Britains Remembrancer, Poem · Canto 7

Britains Remembrancer · Poem · Canto 7

p. 202The 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, w^ch 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?

p. 203Hath 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

p. 204Doth 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

p. 205What 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)

Twere 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, 'tis 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.

p. 206Some 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

VVhichWhich 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

VVere first receiv'd from some such wicked one

VVhom they in other matters doe distrust,

Yet is their criticisme so unjust,

That in disgracing me, their words theyle 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▪

VVho, 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

(VVith 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,

VVhichWhich is the worst of Sinners. And in this▪

If they have plac't their bitter doomes amisse,

p. 207VVhat 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

VVithi… 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 frō 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… assi…ting 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;

p. 209As, 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

VponUpon thy back, so they may ease their owne:

Or for thine honor stand (who have no sense

Of any thing▪ but saving, and expence)

p. 210I 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;

VponUpon 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▪

VponUpon 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 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.

p. 211Of 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,

p. 212That 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.

VponUpon 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

VponUpon 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.

p. 213For 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 onelyonly 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

p. 214Vntill 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.

p. 215For, 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

p. 216From 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▪

Gods 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

(VponUpon 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, 'tis 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 ('tis 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.

p. 218By 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 Ile,

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.

'Tis 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,

p. 219To 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;

VponUpon 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.

VponUpon 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.

p. 220God, 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

VponUpon 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 Ile 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,

p. 221To 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, …rom 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, 'twill 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 ('tis 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

p. 222The 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 onelyonly 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

p. 223To 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

VntoUnto 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…

p. 224Of 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

VntoUnto 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 Ile.

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

VponUpon the La…d. Some others, do accuse

The Separatists, and those men who refuse

VntoUnto 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.

p. 225Thine 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 form…r 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.

p. 226And 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

p. 227Hi… 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.

'Tis 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

VponUpon 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:

p. 228And, 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 wrōg 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) 'twere better they should say

What they observe, then let them lose the day:

So also (though I may be thought too bold)

'Twere 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.

p. 230Thou 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 Ile.

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

p. 231That seeke them: a…d 'tis 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.

p. 232Had 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;

p. 233Coine 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, 'tis 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

p. 234Nor, 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,

p. 235The 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,

p. 236Or danger to the Land there may accrue,

If He your loyall counsell shall eschew.

For, God because his lawes we disobey,

VsUs 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. Tis 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.

p. 237And 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.

Tis 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.

Tis 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.

Tis 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;

p. 238How 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 Ile 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 thē 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

p. 239With 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,

p. 240And, 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

VponUpon 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.

p. 241…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.