Tuba-pacifica seasonable precautions, whereby is sounded forth a retreat from the war intended between England and the united-provinces of lower Germany / by Geo. Wither. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 1664 Approx. 58 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 17 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A66792 Wing W3204 ESTC R15041 12940585 ocm 12940585 95873 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. A66792) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 95873) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 993:33) Tuba-pacifica seasonable precautions, whereby is sounded forth a retreat from the war intended between England and the united-provinces of lower Germany / by Geo. Wither. Wither, George, 1588-1667. 32 p. Imprinted for the author ..., [London] : 1664. 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. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Great Britain -- History -- Restoration, 1660-1688 -- Poetry. Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- Germany -- Early works to 1800. Germany -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain -- Early works to 1800. 2005-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-08 Aptara 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 Tuba-Pacifica . Seasonable Praecautions , whereby is sounded forth a Re-Treat from the War intended between England and the United-Provinces of Lower GERMANY . By GEO : WITHER , a Lover of Peace , and heartily well-affected toward both Nations . Nimis Cautela non nocet . Matthew 5. 9. Blessed are the Peace-makers , for they shall be called the Children of God ANNO. 1664. Imprinted for the Author , and is to be disposed of , rather for Love then Money . TUBA-PACIFICA . Sounding a Retreat from the War intended between England and the United Provinces . AN Ancient Emblem , relating to the said Nations . Si Collidimur frangimur , If we knock , we are broke . An hour is come , in which must be renew'd That Work , which I have hither to pursude ; And , I to utter what I have to say , Will take the Kue that 's offer'd whilst I may , In hope that they , whose Prudence can descern Those things which their well-being do concern , Will hear and heed them , e're it be so late That Premonitious will be out of date : For , Opportunities may slip away To morrow , which are offer'd us this day ; And 't is all one to Wise-men , whether Strangers Or Friends , premonish them of likely dangers , Or , whether unto them , Alarums from A Silver , or a Rams-horn Trumpet come . To me there are but two wayes known , by which Men may speed well or ill , grow poor or rich ▪ To wit , by prosecuting Good or Evil , By cleaving close to God , or to the Devil And , they are two such Masterships , that , neither Is pleas'd with him , who serves them both together ; Because , what is endeavour'd for the one Obstructs what for the other shall be done . Presuming therefore , you depend alone On him , whom I serve , thus proceed I on . A commom Fame Reports there will be War Betwixt the English and the Hollander And , by their preparations , I conceive We may with probability , believe It will be so . Their many panick Fears , Their groundless hopes , their bitter Scoffs and Jeers , Cast on each other , are plain symptoms too , Of what , in likelihood , they mean to do . We likewise , by the Truths and by the Lies Which to divide them wicked men devise , And , whereby such Partakers on both sides Augment that hatred which still more divides , May fear , as well as by their other deeds , The mischief will go on , as it proceeds , Untill the power doth rest in GOD alone , To undo , what is wilfully misdone . But , that , which most confirms it , is the sin , The Crying Crimes , that both continue in Without Repentance : For , among the rest These I enumerate are not the least , ( Nor any whit abated , since GOD made The late Breach up , which them else ruin'd had ) Such , as their bragging vaunts of that frail strength Which will destroy their foolish hopes at length ; The confidence , the sottish vulgar gathers From Ships and Armies , long hair , Muffs & Feathers ; Their hot contestings which shall have the hap To wear the greatest Bauble in their Cap. Or , whether 't will at last , be brought to pass , That th' Asse shall ride the Man , or Man the Asse . These , and some other things , that are perceiv'd Now acting , or about to be contriv'd , Have made me , with small difference to deem Most of them are as mad as they do seem . And , is it even so ? must you now lash Each other , and your earthen Pitchers dash ? Must you , that have so long been Friends , now knock Untill you into Potsherds quite are broke ? None taking heed or care how to prevent That mischief which appeareth eminent , And was presag'd about the ninetieth year Now past , by this your well known Emblem here ? Have you not one among you , rich or poor , So wise as he , whose Counsel heretofore . Preserv'd a City , and did then receive The same reward , which men in this age give For such-like services ? Hath neither , place A man so prudent as that Woman was Who rais'd the siege from Abel , by her wit , When Joab with an hoast beleagur'd it ? But , are you all of wisdom so bereft , That , no Expedient seemeth to be left Whereby to act untill the sequels are Ignoble Peace , or a destructive war ? If it be so , from whence could it proceed But from your failings both in word and deed ? From sordid Avarice , Pride , and Self-will , Inticing Fleshly Lustings to fulfil ? For , these deprave the Judgments of most Nations ▪ Cause them to fall away from their Foundations ; Then , fly to Refuges patcht up with Lies , Seek Power and Riches by those vanities Which multiply Oppressions and increase Confusions to the ruine of that Peace They might enjoy : For , then their strength consists In , and by those corrupting Interests , Which will ingage them to rush further on In their Oppressive ways long since begun , Till they grow deaf to all that can be said To make them of their just deserts afraid . And should they then , their crooked paths forbear , Most private Tradings at a non-plus were ; Yea all those Incomes whereupon depend Their Formal Grandeur would soon have an end ▪ For , many thousands , who did vast Estates Get and uphold , by cherishing Debates , By multiplying and delaying long Vexatious suits , to many a poor mans wrong , Would think themselves undone , if ev'ry State Their Courts of Justice should reduce to that For which they were ordain'd ; and Tyranny Would Want fit Tools to bring to flavery The common people . Very few know how They may to GOD and their Superiours now Perform their duties , and not both displease Or th' one or th' other ; For , what is by these . Commanded , is not seldom , either quite Repugnant , or obliquely opposite , As they Interpretations of them make Who to be Judges of them undertake . Yea , those Professions , and those Trades whereby Most live , are subject to such vanity That honest men are difficultly able To use them with a Consence warrantable . It is no easie matter to devise What would become of all those Batter-flies Who flutter up and down in Princes Courts , If their oppressive Projects of all sorts Were took away ; and what case were they in Who at this day do live upon the sin Of one another ? But they 'l be supply'd What ever to the Publick shall be tide ; And at the last , ( although their Friends they seem ) Destroy those Governments that nourish'd them , Unless , according to what 's just and true Themselves they modulize , with speed , a new ; Which , how , and by whom , that might well be done Were an Expedient worthy muzing on . Perhaps , if you did seriously take heed , How this concerns you , and what would proceed From such a Constitution , you might know From whence the quarrellings between you flow , And how to reconcile those differences Which now increase your dangers and expences . Perceive you not , that your Prevarications , Your Falshoods , and your gross dissimulations With GOD , and with each other , so provokes His anger , who on all mens actions looks , That 't is impossible you should have Peace With him , your selves or others , till you cease From provocations , and bring forth such fruit As with a real Reformation suit , And with those Churches which are truly Christs ? Yea , that your hopes wil fail , though flattering Priests Do promise peace , and impudently , too , Perswade , that GOD is pleas'd with what you do ? Observe you may , by what ensues thereon , How , GOD abominates what is misdone In managing the Mysteries of State , And heeds what is in secret aimed at By fair pretendings ; and how , they thereby So long have sought themselves to fortifie That , most men are inclined to believe Lest Good is meant , when sweetest words they give ; And that they have forgot on what conditions Or , to what end God gave them their Commissions . Know you not , that a spirit of delusion , To bring upon you merited confusion , Was Licensed to go forth and delude Those Prophets , by whose counsel are pursu'd Unrighteous Actions , that you may be sent On Voyages like that which Ahab went ? Are your eyes wholly blinded ? heed you not That , such another Spirit is begot 'Twixt you , and 'twixt the People ev'ry where Within your several Borders , here and there , ( And at this time as active ) as was that Which GOD permitted to infatuate Abimelech and Sichem , till it had Destroy'd them ; all their Counsels frustrate made , And brought upon both Parties that reward Which for blood-thirsty persons is prepar'd ? If these things you have heeded , be not still By those deluded who intend you ill ; But , wake out of your deep security , And from that Trance wherein you seem to lie . Consider seriously , what you intend ; E're it begin , think well how it may end ; What an intollerable heavy load 'T will lay on most at home , on some abroad , What Treasure , and how much blood will be spent ; How , both your Countries will be thereby rent And shatter'd ; beside , what not yet fore-seen , Is likewise possible to intervene , From them , who watching to enjoy the spoil By your contendings , laugh and jeer meanwhile ; Which to prevent ; I sound out this Retreat From that War , wherewith you each other threat . I nothing aim at , or design to do But what I know GOD hath inclin'd me to , And which you too , may know , if you well weigh What I have written , with what I might say ; And , I believe , that man ( who ere he be ) Who shall obstruct what 's offer'd now by me Shall thereby suffer as one who withstands The mercy he intendeth to both Lands ▪ With nought I charge you ▪ but what th' one or th other Is singly guilty of , or both together ; Nor ought whereto , unless you feared are , You in your selves a witness do not bear : For my part , I shall neither gain nor loose By Peace or War , or by that which ensues ; Because , he that on GOD his whole heart sets , Will be the same , what ever he permits . I love both Nations , truly wish them well , And therefore shall not any thing conceal That may concern your safety , though with scorn My Premonitions you should back return : Permit me then , to speak a word in season ; For , sometimes , he that is a Fool speaks reason . Though Joseph was a slave in deep disgrace ; A Prisoner more neglected then I was In my late Thraldome ; ( no whit less in danger By false Accusers , because , more a stranger ; ) A heathen King , disdained not to take Good Counsel from him , when her reason spake Though he in him , no more of GOD could see At first , then you at this time do in me . I , no such Revelations will pretend As give no warrant on them to depend Save his own word who tells them ; neither ought Advise , but Truths , which GOD himself hath taught As well to you as me , by his known word , Or by the Olive-branch , or , by the Sword. His Justice or his Mercy ; which have spoke That oft , whereof you little heed have took . To fright you , no predictions I will fain As many do , pumpt out of their own brain ; Nor speak in Riddles , nor such things declare As you cannot without crakt patience hear , If I may but that freedom have to speak , Which harmless Fools , and licens'd Jesters take . As Moses , from a principle of Love Said unto those two Israelites who strove , So say I unto you who disagree ; Wrong not each other , for , you Brethren be By Nature ; yea , by Grace too , so profest : Be therefore Christ●ans or be men at least . Like barbrous heathen wherefore should you strive , And by dissention to your selves derive A mutual Plague ? Act that which is design'd By them who to destroy you are inclin'd ; And , probably , can no way else effect That mischief which their Malice doth project ? Consider what Advantages you had By concord , how safe thereby you were made ; What you profest when you agreed together ; VVhat heretofore , you have been to each other ; How strengthned , and how pow'rful you became VVhilst your Designs were in effect the same ; To your Alies how helpeful ; and to those How terrible , Who dar'd to be your Foes ; Ev'n when the pow'rfulst of your neighbouring Nations Seem'd so assured of their expectations , That their Sea Forces , in a proud bravado , Were termed an Invinsible Armado ; Till GOD befriending you , did with one puff Bring down their Pride , and blow their Malice off . Power , wealth , and honour , ever since that day He , likewise , heaped on them , many away , VVhilst you continu'd Friends , though you had many Backslidings and defects as gross as any . As to your outward welfare , all things , yet , To prosper , GOD doth graciously permit . Some of you , have by loosing all , got more Then ever they enjoyed heretofore ; Some other , though of all ; no less bereft Are twice as rich as they , now nothing's left , By having thereby learn'd to prize that most , VVhich being gotten never shall be lost ▪ And , they who this worlds wealth do more desire Have means enough their longings to acquire . The chiefest Forraign Trade to you is given In all the Realmes and Countries under heaven . Your Ships are numberless , your Merchants more And richer , then the Tirians heretofore . Your Ware-houses are stor'd by your Commerce VVith all things precious through the Universe ; For which you were envyed by all those VVho either seem'd your Friends or are your Foes . Your Naval Forces if you timely might Perswaded be sincerely to unite , In Righteousness , would ballance all the rest Between the Orient Indies and the West And both the Poles , enabling you to give Those Laws to all men , who by Traffick live , VVhereby , there might , for all , sufficient Trade In safety , and with equity be had ; VVithout which , whatsoere you shall obtain VVill prove but an unprofitable gain . And , ( which is more considerable , far , Then all your honours , power and riches are ) GOD , hath among you , sown the feeds of Grace More plentifully then in any place Below the Sun : his Plants refreshments wanting Though set in blood and Fire , at their transplanting Into your Borders , so well thrived there Ev'n then , that millions from them sprouted are ; And , more from them continually shall sprout In spight of those who seek to root them out ; Yea , though you by your folly forfeit those Advantages which he on you bestows , For their sakes ▪ whom some of you do revile Oppress , and from their native Lands exile . For , GOD hath made your Countrie , to become The strongest Bulwork in all Christendom , Both against GOG and MAGOG cover'd Foes And such as openly , the Saints oppose ; That ▪ saving Truth and sincere innocence Might thereby be preserv'd from violence ; Especially , from their hate , who pursue The precious seed of Christ in them and you , By Antichristian wiles , which hatched were In your own wombs , and nursed up now are By seeming Friends , who hide their fallacies VVith gaudy vails , and vain formalities , Untill the souls for which they traps prepare Are hunted unto death , or to their snare . These Ingineers , within your bosomes lie , And , what their chief aims are , no doubt have I. Think on these things , and whether 't is from me Or from God , that you minded of them be ; For , what I had to write when I begun I knew not ; nor shall I know when 't is done , What , by my Prompter , I was mov'd unto Untill I read it over as you do , To see what is of God in ev'ry line As if those writings had been none of mine . When GOD , by despicable means and men , ( As he to do is pleased now and then ) Speaks to a King or Nation , it doth carry A shew of somewhat extraordinary To be consider'd on with serious heed , And it importeth somewhat to succeed . When waving men train'd up in learned Schools He speaks to them , by those whom they count fools , Makes others ( as of old some Prophets were ) Actors in things that scandalous appear To most Spectators , yea , ridiculous To sober men ( as oft of late with us ) Rendring them signs unto their generation Of what 's to come ; 't is worth consideration ; ( Especially when injuries and scorn Are patiently with sober stoutness born , For conscience sake and all men , truly wise Although such dispensations fools despise ) Are deeply sensible , of what on those The ignorance and hate , of some impose , To whom , it will be manifest ere long , That , they have injur'd those , to their own wrong . If yet you know it not , now be it known That , by the power which is on you bestown To be on all occasions , whilst you have it Employed for his honour who first gave it ) You were intrusted , and inabled so As you have been , not your own will to do ; Or , that you to exalt your selves above Your Neighbours , GODS donations , might improve Into such an exorbitance of power That , at your pleasure , you might them devour , Oppress your Brethren , and advantage them VVho Adversaries are to you and him : For , they were given to preserve their Peace VVho , under you , in love and righteousness Desire to live ; the same Faith have profest , And by Usurping Tyrants are opprest ; VVhich Grace if you shall turn into oppression Or wantonness , will hasten your perdition ; Make many of your truest Friends grow sad And me , who of your welfare should be glad , Be forc'd ray work to close ( in imitation Of Jeremiah ) with a Lamentation . You will but give your foes just cause to laugh To see you quarrelling for straw and chaff VVilst they get opportunity to burn Those Granards down , whereby the precious corn Might be preserv'd , wherewith your bread of life , May be supply'd , if you desist from strife . VVho can assure you that the provocations Whereby , now very many in both Nations , Exasperated are , will not afford Fit opportunities by your discord Some such contrivances then to project And prosecute as prudence may suspect ? For , though what Faction moves mad men to do VVill ruine them at last , so 't will you too . VVhat , men who have good consciences will shun VVill by men without consciences be done VVhen God shall let them loose , or call together All sors of sinners to correct each other . 'T is likewise possible , that many things Pretended causes of your quarrellings If they were well examin'd would be found Meer scandals raised without real ground , To make misactings on both sides appear ( By Aggravations ) greater then they were . For , in both Nations , there is such a Rabble ( By their ill manners much more despicable Then by their Fortunes ) who , for servile ends , In hope of profit , ( or to make them friends Of those whom they sought to exasperate ) Did some misactings much more aggravate Then there was cause ; and so , that which was bad VVas by their falshood , more offensive made : This , hath been kindling 'twixt you many years A smothering Fire , which now to Blaze appears ; But hitherto these had not power to blow The flame so high as they have rais'd it now : For , GOD did but permit them for probation And though it was of long continuation , Hath so your wealth increas'd , that as 'twixt Lot And Abraham , it now hath strife begot . GOD , by his grace , direct you to a course , The consequent thereof may not be worse . Your force united hath been heretofore A terrour to the vassals of that Whore VVhich rides the Beast : yea , often such a dread To her , when she at highest bore her head That , she 's inrag'd to see you have so long Against her Soceries continu'd strong ; Though to supplant you she laid many a Train Which had not then contrived been in vain , Had you been so divided as this day You are , or as perhaps e're long you may . But Unity did make you so compact A Body , that her wiles could not distract Your prudent Counsels , neither from your course Divert you , by her cunning joyn'd with force ▪ This ▪ by experience found , she doth begin To work upon you by another Gin Which will extend to many far and near Who deem they thereby unconcerned are : For , they who foolishly , themselves now flatter ▪ That they by fishing in your troubled water Shall get Advantages , will be bereaved Of those expectancies , now preconceived : For , that which follows , be it whatsoere Will further ▪ GODS designments , but not their ; And , though you may by folly , loose your ends She shall not bring to pass , what she intends . If she by this Division , break your power She thinks that she shall easily devour The scatter'd Churches , which in hazard lie Within the limits of her Sov'raignty ; Then , those that stronger are ( though more remote ) Assoon as opportunities are got To practice on them , by the force of Arms Or , by the power of her besotting Charms ▪ And if they take effects , her work is done , Untill GODS Counter-work shall be begun , Who , though mans working with him he expects , Shall no advantage lose by their defects VVho give Advantages unto his Foes , By trifling that away which he bestows , To do him service . But , they shall becom Partakers with Apostates in their doom . That grand Impostris now resolves to play Divisions , making all those whom she may , Dance to her Fiddle ; and to bring about Her purposes , hath very little doubt : For , as a wasted Candle when it sinks Into the greasie socket ( and there stinks ) Sends greater flashings forth , and blazeth more A little while , then any time before ; So , she doth now , with her whole force persue The mischief she hath long design'd for you ; And , not much wanting seemeth to compleat That , whereupon her heart hath long been set : For , to that end , were sent forth before hand , Her Emissaries into ev'ry land , With Dispensations ( as occasion haps ) To make use of all courses , forms , and shapes : And these have into all Societies All Constitutions and Fraternities , ( Divine or Civil ) all Affairs , Relations , And Interests , what ever in both Nations , Screw'd , such a party , that , chief sway they carry In things divine , civil , and military ; So , that , as once it was prophanely said , Should GOD stand neuter , till her game were plaid , She would prevail against you , at this time , Because , no aid shall be withheld from them Who malice you , nor any furtherance Her power and sinking Throne to readvance Which Antichrists confederates can add , Or , from prophanest persons may be had . Be therefore heedful that by your dissention You make not feizable her ill intention By trusting to the Complements of those Who are her vassals , and your secret foes , And ( as you , oft do ) speak fair , but to deceive That they without suspicion may contrive Your whole destruction , and recover power To re-enlarge their Babylonian Tower ▪ Which , is this day as truly their design , As those thoughts , whereon , now I think , are mine . Blest let them be who seriously endeavour , To reconcile you ; cursed , they who sever Whom GOD hath joyned ; For no outward curse To any can befall ; that will be worse Then that which will in likelihood betide To these two Nations if they long divide ; But , they who of the breach most guilty are The greatest burthen of that curse shall bear . I am no Person who confederates With home-bred male-contents , or Forraign states Either to get revenge for wrongs received Or that some gain may be thereby derived Unto my self : For , whatsoere it be , That which best pleaseth GOD , best pleaseth me ; And having no designments of mine own Can wait with patience till his will be shown . I , being one who having oft fore-seen , And fore-told things that have fulfilled been , Endeav'ring to prevent the prosecutions , Of wicked actions and rash Resolutions , Am by a power which I dare not oppose Once more stir'd up , to preadmonish those ( As heretofore ) who now seem rushing on In that Career , as other men have done , Which tendeth unto that end which befell To those , who sleighted , what I did fore-tell : And , I to speak again must not forbear ; Vouchsafe therefore to me a patient ear ▪ Be wary , that your Avarice and Pride , Prove not to be a motive to divide At this time , though when you divided last Your likely hazards were soon over-past , And plagues remov'd ere any penitence Had testifi'd remorce for your offence , Lest , greater evils follow , and the trouble Removed then , returns upon you double ▪ For , Nations to expose to wars unjust Meerly to satisfie a private Lust , And those inforce the greatest weight to bear , Who no way guilty of transgressing are Of that which in a War ingages them , Is questionless , a sanguinary crime From which , no temporary priviledge Can vindicate , before a Righteous Judge : But , it will bring down Vengeance in due season From him whose Justice cannot be call'd treason Although your High Priests , and some others too , The boldness may assume to term it so . If wrongs be done , let all good means be us'd To judge between th' Accuser and Accus'd E're sentence pass ; and do not then prolong Due recompence to them who have had wrong ; Lest by delaying what you should restore , Instead of righting him , you wrong him more . Ere battail you begin , let peace be offer'd , Accept a good expedient , when 't is proffer'd . Remit small faults where you find penitence : Upon the same terms , let the great'st offence Be pardoned also , when the perpetration Of wrong , exceeds all means of expiation ; In that , you 'l imitate the King of heaven Who often hath such Crimes to you forgiven . Make not the Sword your Umpier , till you see A remedy , no other way can be ▪ Your just Rights to preserve , do what you can , But , fight not to inslave another man ; Nor venture your own Countries to inflame That you may get a fruitless aiery fame ; Much less to grasp a power , which when acquir'd Will in your hands , be like Granados fir'd ; Yet , to avoid the mischief and the Curse Of War , make not a Peace that shall be worse . Nor when you are at rest provoke his wrath Who , quietness to you vouchsafed hath , By cheating them of their just expectations Who truly wish the welfare of both Nations , Adventuring their persons and estates , To save what to your interest relates ; And then intrusted you with their defence , Thereby , but as a second consequence . If you would keep Rebellious men in awe , To ev'ry one his birth-right due by Law Preserve impartially ; and unto none Deny that which is due to ev'ry one ; Lest , whilst abroad ingaged you become In warfare , there may be worse fraies at home : For ▪ that Allegiance which is in all Lands ' Twist Prince and People , upon two feet stands , So , that if th' one fails in what it should do , In equity , so will the other , too ; Men who are much oppressed against reason , Will not much fear to act what you call Treason ; And , then , from questioning , on whom there lies The greatest guilt ; small profit can arise . Which way soever , therefore , GOD shall daigne To make you Friends , and give you Rest again , With moderation , and with Justice use That Mercy ; for if you the same abuse This , without question , will ensue thereon ; Both , shall one way or other be undone . The conquer'd shall inslaved be ; and they Who conquer , be made slaves another way ▪ Make not your Rest to be a snare or Stale As Fowlers do , to cath Birds there withall . Nor means , your selves with such vast power to arm , As helps not so much , to do good ▪ as harm ; For GOD will heed it , and you shall be caught Ev'n in those Traps , which your own hands have wrought , And as old Rome was you shal be at length Orewhelm'd and destroy'd , by your own strength . To mine own Countrymen , I 'le write or say Nought at this time , which any justly may Apply to them alone ; lest , some once more May terme it scandalous as heretofore , Or call me Libeller , for being bold To tell them Truths ( although in season told . ) I , Have , so often in particular And so long time been their Remembrancer With small regard ( except from such as do Love simple Truth , and suffer for it too ) That , I to them , will nothing mention here , Save that in which , an equal part to bear Both Nations may be said , without my blame ; Because , thereby , I somewhat hopeful am To raise thence an expedient to escape The being caught again , in my old Trap. But I 'le apart , a word or two express To our Dutch Neighbours in true friendliness . Remember what of old the English Nation Hath been to you ; and with how much compassion They , your Protection timely undertook When you extreamly by the Spanish yoke Oppressed lay ; and whether the pursuing Of those things which are at this present doing , May not at last reduce you back to that Deplor'd condition , or a worse estate ; And bring you once again , inslav'd to lie Beneath such an unbounded Monarchy As you abhor : Your Senators are wise , They in their heads , I know do bear their eyes And ▪ if they be not hoodwinckt ▪ need by none Be minded , what should be consider'd on : Yet , since but men , let them not be offended With what is by a stranger recommended Unto their serious heed , and let my caution Be acceptable unto your whole Nation ▪ Consider , whether all they who pretend Your Country , Cause , and Intr'st to befriend May not more complemental prove then real , When time shall bring their Friendship to a tryal , And be as false to you , as you have seen Most States and Princes , often to have been Unto each other , though aly'd by blood , By Aides in times of need , Leagues , neighbourhood , And all ingagements whatsoere , which might Devised be , them , firmly to unite . Think , whether such have not a party now Among you ▪ which as things to ripeness grow , Will help improve them , to set up a power Tending to their advantage more then your : Yea , whether , you already may not see That , some to such a purpose , active be , This day among you ; and , take timely heed , That , what you would prevent , may not succeed . Ill words corrupt good manners ; and I hear That , you no scurrile language do forbear VVhich either heighten may the indignation And fury kindled in our English Nation , Or , make them to be hated of your own ; As if you wholly resolute were grown , So to divide both , that by no endeaver , They might be reconciled again , for ever . This fault , which to the vulgar I impute VVill questionless produce a poisonous fruit , And , therefore , though I truly may confess My Countrymen have not offended less , In that kind ( and may peradventure take Occasion from these Lines , a change to make Within themselves ) I , heartily intreat Both you and them , his love to imitate VVhose doctrines we profess , and bridle more Their rude tongues , then they have done heretofore That , from good words , there may at last proceed , True reconcilement both in Word and Deed. Of one thing more , put you in mind I would ( VVhich now to your remembrance bring I should ) VVere I not hopeful you oft minde it so , As it becomes you , and repent it too , And that , we shall give mutual satisfaction For ev'ry scandal and injurious action , On either charged , for which , to make even 'T is in our power ; the rest must be forgiven . Lord GOD , vouchsafe thy mercy to these Lands And , if with thy good pleasure it now stands , T he Plagues for their demerits due , ad●ourn , That Peace with Grace united may return Before the madness of this Generation Hath frustrated their means of preser●ation . By Judgments , and by Mercies interwove , By chastisements in anger and in love , By threatnings and by gentile invitations , Thou , to reclaim us from prevarications Hast oft assaied ; adding unto these Whisperings in secret to our consciences ; Spoke to our ears by men , unto our eyes By Apparitions and by Prodigies : Yea , whilst I 'm writing this , there doth appear A Blazing Star within our hemisphere , Aswell unto our neighbours as to us Made visible : And wherefore Glares it thus With an Aspect so dreadful at this time , But , to point at , and for warn us and them Of some approrahing mischief , whereof heed Is to be taken by us , with all speed . Lord , let us not , still obstinate remain Rendring ( as heretofore ) at quite in vain , That 's seen , or said , or done , till none for ever By Word , or Deed , our safety shall endeaver ▪ That time is not yet come , I 'le spend therefore In hope of good success , a few words more ▪ And , look to be excus'd if I shall thrice , VVrite that , which I have writ already twice ; For , neither can hard flints or knotty blocks Be shap'd without reiterated strokes . Why should you quarrel ? what are now your wants , But , Grace and Faith to use well what GOD grants ? The World is wide enough , the Seas have room Sufficient for your Ships to go and come : Expedients will be found which may procure An honourable peace that will endure VVithout a disadvantage unto either If to make proof therof you joyn together . Impartial Justice brotherly compassion Love , mee kness , piety , humiliation Faith , prayer , penitence , with such like things Are those , whence wealth , and peace , and honour springs To them who will perswaded be to do To others as they would be done unto ; As jealous to redress a neighbours wrongs As in that which to their own ease belongs ; As forward , an oppressed man to hear As cruel Tyrants to afflict him are ; And could forbear intruding on GODS right A setled peace thereby enjoy they might , Without fear ; yea , without a just suspicion Of Treasons , Insurrections or Sedition : And , they whom you distrust , will be more true Then they , in whom you trust , shall be to you , If you endeaver to contract a peace And keep it , by unfeigned righteousness : Although such mediums are but scoffed at Or sleighted , by most Ministers of State. But , such a Blessing , never can he got Or kept , by that whereon most Nations dote . The constitution of whose Governments Are made according to such presidents As Jeroboam left , and lost thereby That Kingdom which on his posterity , Should have been fixt , had he not counsel took From flesh and blood , and Gods advice forsook . Not those men , whose Advantages are least , Or most , shall thrive ▪ but , they who use them best ; Make GOD alone their Refuge , and contend That cursed strife , in blessed peace may end . 'T is not your carnal policies , or forces , Your Forts , Ships , Armies , Guards of men & horses ; Your fair pretending what was never ment , Your heavy Taxes beyond president , Your flattering Parasites or your Buffoones , Your roaring Hectors , and your Pantaloones , Or Oaths inforced , or great Brags and lies , Nor their complyings whose Hypocrisies Are much depended on , that will effect Those Conquests and those Triumphs they expect Who boast before their Armour is put off , And , at the weapons of the spirit scoff : For , what by vanity may be obtained Shall thereby , be devour'd ▪ assoon as gained . You have betwixt you ( as imply'd before ) Half of all Forraign Tradings , if not more . Your many Manufactures , are become Staple commodities , that bring you home Three times as much in ▪ value ev'ry year As those things , which among you growing are Amounted to unwrought ; and you are grown As rich in Forraign wares as in your own ▪ The Seas have been your Fish-ponds , and afford Enough to make both rich , could you accord And both , alike were frugal . Means of Trade Is in a thousand places to be had , Which to imploy you will sufficient be , When you like Christian Brethren shall agree , Or , but like moral men ; nay , if but so As many Infidels , and some Beasts do ; And , GOD and Natures Laws , would you direct Aright , if , them , you did not wilfully neglect , Make your own Will a Law , and were inclin'd To that , which hath corrupted all Mankinde ▪ Rendring , what for mans real weal was given The greatest outward Plague on this side heaven . So wilfully pursuing your own wayes For your self-ends ; that he who doth not praise Your folly , or with silence pass it by , Is thought no Friend , if not an enemy , And , to reprove Vice is become a Crime Judg'd Capital among you at this time . If you consider these things as you ought , ( And shall not be displeas'd to hear them brought Thus bluntly to remembrance ) I have hope I may still scape the Gollows and the Rope For speaking Truths in season , unto them Who , their well-willers causesly condemn ▪ And , from their Native Countries , banish those For whose sakes , GOD hath kept them from their foes , Waiting with long-long-suffering , when to him They will return , that , he may turn to them . This you may do ; And I have hope of it : For , GOD is resident among you , yet . His Canal sticks are not from you removed ; Within your Borders , of his best beloved Are many thousands , for whose sake , he hath Remembred Mercy , in his hottest wrath . Good Laws you have ; some , likewise , who profess And practise them , in truth and righteousness Though from your first Loves , you are fallen much And , your defects are at this present , such As in the seven Asian Churches were When first the Mystery was hatching there Which now ore-spreads the world ▪ you have not that Comply'd with , but , the same abominate ; And therefore , that you may , return to him GOD hath premonish'd you as he did them , Expecting that you better should improve Then heretofore , his patience and his love , Lest else , you speedily may be bereft As they were , of what , yet appeareth left . A moral Charity retains a place Among you , though grown colder then it was . You have a form of GODliness , whereon If you depended not as you have done , That , which essential is , would more have been Improved , and the power , thereof more seen . Among your many Vices , blended are Some Vertues , which , if you would take more care To cherish , God would such assistance give That they should , for the future better thrive . Though you have multiply'd prevarications By many carnal , gross abominations , And , are with Jezabel ( that Sorceresse ) ( Who counterfeits herself a Prophetesse ) Open Confederates ; some of you hate Her Heresies , and their , who imitate The Nichola●tans : God , now therefore Hanges forth to you a Flag of Truce , once more , ( Into a Comet form'd ) and sets it there Where , it , at one view , may to both appear ; That you might speedily and joyntly , do Through Fear , that which Love could not win you to . For , though the Wisards of preceding Ages And , some how deem'd no despicable Sages , Think these prodgious Meteors called Stars Are constituted of such Characters And shapes , as do undoubtingly fore-shew What things particularly will ensuce , ( Because such consequents have ofter been Observed , they are much deceiv'd therein . ) There 's no such vertue proper to their natures ; For , they are only serviceable creatures Employ'd by Providence , to such an end As we by fired Beacons do intend , When an Invasion's threatned ; They declare In general , that foes approaching are ; Stir up the Nation to a timely heed But , who their Foes are , what plagues will succeed , How long they will continue ; upon whom They first will seize , at what time , they will come ; Or such like things by them we cannot know : For , they no more then Beacons can fore-show . So , this late Exhalation doth portend Some Judgment on offenders will descend Ere long , to make them watchful , and prepare To do those duties which expected are ▪ But in particular presignifies Nor this , nor that ; nor any terrifies Who more desires to know ▪ how by GODS grace , To do his will , then what will come to pass . He that is so affected , seldom fears The influence of Comets , or of Sta●s ; Whereas , they who in folly are benighted Oft , With a harmless Glow-worm are affrighted . Thus far , my mind I have once more exprest And hopeful am , ere long to be at rest From all my Labours ; for , my life , almost , To bring this seasonably forth , it cost . But , some perhaps will now say , what is he That your Remembrancer presumes to be ? To those , I make this answer ; I am one Who stands instead of such a Block or Stone , As Charity did set up heretofore By high-way sides , and somtime at each door , To save men from the violent approaches Of drunken Horse-men , Waggons , Carts & Coaches , And in that service , often are abused Curst , broken , crackt , hackt , cut , flasht , knockt , and bruised By those , who stumbling on them , heedless are To what good purpose they were fixed there . And , if this be my Lot , I as I may , Will bear it , as I have done till this day . For , that which follies hath to many seem'd Hath by much wiser men , been well esteem'd : And , I despare not , though confused noises ▪ Should at this time drown and confound the voices Of sober men : For , when the raging water Doth loudest roar ; winds , make the tacklings clatter , Raffle the sails , and keep the greatest bustle , The storm is peirced by the Boat-swains whistle ; So that all heedful Mariners , thereby Perceive whereto their hands they should apply . So , likewise , though the Rumor of that War Which many hope for , and as many fear , With other such confusions , as our sad Distractions at this present thereto add , Will make these Lines , a while , of small regard With many , and with difficulty heard ; They shall , ere long , by some , with good respect Be entertain'd , and have good effect ; For dayes will come wherein , that , shall from them Be eccho'd forth , which all will not contemn ; And , from whence , at the last , a Voice will come That shall out-sound the ratling of a Drum ; Yet fright no soul but that mans , who depends On carnal weapons , and hath carnal ends . Praecautiones aenigmaicae per omnes personac terminationes , Modi Imperativi declinatae , numero singulari & plurali . Cave MBR . & ED. Cavete V. Caveto A , Caveto B. Cavetote A. Caveat P. P. P. P. & P. Caveant O. Jam qui rident Ha , ha , he , Mox clamabunt . Heu , Vah , Vae . Caveamus ergo , ac Amemus , ni perimus . A COROLLARY . Some think , I , an Apology may need For daring thus to bid my Friends take heed ; And , so perhaps I may ; For , not long since , I suffer'd for as blamless an offence ; And , heretofore , informed was of ONE , Who said ; that to be totally undone Much less displease him would , then if that he Should from undoing , be preserv'd by me ; And , shortly after ( with no little shame ) That , which he might have scapt , upon him came . I hope they wiser are whom , to take heed I now advise and that they 'l better speed . What e're succeds ; Praise will to GOD belong , And of the Saints , this shall be then the Song . A Hallelujah , alluding to the 150 Psalm . Come praise the LORD , come praise him Where Saints assembled are , As hee 's Almighty praise him His Righteousness declare . In his excellings praise him With Trumpet and with Flute , With Harp and Psaltery praise him , With Viol and with Lute , Let nothing that can praise him Unactive be ▪ or mute . Upon the Timbrol praise him In songs his praise advance ; Upon the Organs praise him And praise him in the Dance ; On tingling Symbals praise him That , make the loudest noise And let each crature praise him That sense or breath enjoys , Yea , let privations praise him Although they have no voices . The Mystical sense of what is literal express'd by the Metaphorical and Allegorical contexture of the proceeding Hymn , in the Original Text , according to the Authors under standing thereof , is as followes . BY the Sanctuary is meant the Congregations of the Saints . By the Firmament of Gods power , the unchangeableness of his Almightiness . By his mighty acts , his unresistible Justice . By his excellent greatness . his Mercy , which is said to be over all his works , and his most excellent Attribute . By the Trumpet or Flute , we are exhorted to praise him in our martial expeditions . By the Psaltry and Harpe , in our spirimal rejoicings . By the Viol and Lute in our corporeal and civil recreations . By the Timbrel in those actions which are of a spiritual and natural mixture . By the Dance in all those things wherein we move together , and counteract apart , by deeds , words , and dissenting opinions ; for in a Dance , are various motions , sidings , turnings , returnings , and moving all one way . By Ten steinged I●struments and the Organ ▪ the faculties of our souls and the members of our bodies . By Cymbals , and loud Cymbals , the internal breathings , and external ejaculations of the heart and voice in prayer and praising God. The last two lines of both the foregoing Stanza's , consisting of ten a piece are but a Supplement to my Paraphrase of the 150 Psalm , and not found in the Original . This is in brief my private judgment , not totally excluding the Sense and Interpretation of other pious men . FINIS .