An improvement of imprisonment, disgrace, poverty, into real freedom, honest reputation, perdurable riches evidenced in a few crums & scraps lately found in a prisoners-basket at Newgate, and saved together, by a visitant of oppressed prisoners, for the refreshing of himself and those who are either in a worse prison or (who loathing the dainties of the flesh) hunger and thrist after righteousness / by George Wither. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 1661 Approx. 215 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 64 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66756 Wing W3163 ESTC R14994 12940542 ocm 12940542 95870 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. A66756) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 95870) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 993:15) An improvement of imprisonment, disgrace, poverty, into real freedom, honest reputation, perdurable riches evidenced in a few crums & scraps lately found in a prisoners-basket at Newgate, and saved together, by a visitant of oppressed prisoners, for the refreshing of himself and those who are either in a worse prison or (who loathing the dainties of the flesh) hunger and thrist after righteousness / by George Wither. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 124, [1] p. [s.n.], London : 1661. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. Caption title: Captivity improved into freedom by the Grace of God. In verse. Table of contents: p. 121-122. Errata: p. [1] at end. 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Great Britain -- History -- Restoration, 1660-1688 -- Poetry. 2005-06 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-01 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-02 John Latta Sampled and proofread 2006-02 John Latta Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN IMPROVEMENT Of Imprisonment , Into Real Freedom ; Of Disgrace , Into Honest Reputation ; Of Poverty , Into Perdurable Riches ; Evidenced in a few Crums & Scraps Lately found in a PRISONERS-BASKET AT NEVVGATE ; And Saved together , by a Visitant of Oppressed Prisoners , for the refreshing of himself and those who are either in a worse Prison , or ( who loathing the dainties of the Flesh ) hunger and thirst after Righteousness . HE , who , five thousand hungry Souls had fed With two small Fishes , and five Loaves of Bread , Would have the Fragments sav'd ; for , that is sweet To some , which others trample under feet ; This Prisoners late Experiments may be , Of use to them , who know much more than he : For , men to credit those , are soonest mov'd ; Whose Words to be sincere , by Deeds , are prov'd . By GEORGE WITHER . London , Printed in the Year , 1661. THE AUTHOR OF THESE Fragments , TO THE Humble , the Poor in Spirit , and to all those Afflicted-Ones , who disdain not these CRUMMS . EXperience , though to Fools it Mistris be Oft , makes men Wise ; For , some effects on me To that end it hath had : & though with mocks Most entertain my Triple-Paradox , It will , by what ensues ( I hope ) appear That , Truths , by me , therein averred were ; And , that , whatever shall succeed thereon , My Words , and Actions , do concurr in One. Those few , who did here visit me , in love , Seem'd , with so much contentment to approve Their homely Entertainment with these Scraps , That , they were pocketed ; and some , perhaps , Them , will Communicate : Which if they do , So let it be , and much good do 't them too : I wish , for their sakes , that they better were , But , if , as they did mine , their hearts they cheere , I , may to Constancy , encouraged be By their Example , more than they by me At present are : and mutual Ayd's , ere long , Shall make the weakest of us , to grow strong ; For , by GOD's Providence , ( not seldom ) springs Noblest Effects , from most contemned things . " Let , all , who of these Fragments , Coppies had " These Lines ( to be perfixt before them ) add . CAPTIVITY IMPROVED INTO FREEDOM By the Grace of God. GEORGE WITHER , to his Friends , who have inquired after him , since the late seizure of his Person , Books and Papers . WHere I now am , you much desire to hear , What , I am blam'd for ; what , I want , or fear ; Which , this will briefly tell you : I am well , ( In Purgatory , between Heaven and Hell. ) My Fact , ( which I acknowledge , in good sooth , May some offend ) is only writing Truth ; And , that is , in prevaricating times , Much more offensive , then some hainous Crimes . I nothing Want , that 's truly needful , save , Due thankfulness to GOD , for what I have , Who hitherto , in an unusual wise , Without my care , vouchsafeth me supplies ; Which hereby , I acknowledge , to this end , That , others may in straits , on him depend . All , I need now to fear , is , that before I shall be freed , , I way be made so poor The Messenger , will hardly get his fees , Or , , that the Remnant of a Loaf and Cheese , Which at my now forsaken Chamber lies , Will mouldy be , or eaten by the Mise . I do not fear , that what I have exprest Or published , will not abide the Test , Unless my Judges , do , by looking back The Gen'ral-Pardon , ineffectual make : For , that , which I last wrote , was but fruit torn Out of the Mothers Womb before 't was born , Which , whether Life , or Death receive it should , No man with certainty , determine could ; And , if ( according unto my Appeals ) That , which I purpos'd for the Publick-weal , And honor of the King , may be perused Intirely , and not palpably abused , By taking from , or adding thereunto , I do defie the worst , this World can do ; Well knowing , that , if she conceal what 's done , From Publick view , yet passeth doomes thereon Which may be to my wrong , 't will be reveal'd And judg'd by GOD , to whom I have appeal'd . Though now there be not left with me , one Line Of what I last wrote , I no whit repine : For , Providence will further my intent , Thereby , much better , than the course I meant ; Or , else will raise up , if that be calcin'd , A sprightlier Product of the self-same kind , Which to obliterate , none shall presume , Nor time abolish , nor the flame consume , Till it hath took effect to that good end , For which I did at first , the same intend ; And , Joseph-like , when I shall tried be , Either the King , or GOD , will set me free , To whose Free-mercies only , I appeal Ev'n in those things , which I intended well : For , extream Justice , is a dreadful thing , Whether pronounc'd by GOD , or by a King : And , otherwhile , men of an upright-way , Permitted are , in somethings to mis-say , That Spirits may be tri'd , and those things known Which are of GOD , from that , which is our own . I have not purposely , one Paper hid To cloake the worst , that er'e I said or did ; And if men would but at my frailties wink , I 'le tell them , when they please , ev'n all I think , Although against my Life it might offend So , their Demands to publick wellfare tend : For , to that purpose , if it needful were , I dare say more , than many dare to hear , ( As would be known by what is now surpriz'd , might it be read in publick , undisguis'd ) Yet , not exceed my limits ne'r-theless , Or , bounds of Reason , or of Soberness . I have discharg'd my Conscience , as I thought The present times required that I ought , Considering , that otherwise , such Tools May be of use ; and , men reputed Fools Speak things , as pertinently in some cases As they , who are imployd in Wise mens places . I am not ignorant , with what disdain Our Pantaloons my Poems entertain ; Nor ought displeased , that what I have writ Seem'd Frothy-stuffe , unto a Flashy-wit , My sowr Herbs are as pleasing to some pallats As Apricocks , Muskmillions , or sweet Sallets To wanton Appetites ; and wholsomer Than that , wherein they more delighted are . My Verse , to them , seems Vanity to be ; So seem They , and all Earthly things to me . By them , I numbred with Phanaticks am , And they , by me , reputed are the same . My Muse , harsh sounds unto their ears applies , Their Manners do as much offend mine eyes ; And , if I merit Punishment , who chid them For things misdone , what merit they who did them ? Should none Reprove , but persons wholly free From Sinfulness , no Sin Reprov'd should be ; And where our general Reproofs offend , Few men , their private Errors will amend . All that is in my Thoughts , my Words or Deeds Approvable , from GOD's free Grace proceeds , And none deserveth blame , but I alone ( If I do ) for what now is thought misdone . Yet , come not at me , till you may be sure Your Visits may no detriment procure Unto your selves ; for ( though that I am zealous Of publick Safety ) many are so jealous Of our Sincerity , whom they shall find From them , in some things , of a diff'ring mind , That they , who walk by Gospel and by Law , May chance to suffer like Jack Fletcher's Daw , Which taken among Pigeons , Pies and Crowes For whom a Net was laid , did speed like those : And , to help keep an Innocent from starving May censur'd be , by some an Ill-deserving , Which paradventure may be now my Lot. ( If Christian Charity prevent it not ) More to their shame than mine , who , now have here Been their Remembrancer , nigh fifty year . But , for me , take you neither care nor grief ; Death , will much more advantage me than Life : I walk not blindly , in the Paths I tread , And they will make me safe , alive , or dead . I am assured , that his Providence Which orders things of much less consequence ( Whether conceal'd or published ) will make That which I 've written , good effects to take ; And also by their means , perhaps , who be As yet displeas'd , both with my Book and me . Grant me but NATURE'S Freedoms , and let then The Priviledge of COURTS and SINGLE-MEN Do what they can : for , I have broke no Law Whereof , a sober Man should stand in aw ; Nor need I Patrons ; nor ought have I done To make me be afraid , through want of one . I , reverence the Powers that are Supream , And , know so well , what doth belong to them , That , I cannot offend by Libelling Either against the Parliament , or King As many may suppose ; for , VICE may be Reprov'd , yet , they kept from Aspertions free ; As will appear , when I have open laid What , for my Vindication may be said . I love and honour more , a Foe , that 's just Than him , who saves my life , and breaks his trust : And , will not thank them , who , shall see wherein I merit blame , yet palliate my sin ; Or , shall excuse me from due punishment , When I shall know my fault , and not repent . Nor will they be excus'd , in future times , ( Though yet they may ) who make our DUTIES crimes Mine , is ( if any ) no more but Omission Of somewhat ; or , at worst , but a Misprision : And , my Case now , may be resembled well , By what , unto a Northern Lasse befel , Who , having been corrected very sore For calling of her younger Sister Whore , Which was indeed untrue ; her Mother , said Unto the lesser Girle , tell truly Maid , Did she not call thee Whore ? She answer'd , NO , ( She did not ) but , she thought to call me so . I know there are those , who consider can What use there may be of an honest Man Who seeketh not for Honours , or for Pelf ; Hates none ; affects his Neighbour as himself ; Fears nought but GOD , and his own heart ; his King Doth reverence , and can in Prison sing : When more desire to be affected thus , It will be better both for them and us : And , he who makes these things his chief ambition Though Wrongs he feel , can never fear Perdition . If less than formerly , I am befriended , I , and my Suff'rings , quickly shall be ended . If I find favour , you shall hear that from me Which , to acknowledge , it will well become me : Till then therefore Adew ; and hereby know That I am pleas'd , and well , if you be so . Chr. oUr reDeeMer LIVeth . Aug. 12. 1661. From Mr. Northrops , one of the Kings Messengers in Westminster , where I am civilly used . George Wither , His first Meditation , upon his Commitment to Newgate , Aug. 22. For his Poem called Vox Vulgi , neither Published nor Finished . I. SO ; I do now begin to be prefer'd ; And from an Owl within an Iviebush , Advanced am , to be a Newgate-Bird , As fast incaged , as my foes need wish . My Feathers have so pluckt already been That , no more I can lose now , but my skin , And when that 's torn away , I may presume My Flesh and Bones , in short time , will consume . II. I was restrain'd before , but , not so strait Was my Restraint , nor in so close a place ; I had my load , but not such overweight , Nor seem'd I , so exposed to disgrace . My Friends were overcharg'd with me before , And will , this way , be now oppressed more : For , that whereof my Judges me condemn , Falls not so much on me , as upon them . III. But , is this Newgate , whereof so afraid Offenders are ? Is this the dismall place , Wherein , before I came , I heard it said There 's nothing , but grief , horrour , and disgrace ? I find it otherwise ; and , doubtless , either It is bely'd ; or , they who are sent hither , Within themselves , when to this house they come , Bring that , which makes it seem so troublesome . IV. I no worse here , then where I was before Accommodated am : for , though confin'd From somethings , which concern my Body more Then formerly , it hath inlarg'd my mind . Here , by degrees , with what the world most fears ( With Tormeuts , and their Executioners ) I may be so acquainted , if I please , That , things which threaten pain , shall bring me ease . V. Here , I can see the bottom of that Pit Which gapes to swallow me : here , I can view What some , who have more prospect , see not yet , Nor will , till they their fears cannot eschew . Here , I find Objects to prepare me for That , which my Flesh and Blood , doth most abhor ; And , am assurd , that , to what place soe're I , hence am sent , that GOD , will meet me there . VI. Though here , my outward-being , seems no better , But , in appearance dayly worse to grow , My Inward comforts and my hopes are greater , And , will be greatest when they make least show ▪ Although my Oyl and Meal doth not increase Since I came hither , 't is no whit the less : Yea , though I am at more charge every day , Then did of late , a weeks expence defray : VII . For that cost , they supplied have , to whom My life , it seems , is dearer , then to me ; And , they ingaged for me are become ; LORD ! whence proceeds this kindness , but from thee ? So is it , that , I now can hardly tell Whether , my Friends , to save me , shew more zeal Or they more malice , who have sought of late To ruine both my Person , and Estate . VIII . I find already , by what I have noted , My best Expressions will concealed be . My Verses ( as the Devil Scripture quoted ) Produc'd by Scrapps , to disadvantage me . I see my self oppos'd by no small odds , Frown'd on , by mighty men , and mortal Gods Who sit so high , that they nor feel , nor know What things are suff'red , by poor-men below . IX . Not onely Railing Foes , on every side , But my Acquaintaince also , and meer Strangers , Unjustly , me defame , Jeer , and deride ; Threats follow me behind , before , lie dangers . Yet to no mortal for support I send , Nor make complaints by Letter , or by Friends ; Nor will , except to them , to whom belongs The Judging of my Actions , and my wrongs . X. My soul , these things consider well , and whence They do proceed : consider why , likewise ; Who , puts into thy heart , this confidence ; Who , by unknown hands , each dayes want supplies ; Who , comforts doth augment as griefs increase ; Who , cloathes and feeds thee in this Wilderness , And , when Terrestrial ayds , are quite bereaven Rains on thee , Quailes and Manna down from heaven . XI . Mark , how this Realm is here Epitomiz'd , As to a Blest , and Reprobate condition : How Mercies , and how Judgements are despis'd , By most men , at the brinck of their perdition ; How few , be wrought upon , in either place , By Threatnings , or by promises of Grace . How many , laugh , sing , swear , curse and Blaspheme Even when , Hell , ready seems to swallow them . XII . Here , thou shalt see , that meer Stupidity And gracelesness , transporteth many a man To out-face Death , with less Timidity Then some with all their Moral Vertues can : Here , thou shalt learn , that if thy Prosecutions , Thy zeal , thy Courage and thy Resolutions Spring onely , from a Natural Estate , Thou , with all these , mayst be a Reprobate . XIII . Let therefore , these Experiments , which are Be enteraain'd ; and , if henceforth God should ( As he perhaps will ) common helps withdraw , Let them quite go , and catch on him fast hold . For , if thou then despaire , or shalt distrust His Love , who never was to thee unjust , This , will then prove to be a carnal-boast , And , thou , with all thy vain hopes wilt be lost . XIV . Since also , thou dost feel thy heart more prone , By smiles and favours , to be drawn aside , Then by harsh usage , to be wrought upon , Let thy weak'st Bulwarks be most fortifi'd , Lest , they , who have not strength enough to win The Fort by force , by Stratagems get in ; And , thou then ruin'd , be past all repair , As many are , by those , who speak them fair . XV. That Spirit , try , which thy Resolves begets ; For , other while , as resolute are they Who are possessed but with Ranting-Fits , As any , in whom Passion bears no sway . Contempt of Torment , sometimes springs from Madness , Stoutness , from Anger , or despairing-sadness : Martyrs , and men , of Reprobated sence , Bear suff'rings , with small outward difference . XVI . Search thou thy heart , therefore , with prudent care , That , Malice , Pride , nor Vengeance lurk therein : That Love of GOD , and all mankinde be there , Linckt with a detestation of all Sin ; And , if thou find it so , be not afraid What e're against thee shall be done or said : For , Resolutions built upon that Rock , Will , of all raging Stormes , endure the Shock . XVII . Though Princes in their Supream Councils blame thee , And such as are prophane , FANNATICK call thee ; They shall not able be , to fright or shame thee , By any consequent which may befall thee : And , if so prudently thou guide , thy Pen That , when it strikes at faults it spares the men , The Wise will form the Fools , themselves devide , And , every Just-mans Vote , be on thy side . XVIII . Though it alwayes proves not , do not grieve Nor vex thereat : for , what GOD calls thee to , To put in Execution thou shalt live , In spight of all this froward world can do ; And future times , will laugh to scorn the storms And Mountains , rais'd by Gyants , against worms When they shall see , ( which they will see at last ) The Towers of Babel on their Builders cast . XIX . Make Jesus Christ , to be the sole Foundation , Of thy Affection , of thy Hope and Trust , Of thy Belief , of thy Sanctification , Of all thy Musings , and of all thou dost : For , nothing Justifies , but , doth Condemn , That is not , In , for , from , and by him , Without respect to any Interest , Except , what , with his Glory , may consist . XX. LORD , thou hast , by renewing , in some measure My much depraved Will , inclined me , In all things , to submit to thy good pleasure , Let what 's defective , now , made perfect be , That , known it may be to this Generation , Man may attain to such a Resignation , That , he shall more delight , thy will to do , Then , that , which his own will , provokes him to . XXI . Prais'd be thy Blessed Name , who , as thou didst For Joseph ( when he was in Prison bound ) For me , in my Imprisonment provid'st , And , by thy servants , every where art found : Be with me , as to be thou hast begun , Until my Generation Work is done , And , when that 's finish'd , for which I was born , Let me with Joy , into thine Arms return . To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor , and the rest of the Commissioners of the Peace and Jail-delivery , for the City of London , now Assembled in a General Sessions . The Humble Petition of George Wither . THe said Petitioner , having six and thiry years now past ( before the great Pestilence raged ) lived in this City ( about half that time , after he came to mature Age ) did in Affection thereunto , make here , his Voluntary Residence , when hundreds of thousands forsook their Habitations , that if GOD spared his life during that mortality , he might be a Remembrancer of his Judgements and Mercies , both to this City , and the whole Nation ; which he performing according to his ability , hath hitherto ( with his life onely , and a good Conscience ) escaped the Plagues of War , Poverty , Pestilences , and Parliaments ; and is now a Prisoner in your Jail of Newgate , in order to be try'd , by the House of Commons , at their next Meeting , for intending to offer to the private consideration of the Lord Chancellor of England , a Poem called Vox Vulgi , surprized ( before it was finished ) in this Petitioners hands ; who being lately so Totally deprived of a considerable estate as not to be left worth this piece of Paper , is in danger through want of necessaries , to perish within your Walls , before the time of his Tryal will come , unless GOD ( as he hath lately done ) shall Extraordinarily provide him his dayly bread , by the Charity of some , who , perhaps are scarce able to provide for themselves and Families . The said Petitionor therefore , ( conceiving himself obliged by the Law of Nature , to do what he can to preserve his life ( though there be nothing therein considerable , for its own sake ) humbly prayes your Honours that , if he can procure Bail , it may be accepted for his appearance , when it shall be required , before the said House of Commons ; who being the Representative of them , whose welfare he hath preferred before his own , and the Court to whose doom he seems to be referred by the Warrant for his Commitment hither , the said Petitioner , will patiently submit thereunto . If it be in your Power , and may stand with your good pleasure to vouchsafe him this humble request , the said Petioner thankfully acknowledging your Justice and compassion , will pray for you as in duty he is bound . George Wither . The foregoing Petition , being dilivered to the Lord Mayor at the Sessions , and no Bail allowed to the Petitioner , he forthwith composed this Epigram . To the City of London . VVEre I , a Person , who had power to better Thy Trade , or make thy Priviledges greater , Or take away the Citizens Estates , Thy Walls dismantle , or break down thy Gates , I had been lookt upon , though I had done To thee no kindness , neither meant thee one . But , of his love , there is no value made Who nought can to to thy wealth or greatness add , Though he his life should hazzard for thy sake , That , thee for ever , he might happy make . BAII , will not be vouchsaf'd ; but , I must lie Among thy Rogues , expos'd to live or die ; To starve or begg ; and wholly be debar'd Of Liberty , unpitied and unheard For doing what was honestly intended ; And , wherein , I against no Law offended . This is , I must confesse , nor less nor more , Then , I had reason to expect before : Yet , all my labour , is not cast away , For , it occasion gives me , thus to say . I wish'd thee well , and will , what ever shall To me , in my extremities befall ; For , here 's a number yet within this place , Who are of those in whom the Seeds of Grace So fructifie , that GOD hath superseded For their sakes , that for which his Justice pleaded ; And I have in my personal distresse So tasted of their Charitableness , That , thereby I , enjoying health , and life ( My self not seeking , but thy peace in chief ) Expect that Justice only , from thy hands Whereon thine honour and thy welfare stands ; Which neither is thy Riches , or thy Power For , these may come to nothing , in one hour ; And , if to them , thou overmuch incline , I will not change my poor estate for thine . Among the Prodigies , by many seen This year , I , might for one , have numbred been , If I , should all Particulars relate Which do concern my Person and Estate : But , they must now Phanaticks counted be Who , either do believe what they shall see , Or dare take notice , of those things that vary From GOD's proceed , in courses ordinary ; And , therefore , I think fitting to conceal them , Till that , which is to follow , doth reveal them , To manifest , without all Dubitation , That , God hath spoken to this Generation . Mean while , I 'le suffer : for , our Peace must now Not from our Actings , but , from suff'rings flow . Yet , whether , I deserve respect or blame , Know LONDON , since I now thy Prisoner am , That , if I have not wherewith to subsist Thou art oblig'd , to find me bread , at least , Whilst here I shall confinement undergo , Though I had alwayes been thine open foe ; And , that 't is Tyranny ( what ere they are ) To lay on any , more they can bear . Know likewise , that , if here I shall miscarry Through lack of what , for life is necessary Thou , thereby forfeitest , ( as I conceive ) A better Charter , then the King can give : Because , through want of Charity to foes , Much more to Friends , our part in Christ we lose . What I have been to thee , it hath been shown ; What thou to me art , it will now be known . And , possibly , another Creation Will heed , that I am somewhat to this Nation , Deserving better , then that lie I should Within a Jail , at seventy three years old , For acting and designing nothing worse Then , how to save them from a greater curse . Look to your selves ; For , whether bond or free I am ; I know , my GOD , will look to me ; And , I and mine , shall be both cloath'd and fed , When they who slieghted us , want Robes & bread . So believeth George Wither . Another Meditation , ( or Ballad as the World perhaps , will call it ) composed by the same Prisoner since his Commitment to Newgate . I. MY Soul , since we are left alone , In our Confinement here , Where we disturbed are of none , To God , come , draw we near . For , part of his three dreadful WOES , Are now , so carrying on , That , if to him , we cling not close We may be quite undone . II. Our selves , let us examine so , That though our foes condemn , We may , for what we did misdo , Make now our Peace with him ; Lest , when the world hath fully try'd , How , here we may be vext , We , greater miseries must abide Where , she will throw us next . III. SIN , to full ripeness , is not come , nor malice , to her heights ; And , we e're they receive their Doom May look for more despights . These , which we have endured yet , Have been sustain'd with ease ; But , GOD , it may he will permit Much harder things then these . IV. 'T is but the Suburbs unto Hell , whereto , we now are sent ; And ( for the future ) none can tell What , hereto us is meant . To better men , worse things befall Then seem to be our Meed ; And , our Afflictions are but small , To those , which may succeed . V. We have not that dark Dungeon seen Wherein , is endless Night ; Nor in those , Lowsie lodgings been Which ev'ry sence affright ; We feel not that , which many lack ; Nor Bolts , nor Gives we wear , Fit things for Belly and for Back , As yet , supplyed are . VI. With sickness , we are not opprest , In body , or in mind ; No outward cares disturb our rest No Inward fears we find . For , all the suff'rings wherewith we As yet , afflicted seem Are onely such as grievous be , In other mens esteem . VII . But , should I , ( being old and poor ) Diseased grow within , With Aches , have my Limbes made sore , Or , with an Vlcer'd skin Be turn'd into the Common Jail To lie upon the ground , And , all those outward helpes quite fail Which I have lately found . VIII . Should this befall us , where might then Our hope and courage be ? This , happens oft to Righteous men , And , this , may fall on me . What , but complaints and mournful cryes Would then , be in this place ; Harts aking , or still weeping eyes , Scorns , and despaire of Grace ? IX . These will be then the best Reliefs , That , Flesh and Blood can see , To cure or Mitigate their Griefs Where such Desertious be . Yet , be of nought ( my Soul ) afraid , For , by his Angels , then , Shall GOD's Assistance be convaid When thou art left of men . X. They came unto the Rich mans doer At which the Lazar dy'd , And , him to rest Eternal bore To whom , he Crums deny'd ; And when Elias had of bread The meanes deprived quite , He by the Ravenous Fowls was Fed At Morning , and at night . XI . Their GOD is mine ; and if in him , My Trust , I still repose , He , will to me , be as to Them , To save me from my Foes . Or , if of that depriv'd I am which fed me to this day , I know he will supply the same As well , another way . XII . The Earth is his , with her increase , And wasted were her store , He hath within a Richer place , Enough , to send me more ; And , till it comes ; That which doth starve , Discomfort and destroy ; My life ( whilst useful ) shall preserve , And more increase my Joy. XIII . The Plagues , which others to Despair , And to Blaspheming move , Shall stir me up , to Praise , and Prayer , And fill my heart with Love. Yea , that which on the Kings of Earth Will dreadful horrors bring , Shall make me with Triumphant Mirth , A HALLELVJAH Sing . XIV . The Purging Fire , which them doth burn , Who , therein Raving , lye , Thy Drosse ( my Soul ) to Gold shall turn , Thy Silver , Purifie . And , when thy Fiery-tryal's past , No loss will come to thee , If thy works Fixt on CHRIST , thou hast , Though built of Straw they be . XV. Resolves , which I had not before , These Musings do beget ; And though , her Furnace seven times more , The World , henceforth shall heat , My Soul , return thou to thy Rest ; For , GOD , hath me assur'd , That , where I ten times more opprest , It should be well endur'd . XVI . How blessed is that Heav'nly Place , Where thou , Oh CHRIST , doth dwell ! If thou canst bring such Joy and Peace , Into this Earthly Hell ? He , with whom , thou still present art , What ere on him is laid , If , thee he loves with all his heart , Needs , no where be afraid . Mewgate , Sept. 3. 1661. A Return , in Answer to some of them , who sent to know how it fares with me in my Imprisonment . GOD , gave me Grace ; by Grace I did conceive A saving Faith ; by saving Faith I live . My life of Faith , hath had a preservation , By Hearing , Acting , and by Meditation . By Meditation , I reduce to Words What my Experience in this life affords . By that Experience which I have attain'd , A Patience in my troubles I have gain'd ; My Patience hath such hopefulness begot , That , this disgraceful Prison shames me not . Though I am poor ( and , as our Proverb sayes ) As poor as Job ) unto my God be praise , I am no Beggar ; for , I have not yet , Been forc'd to ask for Money , Clothes , ot Meat ; Nor tempted ( having dayly bread ) to borrow Through fear of wants , that may befal to Morrow : And , well remembring , who was pleas'd to say There 's Care enough belonging to each Day , I , for a day to which I may not live , Will not of what I have , my self deprive . With my Condition , I am pleas'd , and merry , Of my long-suff'rings I am not grown weary . And wish those who pursue me with most hate No worse , then to enjoy the like estate , Except my Bands . I have acquir'd this rest , By those Means and Degrees , afore exprest , And , this , unfeignedly , to you declares How , at this present time , with me it fares . Sept. 7. 1661. from Newgate . George Wither . A Pass-By , in Relation to those , who seem offended at my Frequent-Scriblings , as they call them . ME thinks , I hear some say , who look upon These Papers ; will this fellow ne'r have done ? Which Questionists , I , with a smile contemn , Supposing , labour lost , in answering them : For , nothing is more pleasing to their ears Then Scurril Pamphlets , Bawdy Rimes , and Jeers . To them alone , therefore , who take delight In wholsome words , I le shew why still I write ; Presuming , that my Reasons will not seem To merit , altogether , disesteem . Although my former Poems , and my Musings Had not until of late Dayes , those perusings Which I expected , nor now valued be Of many , they have much refreshed me ; And , otherwile , for supplements have stood Instead of sleep , of Rayment , and of Food . In Troubles , me , they more content have made Then Wealth , Repute , and all the Friends I had . They cause me to be fearless of my Foes ; When I am vext , my spirit they compose ; When I am Poor , they are in stead of Wealth . When I am Sick , they help repair my Health ; When I am Well , they are my Recreation , When tempted to Despair , Hopes Reparation . Thereby , when Sadness comes , to Mirth I turn it ; When I am slieghted , they do make me scorn it . In Prisons , when my Body is confin'd They do so many wayes inlarge my Mind That , doubting whether will for me prove best , The Freedom lost , or that which is Possest , I use the means of Both ; but , wholly leave The choice to GOD ; and what he gives receive . They are Companions , when I 'm left alone ; They find me work to do , when I have none . By day , me from ill Company they keep ; Make nights less tedious , when I cannot sleep . They ease me , when I am opprest with wrongs ; When I want Musick , they do make me Songs . To Friends , who like them ( where 's no better cheer ) They , acceptable Entertainments are : Oft , likewise , I make use of them , instead Of Charms , when , I of Fools would fain be rid ; For , if I read them , but a page or two , They strait , grow weary , and away they go . They fix thoughts , which would quite slip out of mind , And , when writ down , I them , know where to find ; Yea , other men , thereby , have oft received Refreshments , if their words may be believed : And ( which is more then all this ) to GOD's praise , They are , and may be useful , sundry wayes . For these respects , whoever shall appear Pleas'd or displeas'd , to me my Musings are Considerable ; and if any one They do offend , them , he may let alone ; For , though they have been tendred unto many , I never , yet , inforced them on any , Against their wills ; except perhaps it were To save them , whose destruction I thought near ; And , ( I will not be shie the Truth to say ) No men , have worse requited me , then they : But peradventure , if that dead I were , None daring to be their Remembrancer , ( As I have been ) they may more mischief'd be Through want of one , then troubled now by me . George Wither's Appollogy for composing the Poem called Vox Vulgi ; being a Welcome home from the Counties , Citties and Burroughs , to their Prevaricating Members ; saving the honour of the House of Commons , and of every faithfull and discreet Individual member thereof ; which Poem was surprised before quite finished . The Contents . The Author , here makes his defence ; Clears his asspersed Innocence ; And frees himselfe , from Just suspition , Of acting ought , without Commission . HEre , I have time to meditate upon , What , I my self , and other men have done , Occasioning my suffering , at this time , And , in relation to what 's thought my Crime : Lest , therefore , I may him offend who gave it , I will improve this Leisure , whilst I have it ; For , when my Musings , are exprest in words , The better means to Scan them it affords ; And to declare , what I shall now expresse , I may hereafter , want both Time , and Place ; Or , being dead , before my Tryal-day , My false Accusors , to my charge may lay , What they shall please ; and none be certain , why I was committed in this Jayl to die . GOD give me strength , to finish this ; and than , Let all my foes , do , and say , what they can . I am not only question'd , for a thing , Presum'd misdone , but also , for the Spring Whence 't is deriv'd ; and pleas'd some are , to say That rending of my whole Estate away , Had me provok'd unto an angry-fit , Which was the Cause , of what I lately writ ; And , that I had a scurrulous intent . To cast asspertions on the Parliament . To make it so appear , depriv'd I am , Of what best proves , that , I deserve no blame . My last Conception , ( which , before to Light It could be brought , was snatcht out of my sight ) May forced be to speak , what I ne'r thought , Or , else , be smother'd , as a birth'worth nought : Or , ( that an ill intention may appear ) Some Verses may be pickt out here and there , ( Without those Qualifyings , which precede , Or follow , to illustrate what they read ) Whereby , some Inferences may be made , That , on Good-manners , I , intrenched had , In summing up , and personating that Which I have heard , the Common-voice relate : Thus much to be intended doth appear , By what , I do already see and hear . Which falsehood , if , but barely I deny I shall in words alone , retort the Lie ; And , Reason may be born down by the noises , Arising from plurallity of Voices , Yeld forth by them , who shall intrude to do , That , which nor GOD , nor Good-men calls them to . I , therefore , will produce a Vindication , That may be justifi'd by demonstration ; Or , by such Reasons as will do me right ; Unlesse they shall be kept from open sight , Or clipt ; or , I not suffered be to say That , which to clear , my self produce I may : And , if so ; by the consciences of them I shall be quit , whose words will me cendemn . My Cause , may for the present , injur'd be ; But , all the World can do no harm to me . Though that which is without me , wrong'd hath been And may be still , all shall be safe within , So long as GOD , assisteth me , by whom I , with this confidence , am arm'd become ; And peradventure , they who think to spoil , This confidence , may give themselves the foile . Their scandal , in the first place , I le assay , To wipe off , who suppose my losses may Provoke me , or , that my oppressions had Prevail'd , to make me grow a little mad ; But , they mistaken are in that surmise ; For , to the world-ward , I am so wise , To be by them distempred , in a mood Like those , who trust in Riches more than GOD ; And , by what I am like to undergoe , It will be proved , whether it be so . I am not so in love , as men conceive , With that , whereof the World can me bereave , As to ingage , for such poor Interests , My quiet in this life , by those contests Which I adventure on , if I saw nought , That much more worth such hazards , I had thought : And , this mind , if my Actions did not shew , In former times , those will that shall ensue , When , more undoubtedly those things appear , Which of my Writings , the chief motives were . And will shew whether , I did ought intend To drive on an ignoble , or self-end . It may he known , by what was heretofore Divulg'd , that , nothing now befalls me more Then I expected ; That , I did foresee What lately seiz'd on other men and me : That , having been here , in the Worlds great School So long a time , I was not so much Fool , As not to know , how , Friends , and means to make In seasonable time to save my stake And mend my Game ; if I unto that end Had play'd it , which most other men intend ; Or , if I thought those men , who look on me With most contempt , were better then they be . I knew as well as any , how to Fawn , And flatter ; what to give , and what to Pawn For my advantage , if I could have thought That , worth my seeking , for which most men sought . But though I find it an imperfect Light Whereby at first , I walk'd , it gave me sight Of much more then the World believ'd , I saw , And , kept me of mine own heart so in awe , That , notwithstanding I did for a season Oft stagger to and fro , 'twixt Faith and Reason , ( And stumbled otherwhile , into those things Which Ruine , unless Grace prevention brings ) I , in the main , pursu'd a Good Design ; ( Not , I confess , by any power of mine ) And by some Symptoms , at the last , perceiv'd , That , till of my Estate , I was bereav'd , My work , would neither well be carryed on ( When that time came , wherein it should be done ) Nor , take so good effect , as it would then , Upon my Self , or upon other men . For , which cause , when I saw it must be so , Without reluctancy , I , let all go , And without nourishing , a secret spleen Against their persons , who my foes have been . This , future things , much better will display Then all which at this present , I can say ; As also , that , they who from me of late , Have torn unmercifully , my Estate ; By far worse motives thereunto were led , Then those , which me inclin'd to what I did . Loss to prevent , or to regain what 's lost , I did adventure no more pains or cost , Then Reason warranted , and obligations Which bound me to have care of my Relations ; Or might , then , by pursuing of that course Assure me , how much better'd , or grown worse Men , by those Judgements and those Mercies were , Which GOD , had variously dispensed here ; And , having thereby learned what GOd meant I , with my losses was as well content As is a Christian when by Turks pursu'd ( Who overpower him by their multitude ) He wracks his Vessell on a friendly shore , Where , he hath Life and Freedom , though no more . Why , should I angry be to see that gone Which if I had not lost , had me undone ? Which also , will undo them , who now have it , And ( if good heed he take not ) him that gave it ? Or , which will be restor'd again to me , If , for GOD's Glory , and my good it be ? Why , should I be displeas'd to be bereft Of that , whose loss hath an assurance left Of better things ? Of that , which , whilst possest , Increast my troubles , and disturb'd my rest ? Of that , which I must shortly leave ( though mine ) And , know not ( when the same I must resign ) Whether , it to their Weal or Woe , shall tend , To whom , when I am dead , it will descend ? These things considered , all wise men know That , nor these , nor my former Musings flow From discontentments , or from wrath that springs From loss of inconsiderable things : And Wisemens , good esteems , if keep I may , A rush I care not , what fools think or say , On whom , the less impression it will make , The more I rationally write , or speak . But , that , whereby most blame to me may come , ( And , which will probably be charged home ) Is an Impeachment for a hainous thing That some are pleas'd to call a Lybelling Against the COMMONS ; which , if proved true I le ask no favour : For , I think none due ; And , if it be an unjust imputation I for my sufferings claim a Reparation , Expecting ( which ought not to be refus'd ) That , what is call'd a Lybel be produc'd To open view , and sight of ev'ry one Who may concerned be , in what is done : And , that , none may usurp a Priviledge Thereon to passe a Sentence as my Judge , Who shall not read , or hear the same throughout ▪ For , Solomon hath freed it so from doubt That , to averr , I shall not be a fear'd , He , that doth Censure what he never heard , Deserveth shame ; And I shall rather laugh And Jeer thereat , then either grieve or chafe ; Because , ( at worst ) I , then a Doome shall have , Much like as if , a Fool had call'd me Knave . If left to Publick view , my Poem be , And finisht as intended was by me No worse construction , thereof can be made Then this , that , I have call'd a Spade a Spade ; And , means devis'd , whereby men may appear Unto themselves , what others know they are . By fained speakers , I have onely said What was to me by Common-fame convey'd And murmur'd in most places , to worse ends Then that , wheteto my harmless Poem tends : And , if I may presume the Truth to tell I am rewarded ill , for doing well : For , thereby , I not onely turn'd aside That general reproach which was apply'd To all the House of Commons , and , alone To them confin'd it , who brought blame thereon ; But , likewise , without personally blaming ( Or marking any forth ) to their defaming , Have sought to bring it to their Cognisance , Who might thereby , the Publick weal advance ; And , who , if it prov'd worthy Approbation Might useful make it for the Reformation Of that , which else , will have a Cousequence More hurtful , then my Innocent-Offence , For , though by publication , I had done What might have seem'd a fault ; ( and now is none ) The Generality but little more Had thereby known , then what most knew before , When to worse ends , and more apparant wrongs 'T was tost , upon the Rackets of mens Tongues ; Who , so dissatisfied seem to be By what , they lately feel , and hear and see , That very frequently they are offended Ev'n with what for their welfare , seems intended ; Because , they having often been deceiv'd Suspect , some future mischiefs then conceiv'd : Yea , then , are things , when plausibly projected , The lesse believed , and the more suspected ; Not by those onely , who now called are Phanaticks , but , by those likewise that were Distinguish'd by the name of Cavalier ; Yea , and our Jacks indifferent , do begin To be more Talkative then they have been , Because , they find themselves in danger ( whether They are of this , or that side , or of neither ) So long , as things which Reason order might , Shall passe by number onely , without weight . To intimate , that , Parliaments had been Disturb'd , by some of those , who were brought in A surrepticious way ; and , that by them The People were abus ' , d is no great crime ; Nor is affirming , that they were deceiv'd Unfitting to be spoken , or believ'd , When generally avow'd ; nor to averr A Parliament in grosse , may sometimes err , Since , neither to be wise , or Innocent , Is , an inseperable Accident Of Parliaments ; as hath apparant been , By that , which we in our own dayes have seen : For , that , they may with Treason , and with Murther , Be charged , we shall need to look no further Then , unto those Transactions which have past , Both in this Parliament , and in the last . What have I then misdone in making known How foolish , mad , or wicked some were grown ? How much opprest men are ; how griev'd ; and how Exasperated , more and more , they grow ? What fault commit I , when I hear men say What 's done , and what I see done every day , If I declare ( sedition to prevent ) That I perceive most men are discontent , And froward ? since I neither made them such , Nor , therein am concerned half so much As other men ? nor did intend a course Thereby , to make what 's evil , to be worse ? And , since , by that , which lately written was By me , no mischief can be brought to passe , Unless , by accident befall it may , As when Heat melteth Wax , and hardens Clay . It seems hard usage ( therefore ) to be thrown Into a Jail ; of all that was mine own , In my old Age dispoil'd ; shut up alone , Where , sick or well ( attended on by none ) I must in longest nights the hazzards take Of what may happen , sleeping or awake ; Not impudent enough , to beg or borrow , Nor having certainty of bread , to morrow , If Charity should fail : which , is a case Much worse , then oft befalleth in this place , To Thieves and Murtherers : yet , this is not Here mention'd as repining at my Lot ; For , whereas I am onely lodged there , Where Murtherers and Thieves confined are , The Son of GOD , who for my Ransome dy'd Was twixt a Thief and Murth'rer crucifi'd : And , in my present suff'rings I am eas'd , By being well assur'd , that GOD is pleas'd With what befals ; and that I shall at last Be fill'd with sweetness , by what had a taste Of Bitterness at first ; and , that to them Who , me and my endeavour now contemn , Things may hereafter profitable be , Which are at present , mischievous to me . Despised Instruments will be of use To bring to mind , that which will help reduce Confusion into order , when apply'd By Meekness , and not spurned at by Pride ; And , things which by the world , as much were Jeer'd As Josuah's Rams-horns , when he first appear'd Surrounding Jericho , will bring about As great a Miracle , as then was wrought ; Though no Examples , yet , nor good advice , Nor private Admonitions make those wise , Who have not Eyes to see , what they behold Nor Ears , to hear a Truth , when it is told . The hour is not yet come , which I expect May probably give this a good effect . But , there are times wherein that will content For which , we shall at other times be shent . My Poem , stiled OPOBALSAMUM , ( Though ) more offensive , then my last , to some ) The Commons ( named the Long Parliament ) Did winck at , without show of discontent : Yea , though in plain terms , I made bold to tell Wherein , their faulty-members did not well . I , then ( as in the last ) had so divided The Goats from Sheep ; and had so well provided To save their honour , who least guilty were That ( though when that first Poem , did appear , I was to them a Prisoner , for telling What some of them to hear of , were unwilling ) They me inlarged , and vouchsaf'd me more Respect in show , then e're they did before . For , prudently observing , that the shame Which they in chief deserv'd , who were to blame , Was upon all , without distinction flung , ( Till , unto those to whom it did belong , I had confin'd it ) not one word was spoken To me , which their displeasure might betoken ; And , some good use was made , ( though I confess Not very much ) of what I did express : And , when , by time , that out of mind was wore , I , had as little favour as before . And , so I have had also , ever since ; For , still , some at my writings took offence , And more my wrongs , by one foe , one day , were Then all my Friends , could right in twenty year . I may have hope , the Commons before whom I must be try'd , as prudent will become . The Priviledge of WATERFORD affords , The Freedom of explaining their own words To all her Citizens . If my words are Allow'd but that Sense onely , which they bear Grammatically , I no more desire , So that my Poem be preserv'd intire , And perfected with my last thoughts thereon According to my mind when 't was begun . For , no great credit again thereby they shall Who weigh a matter , till they hear it all , And , they will much bewray their ignorances , Who heed not Causes , with their Circumstances . There was before my Book , as Epigram Whereby , I wholly Vindicated am From that which is pretended ; and , I hear That will not be permitted to appear . If so , I find it , there is mischief meant Which I shall find a Medium to prevent , Unless there be , in some an impudence Much more deserving blame then my offence . That Epigram did evidently shew My Book designed for the private view Of Clarendon , ( suppos'd so wise and just , That , him , the King is pleased to intrust Ev'n with his Conscience ) to receive his Doom Before , that forth in Publick it should come : Because , that , I was hopeful it might bring By means of him , some notions to the King Whereof his Wisdom , would have made some use To further , what shall to his Weal conduce ; And , if that Epigram concealed be It both dishonours him , and injures me . For , lyable it makes him , to suspect That , me , in Ill designs , he doth protect ; The wrong to me is without precedent , For , e're I had expressed what I meant With my imperfect Poem , I was seiz'd ; Accus'd of whatsoever others pleas'd , And here , unto an ignominious Jail Committed am unheard , and without Bail. I hope for better usage , when the Ring Of suff'rings I have trod , till me it bring Before my Judges : ( for what e're is thought ) Their honour , I have not infring'd in ought . Their charge , against me , I , yet know not how May honestly be prov'd ; but , this I know , The House of Commons may much honour get By well approving that which I have writ ( Considering , I therein have appeal'd , To GOD , and men ) if , it be not conceal'd . From open view , and mulcts upon me laid For mentioning in private , what was said , In publick by the People ; who , thereby And , therein , are concern'd as much as I ; Because , my purpose , in that Poem , tends To common good , without sinister ends . And , if we to our selves , may not relate , Our thoughts in words , and them Communicate To Peers intrusted by the Supream Power , ( For Preservarion of their peace and our ) We are in danger , shortly , to become The veriest slaves throughout all Christendom . But , ( as I said in that which was surpriz'd ) The Prudent Commons , will be so advis'd When they with seriousness , have that perused Whereby , they are suppos'd by me abused , That , finding none reproved save onely those , Who them in their debatings did oppose ; And , that they likewise ( after next October , Who were half mad in June ) wise , and grown sober , Will mend their former manners , and become As helpful , as they have been troublesome ; Both Parties then , will , peradventure be Thenceforth , as fully , reconcil'd to me As I to all men am ; and , what was not Ill-meant , shall be well taken , or forgot . If , it be so ; It will a Symptome prove Of an abatement , if not of remove , Of some oppressions , to prepare the way For what 's reserv'd , untill another day . But , to what end is this Apologie ? Not meerly , from this place wherein I lie , To free my Person ; or , from that , which may To me befall upon my Tryal-day . No ; those effects , must from an abler spirit Proceed : All I can say , or do , or merit , To add a contribution thereunto , So , little , will to such a purpose do , That , rather , provoke more my Foes , I shall And deeper , into their displeasure fall : For , 't is not pleading in the fittest Season A Righteous Cause , with Arguments Reason ; Nor is it our well-doing ; or our saying The Truth ; nor Preaching ; nor unto them , Praying ; Nor our long-suff'rings ; nor ( when past they are ) Good services to them , how great so e're , That so much moves , as Flattery , making Friends , Large Gifts , and serving of their present ends . I , therefore , have but an occasion took Thereby , to mention somewhat , yet unspoke A Nobler Cause concerning then mine own , ( And whereon , Words will better be bestown ) Wholly to GOD committing the success Make that , the chief aim of what I express . For , hearing what is done , ( by common Fame ) And partly knowing , that , oblig'd I am Not by my Nat'ral faculties alone , On me conferred for that end , ( or none ) But , also , by my Christianity , ( And , not a little , by a Moral-Tie ) To speak , and write , and do the best I may , To bring them who are out , into their way ; And , I le express , what e're to that effect I do believe may tend ; without respect To Persons of a high or low degree ; Or , any Powers on Earth , who e're they be . Councills and Parliaments , and Soveraign Kings , I do acknowledge to be Sacred things , Whose Reputation , whilst ( at least ) they are In being , ought with conscientious care To be preserv'd ; because on them depends , That , which to publick woe or welfare tends . Yet , He , from whom all Powers their Being had , And they , for whose sakes onely they were made Ought so to be preferr'd , that , nought be wav'd Whereby their dues , and honours , may be sav'd . We have oft seen and felt , in our own times , That , they of such Confusions , and such Crimes Hath been the cause at least in letting in Much more destructive Plagues , then all the Sin Of Privare Persons ; and , that which we know Was heretofore , may be hereafter so . Yea , may and will , in every Age grow worse Unless there be provision of some course To regulate them ; and , a free consession ( To Persons qualified with discretion ) To mind them of their duties , who have dar'd When they to Publick places were prefer'd , Imploy those Priviledges as their own Which were for Publick services bestown ; And , often do abuse them , to the wrong Of them , to whom of right , they do belong . 'T is now high time , that Earthly Kings & Judges , Should wiser grow ; and use their Peiviledges , To better purposes then heretofore : For , his great Kingdom , now is at the door , Which will destroy those Empires that begun In NIMROD , and through various forms did run Until the Tyrannies , beginning than Shall have an end in that Misterious-man , Who , by the Dragon , Scarlet-Whore and BEAST , ( Though mystically ) truly is exprest . Then , shall those Tyrannies , and Usurpations Whereby he , long time , hath opprest the Nations , And therewith , every Branch that sprung therefrom , Unto an everlasting Ruine come ; Though some of them are seemingly Besainted , And with fair shewes of Holiness Bepainted . For , I believe ( although it doth appear To few men , yet ) Divine Records declare Aswell the Term of NIMROD'S Emperies As of Mysterious Babels Tyrannies , Whose time , Six hundred sixty six is known To number out : and , which must be ov'rthrown With that , from whence it sprung , when ripe 't is grown . That , to be All in all , GOD , may be known . ( grown . And ( as I've oft inferr'd ) they , who belong To that new Empire , which will then grow strong , Shall now way need their Persons , to ingage By violent Actings ; but , to bear the rage Of their opposers with a patient heart ; For , suff'ring onely , will be their chief part . And , he who in the Assyrian hoast did smite Fourscore five thousand Persons , in one night , Shall by the Pow'r and vertue of his Word Perform that work , without their hand or sword . The CUP of Fornication , so bewitches With love of Pleasures , Honours , and of Riches The great men of the Earth , that , they think none Are sober men , unless they dote upon Those Vanities , and prosecute those Ends To which , their Policy and Power tends , Until they grow as mad or drunk as they ; And , then perhaps , for wise men , pass they may . As David sayes , They will not Understand ; They will not heed what GOD hath now in hand ; But , obstinately still adhere to those Who , tempt them on , unto their ov'rthrowes , Till Ruine comes : For , they are not aware How cheated by those Mountebanks they are ; Nor how those Parasites increase their store , Ev'n to excess , by making of them poor : Nor heed they , how , these cause them to destroy Those men , by whom they safety might enjoy With Love and Honour , if they did not lend Their Ears to those , who no Good-men befren'd . They shut their Eyes , and therefore cannot see Into what dangers they approaching be ; And , those as much they hate who cross their will To save them , as if they did come to kill . That , which they call , the Reason of the State , Too far insisted on , is often that Which proves the bane of Kingdoms ; & yet still Either false Prophets , Priests , or their self-will Therewith besots them ; though they have bin told , What thereon hath ensu'd in times of old When , Princes , GOD's directions had despis'd ; And acted that , which their own hearts devis'd Although they by experiments had seen , What , of their Policies , the fruits have been . These were of old examples : Saul , thereby Deprived was of Life and Soveraignty . King Solomon , by something like that Knack ( To please his Wives ) in honour suff'red Wrack . So , Jeroboam , though , GOD promis'd him , And to his seed , a lasting Diadem , By that State-policy , whereby he sought To keep the Throne , the loss thereof was wrought . Jehu , regardless of GOD's promises The same course following , had the like success . High places , Altars , Groves , and Priests of Baal Were chief occasions of King Ahabs fall , The bringing of the Gods of Edom home , In hope that they a strengthning might become Unto his Kingdom , was the overthrow Of Amaziah , and of many moe . State-Policy , made Judah's King contemn The Prophets Counsel , when Jerusalem Was first destroyed , and the Jews inslaved Who , might then , from that Bondage have been saved ; And , they who truly sought their preservation Reputed were ( as now ) Foes to their Nation , Disloyal to their King , seiz'd as supitious , And punished as Factious or Seditious . State-Policy , caus'd breaking of that Oath For which GOD was with Zedekiah wroth , And punished in such a Signal wise That he lost both his Kingdom and his Eyes : And , Politick enlarging of Possessions Or Power , by loading Nations with Oppressions , To further State-Designs ( until it wracks Their Loyalties , and then their patience cracks ) Hath been , and will be , in all times , and Nations , The cause of Wars , Rebellions , desolations And changing Governments : But , now ere long When human Policy , hath made most strong The MISTRIS of Terrestrial Potentates , By Counsel , Strength , and by Confederates , Combin'd as they intend ( and when their might Hath raised Expectation to the height ) Then ; She , and They , shall be unto each other A mutual Plague , and be destroy'd together , With ev'ry Person , Family , and Nation , Which is a Member of that Corporation : And then , those PEDLERS who are now so jolly , Shall , packing up the Tokens of their folly Run to seek out where they their heads may hide , From that , whereby , they shall be terrifi'd . Let him , that hath an ear to hear this , hear it ; Let proud men tremble ; Let the mighty fear it ; And let the Meek rejoyce ; For , GOD will turn Their Sorrows into Gladness , who now Mourn . It is not only , now , of much behoof , But , necessary too , that sharp Reproof Advice and Admonition , should be given To all Estates and Princes under Heaven , Yea , and particularly be apply'd By some , and in some cases , when aside They from the way of safety , stray so far That , to apparant danger , nigh they are ; ( How ere they take it , or what ever shall Thereby , to their Premomters befall ) Because , by States , if wickedly inclin'd , The greatest Plagues do fall upon mankind . This made Elia's to become so bold When Ahab , of his wickedness he told Unto his face ; and when , to like intent , A Writing , he to King Jehoram sent . This , to reprove King Asa , without dread , The SEER Hanani encouraged . This , made the Prophet Samuel so to School King Saul , that in effect , he call'd him Fool ; And , John the Baptist , speak as plainly too , Of Herod , as now they term'd Quakers do To some with us : This , also , did induce King David , who observed the abuse Of Courts and Councils , to cry out on them To this effect ; how long ! will ye condemn The poor and Innocent ? how long ! oppress The man , afflicted , and the Fatherless ? How long ! will ye unrighteously neglect The cause that 's just , for personal respect ? Do Justice , and vouchsafe compassion more Hereafter , then ye have done heretofore ; For , ( if it be not ) to you , be it known You walk in darkness ; you have overthrown The worlds Foundations ; wilfully inforce , All things to move out of their proper course ; And , that , though GOD himself hath call'd you Gods A difference making ( with no little odds ) Twixt you and common men , yet , die you shall Like them ; yea , die such Death's , as did befall To wicked Princes , who , unto their place Went down , with greatest horror and disgrace . Although such rough Reprooss on silken Ears Grate harshly , and are thought by Flatterers To sound like Blasphemy : This in old times The Language was , in which great Princes crimes Rebuked were ; This was the usual mode , Till slavish men , fear'd mortals more then GOD. Thus , David spake unto the Congregations Of mighty men ; Thus , through all Generations To them should Truth be told , as need requir'd , By those who , to that purpose are inspir'd : Republicks , Kings , and Councils , Objects are Of such Reproofs , and so reproved were , And , how inrag'd soever they are grown GOD , will be King ; his pleasure hee 'l make known By whom soever he pleases , that their crimes May now , as well as in preceding times Reproved be ; For , States and private men Are every whit as guilty , now , as then . The same at this time , or , the like Omissions , The like Exorbitances , and Oppressions In this our Generation may be found ; And more and more , are likely to abound If not prevented ; for , the things we should : We neither do , nor suffer those who would , And , if we can but force men to professe As we do , though against their Consciences , We think we have secur'd them to our side ; Whereas , when such mens Truths come to be try'd , Who are for fear , or for advantage won To act what is against their Conscience done , ( They , being both to GOD , and Men unjust ) In them , there 's of all other , the least trust : For , how long ? or to whom ? or unto what Will they be true , who Conscience violate ? Doubtless , without a speedy Reformation , It wholly , will corrupt this Generation , Fit us for nothing , but , for what is Evil , And , to be serviceable to the Devil . As therefore 't is unfit that ev'ry one Should States , reprove , 't is as unfit that none Perform that Work , and brutish , to conceive That , GOD , the Worlds last and worst Age , should leave Without Premonitors ; or , that the dayes Most wicked grown , requir'd not stranger wayes Of Admonition , then have been in use When , of GOD's Grace there was much less abuse : For , Providence , that nothing doth omit Which , either Work or Season , may befit , ( Although , but little heed thereof be took ) Hath lately , to this Generation spoke By many Prodigies : Each Element Hath very plainly Preached GOD's intent : Yea , many Dispensations , which to us Seem to be wicked , or ridiculous , Have somewhat in them , which relates unto That , which we have done , or else ought to do Or have Omitted ; or else to be Signs Of that , whereto this later Age declines : And , that such things as those , in these last Ages Should be , we have Authentical Presages . But , Visions , Revelations , Prophesies Or such like , now , the common-voice decries As at an end : which I , confesse , is true As they concern revealing Doctrines new To saving Faith relating : yet , of that , Which may concern the Temporarie State Of CHRIST'S Church Militant , or his Elect In Actings or in Suff'rings to direct ; Or , of unfolding Prophesies to them , Which were seal'd up , till an appointed time , GOD , hath vouchsaf'd in season , Revelations As need required in all Generations , By whom he pleas'd ; and frequently , by such As , by the world , were not esteemed much . Some think , that nothing meriteth regard Save what by Ancient Prophets , was declar'd , Who were immediately inspir'd from Heaven , By special Warrant and Commission given . Be not deceiv'd ; the same Commission , still , Is extant with us , under hand and Seal , In Execution to be put , by all Whom , for time being , GOD shall please to call To be his Prophets ; who , aswell may now As heretofore , be called from the Plow , From Herds , Fruit gathering , Fishing , from a Trade Which , in the World small reputation had , Or ( as when Christianity began ) From being an extorting Pablican ; This , may believed be ; for , what is else The meaning of that Scripture which foretells Their Sons and Daughters in the later times , Should Prophesie ? That , old men should have Dreams , And young men Visions ? Mind too ( if forgot It be ) and know it , if you know it not , That every one , who hath in Interest In CHRIST , is now , King , Prophet and a Priest , ( Anointed , at renewing of his Birth , To do him services here upon Earth ; And stands oblig'd , as he occasion sees To execute all these three Offices According to the measure of GOD's Grace Bestown , and in his proper Time and Place ; And , these impower'd by his Commissions are To Parliaments , and Councils to declare ▪ ( At least in general terms ) what may prevent Dishonouring God , or common Detriment ; And be Remembrancers , of such like things , As need requires , unto the greatest Kings . Kings , also , should have still attending them Such SEERS , as to David in old time The Prophet Nathan was . But , in the stead Of such , Baffoons , or Jesters do succced , In Princes Courts ; by whom , they sometimes are Inform'd of useless truths , by way of Jeer ; And , other while , perhaps , a formallist , So far as it with Courtship may consist , Will mind them of such duties as they see By them perform'd ; but , such as wholly be Neglected , and by whose neglect they may Be quite destroy'd , they , not a word will say . On many Kings ; their lies a heavy charge ; Their Kingdoms are both Populous and large ; There , likewise , are so many thousand cases Which do concern their Persons , or their places Or other men ; and such a few there are To represent them to a Royal Ear And , likewise of those few , there are so few Who represent unto them what is true , That , whilst a freedom is allow'd to none To shew them what 's destructively misdone , Or , what is fam'd ; All their Prerogatives May not secure their Honours and theit lives : Especially , at such a time as this Wherein GOD searcheth after what 's amisse ; And , hath already , both begun to cast Into his fiery Furnace , and to blast All Humane Wisdom , Pow'r and Righteousness ( Yea all , wherein their confidence men place ) That , they may know , all Evils do from them Proceed , and all things , that are good , from him . Moreover , that , which long since was foretold , Some of this Generation shall behold , In differing States , and with as different Passions According to their differing Inclinations ; And by the Men , and means the world despises , In spight of all that Hamane wit devises It shall be brought to pass ; And , they who did Defend the noblest Cause , then , best shall speed . Oblig'd , for these respects , is ev'ry one To do , what in his place is to be done , That GOD's Will , so far forth as Power is given , May here be done on Earth , as 't is in Heaven : A safe condition , they are alwayes in Who trust not in their merits ; hate their Sin ; And their endeavours labour to improve In Faith , and Meekness , Patience , Hope and Love ; That this may be effected , whatsoever It costs them , in pursuing that endeavour . For , Priviledges of the Humane Nature , More Sacred are then those of any Creature Beneath the GODHEAD ; and , to all Mankind He is a Traytor , who hath ought design'd . Against that Interest ; and therefore , I Vow , in defence thereof , to live and die . In order thereunto , I now employ , The Faculty and Talent I enjoy , Which , GOD hath made proportionable to The works , and men , with whom I have to do . That , which I suffer for , on this Account Was done ; By GOD's Commission I have done 't . If truth I write , I am no whit to blame , If it be false , I an Imposter am ; And , let the Commons , when that next they meet , Deal with me for it , as GOD shall permit . I have discharg'd my Conscience : And , if me , He will not save , I , saved will not be ; Nor will I , in this Cause plead one word more , Then , this , and what I 've written heretofore . I know the World ; she also knows her own And , we shall both ere long be better known : Mean while , this my Imprisonment to me Will my Teipsum nosce , prove to be . This also , and what 's formerly exprest Of me , and of this Age , will be a TEST . Now , I le retire unto my self , and sing To GOD , be glory ; and God save the King. They , who are wise will observe these things ; and shall understand the Loving kindness of the LORD . Psal . 104.43 . Another Meditation in Newgate , somewhat alluding to this old verse in Seneca , Nunquam non Potest , esse Virtuti locus . Which implies , that no Place , or Time can disadvantage an Honest-man . THere 's diff'rence in the self same Times and Places , As GOD conferreth , or withdraws his Graces ; Or , as our Cause is ; or , as we shall find Our hearts , to be ought more or less inclin'd , To bring the Flesh into a due subjection , Unto the Spirits Dictates and direction . For , this Place , I perceive to be the same To me , which I unto my self , now am , And , not that , which it is to most of them Who are with me confined at this time . By Burthens ( though as great ) are made more light , Then theirs are unto them ; The day or night , Are no whit tedious ; nor unpleasing make My sleep , nor Cares renew , when I awake : But , I as well contented am become , In all respects , as ev'r I was at home ; Although , as well by my Intelligence , I , my Afflictions feel , as by my Sense : For , ev'n those things , which in themselves are bitter , To cure Distempers , prove not onely fitter , But sweeter too , then that which in times past Was more defir'd , and did most please my taste . The want of sleep here , and of such like things As else where , and at other Seasons , brings Pain to the Flesh , and to the Soul vexations , Are either made to me sweet Recreations , Or give Instruction , in another mode , And more effectually , then things abroad . Last night , as in my Bed I musing lay How Time and Life , and all things pass away ; How needlesly our selves we vex and pother , Destroy , afflict , and persecute each other ; What cost , and pains , and time , we spend to build That , which will in a little while be spoil'd ; And , how , the quiet of our lives we trouble About our structures of wood , straw and stubble ; Which , when our several Fiery Tryals come , Will into smoke and Ashes , quite consume ; It made me take into consideration What I had Built , and upon what Foundation , That , I my self , might therein be secure Although my Works , the flame should not endure . And , thereof , having an assurance got The loss of all my Works disturb me not : For , I , a thousand times more pleas'd am grown With his on whom I Build , then with mine own . My Soul then , ( which in her complantings , Flies like an Eagle mounted on her wings Through wayes , which to no other can appear ) To various Objects , scatter'd here and there , Her Flights directing ; at the last descri'd That Flame , whereby the works of men are try'd ; To which , mine Eye of Contemplation turning , To see each single humane structure burning , It was to me , a much more pleasing sight Then Bon-fires on a Solemn Day at night When young and old men round them in a Ring Do sit and hear a Fidler play and sing ; And , ' mongst all things , which to the Fire then yielded , The Paper works which have been lately builded Did make the greatest Blaze ; and to mine eyes Appear'd to be the best Burnt-sacrifice That had been off'red in this Age by men , By , at the least , nine and a half in ten ; Because , they have a prime occasion been Both of our present Plagues , and of much Sin : And , griev'd I was not , that , some of mine own Must into that refining fire be thrown , For , though that useful they might be some way , Much of them , have ( I fear ) too much alay . There are among our Papers-Edifices , Some useful , sanctifi'd , and harmless Peeces Which may be helpful to preserve those Notions Whereby , our Faith , our manners and Devotions May be improved , and likewise to clear The Lanthorn , which the saving Light doth bear , From those bedaubings , which the Foggs of Time , And mists of Ignorance , have made so dim , That , many things , it very dubious makes And doth occasion manifold mistakes : But , they are buried so in heaps of trash , So choakt , with intermixed Balderdash , And , so supprest by them who hate the Light , ( Or , persecute the Authors with despight ) That , they are but like here and there a spark , Which lies at Bopeep , twinckling in the dark ; And , would be quite quencht , if not oft reviv'd . By him , from whom , they were at first deriv'd . Yet ( like the Fire which in a Wat'ry-Pit , ( Was hid ) although such sparks be clouded , yet They will break forth ; and kindled by the blast Of GOD's out-breathings , raise a flame at last , That shall quite burn up , those huge Piles of vain And Pestilent contrivements of the Brain . For , they are , and have long time , been the Tinder Of Pride and Lust , and Discord . They , do hinder The Publick Peace ; The growth of Truth and Love They do obstruct ; All wickedness promove , And all Prophaness ; Ignorance they cherish , Destructive Animosites they nourish : Yea , have so fill'd the world with Books of lies , Patcht up with forged probabilities , That , 't is impossible the Time succeeding Should know the Truth of any thing by reading , Without a more then common Intellect Or , some Divine Assistance to direct . For , they have put on most things , such disguises , That , Vertues , hardly can ▪ be known from Vices , Or Truths from Heresies , or wit from folly , Or things prophane discern'd from what is holy ; Nor cheating Sophistries , from soundest Reason , Nor Right from wrong , nor Loyalty from Treason ; Nor Reprobates from Saints ; nor Saints from Devils , Nor saving Doctrines from destroying Evils , Except some help which hath vouchsafed been From GOD , shall much improve the Light within . This notwithstanding , pleased be to know , ( Although there is to them pronounc'd a Woe By whom offences come ) it fitting were That , if an Evil be , it should appear : And , ( since GOD doth permit it for Probation That good and evil in each Generation Sholdu manifest it self ) that by the Crimes Of others , men Approv'd may know the Times , We with a sanctified heart should heed them And , to those ends improve them when we read them For which they were permitted . Thus , from Acts That evil are , the prudent man extracts Good uses , as Physitians when it needs , Extracteth Physick out of poysonous Weeds . Thus far , my Muse before I was aware Had rambled ; But , I le cast the Lure up , here . These , & such thoughts as these , me waking kept Whilst , many Dream'd of other things , and slept . This , of the last nights Musings , portion was ; ( Which , if you please , may for a Vision passe ) And , when the morning came , thus , into words I put , as much as memory affords . Newgate , the 27th . day of the 7. Moneth , 1661. A Meditation , occasioned by the same Prisoners calling to mind , Jeremies Prophecie to Ebed-melech , the Blackmore , Jerem. 39.15 . I Am oblig'd , as much as I am able , To be to other men as comfortable As they have been to me ; and , though ( as John And Peter said long since ) Gold I have none Nor silver ) what I have , I will repay , And , that , perhaps , may useful be some way . What was Ebed-melech , but , one of those Who , Nationally , were esteemed Foes , To GOD , and to his Church ? which way , can we By what is writ of him , advantag'd be More then by other Common Histories , If , from what 's mention'd in such Peophesies , We may not with good warranty , apply The same rewards of Faith and Charity , ( To ev'ry man in every Generation ) Which was recorded by the Jewish Nation , Both to infuse and warrant , the same hope Which was confirmed to this Aethiope ? But , doubtlesly we may ; since , for our learning For our direction , comfort and forewarning , All those things , principally , were ordain'd Which , in the holy Scriptures are contain'd . This person , represents to us , our state By nature , and as men regenerate . The life of Jeremiah he preserved , Who , else , within a Dungeon had been starved : Him , forth out of a lothsome Pit he drew , When , nor Prince , Peer , or Priest , nor any Jew To him vouchsafed mercy : he , alone , Did more then any Isra'lite had done , Although a Gentile , and a Courtier too , Who , seldom , works of Charity , will do . And , this , was so accepted of the LORD , That by the self same Prophet , he sent word ( Ev'n whilst that he detain'd in Prison was As I am now ) that , when upon the place Of his abode , the dreadful doom foretold Inflicted was , he should the same behold ; And , that , to him , on their destruction day His life , should be vouchsafed , for a prey . This Signal Mercy to my mind was brought , In this place , pertinently , ( as I thought ) Why , from this Patern therefore , may not I Who , for declaring truth , imprison'd lie , Shew forth that mercy which I have receiv'd And whereby , I am hitherto repriev'd From what to me , might probably have been As bad , as that which Jeremy was in ? For , Age and Poverty , in such a place , Might quickly have destroy'd one in my case . My Soul , for this Compassion , praise thou him Who hath vouchsafed it ; and blesse thou them My gracious GOD , who were the Instruments In that , which my destruction here prevents : Although , they of a forraign Nation are not They , Neighbours , Kinsmen , or Familiars were not But all of them ( except a very few ) Such , as untill of late , I neither knew In Person , or by name ; some of them be In judgement also , differing from me In some points ; which , infallibly doth prove Their Faith is true , and perfected by Love. Their Charity . ( This I dare boldly say ) GOD , will reward , upon their Tryal day ; And , in those future dreadful Visitations Which , likely are , to come upon these Nations Preserve their lives , to see them , who oppresse , Receive their portions with the merciless . As sure , as I yet live , it will be thus ; Or , they , at least , when Christ calls them , with us , Before his Judgement-throne ; repaid will be What they have here vouchsafed unto me ; For , mercy , though extended to a Beast ( Much more to man ) with some reward is blest , And , though I were a more unworthy wretch Then was by Nature , that Ebed-melech , Yet , forasmuch , as me they have received As one of Christs Disciples , and relieved , ( What er'e I am ) he , Charity regards , And , they , accordingly shall have rewards . Newgate , Sept. 26. 1661. An Antidote against Fear , composed upon the Citizens being unexpectedly in Arms , Sept. 28. 1661. at night . GOD , keep all safe abroad ; I 'm in my Bed , And , see no danger yet , or cause of dread . Emanuel my Protector is become , He , keeps all Pannick-fears out of this Roome , And , though the Devil and my Foes together Confederated , they can bring none hither . Here 's nought , that any way doth me disease , Unless , it be a few poor starveling Fleas , Which , I perceive are more afraid of me , Then cause I have of them afraid to be : For , if I do but shrugg , where it doth itch , They skip into a hole , and there they couch . No Thief , I think , to rob me dares appear , Within these Walls , the Gallowes are so near ; And , likewise , I believe , 't is known full well , I 've nought to lose , nor ought for them to steal . I no Back-biters had , since to this house I my Commitment had , except , one Louse Which now is dead , ( not having left behind A son or daughter , that I yet can find ) And , though I were assaulted with a score ( As here , some are oft-times with many more ) I am assur'd , my Landress hath a gift To rid them ; and it is a cleanly shift . I do suspect , that , thus it doth not fare With all men , who rejoyce that I am here ; But , that , although they speak big words and grin , They have more fears without them , or within ; And , that , some thousands who yet walk the street With more , and with worse misadventures meet : For , Terrors are abroad , and ev'ry where It doth in Language , or in looks appear . I , just now , hear a sound like to Alarms ; Drums beating , and the ●lattering of Arms ; I ( as they pass along , hear Souldiers voyces , Words of Command , and Military Noises , Which , by the time , and darkness of the night , Doth many of the Neighbour-hood affright , And makes me think ( although I cannot tell What is amiss ) that , all things go not well . What should the matter be ? I hope , the men Whom we saw dead , are not alive agen ; For , though I live yet , ( and live longer may ) I did expect to rise , assoon as they . Most hoped , they , er'e now should have been free , From that , wherewith disturbed they still be ; But , many see , here 's dayly an increase Of what , may more infringe the Common-peace . The Citizens , I hear , strict watch do keep This night , in Arms : I hope , were they asleep We should be safe ; and that , this will hereafter Yield much less cause of sorrow , then of laughter : For , all our Factions are now of each other So fearful , that they 'l hardly come together , Unless affrighted in the dark they are , And fall foul on each other , unaware . Men might ( if there withall they could be pleas'd ) Of pains and cost and troubles , be much eas'd , ( With much more safety , and more , honour too ) Yet , make no night Alarms as now they do . He , that 's a pious , and an honest liver , Needs not the Mores Bow , nor the Parthians Quiver , Nor , to be singly , much less double garded : For , Innocence is by it self , well warded ; And , when she 's most maliciously surrounded , Then , soonest , her Oppressors are confounded . Of all the Foes , that are , or ever were , There 's none so bad , or ●●ngerous as Fear : For , it not onely many a man distresses , When Plenty , Power , and Honour , he possesses , ( And all the pleasures of his life destroys , Whilst ev'ry thing he seemingly enjoyes ) But , makes Plagues also , which will never come To be a greater torment unto some , Then they are , or , then they can be , if all Whereof they are afraid , should them befall . Moreover , it is such a foe as none Can easily escape when seiz'd upon . Nor Power nor Policy , nor Walls of Brasse To keep it out , can strengthen any place ; Nor Flesh and Blood , by Sratagem , or Ginn Expell it can , when it hath broken in . Were all the Wealth and Weapons in the Land , And all the People , at one Mans Command , They could not fortifie his heart from fears ; For , Terrours will creep in ev'n at the ears , And passage make through ev'ry other Sence , In spight of all resistance and defence . That Fear is such a Terrour , I well know For I have felt it , though I do not now , Save , as a natural passion , which , if well We moderate , is , what a Sentinel Is to an Army ; and by Flesh and Blood , Though , possibly , it cannot be withstood , ( Especially , when by a wilful Sin , Against Good Conscience acted , it breaks in And growes inraged ) yet , by Grace we may Subdue it ; And , this , is the only way . Take Fear and Love , well tempered together , ( As much , as may sufficient be of either ) Fire quencheth Fire ; The oil of Scorpions , heals , The Scorpions sting ; and , if , of all things else You would be fearless , you must fear GOD , so As man ought ; Do , as to be done unto You would expect , and to that Fear , add Love ; For , Love expelleth ev'ry other Fear ( If placed on right Objects , and sincere ) Plucks up all Vices , and plants in their places Habitual Vertues , and Celestial Graces . The Love of GOD , with Filial Fear begins , And with a detestation of all sins . The knowledge of our Natural Estate , In us , Desires to cure it will Create . The Love of GOD in Christ , then , being known , ( And , what , when we incurable were grown He hath done for us ) will more Love beget If we no false suggestions do admit ; That Love , will also , dayly stronger grow If we GOD's nature truly learn to know . And , not as Eve did , him suspect of Evil ; Ascribe to him , what 's proper to the Devil ; Suspect the Promises which he doth give us ; Nor think that he intendeth to deceive us . For , if we love him , we will then believe him , In all his Attributes due Glory give him . We then will do , and not disputing stand , Of that which he forbids , or doth command . Nor fear , nor stagger , from that Resolution ( Who ever countermands their execution ) But , love him so , as having understood That all his Works , and his Commands are good : So love him , that , we love his whole Creation , Nought hating , but what 's his abomination . We will not then permit Humane Tradition With his known will , to stand in competition ; Lay bonds on them , whom he from Bondage frees ; Charge him , with Ordinances and Decrees Which he did never make ; but forged were By him , who , layes for ev'ry Soul a snare ; Or , by his Instruments , whose Merchandizes And Pomp , are much advanc'd by those devises : We will not , when he graciously invites , To penitence , reject him with despights , And , foes implacable , to them appear Who zealous of their Weal and Safety are . These are the Well-springs of those many errors Distractions , miseries , and Pannick Terrours Which are among us . That , which chiefly here Begetteth troubles and augmenteth fear , Is , want of such a Fear , and such a Love , As may become effectual to improve ▪ Those Judgements & these Mercies , which our eyes Have seen ; & whereby , ( though we see GOD tryes These Nations to this day ) nor Prince , nor Peer Nor Priest nor People , doth as yet appear So mindful as they ought to be of that Which , was , for , or against them , done of late : Nor see I any Fruit which thence proceeds , Save Thorns & Brambles , Thistles , tares or weeds . But , they who stop their Ears and shut their Eyes , Against those Wonders and those Prodigies , Which have been lately sent to startle them From that security , wherein they Dream ; And they who are not much displeas'd alone With Publication of what God hath done , But , also with his Word ; shall see and hear , Those things , ere long , with trembling & with fear , Which will not be concealed ; but , befall So openly , as to be known to all . These , have the causes been , that Christendom Is lately , an Acheldama become ; For , these are those things , which advance the works Of Antichrist , and make way for the Turks . Let us repent therefore , whilst we have space , Lest Fields of Blood , be turned to Golgotha's . Let us , in this our Visitation day Give ear unto GOD's Voice , whilst yet we may ; Not like Bruit Beasts pursuing one another , But , lincking fast in Charity together , Be reconcil'd to GOD , with Loving-awe : For , that sums up the Gospel , and the Law. Do this , and if of ought your fearful be , Let all , that you can fear , fall upon me . A short Excuse , rendering some Reasons why this Prisoner makes no Adresses for his Release , to great Persons for their Favour in his Cause . I Am inform'd , by men of good report , That , there are Noble Pers'nages in Court Who hate Injustice , and , are of their Tribe , Who love not baseness , flattery , or a Bribe ; And , that , should I my self to these Adresse , I might perhaps obtain a quick release . 'T is possible ; But , I may much indanger Their Quiet ; and , am now grown such a stranger To Courtship , that I cannot Complement , Or , act effectually , to that intent ; Nor think it prudence ( were I mov'd that way ) To seek a Needle , in a Trusse of Hay . 'T is not my Principle ( though other while I have been over-ruled , to beguile My understanding ) that course to endeavour ; And , having found it unsucesful ever Resolve now ( be it for my gain or loss ) To signifie my Cause , to them in grosse , In open Courts , to whom it doth belong , To be my Judges of what 's right or wrong : For , if impartially , they will not hear My cause at large , and do me Justice there , I will not be oblig'd to any one To do for private ends , what should be done , For Justice-sake ; because , where one man shall Be so corrupt , it may corrupt them all ; And in each Case , by turns , for unjust ends , They may Bribe one another for their Friends , As heretofore they did , and , as they may Hereafter , whatsoever I do or say . Not much esteem of any thing I make , Which other men , can either give or take . Nor Safety , Wealth , or Honour pleaseth me But that which will inseparable be From me ; and which I may attain unto , And , also keep , whether men will or no. Vertue 's the Fountain whence true honour springs ; Not Popes , Grand Segniors , Emperors or Kings , For , what they give to make men Honourable , To me appears to be so dispicable That , though most men , do their chief darling , make it If they would give it me , I would not take it : What , is there likely for me to be done , By those , who such-like Baubles dote upon ? I , never hitherto , a kindness had By any Friend , which I my self have made ; But , by such onely , as God had inclin'd ( Without a by-respect in any kind ) To do me Justice , or to shew compassion , Mov'd by their own Heroick inclination : And , to that end , GOD , often heretofore , Hath from among meer strangers , rais'd me more True Friends at need , my cause to undertake , Then I deserved , or had pow'r to make ; And , as it me contented much the better So , thereby , was their honour made the greater ▪ Most seek the Judge ; but , I believe his word , Who said , The Judgement cometh from the LORD ; And , unto me , it seems an indirect Aspersion , or a Symptom of suspect , A Judge , in private to preoccupate , And , him by Friends , or Gifts to captivate ; For , in great Counsels , men should nothing do In love to Friends , or hatred to a Foe . I have observed , that , Judicial Courts Whether they be of good or bad reports , ( Or , whether , what is actually there done , Seem just , or to the wrong of any one ) Are guided by a Spirit , which directs To what is alwayes Righteous , in respects Unto GOD's Justice , though perhaps it may A Humane Righteousness infringe some way ; Or , though they , to whom Judgement is refer'd , Through Ignorance , or Wickedness , have err'd . I le therefore , make no Friend , nor fear a Foe , But , when the COMMONS call me I will go To hear their Charge , for which I have begun To suffer , er'e 't is known what I have done ; That , least I break or die before the time In which I must make payment for my crime , ( If crime it prove ) they , rather , overweight May lay ; then , that , which is a Dram too light ; For , punishments are usually well paid , Though other debts till Dooms Day are delay'd : And , Innocence , is oft pursued further Upon suspect , then real Theft or Murther . In that , for which unheard , some precondemn My Person hither ; I , TO GOD and them Whom it may most concern , Appeals have made Whereon , I ought a Tryal to have had Before I suff'red . My Appeal prefer'd To GOD , hath betwixt him , and me , been heard Within his Court of Conscience in my heart ; And , there am quit of what may on his part Be brought against me for what I have writ . He sees it , though the world concealeth it ; And , read it must be by the Commons too , Ev'n quite throughout ( if Justice they will do ) Before they censure it ; Needless it were , If just and conscientious men they are , To Court them to their Duties ; and so strong No Charm of mine can be , whereby a wrong May be prevented , if to take that ill They be resolv'd , which flowed from Good-will . At all aduenture , wholly to the Laws , And to their Conscience , I le refer my Cause ; Alleage for my defence , what I can say , And bear that , which will follow , as I may . A Composure , for his private Refreshment made by the same Prisoner , upon considering the said outward Condition of his Dearest Relations in the Flesh : after which is added the Narrative of a sudden distemper thereupon ensuing . MY Contemplation ev'ry hour so travells , In new pursuits , and into all things Ravells With so much restlesness , as if she ment The whole world in a Mapp to represent . One while she maketh inrodes on my Foes , To bring me some Intelligence from those ; That , I consid'ring what they go about Their malice , may the better weather-out . Another while , to me she represents , What mischiefes , troubles , fear and discontents There are abroad ; that , I may thereby see How , they are troubled , who have troubled me ; How 'twixt the two shoars , Pharohs Army reels ; How , GOD hath taken off their Charret Wheels How , he obdures the Insolent and proud ; How dreadfully , he looks out of the Cloud Which he hath placed , betwixt them and those , Whom they pursue to their own overthrowes . Sometime , she brings to my consideration GOD's Love , and inexpressible compassion , Who , in an extraordinary wise , Not onely hath vouchsafed me supplies By those who to my Person strangers are , But also , with such love and tender care Of my safe-being , that I may of them ( As Christ did , when his kindred ask'd for him ) Say , These my kindred are ; These , are my Mothers ; These , are my real Sisters and my Brothers . My Dear'st Relations in the Flesh , among Those Friends , this day , appeared in the throng To be consider'd ; and , I must confess My Bowels yern'd , to think on their distresse , And , mov'd with pitty , it compel'd my Muse , To clothe in words , that , which now next ensues . I. All suff'rings , that have tended To my probation , here , Cannot be comprehended In what my words declare ; For , though to help expression I have a knowing-sense , The sum of my Condition Cannot be gathered in thence . II. In Pleasures , and in Sorrows , I have had no small share ; Sad Nights , and joyful Morrowes , My Portion often were ; That , which with Joy affects me , Is far above the Skie , And , that , which yet afflicts me As deep as Hell doth lie . III. My near'st , and dear'st Relations , Unmention'd though they be , Among my Meditations , Are not forgot by me . For , though I would not mind them , My heart , them so retains , That , there , I still shall find them , As long as life remains . IV. Lest that might have miscarry'd Which , to neglect I fear'd , Like one , quite dead and buried , I have to them appear'd : And by my late employments , Despairful they are made , Of me , and those enjoyments Which else , they might have had . V. Reciprocal Indearments , Are by my troubles crost ; The means of their Preferments With my Estate are lost . These times , have quite bereft them Of that which gave content , And , in their power nought left them , New mischiefes to prevent . VI. My Blossoms are quite wither'd , My Leaves are much decay'd ; My Fruits , by those are gather'd Who nothing for them paid ; I , from whom ( when they need them ) They should supplies have had , Have neither Fruits to feed them , Nor boughes to give them shade . VII . We could , when we were troubled , Each others hearts have eas'd ; Converse , our pleasures doubled , When we with ought were pleas'd ; Such Comforts , now to give them , Companion they have none , But , they ( what ere doth grieve them ) Must sit , and grieve alone . VIII . In Mercy , LORD , look on them , And pitty their Estate ; The wrongs that I have done them , Proceeded not from hate ; I did , what I conceived Doth to thy work belong , But , that 's thereby bereaved , Which is to them a wrong . IX . Thereof , be therefore heedful , Them , favour not the less , Supply with all things needful , In this their great distresse ; And , when thou me shalt gather Out of this Land of life , Be thou my Childrens Father , A Husband to my Wife . X. When I with them must never Speak more , by Tongue or Pen , And , they be barr'd for ever , To see my face agen . Thy Loving kindness show them , Lost comforts to receive , Instead of what I owe them , And pay not whilst I live . XI . Let all my former failings , Through frailties , in time past , And , what may cause bewailings , Quite out of thought be cast ; And , onely recordation Of those things be exprest , Whereby their consolation May dayly be increast . XII . Preserve them from each Folly , Which ripening into Sin , Makes Root and Branch unholy , And brings destruction in . Let not this World bewitch them , With her besotting Wine , But , let thy Grace inrich them , With Faith , and Love Divine . XIII . And , whilst we live together Let us , upon thee call ; Help to prepare each other , For what , may yet befall ; So just , so faithful hearted , So constant let us be , That , when we here are parted We may all meet in thee . This being writ , and once or twice sung over , My Reason , did sufficient strength recover Those Passions to repell , which did begin Upon my heart at that time to break in : But , ere they were alay'd , an Accident Fell out , which that good issue did prevent ; I have so much of common Manliness , ( Which might more profit me if it were less ) That , all the frailties of the Humane Creature ( Co-incident since my depraved Nature ) Still so attend me , that do what I can I fall into distemper , now and then ; And ere that day was wholly overpast , I , by a sudden accident was cast Into a Passion , which did give occasion Of this ensuing sad Ejaculation . LORD , help me now ; assist me now , to bear That , unexpected brunt of Hope and Fear , To which I on a suddain am expos'd , ( Whilst other mischiefes have me round inclos'd ) For , great and many , though my troubles be They , hitherto have not distemper'd me . But , now I feel my Constancy to shake , My Flesh to tremble , my sad heart so ake , That , if thou dost not speedily apply A Cordial , I may droop , and faint , and die . My Treacherous Flesh and Blood , how false are you ! To me , and to your own selves , how untrue ! How quickly to revolt do you begin ! How cowardly have you my Foe let in At his first summons ? how have you conspir'd To give him that advantage he desir'd ? And whilst I for your safety did prepare Joyn to surprize me ere I was aware ? LORD , let them not prevail ; but , help me rally My scattered Forces , and to make a sally On those who my weak Citadel beset : For they have seiz'd but on my Out-works yet , And , if but over me , thou please to hover , ( Though at a distance ) I shall soon recover . Therefore , at this Assault , for me appear ; From me , this Black Cloud , by thy presence , clear ; Renew my courage in this day of trouble ; Increase my Faith , my former Hope redouble ; And let thy Spirit teach me so to pray , That what I shall request , obtain I may . Be likewise pleas'd the chatterings of the Swallow , And mournings of the Turtle , so to hallow ; That those things which are now express'd by me , May be both acceptable unto thee , And unto those who hear them not in vain , Though to my private suff'rings they pertain : For peradventure , that which me oretakes Hath partly been permitted for their sakes ; That they , by heeding what on them at length May fall , might by my weakness gather strength ; For , what is in it self a single Trouble , By circumstances , may be sometimes double . My best Friends peradventure , now will wonder How , I am thus , as with a clap of thunder , Struck suddenly ; and my Foes , with a scoff Will Jeer , to see me so soon taken off From my late courage and high Resolution , ( Whilst I was putting it in Execution , ) When they shall know , that , but concerns my Wife , Which breaks through all the comforts of my life , And thus disorders me : But , when they hear me Ev'n some of them , who at the first will Jeer me , ( If they have any Manhood left in them ) Shall me of no such levity condemn , As yet they may , when all the circumstances I have declar'd to cure their ignorances : For , one of GOD's choice Prophets , had a Tryal Not much unlike this , of his self-denial , When he ( as I do ) in his Generation , Bore witness of their great abomination : Which ( if ought more ) had little more effect , Then I may , at this present day , expect . He ( whilst GOD's work he follow'd ) to the heart , Was pierced ( through his Wife ) with sorrows dart . She ( as the holy Scripture testifies ) Was unto him , as precious as his eyes , The comfort of his life , and far more dear ( As I believe ) then all things transcient were . And peradventure he had grieved more Then yet I do , had not the day before GOD , both foretold her death , and charg'd him too , Not to bewail the Wife he loved so . What , this to me doth intimate , I shall Forbear to tell now ; but , if that befall Which I may fear , it will have an effect , Whose demonstration , I shall not neglect If so long I survive , as to declare That Sequell , for which , it will way prepare . Mean while ( since hope hath taken race with sorrow ) For some few dayes , that little time I le borrow , To make it known , how , by a Pannick dread I am at present , so distempered ; And in such sober Language will declare it , Without Hyperboles , that , if men hear it With like sobriety , it will perchance Their edifying in some kind advance . When , I had finished those Meditations Last mention'd ( which concern my dear'st Relations As to the world ) A messenger of sorrow That very day , ( I , looking for , next morrow My Wives arrival ) brought , not newes alone That suddain sickness , her had seiz'd upon ; But , that , she likewise in a Feaver lies , With which are complicated Maladies Portending death : and Death desired so That , they about her , can with much ado Preserve her life . This newes , as soon as told , Laid instantly , upon me such fast hold , That , er'e I could into my heart retire I seemed to be wholly set on fire : And ( being for surprizal , the more fit By what , that day , for better use was writ ) Instead of that , which might have quencht the same I snatcht up oil , and threw 't into the flame . So frail I am not ( though made of such Mettle That I am sometime soft and sometime Britle ) As to be shaken meerly with a fear Of things which ev'ry day expected are ; But , many sad concomitants attended This Message , not till then so apprehended ; For , at that instant every thing prest in Which might a doleful Tragedy begin , With such confusion , that , what entred first I knew not , neither which disturb'd me worst . So that , I nought could call to mind , but that Which my Afflictions , did more aggravate . Imprisonment , I felt not till that day , Wherein I found , that I was kept away , Where , I to her could no assistance give , For , whose sake , I did most desire to live ; My Fancie represented to my sight In how disconsolate and sad a plight , She there was left , dispoil'd of all she had , Excepting , what might make her heart more sad ▪ With foes surrounded , not one to befriend her , Not servants in that weakness to attend her , No good Physitian living there about , Scarce any thing within doors , or without , For food or Physick : for , while she had health Her courage did supply her want of Wealth , And all things else , with help , of what from Heaven Was by his providence in all wants given , Who hath been my support ; By him alone She hath in many straits been carryed on , And all oppressions with such courage bore As if she had been rich by being poor : Which her despightful neighbours heeding well ( And , that she far'd like trodden Camomel ) Words unto this effect , were heard to speak Will not , with all this loss , her stout heart break ? GOD , was , and still , her helper he will be ; But , for all this , what thanks is due to me ? What help am I who should a help hav● been , When such extream Affliction she was in ? Dear BETTY , how inhumanly opprest ? Art thou ? and oh ! how is my Soul distrest Now , I here think upon thy high desart , And , how discomfortably left thou art ! If it might comfort thee , would thou , didst know ( Else not ) what tears out of mine eyes do flow : For , I , from whom the worlds despights can strain Nor sighs , nor tears , from tears cannot restrain . Woe 's me ( my Dear ) my life I would resign Might it accepted be , to ransome thine , And were at my dispose ; for , cause am I Of that sad plight , wherein thou now dost lie ; Since , what the world hath done , is nothing more , Then thou hast alwayes look'd for heretofore . Yet , take it not unkindly ; for , to thee No ill was meant , in what was done by me : He , ( as I thought ) to whom my self I owe , ( And , who did thee , and all I had bestow ) Requir'd the services that brought upon me That , which to thy undoing , hath undone me ; And he will either back again restore What 's lost , or give us better things , and more This , knowing thou believ'st , and dost confide In him , hath much my Passion qualifi'd ; And makes me hopeful , GOD , will bring thee hither , Or , me to thee , that , we once more together May praise his Name , and live till we can part , Without the least distemp'rature of heart . Whilst this hope lasts , lest notice being taken That , I with one small puff of wind am shaken ; Lest also , this begets a fear in some , That I may totally be overcome , When the● perceive , that he , who hath profest So much , hath with so little been opprest ; And , lest they also may discourag'd be , ( If I sinck under that which lies on me ) I will , for that cause , hence occasion take , ( Aswell , for their , as for mine , and her sake ) So plainly , what befals me to expresse , That , no heart which hath any tenderness , Beseeming men , shall think a greater Tryal Of humane patience , in a self-denial Can ever in the Flesh be undergone , Then this ▪ which they suppose a slender one , I have a just occasion too , by that To render her , that honour in the Gate , Which is her due ; and whereto I do stand Obliged by King Lemuels Command ; And , from what I expresse , perhaps , likewise , There may some other good effects arise . What could the malice of the Devil invent , To make more grievous my Imprisonment Then at this time , wherein ( for ought I know ) The last , and needful'st duty that I owe Unto my dearest Friend , ought to be paid , To be unjustly in a Prison staid ? Were I detained but from such a one , As many have , ( a Wife in name alone ) I should be glad perhaps , I now am here , Or , though within a far worse place it were : But , if I may with modesty expresse , What I believe , I can affirm no less Then this ; Though many women have done well , Mine , with the best may be a parallel : And , since my pow'r to nothing else extends Which may , for what she suffers make amends , In words , at least , I le give her what is due And say no more , then I believe is true . Perhaps , when told , it will so far exceed What is according to the common Creed , That , many will suspect it ; But , know this There is in that man very much amisse Who , of his consort , doth not so believe In some degree , as I of mine conceive . For , if he finds her not a helpful Wife , Either , for this , or for the other Life ; The fault 's his own , though she may faulty prove ; And he ingratefully requites GOD's Love. GOD gave her not , but , he himself acquir'd her , By some ill means ; or , for those ends desir'd her Which make no Marriages , but what are evil , And , were made by the World , Flesh and the Devil . Else , he would honour Providence Divine , By praising of his Wife as I do mine . Or , by confessing freely , as he ought , That , GOD is just , in giving what he sought . Whether mine live or die , let none who hear them Grudge her these praises , for her worth will bear them . At first , I lov'd her , for his sake that gave her ; Of him , I sought her , and from him I have her , If she be yet alive , ( which I yet hope , And , that he to my fear will put a stop . ) That , we each other might affect the better , ( And , to be mutual helpers prove the fitter ) As EVE from ADAM , GOD did , as it were , First , make her out of me ; then , me by her He made more perfect ; And since Eve was made No man on earth a fitter helper had . If any woman may Charactred be By Lemuels pattern , I think this is she : For , having oftentimes compared them , Betwixt them , little difference did seem . She is a Prize , worth ev'ry precious stone In India , were all their worths in One. My heart in her hath trusted so , that yet I never , since I knew her , felt a fit Of Jealousie or doubt , in any kinde , Which brought the least distemper to my mind . She , at all times , much good to me hath done , But , evil , in her life time , did me none . With courage , her Affairs she went about By Day ; at Night , her Candle went not out . She was among the last , who came to bed ; The first , who in the Morning rais'd her head ; And , that no duty might be left undone , Martha , and Mary , she still joyn'd in One. In all Domestick Business , she was skil'd , Both in the house , and likewise in the Field : And whilst my time was otherwayes bestown , Dispatch'd both my affaires , and her own . She was no Prodigal , nor basely sparing ; All things were done without vexatious caring ; She chid those , who ( when chiding was in season ) Were to be quickned more with noise , then Reason ; And , when to angry words they did provoke , Her anger ended , when the words were spoke ; When , also , they were griev'd , who did misdo , She pardon'd , and with them , oft , grieved too . All her Affairs , she managing with Reason , Appointed work and meat , in their due Season To ev'ry servant ; and good notice took Both of what was well , or Ill done , or spoke . She feared GOD , and honour gave to them Who were invested with a Pow'r Supream ; Her life , she squared by GOD's holy Word , According to the Light he did afford ; And , had her self so exercis'd therein , That , often she my Concordance hath been ; Yea , and in Humane Histories , to me Been in the stead of my MNEMOSYNE . A better Woman , Mistris , Mother , Wife , I never saw , nor shall see during life . Rebecca like , she gave me still to eat Aswell most savory , as wholsom meat ; And , when GOD sent me food , good care she took , The Devil should not send me in a Cook. To me , to mine , and our poor neighbourhood , She , in the stead of our Physitian stood ; She , still according to her power was ready To give what things were needful to the needy ; Who did not wilful Beggarship professe , That , they might live in sorded Idlenese ; And , purchasing her own food with her sweat , Abhor'd the bread of Idleness to eat : She could speak well , yet readier was to hear ; Exceeding Pleasant , and yet as severe As Cato . Though Corporeal Beauties be Worn out with Age , she is the same to me She was at first , and t' was no mean perfection , Which , in my Youth , surprized my Affection . This is her Character , and in the word Of Truth , this is thereof , a true record . In her , I did as much contentment find , As if I had enjoy'd all Woman-kind : For , though a poor mans Consort she hath been , She had a spirit might become a Queen ; Yet , knowing how to want and to abound , Could make it stoop ev'n to the very ground ; And , if she die , I shall but little care For any thing she leaves behind her here , Except her Children , and that which relates To GOD , and to our Spiritual Estates . The deprivation of her company And , of thar joy in her society Which I have had , is far a greater loss , Then , all those many Baubles and that drosse , Whereof the world deprives me ; or , of them ( Had they heen mine ) which others most esteem . This seperation is the great'st despight That malice could have done me at her height ; And might we live , where we might live alone To talk of that , which GOD for us hath done , ( And means to do ) my Joy would be much more With competence , then with the worlds whole store , Were I depriv'd of her ; who , might be here So necessary a Remembrancer . Now , Judge ( if you or I , do this believe ) Whether I had not cause enough to grieve , That we were so , divided from each other , Left hopeless , we again should meet together . Though such in ev'ry point , she may not be , Yet , since that she doth such appear to me ; Think , if by fear of loosing such a Prize , A man who is far stronger , and more wise , Might not , when thereby suddenly oretaken As much with like distemp'ratures be shaken : And , whether ( taking to consideration The sense I have of ev'ry Humane Passion ) Ought may befall , as I am Flesh and Blood , That could more difficultly be withstood . But , notwithstanding what 's exprest , let no man Suppose I have forgot she is a Woman . I am not so Uxorious , or unwise , To think that she hath no Infirmities ; Or , that to any other she doth seem So worthy as she is in my esteem . The rough hard shells in which rich Pearls do lie , Shew not their Beauty to a strangers eye . And Vertues , when that they most perfect are , Sometimes , like faulty Actions may appear To lookers on , who have not means to know How done , nor to what end , nor whence they flow ; And then especially , when their Spectators , Are Envious , or their Foes , or Vertue 's haters . The mildest Medicine , sore eyes , diseases , A sickly Stomack wholsom'st meat , displeases ; And so the best and noblest Dispositions , Are most dislik'd by men of base Conditions ; Because their Vertues , if they neighbours are , Do make their Vices greater to appear . Her precions Balms , have sometimes made me smart , But , I confesse , the cause was on my part , If she administred a bitter pill In love , to make me well , when I was Ill. And well she might sometimes occasion find , To give me wholsome Physick of that kind , By cautions and remembrances apply'd In season , when my wit was foolifi'd : For , nothing purposely , from her I hid That , in my life , I said , or thought , or did . And ( that she might , at full , be privy to My whole Affairs , and all I had to do ) No Letter unto me in absence came , But leave I gave her to break ope the same . Which freedom ( with such ) mutually bestown Made me to her , and her to me so known , That , what the outside of my Actions be , My Conscience hardly better knowes then she . Small use of an Affection can be there , Or proofs of Friendship , where no failings are . There 's hardly possibility of living , With any one , who never needs forgiving ; For , he , who in his Consort finds no blame , When he fails , will confounded be with shame . By these Expressions , which have shown in part , My Passions , I have somewhat eas'd my heart . And , though impertinent , they seem to be To others , they are pertinent to me , In shewing me my weakness , and from whom My helps , in all extremities must come . My Passion is the same ; but , this , makes way For Reason , to command , which did obey ; And , this Divertisment a stop , brings in To that , which else , might have destructive been . Yet , Instrumental , though my Reason was Herein , th' Efficient is Preventing Grace : And therefore , Him , from whom this Mercy came , I , thus Petition to compleat the same . My God! my heart , thou hast now touched nearly , And dost in that , which I affect most dearly , Begin to try my Faith ; That Faith of mine Which ( if a true Faith ) was a gift of thine ; It was by thee , upon my Soul begot : Into Temptation , therefore lead me not Beyond my strength ; But LORD deliver me From Evil , that , I may not foiled be : Thy onely Son , to thee , taught me to pray In words to this effect , when any way I was opprest ; Compassion therefore take On me , ( though not for mine ) LORD , for his sake ; And me dismisse not , in this sad Condition , Without a kind reply to my Petition : For , as Lot said of Zoar , LORD , the boone I new request is but a little one ; And , peradventure , should my foes perceive Thou dost of every comfort him bereave Who hath desir'd to magnifie thy Name , It might occasion give them to blaspheme , Or , make thy servants to begin to Fear That , thou regard'st not how opprest they are . That Helper , which thou didst on me bestow , ( And , Whose assistance is much needed now ) Thou seem'st to call upon me to resign , As one , who must no longer now be mine . Be not displeased LORD , if I shall say Thou tak'st the comfort of my life away ; And that , I do expect thou shouldst not leave me Quite comfortless , if thou of her bereave me . Why dost thou Dictate to my heart this Prayer , If thou intend'st , to leave me in despaire ? It cannot be , thou move me shouldst to crave , That , which thou dost not purpose I should have . I do depend on thee , and hazarded Both her , and all that in this world I had For thy Cause , if my heart be not untrue : Though therefore , nothing is by merit due , Vouchsafe , ( if with thy will accord it may ) Her life with health , and for a longer day , That , we with thankfulness , in praises giving , May shew thy Mercies forth , among the living . With Tokens of thy favour , make us glad , According to the Troubles we have had . And , make thy other servants hopeful be Of that Salvation , which thou shew'st to me . Make it appear unto this Generation That , we have the same GOD , the same Salvation In these our dayes , that was in former times , Aswell , as such like Tyrrannies and Crimes . Make it appear that thou hast love for us Aswell as heretofore for Lazarus ; That , thou , who didst hear Hagar for a Son , And , Hannah's Prayer , when she beg'd for one , Dost not despise my Prayer for the life Of my beloved and Afflicted Wife ; Or , hast less pitty now then heretofore Thou hadst of other some , who did deplore Their dead or dying Friends ; and when they mourn'd , Had them into their bosoms back return'd . Let it be known to those who do begin To think , thou art not that which thou hast been , Because that this Age hath produc'd occasions To shew thy self in other dispensations . Though to run back to Egypt , we are ready ; As froward , as Rebellious , and as giddy . As they whom thou broughtst thence ; though , every way As false , as faithless , and as apt as they To set up golden Calves : Though , as were then There be among us here , such wicked men As Jannes , and as Jambres , who resist Not Moses , but a greater , JESUS CHRIST ; And , strive by their Inchantments how to bring Us back to bondage , and seduce the King By cursed sorceries ; yet , make it known ; That , thou in Brittain dost a People own : That as when Israel was from Pharoh saved ; That , as thou wert with Moses and with David , And with thy People who in thraldom were At Babel , thou art present with us here . ( LORD ! I beseech thee mind thou not the less My private suit , although my zeal to this Diverts me from it : for , I le further yet Pursue that , though thou me shouldst quite forget ) Apparant make it , that , some yet inherit A Portion of the self same pow'rful Spirit Which fill'd Elias ; and if need require , That thou hast Prophets , who can call down Fire , Hail , Thunder-bolts , and other dreadful things Upon the Troops and Armies of those Kings Who Persecute thy Saints ; and Heaven constrain Either to let fall , or withhold the Rain , As to thy service it shall appertain ! For , this , though , hardly yet believ'd of any , Will shortly be made manifest to many ; And thy vouchsafeing this request of mine , May make it , to this Age , perhaps , a signe That , thou , as heretofore , dost lend an ear At need , to every private sufferer , As well as unto Publick Grievances , And , that , when ripen'd are Iniquities A greater Conquest will be got by Words , Then ever was in any Age , by Swords . My Dear Redeemer , if it may be thus , Be pleas'd to Mediate this boon for us . That suit , for which this Prayer was begun I will renew , now this digressions done ; Yet , neither this , nor ought else I le require , ( Though rather then my life , I this desire ) But , what , with thy Good pleasure may consist : And , thou hast nothing openly exprest To make me doubtful that may not be done ; For , then , I therein thus far , had not gone . All , things thou seem'st to will , accord not to That , which thou hast decreed for us to do , As being absolutely necessary : For , some of them are but Probationary : Things , by us , rather to be will'd , then done , As when , to Sacrifice his Onely Son Thou didst command thy servant Abraham ; And , when that our obedience is the same , With us , it otherwhile , doth so succeed That , thou the Will , acceptest for the Deed ; And , mayst another Sacrifice , this day Accept in her stead , for whom I now Pray . This , moveth Dust and Ashes , now , to do , What Natural Affection prompts me to : Make her and me , so perfectly resign Our selves , that our will , may be one with thine ; And , Pardon this bold pleading ; for , had we No will , which may be said our own to be , There could be no obedience . Good nor Ill , Can be , in him , that is not free to will. LORD ! this my Consort , is as dear to me As Isaac unto Abraham could be ; Yet , if thou wilt resume her at this time , ( Although with me thou deal not as with him ) As absolutely , as he did intend His Sacrifice ; I , her to thee commend . From thee I had her ; up to thee I give her ; I , wholly unto thy disposure leave her ; And , whether thou shalt keep , or give her back , I le wear it as a Favour , for thy sake . And , this , is all I le absolutely crave , ( Wherein , I know , I may request shall have ) If , with thine honour , it may to her good Conduce , to let her make with me abode A little longer time , that time allow ; Or else with all my heart , resume her now . For , save to serve thee , and our Generation , According to the end of our Creation , ( And for thy Glory ) neither she , nor I ( If I do know her ) wish to live or die . If , her appointed labour now be done , ( And I must here abide to work alone , ) Take her into thine Arms before she go ; Make her not barely , to believe , but know , That , this our sad and suddain Separation Is for thy Glory , and for our Salvation : ( For , from the life and Death of greatest Kings But seldom so much real honour springs To glorifie thy Name , as doth from some Who fill on earth , a despicable Roome . ) Give her an earnest , that she shall possesse Thy love , in everlasting happiness ; And , that , we , whom she leaves afflicted here , ( Continning in our love to thee sincere ) Shall by the Mediatorship of him Who bought us , meet at thy appointed time , Where we shall never part ; where , Tyrannies , Of others , nor our own Infirmities , Nor any thing which is to come , or past , Deprives , of what for thine , prepar'd thou hast : And , if she live , so let our deeds expresse Whilst here we live , what we in words professe ; That others , may , until my dying day Believe ther 's truth , in what I write and say , To that end , keep us pleased with our Lot ; Though little , much , or nothing shall be got Of what we had ; my GOD preserve us too From stumbling , and from reeling to and fro , Or stagg'rings in our Tryals , whereby they Who are in like Afflictions , stagger may : But , with true Joy , so let thy Holy Ghost Replenish us , that , ( although all be lost Belonging to this world ) thy Saints may see That , there is All-sufficiency in thee . Now , live or die my DEAR , GOD's will be done ; He fills my heart , and my Distemper's gone . Since , GOD hath freed me from this Carnal Fear , Let World , and Devil henceforth do what they dare . The greater weights they shall upon me lay , The sooner , I from them shall scape away . If , me , they shall into a Dungeon throw , Both dark and deep , that none may come to know What , I say , think or do ; yet , what 's done there , By these my Scraps and Crums , it will appear , Though scribled hastily , yea , help prevent What , peradventure , is the Worlds intent ; And hint , that , though Close-Prisoner me they keep , I shall not wholly spend my time in sleep . For , doubtless , to my GOD , there , speak I shall Like Jonas , in the Belly of a Whale , And ( as the Blood of Abel did ) speake then , That , which will more prevaile then Tongue or Pen. Isaiah 38. The living , The living ( O GOD ) shall praise thee as I do this day . ( YET ) Blessed are they who die in the LORD ; for they shall rest from their Labours , and their works follow them . Revel . 14.13 . Octob. 6.1661 . Another Spiritual Song composed , by occasion of the last mentioned Distemper . I. VVHen in the Morn we rise , Alas ! how little think we on , What through our ears or eyes , May pierce our hearts , ere that day 's gone ? I , did but borrow From what , next Morrow , I hop'd to have enjoy'd ; And that , hath quite The whole delight Of both dayes , now destroy'd . II. My thoughtful heart grew sad , And represented unto me , Such things as in the shade Of Death's approaches use to be : With many a doubt , ( Which Faith keeps out ) My Fancy fills my head ; And clouds are come , Which with a Gloome This day , have overspread : III. If , whilst the Sun gives light , Become so dark , so soon , it may , How black will be the Night That shall ensue so dark a day ? My Soul , I see Betray'd wee 'l be , By our own want of care , To have prepar'd A dayly guard , To keep out carnal Fear . IV. No pow'r was in the World Whereby a Passion like to this , On me could have been hurl'd , Had nought , been in my self amisse : By day or night , ( Be 't black or bright ) The Devil hath no power Which can procure Distemp'rature , Without some fault of our . V. How frail a thing is man , That , lifeless words , aray'd in white , This Morn affright him can Who , seemed fearless yester night ? Dread of ill newes , Too plainly shews That , with us all 's not well : For , if it were We need not Fear , Though storm'd by Death and Hell. VI. For , if beneath GOD's Wing Our safe repose we sought to make , None , such Ill newes could bring , That , much our Courage it could shake ▪ Of , Plagues that smite By day or night We need not stand in awe Of poysonous things , Of Serpents stings , Nor of the Lyons Pawe . VII . Therefore , my Spirit rowze ( Our Foes , we see , are not asleep ) Let us , no longer drowze , But , better watch hereafter keep ; Come , Courage take , And we shall make These Bugg-bears take their flight ▪ For , 't is our Fear , No strength of their That now doth us affright . VIII . The Passions of the mind Are but the fumes of Flesh and Blood , Which make the Reason blind , By mispresenting Ill , or Good. If , unto these , We closly presse , And , wistly on them look , They will appear Such as they are , And , pass away like smoke . IX . And , yet , my Soul , beware Thou bring not to assault these Foes Goliah's shield or Spear , Nor in his Head-piece trust repose . No , nor unto What Self can do , But , take thou Davids sling , And , what he took Out of the Brook , Of Grace , among them fling . A Meditation whilst he was taking a Pipe of Tobbacco . THough some , perhaps will think the things I do , Much less then Idleness , amount unto ; Yet , to have no work troubles me , at least , As much , as therewith to be overprest ; And , then to be quite Idle , I had rather Pick strawes , catch Flies , or shells , and Pebles gather , Or , ( as I sometimes do ) the time to pass , Number my steps , or tell the panes of glass , And often when a trifling act is done , Make some good use of that , which promis'd none . Here , all alone , I by my self have took , An Emblem of my Self , a Pipe of Smoke : For , I am but a little piece of Clay Fill'd with a Smoke that quickly fumes away . This Vanity , our Clymat never knew Till near the time , in which , first breath I drew ; And otherwhile , it is of wholsome use ( Though , for the most part subject to abuse : ) Since first I smookt it , after ( it came hither ) I laid it by , nigh thirty years together , And for my healths sake , then , did reassume That Bauble wherewith we Tobbacco fume ; ( Not hitherto disabled to forgo it , If any way offensive I should know it ) And , that in mind , as well as bodily I might he someway profited thereby , Such Meditations come into my thought , As these , which now , unto my mind are brought . Ev'n as this Pipe was formed out of Clay , And may be shapeless Earth again this day , So may I too . So brittle , that one touch May break it , this is ; I , am also such . When it is broke , made whole it cannot be By Humane Art ; so will it fare with me When I to dust shall be reduc'd by Death , Until reviv'd by an Eternal Breath . This brittle ware , we , oft have strangely seen Preserv'd from breaking : and so I have been . When foul it growes , it must be purifi'd , By Fire ; I , in like manner must abide Those Fiery-Tryals , which will purge away That filth which is contracted every day . Moreover , when therein , this Herb's calcin'd , Such things as these , it brings into mind ; That Custom , by degrees , prevaileth still , To draw us , both to what is Good and Ill ; For , when this customarily is taken , It can by very few , be quite forsaken , Or , heeded , how they turn unto abuse , That , which is otherwise , of some good use ; Yea , so it them deludes , that oft they think That , is well scented , which doth alway stink ; Yet , me it makes , with thankfulness to heed , How , GOD wraps up , a Blessing in a Weed : And , how ( when I have weighed things together ) He makes one vanity to cure another ; Turns that to Good , which was , perhaps , for Evil , At first , sent in among us , by the Devil . It minds me too , that , as this Herb by fire Must be consum'd , so , must all our desire Of Earthly things ; and , that wherein we took Most pleasure , turn to Ashes and to Smoke . When I had writ thus much , of what I thought , My Candle , and Tobbacco were burnt out . A Hint , of that , which may hereafter ( if not despised ) conduce to the Setling of Peace and Concord in Church and State. This Scrap , though some will not disgest , Is cast in here , among the rest . ELia's like , I thought my self alone , A while ago , and of my mind , knew none : But , many I now hope , here living be Who , joyn in one Faith , and one love with me . My Soul , I long time , seemed to possess , As when the Baptist in the Wilderness Was to be Disciplin'd , and there prepar'd For , that , which he performed afterward . As when he Preach'd Repentance , in his dayes , High Priests , nor Lawyers , Scribes nor Pharisees , Nor of the gay Herodians , any one ( Nor many , but the Vulgar sort alone ) Regarded it ; so , likewise , I might say Of all my Premonitions , to this day ; And may ( for ought I know ) without regard Pursue my Work , till I have his reward : If so it happen , I am well content To follow such a holy Precedent . I , am now ( as it were ) one in exile , Like John , when banish'd into Pathmos Isle ; And , to the seven Churches in these Nations As he then , to the Asian Congregations Had somewhat to expresse ; so , I from HIM ( As I believe ) who sent his mind to them By that Disciple , have a needful Errant , To be delivered , by Authentick Warrant , Which , must lie Dormant , until them to hear it GOD , shall prepare , and fit me to declare it . Mean while , I cast in this Preoccupation , To be a furtherance to that Preparation Whereto GOD's Grace will ripen me , and The● ( Hereafter , in his own appointed time ; If nothing that shall be Co-incedent Doth intervene , that purpose to prevent ) Thus Christ , did to a future time adjourn What , he had then spoke , might it have been born ; And , his example doth instruct my Reason , To chuse for every work , a proper Season . I have a Love for all the whole Creation , Much more , for every Christian Congregation : I , for each Member of them ( whatsoere Infirmities , I see in them appear ) Have such a Love , and so inlarged , that I can with every Church Communicate , In all Essential duties , though they may Be sometimes , much abus'd with an Allay : Because , what me therein offendeth , I , Without offending others , can pass by ; And , at another time , in private , seek To make them understand what I dislike ; And , by a meek compliance in what 's good , Bear with a failing , not well understood . Their Ignorance , or misled Consciences , Give me no cause of Personal offences , So , they the Fundamental Truths , profess Without malicious minds , or wilfulness ; Or by approving , or continuing in Prophanness , and committing open Sin. For , since he that knows most , knows but in part And , hath a Cloudy Region in his heart , They , of my Pitty , rather Objects be Then of my hate . They , so much hurt not me As damnifie themselves : And , I , thereby Have of my Meekness , Faith and Charity , Those Exercises , for which ( if I have them In true sincerity ) GOD , chiefly gave them . And , which way can they better be employ'd Then , that a common good may be enjoy'd ? And that we to our Brethren may extend That mercy , when we think they do offend , Which GOD's long suffering doth vouchsafe to us ? And , since he did command it should be thus ? The Church Catholick , is a Corporation , Whereof , the several Churches in each Nation Are Bodies Corporate , as here we see In LONDON , many Corporations be Members thereof distinct , govern'd by Laws Peculiar to themselves , as they found cause To constitute them ; yet , unto all these Belong the Cities gen'ral Priviledges ; And every Individual Person ; there , Conforms unto those Lawes which proper are To this whole City ; and they live together In Peace , without intruding on each other . What hinders ( but our Ignorance , Ambition , Our Avarice , and Love to Superstition , ) That , Christian Congregatious may not thus Be form'd , and regulated so with us , That , we may live henceforward in true Peace , Morality and Piety increase ? Prophanness be supprest ? and , no more , here , Affairs Divine , and Civil interfere ? What hinders this , but , want of that true Love And meeknes , which our knowledge might improve ? And , whence flowes Discord , but from intermedling With what concerns us not ? fooling , and Fidling About those things impertinent , which , whether Their tendance be to this , or that , or neither 'T is not material , so , that may not be Infringed , which to all , ought to be free ? That Peace may be preserv'd ; men kept in awe From violating of the morall Law , And , GOD permitted to possesse alone The Conscience as ( on earth ) his Proper Throne ? For , he from none , will an account receive , According to what other men believe , Or shall command ; but , answerable to What he commands us to believe and do , According to the Light he shall afford , By his assisting Spirit , and his Word : And , therefore , they , who , out of slavish Fear , Of those who peaceably inclined are , Force Innocents , to any hard Condition ( Thereby to free themselves from their Suspition Which is incurable ) are Tyrannous , And foes to GOD , unto themselves , and us . In my late Tryal , I have had a shake , But , it hath deeper driven in the stake ; And hath , I hope vouchsafed by that FIT , An earnest , he so fast will settle it ; That , all the Tempests which in future dayes The World , the Flesh and Devil have pow'r to raise , Shall more increase my courage ; and , by mine Some other , to the like Resolves incline . GOD , give us Grace , with seriousness These things in time , with what else may There is a way , how that , may yet be done Which hitherto , is little thought upon ; And , thereof , in what is expressed here , A Hint , if well observed , may appear . A Hymn of Thanksgiving to Almighty GOD ; compos'd by this Prisoner , for the gracious restoration of his Wives life and health ; who , lying mortally sick ( as was supposed ) at 52. miles distance during his Imprisonment , in a sad disconsolate condition , and reputed to be dead , about the space of an hour , was miraculously restored . To the Tune of the 148. Psalm . I. HOw soon , my gracious GOD , Hast thou my Prayer heard ? How just , how kind , how Good , Hast thou to me appear'd ? Blest , be this Day : For , what did fright my heart last night , Thou dost allay : The Clouds , that made , this Morning sad , Are blown away . II. As when his moan to thee The good Centurian made , Though I unworthy be , Like favour I have had Vouchsaf'd to me ; Nay little less , in my distress Receiv'd I have , Then She , whose Son , and onely one , Was near his grave . III. At least , I , so much Grace Of thee , this day have had , As daign'd to Jairus was Whose Daughter thou foundst dead , Upon her Bed : For , when my Wife , depriv'd of life Had long time laine , Thou , heeding there , our Prayers here Gav'st life again . IV. Thus she , who first was thine ( And so shall alwayes be ) Hath now , been twice made mine , And , is enjoy'd by me ; For which , to thee A double praise , LORD , all my dayes , I ought to give ; Assist I pray , this due to pay Whilst here I live . V. And , let all , who now hear What , thou for me hast done , Help me thy praise declare ; For , not to me alone Extends this boone ; This Act of Grace , vouchsafed was That , they thereby Might at their need , know where to speed As well as I. VI. LORD , I have nought to give For all thou hast bestown , But , what I did receive And was , and is thine own ; Oh! now therefore This Sacrifice , do not despise For , I am poor ; Therewith , I shall give self and all , Who can give more ? A Penitential Hymn , composed by occasion of a Dream the 19th . of Octob. 1661. about Midnight . I. MY GOD , thou didst awake me , This night out of a sad and fearful Dream , That , sensible did make me Of Sins , which heretofore small Sins did seem ; And , ere I perfect heed could take , Whether I slept , or was awake , He , that is watching ev'ry hour , Whom he may mischief , and devour , Sought , how he might thereby advantage make : Rebuke him , for my Dear Redeemer's sake . II. Permit thou no Transgression , Whereof , I heretofore have guilty been , Nor great , nor small Omission , Which I forgotten have , or overseen , ( Either through want of penitence Or of confessing my offence ) To rise against me , great or small ; For , LORD , I do repent them all : And , likewise , ( be it more or less ) Renounce all trust , in my own Righteousness . III. As Job complain'd , such Visions To me seem'd represented this last night Of my falings , and Omissions That , sleeping , they did much my heart affright ; Me thought a Spirit passed by Not to be seen with mortal eye ; And , I was minded by a Voice ( That , spake unto me without noise ) Of things preceding , which ( then quite forgot ) So , as I ought to do , I heeded not . IV. Oh God! most kind , most holy , Remember not the errours of my life ; Call not to minde my folly To add a new Affliction , to my Grief . World , Flesh and Devil , my foes are , And , much more then my strength can bear On me , they have already cast , Unless , that thou compassion hast ; Oh! throw my sins out of thy sight therefore , That , they may not be seen , or heard of more . V. My Soul doth now abhor them , Thine onely Son , hath with his precious blood Made satisfaction for them ; Thou , didst accept it ; I believe it good : And , therefore , though they somtimes make My heart to tremble and to ake , My Soul is confident they pard'ned are As if they ne're committed were ; Confirm it so , that , sleeping and awake Sweet rest in thee , I may for ever take . VI. Dear GOD , of my Salvation , Preserve me by thy Love and mighty Pow'r From perilous Temptation , In Weal , in Woe , and at my dying hour : Me , let thy Gardian Angels keep When I do wake , and while I sleep , From shame without , and fear within ; From evil thoughts , and Actual Sin , That , Friends and Foes and every one may see , No man in vain , doth put their trust in thee . A Requiem to the Soul. I. MY Soul , vex not thy self at those , Who , to all Godliness are Foes , Although they make fair outward showes , And spread and flourish like the Bay ; For , deplorable is their case , They , as the scorched Summer Grasse , Shall soon into oblivion passe , And all their Beauty fade away . II. I have been young , and old am grown And , many changes I have known , Whereby , it hath to me been shown Whereto , their wicked courses tend : With Honour I have seen them Crown'd , With Pow'r and Riches to abound , Whose Place no where can now be found ; For , all their Pomp is at an end . III. With shadows they themselves beguile , And , GOD , doth at their folly smile ; With patience therefore wait a while , And , grudge them not their Portion , here ; Destruction , toward them is hasting , Their Time is short , and dayly wasting , But , thine will be for everlasting , And , Griefs , as if they never were . IV. Employ thy self in doing well , And , GOD , with thee shall kindly deal ; Thou , in the Land shalt safely dwell , Well fed and clothed , all thy dayes . And when the Glory of their Name Is blur'd out , with an evil Fame , Then , shall thy Poverty and shame Be mention'd unto thy praise . V. Let wordlings feed upon their Chaff , Their Cups of Fornication quaff , And at thy sufferings grin and laugh ; A midst thy Foes lie down and sleep . Whilst in their malice , they persist , In GOD's Protection take thy rest , For , though thy Body be opprest Thee , safe , in spight of them , he 'l keep . He , whosoever he be , that speaks this Charm , Unto his Soul in Faith , shall have no harm ; Therefore , as a Receipt approved , take it : For , for my self alone , I did not make it . A Meditation upon the many Prodigies and Apparitions , which are mentioned by Publick writing , or common Fame . VVE are inform'd , by questionless Presages ( Vouchsafed to instruct succeeding Ages ) That warnings of Christ's coming , should be given By signs and wonders manifest from Heaven : And , we have seen , in Histories recorded , That , Providence , in all times hath afforded , Some Premotions of those Desolations Which fell on Persons , Places , States and Nations , Before they came : For , our most gracious GOD , ( As doth a loving Father ) shewes the Rod Before he whips , that he thereby may fright To Penitence , ere he begins to smite ; And , frequently , prevail , if that means may , Us to reclaim , he flings the Rod away : Which kind Indulgence , is in these times , more Inlarged then , it hath been heretofore . New Prodigies , we hear of ev'ry day , And , likewise hear , how they are puft away As but meer Fictions . If we find them so , This , justly , thereupon inferr I do , That , more presumptuous we in these times are Then ever any other People were : For , very much corruption it implies To be in those who make and publish Lyes . If there be Truth , in any of those Visions , Or Extraordinary Apparitions , Which are affirm'd ; 'T is no less wicked daring , So to affront GOD's visible appearing In Signs and Wonders , as , both to contemn , And seek by all means , how to smother them : But , it is worst of all , to publish Lyes Of purpose , to discredit Verities , As if we meant , to do the most we can To try the Patience both of GOD , and Man. If , we believe the things that are aver'd ; Why of GOD's Judgements , are we not afeard ? And , either seek to pacifie his Wrath , Or , magnfie his Mercy , who , so hath Forewarn'd , of what is likely to ensue , That , we his Indignation may eschew ? If we suspect , what publickly is told , Why do not they , who are in Pow'r ( and should ) Search out the Truth , that , by due punishment , They such like Provocations may prevent ? For , out of question , to connive at Lyes , Or smother Truths , worse things presignifies , Then all the Apparitions , that have been These twenty years , in this our Climate seen ; ( Though nothing doubted of ) and will go nigh At last , to turn all Truths into a Lye. I must confess , that , though unto my Ears There have been brought within these twenty years So many strange Reports , of sights and Voices , Earthquakes and Thunders , dreadful Storms & noises ; Of Ebbs and Tides , of Suns , and Moons , and Stars , And Armies in the Clouds , portending Wars , With such like , as would have perhaps , amounted Unto a hundred , if I them had counted ; Not one of those I saw : yet , so unjust I am not , as those good men to distrust Who have aver'd them : for , though Prodigies And such miraculous Appearances , Are daign'd in chief , to Infidels , and those Who in God's word , no confidence repose ; Yet , they are likewise , otherwhile , reveal'd To true Believers , lest , they be conceal'd From those whom they concern ; or lest , by them Quite slieghted , who , the Works of GOD , contemn ; They , also their own welfare so neglect That , they be totally without effect . On trust , I therefore take them : for , if we Confirmed by their Witness may not be , Whose Conversations are to us well known ; How , can we any Affirmations own For Truths , Historically writ , by those Whose Conversation , no man living knowes ? For , my part I have with my carnal Eyes , And , otherwise , beheld such Prodigies In Words and Deeds , that , although none of that Were true , which I hear other men relate , I ( at the least Mysteriously ) discover All those old Miracles , new acted over , In my time , which in Pharaohs days were wrought , When Israel out of servitude was brought ; And , many a such like wonderful proceed , As we recorded in the Scriptures read . I 've seen th' Inchanter's ( yea , and Aarons ) Rod , Turn'd into Serpents ; Waters into blood . I have seen Froggs sent , and remov'd again , And , yet , we as hard hearted still remain . I have observed , ( at least once or twice ) Our Dust , to be transformed into Lice . Plagues , which resembled Locusts , Flies , and Hail , Yet not a jot upon our hearts , prevail . The People , ev'n as Murrains do our Beasts , A Sin that 's Epidemical , Infests ; And , so with Blaines and Byles we smitten be , That , in a moral sense , meer Scabs we be . Aegyptian Darkness too , hath here , among Our other Plagues , continu'd very long , With likelihood to be as grosse , as there , Unless , the Sun of Righteousness appear ; Yea , I have seen our First-born also slain , Yet , still , we in obduracy remain . I , therefore , wonder not , if private Visions , Prodigeous sights , and Dreadful Apparitions , ( Discern'd but here & there ) have nought effected , Since , things more Signal , are so much neglected . Where , Moses and the Prophets are not heard , One from the Dead , will find but small regard . In vain are Dumb-shewes , where , a speaking sign Can to no heedfulness , mens hearts incline . When CHRIST's own Words , will not with credit pass , In vain , will be the speakings of an Asse : Yet , speak must , when GOD shall his tongue untie ; And , whatsoere succeedeth , so will I. A Riddle for Recreation , not impertinent to this Place . INto a Park , I lately came , Wherein are many herds of Game , Whereof the Keepers take no care , And yet , they in abundance are . They are a Cattle of strange Breed Which , on no Browse , nor Grasse do feed ; Are Found , before that they are sought ; Aswell in sleep , as waking caught : So silently , they hunted are That , neither Hound nor Horn we hear When chatc't : They , are the onely things , Left free for Beggars and for Kings To Hunt at will : and , all that we Assur'd of by our Charters be . What Park is this ? What Game are these ? Tell me , and Hunt there , when you please . A Proclamation made by this Prisoner , with the advise of his Privy Counsel , the Muses . OH Yee's , Oh Yee's , Oh Yee's : if any man In Country , Court or City tell me can Where my last Poem call'd Vox Vulgi lies , ( Seiz'd lately in my Chamber by surprize ) On penalty , of what else follow may , Let him produce it , e're my Tryal day ; ( Which , yet , I am not certain , when , or where It will be , neither do I greatly care . ) He , who to me , the same will timely bring , Shall be rewarded : So , GOD Save the King. Given , this 17th . of the 8th . Month , 1661. At my Head Quarters in Newgate , which is , at present , all the places of abode upon earth , which the Prince of this World and his Prelacie have left me . Geo. Wither . A Concluding Epigram . VVIth these Cards , I , an After-game have play'd , But , there 's one Card , by shuffling , so mislaid , That , now my fore-game's lost ; yet , if I may Just Dealing find , Fair Gamesters , and Fair-play , What ever happens , I no question make But , I at last , may thereby save my stake ; And , when the Sett is ended , win much more Then ere I got by Play , or Work before . If any good Effects , hereby ensue , A Thanks to GOD , is for my Troubles due : For , had he not made way to send me hither , These Fragments , had not thus been scrap'd together . Those Papers , which are hitherto supprest , Shall that occasion , which will manifest ( At last ) a more effectual operation Then , if they might have had free Publication . If , also , God , me , here shall exercise With greater Tryals , better Fruits then these They will produce : Therefore , they shall to me Be welcome , when , or whatsoere they be . Yet , for the sakes of other men , well pleas'd I should be , from my Troubles to be eas'd ; Because , until mine shall have some redresse , Their suff'rings , are not likely to be lesse . LORD , therefore , if thou please , make it a sign , Their Troubles will soon end , by ending mine . I , thereof , am a little hopeful made , By some foretokens , which I newly had . Three likely signs thereof , he daigned hath ; For , my Beloved Consort , he from death , Was pleas'd to raise ( ev'n whilst within this place I have remain'd , exposed to disgrace And Poverty ) he , for my Children too , Whilst this was writing , hath provided so That , without Portions , to their good content , They married are , without disparagement ; All parties , Christian confidence professing Of their dependance on GOD's future blessing . He , in the presence , and amidst my Foes , Hath spread my Table ; and , such bounty showes , That , these are nothing , but the Scraps and Crums Of that supply , which , dayly , from him comes . Appello DEUM , REGEM , POPULUM , PARLIAMENTUM . I do , appeal , to judge of my intent , To GOD , King , People , and the Parliament : For , one of these , I 'm sure , my Friend will be , And , I hope well , of all the other three ; But , they know not my heart , so well as he . A Post-script to the Readers . THese Pieces , being communicated to several Persons in writing , were sent back to me imprinted ; by what Printer I know not . Two or three large Cantles , are thrown in among them ; which , though you would have disliked , in respect of their Quantity , I should have made no shorter ; for , I could with more contentment have lengthned them . So much was necessary to exercise my own spirit , and strengthen my Faith and Patience , during the pressures which lie upon me . Therefore , if they begin to seem tedious , give over the perusal : For , they were intended to be communicated to those onely , who were voluntarily desirous of them , to whom I beseech GOD to sanctifie them in the reading . They were distill'd out of me , by that Fiery-tryal , which will extend to many other before it be ended , and which will evidence that they are no counterfeit or Sophistical Extractions , though they may seem trivial to some , because they relate chiefly to my self ; for , they will be found useful to many of them , who , are or shall be , exercised with like Passions and Afflictions . That , which tends to the Vindication of the Poem occasioning my Commitment hither , will concern others as well as my self ; So , may also that which expresseth my suddain distemper , at the first hearing of my Wives Sickness , lying at 52. Miles distance in a very disconsolate Condition , as to all outward things : And they who are as truly sensible of a Conjugal and Paternal Affection as I am , will perhaps , think when they read what I have written , that it may be of use to some of them , when they consider well the struglings between my Flesh & Spirit during that Tryal ; and , in regard it is in probability , the strongest Temptation whereby the world and the Devil shall have power to afflict me . But , whatsoever shall be thought of that , of the rest of these Parcels , or of me , I sent them to those in writing , who desired to have Copies of them , and to passe further , as God should give leave . To write no more , I long since did intend ; But , none but GOD knowes now when I shall end , For , still , I find , when I think all is done , As much to write , as when I first begun . Your true Friend , and Brother in the best Consanguinity , who thinks it no dishonour , to subscribe himself , GEORGE WITHER , of Newgate , in the City of London , Prisoner . The 19th . of the 8th . Moneth , 1661. An Appendix in Relation to what concerns his Wife . MY Consort , ( who still meanes what ere she sayes ) Perusing what 's here mentioned to her praise ; Protests , her modesty is so offended , To find her self in such a strain commended , That , she 's asham'd to live ; and , to be dead Had rather , then to see it published . To be aveng'd for this dislike , therefore I le to the rest , ad this one Vertue more , Which had been alse forgot ; and if she do Therewith find fault , I le then , ad twenty moe . For , I forbore her Praises till I fear'd That , them , she never should have seen , or heard , And , had exposed them to Publication Before I was quite cured , of my Passion . A Table of the several things contained in this Book . 1. THe Epistle of the Author . Pag. 3. 2. A Missive to his Friends , who enquired for him , after the apprehension of his Person and the seizure of his Books and Papers . Pag. 5. 3. His first Meditation after his Commitment to Newgate . Pag. 11. 4. His Petition at the Sessions , that Bail might be accepted . Pag. 17. 5. An Epigram to the City of London . P. 19. 6. This Prisoners second Meditation in Newgate . Pag. 22. 7. Answer to some Friends who sent to know how it fared with him after his Commitment . Pag. 27. 8. A Pass-by , to them who seemed offended with his frequent scriblings ( as they call them ) Pag. 28. 9. The Authors Apology , for his writing that Book which occasioned his Imprisonment . Pag. 30. 10. Another Meditation , alluding to this Verse in Seneca , Nusquam non potest esse Virtuti locus . P. 55. 11. A Meditation upon Jeremies Prophesie to Ebedmelech , the Aethiopian . Pag. 59. 12. An Antidote against Fear . Pag. 62. 13. A short excuse , why he makes no Adresse to great Persons for their Favour in his Cause . Pag. 68. 14. A Meditation upon his considering the sad outward Condition of his Relations in the flesh . P. 71. 15. A Passionate expression of a casual and suddain destemper , upon hearing of his Wives being mortally Sick , as he was credibly informed . Pag. 76. 16. A spiritual Song composed upon the last mentioned distemper . Pag. 95. 17. A Meditation whilst he was taking Tobacco . Pag. 98. 18. A Hint , conducing to the Settlement of Peace and Concord in the Church and State. Pag. 101. 19. A Thanksgiving for his Wives restauration to life and health . Pag. 105. 20. A Penitential Hymn . Pag. 107. 21. A Requiem to the Soul. Pag. 110. 22. A Meditation upon the late Prodigies and Apparitions . Pag. 112. 23. A Ridle . Pag. 115. 24. A Proclamation by the Muses . Pag. 116. 25. A Concluding Epigram . Pag. 117. 26. A Post-script . Pag. 118. THE END . The Authors Dream , the night before the Imprinting of this Book , and ( as he believes ) the true Interpretation thereof . I Am awake : GOD's blessed Name be prais'd , That , he to see the Light , my eyes hath rais'd : For , sleep , I see , which we repute the best Of Temporal things pertaining to mans Rest , ( Next to a quiet Conscience ) may become A Torment , very near as troublesome , If he , that giveth his Beloved sleep , Did not , within a Bound , nights terrours keep . My Soul , so toyl'd , and tired out , hath been With what , this night , in Dreamings I have seen , That , peradventure , if I waking , had Been so opprest , it might have made me mad : For , from the twelfth hour , to the fourth , well nigh , I have been strugling , in an Agonie , With such Confusions , that , if I would tell How , I have been turmoyl'd , I , might aswell Another World endeavour to Create Out of a Chaos , as the same relate : And , not a littie troubled is my mind , Now I am waking , how , I forth may find What it presignifies : For , I believe Those Notions , I did not in vain receive : And , therefore , ( since no Daniel I do know , Who , either can to me my Vision show , Or , what it means ) Ile , by GOD's Grace , assay To make the best use of it , that I may ; Not doubting , but , that he will condescend To shew some glimpse , of what , he doth intend . It hapned ( which , forget not to remember ) The day before the Kalend's of November , The first year ( and may be the last ) wherein I had infranchised in Newgate been , For off'ring to Record , what I have heard By common Fame , and , was by me declar'd To no worse end , then , that , prevent it might Such like Confusions , as me thought , this night To me were represented . And , who knowes But , that , this Dream , a Consequent foreshowes To that relating , which , fulfill'd will be Either , upon these Nations , or on me , Or both of us , if God , averts not from The best of us , that , which is like to come ; And , as dreadful our waking Dreams may be As this was in my sleep , last night to me . This very day , moreover , ( as I hear ) Those Musings , which by me composed were Since my Commitment hither , pass the Presse ; And , our confusions , will be more or less , As they shall take effect . GOD's Will be done , ( What ere , he pleaseth shall succeed thereon ) For , he , who wak'd me out of this sad Dream , Will , when , at their worst , raise me out of them ; Or , when the Resurrection morning comes , Save , me , at least , from all destructive Dooms , This , ( though my Dream admits no explanation ) I take to be a true Interpretation . But if , that any finds me out a better I will approve it , and remain his debter . ERRATA . PAge 3. line 17. read Appeal , page 14. line 30. for which are , r. with awe , l. 34. r. entertain'd , p. 16. l. 13. r. Though so , p. 23. l. 3. r. be for he , p. 26. l. 23. r. dost for doth , p. 32. l. 18. r. not so . p. 36. last l. r. contriv'd . p. 39. l. 26. r. first , that , p. 42. l. 14. r. grown wise and sober , l. 33. r. more provoke , p. 43. l. 2. r. of Reason , p. 44. l. 5. r. of letting , l. 11. r. concession , l. 28. for is , r. are , p. 59. l. 6. r. extract good . p. 75. l. 22. r , Revive , p. 79. l. 15. for race , r. truce . p. 51. l. 30. r. every for very . l. 26. blot out now , p. 96. l. 13. r. we for wee 'l . p. 102. l. 9. for their r. them . p. 108. l. 23. blot out my , p. 110. l. 2. r. his trust .