A triple paradox affixed to a counter-mure raised against the furious batteries of restraint, slander and poverty, the three grand engines of the world, the flesh, and the devil / by major George Wither ... Wither, George, 1588-1667. 1661 Approx. 155 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 41 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66791 Wing W3202 ESTC R12397 12931574 ocm 12931574 95689 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. A66791) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 95689) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 993:32) A triple paradox affixed to a counter-mure raised against the furious batteries of restraint, slander and poverty, the three grand engines of the world, the flesh, and the devil / by major George Wither ... Wither, George, 1588-1667. [4], 73, [3] p. Printed for the author, London : 1661. Reproduction of original in Huntington Library. In verse. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Imprisonment -- Great Britain -- Poetry. Libel and slander -- Poetry. Poverty -- Poetry. 2005-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2006-01 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2006-01 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2006-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A Triple Paradox : Affixed to a COUNTER-MURE Raised against the Furious Batteries of Restraint , Slander and Poverty , The three Grand Engines OF The World , the Flesh and the Devil . By Major GEORGE WITHER , Who , now beleagured by their Forces , throws out unto them this DEFIANCE . The said PARADOX maintains these Particulars . That Confinement is more safe than Liberty , Slander more advantageous than Praise , Poverty more profitable than Riches . Nusquam , non potest esse virtuti locus . Seneca . LONDON , Printed for the Author . 1661. The Author , to all those who have relieved him in his Beleagurement . IT is a more Blessed thing to Give , than to Receive ; Therefore , having hitherto been a Receiver only , I am now desirous to be a Giver also , though it be but of a Mite , or of a Cup of cold water ; For , we are not to expect Benedictions or Acceprations , strictly answerable to the quantity or quality of our Gifts considered in themselves , but according to our Purposes and Abilities ; which incourages me to send you a handful of such Fruit as grows upon my WITHERD-Tree , now almost past bearing , that if you find it as pleasant and as wholsome , as I conceived it to be , you having therewith refreshed your selves , may if you please , pick out some of the Kernels , and by sowing and replanting them in your Orchards , preserve the kinde for future use , when my Tree is rotten . I make not tender of this Diminutive Present , by way of R●tribution ; For , GOD is your reward : but to be a testimonial of my Gratitude , and of my willingness , to have done more , if I had been able ; or rather , that it may be a memorial of GODS Mercy to me vouchsafed by your hands when I was deserted of the World ; which ought never to be by me forgotten : For , I confess , I have thereby lived to produce this , and whatsoever I shall do hereafter in discharge of my duty , and had else , ere this day perished from the Earth , for ought I know to the contrary , though in my greatest wants and uncertainty of Supplies I was always as far from a despairing Distrust , as if I had then possessed a Vault filled with hidden Treasures , which no man could take from me : And ( though I am yet in no more certainty in respect of External Supplies ) GOD preserves in me the same confidence , and I believe he will always preserve it in me . This , is so great , and so extraordinary a Mercy , considering the many terrors , distrusts & necessities , wherewith many thousands of better men are daily exercised & proved , that I conceive my self obliged in conscience , openly to acknowledge it both to glorifie him who vouchsafes it , and to confirm in my self and other men , our Christian hopes , by delaring what GOD hath done for my soul , who have nothing in my self to deserve it , but what is of his gift , and who have much more of my own , which rather deserves the contrary . I am , and I hope shall ever be so far from being ashamed of my preservation by meer Charity , that I do esteem it a greater honour & happiness , than to have the most plentiful subsistance which the world can confer upon me by a constant Revenue , with an eminent dignitary annexed : For I have seen the best Provisions of that kind , not only to fall but to bring their Possessors also to be worse than nothing . I had superscribed your Names ( or hereto added a Catalogue of them : ) but many of you are personally unknown , and , the rest having discovered themselves unto me , for our mutual comfort and conversation only ( without any desire that notice might be taken by other men of what hath been communicated , and passed between them and me ) I do forbear making your Names publick , for that and other considerable respects . You are my friends by the surest side : For you were not made mine by my industry , merit , solicitation , or in respect of any carnal Relations , but meerly by GODS Mediation who inclined your hearts to that voluntary compassion , whereof I had fruit in due season , sufficient to preserve me , without sordid want or dejection , in that condition wherein I am likely to be continued to fit me for that service , which I have yet to do ; and I am confident that he who made you my Friends , will so keep you ; and make me thankful to him and you , whilst we live in this world . Your Acceptation I doubt not of , nor of assistance by your prayers to the end of my Pilgrim●ge : For , though some of us may circumstantially differ in our Iudgements , we are one in him and with him , in his Essential Truth , and in that love which knits all the Saints into one blessed and everlasting Communion . I am Your humble Beadsman , GEORGE WITHER . A Triple Paradox ; Wherein are asserted , these particulars , that ( TY ; IMPRISONMENT , is more safe than LIBERSLANDER , more advantageous than PRAISE ; POVERTY , more profitable than RICHES . For an INTRODUCTION , the AUTHOR flings this Express to the WORLD . A Parlie , unto thee disdainful WORLD , I sound ; and have to thee this Paper hurl'd . Yet , neither for a Treaty or Compliance , But , rather , still , to bid to thee Defiance ; For , what thou wer't , thou art ; and I yet am And will be , whilst I live , to thee the same . Thou art become the Mistress of the Field ; Hast me beleaguer'd , summond me to yield My Fortress , and thou so proceedest on , As if thou wert assur'd , it should be wonn : But , thereon thou perhaps , mayst yet attend As long as did th' Infanta for Ostend ; And as she nothing had at last but Stones , Get nothing but dead flesh , and rotten bones . I see thine insolence , and every day Hear what thy favourites are pleas'd to say , How they extol thy Power , how they debase My succours , and my helpers would disgrace . I well observe , thou round begirt me hast ; That , having all my Outworks quite laid waste , Thou , to compleat a Conquest , dost begin A fierce assault to ruine all within . That , to prevent the sending of supplies , Thou fright'st my friends with slanders and with lies . My Accusatrix too , become thou art ; And , justly ( I acknowledge ) in some part , But , not in all : for , chiefly , thy temptations Inducements were to those prevarications Whereby , my Talents were sometime abus'd : Though therefore , I seem worthily reduc'd To what I am ; thou undeservedly Hast me pursued with malignity ; Because the love which I once bore to thee Was more , than thou deservedest it should be ; Thou most injuriously requited hast That love , which in my youth on thee I plac't ; For , though I never totally was thine , Thou had'st ( when least ) more of me then was mine : And , him , of his right , to whom all was due I robbed then , thy service to pursue . But , he , now gives me grace , thy wiles to hate , And to observe them ere it is too late , That what thou by thy falshoods dost intend , Shall cross thine own Designments in the end . Thou , having into many errors run me , Thought'st by undoing me , to have undone me , But art deceiv'd : for , that which thou hast done Hath brought me to the knowledge of that Stone , Which turneth dross to gold ; and from offences Instructs me to extract those Quintessences , Which will preserve my Freedome in all places , Supply all Wants ; Convert all my Disgraces To honours ; and in every estate , With all things needful , me accommodate . The Devil by thine aid , hath long time sought How , he his ends upon me might have wrought ; But , neither Thou nor He , nor both conjoyn'd , Had power to bring to pass what was design'd , Untill the FLESH , my Dalilah , you got To be a third Associate in the Plot ; And then , both to her damage , and to mine You , such progression made in your design , That by deluding her , you soon prevail'd , In that , whereof you otherwise had fail'd ; So , by her Frailty , more than by your Power , ( I , being in your clutches at this hour ) Am openly exposed ( in some sort ) Like Sampson for a while , to make you sport ; But , stretched your malignity so far That your own Actings , your own works will mar : For , though my Dalilah your Vassal be , And you by her means have surprized me , Your Cords and Chains will off again be flung , So that , we shall redeemed be ere long From our Captivities , and in conclusion Your own contrivements will be your confusion . When thou pretendedst kindnesses to me ( And by them , didst intend to ruine me ) Thou gav'st me then , one of Pandora's Boxes , Which , I return thee full of Paradoxes That shall uncharm thy Witchcrafts , and destroy Those Gins which thou against me dost employ : For , if thou open it , ( as it is sed Prometheus opened what shee 's fabuled To have bestow'd on him ) from thence will flow Those Truths , which will thy falshoods overthrow , And make some who admire them , to contemn Those Iuglings wherewithall thou foolest them : As likewise all those Bugbear-Tyrannies , Which thy oppressing-Instruments devise To fright us from our duties , and adhere To thy allurements , out of love or fear . To batter down my petty single Sconce , Thy three great'st Engines thou hast rais'd at once , And so surrounded me within my Fort , That , I have scarce one little Sally-port Whereby I may have egress to offend My Foes , or to give ingress to a friend . Thy Ragged Regiment of POVERTY , ( And they which by RESTRAINT of LIBERTY , ) Commanded are ) enclose me so about With double Trenches , that , here can to nought For my Relief , admittance now be given , Except it comes immediately from Heaven : Moreover , at the four Winds , raised high , Are four Mounts , whereupon thy Batteries lie So diligently man'd by Major SLANDER ( An old and well experienced Commander In such like services ) that , several wayes His great Artillery upon me playes . At me perpetually his tongue-shot flies , And his whole Culverings charg'd full with Lies , Send poysoned Bullets , which I often hear , Making loud cracks , or whizzing by mine ear . But , I , at last , shall rout all this Brigade , Quite frustrate those attempts which thou hast made And raise again thy seige , or do as well By dying nobly in my Citadel , And , that it will to thee ( when batter'd down ) Prove like the House by Sampson overthrown . Then , those things , plainly will to thee appear , Which thou at present , wilt not see nor hear ; And I shall be the same to thee and thine , Which thou hast lately been to me and mine ; For , then , my Ghost , arrayed in white sheets Shall haunt thy houses , walk about thy streets , And fright thee day and night with repetition Of what is hasting on , for thy perdition , And will descend upon thee at those times Wherein thou fill'st the measure of thy Crimes . Mean while , to comfort others , and prevent The tediousness of my Beleagurement , I le draw a Map , wherein I le so express The vanity of thy maliciousness , That , they who list shall know how much I slight Thy Triple-Forces , and contemn thy spight ; And I to thee , their weaknesses apart Will so declare , that , unless blind thou art Thou shalt perceive , I cannot be destroy'd , By those whom thou against me hast employ'd Although in one united : for , these three SLANDER , IMPRISONMENT and POVERTY , To fall upon me , all at once began Before , thou didst repute me for a Man ; And though they charge me all at once agen , Grown weaker by old age , than I was then , My Helper is the same ; and suffring long Hath by his Grace , now made my power more strong . I know thy pride this Confidence contemns : For , faith and hope , are now thought but the dreams Of those men , whom thou dost Phanaticks call : But , whatsoev'r thou thinkst , proceed I shall . And , if thou heedst what follows , thou shalt hear How little , either thee , or thine I fear . With that part of thy Forces I le begin Which , with the first Trench hath now shut me in . Thou knowst , what outwardly , thou hast bereft ; Now , thou shalt know , what is within me left But , never shalt attain to apprehend How far my hidden store-house doth extend . Confinement is more advantageous than Liberty . RESTRAINT , which is an Engine , right or wrong , Made use of , ( first , or last , short time or long ) By most Oppressors , hath been oft my lot ; And , at this present , I escape it not : For , ( though not in the ordinary way It seemeth now inflicted ) I might say , I am imprisoned , and so confin'd That , I am no way free , except in mind . Of most enjoyments I am quite depriv'd Which from external things may be deriv'd , Yet thereby not undone ; for I possess My whole essential Freedome neretheless . My toyes are lost , but by their deprivations I furnish'd am with real consolations , Which , though they to the world-ward make no shows Yield sweeter comforts than the things I lose , And make my hidden Freedoms to be more Than those the world vouchsafed heretofore : For , to her Freedoms , when respect I gave I was then only free to be a slave , Whereas , this , doth from nothing me restrain , Which , to true Liberty , doth appertain . That , which gives most content to flesh and blood I finde to be the basest servitude ; And that we nothing have whereof to boast Till what the world calls Liberty is lost . What Freedom want I , save what being had makes many Free-men slaves , and wise men mad ? None , have upon themselves , and others , brought More plagues than they have done , who would be thought The freest men : for Freedoms mis-imploy'd Have lately all our Liberties destroy'd ; And , most , whom we much reverence as our betters Are but our fellow-slaves in golden fetters . What Liberty had I , whereof to vaunt By those Infranchisements I seem to want ? I was at Liberty to rowle in dust , To prosecute my fancies and my lust ; And therein joy'd , when I could walk abroad ; But , now , I finde the Services of GOD Are Perfectst Freedom . That , I am debarr'd Of nothing , which deserveth my regard ; And , that the Liberty I did possess , Was not true Freedom , but Licentiousness ; At which experiment I am arriv'd , By losing that whereof I am depriv'd . This ( though fore-seen it was ) to me befell Before I for it was prepared well , And , I confess , at first it made a change Within me , and without , that seemed strange : But , not long after , at the second sight , That , which appear'd the wrong-side , prov'd the right ; And I am well contented therewithall : For , I could see GODS Mercies through the wall ; Discern'd , when inwardly , I turn'd mine eyes , Much more of Heaven , than when I saw the skies . And , that , from very little I was barr'd , Which I have reason greatly to regard . What can I see abroad , which hath not been By me before , almost to loathing seen , Or , heard not so describ'd , that being shown It will not seem a thing already known ? Both Changes and Rechanges I have view'd ; Seen new things old become , old things renew'd ; Princes petitioning disdainful Grooms Great Kings dethron'd , & Peasants in their rooms ; Laws out-law'd , Out-Laws raised to be Judges Of Laws , Lives , Goods , and of our Priviledges , By Law and Conscience ; Loyaltie made Treason , And Treason Loyaltie ; Non-sense for Reason Allow'd , and Reason thought irrational : Yea , Meteors I have seen rise , and Stars fall ; Foundations that immoveable appear'd Thrown down , and Castles in the Air uprear'd . I have seen Heads and Feet exchange their places , Wealth make men poor , and honour bring disgraces ; Beauties , which ravished beholders eyes Wax more deformed than Anatomies , Or , no more lovely to be lookt upon , Than Rawridge , Mumble-crust , or Bloody-bone , But , truth to say , they who most lovely be , Now , no more pleasureful appear to me Than Pictures , nor so much as ugly faces Whose hearts are beautifi'd with inward graces , Although to Beauty very few were more A Servant , than I have been heretofore , And if that please not , which I once lik'd best , What pleasure is there to behold the rest ? That , at this present , and all other sights Afford so little which my heart delights , That , all the earth , and one poor little room Are so equivalent to me become , That I know nothing any other where More to be priz'd than my enjoyments here ; And , that which makes me so indifferent Nor melancholy is , nor discontent . Confinement , in a house of strength doth dwell , A homely , and sometimes a nasty Cell , In furnitures , and in attendance poor , A Cerberus lies alwayes at the door Fawning a little , when we entring are But ever snarls while we continue there : Yet , I so quickly had found out his diet , That , I knew either how to keep him quiet , Or order so my self , that when I please , I can lye down and sleep in LITTLE-EASE ; Enlarge within , that which without hath bound , Contrive conveniences , where none I found ; And , every whit as much content receive In what I have not , as in what I have . I view not here the pleasures of the fields Or what a Garden , Grove , or Meddow yields Which were of late my daily recreation , But , I have Visions by my contemplation , Which hither , during my Confinement brings Not only sights of more essential things But an assurance of enjoyments too , Whereof I doubted more a while ago . I could not be at that Solemnization Which honoured my Soveraigns Coronation , Nor saw his Royal Train in their late Marches Through LONDON , under their Triumphant Arches ; Yet in my solitariness , alone , What they were doing , I did think upon , With what should else be done , that 's not done yet And , which I wish we may not quite forget , Nor so long , that there , may at length be lost Much real honour , and no little cost ; And which , perhaps , to bring now into mind By this expression , I am thus confin'd ; For Providence , did neither me restrain At this time , nor infuse these thoughts in vain . Ionick , Dorick , and Corinthians works , In which , an Architectors cunning lurks Apart , or inter-wove ( with that apply'd Whereby it may be richly beautifi'd ) I can conceive , as if I saw it made , And all which paintings thereunto can add . I know , as well as they who did behold That costly Show , what Silver , Silk and Gold , Pearls , Diamonds , and precious Rubies , can Contribute to adorn a horse or man. I have seen all materials which were thither , To make up that great triumph , brought together . Princes and Dukes , and Marquesses and Earls , Plebeians , Men and Women , Boyes and Girls , As many thousands as then present were I did as well imagine to be there As if I them had seen ; and can suppose Not only what is acted at such Shows , But also , more than was at any one Since first the Roman Triumphs were begun , And fancy by my self such glorious things As would quite beggar Emperors and Kings To represent them . So , by being there I had but seen a meaner Show than here My fancy could have made ; and what had I Been then , I pray , advantaged thereby ? What had I gained then , by sitting long And paying , to be crowded in a throng ? What great contentment could I have deriv'd From what Mechanick Artists had contriv'd , Compar'd to that which my imagination Contriv'd in honour of that Coronation ? At which the Trophies cost , at most , no more Than would have made some needy persons poor ? I seldom took , at any time much pleasure In Shows , which ev'ry vulgar eye can measure ; And time and cost require to make them gay , Yet in a moment vanish quite away , Behinde them leaving nothing that conduces To Pious , Moral , or to Civil uses . What though I did not see the King that day ? I did in my Confinement , for him pray As heartily as any person there , And , GOD , perhaps , assoon the same will hear , Although my Tongue was not then heard among Those Acclamations of the vulgar throng , Which did salute his ear ; my silent Voice Wing'd with Devotion ( though it made no noise ) Ascended Heav'n , and may bring blessings down , Which will conduce to setling of his Crown , If he unfix it not by mis-endeavour , Or , valuing of the Gift more than the Giver . I do presume his duties on that day He did discharge ; and ( wishing others may Perform their dues to him ) do not envy The glory of that day's Solemnity To him , for whom 't was purpos'd , nor the sight , Thereof , to those who took therein delight ; But wish'd , both might be perfectly contented In what was at that present represented ; And hope , nought was to him ascribed then , Which rather appertains to GOD than Men : For , when to Hereds eloquent Orations The people gave blasphemous Acclamations , And he that honour to himself apply'd , Whereby , GOD ought to have been glorifi'd , The Doom , which that offence did on him bring , Made him a lifeless , and a louzie King. Of these things my confinement did produce Some thoughts , which are perhaps of some good use . I , likewise exercis'd my Meditation , That day , on other things which have relation To what was then in act ; and mus'd upon That , which occasion gave of things then done , On some now past , and upon other some Which probably will be in time to come . I mus'd upon the Changes , and the Chances , The Publick Troubles , and Deliverances Which I have seen . I seriously did ponder GODS , and Mens actions joyntly and asunder ; Our foolish Projects , his wise Providences , Both in their Progress , and their Consequences . I thought both on the People and the King , What good or evil possibly might spring From their deportments towards one another Now by GODS mercy they are brought together . On those too , in particular , I thought Whom , GOD into his power hath lately brought : How great , erewhile , his wants and sufferings were , What , his enjoyments at this present are ; And , on some other matters , not a few , Which these , to my consideration drew , And which perhaps , that day had been by none Mus'd on , so much , had I not been alone . Moreover it occasion'd thoughts of that Which to a Nobler Object doth relate ; Even to that Kingdom , King , and Coronation , That should be thought on with more veneration Than all the Monarchs in their greatest glory , Who now live , or are memoriz'd in story . My Contemplation , with as much content , As others had , to me did represent That DAY wherein CHRIST through Ierusalem Rode meekly on an Ass , whilst after him The people throng'd or laqued by his side , And voluntarily HOSANNA cry'd , Yet afterward pursuing him with scorns Cry'd Crucifie , and crowned him with Thorns ; And this , me thought , was so considerable , That it made all our Pomp seem despicable . For , then my Muses drew me by degrees , To meditate on what my soul fore-sees Concerning them , who , whilst they do pretend CHRIST's Kingdom , do pursue another end ; And that , which for his glory was bestown , Make use of , for advancement of their own . Not seldom , likewise , I then thought upon Those many thousand families undone , Who sit and weep through want of what that day Was wastfully and vainly , thrown away , At such a time , wherein both Man and GOD , Proceedings lookt for in another mode , And when , our publick hazards and distress , Requir'd another way of thankfulness . Upon that solemn day , ( not without wonder ) I saw and heard , the Lightning , rain , and thunder Wherewith GOD seem'd to answer and out-vy Our Guns and fire-Works , ( though I was not nigh ) And such-resemblance had the works of Art , To Nature's , that they could not be apart Distinguish'd ; but that , to prevent our error , The last was loudest , and infus'd more terrour . This , I observed well ; and furthermore Took special heed , that nigh two Moneths before , And likewise ever since , from Rainy weather We were not oft free , one whole day together , Until that Royal Triumph was begun , Nor till that moment wherein it was done : Yet , durst I not be so prophane , to say ( As one hath writ ) it dar'd not rain that day . Nor at that time , Flaminian like , durst I Conjecture by a Heathenish Augurie What GOD thereby intended : but , with awe Consider'd upon what I heard and saw : And I confess , the Lightning , Rain , and Thunder At this our Seed-time , caused me to ponder On that , which Sumuel prayed GOD to send In Harvest-time , and what that did portend ; Which I conceive to be a Meditation Not then improper , for my Contemplation . And , though some peradventure may suspect That these expressions , may some way reflect On what concerns them , it concerns him more Whose cause and honour I prefer before All earthly things ; and can be not afraid , Who ere shall be displeas'd with what I 've said ; For , I was barr'd from seeing what is done By men ; that , GODS works might be mused on . Such things , although we then much mind them not , Should not amidst our Triumphs be forgot ; And , that , ( which then by me was thought upon ) Much more effectually , perhaps , was done In this condition which I now am in , Than could in that state , wherein I have been : Forgot therefore , by others , if it be It will seem no great wonderment to me ; For , who remember Iosephs in their sports , Or in the jollities at Princes Courts ? Confinement ( which I once a damage thought ) To me , hath other priviledges brought . It manifests apparently to me Who are my Kinsmen , who my Neighbours be ; And whether he who passeth by me than , Be Levite , Priest , or a Samaritan : For , Neighbourhood and Kindred , he best tryes That 's robbed , wounded , or imprison'd lyes . In Liberty , I sometimes doubted whether They , who then came to visit me , were either My Friends or Foes , for , I found other while They whom I trusted most , did most beguile . But , few or none my Visitants now are Save they , whose Visitations are sincere ; The Friends I got , when I did walk abroad I gain'd my self : These , are made mine by GOD. These were acquired without pains or cost ; Not won by merit , nor by small faults lost . The first , were for prosperity decreed , The latter , for my help , in time of need , And sought my Body out , unknown before Because , they heard it was distrest , and poor ; Which hath to me , Confinement sweeter made , Than all the Freedoms which I lately had ; And , me , with that Communion of the Saints , Experimentally , it now acquaints , Which , in this life enjoyed is , by all , Who , in the life to come , enjoy it shall , A Prison , cannot dreadful seem to me , For , there I first was taught my A , B , C , In Sufferings : There , when I had scarcely past Mine Nonage , to be schooled I was place't . And , so long as the Providence of GOD , Was pleas'd , that , to instruct me with that Rod , I should continue my abiding there , Princes , my Tutors , and Correctors were . A Prison , is that House of Discipline , Wherein the MARTYRS usually begin To be Probationers ; it is the Colledge Of SAINTS , wherein experimental knowledge Is first acquired by a carnal sense Of that , which tries their Christian patience . Prisons , to them , are sanctified Temples , Wherein , they by their meekness and examples Preach to the world by Deeds ( a powerful way ) What , many other do but meerly say . And , as our Prelates , in each Cathedral Have several places , which they please to call More or less holy : so , there likewise be Imprisonments of differing degree : The Outer-ward , an entertainment gives Most commonly to Murtherers and Thieves , Or , such like malefactors , who displease The world sometimes , and interrupt her ease , For which they are confin'd , till their just guerdon They shall receive , or bribe her for a pardon ; And whereto she gives all advantages That may in Prisons granted be to these . But , all her Prisoners are not confin'd To Wards , and Receptacles of one kind . The Inner-wards , which do to me appear The same that Chancels unto Churches are , Are not made use of ( except now and then ) But for most holy and Religious men . The deepest Dungeons be reserv'd for those Who dare our Vices , or her Lusts oppose ; Or , things repugnant to our ends profess , ( When mov'd thereto by conscientiousness ) And , whosoere presumes to plead their cases , As Innocents , doth hazard in like places His own Restraint ; or else unto suspects , Which peradventure may have worse effects . Yet , Freedom yields to none so much content , As these enjoy , by such Imprisonment . For , they with inward comforts are delighted , Whilst they with outward darkness are benighted : And sweet Refreshments , in amongst them come When they are throng'd up in a nasty Room . When , they of their familiars are depriv'd , They are by those , who knew them not , reliev'd ; When they from earthly men , fast lockt have been , Celestial Angels have sometime broke in ; Knockt off their chains ; the gates and doors unbar'd The Prison shook ; the sturdy Iaylor scarr'd And made him ( falling down before them too ) Cry , Men and Brethren , say , what shall we do ? A Prison is the best retiring Room That can be got ; the best Museolum For him , wherein to contemplate , that would Those Objects without fallacy behold , Which most concern him ; or would notions have Of what he ought to do , hope or believe ; For , most of those things , which abroad he spies , Either delude his ears , or blind his eyes , Pervert his Iudgement , or withdraw his mind From that , wherein his welfare he might find . A Prison is a place ; which he that can Make use of , as becomes a prudent man , Findes there , more lasting , and more perfect solace Than in the greatest earthly Princes Pallace , And , when he knows what Priviledges are In this condition , will scorn all that 's there . In Prison , quickly , understand he shall The worst that can to him , at last , befall . There , he may notice take , how most men pother Themselves ; what plagues they are unto each other . How , causelesly men terrified are By those , to whom they dreadful would appear ; And , peradventure , if they patient be That , they pursued by their Foes will see , By which their self-destruction shall be wrought , And those freed , whom , they into bondage brought . There , they may learn , that to make black or white , One hair , or add one straws-breadth to their height Care nought avails ; and in that poor estate To laugh at all the worlds despight and hate : For , over them , no power then left she hath , Except of prosecuting them to death , Which them ten thousand fold will happier make Than all , that she can either give or take . These are such benefits as I enjoy , By what , now seems my Freedom to destroy . In Prison , too , this Priviledge I have , That , living , I descend into my Grave , And by my Contemplation can fore-see What my condition in that place will be . I search it to the bottom , by that spark Of Light , which shineth brightest in the dark . The terrours of that Dungeon I fore-stall , I , ( as it were ) pre-act my Funeral , And in a manner also , see and hear What will be said and done , when I am there ; Which are advantages not to be known , Whilst in the world I flutter up and down . In Prison also , when least room I have , And close am kept , I , far beyond the Grave Do Prospects view ; and can see pretty well What may concern men , both in Heaven and Hell ; Whereof , if here I should my knowledge speak Them , for Phanatick dreams , the world would take ; And not believe the things I could declare , Because , she knows that I was never there ; And , therefore , I le proceed again to show What , my Experiments are here below . Restraint , from me , hath totally shut out That frivelous , and that offensive Rout , Which interrupts my Musings with discourse That 's either wholly vain , or somewhat worse : For , to nought else , it for the most part tends But fruitless complements , or graceless ends ; And , what among us , is at meetings blown , Wrongs other mens affairs , or else our own , Whereas , our words whilst here we are together , Tend to the edifying of each other , In Faith or Manners ; or else , to improve That Hope , that Meekness , Constancy and Love Which may enable , patiently to bear Those Burthens , wherewith we oppressed are : And , when our Bodies are asunder gone , We never leave each other quite alone ; For , we ( ev'n when corporeally apart ) Are present , both in Spirit and in Heart . Though this Fraternity did often minde me , Till my Imprisonment they could not finde me , Nor did I know their persons . Thou , therefore Oh foolish world , to my content add'st more By my Restraint , than if to me were given All carnal Freedoms on this side of Heaven ; And , if this be the great'st harms thou canst do , Prethee , let every spight thou dost be two . But , all the comforts which best friends afford , ( As they are men ) may prove like Ionah's Gourd , For , as next morning , that , did wither quite Which GOD did cause to spring up in one night , So , when the Sun burns , or a sharp wind blows , This may as quickly fade , as it arose : For , Death or Injuries , do every day Take those mens lives , or , their estates away Who are most charitable , and , of bread They may have need , by whom I have been fed , For , unto all men underneath the Sun That may betide which doth befall to one . Not therefore , upon those things which GOD sends , But , on himself alone , my soul depends : Here , all my confidence , vain world , is place't , Or else I might be ruined at last ; And all my present hopes , as vain would be , As if I had repos'd my trust in thee . By this Restriction , not a few temptations Will be repelled ; many deviations Of mine prevented ; duties better done ; Things which have been forgot , more thought upon ; It peradventure may prepare me too , For what I 'm yet to suffer and to do , Much better than that Freedom did , or could , Which , by the Common Tenure I did hold : And who knows , but some corporal mis-hap I may or did by this Restraint escape , Which might have else befell me when together The people throng'd and trod upon each other . Which , though no more but shunning so much harm , As breaking of a neck , a legg , or arm , Were considerable , and ten to one Such mis-adventures daily fall upon Some persons unconfin'd , when they least dread them , Because , where dangers are , they little heed them . Scap'd I no more here , than that slavish load Of Complementings , wherewithall abroad Men tire themselves , and others ; that , alone Sufficient were , if well consider'd on , To make amends for all the sufferings Which my confinement now upon me brings . For , as to pay this life , I am a debter To Nature , and then hope to have a better , My Wants , Restraints , and Poverty do less Afflict my Body , by all that distress Now laid upon it , than my soul hath been To hear and see , what I have heard and seen , Whilest I had liberty abroad to go , And hear and see , what many say and do : With what dissembling Complements , Caresses , Affected Speeches , flattering Addresses , And false Pretendings , men of ev'ry sort Do cheat , fool , claw , and one another court , As if they did Realities intend When , in meer Nullities , at last they end . How , Letters , Promises , Vows , Declarations , Orders , Oaths , Covenants , and Protestations Annihilated are , and turn to smoak Or stinks , which rather poison us , and choak Than truly nourish ; and how they go on In acting still , such things as they have done Who are destroyed ; and yet , nere the less , Dream they pursue the waies of Happiness . I am , as well pleas'd , with my sad condition , As others , with what they have in fruition , And , if desire a longer life I could , For nothing else the same desire I should , Except it were that I might live to see What GOD will do , and what their end will be . Frequent I cannot , with conveniency ( As lately , when I had my Liberty , I might have done ) the Publick Congregation ; But , I , upon GOD's Word , by meditation , ( To exercise my self ) may set apart The time they dedicate ; and both my heart And my best Faculties , employ that day , In preaching somewhat to the world my way Which will advance GOD's glory , and improve My Brethren in good life , hope , faith , and love : Or , that prepare , which thereunto may tend , When Daies and Times , with me will have an end : And , GOD ( I know ) confines not Saving Graces To ordinary Means , Forms , Times , or Places , Nor is displeased when his services Endeavour'd are , without contentiousness , As we are able , and with upright heart , Though of our duties we may fail in part . Some other Notions , which in this estate Are apprehended , I might now relate , Which further may illustrate those mis-haps That man by an Imprisonment escapes But , they are Trifles to what I possess , In my constrained Solitariness . For , though it be not what I might have chose ( Had I been left unto mine own dispose ) It proves much better : and for that respect What I most naturally do affect I dare not absolutely to request , ( Much less make choice of ) but to him that best Knows what 's best for me , wholly have resign'd Both mine own self , and things of ev'ry kind . 'T is he , who hath assign'd this lot , and all What ere it be , which thereby doth befall ; And , this Restraint , not only makes him dearer To me , but also , to him , draws me nearer , So that the more my troubles do increase , The nearer unto him is my access . He , fortifies my confidence in him , And heartens me , the World thus to contemn , As boldly as if doubtless cause there were For her to fear me , more than I fear her . I have my fears , but they are nothing else Save what Perdues and Scouts , and Centinels Are to an Army : they do not dis-heart A valiant Souldier ; though they make him start At first Alarm ; but cause him to prepare For those assaults , which nigh approaching are . When I am judged , in an undone-case , Because , confin'd , in wants , and in distress ; When all my outward Comforters are gone , And , I lie musing on my bed alone Of what I knew before , or heard that day ; Of what my Friends fear , and my Foes do say ; What men they are , who seem with me offended , What is already done , and what intended ; Sometimes a little shuddring doth begin , As if a panick-fear were breaking in , Which he marks , ere to me it doth appear Forthwith , steps down betwixt me and that fear Supplies defects , expelleth doubts and sadness , Replenisheth my heart with sober gladness , About me sets his Angels , watch to keep , And ( as to his beloved ) gives me sleep . These things considered , Prisons and Restraints ( Which have been long , the portion of the Saints ) Are not alone things little to be fear'd , But also many times to be preferr'd Before those Liberties , and all those things That can be found in Palaces of Kings ; What ere their flatterers are pleas'd to say , By fruitless hopes , to drive their fears away . For , more are there endanger'd , more destroy'd : There , many times , is less content enjoy'd , Less outward safety , and a great deal less Of what conduceth to true happiness , Than in a Prison : And who ere well heeds What , there is done , and what thereon succeeds Will finde cause , their condition to bewail Sometimes , much more , than his that 's in a Gaol . For , errors flowing from Prosperity Indanger more , because unseen they lie . Men may by their Afflictions be prepar'd For whatsoere can follow afterward , And are oft fitted by a lingring grief , For future happiness in death or life : But , while corrupted by excessive Treasures , Befool'd with honours , and bewitch'd with pleasures , The cause of self-destruction still they nourish ; They grow as brutish as the beasts that perish ; And , daily so besotted , by degrees That , sense of their humanity they leese ; So long dream , they are GOD's ( or somewhat greater , Till they are Devils , or but little better ; And suddenly , when they think all goes well , Sink from supposed Happiness to HELL . Most men , ( yea very many of the best ) Their Talents , till they Palm-like down are prest , Improve not ; nor their Duties truly do , Till by Afflictions they are whipt thereto . A Prison , was long time the School , wherein Chast Ioseph those progressions did begin , Which , him forth from obscurity did bring To be the second person to a King. Ionas was not obedient to GOD'S Call Till he , both by a Storm , and by a Whale , Was disciplin'd : And , if I had a thought My duties were performed as they ought In any thing , affirmed it should be That , thereto my Afflictions fitted me : For , such like Simples , as I am , require To make them yield forth Oyl , the Press , or Fire , My Flinty-nature gives not out one spark To light my self , or others in the dark , Till knockt with Steel . This knowledge I have gain'd Of mine own temper , and it is unfain'd . To be imprison'd , slander'd , or made poor , Shall therefore , henceforth , frighten me no more , Nor make me , whilst I live asham'd of either Of those three Lots , nor of them altogether . Priests , Prophets , Kings and Saints , yea ( whilst abode He made on earth ) the glorious Son of GOD Was pleased to submit to all of them ( But to the latter two in an extream ) And , with such Company , I le undergo My share , and think , I 'm thereby honour'd too . To this effect , much more might here be said , But , this will be sufficient , if well weigh'd , Which , I suspect ; for , very few men heed , Or mind , long , what they hear , or what they read . SLANDER is more Beneficiall than PRAISE . WHo , can express the pain of being stung With such a fiery Serpent as the TONGUE ? Or , what can cure it , but his being ey'd , Whom , once , the Brazen Serpent typifi'd ? 'T is far more sharp than Arrows , Darts or Spears ; Down to the heart , it pierces through the ears ; Not only wounds , but frighteth also more Than murthring Canons , when they loudest roar ; Afflicteth us , whilst here we draw our breath , And , Gangreeve-like , so spreadeth after death ( Ev'n to posterity upon our Names ) That it destroys the life of honest Fames . This sury SLANDER , hath been quarter'd long , In Rotten-Row , and Hart-street , at the Tongue ; Her Magazeens and Forges are all there , The Shop at which she vents them , is the Ear , In ev'ry Town and City ; and no places Or persons , her aspersions and disgraces Can long avoid : For , ev'ry where she scatters That shot wherewith the Forts of Fame she batters . So venemous it is , that every touch Proves mortal , or indangers very much , And nothing shooteth more impoysoned pellets , Except it be the flatteries of Prelates . I must confess , that many years ago I therewith have been often wounded so That , very well , content I could have been To lye down , where I might no more be seen ; And , my stupidity is not , yet , such As not to feel indignities as much As any man : But , I have learned how To change my Sicknesses to Physick , now : And when the world intendeth me a shame By retroversion to convert the same To that , which from be spattrings purifies , And makes me both her Blame and Praise despise , No more displeas'd , or pleased therewithall Than if a whibling Cur , should fawn or bawl . For , unto those Oppressions , heretofore And now lay'd on me , whatsoever more The world shall add ; though they a while oppress , Will , shortly , make them , not alone much less But , also none at all ; and wheel about Upon her self , as soon as my Turn's out . Praise , is a pleasing thing , to flesh and blood , Yet , often doth it much more harm than good ; Puffs up with Pride , ore-weening and vain glory , Or , with affection to things transitory Beyond a safe Mean ; and makes men suppose Themselves to be , what ev'ry neighbour knows They are not ; yea , what they themselves do see They neither are , nor possibly can be . Whereas , to be without a cause despis'd , Disprais'd , reproach'd , scoft , jeer'd and scandaliz'd , An undue self-opinion doth remove True Meekness and Humility improve ; Brings Constancy and Patience to their tryal , And , at the last , to such a Self-denial , As in the close will more contentment give us Than all , whereof a Slander can deprive us . The flatteries of his Lords , made Joash stumble , Reviling speeches , made King David humble , Good men , by praises , oft , are evil made , But , by Reproaches harm they never had . The World , which best is pleas'd with her own baubles For that false titulary honor scrabbles , Which is compos'd of aiery Attributes , Or , which opinion only constitutes : And , all her happiness , dependant seems On vulgar approbations and esteems , Which are , indeed , her Portion : but , to those , Who can look both beyond , and through the Shows , That such Toies make , nought therein doth appear To merit their desire , love , hate or fear : And , therefore , they respect them , ( come , or go ) As Reason them obliges thereunto , Or , as things , which ( if grace divine be granted ) them , Indifferently , may be possest or wanted ; Make such use as they serve to , whilst they have And yield them , when resum'd , to those who gave them . For , had external honours in this place , Been truly more essential than disgrace , To happiness eternal ; CHRIST had waved The scandals of the Cross ; we had been saved And sanctifi'd should be without those troubles , Scorns and reproaches , which the world now doubles And may redouble : yea , in vain had he A promise made , that they should blessed be Who in his sufferings do with him partake , And are reproach'd and slander'd for his sake . These things consider'd , I am at full rest ; Slanders infringe not my chief interest . Good or Ill Words will me no more concern When I am dead , than when I was unborn . And , whilst I live , ( as is inferr'd before ) They harm a little , and they profit more . If Scandals neither mend nor mar my health , Increase not troubles , nor decrease my wealth , Save in opinion onely ; all those lostes Are cur'd , if my vote , that opinion crosses . And ( prare who list ) I will as merry bee As is a Pye upon a Cherry-tree . Praise , or dispraises , if so be my heart Assures , that neither of them by desert To mee belongs , my own Phanatick brain Is cause of all , where of I do complain , Or take delight in : praise , blame , bless , or curse , I am no whit the better , or the worse ; And , all men are as much concern'd as I In what 's then spoken be it Truth , or Lye. If of a hundred Crimes I guilty were , All which , as evidently did appear , As in a cloudless day , the Sun at noon ; The world , but as the spots within the Moon , Would look upon them , if , for my defence I have a face well braz'd with impudence ; An Oily Tongue , a Crocodiles moist eye , Can finde great Friends , bribe , flatter , fawn and lye , Ore-awe my neighbours , or , my self express A friend to them , in their licentiousnesse . But , were I , both in words and deeds , as free From just reproof , as mortal man may be , Had I , but one great neighbour , who envies All men suppos'd more honest , or more wise , Than hee is thought ; therewith a neighbourhood , Which takes delight in nothing that is good ; Abhorring all , as their injurious foes , Who , them , in their unrighteous waies oppose ; Or , if I be constrained to have dealing , With such , by some relation , or nigh dwelling , Who think , there 's nothing rational or just , But , what tends to their profit , or their lust ; It is impossible to scape the wrongs Of wicked hands , or of malicious tongues : And , therefore , he , with whom it thus doth fare Must study patience , how his lot to bear ; And in this case , can look for no defence But from GODS Justice , and his Innocence , Which is sufficient unto them that know What consolations from those fountains flow . What , is there to be fear'd in Slandrous Tales , Whether , they shall be either true or false ? A false Report more mischieves those who spread it , Than harmeth me . If it impairs my credit , I may recover it again ere long , And also peradventure , by that wrong Improve some Vertue , or abate some Pride , Within my self till that time , unespy'd . Although hard words , give harder knocks than stones , And crack our Credits , yet , they break no Bones ; And , if unjustly thrown , by spightful fingers , They prove most mischievous unto their flingers . One fault which Conscience findes , afflicts me more Than twenty slanders , yea than twenty score : So long as that lyes quietly in me , I shall not care who my Accusers be ; And , when that shall accuse me ( as sometime It doth ) I sue out an Appeal to him Who straight acquits me ; else I must confess I should as much fear mine own Righteousness As all my Sins ; for , I esteem them both Alike impure , and as a menstruous cloath . If I am justly blam'd for things misdone , Or , for faults wherein I am going on , It doth by bringing on me shame of face , Repentance bring , and to that , state of Grace From which I falling was ; and stay the course Which might have drawn me on from bad to worse , Until , that by habituated sin , Endless Impenitency had broke in : Much more , therefore , to these I am a debter Who speak ill , than to those men who speak better Than I deserve : And , though that in their ends They differ , they may be as useful friends Who speak of me opprobriously , sometimes , As they , who praise me , or excuse my crimes . For , I have long observ'd that all Relations , Nigh or far off ( what ever Obligations Have nearly joyned them , or whatsoere Their Quarrels , Bonds , or Disobligements are ) Be ( for the most part ) either friends or foes , But , as a prosp'rous , or a cross wind blows ; Or , as their inter'st or Expectancy May be secur'd , or doth at hazzard lye . The Love or Hatred , which I finde in them , Differs but in the Measure , or the Time , Or , in th' Occasions , which have them inclin'd , To friendliness , or else to be unkinde . They frown or smile they praise , or they disgrace , Destroy and save , and stab , or else imbrace , Even as the fit which comes upon them , takes them , And either pleased , or displeased makes them . Such will their words and deeds be then to thee , What ere thou art to them , or they to thee . As bitter Language , I have heard 'twixt those That were dear Lovers , as 'twixt greatest Foes , Yea , and more bitter too , in some respects Considering their Causes and Effects . A Foes Revilings very sharp appear , But , when our Friends exasperated are With , or without Cause given of offence , There is between them greater difference ( Or at the least , but very little less ) Than tasted is between the bitterness Of unpeel'd Wallnut-kernels , and strong Gall , VVhen with our tongues distinguish them we shall . Moreover , I have sometimes also seen That , they , who have unto each other been Most mischievous , so reconcil'd together ( Though little vertue hath appear'd in either ) So kind in words and deeds , for outward ends , And , so ingaged mutually as friends In their Concernments , as if they had never At variance been ; but , hearty friends for ever . VVhich , when I mind , I neither pleasure have In Praises , nor do slanders me bereave Of much content , from whom soe're they come , So long as I finde Innocence at home ; Nor , in my own respect at any time , So griev'd am I , as otherwhile for them VVho have mis-censur'd me ; because I know From what distempers usually they flow ; And that the sob'rest and the wisest men Have some Deliriums on them now and then . Exception is not alwayes to be took By what shall by a Friend or Foe be spoke : For , men in passion , whether they appear . Pleas'd or displeas'd , speak few things as they are , Nor alwayes as they think , but , rather say That , which the passion bearing then chief sway Transports them to ; although a wound it give To their own souls , which pains them whilst they live . But , Friends and Foes , both good and ill report , And , all terrestrial things of every sort , VVill shortly have an end ( with me at least . ) The worst , as well as that whereof the best Esteem I had , will into nothing fly : My Slanders , and my Slanderers will dye . At present , therefore them no more I dread Than if I saw they were already dead ; And , that which dead or living , shall to me Befall , will equally forgotten be . By living , I , their scandals may out-live , And good proofs of my innocency give . VVhen I am dead , what ever men shall please To speak or do , it cannot me disease : And , they who after death do men defame , Or shall expose their bodies unto shame , Bring that dishonour which they did intend To others , on themselves , at latter end : Yea , make some question , and suspect their merits ; Repute them persons of ignoble spirits ; And , what they hoped should confirm their peace , Their terrours and their dangers will increase . Slanders ( though poyson in themselves ) have been To me a precious Antidote for sin , Preventing , not a few times more than one , That , wherein else perhaps I had mis-done , ( And I , thereby , effects like his have found Who had a Sickness cured by a wound ) Whereas , contrariwise , a vain Applause Of sins or follies , are a frequent cause . I well remember , that , when I was young ( And in both kinds an Object of the Tongue , As now I am ) I reaped , many wayes , By Slanders , much more profit than by Praise . For , Praises made me sometimes over-ween , And ( as if no defects in me had been ) Neglect the means , that , supplements might add To what , I more in Show , than Substance had . It , likewise , me to envy did expose , From which great disadvantages arose , And scandals , without cause : But Grace divine Cross'd thereby , what the Devil did design : For , Defamation , so soon was begun , That , what it charg'd me with , was never done . That , sin prevented was , and many more By sending of the Scandal forth before The Crime was acted ; So , into a Blessing A Curse was turn'd , which merits this confessing ; And also , me obliges , all my dayes , On all occasions , to give GOD the praise ; For , if , perhaps it had over-flowed then , The stream had never kept his bounds again . The scoffs and jeers , cast on me by the Rimes Of some reputed Poets in these times Have been my great advantage : for , th' esteem Which in my youthful dayes I had of them Had else perhaps , from my simplicity Drawn me , by their familiarity To those affected Vanities with which They have infected fools , and claw'd their itch . Were I but as ambitious of that name A POET , as they are , and think I am , It might a little vex me , when I hear How often , in their Pamphlets me they jear , Because , Truth seasonably I convey To such as need it , in a homely way , Best pleasing unto those who do not care To crack hard shells in which no kernels are ; Or for strong Lines , in which is little found , Save an affected phrase , and empty sound . But , I do read them with a smiling pitty To finde them to be wicked , who are witty . At their Detractions , I do not repine ; Their Poems I esteem as they do mine : Their Censures , I with sleighting overpass , Who , like words without sense , wit without grace ; And , better am contented , without cause To hear their mis-reports , than their Applause . As also , that , they should by Pantaloons Admired be , and honour'd by Buffoons . Yea , as Iob said , should they a Book compile Against me ( as they may , and did erewhile ) I would receive it , on my shoulders bear it , And as a Crown , upon my head would wear it . My fearleness of SLANDERS doth not flow From Ignorance , which hinders me to know How , I am scandaliz'd : for it appears In Print and I have heard it through both ears . I daily hear what ignominious lyes Detraction , to defame me doth devise . I know , whence they proceed ; whereto they tend , In what likewise they possibly may end : And it would stagger and affright me too , Unless I knew the worst , all this could do For , they , who Idolize the Prelacy Impute to me no less than Blasphemy , And Sacriledge : And , I may well expect That , when their hopes have taken full effect , Though they with me at present , do but dandle , They then will curse me with Bell , Book and Candle . How ever , for their persons I will pray : For , malice hath not mov'd me to gain-say Their Prelacy ; nor hope to get again What they usurp , and doth to me pertain : But , meerly conscientiousness of that Which in my place I vow'd to vindicate . Some , call me Traytor too ; but well I wot , They do not so beleeve , or know me not . I never did betray my trust to any , Though I my self have been betray'd by many . With Traytors I have numbred beenf or one , And serv'd their ends , yet I my self was none : For , if like Absolone they did pretend To Sacrifice , and had another end , I went on in simplicity of heart , And did not from my Principles depart . If they intended , or committed Treason , I wronged not my Conscience , or my Reason . By ought mis-done , except it were , perchance , Through over-sight , or else through Ignorance ; For which , the Plagues now Epidemical , To me , as unto other men befall . I never was in any factious Plot , Nor likely seems it , by what I have got , That , with them in their Actings , I was one VVho , thriv'd by those designs they carried on , Though being subject to the present Law , I now do suffer , like Jack Fletchers Daw. But , howsoere , I seem to merit blame None , to the King , are truer than I am . Yet , if in Fame , we credit may repose , I am designed to be one of those , VVho shall not be vouchsaf'd that Common grace , VVhich at his Coronation granted was . GOD's will be done : Perhaps , the King well knows I need not , what on others he bestows ; Or , to me , singly , will his favour show , That I his Magnanimity may know ; And , that he will more gracious be to those VVho , him did not maliciously oppose , Than they , whom I did serve , were to their friends , Because they did not serve them , to their ends . But , if Report hath not divulg'd a Lye , VVhat , can I lose , or others get thereby ? My whole estate , already is bereft , And , what will there be found , where's nothing left ? My life , you 'l say ; Alas ! that 's little worth , It hath been wasting , ever since my birth ; And ( when it was at best ) too poor a thing , To satisfie the Vengeance of a King. It will to most men seem ridiculous , To hear a Lion Rampant , kill'd a Mouse , Or , see an Eagle stoop down from on high , To trusse a Titmouse , or a Butterfly . The dread of such a loss will not come neer me , For , Age will shortly kill me , though he spare me ; And , when there 's no conveniency of living , Life , neither is worth asking or the giving . But GOD's intentions , and the hearts of Kings , Are such inscrutable and hidden things , That , none can search their bottomes ; then much less Can they be fathom'd by maliciousness . Their wayes of working their own pleasures out , Are , many times , by wheeling round about , By cross and counter-actings , and by those Which seem'd their own Designments to oppose . The faithfull'st men , they do expose oft-times To hazzards ; or wirh such as are for crimes Condemn'd , they number them ; or , prove them by Desertions , dis-respects , and Poverty ; And , frequently , do fit them for those places Wherein they best may serve them , by disgraces ; But principally , at those times , wherein , Hypocrisie , becomes the Reigning-sin . More things I might insert , which have relations In this kinde , to my own prevarications , And , to th' Improvements , which have oft ensu'd By Scandals , which I then would have eschew'd . But , my Experiments will work on none , VVho cannot by their own , be wrought upon . Consider therefore all ye unto whom This Writing , by GOD's providence doth come , VVhat , in your selves and others , you have heeded , VVhich hath from Slanders , and from Praise proceeded ; And , you shall finde more by the last undone Than by the former , at least , ten to one . According to our Proverb , the Bell clinketh Just so , as in his fancy , the fool thinketh And , they who flattring praises love to hear , Immediately , such to themselves appear , As represented by their Parasite , Though no more like than Black-swans are to white . Such Panegyricks I have sometime seen That , hard to be resolved , it had been , By him , whose judgement you therein should crave , Whether , the Panegyrist were more knave Than he was Fool , for whom , the same was made : But , of their equal Impudence I had No doubt at all , when wistly I had heeded What one gave , tother took , and what succeeded . For , I have oftentimes observ'd , thereby , Good Men deprav'd ; Great Men , to Tyranny Incouraged ; That , which is due to men By Natures Law , at first , they seize and then Those Attributes , at last , intrude upon That ought to be ascrib'd to GOD alone . Which evidences , that , Immodest Praise Is worse than Slander , and a ground-work layes , Whereon a superstructure may be built , To sink the Builders , down to shame and guilt . SLANDERS , and Persecutions of the Tongue A portion likewise is , which doth belong Unto the Saints ; and sanctifi'd they are By him , with whom , an individual share Each must expect ; we , do but only sup At brim , he drunk the bottome of the Cup : We altogether merited the blame , He underwent the sorrow and the shame . False witnesses against him were suborn'd ; His Glory was to his dishonour turn'd ; His nearest friends forsook him , and forswore him , His foes preferr'd a Murtherer before him ; His Innocency not alone reproaching , But , likewise most injuriously incroaching : Upon his righteous person , him pursu'd Till by a shameful death , he death subdu'd , And breaking from the grave , to Heav'n ascended , By Angels to Immortal Life attended ; Where , now inthron'd , he Thrones prepared hath For all , who follow him in that rough path ; And every slander , scorn , reproach and shame , He suffr'd here , adds glory to his Name . This is the way , and hath been ever since , Through which all men must pass , who go from hence To that Eternity , where shall be worn The Robes of honour , when the Rags of scorn Shall off be thrown . On him I fix mine eyes , And , that , will me enable to despise Terrestrial shame and honour : That , makes all My troubles , when at greatest , seem but small . That , makes me , whilst my Body is confin'd , Take pleasure , in the freedomes of the Minde ; Not dreading present , or ensuing wrongs , Of wicked hands , or of malicious tongues . This Paradox , it helps me to maintain , That , where the Grace of GOD is not in vain , More profit , bitterest reproach affords , Than all the worlds Applauses , and fair words . Poverty is more profitable than Riches . ANother Black-Guard hath beleagur'd me , That , seems to be the worst of all the three For , therewith , whosoever hath to do , Still is in danger of these other two , Imprisonment and Slander , who attend On Poverty unto her latter end . Yet , whatsoever in her self she seem , She merits not a total dis-esteem : For , 't is an instrument of good and evil , Oft-times imploy'd against us by the Devil , And , oft by GOD himself , to such effects As may prevent the mischief he projects , By tempting to those manifold abuses Which Riches being mis-employ'd produces . There are two sorts of Poverty , that spring From diffring Roots ; effects they likewise bring Both diffring and alike : for , providence Maugre all humane wit and diligence , Makes many poor , and all their industries Rendreth successeless by Contingencies , VVhich no man can fore-see , or wholly shun VVho shall be thereby outwardly undone . This Poverty , afflicts , at first , as much As any , but , disparages not such As bear it well ; and though it grieveth many , ( Except by their own fault ) destroyes not any . The other sort , is sordid , vile , and base , Yet , draws her Pedigree , from such a Race , As doth in Country , City , and in Court Still bear an extraordinary port : For , by the Fathers , or the Mothers side , It sprung from Prodigality or Pride , Or , from Improvidence or Idleness , And , is indeed , near kin to all Excess , Though her Alliance , these , now scorn and wave , Because , that she is ragged , and they brave . She , at this present time , both against me And others is employ'd : But , though she be Made use of by the world ; yet , I well know The World it self abhors her as a foe , And , with a slavish dreadfulness doth fear her , On whatsoere occasion , shee comes near her . Yea , till this Bug-bear , was more known to mee , I , dreaded her almost as much as shee , And , did the best I could , to keep her from That nearness whereunto she now is come . For , he that would disgrace , and bring us to That State , which questionless might us undo , Let him but justly say that wee are poor , And , to destroy us , hee need say no more . VVhereas disgrac'd thereby we shall be much If , we continue to be very rich , Of whatsoever crime or crimes , we stand Convicted by the known Laws , of this Land. For , VVealth cannot alone our Pardons buy And blot out every former Infamy ; But , in a short time also , make us capable Of Trusts or places that be honourable ; Yea though they be those places which dispence To all the people , Law and Conscience ; And marry Ladies ( neither nor poor , nor painted ) As if our bloods had with no crimes been tainted . But , to be poor , implieth every whit , As if we had nor honesty , nor wit , And , every thing , which since our lives begun , VVee honestly , nor prudently have done , Shall so traduced be as if that nought Had e're by us , been well done , spoke , or thought . There , where we have been kindly entertain'd , A civil usage , hardly shall be daign'd . There , where we have been honour'd in times past , Neighbours and Kinsmen will their doors make fast ; Our old familiars will our persons shun , Like Rats , our Servants from the house will run , Which , then , will be a place of desolation , And few thenceforth approach our habitation , But , Serjeants , Shreeves , or Bayliffs ( beasts of prey ) That little , which is left , to fetch a way : And , when there doth remain nor sticks nor stones , Dead or alive , they 'l take our Flesh and Bones . If all I should expresse , that might be said In this kind , you would think mee still afraid Of Poverty ; and , that which I should speak , In some , perhaps , would such impressions make That , they with difficulty would beleeve What benefits I now thereby receive : Forbearing therefore , that which I might add I 'le tell what profits may thereby be had ; That , others ( who can think I do not lye ) May be no more afraid thereof than I : That , also , they who thereby grieved are , May in my Consolations have a share , To bear those burchens without discontent , Which are now on them , or seem imminent : For , little I will mention which was brought By reading , or by hearsay to my thought ; But , that Philosophy , which Reason teaches , ( Experience hath confirm'd , and GOD's Grace Unto my heart ; that , it may sympathize With their hearts , who the same shall not despise : preaches Which , though exprest in language rude and plain , Will , peradventure , to good use remain , When they , who of their Elegancies boast , Are , with their Kickshaws , in oblivion lost . When most are also , quite forgot , whom they Now dream , shall by their Poems , live for aye ; And , when , that , which they despicable deem , VVith wise and honest men , shall finde esteem . In my Restraint , I therefore , do not whine ; At my Reproaches , I do not repine , Nor murmure at my losses ; nor want sense Of that is in them , which may give offence . My seeming-friends , I must confess , are fewer , But , they whom now God gives mee are much truer ; For , these that now I have , I finde more willing To give a pound , than those to pay a shilling . Yet , some of these are so poor , that , I 'm fain Them , from their free Donations to restrain , Because , that of my Sufferings they are grown More sensible , than they are of their own . And this , an evidence of that doth give , VVhich pleaseth better than what I receive ; Since it demonstrates , GOD , hath in this Nation A people , capable of his compassion . I am not ignorant how much disgrace Is thrown on Poverty , nor in what base Account they are , who , thereby are constrain'd Meerly , by Charity , to bee maintain'd : Yet nought ashamed am of that estate VVhich most so scorn , and so abominate . For without loss of honour , men of merit , This Portion very many times inherit . Great Consuls , and renowned Generals ( In such an exigent as oft befalls To very many thousands in this Nation ) Have had relief without dis-reputation By Common Charity : and , Antient Story Hath kept memorials of it to their glory . But , I refer that which I might express ( To take this Blur off ) to another place . To have subsistance by meer Charity Is , to subsist by GOD , immediately , And , they are wicked , or , vain fools , at least , By whom those Exhibitions are disgrac't . For , very many of GOD's favourites Have been oft , thereby , from the worlds despights Preserv'd : yea , to the World , it would appear If shee would heed it , that , her Minions are Expos'd to such a Lot , and ( without shame ) Have been by Alms preserved as I am : And , not in those necessities alone , VVhich by mis-accidents are undergone , Are they reliev'd ; but , very many be Thereby likewise upheld , in that degree , VVhich much is honour'd ; yea , ev'n to Excesse , In outward splendor , and vain pompousnesse . For , this way , not alone are Monks and Friers Maintained , with their Abbots and their Priors , But , even the great Prelates , all their lives , By Charities abused Donatives ; And , yet as loftily advance their crest As if they had been Barons born , at least , Precedency usurping above those , By whom , they from obscurity arose . By most men , Poverty is thought so base , That , they repute it for the great'st disgrace VVhich can betide them , by what way soever It comes ; or howsoere they shall indeavour To keep it off ; and think it not their least Dishonour , when enforced to subsist By Charity , although it shall be used VVith thankfulness , and in no wise abused . And , many seek to turn it to my shame That I now brought to this condition am . Yet , what 's to mee befallen worse or more Than to good , wise , and great men heretofore ? Renowned Princes in preceding ages , Have sought , and had Supplies and Patronages . From Forein Kings and States , in their distresses VVithout reproach : yea , he that now possesses These three great Kingdomes was by indigence Constrained ( not a very long time since ) By Charity , to be both cloath'd and fed ; To slake his hunger with a poor mans bread , And , to accept it , not alone from those Who were his friends , but also from his soes , ( Whose gifts were baits , whose Table was a snare , And , of whom , if hee do not well beware , More mischief , and , dishonour will be done him Than by the Poverty then brought upon him . ) Some other persons also , of great birth , From place to place have wandr'd through the earth Maintain'd by the Charity alone , Sometime by many , and sometimes by one ; And other while , have seem'd so left by all , That they into great poverty did fall . Yet n'eretheless , whilst they have Preservation Retain still in the world some Reputation . They are meer fools , or worse , who do beleeve That , more disgrace , than these I can receive From such an In-come : for ( by what I gather From thence ) it is a real honour rather , That , GOD supplieth ( as it were ) from Heaven , When earthly wealth and honours are bereaven . When Israel had been Captiv'd sev'nty year , Hee made , even those , by whom inslav'd they were Them , from their tedious thraldome to redeem , VVhen there was none to help or pity them . It was their honour , that their preservation Should be vouchsafed , so to admiration , That Nations all , might in all times to come , By heeding it , consider well , from whom They must in such like cases aid expect ; And , that , though by a long delay'd effect They seem forgot , and outward hopes quite past , There will bee a Deliverer at last , By whom , those wants for which they have been scorn'd Shall , to their honour , certainly be turn'd . What is it more to my Dis-reputation That GOD provideth for my preservation By Charity , than 't is disgrace to those Who their Estates by Fire or Water lose And , thereupon the State vouchsafes a Breef , Whereby to ask , and to receive releef ? Nay , what supply can be so honourable As that , which from hearts , by hands charitable Is raised and conferr'd , ( unaskt , unsought ) By them , of whom I never heard , or thought ? This way ( which without shame I do confess ) GOD hath vouchsaf'd releef in my distress , To mee , as hee to men in like estate , Hath done in former times , and now of late . E're while at Piedmont in their persecutions Our Brethren hee reliev'd by contributions ; And , should I think it my disgrace can be That , hee doth for my family and mee Provide , as for a Nation ? I beleeve It blame deserv'd , if so I should conceive . Though I had ask'd ; what without asking came , None could impute it justly to my blame All things consider'd : for , a Publick Score , Demonstrates , that this Nation owes mee more Than Food and Rayment ; and that , in the fine My Want , will more be their disgrace than mine . My beggarly condition , is a Portion More noble , than Wealth gotten by Extortion , Bribes , projects , and those cheats whereby some bee Advanced to great wealth , and high degree , Thought honourable : yea Benevolences , And forced Loans , which otherwhile by Princes Exacted be , much more disgraceful are Than what my Benefactors do confer ; For , at my need , it giveth mee releef , And , to the Givers , is no wrong or grief . I hear that is disgracefully objected VVhich by my Poverty is now effected : My house , they say , is desolate become , And , I confin'd am to a single room ; My wife is of her Dowry quite despoil'd ; I cannot give the portion of a childe To Son or Daughter , which a while ago I offred , and was able to bestow : And , that , where lately we had good respect Scoffs , flouts and jeers , are added to neglect ; And , though these hardships possibly I may VVith patience bear , yet , certainly , say they , These his Relations cannot : yes , they can And have done , ever since the storm began : For , we fore-saw it , and we did prepare A stock of Patience , those events to bear . My Spouse is CHRIST's Spouse , by a Law Divine , More his , than she by Humane Law is mine . Our Children ( though the world usurps a power O're them ) are likewise , much more his than our ; And , of her scorn , though she an Object makes them He neither helpless leaves them , or forsakes them . He made this Globe , with all that therein is ; All things that are in Heav'n and Earth are his ; VVe know it , and therefore do not despair That here on Earth ; our loss hee will repair , Or , give us better Portions , where , they never Shall be impair'd , but injoy'd for ever . Yea , I am confident , that , if it may But add unto GOD's glory any way , Or , make for their Advancement in that path VVhich , to Eternity , a tendance hath , He 'l either keep them Virgins to attend The LAMB , when he brings Babel to an end , Or , marry them ere long , without my cost , And , give them better Portions than they lost , Or , at the worst , they shall content be made VVith ( be it more or less ) what may be had . This , without wavering , beleeve I do , And , others will perhaps , beleeve it too , VVhen they consider Marriages in Heaven By GOD himself are made , and Portions given , In Love and Vertue , without prepossessing Of any other Medium , but his blessing . Wealth , in itself , is neither good nor bad , Nor Poverty , nor takes from , nor doth add To Happiness Essential , but , as they Are sanctifi'd , and as our games wee play : And , of the two , in that , least danger lies , VVhich we most seek to shun , and most despise . Wealth , makes men wasteful , dissolute and lazy , In manners rude , in Mind and Body crazy ; Makes bold-men cowards , Free-men doth inslave ; Many , to lose themselves , their wealth to save . It so befools them , that Asse-like , some bear Their golden-load , till , meat for worms they are , Enjoying no more profit by their Treasure , Save meerly , an imaginary pleasure VVhilst here they live ; and , as if hope it gave It would be useful to them in the grave They hugg it , hoard it , and do lock it fast , ( As long as living breath in them doth last ) Not sensible of any detriment VVhich they do thereby cause , or might prevent . And , I beleeve , three Families , for one , That thereby thrive , by Riches are undone , Through those debauchments whereto they allure , Till , soul or bodies ruine , they procure . Contrariwise , despised Poverty , Incites to courage , and to industry , Breaks thraldoms Yoaks ; cures often , those diseases VVhich Luxury ingenders , or increases ; For , 't is an Antidote against the Gout , And helps to purge all those ill humours out , That , send men to their graves , by an excess Either in gluttony , or drunkenness . Exorbitant desires it doth restrain , An empty belly makes a witful brain : A crosseless purse , to him small danger brings VVho bears it ; for , before the Theef hee sings . And , when he dies , that which makes those men sad , VVho , whilst they liv'd , things in abundance had , Afflicts not him that 's poor ; for he 's depriv'd Of nought , but what opprest him whilst he liv'd . A very poor man also , scapes their fates , VVho are belov'd , or hang'd for their Estates , And , some at this time , ( I beleeve ) will judge The last of these , to be a priviledge . Though many , not a little do rejoyce In that rude , loud , and everlasting noise VVhich , in most rich mens houses you shall hear , VVhere every Room is made a thorow-fare ; Or , where , so many servants help to do Their works , as make one Bus'ness , more than two ; VVhere , for each man who faithfully obeyes him , The Master feeds another , who betrayes him And , thrice as many , who , by night or day Do steal , perhaps , or spoil , or waste away More ( oftentimes ) than would the charges bear Of paying twice their wages , for that year : Though many like this ; 't is to me an ease That Poverty hath freed me quite from these . I , now , finde much more joy , than in much pelf , That , I have learned how to serve my self ; To brush my Cloak , my garments to unloose , Put on and off , my stockings and my shooes , And , that , without my Servants , I can bee As well content , as they are without mee ; I know both how to want , and to abound ; And much more pleasure , I , in this have found , Than in choyce meats , that in a time of need , On bread alone , I savourly can seed , Or ; on as scanty , and as homely fare ( In my old age ) as men that poorest are : Yet , be both more in health , and no lesse able , Than when GOD gave a fully furnish'd table , With meat so well cook't , that it did invite At every meal , a double-Appetite . And , I , whose worst apparel us'd to be As good as any mans of my degree , Can in those garments , without shame , appear Which , I , but lately was asham'd to wear ; Unto which confidence , till want had brought mee , Philosophy , that lesson never taught mee . I , must likewise , ingenuously confess That , my distractions have been ten times less Since I had nothing left , than whil'st I had VVhat , in opinion , mee a rich man made : And , this is gain'd by losing what is gone , That , now , 'twixt having wealth , and having none , I know the difference to be so small , That , upon neither of them , dote I shall : For , as much certainty , I do perceive In that uncertainty , at which I live As is in any temporal estate Of Goods or Lands ( especially of late ) Now , therefore , I desire not to be Rich , Or to be Poor , because ( not knowing which Will best advantage mee ) I to his pleasure Have left it , who , knows what Estate , and Measure Of Wealth and Poverty , best fit mee shall To do that , whereto hee vouchsafes a Call. I neither Wealth nor Poverty will chuse ; Nor , which soere he gives will I refuse . But , most men would have somewhat of their own , As if supplies by Charity bestown , Would sooner fail them ; yea , although their Father Well cloaths and feeds them , they desire much rather To finger their whole Portion , that they might Pursue their own desires , out of his sight . Some other , altogether do rely On their own prudence , and self-industry , And , of Contingencies , are so afraid That , thus within themselves their hearts have said ; We possibly , into such wants may fall , And , so deserted likewise be of all By whom we have been harbour'd , cloath'd and sed , ( Some of them being ruin'd , and some dead ) That , unless wee can some Reserve provide , Whereby , what e're haps , wee may be supply'd , Wee may become exceeding miserable ; Especially , if us to dis-enable , Old Age , Restraint , and Sickness should increase , And , to Necessities , add Helplesness . Should this befall ( as possibly it may ) Our Poverty would be too great , they 'l say , VVith patience to be born : Alas ! poor men , I 'le grant all this may happen : but , what then ? Did ever you yet know , or see , or hear , That Lands or goods freed any from this fear ? If not , how can you hope to bring to pass That , which by no man , yet effected was ? Have you not still a GOD ? and , is not hee , A Refuge , though all other failing be ? Your Trust was never plac'd on him alone , If him , you cannot trust , when all is gone . VVhile somewhat 's left , whereby subsist we may , As David said , wee boast of him all day , But , bee assur'd , that e're from hence yee go , Hee 'l make proof , whether it be thus or no. Him , and our own Cause , wee do much mistake , VVhen 't is at best , the same at worst , wee make , And , so much on his Gifts our hearts are set , That , him , who did bestow them , we forget . To GOD , be therefore , praise , who , by this trial Gives mee both proof and means of Self-denial . I , am as worthless as the worst of you , I , nothing know by mine own merits due , But , that which now I suffer , and much worse , ( The wages of an everlasting curse ) My frailties are as great , my sins as many As yours ; worse than my self I know not any , Though some so seem : and , yet , GOD's promises Make way through all these disadvantages , So well to know him , that I do beleeve My trust in him , hee never will deceive ; And , that it would for my advantage be If all that may be fear'd , should fall on mee . VVere that condition ( as it may bee ) mine , I , then , should have no more cause to repine Than any other man , who to the doom Of Death submitteth , when his time is come : For , he who feels this day nor want nor sorrow , May be in worse estate than I to morrow . So long , as I , have any work to do , I shall have what is needfull thereunto . And when 't is at an end , no matter whether The stroke of Death shall be received , either By Axe or Halter , ( so I merit not , What is by Law the Malefactors Lot. ) Or , starving , or , by one of those diseases Which , ordinarily , the body ceizes . For , that shame , which men fear , whilst they have breath By suffring , what they count a shameful death Is shar'd among mankind , and every one Bears part thereof with mee , when I am gone . And , whilst I live , what e're can suffred be , May fall as well to any , as to mee . Upon my death-bed , or , upon a Rack , When flesh and bones , and all my sinews crack , I may be therewithall , as blithe and frolick , As , when a burning Feaver , or , the Collick Age , or Consumptions , or the Pestilence Shall be the means to carry mee from hence . The pains of these , are oftentimes as strong , They do continue ev'ry whit , as long ; And , at a Rich mans door , a Lazar dies Sometimes as easily , as he that lyes Upon a bed of Down , and who till death All necessaries in abundance hath . This , being well observ'd , it may appear That , we are fooled with false hope , or fear , When we shall dream to be secured more From all events , by being rich , than poor , Or , that , there any state on earth can be , VVhich may not have the same Catastrophe . VVhen GOD vouchsafes to make mens Poverties To glorifie him , he doth send supplies , Ev'n by unlikely means ; and makes that nourish VVhereby , they , who are fed with dainties perish . Them , on whom Tyrants no compassion have , He , in the fiery furnaces can save ; When they are cast into a Lions den , He maketh beasts more merciful than men . He , ( when to manifest his Power Divine It pleaseth him ) turns Water into Wine Which , at a poor mans wedding once was done More to his honour , than when Conduits run With Sack and Claret ; which magnificence Adds honour to the marriage of a Prince . He , when men hungring after Righteousness Wait on him in a hungry Wilderness , Feeds thousands with a few loaves , and two fishes , As full , as if they had ten thousand dishes . The bottome of a Barrel , and a Cruse Shall Meal and Oyl sufficiently produce , To keep a family in time of Dearth , Until he sends a Plenty upon earth . He , when the Creditor , for payment asks ( With rigor ) doth fill many empty Casks , Out of one pot of Oyle , until there be A competence , to set the Debter free , And , for his livelihood , in time to come . Yea , by devourers , he doth nourish some : For , daily , that Elias might be fed The Ravens brought unto him flesh and bread . This hath been ; and some things I can aver Of this kind , in mine own particular . Once , twice , nay , oftner I have been distrest As , I now am ; and three times at the least , Have had repair vouchsafed mee by GOD , In such an extraordinary mode , That , many did admire , at my supply ; As very well they might ; for , so did I. And , when it seasonably may be shown , The manner of it will perhaps be known . At , this time , that , which many did suppose Would mee , ere now , have ruin'd ; on my foes Hath cast a bridle , and will keep mee from What they intend , until my hour is come ; And , peradventure , then , restrain them too , From acting all , that they intend to do . That , which both my Estate and Reputation Should have destroyed , is my preservation Another away ; and an advantage brings , In better and more profitable things . For , Slanders , gain mee credit ; that , doth glad mee Which was intended to deject and sad mee ; That , which pursued , is , to make mee poor Makes my wants less , and my contentments more . And , as if GOD had purpos'd to bestow A sign upon mee , plainly to fore-show That , those Afflictions , and abhorred places , Which add to others , torments and disgraces , Should comfort mee , when common comforts fail , NEW GATE , suppos'd an ignomineous Jaile To mee , hath ( as it were a Patroness ) Contributed releef in my distress , Perhaps , from some of them , whose pressures were Either as great , or greater , than , mine are : Which ( as I am obliged ) to GOD's praise I do , and shall acknowledge all my daies To be an action , which doth signifie A greater Mercy , than that bare supply ; For , it informs , and well assureth mee A Prison , shall no dammage bring to mee , And , that those places , which , make many poor , Will make mee richer than I was before . These things , I thus express , that others may Perswaded be , I do not write or say What I have read or heard , or whereof I Have no more in mee , save the Theory ; And , knowing , this , which into words I spin Flows forth from what is really , within , And , by experience learn'd , it might effect That operation which I do expect . Most men , suppose them signs they are beloved Of GOD , and all their waies by him approved , ( How negligent soe're of his commands ) When outward things do prosper in their hands . They count them marks of his especial Grace If their Cows casts not Calf ; if he doth bless Their Oxen ; if their flocks of Sheep increase ; If none doth in their persons them oppress ; If their new-purchas'd Titles be made good ; If , by their Trades and Rents , they to their Brood May leave great Portions ; if , they may at Court Finde favour ; and , if blessings of this sort Be multiply'd upon them , they suppose God is their Friend , and foe unto their foes . Indeed , these , blessings are ; But signs to mee Of GOD's especial Grace , these , rather be ; That , when of Land and Goods I am bereft , And , no external comfort seemeth left , I can depend on him , and be more glad , In his love , than in all that e're I had : That , I am freely justifi'd by him In that , for which the world doth mee condemn : That , I perceive , he deigneth mee releef , By that , which usually augmenteth grief ; And , that , when most inrag'd oppressors are , Of their displeasure , I am least in fear : That , things which threaten troubles to prolong ( Till they are helpless ) make my faith more strong , My fear as little , whilst the Fight doth last , As at the Triumph , when all danger 's past ; And , that , their waies , who do most malice mee , Neither the waies of GOD , or good men be . These things , are of GOD's love a truer sign Than an increase of Corn , of Oyl and Wine , And , I do smile to think , how like poor slaves They will e're long , sneak down into their graves , Who , make false boast of GOD , when they with shame Shall know , that , by their spight I better'd am . And , when my Country hears the next Age tell How , mee they us'd , who alwaies lov'd it well ; What , better men have suffer'd ; what , in vain Was said ; what done , undone , and done again ; How , Truth 's bely'd ; how Lies upheld for Truth ; How much the heart dissented from the mouth ; Their Deeds from what they seem to think and say ; And , how , at fast and loose , we now do play ; It will be thought , perhaps , this Generation Had lost Faith , Reason , Iustice , and Compassion , And , they , who shall by strict examination , Search out the cause of this prevarication Will finde an hypocritical Devotion Sprung from the love of Riches and Promotion , ( Dis-robing Piety of her plain Dresse , To be dis-figur'd with that pompousness Which is affected by the Man of Sin ) Of all that is amiss , chief cause hath been . I must not scribble all that might be pend Upon this Subject , lest I more offend Than profit , or , lest , for want of speed , Be hindred , in my purpose to proceed . But , one more Argument , I 'le therefore add Whereby , it out of question may be made , That , to be very Rich , indangers more A real Happiness , than to be poor ; And , prov'd it shall be by a Demonstration , That , will admit no future confutation . Because , it shews that Wealth hath not alone More hurt to many single persons done Than Poverty , but , also to the Race Of all mankind ; and unto GOD's Free-Grace Injurious been ; dishonour brought to CHRIST , And , set up his opposers Interest . Observe it , for , I , nothing will alledge But , that , whereof , the meanest wit may judge . I need not tell you , wee more easily May drive a Camel through a needles eye , Or , thread it with a Cable , than , to heaven Rich men ascend , or thither may be driven . For , most have heard , he spake to that effect Whose judgement none have reason to suspect ; Yet , I will shew to you what way he went , And how , by his example to prevent That difficulty ; For , he did not say , One thing to us , and walk another way As many do , and did , who would be thought To follow him , and teach us what he taught . In plain expression I will let you see Who , those Impostors and Apostates be Who speak sometimes his words , and do profess His Truth , yet are in practice nothing less . CHRIST , knowing well , that , Avarice , Ambition , Wealth and Preferments ripen to perdition , And , that , they so insensibly deprave The best and wisest men , if way they give To their Allurements ; that , although he were The Son of GOD , and needed not to fear The frailties of his flesh , he , to the Law Conformed , and preserved it in awe By true obedience ; mortifi'd that nature Which he assumed from the Humane-creature . Both by an unconstrain'd Humility , And , by a voluntary Poverty : And , did for our example , and our sake Forbear , of things indifferent to partake , Lest , we , who know not how aright to use Our Liberty , things lawful might abuse By taking that for food , which was provided For Physick rather , when a Cure we needed . When , first , from Heav'n he came ( though Lord of all In Heav'n and Earth he was ) within a stall He took up his first Lodging ; passed on Throughout his Childe-hood , as he had begun ; And , to the world , no better did appear Than Son to Joseph , a poor Carpenter . When to mans age he came ( for ought we know ) He liv'd by labour , as such poor men do . And , when he did begin to manifest Himself to be the Saviour JESUS CHRIST , His Royalty was furnish'd out no more With Earthly Riches , than it was before ; He had nor Lands , nor Goods , to finde him bread , Nor any House , wherein to rest his head . He had , for what was needful , no supplies But , pious men and womens Charities . Poor despicable Fisher-men ( or such ) And , those , who neither Noble were , nor Rich He those for his Disciples ; and when these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abroad on his Ambassages , They were forbidden either to take care Wher● with they might be fed , or what to wear , Or , m●●y to provide for their expence , But , le●ve those things unto GOD's providence . To them his Gospel-principles he gave , And , taught them how themselves they should behave In their Discipleship , both where neglect They found , and also where they had respect . 〈◊〉 them injoyned , to be meek and humble , 〈…〉 likeli'st block to make them stumble 〈…〉 , to Precedency , not to aspire , 〈…〉 Lordly Attributes desire : 〈…〉 Disciples in their low'st condition Began to be infected with Ambition . The Sons of Zebede , when they were poor , Were tainted therewithall ; And , how much more It doth deprave men when they wealthy grow CHRIST did fore-see , and we have liv'd to know By that , wherein the Prelacy hath varied From his Example ; and , by him who carried The Bag in his time , we have learned too , What Avarice may make a Bishop do . Moreover , when by publick Acclamation CHRIST had a visible inauguration Into that Kingdome , whereto he was born , No rich or Royal Robes by him were worn ; Nor sought he to be honour'd with such things As are affected by terrestrial Kings , But , meekly , through Jerusalem did pass Not on a barbed Steed , but , on an Asse , ( Which none had backt before ) & which nor Pad , Nor saddle , trappings , or a foot-cloth had , Save what the people on his back had thrown , And , to that purpose taken from their own . When he was crown'd , no golden Crown he wore Lin'd with soft Fur , but , one much worse than poor : A Wreath of Thorns , he wore upon his head ; He , had no better Scepter than a Reed ; A Purple Robe , was cast on him in scorn , To be at that sad Coronation worn . For him , there was prepar'd no other Throne , Except a Cross , to be advanc'd upon . Nor Fun'ral Rites , nor Monument , nor Grave , Had he when dead , but , what some lent or gave . Thus , poorly was his Kingdome here begun ; Thus , his Affairs of State were carried on . So long , as he a life on earth retaind , Like no terrestriall Monarch , here he reign'd ; But , glorifi'd his Kingdom in this mode : And , when that he ascended up to GOD , Hee , by his Holy Spirit , so did minde , ( And so inspire those whom he left behinde ) To propagate the same , that they pursu'd The Discipline and Paterne , which he shew'd . From SATANS Kingdoms , to distinguish it , He added whatsoever did befit A Righteous Government , in every thing Which might advance the Throne of such a King , Without those Baubles which do more oppress Their Subjects , than promote the Common Peace . To this end , and preserve with purity The Church and Saints in their integrity , They left behinde them precepts , counsels , cautions , And , many ( not ambiguous ) declarations , Both to inform us of the mind of CHRIST , And , of the wiles of that great Antichrist Which was to come , and should foundationslay To set a Kingdome up , another way ; That , might ( if possible ) be thought to be CHRIST's Kingdome , as now thousands live to see The world reputes what they erected have , And , with her Ornaments , made rich and brave . Moreover , that CHRIST's Vineyard and Cornfield , Might fruits both nourishing and pleasant yeeld , No needful diligence , at first was wanting , In digging , dressing , sowing , or in planting ; Or , so to beautifie it , that none might Despise it , or not therein take delight . And , that , none should by Pride , or Avarice Intrude upon their Brethrens Legacies , They , truly , his Last Tstament recorded ; The same into a Gospel-Law they worded , Which hath sufficiency , without additions By humane policies , or new Traditions , To constitute his Kingdome , and prevent Prevarications , by mis-government . To bar out Innovations , they by Deed Confirmed , what they had in words decreed . From no true principles of Faith they swerved , Devotions reverence they well preserved , With ut new-sangles , and those trincketings , That Superstition to adorn it brings . The Sacrament ( by which the death of Christ Should be remembred ) they made not the Test Of things , no way relating to that end , For which , that Mystery he did intend , Or , rendring , what should be by his intention , The Band of Love , a means to breed dissention : Nor was the Bread or Wine , then Idoliz'd ; But , that Love-feast , was duly solemniz'd , In decency , without vain pomp of State ; Altars , Court-cubbord like , beset with Plate ; Waxe-lights at noon , in Silver-Candlesticks , Or , any other of those needless tricks , Which were first introduced , in those daies When Wooden-Priests , got silver Chalices . They us'd no superstitious Adorations , Cringings , ridiculous gesticulations , Or mimick Actions : nor these , or those , postures Of Body ; neither places , times , or vestures , Were so essential made , or necessary To holy Duties , that , none ought to vary From those Formalities : nor , painted walls , Nor Pictures had they , Supplices , nor Palls , Chimers , hoods , Rochets , nor rich Copes , nor Tippets , Nor was their Service cut out into sippets , For , such toyes ( then unknown ) did not begin Till Ancichrist arose and brought them in ; And , till with Wealth and Dignities inricht The Presbyters , and Bishops were bewitcht . To have prevented this ( as I have said ) A good Foundation CHRIST himself had laid , And , at the first , that Structure was begun , Which , he intended should be built thereon . Such as were then , by sacred Ordination , Call'd Bishops , watchful were , and took occasion From ev'ry slip , to travel , preach , and write , That , errours and mis-deeds prevent they might . As soon as Demas and Diotrephes , With such like , were observed in their daies To innovate , and labour to begin That Prelacy which , afterward crept in , They so oppos'd it , that , till from his chain , The Devil ( then confin'd ) was loos'd again , None could setup what a faction begun , Though many were then working thereupon ; For , CHRIST's Apostles , and their true successors ( In spight of Innovators , of Oppressors And Hereticks ) by that simplicity Of Truth , which was profest in Poverty , Did so distinguish it , from what by those Advanc'd would be , when Antichrist arose , That , they inviolate maintaind thereby Her honour , and her native purity , Without that carnal Pomp , and costly Pride With wch , the STRUMPET , now seems glorifi'd . And wherewith , shee hath half the world inchanted , Since Heathenish Deities , were first supplanted . That Miracle , was wrought by GOD , through them Whose Poverty the world did then contemn : Ev'n when their Worshippers were in full power , And , when inrag'd at height , sought to devour Their scorn'd Opposers , they withall that odds Were not then able to support their Gods. But , when the Saints were as distrest and poor , As they , who seek their bread from door to door , When , they broke through a tenfold persecution , To put their Masters will in execution ; When in despised habits through each Nation They preach'd the blessed means of our salvation ; Were counted Fools , and as much dis-esteem'd As any , who are now Phanaticks deem'd ; When , they had neither Academick Halls , Schools , Colledges , or sumptuous Cathedrals , Nor Universities , nor Deans , nor Doctors , Prebends , Archdeacons , Chancellours or Proctors , Nor Rents , nor Tythes , nor Pensions , nor Oblations , Excepting onely good mens free-donations ; When they , nor Bishops had , nor Presbyters , Save , such as holy Scripture characters , ( Who claimed no Precedence , or Submission , From those , authoriz'd by the same Commission ; When , they were meek and lowly , in their places , Poor in their Temporalties , and rich in Graces ; When , they ( as necessary to salvation ) On no man , did impose an Observation Of daies , times , forms , or Ceremonious Rite , But , as to edifying , tend it might ; And , left them to be practis'd , or omitted , As , either they might , or might not be fitted To holy Duties , without just offences , To other mens , or their own consciences : ( In which case , none that hath Sobriety , Will bar another of his Liberty . ) When Pastors medled not at all , or little , With Soveraigns , whether they themselves , or Title Were good or bad ; excepting in those cases Which did concern the duties of their places ; But , in the fear of GOD , obedient were To that Power , which did visibly appear Impowered to protect them ( whilst it stood With that obedience , which they owe to GOD ; And , did by suffring , render satisfaction , For what they dared not perform in action . ) When , Emperours nor Kings did them esteem , Nor flatter'd were , or fawn'd upon , by them ; Ev'n then by these , mens Doctrines and Examples , Were all the Gentiles great and glorious Temples Throughout the world destroy'd : their Superstitions ( From which New Rome retrived her Traditions ) Were then by those expell'd : Their Oracles , Then silenc'd were ; Their jugling Miracles Were prov'd Impostures : Then , the Sophistries Of those whom former ages thought most wise , Were found but fallacies ; their wisdome folly ; Unsound their Manners , their beleef unholy ; Their books of Curious Arts , whereby great fame They had acquir'd , were cast into the flame ; And , then , their Flamins , and Archflamins too , ( Who domineered as the Prelates do ) Were ( as these , in the time appointed shall ) Brought to those dooms , which on Impostors fall . The Worship also , wherewithall the Jews , The worlds credulity sought to abuse , As well as her Philosophy , was foil'd At their own weapons ; of that glory spoil'd Whereof they boasted ; and all this was done , Without the Outward Pomp , now doted on . And , if the Prelates , can with all the glory , Which they have gotten by things Transitory , And , by the help of all the Kings on earth , To such another Miracle give birth , I le think , that they as great Impostors are , As Jannes , and as Jambres long since , were ; Yet , still beleeve , that , maugre all their power , The Rods of these , will their charm'd Rods devour . That , which the Prelates take to be a sign Of Sanctity , the most becoming shrine Of sacred Piety , and true Devotion , I mean , that Pomp , whereby ( for self promotion ) They seek to trim and paint it , forth hath brought ( Compar'd to this ) not any thing worth ought But meer contempt : for , by the zeal of those , Who , made such poor , and despicable shows , More honour to the Church of Christ is done , Than all their wealth and honours , have thereon Conferr'd , in more than fifteen hundred years , By all their great and potent Favourers . They , whom the Churches Poverty brought forth , Though poor externally , had inward worth ; Good life was practis'd , sacred Truth profest Religion , with sincerity imbrac't , In her poor Driss , by many an humble Saint , Without the fucus of a Whorish paint ; And , till men leaving their plain sober way , Sought by external wealth , to make her gay , The Church , in Piety , did still increase Though outward persecutions did not cease . But , what hath followed since her Poverties , Are chang'd for temporal wealth and dignities ? Since Princely Prelates sought for carnal things , Had learn'd to flatter Emperours and Kings , And , cheat them with a seeming Loyalty , Made credible by fained Piety ? Since they , an Ambodexters part could play , Had got two Masters , and a double pay , Topt wreathes Imperial with a Triple crown , Made Rebels Martyrs , trod Allegiance down And , had on so much wealth and honour ceas'd , That they could turn the scale wch way they pleas'd , What , hath er'e since that time , proceeded thence But , products of Destructive consequence ? And those Confusions , for which ( without shame ) Some , to the Saints of GOD , impute the blame , As heretofore , the Heathen Tyrants did To them , whose blood they innocently shed ? And , though that in their publick declamations , ( As also , in their private exultation . ) The Prelates , to a joy transported seem , Like ( as they say themselves ) men in a dream , To see that Wealth , and Pomp restor'd again , Whereof , small hope they did erewhile retain ; Though , of a golden Hierarchie dreaming , They ( still the Poverty of CHRIST blaspheming ) Do think , the Angels are as glad as they Of that , wherein they triumph at this day ; And , say ( which I conceive to be a lye ) That , they , could well content have been to dye , The next day after they restor'd had been To that condition , which they now are in ; Yet , I beleeve , it will not , in the cloze , Make them so happy , as they now suppose ; Or , give much cause unto this Generation , To be well pleased in their restauration . For , to these Nations , or unto our King , What , can I think , these golden Calves will bring Save , at the last , what followed upon that , Which Ieroboams policy of State Produc'd in Isr'el , when he ( as it were Inspight of GOD ) set golden Calves up there ? And , his Successors walkt on in that way , VVhat er'e those Prophets , from thenceforth , could say VVhom GOD , in Justice , or in Mercy , sent Their threatned desolation to prevent ? VVhat , is more likely , if th' abominations Of , almost ev'ry Good-man , in these Nations Shall be indulg'd ? ( and , though it ever since It first begun , produc'd nought but offence ? ) For , Observation daily finds it plain , That , fear of losses , or the hope of gain , Or , of Promotion , will root out apace The seeds and plants , of Piety and Grace . And , since , already , it so multiplies Apostates , and augments Hypocrisies , What can be thought , but , that , those daies , we see Wherein , th' Elect shall hardly saved be , Unless GOD shorten them for , whatsoere Men say , or do , they fall into a snare ; And , those Deceivers , whereof last I spoke , To blinde mens eyes , have raised such a smoak , That , few , know which way safely turn they may ; Or , what to think , beleeve , hope , do , or say . Such Histories , as are approv'd by those , Who never did the Prelacy oppose , Affirm , that when the Churches Augmentation Of wealth and honour , by the free donation Of Constantine , was first on them conferr'd , A voice , was in the Air distinctly heard , Which did these words , articulately say , Into the Church is poison pour'd this day : And , thereupon , that , quickly did ensue , Which , manifests the Saying to he true : For , they , who read Historical Relations , Of what hath been in former Generations , ( As also , in their times ) discreetly heeding What , their Experience addeth to their reading , Will finde , that , here , and , almost ev'ry where , The Prelates cause of many mischieves were . Yea , that the greatest troubles on the earth , Sprung indirectly , or directly , forth From their Ambition , Avarice and Pride . When Gold and Silver they had multipli'd . How many troubles , have been here of late , Occasion'd by what they did innovate ? How many thousand Families undone In these three Kingdomes are , since they begun , Those Whimzies , which the prime occasion were Of all the Civil Wars and discords here ? And , what more will ensue , GOD only knows , For , wee , already see ill boding shows . Their Avarice , and matchless greediness , Of hoarding Treasure up , to an excess At such a time as this , wherein the State Is straitned ; ( and when much it doth abate That , Trading , whereby , our necessities Publick , and Private , should have their supplies ) Produceth ill effects ; and how by these Both in their Civil Peace , and Consciences , Men may disturbed be , there 's cause of fear , By what in their deportments doth appear . And , I observ'd this ( which Ile now record ) That , when they first begun to be restor'd , With them , return'd , ( God grant there come no May-poles , Maid-marian , & the hobby-horse , ( worse ) Beside , some other heathenish Prophanations , Maugre the Kings late pious Proclamations . It would fill many volumes to collect What Prelacy did heretofore effect ; How troublesome in other Common-weals , And Kingdomes , it hath to GOD's Israels , And , other people been : how oft have they Endeavoured their Soveraigns to betray , Unto the See of Rome ? how oft , to bring The People into bondage to their King , That , when their purpose they had wrought on him Both King and people , might be slaves to them ? How insolent and impudent a power , Was then usurped when an Emperour Did hold the Stirrup ? when an English king They to so great a slavery did bring , ( And foolery to boot ) as to decline His Royal Person , at Tom Beckets shrine ? Do pennance there , and be so much befoold , That , school-boy-like , he was with Rods there school'd , By Canterbury Monks ? when , he , that trod Upon his Leige Lords neck ( blaspheming GOD ) That piece of scripture , to himself applide Which could in none , but CHRIST , be verifide ? Intolerable was his arrogance , But , such are oft effects of their advance ; And , thus , have Kings and Emperors been rewarded , Who , their lean Gammons , had with fat inlarded . These , are the blessed and the holy fruits , Of their great wealth , and Lordly Attributes ; Yet , these are not the worst ; for Kings and Princes , Were not alone by Prelates insolencies , Abus'd like other men , in what relates Unto their lives , their honours and estates ; But , GOD , is also , thrust out of his Throne : Ev'n his Peculiars are usurp'd upon ; And , such Intrusions are now made , by these Upon mens Faiths , and on their Consciences , That , they make many Prostites for the Devil , Expose them to an everlasting evil , And , causes are of mischiefs and offence , VVhich all the world can never recompence : For , Bonds they lay , where GOD doth none impose ; Unbinde , from what he never will unlose ; And , whatsoere he speaks , his words , by these , Are made to mean , what ever they shall please . But , let the Saints in patience persevere ; For , though these arrogantly domineer , And in their hopes grow every day more strong , Their time of standing , will not now be long : The Kings , who with the Cup of Fornications Have been made Drunk , for many Generations , Will at the last grow sober , or else mad , To see what power on them , these Juglers had , And , help to bring that fatal Iudgement on , Which must reward them for what they have done : Great Babylon it self , will shortly fall , And , they shall have their Portion therewithall . To do us harm , they had not been so able , If in those Principles , men had been stable Which constitute CHRIST's Church ; nor to assist As they have done , the Throne of Antichrist . Had these been still content to seek no more ( As Bishops were in ages heretofore ) Than might supply things needful in their place , For Nature to promote the works of Grace , ( Nor stretched their Precedency ought further , Than did conduce to Decency , and Order ) It had not such ill consequents produc'd : And , could they but , yet , timely be reduc'd , To that Bound ; Discords , would ere long be ended , And , much , that is amiss would be amended . ( GOD Bless the King , and open so his eyes , That , he may see in what his safetie lies ; And prosper mee , as I desire hee may Walke and continue , in that blessed way , Which truly to his glory doth redound ; Whom he so kind , and merciful hath found . My prayers are , that GOD would make him strong Against the Charms of every glosing Tongue ; In Grace and Vertues , daily so improve him , That , GOD and Men , for ever more may love him : And , that , I may finde favour in his sight , According as I am in heart , upright : For , whatsoever , hee shall bee to mee ; To him , I 'm true , and so will ever be . GOD , pardon all that I have done amiss , And , so , I finish this Parenthesis . ) Here , I have shown you , by plain demonstration , Which ( as I said ) admits no confutation , That , Poverty ( though much despis'd ) is better Than Riches ; and , that , I thereto am debter Much more , for what concerns my happiness , Than , by what can be got by an excess In Wealth and Honour : And , what 's here rehearst , Will bee approv'd , when Synods have reverst Their Votes ; and be by Wisest men upheld VVhen Acts of Parliament shall be repeal'd , That , were confirm'd , by Commons , Lords & King , VVhen , GOD , shall to effect , his purpose bring , And , those men to their wits , who , little heeded , VVhat , would ensue that , wherein they proceeded . Now I have done . If this you can beleeve , And , GOD , his blessing thereunto shall give , I have what , I desired for my paine ; And , what 's here writ , shall not be writ in vain : for , all that 's in my words , is in my heart , In every circumstance , and every part . Perhaps , this despicable Barly-cake , May tumble , till a fatal breach it make Into the Tents of Midian : but , thereon VVhat ere else follows , let GOD's will be done . Though no man living , should the same regard , A good work , to it self gives full reward ; And , there is nothing , that can make it less , Than what it is , or , bar it from increase : For , though such Accidents , may oft befall , As , that , it will not so appear to all , Nor Poverty , Imprisonment , Disgrace , Life , death , good , bad condition , time nor place , Praises , Privations , nor ought that hath name , Makes real Vertue , not to be the same . Glory be to GOD. A Word on the behalf of Mr. Zachary Crofton Prisoner in the Tower. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you , do ye the same unto them ; for this is the Law and the Prophets , Matth. 7. 12. SInce all men erre , and one way , or another , Occasion what mis-happens to each other , I cannot but be sensible of that , Which may bee mine , and ev'ry mans estate . CROFTON's a Prisoner , and , some say , must dye ; Yet , I , from none , can learn the reason why . If his declaring for the COVENANT , Be all his Crime , a reason I shall want , To satisfie mee , by what Law wee shall Conclude that his Offence is Capital ; Or , how , that can imputed be for sin , Which , by no Law , hath yet forbidden been . GOD , bless the King and State ; and so mens reason Preserve , that , we may once know Truth from Treason , Lest we at last be brought into a snare , And , be uncertain , when we Traitors are : For , though it safely might bee justifi'd That , rather than GOD , Men should be obey'd ; Such , may not be their own Friends , who condemn That man , who pleaded both for GOD , and them , And , to the hazzard of his life persists , In vindicating their Joynt-Interests , To no mans disadvantage , except those , Who , are to GOD and Men , apparent foes . Mee thinks , it is great pity , that , a man Who , to GOD , King and Church , both may , and can Be serviceable ; and , who doth profess His Judgement , in meer conscientiousness Without design'd contempt , unto the State , Or , purposing a mutinous debate , And , never gave just cause to be suspected , He was to either of them disaffected , ( But , unto both of them , good service did , When they of Faithful Servants had most need ; And , hath but done his duty , to oppose Those Harpies , which to all Good men are foes ) Should by mistake , or , by mis-information , As one , who had deserved no compassion , A Sufferer with Malefactors be Because , hee sees not , what he cannot see ; Or , else , because he cannot credit give To what , he findes no reason to beleeve ; For , who will care for life , where Prelacy Attains to such a height of Tyranny , That , it inslaves both Soul and Body too ? And , where , of what we should beleeve and do , No certainty , can by their LIGHT be known , Nor leave obtain'd , to make use of our own , Though voluntarily the King ingag'd To let the Conscience be so priviledg'd ; And , Mercy , in some other things , did show Whereof , the Prelacy will not allow , Whether the COVENANT , by right , or wrong , Were made , or burnt , it doth not now belong To private men to question : For , when dooms Are past in Parliament , the Case then comes Before GOD's Judgement-Seat ; and , woe to them , Who , that , which hee approves of , shall condemn . Till , therefore , he , thence answers their appeal Wise men , their private thinkings will conceal , And , him implore , to whom referr'd it is , To right what 's wrong , and pardon what 's amiss . What , Fame reports by Crofton to be done I , singly and sincerely musing on , Do finde , by that ; whereof inform'd I am , That , hee more merited reward than blame , Unless , that , wherein other men have err'd ( Without his fault ) may be to him transferr'd . The Covenant hee took , but did not make it ; Nor forced any one to take , or break it ; But , in his place alone , the same maintain'd ( To his own hazzard ) as it appertain'd Unto the honour , peace , and preservation Both of the Royal persons , and the Nation , As he thought it oblig'd ; and as it stood In force , relating to the Will of GOD And , no jot further ; unless , wee suppose Hee err'd , in pressing it , to bar out those Who , have been , still are , and will be agen , Foes unto GOD , to Kings , and Common men , As soon as they themselves enabled finde , To do the work , for which they were design'd . For , that , which CROFTON most insisted on , ( As purpos'd by the Covenant to be done ) Is an exploding of the Hierarchy Brought in , by Antichristian-Prelacy , ( To whose support , his Oath cannot extend Who , CHRIST's Faith , is obliged to defend . ) And , if that , be a fault , GOD , mee forgive , For , therein , I resolve , to dye , and live . The stress of his Case , as appears to mee , Lies there ; if , hee of ought else guilty bee , I , leave him to excuse himself ; for , never Saw I his face , nor shall perhaps for ever . But , hee 's in durance , and I fain would do As , in his Case , I would bee done unto ; And , peradventure , it will needful bee That , some , ere long , should do as much for mee . There are , besides those actings , which do fall Within the duties of our Common-call , Some , having so peculiar Relation , To GOD's Designments in our Generation , That , they not onely do the force abate Of what is call'd , The Reason of the State , But , of those Precepts also , at sometimes , Whose violations are most hainous Crimes , In any other case ; as may appear , By many proofs , which I will now forbear . GOD , doth a Generation-work design ; For , ev'ry man : These , are a part of mine , And , I had rather dye ten deaths for one Than take ten lives , to let it bee undone . Till that is done , mee , Lord vouchsafe to keep ; And , David - like , then , let mee fall asleep . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A66791-e39140 Act. 13. 36.