Speculum speculativum, or, A considering-glasse being an inspection into the present and late sad condition of these nations : with some cautional expressions made thereupon / by George Wither, immediately after His Majesties restauration, to preserve in himself and others a Christian obedience to God's various dispensations ; hereby also are some glimmerings discovered of what will probably ensue hereafter. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 1660 Approx. 335 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 90 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-02 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66781 Wing W3193 ESTC R200947 17948145 ocm 17948145 106768 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. A66781) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 106768) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1112:5) Speculum speculativum, or, A considering-glasse being an inspection into the present and late sad condition of these nations : with some cautional expressions made thereupon / by George Wither, immediately after His Majesties restauration, to preserve in himself and others a Christian obedience to God's various dispensations ; hereby also are some glimmerings discovered of what will probably ensue hereafter. Wither, George, 1588-1667. [12], 166 [i.e. 168] p. [s.n.], London : written June XIII, MDCLX, and there imprinted the same year [i.e. 1660] In verse. Manuscript twelve-line poem, concerning Dutch perfidy, written on prefatory flyleaf. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Great Britain -- History -- Restoration, 1660-1688 -- Poetry. 2005-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-11 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2005-11 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion England this fable plainly shew's , a strong Allie no partner know's . The Bull the Goat , and patient Sheep one day , Leagu'd with the Lion , sought a common prey ; A pray they took , an high and mighty hart ; of which each thought to haue his equal part : Soft , quoth the Lion , I the first shaire claim , Cause Lion King o' th forest is my mane ; The second you shall giue me as my due , Cause I am valiant , able to subdue : The third I take by force , and for the rest , Touch it who dares ; yield it all , you had best . Speculum Speculativum : OR , A CONSIDERING-GLASSE ; Being an INSPECTION Into the present and late sad Condition Of these NATIONS ; With some CAUTIONAL EXPRESSIONS made thereupon , by GEORGE WITHER , Immediately after His MAJESTIES Restauration : To preserve in himself and others a Christian Obedience to GOD's various Dispensations . Hereby also are some Glimmerings discovered Of what will probably ensue hereafter . Fiat Justitia , Ruat Coelum : Rather than Justice should bee made a scorn , Let all the Planets , from their Sphears bee torn . And Jeremiah said to Seraiah , When comest to Babylon , thou shalt read these words ; and when thou hast made an end of reading this Book , thou shalt binde a stone to it , and cast it into the midst of Euphrates , and say , Thus shall Babylon sink , Jer. 51. 63. London , Written June XIII . MDCLX . and there Imprinted the same year . To the KING'S MAJESTY , If this Considering Glass comes accidentally to his View . SIR , Blest is hee that in Gods Name doth come , In which Name I pronounce your welcome home ; And , for your Health more heartily do pray , Than any one who drinks it every day . As often too , I have you in my thought As they , who with the first your favour sought ; Which , if my heart you could as plainly see As what you now read , would beleeved bee . When I had first compos'd what here ensues , I wisht it , where you might the same peruse : For men unknown ( or known without respect ) So justly are affronted with neglect , For proffer'd Services to those , that have More Off'rings daily than they can receive , That , I commitred this to his Dispose , Who orders every thing that comes or goes . If Providence hath brought this to your hand , Give up to REASON straight , the sole command Ov'r all your Passions ; Make her of your Isle , ( Your Isle of MAN ) Queen-Regent , all the while You are perusing it ; and let it bee Read through , else it will wrong both You and Mee . ( Or you like Caesar , unperus'd perchance , May leave that , which your welfare might advance ) To be her Subject , but so long endeavour As till that 's done , and then , be King for ever , ( Reigning with her ) as absolute a Prince , As ever had ov'r men pre-eminence : For , then , shall that , to you more glory add , Than hitherto from any Pen you had ; And , be to you , a true Mnemosyne , When , peradventure , none so dares to be . This Glass ( though form'd it be of Common matter And , made by him , who knows not how to flatter ) If , to a Prince , who needs it , it were sold , Were worth to him three times his weight in gold , If he knew how to use it as he should : Yet I had rather you for nothing had it , So that it wrought th' effect for which I made it , Than , from another , to receive that price In ready money paid mee over twice : For , then , this Book ( which hath not to your praise One single Page ) thereto should Trophies raise More glorious , than , your LONDONS wealth could rear If wholly , thereupon consum'd it were . Your Happiness and Honour it intends : By not commending , it much more commends , Than all their Panegyricks who bestrow Those men with praises whom they do not know ; And , magnifie , when they ascend the Throne , All Kings alike ; which praise is less than none ; For , 't is a Mock , deserving but returns Of sharp reproofs , or of neglect and scorns . If , wise and pious , you I had not thought , I , such like Gew-gaws could to you have brought To put out of your minde , what GOD for you Hath lately done ; and what you ought to do For Him and His. But neither self-esteem , Nor verbal Attributes can perfect him By whom , here , shall bee an Establishment Of Justice in a Righteous Government . For , none else , but a self-denying King , Shall that great Blessing to these Nations bring ; And , his Name will be thereby honour'd more Than all his Predecessors heretofore . And , they , who then live shall fulfill'd behold What Britains Genius , long ago foretold : For , I beleeve , that such a one will be , And also , much desire , you may be hee . A King you are , who , now twice born hath been To Royalty ; and therefore , by that Mean A Childe of honour , by Regeneration You seem to be : and in the common fashion To celebrate your double birth , it could With your condition no proportion hold ; For that Cause in a path , by no man trod , I seek to do you honour in this Mode , Which if accepted , your true praise will be ; And , peradventure no disgrace to mee . For as a Lady looking in a Mirrour , Puts on her Dress , and Jewels without errour , Heeding what is mis-placed , or forgot , And to her Handmaid alwaies trusteth not ; So , by this Glass , you may have by reflection A sight of what pertains to your perfection . See , not with others , but , with your own eyes , Whether true Ornaments , or some Disguise , Be put upon you , which may render you Less lovely , when you come in open view . Herein , a Catalogue to you is shown Of many long-lost Jewels of the Crown ; And such as add the most Essential Glory Unto those Crowns that are but transitory . A Course is offered here , whereby you may Out-do , all that , which Flatterers can say : ( Or , by but so far forth endeav'ring it , As Humane Frailties will the same permit ) To praise you here , I do not undertake ; But , that your self praise-worthy you may make Is my design by bringing things to minde , Which written in your own heart you shall finde . This shews the Means to make you honourable With what should alwaies be inseparable From your own person , and doth also tend To your Immortal Glory , without end : It , such an honour gives , as will increase In their despight , who seek to make it less : An honour which depends not on mens tongues , Which Envy blasteth not , nor Malice wrongs ; Which neither Degradations , nor Advances , Or , any humane Changes or Mischances Can blemish : for , it will be much more clear Than that Star , which within our Hemisphear Shin'd on your Birth-day , whilst the Sun at height Display'd his beams to hide it from our sight . Somewhat , by that , perhaps , portended was ; So will there be by this Considering-Glass . God grant my meaning be so understood , That , now it may an Omen be for Good. By great Afflictions you were lately prov'd , Which are in mercy totally remov'd . At present , by as great prosperities , Your Temper , and your Faithfulness God tries . And that things useful slip not out of thought , This , to your hands , by Providence was brought . Be pleased seriously to look thereon , For , you will finde it a true Lydian-stone ; And , if you bide the Touch , WORDS are too poor To celebrate your Worth ; who can say more ? Your Majesties Loyal Subject , GEO. WITHER . In stead of a Dedication , or an Epistle to the Reader , this Expostulation of the Author with Himself , is here inserted . GEORGE , were 't not fit , ere from thy hands it pass To dress thy self by thy Considering-Glass ? It hath now six months been expos'd to show And some say , Forth in publick let it go . Some , cry , Conceal it ; for it may undo thee , Or at the best , bring outward mischief to thee . Say , shall , or shall I not divulge the same ? Shall it be spar'd , or given to the flame ? Quickly , resolve , before it bee too late , And Cautions needful , grow quite out of date . Dost thou beleeve , that many men will read it ? Or , if they do , that any much will heed it ? Except it be , to seek how to abuse thee , Or , finde out somewhat whereof to accuse thee ; What ever thou shalt write , Self-interest No more will entertain , then shall consist With her own Principles . Thou , to the SOT Writ'st Greek : the worldly-wise regard it not ; And if , among Swine , thou thy pearls dost cast , They 'l tear thee , or defile thee at the least . Yet , if thy Conscience doth incline thee to it , More fear thou to neglect it , than to do it ; For , from thy Duties thou art not excus'd , Although thy pains be sleighted and abus'd . And , it were better , mischief should befall Unto one single person , than to all : He perishing with an ill Conscience too , Because , hee did not , what hee ought to do . To make this , and transcribe it , I confess , Much pains requir'd not , and the cost is less . In Ink and Paper : yet , perhaps , it may Be better worth , than to be thrown away : And though to my particular offence It may redound a tenfold Recompence , It will repay thy Country by return : And , for thy self alone , thou art not born . My Country ! Why perhaps my Country-men , Think , they need not my service ; and , what then ? Am I oblig'd , if they be minded so , To serve them still , whether they will or no ? I , fifty years , have serv'd them in my turn , To that end , for which ( I think ) I was born , For no reward , but injuries and scorn . They , my Good Meanings , have repay'd with ill , And , can it be expected , I should still Serve them on such hard terms ? Then , so I will. Hast thou composed , without fear or wit , What , may mens discontented humours fit ? Scribled enough , since here the Scoene did alter , To purchase Newgate , or , to win a Halter ? If so , and that which is deserved follows , That will , perhaps , attend thee to the Gallows : There , either rail upon thee , or , else say , Thou wert a bold fool , and so go their way . And , if thou writ'st but sober Truth and Reason , Or , that , which wise men think to bee in season , They will be all the world will give thee for 't , Shee 'l say that , Thou , not worth the hanging art . Not , worth the hanging ! Hah ! that 's somewhat tho ; And may be worth as much , for ought I know , As to be made a Viscount , or an Earl , A Marquess , or a Duke For , great my Earthly Expectations are not , And , if they come to nothing , much I care not . I know , which way , to make mine honour greater Than that , for which I must become a Debter To other men ; and , can augment the same By that , which some do think , will do mee shame . But , hark ! in policy a while delay To publish , this ; thou hast a Game to play For Prelates Lands , which lately purchas'd were ; Thy Claims thereto , now in great hazard are , And , thou , wilt both to borrow , and to pay , Disabled bee , if they bee took away : Thy other Lands , by Cheaters were bereft , And , if thou lose these too , there 's nothing left . Their Temp'ralties , must be restor'd again , And , thou concerning them , writ'st here , such plain , Such down-right Truths , that if there should bee found Surviving ( or , new made ) on English Ground A Bishop who will then thy cause befriend , It may presage that all the rest will mend : And , that , here constituted , wee shall see , Such Bishops , as Saint Paul said they should bee : ( Which our Scotch-Brethren , I suppose , will grant To bee within , our Solemn Covenant ) But , that , is in great hazard ; therefore , try Their Holiness , and their Humility : And , if , as may be wish'd , thou shalt not speed , Then , with what thou intendest streight proceed . Out ! Out Upon 't ! this Motion is so evil , That , 't is a meer suggestion of the Devil . This , is that foolish policy , that brings Destruction upon Nations and their Kings . 'T is in effect , as if my heart should say , Do , as most Worldlings do ; and when that way Thou proved hast , and thereby reap'st no good , From thenceforth , put thy trust alone in GOD. No , no ; I bought those Lands without offending My Conscience , or a wrong to them intending : And , either still mine by GOD's help I 'll make them , Or , let the Prelates , if it must be , take them ; Although I know them no Appurtenance To them belonging by GOD's Ordinance . A Covenant within his sight I took , Which , though by some it sleighted be , and broke , I dare not sleight it so , but , to this hour Have kept it ( and will keep it ) to my pow'r . Art thou then thus resolv'd ? Yes , and till death Resolved am , whilst I have Pen or Breath , Thus , to be still resolv'd , unless GOD leaves mee , Or else to change my mind his warrant gives mee . I 'll trust GOD in the first place , not the last Alone , and when all other hopes are past . If Prelates , Parliaments , and Kings bereave mee Of all I have , Hee , helpless will not leave mee . But probable it seems , that , if hereby Imprisonment , or extreme Poverty Befalls now thou art old , that they who most Thy hazard urge , will leave thee to be lost : What if they do ? thou hast a better hold : GOD leaveth no man because hee is old ; And never had hee firm Dependences On him , that 's frighted with such Toyes as these . Recall to mind , that many years ago , When such Adventures thou wert urg'd unto It fell out otherwise . But there is yet Another fear : Therefore consider it . Thou hast Relations , who to thee are dear ; May these . not suffer more than they can bear , By what may come ? Alas ! I 'll not dissemble , My fears for them , do make my flesh to tremble ; And , when I minde their hazards and their fears , ' Spight of Philosophy I let fall tears . But why , my Soul , art thou dejected so ? My Heart , why sad within mee , dos● 〈◊〉 grow ? Still trust in GOD , for hee will bee th●●● aid . Of these vain Bug-bears be thou not afraid ; For they are GOD's much more than they are thine : To him therefore the charge of them resign . This needless care , is but for Three , at most , And , to the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , If thou commit them , bee will raise up Friends To make for all their losses large amends . But , they have said , and so do many say , That men are much estranged at this day From what they were : that , in these latter times They are grown much more hardned in their crimes , And far less sensible than they were then Of Sufferings , which befel to honest men , Who ( when their pains might that way be bestown ) Preferr'd the common good before their own : And that their number too , who now are griev'd , Is more than theirs , by whom to be reliev'd , They may have hope . Alas ! if it be thus , GOD only can , and hee must succour us . If it be so , our case is very sad : Yet fear not , Balm in Gilead may be had . Thy Pains , and this Adventure such times need : On good Intentions , good effects succeed ; And , hee at last will finde it so , who scatters His Bread , although it be upon the Waters : For God is still the same ; his Truth will never Be Falshood , but continue Truth for ever . Hee , who thee hath preserv'd so many years Amid so many Dangers , Foes and Fears , As thou hast passed through ( and thy Oppressours Destroy'd from time to time with their Successours ) Will still prese●●● thee ; or , else , thither take thee From them , 〈…〉 hee 'l secure for ever make thee ; And , be to Wife and Children at their need , A Husband and a Father , in thy steed . Well ; I beleeve this ; with my self , therefore Hereof , I will expostulate no more . I have so well , in my Considering-Glass , View'd , what my heart now is , with what it was , And , for what may befall , prepar'd it so , That , whither GOD will send it , let it go : Take it among you , Newters , Friends and Foes , And his Will be fulfilled , WIN or LOSE : Who since I am excused from the cost Of Publication ( because , all I 've lost ) Will in the best time , some mans heart incline To add his Contribution unto mine ; That , what now six months hath perused been In private , may more publickly be seen . GEO. WITHER . Decemb. 13. 1660. SPECULUM SPECULATIVUM : OR , A CONSIDERING-GLASSE ; Composed , June XIII . M.DCLX . The Contents . OUr Modern Prophet ( so did Paul , A well known Heathen Poet call ) Doth , in the Muses Mode relate This Nations past and present state . Shews us , in this Considering-Glass , What , shall hereafter come to pass , According as , wee do fulfil , Or , cross GOD's manifested Will. Shews by what light hee doth behold Those things that are by him foretold . Praics for the King , and minds him too , In praying for him , what to do . Some things , which to himself pertain , He intermixeth ( not in vain ) Which will as much advantage them Who sleight them not , as profit him . And by the number of the Beast , Bounds the last year of Antichrist . THough of my Friends , I may almost profess , As did Elias , in another case , I know not one ( not one of those at least , Who friendship for meer civil ends profest ) Yet here this day , may many thousands be Who are my real friends , unknown to mee : Yea peradventure many among those Who at this present time are thought my Foes . To them therefore , I wishing Grace and Peace ; Do now , where ere they live , these Lines address To fortifie their Faith , and them incline By their endeavours to help strengthen mine ; And that by our Petitions joyntly made , Wee may get safety where it can be had ; For , whether of a low degree , or high , To trust to men , is trusting to a Lye. I am surprized with another FIT , But what it will produce , I know not yet . Confusedly things tumble in my breast , And if confusedly they bee exprest , You must be pleas'd to take them as you finde them , ( And , as begun , before I had design'd them ) Since when few knew what 's best for them to do , That will be done which they are forc'd unto ; And may perhaps too , have as good success As that with which more freedome I express : ( At leastwise ) when mens manners , and the times Shall make them heed the Reason of my Rimes ; For nothing I 'll insist on , but what shall Tend to GOD's glory , and the good of all . Of no mens Persons whosoe're they are , Will I accept , in what I shall declare : ( Not of mine own , in any thing that may Wrong Justice , or my Conscience any way ) Nor be so fearful , or so over-bold , So over-hot , so luke-warm , or so cold , That any justly shall my words despise , That 's honest , sober , generous or wise : But plainly tell things as I finde they are , And then concerning them my thoughts declare ; Not limited by Method like to those Who make expressions of their minds in prose ; But by Digressions , as the Muses do , When sudden Raptures them incline thereto ; And in such Language as may evidence The Truth , without affected Eloquence . Yet , nor the better , nor the worse effect , Whether I write , or write not , I expect As to my Self ; save , as I hope to raise Thereby a Ground-work for GOD's future praise From things observ'd ; with which work to dispense I dare not , neither can without offence : For GOD is much concern'd in things now done ; As also , in what may succeed thereon ; And if well known , and well weigh'd , all things were Which , to mee pertinent at this time are , As with those Lepers who distressed sate 'Twixt WAR and FAMINF , at Samaria's Gate ; So should I seem to fare : for , whether they Continu'd in that place , or went away , Their hazards were the same ; and so are mine , Whether to WORDS , or Silence , I incline . They at the last resolved were to try That course which they thought best ; and so do I. Which if no man regards , 't is but the lot That , I , and better men have often got . Assist , Oh GOD ! in what I seek to do ; For , when that MAZE , I wistly look into Which wee are in , I am afraid almost That I in some dark passage may be lost . Our Follies have so wrapt us in a Gin , Composed both of Righteousness and Sin , Of Truth and Falshood , of Non-sense and Reason , Of Good and Ill , of Loyalty and Treason ; And disagreeing Judgements and Affections , Have broken us into so many Fractions ; Our heads inforcing into such cross Angels , Whereby the Net still more and more intangles , And fastned it with such a snarled knot , That , to unty it , if thou help them not , All humane pow'rs will be imploy'd in vain , To set us at full liberty again . But notwithstanding , here is hardly ought That , is not wholly out of order brought ; Yet , if thou list , when likeliest means do fail , Thou canst make things unlikely to prevail . Thy purpose , thou as well to pass canst bring By my Goose-quill , as by an Angels Wing : And , though on all sides all have so mis-done That , I am like to give content to none ; If I may do thy Will , I shall not care What else , ensues , or who displeased are . Mens Failings and their Duties being shown , Thy Justice and thy Mercies will bee known . And , hoping , to that end , thou guid'st my Pen , I 'll without fear , make my Address to men . For , doubtless , I may boldly do mine Errant To Kings and Nations , when I have thy warrant . Full eighteen years and one month , very neer Since wee began to ring the Changes here Are past away ; and since by often turning Wee , have been broyling , to escape a burning : But , what are wee the better , now , unless Wee shall discover what things were amiss ; And when wee finde them , seriously intend Our courses , for the future , to amend ? For , how can they have ease , who bear about them , And in them , what they seek to cure without them ? Or , to obtain it shall be still so mad , As to expect it , where none can be had ? Or , how can possibly that Body be From great Distempers , or Destruction free , Whose Head and Members are from one another Divided ? or so cruel to each other As not to let each part , enjoy that dole VVhich Nature gave them to preserve the whole ? Our King 's return'd : but we , to him from whom Our perfect Peace , and saving-health must come , Are not as yet return'd ; and whilst we are As we now be , things will be as they were . VVe shall be cheated , if we doe suppose Wasps will turn Bees , or Doves proceed from Crows , Till GOD himself , whose proper work it is , Shall bring to pass that Metamorphosis , VVhich hath been long expected by this Nation , And , will require a longer Expectation , Ev'n till we more indeavour it , from him VVho may to us , as to Jerusalem , Cry out , How often have I sought your good , And as a Hen that 's careful of her brood , Would fain have brooded you ? but , you would not ! His Mercies we have sleighted , or forgot : This negligence , ( or , I might rather say This wilfulness ) hath made us at this day So wretched , that no hope doth now remain But that which quickly may be lost again : For , we do find , whatever is pretended , That , like Sowre Ale in Summer we are mended ; And , that as since we innovated first , At ev'ry Change , the last prov'd alwaies worst . ( Whether things were presented to our sight In Habits old or new , in black or white ) So still , 't is like to be , till we adhere To Righteous Actings , with hearts more sincere , By what vow , promise , or fair show soever , The Politician works on his Beleever : Yea , though the King should do the best he can , And act beyond the sphear of mortal man : For , here Hercule an labours finde he shall , And , that he 's come now to th' Aeugaean-stall , Which must be cleansed ( as the Poets say That was ) by turning Streams another way . I , round about mee , hear a found of Peace ; But I ( as yet ) discover nothing lesse ; Although , I do not see as heretofore Swords drawn ; or hear so oft , the Canons roar . That , which some dream we have , I cannot finde ; Either , I see too much , or they are blinde . I see it possible ; and with clos'd eyes See also , how it may be otherwise , Unless both Prince and People joyn as One In doing that , which is yet left undone . We have a King ( GOD prosper him : ) but hark ! He , hath a people too will finde him work . He may perceive before this year wheels round , That , with a wreath of thorns , they him have crown'd ; And , that among their Sweet-meats , taste he shall A little Honey mixed with much Gall. What can the Masters Art , at Helm prevail To save the Ship , that spreadeth every sail Amongst Rocks in a storm , from being sunk , VVhen all his Mariners are sick or drunk ? VVhat can the wisest Single person do , Although King Solomon and David too VVere of his Council ? Joshua General , Sampson his Champion , and his Life-guard all Like David's Worthies , till men understand Their own estate , heed , what GOD hath in hand ; VVhat he expects , and better can discover VVhat Grace is offer'd , and what Plagnes hang over ? Or , what can any Nations do , whose Kings And Governours are heedless of such things ? These Duties , few of us regarded have , But multipli'd our Feasts ; made our selves brave ; Neglect , as others did , our day of Trial , And sing unto the Lute , the Harp , or Viol , Ev'n whilst our Brethren sharply punish'd are For sins whereof their Judges are not clear : For I , nor You , nor any one of them , VVho with severity , their faults condemn , Could be excus'd , if GOD should be severe In questioning what hath been acted here . As therefore , GOD shall bring them to my mind To treat of those things I am now inclin'd , VVhereby , Dooms threatned may be turned from These Realms , or born with meekness when they But , I will first inform you , by what light come . I see those things , whereof I have a sight , In hope it will the better , then be known If Truth I write , or Fancies of mine own . Immodestly we must not pry into GOD's secrets : yet , what hee intends to do , He , not alone doth by his Word reveal With what to Sins , to Duties , VVo , or VVeal , Relates : 〈◊〉 Medium's also hath bestown VVhereby , some future things may before-known ; And , hee expects , that we with industry Should to the search of them our selves apply According to that means : because , each thing VVhich Disquisition may to knowledge bring , VVill either hurt or profit , less or more , As ( for the most part ) it hath been before Sought , shun'd , hop'd , fear'd , and well consider'd on ; And that makes me oft-times to muse upon Things that may be , as well as those that are ; And , things past , with things present to compare , That I might know , as much as Reason can , VVith help of Grace , my duties as a man. And , though it be of many disregarded , GOD hath my pains , in that kind , oft rewarded VVith such Discoveries , that ( if timely heeded ) They might have Plagues prevented , that succeeded . VVhereof , lest you still doubt , here I will show By what means I some future things fore-know . That , you may prove , if those which I declare Either Phanaticks , or Impostures are . My Muse acts by a Glass of Speculation , VVhereto applying , what my Observation Laies hold on , I do otherwhile fore-see Some things , which either may , or may not be , As that shall be omitted or fulfill'd VVhich is by GOD , conditionally will'd . Enthusiasms , I know , most men contemn ; No further therefore , I pretend to them Than POETS may ; though in all Generations GOD may , and doth vouchsafe both Revelations And Visions too ( for ought yet known to me ) VVhich may to us Premonitory be : Since , frequently , prenotions I have had ( By some Impressions on my spirit made ) Of what ensu'd , which I could not have known By any Light , or Vertue of mine own . If therefore , you shall be inclin'd unto My way of Divination , then , thus do : Withdraw your selves to some place all alone , Where you shall interrupted be of none : ( The Woods , your Closet , or the fragrant Field , Conveniences for such a purpose yeeld ) When you are there , place GOD before your eyes , And , minding he your deeds and thoughts espies . Cast backward , so far from you every thing ( As possibly ) which an offence may bring To such a Majesty ; chiefly , those ends VVhose prosecution neither truly tends Unto GOD's honour , or to edifie Your selves or others ; but , to vanity ; To satiate your Avarice or Pride , Or such like Lusts . Thus , having sanctifi'd Your Persons , place upon the right-hand side GOD's Oracles , by which all things are tri'd . You shall in them , exprest at large , behold All Acts and Sufferings , which in times of old Concern'd Him , or his People , with all those To them relating , who were Friends or Foes , So far forth , as to you their cognizance Pertains , and as your VVeal it may advance . These , by GOD's Providence transmitted were To future ages , to be every where , ( Ev'n to the very utmost end of Time ) That URIM and that THUMMIM unto them , Whereto they might repair , when they of ought That needed Resolution , stood in doubt . Therein , you all Occurrences may finde , Which necessarily , in any kind , Shall unto Faith or Manners appertain , So long as in this world men do remain . There are exemplifide , all humane failings , All Changes , Hopes , Fears , Losings and Prevadings , Of Enemies or Friends : Things Good and Evil ; The Practices and Projects of the Devil ; Things Metaphysical , products of Nature And Grace , with what concerneth ev'ry creature ; All Promises and Threatnings , which belong To Faith or Unbeleef , to Right or VVrong , VVith all things else that pertinent may be To ev'ry Faculty , and each Degree . VVhen with this GLASSE , you are acquainted grown So that your Self , may to your self be known ; ( For , it will shew more plainly , than your face You ever , yet beheld in any Glasse VVhat 's in your heart ; and also let you see What things are wanting , which there ought to be ) And , when by practice you enabled are To know to what heads , those things to refer Of which you would enquire , place opposite , What you have by your hearing , or by sight Discovered , to that Subject pertinent , Concerning which , you seek to know th' event , Or good or ill condition of the same , And what you may conjecture without blame . Then , well consider all the Circumstances That qualifie , and all Appurtenances That aggravate , to make men capable Of Mercies , or to Judgements liable ; As likewise , all Essentials to that thing Whose Nature , Merit , or demeriting You seek to understand ; or else what Meed Or punishment is for the same decreed According to the Rules , and Judged Cases , Recorded in that Map of common places . This being done , be confident ( if you Have not for Truths received things untrue ) By parallelling Objects which you see , Upon your left hand plac'd , with such as be Upon the right , it will to you appear VVhether or not approveable they are ; And , what on Humane Actions , will ensue Whereof you had an undeceived view ; Except , an intervening change takes place By secret sins , or unseen Acts of Grace . Nay , otherwhile , it pleaseth Providence To hint things not deducible from thence , Concerning both the manner and the time Of future Consequences , unto them VVho seek not out of Vanity or Pride For hidden things ; and they are verifi'd Accordingly , when by what 's fore-discerned The welfare of GOD's people is concerned . This , meerly , is a work of Contemplation , Not practical without much Observation ; And will as harshly sound in most mens ears , As Love-songs , to an aged Usurer's ; And , teachable it is not , save to those VVhom GOD shall by his Spirit pre-dispose For such a search : but , 't is attained then Assoon by mean wits , as by wisest men ; And , better answers what their Queries are , Than if the Influence of ev'ry Star , VVith all their Constellations they could know , And , more confirm'd thereby their Faith will grow . Now , what of our Affairs , I pre-conjecture By this GLASSE , I intend to read a Lecture As pertinently , as my shallow wit , And those confused Objects will permit VVhich press as hard within me to come out , As those Oppressions hemming me about Strive to break in upon me : for 'twixt these , My soul and body lye in Little-ease . Oh GOD , thine aid I once again implore , That my Design make not our breaches more , Nor quite compleat my ruine now begun ; At least till I thy work have wholly done : For , I am of no Faction , but profess To King and Country with true heartiness , Both Loyalty and Love , with an intent Destruction and Disunion to prevent , By offering to mens due considerations , Some Objects of my private Observations With those Products , which may arise from thence ; And which may likewise have an influence On other things , that will relation have To Thee and thine , whose interests to save I so obliged am , that I would neither Should be dishonour'd , or wrong done to either : And , LORD , as this , my chief design to be , Thou knowest , so vouchsafe to prosper me . Betwixt Mount Gebal and Mount Gerazim , At this day , to be placed , we do seem , And , 't is yet in suspence , whether or not A Blessing or a Curse will be our lot : The strst I hope for , and the last I fear , Considering how still qualifide we are : And what a little change is in us made By all the changes we have lately had . If raging singly , Avarice , Ambition , Self will , Prophaneness , Envy , Superstition , Hypocrisie and Malice we have found , Scarce tolerable ; what when they abound , And are united , can be here expected , ( Or , may be rationally then effected ) But multiplied Injuries and Scorn , Not easily expressed , much less born ? If here shall be with wicked Canaanites , A mixture of as wicked Israelites , Whose sins will be as many ( if not more ) And greater , than they have been heretofore , How can our expectations be much better , Than either former punishments , or greater ? So bad , so mad , our prosecutions be , ( By all that yet appeareth unto me ) As if we wilfully resolv'd had been Against all spoke without us , or within , Or whatsoe'er to us Examples teach , Or Conscience , by our hopes or fears doth preach : But , if those Juglings which observed are By me , should unto ev'ry one appear , All Juglers would unto contempt be brought ; They , who seem very wise , would fools be thought , And many in themselves grow doubtful whether They to be pitied were , or scorned rather . As great , as many , are the wrongs , the crimes , The cruelties and falshoods of these times , As ever ; and will such continue still , Till Truth and Errour , and till Good and Ill , Have plaid their Master-prize ; to which intent Their forces universally are bent Against each other . From false hearts proceeds Falshood in words , and wickedness in deeds ; And whilst we talk of Righteousness and Peace , They , who concealed their maliciousness With fair deportments do anew begin So to declare what they have alwaies bin , As makes , in many , inlets to some fear , That , till it endeth in a Massacre , No Vengeance will their projects terminate , Or set a lasting period to their hate . A bloodless Massacre here is already Begun among us , and it will be bloody When you perecive admittance of those Strangers , VVho first begun out plagues , renew our dangers ; And then , they who suppos'd their persons free , VVill with the rest , in equal perils be : For , boundless lustings , mischiefs will beget , VVhich lye within the womb unheeded yet , Where Sin and Death are twins conceiv'd together , Though born a little while before each other ; And , will in very ugly shapes be found In many places , ere this year goes round ; Portended , and attended in strange wise , With Ominous Events , and Prodigies . VVe shall see Gown-men tread on Men of War , High Courts of Justice called to the Bar ; Those , of whom no man lately stood in dread , Arraign the Living , and condemn the Dead : Make Martyrs , Saints and Reprobates of those VVhose good or bad conditon no man knows ; And act such things as never yet were done VVithin this Clymate since the world begun . Yet , heed this , you , who with a sober mind Seek peace , and are not factiously inclin'd , ( And you , whose principle is to repair VVhat is decay'd , with no worse Tools than Prayer ) VVith Christian patience bear the Visitation VVhich is allotted to this Generation ; And know , that as now Nature runs the race By her designed , so shall also Grace Pursue her course , to purge us in these fires , For that perfection whereto Faith aspires . Strive by renewing of your self-denials , To bear with constancy your fiery trials , Which must be undergone : for they appear In shew more painful than in proof they are ; As their experience found , who in times past Have into Babels Fornaces been cast , When they were seven times heated ; and as wee May peradventure find , ere long 't will be . Be not afraid of your own sins ; for they On your repentance will be done away : Nor be discouraged , though your Foes at large Shall sum them up , and lay unto your charge False imputations also : for , with ease Both Saints and Reprobates of whom they please The Vulgar make : and , if prophane men shall Be Judges betwixt David and King Saul , The sins of David might be made appear As many , and much greater than Sants were ; And He , upon whose side GOD sentence gave , Amongst most men , the least esteem would have . But , GOD observ'd his heart ; purg'd what did slow From humane frailty , as he purgeth now VVith sharp corrections , the late crying crimes Of Saints prevaricating in these times . Judgement , in our days , at GOD's house begins , Who takes such notice of our many sins , That since we would not mend when we were chidden , He will no longer now let them be hidden Or go unpunish'd : but we , that each other Provok'd to sin , shall punish one another . Me blame not then , if I touch here and there , Those failings on all sides which causes were Of what we suffer : for , GOD will be known By doing Justice ; and we ought to own Our great Transgressions , and not seek to hide Those Crimes , for which he laies ev'n Kings aside , As well as other men ; that all may know , He giveth equal dooms to high and low . Though , therefore , we sometimes a vail may cast O'er faulty Rulers , whilst their pow'r doth last , To keep them from contempt , lest their disgrace May cause infringement of the Common Peace , We must not counter-act what GOD will do , When he reproves them , and removes them too : But , suff'ring with them by commiseration , As being worthy of like condemnation , Give GOD the glory , with our Pens and Breath , For what 's intended by their shame or death . A sickness which is Epidemical ( In some degree ) hath seized upon all , And , ease we cannot have , till that hath wrought , Which to procure a remedy is brought . When Cures are to distempers first appli'd , We must expect , more torments to abide Than if we felt our Maladies alone , Without a Medicine working thereupon . Of our malignant humours to be eas'd , To take some poys'nous Drugs we must be pleas'd ; For our Physician , who doth truly know Their and our Natures , hath prescribed so . Diseases otherwhile need letting bloud , Though with what is corrupt , that which is good Seems also lost : Gangrenes require sometimes To save the Whole , by cutting off of Limbs . Yea , otherwhile a welfare doth redound In common , when that suffers which is sound ; And , once when sick to death the Body lay , 'T was cur'd by taking of the Head away . GOD , who of evil things can make good uses , And , by what is unwholsome , Health produces , Vouchsafeth to make passage now and then , To signal Blessings , by the sins of men ; As when the sons of Jacob , who inslaved Their Brother , were thereby , from Famine saved . VVhich teacheth us , to be contented still To let him act , both when and how he will ; To search into our own corruptions nearly , And not to censure any too severely . Since unto every one it may be known , That , no mans fault , so harms him as his own : Let over - bitter Censures be suspended , VVhen you perceive a Brother hath offended By rashness , or through frailty , ( though in that VVhich to our Common Welfare doth relate ) Spare not the sin a jot , but spare the man ( VVhoe'er ) as much as possibly you can , Till some Concomitancies or th' Event Assures that malice was in his intent : And , though that may appear , assume not then , A pow'r to judge , belonging not to men : Because , for ought you know , God might bereave him , Of counsel , or unto himself then leave him , For our Transgressions past ; and to let in A publick mercy , by his private sin ; Thereby to humble us , and make us know That all our Weal from his meer Grace doth flow ; And , that the sins of others to our peace As helpful were , as our own Righteousness . In former times and causes , it was so , Th' Aegyptian Mid-wives , Rahab , Jael too , Did things which in their nature sinful are , Yet not alone by GOD made useful were To save his people , but he also saith , That ev'n those actions were products of Faith. And , in these times perhaps here have been such , Whereon , if I with modesty shall touch , Let me be blameless ; for , with good intent What GOD permits for our experiment , I here will mention , and to make it known , That there is nothing meerly of our own , Or which is in us either good or evil , By Nature or suggestions of the Devil , That stops or furthers ought which GOD will do , Though our concurrence he requires thereto So far , as with his VVill he us acquaints , Or , bounds , by unresistable restraints : For , when we are enjoyn'd to that or this , It is for our advantage , not for his , Of us requir'd ; yea though we bounded be By Precepts , Rules or Laws , so is not he . As he himself shall please he can effect His Ends , whatere we do , or shall neglect ; And , when against us any Foe prevails , It is because we , not because he fails . In all our late contests , 't is hard to say , Whether our Vice or Vertues made best way To that Design , whereby to pass were brought Those , which our best Aschievements have been thoughts ; Or , whether led'by Folly or sound Reason By Fraud or Force , by Faithfulness or Treason We prospered most : and 't is not yet agreed By all men , who our prosecutions heed , Whether that which befel us at the first , Or at the last , will prove the best or worst . The Louse or Lion , Black Doggs , or the white , Most mischievously either fawn or bite ; Which Party most needs pardon for their Sin , Upon which side there hath most Traycors been : Or , whether their Deserts are worst or best Who shall be honour'd most , or most disgrac'd ; For , though we know what Causes men did own , With what heart they did act them , 't is unknown . Prodigious Fruits in these times have been born ; Crabs on the Vine , and Grapes upon the Thorn ; And , Men and Causes , whether good or bad , Of Weal and Woe , by turns , like shares have had , To teach , that our late Changes have succeeded For some ends , which ought better to be needed . By one Irregularity , we see That , here in two months more progressions be In order to the Temporary peace VVhich most men are desirous to possess , Then all our Pow'rs and Vertues , Wit and Cost Had brought to pass , in twenty years almost ; And we according to late promisings , See creeping Motions toward some such things As are expected : but , they to and fro , Forward and backward , in their motion go So doubtfully , that 't is as yet uncertain What resolutions are behind the Curtain . As doubtful 't is , whether more praise or blame To them belong , who first contriv'd the same ; Whether the Consequence , or that which first Thereto made pasage , will prove best or worst ; And whether want of pre-conditioning VVill bring at length , most damage to the King And his Old Party , or else unto those VVho did his Entrance heretofore oppose : For Acts unjust , are oftwell carried on , And many righteous things unjustly done : Some things likewise there be resmebling Sand , Which he that graspeth with an open hand , May therewith lode his palm : but , if he gripe Too hard , 't will all between his fingers slip . Concerning that proceed , which brought to pass The Change , which lately here effected was , Some scruplings have been made : But , on the Fact , Or upon them who put the same in Act , I 'll nothing peremptorily declare , Though therein , an Obliquity there were ; Because , means fail'd me , whereby to inspect Ought further , than into the single Act ; That , by the Circumstances I might see What Motives to their hearts propos'd might be ; What Spirit led them , and what straits they past To that , which was resolved on at last : For , in such Cases , what they ought to do , Wise men are oft to seek , and good men too . If they who were chief Instruments in that VVhich wrought the Change , that we have seen of late , Sought only and unfeignedly that end , VVhereto all Trusts and Actions ought to tend , And were but Circumstantially to blame , In plotting or pursuing of the same , Their fault ( if any ) is a Venial Crime , For which there may be made another time Amends to Sufferers ; that perhaps may more Secure them , than they were secur'd before . Their Fault was but the errour of a man , VVhich well the King may pardon : for , I can ; Because , I know , what ere they did intend , GOD will have glory by it , in the end ; And , all these Nations future welfare too , If they neglect not , what is yet to do . But , they whose Trust these Trustees did abuse , Them , cannot peradventure so excuse : And ( I beleeve ) more wise than heretofore , Will henceforth never trust Good Fellow more ; Nor Peasant , Peer , Priest , Prince , or Parliament , With that which may produce a Detriment To common Int'rest ( till by some condition To them secur'd , they shall secure fruition Of such Concernments ) if , once more they may Recover that which they did fool away . But , that 's impossible , as things now stand ; And , should GOD take the pow'r out of his hand Who grasps it now , they who shall next injoy it , No better peradventure would employ it Than others did , GOd therefore , keep us from Another Change , until his Kingdome come , Except a change of hearts ; and at this time , Or his probation , let his Grace , in him Be so effectual , that he may endeavour To settle here , a righteous Throne for ever . For , ev'ry man that lives ( at first or last ) Before a Final Doom on him is past , Hath in his life-time , once ( at least ) an hour Wherein our gracious God , vouchsafes him pow'r To ask and have ; and to elect that path Which leads to weal or woe , to life or death : Yea , alwaies at such times , GOD , who first loves , The soul of ev'ry humane-creature proves ; And , those , who then , by giving him their heart , ( Though with much failing ) do perform their part , Hee will enable , and assist them still By his preventing Grace , to do his will. For they , as often as they go astray , Shall either hear a VOICE within them , say , ( Or else behinde them ; ) Of that course beware ; Return , or thou art lost ; thy way lyes there , Which leads to safety . Thus the Spirit preacheth , And by means extraordinary teacheth Where common means fail : and till men contemn His Holy Spirit , God forsakes not them : But , afterward , indeed , although the same Hee sometime speaks , 't is to encrease their shame , Or others to instruct : for , then such Voices Are so drown'd by the Whisperings and Noises Of carnal things , that all is spoke in vain , Which to their weal or safety may pertain . The King by such temptations , and so many Beleagur'd seems , as never were by any With constancy and without foil withstood , Save by him , who was GOD with Flesh and Blood : For hee stands now expos'd to ev'ry evil , ( Ev'n in the Front ) whereby World , Flesh , or Devil , May him assault ; and with him 't will go hard , Unless , GOD sends him in , an Angel-guard ; Which ( if it be his pleasure ) that he may , My heart unfeignedly doth often pray , And that , at this time hee submit his will , The mind of God , sincerely to fulfil : For , I beleeve , that as it did with Saul , ( On his probation-day , long since befall ) These Kingdomes will establish'd be to him , As hee with GOD complyeth at this time . Fair Opportunities this present day Are offer'd , which if he let slip away , Wee have but hitherto a course begun , Whereby we may at last be more undone : And though he should become ten times as strong In things which to a carnal strength belong , It will to settle him prevail no more , Than such pow'rs have prevailed heretofore : Nor will it , when most mighty he appears To others , from his own heart , keep out fears Of things not to be feared ; but at length Make him , perhaps , afraid of his own strength : And that which by a Trifle hath been lost , Will be recover'd with as little cost As when 't was won , assoon as their despight , Their sins and insolencies are at height , Who shall by petulant exasperations , ( Beyond the common patience of these Nations ) Abuse his Grace , and turn their late success Into oppression , pride , and wantonness . This seems by some endeavour'd ( having ends Repugnant unto what the King intends ) Who do proceed ( as if that for the nonce ) To make all Suff'rers desperate at once , By gelding and delaying of the Grace , For wihch the King spontaneously did pass His Royal Word : And this may an Event Produce , at last , whereof some will repent When 't is too late ; since , Mastives brook it worse To be o're-much provokt , than Fawning Curs . All vengeance doth to GOD alone belong : But , few remember this , when they have wrong . An English temper doth that life disdain Which is depriv'd of what should Life maintain : And whatso'er is menaced or follows , Some , in despight of Hang-man , Rope and Gallows , Will any thing attempt , to vindicate Themselves from scorn , when robb'd of their Estate : And they have little prudence , who conceive Bees will be quiet , when both from their Hive And Honey they are forc'd : or , that small things ( When they are many , and have many stings ) Are safely slighted ; for , there hath succeeded Much mischief where this Caution was unheeded : And probable it seems , that if the King Deters what 's hop'd for , now , but till next Spring , Destroying many thousand Families By vacating their just Securities , ( For what was bought or lent , to save these Lands From desolation , when into their hands The Supream Pow'r did slip by GOD's permissions , Who then had cast him out of his possessions ) It will not be the next way to that peace Which many yet are hopeful to possess ; Or have a consequent , to answer that Great Mercy , which GOD hath vouchsaf'd of late . If , for performing that which both Divine , And Humane Laws did warrant and enjoyn , ( To wit , obedience to those Pow'rs that were In being ) he from Innocents doth tear Their Livelihoods ; and their posterity Exposeth unto scorn and beggery , For having done their duties unto them Whom GOD advanced by debasing him , ( And when he so unable was to give them Protection , or from their hand to reprieve them , That at the same time , he himself was glad To seek a Refuge where it might be had ) It will not seem to be an Act of Grace , That corresponds with what expected was Before Monck gave us up into his power ; And made our Trustees much more his , than our . If he shall lay an over-heavy weight On those , whom he had left in such a streight , Without their fault ( except a fault it were To lose , what they to keep unable were ) Or , if he shall , as other men have done , Lose those Advantages that he hath won By Angling for a Frog , till from his Net The Fishes now inclosed forth shall get ; Young Counsellors may prove to him as bad As those which foolish Rehoboam had . But this is more than probable ( altho The Priests and Prophets dare not tell him so , Who now most fawn upon him ) that , even all GOD's Condescentions are conditional ; And , that now or hereafter , their success Will to his Weal or Woe add more or less , Accordingly as he , and as these Nations Improve at this day , His and their Probations . Which Truth most men beleeve not , or forget ; And , that makes mee so often mention it . GOD gave unto his people , on conditions , The Land of Promise , to be their possessions ; And , for their not performing of the same , They Vagabonds throughout the world became . Upon conditions also , Solomon Had promise of an everlasting Throne ; Which he neglecting , ere the third descent , Ten parts of twelve were from his Kingdome rent . Yea , wicked Jeroboam might have had A settlement on him for ever made , Upon the like conditions : and , so may This King ; but never any other way . If he comes hither with the self-same heart , With which , he did , in likelihood depart ; New cover'd over with a fairer skin , And fully fraughted with Revenge within : If he shall make his Royal Word a snare , If he by hopes delayed nourish fear Instead of love ; by mental Reservations , ( Or by deceivable Equivocations ) His promise vacates ; or , if what he swore In presence of his Sov'raign heretofore ; Or , if he shall confine to others breasts Those Acts of Grace , which to his Interests Will most advantage give , when it is known The pardons which he granteth are his own : If he refers his Justice to their Zeal , Who may prefer their Ends before his Weal , Until it shall unhappily destroy That new-sprung hope which many yet enjoy ; And by converting it into despair , Blasts that in Autumn , whereof blowings fair Appear this Spring ; we may thereby perchance , Ere many Springs , compelled be to dance Another Matachin . If , GOD so please , I wish and pray it may be otherwise ; And that this might be weigh'd : for , on this BALL None are so firmly fixt but they may fall If Righteousness and Truth support them not , What other prop soever they have got . We have a sight of this days joy and sorrow , But no man knows what will befall tomorrow : And should GOD be as rigorous as men , That which is done , would be undone agen . I do beleeve , that ( not excepting any ) All men of great Offences , and of many Are guilty . And , I do suppose the King Hath not been free from blame in every thing . To him there may , either by Men or Heaven , Be somewhat on the scores , to be forgiven , As well as to the People : secret crimes May be informer , or in latter times Committed , wherein either he mis-did , Or his Progenitors , which yet are hid , And must be expiated , ere that Rest Where at wee aim , willfully be possest ; And have an Expiation by meer Grace , Or by that pennance through which others pass . In order whereunto , GOD now perchance Him , to his Fathers Throne doth re-advance ; Either a new Progression to begin , Or else to fill the measure of their sin ; And punish us , till ripen'd , he , or we , Or both , for Grace , or for Destruction be . If penitence allay not that fierce wrath , Whereto our wickedness provok'd him hath , There will impartial search be made , by GOD , As well for common , as for Royal blood ; Yea , search on both sides , both for blood and treason , When equal Retributions are in season : And , as much guiltiness if he shall then In Kings discover , as in common men , Their Judges vindicate from guilt he shall , Though them we murtherers and traytors call ; And , their blood , if it guiltlesly be shed , Will cry as loud to GOD as Abels did . What will it profit then , if there be none To question them on earth , for ought mis-done , When they shall know , and truly understand , On what sad terms they fall into GOD's hand ; Who shall the more offend , because they were More by him priviledg'd than others are ? GOD will not then be mockt , whatever they Shall dream , who put the thought thereof away ; Or whatsoe'er a Prophet in Lawn Sleeves Or Kings and their Immunities beleeves ; And though their Nobles also flatter them , As Iudahs did King Joash in his time . Hereof I would be his Remembrancer , If in the place of some of those I were Who ought to do it : yea , as now I am , I had adventur'd to perform the same , But that I lately have conceiv'd a thought , These Lines will timely to his view be brought , By such a hand , as from it with respect It may be taken , and have good effect . And , if these Cautions he shall not contemn , ( Expressed in true Loyalty to him ) I may have hope , that Justice to obtain Which I have elsewhere sought long time in vain ; And finde it to be made a real sign Of his , and publick Peace , as well as mine . For , all I shall expect will be no more , But , that , he make mee neither rich nor poor ; And mee within that Grace would comprehend , Which he to some of those doth yet extend , Who both by their Examples and Command First drew mee with his Opposites to stand ; And who , if I mis-acted , did thereby Contract ten times a greater guilt than I. But , so the publick Peace advanc'd may be Hereby , let what GOD will befall to mee . To make their merits and demerits even , They should love much , to whom much is forgiven : Yet , some to whom he hath forgiven least , May love as well as they who love him best ; And , better too perhaps , when they behold He executes that Justice which he should ; With constancy pursuing , what , more tends To publick Welfare , than to serve his ends . How these things may concern him , he best knows Next GOD , who will ( I hope ) his heart dispose To chuse the way proposed at this time , And to pursue the same , enable him . Because , unless at this time , that probation For which GOD hath vouchsaf'd his Restoration , Produceth what with those ends may accord , For which he was by Providence restor'd , He 'll turn the wheel , which hath so oft gone round , Till men according to his heart be found To rule his People ; to direct his Sheep ; To act his Will , and their own Vows to keep . Herein hath been much failing : and , I fear , Ev'n for that Covenants breach , which many jeer , And impudently sleight , GOD from this Land Will not remove his now correcting hand , Till to a true repentance he shall bring For that sin , People , Parliament and King. A Judgement at this present is begun , Which will extend to all ere it be done ; Ev'n unto those who execute his doom On them , on whom it is already come ; ( Yea , signally , in some respect or other , To persons or estates , to friend or brother ) If they whom it concerns do not amend What is mis-done ; wave , what they mis-intend ; And hearken to GOD's Voice in this their day Of Tryal ; and as ( if they will ) they may : For GOD , though much provokt , still giveth space 'Twixt ev'ry Judgement , for preventing-grace : And now , to be a Cautional to him , ( As his Corrections lately were to them Who reigned last ) this King , shall see them scourg'd Who scourged him , until their sins be purg'd . God having cast his Predecessors out , For their , and also for our sins ( no doubt ) Them , with an Iron Rod begins to strike ; To shew , that sin he hates in all alike , And make it known that he will no man spare , ( Though one of his own Houshold he appear ) If he shall scandalously give offence In any kinde , without true penitence . A dreadful Judgement he hath brought on those , Who made of Piety the fairest shows ; And they , as traytors to their King are now By those pursued , whom they did pursue As traytors to their Country ; and their Laws , Yea their own Swords , turn Foes unto their Cause : And they who lately , nor to friend nor foe , But for by-ends , would either Justice do , Or Mercy show , shall finde in their distress , That others will to them be merciless . They , who were called Saints ; and may be such , Although their failing hath been very much ; Seem now the chief mark of GOD's indignation , And censur'd are as sons of Reprobation ; Because , they often had fore-warned been , ( Twice were cast out of grace , and twice took in ) Are now depriv'd , a third time , of that pow'r Which they abus'd to their own harm and our : They are expos'd to such extream disgraces , Such hazards of their goods , lands , lives and places , And to such scorns , that never was there more Contempt cast upon any heretofore : For , they , who as their Chiefs acknowledg'd them ( To their own shame ) their persons did contemn ; And , far beyond all presidents , revile Th' Authority they owned , ev'n the while It was in being ; though they did in that Make , as it were a Close-stool of their Hat. Of all esteem , they are now quite bereft , And , in so sad a plight have thousands left , Who trusted them with ev'ry thing they had , That their own selves alone , they have not made Thereby contemptible to Foes and Friends , ( Lost their estates , their safeties , and their ends ) And such confusions brought ; that few or none Are sure , they shall not thereby be undone , Or damnified ; but given cause likewise To this , and times to come , so to despise An English Parliament , that , if it get No better credit than it hath , as yet , It is in hazard to become a thing As much abhorred , as the name of King Was once in Rome ; for their prevarications , Their self-ends , falshoods , and dissimulations With King and People so destructive were , And both to Round-head , and to Cavalier ( As then distinguish'd ) that , if there be any , Few names are left , whereof there be not many Undone , or at least damnified , either In credit or estate , or both together : And , by those many thousands now undone , That mischief , so , from man , to man , doth run , That it infects three times as many more , And may bring beggery to ev'ry door , Besides , those quarrels which it may beget , Whose sad effects lye unperceived yet . Some , who had been most faithful to their side , They much opprest whilst they were dignifi'd ; And , often when they did pretend a course To cure their Grievances , they made them worse . Then , what by such oppressed men from those Can lookt for be , whom they pursu'd as foes , But to be kickt out of the world , or trod Into the dirt ? Except our gracious GOD Hath now brought home the King to be a friend To all men who did honestly intend ? And who , though in some things they did amiss , Sin'd not with malice , or with wilfulness ? The Kings work will be now , both to relieve And to correct , as cause , he shall perceive , Without respect to persons , or wrongs done , Before a Reconcilement was begun ; Except so far forth onely , in relieving , In recompencing , honouring , or giving , As he 's to those men , who with him ingaged In charity , and gratitude obliged , Without destroying any in these Nations Who were submissive to GOD's Dispensations ; And , who , were mov'd to that which they have done By Conscience , or by Ignorance alone , Without malicious purpose or design , Against a known Law , Moral or Divine . And therefore , where respect is to be had To suff'rers , and to satisfaction made ; The best expedient to prevent debates , And ruining of many mens estates , Will either be , if we had such Trustees , Who by this change , life nor estates do leese , ( And by confederating long together With publick spoils inriched one another , Or , may be proved guilty of a Cheat , Which formerly did friend or foe defeat Of his estate ; or , to the publick wrong More power assum'd , than did to them belong ) To cause , that , they to whom these gave offence , May out of their estates have recompence ; For , why should great Revenues be injoy'd By them , whose guilt hath guiltless men destroy'd ? Or rather , since that many among these Were intermixt ( who their miscarriages Opposed to their power ) whom none knows how From persons guilty , to distinguish now . Why should not for the Credit of the Nation ( For Justice sake ) and for the preservation Of common Peace , all parties help to bear Their heavy burthens , who oppressed are ? For every man among us , more or less , Is some way guilty of this wickedness : And GOD , if this course long defer we shall , His Vengeance will divide among us all . Let therefore none , who in these suffering-times Shall scape the punishments due to their crimes , Insult o're them that suffer , or suppose Their prosp'ring from their well-deserving flows . Let them remember , and consider well , That they on whom the Tower of Silo fell , No greater sinners judged were than they On whom it fell not ; and think at this day Some men may perish , who have been more free From guiltiness , than most that saved be . The King , together with his Parliament , May pardon every kind of punishment For faults against themselves ; or any one , Except for what is wilfully mis-done Against our Maker ; but , nor he nor they , Can take the guilt of any sin away ; And though he may connive at some offences , Or be deceiv'd as to mens innocencies , Who by their cunning have found means of late Themselves with him to re-indintegrate : Yet , thousands know so well what they have done , And felt so much of what ensu'd thereon , That , though in charity , they do forgive Their falshood , they 'l remember 't whilst they live . Let them remember too , what they have done , Lest GOD bring Vengeance when we call for none . Can any Peer or Commoner suppose , Who , in the supream Council sate with those Who did the late unhappy war begin , And by their Declarations drew us in , ( As men oblig'd in duty , to adhere To them , in what they prosecuting were ) That , they are guiltless , though now blamed less Than others , who the same Cause did profess ? Can they be blameless , who did with the first Begin the Quarrel , and till nigh at worst Continue it ; not leaving on Record Ought , whereby their dissent might be declar'd ? Nor sought for them , a saving , or protection , Who might be ruined by their defection ? Doth it not greatly their crime aggravate , That they vouchsaf'd not to capitulate , That , Innocents , by their default abus'd , Might to some safe condition be reduc'd ? But rather , to their own designs made way , By leaving them , to be the Spoilers prey ? Though they forgot us , I suppose it fit To minde them ; lest themselves they may forget When I am dead , and , therefore , I will here Leave somewhat to be their Remembrancer . Let them remember with consideration , With true repentance , and with due compassion , How many thousands ( whilst they live at rest ) Are either quite destroyed , or opprest , Either in Person , Credit , or Estate , Whose aid they did not only oft intreat , But also ( thereby to promote their end ) Compelled to contribute , pay and lend ; Yea , to engage their Persons in their Cause , Under pretence of Piety and Laws , Whom they have now made innocently poor , And forc'd to beg , or else to suffer more ; Whilst they from all those miseries are clear , Whereof their failings chief occasions were : Not onely , making that an Instrument To ruine them , which ruine should prevent ; But also ( probably ) by their endeavour , To make , and keep the people Slaves , for ever . To write plain Truth , why should I bee afraid ? By what man may it not be justly said , Our publick Faith hath been the shameless'st Debter , And throughout all these Realms the greatest Cheater That ever was ; and that our Parliaments Have been beyond all former Presidents . The worst Security ( and never more Will be confided in , as heretofore ) If unconfirm'd they leave what hath been bought , And , what was justly sold ( as then 't was thought ? ) Or if they make not recompence at least To those , who by their actings are opprest ? For this is the same Nation , though the Cause , The Governour , and in some part the Laws Are changed now ; GOD , who the wrong doth see ? Is yet the same , the same will alwaies be , And both for what is suffered , and was done , Will prosecute the Judgement that 's begun . By meer Cheats , many thousand Families Destroyed are , and with complaints and cryes , So fill mens ears , that they make all to grieve , Save those , who sense of no Afflictions have But of their own . The Children , do bemoan Their Aged Parents helplesly undone ; Who , now have nothing left of what was theirs To recompence their pitty , but sad tears : And , he , who thinks Life a gratuity In such a case , loves Life much more than I , Supposing that 's a Mercy , which to mee A barb'rous cruelty appears to be . Oh GOD ! how are thy kindnesses requited ? How in our suff'rings are our foes delighted ? How justly dost thou many now condemn , And punish , for wrongs done to some of them ? How are the Just and Unjust , wrapt together In one Snare , to torment and plague each other ? It is beleev'd , that many men there were , When Innovations , were beginning here , Who , being in themselves malevolent , ( And for some private causes discontent ) Design'd and practis'd , how to bring to pass That , which their own , and our Destruction was : But , here were many moe , who did indeavour To qualifie the late infectious Fever Which had distemper'd us ; and to retain The Loyalty that seems renew'd again : Yet , now an Epidemical Disease Hath brought Confusion upon some of these As well as upon them , who fin'd perchance Much more through wilfulness , than ignorance . They , who did neither by their deeds or words , By counsel , by their pens , or by their swords , Begin those Innovations in the state , Which have been prosecuted here of late ; No , nor so much as by a secret thought , Contribute to those Changes which were brought Upon these Islands , till they were effected By other men : they , who themselves subjected Either but passively , to those in power , To scape those mischiefs which might them devour ; Or , meerly act vely , to help prevent An Anarchy , and Evils imminent ; Which is no more than God's law doth command , VVhen he makes alterations in a Land ; And hath been also , practis'd by all Nations In every Kingdom , through all Generations , VVhen either by his grace , or his permission , He brings a people into our condition . Ev'n they who did no more , are made to share VVith those , who wilfully transgressors were , And Murtherers , and Traytors be reputed ; As if the Kingdom , which was constituted Before these Changes had continued on , And all which hath by GOD and men been done , VVere but a Dream , of which , now they awake , Men may at will , Interpretations make : Or , as if Actings , in a time of War , VVere bounded , as in times of Peace they are : VVhereas 't is known , that , VVar doth silence all Laws , either Civil or Municipal : And , that , what then Necessity constrain'd , May by the Law of Nations be maintain'd , As justly , as those contracts which are made In times of peace by Laws which then we had ; Though they , perhaps , who shall have po'wr to do What they themselves please , will not have it so . But , though we get not that , whereat we aim , We thereto will continue still our Claim , And plead our cause ; in hope , that truth and reason May at this present , be declar'd in season . If prudent men collect and weigh the matters Which here my Muse confusedly now scatters , ( Because at once within me I retain More Notions , than by words I can make plain ) They may by them , if put together well , And duly heeded , my true meaning spell . They , who with no side factiously , took part , And onely in sincerity of heart , Came to secure the Soveraign Magistrate , When call'd by those , who were co ordinate With him in pow'r ; they , who had no intent To make a breach 'twixt King and Parliament , But , faithfully did serve them both together , To have preserv'd their lawful Rights to either , And cannot be by conscience , law or reason ; Delinquents any way ( much less for Treason ) Against their Prince , for giving aid to those Whom he himself authoriz'd to be chose For his chief Councel , and whom likewise , he Made everlasting Senators to be , Impowr'd to make Laws everlasting too , Until their own Act should themselves undo : They , who did those obey , whom to withstand , ( Although made active by the Kings command ) Hath punish't been with Death ; ev'n some of these Though acting also , with good Consciences , For this Obedience , suffer'd with the first , And may have also Lots among the worst On both sides ; which to me appears , at least Injustice , or no Mercy , at the best . GOD may correct us thus , and justly too Though to our King and Countrey we have true Continued in the Main , for , in his sight There are demerits in the most upright , Which needs the Rod ; and he chastises those Whom he befriended , by their greatest Foes ; Because , not seldome times they gave to them Who were his Foes , occasions to blaspheme , His grace and his long-sufferings much abus'd His timely Premnonition oft refus'd . For , very oft , and very many wayes They had Fore-warnings , of what in these dayes Is brought upon them ; and , as many times As GOD forgave them , they renew'd their Crimes . When therefore they had long without dis-regard . GOD's Messengers in ordinary heard ; When , such as they themselves did most esteem , And those who preacht in season unto them Upon their solemn Fasts , or feasting-dayes . They only thankt , but follow'd on their wayes . Then ( as he doth , at first , with Infidels ) By signs prodigious , and by miracles , He proved them ; but Pagans heretofore Have by that means , been wrought upon much more To warn them , and reprove them , he sent , then A company of despicable men , Who , though despis'd and houted at , they are ( And to the greatest number do appear Phanaticks ) were the Messengers of God , And such , as he found fit to send abroad To such a People , and at such a season As this , wherein , Rime works as much as Reason ; And manifests , 't is such a time with us , As when GOD's Prophets seem'd ridiculous Unto the Iews , by acting before them Such Signs , as made them more their words contemn . Among such like , he hath permitted me , Not only their Premonitor to be , But , likewise , to see , what I fore-exprest Fulfill'd ; and hear it , by themselves confest : For , I took once , or oftner , ev'ry year , Occasion to be their Remembrancer ; And , publickly declared what I knew To be misdone , and what things would ensue If not prevented ; but most did deride My timely Cautions : Vanity and Pride Made ineffectual all my pains to be , And , not a little mischievous to me . Yet , still I persevered in declaring VVhat they were doing , and GOD was preparing . Now fourteen years ago , with small regard , My English Opobalsamum declar'd , VVhat would befall them ; and , there , is recorded Among such like Expressions , one , thus worded , Opobalsamum Anglicanum , Page 20. — Which side soever shall prevail , We have a Mischief se ling by entail On us , and on our heirs : For , in heart You do unite ( though corporally apart ) And joyn by close Compliances in one , In hope to compass what you have begun , Which is nor worse nor better , but to raise Your houses , both by good and evil wayes : And for that end , to ruine you would bring . Law , Gospel People , Parliament and King , But ere this hope effected you shall see , Hark , Traytors , what your destiny shall be , Heed and observe it , for it is the Doom , Will , will without all peradventure come Upon your heads , who have your trust betray'd , Oppressions on your faithful Servants laid ; And multiplied your wealth with greediness , By preying on your Country in distress . And , this it is ; He , that such wrongs requites , Will give you portions among Hypocrites . Your Pride shall suddenly by shame be follow'd , You shall spew up the Gobbets you have swallow'd ; Your way shall perish &c. Unto that book , wherein this is exprest , I will refer you to peruse the rest . The preface to my SALT on SALT , records A Hint to that end , in these following words . Last year I sent a Flash which is let pass Unheeded , as a thing that never was ; Now follows the Report , or , Clap of Thunder , Which have been seen and heard , thus far asunder , To give the longer Warning : for , the Shot , And Thunderbolts ( if Grace prevent it not ) Will next year flee among you . God , amend us , And then I am affur'd , he will defend us . Moreover , I , ten months , now past , foretold That nine months longer if defer they should Their Duties , and neglect the Grace twice shown , They , and their Projects will be overthrown , As now they are ; and that they should be in That Purgatory which doth now begin . The premonition published last year To that effect , shall be repeated here . See Epistolium Vagum-prosa-metricum Page 20. Let them remember , he that stands may fall , That ev'ry promise is conditional ; And , that God's promises will be to them Perform'd , as they to others and to Him Perform their promises : for though a wrong He oft forgiveth , and forbeareth long , There is a set time , which now draweth near , Wherein , he will no longer so forbear . Let no man slight this Caution , though by him Divulged , who may despicable seem : For in these dayes , it often comes to pass That God speaks ( as to Balaam by his Asse ) To wisest men , by those whom fools they deem ; To Kings , by persons that ignoble seem ; And , if their Wills , as wilfully as he They still pursue , like his their ends will be . This Pow'r now ruling , reigns by God's Commission , Yet , not without a fore-premis'd condition : For , by Unrighteousness it shall not stand , Though it were as the Signet on his hand . If they themselves with outward washings flatter , And , shall not cleanse the inside of the platter : If those Defects of Justice and Compassion Which lately brought confusion on this Nation , Be not forth with repair'd in some degree ( As means by God's Grace will vouchsafed be ) And if a Model truly genuine , This August sixteen hundred fifty nine , Be not conceiv'd and fully born , before The time exceeds the end of nine months more , With all the essential parts of such a thing As may receive a timely perfecting To qualifie the rage that will encrease The breaches made into the Common peace ; Then all that this pow'r thenceforth can endeavour , Will either be a Nullity for ever , Or else , a furth'rance to that horrid pother Which will make facile entrance for another Oppressing Hand , that , will but Justice do So far as Vengeance doth extend unto . But lest you think it was by Accident That this presage hath had a Consequent Just at the time foretold , the same book shew'd In what mode also , that which hath ensued Should visit them ; heed therefore , and compare What 's now begun , with what these Lines declare . In the Book last mentioned , Page 24. To cure those Frenzies for his future glory , GOD is preparing a New Purgatory To purge what may be purged from the dross , That of the pure Gold there may be no loss ; The Judgements now beginning shall go round , And through these Islands , till all those are found Who have been false in that which they profest To GOD or to the publick interest . From house to house , from man to man , they shall Procession make , till they have seiz'd on all , All shal be proved , whether poor they be , Or rich , or of a high or low degree , By outward or by inward fiery Trials , Till they are brought to real Self-denials ; 'Twixt GOD and them , through Mercy to repent Their Failings , or to outward punishment . Those who shall in this Island scape his hand , Vengeance will seize on , in a Forreign Land ; The foes of Peace among the common Rout , A Pestilence or Famine shall finde out : They who have shuffled from the Souldiers fury , Shall fall into the mercy of a Jury ; And , when they from the sword are in some hope To scape , shall then be hamper'd in a Rope . The Mischiefs which they shunned in the Street , Within a secret Chamber they shall meet . Those men whom nothing publickly pursues , Their Consciences in private shall accuse . They , who immoveably do think to stand , Shall fall without the motion of a hand ; And when the things they fear'd , cannot annoy them , That , which they sleight , and fear'd not , shall destory them . I told them likewise that their gross neglect Of Iustice as to me would have effect Upon themselves , that , what to me and mine They suffered to befal , would be a sign Of what their lot must be ; and when it should So come to pass , my SALT on SALT foretold . In these words , Page 47. That this bears date the last day of September , In sixteen hundred fifty eight remember ; And that , a Reconcilement be before We have provok'd GOD's patience one year more , Lest I my self be made another sign Of what the former Symptomes pre-divine : For , those Confusions which distract this State , Are typified in my outward Fate . And printed on me by that violation Of Justice , which defiles this Generation . They that seem to have enough in outward show , To bear their Part , and pay the Debts they ow , And for the future a sufficiency ; So also , if I had my right , have I. As ( notwithstanding this ) with much ado They now subsist ; so fares it with mee too . As at the present , their Expences be More than their Incomes , so it is with me . I have more Foes than Friends ; and much I am Deceived , if they may not say the same . My Foes and troubles in another year Will ruine me , and so will also their , If he , on whose assistance I depend , Prevents not what their foes and mine intend , Before another year wheels round , I may Enjoy an outward peace , and so might they , If they embrace the means that will be shown , And follow not devices of their own . If timely Justice be vouchsaf'd to me , By timely Mercies they secur'd shall be . If I permitted am to be aestroy'd , Their power , will not long after be enjoy'd . Moreovet , my DARK-LANTERN fore-declar'd As plainly ( as such things might be averr'd In such like times ) what , Cromwel had design'd , That they in power ( had they been so inclin'd ) Might have prevented it , when shew he made To give up that Commission which he had . And had they been so prudent to have too kt , They , his White Lion , at that time had dockt . These were my words : A homebred Lion , of a Hair unknown In Affrica , by being over-grown , And dreadful to his Keepers , shall thereby Increase the rage of smother'd Iealousie , And lose his Tail , except betwixt his paws He couch his head , and hides his teeth and claws , Or else grows Rampant ; what will follow then ? Ask those you credit , they are cunning men ; Of me you ask in vain , for 't is my fate Never to be believ'd , till 't is too late . I , likewise did by parable express In that book with what servile flatteries , They fawn'd on their own Creature , whom they had Hew'd out of Common blocks , and Idols made , With what would follow it ; and my intent VVas not , by my Perpetual-Parliament To make that such ( as some have thought I meant ) But , rather that Designment to prevent By some Diversion ; for , full well I knew That my proposals they would not pursue . And , they who my Poetick fury read , VVhich was by me last winter published , May thence collect , that I did then foresee The Kings Return , and how it so would be , Though I my preconjectures did express ( As then I thought ) with some ambiguousness , To be excus'd ; because of that Relation Which then I had , and my Faiths preservation : For , though that Poets in the worlds first ages , Were Prophets , Priests , and Magisterial Sages , And , in all former times ( as in Commendam ) Have been allow'd a Quid libet audendum ; Yea , though there doth to sacred poesie , Belong a necessary Liberty In Language , not so pertinent to those Who hammer their Conceptions out in prose , Yet , that Good Spirit , which directs their Muses , Therewith , a prudent wariness infuses , That Malice may not thereat take offence To do them wrong , without much impudence , Or gross Injustice ; and , for which wrong he , Will take Revenge , by whom inspir'd they be , When he shall pleased be to call them to That work which he prepared them to do . And though my musings hitherto appear But dreaming Fancies , whereat many jeer ; They who observe , what at the foresaid time Befel to me , and afterward to them , And also knew , that all true Christians be Kings , Priests and Prophets too , in some degree , Shall finde at last , that this Age Prophets had , And sober men ( though they were judged mad ) Whom God stir'd up , to set before their eyes Those needful Cautions which vain men despise , Because it pleaseth him to give them pass By Instruments more scorn'd than Balaams Ass . There are some at this day , on whom nick-names Are cast ; and , whom , the Vulgar much defames ; Who ( though they failings have ) are by Gods warrants Authorized to do such needful Errants As to these times relate , and to deride Our complements , our vanities and pride : And , whatsoever Spirit them hath moved , We ( not without cause ) are by them reproved Of things , whereto our consciences , with them Bear witness , though their persons most contemn . Among these ( as aforesaid ) I am one By whom the work of GOD is to be done ; And he thereto is pleased to make use Of poesie ( at this time ) when th' abuse Of that gift , hath prophaned it , much more By Ribaldries , than ever heretofore . It may be too , I serve my Generation Thereby ( although not wealth nor reputation It gets me ) and my GOD , as well as they Who seek to take my purchas'd Lands away , As sanctified to them ; for , ev'n by these My scriblings ( as to term them some do please ) Occurrences , which else would be forgot , ( And passages which many minded not ) Will so remembred be , that GOD shall have Some glory by them , and men good receive . And though I take no care at all to trick My Poems up , with flow'rs of Rhetorick , A day will come , wherein with due respect They shall more heeded be , and take effect . You , who believe this , and each Dispensation Of GOD's , to merit your Consideration , Improve them as you ought , in what strange wayes , Or , in what form soe'er he them conveys : And though you suffer many persecutions , Or losses , in the various Revolutions Which do or may befall , be of good chear ; Yea , whatsoever you shall see or hear , Be not afraid of ought , which this last Turn May threaten to bring on , or to adjourn : Nor be discouraged what ere the King Permits , omits , or acteth , which may bring Harm in estate or person ; for he comes To do GOD's work , and executes his dooms With , or against his will , and shall proceed No further , than hath been by him decreed . His pow'r and heart are alwayes in his hands : As well as we , accomptable he stands For all that he shall do ; and , GOD of him Now proof is making , as he did of them Who reigned last . Yea , peradventure now In proving him , is also proving you And me , and all these Nations , that his Grace And Justice one another may imbrace . In which TEST , if we meekly wait th' Event , Till we behold how far this Parliament Will stretch their mercy ; and then , till we see How far , the Kings Grace will extended be , ( Of his meer Goodness , and Self-inclination , Beyond their narrow limited Compassion ) You , either shall by him , have an effect To answer what you justly may expect Or by GOD's Providence , who , if he please ; Can turn your losses to advantages . For Consequents will follow to requite Your long-long sufferings in the worlds despight . GOD will appear , for your iust vindications , Who truly sought the welfare of these Nations In order to his glory ; and so do it , That , to be his own Act , most men shall know it . And , by the King that Grace vouchsafe will he , Except his heart as hard as Pharaohs be ; Or , is by such Inchanters led aside , As Jannes and as Jambres typifide . Try all things ere you counter-act , and heed Whether or no from GOD they do proceed ; For , by their work if well the same you mark , Are work-men known , and work-men by their work As truly as a Tree is by his Fruit , His bark , his leaves , his blossoms , and his root . Since all is in GOD's hand , rest well assur'd That your chief interest will be secur'd In his best times , although the Royal power He more exalts , and brings the people lower . For , his way , to the highest exaltations , Is by Debasings , and by Degradations . And , whether more or less , he gives or takes , To , or from him , or them , it s for their sakes Conferred or withdrawn , to whom pertains That Kingdom , within which , no Tyrant reigns . GOD is our King , and doth but him depute To be here for a time , his Substitute : We are his people , and his pasture-sheep , Whom he is sent to govern , feed and keep ; Not to oppress , to fleece , or to devour , And GOD retains us alwayes in his power . What , can we have , or wish for , more than this ? In whose hand are we safe , if not in his ? Whether we have a Government or none , Whether it be by Many , or by One : In him External and Internal peace Must sought for be ; In his especial Grace Is our Well-being , and without the same , All Governours , by whatsoever name Distinguished , and ev'ry Government , Which all the wit of mankinde can invent , Will be destructive ; and when left we be Unto our selves , such , to our selves are we . When we have Kings , & hope that they will save us From wrongs , they oft endeavour to enslave us . The more pow'r we upon them do confer , The more thereby at last enslav'd we are . For , they of wealth and Pow'r admit no measure That 's not as large as their own will and pleasure . If you confine them by a thousand laws , They break those bonds as easily as straws ; And oft , when large in promise them we finde , Their own advantage chiefly is design'd . When on a Parliament our trust we laid , We thereby were oppressed and betray'd ; And , may set up ( as things are carried on ) Four hundred Tyrants in the stead of one ; Or , make that which our bondage should prevent , Help to inslave us by our own consent . If rather , in an Army we confide , They 'l either turn unto another side , Or else prolong their service , till it shall Effect their ends , or eat us out of all . If on the common people we depend , They heed not that which to their Weal doth tend In common ; for , their individual cares Are to encrease , or keep their private shares . And to enjoy their Lusts a year or two , VVill all their own posterity undo . If to themselves they should assume their power , They could not use it prudently one hour ; So scatter'd lyes , through many heads , their brain , That half a Nut-shell will their wits contain : And fire and water , may as well agree , As they , who of so many Judgements be . The Nobles would deserve our trust no better ; For , they would still endeavour to be greater , By making others less ; and breed distractions Incurable , by everlasting Factions . Most men , the trust on them impos'd , abuse , As well the chusers , as , they whom they chuse : The first so slavish and so brutish are , They 'l sell their birthrights for Rost beef and Beer , ( As they but lately did ) and , so , expose Our Lives , Estates , and Freedoms unto those , VVho look more like our tumblers and our players , Then Senators , by whom our Grand Affairs Should be determined , The Last with zeal Make shew a while , to serve the Commonweal , Till thereby some Advancement gain they may , And , then , their zeal is turn'd another way . If , our chief City , we our Trustee made , Shee , to inlarge her Charters , and her Trade , To make her self more pow'rful , and more rich , Hath ever been inclin'd so over-much : And , to and fro , her self so often windes , To this , and that , as she occasion findes , That , when in her we do repose our trust , We shall have charters written in the Dust . Yet , for the love which thereunto I bear , Or , rather for the sake of those in her , Whose prayers , faith and tears , have h'therto Preserv'd her , I shall , still , as now I do , Make my Petition for her preservation , And , that she may by Justice and Compassion Break off from those sins , for which I discover A Cloud of Judgements to be hanging over : And , which e're since the last great plague hath been ; Sometimes approaching , though by few men seen ; And which , whilst she to pow'r and wealth aspires , Will be unheeded ; immaterial fires , Consume her dwellings , and decay her Trade , Unless atonement speedily be made By works of mercy , and that sacrifice Which GOD hath promis'd he will not despise . These Trustees , will at last deceive us whether We trust them singly , or else all together . If then , we should to this conclusion draw , Be govern'd by the Letter of the Law ; That , in it self , is grown so questionable , So like a Nose of Wax , so variable , And so uncertain made , as Lawyers please To make them speak for their advantages Who most advantage them ; that , we shall there Continue as unsetled as we were , Till we are certain in what sense to take them ; Which will not be as long as Lawyers make them , Who take more care to drive their own ends on , Than to provide that Justice may be done . Let me be bold to write Truths without blame , ( Which I know may be written without shame ) No person , persons , or that Government VVhich wisest men by general consent Shall constitute , is able to bring hither Both Truth and Peace , to settle them together , Until Almighty GOD shall to this Nation A means discover for the Regulation Of those who for their private interests , Confine both Law and Gospel to their brests : For , from them chiefly , most of all that springs , VVhich either to this people or their Kings , Hath hurtful been ; and till this be amended , Our Plagues may be adjourn'd , but never ended : For , by this means ( mark if it be not so ) Humane Affairs , thus , for the most part go . Councils and Parliaments do counter-act Unto themselves , in Judgement , and in Fact. And the same person , by the self-same Law , For the same deed , they honour , hang , and draw . Howe're the Pow'r in being forms the Cause , For that , straight speaks Divinity and Laws . Let but another Pow'r assume the Throne , Which quite contraries what the last hath done , Both Law and Gospel straight confirms the same , Ev'n by their tongues from whence the Judement came Which ratifide the former , and had laid Strict penalties to make their Votes obaid ; So , that which was the last year Truth and Reason , Is made the next year Heresie and Treason ; And , Judges act that guilt which they condemn . In others , whilst they are condemning them . Oh Impudence ! how ! how ! is Justice lost ? How are poor men , like Dogs in blankets tost ? VVhat great Revenews have been yearly paid , And what vast sums bestow'd to be betray'd ! Or , were at best , upon blind Guides confer'd , Who knew not , whether they went right , or err'd ? GOD bless the King , and teach him what to do ; GOD bless the People , and GOD bless me too ; And keep us with our several Interests , From being wrong'd by Lawyers , and by Priests ; And , from Aspersion , keep them also free , Who , in those Callings , just and honest be . These things I have observ'd : let us therefore Trust to our selves , or other men no more ; But , wholly leave to GOD our grand affairs , Lay by our Swords : betake us to our Pray'rs , And learn to use such Weapons which will shatter Such Fortresses , as Canons cannot batter ; Lest , else , as lately , we do fight again Our selves , out of one mischief into twain ; Which into twenty more may be improved , Before it shall be totally removed . A Conquest by the Sword we lately had , But , that , our sins and follies frustrate made : We were by GOD's aid made victorious then , By letting forth the bloud of other men : But the next Victory to be bestown , Must purchas'd be , by shedding of our own : Yea ( mind this well ) it to the Saints pertains , To bind in fetters and in iron chains Both Kings and Peers , and that these also may Break off those bands , and cast those cords away : If to assume that Pow'r the Saints begin Unseas'nably , or lose it by their sin ; Or , if they shall pursue the will of GOD VVith carnal Weapons , in a carnal mode , Seeking their own ends , when they his pretended , For , with sad Sequels those ways are attended . And , they will worthily be then corrected , VVith that , which must upon them be inflicted . But , when Repentance , and a fleshly doom , Hath purifi'd them , they shall overcome By being vanquisht , and prevail much more By loosing , than by winning heretofore . Men have their failings ; but a fiery Trial VVill purge the dross , which want of self-denial VVithin them left ; and when that 's fum'd away , They will be Gold refin'd without allay . In our own places , let us truly do VVhat duty to Superiours calls us to . ( An absolute Obedience unto none My conscience ows , save unto GOD alone ; Yet , to what Soveraign power adjudgeth fit , I 'le actively or passively submit ) Let Souldiers fight ; give Pilots room to steer ; VVhen we move , let us move in our own sphear , Our safety , from henceforth , expecting , from No Mountain , but from that , whence it must come . VVe had ere while a Power , which to our cost VVe mis-employ'd , and therefore now 't is lost . VVe , lately , active were ev'n unto blood ; But , now such activeness will do no good , And , we must passive be , till GOD shall please Our sins to pardon , and to give us ease : And he will shew us then what must be done , If him with patience we attend upon . VVhat we desired , he did not deny us ; And , by what we desir'd , he now will try us . We have a King again : and since God gave him Upon such terms , as most desir'd to have him , VVe ought not to repine or to receed From that which we to him have promised ; For , we our duties are oblig'd to do , VVhether he keep his promises , or no. Leave him , unto that Cov'nant which was made 'Twixt GOD and him , when he admittance had : For , GOD on our behalf , when that was done , Premised terms , though we our selves made none , ( Ev'n such , as long ago upon record Expressed were , in his revealed word ) And , if he keep them not , 't will worse succeed VVith him , than if his sign'd and sealed Deed He should to us infringe ( though Dispensations He had , from all the Prelates in these Nations , And Rome to boot ) which , I should fear to say , If somewhat did not warrant me I may . His power now is great ; yet , had been more Than ever English King had heretofore , ( A●●onceive ) had he content remain'd VVith what was providentially obtain'd Not looking backward , to hedge in the time , VVhich will be no advantage unto him . Had he not sought his Honours Reparation , By building it upon the old Foundation On which it stood ; not thought it best to own , That Interest , which GOD had overthrown , ( And Humane policy inclin'd him to ) He might have done more than he now can do . For Conquest giveth rather more than less Than he did by Inheritance possess ; And his Re-entry was equivalent To Conquest , though gained by assent : For Free Assent was given by no more Save those who were of his own side before ; Until they saw he had that power supreme VVhich warranted Allegiance unto him ; And that he had acquired interests In what they claim , by plowing with their Beasts : For , where WAR is , till peace , renew'd shall be In terminis , a Conqueror is he , VVho victory by Stratagems hath gain'd As truly , as when by the sword attain'd . And his Admittance ( whatsoe'er is thought ) VVas by none else , but his own paerty wrought Through GOD's permission , who , befooled them VVho had been false unto themselves and him . It is a Conquest , which the Lord of Hosts Confer'd on him ( although no bloud it costs ) And they who do admit , without condition , A Foe profest , can challenge no fruition Of any right , which was enjoy'd before , But that which he is pleased to restore ; Till for Omissions , or for things misdone , GOD takes from him again what he had won , As , but a few months past from them he did , Who in this Government did him preceed : And , this point I insist on to declare That ( since of us our Trustees had no care ) How much to GOD we shall obliged be , If from our Hazards he shall set us free By moving this Kings heart , us to restore To those enjoyments which we had before . When first the Norman by the Sword came in , A part of what the peoples right had been VVas by contract secur'd : when Solomon VVas dead , although the Kingdom to his son Fell by inheritance ; yet , maugre that , The Israelites came to capitulate VVith Rehoboam , and ( as it appears ) The Kingdoms , and his Fathers Counsellers Advis'd admittance of Capitulation , As no less needful for his Confirmation , Than to content the people : but , he leaves Their counsel , and to giddy Fellows cleaves , Companions of this youth , by whose Bravado's ( Exprest with insolent Rodomontado's ) He lost ten Tribes of twelve . But no man thought Our Cause ( it seems ) worth speaking for , or sought To save our Interests , though we had those Impowr'd , who to that intent were chose , And much confided in . And , GOD did thus For his owne glory pre-dispose of us , That we might see the vanity of them In whom we trusted , and trust more in him . It had not else been so ; for through the Land , There was not sword nor spear in any hand But what we thought our own : nor pow'r appearing For Charls without it , which was worth the fearing , If Providence had not transfer'd this pow'r Into his hand , which we supposed our . So , all our freedoms , Life , Lands , goods and treasure , VVere actually to this Kings will and pleasure Resigned up : for , nothing doth appear That we of any thing secured are , Save by his Grace , though some a pow'r then had To get Conditions usual to be made In such like Cases : which , if they had done , They had not thereby well discharg'd alone Their publick Trust , and , rather more than less , Might thereby have advanc'd the common peace ; But , sav'd unto the King much labour too , Which now he must be forc'd to undergo , Yet , peradventure when that he hath done The best he can , please very few or none : For 't is impossible the blessed fruit Of perfect peace without pow'r absolute , Should be produc'd , as we are now distracted , And as things will in likelihood be acted ; ' Cause such a Flow'r ( as most wise men do know ) Upon a single Root , doth always grow ; And that , nought perfect Unity can breed , Save that , which from one spirit doth proceed . If , as he from these Kingdoms was expel'd By Conquest , he re-entring , them had held As by Re-Conquest ( which he might have done , Consid'ring how Affairs were carried on ) He might have brought most things to good conclusions , VVithout those interruptions and confusions VVhich will ensue ; for , he obliged then By none , but GOD's and Natures Laws had been ; And should have had a large means to express His Mercy , Piety , and Righteousness , By prudent modelizing and contriving ( Restoring , adding , giving and forgiving ) As need required , without such restraints , Or giving these occasions of complaints , As now occur : whereas he coming in By that Right , which before had claimed been , ( As interrupted only ) he seems bounded By those Laws , whereon formerly 't was founded . And ( as at present it appears to me ) So dubious Laws and Parliaments now be , That by the course intended to be taken , The Peace we hope to settle will be shaken VVhen we suppose it fixt ; by failings , found Hereafter , in some Principles unsound ; Or else , because some actings will appear Not homogeneous to those Laws that are : And , as things are , with us 't is little better Then if we conquer'd were , for , we are debter Unto the King , for all in our possessions By his spontaneous Act , and Free Concessions ; And whatsoever we can do or say , If , now he will be Absolute , he may . There be enough , who for their private ends , Will drive on whatsoever he intends , Whether it be to do us right or wrong ; And thereunto , our sins will make them strong , Till GOD again deliver us , who hath Now made us , justly , Objects of his wrath . For , if they are our Trustees duely chose , Who now of us and our Affairs dispose , ( And us into the Kings hand wholly gave Without Reserve ) then , ev'ry thing we have Is His ; and more it boots not than a Rush Now to deny it : for , within a bush , We shall our Heads but like the Woodcock hide , Whom by his Tail , the Fowler hath espide . We are reduc'd unto a conquer'd State , Though we our selves are pleas'd to wink thereat . The CUP pretended stolen to have been , ( By whose device soere it was put in ) Is found within our sacks ; and we this day Like Josephs Brethren , to the King must say : We are thy servants : Providence Divine Hath for our sins made our possessions thine : For , we can challenge nothing as our own , But what of thy free Grace hath been bestown : Or what thou shalt be pleased to afford Upon Request : or , of thine own accord . This we must say , how loth soere vve are : And , vvithout scruple , this affirm I dare , That , till the self-same Providence , or Hee , Or both together , joyn to make us free : ( VVhich will vouchsafed be , with , or without His will , when our probation-time is out ) We never shall be freed ; but , without rest , Be more and more inslaved , and opprest . Then , let none think I wrong this Nation , tho I say 't is conquer'd : nor , by being so , Fear they so much will disadvantag'd be , As , by a vain suppose that they are free ; Since , by not making this acknowledgement , GOD , of due thanks and glory we prevent : For , had the King assum'd the Sov'raign pow'r , ( As being made by him , a Conquerour ) With no worse purpose , than to constitute A righteous throne ( to which Pow'r Absolute Is so Essential , that without the same , Less Power , in great Confusions will be lame ) He possibly might have effected that , Which to attempt , now 't is perhaps too late . This , was the mind of GOD ( as I beleeve ) VVhen he to him did that advantage give ; And , I am hopeful , he will bend that way The Pow'r that 's left , as far forth as he may : For , he is neither Heathen , Jew , or Turk , Impow'red to do only his own work ; Nor we , I hope , as were the Canaanites , To be destroy'd , nor those Amalekites VVith whom God purposeth a VVar for ever , Unless we in impenitence persever , To make us liable to such a doom As did on that and other Nations come . But , by this King , GOD rather doth intend Our much depraved Manners to amend : And deals with us , as he hath always done VVith his own people , since the world begun . VVhen they by murmurings for flesh provok't him ; He , in displeasure gave them Quails , & choakt them : And he with us , in some things parallel Thereto hath dealt , if we observe them well . VVhen he by Moses them from bondage brought , ( To lead them back again ) they had a thought To chuse another Captain ; for which crime , He kept them in the Desert a long time : Ev'n till all that Rebellious Generation Was quite worn out for that prevarication . This , let us well consider of , and learn How much ( and in what ) it may us concern . A King like other Nations they would have , And what they askt , GOD with a vengeance gave : Yet , by his mercy from his wrath did save them , And plagues & blessings therewith mixed gave them . When by the Sword of Nebuchadnezzar , The Jews were subjugated ( as we are For our transgressions ) though their Conquerour Was not of their own Nation , as is our : ( Or , of their Faith , so much as a pretender , Either to be Professor or Defender ) GOD by Him , and by his Successors brought them , Not only to be humbled , till they sought him ; But also , gave them favour in their sights ; Made some of them their chiefest Favorites : Yea , to repair enabled them , at last , Their Temple and their Cities , which lay waste ; And to possess again that Land , from whence They were ejected by impenitence . Why then should we not hope , since to these Nations Our present King hath manifest Relations : ( The same Faith holds , and of his own accord To be propitious hath engag'd his Word ) That , GOD , by him , will , at the least , restore All that which he possessed heretofore ? VVhy should we not believe , that God's intent Is to be gracious in his chastisement ? And may apply unto us Lenitives By this King , when he hath with Corrosives First made us curable ; somewhat I declar'd Among such other things ( without regard ) Now , thirty five years past , that doth appear Upon Record in my Remembrancer , VVhich now , perhaps , beginneth way to make For what my Britains Genius did fore-speak ; And , GOD , in Judgement , mindeth us , as yet , In Mercy , though his kindness we forget . Yea , if our sins make not his purpose void , That , whereby some now fear to be destroy'd , Shall save us from that mischief which we fear , VVhen unavoidably it seemeth neer . For , notwithstanding , for their sins and our , Our former Governours did lose their pow'r ; Though they , and we have justly forfeited Those Freedoms which we lately challenged , And did possess ( when after our Appeal , VVe were impowr'd to form a Commonweal ) The change which now befalls will be of use Hereafter , better sequels to produce . VVe have but onely lost , upon the wheel A broken pot , and work men without skill . GOD , hath not wholly , us of Grace bereaved , Although , to Grace , the King he hath received ; Nor hath he at this present brought him home At our cost ( without bloodshed ) to become A Tyrant , but our King , and unto us To be as gracious , as to him , he was , In thus restoring him with Conditions , Unto his late lost Honour and Possessions . GOD hath from Mesech lately brought him hither Not that this People should be forced thither ; Or that their Burthens he should more increase , Now that 's removed which did him oppress . GOD , did supply his wants , and him restore To Riches lost , not to make others poor ; Nor from afflictions him redeem'd , that he Should for past injuries avenged be ; Or have a Kingdome here , like one of those VVhich Satan on his Homagers bestows . But , such a Kingdome , that his people might Submit unto him , with a true delight , And worship their Creator without fear , In holiness , and in uprightness here . And , if his Pow'r be not this way imploy'd , The best mens hopes , will be a while made void : And his for ever ( though he should recover Ten times more strength and gild his acting over VVith quaint pretences , and the fairest Paints Of Polititians , or dissembling Saints . ) For , though the Rabble , who were yesterday His open Foes , now make professions may , Of being loyal , and to morrow should Swear to become his slaves , they frustrate would His best hopes ; for , they are a flood that flows This way , and that way , as the next wind blows . The Essence of a Kingly interest Doth in , and by the Common good consist , Ev'n in the whole , and not in any part ( Although as noble as the Head or Heart ) And to indulge ought further then it shall Tend really unto the good of all ; Destroys the whole , turns Royalty to Faction , And breeds at length a general Distraction : For , when the limbs , the head or heart surpass Their due proportions , they make others less ; And all the body will not only grow Deformed , but unserviceable too : So , likewise , Kings , if liberty they grant To any part to be exorbitant , Or in themselves be so , 't will quite destroy That compound being , which they shall enjoy . They further should promote no interest Than with the publick good it may consist ; And that each individual , without wrongs , May that possess , which to the same belongs . By Justice he should cause a Restoration ; Of all Incroachments made by Usurpation ; And recompence for ev'ry Injury Sustained by Supream Authority , How ere acquired , if the Sufferer In conscience , thereunto obedient were ; And no way active in that innovation , Which was the former Powr's Eradication . No party or profession whatsoere , Neither the Prelate , Priest or Presbyter , Or other Sect , nor King nor Parliament Should be indulg'd to common detriment ; For , that would be destructive to that end , Whereto all Constitutions ought to tend . 'T is mercy , and performing righteous things That strengthens Kingdoms , and preserveth Kings ; And they are their best Subjects who adhere To Piety , and sound in Manners are : Not they who think the glory of a Throne Consisteth in the Guilding laid thereon : Or , in such Vanities as did begin To spring up when the King first entred in : For , though those Fools ( who such enjoyment crave Assoon , as of prevayling , hopes they have ) Insult , Jeer , brag , and insolently brave it , Cry , Now it is as we our selves would have it , And run out into that Licentiousness Which evidently may to all express What they desire ; he , that , on such relies , Himself , with Snow-balls only fortifies ; And will by their assistance be at length As old Rome was , opprest by his own strength . And , if abus'd , the Grace now offer'd be , Some , yet may live another change to see : For , One unheeded sits above our heads , Who mens Phanatick vanities derides ; And Judgements in dark Clouds concealed are , Which will surprize us , ere we be aware , Unless we with more prudent moderation Shall from henceforward manage that occasion Which GOD hath given of a happy close Betwixt them , who have over-long been foes , For , to that end ( though not well heeded yet ) The King and we are in this posture met . If , he be now King by the Grace of GOD , ( As we entitle him ) sent for our good , And not in wrath : if , as his Title saith , He be a true Defender of the Faith , ( VVhich is my hope ) he , seriously will heed , How in his chief concernments , men proceed : And , if he then findes , that , more in despight To those whom they hate , than to do him right , Some things by some are acted : and the spoyl Of others rather aim'd at , then this Weal , ( By prosecutions over-violent To his dishonour and indangerment ) 'T will bring forth an unlooked-for effect To those , upon whom he without suspect Doth yet depend ; and make him plainly see , That , from thenceforth , his confidence must be In GOD , and in those , who , with him partake For GOD's , for Justice , and for Conscience sake ; And not in those who value not those things VVhich most essential are to Sovꝰraign Kings ; Though they pretend to suffer for GOD's cause , And his ; or , fain obedience to his Laws ; Much less trust them , who did assist the Boys With Shouts , Drums , Guns and Squibs to make a noise About their bonfires , hemmed in with Dances Scarce modest , and sometimes with petulances As scandalous , as if those men had best Their Loyalty and Gratitude exprest , Who , when he was proclaim'd , most rudely swagger'd Drunk to his Health , until they spew'd & stagger'd ; Consum'd that , on one beast , which to the poor Distributed , might have refresh'd a score : And , when they should have prais'd GOD , for the grace To them vouchsaf'd , blasphem'd him to his face . If such prevarications do presage A setled pow'r , or a Reformed Age , I am deceiv'd ; and wholly had despair'd To see our Breaches in my time repair'd ; But that the King hath given hopes of late , By some proceeds , that he doth aim thereat ; And by his Proclamation startled them From that , which many did expect from him : Yea , I have feared , that I might have liv'd To see all Heath'nish Vanities reviv'd . ( With all old Superstitions ) and , I pray , This fear may wholly be remov'd away : For , what some have expected all along , And , from what Root , their zeal to Kingship sprung ; By many 't was fore-shown , who did aspire To publick trust . That , which they now desire Confirms it also ; and perhaps it may Be manifest to all another day , When they shall either miss their expectations , Who welcom'd him with loudest acclamations , Or else , when they enjoy them ; which to see , I should be griv'd , and so , I hope would he . But if to those things , which do now begin In ev'ry place already , to flow in , He puts not stop , ere further they proceed , His power , perhaps , it shortly will exceeded ; And , we shall here behold ( with new additions ) Prophanenesse , and exploded Superstitions , Not only countenanced without aw Of GOD , and Men , but setled by a Law : For , this ( or I am much deceiv'd ) is that Which is by very many aimed at . It was not ( as these did pretend ) to bring From his late banishment , their lawful King ; Nor love unto his Person , or his Cause , Or zeal to true Religion or the Laws , Which made so many , who had active been To drive him out , make hast to fetch him in : Nor , that they could better be content With Kingship or some other Government , Or persons then with those that rul'd before : But some did hope to have enjoyed more A Liberty , whereby , without controul They might in bruitish lusts at pleasure roul . Some had a hoping of raising their Estate ; In some hope sprung from Envy or from hate , Conceiv'd against those persons who acquir'd Those honours or some profits they desir'd : And , not a few , who were at no expence In this Kings service , or to make defence Of him or his cause , hopefull were to get ( By suing to him , and pretending it ) Repair of those consum'd Estates , which they Had either drunk , or whor'd , or gam'd away . Some , other , thereby , hoped for fruition Of their beloved Mistriss Superstition ; Freedome , to swear GOD damn them , without a we Of Magistrate , or mulct impos'd by Law ; To wast , the day , and night , in drinking , gaming , In cheating , roaring , whoring , and blaspheming , Without reproofs . Some looked for encrease Of Trading , or of making Taxes less ; And , othersome ( another way affected ) Together with a King , returns expected Of Masks and Revels , Turnaments and Plays , May-poles , Wakes , Church-ales and those holy-days , Wherein young men might have permitted been As heretofore , to dance upon the Green , With such-like liberties as may be us'd Sometimes ( if soberly ) and not abus'd : And , some , it may be , had an expection The Lords day should a day of recreation Be made agen ; and preaching twice a day , By some new Canon would be took away ; That all men ( as they have internal motions ) Might have time for their pleasures or devotions . These were strong motives to some late Expresses Of loyalty , as also to th' addresses Subscribed not long before by many a one To OLIVER , and likewise to his Son , Whom quickly they deserted , though they had To live and die with them professions made Without enforcement , at the first , to make them , Or at the last , so tamely to forsake them . As much they magnifide them in their Lyricks , Heroick Poems , Odes , and Penegyricks , As they extol the King. No flattering pen Could more ascribe to any mortal men : And , though such dawbings cannot keep from shame Their persons , nor from infamy their name , ( As now appears ) yet this magnificat The world still sings . This common strain is that Which most men do affect and in this wise Flattry still sings to all Stars when they rise : Yea , all their songs unto this present day , Are but the same , new set another way : And , their composers do deserve no more Then begging Fidlers begging at the door . Who if it might their servile ends advance , Would , to the same tune play the devil a dance . Such are too many , who do make a show Of loyalty by their expresses now . As little worth regarding is their love ; And , doubtless very fickle it would prove , If GOD should be provoked to estrange His favour , and permit another change . They who against one party lately cride , Hang , hang the Rogues ; against the other side Would then cry out as loud , Hang , hang them all : And , those whom they now praise , as much mis call : For , what their chiefest expectations are , They make it evidently to appear By Words and Deeds ; and there are symptomes too , What things , if cause were given , they would do . Hornets and Wasps , begin to shew their stings . The butterflies display their pointed wings In every Garden , and there , spawn the seed which Palmer worms , and Catterpillars , breed . They , who were lately Maggots are grown Flies , In our ears buzzing , fleering in our eyes ; And , up were set , the worlds Gods altogether As soon as ere the King approached hither ; Who , probably , in Flanders had remain'd , If , otherways , their ends they could have gain'd , And Dick , perhaps , GEORGE , Jack , or any thing , With popular app'auses had been King. But , these Insecti , though they greatly swarm , Can do the King not so much good , as harm : Nor can those who through want of wit & courage Will sell their birth-rights for a mess of Porredge , To this establishment contribute ought , Till they be better disciplin'd and taught : It is not they in Linen Ephods , neither Those Chimerims who now conspire together ; Nor those vain and fantastical baboons Who jet in Feathers and in Pantaloons , Who fix a King ; but , those grave men among Our Nobles . And the civil uulgar throng , Who love the Publick peace , and do profess A Loyalty in truth and soberness , VVithout regard of any Interest , Save that , which may with other mens consist . The rest ( if well consider'd ) are a number Of animals , which more confound and cumber , Then settle Governments ; and are to Kings But troublesome unprofitable things . I have observ'd them well : and long ago ( Perceiving what they likely were to do , VVho know the way , as often as they please To bring to pass , their own Designes by these ) Upon Occasions given , was so bold , That what I pre-conjectur'd , I fore-told ; And how these acting singly , or together . To publick Damage , made use of each other . This oft I did before the Parliament Became their self-destroying instrument ) In plain terms , or Aenigma's ; as the time Would bear it ; and as well in Prose as Rimes : I did the like to him , and to his son , VVhom GOD permitted to usurp the Throne , ( As two addresses , which I did prefer To their own hands , yet extant may declare ) And whereby , such advantages I got As usually they get who flatter not . During the last pow'r ( in an oblique way ) As touching him , who reigneth at this day , I hinted that , which now is come to pass In such wise , as I might in such a case At such a time as that ; with what Events , To his beginnings would be consequents , If on the Giddy Vulgar he depended , In prosecuting what should be intended : Or , if he sought a Kingship to erect Like what meer earthly Princes do effect : VVherein , although I had no worse Designe Then with the publick weal to wrap up mine , I am , for my plain dealing , as a Foe Both scandalized and oppressed so . That all the Mercy some vouchsafe me would , Is Life deprived of all things that should In me and my relations Life uphold . Which is a cruelty , and such away , Of killing men a hundred times aday , That GOD with due avengement will repay : For , though men are not so , yet he is just ; The measure , which they gave , receive they must . Yea , measure running over , and prest down , Unless God shew more grace then they have shown . I have not much deceived been , in ought Which with Pre-meditation I fore-thought , And heretofore divulg'd relating to These Nations , in the things they ought to do ; Or , unto that , which would require their heed , How therein they go backward , or proceed . I , lately pre conjectur'd and fore-told , That London was a Mount whence issue should A wind , which hither likely was to blow A change , that of our greatest weal or woo , ( As likewise of her own ) would be the cause : And , by her aid , that change is come to passe . Let her so mind it now , that GOD may bless Her future actings with a good success ; For , that to them this Caveat give I may , Thus purposely I stept out of the way . My Muse once more shall here likewise recal What I presag'd would to my self befal ; Yea , though I toucht upon it heretofore , I will illustrate it a little more . Me therefore , to insist thereon permit , For as it me concerns to mention it , It may concern you to , and doth declare That poor mens wrongs by GOD observed are . Upon my heart I strong impressions had , That I , should of their fall a signe be made ; Who for my faithful service me opprest ; And , they , who last the supreme pow'r possest , This day , both see , and feelingly perceive , That 's come to passe which they would not believe To them I told , both jointly and apart , ( But seem'd to speak to men without a heart ) That , they in reason had good cause to fear , If they should offer still , a Deaf man's Ear To my complaints , a very sad reward , Would be the sequel of their Dis-regard . Yet , though with humbleness I them implor'd By ev'ry means , which those times , did afford , ( Save bribes and flatt'ry they would seldome hear Ought which concerned me , except it were An accusation ; or to grant an Order , Which more my Ruine , then Relief did further ; Or , do me Justice during my oppressions , Nigh eighteen years complain'd of by Petitions , And , by addresses , tenter'd unto them ( Not seldome , by some hundred at a time ) Nor to me their Ingagements made they good ; Nor those discharg'd by which ingag'd I stood For them ; nor for their Debts detain'd from me Three times six years , although made due they be By Ordinance and Orders : nor would they Vouchsafe as much as interest to pay , By them allowed ; ( though I much did need it , Both to relieve me , and preserve my Credit . ) Nor could I that enjoy , which I had bought , And they had sold , ( as I in Justice ought ; Till my Estate and Credit was o'rethrown By them , through their neglecting of their own ; Though they were not alone oblig'd unto it , But likewise had both power and means to do it . A single foe , could do me in one hour More injury , then all my Friends had pow'r To right whilst they reign'd , though I seem'd befriended Of many , who to Righteousness pretended . Though early at their dores , and also late , As at Bethesda-pool the Cripple sate ) I waited on them , I went ev'ry day Both without Help , and with small Help , away ; No more prevailing , then if still I had To blocks or statutes , my Petitions made . These Grievances , increasing ev'ry year , Rais'd at the length , my Damages well near To twice five thousand pounds ; and so increast , My debts , by troubles , suits , and interest , That wants , thereby , still multiplying more , I was , at last , made somewhat worse then poor : From seven hundred pounds per annum , brought To be some hundred pounds less worth then nought , So loosing my repute , with my estate . ( Which many new perplexities begat ) To ev'ry wrong , I liable was made , When no means left for my defence I had . And , most men then perceiving that the Doom Which I fore-saw would come , was then nigh come , And likely to destroy them in whose hands Lay all my whole Estate in Debts and Lands , And , that the Title which thereinII had , Would , as they stood or fell , prove good or bad ; My Creditors grew thereby so affraid , What I then ow'd them , never would be paid , That , more to pay one debt , then would pay two , Was thereby ( maugre all that I could do ) Streight torn away : and I , could neither set , Nor sell , nor borrow , neither payment get Of what was due , to buy things necessary , Or save my credit till it did miscarry , By forfeitures and burthens , cast upon me , So mercilesly , that it hath undone me , As to the world ; unless GOD shall prevent That , which now threats a further Detriment ; For , when the CURS which did before but bawl , ( As when you see a hunted Stag doth fall By alber Dogs ) immediately fell in , And from the flesh began to tear the skin . To make complaints , I saw it was in vain ; For , none I know to whom I might complain , With hope of help ; and certainly perceived , That , though by them , I seem'd to be bereaved Of my Estate , yet GOD's hand was therein , And , that the Judgement which doth now begin At his own House , did mark me out for one , Upon whom Execution must be done : Therefore , forthwith , examining my heart , And , finding that far less then my desert Was brought upon me ; to his Chastisement I humbly do submit , and will present , Ere I proceed , this my Confession , With Praises intermixed , and Contrition . A HYMNE Of CONFESSION and PRAISE . 1. LORD , Thou from dust didst raise me , When I no being had , And I in flesh to praise thee , A living Soul was made : That , therefore , I may praise thee , as I am bound to do , Still henceforth let me praise thee , In Soul and Body too . 2. To have thy Will fulfilled , To thee , I oft have pray'd ; Which , that I truly willed , Now , comes it to be tride ; And , that , my Soul obeys thee , as thou thy Will mak'st known , I am resolv'd to praise thee , by laying down mine own . 3. Thy Servants are confunded , this day with shame of face , And with their Plagues surrounded for their neglects of Grace ; On us therefore to praise thee a Judgement is begun , In which , my heart , to praise thee still cries , thy Will be done . 4. And , since by my Transgressions , the breach was wider made , I will by my Confessions unto thy Glory add ; Oh! make thou them to praise thee so hearty and sincere ; That , other men to praise thee their failings may declare . 5. Me , thou hast not corrected with worse or sharper things . This are sometimes inflicted upon the greatest Kings : By Charity to praise thee , their wants thou then supplid'st ; And , now to make me praise thee , that way for me provid'st . 6. Nought heretofore I wanted wherewith to give thee praise ; But , what to me was granted , I wasted otherwayes : And , since I did not praise thee when I enjoyed most , I now am come to praise thee when all I had is lost . 7. Oft , when my Conscience chid me , I , in my sins went on ; She therefore lately led me to what hath me undone ; Yet , that , at last will praise thee , for which , I suffer must ; And I confesse to praise thee , that all thy wayes are just . 8. The portion by thee given , I , on my Lusts have spent ; Sinn'd against Thee and Heaven , for which , I now repent : And since I did not praise thee , as I oblig'd have been , I meekly now do praise thee In suff'rings for my sin . 9. Of earthly Joys and Pleasure that most desired are , To me in ample measure thou didst vouchsafe a share ; But , I for them to praise thee performed not my part ; And therefore , now I praise thee with sad and contrite heart . 10. An honest Reputation on me thou hast bestown , That , to this Generation thy praise I might make known . But by what I should praise thee , I sought a fruitlesse fame ; And therefore now I praise thee for my Reproach and shame . 11. Of Good Men , much esteemed I rend'red was by thee ; But , better oft I seemed then I could truly be : I therefore now do praise thee that my Defects were hid , And , that , some now dispraise me for what I never did . 12. To thee I am a Debter for what I most esteem ; ( No earthly blessing better deserving Thanks doth seem ) And for the , same still praise thee , though lately for my sin , That , for which now I praise thee , a bitter-sweet hath been . 13. But sharp and sweets together ( through all my life-time past ) And , single shares of either so timely , deign'd thou hast : That , I not onely praise thee for what most sweet appear'd ; But , also , truly praise thee for what I shun'd and fear'd 14. Thou didst with Robes adorn me , which men of Honour weare , That Fools the lesse might scorn me when I thy praise declare : But , what thou gav'st to praise thee , I did to folly turn : And therefore , now I praise thee in Garments thred-bare-worn . 15. To , thousands , much delightful , my Youthful days were made ; My Heart was blith , and sprightful thy praise the more was spread But , I with them to praise thee did not what should be done ; For which , I 'm left to praise thee all day and night , alone . 16. My private Faith infringed to others and to thee , Thou lately hast avenged by publique breach to me : And therefore now I praise thee for that just doom of thine ; Oh! make them also praise thee whose sins have punish'd mine . 17. Inspight of their Oppressions who my Destruction sought , Thou gav'st me large possessions , which now are come to nought : And since I did not praise thee when I enjoyed more , I justly now do praise thee in Wants , Distresse , and Poor . 18. I , heretofore , had fullness of ev'ry pleasant meat , Which brought on me a dulnesse , that made me thee forget : And therefore now to praise thee , Affliction , bread prepares ; And thou dost make me praise thee , in drinking of my tears : 19. Like Baruch , out of season things for my self I sought ; Missed by Carnal Reason , lent , borrowed , built , and bought But , left the way to praise thee that 's taught me in thy Schools , And therefore now to praise thee I , numbred am with Fools . 20. Yet , as to sinck me lower , Scorns , wrongs , and Wants encrease ; So , dayly Faith gets power , Hope thrives , and Fears grow lesse ; To move me to dispraise thee , the more my Temper tries , My Spirit , still , to praise thee , a pitch the higher flies . 21. Though I myself have nothing , in thy hands all things be : And harbour , food and cloathing thou wilt provide for me : For thou hast means to praise thee stirr'd up in every Town , Whereby each man may praise thee who hath not of his own . 22. And for Reptue or Treasures I will not thee implore ; For friends , lands , goods , and pleasures enjoyed heretofore , I , rather , ask to praise thee , what most extolls thy Name , Although it be to praise thee . in Sorrow , Death , and Shame . 23. Whilst here my sins benight me , still cause thy face to shine : For what will more delight me , then Corn , and Oyl , and Wine . And though oppression weighs me quite down unto the ground , I , with more joy shall praise thee , then when wealth did abound . And whatsoe'r betide me I will not change my Case , With any who derides me , nor shall distrust thy Grace , My soul desires to praise thee , and loves thy praise so well , That , might I there best praise thee thee , praise I would in HELL . 25. For , Thee to love thou mov'st me , which shews thou lovest Me , And doubtlesse whilst thou lovest me , ev'n Hell a Heaven would be : Since , Love enough to praise Thee , he , that could thither bear , Should make the Devils praise thee , And , quench the Fires there . 26. For LOVE all things created , subdued Hell and Death ; Thy Law it hath compleated , outlasteth Hope and Faith. Thou , when that love doth praise thee , givest best respects thereto ; And , till in love we praise thee . in vain is all we do . 27. Were I therefore bereaven of all that 's called mine , Of Body , Soul , and Heaven , my love should live in thine : And , as I then did praise thee , when I no being had ; So I again shall praise thee , When I am quite unmade . 28. But , never comprehended Can be thy Love to me ; And therefore never ended My Songs of praise must be : A Hymne wherein to praise thee I have on earth begun ; And better hope to praise thee When this short life is done . 29. Then , when asleep Death lays me , LORD , let me from the Grave ( Where Dead-men cannot praise thee A Joyful Rising have : Let those likewise who praise thee With me , whilst I am here , Where Saints and Angels praise thee , ( To praise thee ) meet me there . Two other Meditations here I 'll add , Which though such Musings mean esteem have had In latter times , may now as useful be To some , in my case , as they are to me . 1. BUt are in my Riches gone ? and all those fled away Whose love depended thereupon ? for ever , Farewell they . Since these have gotten wings , I will not them pursue ; But set my heart on better things , and bid them quite adieu . 'T is GOD that gives and takes , whose love remains the same ; And whether rich or poor he makes , still blessed be his Name . With suffrings to comply , loth was I to begin , But better thoughts of them have I , since they have proved been . 3. For , what I dreadfull thought when first the same appear'd , Hath joys to me by sorrows brought ; and hopes by what I fear'd . To be despis'd and poor if in my GOD I trust , Will me at last advantage more then if I nothing lost . 4. Long time I have profest in words a Christian Creed , And now am-with occasions blest to shew it forth by Deed. We , holy men would seem , and up for Saints are cride , But now comes that Probation time In which we must be tride . 5. Whilst Riches I enjoyd , They made me but a drudge , To be on their affairs imployd , and on their Errands trudge . Me poor my plenties kept ; made me engage my Friends ; And often wake whilst others slept , to wait upon their ends . 6. They fild me with Desires , whose Lusting endlesse was , And onely brought forth thorns and briers to choak the seeds of Grace . They made me fearful too Of Tyrants and of Knaves , Yea ( which is ten times worse then so ) Made me a slave to slayes . 7. My heart then be content , let wealth and honour go , For , better things to thee are meant then these can raise thee to . Let those who on them dote , by our deportment see , That in those Gods we trusted not which their chief Idols be . 8. Though my despightful Foes Now my Estaie is gone , ( I having nothing else to lose ) my body seize upon , Therefore take thou no care , for GOD thy help will be , And put on them a greater fear then they can put on thee . 9. And to encrease that load which I at present bear , Though they say Where now is thy God , of whom thy boastings were ? He will of me , of me be found , and also make it known , ( When open shame shall them confound ) that he my Cause doth own . 10. Thy Cross with patience take , do not there at repine , But bear it stoutly for his sake who bore his Cross for thine . Still meekly in thy way therewith proceed thou so , That others it encourage may to what they see thee do . 11. The Lot of Saints hath been Afflictions , Wants , and Scorns ; And he that is the best of Men was mockt and crown'd with Thorns . No House to him they gave wherein to rest his head ; Him also in a borrow'd Grave , they laid when he was dead . 12. Yea , he that 's LORD of all when first with flesh arrayd , Was meanly housed in a Stall , and in Manager layd . A Guest so poor he was , that whilst he lodged there , The labouring Ox , and toyling Ass his Chamber-fellows were . 13. Yet Wisemen from the East , were guided by a Star , To bring to this despised Guest Gold , Frankincence and Myrrhe , They fooled for his sake a Tyrannizing King ; GOD'S Angels , care of him did take , and round about him sing , 14. To him , allide am I , and he will send to me , Howere obscurd , the like supply , as oft as need shall be . For timely he relieves all those that trust in him , And charge unto his Angels gives , to be a guard to them . 15. In Stables , Barns and Stalls , the poor as much he heeds , As those that are in Princes halls , to help them at their needs . Yea , unto them he comes , and will their suffrings mark , Although they lie in nasty Rooms , or Dungeons deep and dark . 16. A portion more secure then Goods or Lands is he , An Heritage that will endure when Kingdoms lost shall be . And when exposd to shame their Bodies we behold , It shall more magnifie their name , then Statues made of gold . 17. But this to them will seem who dote on outward things , No better then an idle Dream which no assurance brings . If pompously they live , and in rich Tombs may lie , Themselves they happy men believe , although like beasts they die . 18. And I am half in fear when this is sung among Those who in love with riches are , 't will seem a Bedlam-Song : For , seldome we perceive that when his Mammon's gone , A Rich Man's able to believe , he is not quite undone . 19. It makes them almost mad to hear another preach , That joyes and comfort may be had whereto they cannot reach . LORD help their unbelief , and mitigate their fears ; For , though they pity not my grief , yet , I do pity theirs . 20. Preserve in me that Grace which now infus'd I find : And let not time , events nor place , hereafter change my mind : For in them good or bad , External things have nought ; But , as Good , or ill use is made , Or else , as got or sought . Another Meditation relating to the Authors present Condition . 1. MY Foes , you have your hearts desire , a spoyle of me you make ; And ( as I hear ) you now inquire what Course I mean to take . I now am brought so low , you say , so destitute and poor , That well assure your selves you may I shall arise no more . 2. You , naytheless may be deceiv'd , and of your aims have mist ; For , in those things which are bereav'd , my wealth doth not consist : And I have that within my view which if pursude it be , May make me as much laugh at you , as you now laugh at me . 3. But , though it makes you to be glad to see my griefs encreast , I have for some of you been sad when you were less opprest . And if you shall go forward still in doing causlesse wrong , I , who now at your folly smile , may weep for you ere long . 4. The greatest harm I wish my Foes when me most wronged have , Is , that themselves they may not lose by what they seek to have . And when that they shall come to try what they have brought me to , That they nuoght else may loose thereby but what would them undo . 5. Man liveth not by Bread alone and that ( should it be told ) Which now my life depends upon your eyes cannot behold . You robb'd me of External Things , but what the worse am I , If I have in me Living Springs that never will be dry . 6. From that , which you debar me from , me , long you cannot keep ; My Noon is past , my Night is come , and I shall shortly sleep . At first , to Wither I was born ( though then a springing Tree ) And now my leavss away are torn , I can but Wither'd be . 7. The Birds do live , the Lilies grow , and are well cloath'd and fed ; Yet can not spin , nor plow , nor sow , to get them Cloathes and Bread : I , therefore am without despair , that he who cloaths the Grass , And feeds the small'st Fowls of the Air , will heed my present Case . 8. But if my Lot reserve she shall untill another Life , The worst that can to me befall , will bring more Joy then Grief : As Nightingales in summer do , I 'll sing all Night and Day ; And so shall in a month or two , sing Care and Life away . Refreshed by these pertinent Digressions , Which fertifie my faith against oppressions , I will proceed to make an application Of what pertaineth to my last Narration . The main breach made upon me ( and which drew Those mischiefs that did afterwards ensue ) To me did happen some few days before That Parliament was last shut out of door , By whom those Grievances on me were brought , And , then that fell on them , which I fore thought And did foretell ; perhaps that others may Be wary , how they needlesly delay That justice which to poorest men belongs , When much opressed by continued wrongs ; Which GOD will execute , at first or last , Hereafter as he hath done in times past . In this Relation , I , nor Poetize ; ( As some may fancie ) nor Hyperbolize : But , here , in simple plainnesse have set down The naked truth , that when it shall be known , GOD may be better praysed , and these Nations Thenceforth take heed of wilful provocations . For , greater mischief then to most appears , ( And very many complicated snares ) Intangle thousands , who destructively Oppressed are this day , as much as I : To whom the grace intended can derive Nought else , but such a life as I would give Ten times away , to free them from Oppression , Who suffer with me , by my sad condition ; And , whose complainings , end soul-piercing words , Lie pricking at my Heart , like Darts and Swords . How GOD hath fore-determin'd to dispose Of me , from this time forth , he onely knows ; And , his will shall be mine : but , if this change Brings good to me , it will be very strange : For , men prophane esteem'd , would then appear More just , then they who saints reputed were ; My foes much kinder , then they who profest To be my friends , and whom I served best . As yet , he hath retain'd me in their power , Who day and night , are hunting to devour ; And , letteth loose upon me such a Herd Of brutes , as David heretofore compar'd To Dogs , Bulls , Lyons , Serpents , and to those From out of whose mouths , Adders Poyson flows ; Whose throats are like devouring graves ; whose tongues Are Mints of slanders & oppressive wrongs ; In secret , on a sudden shooting words More sharp then arrowes , or two-edged swords ; And were these only Foes profest , their scorn Or malice , might with much more ease be born : But , some of them , are those who many days Walk'd with me friend-like in the self same ways ; And , Neighbours and acquaintance do begin To be to me , as his to him had been : My love to them , with hatred they requite ; For kindnesses , returning me despight . Of me , their scurrile Songs the drunkards make , With whom the scoffers in their jeers partake . They , who as yesterday , pretended had Some kindness , are malitiously grown mad , Combining and conspiring , how they may My Life , Estate and Credit take away ; As if until I wholly were destroy'd Their expectations could not be enjoy'd : Although I know no good that can arise To them , by what against me they devise : Or why such wrongs by them to me are done , Except it be , because I did them none : Or , else , for that their wayes I look into , More , then they are well-pleased I should do . For , be it known , they who are thus inrag'd Are not of those who formerly ingag'd , In that cause which I lately did oppose ; No , no , so justly , these are not my Foes : But , men , ( if they deserve that name ) whose base Dissembling Heart false Tongues , and steeled Face : Inclines them to make shew , as if they never Did any thing against the King endeavour : Whereas , a chief of that debauched crew , With his drawn Sword the late King did pursue ; And boasted heretofore ( with his own breath ) Of personal assistance at his death : Another of them , that he might endear Himself to those who last inthroned were , Made Headless this Kings picture ; vowing then , So to have done to him , had he there been . These are my persecutors ; these are they Who help spread snares and mischiefes in my way : And , some of those who yet in power a bide , ( By playing fast and loose on either side ) Are their abettors ; for no cause to me Yet known ; unless they know I see Their Juglings : or perhaps , because they fear I may hereafter make them to appear . Whereas , I rather ( for my Countries sake ) To GOD , for their Conversion , prayers make , That , timely , they their malice may repent , Their own , and our perditions to prevent ; And that by our malitiousnesse they bring No Damage to these Realms , or to the King , To superfiede that Mercy , which I find GOD , te confer on us , is now inclinde , Because our weal and wo will be involv'd , Within each others , as we are resolv'd , And , as for time to come we shall persever In Union , or neglect a good endeavour . Though by our sins , and by the sins of those Who were acknowledged ( however chose ) For our Trustees , our late immunities Are wholly forfeited , whilst GOD shall please ; There is an open Gate , through which I view A better way , then we do yet pursue , To re-obtain them , and to settle that Desired Peace which we have aimed at . There is a hope , this King will be so just ( When those in whom the common people trust He thorowly hath tride ) to let us see , That , he shall prove at last our best Trustee , Next under GOD , and for us do much more Then all our Parliaments did heretofore , Or will do now ; for , they often do those Resemble so , by whom they have been chose , That , we in probability shall never Accomplish that for which we do endeavour , Till GOD shall other instruments provide To do his work , and throw all these aside . He , those that are in being , doth permit To be therein with him , Co-workers yet : And there 's a course that may with ease be taken To build a Throne , which never shall be shaken ; For , if that be performed , whereupon The King is re-admitted to the Throne ; And , if due glory to the King of Heav'n Shall for the mercy now vouchsaf'd be giv'n , His chastisement ( nigh twice so many years ) Continuing as Nebuchadnezzars ) Will make way in this day of probation , To much more , then was by that Restoration Vouchsaf'd to him ; for , he establish may A Throne to last until the Judgement day ; Whereby , shall be continu'd ( so far forth As may concern Christs Kingdome here on earth ) The Majestracy and the Ministry , ( If we loose not this opportunity ) Reform'd and vindicated ( in short time ) From those contempts which have been cast on them . Yea , if this King neglect not now to do That , whereto providence doth prompt him to , And would assist him in ; the more he found At his Return confusions to abound , The more he shall be magnifide thereby , If , by his wisdome and his industry , With GOD's assistance , he shall so restore Those Pow'rs , that they may interfere no more : For , then they shall apart , and both together , Be active and a strengthning to each other , To those good ends for which they were ordain'd ; VVhich was , that wickedness should be restrain'd ; And that each other men might not oppress , But , in uprightness and in holiness Live lovingly , and serviceable here To GOD , and each to other , without fear . My Genius many times inclineth me Of these things his Remembrancer to be : But , I have neither place to undertake That Office , nor a fluent tongue to speak ; And should I write , I have so often tride That course and found my writings cast aside , ( Though want of will , or leisure to peruse them , Or else referr'd to those who did abuse them ) That , seldome times , the good effects they wrought , VVhich by them I have rationally sought ; And they have not alone been often scorn'd , But also to my advantage turn'd . Beside , Kings will not easily forgo What they resolve to act , or not to do : So wedded are they to their Policies , And so bedazled are their Carnal Eyes With that bewitching splendor and false glory VVhich Satan put on kingdoms transitory , That , as to Jeroboam it befel Though I should with a threefold miracle My word confirm ; a sequel might succeed As ineffectual as at that time did . But , to neglect ought , which I think ( in reason ) Tends to secure the King , may be high treason : On his behalf therefore , to GOD in prayer , ( To whom I can more easily repair ) I will address my self , without delay , In words both weigh'd and measur'd for him pray , And spread them on that Paper , to remain For those that will to pray them o'er again ; Till that which I on his behalf have prayd , Shall some way to his knowledge be conveyd . GReat King of Kings , to whom are chiefly giv'n All praises ; who , in Hell , in Earth , in Heav'n , Hast Sov'raign Pow'r : who Kingdomes dost bestow , Change Governments , set up and overthrow As thou shalt please and alwaies art both just And merciful in ev'ry thing thou dost : Since thou , by Interchanges of thy Grace And Judgements , hast a long time in this place Vouchsaf'd Experiments which do declare What Thou art , and what , in our selves we are . ( Informed us of what is now at hand By signes upon the waters and the Land , As also in the aire by peace and battle By judgements upon Men , and upon Cattle ) And pleased art ( as we behold this day ) To bring our King into a likely way Of settlement upon his Fathers Throne : Perfect , I pray thee , the work thou hast begun . Let thy vouchsafing him a Restoration , Unclog'd with aa Explicite obligation , No disadvantage to thy people bring , But rather adde more honour to the King , By manifesting that his actings be Products of Vertue , from compulsion free : And lest they fall into that great offence Which may obdure into Impenitence , ( As Jeroboam and his people did When their Idolatry thou didst forbid ) Permit thou not his Failings or his Sin , To frustrate what thy Mercy doth begin . Let all these Nations on their part endeavour To make this Reconcilement firm for ever , By that Obedience joyn'd with true Affection , Which may deserve his Fatherly Protection : And let their welfare be to him as dear , As if they Children of his body were : For , no Bond of Allegiance firm abides , If equally not fastned on both sides ; Nor can their mutual Ties long lasting be , Unlesse their Duties they perform to thee , Their Sov'raign Paramount who , search dost make What course thy Vice-Roys , and their subjects take : And alwaies dost a wicked People bring To be enslaved by a wicked King ; Not long preserving any Kingdome clear From Rebels , where the Princes Tyrants are : For , thou acceptest no Person , as to that Which unto Common Justice doth relate ; Though slowly , many times , thy Judgements come , That Mercy may have time to bring them home . Since he who governs men ought to be just , On his part let the King perform his Trust On him imposed , and sincerely do All things that really conduce thereto ; Shunning such Flatterers , and such Whisperings As by degrees may tempt him to those things Which will at last divide them from each other Whom now thy Providence hath brought together , Lest they by Fraudulent Equivocations Annihilate each others Expectations . With Wisdom and with Grace , his Heart enlarge , The Duties of his Calling to discharge , VVithout pretending more than he intends ; Which practise alwaies in dishonour ends . When once the promise of a King is broken , Few afterward regard what shall be spoken By him , what probable excuse soever To vindicate himself he shall indeavour : And though in his Designs a while he speeds That 's one in Words , another in his Deeds ; Yet , he who by that practice gaineth most , Gets nothing at the last whereof to boast . Let him take counsel from thy VVritten VVord , How he should weild the Scepter and the Sword , Lest they may prove worse Tools , than if he had Been born to use the Mattock and the Spade . Incline him also to enure his Ear , The Voice of Truth in her own terms to hear , Lest of such things as to his Weal pertain , He may sometimes in ignorance remain . And since he is thy Steward both by Name And Office , let him execute the same , As one who knows , that he for all things done Must give accompt , and no man knows how soon . For tho , thou call'st Kings Gods , yet dye they must Like other men , and mingle with their Dust . Him , keep thou mindful , that thou didst not make These Nations for his ends , or for his sake , But him to be their Servant ; and to own No Priviledges upon him bestown But for their VVelfare ; and that he should do To all men as he would be done unto . True-hearted men , to serve him , let him take , Or them by his example such to make , Instruct him , LORD , for , one of these will be More useful , than of others , two or three . What he is in Himself , let it be known By those , on whom his Favours are bestown , Though undeserved , he vouchsafe to some His Grace , that they more gracious may become ; As thou dost oftentimes , when we transgress Through frailty , and not with maliciousness . Make him consider well , things lately past , With what at present thou vouchsafed hast , And what may yet ensue : Make him to mind ( If thereof , him forgetful thou shalt find ) Through what wants , to abundance thou hast brought him ; What Lessons , by Affliction thou hast taught him ; What Snares and Dangers , thou hast freed him from , To what security he now is come , Without premis'd Conditions , or engaging Himself with others ; or , by what the waging Of War might have requir'd , or by complying With those , who for self-ends , at watch were lying : What Hopes , and Fears , and Doubts , he had that night In which he made escape from Woster-Fight ; As also , when he Sanctuary took Within the Body of a Hollow Oak ; What secret Vows and Promises were made By him to thee , when he Direction had Unto that LANE , whereby he found a pass Out of those hazards wherein then he was : Make him therewith consider , to what end That great Deliverance thou didst intend , And what thou mayst expect this day from him For all by thee vouchsafed since that time . Moreover , make him take especial heed , Why thou with him and others didst proceed As we have lately seen : wherefore , all those And their Adheres , who , most did him oppose , Thou giv'st into his hands : why , from the Throne Thou flung'st him ; why , again setst him thereon ; Lest else , False Prophets , or Court-Parasites , Detractors , bold Impostors , Hypocrites , Or such like , may divert him by Delusions To that which is pursude with sad conclusions , And not so much to his Well-being tends , As to accomplish their own wicked ends : Or , lest an Over-weening may perswade him , That his own Wisdom prevalent hath made him ; And that thou hast vouchsaf'd a good success To his Desires , for his own Righteousness . Let him some way , provide a Reparation Of Publick Faith , by whose late violation These Nations are defam'd ; and ( which is worse ) Made liable unto a dreadful Curse Which may extend to him . Unsafe is he With People that anathemized be . His Person , though their suff'rings reach not to , To those , who now to him relate , they do ; And , those Oppressions which are lately cast On thousands , will extend to him at last , If he endeavour not what in him lies To cure their Grievances , and stint their Cries : For well enough it doth appear to thee , That , neither all Men , nor their Causes be Such as to him they represented are ; Or , as unto the World they yet appear . As mercy , therefore thou hast shown to him So let him also mercy shew to them Who now are in his pow'r : for , although thee They have offended , they , thy people be ; And I desire it should by him be heeded , That whosoe'er against such have proceeded Beyond thy Limits ( to pursue their own Revenge or Ends ) do so incur thy frown , That on themselves it brings at latter end Those mischiefs which to others they intend . Let him take also conscientious heed , He makes that pardon which is promised , ( So far as thou allow'st ) so full and free , As he expects , thine unto him should be ; Else , Recknings , 'twixt you two will not be even , For , as he pardons , he shall be forgiven . Discerning give him , betwixt Rights and Wrongs , To whom a Frown , to whom a Smile belongs ; Betwixt usurpt Prerogatives , and those Through whose Defects , Pow'r-needful he may lose ; 'Twixt Formal and Essential Pieties , True Doctrines , and deluding Sophistries ; Betwixt Nathaniel , and an Ananias , Men byassed , and men without a Byas ; Betwixt thy Prophets , and the Priests of Baal , By whatsoever , Names themselves they call : Lest peradventure , some of those he takes Into his bosome , may at last prove Snakes . Give him an understanding heart , to judge Betwixt true and pretended Sacriledge ; Lest such as heretofore befooled Kings , By placing Holiness in Common Things , Turn thy true Worship into Superstitions , To multiply their temporal Fruitions ; Abuse his Piety as much ( or more ) As they abused Princes heretofore ; Besainting them for their misplaced Zeal , When 't is but such as was in Jezabel , Who fed four hundred Prophets ev'ry day From her own Table ; such , perhaps as they Who in these daies do arrogate to be Thy Prophets , or Apostles sent from thee : or , what are they ought better , who now dare To count those Holy Things which offer'd were To Devils ; and , would that , as sacred hold For which the souls of men were bought and sold ? Such Merchants may among us now be found , And therefore ( lest ere long they more abound ) Enable and incline the King to try All spirits ; that , with none he may comply , Who may by his indulgence undermine His Throne , and set the MAN of SIN on thine . Thy Pastors teach him to distinguish from Those Theeves , who in at window use to come : And make him cherish those that are sincere In thy Profession , by what name soe'er They shall be call'd ; since , things may be the same Essentially , which differ in the Name . LORD ! 't is thy Cause , for which I have begun This Pleading ; I will therefore plead it on . Let him of Demas and Diotrephes Take special heed : for , perilous are these ; And so are also they who do suppose Religion doth consist in mimick shows , Or , in those Gaudy Furnitures , with which The Scarlet-Strumpet , Nations did bewitch : Or in observing things indifferent , As if Essentially pertinent ; Or in opposing or neglecting them Contentiously ; or , with the mind of them Who said , What needs this waste ? for , nor their use Nor their dis-use , but onely their abuse , Gives just offence : yea , 't is not our abating , Or adding ; but , 't is our necessitating Indifferent Things , which renders them to be Offensive to thy Saints , or unto thee . Let him take heed of those , who with pretence To Piety , affect Pre-eminence : For , those began the Quarrel whence did spring The Breach betwixt this People and the King. And these , Oh GOD ! if thou prevent it not , Will re-beget what they at first begot . The King was young when hee departed hence , And could not know them then ; they , ever since Were in a posture , which supprest their pride , And made them lay their haughtiness aside : But when their late pluckt wings are over-grown With Feathers , they will perfectly be known . Vouch safe him such a sanctifide discerning , That neither their Formalities nor Learning , Their Fawnings , their Dissembled Sanctity , Or their pretendings to Antiquity , Deceive him ; for , by such like specious sleights The Great Deceiver brought in his Deceits . Wee Old Impostors have , as well as New , And Truth is made a baud to things untrue When men rely on men ; and , by Records Of their own forging , dare arraign thy words Before their Bar ; whereas , they should be try'd ( When they are question'd by none else beside Thy Spirit and their Peers : which Priviledge ( If they might have before an upright Judge ) Would end a thousand Quarrels , which will never Till then have end ; but multiply for ever . I know no prudent Christian , who dislikes The Name or Officer , term'd by the Greeks Episcopos ( and wee in English call An Overseer ) if Episcopal He truly be , and seeks not to obtrude On other men a carnal servitude . All Presbyters ( as by thy Word appears ) Are Bishops , and all Bishops Presbyters ; And thou conferr'dst precedency on none , Except it be for Orders sake alone , To prosecute such things as have relations To thy Affairs , in several Congregations , As when that we , confusions to prevent , A Prolocutor , or a President In Synods , and in Counsels constitute , To whom a double honour we impute . For such like ends ( if used soberly ) To some , belongeth a Precedency ; Yea , thy Church , being of a large extent , Must have both Overseers eminent , And super-eminent , that so she may With speed and ease , in a well order'd way , ( As need requires ) those things communicate , Which either Universally relate , Or to Particulars . And , to pursue This Order , there is doubtless also due To such , proportionably , both respect And maintenance , to give it an effect , With which all persons duly qualifide For that high Calling , will content abide ; Although it otherwhile amounts to less Than when Corruption sprung from an Excess ; And thy Apostle hath declar'd from thee , That thus a Bishop qualifi'd should be . A man that lives an unreproved Life , The Conjugal Companion of one Wife , One watchful , temperate , and hospitable , One well compos'd , and for instruction able ; A man , that from excess in Wine refrains , That seeks not to be rich by sordid gains : That neither is malicious , nor a striker , Nor of ought avariciously a seeker , But just , no Novice ; one that without blame Guides his own house , and hath an honest fame . And thou hast shew'd us , how he should be chose When Judas his Apostleship did lose . If , I mistake thy Paterns , make them , LORD , Such as may therewith ev'ry way accord ; And so the Kings Heart toward them dispose , That as Matthias was , they may be chose : For , whilst for their admittance they depend Upon mens pleasures , they will more intend Their services than thine : but , when they be Elected by their Peers , and then by Thee , As heretofore ; they shall defie the BEAST , And overthrow the Throne of Antichrist . Let him no Pow'r usurp , whereby these may Election have , by any other way Than is agreeable to his intent , By whom his Messengers at first were sent : For , by that means , into thy Church were brought Such Overseers , as much more have sought To serve themselves than thee ; much scandaliz'd Thy Congregations , and made Truth despis'd . Such , as unlike to those Apostles be Which were ordained by they Christ and Thee . Their Pomp and Habit , Avarice and Pride , Their Language , and some other marks beside , Are Symptomes which do make it very plain , To whom , and to what Kingdome they pertain ; And that they seek not thine ; unless , Oh GOD , Thy Holy word I have mis-understood . I did believe the Kingdome of thy Son , VVhich was at first in poverty begun By him , who had all Riches at command , VVith all things in areadiness at hand That might at once have made his Kingdome here More glorious than the Popedome doth appear , VVould not have left it struggling for that glory VVhich is compleated by things transitory , Nigh sev'nteen hundred years had they been so Essential , as some think they are thereto . In my simplicity , I rather thought That hee who to advance his Kingdome sought By Piety and Meekness , did intend That way to glorifie it to the end Of Carnal vanities , and should have had Such Officers and Overseers made As rather therewith suited , than with those VVhose Kingdoms Satan hath at his dispose : And that they should have had throughout all ages The self-same Badges , Liveries and Wages As at the first , not such as some do now Usurp and challenge as a sacred due , Making them seem Ambassadours to bee Sent from the great Turk , rather than from thee . Thus I believ'd , LORD , this , beleeve I still To bee according to thy sacred VVill : And thou dost know , that what I now express , Flows from no self-ends , or maliciousness . VVithout Compliances with such as these , The King may reign with honour , if hee please : And with more safety , than if they acquir'd That whereunto they lately had aspir'd . But , I confess , a pow'r he cannot have , Both Soul and Body so much to inslave , As by their help , who in these latter Ages , Have got two Masters , and two sorts of Wages ; And , by whose aid , the Throne of Antichrist Doth not a little , at this day , subsist . LORD , therefore , to maintain the Pageantry And Lusts of an exploded Prelacy , Let not the KING expose to desolation So many thousand persons in this Nation , As now are like to suffer , by a Rabble Both unto Thee and Him unserviceable . They , who are useful Officers of thine , According to that Antient Discipline , Which from thy Holy Word we do derive , And from the practice of Times Primitive , May be provided for , without that cost Which hath for many years on them been lost ; Without incurring needless violations Of Contracts , or th' Ingagements of these Nations ; Without exposing many Families To suddenly-destructive Miseries ; And without hazarding of those Events Which to such harshness may be Consequents . The Temp'ralties and Lordships they possest , Belong'd not to the Calling they profest . When first they were conferr'd , they brought perdition To Piety , encrease to Superstition , And Mischief to the Saints ; for which they are Ejected from them by that Civil War VVhich they occasion'd ; and though re-possession They may have for a while , by thy permission , I have a thought , that at their Restoration ( As at new laying Jericho's foundation ) Some signal thing will then be done that shall Declare , thou art not pleased therewithall ; Which , from thy purpose if it disagree Pardon this babling of my thought to thee . That thus , Oh LORD ! my heart is now inclin'd Concerning these , to speak to thee my mind , 'T is not because thou need'st it should be told , But , that hereby , some other better should Consider what by their means may befall , Both in things ghostly , and things corporal . Thou knowest that it is not my estate , Which is by these in hazard now of late To be bereft : for whether unto these , Or unto mee , to give it thou shalt please , I am content ; since all the world is thine , And so much as is needful , shall be mine . Thou likewise knowest , that of none of these , I judge the Persons , or the Consciences ; But , that I am in charity with all , And , leave them by thy Doom to stand or fall . The various Forms of worshipping of thee ; Within thy Church are no offence to mee ; Because there may be possibly Salvation Through Christ , in every Christian Dispensation , To those , who with a conscientiousness , Beleeve and practise what they do profess . The Prelates , not thy Bishops , I oppose ; Nor Prelates , if they nought on mee impose , For , when they less esteem Things Transitory , They may be instrumental to thy Glory ; And , to thy Congregations will dispense Thy Sacred Mysteries , without offence : When wee a little more are rub'd together , To scour away the Rust from one another . Although the Name of Bishop doth offend , Thy Son his Congregations did commend To Overseers , as well as to Preachers ; ( To Deacons , and to ordinary Teachers ) And doubtless , though Ambition strained further That Discipline , a Primacie of Order Is now so needful , that when thou hast broke The Bile of Pride , and quite away hast took From that Imposthumation all the Core , Thy Church will govern'd be as heretofore . The Prelates being grosly led aside By their O'er-weening , Avarice and Pride , VVould have thy Church , LAODICEA-like , Her Glory , in External Pomp , to seek ; Their Faction onely they conceive to bee That Holy Church , which is approv'd by thee : Like her , shee boasteth that shee nothing needs , That all Reformed Churches she exceeds , And , much triumphs now , in the restitution Of her adored Rags of Superstition : But if their Prelacy aside they lay , Therewith , will all their Trinkets fall away : The Treble , Mean , the Tenor and the Base , And Counter-tenor , to a Diapase . Thou then shalt bring , and to this people give The Grace , as well to love and to believe , As hear and do ; and every differing String Shall to the Musick such a Concord bring , That , what at present doth obstruct our Peace , Shall to thy Praise hereafter adde increase . This I believe , LORD , let us wait upon Thy will with patience , till this shall bee done . Mean-while , preserve the People and the King , From those ensnarings , which these , else , may bring Upon the Conscience ; or , lest wee by them May bee withdrawn from thy Jerusalem , To Babylon ; Let such before our eyes Unmasked stand , by whatsoe'r disguise They are conceal'd : For , much I am affraid , A Game is dealing now , which may be play'd To thy dishonour , and Wolves forth be sent Among thy Lambs to frust rate his intent , Who sent Lambs among Wolves : for as of old Wee were fore-warn'd , that some Deceivers would Say , Here is CHRIST , and there is CHRIST , that they Might set a false Christ up : So , at this day , That undiscern'd the Antichrist may bee , Some , tell us This , some , tells us , That is Hee : But , by such signal marks him thou hast shown , That hee to many thousands is well known . Reveal him also to this King , and shew , How they to whom there 's Double Honour due , May with all Necessaries bee supplide , More to th' advance of Piety than Pride : That other Nations , by that good Example , May joyn in building thy Essential Temple With such Materials as may not confound The Parts thereof , or make the Whole unsound . And cause this King a Pattern to become Of Justice to all Kings in Christendome . To that end I implore thy Majesty ( For thine own Honours sake which else thereby May bee eclips ' d ) that hee usurp not on The Consciences of Men , which is thy Throne ; Nor suffer any other in thy Name , And with false Warrants to usurp the same . For , by that Rule whereby intrude they shall On one indifferent thing , they may bar all ; And ere they leave encroaching thereupon , Of Christian Liberties , not leave us one . Inslaving of the Conscience , to all evil Sets open Gates : and only for the Devil Or Antichrist , it maketh Proselytes , And , doth but fill the world with Hypocrites . Therefore , to all , who Faith in thee profess , Who keep thy Moral Law , and common Peace Endeavour to preserve by word and deed , Let such a Freedome bee by him decreed ; That Truth and Errour , whilst within those Lists They keep themselves , may for their Interests , Contend at will ; and let those punish'd bee , VVho break those Lists , as Traytors unto thee . For , whereso'er this prudently is done , The fall of Babylon is there begun ; And Christ will give true Judgement betwixt them VVho yet contend , in his appointed time . For this King 's likewise , and this People's sake , Both Him and Them , henceforth , so wary make , That neither Vow , nor Covenant , nor Oath , They violate : for , thou so much do'st loath Unfaithfulness , that when thy People made A Cov'nant , which thy prohibition had , ( Yea , notwithstanding all Conditions were Obtain'd by fraud ) a punishment severe Thou for the wilful breach thereof , did'st bring , Both on thy chosen People , and their King. A Vow likewise , by Jonathan infring'd ( Unwittingly ) severely was aveng'd : And breach of Oaths in ev'ry Generation , Hath been pursu'd by thee , with Indignation , Though made to Infidels , and unto those Who were as well thine , as thy peoples Foes . Yea , though men are in durance when they make them , Thou wilt severely punish those who break them ; As by that dreadful Vengeance which appear'd , ( To make all future perjur'd Kings afear'd ) Thou brought'st on Zedekiah ; and , of late , Upon some Christians , who did violate A Contract with the Turk . Yea , said it was ( As if thereof they were a special cause ) For Oaths , the Land doth mourn : and much I fear That of our Mournings , they , chief causes are . LORD , Cautious also make this King to bee Of wronging Justice , and displeasing thee , By his imposing Oaths , which may give cause Of Clashings , 'twixt Divine and Humane Laws ; Or , which insnare , and rarely do produce Effects equivalent to their abuse : For , to impose such Oaths as may insnare , Which , dubious in their acceptations are ; Which , Ignorant Deponents may engage In , or to that whereof they cannot judge , Or which their Conscience checks at , is an end To which thou never didst an Oath intend , And is a wicked and a cursed Gin , By Tyrants and by tyranny brought in . Oh! make the King , mind and consider it ; That , fast and easie , his new Crown may sit . If thou hast sent him hither in thy Wrath , 'T is what our wickednesse deserved hath So justly , that the same wee well may fear ; And that in our Corrections hee may share , 'T is also possible , as soon as hee Hath dealt among us what our Dole must bee : And then , our Executioners must sup The Dregs , at bottom of our Bitter Cup : As also they , who with a barbarous noise O'er us , in our Afflictions now rejoyce . Thee , in humility , I , now therefore With all th' affections of my heart implore , To let with Judgments , Mercy come along , To make our Patience and our Faith so strong , That , Hee and Wee , our Tryals may improve , To turn thine Indignation into Love ; And not as Wee and our late Rulers did , Provoke thee still in anger to proceed : Or , as they did , who , when thy Wrath on them Was pour'd forth , did grow furious and blaspheme : But , to avert the danger wee are in , Joyn in repentance , as wee did in sin . Give to the King , a Spirit fit to do That signal Work , which thou hast cal'd him to ; And give us meeknesse to bee wrought upon By that , which must by Thee and Him bee done : For , such and so great our Distempers bee , That they are curable by none but Thee , Or those with whom Thou shalt co-operate Our manifold Confusions to abate . It is a Pow'r to Thee alone confinde To make all in one Houshold , of one minde , Much more 't is thy peculiar , to atone Three Nations , that , in him they may bee One. Enable him therefore with every thing Which to effect , thy purposes may bring . Assist him at this time , that hee may ' bide That Test , whereby hee now is to bee tride ; Lest his Return ( ere many turns about ) A worse Turn prove , than his last turning out . From Sycophants preserve him , and from those Who hide their Private Malice , under shows Of Publike Ends. From ev'ry mans unjust Pretending , who departeth from his trust , Protect him : for , he that was false to them Who gave him credit , will be false to him : Yea , he that is a Traytor to a Stranger , If he may get Reward , and scape the Danger , Will to betray his Country , Prince , or Friend , One time or other , some just Cause pretend . But , principally , LORD , preserve him from That Self-Will , which Self-Ruine doth become To all who cherish it , and maketh voyd All means which to preserve him are imploy'd . If from those Places where he lately sought His Refuge , any Leven he hath brought , Which working on the Frailties of his Youth , Hath sowr'd the Doctrines of thy saving Truth , By him professed ; purge it by thy Grace . Lest it may poyson him , and all his Race . Great have been his Temptations ; great likewise Have been their many Opportunities , Who sought to work upon him ; and if home A Conqueror o'er all this , he is come , It will of him , to all these Nations , be A Testimonial sign'd and seal'd by thee : And , to be thy CONFESSOR he will more Deserve , then did King EDWARD heretofore . Make him consider , that , to be a King , Is not to be an Independent Thing ; Two ways , at least , a Relative is He ; Thou , and his People , Antecedents be : That , for their sakes in chief , not for his own , His dignity of Kingship , was bestown . That , he hath no just Pow'r , but what they gave , Or , thou permittest him in wrath to have , To punish , when against thee they rebel ; Or else in order to their commonweal , That Ordination was for Good , not Evil , Save when made by themselves , or by the Devil , Which , sometimes GOD permits ( for many Ages ) So pay his Executioners their Wages . This , well consid'ring , let him not intend , Or Kingship claim , to any other end Then thou design'st ; nor practice to grow strong By offering violence , or doing wrong ; Lest thou let loose those Mastives which will tear Those Royal Robes , which he in peace might wear . Those Beasts an ancient Hierogliphick are , Of Englishmen : By thee chain'd up they were , When he came in ; and though they then were pleas'd , And fawn'd , they will be mad when they are teas'd , And fly on any thing , fearlesse of dangers , Or odds , especially , if teas'd by Strangers . This to prevent , let him not now provoke them , But rather , with a soft hand , gently stroke them ; Assure him that no people can disgust , Or disoblige a KING that shall be just . Since , when a true respect to them is shown , It makes not onely their Estates his own , ( And will enrich him more then if he could Turn all our Mountains into Ophir-Gold ) But , also builds him in their Heart , a Throne Of Perfect Love , for him to rest upon . Make him but of this mind , and I shall seem Henceforth as worthy of his good esteem , For these Remembrances , as they that in His suffering have with him partakers been ; And much more to his honour it will adde , Then if a PANEGYRICK I had made . Make him but thus affected , LORD , to be , And in thy Name , I 'll warrant this from thee , That , henceforth it shall more and more encrease His honour ; settle Him in perfect peace ; All present fears and jealousies remove ; End all our Quarrels in an endlesse Love ; Convert all that which will be found in Story Of our late failings , to thy future glory ; And , make that useful to preserve from blame Hereafter , that was heretofore our shame . But , if that he and they , whom 't will concern Now to be just and prudent , shall not learn What thou intend'st ; but act as they have done Who lately were ejected from the Throne ; If , yet , the King and Judges of the Land Kiss not thy SON , and timely understand What 's threatned now , but prosecute their lust , And be as mercilesse , and as unjust As others were ; I will once more be bold To tell them what to others I have told , Ev'n in thy Name : That , though a while they flourish , They , and the Course they prosecute , shall perish . And , this my Prayer ( though they sleight it shall ) Will prove at last to be Prophetical In ev'ry Branch , as well as Precatory : But be it what shall most be for thy glory . LORD , hear me , and vouchsafe that those Conditions On which thou condescend'st to such Petitions , May be perform'd , and acceptation have , ( Although they cannot merit what I crave ) For , Prayers can for no man take effect , Who wilfully his Duty shall neglect . In mercy too , remember Me , and Mine : Increase our faith ; keep close our hearts to thine , In all our Tryals : Be not so severe To heed the murm'rings , the distrusts or fear Whereto we tempted are , but pardon all Our Failings , that we stumble not to fall . Grant , that these Prayers may as well prepare Both me and every one who shall them hear , To mind our Duties , as be helps to crave Of thee , those Mercies which I ask to have . One word more , for my dear Relations sake , Be pleas'd to hear : Compassion on them take : And since by my Adventures they are left Quite comfortlesse , ( of every thing bereft Whereby they may subsist ) some Hearts prepare Of them , in their Desertions , to take care : Or , since that they are thine , vouchsafe thou rather , To be to them a Husband , and a Father : For , though they may hope well , they cannot know What Spirit 't is , from whence my Actings flow ; And therefore cannot my Partakers be , In those Refreshments which I have from thee ; As well , because they see men oft bereft Of Reason , and to their own Fancies left ; As also , for that by our separation We are depriv'd of mutual consolation . As for my self , I ask no more of thee , But that Grace which will all-sufficient be . Life is preserved with a little matter ; And , he that with course cloath , and bread and water , Content remaineth , neither can be poor , Nor miserable , though he has no more . To this endeavour give some good effect ; And , so to prosecute it , me direct , That without fruit , my pains be not bestown Through other mens defaults , or by my own : And , pardon it , if I , my self , have sought , By minding my own Cause , more then I ought ; Whereof ( I do confess ) I am affraid I may be guilty , by self-love o'er-swaid ) But , humbly to thy Grace , my Soul appeals , Which will suffice for that , and all faults else . For what I have done well , the praise be thine : For what 's amiss , let all the blame be mine . Thus in a plain petitionary mode , I have been wrestling as it were with GOD , For King and People : For whose sake I made This GLASSE , which else no being should have had . I must confess , my own sad Cause broke in , As soon as ere I did therewith begin ; And would not suffer me to persevere , Unless it therewith interwoven were . Fain would I have forgot it ; but I may As well , if broyling on hot coals I lay , Resolve I would not feel them , as I then Could from it totally refrain my Pen : For ( as I have yet ) I had then my share With such , as this day most oppressed are . Yea , mov'd I was , these Musings to compose , When Scorns , Wrongs , Wants , and multiplying Foes , Had overwhelm'd me so , that they had crackt My Brains , if this Employment I had lackt . Like Balast in a Ship , it kept me steddy , When I had else been over-set , or giddy . And , my Afflictions have permitted been , Perhaps , not altogether for my sin ; But partly , that together with mine own , The grievances of others might be known ; And that for no respects I might forbear My thanklesse Office of Remembrancer , For which GOD had with Health , and Food , and Rayment Vouchsaf'd me extraordinary payment , Till I neglected it , on vain surmises , Appearing in some rational disguises . At first I lazy grew ; then , fell in doubt Whether the work I was employ'd about Were GOD's , or rather somewhat , which to do , Not Duty , but my Fancy led me to . Then I began to think it might be spar'd , Because I saw that neither much regard My Musings had nor any such effect As I by them did formerly expect : And at the last , I fear'd if I went on With what I purpos'd , I should be undone . Thus , though in Conscience I was call'd unto it , I did neglect it , till GOD whipt me to it ; And therefore now am justly thrust among Those thousands , who complain of helpless wrong . I dreaded , that it might encrease my Troubles ; And therefore , them upon me GOD redoubles . I feared that some Losses might befal ; And therefore worthily have now lost all . My Duties , I deferred to be done , Till I should have more Rest ; and now have none . My Wives and Childrens ruine I did fear ; And therefore I and they now begger'd are : Yea , so much more then begger'd , as my Debt Amounts unto , ( for ought that I know yet . ) This , by my Carnal Prudence I have got ; And this in like case , will be each mans Lot GOD , will have this work done for love or awe ; And since I did it it not whilst I had Straw , I now must gather Stubble . I was fain To prosecute this ( not without much pain ) When I had but a very little left , And often threatned was to be berest Ev'n of that little . Scarce one man I knew Who cared for my soul ; and very few To whom I my condition might relate , Or unto whom I might communicate These Lines , without a mischief or a jeer , When I conceived they most useful were ; For have I where with to the Press to send them , Though I for publication do intend them ; Nor have I in my power a certainty Of what should necessary things supply ; Nor know from whence it shall to me be given For time to come , except it rain from Heav'n : And ( which of these Afflictions is the chief ) I freedom want to seek for my relief . And whilst this was composing , the despight Which long was riping , grew to such a height , That evil News like Job I did receive , As if the World from GOD had gotten leave To try my Patience as she pleas'd should be , Preserving onely Life and Health in me : For by their Censures many did assay To take my Confidence in GOD away : Objecting , That my scribling to make known The Times Corruptions , flow'd but from mine own : That , Malice , Envy , Pride , or private Spleen , The Fountaines are , whence issu'd they have been : And press'd it so , as if it were a Crime More capital , then any of our Time : Which makes me unto GOD , sometimes to cry , Search thou my heart , and give the world the lye . She dayly seeks occasion to defame me , To make me miserable , and to shame me : She practiseth all means that may deject me , And how she by despairings , may afflict me . Yea , as if knowing I were musing now , On somewhat which her Projects might o'erthrow , Her Friend the Devil , doth afflict me more , Then all that I have mentioned before , By strongly tempting them , whose nigh relations Can most augment my inward perturbations , To be afraid , that I so much prefer My own Designes , before my Weal and their ; That , what at this time I pursue , will be The total Ruine both of them and me ; And , that what I resolve , doth rather flow From VVilfulnesse , then Duties which I owe ; Or , at the best , from some Fanatick Fit Proceeding from a boldnesse without wit : And to convince me of what they alledge , They thereof make my greatest Foe the Judge : Which more perplext me ; and my patience try'd A great deal more then all the world beside : For neither VVorld nor Devil could invent A Remora like that , to my inten . I , notwithstanding , still proceeded on To do , what I think needful to be done ; As all men should , who know oblig'd they are , Their Deeds by their own Consciences to square , And not by other mens ; because , that none Must answer for their faults , but they alone . If this be not my Work and that work too , Which I was principally born to do , I know not wherefore I was born , or why I lived , but to eat , and drink , and die ; Which made me in condition , at the least , As low , if not much lower then a Beast , Considering what Faculties they be Wherewith my Maker bath endowed me : And if such VVorks as these , are fit for none But perfect men , they never can be done . Was I enabled this way to expresse My mind so plainly and with easinesse , In my distracting troubles , to no end But Time , and Ink , and Paper to mispend ? Are we , by GOD , so often call'd upon To heed what he , and we our seves have done , ( And stir up others to perform the same ) For nothing but to be expos'd to blame , Or to mis-censures , when we undertake That thankless Office , for meer Conscience sake ? Is Poesie , which wise Men have believ'd A Gift from GOD , ev'n in the womb receiv'd , ( And , whereby David did both Trophies raise To his REDEEMER 's everlasting Praise , And leave behind him for our imitation , Reproofs of Tyrants , in his Generation ) Is that now grown quite useless , in all those To whom a portion thereof he bestows , Except Lust to inflame ? To cast disgrace On Vertue , or extol a painted Face ? Is it in these daies , not to be allow'd , Unless it be to Idolize the Proud : Or flatter Fools ? I 'll wonder then no more : Why Poets are less priz'd then heretofore . No marvel they are slighted ; and , perhaps , Cherish't like Parrots , or maintain'd with scraps . Like Spaniels , & must think much honor done them , If their great Patrons please to grin upon them : For , they deserve no better need then so , If that be all the work they have to do . This way it is and shall be well employ'd By me , although I thereby am destroy'd : And , though it is an old adjudged case , That Poets must be poor , I 'll not be base . My poverty is without president , For I am poor by Acts of Parliament . I was not in that condition thrown , Till they who crackt my credit lost their own ; And if the King pleaseth , he may make me rich , Yet loose no honour , nor in treasure much ; For , had I but mine own , my Debts to free , I should suppose my self as rich as he . From GOD , if this proceed not , I shall have The recompence I merit to receive ; Which will be at the worst an outward trouble , And loss of that which I have built with stubble : But , if it flows from him it will produce Effects which to his glory shall have use ; And , he will bring it forth at such a time , As , serviceable make it will to him . Yea , though in the Thames it should be thrown , Like that which being tide unto a Stone Was sunk in Euphrates ( and no more seen After in Babel it once read had been ) And will be made available to that Which , in composing it , I aimed at . Till that time , therefore , I will lay it by , Not doubting such a time is drawing nigh . If this King ( as I hope ) be hither sent , As well for Mercy , as for Chastisement , ( For , we need both ) it , such effects will bring , That we in Judgement shall of Mercy sing . For my part , whatsoere my Portion be , I 'll take that thankfully which falls on me , As sent from GOD , whoere he be that brings it , Yea , though at me , in rage , the Devil flings it : For ( be it known and heeded ) not in vain Die they , who in the forlorn Hope are slain : Nor uselesse to a Victory are they , Who are suppos'd to throw their Lives away By desperate attempts ; since Providence ( Whose way transcendeth mans intelligence ) Acts very many times , by things which we Think may to her own ends repugnant be . They who were slain when first the Fight begun , And they who fought until the Field was won , May ( whatsoere to others doth appear ) In work and honour , merit equal share . Nay , signal Victories are got sometime By that which hath been punish'd as a Crime . To me and many other men beside , May , peradventure , such a Lot betide ; However , I submit unto his pleasure , Who acts in his own time , by weight and measure ; And , forasmuch as I have no defence Against my Foes , but naked Innocence , ( Or words , which are amongst them sometimes shot , To let them understand I fear them not ) I , ( that my Flesh my be preserved from Dejection in her mode , till succours come ) My fortresse keeping , their Affronts despise , Shoot back their stones , and durt into their eyes ; Believing , they to peace will now incline , Or , be reduc'd to harder streights then mine , As they but lately were , who did contemn The Sequels , whereof I fore-warned them . And , if by Storm , they take my life away , ( Which , I as little do regard , as they ) It , in their Souls may leave a Sting behinde it , Which , will with Torment , make them sometimes mind it . But , here I yet remain ; and for a Close ( In reference to our Antichristian Foes ) I 'll adde this Corollary by the way , Whilst on his Horns , the B E A S T is tossing Hay : For , if deceiv'd I am not , our Disease Chiefly proceedeth , underhand , from these . And though ( a farther-off removed Cause Pretending ) they bescratch us with the Paws Of other Beasts : it plainly may be seen By whom our troubles have contrived been . I , therefore , make but a Defensive VVar With such as mine own adversaries are ; And ( to his Captains as th' Assyrian , King Once gave command ) intend no Dart to fling , To be destructive to Foe great or small , Whose hate to me , is onely personal ; But , at those onely , whose hate doth extend To HIM , and HIS , on whom I do depend . To act the last Scoene which precedes their Doom , They , now new vampt upon the Stage are come ; And though that with the KING , as if his Friends , They seem to side , they come to other ends , VVhich , he not yet discerning , in his grace Vouchsates them a considerable place ; And , of prevailing they already boast , As if they saw the LAMB , and all his Host Quite overthrown ; which , me as confident Hath made , that GOD their proud hope will prevent ; And overthrow that Tyranny out-right , By what they think shall raise it to its height . But , many tryals must the Saints abide , And very much their patience will be tride Here and elsewhere , before that Act is done , Which with an Anti-mask is now begun . Our Friends inhabiting beyond the VVaters , And who were of our Tragedies Spectators Now twenty years ( though they perceive it not , Or seem not to perceive it ) in that Lot Which these have cast for us , designed are ( Or in what follows next to have a share : For , Hamans PUR's on foot ; not onely here , But , like wise almost ev'ry other where ; And these think , that to take them by his Gin With most speed , is , with us , first to begin . But , ther 's a Counter mine , which will be sprung , To blow up them , and all their Mines , ere long . Six hundred sixty six , draws on apace , And not one day beyond that , shall they pass : It is the number of that MAN OF SIN , VVhereto his Kingdom hath confined been By him that cannot lye : and , long ago To many , that Epocha I did shows , From whence his Reign begins ; and , by a light , ( As I believe ) which shines without deceit , It numbers out his Reign as certainly As women reckon the Nativity Of Children in their wombs , which hath success VVithin a very few days more or less : And of that Mystery , what heretofore I have exprest , I 'le here express once more ; Because , those Nations which may much be needed , Cannot be too oft told , nor too well heeded . To former times , this Mystery was dark , And lay a long while , cover'd like a spark In ashes , lest perhaps what at this time Will comfort us , might have discourag'd them Who lived then : for , men rejoyce to hear The day of their deliverance is near : But nothing save discomfort could they gain , By knowing Tyranny so long should reign . Herein , I circumstantially perchance May somewhat ere through humane ignorance ; But , as to that which was essentially To us intended by this Mystery , I shall not fail of ; which is , to presage That Babylon shall fall in this our Age. Sev'n Numerals the Romane Empire had , Whereby of old they Computations made ; And in them was their Destiny fore-shown , ( Though to themselves perhaps it was unknown . ) These , placed singly , as they valued are , Do truly ( though misteriously ) declare How long that Empire , with what sprung there-from , Should last , when to the full height it should come : For , M.D.C.L.X. with V. and I. Do number up , in Chronogrammistry , Years Sixteen hundred sixty six ; and , that Will be of Roman Tyrannies the date . No other Number either more or less , If none of these you double or displace , Can be by them exprest . If you ask when This Number did begin ; I say , ev'n then When Rome declin'd first , from her height of pride , Which was , when Jesus Christ was crucifide : For , at that time her glory did abate . This Number therefore you must calculate . From , or about , the known time of Christ's Passion , Not from the first day of his Incarnation . A silence ( as it were ) seem'd to have been In heaven , during th' interval between His Death and his Ascension , as if caus'd By seeing that done which had much amaz'd The whole Creation , when that they did see The LORD OF LIFE hang dead upon a Tree . The Devil , probably , at that time too , Was at a stand , and knew not what to do . But , soon perceiving that the snare he wrought Was broke , to make another , streight he sought ; Which , to prevent , an Angel in a Chain , ( His other pow'rs , him suff'ring to retain ) Did for a thousand years restrain the Devil From setting up that Mystery of Evil , Which in Pauls time he was at work upon . But when those thousand years were fully gone , He rais'd it up ; and GOD permitteth him , To manage his own Engine for a time , That , Truth and Errour might here for a space , Make tryal of their strengths ; and , that each Grace And vertue of the Saints , by exercise Improv'd might be , to fit them for the prize Prepar'd for those , who shall engage with CHRIST , And overcome the Dragon and the Beast . A thousand years sharp Tryals they withstood ; Yet then they strugled but with Flesh and Blood ; And , for the most part , all their Combates then , Were like Saint Paul's at Ephesus , with Men Resembling Beasts : but since Iniquity Was set up vailed with a Mystery , ( As in these latter Times ) with greater Evils The Saints do grasp : for they contend with Devils In shape of men , in temporall Confusion , Made terrible by spirituall delusions ; And therefore GOD allotted unto him VVho tyrannizeth now , a shorter time ; And to a certain day his reign did fix , VVhich endeth at six hundred sixty six : And he who knows on what day it begun , May know the day on which it will be done . VVhich I believe , will visibly appeare In , or about the sev'nteenth hundred year . And thus much onely , therefore to foreknow , ( VVith how nigh to an end it seemeth now ) May make us hopeful , and our faith uphold , As well , as if year , day , and hour were told : Yea , and it better serves to exercise Our Constancy , then if 't were otherwise ; And if well heeded , peradventure may Keepe some upright , who might else fall away In these back sliding daies ; wherein , they see The Beasts late deadly wound nigh cur'd to be . They on a sudden are become as jolly As if they thought it to be cured wholly ; And , to impose their Mark , will now begin To be more strict then ever they have been ; So that ere long , few men shall live in peace , Bear Office , or a free Estate possesse , VVhere they have power , unless they marked are In hand or forehead , with their Character . But , if that , whereof some imperfect views Far-off , appear , accordingly ensues , There will , to th wart their hopes , a New Star blaze VVithin the VVest , that shall the world amaze ; And Influences through the Universe So quickly , and prodigiously disperse , That , aided by concurring Constellations , It shall have some effect , upon most Nations , And cause such Changes , as will make a stand In those Attempts which they have now in hand . Yet know , it will but a Diversion be , Not that which must from Bondage set us free . And know likewise , that this which last of all I have exprest , is but conjectural , And springs from Notions meerly rational , That possibly may , or may not befal . Those Notions , which may variously relate To me and others , in our twofold state , Are summ'd up for a General Forewarning ; GOD , give my Readers spirits of discerning , And so much Grace and Meeknesse , as to heed His Truth , from whomsoe'er it shall proceed . Such Contemplations are not in my pow'r At all times ; for , my Flesh oft draws me lower ; And I am forc'd to please her otherwhile , By Strains , that harmlesly may her beguile With hopes of what she looks for in her mode . Till that comes , which essentially is good . And if these both together can maintain My Faith in patence , 't is not work in vain : For , such so great , so many are my Foes , ( And frailties too , more then my own heart knows ) And so malitiously do they contrive My ruine ( more perhaps then some believe ) That , oft I 'm forc'd to answer ( I confesse ) The Fool according to his foolishnesse ; And when surpriz'd , upon my guard to stand , With any lawful Tool that comes to hand . GOD , hath in bidding to the world defiance , Preserv'd me hitherto without compliance In any base mode ( though by brining on me Great Mischiefs , she hath now three times undone me ; And , I am hopeful , he is with me still As he hath been ; and therefore , to his will And free disposure , I will all things leave Which may to me or mine relation have : And in contempt , of what my foes intend , These Musings , this ensuing Jigg shall end ; Which blame not , if you find it somewhat long : To shorten Grief , I lengthen out my Song . The Contented Mans Morice . 1. FAlse World , thy Malice I espie with what thou hast designed ; And therein with thee to comply , who likewise are combined : But , do thy worst , I thee defie , Thy Mischiefs are confined . 2. From me , thou my Estate hast torn , by Cheatings me beguiled : Me thou hast also made thy scorn ; with Troubles me turmoiled : But to an Heritage I 'm born , that never can be spoiled . 3. So wise I am not , to be mad , though great are my Oppressions ; Nor so much fool as to be sad , though robb'd of my Possessions ; For , Cures for all sores may be had , and Grace for all Transgressions . 4. These words in youth my MOTTO were , and mine in Age I 'll make them ; I neither have , nor want , nor care ; when also first I spake them : I thought Things would be as they are , and meekly therefore take them . 5. The Riches I possesse this day are no such Goods of Fortune As King can give or take away , or Tyrants make uncertain : For , hid within my self are they behind an unseen Curtain . 6. Of my Degree , but few or none were daily so frequented ; But now I 'm left of every one , and therewith well contented : For , when I am with GOD alone , much folly is prevented . 7. Then why should I give way to grief ? Come , strike up Pipe and Tabor ; He that affecteth GOD in chief , and as Himself his Neighbour , May still enjoy a happy life , although he lives by labour . 8. Not me alone have they made poor , by whom I have been cheated ; But very many thousands more are of their hopes defeated ; Who little dreamed heretofore of being so ill treated . 9. Then if my courage should be less then their who never prized The Resolutions I profess ( and almost idolized ) I well deserv'd in my distress to be of all despised . 10. Our sad Complaints , our Sighs and Tears , make Meat nor Cloathing cheaper : Vain are our earthly Hopes and Fears , this Life is but a Vapour : And therefore indespight of Cares , I 'll sing , and dance and caper . 11. Though Food nor Rayment left me were , I would of wants be dreadless : For then , I quickly should be there where Bread and Cloth are needless : And in those Blessings have my share , whereof most men are heedless . 12. I then should that attain unto For which I now endeavour ; From my False Lovers thither go , where Friendship faileth never : And through a few short pangs of Woe , to Joys that last for ever . 13. For Service done , and love exprest , ( though very few regard it ) My Country owes me Bread , at least , but , if I be debarr'd it , Good Conscience is a dayly Feast , and sorrow never marr'd it . 14. My Grand Oppressors had a thought , when Riches they bereaved , That then , my Ruine had been wrought , but they are quite deceived : For , them the Devil much mis-taught when that weak snare they weaved . 15. If in those Courses I had gone wherein they are employed , Till such Atchievments had been won , as are by them enjoyed , They might have wager'd ten to one I should have been destroyed . 16. But , Proofs have now confirmed me how much our Vice offendeth , And what small helps our Virtues be to that which GOD intendeth , Till he himself shall make us free , and our Defects amendeth . 17. Not one is from corruption clear ; men are depraved wholly : Meer Cruelties their Mercies are , their Wisdom is but Folly ; And when most righteous they appear , then , are they most unholy . 18. There is no Trust in Temp'ral Things , for they are all unsteady : That no assurance from them springs , too well I find already ; And that ev'n Parlaments and Kings are frail , or false , or giddy . 19. All stands upon a tott'ring Wheel , which never fixt abideth ; Both Commonweals and Kingdoms reel : he , that in them confideth , ( Or trust their Faith ) shall Mischiefs feel , with which soe'er he sideth . 20. This Wit , I long ago was taught , but then I would not heed it : Experience must by Fools be bought , Else they 'll not think they need it . By this means was my Ruine wrought ; Yet , they are Knaves who did it . 21. When to the ground deprest I was , our Mushroms and our Bubbles Whom neither Truth , nor Wit , nor Grace , but Wealth and Pride ennobles , As cruel were , as they are base , and jeer'd me in my troubles . 22. And , when their hate , these had made known , new mischiefs it beg at me , For , ev'ry Raskal durty Clown , Presumed , to amate me ; And all the CURS about the Town , Grinn'd , snarl'd , and barked at me . 23. Since therefore 't is not in my power , ( though oft I fore-discern them ) To shun the worlds despights one hower , thus into mirth I 'll turn them ; And neither grieve nor pout , nor lowre , but laugh , and sing and scorn them . 24. This FIT , at sev'nty years and two , and thus to spend my hours , The worlds contempt , inclines me to , whilst she my state devours ; If this be all that she can do , A Fig for all her powers . 25. Yet I and shee , may well agree , though we have much contended ; Upon as equal terms are we , as most who are offended : For , I sleight her , and she sleights me , and there 's my Quarrel ended . 26. This onely doth my mirth allay , I am to some engaged , Who sigh and weep , and suffer may , whilst thus I sing incaged : But I 've a GOD , and so have they , by whom that Care 's asswaged . 27. And he that gives us in these days new Lords may give us new Laws ; So that our present Puppet-H●ys , our Whismies , Brauls , and Gew-gaws , May turned be to songs of praise , and holy Hallelujahs . Thus I have added some few Ballads more To those , which my Deriders heretofore Have scoffingly so call'd : and , though I please To sing Defiance in such words as these , ( To make them somewhat wiser ( if I might ) Who are yet wise , but in their own conceit ) 'T is no revengeful or malitious scorn , Which back upon my scorners I return . My Jollities , my Caprings and Advances , Are not like those you see in Morrice-Dances ; Nor is my mirth like their , who cheat their souls With Musick , Banquets , and o'erflowing Bowls : 'T is no meer outward or corporeal sense Of Pleasures or Immunities , from whence My Joys do spring : nor are they such as their Who by long-Suffring stupified are : ( For , few men living , of all Humane passions , Have deeper sense , or of their Aggravations ) But , my Exultings flow from apprehension Of that , whereto my Faith hath an extension ; And of those Objects which I make those ends To which my actings and my suff'ring tends , As doth a wounded Conquerour , who cries , Courage , my Mates , the day is ours ; then dies : Or rather ; like a Martyr on the Rack , Who when his Flesh tears , and his Sinews crack , Casts on the Tyrant a disdainful smile , And in GOD'S Love , rejoyceth all the while . That which is purposed by my Caresses , And sparklings from my soul in these Expresses , Is partly to preserve in my own heart Those Resolutions , which might else depart : Whereat grudge not , as if you thought I heeded That which my self concerneth , more then needed ; For , moderate Self-love , is that whereby We must to others measure Charity . 'T is partly too , for others informations That I so oft insert Pre-occupations Relating to my self , and to prevent Annihilating of that good intent Which I pursue ; by taking that away Which prejudice alleage in private may . If these Expressions no advantage be To other men , they are of use to me . 'T is not amiss , least I forgetful grow , To mind my self sometimes of what I know , And make to others known , that they who keep Good Consciences , may sing themselves asleep Amidst their greatest Foes ; and without fear Awake , when they by them alarmed are : That , he on whom God makes his face to shine , May be as glad as they , whose corne and wine Doth still encrease , and with content be crown'd , Which way soe'er the Rowling wheel goes round ; For , he that acts in suff'rings what he teaches , Moves more , then when but verbally he preaches . But , most men so a bound in their own sense , And rather so incline to take offence At such Expressions , then them to regard ; That much of this perhaps might have been spar'd . However , neither much more pains or cost , Can I now loose , then is all ready lost ; Since therefore what she likes , the world hath got From me , I 'll give her what she liketh not ; For not much longer am I now to bear Her burthens , or the scorn of Fools to hear ; And in my Grave , when I am laid asleep , These Mussings will believ'd memorials keep , Of things which to GOD'S glory shal pertain , Till his Trump calls me to awake again ; For , though Truths will to our posterities Conveyed be among a heap of Lyes , They will to those who love them , shine as clear As Diamonds which mixt with Charcoals are : And therefore , till death quite depriveth me Of seeing that which in the Flesh I see , And Faith foresees ; to my eternall King To this effect , I 'll Hallelujah sing . 1. GOD sits where he doth see and hear , Where Kings and Lords consulting are , And heeds what is intended there : Sing therefore Hallelujah . To make them better understand His Will , and what he hath in hand , He wonders acts at Sea and Land : Sing therefore Hallelujah . 2. His Mercies here were lately shown , They who abus'd them are o'erthrown , And now by Judgements he is known : Sing therefore Hallelujah . He sev'rall waies mens hearts hath tride , He fools their Wit , he shames their Pride , And by their shame is glorifide ; Sing therefore Hallelujah . 3. To tryals ev'ry man he brings , He spares nor Commoners nor Kings , And of his deeds the whole earth rings . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Such marvels as in times of old , Have either written been or told , VVe did with our own eyes behold : Sing therefore Hallelujah . 4. He stirs and stils the winds and seas ; Yea , Kings and Nations can appease , Things , oft , less tameable then those ; sing therefore Hallelujah . He wounds and cures , he builds and breaks , He kills and saves , he gives and takes , And as he finds cause , mars or makes : sing therefore Hallelujah . 5. He by contention endeth firife ; By leaving helpless , gives Relief ; And , by death bringeth unto life . sing therefore Hallelujah . He for well-doing and for ill , Doth promises and Threats fulfil , And is both just and gracious still . sing therefore Hallelujah . 6. By doing Right he cureth wrongs , Turns mournful cries to joyfull songs ; To all gives what to them belongs . sing therefore Hallelujah . He giveth ease , by making sore ; He makes men rich by being poor , And loosers win , by loosing more : sing therefore Hallelujah . 7. To crown all this , and cure the fear VVhich doth in many Saints appear , His Kingdom now is drawing near : Sing therefore Hallelujah . For GOG and MAGOG joyn in one , Their Gen'ral Musters are begun , And their destruction commeth on : Sing therefore Hallelujah . 8. As he foretold us heretofore , Revenge pursues the Scarlet whore , And she ere long shall be no more sing therefore Hallelujah . The Kings and Captains of his Foes Shall then be Carrion for the crows , And all who do the LAMB oppose ; sing therefore Hallelujah . 9. That we more watchful might be made , We lately three Probations had ; And now he doth another adde . sing therefore Hallelujah . New offers of his grace mave we ; And though yet obstinate we be , Still mercifull to us is he ; sing therefore Hallelujah . So , farewell Friends . I will not say for ever ; For though I lately purpos'd , that I never In this mode more would write th' Event hath shown I had then work undone , to me unknown ; And therefore , till he thereto puts an end Who knows my Task , his pleasure I 'll attend , And prosecute it , untill he shall say , Thy Labour now is finish'd ; COME AWAY . Mean while , that I my SOUL may ready make , For such a CALL , and willingly forsake Mhis place ; I 'll sometimes hearten her along With this that follows , or some such-like SONG . 1. MY Soul , come let us go , In Sodom longer linger not ; look not behind thee so , But call to mind the wife of LOT . Let nothing here To thee be dear , Or captive thy desires ; GOD will thereon , When we are gon , Rain down consuming Fires . 2. Though with a glorious light , The SUN thereon begins to rise , A dreadfull Storm ere night , Her careless Dwellers will surprize . Come , come away , VVithout delay ; Quite cast her out of mind : For worth thy thought In her ther 's nought , VVhich thou shalt leave behind . 3. GOD's mercies they condemn ; His Kindness with despights repay ; still when he speaks to them , They turn their heads another way . VVhen he intreats , Reproves , or threats , To heed it they disdain ; Or with a scoff They put it off , And obstinate remain . 4. GOD here hath pitch'd his Tent ; And here , had they his counsel took , To dwell for ever meant ; But they , alas ! have him forsook . This , which a place Like EDEN was , Is now defil'd with sin ; Still Fruit it bears , That fair appears ; But 't is all dust within . 5. Then from this cursed Plain Flee , to those Everlasting Hills , where safe thou may'st remain , And whereon thy Redeemer dwels . here make no stay : for though there may In ZOAR safety seem , when such Storms be , secure are we No where , except in him . 6. This is their fatall day , VVhich day perhaps , may last a year ; and true Repentance may Avert the DOOM approaching near . but , I much doubt , that trifled out This Day of Grace will be . Therefore in fear , And danger here , Our stay , will always be . Now my last Publick work I hope is ended ; Blessed be he that 's therewith not offended : For , whatsoe'er it seems , I shall expect A CONSEQUENT , as this doth take effect . My Exercise without me , and within , Afflictions and distractions , long have been ; If therefore , what in hast I did indite , When those disturbances were at their height , Confus'd appears ; the better 't will declare What mine , and other mens conditions are . And , if therein , ought seems to merit blame , They who are Candid , will excuse the same . G. W. A POSTSCRIPT In answer to some cavilling Objections , made against the Author of this Considering-Glass , since the composing thereof . I Heare my snarling Censurers Object , That , all I write , is to the same Effect ; And , that the most part of what 's here exprest , Is but cold Dishes , sent forth newly drest . Mis-censures might be spar'd , though this were true . For , where the Matter 's old , th' Occasion 's new : And they will here see , if they heed it more , Thrice Fifty Pages , never seen before . But were it otherwise , how much transgrest Had I therein , more then that Country Priest , VVho , having ( or pretending it ) a Call Such to inform , as I oft meet withall , Preach'd but one Sermon many years together , And , till they had learn'd that , would preach no other ? Another of their cavilling Objections Is this ; that there are many Contradictions In my Affirmatives . This true may be To those men paradventure , who can see But with one eye ; Or , look but on one side Of that , whose Verity is to be tride : Yet , all my Affirmations will be true , VVhen they are heeded with judicious view . This is the same , which often such as they Abusively , of Holy Scriptures say Because they neither heed nor understand How Circumstances , and the Points in hand , May warrantize that to be verifi'd In some respects , which ought to be deni'd In othersome : as in the Controverse 'Twixt FAITH and WORKS ; or such : which to reherse Would be but labour lost , by adding more , To manifest what most men knew before . These my Detracting Readers , do moreover , A Pers'nal Vanity in me discover ( As they think ) which much levity implies . Good Souls ! how modest are they , and how wise I seek for , and I do assume , they say , ( At all times , in all places where I may ) Occasions to communicate and show What I have writ , and what I seem to know , To all men , whether Friends or Foes they be ; Wise Men or Fools ; of high or low degree . Which I 'll confesse : for , to my self alone The harm which thereby can ensue is done : Doth any Prudent Man a Book compose , Onely to teach himself , the things he knows ? Or , for their sakes alone , who learned be , And better know those things , perhaps , then he ? Should not the weal of every one be sought ? As well the poorest , as the rich be taught ? And do not the Prophane , and Fools , as much Good Cautions need , as they who are not such ? Doth any one , that 's noot a Fool at least , His Candle light , to lock it in a chest ? Doth any , when a Town on fire appears , Call out for help , were he knows no man hears ? Or think it onely needful to repair At such times , to the Aldermen and Maior , When two poor Labourers may do as much , In an Emergency , as twenty such ? If there be any of this mind , who passe For Prudent Men , let me thought an ASSE . Though in my Pocket , I no Orders carry Like those , who Preachers are in Ordinary , I have them in my heart ; and , in my way , Oblig'd to preach GOD's Truths , no less then they , Take up my Auditors , where I can find them ; And there , in my mode , of their Duties mind them . For I have oft observ'd ( and so may these Observe it likewise often , if they please ) That , they whom some count despicable men , Make better use of those means , now and then , Which to GOD's glory pertinent do seem , ( Or common good ) then men of more esteem ; And that sometimes , the work of GOD we do , By what is thought impertinent thereto . We know , the Gospel first to them was brought Whom worldly wise men , base and foolish thought : That , very many Publicans and Sinners Were some of Christianities beginners : And that the Saints then thought it was but reason , To do their Duties in , and out of Season . These benefits are also reaped from My reading what I write , to all that come . Some things , I otherwhile , thereby collect From those who neither me nor that respect : For in discourse , before they are aware , They let slip words which cautionary are . To them who like my Lines , it Treatments makes As acceptable as Ale , Wine and Cakes : To those who like them not , they serve my turn Their Interruptions , quickly to adjourn : For , they pretending Business to be done , Requiring hast ( and that they must be gone ) Straight bid Adieu ; and Farewel I reply : Glad are these they are gone , and so am I. More might be said , to what hath been aver'd By such as these : But little they regard What may in reason give them satisfaction , Whose principal designment is Detraction : And fruitlesse are all rational Replies , To what , Pride , Hate , and Folly may devise . THE Shepherd of BLEDONHAM HIS CASE . Who was lately ejected out of his Possessions , by the Successours of the Flamins , and Arch-Flamins ; falsly pretending a Divine Right to the said Possessions . The said Case is truly stated , in a Pastoral Prosopopeia , by an intermixture of Literal and Metaphorical Expressions . AT BLEDONHAM , among malitious Clowns , a Shepherd kept a Flock upon the Downs ; Belov'd as well , till there he did reside , As any of his Rank , 'twixt Thame and Tweede . Not many in this Isle , were better known ; He manag'd few Affairs , except his own : He was a Friend to all men , save to those Whose Vices made them his malignant Foes ; And never was his Enmity extended Unto their persons , with whom he contended . Him , their Companions , men of honour made , And he by honest means , possessions had Of such a fair Estate , that many more Suppos'd him to be rich , then thought him poor : For , he had Fields & Groves Flocks , Herds & Corn , Enough to keep him , both from want and scorn . But , that Wheel turning , which doth now & then . O'rethrow great Kings as well as Common men , It , with a quick whirl , on a luckless day , So swept his Crops , Goods , Flocks and Herds away , That he of all , was well-near quite bereft , And had but one good Ewe , and two Lambs left , Which ev'ry day at his own Table fed , And ev'ry night , lodg'd in , or near his bed . As soon as this Disaster was begun , Another forthwith followed thereupon . A petty Nimrod ( as with an intent To hurtsome Beasts of prey , which did frequent The Fields where these Lambs fed ) attended on By those , who , where a Mischief may be done , Take most delight , did often , with his Hounds , So much disturb their quiet in those grounds , That having thereby much affrighted been , The Lambs became unproveable ane lean . The Ewe alone , still undismay'd , held out , And being fat , well flesh'd , and very stout , Preserv'd her own , till an uncivil rout Of neighb'ring Churls , with Cur-dogs pull'd the Fleeces From off their backs , and tore them into pieces . What these Lines mean , but few of those who read them , Can know , save they who felt the wrongs , or did them For , they were acted with more barbarousness Then we can by this Parable express ; Ev'n by that Spirit , which did first engage These Nations into that unhappy rage Which is not yet allay'd ; and will hold on Whilst they are cherish'd , by whom 't was begun . When this befel , the Shepherd was from home , To stop another mischief like to come ; And hearing his poor Flock was worride so , A deep figh fetc ht ; yet , since their wool might grow , And , Time , encrease their number to a greater , ( In hope things might succeed hereafter better ) Some Consolation for a while receiv'd : But , thereof also , quickly was bereav'd : For not alone decreas'd his cattle be From very many bundreds unto three , In perishing estate ; but , seized now Are those Possessions too , from whence might grow Subsistence and increase : and ( which is worse ) Not on him singly , falls this heavy curse , But they whose Prosecutions made him poor , Will make a hundred thousands Beggers more ; Whose Poverty may those Oppressions adde , Whereby that number double will be made . By these Mishaps , this Pastor in one year ( And less ) is made a poor Philosopher ; Who now doth bear about him all his stock , And to themselves , is forc'd to leave his Flock , Expecting nothing henceforth but Oppressions From those , who have usurped his Possessions : For , they who on his Livelyhood now seize , Successours are to those old Druides , And to those Flamins and Arch-flamins , here , Who Prelates of the Pagan Priesthood were : And , probably , will be to him and those Who serve his GOD , unreconciled Foes ; Because they do pretend themselves to be Prelated above others in degree , As Supreme Priests and Pastors unto PAN , The Prince of Shepherds , and both GOD & MAN. On that accompt , those superstitious things , And Heath'nish Ceremonious Trinketings , Which in the worship of false gods were us'd By them , are without warrant introduc'd In to the Christian Church , as sanctifide ; And to maintain that Carnal pomp and pride Which these affect , they claim , and take , and hold What 's due to Him , as due to them of old . This , under colour of a Deodand They challenge ; and therein , a Royal hand Supports them yet , because he knows them not : But , when such information he hath got , Whereby they may to him be truly known , 'T is hop'd that each man will enjoy his own : In which hope , many thousands now undone , Take up their Cross , and patienty walk on . This Shepherd ( not deluded by their folly ) Who heed a Ravens croaking from the Holly Or such like Auguries : foresaw by whom And why , those which now befall , are come . He therefore , when they came , stood undismay'd , And looking up to Heaven , thus meekly said : GOD gives and takes , and blessed be his Name ; Though I am not , yet he , is still the same ; And on him fixt , my trust unshaken stands Ev'n whilst I am in my Oppressors hands ; Expecting my Deliverance from him , And nothing but Revenge and Scorns from them . If unto one , he shall vouchsafe to grant But so much Grace , as many of them want , I shall possess , bought at anothers cost , An Heritage , that never will be lost ; And ere this Generation is quite gone , That , which hath long been hop'd for , will be done . Believing this , he wholly cast away Vexatious Care , permitting these to play Their pranks at will , till they with cruel scorn From Him and His their whole Estate had torn ; Yet , he no more fears their despights to him , Then they do fear what he can do to them : And may perhaps , yet pipe them such a strain , As ere next Sheepshear will fetch back again Some part of what is lost : for , t will be found His late Possessions were but Fairy-ground , And not so sanctified , that all those Who walkt upon it , must put off their shoes ; Unlesse there be a Sophistry in Schools , That 's able to turn wise men into fools , If they do merit to be credited Who in that Mannor-house inhabited , From which the Shepherd's cast ; they , there were frighted With Sounds and Apparitions , when benighted ; And that therein ( before that he came thither ) Zim , Jim , with such Hobgoblins danc'd together . And these perhaps , will thither come again , As to a place which doth to them pertain By Tenant-Right , now their Old Lords are come To re-admit them to their dancing-Room . It may be too , till by him repossest They who intrude , may there take little rest ; Or , till they shall that wicked charge withdraw , That makes a sin , where none is made by Law ; And impudently therewithal dare brand Not onely purchasers of prelates-land Opposed now by them , but also fling That Guilt , both upon Parliament and King , In whose defence , the Shepherd doth defie Not one alone , but all the prelacy ; And if they prove , before an equal Judge , That , purchasing their Lands , is Sacriledge ; Or more a sin , then marketting of Eggs , He will resign his claim , for two Tithe Piggs . Nay , if of Sacriledge he prove them not To be more guilty when those Lands were got , And whilst that they in their possession were , Then any of their purchasers now are , He will submit to be anathamiz'd By them , and of all honest men dispis'd . For , were a faithful Demonstration made Of what beginning prelacy first had ; By what ways , prelates usually aspire ; How , they their large Revenues did acquire ; How they have been from time to time enjoy'd , How often to the publick harm employ'd ; What persons owned them , and to what ends Their Constitutions principally tends , With such-like ; which are left upon Records , Whose credit doubtless evidence affords ; It plainly manifested would appear , That , none so truely sacrilegious are ; That , few have acted more destructively To civil peace , and real piety ; Or oftner upon Kings intrusions made , By whose Indulgence they their being had . They , who now heed the posture they are in , And how pedantically they begin To act their parts , since they have been new-shelld Within those walls , from whence they were expell'd , Do wonder much , that men of their profession And parts , should fail so much in their discretion : For , their untimely Avarice and Pride , Ev'n their best friends and favourers deride , With fear , that their Ambition will not cease , Till it destroys again they common peace ; And they who love the King , begin to see , That unto him they mischievous may be . Most of their Conversations are on earth ; What is this Pars'nage , what that Vic'rage worth ? Are their chief Queries , or which way to make Their Markets , and Advantages to take Without regard , whose right they do enjoy , How many Families they do destroy ; Or what disturbance or disreputation They bring on King , Parliament or Nation . To such ends , they have bawld of Sacriledge , Til they have set most hearers teeths on edge , By their continual grating on that bone Which their own Jawes will break , ere they have done . That Scare-crow now affrighteth none but fools , Who are but lately crept out of their schools : For , that which they have charg'd the people with , Doth yet stick fast between their tongue and teeth , And will he proved by a holy Text , The Thirtieth day of Fedruary next . If those Revenues we examine shall , Which they the Churches patrimony call , The great Diana , for which some with us Cry out , as once they did at Ephesus , Is but an Idol ; and their Out-cries made , Are only to preserve a sordid Trade , Whereby those Crafts-men seek to be enrich'd , Who with their Drugs have silly men bewitch'd . The price of Dogs , and wages of a Whore , Might own'd have been as justly heretofore For holy things , if offer'd they had been ; Yea , with less impudence , and with less sin : For , some of them ( as in despight of Heav'n ) Were Merchandizings for mens souls , and giv'n In high contempt of him , whose heart-blood bought That , which they to a worthless price have brought , Yet sold too dear ; because the Buyers lost As well their own safe-being , as their cost . Meer simple and despairing Malefactors Were by the Divels Brokers and Contractors , Abused with Mock-pardons : Heirs defeated Of their Estates ; Widows and Orphans cheated ; And many a poor soul with a Pasport sent To Heav'n , as he thought , when to Hell he went. This way , had those Pessessions their advance , Which now are termed GOD's Inheritance ; And what can be a greater Derogation From him then this ? Or , what a Provocation More daring , then for men to challenge that As his , which he doth more abominate Then Dogs or Strumpets ? Or , what can in reason More properly reputed then high Treason Against the King , then to engage him for And Interest which GOD doth so abhor ? And which insensibly may draw him in To be a partner with the MAN of SIN In guilt and punishment ; by ( to their emds ) Perverting , what he piously intends . Let this be well observ'd : for , GOD doth yet Their Prosecutions hitherto permit But for Probation only , that he may Try , who will turn to him ; who fall away ; VVho , will not unto his Govenant adhere ; VVho , for preferment , profit , or for fear , Will wave the same ; how far forth those Pretenders VVill active be ; and how far their Defenders Will patronize them ; that those things which are Yet doubtful , may undoubtedly appear ; That , those plants which God planted may bear fruit , Those which he planted not , be rooted out ; And that cost may no longer be bestown On fruitless plants which he did never own : Such is the Prelacy , which did proceed From mixture both of good and evil seed : As may declar'd by their Etraction be ; For , this appears to be their Pedigree . Not very long time , ofter Noahs Flood , When old Idolatries began to brood , The forenam'd DRUIDES , who from the Oak Which they much rev'renced , their name first took , In these Parts of the world , usurp'd upon Mens Consciences ( as many since have done ) Ev'n in this Isle ( if that which may be read In old Records be true ) and being spread Into the neighb'ring Continent from hence In France next settling their chief residence , Did there , an uncontrouled power retain , Until the days of Claudius Caesar's reign . The Flamin-Prelacy , which did begin Before that time ; then by degrees did win Pre-eminence and reverenced was , Till Pontifical-Prelacy took place ; From that , the papal prelacy deriv'd Their being ; and a Hierarchy contriv'd , Accommodated with a Discipline From Gentiles , Jews and Christians hetrogene : For , though compos'd of pieces patch'd together , From all these taken , it was like to neither . For , that the Christian worship might not seem To be inglorious in the worlds esteem ; Or rather , that themselves advance they might Unto a princely and a pompous height In temporal enjoyments , they took in Such Pageantries as had affected been By carnal Worshippers , by alteration In some things ; and in some by imitation : So , by degrees , they totally threw off That soberness and meekness with a scoff , Which was in true sincerity profest , Before the birth and reign of Antichrist . The Spouse of CHRIST , because she did appear In out-side poor , though rich her Linings were , With dis-respect they turned out of dore , And , in her stead , trimm'd up a painted Whore : So , meer will-worship was set up at last , And in the Throne of GOD , an Idol plac'd . From those , the prelates came ; & when these Nations Intended to reform their Innovations , A carnal prudence , dreaming , that , if they , With their External pomp was took away , ( Whereby some thought God's worship was adornd ) Religion and Devotion should be scorn'd ; The Prelacy , upon that vain surmise , Was here continu'd in a new Disguise ; Till that imposture was by Providence Made manifest ; and then , it was from hence By GOD expel'd , as both dishonourable To him , and to his Church disserviceable ; To those intending no affront at all , Whose Function simply is Episcopal . But , this Expulsion , being for our sin Revers'd , and Prelates now again brought in , That , and a Sacra-fames ( in Excess ) ( Not thirst and hunger after righteousness ) Hath so inrag'd them , that , they all devour , Who fall within their new-restored pow'r , With high contempt ( at last without regard ) Of what the KING hath graciously declar'd . And those whom they of their Estates despoil , With insolent upbraidings they revile , As meriting nor livelihood , nor place With them ; and as uncapable of Grace From GOD or men : But , cry , are not these they Who lately took from Holy Church away Her Dowry ? spoil'd GOD'S Houses in the Land ? On sacred things laid sacrilegious hand ? And vilifide his Servants ? Thus , they crow : But , they injurious are , in doing so ; And have as much in their blasphemings fail'd , On Hezekiah : for , GOD , did not own Those Altars or High-places overthrown , And then mis-called his ; nor owneth he For Bishops , those who now so termed be ; Nor those impertinent Appurtenances , Which Prelates please to term GOD'S Ordinances . And , though they should , when they see Babel's fall , Their dreadful howlings , and their weepings call The Churches sighs and tears ; no whit availing To them , would be their howling and bewailing . And , though some think this constitution brings Advantage to the Thrones of lawful Kings , 'T will prove , when thereinto they better look , It strengthens them , as Ivy doth an Oak ; And , that , of Men , no one sort under Heaven , Cause and Occasions have so often given , Of private Quarrels , Discords and Debates , And Wars , 'twixt Realms & Nations , Kings & States . The Shepherd therefore , hopes this , will by those Who can distinguish between Doves and Crows , Consider'd be ; and manifest it then , That , greatest Clerks , are not the wisest men ; Or , that , wise men through Avarice and Pride , By wealth and honour , may be led aside . And , though this hope should fail him in the main , It will not altogether be in vain ; But , for the present , shall at least suffice To feed that part which upon Smoke relies , Till with essential nourishment suppli'd By that , which GOD hereafter will provide . Yea , though this charming should not prove so strong To fetch back that which doth to him belong , Thenceforth , content , his Ewe and Lambs , and he , To live upon the Commons then will be . However , other hopes may have success , His best hopes will be rather more then less : For , they are built on him , who best can judge 'Twixt what is , and what is not Sacrilege ; And if his Judges partially shall deal , From them , to that great Judge he will appeal , Who cannot be deceiv'd . But no distrust Hath he of their Uprightness , who here must Be Judges in his Cause ; for , they have seen What did befal them who unjust have been ; And hereby now , though he be much pre-judg'd , May know what on his part may be alleag'd . That which is claim'd , GOD will perhaps divide Betwixt both Parties when their Claims are tride : For , out of that which they erewhile possest , The Prelates for their sins were justly cast : The Shepherd was for his expelled too , By him , whose just doom he submits unto ; As therefore GOD shall please he is content To share in Mercy and in Chastisement , Till he under that Heritage is brought , Which at anothers cost , for him , was bought ; And whereto , he vouchsafes him by his Grace A better Title , in a better place . If all be judg'd , which he hath purchas'd here The Prelates due ; he 'll take his portion there ; For , though it be a little while delaid , 'T will prove the better share , and be will paid . This , is the Shepherds Case , and this the Course He means to take : pray , use him ne'er the worse : For , he had not exprest it in this mode , But that the Cov'nant PRELATES to explode , He conscientiously adheres unto , And dares not slight the same , as others do ; Because , he can discern Truths from Delusions , And knows their late Re-entries , are Intrusions . FINIS .