Britain's remembrancer containing a narration of the plague lately past; a declaration of the mischiefs present; and a prediction of iudgments to come; (if repentance prevent not.) It is dedicated (for the glory of God) to posteritie; and, to these times (if they please) by Geo: Wither.

BRITTAN'S REMEMBRANCER .

Canto the first . Our Author first with GOD beginnes ; Describ●s his anger for our si●nes ; Of all his Iudgements mus●er makes ; Declar●s how Mercy under●akes The pleading of this Kingdome 's Ca●se , To bring G●d's wrath unto apawse ; And ( for the common ●eader ) sutes High things , with lowly Attrioutes . Then , steps into a praisefull straine Of CHARLES his new-beginning Reigne ; Empl●res that well-suc●e●d be 〈◊〉 , And , for his weale 〈◊〉 ●ercy pr●y . He Iusti●e al●o , in●roduces , Complaining on our grosse abuses , Who proveth so , our si●full Nation To merit utter Desolation , That all Gods Plagues had ●s encl●sed , If Mercy had not●nterposed . But , after pleading of the case ; With Iustice , Mercy do●h embrace , Who ( that our sinnes may pun●sht be ) To send the Pestilence agree ; Their oth●r : Plagues a while suspending , To prove how that will worke amending . ONe Storm is past , & though some cl●uds appear , A peacefull ayre becalmes our Hemispheare . That frighting Angell whose devouring blade , Among the People such ahavock made , Is now departed , and hath tooke from hence His pois'ned Arrowes of the Pestilence . God smoothes his b●ow ; and lo , we no● obtaine The cheerfull brightnesse of hi●●ace againe . Oh , boundlesse Mercy ! what a change is this ▪ And what a joy unto my heart 〈◊〉 is ! Run quickly Mus● ▪ to cary thy Oblation ; And , ( twixt that Angell , and the Congregation ) Some swee● perfume to our Preserver bu●ne , Before that bloody Messenger returne . ● Let all affaires keepe of● , and give thee way ; For , though my faire●t outward Fortunes lay This houre at spoyle , I would not be advis'd ▪ To speake for them , till I had sacrifis'd ; Nor will I , to the world , one line allow , Till I have made p●●formance of my Vo● . Most awfull Pow'r , by whom hath formed ●in The Globe of Heav'n and Ear●h , and all ●herein ; Thou Alpha , and Omega of my Songs , To whom all glory , and all fame belongs ; To thee , thrice holy and Almighty King , Of Iu●g●ment , ●nd of Mercy , now I sing . Thou hast unclos'd my lips , and I will raise My thankfull v●ice in setting out thy pr●ise : Thou hast pr●serv'd thy Children in the flame , And we ascribe the glory to thy Name : Thou saved hast thy people from ●heir crimes ; And , here , I publish unto ●uture Times , What I have s●ene . Oh! le● my Poeme be A sanctified Sacrifice to t●ee . Acce●t this poore Oblation I prefer ▪ These drams of Incens● , and these drops of M●r●h , ( Which fired in Afflictions Flame , perfume Thy sacred Altars ) gratiously assu●e ▪ And give my Lines a date to last as long As there are speakers of our En●lish tongue ▪ That Children , yet unborne , may reade the Story Which now I sing , to thy pe●petuall glory . And , harke ye People : harken you , I pray , That were preserv'd with me to see this day ; And listen you that shall be brought upon This Stage of action , when our Scaene is done : Come harken all ; and let no soule refraine To heare ; nor let it heare my words in vaine . For , from the ●laughter-house of Deat● , and ●ro● The habitations of the Dead I come . I am escaped from the greedy Iawes Of Hell , and from the furious Lions pawes ; With sorrowes I have lodged ; and I have Experience in the horrors of the Grave ; In those discomfor●s which , by day , assaile ; And those black terrors which , by night , prevaile : Despaire , with her grim Furies , I have seene ; Spectator of Gods Iustice I have beene ; And , passing through Gods Iudgements , had a sight Of those his Mercies which are infinite : And here , I tell the world what I observed ▪ For , to this purpose is my soule preserved . That fatall Yeare , in which the forward ●pring Be●ame an Autumne to our peacefull King ; When Iames his Crowne and Scepter did forgoe , That Charles ( of whom this Kingdome hopeth so ) Might shew , when he did weare hir Diadem , How worthily we plac'd our hopes on him ▪ Yea , when within the compasse of one hou●e , Two King both had , and had not , ●gall pow'r ▪ Ev'n then , by Thames faire Banks ▪ I did reside , Where her swe●t waters washeth ev'ry Tide The spacious verge of that well peopled Towne , Which with most princely Pallaces doth crowne Her goodly streame , and at her Ports and Keyes , Take in the wealth of Kingdomes and of Seas . Our soueraigne Citie , then I did espie Vpon the couch of soft security ; And , how with Peace and Plenty being fed , She toyed like a wanton , on her bed . I saw her drest in all that rich attire , Which doth inflame her Lovers with desire ; And how her idle Children , ev'ry day , Sate downe to eate , and drinke , and rose to play . For , she was growne insensible of cares ; She had almost forgot●en , sighes , and teares ; And all this Iland in her cup of Pleasure , With her had quaf●ed ( so much out of measure ) Till they gr●w drunke together through excesse , And wilde and giddy in their drunkennesse ▪ They h●d almost forgotten him , from whom Their ease and their prosperity d●d come . They spent their houres in laughter and in song , And grew regardlesse of the poore mans wro●g . They alwayes clothed went in soft aray ; They fed themselues with dainties , day by day ; And , that no outward meane● of pleasure might Be wanting to accomplish their delight , Those iollities , wherein they did appeare , Were further'd by the season of the yeare . The windes then breathed on them wholsome aire T●e G●oves , th●ir su●●er clothings did repaire ; The frui●full F●eld● wit● f●esh gr●ene gownes were clad , Which Flor● curiou●ly embroydered had : The pleasant G●rdens their choyce plaints displaid , 〈◊〉 Orch●rd with gay blossomes wore arraid ; The winged Choristers did sweetly sing , And with choice Musicke welcome in the Spring : Their streets with m●●chlesse bravery did shine ; Their Parlers many beauties did enshrine ▪ Their costly Bowres with rarities were hung , And alwayes filled with a merry throng ▪ Of nought but sports & triumphs were their dreams Wealth , health & honor , were their studied theam●s No noisome Plagues , within their Gates were found , Of Grones , their dwellings did but rarely sound ▪ Nor was there ●●y storme or danger feared : For , in this Hemisphere so bright appeared New CHARLES his waine , that sunlike he did chase All fogs of discontentment from each place , And , all those clouds of griefe , expelled farre , Which rose at settin● of our IACOB Starre . But , oh how ●●●stlesse are those lying showes Of happinesse , on which most men repose Their greatest confidence ? And from our fight How swiftl● did these pleasures take their flight ▪ For , whether he , who from his heav'nly sphere Beholde●h all our though●s and actions here , Did with a searching ey● , examine more Our cours●● at that present then before : Or , whether hee our carelesnesse had cyde , Or our hypocrisie , or else our pride , O● our impiety ; or wh●th●r he Did in this Iland , or this Kingdome see Our old Idolatr●es come creeping in ; Or , whether he some new devised sinne Descride to sprout among us here ; yea , whether It were some one of these , or all together , Or what it was , I know not : But it prov'd . A crying s●●ne ; and so extreamly moov'd ▪ God 's gentleness● that angry he became ; His browes were bended , and his eyes did flame . Me thought ● saw it so : and ( though I were Afraid within his presence to appeare ) My Soule was rais'd above her common station ; Where what en●ues I view'd be Contemplation . There is ● spacious Round which bravely reares Her Arch above the top of all the Spheares , Vntill her bright Circumference doth rise Above the r●ach of Mans , or Angels eyes ; Conveying through the Bodies christalline Those Rayes which on our lower Globe doe shine , And , all the great and lesser Orbes , doe lye Within the compasse of that Canopy . In this large Roome of State is fixt a Throne , From whence the wise Creator looks upon His workmanship ; and thence doth heare and see , All sounds , all pl●●es , and all thi●gs that be . Here sate the King of Gods ; and from about His eye-lids , so much terror sparkled out , That ev'ry circle of the Heav'ns it shooke , And all the World did ●remble at his looke ; The prospect of the Skie , ●hat earst was cleare , Did with a low●ing countenance appeare : The troubled Ayre , before his presence ●led ; T●e Earth into her bosome ●hrunk her head ; The Dee●s did ro●re ; the Heights did stand amaz'd ; The Moone an● Stars upon each other gaz'd ; T●e Sun did stand unmoved in his path ; The Hoast of Heav'n w●s frig●t●d at his wrath ; And with a voice which made all Creatures quake , To this effect , the great ETERNALL spake . Are we a GOD ? and is there pow'r in us Ta s●artle all our whole Creati●n thus ? And yet , are we despis'd , as if these Pow'rs Were either lesser growne , or none of ours ? Are we , that with our ●entles● breath can blow All things to nothing , still abused so ? Hath our long suffring hardned so our Foes , That now our Godhead into question growe● ? N●y ( which is worse ) have we compassion showne , Till we are quite neglected of our owne ? Is this the Land whom we have lov'd so long , And , in our love , elected from among The Heathen Iles ( and at the first was burl'd Into the utmo●t corner of the world ) That we might raise the glory of her name , To equall King domes of the greatest fame ? Is this that Iland , which our love did place ( Within our bosome ) in the safe embrace Of great Oceanus ? and , garden like Did whar●e about ( within her watry Dike ) With mighty Rocks , and Cliffes , whose tops were higher , Then any foming Billow da●es aspire ? Is this the Kingdome , which our band h●th made The Schoole and Shop , of ev'ry Art , and Trad● ? The Cornucopia of all needfull plenties ? The Storehouse , and the Closset of our dainties ? Our Iewell house , and Palace royall , where The fairest of our Loves maintained are ? Is this the Cou●t●y which our bounty served With store of bread , when many Lands were starved ? And whom we have pres●rved from the spoiles Of Foes abroad , and from domesticke b●oyles ? Are theirs the Cities , which doe weare the Flag Of Peace , while Rochel , Heidleb●rg , and Prague , And ●ll the Christian world engaged are , In some offensive , or defensive warre ? Are their 's the Cities , to whose fleets were showne , The pathlesse wayes through many seas unknowne ? Whose wealthy Merchants have encreast their trade From ev'ry Port and Creek , that we have made ? Whose vessel● have , by our protection , gone Past both the Tropicks , and through every Zone , And made their petty Villages , become Acquainted with more worlds , then ancient Rome ? Is this that people unto whom we gave , More lovely Bodies , then most Nations have ? And in whose minds ( of our especiall grace ) We did the best ●pproved temper place ? Is this that People , whom we did restore To humane shape , when as the sca●let-whore Had with her charmed Cup of poisned wine , Tran●form'd them into Asses , A●es and swine ? Did we in pers●cution heare their cries ? T●ke off , the s●●les of blindnesse from t●eir eyes ▪ Win●ke at their follies , when they most offended ? Forbeare the punishments ●hat were intende● ? From diverse Plagues inflicted them release ? Make Europe stand and wonder at their peace ? Yea ▪ save them f●om the malice of their Foe , When all were like to perish at a blow ? And , grace and fav●ur undeserved shew , Wh●n they their owne dest●●ction did purs●e ? H●ve we , these threesc●re yeares and upwards b●est Th●ir Kingdomes●rom ●rom those troubles that i●fest Most other States ? And ( when their soules had been Nigh famisht else ) did we provide a Queene , ( A maiden Queene ; with vertues masculine ) To nurse them up in holy Discipline ? Did we provide , when she her cou●se had ●un , A King who favor'd , what her hand begun ? And now another , who doth both re●tore Those hopes they lost in him , and promise more ? Did we but here , of late , when they had lost Their Prince ( that now is King ) when they almos● Despair'd of his returne , for evermore , When he remained on th' Iberian shore ? Did we a●cept their vowes ? observe their teares ? Com●assionate their jealousies and feares ? And send their Darling home , when few did know Whereon to build a hope it should be so ? Yea , when throughout the world no other pow'r , Could such a work have compassed but our ? H●ve we endur'd their frowardnesse so long ? Forgiven and forgotten so much wrong ? Sought after them , when they ●ad us forsaken ? So of● , their counte●feit Repentance taken ? So many times appa●an● made unto them , Wha● mischiefes their owne ●oolish projects doe them ? Yea , did we freely ▪ sundry blessings daigne Vnaskt , which other Lands could not obtaine By labors , vowes , and prayers ? And have they thus , For all those benefits requited us ? Is that their vowed thankfulnesse ? Are these The fruits of all their zealous promises ? Is this their Piety ? Goe , draw together Thy Forces , Vengeance : quickly march them th●●her , With all our Armies ; and consume them so , That we ma● never more displeased grow At their unkindnesse ; or be cheated by The fained weepings of Hypocrisie . No sooner had he spoken , but , behold , An Hoast ( which he doth alway keepe enrold , To execute his wrath ) did straight appeare ▪ And in his awfull pres●nce mustred were . So many Troups , did ●ound about him throng , That , all the wo●ld with Plagues , was ove●hung : For not a Iudgement is there , which hath name , But , thither to attend his Will it came . Sterne visag'd WAR ( whose very look doth strike ) Came driving on his Charret , Iehu like ; Arm'd and beset with holberts , bills , and glaves , Bowes , a●rowes , pikes pole axes , darting staves , Guns , balls of fire , and ev'ry thing that furthers The worke of Desolation , Wounds , and Murthers . His prime c●mpanions , The●t and Rapine were , With all those Vices wh●ch most c●uell are . And at their heeles pursu●d all those Bands Of raging mischiefes , that afflict the La●ds On which he falls . This is that roring Fiend Who Lawes , and Leagues , doth into pieces rend . This is that bloody Tyrant , who o're-turnes The goodl'est Monument● , and spoiles and b●rnes The fairest Dwellings . This , is he that raze● Renowned Cities , and the strongest places . This is that sacrilegious Theefe , who spares Nor Hospitall nor Temple ▪ neither heares The ●uits or cries of ●ged or of young ; Nor is regardfull of men we●ke or ●trong . The Suckling from his Mo●hers brest be snatcheth And braines it in her sight : The Wife he c●tcheth Ev'n from her Husbands bed ▪ and Virgins from Their Lovers armes , his Strumpets to become . A sertile Soile he makes a Wildernesse , And Wolves , and Beares , and Foxes , to possesse Those places , wherein Arts did once abound ; And where have dwelled Nations most renown'd ▪ However , he 's an instrument of God's ; And usually , the l●st of all those rod● Which on a thankless● Kingdome he do●h lay , Befo●e he finally remove away The mean●s of Grace . Next him , came sneaking in Leane Famine , with ●are bones , and pa●ched skinne ; With deep sunke eyes , with talons over-growne ; With hungry teeth that would have crackt a s●one ; And , close behind her , and at ei●her hand , Such Troups did wait , as are at her command . The crawling Caterpill●rs , wa●●full Flye● , The skipping Locust ( that in winter dies ) Floods , Frosts , & Mi●●ewes , Blastings , Windes , & Storme● , Drough , rav'nous Fowles , & Vermine , Weeds , & Worme● ▪ Sloth , Evill busdandry , and such as those , Which make a Scarcenesse where most plenty grows . This is that hungry Houswife , who first found The searching out for meat f●om under ground ; To dig up Roots ; to rellish , well , the taft Of stin●ing Garlick , and of bitter Mast. She taught poore people ●ow to fill their mawes , With Bramble-berries , Hedge-picks , Hips , & Hawes ▪ T was she who finding on the sandy shore A ●eape of Oisters ( all bedaubed o're ) First sought within those dirty shels for meat , Else we had never dar'd of them to eate ; Nor thought , nor hoped , that so foule a dish Could bring to table such a dainty fish . Twa● she that learn'd the Spaniards how to dre●●e Their Frogs ; the Frenchman how to cooke a me●se Of ●pu●●y Mushromes ; Germans how to make A dinner or a ●upper on a Snake ; Italians on the slimy Snaile to feed ; Our Irishme● to live upon a weed That growes in Marshes . And I dare to say , That , but for her , we scarce had heard this day Of Caveär , and twenty such like bables , Which Gluttony now sets upon our Tables . The broyling of old shooes , was her device ; And so w●s eating Carrion , Rats , and Mice . Those dainty pallats which could relish no●ght But what was fet farre off , and dearly bought , She so hath d●●●ed , that they could feed On mouldy scraps ; and beg them too for need . This Hag , hath Townes and Cities famished . With humane flesh , she hungry men hath ●ed : She fo●c't them hath to suck their horses blood : To feed on Pigeons dung ( in stead of food ) And dearly purchase it . Yea , some constrained To drinke their Vrine , when they drought sustained . Nay , this is that un●quall'd cruell-one , Who urg'd a Mother , once , to kill her Sonne , And make unnaturally that cursed wombe Which gave him being , to be made his tombe . Ev'n this is She , God shield us from her cheere , And g●ant her Plagueship never settle here . The Pestilence , moreover , thither brought Her feared forces , and employment sought . This is that Nimble Fury , wh● did stay Her three and twenty thousand in one day ; And in th' Assirïan Camp , to death did smite , Almost two hundred thousand in one night . Betwixt an evening and a morning-tide , From ev'ry house a soule she did divide Throughout the Land of Aegypt ; and could mark Their eldest-borne , although the nigh● were dar● . In little space , she quite hath overthrown● Great Cities , and dispeopled many a Towne . She from each other makes acqua●ntance run , Before that any injuries be don● ; And of t●e po●s'ning - Art hath found the height , For , she know●s how to poison by conceit . A Mantle wrought with purple spots she wore , Embost wi●h many a Blaine , and many a Sore . She had a raving Voice , a frantick Lock , A noys●me Breath , and in her hand she shooke A venom'd speare , which , where it toucheth , fills The veines with poison , and distracts , and kills . Within her Regiment are all Diseases , And ev'ry Torment which the Body seizes ; Go●ts , Collicks , Lethargies , and Apo●lexies , Obstruction , which the spleene , or stomack v●xe● ; The ●ox of ev'ry kinde , ●heumes , aches , Stiches , Quick-killing Pleurisies , and Scabs , and Itches ; The Burning-Fever , who deserveth well The place of her Lieutenant-Colonell ; Consumptions , Gangreeves , Coughes , and Squina●cie● , The Falling-evill , Cramps , and Lunacies , ( With other such Diseases , many moe Then I am able by their names to know ) Besides those maladies the Sea procures , As , sloath-bred Scurvies , and mad Calentures ; And all those other Griefes , and Sorrowes , which Those Sicknesses doe bring on poore and rich . But , of that Hoast which here is mentioned , The maine Battalion was both rang'd and led By that slye Prince , ( ev'n that malicious one ) Which in the ayrie Region hath his throne . To fu●ther his designes , he brought in Lyes , Extortion , Bribing , Fraud , and Perjuries ; With many thousand stratagems beside , Whose dangerous effects are often tride . All ravenous Beasts , ( or rather those of whom Such Beasts are Emblemes ) in his troups did come : To worke his mis●hiefes ( with amaze and wonder ) He furnisht was ●ith Lightnings , Winds , & Thunder ; Prodigious apparitions , and those sights Wherewith mens troubled fancies he affrights ; And , thither did ( for soule-assaults ) ●epaire His two black Twins , Pr●sumpt●on and Despaire . Attended by those manifold Temptations , Wherewith he maketh sure the reprobations Of all obdurate finners ; whom in wrath Our God , deservedly rej●cted hath . These greedy Spoilers , hungry for a prey , Stood ready , Gods commandings to obey : Who having view'd their well prepared Bands , ( And pointing out his finger to these Lands ) Said ; Goe ye Plagues . And ( had he not beene staid ) Lay waste , that sinfull Realme , he would have said . And yet , it seems , these dreadfull shews were ra●her The threatnings of a wise and loving Father , ( To bring his Children to a filiall feare ) Then such a wrath as doth in Fo●s appeare . For , ne●ther Chance , nor Time , no● New-desert , Was interposed on the guilty part : But , God's owne good●ess● brought the means about That stopt our Doome , before his words were out . And thus it was . The great Almighty One Hath evermore attending on his th●one Two royall Daughters . One of t●em is she That 's called Iustice ; and her Emblemes be An equall Ballance , and a flaming Blade , To weigh the Good their due , and fright the ●ad : And , both with hand and eye she threatens those , That her uprightnesse , any way oppose . The other for her Hierogliphick weares A Box of Balme , and in her bosome beare● A sucking Lambe , ( which meek and ha●mles creature Doth somewhat intimate her gen●le nat●re ) Betwixt her beauteous brests , a true Co●passion Erecteth her perpetuall habitation ; And , su●h a lovely sweet aspect hath she , That s if Wrath saw her , Wrath in love would be . We call her Clemency . She o●ten makes Our peace with God , and his displeasure slakes . This Princesse , ma●king well with what inte●t Her Lord would those great Armies forth have sent ; And finding , by that wrath she saw in him , What Desol●tions would have followed them ; With teares of pitie , to his throne she ran , To kisse and to embrace hi● feet began ; And ( whilst his halfe-spoke sen●ence God delaid ) These words , the faire-well spoken Virgin said . Deare , ●h deare Fa●her ! wherefore frownst thou s● ? What fearfull thing art thou about to doe ? Hold ( I beseech thee hold ) thou backe the doome , Which from thy lips is now about to come ; And bear ( Dread Sov'raign ) heare thy Handmaid speak A word or two , before thy Iustice wreake Deserv●d vengeance on that wretched place Which hath so fallen from thy wonted Grace . Loo● Father ▪ looke upon me : it is I , Thy best-beloved Daughter CLEMENCIE ▪ T is I whom thou forget●est . I am she Who in thy bosome lay , belov'd of thee Before all worlds ; and had a sov'raignty O're all thy creatures from eternity . T is I , at whose intreaty thou wert moved To send thine onely Sonne , thy best-beloved ( For Mans redemption ) to assume the nature , The forme , and frailties , of a finfull creature . T is I that have presu●ed to become A suitor now , to stay thy heavy d●ome : And , why should I be doubtfull to make triall Of thy regard , or fearfull of deniall ? In Iudgement , thou hast promised , oh Lord ! To thi●ke on Me ( ev'n in thy w●itten word ) Yea , Heav'n and E●rth have often heard thee say , Thou nev●r woul●●t , for ever , cast away Thy Loving-Mercy ; and , I k●ow , thou mus● And wilt , be found in all thy sayings , just . But , then , to what intents , doe These appeare ? Why are thy dreadfull Armies mustred he●e ? What fav●ur is it possible to show , Where such a Rablement as this , shall goe ? Why may not Pit●e shew her selfe as well Within the bottome of the low●st Hell As where these revell ? Doubtlesse , these rude Bands Will spare nor Lawes nor Temples in those Lands To which thou send them shalt ; but , from each plac● Root out ( with ev'●y present meanes of Grace ) All outward helps of present knowing thee , If equall to their hate , their pow'r may be . And , what if then their breathlesse fury shall Leave some few trifles which are temporall ? For what will they reserve them , but to breed A race of Infidels ? a wicked seed , For them to prey upon ? a Brood , to whom The Blessings left Damnation shall become . Thou hast upon that Iland ( I confesse ) Bestowed Favours , great and numberlesse . I know that they may justly blush for shame , To heare how grossely they abuse thy Name ; Yea , th●y now are , and have a long time bin , Growne out of measure sinfull in their sin . Yet , if thou look upon them , thou shalt see Some there , who bend not unto ●aal their knee ; Some left , who for thine honour sirme ha●e ●●ood ; Some , who have garments washed in the blood Of thy unspotted Lamb : and some , which beare Those marks , that Seales of thy free pardon are . Oh! let not them enclos'd w●th Sinners be , Nor swallowed up with such who know not thee . But , for the sakes o● those forb●are thou , rath●r , The Tares , untill thy Harvest thou shalt gather : So , by those Follies which in them abound , Thy Goodnesse shall the farther be renown'd . If , therefore , thou this Kingdome shouldst not spare , Because , repleat with sin her dwellings are , What Nation is there , or what Habitation , That merits not perpetuall reprobation ? Where wilt t●ou finde a People , under Heav'n , Which hath not ev'ry way occasion giv'n Of thy displeasure ? Or , what Man is there That in thy sight could justifi●d appeare , If thou shouldst mark him with a frowning eye ? And , what a pretty Nothing , then were I , If no man lived , that amisse had done , For me , to exercise my pity on ? Nay , if Transg●ession had but finite been , How should thy Mercies infinite . be seene ? Though on this Field ( which thou hast plow'd & sown With purest Wheat ) some wicked-ones have throwne Their Tares , by night ; yet , somewhat it hath borne For which it may be ●ald thy Field of Corne . Thy Fence is yet about it ; and there stands A Fort , and Wine-presse , builded by thy hands . There are thy Sacraments , thy Word divine , There , is the Schoole of Christian Discipline . There , may the me●nes of Grace be kept in s●ore For those who will hereaf●er prise them more . Thy poo●e afflicted Servants ▪ thither may From forraine persecutions flye away ; ●●d sheltred in a Storme , there s●f●ly tary , As in a Fortresse , or a ●anctuary . But , whither shall they flye when that lyes wast ? Where shall thy sacred Oracles be plac'd ? Or whither with her Sonne that Woman goe , Who by the Dragon is pursued so ? I know that if thou please thou canst provid● A place for her , securely to abide , Amid the Westerne wilderness● ( and where Scarce glimmerings of thy favo●rs yet appeare ) By moulding out the Heathen Salvages To be a people far surpassing these . This , Lord , thou couldst effect ▪ and make of them Thy people , whom these most of all contemne . And , since this Nation , in their weal●●y peace , Have sent out Colonies , but to en●rease Their private gaine : since they faire show●s have made Of publishing thy Gospell ▪ when the Trade For cursed lucre ( as the Times reveale ) Was chiefest founder of their fained zeale : Since they in that , and other things , pretend Religion , when t is farthest from their end : Thou didst but right , if thou shouldst force their se●d To set●le on some barbarous Coast for reed ; And , there , thy Truth , to those , with sorrow preach , Whom they neglected , in their weale , to teach . But , since it were no more for thee to doe , This Land to save , and call ano●her too , Then one such worke so compasse ; why I pray Shouldst thou remove their Candlestick away ? Why maist not Thou , who all compassion art , Thy people , rather , by thy pow'r convert , Then quite destroy them ? wherefore shouldst thou no● Their errors forth ●f thy remembrance blot , As heretofore ? And alwayes praised be For that abundant Love , which is in thee ? Why should their Foes and thine , with jeering say , Now , ●ow we see our long-expected Day ▪ Why w●lt thou give them cause to domineere ? Ev'n those , who love not thee , to laugh , and fleere A● their destruction , who , thy Truth profest , ( If not u●fainedly ) in shew , at least . Though t●ey have ill-deserv'd , why should the shame Of their off●nces fall upon thy Name ? And , thy Blasphemers ( by thy Peoples fall ) Assume the ●oldnesse on themselves , to call Thy Gospel into question ? Or , thereby , T●ei● shamelesse falshoods seeke to justifie ? Why should the wicked , take occasion from Th●se ●lagues , to say ▪ Where is their God become ? Where is their pow'r , on which they did r●pose ? Where is their ●aith ? where are the hopes of those Their s●rvices ? Oh! for thine owne deare sake , ( However they des●rve ) compassion take . Deare SIR , have pittie : and , as often , thou Hast granted my request , vouchsafe it now . Yea , to those many thousands , heretofore , From thy abundance , adde one favour more ▪ By these , and other Motives ( breathed from A zealous brest ) the heav'ns are overcome . His love of us , doth so our Sampson wound , That , he hath taught us , how he may be bound . Yea , Holy-writ informeth us , that He , By such like Charmings , will compelled be . And , now they so prevailed , that the rage Of our great God , they partly did aswage . Which , MER●Y by his looke , had quickly heeded ; And taking that a●vantage , thus proceeded , Oh! what a co●fort is it , to behold ▪ Thine Eye speak Mercy , and thy Brow unfold A reconcilement ! Now , I seeme to see Thy gracious face , to shine againe on me . I finde it is the jealousie of Love , ( And no effect of hatred ) which doth mov● Thy wronged Patience : and , that when thou hides● Thy presence in an angry Cloud , or chidest , It 〈◊〉 not alwayes in consuming wrath , ( ●o punish , as the faul● deserved hath ) But , that thy frighting Iudgements might prevaile , To worke a●endment , when thy Love doth faile . That People whom so much thou didst aff●ct , How canst tho● have a purpose to reject , So long as in their Co●fines doth remaine That Number , which thy Vengeance doth restraine ? Who can beleeve ●hat thou defra●a'st such cost , To purchase what , thou meanest shall be lost ? Or , labour to erect them , didst bestow , For nothing else , but them away ●o throw ? Why should I thinke , thy endlesse ▪ goodnesse , had So little care , to save what thou hast made , That Sathans Hate , shou●d for their Desolation , Out-worke thy Love , in working their Salvation ? Or , that the boundlesnesse of M●ns transgression , Could over-match thine Infini●e Compassion ? It m●y not be beleeved ; Or , that this Pre●ended warre , for finall ruine is . Since , if in summoning thy Iudgement● , now , Thou hadst propos'd their u●ter overthrow , Thou wouldst not have discovered an assection , ●y still co●tinu●ng them , in thy prote●tion , As yet thou dost : Nor ●a●ly s●nd unto them Love-tokens , ( as if kindnesse , thou wouldst doe them Which they should never know of ) nor , make show Os having ●eft them , when t is nothing so Thus hav● I seene , on ea●th , a Lover use His Best-beloved , when she did abuse His true affection . Though he seeme unkind● , That her unkindnesse she may thereby find● ; Yea , though he faine some outward disrespec●● , Yet , in his hea●t , so truly he affects , That , whats●ever good , he can , he does her : By meanes unscene , to her lost vertues , wo●es her : For h●r well-doing , takes a thousand cares : Of her ill-doing , hath ten thousand seares : Wakes not , but thoughts of her , in waking , keepes ; Sleeps not , but dreameth of her , when he sleep●s . Not ceasing to end●avour , 〈◊〉 he see Some sparkes of lost affection kindled be . And , as her over sights she doth deplore , So , he his love discovers , more and more ; Vntill the fire , that was a long tim● bid , Breake forth , and flame as high as e're it did . I never knew thee , yet , to rui●ate A wicked Kingdom● , or a sinfull State , Professing thee ; but , thou didst first withdr●w From those Offenders , thy abused Law . And , as in Christian Realmes , the temp'rall Sword Cuts off no Preacher of thy blessed Word , ( For any Crime committed ) untill he Of Holy-orders , first degraded be : So , thou ( most frequently ) dost first remove The Scales of Grace , and Pledges of thy Love , B●fore thou give up Lands into their pow'r , W●o them , and theirs , shall finally devoure : For , till thy holy things , be fetched from Th●ir Coast , such Desolation shall not come . Those , they retaine . And , if conclude I shall From hope of any blessing temporall , That yet thou lovest them ( and dost intend Their Land , with future favours , to befriend ) That King which thou hast now on them bestowne , Some token of thy Clemency hath showne . For , if man may by good externall signes , Conjecture whereunto his heart enclines : If Thou , to whom all secrets open be , See'st that in him , which mortalls hope they see ; And hast not mockt that People , sor their sinne , With shewes of things that have not reall bin : ( As Lord forbid ) No Kingdome hath a Prince , Whose infant yeares , gave ●etter ●vidence , ●hat with an earthly Crowne he should inherit , A plentious portion of thy sacred Spirit . None liveth now , on whom the gen'rall eye Did so much gaze , and so few scapes espy . F●w private men were in their youth so fr●e From all those vanities , which frequent be In these rude times ( he having meanes to doe His pleasure , and , perhaps , s●rong temptings too ) Who seemed of those knowledges , more faine That might informe him , to obey , and raigne ? How well those crossings was he thought to beare , Which in the times of his subjection were ? And , with how brave a temper to neglect , To be aveng'd of wrongs and disrespect ? ●hat Sonne , did in his Fathers life time , show ●●iliall feare and love , united so ? Or , which of all thy Vice-royes d●dst thou see App●are more zealously devout then ●e ? Thou knowest which : But , if they doe not erre Who , things by probability , inferre , It might be said , The world had not his peere In all those vertues , that are mention'd here . And should conf●ssed be , ev'n of his soe , They had not flattred who affi●med so : Since , what was of his worth , at home conceiv●d , All Europe for a verity received . And lo● ; now by thy Grace he sitteth on The seat of Rule , and in his Fathers Th●one ; Who giveth signes of truer love to thee ? Or of more conscience , of his Charge , the● He ? What Monarke , in appearance , better preache●h By good Examples , what thy Precepts teacheth ? Or which of all his reverend Prelacy , In shewes of true religious constancie , Outgoes or equals him ? Oh! if so cleare His vertues prove ▪ as yet they doe appeare , How glorious will they grow ? And , what a light Will he become , when he ascends the height Of his great Orbe ? And , oh ! what pitty 't were His minde should ever fall below that spheare Of Grace which he hath climb'd ! or , that thy Love Should wanting be , to keepe him still above ! How grievous would it be , that his beginning ( So hopefull , and such l●ve and honour winning ) Should faile that expectation , which it hath ? And , make thee shut thy favour up , in wrath ? Let not oh God! let not the sins of others Nor any fog ( which Vertues glorie smothers ) Ascending from his frailties , make obscure His rising honor , which yet seemeth pure . If might , in him , be w●nting of that worth Which to the publike view is blaz●d sorth , Forgive , and perfect him , that he may grow , To be in deed , what he appeares in show . Yea , Lord ( as farre as humane frailty can Permit the sa●e ) make him , ev'n such a Man As now that Kingdome needs ; and spare that Nation For him , which else deserveth Desolation . 〈◊〉 If he be what he seemeth ; Thou ( I know ) ●ilt save his Land from utter overthrow . Thou , in the life-time of a p●ous King , Wert never yet , accustomed to bring Destruction : For , thou shewedst him compassion , Who did but once , well act humiliation ; ●v'n wicked Ahab ; and within his Times Thou wouldst not pun●sh ( no no● ) his owne Crimes . Oh! be as mercifull , as thou hast bin ; And let this King ▪ thy favours triumph in . ●et that exceeding Grace already shew'd him , ( Ev'n that wherewith thy Spirit hath indu'd him ) Be Pledges of some greater Gifts , with whic● Thou shalt in future times , his heart enrich . His br●st inflame thou , with a sacred fire ; Teach him to aske , and give him his desire : Grant him thy Wìsdome , and thy Righteousnesse , The wrongs of all his People to redresse . Let him the Widow , and the Orphane save , Releeving all , that need of succour have : And , let his Mountaines , and each lesser Hill , Hi● humbler Dales , with peace , and plenty fill . As he was honor'd in his Preservation , So , let him glory still in thy Salvation . As he persisteth to relie on thee ; So , let him sure of thy protection be . Be thou his onely joy . Be thou I pray His Triumph on his Coronation-●ay . Crowne thou his head with purified gold : Make st●ong his Scepter , ●nd his Throne uphold , To be renowned by thy Grace divine , As long as either Sunne , or Moone shall shine . Since thou to rule thine Isr●el dost appoint him , Let thy most holy Spirit , Lord , anoint him . Make thou a league with him , as thou hast done With David , and adopt him for thy Sonn● . To thee , Thou art my Father , let him say , My God , my Rocke of safety , and my stay . Throghout those Lands , where thou to raign shalt place him With Title , of thy First-begotten , grace him . And , let his Kingdomes harbor none of them , Who shall deny him to be their Supreme . So guard , and so enclose him with thine Arme , The Man of Sinne ; may nev●r doe him harme . To him , his Adversaries all subject , And , prosper none that him shall disaffect . Lead thou his Armies , when his Warre beginnes ; Make thou his Peace , when he the Battle winnes . Let still thy Truth , and Love , with him abide ; Let in thy Name , his name be glorifi'd . Doe thou the Seas into his pow'r d●liver ; Make thou his right hand reach beyond the River ; And , plant so strongly on the Banks of Rhyne , Those fruitfull Branches of his Fathers Vine , ( Whom late the salvage Bore ( with tripled pow'r ) Hath rooted up , with purpose to devoure ) That they may spread their Clusters , far and nigh ; And fill , and top , the Germane Empery . Yea , minde thou , Lord , the scorn●s and de●amations , Which they have borne among their neighboring nations ▪ And , please to comfort them , and make them glad , According to the sorrowes they have had . To them , so sanctifie their great affliction , That it may bring their vertues to perfection ; And , fit them for some place , in which they shall Helpe reare againe , decaying Sions wall . Oh! keep for them , a favour still in store ; Preserve them in thy League , for evermore ; Blesse thou that Race , which is or shall be given : As lasting make it , as the day●s of heav'n : And , if thy Lawes or Iudgements , they forsake , Or , if thy League , or Covenant , they breake , With Rods , let them , in mercie , be corrected ; But , never fall , for aye , to be rejected . The like for this new Monark , I emplore : In him , encrease thy Graces , more , and more . Make ●im a Blessing , for all Christendome : Make him , a Patterne , for all Times to come : Make him , in ev'ry happy course persever ; And , let him live , for ever and for ever . His Royall Robe , he hath but new put on ; And , I my prayers have but new begun . Oh let me to thy Majestie prefer These few Petitions , in particular : And place them where , they may both day and night , Stand , evermore , unfolded in thy sight . First , teach him , to consider , how and why , T●ou hast enthron'd him on a seat so high ▪ And , so to think on his great charge ; and trust , As one who knowes he come to reckning m●st : Fo● , honors if by thee they be not blest , Make wisest men as brutish as a beast . Teach him to minde , how great the favour wa● , When thou , of thy meere motion , and thy Grace , Didst from so many millions chuse out him , To weare this Kingdomes fourefold Diadem : And , make thy Servants , favour'd in his sight ▪ As thou hast made of him , thy Favorite . Teach him , the fittest meanes to take away ( And let none murmure at his just delay ) Those Groves , and those Hill-Altars in the Land , Which suffred are unt●ll his dayes to stand : And , give him wisedome , wisely to foresee , That Wheat from Chaffe , may well distinguisht be . For , some will , else , bring Truth into suspition , Condemne good Discipline , for Superstition ; And with faire shewes , of Piety , beguile , That underhand they may encroach , the while , On Gods Inheritance ; and from her teare Those outward Ornam●nts his Bride doth weare . Oh! let him purge from Church and Commonweale , Those inflammations of corrupted zeale , And indigested humors , which doe spread Distempers through the Stomacke ; paine the Head : And , by prepost'rous courses , raise a storme To rend that Body , which it would reforme . Let him , his Reformations , first begin , Like David , with himselfe : and search within The closset of his heart , what he can finde , Which may annoy him there , in any kinde : And let him thence expell it , though it were , As deare unto him as his eye-bals are . His Houshold , let him next enquire into , And , well informed be , what there they doe ▪ That , so he may expect thy Comming-day With heart upright , and in a perfect way . Let him in no prophanenesse take del●ght , Nor brook a wicked person in his sight . ●e● no Blasphemer in his presence tarry ; Nor they that falshoods , to and fro , doe carry . L●t him acquai●tance with all such refrain● ; The lowly cherish ; h●ughty mindes restrain● ; Enquire for them that vertuou●ly excell , And take in honest men with him to dwell . No such Projector , who doth put in vse Great Injuries , to mend a small abuse ; Nor such , who in reforming , doe no other B●t rob one Knave , to helpe enrich another ; And prove themselves , when tryall doth befall , To be , perhaps , the veriest K●aves of all . Let him be curst with no base Officer , Who doth before true Honor , Gold prefer ; And , ●o enrich his Ches● , a little more , Would in his Reputation , make him poore : Or with some needlesse Treasure , to supply him , Lose him more Lo●e , then all his Lands can buy him . Let no man of his daily bread partake , Who at thy holy Boord shall him forsake ; And , lay thou open their dissimul●tion , Who shall approve of Na●mans Tol●ration . K●epe from his Counsells , though their wit excels , All Hypocrites , and all Achitophels . Yea , let thy Wisdome , hi● discretion blesse , From Rehoboams childish wilfulnesse , Who lef● his ancient Princes good directions , ●o follow his young Nobles raw projections . Or , if ●e like their Counsels , and receive them , Harme let th●m bring to none but those wh● gave them : And , if to him some dammage they procure , Let present losse his future peace procure . Make him perceive that humane Policy 〈◊〉 H●nd m●id to rel●●ious H●ne●ty ; And that , the man who doth foundation● lay On Iustice , ( and proves co●stant in his w●y ) Shall mad the Politician ; and ●ake vaine His underminings without fear● , or paine . For , as a Fowler seldome doth su●prise That wary Bird , which can her s●lfe suffise , With what thy ●and provideth in the fi●lds , Or , what the ●orrest , for h●r die● yeelds : So , sl●ights of Policy ( although , perchance , They seeme , a while , to worke some hinderance ) Can disadvantage no●e , but those , who leaving The pathes of Vertue , and themselves deceiving With some false hopes ( which were before them laid ) Made them the meanes , whereby they were betrayd . Make him as precious in his Peoples eyes As their owne blood . Far higher let them prise His honor then their fortunes ; and let him , Be ev'ry way as tender over them . Yea , let the mutuall love , betwixt them bred , Vnite them as the Body , and the Head . ●or , such a blessed Vnion doth procure More saf●ty then foure Kingdomes can assure ; Commands mens hearts , their fortunes , and their lives , Is chiefe of all his chiefe Pre●ogatives ; And shall more comfort , and more profit doe him , Then all those frui●lesse claimes can bring unto him ; Whereto , perchance , they urge him will , who shall Pretend his honor , when they seeke his fall . Such men in Princes Courts were ●ver found , But , thou their l●wd Projections wilt confound ; And , when their vaine devise b●ing on them , Confusion , w●o thi● r●all Truth contemne ; When such men's fool●sh counsels , shall have brought Th●se mischiefs o● them which thei● hands have wrou●●● ( Yea , when opprest , with feares and discontent , They shall , too late , perhaps , their course repent ) Then , they in heart shall forced be to say , That , what they sleighted was the safest way . Blesse him from those , who censure his Intents , His Counsel● , or his Actions by events : An● saw●ily , his Iudges dare appeare On ev'ry sla●d'rous Rumor they shall hea●e . Preserve him from those Minions ( who do raise Their credits by another mans dispraise ) That Machivillian crew , who to endeare Their base immerits , fill the royall eare With tales , and false reports , concerning those Who their misdoings legally oppose : They , who gr●wne great with rapine , and made strong , With w●alth extorted to the publike wrong , Still add ( to cover what misdone hath bin ) New w●ongs ; and make new partners in their sin , In hope their number ●eep them shall unshent : And , silence and condemne the Innocent . Make him ab●or such Apes , and such Baboones , As Parasi●es , and impudent Buffoone● : Such , as would make their Princes glad with lies : Such , as with filthy tales of ribaldries , With ●curvile songs , with unbese●ming j●sts , And stuffe which ev'ry civill ●are detests , Abuse Kings Chambers . Let all those who buy Their Offices ( which is lay Simony ) H●ve alwayes his dislike ; and not recover His good esteeme againe , till they give ove● Their evill gotten places . Let all such Who for the seats o● Iudgement , do as much , A●peare to him as men who are detected Of 〈◊〉 crimes ; and ever be suspected Of some Corruption : for , it may be thought , That mony must be made of wh●t is bought . Let him the causes of Abuse discerne ; Let him the cure of ev'ry mischi●f● learne ; Let him of what he knowe●h , practice make ; Let all his People , his example take . Give them repentance for their passed crimes ; Assist them by thy grace , in future times ; And send thy Holy-Spi●i● through their Lands , To keep them in the way of thy Commands . So , thou in their Devotions wilt ●e p●eas'd , So , all thine anger will be quite appeas'd ; So , King and People , praise thee shall ▪ together ; And , then , thou need'st not send these Armies thithe● . Thus MERCIE spake ; & more she would have said ( For , she could everlastingly have praid ) To this effect . But ▪ IVSTICE having spy'd Gods eye to ma●ke , how she seem'd satisfi'd ; ( And looki●g somewh●t sternly , to betoken That MERCIE in her injury had spoken ) Thus interrupted her . Faire Sister , stay ; And , doe not think to beare my right away With smoo●hed words . Thou art an Advocate Well knowne to be the most importunate That ever pleaded : and , thou hast a trick With these moist eyes , beyond all Rhetorick . So that , unlesse I make it still appeare , What grosse offenders all thy Clients are , A Bill of mine ( how just soe're the case ) Would seldome in this great Star-chamber passe . No place , no pe●sons , are so dissolute , But if they whine to thee , thou makest sute On their behalfes . Thou wert Soliciter For King Manasses ( that Idolater And gotst his pardon . Thou hast Proctresse bin For Ieroboam ( who m●de Isr'el sin ) That hand recuring which he did extend , The Messenger of God , to apprehend . Thou art f●r any who in thee beleeves , Though Tray●ers , Strumpets , Murtherers , or Th●eves . Thou prayd'st for N●neveh ; yea thou hast prayd For Sodome ; and my hand had sure beene staid When I consum'd them , if there had beene , then , In five great Cities , b●t tenne righteou● men . I never yet could get a verdict past On any Sinner , but thou crost it hast , Vpon the teast repentance . And if ●ver To serve an Execution I endeavor , Thou ; still , one meanes or other dost procure , To mi●igate the strictest forfeiture . Thee , for delaying Iudgements , I prefer Ev'n farre before the Courts at Westminster . And , if I longer these thy deal●ngs beare , Thou here wilt use me , as they use me there . For , lat●ly I survey●d it ; and saw Their Chauncery had halfe devour'd their Law . Sweet Lady call to minde , there is a due Pertaining equally to me and you . As nothing without MERCIE should be done ; So IVSTICE shoul● not be encroa●ht upon . I claime a Daughters part , and I d●sire To keepe min● owne inh●ritance in●ire . I , for your sake , huge Armies , often save , When they had , else , beene rotting in the grave . I suffer you to wipe more sinnes away Then twice tenne thousand millions in a day . There 's none whom I doe punish for his crimes , B●t I doescarre him first , a thousand times ( At your entreaty ) when , if I had pleased , I might so many times his life have seized . Yea , I shoul● none have injur'd ▪ though I had Of all the World , long since , a Bone-fire made . For , what effects hath your Compassi●n wrought ? What Offring● , to Gods Altars , now are brought By my long sparing them ? Nay , have they not H●m , and his aw●ull pow'r , the more forgot ? What did I say ? forgot him ? If they had Vs'd him and his Indulgence but so bad , Thou might'st have spoken for them ; and I could Have left thy supplications uncontroll'd . But , they have aggravated their neglect , With such base villanies , such disrespect , And such contempt of Him , of Thee , and Mee , That if we beare it , we shall scorned be . They so presumptuous are , that well I know , Were but a petty - Iustice used so , He would not brooke it : But , so rough appeare , That all the sin-professing houses neare , Of Reformation would be much in doubt ; And feare they should not buy his Ange● out , Though they presented him with coyne and wares ; And b●ib'd his Clarke , with whom , t is thought he s●ares . I will not the●efore palliate their despight ; I will not be debarred of my right ; I will not make my selfe a publike scorne ; Nor will I longer beare what I have borne . Here with ( as if she thought it were in vaine , For Vengeance , unto MERCIE to complaine ) She rais'd her eyes ; she fixed them upon The ●hrone of heav'n , and Him that sate thereon : Then bowed thrice , and , then to her complaint ▪ She ●hus proceeded lik● an An●ry Saint Great IVDGE of all the world just , wise , and holy ; Who sin abhorrest , and correctest folly : Who drivest all uncleannesse from thy sight , And feared art , ev'n of the most upright : Consider well my Cause , and let thou not Thy IVSTICE in thy MERCIE be forgot ▪ As well as this my sister , so am I Vnited unto thee essentially Before all Time ; and there is cause for me To boast thy favour , full as much as she . For , to maintaine thy Iustice ( and approve Th●t sacred , never violated Love Thou bearest me ) great Monarkies have drunk Thy cup of wrath ; and into ruine sunk . For their contempt of me , thou hast rejected The Nation , of all Nations , most affected . Once , thou the Globe of Earth didst wholly drowne ; From Heav'n thou threw●st the sinfull Angels down● : And ( which is more ) thy Best beloved dy'd , That my displeasure might be satisfi'd . But , l●t no former favour me availe , If now of Reason on my side I faile . I n●ver did a Vengeance , yet pursue Before it was requir'd by double due . I never plagued any in despight , Nor in the death of sinners took delight . Why therefore thus is my proceeding staid ? And thy just wrath so suddenly alaid ? Hath Mercy their offences vailed so , That thou beholdest not what faults th●y do ? And wilt thou still continue thy compassion To this unthankfull and forgetfull Nation ? What are they , but a most corrupted breed ? A wicked , a perverse , ingratefull seed ? A peopl● for instruction so untoward , So stubborne in their courses , and so ●roward , That , neither t●reats , nor plagues , nor lo●e can mend ●hem , And therefore Desolation must attend them . Me they have injured , past all ●ompare ; They flout me to my face ; they me out dare Ev'n on my Iudgement-se●ts ; they truth deny ▪ Although they knew , their hear●rs know they lye . They use my Titles , and my Offices , But as a meanes to rob , or to oppresse The poorer sort : and he that wrong sustaines , Is sure of more , if he for right complaines . Search thou their Streets , their Markets , & their Courts ; Note where the greatest multitude resorts , And if thou finde a man among them , th●re , That hath of Truth or Iudgement any care , Him let thine Angell save . But , thou shalt see That nothing else from heele to head they be , But swellings , wounds , and sores : that they are wholly O'regrowne with leprosies of noysome folly ; And that , among them , there abideth none , Whose path is right and p●rfect , no not one . Their studies , are in che●ting trickes , and shifts . Their practice , is to compass bribes , and gifts . Their silver is but dross . Their wine impure . Th●ir finest gold , will not the touch endure . The poore oppresse the poore . The Childe ass●mes An El●ers place . The basest Groome presu●es B●fore t●e Noble . Wom●n t●ke on them Mens habits and subjection doe contemne . Men grow ●ffemin●te . Age dotes , Youth raves , The begger 's proud . The rich man , basely craves . The neighbour of his neighbour goes in danger ; The brother to the brother growes a stranger . There is no kin , but Cousnage . Few professe Affection , Amity , or Friendlinesse , But to dec●ive . If men each ●ther greet , With shewes of wondrous friendship , when they meet , They doe but practise kin●ly to betray ; And jeere , and scoffe , when th●y depart away : Th●y labour , and they study , ly●s to make : To grow more wicked , serious paines they take : Wolves are as mercifull : Their Dogs as holy : Vertue , th●y count a Foole : Religion , folly . Their Lawes are but their nets , and ginn●s , to take Those whom they hate , and seeke their prey to make : The patronage of ●ruth , no●e standeth for : The way of Piety , they doe abhor : They meet u●seene , the harmlesse to ●eceive ▪ They h●tch the Cocatrice : They s●ely weave The Spiders web ; and , when in bed they a●e , They lye and study pl●ts of mischiefe ●here . And , why thus fares it ? b●t , because they see That ( how unjust soe're their Courses b● ) They prosper in t●eir wickednesse , and ●hrive , Whilst th●y who honor thee a●fl●●ted live . If any man reprove their damned way , They persecute , and slander him , and say ; Come , let us smite him with our tongue , that he , And his reproofes , may unregarded be . They desp'rately resolve a wicked Course ; And , ev'ry day proceed from bad ▪ to wo●se . Themselves they sooth in evill : and professe In publike manner , Trades of wickednesse ▪ They impudently boast of their Transgressions , And madly , glory in their great Opp●essions . Yea , some so farre have ●ver-gone the Devils In shamelesnesse , that they make bragge of evils Which they committed not ( as if th●y fear'd That else they had not lewd enough a●p●ar'd ) Whereas , they from themselves would strive to flie , If they could s●e their owne defo●mity . For , what remaineth to be termed ill Which they are guil●lesse of , in act , or will ? Th●y , gall unto the hungry prof●r'd have : They , vine●er unto the thirsty gave : With brutish fiercenesse they themselves aray : Vnsatisfied in their lust are they , And neither earth nor heav'n escapes the w●ongs Of their injurious and blasph●mous tongue● . With ev'ry member , they dishonor Thee , No part of them from wick●dnesse is free : Their Eyes , are wandring after vanitie , And l●ere about , advantages to spye . Their Eares are deafe to goodnesse ; but most pro●e To heare a sl●nder told of any one : And h●ve an itching after ev'ry thin● , Which , newes of sensualitie , may bring . Their braz●n Foreheads , without shame appeare : Their Teeth are sharper then a sword o● speare : Their Lips , as keenly cut , as Razors doe ; And , under them , is Add●rs poison too . Their Mouthes with bitter cu●sings , over-flow : Their oily Tongues , contention dail● sow : In Heart , they Falshood before Truth , preferre : Their Throats , are like a gaping Sepulcher : Foule belchings from their Stomacks doe arise , Ev'n filthie speeches ; and ranke bl●sphemies . Their Hands ( their right hands ) lawlesse gifts receive : With Bribes , their Fingers , they defiled have . Their Feet , are swift in executing ill , And , run the blood of innocents to spill . They are corrupt in ev'ry Facultie ; In Vnde●standing , Will , and Memorie ; Yea , th●ir most specious works of pietie Are little else , but meere hypocrisie . All stain'd with Murthers , Thef●s , Adulteries , And other unrepented Villanies Thy House they enter , as if they were cle●re , Or , thither came , but to out brave thee there . There , they display their pride : there , they contemne Thy Messengers ▪ or , sit and censure them . There , they disturbe thy Children in their pray'rs , By tatling of impertinent affaires . The many roving lookes , they throw about , Doe prove them , far more wanton , than devout . And , say , they bring devotion for a fit : Alas ! what pleasure canst thou take in it ? Or , what doe they but mocke thee , when they pray , Vnlesse their wickednesse they cast away ? What profits it , to kneele sometime an houre ? To fast a day ? to look demure , or soure ? To raise the hands aloft ? the brest to strike ? To shake the head , or hang it Bulrush like ? And , all that while to have no thought of thee ; But on base projects , musing , there , to be ? I many such enormities might name , Wherein this People have beene much to blame . And , shall they still , thy gentlenesse contemne ? Wilt thou forbeare , for this , to punish them ? Shall such devotion be regarded more , Then if they brought the ●yring of a whore ? Or sacrific'd a Dog ? Nay , though they had Of farre fet Calamus an Offring made , Or , incense brought from Sheba ; doe they think The smoke of that , shall take away the stink Of their corruption ? shall this wicked Throng ▪ ( Who partners are in ev'rie kind of wrong , And Reformation hate ) still spared be Because they can a little prate of thee ? Make zealous outward shewes ; and preach thy word , Whose pow'r they have deny'd ? ( if not abhorr'd : ) Let me consume them rather . For , Compassion So often hath prevailed for this Nation , That , all my threatnings are no whit regarded , Thy Pittìe is with disrespect rewarded ; Thy Blowes doe nothing soften them : but , more Hard hearted , rather , make them then before . They neither know nor s●eke thee . They scarce daigne So much as thoughts of thee to entertaine . Or if they doe ; yet , thou in kindnesse , hast So frequently , their errors over past With gentle stripes ; that they conjecture , now That thou art like to them , and dost allow Their wick●d courses . For , Is there ( say they ) In God , or sight , or knowledge of our way ? Doth he behold , or car● what things we doe ? Will he take vengeance ? Tush , it is not so . Such fables were devis'd in times of old , And of strange judgements , stories have beene told ; But , who hath seene them ? or , when will appeare That Day of Doome , whereof so oft we heare ? Sure never . For the wo●ld doth still remaine The same it was ; and these are feares in vaine . Oh! what will this increase unto , if thus Thou suffer them to make a scorne of us ? Where is thy feare , if thou a Master be ? Why , ( if a God ) should they not honour thee ? What meanes thy long long-suffring ? and , what way To worke amendment wilt thou next assay ? Thou hast already mov'd them to repent , By Threats , Gifts , Precepts , and by Punishment . To stop their wi●kednesse , thou Flouds , and Drought , Frosts , F●●es , and Tempests , hast upon them brought . Distempers , F●ights , and ( many times of late ) Distrusts , and hazzards of the publike State . With ev'ry kind of Sicknesse , thou hast try'd them ; With Pestilence , and Famine , mortifi'd them : With Slaughters●hou ●hou has● foild them ; and betwix● Each Plague , thou Mercy still hast intermixt ▪ Yet ▪ all in vaine . Oh! rise , and suffer me On all at once avenged now to be . Plucke from thy bosome , thy sure striking hand , And , let it fall so heavy on that Land , That , all their Follies may their merit have , And , they be put to silence in the grave . Permit them not unplagued to persever , Blaspheming thus , thy Name and thee for ever . But , l●t me ev'ry Plague upon them cast , Which thou , for such as they , prepared hast . Let them perceive , that they have lov'd and served Those gods , by whom they cannot be preserved . Let me transport from their polluted Coast , Those Holy-things , whereof they vainly boast : And , let not their prophanenesse be protected By that , whi●h they so much have disrespect●d . For , why shouldst thou forbeare this people more Then ma●y other Nations heretofore ? Since they for their example those have had The lesse excusable their faults are made . Yea , though their wickednesse were but the same , Yet , they are worthy of a greater blame . 〈◊〉 What are they better then the stubborne Iewes ? Wherein , doe they thy blessings lesse abuse ? What have their Temples , of more worth in them Then Shilo , Bethel , or Ierusalem , That we should spare their ma●y sleepled Towres , Not rather making them the Ne●sts , and Bowres Of noysome Vermine , and such fatall Fowles , As croking Ravens , and loud screeching Owles ? Why shouldst thou not , as low this I le decline , As Milke and Hony-flowing Palestine ? What ●ave they more deserved of thy pittie Then Sion , thy so much bel●ved Cit●y ? Or , wherefore should their Seed be thought upon More kindely , the● the br●tts of Babylon ? Why should their Common wealth , more prised be , Then thos● great Monarchies destroy'd b● me In former ages , whose transcendent Fate , ●ach Time succeeding , hath admired at ? Yea , since the World thou didst for s●●ning , drowne , Why should such mercy to thi● Land be showne ? If thou a piou● King to them ●ast given , What loseth be , if then from thence to Heav'n Translate him shall ? From earthly Crownes , to weare Those wreathes of Glory that immortall are ? And from a froward People , to have place With Angells , and there triumph in thy grace ? If any man be found observing thee , To him what discontentment can it be To view my hand prevailing over those Who me in my proceedings did oppose ? And see those Tyrants ruin'd , who have long Committed violence , and offred wrong To him , and his ? what b●rme hath he I pray , To passe through all that sorrow in one day , And in thy blessed pres●nce to appeare , Who else might here have lingred many a yeare ? Of what can he complaine , if being borne Above the reach of ev'ry future scorne , Within thy heav'nly Mansion , he possesse A perfect , and an endlesse happinesse ? Why may not IVSTICE glorifie ●hy Name , As well as MERCY can extoll the same ? Why should thy former favours , being lost , Oblige thee to defray a future cost On Prodigals , and Vnthrifts , who had rather Live Swineherds , than returne to th●e their Father ? Why may not that reproach d●verted be , Which irreligious men will cast on thee Although thou spare not hypocrites ; and them Who are the causers that thy Foes blaspheme ? What disadvantage can their fall effect To thy pure honour ? or , to thine elect , Which may not be prevented ( if thou ●lease ) Although thou be not mer●ifull to these ? Sure , none at all : and , therefore , I will stay My hand no longer ; but breake off delay . Thy Sword and Ballance , are with me in trust ; To punish Sin , I know it to be just ; They both arraigned , and condemned are ; My warrant● , in thy written Word appea●e : Their crimes , for Vengeance , loudly crying ●e : Thy Iudgements , ready mustred are , by ●hee : Thine eye doth speake unto me to be gone ; And , loe ; I flye to see thy pleasure done . As when a Mother on a sudden hearing Her babe to shrieke , ( and some disaster fearing That may befall ●he childe ) starts up and flyes To see the reason of her Infants cries : So quick , was IVSTICE ; & e're now , had brought Her work , to something ; and , this Land , to nought . ●ut , to prevent her purpose , MERCIE cast Her arme about that angry Virgins waste ▪ Look'd sadly on her ; hung about her ; kist her , And ( weeping in her bosome ) said , Sweet Sister , I pray thee , doe not thus impatient grow , Nor prosecute deserved Vengeance , so . Thou art most beautifull ; sincerely just ; Most perf●ctly upright in all thou dost ; For which ●h●ne excellency , and p●rfection , I love thee with an excel●ent a●●ection . And though thou frownest ; yet thy frownings be So lovely , that I cannot part from thee . What though some Worldlings offer thee disgraces ▪ Sh●ll they ( Sweet heart ) make loathed my embraces ? Shall thou , and I , ( who near●r are then twinnes ) Fall out , o● be divorced by their sinnes ? Oh never l●t it said , or mutt red be , That we in any thing can disagr●e . For what 's more lo●ely , or more sweet then thi● , That we each other may embrace and kisse ? And by our mutuall workings , and agreeings , Bri●g all Gods Creatures to their perfect beings . Belee●e me ( Deare ) Heav'n doth not comprehend That pleasure , which this pleasure doth transcend : Nor is our Father better pleas'd in us , Then when he sees our armes emwined , thus . For should we jarre , the world would be undone , And Heav'n , and Earth , into a Chaos runne . What profit can it bring , or what content , To see a Kingdome miserably rent , With manifold afflictions ? what great good To us redoundeth by the death , or b●ood Of any màn ? what honour can we have ? What praise , from those that in the silent gra●e Lye raked up in ruines dead and rotten ? Or in the Land where all things are forgotten ? Seeke not thy Glory by their Overthrow , That are pursued by too strong a F●e , And over-match'd already ; thinke upon The pow'rfull hate of that malicious One. Rem●mber they were f●amed of the dust ; And that to Cl●y againe returne they must . When they are dead they passe away for ever , Ev'n as that vapour which returneth never . Oh ; make them not the Butt of thy displeasure , Nor give them of Gods wrath the fullest measure . I grant this Realme is sinfull ; But , what hath That Realme , or people equalling thy wrath ? T' is honourable , when we stoope below Our selves ; that love or favour we may show ▪ Or to correct , with purpose to amend : But if with such we Foe-like should contend ▪ It would appeare , as if some Empery Did arme it selfe , to combat with a Fly . When we correction , or forgivenesse daigne , We may correct them , or forgive againe : But in destroying quite , our selves we wound , And to our Infinitenesse , set a bound ; For IVSTICE neither MERCY can have pl●ce ▪ In subjects , which we totally deface . We must not seeke for purity divine In dust and ashes ; till we first refine From earthly drosse the gold that we desire , By using of the Bellowes and the Fire . For till we purge it , what ( alas ) is good , Or what can holy be in Flesh and Blood ? Who lookes that Figs on Thistles should be borne , ●r that sweet Grapes should grow upon a Thorne ? It cannot be . As therefore hereto●ore God promis●d , ( that he would never more Contend with man ) let us resolve the same ; And by some other meanes , their wildenesse tam● . Keepe , yet a while , this Army where it is ▪ And let us try to mend what is amisse , ( As erst we did ) by sending jointly thither , Our Favours , and Corrections , both together : And if they profit not , there is a Day In which thine Indi●nation shall have way . As when a Father , who , in heat of wrath To give a son correction purpos'd hath , Enraged is , untill his lovely wife Doth interpo●e her selfe with friendly strife ; But ( pleased in the sweetnesse of her speech , Who to forgive the Child doth him beseech ) Doth lay aside his whole displeasure , then , And turne his anger into smiles agen ; So , IVSTICE was by MERCY wrought upon : And she that would with so much haste be gone , Forgot her speed ; Her louing Sister ey'd With calmer lookes ; and thus to her reply'd . Thou , and thy charmings have prevail'd upon me , And to abate mine anger thou hast wonne me . I ●herefore will not cast my plagues on all , But on worst Livers , onely , let them fall . Nay , nay , quoth MERCIE , thou must favour show To most of them , or thou wilt overthrow The lawes of Destiny ; and crost will be What God did from eternity decree . For , some of these have not fulfilled yet Their sinnes , nor made their number up complete . Some , that are wandring in the wayes of folly , Shall be regenerated , and made holy . Of them some have morality , that may Be helpfull to Gods childr●n , in their way ; Some , must be left , as were the Cana'nites , To exercise the faithfull Isr'elites ; Yea some , have in their loynes a generation Vnborne , which must make up the blessed Nation . And till that seed bud forth , those trees must s●and , Although they grow but to annoy the Land . It seemes ( quoth IVSTICE ) I must then abide , ( However they off●nd ) unsatisfi'd . Vns●tisfi'd ( said MERCIE ) Is it that , Sweet Sister , which your zeale hath aimed at ? Then , looke you there . And with that word , her eye She pla●'d on him , who sits in Majesty At Gods right hand . Behold that Lambe ( quoth she ) By him thou fully satisfi'd shalt be . He poore was made , that He their debt might pay ; He base became , to take their shame away ; He entred bond , their freedome to procure ; He dangers try'd , their safeties to assure ; He scorned was , their honor to advance ; He seem'd a foole , to helpe their ignorance ; He sin was made , their errors to conceale ; He wounded was , that he th●ir wounds might heale ; He thirsted , that their thirst might have an end ; He wept , that joy their sorrow might attend ; He lost his blood , that they their blood might save ; He dy'd , that they eternall life might have . Nor canst thou any for their sins condemne , ( Since he hath over-paid the price for them ) If by partic'lar faith they shall apply That pardon , which he granteth gen'rally . And lest to that whole Kingdome thou deny it , For want of application , I apply it . Why then ( said IVSTICE ) I may quite dismisse This hoast of Plagues whi●h here assembled is . Not so , replyed MERCIE : For no curse Is greater , n●r is any mischiefe worse Then want of due correction : And if I Shoul● yeeld to that , it were not Clemency , But cruell dealing ; and my love no other Then is the kindnesse of that cock●ing m●ther , Who spares the rod ( out of her pure affection ) And sends unto the Gallowes for correction : As if she thought her children apt for learning , If they could take a hanging for a warning ▪ I s●eme to cr●sse thy workings , and thou mine , To those that n●●ther know my wayes , nor thi●e : But , is the motions in a Clocke doe tend And move together to one purpos'd end , Although their wheeles contrary courses go● , And force the even ballance to and f●o . Ev'n so , although it may to some appeare , That our proceedings much repugnant are ; Yet in our disagreeings , we agree , And helpfull to our chi●fe desi●ne they be ▪ We therefore , from Gods A●my will select One Regiment , this people to correct . Not his that is the Generall : for , he Resisteth us if he prevail●ng be . Nor Famine ; For , ( unlesse permit we shall That she devoure , untill we starve up all ) She most unequally consumes the poore , And makes the rich to be enriched more . Nor will we send the Sword ; for , that makes way For ev'ry plague to follow ; yea , doth lay All open to confusion ; and bestowes The pow'r of God oft times upon his foes . But , we to punish them , will send from hence , The dreadfull , and impartiall PESTILENCE . For , she doth neither Ri●h , nor Poore preferre ; The foolish , and the wise , are one to her : Nor eloquence , nor beauty , nor complexion , Prevailes wi●h her ; Nor Hatred , nor Affection . S●e seizeth All alike ; she visiteth The Palace , as the Cottage ; and with death , Or else with sicknesse , strikes at each degree , Vnlesse our Supersedeas , granted be . By meanes of her , in any State , or City , Thou maist avenge , and I may show my pitty With little noise ; and both at once , ●ulfill Our wishes , and accompl●sh all our will . For , where a noysome we●d is seene to sprout , She shall , at thy appointment , weed it out . Or if a plant , or bud , or flow'r we see , That 's ripe for Heav'n , and may impaired be By standing longer ; we the same will gather , To m●ke a precious Posie for our Father . And , as t●ou hast thy purpose , by their fall . Or smart , whom she or wound , or slaught●r shall : Right so have I : For , if they wicked are Whom she removes ; th● better sh●ll they fare , Whose Conversations truly honest be ; And from oppression live the longer free . If righteous men this Iudgements ●rey become , It is appointed to secure them from Some greater Plague , which must ( perhaps ) be sent To scourge this Kingdome , ere it will repent ; Or ( peradventure ) that my hand may take them From Earth , the Citizens of Heav'n to make them : And some , who never e●se on God had thought , Shall , ( by her whip ) unto his love be brought . This pleased well , and IVSTIC● did agree With MERCY , that it should all●wed be : And , for the swift ●ulfilling of their minde , The PESTILENCE , by warrant , was assi●n'd Great Brittan to invade ; and limited Where to begin the Plague ; how far to spread ; How many she should wound ; how many slay ; How many grieve ; how many fright away ; How long abide ; and when her terme was done , On what conditions ( then ) she must be gone . Moreover lest her stroke should not amend u● , Gods Hoast of Plagues had warrant to attend us ; That if the Pestilence could not prevaile , Another might our wicked Land assaile ; And then another , till we did repent , Or were consumed in our chastisement . The Prince of Darknes , ( though he could not gaine Permission , fully to unloose his Chaine ) His usuall pow'r obtain'd to worke despite On some offenders , and to use the sleight Of Lying-wonders : or by strong temptation To seize upon the Sonnes of Reprobation : Yea many times to buffet ( for correction ) Ev'n those that have the seales of Gods electio● . Dear●h was commanded , that ( to make us feare A Scarceness● ) she should scatter here , and the●e , A Floud , or Tempest ; and at sometime bring A droughty Sum●er , or a frosty Spring , Or Mel-dewes , to remember us , from whom The blessings of a plenteous yeare doe come . Warre , ( who had quite forgotten us almost ) Injoyned was to sit upon our Coast ; To saile about our Shore , to view our Forts , To visit all our Havens , and our Ports : And with her dreadfull sounds , to rouze and keepe This Kingdome , f●om securities dead sleepe . But was commanded , not to seize a hoofe Of what w●s ours , till God hath made a proofe How mollifi'd our stony hearts will be ; What fruits of true repentance he shall see ; What change will be effected in this Land , By his correcting us with his owne hand ; And what oblations of true thankes , and love , We render will upon this Plagues remove . Wherein , if we doe faile his expectation , We shall be made a miserable Nation . The Sea that now doth close us , like a wall , Shall be a Sea o● terror ; and it shall Let in our foes upon us , or with ●louds O're-flow our borders , and devoure our goods . Our wealthy Traffiques , and that forraine Trade , ( Whereby so proud , and wanton we are made ) Cut off shall be , and faile in ev'ry Coast. Our num'rous Fle●ts ( whereof so much we boast , ( And , in whole pow'r and mu●titude , I feare Ou● trust , and hopes too much reposed are ) By Stormes , and Piracies , that shall pursue them , Or want of meanes , and trading to renue them , Shall waste away unheeded ; till we see Our ha●mes beyond our meanes of curing be . Our H●uses shall by strangers be possessed ; Our goodly Temples , which , ( as yet ) are blessed With Gods t●ue worship , shall be raz'd , or bu●ned , Or into dennes of theevery be turned . Throughout those champain fields , & forrests , where We hunted for our pleasure ; we by Feare Shall hunted be : and made a prey for them Whom we ( perhaps ) did most of all contemne . Our People , ( on whose numbers we presume ) Shall by degrees be less●ned , and consume . Our Nation ( late renowned through the World ) Shall be unvalu'd , as old rubbish , hu●l●d In some by-corner , and quite round about us Our Foes , our Neighbo●s , & our Friends shal flout us . O●r Peace , sh●ll make us but effeminate . Our Riches , and our plentifull estate , Shall but enrich our enemies ; and we ( That of our King so glad , and hopefull be ) Shall ( for our sinnes , perchance ) be quite d●prived O● those great comforts , which we have conceived . For , e●●he● God may give an ●ll successe To his be●t Counsells , for our f●owardnesse ; Or leave us some dist●ustings in our heart , To make us censure in an evill pa●t His gracious purposes ; or give a pow'r To some ill-willers of his peace , and our , To sow the seeds of Discord , and divide Our heart● , which now so lovingly are ty'd : Or let some Politician wo●ke upon His Goodnesse ; and so cunningly goe on , That he shall n●ver finde , how he , and his Are injured , till all things are amisse : Which God forbid ; yea , grant ( O Lord ) that I In these su●posals may not prophecie ; As ( out of doubt I shall ) if any sin ( That may procure it ) we continue in . Yea , though our Projects may a while possesse Our hearts with flatt'●ing hopes of good successe ; Th●ugh in aff●ires of Warre , and in our Fights We thrive a while , as did the Benj●mites ; Although a league with Baalam we began ; And ●erodach the sonne of Baladan Had sent us presents ; and though he shall seeme To have our health and welfa●e in esteeme ; Though to his Lords the treasures we declare , Which in Gods Temple here among us are : Yea , though we g●ve those holy things , to buy His love , and Babylonish amity : It should but linger us along , till they ( Who seeke our overthrow ) their snares doe lay ▪ Vntill they have enlarg'd their growing pow'rs , And by their Policy , befooled ours ; Or , till our sinnes , or our securities Have ma●e us objects for their Tyrannies , And , there enthrall'd us , where long since were hung On willow trees , untuned , and unstrung , The Harpes of Syon ; and where Men contemne The heav'nly Sonnets of Ierusalem . Ev'n this shall be our lot , and worse then this , If we continue still to doe amisse , Or bring not forth the fruits of Penitence , When God hath scourg'd us by the Pestilen●● . But , if that stirre us to repenting shall , He will not onely back againe recall That raging Plague , to which he gave such pow'● Within our peopled Cities to devoure : But , he will also on this Realme bestow New benefits , for entertaining so , With lowlinesse , his fatherly correction ; And yeelding him our filiall affection . Then , ev'ry one beneath his Vine shall si● Without disturbance ; and with pleasure eate The profit of his labours . Men shall goe In ●afety through ●he Kingdome , to , and fro . Their Lands they shall enjoy in peace ; and weare The warmest fleeces , that their flockes do beare . No sonnes of Belial , shall from them divert Their Princes favour ( in the smallest part ) Nor shall Seditions Lovers draw from him Their loyalties , by misinforming them ; But God that blessed union shall maintaine , Which ought 'twixt King and People to remain● . He , then , will multiply the fruits encrease ; Prese●ve our plenty , sanctifie our peace : And guide by Land and Sea , our preparations Of l●wfull warre , to seize upon those Nations That are our foes , and his . Which , that He may Vouchsafe unto us ; let us ev'ry day Produce of thankfulnesse some new effect : Let us observe ( with ev'ry due respect ) The progresse of that Plague sent lately hither ; How CLEMENCY & IVSTICE came togeth●r ; Relating to each other what we saw To kindle love , or keepe our soules in awe ; And so record it , that ( should we be rotten ) It may be still p●eserved unforgotten . For , that we might his honour forth declare , We bo●h created , and preserved were . To such a purpose , I doe thus employ That scorned Faculty , which I enjoy ; And ( for the compa●●ing of my intention ) Have offr●d up the best of my invention ; And what that is ( to those , who doe regard Such paines ) the following Cantoes have declar'd Behold ( O Lord ) my purposes from heav'n , Accept of me the gift that thou hast given . Permit not those , who spite or malice me , To interrupt my M●se in praising t●ee . Let none of those , who finde that I neglect The way to wealth , which th●y ●oo much affect , Conceive , that I my Time have spent in vaine , Because their Studies yeeld them greater gaine ; Let them perceive , though this endevour brings Nor Riches , Honours , nor esteeme of Kings ; But rather wasts my Fortunes , and doth more Increase my charge , and troubles , then before ; Let them ( I say ) conceive , and also know , That I am highly pleas'd , it should be so ; And would not change the bless●ng of my Fate With those , whom they doe hold more fortunate . And let not that , which I have here comprised ▪ Become ( through my unworthinesse ) despised ; But grant it such a moderate respect , Th●t I may see my labours take effect For their enc●uragements , who shall apply To such goode●ds , their gift of Poësie ; And let all those , who shall peruse my Story ▪ Receive some profit , and give thee , the glory .

The second Canto . Our Muse defends her lowly stile ; And ( having flowne aside a while ) Tells , how the Plague first entred here ▪ What meanes to stay it practis'd were . Some vulg●r Tenets are disputed ; Some rectified , some refuted . She from the Nature , and the Cause , Of that Disease , conclusions drawes ; Declareth how it runnes and creepes , And what un●ertaine paths it keepes : How long strict orders usefull stood ; The fruit of Christian neighbourhood ; And many other things , be●wixt These mentioned , are intermixt . She sh●we●h ( also ) meanes assured By which , this mischiefe may be cured ; How to apply that meanes ; how those Who use it , should themselves compose ; How violent the Plague did grow ; Who from it might , or might not goe ; How much t' was feared ; how men fled ; How ill , in flying , many sped ; And lastly ( as occasion moves ) She grieves , she counsells , and reproves . LEt no fantastique Reader now condemne Out homely Muse , for stooping u●to them , In plaine expressions , and in words , that show We love not , in affected paths , to goe . For , to be understood , is language used ; And speech to other ends as much abused ▪ Lines , therefore , over-darke , or over-trimm'd , Are like a Picture with a Visour limm'd ; Or like Poma●ders of a curious sent , Within a painted Box that hath no vent ; Or like Peach-kernels , which , ( to get them forth ) Require more cracking , then the fruit is worth . Let no man guesse , my Measures framed be , That wiser men , my little wit may see ; Or that I doe not hold the matter good , Which is not more admir'd then understood : For , chiefly , such a Subject I desire , And such a plaine Expression , to acquire , That ev'ry one my meaning may discerne ; And they be taught , that have most need to learne . It is the usefull matter of my Rim●s Shall make them live . Wo●ds alter as the Times : And soonest ●heir fantastique Rhetoriques , Who trim their Poesies with schooleboy-tricks . That , which this age affects , as grave , and wise , Th● fo●lowing generation may despise . Green●s phr●se , and ●●llie's language were in fashion , And had among the wits much c●mmendation ; But now , another garbe of speech , with us Is pri●'d ; and thei●s is thought ridi●ulous ; As ours ( perchance ) will be , when Time ( who changeth Things changea●l● ) the present phrase estrangeth . Let no m●n therefore dreame , I will bestow My precious Time in what will vary so ; Since that , which , with most ease I shall produce , May have ( for ought I know ) the longest use . Let no man thinke , I 'le racke my memory For pen and-inkehorne-termes , to finifie My blunt invention ; trimming it , as they Who make rich clothes but for Saint George his day ; When they may be●ter ●heape a suite provide , To fit that feast , and many dayes beside . Nor l●t unlearned Censurers suppose Our Muse a course unwarrantable ●oes , In framing Objects representative , Which may imprint ▪ or in the soule revive , True feelings of that wrath or love , which we In God almighty , by Faiths eyes doe see . For , though his holy Spirit , when he will , Can easily the soule● of mortals fill With heav'nly knowledges , by wayes unseene ; Yet , he himselfe hath sometime pleased beene By ou●ward object● to employ the senses , In reaching to the soule some excellencies Conceal'd before . Yea , many times he suites His Deity in our poore attributes ; And ( that our weaknesse he may work upon ) Our usuall speech , and passions , he puts on ▪ If so ; then we , that have no other way Our hidden apprehensions to conuey From Man to Man , but by the qu●int creation Of some Ideaes in our contemplation ; That so the senses may become inclin'd To give some information to the mind : Then we ( I say ) whose fluid memories Would else let goe our ayrie fantasies , May such a libe●●y with warrant use . And I ( no doubt ) my selfe may well excuse , If other while things bodilesse I cloath With mortall bodies ; and doe give them both Our speeches , and our gestures ▪ Fo● , by this A dull affection often quickned is . Nor thus to doe , are Poets onely moved But , these are straines Pro●heticall , approved . To say , that God is angry ; or that he Will of our wickednesse avenged be ; Moves little : but , to paint his fury , so That Men the dreadfulnesse thereof may know , As if they s●w it : or his love to make So pleading of our cause , as if it spake ( Within our hearing ) with such earnestnesse , As friends would plead for friends in their distress● ; Doth much incite the Reader to attention , And rouseth up the dullest apprehension . Me thinks , I doe , ( as with mine eye ) behold The reall sight of all that I have told : Yea , that which I my selfe described here , Doth touch mine heart with re●ere●ce , and fea●e . I have perpetuall Visions of that rout Of Plagues , and Iud●emen●s , which doe rove about To punish us . And , from that dreadfull hoast I see ( me thinkes ) how to invade our Coast , The Plague march'd hither , like a Regiment That is for services of moment sent From some great Armie . And , when I can bend My troubled spirits truly to attend Gods Iudgements , and his Mercies , as they goe Their daily progresse ; I can reach unto Much pleasing thoughts ; and oftentimes foresee , What his intents , and their even●● will be : For , when Mans heart is filled with his Feare , The secrets of the Lord to him appeare . Oh! what rich treasures doth my soule possesse , When I doe contemplate the blessednesse , The Wisedome ▪ and the Way of God most high ? How farre above my selfe rais'd up am I ? How little want I , ●ha● the world can give ? What heights ascend I ? what huge depths I dive ? How much contemne I dangers here below ? How c●rtaine of Gods favours can I grow ? And wi●h what sweetn●sse is my brest inspired , When ( by the heat of Contemplation fired ) I sit lock'd up within a lonely roome , Whe●e nothing to disturbe my thoughts may come ; And where may enter neither sight , nor Notion Of any thing , but what may ●●irre Devotion ? Sure , were it not , that I am cloth'd about With flesh , that doth compell me to come out ; Or , knew I not the Christian Mans estate Extend●d ●urther , t●en to contemplate ; Or saw not them unthankfully precise , Who Gods externall blessings quite despise ; Or fear'd I not ▪ I never should have union With God , unlesse I were in some communion Of Saints on earth ; whom I might sharers make Of those sweet thoughts of him , which I pa●take ; Or , if I doubted not , I might with Lot , Vpon the daughters of my b●aine begot , Commit some spirituall incest , had I none To spend the seed of my full Soule upon : Or , if I found it not unnaturall , To leape out of the world , till God did call ; And that fantastique wayes of selfe-contenting Are but the certaine paths to selfe-tormenting ; If all these things I knew not ; I could bide Shut up , untill my flesh we●e Mummy-si'd ; And ( though the world should woo me ) would disd●in ( For ever ) to unclose my doore againe . For though ( when I come sorth ) I lose agen My ●aptures ; and have thoughts like other men ; Because my nat'rall f●ailties , and the fog Of earthly Vanities , my soule doth clog : Yea , though I can as hardly keepe those firings Vnquench'd abroad , which are ( in my retirings Inflamed in me ; ) as a naked Man Retaine that heat upon a ●ountaine can , Which in a close warme chamber he retaineth : Ye● ( for my comfort ) somewhat still remaineth : And in my recollections I possesse More happinesse , then I can well expresse . I view contentments , which I cannot measure ; I have some tastings of immortall pleasure ; I g●immerings have of hid●en mysteries ; My ●ou●e on glorious things doth fix her eyes : And though some whited walls ( who did attempt To bring my Muse and Me , unto contempt ) Endevour still ( with shewes of Pietie ) My best-approved paines to v●l●fie : I can with scorne of their base envy , raise My thoughts above their ignorant dispraise : And pitty their dull sottishnesse , who prize Their shadowes better , then real●ties . For I have search'd their folly , and espy'd That they have drown'd their wisdome in their prid● ▪ Yea , by their partiall dealings , I now see They judge mens merits , as their titles be : And I have gotten those brave things in chase , That shall advantage me , by my disgrace . When , therefore , by my selfe I am enclosed , And for an heavn'ly rapture , well disposed ; I doe not grudge mine enemies to spue Their flanders on my name ; or to pursue My labours with reproach ; nor prey to make On all my fortunes : But all well can take . I doe not then repine , although I see That Fooles ennobled , Knaves enriched be , And honest men unheeded : but I bide As pleased , as I am at Whitsontide , To see faire Nymphs in Country Townes rejected , And sluttish Milkmaids by the Clownes elected For Ladies of the May . And if I chance Where any of those Hobby horses prance ; I can in sport , or courtesie , bestow Those termes upon them , which I doe not owe . For when on Contemplations wings I flye , I then o're-looke the highest Vanity . I see how base those fooleries do● show , Which are a●mired , while I creepe below : And by the brightnesse of a two-fold light ( Re●●ecting from Gods word to cleare my sight ) Faiths objects to her eyes , much plainer are , Then those which to my outward ●●ght appeare . My towring Soule is winged up , as if She over-flew the top of Tenariffe , Or some far higher Mountaine ; where we may All actions of this lower World survey . I am above the touch of malice borne ; I am beyond the reach of ●v'ry scorne ; And could — But what mean I ? this seems a ●●rai● Impertinent ▪ Sweet Muse , come downe againe ; Soare not so high . For in these lofty flights The Fooles below , doe thinke our Eagles , Kites . The world , to flout such Raptures now is prone ; I will enjoy them ( therefore ) al● alone : Of their unhallow'd censuring take heed , And in my former purpose , thus proceed : When ( as you heard before ) the Court of Heav'n Commission to the Pestilence had given To scourge our sinnes , and signed her direction● ▪ She tooke vp all her boxes of Infections , Her Carbuncles , her Sores , her Spots , her Blaines , And ev'ry other thing which appertaines To her contagious practices ; and all Her followers she did about her call ; Appoint them to their places , and their times , D●rect them to the Persons , and the Crimes They should correct , and how they should advanc● Her maine Designement in each circumstance . Then , on she marched ; not as doth a Foe Proclaiming Warre , before he strikes the blow ; But like an Enemy , who doth surprise Vpon the fi●st advantage he espies . For ( passing through the streets of many a Towne Disguised like a Fever ) she , ( unknowne ) Stole into London ; and did lu●ke about The well fill'd Suburbs ; spread●ng there ( no doubt ) Inf●ction unperceiv'd , in many a place Before the blea●e ey'd Searchers , knew her face ; And since they knew her , they have bribed beene A thous●nd times , to let h●r passe unseene . But at the length , she was discover'd at A Frenchmans house without the B●shopsgate . To intimate ( perhap● ) that such as be Our spirituall Wats●men , should the more foresee That they with d●scipline made strong the Ward , Which God appointed hath for them to g●ard ; And chiefly , at this present , to have care , Lest now , while we , and France un●ted are In bodily commerce ; they bring unto us Those Plagues which may eternally undoe us . For , such like Pestilences soone begin ; And ( ere we be aware ) will enter in , Vnlesse our Bishops , both betimes , and late , Be diligent and watchfull at their Gate . As soone , as e're the Women-spyes descry'd , This Foe about the City to reside ; There was a loud All-arme . The Countrimen Began to wish themselves at home agen . The Citizens were gen'rally appal●'d ; The Senators themselves to Counsell call'd ; And all ( who might advise in such a case ) Assembled in their Common meeting place ; Where , what discretion publikely was used ; What was admitted of , and what refused ; What policies , and stratagems invented ; That mischiefes , comming on , might be prevented , I cannot say : For I had never wit , Nor wealth enough , to sit in Counsell , yet . B●● if to judge of things it lawfull were By ●hei● events ; the propositions there Were such as these . Most thought the surest play To save their persons , was , to runne away ; But lest some higher pow'r might then forbid it , They did not pu●lish that , b●fore they did it . Some urged , that the Scav●nger should keepe The s●reet● more cleane , and oft the channell sweep ; Some thought it fit , ( and these no harme did thinke ) That ev'ry morning we should eate , and drinke . Some ( to allay the heat ) did hold it meet To sprinkle water often in the street . Some did a little further nat'●allize , And these unto the Ayre would sacrifize ( In evening fires ) pure F●ankincense or Myrrhe , Sweet herbes , or odorif'rous Iuniper ; Or ( for default of those ) Pitch , Rosin , Tarre ▪ And such perfumings as lesse costly are . For if the Heart and Liver of a Fish ( Burnt by yo●ng Tobit in a Chafind●●h ) A Spirit from his chamber could expell ▪ They hoped these might purge ill ayres , as well : Some others ( not contented herewi●hall ) Did into consultation also call The P●iests of Ae●culapius , and Apollo ; And held it fit their grave advice to follow : Nor without cause . For , from the wise Physitia● We best sha●l know this Enemies condition . And some there were of those , who did advise Not onely to assume those remedies Which Art prescrib'd ▪ but also therewithall Observed what was M●taphy●●call . Yea , some s●ncerely , and religiously Vpon the soules infection had an eye , As well as on the bo●ies : and th●se went The surest way that sicknesse to prevent . But there were others , who derided these , And talked heath'nish●y of this disease . They prated much of Humours , Incl●nations ▪ Conjunction , planetary Constellations ; Of nat'rall causes , unbeleeved fictions ; Impostures , Fables , and meere contradictions In th●t Phil●sophy , which they professe : Which fill'd mens mindes with much unsetlednesse . Yet in their disagreeings , they agree'd On that which might their common profit breed ▪ One had a rare Perfume of speciall note ; Another had a precious Antidote , Which at Constantinople had been tride When there two thousand on a day have di'de . A third , prefert'd a Mixture in a bag , Of whose large vertues he did largely brag , And said , the same they doe in Plague times , weare At Rome , ( and so I think when he was there . ) A fourth , by Diets , safety did assure . A fifth , by Drinkes , the Pestilence would cure . A sixth of Cordials , and Elixars prates ; And some of Treacles , and of Mithridates . To offer up a portion of the blood ( To save the rest ) for some , it seemed good . For other some to purge : for all to take Such meanes as might their purses heavie make . They to the rich prescrib'd Preservatives On costly termes : and , to prolong the lives Of poorer men , their consciences abated The value much : For , health , to them was rated At some few handfuls of that herbe or grasse , Which to be gotten ▪ for the gathering was . This being knowne , the Senators dismisse Those men ; and by advice it ordered is , That some Instructions shall be published , To further what was gravely counselled . Moreover , that their discipline might cary Some likenesse to proceedings military , A band of Ha●be●●s , mustred was , to guard The people from the Plague , in ev'ry Ward . And , if they found , by serious inquisition , ( Or , had but any probable suspition ) Where lodg'd it was ( although but for a night ) That Host , exiled was from publike sight ; Close pris'ner him they kept bo●h night and day , As one that els● their Citie might betray . And , to compell that his unwelcome Guest Should keepe wi●hin ; his doo●e was crost , and blest : And many Watchmen , strengthned by command , Did round about his dwelling , armed stand . I doe not thus expresse , or mention this , As if I thought those Orders were amisse : But , that I might , hereby , the better show What miseries , attended on this Foe ; And , that this Malady , on us did ce●ze , With circumstances , worse then the Disease . My Muse inspires not me so foolishly , That I all naturall causes doe deny . I doe not thinke , but to this Pest●lence , The Constellations , by their influence Might somewhat adde : and that corrupted ayre , Might helpe our healthy being to impaire . I hold , that Diets , Meats , Complexions , Passions , With such as these , and all their mitigations , May helpe or hinder much in such diseases As we endeavor shall ; and as God pleases . Nor doe I flout the wisedome , or the paine Of those who s●ught this mi●chiefe to restraine : Nor blame I their much diligence , or care ; But praise it ; and could wish it doubled were ; W●●h som● such observ●tion● , as would make Their practices , the mor● successe to t●ke ; And that their naturall meanes had hallowed bin , With so much Fait● , and penitence ▪ for sin , As might hav● brought more workes of Piety , To san●tifie their outward Poluy Fo● those dull N●turalists , who think , this Foe , Doth by meere nat'●all causes ▪ come o● goe , Are much deceiv'd ▪ Yea , in their he●rts , they say , There is no God , how ●ver gl●ze they may : And as their cogitation● are unholy , So is their seeming wisedome ▪ sottish folly . They are the base Conjunctions , and Aspects Of Sin , that this our Climate , so infects ; And neither Constellations , nor the Weather : For , then we had beene po●s'ned all together , By this Contagion ; and had breath'd the longer Or shorter while , as nature had beene stronger , Or weaker in us Nothing had beene free , But birds and beasts had dy'd as well a● we ; And this Disease had seiz'd on ev'ry Creature Or more or lesse , as it partakes our nature : It was no n●ysome Ayre , no ●ewre , or Stinke , Which brought this Death , as most among us thinke , For , then those places where ill smells abound , Had more infectious at that time beene found , Then we perceive they were ; yea , this Disease , On ev'ry person delicate , would seize , Without exception . And where Savours ill Still bide , the Plague should there continue still : Then , if they brought the same , they sure feed it , And , keepe it alwayes there , as well as breed it . Which God ●orbid ; and ●each us to discerne His providence , and what thereby to learne . Vaine thoughts have also they , who credit can That , this Infirmity , at first , began , By meanes of populousnesse . For , were it so ; Some Courts and Allies , many yeares agoe , Had beene infected : And , th●se places , where Throng'd up together , greatest numbers are ; From Visitation , had not free remained , When open Streets , and Borroughs have complained ▪ And , let them not beleeve their fallacy , Because great Cities , have most frequently , This fearfull Sicknesse , or , afflicted be , When little Townes and Villages , are free . For , as there is in great and popular places , More sin , and more abundance of Gods graces : So , it is just ▪ that thither should be sent The greater measure of his Chastisement , That so , their eminen●e , might shew abroad , As well the Iustice , as the Love of God ; Whose Iudgements being laid on Townes obscure , Might small respect , and lesse effect procure . As ignorant as these , I reckon those , Who this Disease , infectious doe suppose To ev'ry one : and , them , who credit not That Sicknesse , by infection may be got : For , these opinions can have no defence ; Since both will false be found , in common sense . For , if we say , this Plague infects not any , How commeth it , we daily see so many Consum'd beneath one roofe in little space ? How comes it , that it creeps from place to place , So orderly , as oftentimes we see , In some close Lane o● Street ? How may it be That twenty Villages ( far distant from Infected Places ) tainted should become Within some few dayes after their arriving Who in contageous places had their living ? None being there , before they came , infected , Nor any such disease neare-hand suspected ? How comes all this , unlesse the Malad●e , Hath in it selfe , as had the L●prosie , A spreading Nature , and envenom'd that Which of her poison can participate ? Beleeve it ; as the Violet , or Rose , ( With pure and pleasing sweetnesse ) where it grow●s Perfumes the Aire , and sendeth Odours out , Which keepe a certaine distance there-about ; And , more or lesse , affect the Passers-by , As they have more or lesse capacity In smelling them ; Or , as the calmed aire , Is either , more or lesse , corrupt or faire : Right so , this Plague , ev'n naturally affects A space of Aire about it ; and infects , ( At such or such a distance ) ev'ry one , As he hath weaknesses , to worke upon : Unlesse , that her malignitie be staid By naturall meanes , or powre Divine alaid . And yet , a false Position make they shall Who thence infer , the Plague infecteth all , Who breathe her tainted Aire . For , how did they Escape it ●hen , who long time , night and day In places of infection were detain'd ? And in the bosome of this Pest●emain'd ●emain'd , Ev'n whe●e they often had their eares and eyes , Affronted , by the sad aspect , and cries , Of Death and Dying men ? How scaped he That in the Church , obliged was to be Among infectious people ; and to speake Till tired were his lungs ; and spirits weake ? Ev'n when the peoples , thronging , and their heat Did vapour up their breathings , and their sweat For him to swallow ? What preserv'd the Clarkes , The Sextens , Searchers , Keepers , and those Sharks , The shamelesse Bearers ? ( who were nigh become , A rout too bad , to picke out hangmen , from ? ) How scap't the Surgeon , that oft puts his head Within the steame of an Infectious bed ▪ And , ev'ry day doth handle , search , and dresse , Those Biles , that over-flow with rottennesse ? Or ( which is more ) how scapt those Babes , the Pest , That were not only weake , but suckt the brest Of Mothers deadly sicke , when they did weare Those noisome Blaines , that most infectious are ? This often chanceth . Yea , this hath beene seene When on the ve●y brest , the sore hath beene . Nay , I have heard ( by credible relation ) That neare to Stra●ford-bow , this Visitation , A little Infant was preserv'd alive , Who sucked on the dying brests of five . How this may be I know not ; If I shall Conclude with some , this Plague hath powre on al● Nor can I finde a reason how it stinted , Or how our totall ruine was prevented . For , when it was at height ; and when appear'd , Most causes , that Infection should be fear'd ; Then , no man was confined , as before : No Bill , or Crosse , was fixt on any doore ; We visited the Sicke ; we shunned neither The place nor person ; but met all together . Yet then , and ( let us marke it ) not till then , This Plague , her fury did abate agen ; And constantly abate , though most refused To keepe such Orders , as at first were used . Which manifest●th well , that ( howsoe're Malignant in it selfe , the ●est appeare ) Gods hand restraines it ; many a man protecting Immediately : some , mediately directing To such , or such a meanes of preservation , That they might honour him in their salvation ▪ And , as he striketh some , that men might feare His Iustice : So , he other some doth spare , That they might love his Mercies ; and perceive That he can at his pleasure take , and leave . For , if God saved none ; some Athe'st , would not Make doubt , perhaps , to publish that he could not ; And , scarce one man would be so neighbourly , To helpe his brother in this malady . Which Charity to further ( and to shew How safely , men their Callings may pursue In ev'ry danger ) we have had , this yeare , Of Gods great Providence , faire token , here . For , 't is observ'd , that he hath few destroy'd Who were in this mortality employ'd About those Offices , which have to us ( In common sense ) appear'd most dangerous . Few Sextons , and few Surgeons have miscari'd , Who in their callings at this want have tary'd . And of those Market-folks ▪ who at our need Brought in provisions , this weake place to feed , I cannot heare of one , who did become Infected ; or , who brought infection home . Ev'n in that Parish where I did abi●e ; And where , nigh halfe a thousand , weekly dy'd ) Not one of all that number perished , That were the common Bearers of the Dead . But , though from midnight , till the break of day , They did infectious Ca●kasses convay From sickly Dwellings , to those Pits of Death , Which breathed out a most contagious breath , With life and health , their service , God rewarded ; Ev'n though the most of them nought else regarded , But that base gaine which might their want supply , Or feed them in some wicked vanity . How then , can we , that of this favour heare , From any lawfull action flye through feare ? Or doubt of Gods protection , when we make A dangerous attempt , for conscience sake ? And know , beside , that what we ●●rive to do , We are both called , and oblig'd unto ? Moreover , since the latter sort here named , Are ( for the greater part ) in life defamed ; Such , who their needfull Offices abused ; Such , who nor outward meanes , nor inward used ; To keep their healths ( but , grew the bolder in The practices of ev'ry kind of sin ) Such , whom Gods Iudgements stupified more , And made far harder hearted , then before . Since those ( I say ) of such condition were , And yet preserved in their Callings , here : For what good use I pray can we suppose Those men were so preserved ; but that those Who truly seeke Gods glory in their stay , Might have the more assurance in their way ? And know , that if to such God please to give This mortall life , they shall much rather live ; Or else ( which is far better ) if they dye , Obtaine a life , with immortality . Some Wiseman-woud-be , now , perhaps , will prate That this is Claphamnisme : And , that the State ( In her good policies to stop the breach Of this g●eat Plague ) is wrong'd by what I teach ? But , rather they injurious are to me Who so affirme ; and vaine their cavils be . For , though to shew the powre Divine the more , Our Muse declares , by what is gone before , That Gods owne hand , our Citie did preserve , When we scarce Mea●es , or Order , did observe . Let no man gather thence , that we maintaine , All Mean●s ▪ or Civill Orders to be vaine . For , of selfe-murther that man guiltie dies , Who , meanes of health doth wilfully despise . Yea , doubtl●sse , there belongs a curse to them , That orderly proceedings doe contemne . And , whereas we our Orders did transgresse , It was necessitie , not wilfulnesse , That u●ged it ; because , our common woe , Did far●● beyond the powre o● O●d●r , goe . At rising of the ●loud we made a Bay ; But , at the height , it carri'd all away . In humane Policie , we s●w no hope . But , as the stones and Timbers whi●h doe stop A Breach at first ; when all is drowned o're , Doe nothing else , but make the waters rore : So , when our Sicknesse , and our Poverty , Had greater wants than we could well supply , Strict Orders did but more enrage our griefe , And , hinder in accomplishing releefe . Had ev'ry house beene lockt which we suppos'd To stand infected , few had beene unclos'd , Yea , our fi●st Orders had we still observ'd , The healthie Housholds would not halfe have serv'd To keepe the Sicke . And who should then have heeded Our private cares ? Or got us that we needed ? As long as from each other , we ref●ain'd , We greater sorrowes ev'ry day sustain'd : Yea , whilst for none , but for ou● selves we car'd , Our brethren perisht , and the worse we far'd . This made us from our Policies appeale , And meete in Love , each others wounds to he●le . This , made vs from our civill Orders flie , To make more practise of our Charitie . And hereunto , pe●haps , compell'd were we , By meere necessitie , to l●t us see Experiments , of that unmatched good , Which flowe●h from a Christian Neighbourh●od ▪ And learne what publike , and what pr●vate case It bringeth in a g●nerall Dise●se : And how it may a Common-wealth sustaine When carnall Wisdome , and Selfe-love are vaine ▪ O● , we perchance from vulgar helpes were driven , Lest Overmuch assurance might be given To outward meanes : Or , lest we us'd them so , As if Gods powre were chained thereunto . O● else , it was permitted , to d●clare That fruitlesse all our best endevours are . Without his blessing : That , no creatures have A Vertue to preserve till he will save : That , his immediate powre must countermand , When any Plague hath got an upper hand : And , that , such Mercy showne in s●ch distresse , Might binde us to the greater thankfulnesse . But , lest what here precedeth hath not showne My purpose fully ; be it also knowne , That to restraine , or spurre the PESTILENCE , There is both supernat'rall Providence And Causes naturall . The first of these Can worke without the later , if it please . The later cannot any thing effect , But , as the former shall the same direct . And , though in ev'ry sicknesse , thus it is , Yet , such hid properties are found in this , Such oppositions in the Naturall Causes , Such knots , and riddles ; that it much amazes The naturall man : because he seldome findes ( As he perceives in griefes of other kindes ) The Causes and Effects agree together ; For , there is much uncertainty in either . On some , this Plague doth steale insensib●y , Their muddy nature , stirring secretly To their destruction . Some , it striketh so , As if a mortall hand had with a blow Arrested them ; and on their flesh hath seene A palmes impression , to appearance , beene . One m●n is faint , weake , sickly , full of feare , And drawes his breath where st●ongst infections are , Yet scapes with life . Another man is young , Light-hearted , healthy , stout , well-temper'd , strong , And lives in wholesome ayre , yet gets a fit Of this Land Cale●ture , and dies of it . Some are tormented by it , till we s●e Their veines and sinewes almost broken be , The very soule distracted , sense bereft , And scarce the smallest hope of scaping le●t , Yet soone recover . Othersome , againe Fall suddenly ; or feele so little paine When they are seized , that they breathlesse lye , E're any dying Symptomes , we ●spy . On some , an endlesse drowsinesse doth creep● : Some others , cannot get one winke of sleepe . This , useth ev'ry day preservatives , Yet dies : another taketh none , yet lives . Ev'n thus vncertainly this Sicknesse playes ; Spares , wounds , and killeth , many sev'rall wayes . From this experience , let us not conclude , As many doe among the multitude , Who misconceiving ( to no small offence ) The doctrine of Eternall Providence , ( Who from the truth of sober knowledge wandring , And Gods Decrees , and Iustice also slandring ) Doe so necessitate the Fate of man , That , whatsoever he endevour can , His paines is lost ; and that foredoom'd , he must At this or that set moment turne to dust : And that no industry , no innocence , No wilfull carelesnesse , or foule offence , N●r any humane actions helpfull be To life or death , but meerly Gods De●ree . Ev'n such there be . And , howsoever they Preach Faith , or Workes , in show , yet , th●y denay The pow'r of both ; and secretly maintaine , ( By consequence at least ) that meanes are vaine . For , they affirme that ev'ry thing men doe , They are by God predestinated to Before all worlds ; So , that our pow'r , or will , Affecteth ; not effecteth good , or ill ; And that we are by doome inevi●able In ev'ry kind of action made unable . Which Tenet , seemeth rather to arise From those , who write of heathnish Des●inies , Then from a Christian. For , though true it be , That , God Almighty , all things doth foresee , And order so , and so dispose of things , That , to perfection his owne worke he brings , In spight of Satan , and of every deed That may from his malignant brood proceed : Yet , they have Actions naturally their owne , Which God permits . He likewise hath bestowne On us that are his children , grace , and powres , Good Actions to performe , which we call ours By Gods free gift . Moreover , he doth please To promise blisse , or threaten plagues , for these , According to their natures ; that each one May heed the be●ter , what is to be done : Be stirred up to put good workes in use , Or else be left at last without excuse . For ▪ though I am assured we possesse , By Nature , no inherent Righteousnesse ; I , naithelesse beleeve that ev'ry one ( Whose being , first , from Adams loines begun ) Received since our Universall fall One Talent , at the least , to worke withall , With so much powre of working also , that We may and should with God cooperate . As Adam all men did of life deprive ; Ev'n so by Christ , were all men made alive : Yea , ev'n as Moses did not let remaine One hoofe in Aegypt which did appe●taine To Isr'ell ; So beleeve I that not one ▪ Was left unransom'd by Gods only Sonne : But that all through the sea of bloud d●d come , As well those other who doe wander from Truths path in this lifes wildernesse ; as they Who come within the Land of Promise may . And , though like him , who impudently , laid Injustice to his Masters charge , and said ; He reaped where he sow'd not , though , I say ; There want not some among us , at this day , Who like to him , doe most unthankfully This grace of God in IESVS CHRIST deny ; ( Affirming , that he some injoynes unto Much more , than he did give them power to ) Our Maker unto ev'ry soule that lives , So much by vertue of Christs Passion gives , That whosoever falleth , fal●s not by Anothers , but his owne iniquitie ; And , by his actuall crimes , makes unforgiven That Debt originall which was made even By his Redeemer , who , that , backe will have , ( If we abuse it ) which at first he gave . Who ev'r wants powre to doe what God doth bid , Lost in himselfe , that pow●e as Adam did : Yet , we that have it , neither had that powre , No● keepe it can , by any strength of our ; But by his holy Spi●it , who hath taught That path of life wherein to walke we ought . And , this is such a Mystery , that some Which thinke they s●e , are blinde therein become ▪ Our guiltie Soules and Bodies were bereft Of all good Faculties , and had not left So much as Will , much lesse the powre to doe What soule or B●d●es health conduced to . Their guilt Christ from them tooke ; and by his might Depraved Nature so much sets to right , That unto ev'ry Soule , he gives the will Which Adam had , of chusing good or ill . And then both Life and Death , he doth propose Before them so , that either may be chose . To them , whom in his Church he doth afford To live past Child-hood , He doth by his Word ( And by no other meanes ) this tender make . With Infants , and with Heathens , he may take Some other course . But , surely , when , or how He that effects ; concernes not us to know . When God doth make this tender ( which is then When he doth please , and no man knoweth when ) If any Soule by Sathans guile doth chuse , What Gods good Spirit moves her to refuse , She , then , to put in action doth begin The haynous and impardonable sin Against the Holy Ghost ( which f●arfull crime Is made apparant to the world , in time , Or more or lesse , by outward actions here , As God shall please to let the same appeare ) And , after this refusall , ev'ry thing , Which doth encrease of grace , to others , bring , Doth make her grow more senselesse of her state , Or else enrage , or make her desperate . And , her freewill , in Adam lost before , Is lost againe , by her , for evermore . But , if she chuseth as the Spirit move●h , The Lord , this Soule , without repenting loveth ; In her , preserving such affections still , And such a portion of her first Freewill , That though the frailties of her flesh doe seeme To choake them often , in the worlds esteeme ; ( And sometime in her owne ) yet she for ever Doth in her motion towards God persever , Till she arive in him . Nor doth she cease Of pious workes , her number to encrease : But labours for assurance in election , By reaching ev'ry day at more perfection . An● , far is it from God to take away The guerdon of our Faith ; or to denay What he did by his Covenant , ordaine , To be the wages of our Christian paine : Or to command us what should profit nought ; Or , to neglect the workes that we have wrought . For , since God heeds those things that are so small , As birds alightings , and as haires that fall ; Makes use of ev'ry circumstance , and chai●es ( To further those maine ends which he ordaines ) Ten thousand little trifling things together ; Not one omitting , none displacing neither , Which may be pertinent his ends to fu●ther , Or to effect them , in their timely Order . How could so fond a crotchet be devised , That God our serioust actions hath despised ? Or , that by his Foreknowledge , or Decree , Our deeds should all annihilated be ? Or , that he should so oft incite us to What he had giv'n to man , no pow'r to doe ? I dare not venture upon their distractions , Who search the order of Eternall actions ; Nor doe I further seeke what God foreknowes , Then he within his Word revealed showes ; Nor will I ever strive to pry into His hidden couns●lls , as too many doe : But their unwarrantable paths eschewing , And , Gods disclosed purposes pursuing , Search onely for the knowledge of those things Which an effecting of his pleasure brings . Since , if I follow them , it cannot be That he would purpose any harme to me ; Or in his secret counsell ought ordaine To make his publi●e will to be in vaine . For , though , when Abram , Isa'k thought to kill , God's hidden purpose , and revealed will Did seeme to crosse each other ( And when he Did threaten Niniveh destroy'd should be ) Yet , they appeare not opposite to those Whose faith , such holy secrets can disclose . Or were it so ; from acts particular None should conclusions generall inferre . God neuer said , as yet , that I could heare , Man , such a day shall perish , howsoe're By faithfull workes for safety he endeauour . But , all his promises and threatnings , euer Were made conditionall ; and haue fore-spoken Our life , or death , as they are kept , or broken . Nor is this any barre , or contradiction To Gods free Grace ; or to his firme Election , Or never-ending Loue . Nor helpes it those Who , perseverance of the Saints , oppose : But , rather , maketh all those Doctrines good . Yea , being rightly weigh'd and understood , Gods iustice , and his mercy it unites , Whom mens blind Cavills haue made opposites . God knew the doome , and date of Adams crime , Yet , he did fore-expresse no certaine time ; But , speaking of it , spake indefinitely , And said , That d●y thou sinnest , thou shalt dye . And sure , of all mens deaths ( who e're gaine saies ) It is their sinne that setteth downe the daies . For , till transgression forfeited our breath , There was no peremptory day of death . And , in affirming , where Gods Word is mute , It is presumption , to be absolute . Doe this , saith God , and liue ; Doe that and perish . Yet some , whose overfights too many cherish , Dare contradict it ; and affirme that wee Good , bad , dead , liuing , damned , saued be Eu'n from eternity , without respects , To any causes , or to their effects . And these imply , that ( whatsoe're we doe , Or leaue vndone ) God fore-appoints us to A certaine doome ; which we shall striue in vaine , With all our strength , to shunne ▪ or to obtaine . And wherefore then did God his Gospell send ? Why doth his Word exhort vs to amend ? Why doth he ●id vs , this , or that to shunne ? Why hath he charged some things to be done ? If he no power hath giuen , or else by fate Disableth all men to cooperate ? And leaues them neither good nor ill to doe But what he fore-decreed long agoe ? Why threats he stripes ? why promiseth reward ? If there be no compassion , no regard , Nor meed for what is done . And what I pray Is all Religion , if these truth doe say ? I know God reprobates ▪ and doth foresee Before all worlds , who reprobates will be . But , none he forceth to be so accurst , Saue those who haue his Grace rejected first ▪ And vnto those , indeed , he powre denies To worke his will , because they did despise His profered Love ; And just it is in him , To make them blinde , who did the light contemne . He doth eternally abhorre the crime ; But he the persons reprobates in time . And None doth chuse , or personally reject ( What ever some conceive ) but with respect Vnto his Covenant ; which hath implide Something to be perform'd on either side . For , were it so , that God hath fore-decreed What should befall unto us without heed To any Covenant ; and bar'd Salvation , By an eternall doome of R●probation , ( In such like manner as the fantasies Of some ( not well advisedly ) devise ) What compasse we by striving therewithall ▪ Why spend we time , in rising up to fall ? Why linger we to act so many crimes ? To suffer over griefe so many times ? And live so many sev'rall deaths to taste , To be nor worse , nor better at the last ? Or wherefore have we prayed , since we know What must be , must be , though we pray not so ? I might be thought o're bitter , if as they I should interrogate , who sharply say ; Why doe not these , who this opinion hold , Goe hang themselves before that they are old ? Or in their Gardens , TIMON like , erect Faire Gibbets for the Schollers of their Sect ? What tends their life unto ? why should not they Refuse to eate and drinke ; and , wisely , say , " God , for our end , a certaine day hath set , " Which we shall reach , although we taste no meat . Why doe they shun a danger in the street , Since they shall live their time , what e're they meet ? If they to any place , desire to goe , Why trouble they their feet to helpe thereto ? Since they are sure , that if decreed it were They should come thither , they their paines may spare ? If thus I should have said , some men would deeme me To be more bitter then did well beseeme me : For , I confesse that on the quick they grated , Who in this manner have expostulated . And I forbeare it . Yet , this generation Hath some who need this tart expostulation ; With whom loud noises more prevaile by far , Then doe those proofes , that Faiths and Reasons are . I know to these Objections , most replies ; I know their strength , and where their weaknesse lies ; I know what holy Scriptures , men mistake , Which proofes of their assertions seeme to make : I know , how they their Arguments mis-lay , From that of Esau , and the Potters clay : I know what Times and Termes they misconceive , And wherewithall themselves they doe deceive . I know with what nick-names of heresie , Some Readers will for this my Muse belye ; And that nor they , who call'd Armini●ns be , Nor they who reprehend them , will with me Be friends for this ; for neither those nor these Am I desirous to offend or please . But to uphold the Truth , which is bely'd ▪ Injuriously by most of either side . I know their spight , their vineger , their gall ; I know what spirit most are led withall Who spread the Doctrines which I have reproved , And know such Reason nev●r to be moved , With favour to them that I dare to say , It is the nearest and the straightest way To all prophanenesse . It the b●idle gives To ●arnall liberties , and makes the lives And hearts of many men so voyd of care : From hence distractions ; hence despairings are . Hence mischiefes ; hence selfe murthers doe arise ; Hence is it that such multitudes despise Good discipline : yea , this contemned makes The life of Fai●h , if once it rooting takes : Disableth pious practices outright ▪ And where it roots , destroyes Religion quite . Let no man then admit into his thought , That God Almighty hath decreed ought Which on his Iustice may infringement bring , Or on his Mercy in the smallest thing : Or that his Wisedome any thing ordaines Without the meanes which thereunto pertaines : Or thinke , because our sinne he doth permit That therefore he necessitateth it : Or that he wills those errours he foresees , As he the workes of righteousnesse decrees : Or , that our humane actions cyphe●s are : Or , that within this world there ever were Or shall , those persons be , whom God will call Vnto account , untill he giue them shall , At least , one Talent , which may serue vnto The working of that worke he bids them doe . Let no man dreame these dreames ; nor censure this , Till he hath well consider'd what that is Which I deliuer . For in this darke way , Our learnedst Clerkes doe sometimes runne astray . Nor let them thinke that I concurre with all , Who in appearance hold this Tenet shall : Or that I differ from all men that may In termes dissent from what I seeme to say . For they that in expression disagree In one well-meaning , oft united be . And either ( if that they in loue contend ) Shall then at length , obtaine their wished end . Oh! labour this , all you that would be thought GODS glo●y in your studies to haue sought ; That though offences come , they may not moue Disunion ; but Gods worthy ones approve . And let us with a true sobriety , So heed his Actions of eternitie , That we may see in them a boundlesnesse , Beyond our humane wisdome to expresse ; Leave quarrelling about his waies unknowne , And take more heed here after to our owne . For , though God pleaseth , other while , to use Our vulgar Termes , some notions to infuse Of his eternall workings , and apply His deeds that way , to our capacity , Disclosing them unto us one by one , As if at severall times they had beene done , ( Be●ause our shallownesse no meanes can find To entertaine them in their proper kinde ) And though ( respecting us who temp'ral be ) Wee say , that God Almighty doth fores●e , Foreknow us , and pr●destinate ; yet sure , His Essence no such termes can well endure In proper sense ; Because with him , no doome , Word , Thought , or Act , is passed , or to come . But all things present . Yea , all Times , and all Those things which wee by severall names doe call , Our Birth● , our Lives , our Deaths , and our Saluations , Our free-el●ctions , and pr●d●stinations , Are all at once with God , without foreseeing ; Eu'n all in one-eternall-present-being . Which few observing , many men have thought That Gods et●rnall actions should be wrought Like ours in Time , which is , as if they should Endeavour how the world they might enfold Within a Nut-shell . And while thus men strive ( According to their fancies ) to contrive An order in Gods Workings , they mistake them Blasphemously , and orderlesse doe make them . Yea , to define his actions , they neglect That part which is their duty to effect ; Themselves and others losing in a path Which neither profit , end , nor safety hath ; And , by disputing what from us is hidden , Disturb the doing that which God hath bidden : I have digrest enough ; and some there are Who think , perhaps , that I have gone too farre . Yet , let it not be judg'd impertinent , That I have so pursu'd this Argument . For , want of minding what is here rehearsed , Hath often times the Pestilence dispersed . Yea , some who fondly said , that ev'ry man Shall live his time decreed , do what he can ; And that each one at his fixt houre shall dye , 'Gainst which he seeks in vaine , a remedy : Ev'n these , made much good means of health neglected ▪ Much wise and wholsome counsell be rejected ; And caused , oft , in this our common wo , That Death was brought and caried , to and fro . But , lest in chasing them , I run astray ; I le prosecute againe my purpos'd way . The Pestilence doth show her selfe inclin'd So variously , she cannot be defin'd . She neither certaine forme , nor habit wears , But , partly metaphysicall appears , And partly naturall . She oft may cary Her Progresse on , by meanes that 's ordinary ; But , rarely doth begin , or end her Arrant , Save by an extraordinary Warrant . It doth infect , and it infecteth not . It is an arrow which is often shot By Gods owne hand , from his far-striking bow ▪ Without the help of any meanes below . It is Gods Angel , which to death can smite , Miraculously , an army in a night . It is a rationall Disease , which can Pick , with discretion , here and there a man ; And passe o're those , who either marked are For Mercy ; or , a greater Plague to beare . We see , it suting hath to Natures lawes , A nat'rall motion , and a nat'rall cause ; For , as a Fire among great Buildings throwne , Burnes ●imber , melteth Metall , cracketh Stone , Defaceth Statues , makes moist places dry , The Vaults below to sweat , the tyles to flye And manifests his force , in sev'rall kindes , According to the objects which he findes : So , hath the Pestilence a nat'rall pow'r To ha●den , fright , end●nger , or devou●e , ( And divers other changes to procu●e ) As she doth find a sev'rall temp'rature In mind or body , fitting the rejection . Or for the entertainment of Infection . These things consider'd . They who shall desire To scape from this Contagion , must acquire A double Ward ▪ For , doubtlesse , there is none That can resist it with one guard alone . In times of Danger , vainly we presume Vpon our Iv'●y boxes of Perfume . To little purpose , we defend our noses , With Wormwood , Rue , or with our Radeliffe Posies Of tarred Ropes . Small warrant for our lives , Are all such bodily Preservatives , As Cordiall waters , Gums , Herbes , Plants , and Rootes , Our simple or compounded Antidotes . Our Boezar-stone ; our med'cines Chymicall ; Or , that high-p●ized Iewell wherewithall , For horne of V●icorne , men cheated are : Or , those unhallowed Charmes , which many weare . For , these are far unable to withstand The vigour of his incorporeall hand , Who strikes for sinne , unlesse to these wee adde A Plaister which of better things is made . Yea Nature failes , unlesse adjoyne wee doe , A med'cine metaphisicall thereto . Moreover , fruitlesly devout are they , And that they seeke to God they falsely say , Who wilfully neglect , or else contemne , That outward meanes , which Nature offers them , And God provides , to cure , or to prevent , The mischiefe of Diseases pestilent . For , since wee fram'd of soules and bodies are , God pleased is , that wee should have a care To both of them ; and labour how to finde , What appertaines to either , in his kinde . He therefore , who desireth a defence Against this Arrow of the Pestilence ; A compleat Armour must from God procure , And still be arm'd , his person to secure . He must put on the Helmet of Salvation , And shoe his feet with holy Preparation . A Bel● of Truth must for his loines be sought ; His Brest-plate must of Righteousnesse be wrought . The Shield of Faith , his Target must become , The darts of Sathan to secure him from . Gods Word must be the Sword upon his thigh , His Praiers , like continuall shot must flie ; And he should keepe for ever his abode , Within the shadow of Almighty God . Or else the Workeman looseth all his paine ; And he that watcheth , wake●h but in vaine . He also must expell out of the soule , That filthinesse of sinne , which makes it foule . He must avoid the crimes he lived in ; His Physi●ke must be Rue ( ev'n Rue for sinne ) Of Herb of Grace , a Cordiall he must make ; The bitter Cup of true Repentance take ; The Diet of Sobriety assume ; His House with workes of Charitie perfume ; And watch , that from his heart in secrecie , Arise no savours of Hypocrisie . He must beleeve , God so doth love him , that His everlasting good , is aimed at In all he suffers ; and , that , God doth know , And marke his nature , and his temper so , As that he will impose nor more , nor lesse , Than shall be needfull for his happinesse . For , such a Faith , will keepe h●m still content , Still lowly , under ev'ry cha●tisement ; Still thankfull , whatsoever doth befall ; And Blessings make , of what we Plagues doe call . He must , moreover with a holy Feare , In all his Christian duties pe●severe ; Still watchfull , and at no time daring ought Which may from God divert him in a thought : ( So neere as possibly , the powre of man , So great a diligence endeavour can . ) For , round about him are a thousand Feares , A thousand Dangers , and ten thousand Snares , And , as a Traveller , who for his Bridges , To passe deepe waters , having nought but ridges Of narrow Timbers , dares not cast his eye From off the Plancke , nor set his foot a wrie ; ●ecause beneath him , he beholds a Streame , That runnes , and roares , and gapes to swallow him : So , he that must an hourely passage make , Through such like Plagues , as this whereof I speake , ( And many dangers waiting on him hath , To catch him , if he slip his narrow Path ) Had need be carefull that he never stray , Nor swarve in any thing beside the way . Let , therefore , ev'ry man desire , at least ▪ This pow'r ; that his desirings may be blest , With such pe●formances as he shall need , Or , have his Will accepted for the Deed. And , let him to his Calling ever stand : For , whosoe're doth leave that place unmann'd Wherein God set him ; ●orfeits that reward ( And is d●prived of that Angell guard ) Of which his Muse doth prophesie , who sayes , We shall pr●s●rved be in all our wayes . Far is it from my nature , to reprove With proud insultings , those whom feare did move To step aside : For , good and pious men Give way to nat'rall frailties now and then ; And , we whom God emboldned now to stay , Hereafter , from lesse frights may run away . Yea , sure I am , that if it doe not flow From Love , and Pity , that their s●apes we show , God may , and will ( our folly to deride ) Make them dare stand , where we shall seare to bide . And therefore , hoping none amisse will take What I have writ for truth and con●●ience sake ; ( That men in times to come might looke into This duty , and be heedfull what they doe ) I will affirme , th●t ev'ry one hath erred , Who in his lawfull Calling , was deterred So much , as in ●his danger to forsake it : And , though a trifling matter many make it , I know , the most apparant showes of terror Are not excuse enough for such an error . For , that we should not in such cases dread The greatest perils : God hath promised , That if we keepe ou● wayes , and him obse●ve , He will not onely , from this Plague preserve ; But , cause us w●thout ha●me to walke among , Ev'n Adders , Drago●s , Lyons old and yong : By which pernicious creatures , and untamed , Is ev'●y danger meant ●hat can be named . These things we must obse●ve , if we will hope Gods extraordinary blow to stop ; And other circumstances must attend Those meanes . But , they so nat'rally depend On what precedes ; that in well doing one , We cannot leave the other part undone . Such were those holy med'cines , which prevented The Plague , at Niniveh , when she repented ; Such Isr'el used , and it saved them ; Such kept the Plague out of Ierusalem ; And when the bloody Angell came , had pow'r To stop him in Araunab's threshing floore . Thus Hezekiah was preserv'd ; thus David Was from the very same contagion saved : And if unfainedly we pra●tise thus , He doth of safety also warrant us . Yea ( through this meanes ) we shall be fortifi'd With such a coat of proofe , as will abide That murth'ring Arrow which in darkn●sse flyes , From God● owne Bow , unseene of mortall eyes . And when we thus have done , attempt we may To stop the Shaft , that flyes abroad by day ; I meane the nat'rall Sicknesse , whi●h doth smite By meanes , that is appar●nt to the sight . For , as God striketh , oft , immediate blowes By some immediate way : right so he showes A nat'rall cure to those , whom he doth please To warrant from the naturall Diseas● ▪ Thus , he for Hezekiah's health revealed That Plaister , wherewithall his griefe was healed , Thus from this Plague have many beene secured , And many saved , who the stroke endured . Here I could shew , what Med●cines may be tooke To cure or to prevent the outward stroke ; To qualifie the Aire , what might be used ; What Diet should be taken , what refused ; What Symptomes doe attend on this disease ; What good , or ill , from Labour , or from Ease Too much , or over-little , may be got : But , to proceed in this presume I not , For , to prescribe externall med'cines , here To ev'ry man , too hard a taske it were ; Since they must often chang'd and mixed , ●e , As we the sicknesse changeable doe see , And as we finde the measure of infection , The parties Age , his Temper , or Complection . To those I the●efore will commit this part , Who are allow'd professors of that Art ; Advising all , that none their aid refuse , Nor out of season , their assistance use . For , if , before our peace with God be made , We ( seeking outward meanes ) a cure have had ; That meanes shall be the meanes our death to ●et : That cure shall onely cure us , to beget Another Plague : unlesse we have repented Our folly , and the mis●hiefe , so , prevented . Yea such , as take that course , doe sugar o're Strong poy●ons , and skin up a festring sore ; Because those med'cines , and that watchfuln●sse ( From which they did expect a good succes●e ) Not being with repentance sanctifi'd , Nor ( in their place ) with faithfulnesse apply'd , Corruptd grow ; make what was evill , worse ; And ( in the stead of blessings ) bring a curse . This Reason proves , For , since it is from Sin Whence all our griefes , and sicknesses have bin : We shall as vainly strive th' effects to stay , Till we the Causes first remove away , As if we went about to draine a River , Before to stop the Springs we did endeavor . And , as we neither should o're much r●ly On outward helpes ; nor take disorderly The meanes of Health ; ●ight so , beware we must That we doe never use it with distrust . For as , in seeking safety , most men use Preposterous courses ( whence much harme ensues ) Or else ( when likely med'●ines they have got ) Presume so farre , on what availe●h not , Without Gods blessing ; that , from him they take His due , and of his Creatures , Idols make : So , some there be so fearfull , that their Feare Corrupts their blood , where no infections were ; Begets that Plague within them which they shun ; And makes it follow , when they from it run . No place , or counsell can of rest ●ss●re them ; No meanes their hope of safety can procure them : But still they are distemper'd ; ever taking New courses , and new Med'cines alwayes making . Of all they meet ( if any meet they dare ) For some Receipt , their fi●st enquiries are . What e're he be that tells them , that , or this Prevents the Plague ; it straightwayes practis'd is . They swallow downe hot Wa●●rs , Sirrups , Drinks , Choake up their Chambers wit● Perfumes , & Stinks ; With Rue , and Wormwood cram their bowels up , With Phisicke breake their fa●ts , and dine , and su● : Yet , still d●spaire , as if that world of sluffe ( Which they devoured ) were not halfe enough . And , this their terror , doth to me appeare , A greater Plague , then that which they doe feare . Mistake me not ; I doe not here condemne The christian , and the filiall feare of them , That are ( with holy dread ) employ'd about Such meanes , as wo●keth true salvation out . Nor blame it , when a moderate feare doth make Alarums in us , Reason to awake . For , while our Feare preserves a moderation , It is a very necessary passion , And stands for Centinell , to bid us Arme , When any Foe doth seeme to menace harme . Nor doe I checke that nat'rall Feare , which from The knowledge of our weaknesses doth come : For , want of that , is meere stupidity ; And such , can neither feele a Misery , Nor ta●te Gods Mercies , with more profit , than The brutish Creatures wanting Reason , can ; Who , of their paines , or pleasures , nought retaine Much longer , then it doth in act remaine . I count not each man valiant , who dares die , Or venture on a Mischiefe desperately , When , either heat of Youth , or Wine , or Passion Shall whet him on , before consideration : For , thus a Beast will doe , and hath ( no doubt ) As much foresight in what he goes about ; As those blinde Bayards , who couragious be In perills , whose events they doe not see . Nor will I any man a Coward call , Although I see him tremble , and looke pale In dangerous attempts ▪ unlesse he slacke His just Resolves , by basely stepping backe . For , as the greater part of men w● find To laugh and blush , by nature , much enclin'd : So , many have a nat'rall inclination , To trembling , palenesse , or some other passion , Which , no Philosophy can take away , Nor any humane wit , or strength , allay : And if their Apprehension proveth better Then other Mens ; their Passions are the greater ▪ Because their searching wits finde pe●ills out , Whereof the Dullard ( never having doubt ) Hath boldly ventur'd on them , and out-dar'd , Wh●t being heede● , him to death had scar'd . Give me the Man , that with a quaking arme Walkes with a stedfast mind through greatest harm ; And though his flesh doth tremble , makes it stand To execute what Reason doth command . Give me the Soule , that knowingly descries All dangers , and all possibilities Of outward p●rills ; and yet doth persever In ev'ry lawfull action , howsoever . Give me that Heart , which in it selfe doth warre With many frailties ( who li●e Traytors are In some besieged Fort ) and hath to doe With outward Foes , and inward Terrors too ; Yet of himselfe , and them , a conquest makes , And still proceeds in what he undertakes . For , this is double - valour ; and such men ( Althoug● they are mis-censur'd now , and then ) Enjoy those mindes that best composed are ; In lawfull quarrells are without compare ; And ( when the Coward , hoodwink'd goes to fight ) Dare cha●ge their sternest Foes with open sight . Let no Man therefore glory , or make boast Of Courage , when they feele their Dread is lost , Or thinke themseles the safer , when they finde Their Feare is gone , whilst Perill slayes behinde ; Especially , when they besieg'd appeare , With such like Pl●gues , as this , we treat of here . For that endangers , rather then secureth ; Since Custome , or else Ignorance procu●eth That bru●ish ●earlesnesse : And , where we see Such hardinesse , Gods judgements fruitlesse be . There is required , yet , one Caveat more To perfect that , which hath beene said before ; Ev'n this ; that we grow watchfull , lest the while We trust in God , we doe our selves beguile With fruitlesse confidence , and on his grace ( Beyond his warrant ) our assurance place . For , many thousands wondrous forward are In Gods large promises to claime a ●hare ; Who , those conditions never mused on , Which he doth ground his Covenant upon . And as the Iewes ( from whom they take example ) Bragg'd of their outward worship , and their Temple , As if Gods League extended unto all , Who could themselves , the sonnes of Iacob , call , Without respecting their partic'lar Way : So , we have some among us , that will say , They trust in God , and that , in this infection , They full assurance have of his protection : Because they formally his Truth professe ; Performe externall workes of Holinesse ; Or visibly , with such , partakers are , With whom the Pledges of Gods love appeare . But , they that on these ou●ward workes rely , Without true faith , and true sincerity ; Commit those guilded sinnes , whose glosse will weare , And leave their na●urall corruptions bare : Yea they , of their professions , idols make ; And , will the Covenant of God ●istake , Vntill in his conveyances , they see What duties , on their par●s , required be . God promis●th ( indeed ) all such to save , Who in his holy Church their dwelling have ; And th●t he will vouchsafe them his de●ence From dangers of the noysome Pestilence : But they must love him , and inuoke him , then , Or else the Bargaine is unmade agen . Thus much inferres the Psalmist , in that Ode , Which p●ophecies the saving Grace of God . Those , therefore , too too much on them assume , Yea , ( foolishly ) of mercy they presume , Who boast of Gods protection , and yet tread Those paths , which to a sure destruction lead . I doe not meane , when any man mis●does Through frailty , or unwillingly mis-goes : But when , with liking , and without remorse , He wilfully pursues a wicked Course . For , such , their confidence on God , bely , Depending on their owne security ; And cannot see those dangers they are in , Because ●heir Consciences have seared bin . How many thousands in the Grave are laid , Who , in their life-times , impudently said They should be safe in God ? yet never tooke His counsell , nor one vanity forsooke For love of him ? How many have I heard Presumptuously affirme , they never fear'd The danger of Gods Arrowes ? though they flew At n●one , at midnight , and so many slew In ev'ry street ? yea , shamelesly professe Their trust in God , to cause their fearlesnesse , Yet , nothing for the love of him ●ndevour ? How boldly have I seene them to pe●sever In ev'ry ●in , when Gods fierce Angell stood , Ev'n just before them , all embru'd in blood ; And slaught'ring r●und about them neighbors , brothers Their friends ▪ their kinsmen , children , fathers , mothers , And some of ev'ry sort ? Nay , I have heard Of such , who were not any jot afear'd To ba●gaine for their Lust , in times to come , Within the compasse of the selfe-same roome , Where ( at that instant ) they beheld their wives Lye newly dead ; or lab'ring for their lives . They waste Gods Creatures in luxurious diet ; Consume their times in wantonnesse , and riot ; They feasts , and merriments , in Tavernes keepe , Whilst others in the Temples , fast , and weepe ; Th●y p●rsecute their brethren , and the poore ; Pe●forme no good ; forbeare no sin the more ; And live so carelesly , as if they thought , That , when the greatest wickednesse they wrought , It prov'd , their trust in God to be the greater ; And , that lewd works , shew'd forth their faith the better ; Or else that God the more obligement had , Because he was so good , and they so bad ▪ Ev'n such there are . And these make boastings will , Of ●rust in God , yet such continue still . Alas , it is but vaine to say Lord , Lord , Or to professe a confidence in word , Where lively Faith appeares not : for , God granteth Protections unto none , but whom he planteth Within his Vineyard ; wherein growes no tree , But in some measure , it will fruitfull be ; Or ●lse , a storme shall come , which down will shake it , With whatsoever , carnall props , we s●ake it . No high-presuming Cedars , nor stiffe Oakes , Are those whom God exempteth from the strokes Of his tempestuous wrath : but , that which bendeth To ev'ry blast , which he in Iudgement sendeth , As doth a bruised , or low-stooping Reed , Which , by the bowing , is from breaking free'd . Yea those , who really within the shade Of his defence , have their abidings made ; Those onely , may depend on his protection , Amid the ragings of this hot Infection . And who are these , but such , as ( when they see The threa●ned Plague ) afraid , and humbled be ? Such , as through hearty love , ashamed grow , That they so good a God displeased so : Such , as are sory for their passed crimes , And truly purpose , in all future times A better life : Such , who , for conscience sake ( And not through servile feare ) themselves betake To pious exercises : such , who strive To mortifie their lusts , and how to live As worthy their free-calling : such , as they , Who ev'ry houre , doe labour , watch , and pray ▪ Their duties to performe ; and dare not peepe Abroad at morning , or at ev'ning sleepe , Till they the sacrifice of thankes have paid , For favours past ; and begg'd for future aid . Such , as on Gods owne pleasure can rely , And , in his Faith resolved are to dye . Such , as have Charity ; and working are Their safeties with continuall joy , and fear● ▪ Ev'n such as these , securely may repose When twenty thousand dangers them enclose . On these , Gods Angells wait ▪ and these they shall From stumbling keepe , when many Millions fall ▪ From ev'ry kinde of harme they shall be free , And sleepe , where feares , and mischiefes thickest be : Yea , though that seize them , which the Plague we cal , It shall to them become no Plague at all ; But rather be their furth'rance , to acquire That perfect happinesse , which they desire . Let no man , therefore , in this Visitation Tye God unto the temp'rall preservation ; Or be discouraged , if he shall please To exercise him under this Disease , Supposing , he inflicteth it on none ( As some fooles thinke ) but Reprobates alone . For he did Hezekiah thereby strike ▪ He , by th●s Malady , or some such like , Afflicted holy David , his Elected ; Whose Reprobation is of none suspected . And though just men from temporall infection Shall finde more certainty of Gods protection , Then others doe : yet sure , that Pestilence ( From which God promis'd absolute defence ) Is not that sicknesse which the body slayes ; But that , which death unto the soule conveyes . Our ●●rthly griefes , to heav'nly joyes doe rear● , And why should any Man or grudge or feare A mortall wound , so he might gaine thereby A body cloth'd with immortalitie ? Or why should we repine , in missing that , Which ( to our dammage ) we had aymed at ; When God doth give us more then we desired ; ●nd lifts us higher , then our hopes aspired ? To him due praises , rather , let us give , Whose love to us , is better , then to live . But , I have said enough to this effect , And if , what I have spoken , have re●pec● , We shall ( I hope ) hereafter well dis●erne , What , by this Iudgement , we are bound to learne ▪ How much to trust ; how much to hope , or feare ; What outward meanes , or inward helpes there are , Whereby , this heavy Plague may be prevented ▪ Or entertained , with a brest contented . So few ( as yet ) have thus prepared bin , That now of late it quickly rushed in In spite of all our Halberds , and our Watches . And as a Flame ( which in a Tempest , catches On some full Barne ) is blowne about the Village , And fi●eth , here , the hopefull fruits of Tillage ; A Cottage there ; on th' other side the way A well-●ill'd Stable , or a Rick● of Hay ; Another yo● ; close by , doth menace harme Ev'n to the Church ; forthwith consume ● Farme ; Some dwellings ( now , and then ) doth overgoe ▪ Anon la●es waste a dozen in a row ; And still increase , goe forward , and returne , Vntill the Towne in ev'ry quarter burne : So rag'd the Pestilence . And , as we see Those wo●kmen , who , repai●ing breaches b● In Thame , or Trent , at first the Banks doe raise ▪ Shut clos● the Sluce● , strengthen up the Bay's , And l●bour seriously with much good hope , While they perceive but some few gaps to stop : But , when they see the Flood prevailing more , ( Ten breaches made , for ●v'ry one before ) And all endeavors faile ; they worke forsake , Leaving the waters their owne cours● to take : So , when this Floud began ▪ we had ● thought To keepe it backe ; and to that purpose w●ought : But , when we saw it rise beyond our pow'r , We gave it way at pleasure to devoure . At first , the publique Officers did show Their skill in curbing this encroaching Foe , Not sparing to be prodigall of paine , The spreadings of Infection to restraine ; And ev'ry private family beside , Against this danger did for armes provide ▪ Their Yards , and Halls , were smoked with perfume , To stop the stinkes , which thither might presume . Their Chambers furnisht were with Antidotes , With Viols , Boxes , Glasses , Gallipots , All filled with munition of defence ( As they suppos'd ) against the Pestilence . Some did in Meats their meanes of safety thinke ; Some Epicures did arme themselves with Drinke ; Some , foolishly did build up monstrous hope● Vpon the smoking of Tobacco shops ; ( But this disease , without a Conscience making Of their presuming on Tobacco taking , Came thither too , and frequently did cary Good-fellowes from their smoaking Sanctuary . ) Some , one , and some another course devised ▪ Yet , ev'ry day more places were surprised . Which , when we saw , and how it overcast All temp'rall force ; we thought upon ( at last ) The helpe of God : and then we did repaire To crave his ayd in Fasting , and in Prayer , Then some , through servile terror ; some , for fashio● , And some , out of a true humiliation , Emplored ayd from heav'n ; and show'd in teare● Their Hope , their true Repentance , and their Feares : But , whether God did for a while contemn● Ou● suit , because we gave not eare to him , When first he call'd : or , whether he thought fit , ( That we the longer might remember it ) To fright us somewhat more : or whether we Brought not such hearty penitence , as he Expected from us : or appointed were Some further tryalls of our Faith to beare : Sure , some such cause there was ; and for that cause , God did not onely seeme to make a pause In answ'ring our Petition ; but , to chide More sharply , and to throw it quite aside . For with a doubled , and redoubled stroke The Plague went on ; and , in ( among us ) broke With such unequall'd fury , and such rage ; As Brittan never felt in any age . With some at ev'ry turning she did meet . Of ev'ry Alley , ev'ry Lane and Street She got possession : and we had no way , Or passage , but she there , in Ambush , lay . Through Nookes , & Corners , she pursu'd the Chase , There was no barring her from any place : For in the publique Fields in wait she laid ; And into private Gardens was convaid . Sometime , she did among our Garments hide ; And , so , disperse among us ( unespy'd ) Her st●ong Infections . Otherwhile ( unseene ) A Servant , Friend , or Child betraid hath beene , To bring it home ; and men were fearfull growne To tarie , or converse , among their owne . Friends fled each other ▪ Kinsmen stood aloofe ▪ The Sonne , to come withi● his F●thers roofe Presumed not ; the Mother was constrain'd To let her child depart unentertain'd . The love , betwixt the husband , and the wife , Was oft neglected , for the love of life ; And many a ●ne their promise falsifi'd , Who vow'd , that nought but death should then divide . Some , to frequent the Markets were afraid ; And some to feed on what was thence purvay'd . For on young pigs such purple spots were s●ene , As markes of De●th on Plague-sicke men have been ▪ And it appeared that our suburbe-Hogs Were little better , then our Cats , and Dogs ▪ Men knew not , whither they might safely come , Nor where to make appointments , nor with whom . Nay , many shunn'd G●ds-house , and much did feare So farre to trust him , as to meet him there . In briefe , the Plague did such distruction threat , And Feares , and Perils were become so great , That most mens hearts did faile ; and they to flight B●●ooke themselves , with all the speed they might : Not onely they , who private persons were , But , such as did the publique Titles beare . The Maior startled , and some say was gone : But , when his Charge he truly thought upon , It settled him ; and he at Helme did 'bide Vntill his roome was orderly supply'd . And ( let me doe him right ) it since appeared , That , with go●d Diligence his Course he steered . For , on hi● backe were many burthens laid ; The Count●y of provisions us denay'd ; The greater part with sicknesse waxed froward ; Much want did make the poorer sort untoward ; That when I call to minde his heavy taske , And little helpe ; me thinkes it praise doth aske . Most of his gowned - Brethren him forsooke , And to their Country Bow'rs themselves be●ooke ; Where , how they pray'd , or what they sent by gift , To feed the Poore ; I leave it to the shr●ft Of their owne consciences ; which best can tell , What things they have performed ill , or well . Physitians were afraid , as well as these , And neither Galen , nor Hippocrates Could yeeld them any warrant for delay ; And therefore ( with the first ) they went away . Some Leaches of the Soule , ( who should have staid ) Were much ( nay somewhat over-much ) afraid , And had forgotten so , how to apply Thei● heav'nly Cordi●ls of Divinty , Against the feare of ●eath ; that when most dangers Beset their Flocks ; they left ●hem unto strangers . Nay ▪ some there were , who did among us teach , That Men should flie ; & that , which they did preach , They taught the people by example too . Pray God , in oth●r things th●y may do so . Few staid , of any calling or degree , Who to their Country-●riends might welcome be ; Or , of themselves were able to provide A place of Harbour , where they might abide . Yea some , ( to scape uncertaine Death ) did flie Into the Iawes of certaine Beggery , By leaving of their Callings ; and are flowne So far , and high a flight out of this Towne , On borrow'd-feathers ; that their Neighbour● feare , They never more will in their shops appeare . Those of our wanton Gentry , that could brooke No Ayre , but Londons ; London quite forsooke ; And all that Crew of Spend-thrifts , whom ( untill This Pl●gue did fright them ) nor Star-Chamber Bill , Nor strictest Proclamation , could compell Vpon their owne Inheritance to dwell ; Were now , among their racked Tenants faine To seeke for shelter ; and to ayre againe Th●se mu●●● Roomes , which ●heir more thrifty Sire● Kept warme and sweet with hospitable Fires . God grant , that where they come , they may do good , Among their Tenants , by their neighbourhood . Of some we hopefull are , they will be such ; And of some others we doe feare as much , That by their presence they will plague them more , Then by their willing absence heretofore . In many a mile you scarce could find a Shed , Or Hovell , but it was inhabited , ( Sometime with double Families ) and Stalls And Barnes were trimmed up in stead of Halls . Those Burgesses , that walk'd in Gownes , and Furs , Had got them coats , and swords , and boots , & spurs ; And , till you saw them ride , you would have sworne , That , they , for horsemen , might have serv'd the turn . Those Dames , who ( out of daintinesse , and Pride ) The rusticke plainnesse did ( erewhile ) deride , ( And , at a better lodging , Fob , would cry ) Beneath a homely roofe were glad to lye ; And fawne on ev'ry Child , and ev'ry Groome , That , so they might the welcomer become . Those , who in all their life-time never went So far , as is the nearest part of Kent : Those , who did never travell , till of late , Halfe way to Pancridge from the City gate : Those , who might thinke , the Sun did rise at Bow , And set at Acton , for ought they did know : And dreame , young Partridge sucke not , but are sed As Lambes , and Rabbets , which of eggs are bred : Ev'n some of these have journeyes ventur'd on Five miles by Land ( as farre as Edmunton . ) Some hazarded themselves from Lyon-K●y Almost as far as Erith downe by Sea : Some row'd against the streame , and stragled out A● far as H●un●low-heath , or thereabout : Some climbed High-gate-hill , and there they ●ee The world so large , that they amazed be ; Yea some are gone so farre , that they doe kno● Ere this , how Wheat is made , and Malt doth grow . Oh , how they trudg'd , and busled up and downe , To get themselves a furlong out of towne . And how they were becumbred , to provide , That had about a m●le or two to ride . But when whole housholds further off were sent , You would have thought the Master of it , meant To furnish forth some Navy , and that he Had got his neighbours venturers to be . For all the neare acquaintance thereabout , By lending somewhat holpe to set them out . What hiring was there of our hackney Iades ? Wh●t scouring up of old , and rusty blades ? What running to and fro was there to borrow A Safegard , or a Cl●●ke , untill the morrow ? What shift made Iack for girths ? what shift made Gillian To get her neighbors footstoole , & her pillian , Which are not yet ●etu●n'd ? How great a pother To furnish , and unfurnish one another In this great voyage did there then appeare ? And what a time was that for Bankrupts here ? Those who had thought ( by night ) to steale away , Did unsuspected shut up shop by day ; And ( if good lucke it in conclusion prove ) Two dangers were escap'd at one Remove : Some hired Palfr●yes for a day , or twaine , But rode so far , they came not backe againe . Some dealed by their neighbours , as the Iewes At their departure did th' Aegyptians use : And some , ( with what was of their owne , content ) Tooke up their luggage , and away they went . And had you heard how loud the Coaches rumbled ; ●eheld how Carres , and Cart● together jumbled ; S●ene how the wayes with people ●hronged were ; The Bands of Foot , the Troupes of Ho●semen there ; What multitudes away by Land were sent ; How many thousands fo●th by Water went ; And how the weal●h of London thence was borne ; You would have wondred ; and ( almost ) have sworne The Citie had beene leaving her foundation , And seeking out another situation ; Or , that some Enemy with dreadfull pow'r , Was comming to besiege , and to devoure . Oh ; foolish people , though I justly might Authorize thus my Muse●o ●o mock your flight , And still to flout your foll●es : yet , compassion Shall end it in a kinde expostulat●on . Why with such childish terror did you try To run from him , from whom you cannot flye ? Why left you so the place of your abode , Not hasting rather to goe meet your God With true repentance , who for ever hath A mercy for us in his greatest wrath ? Why did you not your lawfull callings keepe ? But straggle from you● folds like wandring Sheepe ▪ That had no Shepheard ? And , oh , why , I pray ▪ You Shepheards , have you caused them to stray ? Your Neighbours why forsooke you in distresse ? Why did you leave your brethren comfortlesse ? When God did call for Mourning , why so fast Did you to seeke for mirth , and pleasures , hast ? And take away from other , when you fled , What , in their need , should them have comforted ? If Death be dreadfull , stay , and learne to die ; For , Death affects to follow those that flie . Had you not ●one , you might for ever after Have said , That Sorrow profits more then Laugh●er . You should have known that Death hath limits here , And loosed was , where he did bound appeare : That many were prese●ved in th● flame , And many burnt , that came not nigh the same . Yea , some of you , be●ore from hence you went , Had , of these Truths , got some experiment . What ●olly then , or Frenzy you bewitches , To leave your houses , and goe dye in ditches ? Forgoe the Comfort , which your Ci●ie yeelds , To venture for a lodging in the fields ? Or ( which is worse ) to tràvell farre , and finde Those prove ungentle , whom you hoped , kinde ? A Plague so bitter , That might Plagues be chuse● I would be Plague-sicke , rather then so used . Did you suppose the Pestilence would spare None here , nor come to seaze on any there ? All perish'd not , that did behinde you stay ; Nor did you all escape , who fled away . For , God your passages had so beset , That Hee with many thousands of you me● . In Kent , and ( all along ) on Essex side A Troupe of c●uell Fevers did reside : And ro●nd about , on ev'ry other Coast , Of severall Country - Agues lay an hoa●t . And , most of them , who had this place forsooke , Were eyther slaine by them , or Pris'ners tooke . Sometime the Pestilence her selfe ●ad bin Before them in their Lodging , at their Inne ; And hath arrested them upon the Bed , Brought many sicke away , and meny dead . Sometime ( againe ) she after them hath gone , And when ( perchance ) she was not thought upo● : Among their friends , and in their merriment , Hath seiz'd them , to their greater discontent . She divers apprehended on the way , Who to so many mischiefes were a prey ; That poorest beggers found more pitty here , And lesser griefe , then richer men had there . I doe not meane concerning that neglect , That barbarous , unmanly disrespect Their bodies had among the clownish crew , When from the tainted flesh the spirits flew . For , if their carcasses they did contemne , What harme , or what disease was that to them ? What paine , or torment was it , if that they ( Like carrion ) in the fields , unburied lay ? What felt they , being ●ragged like a Log , Or hurl'd into a Saw-pit like a Dog ? What disadvantage could that Doctor have , Who ( learnedly ) was drawne into his grave By na●ed men ? since those things doe disgrace The living rather , and doe wrong the place Th●t suffers , or allowes that barb'rousnesse To shame the Christian Faith , which they professe . Alas ; my heart as little can bemone A mangled carcasse , as a broken stone ▪ It is a living body , and the paines , Which I conceive a broken heart sustaines , That moveth me : their griefe , in life-time was , And , whilst they liv'd , their sorrowes did surpasse These fained ones , as Death , and loathed Care , By Life , and true Content , excelled are . Some , who forsooke faire houses , large , and high ; Could scarcely get a Shed to keepe them dry ; And such , who many bed● , and lodgings had , To lye on straw without the doores were glad . Some over-tyr'd with wea●inesse , and he●t , Could not , for money , purchase drink , or meat ; But cruelly of succour were deny'd , Till , through their faintnesse , they grew sick & dy'd . Some , who in London had beene waited on With many servants , we●e enclos'd alone In solitary places ; where they m●ght Find leasure , to repent them of their flight . And , when they had supplyes at any need , The bringers did ( like those that Lyons feed ) Ev'n throw it at them ; or else some where set it , Where ( after their departures ) they might fet it . And many a one ( no helper to attend him ) Was left to live , or dye , as God should friend him . Some , who unwisely did their homes forsake , That triall of the Country they might make ; Have brought their lives to miserable ends Before they could arive among their friends . Some , having reach'd the places they desir'd , ( With no meane difficulty , weake , and tyr'd ) Have missed welcome , where they sought reliefe ; And , strucken by unkindnesse , dy'd with Griefe ▪ The sickly Wife , could no ●ssistance have To bring her Husbands body to the grave . But was compelled , with a grieved heart , To act the Parsons , and the Sextons part . And he , that wanted strength ●o beare away His mate , who dead within his presence lay ; Was faine to let the stinking body lye , Till he in death should beare him company . Ah me ; what tongue can tell th● many woes , The passions , and the many griefes of those ? What m●rtall pen is able to expresse Th●ir great temptations in that lonelinesse ? What heart can thinke , how many a grieuous feare To those distressed people may appeare , Who are with such afflictions over-tak●n ? Of ev'ry Cr●ature in the world forsaken ? Without a Comforter left all alone , Where to themselves they must themselves bemone , Without a remedy ? And where none may Or know , or pitty , what they ●eele , or say . Me thinkes to muse on those who suffer'd thus , Should bring to minde the mercy shewed us , And make our pennes and voyces to expresse The love of God , with hearty Thankfulnesse . For when no sor●owes of mine owne I had , The very thought of those hath made me sad . And were it not that God hath given me Some trya●ls of those Com●orting● , which Hee For men in their extremities provides , And from the knowledges of others hides : Or felt I not , how prevalent Gods pow'r Appeares in us , when there is none of our : What liberty hee giue 's , when wee doe fall Within the compasse of an outward thrall : And what contentments He bestowes on them , Whom others doe neglect , or else contemne : Yea , had I not beleeued him who sayes , That God doth knowledge take of all our wayes ; That He observes each rubb within our path , With ev'ry secret sorrow , which it hath ; That he is neares● then , when we bemone His absence , an● suppose him furthest gone ; And often in us dwels , when Those abroad ( With most ins●lting ) say ; Where is their God ? Had this beene hidden from me : I had here For ev'ry line I writ , dropt downe a teare ; And in a floud of sorrowes drench'd mine eyes , When first I mused on these miseries ▪ But I have knowne them , to my great content ▪ And felt so oft , w●at comforts God hath lent , When of all outward helpes we are dep●ived ; That ( could the same of all men be beleeved ) It would be thought , true Pleasures w●re possessed Of none , but men forsaken , and distressed . How ever ; though such mercy God bestowes , And brings men comfort in their greatest woes ; Let none of us presume , ( as some have done ) Without our Circle , foolishly to runne ; Nor leave our proper station , that we may Goe seeke our fortunes in an uncouth way . Conceive me right ; I doe not here deny , Or call in doubt the lawfuln●sse , to flye : Nor am I of their counsell , who despise All such as fled : nor , judge I too precise Those , w●o the Person , or the Place avoid , Which is with any noysomnesse annoy'd . For , when the causes of remove , are just , We then may flye the Plague ; nay , then we must ; Since , those who will not , ( in such cases ) goe , Tempt God , and faile in what they ought ●o doe . If that a King , or Prince , should live within A City much infected , it were sin . For he ( no doubt ) hath some Vice-gerent there Who , in his absence , may supply his care : Or , if that Place were certaine of decay By his departure ; yet he might not stay . The Reason is ; there many thousands are O● Townes , and Cities , that in him have share . Who , would conceive , it were unjustly done , That he should venter all their wealth in One. And make great Kingdomes hazards to endure , The welfare of one City to procure . So , Counsellers of State , and he , whose Charge Extends throughout the Common wealth at large , With ev'ry other Magistrate beside , ( Except his pow'r to s●me one place be ty'd ) Must shun the Plague ; because that such , as he , Sworne servants to the whole Weale-publique be . And since the safest Physicke and defence For Children , in the times of Pestilence , Is to remove them : they unwisely do , Who , having wealth , and f●iends to send them to , Neglect the meanes , by being over nice ; Or grudging at the charge , through avarice . Moreover they , whose calling seemes to lye Within two sev'rall places , equally , ( Till some plaine causes hinder ) may be fre● To live where safety best appeares to be : Vnlesse their secret conscience doe gaine-say ; And who can judge of that , but God , and They ? Yea , Men , on divers good occasions mo , May from the places of Infection goe . For there be times of stay , and times of going , Which , ev'ry one ( that is discreet ) well knowing , Doth censure no partic'lar Man , at all : But calling unto mind , that blessed Paul Was once ev'n in a basket forth convay'd From his Pursuers ; yet no iotafraid ( At other seasons ) to continue there , Where bloody pe●secutions hottest were . And if my words have done my meaning right , My Muse denyes not , but alloweth flight : Provided alwayes , that Men doe not flie From Casuall Plagues , to Plagues with Certainty : From those with whom the bands of Charity , Of Duty , Friendship , or Affinity , Or of their Calling , doth requi●e a stay . Provided also , when they part away , That as God blest them hath , they somewhat ●●nde , To comfort those , who must abide behinde ; And , that they trust not to their Flight , as tho , That , of it selfe could save : but , ra●her know , And use it as the gracious meanes of him , Who saves ; and , not as that which saved them . Let the● consider likewise , that the Sin Was partly theirs , which did the Plague begin ; And , in their absence ( with a Christian feare ) Make sute for those , who must the burthen beare , From which they scape : yea , let them all confesse Their sins with penitenc● and humblenesse ; Avoiding ev'ry pleasure , where they live , Which out of minde , their Brethrens cares may drive ; Lest God pursue them whither they are fled ; There ●eize upon them to their greater dread ; Or from them take away all due correction , Which Plague were greater then this great Infe●tion . For , when his Iudgements , God , in wrath , removes , His Mercy , then , the greater Iudgement proves . There be , I know , some people gone away , Who mi●ding our afflictions , night and day , Have much bewayled our distressed case , And sent up earnest prayers fo● this Place : For , of their Piety good fruits are seene , And , by their hands , the poore refresht have beene . These , from this Den of Slaughter , were ( no doubt ) By Gods especiall favour called out , Who , for their sakes , I hope , those townes will spare , To which , for sh●lter , they es●aped are , As he did Zoar. And I wish they may Obtaine their lives , and safeties for a prey . But , there be some ; ( and would to God , that some Were but a little one ) who parted from Our City walls , as if they had not gone With Vengeance at their heeles ; or waited on By feares and dangers ; but , so finifi'd , As if their meaning was , to shew their pride In Country Churches , for a weeke or twaine , Ride out like Co●kneies , and come home againe : The sorrowes of their brethren they forgot ; In holy duties they delighted not : In drunken meetings they their leasure spent ; In idle visits ; foolish merriment : And , to their Country-friends they caried downe Those sinnes that are too common in this Towne . Which ( if they practise there , as here we doe ) Will bring their wages , also , thither too . These giddy Runnawayes , are they that were Beginne●s of that great unmanly feare , Which did first author of disorder prove . These , caused that improvident Remove , Which did both wrong the welfare of the Citi● , Distract the Country , make it voyd of pitie ; And , give occasion of those Tales which Fame Hath now dispersed , to our common shame . For , if their flight had timely beene provided , ( With Conscience and Discretion truly guided ) Th●i● profit here at home had beene the greater , And ▪ f●iends abroad , had entertain'd ●hem better . And , yet I take small pleasure to excuse T●ose Pesants , who so grosly did abuse T●eir Manhood and Religion , in denying T●e dues of Charity , to people dying . For , though their folly might their fall deserve , Yet we our Christian pitie should preserve , Our brother in extremities releeving ; Not adding sorrowes to encrease his grieving , Nor taking notice of his evill deed● , So much , as of that comfort which he needs : Till , he r●freshed by a friendly ●and , His errors , by our love , may understand . And , sure , there was a meanes to succour stranger● In their distresse , and to escape the dangers Of that Infection , ( which so much was feared ) Had Vnderstand●ngs eye be●ne better cleared ; And , that Selfe-love , and Avarice , removed , Which kept good path● unseene , and unapproved . But , since that easie knowledge hath beene hid , By wilfull blindnesse , well enough I did , If , here , I ( Satyrizing ) should expresse The Countries folly , and fo●getfulness● . And yet , I will not write , to their disgraces , What of some Persons , and particular Places Hath rumor'd beene : lest I should spirt a blot So blacke , as that it would not be forgot In future Ages ; but , make Times-to-come , Suspect , they had deny'd their Christendome . For , shou●d our Muse ( who , if she list thereto , Cares not who frownes , or frets , at what we doe ) Should she put on that straine of Bitternesse , With which their cruelty we could expresse : Should we in our description of their Feare , Cause all their Indiscretion to appeare : Should we illustrate here , the true Relation● , Of what hath past in many Corporations ; What uproares in some Townes have raised beene , When Londoners , approaching them , were seene : How master Maior was straightway flockt about ; How they to Counsell went to keepe them out ; How they their watches doubled , as if some Had brought them newes that Spinola would come : And what ridiculous actions past among them ; Some few , perhaps , wold think th●t we did wrong them ; And , they would subjects be of scorne , and laughter , For ●ll their evill willers , ever after . Or , should we tell what propable suspition Appear'd , sometime , of wisedome and discretion , In goodman Constable ; when , in a standing , To wind-ward from the Rode ( & there commanding Browne bills , and Halberts ) he examined Such Travellers , as from the City fled : And ( at the very lookes of them affrighted ) Sent feeble women , weary and benighted , ( Without or meat or drink ) to try the field● What Charity , their better nature yeelds . If this we told , it might goe hard ▪ when we Should apprehended in their Watches , be . Or , should we shew , what polici●s did pleas● The wisdome of some rustick Iustices ; Describe that wondrous witty stratagem Which for a while was practised by them To starve the Plague ; how Christianly they sought That no provisions hither might be brought ; Should we produce their Orders , which of late Were put in u●e , and wisemen laughed at : Or , publish to the world what we have heard Of their demeanors , when they were afeard : How they were fool'd by some of them that fled : What course was taken to interre their dead : How ▪ he who for that worke could hired be , Was f●r his labour , chained to a tree A full month after : how , they forced some From their sweet wholsome houses forth to come ; And ( being sick and weake ) to make their bed Within a palt●y new erected Shed , Compos'd of clods ; which neere some Common-side Their charitable Worships did provide : Or , should I on some other matters touch Which I have heard ; it would enlarge too much This booke : and some of those , perhaps , perplex , Whom I desire to counsell , not to vex . But , I from aggravations will forbeare , And , those their oversights , at this time , spare . For , some ( although most others did not so ) Thei● love and Christian piety did show , In counselling , in cherishing , in giving , And , in the wisest manner of releeving . Beside ; I love the Count●y , as I pitie The sorrowes and afflictions of the Citie . And ( since they both are guilty ) being loth To side with either ; I the faults of both Have shewed , so , that neither I abu●e . Now , they that like it may ; the rest may chuse .

The third Canto . The House of MOVRNING , which most ●eare , ( And flye so much ) is praised here . It showes that outward Ioyes and Care , Nor m●erly good , nor evill , are ; But things indiff'rent ; which the wise Nor over-praise , nor under-prize . The strife within our Authors brest About his stay , is next exprest . Then doth it orderly recite What Reason argu'd for his flight : What Faith alleaged , to reprove The Motives urging his remove : What Armes for him , she did prepare , To bide the shock of Death , and Feare : What proofe she to his Conscience made , That , he a lawfull Calling had , In midst of this great Plague to tary , By Warrant-extraordinary : What , thereupon he did conclude : What Ioy , and Confidence ensu'd : How much this Favour he doth prise , Above Earths glorioust Vanities : How he his Time desires to spend : And so , this CANTO hath an end . HOw childish is the World ! and what a path Her Throng of braine-sick Lovers trodden hath ! Like brutish herds they troupe along together , Both led , and leading on , they know not whither . Much hoping , where no ground of Hope appeares , Much fearing , where indeed , there are no feares . In those things pleased , which t●ue Mirth destroy : For that thing grieved which procureth Ioy : Most shunning , what might bring most gain unto them ; And seeking most , for what would most undoo them . How few are so cl●are-sighted , a● to see What pleasures mi●gled with afflictions be ? Or what conten●ments doe concealed lye ▪ Behinde the seeming dangers which they flye ? How few have , by experience , unde●stood That God hath sent their troubles for their good ? How few consider , to what fearfull ends , The faire smooth way , of easefull Pleasure tends ? And , therefore , oh ! how few adventure dare Where Mournings , rather then where Laughters are ? Though God himselfe prefer the house of Griese , Before vaine Mirth ; and Pleasures of this life Hath termed Thornes , that choke the heav'nly seed : Yet few of us have taken so much heed Of what the sacred Volume doth record , ( And , flesh and blood ) distrusteth so the word Of his fi●me Truth ) that blindly we pursue Our owne vaine counsels , and his Tract●schew ●schew . 'T is therefore doubtfull , it would vaine appeare , If I should labour to discover here , How many secret pleasures I have seene While in the Ce●s o● Mourning I have beene . And , what contentments God bestowed hath , When I have walkt the solitary path Of Disrespect ; ( ass●ulted by those feares , Which oft affront us in this Vale of tea●es ) O● what prevailing hopes I have possessed , When I , beyond all hope , have seem'd oppressed . For , vulgar men , doe such expressions hold To be but idle Paradoxes , told By those , who grown distemper'd , through some gri●f Vent melancholy passions , past beleefe . And as our Vpland Pesants , from the shores Beholding how the Sea swels , fomes , and rores , Iud●e foolishly , that ●v'ry Seaman raves , Who talkes of mirth and safety on the waves : So , they will fondly passe their doome on me , Who strangers to the Seas o● Sorrow be . But , though the world allow not what I say , Yet , that the Love of God , proclaime I may ; That , I may justifie him in his Word ; That for mine owne availe I may reco●d What I have seene : and that experience might Encrease my hopes , and hope put feare to flight , In future suffrings : here I testifie , ( And Heav'n is witnesse , I affirme no lye ) My soule did never feele more ravishment , Nor ever tasted of more true content , Then when my heart , nigh broke with secret paine , Hath borne as much as e're it could sustaine ; And strugled with my passions , till it had Attained to be excellently sad . Yea , when I teares have powred out , where none Was witnesse of my griefe but God alone , He hath infused pleasures into me , Which seldome can in publike tast●d be . Such Griefe is Comforts Mother . And I mow Oft times with mirth , what I in teares did sow . Before my eyes were d●yed ; I have had More cause of singing then of being sad . The Lampe in darkest places gives most light ; And truest Ioyes arise from Sorrowes night . My Cares ar● Blessed Thistl●s , unto me , W●ich wholesome are , although the● bitter be : And though their leaves with prick● be overgrowne ▪ ( Which paine me ) yet their flowres are full of down , Wher●on my head lyes easie when I sleepe : And I am never saddest when I weepe . Yet , long it was before I could attaine This Mystery : Nor doth it appertaine To all . For , ev'n as Sarah had not leave Within her body Isack to conceive , ( Which laughter signifies ) untill in her Those customes ●ailed which in women are : So , in our soules , true Ioyes are not conceived , Till we by some afflictions ar● bereaved Of carnall appetites , and cease from su●h Vaine pleasures as affect us overmuch . To little purpose doe they looke for these Conc●ptions , who are evermore at ease . Such comforts are of those but rarely found , Whose wheele of Fortune never runneth round ▪ No soule can apprehend what maketh glad The grieved heart , but his that griefe hath had , And various interchanges : nor can he Who knowes the joyes that in such sorrowes be As these I meane , a true contentment take In any merriment , this world can make : ( No not in all her pleasures ) if among Her sweets , there should be sharpnesse wanting long . For ( being fearfull that his bodies rest The soules true peace might secretly molest ) His mirth would make him dull : his being jolly ( As worldlings are ) would make him melancholy : And ( if no other cause be thought upon ) Would g●ieve , because the sense of griefe were gone . Whilst I have gallopt on in that Career , Which youth , in freedome , so affecteth here ; And had the most delightfull blandishment , My youth could yeed me for my hearts content : When I in handsome robes have beene araid , ( My Tailor , and my Mercer being paid ) When daily I on change of dainties fed ; Lodg'd , night by night , upon an easie bed , In lordly Chambers ; and had therewithall Attendants forwarder then I to call , Who brought me all ●hings need●ull : when at hand ▪ Hounds , Hawkes , and Horses were at my command : When chuse I did my walks , ●n hills , in vallies , In Grove● , neere Springs , or in sweet garden allies ▪ Repo●ing either in a naturall shade , Or in neat A●bors , which by Art were made : When I m●ght have ●equir'd without deniall , The Lut● , the Organ , or deepe-sounding Viol● , To cheere my spirits ; with what else beside Was pleasant : when my friends did this provide Without my cost or labour : Nay , when all Those pleasures I have shared , which be●all In praises , or kinde welcommings , among My dearest friends ; my soule retain'd nor long Nor perfect rest , in those imperfect things : But , often droupt amid their promisings , Grew dull , and si●kly : and , contrariwise Hath pleased beene in want , ●and miseries . Fo● , when long time , ev'n all alone they laid me , Where ev'ry outward comfort was denayd me ▪ To many cares and wants unknowne obtruded ; From fellowship of all mankinde excluded ; Expos'd to slandrous censures , and disgrace ; Subjected to contempts , and usage base ; With Tortures threatned , and what those attends ; By Greatmen frown'd on ; blamed of my Friends ; In●ulted on by Foes ; and almost brought To that for which their malice chi●fly sought : Ev'n then , my spirits mounted to their height , And my Contentment slew her highest flight . In those di●easings , I more joy received , Then can from all things mortall be conceived . In that contemn'd estate , so much was cleared My Reasons eye ; and God so bright appeared To my dim-sighed Faith ; that , lo , he turned My Griefes to Triumphs Yea , me thought , I scorned To labour for assistance from abroad , Or beg for any favour , but from God . I fear'd not that which others thought I feared ; Nor felt I paine , in that which sharpe appeared : But , had such inward quiet in my brest , Till outward ease made way to my unrest ; That , all my Troubles seemed but a Toy . Yea , my Affliction so encreast my Ioy , That more I doubted losse of my content , By losing of my close imprisonment , Then ever I can feare the bodies thrall , Or any mischiefe which attend it shall . For , as if some Antipathy●rose ●rose Betwixt the pleasures of the world , and those Enjoyed then ; I found t●ue Ioyes begin To issue ou● , as they were entring i● . Ti●l others brought me hopes of my Release , I scarcely held it worth my hopefulnesse . I had no frighting dreame ; no waking care : I tooke no thought for meat , nor what to weare ; I sleighted frownes , and I despis'd the threat Of such as threatned , were they meane or great ▪ I laught at dreadfull Rumors , and disdained Of any suffrings to have then complained , I valued not a jot the vulgar doome , Nor what men prat●d might of me b●come . I mind●d no such trifles , wherewith you , And I , and others , are oft busied now : But , being , as it were exiled , then , From living in the world , with other men , Twixt God , and mine owne Conscien●e , to and fro , My thoughts , in a quotidian walke , did go . With Contemplations , I was then inspired , Beseeming one that wholly was retyred . I thought , like him , that was to live al●●e ; I did like him , that had to doe with none . And , of all outward actions left the care Vnto the world , and those who lived there , Nor hath God onely pleased beene to show What comforts from a p●ivate griefe may flow , But , that a new experience might be taught me , He to the house of Publike-s●rrow brought me In this late Pestilence ▪ And , there I saw Such inward joy commixt with outward awe ; Things bitter with such sweetnesses allaid ; Such pleasures , into sorrowes cup convaid ; Such fi●me - assurance , in the greatest dangers ; Such f●endlines , when others friends were strangers ; Such f●eedome in restraint ; such ●ase in paine ; Such life in death , and ev'ry feare so vaine , ( Which outwardly affrights ) that Pleasures Court Would halfe be robbed of her large resort , ( And stand lesse visited , ) if men could see What profits in the Cels of Sorrow be . For , he that knew what wisdome there is had , Would say that mirth were foolish , laughter mad : That ●ase perpetu●ll bringeth endlesse paine : That carnall joy arives at hope in vaine : That , from all outw●rd perils●o ●o be free , M●y prove most per●llous ▪ that , h●alth may be The d●adl'est sicknesse : that , our pleasures are But pit-f●ll● ▪ our se●urity a snare ; And , that sometimes those things to which we run , May bane us more , then those we s●eke ●o shun . I found it so . And , in my blamed slay , ( Whilst others f●om the Plague made haste away ) I gained some renewings of that ●es● ▪ Whereof I h●d beene formerly possest . It forced foll● , further to depart : It brought Gods me●cies nearer to my heart : Brave combats in my soule did then begin , Which I tooke courage from , and pleasure in . New trialls of my Frailty did befall ; And , of Gods love , I had new p●oo●es withall . In all my discontentments , such con●ents , And of Gods wo●kings , such experiments Vouchsafed were ; that crowned should I live , With all those glorious wreathes that King● can g●ve , And had by them obtain'd each happin●sse , Which wo●ldlings in their greatnesse do● possesse ; I would not sell the comfort of my s●ay For that , and all which those imagine may . Nor doe I over-prise the same , altho , The ignoran●e of some will think I doe : For , it hath left within me , ever since , Of Gods firme love , so strong a confidence , That , whatsoever accidents betide , I hope to stand the better fortifi'd Whilst here I live : and that no time to come Can send me to a place , so perilsome , That I shall feare it , or , to undergoe The dreadfull'st perills man can fall into ; If that my calling doe oblige me to it , Or God , in Iustice , m●ke me undergoe it . In other cases , I expect no mo●e , But , rather , lesse imboldning then be●ore . For , he that any dangerous taske assumes , Wi●hout good warrant , fo●lishly presum●s ; Tempts God ; and justly perisheth , unlesse The ve●le of Mercy hide his wilfulnesse . Yea , they who over desp'rately have dar'd Bold things at first ; at last have basely fear'd , Re●enting their foole-hardinesse ▪ in vaine , When hope was lost , of turning ba●k againe . For , though from dang●r● , griefes , and miseries , Far greater comforts oftentimes arise , Then from prospe●ity ( if we attend God● pleasure , and accept what he doth send ) Y●t , o● themselves , nor paines , nor pleasures can Felicitate ; nor is the wit of man So perfect , that precisely he doth know His owne just temper , or his nature so , As to appoint himselfe , what will be needing Of weale , or woe , ( nought wanting , or exceeding ) And therefore , as some man hath by affecting Ease , wealth , or temp'rall fame , ( without respecting Gods pleasure ) often perished by that Which his unbounded will ha●h reached at ; So , they who shall that ●ase or wealth contemne ( Which God by law●ull meanes doth offer them ) And they , who shall unthankfully refuse , Of any outward ble●sing , meanes to use , ( Through discontent , selfe trust , or wilfull pride ) When they might honestly those meanes provide ▪ Ev'n both of these are g●ilty of offence , Against the wise ete●nall Providence : And are in danger to be l●ft of God , In those misleading p●ths which th●y have trod . These things I mused ; and in heart revolved A thousand more , before I was resolved To keepe in London , where m●n draw no breath But that which menaced the b●dies death . And , seeing ▪ many have condemn'd the fact . As an unwar●antabl● , foolish act : Since , i● may teach them to forbeare to give Their Verdict , till they Evidence receive : Since , thus to mention it , a m●ane● may be , To build againe the like Resolves in me When ●uture perill so requireth it ; And when , perhaps , this minde , I may forget : Yea , since the manner of it , may , perchance , Deliver others from some ignorance , And help their Christian Res●lutions out , When they are thrall'd with carnall feare , or doubt : Ev'n for these causes , ( and to glorifie The pow'r of God in this my victory ) I will relate what Reason● m●de me stay : What ●opes they were , which drove my feares away : And , with what circumstances , I obtained That knowledg , which my shaking Faith maintained . When I perceiv'd the PESTILENCE to rage In ev'ry street , nor sparing sex , nor age ; How from their City-hive , like Bees in May , The fearfull Citizens did swarme away : How fast our Gentry hasted to be gone : How often I was urg'd and call'd upon , To beare them company : what safeties were By absence promist ; what great terrors here My death did m●nace : how , by timely flight I might behold my Country with delight : How nothing could be gotten by ●y stay , But wants , and new afflictions ev'ry day : With such like disadvantages , which brought , A hundred other musings to my t●oug●t . They made it seeme , a while , well wor●h reproving , To stay , a minute , longer from removing ▪ But , then my Conscience also did begin To draw such pow'rfull Moti●es , from within ▪ And , to propose before my understanding Such Reasons , my departure countermanding , As made me stagger , and new doubts to make , What course it best behoved me to take . At first , I thought by counsell from the Wise , To build up my Resolves , and to advise By their opinions what I ●hould pursue ; But , of the gravest I perceiv'd so few Who could advise them●elves ; that I grew more Divided by their counsels , then before . I saw such foolishnesse , and such distractions , Appeare among them in their words and actions ; That I perceiv'd they had enough to doe , Their owne particulars to looke unto . Then , guided by example would I be ; But , that I quickly found no Rule ●or me ; For , they who in opinion do consent , Oft differ , in ●he active President . And some , who have a tongue the truth to say , Have wanted grace to walke the safest way . Beside , mens actions , which indiffe●ent are , May foolish , wise , or bad , or good appeare , As their unknowne occasions are who doe them ; And , small respect is to be had unto them , By way of P●esident , till we can finde Their outward motives , and their secret minde ▪ This heeding ; and still waxing more molested , With diff●ring thoughts , and reasons undisgested , I knew no better way , then to repaire For counsell unto God , ●y humble Pray'r ; Beseeching his direction , how to take That course , which for his glory ▪ most should make . And he ( I think ) was please● to suggest , That if I askt my Conscience what was bes● , His Word and Spirit would informe her so , That she should shew me what was best to do . Then , from the noise of other mens perswasions , ( From selfe-c●nceit , and from those vaine occasions , Which bring disturbances ) I did retire , Gods pleasure , of my Conscience , to enq●ire . Who , finding in my brest a strong contention Twixt Fai●h and Reason ; and , how their dissention Was fi●st to be composed ( that I might The sooner understand the t●uth aright ) She call'd a Court within me ; s●mmon'd thither Those Pow'rs , and all those Faculties together , Which Tena●ts a●e in chiefe u●to the Soule : Their faulty inclinations did controule : And , that she might not without profit chide , Some ill advis●d courses rectifi'd . Then will'd she FAITH and REASON to debate Their Cause at large : and , that which they , of late , Had urg'd confusedly within my brest , She will'd them , into Method , to digest : That so , my Iudgement might the better see , To whether part I should enclined be They both o●e●'d . And , REASON ( who suppos'd Delay bred danger ) hastily compos'd Those many strong perswasions , wherewithall She did my person from the City call ; Before my Conscience , them in order laid , And ( as halfe angry ) thus me thought she said . What meanest thou , thus fondly , out of season , To shew thy boldnesse in contempt of Reason ? Why art thou alwayes these mad courses taking ? Thy Lines , and Actions , Paradoxes making ? Why thus pursu'st thou what to ruine tends , To glad thy foes , and discontent thy friends ? By making wilde adventures , to the blame Of thy blinde Faith , and my perpetuall sh●me ? Is 't not enough , that by thy little caring To humor Fooles , and by thy over daring To ●eard proud Vices , thou h●st lately cros● Thy way to riches , and preferment lost ? Is 't not enough , that when thou dost become The scorne of Foole● , thou wert delivered from A m●●ked Hate , ev'n in that day , and place , Which Malice had assign'd for thy disgr●ce ? And sawst the shame of that unjust I●tention Alight on him who plotted that Invention ? Is 't not enough , that thou escape● hast Through many wants and perils und●sgrac'd , When thy advent'rous Muse drew downe upon thee Those Troubles which were like to have undone thee ? Suffice not these , unlesse thou now assay A needlesse act ? and foole thy life away By tempting Heav'n , in wilfull staying there , Where , in thy face grim death doth alway stare ? Looke what thou d●st , and w●ll obse●ve ●hine errors , For , thou art round about , enclos'd with terrors . And if thou be not stupid thou maist see That there is cause thou shouldst affrighted be . Dost thou not smell the vapours of the Gr●ve ? Dost thou not heare thy plague-sicke neighbours rave ? Dost thou not tast infection in the Aire ? Dost thou not view sad objects of despaire ? Dost thou not f●ele thy vitall pow'rs assailed ? Dost thou not finde thy spirits often quail●d ? Or with thy judgement hast thou lost thy sense , That thou dost make no greater speed from hence ? Marke there , how fast with Corpses they do throng ▪ See yonder , how the Shadowes , passe along . Behold , just now , a man before thee dies : Behinde thy back , another breathlesse lies . That Bell , now ringing , soundeth out the Knell Of him , whom thou didst leave , last ev'ning , well . Lo , he that for his life , lyes gasping , there , Is one of those who thy companions were This very morning . And , see , see , the Man That 's talking to thee , looketh pale , and wan , Is sick to death ; and , if thou doe not run For helpe , will die before his tale be done . Yet , art thou no● afraid ? I prethee , tell Why mightst thou not have beene that man as well ? Though he this minute hath prevented thee , Why maist not thou , the next that followes be ? Why shouldst not thou as quick●y drop away , Since , fl●sh and blood thou art , as fra●l as they ? What can thy speedy dissolution hinder , Since thy complexion is as apt as tinder To take that Flame ? And , if it seize thee must , What art thou better , then a heap of dust ? There is no Constitution , Sex , Degree , Or Age of man , from this contagion free . Nor canst thou get an Antidote to fit For all Infection , though , perhaps , thy wit Could learne thy temper so , as not to wrong● Thy health , by things too weak , or over strong . For , men oft change th● temper they should hold , Are sometime hot ; sometime againe are cold ▪ One while are sprightly , otherwhile are dull ; Are now too empty , and anon too full : That , t is a doubtfull , and a curious act , To adde a just proportion , and substract ( In using outward meanes of pres●rvation ) According to the bo●ies variation . And , many , therein failing , lose their lives , By wrong , or misapply'd Preservatives . Thou shalt have , therefore , but uncertaine hopes From Druggists , or Apothecary shops . To warrantize thy health ▪ if thou on those In staying here , thy confidence repose . And sure , thou neither harbor'st such a thought , That , thou of any better s●uffe art wrought Then other men : nor trustest unto Charmes , To keepe off this Disease from doing harmes : For , those unhallowed Med'cines , and i●pure , Breed greater Plagues , then those they seeme to cure . Nor art thou , of that Brotherhood , which sees The Booke of Gods particular Decrees ; And Gypsie like ( by heathnish Palmistry , Or by the lines of Phisiognomy ) Conjectures dareth not alone to give , Who of this Plague shall dye , or who shall live : But also wicke●ly , presumes to t●ll Which man shall goe to heav'n , and which to hell : Of these I know thou art not . For , as yet I hope thou hast not so forgone thy wit : To credit their illuding p●ophanations , Which are but fantosmes of illuminations Begot in these late Ages ( by misch●nce ) Betwixt much pride , and zealous ignorance . Thou dost not think thy merits greater are Then other mens , that God thy l●f● should spare . Nor canst thou hope thy safety to poss●sse , For that thy follies or thy sinnes are lesse . Since if thou hadst but one time beene mis-led , Thy life for that one time were so●fei●ed . And , this Disease , with outward ma●ks , doth strike . The Righteous , and the Wicked , both alike . Then , since thou art a Sinner , and art sure , That sinne did first this Pestilence procure : Since thou maist also justly say with griefe , That , thou of all transgressors art the chiefe : Since thy offences some of those have bin , Which h●lpe to bring this great Infection in : Nay ; since it may be ( if thou search thy heart ) That thou a principall among them art , Who from the Ship must Ionas-like be throwne , Before this Tempest will be over blowne ▪ Why doth it not thy guil●y soule dismay , And make thee hasten more to flye away ? It may be thou dost vainly hope for Fame , By doing this . Oh! what availes the same , When thou art raked up quite void of sense , Among the slaughters of the Pestilence ? What will it profit when thou sleep'st in clay , Some ▪ few should praise , and some lament thy stay ? Some heed it not ? Some make a mocke thereat ? Some deeme thee foolish , others d●sperate ? Some , judge thy tarying might for trifles be ? Some , for thy best intention slander thee ? Or with base trash thy breathlesse Muse bely● ▪ Or , mis-report thy dying , if thou dye ? For , if thou chance to perish in this Place , These wayes , and other meanes to thy disgrace , Thy Foes will finde ▪ and in thy fall contented , Accomplish what , thy life might have prevented . But say to scape alive thy Lott it be ; A troupe of other perils wait on thee . Thou know'st not what extremities may fall , Nor how thy heart may struggle therewithall . Such Poverty upon this Towne may seize , E're God asswage the rage of this Disease , That meanes may saile thee ; and before supply Thy friends can send thee , thou maist famisht lye : For they who now affect thee , and with whom Thou shal● , perhaps , to live resolv'd become , Ev'n they may perish in this Pest , and leave thee To strangers whose affections will deceive thee : In time of health , but slenderly befriend thee : In sicknesse , to a lonely Roome commend thee : Make spoile of what is thine , and senslesse be Of helping , and of all regard of thee . And then it will , perchance , afflict thy mind That thou unto thy selfe wert so unkinde , As to neglect th●t wholesome Country Ayre ▪ Whereto thy friends invited thy repaire . Thou maist remember , when it is too late , Those pleasures , and that happy healthy state Thou mightst have had : A●d wi●h how much respect Thou shouldst have liv'd with those that thee affect ; A comfort to thy Parents , who with feare , D●e sorrow for thy needl●sse lingring here : For , them thou leavest , an● some friends beside , ( To live , 'twixt hope and feare , unsatisfi'd By this thy doing ) whom thou dost abuse , If that which may d●scomfort them thou chuse . And , when they shall thy wilfulnesse condemne , With what good Reasons wil● thou answer them ? Thy Dwelling is not here ; nor is thy stay Compelled by Affaires that urge it may . Thou hast nor publike neither private charge ; But , maist in any place , goe walke at large . The wo●ld conceiveth not the least suspition , That thou art either Surgeon , or Physitian , ( Whose Art may stand this place in any s●eed ; ) Or that thy friends will thy attendance need . For thou canst neither Broths nor Caudles make , Nor drenches good enough for horse to take . Thou hast no Calling , that may warrantize This boldnesse : neither can thy wit devise How thou will answer God , f●r daring thu● An act so needlesse , and so perillous . Consider well , that there are paines in death ; Consider , that when thou ha●t lost thy breath , Thy Flesh , the deare companion of thy Soule , Shall be rejected as uncleane , and foule , And , lodge within a Grave , contemn'd and vile , Which might have liv'd esteemed , yet a while . Consider , that thou hast not an estate Of being , which is base or desperate ; But such , as few on earth possesse a better , Though each one , that hath ought , enjoyes a greater . Consider , that thou dost endanger now The blessing of long life . Consider , how Thou mightst have lived to a larger measure Of riches , of preferment , or of pleasure ; And profited thy Country , whereunto Thy Death , or Sicknesse , will no service do . Nay , if thou now miscarry , where will be Those honest hopes which late possessed thee ? To ●hose thy Studies who an end shall adde , Which but a while agoe , beginning had ? And , being left unfinisht , make the paine And houres , upon them spent , to be in vaine ? With somewhat thou endued art , whereby Thou ma●st thy blessed Maker glorifie ; Thy selfe advantage , and a joy become To such as well affect thee ; and 'gainst whom ( If thus thy selfe thou separate ) thou shalt Commit a most inexpiable fault . Oh! the●efore , I beseech thee , wary be , To thinke what service God requires of thee : Think , what thou w●st thy selfe ; and call to mind , That some wel-wille●s thou maist leave behinde , Whose hopes thou should'st not wilfully bereave , ( Whose loves thou should'st not unrequited leave ) By hazarding thy Life , which is a debt To their deservings . For , thou know'st not , yet , How that may grieve thy soule , or fill thy head With troubled sancies , o● thy dying-bed . I cannot make d●scovery , by all My faculties , and po●'rs rationall , What worke tho● maist imagine should be done T●at's worthy of the hazard thou dost run . Nor can , as yet , my understanding reach ( What hope soever Faith may please to pre●ch ) To those Felicities ; which after death Her supernaturall Doctrines promiseth . Nor finde I suc● assurances , a● may Preserve thee unaffrighted in thy stay . For when within my Naturall Scale I place Those Arguments , and Promises of Grace , Which Faith alledgeth ; they so ayrie prove , That they my Ballance very little move . Yea , such transcendent things declareth she ▪ As they me thinks should so distemper thee , That doubts and terrors rather should possesse Thy Soule , then hopes of reall ●appinesse ; Since what in Death , or after Death shall come , Are things , that Nature is estranged from . Fly therefore , this great perill . Seeke a place Where thou maist plead more safely of thy Case : And , since thy God , with Reason , thee doth blesse , Now , most thou need'st it , be not reasonlesse . All this ( and what the ca●nall wit of man Object , in such an undertaking can ) Did R●ASON urge , to make my stay appeare An act imp●ovident , and full of feare : And what her seeming rightfull c●use advances , Was utt'red with such dreadfull ci●cumstances , That she did hal●e pe●swade me to confesse , My Resolution would be foolishnesse . But , when my R●ASON had no more to speake , My FAITH began : & though her st●ength was weak , ( Because my ●railties had enfeebled her ) Yet , then I felt her with more vigour stir , Then in lesse perills . For , she blew aside Those fogs whe●ewith my heart was t●rrifi'd : Made cleare my Iudgement : and ( as having wa●gh'd The speech f●regoing ) thus , me thought , she said . How wise is REASON in an Ethnicke Schoole , And , in divine proceedings , what a foole ? How many likely things she mus●er can , To startle and amaze a naturall man , W●ich , when I am advis'd withall , are found But pannick feares , and terrors without ground ! And yet , how often doth blinde Ignoranc● , Above my reach her shallownesse advance ? Or else of madnesse , wickedly condemne My wisdome , and my safest paths contemne ? Yet be not thou ( my Soule ) deceived by The foolishnesse of humane Sophistry . But , since by thy Afflictions , thou hast got Exp●rience , which the world attaineth not ; Give heed to me , and I will make thee know Those things which carnall Reason cannot show . Yea make thee by my pow'r more certaine be Of that which mortals can nor heare nor see , Then of the plainest objects that appeare Vnto the sense of corp'rall eye or eare : And though my promise , or my counsell seeme To vulgar Iudgements , but of meane esteeme , I le so enable the● those seares to bide , W●erewi●h the worldly-wise are terrifi'd ; And , teach thee such contentednesse to gaine , Though in Deaths gloomy shades thou dost remaine : That , thou ( without all doubtings ) shalt perceive , Thou shouldst not this afflicted Citie leave . And Flesh and Blood , with wonder , shall confess● That Faith hath pow'r to teach men fearlesnesse , I● perils ; which do make their hearts to ake , Who scoffe at her , and part with Reason take . It cannot be denyed that this Place Yeelds dread enough , to make the boldest face To put a palenesse on , unlesse the minde Be over much to sen●●esnesse enclinde : Because , we nat'rally abhor to see Such loathed objects of mortality . 'T is also true , that there is no defence To guard the body from this Pes●ilence , Within the compasse of mans pow●r or wit : Nor can thy merit so prevaile with it , But that ( for ought thou knowest ) thou maist f●ll The growing number of Death● weekly - Bill . And what of that ? whìlst I befriend thee shall , Ca● such a common danger thee apal● ? Shall that , which heath'nish men , and women beare , ( Yea tender infants ) without shewes of feare , Amate thy spirit ? shall the drawing nigh Of that , from which thou has● no meanes to ●●ye , ( And which thou walkest toward , ev'ry day , ( With seeming stou●nesse ) fright thee now away ? Is Death so busie grow●e in London streets , That h● with no man in th● Country me●ts ? Beleeve●● thou , the number he hath slaine Hath added any thing unto the paine ? Or , hast thou lately apprehended more Deaths fearfull gast lin●sse , then heretofore , That in this time of tryall thou shouldst finde Thy Soule to slavish Cowardice enclinde ? Death is that Path , which ev'ry man must tread ; A●d , whe● thou shalt d●scend among the dead , Thou go'st but thither where thy fathers be , And whither , all that live shall follow thee . Death is that Haven , where t●y Barke shall cas● Her hopefull Anchor , and lye moored fast , Exempted from those furious windes and seas ▪ Which in thy heav'nly voyage , thee diseas● . Death i● th● Iaile-deliv'ry of ●he Soule : Thy joyfull yeare of Iubilee : thy Goale : The Day that ends thy sorrowes , and thy sins ; And that , wherein , best happinesse begins . A lawfull act , then wherefore shouldst thou feare To prosecute ; although thy death it were ? Full oft , have I enabled thee to bide The brunt of dreadf●ll stormes , unterrifide ▪ And , when thy dastard Reason ( not espying That heav'nly Game , at which thy Faith was flying ) Di●heartned grew ; I did thy body free From ev'ry p●rill which enclosed thee : So working , that those thin●s thy praise became , Which Malice had projected for thy shame ; And , common Reason , who suppos'd thee mad , Did blush to see how little wi● she had . Yet , now againe , how f●olishly she tryes To cast new fogs b●fore thy Iudgements eyes ? ●hat childish Bug-Bea●es hath she mus●red ●ere , To scar t●y senses with a causelesse f●are ? Of those loath'd Objects wherefore doth she tell , Which v●x the sight , the hearing , and the smell ? Since , when the utmost of it shall be said , All is but Death ; which can but strike thee dead . And when that 's done , thou shalt ( by me revived ) Enjoy a better life then thou has● lived . If those hobgoblin terrors of the grave , ( Wherewith meere nat'rall men affrighted have Their troubled soules ) deterre thee from that path , Whereto the will of God injoined hath ; To thee ( oh ! Soule ) how dreadfull would it be If WARRE , with all her feares enclosed thee ? Nay , if such common terrors thee amaze , How wouldst thou quake , if in a generall blaze , The world should flame about thee ? ( as it may , Perhaps , before thou see another day ) Sure , if these Scar-crowes do det●rre thee so , Thou scarce wilt welcome ( as thou oughtst to do ) That Moment when it comes ; nor so rejoyce , As they , who long to heare the Bridegroomes voice . Here therefore stay , and practise to inure Thy soule to tryalls ; that thou maist endure All chang●s , which in after times may come : And wait with gladnesse , for the Day of Doome . Seeke here , by holy dread , to purge away Those Crimes which heape up terrors for that day . Endure the scorching of this gentle fire ▪ To purifie thy heart from vaine desire . Learne here , the death of righteous men to dye ; That thou maist live with such eternally . H●re , exercise thy Faith , and watch , and pray , That when thy body shall be mixt with clay The frigh●full Trumpet , whose amazing sound Shall startle H●ll , and shake earths massie Round . May make thee leape with gladnesse from thy grave , And no sad horrors in thy Conscience have . What canst thou hope to purchase here below , That thou shouldst life unwillingly for goe ? Since , there is nothing which thou canst possesse , Whose sweetnesse is not marr'd with bitternesse : Nor any thing so safe , but that it may , To th●e , become a mischiefe , many a way ? If honourable thou mightst live to grow , That honor may effect thy overthrow . And ( as it makes of others ) make of thee A thing as blockish , as bruit creatures be ▪ If Rich ; those Riches may thy life betray ; Choake up thy vertues , and then flye aw●y . If Pleasure follow thee ; that pleasing vaine May bring thy soule to everlasting paine : Yea , that which most thou longest to e●joy , May all the pleasures of thy life destroy . Seeke therefore true co●t●n●ment where it lies , And feare not ev'ry B●bies fantasies . If Life thou love ; Death is that entring in Where life which is eternall doth begin . There , what thou most desirest is enjoy'd ; And , Death it selfe , by dying is destroy'd . Though length of life , a blessing be confest , Yet , length of dayes in sorrow is not best . Although the Saylor , sea-roome doth require , To reach the harbour is his chiefe desire : And , though 't is well our debts may be delay'd , Yet , we are best at ease when they are paid . If ●itle● , thou aspire unto : Death brings The Faithfull , to become immortall Kings : Whose glorie passeth earth●y pomp , as far As Phoebus doth outshine the Morning-star . Desirest thou a pleasant healthfull dwelling ? By Death thou gain'st a Country so excelling ; That , plenty of all us●full things is there , And all ●hose objects that delightfull are . A golden pavement thou sh●lt walke upon ; And lodge in Buildings wall'd with precious stone . If in rich Garmen●s to be cloath'd thou seeke , The Persian Mon●rks never had the like : For , Puritie it selfe thy Robe shall be ; And like the Stars , thy Crowne shall s●ine on thee . Hast thou enjoyed those companions here , Whose love and fellowship delightfull are ? Thou shalt , when thou from sight of those art gone , Of that high Order be installed one , Which never did false Brother entertaine ; Whereof , ev'n God himselfe is Soveraigne : And in whose company thou shalt possesse All perfect , deare , and lasting friendlinesse . Yea , there ev'n those whom thou on earth hast lo●ed ●n●●se time ( with such love as is approved ) Thou shalt enjoy againe : and not alon● Their friendship ; but the love of ev'ry one Of those blest men and women , who both were , And are , and shall be , till our Iudge appeare . Hath any mortall beauty pleas'd thee so , That , from her presence thou ●rt loath to goe ? Thou shalt in stead of those poore imperfections , Wh●r●on thou setlest here unsure affections ▪ The Fountaine of all Beauties , come to see ( Wi●hin his lovely bosome lodged be ) And know ( when thou on him hast fixt thine eye● ) That , all earths Beauties are deformities . To these , and happinesses , greater far Then by the heart of man conceived are , Death maketh passage . And , how grim soe're He may to those that stand aloo●● appeare ; Yet , if thou bide unmoved in thy place , Till he within his armes doe thee embrace ; Thou sh●lt perceive that who so timely dieth , Enjoyes contentments which this life denyeth . Thy feare of painfulnesse in death is vain● ; In Death is eas● ; in Life , alone , is paine . Man makes it ●readfull by his owne inventions ▪ By causelesse doubts , and groundlesse apprehensions . But , when it comes , it brings of paine , no more Then Sleepe , to him that restlesse was before . Thy Soules departur● , from the Flesh , doth maze , And thee afflicteth more then there is cause : For , of his sting , thy Saviou● , Death despoiled : And , feares , and dangers from the Grave exiled . Thou losest not try Body when it dyes ; Nor doth it perish , though it putrifies . For , when the time appointed , it hath laine , It shall be raised from the dust againe , And , in the s●ead of this corrupted one , Thy Soule , a glorious Body shall put on . But hadst thou not a Faith which might procure the● Such comforts , and such life in death assure thee : Or , though thou shouldst , by dying , be possest Of nothing else , but of a senselesse rest : Methinkes thy ●arnall Reason should , for that , Perswade thee rather to be desperate , And stay , and seeke for Death , e'●e languish in Perpetuall sorrowes , such as thine have bi● . For , if to God-ward , ●oy thou foelest not , What comfort to the world-ward ●ast thou got , Which may desirous make thee to delay , Or linger out thy life another day ? 'T is true that God hath given thee a share I● all thos● Pleasures , that good pleasures are ; And ( to the Giver● glory be i● spoken ) H●e hath bestow'd on thee as many a ●ok●n Of his abundant love , as he bestowes On any , with so sew external sh●wes . For ev'n of outward things he doth impart As much as fits the place in which thou art ; With full as many pleasures as may serve , Thy Patience , in thy suff●ings , to preserve : And , when for Rest , and Plenties , thou art fitter , I know , he will not make thy cup so bitt●r . But if thou live for outwar'd pleasures meerly ; By living thou dost buy them over dearly . For ( if thy peace in God were s●t aside ) So many wayes thou hast beene crucifi'd , That some would think thy Fortune ( if they had it ) Most bitter ; though most sweet thy hopes have made it . H●re , but a Pilgrimage thou dost possesse , I● wandring , and perpetuall restlesnesse . Like Travellers , in sunshine and in raine , Both d●y and wet , and dry and wet againe . With rest , each Morning , well refresh● and merry ▪ A●d , ev'ry Ev'ning , full of griefe , and weary . To Vanity , in bondage thou dost lie , Still beaten with new stormes of Misery ; And , in a path to which thou art a stranger , Assaulted with variety of Danger . His Face , sometime , is hid , whence comforts flow , And , men and devills , seek thy overthrow . Sin multiplies upon thee , ev'ry day : Thy vitall pow'rs , will more and more decay : Wealth , honor , friends , and what thou best dost love , Doth leave , deceive thee , or thy torment prove ; Mans very Body burthens him ; and brings Vnto itselfe a thousand torturings ▪ Thy Heart , with many Thinkings is perplext : Yea , by thine owne Affections thou art vext : And ( though by overcomming them at last , Thy soule hath comfort when the fight is past , ) Thou hast perpetuall conflicts , which requir● Continuall watchfulnesse : for , no Desire Or nat'rall Passion , ever did molest The heart of Man , that strives not in thy brest . In ev'ry Pleasure , somewhat lurks to scar thee ▪ In ev'ry Profit , somewhat to ensnare thee : Whole armies of Afflictions swarme about thee , Some fight within thee ; some assaile without thee : And , that which thou conceivest shall releeve thee , Becommeth oft another meanes to gri●ve thee . Yea , thine owne thoughts , thy spe●ches , and thine actions , Occasion discontentments , and distraction : And all the portion which thou dost inherit , Yeelds nought , but perturbations of the spirit . In Childhood , all thy pleasures were but toyes ; In heat of Youth , as fruitlesse were thy joyes : Thy riper yeares , do nought but ripen care : And , imperfections , thy perfections are : If Old thou grow , thy griefes will aged be ▪ And , Sicknesse , till thou dye , wil live in thee . Thy Life 's a Warfare , which must quite be done , E're dangers vanish , or the Field be won . It is a Voyage full of wearinesse , Till thou thy wished harbor dost possesse : And , thou of no externall Ioy canst b●ast , That may not e're thy dying day be lost . But , truth to say , what thing dost thou possesse , Which others thi●ke to be a happinesse ? The world allowes thee little that is hers , And ●hee to very small esteeme prefers . Among her Minions : but , in ev'ry place Endeavors to affront thee with disgrace ; D●prives thee of thy labours , and bestowes On Parasites , on Foo●es , and on thy Foes , Thy due : and with a spightfull enviousnesse , Thy best approved Studies doth suppresse . Behold , ●●rothy Masq●e , an idle Song , The witlesse jesting of a scurrilous tongue , Th● capring Dancer , and the foining Fencer , The bold Buffoone , the slye Intelligencer ; Those fool●sh raving fellowes , whose delights Are wholly fixed on their Curs and Kites ▪ The Termly Pamphlet●rs , whose Dedications Doe sooth and claw the times abominations : Ev'n such ●ike things as these can purchase grace , And quickly compasse Pension , ●ift , or Place ; When , thy more honest Labours are abused , Contemned , sleighted , or at best refused . If such a one as these forenam'd , resort To set abroach his qualities in Court , He findes respect , and as an usefull man , His Faculty , some place afford him , can . He soone hath entertainment . Or if not , Yet , something may sor his availe be got . A base Invention , that scarce merit may The reputation of a Puppet-play , So●e spangled Courtier , or some foolish Lord ▪ Admires , affects , and of his ow●e accord Prefers it to the Prince , or to the King , As an ingenious , or much usefull thing . And ( ten to one ) if then the Author can But humor well his Lordship , or his man ( That rules his Honors wisdome ) it may gaine him Some such like Lord as that to en●ertaine him , For his c●mpanion ; y●a , the privy purse May open to him : and , be fareth worse Then many a Foole hath done , unl●sse e're long ▪ He purchaseth to be enro●l'd among The best Deservers ; and arise to be Superior to a better man then be . Twixt these and thee what distances appeare ? And , twixt your Fortunes what a space is there ▪ When thou hadst f●nished a Worke divine , ( As much for others profit , as for thine ) Thou scarcely found'st a man , to make thee way Thy Present , at thy Soveraigne● fee● to lay . And when thou didst ▪ No sooner laid he by What tendred was , but some in●urious eye Did quickly take thereof a partiall view , And with detracting Censures thee pursue . Yea , those meere Ignorants , whose courtly wi● Can judge of nothing , but how cloathes doe fit ; How Congees should be acted ; how their Boy Obs●rve them should ; or some such weighty ●oy : Those Shreds of Complement , patcht up for things To fill vast Roomes in Palaces of Kings , ( As Antiques doe in Hangin●● ) more for show ▪ Then any profit , which from them c●n flow . ●v'n those ( scarce worth our laughing at ) have pa●● Their doomes on that which thou presented hast ; As if they understood it : and , as those , ●y chance did censure , so the Censure goes . If these , or any such like Mountebanks , By slavish fawning , or by pickin● thanks ; By ho●eliest services , ( or worse ) by cheating ; Extorting from the poore , or by defeating Men hone●●ly disposed , ( or , by any Of those ill meanes , whereof this age hath many ) Can , out of heggery , their fortunes reare ▪ To hundreds , or to thousands by the yeare : They thinke themselves abus'd , if any grutch O● m●rmur , as if they had got too much . But , though thou from thy childhood wert employ'd In painf●ll studies , and hadst not enjoy'd So much externall profit , as would pay The charges of thy Troubles , for a day : ( Nay , rather , hindrance hadst , and punishment , For that , which gave most honest men content ) Yet ( marke their dealing ) when but hope there was Of gaine to thee ( which never came to passe ) And though that gaine were lesse then Traders can Allow sometimes unto a Iourney-man : Yea though it were to no mans prejudice ; ( ●ut many profiting ) and did arise By thine owne labours : that small yearly summ● Expected for , nought , yet , but losse doth come ) Was grumbled at ; as if it had beene more Then any ever gained heretofore ; And would the Common-weale have prejudised , Had none , thereof , to frustrate thee , de●ised . Some , therefore ( whose maliciousnesse is yet Vnanswer'd for ) themselves against thee set ; And , by the dammage of their owne estate , Have labour'd , thee and thine to ruinate . Some others , as injuriously , as they , Laid causelesse Nets , to snarle thee in thy way : And have procured , for thy best intents , Reproofes , Contempts , and Close Imprisonments ; ( As rigo●ous as ever were inflicted , Of those th●t for High Treason stood convicted ) Yea , that which might an honest wealth have won thee , ●as that , whereby they sought to have undone thee . Foule Scandals , thy best actions have attended . And ( as if on thine Infamy depended The Kingdomes glory ) Pamphlets false and base , Yea , publike Ma●ques , and Playes , to thy disgrace , Were set abroach ; till justly they became , To those that made , and favour'd them , a shame . In Rimes , and Libels , they have done thee wrongs ; Thou hast beene mention'd in their drunken Songs , Who nothing worse unto thy charge could lay , But , that , thou didst not seeme so bad as they . Meere Strangers , who are quite unknowne of thee , ( Although they see not what thy manners be ) Take pleasure to traduce thee , and to draw Those things in question , which they never saw . Nay , at their publike meetings , few forbeare To speake that s●andall , which they thinke , or heare ▪ Ev'n since this Plague began , and whi●st thy hand Recording was that Iudgement on this Land ; Thou art inform'd , that , Westward from this place ( Some scores of miles ) a generall rumor w●● Both of thy biding here , and of thy death . And , they who said , thou hadst expir'd thy breath , ( Supposing , as it seemes ) it could not be That God from this Disease would shelter thee ) Reported also , that , of Grace forsaken , And , by the sin of Drunkennesse o'retaken , Thou brok●st thy neck . It may be those men thought , That when the Plague●hy ●hy life to end bad brought , They sh●uld have added som●what , to have slaine The life of good Report , which might remaine . Nor was that ayme quite void . For , ( though of all Grosse sins , the staine of t●at , least b●ur thee shall ) Some straight beleev'd what malice did surmise ; Condemn'd thy Vertues , for Hypocrisies . Made guilty all thy Lines of evill ends ▪ Vs'd thee , as Iob was used by his friends ▪ Did on thy Life un●hristian Censures passe ▪ Affirm'd , thy Death had showed what it was ; And , many a one that heard it , shall not know Vntill his dying day , it was not so . But , then they shall perceive , that most of that Is false , which men of others use to prate . But , wonder it is none , that thou among Some Strangers , in thy Fame hast suffred wrong : For , ●o , thy Neighbours ( though they privy be To no such act as may difparage thee , But unto many rather , which in show , Appeared from a Christian minde to flow ) Ev'n they , in private whisp'rings , many times Have taxed thee as guilty of those crimes Thou never perpetratedst , but dost more Abhor them , then do Mizers to be poore . And from th●se blots the more thy life is free , The more is theirs defilde , by slaundring th●e . In wicked Places ( where yet n●ver came Thy foo● ) some ac●ed follies in thy name : That others present , knowing not thy face , Might spread abroad of thee , to thy disgrace , What others did . And , such a mischiefe , none But perfect Malice , could have thought upon . Thy very Prayers , and thy Charities Have ●●cked beene , and judg'd hypocrisies . When thou wert be●● employed , thou wert s●re The b●sest imputations to endure . When thy intentions ha●e beene most sincere , Mens misconstructions alwayes ha●shest were ; And , when thy piou●● action thou hadst wrought , Then ▪ they the greatest mischiefe on thee brought . The best , and most approved of those Laies , By thee composed for thy Makers praise ; Have lately greatly multipli'd thy F●es , And , not procur'd alone the spight of those Whom brutish Ignorance bes●ts among The misconceiving and ill●terate throng : But ▪ they who on the seats of Iudgement sate , Thee , and those Labours have inveighed at . The Learned , who should wiser men have beene , Did censure that which they had never seene . Ev'n they , w●o make faire shewes of sancti●y , ( God grant , it be not with hypocrisi● ) With spightfulnesse , that scarce can matched be , Have shamefully tr●duced that , and thee . Nay , of the Clergy , some ( and of the chiefe ) Have with unseemly f●ry , post beleefe , So undervalu'd , and so vilifi'd Those Labors ( which the tryall will abide , When their proud spleene is wasted ) that , unlesse God had , in mercy , curb'd their furiousnesse , ( And by his might abated , in some measure , That pow'r of acting their impe●ious pleasure ) Their place , and that opinion they had gained , Of knowledge , and sincerity unfained , Had long ere this , no doubt , made so contemn'd Those Lines , and thee ; that thou hadst beene condemn'd Without a triall . And so true a feeling Hadst gain'd ere now , of base and partiall dealing , That , Disconten●●ight then have urg'd thy stay , In hope this Plague , would th●t , have tooke away : But , thou by others , hast receiv'd the ●●ings Of Malice ▪ otherwayes , in other things . Those men , whose over-grosse and open crime● , Are justly taxed in thi●●●onest ●imes , Have by the generall notice of thy name , Sought how to bring thee to a generall shame , By raising causelesse rumors to be blowne Through ev'ry quarter where thy lines are knowne . For , there 's no place without an enuious ●are , And slan●rous tongues be ready ev'ry where , To cast , with willingnesse , disgrace on those , Of whom , some good report , beforehand , goes . And since thou canst not answer ev'ry man , As he that 's knowne in some few Townships , can ; The falsest Rumors Men divulge of thee , Doe soone become a common Fame to be . Moreover ( that lesse cause there may appeare , Why thou shouldst life desire , or dying feare ) The most affected thing this world containes , Hath tor●ur'd thee with most heart-breaking paines . For , they whom thou hast loved : they to whom Thou didst obliged many wayes become : Yea ●hey who knew thy faithfulnesse ; ev'n they , Have made their outward kindnesses the way To make thee most ingratefull seeme to be , Yea , they have heaped more disgrace on thee , More griefes , and disadvantages , then all Thy Foes together , bring upon thee shall . And long pursued have , to thy vexation Their courses with harsh trickes of ag●ravation ; Yet still pretending Love : which makes the curse , Of this Affliction twenty times the worse . I will ●ot say that thou afflicted art In this ( by them ) without thy owne desert : For who perceives in all how he offends ? Or thinks , that God correction causelesse sends ? Nor will I say this injury proceeds , Fromany Malice . For , perhaps , it breeds From their distemper'd love . And God to show Some needfullsecret ( which thou best maist know By this experiment ) a while doth please , To make thy late Contentments thy Disease . Thy first Acquaintan●e , who did many a yeare Enjoy thy fellowship ( and glad appeare To seeme thy friends ) have wearied out their love , By length of time ; and strangers now doe prove . Thou also seest , thy new acquaintance be Worne out as fast as gotten . For , to thee Most come , for nothing but to satisfie Their idle fruitlesse curiositie : And , having seene , and found thee but a man , Their friendship ended , just as it began . Nay , they who all thy course of life have seene , And ( in appearanc● ) have perswaded beene , So well of thy uprightnesse , as if no●ght Could move in them , of thee , one ●vill thought : These , by a little absence , or the sound Of some untrue Relation ( wanting ground ) Doe all their good opinion some●ime change ; Suspect thy mann●rs , and themselves ●strange , So unexpecte●ly ▪ and without cause , That what to judge of them it makes thee pause ▪ For they that vertuous are , but in the show , Doe soone suspect , that all men else , are so . Th●se things are very bitter unto such Whose hearts are sensible to ev'ry touch Of kindnesse , and unkindnesse ; and they make Life tedious , where they deepe impr●ssion take . But , many other griefes thy Soule doe grinde ; And thou by them , art pained in a kinde So diff●ring from the common sense of others , ( Although thy patience much distemper smothers ) That Reason might me thinkes contented be , Thou shouldst pursue thy Death to set thee free . I spe●ke not this , as if thou didst repin● At these , or any other lots of thine : Nor to discourage thee , be●ause the World So little of her Grace on thee hath hurl'd . For , I would have thee scorne her love ; and know That whe●her sh● will favour th●e or no , I wil● , in thy due season , make thee rise To honor , by that way which me● despise : Ev'n to those honors , which are greater then The greatest that conferred are , by men . And , this I mention , in reproach of them Whose Pride , thy humble Mufings , doth contemn● : And ●o remember thee , how vaine it were , To seeke for life , where such harsh dealings are . And , as I would not have thee wish to live ●or love of any thing , this world can give : So , I am loath her troubles should have pow'r To make thee seeke to shorten life an houre . But rather in contempt of all her spight , To lengthen it , untill pale Envie quite Consume her selfe ; and thou at last be sent From hence , victorious , crowned with content . I therefore , here , perswade thee not to stay ▪ That vainly thou mightst foole thy life away : Or , that some poore applauses may be got ; Or , for such trifling ends as profit not ; And , whereof , Reason her di●like infers : For , my opinion jumps in that , with hers . I doe not counsell thee to cast aside That care ▪ which teacheth wisely to provide For wholsome Antidotes : Or to observe Such courses , a● are likely to preserve Thy body sound : nor is it my intent , Thou shouldst employ , by way of complemen● , Thy time in visiting infected friends ; When to their comfortings it little tends . Nor am I pleas'd in him that so presumes , Or such a franticke foolishnesse assumes , As desperately to thrust himselfe among The noisome brea●hings of a sickly thro●g , When such a danger nothing may availe : And , where the meanes of lif● will surely faile . Nor would I now betray thee to thy sin ; Or worke thy losses , that thy foes may win ; Or make thee tempt thy God ; or grieve thy friends ▪ Or barre thy Labors of their wished ends : Nor can●●t thou thinke thy Rea●on well hath said , To cast such stumbling-blockes , as she hath laid : For , just and comely things , I doe advise ; And , seeke not Mischiefes , but their Remedies . A carnall Wisedome sayes she seeth not What knowledge and assurance may be got Of those eternall things , that objects are Of Chr●stian hope . But , wherefore shouldst thou feare What ●lesh and Blood blasphemously hath said ? Since , into thee already are convaid ●●th Notions , and the reall sense of that Which they , who would not see , doe stumble at ? Meere humane Reason cannot ●each to know Of many thousand Creatures here below , The s●cret natures : Doe not wonder thou , That few celestiall things perceive she can : But call to minde , that to be fl●shly wise , Is to be foolish in Truths Mysteries . Give God the praise , who hath on thee bes●owne A better apprehension then thine 〈◊〉 . Remember still , to cherish this beleefe ; Let Prayer daily fet thy Faith releefe : And be assur'd that I advise thee best , What e're thy carnall Reason shall suggest . If thou suppose that thou hast ought begun , Which may thy Coun●ry profit , being done , Or honor God : proceed thou in his name , With cheerfulnesse , and finish up the same . For God will either give thee life to doe it , ( If cause the●e be ) or call another to it Of better gifts ▪ And , if thou grudge at this , Thou seekest thine owne honor , more then his : And , though a pious purpose thou pretend , Thy holy shew●s have some unholy end . Say , thou among the m●ltitude must fall ; Say , they that hate thee , thereof triumph ●hall ; Or others ( out of levity ) contemne Thy course ; or thee unj●stly should condemne , As Reason pleads ? what prejudice to thee Wo●ld this be more , then s●ch mens pra●ses be ? What harme is this to thee wh●n ●hou art gone ? And hast no se●se of any wrong that 's done ? What needst thou care , if all the wo●ld suppose To hell thou sinkest ; if thy spi●it it goes The way to heav'n ? And in that narrow path A ●lessed being , unperceived hath ? Pursue brave Actions , as a Christian ought , And , care not thou what shall of them be thought : ( Except to rouze up other men it be , By making them perceive what rouzed thee ) When thou dost walke uprightly , walke thou on , And scorne to looke aside , who looks thereon : For ▪ he 's a foole ( if not an hypocrite ) That in well-doing feeleth no delight , Vntill some witnesse of his deeds he know , Or feele some praises his proud sai●es to blow , Nay , he that cannot in a vertuous deed , ( Wherein , his Conscience , warrants to proceed ) Persist without returning , though he should , Of all the world together , be controul'd ; Or , if he thought it not a favour too That God would call him such a worke to doe ; ( Yea though that for his paines , he should become Abhorr'd of all men ▪ t●ll the Day of Doome ) Ev'n such a Man is farre below that height , To which by perfect Vertue climbe he might ; And lose he doth , by feares that are in vaine , The bravest honor that his Faith can gaine . Thy Reason sayes , that thou a sinner art ; And , thereupon doth urge thee to depart . But wherefore should the guilt of sin ●ffright F●●m staying , rather then from taking flight ? For , if thou shalt remove away from hence , Thy guilt retaining , by impenitence , God hath not so his Plagues confined hither , But that they may pursue thee any whither . And whereas here , the danger , and the feare , Encompassing this place , might so deterre , So mollifie , and awe thy heart within thee ; So move , and to amend thy life , so win thee , That God shall clense thy soule of ev'ry staine ; And reconcile thee to himselfe againe : Perhaps , the wicked vaine securit● , That will attend thee whither thou shalt flye , May m●ke the measure of thy sinnes compleater , Thy comforts fewer ; t●y afflictions greater ; When least thou fearest , most of all disease thee ; And keepe off this , that some worse thing may seize thee : And , though thy Reason urge thee to beeleve , Thy friends may wronged be , or too much gri●ve , By this adventure : I , thy Faith , assure thee , That if my Motives may to stay procure thee , ( For such good purposes as I propose ) Thy God shall pay thy friends what ere they lose ; Make some ( by fearing what thy dangers are ) Of their owne wayes to take the greater care : K●epe others ( by preserving of them sad ) More watchfull , that might else lesse heed have had ▪ And , sti●re up thee for them , and them for thee , So zealous in continuall vowes to be , As w●ll ( perchance ) worse perils drive away , Then those , which are so feared , in thy stay . Oh! God , how many soules , by fleeing hence Scape this , and catch a deadlier Pestilence ! How many hearts whom Feare doth somewhat strike With sorrowes , which begins Repentance-like , ( And might by staying here , accomplish that , Which ev'ry true Beleever aimeth at ) Will fall from those beginnings , by their flight , And lose the feeling of Gods Iudgement● , quite ? How many ! by wr●ng seeking to prevent , Their heav'nly Fathers loving chastisement , Incor●igible in their lives will grow ? And bring themselves to utter overthrow ? And oh ! what multitudes , by staying here , Shall change their dread , into a filiall feare ? Their feare to love , and love , and laud thee too , For sending that , which they abhorred so ! Like them , who in the Deeps employed be , Here , thou the wondrous works of God shalt see . That thou maist tell ●he world what he hath done ; And sing the praise of that Almighty-One To this , and future a●es . And ▪ for what Did he thy Soule and Body first create ? For what redeeme thee ? For what end infuse That Fa●ulty , which thou dost call thy Muse ? For what , but for his honor , to declare Thos● Iudgements and his Mercies which will h●re Be showne unto thee ? and to sing the Story Of wh●t thine eye beholdeth to his glory ? For , if not here , then where ? Or if not now , Then , at what other time expectest thou So faire an oprortunity , to shew With how much readinesse thou couldst be●tow Thy life , and all thy faculties , on him ( And , for his servic● ) who bestowed them ? What nobl●r Subject can the wo●ld afford , For thee , or for the Muses to record , Then will those Iudgements , and those Mercies be ▪ Which God will in this place disclose to thee ? If Reason seeke some purpose in thy stay , Me thinks , this purpose please thy Reason may : For , though those men who love their owne vaine praise , Have little care of their Creators waies , And finde small pleasingnesse in those Relations , Which are compos'd of such like Observations ; Yet , all the glorioust acts of greatest Kings , A●e triviall , worthlesse , base , and foolish things ▪ Respecting these . And , though some nicer wits Scarce think that such a Subject well befits Their artfull Muses . Yet , twixt this and that Whereon they love to plod and meditate , There 's much more diff'rence , then betweene their Laie● And those which they doe most of all dispraise : And they who live ( the time ) I hope shall see , These Poems , much , more prized then they be : Yea , though it may appeare to common Reason , An act impertinent , and out of season , For such an end as this to make thy stay : Let not her carnall Sophismes thee dismay . For sin●e thou seest a vaine Historian dares His person to adventure in the warres , That he ( for fame , or hire ) may w●i●e a story Of wha● is done to his Commanders glory : This action , wherefore shouldst thou startle from , As if thy Iudgement it would mis-become ? If just it be , our safeties to contemne , In such a case ( if that be good in him ) How much more just , is thy adventure , then Who sin●●t the praise of God , and not o● men ? How mu●h more safely walkest thou , then they ? How much more glory , and how much more pay , Can thy great Captaine give thee ? And how small Should be thy feare ? If thou should'st feare at all . Nor to thy God , or to thy selfe alone , Will acceptable services be done By sta●ing here : but , peradventure some That living are , and some , in time to come , May reap advantage by it , and confesse , That thou wert borne for them ; and didst possesse And use thy life , not for thy selfe alone , But ●hat to others profit might be done . The gen'rall notice which men take of thee , Will make thy actions more observed be Then those of twenty others , who doe seeme In their small circuits , men of great esteeme : And , when hereafter it is knowne abroad , To what good purposes thou mad'st abode In this afflicted City : on what ground , Thy blamed resolution thou dost found : How sensible thou wert of ev'ry seare , And of each perill thou adventredst here : How many friends thou ●adst to flye ●nto : How much elsewhere thou migh●st have found to do ; What Censures thou shouldst hazzard , in t●y stay : W●at pleasures wooed th●e to come aw●y : How , thy continuing here was not by chance By discontent , or humorous ignorance : How , no compulsion , no perswading Friend , No office , hope o● gaine , or such like end Nec●ssitated thee . Yea , when by such , Who are to feare e●slaved ●vermuch , All this is heeded well ; And when men shall Consider it , comparing therewithall , What causes moved thee ; what meditation Confirm'd thy stay ; what kinde of conversation Thou daily practisedst ; and what good use They may from th● experiments produce ; It will perchance occasion some to learne Those things , which yet they doe not well discerne : Help , in good Resolutions , some to arme : Some weake ones in temptations much confirme : To some become a meanes to make them see That men despised , may enabled be , By Faith , to keepe their place undaunted there , Where men of better seeming gifts doe f●are . And peradventure thou maist compasse that Which likeher men in vaine have aymed at ▪ For , though it may be said this place hath store By Calling and by Gifts , adapted more For such a taske ; and that there may be some , That have no warrant for departing from Th●se noysome streets , who well enough may take This pain●s ; and thereof thee excused make . Yet , shall not that ●xcuse thee . For , all they Have Callings , which employ them wholly may ▪ Yea , they whose wits are ●bler , think not on That worke , perchance ▪ as needfull to be done . Or if they doe , perhaps , they may expire Before they have performed it ; or tire . And though they should make perfit their designes : Yet their obs●urity , may barre their Lines From taking that effect , which if thou write , Thy being far more knowne , accomplish might . For , Fame prevailes with many ( now adaies ) And , if uncout●'d , unkist ( as Chaucer saies . ) Or grant that many had the same attempted , ( And men of note ) yet wert thou not exempted . For , best it is , when such like things as these Confirmed are by many witnesses . Beside , if those assurances which thou Shalt publish ( and thy ●aith shall well allow ) Affirmed were by none but such as they Who might not from this place depart aw●y Without much losse , or blame : meere naturall men Might have contemned all those counsels , then , And all those just reproofes , that may , by thee , Or any other man objected be , Against their flavish Feares : and may reply , That no man staid , but he that could not flye : Or that none durst become a voluntary , In such a Fire , for conscience sake ▪ to tarie : And , that no mortall man had pow'r obtain'd To bide such brunts , till outwardly constrain'd . Whereas thy free abiding here , will move Much better thoughts : thy constancy approve ; Procure the more beleefe to thy Relations ; The more effectuall make thy good perswasions : And stop th●ir mo●thes , who might some other w●y Thy paine● have wrong'd , had ought proc●r'd thy stay . Oh! f●r , far be it , that Lust , Ava●ce , The strong d●●●empers of some hat●f●ll Vice , A stupid Mel●ncholy or the tumors Of some wilde Passion , or fantasti●ke Humor● , Should fixe more stoutnesse in the heart of man , Then temperate , an● pious knowledge can . Far be it , that old women , for their pay , Or Sextons for as little b●re , as they , We in the w●lks of Death should walking see Without all f●are ; yet , they deterred be , Who boast of knowl●dge ; and have sung , and said , That though in Deaths black shadowes they w●re lai● ▪ They would without dism●y continue th●re ; Because Gods Rod , and Staffe , their keepers are . Oh! let not this be so : And be it far From proving true ; that they who studious are Of Wisdome , and of Piety , should shrinke , Where he , whose head peece is but arm'd with drinke ▪ Sits fearlesse : Or , that Vse , or Custome shall Embolden more , then Christian Faith , and all The Morall Ve●tues : Or , that thou shouldst yeeld To carn●ll Reason , and forgoe the Field . Moe Arguments I could , as yet , expresse , To prove thy staying hath much usefulnesse : As that it were unkindnesse to forsake Those persons here , who comfort in thee take . For , some professe already , that th●y bide , By thy example , greatly fortifi'd , ( In their compelled stay ) by seeing thee So willingly , the●r griefes companion be . Y●a , many a one , observing thee to stay , Confesseth , he doth shame to flye away . Thereby , those Resolutions they have got , Which very lately they embraced not ; And might , perhaps , if now thou shouldst depar● ▪ Become afraid , because thou fearfull art . Me thinks , it is unmanlinesse to flie From those , in woe , whom in prosperity Thou lovedst : yea , t is basenesse , not to share In ●v'ry sorrow which thy f●iends d●e beare , As well as in their pleasures , if they be Such friends , as some of thine doe seeme to thee . Here , thou hast long continu'd . On the bread Of Dainties , in this City thou hast fed . Here , thou hast laught and sung ; and here thou hast Thy youthfull yeares , in many f●llies past ; Abus'd thy Christian-liberty , and trod That Maze , which brings forgetfulnesse of God . Here , thy example , some corrupted hath ; Here , thou hast moved thy Creators wrath : Here , thou hast sinned ; and thy sinnes they were , Which holpe to bring this Plague now raging here . Here , therefore , doe thou fast : here , doe thou mourne , And , into sighes , and teares , thy laughter turne . H●re , yeeld ●hy selfe to prison , till thou see At this Assize , how God will deale by thee : Ev'n here , the time redeeme thou : here , restore B● good examples , th●se whom heretofore Thou hast offended : here , t●y selfe apply Gods just incensed wrath to pacifie . Here , joyne in true Repen●ance , to remove ●hat Storme which now descendeth from above . And the● , or live or dye ▪ this Place , to thee A place of Refuge , and of ●oy shall be . Nor Sin , nor Death , nor H●ll , no● any thing Sh●ll d●scontentment , fea●e , or perill bring Which to thy Soule or Body , shall become A disadvantage ; but helpe save thee from Destruction : Ioyes , as yet , unfelt , procure : In all temptation , mak● thy minde secure : Discover plainly how thy Reason failed ; And , make thee blesse the time , thy Faith prevailed . But , thou dost w●nt a Calling ( REASON cries ) Thy staying in this place to warrantize . And , that untill thereof tho● dost obtaine The full assurance , all my speech is vaine . Indeed , the glorioust worke we can begin , Vnlesse God call us to it , is a sin . And ther●fore , ev'ry man should seeke to k●ow What , God , and what vaine ●ancy cals him to . For , Pride ▪ and over-weening Arrogance , The Devill , or a zealous Ignorance , Suggests false warrants ; and allureth men To dangerous adventures , now and then : Yea , maketh some , from God● commands to fall , And take employments at the Devils call . To judge thy Calling , then , learne this of me , That , some Vocations ordinar● be , Some extraordinary If thou take An ordinary Calling , thou must make The common entrance , which that pow'r doth give Within whose Iurisdiction thou dost l●ve : Else ( whatsoever Cause thou dost pretend ) It is Intrusion : and , thou shalt offend . If thou conceivest thou some Calling hast In Extraordinary ; see it past By Gods allowance , from Gods holy Writ ▪ Before such time as thou accept of it . And , then , beware that nothing force thee back , Or , make thee in thine Office to be slacke . In briefe ; a Calling extraordinary , To justifie it selfe , these Markes must carie ; And , if it faile of ●hem , but in the least , Thy Conscience is deluded in the r●st . Gods glory will be aymed at , in chiefe : It will be grounded on a true beleefe : It doth not Gods revealed will oppose : No step that erres f●om Charity it goes : It seeketh not , what cannot be enjoy'd : It makes no ordinary calling void : Some cause not frequent must invite thereto : And ( to accomplish what thou hast to doe ) Some Gift , that 's proper for it , must be given , And then , thou hast thy Calling seal'd from h●aven . Approve thy selfe by these , and thou shalt see , That , God , no doub● , hath truly called thee . To this adventure . For , thy h●art intends His praise in this , above all other ends . Thou dost bele●ve , that ( whether live or dye ) Thy st●y shall somewhat adde , to glorifie Thy blessed Maker ; and that something shall To thine , and others profits , here , befall . Thy Iudgement , to thy Conscience nou●ht discloseth , Wherein it Gods revealed Will opposeth : It well agrees with Charity , and tryes To compasse no impossibilities . Nor binders it , nor calls it th●e from ought Which is more necessary to be wrought . A Cause not ordinary now requires Thy presence here ; and , God himselfe inspires Thy B●est with Resolutions that agree To such an a●tion . Gi●ts , which none but he Can give , he gives thee ; such , as are by Nature , Not found in any sub●oelestiall Creature , But , me●rly of his Grace ● and , such , as none Can counterfeit , by all that may be done . And , whence are all th●se Musiags here exprest ? Wh●nce come these combatings within thy brest Twixt M● and Reason ? who is it that makes Thy heart so fearlesse , now such horror shakes The soules of others ? what embolden can The frightfull spirit of a naturall man , In such apparant dangers to abide ? And yet , his Reason nothing from him hide , That seemeth to be dreadfull ; neither leave him Such Aymes , or s●ch like Passions to deceive him , As harden others ? Who , but he , that giveth Each p●rfit Gift , these Gifts to thee deriveth ? And sure he nought bestowes , but therewithall He sends occasions that employ is shall . Few Officers shall w●nt a doubtfulnesse That they their places doubtfully possesse , If this be doubtfull ; whether God ( or no ) Hath called thee to what I bid thee doe . For , outward Callings , most men doe , or may Intrude upon , by some sinister way : By Symony , by Bribe●y , by Spoiles , By open Violence , or secret Wiles . And therefore ( though the Se●les of Kings they gaine To strengthen what unduly they obtaine ) Some doubting of their Callings may be had To God ward , though such doubts be rarely made . But , for thy Calling thou Commission hast So firme ; and it so many Seales hath past , That nothing should induce thee to suspect Thy Wa●rant , or distrust a good effect . God , from thy Cradle , seemes to have ordain'd thee To such a purpose : for , he yearly train'd thee Through sev'rall cares , and perils , so inure Thy heart , to what he meant thou shouldst endure : Else why shouldst thou ( whose actions honest were To Man ward , though to God ward foule they are ) Be more for that afflicted , which doth seeme ( To some ) a worke deserving good esteeme , Then are a multitude in these our times , Convicted of the most notorious crimes ? Why , at thy very birth , did he infuse Thy Soule with na●urall helpes to forme thy Muse , Which is a Faculty not lent to many , Nor by meere Art attained to , of any ? To thee , why gave he Knowledge , such a way As others l●se it by ? And why I pray Did he bestow upon thee so much Fame For those few childish lines that thou didst frame In thy minority ▪ Why did he then ( When scarce a man ) enroule thy Name with men ? And make thee to be prais'd and priz'd before Those men whose Yeares , and Sciences are more ? What was there in thy Poems ? what in thee , That seem'd not worthy of contempt to be , Much more then of applause ? And what hast thou From scorne to save thee , but Gods mercy now ? Beleeve it , he divulgeth not thy Name For thine owne honor : But to make the same A meanes of spreading his . From p●rills past He sav'd not thee , for any worth thou hast , But , to declare his Mercies At this season , He moves this plea betwixt thy Faith and Reason , Not to be passed over , as in vaine ; But , in thy Brest true courage to maintaine . Thy Muse he gave thee , not to exercise Her pow'r in b●se and fruitlesse vanities , Or to be silenc'd : but , to magnifie The wondrous workings of his Majesty . And , as the seales of Kings authorize those To whom they doe their Offices dispose , So , these are Signes which force enough doe cary To seale this calling extraordinary : And , they who sleight the same will in some measure Incur the King of heavens high displeasure . Mor● might be said ( hereof to make a proofe ) But , more to say , were more then is enough . Of this , no further , therefore , I 'le dispute ; But , bid thee stay , thy Place to execute . When FAITH had made this pleading in my brest My REASON was perswaded to protest Her full assent , to what she first gainsaid , Which , that it might be constantly obey'd , My Conscience , in her Court , did soone decree ; And , all my thoughts were then at peace in me . From that time forward , neither Friend , nor Foe , Could startle me in what I meant to doe . No vaine desires within me did controul● My purpose : no distrusts did fright my soule : Nor seemed it , so dangerous , to stay , As ( knowing what I ●new ) to flye away . For , though these Arguments , and such as these , Can never fit in all mens Consciences , The just Meridian ( seeing , variations , In manifold respects , make alterations ) Yet , mine they suted with ; and may , and shall Be some way usefull , to my Readers all . I wisht it so : For , I was then inspired With love to all ▪ and all mens weale desired . Me thought , I pitied those , who should not see What God within this place did show to me : And should have grieved to have beene constrained , Within the City , not to have remained . For by my selfe , when I to censure b●ought My present Lott ; it pleas'd me : and , me thought , That , Go● vouch●afed to employ me so , And furnish me for what I was to doe , With such a healthfull body , and a minde To act his will so readily enclin'd ; It seem'd more comfort , and more honour far , Then if a Mona●kes Favorite I were , Or might for temporall respects become The noblest person of all Christendome . A●● , if I shall not still this minde embrace , A dog halfe hanged is in better case . For , when that favour I doe value lesse , I shall grow senselesse of all happinesse . Oh! God , how great a blessing , then , didst thou Confer upon me ? And what G●ace allow ! Oh! what am I , and what my parentage ? That Thou of all the Children of this Age Didst chuse ou● m● , so highly to prefer , As of thy Acts , to be a Register ? And g●ve me Fortitude and Resolution , To stay , and view thy Iudgements execution ? That , I should live to see thy Angell here , Ev'n in his grea●est dreadfulnesse appeare ? That , when a thousand fell before my face , And at my right hand ( in as little space ) Ten thousand more , I should be still prot●cted From that contagious blast , whi●h them infected ! That , when of Arrowes thou d●dst shoot a flight So thick by day , and such a storme by night Of pois●ned shaft ▪ I , then , should walke among The sharpest of them ; and yet passe along Vnharm'd ▪ And that I should behold the path Which thou dost pace in thy hot burning wrath , ( Yet not consume to Ashes ) what a wonder To me it seemes , when thereupon I ponder ! How great a grace it was , whose tongue can say , That I who am but breathing dust and clay , Should waking ( and in all my senses , well ) Walke downe the Grave almost as low as hell , Yet come againe unscar●ed ? and have leave To live and tell what there I did perceive ! Yea come ( as from the dead ) againe to show The faithlesse wo●ld what terrors a●e below ! ( And justifie , that though a man be sent Ev'n from the Grave to move men to repent , No Faith would in those hearers be begot , Who Moses and the Prophets credit not . ) How great a Mercy was it , that when I Was thought in dangers , and in griefes to lye , That , for my Shepheard I had thee my God ? And in the p●th of best contentments trod ? That I , on sweetest Pleasures banqueted , When other men did eate Afflictions bread ? That , I had perfect joyes ev'n in my teares ? Assured ●afety in my greatest foares ? A thousand ●omforts , whereof they who lived In better-seeming states , w●●e quite deprived ? And much content , which they will never know , Who keep those paths in which the Vulgar go . What ma●●hlesse benefits were these ! & whence Canst thou , that gav'st them , have thy recompence , But from thy self● ▪ Or who but ●hou alone Can give me heart enough to thinke ●pon These Gr●ces as I o●●ht ? Oh! therefore , daigne To make my brest suffici●nt to containe That measure of due thankfulnesse , which may Accepted be , for what I cannot pay . And , suffer not my frailties , or my sin To hide againe , what thou dost now begin To make me see ; but grant to me thy grace , For ever , to behold thy cheerf●ll face . Nor Oile , nor Corne , nor Wine can glad me so : Nor shall their brutish lovers ever know What joyes within my brest begotten be , When thy pleas'd countenance doth shine on me . Let those who of great Kings affections boast , ( And for ●heir ●avours are engaged most ) Those , who possesse ( their starveling soules to please ) Sweet Gardens , Groves , and cu●ious Palaces , Rich Iewels , large Revenues , princely Stiles , The flatteries of Lords , and female smiles , The pleasures of the Chamber , and the Fields , All those which dainty fare , or Musique yeelds , The City or the Court ; and all tha● stuffe Of which their hearts can never have enough : Let these , and those who their desires approve , With such entising Objects fall in love : Let them pursue their fancies , till they finde What so●rowes and disgraces come behinde : And let the●●urfet on them , till they see By tride experience , w●at their fruit will be . I never shall ●nvy their happinesse ; Nor cove● their high for●unes to possesse , If thou p●eserve m● still in thy protection , And cheere my spi●it by thin● eyes reflection ▪ For then I shall not feare the scornes of such ▪ My ●ares , 〈◊〉 shall never grieve me much : I shall not 〈◊〉 to ●rouch and sue to them , Who thee , and me , and ve●tue shall contem●e ▪ I shall nor shrinke nor startle , when I heare Those evill tidings , which men daily feare . Not leave my standing , though that in the roome Of this great Pestilence , a Warre should come . Or ( which were wo●se ) anot●er Fiery-triall , To ●orce us , of thy Truth to mak● denyall . And , in these fearfull times , no temporall blisse Would seeme a greater priviledge then this , To those , who now with trembling soules , expect What our proceedings will at last ●ffect . Yea , they , perhaps , who now are stupifi'd , Will praise my lot , when they their chance have try'd . But ( though ev'n all men living should despise The comfort of it ) I the same will prise . I praise thee for it , LORD , and here emplore . That I may praise thee for it , evermore : Th●t these expressions of thy love to me , May helpfull also to thy praises be In other men : And ( if it may be so ) In other times , and other places too : And , that the shewing how I did compose The wa●re which twixt my Faith and Re●son ros● , M●y teach some others how they should debate Such doubts within themselves ; and arbitrate ( Within their Co●rt of Conscience ) what is fit To be concluded , and so practise it . For , why so largely , I have this exprest , That , was not , of my p●rposes , the least . I beg moreover , that I may pursue To utter that which I have yet to shew . And , that nor Sloth , nor Want , nor any Let , M●y to these Po●●es their last period set , Till I have made my Readers to conceive , That this was undertaken by thy leave ▪ And , that my Censurers may come to say , There was an usefull purpose in my stay : Or shew me what they did ; or , what I might Have done to better uses in my flight . 〈◊〉 I lastly , crave ( which is , I trust , begun ) That , I ●he way of thy Commands may run , The remnant of my Talent , and my dayes , Employing in good actions , to thy praise : That , I , for ever , may those paths refuse Which may unhallow , or pervert my Muse : And that , when this is done , I may not fall Through Pride or Sloth ; as if this act were all : But , humbly strive such other wo●kes to doe , As thou r●quir'st , and I was borne unto . Yea fu●nish me with ev'ry thing by which I best may se●ve thee , and I shall be rich . This beg I , LORD ; and nothing else I crave , For , more then that , were lesse then nought to have : I beg of thee , nor Fame , nor mortall praise , Nor carnall pleasures , nor yet length of dayes , Nor honors , nor vaine wealth , but , just what may The Charges of my Pilgrimage defray . Oh grant me ●his ; and heare me when I call : For , if thou stand not by me , I shall fall .

The fourth Canto . Our Muse , in this fourth Canto , writes Of melancholy thoughts , and sights : Wha● changes were in ●very place ; What Ruines in a little space : How Trades , and how provisions fail'd ; How ●orrow thriv'd , how Death prevail'd ; And , how in 〈◊〉 he did ri●e ▪ With all his horrors , by his side . To LONDON , then , she doth declar● How suting her afflictions were To former sinnes : what good and bad Effects , this Plague produced had : W●at friendly Champions , and what Foes For us did fight , or us oppose : And , how the greatest Plague of all On poore Artificers , did fall . Then , from the Fields , new griefe she takes , And , usefull Meditations makes : Relates , how flowly Vengeance came , How , God forewarn'd us of the same : What other Plagues to this were joyned : And , here and there are interlined Vpbraidings , warnings , exhortations , And , pertinent expostulations . WHen Conscience had allowed my Commission , For staying , & declar'd on what condition ; I did not onely feele my heart consent To entertaine it , with a full content , But also , found my selfe prepared so To execute the worke I had to do , That without paine ( me thought ) I was employ'd , And all my Passions to good use enjoy'd . For , though God fre●d my soule from slavish feare , Ye● , so much awe he still preserved there , As kept within my hea●t some naturall sense Oft is displeasure , and of penitence He gave me Ioyes , yet left some Griefe withall , Lest I into security might fall ; Or ▪ lose the fellow-feeling of that paine , Whereo● , I heard my neighbours to complaine . He lent me health : yet , ev'ry day some twitches Of pangs unusuall ; many qualme● , and stitches Of short continuance , my poore heart assailed , That I might heed the more what others ayled . He kept me hopefull : and yet , now and then , His rods ( wherewith ▪ in love , he scourgeth men ) Did make me smart ; lest else I might assume The liberty of Wantons , and presume . My ordinary meanes was made their prey , Who seeke my spoile , and lately tooke away . Yet , me with plenties , daily did he feed , And I did nothing wan● , which I could need , Which God vouchsafed to assure to me , That when unusuall workes required be ; He will ( e're we shall want what 's necessary ) Supply us by a meanes , not ordinary . By many other signes , unmention'd here , Gods love , and providence , did so appeare , And so me thought ingage me , to remove What ever to his work a let might prove ; That ( so farre forth as my fraile natu●e could Admit , and things convenient suffer would ) My owne Affaires aside , a while I threw , And bent my selfe , with heedfulnesse , to view What , worth my notice , in thi● Plague I saw , O● , what good uses I from thence might draw . But , ●arre I needed not to pace about , Nor long enquire to finde such Objects out . For , ev'ry place with sorrowes then abounded , And ev'ry way the cryes of Mourning sounded . Yea ▪ day by day , successively till night , And from the evening till the morning light , Were Sc●e●es of Griefe , with strange variety ▪ Knit up , in one continuing Tragedy . No sooner wak'd I , but twice twenty knels , And many sadly-sounding passing-bels , Did greet mine eare , and by their heavy towles , To me gave notice , that some early soules Departed whilst I slept : That other some Were drawing onward to their longest home ; And , seemingly , presag'd , that many a one Should bid the world good-night , e're it were noon● . One while the mournfull Tenor , in her tones Did yeeld a sound as if in deepe fo● grones , She did bewaile the sorrow which attends The separation of those loving friends , The Soule and Body . Other while , agen , Me thought , it call'd on me , and other men To pray , that God would view th●m with compassion ▪ And give them comfortable separation . ( For , we should with a fellow-feeling , share In ev'ry sorrow , which our brethren beare ) Sometime my Fancy tuned so the Bell ▪ As if her Towlings did the story tell Of my mortality , and call me from This life , by oft , and loudly sounding , Come . So long the solitary nights did last , That I had leasure my accounts to cast ; And think upon , and over-think those things , Which darknesse , lonelinesse , and sorrow brings To their consideration , who doe know , From whence they came , and whither they must go . My Chamber entertain'd me all alone , And in the roomes adjoyning lodged none . Yet , through the darksome silent night did flye Sometime an uncouth noise ; sometime a cry , And sometime mournfull callings pierc'd my roome , Which came , I neither knew from whence , nor whom . And , oft betwixt awaking and asleepe , Their voices who did talke ▪ or pray , or weepe , Vnto my listning eares a passage found , And troubled me , by their uncertaine sound . For , though the sounds themselves no terror we●e ▪ Nor came from any thing that I could feare ; Yet , they b●ed Musings ; and those musings bred Conjecturings , in my halfe sleepi●g head : By those Conjectures into minde w●re broug●t Some reall things , before quite out of thought ; They , divers Fancies to my soule did shew , Which m● still further , and still further drew To follow them ; till they did thoughts procure Which humane frailty cannot long endure : Ev'n such , as when I fully was awake , Did make my heart to tremble , and to a●e . And , when such frailties have disheartned men ▪ Oh! God , how busie is the Devill then ? I know in part his malice , and the wayes And times , and those occasions which he layes To worke upon our weaknesse ; and there is Scarce any which doth shew him like to t●is . I partly also know by what d●g●ees He worketh it ; how he doth gaine or leese Hi● labours ; and some sense I have procu●'d , What p●ngs are by the soule that while endur'd . For , though my God , in mercy , hath indu'd My Soule with Knowledge , and with Fortitud● In such a measure , that I doe not feare ( Distractedly ) those tortures which appeare In solitary da●kness● : yet , some part Of this , and of all frailties in my heart Continues he ; that so I might confesse His mercies with continuall thankfulnesse , And , somewhat ( ●vermore ) about me beare , Which unto me my frail●ies may declare . Yea ( thou●h without distemper , now it be ) So much of those grim feares are shewed me , Which terrifi'd my childhood , and which mak● The hea●ts of a●ed men , sometimes to quake ▪ That I am s●nsible of their estate ; And can their case the more compassionate , Who on their beds of ●eath doe pained lye , Exil'd from com●ort , and f●om company , When dreadfull Fancies doe their soules af●ight ▪ Begotten by the melancholy nig●t . Glad was I , when I saw the Sun appeare , ( And with his Rayes to blesse our Hemi●phere ) That from the tumbled bed I might arise , And with more lightsomnesse refresh mine eyes : Or with some good companion● , ●ead , or pray , To passe , the better , my s●d thoughts away : For , though such ●houghts oft us●full are , and good ▪ Yet , knowing well , I was but flesh and blood , I also knew mans naturall condition Must have in joyes , and griefes , an intermission , Lest too much joy should fill the heart with folly , Or , too much griefe breed dangerous melancholy . But , when the Morning came , i● little shewed , Save light , to see discomfortings renewed : For , if I staid within , I heard relations Of nought but dying pang● , and lamentations . If in the Stre●ts I did my footing set , With many sad disasters there I met . And , objects of mortali●y and feare , I saw in great abundance ev'ry where . Here , one man stagger'd by , w●th visage pale : There , lean'd another , grunting on a stall . A third , halfe dead , lay gasping for his grave ; A fourth did out at window call , and rave ; Yonn came the Bearers , sweating from the Pit , To fetch more bodies to replenish it . A little further off , one sits , and showes The spots , which he Deaths tokens doth suppose , ( E're such they be ) and , makes them so indeed ; Which had beene signes of heal●h , by taking heed . For , those round-purple-spot● , which most have thoght Deaths fatall tokens ( where they forth are b●ought , ) May prove Life tokens , if that ought be done , To helpe the worke , which Natur● h●th begun . Whereas , that feare , which their opinion brings Who threaten Death ; the want of cordiall things ( To helpe remove that poison from the heart , Which Nature hath expelled thence in part ) And then , the Sickm●ns liberty of having Cold drinks , and what his appetite is craving , Brings backe againe those humours pestilent , Which by the vitall pow'rs had fo●th beene sent . So by recharging him that was before Nigh spent , the fainting Combatant gives o're : And he that cheerfully did raise his head , Is often , in a moment , strucken dead . Fea●e also helps it forward . Yea , the terror Occasion'd , by their fond and common error , Who tell the sick● , that markt for Death they be , ( When those bl●w spots upon their flesh they see ) Ev'n that hath murthred thousands , who might here Have lived , ●lse , among us , many a yeare . For , if the Surgeons , or the Searchers , know Those markes , which for the markes of death do goe , From common-spots , or purples , ( which we must Confesse , or else all kinde of spots d●str●st ) Then , such as we Death-tokens call , were seene On some , that have long since , recover'd beene . Before I learned this , I fixt mine eyes On many a private mans calamities , And saw the Streets ( wherein a while agoe We s●arce could passe , the people fill'd them so ) Appeare nigh desolate ; yea , quite forlorne And for their wonted visitant● to mourne . Much peopled Westminster , where late , I saw , So many rev'rend Iudges of the Law , With Clients , and with Suitors hemmed round : Where Courts and Palaces did so abound With bus●nesses : and , wh●re , together met Our Thrones of Iustice , and our Mercy-seat ; That place , was then frequented , as you see Some Villages on Holy-dayes will be When halfe the Towneship , and the Hamlets nigh Are met to revell , at some Parish , by . Perhaps , the wronging of the Orphans cause , Denying , or perverting of the Lawes There practised , did set this Plague abr●eding , And sent the Terme from Westminster to Reading . Her goodly Church and Chappell , did appeare Like some poore Minster which hath twice a yeare Foure visitants : And , her great Hall , wherein So great a Randevow had lately ●in , Did look like those old Structure● , where long since Me● say , King Arthur kept his residence . The Parliament had left her , to goe see If they could learne at Oxford to agree ; Or if that ayre were better ●or the health And safety of our English Common-wealt● . But there , some did so counsell , and so vrge The Body politike to take a purge , To purifie the parts that seemed foule : Some others did that motion so ●on●roule , And plead so much for Cordialls , and for that Which strengthen might the sinnewes of the State , That all the time , the labour , and the cost , Which had bestowed beene , was wholly lost . And , here , the empty House of Parliament Did l●oke as if i● had beene disco●t●nt , Or griev'd ( me thought ) that Oxford should not be More pro●perous , yet ; nor c●uld I any see Res●rt to com●ort her : But , there did I Behold two Traytors hea●s , which perching high , Did shew their teeth , as if they had beene grinning At those Affli●tious which are now beginning . Yea , their wide ●ye holes , star'd , me thought , as th● They lookt ●o see that House now overthrow It selfe , which they with Powder up had blowne , Had God , their snares , and them , not overthrowne . White Hall , where not three months before ▪ I spi'd Great Britaine in the height of all her pride , And , France with her contending , which could most Outbrave old Rome and Persi● , in their cost On Robes and Feasts : Ev'n that lay solitary , As doth a quite-forsaken Monast●ry In some lone Forrest ; and we could not passe To many places , but through weeds and grasse . Perhaps , the sinnes , of late , committed ●here , Occasions of such desolation were . Pray God , there be not others , in the State , That will make all , a● last , be desolate . The Stra●d , that goo●ly thorow-fare between● The Court and City ( and where I have seene Well nigh a million pa●sing in one day ) Is now , almost , an unfrequented way : And peradventure , for those impudencies , Those riots , and those other foule offences , Which in that place were frequent , when it had So great resort ; ●t is now justly made To stand unvisited ▪ God grant it may Repent ▪ lest longer , and another way It stand unpeopled , or some others use Those blessings , which the owners now abuse . The City-houses of our English P●eres , Now smoakt as seldome , as in other yeares Their Country-palaces : and , they perchance Much better know then doth my ignorance , Why so it came to passe . But , wish I shall That they their wayes to minde would better call ; Le●t both their Country ▪ and their City-piles , Be smoaking seene , and burning , many miles . The Innes of Court I entred ; and I saw Each Roome so desolate , as if the Law Had out-law'd all her Students ; or that there Some fear'd arrestings , whe●e no Sergeants were . Most dreame , that this great fright was thither sent Not purposely , but came by accident ; And so , but little use is taken from Gods Iudgements , to amend the times to come . Yet , I dare say , it was a warning given Ev'n by appointment : and decreed in heaven : To s●gnifie , that if our Lawyers will In their abusive wayes continue still , The cause of their profession quite fo●getting ▪ And to their practices no limits setting , Till they ( as hereto●ore the Clergy were ) Are moe in number then the Land can beare . Their goodly Palaces shall spew them forth , As excrements that have nor use nor worth ; And , be disposed of , as now they s●e , The Priories , and Monasteries be . It griev'd me to behold this wofull change , And places so well knowne , appeare so strange . But , oh poore LONDON ! when I lookt on thee , Remembring therewithall , thy jollity Erewhile ; and how soone after I did meet With griefe and sad complaints in ev'●y street ▪ When I did minde how throng●d thy Ga●es have bin And then perceiv'd so few past out or in . When I consider'd that abundant store Of wealth , which thou discover'dst heretofore : And , looking on thy many empty stalls , Beheld thy shops set up their wooden-wals ▪ Me thought , thou should●t not be that London , w●ich Appear'd of late so populous , and rich ; But , some large Burrough ; either falling from Her height ; or , not unto her greatnesse come . If to thy Port I walkt ; it mov'd remorse , To see how gr●atly , Trade and Intercourse Decayed there ; and what depopulations , Were made in thy late peopled habitations . Thy Royall Change , which was the Randevow Wherein all Nations met , the whole world through , Within whose princely walls we heard the sound Of ev'ry Language spoke on Earths vast Round ; And where we could have known what had bin done In ev'ry forraine Coast below the Sun : That Place , the City-Merchant , and the Stranger Avoyded as a place of certaine danger : And feared ( as it seemes ) they might have had Some bargain ther , that would have spoild their trade Thy large Cath●drall , whose decaying frame Thou leavest unrepaired to thy shame , Had scarce a Walker in her middle I le ; And , ev'ry Ma●ble of tha● ancient Pile , Did often drop , and seeme to shed forth teares , For thy late ruine , though thou sleightest hers . The time hath been , that once a day , from thence , We could have ●●d a large intelligence Of most occurences , that publique were . Y●a , many times we had ▪ relations there , Of things , who●e foolish actors never thought Their deeds to open scanni●g should be brought . There , heard we oft made publique by report , What S●●resi●s were whisper'd in the Court . The Closet-Cou●sels , and the Chamber work , Which many thinke in privacy doth lurke . There heard we what those Lords , and Ladies were , Who m●t disguised , ●hey know when , and where . The●e ●eard we what they did , and what they said ; And many foolish plots were there bew●ai● : There , heard we reasons , why such men were made Gre●t Lords and Knights , who no deserving had , In common view : and how gre●t Pr●nces eyes Are dazled ●nd abus'd wi●h fallacies . Th●re heard we for what G●f●s most Doctors rise , And gaine the Church●s●ighest ●ighest dignities . The truest causes also there we●e knowne , Why men advanced are , or pulled down . Why Officers are changed , or displaced ; Why some confined are and some di●graced ; And w●at amo●g the wise , those men doe seeme , That are great Stat●smen , in their owne es●eeme . Th●re we have heard , what Princ●s have intended , When they to doe s●me other thing p●e●ended . What Policies ▪ and Projects , men pursue ▪ With publique aymes , and with a pious s●ew . Why from the Counsell one is turned out ; What makes another counterfeit the gout , And many other mysteries beside , Whith hardly can the mentioning abide . But those Athenian Merc●antmen were gone , Who made exchange of Newes ; and few or none To heare or make reports remained there . Yea they who scarce a day ( as if they were Of Pauls the walking Statues ) staid from thence Since LONDON felt the last great Pestilence , Ev'n they were gone ; and those void Iles d●d look As if some properties had them ●orsooke . Our Theaters , our Tavernes , Tennis-courts , And Gaming houses whither great resorts Were w●nt to come ; then , seldome were frequented : Not that such vanities we much repented ; But , lest those places , which had follies taught us , Might some reward , unlooked for , have brought us . Where we with Pestilences of the ●oule Each other had polluted and made foule , Our bodies were infected ; and our breat●s , Which had endanger'd our e●ernall de●t●s , ( In former times ) by uttring heresies , By ●candals , and by basest flatteries , Or wanton speeches ; put●ifide the Ayre , The blood ev'n at the fountaine did impaire , To coole our lust ▪ And they that were the bliss●● Of some ▪ mens lives , did poison them with kisses . The Ma●kets which a while before did yeeld What ayre , se●s , riv●rs , garden , wood , or field , To furnish them afforded ; no● had nought , But what some few in secret thither brought . For ( as a foresaid ) it was ordred so , That none should with p●ov●sions , come or goe . So , like a Towne beleaguer'd thou didst fare , In some respect● : And , but that God had care By m●king others feele necessities Which forced them to minister supplies ; Thou hadst beene famisht , or beene faine to b●ing Provisions in by way of forraging : And then their foolishnesse , had brought upon Those men , two mischiefes , who did feare but one . Hereafter ther●fore , practise well to use Those plenties thou didst he●etofore abuse ; Lest God , ●gaine bereave thee of thy sto●e , And never so enlarge his bounty more . For , to co●rect thy Surfets , and Excesse , Thy sleighting of the poore , thy thanklesnesse , And such like sinnes ; God wo●thily rest●ained Those plenties which thy pride and lust maintained . Thy Dwellings , f●om whose windowes I have se●n A thousand Ladies , that might Queenes have beene For bravery , and beauty : And , some far More faire then they that fam'd in Legends are . Those s●ood unpeopled , as those ●ouse● doe Which Sprights , and Fairies doe reso●t unto . None to their closed wicke●s made repai●e ; Their empty gasemen●s gaped wide for ayre ; And where once foot clot●es and Ca●oches were Attending ; now stood Coffi●s , and a Biere . Yea Coffins oftner past by ev'ry doore , Th●n Coaches , and Caroches , heretofo●e ▪ To see a country Lady , or a Knight Among us then , had beene a● rare a sigh● As was that Elephant which came from Spaine , O● some great Monster spewd out of the Maine . If by mischance the people in the street , A Courtier , or a Gentleman did meet , They with as much amazement him did view , As if they had beheld the wand●ing ●ew . And , many , seeing me to keepe this place , Did looke as if they much bewaild my cas● , And h●l●e belee'vd that I was doomed hither , That ( since close-prison , halfe a yeare together , Nor private wrongs , nor publique dis-respect , Could breake my heart , nor much the same deject ) This Plague might kill me , which is come to whip Those faults which her●tofore my pen did strip . But here I walkt in safety to behold What changes , for instructio● , see I could . And , as I wandred on , my eye did meet , Those halfe built Pageants whi●h , a thwa●t the street , Did those triumphant Arches counterfeit , Which heretofore in ancient Rome were fet , When their victorious Generalls had thither The spoile of mighty kingdomes b●ought together . The loyall Citizens ( ●lthough they lost The glory of their well-intended cost ) E●ected those great Structures to renowne The new receiving o● the Sov'raigne Crowne By hopefull CHARLES ( whose royall exaltation , Make thou oh ! God , propitious to this Nation . ) But when those works , imperfect , I beheld , They di● new c●uses of sad musings yeeld , Portending ruine . And , did seeme , me thought , In honor of Deaths trophees to be wroug●t ; Much rather , then from purposes to ●pring Which aymed at the honor of a King . For , their unpolisht forme , did make them fit For d●●efull Showes : yea , DEATH on them did sit . His Captives passed under ev●●y Arch ; Among them , as in Triumph he did march ; Through ev'ry Street , upon mens backs were borne His Conquests . His b●ack Live●ies were wo●ne ▪ In ev'ry House almost . Hi● spoyles were brought To ev'ry Temple . Many Vaults were frau●ht With his new prizes And his followers grew To such a multitude , that halfe our Eugh , And all our Cypresse t●ees , could ha●dly lend him A branch for ev'ry one who did attend him . My Fancy did present to me that houre A glimpse of DEATH ev'n in his greatest power . Me thought I saw him , in a Charret ride , With all his grim companions by his side . Such as Oblivion , and Corruption be . Not halfe a step before him , ●ode these t●ree , ( On Monsters backt ) Paine , Horror , and Despaire : Whose fury , had not Faith , and Hope , and Pray'r , Prevented , through Gods m●rcy none had ever Escap'd Destruction by their best endevour . For , next to Death , came Iudgement : after whom , Hell w●th devou●ing lawes , did gaping come , To swallow all : But , she at One di● snap , Who now , for many , hath made way to scape . Death's Carr , with many chaines , & ropes , & strings , And , by a mu●titude of severall th●ngs , As Pleasures , Passions , Cares , and such as they , Was drawne along upon a beaten way , New gravell'd with old bones : and , Sin did seeme To be the formost Beast of all the Teeme : And , Sicknesse to be that whi●h haled next The Charret wheele ; for , none I s●w betwixt . Time led the way ; and , Iustice did appea●e , To sit before , and play the Chariote●r . For since our Sin to p●ll on Death begun , The whip of Iustice makes the Charret run . There was of Trumpets , and of Drums the sound ; But in loud cries , and roarings it was drown'd . Sad El●gies , and songs of Lamentation Were howled out ; but , moved no compassion . Skulls , Coffi●s , Spades , and Mattocks placed were About the Charret . Crawling Wormes were there And whatsoever else might signifie Deaths nature , and weak mans mortalitie . Before the Cha●ret , such a multitude Of ev'●y Nation in the world I view'd , That neither could my eye so farre perceive , As they were th●onging ; nor my heart conceive Their countlesse number . For , all those that were Since Abel dy'd , he drove before him there . And ▪ of those thousands , dying long agoe , Some here and there , among them , I did know , Whose Vertues them in death distinguished ( In spight of Death ) from others of the dead . I saw them stand , me thought , as you shall see High spreading Oakes , which in ●el'd Copses be , O're-top the shrubs ; and , where scarce two are found Of growth , within ten thousand ro● of ground . O● those who dy'd within the Age before This yeare , I sc●rce distinguished a score From Beasts , and Fowles , & Fishes . For , Death makes So little difference twixt the flesh he takes , That , into dust alike he ●urnes it all . And ▪ if no vertue make distinction sh●ll , Those men who did of much in lifetime boast , Shall dying in the common heap be lost . But , of tho●e Captives which my fantasie Presented to my apprehensions eye To grace this Mon●r●es Triump● ; most I heeded Those t●oups , which next before the Carr proceeded , Ev'n those which in the circuit of this yeare , The prey of Death within our Iland were : It was an Army royall , which bec●me A King , and loe , King IAMES did lead the same . The Duke of Richmond , and his onely brother The Duke of Lenox , seconded each other . Next ●hem , in this attendance follow'd on That noble Sco● , the Marquis Hammilton , Sou●hampton , Su●folke , Oxford , Nottingham , And Holdernesse , their Earledomes leaving , came To wait upon this Triumph . There I saw Some rev'rend Bishops , and some men of Law , As Winchester , and Hubbard , and I know not Who else ▪ for to their memories I owe not So much as here to name them : nor doe I Vpon me take to mention punctually Their order of departing , nor to sweare That all of these fell just within the yeare . For of the time if somewhat I doe misse , The matter sure , not much materiall is . Some Barons and some Viscounts , saw I too ▪ Zouch , Bacon , Chichester , and others moe , Whose Titles I forg●t . There fol●ow'd then Some Officers of note ; some Aldermen ; Great store of Knights , and Bu●gesses , with whom A couple marcht , that had the Shcriff●dome Of London that sad yeare : the one of which In Piety and Vertue dy'd so rich , ( If his surviving fame may ●e beleeved ) That for his losse the City much hath grieved . To be an honor to him , here , therefore I fixe the name of Crisp , which name he bore : And I am hopefull it shall none offend , The Muses doe this right unto their friend . Some others also of great state and place , To me no● knowne by office , name , nor face , Made up the concou●se . But , the common Rabble To number or distingu●sh , none was able . For , rich and poore , men , women , old and yong , So fast and so confusedly did throng ; By strokes of Death , so markt , so gastly wounded , So thrust together , and so much confounded Among that glut of people , which from hence Were sent among them , by the Pestilence , That possible it was not , to descry Or who or what they were who passed by . Yet , now and then , me thought , I had the view Of some who much resembled those I knew . And ▪ faine I would the favour have pro●u●ed To keepe their Names from being quite obscured Among the multitude . But , they were gone Before the meanes could well be thought upon . And passe they must for aye , unknowne of me : For , this was but a waking Dreame , I see . These Fancies ▪ Melancholy often bred : Yea , many such like Pageants in my head My working apprehension did beget , According to those objects which I met . Some , full of comfort , able to relieve The heart wh●m dread●ull thoughts did over-grieve . Some full of horror ▪ such as they have had ( It I mistake nor ) th●t grow desp'rate mad . Some , like to their illusions , who in s●ead Of being humbled in this place of dread ▪ Are puffed up by their deliverance : And being full of dangerous a●rogance , Abuse t●eir soules , with vaine imaginations , Ill-grounded hopes , suggested revelations , And such like toyes , which in their hearts arise From their owne Pride , and Sathans fallacies . Some , such as these I had ; and other some , Which cannot be by words expressed from My troubled heart . And , if I had not got Gods hand , to help untie the●r Gordian-k●ot ; His presence , my bold reas'nings to controule ; To curb my passion ; to informe my soule ; My faith to strengthen ; doubtings to abate ; And so to comfort , ●nd to arbitrate , That I m●ght see I was of him beloved , ( Though me with many sec●et ●eares he proved ) Su●e , in my selfe , some Hell I had invented , Wher endless thoughts , & doubts , had me tormented . But , God those depths hath show'd me , that I might See ●hat we cary in our selves to fright Our selves withall And what a hell of feare Is in our ve●y soules , till he be there . Ev'n when I had the b●ight●●sse of the day , To chase my melancholy thoughts away , I was to musings troublesome disposed , As well as when the da●knesse me enclosed ; Th●t , by experiments , w●ich reall are , Those horrors which to others oft appeare ( And are not demonstrable ) might in part Be felt in me , to mollifie my heart ; To stir up hearty thankfuln●sse ; and make My soule , in him the greater pleasure take . For from those prospects , & those thoughts that g●ieve me , I , those ext●actions make that much releeve me . And when my inward combatings a●e past , It give●h to my joyes the sweeter tast . But leaving th●s , I will againe returne To that for which the people soonest mourne . I lookt along the Streets 〈◊〉 chiefest trade ; And , there , perpetuall Holiday they made . They that one day in sev'n could not forbeare From trading ; had not one in halfe a yeare . And , all which some had fro● their childhood got , The charges of their flight defrayed not . To m●ke the greedy Cormorant regard The Sabbath more , and of ill gaines affear'd . False wa●es , fal●e oathes , false measures , and false weights , False promises , a●d ●alsified lights , Were punisht with false hopes , false joyes , false fears , False servants , and false frien●s , to them , and theirs . The● who of late their neighbours did contemne , Had not a neig●bour le●t to comfort them , W●en neighbourhood was need●ull Such as were Selfe-love●s , by th●mselves remained here ; And w●nted those contentments , which arise , Fro● Christian Love , and mutuall Amities . Mo●t Trades were tradefaln , & few Merchants thriv'd , Save those men , who by Death and Sicknesse , liv'd . The Sextons , Searchers , they that Corpses ca●ie , The Herb-wife , Drugg●st , and Apothecarie , Phy●itians , Surgeons , Nurses , Co●●in-makers , Bold Mounteb●nckes , and shamelesse undertakers , To cure the Pe●t in all ; these , rich become : And what we pray to be delivered from Was their advantage . Yea , the worst of these Grew stout , and fat , and proud by this disease . So●e , vented refuse w●res , at three times more , Than what is best , was prized at before . Some set upon their labours such high rates ▪ As passed Reason : so , they whose estates 〈◊〉 faile of reaching to a price so high , Were faine to perish without remedy . Some , wolvishly , did prey upon the quick , Some , theevishly , purloyned from the sick . Some robb'd the dead of sheets , some , of a grave , That there another guest may lodging have : Yea , Custome had so hardned most of them , That they Gods Iudgements wholly did contemne . They , so hard-hearted , and so stupid grew , So dreadlesly their course they did pursue , Yea so they flouted , and such jests did make At that , for which each Christian heart did ake , That greater were the Plague their mind to have , Then of the Pestilence to lye and rave . Now muse I not at what Thucidides Reporteth of such wicked men as these , When Athens was depopulated nigh By such a Pestilence . Nor wonder I , That when the Plague did this time sixty yeare Oppresse the Towne of Lyons , that some there Were said to ravish women , ev'n when death Was drawing from the● their last gaspe o● breath . And when infectious B●aines on them th●y saw , Which ●ight have kept their lustfull flesh in awe . For man once hardned in impenitence , Is left unto a reprobated sense . Till God shall s●nct●fie i● , weale , nor woe , Can make us feare him as we ought to doe . His love made wanton Is●'●l●purne ●purne at him ; His plagues made Phar'oh , his sharpst rod contemn : And as the Sun from dunghils , and from sinks , Produceth nothing but ranck weeds , and s●inks ; Yet makes a Garden of well-tilled ground , With wholesome fruits , and fragrant flowres abound : Or , as in bruising , one thing senteth well , Another yeelds a loathsome , stifling smell ; So , Plagues and Blessings , their effect● declare , According as their sev'rall objects are . Indeed , my young experience never saw , So much security , and so much awe Dwell both together in one place , as here In this mortality , there did appeare . I am perswaded , time and place was never In which afflicted men did more endevor By teares , vowes , prayers and true penitence , To paci●●e Gods wra●h for ●heir offence . Nor ever was it seene , I think , before , That men in wickedness● presumed more . Here you should meet a man with bleared eyes , Bewailing our encreasing miseries ; Another there ▪ quite reeling drunk ▪ o● spewing , And by renewed sins , o●r woes renewing There sate a peece of sh●melesnesse , whose flaring Attires and looks , did show a monstrou● daring : For , in the postures of true impu●ence , She seem'd as if she woo●d the Pestilence Yonn talkt a couple , ma●ter worth your hearing : Hard by , were others , telling lyes , or sw●aring . Some st●eets had Ch●rches full of people , weeping : Some others , Tavernes had , rude-revell keepin● : Within some houses Psalmes and Hymnes wer sung : W●th raylings , and loud scouldings , others rung . More C●arity , did never , yet , appeare : Nor more maliciousnesse , then we had here . True piety was ominentl● knowne ; H●po●risie as evidently showne . More avarice , mor● gapers for the wealth O● such as dy'd ; no former times of health Afforded us ; nor men of larger heart , ●hings need●ull for their brethren , to impart . Their masters goods , some servants lewdly spent , In nightly feastings , foolish merriment , And lewd uncleannesse . O●her some againe , Did such an honest carefulnesse ●etaine , That their endeavo●s had a good successe , And , Man , and Master m●t with joyfulnesse . Yea , Good and Evill , penitence and sin Did here so d●ive each other out and in ; That in observing it , I saw , me thought , In sight of Heav'n , a d●ead●ull Comb●t fought Concerning this whole Iland , which yet lyes , To be Gods purchas● , or the Devil● prise . Vice wounded V●rtue ; Vertue o' t co●peld The strongest Vices to forsake the field . Distrust rais'd up a storme , to drive ●way Sure-helpe , our ship , which at Hopes anchor la● ; And brought supplies with ev'ry winde and tyde , Whereby this Land was fed and fo●tifi●d . The Fort of Faith , was plaid on by D●spai●e : But then the gun-shot o● continuall-Pray'r ( Well aym'd ●t Heav'n ) Devotion so did ply , That , he dismounts the Foes Artillery . The Spirit and the Flesh together strive , And , oft each other into perill drive . Presumption , huge high Scaling ladders , r●ared , And then the taking of our Fort was feared . But awfull Reverence did him oppo●● , And with Humilities de●pe Trench enclose The Platforme of that Fortresse , from whose Towres We fight with Principalities , and Pow'rs . Suggestion lay pur due by Contemplation , And sought to disadvantage M●ditation . The Regiment of Prudence was assailed , By head-strong Ignorance , who much prevailed Where Temperance was quarter'd , there I saw Excesse and Riot , both together draw Their troups against her : and , I some espy'd To yeeld , and overcome on either side ▪ The place that v●liant Fortitude made good , Faint-heartednesse ( though out of sight he stood ) Did cowardly oppose , and courses take , Which otherwhile his Constancy did shake . For Carnall policy her Engineer , Had closely suncke a Mine which had gone neere To blow all up . But Providence divine Did soone prevent it by a Counter-mine . Yet Morall-Iustice ( though a Court o● Gu●rd Was plac'd , and oft r●leeved in her Ward ) Had much adoe to m●ke a strong defence Against her Foes . For , Fraud , and Violence , Respect of persons , Feare , Hate , Perjury , Faire-speaking , and corrupting Brib●ry , Did wound her much ; though she did often take Avengement ; and o● some , examples make . Some Vices , there , I saw themselves disguise Like Vertues , that their Foes they might surprise ; As doe the Dunkirks , when aboord to lay Our ships , an English flag they do display . Pride went for Come●●nesse : profuse Excesse , For Hospitality : base Drunkennesse Was call'd Good fello●ship : blunt Rashnesse came Attyr'd li●e Valour : Sloth had got the name Of Quietnesse : accursed Avarice , Was term'd Good husbandry . Meere Cowardice Appear'd like prudent Warinesse , and might Have passed for a very valiant wight . Yea , ev'ry Vice , to gaine his purpose , had So●e ma●kes o● vertue-like disguise● made ▪ And , many times , such hellish plo●s were laid , Th●t divers morall Vertues were gainsaid , Defam'd , pursu'd , and wounded by their owne ; Whose glory had no● else beene overthrowne . ●ust-de●ling hath beene tooke for Cruelty : Pure-love for Lust : upright Integri●y For cu●ning Falsh●od : yea , divinest Graces Have beene at variance brought in divers Cases , ( By wicked Stratagems ) that vaine Inventions , M●ght frustrate pious workes , and good intentions . To furthe● stri●e , great Quarrels broached are , Twixt Faith and Workes . There is another j●r Begun erewhile , betwixt no worse a pai●e , Then Preachin● , and her blessed Sister Pray'r . God grant they m●y agree ; for , I ●e're knew A quiet Church , but where they kept one Pew . Faith and Repentance also are , of late , About their Birth-rig●t fallen at d●bate . But by the Church-bookes it appeares to me Their Bir●hs and their Conceptions mention'd be Without such nice regard to their precedings , As some have urged in their needlesse pleadings . And , so it pleas'd the Father , Sonne and Spirit : Because that Law by which they shall inherit The promist meed ; doth never question move , How soone or late , but how sincere they prove . Moreover , in this ●attell I espy'd Some Ambodexters , fight on either side . The Moralist , who all Religion wants ; Church-Papists ; Time-observing Protestants . All Double-dealers ▪ Hypocrites , and such Base Neutrals , who have scandalized much , And much endanger'd those who doe contend This ●le , from desolation , to defend . Beside these former Combatants , which fought Against or for us ; I perceiv'd , me thovght , Both good and evill Angels fi●hting too , The one , to help ; the other , ha●me to doe . And though thi● battell yet appeareth not To common view , so cru●ll nor so hot As I conceive it : yet it will appeare To all in time , with comfort , or with feare . For , s●ill , and ev'ry day , those enemies Stand a●m'd and watc●ing opportunities To seiz● us ; and will seize us , if th●s● times Shall make complete the measure of our Crimes ; Or our continuing ●ollies drive away Our Ange●l G●ard , which doth our ●all delay . Oh st●y them Lord ! and make that side the stro●ger , For whom this Lan● sh●ll yet be sp●●ed longer . And let us , my dea●e C●untrimen , with speed , Of that which so conce●neth us , take h●●d . Obse●ve , thou famoust City of this L●nd , How h●avily on thee God layes his hand . The very rumor of this Plague did make The fa●th●st dwellers of this I le to shak● : And such a sent of D●ath they seem'd to c●ry , Who in o● nea●e about thy Climat● tary , That , from the Mount to Ba●w●ck they were hated , Or shunn'd , as persons excommunicated . ●nd three weekes ayring on old Sarum plaine , Woul●●●arce a lodging for a brother gaine . Yea , mark , ma●k London , and confesse with me , That God ●at● justly thus afflicted thee , And that in ev'ry point this Plague hath bin According to the nature of thy sin . In thy prosperity , such was thy pride , That thou the Countries plainn●sse didst deride . Thy wanton Children would oft straggle out , At honest husban●men to jeere and flou● . Their homely garments , did offend thine eyes : They did their rurall Dia●ect● despise ▪ Their games and merriments ( which for them , be As commendable , as are thine for thee ) Thou laughedst at : their gestures , and their fashions , Their very diet , an● their habitations Were sported at : yea , those ingratefull Things , Did scoffe them for their hearty Welcomings ; And taught ev'n those that had been country-born The wholesome places of their birth to scorne . And , see , now see , those thanklesse ones are faine To seeke their fathers thatched Roofes againe ; And , aske those good old women blessing , whom They did not see , since they did rich become ; And never would have seene , perhaps , unlesse This Plague had whipped their ingratefulnesse . Yea , thine owne naturall Children have beene glad To scrape acquaintance where no friends they had ; To praise a homely , and a sm●ky Shed ; A darke low Parlour , an unea●●e Bed ; An ill drest di●t ; yea , perchance , commend A chu●lish Landlord , for an honest Friend ; Yet be contented bo●h to pray and pay , That they may leave obtaine with him to stay . And peradventure , some of those who plaid The scoffers hereto●ore , were fully pai● . Th●n , Citizens were sha●k● , and prey'd upon , In recompence of wrong● before time done To silly Countrim●n ; and were defeated Of ●ha● , whereof , some Rusticks , they had cheated . Moreover , for the Countries imitations Of thy fantastick , vaine , and fruitlesse fashions , ( Of thy apparell , and of thy excess● In Feasts , in Games , in Lust , in Idlenesse ; With such abominations ) some of those Who came from thee , shall doubtlesly dispose To ev'ry Shire a Viall of that wrath , Which thy transgression long deserved hath : That , thou and they , who sinners were together , May Rods be made to punish one another ; And give each other bitterness● to sup , As you have joyntly quaft of Pleasures Cup. As to and fro I walked , that I might On ev'ry ruthfull Object fix my sight , Vpon those Golgatha's I cast mine eye , Where all the comm●n people buried lye . Lie buried did I say ? I should have said , Where C●rkasses to bury Graves were laid . Lord ! what a sight was there ? & what strong smells Ascended from among Death's loathsome Cells ? You scarce could make a little Infants bed In all those Plots , but you should pare a head , An arme , a shoulder , or a leg away , O● one or other who there buried lay . One grave did often many scores enclose Of men and women : and , it may be those That could not in two Parishes agree , Now in one little roome at quiet be . Yonn lay a heape of skulls ; another there ; Here , halfe unburied did a Corpse appeare . Close by , you might have seene a brace of feet That had kickt off the rotten winding-sheet . A little further saw we othersome , Thrust out th●ir armes for want of elbow roome . A locke of womans hayre ; a dead mans face Vncover'd ; and a gastly sight it was . Oh! here , here v●ew'd I what the gl●ries be Of pamper'd flesh : here plainly did I see How grim those ●eauties will e're long appeare , Which we so dote on , and so cove● , here . Here was enough to coole the hottest flame Of lawlesse lust . Here , was enough to tame The ma●st ambition . And , all they that goe Vnbetter'd from such objects ; worse doe grow . From hence ( fo● here was no abiding long ) Our Allies and our Lanes , I walkt among , Where those Artificers their dwel●ings had , By whom our idle Traders rich are made . The Plague rav'd there indeed . For , who were they Whom th●t Contagion fastest swept away But those whose d●ily lab'●ing hands did feed Their honest Families ? and greatly steed This place by their mechanick industries ? These are the swarmes of Bees , w●ose painfull thighes Bring Wax unto this Hive ; and from whose bones The Honey drops , that feedeth many Drones . These are the Bulwarks of this ●enselesse Towne , And when this Wall of Bones is overthrowne , Our stately Dwellings , now both faire and tall , Will quickly , of themselves , to ruine fall . Of these , and of t●eir housholds , dai●y dy'd Twice more then did of all sorts else beside ; And hungry Poverty ( without reliefes ) Did much inrag● and multipliply their griefes . The Rich could flye ; or , if they staid , they had Such meanes that their disease the lesse was made ▪ Yea , those poore aged folkes that make a show Of greatest need , did boldly come and goe , To aske mens Almes ▪ or what their Parish granted ; An● nothing at this time those people wanted , But thankfulnesse ▪ lesse malice to ea●h other ; A●d grace to live more quietly together . Their bodies , d●y'd with age , were seldome struck By this Disease ▪ Their neighbours notic● took Of all their wants . Among them , were not many That had ●ull fam●lies . Or if that any Of these had children sick ; some good supplies Were sent them from the generall Charities . Moreover , common Beggers are a nation Not alwayes keeping in one habitation . They can remove as time occasion brings : They have their progresses as well as King ; And most of these , when hence the rich did goe , Remov'd themselves into the Country too . The rest about our streets did ask their bread , And never in their lives , were fuller fed . But , those good people mentioned before , Who , till their worke did faile them , fed the poore As well as others ; and maintained had Great families , by ●ome laborious trade : Ev'● those di● suffer most . For , neither having Provision left them , nor the face o● craving ; Nor meanes of labour : First , to pawne they sent Their brasse and pewter : t●en , their bedding went . Their garments next ▪ or stuffe of best esteeme : At length , ev'n that which should the rest redeeme , Their working Instruments . When that was gone , Their Lease was pawned , if it might be done . And peradventure , at the last of all , These things were sold outright for sums but small ▪ Or else quite forfeited . For , here were they Who made of these poore soules , a gainfull prey . And as one Plague had on the li●e a pow'r , So did these other Plagues , their goods devoure . When all was gone , afflicted they became With secret griefes , with poverty , and shame . And , wanting cheerfull minds , and due refection , Were seized on , the soone● , by Infection : For , hearts halfe broke , and housholds fa●●isht neare ▪ Are quickly spent , when visited they are . The carefull Master , though it would have saved A servants life , to get him what he craved , No kinde of Med'cine able was to give him ; Nay scarce with bread and water to relieve him ▪ The tender hearted Mother , hath for meat Oft heard her dearest child , in vaine , intreat ; And had or foure or five on point of dying At once , for drink to ease their torment , crying . The loving husband sitting by her side , To save whose life he gladly would have dy'd , Vnable was out of his whole estate , To purchase her a dram of Mithridate ; One messe of Cordiall broth , or such like thing , Although it might prevent her perishing . Sometime , at such a need , abroad they came , To aske for helpe ; but , then , the feare of shame , Of scorne , or of deni●ll , them with-held To put in practice , what their want compell'd . Vpon an Evening ( when the wa●ning light Was that which could be call'd nor day nor night ) I met with one of these , who on me cast A ●ut●full eye : and a● he by me past , Me thought , I heard him , softly , somewhat say , As if that he for some reliefe did pray : Whereat ( he seeming in good cloth●s to be ) I staid , and askt him , if he spake to me . He bashfully replyed ; that , indeed He was asham'd to speake aloud , what Need Did make him softly mutter ▪ Somewhat more He would have spoken , but his tongu● forbore To tell the re●t ; b●cause his eyes did see Their teares had ( almost ) drawne fo●th tears from me , And that my hand was ready to bestow That helpe which my poore fortunes could allow ▪ Nor his , nor all me●s tongues , coul● mo●e relate , Then I my selfe conceiv'd of hi● estate . Me thou●ht , I saw , as if I had beene there , What w●nts in his , and such mens houses were ; How empty , and how naked it became ▪ How nasty , Poverty h●d made the same ▪ Methou●ht I saw , how sick● his wife mightlye ; Methought I heard his halfe sta●v'd children cry ; Me thou●●t I felt , with what a broken heart He lookt upon t●em , e're he could depart To try , i● ( by Gods ●avour ) he could meet With any meanes of comfort in the street . And , Lord my God , thou know'st , that , when alone The griefes of such as these , I mused on ; My pitie I with watry eye● have showne , And more bewail'd their sorrowes , then my owne ▪ But , since those Dewes are vaine that ●ruitlesse be ; And since the share that is allotted me ▪ Of this worlds heritage , will not ●uffice To bring relie●e to these mens miseries ; Oh! let my teares ( ye ri●h men ) make your ground With fruits of Charity the more abound . Let me intreat you , tha● , when God shall bring Vpon this place , another Visiting , You would remember , some reliefe to send To those , who on t●eir labours doe depend , And have not got their impudence of ●ace , Who idlely beg their bread from place to place . God , you the S●ewards of his g●ods doth make , And how you use them , he accou●t will take . It will not be enough , that you have paid The publique taxes on your houses laid ; Or that ▪ you , now and then , doe send a summe To be disposed , to you know not whom : But , you yo●r selves , must , by your selves alone , Those neighbour● , o● acqu●intance think upon , Who likeliest are in such a time of need , To want of t●at , whe●ein you do exceed : And , if you know of none , enquire them out ; Or leave some honest neigbour thereabout , To be your Alm'ner ( when the Towne you leave ) That , yo● , and they , a Blessing may receive ▪ For , if that ev'ry weal●hy man w●uld find But one , or two , to cherish in this kind : Gods wrat● would much the better be appeased , And we should of our plagues be sooner eased As I request the Richer men to take This pious course ; A suit , I likewise m●ke That our inferiour Tradesmen , would not so Abuse their times of profit , as they doe . For , most of those doe live at rates as high , As all their gaines ( at utmost ) will supply . Yea , many times they mount above t●e tops Of present fortunes , and ensuing hopes : That , if a sicknesse , or unlook'd for Crosse , Or want of trade , or any slender losse , But for a Yeare , a Qu●rter , or a Terme , Befalls them : it soone maketh so infirme Their over-strain'd Estates ; that Almes are neede● , Ere any failin●s are by others heeded . Of these , and other things I notions gained , Whilst in our sickly Citie I remained ; And much I contemplated what I saw , Some profitable uses thence to draw . But , feeling that my thought● nigh 〈◊〉 were , With over-musing on those objects there : I thought to walke abroad into the ●●eld , To take those comforts , which f●esh ayre doth yeeld ; And , to revive my heart , which heavy grew , With what the streets did offer to my view ; But little ease I found ; for , there mine eye● Discover'd Sorrow in a new disguise : And in so many shapes , himselfe he shewed , That , still my passion was afresh renewed . Her● , dead upon the Roade , a man did lye , That was ( an houre before ) as well , as 〈◊〉 ▪ There , sate another , who did thither come In health , but had not strength to beare him home . Yonn , spraul'd a third , so sicke , he did not know Fro● whence he came , nor whither he should goe . A little further off , a fourth did creepe Into a ditch , and there his Obit keepe . Abo●t the Fields ran one , who being fled ( In spite of his attendance ) from his bed , Lookt like a Lunatique from Bedlem broken ; And , though of health he had no hopefull token ; Yet , t●at he ailed ought , he would not yeeld , Till Death had , stru● him dead upon the field . This way , a Str●nger by hi● Host expel●ed , That way , a Servant ( shut from where he dwelled ) Came weakly stagg'ring fo●th , and ( crush'd beneath Diseases , and unkindnes●e ) sought for Death ; Which soone was f●●nd and glad was he , they say , Who for his Death-●ed gain'd a Cock of Hay At this crosse pa●h , were Bearers fetching home A Neighbour , who in health did thither come : Close by , were others digging up the ground , To hide a stranger whom they dead had found . Before me , went with Corpses , many a one ; Behinde , as many mo did ●ollow on , With runnin● sores , one begg'd at yonder gate : At next Lanes end , another Lazar sate . Some halted , as if wounded in the wars ; Some held their necks awry , some shew'd their scars ▪ Some , met I weeping , for the losse of friends ; Some others , for their swift approching ends ; And ev'ry thing with sorrow was affected , On whatsoe're it was mine eye reflected . The Prospect , which was wont to greet mine eye With showes of pleasure in variety , ( And lookt , as if it cheerfully did smile , Vpon the bordring Villages , ere while . ) Had no such pleasingnesse as heretofore , For ev'ry place , a mask of sorrow wore . The walks are unfrequented , and the path Late trodden bare , a grassie Carpet hath . I could not see ( of all t●ose Gallants ) one That visited Hide-par●e , and Mary-borne . None w●ndred through the pastures , up and downe ▪ But , as about some pe●ty Country towne : Nor could I view in many Summers dayes , One man of note to ride upon our wayes . Lord , w●at a d●ff●rence did●t thou put betweene That Summer , and the rest that I have seene ! How didst thou change our Fi●lds ! and what a face Of Sadnesse , didst thou set upon each place ! Yet oh ! how few remember it , or feele The touches of it , on their hearts of s●eele ! And when our banisht ●●i●h thou didst renew , Who did returne to thee the praises due ? What others apprehended , they know best ; But if it could be fully here exp●e●● What of that alteration I conceiv'd ▪ When of their pleasures , God our fields bereav'd ; It would much mo●e be minded : For they had Nought in them , but what moved to be sad . Not many weekes , before , it was not so . But , ●leasures , had their passage to and fro . Which way so●ver from our Gates I went , I lately did behold with much content , The fields bestrow'd with people all about : Some paceing homeward , ●nd some passing out . Some , by the bancks of ●hame their pleasure taking ; Some , Sulli-bibs , among the Milk-maids , making ; With musique , some upon the waters , rowing ; Some , to t●e next adjoyning Hamlets going ; And Hogsdone , Islington , and Tethnam-Court , For Cakes and Creame ▪ had then no small resort . Some , sate and woo'd their Love●s in the shadowes ; Some , straggled to and fro athwart the meadowes ; Some , in discourse , their houres , away did passe ; Some , playd the toyish w●ntons on the grasse ; Some , of Religion ; some of bus'nesse talked ; Some coached were ▪ some horsed ; and some walked . Here Citizens ; there Students , many a one ; Here ●wo together ; and , yonn one alone . Of Nymphs and Ladies . I have often ey'd A thousand walking at one Evening tide ; As many Gentleman : and yong and old Of meaner sort , as many ▪ ten times told . And , when I did from some high Towre survey The Rod●s , and Paths , which round below me lay , Obser●ing how each passage thronged was W●●h men and Cattell , which both wayes did passe ; How many petty path● , both far and neare , With rowes of people sti●l suppl●ed were ; What infinite provision still came in , And what abundance hath exported bin ; Methought this populous City and the trade Which we from ev'ry Coast about her had , Was well resembled by an A●t-h●ll , which ( In some old Forrest ) is made lar●e , and ●ich By those laborious creatures , who have thither Brought all their wealth , and Coloni●s together . For , as their peopled Borrough ha●h resort From ev'ry quarter , by a severall Port , And from each Gate thereof a great Rode hath That branches into many a little Path ; And , as those Negroes doe not on●ly fill Each great and lesser t●act unto th●ir hill , But , also , spread them●elves out of those wayes , Among the grasse , the leaves , and bushy sprayes : Ev'n s● , ●he people here , did come and goe Through our large Rodes ; disperse themselves into A thousand passages ; and , often stray O're neighbouring Pastures , in a pathlesse way . This , formerly I saw ; and , on that Station , Where this I markt ; I had this Contemplation . How happy were this People , did they know What rest , our God upon them did bestow ! On us , what show●es of blessings hath he rained , Which he from other Cities hath restrained ? And , from how many mischiefes hath be freed us ▪ Which ●all on those that in good workes exceed us ▪ Here lurke no ravenous Beasts to make a prey On those fat C●ttell which these Fields o're-lay . Within our Gro●es no cruell Out-lawes hide , That in the blood of passengers are dy'd . Our Lambs , unworry'd , lye abroad , benighted ; By day , our Virgins walke the Fields unfrighted . No neighbouring Country doth our food forestall ; No Convoyes need to come and g●e withall ; No forraine Prince can sudd●●ly appall us , For Seas doe mote us , and huge Rocks doe wall us . No rotten Fennes doe make our ayre unsound ; No Foe , doth with a trench enclose us round . We neither tumults have by night or d●y , Nor rude unruly Garisons in pay . No Taxes , yet , our Land doth over-load : Our Children are not prest for warres abroad . From Spanish Inquisitions we ar● free ; ( God grant that we , for ever , so may be ) We are compeld to no Idolatries ; Our people doe not in rebellions rise : No sactious spirits much disturbe the State ; No Plagues , our dwellings , yet , dep●pulate . No Rots or Murraines have our Cattell kild : Our Barnes and Store-house● , with fruits are fild : On ev'r● thr●sh●ld , store o● children play ; Our breeding Cattell fill both street and way . And , were we thankefull unto him that gave them , There are no blessings , but we here might have them . See , how like Bees upon a Summer-Eve , ( When their young Nymphes have ove●-fill'd the hive ) They swarme about the City , sporting so , As if a winter gale would never blow . How little d●e they dreame , how many times , While ●hey deserved ruine for their Crimes , God , naitheless● , hath shewed mercies on them , And s●opt those Plagues that comming were upon them ! How seldome is it thought , the pow'r of him , ●hose love they much forg●t ( if not contemne ) Might heape upon t●em all t●ose fea●full things , Which he upon our neig●bouring Nations brings . For , in a moment , he could s●mmon hither His Iudgements , and inflict them , all together . Ev'n all . B●t , one of those which he hath brought On other Cities , would enough be thought . If in displeas●re ●e should call from thence Where now it r●ves , the slaugh●ring Pest●lence , Or else the Famine ▪ what a change ●ere that , To them that are so healthy , ●nd so fat ? How desolate , in lesse t●en halfe a yeare , Might all our lodgin●s and o●r streets appeare ? How unfrequented would that randevow Be m●de , in which , we throng , and just ●e now ? How lonely would these walk●s and fi●lds be found , Wherein I s●e the people s● abound ? Or , should ●e w●istle for his armed Bands , ( Which now are wasting ●ther Christian Lands ) To put in action on our Commick Stage The Tragedies of War , and bru●●sh rage : What lamentations then here would be made , And calling unto minde , what peace we had ? Should we in ev'ry house ▪ at boord and bed Have So●ldiers and rude Captaines bille●ed , That would command , and swagger as if they Had all the Towneship ( where they lodge ) in pay , To w●it upon their pleas●res ; and should see Our owne defenders , our devourers be . Should we behold these Fields ( now full of sport ) Cut out with T●enches ; there , a warlike Fort ; Another here ; A Sconce not farre from that ; A new rais'd Mount , or some fire-spitting Cat , From which the Foes our actions might survey , And ma●e their B●llets on our houses play . Should we behold our Dwellings beaten downe ; Our Temples batter'd ; Turrets over throwne ; Our seats of pleasure b●rning from afarre ; Heare , from without , the thundring voice of War ▪ Within , the shriekes of children , or the cry Of women , strucke with feares , or famisht nigh . Should we behold , what painfully we got , Possest by those that seeke to cut our thr●at ; Our children slaine befor● us , on the ground ; Our selves pierc't through with some deep mortall wound ; And see ( ●v'n there ) where we have wantonniz'd , Our beau●eous wives , by some sterne Troup surpriz'd , And ravisht in our view . Or ( which is worse ) When we have seen all this , be forc't perforce To live ; and live their slaves that shall possesse Our wives , and all our ou●ward happinesse ; And , then , want also , that pure Word of Grace To comfort us , which yet adornes this place . Should such a Destiny ( as God d●fend ) This people , and this place , thought I , attend . ( For , this may be ; and ev'ry day we heare That other Nations doe this burthen b●are ) Should we who now for pleasure walke the field , Be saine to search what weeds the pastures yeeld To feed us ; and peake hungerly about , Some Roots , or Hawes , or Berries to finde out , To keepe from starving ; and not gaine a food So meane , without the hazard of our blood : Should some contagious sicknesse , nois●me make This place , wherein , such pleas●re now we take : Should in these places , whither we repaire Our bodies to refresh with wholesome ayre , Those blastings or Serenes upon us fall , Which other places are anoy'd withall . Should from the wife the husband be divorc'd , Or from the parent should the child be forc'd , While here they walk● , and perish by the sword : Or , should here be a famine of the Word , On which would follow , to our griefe and shame , A thousand other Plagues which I could name . Should th●se things be ; then w●at our blessings are It would by such a curse too soone appeare . Then , fe●le we should , what comforts might arise From those great mercie● , which we now despise , Or think not on . Yea , so we might enjoy But part of that which now we mis-employ , We thi●ke it would , a greater happinesse , Then , yet we finde in all we now possesse . We then should know how much we have b●ene blest In our long time of plenty ▪ health , and rest : How sweet it is that we may to and fro Without restraint , or feare , or danger goe ; How much we owe to him that hath so long Our Granards filled , and our Gates made strong ; Permitting us to walke for our delight About our fields , whilst others march to fight ; And s●ffring us to least , whilst others fast , Or , of the bread of sowre Affliction tast . As heretofore the peopled Fields I walked , To this effect , my thoughts within me talked ; And though all present Objects gave cont●nt , My heart did such Ideaes represent Of Iudgements likely to be cast upon So great a City , and a sinfull one ; That much I feared , I should live to see , Some such afflictions , as here mention'd be . And loe , ( though yet , I hope , not in his wrath ) God , part of that I fear'd , inflicted hath : A warning War he hath begun to wage Against the crying sinnes of this our age , And of this place : And in a gentle wise Pour'd out a taste of those Calamities Which other feele at large : that , we should mourn● For our transgressions , and to him retu●ne . Vouchsafe , oh ! God , that soone returne we may , Lest thou , in anger , sweepe us all away . If we observed , well , what God hath done , And in what manner , he with us begun ; How he forewarn'd us of those Plagues , which he Vouchsafed David should a chus●r be : ( And how , ev'n he himselfe , in mercy chused , To keepe us from what David had refused ) We should perceive , that our most loving God At first did threaten , with a Fathers rod . A little while before this Pestilence , Of his just wrath we had in●elligence By divers tokens ▪ which we did contemne , O● , at the best , but little heeded them . The Spring before this Plague , one jerke we had By WAR , which made no little number sad , By calling many from their ease ; by taking Some husbands from their wives , & childless making Some Parents : which permitted was to show us In part , what sha●pe corrections God did owe us . And make us minde , that this unhallow'd place Is thus long spared meerly of his grace . Else , to awake us with some touch of that Which he hath brought on many a forraine State . For , that he might but touch us , he did call No Armies hither , to affl●ct us all . But , as a Generall in time of war , When all his Troupes of somewhat guilty are ; On them the fo●tune of the lot doth try , That some as warnings to the rest may dye : Ev'n so , the God of Armies , in like case , Pickt , here and there a man , f●om ev'ry place , To meet the sword : that , ev'ry place might learne , His Mercies , and his Iustice to discerne , And , leave off sinne ; which , if we breake not from , His Plague● , and terrors all , w●ll shortly come . If any shall object , we lost in these But some corrupted blood , which did disease The common Body : Let them under●tand , That it portends hot Fevers in the Land , When suc● Phl●botomy is needfull thought : And , that , good blood , as well as what is nought , Is lost at ev'ry op●ni●g of a veine . The foot was prickt , and we did feele no paine ; The next blood letting may be in the Arme , Where lyes our s●rength ▪ God shend us from the harm Of such like Surgery ; unlesse we see The Signe be better then it seemes to be . God scar'd us , lately , also , by a Dearth , And for the peoples faults did curse the Earth . The Winter last before the Pes● began , Throughout some No●●herne Shires a Famine ranne , That starved some ; and other some were faine , Their hungry appetites to entertaine With swine , and sheep , and horses , which have dy'd By chance : For , better coul● they not provide . Some others on boild nettles gladly fed , Or else had oft gone supperlesse to bed . And this was much , considering the soile And o●dinary plenties of this I le . Nay , since the Si●knesse , we small hope● p●ssessed , Of ●hat , wherewith , this Ki●g●om , God hath blessed . For , when Earths wombe did big with plenty grow , When her large bosome , and full brests , did show Such signe● of faire encrease , that hope of more Was never in our life-times , heretofore : A later frost , our early blossomes cropt ; The heav'ns , upon our labour● , leannesse dropt ; An● such perpetu●ll showres , and flouds we had , That o● a Famine , we were fearfull made , And scarce had any hope ( in common reason ) Of harvest either in , or out of season . Yet , he wi●h-held that Plague . The Sky grew cleare ; A kindly weather drove away our f●are ; The Floods did sinck ; the Mildewes were expell'd ; The bending eares of ●orne , their heads up held ; And Harvest came , which fild our Granards more , Then in the fruitfull'st , of sev'n yeares before . And , doubtlesse ▪ had we gone to meet our God , Wi●● true repentance , when this fearfull Rod Was raised first ; it had away be●ne flung , And not continued in this Realme so long . For , as a Fath●r , when his dearest chil● Growes disobedient , rude , and over-wilde , ●irst warnes ; th●n threatens ; then , the rod doth show ; T●en frownes ; and then doth feare him with a blow . Th●● doubles , and redoubles it , untill He makes him grow more plyant to his will , And leave those wanton tricks , which in conclusion May prove th● p●rents g●iefe , and childes confusion . Ev'n as this Father ; so , our God h●th wrought . Vs , by his Word of Grace , he first besought : T●en ▪ of his Wrath , and Iustice spake unto us : Next , hanging over u● , he plagues did show us . Yea , divers months before this Vengeance came , The spotted Fever did forewarne the same . Was made her Harbenger ; and in one week Sent hu●dreds , in the Grave , their bed to seek . Which nought prevailing , he did thereupon ( As being loath to strike ) first strike but one . Then , two or three : then slaid a while ; and than To smi●e ano●her number he began , And then a greater . Neither did God show This mercy , onely , in the publike blow ; But daign'd it , also , in that chastisement , Which he to ev'ry man in private sent . To hasten his repent●nce ; first , he smote Some one of those he knew , in place remote ; Wi●hin a w●eke , another better knowne ; Next week a friend ; the next a dearer-one ; A lit●le after that , perhaps , an●ther ; And then a kinsman , or ●n onely brother . Which no a●endm●nt working , God did come ( To make him heedfull ) somewhat nearer home : Knockt at h●s neighbours house , and took out all Or most , who lodg'd on tother side the wall : Then called at his doore , and seized on A servant fi●st ; soone afterward , a son ; Next night wa● hazarded a daughters life ; And e're that morning c●me , he lost his wife : At last fell sick himselfe , and then repented , Or dy'd , or liveth to be worse tormented . Thus , as it were by steps , God came upon us , That either Love or Terror migh● have won us , To seeke our peace . But , yet , so ●ew were warned , ( And this long suffring , so few soules discerned ) That some the nature of this Plague beli'd ; The number of the dead , som● strove to hide . On groundles hopes , ●ods Iudgmē●s , some deferred . Some scofted others , when they were deterred . Some rais'd a profit from it . Yea , so few Conceived what was likely to ensue ; That , when we should like Niniveh have fared , For sports , and causelesse Triumphs we prepared ▪ Of pleasure , in ●xcessive wise , we ●asted . We feasted , when we rather should have f●sted . And when in sack-cloth we should loud have cry'd , Ev'n then , we ruffled in our greatest pride . Which God ●●rceiving , and that we were growne Regardlesse of his smiles , and of his frowne ; He did comm●n● his Mercy , to let goe That hand , which did restraine his Iustice so . Then , catching up a Viall of his wrath , ( W●ich he in store for such offenders hath ) He did on thi● our Citie , poure it downe . And , as strong poison shed upon the crowne , Descendeth to the members , from the head ; And , soone , doth over all the body spread : Ev'n so , this noysome plague of Pestilence , On our head City Falling , did from thence , Disperse , and soake throughout this Emp●ry , In spight of all our carnall polici● . Our want of penitency , to allay Gods wrath , and stop his anger in the way , Enflamed and exasperated so This F●end , that he did thousands over-throw In ●ome few minuts : and ▪ the greedy Grave Devou'd , as if it none alive would save . Death lurkt at ev'ry angle of the s●eet , And did a●rest whom ever he did meet . There scarcely was that house or lodging found , In which he did not either slay or wound . In ev'ry roome his murthers acted he , Our Close●s nay our Temples were not free From his attemptings ; no not while men pray'd , Could his unb●idled fury be delay'd . In sundry Families the●e was not one Whom his rude hand did take compassion on : Nay many times he did not spare the last , Vntill the buriall of the first was past . For , e're the Bearers back againe could come , The rest were r●ady ●or their graves at home . Nor bad nor good , nor rich nor poore did scape him , Nor foole nor w●seman , an excuse could shape him : He shunned not the yo●g man in the sadle , Nor him that lay and cryed in the cradle . So dreadfull was his looke , so sterne and grim , That many dy'd through very feare of him . For , to mens fancies he did oft ap●ea●e In shapes which so exceedi●d gastly were , That flesh and blood , unable was , to brooke , The horror of his all a●●righting look . Ev'n in that house , whose roofe did cover me , Of this , a sad ●xperiment had we : For , there , a plague-sick● man ( at least ) conceiued That Death a shape assuming , he perceiued Deform'd and vgly ; where at lou● he cryes , Oh! hi●e me , hide me , ●rom his dreadfull ey●s . Looke , oh ! looke there he comes : now by the ●ed He stands ; now at the f●●t ; now at the head . Oh! draw , draw , draw the Curtaine , Si●s I pray , That his grim loo●e no more b●hold I may . To this ●ffect , and such like wo●ds he spake , But that their hea●ers hearts they more did sh●●e . Then , rested he a while , and by and by Vp starting , with a lamentable cry , Ran to a Couch , whereon his wife ( w●o waking Two nights b●fore had beene ) some ●est was taking ; There , kneeling downe , & both his hands up rearing , As if his eye had seene pale Death appearing To st●ike his wife ; Good Sir , said he , forbeare To kill or h●m● that poore yong woman there : For God's sake doe not strike her ; for you s●e She 's great w●th child . Lo , you have wounded me In twenty places ; and I doe not c●re How me you mischi●fe , so that her you spare . Ev'n this , and more then I to minde can call , He acted with a looke so tragic●ll , Tha● , all by standers ▪ might have ●hou●ht ▪ his eyes Saw reall objects , and no fantasies . To others , Death , no doubt , himselfe convaid In other formes ; and other Pageants plaid . Whilst in her armes the mother thought she kept Her Infant saf● ; Death stole him when she slept . Sometime he took the mothers life away , And left the little babe , to lye and play With her cold paps , and childish game to make About those eyes , that never mo●e shall wake . Som●times when friends were talking , he did force The one to leave unfinisht his discourse . Sometimes , their morning meetings he hath thwarted , Who thought not they for ever had beene parted , The night before . And , many a lovely Bride , He hath defloured by the Bridegroomes side . At ev'ry hand , lay one or other dying ; On ev'ry part , were men and women crying , One for a husband ; for a friend another ; One for a sister , wife , or onely brother : Some children for their parents mone were making ▪ Some , for the losse of servants care were taking ; Some parents for a childe ; and some againe ●or losse of all their children did complaine . The mother dared not to close her eyes , Through feare that while she sleepes , her baby dyes . Wives trusted not t●eir husbands out of doore , Lest they might back againe returne no more . And in their absence if they did but heare One knock or call in hast , they quak'd through feare , That some unluckly messenger had brought The newes of those mis●hances they forethought . And if ( with care and griefe o're-tyr'd ) they slept , They dream'd of Ghosts , & Graves , & sh●iekt , & wept . He that o're night went healthy to his b●d , Lookt ▪ e're the morning , to be sicke , or dead . He that rose Iusty , at the rising Sunne , Grew faint , and breathlesse , e're the day was done And , he that for his friend , this day did sorrow , Lay close besid● him in a grave the morrow . Some men amidst their pleasures were diseased ▪ Some , in the very act of sin were seized : Some , hence were taken laughing , and some singing : Some , as they others to their graves were bringing , Yea , so impartiall was this kind of Death , And so extreamly venemous his breath , That they who did not in this place expire , Where saved , like the Children in the fire ▪ It may be that to some it will appeare , My Muse hath onely poetized here ; And that I fa●n'd expressions doe rehearse , As most of those that use to wri●e in verse : But , in this Poeme I pursue the story Of reall Truth , without an Allegory : And many yet surviving witnesse may , That I come short of what I more might say . But , what I can I utter ; and I touch This mournfull string , so often , and so much , As in this Book I doe ; that I might show To them that of these griefes forg●●full gro● , What sorrowes and what dangers ●hey have had ; That all of us more thankefull may be made : And if to any these things doe appeare Or tedious , or impertine●t ; I feare That most of them are they , who take no pleasure , For good and usefull things to be at l●isure . And more delight in Poems worded out , Th●● those that are Gods works employ'd about . Me thinkes , I cannot speake enough of that Which I have seene ; nor full enough relate What I declare ; but 〈◊〉 it seemes to me I leave out somewhat that should utt'red be . For , though in most , the sense thereof be gone , It was God's Iudgement , and a fearfull one . And , LONDON , what availed then thy pride , Thy pleasures , and thy wealth so multiply'd ? Or , then , oh ! what advantage didst thou get By those vaine thi●gs , whereon thy heart is set ? How many sev'rall Plagues did God prevent , Befo●e this Iudgement was upon thee sent ? How many loving ●avours had he done thee , Before so roughly he did seize upon thee ? And , that thou mightst his purposes discover , How long togethe● , did he send thee over The weekly newes , of those great Desolations , Which he infl●cts on many ot●er Nations ? How often did he send , e're this befell , His Prophets , of his Iudgements●o ●o foretell ? How many thousand Preac●ers hath he sent , With teares , to pray , and woo thee ●o repent ? To ●ell t●ee , that thy pride , and thy exc●sse , Thy lusts , thy surfets , and thy drunkennesse , Thine idlenesse , thy great impieties , Thy much prophanenes●e , thy hypocrifies , And other vanities , would bring at last Those pl●gues wher● of thou now some feeling hast ▪ How did thy Pastors to repent conjure thee ? How st●ongly did Gods Ministers assure thee That all thy love , thy labour , and thy cost Besto●'d on carnall pleasures , would be lost ? That , t●ou hereafter ●houldst become ashamed Of that whereof thy comforts thou hadst framed ; And that those evills would at length befall From which no mortall hand reprieve thee shall . ‛ Thou canst not but acknowledge these things were Ev'n ev'ry moment , rounded in thine care ; And that thy Sonnes of Thunder did presage What , for thy sinnes , should be thine heritage . Yet , thou to heare their message didst refuse . And , as the stubborne unbeleeving Iewes , Despised all those Prophets , who foreshew'd The times of their approaching servitude , Yea , punisht them , as troublers of the Land , And such as weakned much the peoples hand : So , thou accountedst of thy Teachers , then , But as a crew of busie-headed men , Who causlesly , thy quietnesse distu●bing , Had for their saucinesse , deserved curbing . But with amazement , now thou dost behold , That they have no uncertainties foretold . For , God in this one single Plague , comprised Those other Iudgements , all , epitomized ; Which for thy ruine he at large will send , If this be not enough to work his end . Observe this Pestilence , and thou shalt see , That as there may be some one sin in thee With other great Transgressions interlaced , So , divers Plagues in this great Plague were placed , It shew'd thee ( in some fashion ) their dist●esses , Whom WAR , in a besieged Fort oppresses : For , lo , thou wert deprived of all Trade , As if t●y Foes blockt up thy River had . And , though no armed Host thy wall surrounded , Yet ( which was worse ) thou by thy friends wert bounded : For , wha●soever person passed f●om Thy Ports , upon an enemy did come . And none more cruell to thy children proved , Then some of thine , who from thy Pl●gues removed . Confusion , and D●sorder , threatn●d thee , ( On which attendeth all the Pl●gues that be ) For , most of thy grave Senate , who did beare Thy names of office , far departed were , To other places ; leaving thee , nigh spent And languishing for want of Government . Yea , they that were thy Trust , and thy Deligh● , In times of health , did then ●orsake thee quite ; To teach us , that those men , and vanities , Which have our hearts , in our prosperities , Will in affliction be the first who leave us ; And , when we most expect , then most deceive us . Oh! whither then ; oh ! whither were they gone , Who , thy admired Beauty doted on ? Where did thy Lovers in those dayes appeare , Who did so court thee , and so often sweare Affection to thee ? whither were they fled , Whom thou hast oft with sweetest junkets fed ? And they , whom thou so many yeares , at ease , Didst lodge within thy fairest Pal●ces ? Where London , were thy skarlet Fathers hou●'d , Who in thy glory , were to thee espous'd ? What were become of all thy children , whi●h W●re nursed at thy brest , made great , and rich By thy good-huswifry ? and whom we see In thy prosperity so hugg'd of thee ? Where were thy rev'r●nd Pastors , who had pay To feed thy Flocks , and for thy sinne to p●ay ? ( I must confesse ) the meanest , and some few Of better sort , were in affection true , And gave thee comfort . But , oh ! where were those , Those greater ones , on whom thy hand bestowes The largest portions ? Those , who have profest A zealous care of thee , above the rest ? Those , who ( as I conceive ) had undertaken A charge that should not then have beene forsaken ? Those many silken-Doctors , who did here In shining satten Casso●ks late appeare ? They who ( till now , a thing scarce heard of ever ) Do flaunt it in their Velv●● , Plush , and Beaver . And they , whom thou didst honor far above Those meane ones , who , then , shewed thee most love ? Where were they ? & , where were thy Lawyers too That he●etofore , did make so much adoe Within thy Courts of Iustice ? Pre●hee , where Were those Physitians , who so forward were To give thee physick , when thou neededst l●sse , And wert but sicke , of ease , and wantonnesse ? Where did their foot-cloth● wait ? whe●e couldst thou call For their assistance ? what became of all Their Diets , and Receipts ? and why did they In that necessity depart away ? Where lurckt those Poe●asters , who were wont To pen thy Mummeries , and vainly hunt For base reward , by soothing up the Crimes Of our Grand Epicures , in lofty Rimes ; And doe before each others Poems raise The huitlesse Trophees of a truthlesse praise ? Da●'d none of all those matchlesse wits to tary This b●unt ? That his experienc'd Muse might cary This Newes to after times ; and move compassion , By his all-moving straines of Lamentation ? What , none bu● me ? me onely leave they to it , To whom they s●ame to yeeld the Name of Poet ? Well ▪ if they ever had a minde to weare The Lawreat Wre●th , they might have got it ●ere : For though that my performance may be bad , A braver Subject , Muses never had . Where were thy t●oups of Ro●ers ? where were they Who in thy Chambers did t●e wantons play ? Provoking God Almighty , down● to cast Those plagues from which they fled away so fast ? Yea , wh●ther were tho●e Nothings , all retir'd , Of whom thou wer● , of late , so much desir'd ? Alas ! was there not any of all these Who staid to comfort thee , in this Disease ? Did all depart away ? And , being gone , Leave thee to beare thy sorrowes all alone ? Left they upon thy Tally all that sin , Which had by them and thee , committed bin ? Yes , yes , they left thee : ev'n all ●hese : and they So left thee , London , when they went away , That thy afflictions they did aggravate , And make more bitter thy deplored Fat● . A Dearth mixt also in this P●st was found , For they who did in riches most abound , ( And should have holpen to relieue the poore ) Departing hence , diminished thy store . To other Borroughes they themselves betooke : Their sick distressed brethren , they fo●sook● , And , lest on those th●t would be hospitable , A b●rthen which to beare they were unable . Those few , of worth , who did in thee remaine , Had multitudes of beggers to sustaine ; And , from the Country ( as before I said ) The sending of supply was long delaid . There was a Famine also , which exceeded This other ; though the same by few was heeded . We had not so much scarcity of bread , As of that food wherewith our soules are fed . For , of our Pastors ( in the greatest dangers ) Som● left us to the charity of Strangers . And , many soules , whom they were bound to cherish Depriv'd of timely sustenance , did perish . Who could have thought , this Vineyard , heretofore So fruitfull ; and wherein the salvage Bore Of Turky rooted not : and whose thick fence Hath long time kept , the Bulls of Bashan thence ; Should then ( ev'n in the Vintage t●me ) be found So bare of what , so lately did abound ? And , then ( a thing worth note ) when ev'ry Field And meanest Villages did plenties yeeld ? Indeed , not long before , we surfeted , And plaid the wantons with our heav'nly bread . Our appetite was cloy'd ; and we grew dainty , And either loath'd , or murmur'd at our plenty . Yea , many of us , when at will we had it , By private Cookeries , unwholsome made it . For which , and for our base unthankfulnesse , Our portion and allowance waxed lesse : And , we who ( like fond children ) would not eat , Vnlesse , this man , or that man carv'd our meat , Then ( like poore folks , that of meere almes do live ) Were glad to take of any that would give ▪ The Laborers were few ; the Harvest large : And of the best of those that had the ch●rge To sp●ead God● ●able ▪ so●e g●ew faint and tired By th●i● perpetu●ll trav●ile : some expired Their p●infull soul ●s , and freely sacrifiz'd Thems●lves for us , t●at we might be suffiz'd . Among which ●ap●y number I doe ●lesse The memory of learned Mak●r●●sse , And zealous Eton , who●e l●rge ●●ng●●g●tions , Bemoan'd their losse with h●a●ty l●me●●ations . And worthily : for , ●hey di● labour here Wi●h cheerfuln●sse and in their C●lli●gs were So truly diligent w●i●st vigour lasted , That they then li●e blood , yea ●hei● spi●its wasted ; And ev'n unslackt the very ne●ves and powres Of their owne soules , to helpe enable ou●s . To bury , nigh a hundred in a day , To church , to ●arry , study , preach and pray ; To make b● times ; at ni●h● late watch to keepe ; To be distu●b'd at midnight from their sleepe ; To visit him that on his death-bed lyes ; Oft to communicate ; more oft baptize ; And daily ( and all day ) to be in action , As were those two , to give due satisfaction To their great Flocks ; mo●e Laborers there needed ; And their consumed strengths , it much exceeded . But they are now at re●● : their w●ke is done , Their Fight is finished : th●i● G●ale is won : And , though no Troph●e I to them can raise , Save , this poore withe●'d Wreath of mortall praise ; Their Master ( to reward their faithfulnesse ) For them rese●ved Crownes of Happinesse ; Because , unto his houshold , they the Bread Of life , in season , have distribute● . Nor was the ●ood of life diminisht more By such mens want alone , then heretofore . But , to our discontent , we also had Our d●e allowances the sho●ter made Ev'n by command . Fo● , some ( I know not why ) Had ●alsely mis in●orm'd Autho●ity , That o●r promiscu●us meetings , at the Fast , Increast the Plague : which wa● beleev'd in hast . And being urg'd , pe●haps , with such fane shewe● Of Reason , as ●onj●cture cou●d in●u●e ; ( The matt●r ●ei●g aggrav●ted too , With suc●●ntruth● , as t●ave●l to and fro ) The publike p●eaching on the Fasting day , Was , in an evill season , tooke aw●y . For , when the flesh was fed , and soule deprived Of two Repasts , whi●h weekly we received , Prophanenesse , and hard-hea●tednesse began To get new rooting in the mind of man . We miss●● those good helpes , and those examples Which had beene prea●hed to us in our Temples . The poore did want full qui●kly , to their griefe , Those Almes the Fast b●ought out for their reliefe . And , when with Prayers , Preaching did not goe , Our cold Devotions , did far colder grow . What instrument of mischiefe might he be Who caused that ? And , what a ●oole was he ! If Wensday-Sermons holpe infect ; I pray What kept us safer on the Sabbath day ? Since most fast then till noone without refection ? Or , what at Funeralls , did stop infection ? Good God! in thy affai●es , how vaine ( to me ) Doth carnall Policy appeare to be ? How apt is flesh and blood to run a course , Which makes the soules condition , worse and wo●se ? To vent●re on eternall death how toward ! And in a temporall danger what a cowa●d ! Su●e , had not such a ●roject , had a scope Beyond the reaching of the D●vils hope , And be●n too damnable for any on● To be his Procurator thereupon ; Some w●●l● have made the motion that we might Have liv'd ●xclu●ed from our Churches quite : And , that ●ill ●od his hand should please ●o stay , None ●hould in publ●ke , either preach , or pray . ' Twa● well the weekly number of the dead , By Gods meere m●rcy , was diminished , Before t●e prohibition of the Fast : The Fi●nd had els● , for evermore , di●g●ac't That Discipline : and carnall Pol●cy H●d so insulted o're Divinity , That , in succeeding Ages , men unholy , Would thence have proved , such Devotion , Folly . But , God prevented it , that we should take Go●d n●tice of it ; and good uses make : And I have mention'd it , that here I may God's Wis●dome and Man's foolishnesse display . Oh ▪ let us to our Fasts againe returne ; Let us , for our omissions truly mourne ; And not capitulate with God , as tho He , first his Rod out of his hand should throw , He●e we would come unto him : for , if thus A son of ou●s should beare himselfe to us , It would our●ire exasperate the more ; And make the fault seem greater then before . Why should we in an action that is just The mercy of our gracious God distrust ? Or , unto any place be loath to go , Where God is to be heard , or spoken to , Through feare of that which may be caught at home And in a thousand places where we come ? Our sinnes and plagues were publike : so should wee In Pray'rs , and Teares , and Almes , and Fastings be . ●or , that s●rong D●vill which hath tortur'd thus Our generall body , is not cast from us By single Ex●rcismos : neither ●hall Our p●iv●cies advantage us at all , Except in what conduces to the health Of private men , or of their private weal●h . If we in close retirements ( by our feare ) At ma●kets , or where worse Assemblies are , Infected grow : the Devill , by and by With us perswadeth , either to belye The Church , our constant Fasting , or some one Good wo●ke , or pious action we have done . ( As visiting the sick , in ti●e of need , Or any other such like Christian deed ) For , he those practices doth greatly spight , And , to disparage them hath much delight : Because he sees , that such as are inclinde To pious meanes , will soone by triall finde , Good hopes to thrive beyond their expectations ; Their knowledge , foole his cunning machinations ; Their faiths grow strong ; temptations weak appeare ; Their joy most perfect , where most sorrowes are ; And know , that when the Lord of Hoasts is armed , With all his Iudgements , that , he least is harmed , Who , bold through Love , selfe-trust quite f●om him throws And , runs with confidence to meet his blows . Let no man then be fearfull to repair● Vnto the house of Preaching , or of Pray'r ; Or , any whither else , those works to doe , Which he by Conscience is obliged to : No , though the Devill in the passage lay , Or strow'd most ●earfull dangers in the way . For , if in such a case , our death we t●ke , Our death , shall for our best advantage ●ake . Yet , let none thinke I this opinion cary , That ev'ry Church , will be a Sanct●a●y , To all ●hat come For , sure , if any dare Without Devotion ▪ in Gods house appeare , To them , that pl●ce , more pe●ill threaten● , then , A chamber thronged with infected men . Some fainted in the Church , as others did Within their houses ( where themselves they hid ) Yet not so o●ten . For ▪ though some did please To blame the Church for spreading this disease , No places were more harmlesse . None did we Beh●ld more healthy , or to sc●pe more free From this Infection , then those persons , whom We saw most often , to Gods worship come . Nor were there any houses more infected Then theirs , who most th● hous● of God neglected . I spe●ke not this by rumor : For , ev'n thither Resorted I , where thronged were together The greatest multitudes : And day by day I sate ▪ where all the croud I could survay . Yet , I nor man , nor childe , nor woman saw , To finke , looke pal● , or from their place withdraw ▪ And , d●ubtlesse , if such faintings there had beene , As many prated of ; I some had seene . Which , since I did not see , I wish ag●ine , None would at such a time , Gods house refraine , Except in Congregations not their owne , And w●ere in●ection feared is , or knowne : Or in their owne Assembly , where disorder Committed wilfully , the Pest may further . Or , when their bodie 's weak●ne● , or the Aire Their ●afet●es may ●ome other wa●es impaire . Excepting to ( ●n ●imes of Visitation , When they a●e ma●kt with ma●kes of Separation , As Rising , Bl●●es , or So●es . O , newly f●om The ●●mpany of such like pe●sons , come . Or , whensoe●er they or do● , or may Suppose themselves Infectio●s any way . These ( as t●e ●epers did , by Mose Law ) From publike Congregations should withdraw , For , sure , if any such themselves intrude To mixe among a h●althy Multitude , ( Though p●ayers or devotions they pretend , Or whatsoever o●her pious end ) Their foolish practise is vnwarrantable ; Yea , their condition so uncharitable , That I abhorre it : and bel●eve that for So doing , God their prayers doth abhor●e : And , here , ( although it may impertinent By some be thought ) I canno● chuse but vent , How I dislike , ou● so much liked fashion Of b●riall , where the publike Congregation Are bound to meet : And then ▪ especially , When of ●nfectious griefes great number● dye . I know both Custom● , and Opinion , have So rooted thi● , that I my breath may save In reprehending it . Yet , when I must Be tak●n hence , and turne againe to dust , Let nought but Earth and Heav'n my carkasse cover , And neither Church nor Chappell roof● me over ; Nor any other Buildings , saving those That on●ly serve , such reliques to enclose . For , though I doe ingenuously confesse , W● should to shew our Christian hopefulnesse Of rising from the dead , lodge decently Their flesh , who in Christs Faith p●ofesse to dye : And , that Churchyards , or plots distinguisht from The vulgar use , doe best of all become That purpose . Yet , I know the common guise Of bur'ing in the Church , did first arise From ancient Superstition ; and to gaine Some outward profit , to the priestly tr●ine . For , many simple men were made conceive That if ( when they were d●ad ) they might have leave To rest within those plots of hallowed ground , Which either Church or Chappell did surround ▪ No wicked Spirit should permittance have , To trouble or abuse them , in the grave : Whereas ( which yet old fooles beleeve they do● ) They might else rise , and walke at midnight too About their streets , and houses , or crosse wayes ; Till some Masse-monger them at quiet lay●s : And then it was suppos'd , how much the nigher They lay unto their Altar , or their Choïre , By so much more the safer they should rest ; Which ●●ought no petty summes to Dagons chest : Thence was it , that our Churches , first of all , Were glaz'd with Scutchions like a Heralds hall ; And that this age in them depainted sees So many vaine and lying Pedigrees . Thence comes it th●t we now adayes behold Some Chancels filled up with rotten , old , And foolish monuments . From hence we see So many puppet Images to be On ev'ry wall within our Oratories : So many Ep●taphs , and lying stories , Of men deceast ▪ and , thence the guise was gotten , To let so many Banners dropping rotten Deforme our pillars ; and withdraw our ●yes From picus objects to those vanities . If any man desirous be to lye Within a Monument , when he shall dye : Let ●v'ry noble Family erect Without their Cities some faire Architect , Within the compasse of whose roofed wall There may be founded some good Hospitall Or build●ngs for the law●ull r●●reation O● youth , and for the honor of the Nation . And of that Name or kin , w●en any dyes , There lay their bones ; or to their memories Erect there Tables . And , let them tha● had Such minds , and fortunes , to the Structure ad●e . Yea thith●r ( if they please ) let them transl●te Their Ancestors . But , I have spoke too late , Those time●●re past in which our noble ones Were able to ●rect such piles of stones As might be emin●nt . Our kingly race Had by the s●ven●h H●n●y such a place Erected for them , so magnificent , That to this Land it is an ornament . ●et them th●t cannot reach the cost of these , Raise Cawsies , Bridge● , and make Docks , and Keyes For publike use : which with as little cost As now upon th●ir pedling Tombe , is lost , Should make them live farre longer in their fames ; For ▪ we would ●hose entitle by their Names . All they that love their Country , ●ow they know Which way they may their money best b●stow , ( ●o memorize their Friends , with profiting The publike ) will consider of this thing And build them Tombes where we may praise the work ▪ Not in a Church obscure , unseene to lurke , Where few shall view them ; and where most who shall Be●old them , take no heed of them at all . If some good Patriot woul● begin the fashion , It ●ig●● allu●e , perhaps , to imitation . And if it were not gr●edinesse of gaine Am●ng Church-Officers , whi●h did maintaine Such Custom●s w● should som●what more forbeare To lay so ●any sti●king bod●es there Where God we s●●ke ( and him should seeke to finde , With ●urity of body , and of m●nde ) Indeed our s●●ne , alone pollutes ; and y●t An ou●ward decen●y is a●so fit . Was 't well , that in the Church ( where throngs and beat Did mak● us in the croud to pant and sweat ) Ev●n in the midst of our Devotions too , Men should , as oft it pleased t●em to doe , Thrust in ( where we could hard●y stand in e●se ) With f●ure or five strong sm●lling Carkasses ? Was'● fit , so many Gr●ves , at such a season Should g●●e and brea●h upon us ? was it reason ▪ That heaps of ru●bish , C●ffin-boards , ●nd stones ▪ Late bu●y'● bodies , and halfe● 〈◊〉 bones , God's Templ● should poll●te ? a●d make it far More loath some , then most Charnell●ouses ●ouses are ? Was 't fitting that to gaine their griping fees , They should endang●r multitudes to leese Their lives , or healths ? or , that they should fulfill A fool●sh motion in a dead mans will , By wronging o● the living ? God ●orbid It should ●e reason ; and yet , thus they did . Thus did they ? yea , far worse : f●r should I tell At what high rates , some Churchmen , here , did sell Their burying grounds : What feet they did exact : H●w Readers , Clarkes , and Sextons did compact , To racke the de●d : to what a goodly summe Their large Church-duties ( in some cases ) come : What must ●e p●id for Bearers , though m●n have Their friends to helpe convey them to the grave : What for the B●lls , though not a Bell b● rung : What , for their mourning clothes , though none be hung V●on them but their owne : what pay did passe For F●n●rall S●rmons , where no Sermon was : And , what was oft extorted ( without shame ) To give him leave ●o preach , who f●e●ly came : If her● ( I say ) I should discover ●hat I might , of t●ese things m●n●ioned , rel●●e , Those men who die , that charges they may s●ve , Would f●are they might be legger●d in the Grave : For , more ●o take th●● lodging ha●●●eene spent , Then would h●ve bought a pret●y tenement . Thus , a● one matter drew another on , My Muse hath diuers things discourst upon To many sund●y purposes : but , what I chiefly in this Can●o aimed at Was , to prese●ue in mind an awfull sense Of what we suf●red in this Pestile●ce : What we deserved ; and how variously , Gods Iustice , this one Cors●ve d●d apply , To eate out all Corruptions , which be spotted Our soules , and h●d ere this our bodies rotted . I might as well have memorized here , How diversly God's Merci●s did appeare , Amid his Iudgements : ●ow he comforted , When outwa●d com●o●t failed : how he sed , When oile and meale w●re wasted : how he gaue Their lives to them , whose feet were in the graue . What Patience ▪ what high Fortitude he granted , And , how he still supplyed what we want●d . I might commemorate , a world of Grace Bestow'd in this affliction , on this place , Both common , and in private . Many a vow ( Of theirs , who will , I feare , forget it now ) Was daily heard . Ten thousand suits were daigned ; Repri●ves , for soules condemned were obtained ▪ Frie●ds prayd for friends ; the parents for the lives Of their deare children ▪ Husbands for their wives ; Wives for their husbands beg'd with teares & passion , And , God with pitie heard their lamentation . In friends , in servants , in the temporall wealth , In life , in death , in sicknesses , and health , God manifested Mercy . Some did finde A Friend , to whom till then , none had beene kind . Some , had their servants better'd , for them , there , By Gods correction . Some , left wealthy were By dying kindred , who the day before Were like to beg their bread from doore to doore , Some , by their timely deaths were taken from Such present paines , or from such woes to come , That they are happy . Vnto some , from heav'n , The blessing of a longer life was giv'n , That they might call ●o minde their youthfull times Repent omissions , and committed crimes ; Amend their courses , and be warisome That they displeas'd not God , in ●imes to come . Againe , some others by their sicknesses , And by the feares they had in this Disease , Grew awfull of Gods Iudgements ; and withi● Their harts , good motions were , wher none had bin ▪ Ev'n in their hearts who fear'd nor God nor Devill , Nor guilt of sin , nor punishment for ●vill . And , some had health continu'd , that they might Gods praise ex●oll , and in his love delight . Should I declare , in what unusuall wise God op'ned here their soules dimsighted eye● , Who blinded were before ; how nig● they reacht To highest Mysteries : what things they preacht Ev'n to their neighbours , and their family , Before their soules did from their bodies flye ; Or , should I tell , but what young Children here Did speake , to take from e●der folke their feare O● Sicknesses and Death ; what they exprest O● heav'nly blisse , and of this worlds unrest ; What faith they had ; what strange illuminations ; What strong assurances of their salvations ; And with what proper termes , and boldnesse they Beyond their yeares , such things did open lay , It would amaze our Naturallists , and raise A goo●ly Trophee to our M●kers praise . But , this for me were too ▪ too large a task , And many yeares and volumes it would aske , Should I in these particula●s record The never ending mercies of the Lord . For , he that would his meanest act recite , Attempts ●o measure what is infin●te . That story therefore , in particular To med●le with I pu●pose to defer Till in the Kingdome of eternity My soule in honor of his Majesty Shall Halelu●ah●ing ●ing ; and over-looke With hallow'd eyes , that great eternall Booke , Which in a moment to my view shall bring Each passed , present , and each future thing , And there my soule shall read , and see revealed What is not by the LAMBE , as yet , un●ealed . Meane while I le cry Hosannah , and for all His love to me , and mercies generall , His three times holy , and thrice blessed Name I p●aise , and vow for aye to praise the same .

The fifth Canto . The Author justifies againe His Method , and his low●y Straine . Next , having formerly made knowne The common Feares , he tels his owne . Shewes with what thoughts he was diseased , When first the Plague his lodging seized : Of what God's Iustice him accused ; Vpon what Doubts , or Hopes , he mus●d ; On what , and how , he did resolve ; And who from Death , did him absolve . The Plagues encrease , he then expresseth : The Mercies of the LORD confesseth : Emplores that he himselfe may never Forget them , but , be thanke●ull ever : Then , mounting Con●emplations wings , Ascends to high and usefull things . From thence his Muse is called downe ▪ To make Great Britaines errors knowne : Wherein , he doth confesse a sailing ; And ( his infirmities bewailing ) Is fitted and resolv'd anew , His purpos'd Message to pursue : And , having fi●st anticipated , His Arrant is , in pa●t , rel●ted . PErhaps , the nicer Cri●ickes of these times , When they sh●ll sl●ightly view my lowly Rimes , ( Not to an end , these Poems fully reading , Nor their Occasion , nor my Aymes , well h●eding ) May taxe my Muse that she at random flyes ; For want of Method , makes Tautelogies ; And commeth off , and on , in such a fashion , That ▪ oft she ●a●les their curious expectation . It is enough to me , that I doe know What they commend , and what they disallow . And let it be enough to them , that I Am pleas'd to make such faults for them to spy . For I intend the Method which I use ▪ And , if they doe not like it , they may c●use . They who in their Composures , keep the fashion Of elder times , and write by imitation ; Whole quaint Inventions must be trimd and trickt , With curious dressings , from old Authers pickt ; And whose maine workes , are little ●l●e , but either Old scattred Peeces , finely glew'd together ; Or , some concealed Structures of the Braine , Found our ( where long obscured they have laine ) And new attir'd : These , must ( and well they may ) Their Poesies in formall garbes aray , Their naturall defects by Art to hide ; And , make their old new-straines the Test abide . These , doe not much amisse , if they assume Some ●stridge feath●rs , or the Peacockes plume To strut withall : nor had I greatly h●eded That course of theirs , if they had not proceeded To c●nsure mine . My Muse no wh●t envies That they from all their he●thnish Po●sies Have skumm'd the Creame & to themselves ( for that ) The s●ile of Prince of Poets a●●ogate . For , Plautus , Horace , Perseus , ●uvenal , Yea Greece and Romes best Muses , we may call Their Tr●b●taries ; since from them c●me in Those Treasures which their princely Titles win . Sometime , as well as they I play the Bee : But , like the Silkeworme , it best pleaseth me To spin out mine owne Bowells , and prepare them For those , who thinke it not a shame to weare them . My Matter , with my Method , is mine owne ; And I doe plucke my Flow'rs as they are blowne . A Maiden when she walkes a●road to gather Some herbs to strow the dwellings of her Father , ( Or fragrant flow'rs to deck her wedding Bowre , Or make a nosegay for her Paramour ) She comes into the Garden , and first seizeth The Flow'rs which first she sees , or what she pl●aseth ; Then runs to those whom use or memory , Presenteth to her thought , or to her eye : As toward them she ●asteth , she doth finde Some others , which were wholly out of mind● , Ev'n till that very moment : while she makes Her prise of those , she notice likewise takes Of Herbs unknowne before , that lurking lay Among the pleasant Plants within her way : She crops off these , of those she taketh none , Makes use of some , and le ts as good alone ; Here plucks the Cowslips , Roses of the prime , There , Lavander , sweet Marj●r●m , and Thyne , Yon● Iuly●low'rs , or the Damask Rose , Or sweet-breath'd Violet , that hidden growes ▪ Then some againe forenam'd ( if need she thinks ) Then Daisies , and then Marigolds , and Pincks : Then Herbs anew , then Flow'rs afresh doth pull , Of ev'ry fort , untill her lap is full . And otherwhile , before that worke be done , To kill a Caterpiller she doth run , Or catch a Butterfly ; which varies from That purpose whereabout she first did come . So , from the Muses Gardens , when I meane Those flow'r● of usefull Po●sie to gleane , Whi●h being well united may content My Christian Friends ; or with a pleasing sent Perfume Gods house , or beautifie , or cheere My soule , which else would rude , and sad appeare ▪ When this I meane ; I paint out ev'ry Tho●ght , As to my heart I feele it to be brought : I t●eat of things , as cause conduces to them , And as occasions , unto me , doe show them . Some●imes , I from the matter seeme to goe , For purposes , which none but I may know Sometime , an usefull Flow'r I may forget ; Anon , into my Nosegay , I doe set Some other twice ; becau●e , perchance , the place Affo●ds it better use , or better g●ace . A● one conceit I seriously pursue , That , brings perhaps another to my view , And that another ; and that , many a one , Which if in M●thods Allies I had gone , Ha● , peradventure , ●lse remain'd unseene ; And , in my Gar●and might have missed beene . E're I my pen assume , I feele the motions Of doing somewhat , and have gen'rall notions O● what I purpose : But , Mogul doth know As well as I , what path my Mus● will goe . What , in particular , I shall expresse , I know not ( as I hope for hap●inesse ) And though my matter , when I first begin , Will hardly fill one p●ge ; yet being in , Methinks , if neither faintnesse , friends ▪ nor night , Disturbed me , for ever I could wri●e . Vpon an in●tant I oft feele my brest With infinite variety possest ; And such a troup of things together throngs , Within my braine ; that , had ● twenty tongues I shou●d ( wh●lst I assai● to utter it ) Twice more , then I could mention , quite forget . A hundred Masings , which I meane to say , Before I can expresse them , slip away ; Which to recall , although I much endever , Oft passe out of my memory , for ever ; And cary forth ( ev'n to the wo●lds ●arre end ) Some other thoughts , which did on them depend . Whilst I my pen am dipping downe in inke , That 's lost which next to tell you I did thinke ; And , somewhat instantly doth follow on , Which till that present , I ne're thought upon . This , fo●ceth me those Methods to forgoe , Which others in their Poems fancy so . This makes me ●i●th to my Concep●ions give , As fast as they the●r Beings doe receive . Left whilst I for the common Midwife●ary ●ary , The fl●tting is●ue of my braine miscary . And , howsoe're they please to censu●e me , Who but Stepfathers to their Poemes be ; This , is that way of uttrance that e●ch Muse Makes practice of , whom Nature●o●h ●o●h infu●e : And , warrant from th●ir Naturall strai●es do●h fet ▪ Whom Artifi●iall Poets counterfeit . These a●e true Raptures ; ●h●irs are imitations , Or , rather , of old Rap●u●es ▪ new Translations . Thi● Method long agoe , old Moses used , When God ●is Hymne of ●raise , to h●m in●used . Thus , Solomon hi● Song of Songs , compased : And , when thy sin●er , ●s●●el , was disposed To praise the Lord or sp●a●e ●nto his God , O● ven● his passiens in a mou●●●u●l Ode , In thi● contemned wi●e , from him did flow , Those heav'nly Raptur●s which we honor so . As God's good Spirit cary'd him along , So vary'd he , the m●tter of ea●h Song . Now prayes ; straight praiseth ; instantly l●menteth ; Then halfe d●spaires ; is by and by contented ; The pe●son of the changeth ; oft ●epeate●h One sentence ; and one su●t oft iter●teth . Which manner of expression , s●emes to some So methodlesse , and so to wander from A certainty , in what he did intend , That they his well-knit Raptures discommend , As broken and di● jointed ; when , indeed , From ignorance ( or from their little heed To such exp●essions , and such mysteries ) Their cau●elesse disesteeme , did first a●ise . Yea , Ignorance , not knowing what they meant , When such an uncouth p●th the Muses w●nt ; Was wont ( long since ) to call our soule-rapt straines , Poetick Furíes : And that Name remaines . Yet , this old tr●ct I follow ; this I use ; And , this no true-borne Poe● ▪ can refuse . My scope , I ever keepe , in all my Layes ; Which is , to please , and profit , to Gods praise : But , in one path , or in one pace to ride , It is not fi● a P●●● should be ty'd . Sometime he must be grave ; lest else , the wi●e The m●tter , or the m●●ner , may despise . Sometime he must en●evor to be plaine , Lest all that he d●●ivers be in vaine : Another wh●le , he Parables must use , And ●iddl●s , lest some should the truth abuse , And th●y that are the Nymrods of the times Grow mad , in slead of leaving oft their crimes . Sometime he must be pleasing , le●t he may Drive all his frow●rd Re●ders quite away . Sometimes he must have bu●er stroine● , to keepe T●e sullen Reader f●om a drow●ie sleepe ; And whip those wantons , from an evill course , That , without wa●ning , would be dai●y worse . Sometimes againe , he must be somewhat merry , Lest Fooles , of good instruction , should be weary . Yea , he to all men all things should become , That he , of many , might a●vantage some . This , m●kes me chang● the Person , and the Style , And vary from the matter , other while . Thi● , makes me mix● smal things , and great together ; Here , I am grave ; there , play I with a fea●her . One page , doth make some Reader halfe beleeve , That I am angry : In the next , I give The C●ilde an Aple . In one leaf● , I ch●de ; I somewhat in another doe provide , To helpe excuse those ●railties I ●eproved : And those excus●s , are in place ●emoved , From such reproofes ; left following on too nigh , Th● Che●k , might without heed , be p●ssed by . This course b●c●me● the Muses . This doth save Our ●ines from just reproofe , when Tyrants rave At our free Numbers : and when Fooles condemne Our Straine● , because they understand not them . Such Po●fie is right : and , therefore ▪ they Who study matter , ●nd what words to say , Doe falsly arrogate to be inspired ; Since , when they boast their soules are this way fired , It is but Wine , or Passion ma●es them rave : And thence the Muses their disgraces have . Most times , when I compose , I watch , and fast . I cannot find my Spirits , when I taste Of meats and drinks ; nor can I write a line , Sometime , should I but take one draught of wine . Men say , it makes a Poet , and doth warme His braine , and him with strong invention arme . No m●●vell then , that most doe reckon me For none , who of this Age the Poets be ; And ▪ that so ●nviously at me they strike , For they and I are not inspir'd alike . In such like workes as these , if I should fill My head , my Muse would have an empty qu●ll ; And ▪ that w●ich to expresse she then presumes , Would smother'd be , with vapourings and fumes . But , when those write ; themselves they first make mery With Claret , with Canary , or with Sherry . And these are sure the Deities which make A sensuall eare , of them , best liking take . When such as they reprove a sinfull State , Or would those great enormities relate , Wherein their times offend ; they may be brough● To question for it ; and it may be thought Their sple●ne , revenge , or envy , did incite Their braines to hammer , what their pens did write , Because they did premeditate , and straine Their faculties , their projects to attaine . But , when a man one Subject purposing , Sits downe to write it , and another thing ( Vnthought upon before ) qu●te thrusteth out That matter which at fi●st he went about : When he remembers , that nor spight , nor spleene , No● envy , hath his primus motor beene : When he perceives , nor dangers , nor disgrac● Can fright him , when such Raptures are in place : When he doth find , that with much ease & pleasure He utters what exceeds the common measure Of his owne Gifts : ●nd that ( although his Rimes Are none of those strong lines that catch the times ) They from the V●rtuous , good respect can draw , And keepe the proudest vitious-men in awe : What should he thinke , but that the pow'r of God Ins●ireth him , to show his will abroad ? What nee● he feare , but , most undantedly , Make use of his inspired Facultie ? No arrogance it were , if he , or I , Should say that God our pe●s had spoken by , To those we live among , since , we might say , He speak●s by all his creatures , ev'ry ●ay : Yea , since in elder times it came to pass● , That he declar'd his pleasure by an ●sse . What should we do but speak , when we are willed ? What can we doe but speake when we are filled ? While wicked men we do● remaine among , With David , w● a while may curb the tongue ; But , burne it will within us , ti●l we speake , And forth , at last , some thundring voice will breake ▪ And what should then our hearers doe , but learne Their errors , by our Poems , to disce●ne ? Why should they raile at u● , who neither fea●e Then fury , nor for all their threatnings care ? Why doe they , childishly , our Lines condemne , That strike but at their follies , not at them ? Why , so unjustly still , are we pursued , Who shew them ho●v their falls may be eschewed ? And why doe they by seeking of our shame , Encrease our glor●es , and themselves defame ? Whence comes all this , but from that sot●i●hnesse Which doth most people of this age possesse ? But , let these questions passe ; lest by degrees , They draw us on , untill our ma●ke we leese . Thus far my Muse hath wilfully digrest , And of he● purpose , now she vents the ●est . When divers weeks together ● had wasted In vi●wing th●se afflictions others tasted ; When day by day , ● long had walkt abroad , Beholding how the scou●ging hand of God , Afflicted other men , and how , each morning My going out , and ●ow my b●ck ●etu●ning , Was ev'ry night in safety ; I be●an Gods care and my unworthinesse to scan . And , 't was , me thought , a favour , w●ich required To be both much acknowledg'd , and ●dmi●ed ; That ( when so many houses , ●v'ry day , Were visited ) t●e place wherein I lay Stood free so long ; co●sidering we were many , And , then , ●esorted to , as much as any . But , th●re was somewhat needfull to be knowne , Which no mans griefe could 〈◊〉 me but mine own . And , that I migh● thereof in●ormed be , God sent at last his Iudgements home to me . Y●a , peradventure , in my soule he saw Some ●ailings of my former filiall awe ; Some thanklesnesse ; some inward pride of heart ; Or over-ween●ng of mine owne desert , Arising from the mercifull protection W●ic● he vouchsafed me from this In●●ction ; And t●erefore sent as my Reme●bra●cer , His dread●ull , and his bloody Messenger To t●ke his lodging , where my lodgings were ; And put his rage in execu●ion there . For , in upon us , that Contagion broke , Five soules out of our Gate , it quickly tooke , And left ●nother wounded ; that I might Conceive my danger , and Gods love , a●ight . It fell about the time in which their sum Who weekly died , to the full was come : Then , when infection to such height was growne , That many dropped on a sudden downe In ev'ry street : yea , when some fooles did tell The lying Fables of the Falling-B●ll At Westminster ; and how that then did flye No Bird through Londons ayre which did not dye . Ev'n then it was . And , though some few did please , By such like tales , and strange Hyperboles , To overstraine the stories of our so●row : They did but needlesly their fictions borrow To set it forth . Nay , their false rumors made Our woes appeare lesse great , then those we had . Till now , I made th● smart o● othe●s knowne : The Griefes I next will tell you , are mine owne . At fi●st , I stood as one who f●om a Towre ▪ Beholding how the swo●d doth such ●evo●●e ( Who in the streets beneath him fig●ti●g be ) Accounts himselfe from danger to be free . But , at the last , I fared , as it fares With such , whose Foes have made , at unawares , A breach upon their Bulw●rke ; and I stood No meane assaults , to make my standing stood . For , both within me , and without me , too , I had enough , and full enough to doe . No sooner to my Chamber was I gone , But , I was follow'd straight , and set upon By strong Assailants , who did much intrude , And much disease me , by their multitude . My Reason , who to Faith did lately stoop , Revolted , and brought on a mighty troup Of trayt'rous Arguments , whereby she thought , On this my disadvantage , to have wrought . Temptations , slye - Suggestions , Feare , and Doubt , Did undermine , and close me , round about . My Conscience did begin to be afraid My Faith had beene a false one ; who betraid My Soule to Death : and ( whether then it were The pow'r of strong I●fection , or else Feare , Occasion'd by those combatings within , Or both together ) I did then begin To finde my body weakned more and more , And felt those pangs , till then unfel● before . Ev'n many dayes together , so it fared : And sure , if Superstition could have scared My better setled heart , there hapned that , Which I had fear'd , and somewhat startled at : And ( though I never outwardly complained To any one , of that which I sustained ) That week , in which our house was visited , And made complete the number of her dead ; I had a sleeplesse night ; in which with heat Opprest , I purged out ( in stead of swear ) Round-rud●y-spots ( and , that , no little store ) Which on my brest , and shoulders , long I wore . Perhaps , it was the Pestilence , which then So ma●ked me ▪ and I , as other men , By her had beene devour'd , had I not Through Gods great mercy , my free pardon got . Which , how , and on what termes , the same I gain'd , I●e now declare . For , though they seeme but fain'd ▪ Or melancholy thoughts , which here I tell ; Yet , sure , to smother them , I did not well . For , some , perhaps will thinke ( as well as I ) That none should sleightly passe such musings by : And some ( who at first viewing will surmise , That in these things I meerly poetise ) Will find , perchance , in times that shall ensue , Expe●imentall proofe , that all is true ; Should D●rk●esse , where her visage , Danger , showes , ( ●t such a disadvantage ) them enclose . When all alone I lay , and apprehended , How many mischiefes my poo●e soule attended ; I plainly saw ( ●hough not with ca●nall eyes ) God's dreadfull Angell , ready to su●prise My trembling soule ; and ev'ry hideo●s feare , Which can to any naturall man appeare , ( In such a case , to aggrava●e his terror ) Approacht , with ev'ry circumstance of horror . I ●aw the Muster of each passed evill , And all my youthfull follies , by the Devill Brought in against me , marshall'd ▪ and prepared , To fight the battell which I long had feared . And such a mult●tude of them sur●ounded My Conscience , that I was almost con●ounded . A thousand sinnes appear'd which were forgot , And which I till that moment minded not , Since first committed ; and more ugly far They seem'd , then when they perp●trated were . Yea many things whereof I bragg'd , and thought That I , in doing them , some good h●d wrought , Declar'd themselves against me ; and I found That they did give my soule the deepest wound . When these had quite enclosed me , I saw The Tables , and the Volumes of the Law ▪ To me laid open : and I was , me thought , Befo●e the presence of God's Iustice brought , Who from her eye did frownes upon me dart , And se●med , thus to speake unto my heart . ( Oh! Readers marke it well ; fo● to this D●ome , O● to a worse then this , you all must come . Suppose thou not , vaine man , thou dost possesse This lif● till now , for thine owne righteousnesse , Or that thou merit●st mo●e grace to have Then they who now are sent to fill the Grave : Lo , here , thy Foe hath brought of thy offences An Army , and so many evidences Of thy Corruption ; that , plead what thou wilt Of merit in thy ●elfe , th●y prove a guilt So hainous , that thy soule thou canst not free : Yet other sinfull thoughts of thine I see . I search thy heart , and ●● discover there Deceits , which cannot to thy selfe appeare ▪ I know thy many secret imperfections , I know thy passions , and t●y vaine affections ; And , that performances thou hast not made According to those favo●rs thou hast b●d . Vaineglory , profit , or some carnall end , Thy best endeavor alw●yes did attend ; And , as distrusting , God would thee beguile , An arme of fl●sh thou se●kest otherwhile : Not as the second , but the chiefest Cause : Which from the glory of thy God withdrawes . Mine eye doth see what arrogance and pride Thou dost among thy f●irest vertues hide ; And , what impieties , thou shouldst have done , Had I not stopt the course thou though●st to run . Of●●●mes , when others Vices , thou hast showne , Thou hast forgotten to repent thine owne . And , many times , thy ta●t reproofes have beene The fruits , not of thy Vertue , but of Spleene . Thy wanton Lus●s ( b●t that I did restraine Their f●ry , when thou w●uldst have slackt the Reine ) Had horne thee he●dlon to those deeds ●f shame , With which thy evill willers blur thy Name . Shouldst thou have done the best that thou wert able , Thy services had beene unprofitable : But , thou scarce h●lfe thy Talent hast employ'd ; And , that small good thou didst , is nigh destroy'd , By giving some occasion , needlesly , Of questio●ing thy true sincerity . God of● hath hid thy frailties , and thy sinne , Which being knowne , would thy d●sgrace have bin . The show of Wit and Vertue , thou hast had , He , to the world more eminent hath made , Then theirs , who wiser , and much better are , Though outward helpes , and fortunes , wanting were ▪ And , though thy knowledge , and thy former Layes , Among your formall Wizzards got no praise , Yet what they co●nted foolishnesse , became A greater honor to thy sleighted Name , Then they obtained : And , that Grace ( I see ) Begot more pride , then thankefulnesse in thee : And , I was faine , to let some scandals flye , To teach unto thee , more h●mility . In all thy wants , thou still hast beene relieved ; From heav'n thou comfort hadst , when thou w●rt grieved ▪ When Princes threatned , thou wert fearlesse made ; In all thy dangers , thou a Guard hast had ; In closest prison , thou best freedome gainedst ; In great contempts , thou most esteeme obtainedst ; When , most thy fo●s did labour to undoe thee , They brought most honour , and most profit to thee . Yea , still when thy destruction was expected , Then , God , thy peace beyond thy hope , effected . And , in the stead of praising him for this , Thou robdst him of much honour that was his . Tho● w●rt content , to heare the Vulgar say , Thy Spirit , and thine Innocence made way To ●●y escape . Whereas , thy ●ons●ience kn●w Thou wert a ●oward , till God ●id ●n●ue Thy heart with Fortitude , and f●●ely gave thee That innocency which from harme d●d save thee . When God thy Na●e div●lg'd for some good end , ( Which his w●se P●ovidence a●d soreintend ) Thou took'st the glory of it for thi●●●wne , And , justly , therefore thy so being knowne , Hath beene a m●●n●s whereby t●y Fo●● h●ve sent Their sc●ndal f●r●her , then they else ha● went . As soon● as , God from trouble ●id release thee , ( O● , but w●th ●●pes of ou●w●rd things possesse thee ) Some fruitlesse thoughts d●d quit● thy heart estrange , And after such vaine Project●ake ●ake thee range , That he was o●t compeld to put thee from Those blessi●g● , which 〈◊〉 to thy lips were come ; Lest , being then unseas'na●ly received , Thou mightst of better thing● have beene ●ere●●ved ▪ F●w men so nigh g●eat Hopes attained ●ver ▪ With such small fortunes and w●thout en●eavor , As thou hast done ▪ and f●we● ha●e beene crost ▪ That way ( which thou h●s● been● ) in what was lost ; That see and kn●w thou mightst , such losse and gaine , He sent ; and , that he neither sent in vaine . Yea , that those evils which thou h●dst in thought , Should scape the being into action brough● , Ill ●ong●es w●●e stirred to prevent the f●ct , By blazing what was never yet in act : Bu● , might have beene , perhaps ▪ had not that er●ed Thy heart ▪ whereby t●y foes would thee h●ve harmed . Thou to refresh thy soule h●st pleas●res had , And tho● by their abuse , hast f●●bl●r ma●e H●r use●●ll F●culties . Thou hast ●nj●yed Youth , strength , an● health ; and ▪ them hast mis employed . Thy God hath made thee gracious in their eyes , Whose good esteeme , thy soule doth highly prise ; And ( of ill purpose though Il● not condem●e Thy love , or meaning , to thy selfe or them ) Thou hast full often stole their hearts away , Ev'n from themselves ; and made thine owne a prey To many passions ▪ which did sometimes bring Vpon your s●lves , a mutuall torturing : Because you did not in your loves propose Those ends , for which , Affection , God bestowes . But , spent your houres ( that should have beene employ'd To learne and teach how you should have enjoy'd Gods love ) that flame , to kindle , in each other ▪ Wherein , you might have perished together . Thou aggravated hast thy pard'ned crimes , And , it●rated them , a thousand times . Ev'n yet , thou dost renew them ev'ry day ; And when for Mercy thou dost come to pray , Thou meri●est confusion , through that folly , Which makes thy prayers to become unholy . Nay , at this time , and in this very place , Where God in Iudgement stands before thy face , Thou oft forgetst the danger thou art in ; Forgetst Gods mercy , and dost hourely sin . Thou dost neglect thy time , and trifle out Those dayes , that should have beene employ'd about The service of th● Maker . Thou dost give Thy selfe that liberty , as if to live Or dye , were at thy choice ▪ and that at pleasure , Thou mightst pursue his worke ; and at thy leasu●● . Thy Talent thou mis-spendst ; and here , as though To looke upon Gods Iudgements were enough For thee to doe ; thou dost with negligence Performe thy vowes ; which adde to thy offence . And loe , for these thy faults , and many moe ; Whereof thy Conscience thee doth guilty know , My spotted-Hound hath seized thee : from whom , That thou with life shouldst ●eene have to come , What canst thou say ▪ I could not make reply ; For , Feare , and Guilt , and that dread Majesty Which I had apprehended , tooke away My speach ; and not a word had I to say . But Mer●y who came arme in arme along With Iusti●e , and about her alwayes hung ; Did looke , me thought , upon me with an eye So truly pitifull , that instantly My heart was cheer'd , and ( Mercy prompting her ) Such words , or thoughts as these she did p●efer . T is true most awfull Iustice , that my sin Hath greater then thine accusations bin ▪ The most refined actions of my soule , Are in thy presence , horrible and foule . And if thou take account of what is done , I cannot of ten thousand answer one . As soone as I am cl●●sed from my sinne , To saile my selfe anew ▪ I doe begin . I to my vomit , like a Dog , retire , And like a Sow , to wall●w in t●e mire . I have within my soule , distempers , passions ; And hourely am besieg'd with strong temptations . My Flesh is weake , except it be to sin ; My ●pirit faints , when I the goale should winne . My Will●ff●cteth ●ff●cteth most , what is most vaine ; My Memory doth ●vill best retaine . That little good ● would , I cannot doe ; Those evil● I detest , I fall into . The vapours whi●h from earthly things arise , Too often veile heav'ns glories f●om min● eyes . And I , who can sometimes by contemplation , Advance my soule above the common station , ( The world contemning ) do● sometime● agen Lye groveling on the ground with other men : My Faith doth faile ; my mounting wings are clipt ; Of all my braveries I quite ●●n stript ▪ My hopes are hid ; my sins doe me defile ; And in my owne esteeme , ●y soule is vile . I will acknowledge all my aherrations , According to their utmost a gravations ; And here consesse , that I deserve th●refore The losse of Mercies love for evermore ; Which were a greater plague , then to abide All torments here , and all hell plagues beside . But , I repent my sinne : loe , I abhore it , And , with my heart , am truly sory for it . I feare thine anger , ( but , to feare the love Of Mercy could be lost , would in me prove A greater horror ) and no slavish dread , But loving feare , this griefe in me hath bred . It paines my soule , that I who have conceived Such pleas●re in thy favours , and received Such to ens of thy love , from day to day , Should passe a moment of my time away In any va●i●y ; or live to be One minutes space without a thought of thee . But , more I grieve , that I should more ●ransgresse Then many doe , whom thou hast favour'd lesse . Although I am a sinner ▪ yet I vow , I doe not in my soule my sinnes allow ; But , I d●t●st them , and oft p●ay , and strive , That , I accord●n● to thy Law may live . ( At least I thinke I doe ) and hopefull am , My love to thee is true , though much to blame . In me there how rely rise ( against my will ) Those lusts which I should mortifie and kill : And as I am enabled , I doe smite As well the fat , as leane Amalekite . But , if I have a sin that is become My Ag●g ; or as deare as Absolom , I wish a Samuel , or a loab may Destroy it e're my soule it shall betray . For , if my heart hath not it selfe deceived , It would , wi●h willingnesse , be quite bereaved Of what it most affects ( yea , sacrifice That which is dear●r then my hands , or e●es ) E're cher●sh , wittingly , w●thin my bre●● , A thought , which thy uprightn●sse doth detest . Thou knowest , that I take no pleasure in That act which I doe feare to be a sin : Much lesse if I doe k●ow i● so : and , this Doth bitt●r make it , when I doe amisse . Though in my wayes my walkings , now and then , Appeare irregular to other men ; ( And other while may shewes of evill make ) Because from thence offences others take , Yet , thought I not , it lesse offended thee To use it , then unus'd to let it be , I would not tread once more in such a path , To save my life , and all the joy it hath . But , should it cost my life I canno● tell If ( in some actions ) I doe ill or well . For , many times , when I doe se●ke to shun A plash , into a whirlepoole I doe run . The Wolfe I flye , and loe , a Lyon frights me ; I shun the Lyon , and a Viper bites me . A scandall followes , if I take my course ; If I divert it , there 〈◊〉 a worse . If I persist in that which I intend , It giveth some occasion to offend : If I forgoe it ; my owne knowled esayes I fin , and scandall give some other wayes . I find not in my actions , or affections That thing that is not full of imperfections . I cannot doe a good or pious act But there is somewhat evill in the fact , Or in the manner ; and it either ●ends To this mans d●mmage , or that man offends , Whatever I resolve upon , I finde It doth not fully satisfie my minde . I am so straitned , that I know not whence To finde the meanes of shunning an offence ; And , if deare Mercy , thou assist me not , My fairest act will prove my foulest blot . The Wo●ld , our Fri●nd● , our Passion , or our Feare , Hath so intangled us , at unaware , With manifold engagements ; and so drawes And win●es us , by degrees , into that Maze Of endlesse Wandrings ; that it leads us to That sin , sometimes , wh●ch we abhor to doe : And , otherwhile so strangely giddifies The Reason , and the soules best Faculties ; That ( as I said before ) we doe not know What in our selves to b●ke , or disallow . Yea , we such turnings and crosse wayes doe finde , That of● , our Guides ( as well as we ) ●e blinde . The Spi●it and the Flesh have their delight , In things , so diverse , and so opposite ; And , such a Law of sinne doth still abide With●n our Members ; that , we swarve aside Doe what we can : and , while we helpe the one , To what seemes needfull , th' ot●●● is undone . If by the Spirits motion , I proc●ed To compasse what I thinke my Soule may need , My Body wants the while ; and I am faine To leave my course , that her I may sustaine : L●ft my engagements , or necessities , Might my well meant endeavor scandalize . If I but feed my Body , that it may Assist my Spirit in some lawfull way ; It straight growes wanton : If I fast , it makes My spirit faint in what she undertakes : And , if I keepe a meane ; meane fruits are they , ( And little worth ) which then produce I may . If in a Christi●n love some houres I spend To be a comfort to some female friend , Who needs my counfell : I doe cause , ●he while , Another with hot jealousies , to boyle : Nor know I how my selfe excuse I may Vnlesse anothers weaknesse I display . Which if I doe not , or some lye invent , They censure me unkinde , or impudent . I can nor doe , nor speake , nor thinke that thing ; But , still , some inconvenience it will ●ring ; Or , some occasion of anevill , be To me , or others ; or to them , and me . And from the body of this Death , by whom But , by my Saviour , can I freed become ? Oh! therefore , sweet Redeemer , succour lend me , And , from these bogs , and s●ares of sin , defend me ▪ Deare God , assist in these perplexities , Which from our fraile condition doe arise . S●t straight , I pray thee , Lord , ●he crookednesse Oferring Nature ; and these faults redresse . So out of frame , is ev●ry thing , in me , That , I can hope for cure , from none , but thee . To thee I ther●fore kneele ; to thee I pray ; To thee my soule complaineth ; ev'ry day : Doe thou but say , Be whole ; or be thou cleane ; And , I shall soone be pure , and sound , agen . The Will thou gav●st me , to affect thy Will , Though it continue not so perfect still , A● when thou first bestow'dst the same ; accept it , Ev'n such as my polluted Vessell kept it . For ▪ though it wounded be , through many fights Continu'd with my carnall appetites : Yet , i● my h●arts desire to me be knowne , Thy Pleasure I preferre before min● ow●e . If I could chuse , I would not guil●y be Of any ●ct di●pl●asing unto thee . In all my life , I would not sp●●ke a word , But , th●t which to thy lik●ng might accord . I woul● not thinke a thought but w●at might fhow , That f●om thy Spirit , all ●y ●usings flow . I would nor hate , nor love , nor hope , nor feare , But as unto thy praise it usefull were . I would not have a joy within my heart , Of which thou should●t not be the greater part . Nor would I live or dye , or happy be In life or death ; but ( Lord ) to honour thee . Oh! let this Will ( which is the precious seed Of thine o●●e Love ) be taken for the deed . Assist thou m● against the potent evill Of my great Foes , the World , the Flesh , the Devill . Renew my fainting pow'rs , my heart revive ; Refresh my spirits , and my soule relieve . Lord draw me , by the cords of thy affection , And I shall fall in love with thy perfection . Vnloose my chaines , and I shall then be free ; Convert me , and converted I shall be . Yea , to my soule ( oh God! ) and to my senses Display thy beautie and thy exc●●lencies So plaine , that I may have them still in sight ; And thou shalt ever be my sole delight . The world though she should into pieces teare me With troubles ; from thy love should never scare me ; Nor ●ble be to tempt me from one duty To ●he , with all her pleasure and her beauty . Behold ; I came to seeke thee , Lord ; ev'n here , Where , to attend thy presence most men feare . Though here I saw the Pestilence withstand me , I stand to know what worke thou wouldst command me . From all the pleasures of the world , and from H●r hopes of safety , I am b●●her come Where thou art angry : and to see thy frowne Am at thy feet , with terror , fallen downe . Yet , hence I would not flye ( although I might ) To gaine the chiefest of this worlds delight , Till I perceive thou bidd●st me goe away ; And , then , for twenty wo●lds , I would not stay . I came as heartily as fl●sh and blood Could come ( that hath in it so little good ) To doe thee service : and , if dye I must ▪ Loe , here I am ; and , I pronounce thee just . Although thou sl●y me yet my soule well knowes Thou lov●st me : And I le trust in thee repose . Though in my selfe I feele I am polluted ; I finde a better righteousnesse imputed Then I have lost . Thy blessed Love doth fill me With joyes , that will rev●ve me , though thou kill me . My sins are great ; ●ut thy compassion's greater . I ha●e thy Quittance , though I am thy Debtor . And , though my temp'rall hopes may be destroid ▪ Yet , I have those , that never shall be void . Thus , to the Lord , my soule I powred out , When I with d●ngers wa● enclos'd about ; And though I was a sinner , this appeased His wrath in Ch●ist , a●d my g●iev'd soule was eased ▪ He graciously accepted , in good part , This poore oblation of an humbled heart . His Mercy se●l'd my pardon ; and I shook The Pestilence ( which hold upon me tooke ) From off my shoulder , without sense of harme , As Paul did shake the Viper from his arme . That weeke , moreover , God beg●n to slack His Bow , and call his bloody Angell backe ; Who by degrees retyr'd , as he came on . For , weeke by weeke , untill it f●ll to none , The number which the Pestilence did kill , Was constantly , and much abated still . When we were fleating on that Inundation , At first we sent a carnall Lamentation ; Which like the Raven ( ●rom Noahs Arke ) did flye , And found nor rest ▪ nor hope of remedy . Then sent we D●ve-like Mournings : but th●●● feet A while could with no resting places mee● Then forth againe we sent them , out from ●ence Wing'd with mo●e Charity , and Penitence . And then , they brought an Olive-b●anch of peace , Which made us hopefull of this Floods decrease . The Lord did favour to this Kingdome daigne , And , brought from thrall , his Iacob , back againe . His peoples crimes he freely did release ; His ir● abated ; his hot rage did cease . His praise had in our Land a dwelling place ; And Mercy there , with Iustice did embrace . And 't was a grace to be considered , That a Disease , so generally spred , ( And so contagious ) in few weeks should from So many thousands , to a cypher come . That our infectious beds , and roomes , and stuffe ▪ ( Which in all likelyhood had beene enough To keepe the Plague among us , till it had Our Cities , and our Townes unpeopled made , Should from their noy●omnesse , so soone be ●r●ed ▪ Is out of doubt a matter worth our heed . Yea , t is a Mer●y ( though most mind it not ) Which in this Land should never be forgot : That from an enemy so dangerous , So great a City and so populous Should in three months be purified so , That all men might with safety , come and goe . For , e're the following Winter was expired , The Citizens were to their homes retired : The Terme from Reading , was recalled hither , From ev'ry Quarter , Clients came together ; New trading was begun ; another brood Soone fild the houses which unpeopled ●●ood ; Our Gentry , tooke up their old rendevow ; And such a concourse through our streets did flow , That ev'ry place was fill'd : and , of all those , ( Those many thousands ) who their lives did lose ( But some ●ew mon●hs before ) no want was found , The people ev'ry where did so abound . To thee oh Lord , to thee oh Lord ! be praise : For , thou dost wound and cure , strike down and raise Thou kill'st , and mak'st alive : thou frownst at night , And , thou art pleased e're the morning light . When we offend thee , thou a while dost leave us ▪ When we repent , thou dost againe receive us . To ruine thou deliver'st us ; and then , R●turne againe ( thou saift ) ye sonnes of men . For , in thy wisedome thou considered hast ▪ That man is like a bubble , or a blast : A heape of Dust , a tuft of wither'd Grasse , A fading F●owre , that soone away doth passe : A Moment fled , which never shall retire ; Or smoaking Flaxe , that quickly loseth fire . An idle ●reame , which nothing doth betoken ; A bruised Reed , which may with ease be broken : And therefore ●ost in Iudgement , Mercy minde , Yea , in thy greatest anger thou art kinde . As is the space twixt heav'n a●d ea●th , above , So large , to those that feare thee , is thy love . As far ●s doth from È●st , the West●eside ●eside , So f●r thou d●st from us our sins divide . Such a● a father to his childe doth beare , S●●h love is thine , to those who thee do feare . T●y Iustice thou fro●●ge to age declarest ; But , such as love thee , thou for ever sparest . I thou but turne away from us , thy face , Loe , we are breath●esse in a moments space . Thy looke doth us with life againe endue , And all our losses instantly renew . As oft as we rebell , thou dost forgive us ; And though into dist●esse , sometime , thou drive us ; Yet , alwa●es in our sorrowes we were eyed , And thou didst please to heare us when we cried . With t●●rst and hunger faint , some stray'd aside , To seeke a place where safe they might abide . With , worse then bands of iron , they were chained , And in the gloomy sh●des of D●ath detained . With h●●● and ●ick●esse ▪ they dejected were ; And to deliver them ; no helpe was there . Their wickedness● when they were plagued for , Their soules th● sweetest mor●●ls did abhor . They for their follies , did afflicted lye , And , to the gates of Death approached nigh . Their soules within them were nigh dead with feare ; Yea , they distracted , and amazed were . But , when to thee they called , they were eased , And out of all their troubles quite released . Thou sent'st abroad thy Word , and they were healed ; Thy Wr●t of Indignation was repealed From out of Death's black shades t●ey were reprieved ; And in their sorrowes and their paines relieved From East and West , from North & South , and from Their sev'rall wandrings , thou shalt call them home ▪ In ev'ry quarter of the Realme thou soughtst ●hem ; Yea to their City back againe thou broughtst them : And there ( now ) joy●u●l , and in health they be ; From all their feares , and all their dangers free . Oh ▪ would that men this love would think upon , And tell their seed what wonders thou hast done : Would they , Oblations , of thanksgiving , bringing , Thy works would praise , and publish them , in singing . Oh! would they were so wise that they might lea●ne Thine infinite compassion to discerne ; And that they would assist me to declare , How grea● thy Iudgements and thy Mercies are ! Though none can of thy favours make relation , Nor fully utter all thy commendation ; Yet , let us doe our best , that we may raise A thankfull Trophee to thy boundlesse praise . Let us , whom thou hast saved , thee con●esse . And to our utmost pow'r t●y goodnesse blesse . Let us proclaime thy bounties , in the street , And , preach thee where ou● Congregations meet . Let us in private , at noone , morne , and night , And in all pl●ces , in thy praise delight . Let Prince , and Priest , and People , old , and yong , The rich , the poore , the feeble , and the strong , Men , Angels , and all creatures that have name , Vnite their pow'rs , to publish out thy fame . But , howsoever , others may endevor , Let me oh ! God , let me oh God! persever To magnifie thy glory . Let nor day , Nor any morne , or evening , passe away , In which I shall not to remembrance bring Thy Iudgements ; and of thy great Mercy , sing . Let , never whilst I live , my heart forget Those Dangers , and that strong entangled Net , In which my soule was hamper'd . Let me see ( When , in this world , I shall best pleased be ) My dangers such appearing as they were , When me , they ●ound about enclosed here : Yea , when , o'rewhelm'd , with terrors , I did call , Like Ionas , from the belly of the Whale , And was deliver'd . Lord , remember thou , That with unfainednesse , I beg thee , now , To keepe me alwayes mind●ull of thy love . And , if herea●ter , I forgetfull prove ; Let this unfainednesse which thou dost give , An Earnest be , of what I shall receive In time to come Refresh my cooled zeale , And let thy Spirit , thy hid Love reveale . Let nor the fawning World , nor cunning Devill , Nor wanton Flesh , incite my heart to evill . Let not my wand●ing eyes , be tempted by Those Objects that a●lure to Vanity ; Nor let my eares be charmed by their tongues , Wh● to betray me , chant out Syren-songs . Let me nor taste a Pleasure , nor obtaine That carnall Rest , whereof I am so faine ▪ Till it shall make me plainly to perceive Thy love ▪ and teach me , foolish paths , to leave . Let me be still in want ; and ever striving With some affl●ctions ( whilst that I am living ) Till they for better Fortunes , better me : And , then , let into Rest , my entrance be . From yeare to yeare , ( as thou hast yearly done ) New sorrowes , and new trials bring thou on My stubborne heart , till thou hast softned it , And ▪ made it , for thy service , truly fi● : Bu● , give me hopes , and daily comforts too , To strengthen me , as thou hast us'd to doe . And , that , in Iustice , Mercy may appeare , Inflict ( Oh Lord ! ) no more then I can beare . I feele ( and tremble that I feele it thus ) My flesh hath f●ailties which are dangerous , To mine owne safety : and as soone as thou Shalt quite remove the feares that seize me now ; My sense of thee , and those good thoughts ( I doubt ) May faile within me , or be rooted out . Some L●st may quench them , or some Care may choke them , Vaine ho●●s may vaile them or new-thoughts revoke them ; The wisdome of the world , or of the Devill , Or , some suggestion , in my selfe , that 's evill , May urge , perhaps , that it is melancholy , Whic● fills me no● ; that superstitious folly Begot this awfulnesse ; that ●his Disease Did accid●nt●lly , our C●t● seize ; And , that 't is vaine to muse so much upon Those times or trou●les , that are past and gone . Oh! rather , then it should in me be so , Some other house of Sorrow send me to ; And keepe me , Lord , perpetuall pris'ner there , Till all such dangers overpassed are . Nor weale nor woe I crave , but part of either , As with my tem●er best agrees together . For , joy without ●hy grace , is griefes encreasing , And wealth is poverty , without thy blessing . But if by passing this lifes p●rging fires , Thou shalt so purifie my hearts desires , That without perill to my hopes of heav'n , A temp'rall rest may at the last be giv'n ; Vouchsafe it Lord , ev'n for the good of them Who my best resolutions , yet , condemne . Let the● discerne , thou blessings hast provided , For that , which they unjustly have derided . Thou her●tofo●e didst heare thy Servant call , And mad'st me free when I was close in thrall . Oh! to those ●o●tals make me not a scorne , Who to my Sham● my Glory seeke to turne : But let it in thy time to them appeare , That thou didst me e●ect , and me wilt heare . Let them perceive ( though they my Lott disdaine ) The promise of this Life doth appertaine To me as unto them . And for their sakes Whose weaknesse , otherwhile , of●ences takes At my perpetuall scandals ; let their eye Behold the ●urne of my Cap●ivity ; And know tha● I have walked in a path , Which , in this life time , some smooth paces hath . B●t , nought repine I , though this boone thou grant not . For , that which thou to me deny'st I want not . I know thy Wisedome knowes what best will fit me : I know thy Pow'r enough those things to get me : I know thy Love is large enough to me : I know thy Pleasure should my pleasure be : Thy will be done , and hallowed be thy Name , Although it be through my perpetuall shame . Whilst on such Meditations I was fe●ding My pleased soule ( and Gods great goodnes heeding ) That I might fill her with contemplating On him , from whom all happinesse doth spring : A suddaine Rapture did my Muse prepare For higher thi●gs then she did lately dare . Me thought , I saw Gods Iu●tice and his Love Installed on one throne in heav'n above . I had imperfect fights , and glimmering notions , Concerning some of their parti●●lar motions , About this Orbe . I much perceiv'd , me thought , O those their wondrous works which they had w●ough● In former dayes . And , as within a Glasse , Some things I saw , which they will bring to passe In future times . By helpe of Gods great Booke , ( Which for my Ephimerides I tooke ) I had proc●r'd a large intelligence Of Iustice and of Mercies Influence . There , learned I theseverall Aspects , And , of those St●ries the severall effects : W●ile in co●juncti●n those two Lights I saw ; The best Alt●o●o●ers could never draw From all the pl●n●t●ry Constellations ( Ev'n 〈◊〉 ●heir best ) such heav'nly consolations . I co●●d conjectu●e of their wo●ke divine , In S●xtile , or in Qu●drine , or in Trine ; And what pro●igious Plagues the world should fright If their asp●ct were wholly Opposite . Some things , by calculation I discerned , Which this our British Latitude concerned ; And most of them not much impertinent For all Mer●dians through Earths Continent . I saw of Weale and Woe the many ranges : I saw the restlesse Wheele of mortall changes : I saw how Cities , Common-wealths , and Men , Did rise and fall , and ●ise and fall agen . I saw the reason , why all Times and States , Have such vicissitudes , and various fates . I saw what doth occasion War , and Peace ; What causeth Dearth , and what doth bring Encrease . I saw what hardens , and what mollifies ; And whence all Blessings , and all Plagues arise ▪ I saw how sins are linked in together As in a Chai●● ; how one doth cause another ; And how to ev'ry linke throughout the Chaine , Are fixt those Plagues which to that Crime pertaine ▪ I saw un●eal'd , that hellish Mystery , Of carnall and meere wor●dly ●olicy , Whereby the Devill fooles this generation , And brings on Christendome such molestation . I saw ( as plaine , as ever I did see The Sun at none ) what damned projects be Veild o're with Piety , and Holy zeale : And how , a Christian Ath'isme now doth steale Vpon this age . Forgive me that I saw A Christian Ath'isme ; for , ev'n to betray Christ Iesus , Christ and Iesus , those two Names , Are oft usurped ; and it us defames . I saw , why some abuse their holy Calling , And why so many Stars from heav'n are falling . I had a Licence given me , to come Where I might see the Dev●ls Tiring-roome , And , all the Maskes , the Visards , and Disguises , Which he to murther , cheat , or rob , devises . And weares himselfe , or lends false-hearted brothers Therewith to foole themselves , or cozen others . Here lay a Box of zeale prof●ssing Eyes , Which serve for acting of Hypocrisies . Hard by , another , full of Double-hearts , For those who play the Amb●dexters parts . There , stood a Ch●st of counterfeited Graces ; Another , full of honest-seeming Faces . Yo●n , hung a suit , which , had some Traytor got , He might have pass●d for a Patriot . Close by , were pr●ss● fuls of such suits , as they Doe wea●e ( in ev'ry Kingdome at this day ) Who passe for Statesmen ; when , God knowes , they be As far from that , as knaves from loving me . There , hung those masking-suits , in which the Popes , And Cardinals , pursue their carnall hopes . There , were those fo●mall Garbs , wherein false friends Disguise themselves , for some unfaithfull ends . Faire counterfeits for Bishops saw I there , So like their habits that are most sincere , ( And so be●ainted ) that if they were set Vpon the back of our Arch counterfeit , He could not be distinguisht from the best O● all those Prelates , that have Christ profest . There , view'd I all those juggling sleights with which Men worke false miracles ; and , so , betwitch Deluded soules There , saw I all the trick● And Fa●tosmes wherewithall our Schismaticks Abuse themselves and others . There ( with ruth ) I saw false-Doctrines , t●imm'd about with Truth ; Fac'd out , with Fathers ; pee●'d , and neatly dea●ned , With Sentences , and Sayings , of the Learned . Yea , with Gods holy Scriptures , interweaved , So cunningly , as w●uld have nigh deceived Ev'n hi● Elect : ( and , many a one , alas , Of these , for Christian Verities doth passe . ) I saw moreover , with what Robes of Light , The King of Darknesse doth his person dight ▪ To make it Angel like ; and how he scrues Himselfe among our musings , to abuse Our understandings ; how he layes his hooks ▪ And baits , at Sermons , and in godly-books ; ( Although the Authors had , in their invention , A pious meaning , and a good intention ) I saw what venome he doth hurle into Our heert'est prayers , and those works we doe In purest charity : and how he strives To poison us in our preservatives . When all these M●skings , and a thousand moe , My apprehensions eye had lookt into : From thence my Con●emplation rais'd my thought , And , to a higher Station I was brought . There , I beheld what ruine and confusion , Was of these M●mmeries , the sad conclusion . There , ●aw I what Catastroph●s attend Those Vanities , wherein ou● times we spend : How God still counterworks ▪ and overthrowes The projects of the Devill , and our Fo●s . And , tell I could ( ●ut that it would be prated , I some Propheti●k spirit arrogated ) Strange newes to those m●n● eares , who have not learned What nay , by M●litation , be dis●erned ▪ Yet , all th●●● conce●v● I cannot write : Nor would I though I co●ld : for , so I might Throw Pearles to Swi●n ; of whom I may be torne ▪ Be t●ampled in the m●re , and ma●e a scorne . Nay , tell m● sel●e I d●re not , what I spy , When I have ●●oughts of most transcendency ; Lest Pride possesse me , and should cast me downe , As far below , as I on high hav● flowne : For , when we nearest unto heav'n do so●re , ( Till we are there ) our perils are the more ; Since , there is wicked●esse which we doe call The wickednesse that is spi●itu●ll In he●v'nly places And as we doe know The●e is a Light●ing which dot● oft●n goe Quite thr●ugh t●e body , to the vitall pa●t , And kill the very spirits at the h●art , Y●t never harme the fl●sh ; becau●● it m●y Through v'ry por●us member make it way W●thout impr●ssi●n ▪ So , from our offences , Th● Devill doth extract some Q●●ntess●●ses ▪ Which we may rightly nam● , the spiri● of 〈◊〉 ▪ And , til● ou● thoughts have sublimat●d bin , They a●e too grosse for that to worke upon . But , when ●uc● Sublimations are begun , He do●h infuse his ●hym●ca●l receipt , And , ●ither w●●k● precipita●●on , st●a●ght , O● m●kes those V●●tues , which pure gold were thogh● When they shall come to triall , worse then nought ▪ I saw this danger ( as my soule did flye To God ward ) and the Devills Chymistry , I lear●●d how to frust●ate ; by assuming H●mil●●y ▪ and shunning high presuming . I , of those lovel● G●ace● , got the view , Which te●ch us how such peril● to eschew . I learned there , how th●y m●g●t be p●ocured ; How the● continu●nce might be still secured ; And , in my pow'● i● is not to expr●sse , How I was fi●l'd with h●pes of happinesse . My thoughts ( yet ) climbed higher and perceive● A ●l●mpse o● thin●s ●h●t ca●not be ●onc●ived . The Love of God ; the Ioyes that are ●o co●e ; A●d many fights ●hat long were h●dden from My blinded Soule . This , set my heart ●n fire To climbe a lit●le , and a little high●● ; Till I was up so high , that I did see The World , but like an Atome , under me . Me thought , it was not worth my looking on ; Much lesse , the setting of my love upon . My soule did strive to mixe her selfe among The Cherubins , and in their Angell-song To beare a part ; and , secrets to unskreene , That cannot by our mortall eyes be seene . And , I would gladly thither have ascended , Whe●e joyes are perfect , and all woes are ended . As thus I mounted ; by degrees I felt My strength to faile me , and my wings to melt : My flesh waxt faint ; my objects grew too pure , For my grosse understanding to endure . A kind of shuddring did my heart surprise , Like that which comes when sudden thoughts arise . I far'd like him , who sleeping , dreames of store , And waking , finds himselfe exceeding poore . A pow'r unseene , did hold upon me take , And , to my soule , to this effect it spake . " I say it was Gods Spirit ; if you doubt " I arrogate , come heare the matter out : " For , who the Speaker is , that will disclose : " And , if 't were he , his Flocke , his language knowes . Despaire not Soule ( it said ) though thou art faine To sinke from these , to common thoughts againe . Nor murmur thou , that yet thou must not rise To thy wisht height . God's favo●r will suffise For that which wants ; and these high thoughts are giv'n In earnest of chat part of thine in heav'n , Which by t●y Royall Master is prepared ; And , in thy time allotted , shall be shared . St●ive to ascend ; but straine not over long , Thy cl●mbing spirits , lest thou doe them wrong . The Flesh is heavy , though the Soule be light ▪ And , Heav'n is seldome reached at one flight . Mount high ; but , mount not higher then thy bound ; Lest thou be loft , and all that thou hast found . Search deepe ; but search no deeper then thy pow'r ; Lest some infernall Depth may thee devoure . Obse●ve thy Makers glory by reflection ; But , gaze not overmuch at his perfection ; Lest that great lustre blinde thee . Take thou heed , Lest while thou thinkst thou homeward dost proceed , Thou quite be loft : For , though these flights do raise Thy Soule with pleasure , they are dangerous waye● . When higher then the vulgar pitch she towres She meets with Principalities , and Pow'rs , Who wrestle with her , that she may not rise ▪ Or tempt her on , by Curiosities , To lead the mind astray , untill it wanders Among the windings of unsafe Meanders . Then doth it whirle about , to see things hidden ; Pryes after Secresies that are forbidden ; And by a path , which tends to Heav'n , in show , Arivéth , unaware , at Hell below . Take heedof this ▪ the way to heav'n is steep ; Yet , e're thou climbe it , thou must often creep . The worke appointed thee , is yet unended , And , Gods good pleasure must be still attended Ev'n in this world , untill he cal● thee thence . His Kingdome must be got by vi●lence . Thou must with many frailties , yet , contend , Before thy Christian warfare hath an end . The World is brewing yet another Cup Of Bitternesse , for thee to swallow up . Thou hast from Heav'n an Arrand yet to doe , Which ( if God hinder not ) will call thee to More troubles , and more hatred bring upon thee , Then all thy former Messages have won thee . And be thou sure , the Devill will devise Al● sl●nders , and all wicked infamies That may dispa●age thee : or ●ruitlesse make , That use ●ll wo●ke which thou dost unde●take . Thou must prepare t●ine eares to ●eare the noise ▪ Of causelesse thre●tnings , or the foolish voic● Of ignor●nt ●epr●vers ▪ ●nd expect The secret C●●sures of ea●h g●ddy Sect. Thou must provide thy selfe , to hea●e great Lords Talke , withou●●eason , big impe●ious wo●ds . Thou must contented be to make repai●e ( If need require ) before the Scorn●rs Chaire , To heare t●em jeere , and flout , and take in hand To scoffe at what ●hey do● not understand . Or say , perhaps , that of t●y selfe thou mak'st Some goodly thing ; or th●t thou undertak'st Above thy Calling ; or u●warranted : Not heeding from who●e mouth it hath bin sed , " Gods Wisdome oft elects , what m●n despise ; " And foolish things , to foole the worldly wise . But ●ea●e thou n●t . For , he that in all places , And from all dangers , wants , and all disgraces , Hath hi●herto preserv'd the● ; will secure Thy safety now . That hand which did procure Release from thy clo●e Thraldomes , and maintained Thy hea●t content , while thou went so restrained ; Will be the same for ever : and , like stubble , Consume ; or , like the weakest water-bubbl● . Dissolve t●e force of ev'ry machination ▪ Whereby the world shall seek thy molestation . Thoug● thou in knowledg● ar● a Child , as yet ; And , seemest not by outward Calling fi● For such a taske : yet , doe not thou disable What God shall please to say is warrantable . His Word , remaineth s●ill in date , which sayes , That , On the children of the later dayes , He would poure out a measure of his Spirit ; And , thou the●eof a portion shalt inherit . Though thou d●spised art ; yet God by thee Shall bring to passe a worke which strange will be To most beholders ; and , no doubt , it shall Occasion some to stand , and some to fall . For , men to ruine doom'd , will misconceive it ; And , they that shall have safety , will receive it . Thy God ha●h toucht thy Tongue , and tipt thy Pen ; And , t●erefore , feare not thou the face of men , Lest ●e destroy thee . For , this day to stand 'Gainst Princes , Priests , and People of this Land , Thou a●t appointed : and they shall in vaine Contend . For , thou the conquest shalt obtaine . Al●hough that viperous Brood upon thee lights , Whose pois'ned tongue with killing slander smites ; And , though the ba●barous People of this I le , Doe thereupon adjudge thee , for a while , A man so wicked ▪ that ( although thou hast The Sea of Troubles , without ship wrack , past ) Gods Vengeance will not suffer thee to live The life of honest Fame : Let that not grieve Thy heart a whit . F●r , though their eyes doe see Reproaches , which like Vipers , hanging be , Vpon thy flesh ; th●y shall perceive e're long , That thou ( unharmed ) them away hast flung . And they who did exp●ct to see thee fall , For thy firme standing , p●aise Gods mercy shall . Against oppression , he will ●afe maintaine thee , Ev'n God , who oft did his protection daigne thee ; And tooke thy part against all those , that sought How they thy Muse , to silence , might have brought . He , that preserv'd thee from this plague , will save thee : For , he thy life ev'n of meere mercy , gave thee , To serve him with Thou knowst thou art a Brand , Snatcht from the flaming fire , by Gods owne hand ; And that to him thou owest , all thou art , And all thy Faculties , in ev'●y part . Take heed , therefore , that nothing thou refuse To utter , which he prompts unto thy Muse. Be constant : and , Elihu-like , beware That thou accept not persons ; nor declare With glozing ●i●les , that which thou shalt say ; Left God may take thee suddenly away : But , publish that which he of thee requires , In termes , and words , as he the same inspires . For , to this Realme and City thou art sent , To warne , that of their follies they repent ; To shew for what omissions , and offences , God sendeth Famines , Wars , and Pestilences ; And to pronounce what other plagues will come , If their Transgressions they depart not from . Indeed , of Priests and Prophets , store have they , And , some of them are like enough to s●y ; When came the Spirit of the Lord to thee , From us , who no such dangers can foresee As thou pretendest ? These are they that share The pleasures of the time , with such as are The Lands perdition . These are they which tye Soft pillowes to mens elbowes ; and still cry Peace , peace ; ev'n when perd●tion , hanging over The peoples heads , they plainly m●y discover . But , they that are true Priests of God among them , And his true Prophets , think not , he doth wrong them , If he doe chuse a Heardman : nor will such ●nvy the same ( or at the blessing grutch ) I● all were Prophets , and God pleased were To make that Gift to ev'ry man appeare . Though Gods own presence , had made Moses wise ; Yet . Iethro's counsell would he not despise . He , whom the Angell fed , did also eat Ev'n when the Ravers came to bring him meat : And , all that of their spirit partners be , Will heare what 's good , though published by thee . Behold ; this thanklesse P●ople ( from whose Land God hath but newly tooke his heavy hand ) Forget already what his mercy hath Vouchsafed ; and his late enflamed wrath . S●e , how they flocke together , to pursue New mis●hiefes , and old follies to renew . Their evill courses , they afresh begin ; And , ev'n those very purposes of sin , Whose p●osecution this great Plague hath staid , To finish now they are no whit afraid . Those Discords which they , many times , pretended , Amid their feares , should christian●y be ended , ( If God would spare them ) are againe revived ; And divers new malicious plots contrived . Those Lusts , of which th●y seemed much ashamed ; Those Vanities , for w●●ch themselves they blamed ; Those Bargains , whic● their conscience did perswade Were wicked ; & o●●od abhorred made them ; ( then , That Pride ; that Slo●● ; that Envy ; that Excesse ; That C●uelty ; t●at I●religiousnesse ; Yea , all that wickednesse pur●ude before , ( And which they fai●●● so truly to deplore ) Returnes with intere●t ; and they contemne Good things ; as if the Plague had hardned them . Like Phar'oh , they repented while the Rod Was laid upon them . But , as soone as God Removed it ; their mindes they changed too ; And would not let their evill customes goe . Goe therefore instantly , goe draw the Map Of that great Plague from which they did eseape : Set thou before their eyes , as in a glasse , How great Gods Mercy , and their danger was . Lay open their grosse crimes , that they may see How hatefull , and how infinite they be . Declare what mischiefes their enormities Have caused ; and will daily cause to rise . Pronounce those Iudgements which Gods holy Word Doth for the Wages of their Crimes record . And ( as the blessed Spirit shall enable , Thy Muse ; and , show thee what is warrantable ) Tell boldly , what will on their wayes attend , Vnlesse their lives and courses they ●mend . D●lay it not ; and let no worke of thine ; No goodly-seeming hope , or faire designe , ( How promising soeve● ) draw thee from This Taske , untill unto an end it come . For , no affaire of thine shall finde successe , Till thou hast finisht this great Businesse . If any man that is thy friend , or foe , Shall this deride ; and say it is not so ; But , that thy Fancy onely eggeth on Thy Muse : or , that to doe , or leave undone This worke , were much alike . If any ●ay Thou maist proceed herein , with such delay , As , vulgarly , dis●retion thinketh fit : Or , as thy common Bus'nesse will permit . Nay , if thou meet , as thou maist me●t with some , Who like a Prophet , unto thee will come ; And ( as the Man of G●d seduced was , Who told in Bethel what should come to passe Concerning Ieroboams Altar there ) Perswading thee , those thoughts delusions are : That , selfe-conceit , or pride , hath made thee dreame That thou art bound to prosecute this Theame : Beleeve them not . For , if that Man of God Here mentioned , did feele so sha●pe a rod , When his delay was but to eate and drinke ; ( Perchance through hunger ) and when he did think A Prophet sent by God , had licenc'd him : Take heed thou doe not this advice contemne . For , since this motion urgeth nought that 's ill , Nor contradicteth Gods revealed will ; But rather helpes effect it : since he moves it So nat'rally , that thine owne soule approves it To be his act ; beware how thou suspect it , Or how thou shalt be carelesse to effect it . Let not a worldly wisedome , ( nor the scoffe Of any ) from this motive drive thee off . Take heed the feare of dangers , not the losse Of carnall hopes , thy purpose , herein , crosse . Take heed , that Ionas-l●ke , thou be not bent To Tharsus ▪ when thou knowst that thou art sent To Niniveh . For , all thy doubts , and feare , Will be as causelesse , as his doubtings were : And be thou sure , that wheresoe're thou be , A Tempest and a Whale shall follow thee . My heart receiv'd this Message ; did allow It came from God ; and made a solemne Vow ▪ It would not entertaine a serious thought Of any worldly thing , till that were brought To full perfection : no , although it might Endanger losing my best fortune quite . But , oh I how fraile is Man ? and how unable In any goodnesse to continue stable ? How subtile is the Devill ? and what b●its , And undermining policies and sleights , Hath he to coozen us ? My soule was raised So high , e'rewhile , that I admir'd and praised My blest estate : And thought , with D●vid , then , My heart sh●ll never be r●mov'd age● . But , see , how soone , if God withdraw his eye ▪ We fall to hell , that up to heav●n did flye . I would have sworne ( when in my Con●emplation , I was ascended to t●at lofty Station , So lately mention'd ) that I should h●ve scorn'd The goodl'est prize the Devill could have subo●n'd To tempt me by . I thought , if God had said , Doe this ; that ( though the World had all beene laid To be my wages , if I should delay The doing of the same ▪ but halfe a day ) 〈…〉 ●●ve rather cho●e to have forsaken My life : then so to have beene overtaken . Yet , lo● ; so craftily a bait was laid ; S●●h showes of Goo●nesse ▪ thereinto convaid ▪ 〈◊〉 meanes of hel●e to Piety , pretended ; ●o me so seem'd it , to be re●ommended By God himselfe ; and , such necessity App●ar'd of taking opportunity As th●n it off●ed was , that I suspected I had ●one ill , the same to have neglected . N●y , to my Vnderstanding , true Disc●etion , And , all the Wisdome of this Generation , Did ●o concur together to betray My h●a●t ; that I did foolishly delay The Tas● enjoy'd . Yea , what I had bgun , ( Proceed●d in ) and pu●pos'd should be do●● Before my best affaires ; ev'n that I threw Aside ; and other hopes I did pursue . I brake my Vow , and I was led awry For that which was mor● light then Vanity ; And so my hopes my judgement did beguil● , That , I supposed all was well th● while . Most , also , th●ught me wi●ely to ha●e done , And , ●uch a fortune to have lighted on ; That o●h●rs , of my happinesse , began To talke ; and reckon me a prosp●rous man . But , many scandals , passions , and vexations , Much hindrance , and a wo●ld of perturba●ions , Pursued me ; to let me unde●stand , That I had taken some wrong ●ct in hand . For , though like Ionas , I resolv'd not quite From Gods commands to make a stubbo●ne slight ; Yet w●nt I to his Worke the fu●thest way ▪ And , travell'd , as mine owne occasions lay . Which he perceiving , s●nt a Storme that c●est me ; Mad● shipwracke of my hopes ; my labou● les● me ; Bef●ol'd my wisdom● ; of ●uch joy bere●t me ; Within the Sea of many troubles lest me ; And , what with speed and ease I ●ight have done At first ▪ hath long with paine beene lingred on . Yea , when the Ha●v●st of my g●eat r●pute Was looked for ( and most expected fruit ) It proved chaffe ; and , plainly I perceived , That God had suffred me to be d●ceived ; To warne me , that hereafter , I should never ▪ Omit , for any reason what●oever , His motions ; nor with holy vowes d●spense : B●t worke his pl●●sure , with all diligence . Which after I had heeded , I descry'd By what , and whither , I was drawne aside ▪ I plainly saw , that what I then had sought W●th hope of comfort , would my woe have wrough● ▪ I f●und that likely to have beene to me A Curse , which promised my Blisse to be . I prai●ed God , as for a savour done , That he did lose m● , what I might have won : And what the world did think me hapl●sse in , I ●ound a gracious blessing to have bin . I s●w my fault ; I saw , in vaine I sought To worke my will , till ● Gods will had wrought . I saw that while the furthest way I went , Gods Mercy did my foolishnesse prevent : Yea , made it ( by his providence divine ) A great advantage to his owne Designe . And , for my negligence when I had mourned , To my propos●d Labour , I r●turned . I begg'd of God ●hat he would give me grace , To be more constant in a godly race . I did beseech him to bestow againe Those Apprehensions , which my hopes in vaine Had made me lose : and that , for my demerit ▪ He would not q●ench in me his holy Spirit : But , gran● me pow'r to prosecute my story , And utter forth his Message , to his ●lory . My su●e was heard : I got wh●t I desired : My soule , with m●tter , was anew inspired . M● eyes were clear'd ; my heart was new enlarged : Bold Resolu●ions h●d all F●ares discharged : And , that which was d●sclosed unto me , Doth appertaine , G●eat Britaine , unto the● ▪ Come heare me the●efore ; for , howe're thou t●ke it ▪ My Conscience bids me , and I meane to speake it . Within thy pow'r thou hast me ; and what e're Shall good and right in thine owne ey●s appeare , Thou maist inflict upon me : But , this kn●w , That what I shall declare , God bids me show ; And that , if I for this , have harme , or shame ; My God shall at thy hands require the sam● . Oh! let not my requests in vaine be made ; Nor to thy former sinnes , another adde . And , my sweet Country , and deare Co●ntrimen , Let not these overflowings of my pen Distastfull be ; as if their spring had beene ▪ But either from the Gall , or from the Spleene . Let not this ages false Int●rpr●ter , ( Which makes both Iudgement and Affection erre ) Corrupt my Text , by their false Commentary , To make your good opinions to miscary . For , though in me ( as in all flesh and blood ) M●ch error hinders from that perfect good Which I ●ffect : y●t I his meed may claime , Who makes Gods glory , and your weale his ayme ; And , begs but of his words a pa●ient hearing ; And , from your follies a discreet forbea●ing . If there be Truth , and Reason , in the M●ss●ge , Let not my person hinder my Ambass●ge . If God shall in his Mercy pleased be , To make a Factor for his praise of me ; Let none the poorenesse of my gifts de●ide , Since he to no ●xternall meanes is ty'd . Despise not what I speake , for what I am ; Vnlesse you find the mat●er be to blame . For , God by Babes and Sucklings , oft , reve●l●s , What from the wisest worldlings he conceales . Both Heav'n and Earth , to witnesse here I c●ll , I dar'd not speake what now I utter shall , Vnlesse I thought , that God did me inspire ; And would this duty at my hands require . Nor dar'd I to be silent , though I kn●w That ev'ry m●n had vowed ●o pursue My So●le to D●ath ; because m● conscience takes A●kn●wl●dgement , that God w●thin me speakes . I doe not this , for that I se●selesse am , ( Oh! Englan● ) of thy infamy or shame : For , thy dishonor doth concerne me nearly ; And thee my he●rt affect●th far more dearly , Then cow●rds doe their lives . I would dist●ll My blood ( as inke is drained from my quill ) Ev'n drop by drop ; or else , at once , le● all Gush forth , to save thy honor from a fall . I aime not at a vaine or fruitlesse glory , B● d●ring : for , I know the mortall story Of all the glorioust actions , that are under The heav'ns large curt●in , are but nine daies wō●er . And that the most deserving workes we doe , M●y ruin● us , and helpe disgrace us too . I doe it not that I may wealthy grow : For , I the worlds rewards already know ●n such attempts . Experience I have g●ined , What poore preferments this way are ob●ained . My former Strain●s ( which did but way prepare For that , which I hereaft●r should declare ) R●ceived evermore the worst reward , As they grew better worthy of regard . A●● ( if God let not ) as these are my best , M● troubles , will for them , exceed the rest . T is odds , but that the wilfull Generation , F●● who● I write this large Anticipation , ( ●o stay their censur● ) will scarce reade so f●r , A● hitherto , where th●se Preventions are : B●t , here , and there , picke out some tart relations , W●●hout observing of those moderations That follow or precede them . Else , perchance Their brazen and Herculcan Ignorance Will strongly keepe that Vnderstanding from them , Whereby the pow'r of Reason might o'recome them . Some also , peradventur● , will ●orget , How , when I formerly was round beset W●th many troubles , I did still despise The r●ging fury of mine enemies . Yea some , no doubt , will have a minde to see What kinde of pow'r , there is in them , or me ; And whilst such men there are , he thinks amisse , Who thinkes to thrive by such a course as this . T is not from envy of their Lott , who grow Great men , or wealthy , whence these lines doe flow ▪ For , I rejoi●e in each mans happinesse , Th●t to Go●s praise , good fortunes doth poss●sse : And they that know my person , witnesse can , My lookes assure , I am no envious man . It i● not malice that hath wrought upon My Passi●ns : for , I vow , I malice none . No line or word of this which now I write , Proceeds from r●ncor , or unchristian spight . When I have wrong received , if I say Wher●in ; what harme doe I in th●t I p●ay ? 'T were much if when we inju●y susta●ne , We neither may have helpe , nor ye● complaine . 'T were hard , if knowing I had many foes , I might not say so , lest some should suppose What Names they bear . To no man this wil show them , But , unto ●uch as doe already know them . Nor ▪ when I mention wrongs , doe I intend Their shame who doe them ; but some better end . For , they that yet are enemies of mine , May prove Go●s friends , and to my good encline . I wis● them well , what e're they wish to me ; And of their harm● wou●d no procurer be . In gen'rall termes , I point out those that orre ; With none I meddle in particular : For , knaves and honest men a●e so alike , In many things , that I amisse may strike . I finde the faults ; let others finde the men . I no man judge ; let no man judge me then . My M●se●ath ●ath not usurped this Commission : No● arrogateth to mine owne condition , More excellence then others : But , I shar● A part in those rep●oofes that others b●a●e . I doe not thinke mine owne a spotlesse eye , Because it faults in others can ●spye . I never thought it was enough for me , A Criticke in my neighbours faults to be , Vnlesse I m●rkt mine owne : which here I doe ▪ And ch●ck the wo●lds and m●n● owne errors too . I meane t● winke at n●n● ; at none I ayme ; To heed or friend● or foes ▪ I doe disclaime . My Bow i● bent , and I must sho●t a flight ▪ Of shafts , that wil●●n d●ver● places light . Perhaps some o● them my best friends may wound ▪ Vpo● my self● , som● o●he●s m●y rebound . S●●e ( shot alo●t ) may ●●ar the Kites that flye A●ove th● clouds , themselves to Eaglifie . Some p●er●e t●e●r s●des , who thoght they had bin got B●●ond th● re●ching of my winge● shot . A●● some who thou●ht th●y h●d concealed beene , M●y fe●le my ar●ow●● , wh●re they lurke unseene . Ligh● w●ere they w●ll the car●'s already tooke : Si●c● none but he tha●'s guilty can b● strooke . Hist thou fo●got , oh ! Britain● , ( and so soone ) ●hy lates afflictions , and Gods graci●us boone ? As soone as e're thy necke unflacked feeles The curbing Reine , dost thou let flye thy heeles ? Shall nor Gods Iustic● , nor his matchlesse Love ▪ Thy flinty nature to repentance move ? But wilt thou still in crooked paths persever , And of thy Vanities repent thee never ? Oh! looke about thee ; yea , looke backe , and see What wondrous things thy God hath done for thee . Thou wert in future times , an uncouth place ▪ That had of wildnesse the deformed face . Thou wert long time , the seat of Desolation , And when thou had●t but slender reputation , God lookt upon thee , with the first of all Those Gentiles , whom in mercy he did call . Of his beloved Vineyards , thou wert one ; And s●●uate like that , once plac'd upon The fruitfulst Hill . God , for thy Fence prepared A naturall wall , by ●is owne hands uprear●d . He tooke away that stony heartednesse , Which did thy heathnish children first possesse ; And hath beene pleased , many times , since th●n , To gather out those flinty hearted men , Who by a bloody persecuting hand , Did harme thy tender Sapling● in thy Land . He plucked out of thee the stinki●g weeds Of Sin and Superst●tion ; that the seeds Of Truth and Hol●ne●se might here be sowne , Where wickednesse the so●le had overgrowne . The choicest Plants ( of that Vine-mys●icall , His onely-Sonne ) he planted thee withall . The stately Watch towre of his P●ovidence Compleatly furnished , for thy defence , In thee was builded up ; and did appeare To many other Kingdomes , far and neare : And on the lofty Turrets of the same He set his Flags , and Ensignes of his Name , Whose beautious Colours being wide displaid , Did make thy adversaries all afraid . Within thy Borders , hath his Love divine The Wine-presse , of a Christian discipline Erected ; and in ev'ry season given ( To make thee fruitful ) dewes & showrs from heav'n . Yea thou hast had , since food of life grew scanty , Not barely seven , but seventy yeares of plenty . What grace soever might repeated be That God for Isr'el did , he did for thee . He from a thraldome , worse then they sustained , While in th' Aegyptian bond●ge they remain●d , Did bring thy Children thorough Baptismes Flood , And drowne thy Fo●s , within a Sea of Blood . Thy Coast unto a large extent he stretcheth , For , ev'n from Sea to Sea it compasse fetcheth ▪ Thy Land with Milke and Hony over-flowes . In thee all pleasure , and all plenty growes . God kept thee as the apple of an eye ; And , as when Eglets are first taught to flye , Their Dam about th●m hovers ; so , thy God , Doth over thee , display his wings abroad . A Land of Hils and Dales thou wert created ; And in a Clime , so pro●itable , seated , Th●t whereas many other Lands are faine To water all their seeds , and plants , with paine , Thou fav'st that labour : for , the Dewes yeeld matter To ch●ere thy Gardens , and the Clouds bring water . Faire Woods & Groves , do yet adorn thy Mountain● ; Thou a●t a Land of Rivers , and of● ountaines : Springs hot and cold , and fresh , and salt , there be ▪ And , some that cure diseased folk in thee . Thee , both in Towne and Field , the Lord hath blest ; Thy People and thy Cattell are encreast . Blest wert thou in thy going forth to war ; And blessed also thy returnings were . He blest thee in thy store , and in thy basket : Thine owne request he gave , when thou didst ask it : He evermore hath timely fauours done thee : Throughout the yeare his eye hath beene upon thee : He carefull was , what perills might betide thee ; And heedfull all things needfull to provide thee : In Grasse , and Corne , and Fruits , thou dost excell : Thy Horse are strong , thine Oxen labour well : The udders of thy Kine grow large with milke : Thy Sheep yeeld fleeces , like the Persian silk : Thy Stones are Iron , and ●hy Hills are big With Minerals , which from their wombs we dig : Thy Soile is neither over moist , nor dry : The Sun n●r keeps too far nor comes too nigh : Thy Ayre doth few contag●ous vapours breed : Nor doth it , oft , in heat , or cold exceed . Still , for thy sins , thou hadst thy due corrections ; And , foundst compassion in thy great afflictions . His Prophets and his Preachers God hath sent In ev'ry age , to move thee to repent ; And , them thou smot'st , and murtherd'st , now & then ; Yet , gave he not to other Hu●bandmen His wronged Vineyard : but , doth yet a●tend , In expectation , when thou wilt amend . He , over all thy Foes , the conquest gave thee : He did from wrong , by neighb'ring Nations , save thee : And , they to feare and honor thee were moved , Because they saw thee , of thy God , beloved . Thou hadst a Deborah bestow'd upon thee , Who freed thee from thy Foes , and glory won thee , In spight of Sisera : For , God did please To make the Stars , the Clouds , the Winds , and Se●s , To fight thy batt●ls . When her turne w●s gone . He raised up another Solomon , With●n thy Borders to ●stablish peace , Who to thy glories added an increase . Thou wert as often warn'd , and punished ; As much besought ; as largely promised , As Iudah was . Thy Church that lately seemed Like barren Hannah ( and was disesteemed Of proud Peninnah ) in a spirituall breed , Doth most of Syons Daughters , now exceed : And thou hast viewed many of thy sonnes , To sit and governe , on earths glorious Thrones . The Iewish Commonw●alth was n●ver daigned More great Deliverances then thou hast gained . Nor was their helpe vouchsaf'd in better season ; As Eighty eight , and our great Powder-●reason , Can witnesse well . For , then thy preservation Was wrought by God ( to all mens admi●ation ) Ev'n when Hels Iawes , on thee , were like to ●lose ; And when , for humane aide to interpose , There scarce was meanes , or time . All which was done That thou Gods love mightst think the more upon . Moreover , that no meanes might passe un●ride , Which God did for the Iewes of old provide ; To thee he also sends his onely Sonne : Not , as to them , a poore con●emned one , ( That , seeing him , they might not him perceive , And hea●ing him , no knowledge of him have ) Not as a weakling , or illi●e●a●e : Or meane , or in a persecuted ●late : Or one whose person , beauty , and ●●mpl●xion , In th●m , had nothing stirring up affection ; Nor as a man that worthy seem'd of scorne , Of mocks , of whips , and of a crowne of tho●ne : He came not so to thee for , thou hadst ●hen Despis'd and crucified him agen , As well as they : yea , thou perchance , hadst more Despighted him , then others heretofore . But , in a glorious wise to thee he came : With pow'r , with approb●tion , and with fame . His Fishermen ( that heretofore did seeme To Iewes and Gentiles , of so meane esteeme ) Had won whole Count●ies from Idol●try , And made them to confesse his sov'raignty ▪ He comes to thee with honor , like a King : He did into ( the Church ) his Kingdome , bring A setled Government . He had assw●ged That Iewish and that Ethnick spight , which raged At his first comming . Emperours became His Viceroyes ; and did governe in his Nam● . Thou sawst fulfilled , many things ( of old ) Both by his Pr●phets and Himselfe , foretold ; Which did confirme him , that Messiah , whom Thou shouldst receive . His Doctrines well become His purity : and , witnessed is he By Martyrs and Confessors , him to be Whom thou should'st heare . And ( this hath greater made Thy Favours , then that Grace the Iewes have had ) Their threats , th●ir punishments , their ignorances , Thei● pe●tinacy , and deliverances , Their fallings , risings , and relapses , are Recorded , that by them thou mightst beware . Thou knowst what Desolation they are in , In recompence of their despightfull s●n , The murther of their Brother : yea , like Cain , Thou seest , that , yet , they vagabonds remaine . Thou hear'st , their fruitfull Land hath ever since , Beene cur● with barrennesse , for their offence : That , w●thout King , Priest , Prophet , or good order , They through the wo●ld have wandred for their murther Nigh sixteene hundred yeares : and that al●ho They be abhorred , wheresoe're they goe , They have upon them , still , the marke of Caine , Which will prevent their being wh●lly staine ; Lest ( as the blessed Psalmist hath foretold ) The People of the Lord ▪ forget it should . Yet , nor their good Examples ▪ nor their Fall , Nor all their Blessings , nor their Sorrow●s all , Have better'd thee : but , thou continu'st in Their obstinacies , and in all their s●n . Like them thou murmur'st , if God , but to try thee , Some blessing , for a little time deny thee , So , thou dost wanton it , as soone as e're , In any suffring , he thy voice doth hear● . So , thou Gods wholsome counsell dost despise , To follow thi●e owne foolish Policies . So , thou dost mixe thy selfe with other N●tions , And , learne to practise their abominations . So , on those broken Reeds thou dost rely , Which will deceive , in thy necessity . So , thou dost stop thine cares ( to thine owne harme ) Although the Charmer ne're so wisely charme . That which thy Prophets teach , and well advise ; Iust so , thou dost neglect ; just so , despise : Yea , though from time to time , thou seest the path Which ●hou dost follow , ill successes hath : Though thou hast found , that they who did fore●ell Thy course was foolish , did forewarne thee well : Though thou dost finde , no rest , nor peace , in that , Which thou art yet unwisely ayming at : And , though thy truest Lovers , ev'ry day , Doe counsell thee , and for thy safety pray ; Thou runn●st headlong , still , thy wilfull cou●se , And vaxest ev'ry moment , worse and worse . Thy eyes are blinded , and thou canst not see ; Thy heart is hard , and will not softned be . To thy best Friends thou shewst thy selfe a Foe , As if , thou rip'ned wert , for overthrow : And , till God please to turne thy heart againe , All , that speake truth to thee , shall speake in vaine . Whence doe thy troubles , and thy losses come , But , from thy carnall policies , and from Thine owne vaine projects , which thou dost pursue , By courses , that will still thy cares renew ? What gaine thy children , by their of● alliance With Babels issue , or by their affiance , But mungrell off-springs ; which will ready be , To stir up everlasting strifes in thee ? Though thou hast heard , the Midianites doe give Their daughters to no end , but to deceive ; And that the people who to Moloch pray , Wi●l for their Idoll , cast their sonnes away : Though thou hast heard what plagues ensu'd upon The wivings of the wise King Solomon ; And knowest that by God , forbid it was , A Bullocke should be yoaked with an Asse : Though thou hast seene that their ●ffiniti●s Are ev'n , among themselves , poore slender ties ; And such as they doe nought at all respect , Vnlesse they serve their p●ojects to ●ffect : Yet , in their course , thy Children doe proceed , And sow Gods Garden with a mixed s●ed : O● which , unlesse they t●uly doe repent , And s●eke , by carefell tillage to prevent , What may ensue thereon ( as yet they may ) Thy Land will suffer for 't , another day . T●y Guiltinesse ( oh ! Britaine ) makes thee feare , And often troubled where no terrors are . Thy faith hath fail'd thee , and thou didst not see Those armies , which have round encl●sed thee For thy protection . For , had they beene heeded , Thou no Aegyptian succours should'st have needed . If thou coul●'●t walke within a constant p●th , This Iland should not feare Iberi●'s wrath . It should be needlesse for thee , to pro●ure Alliances , that cannot long ●ndure . Thou shouldst not care ( but , as t●ey Christian● be ) What Kings on earth , were friends , or foes to thee . No pow'r abroad , should make thy children tremble ; Nor home-bred faction cause thee to dissemble : But , being safe in God , thou shouldst contemne The greatest dangers , and get praise by them ▪ Oh! call to minde , the times now past away ▪ Those , which our Fathers , yet , remember may ; And let thine Elders tell thee ( for they know ) How strong in Gods protection thou didst grow . What ●antedst thou , when thou we●t all alone ? When thou hadst nothing to rely upon , But Gods meere mercy ? and such grace bestowne , That thou couldst use those pow'rs that were thine owne ? When blest Eliza wore but half thy Crown , And , almost all the world , on her did frowne ; When Romes proud Bishop ; and , of Christendome The pow'●fulst Monarck , did her foes become . When ●he had no Alliance , to make strong Her party : but , wa● hatefull growne , among The neighb'ring Princes ; for her casting by The yoake of ●abylonish tyranny . When she within her Kingdome had a swarme Of Hornets , which did howrly threaten harme Both to her State and person . When their pow'● And fury , w●● more likely to devoure , Then at this present it appeares to be . When her owne Court from traytors was not free , When she had Irish Rebels to co●rect ; Opp●essed Netherlanders to protect ; And France to umpire in : ev'n when all these , And other troubles did her State disease . What glory , wealth , and safety ha●● t●ou got , That she , amid those d●ngers , purchast no● ? Religion in her dayes did still en●re●se ; At home she had bo●h plentiousne●se and peace ; Abroad , ●he was renow●'d : she did not paus● In execut●ng o● her whol●●ome Lawes , Through feare o● any Malecontents at home ; Or any threatnings from the Sea of Rome . She triple Geri●ns forces did con●emne ; Her neighbours sought h●r ayd ; she sought not them . She aw'd the West : she from the Sp●nish Coast Did rend their golden-fl●eces ; and she crost Their hopefull'st aimes . They could not unde●mine He● Counsells ; nor by any slye designe , Defea● her Forces : Fr●nce was prudent then , And would not stir the w●ath of En●lish●e● : For , they p●eserv'd their honor , by pr●serving Their trust in God ; and coastan p●●hs observin● . Then , to affront us , did no D●●chman dare , Nor , in ou● Voyages presume to sh●re , But , with our favour . We had ●ame by land ; O●r pow'rfull Navies did the Seas command . To ours , the strongest Fleets did strike their sailes ; They , that now bark ; then , d●r'd not w●g their tailes ▪ Yea , ●hough our Lyons not so many were , Our strongest Fo● , to ●ouze them , sto●d in feare . No sonne of thine presumed , then , to be So trai●erous unto thy God , and thee , As to allow a popish Liberty : Much lesse to move , ●or that impiety , In publick hearing . No man sought to sell , For any summe , the peace of Israel : No no● within ou● Ir●sh●onfin●s ●onfin●s ; tho It somewhat urgent seem'd to have it so : Because that peace●●ll pow'r thou hadst not got , Which now thou hast : nor , then , the neighb'ring Scot So firme unto thy State ; nor so engaged To tame that Nation , if a war it waged . Thy Patriots perc●iv'd , that to begin With Ireland , would become the meanes to win Great Britaine to the Romish yoake anew ; And , give the Spaniard courage , to pursue His great designe upon the British nations . They saw what civill broyles their Tolerations Have bred in France . For , if within her wombe , Rebecca could not but diseas'd ●ecome , ( Whilst she , at once , two sons did nourish there , Which Fathers of unlike Religions w●re ) They ●hought , that if one Kingdome should admit Two such Concepti●ns , to grow ●ipe in it , They ●ould , by daily struggling with each other , Afflict the body o● their nat'ral● Mother ; And , cause an endlesse Warfare , untill one Were setled in possession , all alone . Thou didst not then , within t●y Bounds afford An Altar b●th to Baal ▪ and to the Lord . What thou resolv'dst , was put in execution ; Thy zeale was chill'd with no irresolution . No haltings were appa●a●● . No disunion Did hazard ( though it troubled ) thy Communion : And , though thy many follies brought afflictions , ( Which , of tho●e errors , were the due corrections ) Yet , was thy faith in God , l●sse violated : Apparant evils not so p●lliated : Propha●enesse , not so patroniz'd , as now : Nor didst thou such impieties allow . But , th●u art changed from what once thou w●r● ; Thy worse hath ouercom● thy better part . Vpon thin● owne distempe●s thou art ●ost : Thy confidence in God is almost l●st . And , thence it comes , that though thou dost ab●und In many blessings ▪ thou art needy found . This makes Transgressions to encrease upon thee ; They bring new troubles , and new dangers on thee ; These make thee feare ; thy terror causes thee Impatient of thy feared harmes to be : Impatience makes thee so unfit to stay Gods l●asure ; that , thou ru●n'st another way , And seek'st for helpe in thine owne Fantasies , In fleshly Leagues , and humane Policies . Those courses overwhelme thee with new sins : From them , another b●ood of Pl●gues begins , Whi●● doth not mollifie , but more obdure Thy ●linty brest : and will at last p●ocure Thy to●all overthrow ; unlesse thou climbe The hill of hea●ty Penitence , in time . Growne fat with case , & wealth , thou hast forsook Thy God ; and many crooked courses tooke . God , who did thee so love , and so esteeme ; Who did create thee , and thy life redeeme ; Thou hast fo●gotten : yea , r●jected him , And , sought those gods , thy Father did contemne His Counsells , and his law , thou hast despised ; Na● , unto Devi●ls , thou has● sac●ificed ; And , them and t●ine owne ●ust● , preferd before His honour , whom ●hou shou●dst have prized more . The corne , and oil● & wine which thou enjoyedst As tokens of his love , thou mis●imployedst . The jewel● he vouchsa●ed to adorne thee , ( For his own pleasure ) thou on those th●t scorn thee Bestowst agai●e ▪ The beautie which he gave , That he the more delight in the● might have ▪ Thou ba●ely p●ostitutest unto those That a●e thy lust●ull woo●rs , and his foes ▪ Thy Vines like ●●ose of Sodom are become , Ev'n like those plants , that are derived from Gommorrah's Vineyard ; and their Clusters all Ar● sowre ; or else , more bitter , far , then gall . Thy Wi●e is Dragons poison : yea , thou hast In all thy pleasant things , a lothsome tast . But , thus in grosse , why should I l●nger sp●nd My time , thy wickedness● to reprehend ? Since thou art impudent , and hast the face , To make of the●e upbraidings my disgrace ? In my next Canto's therefore , I le prefer Of thy Transgr●ssions a PERTICVLER , So du●y urg'd ; that none shall justly say I utter what I should not open lay : Or th●● my Verse doth brand t●ee with a crime , Whereof their liues not witnesse all this time . Observe it ; and if ought I mention here , N●t fitly ●poken t● the publike ●are ; O● if , but in a word , I wrong thee shall ; Me to the most impartiall c●nsure call ▪ L●t my good purp●s●s be punisht more , And pittied ▪ also lesse then heretofore . L●t me of all thy chil●ren be reviled ; Fro● thy most pleasa●t Bord●rs live exiled : And n●ver be recall'd . But , if I tell What thy best Lovers shall app●ove of well . I● Truth I utter ; and such Truth as is To be discl●s'd : then ma●ke what 's found amisse . Amend thine errors ▪ Le● thy folly cease . Love him , that loves unfainedly thy peace . At least , despight him not . But , if thou doe , Yet he will serve thee still , and love th●e too : Thy w●l●are rather then his owne prefer : And , leave this Bo●ke for thy REMEMBRANCER .

The sixth Canto . The Poet ( wei●hing w●ll his War●ant ) Goes on with his enjoyned Arrant . I●partially he doth relate This Iland● good and bad estate . What s●v'rall sinnes in her have place ; How grosse they are ; how they ●ncr●ase , He also t●ls : and , then he sn●w●s That nor the Gentiles , nor the Iewes , We●e ch●ck'd , or pl●gu●d for any Crimes , Which are not reigning in th●se times . N●xt ●hat , he boldly doth reprove ●he course in which ou● Nobles●ove ●ove ; Derides their folly , blames th●ir sin , And warnes what dan●ers we are in . Ou● G●ntry then he repr●hends ; Their foolish humours dis●●n m●nds ; And ( having brought them to their sights ) Vpon the guilty Clergy lig●ts ; On Lawyers that abuse the Lawes , On Officers , and on the Cause Of most Corruptions : Last of all On some enormities doth fall Which are in Court and City found ; And runs this Canto , there , aground . BVt , am I well a●vis'd ? and doe I know From whence , & from what Spirit this doth flow ? Doe I remember what , and who I am , That I this famous Monarchy should blame ? Am I assur'd no ill-suggesting Spirit ( In hatred of thine honou●able merit ) Seduceth me ( oh Britaine ) that I might Become an instrument of his despight ? Have I considered of what esteeme Thou art ? How great thy Piety doth seeme ? What glorious titles , and trans●endent stiles Thou ●ast obtain'd above all other Isles ? What attributes unto thy selfe thou givest ? What of thine owne perfections thou beleevest ? And what thy fl●ttri●g Priests and Prophets say O● thy admired happ●nesse this day ? Yes , yes ; all this I ponder'd , and I know What g●o● or evill ●rom this act may flow . I am not ignorant , th●t thou hast beene Among the n●●ghb'ring Countries as a Queene , Among ●er Ladies ▪ Fo●mes of Government , O● Lawes , or Custom●s through Earths Continent , A●e no●e ●eceived that more pious be , Or mo●e upright then those t●at are in thee . Among fai●e Sions Daughter● , none doth sit M●●e frée f●om blemishes ( the● t●ou art yet ) In points of Ch●istian Doctrine ( though there are Some , who that simplenesse begin to marre ) No people doth retaine a Dis●ipline More Ap●sto●●c●ll , ●hen some of thine . No Church that 's visible , hath kept more pure The grounds of Faith , nor countenanced fewer Of Romes innumerable Superstiti●●s ; Of usel●sse , ●r of burdensome Tr●ditions , Then thou ha●t lately done . I feele thou hast Some warmth yet left . As yet , so brazen-fac'd Thou ●rt not growne , but that thou dost despise Notorious C●imes , and open Heresies ; Because the hidden Leaven of t●y sin To sowre the Lumpe , is ( yet ) but new put in . I●le doe thee right , and give thee all thy due , Before thy follies further I pu●sue . I know that thou with patience heretofore ( Ev'n like the Church at Ephesus ) hast bo●e Thy Christian Labours ; t●at , thou hast been moved Against offenders ; that , thou such hast proved , Who fa●sely did ●ffirme themselves to be Apostles ; and , strong ●aith was found in thee . Yea , ●hou didst long those heresies resist , Which God abhorreth ; and ●idst th●m detest . I know ▪ that like the Smyrnian Congregation Thou h●st through pove●ty and tribulation , Got heav'nl● Riches : neither didst thou feare , When they , who of the Church of Satan were , Blasphem'd the T●uth , and did themselves professe True Isra'lites , when they were nothing lesse . I know , that when ●hy Lott it was to dwell Like Pergamus , ev'n where the throne of Hell Erected was ( and in their bloody Raigne , By whom so many Martyrs here were slaine ) Thou didst not then the Faith of Christ deny , Not from professing of his Gospel flye . I know , that Thyatira-like thy love , And t●y devotion did unfained prove ; And that thy piety , and righteousnesse , Did ( for a season ) more and more encrease . I know , thy goodnesse i● not quite bereft , But that ( like Sardis ) thou some Names hast left That walke with Christ , from all pollution free , In those white Garments that unspotted be . I know , that like the Church of Philadelph , Thou hast a little strength within thy sel●e : Gods word , and holy Sacraments yet are ( As pledges of his love ) preserved here . An● I doe know , that , sin●e thou heretofore Didst love the Truth ; God will his Grace restore , On thy repentance ; and in all temp●ation Become thy sole-sufficient preservation ; Yea make all them , who now false boasters be Of true Religion , to subscribe to thee ; Confesse he loves thee ; and to thee hath given That Ci●ies title , th●t came downe from heaven . But , much is , yet , amiss● ; and ( to prev●nt Thy Ruine ) I advise thee to r●pent . Remember ( oh ! remember th●u ) from when●e Thou fallen ●rt ; and seeke by penitence To ●se againe . Thy former works renew ; Thy lately practis'd wi●kednesse esc●ew ; What th●u hast lost , ●nde●vor to regaine , Hold ●ast that Faith which yet thou dost retai●e ; Awake , and use thine utmost pow'rs , to cherish Those Graces , which in thee are like to perish . O● ! doe it speedil● , whilst he doth knock Tha● ope● th● doo●e , which no man can unlock , And shuts , where none doth open : yea ( lest he Come suddenly , and take away from thee Thy pretious Candlesticke ) renew thy zeale ; And unto him thy sinne , betimes , reveale . Marke , to the Churches , what the Sp●rit saith ; And purchase thou of Christ ( by lively faith ) To make thee rich , gold t●yed in the fire . To hide thy filthy nakednesse , desire The pure white ●●yment of his Righteousnesse . Thy former sight , tha● thou maist reposs●sse , His eye salve take : The conquest strive to get , That of the hidden Manna thou maist eate ; And g●ine the Stone inscribed with a Name , Which none can know , but he that wea●es the same ▪ For , I must tell thee , thou art run astray , And ( like a whorish wife ) hast cast away Thy old affection : thy fi●st-love is gone , An● other friends thy heart hath doted on . Thou ●st not halfe that zeale , which thou hast bore To thy Redeemers honor heretofore ; That simplenesse , thou h●st not in thy workes ; Put , base d●ss●m●ling in thine actions lurkes . Some Doctrines also are in thee profest , Without ●eproofe , which God doth much detest . Thou dost let goe unpunished in thee , Those persons that notorious sinners be , And impudently wicked : thou mak'st light Of their misdeeds , in vertuous mens despight . Thou hast conniv'd at those , who in the Land Have with an high , and an imperious hand ( Like Iezabel ) oppressed , and bereav'n Thou poore mans portion , in contempt of Heav'n . Thou hast blasphemers , who d●e falsely say , That they are Catholiques , ( and none but they ) Yet , if they heeded what their words imply , Their owne Distinction giv●s themselves the Lye . The Babylonish Strumpet thou ( as yet ) Within ●●y territories dost permit ▪ Who doth s●duce Gods people , and thy N●●ions ; And make them drunken with her Fornications . Tho hast those Hypocrites that make a show Of zeal●●s hearts , when they are nothing so . T●ou hast those B●alamites ▪ that in the way Of weake Prof●ss●rs , stumbling blocks doe lay : And pra●tise cunning slei●ht● o● policy , To bring thee b●●ke unto Idolatry . To trouble and di●tract thee ▪ they invent St●ange qu●stions , dou●tfull , and impertinent . By needlesse provings , by their vaine confuting● , By over nice distinctions , and disp●ting● , And by their multitudes of windy notions , They have so in●orrupted thy devotions , So over whelm'd thy Fait● ; so tired out Thy knowledge , ( with still running round about ) That there is left but lit●le care in thee , How much decayed thy good manners b● . Indeed , of thy lost Vertues , there 's a Fame Remaining still ; and thou hast yet a Name To be alive ; but , some doe greatly feare That thou art either d●●d ▪ or very neare . Though Laodicea like thou proudly vauntest , That rich thou art , and that thou nothing want●st : Though thou art h●ppy in thine owne esteeme , And dost to thine owne s●lfe quick-sighted seeme : Yet , were thy Iudgement cleared , thou wouldst finde That thou art wretched , naked , poore , and blinde . Thou dost almost that lukewarme temper hold , Which neither can be termed hot , nor cold . Thy wi●kednesse is ( well neere ) growne as ripe , As hers , that served for thy Prototype . Nay , Gods great Volume mentions not a sin , Wherewith or place , o● person , taxt hath bin , But thou hast practis'd it ; and of thine owne Host added others , to those times unknowne . With our first Parents , there are some in thee ▪ Who ●trive to eate of Gods forbidd●n tree ; And have upon them such an itch to know Those t●ing● which he v●uchsafeth not to show : That , from their eyes true wis●dome it hath hid , And m●re en●ang r'd them , then Ad●m did . Thou hast a brood of Cainites , that envi●s Their bre●hrens better pleasing sacrifice ; And pe●secut●s , and slanders , ( what it may ) All those that walke not in their wi●ked way : And th●rst with greedinesse to shed t●eir blood , Who seeke their safeties , and effect their good . There be , am●ng thee , some just like that Race , Who ( being made the So●nes of God , by G●ace ) Did with mans female issue fall in love ; And these beget a mungrell brood , that prove The Giants of their times ; and , those , that will The measure of the worlds misdeeds fulfill . They ( as those carelesse people did , on whom An universall Deluge once did come ) Eate , drinke , and take their pleasure , without care , How many or how great their follies are . And , though a Iudgement on their head is pour'd , They will not heed it , till they are devour'd . As soone as any Pla●ue from us is gone , We build and plant , and in our sins run on : Or when ( with Noah ) blessings we have had , ( In st●ad of being in Gods favour glad ) We doe in some vaine mi●th bewray our folly ; I● drunken feastings , or in games unholy . Since out of beastly Sodom they were got , Thy Children have among themselves ( like Lot ) Committed much uncleannesse ; whence proceeds A Race , which discord in thy borders breeds . Like Laban , many wickedly detaine The workmans hire ; and make unlawfull gaine From their owne Children . Some ( with Isma●l ) Are bitter mockers ; some ( with Esau ) sell Their heav'nly Birth-rights : & for what d' yee think ? For worse then porridge ▪ ev'n for smoake and slinke . We hav● a● m●g●ty Hunters ( now adayes ) As Nimrod , and as wilfull in their wayes . Som● , of their brethren merchandizes make , Li●e Iacobs Sonnes , and money for them take . With Simeon , and with Levi ; some , pretend Religio●s cause ; when for some other end They doe proj●ct : and , m●●kes of holy zeale Doe often bloody cruelties conceale . For wives , for wealth ▪ and for our vai●e d●lights , We change Religio● , like the Sichemites ▪ We have those Iudges , who will ( Iudah-like ) Their brother , for his fault severely strike ; Deride , taunt , censure , and without compassion , To death condemne him , for the same transgression Which they are far more guilty o● then he : And , those the Plague-sores of this Iland be . We have in either sex , of those that are As wicked as the wife of Potiphar . Ev'n those , who so wil slander , and accuse ; If any to obey their lust refuse . Like Er and On●n , we have wicked heires , Who rather would consume themselves , and theirs , In fruitlesse ▪ vanities , then part from ought By which their brothers welfare might be wrought ▪ With Phar'oh , we Gods judgements do contemn ▪ And grow the bolder , and the worse by them . When he most plagued us , we most presumed ; And sinned most , when we were most consumed . Nor ●lood , nor frogs , nor loathsome lice , nor flyes , Nor murraines , biles , nor botches can suffice To make our Nations their bad lives reforme ; Nor Locusts , nor the leafe-devouring worme ; Nor horrid darknesse , liable to sense , Nor Haile , nor Thunders , nor the Pestilence ; Nor bringing us to sp●ings that bitter are ; Nor sweetning those things that unsav'ry were ; Nor strange deliv'rances by sea and land ; Nor Gods protecting us with his owne hand ; Nor Q●ailes , nor Manna , ( blessings which be rare ) Nor favou●s which more ordinary are : No , nor Gods dreadfull Anger , nor his Love , Can our hard hearts unto repentance move ; But , we ( l●ke Aegyp● ) in rebellion be , And , full as faithlesse as the Iewes , are we ▪ Among us , we have wealthy men , who may W●ole Groves dispend ; yet on the Sabbath day They 'll gather sticks . Ev'n to the Devill , some With no lesse worthy sacrifices come , Then sons and daughters . For , what lesse do they Who them in wedlocke wickedly betray To open Hereticks ? Or , they that make Their mar'ages , fo● wealth , and hor●ors sake , Without affection ? And ( I pray ) what lesse Doe they , who force their children to professe Vnlawfull trades ? There be among us , living , Too many , that , ev'n whilst the Law is giving , Do● set up golden-calves . Such men are they , Who in the Church , or on Gods Holiday , Are plodding on the world ; whil●t they should bend Their eares to God , and on his will attend . We have ( our best proceedings to withstand ) A Iannes , and ●amb●es in t●e Land , Who ( by their ●orceries ) continue shall Some people of this M●narchy in ●hrall : Vntill a Plague ( like Ae●ypts●owsinesse ●owsinesse ) Shall make them God Almightie , pow'r confesse . Young Vadab● and A●●h●es , we have some , That with strange fires unto Go●s altars come : T●●ir dull devotions kindled are with sticks , And wither'd leaves of humane Rhetoricks ; They offer up to God , their vaine Orations , Compos'd of Cli●bings , and Adnominations ; Which he abhor●es ; with all that frothy stuffe , Of which this age hat● more then thrice enough . Our b●ethren by extortion we oppresse : True st●ange● , ( nay , our kin ) are harbou●lesse ; And those o●fences we have Patrons for , Which many Heathen p●ople did abhor . With Miriam and with Laron , we have such , Who at their 〈…〉 preferment grutch ; Hot spirits , trouble●om● to civill states ; Like C●rah●nd ●nd his rude confederates . These a●gue mach for p●p'lar p●rities , And raile upo● all civill di●●iti●s ; But ▪ when they can attaine the● , none speake louder In their de●ence ; nor are there any prouder . We Gallants have mo●e imp●dent , then e're , Yong Z●nri , and his Caz●i did appeare : And doubtl●sse we have 〈◊〉 who ●●ve hidden Some Babylonish things which are forbidden . For all the Land much troubled we may see ; And many thinke , it shall not quiet be , Till they be found . Reveale thou their transgressions , O Lord ! and be thou prais'd in their confessions . We have , this day , amongst us , many a Bramble , That , like Abimelech , knowes how to scramble Abov● their owne deservings : and ( though base Vnworthy ●hrubs ) durst arrogate a place More eminent , then dares the noblest Plant , Whereof the Mountaine Libanus doth vaunt . By others vert●es these ascend on high , And raise themselves to such authority , That our most noble Cedars are o're-topt ; Our pleasant Figtrees , are b●scratcht and dropt ▪ Our Vines are shadow'd , and unfruitfull made ; Our Olives robbed of that oile they had ; Yea , all our forrest and our garden trees , By their ambition , fruit , or honour , leese . Thou nourisht hast , and fondly doted on Those cunning Dalilahs , who having won Thy good respect , doe practise how to spye Wherein the chiefest of our strength doth lye ; That ( having by their flatt'ries lull'd asleepe Those watchmens eyes that should our fortress keep ) They may ( unheeded ) steal our pow'r away , And to our greatest Foes our lives betray . Here want not such as Michah , who with ease Can make a new Religion when they please ; Coine ●ormes of worship proper to their Sect ; A private Church among themselves erect ; Make Priests at their owne pleasure ; furnish them Ev'n with their owne new-fangled Teraphim ; And preach abroad for good Divin●ty , The tumours of their windy fantasie : Nay , some of them far stranger things can doe ; For , they can make their gods , and eate them too . There be of us , as wilfull Favourites Of wicked men , as were the Benjami●es ; And , rather then we will deliver ●hem To feele the stroke of Iustice , who contemne The wayes of goodnesse ; we will h●zardize Our peace , our fame , and our posterities . We have those Prophets , who ( with Balam ) know Gods pleasure , and what way they ought to goe : And , yet , will for preferment doe their best , That they his plaine revealed Will may wrest . And though they are , perhaps , asham'd to say Their minds in publique , closely they 'll betray The Lords inheritance ; and Scripture proofe Inferre for all things to their owne behoofe . If of the pop'lar faction these become , And thinke some gaine may be atchieved from That side ; Gods word they will produce for those That would disloyally their King oppose : If by the Prince advantage may be had , Then , God himselfe an instrum●nt is made To warrantize their claimes ; an● , Tyranny , Sh●ll pr●ved be a lawfull M●narchy . As rash as Iephth● , in our vowes are we ; As Ehu●s gift , such oft our presents be . In ent●rtainments , some like Iael are ; And , in their complements may well compare W●th bloody Ioa● : for , they make their table Become a snare : and ( when most serviceable They doe appeare ) unheeded , they unsheath So●e fat●ll instru●ent , t●at wounds to death . Like old indulgent Eli , some connive At all the sins , in which the●r children live : Nay , glory in their lewdnesse ; and maintaine In them those follies , which they should restraine ; Till their owne shame , and their undoing followes , And their wilde brood be tamed at the Gallowes . Nor were the sonnes of Eli , heretofore More wanton at the Tabernacle doore , Then some young Priests of ours ; whom to correct , The Fathers of our Church so much neglect , That if they long connive as they have done , The glory of our Isr'el will be gone . Like those Philistians , whose advice it was To fixe God's Arke , and Dagon , in one place , We have too many ; and , they cannot see , Why God and Baal in one , should not agree . But , when they raise their I●ol in these Lands , Lord , let it fall , and lose both head and hands . We are as cur●ous as the B●thsh●mites , And long as much to see forbidden sights : Like those of Ekron , we professe to know The truest Go● , and whence our troubles grow : Yet , are so stupid , that we sleight his Grace , And , send him from us , to another place . Yea , like the Gadarens , we for our Sw●ne , Would banish Christ , and sleight his love divine : Wi●h Saul , we doe neglect what should be done ▪ And sacrifice , when God requireth none . Fat Sheepe and Oxen were prefer before O●edience to the Lord ; and follow more Our wills then his . When God saith kill , we spare , And where he bi●s , be kinde , we cruell are . No love , no kindnesse , no sincerity , No tokens of unfained piety Can stay our furies , or divert our mind . When we are once maliciously enclin'd . Goliah like , Gods army some contemne ; With R●bsh●k●h , some others doe blaspheme ; Some curse ( w●th Shimei ) Gods best beloved ; As causelesly , to ●rieve them they are moved , And are of gaine as greedy . For , if they Have but an us●●sse Groome escap'd away , ( O● lost a beast ) for such a petty prise , They will not stick their l●ves to haza●dize . We have those Michols , which will scoffe & flou● At such as are mo●● zealously devout . We have those dog-like Doegs in our Courts , That gladly heare and utte● all reports , To disadvanta●e them , whose wayes a●e pure , And cannot their impieties endure . We have those Nabals , upon whom all cost , All curtefies , and kindnesses a●e lost . We have ( like Vzzah ) those that dare to touch Gods holy Arke . Nay , we have worse then such , Ev'n those that rob it ; and themselves adorne With Iewels , from the San●tuary torne . With David , some have thought their sins to hide ▪ And , their Adulteries , in Murther dy'd . Officiou● knaves ( like Ziba ) we have some , Who by their Masters falls , to gre●tnesse come ; And ( though they did men inno●ent betray ) Without reproving , they doe passe away . We have those wicked A●mons , who defile Their sisters . And , to lay a cunning wile For helping their companions to a drab , We have more subtile Bauds then ●onadab . Those disobedient Absoloms there be Among us ●ere●t at wish and seeke to see Their Parents dea●hs ; like him they can conceale Their ends , till they ( by faire dissembling ) steale Mens hea●ts away ; and then abuse them so , That all seemes just and honest which they doe . We have Achitophels , that are a● wise Against Gods honor , projects to devise , As if the Delphian Oracle were sought : But , still in their owne pit-fals they are caught . For , he that honest purposes doth blesse , Conve●ts their wisedome into foolishnesse . We have with Solomon ( though none so wise ) Men wonne by women to Idolatries . With Ieroboam , we have those who strive A settled temp'rall fortune to contrive By ruining Religion ; and to win An outward peace , by tolerating sin : Not heeding , that a greatnesse so procur'd , Hath seldome to a third descent endur'd . To serve an Idoll we like him proceed , Although Gods Messengers reprove the deed . And though our arme be wither'd , for our sin , Our obstinacies we continue in . We want not Re●oboams Counsellors , Whose unexperienc'd Policy prefers H●rsh courses , rather then a calme proceeding ; When times are troublesome , & dangers breeding . We have ( with Ahab ) those who covet so Their neighbours Vineyard , that they f●llen grow , And can nor eate , nor sleepe , till they may plot , How their ungodly longings may be got : And we have Iezabels enough , to further Their claimes by slanders , perjury , and murther . Nor want such Elders , and such Nobles here , As those that Citizens with Naboth were . For should ( as God forbid ) our hopefull King , Desire to compasse any lawlesse thing , Or seeke his loyall Subjects to bereave Of what their Ancestors to them did leave : We have of those ( I doubt ) that would effect it According to their pow'r : nay , project it , And urge him , and perswade him , that ( of right ) He overthrow their lawfull freedomes might . We have of those ( I feare ) that would command A Fast ( like Iez●bels ) throughout the Land , And underneath a maske of Piety , Proceed to practise any Villany , Which might advance their greatnesse : and , I doubt Some Priests would helpe to set the project out . Yea , we those Iud●es , and those Elders have , That if a man his neighbours Vineyard crave , He need not , for his purpose , name the King , Or Letters from the royall Signet bring To move the same : Nor were it necessary That ( to corrupt them ) he Epistles cary From some g●eat Lords . For , if he can but make The tongues of golden Angels for him speake ; Or get some one , on his behalfe to write , That is but servant to a Favourite ; The deed is done : and they will feele no sense Of others griefes ▪ or o● their owne offence . We have such Prophets a● Zidkiah was , Who are no whit asham'd , in publique place , To speake fal●e messages ; and those to smite , Tha● in Gods name have spoken what is right . We have Gehezies ; fellowes that will take Vnlawfull bribes ▪ ev'n those who sale doe make Of what their Maste●s should have , gratis , done ; And force out fees , where they can challenge none . Gehezies did I call this crew ? I fea●e I wrong the Leper : for his brib'ri●s were Put petty pillages , to those rich preyes , On which some one of these his fingers layes . He askt , and had a willing gratulation , From one both rich , and of another Nation : ●ut , these extor● , compel● , and stil● serue Vnjust demandings , as a lawfull due . From friends , from strangers , from both poore & rich Their fingers to be scraping have an itch . For making their poore suitor , wait and pray , ( When they might have dispatcht him ) he must pay . For surly speeches , and for proud neglect , They must be humoured with all respect . When to their ●lient , they a w●ong have done , He must not seeme to know or think ●hereon ; But , faine all noble thoughts of them to have , Or , in some other persons call them knave ▪ And bribe them still , in hope they may be won , Yet , at the last , be cheated and undone . We have among us , men as very fooles As Na'man was ; who thinke Damascus pooles A● good as Iordan : and ( like him ) at home Some serve one God ; and when to Court they come , Professe another . We have those that be As trustlesse of Gods promises , as he , Who in Samar●a●s gate was trodden on : These may behold the favours which are done To faithfull men ; but , till they can beleeve , They shall not taste what blessings those receive . Here be like Haz'el , those who seeme to hate All tyrannizing , in their low estate ; Yet , being once promoted , throw aside All pity ; and all piety deride . Yea , that which forme●ly they did condemne , ( As vilifying , and debasing them , Below a Dogs condition ) they allow , When to their height of ●reatnesse once they grow . ( If none yet live ) we had in former time , Ev'n those that guilty were of Zimries c●ime . Most Officers like Iehu , doe begin Good reformation , at first entring in ; Their violent Zeale doth seeme to say , Come see , How just in our proceedings we will be . But , oft they prove mee●e Hypocrites , who having Acquired meane● to colour their deceiving , Surpasse the worst ; and by degrees proceed , Till they appeare the men they were indeed . Like wicked Haman ; some , unlesse they may Insult and trample on poore Mordecai , Are so distemper'd by their haughty minde , That they nor pleasure , nor contentment finde , In honours , riches , or in any blessing , Which they already have in t●eir possessing : But , will pursue , and ruine , if they can , Whole Kingdomes , for their malice to one Man . As p●oud are we as Nebuch●dnezar : In feastings , as profuse as Bal●hazar , And as prop●ane as he . We sometime seeke The god of ●kron , Abaziah like . Like Amiziah ( an informing Priest Of Bethel ) we have those that will resist Gods Messengers ; and would not heare them bring Into the Court or Chappell of the King ▪ The sound of that reproo●e or punishment , Which to pronounce among us th●y we●e sent : And , these , perhaps , wh●n they my Arrand see , Will prove as busie as that Priest with me . But , if they doe ( as Amos sa●d to him ) Although I be no Prophet , nor of them That are the sonnes of Prophets ; God doth know He called me to thi● ( which now I doe ) From viler actions , then from gathering fruit , Or foll'wing herds : And I will make pursuit Of what he b●ds me ; though o●pos'd I stand , By all the Priests and Prelates in the Land . And if they contradict , what well is done Their heads , at last , the sh●me shall light upon . Some ●ourtiers now , like Daniels foes , there are , That wi●l object as things piacular , The truest Piety ; and s●eke to bring Ev'n those to be suspected of the Ki●g , Who strive most loyally , to keepe his Name In honor ; and his Kingdome without blame . As Iudah had ( in Zephaniahs times ) Her Priests of Baal ; the name of Chemarims ; Those , who the heav'nly army did adore ; Those also , who by God , and Mal●●om , swore ; And multitudes among them , who did weare Fantastick Habits : So , we harbor here Some Shavelings yet ; some Romish superstitions ; To Saints we offer up some vaine petitions ; Equivocating Oathes we often take ; And , we our selves , in our apparell , make Deformed , by a skittish imitation Of ev'ry new-found guise , in ev'ry Nation . I doe not think ( nor have I ever thought ) That in it selfe it is materiall ought , What shaped Robes I weare : nor do I hold That any Fashion , whether new or old , Doth so much handsome or disfigure any , As it may seeme to do , perchance , to many . It is the Time , or else their mindes , that weare Such clothes , which make them good or bad appear . Those fooles who bring new fashions first ; and they That hast to follow them ( and thinke it gay And generous ) are those unworthy ones , That bring such folly , shame , and cost upon 's . But , when those Garbes grow generall ; then , we That first abhorred them , compelled be To take them up : lest our old clothes be thought New fashions from some forrain kingdomes brought : Or , lest we shoul●d by some be thought to erre , In being over nice , and singular . Most other people , both at home , and here , Doe in their habits , like themselves appeare : But , wheresoe're we come , we change our shapes , And , in our gestures , are all N●tions Apes . True gravity , we so are fallen from , And , so absurdly blockish are become ; That , strangers jeere us , to behold how soone We get the garbe of ev'ry fond Baboon . Yea , they are proud , to see that we condemne Ou● o●ne attires , by imitating them . And I doe blush to thinke , that our whole Nation Should of it selfe admit a transformation , So suddenly ( as oftentimes we see ) To imitate the guise of two or three . But , so it is : And at this present ti●e , Our female Gentry is so frenchifi'd ; That we have scarce a Gentlewoman now , In clothes , more handsome bodied then a Cow . Those women who e're while were goodly creatures , Proportion having , and ( me thought ) sweet features ; Doe looke as triple-bodi'd Gerion did , When they in their mis shapen gownes are hid : For , either arme , in such a mould is cast , As makes it full as fulsome as their waste . Their necks stand sneaking out , before those rustes , Which lie behind their backs with wide mouth'd puss As doth a peeled Ewes , whose fleece unshorne , Was from about her neck with brambles torne . Their flaring cu●les about their shag-shorne browes , Doe , of the fairest Lady , make a blouse . Those demy-skarfes , they wreathe about their chaps , ( Which may be comely to some● eyes , perhaps ) Doe make them seeme as Antick-like to me , As Hag● , that sent to fright yong children be . And I am sory , that a foolish pride Should make our Beauties their perfections hide In such a masking suit . And that a few Fantastick women , so great numbers drew To follow their new-fangles ; and besot Their judgements , by that fashion newly got . For , not meane wits alone ; but , of the wisest ; ( Nay , of the most religious , and precisest ) There are great multitudes befool'd in this : And , She , that of that Guise their Patterne is , ( Perhaps ) derides their ficklenesse . For she Is from their minde , and from their folly free . Nought , but her count●y fashion , she hath worne : And , that which them deformes , do●h her adorne . Yea , they have either missed o● her dresse : Or else she gives it much more lovelinesse , For to my eye there is some excellence Which puts t'wixt her and th●m much difference ▪ And this opinion is not mine alone : For ▪ so much hath beene said by many a one . Oh! shew the sweetnesse of your disposition , In hearing me , and granting my petition . Lay off your strange attires , that we may know If you be Englishwomen , yea or no. Your monstrous habit , each true Britaine lothes ; And , were your bodies formed like your clothes , ( Which , God in Iustice , may effect , perchance ) You might go seek your fortunes out in France , From whence your new prop●rt●on hither came : For , we shall never truly love the same . Because , if other men have thoughts like mine , It would appeare to be some fatall signe , To see our women leave th●ir native fashion , And , turne themselves into another Nation . But , let these Females goe I hope that she Who shall be mine ( if any such the●e be ) What ever accident or change be●alls , Will still retaine her English na●urals . More bl●me then this might in this kind be laid On women : but , unwillingly I said What here is uttred . And , if they had bin In those attires that I have seen them in , I had not on this over-sight reflected ; But , left them to be counsell'd and directed By their neare Friends or Husbands . Yet , ala● ! We have of them , whose levity doth pass The ●icklenesse of these : and , they alone Are oft the cause , that th●se have so misgone . Nor ever did this folly more appeare , Then now it doth ; ●v'n in this very yeare , Where●n the Pestilence devoured so : And , as that Plague de●reased , this did grow . But , in Trans●ressions , how we parallell The times before , I will proceed to tell . High-priest have we , who send ou● spies to watch T●e Preachers of Gods word ; and pick , and catch Advantages against th●m . Some of us Are like the Silver-smiths at Ephesus , And , for their private lucre will contend Against the Truth , and Heresies defend . We , Demas like , have those Apostataes , Who , for the world , forsake the Christian cause . And , some there be , that with Diotrophes , Affect preheminence in these our dayes . Some , like the Scribes and Pharises do rinse The Cup without ; but , have no care to clense The loathsome inside . Some , have arrogated Such Holinesse , that they are separated From others , as a spotlesse Congregation , That is without all blame , or prophanation . Some , like to those , their Brethren d●s●espect : And , lo●dly titles over-much affect , As did the Iewish Rabbies . Some , as they On others backs uneasie burthens lay : Which they themselves , to cary do refuse . The Orphane , and the Widow , some abuse , By shewes of piety . And , we have some , In tything Anniseed , and Mint , become Exceeding zealous : yet , have neither care Nor conscience , in those things that waighty are . We have our sev'rall Brotherhoods of those , Who seriously do Sea and Land enclose , ( And practise , by a multitude of sleights ) To win unto their Sects new p●oselites : Not out of love to Truth , or Charity , But ra●her to advance their Heresie . Who ever all their crotchets doth embrace , Is instantly become the child of Grace , ( In their opinions ) whatsoever he In other points , or in his manners be . Bu● whosoe're he be that shall despise , One branch of any toy , which they devise , Is judg'd a Reprobate . Yea , though in all The grounds of Faith , and in his works he shall Appeare unblemished ; they will contemne His judgement ; and traduce and censure him . Yea , some of those there be who have des●ride A tricke to know who are unsanctifide ; Though they have all the ma●kes of holin●sse . Nay , some a●e not ashamed to confesse , To know what persons those hid ma●ks do beare , W●ich knowne to no men but their wearers are . Like Ananias , and Saphira , here Are they that holy Brethren do● appeare , Yet want sin●erity . And , I could tell y● Of Multitudes , who meerly for their belly , Doe follow Christ . With Herod , we have such Who heare m●n gladly , till those Crimes they touch Which are their Darlings : But , then mad they grow , And what they truly are , they truly show . Like Dives , we have those that ev'ry day Are fed with dainties ; cloth'd with rich aray , And , full as mercilesse unto the poore , That lye uncloth'd , and hungry at the doore . We have a rattle-brain'd and wilfull Crew , That with a purblinde zeale the Truth pursue : And would be found , were not their pow'● so small , More bloody , and more violent th●n Paul , Before his name wa● c●anged : for , they teare That Robe , whereof they doe profe●se a care . We have those Nobles , who with Felix , can Confesse the inn●cency of a m●n Accus'd before them ; and , yet leave him bound , If ought to their advant●ge may r●dound . We have of those that parcell Christians be , As King ●grippa . Othersome have we That walke for company , th●y care not whither ; And , some that sleight Religion alt●gether . Nor want we those , that while th●y Christ professe , Convert his Graces into wantonness● . We are almost as wicked as old Rome : Of Heresi●s we are as full become , As Amsterdam . Nay , many men have we , That can of three or ●oure profession● be , ( Ev'n all at once ) although that ev'ry Sect Each other doth directly contradict . We have an Elimas , who doth apply His cunning to pervert the Depu●y : Like Simon Magus , we have Merchants here , That were baptized ; and yet without feare , Dare buy and sell those things that holy be ; And which , by Gods donation , s●ould be f●ee . Nay , in the gall of bitternesse they lye , More deepe then he , fr●m whom their Symony Deriveth name : for , he , in shew , repenting , Did crave the Churches prayers for preventing Of his deserving : whereas , these devise Quaint arguments ▪ their sin to patronize ; Or make it lesse . Else , by equivocation , Or , by ●heir tricke of m●ntall reservation , They hide thei● fault : and ( that the s●n they doe May grow compl●at ) themselves they perjure too . There be , that Mammon , for their God , adore : That make Christs members , members of a whore : And stained be with those offences all , Wher●of the Gentiles were accus'd , by Paul . We all are guilty of much fraud , debate , Imp●ety , uncleannesse , envy , hate , Backbiting , stealing , pride , maliciousnesse , Dissembling , murther , lying , spightfulnesse , Truce breaking , disobedience , ignorance , Implacability , bold arrogance , Want of affections naturall , excesse , Inhumane cruelty , ungratefulnesse : Blaspheming , swearing ; and innumerable Transgressions more , of ●hat ungodly rable : And , some ( when God Almighty poured hath Vpon their heads the Viols of his wrath ) In stead of penitence , encrease the score Of their offences ; and , blaspheme the more . Nay , that we may be partners of thei● guilt , That have the blood of Gods Anointed spilt , With Pilate and the Iewes , we have , againe , The Lord of Life , both crucifi'd , an● slaine . Thou hast , Oh Britaine , ev'ry thing misdone , That Ashur , Moab , Ammon , Babylon , Or any Kingdome hath transgressed in , Which unto Piety a foe hath bin . Of whatsoever Isr'el was detected , For whatsoever Iudah was corrected , Thou maist be taxed ; for , among thy Nation● Are daily practis'd their abominations . Their tricks thou hast , to hinder and oppresse , Those men who tell thee of thy wickednesse . Right so thou dost debase ; so slander them : Right so , their just reproofes thou dost contemne : And , though their words are daily verifide , Yet , thou dost alwayes wilfully deride Their admoni●ions ; and , passe all things by , As falling on thee but by casualty . I doe beleeve , and know , that , yet , in thee Some Obadiahs , and some Ezraes be . Some Courtiers , and some Nobles yet remaine , Which doe their true Nobility retaine : But , most of them their dignity have lost ; And can of nought but painted Scuch●ons boast . As did of theirs , the Iewish Prophet say , Thy Princes doe procrassinate the day Or thy Calamity ; and will not heare , O● that affliction which approacheth neare : But , of Iniquity they climbe the seat ; And , by extortion make their house● great . Their Palaces , they seele and trim with gold , Gods Temples being ruinously old . On beds ( more pretious then of Ivory ) They stretch themselves , and live luxuriously . The pasture Lambes , and wainlings of the stall , Suffice not them ; but they make prey of all . Which liveth in the wood , or in the field ; Or which the land , the sea , or ayre doth yeeld . Their lushious wines in pretious bowles they quaff● ▪ While Ioseph is afflicted , they doe laugh ; And sing unto the Violl , wanton straines , While Syon in captivity remaines . They have but little care of Gods commands ; They breake his yoake , and cast away his bands . Thy men in honour , without knowledge be , Like beasts that perish ; and , dishonour th●e . Some have aspired to their present heights Of wealth and greatnesse , by ignoble sleights : Of others houses , they have got possession , And , furnished their chambe●s , by oppression . Their wives and children , waste in brave attire , The poore mans portion , and the workmans hire . Their credits they have pawned , to main●aine Their luxury , their pride , or gaming vaine . And , by their Honors●ave ●ave so falsly sworne . That men their Idoll , and their oath do scorne . Some , have so blushlesse and so shamelesse beene , To let their Coach , and foot-cloth horse , be seene At common Strumpets doores : their Favorites , ( And they , in whom their Noblenesse delights ) A●e gamesters , ●oarers , persons dissolute , And such ; for unto them such best do sute . To bold fac'd Rimers , Iesters , or to those Who make their Lordships laugh with foolish prose ; To Fence●s , Fidlers , Tumblers , and to such , W●o any way t●eir sensuall humors touch , Their hands are prodigall ; and these obtaine Rich favours to requite their idle paine . Their tongues , to speak on their behalfe are free ; When question'd for the foulest c●imes they be . ( Ev'n fellonies and murthe●s ) but a●e mutes In vertuous causes , and in honest suits . When wise and painful men , have spent their wealth , Their strength consumed , or impair'd their health , In profitable works ; and to reveale Such ●hings as might advance the publike weale ; Their labours ( for the most ) are over-past With●ut encouragement ; sometimes , disgrac●d By arrogant impostors ; who arise To greatn●ss● , by discrediting the wise ; Or broaching such good projects for their owne , Which were by those mens industry made knowne , Whom they have ruined . For , what were some ( That now to places eminent are come ) Before they got aloft on others wines , But poore unworthy , and ignoble things ? Nay , what ( as yet ) appeare they ( unto those Whose good experience their true value knowes ) But gild●d ignorance ? who having got The shadowes of the substance they have not , Doe passe for men of worth , in their esteeming , Whom they have cheated , by a cunning seeming . Admit but some of the●e into such place , Which may afford them priviledge or grace , To speak before their Prince ; and you shall heare Their tongues to run , as if their knowledge were A● great as Solomons ; and that of all The pl●nts , ev'n from the Hysope of the wall , Vnto the Cedar , they could tell the nature ; And knew the qualities of ev'●y creature . They , Pro●eus like , will any thing appeare ; A Sea-man , Ship-wright , or an Engin●ere , Or what soe're they list : and having bought Of some poore Artists ; or ( some worse way ) wrought Their project from them , that they may be showne , As if the quaint invention were their owne : ( And , having gotten also termes of Art , To help them in the acting of their part ) To such opinion of themselves they rise , That men of soundest knowledge they despise ; Deride experience ; and , ev'n to their face , The skill of most approved men disgrace . M●ke these men Counsellors , and though till then They knew not halfe so much as common men , Nor had the meanes of knowing any thing , But how to ride a horse , or take the Ring , Or hunt , or hawk , or caper : yet ( behold A wonder ) in a moment they grow old In State affaires ; and nothing doth concerne Or peace o● war , which they have need to learne . If any question be , before these , made , Of Merchandise ; the skilfull'st in the trade Are fooles to them ; and t is an arrogance To offer to instruct their ignorance . If armes be treated of , there 's no man knowes By practice , that which th●se men can disclose By contemplation . And though they have seene No other warres but those at Mile end greene , Or Tutle-fields ; great Mars himselfe , of these May learne to be a Souldier , if he please . If any thing concerning Navigation , Be tendred to a grave consideration , These either dare affirme , or to deny What all the Masters of the Trinity Oppos● them in ; and Nov●ces would make Of H●wkings , Frob●sh●r , and f●mous Dr●ke , Were they now living . And , y●t such a● they , The wreathes of Honor soonest beare away . With empty Names , and Titles , b●ing ●lowne Above themselves , they are unweildy growne ; An● g●●ater in their pride , and in their traine , Then their consume● fortunes will maintaine . Which doth compell them , by unworthy wayes , To seeke the patching up of their decayes : And , still in their p●ofusenesse they proceed , As if thei● pro●●gality should breed New fortunes ; and , were like those wells that fill , And grow the purer , by exhausting still . In feasts , apparell , furniture , and things Of such like nature , m●ny Christian Kings , To equall them shall finde it much to doe : But , them they cannot very far outgoe , Vnlesse they meane to draine their fountaines dry , With Fooles , in prodigality , to vye . Hence comes it , that the Rents and Royalties Of Kings and Princes , which did well suffice In former times , to keep in comely port An honour'd , and an hospitable Cou●t , ( Yea , and an Army if occasion were ) Can hardly now the charge of houshold beare ▪ For , they must either in their large expe●ce , Come short of that p●ofuse magnificence Among thei● Vassals : o● else waste away The price of many Lordsh●ps , to defray The cost of one vaine supper ; and , from this , With other such like things , growes all am●sse . For , one exc●sse another still produces ; One Foole out-vies his fellow Fooles abuses ; Vnt●ll their wealth , and hop●s , and reputation , Be wasted in a witn●sse emulation : Not heeding what is taught them in the Fable , That when a Toad hath sweld while he i●●ble , An Oxe is bigger , and with ease can smite His pride to nothing when it is at heig●t . This over la●ge profusenesse , they are faine By many evill cou●ses to maintaine : By bribery , by g●iping , by the sale Of Iustice yea of Consci●nce , and of all That may be sold for mony . From hence springs Deceiving , and mis-leading of good Kings . This makes their Treasuries to ebbe so low ; This , makes their Subjects discontented grow ; This , makes the Me●chant , and the Tradesman , break ; This , makes the arme of Iustice grow so weake ; By this , are States unjointed , by degrees ; By this , their honour and their love they leese ; And , that confusion in upon them steales , Which ruines Nations , Kings , and Commonweales . From hence are all those rascall Suits derived , By which the common dammage is contrived : Hence , they ( who by the publike desolation Would raise themselves ) pretend the●reformation They purpose not : and , by their faire pr●tences To ●ure old griev●n●es , breed new off●nces . Hence comes it , that to keep ●hemselves on hie , They sell their country , and p●sterity To slave●y and bondage ; ca●ing nought ▪ So they have rest , how dearly it be bought . This , makes the Gr●nts of Kings ●ecome so tickle , An● O●ders , and De●rees of State , s● si●kle , T●at no man knowes when he hath ought procured , How he , of w●at he hath may be assu●ed ; For , in a righteous cause , though be proceed , A●d hav● it ●atified and decreed , By all Authority that may be gained ; A sleight suggesti●n ( without reason f●ined ) May ●●u●tr●t● make the Royall-confirmation , O● k●●p him in an endl●sse exp●ctation , Till he be quite undone . And , if his foes Have weal●h ▪ ( though no good reasons to oppose His rig●tfull cause ) he may be whe●l'd ●bout , With O●ders , tha● will ●●tch him in and out , Till he be tyr'd : and , neith●r side is sure O● conq●est , till the other can p●ocure No brib● to give . Which is m●re wicked far , Then thos● injustices which practis'd are In heathen Kingdomes : since , when any t●ere , For Iustice or Injusti●e b●ibed are ; A man ●h●ll hav● his bargaine . And in this More just they be then many a Christian is . For , when some here a●e forced for their owne To give great fines , they afterward a●e throwne From their possessions if another come To buy Injustice with a larger sum . O● ! what a madnesse is it , for one day On earth , to foole Eternity away ? To sell both soule and body for meere toyes ; And r●all comfort● , for deceiving joyes ? To build the●r house with morter , which will bu●ne The timber , and the structure overturne ? Perchance before the finishing be done , But ( doubtlesse ) e're the third descent be gone ? What folly is it for a man to waste At one vaine triumph ( which an houre doth last ) Mo●e then the portion , ten and ten times told Which all his predecessors leave him could ; That , to his prejudice it may be knowne , How hastily a ri●h man he is growne ? What meaneth he , who doth consume upon One banquet , wh●t a towne of Garison Might live a yeare withall ; to heare it spoken , That so much cost was but a certaine token Of his corruption ? And that all the store He wasts , was got by making ot●ers poore ? Or that t●e greatnesse of his new gain'd glory , Is of the common wrong● a reall story ? Who prai●eth him for this ? or who doth call Him honorable , wise , o● l●berall . For those expences ; but ●he rascall rable Of Coxcombs , and of G●lls , that haunt his table ? What honour is it ? or what can it please , To be the Lord of many Palaces ? To have their Cambers , and their Galleries Adorned with most precious ●arities ? To feed , and cloath , and patronize a number Of Parasites , and of Buffoones , to cum●er Their w●lks and lodgings ? To have ev'ry day Th●ir servants following them in rich aray ? Rich stuffes , with rich embroyderies to bury , To ride on princely charets ? or to hurry In gilt Caroches ? or o● pampered Steeds , ( From Turky fetcht , or from the Barbary breeds ) To p●aance about the streets to show their pride ? Or with vaine titles to be magnifi'd ? What pleasure is all this , when they sh●ll heare , How loud the clamou● sounds in ev'ry eare , Of their oppressions , ●rau●s , and cruelties ? And how the people curse their tyrannies ? Their state , and their ambition to maintaine ; How many , oh ! how many to complaine Conftrained are ? Alas ! how m●ny a one Have their proud followers tyranniz'd upon ? And of their servants , what great numbers too , Doe these by thir ambitiousnesse undoe ? The faces of the poorer sort they grinde ; The bread of Orphanes ( who the while are pin●e ) They feed upon . The people they have sold For old-worne shooes ● on Altars they lay hold ; And , of each holy thing they m●ke their prey , Whereon their sac●ilegiou● hands they lay . The portion of their brethren they devoure ; A●d , by us●rping an unl●wfull pow'r , They save each other harmlesse from the lawes ; And overthrow the poore complainants cause . Their neighbours , often , and t●eir nearest friends , ( To who● they daigne respect but for their ends ) Are so engaged to uphold their pride , That they their foolish heads are faine to hide . Som● Tradesme● , for their vaine credulity , ( In trusting to their H●nors ) now doe lye Imprison'd for their aptn●sse to beleeve : And , what they suffer , or how m●ch they grieve , Their Lordships care not : For ( except their owne ) Of all mens troubles they are sens●lesse growne . Their houses , and their lodgings , ev'ry day ▪ Are full of Suitors , who as humbly pray Fo● what 's their owne , as if that they were some Who to entreat for charity were come : And oft are answer'd with such harsh replyes , For their compelled impo●tunities , As if it were an impudence or wrong , To aske the debt which had beene ●ue so long . The Baker and the Butcher , sometime serve Great men with bread and flesh untill they sta●ve Themselves almost : and , if they doubt they shall Be quite undone before it so befall ▪ They oft a●e glad to lose the summe that 's due , Through feare that for their own if they should sue , ( In stead of recompence ) receive they might Some evill turne , their boldnesse to requite . For , some are growne so base , that now and than Their Costermonger ▪ yea their Butterman , And Herbw●fe is halfe begger'd and undone , By suffring them upon their scores to run . Oh! with what faces can these Tyrants ride Along the streets , in such a h●ight of pride , As oft they doe , when they are lookt upon By those poore Tradesmen whom they have undone ? What j●y have they to see , or to be s●ene In those gay feathers , which have plucked beene From others wings ; whose nakedn●sse appeares To cry aloud for Iustice , in Gods eares ? And what a Plague is fallen on that L●nd Where such as these have places of command ? Where t●ese are chose for Statesmen , what protecti● Is Vertue like to finde ? what due correction Hath Vice where such controule ? or what is he Can looke for Iustice , where such Iudges be ? Would I could say , oh ! Britaine , thou hast none Of these Or else might name thee such a one , As lawfully , as I might boldly do it , For thy advantage , were I called to it . But , that authority which I have got , Checks faults alone , with persons meddles not . Thy ancient Vertues are not wholy lost , In all thy families . Yet , ●or the most , As are thy Princes , now , thy Gentry be ▪ According to the height of their degree . They spend their youth in lust and idlenesse ; In impudent p●ophanenesse , and excesse ; In foolish complements ; in thriftl●sse games ; And in oblivion do interre their Names : Through want of knowledge , and that reall worth Which sets the lustre of true Gentry forth . The ma●kes of Gentle-blood , and that which praise Did thereunto acquire , in fo●mer dayes , Were Iustice , Temp'rance , Courage , Prude●cy , True Courtsie , Meeknesse , Liberality , And such as these . Their Ex●rcises were Those which the mind or body might prepare For ve●tuous practices : as leaping , runn●ng , To handle Armes , to shoot , to shew their cunning In m●naging great Horse ; in studiousnesse Of piety , and of the Sciences . Which we terme liberall . But now , alas ! Th● Gentry , Britaine , is not as it was . To be a Gentlem●n , is now , to we●re Fant●stick habits , horrid oaths to swe●re ; To w●ifte Tobacco ; to be drunk , and game ; To do a villany , and boast the s●me . To dare the Pox ; to talk with impudence ▪ How oft they had it , without griefe or sense , Of their misdoings ; no●hin● to pro●esse Or p●acti●e , but to live 〈◊〉 ; To quarre●l ; to be in●ole●t , and proud ; To che●t , and brag , and lye , and speak aloud In stea● of ●p●aking reason : to p●esume Abov● his wo●th ; unwise●y to ●o●sume Hi● p●t●imony ; fast and loose to play ; To borrow ▪ ●ithout purposing to pay ; To spend their time in ●●uitless● visi●ations , In beastly and p●ophane communications ; In telling and in liftning a●ter newes ; In viewing idle sights , or haunting Stewes ; With such like exe●cises : as if they Were made to flutter all their time away Like Butterflyes , and lived , pu●posely , For nothing , but to eate , and drink , and dye . Their noblest mark , is di●ting a brace Ofhandsome Nags , to run a ●quitting Race . Or keep●ng of a cast of Norway Kites , To show them yearly halfe a dozen flights ; Or else , the feeding of a stinking pack Of yelping Hounds ; that when discourse they lack , They m●y whole d●yes together , pra●e a story , In which so●e Dogs , or Hauks , or Horses g●ory ●s m●gnifi'd ; and him they c●unt a Clowne , That in their folly is no partner growne . Oh! wou●d these lines had po'wr to make them see , How fooli●h and absurd their cou●ses be : And that my Muses now could reach the straine , Might win them nobler t●oughts to ente●ta●ne . But , mine will h●rdly prove such Charmes , I feare ; For , at t●e very root we rotten are ; And , where our Maladies their cure should have , T●e dangerou● infections we receive . Our Nurseries of Arts are not so pure , But th●t in them our bane we may pr●cu●e . Our Inne of Court have lost their good repute , By ha●boring of persons ●issolute . The ●chooles of Law are Sanctuaries made For Out-lawes , and where once our Gentry had That nurture which enobled them ; now , ther● By lewd examples , which too frequent are , O● , by too great a liberty , we gaine A habit in ●ll courses tha● are vaine . A●d most of those , of whom the world beleeves Most good ( among them ) are but civill theeves . For , Lawyers , and some Officers , in thee , ( Which Ministers of Iustice seem● to be ) Have made t●e Courts and Offices , whereby We should of wrongs receive a remedy ; To prove to us things more uneasie , far , Then those , for which their just complainings are . So costly b● their wilde interpretations Of Lawes and Customes ; and such variation● Are found in their opinions , that few know When they up●ightly , or in safety goe . If any Common Ba●reter will please By suits u●just his neighbors to disease ; The Plea may be mai●tained , though that all His allegations prove untrue they shall : Or manifest , ●y d●u●tlesse demonstration , He pu●pos●d nou●ht but wilfull molesfation . For , Lawy●rs will defend and plead the Cause , Which to their knowledge doth oppose both Iawes And Conscience too ; as if they did contemne His threatnings that pronounced woe to them , Who justifie the w●cked in their fin ; Or him gainsay which hath not faulty bin . Ev'n in our Court of Co●science , some things are Vnconscionable . For , if any here Be causlesly compl●●n'd on well is he If uncondemn●d in the ●uit he be . For , this Defen●ant h●th small r●medy , Save that , an● patie●ce , for his injury . His causl●sse trou●l●s , and his large expence , Hath no req●it●ll save his innocence . For , if all they that are u●ju●tly grieved , By h●●ing co●ts o● suits ●●ould be re●●ved ; Or if the Plaintiffe should his B●ll ave●re Vpon his oath , as ev'ry Answerer Confirmes his An●wer , m●ny ● brawling K●ive W●uld then be quiet , and that Court would have Far lesse employment : yea , and we●e it not Their Trave●ses did knit againe the knot , W●ich Answers upon O●th , almost unty , Suits would not h●lfe so long unended lye . This , many Offi●ers doe seeme to feare ; And th●refore ( as if Courts erected were To m●ke them rich , by n●urishing contention ; Much rat●er then to co●passe the prevention Of wrongs and discord ) they continue still , T●at cou●se w●ich brings most grists unto their mil. If I would m●ke a Libell , it should be By way of Suit : f●r , I did never see A scurrilous Rime or Pamphlet , so compact O● sl●n●ers ( nor so cunningly derract ) As doe their than-lesse Bils , and their Replies , Who seeke , th●t way , mens names to scandalize . They dare p●etend ( as if with warranty ) Those things of which no probability Was ever seene . For , thou●h they prove it no● , They kno● the very mention of a blot Doth leave a sta●n● ; ●nd , that aspersions laid Sup●osedly , are often so ●●nvaid , And so disperst ; a●d in disperting , will Such new additions g●the● to th●m s●●ll ; That , at th● last ( althoug● most fal●e they were ) For t●uths , they told and heard , of ma●y , are . But , their I●tergatorie ▪ have a tricke Beyond all other L●b●dings , to stick An infamy on any : for , in those , O●●ll which they will causl●sly suppose W●thin their Bils ; they may the qu●st●on move , To whoms●ever t●ey preten●● sh●ll prove Wh●t they object And , t●ough no p●oofe be broght , N●y , thoug● it never came within his thought , That is complai●'d a●ainst ▪ to doe or say Those things which they object against him may : Yet , he th●t is examined , or he That ●eads what matters question'd of him be ; Suspects , perhaps , ( although he nothing knew Con●erning them ) that ev'ry thing is true W●ich their Intergat●ries doe imply . For , why thinks ●e ( that meaneth honestly ) Should Propositions of these things be made , If they no likelihood of being ●ad ? Or w●o ( suppose●h he ) hath so abhord A mind , as to suggest , and on ●e●ord To leave aspersions ( o● deserving blame ) O● him , that no way merited the same ? Yet , this is frequent : and this li●elling Much profit to th●ir Common wealth doth bring , Who gaine by others losses . And , there 's none O● whom this mischiefe m●y not ●all upon . For ●ne example ●f suc● g●osse abuse , My selfe I can , and justly may , p●oduce . For , sitting lately in a roome alone , My owne occa●●ons meditating on : Two men , who talking at the doore had bin , ( And , as appeared , knowing me within ) Ma●e entrance and besought me both to heare , ( And witnesse ) what they had agreed on th●re . I heard them ; and , I purposed to do As they requi●ed , being call'd thereto . But , mark what ●ollow'd . Twelve months after that Th● one of these ( not well content with what His b●rgaine wa● ; and knowing , I alone Cou'd re●tifi● wh●t they a●reed upon ) Did i● this k●vish c●nn●ng wise project To make my wi●nesse take the lesse effect . Forsooth , ●e m●k●s me pa●ty in the cause ; A pitifull complaining Bill he drawes ; Wherein his le●rned Counsell did devise Such Combinations , and Conspiraci●s , Such Plots , such Pra●tices ▪ and such large tal●s , Of Premises , of Bargai●i●gs ▪ of Sales , And such like Heathrish ●●uffe : and his pretence , Was wo●ded out with so much impudence ; T●at , surely , whosoever came to see That peece o● Ch●uncery , supposed me A very cheating Rascall : or , tha● I ( At least ) was privy to some knavery ; Whereas he knew , who then did so abuse me , I blamelesse was of w●at he did accuse me . Yea , then so farre was I from any plot , Or purpos'd wrong ; that I had quite forgot Both man and ma●ter : and , but for his Bill , Had beene ( I thinke ) unmin●full of them sti●l . A wrong like this , if any please , he may Inflict upon me ev'ry other day , With safe impunity . For , such as he , Intituled Am●●i Curiae be : And , many thousand fees would quite be lost , Were they ▪ in such like suits , to beare the cost . If I should here disclose what I have seene , The p●actice of some Lawyers to have beene ; What cunning in convey●nces they use , How strangely their Profession they abuse ▪ And what a glory to them●elves they take , Wh●n they an evill cause to thrive can make : Or , should I he●e character their Delayes , Their Errors , their Demurs , their many w●yes Of hindring Iustice ; their impertinent And costly ted●ous Formes ; their impudent Extorting from their Clients doubl● fees ; For Motions , which they willingly d●e leese : How they doe move by halfes ; how they mistake ( Of purpose ) for themselves , new wo●k to make ; How oft their Orders have by procrea●ion , Made up , almost , the hundreth generation ; What double-tongu'd ●eports , for double fees , Are gotten by cor●upted Referrees ; ( Who when the truth is plaine , can coine a doubt To bring againe the fals●st Cause about ) How sense lesse of mens losses , griefes , or paine , They are in all things which concerne their game ; To what expences they their Clients bring ; How they doe ride them in an endlesse Ring , And prey upon them : or , if here I should Disclose as evidently as I ●ould , How full of wicked bribes , their closets be ; What brutish cruelti●● mine eyes did see ; How many honest Causes I have knowne , For want of prosecution , overthrowne ; Because our tedious f●rmes of triall , stretch Much further then the Clients purse can reach . How many miles poore men are forc'd to come , For trifling suits , w●ich might have end at home ; But that our higher Co●rts more seek encrease Of t●eir base profits , then of blessed ●eace . Sh●uld I relate , wi●h what strange tyrannies Some Officers their places exercise ; What par●iality they shew ; what pride ▪ How they insul● on men ; how they d●ride ; How big they speak ; how scur●ilous ●hey be , In taunting and reviling men more free From vice , then they themselves : Or ▪ should I tell How little tendernesse doth seeme to dwell Within their bosomes , when they do oppresse The needy w●dow , and the fatherl●ss● : If all these things I should insist upon , And so describe them , as they might be done ; The wo●ld would know that all those injuries , For which the Law appointeth remedies , Are oft lesse grievous to the Common weale , Then most , w●o most pretend her sores to heale : And that as little help from them she sees , As when she sets her Cats to keep her Cheese . For , some of them are trusty in their kind , And so , some trusty Lawy●rs she may find : Yea , those ●here be , that in these evill dayes , Like Rubies mixt with peble● , send forth rayes Of Christian p●eties ; which do declare , That some remaine who yet an honor are To that prof●ssion ; and all those are free From being t●xt , or blamed here by me . The rest shall beare their shame ; for , they were bor● To be our plague ; and they shall be my scorne : Their torments ●o afflict both night and day , An● there are few such tortu●ers as they . Fo● , of those wrongs which we by them sust●ine , We scarcel● a●e pe●mitted to complaine . Nor will this ●land better dayes be●old , So long as Offices are boug●t and sold. Nor shall I ever think that a●y one , Much cares , what right or injury be done , That buyes or sels an Office ; chiefly he , Who chaffe●s that where seats of Iudgement be . Fo● order s●ke , to ●hese my knee I bend ; Or , I to give them titles can descend , And ev'●y outward reverence ; that so The pla●e they beare , con●emne● may not grow : Yet , nobler far he seemeth in mine eyes , Who , by a due election , doth arise To be but Heardma● in some Country Borrough , Then all those Lordlings who have passed thorough The greatest Office● , by giving pay ; Or by some other unapproved way . When men were sou●ht , that Office they might beat And had it gratis ▪ they such persons were , Whose wo●t● , whose vertue● , and whose noblenesse , Bro●gh● ho●or to t●e seats they did po●sesse . With faithfulnesse , their du●ies they discharged , No ancient fee unjustly was enlarged ; Or n●w extorted ; neither did they take The poore mans money , when he mone did mak● : For , by an easie entrance they were able ( When need required ) to be charitable . Their just expences , also , to provide ; And to sust●ine a comely port b●side . But , since men sought out Offices ; and thought Of their owne merits , better then they ought , ( Int●uding , without modesty , to sit Vpon that Seat , ●or which they were u●fit ) Since men expe●ienced ( by serving long In some inferior places ) ha● such wrong , Tha● ignorant Impostors got possession O● what pertaines to them , by due su●cession : Yea-since to sac●ed Calling● men are chose By th●m , that should not of such ●hin●s dispose ; What can e're long expected be , u●lesse It be an overflow of Barbarous●esse ? Since each base fellow ( who , perhaps , by steal●h , By fraud , or by extortion , scrape●-up wealth ) May pu●cha●e , by his evill gotten pel●e , A place o● honor , to ens●once hims●lfe , And fortifie his wickednesse withall ; What hope of good proceedings follow shall ? Since needy , worthlesse , base , & shamel●s grooms , May se●ue their persons into noble roomes , By meanes ignoble ; no man must exp●ct From such a Cause , to draw a good Effect ; Or , that he honor gets , who in such times To any honorable title climbs . He'● but a theefe , that in at window comes ; The buyer sells , and sells ●or greater sums ; By bribery , he bribery defend● , Of unjust Mammon he do●h make him friends , To nourish Pride ; or else to make up that , W●ereby possession of his pl●ce he gat ; Without compassion , he doth grieve , oppresse , And rack the widow , and the fatherlesse : All places ▪ and all things t●at appertaine To ev'ry place , he put● to sale , for gaine : Yea , most men of each other , now , m●ke sale : Of th●ir owne liberties , of lives , and all . Great Offi●ers pretending to the gift 〈◊〉 some inferiour places , make a shift ●o save the giving , and , so dearly sell That their poore underlings they oft compell To serve without allowance ; or to raise Their maint●nance , by some unlawfull wayes : Which they must co●ntenance ; or else contrive That others at such doing● may connive . Whereby those places held disg●acefull be , Which , otherwi●e , from scandall , had bin free . Why then reproach we such with odious names , Since they that are the author● of then shames , ( And those to whom base te●me● do appertaine ) Are their great Mast●rs , who make wicked gaine Of what should ●reely be bestow'd on those To whom they ought such places to di●pose ? From them , and their corruption , doth arise The multitudes of base enormities That swarme among our petty Officers . It is a sum ●f mony that prefe●s To ev'ry place ; and that makes knaves , and sharks , Of Sergeants , Waiters , and of Vnder-clarks . This maketh Registers , in ev'ry Court , And other Ministers , so much extort : This makes them seek out knots , demurs , delayes , And practise many unapproved wayes , To make up that which ●oolishly they paid : Yet , in the grave , thei● heads , perhaps , are laid Ere halfe recover'd be : and oft their wives , ( Whose portion bought those places for their lives ) Are le●t , with many ch●ldren , to a lot Vnpitied , as they others pitied not . For , many a one of these , although you see Their wives and children in apparell be As costly as a Lords ( that yea●ly may Dispend as g●eat a sum , as these did pay For their new Offices ) engaged are To Vsurers , for twice the better share Of ●heir large Fines : and , sometime they undoe Themselues , their kindred , and their neighbours too . Hence comes it , that Receivers , Bailifes , Reeves , And other such , are worse then common theeves ; And ●ack and pill so boldly ; and from hence It flowes , that few suppress their insolence : Ev'n from their base corruption , who do thrive By such mens losse ; and not alone connive At their misdoings , but , oft patronize them , And from just censures an escape devise them . For they that else would Furze and Brambles burn● , Will cherish them , where they may save their co●ne . Thus , Britaine , most of them have used thee , Whose Offices , by purchase , gotten be . These , and a multitude of other crimes , They cause , and act , and suffer in these times : And are so insolent in what they doe , That they dare practise , and defend it too , Without remorse of mind , or seeming sense Of being guilty of the least offence . Nor come thy Priests or Prophets much behind The worst of these : but , passe them in their kind . For , though a learned Clergy thou possessest , And ev'ry day in knowledge much increasest : Although I do beleeve thou hast in thee Those Guides whose wayes are from reproofe as free As are the best on earth : yet , thou hast more That are perverted , now , then heretofore . Of late , thou heaps of Teach●rs gotten hast , Resembling empty vapours , or a blast That breathes no comfort . What God never ment They publish fo●th ; and come e're they are sent . Thy peoples hurts , t●ey cure with sugred speech ; W●●n there 's no peace at all , of peace they preach ; Thou pu●bl●nd Watchmen hast , and some that see , As blindly walke , as they that blindest be . Dumb Dog● thou hast , who spend their time in sleep ; And , some who barke , but to affright the sheepe . Like hungry Curres , some alwayes gurmandize ; Yet nothing can their greedin●sse s●ffice . They follow their owne wills , and their owne waies They hunt for their owne profit , their owne praise . They tread the p●ths where common sinne●s wal●e ; Amongst themselves , they most prophanely talk ; And , at the Tavernes meet , and sit and ●will Strong drinke , and wine ▪ untill their guts they fill . In taking Gifts , and compassing Promotion , They shew more zeale , and practice more Devotion Then in their holy Callings . They delight In Flatterie● ; and the fawningst Parasite In all t●e Cou●ts of Europe , cannot prate More Heathnishly , nor more ●nsinuate Then some of th●m . The blessed Sacraments And holy Word , are us'd as inst●uments To compasse th●t , for them , which they projected ; And oft polluted are , and of● negl●cted . Their sacred Orders , are abus'd and made To serve them for an Office , or a Trade , To be in●iched by ; and to that end The preaching of the Gospel , they intend . They come not ●y the doore into the fold ; Things holy , they hav● often ●oug●t and sold ; Conspiraci●s they m●ke in matters fowle ; They prey vpon the body and the soule ; And , fat and rich , and mighty to become , They daub and plaister with untemper'd ●ome . With lies , and faire pretences they beguile ; And violate the Law of God , the while . His Altars they prophane , they sla●ve his flocke ; They make Religion but a mocking-flocke ; And , by examples horrible and vile , Cause other men , Gods Temples to defile . There is no avarice which theirs exceeds ; No malice which a mischiefe sooner breeds : No pride so sutly as their Clergy-pride , Except among the Beggers , when they ride . They , who but few yeares past , would h●lfe have broke Thei● kindreds , to have purchas'd them a cloake ; And in poore threed bare Cassocks sought to preach Beneath an Vnder-Curate ; or to teach The chil●ren of some Farmers , for their meat : And seem'd scarce worthy so much grace to get , Vntill by counte●f●it humility , ( By fawni●g mixt with importunity , And g●lt with fained zeale ) they wr●ught on some ; To bring their wandring feet into their home . Ev'n some of these , so well have acted out Their part● , of seeming honest and devout ; That ( either like to Micahs Priest , by leaving Their Patrons ; and their hopefull trust dec●iving : Or , some su●h likely wayes ) they have acquired A ●i●her st●tion , then th●y first desired . They have so quaintly humour'd , and so pleased T●● present times ; that , they have proudly s●ized Supremest places : and , now , over peere Their heads by whom , they fi●st a●vanced were . And v●ry profit●ble , sure it is , To heed them , since their met●mo●●●●s●s . For , if thou mark , how stately now they beare Their lofty heads ; how insolent they are ; How pitilesse to suters they become ; With what contempt poore men be rated from Their angry presence ; what imperious Lords Their Docto●ships are grown ; what haughty words They thunder forth ; what Antichristian state They take upon them ; how extreame ingrate And inhumane they prove ( ev'n unto those By whom , they from the dunghill first ●rose ) Wer 't well observ'd how strangely they contemne Their ancient friends ; and twixt themselves , & them , What distances they set ; or , to their kin How harsh and evill natur'd they have bin ; ( Except to those , that having meanes to rise As well as they , their folly do despise . ) Wer 't knowne , what selfe opinion they have got Of their owne worths ; how they themselves besot With arrogance ; how peevish , and unquiet They be in their attendance , and their diet ; In small or trifling matters how severe ; In those which of the greatest moment are , How carelesse growne : how envious of the grace O● gifts bestow'd on those , in meaner place . Were notice also taken , with what straine Of p●ide and loftinesse , they entertaine Their brethren of the Clergy , when they are By any summons called to appeare ●efore th●ir Lordships ; with what Pope like phrase They seek to terrifie , and to amaze Their humble Suppliants , with what balde conceits T●ey v●nt their humors , that the crew which waits To claw and sooth such follyes , may begin ( In ●tead of some applause ) to fleere , and grin . How tar●ly they can chide , and raile , and play , And jest on those , who but the other day Did equall them in tempr'all dign●ties ; And are more worthy , though less high they rise . Were these things heeded , and some passages Which name I could , as worthy note as th●se ; A man would har●ly think , that these had beene Those Priests , who but a while before were seene So be●gerly , and so expos'd to scorne ; But , that , they had ( at least ) beene Prelates borne . None could have thought that these men had bin they Who lately did so bitterly invey Against the pride Episcopall ; and plained , To see themselves so sleighted , and disdained Of their superiors : no man would ●ave thought These had bin poore mens children , who had nought To give them nurture ; or , that they , bereft Of all their friends , were to the parish left . None would beleeve , almost , that any such Should from so little , rise to have so mu●h In such a Calling ; and so wo●thlesse be In their condition : for , it seemes to ●e , They little con●cience make of that Prof●ssion , Whereby they have those glories in possession : Since then ( me thinks ) so ●ar they would not swerve From his pure word , whom they pretend to serve . Oh! pray that God would mak● thos● watchmen see What blots and errors in their c●urses be . And , that , by good example they may teach , What they by word , unto the people preach : For , by their actions ▪ many overthrow The growth of that , which they themselves did sow . Or by their failing , or their falling f●●m A Christan zeale , make others cold ●ec●me . And , some of these are those , of whom Christ sayes , We should embrace their words , but not their wayes . But , many a one will neither say nor doe , What we may follow , or give heed vnto . Yea , we have now among us many a one , ( That could have spoken well ) whose voice is gone , By growing over fat with double Cures : And pampring up themselves like Epicures . How many Doctors have we , who before They were advanced , from conditions poore , Were glad and willing twice each Sabbath day , To preach , and all the publike pray'rs to say ? Yea , without any show of being weary , The Sacraments to give ; to wed , to bury , And , often in the week , those works to do , Which by their Calling they were bound unto ? Of those how many in these dayes are seene , Th●t having to promotion raised beene , Are well nigh silenc'd , now performing neither Of all those duties , for whole months together ? Of these , how many lately have I knowne , So proud ( or else perhaps so lazy growne ) To cast upon their hirelings all that care , And al that pains , which they themselves should bear ? Vouchsafing not so much as once a day , ( Though they are present ) publike pray'rs to say ; Or preach ; or , of the dutie● to be done , To ease their Curate , in performing one ? But ( sitting as meere strangers , or as he Who thought such works , for him too meane to be ) Take ease and state upon t●em ; more I wis , Then either needfull or beseeming is . Indeed ( when they are any way engaged By publike studies , weak , or sick , or aged ) Sometime to ease themselves , deserves no blame : But having no excuse , it is their shame . How unbeseeming is it , to behold Our Doctors , who nor crazy are , nor old , Nor any way disabled , save through sloth , Or through their pride ( or else perchance through both ) To leave that charge to some inferior one , Which is too worthy , to be undergone By him that 's worth'est , in respect of all Those dignities , the world afford them shall ? Why should the adding of a new Degree , Or la●ger meanes ( which no additions be To their essentiall wor●h ) make wise men seeme So highly praised , in their owne esteeme , As to debase that worke , for whose meere sake , Gods mercy them so eminent did make ? For , if it were not so , why do they more Neglect those duties now , then heretofore ? Why , in performing them , respect they so The times , and persons , as we see they do ? At solemne feas●s , or in those places where Most honorable personages are , Why do they preach more often ? why baptize , And wed , and bury , where their living lies , The richer fort , and let the poore alone ; If what they do , for conscience sake be done ? Ala● ! preferment , and the being rich , Doth choak up vertues , and the mind bewitch , The daughter sleights the mother . For , Devotion Brought forth by painfull travell , faire Promotion ; And lo , no sooner is Preferment borne , But , proud she growes , and doth her Mother scorne . They who d●d much for little ; now , possessing A great abundance , do requite the blessing With doing lesse , in stead of doing more ; And , marre with pride , what paine did plant before . The greater favours we from God receive , The greater thankfulnesse we should conceive . Yea , when that he advanceth us most high , We should expresse the more humility ; And think , that ev'n the meanest circumstances Belonging to his holy Ordinances , Could not with reverence enough be done , When we have all our worthinesse put on . And , doubtlesse , when to God most high we raise Our hands , in offring up his publike praise , The man ( in my opinion ) fitteth best That work ; who seemes more worthy then the rest . And , whosoever should that act eschew , ( Except just cause within himselfe he knew ) I know ( how high soe're his place hath bin ) His Calling is dishonored therein : Or , if to be assistant he doth shun , When any priestly work is to be done , Where he hath Cure : for , into others roomes , To make intrusion , no man it becomes . God grant those men humility , and care , Who otherwise , in this , affected are ; And show o●r Clergie what uncomelinesse Appeares in this . For , some herein transgresse By other mens examples ; and indeed , Some other men , by want of taking heed Of what they doe ; who having weigh'd the fact , Will never put the same , againe , in act . Lord waken these ; and , humble those , I pray , Whom pride , or vanity have led astray . And oh ! ye house of Levi , warning take ye ; Lest God , for times to come , examples make ye , As he that Clergie , your example made , Whose monstrous pride , the age before you , had So great a fall . Oh! minde it , and be more Regardfull of your Charge then heretofore : Lest they that spight the Churches dignities , ( And of her Dowry seek to make a prize ) For your ambitious pride , occasion take , On Gods Inheritance , their pr●y to make . So will our Clergie , which is yet respected , Be scorn'd , become as poore , and as neglected , As in those Countries , where their former pride Hath made their Calling to be vilifide . Oh! leave , oh ! leave your haughtinesse betimes , Your avarice , your envy , and those crimes , That are observ'd among you ; left for them God shake the wall of our Ierusalem . For , heav'n and earth for me shall testifie , That this my Muse in nothing doth belye . Your manners ; but that you are mo●e then stain'd , With ev'ry fault whereof I have complain'd . And as it was their Priests and Prophets sin That brought the Deluge of those troubles in , Which overwhelm'd the Iewish Commonweale : So , if with us the Lord severely deale , Your sinnes and errors will enlarge the rent , Through which the mortall arrow shall be sent , That deepest wounds . Oh! God defend us from Such judgements ; or , if thou be pleas'd they come , Vpon our sinfull bodies strike the blow ; And keepe us from a spirituall overthrow . Excuse me worthy Prelats ; and all you Whom God with la●ge preferments doth endue , And raise to honor , out of low degrees , Because ingrafted in your hearts he sees Such inward vertues , and such outward graces , As doe become your high and holy places ; Excuse me if in ought deliver'd here , Injurious to your worths I may appeare : For , not a Line of these reproving straines , To you or any one of your pertaines ; Nor need you cure , if any shall apply , These tart reproofes , to blur your Callings by : Because you know , that none are this way harmed , Who are by true and reall vertues armed . Because you also know , that some have shamed Your pl●ces by such ●●imes as I have named . I know you will not frowne , though I did say , That some of Christs Disciples would betray Their Master to his foes . Since this no more Redounds to your disgrace , then heretofore It did to his Apostles , that he said How he by one of them should be betraid . None taxe you shall , by meanes of this , but heady And hairebrain'd fooles , that are your foes already ; Nor would I for the world unloose my tongue , To do the Vertuous , or your Calling wrong . Let no man gather hence , my Muse envies The Clergie , or the reverend Dignities To them pertaining ; or dislike to see Great Prelates raised up from low degr●e : For , them I honor most , who from a race Of meane esteeme , have gain'd an honor'd place , By true desert . And ( might I be as able As willing ) I would make more honorable Their holy Callings ; and for ever close Their greedy mouths , and bind the hands of those Who speak , or act , what might infringe their due , Who in those places good examples shew . I know , among our Bishops , there are some , Who make their outward honors to become A meanes to keep Religion , and their Calling , From being vilified , and from falling Into contempt : of S●iles account th●y make not , For their owne glory : to themselves they take not Their Lordly Attributes ; but to adorne Their Office , and to keep the same from scorne . Some such there are : and for the sakes of such It is , that yet our Clergie hath so much Of that esteeme which our forefathers left them ; And that these greedy times have not bereft them Of those endowments which were granted here When Kings the Churches nursing Fathers were . From these reprooses , let such therefore be free ; And fall the blame on those that faulty be . But , as the Shepherds have deserv'd the strokes Of Gods displeasu●e ; so their wanton Flocks The same have merited ; and , blame there lyes On all conditions , and fraternities . I woul● not speake what might offend the Throne Of Iustice ; or the King that fits thereon . From all taxation let him scape as free As he is innocent ; yea let him be Vntouched : and , let ev'ry vertuous Peere , Be free from all , that shall be spoken here : For , I will ayme at none , but whom it shall Become an honest Muse to chide withall . In this , beleeve me Readers . For , I pray Forgive my bluntnesse . And I dare to say The Court is fraught with bribery , with hate , With envie , lust , ambition , and debate ; With fawnings , with fantasticke imitation , With ●hamefull sloth , and base diffimulation . True Vertue 's almost quite exiled ●hence , And vice with vice , for chiefe preheminence M●intaineth w●rs . The mo●t profuse Excesse , And Avarice , one bo●ome oft possesse : The greater pa●t are of a Mushroome breed , Spring up upon a sudden , without seed , Or plant , or graft , and , often , in one day , ( Yea som●time in a moment ) swept away . With lyes , they seeke their Sover●igne to delight ; And act their impudences in his sight . They flay the people , an● their flesh they teare Ev'n from the bones ; as doth a greedy Beare . They cannot broo● the mention of their error ; They drive out of their mindes the day of ter●or . Deep pits , to hide their mischiefes in , they m●ke ; And think th●t God no heed of them will take . They live upon the Commons ; and yet grow More fat , then others in enclosures do And , that which followes t●eir encreasing pow'r , Is but to be devoured , or devoure . Their wealth consists of Projects : their esteeme Is that which they to one another seeme . Their Honors are bare Titles ; and , that state Which they themselves do fancy and create . Their Ze●le is wilfulnesse . Their Faith is such As Reason breeds ; and , most times , not so much . Their Hope is something , but I know not what . Their Charity is nothing ; or else that Which I should call Selfe-love . Their Strength i● in Opinion ▪ and in ablenesse to sin . Their Wisdome , and their Policy , ( if we May guesse at things that undiscerned be ) Is to resolve on nothi●g : so , the Foe Shall never compasse their designes to know . Their Courtesie ( if men will be content To think it may consist in Complement ) Is wondro●s great . Their Valour is in oaths . Their greatest Glory doth depend on cloaths ; In which they are so vaine , that ev'ry morne ( Almost ) a new attire by some is worne , Of sev'rall stuffes or fashions : and they dresse Their bodies , with such tedious curiousnesse , And , such a multitude of hands there are To tr●m them ( and their trappings to prepare ) That halfe so many , of good workmen , may Erect a house , e're they themselves aray . Of Honesty they scarce the name afford : For , should I terme one , there , an honest Lord ; It might be thought as clownish , so to do , As it were fal●e , perhaps , to call him so . Gods holy Sabbaths , most among them , there , Observe not much ; except it be to weare Their finest clothes . The Bus'nesses , that may , And should be done upon some other Day , Are then debated on , as frequently , As those affaires which by necessity Are urg'd upon them . And , all sorts of men ( When they should serve their God ) are forced then To wait upon the world ; to whom God gave Sixe dayes ; for ev'ry one which he should have . Nor , thereby , many other mens unrests Occasi●n they alone ; but , ev'n their beasts Are then disquieted ; and cannot have That right , which both Gods Lawes , & Natures , gave ▪ Sometime , they to remove , that Day , prepare ; Yea ▪ then begun , sometimes ; Removalls are ; And in the Court , more Carters , we may see Employ'd that day , then through the Kingdome be . On Sun●ayes far more Coaches rumble thither , Then doe in some three other dayes together : And , seldome have they leisure for a Play , O● Maske , except upon Gods Holy-day . I doe not think we are obliged to A Iewish Sabbath , as great numbers do : But sure I am , from Piety we swarve , Vnlesse a Christian-one we do observe . And , though to them no fault it may appeare , Who on such Evenings do but only heare Or ( for their honest recreation ) view The action of some Enterlude , or Shew ; Yet , needs it must be knowne , to some of these , That to prepare for such Performances , To many persons must occasions be Of Sabb●th-bre●king in a high degree . In whom this fault most lyes , as yet , my Muse Descrieth not : bu● , sure I may excuse The King : and if but halfe ●o forward were Those Clergy men that have his royall ●are , To cause him such enormities to see ; As they are thought in other thing● to be Which lesse concerne them ; he would soone fo●bid Those customes ; and as Nehemiah did , More hallow'd make the Sabbath . Nay if none O● them , whose wisdome he d●pendeth on , In this have mis-inform'd him ; he will prov● O●r Nehemiah , and this fault remove , When he hath warm'd his Thro●e : for we have hope That all our Breaches he e're long shall stop . But leaving him , I 'le finish the repo●t Which fits the greater number in the Co●rt . Religion they have some , but many care not I●●he●e the use or mention of it were not : Some others have divided it betweene Our gracious Sov'raigne , and his royall Queene ; And , till in one Religion they agree , They stand resolv'd , that they will Neuters be . Oh! make betwixt them , Lord , a blessed Vnion , And , us partakers of thy blest Communion . Our Cities are as wicked as the Court ; Of he● transgressions they come nothing short : But , rather passe them ; if a man might say That Infinites admit exceeding may . And , London , thou thy Sisters all hast passed , In all the faults , whereby they have transgressed : To thee alo●e , my speech I therefore bend , And will in ●hine their follies reprehend . I know that thou hast m●ny soules in th●e , Who truly zealous of Gods glory be : Yea , thousands that by prayers and repenting , Doe seeke thy peace , and labour the preventing Of thy perdition ; and , though they indure Scoffes , t●unts ▪ and injuries , from thy impure And faithless● Children ●yea , though such as are Thy shame , and m●rk● Gods heavie wrath to beare , Contemne and malice those , and use their pow'r Those innocents to ruin● and devoure : Yet , they are those who keep away Gods wrath ; And for whose sakes be ●o long spar'd thee hath . They make that pl●asing Number , who restraine Those flames of Sulphure , that consum'd the plaine Which now the Lake Asphaltis overflowes . And when ( from out of thee ) God calls for those , Thou feele it shalt ; and , not unlike become Those Asian Churches , which departed from Their ancient love ▪ and are the loathsome den Of Satyrs , Faries , and of Beasts uncleane . A place for Zim , and Iim ; a nest for Owles , Night Ravens , Vultures , and ill-boding Fowles . And , then , in ev'ry house ( as heretofore , When popish-darknesse spred this Kingdome o're ) Men shall be frighted with strange dreadfull noises ; Deformed visions , and hobgoblin voices . I know , Good-works in ●hee are to be found ; And that , above the rest , thou dost abound In publike Charities . I know thou hast All Cities , in this Kingdome , over-past In plentifully preaching of Gods word ; And , that thou bountifully dost afford Large voluntary pensions to that end . ( Yea , somewhat else I might in thee commend . ) But , if thou take a note of thy transgr●ssions ▪ If thou at thy Assises , at thy Sessions , Or , at thy other Courts , observe , or heare , How many horrid crimes detected are ; How many filthy and abhorred things , God there discloses , and to Iudgement brings ; And if thou think , withall , how many m●● Committed are , which few do come to know . Or heededst thou how few , and worthlesse , all Those works appeare , which thou dost Vertues call ▪ What would they seeme , compared to thy sin ? Or to those favours , which have heaped bin , By God , upon thee ? Doth he owe thee ought , Or hast thou done him services for nought ? Oh! LONDON , hath he not advanced thee The Mistris , and the Soveraigne to be Of all the Townes , and Cities of this I le ? Hath he not rais'd thee many a goodly pile ? Art not thou plac'd above , and they below ? Continuing blessings doth he not bestow ? And many priviledges , yet , deny'd To all the Burroughs of the Land beside ? Behold , thou hast the principallest Trade , And all their Merchants are thy Chapmen made : Thou art the Royall Chamber of the King ; Whose residence doth wealth and honor bring To magnifie thy greatnesse . Kept in thee His Parliaments , and Courts of Iustice be . Among the famoust Cities under heaven , God hath to few a situation given For pleasure , health , and profit , well united , To thee compar'd ▪ Yea , God did seeme delighted In thee to make his Dwelling ( ev'n among Thy Temples ) by maintaining here so long His Harbengers , and Ledgers , to provide Fit mansions , for his Graces to reside . Thy God , to be thy Hu●band , thou hast had ; And , wer 't by him a fruitfull Mother made , So plenti●ull in Child●en ; that , they play Like swarmes of Bees , about their hives , in May . No place in Europe , hath been so supply'd With soule and bodies food ; or , fortifi'd By Garisons , Forts , Bulwarks , and munition , As thou art hitherto ( by Gods tuition ) Without such charge or trouble . And the day Will come , wherein , if any man shal● say What peace thou hadst ; and , in what plenty ●ere Thy Children lived ( without want or feare ) It will not be beleeved , that a Nation So blest , could suffer such an alteration . For , as ( by Seas ) from ev'ry other part Of Earths vast circuit , thou enclosed art : So , from the sudden comming of invasions , And from the many troubles and occasions Of Wars and wants , which in the world , we see ; Divided , also , these doe seeme to be . Such is thy blest condition ; and , although Thou hast , about thee , of all things enough , That may thy pleasure , or thy need suffice ; Yet , all the dainties and the rarities , The World affords , are yearely hither sent , From ev'ry quarter , of Earths Continent . Oyles , wines , and fruits , that good & pleasant are , Swimme hither through the Straights of Gibraltar . Cold Norway , ( or the parts adjoyning ) g●eets Thy River with materialls for thy Fleets . America doth oft renew thy store With Suger , drugs , with gold and silver Ore ; With Ambergreece ; with woods that sweetly smell ; And other things , that please thy ●ancy well . Ormus , with Pearle thy beauties doth adorne , The Silkes of Persia , in thy st●eets are worne . From divers parts of Africa , ( and from Cham's linage there ) white Ivorie doth come ; And Apes and Fe●thers . China , where they printed , And used Guns , ere we those Arts invented , ( If Fryers be not lyers ) doth impart The f●uits of their Inventions , and their Art , To thy Inhabitants . Ra●e stones o● price , Sweet smelling gummes , and odoriferous spice , Are broug●t unto thee ma●y thousand miles ; Ev'n from ●he Easterne Indies , and their Iles. This shewes Gods bounty : and of his compassion Thou lately hadst , ( ev'n by thy preservation , In thy g●eat Plagues remove ; and by his pitty Vouchs●fed otherwaies , unto thy City ) Such evidence : that all men may confesse He did respect thee , with much tendernesse . What should I mention more , since , to recount God● benefits would doubtlessly amount To many Volumes ? and sure none is able To number that which is ina●merable ? This may suffice ( for this time ) to expresse His Bounty , and thy great unthankfulnesse . For , what h●st thou returned him , ●or these . And all those ●lessings , which his Love doth please To showre upon thee ? What hast thou repay'd For all the Charges which he hath defraid , ( In fencing , planting , and manuring thee ) That worthy , such a Husbandman , may be ? Thou hast faire-seeming Grapes , I must confesse , But , they are sowre , and full of rottennesse . Thou mak'st great sh●w of charitable works ; But , that hypocrisie within them lurks , Which marrs their acceptation . Thou hast built Some Churches ; yet , art tainted by the guilt Of Sacriledge : and , those thy gifts that eary The pioust showes have ●earce beene voluntary . Great numbers , in thy Hospitalls are fed , And lodg'd , and cured : but , the men are dead Who founded them ; and few doe bring supply To such good works , till they are sick , or dye . Thou entertainest Proachers , but they must Speake pleasing things ; or else away are thrust . Thou hast of Pastors , some who shewes do make Of so much Conscience , that they will forsake Their Livings rather then it shall be said They le weare a Surplesse : yet , some are afraid , That most of these , doe cunningly conceale Much pride or avario● beneath their zeale , And that their suff●ing of a silencing , Doth much more liberty or profit bring , Then two good Pers●nages : and that , thereby , Good meaning folke are brought to beggery . Thou hast redeem'd some Captives ; but , it was With sparingnesse , and hardly brought to passe . Thou plantest Colonies ; but , thou dost dra●ne The nourishment away , that should maintaine And settle them . God grant some be not gl●d To flye ( for this ) to them , that should have had More helpe from thee , and in farre Countri●s peris● , Because those plants they did no better nourish . Much know thy people ; but ( alas ) they do As if good life belong'd not thereunto . Strict Gospellers thou hast , that can professe Religion , with much for●all holinesse : But they , like Zodoms apples , prove within As loathsome , as their ou●sides ●aire have bin . Yea , they ( against their brethren ) oft are found In hate , and pois'nous malice to abound . Good Orders , Lawes , and Customes thou hast many ; But , very seldome exercisest any , Except for private gaine ; or to acquire Some Vengeance , which thou dost , perhaps desire . Thou hast judiciall Courts , wherein I ( heeding Their Lawes ) saw promises of just proceeding : But , marking well their Formes , they seemed , rather , Devices for thine Officers , to gather Rich fortunes by ; then to afford redresse For those , whom their oppressors doe oppresse . Thou hast a Magistracy , to maintaine The peace of honest men ; and , to restraine The rage of wickednesse : but , loe ; ev'n some Of those are patrons of mis-rule become ; Disturbing quiet men , and thriving by Befriending sin ; else I have heard a lye . Yea , some are famed , to encrease their living , By cunning rig●ur , mixed with conniving : Deceiving honest people , by strict shewes Of punishing of those whom they excuse . For when by doing Iustice they compell A wicked man beyond their bounds to dwell , ( Some thi●k ) their griefe , and losse , it doth augment , As much as losing of a Tenement . Thou hast Correction-houses ; but , thou mende●t Not many , whom to chasten thou p●etendest : For , thither they are oftner ●ent to ease thee Of them , or of their pilfrings , which disease thee ; Then out of Christian purposes , to force Such vagrant people to a better course : And , therefore are thy Suburbs pestred now , With beggers ; yea , for that , so large doth g●ow The number of thy vagrant Rogues , and Cheaters , That they begin to imitate their betters , In Government , and Method : and , are growne To have both Lawes , and Language , of ●heir owne . Thy Children yeeld some good conformity To Rules and Precepts of Morality : But , most observe good orders , to enjoy Their owne state safe , and to prevent annoy That might be●ide themselves ; much ●ather , then In true obedience unto God , or men . Within thy Corporation , I likewise Have notice taken of Societies , Which be●re a goodly shew of ordering Thy sev'rall Trades : and I in many a thing Theire use commend : yet , some of them , to me , Grosse Monopolies , doe appeare to be . Which do in secret , with some open shewes Of publike good , the publike weale abuse . Nor would it be a●isse , if some things were M●re free , which by their meanes restrained are : Or if the State would better looke unto Those injuries , which many of them do . Fo● , when these Bodies politick oppresse , Their pow'r doth make the wrong without redresse ▪ Their purses , and continuance , may o'rebea●e The righ●full'st cause ( if so they pleased are ) The friends , and oft , the very noise they 'll make , ( Because a multitude ) much hold doth take For their advantages ; although the cause Be both against good Consci●nce , and the Lawes . Nay , should the Common●weal●h her s●lfe , oppose These Corporations , for some wrong that flowes From their proceedings ; it would scarce obtaine That pow'r which could these Petty-weales restraine . For , having gaine or losse , accrewing by Their Claime , which doth concern them , far more nigh , Then that , oft seemes to touch those men , who stand To take the Kingdomes gen'rall cause in hand , It makes them t● pursue it , more then they ; More Patrons to procure , more bribes to pay ; And , at the last , to conquer ▪ by that course , Which makes the better cause to seeme the worse . This brings to mind same wrongs that I have had , And what a●count of honest suits is made , If once a greedy foolish multitude Vpon the right of any doth intrude . But , left by thinking on it , mixe I may My private harmes , with what I meant to say For publike ends : here breathe I will a space , Vntill my present thoughts I can displace . Forgive me , Lord , if I have guilty beene In this my worke , of any private spleene . My Musings h●llow thou ; confirme thy love : Infuse me with thy Spirit from above , With better things then flesh and blood discernes ; Inspire me with each Ve●tue which concernes The finishing of what I undertake : Make profitable all that I shall speake . And , to thy Name some honor let it be , Although it should both shame and ruine me .

The seventh Canto . First , of Himsel●e he somewhat speakes : Then , of the Cities errors , makes A larger Scrowle , and , therewith●ll Inserts abuses generall . He sh●wes ( by reason of her sin ) What misery this Land is in ; What ill successe , and what dishonor , Is , for her follies , come upon her , In forraigne parts , and here at home : How senselesse , also , she 's become : What sev'rall wayes against this Land , God hath of late stretcht out his hand . And , how the blame for what 's amisse , From one to th'o●her shift●d is . By many Symptomes , he declares How sicke this Commonweale appeares ; Disputes ●he late distemper bred , Be●wixt the Body and the Head : And layes the blame , whe●e lye i● should ; Yet , therein , proves not over-bold . T●en aymes he at some imperfections In Burgesses , and their Election● ; And , briefly pointeth at the way By which our Cure effect we may . WHen I ( whose lawfully emboldned Muse The faults and errors of her time pursues ) Have by some slips , or frailties of mine owne , Alaid that flame , which Gods good Sp'rit hath blown ; Or when such heat within me , waxeth lesse By fainting , through a nat'rall wea●inesse ; Or , by that willing , or constrained pause , Whereof my friends , or bu●●nesses , are cause : At such a time , when I perusall m●ke Of these beginnings ; and , strict notice take What here is dared ; I oft find , as then , Such feares in me , as move in other men . And , being flesh and blood , as fraile as they , I stagger in my best approved way . E're I thus farre proceeded , I was tyr'd , Ev'n in this present Worke ( although inspir'd With all that zeale thereto , which you may see In some fore-going Leaves , exprest by me ) My heart was oft assail'd ; and I , almost , My best confirmed Resolutions lost . Yea , twice , at least , since I this Taske assaid , It hath by false suggestions beene delaid : And , many painfull strivings are within me , When from this Worke , Temptation fights to win me . Lord ! ( thinks my heart ) somtimes , what means my Soule To make me in this desp'rate wise controule Those carelesse Times ? have I done well or no , With nests of angry Waspes to meddle so ? Hath he , or wit , or common sense , that stirs , A f●oward Beare ? or playes with testy Curs ? Will any think me capable of Reason , Thus bold to be at such a dangerous season ? Nay , will not all account me mad to vent Such Lines as these ? adventuring to be shent , And be undone , perhaps , to no more end , Then that whereto my Labor seemes to tend ? Doe I conceive the Times , or Manners , be Amended ought , by what is said by me ? Am I , that have , my selfe , unwisely done , A fitting man , to hurle this heavy stone At other sinners ? what may many say , But that in this I raile , or else doe play The witlesse Furie ? It hath brought me losse , ( Thinke I ) already ; and will surely crosse The setling those affaires of mine , which are Nigh rip'ned , with much paine , expence , and care . And then the world , and my necessities , Begin to tempt me , by such fallacies , That I halfe yeeld . How wilt thou live , or pay Where thou engaged art ? they seeme to say . By what , or whence , thy wants wilt thou supply , If thou for this imprisoned shouldst lye , Divided from thy friend● ? or , on the bed Of sicknesse , shouldst by God be visited ? Nay , though thou nothing wantest ; yet thou ha●t So universally thy censure past , On all offenders , ( and it will so vexe In private , and so openly perplex Great multitudes , so many sev'r●ll wayes ) That , it will make thee hated , all thy dayes . Where dost thou live , or whi●her canst thou goe , But there thou art assured of a foe ? The City , and the Court , thou hast controld , With Commons , and with Nobles thou art bold ; Vnconscionable Lawyers here are checkt . Thou dost some faults of Clergy-men detect , With so much evidence , that be thou sure Of all the mischiefe which they can procure ; And that , not one of them thy friend will be Who from those imputations is not free . All they that are notoriously , Transgressors , All Schismaticks , and all our false Professors Will bitterly oppose thee . And no spight Is like the malice of an Hypocrite . In briefe ( excepting those that are sincere In life and Doctrine ) no man will appeare As thy partakers : And , what are those ●ew . To that great Army , which will thee pursue ? If this deject me not , another thought Is by another way upon me brought● It whispers to me , that these Li●es will wake De●raction ; and that she revenge will take , For interrupting and reprouing Sinne , That in security would faine have bin . Nor , is that now unpractiz'd : For , there be A world of dogges already ba●ting me . Hypocrisie ▪ and Envy doe combine , With guil●y Malice , how to undermine My good Repute , ( that by a dis-respect Of me , my words may take the lesse effect ) They compasse me about , they watch my wayes , And marke my speeches ( as good David sayes ) That if but sparkes of error , they can see , They blow them may , till flames they seeme to be . Let but a foolish word , slip out among My c●mmon t●lkings , ( for alas ' whose tongue Doth never erre ▪ ) they straight to censure take it , And , such a piece of wickednesse they make it ; That , should on them a judgement ●o severe From God be past ( or by the world ) I feare It would so heavy on their pe●sons come ; That they would think the same a cruell doome . If they but see me doe what they suppose May tend to folly , ( though my Maker knowes The deed suspected , is as far from fin , As that which I am best employed in ) They instantly a rash conclusion draw ; And speake their dreame , as well as what they saw . They fancy in their owne corrupted thought , What may at such a time , or place , be wrought , By evill minded folks : and , thereupon , Conclude the very same by me was done . Then they ●elate it : and though nought were seene Which might indeed a likelihood have beene Of such an act ; they , by themselves devise To fashion out faire probabili●ies Of what they speake : and , by the Devils aid , Acts innocent , sometimes are so betray'd ; So mis reported by the spight o● those Whose wickednesse , perhaps , I did oppose ▪ Yea , blamelesse circumstances , otherwhile , Are so mistaken ; and do so beguile With shewes of proving and confirming , that Which was conceived by prejudicate And false opinion ; that , it makes them ●old , To think their fained slander may be told , With good beleefe : then to divulge about Their lyes ( of me ) they search companions out . And as they are of sundry minds who raise Such Scandals ; so , they vent them divers wayes . If of the sort they be , whose open sin , Hath in my Poems reprehended bin ; Or such as they , who dai●y guilty be Of doing that , wherewith they flander me : Then , in despight , or to extenuate Their owne offences ; thus , of me they prate . This man ( say they ) that strips & whips the times And , doth so thunder in his rayling rymes , ( Against the faults of others ) is no lesse Ingul●ed in the sinck of wickednesse Then he that 's worst . His Dalilah hath he , And his beloved sinnes , as well as we . He such a place frequenteth ; he hath beene Met there , and there : him , we have daily seene With such or such a one , at such a season : Doe so , and so ; for which we know no reason : Thus he is thought to be , and thus to doe : Yea , some of them will impudently to , Affirme they saw , what they but misconceived ; If they doe find their slanders vnbeleeved . And when they speake such things , they neither care To whom , nor when , nor yet how false they are . If they be such who meerely out of spight , Or envy , to disparage me , delight ; ( As doe some Poetasters ) they forbeare To speake downeright ( because they doe not dare ) And utter Parables . They , knavishly , Their f●lshoods to some Truths , doe closely ty , To get beleefe . Things proper unto me , They mixe with attributes that cannot be To me apply'd , that so they may evade , When question of their purposes is made . They speake but halfe their matter out ; and leave The rest , for those that heare them to conceive What they shall please : but , first disclose they will Enough to make their best coniectures ill . With words ironicall , they doe revile me : The Valiant Poet , they in scorne doe stile me . The Chronomastix ; and when taxt they are That me they meant , their meanings they forswea● . When these applauded Wits , have at the Po● Some Novice , or some new admirer got Of their Strong-lines ( which warmed by the heat , Of Sack , or Claret , they , perhaps repeat ) T were worth your sight , to see how soone the fire Of Bacchus , their large braine pans doth inspire . With mimmick straines : And how they shuffle i● Selfe-praises ; and how grossely they begin Occasions , that they may enthrall your eare With some new-pe●ee of theirs , which you shall heare Perforce ; yet heare it with so much adoe , That you must thinke you have a fauour to . For with as many tedious circumstances As doth some capring foole before he dances , ( Or Singer , which must tyred be with wooing , To doe what willingly , he would be doing ) They doe begin to read , or to rehearse Some fragments of their new created Verse , With such a Gesture , and in such a Tone , As if Great Tamberlaine upon his Thro●e , Were utt'ring a majesticall Oration , To strike his hearers dead with admiration . Which oft so works upon their Auditory , That , to the great aduancement of their glory , They lade them with applauses , and with drinke Till they themselves ▪ the Kings of Poets thinke . To which opinion , when once rais'd they be , Then shall t●e Draw●● , or the Tapster see Their nat'rall humor , which ( if true some say ) Is better worthy seeing , then a Play . Among the rest , 't is odds , but e're they goe , The Poets must be summon'd in a row To bide their drunken censure ; which doth shame Those few they praise , much more then those they blame . Among the rest , it chanceth , some By-stander By naming me their Catalogue doth slander . If then a man of fashion he appeare , Who undertakes my name to mention there , The man ( say these ) may passe ; but , such as he ( By us ) no Poets are esteem'd to be . A haz the way of making pretty Rimes , To fit the apprehension of the times ; And , him for that , the multitude doth favour : But , in his lines , there is but little savour Of Reading , or Antiquity . Thus far They go , if they perceive their hearers are Indifferently affected . And if they Do find them jealous of my fame , they 'll say , Most fawningly , sometime those wo●ds of me ( In way of praise ) that I should blush to be Within their hearing . Yet , they 'll interpose Some jestings , now and then ; or , in the close , Induce , by way of merriment , some cause To bring their good opinions to a pause . Affirming , that though Drunkard I am none , Yet , I reputed am a wanton-one : By some such way their ●pleen they 'll satisfie . But , if no friend of mine appeareth by , So freely , then , they vomit all their gall , That they scarce make me any thing at all . And some , who neither knew them well , nor me , Have thought me baser then the basest be . Some others , by their malice , thought I had Some worth in me , which them so envious made ; And came to know me ; and when me they knew , They told me this , which I have told to you . Some other , shew at large , they wish my shame , But to their Libels will not set their Name , For feare of danger . And though such can gaine No prudent man ( at first ) to entertaine Their fatherlesse reports : yet , sure they are , The world hath Knaves and Fooles enow , to heare The falsest tales ; and that , when far they go , The best suspect , and oft beleeve them too . There be some other , who ( out of a light Vaine hum●ur ) love to heare , and to recite Mens personall defects ( without intent Of doing right or wrong in what they vent ) They speak at randome , whatsoe're is new , Not much regarding whether false or true ; And , do but serve to beare the tale about , And blow the fire , which else would smother ou● . There is another brood of these Detractors , Who in traducing me , are common actors : And , they are such who cunningly conceale Their hate and envy with a holy zeale : They , whose Religion , and whose honest●es Consist in judging those infirmities That are in others . If these men espy Some little Atomes in their brothers eye ▪ They straight as busily do heave at them , As if the smallest were a mighty Beame . Their lying suppositions must be took For verities ; or ●lse they will not brook A word you speak : nay ( if you do misdoubt Their ●ensures ) from the Church they thrust you out . They Charity pretend ; and , though they are Well pleas'd when they have something to declare Which may disgrace another , they will seeme , To have his reputation in esteeme . As loth to speake ; they 'le bring it round about ; And thus ( or some such way ) divulge it out . Now verily it gri●ves our very hearts , The man whom God hath blessed with such parts , Should walke in such unsancti●●ed wayes . And then , they white me over with some prayse To make the spots the blacker which they meane To spirt upon me , from their mouths uncleane . And though those Tales they build their Censures on Were first receiv'd from some such wicked one Whom they in other matters doe distrust , Yet is their criticisme so unjust , That in disgracing me , their words they le take ▪ And , ●lso , of themselves , conjectures make To justifie their scandal● ; that they may The su●er be , their staines on me to lay . Thus by the seeming sanctity of those , My good intention ( in these Poems ) growe● More frustrate , then by all the rage of them ▪ Who , with an open impudence , contemne My best Designes . These , strike me deeper than The wounds of twenty thousand others can : Ye● , by their meanes the w●rke th●t I have wrought ( With such a minde , as th●t it might have brought More good repute , then many others get ) Serves but to make me seeme a counterfeit : Yea , all my doings which are most upright They judge as actions of an Hyp●crite , Which is the worst of Sinners . And in this ▪ If they have plac't their bitter doomes amisse , What sinne is theirs ? Or , when can greater wrong , Be done at any , live he nev'r so long ? Thou knowst oh ! God ( for thou all hearts dost know ) That though through frailty , of● astray I goe ; And , otherwhile may tread that doubtfull path Of which the world a wrong opinion hath ; That neither I allow of any sinne Withi● my selfe , nor would continue in The ●mallest error , if I knew the same . Thou knowst that what hath caus'd my greatest blame Among some Censurers ; is that by which I am indeed , become most truly rich : And that it also maketh me reforme My wayes the better ; and those workes performe To which thou callest , with fa●re greater ease . And I am likewise hopefull , thou wilt please To blesse my cou●ses . For , thou Lord hast knowne ▪ ( In that rough track , through which my feet have gone : ) How griev'd I am , when I misled have been , Or in my actions , if ought hath beene se●ne Of●ensive unto others Thou dost view My path ; and with what mind I doe pu●sue The way I goe ▪ Thou knowest Lord , that I Have oft refrain'd the Christian liberty I might have tooke ; left many that are weake Might of my lawfull freedome , evill speake . Thou knowest this ; and I am certain to Th●t pleases thee which in thy feare , I doe . By these , and such like mischiefes which I see This wicked wo●ld hath power to bring on me , I oft wax doubtfull ; and sometime I shrinke Ev'n from those just im●loyments , which I thinke God calls me to And then I halfe desire I might into obscurity retire From whence I came ; and be discharged quite From this great warfare , wherein , yet , I fight . For , many heavy waights on me are thrown By these engagements ( to the world unknown ) Yea private combats there are fought in me , So many , and so dangerous they be , That oft my Hopes are almost driven from me , And , dull Despaire would surely overcome me , Were God not alwayes ready to defend me , And , as mine faileth , his own pow'r to lend me ▪ But , when my selfe o'recharged I do find ; When flesh and blood begin to shrink behind ; And when I see my Foes have mustred all Their force against me : I start up , and call A better ayd then mine own Vertue gives me ; And , by his holy Spirit , God relieves me : He makes me strong , in each good undertaking ; A●d answers all the doubts my heart is making , In ●his , and all good purposes , whereby I have been hopefull him to glorifie . He warrants me I have no cause to feare These Lines the fruits of thoughts distempred are , Though some shall judge them such ; since he whose mouth Doth speak the words of sobernes and truth , May seem to those , who thought judicious are , As mad , as Paul , to Festus , did appeare . He hath assured me , I cannot run This honest way , a course to be undone . He doth perswade me , that if I grow poore By doing well ; my wealth shall be the more . He sayes , that if his glory I have sought , ( And for no wicked purpose closely wrought ) I shall no mischiefe , nor displeasure have ; Nor any losse , by which I shall not save . He makes me ce●taine that my former paine , And this endeavor , some effect shall gaine ; Although it compasse not that reformation , Which I desire to see in this our Nation . For though their present evills be not staid From growing worse , by that which I have said ; It shall to other times a warning give , And aggravate their faults who now do live ; If , having such a plaine Remembrancer , Their ( called for ) Repentance they defer . He bids me know , that though I am not Sainted , So much , as of all sin to live untainted , Yet ▪ to oppose each Vice , as I am able , ( In word and deed ) it will be warrantable ; And , that , to strike at Sin , t' will all become , Though Persons may be touched but of some . He tells me , that ( although the world shall please To terme it railing , when such Messages Are utt●ed forth ) it cannot bring me shame , To call g●osse Sinners by their proper name ; And , that Gods blessed Saints have done as much , Who aid the fol●ies of their ages tou●h . He wills me that on him I should depend ; And , not distrust that while he me doth s●nd About his bus●nesse , he will suffer mine To be unprosperous , or my soule to pine . Since unto him that for his glory strives , The promise of all needfull things he gives . He strengthens me , and gives me satisfaction Against all envie , malice , or detraction : Sayes , that a guiltlesse conscience needs not care How bitter or foule ▪ mouthed others are : Perswades me , that if my repute be needfull To honor him ; he will , himselfe , be heedfull To keepe it faire : Else , glorifi● his Name The more , perhaps , by bringing me to shame . And , so the Name of God I glorifie , I pleased am , though I have infamy . By these , and many other such like things Which God ( I trust ) to my remembrance brings , My fainting soule is cheered , when she droupes ; These , raise againe my courage when it stoupes : And though illusions these appeare , to some , Yet , to approve of them a tim● will come ; And , when that Day of tryall , on shall draw , ( Which I attend for , both with joy and awe ) It shall be knowne , whose heart was most upright ▪ Or mine , or theirs , that in my harme delight : For , then their Iustice which a vaile yet weares . Will shine like Phoebus when no Cloud appeares . Thereof ( just now ) I have an earnest given : These Musings drew it ( for me ) downe from heaven : I feele them warme my heart , and fetch againe My chilled blood , to run in ev'ry veine . They rouze my spirits , and my drouping soule They so revive , that now I could controll An hoast of Kings . For , now ( ju●t now ) the glowing , Of their kind ●eat , I find more strongly growing : Iust now I feele in me their operation , To urge me forward to the consummation Of what my fo●mer Canto's have beg●n : And , Go● assisting that shall no● be done To thee oh London , I directed last My just reproofe ; And I will back●a●d cast An eye on thee againe : For , off I brake My speech before my mind I fully spake . I have not vented yet , what I could say Of many sinnes abounding at this day ; As , thy intemp'rancy , and thy excesse In food and rayment , thy loose drunkenesse ; Thy multitudes of beggers , which encrease For want of orders , in thy Times of peace . Thy Sloth , Lust , Avarice , and all that rabble Of vices , and of things abominable Which in each corner of thy streets appeare , As if they justly tollerated were . I toucht not thy corrupted Officers , I have not mentioned thy Senators , Nor have I showne as yet what scandall growes To thee , and unto thine , by some of those ; How partiall , nor how ignorant they be , How prejudiciall many times to thee , And to thy publike weale , for private gaine ▪ How cowardly thy Customes they maintaine ▪ How ●eadily thy Freedomes they betray ( If their promotions , it ought further may , Or spare their purses ) This , I have not showne , For , what belongs thereto , is better knowne To others then to me . Yet , much hath beene Of them reported ; and I much have seene Of their condition , which deserveth blam● ▪ Nor doe I greatly wonder at the same ▪ But I , much rather marvell that in thee So many prudent Senators there be ; Since , very few of all thy double dozen For Courage , wit or honesty are chosen . Wealth makes an Alderman ( however got ) If he be pleased to accept the Lot . In hope to gaine his Fine , thou wilt adventer To let the most ignoble fellow enter That is but rich ; and worthy men forgoe , Who to thy Government , might ho●or doe . Thou seldome carest how he did become So●●ch , if he but harrow up the sum Th●t makes him capable of such a place ; Nor heedest thou , a jot , how base he was . No honest Occupations I contemne , Nor their professors ; but I honor them , Though of the lowest order ; If I find They have not lost the vertues of the mind , In those meane Callings ; and , have sought as much In knowledge , as in mony , to be rich : Yea , those ( when from poore fortunes they ascend , To wealth ) to honor also I commend . But , is it possible , that man whose minde To serve his Mammon only , was enclin'd ; Or is it possible , the man that had By birth and breeding , nothing but a trade To get experience by ; ( and , that perchance ●ome handicraft , which furthers ignorance In usefull knowledge ) or , that they who scrape And scratch together an unweildy heape Of needlesse riches , by penurious fare ; By sparing●esse , in what they should not spare : Or , which is worse , by cruellest extortion ; By robbing others of their lawfull portion , By rapine , guile , and such impieties ; Is 't possible ( I say ) when these m●n rise To weare thy skarlet-Robe ; that they will be Or honor , or advantage unto thee ? If those black Aeth●ops , if those Leopards , change Their spots , or colour , I shall think it strange : If ever they regard what weights be throwne Vpon thy back , so they may ease their owne : Or for thine honor stand ( who have no sense Of any thing ▪ but saving , and expence ) I shall beleve that Wolves will tend our Sheep , And greedy Kites , young Chickens harmlesse keep . I might have mention made of that report Which is divulged of thy Orphanes court : Of those perpetuall Iurors , which for pay Attend judiciall trials day by day : Of those Ingrossers who thy trades abuse ; Of those who make thy Freedomes and thy Dues A dammage to thee : and of other some , Who other wayes injurious are become , I might have spoke ; and would ; but that I hear● They do already sound in ev'ry eare . Truth is , the spreading leprosie of sin , Into thy very wals have eaten in , And will not thence be scraped out ( I feare ) As long as there be stones , or morter there . Thy Vineyard brings not forth wilde grapes alone , In lieu of all thy God bestow'd thereon ; But , also , of it selfe prevents his curse , And hath produced what is ten times worse : Thornes , bryers , nettles , hemlock , and such weeds As choke all pleasant plants , and fruitfull seeds . No place , no person , calling , nor degree , Nor sex , nor age , is from corruption free . Within thy Chambers lodgeth Wantonnesse ; Vpon thy Boards is heaped all excesse : With vomitings , they oft o'reflowed are ; And , from uncleannesses no Roome is cleare . Thy Hals are daily filled with a rable That stand and sweare about a Shove-groat table . Within thy Parlours , I can little see , But visiting of Mistris-idle-be . Within thy Wardrobes , Pride layes up her store ▪ Vpon thy Couches , Sloth dot● lye and snore . Within thy Pleading-Courts , are shameles railings , And , of upright proceeding , many failings . Thy Churches ( be it spoke without offence ) Are full of rudenesse , and irreverence . Thou usest in thy Shops●alse ●alse weights and lying ; Vnpitied at thy Dores , the poore a●e crying . Within thy Closs●ts , mischiefes are invented ; Thy Theaters a●e usu●lly frequented Wit● perso●s dissolute : disparag'd are Sometimes , the most de●erving actions , there . There , see you may uncomely p●esentations , And often heare unchristian p●ophanations . Yea , ev'●y corne● , ev'ry street , and p●th An overf●●w of sinne , and folly hath . Am●ng thy Feasts , are surfetting● uncleane ; Vaine curiosities , and songs obsceane . Thy Merry m●etings the procurers be Of most disor●ers that are found in thee : There , lawlesse games are used ; there , are broched Vile sl●nders ; and , good men are there reproched . There , they that a●e not good , are oft made worse By lewd examples ▪ or prophane discourse . And , few contentions have occasion'd bin , But , at such meetings , they did first beg●n . Thy Aged-folke are froward , avaritious , Selfe willed , and imprudently ambitious . The yonger fort , are ●eadstro●g , rash , and haughty , Thy Children are forgetfull of their duty . The men imperiously their power abuse , And counsell from their helpers doe refuse . Thy women ▪ too much dote on vaine attire● , And are incon●tant in their owne desires . The Magistrates doe bad examples give , And , as men borne but for themselves they live . Of persons , they retaine too much respect : Their places , for their credits , they affect ( O● for their gaine ) but n●t for conscience sake ▪ Inferior Officers , doe also take The selfe-same courses : and ( in what they doe ) Are parti●ll , cruell and unfaithfull to . Few single-persons live in chastity ; In Mariage , there is much disloyalty . Perpe●uall suites , and quarrels I doe see Among those Neig●bour● , that sh●●●d loving be : No malice is like that which I have knowne , Twixt Brothers , when dissention hath beene sowne . Their p●actices , who friend●hip doe p●ofesse ( In my op●nion ) promise nothing lesse : For , all their form all kindnesse , oft is spent In visitings , and fruitlesse complement . And , all t●ey seeke ( for ought that I perceive ) Is , how they one another may deceive In friendly Terme● ; Or , how to doe as they Who act the parts o● friendship in a Play . Thy Richmen , doe Idolatry commit With M●mmon , and Gods benefi●s fo●get . Am●ng the poore are many wicked t●ings ; Impaciency , ungodly murmurings , Theft , scolding fightings , cursings , taleing , lies ; And though they live by others charities , N● people will pursue each other so With malice and d●spig●t as they will doe . At D●ores and windowes , Strumpets impudent D●e si● ; and wanton gestures there invent To woo , by their allu●ìng provocations , Vaine men to drinke their Cup of Fo●ni●ations . T●y Suburbs , are the Coverts , and the den W●●rein are sh●ltred many beasts uncleane . Thy Tavernes , are the places where most soule And hainous things are done , without controule . There ▪ d●ink they healths , till health is drunk away ; And , nought ashamed are to let the day Be w●●nesse of their drunken vomitings , Brawles , ●eelings , ravings , and such brutish things : Nay , to consume the day in drunkennesse , A●d all the night , is nothing now , unlesse T●e Hoboyes , Cornets , Drum and Trumpet sound , To tell the neighbours how the healths go round . And when , acco●ding to their heathnish fashions , They offer up their devillish Drink-obla●●ons , What do they better then Idolatries , And Festivals , to Bacchus solemnize ? In thee ( beside thy proper faults ) are found Those also which are common , and abound Throughout thy Kingdomes . And ev'n thou , and they Have beene companions in one evill way . We all , as in one Teeme , have drawne on sin ; Gods promises and threatnings mockt have bin ; The lust mans righteousnesse we have bely'd ; And , sinners , in their sins , have justifi'd . Of Good and Evill , we exchange the name ; And , that , which to remember , is our shame , Or should with griefe repented be ; ev'n that We tell with laughter ; and make jests thereat . Gods Iudgements work not on us ; we are scourged ; And yet , unto amendment are not urged . We break the Sabbath-dayes , and we despise The Churches pow'r , and her Solemnities . Her Holy-times to us are wearisome ; And in our hearts , we wish the morrow come , That we might freely buy and sell againe . Those Messengers we soonest entertaine , That of strong drink , and wine , do prophe●ie ; And , Truth is not so welcome as a ●ye . We sooth our neighbours in their sinfulnesse : And ( that their secrets , and their nakednesse We may discover ) we the wine bestow ; Then , work upon then to their overthrow . Vpon our lusts , the precioust things we spend ; And unto God the Lame and Blind we send . We rob him of his Tythes , and his Oblations , Our publike Fasts , are publike prophanation● : For , ev'n our pray'rs , our fasts , our almes , and all , Are oft for show , and hypocriticall : And used more , our safeties to provide , Then that our Maker may be glorifi'd . Our hearts against Gods Prophets hardned are ▪ And what they preach or threat , we little care . The Land , throughout , because of Othes doth mourn ; We stagger in our paths ; and to returne To Aegypt ready seeme ; unlesse God grant ( ●t our first longing ) ev'ry toy we want . The blood of Innocents hath spilled been Vpon our skirts ; most filthy things are seen Within our vessels ; and , yet , some of us Presume to say ( ev'n to our brethren ) thus ; Stand off , for we more holy are then ye . And , these like smoak within Gods nostrils be ▪ We stumble at noone day : and as the blind , We groap , uncertainly , the wall to find ▪ With Death , and Hell , a bargaine we have made ▪ And , nothing for our hopes , but lies have had . If any Morall Verues do appeare ; With some unsavorinesse they leaven'd are . If any do a kindnesse to his brother , It is in policy to get another : Or else , with some upbraiding , or vaine boast , Whereby the comfort of the deed is lost . If ought be spoken to anothers praise , It is some p●ofit to our selves to raise . If comfort to the grieued be p●etended , The grieved party is as ill bef●iended As Iob : For , what we doe is but for fashion ; Without good meaning , wisdome , or compassion . If we instruct , we doe it but to show That we much more then other men doe know . If we our brethrens errors doe reprov● ▪ It is not as it ought to be , in love : But , with such bitternesse as plaine doth shew , We more the person , then the vice pursue . We cann●t give an Alme● , but we must sound A trumpet : neither wall a rod of ground For publike use : nor set a pane of glass● In some Church-window , where it needlesse wa● ; Nor trimme a pulpit , nor erect a stile ; Nor mend a foot path , though but halfe a mile ; Nor , by the highway side , set up a stone To get a horsebacke ; but we fixe thereon Our Names , or somewhere leave upon record , What befactors we have beene ( good Lord ) For such hypocrisies , and sinnes a● these On other places , doth Gods judgements seize : For these , thy Pastors oft have warned thee ; For these , they said thou shouldst afflicted be : And , at this present , veng●nce is begun ; Thoug● ignorant thou seeme of what is done . For these offences , God did now of late Make all thy fairest lo●gings desolate . For them , the Pestilence continues yet , A●d we with scabs , and sores , and blames are smit . For them , thou of thy braveries uncloth'd , Wert in thy greatest sorrow , left and loth'd , For them , a Famine lately did begin . For them , have goodly habitations bin Consum'd by fire . For this , the goods of some A prey to Seas , and Pyrats are become . For them , thy tradings faile , that were enlarged ; And thou sor single gaine , art double charged . For them , the Sword ( that such a while hath hung Sheath'd up ) is newly drawne , and will ere long Devoure thy sons and daughters ; if there be No more Repentance then yet seemes in thee : Yee throughout all this Iland , it will rage And lay it wast before another age . For , not our ●ities onely tainted are With sinnes contagion ; but ev'n ev'ry where This Land is so diseas'd , that many doubt ( Before it mend ) some blood must issue out . There is not any Towneship , Village , Borrough , Or petty Hamlet , all this Kingdome thorough , But merits ( in proportion ) as much blame , As any City of the greatest fame . The simple seeming Peasants of the Land , ( Who for their Names do make their sh●epmark● stāl And have not so much Cle●k●hip , as to sp●ll ) Can play the subtil● cheating knaves , as well As m●ny cu●ning Sophisters ; and cogge , And lie , and prate of Law , and pettifogge As craftily ( som●times ) as ma●y a one Who , divers yeares hath studied Littleton . Yea , they who never had the wit to learne Those knowledges which honesty concerne ; Have witty craft e●ough to entertaine Or plot a bargaine for unlawfull gaine . They persecute each other ▪ they envy Their neighbours welfare , and prosperity ; They drive each other from their tenements ; And are the causes of inhauncing rents , By over-bidding ( for their neighbours Land ) Those Fines the Land-lords purpos'd to demand ; Yet stand their Farmes already rackt so high , That ●hey have begger'd halfe their Tenantry . In divers townes they have decayed tillage ; Depopulated many a goodly village ; Yea , joyned field to field , till for the poore No place is yeelded , nor employment more : And , where were housholds , lately , many a one , A Shepheard and his Dog , now dwell alone . To make of griping Vsury their trade , Among the Rich , no scruple now is made In any place : for , ev'ry Country Village , Hath now some Vsury , as well as Tillage . Yea , they that lending most of all detest , Though but for tollerated Interest , Do nathelesse take those Annuities , Which often prove the biting'st Vsuries . By nature , Mony no encrease doth bring : Most , therefore , think it a prodigeous thing That Mony put to lone , should bring in gaine . Yet some of these , by practice do maintaine As monstrous usuries , and nought at all Are tou●hed in their conscience therewithall . In usury of Cattell , or of Leases , We may disburse our mony for encreases More biting far , then those he dares to take , Who by meere lending , doth advantage make . As Mony nat'rally produceth nought , So , by the Earth small profit forth is brought Vntill both cost and labour we bestow , For little , else , but thornes and weeds will grow . The Landlord , therefore , here I dare aver , To be no lesse a griping Vsurer Then is the Mony-master , if he break The Rule of Christian Charity , and take More profit then his tenant can affo●d ; And such as these are hated of the Lord . Of Vsurers , there are some other sorts , Who keep no certaine place : but , both in Courts ▪ In Cities , and in Country townes they dwell , And in the trick of griping they excell . There be of these , that Vse for Silence take . Some others , an usurious profi● make Of their Authorities ; and do advance Their wealth , by giving others countenance . Their cariages , their neighbours fetch , and bring ; They have their seed-time and their harvesting , Dispatcht almost for nothing : such as these , Are many of our Country Iustices . Some , by another engine profit catch : They must be pray'd and payed for dispatch . Yea , Cla●kes , and many other Officers , Are greater , and more hatefull Vsurers , Then they that most a●e hated for that crime ▪ Since these do often for a little time ( Which they delay unjustly ) take what may Of no meane sum , the annuall Interest pay . These men are cruell . And , yet worse by far , Most Treasurers , and their pay-m●sters are . For , that which due unto us doth remaine , They do not only overlong detaine . But , oft , of ev'ry hundred , twenty take , E're payment of our owne , to us , they make . They must have Bribes ; their wives must have Caro●hes Or ho●se , or jewells ; after which encroches Their servant also , for some other dues ( As they p●etend ) which if we doe refuse To pay unto them , twise as much we leese . This tricke inricheth also ●eferres In Chancery , and in some other Courts And this or makes , or marreth most Reports , This , is that common Cheat , and meanes by which Meane Officers , so speedily grow rich , Although they give large Incomes . By this way Their wives doe on a sudden grow so gay , That were but Kitchin-maid● few yeares before . Yea , many in the blood of Orphanes poore , Have dide their gownes in scarlet by such courses , And cloth'd , & fed themselves , with widdowes cu●ses . But , these Destroyers , make not spoyle of all ▪ For , ●ull as many into ruinefall By complement , and foolish emulating Their neighbours ; otherwhile , by imitating The City Fashions . Yea , by these , and some Such other wayes , are many men become So wėake in their estates ; that most of those Who live in fashion , and make handsome showes Of being rich , would prove ( I am afraid ) Far worse then nothing , if their debts were paid . This floweth from our pride , or from excesse ; And this is cause of other wickednesse ▪ But , in our Iland , one thing I have seene , Which ( though it hath not much observed beene To be a fault ) will make a large addition To fill the measure of this Lands transgression . And much I am afraid , that all in vaine I shall of this impiety complaine . For , Avarice , who nought will give away , Whereon her griple fingers she can lay , Pleads for it : yea , and Custome hath so long Confirm'd it , that , it is a lawfull wrong ▪ I doe not meane the Laities retaining Of Tithes , or Lands unto the Church pertaining . For , though I would not build my house with ought ▪ Which from the Sanctuary had been● c●ught , To gaine the world , y●t , I may doe amisse To judge of others Consciences in this . It is the barbarous usage , wherewith we Doe entertaine those men that shipwra●kt be , Which here I meane : For , many people have Lesse mercy then the Tempest , and the wave . That Vessell , which the Rocks had pitty on , The cruelty of man doth seize upon ; And him that is oppressed , quite bereaves Of what the quicksand und●voured leaves . When some poore ship upon the billowes tost , Is driven by a storme upon the Coast , With rudder lost , with t●cklings rent and torne , With maine-mast split , and fore-mast overborne ; And reeles and rowles , and takes in water so That all the Mariners through feare forgoe Their crazie Charge , some swimming to the shoare● On peeces of the decke , or broken oares . Some on an empty Chest ; some holding fast O● splinters of a Yard , or of a Mast ; Now riding on the waves ; straight sinking downe ▪ Now hoping life , anon afraid to drowne ; Pu● off , and on ; yet lab'ring to attaine The Land , in hope more pitty there to gaine : I● this poore plight , when they ( with much adoe ) A dryer ●lement have ●ea●ht unto , And , wet and tyred ( both on feet and hands ) Come creeping , or else staggering on the sands ▪ The neighb'ring people ( who in this are far More s●lvage , then most barbarous Nations are ) In stead of bringing comfort and reliefe , Add new afflictions to their former griefe , By taking that small meanes which is reserved To keep them living , when their life 's prese●ved . Fo● , those remaining fragments of the●r store , Which God , sometimes , in pity sends ashore To help n●w cloath and feed them , till there come Some friends to aid them ; or supplies from home ; Ev'n spoile of those they mak● : and of th● prey ●o greedy are ; that often when these may Mens lives preserve , they leave them to their chance , In hope their death , their profit will advance . And , if that b●uised - Bark which they fo●sook ( To save their lives ) upon some Ouze hath strook , Or on some shelve ; from whence , by timely aid , The goods to land may safely be convaid . Or if ( as chance it may ) the Hull be saved , Yet , thereof , is the Owner qui●e bereaved . For , by a brutish Custome ( which , I know , Nor Co●sci●nce , nor good Reason doth allow ) Some Officer who farmes the Royalties Within that place , doth make thereof a prize . Else , he that owns the Land whereon it fals , Doth seize it : and , his right , the same he calls . Pa●l did a peop●e , ev'n at Malta , find , ( Although a barb'rous Iland ) far more kind . Men wrackt , they comforted ; but we bereave them Of those remainders which the Sea doth leave them ; Except some living thing abiding be Aboard the Ship . For , then the same is fr●e From being pr●v'd a wrack ( we say ) though that Which there surviveth , be some Dog , o● Cat : A goodly matter , surely , whereupon Poore men should be reli●ved , or undone . Some dw●llers , also , on those Borders , where Such wofull sights , too often viewed are , Rejoyce to see them ; yea , some people say , That , for such mischiefes , they both watch and pray ; With curs●s , banning the● , who set up Lights , To guide the Seaman in dark stormy nights . And ( though they ●eek it with a devillish mind ) Gods-good , they call , what on the shore th●y find . Gods-gift , in●eed it is , which unto them Do●h from the Seas , without an owner swim : Yet , when the master of it shall be knowne ▪ God 's gift it is not ; but a bai● , that 's throwne To catch the soules of those , who seek to raise Their fortunes on distressed mens decayes . No marvell , while such cruelties are found ( Vpon the Coast ) the Sea o'reflowes her bound . No marvell , she so often , here and there , Doth from their fields so many furlongs teare . No marvell she , sometime , their cattle drownes , And , sweeps away the rich●s of their townes : Or , of those people , otherwhile , devoures So many housholds , in a few sho●t houres : For , since they grieved others , in distresse , The Sea , to them , is justly mercilesse . Of many other things , complaine I could , Which th●ough this Kingdome , I amisse , behold : But , should I now an Inven●ory make Of each abuse , whereof I notice take In all professions ; sure , it would goe neare , To finde my Readers , reading for a yeare . I feare , our gen'●all Body f●reth so , As , in the● sicknesse , they often do Who feele not their disease , when they are nigh ( Without good help ) upon the point to dye . They would not be distu●b'd ; but , vex and fret , At those who do prepare them wholsome meat , Or needfull Physick : and , perhaps , with me My Country , also , will displeased be . But , for unjust displeasure , 't is no matter ; As faith●ull friends ( to sick men ) will not slatter , Nor humor them in any such disease ; No more will I be fearfull to displease A sickly people , when I truly know , I do that work my Conscience calls me to . I tell thee therefore , Britaine , thou art sick ; Thy sins have made thee so ; and thou art like To perish in them , if thou physick take not , And , for thy safety , good provision make not . If thou nor feelest , nor wilt ●redit give To what is spoken : Mark thou , and beleeve The Symptomes of it . For , they will declare So truly , how ( at this time ) thou dost far● , That they who are not reasonlesse , shall see And say ( in times to come ) I loved thee . Behold , ev'n at this day , throughout the Land , Most Manu-factories are at a stand ; And , of those Engines , some main wheeles are broke , Though where they faulty be , small heed be took . Thy Mer●hants , by whose trade great profit comes ( And , to the Kings Exchequer , royall sums ) Those M●rcuries , by whose industrious paine . Thou di●st becom● the Mistresse of the Maine , And art maintain'd with ships , which are the walls , By which thy temp'rall gr●atnesse , ●t●●ds , or falls . Ev'n they , begin to sinke , for want of trade , And through those boo●ies which of them are m●de . Their Ship● without advantage are employ'd ; And if the Wars , or Time , had them destroy'd Which are in being ; they have ( to augment Or fill the number ) no encouragement . The present muster of thy shipping , failes Of what it was , in many scores of failes , Not long ●ime since : and , thy next neigh'bring nation Growes rich in thy decaying Navigation . Yea , some suspect , that of our publike Trade ( For private profit ) sale to them is made . Indeed , ●ost Office●s , if so they may Enlarge thei● profits , for the present day ; Or gaine , or save the King , but for a yeare , Some tho●●and● , do suppose they much endeare Their service to the State : when ( 't is well knowne To us abroad ) the gaine is most their owne : And that , before two ages more be spent , The waies by which their incomes they augment , Will cost this Kingdome , for each ounce of gold So got , hundred , if their courses hold . It is by them , the Prince becommeth poore . And ( thou●h they would be thought ( forsooth ) much more Then all his other subjects , to maintaine The dues belonging to a Soveraigne ) They rob him more , then all men else beside : They lose him ten times more then they provide . They make him needy first ; and then they grieve , And begger them , that should his wants relieve . The vulgar Cit●z●ns do much complaine For want of tra●e sufficient to maintaine Their families ; and , many , lately broken , Are of that poverty a certaine token . That famous and that wealthy Merchandize , Which from our clothings , and our wooll● arise , Is much decay'd . For work , the poore man prayes : The Clothier hath not mony ; and he layes The blame upon the Merchant ; who doth sweare , His ships and goods , so often stayed are , And times so giddy , and so little got ( With so much perill ) that he dareth not To make adventures , as 〈◊〉 e●st hath done ▪ And , so , to ruine all is like to run . For , from their voyages so oft have some Beene hindred ( or have beene so long from home In fruitfulesse services ) that it hath brought Rich Owners , and their Vessels , unto nought . Some others , also find it , to maintaine Their , shi●s so costly , ( without hope of gaine ) That to repaire them they do stand in feare It may undoe them , e're things better'd are ; That ( might their men be safe ) they do protest ▪ They know not , if to sink , or swi● were best . The winds and seas , that here●ofore ha●e borne us Good will ; have prov'd our foes , and 〈◊〉 & torne u● . Our Mariners are like to run away To serve our foes , for want of work ▪ and pay . Those places , and those portion● , which belong To mens deserts ; and should to make them strong , And to encourage them , conferred be ; Are otherwise d●spos●d of : and w● see The most deserving men are in disgraces ▪ Or else neglected ; or else , in their places Impoverished ( or else disheart●●● so ) T●at some men will not ; and some cannot do Their Country that good service which they might . And , if this hold , we lose our honor quite . By those adventures , which are just and free To ev'ry Nation , where good Patriots be , Thy sons , to fetch thee wealth , and honour home , Would prodigall of goods and lives become ; By private cost , augment the publike store , And by encr●ase of shipping guard thy shore ; If they might freely seek , and keep that lot , Which by their cost and valour might be got . But , men that are of courage , and of worth , Disdaine their goods and lives to hazard forth , On servile termes ; or , to be prey'd upon When they returne , by some ignoble Drone : And , by this meanes , oh thou unhappy I le , Thy ●oes grow strong , & thou grow'st weak the while . I do protest , I see not that condition Of man , that hath a fortune in fruition , That is not perilsome ; but , he that 's borne The mischiefes of this present life to scorne . Nor from the highest to the low'st degree , Doth any man well pleased seeme to be . The King complaines of want : his Servants say , They stand ingag'd in more then they can pay : And they who in their person service do him , Want much of that which should oblige them to him . The charge of War , still more and more doth grow ; The Customes faile as trading falleth low : There 's new occasion ev'ry day of spending , And much more borr'wing , then good means of lending . 'T is said , some royall Rents to sale were profer'd ; That Iewels of the Crowne to pawne were offer'd : Tha● Church Revennues , for the present need , Sequestred are ( to stand a while in stead Of temp'ralties ) And ▪ some themselves perswade , That , they shall now be lay possessions made . But , God forbid : for he that shall bereave The Church of her inhe●itance , doth leave A curse upon his children ; which will stay Vn●●ll his whole descent be wo●ne away . To help thy wants , ( so great it seemes they prove ) There be of those who did not blush to move Religion might be set to ●ale ; and that We might promiscuous worships tollerate . The common people murmur of oppressions ; Of being robbed of their due possessions ; Of impudent abuses , done by those Who should redresse them : ev'ry winde that blowes , Brings tidings of ill luck ; yet , still men feare There 's worse untold , then that which they do hear● . For , we have lying Newes authorised So long ; and falshoods , have so many spread ; That , when of that a true report is told Whereof a firme beleefe receive we should , We cannot credit it : and , this , perchance , May to our safety be some hinderance . If in our selves , we feele not what 's amisse , Observe we , by ●eflection , what it is . The Germane Emp'rour , and two King● , that be As rich and pow'rfull , ev'ry way as he , Are Foes pro●essed ; and they bend their pow'r , Our Countries , and our Nation to devoure : And , while to fight Gods battel●men do faine ▪ The Kingdome of the Devill they maint●ine . Our Friends , and our Consederates ; for us , Engag'd in undertakings dangerous . Have suffred losse ; and yet , in hazard are By an unequall and injurious war . Some , who possesse an Vnion with our Land , Do work their owne advantage underh●●d , To our disgrace and losses . Other some , Are neuters yet , who will our foes become , And with our enemies the spoile divide , If any ill Adventur● shall betide . That princely Branch of our most royall Stem , Made poore by the Bohemian Diadem , ( But , rich in her owne vertues , and that trea●●re Of heav'nly graces , which in plenteous measure Gods bounty gave her ) that illustrious D●me , ( To whom I owe , ev'n more then all I am ) Lives banisht , ( oh ! the mischieves of this age ) And quite excluded from her heritage . Her LORD , and all those deare and hopefull Peeces , Drawne off by them ; the Nephewes , and the Neeces Of our dread Sov'raigne , are as pilgrims , faine Within a forraine Country to remaine . Our costly Treaties , do but crossely speed . Our new Alliance , proves a broken Reed . Our fo●raine enterprizes , full of charge , Do serve but others glories to enlarge . Our mighty Navies strongly furnisht ou● , Have lost their pains , in what they went about . One little Towne keeps all our Ports in feare ; Vpon the Seas , our Coasters scared are ; And , we that bore the Trident of the Seas ; We , who of l●te , with smaller Fleets , then these Which now we set aflote , did once constraine The Carraks , and the Argofies of Spaine To strike their sailes : we , that have aw'd the Deeps , And ev'ry Foreland , through the world , that peeps Above the Seas : yea , we that from each shore , Whereon the brinish waves of Neptune rore , Have brought rich Trophees of our valours home , Now , back with neither spoiles , nor honors , come . God , with our Fleets , and Armies , doth not so Go forth of late , as he did use to doe . But , divers yeares together , as of●ended , His arme ag●●nst our forces h●th extended ▪ That hopefull Voyage , w●ich brave Rawleigh made , To prosecute tho●e golden hopes he had , Was overthrowne , and , ( to enlarge the cost ) In him , we more in wit , th●n mony lost . For , to resist us , God himselfe did stand : And , st●ll against us , he extends his hand . Vpon A●geir we had a faire designe , That much extracted from our silver Mine , But ▪ nothing prosper'd , which was then projected , Nor was there ought , but losse and shame effected ; For , God preserv'd our enemies from harme : And , still , against us , stretcheth he his arme . When in Virginia we had n●rsed long Our Colonies , and hoped they were strong ▪ And , almost able to subsist alone : By n●ked people they were set upon , And , sore endanger'd : For , on us ▪ fo● ill , God laid his hand ; and layes it on us still . Auxiliary forces , forth we se●t ; ( Or , voluntarily from us they went ) To settle on Bohemiahs fatall throne , Him , whom that Land had cast her choice upon . But , there our men were wasted : and in steed Of Iacobs staffe , we proved Egypts-reed : For , God against our pow'rs his pow'r did set ; And , he his band doth raise against us , ●et . We made new Leavies , and marcht up the Rhine , To guard the Country of the Palatine ; But , all in vaine . For , nothing did we there , Except prolong the miseries of War. God , would not that deliver'd they should be By people that so wicked are as we . But , scourged them and us , in bitter wise ; And , still , his heavy hand upon us lies . Then , mustred we Ambassadors together ; We sent them oft , and almost ev'ry whither ; But , by our Treaties we acquired nought : Nay , many disadvantages they brought ; For , then , our foes for battle did prepare , When we of peace together treating were . Yea , God hath caus'd the h●rme that they have done us ; And , still , his hand li●s heavily upon us . The fortune of the War we tride againe By Mansfield ; which did ●●kewise prove in vaine . To Denmark also we did send supplies , And there , moreover , sick and bleeding lies O●r honor . And , yet still , against our Land The Lord of Hosts hath stret●hed out his hand . Throughout the Easterne Indies where we had A wealthy and an honorable Trade , A petty Nation , doth now baffle , dare us , And , out of trading , hope e're long to weare us . Our glorious Fleet , that lately braved Cales , Of her exploits affords not many tales . Another ▪ and another too , since then , Was put to sea , and driven home agen All shaken and be●atter'd . Some , the wind Sent back , and frustrate made what was design'd . Some others , were by other lets delay'd , And , made to faile , in that which they assail'd : For , God with this our Nation was offended ; And , yet , his hand against us 〈◊〉 extended . Another N●vie , worthy greater note , Then all of these forenamed , now doth flo●e Vpon the seas : and such a fame it beares , That all the neighb●ring kingdome● it deters . For , Land and Sea it threatens : and we heare Before the I le of Ree , at rode they are , Where they of brave atchievements hopefull grow . I wish , and I do pray it may be so As they desi●e , if God be ●l●as'd therein . But , much I feare , that we have guilty bin Of somewhat unrepented yet , that will Make all our undertakings prosper ill , Till we are humbled more . For , God hath laine His heavy hand upon us , long in vaine . And , though our hearts with foolish hopes we fill , His Arme , against us , forth he stretcheth still . Or else it could not be our forces great , So many times should suffer a d●feat . ●or when a lesser Fleet was sent to do A Mischi●fe , it had pow'r enough thereto . But let us take a little further heed ; How ill our hopes in forraine parts succeed . The French and Germane Churches , in w●ose ca●e , And in whose persecutions we do share ; Have beene afflicted in a grievous wise , And still a heavy but then on them lyes . Gods foes , and theirs , and ours , have cras●ily Combined in a strong confederacy The tents of Edom , and the Ishma'lites , The seed of Agar ▪ and the M●abites , With Ashur , and the sons of Lot conspire ; With Gebal , Ammon , Amalek , and Tyre . Yea , Gog and Magog ; close and open foes , E●'n all those Armies which Gods truth oppose , ( And by the Names , here mention●d , figur'd were ) Confederated , and resolved are , To prey upon us . Come , now come , ●ay they , Let 's root their Nation , and their Name away . And , if our God be silent over-long , Their strength encreasing , will encrease the wrong His Church endures : our cause will be o'rethrowne , And , they will take Gods houses for their owne . If yet , thou dost not feele thy sickly case , Nor in these forraine glasses view thy face , Look home agen ; and I will shew thee there Moe things , that worthy notice will appeare . There , thou shalt find distr●ction in the State ; The Commons , and some Nobles , at debate ; The Court it selfe disturbed with disunions ; Some following others ; some their owne opinions ; Some striving , from their seats , their mates to thrust ; Few knowing in who●e friendship they may trust . There see thou shalt most seeking the disgraces Of o●hers ; and in all their fellowes places Men so experienc'd , that they leave to do Those duties , they themselves are call'd unto . There , thou shalt see such foolish imitations ; Such complements ; such grosse ●issimulations ; Such ●ractices ; such projects , and devices ; Contriving o● such foolish paradises ; Such doing and undoing , what is done ; That , 't will be matter worthy musing on ▪ Those Offices , and those high seats of State , ( Est●em'd mo●t honorable ) are of late Become so sk●ttish ; or the men that get them , Such artl●sse riders , that they cannot sit th●m . When liv'd , at once , so many , who did c●ry , ( And left disgrac'd ) the st●les of S●cretary , Of Chamberlaine , Chiefe-Iustice , Treasurer , Of Lord high Keeper , and Lord Chancel●r ? Of these , and other ●itles , when was s●ene Such chopping and such changing , as hath beene In later yeares ? sure , something is amisse , That such uncertainty among us is . Those pers●nages , whose words were heretofore As Oracles ; are credited no more Then Cheaters are . Their hand & seale doth stand For nothing , if no other come in band . So void are some advanced to high place , Of common understanding , and of grace , That neither shame , nor losse , which doth befall To other men , can move them ought at all . But , as men markt for Venge●nce , or else sent For thy dishonor , and thy punishment , They dare proceed t● practise ev'ry sin For which thei● predecessors shent have bin . Nay , some who for corruption were remov'd To give those place , mi●ht well have beene approv'd Respecting them ; if all the peoples cries , From just occa●ion may be thought to rise . Yea ▪ they have just●fi●d , and honor done them , Who went before , in having overgone them In doing wrongs . And , in those wrongs they do , They are so p●actised , and hardned to , That no examples , or faire warning shall Ta●e place ( 't is thought ) till they have ruin'd all . Some Offices are growne so over large For those who undertake them , to discharge , Else , they that have them , so unable are , Or of their duties have so little care , Th●t suiters poo●e have many times attended Whole months together , e're they were befriended , So much , ●o have their humble suits perused . Yet , these , as if they had not else abused The Common-wealth enough , do often add To those employments which before they had , New Offices ; and take so much upon Their feeble shoulders , that no good is done . If thou observest mens communication , Thou heare it shalt so full of desperation , As if they feared God had us forsaken , And , to some other place himselfe ●etaken . But , thou , indeed , his Covenant hast b●oke ; His Word distrusted ; his Commands forsook ; And , aid from Egypt , and from Ashur sought , Whose tru●●lesse f●iendship will availe thee nought . Nay , some there be , that in these dayes of evill , Advise to make atonements with the Devill . For , they doe little better who would call The Turk● , to helpe maintaine the Churches wall . Yea , they who make that Foe our ayd ●ecome , Do save a hou●e , by firing Ch●istendome . The Land appeares , as if ●t rip●ning were For Desolation : and ev'n ev'ry where Most ●en are growne so p●odigally vaine ; So greedily pursue they pre●en● gaine ; And , from this pleasant Kingdome have so rent Her woods , her grov●s , and ev'ry ornament , ( With●ut all care of pla●ting , or renewing For their Posterities , in times ensuing ) As if they either thought , or did foresee , That when they dy'd ▪ the world would ended be ▪ Or that , before the following generations , This Land should be possest by other Nations . We have not pow'r their counsell to receive , Who for our safeties best advisement give : For , in themselves , such basenesse most retaine , That , all are thought to ayme at private gaine . And doubtlesse we have many Mountebanks , Who arrogate the profit and the thanks Of others labours ; or else seek to crosse Their good designes , to their disgrace and losse . Yea , such extreame corruptions ev'ry where In men of ev'ry quality appeare , That whatsoever reasons may be rendred , To prove that by some courses which are tendred , ( To be proceeded in ) the common peace Or profit might in future times encrease , And be advanc'd , a million by the yeare : Yet , if but any p●ivate persons feare It may some income● f●om their ch●sts withdraw , For which they neither Conscience have nor Law : These men ( if they attempt it , and be able To give a bribe that may be valuable In any measure ) quite shall overthrow That good designment : and not onely so , But these and they that were their instruments Shall purchase him who that designe invents , ( For his reward ) both infamy and hate ▪ And make themselves appeare unto the State Good Patriots ; who ( being sifted well ) Are scarce so honest men as go to hell . Rapt by a sp●rituall Vision , I have seene The thin and crasie wall , that stands betweene Our fight , and their concealed practices , Who have the place of Elders in these dayes : And spying there a hole , I dig●'d into Their se●resies ; to see what works they doe . W●ere ( not without Gods warrant , and his ayd ) Most foule abominations I su●vaid . I saw their Chambers of Imagery , And all those Objects of Idolatry To which they bow , upon the wals depainted : I saw t●ose toyes ado●ed and besainted : I saw what strange devo●ions there they use ; How they in private do the world abuse ▪ And from their Censers seemed to arise A cloud which dimm'd the Sacrificers ey●s . There ( oh ! good God ) how many did I see , Who zealous Prelats do appeare to be ? How many Statesmen , and how many a one That ou● high s●ats of Iudgement si●s upon ? How many who ●igh● honest men appeare ? In outward show how many draw●ng neere Vnto their graves ? how many learned men ? How many , that will stoutly now and then M●int●ine an honest cause , to some g●od end , ( For ought we k●ow ) when they no good ●ntend How many ill-disposed men ( oh ! God ) Who otherwise aff●cted seeme abroad , Beh●ld I there in secret prostituting Th●mselves to breathlesse Idols , and imputing Great pow'r unto them ? and how base are those Sometime i● private , who make goodly showes Of noblest thoughts ? Some , to the rising-Sun Directly kneele ; s●me , fix their eyes upon The Moone , which from his beams receives her light : Some , stand devoted to the works of Night : Some , deifie their ●ride , and some their Lust : In ca●nall Policy , some put their trust : Some ( as a Goddesse ) V●ngean●e do emplore : V●●ighteous Mammon , othersome adore : With worldly Honor , some idolatrize ; Some other , to their Nets do sacrifise : To Pleasure , many offer their estates ; H●ms●lfe to En●y , one man dedicates : Another makes Vaineglories altars fume , Till all his pa●rimony he consume : A third , to Sloth and Idlenesse doth bow . Before Excesse ▪ a fourth doth fall as low : Yea , Horses , Dogs , and Hanks ; ev'n Beasts and Fowl●s , Are Idols of their love . Nor hath their Soules Id●lat●iz'd with brutish things alone , But , ev'n with Gold , and Silver , Wood , and Stone . Nor have they only of such things as these , ( That reall be ) set up vaine images Within their hearts ; but , they goe● further , far , And worship Fictions , which the likenesse are Of nought in heav'n , ea●th , sea , or in the waters Below the earth ; but , meere fantasticke matters . And , that by such l●ke Gods , as are their Treasure , Their Honor , their Preferment , and their Pleasure , They may be happy made ; what things I pray , To shew their zeale ( suppose you ) offer they ? Ev'n those , respecting which , these gods are vile . For , they do give unto them , otherwhile , Their naturall rest and sleep ; sometime their heal●h ▪ Sometime what 's due to God they take by stealth , To waste upon their Mawmets ; and of these , One ostred is , another to appease . Their beautious daughters some of them have given To Moloch : other some their wives have driven To passe the fire : great numbers make oblations Of all their friends , to those Abominations . To serve them , some , their Country set to sale ; Her love , her wealth , her honor , peace , and all . Yea some , ev'n their owne lives to losse expose , ( Their consciences , and soules ) for love of those ; And ( lest unto a reprobated sense ) With Gods and Natures Lawes they can dispence● Of these , a Vision did appeare to me : Iudge Readers , whe●her true or false it be . If no such doings be , my word● contemne , And let this Vision passe but for a Dreame . If really thou find it to be so , Then think oh ! Britaine , what thou haft to do . But , thinke it seriously : for , things that are In foulest plight , wi●l often f●ire appeare . Bel●eve not all that shall reported be ; But , prove and search ; and trust what thou dost see . The Land is over-spred with wickednesse ; Y●t , no man will himselfe in fault confesse . Men daily talke how bad the times are growne , Yet , few men see an error of their owne . The Country is distressed many wayes , And on the Cities pride , the blame it layes . The City finds her trading salleth short , And thinks the cause thereof is in the Court , The Court complaines , and railes as much agen , Against the Farmer , and the Citizen . Our Parliaments imputed have of late , Our troubles to some errors in the State . The State off●nded is , and discontent With some proceedings in the Parliament . Our Court Divin●s , protest the Lawyers stand So much upon the Customes of the Land , ( The Lawes and ancient Freedomes , which belong Vnto the Commons ) that , the King they wrong . The People vow , the Prelats flatter so To get preferment , that they will undo Both Church and Common-wealth ; & some conceive , If we their State-Divinity beleeve , It will of ev'ry priviledge bereave us , And no more Law , but Will and Pleasure leave us . And , as the Iewes , to save their Place , and Name , Did that , which losse of both of them became : So , thought it is , th●t if our Prelats fall , The way , they seek to stand , effect it shall . The followers of Arminius some revile , As troublers of the Churches of this I le . Some think the doubts & questions they have moved Shal make the Truth more known , & more approved . The Papist sayes , that we afflicted are , Because their superstitions banisht were . Som● Protestants beleeve we fare the worse For fav'ring them ; and that they bring a curse Vpon the La●d . Some others , do accuse The Separatists , and those men who refuse Vnto this Churches orders to conforme . They , on the other side , as much do storme Against our Discipline and Hierarchy , As parts of Antichristian-heresie . And though we all are nought ; yet , we do all Each other censure , persecute , miscall , And so c●ndemne ; as if we had no such Infirmities , as we in others touch . But , as her vertue may be ne're the more , Who first , in scoulding , calls her neighbour whore , So , he that soone●t check abuses can , ( At all times ) proveth not the holiest man . Ev'n I , that in whole Volumes , do complaine Against those faults , which in my times do raigne ; May be a Villane , when all that is done , If other signes of goodnesse I have none . But , why speak I of Symptomes , when all see Thy Sicknesse , to be evident on thee ? Thou hast a fearfull trembling at thy heart , And , a quotidian Fever shakes each part . Thine eyes do see thy flesh doth fall away ; The lovely colour of thy cheeks decay . Thy veines grow empty , which did lately swell ; Those parts are naked , that were clothed well : Those limbs are weakned , that e're while were strong ; And into gronings thou hast chang'd thy Song . Yea , thou maist feele ( unlesse that sense be dead ) A paine betweene thy Body , and thy H●ad . The Staves of God , of which we read it spoken By Zachary ▪ are bruized , if not broken . The Staffe of Bands ( or Vnion ) hath some cracks : And , that of Beautie now so little lacks Of being shiv●r'd ; tha● thou art almost The scorne of Christendome : and hast nigh lost Thy former glory . Neither art thou ●oly Despised and dishonor'd , by thy folly ; But in those mischiefes which thy sin● procure , Thy Prince a disadvantage doth endure . His ver●ues are repulsed from that height O● honour , whereunto ascend they might , Wert thou lesse wicked . He , whom as our eyes We seemed ( as but yesterday ) to prize ; He , for whose absence we so much complained , And wept , and pray'd , and vow'd , whilst he remain●d Divided from u● : and at ●hose returne We did so many ●iles to ashes burne : Ev'n he , hath not received that content From us , which he expected , and we meant . Some spirit of Dissention loos●d hath bin ; Some sparks of Discord have beene hurled in , And blowne among us ; so that he and wee Not so well pleased in each other be As both desire . And should this flame encrease , God knowes how much it would offend our peace . Thy Body , England , representative , Vnable was prevention to contrive For such a mischiefe ; neither dare men say ( Although they could ) on whom the blame to lay . Some , doe accuse the Parliament ; some blame Another Facti●n ; and , I doubtfull am , Some rashly taxe the King : but , to provide A Iudge , by whom such parties may be tride , Who knowes ( I pray ? ) or what is he that can Such points as these , without reproving scan ? Nay , where is he , from faction or from feare So free , that ( though he knew it needfull were ) He da●es pre●ume in any publike wise , So much as mention such State-mysteries ? Yet , sure , ●hey must be mention'd ; and they may , By those who know good Reason , and the Way Of so unfolding them , that no offence Be given ; whatsoe're be taken ●hence . And therefore , though such men who cannot see What calling at this present warrants me , Or , by what spirit I am urged to Those actions which I undertake to do ; Though such conjecture may , that I presume Too far , and on my selfe too much assume , ( Beyond my place ) yet , in ●y selfe secure , I 'le put my selfe their censure to endure ; And all that perill , which the●e coward times Suppose may follow my truth-speaking Rime● . Direct thou so , oh God! my hand by thine , That I in this may draw an eaven Line . For , no advice from carnall wits I crave : Nor any Counsellor , but thee , to have . My Prince and Country ▪ though perhaps I be Not much to them ; a●e both most deare to me . And may I perish , if to save my life I woul● betwixt that couple nourish strife . Or if for one of them I that would say , Which might from toth●rs due take ought away . If God direct me not , I may do ill In this performance ; but , I know , to will And to desire their welfare , is from heaven ( Ev'n by his grace ) to me already given . I may perchance in what I best intend , Have neither King nor People to my friend ; Yet will I speake my mind to profit them , Though both should , for my labour me condemne . For , from all other ends and hopes I 'me free , S●●e those , which in an honest man should be . If that which profits e●th●r I propose , They both shall gaine , and neither party lose . But , if that harme shall by my words be done ▪ I 'le weigh them so , it shall be mine alone . My censure I will give in things , which none Have da●'d to passe a publike Iudgement on . Come , marke me , you who thinke I now begin To tread a path which I shall stumble in : And , if you see , what justly you may che●k ; Trip up my heeles , and make me breake my neck● Although we heed not ▪ or else will not see , Those Maladies which daily growing be ; I find ( and I doe much compassionate What I behold ) a rupture in the State , Of this great Body . Lamed are the Feet ; The Legs , that sho●ld support her , scarcely meet , For that gr●at structure which upon them stands ▪ The Sine●● are enfeebled ; and , the Hands Vnfit for action ; deafned are her Eares , And what concerne● her most , she hardly heares . Her Eyes ( which are her wa●chmen ) are become Halfe blind ▪ her Tongue is almost waxen dumb : It cannot speak the truth for her owne wealth : Her Nose , that should distinguish , for her health ▪ Twixt things that wholsome , and unwholsome were , Hath lost that faculty : her Pulses are Vncertaine : her Digestion is not good ; And , that hath filled her with tainted Blood : Her Iudgement , and her Common-sense so failes , That she ▪ her selfe perceives not what she ayles : Her Spleene is stop● ; and , ●hose obstructions make Bad fumings , which have caus'd her Head to ake . And He ( alas ) is bound about the Crowne With cares , that make him bow his forehead dow●e . Thou art this Body , England , and thy Head Is our dread Sov'raigne . The distemper bred Betwixt you two , from one of you doth flow ; And which it is , I purpose here to show . Be bold to heare me Readers ; for , in season I speake ; and here 's not fellony , nor treason . In this that followes ; to have pow'r or aime To touch the Lords Anointed , I disclaime . I have no warrant ; neither know I ought , To reprehend him for , although I mought . And , they of my upright●●sse judge amisse , Who think I flatter , in affirming this . For , as my Princes fault● I may not blaze ▪ So , I am also bound ( as there is cause ) To justifie what vertues I doe heare To be in him , or , see in him appeare . The gen'rall faults of others , mine owne eyes Have seene ; and that 's enough to warrantize A generall reproofe : but never , yet , In him beheld I , what did unbefit Hi● pe●son or his place : much have I seene , That , rather , hath an honor to him beene . And , whatsoe're shall mutter'd be of ●ome , There reignes not any King in Christendome , Of whom there was divulg'd a better fame ; Or , whom a royall Throne so well became . And , what is lately done , to blot the story Of his desert ? or to deface his glory ? Or wherewithall can any tongue tradu●e His actions , which admitteth not excuse ? What if his people have expected more ( From hopes , by them conceived heretofore ) Then yet succeeds ? what can from thence redound To prove his Vertues or his wayes unsound ? Why may not this effect arise from them That so suspect , much rather then from him ? As God long since unto those Iewes did say , ( Who judged him unequall in his way ) So say I England ; is thy Sov'raignes path Vnequall ? or is 't rather thine which hath Such indirectnesse ? wherefore may not all Which is amisse , by thine owne fault befall ? Why may not ( England ) a diseasednesse ( Occasioned by thy unrighteousnesse ) Make him unpleasing in his course to thee , Whom thou hast praised ? and whose graces be The same they were ? thou knowest many a one , In bodily diseases , thus hath done . Those meats and drinks , that are both sweet & pure , They can nor truly rellish , nor endure . We seldome see the Bodies torment bred By ought which first ariseth in the Head ; But , oftentimes we feele both head and eyes Diseas'd by fumes which from the Body rise . And though downe from the head there may distill Some humour , otherwhile , which maketh ●ll The lower parts ; yet , that first vapor'd from Those crudities and noysome fumes whi●h come From ●ll digestion ; or , from stoppages Which are in our inferior passages . 'T is thus in nat'rall Bodies ; an● the like May be observ'd in Bodies p●litick . The head and body both are evill pleas'd , When any part of eithe● is diseas'd : But , their distempers , wo●se or easier are Sustained , as their fi●st occasions were . When Lungs or Liver doth defective grow By ought within it selfe , it paines not so The head , as when from thence doth also fall Those ●hew●●es and humors , that by tickling shall Occasion coughs and strainings , to distend The passages , as if each part would rend . Nor is the Stomack so distempered , By any hurt or bruise upon the Head , ( By its owne fault receiv'd ) as when it ake●h , Through fumings , which from parts below it taketh . So fares it with a People and their King . Ev'n all their e●rors , griefes and cares doe bring Vpon each other so , that what the one Misdoeth in , doth b●ing some smart upon The other party ▪ But , they shall not be Afflicted with it , both in one degree . For , if the Princes oversight or sin , Of any publike Plague first cause hath bin , The greatest mischiefe will at last be his . And , if the Subjects have so done amisse , That Vengeance followes it , the King may g●ieve ; But , they shall be consumed , I beleeve : And , that for each ones personall defect The greatest harme will on himselfe reflect : What then to be performed is remaining , But , that we leave repining , and complaining On one another , and our labours bend , Our selves , as much as may be , to amend ? Let ev'ry one examine well his way , And , for himselfe , and for all others pray . For , this is far more likely to redresse The present mischiefes , then o●r frowardnesse . The party that hath innocency , shall Be sure to stand , though all about him fall . And , if we all perve●sly wicked prove , We sh●ll have all , one judgement from above . If in thy King ( oh Britaine ) ought amisse Appeares to be ; 'twixt God and him it is . Of him he shall be judged . What to thee Pertaineth it , his censurer to be ? If thou shalt suffer with him ; thy offence Deserv'd it ; and nought else ●ut penitence Becomes thy practice ; neither shall there ought That 's wrong , by other meanes , to right be brought . Thy generall voice , but newly , did confesse In him much vertue , and much hopefulnesse ; And , he so late assum'd his Diadem , That there hath scarce beene time enough for him Those evils to performe , that may in●erre A generall mischiefe . Neither , do I heare Of ought , as yet , which thou to him canst lay , But that he doth to thee thy will den●y . Or with a gentle stoutnesse claime , and strive , For what he thinks his just Prerogative . And why , I prethee , may not all this flow From some corruptions which in thee do grow Without his fault ? why may not , for thy crimes Some instruments of Sathan , in these times , Be suffred to obscure from him a while The truth of things ? and his beleefe beguile , With vert'uos showes , discreet and good pretences , To plague and punish thee for thy offences ? Why may not God ( and justly too ) permit Some Sycophant , or cunning hypocrite , For thy hypocrisies , to steale away His heart from thee ? and goodly colours lay On projects which may cause him to undo thee , And think that he no wrong hath done unto thee ? Nay , wherefore may not some thy King advise , To that which seems to wrong thy liberties , Yet in themselves be honest men , and just , Who have abused been by those they trust ? Thy wickednesse deserves it : and that he Who in himselfe is good , should bring to thee No profit by his goodnesse , but augment Thy sorrowes , till thy follies thou repent ? For , what is in it selfe from evill free , Is evill made , to those that evill be . Why may it not be possible , that thou Demandedst what he might not well allow Without dishonor . Or , if all were right Which thou requiredst ; yet the manner might Distast him ? Or , who certaine is , but some ( Pretending publike grievances ) might come With private spleene and m●lice , to pursue Those faults in others , which their conscience knew That they themselves were guilty of ; and had No peace with God by true repentance mnde ? If so it were , I doe admire the lesse That thy petitions had a● ill successe . If any single man hath ought misdone , It is so little while since he begun His being to receive ; that , in respect O● thine , his errors could small harme effect . But , t●ou hast heap'd up sin for many yeares ; And , thy exceeding guiltinesse appeares , With so much evidence , that ev'ry man Of some particular faul●s accuse thee can ; And , openly r●prove thee , to thy face , For evils , done in ev'ry time , and place . Then , blame not him , if God hath falsifi'd Some hopes , of late , or to thy griefe , denide That refo●mation , which thou didst require ; And add●d ( in the stead of thy desire ) New grievances . Nor too too bitterly Pursue those errors of infirmity , Which were by others , heretofore commi●●ed : But , let all past offences be remitted . If thou perceive but hope of reformation , Goe offer up to God , for thy Oblation , A true forgivenesse of their injuries , Who heretofore have wrong'd thy Liberties . And , do not this in policy ( altho The times now present may require it so : ) But , so forgive , as by the God of heaven Thou dost desire thy sins may be forgiven : For , by thy faults , dishonor'd more is he , Then thou by ●hei●s that have offended thee . And if to them thou t●ue compassion showest , God will not urge , perhaps , the debt thou ow●st . Of Reformation thou dost show great zeale ; But , some corruption maist thou not conceale That mars the bl●ssing ? A●● thou ●ure thou hast No just occasion given to distast Thy King ? Doe thy complainings all , intend The publike welfare , without private end ? And , in preferring them , didst thou commit No errors ; nor no decencies forget ? I will not say thou didst ; but I do feare , That they who wisest are , in some things erre ▪ Forgive me thou high Court of Parliament , If I shall utter what will discontent Thy disunited members , who have sate In former times , grave matters to debate . For , though I will not arrogate the wit To teach so great a Counsell what is fit ; Nor censure any Act which thou hast done , When all thy parts have joyned been in one . Yet , I will take upon me to reprove Their private errors , who in courses move Repugnant to thy Iustice ; and oft be The cause of much dishonour unto thee . For , none ( thogh thou art wise ) can wrong thee ought To think , that thou hast members may be taught . And , as in pitched Battels , when by-standers Do apprehend mistakings in Commanders , ( As oft they do ) 't were better they should say What they observe , then let them lose the day : So also ( though I may be thought too bold ) 'T were fitter my experience should be told , Then that a publike mischiefe should ensue , And I , in times to come , my silence ●ue . For , some ( no doubt ) will well approve the same , Though other some will think I was to blame : Yea , that which I will speak shall help , perchance , ( In times to come ) thine honor to advance : For , I will speak no more then what is due , And , what my Conscience bids my Pen to shew . Thou art an honor'd Counsell : but upon thee Such blots are cast , and so much wrong is done thee , ( By some , who sca●cely nat'rall members be ) That , as this Kingdome represents in thee Her Body ; so , thou dost become likewise A representment of her Vanities . Yea , when at first , to be , thou dost begin , Thou art conceived , and made up in sin . For , to thy Ho●se of Commons , whither none Thou shouldst admit , excepting , such a one Whose life or knowledge that respect may draw , Which doth become the Maker of a Law ; Too oft el●cted are , in stead of those , The rich , and them that make the gre●test showes Of youthful gallantry ; and , otherwhile , The very'st humorists of all this I le . When choice was of thy Members to be made , Th●ir ent●ances , but little signe have had Of prosperous ends : for , they that should have past A f●ee election , have their voices cast By force , constraint , or for some by-respect , On those , whom others , for their ends elect . There be in Court , and bord●ing round about Thy Burroughs , many wiser men , no doubt , Then some that in Elections have their voice ; And , by their ayd , there is sometime a choice Of good and able men : yet , best it were , That all men le●t to their just freedomes were . For , they to whom the Providence of heaven , The right of chusing Burgesses hath given ; Are also by that providence ( how wise Or foolish e're they seeme in others eyes ) In making of their choices so directed , As best may serve to make his will e●tected . And , though the same shall just as well be done By meanes of them who lawlesse courses run , Yet , not for their advantage , to the best , Who from their proper motions such things wrest . Why did the King from his Prerogative , To any place a priviledge derive , But , that they might enjoy them ? And , I pray , What conscienc● tyes the People to obey Those Lawes or Acts , in Parl'ament concluded , By those that have by force or fraud intruded ? What reason is it that a stranger should Entreat me to commit my best Freehold , To be dispos'd of , by some one , whom he Shall ( for I know not what ) commend to me ? What man but he that modes●y doth want , Can be so impudently arrogant , To sue by f●iend● , or lett●rs , pl●ce to take In such a Counsell ▪ yea , and Lawes to make ? As if , because he hath a little pelfe , He ther●fore might some Solon think himselfe , Or some Licurgus ? Or , as if he thought The Common-wealth would surely come to nought , Vnlesse his knowledge , or his vertues , were Elected , to be exercised there . Whereas ( God knowes ) too many do aspire To such employments , either through desire To shew their wits ; to gaine some vaine repute , Themselves , or friends to furthe● in some sute ; To keep off Creditors ; or else , perchance , To entertaine their curious igno●ance With mysteries of State . Beleeve it , those Whose modesty forbids them to expose Themselves to be elected , I think far More apt for such employments then they are That seeke them : a●d 't is fittest that in all Such places , men should sit till they do call ( Of their owne will ) to whom the choice pertaines ▪ For , those God sends ; and unto them he daignes Fit graces for the worke . The other , hast ( Mov'd by their owne ambition ) to be plac'd In that great Couns●ll , with a mind corrupt ; Which doth dishonor oft , and interrupt Their best p●oceed●ngs . And from hence it is , So many things among us are amisse . Hence is it , so much time is spent about The searching of undue elections out . Hence is it , that in stead of persons grave , Such numbers of our Burgesses we have In those Assembl●es , who come ●uffling ●n With habits which have far more fitting bin For Theat●rs ; then for the reverent And sacred presence of a Parliament . Thence is it that so many Children are Elected to have place and voices there ; Yea chosen Counsellers , when hardly past Their Tutors rod : beleeve me , this is hast . Although it might excused be , if some Youngmen should thither for experience come : It is not tollerable , nathelesse , That many should admitted be : much lesse Those no●age Youths , to whom our Lawes deny A pow'r in things that smaller trust imply . Hence is it that sometime the very noises Arising from the multitude of voices , Foiles Reason . This maintaineth also factions , And makes in plainest ma●ters great distractions . T●is , to those meetings much disturbance bring , And doth occasion many foolish things . Thence is it , also , we admit of those , In making Lawes , who either do oppose Proceedings legall ; or , protections g●ve To them that in contempt as Outlawes live ▪ I hold it not amisse , that they who spend Their time the publike bus'nesse ●o attend , Should have their servants from arestings free , Whilst they themselves in those employments be ; Nor is it worthy blame , if they protect Poore Debtors , who endeavoring to ef●ect Their Creditors contents ( as they are able ) And using time ( in courses warrantable ) For such a purpose ; or else to prefer Complaints against some vile extortioner : Or to such ends . But , when they doe by dozen● ( To ev'ry p●odigall , that cheats and cozen● ) Vouchsafe protections ; yea , to those that are Meere strangers too ; it worth reproving were : And , them who do it , I suppose unfit In places of Lawgiver● there to sit . M●reover , an Election out of order , Doth other inconvenie●t matters further , Not mention'd yet . The party that is chose By suit , or ill-got favour , seldome goes Against his Chusers , if it chance that ought In opposition unto them be brought : Whereas ▪ in such a case , each man is bound To be as if new risen from the ground He should not know his father , nor the son Of his owne body : no nor any one O● all his neere acquaintance , or his kin ; Nor any that his friend or foe hath bin . But , fixe his eye upon the cause alone , And , do as that requireth to be done . Had this beene practis'd , many a good conclusion Had follow'd more then did . Yea , much confusion , Much needlesse cost and pains , had beene prevented ; And , many had not gone so di●contented To their owne homes , when they with hearts o'regrieved , Besought the Parli●ment , to be relieved . For , if the●r causes ( which but right had bin ) Their trials had receiv'd , as they came in ; If no man might , by savour of a friend , Prefer new suits , b●fore all those have end Which entred are before ; poore Sui●ers might Have hope of sooner compassing their right . Yea , spare much cost , and many months attending , To b●ing their endlesse bus'nesse to an ending . For then , what day , or week , or month , at least , They should be heard , it partly might be gu●st . But p●ivate friendship showne at such a season , To work meere private ends , opposeth reason . It doth put off and on ; and so employ One friend , anothers friendship to destroy , ( And , so delayeth him in his just suit , Who is of such acquaintance destitute ) That , many a one whose cause deserv'd regard , Is quite undone , before he can be heard . Fo● , to attend three Sessions on a row , With Lawyers often feed , the cause to show , ( Perhaps , a ●undred miles , or two , from home , With witnesses which on his charge do come As far as he ) may make a rich man poore , And , homeward , beg his bread from doore to doore . There also were ( and they who came unsent , Are likely to be they that now are meant ) Vnwise , and undiscreet ones , mixt among Ou● Parliaments , who did those meetings wrong ▪ By controverting of Religion there , And moving questions that improper are To that Assembly . For , there is provided A Synode , whe●ein ought to be decided Such matters ; and what they determine shall , Th● Parli●ment may ratifie ; and call , And censure those , who either shall proceed To crosse or vilifie what is dec●eed . But , we may blush to see , how much amisse Some stretch the Parliamentall pow'r in this . How , they doe cause the weake offence to take ▪ And , say our Parliaments Religions make ; How much the due proceedings hindred are , By spending time in such like mat●ers , there , To that high Courts disturbance ; and how muc● The Common-wealth is damnifi'd by such Impertinent , and over-busie wits , Who know not what the Parliament befits , And what the Synod . But , mistake not me , I doe not think the Parliament should be Restrained so , as not to shew her care That true Religion be maintained here . Far be it from my heart : I wish they should Religion to their utmost pow'r uphold : But , my de●ire is also , that ●●ey further The Church affaires , in their owne place and order : And that they would be pleas'd ( as hitherto They g●avely were accustomed to doe ) To check their busie Novices , who breed Much scandall when unwisely they proceed . For , though some threaten fearfull things to those Who dare a Parliamentall p●w'r enclose Within a Bound : yea , though some talking things 〈◊〉 , as if they might make and unmake Kings ; Coine new Religions ; yea , and Gods , for need ; Yet , I shall never entertaine their creed , Nor feare , when good occasion I have got , To say what may be done , or what may not . For , they who make that pow'r or more or lesse Then ought to be , doe equally transgresse . This , many Members , a● some former sitting , Not heeding , or else ove●much fo●getting , Have scandaliz'd that Meeting ; and made bold To run a great way fu●ther then they should In their discourse ( if not when they have sate , Where they did matters publikely debate . Yea , 't is the property of most of those , Who by their owne procurement have beene chose For Knights or Burgesses , to stand it out More boldly ▪ and more obstinately slout , For some fond custome , then for what befitteth His Iustice who in such a Counsell sitteth . Of these they be , whose indiscretions bring So many discontentments to the King , Through want of more exp●rience , or sound reason ; Or by t●eir urging matters out of season : And , such as these you easily may know From wiser men . For , thus themselves they show . If while a Session lasteth you shall chance To meet them , where themselves they do advance In some discourse ; assure your selves ye may , By their perpetu●ll ta●ling , which are they . For , they ingr●sse the talke , w●ere e're th●y come , And speak , as if their lips nought flowed from But Apothegmes ; or , as if each cause They undertook should passe among the Lawes . And , what another sayes , th●y'll ●o condemne . As i● a whole Committee spake in them . In my poore judgement it doth much concerne Our Parliament● , that those their members learne Mo●e silence : for , no sooner come they out ▪ But ev'rywhere they p●ate , and spread about The secrets of the House ; and blast them so By their rank breathings , e're they ripe can grow ▪ That oft they perish , or are shaken from The tree , before the gathering time is come . In this , our Peeres I have not quite excused ▪ Nor said , that no ill customes they have used In this great Meeting : For , the best have some Blameworthy things ( no doubt ) if all should com● To bide the censure : and , among the rest , The voice by P●oxi ▪ hold I not the least . For , unto me , it doth unfit appeare , To give my voice , untill the cause I heare . Who knowes the hearts of other men so wel● ▪ Or , of their judgements , who the depth can tell , So punctually , that ( whatsoever shall Proposed be ) he trust them should in all ? Our owne affaires ( though wisdome sayeth nay ) To other men we absolutely m●y Refer to be determin'd on : but , that Which doth concerne the gen●rall estate ▪ It were injustice , and a thing unfit , To others , at adventure , to ●ommit . For , most Selfe-lovers are ; and we do know ▪ That many p●blike inju●ies may flow From this one root ; I will not say they do , Although I think I might affirme that too . Thi● Custome seemeth ancient : and ( if tol● The truth may be ) as evill as ti● old : And ▪ from what cause soe're it first did flow , It wa● n●t fr●m the firs● beginning so Nor , should old presidents ( growne out of season ) Be follow'd , for their age , by m●n of reason : Nor will this custome last , p●rchance , when they Who may remove it , well the same shall weigh● . For , I perce●ve it usefu●l to no end , But indirect proceedings to bef●iend . And , they whose courses are m●st indirect , Are they that will such ●ustomes most prot●ct . If this ▪ and other errors yet unnamed , Had well beene heeded : some had more bin blamed , Some lesse : some highly praised , who have seemed Vnactive Mem●●rs , and beene disest●emed . Yea , thou hadst ●●lt most grievances amended ●'re this ; and many troubles had beene ended . But now ( what faults soe're concurring be In others ) those defects that were in thee Oh! England , were sufficient to procure Those perturbations thou dost yet endure . Thy ove●-soone fo●getfulnesse of that G●eat Pestilence affli●ting thee of late ; Thy thanklesnesse for Gods admired ceasing That strong contagion ▪ and the new encreasing Of thy transgressions , since his mercy daigned ; Deserveth mo●e then thou hast yet sustained . Yea , that which thou wert overseene in there , W●ere thy Assembli●s cong●egated were To ●ectifi● thy selfe ; ev'n th●t , alas ! Suffi●ient to deserve these t●oubles was . And therefore , w●ensoe're thy Soveraigne shall Be pleased , for thy helpe againe to call In such a publike Meeting ; let , in God , Thy Knights and ●urgesses ( now spred ab●oad ) Collect●d be : and , let not any f●om Thy B●rroughes , by und●e election come ▪ Let Lords and Ladies letters , to such ends Move none ▪ but only , witnesse who are friends To base corruption . Let their suits be scorn'd , And , no respect unto them be retu●n'd . Le● ev'ry one of those that shall be sent To represent thy Body ; represent Thy true repentance . Let them lay aside Prejudicate opinion● , faction , pride ; And ( to their utmost ) in t●emselves restraine , All those enormities which they retaine : That , setting to their owne desires , a law , They may the more enabled be to draw A Rule for others . Let all they that come To serve the Publike , leave such thoughts at home As meerly private are : for , in them lu●ks An enmitie to all good publike works . Let none propose in such a Congregation , What is not first prepar'd by consulta●ion , For otherwhile , their pretious houres are spent About a needlesse tr●fling argument : And , oft , from matters of least moment spring Those disagreeings which great harme ●o bring . What their forefathers unto them did leave , Let them not suffer any to bereave Their children of . For , they m●y that deny Ev'n to th●ir King , provided , loyally They do it , in ●esi●ting his demands By legall Pleading● ; not by force of hands . It ●s as Naboths Vineyard ; and , to live He merits not , who doth repine to give His life to save it : yea , accu●st is be That would not zealous in those causes be . Let them , therefore their ancient rights maintain , By all just meanes : and let them yeeld againe , The royall dues . For , those things prosper not , Which are , amisse , ●●om God , or Cesar got . All wrongs shall be revenged : but none brings Such vengeance , as the wrong to God , and Kings . If but in word alone ( nay , but in thought ) We have against our Prince committed ought Which is disloyall , hid it shall no● lye , But , be revealed by a winged-spy . Let ▪ therefore , all just freedomes of the Land , That can be proved , ●orth in publike stand ; And not in old Records ( halfe smother'd lye ) In danger to be lost by casualty ; Or else embezel'd ; or , by wormes and dust To be devoured : or , by those we trust . Let us not whisper them , as men that feare The claiming of their due , high treason w●re . Nor let us ( as we doe ) in co●ners prate , As if the Sov'raigne power , or the State Encroacht injuriously ; and so defame The government : disgrace the royall Name ; And nourish , by degrees , an evill spirit , That us of all our peace will dis-inherit . But , let us , if we see our ancient right Inf●inged ; bring our grievances to light , Speak loyally , and orderly , and plaine , Those things which for our owne we can maintaine : So , Kings the truth perceiving ; and their ends Who did abuse their trust , will make amends ●or all our suffrings : giv● our foes their doome ; And make us more secure for times to come . But , bring not , when ye come to plead with Kings , ( Against their claimes ) some bare conjectu●ings : For , what thou hast no ce●taine evidence To be thy right : the right is in the Prince . It is a royalty , to Mona●ks due , But , if for any Freedome , ye can shew A Law enacted ; or , a Custome old , Or Presidents , that have not beene controld ( As often as produced ) ye may lay Your clai●e ; and keep it , ev'ry lawfull way . Each President , and every Demand Which doth from time to time opposed stand , Concludeth nothing This , let ●ach man heed , And with a conscionable awe p●oceed In such affai●es Let pure humility , True piety , true love , and charity , Be brought along And , when all these ●e bring , Then goe with l●yalty and m●et your King , In his and your affaire● without mistrust : And then ( as certainly as God is just ) In ev'ry due req●est ye shall prevaile , O● , gaine some g●eat advantage , if ye faile . Desire of God to teach and guide you so , That in this narrow path you straight may go . If you would have a King be just to you , Be ye upright , and to his honor true . Yeeld first to him , i● ev'ry fit demand , And , long capitulating do not stand , On what you may determinate with speed . Because perhaps , delay may danger breed . Af●ord him his requests , unto you● pow'rs ; Be his the fault , if he denieth yours ; Or if miscounselled he shall re●u●re What shall his weale oppu●ne , or your desire . Goe cast your selves before him with submission ; Present him with petition on petition . With one accord , and with a fea●lesse face , Informe him how much hindrance , or disgrace , Or danger to the Land there may accrue , If He your loyall counsell shall eschew . For , God because his lawes we disobey , Vs at our Soveraignes feet doth meane to lay , To humble us a while . If we repent , To all our loyall suits he will assent . If otherwise ; God will give up this Land , Our lives and freedomes all into his hand . Go offer , while to offer you are free ; And what you give him , shall peace-offrings be ; If that which for atonement you provide , With love and penitence be sanctifide . The world ag●inst our State doth now conspire ; Intestine dangers also , doe require That we in concord should united be , And to supply the Kingdomes wants agree . Lest while we st●ive , and fondly froward grow , We be surprised by our common foe . Vnwise is he that in a dangerous place Doth stay to wash a spot out of his face , When Outlawes he approaching heares , that may His body wound , or take his head away . If I should heare a Lyon neare me roare , I 'de arme my selfe , though I with wounds were sore , And what I had not leasure then to cure , Would seek to heale , when I of life were sure . In times of trouble all must look for crosses ; And they must ●eare , who cannot shift their losses ▪ There may be smart by what we s●ffer shall ; But , better smart , then not to be at all . When I do think a blow my head may harme , I 'le ward it off although it break mine arme ; For , though my arme be lost , yet I may l●ve ; But , on my head , a blow my death may give . I am not so besotted , as to think , We ought to give the wanton pall at drink , Vntill the head be giddy , ( left it may Bring all the body head●ong to decay ) Nor praise I them that are so over-wise , To spare what shall be need●ull to suffise The gen'rall want ( although to needlesse ends , Some private h●nd , the publike wealth dispends ) This , only , is the scope of my petition , That all be done with love , and with discretion . For , we must understand , that m●ny things Which are not just in us , are just in Kings ; And , that it is a kind ●f trait'rousnesse , To give them more then due , as well as lesse . They , who deny the King free pow'r to do What his Republikes weale conduceth to , Because some Law ga●nsayes ; ev'n those deprive Their Sov'raigne of a due prerogative ; Since , for the common good , it just may be , That some injustice may be done to me , Or any few . Moreover , men that say Kings may do more , then of true right they may , And that no law doth bound them ; make a King And him that is a Tyrant , all one thing . In my opinion , these men are like those Who in sweet meats , a poison do enclose That kils a twelvemonths after . T is as tho We should affirme , that God may evill do If so he please . It is a needlesse pow'r That serves for nothing , but to help devoure The owner . Yea , it is as if we ●hould Prepare our f●iend all instruments we could , Wherewith if he should sick , or foolish grow , He might have meanes himselfe to overthrow . And they who to themselves this pow'r do take , Do silken halters , and gilt ponyards make For their owne throa●s : or , Nero-like to kill Themselves , with poisons , golden viols fill . For , though a ri●hteous King will never stray From what is just ( though none with hold him may ) Because he to himselfe becomes a L●w ; Yet , vicious Princes , thence , occas●on draw To perpetrate that Act which them d●prives , O● kingdomes , lives , and all prerogatives . And they that were as wise as Solomon , Or as vpright as David , being gone , May leave a son or grandchild , as did they Whose wilfulnesse shall cast t●n Tribes away . And , then , their trait●rous couns●ll curse he will , Who told him , he had pow'r of doing ill . For , though such Couns●llors may think they doe Their Sov'raignes honor , and much pleasure too , In over straining their Prerogatives ; Yet are they to their Honor , States and Lives , Egregious tra●tors ; since a plot they lay , Whereby thei● Princes shall themselves betray To th●ir owne follies ( if they vicious grow ) Yea , by this meanes they l●nd a pois●ned blow To King , and Realme ; which while the traitors live , Will ea●e to some Impos●ume seeme to give , Or cure a wart , upon the body bred , And , fester to the heart when they are dead . Abhor ye these ; and do not favour th●se That would their King mor● n●rrowly enclose Th●n shall be honora●le , or befits His Majesty that as God's Viceroy fits . When he compelled by necessities , Requireth of his people due supplies . They must be had : although some oversight , Forepast , may make it seeme to wrong the right And freedomes of the Land ▪ We are not bound To keep a Priviled●e , that shall confound Both us and all our L●berties . They have No blame , tha● yeeld up what they cannot save Without a greater losse : nay , wise is he That serves on● day , to be for ever free . Your Wisdomes may , at ease , a course invent To ple●se the King yet make no president To future tim●s , from whence there shall arise Infringement of our lawfull Liberties ; Or to our Cause reproach : an● , to be taught You need not , ●f together you were brought , According to the freedome of e●ection : For , no man then would need my poore direction . But , th●re shall full be some th●t will in●rude , And I for their instruction , am thus rude . Some cry , The Land is poore , and cannot give . T is poore indeed : and yet I do beleeve Few Kingdomes are so rich . ●is poore become , Respecting that innumerable sum O● our arrear'd Repen●ance , yet u●paid . T is poore , if all our vertue should be weigh'd With what is wanting : or , if we compare Ou● Worthies , living now , with such as were . T is poore , if we on those r●fl●ct our eyes , On whom the labour of this K●n●dome lies : Those people , whom our great and wealthy ones Have rackt , opprest , and eaten to the bones , To fatten and ado●ne their carkesses ; The Land ( I must confesse ) is poore in these . Nay , if we should consider , what a rate The richer sort among us liveth at ; How many needlesse wayes they do enlarge ( Without all temperance ) their yearly charge : And how each one his humor to enjoy , Doth emulate his friend in ev'ry toy . Or , were it heeded well , how out of measure Some wast their fortunes on a wicked pleasure ; Ev'n ( otherwhile ) for that which for a bubble Of Mirth , doth bring them halfe an ages trouble : Or , were it well observ'd what beggeries , What shifts , what basenesse , what necessities , This brings on those that richest men are thought : What costly suits and troubles it hath brought ; And how indebted and ingag●d they stand To one another quite throughout the Land . These things , I say , consider●d , well we may Affirme this Realme is beggerly : and say The rich are poore . But , he this I le belies Who taxeth it of other poverties . Yes , he or blinded is , or maketh l●sse ( To Gods dishonor ) out of wilfulnesse , His matchlesse bounty . What one Kingdome , yeelds Th●ough Europe , in barnes , granards , stalls , and fields , Of Cattell and of Corne , in ev'ry kind , More plenty , then among us , yet we find ? Where do their Gardens or their Orchards beare , More fruits , for food or physi●● then are here ? Our Sheep , fine wools enough afford us do , To cloath ou●selves , and other nations too . And , by their golden fleeces bring in sums As la●ge , as any that from India comes . Our B●es do gathe● honey from our flowers ; Our Meads are fruitfull by our Aprill showers . Within the Land rich Minerals do lie ; Our Ayre hath Fowle , in great variety . In stately Pallaces , we doe abound ; With many Townes ▪ our hills and dales are crown'd : In woods , and groves , this Kingdome hath excelled , ( And , some yet stand though most of them are felled ) Faire Ports we have ▪ sweet Rivers , and the Sea● Surrounding us ; and wealth comes in by these . Our fruitfull waters fish enough doth yeeld To feed us , though we had nor Grove , nor Field . Yea did we riot lesse , and labour more , Our Fish alone , would feed us all at shore . If yet , this Kin●dome needy seeme to be , Goe looke upon her Cities , and there see And marke , their costly Piles , their precious wares , What choice , and store of rarities appeares Within their Magazines . Observe their state ; Their clothes , their jewels , furniture and plate ; And tell me , if they doe not signifie That there is farre more Pride , then poverty . Gold , silver , pearles and diamonds doe glare And glitter in your eye-sight , ev'ry where . Himselfe disgrac't the meanest Cobler thinks , Vnlesse his Beere and Wine in Plate he drinkes , And eates in silver . Yea , the poorest ones Must of that mettall have their bowles or spoones : On every thing , almost , pure gold is spilt . The meanest instruments are hatcht , or gilt . Their Servants , in their garments are as gay , As if that all the week● were Holy day . Their Feastings are abundant , and their pleasure , Maintained is not , with a little Treasure . But , Cities are the Treasuries you 'l say , Wherein the Kingdomes riches up we lay Survey the Country then , and tell me where The rusticke villages replenisht are With such faire booties . Other Kingdomes have Their Cities , peradventure rich and brave , But in their scattered Villages , we see That few or none , save Peasants dwelling be , Possessing nor good house , nor houshold stuffe , Nor comely Clothes , nor wholesome food enough . Our Farmes are stor'd with usefull implements Enough to purchase all the tenements , And Lands in many forraigne Realms , that are As large as this our Cou●try doth appeare . Of yron , and of brasse enough have we To buy their gold . Our pewter should not be Exchanged for their fi●v●r ; if all were Summ'd up , that 's found with ev'ry Cottager : Nay , there be many houses in this Land That in remote obscurity doe stand , Which to the Foe would yeeld a richer prize Then many Townships which they might surprize On other shores : And yet , some doe not shame With poverty , this Iland to defame . WAR threatens us ; and we of want complaine , Not knowing how our safeties to maintaine : Yet we doe nothing want that may conduce In warre or peace , to serve a needfull use . Armes , victualls , men , and money we have store ; Yet , still , we falsly cry that we are poore . We are so greedy , that we will not spare , To save the hogge , one farthing worth of tarre . Gods blessings we so long time have abused That now we know not how they should be used . Or else we thinke each other so unjust , That no man knows with whom the meanes to tru●t . Oh! pray to God , to take away the cause Of these distempers ; and to breake the Maze In which we wander . For , like those we fare , Who sitting at a banquet , starved are . If we had peace with God , and could agree , This Kingdome which so needy seemes to be , Might with her superfluities maintaine Far greater armies , then the King of Spaine , With all his Indies . We might begger him , And make all who feare him , to contemne His winning projects ; if we had but eyes To see and take the course that open lies . It is his gold encreasing his ambition , Which to the Christian world will bring perdition : And if prevention longer we delay , ( Or if we doe not find a better way Then yet is trod ) the current of his pow'r Will grow so strong , that it will all devoure . For , w●ere a streame runs broad , and swift , to stop His fury there , I see but little hope . Materials both for war and peace , must come To him from divers quarters ; for at home His Country yeelds him little . But the yeare As it renewes , with us , reneweth here Our food and rayment ; and though no supplies Come in , a staple of Commodities Our Iland is , which both in war and peace Will still be in request , and still encrease . Let therefore those who on t●e Continent Doe feare him , use their utmost to prevent His greatnesse there ; and let our Sea-gi●t Ile ( Forbearing on Land forces for a while , To spend their strength ) intirely bend their pow'r , ( As in preceding times ) the Seas to scoure : For , with more profit , and a lesser charge , That shall our lost advantages enla●ge , And , make his Armies , which are now so strong , Draw ba●k , decay , and mutiny , e're long . Were we resolv'd our course this way to bend , Of our maine stock we needed not to sp●nd One moitie . For , halfe of what is lost , Within this Kingdome ( sav'd ) would quit that cost , Let all , according to the port they beare , Forbeare but one vaine Feast in ev'ry yeare : Let ev'ry houshold , for the publike wealth , ( Which also would advance the bodies health ) Fast but one meale a week , and separate The price thereof , for service of the State : Or spare from their full boards of fl●sh or fish , The dressing , or the sawce , but of one dish : Le● us but lay one lace or gard the lesse Vpon our Clokes ; or save the co●●l●nesse In our ap●arell , which we well might spare , Yet , no defect upon the same appeare : Let us ●ese●ve but halfe the ●ithe of those ●xpences trifled ou● in gam●s and showes ; Which do not only needl●sse charge encrease , But still the kingd●me full of idlen●sse : O● these , and many other such expences , ( Which wast our wealth , and multiply offences ) I● we but part would give ; perhaps , that cost Would save our lives , and all , from being lost . Tobacco ( which the age that went before , Nor knew , nor needed ) doth expend us more Then would maintaine an army : for , few think How much there is consum'd in smoake and stink . Pride is so c●stly , that if ev'ry Girle Should give t●e worth but of one lace or purle , Which trims her Crosse cloth , it would sailes provide ●or halfe the ships which now at Plimouth ride H●d we but ev'ry forfeiture that 's due , ●●om those of our notorious drunken crue ; Or , ●f the value were together got , Although but of their twentieth needlesse pot , I am perswaded it aflote would set A greater Fleet then we have armed yet . The very Oaths which we may daily heare , ( The men , the women , and the children sweare ) If thundred forth together ; would rore louder , ●hen all our Cannons : and , great shot and powder , Much more then would at ●ea and land suffise , Might purchas● be , by halfe the penalties Which might be justly taken ; if we had R●g●rd to execute the L●wes we made . God grant that of his honor , and of what Conce●nes the gen'rall safety of the State , We m●y mo●e zealous grow ; and that some course May stop that mischiefe , which ye● wax●th worse . And th●t f●om this , or from some better light , The meanes of ●eformation tak● we might : Of which I hopefull am , and that e're long , Our Commonwealth shall sing a sweete● song . When such ● time I see I shall be sure T●es● Lines , oh ! England , will thy love procure ; And , I who for thy weale this paines bestow , Shall find more favour then 〈◊〉 for now ▪ Yea , then shall I t●at yet have beene desp●s'd , ●ewa●led dye ; o● , li●e much better priz'd . But not till then : No● shall I live to v●ew Thy sorrowes ended , ● thou do not ●ue Thy sins with speed ▪ Oh! the 〈…〉 he To turne ●o God , ●hat he may t●rne to thee . B●s●●ch him , England , to unclose thine eyes , And let thee see in what thy sicknesse lies . ●mplore thou him to mollifie thy heart , Thy Children from their f●llies to divert , And , break tho●● chaines of ignorance and sin ▪ Which at th●s present thou ly'st fetterd in . Endeavor to be friends with God againe : And , he will all thy furious foes restrain● . Thy faulty members , who doe now disturb Thy peace ; he either will remove or curb . Those G●ces thou perceivedst heretofore Adorne thy Soveraigne , shall be hid no more By those darke fogs which from ●hy sins do rise , For , God will take the skales from oft th●ne eyes . On thee , his countenance againe ●hall shine ; That thou maist la●d him in a Song divine : And , th●y who now lament thy ●ad ●st●te , In Hym●es of joy shall praise thy happy Fate .

The eighth Canto . Our Poet having ●oucht againe Wh●t fr●il●ies in hims●lfe remaine , D●cl●res , th●t many Plagues doe steale As well on Chu●ch , as Commonweale : Rel●tes wh●t cro●che●s doe possesse Some , who Religionsn●sse professe : W●at n●ysome ●lants , what tares and weeds , A●e sprung , ●o choake the holy seeds : Wh●t fai●ed zeale , and affectation , H●th fool'd this formall Generation : And , how from some , great scandall growes , Who ●eare the keyes , that bind and loose . Next , he delivereth Predictions Of plague , of sorrowes and afflictions , Which on this ●●and will descend , Vnl●sse our manners we amend . And , whensoever civill j●rs , Or mischiefes , by the rage of wars , Oppresse this Realme ; his Muse doth show ▪ Who shall occasion it ; and how . Which fearfull Iudgement to prevent , He calls upon her to repent : By ●en apparant signes , hath showne , Gods patience nigh expir'd is growne : Then , for the Publike-wea●e , he prayes : Then , for himselfe ; and , there he stayes . I Doe not wo●der , as I e●st have don● , That when the Prophet Ionas should have gone To N●niveh , Gods word he disobey'd , And would himselfe to Tha●sus have convey'd : For , I have now a sense how flesh and blood The motions of the Holy Ghost withstood , And feele ( me thinks ) how many a likely doubt The Devill , and his frailty , found him out He was a man ( thoug● he a Prophet were ) In whom no li●tle weaknesse did appeare : And , thus he thought , perchance , What shall I doe ? Astrange at●empt my heart is ur●ed to : And , there is somewhat , earnestly incites That I sho●ld hasten to the Ninivites , And , preach , that if they alter not their wayes , Their time of standing ▪ is but forty dayes , My soule perswadeth God injoynes me to it ; And sle●pe in peace , I cannot ▪ till I doe it : B●t common Reason strivet● to rest●aine Th● motion , and p●rswade● me tis in vaine . I● saith , I am a sin●er ▪ and so fraile , That , many times , my best endeavors f●ile To rectifie my s●lfe . How shall I then Be hopefull of recl●iming other men ? To Isr'el ● have threa●ne● many yeares Gods judgements : yet , no fruit thereof appearess Although the , hav● some knowledg● of the Lo●d , And are within his League , they sleight ●is word : What hope then is there , that a he●then Nation Will prove regardfull of my exhortation ? The stile of Prophet , in this land I cary , And such a Calling , here , is ordinary ; But , in a forraigne State , what warranty Have I , to publ●sh such a Prophesie ? How may th● King and People take the same , If I shall in the open streets d●fame So great a City ? and , condemne for sin , A place wherein I never yet have bin ? If I shall say , the Lord comm●nded me : Then , they perhaps , will answer : What is he ? For , they professe him not . Nay , some suspition They may conceive , that I to mo●e sedition Am sent among them . Or , if otherwise They sh●ll suppose ; how can they but d●s●ise My person , and my counsell , who shall from So f●r a place , som●ere a stranger come , That no man knowe● , or what or who I am , Or from what Countr● , or from w●om I came ? Such thoughts ( belike ) delay'd ▪ and fear'd him so ; And , so the Spirit urg'd him still to go For N●niveh ; that nor to goe , nor stay , Could he resolve : but , fled another way . From which rebellious course , God fetcht him back With such a vengeance , that he did not lack Sufficient proofes , how Reason did betray him , And , in his Calling ▪ causlesly aff ay him . Yea ( mark heav'ns providence ) thou●h Io●as went Another way , it crost not God's intent , But furthred it . For , doubtl●sse , e're he came To Niniveh , the miracle and fame Of his Deliverance , was s●nt before ; And , made his preaching worke on them the more . Now , though I doe nor arrogate , nor dare My selfe ( except in frailties ) to compare With blessed Ionas : yet , I may be bold To say , o●r Causes a resemblance hold ▪ My heart ( and when that moves , as one averres , It more prevailes then many Counsellers ) My heart ( I say ) perswaded me e're while , To reade a warning Lecture to this I le . And in such manner moved ; that , to say It came from God , me thinks , be bold I may . Yet , my owne nat'rall frailty , and the world , Among my ●houghts so many doubtings hurld , That ev'ry step had rubs . I lev●ll'd some In my last Canto . Yet , I could not come To eaven ground , till I had overtopt Some other Mountaines which my passage stopt . Beware , said Reason , how thou u●dertake This hazardous adventure , which to make Thou hast resolv'd . For , this wise age denies That God vouchsafed any Prop●●sies Concerning them ; or , that the application Of ought for●told , pertaineth to this Nation . She saith , my Constancy is no true si●ne That God first moved this intent of mine ▪ Since Hereti●ks , and T●aytors oft are seene As bold in all their causes to have beene As Martyrs be . And , that for what they d●e ▪ They can pretend t●e holy ●p●●it too . And she pe●s●ades , t is likely I shall passe ( At best ) for on● that much deluded was She saye● , more●ver , that if these times be Indee● , so wicked , as they seeme to me , I shall in stead of movin● to repent , Nought else but stir their fury , and be rent Perhaps in pieces , by their hasty ●●age . For , what 's more likely in a wicked age ? When people in their sins grow hardned once , She sayes I may as well goe talke to s●ones , As tell them ought . For , they are in the dark ; And , what they see and heare , they do not ma●k . She urged that the Prophets in old times Did speak in vaine against the peoples crimes ; And if in them their words bega● no faith , Much lesse will such as mine , my Re●son saith . She tells me also , that this I le hath store Of Prophets , and of Preachers never more : She sayes that thou●● 〈◊〉 calling none suspect , Their paines appeare to take but small ●ffect● : And , if suc● men authorized as they , Doe cast their words , without successe , away ; In vaine my Muse ( whose wa●rant most contemne ) Doth seeke to work more piety in them . A t●ousand things unto the like effect , Yea , all and more then any can object , ( Who shall peru●e this Book ) my Reason brought Before me , and objected to my thou●ht . And , as a Pilgrim ( who occasions hath To take some extraordinary path ) Arivall making a●a double way , Is doubtfull whether to proceed or stay : So fared I ; I was nigh tired quite , Before I could be c●rtaine of the right . Yea , twixt my doubts , and all those replies Which in my meditations did ari●e ; I so amazed grew , I could not know Which way it best befitted me to goe . But , at the last , God brought me thorow all My doubts and feares , as through the Storm & Wha●● , Once Ionas came : That so , all they , who are Ordained for their good , these Lines to heare , The more may profit , when they think upon What straits I passed , e're this work was done : To that intent my frailties I h●ve so Insisted on , as in this book I do . Yea , I am hopefull also , they that read These lines of mine ( and mark with how much heed And Christian awfulnesse , my heart was won To censure and reprove as I have done ) Will plainly see , these Numbers flow not from Fantastick rashnesse ; nor from envy come ▪ Nor spring from faction ; neither we 〈◊〉 By their distracted zeale , who ( knowing not What Spirit guides them ) often are beguiled With shewes of truth ; and madly have rev●led Both good and ill : and whose unsavory Rimes Defames mens persons more then che●k their crimes . Dishonour Kings ; their sacred names blaspheme ; And having gain'd some notions in a dreame , Or by report ( of what they know not well ) Desire their gid●y thoughts abroad to tell : In hope to merit : as in deed they doe , Sometime the pillory , and g●llowes too . I trust , I say , these lines will seeme no such ; Or , if they doe , truth is ▪ I ●are not mu●h , Because I certaine am what pow'● infused Those matters , whereupon I now have muzed : And know , that none will these or me condemne , But they whose rage and follies I contemne . Yet , that they may be sure I neither care Who c●nsures me , nor what their censures are , ( When honest things I doe ) here , somewhat more I 'le adde to what is me●tioned before : And give thee , Britaine , a more perfect sight Of thy distempers , and thy sickly plight . Yea , thou shalt know , I have not seene alone A bodily Consumption ste●ling on , And was●ing of thy Temporalties ▪ but , that I also have discovere●●f late , A Lethar●y upon thy soule to steale : And that as well the Church as Commonweale Doth need a cure . Oh! doe not quite neglect The good of both ; but ▪ one ( at least ) respect . Though Iudahs sicknesses unheeded be , ( Although thy t●mporall wounds afflict not thee ) Yet ▪ looke on Syon : yea , behold and see Thy Spiritual●ies ▪ how much empair'd they be . The Churches Pa●●●mony is decay'd ; And many a one is in her spoiles araid : Those Patrons ( as we terme them in this age ) Who of her Dowries have the patronage , Doe rob and cheat her , many times of all ; And , their Donations basely set to sale . Those Cananites , whom thou pres●rvest here , ( And by thy lawes to be expelled were ) Are in thy borders now so multiply'd , That they are thornes and thistles in thy side . They are become a Serpent in thy path , Which bites unseene ; and nigh unhorsed hath Some able Riders . On thy Places-high Thy people do commit Idolat●y ▪ And reare strange Altars . In thy Fields are found Those cunning harmfull Foxes to abound , That spoile thy Vines . And , some I have espy'd , Twixt whose oppo●ed t●les , are f●●ebrands ●y'd , Which waste thy fruits . Thy Ha●v●st se●meth fai●e ; But secret blasting● doe so much impai●e And blite the Corne ; that when it come● to bread , Thy Childr●n oft unwholsomly are fed . Men use Religion as a stalking-horse To catch preferment ; yea , sometime to wor●e And baser uses they employ the same ; Like that bold Harlot , who quite , 〈…〉 Did of her Vowes , and her Peace of●●ngs make A sinne , lascivious customers to take . Yea , some ( resembling him , from whom was cast One Devill ) when one sin they ●ave d●splac't ▪ Of which the world took notice , sw●ep a●d ●l●nse Themselves ( in show ) from a●l thei● other si●s ; Yet secretly , let Sathan reposs●sse , And foul● them with a seve●-fold wi●kedne●●● . An univ●rsall dulnesse will ●enu● Thy senses , if thou doe not soone become More heed●ull of thy state , then thou a●t yet : For , ev'●y pa●t hath ●elt an ague-fit . Thy Academs , which are the famous places In which all pious knowledges and graces Shóuld nourisht be ▪ and whence thy chiefe supply Of Teachers , com● , ( as f●om a Nurse●y ) Ev'n those faire ●ountaines are much tainted grown , With doctrines hardly found , which thence are blown Through ev'●y quarter . In their Schooles are heard Vaine ●●ggs and jangling● , worthlesse of regard . The ●very Pulpi●s , and their Oratories , Are Stages , whereupon their owne vainglo●ies Men often act . Yea , many a vaine conceit , Is brought in stead of arguments of weight : And ( which is worse ) disorder is so rise Among them ; and the weeds of evill life Have so o'regrowne those Gardens , that ( unlesse Good government shall speedily redresse That spreading mischiefe ) it will overtop The plants of Syon , and destroy her crop . To be thy Shepheards , Wolves are stolen in ▪ And , thou hast those who ev'n by day begin To sow their Tares among thy purest Se●d ; And , with mixt Graines thy Lands pollution breed . For hire and money ▪ prophesies the Prophet : The Priest do●h preach , to make a living of it , Ev'n meerly for a living ; and , ●ut few Th●ir holy charge , for co●science sake pursue : W●ich I by many signes could make apparent , But t●at it is not yet wi●hin my Warrant . Loq●untur C●rae leves ▪ little Cures Doe 〈…〉 preach , whilst poverty endures . Ing●nt●s s●upent ; but , large livings make Our Doctor● dumb : condemne not my mistake : For , though I doe the Lat●ne sent●nce wrong , That 's true I tell ●ou in the Engl●sh●ongue ●ongue . Our N●tion , which of l●te prophanenes●e ha●ed , Is in that sin almost Itali●nated . The Scriptures without reverence are used : The ho●y phrase , in jestings ▪ is abused : To flout , or praise , or cu●se , we ●an apply Gods holy word , most irrel●giously : Instead of Emblem●s , moving thoughts divi●e , The filthy pictures of lewd Aret●ne , Are found in many Clossets . Foolishlies , Prophane and most lasciviou : Ele●●es Are publike made . Yea , those whom heretofore A heathen Emperour did so abhor , That he ▪ for them , their wanton Author sent To undergoe perpetuall banishm●nt : Ev'n these , we reade ; and worse then those , by far , All●wed passe , and unreproved are . Nay , their vaine Authors often cherisht be : At l●●st , they have the favour to goe free . But , if a graver Muse reprove thei● sin , Lord , with what hasty zeale they call it in ! How libellous they make it ! and how vile , Thou know'st ; and at th●ir fol●y thou dost smile . Full war●ly , the politick Divi●e , ( Who should allow it ) scanneth ev'ry Line Before it passe ; each phrase he doth su●pect ; Although he findeth nothing to be chekt , He feares to Licence it And if by chan●e It passe abroad , forthwith doth ignorance Mistake or mis●pply ; and false and bade Constructions are , of good expressions made . Yea , they who on the ●ea●s of Iud●emen● fit , Are o●t , most ready , to miscensure it . I would they were as fo●ward to disgrace Those Autho●s , who have filled ev'ry place With fruitlesse Volumes . For d●spersed are Ev'n qui●e throughout this Iland ev'ry yeare , Ev'n many thousand Reames of scurri●e toyes , Songs , Rymes and ●allads , whose vaine use destroyes Or hinders Vertuous knowledge , and D●votion . And this we doe to f●●ther the promotion Of our Diana . Yet , behold , if we To publish some few sheets required be , Containing pyous Hymns , or Christian Songs , Or ought which to the praise of God belongs : We doe so feare the hindrance of our gaine , That like th' Ephesian Silver-smiths , we faine A great complaint . As if to have enlarged A little Booke , had grievously o're charged The Common-weal●h . Whereas if it were weigh'd , How much o● late this Land is overlaid With ●●iviall Volumes : ●r , how much they doe Corrupt our Manners , and Religion too , By that abusive matter they containe ; I should not seeme unjust●y to complain● These times do swarme with Pamphlets w●ich be far More dangerou● , then mo●tall poysons are Ev'n in thos● bookes , whereby the simple thought To fi●d t●u● knowledg● th●y their Bane have caught : For , thence , strong Heresies ( there b●ing hid Amid some doub●l●sse Truths , a while unspid ) Steal out among the people , by degrees ; More mis●hi●fe working then each Reader sees . And , so , to ruine knowledge ▪ that is made An instrum●nt ; whereby it rais●ng had For ( by their lucre , who the Chu●ches peace D●sturb , their p●ivate profit to encre●se ) Tho●e Doctrines which are unauthori●ed , Are so promiscuously divulg'd , and spread , Among approved V●rities ; that some Are in those Lab●rinths amaz'd become : And ▪ such a Contradiction is in that Wh●ch their confused Pamphlets doe relate ; That , Common Readers , know not which to leave , Nor , which the Church of England doth receive . And , f●om this mischiefe many others flow , Which will , in future tim●s , more ha●mfull grow . This , spins vaine Controversies to their length ; By this , most Heresies receive their strength . And what distraction it already makes , Our grieved Mother wofull n●tice take● . In stead of active knowledge , and her fruit ▪ This filleth men with itching● of dispute , And empty words ; whereby are set abroach A thousand quarrells , to the Truths reproach . The Sectaries , the Mun●ey●s , and the Apes , The Cubs and Foxes , which do mar o●r Grape● ; The Wolves in sheep-skins , and our frantick rable Of Worship-mongers , are innumerable . And , as the Churches quiet they molest , So they each other spightfully infest . We have some Papists : some that halfe way goe : Some Semi-puritans ; some ▪ w●olly ●o ; Some Anabap●ists ; some , who doe refu●e Black puddings ; and good porke ; like a●rant I●wes : Some also term'd Arminians are among Our Priests and People , ve●y lately sprung . What most , so call'd , professe , I stand not for : And what some say they teach , I doe abhor ▪ ●ut , what som● other , so misnam'd , beleeve , Is that whereto best Christians credit give . For , as we see the most reformed man , By Libertines , is term'd ● Puritan : So ( by our purblinde Formalists ) all those Who new fantastick crotchets doe oppose , Begin to be mis-term'd Arminians now . And , hence e're long will greater mischieves grow Then most imagine . For , the foolish feare , Lest they to be Arminians may app●are , Or else be termed Puritans , will make Great multitudes Religion quite forsake . And , I am h●lfe perswaded , thi● will on● Of those great Schismes ( or ea●●hquakes ) cause which 〈◊〉 Foretold in his Apocalyps ; and they Are bl●st , who shall not thereby fall away ▪ Some Brownists , and some Familists have we ; And some , that no man can tell what they be ; Nor they themselves . Some , seeme so wondrous pur● They no mens conversations can endure , Vnlesse they u●e their plaistrings , and appeare In ev'ry formall garbe which th●y sh●l● w●are ▪ The●e be of those who in their words de●y , And hate t●e practice of Idol●try , Yet make an Idol of their form●l● z●ale , And underneath strict holin●ss● , c●nceale A mystery of evill , whi●h dece●ve● them , And , when they think all ●a●e in danger le●ves th●m ▪ Their whole Religion , some d●e pla●e in hea●i●g : Some , in the ou●w●●d action o● fo●b●aring Ill deeds ; or in wel doing ▪ though the heart In t●at performance beare ●o ●eall pa●t . Some othe●s , of th●i● mo●●ll action , make Small conscience : and , affirme that God doth take No notice how in body they transgresse , If him they in th●i● inward man conf●sse : As i● a soule b●loved could reside Wit● in a body quite unsanctifi●e . Some , not contented in t●e ●ct of sin , Are growne ●o impudent , that they begin To justifie th●ms●l●es in wickedn●sse ; Or , by quaint ●rguments , to make it lesse : And , by such Monsters , to such ends as this , The Christian-liberty defamed is . N●w fanglednesse , Religion hath o'rethrowne ; And , many as fantastica●l are growne In that as in ●pparell . Some , deligh● In nothing more then to be opposite To other men : Their zeal they wholly spend The present Government to reprehend ; The Churches discipline to v●lifie ; And raile , at all , which pleads Antiquitie . They love not peace : and therefore have suspition Of Truth it selfe , if out of persecution : And are so thankleffe , or so heedlesse be Of Gods great love , in giving such a free And plenteous meanes of publishing his word , That , what his Prophets of the Iewes record , Some verefie in us . Much praise is given To that b●inde age , wherein the Queene of heav'n Was worshipt here . And , f●lsly , we ●xtoll Those Dayes , as being much more plenti●ull . Some , at the frequency of Preach●ng gru●ch , And , tyred with it , thinke wee have too much : Nay , impudently practise to suppr●sse That Exercise , and make our plenty lesse . And , that their d●ings may not want some ●ayre Or goodly coulor , they doe call for Pray'r , In stead thereof ; as if we could not pray , Vntill our Preaching we had sent away . As these are foolishly , or lewdly , wise ▪ We have some othe●s wantonly precise . So way wardly dispos'd , amidst our plenty , And through their curiositie , so dainty ; That , very many cannot w●ll dig●st The Bread of life , but in their m●nner drest . Now will Gods Manna , or that measure serve Which he provides ; But , they cry out they starve , Vnlesse they feed upon their owne opinions , ( Which are like Egypts Ga●licke and her Oynions ) Some like not Prayer that 's ext●mporary ▪ S●me love not any t●a● s●t fo●me 〈◊〉 ●ary . Some thinke there 's no devotion , but in those That howle , or whine , or snuffle in the no●e ; As I that God vouchsafed all his Graces For ●●ined gestures , or for sowre faces . Some think not that the man , who gravely teacheth , Or hath a sober gesture when he preacheth , Or gentle voyce : hath any zeal in him , And the●efore , such like Preachers they contemne . Yea , th●y suppose that no mans doctrine saves The soule of any one , unlesse he raves , And rores aloud , and flings , and hurleth so As if his armes he quite away would throw ; Or over-leap the Pulpit ; or els breake it : And this ( if their opinion true may make it ) Is to advance their voyces Trumpet-like ▪ A● God commands : yea , this ( they say ) doth strike Sinne dead . Whereas , indeed , God seldome goes In whi●lwinds : but is in the voyce of those Who speake in meeknes . And it is not in The pow'r of ●oyse to shake the walls of sinne : For clamors , ●ntique actions , writhed looke● ▪ And such like mi●●micke Rhetoricke none brooke● That hath discretion : neyther doth it move The heart of any , when we so reprove ; Ex●ept it be in some contrary motion , Which interrupts the hearers good devotion . The well aff●ct●d Christian pit●ies it ; It makes prophanest men 〈◊〉 naught to set God● O●dinance . Mee●e mor●ll men despise Such affectation : much it ter●●ies The ignorant : but very few srom thence Rece●ve sound knowledge , or ●ive penitence . Some relish nothi●g , but those points th●● are In controversie : some would nothing heare But songs of Mercy ; some , del●●h● i● none But Sons of Th●nder ; and sc●rc● any one Is pleas'd in what he heares . Nay , of th●i● Preachers , M●cha●●●k arroga●e to be their teachers . Yea most of us , what 〈◊〉 our Pastor sayes , Keepe sti●l ●ur owne opinions and our wayes . To heare and know Gods word , to some among Our Nation , seemeth only to belong To Clergymen ; and , their implicite Faith Is built on what the common rumour saith . Some others fill'd w●th curiosity Affirme that ev'ry sev'rall mystery Within Gods Book included , doth concerne Ev'n each particular Christian man to learne : Whereas they might as well affirme , each guest That is invited to a publike Feast , Is bound the sev'rall dishes there to heed , And upon ev'ry meat b●fore him feed . Nay , some have almost this imagination , That there is hardly hope of their salvation ▪ Who speake not Hebrew . And , this now adayes , Makes foolish women , and young Prentises To learn● that holy Tongue ▪ in which they grow As cunning as doe those who nothing know , Save to be arrogant , and to cont●mne Those Pastors , who have taken charge of them . The appetite of some growes dull , and ●ailes , Vnlesse it m●y be pampered with Quailes ; High flying crotchets , which we see d● fill Not halfe so m●ny soul●s as they do kill We cannot be content to make our flights , For that which God exposeth to our sights , And search for that which he is pleas'd to show , But , we must also p●y , what God doth know . W●i●h ●as inde●d an a●c●ent fallacy O● Sathans ; and the v●●y same whereby He cheated Eve . From seeking to disclose Beyond our warrant , what God only knowes , Proceedeth many erro●s . Thence doth come Most questi●ns that have troubl●d Christendome . Yea , searching things conceal'd , hath overthrowne The comfo●table use o● what is knowne . Hence flow●s their fruitlesse fond asseveration , Who blundred on Eternall Reprobation , And many groundlesse whimsies have invented , Whereby much better muzings are prevented . Of Reprobation I no doubt have made ; Yet , those vaine quarrellings which we have had , Concerning her , and her antiquity , ( But that the world hath wise● fooles then I ) Appeares to me to bring so little fruits , That I suppose i● fitter for disputes In hell ( amo●g the reprobated ●rue ) Then for a Church of Christia●s to pursue : At least to braule about wi●●●●ch hot rage , As hath poss●●● so●e ●p●rits of this age . For , some have u●g●d this p●●nt of ●e●●obation , As if the chi●●e●● ground-w●●k of salvation Depended on ●●●e●ving , just , as they ( Deluded by their fancies ) please to say . And , though they n●ver found God● holy wo●d Did any mention of the same affo●d , But , as of that which did begin since Time ; And with respect to s●me committed crime : They , nathelesse , their strengths together gather , To prove the Child is older then the Fat●er . And , since that f●tall thr●d , there , finds her spinning , But from of Old ; at fa●thest from B●ginning : They Reprobation , otherwhile confound With our Predestination : which is found No where in all the Scripture ▪ to ●e●pect The Reprob●tes , but ●nely Gods Elect. And then they are compeld to p●ove the sense Of their dar●e Tenet , by an inference ; And to affirme ( ●rom ●eason ) that Election Eternall , doth infer the like ●ejection . ( As if an action of Eternity , Were fit to square out shallow reasons , by ) Which A●gument because it hath not tak●n True Faith , to ground on , may with ease be shaken ▪ Their tottering structure , there●ore , up to keep , They into Gods fore know●edge boldly peep , Beyond his warrant ; searching for Decrees And secrets , farther then an Angell sees : Presuming then , ●s if all things they knew , And had Eternity within their view . But , that hath such an infinite extension , Beyond their narr●w-bounded comprehension , That , th●●e they wa●●er on , ●ill they are madd : And 〈…〉 lit●le knowledge w●ich they had : Fo●●spa● they but m●● men who maintaine The g●●di●-●●●cies of their owne weake braine , For Theses of Religion , which we must Beleeve as they affi●me t●em , or be thrust Among the Repr●bates ? What lesse , I pray , Are they then m●d● , who fool●●heir wits away In wheeling Arguments which have no end ? In ●traines which man shall never apprehend ? In seeking what their knowledge do●● exceed ? In vaine disputings , which contentions breed . In strange Chymera's , and fantastick notions , That neither stirre us up to good devotions , Nor mend our manners ? But our w●yes pervert , Distract the Iudgment , or puff up ●he heart . If this I may not ●adnes call , or folly , T is ( all the best ) religious-melancholly . What shal we iudg of those who strive to make Gods word ( who●e Termes and Scope they much mistake Their proofes for that wh●reof no proofes they are , And sleight these Truths , for which the text is clear ▪ What shall we deeme of these , who quite mistaking Good Authors , ( and their Volumes guilty making Of what th●y never meant ) do preach and write Against those Bookes , with rancorous despight , Which being well examin'd , say the same Which they affirme , and check what they do blame . Such men there be , and they great noise haue made By fighting furiously with their owne shade . What may b● thought of them , who likely , ever , In their perverse opinions to persever , Take knowledge up on trust : and follow those Who leade them on , as wild-ge●●e fly in ●owes ? And when their multitude is waxen great , Do then so wilfully prejudicate , Become so confid●nt of that they hold , And in their blind assurance , so are bold , That they can brook no tryal● , neither see Their oversights , how plaine so ere they be ? But fondly think ( though we beleeve it not ) That they infall●●ilitie h●ve got ? Some pious men ; yea , some great Doctor● tread , Such Loabrinths ; and often are misled By holding that which t●ey at fi●st were taught , Without due proving all things as they ●ught : And vulgar men are often led awry , By their examples and for company . For , as a Trav●ller , that i● to come From some far Count●y , through large desarts , h●me ▪ ( Not knowing well the way ) is glad to take His course with such who showes of cunning make , And walks along , d●pending s●ill on them , Through many a wood , an● over many a streame , T●ll he and they are loft : there to remaine He finds no safety , nor meanes back againe , Nor list to leave his company ; because He hopes that nearer homeward still he drawes , And that his guides full sure of passage are , Although they cannot well describe it , there . So , when plaine men doe first attempt the way Of knowledge , by their guides , they walk as●ray , Without distrust ; and when ariv'd they be Where many troublesome windin●'s , they do see , And where no certaintie they can b●h●ld , Yet , on their leaders knowledge they are bold , O● on their multitude ▪ yea , though they know , And , see them erre , and ●u●ne , and stagger so , ( In da●ksome paths ) that well suppose they may , They rove and wander in an unc●uth way ; Yet , still they are unwilling to suspect The wild me of the Fathers of their Sect. Yea , though no satisfaction t●ey can find , Though feare , and doubtings ●o affl●ct their mind , They still impute it rat●er to their owne Infirmities , or to the depths unknowne Of those mysterious points , to mention brought ; But never call in question what is taught : Lest being by those Teachers terrifide , They might forsaken in d●●p●i●e abide . Their Doctors , also , fail●ng to d●vise Strong Arguments , their h●arers to suffice ; This course , to salve their credits , la●e have ●ot ; They say ( forsooth ) Faiths doctrine ●eules not With naturall capac●●ies ; and that The Spirit must those men illuminate Who shall receive them ▪ And , indeed in this , They doe both say the truth , and say amisse : This is a lesuitish juggling trick , And , if allow'd it be , each lunatick , And ev'ry brain-sick Dreamer , by that way , May foist upon us all that he can say . For , though Gods holy Spirit must create New hearts within us , and regenerate Depraved nature , e're it can be able To make our outward hearings profitable ; We must not think that all which fancy saith ( In termes obscure ) are mysteries of Faith . Nor make the hearers want of pow'r to reach Their meanings , to be proofes of what they teach . There is twixt ●en , & that which they are taught , Som● naturall proportion ▪ or t is naught ▪ The deepest mystery ●f our profession , Is capable of literall expression , As well to R●probates , as men elected ; Or else it may of error be suspected Yea wicked men a power granted have To understand , although they miscon●eive . And can of d●●kest points make plaine relations , Though to themselves they faile in applications . God never yet did bid us take in hand To publish that which none can understand : Much lesse affecte●h he a man should mutten Rude sounds of that ▪ whose depth he cannot utter ; Or in uncertaine termes as many doe , Who preach Non sense , and oft nonentia too . For those whi●h man to man is bound to show , Are such plaine Truths , as we by word may know ; Which when the hearer can expresse againe , The fruit hath equalled the Teachers paine . Then , though the soule doth many ●imes conceive ( By Faith , and by that Word which we receive ) Deep mysteries , and that which farre transcends A carnall knowledge : though she a●prehends Some glimmerings of those Objects , that a●e higher Then humane Reason ever shall a●pire ; Though she hath tastings of th●t blesse●n●s , Which mortall tongue could never yet expresse ; And though the soule may have some earn●st g●ven On earth , of what it shall enjoy in heauen ; Though God may when he list ( and now and then For cause not ordinary ) to some men Vouchsafeth ( for their secret satisfactions ) A few reflections fr●m eternal● actions : T●ough this be so , let no man arrog●te That he such sec●ets can by word relate . For , they are things ▪ of which no voyce can preach ; High flights , to whi●h no mortall wing can reach ; T is Gods owne worke , such raptures to convay , To compasse ●h●m there is no other w●y , But by his blessed Spirit . And , of tho●e Most can we not ; some must we not disclose For , if they onely touch out pri●ate state , They were not sent , that we should them relate ▪ But d●igned that the soule they stren●then might Amid the perills of some secret fight ; When men to honor God , or fo● their sinn , The terrors of this life are glun●ed in . And , as it i● reputed of those things . Which foolish people thinke some Fairy b●ings . So , of Euthusiasmes speak I may ; Discover them , and straight ●hey flye away . For ▪ thus they fare who boast of Revelations , Or of the certainty of their Salvations , Or any ghostly gift , at times or places , Which warrant not the mention of such graces : Yea , by revealing things which they should hide , They entrance make for over-weening p●ide , And that quite marres the blessing they possest , Or , for a while , obscureth it , at best : And yet , if any man shall climbe so high , That they attaine unto a Mystery , Co●ceiv'd by few ; they may , if they be able , Dis●lose it where it may b● profitable , But , they must know , that ( if it be , indeed , Of such transcendency , as doth exceed Mee●e naturall reaches ) it should be declar'd To none , save unto those who are prepar'd For such conceptions ; and more apt to know them By their owne thoughts , then are our words to show them . Else , all they utter will in clouds appeare , And , errors men for truths , away will beare . Would this ha● beene observ'd a little more , By some who in our Congregations roare Of Gods unknowne Decrees , Eternall-Callings , Of Perseverance , and of Finall , Fallings , And such like Mysteries ▪ Or else , I would That they their meanings better utter could , ( If well they meant . ) For , though those points afford Much comfort and instruction ( as Gods word Hath mention'd them ) and may applyed be , And opened , when we just occasion see ; Yet , as most handle them , who now adayes Doe passe for Preachers , with a vulgar praise ▪ They profit not : for , this ripe age hath young And forward wits , who by their fluent tongue , And able memories , a way have found To build a house , e're they have laid the ground . With common places , and with notes purloin'd , ( Not well applyed , and as ill conjoyn'd ) A garb of preaching these have soone attained , Which hath , with many , approbation gained Beyond their merit . For , they take in hand Those mysteries , they neither understand , Nor studied on . And , they have much distracted Some hearers , by their doctrines ill compacted : Yea , by enquiring out what God fore-sees , And medling much with his unknowne Decree● , The Churches peace so much disturb'd have they ; So foule and crooked made Faiths plainest way ; Such scandals rais'd ; and interrupted so . By doubts impertinent , what men should do ; And , their endeavors nullifide , so far , That many of them at a nonplus are . I am not of their minds , who take from this And other things , that are perform'd amisse , O●casion to disparage frequent preaching ; Or , to abate our plentiousnesse of teaching : For , of our Harvest , Lord , I humbly pray , The store of Labourers continue may . And , I could also wish , that none were chose To be a seed man , till he truly knowes The Wheat from Tares ; and is indu'd with reason , And grace , to sow in order , and in season . And that those a●tlesse workmen may be staid , W●o build before foundations they have laid● ▪ Lest , when our Church well built , suppose we shall , It sink , and overwhelme us in the fall . It pities me to marke what rents appeare Within our Syon ; and what daubings are To hide the ruines ; and I feare the frame Will totter , if we long neglect the same . Our Watchme● , for the greater pa●t , are growne Lesse mindfull of Gods honor , t●en their owne : For either almost wholly we omit That worke , or undiscreetly follow it . Some , speak the truth , without sincere intention , As they who preach the Gospell for contention . Some , by their wicked lives do give offence , And harden men in their impenitence . As if nor hell nor heav'n they did beleeve , They riot , game , drink drunk , and whore , and theeve . For avarice , and envy , none are worse ; They are malicious , and blaspheme , and curse , As much as any others . None are more Regardlesse of the soule that 's meane and poore ; Among their neighbours , none more quarrelsome , Or , that more hardly reconcil'd become , Then many Clergie-men . And as we see They are the best of mon , when good they be ; So , there are none that wander more astray , When they have left a sanctified way . Some Pastors are too hot ; and some too cold ; And , very few the golden temper hold . Some , at the Papist with such madnesse fling , As if they could not utter any thing Of them too vile ; though ne're so false it were : And , we so used by their Iesuits are . Some others at the Puritan do strike , So furiously , that they are often like To wrong the Protestants : for , men impose That name , sometime , upon the best of those . Yea , they who are prophane , that name mis-lay On all who make a conscience of their way . Some Shepheards , on their Flocks are go●g'd at full , And sumptuously arayed in their wooll . But , those that are diseas'd , they make not strong ; Their sickliest sheepe they seldome come among ; They take no care , the broken up to bind , The Sheep that 's lost , they doe not seeke to find ; They let such wander as will run ast●ay ; And , many times their fury so doth f●ay The tender conscience ; that their in●iscretion Doth fright their hearers headlong to perdition . Gods bounty hath large pastorage provided ; But , they have not his flocks with wisedome guided : For , in the midst of plenty , some be ready To starve in ignorance . Some sheep are headdy ; Some get the staggers ; some the scab ; and they Infect their fellowes . Some , the wantons play Among the thornes and bryers , which have torne The marks and fleeces , which they should have worn . Some straggle from the flock ; and they are straight Surpriz'd by Wolves , which lye for them in wait . Some , sought large feeding , and ran●k pastures got , Which prov'd not wholsome ; & they caught the Ro● . For , many preach themselves , and fancies broach , That scandall preaching , to the Truths reproach . Yea , some terme that ( forsooth ) Gods word divine , Which would halfe shame me , should they terme it mine . And they we see , that longest pray and speak Are priz'd of most ( though head nor foot they make ) Because the common hearers of this land , Think best of that , which least they understand . Some , also , by their feet disturb the Spring● ; Or trample and defile Gods pasturings ; And they are either such who make obscure Faiths p●inciples ; or , such who●e lives impure Prophane their Doctrines . Other some have we , Who ( like the beasts that over gamesome be ) Doe push their ●eaker brethren with their hornes ▪ And hunt them from the flock , by wrongs , or scorne . Gods horses , also , much neglected are ; And of his Sanctuaries , few have care . A barne , or any common house , or roome , Is thought as well Gods worship to become , As in the Churches infancy ; or there , Where wants , and wars , and persecutions are . Amidst our peace and plenties , we do grutch Our Oratories should be trimm'd as much As are our vulgar dwellings ; and repine That exercises which are most divine , Should with more Rites , or Ornaments , be done , Then when the troublous times afforded none . As if a Garden , when the flow'rs are blowne , Were still to look as when it first was sowne . To worship so in spirit , we pretend That , in our bodie● , we doe scarcely bend A leg , or move a cap , when there we be , Where Gods most holy Mysteries we see . Yea , many seeme so caref●ll to have bin , To let no Superstition enter in , That they have , almost , wholly banisht hence , All Decency , and pious Reverence . The Church , by Lukewarme-Christians , is neglected By brutish Athe'sts it is disrespected ; By greedy Worldlings , robbed of her fleeces ; By selfe-will'd Schismaticks , nigh torne in pieces ; By Tyrants , and by Infidels opposed ; By her blind Guides , to hazard oft exposed ; By Hypocrites , injuriously desamed ; And , by the fr●ilties of the best , oft shamed . A pow'r ecclesiasticall is granted To them , full often , who those minds have wanted Becomming such Authority : and they Play fast and loose , ev'n with the Churches Key . They censure and absolve , as best shall make For their advantage ; not for consc●ence sake . As they shall please , they punish or connive ; And , by the peoples follies they do thrive . Of evill customes , many are we see Insinuated , and so strict are we To keep them , that we sottishly deny To leave them , for what more would edifie : And we so much do Innovations feare , That needfull Reformations no●e appeare . We have prophan●d ev'ry holy thing ; Ev'n out most Christian ●●asts , which are to bring God● Mercies to our thou●●t ; and memorize Of Saving-Grace , the sacred Mysteri●s : Some have ev●n those gain-sayed ; and , in that Have evill spoken , of they know not what . Some others keep them ; but , as heathnishly , As Feasts of Bacchus ; and impiety Is then so rife , that God is rarely nam'd Or thought upon , except to be blasphem'd . By these , and other wayes , the ●hurch doth lose Much honor , to the glory of her so●s , And our great sham● and losse : for , her decayes Shall be this Realmes disprofit , and dispraise . God hath a controversie with our La●d ; And , in an evill plight affaires do stand . Already we doe smart for doing ill ; Yet , us the hand of God afflicteth still , And many see not ; as many be So wilfull , that his hand they will not see . Some , plainly view the same , but nothing care : Some , at the sight thereof amazed are Like Balthazar ; and have a trembling heart , Yet , will not from their vanities depart . About such matters , other some are loth Their thoughts to busie ( meerely out of sloth ) Like him , who rather would in hazard put His life , then rise from bed the doore to shut . Some , dreame that all things doe by chance succeed , And that I prate more of them then I need . Bu● , Heav●● and Earth , to witnesse I invoke , That , causlesly , I nothing here have spoke . If this , oh sickly Iland , thou beleeve , And for thy great infirmity shalt grieve , And , grieving of thy follies make confessions ; And so confesse thine infinite transgressions , That thou amend those errors : God shall then Thy manifold distempers cure agen ; Make all thy skarlet sins as white as snow , And cast his threatned judgement on thy foe . But , if thou ( fondly thinking thou a●t well ) Shalt sleight this Message , which my Muse doth tell , And scorne her counsell ; If thou shalt not rue Thy former wayes ; but , frowa●dly pursue Thy wilfull course : then , harke what I am bold , ( In spight of all thy madnesse ) to unfold . For , I will tell thy Fortune ; which , when they That are unborne , shall read , another day ; They will beleeve Gods mercy did in●●se Thy Poets brest with a prophetick Muse. And know , that he this Author did prefer , To be from him , this Iles REMEMBRANC●R . If thou , I say , oh Britaine ! shalt retaine Thy crying sinnes , thou dost presume in vaine , Of Gods protection . If thou stop thine eare , Or burne this Rowle , in which recorded are Thy just Inditements ; it shall written be With new additions , deeply stampt on thee With such Characters , that no time shall race Their fatall image , from thy scarred face . Though haughtily thou dost thy selfe dispos● , Becau●e the Sea thy borders doth enclose . Although upon the Rocks thy neast is plac'd ; Though thou among the Stars thy dwelling hast ; Though thou encrease thy ships ; and unto that Which is thine owne , with King Iehosophat , Ioyne Ahabs forces . Though thou watch and ward , And all thy Ports and Havens strongly guard ; Although thou multiply thy inland forces , And muster up large troups of men and horses ▪ Though like an Eagle , thou thy wings display'st , And ( high thy selfe advancing ) p●oudly say'st ; I sit aloft , and am so high , that none Can ●etch me from the place I rest upon . Yea , though thou no advantages didst want , Of which the glorioust Emperies did vaunt ; Yet , sure , thou shalt be humbled and brought low ; Ev'n then , perhaps , when least thou fear'st it so . Till thou repent , provisions which are made For thy defence , or others to invade , Shall be in vaine ; and still , the greater cost Thou shalt bestow , the honor that is lost Shall be the greater ; and thy wasted strength , Be sick of a Consumption , at the length . Thy Treaties , which for peace or profit be , Shall neither peace , nor profit , bring to thee . Or , if thy Counsels prosper for a while , God will permit it , onely to beguile Thy foolishnesse ; and tempt thee on , to run Some courses , that will bring his Iudgement on . Yea , all thy winnings shall but fewell be , To feed those follies that now spring in thee ; And make ( with vengeance ) those the more enrag'● Who shall for thy correction be engag'd . What ever threatned in Gods Book ha●h bin , Against a wicked people for their sin , Shall come on thee : His hand shall be for ill , On ev'ry Mountaine , and high-raised Hill . Thy lofty Cedars , and thy sturdy Oake● , Shall feele the fury of his thunder-stroakes . Vpon thy Ships , thy Havens , and thy Ports , Vpon thy Armes , thy Armies , and thy Forts , Vpon thy pleasures and commodities , Thy Crafts mechanick , and thy Merchandize ; On all the fruits , and cattell in thy fields , On what the Ayre , or what the Water yeelds , On Prince , and People ; on both weak , and strong ▪ On Priest , and Prophet ; on both old , and yong ; Yea , on ea●h person , place , and ev'ry thing , The plague it hath deserved God shall bring . What ever thou dost hope , he frustrate shall ; And , make what e're thou fearest , on thee fall . This pleasant soyle , wherein such plenty growes , And where both milke and honey overflowes , Shall for thy peoples wickednesse be made A Land as barren , as what never had Such plenties in it . God shall drive away Thy pleasant Fowles , and all those Fish that play Within thy waters ; and for whose great store Some other Nations would have prais'd him more . Those Rivers , that have made thy Vallies rich , Sh●ll be like sh●ames of ever-bu●ning Pitch . Thy dust , ●s Br●mstone ; fields as hard and dry As i●on is ; the Fi●mament , on high , ( ●●ke b●ass● ) shall yeeld thee neither raine nor dew , The ●ope of wasted blessings to renew . A leann●ss● , shall thy fatnesse quite devoure ; Thy Wheat shall in the place of wholsome flowre , Yeeld nought but bran . In stead of grasse and corne , Thou shalt in times of harvest , reap the thorne , The thistle , and the b●yar . Of their shadowes Thy Gr●ves shall robbed be . Thy flowry Medowe● Shall sterile waxe . There shall be seldome seene Sheep on thy Downes ; or Shepherds on the greene . Thy walks , thy gardens , and each pleasant plot , Shall be as those where men inhabit not . Thy Villages , where goodly dwellings are , Shall stand as if they unfr●quented were . Thy C●ies , and thy Palaces , wherein Most neatnesse and magnificence hath bin , Shall heaps of rubbish be ; and ( as in those Demolisht Abbies , wherein Dawes , and Crowes , Now make their nests ) the bramble , and the nettle , Shall in their halls , and parlou●s , root , and set●le . Thy Princes houses , and thy wealthy Ports , Now fill'd with men of all degrees and sorts , Shall no inhabitants in them retaine , But some p●ore Fisherman , or country Swaine , Who of thy glories , when the marks they see , Shall wonder wha● those mighty ruines be ; As now they doe , who old foundations find , Of Townes and Cities , perisht out o● mind . The places where much people meetings had , ●hall vermine holes , and dens for beasts be made . Or wal●s for Sprights , who from those uncouth room● Shall fright the passenger , which that way comes . In stead of mirth and l●ughter , lamentation Shall there abide : and , loathsome desolation , In stead of company . Where once was heard Sweet melody , men shall be made afeard With hideous cries , and howlings of despaire . Thy very Climate , and thy temp'rate ayre , Shall lose their wholsomnesse , for thy offences ; And breed hot Fevers , Murraines , Pestilences , And all diseases . They that now are trained In ease , and with soft pleasures entertained ; In stead o● idle games , and wanton dances , Shall practise how to handle guns , and launces : And be compell'd to leave their friends embraces , To end their lives in divers uncouth places ; Or else , thy face , with their owne blood defile ▪ In hope to keep themselves , and thee , from spoile . Thy beautious Women ( whose great pride is more Then theirs , whom Esay blamed heretofore ) In stead of paintings , and of costly sents , Of glittering gems , and pretious ornaments , Shall weare deformity about their faces ; And , being rob'd of all their tempting graces , Feele wants , diseases , and all such like things , Which to a wanton Lover lothing brings . Thy God , shall for thy overflowing vices , Scourge thee with Scorpions , Serpents , Cockatrices , And other such ; whose tailes with stings are armed , That neither can be plucked forth , nor charmed . Thou shalt not be suffiz'd when thou art fed ; Nor shalt thou suffer scarcity of bread And temp'rall food alone ; but , of that meat , Whereof the faithfull soule desires to eate . That curse of ravenous beasts , which God hath said , Vpon a wicked kingdome shall be la●d , He will inflict on thee . For , though there be No Tygers Lyons , Wolves , or Beares in thee , By beastly minded men ( that shall be farre More c●uell then those bloody spoilers are ) Thou shalt be torne : For , each man shall assay His fellow to devoure as lawfull prey . In stead of Lyons , Tyrants thou shalt breed , Who nor of Conscience , nor of Law take heed ; But , on the weak mans portion lay their paw , And , make their Ple●sures , to become their Law . In stead of Tigers , men of no compassion , A furious , and a wilfull generation , Shall fill thy borders . Theeves , and outlawes vile , Shall hunt the wayes , and haunt the woods for spoile ▪ As Beares , and Wolves . A subtile cheating crew ( That will with tricks and cousnages pursue The simpler sort ) shall here encrease their breed ▪ And , in their subtleties the Fox exceed . That hoggish herd , which alwayes rooting are Within the ground , and never upward reare Their grunting snouts ; nor fix their eyes on heav'n ▪ To look from whence their daily food is giv'n : Those filthy swinish livers , who desire To feed on draffe , and wallow in the mire ; Those , who affect ranke pudles , more then springs ; To trample and despise most precious things ; The holy to prophane ; Gods herbs of grace To nouzle up ; his Vineyard to deface ; And such like harmes to doe : these spoile thy fields , Marre worse , then those wilde Bores the desart yeelds . If thou remaine impenitent , thou art Like Egypt ; and , so stony is thy heart . For w●ich obduratenesse , those plagves will all Descend on th●e , wh●ch did on Egypt fall Blood , Frog● , and Lice , great swarms of uncou●h Flies , Th' infectious M●rraine , whereof Cat●le dyes ; Boiles , Scab● , and Bl●ine ; fierce H●il , & Thunder-storm● ; The ●ocust , and all fruit devouring Wormes . Grosse Darknesse , and the Death or those that be Thy Darlings ; all those Plagues shall fall on thee , According as the Letter doth imply , Or , as in mystick sense th●y signifie . Thy purest Rivers God shal●●u●ne to blood ; With ev'ry Lake , that hath beene swe●t and good . Ev'n in thy nostrils he shall make it stinke ▪ For , nothing shall thy people eate or drinke ▪ Vntill their owne , or others blood it cost ; Or , put their lives in hazard to be lost . Most loathsome Frogs ; that is , a race impure ▪ Of base condition , and of birth obscure . ( Ev'n in unwholsome fens , and ditches , bred ) Shall with a clownish rudenesse over-spread Thy pleasant'st fields ; thy fairest roomes possesse ; And make unwholsome ( by their sluttishnesse ) Thy kneading troughs , thy ovens , and that meat , Whereof thy people , and thy Princes eat . This hatefull brood , shall climbe to croak and sing , Within the lodging chambers of the King . Yea , there make practice of those naturall notes , Which issue from their evill-sounding throats : To wit , vaine brags , revilings , ribaldries , Vile slanders , and unchristian blasphemies . The Land shall breed a nasty Generation , Vnworthy either of the reputation Or name of men . For , they as Lice shall feed Ev'n on the body whence they did proceed ; Till poverty , and sloven●y , and sloth , Have quite disgrac'd them , and consum'd them , both ▪ There shall , moreover , swarmes of divers Flies , Engendred be in thy prosperities , To be a plague : the Flesh flye shall corrupt Thy savory meats ; Musketoes inte●rupt The weary traveller ; thou shalt have Drones , Dor●s , Hornets , Wasps , and such l●ke angry-ones , Who represent that sw●rme whose buzzing tongues ( Like stings ) are used in their neighbours wrongs ▪ And , still are flying , and still humm●ng so , As if they meant some weighty wo●ks to do , When as , upon the common stock they spend ; And nought performe of that which they p●etend . Thy Butter-flies shall plague thee too ; ev'n those , Who waste their Lands and Rents , in gawdy clothe● , Or idle flutterings ; and then spawne their seed , Vpon thy goodly'st flow'rs , and he●bs to feed . As Beasts destroyed by the Murraine be , So , they that are of beastly life in thee , By lewd example shall infect each other ; And in their foule diseases ●ot toge●her . On all thy people , of what so●t soe're , Shall scabs , and biles , and running sores appeare , The fruits of their corruption . Yea , wi●h paines ( Within their conscience , and with scars and blaines Of outward infamy ) ●hey shall be grieved ; And , in their to●tures perish , unreli●ved . Tempestuous stormes , upon this I le shall fall , Hot Thunder-bolts , and Haile-stones therewi●hall ; Men ▪ either too too ho● , or too too cold ; Or else lukewarme . But , few or none sha●l hold A rightfull temper : and , these meteors will Thy borders with a thousand mischieves fill . The Locust also and the Palmer wro●es , Shall prey on what escapeth f●om the Stormes : Not they alone , which on the grass● do breed ; Bu● , also , they who fro● the ●it proceed Which hath no bottome : and , when any thing Doth by the dew of heav'n begin to spring , They shall devoure the same , till they have left thee , Nor leafe nor blossome ; but , of all bereft thee . Then , shall a darknesse follow , far more black , Then when the light corporeall thou dost lack . For , grossest Ignorance , o'reshadowing all , Shall in so thick a darknesse thee inthrall , That , thou a blockish people shalt be made , S●ill wandring o● in a d●ceiving shade ; Mistrusting those that saf●st paths are showing ; Most trusting them , who counsell thy undoing ; And aye ●ormented be with doub●s and feares , As one that o●tcries , in darke places heares . Nor shall the hand of God from thee returne , Till he hath also smo●e thine eldest-b●rne . That is , till he hath taken from thee qu●te , Ev'n that whereon thou se●●t thy whole delight ; And filled ev'ry house throughout this Nation , With deaths unlooked for , and lamentation . So great shall be thy ruine , and thy shame , That when the neighb'ring kingdomes hear the same Their eares shall tin●le . And when that day comes , In which thy follies must re●eive their doom●s ; A day of clouds , a day of gloomin●sse , A day of black despaire , and heavinesse , It will appeare . And , then thy vanitie● , Thy gold , thy silver , thy confederacies , And all those reeds on which thou hast depended ; Will faile thy trust , and leave thee unbefriended . Thy King , thy Priest , & Prophets , then shal mourn ; And , peradventure , f●inedly ●e●u●ne To beg of God to succou● them : but , they Who will not ha●k●●●his voice to day , Shall c●y unh●ede● : and he will despise Their v●wes , thei● prayers , and their sacrifice : A sea of troubles , all thy hopes shall swallow : As waves o●● wav●s , so plague on plague shall follow : And , ev'●y thing that was a blessing to thee , Shall turne to be a curse , and helpe undo thee . Thy Sov'raignes have to th●e thy Fathers bin ; By meanes of them hath peace been● k●pt within Thy sea-gi●t limits : they , thy weale befriended , The blessed Faith they stoutly h●ve defended : And , thou hast cause of goodly hopes in him , Who hath , of late , put on thy Diadem . But know , that ( till thou shalt repent ) no part Belongs to thee of what is his desert . His princely vertues , to his owne availe , Shall profit much : but , they to thee shall faile . To thee his clemency shall seeme severe , His favours all , shall injuries appeare ; And when thy sin is fully ●ipe in thee , Thy Prince and People , then , alike shall be . Thou shalt have Babes to be thy Kings ; or worse ▪ Those Tyrants who by cruelty and force Shall take away thy ancient freedomes quite , From all their Subjects ; yea ▪ themselves deligh● In their vexations : and , all those that are Made slaves thereby , shall murmur , yet not dare To stir against them . By degrees , they shall Deprive thee of thy patrimonies all ; Compell thee ( as in other Lands , this day ) For thin● owne meat , and thine owne drink to pay . And , at the last , begin to exercise Vpon thy sonnes , all heathnish tyrannies , As just Prerogatives . To these intents , Thy Nobles shall become their instruments . For , they who had their bi●th from noble races , Shall ( some and some ) be brought into disgraces : From offices they shall excluded stand : And all their vertuous off-spring , from the Land , Shall quite be worne : in stead of whom shall rise A brood advanced by impieties , By flattery , by purchase , and by that Which ev'ry truly-noble one doth hate . From stems obscure , and out of meane professions ▪ They shall ascend and mount by their ambitions , To seats of Iustice ; and those Names to beare , Which honor'd most within these Kingdomes are ▪ And being thither got , shall make more strong Their new-built Greatnesse , by encreasing wrong : To those , will some of these themselves unite , Who by their births to Lordly Stiles have right ; But , viciously confuming their estate , Did from their fathers worths degenerate . By this Confederacy , their nobler bloods Shall countenance the others ill got goods ; The others wealth againe , shall keep from scorne Their beggery , who have beene nobly borne : And , both together , being else unable , ( In their ill course to make their standing stable ) Shall seek how they more great , and strong , may grow By compassing the publike over-throw . They shall abuse thy Kings , with tales , and lyes ; With seeming love , and servile flatteries . They shall perswade them they have pow'r to make Their Wils , their Law ▪ and as they please to take Their peoples goods , their children , and their lives , Ev'n by their just and due Prerogatives . When thus much they have made them to beleeve , Then , they shall teach them practices to grieve Their subjects by ; and , instruments become To helpe the screwing up , by some and some , Of Monarchies●o ●o Tyrannies . They shall Abuse Religion , Honesty , and all , To compasse their designes . They shall devise Strange projects ; and with impudence , and lyes , Proceed in setling them . They shall forget Those reverent usages , which do befit The majesty of State ; and raile , and storme , When they pretend disorders to reforme . In their high Counsels , and where men should have Kind admonitions , and reprovings grave , When they offend ; they shall be threatned there , Or scoft , or taunted , though no cause appeare . It is unseemly for a Iudge to sit And exercise a jibing Schoole-boyes wit Vpon their trades , or names , who stand before Their judgement se●ts : but , who doth not abhor To heare it , when a Magistrate objects , Birth , poverty , or personall defects In an upbraiding wise ? Or , who with me Derides it not , when in out Courts we see Those men , whose bodies are both old and weake , ( Forgetting gr●ve and usefull things to speake ) Vent Giant● words ▪ and bristle up , as tho Their very breath could armies overthrow ▪ Whereas ( poore we●klings ) were there in their place● No more authority , then in their faces , Their persons , or their language , all their chasing ▪ And threatning , nothi●● would effect but laughing . For , unto me big looks , and crying hoh , As dreadfull seemes , as when a child cryes boh To fright his Nurse : yea , such a bug beare fashion Effecteth nought but scornfull indignation . But in those times ( which neare● are then some Suppose perhaps ) such Rhetorick will come To be in use ; and arguments of Reason , And just proceedings , will be out of season . Their wisdome shall be folly ; and , goe nigh To bring contempt on their Authority . Their Counsell-Table shall a snare be made , And those 'gainst whom they no just matter had ▪ At first appearance , shall be urg'd to say Some word or other , e're they part away , Which will betray their innocence to blame , And bring upon them detriment and shame : Yea , many times ( as David hath of old , Concerning such oppressors , well foretold ) To humble crouchings , and to fained showes , Descend they shall , to worke mens ove●throwes ▪ And , what their subtlety doth faile to gaine ▪ They shall by rigour , and by force obtaine . What ever from thy people they can teare , Or borrow , they shall keep , as if it were A prize which had beene taken from the Foe : And , th●y shall make no conscience what they do To prejud●ce Posterity . For , they To gaine their lust , but for the present day , Shall with such love unto themselves endeavor , That ( though they knew it would undoe for ever Their owne posterity ) it shall not make Those Mo●●ters any better course to take . Nay , God shall give them up for their offences , To such uncom●ly reprobated senses : And , blinde them so , that ( when the a●e they see Ev'n hewing at the root of their owne tree , By their owne handy strokes ) they shall not griev● For their approaching fall : no , nor beleeve Their fall approacheth ; nor assume that heed Which might prevent it , till they fall indeed . Thy Princes , Brittain , in those dayes , will b● Like roaring Lyons , making prey of thee . God shall deliv●r thee into their hand , And they shall act their pleasure in the Land ▪ As once his Prophet threatned to that Nation ▪ Which doth exemplifie thy Desolation . Thy Kings ( as thou hast wallowed in excesse ) Shall take delight in drinke , and wantonnesse . And , those whom thou dost call thy Noble-o●es Shall to the very marrow , gnaw thy bones . Thy Lawyers wilfully shall wrest thy Lawes ▪ And ( to the ruine of the common Cause ) Shall mis-interpret them , in hop● of grace From those , who may dispoile them of their place ▪ Yea , that whereto they are obliged , both By Conscience , by their Calling , and their Oat● To put in execution ; they shall feare , And , leave them helplesse , who oppressed are . Thy Prelats in the spoyle of thee shall share ; Thy Priests , as light shall be , as those that are The meanest persons . All their Prophecies ▪ Or preachings , shall be heresies and lyes . The word of truth in them shall not remaine , Their lips no wholsome knowledge shall retaine ▪ And all his outward meanes of saving Grace , Thy God shall cary to another place . Mark well oh Brittain ! what I now shall say , And doe not sleightly passe these words away ; But , be assured that when God beginnes , To bring that vengeance on thee , for thy sinnes , Which hazzard will thy totall overthrow , Thy Prophets , and thy Priests shall sliely sow The seeds of t●at dissention , and sedition , Which Time will ●ipen for thy sad perdition . Ev'n they , who forme●ly , were of thy peace The happy instruments , shall then increase Thy troubles most . And ▪ ●v'n as when the Iewes Gods truth-presaging Prophets did abuse , He suffred those who preached in hi● Name , Such falshoods as the chiefest cause became Of their destruction : so if thou go on To make a scorne ( as thou hast o●ten done ) Of them who seeke thy wel are , hee will send False prophets , that shall bring thee to thine end , By saying all things thou wouldst have them say : And lulling thee asleep in thine owne way . If any brain-sick Fellow , whom the Devill Seduceth to inflict on thee some evill , Shall coyne false Doctrines , or perswade thee to Some foolish course that will , at length , undoe The Common-weal : his counsell thou shalt follow ; Then , cover'd with his bait , a hooke shalt swallow To rend thine entrailes : and thine ignorance Shall , also for that mischiefe , him advance . But if that any lover of thy weale , Inspir'd with truth , and with an honest zeale , Shall tell thee ought pertaining to thy good , His Messag●s shall stiffly be withstood : That Seer shall be charged not to see ; His word shall sleighted as a po●sherd be ; His life shall ●e traduced , to disgrace His Counsell● ; or , his errant to debase : In stead of recompence , he shall be sure , Imprisonments , or threatnings to procure ▪ And , peradventure ( as those Prophets were , Who did among the Iew●sh Peers declare Their States en●r●ities ) h●s good intention May be so wrong●d , th●t he , by some invention , May lose his li●e , wit● publ●ke shame and hate , As one that i● a trouble● o●●he State . But , not unl●sse ●he ●riest thereto consent : For in tho●e ●aye● shall ●●w men innocent Be g●iev'd ( t●r●●●h any qu●●ter of the Land ) In which thy C●e●g●e●hall ●hall not have some hand . If ever in thy 〈◊〉 , ( as God ●orbid ) The blood of t●in● owne children shall be shed By civill discord , they sha●l blow the flame , That will become thy ruine , and thy shame . And thus it shall be kindled . When the times , Are nigh at worst ▪ and thy encreasing crimes Almost compleat ; the Devill shall begin To bring strange crotchets , and opinions in Among thy Teachers ; which will breed disunion ▪ And interrupt the visible communion Of thy establisht Church And , in the steed Of zealous Pastors , ( who Gods flock did feed ) There shall arise within thee , by degrees , A Clergy , ●hat shall more desire to fleece , Then feed the flock . A Clergy it shall be , Divided in it selfe : and they shall thee Divide among them , into sev'rall factions , Which rend thee will , and fill thee with distractions ▪ They all in outward seeming shall pretend Gods glory , and to have one pious end : But , under colour of sincere devotion , Their study shall be temporall promotion ▪ Which will among themselves strange quarrels make Wherein thy other Children shall partake . As to the Persons , or the Cause , they stand Affected , even quite throughout the Land . One part of these will for preferment strive , By lifting up the King's prerogative Above it selfe . They shall perswade him to Much more then Law or Conscience bids him do ▪ And say , God warrants it . His holy Lawes They shall pervert , to justifie their cause ; And , impudently wrest , to prove their ends , What God , to better purposes , intends . They shall not blush to say , that ev'ry King ▪ May doe like Solomon , in ev'ry ●hing , As if they had his warrant : and shall dare Ascrib● to Monarchs , rights that proper are To none but Christ ; and mixe their flatteries , With no lesse grosse and wicked blasphemies , Then Heathens did : yea , make their Kings beleeve , That whomsoever they oppresse or grieve , It is no wrong ; nor fit for men oppressed , To seeke by their owne Lawes to be red●essed . Such counsell shall thy Princes then provoke , To cast upon thee Rehoboams yoake . And , they not caring , or not taking heed How ill that ill-advised King did speed , Shall m●ltiply thy causes of distraction . For , then , will of thy Priests , the other faction Bestir themselves . They will in outward showes , Those whom I last have mentioned , oppose . But , in thy ruine ▪ they will both agree , As in one Center , though far oft they b● In their Diameter . With lowly zeale , An envious ▪ pride they s●ily shall conceale ▪ And , as the former to thy Kings will teach Meere Tyranny : so shall these other preach Rebellion to the People ▪ and shall straine The word of God , Sedition to maintaine . They shall not feare to say , that if thy King Become a Tyrant , thou maist also fling Obedience off ; or f●om his Crowne divorce him ▪ Or , by the ter●or of drawne swords enforce him . Which false Divinitie , shall to the Devill Send many soules and bring on thee much evill . Oh! be thou therefore watchfull ; and when e're These Lambs with Dragons voyces doe appea●e , Repent thy sinne , or t●ke it for a token , That some great Bulwark● of thy peace is broken , Which must be ●oone repair'd or els , all The greatnes o● thy glory , downe will fall . Take heed of those false prop●ets , w●o will strive Betwixt thy Prince and People to cont●ive A disagreement . And , what euer come , Thy due Allegeance never sta●t thou from . For ( their oppressions though we may withstand By pleading Lawes , or Customes ) not a hand Must move against them , save the hand of God ▪ Who makes a King , a Bulwark , or a Rod , As pleaseth him . Oh! take ye therefore heed Yee People , and yee Kings ( that shall succeed ) Of these Impostors . Of the last beware Yee Subjects : for , their Doctrines hellish are . And though they promise Liberty and peace , Your Thraldome , and your Troubles they 'll increase . Shun oh ! yee Kings the first ; for , they advise What will your Crownes and honors prejudice . When you doe thinke their Prophecies befriend you , They doe but unto Ramoth-Gilead send you , Where you shall perish ; and poore Micahs word , Though lesse esteem'd more safety will afford ▪ They will abuse your piety , and all Your vertues . To their wicked ends they shall Apply the Sacred Story ; or what ever May seeme to further their unjust endevor . Ev'n what the son of Hann●h told the Iewes , Should be their scourge ( because they did refuse The sov'raignty of God , and were so vaine To aske a King which over th●m might raigne A● heathen Princes did ) that curse they shall Affirme to be a Law Monarchiall Which God himselfe established to stand Throu●hout all ages , and in ev'ry land . Which is as good Divinity , as they Have also taught , who doe not blush to say That Kings may have both Wives and Concubines ; And , by that Rule whereby these great Divines Shall prove their Tene● , I dare undertake ( If ●ound it hold ) that I like proofe will m●k● Of any Iewish Custome , and devise Authority for all absurdities . But , false it is . For , might all Kings ●t pleasure ( As by the right of royaltie ) make ceasure Of ●ny mans possessions : why I pray Did Ahab grieve , that Naboth said him nay ? Why made ●e not this answer thereunto , ( If what the Proph●t said some Kings would do , We●e justly to ●e done ) Thy Vineyard's mine ; And , at my pleasure , Naboth , all that 's thine Assume I may . Why , like a Turky-chick , Did he so foolishly ●row sullen sick , And get poss●ssion by a wicked fact Of what might have beene his by royall act ? Thus God is pleas'd , to humble and to raise : Thus , he by sev'rall names , and sev'rall wayes , The world doth govern . Yea , thus , ev'n in one nation , And in one State , he makes much alteration In formes of Governme●t ; oft changing that Which is but acc●dentall to a State . And , such his Iustice , and his Wisdome is , That he preserveth by the meanes of this , Those things which doe essentially pertaine To that great Power , which over all doth raigne . Nor is he pleased thu● it should be done In States that meerely civill are alone ▪ But , also , in the Churches governments , Allowes the change of outward accidents . Yea , they to whom he gives the oversights Of some particular Church , may change old Rites , The Customes , Formes , or Titles , as occasions Are off●ed them ; or , as the Times , or Nations , Require a change : provided so , that they Take nothing which essentiall is , away ; Nor adde what shall repugne or prejudice Gods Lawes , his Kin●dome , or the Liberties Of them that ar● his people . For , in what Hath any Church a pow●r , if not in tha● Which is indifferent ? Or , in what I pray Will men the C●urch authority obey , If not in such like things ? O● , who should be The Iudge what is indifferent , if not she ? A private Spirit knowes what be●t agrees With his owne fancy ; but the Church best se● What fit● t●e Congregation . From what gives Offence to one ▪ anothe● man receives Much comfort : and , his conscienc● edifies , By disciplines , which many doe despise ▪ A Parish is a little Diocesse ; And , as of Cities , Townes , and Villages , A B●shoprick consists : so , that doth rise By ●ythings , Hamlets , and by Families . And lit●le diffrence would be in the same , ( Excepting in the la●genesse and the name ) I● their opinions were allow'd of all , Who savour not the stile Epis●opall : Fo● , ev'ry Priest would then usurp the same Aut●ority , wher●of o● some hate the name . Yea , many a one would then his Parish make A little Popedome , and upon him take ( Con●ide●ing his mean● pow'r ) as much as h● That V●ive●s●ll Bishop claimes to be : And , prove more p●oud , and troublesome , then they Against whose Lordlinesse they now inveigh . This therefore is my Rule ; that Government ( What e're it be ) in which to me God ●ent My birth and breeding ; that , untill my end , I will obey , and to my pow'r d●fend . Yea , though it tyrannize , I will denay No more obedience , then by Law I may : Ev'n by those Lawes and Customes which do stand In force , and unrepealed in that Land . What right another had , e're I was borne , Or how , or for what sinne , Gods hand hath torne His Kingdome from him , I will never care ; Let them go answer that who Subjects were , ( When lost it was ) and had that meanes , and calling , And yeares , which might prevented have his falling . Or should another Country take me home As one of hers ; when thither I did come I would nor seek , nor wish to innovate The Titles , or the Custome● of that State , To what some other Countries better thought : But , leave such things to those to whom I ought . And , there , if any Faction shall constraine That I one pa●t must take , I will maintaine What bore the Sov'raignty when I came thither ; And , I and that will stand and fall together . The same obedience , also , keep I shall . To governments Ecclesiasticall Where e're I come ; if nothing they command Which doth Gods word , ess●ntially , withstand : Or , indirectly , or directly , thwart His glory , or the purity pervert Of Ch●istian Principles ; nor further strife , Nor c●use , nor countenance an evill life . The Hye●archy , here , I will obey , And reverence , while I in England stay . In Sco●land if I liv'd , I would deny No due respect to their Presbyterie . G●neva should I visit , I would there 〈◊〉 my selfe to what their customes were . Yea , wheresoe'●e I am , I will suppose The Spirit in that Church much better knowe● What best that place befitteth , then I do : And , I will live conformed thereunto , In ev'ry thing that 's me●rly politick , And injures not the Doctrines Catholick . To ev'ry temp'rall pow'r I 'le be the same , By whatsoever cognizance , or name , M●n please to call it . If I should be sent To Poland , where a mixed government Establisht is ; I would not t●ll them , there , That any other Custome better were . Were I in Switzerland , I would maintaine ●●mocrity ; and , think to make it plaine , That for these Times , those Can●ons , and that Nation . There could not be a better Domination . In Venice , far before a Monarchy I would p●efer an Aristocratie . In Spái●e , and France , and in Great Britaine here , I hold no Governments more perfect are Then Monarchies . And , if Gods will should be , Bene●th a Tyrant to envassaile me , I would p●rswade my selfe , that heavy yoake Were best , for some respects ; and , to the stroke Ev'n of an i●on Mace would subject be , In body ▪ with a minde that should be free From his inforcement , ( ●f he did withstand , Or bid me what Gods Law doth countermand . ) There is , I know , a middle-way that lyes Ev'n just betwixt the two extremities , Which to sedition , and to faction tend . To find which tract , my whole desire I bend ; And wish it follow'd more . For , if we tread That harm●●sse path , we cannot be mis-led ; Nor sham'd , though blam'd we be . To ev'ry man I faine wou●d give his due ; and all I can I doe endeavor it . I would not wrong My Country ; neither take what doth belong To Cesar : nor infringe , or prejudice , The Vniversall Churches liberties ; Nor for her outward Discipline prefer Or censure , any Church particular ; Or any State , but as befit it may , His Muse , which nought but needfull truths doth say . Nor have I any purpose to withdraw Obedience , or respect from any Law That 's positive ; or , to dishearten from Those Customes , which a Christian state become . If such Divinity , as this were true , The Queen● should not have needed to pursue Poore Naboth , as she did ; or , so contrive His death ; since by the Kings Prerogative , She might have got his Vineyard . Nor would God Have scourg'd that murther with so keene a rod , O● Ahab , had he asked but his due . For , he did neither plot , nor yet pursue The murther ; nor ( for ought that we can tell ) Had knowledge of the deed of Iezabel . Till God reveal'd it by the Prophet to him . Nor is it said , that Naboth wrong did do him , Or disrespect ; in that he did not yeeld , ●o sell , or give , or to exchange his Field . The Iewish Commonwealth did so instate , That , their possessions none could alienate , But for a time ; who ever , for his mony , Or in exchange , desir'd their patrimony . And ▪ doubtlesse , we offend , who at this day Those Freedomes give , or lose , or sell away , Which were in common right possest of old , By our Forefathers ; and , continue should To all their after-commers . For , altho We may dispose of what pertaines unto Our persons : yet , those dues which former ages Have left unto us for our heritages , ( And whereunto , the child that borne must be , Hath ev'ry whit as good a right as we ) Those dues we should preserve with all our might , By pleading of our just and ancient right , In humble wise ; if so the Sov'raigne state Our Freedomes shall attempt to violate . But , when by peacefull meanes we cannot save it , We to the pleasure of the King must leave it , And unto God our Iudge : For all the pow'r In us , consists in saying , This is our . A King is for a blessing , or a ●urfe : And therefore though a F●ole he were , or worse , A Tyrant , or ●n Ethnick ) no man may So much as in their p●ivate clossets , pray Against his person ; though they may petition Against the wickednesse of his condition . Nor , is this ●uffrance due to those alone , Who ●●bject are unto a Monarchs throne , But , from all those who either subjects are To mixed Governments , or popular . For , though irregularities appeare In ev'ry State ; because but men they are Whom God exalts to ●ule : yet , it is he By whom all Governments ordained be . And ev'ry Government ( although the Name Be different ) is in effect the same . In Monarchies , the Counsell ( as it were An Aristocracy ) one while doth beare The sway of all ▪ and though they name the King ▪ Yet , him they over-rule in ev'●y thing . Sometime a●●ine , the pop●lar voice we see , Doth awe the Counsell , when in them there be Some pop'lar Spirits . Aristocracies Are otherwhile the same with Monarchies . For , one great man among them gets the pow'r , From all the rest , and like an Emperour , Doth act his pleasure . And we know t is common . To have some foolish Favorite , or Woman , To governe him . So , in a pop'lar State , Affaires are manag'd by the selfe same fate ; And , either one or moe , away do steale The peoples hearts , and sway the Commonweale . Thus God is pleas'd , to humble and to raise : Thus , he by sev'rall names , and sev'rall wayes , The world doth govern . Yea , thus ▪ ev'n in one nation , And in one State , he makes much alteration In formes of Governmen● ; oft changing that Which is but accedentall to a State . And , such his Iustice , and his Wisdome is , That he preserveth by the meanes of this , Those things which doe essentially pertaine To that great Power , which over all doth raigne . Nor is he pleased thus it should be done In States that meerely civill are alone ; But , also , in the Churches governments , Allowes the change of outward accident● . Yea , they to whom he gives the oversights Of some particular Church , may change old Rites , The Customes , Formes , or Titles , as occasions Are offred them ; or , as the Times or Nations , Require a change : provided so , that they Take nothing which essentiall is , away ; Nor adde what shall repugne or prejudice Gods Lawes , his Kin●dome , or the Liberties Of them that are his people . For , in what Hath any Church a pow●r , if not in ●hat Which is indifferent ? Or , in what I pray Will men the Church authority obey , If not in such like things ? O● , who should be The Iudg● what is indifferent , if not she ? A private Spirit knowes what be●● agrees With his owne fancy ; but the Church best se● What fit● the Congregation . From what gives Offence to one ; another man receives Much comfort : and , his conscience edifies , By disciplines , which many doe despise ▪ Nor h●ve I any thought to scandalize , Or speake amisse of Principalities ; Or , to traduce mens persons : but , I fall On errors of mens lives in generall , And , on those great Abuses , which I see To blemish ev'ry Calling and Degree . Of Dignitie● and Persons , I observe All me●nes I can , their honors to preserv● , When I reprove their faults . And , ev'n as he That hunteth Foxes , where Lambes feeding be , May fright that harmlesse flock , and suffer blame Of some By-standers , ( knowing not his Game ) When from his Dog● , those Innocents are free , And none but their devoure●s bitten be . So , though my reprehensions , often are Mistook by foolish Readers ; they are far From repr●hending those , or taxing that Which is unfitting for my shooting at . I speake those things which will advantage rather Then harme : and hence this blinded age may gath●r M●ch light . This little Volume doth relate Nought else but what is like to be our Fate ; If sin encrease ; and what in former times Did fall on other Nations for their crimes , I utter what our welfare may encrease , And helpe confirme us in a happy peace ; Which they will never compasse , who p●●sue To speake what 's pleasing , rather then what 's true . How ever , here my thoughts deliv'red be : Let God as he shall please , deliver me . And if what here is mention'd , thou dost he●● ( Oh Britaine ! ) in those times that sh●ll succeed , It may prevent much losse , and make thee shun Those mischiefes , whereby Kingdomes are undone . But , to thy other sins , if thou shalt adde Rebellions ( as false Prophets will perswade ) Which likely are to follow , when thou shalt In thy profession of Religion halt : Then , will thy Kings and People scourge each other , For their offences , till both fall together : By weakning of your pow'rs , to make them way , Who seeke and look for that unhappy day . Then , shall disorder ev'ry where abound , And neither just nor pious man be found . The best shall be a Bryer or a Thorne , By whom their neighbours shall be scratcht & to●●e . Thy Princes shall to nothing condiscend For any merit just , or pious end ; But either for encreasing of their treasure , Or for accomplishing their wilfull pleasure : And un●o what they ●ell or daigne for meed , There shall be given little trust or heed . For , that which by their words confirme they shall , ( The royall Seales uniting therewithall ) A toy shall frustr●te ; and a gift shall make Their strictest O●ders no effect to take . The Iudge , without a bribe , no Cause shall end : No man shall trust his bro●her , or his friend : The parents and the children shall despi●e And hate , and spoile each other : she that lies Within her husbands bosome , shall betray him : They who thy people should protect , shal stay them : The aged ●hall reg●r●ed be of none : The poore shall by the rich be trodden on : Such grievo●s inf●olencies , everywhere Shall acted be ; that good and bad shall feare In thee to dwell ; and , men discreet shall h●te To be a Ruler , or a Magistrate ; When they behold ( without impenitence ) So much injustice , and such violence . And , when thy wickednesse this height shall gain , To which ( no doubt ) it will e're long attaine ▪ If thou proceed : Then , from the bow that 's bent ( And halfe way dr●wne already ) shall be ●ent A mortall arrow ; and it pierce thee shall Quite through the head , the liver , and the gall . The Lord shall call , and whistle from af●rre , For those thy enemies that fiercest are : For those thou fearest most ; and they shall from Their Coun●ries , like a whi●le wind hither come . They shall nor sleep , nor stumble , nor untie Their garments , till within thy fields they lye . Sharp shall their arrowes be , and strong their bow . Their faces shall as full of horror show As doth a Lions . Like a bolt of thunder , Their troups of horse shall come , & tread thee und●r Their iron feet . Thy foes shall eate thy bread , And with thy flocks both clothed be , and fed . Thy Dwellers , they shall cary from their owne , To Countries which their fathers have not known● ▪ And , thither shall such mischiefes them pursue , That they who seeke the pit-fall to eschew , Shall in a snare be taken . If they shall Escape the sword , a Serpent in the wall To death shall sting them : yea ( although they hap To shun a hundred plagues ) they shall not scape ; But , with new dangers , still be cha●'d about , Vntill that they are wholly rooted out . The Plowman , then , shall be afraid to sow ; Artificers their labour shall forgoe ▪ The Merchant man shall crosse the Seas no more ▪ ( Except to flye and seeke some other shore ) Thy ablest-m●n shall faint : thy wise-ones , then , Shall know themselves to be but foolish men . And th●y who built and plant●d by oppression , Shall leave their gettings to the foes possession . Yea , God wil scourge thee , England , ●even times more With seven times greater Plagues then heretofore . Then , thy Allies their friendship shall withdraw ; And , they that of thy greatnesse stood in awe , Shall say ( in scorne ) Is this the valiant Nation , That had throughout the world such reputation , By victories upon the shore ? Are these That people , which were masters of the s●as , And grew so mighty ? yea that petty Nation , That were not worthy of thy indignation , Shall mock thee too ; and all thy former fame , Forgot shall be , or mention'd to thy shame . Mark how Gods pl●gues were doubled on the I●ew● When they his milde corrections did abuse : Marke what , a● last upon their Land h● sent ; And , look thou for the se●e same punishment , If them thou imitatest . I or their sin , At fi●st , but eight yeares Bondage they were in . Their wick●dn●sse grew more ; and God did then , To Eglon , make them sl●ves , ●ight yeares and ten . They dis●beying , still , the God of heaven ; Their yeares of Servitude were twenty seven , To Iabin and to Midian . Then , prevailed Philistia fo●ty yea●es ; and , when that failed , To make ●hem of their evill wayes rep●nt , There was , among themselves , a fatall rent ; And , they oft scourg'd each other . Still , they trod The selfe same path ; and , then the hand o● God Brought Ashu● on them ; and , did make them beare His heavy yo●ke , untill the seventie●h yeare . And last of all the Rom●ne Empire came , Which from their Country rooted out their Name . That foolish project which they did embrace , To keep them in possession o● their place , Did lose it . And , like Cain , that vagrant Nation , Hath now remain'd in fearfull Desolation Nigh sixteene hundred yeares : and , ( whatsoe're Some l●tely dreame ) in vaine , they look for he●e A temp'rall Kingdome . For , as long agoe Their Psalmist said ; No Prophet doth foresh●w This ●hraldomes end . Nor shall it end untill The Gentiles their just number doe fulfill : Which is unlike to be untill th●t houre ▪ In which there shall be no more temporall pow'r , Or temporall K●ngdome . Therefore ▪ gather them ( Oh Lord ▪ ) unto thy new Ierusalem , In t●y due time . For , ye● , unto that p●ace They have a promi●t right , by thy meere grace . To those who shall repent , thy firme Electiòn Continues in this t●mpo●all rejection . Oh! ●hew thy mercy in their desol●●ion , That thou maist honor'd be in th●ir salvation . Yea , teach us also , by their fearfull fal , To hea●ken to thy voice , when th●u do●t ca●l ; ( Lest thou in anger , unto us protest , That we ●h●ll never come into thy rest ) For , we ●ave follow'd them in all their sin : Su●● , and so m●●y , have our warnings bin : An● ▪ 〈◊〉 thou st●●l prolong not thy compassion ▪ To us belongs the selfe same Desolation . And it will ●ho●tly come ▪ with all those terror● T●at were on them inflicted , for their errors . Then , woe shall be to th●m , th●● hereto●ore By joy●●●g house to hou●● , 〈◊〉 the poore ▪ And field have into field incorporated , Vntill th●ir Tow●esh●ps were depopulated . For , desolate their dwelling shall be made : Ev'n in their blood the Lord shall bathe his blade : And they that have by avarice , and wiles , Erected Pallaces and costly Piles ; Shall think , the stones and timbers , in the wall , Aloud , to God , for vengeance on them call . Then , woe sh●ll be to them who early rise To eate , and drinke , and play , and wanton●ize ; Still adding sin to sin : for , they the paine Of cold , and thirst , and hunger , shall sustaine ; And be the servile slaves of them that are Their Foes ; as to their Lusts they captives were . Then ▪ wo to them who d●rknesse more have lov'd Then l●ght ; and good advice h●ve d●s●pprov'd : For , they shall wander in a crooked pa●● , Which neit●er light ▪ nor end , nor c●m●ort hath And , when for Guides , and Couns●ll they do cry , Not one sh●●l pity them , who p●sseth by . Then , wo to them that have corrupted ●in , To justifie the wicked in his sin ; Or , for a bribe , the righteous to condemne : For , fl●mes ( as on the chaffe ) sha●l seize on them : Their bodies to the dun●hill shall be cast ; Their flowre shall turne to dust ; their flock shal wast ▪ And all the glorious t●●les they have wo●ne , Shall but encrease their infamy and scorne . Then , wo to them that have beene rais'd aloft By good mens ruines ; and by laying soft And easie pillowes , under great mens armes , To make them pleas'd in their alluring charmes . Then , wo to them , who being growne a●raid Of some nigh perill , sought unlawfull aid ; And , setting Gods protection quite aside , Vpon their owne inventions have rely'd . For , God their fo●lish hopes will bring to nought ; On them , their feared mischiefe sh●ll be brought ▪ And , all their wit and strengt● , shall not suffi●e , To heave that sorrow off , which on them lies . Yea , then , oh Britaine ! woe to ev'ry one , That hath without repentance evill don● : For , those who doe n●r heed , no● beare in mind His visitings , Gods reaching hand will find ; And they with howling cries and lamentation , Shall sue and seeke , in vaine , for his compassion . Because they car●lesse of his M●rcies were , Till in consuming wrath he did ●ppea●e . But , still , we set far off that evi●l day ; In dull security we passe away Our pretious time ; and with v●ine hopes and toyes , Build up a trust which ●v'ry puffe destroyes . And therefore , still when healing is expected , New and unlookt for troubles are effected . We gather Armies , and we Fleets prepare ; And , then , both strong and safe we think we are . But , when we look for victories , and glory , What followes , but events that make us sory ? And t is Gods mercy that we turne our faces With so few losses , and no more disgraces . For , what are most of those whom we commend Such act●ons to ; and whom we forth do send To fight those Battels , which the Lords we call , But , such as never fight for him at all ? Whom dost thou make thy Captaines , and dispos● Such Offices unto , but unto those ( Some few excepted ) who procure by friends ▪ Command and pay , to serve their private ends ? Their la●guage , and their practices decla●e , That entertained by Gods Foe they were . Their whoring , swearing , and their drunkennesse , Do far more plainly to the world expresse What Generall they doe belong unto , Then all their Feath●rs and their Ensignes doe . These , by their unrep●nted sins , betray Thy Cause . By these , the honor , and the day Is lost : and when thou hopest tha● thy trouble Shall have an end , thy danger waxeth double . We wisht for Parlia●ents ; and them we made Our God : ●or , all t●e hope that many had To remedy the publike discontent , Was by t●e wisdome of a Parli●ment . Well ; Parliaments we had ; and what in being , Succeedeth ye● , but greater disag●●eing , With g●eater gri●va●ces then heretof●re ? And reason good : for , we depended more On outward meanes , then on Gods will that sends All punishments ; and all afflictions ●nds . Beleeve it should our Parliaments a●ree In ev'ry motion : should our Sov'raigne be So gracious , as to condiscend to all Which for his weale and ours , propose we s●all ; Ev'n that Agr●●ment , till our sins we leave , Shall make us but secure ; a●d helpe to weave A snare , by whose fine threds we shall be caught , Before we see the mischie●e that is wrought . Whilst we by Parliam●nts do chiefly se●k Meere temp'rall ends , the King shall do the like : Yea , till in them we mutually agree To helpe each other ; and unfained be In lab'ring for a Christian Reformation ; Each Meeting shall b●get a new vexation . This Iland hath some sense of what she ayles , And very much , these evill times bewayles : But , not so much our sinnes doe we lament , Or mourne that God for them is discontent , As that the Pla●ues they bring disturb our pleasures , Encrease our dangers , and exhausted our treasure● . And , for these causes , now and then we ●ast , And pray , as long as halfe a day doth last . For , if the Sunne doe but a li●tle cleare That cloud , from which a tempest we doe fear● ▪ What kind of g●iefe we took , we plainly shew By those rejoycings which thereon ensue : For , in the stead of such du● thankfu●ness● , As Christian zeale obligeth to expresse ; To Pleasure ( not to God ) we sacrifize ; Renue our sins ; revive our vanities ; And , all our vowed gratitude expi●es , In Games , in Guns , in Bels , in Healths , or Fires ▪ We faine would be at peace ; but few men go That way , ●s y●t , whereby it may be so . We have not that h●mility which must Effect it : we ●re f●l●e , and cannot trust Each other ▪ no nor God with true confessions : Which shewes that we abhor not our transgression● ▪ It proves , t●at ●f our errors , we in heart Repent not , neither purpose to depart F●om any f●lly 〈◊〉 or all they that are Sincerely penitent ▪ doe nothing feare So much as t●●ir owne ●uil● ; nor seeke to gain● Oug●t more , then to be reconc●l'd againe : And , they that ar●●hus minded , never can Be long unreconcil'd to God , or man . When we should ●●oop , we most our selves exalt ; And ( though we be ) would no● be thought in fault . Nay , tho●gh we faulty be , ●nd thought , & known , And proved so ; and ●ce that we are th●owne By our apparant erro●s , into straits , From which we cannot g●t by all our sleights : Yet , still ou●selves we vau●t and justifie , And struggle , ●ill the sn●re we faster ●ye . We sin , and we to boast it have no shame , Yet s●●rme when othe●s doe our follies name : And rather then we will so much as say We did amisse ( though that might wipe away The staine of all ) I think that some of us So wil●ull are , so proud , and mischievous , That we ours●lves w●uld ruine , and our Nation , To keep our shadow of a Reputation . Oh! if we are thus headstrong , t is unlike We any part of our proud sailes will strike Till they have sunke our Vessell in the Sea , Or by th● furious winde● , are torne away . T were better ▪ tho , we did confesse our wound , Then hide it till our s●ate grew more unsound . T were better we some wealth , or office lost , Then keep them , till our lives , and all , it cost : And therefore , let us wisely be advised , Befo●e we by a tempest be surprised . Downe first with our Top-gallants and our Flags ; In stormes ▪ the skilfull'st Pilots make no brags . Let us ( if that be not enough ) l●t f●ll Our Misne-yeard , and strike our top-sailes all . If this we find be not enough to doe ▪ Strike Fote-saile , Sprit-saile , yea and Main-saile too . And , rather then our Ship should sink or rend ; Let 's over board , ●oods , mast , and tackling send . Save but the Hull , the Master , and the Men ; And we may l●ve to scoure the seas agen . Beleeve it England , howsoever some ( Who should fo●esee thy plagues before they come ) End●vor to perswade thee that thou hast A hopefull time ▪ and that the wo●st is past . Yet I dare bol●ly tell thee , thou hast nigh Worne out Gods patience by impiety . And , that unlesse the same we doe r●nue By penitence , our folly we shall rue . But , what am I , that me thou should'st beleeve ? Or , unto what I tell thee , ●redit give ? It may be this adul●rous Genera●ion Expecteth tokens of her desolation ; And therefore I will give them signes of that Which they are almost now arived at . Not signes , so mysticall as most of those Which did t●e ruine of the Iewes●isclose ●isclose ; But , signes as evident as are ●he day . For , know ye Britanies ▪ that what God did say Ierusalems destruction should foresh●w , He spake to ev'ry State that should ensue . And , tha● he nought of her , or to her sp●ke , For hers alone , but also for our sake . One signe that Gods long-suffring we have tired , And that ●is patience is almost expired , Is this ; that many Iudgements he hath sent , And still remov'd them e're we did repent . For , God ( ev'n by his Holinesse ) did sweare , ( Saith Amos ) such a Nation ●e will teare With Brye●s , and with Fish hookes rend away The whole posterity of such as they . Cl●ane teeth ( saith God ) I gave them ; and with bread In many places , them I scantly fed ; And yet they sought me not : Then I restrained The dewes of heav'n ; upon this Field I rained , And not on that ; yea , to one City came Some two or three , to quench their thirsty ●lame ; Yet , to ret●rne to me , no care they tooke : With Blastings then , and Mildewes , I them strook ; And mixt among their Fruits the Palmer-worme ; Yet , they their lives did not a jot reforme : Then did I send the Pest●lence ( said he ) Devoured by the Sword , ●heir youngmen be ; Their Horse are slaine , and up to heaven ascends Their stinke ; yet I discover no amends . The selfe same things thy God in thee hath done , Oh En●land ! yet , here followes thereupon So small amendment , that they are a signe To thee ; and their sharp Iudgement , will be thine . The second Tohen which doth fore declare When Cities , States , and Realmes , declining are , Ev'n Christ himselfe hath left us : For , ( saith he ) When Desolation shall approaching be , Of wars , and warlike rumors ye shall heare ; Rare signes and tokens will in heaven appeare ; Downe from the Firmament the Stars sh●ll fall ; The hearts of many men , then , saile th●m shall ; There will be many scandals and offences ; Great Earth quakes , Schismes , Dearths , and Pestilences ; Realme , Realme ; and Nation , Nation shall oppose ; The nearest friends , shall be the greates● foes . Against the Church shall many tyrannize ; Deceivers , and false Prophets , shall arise ; In ev'ry place shall wicked●esse abound ; And , Charity shall very cold be found . This , Christ himselfe did prophecy : And we Are doubtlesse blind , unlesse con●est it be , That at this houre , upon this Kingdome here , These ma●ks of Desolation viewed are . How often have we s●ene prodig●ous lights , O'resp●ead ●he f●ce of heav'n in moonlesse nigh●s ? How many dreadfull Met●ors have there beene In this ou● Climate , lately heard and seene ? Who knoweth nor that but a while agoe A Blazing Star did threat , if not foreshow Gods Iudgements ? In what age , tofore , did here So many , who did Saints and Stars appeare , Fall ( as it were ) from heav'n ? Or who hath heard Of greater Earth-quakes , then have lately scar'd These quarters of the world ? How oft , the touch Of Famine have we had ? But , when so much Devou●ed by the Pestilence were we , As in this present yeare our people be ? Of Wars , and martiall rumors , never more Wer● heard within these confines heretofore ; When were all Kingdomes , and all Nations through The world , so opposite as they are now ? We know no Country , whether nigh or far , But is engag'd , or threatned with some War. All places , either present woes bewaile ; Or else things feared make mens hearts to faile . False Prophets ▪ and Deceivers we have many ; We scarcely find integrity in any : The Name of Christ , begins in ev'ry place To suffer persecution ●nd disgrace ; And , we the greatest jeopardies are in , Among our neighbours , and our nearest kin . Strange Heresies do ev'●ywhere encrease , Distur●ing Sion , and exiling peace . Impietie doth multiply . True love Growes cold . And , if these tokens doe not prove Our fall drawes on , unlesse we doe amend : I know not when our folly shall have end . A third apparant signe which doth d●clare When some devouring Pl●gue approacheth neere , Is when a Nation doth anew begin To let Idolatry to enter in ; And openly , or secre●ly give place To Heresie , where Truth establisht was : Or when like Ieroboam , to possesse An outward profit , or a temporall peace , They either change Religions , or devise A worship which doth mixe Idolatries With truth . For this , ev'n for this very crime , The King of Ashur , in H●shea's time Led Isr●el captive . And , both from the sight Of God ; and from the house of David quite , They were c●t off for ever , and d●d neither Serve God nor Idols ; but ev'n both toge●her ; In such a mixt Religion as is that Which some among us , now , have aymed at . Marke , England ; and I prethee marke it well , If this offence which ruin'd Israel , On thee appeare nor : and , if so it be , Amend ; or looke for what it threatens thee . The fourth true token which do●h fore expresse The ruine of a Land ●or wickednesse , Is when the P●iests and Magistrates begin , To grow ext●eamly impudent in fin . This Signe , the Prophet Micah●iveth ●iveth us ; And he ( not I ) to you cryes loudly thus : Heare , oh ye house of Iacob , and all ye That Princes of the house of Is●ael be : Ye Iustice hate ; and ye pervert what 's good ; Ye build the wal● of Sion up with blood ; Ierusalem with sin , ye up have rear'd , Your Iudges passe their censures for reward ; Your Priests doe preach for hire , your Prophets doe Like them ▪ and prop●ecy for mony too . And , for this cause shall Sion mount ( saith he ) Ev'n like a plowed field become to be ; And like a Forre●t hill where b●shes grow ▪ The City of Ierusalem shall show . Change but the names , oh Britain , and that token Of desolation , unto the● is spoken . For , what this day thy Priests and Princes are ▪ Their actions , and the peoples cries declare . A fifth sure evidence that God among Thy ruines will en●omb thy fame e're long , ( If thou repent not ) is ev'n this , that thou Dost ev'ry day the more ungodly grow , By how much more the blessed meanes of grace Doth multiply it selfe in ev'ry place . God sends unto thee many learned Preachers , Apostles , Pastors , and all kind of teachers ; His Visions , and his Prophecies upon thee He multiplies . And ( that he might have won thee To more sincerity ) on all occasions , By counsell , by entreatie , and perswasions , He hath advis'd , allured , and besought thee : With precept upon precept , he hath taught thee ; By line on line ; by miracle ; by reason ; In ev'ry place ; in season , out of season ; By little and by little ; and by much ( Sometime ) at once : yet is thy nature such , That still thou waxest worse ; and in the roome Of pleasant Grapes , more Thistles daily come : And , thou that art so ●aughty , and so proud , For this , shal● vanish like an empty cloud ; And , as a Lion , Leopard , or a Beare , Thy God , for this , shall thee in pieces teare . If thou suppose my Muse did this devise , Goe take it from Hosea's prophesies The sixth undoubted signall when the last Good dayes of sinfull Realmes are almost past ▪ Is when the people neere to God shall draw In word , to make profession of his Law : And , by their tongues his prai●es forth declare ; Yet , in their hearts from him continue far . To such a Land , their de●●iny displaye● Isaiah : for even thus the Prophet sayes : God will produce a marvell in that State , And doe a worke that men shall wonder at ; The wisdome of their wisest Counsellor , Shall perish , and their prudent men shall erre . On their deepe Counsels , sorrow shall attend ; Their secret plots shall have a dismall end ; Their giddy projects which they have devised , Shall as the Potters clay be quite despised . Like Carmel , Lebanon shall seeme ; and he Like Lebanon , shall make mount Carmel be . Their pleasant Fields like Desarts shall appeare ; And , there shall Gardens be , where Desarts are . God keep ( thou Brittish Ile ) this plague from thee ▪ For , signes thereof upon thy Body be . Thou of the purest worship mak'st profession ; Yet , waxest more impure in thy condition . Thou boastest of the knowledge of Gods word , Yet , there unto in manners to accord Thou dost refuse . Thou makest protestation Of pietie ; yet hatest reformation . Yea ▪ when thy tongue doth sing of praise divine , T●y heart doth plot some temporall designe . And , some of those , who in this wise are holy , Begin to shew their wisedome will be folly . ●or , when from sight their snares they deepest hide , By God Almighties eyes they are espide . The seaventh Symptome of a dreadfull blow , ( If not of a perpe●uall overthrow ) Is when a slumb●ing Spirit doth surprize A nation ; and hath closed up their ey●s : Or when the Prophets and the Seers are So cloud●d , that plaine truths do not appeare : Or when the Visions evidently seene Are passed by , as if they had not beene : Or when , to Nations who can reade , God gives His Booke ; and thereof doth unseale the leaves , And bids them reade the same , which they to do Deny ; or ●lead unablen●sse thereto . Black signes are th●se . For if that Book to them , Still darke ; or as a Book unsealed seeme ; Or , if they heed no more what here is said , Then they that have the Booke , and cannot reade ; The Iudgements , last repeated , are the doome , That shall on such a stupid Nation come . This Signe is come on us ; for , loe , unsealed Gods Book is now among us ▪ and revealed Are all the Mysteries which doe concerne The children of this present age to learne . So well hath he instructed this our Land , That we not only reade , but understand The secrets of his Word . The prophecies Of his chiefe Seers , are before our eyes , Vnveiled : true interpretations A●e made , and many proper applications Ev'n to our selves ; yet is ou● hea●t so blind , That what we know and see , we do not mind . We heare , and speake , and much adoe we keepe ; But we as sens●lesse are as men asleep What th●n we doe . Yea , wh●le that we are talking , What sna●es are in the way where we are wal●ing , We heed not what we say , b●t passe along ; And many times , ●re fast ●●snar'd among Those mi●●hiefes , and those faults we did condemne , Before our tongues have left to mention th●m . For our negl●ct of God in ●ormer times , ( Or for some present unrep●nted crimes ) A slumbring Spirit●o ●o p●ssesseth us , That our estate is wondrous d●ngerous . We s●e and heare , and tell to one anoth●r Our perils , yet we headlong hast together To wilfull ruine : and are growne so mad , That when our friends a better course perswade , Or seeke to st●p us ( when they s●e we run That way in which we cannot ruine shun ) We persecute those men with all our soule , That we may damn our s●lves without controule . The eight plaine Signe , by which I understand That some devouring mischiefe is at hand , Is that maliciousnesse which I doe see Among ●rsfessors of one Faith , to be . We that have b●t one Father , and one Mother , Doe persecute , and torture one another . So ho●ly , we oppose not Antichrist , As we our fellow brethren doe resist . The Protestant , the Protestant defies ; And , we our selves , our selves doe scandalize . Our Church we have exposed to more scorne ; And her fai●e seamlesse Vestment rent , and torne , By our owne fury , more then by their spight Who are to us directly opposite . To save an Aple , we the Tree destroy ; And , quarrels make for ev'ry needlesse toy : From us , if any brother differ shall But in a crotcher , we upon him fall As eagerly , and with as bitter hate ▪ As if we knew him for a Reprobate . And , what event all this doth signifie , Saint Paul ( by way of caveat ) do●h imply . Take heed ( s●ith he ) lest while ye bite ●ach other , You , o● your selves , consumed be ●ogether . Another S●gne which cau●eth me to feare That our confusion is approaching neere , Are those Disunions whi●h I have espide , In Church and Commonwealth , this pr●sent tide . We cannot hide th●se rents ; for they doe gape , So wide , that some their Iaw●s can hardly scape . Would God , the way to close them up we knew , Else , what they threaten , time will shortly shew : For , all men know , a City or a Land , Within it selfe d●vided , ca●n●t stand ▪ The last black signe that here I will repeat , ( Which doth to kingdomes desolation threat ) Is when the hand of God Almighty brings The pe●ple , into bondage , to their Kin●s . I say , when their owne K●ng shall take delight , Those whom he should protect , to rob , and smite . When they who fed the Sheep ▪ the Sheep shall kill , And eate them ; and suppose they doe no ill . When God gives up a Nation unto those That are their neighbours , that they may , as foes , Devoure them . When ( oh England ! ) thou shalt see This come to pa●se , a signe it is to thee That God is angry ; and a certaine token That into pieces thou shalt quite be broken : I● not by so ra●ne strength , by force at home ; A●d , that thy greater torment will become . This Vengeance , and this fearfull preparation , Of bringing ruine on a sinfull N●tion , ( If they remaine impenitent ) the Lord Doth menace ; and , by Zachary●ecord ●ecord , To make us wise . Oh! let us therefore learne ▪ What now is comming on us , to discerne . For , ( well considered if all thing● were ) From this Captivity we seeme not farre . It now already seeme● to be proj●ct●d ; Nay , little wants of being quite effected . For , they that are our Sheph●●rds , now , are they That fleece us , and endevor to betray Our lives and freedomes . Those g●eat men that be Our nei●hbours ( and can claime no more then we ) Would sell us : and , att●mpt to gaine a pow'r , Whe●eby they may , at pleasure , us d●voure : And , h●d not we a King , as loth to make His people slaves , as from hims●lfe to take His lawfull right ; ( or , were there not some lett Vnheeded , which is unremov●d yet ) E're this ( and justly too ) the hand of heaven Into perpetuall bondage us had given . And , if we do not more Gods will regard , That mischiefe is but for a time deferr'd , Our King is just and mercifull ; and th● Some may ( with loyall , and a gilded s●ow Of pious equity ) a while ●ssay To lead his judgement in his youth astray ; Yet , God ( I hope ) will keep him so , that he Shall still be just , ( though we ungodly be ) And , make him in the fitteft houre expresse His royall Iudgement , and his Right●ousnesse : But , if God should from us ( as God forbid ) Take him , as once he good Iosiah did , He also will ( unlesse we mend ) perchance , In times to come , a Shepheard here advance , Who shall not plead for what his Youngmen say Is just ; but , take the same , perforce , away . An Ido●l Shep●eard , who shall neither care To find or seek , for those that strayed are ; Nor guard the Lamb● ; nor cure what hath a wound ; Nor cherish those that fi●me to him are found ; But , take the fat , and rob them of their fleeces ; And eate their flesh ; and b●eak their bones in peeces . More Signes I migh● , as yet , commemorate , To shew Gods pa●●ence is nig● out of date . But , these are signes enough ▪ an● so apparant , That twenty more w●ll give no better warrant To what I speake . Yet , if these ●●lse appeare , That 's one signe more , our fall approacheth neere . Be mind●ull , therefore , while it is to Day ; And , let no good occasion slip away . Now rend your hearts , ye Britains , wash & rinse them From all corruption : from all evill clense them . Goe offer up the pleasing sacrifice Of Righ●eousnesse : from folly turne your eyes . Seeke peace , and follow it , with strict pursuit : Relieve the needy ; Iudgement execute : Refresh the weary ; right the fatherlesse : The strangers , and the widowes wants redresse : Give praise to God ; depend with lowly faith , O● him ; and what his holy Spirit saith : R●member what a price thy ransome cost ; And , now redeeme the time that thou hast lost . Returne , ret●●ne thou ( oh back-sliding Nation ) And , let thy teares prevent thy desolation . As yet , thou maist returne ; for , Gods embrace Is open ●or thee , if thou hast the grace , To give it meeting ▪ Yet , repentance may Prevent the mischiefes of that evill day , Which here is menace'd : yet , thou maist have peace , And by dis●reet endeavo●ing , enc●ease Each outward grace , and ev'ry inward thing ▪ W●i●h will additions to thy comfo●t bring . If this thou doe ; these fea●full threatnings all , ( Repea●ed h●re ) to mercies change he shall . We cannot say , it will excuse thee f●om All cha●●isement ; or that no blow shall come . For , peradv●nt●re , thou so long hast bin Vnpe●i●ent , that some loud-cring sin Hath wak'd that V●ngeance , which upon thy crimes Mu●t fall ( as once in Ier●mi●hs 〈◊〉 ) Without pr●vention ; to ex●mplifie Gods hate of sin to all posterity . But , sure we are , that if he doth not stay H●● threa●ned hand , the stroke that he doth lay Will fall the lighter ; and become a bl●ssing , Thy future joyes , and vertues more encreafing ▪ Then all that larg● prosperity and rest Which thou , so long tog●ther , hast possest . God ( wi●h a wr●ters ●●ke horne ) one hath sent , To set a marke on th●m that shall repent ; And bids him promi●e in his N●me , that they Who shall ( recantin● ) leave their evill way , And in th●ir heart● , bewaile the grievous crimes , And miserie● of Sion , in their times ; That they shall be secure , and s●●ed from The hand of these D●stroye●s ▪ which must come : Or else by their dest●ucti●n find a way To that repairing which will ne●re d●cay . Yea thou , oh Britaine ! if thou couldst reforme Thy manners , might'st expell the dreadfull storme Now threatned ; and thy foes ( who triumph would , The ruine of thy glory to behold ▪ And jeere thee when thou fallest ) soone s●all see Thy God returning , and avenging thee On their insultings : yea , with angry blowes He would effect their shamefull overth●owes . Or turne their hearts . For when from sin men cease , God makes their enemies , and them , at peace . Moreover , thou shalt have in thy poss●ssing , Each inward grace ▪ and ev'ry ou●ward blessing ; Thy fruit●ull H●rds shall in ●ich pastures feed ; Thy soile shall plentiously encrease thy seed ; Thy Flock , shall neither Shepherds want nor meat ; Cleane provander , thy stabled beast shall ●at● ; There shall be Rivers in thy Dales ; and Fountaines Vpon the tops of all thy noblest Moun●aines : The Moone shall cast upon thee beames as bright As now the Sunne ; and with a sevenfold l●ght The Sun shall bl●sse thee ▪ He that reignes in thee , To all his p●ople reconcil'd shall be ; And they shall find themselves no whit deceived , In those good hopes which are of him conceived : But he , ( and they , wh● shall his throne possesse When he is gone ) shall reigne in righteousnesse ; And be more carefull of thy weale ( by far ) Then parents of their childrens p●ofits are Thy Magistra●e● , with wisdome shall proceed In all that shall be cou●ell'd or decreed . As Harbours , w●en it blowes tempestuously ; As Rivers , unto places over-d●y ; As Shadowes a●e to men opprest with heat ; As to a hungry stomac● , wholsom● meat ; To thee , so welcom● , and as much con●enting , Thy Nobles will become , on thy repenting . Thy Priests shal preach true doctrine in thy Teples ; And make it fruitfull by their good examples . Thy God , with righteousnesse shall them aray , And heare and answer them , when they do pray . Thy eyes , that much are blinded , shall be cleare ; Thy ea●es that yet are deafned , then shall heare ; Thy tongue , that s●āmers now , shall then sp●ak plain ; Thy heart shall perfect understanding gaine ; The preaching of the Gospell shall encrease ; Thy God shall make thy comforts and thy peace , To flow as doth a River ; they who plant , The blessing of their labour shall not want ; Thy poorest people shall at full be fed ; The meek , shall of no ty●a●t stand in dread ; Thou shalt have grace and knowledge , to avoid Those things , whereby thy r●st may be annoid ; T●ou shalt poss●sse thy wished bl●ssings all ; And , God shall heare thee still before thou call . But , as a Chime , wh●se ●rets disord red grow , Can never cause it selfe in t●ne to goe , Nor chime at all , untill some cunning hand Doth make the same againe in order stand : Or , as the Clock , whose plummers are not weight , Strike● sometimes one for three , and sixe for eight ; So fareth it with men and kingdomes all , When once from their integrity they fall . They may their motion●urry ●urry out of frame , But have no pow'r to r●ctifie the same That curious hand which first those pieces wrought , Must mend them still ; or they will still be nought . To thee I therefore now my speech convert , Thou famous Artist , who Creator art Of heav'n and ea●th , and of those goodly spheares , That now have whirled many thousand yeares , ( And shall untill thy pleasure ●ives it ending ) In their perpetuall motion , without mending . Oh! be thou pleased , by thy pow'rfull hand , To set in order this depraved Land . Our whole foundation , Lord , is out of course ; And ev'ry thing still groweth worse and wor●e ; The way that leads quite from thee , we have tooke ; Thy Covenant , and all thy Lawes are b●oke ; In mischiefes , and in folly , is our pleasure ; Our crying sins have almost fill'd their measure ; Yet , ev'ry day we adde a new transgressi●n , And still abuse thy favour and compassion . Our Governors , our Prelats , and our Nobles , Have by their sins encrease , encreast our trou●les . Our Priests , and all the People , have misgone ; All kind of evill deeds , we all have done . We have not lived as those meanes of ●race Require , which thou hast gra●ted to this place : But ●ather wo●se then many who have had Less● helpes then we , of being better made . No Nation under heav'n so lewd hath bin , That had so m●ny w●rnings for their sin , And such perpetuall callings on , as we , To leave our wickednesse , and turne to thee . Yet , we in stead of turning , further went ; And when thy Mercies and thy Plagues were sent To pull us backe ; they seldome wrought our stay , Or moved to repentance one whole day . No blessing ▪ no affliction , hath a pow'r To move compunction i● us , for one houre , Vnlesse thou worke it . All that I can speake ( And all that I have spoken ) till thou breake And mollifie the heart , will fruitlesse be , Not onely in my hearers , but in me . I● thou p●epare not way for more esteeme All these Remembrances will foolish seeme . Nay these , in stead of moving to repent , Will indignation move and discontent ; Which will mens ha●dned hearts obdurate more , And make their fault much greater then before . Vnlesse thou give a ●lessing , I may strive As well to make a marble stone alive , As to effect my p●rpo●e : yea , all this Like wholesome counsell to a mad man is , And , I for my good meaning shall be torne In pieces , or exposed be to scorne . ●or , they against thy word doe stop their eare ; And , wilde in disobedience , will not heare . In this , we all confesse ourselves to blame , And that we therefore have deserved shame . Yea , Lord we doe acknowledge , that for this There noth●ng else to us pertaining is , ( Respecting our owne worth ) but desolation , And finall ●ooting ou● , without compassion . But gracious God , though such our merit be , Yet , ●ercy f●ll pertaineth unto thee . To thee the act of pard'ning and forgiving , As much belongs ( oh Father everliving ) As plagues to us : and it were better far Our sinnes had lesse then their deservings are , Then that thy Clemency should be outgone , By al● the wickednesse that can be done . As well as theirs whose lives now left them have , Thou ca●st command those bodies from the gr●ve , Who slink , and putrifie , and buried be In their corruption . Such , oh Lord ! are we . Oh! call us from this grave ; and shew thy pow'r Vpon this much polluted Land of our , Which is not only sick of works unholy , But almost dead and buried in her folly . Forgive us all our slips , our negl●gences , Our sins of knowledge , and our ignorances ; Our daring wickednesse ; our bl●ody crimes ; And all the faults of past and p●esent times . Permit not thy just wrath to burne for ●ver ; In thy displeasure doe not still persever ; But , call us from that pit of Death , and Sin , And from that path of Hell which we are in . Remember , that this Vineyard hath a Vine , Which had her planting by that hand of thine . Remember , when from Egypt thou remov'dst it , With what entire affection , then , thou lov'dst it . How thou didst weed and dresse it heretofore ; How thou didst fence it from the forrest Bore ; And think ▪ how sweet a vintage then it brought , When thy first worke upon her thou hadst wrought ▪ Remember , that without thy daily care , The choicest plants , soone wilde and fruitlesse are ; And , that as long as thou dost prune and dresse , The sowrest Vine sh●ll bring a sweet ●ncrease . R●member , also Lord , how still that Foe , W●● fi●st pu●sued us ▪ doth seek to sow His ●ares among thy wheat ; and to his pow'r , B●eak down● thy fence , and trample , and devoure The seeds of grace , as soone as they doe sprout ; And is to● strong , for us to keep him out . O● ! let not him prevaile , such harme to do us , As he desires , but , Lord , re●urne unto us . Returne in mer●y . Though thou find us slack To come our selves , f●tch , draw , and pull us back From our owne courses , by thy grace divine , And set , and keep us , in each way of thine . We from our foes have saved beene by thee ; And in thy love , oh Lord ! triumphed we . But now behold , disgrac'd thou throw'st us by , And we before our adversaries flye . A● us our neighb●ring Nations laugh and jeere , And , us they ●co●ne , whom late we made to feare . Oh God a●ise , reject us not for aye ; No longer hide from us thy face away : But , come , oh come with speed to give u●aid , And let us not be lost though we have straid . Vouchsafe that ev'ry one in his degree , The secret errors of his life may see ; And , in his l●wfull calling ▪ all his dayes , Pe●forme his Christian duty , to thy praise ▪ Give peace this troublous age ; for , perilous The times are growne , and no man fights for us But thou oh God! nor do we seek or crave , That any other Champion we may have . Nay give us troubles , if thy will be ●o , That we may have thy strength to beare them too ; And in affliction thee more glorifie , Then heretofore in our prosperity . For when thy countenance on us did shine , Those Lands th●t boasted of their corne and wìne , Had not that joy which thou di●st then inspire , When we were boyld and fryde in blood and fire . Oh! give againe that joy , although it cost us Our lives . Restore thou what our sin hath lost us Thy Church , in these Dominions Lord preserve In purity : and teach us thee to serve ●n holinesse and righteousnesse , untill We shall the number of our dayes fulfill . Defend these Kingdomes from all overthrowes , ●y forraine enemies , or home-bred foes . Our King with ev'●y grace and vertue blesse , Which may thine honour and his owne encrease . Inflame our Nobl●s with mo●e love and zeale , To thy true Spouse , and to this Common w●ale . Inspire our ●lergie in their severall places , With knowledge , and all sanct●●ying g●aces ; That by their liv●s and doct●ines they may reare Th●se part● of Syon , which decayed are . Awake ●his Peo●le , give them soules that may Beleeve thy word , and thy commands obey . The Plagues deserv'd already , save them from . More wa●ch●ull make them , in all times to come . For blessings past . let hearty thanks be given . For present ones , let sacrifice to heav'n Be daily offred up . For what is needing ( Or may be usefull in the time succeeding ) Let faithfull prayers to thy throne be sent , With hearts and ●ands upright and innocent : And let all this the better fu●thred be , Through these Rem●mbrances , now b●ough● by me . For which high favour ▪ and emboldning thus My spirit , in a time so dangerous ; For chusing me , that am so despi●able , To be employed in this honorable And great employment ▪ ( which I more ●steeme , Then to be crowned with a Diadem ) For thy enabling me in this Embassage ; For bringing to conclusion this my Message ; For sparing of my l●fe , when thousands dy'd , Before , behind me , and on ev'ry side ; For saving of me m●ny a time since then , When I had fo●feited my soule agen ; For all those griefes and poverties , by which I am in better things made great , and rich , Then all that wealth and honor brings man to , Wherewith the wo●ld doth keepe so much adoe : For all which thou to me on earth hast given ; For all , w●i●h doth concerne my hopes of heaven ; For these , and those innumerable graces , Vouchsafed me , at sundry times , and places , ( Vn●hought upon ) unsained praise I render : And , for a living s●crifice , I tender To thee ( oh God ) my body , soule , and all , Which mine I may , by thy donation , call . Accept it blessed Maker , for his sake Who did ●his offring acceptable m●ke , By giving up himselfe . Oh! looke thou no● Vpon those blem●shes which I have got By naturall corruption ; or by those Polluted acts which f●om that ulcer flowes . According to my ●kill , I have enroll'd Thy Merci●s ; and thy Iustice I have told . I have not h●d thy workings in my brest ; But a● I could , their pow'r I have exprest . Among our great assemblies , to declare Thy will and pleasure , loe , I doe not f●a●e : And th●ugh by Princes I am checkt and blamed ▪ To sp●ake ●he truth , I am no whit ashamed . Oh! ●hew thou , Lord , thy mercy so to me , And l●t thy ●ove and Truth , my guardians be . Forgive me all the foll●es of my youth ; My f●ul●y deeds ; the errors of my mo●th ; The wandrings o● my hea●t , and ev'ry one Of those good workes that I have lest undone . Forgive me all wherein I did amisse , Since thou ●mployd'st me in performing this : My d●ublings of thy calling ●e unto it ; My f●are● , which oft di●heartned me to doe it ; My sloth , my negligences , my evasions , And my defe●ring it , on vaine occasions , When I had vowed that no wo●ke of mine , Should take me up , till I had finisht thine . Lord , pardon this ; and let no future sin , Nor what already hath committed bin , Prophane this W●rke ; or cause the same to be The lesse effectuall to this land , or me . But to my selfe ( oh Lord ) and others , let it So moving be , that we may ne're fo●get it . Let nor the evill , nor the good effect It takes , or puffe me up , or me deject : Or make me thinke that I the better am , Because I tell how others a●e to bl●ame : But , let it keep me in a Christian feare , Still humbly heedfull what my actions are . Let all those observations I have had , Of others er●or● , be occasions made To min● me of mine owne . And , lest I erre , Let ev'ry man be my Remembrancer ; With so much charity , as I have sought To b●ing their duties more into their thought . And , i● in any sin I linger long ▪ Without repentance ; Lord , let ev'ry tongue That n●m●s me , check me for it : and , to me B●come , what I to others faine would be . Oh! let me not be like those busie broomes , Which having clensed many nasty roomes , Doe make themselves the fouller : but sweet Father , Let me be like the preci●us Diamond rather , Which doth by polishing another stone , The better shape and lustre , set upon H●s owne rou●h body . Let my life be such , As that mans ought to be , who knoweth much Of thy good pleasure . And , most awfull God , Let none of tho●e , who sp●ead of me abroad Vnjust reports , the Dev●lls pu●pose gaine , By making these my warning● prove in vaine To those that heare them : but let such disgraces , Reflect with shame , upon their Authors fac●s , Till they repe●t . And let their scandall se●ve Within my hea●t true me●k●●sse to preserve ; And that humili●y , which else , perchance , Vaine glory , ot some naturall arrogance Might ove●throw , if I should think upon ( With carnal thoghts ) some good my lines have done Restrai●e , moreover , them who out of pride , Or igno●ance , this Labour shall deride . Make them perceive , who shall prefer a story Composed ●or some temporall friends glory , Before those Poems which thy works declare , That vaine and witlesse their opinions a●e : And if by thee I was appointed , Lord , Thy Iudgements and thy Mercies to record , ( As here I do ) set thou thy mark on those , Who shall despightfully the same oppose : And let it p●●likely be seene of all , Till of their malice they repent them shall . As I my conscience have disch●rged here , Without concealing ought for love , or feare ; From furious men let me preserved be , And from the scorne of ●ooles deliver me ▪ Vouchsafe at length some com●orting refection , According to the yeares of my affliction . On me , for good , some to●en please to show , That they who see it , may thy bounty know ; Rejoyce , with fellow-fe●ling of the s●me , And joyne with me , in praising of thy Name . And lest ( oh Lord ! ) some weake ones may despise My word● , because of ●uch necessities , As they h●ve b●ou●ht upon me , by their spight , Who ●o my S●udie h●ve beene opposite : Oh! give me that which may suffic●ent be , To make them know that I have served thee . And that my labours are by thee regarded , Although they seeme not outwardly rewarded . Those Honors , or that Wealth , I doe not crave , Which they affect , who most end●vored have To please the World . I onely aske to gaine But food and rayment , Lord , for all my paine ; And that the ●launders , and the poverties , Wherewith my patience thou shalt exercise , Make not these Lines , or me , become a scorne , Nor leave me to the world-ward , quite forlorne . Yet , in preferring of this humble Suit , I make not my request so absolute , As that I will capitula●e , or tye ●o such conditions , thy d●ead Majesty . For , if to honour bu● an eart●ly Prince My Muse had sung ▪ it had beene impudence To p●ompt his bounty ; or , to doubt he might Forget to doe my honest Labours right . Doe therefore as thou pleasest : only give Thy Servant grace contentedly to live , And to be ●hankfull , wha●soever shall In thi● my weary Pil●rimage befall . Such thing● thou dost command me to require , With earnest , and an absolute desire : With which I come : beseeching I may finde Thy love continue , though none else be kinde ; That blessednesse ete●nall I may get , Though all I lose on earth , to compasse it ; And that , at last , when my accompt is eaven , My payment may be summon'd up in heaven . Lord , this will p●ease me : call me quickly thithe● , And pay me there my wages all together : Not that which mine by merit seemes to be ; But , what by thy meere ●race is due to me .

The Conclusion . SO now ( though not so fally as I ●●ght ) My Vow is paid ; and to an end is brought T●is worke , for which God pleas'd my life to spare , Whe● thousand● round about me slaughtred were . N●w , live or dye I care rot : for I see But little useful●esse , or need of me . Because no●e knowes what God may call him to ; I will not say precisely what I 'le doe : But , in ●his kind of muzing , to endeavor , Or he employ'd againe , I purpose never . For , if this ●rofit not , it will be vaine For me to strike upon this st●in● againe ▪ If these doe not prevaile , I shall suppose , Words are not wanting here so much as blowes ▪ And that the filthy will be filthy s●ill , Till th●y the measure of their sin f●lfill : Or , that God wil● to f●ee us from pollution , Put some ●●●sall Plague in execution . Whi●●●o prevent , to him I 'le humbly pray , And , whilst I live , ende●vor what I may My Cou●t●ies welfare ; se●king meanes to finde , To spen● for her availe , my dayes behinde ; And lab●ring so , my Talent to employ , That I may come in●o my Masters joy . And , though ( when all is done which I am able ) My service will be but unprofitable : Yet , still I will be doing , that , wh●n he Shall come , I be not idle found to be . If any blame what is or shall be done ; My Conscience k●oweth I would injure none ; And that I doe not meddle further , than Becommeth me that am a priva●e man , Though otherwise it seeme to those who weigh not Wh●n private men may spe●ke , and when th●y may not . The buildin● of a Towne we doe preserre Vnto the Mason and the Carpenter ; But , when it is on fire , we care no● who Doth come to quench it , so the same he doe . And , thoug● in setled times , the Statutes awe The ruder sort , sometime there 's Martiall Law . T is true indeed , that ordinary times , And those that are but ordinary crimes , May by the Commo● Iustice be amended , And shoul● not be by others repre●ended ; Except it be in termes , respecting all States ▪ persons , times , and sin in g●nerall . Yet ( as King David sayes ) If overthrowne Foundations be ; what then amisse i● done , By honest men , if God to sh●w our fall , Shall some , in extraordinary , call ? We now have those that neither stand in awe Of ordinary Magistrate , or Law . Nay , Law is made a mockage , and a scorne , And , they who have appointed beene , and sworne To j●dge us by ●he Lawes , deny their pow'r , Except , when they may serv● them to devoure . We now have sinners , who are got above The reach of men appoin●ed to reprove In ordinary course . Yea , sins have we , Which brook not , toucht , or mentioned to be : No not so much as pray'd against , through feare Of ●ngring those that their wel willers ●re . And , this ●reat impudency daily growes So str●ng that all our freedome● we shall lose , And Natures Lawes e're long will all be brok●n , If none shou●d speake ; and therefore I have spok●n . And ●f for this I may not live as fr●e As I was borne ( and as I ought to be ) I hope to dye , doe malice what it can , An ho●est and a constant Englishman , Whose fall shall be no ble●ish to his Name ; But , in●am● to those , who caus●d the same . But , s●ffer this ( will Politicians dreame ) An● , such a president will hearten them To libellize , who wanting grace , and re●son , D●vulge t●eir sharp-fang'd Poems out of season : And they who Write for nothing but to show Their spleens , or that the world may come to know Their Facul●y , mens persons m●y abuse , And brave it thus , their boldnesse to excuse . But , wh●t is this to me ? ( If others will Because I have done well , be doing ill ) Let them and those , whom thereby they offend , About that matter , by themselves contend . T is fit for so●er men their swo●ds to weare , Altho●gh by drunkard th●y abus●d are . Which freedome I ▪ have claim●d , and us'd you see ; And from the claime will never bea●en be . In ev'ry Worke ▪ some passage will d●scover To k●ow●ng men , what was the ch●ef●st mo●ver : Which ●hey who have the Spirit of d●scerning , Should marke ; for , t is a matte worth the learning . And , when they find an Autho● should be shent , Let him receive his worthy chastisement . But , when his paines deserveth a rew●rd , Affl●ct him not , though him you nought regard . A Libeller is impudently bold , When he hath Times , or Patrons to uphold His biting Straines ; and soone is he descry'd ; For ●e , to strike all faults , is t●rrifi'd : And feares what perills may his act attend , If none ●e knowes save God to be his Friend . But , they who have my minde , will be so far From feare to write , although you doe not spare To punish me , that they will write the more ; Make up the summe that ●anteth on my score ; And , reprehensions forth so loud will thunder , That at your follies time● to come will wonder . For , outward hopes , have not my tongue unloo●'d , Nor can my mouth by outw●rd feares be clos'd . What I have done is done : and I am ●as●d , And ●lad , how ever others will be pleas'd . Let t●em who shall p●ruse it , praise , or lau●h , Revile or s●●ffe , or threat , or sweare , or chase , All 's one to me ; So I within be still , Without me , let men keepe what noise they will , For , sure I am , though th●y my flesh confound , The soule , I seeke to save , shall still be sound ▪ And this I know , that nor the br●t●sh rages Of ●his ●ow p●esent , or succeeding Ages , Shall root this Poeme out ; but , that to all Ensuing times , the same continue shall , To be perused in this Land , as long As here they sh●ll retaine the English tongue : Or , while there shall be Errors , and offences , Disorders , Discords , Plagues , or Pestilences . And , if our evills we depar● not from , Before the d●y of our destruction come , This Book shall to the times that follow show , What sin● they were which caus●d our overthrow : And testifie to others ( for their learnin● ) That Vengeance did not seize us without warning . If they who know the state of this our Land , Can justly say that her Affaires doe stand In such a posture as was ordinary ; Or , th●t these Times the face d●e seeme to cary Which t●ey have had : or , if th●y see not here , More wants , more doubts , and ter●ors , then therewere : Or , if ●his Message ( whatsoe're succedeth ) Be more ( or more insisted on ) t●en needeth : Or , if it giveth any just suspition That thence may spring o●casions of sedition ; Nay if th●t ●ll my Rea●●rs may not g●ther Good mot●ves thence , to 〈◊〉 ●edition , rather ▪ And such like me●nes of r●●●ifying that Which is , or may be har●full to the State : Let me be strictly ques●●on●d , an● blamed , And conf●r'd too ; as one ●hat hath defamed Or inj●red his Country . Or , if they Who sh●ll per●se this Booke , can truly say , That I have caused this REMEMBRANCER To spe●ke l●ke ev'ry v●lgar Messenger ; If any c●rcumstance ca● prove , I bend My purposes to wo●ke my private end ; Or , that I persons scandalize , o● fl●tter ; Or that I in the manner , or the matter , Resembl● s●ch a Pamphl●ter , as feares The losing of his lib●rties , or eares : O● , that I speak● like them who railing come , They neither ●●re at what , nor yet at whom , So they may raile ; Or , if I have not sh●wed My Messages from such a Spirit flowed , As is well knowne unto him , and whereby He can def●nd them , with good warrantly : If these , or ought like th●se things may be said , ( To prove the part of an Impostor plaid ) Let him who thinks he can unmask me , strive To do it , and as he shall doe , b●leeve . But if they find ( which doubtlesse they shall find ) Who view this Poeme with a single minde ) That I have here delivered thing● exceeding My me●ne ▪ of knowledge , or my he●ps of breeding , So far , as that my Readers cannot chuse B●t know some pow'r divine d●d them infuse : If they shall find , by my confessions h●re , That I am subject to the selfe same feare Which others feele ; and yet have dare● more In some respects , then others heretofore : If they ●erceive , that I did oft desire Thro●gh frailty , from this action to retire ; A●d , that I had a supernat●●●ll W●ll , My naturall Desi●es resisting st●ll , An● forcing me , ev'n in my owne despight , That ●atter of this Volume to en●ite : If they perceive , as well per●eiue they may , That I had ma●y lets within my way , So cumbersome , as made the ●ork a●peare Scarce possible ▪ to him that w●lling were ; And , how God made such hindrances become More helpfull at the last , then troubl●some . If they observe , how wh●n my fortunes all At hazard lay ( and were to stand or fall According to their wils , who may , with me , For this , if God forbid not a●●●y be ) That I , though many did the same condemne , Did ( this to finish ) quite give ever them , Which then I might have setled ; had I thought Gods kingdome ought not first to have been sought . If they did know how we●l I know the rage , The sottishnesse , and malice of this age ; How little conscience some doe make to kill , Oppresse , or ruinate , to get their will ; Or what small meanes , or hope of friends I have , My body from their violence to save : If these , and such like things as these were heeded , All these preventions should not now have needed : For , they would see , this had not beene effected , Vnlesse Gods hand had strengthned and directed ▪ And they who else my person may contemne , Would feare , that they in me would injure him . I know , some please to say , that thus I vent Bold words ; because I seeke imprisonment : As if to me thereby there might arise A profit , by conceal'd G●atuities . Thus many Schismaticks indeed have done , And honest men and women prey'd upon , To charities abuse : But , God doth know That yet , with me it never hath beene so : But that my heart both scor●es and h●tes to be So false and base , as these d●e ●ensure me . I doe , and will confesse unto the praise Of him , who unto me my friends did raise , That when I did , in thrall oppressed grow , With wants , which none but G●d and I did know ; And was mew'd up so close , that to no friend , I might a Prayer , or Petitio● send , But unto God : he mov'd the hearts of some To se●d me su●cour : And , I vow , to whom , Except to him , I should my thanks repay , ( For much there●f ) I know not to thi● day . It was enough to show me , that God will In all extreames , provide things nee●full s●ill . And decently , and well did it suffice In my restraint , for all nec●ssities . But , what soe're some thinke , I brought not forth Into the world with we , one farthing worth Above my charge : but , there just eaven made Of all which from Gods bountious hand I had . For , what was more then serv'd to set me free , I gave to others , as he gave to me . Which , not in boast , I mention ; but , I speake The truth , that this the more effect may take . A foo●●sh policie in me it were ( For such a base uncertain●y as here Objected is ) to venture as I doe The ●●sse of th●t which I had rea●ht unto F●re now : had this beene left , to settle that Which doth concerne my ●emp●rall estate . The King hath showne me favour : at this houre , I doe not know that ●an , of Name , or pow'r Whose person I envy , or disaffect , Or whom of any malice I suspe●t To me o● mine : with me they all are friends , That w●re at odds ; and to attaine my ends In my ●ff●ires , I never had a day So probable as now , if I would stay This Message : and perchance , this bring me shall In all my outward ho●es unto a fall ; Yet , this shall first be told , that you may see , My Hopes are greater , then my Feares can be ; And that it may be knowne , I d●e disclaime Those ends , at which most thinke I basely aime . These Arguments , as such like words as may Anticipate , I here , beforehand , say ; Not that I thinke it possible , by them To change their mindes that will this Booke contemne , For , t is not in the pow'r of Argument , Or words , to make the wilfull provident . It lieth not in honest prot●stations To overthrow malicious combinations ; No nor in Miracles , till God shall please ( Who of all hearts doth keepe the locks and keyes , To shut and open them ▪ ) For they that heard And liv'd to see fulfil'd , what was declar'd By Ieremy against Ierusalem ; His counsell they did nathelesse contemne , When he their slight to Aegypt did oppose ; And so became of their owne overthrowes The wilfull cause . Nay , when our Saviour spake To Iudas , and that Band which came to take His person ; to the ground those men he strooke Ev'n with his voice : and , on the Crosse , he shooke The Ea●th , and rent the Temple with his cry ; Yet , that and all the rest was passed by Of most beholders , a if they had beene Vnsensible of what was heard and seene . I therefore , these Preventions doe insert , To aggravate the hardnesse of their heart Who shall be obstinate . And here declare What may be said or done , e're done they are ; That all may know , when such things come to passe Nought fals on me , but what expected was ; And that the better working this may have On those who shall Gods Messages receive ●y this Remembrancer . For , God hath sent , Though I ( unworthy ) am his instrument . Him , unadvisedly compos'd I not , Nor was he by a miracle begot . To fit him for this purpose ; I have thrice Imprisonment endur'd : Close-prison twice . Much trouble I have past which thence ensu'd ; Through wants and slaunders not a few I s●ru'd ; And , being guarded by Gods Providence , I lately walked through the Pestilen●e , And saw , and felt , what Nature doth abhor , To harden me , and to prepare me for This Worke . And therefore he , who thinkes he shall Wit● his big lookes or speeches me appall , Must look more grim then Death ; more ugly , far , Then Vizards , or the shapes of Devils are ; Breathe ranker poison then a plague fill'd grave ; And stamp , and rore , and teare , and stare , and rave , More dreadfully , and louder then a man Infected with six Pestilences can : Else ; I ( to play with terrors being borne ) Shall laugh both him and all he doth , to scorne . And , though I may , perchance ( as did the best Of all ●ods children when they were opprest ) Sometime bewaile my suffrings , or declare That I doe feele them when their waight I beare ; Yet murmur will I not , at what is laid Vpon me , neither seeke to flesh for aid . By what 's here done , may trouble come upon me ; But , not performing it , had quite undone me : Since , I through feare of what the world may doe , Neglected had , what God had call'd me to . For , of his calling me , the , meanes and wayes Wh●reby my weaknesse he to this did raise , Vnquestionable evidence doe give . And , they who doe not , yet , the same beleeve , Will think the same , perhaps , when they shall see Themselves enclosed with new Plagues to be . Thus I beleeving , a●d considering , What fearlesnesse this act therewith doth bring , ( With what assurances , I doe possesse ) Methinks it were a matchlesse wickednesse To disobey . Yea sure , I more in that Wrong'd God , then I shall seeme to wrong the State ▪ In uttring what some few are loth to heare . How ever divers thinke ; this is my feare . Yea , to my soule , so horrible a thing The wilfull disobeying that great King Appeared hath ; that , n●ver should I sleepe In peace againe , if I did silence keepe . And therefore , neither all the royall graces Of Kings ; nor gifts , nor honourable places , Should stop my mouth . Nor would I smother this , Though twenty Kings had sworne that I should kis●e The Gallowes for it : lest my Conscience should Torment me more , then all men living could . Yea , though this minde were but my ignorance , Or fancy ( as it will be thought , perchance ) Yet , since this Fancy may present to me As hideous feares , as things that reall be , I 'le hazard rather twenty deaths to dye , Then to be tortur'd by my Fantasie . For , I had rather in a dungeon dwell Five yeares ; then in my soule to seele a hell Five minutes : and , so God will be my friend , I shall not care how many I offend . And , yet , ( now I remember ) troubled is My heart a little , for one thing amisse Which I have done . This M●ssenger hath bin Long time kept out ; and I did thrust him in Without a Licence ; lest he comming late , Might shew you a Commission out of date . I could excuse the fact , and lay the crime Vpon the much disorder of the time : For , most men know , that in a Watch or Clock● When it is out of order once or broke , The wheeles that are unfaul●●e move awry As well as they in whom the faults doe lye . But , that you may not thinke I doe professe Against the State , as wholly mercilesse , Or that I thinke it nothing to misdoe Against good Order , though compelld th●●eto ; For this I aske forgivenesse ; and submit My selfe to them , who shall in judgement sit Vpon the fact . For which if I obtaine My Pardon , I shall humbly entertaine Their favours with my thankefullest respects , And , hope this Message will have good effects . If otherwise I finde ; my Body shall Be ready to subject it selfe to all Their strictest Penalties : and when I am Enough affl●cted for what is to blame In this , or me : I know , God will release By Body , or my Soule , againe in peace . To him alone , for Patronage , I run : Lord , let thy pleasure , and thy will be done . The glory be to God .