Jlranger\)
A heathen King, difdained not to take
Good Counfel from him, when he reafon fpake
Though he in him, no more of GOD could fee
At firft, then you at this time do in me.

B I

i o Tuba-pacifica.

I, no fuch Revelations will pretend

As give no warrant on them to depend

Save his own word who tells them ; neither ought

Advife, but Truths, which GOD himfelf hath taught

As well to you as me, by his known word,

Or by the Olive-branch, or, by the Sword.

His Juftice or his Mercy; which have fpoke

That oft, whereof you little heed have took.

To fright you, no predictions I will fain

As many do, pumpt out of their own brain ;

Nor fpeak in Riddles, nor fuch things declare

As you cannot without crakt patience hear,

If I may but that freedom have to fpeak,

Which harmlefs Fools, and licensed Jefters take.

As Mofes, from a principle of Love

Said unto thofe two \fraelites who ftrove,

So fay I unto you who difagree ;

Wrong not each other, for, you Brethren be

By Nature ; yea, by Grace too, fo profeft :

Be therefore Chriftians, or be men at leafl.

Like barbrous heathen wherefore fhould you drive,

And by diffention to your felves derive

A mutual Plague ? Act that which is defign'd

By them who to deftroy you are inclin'd,

And, probably, can no way elfe effect

That mif chief which their Malice doth project ?

Confider what Advantages you had
By concord, how fafe thereby you were made ;
What you profeft when you agreed together ;
What heretofore, you have been to each other ;
How ftrengthned, and how pow'rful you became
Whilft your Dejigns were in effect the fame ;
To your A lies how helpeful ; and to thofe
How terrible, who dar'd to be your Foes ;

Even

Tnba-pacifica. 1 1

Ev'n when thepow'rfulflof yo>\M neighbour ing Nations
Seem'd fo affurcd of their expectations,
That their Sea Forces, in a proud bravado,
Were termed an Invinjible Armado ;
Till GOD befriending you, did with one puff
Bring down their Pride, and blow their Malice off.
Power, wealth, and honour, ever fince that day
He, likewife, heaped on them, many away,
Whilft you continu'd Friends, though you had
Backflidings and defects as grofs as any. (many

As to your outward welfare, all things, yet,
To profper, GOD doth gracioufly permit.
Some of you, have by loofmg all, got more
Then ever they enjoyed heretofore ;
Some other, though of all ; no lefs bereft
Are twice as rich as they, now nothing's left,
By having thereby learn'd to prize that mod,
Which being gotten never fhall be loft.
And, they who this worlds wealth do more defire
Have means enough their longings to acquire.
The chiefeft Forraign Trade to you is given
In all the Realmes and Countries under heaven.
Your Ships are numberlefs, your Merchants more
And richer, then the Tirians heretofore.
Your Ware-houfes are ftor'd by your Commerce
With all things precious through the Univerfe\
For which you were envyed by all thofe
Who either feem'd your Friends or are your Foes.
Your Naval Forces if you timely might
Perfwaded be fmcerely to unite,
In Rightcoufncfs, would ballance all the reft
Between the Orient Indies and the Weft
And both the Poles, enabling you to give
Thofe Laws to all men, who by Traffick live,

B 2 Whereby

1 2 Tuba-pacifica.

Whereby, there might, for all, fufficient Trade

\\\fafety, and with equity be had;

Without which, whatfoere you fhall obtain

Will prove but an unprofitable gain.

And, (which is more confiderable, far,

Then all your honours, power and riches are)

GOD, hath among you, fown \\\Q feeds of Grace

More plentifully then in any place

Below the Sun : his Plants refrefhments wanting

Though fet in blood and Fire, at their tranfplanting

Into your Borders, fo well thrived there

Ev'n then, that millions from them fprouted are;

And, more from them continually fhall fprout

In fpight of thofe who feek to root them out;

Yea, though you by your folly forfeit thofe

Advantages which he on you beftows,

For their fakes, whom fome of you do revile

Opprefs, and from their native Lands exile.

For, GOD hath made your Countrie, to become

The ftrongeft Bulwork in all Chrijlendom,

Both againft GOG and MAGOG cover* d Foes

And fuch as openly, the Saints oppofe;

That, faving Truth and Jlncere innocence

Might thereby be preferv'd from violence;

Efpecially, from their hate, who purfue

The precious feed of Chrifl in them and you,

By Autichrijlian wiles, which hatched were

In your own wombs, and nurfed up now are .

By feeming Friends, who hide their fallacies

With gaudy vails, and vain formalities,

Untill the fouls for which they traps prepare

Are hunted unto death, or to their fnare.

Thefe Ingineers, within your bofomes lie,

And, what their chief aims are, no doubt have I.

Think

Tnba-pacifica. \ 3

Think on thefe things, and whether 'tis from me
Or from God, that you minded of them be;
For, what I had to write when I begun
I knew not; nor (hall I know when 'tis done,
What, by my Prompter, I was mov'd unto
Untill I read it over as you do,
To fee what is of God in ev'ry line
As if thofe writings had been none .of mine.
When GOD, by defpicable means and men,
(As he to do is pleafed now and then)
Speaks to a King or Nation, it doth carry
A mew of fomewhat extraordinary
To be confider'd on with ferious heed,
And it importeth fomewhat to fucceed.
When waving men train'd up in learned Schools
He fpeaks to them, by thofe whom they count fools,
Makes others (as of old fome Prophets were)
A6lors in things that fcandalous appear
To moft Spectators, yea, ridiculous
To fober men (as oft of late with us)
Rendring \.\\&mjigns unto their generation
Of what's to come ; 'tis worth confideration ;
(Efpecially when injuries and fcorn
Are patiently with fober floutnefs born,
For confcience fake) and all men, truly wife
(Although fuch difpenfations fools defpifej
Are deeply fenfible, of what on thofe
The ignorance and hate, of fome impofe,
To whom, it will be manifeft ere long,
That, they have injur'd thofe, to their own wrong.

If yet you know it not, now be it known
That, by the power which is on you beftown
To be on all occafions, whilfb you have it
Employed for his honour who firft gave it)

B3 You

1 4 Tuba pacifica.

You were intruded, and inabled fo

As you have been, not your own will to do ;

Or, that you to exalt your felves above

Your Neighbours, GODS donations, might improve

Into fuch an exorbitance of power

That, at your pleafure, you might them devour,

Opprefs your Brethren, and advantage them

Who Adverfaries are to you and him :

For, they were given to preferve their Peace

Who, under you, in love and righteoufnefs

Defire to live ; the fame Faith have profefb,

And by Ufurping Tyrants are oppreft ;

Which Grace if you (hall turn into oppreffion

Or wantonnefs, will haften your perdition ;

Make many of your trueft Friends grow fad

And me, who of your welfare fhould be glad,

Be forc'd my work to clofe (in imitation

Of Jeremiah) with a Lamentation.

You will but give your foes juft caufe to laugh

To fee you quarrelling for ftraw and chaff

Wild they get opportunity to burn

Thofe Granards down, whereby the precious corn

Might be preferv'd, wherewith your bread of life,

May be fupply'd, if you defift from ftrife.

VVho can affure you that the provocations
Whereby, now very many in both Nations,
Exafperated are, will not afford
Fit opportunities by your difcord
Some fuch contrivances then to project
And profecute, as prudence may fufpect ?
For, though what Faction moves mad men to do
Will ruine them at laft, fo 'twill you too.
What, men who have good confciences will fhun
Will by men without confciences be done

When

Tuba pacifica. \ 5

When God (hall let them loofe, or call together
All fors of Tinners to correct each other.
Tis likewife poflible, that many things
Pretended caufes of your quarrellings
If they were well examin'd, would be found
Meer fcandals raifed without real ground,
To make mifa&ings on both fides appear
(By Aggravations} greater then they were.
For, in both Nations, there is fuch a Rabble
(By their ill manners much more defpicable
Then by their Fortunes} who, for fervile ends,
In hope of profit, (or to make them friends
Of thofe whom they fought to exafperate)
Did fome mifa<5lings much more aggravate
Then there was caufe ; and fo, that which was bad
Was by their falfhood, more offenfive made :
This, hath been kindling 'twixt you many years
A fmothering Fire, which now to Blaze appears ;
But hitherto thefe had not power to blow
The flame fo high as they have rais'd it now:
For, GOD did but permit them fav probation
And though it was of long continuation,
Hath fo your wealth increas'd, that as 'twixt Lot
And Abraham, it now hath ftrife begot.
GOD, by his grace, direfl you to a courfe,
The confequmt thereof may not be worfe.
Y "our force united hath been heretofore
A terrour to the vaffals of that Whore
Which rides the Beaft\ yea, often fuch a dread
To her, when fhe at higheft bore her head
That, (he's inrag'd to fee you have fo long
Againft her Soceries continu'd ftrong ;
Though to fupplant you fhe laid many a Train
Which had not then contrived been in vain,

Had

1 6 Tuba-pacifica.

Had you been fo divided as this day
You are, or as perhaps e're long, you may.
But Unity did make you fo compact
A Body, that her wiles could not diftract
Your prudent Counfels, neither from your courfe
Divert you, by her cunning joyn'd with force:
This, by experience found, fhe doth begin
To work upon you by another Gin
Which will extend to many, far and near
Who deem they thereby unconcerned are :
For, they who foolifhly, themfelves now flatter
That they by fifhing in your troubled water
Shall get Advantages, will be bereaved
Of thofe expectancies, now preconceived :
For, that which follows, be it whatfoere
Will further GODS defignments, but not their;
And, though you may by folly, loofe your ends
She mail not bring to pafs, what fhe intends.
If me by this Divifion, break your power
She thinks that fhe mall eafily devour
T\\&f catted d Churches, which in hazard lie
Within the limits of her Sov'raignty;
Then, thofe that ftronger are (though more remote)
Affoon as opportunities are got
To practice on them, by the force of A rms
Or, by the power of her befotting Charms :
And if they take effects, her work is done,
Untill GODS Counter-work mall be begun,
Who, though mans working with him he expects,
Shall no advantage lofe by their defects
Who give Advantages unto his Foes
By trifling that away which he beftows,
To do him fervice. But, they mall become
Partakers with Apojlates in their doom.

That

Tnba-paciflca. 1 7

That grand Impoftris now rcfolvcs to play
Divifions, making all thofe whom (he may,
Dance to her Fiddle •; and to bring about
Her purpofes, hath very little doubt:
For, as a wafted Candle when it finks
Into the greafie focket (and there ftinks)
Sends greater flafhings forth, and blazeth more
A little while, then any time before;
So, me doth now, with her whole force perfue
The mifchief me hath long defign'd for you ;
And, not much wanting feemeth to compleat
That, whereupon her heart hath long been fet :
For, to that end, were fent forth before hand,
Her Emiffaries into ev'ry land,
With Difpenfations (as occafion haps)
To make ufe of all courfes, forms, zn& JJtapes \
And thefe have into all Societies
All Conftitutions and Fraternities,
(Divine or Civil) all Affairs, Relations,
And Interefts, what ever, in both Nations,
Screw'd, fuch a party, that, chief fway they carry
In things divine, civil, and military;
So, that, as once it was prophanely faid,
Should GOD ftand neuter, till her game were plaid,
She would prevail againft you, at this time,
Becaufe, no aid (hall be withheld from them
Who malice you, nor any furtherance
Her/tfzcw and finking Throne to readvance
Which Antichrijls confederates can add,
Or, from prophaneft perfons may be had.

Be therefore heedful that by your difiention
You make not feizable her ill intention
By trufting to the Complements of thofe
Who are her vajfals, and your fecret foes,

C And

1 8 Tuba pacifica.

And (as you, oft to) ffeakfairt but to deceive

That they without fufpicion may contrive

Your whole deftru<5tion, and recover power

To re-enlarge their Babylonian Tower.

Which, is this day as truly their defign,

As thofe thoughts, whereon, now I think, are mine.

Bleft let them be who ferioufly endeavour,
To reconcile y oil, ; curfed, they w ho fever
Whom GOD hath joy ned\ For, no outward curfe
To any can befall, that will be worfe
Then that which will in likelihood betide
To thefe two Nations if they long divide ;
But, they who of the breach moft guilty are
The greateji burthen of that curfe Jhall bear.

I am no Perfon who confederates
With home-bred male-contents, or Forraign Jlates
Either to get revenge for wrongs received
Or that fome gain may be thereby derived
Unto my felf : For, whatfoere it be,
That which beft pleafeth GOD, beft pleafeth me;
And having no defignments of mine own
Can wait with patience till his will be fhown.
I, being one who having oft fore-feen,
And fore-told things that have fulfilled been,
Endeav'ring to prevent the profecutions,
Of wicked actions and ram Refolutions,
Am by a power which I dare not oppofe
Once more ftir'd up, to preadmonifh thofe
(As heretofore) who now feem ruming on
In that Career, as other men have done,
Which tendeth unto that end which befell
To thofe, who fleighted, what I did fore-tell :
And, I to fpeak again muft not forbear ;
Vouchfafe therefore to me a patient ear,

Be

Tuba-pacifica. \ 9

Be wary, that your Avarice and Pride,

Prove not to be a motive to divide

At this time, though when you divided laft

Your likely hazards were foon over-paft,

And plagues remov'd ere any penitence

Had teftifi'd remorce for your offence,

Left, greater evils follow, and the trouble

Removed then, returns upon you double,

For, Nations to expofe to wars unjuft

Meerly to fatisfie a private Luft,

And thofe inforce the greateft weight to bear,

Who no way guilty of tranfgrefling are

Of that which in a War ingages them,

Is queftionlefs, a fanguinary crime

From which, no temporary priviledge

Can vindicate, before a Righteous Judge-.

But, it will bring down Vengeance in due feafon

From him whofe Juftice cannot be call'd treafon

Although your High Priefts, and fome others too,

The boldnefs may affume to term it fo.

If wrongs be done, let all good means be us'd

To judge between th' Accufer and Accus'd

E're fentence pafs ; and do not then prolong

Due recompence to them who have had wrong;

Left by delaying what you mould reftore,

Inftead of righting him, you wrong him more.

Ere battail you begin, let peace be offer'd,

Accept a good expedient, when 'tis proffer'd.

Remit fmall faults where you find penitence:

Upon the fame terms, let the great'ft offence

Be pardoned alfo, when the perpetration

Of wrong, exceeds all means of expiation ;

In that, you'l imitate the King of heaven

Who often hath fuch Crimes to you forgiven.

C 2 Make

2O Tuba-pacifica.

Make not the Sivord your Umpier, till you fee

A remedy, no other way can be.

Your juft Rights to preferve, do what you can,

But, fight not to inflave another man;

Nor venture your own Countries to inflame

That you may get a fruitlefs aiery fame ;

Much lefs to grafp a power, which when acquir'd

Will in your hands, be like Granados fir'd;

Yet, to avoid the mifchief and the Curfe

Of War, make not a Peace that fhall be worfe.

Nor when you are at reft provoke his wrath

Who, quietnefs to you vouchfafed hath,

By cheating them of their juft expectations

Who truly wifh the welfare of both Nations,

Adventuring their perfons and eftates,

To fave what to your intereft relates ;

And then intruded you with their defence,

Thereby, but as a fecond confequence.

If you would keep Rebellious men in awe,

To ev'ry one his birth-right due by Law

Preferve impartially; and unto none

Deny that which is due to ev'ry one ;

Left, whilft abroad ingaged you become

In warfare, there may be worfe fraies at home:

For, that Allegiance which is in all Lands

'Twixt Prince and People, upon two feet ftands,

So, that if th' one fails in what it mould do,

In equity, fo will the other, too;

Men who are much oppreffed againft reafon,

Will not much fear to a6l what you call Treafon ;

And, then, from queftioning, on whom there lies

The greateft guilt; fmall profit can arife.

Which way foever, therefore, GOD fhall daigne

To make you Friends, and give you Reft again,

With

Tuba-pacifica. 2 \

With moderation, and with Juftice ufe

That Mercy, for if you the fame abufe

This, without queftion, will enfue thereon ;

Both, fhall one way or other be undone.

The conquer d ft\z\\ inflaved be; and they

Who conquer, be made flaves another way.

Make not your Reft to be ^fnare or Stale

As Fowlers do, to cath Birds there withall.

Nor means, your felves with fuch vaft power to arm,

As helps not fo much, to do good, as harm ;

For GOD will heed it, and you fhall be caught

Ev'n in thofe Traps, which your own hands have

And as old Rome was you fhal be at length (wrought,

Orewhelm'd and deftroy'd, by your own ftrength.

To mine own Countrymen, I'le write or fay
Nought at this time, which any juftly may
Apply to them alone; left, fome once more
May terme it fcandalous as heretofore,
Or call me Libeller, for being bold
To tell them Truths (although in feafon told.)
I, Have, fo often in particular
And fo long, time been their Remembrancer
With fmall regard (except from fuch as do
Lovey£;;///r Truth, and fuffer for it too)
That, I to them, will nothing mention here,
Save that in which, an equal part to bear
Both Nations may be faid, without my blame ;
Becaufe, thereby, I fomewhat hopeful am
To raife thence an expedient to efcape
The being caught again, in my old Trap.
But Tie apart, a word or two exprefs
To our Dutch Neighbours in true friendlinefs.

Remember what of old the Englijli Nation
Hath been to you ; and with how much companion

C 3 They,

22 Tuba-pacijica.

They, your Protection timely undertook

When you extreamly by the Spanifli yoke

Oppreffed lay ; and whether the purfuing

Of thofe things which are at this prefent doing,

May not at laft reduce you back to that

Deplor'd condition, or a worfe eftate ;

And bring you once again, inflav'd to lie.

Beneath fuch an unbounded Monarchy

As you abhor : Your Senators are wife,

They in their heads, I know do bear their eyes

And, if they be not hoodwinckt, need by none

Be minded, what fhould be confider'd on :

Yet, fmce but men, let them not be offended

With what is by z.ftr anger recommended

Unto their ferious heed, and let my caution

Be acceptable unto your whole Nation.

Confider, whether all they who pretend

Your Country, Caufe, and Intrft to befriend

May not more complemental prove then real,

When time fhall bring their Friendfhip to a tryal,

And be as falfe to yon, as you have feen

Mofb States and Princes, often to have been

Unto each other, though aly'd by blood,

By Aides in times of need, Leagues, neighbour hood,

And all ingagements whatfoere, which might

Devifed be, them, firmly to unite.

Think, whether fuch have not a party now

Among you, which as things to ripenefs grow,

Will help improve them, to fet up a power

Tending to their advantage more then your:

Yea, whether, you already may not fee

That, fome to fuch a purpofe, a£live be,

This day among you ; and, take timely heed,

That, what you would prevent, may not fucceed.

Tuba pacifica. 23

I II words corrupt good manners', and I hear
That, you no fcurrile language do forbear
Which either heighten may the indignation
And fury kindled in our EngliJIi Nation,
Or, make them to be hated of your own ;
As if you wholly refolute were grown,
So to divide both, that by no endeaver,
They might be reconcil'd again, for ever.
This fault, which to the vulgar I impute
Will queftionlefs produce a poifonous fruit,
And, therefore, though I truly may confefs
My Countrymen have not offended lefs,
In that kind (and may peradventure take
Occafion from thefe Lines, a change to make
Within themfelves) I, heartily intreat
Both you and them, his love to imitate
Whofe doctrines we profefs, and bridle more
Their rude tongues, then they have done heretofore
That, from good words, there may at laft proceed,
True reconcilement both in Word and Deed.
Of one thing more, put you in mind I would
(Which now to your remembrance bring I fhould)
Were I not hopeful you oft minde it fo,
As it becomes you, and repent it too,
And that, we fhall give mutual fatisfaction
For ev'ry fcandal and injurious action,
On either charged, for which, to make even
'Tis in our power; the reft muft be forgiven.

Lord GOD, voucJifafe thy mercy to thefe Lands
And, if with thy good pleafure it noiv Jlands,
The Plagues for their demerits due, adjourn,
That Peace with Grace united may rettirn
Before the madnefs of this Generation
Hath frujlrated their means of prefervation.

By

24 Tuba-pacific a.

By Judgments, and by Mercies interwove,
By chaftifemcnts in anger and in love
By tJireatnings and by gentile invitations,
Thou, to reclaim us from prevarications
Haft oft ajfdied; adding unto thefe
Whifperings in fecret to our confciences ;
Spoke to our ears by men, unto our eyes
By Apparitions and by Prodigies :
Yea, whilft Fm writing this, there doth appear
A Blazing Star wit/tin our hemifphere,
Afwell unto our neighbours as to us
Made vifible: And wherefore Glares it thus
With an Afpefl fo dreadful at this time,
But, to point at, and forworn us and them
Offome approrahing mif chief, whereof heed
Is to be taken by its, with all fpeed.
Lord, let us not, ftill obftinate remain
Rendring (as heretofore} all quite in vain,
That's feen, or faid, or done, till none for ever
By Word, or Deed, our fafety JJiall endeaver.

That time is not yet come; 1'le fpend therefore
In hope of good fuccefs, a few words more ;
And, look to be excus'd if I fhall thrice,
Write that, which I have writ already twice ;
For, neither can hard flints or knotty blocks
Be fhap'd without reiterated fhrokes.
Why fhould you quarrel ? what are now your wants,
But, Grace and Faith to ufe well what GOD grants?
The World is wide enough, the Seas have room
Sufficient for your Ships to go and come:
Expedients will be found which may procure
An honourable peace that will endure
Without a disadvantage unto either
If to make proof thereof you joyn together.

Impa-

Tuba-pacifica. 25

Impartial Jujlicc, brotherly compaflion
Love, meeknefs, piety, humiliation
Faith, prayer, penitence, with fuch like things
Are thofe, whence wealth, and peace, and honour
To them, who will perfwaded be to do (fprings
To others, as they would be done unto ;
As jealous to redrefs a neighbours wrongs
As in that which to their own eafe belongs;
As forward, an oppreffcd man to hear
As cruel Tyrants to afflict him are;
And could forbear intruding on GODS right
A fetled peace thereby enjoy they might,
Without fear; yea, without a juft fufpicion
Of Treafons, Infurre<5lions or Sedition :
And, they whom you diftruft, will be more true
Then they, in whom you truft, fhall be to you,
If you endeaver to contract a peace
And keep it, by uufeigned righteoufnefs :
Although fuch mediums are but fcoffed at
Or fleighted, by moft Mintfters of State.
But, fuch a Blejfing, never can be got
Or kept, by that whereon moft Nations dote.
The conftitution of whofe Governments
Are made according to fuch prefidents
As Jeroboam left, and loft thereby
That Kingdom which on his pofterity,
Should have been fixt, had he not counfel took
fromjle/Ji and blood, and Gods advice forfook.
Not thofe men, whofe Advantages are leaft,
Or moft, fhall thrive ; but, they who ufe them beft ;
Make GOD alone their Refuge, and contend
That curfedftrife, in bleffed peace may end.
'Tis not your carnal policies, or forces,
Your Forts, Ships, Armies, Guards of men & horfes ;
Your fair pretending what was never ment,
Your heavy Taxes beyond prefident,

D Your

26 Tuba-pacifica.

Your flattering Parafites or your Buffoones,
Your roaring Heftors, and your Pantaloones,
Or Oaths inforced, or great Brags and lies,
Nor their complyings whofe Hypocrifies
Are much depended on, that will effect
Thofe Conquefts and thofe Triumphs they expect
Who boaft before their Armour is put off,
And, at the weapons of the fpirit feoff:
For, what by vanity may be obtained
Shall thereby, be devour'd affoon as gained.
You have betwixt you fas imply' d before)
Half of all Forraign Tradings, if not more.
Your many Manufactures, are become
Staple commodities, that bring you home
Three times as much in value ev'ry year
As thofe things, which among you growing are
Amounted to unwrought ; and you are grown
As rich in Forraign wares as in your own.
The Seas have been your FifJi ponds, and afford
Enough to make both rich, could you accord
And both, alike were frugal. Means of Trade
Is in a thoufand places to be had,
Which to imploy you will fufficient be,
When you like Chriftian Brethren fhall agree,
Or, but like moral men ; nay, if but fo
As many Infidels, and fome Beafts do ;
And, GOD and Natures Laws, would you direct
Aright, if, them, you did not wilfully neglect,
Make your own Will a Law, and were inclin'd
To that, which hath corrupted all Mankinde
Rendring, what for mans real weal was given
The greatefl outward Plague on this fide heaven.
So wilfully purfuing your own wayes
For your felf-ends ; that he who doth not praife
Your folly, or with filence pafs it by,
Is thought no Friend, if not an enemy,

And

Tuba-pacijica. 27

And, to reprove Vice is become a Crime
Judg'd Capital among you at this time.

If you confider thefe things as you ought,
(And (hall not be difpleas'd to hear them brought
Thus bluntly to remembrance) I have hope
I may ftill fcape the Gollows and the Rope
For fpeaking Truths in feafon, unto them
Who, their well-willers caulefly condemn ;
And, from their Native Countries, banifh thofe
For whofe fakes, GOD hath kept them from their
Waiting with long-long-fuffering, when to him (foes,
They will return, that, he may turn to them.
This you may do ; And I have hope of it :
For, GOD is refident among you, yet.
His Candlftieks are not from you removed;
Within your Borders, of his beft beloved
Are many thoufands, for whofe fake, he hath
Remembred Mercy, in his hotteft wrath.
Good Laws you have; fome, likewife, who profefs
And pra6life them, in truth and righteoufnefs
Though from your firft Loves, you are fallen much
And, your defe6ls are at this prefent, fuch
As in the feven AJian Churches were
When firft the Myftery was hatching there
Which now ore-fpreads the world : you have not that
Comply'd with, but, the fame abominate ;
And therefore, that you may, return to him
GOD hath premonifh'd you as he did them,
Expecting that you better fhould improve
Then heretofore, his patience and his love,
Left elfe, you fpeedily may be bereft
As they were, of what, yet appeareth left.
A moral Charity retains a place
Among you, though grown colder then it was.
You have zform of GODlinefs, whereon
If you depended not as you have done,

D 2 That,

28 Tuba-pacifica.

That, which ejffential is, would more have been
Improved, and the power, thereof more feen.
Among your many Vices, blended are
Some Verities, which, if you would take more care
To cherifh, God would fuch affiftance give
That they mould, for the future, better thrive.
Though you have multiply'd prevarications
By many carnal, grofs abominations,
And, are with Jezabel (that Sorcereffe)
(Who counterfeits herfelf a Propheteffe}
Open Confederates ; fome of you hate
Her Herejies, and their, who imitate
The Nicholaitans : God, now therefore
Ranges forth to you a Flag of Truce, once more,
(Into a Comet form'd) and fets it there
Where, it, at one view, may to both appear ;
That you might fpeedily and joyntly, do
Through Fear, that which Love could not win you to.
For, though the Wifards of preceding Ages
And, fome now deem'd no defpicable Sages,
Think thefe prodgious Meteors called Stars
Are conftituted of fuch Characters
And Jhapes, as do undoubtingly fore-mew
What things particularly will enfuce,
(Becaufe fuch confequents have often been
Obferved, they are much deceiv'd therein.)
There's no fuch vertue proper to their natures ;
For, they are only ferviceable creatures
Employ'd by Providence, to fuch an end
As we by fixed Beacons do intend,
When an Invafioris threatned ; They declare
In general, that /"#£$• approaching are;
Stir up the Nation to a timely heed
But, who their Foes are, vfhz.t plagues will fucceed,
How long they will continue ; upon whom
They firft will feize; at what time, they will come;

Or

Tuba-pacifica. 29

Or fuch like things by them we cannot know;

For, they no more then Beacons can fore-fhow.

So, this late Exhalation doth portend

Some Judgment on offenders will defcend

Ere long, to make them watchful, and prepare

To do thofe duties which expected are;

But, in particular prefignifies

Nor this, nor that] nor any terrifies

Who more defires to know, how by GODS grace,

To do his ivill, then what will come to pafs.

He that is fo affected, feldom fears

The influence of Comets, or of Stars ;

Whereas, they who in folly are benighted

Oft, with a harmlelfs Glow-ivorm are affrighted.

Thus far, my mind I have once more expreft

And hopeful am, ere long to be at reft

From all my Labours ; for, my life, almoft,

To bring this feafonably forth, it coft.

But, fome perhaps will now fay, what is he
That your Remembrancer prefumes to be?
To thofe, I make this anfwer; I am one
Who ftands inftead of fuch a Block or Stone,
As Charity did fet up heretofore
By high-way fides, and fomtime at each door,
To fave men from the violent approaches
Of drunken Horfe-men, Waggons, Carts & Coaches,
And in that fervice, often are abufed ( bruifed ;

Curft, broken, crackt, hackt, cut, flafht, knockt, and
By thofe, who (tumbling on them, heedlefs are
To what good purpofe they were fixed there.
And, if this be my Lot, I as I may,
Will bear it, as I have done till this day.
For, that which follies hath to many feem'd
Hath by much wifer men, been well efteem'd:
And, I defpare not, though confufed noifes
Should at this time drown and confound the voices

D 3 O

30 Tuba pacifica.

Of fober men : For, when the raging water

Doth loudeft roar; winds, make the tacklings clatter,

Ruffle the fails, and keep the greatefh buftle,

The farm is peirced by the Boat-fwains whittle;

So that all heedful Mariners, thereby

Perceive whereto their hands they fhould apply.

So, likewife, though the Rumor of that War

Which many hope for, and as many fear,

With other fuch confufions, as our fad

Diftra6lions at this prefent thereto add,

Will make thefe Lines, a while, of fmall regard

With many, and with difficulty heard ;

They fhall, ere long, by fome, with good refpe<5t

Be entertain'd, and have good effect ;

For, dayes will come wherein, that, fhall from them

Be eccho'd forth, which all will not contemn ;

And, from whence, at the laft, a Voice will come

That fhall out-found the ratling of a Drum ;

Yet fright no foul but that mans, who depends

On carnal weapons, and hath carnal ends.

Prcecautiones cenigmaiccz per omnes perfonas ac termi-
nationes, Modilmperativi declinatce, numero Jlngulari
& plurali.

Cave M B R, & E D.} fCavete V.
Caveto A, Caveto B. W Cavetote A.
Caveat P. P. P. P. & P. j ( Caveant O.

Jam qui rident Ha, ha, he,
Moxclamabunt. Hcu, Vah, V<z.

Caveamus ergo, ac Amemus, ni perimus.

A COROLLAR Y.
Some think, I, an Apology may need
For daring thus to bid my Friends take heed ;

And,

Tuba-pacifica. 3 1

And, fo perhaps I may; For, not long fmce,

I fuffer'd for as blamlcfs an offence;

And, heretofore, informed was of ONE,

Who faid; that to be totally undone

Much lefs difpleafe him would, then if that he

Should from undoing, be preferv'd by me;

And, fhortly after (with no little fhame)

That, which he might have fcapt, upon him came.

I hope they wifer are, whom, to take heed

I now advife and that they'l better fpeed.

What e're fucceds; Praife will to GOD belong,

And of the Saints, this (hall be then the Song.

A Hallelujah, alluding to the 150 Pfalm.

Come praife tJie LORD, come praife him
Where Saints ajfembled are,
As hee's Almighty praife him
His Righteoufnefs declare.
In his excellings praife him
With Trumpet and ^vith Flute,
With Harp and Pfaltery praife him,
With Viol and with Lute,
Let nothing that can praife him
Unaclive be ; or mute.

Upon the Timbrel praife him
/// fongs his praife advance ;
Upon tJic Organs praife him
And praife him in the Dance \
On tingling Symbals praife him
That, make the loitdeft noife
And let each c rat it re praife him
That fen fe or breath enjoys,
Yea, let privations praife him
Although they have no voices.

The

32 Tuba-pacifica.

The Myftical fenfe of ivJiat is literal expreff'd by the
Metaphorical and A llegorical contexture of tlie pro
ceeding Hymn, in the Original Text, according to the
A iithors under/landing thereof, is as fo Howes.

BY the Sanctuary is meant the Congregations of
the Saints. By the Firmament of Gods power, the
unchangeablenefs of his Almightinefs. By his mighty
acts, his unrefiftible Juftice. By his excellent greatnefs,
his Mercy, which is faid to be over all his works, and
his moft excellent Attribute. By the Trumpet or
Flute, we are exhorted to praife him in our martial
expeditions. By the Pfaltry and Harpe, in our fpiri-
tual rejoicings. By the FzWand Lute'm our corporeal
and civil recreations. By the Timbrel in thofe acti
ons which are of a fpiritual and natural mixture.
By the Dance in all thofe things wherein we move
together, and counteract apart, by deeds, words,
and diffenting opinions ; for in a Dance, are various
motions, fidings, turnings, returnings, and movings all
one way. By Tenftringed Inftruments and the Organ,
the faculties of our fouls, and the members of our
bodies. By Cymbals, and loud Cymbals, the internal
breathings, and external ejaculations of the heart
and voice in prayer and praifmg God. The laft two
lines of both the foregoing Stanza's, confifting of ten
a piece are but a Supplement to my Paraphrafe of the
150 Pfalm, and not found in the Original. This is in
brief my private judgment, not totally excluding
the Senfe and Interpretation of other pious men.

FINIS.

•

1 666.
Sigh for the Pitchers.

[HAZLITT, No. 91.]

Sigh for the Pitchers : .

Breathed out in a Perfonal Contribution

TO THE
NATIONAL HUMILIATION

the laft of May, 1666.

In the Cities of London and Weftminfter,
UPON

The near approaching ENGAGEMENT

Then expected,

Between the EngliJJi and Dutch Navies.

Wherewith are complicated fuch Mujings as were oc-

cafioncd by a Report of their Actual Engagement',

and by obferving the Publike Rejoycing whilft this

was preparing by the Author

GEORGE WITHER.

Hold,

If ye knock, ye are broke.

Unlefs God prevent.

Hold.

Imprinted in the fad year expreffed in this feafonable
CHRONOGRAM

LorD haVe MerCIe Vpon Vs.

M D C L X V I .

I

To the Englifh Nation, and to every Individual Perfon
within thefe Brittifh Ifles, Geo. Wither, wiflies that
Grace, Peace, and Love in CHRIST JESUS,
which by an unfeigned Humiliation, may reconcile us
all to GOD\ Unite its by an indijfolvablc Band of
Charity, to each other; and in a CJiriJlian Amity,
wit/tall Nations through the world.

MY Sighs concern you all, throughout this Nati-
Who are this day, in true Humiliation (on
To feek the face of GOD ; For, we make One
Of thofe two Pitchers whom I do bemone :
And, unto whom (then fearing much their breaking,
When firft I faw War preparations making)
I fent a Trumpet, both with an Intent
And hope, that which was feared, to prevent ;
Which, failing my good purpofe to produce,
I fend this now, to mediate a Truce ;
For, who can tell, but that my words may have
Such Iffue now, as heretofore GOD gave
Unto a private-womans when fhe fpoke
For Abel, what effect in feafon took?
So may it profper as I am fincere
In that, Which I have Superfcribed\i&z\
And, let my Foes on earth, be ftill as many
As there are men, if I wifli ill to any ;
Or, am not pleafd that all mould live and die
As happy, both in Life and Death as I
Who fhall not, by a final Wilfulnefs,
Deprive themfelves of what they might poffefs;
And flander GOD, as caufe Original
Of that, which doth amifs to them befal.
For, though, not few, my Adverfaries be
Or fuch, as, yet, bear no good will to me,

A 2 I,

I, ev'n for that caufe, am in love, their debter;
For, him, who loves his Foes, GOD, loves the better :
Yea, having partly been, in my diftrefs
Relievd by fome few, who, do naythelefs
Seem ftill my Enemies; it, makes me more,
Love GOD, and all Mankinde, then heretofore.

A time is come, in which, it is our turn
Both altogether, and apart to mourn:
Thofe General Calamities befal
Which, for a general Repentance call,
And, for particular Humiliation,
In order to a pub lick Reformation,
From which, at prefent, are excepted none;
No, not the King, who fitteth on the Throne :
For, that which is in Cottages begun
Will feize the. Pallace, ere the Round is run,
If GOD in mercy, anfwer not our hope,
And, to our fins and fears, vouchfafe a Stop.

To that end, though this be not what I would
Or, fhould contribute, it is what I could
And, may now, be as ufefully expreft,
As what more artificially is .drefb :
Yea, (though it be, that onely) in effect,
Which I have oft preferd without refpecl,
This, feems a very feafonable time,
To greet you, with a Reafonable Rime.

Accept it therefore, and be not offended
With what is confcientioufly intended.
GOD, who from us doth Trifles oft receive,
Requires of none, more then he hath to give :
And, if you fhall accept what's in my powr
He, will of that accept, which is in your;
For, all that is contributed, by this,
Worth your acceptance, is not mine, but his,

Sighs

Sighs for the Pitchers.

Brcathd out, in a Perfonal Contribution to the
National Humiliation, formally begun in the
Cities of London and Weftminfter, the laft
of May, 1666.

Uch is GODS gratioufnefs, that, wherefoever
He finds a Willingnefs/0jW with endeavour
To plcafe or to appeafe him, though but fmall,
(And in it f elf worth no refpcEl at all)
He doth accept it: But, it is not fo
With men, what ere we mean, or fay, or do.
For, mojl fo pettiJJi are\ that ev'n with that
Which to their own well-being doth relate,
They quarrel', and as much offended are
With what, unto tlieir own particular
Hath no relation, as to any thing
Which may to them a difadvantage bring.
Yea,fo inclind are, to be dif content
With A6lions, and with words indifferent,
That how to fit all humors no man knows
Wliat ere lie writes, be it in Verfe or Profe.
Some, are beft pleafd ivith this, andfome with that,
With nothing fome\ or, with we know not what,
Except with tJiat, (and in tlieir own mode drejl)
Whereby their Single Fancies are exprejl.
If, I may freely, Truth declare in either,
To me, it is indifferent in whether:
Verfe cannot be fo juftly termd unholy
As they, who think fo, may be cJiargd with folly.
The Libertie, I tJierefore, at this time,
Rcfnmc, to vent my mind in Verfe and Rime

As

4 Sighs for the Pitchers.

As heretofore without an affectation
Of what, is this day, with moft men in fafhion\
A nd, what I purpofe to contribute now,
Shall befuch private Sighings as I owe
To Publick forrowings; not fuck, as may,
Without truefenfe thereof, be puft away.
I offer not, now Cures are to be done,
That, which will prove no better then Herb-John
Or Chipps in broth ; nor, when provide I JJionld
Apparel to preferve my Friend from cold,
Bring them fitch thinjleight Garments, as are neither
Good Silk or Cloth, but Bawbles patcht together,
Lace, Points and Ribbands: Nor, to feed them,fet
A platter full of Sawces without meat,
Or, with fo little, andfo trimd aboiit
With Kickfhawes, that they cannot pick it out:
Nor give the Sick, when they for health endeavor,
Suck Trafh, as may beget a mortal Feaver;
Nor Healing Plafters, when I do perceive
The Patient rather needs a Corrofive :
Nor, is there ought improper to that end,
For which, Humiliations we pretend
In that, which I in words have added here:
Either penife it therefore, or, give ear.

BEfore a Storm is actually begun,
Or, Symptoms of it, in the Skies appear;
Both Birds and Beafts, for fhelter fly and run,
To fcape the Dangers, then approaching near.

To what thefe are by Senfe inclind, in feafon,
Men are affifted (for their prefervations)
By Strong Impulfes, both of Grace and Reafon,
Till they neglect, or fleight thofe Inclinations.

And,

Sighs for the Pitchers. 5

And to the Publick fafety, every one
Owes what may poflibly by him be done:
For, there's a Portion due from him that's poor,
Though from the Rich, there is expe6led more.

2. I had fome education in the Schools,
But my beft Teachings, came another way,
And, neither to the wife/I, or meer Fools,
Is that intended which I have to fay.

My Mtife is to a midling-temper fitted,
What fuits with their capacities to write
Who, (not much under or much over witted)
More in the Matter, then the Words delight.
By that means, when with Trifles I begin,
Things ufeful, are oft, thereby Skrewed in,
Which peradventure, had not elfe been fought,
Where, they appeard more likely to be taught:
What I but to one end, at firft intended,
Occafions many Cautions, ere 'tis ended.
So, fometimes, twenty bufmeffes are done,
By him, who went from home, to do but one.

3. Sometimes too, by what in this mode is hinted,
(On fleight occafions in a Vulgar Strain)

Such Notions have been in the heart imprinted
As were more plaufibly expreft in vain :

Yea, otherwhile, a few //#/;/ words, in feafon,
Experimentally in private fpoke,
More operate with Sanftified Reafon,
(And of what they import, more heed is took)

Then is (although more glorioufly arayd)

Of what's but formally, in publick faid.
Now therefore, I contribute thus, alone,
To what was this day, publickly begun.

But, flay/ what Pannick fear hath feizd this Nation
That, they who Triumphd but one day ago,

Affume

6 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Affume the Poftures of Humiliation,

And Faft and Pray, at leaft, pretend thereto ?

Their Jollitie is at a fuddain paufe,
And to the Temples, they begin to flock ;
God make th' effect, as real as the caufe,
That, him with formal fhowes we do not mock,
Left Plagues increafe, and when of what is better,
We are in hope, our fears grow dayly greater :
For, till our fins are heartily repented,
By Fafts and Prayers, Plagues are not prevented.

5. Moft, dedicated this moneths firit Aurora
To their own flefhly Lufts ; and fpent the day
In facrificing to the Strumpet Flora,

Which was by fome employd another way,

Perhaps though not Prophane, more fuperftitious

Then holy: for, all is not fan&ifide

That is not vulgarly reputed vitious ;

Nor all unholy, which will not abide
A Sanctuary- Teft : But, fomwhat hath
Doubtlefs, been acted which provokes Gods wrath

Againft our Nation, fmce this Month begun,

That brings us on our knees, before 'tis done.

6. Our Safety, Peace and Glory lie at ftake;
And, we are forced fuch a Game to play,

As makes us tremble, and our hearts to ake
Twixt hope and fear of that which follow may :

Ev'n they, who lately foolifhly did boafb,
And with proud Vaunts and fcorns contemn their Foes,
Do find, that Recknings made without their hoaft,
Arife to more then they did prefuppofe.

Of Foes without them, their regard was fmall ;

Of thofe within them, lefs, or none at all :
But, now, to be affaulted, they begin
With outward perils, and with fears within.

7. Be-

Sighs for the Pitchers. 7

7. Beyond reteating we ingaged are
VJ \\hforraign enemies] and not quite free
From Factions, threatning an inteftine War,
If our Prefumings unfuccefsfull be.

As foes do multiply, fo, friends grow fewer;
And, in thofe few, there is but little trufl:
For, none can in another be fecure
Who, to himfelf is neither kind nor juft.

War is begun ; the Peftilence doth fpread ;

And, though of Dearth we feel but little dread,
They, by whofe Labours, plenty was increafl,
Are by a wafting Poverty oppreft.

8. The Rich are difcontent, the Poor much grievd :
The firft have fmall hope to be better pleafd ;

The laft as little hope to be relievd,
And moft men are grown ftupidly difeafd.

Men with /// tidings in all places meet,
Bewailing lofs of Goods, or want of Trade:
All day they hear complainings in the ftreet ;
All night, they and their Families are fad.

Hereof, they upon others lay the blame

Who have been chief defervers of the fame:
Moft, apprehend a general Diftrefs,
But, no man knows which way to make it lefs.

2. They, who fhould act, or mediate at leaft,
Some courfe to ftop the fury of the Current,
Finde, it will moft advance their Intereft,
To be at this time Fifhing in the Torrent.

They, who have now moft caufe, leaft frighted be :
Thofe few alone, who with a filial fear
And Chriftian hope, Gods purpofes forefee,
Submiflive to his Difpenfations are:

The reft are active ftill, in their own mode,

As if in their own power their fafety flood ;

B Or,

8 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Or, that it might be wrought, by their own hand,
If (as twas once faid) GOD would Neuter Jtand.

1 6. For our defence, a Naval preparation
Is made, as flrong, as ever heretofore
In any Age, was modeld by this Nation ;
Yea, ftronger much, though not in number more.

And, if they who thereof have management,
Shall not thereon (as if it could not fail)
Or, in them/elves, be over-confident,
It may againft our ableft Foes prevail :

But, not unlefs, we timely lay afide

Our malice, o\ir profanefs, and our pride,
Which by the Lord of hofls, are fo abhord,
That, they deftroy more, then both fire and fword.

11. In mournings, we fo little do delight,
That, whatfoever fad event befals,
Which to humiliation doth invite,

It feldom fuperfedes our Feftivals.

A Faft therefore, fo near a Feafl begins,
To moderate our Mirth, and make us minde
A true and fpeedy mourning for thofe fins
Whereto we have been, and are ftill inclinde.
A change of Feafts to faftings threatned was,
Which is within a little come to pafs ;
And, that, may peradventure be effected
Which we moft fear, when it is leaft expected.

12. Hereof the Civil powers having fenfe,
And, fearing what might probably befal,
Unlefs, we ftrengthned are by Providence
Much more, then by their moving wooden-wall \

They lately fummond us by Proclamations
To meet, and on the laft of May begin
In our head-Cities, fuch Humiliations
As may declare a true Remorfe for fin.

Early

Sighs for the Pitchers. 9

Early that morning, likewife, left we might
Their fummons, either then forget, or (light,
GOD, feconded their Aft, and from our beds
With Peals of Thunders, raifd our drovvzie heads.

13. If I was not deceivd, five hours together
That Summons lafted, (with few Intervals)
Made fignal by Rain, Lightning, Stormy weather,
And Thunderbolts, which pierced through ftone-wals.

It brake and melted Bells; confumd a Steeple;
Scard Fowls and Beafts, yea, and afraid did make
Even them, among thofe unrelenting People,
Who, heed of nought but fmart and noife \\i\\ take;
And in fecurity again deep on
Affoon as ere the/tfz;/ or noife is gone.
Alas! what horrours will fuch men confound,
When they fhall hear ft&feventh Trumpet found ?

14. I did obey this Call; and knowing too,
That in the common peace ', mine doth confift,
In meeknefs, I prepard my heart, to do
What might fecure the common Intereft.

The beft have failings, and the worft have more;
Though therefore they oft erre, who are in powre,
With their defects, we muft our own deplore :
For oftentimes their faults take root from our.

King Davids crime fprung from the Peoples fin;

For his offence, a Plague on them broke in :
Thus, to each other, men of each degree,
A mutual caufe, oijins and fuffrings be.

15. This makes me the more cautious, to take heed
Wherein, I perfonally give offence ;

And, ere I cenfure that which others did,
Bewail mine own mifdeeds with penitence.

All of us have offended, (if not more)
As much as our forefathers have tranfgreft :

B 2 Some,

io Sighs for the Pitchers.

Some, with more Impudence, then heretofore ;

And, my fins, have the common guilt increaft:
My felf, to humble therefore, I went thither
Where good and bad men congregate together;

And, where, the worft are, or (before they die)

May be, for ought I know, more juft then I.

1 6. He feems to me, unlikely to appeafe
The wrath of GOD, or mortifide to be,
Who, offers Prayers like that Pharifees,
Who judg'd the Publican lefs juft then he.

There is no fign of true Humiliations,
But, of a proud felf-overweening rather
In thofe, who judge unclean whole Congregations
Who with them, ferve one Spirit, Son and Father ;
And (although members of another Colledge)
Adore one GOD according to their knowledge.
According unto mine, therefore, with them
I joynd in Love, and left their doom to him.

17. I dare not fuch a feparation make
Twixt perfons, things or places, as may bar
A freedom in thofe Duties to partake
Which neceffary or expedient are.

When fins and Plagues grow Epidemical,
It fuch Humiliations then requires,
As may in that refpect, be general :
"For, private tears quench not the ptib like Fires.
In all Fraternities and Conjlitutions,
Among men, are both errours and pollutions;
Yet fafe converfe; for pious men hath bin
With fuch, (even then) in all things, but their fin.

1 8. With others, I preferred thofe petitions
Which with Chrifts prayr affentially agree ;
With them, I joyned in all thofe confeffions
That feemed proper both to them and me.

Their

Sighs for the Pitchers. 1 1

Their perfons I did much commiferate,
Who were in hazard by the War now wag'd :
With GOD, I meekly did expoftulate
Concerning that wherein we are engag'd.

For others fakes, thofe fears my fears I made,
Whereof, no fenfe, im felf-refpefts I had ;
And wifhed all their hopes might be enjoyd
Whereby, their true blifs might not be deftroyd.

19. Although particulars inclufive are
In Univerfals\ yet, they who neglect
Their fingle Duties, juftly loofe their fhare
In what the general Devoirs effect.

I have contributed my beft endeavour,
To what I think is publickly intended,
And in that duty purpofe to perfever
Which is to my performance recommended.
For all things, and all men (fo far as they
Are objects of our Prayers) I do pray;
And, when I doubt, what to infift upon,
Conclude my prayer thus: GODS will be done.

20. Their welfare feeking, who would me enflave,
liheperfon I diftinguifh from his Crime \

And rather would a wicked people fave,
Then let the Righteous be deftroyd with them.

To their proceeds in wickednefs, I fay
GOOD fpeed to none; and whenfoere, therefore
I pray again ft their fins, for them I pray:
Yea, when they feem worft, pray for them the more.
When LOT was prifner among Sodomites,
Againft their Foes, to free him, Abram fights.
When univerfal Plagues on us befal,
Not knowing good from bad, I pray for all.

21. I have a long time taken fo much heed
Both of GODS righteous, and our crooked ways,

That,

12 Sighs for the Pitchers.

That, whatfoere doth outwardly fucceed,
I finde juft caufe to give him hearty praife.

So oft, experience I have likewife had,
My loffes, wants, and thofe things which I feard,
To have been unto me more gainful made,
Then fuch, as more defirable appeard;
That, whenfoere GOD granteth or denies,
My foul is pleafd, and on his love relies.
For, when they feemed moft fevere to be,
His Judgements have been Mercies unto me.

22. Such they were, fuch they are, fuch will be ftill,
Not unto me, and to fome few alone ;

But, if they be fubmiffive to his will,
Such likewife, at all times, to every one :

And, though he grants not always that Requeft,
Which is preferred, he doth condefcend
To what is better; yea, to what may beft
Conduce to what we chiefly fhould intend.
If, what we pray for, he denies to grant,
Humility, or Faith, or Love we want;
Or elfe, there are fome other great defects,
In thofe Petitioners, whom GOD rejects.

23. Sins National, fo far forth as they were
Confefb in Publike, I with thofe confeft

To whom I joynd ; and in particular,
If poffible, they ought to be expreft.

I know we are obliged at this time
(Confidering why together we did come)
To mention fuch, (or part at leaft of them)
As brought what we would be deliverd from.

I hope fuch were acknowledged by many ;

But, fmce I heard it not performd by any,
I will enumerate fome few of thofe
Provoking Jins, from whence moft danger flows.

For,

Sighs for the Pitchers. 13

For, GOD, at this time over all the Land
Hath in difpleafure ftretched forth his hand ;
And for our fins, doth ftrike us, here and there
With every Judgement, yea, and every w/iere.

24. We are a Nation to whom God hath given
As vc&xay privilfdgeS) as beftown

On any people that is under Heaven:

But, therewithal more proud, then thankful grown.

We overween, as if we thought none were
Our equals; and with fo much impudence
Our felves before our Neighbours do prefer,
That, more Difgrace then Honor fprings from thence.
Some vaunt as if none ought to be compar'd
With them, in what is by their valour dar'd ;
And, fome, as if none went, or knew the way
Whereby, men (hall afcend to heavn, but they.

25. If what GOD hath conferd, or for us done
Were mentioned, to ftir up thankfulnefs

In us ; or, to advance his praife alone,
Thence would fpring many great advantages.

But that which moft men rather do purfue,
Is but before mens eyes a Blinde to raife,
And, hide their fhameful nakednefs from view ;
Or, blow the Bubbles of an empty praife.

And, (as if we were not befoold enough,

With fuch ridiculous and frothy (luff)
In Ballads, which are for fuch objects meet,
We fmg out our own. flame, in every ftreet.

26. Perhaps in fuch like things the neighbring Nations
Oppofmg us, as guilty are as we :
But, our own fens, in our Humiliations
Is that, which to confefs, oblig'd we be.

Our fins, our fins, are horrid, great and many,
Thofe Plagues too, which they bring on us, are great ;

Where-

i ;

14 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Whereof, there is not fo muchfenfe in any,
As ought to be, nor fuch confejfions, yet.
So loth we are that other men fhould fee
(Or, we our felves) in what fad cafe we be,
That, we our fcabs andy "cores had rather hide
With any Clouts, then let them be efpide.

27. So loth we are, in that courfe to proceed,
Which GOD and Reafon offers to our heed ;
So apt, to take the clean contrary way;

To heed, what every Mountebanck doth fay ;

So ventrous, any hazard to endure,
Which our enjoyments prefent may fecure;
So prone with Bugbears to be frighted from
What may fecure a happinefs to come;
And, are fo wilful in purfuing things
Which every day, more mifchiefs on us brings,
That, very feldom we approve of that
Which may be for our good, till tis too late.

28. And then, furprifed with a fudden dread,
To any God, to any Idol run ;

Move every way, like Dors without a Head ;
Do every thing fave that which fhould be done:

Catch hold on flicks, and reeds, and chips & ftraws,
To fave our felves ; defcend, to fawn on thofe
Whom we contemn'd ; and to fupport our caufe,
Againft old Friends, confederate with Foes ;

Yea, with the greateft enemy of Chrift\

And, rather hazard all our Intereft
In him, then here to be deprivd of that
Which we enjoyed, and have aimed at.

29. We are fo much inclined to rely
Upon the truftlefs and bewitching Charms
Of State-dejlgns and humane policie,

On Armies, Fleets, and ftrength of our own Arms,

That

Sighs for the Pitchers. 15

That we are deafer then th'inchanted Adder,
To thofe who fhew to us the way of peace \
Good counfel maketh us to be the madder,
And, doth but raging violence increafe.

Yet, they who know they (hall not be excufd
From doing their endeavour, though abufd,
Muft fpeak what on their Conferences doth lie,
Whatere thereby befals; and fo will I.

30. Such times have been, and fuch are come agen,
Wherein, the Sluggard to the Ant was fent;

The Wife inftrucled were by fimple men

How to reform their wayes when they mifwent.

GOD, by them, Kings reprovd, ev'n for their fake
Whom they had then inflav'd ; and they were heard.
Yea, unto Balaam, by his Afs he fpake,
And, at that prefent he efcapd the Sword :
But they who to their words gave no regard,
Receivd their obftinacies due Reward.
They, who were penitent efcapd the blow
Which then was threatned ; fo fhall all fuch now.

31. Ore them a very dreadful Plague impends
Whom to the will of men, GOD, doth expofe,
Though fuch they be whom they fuppofe their friends
And, have thereof made fair external fhows.

A greater Plague it is, when known foes are
Impowred upon them to exercife
All cruelties, and outrages of War
Which rage will act, and malice can devife.
But, when fo terrible a doom as this,
And mcrcie too, much and oft fleighted is,
It will be then more horrible then all
That can be thought, into Gods hands to fall.

32. Alas! how fhall this horrour be prevented,
If none in fuch a time fhould filence break?

C When

1 6 Sighs for the Pitchers.

When fhould what is mifacted be repented,
Unlefs, to that intent the ftones could fpeak ?

And, what may they fpeak likely to prevail
Upon a Generation grown fo giddy ?
The Stars to do their duty did not fail ;
The Elements have often fpoke already,

And acted in their place, as well as fpoken

What might our duties, and Gods minde betoken ;
Yea, fo much, and fo oft, that what they heard
Or faw, few men did credit or regard.

33. Hereby are blejfings turnd into a curfe ;
Thofe hardned, whom it fhould have foftned more ;
They who were bad before, grow to be worfe ;
Some wicked, who feemd good men, heretofore.

Our fins are as immoveable as Rocks ;
Our Guides and Leaders, either lame or blinde ;
The Shepherds as great ftraglers as the Flocks,
And both alike, to wickednefs inclinde. (do us,

That, which we thought fhould make us, doth un-

All things do feem to cry Wo wo unto us :
And, that which fhould have movd men to repent
Doth but their Rage and Blafphemies augment.

34" Moft, againft thofe by whom they were offended
Are fo imbitterd, that although in them
They fee performances to be commended,
Such, naythelefs, they totally condemn :

Yea, thofe who have ingenuoufly con fed
What feems to be in thefe worth approbation,
They judge to be Time-pleafers, not the bed:
Which is a bar to Reconciliation.

Our Proverb bids us give the devil his due ;

And, they the ways to peace, do not purfue
Who are unwilling, in their Foes, to fee
Good things, as well as thofe that evil be.

35- The

Sighs for the Pitchers. 17

35. The Knoivledge men have gotten hath deftroyd
That Love, which ought thereby to be increaft.
The Publick peace, that might have been enjoyd,

Is vitiated by Self -inter ejl,

The Gofpel is abufd, Law made a mare,
Or, of Unrighteoufnefs a confirmation:
The Confciences of men inflaved are,
To nothing left fo free as Prophanation.

The Rich do quarrel, and the Poor muft fight,
To ferve their Lufts, who do them little right ;
And they whofe Lives to pawn for them are laid,
With Deaths or Wounds, or with negle6l are paid.

36. Religion is to Policy become

A fervile Handmaid; and few perfons are
Conceivd to be fo dangerous as fome,
Who are in Chrijlian Piety fincere.

Now, not to be like others Super Jlitious,
Or to be ftrict in moral Rightcoufnefs,
Gives caufe of more fufpect then to be vitious ;
Or elfe, at leaft, it them ingratiates lefs.

Foundations are fo overthrown, that few

Are fafe in whatfoever they purfue :
For, liberty, life, credit, and ejlate,
In hazzard are by' all that aim thereat.

37. Pickt Juries, and fuborned VVitneJfes
May, if aflifted then with partial Judges,

Bring quickly to deftruction, whom they pleafes ;
Fruftrate all Laws, and all our priviledges :

And (what was never heretofore in Reafon
Thought probable) charge falfly upon fome
The plotting and purfuing Plots of Treafon
At open meetings whither all may come.
In likelihood, they have nor wit, nor fear,
Nor need be feared, who fo foolifh are :

C 2 And,

1 8 Sighs for the Pitchers.

And, I might of my fear be much afhamed

If I "fliould fear fuch Plots, as then were framed.

38. Who erre in malice, or to get reward,
Shallforge an Accufation, though it be
Improbable, with favour fhall be heard,
When none feems guilty of the Plot but he.

They, who of all men do leaft confcience make
Of Perjury, at pleafure may deftroy
An Innocent They who falfe Oathes dare take
May rob rich men of all they do enjoy.

The Lyar is not out of danger ever;

But, he that fpeaks truth boldly, is fafe never
Until his death, unlefs by God protected
From what may be by wicked men projected.

39. This alfo, doth increafmg Plagues pretoken,
(Unlefs we to repair it fpeedy are)

The Bond of Chriftian Charity is broken,
And brotherly affection loft well -near.
Both Perfons and Societies feek more
Their feveral new Structures to uphold,
Then Difciplines and Doctrines to reftore
Unto that purity which was of old. (health

From hence doth fpring impair of peace and
In minde and body, Church and Commonwealth.
For, though few heed it, thence our private Jars
At firft proceeded, and then, open Wars.

40. All Conftitutions both in Church and State
Are, for the moft part, made but properties

To add a grandeur, and repute to that
Which pride and avarice did firft devife.

Not thofe alone, which may effential feem
Unto the Civil powre; but alfo, fome
Which have among Divine Rites moft efteem,
Are ferviceable to the flefh become.

Pro-

Sighs for the Pitchers. 19

Prophand is every holy Ordinance,
Self-profit or felf-honour to advance :
Yea, ev'n the Lords day and the Sacraments
Are made expedients for the fame intents.

41. Judgements & Mercies have not in their courfe
Wrought that on us, which they were fent to do :
For, what fhould make us better, makes us worfe,
And others by our ill examples too.

Good counfels timely given we have flighted,
Scoft and derided feafnable forewarnings,
Neglecting that, whereto we were invited
Both by our own and other mens difcernings :
And, if thefe failings be not heeded more
Now, and in time to come, then heretofore,
The Confequents, will not much better be
Whether the Dutch are Conquerours, or we.

42. Thofe Animojities we muft repent
Which are pretended to be laid afide ;
Elfe/r/Vfe and malice will fo much augment
Thofe Practices which more and more divide,

That, as the ruine of Jerufalem
Had been compleated when the time was come
By thofe three Factions, which then wafted them,
Although it had not been deftroyd by Rome:
So, though we mould fubdue French,Dittch%LDancy
Our own diftempers would become our bane;
And, that which others are inclind unto,
Our follies and our wilfulnefs will do.

43. The breach of Covenants, of Faith and Oat lies
We muft lament, and from that falfliood turn:
For, GOD that capital tranfgreflion loathes;
Oat/tes, (now, if ever) make the land to mourn.

We muft confefs our fin of bloudfhed too,
The Blood of Innocents much more bewail,

And

2O Sighs for the Pitchers.

And our oppreffing them, then yet we do ;

Elfe, of our expectations we fhall fail.
For, to no more a bare confeffion tends,
Then to increafe our guilt, without amends.

He that neglects performing what he knows

To be his duty, merits nought but blows.

44. We have moreover, failings by omijfions
Which it concerns us to be humbled for

No lefs then for thofe actual tranfgreffions
Which we are now engaged to abhor:

Not one day, no not one year will fuffice
To recollect them. And yet if we would
Our felves but fo much humble as it lies
In us, GOD, would accept of what we could.

Hereof apparent evidences are

In Nineveh and Nebuchadnezzar:
For, by these Patterns, King and People too
Inftructed are, what in our cafe to do.

45. When that King, for his fins had been bereaven
Of underftanding, and for fevn years fpace,

To live with Beafts, was from his Kingdom driven,

And re-inthroned, when unlikely twas ;
Himfelf he did abafe, Gods powre confefs,

Acknowledge him, to be in chief ador'd ;

Declare that powre, extol his righteoufnefs ,

And that Free grace, by which he was reftor'd:
Yea, praifed him for their deliverance
Whom he himfelf oppreft; them did advance

Who fuffred ; and reverft that Law whereby

He had compeld them to Idolatry.

46. This fignal Patern of Humiliation
Was Royal ; but, by one both popular
And Regal, unto what befeems a Nation
In our condition, we directed are.

At

Sighs for the Pitchers. 2 1

At Nineveh, there was not in a day,
Like this, fome in the Temples GOD adoring,
Some there, inclined more to fleep then pray,
Some, in an Alehoufe, or a Tavern roaring;

Some, who did of their duties Confcience make,
Some who perform'd it, but for fafhion fake :
But I believe, that with more Veneration
They teftificd their Humiliation.

47. Both King and People joyned there as One
In penitence, not being lefs fincere

Then formal in purfuing what was done.
Strict their commands and executions were.

The King, his rich Apparel from him caft
(By good Examples, precepts are made ftrong)
He, and his Nobles did proclaim a Faft,
With all the Rites, that to a Faft belong.

The Prophet was believd, in what he faid ;

The Royal Proclamation was obeyd.
God, thereto had fo gratious a regard
That, King and People, thereupon he fpard.

48. Alas ! how comes it that now Chriftian men,
Are deaf to what GODS Meffengers do fay ?

Not fo meek-hearted as thofe Heathens then ?

More dead in Sins and Trefpaffes then they.
Imperfect was their Penitence, no doubt,

Yet God accepted what they did endever,

And (though perhaps, their zeal did foon burn out,)

He, in vouchfafmg mercy did prefever.
So might it be with us, if we would heed
His judgements, and perform what Ethnicks did:

For, GOD, upon a Formal penitence,

Did with a part of Ahabs doom difpence.

49. But, though we have as much caufe to bewail
Our fad condition, we have much lefs fear,

And

22 Sighs for the Pitchers.

And little or no fence of what we ail
Until with mifchief overwhelmd well-near.

Then, likewife, we endeavour all we can
To hide what cannot cured be till known,
Diffembling grofly, both with GOD and Man,
And will not fee what's evidently fhown.

Yea, fo prefumptuous are, that, now GOD fends

His Judgements, and his Arm in wrath extends,
We labour to obfcure it, left the heeding
Of his Proceeds, may hinder our proceeding.

50. And as among the Jews in former ages
There were falfe Prophets and corrupted Priejls,
Who prophecid and preachd for Balaams wages,
And to promote their carnal Interefts,

Then Flatterd them into Security :
So we have fome among us, who as much
Do magnifie this Nations Piety
As if it never had till now been fuch.

They boaft of our profperities encreafe,

And promife us both Victories and Peace,
As if vain words believd fhould rather be
Then what we feel, as well, as hear and fee.

15. Though fenfible enough of fin we are not
To humble us ; or though Plagues yet deferd
( How near at hand foever) we much fear not,
Nor thereby for this duty are prepard :

Methinks the lofs of fo much blood and Treafure
As hath been fpent ; At home, decay of Trade
And Manufactures in fo large a meafure ;
Abroad in Colonies, the havock made

Should humble us, or that at leaft, which hath

More caufe of dread then War, or fudden Death,
To wit, a PRESS, whereby fome grieved are,
More then by all the worft events of War.

52. For,

Sighs for the Pitchers. 23

2. For, War is pleafmg to thofe Voluntaries,
Who, Wealth or Honor, hope thereby to gaine ;
Through every difficulty them it carries
With very little fenfe of dread or pain.

By Suddain Death likewife all Plagues are ended
Which Siu, or Folly on our bodies bring;
Yea, thereby finifhed ere apprehended,
In which refpec~l, no very dreadful thing.

But, to be fnatcht at unawares away,
From all Relations by a Suddain PRESS,
And, from all our Affairs, as at this day,
Is more injurious, then words can exprefs.

Whole Families, thereby deftroyd become ;

In foul and body, it tormenteth fome ;
And, thereby greater Griefs occafiond are
Then do befal, by life or death, in War.

54. I know well that, the Civil powrs intend
The profecution of thofe Services

Which to their SubJHtutes they recommend,
Should be purfu'd without juft Grievances:

And, to inform us in this very cafe,
(Of taking men to ferve them in the Wars)
A Law among the Jews eftablifht was
To be our Guide in fome particulars :

Let it obferved be, left that Oppreflion

Which is occafioned by indifcretion,
Thofe perfons to our damage may inrage,
Whom we think, for our fafety to ingage.

55. With others I did publickly bemone
Thofe things which we ought joyntly to deplore ;
And, in my Spirit, I lament alone

That for mine own Sins, I can figh no more.

I figh for thofe two Pitchers, which are knocking
Againft each other, when they mind not me;

Yea,

24 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Yea, when fome are, perhaps, my fallings mocking,
Or, not well pleafd with my good meanings be.
I Jlgk to fee their Charity decreafe
Who are pretenders to Religioufnefs •;
Not for my felf, though I perceive tis grown
Lefs then it was, five Jhillings in a Crown.

56. I have now, fomwhat more then fifty years,
Been oft mine own and your Remembrancer ;
And whilft I live, as oft (as caufe appears)
Refolved am fuch Cautions to prefer.

For fmce GOD hath fo long prefervd me from
A total Ruine in fuch Services,
I will continue during life to come
Whilft I fee need, in fervices like thefe,
Not doubting but his Mercy fhall outlafb
The Time to come as well as what v&paft\
And, ftill, as comfortably be enjoy d,
Though life in their purfute fhould be deftroyd.

57. This, I have therefore, now contributed
In private to what publickly was done,
With hopefulnefs, that when it fhall be read
It will to good effecl: be thought upon :

For in the common Lot, I fhall have part,
To whatfoever the fuccefs may tend,
And dare to arrogate no felf-defart,
More then they juftly may, who moft offend.

From Publickfins my felf I count not free ;

What is in others bad, is worfe in me,
Since, he whom GOD fo many years hath taught,
If body is worfe then others who are naught.

58. Yet, as there is no Righteoufnefs in me,
That, may with fafety be confided in ;

So whatfoere the Common Plagues may be,
In me there is no flavifh fear of fin:

For,

Sighs for the Pitchers. 25

For, in Gods Promife, and his Mediation
Who hath Redeemed me, I, fo confide,
That, I defpair not of a Soul-falvation,
Whatever to my Body fhall betide,

And, know, that, whilft to live, more then to die,
Shall tend to what GODS name may glorifie,
My life fhall comfortably be enjoy d
When thoufands round about me are deftroyd ;
And that all, who are firm in this belief,
Shall fee a glad end of their prefent Grief.
Lord in that patience keep me alway Jlrong,
Whicht to the Saints probation doth belong.

50. There was a Promife made long time ago,
To fome, who then in our condition were,
(And, in what they were to believe, and do,
As much as they, we now concerned are )

To them, it by GODS Prophet was declard
That, from their wickednefs if they returned,
One with a Writers Inkhorn was prepard
To fet a Mark on all who truely mourned,
Affuring all who had his Mark upon them
That when the common Judgements feized on them
It fhould not harm them, as to that, at leaft,
In which a realfafcty, doth confift.

60. That Mark is fet on thoufands at this day,
And many Writers hither have been fent
To fhew it, and inform us how we may
The Mifchiefs threatned, feafonably prevent.

Prophets rife early, and do fit up late,
To mind us of our duties, yea, there are
Some thoufands tdn this day, declaring that
Which they are bound to fpeak, and we to hear.
To that end alfo, GOD, hath now and then,
Employed me, and my Defpifed Pen,

D 2 As

26 Sighs for the Pitchers.

As at this time : and, at his feet I lay
What I have writ, and what I have to fay.
I might

BUt, hark! methinks, fome Whifperings I hear,
As if both Navies now ingaged were :
And, Lo, the fuddain Rumour of that Storm
Startles my Mufe into an other form,
Before I am aware, and makes me flop,
To heed, what it contributes to my hope.

Fame fpeaks it louder, and th'increafing found
On every fide, my perfon doth furround.
If what we fear fucceeds, let them fpeed worfl
At laft, who of this War gave juft caufe firft;
And, by both Parties, let all be amended
Wherein they joyntly, or apart offended.

More blood \ more fury ftill ! are bruitifh paffions
No whit abated by Humiliations?
No marvel then, no good effe<5ts yet fpring
To peace conducting, by my Trumpeting^
When I firft faw a likelihood of breaking
Our Pitchers, by the Preparations making ;
For, that, wherein divine expedients faile,
Humane endeavours little can prevaile.
My heart is pinched betwixt hope and fear,
By mufmg upon what I fee and hear,
With that whereto our Actings may amount
When we of all events have had account.
Fame tells us, that the EngliJJi and the Dutch
Have fought five days together. This is much,
And I think fo implacable a Rage,
Was rarely paralleld in any Age,
If (as it is reported) neither fide
Gave Quarter, whatfoever did betide.

How

Sighs for the Pitchers. 27

How that with CJiriftian charity may be
Confiftent, it appeareth not to me;
Or, how it quadrats with the tender nature
That's proper to a reasonable Creature:
Nor do I know infallibly how far
It is permifllve in an acJual War\
Nor is it known to any, till he tries
The juftnefs of it in extremities.
To cenfure that, I therefore, will forbear
Which lies without the compafs of my Sphear.
King David in fome cafes, fuch things did
As Natural companion doth forbid.
This I dare fay, no man can fee that end
Whereto, a bruitifli/tfry, will extend,
When both provoked, and let loofe, to do
Whatever it fhall then be prone unto.

I clearly gather from our conteftations,
What may be truely judged of both Nations
As to their daring, and Couragioufnefs\
Which, I in few words, fully will exprefs,
Ev'n thus : (for nothing parallels it fitter)
Two EngliJJi Majlive Dogs never fought better \
Nor hath ought oft been acted heretofore,
Which evidenced humane courage more,
If all be truely faid which we have heard
This day, of thefe A ntagonifts averd :
For, though fome Cowards upon either fide,
Were fo amazd they knew not what they did,
And fome (when blinded by the fires and fmoke
Slaughtred thofe Friends, whom they for Foes
In that long combate, neither of the two (miftook ;
The other, did in any thing outdo.
And (which deferveth heed) no wind yet wags
That brings us tidings of fuch Fears, or Brags

As

38 Sighs for the Pitchers.

As ufually are publifhed abroad,
When Rivals are ingaged in this mode ;
And, that, to me prefageth a fuccefs,
Which may to both contribute happinefs,
If meekly, they and we, fubmit unto
What GOD vouchfafeth to permit, or doy
Who, did a Mercy unto both begin
When he withheld the French from coming in ;
Which Mercy, though yet hidden, will be feen
When time removes that artificial Skreen,
Which, an abufive Policy invents
To interpofe twixt actions and intents.

Heed, therefore, let both take when this fight ends,
How it concerns both, quickly to be Friends;
What may be quite loft ; what may yet be faved :
How both may by their Difcord, be inflaved :
What great Plagues they now feel ; what may betide
More grievous, if they further mould divide ;
What great advantages it might bring thither
Where, they their Strength & Courage )oy ft. together,
Not thereupon as heretofore prefuming,
Neither that glory to themfelves affuming,
Which appertaineth unto God alone ;
Nor vaunting of what their own hands have done ;
Nor la'bring, Breaches to repair with Lies,
Nor putting upon Truths a falfe difguife,
(A fault now fo habitual become
That, tis not eafily refrained from)
Nor facrificing what GOD doth abhor,
Or that, which at the beft, he cares not for ;
But, giving what he ftill takes in good part,
(Though meritlefs) an Humble contrite heart.

Then, that the Mercies daignd may be prolongd,
Let not his Saints in any wife be wrongd ;

(Among

Sighs for the Pitchers. 39

(Among whom many will be found at laft,

On whom the world reproachful terms hath caft)

For, when, or wherefoever, Peace he makes,

It is at their Rcquefts, and for their Sakes;

Whereas, no Peace is true, or long poffeft,

Where Innocents are cauflefly oppreft ;

Efpecially, where they oppreffed are

Who ferve GOD, with a confcientious fear

According to their knowledge : of this Crime,

Neither the Dutch, nor they who now with them

Affociatc, fo guilty are as we

Do at this prefent day appear to be.

And, I believe 'twas therefore that GODS hand

Enabled them our Forces to withftand ;

And ftill preferves both, that both might more heed,

What they have done, and how they fhould proceed.

Among thofe things by them and us mifdone
Provoking GODS difpleafure, this alone
Next mentiond, is enough without one moe,
Us, in all our Plantations to undo :
For, to advance our carnal Intcreft
We parallel the Practice of the BEAST
In merchandizing Souls \ Yea, more then fo,
Have fet to fale, both Souls and Bodies too,
In many Colonies: our Avarice
(Which is one root of evry other Vice)
Gave partly an occafion of that Jar,
From whence firft fprung, this prefent bloody War,
And, which at laft, will totally deftroy,
Both that which we in Forraign Lands enjoy
And here at Home, unlefs we mall with fpeed,
Repent that courfe wherein we do proceed.
We do not only there, both fell and waft
Mens Bodies whilft their lives and ftrength do laft,

(In

3'

30 Sighs for the Pitchers.

(In bondage and in labour like a Beaft,
From which they have no hope to be releaft,)
But, miferably, keep them, too, inflavd
Without the means, whereby the Soul is favd :
Whereas, a blejfing both to them and us
Might be procured, by endeav'ring, thus :
Ev'n by providing Confcientious Preachers,
To be one day in every week their Teachers.
This would in part at leaft, excufe the Crime,
Whereby Guilt lies on many at this time.

I, ferioufly have heeded with companion
What them concerns, who have to God relation,
And, in particular, what I beheld
Or, heard concerning ihofe of late Exild
For Confcicnce fake. How much ado there was ;
How much time fpent, to fend them to the place
Of their Confinement ; what, within fhort time,
Befel thereby to others ; what to them
Worth obfervation ; and how they were caft
Into the powre of our Dutch Foes at laft,
To whom their Ship and Goods are made a prey,
Who undertook to carry them away.
Whence I collect, that, we fhall nothing win,
Whilft we are guilty of fo great a Sin ;
And, that by long continuance in this guilt,
Much blood that might be faved will be fpilt.

Of this fin, therefore let an Expiation
Be confbantly endeavourd through the Nation,
And henceforth, twixt the Englifh and the Dutch,
Let nothing be contended for fo much
As, whether fhall the other mod excel
In Love, in Piety, and doing well.
Let both petition for, Grace, Truth and Peace,
And, for their mutual Amities increafe,

Let

Sighs for the Pitchers. 31

Let them not Faft to be protected in

Their quarrellings, but, faft from Strife andyJ;/,

And when Humiliations they pretend

Begin them with beginning to amend ;

Withhold their hands from Lawlefs Violences,

Not cloke Hypocrijle with fair pretences,

Nor think, when God vouchfafes Deliverance,

It is, their Pride and Selfncfs to advance,

Or, that, when they a Victory have won,

Twas got, that they might do as they have done.

This, (though Humiliation, we pretend)
I fear, by very many is defignd.
For, Providence hath brought me to behold
What I fhould not have credited if told.
The dreadful hazzards which we now are in,
So little moves to penitence for Sin,
That I have heard of one this day, who from
The laft Ingagement came fore wounded home
Who, ere thofe wounds were cur'd, did by another
Endeavour, how he might corrupt the Mother
To be her daughters Baud, and to contrive
The means, how they might in uncleannefs live.
This I have heard, and (whether yea or no)
See probability it may be fo.
Alas ! what will infue thereon in fine
If this fhould be ti\z general defigne?
Oh! let each individual Soul beware
Of fuch preemptions, left they fpread fo far
That, GOD, in his provoked indignation,
Wholly deftroy this wicked Generation.
In chief, let thofe Grand Parties whofe efcapes
Yet, give them time, beware of a Relapfe
And hear him ; For, affured then I am,
That, he, (according to the Chronogram

E Upon

32 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Upon my Title-page^ us will/o hear,
That, this will prove to be a happy year.

Let us forbear to vaunt, as we have done,
Of Conquefts, whilft our Arms are putting on :
For, an example of that folly have I
In their invincible (fo called) Navie
Which was in Eighty eight, upon our Coafts
Deftroyed after many fhamelefs Boafts.
God grant that Sixty fex, be not to us
For fuch like Vauntings as unprofperous.
I hope the beft, and I as much do fear
The worft, according as our A6lings are.

If poffible it be, let an Accord
Be made by Chriflian Prudence, not the Sword.
For that Cure, ufually doth leave a Skar
From whence at laft, breaks forth another War.
If to no end, our Quarrels can be brought
Till we have to the utmofb fought it out ;
Let them, whom GOD mail pleafed be to crown
With Signal Victory, themfelves bow down,
In true Humility^ as low as they
Who, then, have loft the glory of the day ;
Such Mercy mowing, as they would have mown
Unto themfelves, if that cafe were their own ;
And, mind what Plagues, GOD threatens to inflict
On them, who add grief, where he doth correct :
Elfe to avenge their Cruelty and Pride,
A greater Foe, mall rife up in his ftead
Who was deftroyed, and they mall then have
That Meafure to them given, which they gave.

When all this, and much more then this is done,
We may, as far be, as when we begun
From being truly humbled. For, with leaving
Grofs fins, there enters often a deceiving

Whereby

Sighs for the Pitchers. 33

Whereby, the Soul may be polluted more
And, in more danger then it was before;
Unlefs we fliall together with a loathing
Of all fins, Value our oivnfelves at nothing.
For, we have nought good, but by imitation,
Which to confefs, is true Humiliation
If done fmcerely. It will then abide
The Tefl, when thus it (hall be qualifide ;
And, we foon after, fliall behold, or hear
What will compleat our Hope and banifli Fear,
For, GOD in Mercy always doth return
To all, who for offending him, fo mourn.

WHilft this was writing, Tidings we receivd
(Which very willingly we then believd)
That we were Victors. God vouchfafe thereto
A blejfed Confequence, if it prove fo :
Make us, whatever otherwife befel,
Sincerely thankful that wefpeedfo we//,
Still mindful of the hazzards we were in,
Before that Dmibtful Trial did begin;
And be henceforth, obedient to his calls
Left elfe a worfe thing fuddainly befals :
For, moft to fear him, we have then moft caufe
When an impending Judgement he withdraws,
Since, in our Duties, if we then grow flack ;
Vengeance, with double Rigour it brings back j
But, much more, when inftead of Penitence
Thofe Faults renewd are, which firft gave offence.

That News came whilft the People were in prayr,
Some, hopeful, fome afraid, fome in defpair,
Such Medlies making of Words, Thoughts and Pajfions
As oft befal in fuddain Alterations ;
And peradventure, caufd fome to forget
To what end, they that day together met :
For, many had exprefled figns of Gladnefs
Before, they gave one fign of Soberfadnefs,
Days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation
Being by them, obfervd flill in one fafhion ;

E 2 And

34 Sighs for the Pitchers.

And, by their various Poftures, thofe Digrefflons
Occafiond were, which vaiy my Expreffions.

We were not like Jews harps on Willows hung,
But, like thofe, which are always tun'd and fining
For Jiggs', and we, a Triumph-fong'bQgu-n.
Before our Lamentation-fong was done.
From laying, by, our vain Defires and Boafls,
From Sanctifying of the Lord of Ho/Is
With filial awe ! and Praife to him returning
(For joyful Tidings on our Day of mourning)
We were fo far, that, evn before we knew,
Or could hear certainly, the News was true,
We skipt abruptly, from Humiliation
Into our Antick mode of Exultation,
Joyning our felves to throngs of Fools and Boys,
In Triumphs, which confift of Squibs and Noife,
Of Healths, and Bells, and Fires, and Tunes, and Smoak
( Thanksgiving Tools, in which delight we took)
Objects of Scorn, to wifemen rendring us;
To grave Spectators, more ridiculous
Then pleafmg : And, inftead of fome Relief
Tofujferers, an increafing of their Grief,
Chiefly to thofe poor Orphans and fad Wives,
Whofe Husbands, and whofe Fathers limbs and lives
Were loft in that Ingagement, whereof they
Had little Senfe, or drank the fame away,
(Whilft they who hardly fcaping it, lay grieving,
Their fafety, rather doubting then believing)
And, thefe too, when grown fober, found they had
Not fo much caufe of Mirth , as to btfad.

An otitward Joy, expreft with moderation,
And Triumphs, are not without Approbation,
When they mail be exhibited in feafon,
And for ends juflified by found Reafon ;
Yet, for all Victories, they are not fo ;
Nor the fame things, fit at all times to do.
King David knew it did not him become
To triumph when he conquerd Abfolom,
And I have feen, for Victories, of late,
(Much lefs to be rejoyced in than that)
Great Joy expreft : yea, for a Conquejl won
(Thanksgivings alfo rendred) where was none.

At

Sighs for the Pitchers. 35

At all times, by all men, are Praifes due,
And thanks to God, for all things that enfue
On our Endeavours : for, in all he doth
Inclufively, are comprehended both
Jnjlice, and Mercy : yet, our thanks to GOD
Is not on all occafions, in one mode
To be exprefl ; nor ought we to pretend
His Glory, when tis for another end ;
Left, he in our Definition or our fhame,
Provoked be to glorifie his Name.

In both our late Ingagcments GOD hath done
That, which both Nations ought to think upon
With much more heed, and much more thankfulnefs,
Then either we or they do yet exprefs.
This month laft year when we did glorifie
Our felves, for a fuppofed Victory,
I did contribute then, as I do now
My Jingle Mite, (as well as I knew how)
To praife GOD for his Mercy, making none
With him, a fharer in what he had done ;
Then offring alfo to confideration
Such things as tended to Humiliation,
Much to the fame effect, with that which here,
I tender in another mode this year.
But, GOD who times, and Orders all we do,
My purpofe knowing, put a Stop thereto ;
Perhaps left if it had been publifhd then,
It had exafperated more, fome men,
Both to their own, and to my detriment,
Then was confident with my good intent.
For, (by my Printers death) what, I then did
In fome unknown hand, till this day lies hid ;
And poflibly may come again to light,
By that time, this is brought to open fight.
Meanwhile, I will proceed, with what, this day
A New Occafion prompteth me to fay.

The faid Ingagements, now already paft
(Which if GOD pleafe, I wifh might be the laft)
By Providential means, have made their fwords
Speak more, then elfe with fo much power in words,
Could have been fpoken, to perfvvade us to
What, it, will moft concern us both, to do.

For

36 Sighs for the Pitchers.

For, whatfoever, Policy and Pride

Have publifhed abroad on either fide,

Tis evident ; (or, may be fo to either)

Our Earthen Pitchers, are fo knockt together

That one or two more fuch like knocks will break them

So fmall, that ufelefs Potflierds it will make them j

Except to patch up the Defigns of thofe

Who feem their Friends, to whom they will be Foes.

This would be better heeded, if it were
Propounded by a Private Counfeller,
A BiJJwp or a Judge : Thus I fuppofe,
Till I remember, that the beft of thofe
Have writ, and fpoke in vain : yet, then, were they
Obligd to fpeak their confcience, fo am I.
But, many, who to be my Friends would feem,
(And, not me, or my words to difefleem)
Perfwade me, in thefe matters to be mute :
Tell me, that my Attempts produce no fruit
Save mifchiefs to my felf : and, other fome
Affirm this Medling doth not me become.
I thank their wifdoms ; but, am not fo wife
As to believe they prudently advife.
A Fool may to good purpofe fpeak forntimes,
And, they have found found Rtafon in my Rimes,
Who were not fo adverfe to words infeafon,
That, they lovd neither Triith, nor Rime, nor Reafon.
Th' effects to other men will be the fame,
Whether, to them \fpeak, or ftlent am ;
Yet, fince with profit, I have heretofore
Spoke fomwhat, I will fpeak a little more,
Becaufe, I know the damage will not be
So great, then, in relation unto me,
As unto thofe men, who ihall be offended
With what is confcientioufly intended.
Succejjfes, good and bad, are Ihard fo even
Between them (by his Jujlice, who from heav'n
Beholds both what they did in every place
With whatfoere by them intended was)
That, if on both fides, Truth might be expreft
It would by them and others, be confefl,
The Sword 'hath fpoke aloud, and plainly too,
That, which both Nations fpeedily mould do :

That,

Sighs for the Pitchers. 37

That, it fpeaks alfo, what they do intend

On whofe Affiftances they much depend :

And hints, that both, in their proceeds, (at length)

May be devourd by their own Wealth and Strength,

For, whereunto amounts all we have heard

Three days together, to and fro, averd,

But certainty of Ruine, on both fides,

To which foever bed fuccefs betides?

What have we heard, by that which pro and con

Hath been reported of what's loft and won,

But contradictions, intermixt with founds

Of Lamentations, Lofles, Deaths and Wounds,

And with relation of a I'iftory,

Which with infeebled and lame wings doth fly :

None certainly informed of what's done,

Or of that which may follow thereupon.

We hear fad News one day, as bad next morrow,

Or worfe perhaps : and fhall have dayly forrow,

Till of their forrows, we more fenfe have got,

Whofe Suff rings, we do know and pitty not :

And till our Nation fhall difcharge that better,

Wherein to GOD and Man it is a Debter.

I have with heedfulnefs, perufed that,
Sea-Gibbri/h, which is publiflid to relate
What pafled in the Naval fight between
Both Fleets ; with what, to fome a ground hath been
To think, the Vifiory is on our fide
And, that we ftill victorious do abide.
If fo it were (becaufe, it might prevent
The Foes proud brags, our Friends difcouragement ;
Or, fuperfede their Fears) I mould be glad,
And thankful, for the good fuccefs we had :
But, nothing therein mention'd found I out,
Whence, I could pick forth, what to find, I fought.
All I could thence collect, was but thus much,
That, We were beaten, and did beat the Dutch,
Till they were glad, at laft, to fail away,
And, we as glad, they did no longer flay.
He, that was otherwife informd thereby
Doth underftand much more, or lefs, then I ;
And, for ourfelres, I know no reafon why
We mould, if, we for GOD, ought not to Lie;

For,

38 Sighs for the Pitchers.

For, though it is imprudence to reveal
All Truths at all times (and not to conceal,
What may occafion mifchiefs) never mould
The Truth be falfefaid, or Untruths be told:
And, more advantage would to us, enfue
If our Intelligence were always true.

Indeed, I found, in that Exprefs, much wit
In fuch terms, as that Subject, did befit;
As alfo, veiy much, related there
To magnifie thofe who then active were
For our defence. And, I well pleafed am
With what may add to their deferved Fame.
To them I grudge no meed, or honour due,
WTho prudently, and valiantly purfue
Their undertakings : But, Gods praife alone,
Is my chief Aim. To praife what men have done,
Is, to my proper work impertinent,
And, alfo, at this time, to my intent.

If, by omitting that, I mail offend
In profecutions to a better end ;
Or, if that any mail maligne me more,
For this, who did not love me heretofore,
I mail not think it ftrange : For, I of late
Meerly, for Speaking, and for Writing that,
Which both to Gods praife, and Mans welfare tends,
Loofe daily, very many feeming Friends \
Whereby, if they no whit indamagd are,
I mall not, for what haps to me, much care ;
Efpecially, whilft that, which I defigne
Tends to Gods praife (without felfends of mine.)
To which intention, that which now is read
(In thefe few pages,) is contributed.

And though, like Jeremiahs Lamentation,
Or Davids humblings, this Humiliation
Is not befprinkled with corporeal tears,
Or, worded with Hyberbolies like theirs ;
Nor ftrowd with Ames, nor in Haircloth dreft ;
Or, with fuch formal complements expreft,
(As may be, and ofttimes affumed are
As well by Hypocrites, as Menftncere]
Or, though it may want what affects the Senfe,
I hope, that, which affects th' Intelligence

It

Sighs for the Pitchers. 39

It fliall not want, nor ought, which to that end
Is needfull, whereto, I, the fame intend :
And, tis exhibited in fuch a mode,
I hope too, as will pleafing be to GOD.

What, he hath done, at this time, feems to me
Not fo much heeded as it ought to be,
To make us thankful ; nor do we exprefs
What we pretend, in way of thankfulnefs
As it becomes us ; neither do we (how it
As doth befeem him, unto whom we ow it :
But, adl it with fuch vain appurtenances
(And break out into fuch Extravagances)
As, to our Sins, are rather an addition
Then fignes of Thankfulnefs, or true Contrition.
For, though, at full, informd I have not bin
What flreights, and what great hazzards they were in ;
Or, of what might have hapned, unlefs then
Affifted more by Providence, then Men ;
Thus much is likely, we were fo intrapt,
That, by our own powre, we had not efcapt
A total Rout, if Providentially
There came not in, z. feaf nable fupply .
For, had not GOD, fent Rupert timely back,
The Fleet with Albemarl, had gone to wrack;
Or, both perhaps, then, been deftroyd together,
Had not GOD fent the French, we know not whither :
Yea, fomewhat, in that Providence I fee,
Which our Foes ought to heed, as much as We.
GOD, grace vouchfafe both unto us, and them,
To heed, whereto it tends, whilft there is time ;
And, unto me, and every perfon living,
Timely Repentance^ and fmcere Thanksgiving.

Ere thefe few Cautionary exhortations,
(Which I think proper to Humiliations)
I do conclude ; He add this Corollary
In hope, that fome, the fame in mind will carry.
Though very great our Streights and Hazzards are,
(And, thofe may be much greater which we fear)
Seek Remedies, by no dijhonefl courfe ;
Left, thereby, we ftill make the mif chief worfe.
That, were to do like them, who, when an E%nl
Befals, run to a Witch, or to the Devil,

F Who,

40 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Who, fuch Cures, onely, for his Patients hath

As their, who kill themfelves, through fear of Death.

It hath been thought, yea, I have oft been told,

That, /, in my Attempts, have been too bold ;

Yet /think no man ftandeth in more dread

Of doing ought which is not warranted

By common Juftice; For, /dare not aft

To fave my life, in any fuch like fact.

Nor would my Confcience let me fleep in peace

Should / but wink at an Unrighteoufnefs,

Which might by me be hindred, (though to gain

That, which /do moft covet to obtain)

Till /repented it: nay, /mould dread

A Vengeance were impending ore my head,

If / in fecret, wifhd advance unto

My hopes, by what another might mifdo

Without my knowledge ; or, by ought not right

Both in GODS eye, and evry good mans fight.

Which, /profefs, that others might beware

Of fuch /// confequents, as /now fear.

If we believe there is a GOD, that heeds
The Patience of the Saints, and our Proceeds,
Let us not ftill perfift, as we have done,
Within mans confcience, to ufurp GODS Throne
As many do, in moft prefumptuous wife,
Ev'n whilft his heavy hand upon us lies :
For, he will fhortly make it to appear,
None ought, but he, to fit in Judgment there ;
As alfo, what they merit, who offend
So highly, when an humbling they pretend.
At Home, from perfecuting of them ceafe
Who do not interrupt the civil peace ;
Let us forbear in an inhumane mode,
More to divide us, and our Foes abrade-,
Let us leave off, thofe Railings at each other,
Which hinder the uniting us together.
Till GOD mail judge the caufe that is depending
Between the Nations which are now contending,
Let none of us who in owe private Stations,
Are called to fincere Humiliations,
Prefume to judge them further then he knows
Their Actings, and what Judgements GOD allows

In

Sighs for the Pitchers. 41

In doubtful Trials ; but with Hiimblenefs^
Attend on his difpofe of the fuccefs ;
Contributing, afwel as tears and prayers,
What elfe, th'Immergencies of our Affairs
May reafonably require ; left, we betray
Both our ownfelves, and them weJJiould obey.
For, each mans private Jliare, is part of that
Which is the Joint Stock of the Publick Staff,
And, ought proportionably to be fhard,
As need fliall be, to make a Public k Card.

What, others, are thereby invited to
Is that, which confcientioufly / do :
For, to this end, (though /am fo bereft
Of all 7 had, that, nothing now is left
But Almes to live on) /, have ever fince
Paid Taxes, out of that Benevolence \
/?nd, will not grudge to do it, whilft GOD (hall
That way, or any way, give wherewithal :
Yea, that the Publick ftrength, may not decline
Will take heed that it be no Fault of mine,
By not contributing, what / think may
Be thereto needful, in an evil day
If weU it be employed, GOD, will blefs
Their prudent Management, and Faithfulnefs,
Who therewith are intrufted : If, unjuft
Therein they prove, and fhall deceive our truft,
Twill be definitive onely to th' Abufers,
And, faithful men, will be at laft no Loofers :
For, when the Kingdoms which we look for, comes,
^411 men, fhall have their juft deferred Dooms.

Hereof, to me, GOD hath oft Earnejl given
By aids vouchfafed, as it were, from Heav'n,
Ai every need. By him, / have been fed
With Manna, Qitalles,, and with my dayly bread,
(I know not elfe, either by ivhom or how)
For fome years lately pad ; and fo am now,
Without fufpecl, of ought which may befal
Whether, my gathering (hall be much or /mall.
Yea, now, while / behold defpairing fear
In moft mens faces, almoft evry where ;
Although the day, now very gloomy be ;
Though falling off, our Chariot-wheels I fee ;

F 2 Their

42 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Their Drivers, with much difficulty driving ;

Againft Waves, Rocks and Sands, our Leaders ftriving,

And, GOD, in this day of our great diflrefs,

Within a Black Cloiid, hiding yet his Face j

A Glimmering, I naythelefs perceive

Of Mercy, fhining on all who believe ;

With Symptoms, of the like afpecl; to them

Who, yet believe not, if they turn to him.

Turn therefore, oh return unto him, now ;

Hear him, and he will give an ear to you.

But 1 fear moft men fo corrupt are grown,
That, my words, are on them in vain beflown :
Left, therefore what I write, they heed the lefs,
I, at this prefent, will no more exprefs ;
And, fince, in our cafe, there's no help in Man,
His aid, I will implore, who help us can.

J^Et GOD arifel .,4 rife LORD, I implore thee;

^4nd, let all thofe who hate thee, fly before thee;
Rebuke them who thy ^dverfaries are,
The Bulls and Calves who take delight in War ;
Afwel the Common People, as their Kings,
Till all the world, to thee, due tribute brings.
Let thofe dejlroying Angels, which are fent
To chaftife us, make a diftinguifhment
Between them, who through Hiimane frailty fin,
Without perfifting wilfully therein,
And, fuch, as have been unto thee and Thine,
Malitious Foes, a long time, by Defegne;
Or, who, not onely, againft us, now be
Confederates, but likewife againft Thee.

In Mercy, look again, on us, and thofe,
Who are, at this day, our profefled Foes ;
Left, the purfuit of what is yet intended
Confumes both Nations, ere the War be ended.
Now, fo unclofe the Eyes of evry Nation,
Which hath pretended to a Reformation,
That, they may fee how much, they have been blinded j
How they depraved are, and how felf-minded :
So prudent make all Governours and Kings,
So qualify the Peoples murmurings ;

So

Sighs for the Pitchers. 43

So, let thy holy Spirit fandifie

Each Congregational Societic ;

So mew, to evry Individual onft

What ought to be belicv }d, and to be done

Together and Apart, which may improve

That, Principle of Unrverfal Love,

In which, the Being of the world begun ;

Whereby, preferred while Time wheeleth on,

And, by which, that perfection (hall be gaind

Which was by thy Eternal Love ordaind ;

That we regenerated may become,

And not continue, till the day of Doome,

So ftupified in our fins, as they

Who were, at laft, with Water, wafhd away ;

Or, Sodom-like, in finning perfevere

Until with Fire confumed as they were :

But, let what thou haft done, fufficient be

To turn thee unto us, and us to Thee.

I do confefs, fhouldft thou be fo fevere,
As, but to heed how bad, the beft men are ;
Among us all, there could be found out none
Who might be called Righteous ; no, not one
Of whatfoever Calling, or Degree,
Whether, Priejl, Prophet, or a King it be,
Or of the common Rank ; Lord, naythelefs
In Mercy, and in thy Sons Righteoufnefs
Vouchfafe to look upon us ; and, to cure
Our fingle, and our joynt diftemp'rature.
At this time, to thofe Lujlings put an end,
Which makes us more then brutifhly contend
For trifles \ and to brawl, curfe, lye and fwear ;
Like Dogs, for bones, to fcramble, fcratch and tear ;
Fight, wound and kill each other, without heed
Of what we do, or of what may fucceed.
Yea, fo inhumanely, as if, now, here
The Devils, clothd with Humane bodies were ;
Hell, as it were, broke loofe, and, they come hither
With purpofe, to bring Hell and Earth together.

That, which this may portend, fecure us from :
Hallow thy Name, and let thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done on Earth, as tis in Heaven :
Give us the bread of Life ; and, that forgiven

Our

44 Sighs for the Pitchers.

Our fens may be, let its forgive each other \

And, henceforth, live in ^4mity together,

On us, let not temptations, then prevail.

When thou permittejl any to affail

Our perfons ; that, we may in our Probations

Be conftant, and enjoy our expectations.

Let neither prefent, paft, or future evil,

(The temptings of the World, the Fle/h or Devil}

Have powre to harm, or fright us any more,

With Plagues and Wars, as now, and heretofore ;

Efpecially, let them not us infnare

With thofe fins, whereof thefe the wages are.

Wholly, to thee, our felves let us refigne ;

Confefs the Kingdom, Powre and Glory thine

Without a partner; and henceforth, forbear

To feek our Kingdom, Powre and Glory here.

Whilft that time lafts, wherein things yet remain
Undone, which to thy Glory appertain,
And, wherein we muft further be imployd,
Before the Man of Sin mail be deftroyd,
(Who very oft, ufurps a lodging, where
Thy Kingdom is, although he Reigns not there)
Him to refift, vouchfafe AJ/ifting Grace
To every one of us, in his own place :
Preferve us blamelefs, in that Difpenfation
Whereto, a Confcentious inclination
(Wiihoutfe/f-ends) hath joynd us ; fo to ufe
Our Liberty, that, we do not abufe
The Chrijlian Freedom, by intruding on
Thy Right ; or, by impofing that upon
^/nothers confcience, by ufurped powr,
Which, we would not mould be impofd on our.
And, fo incline thofe alfo, to do thus
To whom thou givefl power over us,
That none, may to obey them forced be,
By being difobedient unto thee ;
But, let our Ditties be performd in Peace
To thee, and, to all men, in Righteoufnefs.
And, that both We, and our Sugeriours too,
May be the more kept heedful what to do;
Make them to know, that, if in what relates
To Thee, the humane Laws, or Magijlrates

Muft

Sighs for the Pitchers. 45

Muft be obeyd in all they fliall command,
However they, or we fliall underftand
Thy Word reveald; then, if the Kingdom be
The Turks or Popes, we mud believe, as he ;
And, thy Witt and thy Deity, thenceforth,
Stand for a Cypher, or, for what's lefs worth :
For that, will be the confequence thereof,
Though Polititians, at this Truth will skoff :
Me therefore, unto what thou callft me to,
Keep firm, in fpight of all the world (hall do.

Theyfa^/V, and tiaejoynt Humiliation
Of AVw^and People, blefs with acceptation,
Although, what hath been done, prayd, or confejl,
Will not abide thy Sanftuary Tejl;
For, hope of an acceptance, none there is,
If thou fliouldfl mark all things that are amifs :
And, fav'd from what's deferred, here, would neither
Be Good or Bad men, but, fink altogether.

Let, in one Ditty, none be fo employd,
That, all the reft be fleighted, or made void.
So let us Hear, that, we afwel may Do
As Hearken, what thy word perfwades unto.
So let us drive to Do, that having done
The bed wee can, wee truft not thereupon ;
And, fo Believe too, that wee may improve
Our Faith dill more, both by Good works and Love\
Remembring, it is Love, that doth fulfil
The Law, the Gofpel, and thy total will.
Let thine own Spirit help us fo to pray,
That, wee may minde Thee, more then what we/ay.
Since to Speak words, lefs needful is to thee,
Then telling our own hearts, what our thoughts be ;
And, chiefly ufed, that we might difcern
Or, heed the better thofe things which concern
Our/elves, and Brethren ; becaufe, none can (how
That unto thee, which thou didd not foreknow.
Words, oft are fpoke to others, with intent
To counterfeit that which was never ment.

To fuch ends, as we ought to make AddreJJlngs
To thee, are all my Prayers and Confejfings ;
To fuch ends, I now offer here in words,
Thofe Mufengs, which my narrow heart affords ;

And

46 Sighs for the Pitchers.

And, which drawn, and preft out of it, have been
By thofe great ftreights, we ftill continue in.
To fuch ends, I implore thee in this mode ;
Accept of this Oblation, my dear GOD :
Give us his Righteoufnefs, who took our Guilt ;
Love us, and then, do with us, ivhat thou wilt,

Thefe Mufmgs, mee, did waking keep
When other men were faft afleep :
And, may, when I a nap am taking,
Keep others, peradventure, waking.
GOD, grant we may fo help each other
To watch, by turns, or, altogether,
That, when the Bridegroom, doth appear
{Although at midnight) we may hear,
And, keep oiir Lamps, in fuch a Trim
That, wt may entrance have within.

Written June 17.

this fad year,
MDCLX VI.

That which is mentioned in the thirty fifth page
aforegoing, being imprinted in or about June 1665,
and ever fmce concealed by reafon of the Printers
death, is now come to light, and hereto added in the
three next following fheets. There are many faults
efcaped in the Printing by reafon of the Authors ab-
fence, which the Reader muft corre6l where he finds
them.

FINIS.

LIST OCT1

PR

2390

A2

1872

v.3

Wither, George

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