Ecchoes from the sixth trumpet. The first part reverberated by a review of neglected remembrances, abreviating [sic] precautions and predictions heretofore published at several times, upon sundry occasions, to forewarn what the future effects of divine justice would be, as soon as our sinnes were full ripe,if not prevented by timely repentance : most part of the predictions have been already seen or heard verified, both by the author yet living, and by many others, who observed at what times, in what manner, upon what persons, and in what places they were literally or mystically fulfilled : collected out of the said authors printed books, who conscienciously [sic] observed on what divine prophesies the said predictions were grounded, as also God's late frequent intermixture of judgments and mercies, to reclaim this generation. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 1666 Approx. 395 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 113 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66752 Wing W3155 ESTC R38724 17948100 ocm 17948100 106767 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A66752) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 106767) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1112:4) Ecchoes from the sixth trumpet. The first part reverberated by a review of neglected remembrances, abreviating [sic] precautions and predictions heretofore published at several times, upon sundry occasions, to forewarn what the future effects of divine justice would be, as soon as our sinnes were full ripe,if not prevented by timely repentance : most part of the predictions have been already seen or heard verified, both by the author yet living, and by many others, who observed at what times, in what manner, upon what persons, and in what places they were literally or mystically fulfilled : collected out of the said authors printed books, who conscienciously [sic] observed on what divine prophesies the said predictions were grounded, as also God's late frequent intermixture of judgments and mercies, to reclaim this generation. Wither, George, 1588-1667. [26], 194 [i.e. 196], [2] p. Imprinted in the year chronogrammically expressed, in this seasonable prayer, [London] : LorD haVe MerCIe Upon Us [i.e. 1666] Predominately in verse. Running title: A review of neglected remembrances, &c. Attributed to Wither by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints. Place of publication suggested by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints. A future "Second part", alluded to on p. 194, was never published. Errors in paging: p. 3 misprinted 5; p. 131-132 repeated in numbering only. Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library. "The names of those printed books heretofore written by George Wither, out of which this First part of this Review of neglected remembrances ... was collected ...": p. [2] at end. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Great Britain -- History -- Stuarts, 1603-1714 -- Poetry. 2005-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-07 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-08 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-08 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion ECCHOES FROM THE SIXTH TRUMPET . Reverberated by A Review of Neglected Remembrances : Abreviating Precautions and Predictions heretofore published at several Times , upon sundry Occasions , to forewarn what the future Effects of Divine Justice would be , as soon as our Sinnes were full ripe , if not prevented by timely Repentance . Most part of the Predictions have been already seen or heard verified , both by the Author yet living , and by many others , who observed at what Times , in what manner , upon what Persons , and in what Places they were literally or Mystically fulfilled . Collected out of the said Authors Printed Books , who conscienciously observed on what Divine Prophesies the said Predictions were grounded ; as also GOD's late frequent intermixture of Judgments and Mercies , to reclaim this Generation . The First Part. Matth. 13. 52. Every Scribe which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven , is like unto a Housholder , who bringeth out of his Treasure things new and old . Imprinted in the Year Chronogrammically expressed in this Seasonable Prayer LorD haVe MerCIe Vpon Vs. A PREFACE to the following REVIEW , offering somewhat therewith considerable . THis Preface , and the following Review , were not without good reason personated as written by a Third person ; yet perhaps may make it questionable , Whether they were done by the Author of the Books abreviated , or by another hand ; but that is not material : For , they express nothing save what may be by him justified in every circumstance ; and therefore it shall so pass . He was Thirteen years old when Queen Elizabeth reigned ; and even at that time begun to observe both the Works of GOD , and the Actions ef Men ; so continuing to do , from time to time , whereby ( with GOD's gracious assistance ) he was preserved from grosly falling into , and persevering in those sins whereto he was naturally prone ; and came into the world at a time which gave him such an Experimental knowledg both of GOD and Men , as he could not have had in many preceding Generations ; for he hath lived to see Eleven Signal Changes , in which , not a few Signal Transactions Providentially occurred ; to wit , under the Government of Queen Elizabeth , King James , Charles the First , the King and Parliament together , the Parliament alone , the Army , Oliver Cromwel , Richard Cromwel , a Council of State , the Parliament again , and now King Charles the Second ; during all which times , he lived in those Places , and in such midling Stations , between persons of the highest and lowest degree ; exercised in Employments , which gave him opportunity to heed what was done , both by those who were above and below him . GOD had also bestowed upon him a Faculty , which ( though it be despised , and he therewith but meanly endowed ) would not permit him to be altogether idle or silent ; for , it compelled him to a consciencious exercise of his Talent , in that , which he thought required at his hand ; and to take all occasions from time to time happening , to commemorate , and offer to consideration , those things whereby GOD might be glorified , and his Countreymen benefited in some degree ; which duty ( though not so well as he would ) he hath so well as he could prosecuted to this day . He begun very early , by expressing and publishing those Conceptions which the Affections and Inclinations of Youth had awakened in him ; endeavouring to season them with as much Morality and Piety , as Subjects of that nature are capable of ; suiting them to capacities of young men , who delight to see their own Natural Passions represented as it were in a glass ; wherein , they not onely met with some better things then they looked for , but , with such Notions also therewith mixed , as insinuated into their hearts that seasoning , which made them much delighted with his Poems , and rendred him so generally known , that many thousands were desirous to peruse his future Writings , and to take better heed of that , whereof else perhaps they had taken little or no notice , though expressed by a more elegant and learned Author . It likewise encouraged him to assume all Occasions to prosecute that , which might most redound to GOD's Glory , and the edifying of men in Faith and Righteousness , though it were to his personal disadvantage in carnal concernments . And GOD hath given him comfort therein , carrying him on hitherto through all difficulties occurring , though by impartially discharging his Conscience in such a mode as had provoked many powerful persons to prosecute him with Indignation ; for , his frequent reproofs have been very offensive , notwithstanding they were in general terms onely , without personal aspersions , and with as much charity , and tender respect to every mans infirmities , and unwilling failings , as to his own . Length of time hath given him so many several occasions to declare what he thought necessary or expedient , that his Published Poems and Writings amount now to about a hundred , besides many never Printed ; In which , though he hath exprest much to the same purpose ( in various forms and words ) yet the same or like occasions warrant the application of the same or like matter and words , as the practise of the holy Prophets and Apostles hath evidenced to be sometimes necessary . For , that Medicine which operates not at one time , doth work effectually at another , on the same persons , or upon those of another constitution : Meats also , variously dressed , are pleasing to their appetites , and well digested by their stomacks , who almost loathed them when often eaten cook't the same way . And so it is in this case . Wherefore he hath endeavoured to put his Matter into such a dress ( otherwhile in Prose , and otherwhile in a Poetical Mode ) that it may suit with vulgar capacities , and not be despised by the most Judicious ; mixing so far forth as may be decent , Delight and Profit , according to this old Verse , Et prodesse solent , & Delectare Poetae . His presuming to give counsel to them who neither desire it , nor care for his advice , hath much offended many , and made them heedless of that which might have prevented their sorrow ; but it hath pleased and benefited some ; and that makes him slight their Proverb , which forbids coming to give Counsel before we are called . And he hath nevertheless prosecuted the multiplying of Doctrinal Remembrances , Exhortations , Precautions and Predictions , ( to prevent that which the neglect of them will produce ) until they amounted to that numerousness which appears in those Books whereof this is an Abridgment . And by considering upon whose Promises and Threatnings they are grounded , he hath not been affraid to predict conditionally those Mercies aud Judgments which are promised and menaced in those Books here abreviated . And some will find , that which is not yet verified upon Wilful Delinquents , to be at last as truly fulfilled , as those which they have seen ; though the world hath made it one of her Principles to believe and profess , That Prophesying hath long time ceased ; because her wise men think as the Apostle Peter said prophane men would do in the later times , who scoffingly say , Where is the Promise of his coming ; for , since the Fathers fel asleep , all things continue as they were from the Creation , 1 Pet. 3. 4. Indeed , Prophesying is at an end , as touching saving-Faith , or any new Fundamental Articles thereto pertaining . But , the Spirit of Prophesie , as foretelling what shall come to pass in relation to those Mercies or Judgments , which shall be the reward ef well-doing , and the punishment of evil-doers , in this life , is not taken away or ceased , as it hath been manifested in and by many , who have had in our dayes Revelations of such things before they came to pass , and have been living Witnesses of their predicting them before-hand ; as also of their being afterward fulfilled ; and in particular , of that Judgment , whereby the glory of London was this year consumed , ( though that will not come into every mans Creed : ) For , before the said Fire , this Author was informed by a credible person , ( who was afterward a great Sufferer thereby ) of a Vision representing such a Conflagration in London as there befel soon after . He himself also , had confused preapprehensions of the like effect , when he sent forth his Warning-piece to London , published 1662 , occasioned by a sudden Fire in the Night at Lothbury , near the middle of that City , which then consumed the House of an eminent Citizen , with all the Inhabitants therein . Dr. Gell , a Learned and Conscientious Preacher to this City , seemed also to have had the like impressions upon his heart , both by what he communicated to some Friends in private , and by a Printed Sermon of his , preacbed before the Lord Mayor upon that Text , Mat. 24 , wherein the coming of the Son of Man , is parallel'd with the coming of the Flood in the dayes of Noah . The same Sermon contains a Narrative ( which he averrs was attested by many Witnesses ) to wit , That about two years before his Preaching of that Sermon , The sign of the Son of Man , even of Christ on the Cross , wounded in his hands and feet , and Angels round about him , appeared at Frankendale in Germany , to the view of Thousands , Three hours together at mid-day . Moreover it is credibly avowed , That a Book was brought to be published a little before the said Fire , fore-declaring what we have seen come to pass , and was refused by the Printer , because not Licensed ; and that the same Printer being afterward busie to help quench the Fire , and then seeing that same person passing by , told him , he suspected his hand to be in the kindling thereof : Whereto the man answered , That had he been accessary to such a a wicked Purpose or Action , he should not have offered that to publication , whereby it might probably have been prevented ; adding these words , That ere long there would be a more dreadful Execution by the Sword , then that was by the Fire ; ( which , whosoever that man was , or upon what ground soever he spake , it may probably come to pass ) and a Famine follow that , if God should deal with us according to our demerits . This Review is in the first place entituled , An Eccho from the Sixth Trumpet ; because , it allusively reverberateth , and Ecchoes , as it were , to what was predicted should come to pass between the sounding of the Sixth and Seventh Trumpet , upon pouring forth the Sixth Viol , the sad Effects whereof are partly felt at this day , by many who consider not from whence they proceed , that they might have been as effectual to make them happy , as they will also be to make them more miserable both here and hereafter . Now if upon the whole matter it should be questioned ( as perhaps it may ) upon what warrantable grounds this Author presumes this Generation is guilty of such and so many Provocations , as have rendred it liable to Gods Judgments conditionally predicted in his former Writings ; he thereto answers , That beside his personal knowledg thereof acquired by long experience , ( and the witness which he believes the Spirit of GOD beareth in his heart thereunto ) Common Fame is a good concurrent Evidence ( especially in this case ; ) for , though in many things Fame is a Lyar ; yet in such cases as this , Vox Vulgi is Vox Dei , The Voice of the People is the Voice of GOD to their Consciences , bearing witness against themselves , as justly meriting all the Judgments predicted by his Prophets , against such sinnes as they have committed ; and they alwayes carry in themselves ( though seldom heeded ) their Accusation and Sentence of Condemnation . It is no marvel , if GOD's long-suffering is little regarded , whilst he is slow to wrath , and executes fore threatned Plagues upon some Persons and Places with less terror and severity then upon some other , or upon the same persons at other times : For , now when they came thick , fell heavily and more dreadfully upon them , than heretofore , the greatest number are so far from being reformed ; that they grow more impudent Malefactors , as it was predicted it would be in these last times , wherein they on whom the Viols of Wrath should be poured forth , blasphemed when they should have repented . But this excuses not those whom GOD qualifies for such Services ( though they shall be bemired and rent in pieces by some ) if they shall not seasonably proclaim and reiterate Precautions and Exhortations as often as just occasions are offered ; and therefore this Review of Neglected Remembrances , is thought pertinent at this time , though they were heretofore scoffingly termed Prophesies , and will at this day be as little regarded by many ; and it is hoped also , this labour will not be quite lost , but have a kindly operation on those who are not hardned into a final impenitence by customary sinning , and wilfully despising GOD's Judgments and Mercies ; and that they may be likewise helpful to prevent the like obduracie in those who are not totally depraved . Many who are forgetful or heedless of forewarnings , Counsels and Precepts , which concern their present duties , are so much enclined to listen after those Predictions which presage their happiness or unhappiness hereafter , that , if the contrary were not apparent , it might probably be thought , they were less careful to secure their present , then their future enjoyments ; for , they rake together all Predictions new and old , which have a show of presaging that which they fear or hope for ; entertaining each other at their Meeting-places , with mutual Repetitions of what they last heard to such purposes , how frivolous or improbable soever . This Vanity , the Seducer of Mankind , and the Deceitfulness of mens hearts , makes use of to divert the prosecution of their Duties to GOD , to themselves , and to other men ; and to frustrate those rational and seasonable Predictions and Precautions , which might have prevented the greatest Plagues conditionally menaced by the most holy Prophets . By delighting more to hear what is to come , then what men ought to do ; they seem to think all good Counsels and Endeavours less pertinent to their cognizance and practise , than an unprofitable , uncertain foresight of what is but conditionally predicted , and shall onely come to pass according as the conditions are performed or neglected . But , toward the cure of this distemper , humane Prudence can extend no further than the circumference of its own Sphear . Predictions expressed in ambiguous Terms , and having neither certain signification or dependance upon ought following or preceding , are ignorantly insisted upon as pertinent to those Persons or Places whereto they had probably no relation . Such are many groundless Figments cry'd about the Streets , and pickt out of Gypsie-like Prognostications , to the abusing of ignorant people . Such are also the ridiculous Welsh Impostors , entituled Taliefen , the Fiction termed the Panther-Prophesie ; and Mother Shiptons Prophesies , so called , are thought considerable by some who suppose themselves no fools ; and hereby Predictions and Premonitions grounded upon sound Reason , and Divine Truth , are unheeded or neglected . However , there is and shall be a Remnant preserved , who can distinguish between serious and trivial Precautions ; and to them , that which is here collected , will at some times be of good use , though the Author be yet in contempt , and in a suffering-condition . Let those therefore , into whose hands these come , be pleased to accept and improve them as they find cause , giving praise to God , who vouchsafeth timely fore-warnings to all Places , Persons and Societies in every Age ; and Memorials of that which brings on Confusion and destruction , to the glorifying of his Righteousness , to the shame of presumptuous Transgressors , and to make future times more cautious ; speaking as well by the simple and mean , as by the wise and honourable , in terms fitted unto every capacity ; as also in such various Modes as might rouze them up out of security . And , now of late , seeing both dreadful and calm Voices have been long slighted or neglected , he hath spoken to us by all the Elements ; yea , by Pestilence , Warr , furious Hurricano's , and devouring Fire , joined together in a terrible Consort : To which is added a concurrent Presage in the hearts of most men , portending a general Ruine , by their agreeing in that fear , how differing soever their , Affections and Judgments be in other things ; and doubtless a final execution of Judgment is not far off , in regard their grand Affairs in most places , begin to resemble the Constitution of that Senate whereof it was said , That all the rest of the Senators were ordered according to the pleasure of one among them ; he governed by his Wife , she by her Childs Nurse , and the Nurse by her Nursing . According to our vulgar Computation , this is the Thousandth six hundred sixty and sixth year after our Saviour's Birth , and will questionless , be a signal year , according to the pre-conjectures of many ; yet , not extend to the total extirpation of his Malignant Kingdom , whose Reign is to end in the 666th year after he was compleatly enthroned upon the Seat of that BEAST , which was to continue a Thousand years in a declining estate , until the Mystery of Iniquity should be raised out of it to the full height ; which time , ( though they heeded it not ) was mystically fore-declared in their own Numerals , which in an orderly conjunction , according to their simple valuation , extends no further than to make MDCLXVI , comprehending the whole term limited to the Fourth Monarchy , with what should arise out of it , from the highest exaltation both of the First and Second Beast . The highest pitch of the First , the Author believeth ( as he hath frequently hinted in his Writings published upon several occasions ) was even then at full , when the Lord of Life was crucified under that Power ; for , till then it flourished . The number of years comprehending the Heathenish and Papal Antichristian Tyrany , being MDCLXVI in the whole , was not to be reckoned as beginning immediately after Christs birth , but after his crucifying or ascension ; allotting the greatest Numeral M , to wit , a Thousand years , to the said First Beast , and DCLXVI years , to the Second Beast , that being the number of the Name , or Power of that Mystical Man of Sin , whose Reign will probably determine in or about the Three or four and thirtieth year yet to come , if Chronologers have truly informed us of the times past ; and History rightly stated the Progress of the Second Beast , to the height of his Power , that we may know from what year to begin that number : But this is certain , though nor the year , nor the day can be precisely known , he hath not long to reign ; for , all predictions will ere long end in one ; and as it was said a little before the Flood , GOD will not much longer strive with Flesh ; but , for the sakes of his Elect , shorten the time of Antichrist , which might else have been lengthned out to the end of 6000 years after the Creation , but that his fury will hasten his own destruction . This — 66 th year shall be a preparative thereunto , though the Romanists insult , as if the Saints have mistaken the time of their Visitation ; for , the late Execution of Judgment by devouring Fire , ( the like whereof ( considering it was not accompanied with the Sword ) was never , or very seldom heard of since the consuming of Sodom and Gomarrah ) as are also other Epidemical Judgments , prosecuted upon those of GOD's own House , not to destroy , but to purge it . When their fierce Trial hath consumed the Hay , Stubble and Wooden Structures , which they have erected ; when self-love , hypocrisie , the Reliques of Idolatry , and such other Babylonish Corruptions ( as of old , or newly crept in ) are purged out ; when the abominable Pride , Idleness and Excess , which have here abounded , to the parallelling of Sodom , ( considering what they wanted of what we had ) are consumed , which nothing can burn up , except such irresistable Fires as that of late , or somewhat thereto equivalent ; and , when the Saints have drunk so much of this bitter Cup , as will suffice to cleanse them ; Then shall the Scarlet Whore , and her vaunting Confederates , swallow down the Dreggs , finding themselves deceived in the expectation of those Consequents which their Emissaries have predicted in silly Rimes dispersed since the said Fire , to insinuate that the Executions now in Act , will be destructive to them onely who are departed out of their Babylon , and protested against it . For , though the purifying of Gods Family is thereby principally intended , the same Judgments will have concurrent effects from year to year , toward the compleating of that , which will be the final Doom of Rome's Babylon , when 666 years , as aforesaid , are determined after their Mysterie of Iniquity was at height . This Author believes , That the Saints last Purgatory is now commencing , and that it is made signal by the Fire which in this year hath eclipsed the glory , and defaced the Beauty of London , which is to our Israel of GOD , the same which Jerusalem in Palestine was to his Israel at that time . London was the greatest , the most famous , and the most potent of all the Cities wherein the Protestant Religion was visibly professed in opposition to the Papacy ; and among other considerable circumstances , that Mercy whereby the execution of Divine Justice was managed , during this years Visitation hitherto , do manifest , that they have a special relation to Gods Inheritance . The most Magnificent , and the Noblest part of this Ancient City was wholly and suddenly consumed ; her sad Inhabitants looking on , were disabled to quench it , till it had destroyed ( with many thousands of other Structures great and small ) above a Hundred Temples and Oratories , besides Colledges , Schools and Halls ; one of her Temples being reputed the greatest in Christendom , and wherein the Gospel had been preached , and GOD worshipped , and ( though not at all times by all according to the purity of his Sanctuary , yet ) by some with as much sincerity , ( according to the degrees of their understanding ) as by any other National or Congregational Assemblies ; until Humane Authorities presumed to set up their Posts by GOD's Posts , and Magisterially imposed more than was enjoyned or required by him ; which presumption was aggravated by falling from their first love to Christ and their Brethren ; which Love is the most signal mark of his Disciples ; yea an over-peremptory and too stiff an adhering by all parties dissenting in Judgment , to their single Opinions as touching things indifferent in their own nature , hath partly ( if not principally ) occasioned that overflowing and complication of Plagues wherewith we are now afflicted throughout these three Nations , and in this our Head-City , in which ( if we may believe Travellers ) both her own Citizens , and Strangers were preserved in more safety by night and by day , and as well and civilly governed according to Moral Principles , and External Forms of Piety , as in any City throughout the world , so great , and so populous ; yet the fury of the late Fiery Storm most raged , and made the saddest spect acle , and the most deformed marks of Desolation , even in that part of this City wherein they lived who were then reputed among the most generous , the most civil , the most charitable , and the most pious of her Inhabitants ; and though the best men had not the least share in that Calamity , it was made tollerable by so many Mercies wrapt up therewith , as do evidence , that God had a considerable number therin , and that the generality were no greater sinners then they whose Dwellings escaped that Judgment . The Out-parts ( except at the West end ) were graciously spared , as Zoar was heretofore , for the sake of Lot , to be for the present time a Refuge both to them who were chased away by the Fire , and to their Brethren , whose habitations were preserved for their joint comfort ; and of this Mercy the best and worst of men had equal portions , in some respects , because their time is not yet come , wherein GOD will be fully avenged on his and their Enemies . Though probably that Fire was both kindled and encreased by wicked hands , Divine Providence ( who permitted those to be his Executioners ) carried it on as well against the Wind , when it blew very strongly , as with it ; and by taking away their hearts who were succesfully active at other times in preventing such beginnings , permitted it to proceed so far : And when GOD's Fiery Messenger was in the height of his Career , bounded his rage at Paper-buildings , after it had broken irresistibly through thick and strong Edifices of Brick and Stone . It is considerable also , That this Fire was not permitted to extend into those Contiguous Buildings , Streets and Allies , wherein the greatest Oppressors , the most prophane , the most impudent , the most debauched , and the most irreligious persons were commonly famed to have their dwellings intermixt with such as were of a civil and pious conversation ; for few or no places were then touched by the Fire , wherein either a publick Theater , or a common Gaming-house , or a notorious Brothel-house , or a May-pole , or a Popish Chappel was at that time standing , which it may be some think , so hallowed the places , that the Fire could not prevail against them ; whereas it rather demonstrates , That this Visitation extends primarily to GOD's own People ; and that the utter extirpation of Antichrist , and his prophane Associates , is deferred until a time yet to come . Yet , in the mean while , ( though few lay it to heart ) GOD will inflict upon every particular Member of that wicked Society , in his generation , so much of their temporal dooms as will amount to the whole at their lives end ; and therefore seeing their last doom ( for ought they know ) may be too morrow , or this present hour , it will be dangerous to defer penitence , because they think the last day of Judgment may be far off . This , and the preceding Affirmatives will peradventure be distastful to those Time-pleasing Parasites , ( as also to them who delight in gross flatteries ) who preach Peace , and prognosticate glorious Consequences to the Proceedings of this Generation . But the Wrath of such will not prevent the failing of their unwarrantable Expectations . GOD's Promises and Threatnings , unto all Predicted are , with a Conditional Express or Tacit ; and ( although they seem Pronounced absolutely , at some time ) May be reversible according to Our Faith , and acting what we ought to do : For , we are taught by many Presidents , That , like Proceedings will have like events , Till somewhat interveneth to dispense Judgment and Mercy with a difference . Most part of what this Author did predict , Hath variously already took effect : And , if ought is deferred , or abated , Of that which was by him prognosticated Against this Generation , or this Place , 'T is meerly an effect of GOD ' s free-grace , By him vouchsafed , for their sakes , by whom A seed must be preserv'd till he shall come , Whose coming , & whose reign will put an end To all their sufferings , who for him attend In faithful patience , and he will enable To bear mean while , what seems intolerable . That , nothing contained in the following Review , may justly be suspected , as thereinto lately shufled , a Catologue of the Imprinted Books , out of which it was gathered as they come to hand , ( being gotten together with much difficulty ) shall be added in the close , with a direction to the pages wherein their abreviation is begun , corrected in those places , where faults have escaped at the Press , there being very many , by reason of the Authors not being present , and there are some such gross mistakes , that he could hardly make out his own meaning . It shall mention also the years wherein the said Books were the first , or a second time imprinted ; in which it is to be heeded , that the Book-sellers usually post-date the first Impressions , that the Books may seem new a little the longer . This is as much as shall be offered for a Preludium to the following Review ; concluded with humbly desiring their Prayers to whom this shall come , that this , and all the Authors endeavours may be sanctified to the glory of God , and to the rendring of his Judgments and Mercies effectual to the salvation of our souls , by true Faith , hearty Penitence and mutual love in Christ Jesus ; and they are also desired not to impute to a corrupt self-end , his now purposed with drawing from this City : For , he hath been this Isles Remembrancer , and continued with this City both in her sicknesses and health , in War and Peace , almost sixty years together , ( with a little absence at some times ) taking all occasions hitherto offered , to remember her from time to time , of such things as he thoughts might probably conduce to her welfare ; insomuch , that he now knows not what he can say or do , more than he hath already said or done to that purpose ; he not having so much regard vouchsafed for his good intentions , from any of her Chiefs , as might have been expected for penning one Speech to illustrate her Lord Mayor's Pageants ; though he was often ( for no ill-deserving ) a close Prisoner within her Jurisdiction , so despoiled of all whereby to clothe and feed him , that he had then perished , if a few Strangers , and some of her Midling and Inferior Citizens had not by GOD's Mercy , been charitably inclined to compassionate his condition : That Strait being still the same , and many of those now dead , some impoverished , and the remainder , for the most part , so scattered since the late Pestilence and Fire , that nor he nor they now know where to find each other without much difficulty ; he being wearied , and almost worn out , is constrained to prepare a Retreating place for himself and his Consort , which he hath prepared at a lonely Habitation in his Native Countrey , ( where he neither had , or look't for much respect ) Thither he resolves to retire with as much speed as he can , there to wait upon Gods future Dispensations during the remainder of his life , or until Providence otherwise disposeth of him ; not doubting , but that he shall rest therewith gratefully contented , wheresoever it shall be , because he hath had assurance by many demonstrations of GOD's good will to the whole humane Nature , of a special love to him ; and well knows his Eternal Mercy to be Infinite over all his works . Though Lot a while in Zoar stai'd , There long to abide he was afraid ; And many now begin to fear There will be little safety here ; Because they see , hear and believe What makes them both to fear and grieve . Yet , in his place let each man stay Until God calleth him away , By straitning of his path-wayes here , Or , by enlarging them elsewhere . And , let him careful be , that whither He moves , he bears not our sinnes thither ; For , to what place soe're we go , The same sinns bring the same Plagues too . And , there is means of saving-Grace For Penitents , in ev'ry place . A Review of Neglected Remembrances . Being a Breviate of the most considerable Remembrances and Predictions dispersed in the Books hereafter specified , and published at several times , upon such various Occasions as inclined the Author to those Prophetical Expressions . THis Collection begins with a Review of the Poem called BRITANS REMEMBRANCER , written during the great Pestilence raging in the year 1625. The Title-page of that Book is a considerable Prediction both Emblematically , and in Words . for therein was represented a Black Cloud hovering over this Island , with Justice and Mercy thereon seated , attended with an Host of Plagues ; and in the opposite page the meaning of that Title expressed in these following words : Behold , and mark , and mind ye British Nationt This dreadful Vision of my Contemplations : Before the Throne of Heaven I saw , methought , This famous Island into question brought ; With better Ears then these my body wear , I heard Impartial Justice to declare GOD's Benefits , our Thanklesness , and what Small heed his Love or Judgments here begat . I heeded how Eternal Mercy strove GOD's just deserved Vengeance to remove ; But , so our sins encreas'd , and cry'd so loud , That , at the last , I saw a dismal Cloud Exceeding black , as from the Sea ascending , And over all this Isle it self extending , With such thick foggy vapours , that their steams Seem'd for a while , to darken Mercy 's beams , Within that dreadful Cloud , I did behold Most Plagues and Punishments that name I could ; Expecting , with a trembling heart , each hour , GOD should that Tempest on this Island pour . Yet better hopes appear'd ; for , lo the Raies Of Mercy pierc'd the Cloud , and made such waies Quite through those Exhalations , that mine eye Did this Inscription thereupon espye BRITANS REMEMBRANCER , and somewhat said These words , me thought , The storm is yet delaid ; And , if you do not Penitence defer , This Cloud is onely a Remembrancer : But if you still affect Impiety , Expect ere long what this may signifie . This having seen and heard , it seem'd nor fit Nor safe for me to slight or smother it : And therefore , thus , both to your eyes and ears , I offer here what unto mine appears ; Judge , Readers , as ye please , of this or me , Truth will be true , how ere it censur'd be . In the last Page of the Epistle to the King , before that Poem , there is a confident Presage relating both to the said Poem , and to the Author thereof , hitherto made good ; the words are these : — I know , what ere the spight of man Against this Poem speak or practice can , It shall continue when all they are rotten , Or live in Infamy , or dye forgotten , Who shall oppose it . I more over know , That dead or living , I esteem'd shall grow For what they blame , &c. To maintain confidence in the Authors prosecution of his duty , it was thus presaged unto his heart , as it is recorded Canto 5. fol. 155. Thou hast from Heaven , an Arrant yet to do , Which ( unless GOD prevent ) will call thee to New Troubles , and more mischiefs bring upon thee , Then all thy former Messages brought on thee : And be assur'd the Devil will devise What may disparage thee , to scandalize , And ineffectual every thing to make , Which , to good purpose , thou shalt undertake . Thou must prepare thy self to hear the Noise Of causeless Threatnings ; and the foolish Voice Of Ignorant Reprovers ; and expect The bitter Censures of each giddy Sect : Thou must contented be to hear great Lords Talk without reason , big imperious words ; Although with meekness thou shalt make repair , When thou art summon'd , to the Scorners Chair , VVhere they with jeers and flouts , will take in hand To censure what they do not understand , &c. — — But , fear them not , for he that in all places , From every danger , and from all disgraces , Hath hitherto preserv'd thee , will secure Thy person now . That hand which did procure Relief from thy close Thraldomes , and maintain'd Contentment when from liberty restrain'd , Will be the same for ever , &c. — For to this Realm and City thou art sent To warn them that they speedily repent : To shew them for what failings and offences GOD sendeth Famines , Warrs and Pestilences ; And , to pronounce what other Plagues will come , If their transgressions they depart not from , &c. In folio 106 , and in the following leaves , this Author declared how desolate that Plague had made many places in and near London ; particularly , the Kings House , the Innes of Court , Westminster-Hall , and the Parliament-House ; which produced this expression , amounting to a Presage : — there did I Behold two Traitors heads which pearcht on high , Did shew their teeth , as if they had been grinning At our Afflictions , which are now beginning ; For their wide Eye-holes , me thought , star'd , as tho They look't to see that House should overthrow It self , which they with Powder up had blown , Had not GOD them , and their device o'rethrown . Also in the 107 th leaf , he taking notice of the desolate Houses of the Citizens , Peers and Lawyers , at that time , hath words to this effect : — wish I shall , That they their wayes to mind would better call , Lest both their Countrey and their City-Piles Be smoaking seen , and burning many miles , &c. — or else lest there , Some fear Arrestings , where no Serjeants are ; For , this portends , that , if they who profess Our Laws , continue on their practises , Till they ( as heretofore the Clergy were ) Are more in number than the Land can bear ; Their goodly Palaces will spue them forth As Excrements that are of little worth ; And be disposed of , as now they see Old Priories and Monastaries be . In the 120 th , and in many following leaves , the said Author having contemplated how numerously the Fields near London were frequented for Recreation , with people of all sorts , before that Infection ; how desolate they then were , and what sudden effects would probably ensue , if GOD should withdraw that Plague before we were truly penitent ; other future Judgments are there mentioned , as implicitely presaged in these words : If GOD should whistle for those armed Bands Which now are wasting other Christian Lands , To put in action on our Commick Stage The Tragedies of War , and brutish rage , What Lamentations would here then be made , And calling into mind the peace we had ? Should we in every house at board and bed Have Soldiers and rude Captains billeted , That would command and swagger as if they Kept all the Townships where they lodg , in pay , To wait upon their pleasures ? Or should see Our own Defenders our Devourers be ? Should we behold those Fields where now we sport , Cut out in Trenches ; here a Warlike Fort , Another there ; a Sconce not far from that , A new-rais'd Mount , &c. After many other pre-supposals to this effect , he thus proceeded , fol. 123. As heretofore the unpeopled Fields I walk'd , To this effect my thoughts within me talk'd ; Yea , when all present Objects gave content , My heart did such Idea's represent Of Judgments likely to be cast upon So great a City , and a sinful one ; That much I feared , I should live to see Some such Afflictions as here mentioned be . According to what his heart had presaged , and was then presupposed , he lived to behold about Eighteen years after , such Insolencies committed by the Armies , such Forts raised , and such Trenches in the Fields round about London . Many other fore-expressions to the same purpose were dictated to this Author , as more at large appears in several pages of the same Book ; and after enumerating several Transgressions and Provocations of GOD's Wrath , it was thus predictated in the 8 th Canto , fol. 255 : If thou , oh Britan , dreaming all is well , Shalt slight this Message which my Muses tell , And scorn their counsel , &c. — — hear then what I am bold To tell thee , as now fitting to be told ; For , I will tell thy Fortune , which , when they Who are unborn shall read another day , They will believe then , that GOD did infuse Into thy Poet a Prophetick Muse : Moreover know , that he did him prefer To be , to this Isle his Remembrancer ; And that if wilfully thou stop thine ear , Or burn these Rowles , in which recorded are Thy just Inditements , they shall written be With new additions , deeply stampt on thee , Iu such Characters , that no time shall rase Their fatal Image from thy scarred face . — though thou watch and ward , And all thy Forts and Havens strongly guard ; Though thou shalt multiply thine Island-Forces , Double thy Trained Bands , and Troups of Horses : Though like an Eagle , shalt thy wings display , And ( high thy head advancing ) proudly say , I sit aloft , enthron'd so , that none Can pluck me from the place I rest upon : Yet , sure thou shalt be humbled , and brought low , Ev'n then , when least thou fear'st it will be so . Till thou repent , all Preparations made For thy Defence , or , others to invade , Shall be in vain ; and still the greater cost Thou dost bestow , the Honour thereby lost Shall be the greater ; and thy wasting strength Bring on thee a Consumption at the length . The Treaties which for Peace or Profit be , Shall neither Peace nor Profit bring to thee . For , if Endeavours prosper for a while , GOD will permit it onely to beguile With foolish hopes , alluring them to run Those courses which will bring new mischiefs on : Yea , thy prevailings will but fewel be To feed the folly which bewitches thee ; And , make against thee , those the more enrag'd , Who shall for thy Corrections be engag'd . What heretofore , by GOD , hath threatned bin Against a wicked Natiou for their sin , Shall seize on thee ; his hand shall be for ill Upon each little , and high raised Hill : Thy lofty Cedars , and thy sturdy Oaks , Shall feel the fury of his thunder-stroaks Upon thy Fleet 's , thy Havens and thy Ports ; Upon thine Armies , and thy strong-wall'd Forts , Upon thy Pleasures and Commodities , Upon thy Handicrafts and Merchandise , Upon the Fruits and Cattel in thy Fields , On what the air , the earth or water yields : On Prince and people , on both weak and strong , On Priest and Prophet , on both old and young : Yea , on each Person , Place , and ev'ry thing , His just deserved Judgments , GOD will bring . What thou hast hoped for , he frustrate shall , And make that which thou fear'st , on thee to fall . This pleasant Land wherein how plenty grows , And wherein Milk and Honey overflows , Shall for thy peoples wickedness , be made As barren as the Soil which never had Such blessings in it . GOD shall drive away The Flocks of Fowles , and Sholes of Fish that play Within thy waters now ; and for the store Whereof , thy Neighbours would have prais'd him more : The Rivers which have made thy Vallies rich , To thee shall be like streams of burning pitch : Thy dust as Brimstone , thy Fields hard and dry Like Iron , and the Firmament on high , Like Brass , affording neither showres nor dew In season , wasted blessing to renew . A leanness Shall thy fatness quite devour ; Thy wheat shall yeild thee bran instead of flowr : Thou shalt , when Harvest cometh , reap the thorn , Or weeds and thistles where thou look'st for corn . Robb'd shall thy Groves be of their pleasant shadows , And of their grass , thy fertile flowry Meadows . Sheep on thy Downs , or Shepherds on the Green , Shall then be few , and not so often seen . Thy Garden-Walks , and many a pleasant plot , Shall be like places men inhabit not , Thy Villages which now well peopled are , Shall stand as if no dwellers in them were . Thy Cities and thy Palaces , wherein Most neatness and magnificence hath bin , Shall heaps of Rubbish be ; and ( as in those Demolisht Abbies , wherein Daws and Crows Now make their Nests ) the bramble and the nettle , Shall in the Halls and Parlours root and settle . Thy Princely houses , and the Streets and Courts Now fill'd with men of all degrees and sorts , Shall in them few Inhabitants retain , Except a Fisher-man , or Countrey-swain ; Who , of thy pride and glory , when they see Such marks , with wonderment surpriz'd shall be , As oft they are , who deep foundations find , Of Towns and Cities perisht out of mind . The places where much people meetings had , Shall Vermine-holes , and Dens for beasts be made , Or haunts for Sprights , which do in loanly rooms Affright the passenger who thither comes . Instead of mirth and laughter lamentation Shall there be heard ; abhorred desolation Instead of Company , and where men heard Sweet Melody , they shall be made affear'd With hideous cryes , and howlings of despair ; Yea , then thy Climate , and well temp'red air Shall lose their wholsomness for thy offences ; Breed here infectious Feavers , Pestilences , And all diseases . They who up were train'd In ease , and with soft pleasures entertain'd , Leaving their idle games , and wanton dances , Shall practise how , to handle Guns and Launces , And be compelled from the dear embraces Of friends , to end their lives in unknown places . Or , thy face with their own bloud to defile , In hope to save thee and themselves from spoile . Thy Beautious women ( whose pride is now more : Then theirs , whom Esay mention'd heretofore ) Shall in the stead of paintings , costly scents , Or glittering Gems , and curious Ornaments , Wear foul deformities upon their faces ; And robb'd of all their sweet and tempting graces , Feel stinks , diseases , wants , and all such things , As loathing , to a wanton Lover brings . Thy GOD , shall for thy multiplied Vices Scourge thee with Scorpions and with Cockatrices , Whose tailes with such envenom'd stings are armed , As neither can be plucked out , nor charmed . Thou shalt not be suffic'd , when thou art fed ; Nor suffer onely scarcity of bread Corporeal , but want likewise of that Whereof each faithful soul desires to eat . That curse of ravenous Beasts which GOD hath said Upon a wicked Nation shall be laid , He will inflict on thee , for although here No Tygers , Lyons , Wolves or Bears now are , To Beastly-minded men thou shalt be made A prey , which will be ( if not worse ) as bad . Instead of Lyons , Tyrants thou shalt breed , Who nor of Conscience , nor of Law take heed ; But , on the weak mans portion lay their paws , And make their pleasure to become their Laws . Instead of Tygers , men of no compassion ( A furious and a wilful generation ) Shall fill thy Borders . Thieves and Outlaws vile , Shall haunt thy Ways , and hunt the Woods for spoile . A subtile , false , dissembling , cheating crew , ( Who will with fraudful coz'nages pursue The simple sort ) shall here encrease their breed , And in their craftiness the Fox exceed . That Hoggish Herd which alwayes nozling are In filth and dirt , ( from whence they seldom rear Their grunting snouts , to fix an eye on Heaven , To look on him from whom good things are given ) Ev'n , Swinish livers , having a desire To feed on draff , to wallow in the mire , To drink in puddles , rather then sweet springs , To tread on , and pollute the precious't things , Will more destructive be unto thy Fields , Then all the wild-Boars that the Desart yields . Whilst thou continuest-in thy sins , thou art Like Egypt , and the hardness of thy heart Will at the last , bring down upon thee all Those Plagues , which long since did on Egypt fall : Blood , Frogs and Lice , great swarms of stinging Flies ; Th' infectious Murrain whereof Cattel dies ; Biles , Scabs & Blains , cold Hail , hot Thunder-storms , The Locust , and the fruit-devouring Worms ; Gross Darkness , and the Death of them that be Thy darlings : All these Plagues will seize on thee , According as the Letter doth implie , Or , as they Mystically signifie . Thy Rivers shall be turned into blood ; Thy Fountains which were savoury and good , Grow nasty ; and shall in thy Nostrils stink ; Thy Children shall but little eat or drink , Until a portion of their blood it cost , Or , every drop in hazard to be lost . Most loathsome Froggs , that is , men of impure Of base condition , of birth as obscure As Frogs that are in Fens and Ditches bred , Shall with a Clownish rudeness overspread Each pleasant place , thy fairest rooms possess , And make unwholsome by their sluttishness , Thy Kneading-troughs , thy Ovens and thy Meat , Whereof thy Children most desire to eat : Yea , this Brood shall presume to croak and sing Within the Privy-Chambers of thy King ; There exercising their harsh-sounding throats , With ill-composed and unpleasing notes , To wit , Vain boasts , reviling's , ribaldries , Lyes , curses , and ungodly blasphemies . The Land shall breed a loathsome Generation , Unworthy either of the Reputation . Or Name of men ; for they as Lice shall feed Upon that Body whence they did proceed . Here shall moreover , divers baneful Flies Ingend'red be in thy prosperities . The Flesh-flye shall thy pamp'red flesh corrupt ; Musketoes , honest Lab'rers interrupt ; The lazy and unprofitable Drones , The Wasps , the Hornet , and such angry ones As do them represent , whose buzzing tongues , And stings are active to their neighbours wrongs : The Butterflies will vex thee too ; ev'n they Who do in idle flutterings wast away Their precious time , and their Estates consume On gaudy Clothes , till beggars they become . As Beasts destroyed by the Murrain be , So they who are of Beastly life in thee , By lewd example shall infect each other , And , in their foul diseases rot together . Men shall grow over-hot , or over-cold , And very few an equal temper hold ; But like tempestuous Exhalations , will Thy Borders with a thousand mischiefs fill . The Locust also , and the Palmer-worms Shall prey on what escapeth from the Storms ; Ev'n those destructive Locusts too , which from The bottomless infernal pit did come . Then shall a darkness follow , much more black Then when the Sun and Moon-light thou dost lack ; For grossest ignorance o'reshadowing all , Shall with so thick a Fog upon thee fall , That thou a blockish Nation wilt be made : Still stumbling on in a deluding shade ; Distrusting Friends , the way to safety shewing , Most trusting Foes , who labour thy undoing ; And , shalt be daily vext with doubts and fears , Like him that Outcries in dark places hears . Yet , then his hand , GOD shall not from the turn , Till he hath also smote thine Eldest Son ; That is , until he hath removed quite Those in whom now thou takest most delight ; And filled every house throughout the Nation , With Deaths unlooked for , and lamentation . Such will be thy confusions , and thy shame , That when the neighbouring Kingdoms hear the same , Their ears will tingle ; for when that hour comes In which GOD shall inflict deserved Dooms , It will be then a day of gloominess , Sad , dreadful , and exceeding comfortless ; For then will thy beloved vanities , Thy Gold and Silver Idol-Deities , With all those Reeds on which thou hast depended , Deceive thy trust , and leave thee unbefriended . Thy Kings , thy Priests and Prophets then shall mourn , And peradventure , formally return To him who would have saved them ; but , they Who will not hearken to him whilst they may , Shall cry unheeded ; for , he will despise Their vows , their prayers , and their sacrifice . A Sea of troubles will thy hopes up swallow , As wave on wave , Plague upon Plague shall follow ; And every thing that was a blessing to thee , Shall to a Curse be turn'd , which may undo thee . Thy King , who as a Father should have been , And by whom Peace should be preserved in Thy Sea-girt limits , shall not much befriend thee , Nor then in thy professed Faith defend thee . Thou haft at present , goodly hopes of him Who lately did put on thy Diadem ; But know , that until thou reformed art , Thou shalt in his Deservings have no part : His Princely Vertues to his own avail May prove ; but they to profit thee shall fail . His Clemency shall seem to thee severe , His greatest favours injuries appear ; And when thy sins are fully ripe in thee , Thy King and People both alike shall be . Thou shalt have Babes to be thy Kings ; yea worse , Those Tyrants who by cruelty and force , Of all their ancient Liberties will quite Bereave their Subjects . They shall then delight In their oppressing them ; yet they who are By them enslav'd , shall murmur , and not dare To stir against them . By degrees they shall Deprive them of their Priviledges all , And force them ( as in other Lands this day ) For their own meat , and their own drink to pay . — To such intents Their Nobles will become their Instruments ; For men reputed of the noblest Races , Will be expos'd gradatim to disgraces , Dispoil'd of pow'r ; and in their stead arise A Brood advanced by Impieties , By flat'ry , and by brib'ry , and by that Which men of noble principles do hate . Without desert ( from beggarly possessions , And stemmes obscure ) they shall by their ambitions Mount Seats of Justice , and those Titles wear Which honord most in those Dominions are . And having gain'd these heights hope to make strong Oppressive Grandure , by encreasing wrong . For , themselves , these will unto those unite , Who to such Dignities pretend most right ; ( With no less ill-deserving ) and by such , Destruction will be hastned forward much : For these will Kings abuse , with tales and lies , With feigned love , and servile flatteries ; Perswading them , that they may justly make Their Will their Law , and at their pleasure take ( As warranted by their Prerogatives ) Their Subjects goods , their persons and their lives ; And instrumental these will then become , In practising to raise by some and some , Their Monarchies to Tyrannies ; yea , shall Abuse Religion , Honesty , and all : And shall to compass their Designs , devise What ever may effect them , Truth or Lies : Those grave deportments which do best befit The Majesty of States , they shall omit : Fawn or dissemble , threaten , rail or storm , When they pretend Abuses to reform : And , in those High Courts wherein sober , grave Admonishments or Censures men should have If they offend ; they shall be taunted there , Or scoft , or jeer'd , though innocent they are : For in those times ( which nearer are then some Do yet believe ) such Rhetorick will come In practice ; and Law , Equity and Reason , For their defence be pleaded out of season . Folly will then seem Wisdom , and go nigh To bring contempt on all Authority . The Council-Table shall a snare be made ; They against whom no just complaints they had , At first Convention shall be urg'd to say Such words , perhaps , ere they depart away , As will expose their Prudence unto blame , And make them guilty seem , who guiltless came . All that which from the People they can tear , Exact or borrow , shall be ( as it were ) A lawful Prize , and taken from a Foe ; Few shall make conscience what they say or do , Injurious to another , so it may Fulfil their Lustings for the present day . But to accomplish it , they will endeavour , Although they know it will undo for ever Their own Posterity , and still persist In what will ruine their self-Interest . This , will by darkning their Intelligence , Bring them to such a Reprobated sence , And blind them so , that when an Ax shall be Seen hewing at the Root of their own tree By their own handy stroaks , they shall not grieve For their approaching downfal ; or believe Their fall approaching ( to assume that heed Which may prevent it ) till they fall indeed . Thy Princes , BRITAN , in those dayes will be Like roaring Lyons , making prey of thee . GOD shall deliver thee into their hands , And they shall act their pleasure in these Lands . Thy Kings , as now thou wallowest in excesse ; Shall take delight in Drink and Wantonness . They , who reputed are thy Noble ones , Shall to the very marrow gnaw thy bones . Thy Lawyers wilfully pervert thy Lawes ; They to the ruine of the Common cause , Shall misinterpret them , in hope of Grace From them , who may dispoile them of their place . That , whereunto they are obliged both By their professed Calling , and their Oath , They shall to put in execution fear , And leave them helpless , who oppressed are . Thy Prelates in the publick spoils will share . Thy Priests , in manners , as prophane appear As the prophanest ; and their Prophesies And Preachings , mixt with Heresies and Lies . The truths they speak , shall spoken be in vain ; So little knowledg shall with them remain , That they shall cause the means of Saving-grace To be remov'd unto another place . Mark , BRITAN , what I have yet more to say , And do not slightly pass my words away ; But be assured , that when GOD begins To bring those Judgments on thee for thy sins , Which do portend a total overthrow , Thy Prophets and thy Priests will slily sow The seeds of that dissention and sedition , Which time will ripen for thy sad perdition . They who in former times were of thy Peace The blessed Instruments , will then encrease Thy sorrows ; and as when of old the Jews Their truth-presaging Prophets did abuse , GOD suffered Impostors in his Name To preach those falshoods which at last became To them destructive : So , if thou go on To make a scorn ( as thou hast often done ) Of those who seek thy welfare , he will send False Prophets , who thy ruine shall intend ; Say nothing but what thou wouldst have them say , To lull thee fast asleep in thine own way . If any brain-sick-fellow ( whom the Devil Inspireth ) shall to thee intend what 's evil , And ( heeding what thou art inclin'd unto ) Perswades to that which may at last undo Both Prince and People ; thou shalt like and follow H●s Counsels ; thou that cover'd hook shalt swallow Which will destroy both ; and thine ignorance For those disservices , will him advance : Whereas , if he who truly seeks thy Weal , Inspir'd with truth , and with a sober Zeal , Shall tell thee what concerns thy real good , That Messenger shall stifly be withstood ; That Seer shall be charged not to see ; His Message shall displease , and slighted be ; Instead of good respect , he shall be sure A Prison , or worse usage to endure ; To death , perhaps , condemned with disgrace Among disturbers of the Common-Peace . But not unless the Priests thereto consent ; For , in those dayes but few men innocent Shall suffer in that mode by ought wherein Thy Clergy hath not some way active been . If ever in thy Fields ( which GOD forbid ) The blood of thine own Children shall be shed By Civil Discord , they shall blow the flame , Which will encrease thy sorrow , and thy shame . And thus it shall be kindled , when the times Are nigh at worst , and thy loud-crying Crimes Almost full ripe , the Devil shall begin To bring strange Crotchets and Opinions in Among thy Teachers , which will breed dis-union , And interrupt the visible Communion Of thy establisht Churches . In the steed Of zealous Pastors , who their Flocks did feed , There shall arise within thee , by degrees , A Clergy , that will more desire to fleeze Then feed their Flocks . A Clergy it shall be Divided in it self ; and they shall thee Divide among them into several Factions , Which will both rend , and fill thee with distractions . All of those , in appearance , will pretend GOD's glory , and to have one pious end ; But under colour of sincere Devotion , Their chief aim will be temporal promotion ; Which , will among themselves Dissentions make , Wherein all sorts of people shall partake , As to the Persons , or the Cause they stand Inclin'd , through every quarter of the Land : One part of these , will for Preferment strive , By raising up the King's Prerogative Above it self : They shall perswade Him to More then by Law or Conscience he may do ; And say , GOD warrants it : His Righteous Laws They shall pervert , to justifie their Cause . With blushless impudency , they shall dare Ascrîbe to Monarchs , things which proper are To none but Christ : and mix their flatteries With such like Attributes and Blasphemies , As Heathens did , to make their Kings believe , That whomsoever they oppress and grieve , They do no wrong ; and that one though oppressed Should seek by their own Laws to be redressed . Such Counsel shall thy foolish Kings provoke To cast upon thee Rhehoboam's yoak ; And they , not caring , or not taking heed , How ill , that misadvised King did speed ; Shall multiply the causes of distraction ! And then , shall of those Priests , the other Faction Bestir themselves . They will in outward shows , Those whom I last have mentioned , oppose ; But , in their aimes agree , with lowly zeal , An envious pride of heart , they shall conceal . And , as the former to the King will teach Meer Tyranny ; so shall the other preach Rebellion to the People ; and then strain The Word of God , Sedition to maintain . Oh! therefore be thou watchful ; and when here Those Lambs with Dragons Voices , do appear ; Repent thy sins , or take it for a token That such a Bulwark of thy Peace is broken , As if it be not soon repaired , all The grandure of thy Glory down will fall . Beware then of those Prophets who will strive Betwixt thy Prince and People to contrive A Breach ; and what event soever come , Thy due Allegiance never start thou from . For ( their Oppressions though we may withstand By pleading Laws or Customes ) not a hand Must move against him , but the hand of GOD , Who makes the King a Bulwark , or a Rod , As pleaseth him . Oh take therefore good heed Ye Subjects , and ye Kings , what may succeed By those Impostors , of the last , beware Ye Subjects , for their Counsels wicked are ; And , though they promise Liberty and Peace , Your Thraldom and your troubles they encrease . Shun oh ye Kings , the first ; for they advise What will your Crowns and Honours prejudice . When you suppose their Prophesies befriend you , They shall but unto Ramoth Gillead send you , Where you shall perish ; and poor Micha's word , Though disesteem'd , more safety will afford . This Author hath been censured , as having deviated from his Principle expressed in the last foregoing Caveat , when ( upon their Command ) he took up Arms with the Long-Parliament : But , he declared by the Motto in his Cornet , Pro lege , Rege grege , that he purposed nothing contrary thereunto , or against the King ; and he is also sufficiently vindicated from that aspersion , by what he long since published to justifie both his actings and intentions under that Power , which was called and authorized both by King and people , to regulate and settle their joint and distinct Interests . After that , and the rest of the foregoing Precautions and Predictions , the said Author having considered this Nation , and how it had parallel'd the Jews heretofore , he proceeded to declare what would follow thereupon , if they parallel'd them also in their final obstinacy , fol. 269. p. 2. What here is mentioned , if thou shalt heed ▪ Oh BRITAN , in those times that will succeed , It may prevent much loss , and make thee shun Those mischiefs , whereby Kingdoms are undone . But , to thy other sins , if thou shalt add Rebellion , as false Prophets will perswade When that time comes , wherein thou likewise shalt In thy profession , as to GOD-ward , halt , Then will thy King and People scourge each other , For their offences , till both fall together , By weakning of their Pow'r , and making way To their ends , who expect that fatal day . Then shall disorder every where abound , Justice or Piety be rarely found Each man shall to his neighbour be a thorn , By whom he shall be either scratcht or torn . Thy Princes will to little condescend , Save for accomplishing their own self-end , Either in multiplying of their Treasures , Or satiating of their fleshly pleasures . Few Causes will without a bribe be tri'de , Few Friends will in each other dare confide . The Parents and their Children shall despise , Hate or neglect each other . She that lies Within her Husbands bosome , shall betray him ; They who the People should protect , shall slay them . Old Age shall honor'd be by few or none ; The Poor shall by the rich be trod upon ; Such Insolencies , almost , every where , Shall acted be , that good and bad shall fear In thee to dwell ; and wise men to assume The Magistracy , when that time is come , GOD , shall then call , and whistle from afar Those hither , who the most malicious are Of all thine Adversaries ; they shall from Their dwellings , like a whirlwind , on thee come ; Sharp shall their Arrows be , and strong their Bow : To thee their faces will as dreadful show , As roaring Lyons : They on thee like thunder Shall furiously break in , and tread thee under Their Iron feet . They shall devour thy bread , And with thy Flocks both clothed be , and fed . Their Children they shall carry from their own , To Countreys which their Fathers have not known : And thither shall such mischiefs them pursue , That they who seek the Pit-fall to eschue , Shall in a snare be taken : them who shall Escape the Sword , a Serpent in the wall Shall sting to death ; and tho they have the hap To shun a hundred Plagues , they shall not scape ; But with new dangers be still chas't about , Until they shall be wholly rooted out , The Plow-man shall be then afraid to fow ; Artificers their labour shall forgo . The Merchant-man shall cross the Seas no more , Except to flye hence to another shore . The stoutest heart shall fear ; the wisest then Shall know themselves to be but foolish men ; And they who built and planted by oppression , Shall leave their gettings to their Foes possession : And yet GOD will chastise thee seven times more With seven times greater Plagues then heretofore For thy Allies their Friendship shall withdraw ; They , who of thy Grandure stood in aw , Shall say in scorn , Is this the Valiant Nation Which had throughout the World sush Reputation By Victories on Land ? Alas ! are these The men , who were once Master of the Seas , And grew so powerful ? yea , that petty Nation Which seem'd scarce worthy of thine indignation , Shal slight thee too , and all thy former fame Will be forgot , or mention'd to thy shame . Mark how GOD's Plagues were doubled on the Jews When they his mild corrections did abuse . Mark what at last upon their Land was sent , And look thou for the self-same punishment , Lest he in anger unto us protest , That we shall never come into his rest . For we have followed them in all their sin ; Such , and so many have our Warnings been ; And , if GOD still prolong not his compassion , To us belong the self-same Desolation . Then , wo shall be to them that heretofore By joining house to house , expeld the po're ; And Field have unto Field incorporated , Till Villages were nigh depolulated . For , desolate their dwellings will be made , The Lord shall in their bowels sheath his blade ; And , they who have by their oppressive wiles Erected Palaces , and costly piles , Shall see the stones and timbers in the wall Arise against them , and for vengeance call . Then wo shall be to them that early rise To eat and drink , to play and wantonni●● , Still adding sin to sin : They the distress Shall feel of hunger , thirst and nakedness ; And be the servile slaves of them that are Their Foes , as to their lusts they captives were . Then wo to them who darkness more have lov'd Then light , and wholsom counsel disapprov'd : For , they shall wander in a crooked path Which neither light , nor end , nor comfort hath . Then , wo to them who have corrupted bin , To justifie the wicked in their sin , Or , for a bribe the Righteous to condemn : For , as the Chaff , a Wind shall scatter them ; Their bodies on the Dunghil shall be cast , Their finest flow're be dust , their substance wast , And all the gawdy Titles they have worn , Shall but augment their sorrow , shame and scorn . Then wo to them , who ( when they were afraid Of mischiefs threatned ) sought unlawful aid ; Or , setting GOD's protection quite aside , On their own strength and wisdom have reli'de . For , he their foolish hopes will bring to nought , Till all they fear , shall be upon them brought ; And , all their wit and strength shall not suffice To heave that burthen off , which on them lies . Because fore-warnings they do neither heed Or mind , till GOD to execution doth proceed ; And of his long-forbearance careless are , Till in consuming fire he shall appear . Yet we still set far off the evil day , In dull security we pass away Our precious time , and with vain hopes and toyes Build up a trust which every puff destroyes : And therefore still when healing is expected , New and unlook'd for troubles are effected . We wisht for Parliaments , and them we made Our GOD ; for all the hopes that many had , The mischiefs which we feared to prevent , Was by the wisdom of a Parliament . Well , Parliaments we had , and what in being Succeeded hath , but greater disagreeing , With greater Grievances then heretofore ? And reason good ; for we depended more On second causes , then on him who sends What to our evil , or well-being tends . Know then , that should our Parliaments agree According to our wish ; should our Kings be So gracious , as to condescend to all Which to the Publike Weal propose they shall : Ev'n that Agreement , till our sins we leave , Shall make us but secure , and help to weave A Snare , by whose fine threads we shall be caught , Before we see the mîschiefs thereby wrought ; Whilst for self-Interests we chiefly seek , By Parliaments , the King shall do the like ; Yea , till in mutual Aides we can agree , And , our endeavourings unfeigned be , In labouring for a Christian Reformation , Each meeting shall beget a new vexation . In the 191 folio , and in many following leaves , the Prevarications of persons in several other Callings ▪ having been mentioned , the Author added this , and much more , in relation to the Clergy . Nor came the Priests and Prophets much behind The worst of these , but passe them in some kind ; For , though a learned Clergy now thou hast , And knowledge is here lately much encreast ; Though ' likewise , I believe thou hast in thee Some Pastors , from a just reproof as free As any Nation hath ; yet thou hast more Prevaricators now , then heretofore . A heap of Teachers entertain'd thou hast , Resembling empty vapours , or a blast That breaths no comfort . What GOD never meant They preach for Truth , and run e're they are sent . The Peoples wounds they salve with pleasing speech ; When there 's no peace at all , of peace they preach ; Or , like Dumb Dogs consume their time in sleep , And some so look , that they affright the sheep . Like hungry Curres they alwayes gormundize , Yet never can their appetite suffize . In bribing , and in hunting for Promotion More is their zeal , and much more their Devotion , Then to discharge their Duty . They delight In flat'ries , and the fawningst Parasite In all the Courts of Europe , cannot prate More heath'nishly , or more insinuate Then some of these , &c. — There is no Avarice that theirs exceeds ; No Malice that a Mischief sooner breeds . No Pride so surly as the Clergy-pride , Except among the Beggars when they cri'de . They , who a few years past would half have broke Their Kindred to have purchas'd them a Cloke , And in poor thred-bare Cassocks came to preach Beneath an Vnder-Curate , and to teach The Children of a Farmer for their meat , And , scarcely worthy seem'd so much to get : Ev'n some of these have so well acted out ▪ Their parts , of seeming honestly-devout ; And have so quaintly humoured and pleased The present times , that they at last have seized On what they aim'd at , and now over-pe're Their Heads , by whom they first advanced were . And if you mark , how proudly now they bear Their lofty heads , how insolent they are ; How barb'rously ingrateful unto those By whom they from the Dunghil first arose ; How they at least neglect , if not contemn Their old Friends , and betwixt themselves & them , What distances they set ; unto their Kin How harsh , and how ill-natur'd they have been , How peevish they are grown , and how unquiet ; How choice in their Attendance , and their Diet ; If it were well observed with what strain Of Pride and Loftiness they entertain Their Brethren of the Clergy , when they are By their own Officers call'd to appear Before their Lordships ; with what Pope-like phrase They seek to terrifie , and to amaze Their humble Suppliants ; how on those they play , Who their Superiors were the other day . Were these things heeded , with some passages , Which name I could , as worthy heed as these : A man would hardly think that these had been Those Priests whom they a while before had seen So beggarly , and so expos'd to scorn , But , that they had at least been Prelates born , Few could have else thought that these men are they Who lately did so bitterly inveigh Against that Pride Episcopal , &c. O Lord ! awaken those , I humbly pray , Whom Pride and Vanity hath led away . And , oh ye House of Levi ! warning take ye , Lest GOD , for times to come , examples make ye ; As he that Clergy an example made , Whose monstrous Pride , the Age foregoing had So great a fall . The Priests and Prophets sin Was signal in the bringing those Plagues in Which overwhelm'd the Jewish Commonweal : And , if what 's threatned GOD shall not repeal , Your sins will be the means to hasten hither That Vengeance which will ruine all together , &c. Excuse me worthy Prelates , &c. By these last words , whereby the Author begins to plead an excuse for his sharp Reproofs , it appears he at that time thought not Prelacy to have produced such evil Consequents as he now doth ; for he did not then ( nor now ) conceive that Episcopacy gives to the Ministers of the Gospel a precedency of Dignity before their fellow-Commissioners , but a preheminence of Order onely : And of that Judgment he believes those Bishops to have been , who underwent Martyrdom for Conscience sake , and owned the title of a Prelate in no other sense then he intended it , who thinks the Office of a Bishop to be a Divine Institution , being regulated , and the persons qualified according to St. Paul's Character , 1 Tim. 3. This Precaution being added , the Abreviation of his Remembrances thus goes on . Believe it , BRITAN , howsoever some ( Who should forewarn thee of what is to come ) Endeavour to perswade thee that thou hast A hopeful time , and that the worst is past ; I will be bold to tell thee thou hast nigh Out-worn GOD's patience by impiety . But , what am I , that me thou shouldst believe , And unto my Predictions credit give ? It may be , this adulterous generation , Expects fore-tokens of their Desolation ; And therefore , I will give them signes of that Which they are now almost arrived at : Not Signes so dubious as were some of old , Whereby the Jews Destruction was foretold ; But Signes as evident as are the day , For what the Prophets heretofore did say , Jerusalem's destruction did foreshew , They spake to every State that should ensue . And that they nought of her , or to her spake , For hers alone , but also for thy sake . In the 269 th folio of the Remembrancer , and in the Eight pages next following it , are Ten Signs recorded , grounded upon the holy Prophets , as presignifying the desolation of those Kingdoms and Republicks , which should parallel the Jewesh Prevarications ; to the perusal whereof , the Reader is referred , to shorten this Collection , and onely the last of these Ten Signs is here inserted . The last black Sight that I will now repeat , Which doth to Kingdoms desolation threat , Is when the hand of GOD Almighty brings A People unto bondage to their Kings . I say , when their own King shall take delight , Those whom he should protect , to rob and smite . When they who feed the Flock , the sheep shall kill , Devour them , and suppose they do not ill . When th●is , h Britan , shall befall to thee , An evident Prognostick it will be Of GOD's displeasure ; and a certain token Thou by a Foreign Pow'r shalt be broken , Or , by thine own divided strength at home , Which will the more destructive Plague become . GOD will ( unless we shall repent ) perchance , In time to come , a Shepherd here advance , Who shall not plead for what his young men say Is his ; but , take the same perforce away . An Idol-shepherd , who shall neither care To find or seek out those who straying are ; Nor feed the Lambs , nor cure what hath a wound , Or cherish those who firm to him are found : But take the Fatlings , rob them of their fleeces ; Devour their flesh , and break their bones in peeces . I might more Signs then these , enumerate , To shew GOD's patience is nigh out of date . But , these are Signs enough , and so apparent , That twenty more will give no better warrant Of what will come ; yet , if these false appear ; That 's one Sign more of what is drawing near . Be watchful therefore , whilst it is to day , And let no good occasion slip away . Now rent your hearts , ye Britans , wash and rinse them From all corruptions , from all evil clense them : Go offer up the pleasing Sacrifice Of Righteousness : From folly turn your eyes ; Seek Peace , and follow it with strict pursuit , Relieve the needy , Justice execute ; Refresh the weary , right the fatherless , The strangers and the widows wants redress . Give praise to GOD for all ; with lowly faith On him depend ; mind what the Spirit saith . Remember what a price your Ransome cost , And now redeem the time that hath been lost . It was feigned , That a Shepherd said of what had misbefallen to him , Saepe nobis malum hoc praedixit ab Ilice Cornix , A Raven from a Holly tree Did oft presage this ill to me . And perhaps , upon the perusal of this Review , this Author will be likened to those Ravens , which presage nothing but mischief ; for , some have said already , That he hath been a troubler of the people ; and as Ahab said Micah did of him , That he predicted no good to this Nation ; but it is apparently false ; for he hath conditionally presaged as well Mercies as Judgments , intermixing Threatnings and Promises fore-declared by his Prophets , to prevent what is pronounced against wilful Transgressors ; seasoning all his Predictions wîth many Precautions and Exhortations , to beget and confirm true Faith and Penitence ; such as these next following . Return , return thou , oh back-sliding Nation , And let thy tears prevent thy desolation . As yet thou maist return ; for GOD's embrace To thee is open , if thou shalt have grace To give it meeting . Thy repentance may Prevent the future Mischiefs ( which this day Are threatned ) if so be thou shalt in time According to thy pow'r comply with him . For , thereupon his dreadful Judgments all Predicted here , to Mercies change he shall . I cannot say , it shall excuse thee from All Chastisements , so that no blow shall come : But , of thus much thou may'st assured be , That ev'ry Judgment then , which falls on thee , Shall be a Mercy , if he shall not stay What 's threatned , now , the strokes which he doth lay Will fall the lighter , and produce a blessing , Thy future happiness much more encreasing Then all the great prosperity and rest Which hath long time together been possest . Yea , BRITAN , if thou timely shalt reform Thy manners , it will stop the dreadful storm Appearing now , and they who triumph would Thy utter desolation to behold , Will either change their minds , or live to see The Judgments which descending are on thee , Remov'd to them ; for , when from sin men cease , GOD makes their Enemies and them at peace . Then , thou shalt have again in thy possessings , All inward Graces , and external Blessings ; Thy Herds in ev'ry Pasture safe shall feed , Thy Soile shall plentifully encrease thy seed : Thy Flocks good Shepherds shall not want , or meat ; Clean Provender thy stalled beast shall eat . There shall be Rivers in thy Dales , and Fountains Upon the top of thy most barren Mountains , The Moon shall cast upon thee beams as bright As did the Sun ; and with a sevenfold Light Thou shalt be blessed . He that Raigns in thee Shall neither jealous of his People be , Nor they of Him ; but he by Righteousness Shall with the Peoples Love , the Throne possess ; And to each other , both as kind appear As Loving Parents and good Children are . Thy Magistrates with wisdom shall proceed In all things , by them acted or decreed . As Rivers are to places over dry ; As Harbours when winds blow tempestuo usly ; As shadows when we are opprest with heat ; As to the hungry stomack , wholsom meat ; So acceptable shall thy Rulers be , When GOD shall find true Penitence in thee . Thy Priests shall preach truth onely in thy Temples , And make it fruitful by their good examples . Christ with his Righteousness shall them array , And they shall guide thy footsteps in his way ; Thine eyes , which are now blinded , shall be clear ; Thine ears , at present deafned , then shall hear ; Thy faultring tongue speak timely truth and plain ; Thy heart true understanding shall retain ; Peace will return , no lab'ring man shall want A blessing on what he doth sow or plant . Thy poorest people shall at full be fed , The meek man of no Tyrant stand in dread . Thou shalt have Grace and Knowledg to avoid What may bereave the Mercies yet enjoi'd . All promis'd Blessings , GOD upon thee shall Confer , and hear thee still when thou dost call . These and many other Mercies , as well as Judgments , were conditionally predicted in the said Remembrancer , upon several occasions ; to the perusal whereof more at large , the Reader is referred , this being but a Breviate , to make this Generation the more heedful thereof . To which end here shall be likewise added a part of what the Author expressed in the conclusion of that Book , touching his Resolution to discharge his duty , and depend on GOD alone for protection and supply in all straits whatsoever ; which Resolution was expressed in these words , fol. 284. So now , though not so fully as I ought , My Vow is paid , and to conclusion brought This Work , for which GOD pleas'd my life to spare , When Thousands round about me slaughter'd were , And live or dye , I care not , for I see But little usefulness henceforth of me . Yet since none knows what GOD will call him to , I 'le not say absolutely what I 'le do Or not do ; though I now intend no more To exercise my Muse as heretofore : For if this profit not , I think in vain I shall hereafter touch this string again . If these do not prevail , I shall suppose Words are not wanting here so much as Blows ; And that the filthy will be filthy still , Till they the measure of their sins fulfill ; Or , till GOD shall , to free us from pollution , Proceed to some unusual execution . Fol. 285. Pag. 2. My outward hopes have not my tongue unloos'd , Nor can my mouth by outward fears be clos'd : What I would do , is done , and I am eas'd , And glad , however others will be pleas'd . Let them who shall peruse it , praise or laugh , Revile , or scoff , or threat , or swear , or chafe , All 's one to me , so I within am still , Without me , let men make what noise they will. For , I am sure , though they my flesh confound , What I desire to save , shall be kept sound ; And , likewise know , that nor the brutish rages Either of this , or of succeeding Ages , Shall root this Poem out ; but that to all Ensuing times , the same continue shall , And be perused in this Land , as long As here they shall retain the English tongue ; Or whilst there shall be sinners and offences , Disorders , Discords , Warrs and Pestilences . And if our gross sins we depart not from , Before the day of our destruction come , This Book shall to the times ensuing show What Crimes they were that wrought our overthrow . And testifie to others , for their learning , That Vengeance seiz'd us not without fore-warning . After the Author 's insisting upon many other particular circumstances in the pages next following , to make his Precautions and Predictions the better heeded , he thus proceeds . The King hath shown me favour . At this hour I do not know that living man whose Pow'r Or Person I envy or disaffect ; Or whom , of any malice I suspect To me or mine : With me all those are friends Who were at odds ; and to obtain my ends In my Affairs , I never had a day So probable as now , if I would stay This Message : And this peradventure shall My hopes defer , or quite destroy them all . Yet , is this bluntly told , that you may see My hopes were greater then my fears could be : And that it may be known my heart disclaims All those poor ends at which some think it aims . Such arguments and words , therefore , as may Anticipate , I here before-hand say , Not that I think it possible by them , To work on those who will this Book contemn , ( For 't is not in the pow'r of Argument Or words , to make the wilful provident ) It lieth not in serious protestations To nullifie malicious Combinations , No , nor in Miraclcs , till GOD shall please , Who of all hearts doth keep the Locks and Keyes . I therefore these Precautions do infert To evidence the hardness of his heart Who shall be obstinate ; and fore-declare Those things that shall be done , ere done they were , That men may know , when they are come to pass , Nought did succeed but what expected was ; And that the better working this may have On those who shall GOD's Messages receive By this Remembrancer : for he hath sent it , Though I who am unworthy , do present it . This misadvisedly compos'd I not , Nor was it by a Miracle begot ; To fit me for this purpose , I have thrice Imprisonment endur'd , Close Prison twice : Much trouble on my first Essayes ensu'd Through want and scandals , not a few I shrew'd ; And being guarded by GOD's Providence , Was lately carried through the Pestilence ; Both saw and felt what Nature doth abhor , To harden me , and to prepare me for This Message . Therefore they who dream they shall With frowning looks , or big words me appale , Must look more grim then Death , more ugly far Then Vizards or the Devils Pictures are ; Breath stronger poyson then a Plague-fill'd Grave ; And stamp , and roar , and tear , and rage , and rave More dreadfully , and louder then a man Infected with six Pestilences can : Else , I to play with terrors being born , Shall slight them , and laugh all their rage to scorn : Yet , I am naturally ( and I do Ingenuously confess it ) subject to Such fears and passions as make better men To startle from their duties now and then . By what is done , may troubles come upon me , But not performing it , had quite undone me ; Since I deterred by what might befall me , Had that neglected , whereto GOD did call me : For , of his calling me the meanes and ways Whereby he did my weakness thereto raise , Unquestionable Evidences give ; And they who do not , yet the same believe , Will think so too , perhaps , when they shall see Themselves assaulted with new Plagues to be . This I believing , and considering What hazard that neglect therewith might bring , And what assurances I did possess , I had contracted a grand guiltiness By disobeying ; and more had therein Transgressed against God , then by a sin Against the State , though such Truths utter'd were As they shall most displeasing be to hear . What ever others think , this is my fear , And to my Soul so terrible a thing , The wilful disobeying that great King Appears to me , that I should never sleep In peace again , if silence I should keep : Now therefore , neither all the Royal Graces Of Kings , nor Gifts , nor honorable places Shall stop my mouth ; nor will I smother this , Though twenty Kings had sworn to make me kiss The Gallows for it , lest my Conscience should Torment me more then all men living could : Yea , though this did proceed from Ignorance Or Fancy , as it will be thought perchance ; Yet , since that Fancy may present to me As hideous frights as things that real be ; I 'le rather hazard twenty deaths to dye , Then to be tortur'd by my Fantasie ; For , I had rather in a Dungeon dwell Five years , then in my soul to feel a Hell Five minutes ; and whilst GOD and I are Friends , I shall not care how many this offends . Now because this Remembrancer was long ago imprinted , and is not easie to be gotten , the Contents of every Canto , as they were at first published , are here inserted , that the general scope thereof may be known to them who desire it . The Contents of the first Canto . OUr Author first with GOD begins , Describes his anger for our sins ; Of all his Judgments muster makes ; Declares how Mercy undertakes The pleading of this Kingdoms Cause , To bring GOD's wrath unto a pause ; And ( for the common Reader ) suites High things , with lowly Attributes . Then steps into a praiseful strain Of Charles His new-beginning Reign ; Emplores , that well succed it may , And for His Weal makes Mercy pray . He Justice also introduces , Complaining on our gross abuses ; Who proveth so our sinful Nation To merit utter Desolation , That all GODs Plagues had us enclos'd , If Mercy had not interpos'd . But , after pleading of the Case With Justice , Mercy doth embrace ; Who ( that our sins may punish't be ) To send the Pestilence agree ; Their other Plagues a while suspending , To prove how that will work amending . The Contents of the Second Canto . Our Muse defends her lowly stile , And ( having flown aside a while ) Tells how the Plague first entred here , What Means to stay it practis'd were . Some vulgar Tenents are disputed , Some rectified , some refuted . She from the Nature and the Cause Of that Disease , conclusions draws ; Declareth how it runs and creeps , And what uncertain paths it keeps ; How long strict Orders useful stood , The fruit of Christian Neighbourhood : And many other things betwixt These mentioned , are intermixt . She sheweth ( also ) means assured , By which this Mischief may be cured : How to apply that means ; how those Who use it , should themselves compose : How violent the Plague did grow ; Who from it might , or might not go : How much 't was feared , how men fled ; How ill , in flying , many sped : And lastly , ( as occasion moves ) She grieves , she counsels ; and reproves . The Contents of the Third Canto . The House of Mourning , which most fear , ( And flye so much ) is praised here . It shews , that outward Joyes and Care , Nor meerly good , nor evil are , But things indifferent , which the wise Nor over-praise , nor under-prise . The strife within our Authors brest About his stay , is next exprest . Then doth it orderly recite What Reason argu'd for his flight ; What Faith alledged to reprove The Motives urging his remove : What Arms for him she did prepare To hide the shock of Death and Fear . What proof she to his Conscience made , That he a lawful calling had , In midst of this great Plague to tarry , By Warrant extraordinary . What , thereupon he did conclude , What Joy and Confidence ensu'de : How much this Favour he doth prise Above Earths glorious'st Vanities : How he his time desires to spend ; And so this Canto hath an end . The Contents of the Fourth Canto . Our Muse in the Fourth Canto writes Of Melancholly thoughts and sights : What Changes were in ev'ry place , What Ruines in a little space : How Trades , and how Provisions fail'd , How Sorrow thriv'd , how Death prevail'd ; And how in triumph he did ride , With all his Horrors by his side . To London then she doth declare How suiting her Afflictions were To former Sins ; what good and bad Effects this Plague produced had ▪ What Friendly Champions , and what Foes For us did fight , or us oppose : And how the greatest Plague of all On poor Artificers did fall . Then from the Fields new grief she takes , And useful Meditations makes : Relates how slowly Vengeance came , How GOD forewarn'd us of the same : What other Plagues to this were joined : And here and there are interlined Vpbraidings , Warnings , Exhortations , And pertinent Expostulations . The Contents of the Fifth Canto . The Author justifies again His Method , and his lowly strain . Next , having formerly made known The common Fears , he tells his own : Shews with what thoughts he was diseased , When first the Plague his Lodging seized : Of what GOD's Justice him accused : Upon what doubts or hopes he mused : On what , and how he did resolve , And who from Death did him absolve . The Plagues encrease he then expresseth ; The Mercies of the LORD confesseth : Emplores that he himself may never Forget them , but be thankful ever : Then mounting Contemplations wings , Ascends to high and useful things . From thence his Muse is called down , To make Great Britan's errors known ; Wherein , he doth confess a failing ; And ( his infirmities bewailing ) Is fitted and resolv'd anew , His purpos'd Message to pursue : And , having first anticipated , His Arrant is in part related . The Contents of the Sixth Canto . The Poet ( weighing well his Warrant ) Goes on with his enjoined Arrant : Impartially he doth relate This Islands good and bad estate : What several sins in her have place ; How gross they are , how they encrease He also tells ; and then he shews That nor the Gentiles nor the Jews Were check'd or plagu'd for any Crimes , Which are not reigning in these times . Next that , he boldly doth approve The course in which our Nobles move : Derides their folly , blames their sin , And warns what danger they are in . Our Gentry then he reprehends , Their foolish humours discommends : And ( having brought them to their sights ) Upon the guilty Clergy lights : On Lawyers that abuse the Laws ; On Officers , and on the Cause Of most Corruptions : Last of all On some Enormities doth fall , Which are in Court and City found ; And runs this Canto there on ground . The Contents of the Seventh Canto . First , of himself he somewhat speaks : Then of the Cities Errors makes A larger Scrowl ; and therewithal Inserts Abuses general . He shews , by reason of her sin , What Misery this Land is in : What ill success , and what dishonor Is , for her follies , come upon her In Foreign parts , and here at home : How sensless also , she 's become . What several wayes against this Land , GOD hath of late stretcht out his hand : And how the blame of what 's amiss , From one to th' other shifted is . By many Symptomes he declares How sick this Commonweal appears . Disputes the late Distemper bred Betwixt the Body and the Head , And layes the blame where lye it should ; Yet therein proves not over-bold . Then aims he at some imperfections , In Burgesses , and their Elections ; And , briefly pointeth at the way By which our Cure effect we may . The Contents of the Eighth Canto . Our Poet having toucht again What frailties in himself remain ; Declares , that many Plagues do steal As well on Church as Commonweal : Relates what Crotchets do possess Some who Righteousness profess : What noisome Plants , what Tares and Weeds Are sprung to choak the holy Seeds : What feigned Zeal and affectation Hath fool'd this formal Generation : And , how from some , great scandal grows , Who bear the Keyes that bind and loose . Next , he delivereth Predictions Of Plagues , of Sorrows and Affictions , Which on this Island will descend , Unless our manners we amend . And whensoever Civil Jarres , Or mischiefs , by the rage of Warres Oppress this Realm , his Muse doth show Who shall oceasion it , and how . Which fearful Judgment to prevent , He calls upon her to repent ; By ten apparent Signs hath shown GOD's Patience nigh expir'd is grown . Then for the Publick Weal he prayes , Then for himself ; and there he stayes . The Authors Motto , Nec Habeo , nec Careo , nec Curo , Imp. 1618. THE said Motto , and the Descant thereupon , may perhaps appear to some Readers a careless , rather then a serious Composure , because expressed in an unusual and extravagant strain . Nevertheless , it hints many good Principles , which the Author thought would be best insinuated in that Mode ; and he was not therein deceived ; for , it then so well pleased , that about thirty thousand Copies thereof were imprinted and published within a few months . The Book is so common , that no more shall be here mentioned , but a few lines out of the Descant upon the last Word , wherein is a passage relating to an over-curious Inquisitiveness after Things to come ; and wherein is implicitely wrapt up a Prediction , which may be considerable . The words are these : I do not care to be inquisitive , How many months or weeks I have to live : For , 't is unlikely I shall better grow When I my self to be long-liv'd , do know , If I dare act a wickedness , and yet Know I may dye whilst I am doing it . Let them whose brains are crackt with that Disease , Depend upon their Ephimerides , Search Constellations , and themselves apply To find the Fate of their Nativity ; I 'le seek within me , and if there I find The Stars , that should illuminate my mind , Rise far , and seasonably me direct Through my Life's Progress by a good Aspect ; And , in Conjunction , shall discover there True Piety , and Honesty sincere Confirm●d in me ( by those Influences Which Grace to regulate our course dispences ) I 'le fear no Fortunes , whatsoe're they be , Nor much care what the Stars portend to me : For , he who to this state of Grace attains , Above the pow'r of Constellations reigns , And gets a Resolution therewithall , Which fits him so for what e're may befall , That he becomes a happier man then he Who can but tell what shall hereafter be . I start not at a Fryers prophesie , Or , those with which we Merlin do belye : Nor am I frighted with the sad Narrations Of any near approaching Alterations : For , things have ever chang'd , and ever shall , Until there doth a Change run overall : And he that bears an honest heart about him , Needs not to fear what Changes are without him . The Eastern Kingdoms had a time to flourish ; The Grecian Empire rising , saw them perish : That sunk ; and then the Roman Pride began , Now bounded by the Race of Ottoman : And , if Vicisitudes a Round must run , Till all things end where they at first begun , What is 't to me , who peradventure must E're that befalls , be mouldred into dust ? What if America's large Tract of ground , And all those Isles adjoining , lately found , ( Which we more truly may a Desart call , Then our well-till'd and civilized Pal● ) What if now there , that Wilderness doth lye , To which the Woman and her Son must flye To scape the Dragons fury ? and there ' bide Till Europes thankless Nations for their Pride And other crying sins , o'rewhelmed be With such like Barbarousness as there we see . If thus GOD please to do , and makes our sin The means of bringing those rude Nations in To be his People , ( as vouchsaf'd it was The Gentiles calling should be brought to pass When he cast off the Jews for unbelief ) Why should his pleasure be to me a grief ? Oh! let his Name on Earth more honor'd grow , Although my Ruine helps to make it so . Campo-Musae , or , Field-Musings ; Imprinted 1644. THis Poem was written whilst the Author was in Arms for the King and Parliament , to reunite them , not to divide them , as appears by this Impress in his Cornet , under the figure of a Sword and Pen , Pro Rege , Lege Grege . It was partly composed to vindicate himself from their Aspersions , who imputed unto him the deserting his Principle relating to the Royal Power ; and partly to evidence , That he had neither actually or intentionally infringed it . But many other particulars were thereby offered to consideration , whereof some are here abreviated . The Contents of the said Field-Musings . A Question presuppos'd , the Muse Makes Answer , and her Freedom shews . Tells with what heart , with what intent This War her Poet under went : Avers that Reason and the Laws Will justifi him in his Cause . The Publick streights he doth express , Lamenteth , and implores redress . Fights Combats with Dosive Reason , His Party to acquit from Treason ; Them he encourageth to do What GOD and Reason calls them to . Then mentioning a Voice of Peace That she hath heard , and there dooh cease ; Intruding , ere she doth proceed , To make some proof how this will speed . Having touched upon many Omissions and Commissions which occasioned several Expostulations , Caveats and Predictions , ( to which the Reader is referred ) this follows , pag. 20. Our speedy Reconcilement hasten shall The Churches Triumph , and Great Babels fall . Her date is near , if I aright have hit The meaning of the Number , left to be A trial and probation of their Wit Who seek the fall of Antichrist to see . He is , with his Partakers , at this day In publick and in private carrying on The cunning'st plot which they have yet to play , And when that 's acted out , their Play is done . Till then their Fraud will so some Saints beguile , That they to their Design will furth'rance bring ; Yea , they shall help promote it for a while , Who favour nor the Persons , nor the Thing . But , lest your hearts may faint by long delay , Heed for your comfort what my Muse will say . That Year in which Rome's long-liv'd Emperie Shall from the day in which it was at height , Sum up M , D , C , L , X , V , and I , In order as these Letters here incite , That Year , that Day , that Hour will put a date To her Usurped Pow'r , ( reserving neither Top , Root or Branch of that accursed State , Nor Hand , nor Body , Limb , Horn , Claw or Feather . For here are all the Numerals of Rome In order , as they are in valuation , And cannot make a less or greater sum , Without disorder , want , or iteration . Nor shall it longer stand , or sooner fall , If I mistake not him who governs all . In number , weight and measure worketh he , Allotting to each man the bound and season , Which may both correspond with his Decree , And somewhat also suit with humane Reason . In Egypt , thus a certain time to stay Was to the Seed of Jacob there assign'd ; Thus likewise to a fore-appointed day The Reign of Baltashazer was confin'd ; Thus from the time of Daniels Supplication , The time when Christ should come , foretold appears To be a preordained Limitation , Until the end of Seventy weeks of years . And thus Rome's declination may ( no doubt ) Be numbring till her Numeral● are out . Two famous Numbers are in them contain'd , The first declares the length of time wherein The Devil was by Providence restrain'd From setting up the Mystery of sin : The later is the number of the BEAST , Which when the LETT was taken quite away , ( Whereby he was a thousand years supprest ) Doth number out his Kingdom to a day . It is the number of the Name or Pow'r Ev'n of a Man , of that Mysterious Man , By whom that Mysterie is at this hour , Continu'd , and by whom it first began . And , he that can begin the Thousandth year , Shall find the Ruine of both Beasts is near . To search that out , it seems not hard to me , Who do believe , that when of her chief sin Rome to be guilty did appear to be , Her declination did then first begin . And sure , of all her sins the greatest Crime Was , crucifying of the Lord of Life , And her unjustly persecuting them Who tendred Saving-Grace to their belief . Then , I presume , she first to fall began , And , that GOD measur'd , weigh'd , and numbred out How many backward rounds her wheel should run , Before it should the last time turn about . Thus in those numerals which are her own , Join'd all together , was her Fate writ down . To bring to pass that work there was a LET To be remov'd , of no mean consequence ; Which was removed at the time fore-set , And her new off-spring hath reign'd ever since . But with exceeding infamy and scorns , The Beast , which now so powerful seems to some , Shall lose his Head , and moult away his Horns , And to the world a laughing-stock become . Then many Juglings hitherto conceal'd , ( And which to blind the heedless Christians eye , In seven dark Mysteries , have long been seal'd ) Shall to the faithful soul uncover'd lye . That Kingdom which the Jew did long ago Mould out according to his erring brain ; ( And whereof many zealous Christians too Unwarrantable Fancies entertain . ) That Kingdom ( whereof now in types we hear ) Shall to the world essentially appear . Be patient therefore , ye that are opprest ; This Generation shall not pass away , Till some behold the downfall of that Beast , Which yet among us with his Taile doth play . Then will the Lamb of GOD begin to take The Kingdom to himself , and ev'ry King That of his Right shall Usurpation make , To Judgment and destruction he shall bring . No Kingling then , assume the boldness shall Blasphemously ( for know it is no less ) To stile himself the King Catholical , As if Earths Universal Globe were his ; For , though another hath Usurpt thereon , That title doth belong to Christ alone . And , 't is no wonder if the Potentates , Kings , and the Rulers of this world combine By Policy to strengthen their Estates , And with the Beast , with GOG and Magog join . No marvel if enraged they appear , Through jealousies , and fear of losing that By which their Pride and Lusts maintained were , And which base fear and flat'ry first begat : For all those Kingdoms and those Emperies Throughout the world , which their beginning took By humane wit , fraud , force and tyrannies , Shall pass away , and vanish into smoak . An Army whereof here 's yet little hope , Shall wrest the Scepter both from Turk and Pope . Religion , and meer shews of Piety , Have been so long the Masks of base Designs ; The great Vicegerents of their Deity , Have made such Polititians of Divines ; And these together , have so fool'd and cheated The Consciences of persons well inclin'd , That , of all Freedoms they are nigh defeated , Belonging to the Body and the Mind ; Yea , they have so mock't GOD , and on his Throne And his Prerogative so far encroach't , That , of his Honour being jealous grown Much longer bear he will not such reproach . But , to the Saints their Liberties restore , And give those Kings their portion with the Whore. D' ye startle at it , as if I had spoke High Treason ? or , as if what I now say Without a warrant I had undertook To publish , as perhaps you think I may . If so ; know , that I had this Information Not from a private Spirit , but from his Well known and unsuspected Revelation , Who to his Church long since revealed this . They who will to the Lamb their Crowns resign , And shall ( the Beast opposing ) be content To reign according to Christ's Discipline , ( And his Command ) shall keep their Government . The rest cast off , shall wail and curse their birth , With Tyrants , and the Merchants of the Earth . Christ and his Law shall then bear all the sway , By Governments , resembling that perchance , For which the Jews GOD's yoke did cast away , The Kingship of the Gentiles to advance . And as his People foolishly did crave ( Instead of his mild Scepter to retain ) A Heath'nish Monarchy , which doth enslave And seek by Arbitrary Pow'rs to reign ; So shall all Nations be content to leave Their Ethnick Bonds , and with his holy Nation Christ's Precepts and his Discipline receive , And joint partakers be of their Salvation . And when this glorious Kingdom doth begin , The fulness of the Gentiles will come in . GOD hath so long deferred the possession Of that great Mercy , because Worldliness , Hypocrisie and Discord keep the blessing From ripening into such a happiness : Some in unrightcousness the Truth retain'd , And make the same thereby the less believ'd ; Some by an outward Sanctity have gain'd The means to have their Heresies believ'd . Whilst some pursue the Antichrist without them , An Antichrist ariseth up within ; Which if they look not warily about them , New work for Reformation will begin . But GOD will finish what he preordains , When Penitence for sin the means obtains . In the Sixty third page of this Poem , the Author for illustration of that Mystery , adds this that follows . And lastly , I have weigh'd , that not alone A plot is laid these Kingdoms to undo ; But likewise , in their spoil to have undone All other true Reformed Churches too . I see GOD's glory , and the servitude Of all his People in this Cause concern'd ; And whatsoever others do conclude , I these conclusions with good warrant learn'd , That those whom in this warfare we resist , Are neither worse nor better then those bands , And those Confederates of Antichrist , Which are this day his Champions in these Lands : And , that who ever fighteth on their side , When this is known , have GOD & Christ deni'd . I see as plainly as I see the Sun , He draweth near who on the white Horse rides ; The long expected Battel is begun ; The Beast to muster up his Kings provides : With him h●s bloody Edomites conspire , The ●eeds of Hagar , and the Sons of Lot , Philistia , Gebal ; Moab , Ammon , Tire , And all who with his mark themselves bespot . To meet these , those white Regiments I see , That on the Lord of Hosts , and King of Kings Attending in triumphant habits be : And , whilst I contemplate the aid he brings , Methinks I hear his Angel call the Crows , To eat the Kings and Captains of his Foes . To strengthen the Faith , and confirm the Patience of the Saints , this Mysterie is insisted upon in many other of this Author's Writings , as occasions were offer'd ; and are thought not impertinently expressed in a various Mode to the same effect , because the ignorance or heedlesness of many , require both reiteration and plainness , to prevent mistakes . There are also many other Neglected Remembrances contained in the aforesaid Poem , to the perusal whereof more at large , the Reader is referred . The DARK LANTHORN , Imprinted 1650. THis is a Parabolical and Enigmatical Poem , containing , with some plain Precautions and Remembrances , many dark Predictions ; and begins thus : He , from whose perfect Light , all true Lights come , Spake Parables ; yea , spake nought else to some : And Providence by many various wayes Of Dispensation , to the world conveyes The means of carrying on those works which tend To mans perfection at his latter end : And , to the wonderful accomplishment Of what eternally is his intent , Bringeth about oft times the self-same things , ( Or such like ) toward their accomplishings , That prudent men might apprehend thereby What he designs , and therewithal comply , &c. And in the Seventh Page he proceeds thus ; I may perhaps be , among others , one Who was design'd for service to be done In order thereunto ( as I conceive I am , and as ( when I am gone ) some will believe , Though few so think now ; for although I dress The Mind and Matter of my Messages In measur'd words ( and trimmed with such Fancies As are allowed in Poetick Frencies , To pass for sober Garbs ) yet , now and then I blunder out that which meer worldly men Count madness ; and what oft the best men too Sometimes , do think becomes not me to do . But I best know my warrant , and proceed As I am mov'd ( with little fear or heed , What others judge ) and that which makes me dare What seemeth madness , helpeth to prepare Such strains , as other while produceth heeding Of what had not else been thought worth the reading : And , these my Ridlings now , are an Invention Which partly were design'd with that intention ; And partly likewise to amuse those Readers Who to my Principles are counter-pleaders . When many think the Times afford me may Enough to speak of , I have nought to say . When I to ought am called , I cast by My own Affairs , and to that Call apply As I occasion find ; venting sometimes My thoughts in Prose , and otherwhile in Rimes ; One while in sharp and bitter strains reproving ; Sometimes by Admonitions calm and loving ; Yea , Jiggs of recreation sometimes fidling , And now I 'm fall'n into a fit of Ridling . Riddle my Riddles then , you that have heard Truths oft , and plainly spoke without regard , ( Except it were in malice to combine Against their peace , who cast their Pearls to swine ) Riddle them if you can ; for in them lies A Dark Character of our Destinies . Those things within these Problems couched are , Which I once thought more plainly to declare ; But , from that purpose have now chang'd my mind , That seeing you might see , yet still be blind : That you might read , and yet not understand The works which GOD and Men have now in hand . Till those Events befall to you , which may Produce those good effects which you delay . To which intent , that which I would unfold , Shall Herogliphically now be told . Page the 21 , after many pre-occupations to confirm himself in prosecuting what he intended , he thus again proceeds . But I will wheel about , and with the Rein Turn Pegasus into his path again : Though he in his digressions ( as we say Of Beggars ) never is beside his way . Once on a time ( thus did old Tales begin Ere I was born , or thought so to have been ) A foolish People , ( overmuch at ease ) Their wantonness and vanity to please , Among their May-games , brought home from the wood Trees , which had else till now unheeded stood . Of these they made , by hewings , knocks & smoothing , That look like something , which resembled nothing . And out of shapeless , knotty Loggs , did hew Some Statues , not uncomely to the view . These , ere quite finisht ( with some jeers and mocks ) They set up higher over other Blocks . Them so repollishing , and painting so , That of what stuff they were , few men could know . Beginning then their own work to admire , They rais'd them higher , and a little higher , Till Idols they became ; with whom they grew At first familiar , and did them bestrew With flow'rs and garlands ; shortly after they Bow'd humbly down before them ev'ry day . Till custom had their Judgment quite befool●d : For , when they them inshrined did behold , Sparkling with Jewels , and with Gold array'd , They of their own Creations grew afraid ; And , at the last ( as at the last such do , Who after their own Fancies whoring go ) They much repenting their fond Superstition , Bewail'd the slavery of their condition ; With some appearances of an intent To grow more wise , as well as penitent . Yea , to blaspheme their new-made Gods they spar'd not , And would have-pull'd them down again , but dar'd not . For , by their flat'ring Attributes long given , They had advanc't them to a Sphere ( or Heaven ) Where uncontroul'd , a Power they exercis●d According to their Will ; and them despis'd Whose hands had made them , and whose breath had blown them Too high for their Ambitiousness to own them . Their Incantations by degrees had brought Strange Spirits into what their hands had wrought , Alluring , and enabling them unto Those actings which their Makers might undo . Yet still these Block-heads persever'd , and will To make such Idols , and adore them still , Till both they and their Puppets are destroy'd , Unless the GOD of Gods make just fears void : For , most men being of a slavish mind , Are so much unto slavishness enclin'd , That to fulfil their slavish lust they 'l fawn Upon a Dog , and lay their souls to pawn . Riddle this Riddle , if you can , and tell What People this may be , and where they dwell , Which I believing you with ease may do , Will add this following Parable thereto . There was a time when silly Bees could speak , ( A People of much industry , though weak ) Among themselves , these lately made great moans , As being much oppressed by their Drones , Who ( having made incursions among those That had an uncontroulable dispose In their Republike ) did in various wise , Encroachments make on their Proprieties , And greedily unto themselves derive The fatness and the sweetness of the Hive . Complaints in private no redress obtaining , Encrease to open and avow'd complaining ; Which finding like successes , they begun To buz , as when a swarming time comes on : Then to shut up their Cells , to shake their wings , To leave their wonted work , and shew their stings . At first the Drones were frighted much thereat , But ( being not so wise as they were fat ) Neglected still the course which might prevent The mischiefs then appearing imminent . Which when I saw , I would no longer stay , But said , God help them , and so came away . This Parable , if rightly moraliz'd , Affords a meaning not to be despis'd . And so doth what next follows . As I went On Pilgrimage unto the Parliament , I there attending saw some of the Cocks ( Which kept our Hens and Capons from the Fox ) With broken wings , with backs without a Feather , To hide their naked bodies from the weather . With plumeless tailes , with scarred necks & breasts , VVith empty bellies , with their combs and crests Quite worn away , and scraping with their feet On Dunghils for their food , and in the street , So despicably , that it could appear By nothing ( save their spurres ) what once they were : And Popinjayes and Parrots clad and fed With what the valour of these purchased ; These trim'd up in their Feathers , strutting by Did cast upon them a disdainful eye , Which heeding , I suppose ( I tell you true ) To be no good Presage . Pray what think you ? News , if you look for , I but little know Save such as this next Parable doth show , A fair Ship now lies floating on the Flouds , Well fraught with Pass●ngers , well fill'd with goods , Lab'ring to fix an Anchor on the strand Of her wisht Harbour , which lies near at hand . By many storms much tackling she hath spent , Her Masts are shatter'd , and her Sailes are rent : Her Ammunition , and her stores are wasted , Her bread and beaverage is evil tasted , Her Keel springs leaks , through her uncawked seams , Her Knees are weakned , broken are her beams , Her Pump is crack't , no Cable sound hath she , And Anchor's have been slipt , till none there be . Her Helm hangs loose ; her Card hath great defects , Her Compass likewise often interdicts , And ev'ry where she craziness doth feel From Prow to Stern , from Top-mast to the Keal . In this condition to and fro she drives , And on the Waves with much ado she lives : For , now of late again , the Sea grows high , A stiff gale blows , and she expos'd doth lye To many hazards close without a Barr Betwixt two Fore-lands which in kenning are . If she to Seaward forth again should stand , There Pirates threaten her ; if then to Land She makes , the Rocks lye scatter'd here and there , In which as great or greater dangers are . And which is worse , they who should be her guide , Are false , and mutinously qualified . Some ignorant , some treacherous , and some Ambitious how possessors to become Of what belongs to others . Some of those Who have this Publike Ship at their dispose , Have in delayes their time and stores mispent , For private ends , and for accomplishment ▪ Of worse Designs , and in this great distress , ( Partly through fear , in part through guiltiness ) So much amus'd , and so amazed are That , they are at a loss what course to stear Both to secure themselves , and their Design , Without which , to no course they will încline , &c. But maugre all these hazards , she at last In her wisht Harbour shall an Anchor cast , And take in both good Pilots and Recruits , When her Fate seems to promise no such fruits . You therefore , who conceive your Interest To be concern'd , by what is here exprest , Praise GOD alone , when safe this Ship shall be , For to secure her there is none but He , And , let not any to whom this relates , Slight what the Parable insinuates , Which next ensueth : For , it hath some use That much to their advantage may conduce : A home-br●d Lyon ( of a hair unknown , In Africa ) by being overgrown , And dreadful to his Keepers , shall thereby Awake the rage of smother'd Jealousie , And lose his Tayle ; except between his paws He couch his head , and hide his teeth and claws , Or else grow Rampant ; what will follow then ? Ask those you credit , they are cunning men ; Of me you ask in vain ; for 't is my Fate Seldom to be believ'd , till 't is too late , This was interpreted as a Relative to Oliver Cromwel , then Lord General of the Army , whose Arms was a White Lyon. It follows thus : — They who have took delight In deeds of darkness , will put out the light By which the footsteps of their Foes are known , And , whereby they might see to guide their own . Instead thereof , they raise and follow shall An Ignis fatuus , which will hazard all ; And Providence to each man shall dispose That which for his chief happiness he chose . The Dogs unto their vomit shall retire : The Swine , who love to wallow in the mire , Themselves with their beloved filth shall fill ; And they who are unclean , shall be so still . The wilful Adders who do stop their ears , And will not heed the Charmer whom he hears , Shall feel a voice within them , which will shake them Out of their dumps , & from their deafness wake them When 't is too late ( it may be ) to prevent The dint of their forewarned detriment . The Leaches shall by Salt a vomit take , Or else continue sucking till they break . The Bubbles , who in emptiness do find Most pleasure , shall be puffed up with wind , Till blown up into nothing , there appear No signs that in the world such Bladders were . The Sons of Earth , who with the GODS make war , Shall heap up Hills on Hills , till crusht they are By their own handy-works . The Shrubs now grown More lofty than the Cedars , they broke down ; Among their thorns and leaves a fire do hide , Which on a sudden will consume their pride . The Grubbs and Maggots ( but ere while so small , So poor and weak , that they could hardly crawle ) Have got bulk , strength , new forms , aspiring wings , Yea , dreadful teeth , and horns , and claws , and stings ; But , by a storm , whereof they have no dread , They shall consume as fast as they were bred . Out of the putrified barbed Steed , Shall generated be a numerous breed Of noisome Hornets , which abroad will flye , Much mischief acting , and next Winter dye . The blasted Orange , and the crooked Vine , With other Plants on either side of Rhine , Shall twist together , that beneath their shade , A shelter for the Thistle may be made , Till they perceive what Plagues are in pursuit Of that ejected Plant , Branch , Root and Fruit : Then will they wiser grow , lest they become Exposed justly to the self-same doom . Mean while the Tawny Olive shall assay His Roots into these Valleys to convey . From whence it was removed , and effect Thereby what very few do now suspect , Except the Willow and the Oak foresee What for their mutual weal should acted be , Whereby they frustrate may a grand Design Which is on foot , both States to undermine ; And they who thereunto first Movers are , Shall of that Blessing reap the greatest share . Observe this well ; If you hereafter fee ( Which peradventure may permitted be ) The Red-Cross from its former height decline , And for a time the Half-Moon Northward shine With an ill Influence upon the Seas , Beyond the Pillars of great Hercules , And not be retrograde , till it hath more Effects that way , then ever heretofore ; Expect some consequence will then ensue , Which many who yet dream not of , will rue . But losses are sometimes a gainful prize ; By oversights men grow to be more wise ; And they who heed not now what doth concern Their welfare , will perhaps more wisdom learn , When more Experience makes their Judgment stronger . By suff'ring loss and shame a little longer . We on this side the Water are not yet Confus'd enough , that order to beget That must reform us ; and shall here therefore Pursue self-interest yet more and more , Till such as are in Pow'r vouchsafe to hear The Counsel of their slighted Ingineer . The Old Robe with New Cloth will patched be , Though Rents thereby still wider made they see , Till every Rag is quite worn out , and then They with a whole Robe shall be cloth'd agen ; And they who own it , be secured more , And much more dignifi'd then heretofore . When they who would effect it , make their choices As well by Lot Divine , as humane voices ; Whereto self-seekers never will agree , Till by some streight it shall enforced be . But when this comes to pass , there will appear A new Light shining in our Hemisphear That will disperse the Clouds and Fogs which make So many cross each other , and mistake The way to safety . Then , we shall perceive Our Opposites desire to interweave Their Interest with ours , and if sincere , They shall , in what will be produced here Partake ; and both together then possess Each other , and the world , in Christian Peace , Till he appeareth to ascend the Throne , Who must unite all Nations into one . Then shall the glaring Comets which have seem'd Fixt Stars , ( and so by many are esteem'd ) Ev'n they of greatest magnitude , down from Their heights be cast , and more despis'd become Then Gloworms , or those rotten Chips that glare In darkness , as if real lights they were : Then every single Person shall be brought Unto his Test , and that which he hath wrought , To trial comes ; moreover they who now By spoiles and by oppression powerful grow , Will then become the scorn of every one , Whom they opprest , desp●s'd and trampled on . Then they who large Indulgencies contrive For others , that themselves they may forgive ; Who cunningly at fast and loose do play , Who take to morrow , what they give to day ; And make their seeming favours means unto Those mischiefs which their malice could not do ; Who , Spider-like , weave Cobwebs with pretence To catch the Flyes alone , which give offence ; When none but harmless Bees their Engines take , For Wasps and Hornets passage through them make . They who do sacrifice unto the dead , That wherewithall the living should be fed ; Who justifie the wicked in their way , And unto death men innocent betray ; These then , and all such like , shall to their doom With horror , fear , and with amazement come . Page 33 , it thus follows : Then from the buried Oxe will forth arise A swarm of thrifty Honey-making Flyes , That shall with sweetness and with plenty store These Islands from the Midland to the shore , And spread their Floating Hives on all the Seas , 'Twixt both the Tropicks , to th' Antipodes , To make Preparatives for that which brings Into one body all dispersed things . Some other things of no mean consequence I do foresee approaching , not far hence ; But so obscurely , that I cannot say Without all doubtings , whereto tend they may ; For far beyond my apprehension lies The Chain of those remote Contingencies , Which draw on future things , because my Glass Through which the notions of them are to pass , Is so defective , that they do perchance Misrepresent them in some circumstance . Yet by the enlightnings which the Sacred Writ On Sanctified Reason doth beget , ( If we well heed , consider and compare What things have been , with such as present are To GOD and Men relating ) we of some Things future , may aright inform'd become . The Perpetual PARLIAMENT , Imprinted 1650. IN this Poem the Author having More Poetico , expressed a Contemplative Vision , preparative to what he intended , he thus proceeds , pag. 44. — By what hath represented been , By well consid'ring what I had seen , By spelling out what ev'ry Character Holds forth , to evidence those things that were Thereby intended , I found out therein Where that great Work must first of all begin , Which may make up our breaches , when thereto Our selves we settle , as we ought to do . I saw that on a future settlement , And constitution of a Parliament Upon a just Foundation laid , with speed , A means of Restauration might succeed , That introducing therewith , which might bring Into right Order ev'ry other thing , Our outward Weal promoting , if we take That course whereof proposal I now make . I am likewise perswaded ( ev'n without So much as any shadow of a doubt ) That by this Parliaments misconstitution , We are uncapable of that fruition Which we expect ; that ( for the most part ) thence Proceeds the cause of all our Indigence , And that this Parliament is naytheless The Chief , ( if not sole means of our redress ) Ev'n this ; which many at this day do seek To bring ( by disrespect ) into dislike , And to a nullity , as if thereby They had no hopes of our recovery : For by this Parliament GOD would effect The future Settlement they do expect . If they too long delay'd hot the pursuit Of an impartial rational Recruit . Although the Body of it , being made Of Members , which among them long have had ( And yet hath over-many ) so corrupted , That they have not alone much interrupted Their activeness who discontinue sound , But now are also likely to confound The whole at once , by seeking how to please Their Lusts or Friends ; yet we might maugre these , Restored be by those who have been just , And to their utmost pow●r perform'd their trust : It is from those that we denominate This Parliament , in them is lodg'd our Fate Conditionally ; yea , whatsoe're they seem , This is ( as things are ) that which must redeem Our Honour lost ; and if then it shall Dissolved be , down will their Structures fall , Not to be rais'd without the cost of more Then hath been spent upon it heretofore . But , as they are , what prudent man can think It will be long ere totally they sink ? For while they shall endeavour to subsist , Without preserving of their Interest Who chose them , or permit their dissolution , With our late hardly gained Constitution ; ( Which now without enforcement can by none Effected be , but by it self alone ) They shall henceforth for ever be unable To gain a Government that will be stable , Unless a Phoenix , yet unhatcht , arise Out of their Ashes , with renew'd Supplies , Which seeing that may probably be never , They some Expedient must with speed endeavour . In this , and after the 45 th page in the Imprinted Copies , the sense in many pages was so mistaken by the Transcriber , or the Printer , that the Expedient thereby intended , is confusedly exprest ; the result whereof was to this effect afore expressed ; and it thus follows , pag. 50. Let them take notice , that the Peoples rage At their delayes , is likely to engage In some disorderly Resolve , unless They see that followed with more seriousness , Which they expect either in a Parliament New-moulded , or by what 's equivalent . For , 't is conceiv'd their sufferings may thereby , And thereby onely , meet a Remedy : Which Cure , if misadvis'd I have not been , Must with the Parliament it self begin . There is a Course , whereby without disgrace Or danger , they may bring a work to pass That will fecure from hazards , cost and pain , Which without thanks or profit you sustain , Afflicting others too , by those confusions Which are encreased by irresolutions . Until a better , therefore , shall appear , Be pleased this Expediment to hear ; And if thereby you find a likelihood Of ought conducing to your future good . Take heed that no Self-Interest divert That approbation whereunto your heart Inclineth you ; for , GOD will find it out , And cross 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 : According to the Months , by Twelve divide The Counties , with the Persons qualifi'de For Knights and Burgesses , proportioning , As near as may be , to an equalling The number of the whole , so , or so many Unto each Month , ( without omitting any . ) As certain then , the Month and Day wherein Each Twelfth part an Election shall begin . ( The middle of the Week appearing best , As being farthest from the day of Rest ) On the first Wednesday of each Month , let those By whom their Deputies are to be chose , ( Respectively ) convene in ev'ry Shire , Upon that Month and Wednesday every year , Which is to them assign'd ; then , having chosen ( At Months end ) let each twelfth part of the dozen Send up their chosen men to represent Their Shires and Burroughs in the Parliament ; And , on that very day in which they come , Let all their Predecessors give them room . Thus one Month some , & Month by Month for ever , Let each Twelfth part still orderly persever To take a turn , till ev'ry Shire hath had A Month in ev'ry year ; then having made Their choice , let them still enter , and withdraw , Successively , by a Perpetual Law , No man a place of Trust supplying there , By one Election , longer then One year . Thus , as the Thames doth still continue one , And , is the self-same River , though there run A new supply of waters ev'ry day Along her Channel ; you continue may The Parliament by Annual Supply To be the self-same everlastingly , ( With very little change or molestation To them , who chuse or represent the Nation . ) Thus may the Parliament be both together Successive and Perpetual ; yet neither Enjoying such a Perpetuity As can occasion future Tyranny , Or present Grievances ( save such alone As wholly can prevented be by none : ) Nor shall we be endammag'd by Succession , Or by Parliaments long Intermission ; But form a Constitution which will add All Pow'r which may be for advantage had , Either to gain what best men would effect , Or to prevent the Mischiefs they suspect . What I intend , may plainly be conceiv'd , And , to that end , some things may be contriv'd Much better , if your Wisdom shall refine The rudeness of my proffered Design ; And by Authority strict Rules provide , Whereby th' Elected may be qualifi'de , And their Electors too ; for 't were unjust In things of this Concernment those to trust Who have disturb'd your Peace , until a time For their Probation is allotted them ; And , till they likewise by their good desert Make manifest a reconciled heart ; Their Merits being well weigh'd by such Judges As may suspend usurped Priviledges . And since , ev'n they who are the best affected To common Welfare , often have elected Such as deceive their Trust ; since there 's no eye But GOD's , that sees the hearts Hypocrisie ; And , since we find it left upon Record , ( Ev'n in the Volume of the Sacred Word ) That LOT's were needful in the choice of those To whom they did a Supreme Pow'r impose ; Since likewise when the purest Congregation In all the world , had with deliberation Elected two ; a Lot was also cast ( Before an approbation thereon past ) To send forth him who was to be employ'd In execution of the place then void , That GOD might also have his choice therein , It was no doubt vouchsafed to have been Exemplar , that we might with warranty In this approved President comply : For GOD by his Election join'd with our , Will probably upon the Elected pour His Grace . This will moreover give content To prudent men , and frequently prevent The choice of those whom for sinister ends , A numerous corrupted Party sends . Why may not then ? Why should not Two be chose For ev'ry place that 's void , and one of those By Lot ? that GOD therein may have a voice , And join with men , in perfecting their choice ? Since they who do th●s Nation represent , Are GOD's Vicegerents in the Government , As well as our Trustees , who would not more In such a Choice confide , then heretofore In their Elections ? or then they will do In Those hereafter not Elected so ? Why was it not , why should it not be thus , If this the Kingdom be of GOD WITH US ? But that , Self-seekers know , were this admitted , They by reputed fools , should be outwitted ? And not so easily obtain a power , Hereafter to oppress and to devour . To no good end have LOTS been from among All such Elections shufled out so long ; Vsurpers and Intruders do well know Lots would their Kingdoms quickly overthrow ; Make them afraid , that Christ will reign indeed , ( As they with discontent oft hear and read ) And that without controul , in time to come , They should not rant and revel in his Room As now they do , and will , till we begin A better course then that which we are in . If timely some provision might be made , To our Elections , Lots henceforth to add , Much Reformation would thereby redound , And great advantages therein be found . So might there also , if that whensoe're Th' Elect to perform their duty were , Some short speech might be made , or cautions read , Whereby it should be offer'd to their heed , How much it will concern them to take care What choice they make , and what the dangers are , Which may ensue , when some Sinister ends The dread of greatness , or respects to Friends , Makes them misplace their trust , and cast away Themselves , and all , for ever , in one day . This to prevent , 't were fitting to make known What Trust that is which is on them bestown . What Benefits may gen'rally arise , By chusing men couragious , honest , wise , And fearing GOD : what perils will ensue , ( Which by forepast examples we may shew ) If Cowards , fools , ungodly men , and vicious , Or to the present Government pernicious , They should elect . They may likewise , declare How qualify'd such persons should appear ; And warn them , that they never do unhallow Their Choice with any , such as these that follow . Men over-talkative , affecting much To hear themselves speak ; for , not many such Can keep or give good Counsel ; and they 'l prate Much precious time away in vain debate . Your Common-Gamesters , for they are not just Unto themselves , and them we should not trust With other mens Estates , who have been known To lose , or hazard desperately their own . Men to their pleasures over-much addicted ; For Publike Work will be by them neglected . Chuse not men evidently avaricious , Or of Promotion greedily ambitious ; For if their ends thereby obtain these may , They will be brib'd their Countrey to betray ; Or quite neglect their Trust to court their Whore , And shame their fellows , if they do no more . Of Irreligious Persons make no choice , For these will very seldom give their voice But in the Negative , to any motion That may be for advancement of Devotion . Chuse none who are defam'd in any kind , For such as they will an occasion find To hinder all enactings that restrain Ill manners , or to sober life pertain . Elect not Children , for it is unfit That in your Supream Councils they should sit To vote in Grand Affairs , whom Law restrains From managing what to themselves pertains . Chuse none who are observed to withhold Their long due debts , when they discharge them could : Nor Outlaw'd persons ; for unfit are they To make us Laws , who would not Law. Chuse none who shall solicite or propose That they for your Law-makers may be chose . Nor such as their Electors by th' abuse Of Feastings , Wine and Banquetings seduce : For they who shall ( uncall'd ) themselves advance To that great Work , have much more arrogance Then real worth ; and it is ten to one They for themselves have somewhat to be done , &c. There are many other particulars pertinent to the Trust mentioned in this Poem ; as also , other precautions and predictions of the good and evil consequences likely to ensue , in that Poem hinted , with a purpose onely to bring those things to consideration , which wiser men may improve , according to the Author's intention , by a better method then is here proposed : therefore to the perusal thereof , the Reader is referred . The AUTHOR's EMBLEMS , Imprinted 1634. THis Book , written by the said Author in his younger years , is a Poem in Folio , containing two hundred Figures engraven in Copper , and illustrated with Morals , and a Lottery annexed , the better to insinuate into young Readers , those Divine Morals , and Civil Documents , which are thereby tendred to consideration . Out of those , a few onely are collected , the rest may be perused in the Original . In the First Book of Emblems , pag. 2 , is a Laureat head fixed upon a Basis of Stone . Still fixt , and with triumphant Lawrel crown'd , Is truest Wisdom , which expressed thus Among some old Impressa's we have found , And much this Emblem hath instructed us . From hence we learn , that Prudence doth not flow From those unconstant men , whom ev'ry blast , Or slight occasion turneth to and fro , But from a setled head that standeth fast . Who ever shoulders him , he gives not place ; What storm soe're his Times or Fortunes breath , He neither hides his brow , nor turns his face , But keeps a look undaunted ev'n in death . The Laureat Head upon a Pillar set , This intimates , and his Bay-wreath doth shew That Constant Wisdom shall a Conquest get , When Giddy Policy prevails not so . If therefore , thou art willing to be taught , Propose good Ends , with honest means thereto ; And therein constant be , till thou hast brought That to perfection , which thou hast to do . Let neither flat'ring Pleasures , Fear , Disgrace , Nor Scoffing Censures , Threatnings , or the Slights Of fawning Sycophants , obstruct that Race To which a blameless Prudence thee invites . Though others plot , conspire and undermine , Keep then a plain right path ; let not their Course Make thee without just cause to alter thine , Though for the present it may seem the worse . He that thus acts , puts Policy to Shool , And makes the Machavilian prove a fool . In the same Book , pag. 5. A Spade , a Serpent , and a Wreath of Lawrel . Suppose you , Sirs , those mimick Apes you meet In strange fantastick habits , or the Rabble That with gay Clothes embroyder out the street , Are truly Worshipful or Honourable ? Or can you think , that to be born the Son Of some rich Alderman , or ancient Peer , Or , that the Fame your Predecessors won , May claim such Wreaths as due deservings wear ? Is honour due to them who ●●end their dayes In courting one another or consuming Their Fortunes and themselves ●n Drabs and Plays , In sleeping , drinking , and Tobacco fuming ? Not so ; for ( though such Fools , like children , place Gay Titles on each other ) Wise men know What slaves they be how despicably base , And where such Attributes would better show : An idle body clothes a vicious , mind , And what at best is purchast by the same , Is nothing else but stinking smoak and wind , Or frothy bubbles of an empty fame . True Glory none did ever purchase yet , Until he to be Virtuous did attain ; And all their Virtues are but counterfeit , Who labour not for what they would obtain . And this Impressa doth infer no less ; For , by the Spade is Labour here impli'de ; The Snake a virtuous Prudence doth express , And Glory by the Wreath is typifi'de : For where a virtuous Industry is found , It with a Wreath of Glory shall be crown'd . In the same Book , pag. 8. The Emblem is a Skeleton , with this following descant Why , silly man , so much admirest thou Thy present Fortune ; over-valuing so Thy person , or the beauty of thy brow , And in fantastick habits clothed go ? Why dost thou live in riotous excess , And boast as if the flesh immortal were ? Why dost thou covet so , why so oppress , And o're thy fellow-Creatures dominere ? Behold this Emblem , such a one was he Whom this doth represent , as now thou art ; And such a fleshless Rawbone thou shalt be , Though yet thou seem'st to act a comelier part . Observe it well , and mark what ugliness Stares through the sightless eye-holes from within ; Note those lean Crags , and with what gastliness That horrid countenance doth seem to grin . Well heed it ; and when thou hast seen the same , Pluck down that Pride which puffs thee now so high . Boast not of shape or features , but ( for shame ) Repent of all thy former Vanity ; And , having learn'd that all men must become Such bare Anatomies ( that such a Fate No mortal Pow'r or Wit can guard thee from ) Live so , that Death may better thy Estate . Consider who created thee , and why ; Rowse up thy Spirit , ere thy flesh decayes , Pursue things honest , with true Piety , And seek thy welfare in thy Makers praise : So when of life and form death shall deprive thee , Life with Eternal Glory GOD will give thee . In the same Book , pag. 11. The Figure of one rowling a Stone up a steep Hill. A Massie Milstone , up a tedious Hill , With endless labour Sisiphus doth rowle , And down ( when rais'd aloft ) it tumbleth still , To keep employed his afflicted soul . On him this toyle is feign'd to be impos'd , To be ( though vain ) perpetually assay'd ; But , some there be , by no such streight enclos'd , Who on themselves as endless tasks have laid : Yea , knowing not ( or without care to know ) How they are worn and wearied out in vain . They plunge themselves into a world of Wo , To seek uncertain ease , in certain pain . Such fools are they , who dream they shall acquire A mind content , by scrabling still for more ; For wealth encreasing , doth encrease desire , And makes less contentation then before . Such also they , who their endeavour stretch To climb by Titles to true Honours height ; For having gotten one Ambitions reach Another , comes perpetually in sight . And their stupidity is nothing less , Who fancy , flesh and blood may raised be Unto the top of perfect Holiness : For at the best , corrupt and vile are we . Yet , we are bound in Faith , with love and hope , To rowle the stone of good endeavour still , As near as may be , to perfections top , Though back again , it tumbles down the hill . For then , what workes had never power to do , GOD by his Grace will freely bring us to . In the same Book , p. 13. A man in a Boat with Sails and Oars . No wonder he a prosperous Voyage finds , Who hath both Sails and Oars to serve his turn , And still assisted with propitious Winds , Is to his wished Harbour timely born . Nor is it very strange , if they who lack Those helps on which the Common Faith depends , And from their hop'd for Aims repelled back , And miss of that to which their labour tends . Not in the Ships , the Winds , the Oars or Sails , ( Nor in the want of outward means ) alone , Consists it , that our hope succeeds or fails , But most in that which men least think upon . Some well endeavour , and their pains are blest With Gales that are so prosperous , that they Flye safe and swiftly on among the best , Whilst others toyle hard , and are cast away . Some long time on this Worlds wide Ocean float , And , seldom Winds or Tides assistance have ; Nor Sail , nor Oar , nor Anchor , nor sound Boat Enjoying , neither skill themselves to save ; And yet escape . Some other too there are , Who neither want fit means , nor do neglect Good Industry , nor are without due care , Or active skill , yet find small good effect . However , let still thy Intent be just , Then add what means thou canst to compass it ; ●nd , though means fails , admit of no distrust , But fearlesly to GOD thy wayes commit . For he , where Faith and Honesty he finds , Turns loss to gain , and storms to prosperous winds . In the Fourth Book , p. 257. The Figure is an Hour-Glass , and the Sand almost run out . This Glass declares how Time doth pass away , And if th' annexed Motto truth doth say , The Time that 's gone , is lost . This to be true , Experience too doth manifestly shew . How fast their time departs , they least perceive , From whom it steals before they take their leave Of what they love ; and their last hour is run Before they do suppose it is begun . Therefore , how fast it slide , let them be taught Hereby , who foolishly put out of thought Their latter end ; or alwayes do presume , Or overlargely hope on time to come : The present hours nor thankfully enjoying , Nor prudently or honestly employing . Else these will peradventure too late find , When better understanding brings to mind How foolishly they hitherto have spent Time past , that 't is not to their detriment Lost onely , but which is much worse then so , Lost with a thousand other losses too : Which to redeem , nor Wit , nor Wealth , nor Pow'r Can purchase them one minute of an hour . Consider this , all ye that spend the prime , The Moon-tides , and the Twilights of your Time , In Play-games , or inquest of needless things , As if ye could at pleasure nip Times wings , Or turn his Glass , or had a Life or twain To live , when you had fool'd this out in vain . Short is the present , lost times passed be , And Time to come you are not sure to see . It would make this Review too long to be called a Breviate , if it should be enlarged with any more of these Emblems ; and it may be hoped these few gleaned out of them , will suffice to make that heeded which is precautioned and predicted in those Four Books ; and that some also who did read them heretofore either negligently , or in sport onely , will peruse them to better purpose . An Interjection , occasioned by a sudden Ejaculation , whilst this Review of Neglected Remembrances was transcribing ; which shall here stand inserted , thought it be no part of what was heretofore expressed , or intended to be hereunto added . ALAS ! in this Review , to what good end My words , my time and labour thus to spend Am I enforc'd ? Why am I troublesome To others and my self , of things to come Or past , still to make mention ? since I see Nor Judgments , whereof sensible men be ( From day to day ) nor Mercies , which betwixt Those Judgments intervene , or intermixt , ●●ch heeded are ? although they such have been , As are not in one Age or Place oft seen . Oh Times ! Oh Manners ▪ how far wil these Nations Proceed at last in their Prevarications , If GOD thereto a bounder shall not set , And they seek him no more then they do yet ? Our Posture at this present is the same With Isr'els when they forth from Egypt came . Two Mountains on both sides of them they had , O're which no Pass in safety could be made ; Before them was a Sea , where Ship or Boat To waft them over , could not then be got . Behind them , Pharoah with a dreadful Host Pursu'de them , to recover what was lost , And to reduce them to that servile state , Which they were hopeful had been out of date ; Or to destroy them quite , where did appear No likely hope of a Deliverer : For means of safety they could none espye , Within the prospect of a carnal eye . They , thus affrighted , to the LORD then cri'de , Not as they should , who do in him confi'de ; But with more fear then faith ; nay , worse then so , They murmur'd , and upbraided Moses too , In an uncivil and ingrateful mode , As if without a warranty from GOD He had imprudently pursu'd a course Which they foresaw ; and told him would make worse Their bad Condition ; yea , exprest a will , Slaves ( as they had been ) to continue still . Yet he ( the meekest person who then liv'd . ) As if he neither at that time perceiv'd How him they injur'd , or how jus●●y they Deserv'd what seemed probable that day , ( Or how much base , unmanly slavishness Their own tongues did apparently express ) He wav'd their murmurs , whilst they were afraid , As if nought had amiss by them been said : And , like a loving Father , speaking to His Children , ( knowing not when they mis-do ) Said gently thus : Fear not , stand still and see With patience , how yeshall deliver'd be : For these Egyptians who are now before Your eyes this day , shall never fright you more : And so befel it ; for next morn they saw Their foes lye dead , of whom they stood in awe , Drown'd by the waves , and on that Sea-shore cast , Through which they dry-shod , and in safety past . Yet both that , with those Mercies which before GOD had vouchsaf●d ( with very many more Soon after ) seemed to be so forgot , As if they them , or him regarded not . Now at this present time such is our case , We are beleaguer'd as that People was ; With hazards upon every side confin'de ; With dangers both before us , and behind ; Not onely having many Foreign Foes , But some likewise at home as bad as those ; And , worse within us also , who have brought us To greater streights then all our Foes without us . Those Jews we parallel in ev'ry thing , Who injur'd Moses by their murmuring : And , are as thankless unto GOD , who hath Here acted , both in Mercy and in Wrath , As many Wonders as by him were shown In Egypt when King Pharoh was o'rethrown ; ( Though they appear not such unto their sence , Who shut the eyes of their Intelligence ) We as distrustful are as they , as giddy In ev'ry Tryal too ; we are as ready To make a Golden Calf , and to prefer That Idol before our Deliverer . As much as they , we long to repossess The Flesh-pots of our Lusts , our Slavishness , ( Which we did cry to be deliver'd from ) As soon as into any streight we come . Yet , GOD hath been to us ( and at this time ) Continues the same GOD he was to them . Though their example , which should make us better , Hath made our Provocations much the greater , He with us dealeth , as a Father mild , Whose heart is grieved by a froward Child ; And , as he did with stubborn Ephraim When Anger and Compassion moved him To cry out thus , What shall I do to thee ? For at a stand with us he seems to be , Both by his frequently himself estranging , And by his oft returning , and oft changing His Judgments and his Mercies , that we may Be changed , and reform our crooked way . We have this day ( though in another mode ) The daily Presence of our gracious GOD To lead us through that Wilderness of Sin In which we have a long time wandring been : He guides , guards , and provideth us Supplies In all our wants , ( though in another wise ) And is with us as wonderfully here , As when his People brought from Egypt were . The self-same Cloud and Pillar we have had , ( Though varied ) and , as effectual made To all intents and purposes , as they Then had ; and to refresh us in the way Unto the Land of Rest , we have that Rock Whereof they drank , unto that purpose broke : And , though we oft stray , shall to what we tend Attain , when we are at our Journeys end ; If we believe , and persevere to do So much as GOD enableth us unto . For , he requireth not from any one A scruple more then may by him be done ; Nor doth expect from any to receive More then what he at first , or last shall give ; Because of all omissions and mis-actions , He hath in full accepted satisfactions By his Deservings , who secure us may From whatsoever Debts we cannot pay ; If on his Mediation we depend , With Faith and Penitence at our lives end ; That Mark retaining , which distinguisheth Christs chosen Sheep from Goats , in Life and Death ; To wit , that love to him , and to each other , Which knits for ever , GOD and Man together . This is that everlasting Gospel which We were foretold , an Angel was to preach To ev'ry Kindred , People , Tongue and Nation Throughout the earth to bring men to Salvation : And , for a preparation thereunto , He cry'd aloud , ( as all true Prophets do ) Fear God ; to Him , and to the Lamb give praise , For now the hour is come , ( these are the dayes ) Wherein his Judgments must be pour'd on them Who shall not glorifie and worship him By whom Heaven , Earth , the Fountains & the Seas Created were , and ev'ry thing in these . The fear of God is that which first lets in True Wisdom ; that brings Penitence for sin : By these within the heart of man is wrought Such Faith and Grace , that they then taking root , Do seasonably bring forth such blessed fruit , As by degrees destroys the thorns and weeds Which either choak or starve the holy Seeds , From whence the means of those enjoyments springs Whereof to us that Gospel tydings brings . This method long ago was practised By John the Baptist , when he ushered Christ and his Everlasting Gospel in , By preaching of true penitence for sin : And thereby did prepare before his face , The way intended , to soul-saving Grace . Such Consequents , as promis'd are to spring From Christ and his apostles publishing This Gospel ( whether it shall come abroad As preached in the ordinary mode , Or by the Holy Ghost , which oft conveighs The same by extraordinary wayes ) Are without fail to them vouchfaf'd for ever , Who entertaine it ; and shall still endeavour Conformity , sincerely , that to do Which Grace and Nature them inables to . But everlastingly it shall not be Preacht in this World : For this believe must we , That his Commission , who Authorized Those men , by whom it was first published , Is nigh expir'd ; and that it shall not last One minute longer , when that date is past ; Which will be in that Moment wherein all Shall die , or changed be ; but sooner shall Be so to them , who summon'd are away By Death , before that Grand Assizes day . If it be so , let us take timely heed What Doctrine thence , doth by result proceed : For Christ himself , is he who did predict The Judgments which we both feel and expect . He is that Angel in a Mystery , Who through the midst of the Heavens did flye . T was he , whom 'twixt the Heavens of the Law And Gospel many Prophets flying saw , To bring the News and Means to every Nation Of Peace on Earth , by reconciliation 'Twixt GOD and Man. We have already seen , Some of those Tokens , which foretold have been , To signifie to us the General Doom , That should soon after their appearance come ; And should they be commemorated here . It very evidently would appear , That hitherward it speedily advances To them who heed well the known Circumstances In GOD's and humane Actings . He hath pour'd The Viols forth , whereby some are devour'd , And some tormented ; yet , most men grow more Blasphemous , and more wicked then before . And had we no sign else to predeclare The sounding of the Seventh Trump , is near , Save that , and those Divisions , which of late Republicks , Realms , and Persons separate From others , and themselves ; we need not shew Another Symptome of what will ensue . To hasten such Dooms ( among other Crimes Which are predominant in these our times ) One I have seen reiterated here With impudence in publick ev'ry year , Which will not go unpunish'd , though the Nation Hath entertain'd it with much veneration : But I have yet no warrant to declare it , And therefore till I have so , will forbear it . With these , there is likewise one special Sign Concurrent , mention'd in Records Divine , ( Not least considerable ) 't is a defection By wanting of that Natural affection Which constitutes the Manhood ; for that sin Doth to be Epidemieal begin ; Yea , ev'n the natural Act of Generation , Which was ordained for our preservation , So is corrupted into an excess Of brutish Lustings , beyond beastliness , And filthiness , grown up to such a height , That many in their sins take less delight Except they lawlessy be carried on , And shall be likewise impudently done . To which end , ev'n our honest Recreations Are lately scandalized by these Nations , And oft abused ; yea , the Tunes and Songs Which to a sober merriment belongs , Are so estranged now from what they were In former times , ( and within Sixty year ) That in my apprehension there doth seem So vast a diffrence betwixt these and them , As 'twixt the croakings of a Ravens throat , And Linnets , or a Nightingales clear note . Which unto me appeareth to portend Our pleasant things are drawing to an end ; And , that our sins , and their deserved doom Are now almost to their last period come . One Sign more I will add unto those many Foremention'd , which as signal is as any : Some of the true Christ do begin to doubt , And where to find another , hunt about ; Not wanting such as will be undertaking To bring them unto one of their own making . Thus much , as I believe , his words implies , Who said false Christs and Prophets should arise In latter times ; for I have in my dayes Seen that to be fulfilled many wayes . The greatest number Christians now profest , Send one another unto Antichrist , And say that 's he : In Turky at this day , He is expected , ( as reports do say ▪ ) And many last year were in expectation To hear thereof , ere now , a confirmation . And I , because I credit not that Fame , A man of little Faith reputed am . Some confidently tell us he is here , To wit , in this Church whereof now we are ; And , so I hope , although it may be thought We have not entertain'd him as we ought ; Nor are so charitable unto them , Who conscientiously do worship him . Some say , he 's there , in such or such a place Wherein a secret Meeting is , or was ; Some other send men to the Wilderness , Affirming he is there ; perhaps by this Intruding , that he by the Humane Creature , May found be in his own wild until'd Nature : But this believe not , for till thither he Comes of himself , found there he cannot be , Nor any where , save where that Love resides Which doth expel that self-love which divides His Flocks , and causeth men no care to take Those breaches to repair , which Pride doth make , Not many take into consideration How to improve aright this Visitation ; They do both good and evil things mis-name , The wicked they acquit , the righteous blame ; Their Interests sometimes confound together , To th' one sometimes apply what 's due to th' other ; And , as the Jews ( their type ) did justifie Themselves in acting that Impiety For which they are corrected ; we begin To say , like them , the troubles we are in , And loss of all the good things now bereft , Befall us onely because we had left Such Idolizings , as when Spice-Cakes given For an Oblation to the Queen of Heaven , By them omitted were . Such thoughts have we Of GOD , and of those Judgments which now be On us inflicted ; yea , their parallel We are in all , wherein they did not well . I am not able to enumerate The many wayes whereby we separate From one another ; nor dare say how few Go right , if there be but one way that 's true . Nor know how to be safe , unless there were As well a preaching to the heart , as ear : For , most what now proceeding from the mouth Is , only counter-pleadings between Truth And error ; which both sides , to fortifie With so much confidency do applie The words or meanings of Gods holy writ , That , had we no way to ascertain it But these , or those mens , or my yea or no , None could know what they should believe or do . For , as well Supream Powers as private men Are Patrons of gross errors now and then ; And by Authority that is supprest Which was by like Authority profest . With ev'ry windy Doctrine flur'd about , Some are not half so zealously devout And resolute professors of what 's true , As of what is Heretical and New : And others oldest and sound Truths condemn , Because they are but Novelties to them . Some term all those Phanaticks who dissent From them in Iudgment , although innocent . Some call them Saints and Martyrs , who by some Are judg'd the cause of all the Plagues now come . The Romanists , unto our Separation From them , ascribe this present Visitation . Some others say , it is our toleration Of their Idolatries , which plagues this Nation . Some to entrenching on mens Consciences Impute it . Some to our tolerating these . Some to expelling of the Hi'rarchy : Some to suppressing the Presbytery . Some to Rebellious actings against Kings ; Some other unto quite contrary things . And the result of all summ'd up together , Is this , Each shifts his guilt off to another . But , GOD before the Round hath wheel'd about , Will find the principal Offenders out , Either while time runs on , or , when he shall To universal Iudgment summon all . That which should have two feet to stand upon , We cripple , by allowing it but one : Some zealous are for Temples built with stones ; Some for those spiritualiz'd in flesh and bones . Some are for Conquests by the temp'ral Sword ; Some to be Victors by the Two-edg'd Word . Some look for Christ in that Ierusalem Which was in Palestine ; and some for him ( In that Ierusalem which doth descend From Heaven ) do in Faith and Hope attend : And , too too often also , they who be At union in their Iudgments , disagree So long ( for By-ends ) timely to improve Their knowledg , faith and works , by Christian Love , That in all , whereby they to merit thought , Their Labour 's lost , and all for which they wrought . Delusions now so many are , and such In these last times , that they endanger much Ev'n GOD's Elect ; and do presignifie The day of Vengeance is approaching nigh : And partly seems to be charactared By what the best men hope , and worst men dread . However , let no soul despair that hath Sad apprehensions of the day of Wrath ; By this , or what in my Review you find Conditionally predicted , to remind What was neglected ; for , among us here Christ's everlasting Gospel to our ear Is preached yet ; and , not yet is the day Of Reconcilement passed quite away . Come , let us therefore , ere it shall grow dark , To scape the Storm and Fire , flye to th' Ark Which hath been slighted ; there is yet a place For Mercy , and an open door for Grace . When Penitence brings Reformation in , It makes a Blessing , what a Plague had been : Yea , then 't will to her future weal be turn'd , That this great City was to ashes burn'd : She Phoenix-like , shall gloriously arise Out of that Rubbish wherein now she lies ; And I , which now am disrespected here , Shall have a Monument erected there . GOD all advantages to save us , takes , Forsaketh none , till him he first forsakes ; Made not one man ( though some so please to say ) To be a sinner or a cast-away : But all in love , that they might be by him Possessed with delight , and he by them . For , when the sin of one had all destroy'd , That his Love should not thereby be made void , He to redeem them gave his onely Son , Who ransom'd all again , excepting none . Still by his actings in the dispensation Of Iudgments and of Mercies to this Nation , ( Ev'n by the late Plague of devouring fire ) He manifests , that he doth not desire Our total Ruine ; but , takes all occasions Allow'd by Iustice , for our preservations : And though our sins as red as Scarlet show , He can and will make us as white as snow , If we repent them ; or , if we but would Endeavour it so far forth as we could : For , he in sinners deaths takes no delight , Or , any without cause to grieve or smite : But in pure love dispenseth his correction , To bring our happiness unto perfection . This is my Creed , which should I not confess To glorifie GOD's Love and Righteoussness , ( When by occasions thereto mov'd I am , That others may likewise believe the same ) I merited to be shut out from those To whom GOD everlasting Mercy shows : For , could we see , or apprehend how near He standeth , when far off he doth appear , Co-operating for , and with us too , ( In that which for our selves we cannot do ) We would more love then fear him ( though his blows Are very sharp ) since intents by those , Is hammering the self-love of the Creature Into the Will and Temper of his Nature , To make true Vnion , which till then , will be Impossible ; for , nothing can agree With ought so perfectly as to unite , When diametrically opposite , As those two Natures be ; because the other Th' one would destroy , if till then knit together . Repine not therefore , at what GOD shall do , What ere it be ; but willingly thereto Submit your selves , and heartily repent Your Provocations . Let us all lament , Not thereto frighted by a slavish fear ( Of Judgments which now felt or threatned are By this Review ) but in pure love to him Whose Mercy saves , when Justice might condemn ; And persevereth to redintegrate By Love , ev'n those who persever'd in Hate . Do thus , and then the Iudgments which in part Now executing are , GOD will divert . Repent what you have done , and he will too Repent of what he threatned hath to do . For such Repentance well consists with that Immutability which doth relate Unto the Deity ; and will accord With Attributes ascribed in his Word . Yea , though from my Predictions you scape free , I shall then counted a true Prophet be ; And this my Interjection will appear Not so improperly inserted here , As I my self suppos'd , when 't was begun , It would appear to many , being done : For , till I had compos●d what here is pen'd , I knew not all whereto it might extend ; Nor know I yet : and therefore I do leave it To such effects as GOD shall please to give it . But how my soul ! how came it so to pass , That this Ejaculation , with Alas , ( And with sad Musings ) was begun at first ? Since thou dost know , that when things are at worst , GOD then comes in , and often doth repair Our Breaches , when brought near unto despair ? The Aid delay'd a while , he brings at length , ( Ev'n when we have no likely means , or strength To help our selves ) why then shouldst thou be sad , Who frequently experiments hast had That Mercy hath to thee been more then doubled , When others thought thee most extreamly troubled Thou wert vouchsaf●d the greatest inward Rest , When in thy Body thou seem'dst most opprest ; And to be kept unharmed in the flame , Is more then preservation from the same . Then what thou hast perswaded others to , Continue ( as thou hast profest ) to do : In what GOD's glory may advance , persever ; Depend on him ; be pleas'd with whatsoever He either shall permit , or hath decreed , And to discharge thy Conscience still proceed , Not fearing that thy labour or thy cost In doing of thy Duty , will be lost : For fully recompens'd thy pains would be , Though thou shouldst edifie but two or three . The World , the Devil , yea mine own flesh too ( Offended much with what I say or do ) Conspire together , and Confederates be Both to discourage and disparage me ; Pretending they have somewhat to produce , To prove me blamable without excuse : ( And may destroy me , if nought intervene , To bar the prosecuting what they mean ) Yet I desie them both to act and say The worst they either would effect , or may ; For , though they find me many grains too light , I have a white Stone that will make up weight , And such a Friend as hath on me bestown A Righteousness more perfect then mine own . He cheers me with assurance that he will To me what he hath been , continue still ; By GOD's free-gift this hope , this faith I have , And they will send me safe beyond my Grav● . VATICINIUM CAUSUALE , Imprinted 1655. THis being composed upon a special Occasion , whilst Oliver Cromwel was in Power , the following Prediction was therein expressed , pag. 12. And now great Oliver , to thee likewise Let this be known , and do thou not despise The Publisher . GOD doth expect to have Honour from him to whom he honour gave : That such as bear Rule over men be just , That they their Vows infringe not , nor his Trust : That they consider he bestows large Measure Of Pow'r upon them , not to act their pleasure , Or to fulfil their , Lusts ; but doth enlarge His Bounty , that their Place they may discharge With Courage : That he Riches doth provide , Lest Avarice might draw their hearts aside , Or wants , to do Injustice them compel : That he gives Honour , not to make them swell Above their Brethren ; but them to exempt From what may mis-befall them by contempt . And , that all these things are on them bestown Much more for others sakes , then for their own . Know , Sir , that GOD , from persons in your Place Expects all this , and to that end gives Grace And Pow'r for asking ; and what ere some say , That he no man compels to go astray , Nor leaves nor hardens any ( not the worst ) Till love to selfuess makes them leave him first . If this , thou well considering , shalt act Accordingly , performing thy Contract With GOD , and with his People , he shall then Give thee the loves and hearts of all good men : Fix thee as firmly as the Rocky shores , Which slight the Ocean when it foams and roars . Thy Name shall spread and glorifie much more Then all thy Predecessors heretofore . Yea , in Fame's Book thou maist enrolled be , The first who made this People truly free ; Be First-born of those Vice-Roys who shall take Their Thrones from Him , whose Kingdom down wil break All Monarchies of Tyrants , with all those Who help patch up the Clay and Iron Toes , The Reliques of that Image which hath been The Prop of him that 's call'd the Man of Sin. All this may be , and if thou strive to go The way that open lies , it shall be so . Oh! lose not this advantage for a Bubble , Which in vain hope begins , and ends in trouble . And lastly , be it known , not by event ( Which may be to thy future detriment ) But by Precaution , that if fail thou shalt ( Without this Peoples obstinate default ) Of what they justly from thee may expect , ( Who art advanc't their Freedom to protect ) Or , shalt abuse thy Pow'r them to oppress ; Or , leave them unreliev'd in their distress , So that they shall be forc'd to cry and call To GOD for aid ; he hear and help them shall ; Search what 's misdone , and ( though their former sin Hath great and full of Provocations been ) He , for the present time , will pass it by , And on thy failings onely cast an eye , Avenge their Cause , call thee account to give Of all those favours which thou didst receive , Of that late Mercy too , among the rest , ( Which did occasion what is here exprest ) And with much indignation cast thee down , When to its height thy confidence is grown . There were several Addresses made to Oliver Cromwel , and his Son Richard by this Author , whilst they exercised the Supream Power , amounting to above Two Quires of Paper ; in which were many Seasonable Precautions and Remembrances to them tendred with a sober boldness ; as also many Predictions of what would succeed , if they neglected what was thereby precautioned , which are now observed to have been verified : But these being delivered ( sealed up ) into their own hands , and not imprinted , are all omitted in this Review . Verses to the King's Majesty : Written immediately after His Restauration , and imprinted Anno 1662. IN the sixth page , the Author thus proceeds with what he had begun . I had presum'd a personal Address Long since ; but difficult is an Access For such as I appear , who hazard blame And disrespect enough , where I now am , Because that which to do , my Conscience calls , Is by some numbred among Criminals . In that regard this Paper must make way For gaining an admittance , as it may , And will perhaps presented be by some Who shall have entrance where I must not come . I cannot write strong lines with swelling words , Whose Elegancy scarcely room affords For sober sence ; nor muster up their Names Whom History , or whom Tradition fames For brav'st Atchievements since time first begun , And then say , You have all of them outgone ; And think my foolish Words may add unto Your honour , more then your own Deeds can do . Or , that there 's any wise man who gives Creed To what they in a flat'ring Poem read . It it is not in the Pow'r of any other By Pen or Tongue to clear up , or to smother Your true Deserts ; for in Your Self that lies , Which either them be clouds or Dignifies . No other thoughts I entertain of You , But such as I may think , and you allow . Yet to extol Your Worth , I shall not dare , Till I know truly what Your Virtues are . For though to Flat'rers , all Kings seem to be Of like Desert ; they seem not so to me . I 'le serve You faithfully in what I may , And You , as King , love , honour and obey : I would conceal , not publish Your Defects If I knew any ; and give due respects To all Your Merits ; but I will not own One Line that praises them , till they are known . For , till I know I give but what is due , I am a Lyar , though my words be true . Since equally both good and evil things , Are famed of the best and worst of Kings . A stranger likewise , You have been long time To most of Your own Subjects in this Clime ; And , I was neyer where I did behold Your face , since you were two or three years old ; What good soever therefore I aver Of You , I shall but seem a Flatterer : Yea , You Your Self would think so , should I add Those Virtues which You know You never had ; And , Praise which is ascrib'd to any one I●n that mode , is a little less then none . But little credit also hath a Poet , To celebrate Your Worth when he shall know it , Or counterpoise or silence Contradictions , Since most esteem his Writings to be Fictions . And You would have more honor then from them By these blunt Lines , if they had Your esteem . I therefore so shall study to encrease Your Honour , that I may not make it less ; And , whatsoever I can say or do , ( Although You give a Countermand thereto ) I 'le say and do it , when I shall be sure Your Life , or Peace , or Honour 't will secure : And if this be a fault , I do intend To be thus faulty till my life shall end . I know well , Royal Sir , who 't is that sayes , To please great men , deserves not meanest praise . I see how 't is approv'd , and what they gain , Who can that thriving Faculty attain ; Yet I shall wave that Art , and will assay To do You honour in another way , By giving You occasions to express Your Justice , Mercy , and Your Prudentness , That You Your Self may make the World to see Your Virtues more , then words can say they be . To that end much might in my Caese be shown , But rather for Your sake , then for mine own , Is this Address ; yea , rather to prevent What may be Your Harm , then my Detriment : I 'le therefore wave that too , that no self-end May frustrate what I chiefly do intend , &c. Page 20 , it thus follows . — lest my good intent To You , some future Casualties prevent , I will so far forth as my Chain doth stretch , ( And my own shortned Arm and Hand will reach ) Exhibit such Expedients , as from time , And other Herbs , I 've suckt within our Clime ; And wanting better Gifts , will offer You This little Cluster of those Grapes which grew Upon my Wither'd Vine ; for though they are But sow'r , Your Kingdom yeelds none wholsomer , If you shall seasonably press out the Juice , And then assume it without prejudice . This Time is Critical , the wayes be rough , And many of those Chariot Wheels flye off , By which Your Marches expedited seem'd ; And , lost Advantages must be redeem'd , Lest when You think that they are come to hand , Your main Expectances are at a stand , Or put so far back , that You may survive Your hopes , and Your own happiness outlive . I wish it otherwise , and know it may Be as I wish , if you the means assay , Not giving ear to those who will withstand Your good , and that which GOD hath now in hand . I have discharg'd my Conscience , and so shall , What ever for so doing doth befall ; And hope that will not wholly be despis'd , Which now shall be in faithfulness advis'd . To those men do not over-much adhere , Who think all Wisdom lies within their Sphere . For Honours , Riches , and Self-Interest , Have made wise men as brutish as a Beast . Heed other while , what Common Fame doth say , As well as what Your Courtiers whisper may ; Lest You be ignorant of many things Whose cognizance is pertinent to Kings . Make no man Your Chief Confident , but he That is discreet and honest fam'd to be ; Lest he deceives Your Trust , and in the close , Destroys Your old Friends , and begets new Foes . Let Justice be your Scepter ; and Your Crown Be Mercy ; and if You would keep Your own , Give that to others which to them belongs , And free the poor and fatherless from wrongs ; Especially Your main Endeavours bend To make & keep Your Soveraign Lord Your Friend ; And if You would be setled on Your Throne , Take care that His Usurped be by none . Enjoy Your Conscience , whatsoe'er it be , So other men may have their Conscience free ; And hang me for a Traitor , if hereby You then enjoy not more Security Then what Your strength by Land & Sea now gives , And all that Humane Policy contrives . Let Truth and Error fight it out together , Whilst Civil Peace disturbed is by neither ; Which may be so provided for , that none Shall justly be displeas'd with what is done ; Nor You thenceforward be ( for evermore ) Disturbed , as You have been heretofore . If You neglect this , and I disobey , 'T will be with much grief , and no other way But onely passively ; and whatsoever I suffer , will Your Welfare still endeavour . To be of this mind , thousands I believe , Whom You to favour do not yet receive ; And whilst they are excluded ( though in peace They live ) suspitions daily will encrease , By which You may have trouble , and they blame , Who shall be no way guilty of the same . Your taking timely opportunities Now offer'd ( from what yet before You lies ) May render You a blessed Instrument In making smooth way to that Government Which Tyrants and ungodly men most fear , You and Your Subjects mutually endear , More glorious make Your Temporary Throne , Then ever English King yet sate upon ; And Your Name to be terrible to those Who to Christ's Kingdom shall continue Foes . Herein I 've spoke according to my Creed Wishing my just hopes may thereon succeed ; And , that upon Your heart it may work more Then what I 've spoke to others heretofore . But , GOD's time is at hand , within his Pow'r Are all mens wayes , yea both Your heart and our ; And I will patiently submit unto What either he or you shall please to do ; Not asking ( whatsoe're I seem to want ) Ought more then You spontaneously shall grant ; For what I may expect , if You deny , So far as need shall be , GOD will supply . The Liberty I covet to enjoy , Is that which no man living can destroy . The Wealth I aim at , is nor less nor more But to be well contented , rich or poor ; And if I had a will my Wits to strain , That I to Earthly Honours might attain , I should to no such Vulgar Heights aspire , As now are Objects of most mens desire ; Or to a style of so mean Consequence As is an Earl , a Marquess , Duke or Prince ; Or to be call'd Your Cousin . For , no less Would satisfie my large Ambitiousness , But such a Dignity as did commend His Loyalty , whom David called Friend ; And means enough to make a Parallel Of ev'ry Traitor with Achitophel . For , then you should in very short time see That no man more deserves esteem'd to be Your Loyal Subject . A THANKFUL RETRIBUTION , Imprinted 1649. THis was written to express the Author's gratitude to some few Members of Parliament , who without his seeking , had propounded an Expedient whereby to satisfie his just Demands ; but being without effect , that which was neglected , is here again revived , as pertinent to consideration at this time . Though Wishes are but words , Thanks are no more ; And my Oppressions make me not so poor , But that I have yet Thanks enough to pay For Fifty thousand Wishes in one day ; And I much thank you — Page the Second . But truly I expect not yet to see The World neglect her own , to think on me ; Nor do I ought for my Advantage crave , Whereby the Publick may disprofit have : I rather wish , That what is truly known By Service and by Grant to be mine own , Might be confer'd , or means at least , whereby My Labours might support my Family Till I receiv'd my dues . For that would please My longing more , then all those Offices Which others covet , and wherein few can At once grow rich , and be an honest man ; And , wherein ( as Affairs are manag'd now ) He that would fain be honest , knows not how . I value not my self so high , to set My heart on what I am not like to get : No , nor so low , but that ( if I had wings To reach them ) I would flye at th' highest things Your House could give me , or the world could show me , Yet set them at a distance far below me : For , he who of himself esteem shall make By those things which the World may give or take , ( Or he who by his Trappings , or his Place Doth prize himself ) his Manhood doth debase . If I well know my heart , I seek no more Of this Worlds Honour , or of her vast store , Then what sufficeth to defray the Debts , Which Duty and Necessity now sets Upon me ; or which may yeeld means to do Those Works which God may seem to call me to , And keep up that frail part of me which dyes Or lives unactive , without due supplies . Yet when I did perceive with what disdain Some did your friendly motion entertain , And how they jeer'd thereat , it tempted me To wish your Motion might vouchsafed be , That I might see how mad the Fools would grow With Envy , if they liv'd to see it so . One said the Place was fitter to reward A Member of your House ; and it appear'd Thereby to me , that he had quite forgot ( As others do ) the Self-denying Vote . Some seem to think , that seeing I am poor , ( Whate're they owe me ) they should give no more Then sutes my present Fortune ; as if I With my Estate had lost my Dignity , And he had got it , who since t'other day Is grown Sub-Grandee from a beggar-boy , By such an Occupation , as hath yet Neither improv'd his Honesty or Wit : But , let these make the best of their New Lot , So mine they wrong not , I envy them not ; And , 't is my honour , rather then my shame , Now to be poor ; because I poor became Not by mine own default ; and in a time When to be very rich , implies a crime . For , who with honour to great Wealth can rise , When all the Land is full of poor mens cries ? Or , what shame thereby him can seise upon , Who wants , when Kings and Kingdoms are undone ? Or poor became , because he lent and gave His whole Estate the Neighbourhood to save ? And what at last will unto such succeed , Who , when they may , relieve not that mans need ? I covet not the Place propos'd for me , ( Although as capable thereof as he Who did possess it ) for , I know too well Wherein that man his Neighbours must excel , Who hath an aim so high , except there shall Some extraordinary Change befall : And , me ( I think ) it would advance no more Then did that Office I held heretofore . For , in these Isles I have already had A Place more honourable ( though not made So much account of ) then 't is to supply The greatest Office in your Chancery . Yea , more then to possess the place of him Who in that Court is Officer Supream . And as a mark of Honour , bears about A Silver Seal in an Embroidered Clout . I have been honour'd to draw up Records For him that 's King of Kings , and Lord of Lords ; To be unto this Isle Remembrancer , And , as it were , a Publick Register To that Supream , High and most awful Court From whence proceeds no Sentence , no Report , No Order or Injunction , no Decree , Edicts or Dooms , but such as Righteous be ; And where the Judg will to no side be sway'd By Eloquence , or Force , or brib'd , or pray'd To be more merciful , or more severe Then Justice and true Clemency may bear . Yea , although at this present heeded not By many , ( and by others quite forgot ) I have enroll'd , and registred to stand Upon Record , what Mercies to this Land Have been vouchsaf'd ; what ought to have bin done To keep away the Judgments coming on : Shown how the King , and how the People might Have scap't the hands which both of them now smite : Foretold the War before it came to pass ; Who should begin the Quarrel in this place : What sad Effects would follow ; what regard My words would find , how they should me reward , With many other things , which will appear In those Records , whilst men speak English here : And thousands will in future time confess Those things fulfill'd which I did fore-express , Who shall , it may be , likewise live to see , That GOD observes who have abused me . For hitherto , though I despis'd appear , He spares my life , upholds my Spirit here ; Feeds me by his own hand , sometimes by men , By Ravens and by Angels now and then . Twice when my pow'rful Foes had by their might Deprived me of my Subsistence quite , He did supply my wants when I nor knew Nor thought how Oyl or Meal I could renew ; Against proud Prelates , and corrupted Peers , He did maintain about me many years A Watchful Guard , which kept me from their Pow'r When me they did endeavour to devour ; And from my troubles did release me too , By doing what some though would me undo : Yea , when the greatest Lyon loudly roar'd , And rouz'd against me ; when the bloudy Sword Was drawn upon me ; when a Poysonous Pest Breaths killing Vapours ; when I was opprest On ev'ry side ; and when I was forsook Well nigh of all , GOD notice of me took ; Sav'd me from spoil , from slaughter , from infection , And honor'd me , ev'n by his own protection . This being so , my Scorners whom I hear At your Proposal do both grudg and jeer , Have no such cause ( as their misdeemings may Suppose they had ) your motion to gain-say : 'T was fear , perhaps , I might have made the Place Henceforth less profitable then it was , For if that Register shall conscience make At ev'ry Hearing such true Notes to take Of what is Order'd , and so careful be , To draw up ev'ry Sentence and Decree ; As not to leave that doubtful which the Court Intrusts to his discretion and report , Ambiguous Orders would not so enlarge The Clients trouble , and his needless charge , Either by words too many , or too few , ( Or of less weight then to the sense was due ) New motions to beget , and thereupon New Orders , till both parties are undone . When to prevent this , due care shall be took , You will not so much for great Places look , To gratifie your Friends , as you will then To execute them , seek out fitting men . No Place will then be thought too good for those Who for your sakes have made their friends their foes They shall then get , at least , their own again , Who hitherto have spent themselves in vain ; And out of zeal unto the Common Good , Adventur'd Liberty , Estates and Bloud , Whilst others ( by their patience , cost and sweat ) Grow , to their Countreys damage , Rich and Great . Then they who have been innocently wife , Will see in what their Wealth and safety lies ; And , then it may be , some fair Lot among My Brethren , will befall me short or long . When such a Change I find , I shall begin To doubt almost , what Climate I am in . I shall not , for a good space after , take The boldness to profess I am awake , Or , that a Reformation in hath crept , Whilst I was either in the dark , or slept ; And shall of our distractions hope to see A better end , then likely now to be . Then those things which we yet hear and behold With fear and sorrow , shall with joy be told ; And then shall I no whit displeased grow , Whether I sit higher , or more low ; Or , whether they who me should think upon , Give me that Office , or a worse , or none . For whatsoe're befalls , I shall be fed , And so shall mine , whilst other men have bread . From your well-wishings these expressions flow ; From these perhaps another fruit may grow ; From that another , and from those again Another , till your wishes you obtain , And our Endeavours ( though what we intend , Succeed not ) shall be prosperous in the end . BONI OMINIS VOTUM : Imprinted 1656. THis ( as a Symptome of a Good Omen ) was occasioned by the summoning of Extraordinary Grand Juries out of the eminent Baronets , Knights , Esquires and Gentlemen , to serve in their respective Counties , at the Summer Assizes 1656 , which because it offers what is fit to be considered and remembred , ( and is also very short ) shall be here inserted without Abreviation . Good speed to this Republick , and encrease Of Happiness to those who seek her Peace . Sad things are threatned , and a lowring Skye Seems to portend great storms are drawing nigh : But look above them , and good courage take , The Sun still shines , although the Clouds be black , And beamings through their darkest parts appear , Whereby discernable Good Omens are , With symptoms of the Blessing we expect , If we our selves obstruct not their effect , And turn them to ill-signs ; which to prevent , That which yet follows gives a needful hint . As both abroad and here within this Land , Publick and private mens affaire now stand , This Year is likely to be Critical , About the time in which the leaves will fall ; And if Conjectures may be builded on , We from what 's acted , with what 's left undone , Spell'd both together , somewhat may deduce To teach us what ere long will be in use . Whether it were the Policy of some In hope it an obstruction might become To Concord ; or the Prudence of the Shrieve , Or Special Providence , which did contrive By those Grand Juries so to represent Their Counties , we shall best know by th' event : For , whether chearfully they meet and do That Service which their Call invites them to ; Or , by a wilful Non-appearance , wave . That Duty which the Common Cause doth crave , It will be signal ; and to many one A Test , as virtual as the Lydian Stone : And , likewise give an Intellectual View Of some Result , which thereon will ensue At their next Meeting , who to represent This Nation , shall be by Election sent . For those Grand Jurors are now chosen forth Of them , whose Gifts , Estates , Degree or Birth , Hath rankt them with the best , yea , out of those ( Excepting onely open active Foes To this Republick ) who have been suspected Meer Neuters , or else persons disaffected , As well as from among them , whose true zeal Hath kept them constant to this Commonweal , That they who heartily well minded are , Themselves henceforward some way might endear Thereto ; and thereby for the future stand Enroll'd among the Patriots of this Land : Endow'd with all their Liberties , and freed From those Distinguishments which either breed Or nourish secret hatred , to th' encrease Of Quarrels , and diminishment of Peace . And , who can tell what Providence by these ( Though diffring in their Judgments ) will now please To make Effectual for the preservation Or settlement of Peace throughout this Nation , When things are acted by a moderate Expostulation , in a joint Debate ? Where ev'ry one may freely speak his thought , And when it is consid'red as it ought , That no man can of safety be assur'd , Until the Publick Safety be secur'd . We know , that diffring Simples put together , So qualifie and so correct each other , ( Though some are poysonous ) that they purge away Malignant Humours , which would else de●●roy The life of man ; so they who formerly Did in their singular Capacity And private Judgments , sometimes act or speak What did at least endanger , if not break The Common Peace ; may when they gath'red are Into one fellowship , be helpful there To benefit their Countrey ten times more ' Then they have been , or could be heretofore . Yea , as the fat Lime , and the barren Sand When they well mixed are , do make a band To bind together rough or hewed stone , ( Which neither of them could have done alone ) Ev'n so by them who are Dissenters now , Our Publick Buildings may the firmer grow , When they into One Structure shall be fixt , Well qualifi'd , and rationally mixt . This peradventure may some good presage To them who are convened to engage Within a higher Orb , or shortly must Become our Trustees in a greater Trust : For he who hath consid'red it , believes That if those Petty Representatives , By loving Prudence , shall prepare a way Thereto , ( as in good likelihood they may ) That Nobler Body , which to its perfection Are ( for the most part ) rais'd by their Election , Might be so modaliz'd , and temper'd so , That Discords into Sympathies would grow , And all our Fears and Dangers in the close Quite vanish , to the terror of our Foes . It may be thus , and will be thus , if yet Mens Wilfulness hath left them any Wit : For , why should they who now may be at rest , Run hazards to advance their Interest , Whom nothing else can satisfie but Pow'r , All others at their pleasure to devour ? And spoilers of their own Estates become , To make a Fortune for they know not whom ? Or seek to have that Game afresh begun , By which all may be lost , and nothing won ? I hope they shall be wiser , and that we In this Expedient shall so wary be , That whatsoever others may intend , We shall endeavour to promote that End We ought to prosecute ; and at the last Our Anchor in a peaceful Harbour cast . I wish it heartily ; and ( since I see Wishings are vain where no endeavours be ) That , those whom it concerns , provoke I may To seek this blessing , and to help make way To that I wish for , I compos'd this Spell ; Let him who mov'd me to it , speed it well ; And make it so consider'd by this Nation ( Before things grow beyond consideration ) That Words which to their safety do pertain , May not be alwayes spoke to them in vain ; For they are fools who still pursue a Course . Which makes a sickly being to be worse : And they are also little less then mad , Who would exchange a good one for a bad : Or put in hazard a possessed Lot , In hope to get what never can be got . A Si quis , or Queries , with other Verses annexed . Imprinted in the Year 1648. HEre should have been inserted Collections our of an Address entituled , A Speech without door ; but it is quite lost . The following Si quis presented to the Members of Parl●ament in their single Capacities , related to the Author 's particular Interest , and was composed in an unusual mode , in hope it might have inclined some of them to provoke the rest to take notice of that which had been often presented unto them in an usual and more serious manner . Much may be thereby collected to evidence how most Parliament men stood affected as to the Execution of Justice about that time . This was laid down at the Parliament door . That day in which Victorious Cromwel sent His first Express ( to your great wonderment ) Of Hamilton's Defeat ; which whilst a Scot Then living , liveth , will not be forgot ; Ev'n on that day , before your feet I spread A sad Petition , humbly prefaced By these ensuing lines : He that is prostrate on the floor , Lies there whence he can fall no lower ; So does this Orator of your . Petitions he hath oft convey'd Into your hands , yet finds no aid ; These therefore at your feet are laid . There let them not neglected lye , Nor unregarded pass them by , But view them with a gracious eye . And let our Parents not provoke Their Children , till offence be took , By which their patience may be broke . Consider those who lye below ; For you shall reap what you do sow , And find such Mercy as you sow . Refresh their Spirits who are sad ; As GOD this day hath made you glad By those good tydings you have had . Among the rest , this Beadsman hear , Who feels the wants which they but fear , Who dread the effects of this moist year . And blame him not , that thus he shows His Cause as well in Verse as Prose , And in a path untrodden goes : For , scarce Earth , Water , Air or Fire Enjoyes he , or wherewith to hire That Pittance Nature doth require . And men in danger to be drown'd , Lay hold on any trifle found , To reconveigh them safe aground . Then this annexed Paper view , And let him favour'd be of you , As that which he avers , is true . Or , if for what he here prefers His Suit , there stand Competitors , Let it be neither his nor theirs , But as most equitable it appears . To my Petition fixt , I for your view Left this upon the Pavement , and withdrew , In hope some kind hand would have been extended To take it up , that it might be commended To free debate . But six dayes now are gone , And GOD since then the Mercy lately shown , Hath more then doubled on you ; yet here I Still at your door unheard , unheeded lye , And have as yet not so much favour'd bin As to be told who took my Paper in Of private Scrutenies grown therefore weary , I have in publike now set up this Query . Your House receiving notice twelve months since , Of my long suffring , and my Indigence , ( Occasion'd in your Service ) thought it fit To some Selected Members to commit The finding an Employment to supply Subsistence , till my great necessity Might be removed , by discharging that Which is to me yet owing by the State. I ( having long without successe attended ) Stand at this present by them recommended Unto a Place nam'd , wherein there appears With me , nor few , nor mean Competitors ; And some ( to vacate your intent thereby ) Have also term'd it a Monopoly . I humbly make Queries . " First , Whether he that 's well known to have bin " Foe to the Cause you are engaged in , " Standing Competitor with him that 's known " To hazard for it all that was his own , " Can be preferr'd without a wrong to you , " And an entrenchment on the other's due ? " Next , Whether a Competitor defam'd " For breach of Trust ( by whomsoever nam'd ) " Ought rather by your Votes to be befriended , " Then he who to your House is recommended " By her own Members , and ' gainst whom no man " Exhibit justly an Impeachment can ? " Then whether he your Grace deserveth best , " Who hath for you lost all his Interest " In outward things ; or they whose Wealth is more " Since our distractions then it was before ? " And lastly , Whether ought may be compris'd " Among things judg'd to be Monopoliz'd , " When all the Profits which from thence arise , " Are brought into the Publick Treasuries , " And whereof neither one alone , or few , " But all men likewise have their proper due ? Consider well , I humbly pray of these Few Queries ; and then do as you shall please . For , though my hopes in these poor Suits may fail , I shall in what is my chief aim prevail . Yea , ere this Land hath Rest , a day will be , In which there shall be some regard of me ; And then , that which is now perus'd with Jeers , Shall fill their scornful Readers full of fears . These Verses next following , were upon the same Occasion presented to several Members of the House of Commons , repairing thither the 23d of December 1648 , being the next day after their Humiliation , with an Imprinted Petition thereto annexed . THey who at Rich mens thresholds begging lye , ( Though long neglected ) wil prolong their cry Till they an answer get , and so will I. I know it is not Eight and thirty year Since first I was an humble Suiter here ; And yet to me it seems as if it were . Dayes , Months and Years I sadly waiting stand , Yet no man speaks a Word , none lends a Hand To help me , though but Justice I demand . And therefore , such as know me , and my Case , Observe it to the scandal of that Place , Whose guilt I blush for , as my own disgrace . But now I hope the Pool which heretofore Cur'd some days none , or one , ( and few days more ) Is mov'd so , that one day will cure a score . And that he prosecutes not his Affairs Unseasonably , who to a Means repairs New sanctifi'd , with Fastings and with Prayers . Excuse me then , that thus I do forelay , And ( as it were ) arrest you in the way Unto the House of Parliament this day . And ( whatsoe're this morning is design'd To be debated there ) some minutes find To hear that Prayer which is herewith join'd . Yea , spare a little time to do him right , Who ( having serv'd you with a heart upright ) Seeks but his own , that you enjoy it might . For , 't is a loss to you , that he or they Who could , and did for you lend , give and pay , Should scarce have bread sufficient for the day . And 't is to your dishonour too , that such Who to secure you , Goods nor Lives did grutch , Should want , whilst your betrayers are grown rich . If you in your Grand Work the worse succed For doing of this Charitable deed , Leave me hereafter quite out of your Creed . Or , if they long thrive , who as heretofore Shall still defer to hear and help the poor , Kick me and my Petitions out of door . 'T is now within your Walls , and I expect It will be there this day with good effect , Though some should think it merited neglect . For of that Crisis 't will a ground-work be , Whereby I shall undoubtingly foresee , What will become of other men and me . Things present at some points of time foreshew Things future ; and unless mistake I do , That which this day produceth , will do so . That which was predicted in the last lines , hath accordingly succeeded , and justly ; for that expressed in the Petition annexed to the preceding Verses , was in effect that which next follows . The Effect of the Author's Petition . IT shewed , That after several Accompts upon Oath examined , stated and reported by the Commissioners of the Navy , an Ordinance was passed the 22 d of March 1647 , for payment of 1681 l. 15 s. 8 d , out of the Excise in Course , without Interest , which was to that day wholly unpaid , though 60 l. had been spent in soliciting for it , and Interest had also been paid by him for 700 l. thereof , which was by him borrowed for the Parliaments Use , upon credit of the Warrant from the Committee of Safety , in May 1643 , for immediate payment of 1327 l. wholly unpaid to that day . That he had also no recompence for 57 l. respited upon the Publick Faith by the Committee of Accompts ; nor for that money ( though allowed to others ) which was deducted of his Pay , for Trophies . That whereas 1800 l. was upon another Accompt granted by an Order of both Houses , March 15 , 1647 , out of Delinquents Estates to be discovered at Haberdashers-Hall , that Order brought on him cost and trouble , without benefit ; and that what he was possessed of by orderly seizures , was taken away again by Compositions at Goldsmiths-Hall , and by other Committees , to his damage and disgrace , instead of benefit . That it being proved also upon Oath , how he was damnified ( about six years then past ) by the loss of his Stock , his Lease , and an Employment which might probably ( for sixteen years to come ) have produced 400 l. per an . That though recompence was promised by the Parliament , his repair was nevertheless neglected , till he had spent all superfluous things in his possession , and was imprisoned for what he had borrowed , as aforesaid , for the States Service , till he was compelled for discharge of that Debt , to fell 40 l. per an . in Reversion , and 100 l. per an . in Possession , for certain time to come ; which , with a little Houshold-stuff , was all the Estate he had then left . More might be alledged of this Petitioner's Losses ; but he hath had patience to suffer , more then you have leisure to hear . In consideration of the premisses , he humbly prays , That the said 1681 l. 15 s. 8 d. may be paid with Interest , as allowed to others . That the 700 l. borrowed for the State , and for which he hath paid Interest five years , may be made payable accordingly , with the 57 l. respited , and the 300 l. by him already disbursed ; as also the said 1800 l. made payable by the said Ordinance of both Houses , the 22● of March 1647 , out of the Excise , or out of Compositions at Goldsmiths-Hall , with Interest , until all shall be paid , to relieve his Wants , to proceed with his Contracts , and to disoblige him from his Creditors , To this effect was the annexed Petition ; but all this was neglected , ev'n when the Petitioner was thereby constrained to live upon Charity , ( as appear'd by his Poem , called Westrow revived . ) until GOD providentially beyond his hope , almost in a miraculous way , enabled him to purchase a considerable Estate , by means of their acting against him , who thereby intended their own benefit and his ruine . And that Estate was also lost again by their self-seeking and Injustice , who thereby lost likewise their Power , as that Petitioner often predicted it would come to pass . For , after preferring the foregoing Petition , the said Parliament sold unto him a Mannor worth about 300 l. per an . in consideration of a part of his Debt , and of about 1600 l. more by him paid . The Deeds were sealed , Possession delivered , and he enjoyed it a while ; nevertheless they sold it again to a Member of their own , who pretended to a concealed Mortgage thereof , ( probably forged ) whereupon by a suit in Law , this Petitioner was ejected without any satisfaction , having lost , besides his Purchase-money , about a Thousand Marks in charge of Suit , with other inavoidable Expences , and the loss of the whole Purchase , without likelihood of one penny toward satisfaction for ever . Moreover upon further consideration , the Parliament allowed Interest for the aforesaid 1681 l. 15 s. 8 d. charged upon the Excise , with 300 l. formerly due for Interest ; which 300 l. with much difficulty was procured by Oliver Cromwel's Order ; but all payments out of the Excise Office being retrenched for the Publick Service , the Petitioner having forborn that great sum almost twenty years , never received more of the Interest or Principle-money , and the said Parliament being quite dissolved , gave over that Debt as quite lost for ever ; yet he lost not all , for he had thereby a true feeling of that whereof he had experience formerly by sight and report onely ; as also both of GOD's Justice and Mercy . The Tired PETITIONER . THis being a single sheet , was imprinted without a date , about the same time with what last precedes ; and offers to remembrance some neglects not inconsiderable . But it may be thought by many , that this Author hath in these , and the Verses next foregoing , insisted too much in particulars relating to himself ; therefore this short excuse was added . He was ( as he believeth ) providentially engaged by Publick Services interwoven with his private Affairs , that he might have means and opportunities to gain a personal Experience of the chief Transactions in those times ; which if he had taken up on trust , and by report onely , he could not have been so assured of , as by being made sensible how those persons , were qualifi'd , by whom the Work then in hand was carried on ; nor what Occasions were from time to time justly offer'd , to prosecute that which he thought pertinent to his duty in relation to GOD and his Countrey , as he did , and might do by knowing , and being known to most persons of Quality then active in those Publick Affairs , with which his private Concernments were linked throughout the progress of that Parliament , from the strange and unexpected beginning thereof , to the no less strange end of it . For by his personal sufferings under that Power above twenty years , with little intermission , ( notwithstanding his faithfulness thereunto ) it did the better appear how great many of their Grievances were , who had neither that likely means either to prosecute Remedies , or to make them so well known ; to prevent the like heedlesness and want of compassionating private mens Oppressions hereafter ; This he hopes will sufficiently Apologize for him to all rational men ; and therefore here shall be added some part of that which he offered upon the forementioned occasion , to those Members of Parliament whom he thought his Friends . Sirs , if this Paper find you ( who to me Are not so fully known as you should be ) It comes to move , that my Petitions may Obtain your Answer without more delay ; Lest by attendance ( as my Neighbours do ) With my Estate , I lose my Patience too . For , I have waited , and endur'd so long , That no Result can do me greater wrong Then lingring hopes ; and were I quite undone , I possibly another course might run To be repair'd again , ere I obtain That Benefit which I had hope to gain : Or , else might find some other likely way To fit me for the part I have to play . Some say my Friends are more then I do know ; And I am hopeful that it may be so : For , if kind language and much complement Are signs thereof , nor Christendom nor Kent Knows any man who may himself apply Unto your House with better hopes then I : But , if by real deeds it must be known What Friends I have , their number small is grown : Or , else their Pow'r attaineth not unto Those friendly offices they wish to do : And peradventure they obstructed be In their endeavours , by defects in me . It may be 't is observ'd I want Relations , Gifts-qualifying , or those Commendations That should advance my Suits ; & which might make Those active who mens Causes undertake ; And I half think it so ; for ere this day , Some one or other else had gotten way For my Petitions ; or appeared able To make my Suits and me considerable : Since others who have neither lost nor spent , Nor for the Publick hazarded or lent Life , Limb or Money , find means to be heard With expedition , and with good regard . But hitherto my hopes do not succeed According to my suffrings and my need . Two Months upon one Suit I have bestown ; Upon a former , thrice three Months and one ; Upon another , four times three , and nine ; Yet still some other Cause out-justles mine : And ev'n by favours hitherto obtain'd , More Mischiefs then Advantages are gain'd ; Because in th' execution they have wanted That influence whereby they first were granted . This , with uncrazed patience I can bear So long as my desires delay'd appear , By those Affairs which profitable be Unto the Publick , though they hinder me ; Since whilst that thrives , I cannot be bereft Of all my hopes , nor comfortless be left . But , if I still perceive my Suit delay'd , Or crost , for private ends , I am afraid My Grievances will make my Plaints outroar The Cries of all the Women at your door . Preserve I would , according to my might , My Private Freedoms with our Publick Right ; And , wise men will consider , that unless They heed some time , a single mans distress , ( At least in his extreams ) that one by one , The Generality may be undone : And that a bruise upon the smallest toe May gangreen to the bodies overthrow . In me ( although my Suffrings are despis'd ) The Common Grievance is epitomis'd ; And , as this day the Kingdoms Cause doth lye Distrest between two Factions , so do I : For , what some would have granted for my sake , Is crost for their sakes who the motion make ; Because but few men are by those made strong , With whom they side not both in Right and wrong . But whatsoever shall to me betide , Whether my Suits be granted or deni'de , By your endeavourings ; it shall not wrest My thoughts for any private Interest , To murmur at it ; so you will befriend My Suit so much , to bring it to an end : That from your Labyrinths I may retire , And be again at leisure to enquire What will become of me ; and what of Them Who take the Courses which good men condemn : For to retreat , and gotten ground to yeild . Is otherwhile the means to win the field ; And he that would turn Floods another way , Must dig his Drain before he builds the Bay. He that hath Money to promote his Ends , Needs neither strain his Wits nor tire his Friends . He that hath Friends his Matters to contrive , May ( though he have nor Wit nor Mony ) live . He that hath Wit , and wants the other twain , May live , but not without some want and pain . He that hath two of these , and wanteth one , Cannot be very rich , or quite undone . He that hath all of these , might be a King , Were he ambitious to be such a thing ; And he that is depriv'd of all these three , May be as happy as I seem to be . SE DEFENDENDO . Imprinted without Date . THis was an Apology written by the Author in Prose , to vindicate himself from such Aspersions as had been injuriously , and without any probable Cause cast upon him by Malicious Detractors , as well to hide the unjust dealing with him , as to disparage his Endeavours relating to the Publick Service . It contains many particulars , which being timely well heeded , might have prevented such mischiefs and disadvantages as afterward befel , and continue to this day . The date is not mentioned in the Imprinted Copies : But the time may be well enough known by the Contents . The matter is such as cannot be abreviated without dismembring and making the whole invalid ; and therefore the Book is referred to their perusal unto whose hands it may come . JUSTITIARIUS JUSTIFICATUS , Imprinted without Date . THis is also an Apologetical Discourse , the imprinting whereof is very well known to some ; For , it was burnt by the hand of the Common Hangman ; and the Author ( though he neither published it , nor intended the distributing thereof to any but Members of Parliament , to whom cognizance of the Cause most properly pertained ) was both fined and confined for it , neither being called to answer for himself , nor having knowledg of his Impeachment , until sentence was past against him . But this Innocency was so well known to the greatest number of the most consciencious Members of that Parliament , whereby he was censured , that ( though the Accusation was brought in early in the morning , upon a day set apart for debating a Cause relating to the Scots ) so many of the said Members then present , so abominated what they perceived to be then intruded ; that the whole day was spent before the Authors Enemies could prevail against him : So many of them also , had been ear and eye-witnesses , of an impudent injustice , whereby he was oppressed by their Committee of Examinations in another Cause ; that it occasioned the Voting down of that Committee , within a day or two afterward : And the same Parliament , upon better Consideration , having also made trial of the Authors patience in suffring , about the space of a whole year , discharged him both from the said Fine and Imprisonment , without his Petitioning or Mediation for it : For , at that time his Friends by Gods Providence , had a seasonable Opportunity to move on his behalf , there being a considerable number then present , who were jealous to do Justice , and discharge the Trust reposed in them by their Electors . This is all that shall be inserted touching the contents of that Book ; because , there are persons therein mentioned by Name , whose failings he desireth may be forgotten , in hope they are as truly to him reconciled , as he is to them . VOX PACIFICA . Imprinted 1645. THis was a Voice tending to the Pacification of Gods wrath , and to make some such Proposals as might help to reconcile those by whom the Common Peace was infringed ; and offered many particulars to consideration , which are stil as needful , and as much neglected now as at that time . It consists of four Cantoes , containing about 200 Pages , two Cantoes more being intended , but not finished , be-because the Author thought his labour would be quite lost , here are inserted a few particulars , in hope it may invite them to whose hands the Book comes to peruse it at large . In the Page before the Title , and engraven Frontispiece , the meaning of it is thus exprest . A Trumpet sounds a Parlee to this Isle , And over it a Hand displaies the while A Flag of Peace , that this new Sign at door May draw you on to see a little more . We hung it forth , that these besotted Nations May heed the seasons of their Visitations . And grow more careful to conform their wayes To what this Voice , and their known duty sayes ; Though yet the most , our words no more have markt , Then if a Cat had mew'd , or Dog had barkt , &c. The Epistle before the said Book , intended to the King , Parliament and People , thus begins . Not to Petition King or Parliament , Or court the People suit with his intent Who sends out this ; nor is he come to crave Your Favours , or your Patronage to have . It is almost too late ; and 't was too soon : At this time therefore , he expects that Boon From one who better knows him , and from whom This Voice doth both to sight and hearing come : He , had he alwayes thus resolv'd , had lost Less labour , and escaped with less cost . He hath no will to flatter ; if he had , To flatter at this time , were to be mad . And peradventure also , he hath now As little cause as mind to flatter you . Yet , that the same affection may appear With which by him you alway served were ; And that he may not give a just offence By seeming careless of the Reverence Belonging to your Grandure , he professes , That meerly for the sake of these Expresses , The freedom of bold Language he assumes , &c. The News he brings , though thus declar'd it be , Will warrantize the Speaker to be free ; And , if it be despised , he conceives , Some will ere long grow bold without your leaves , To make you hear with ruder Complements , A blunter Language , and to worse intents : For dreadful things are murmur'd ; and unless Men more conform to that which they profess , You 'l find at last , he dareth without fear , To speak more Truth then many dare to hear . What ever he or his rude Language seems , Your persons none more loves , or more esteems ; None seeks your Honour or your Safety more Then he doth now , or hath done heretofore . None oftner his own blame hath ventur'd on , That others might not wholly be undone . He hath no aim herein at ought which tends To his own personal or private ends . And thus professeth he , that you might grow The more advantag'd by believing so ; And that his purposes no other are , Then he professeth , plain it will appear To men of Ingenuity and Wit , Who weigh what 's past , with what henow hath writ . For whosoe're hath observation took With what impartial freedom he hath spoke The Truth to each side ( sparing Friend nor Foe ) ( Nor caring who displeas'd or pleas'd should grow ) Can never draw a false Conclusion thence , Without much folly , or much impudence . Be wary therefore that this Voice you heed , Before to any Censures you proceed Condemning It , or Him from whom it came , Lest you your selves incur the greatest blame . For if this Voice be welcome to your ear , The blessed way of Peace it shall prepare ; And you shall by the Charmings of this Song , Perceive the rage of War allay'd ere long : The wicked Spirit shall be conjur'd down , By whom the Seeds of Discord have been sown . The Haggs and Furies which have danced here , No longer to affright you shall appear ; But all the sacred Virtues , and the Graces , Shall beautifie your desolated Places . But , if this Voice you either shall contemn , Or him for speaking it , ( what ere he seem ) Time shall , by GOD's permission , spread the same , In spight of your detractions to your shame , To bear a testimonial of your Crimes , And your Impenitence , to future times ; Or , for a warning to those yet to come , Or to exalt GOD's Justice in your doom ; The least of which will yeeld a rich Return For all his pains , though his good will you scorn . Page the 39th , after many fore-expressions by way of preparation , in order to what was intended by that Poem , this follows . You look for Peace , ( and he who well could sing That Song , deserveth highly to be priz'd ) But , what can hither such a Blessing bring , Whilst most Conditions thereof are despis'd ? Or , what as yet have they to do with Peace , Whom their Corrections move not to repent ? Whilst wickedness doth rather more encrease , Then seem abated by their Chastisement ? Who can expect that fretting Corrosives Shall be removed from a fest'ring sore , Until the skilful Surgeon first perceives It may with healing-salves be plastred o're ; Unless he rather hath a mind to see The Patient quite destroy'd , then cur'd to be ? How few are yet observ'd , whose former course Is better'd by those Plagues which now lie on them ? How many rather do appear the worse , And to be more corrupt then we have known them ? In what perpetual broiles are they involved Who for the Publick Welfare most endeavor ? How friendless are they who seem best resolved , And in good Resolutions do persever ? Howmany into Parties quickly band , A questioned Delinquent to protect ? How few men for that Innocent will stand , Whom Malice doth accuse , or but suspect ? And , who now lives , and loves the Common Right , Who suffers not some insolent despight ? Though most men see destruction hanging over Their giddy heads ; their Tragedy begun , And round about them nothing can discover But universal Ruine drawing on : Ambition , Malice , Avarice and Pride , Self-will , Self-love , Hypocrisie and Guile , As arrogantly still on Horse-back ride , As if no Plague had seized on this Isle . This man for Place , that striveth for Command , Pretends the Publick Weal , but seeks his own ; And cares not , if he profit by the hand , If Law and Gospel too , be overthrown . And he who their Preserver would become , Finds furious Foes abroad , and worse at home . In ev'ry Shire , in ev'ry Town and City , This Kingdoms Discords are epitomiz'd , In ev'ry Corporation and Committee , Some Engine of Division is devis'd . Occasions daily spring ; each man engaging To side with , or stand leanning to some Faction , And by new quarrels more and more enraging Their Fury , to the heightning of Distraction : An Emblem of which madness he might draw , Who saw within an old thatch'd Barn on fire , Poor beggars quarrelling for lowsie straw , ( Or Dunghil rags or clouts rak'd from the Mire ) Who wil not heed their harms , or cease to brawl , Until the Flame consumes Rogues , rags and all . How can calm Peace be timely wooed thither , Where men grown beast-like are in their dissentions ; And where the means of knitting them together , Are still occasions made of new contentions ? How can these Isles have peace that are so vitious , And who have Factious Spirits rais'd in them As wilfully dispos'd as those Seditious , Who brought destruction on Jerusalem ? How can they look for Peace , while they contrive Designs enlarging still their discontent ? Whilst Policy doth wedges daily drive 'Twixt ev'ry Joint , to make a cureless Rent ? And , whilst to mend the breaches of this Land , There 's nothing brought but peble stones & sand ? How can these miserable Isles have Peace , Whilst Justice nor Compassion find regard ? Whilst they who should protect , do most oppress ; When sin scapes blame , and Virtue wants reward ? How can he hope for Peace , who would enjoy His Will on any terms , and for the shade , The Substance of those Mercies quite destroy , Which might by patient industry be had ? Or how can he be worthy of that blessing , Who knowing how much it hath lately cost In blood and treasure , le ts the repossessing Of that dear Purchase , for a toy be lost ? And doth for evermore himself undo , To satisfie his lust a year or two ? Who knoweth not , that more dread most men have , Lest of Estate or Person they should lose The loved Freedoms , then to be a slave To him whose Tyranny the soul undoes ? You chiefly for self-ends give , lend and pay ; To that intent strict Covenants you make ; To that end you sometimes do fast and pray ; To that intent much care and pains you take . Yea , many goodly things to that intent You often do , and many moe intend ; But your Peace-offerings all in vain are spent , Till you direct them to their proper end , And till the Peace which you desire to make , Shall be desir'd for Truth and Conscience sake . Who sees not , that a Peace you now desire , For nought but that you might again enjoy Your Lusts , and to those Vanities retire , Wherein you did your former dayes employ ? Who sees not , that like to those Isra'lites Whom from th' Egyptian Bondage GOD redeem'd , You have the pleasing of your Appetites Much more then your Deliverer esteem'd ? Their Garlike and their Flesh-pots left behind , They thought on more then on their servitude From which they came ; & more then they did mind The Wonders and the Mercies which God shew'd . And you have acted as in imitation Of that perverse and foolish Generation , &c. After the mentioning of many other Actings and Omissions obstructive to Peace-making , he proceeds , Pag. 49. Assoon shall he who Westward alwayes goes , Meet him that still an Eastward point doth steer , As your two Factions in a firm Peace close , Till they in their chief Aims approach more near . For th' one is bent the other to enslave ; The other is resolved to be free : The last would keep what GOD and Nature gave ; The first would se●ze what ought not theirs to be : And these from reconcilement are so far , That all their kindness is but to betray : When most they talk of Peace , they purpose War ; When they embrace , they mean to stab and slay . And when perhaps you think the War is done , The greatest Mischiefs will be but begun . For as yet nor th' one , nor th' other side , Nor King , nor People , Commoners , nor Peers , Nor Flocks , nor Shepherds have the Course yet tri'de By which you can be saved from your fears . A Treaty might compleat it ; but , before You venture that , you must be fit to treat : For then the Work were half way done , and more ; And till that be , no step you forward get . In heat of Quarrels , nothing done or spoke Can reconcile ; a Friends words move you not : The more you talk , the more the peace is broke , Till you your lost considering Caps have got : Till your hot blood is cool'd , till rage is gone , And Reason doth examine things alone . Then peradventure , &c. — See further , Page 51. Until both parties do at least agree , In all those Common Principles whereby Human Society preserv'd may be With Natures Rights , and Christian Liberty , All Treaties will be mischievous , or vain , To men adhering to the better course ; For , by such Treatings , Politicians gain Advantages to make your being worse : Yea , by that means these find occasions may To gain , or give intelligence ; to make New Plots and Friends ; to hasten or delay As cause requires , and other wayes to take For their avail ; which else they had not got , And which true honesty alloweth not . This Precaution is added , Pag. 139. Take serious heed that zeal to Innovations . Or causeless fears or hopes incline your mind To subjugate these Kingdoms and these Nations To Governments of any Foreign kind : But rather use your utmost diligence , To rectifie those things that are amiss In that which is establisht ; and from thence Cast and purge out what ever therein is Repugnant to those Charters which by Grace Or Nature were confer'd ; and let your care Be so to settle all , that you make place The Throne of Christ among you to prepare : Lest when his Kingdom comes , you must be fain To pluck your new devices down again . Take likewise heed you no just means neglect , Whereby the King may be recall'd , and wonne , GOD's Honour , with your Safety to respect , And do the duties he hath left undone . For , by rejecting Him , how just soe're The Cause may seem , you shall delay the Peace That is desir'd , and make the Quarrels here With much more difficulty to decrease . But , if your Prudency shall win him home , And he return sincerely to his Charge , It shall a blessing to these Isles become ; Your Honour and your Joy it shall enlarge . And as Christ's Vice-Roy he shall sit upon A Righteous and an everlasting Throne . Walk therefore prudently in this streight path , And turn not to the left hand or the right : That Pow'r which God to you committed hath , Improve for him according to your might ; Him in the reasonable Means attend With Faith and Patience , that he may at last Your King new moulded back unto you send , Or him out of his ruin'd Kingdoms cast . If his misactings timely he repent , GOD will restore him ; and if you amend , Then that which hitherto hath made a Rent Betwixt you , shall in sweet agreement end . If both conform , both shall true Peace enjoy ; If both be wilful , GOD shall both destroy , &c. See the 198th Page , where it thus follows . Let serious care be took , and quickly too , That her due Rights the Commonwealth enjoy : That private men their duties better do , Lest they by their divisions all destroy . Let not those foolish Toyes who do besot Themselves with arrogance , presume to prate As if a Parliament had them begot To be now Heirs apparent to the State. Permit you not Religious Melancholly , Phlegmatick Avarice , or Zeal Cholerick , Nor suffer an Excess of Sanguine folly To make both Church and State grow deadly sick , Or rather mad , and in their mad distractions To tear themselves into a thousand Fractions . Let not your King and Parliament in One , Much less apart , mistake themselves for that Which is most worthy to be thought upon , Or think they are essentially the State. Let them not fancy that th' Authority And Priviledges upon them bestown , Confer'd were to set up a Majesty , A Power or a Glory of their own . But let them know , that for another thing , Which they but represent , and which ere long Them to a strict account will doubtless bring , If any way they do it wilful wrong : For that indeed is really the face , And they but as the shadow in a Glass . Moreover let them know this , that if either They still dividing , grow from bad to worse ; Or without Penitence unite together , And by their sin provoke him to that course , GOD out of their Confusions can and will Create a Means , and raise a Lawful Pow'r His Promise to his People to fulfil ; And his and their Opposers to devour . Yea , bid both King and Parliament make hast , In penitence united to appear ; Lest into those Confusions they are cast , Which will affright them both , yea make them fear , And know there is on Earth a greater thing Then an unrighteous Parliament or King. Because the Poem is large , and hard to be gotten , to supply that defect here are added the Contents of every Canto , as they are in the imprinted Book . The Contents of the First Canto . First , here is to your view prefer'd , When , where , and how this Voice was heard : What kind of Musings were the ground , What Worlds and Wonders may be found Within our selves ; what safe Retreats From those Oppressions , Frauds and Baits Which are without ; how little fear Of Terrors which affright us here : How plainly there a man may see The Villanies that acted be For private Ends , with feigned shows : How general Corruption grows : Why to acquaint you with this Voice , GOD by so mean a man makes choice . Then shews how our great hopes deceive us , And prayes his aid who can relieve us . The Contents of the Second Canto . This Cantoes Preface being done , The Voice to these effects goes on : Tells how unworthy we are yet , For Peace desired how unfit : How vain , how harmful Treaties be , Till both sides in one Third agree ; And ( laying by ignoble Ends ) Use likely means of being friends . Shews that the Peace which most pursue , Will be nor permanent , nor true : Then that some Cures may be appli'de , Declares what Parts are putrifi'de , Which must be purg'd without delay , Or cauteriz'd , or cut away , If we will , ere it be too late , Repair this weak , this dying State. The Contents of the Third Canto . Here , whether you be pleas'd or no , This Author maketh bold to show That portion of his private wrongs , Whose knowledg and recess belongs To Publick Interest ; that her eye May through his wounds her scars espye . The Voice then speaks again , and schools In him , all other froward fools , Who with impatiency do vent Their private wrongs , or discontent ; And look their Trifles should be heard , When Kingdoms cannot find regard . It shews our Senate blameless is , Of many things which are amiss : And where the fault and fountain lies From whence our present Plagues arise . The Contents of the Fourth Canto . Whilst here the Author doth recite His Musings after Naseby Fight , The Voice returns , and doth begin To tell us what must usher in Exiled Peace : Then told are we How kept our Vows and Covenants be : How we Reform , and Fast , and Pray , What Thanklesness we do repay . What must in general be done , What by each individual one . What Course both King and People take , Ere they their Peace with GOD shall make . What he expecteth from these Nations , From Cities , Towns and Corporations ; And ev'ry House in some degree , Before true Peace will setled be . Carmen Expostulatorium , Imprinted 1647. THis was intended to prevent the engaging these Nations into a Second Warre , when the dividing of the City and Army was then by some endeavoured , and likely to be effected . The same Precautions are at this day pertinent to consideration ; and are therefore here abreviated . Though I have written heretofore in vain , And may do now ; yet I will write again , In hope that what by Reason and by Rime Was not effected , may be done in Time ; And , that although my pains be lost to some , It shall not fruitless unto all become . Hark! how the Drums beat , & the Trumpets are Sounding Alarams to a Second Warre Before the first is done ; and whilst yet green The wounds upon your bodies may be seen . Behold , that which was coming long ago , Draws now so near , that none shall need foreshow What at the last will thereupon ensue : For we without a Glass may plainly view Such things in kenning , that unless our GOD To them shall please to set a period , ( Or make some such diversion as no man Conjecture of by any Symptome can ) An Vniversal Plague will on us seize , Instead of Remedies for our Disease . How then can I in time of need withhold That which my Conscience tells me should be told ? Why should I keep those Premonitions back , Which I conceive my Friends at this time lack ? A poor mans Counsel once ( as we hear say ) Did save a City ; so perhaps this may . Excuse me therefore if ( much grieved at Your rash proceedings ) I expostulate Concerning that , whereby it seems to me The War may now again renewed be . Renowned Citizens , what do you mean To make your City the unhappy Scoene Whereon there shall in probability Be acted now the bloodiest Tragedy That e're this Island saw ? are you grown mad ? And is there no Physician to be had For this distemp'rature , but must it here Be Cuckow-moon , or Dog-dayes all the year ? Have you no Drugs that may lost wits restore ? Can Patience , Herbagrace , nor H●lebore , Nor any other Simple or Confection , Work out that noysome humour and infection Which hath besotted you , till ye grow fit For Bedlam , where are no such mad men yet ? Page 3 , it thus follows . Have you not yet discover'd who be they That cheat you , and for whom this Game you play By your divisions ? And when others find Their falshood for you , will you still be blind , Or wink , as careless of the things you heed , Till by long winking you grow blind indeed ? &c. Cannot you yet discover through the mist , Those Juglings which the Spawn of Antichrist ( False Priests and lying Prophets ) practise now , To raise themselves , and work your overthrow ? Nor with what impudence they publish lyes , ( Their bitter jeerings , and their blasphemies ) To make new breaches , or to widen those Which Love and Prudency begun to close ? And which ere this time closed up had been , Had they not cast untemp'red dirt between ? Page the Fourth . Is it a time your Quarrels to renew , When all is hazarded that 's dear to you ? Observe ye not Three Factions like to them Which were the ruine of Jerusalem , At strife within your Walls ? Do you not see What spightful sparklings in their eyes there be ? How sharply they against each other whet Their sland'rous tongues ? how grinningly they set Their gnashing teeth ? Observe ye not how they With Pens dipt in black poyson , do assay To re-ingage you , and with cursed words Provoke the reinsheathing of your Swords , That ev'ry Son and Father , Friend and Brother , May sheath them in the heart of one another , &c. Have you concluded never to retire In your Career , till all is on a Fire ? And you and yours lye sprawling in the plashes Of your own blood , or in your Cities ashes ? Or till you see this goodly stately Frame ( The work of many Ages ) in a Flame ? Have you so often heard it said from him ( Whose true Presages no men will contemn But Reprobates ) what miserable Fate Attends that House , that City , and that State Which is divided ? Have his Prophesies So often been fulfill'd before your eyes ? And are they at this day so likely too To be ere long fulfilled upon you ? And yet will you a New Division run , As if you studied how to be undone ? Or , as if you resolv'd to keep that path . Which to avoid , your GOD forewarn●d ●ou hath ? After many other Expostulations , and neglected Precautions , tending to their Welfare , and which are now as pertinent to us , the Author thus proceeds again , p. 13. What makes you , and our Army now to be So jealous of each other , as we see , But that Self-love and Pride which you and they Pursue in others ? and because each day You more and more in manners grow like them Whose guiltiness you rail at , and condemn ? For most of those among you who pretend To Reformation , do but seek to mend Some faults in other men , that they to make Themselves thereby , may an advantage take . When zealously they labour to remove A Tyrant , it proceeds but from Self-love , That they may by possessing of his Room , As active in like Tyrannies become ; As 't were not probable that we should see Suppressed Tyrants ev'ry day to be Outvi'de by their Successors ; and outgone By those who blamed most what they had done . 'T is not because you seek the Publick Good , That you renew this Warre ; for , letting blood ( Especially now when the Dog-star reigns ) So near unto the heart , and in those veins Now likely to be op'ned , seems to me Not Physick , but meer Butchery to be . 'T is not for GOD that you do now promove This Quarrel ; for you know that GOD is Love : And , when he doth engage us in a War , It alwayes evidently doth appear How it conduceth to the preservation Of Amity and Vnion in a Nation ; And , that we cannot otherwayes avoid The Consequence of being quite destroy'd , With all that 's dear unto us : But in this , Of such a Common Good no Sign there is , &c. All your Contentions rather do arise From fleshly Lusts , and carnal vanities , Then from the Cause pretended ; and there 's none Will doubt it , if you wilfully go on In bloodshed , not endeavouring for Grace , By making Fury give Discretion place . 'T is not the errors , or the imperfections Of your Opinions , but of your Affections , Which heighten Discord ; and a will to please Backsliding Demas , and Diotrophes , Which hath surpris'd you . 'T is a disregard Of Justice in Chastisements , and Reward ; And that respect of Persons which each side Is guilty of , if both be not bely'd . For if by Symptomes we the truth may gather , The City and the Army too had rather Adventure their safe being , by denial Of yeelding up their Minions to a trial , Then to permit that Justice should proceed Impartially . Both are , it seems , agreed , What ever their Well-willers do propose To save their Malefactors , though they lose Themselves and all their Tribe , ( as for that Crime The Benjamites did once in former time ) And ( which more aggravates ) ev'n thus they do , Though they have seen the King for doing so , Sit half beside his Throne ; yea , though they see This Parliament endangered to be Ev'n for the self-same fault . So hard a thing It is ev'n for the best of men , to bring Their Will , and their Affections to submit To Justice , though they cannot flye from it . We will add no more , but leave the rest to be perused in the Printed Copy , to avoid tediousness . Letters of Advice touching the Election of Knights , Citizens and Burgesses in PARLIAMENT . Imprinted 1644. AMong other things offered by this Author to be heeded , as pertinent to the Common Welfare , he published a Book so called , touching the Choice of Knights and Burgesses , to represent the Commons in Parliament , and other Publick Ministers ; to which purpose he offered somewhat in his Perpetual Parliament , mentioned in this Review . Therefore this being overlarge to be wholly inserted , no more shall be here added , but some part of what is therein contained , in relation to the due Qualification both of the Electors , and Persons to be Elected which perhaps will give occasion of better heeding what hath been heretofore neglected . It was thus expressed , pag. 2 , in Prose . Being wofully experienced in the manifold Mischiefs whereinto this Nation hath been plunged by the Corruption or Insufficiency of Persons heretofore chosen ( or presumptuously intruding upon that Trust ) and perceiving no publike means provided for preventing the like Mischief hereafter , nor any thereto privately contributing his Advice , I have hastily sent abroad these Letters , not arrogating a sufficiency to give such directions as may not be excepted against , but rather in hope it would give occasion to some of better Judgment to perfect what I have imperfectly begun according to my Talent : Lest by that Course which we at present run , Both Good and Bad together be undone . That my Proposals may be the more willingly entertained and prosecuted , I will briefly offer to heed , first , The Mischiefs we incur by inconsiderate Elections , and how traiterous thereby we are to our Countrey , and to our selves . Secondly , I will present you with the necessary Qualifications of those who are to be Elected . And lastly , By what Expedient I conceive Abuses in that kind may be best prevented , if we are not grown so corrupt a Body , that we neither will nor can be represented by honest and discreet persons . I need not particularize into how many Mischiefs this Nation is now , and hath been heretofore plunged by the rottenness and giddiness of some formerly chosen to represent the Commonalty ; or how perfidiously they have disserted or betrayed their trust , to an endangering of our being everlastingly exposed to the slavery of temporal and spiritual Tyrannies , no less accursed and intollerable then the Egyptian Bondage : For , we give them power not onely to make us Slaves , Beggars , and liable to the Hangman at their pleasure ; but to subject us also unto those Decrees which may ( gradatim ) bring us or our Posterity to be Papists , Turks , Pagans , and Vassals to the Devil , if the Professors of Popery , Turcism , or of any other damnable Impieties should obtain a temporal Soveraignty over us . If this ▪ you believe not to be possible , ( because not yet come to pass ) believe at least , that which you see of their practise and condition who have been unworthily and unwarrantably chosen ; and how far they have already brought back upon us those Antichristian Slaveries which we thought past fear of reviving . But perhaps Mischiefs and Inconveniences of less concernment will stir up some to be more cautious in their Elections then these . Let such take notice , That by beedlesness in this duty , they shall make Fools and Tyrants Lords over them , who will fawn and court them , till they are in Power , and then scorn and trample them under foot ; putting such immeasurable differences between themselves and others , as if the respect due to the whole Nation , were due to their single Persons . And they will then so take upon them , and so demean themselves , as if to favour the Clients , to suppress those whom they disaffect , to strengthen their own Faction , and to maintain their Usurped Personal Priviledges ( though to the utter ruine both of all Publick Liberties , and true Piety ) were the chief End of their Power ; What good can be expected from such a Choice ? or what better Choice can be made , unless you more seriously , more prudently , and more conscienciously manage your Elections ? When Wolves are by the Sheep for Guardians chose , Who marvels if their Skinnes and Lives they lose . The onely means in Humane Prudence to be delivered from such mischiefs , is by humbly supplicating Divine Mercy by truly repenting our sins , and by taking more heed hereafter , that we be not Traitors to our selves , in foolishly giving the disposure of our Estates , Lives , Liberties , and Consciences , to them who will sell us for old Shooes ; and serve us onely to serve their own turns , though to our destruction . Therefore I beseech you to be wary whom you shall now and hereafter Elect ; and make us not irrecoverably unhappy , by listning to the Insinuations of unworthy persons , who will importune you by themselves and others , to put our Bodies and Souls into their hands ; complying with all shews of Curtesie and Humility , till their purposes are obtained ; and never afterward regard our Petitions , our Cause , our Miseries , or our Persons ; but overlook us with such pride , as if they had neither received their Power from us , or for our Welfare ; but meerly to exalt their own vanity , &c. Therefore to remedy present Evils , and to establish your just Priviledges , for preservation of the Common Interest hereafter , let your care be to avoid the choice of such as these : I. Men overlavish in speaking , and in taking extraordinary pleasure in hearing themselves talk ; for a man full of words is neither good to give , or keep Counsel . II. Notorious Gamesters ; for , I never knew a prudent or just man , a Common Gamester : How can they be just , whose practise is to cheat other men of their Estates ? Or prudent managers of publike Treasure , who expose their own Estates to the uncertain hazard of Chance ? III. Men much addicted to Hunting or Hawking ; for most of these , so they may preserve and encrease their Game , and enlarge Priviledges for their own pleasure , will not much care though it were to the depopulating of the Countrey , and to the multiplying of wild Beasts destructive to the Nation . IV. The Houshold Servants , or dependants on such Peers , as expect from their Creatures the promotion of their own Designs and Interest , how repugnant soever to the General Good. V. Courtiers depending meerly on the King or Queens Service ; for the enlargement and continuance of their Favour , depend on that which they call Royal Prerogative ; and the more that may be improved to an infringement of the Subjects Right , the richer and the more powerful these will grow . VI. Chuse not such as are evidently Ambitious or Covetous ; for how prone these will be to sell their Countrey and Religion too , for Titular Honors and Wealth , we have had too frequent experience . " The Peoples Trust and Freedoms to betray , " To be a Lord is now the nearest way . VII . Elect not persons enslaved to Wantonness , and impudently persevering in Carnal Vncleannesses ; for such will not onely give away your and their own Estates to satisfie their Lusts , but betray also their Countrey , and their Saviour , to please their Dalilahs . VIII . Take heed of chusing men superlatively proud : For they will be so puft up with their Legislatorship , that after they have sate a while in the House , you will hardly know how to speak unto them , or of them , without being questioned either for transgressing against good manners , or for breach of their Personal Priviledges ; which they prefer before the Priviledges of the whole Nation . IX . Chuse not men over-much affected to Popularity , or factiously oppugning Soveraignty ; for they will not be just or true to the Interest of King or People , but so far onely as it may advan●e their own Will. X. Chuse none generally reputed vicious in any kind ; for they will be open or secret Opposers of all Laws or Ordinances restraining Enormities , and hinderers of bringing Delinquents to condign punishment . XI . Make not choice of Irreligious persons , or such as are inclined to ancient Superstitions , or modern Novelties ; for these will not willingly assent to the establishment of ought save what may advance their private Fancies . For how can he affect true Reformation , Who neither hath right Rule or firm foundation ? XII . Make not choice of Children under Age ; for we ought not to commit the management of the most weighty Affairs of the Commonwealth to them who are not capable by Law of disposing their own Estates ; especially seeing the major part of Voices , ( which an ignorant Child may help to make up ) will be sufficient sometimes to confirm a Resolution to the Publike Damage . XIII . Chuse not Persons Outlaw'd ; or so far endebted , that they dare not walk abroad without a Protection ; for what can be more unjust , then to let them sit as Law-makers , who submit not to the Laws in force , and to render the Fountain of Justice obstructive unto it self . XIV . Lastly , Avoid the choice of those who make means to have themselves chosen ; for it discovereth so much arrogance and self-conceit , that they are worthy to be rejected ; and doubtless they more intend that which may advantage themselves , then to be serviceable to their Countrey . The Deliverers of GOD's People in distress , were such as modestly sought rather to put off , then to intrude upon Publick Employments ; yea , Saul was fitter to reign when he hid himself among the stuff , then when he took care to be honoured before the people . " The cursed Bramble sought not to be chose " The King of Trees , till they did him propose . There were also some Proposals and Caveats concerning those who are Electors , and as touching the making choice by Lot ; to the perusal whereof you are referred in the Original Tract . A Cause Allegorically Stated . Imprinted 1657. THis was published among other things , during Oliver Cromwel's Reign , with an Appeal therein to all Impartial Censurers . A Goodly Ship , with precious Lading fraught , Late in a dark night , nigh to Land was brought . Through many dangers , & much blustring weather , GOD's Providence had safely brought her thither ; And by the Waters motions , and the humming Among the Shrouds , another storm seem'd coming . The Place arriv'd at , was a dangerous Bay , From which , into the Port , two Channels lay , Divided by a Quick-sand , with great store Of Shelves , and sharp Rocks upon either shore . She had a choice Commander , Merchants many , Stout Seamen , Pilots too , as good as any ; With Passengers of all sorts , among whom Some could ( had need been ) have suppli'd the room Of well-experienc'd Seamen , and advis'd Such things as Prudence would not have despis'd . But these , among themselves divided were , ( steer ; Through which of those two Channels they should One Party thinking that the safest way , In which the other thought most danger lay ; And in the dark it could not well be seen In which the greatest hazard would have been . Nor were they in less hazard to lye there At Anchor , till the day-light did appear . A poor old man was at that time aboard , To whom GOD had been pleased to afford A Faculty to see things in the dark , Which others could not view , or did not mark : He knowing what great streights the Ship was in , ( And what their loss was likely to have been ) Call'd out to those there had chief Command , And said , There stands a Rock , here lyes a Sand ; Another yonder ; and a Whirl-pool there : Be very careful therefore how ye steer ; Bear up a little while into the Wind , ( Although a shew of danger there you find ) And take heed that a causeless fear or doubt , Makes you not over-soon to Tack about , Lest in the way you strike upon a steep Sharp Ridg , and over-set into the Deep . First , on the Starbordside a compass fetch Half way to yon Point , to avoid that Breach ; And then upon the Larbordside again Wheel off , and you the Harbour shall attain . Thus spake the old man ; for although 't were night , He saw as well as when the Sun gives light ; And they who had a willingness thereto , Did that which he advised them to do . The greater part not heeding what they heard , ( Nor knowing their own danger ) grin'd and jeer'd , And from the Hatches crept into the Hold , Leaving the Ship to what befall it should . But they who more desir'd to have their Will , Then to be counsell'd , whether well or ill ; Disdaining ( as it were ) to be advis'd ( Though for their weal , by one whom they despis'd , Did not alone pursue him with despight , But with Oppressions also him requite : Now therefore , in what this man stands oblig'd To those , let it impartially be judg'd : And ▪ whether such as they deserve not all Those Plagues which now are feared may befall , Till that Ingratitude they shall repent , Which justly merits that sad Consequent This is a Case ( though heeded but of few ) To some known , as exprest here , to be true . MERCURIUS RUSTICUS . Imprinted without Date . THis was composed in or about the first year after the late unhappy Warre between the King and Parliament , in imitation of the Weekly Intelligencers , then published ; being a Rustick Discourse , offering between jest and earnest , some particulars to consideration , relating both to Civil and Military Transactions ; and hinted Notions then pertinent to those Times , and not wholly impertinent to these . But no more of it shall be here inserted save the beginning of the Book ; and that also to no other purpose , but to distinguish it from a Book of the same Title , published by another man ; which this Author now having seen , is unwilling to have it imputed to him , ( as he hath heard it is ) how worthy soever it may seem to be owned . His Book ( which he thinks none will be ambitious to father ) thus begins . By your leave Gentlemen ; when seriousness takes not effect , perhaps trifling may . Every man hath some Toyes in his head ; and I have too many . One will now discover it self , which hath itched in it ever since last night . Mars had lately tired me with long Marches and Skirmishes . Jupiter hath cast such ill Aspects upon me , that I cannot be jovial . The Moon is in the wain ; Venus retrograde ; Apollo would not lend me his Fiddle to prevent my being oppressed with Melancholly by the Influences of Saturn ; and therefore I compli'd with Mercury in making a Rustick Progress , and ( now understanding that variety of News is much desir'd ) I am bold to present you with such gleannings as I gathered up in the Countrey . And though I am not so witty as my Friend Britanicus ; nor bring you Narratives that so well deserve the Whetstone as Monsieur Aulicus ; nor come so furnished with Novelties as Master Civicus ; nor so supply'd with Passages as the Weekly Intelligencer ; nor am at leisure to sum up all Occurrences , as the Accomptant ; nor so large in Promises as the Scout , the Informer , and the rest of your diligent Mercuries ; nor so impudent as to aver I present you with nothing but Truth : Yet I have brought you that with which you may perhaps be for once well contented to read or hear , though they be but such gatherings as I had from the Mill , the Alehouse , the Smiths Shop , or the Barbers ; for these are our Countrey Exchanges , wherein we talk of a many things with as little good success as they do at Westminster ; and otherwhile also to as ill , and to as good purposes . This being sufficient to distinguish his from the other Book bearing the same Title , no more shall be here inserted . What Peace to the Wicked . Imprinted 1646. THis is an Expostulatory Answer to a Derisory Question concerning Peace ; and here is with little omission inserted , because it was so long ago Imprinted , that it cannot be easily procured . One who hath seldom in these dayes , From Fool or Knave got love or praise , ( And who by many men is known With chearfulness to have bestown His Wit , Pains , Person and Estate , The Common Right to vindicate ) A long Imprisonment hath had For calling of a Spade a Spade , Which ( if a Court-Card ) might have been Next to the King , except the Queen . While he in that Confinement lay , One asked him the other day , When he suppos'd this War should end , And what successes would attend Our hopes of Peace : Which Question tho From Levity it seem'd to flow , ( Or scoffingly to be exprest ) Receiv'd this Answer not in jest . Why ask ye when this War will cease , And when this Kingdom shall have Peace , As if you thought I could foreshew All that hereafter shall ensue ? Or as if when the Truth were told , You value or believe it could , Who nor esteem nor use have made Of those Fore-warnings which you had ? They who will know what shall succeed , Must of things past take serious heed ; And glean Instructions whilst they may , From actions of the present day : For , past and present time declares What for the future GOD prepares ; And , till these quicken their fore-sights , Men sit in darkness till he smites . If to this Question you would know An Answer which for Truth may go , ( And not with ●hab-like Desires ) Wish all your Prophets may be Lyars : Then ask your Consciences , and they Will tell what things expect you may ; For , let my Troubles never cease , If ever you have other Peace Then what your Conscience might foresee , Though King and Parliament agree . But lest the Conscience may be sear'd , Or lest Delusions have appear'd , Which promise Peace when she is fled , ( And Vengeance hanging over head ) Ask your own Fears and Human Reason , What they conjecture of the season . Ask them what sign it is of Peace , When Wickedness doth more encrease ? What may be hop'd for , of that Nation That slights her day of Visitation ; That mendeth not for words or blows , That in Reforming , worser grows ; That suffers them who serve her best , To be most wronged and opprest ; And on them ev'ry Token hath Of Desolation , and of Wrath ? What Peace can we expect , whilst they Who spoiled us , not onely may Find Mercy ( which we could allow ) But , so imperious also grow , As to reproach them to their faces , ( Ev'n in their Priviledged places ) Who once thought better Fruits would come From that which they had parted from ? What likelihood is there that Peace Will follow , when your Friends decrease , And they who serv'd you heretofore , Shall be as mad as they are poor ? If yet you cannot well discern When Peace will back again return ; Get knowledge timely , if you may , What Game you are about to play ; How far you have as yet to run That Wild-Goose-Chase of late begun : What can be hoped for of those Who are irrationally Foes : What you in safety can propound , Where little save Deceit is found : Or , what good Harvest can be mown , Where mischief onely hath been sown : For , when these things are truly weigh'd , What will succeed , needs not be said . Get knowledg , if ye can , how long Divisions will be rais'd among The Lords and Commons ; and when we Shall find both Houses to agree , That to the Publike detriment , Nor House nor Member shall dissent , Or be united , but insist Upon the Common Interest : For , you have heard what Lot betides A House or Kingdom that divides : And know what 's likely to succeed , Till our Peace-makers are agreed . If waste Jerusalem was made , Who therein but Three Factions had : This Island how may we deplore , Wherein are Three times three , and more ? Some with the Parliament partake ; Some for the King a Party make : Some would a Popular Estate : Some Aristocracy create : Some are a Faction for the Pope : Some to maintain the Prelates hope : Some for the Presbyterians vote : Some Independency promote : Some strive for this , and some for that : Some neither know , nor care not what , So War goes on , and get they may Free-Quarter , Plunder , and their Pay. Some fight their Liberties to save ; Some , that they others may enslave . Some for Religion , and for Christ , Some that they may do what they list : Some for the Commonwealths avail , Some for Themselves with tooth and nail ; And they who have the basest end , As fairly as the best pretend : Not caring whether their desire Obtained be by Sword or Fire , By Truth or Lyes , with Love or Hate , By Treachery , or fair Debate : This is our Posture ; and whilst we So foolish , false , and factious be ; Or , whilst it shall continue thus , Who knows what will become of us ? Ask those who now of Peace do dream , Who shall procure the same for them , Since many are become their Foes , Whom they to be their Champions chose ; Since they our Substance have bestown , To make new Fortunes of their own ; And Publike Injuries encrease , To gain themselves a private Peace . Yea , since the People doubtings have What to refuse , or what to crave , Do still irresolute abide , Long constant unto neither side ; Not in themselves resolved are , Whether they would have Peace or War , Or whether readmit they shall Charles to be King , or not at all ; For , doubtless if thus matters go , ( As many now much fear they do ) A wise man needs not break his brain , To search what Peace we shall obtain , Since whilst thus blind and mad we be , What will ensue , a Fool may see . Yet lest you may be fooled more , Then either now , or heretofore , Observe the Commons , if of them None serve two Masters at a time ; Nay , whether none among them be , Who Servants are this day to Three , And false to all ; observe of those Whom we for Publike service chose , How many fail the Peoples Trust , To private persons how unjust They are ; how little good effect The King or People can expect , Concerning Peace , while such as they The Cunning Ambodexters play . Ask them who sit to take Accounts , To what their two years pains amounts ? Or , what the Commonwealth it betters , When they have found who are her debtors ; If when their falshood shall be known , ( And published throughout the Town ) A Cheating Shark may outface them Who justly have convicted him , And be employed as before , Or else where he may cheat us more . Ask if they have not pow'r to call As well the great Thieves , as the small , To give accompt ; those whom we hear Cumprivilegio , as it were , Have plundered at an easie rate , Coin , Jewels , Houshold-stuff and Plate : And if you find they have not leave To question all men who deceive The Publike Trust ; know we are yet For Peace with Righteousness unfit . Then mark what Favours many have , Who sought this Nation to enslave ; How some exposed are to scorn , Who of this War the brunt have born ; And having heedfully survay'd How Good with Evil is repay'd , Mind well the Doctrine , and the Vse , And what that may at last produce . Enquire moreover how you find To works of Mercy men enclin'd ; How honest Causes are prefer'd , How griev'd Petitioners are heard ; How Offices conferred be ; Whether some have not two or three , Who for the Publike neither spent , Nor gave , nor hazarded , nor lent , When many better men had none , Who in your service were undone . Observe those Pensions how you share , Which for Relief allotted are ; How little best deservers get , How many of them not a whit ; How often ill , how seldom well Rewards and Punishments you deal ; Which are the Pillars whereon stand The Peace and Honour of the Land. Observe , if when we spend a day In praises , or to fast and pray , If more Hypocrisie therein , Then true Devotion , hath not bin● : If Preaching tend not more to strife , Then to sound Doctrine , or good Life : If more we seek not to fulfil Our sensual humours , and our will , Then to perform a Thank-oblation , Or duties of Humiliation ; Or if the Worship we profess , Be not an Outside Holiness , No deeper rooted then the tongue , Or fruits that fade as soon as sprung : For , as it proveth when you see These things to tryal brought shall be , You may without much failing guess What likelihood there is of Peace . An ear , an eye sometimes too have ye Upon the Army and the Navy ; An eye severely to behold , An ear to hear what hath been told Of some who much entrusted were , With Stores , Arms , and Provisions there ; Or had Commissions to Array , To furnish , fortifie and pay Ships , Forts or Men ; and those in chief , Employ'd for Ireland's first relief , And your first Armies ; ( ev'n when all Did lye at stake , and seem to call For faithful , stout and honest men ) Observe how they discharged then The Trust repos'd ; how some were made Commanders , Pay and Titles had , But scarce a Man : How others now Defraud the Publike ; and if you ( As Fame reports ) among them find Deceit in this accursed kind , Excuse not them ; yea , though at last , Acts of Oblivion should be past For open Foes , no Grace provide For men untrue to their own side ; Lest , as your Peace they have defer'd , They marr it likewise afterward : For , where employed such are found When Peace is made , 't will not be sound . Enquire ( if you can tell of whom To make Enquiry ) what 's become Of all the Publike Protestations , Engag'd for private Reparations ; What of that Vow which did profess A mutual Aid in all distress : What of the self-denying Vote , Which goodly Hopes in us begot : What of those Orders whereupon Some trusted till they were undone . What of the Publike Faith , in which We thought our selves exceeding rich , Though all were lost , so that remain'd Inviolated , and unstain'd . Enquire ( I say ) throughout the Land , In what condition these now stand ; For , when of these you have obtain'd That Certainty which may be gain'd , It will undoubtedly appear What we may either hope or fear . Enquire yet further ( lest you may Expect perhaps a Sun-shine day , And meet a Storm ) in what good mind That sort of People you shall find , Ycleep'd the Clergy ; for the stem Of our late Troubles , was in them . Their Factions , Avarice and Pride , Did first of all these Isles divide : From them at first , the Fire-brands came , That set this Empire in a flame : When 't was nigh quench'd again , they blew Those coals which did the flame renew . The Nations they did re-engage , The Peoples vexed minds enrage , By feigned Wiles , and false pretences , Abusing tender Consciences : The Course long since by them begun , Is to this day continued on : And therefore take this Truth for me , ( For you shall find it Truth to be ) That till you see these much estrang'd From what they are , their posture ehang'd , Till they shall better their Conditions , Confine● themselves to their Commissions , Leave off to jangle , fool and fiddle With what they should not intermeddle , And be as pious , and as wise , As they are outwardly precise , ( Or , as those few among them are , For whose sakes GOD abates this War ) Nor King , nor Peers , the Commons neither , Nor these united altogether , Shall able be that Peace to make , Which their Contentions will not shake . Make one Enquiry more to see And search what most of those men be On whose Endeavours you depend , To bring our troubles to an end . Mark how their Duties they attend In private , how their time they spend : What Company they most frequent , What matters give them best content : What by their neighbors they were thought , Till they obtained what they sought ; And to what purpose they employ The Pow'r and Places they enjoy . Then cast an eye upon the Rabble , And , taking view ( if you be able ) Of all together , great and small , Mark well the Tantamount of all . Mark if we be not like an Hoast That 's routed when the Battel 's lost . And if we deal not gifts and blows , Like mad men , both to Friends and Foes . Mark how those Hypocrites , who here Promoters of the Truth appear , Walk in their Masking Suits abroad , As if they thought to cozen GOD As they do men ; mark too , that Crew , Which is prophane in open view , How blindly , and how daringly ( Ev'n where GOD's Thunderbolts do flye ) They still offend ; and whether we May not to them compared be , Who sawing are those Planks asunder , Whereon they stand , when Hell is under . When these Enquiries you have made , To see what light may thence be had ; And , when you know as well as I , Those hind'rances , and Reasons why That Voice of Peace yet goes not on Which this time twelve Months was begun ; And , shall observe with due regard , Whath hath been since done , and declar'd ; It will disclose a great deal more , Then I have told you heretofore : But not till then . Yet lest some may Despair or faint before that day , I will deliver , ere you go , A comfortable word or two . " There may be Peace at last , though yet " We nor know how , nor merit it : " For GOD oft shews great Mercies where " The greatest of all Sinners are . " And , if Self-seekers be discri'de , " Before this Isle they more divide ; " If Factions , wrongs , and discontent , " Endanger not this Parliament ; " And if the Faithful Members can " But cast out from them now and then " A Trouble-house , and timely swage " The vexed Peoples rising rage , " By offring out of their Committees " ( What reign in Counties , Towns and Cities ) " But two or three such Peace-oblations , " As that was of th' EXAMINATIONS , " And by their Prudence act it so " That honesty more priz'd may grow ; " That Priest and People down may lay " The works of Stubble and of Hay , " Their Names and Terms of Separation , " And meekly seek the preservation " Of Truth in Love : Then in one year " If Peace be not establish'd here , " My Loans and Losses yet unpaid , " With my Arrears three years delai'd , " I 'le forfeit wholly to the State , " And live still as I do of late , " By swallowing wrongs and empty Air , " And Patience kept through faith and pray'r . Thus to the Question made ▪ you have That Answer which your Pris'ner gave , Who other News will tell , if he Much longer shall a Pris'ner be . Your Spaniels beaten , at your feet will lie , Your English Mastives at your face will flie . Remember that also . An ADDRESS to the Members of PARLIAMENT in their single Capacities . Imprinted 1657. THE Author having been compelled to make use of such Extravagant Means as this , during the sitting of the Long Parliament and thereby left unrelieved ; was constrained to prosecute the like ordinary and extraordinary Expedients during those Parliaments which were called by Oliver Cromwel , and his Successor ; among which , this was one , left at their Threshold , thus superscribed , To that Member of Parliament who shall take up this Paper . SIR , if you are not of this Parliament , Hereby to greet you , 't is not my intent . But , if a Member of this House you are , Your taking up these Papers ( as it were By Lot ) engageth you to manage those Petitions , which I therewith did inclose , As you would have another use his Pow'r For your avail , if now my Case were your : Whereof take this Account why I thus play My Cards confus'd , in this unusual way . I shall hereby at least guess at the length Of my Oppressions , or how well my strength May be improv'd to bear them ; how Contracts , Sales , Bargains , and your other Publike Acts Will be perform'd ; That as I by presage Of many things to come , foretold this Age Before fulfill'd ; so I might likewise tell The next Age what I saw done ill or well . I have oft wooed you to entertain My just Requests , but hitherto in vain ; Though I have many sev'ral ways assay'd , To gain respect to what was humbly pray'd . Now therefore , having at your door attended Six Months at least together unbefriended ; And seeing to obstruct me , ev'ry day New Suitors so encrease to stop the way , That I had little hope with Friends to meet To hand this in , I laid it at your feet Who pass in thither , hoping that it may For an Admission make the quicker way , And not be kept here waiting at your Gate , Till hearing and relief shall come too late . He who shall take this up , and get it read , Where it shall with respect be answered , An Obligation will ( by doing so ) Impose both upon me , and many moe : For , if my Suits obtain deserved heed , Some other will have hope as well to speed , Who now almost despair Relief to have ; And , future Cost and trouble I shall save . Three Parliaments ( the eldest of which three Might , had it pleas'd our Lord , have outliv'd me ) Are dead and gone , since first I did complain Of Grievances , which unredrest remain : And now to see a Fourth I have surviv'd , Which I fear hath it self almost outliv'd , Unless GOD grant it Pow'r and Will to do What they in duty are oblig'd unto ; That they from wrongs the wronged may release , Proceed with Honour , and conclude in Peace . To such Atchievements there 's a middle way 'Twixt This and That ; 'twixt Haste and long delay'd : Which if mistaken , or not timely found , May ( as it hath done ) lead into a Round , ( Or Labyrinth ) whereby we may be brought To Pits and Snares , which have no passage out ; And multiply distractions , till our Pray'rs Are turn'd to Indignation , or Despairs ; Which is their drift , and not their least Design , Who seek our Liberties to undermine . When Publike Wants with speed must be suppli'd , A Private Plaint may then be laid aside ; But not too long defer'd , lest it become A festring sore , not meanly perilsome . For since an universal Weal consists Of many Individual Interests , A perfect Body cannot be enjoy'd , Where one by one the Members are destroy'd ; And when the Eye or Ear unheedful grows Of what afflicts the Fingers and the Toes : Much less when they neglect what appertains To keep it from an Ulcer in the Brains . The Cures therefore , of private Wants , betwixt Publike Transactions , should be intermixt ( At least sometimes ) in those emergent things , Wherein delay of Justice , losses brings Beyond Repair ; or when the State at last Must bear the damage , when the Care is past ; Or else in point of Honour , suffer more Then all the Publike Treasure will restore . I grudg not , when GOD's Glory is at stake , That they who of his Honour Conscience make , Should take the freedom to debate at large What may their duties unto him discharge ; Or , when the Common Safety doth appear In hazard , though my Life in danger were : But , when those brunts are over , if men please For their meer pleasure , profit , or their ease , To leave us in a perishing condition , Then of their Faithfulness they give suspition , And I more griev'd for what I thereby see Befalls my Countrey , then for wrongs to me . There 's time enough in all streight whatsoe're , For all things , if it well divided were : And , for our not opportioning aright The Time we have , ( as wise men know we might ) GOD cuts off half the dayes we should have had , And our Designments are abortive made . As we from week to week , from day to day , Do put off those who for our sorrows pray , So likewise we our hopes and suits put by By him on whose Assistance we relye . An hour therefore , should other-while be spent To give Reward , as well as Punishment : As well to make Repayments , as to borrow : To think on them who help us in our sorrow , We are oblig'd , and forth our fruits to bring In season , like trees planted by a Spring ; Not nine or ten years after they are dead , ( Who by our timely fruit should have been fed ) Lest we be felled by the Wood-man's hand , Or , like the Fig-tree , wither where we stand . One day is as well spar'd sometimes to save An honest man , as nine to doom a Knave . Of useful Plants we should have as much care , As from the good Corn to weed out a Tare . Some private acts of Justice , with our zeal To Piety , and to the Publike Weal ; And Works of Mercy sprinkled here and there Among them , like Embroydries would appear On Flowers of Gold , with Silver interwove , And helpful be your Grand Work to improve . But , where few Private Grievances are heard . God gives their Publike Prayers small regard ; And few are in that Commonwealth much joy'd , By whom their whole well-being is destroy'd ; Or which is sensless of their sad estate Who did help save it from a sadder Fate . Among such Suffrers , I may self am one , Who gladly would be better thought upon ; I have as many years already spent , As are to two mens lives equivalent , To seek for Justice , with such cost , such trouble , And loss of time , as makes my Losses double . So that if but one Suit more at this Rate I had depending , ten times my Estate , And ten mens lives , would not afford me time And means enough , whereby to finish them : For , my Petitions either were defer'd From month to month , from year to year unheard , Or answer'd so , that when my Suit seem'd done , My Case prov'd worse then when it first begun : And to obstruct the Justice I implore , They voice me to be rich , who make me poor . With mock-shews of Relief I have been fed , With stones in my distress , instead of bread , Which had ere this day starv'd me , but that GOD Turn'd many of them into wholsome food , And rais'd me a subsistance out of that Which was design'd to ruine my Estate . If I who had a few Friends , have thus far'd , Alas ! how speed poor men whom none regard ? And who from none can claim an obligation , Either by Friendship , Faction , or Relation ? But now new Misadventures me beset , Which by delay of Justice do beget Increasing Mischiefs , that admit no cure Save what must from a Legislative Pow'r Derived be ; and this befalleth so Perhaps , that I in ev'ry Change may know The gen'ral temper , by the pulse that beats Both in Superior and inferior Seats ; That I and other men may timely see How little confidence repos'd may be In Lords or Commons , Parliaments or Kings , Or in the best of all Terrestrial things ; And that henceforth we might depend upon GOD's Providence , and upon him alone . If this displease , it cannot make me more Expos'd to suffrings , then I was before . They who to neither side , nor back , nor further Can move themselves , need no Restraint by Order : Nor greatly be afraid what next will come , Their just Resolvings to divert them from : And that whereto Necessities compel , Is done excusably , though not done well . If much Oppression cracks a wise man's brain , Who knows whereto it may a fool constrain ? Or how it may the meekest men provoke To that whereby the Common Peace is broke ? They whom delay of Justice doth make poor , Do lose but their Estates , and may get more ; If otherwhile they are of Life depriv'd , They feel not what to feel they might have liv'd : But he who doth in life-time , thereby lose Estate and Credit , shall to Friends and Foes Become a scorn ; whereat if mad he be , And makes ten thousands grow as mad as he , Who knows whereto it may at last extend , Or what will thereon follow in the end ? The fault is theirs who without Mercy stretch A weak man's Patience further then 't will reach , As if he of his Suffrings , sense had none , Because they no more feel them , then a stone . My Principle ( for which I am abus'd ) Injoins me , when I scurvily am us'd , Where I expect Relief , to show my wrongs , And Vengeance leave , to whom the same belongs ; But all men cannot be content to stay GOD's leisure ; or , for Justice in his way : And , what their Wants , Neglects , and Indignation May tempt them to , is worth consideration . There is to all things an appointed date , And they are not wise , who are wise too late . " One sin remains unacted to the height , " Which when compleat , will ruine all outright . " And that is this ; There are yet in the gap " Some standing , who with life do yet escape ; " If these remov'd were , that Abomination " Which next precedes an utter Desolation , " Will be set up ; and then shall be inflicted " At full , all those Plagues heretofore predicted . " Oh God! prevent that Grand , that fatal Guilt , " I humbly pray ; and I believe thou wilt , " By raising still to stand before thy face , " An acceptable number in this place , " For whose sake thou wilt spare it from the dooms " Now threatned , till our great Deliv'rer comes ; " And keep them constant to true self-denial , " Faith , Love and Patience in their fiery trial : " For , nor thine , or their Glory it advances " So much , as when they have deliverances " From Suffrings in their height , and when they are " Within a burning Furnace , as they were " Who had it heated for them seven times more " Then ere it was at any time before . This , as were all this Author 's other Addresses , were tendred to the late Parliaments without success , whether expreffed in a serious or extravagant Mode . And thereby perhaps the true constitution of those times will the better appear to the glorifying of GOD's Justice ; because the personal experience which he had by feeling those oppressions whereof many others complained , were to him much more evidenced thereby to be real , then they could be , by what he seemed to see , or to hear onely by report . HALELVJAH . Or , Britan's Second Remembrancer . Imprinted 1641. THis First Part of a Review of Neglected Precautions , Predictions and Remembrances , was begun with the Author's first Book , called Britans Remembrancer ; and this Second Remembrancer shall conclude it : For , though composed in a Mode much differing from the former , it was an Expedient which might have produced good Effects , had it not been as much neglected as all other good means are to this day . It is our duty to make trial of another way , when one fails ; and the Prophets are herein exemplary to us , who often declared the same Truths in various dressings , and otherwhile in the same words , when the same or like Occasions were given . That Book containing Two hundred thirty three spiritual Hymns and Songs ; is too large to be abreviated ; and therefore to instance the usefulness of the rest , here shall be inserted but two or three Hymns out of each Book , the first relating to particular Occasions ; the second to Times ; the third to Persons ; that all men of all sorts , might be thereby minded of their Duties at all Times , and upon all Occasions , as appears by this brief Narration . A Friend of the Author's , much affecting that Expedient , ( as tending to the advance both of Morality and Virtue , distributed many of the Books among his Acquaintance , at his own cost , and recommended one of them to a Person of Quality , who loved Song and Musick ; but before he had read two lines thereof , he rejected it with much contempt ; whereupon the other somewhat grieved , asked the reason of his dislike , and received this Answer ; Such a Character of it hath ( said he ) been given by a Learned and Pious Divine , upon whose Judgment I relye , that I will not lose time in perusing it . Yet at last being importuned , he took it up , and turning to a Song which was to him instanced as demonstrating the frothiness of all the rest , he began to read it aloud in slighting manner , and in a ridiculous Tone ; but after the reading of a few lines , changing his voice , sate still a good space , perusing it in silence ; then suddenly starting up , said thus to his Friend , I heartily thank you for this Book , and for importuning me to read it ; I hope also , it shall teach me whilst I live , not to depend upon the Judgment of other men , ( how religious or judicious soever they shall be reputed ) in those things wherein I ought to use my own understanding as well as theirs . This is the effect of what was told the Author , and it is here inserted , in hope it may make some other as wise as that Gentleman . The Author in his Epistles before the whole , and each particular Book of that Volume , hath expressed by way of Preoccupat●on , somewhat to prevent prejudice ▪ and if it had been contemplatively and actually made use of according to his intention and proposals , might perhaps have reduced this Generation to a better temper then Precepts without Practise have effected ; and made those vain Songs less delighted in , which are become so numerous , and so affected , that pious Meditations are nigh quite out of fashion with many ; for , not in private onely , but at publike Feasts and Meetings also , scurrilous and obscene Songs are impudently sung without respect to the presence of Matrons , Virgins , Magistrates and Divines ; yea , sometimes are in their despight called for , sung , and acted with such abominable gesticulations , as are offensive to all modest hearers and beholders ; and befitting onely the Solemnities of Bacchus , Venus , and Priapus ; for the abolishing of which Abuse , the Author was a Petitioner that some provision might be made ; and prepared also this Expedient to promove it ; but the carnal prophaness of some , and the sullen Religiousness of others , who causlesly pretended a Superstitious Design to be therein couched , hath hitherto vacated both his hope and pious Endeavours , notwithstanding all his Precautions . An Occasional Hymn when we first awake in the Morning . DEar GOD ! who watch dost keep Round all that honour thee , To thy Beloved givest sleep , When Rest shall needful be . My Soul returns thee praise , That thus refresh'd I am , And that my Tongue a Voice can raise , To praise thee for the same . 2 As now my soul doth shake Dull sleep out of mine eyes , So let thy Spirit me awake , That I from sin may rise . The Night is past away , Which fill'd us full of fears , And we enjoy another Day , Wherein thy Grace appears . 3 Oh! let me therefore shun All Errors of the Night ; Thy Righteousness let me put on , And walk as in the Light. Protect me from his Pow'r , ( Since I on thee relye ) Who walks in darkness to devour , When our long sleep draws nigh . 4 Grant when the Trump shall sound A summons from the Grave , My Body then may from the ground A blessed rising have . That whatsoe're the dreams Of my Corruption be , The Vision of thy glorious Beams May bring full joyes to me . A Hymn when day-light appears . LOok forth mine eye , look up and view How bright the day-light shines on me ; And , as the Morning doth renew , Mark how renew'd GOD's Mercies be . Behold , the splendors of the Day Disperse the shadows of the Night ; And , they who late in darkness lay , Have now the Comfort of the light . 2 Nor Twilight-Plagues , nor Midnight-fears , Nor mortal or immortal Foes , Had pow'r to take us in their snares ; But safe we slept , and safe arose . And to those dayes which we have had , He that is Lord of Day and Night , Another Day vouchsafes to add , That our lost hours redeem we might . 3 It is too much to have made void So many dayes already past ; Let this therefore be so employ'd , As if we knew it were our last . Most creatures now themselves advance , Their Morning-sacrifice to bring ; The Herds do skip , the Flocks do dance , The Winds do pipe , the Birds do sing . 4 Lord , why should these that were decreed To serve thee in a lower place , In thankful duties us exceed , Who have obtained special Grace ? We are oblig'd much more then those , Our Voice in thankfulness to raise ; Therefore , oh GOD ! our lips unclose , And teach our Tongues to sing thy praise . 5 Let heart , and hand , and voice accord This day to magnifie thy Name ; And let us ev'ry day , oh Lord ! Endeavour to perform the same . So , when that Morning doth appear , In which thou shalt all flesh destroy , We shall not then awake in fear , But rise to meet thy Son with joy . A Hymn when we are putting on our APPAREL . LORD , had not man sought out by sin What was untimely known , His nakedness unfelt had bin , And wiser he had grown . But in the stead of what he thought By lawless means to know , The knowledg of those things was taught , Which bringeth sense of wo. 2 Had he as forward strove to be , The Fruit of Life to tast , As on the Death-procuring-Tree A lustful eye to cast , The happiness for him prepar'd In soul he had obtain'd , And in his Body also shar'd The bliss for him ordain'd . 3 But since the flesh did press to see Her wants before the time , Both soul and flesh afflicted be For that presumptuous Crime . And cumbred so with pain and care , For Clothing and for Food , That little their Endeavours are , To seek their chiefest good . 4 Lord , with a Rose of Innocence , Thy Servant so array , That it may take the painful sense Of outward wants away . So clothe me with thy Righteousness , That ( though defil'd I am ) I may not by my nakedness Exposed be to shame . 5 Let not the Garments which I wear My tender flesh to hide , Be either made a lustful Snare , Or nourishments of Pride ; But be remembrances to show The folly of that deed By which man fell , and fell so low , As those base Rags to need . The Second Temporary Hymn . A Temporary Hymn for the First Day of the Week , commonly called the Lords-Day , or Sunday . GReat Lord of Time , great King of Heav'n , Since weekly thou renew'st my dayes , To thee shall daylie thanks be giv'n , And weekly Sacrifice of Praise . This day the Light ( Time's eldest born ) Her glorious Beams did first display ; And then the Evening and the Morn Did first obtain the Name of Day . 2 The Depth with Darkness then empal'd , ( That out of which the World was made ) And , which deep Waters thou hast call'd , Upon this Day beginning had . And , as upon this Day it was In which Creation first begun , So on this Day the work of Grace In ev'ry circumstance was done . 3 For , on this Day thy Christ arose , And Victor over Death became ▪ This Day he conquer'd all his Foes , And put them to perpetual shame . Upon this Day it pleased thee Thy holy Spirit down to send , That men with Gifts might furnish'd be , Thy Gospel's Preaching to attend . 4 This day therefore we set apart For holy Rest , and holy Rites ; And ev'ry sanctified heart To celebrate this day delights . Except thereto compell'd by need , Works for the Body we forbear , That in those works we may proceed , Which for the souls health needful are . 5 Therefore that now to thee , oh Lord , A due Oblation bring I may , Thus to thine Honor I record , And sing the Blessings of this day . So let me sing , so mind them still , And all my life so thankful be , That when my Course I shall fulfil , I may acceptance find with thee . 6 Discretion grant me so to know What Sabbath-Rites thou dost require ; And Grace my duty so to do , That I may keep thy Law intire . Not doing what should not be done , Nor ought omitting , fit to do ; Nor over-burth'ning any one With more then thou enjoin'st them to . 7 But , let me rest my body so , That to my Soul I do no wrong ; Or , in Devotion heedless grow , What to my Body's rest belong : That both in Soul and Body , Lord , I may still hallow ev'ry day According to thy Holy Word , And have true Rest in thee for ay . The Third Temporary Hymn . For MONDAY . THis Morning brings to mind , oh GOD , Thy forming of this Airy Sphere , And spreading of that Orb abro'd , Wherewith we now surrounded are . It was the Fabrick which thy hand Vouchsaf'd upon this day to frame ; And , bounding Waters under land From those which are above the same . 2 This Airy Firmament both keeps All breathing Creatures here below , From suffocation in those Deeps Whereon , till then , no wind did blow . To us this Firmament convayes Those Dews and Show'rs which oft we need , And all those pleasant Summer-dayes Whence Profits and Delights proceed . 3 Yea , by this Firmament we gain The Vision of refreshing Light ; And thereby do as well obtain The use of hearing , and of sight . For this dayes Workmanship , oh Lord , I praise thee now , and humbly pray , That I may thankfully record Thy daily Blessings ev'ry day . A Personal Hymn for a Soveraign PRINCE . BY me , or by my Father's House Deserv'd it could not be , That I , or any one of us Obtained this Degree . But GOD who dealeth forth his own , As him it liketh best , On me those Honours hath bestown , Whereof I am poffest . 2 Great hazards many undergo , Such Titles to acquire , Yet neither find content below , Or means of rising higher . What therefore can I less repay , To him whose Gift it is , Then otherwhile to sing or say Some such like Hymn as this ? 3 Let me , O Lord , my Diadem Unto thy Glory wear , And be a Blessing unto them Who my Leige People are . Let not thy favours make my heart To swell with wanton Pride ; Or , from those Precepts to depart , Which ought to be my Guide . 4 But make me still in mind to bear , From whom this Throne I had , And that they my own Brethren are Who Ruler I was made . Yea , cause me evermore to heed That I and they are thine , Although to serve the Publike need , Their Goods and Lives are mine . 5 Since ev'ry Subjects Cause to me Should equally be dear , In Judgment let the poor man be As precious as the Peer . And , lest for them we snares may make At my chief Council-bo'rd , Lord let me dayly Counsel take From thy Truth-speaking-Word . 6 Those Traitors chase out of my Court , Who dare pervert the Laws , Or , cause me by a false report , To wrong an honest Cause . And , let thy Judgments them devour , How high soe're they stand Who shall abuse my Royal Pow'r , To hinder thy Command . 7 Within my Realms let no man dare My Statutes to gainsay ; And , let me live in as much fear , Thy Laws to disobey . So I and they whom thou on me , For Subjects hast bestown , Shall in each other blessed be , And keep Sedition down . 8 Preserve to me my Royal Dues , And Grace vouchsafe me still , My just Prerogative to use According to thy Will ; That evil men may dread my frown , The Righteous comfort find , And I obtain a better Crown When this must be resign'd . Here ends the First Part of this Review , to which a Second Part shall be added as GOD enables and permits . A POSTSCRIPT . THE uncertainty and changeableness of all temporal things , make us accordingly mutable in our Purposes . And whereas the Author of the several Books here abreviated , intended a Retirement to a solitary Habitation in the place of his Nativity , ( upon such Considerations as were expressed in the Preface of this Review ) his Friends resident in and near London , not approving thereof , have perswaded him to the contrary , by making it probable , That future Inconveniences would be thereby rather multiplied then diminished : Now therefore , by considering therewithall , That where GOD's Judgments are most visible , his Mercy will be there as much evidenced to all who love and trust unfeignedly in him , he resolveth to continue where he is , until he can stay there no longer , lest he may bury himself alive by removing far from them , by whose Charity GOD hath hitherto preserved him . There are Faults escaped in the Imprinting or Transcribing of this Review ; which the Author 's late Sickness disabled him to take notice of : The Readers are therefore desired to correct and amend them according to their own discretion . The Names of those Printed Books heretofore written by GEORGE WITHER , out of which this First Part of this Review of Neglected Remembrances , Precautions and Predictions was collected ; mentioning the years in which they were the First or Second time Imprinted . BRitans Remembrancer , Imprinted 1627. pag. 1. The Author's Motto , Nec Habeo , Nec Careo , Nec Curo , Imprinted 1618. p. 47. Campo Musae , or Field-Musings , Impr. 1644. p. 49. The Dark Lanthorn , Imprinted 1650. p. 57. The Perpetual Parliament , Imprinted 1650. p. 69. The Author's Emblems , Imprinted 1634. p. 78. An Interjection , being a sudden Ejaculation cast in , at the Collecting of this Review , p. 85. Vaticinium Causuale , Imprinted 1655. p. 100. Verses to the Kings Majesty , Imprinted 1662. p. 103. A Thankful Retribution , Imprinted 1649. p. 109. Boni Ominis Votum , Imprinted 1656. p. 115. A Si Quis , or Queries , Imprinted 1648. p. 119. The Author's Petition , Imprinted 1648. p. 125. The Tyred Petitioner , Imprinted without date p. 128. Se Defendendo , Imprinted without date . p. 132. Justitiarius Justificatus , Impr. without date . p. 131. Vox Pacifica , Imprinted 1645. p. 132. Carmen Expostulatorium , Imprinted 1647. p. 146. Letters of Advice , Imprinted 1644. p. 152. A Cause Allegorically stated , Impr. 1657. p. 159. Mercurius Rusticus , Imprinted without date . p. 161. What Peace to the Wicked , Imprinted 1646. p. 163. An Address to the Members of Parliament , imprinted 1657. p. 175. Halelujah , or Britan's Second Remembrancer , imprinted 1641. p. 183. FINIS .