Britains Remembrancer, Poem · Canto 2

Britains Remembrancer · Poem · Canto 2

The second Canto.

Our Muse defends her lowly stile;

And (having flowne aside a while)

Tells, how the Plague first entred here▪

What meanes to stay it practis'd were.

Some vulg…r Tenets are disputed;

Some rectified, some refuted.

She from the Nature, and the Cause,

Of that Disease, conclusions drawes;

Declareth how it runnes and creepes,

And what un…ertaine paths it keepes:

How long strict orders usefull stood;

p. 42The fruit of Christian neighbourhood;

And many other things, be…wixt

These mentioned, are intermixt.

She sh…we…h (also) meanes assured

By which, this mischiefe may be cured;

How to apply that meanes; how those

Who use it, should themselves compose;

How violent the Plague did grow;

Who from it might, or might not goe;

How much t'was feared; how men fled;

How ill, in flying, many sped;

And lastly (as occasion moves)

She grieves, she counsells, and reproves.

LEt no fantastique Reader now condemne

Out homely Muse, for stooping u…to them,

In plaine expressions, and in words, that show

We love not, in affected paths, to goe.

For, to be understood, is language used;

And speech to other ends as much abused▪

Lines, therefore, over-darke, or over-trimm'd,

Are like a Picture with a Visour limm'd;

Or like Poma…ders of a curious sent,

Within a painted Box that hath no vent;

Or like Peach-kernels, which, (to get them forth)

Require more cracking, then the fruit is worth.

Let no man guesse, my Measures framed be,

That wiser men, my little wit may see;

Or that I doe not hold the matter good,

Which is not more admir'd then understood:

For, chiefly, such a Subject I desire,

And such a plaine Expression, to acquire,

That ev'ry one my meaning may discerne;

And they be taught, that have most need to learne.

It is the usefull matter of my Rim…s

Shall make them live. Wo…ds alter as the Times:

And soonest …heir fantastique Rhetoriques,

Who trim their Poesies with schooleboy-tricks.

That, which this age affects, as grave, and wise,

Th… fo…lowing generation may despise.

Green…s phr…se, and …llie's language were in fashion,

And had among the wits much c…mmendation;

But now, another garbe of speech, with us

Is pri…'d; and thei…s is thought ridi…ulous;

As ours (perchance) will be, whē Time (who changeth

Things changea…l…) the present phrase estrangeth.

Let no m…n therefore dreame, I will bestow

My precious Time in what will vary so;

Since that, which, with most ease I shall produce,

May have (for ought I know) the longest use.

Let no man thinke, I'le racke my memory

For pen and-inkehorne-termes, to finifie

My blunt invention; trimming it, as they

Who make rich clothes but for Saint George his day;

When they may be…ter …heape a suite provide,

To fit that feast, and many dayes beside.

Nor l…t unlearned Censurers suppose

Our Muse a course unwarrantable …oes,

In framing Objects representative,

Which may imprint▪ or in the soule revive,

True feelings of that wrath or love, which we

In God almighty, by Faiths eyes doe see.

For, though his holy Spirit, when he will,

Can easily the soule… of mortals fill

With heav'nly knowledges, by wayes unseene;

Yet, he himselfe hath sometime pleased beene

By ou…ward object… to employ the senses,

In reaching to the soule some excellencies

p. 43Conceal'd before. Yea, many times he suites

His Deity in our poore attributes;

And (that our weaknesse he may work upon)

Our usuall speech, and passions, he puts on▪

If so; then we, that have no other way

Our hidden apprehensions to conuey

From Man to Man, but by the qu…int creation

Of some Ideaes in our contemplation;

That so the senses may become inclin'd

To give some information to the mind:

Then we (I say) whose fluid memories

Would else let goe our ayrie fantasies,

May such a libe…y with warrant use.

And I (no doubt) my selfe may well excuse,

If other while things bodilesse I cloath

With mortall bodies; and doe give them both

Our speeches, and our gestures▪ Fo…, by this

A dull affection often quickned is.

Nor thus to doe, are Poets onelyonly moved

But, these are straines Pro…heticall, approved.

To say, that God is angry; or that he

Will of our wickednesse avenged be;

Moves little: but, to paint his fury, so

That Men the dreadfulnesse thereof may know,

As if they s…w it: or his love to make

So pleading of our cause, as if it spake

(Within our hearing) with such earnestnesse,

As friends would plead for friends in their distress…;

Doth much incite the Reader to attention,

And rouseth up the dullest apprehension.

Me thinks, I doe, (as with mine eye) behold

The reall sight of all that I have told:

Yea, that which I my selfe described here,

Doth touch mine heart with re…ere…ce, and fea…e.

I have perpetuall Visions of that rout

Of Plagues, and Iud…emen…s, which doe rove about

To punish us. And, from that dreadfull hoast

I see (me thinkes) how to invade our Coast,

The Plague march'd hither, like a Regiment

That is for services of moment sent

From some great Armie. And, when I can bend

My troubled spirits truly to attend

Gods Iudgements, and his Mercies, as they goe

Their daily progresse; I can reach unto

Much pleasing thoughts; and oftentimes foresee,

What his intents, and their even… will be:

For, when Mans heart is filled with his Feare,

The secrets of the Lord to him appeare.

Oh! what rich treasures doth my soule possesse,

When I doe contemplate the blessednesse,

The Wisedome▪ and the Way of God most high?

How farre above my selfe rais'd up am I?

How little want I, …ha… the world can give?

What heights ascend I? what huge depths I dive?

How much contemne I dangers here below?

How c…rtaine of Gods favours can I grow?

And wi…h what sweetn…sse is my brest inspired,

When (by the heat of Contemplation fired)

I sit lock'd up within a lonely roome,

Whe…e nothing to disturbe my thoughts may come;

And where may enter neither sight, nor Notion

Of any thing, but what may …irre Devotion?

Sure, were it not, that I am cloth'd about

With flesh, that doth compell me to come out;

Or, knew I not the Christian Mans estate

Extend…d …urther, t…en to contemplate;

Or saw not them unthankfully precise,

Who Gods externall blessings quite despise;

p. 44Or fear'd I not▪ I never should have union

With God, unlesse I were in some communion

Of Saints on earth; whom I might sharers make

Of those sweet thoughts of him, which I pa…take;

Or, if I doubted not, I might with Lot,

VponUpon the daughters of my b…aine begot,

Commit some spirituall incest, had I none

To spend the seed of my full Soule upon:

Or, if I found it not unnaturall,

To leape out of the world, till God did call;

And that fantastique wayes of selfe-contenting

Are but the certaine paths to selfe-tormenting;

If all these things I knew not; I could bide

Shut up, untill my flesh we…e Mummy-si'd;

And (though the world should woo me) would disd…in

(For ever) to unclose my doore againe.

For though (when I come sorth) I lose agen

My …aptures; and have thoughts like other men;

Because my nat'rall f…ailties, and the fog

Of earthly Vanities, my soule doth clog:

Yea, though I can as hardly keepe those firings

Vnquench'd abroad, which are (in my retirings

Inflamed in me;) as a naked Man

Retaine that heat upon a …ountaine can,

Which in a close warme chamber he retaineth:

Ye… (for my comfort) somewhat still remaineth:

And in my recollections I possesse

More happinesse, then I can well expresse.

I view contentments, which I cannot measure;

I have some tastings of immortall pleasure;

I g…immerings have of hid…en mysteries;

My …ou…e on glorious things doth fix her eyes:

And though some whited walls (who did attempt

To bring my Muse and Me, unto contempt)

Endevour still (with shewes of Pietie)

My best-approved paines to v…l…fie:

I can with scorne of their base envy, raise

My thoughts above their ignorant dispraise:

And pitty their dull sottishnesse, who prize

Their shadowes better, then real…ties.

For I have search'd their folly, and espy'd

That they have drown'd their wisdome in their prid… ▪

Yea, by their partiall dealings, I now see

They judge mens merits, as their titles be:

And I have gotten those brave things in chase,

That shall advantage me, by my disgrace.

When, therefore, by my selfe I am enclosed,

And for an heavn'ly rapture, well disposed;

I doe not grudge mine enemies to spue

Their flanders on my name; or to pursue

My labours with reproach; nor prey to make

On all my fortunes: But all well can take.

I doe not then repine, although I see

That Fooles ennobled, Knaves enriched be,

And honest men unheeded: but I bide

As pleased, as I am at Whitsontide,

To see faire Nymphs in Country Townes rejected,

And sluttish Milkmaids by the Clownes elected

For Ladies of the May. And if I chance

Where any of those Hobby horses prance;

I can in sport, or courtesie, bestow

Those termes upon them, which I doe not owe.

For when on Contemplations wings I flye,

I then o're-looke the highest Vanity.

I see how base those fooleries do… show,

Which are a…mired, while I creepe below:

And by the brightnesse of a two-fold light

(Re…ecting from Gods word to cleare my sight)

p. 45Faiths objects to her eyes, much plainer are,

Then those which to my outward …ght appeare.

My towring Soule is winged up, as if

She over-flew the top of Tenariffe,

Or some far higher Mountaine; where we may

All actions of this lower World survey.

I am above the touch of malice borne;

I am beyond the reach of …v'ry scorne;

And could—But what mean I? this seems a …rai…

Impertinent▪ Sweet Muse, come downe againe;

Soare not so high. For in these lofty flights

The Fooles below, doe thinke our Eagles, Kites.

The world, to flout such Raptures now is prone;

I will enjoy them (therefore) al… alone:

Of their unhallow'd censuring take heed,

And in my former purpose, thus proceed:

When (as you heard before) the Court of Heav'n

Commission to the Pestilence had given

To scourge our sinnes, and signed her direction… ▪

She tooke vp all her boxes of Infections,

Her Carbuncles, her Sores, her Spots, her Blaines,

And ev'ry other thing which appertaines

To her contagious practices; and all

Her followers she did about her call;

Appoint them to their places, and their times,

D…rect them to the Persons, and the Crimes

They should correct, and how they should advanc…

Her maine Designement in each circumstance.

Then, on she marched; not as doth a Foe

Proclaiming Warre, before he strikes the blow;

But like an Enemy, who doth surprise

VponUpon the fi…st advantage he espies.

For (passing through the streets of many a Towne

Disguised like a Fever) she, (unknowne)

Stole into London; and did lu…ke about

The well fill'd Suburbs; spread…ng there (no doubt)

Inf…ction unperceiv'd, in many a place

Before the blea…e ey'd Searchers, knew her face;

And since they knew her, they have bribed beene

A thous…nd times, to let h…r passe unseene.

But at the length, she was discover'd at

A Frenchmans house without the B…shopsgate.

To intimate (perhap…) that such as be

Our spirituall Wats…men, should the more foresee

That they with d…scipline made strong the Ward,

Which God appointed hath for them to g…ard;

And chiefly, at this present, to have care,

Lest now, while we, and France un…ted are

In bodily commerce; they bring unto us

Those Plagues which may eternally undoe us.

For, such like Pestilences soone begin;

And (ere we be aware) will enter in,

Vnlesse our Bishops, both betimes, and late,

Be diligent and watchfull at their Gate.

As soone, as e're the Women-spyes descry'd,

This Foe about the City to reside;

There was a loud All-arme. The Countrimen

Began to wish themselves at home agen.

The Citizens were gen'rally appal…'d;

The Senators themselves to Counsell call'd;

And all (who might advise in such a case)

Assembled in their Common meeting place;

Where, what discretion publikely was used;

What was admitted of, and what refused;

What policies, and stratagems invented;

That mischiefes, comming on, might be prevented,

I cannot say: For I had never wit,

Nor wealth enough, to sit in Counsell, yet.

p. 46B… if to judge of things it lawfull were

By …hei… events; the propositions there

Were such as these. Most thought the surest play

To save their persons, was, to runne away;

But lest some higher pow'r might then forbid it,

They did not pu…lish that, b…fore they did it.

Some urged, that the Scav…nger should keepe

The s…reet… more cleane, and oft the channell sweep;

Some thought it fit, (and these no harme did thinke)

That ev'ry morning we should eate, and drinke.

Some (to allay the heat) did hold it meet

To sprinkle water often in the street.

Some did a little further nat'…allize,

And these unto the Ayre would sacrifize

(In evening fires) pure F…ankincense or Myrrhe,

Sweet herbes, or odorif'rous Iuniper;

Or (for default of those) Pitch, Rosin, Tarre▪

And such perfumings as lesse costly are.

For if the Heart and Liver of a Fish

(Burnt by yo…ng Tobit in a Chafind…h)

A Spirit from his chamber could expell▪

They hoped these might purge ill ayres, as well:

Some others (not contented herewi…hall)

Did into consultation also call

The P…iests of Ae…culapius, and Apollo;

And held it fit their grave advice to follow:

Nor without cause. For, from the wise Physitia…

We best sha…l know this Enemies condition.

And some there were of those, who did advise

Not onelyonly to assume those remedies

Which Art prescrib'd▪ but also therewithall

Observed what was M…taphy…call.

Yea, some s…ncerely, and religiously

VponUpon the soules infection had an eye,

As well as on the bo…ies: and th…se went

The surest way that sicknesse to prevent.

But there were others, who derided these,

And talked heath'nish…y of this disease.

They prated much of Humours, Incl…nations ▪

Conjunction, planetary Constellations;

Of nat'rall causes, unbeleeved fictions;

Impostures, Fables, and meere contradictions

In th…t Phil…sophy, which they professe:

VVhichWhich fill'd mens mindes with much unsetlednesse.

Yet in their disagreeings, they agree'd

On that which might their common profit breed▪

One had a rare Perfume of speciall note;

Another had a precious Antidote,

VVhichWhich at Constantinople had been tride

VVhen there two thousand on a day have di'de.

A third, prefert'd a Mixture in a bag,

Of whose large vertues he did largely brag,

And said, the same they doe in Plague times, weare

At Rome, (and so I think when he was there.)

A fourth, by Diets, safety did assure.

A fifth, by Drinkes, the Pestilence would cure.

A sixth of Cordials, and Elixars prates;

And some of Treacles, and of Mithridates.

To offer up a portion of the blood

(To save the rest) for some, it seemed good.

For other some to purge: for all to take

Such meanes as might their purses heavie make.

They to the rich prescrib'd Preservatives

On costly termes: and, to prolong the lives

Of poorer men, their consciences abated

The value much: For, health, to them was rated

At some few handfuls of that herbe or grasse,

Which to be gotten▪ for the gathering was.

p. 47This being knowne, the Senators dismisse

Those men; and by advice it ordered is,

That some Instructions shall be published,

To further what was gravely counselled.

Moreover, that their discipline might cary

Some likenesse to proceedings military,

A band of Ha…be…s, mustred was, to guard

The people from the Plague, in ev'ry Ward.

And, if they found, by serious inquisition,

(Or, had but any probable suspition)

Where lodg'd it was (although but for a night)

That Host, exiled was from publike sight;

Close pris'ner him they kept bo…h night and day,

As one that els… their Citie might betray.

And, to compell that his unwelcome Guest

Should keepe wi…hin; his doo…e was crost, and blest:

And many VVatchmen, strengthned by command,

Did round about his dwelling, armed stand.

I doe not thus expresse, or mention this,

As if I thought those Orders were amisse:

But, that I might, hereby, the better show

What miseries, attended on this Foe;

And, that this Malady, on us did ce…ze,

With circumstances, worse then the Disease.

My Muse inspires not me so foolishly,

That I all naturall causes doe deny.

I doe not thinke, but to this Pest…lence,

The Constellations, by their influence

Might somewhat adde: and that corrupted ayre,

Might helpe our healthy being to impaire.

I hold, that Diets, Meats, Complexions, Passions,

With such as these, and all their mitigations,

May helpe or hinder much in such diseases

As we endeavor shall; and as God pleases.

Nor doe I flout the wisedome, or the paine

Of those who s…ught this mi…chiefe to restraine:

Nor blame I their much diligence, or care;

But praise it; and could wish it doubled were;

W…h som… such observ…tion…, as would make

Their practices, the mor… successe to t…ke;

And that their naturall meanes had hallowed bin,

With so much Fait…, and penitence▪ for sin,

As might hav… brought more workes of Piety,

To san…tifie their outward Poluy

Fo… those dull N…turalists, who think, this Foe,

Doth by meere nat'…all causes▪ come o… goe,

Are much deceiv'd▪ Yea, in their he…rts, they say,

There is no God, how …ver gl…ze they may:

And as their cogitation… are unholy,

So is their seeming wisedome▪ sottish folly.

They are the base Conjunctions, and Aspects

Of Sin, that this our Climate, so infects;

And neither Constellations, nor the Weather:

For, then we had beene po…s'ned all together,

By this Contagion; and had breath'd the longer

Or shorter while, as nature had beene stronger,

Or weaker in us Nothing had beene free,

But birds and beasts had dy'd as well a… we;

And this Disease had seiz'd on ev'ry Creature

Or more or lesse, as it partakes our nature:

It was no n…ysome Ayre, no …ewre, or Stinke,

Which brought this Death, as most among us thinke,

For, then those places where ill smells abound,

Had more infectious at that time beene found,

Then we perceive they were; yea, this Disease,

On ev'ry person delicate, would seize,

Without exception. And where Savours ill

Still bide, the Plague should there continue still:

p. 48Then, if they brought the same, they sure feed it,

And, keepe it alwayes there, as well as breed it.

Which God …orbid; and …each us to discerne

His providence, and what thereby to learne.

Vaine thoughts have also they, who credit can

That, this Infirmity, at first, began,

By meanes of populousnesse. For, were it so;

Some Courts and Allies, many yeares agoe,

Had beene infected: And, th…se places, where

Throng'd up together, greatest numbers are;

From Visitation, had not free remained,

When open Streets, and Borroughs have complained▪

And, let them not beleeve their fallacy,

Because great Cities, have most frequently,

This fearfull Sicknesse, or, afflicted be,

When little Townes and Villages, are free.

For, as there is in great and popular places,

More sin, and more abundance of Gods graces:

So, it is just▪ that thither should be sent

The greater measure of his Chastisement,

That so, their eminen…e, might shew abroad,

As well the Iustice, as the Love of God;

Whose Iudgements being laid on Townes obscure,

Might small respect, and lesse effect procure.

As ignorant as these, I reckon those,

Who this Disease, infectious doe suppose

To ev'ry one: and, them, who credit not

That Sicknesse, by infection may be got:

For, these opinions can have no defence;

Since both will false be found, in common sense.

For, if we say, this Plague infects not any,

How commeth it, we daily see so many

Consum'd beneath one roofe in little space?

How comes it, that it creeps from place to place,

So orderly, as oftentimes we see,

In some close Lane o… Street? How may it be

That twenty Villages (far distant from

Infected Places) tainted should become

Within some few dayes after their arriving

Who in contageous places had their living?

None being there, before they came, infected,

Nor any such disease neare-hand suspected?

How comes all this, unlesse the Malad…e,

Hath in it selfe, as had the L…prosie,

A spreading Nature, and envenom'd that

Which of her poison can participate?

Beleeve it; as the Violet, or Rose,

(With pure and pleasing sweetnesse) where it grow…s

Perfumes the Aire, and sendeth Odours out,

Which keepe a certaine distance there-about;

And, more or lesse, affect the Passers-by,

As they have more or lesse capacity

In smelling them; Or, as the calmed aire,

Is either, more or lesse, corrupt or faire:

Right so, this Plague, ev'n naturally affects

A space of Aire about it; and infects,

(At such or such a distance) ev'ry one,

As he hath weaknesses, to worke upon:

Unlesse, that her malignitie be staid

By naturall meanes, or powre Divine alaid.

And yet, a false Position make they shall

Who thence infer, the Plague infecteth all,

Who breathe her tainted Aire. For, how did they

Escape it …hen, who long time, night and day

In places of infection were detain'd?

And in the bosome of this Pest …emain'd,

Ev'n whe…e they often had their eares and eyes,

Affronted, by the sad aspect, and cries,

p. 49Of Death and Dying men? How scaped he

That in the Church, obliged was to be

Among infectious people; and to speake

Till tired were his lungs; and spirits weake?

Ev'n when the peoples, thronging, and their heat

Did vapour up their breathings, and their sweat

For him to swallow? What preserv'd the Clarkes,

The Sextens, Searchers, Keepers, and those Sharks,

The shamelesse Bearers? (who were nigh become,

A rout too bad, to picke out hangmen, from?)

How scap't the Surgeon, that oft puts his head

Within the steame of an Infectious bed▪

And, ev'ry day doth handle, search, and dresse,

Those Biles, that over-flow with rottennesse?

Or (which is more) how scapt those Babes, the Pest,

That were not only weake, but suckt the brest

Of Mothers deadly sicke, when they did weare

Those noisome Blaines, that most infectious are?

This often chanceth. Yea, this hath beene seene

When on the ve…y brest, the sore hath beene.

Nay, I have heard (by credible relation)

That neare to Stra…ford-bow, this Visitation,

A little Infant was preserv'd alive,

Who sucked on the dying brests of five.

How this may be I know not; If I shall

Conclude with some, this Plague hath powre on al…

Nor can I finde a reason how it stinted,

Or how our totall ruine was prevented.

For, when it was at height; and when appear'd,

Most causes, that Infection should be fear'd;

Then, no man was confined, as before:

No Bill, or Crosse, was fixt on any doore;

We visited the Sicke; we shunned neither

The place nor person; but met all together.

Yet then, and (let us marke it) not till then,

This Plague, her fury did abate agen;

And constantly abate, though most refused

To keepe such Orders, as at first were used.

Which manifest…th well, that (howsoe're

Malignant in it selfe, the …est appeare)

Gods hand restraines it; many a man protecting

Immediately: some, mediately directing

To such, or such a meanes of preservation,

That they might honour him in their salvation▪

And, as he striketh some, that men might feare

His Iustice: So, he other some doth spare,

That they might love his Mercies; and perceive

That he can at his pleasure take, and leave.

For, if God saved none; some Athe'st, would not

Make doubt, perhaps, to publish that he could not;

And, scarce one man would be so neighbourly,

To helpe his brother in this malady.

Which Charity to further (and to shew

How safely, men their Callings may pursue

In ev'ry danger) we have had, this yeare,

Of Gods great Providence, faire token, here.

For, 'tis observ'd, that he hath few destroy'd

Who were in this mortality employ'd

About those Offices, which have to us

(In common sense) appear'd most dangerous.

Few Sextons, and few Surgeons have miscari'd,

Who in their callings at this want have tary'd.

And of those Market-folks ▪ who at our need

Brought in provisions, this weake place to feed,

I cannot heare of one, who did become

Infected; or, who brought infection home.

Ev'n in that Parish where I did abi…e;

And where, nigh halfe a thousand, weekly dy'd)

p. 50Not one of all that number perished,

That were the common Bearers of the Dead.

But, though from midnight, till the break of day,

They did infectious Ca…kasses convay

From sickly Dwellings, to those Pits of Death,

Which breathed out a most contagious breath,

With life and health, their service, God rewarded;

Ev'n though the most of them nought else regarded,

But that base gaine which might their want supply,

Or feed them in some wicked vanity.

How then, can we, that of this favour heare,

From any lawfull action flye through feare?

Or doubt of Gods protection, when we make

A dangerous attempt, for conscience sake?

And know, beside, that what we …rive to do,

We are both called, and oblig'd unto?

Moreover, since the latter sort here named,

Are (for the greater part) in life defamed;

Such, who their needfull Offices abused;

Such, who nor outward meanes, nor inward used;

To keep their healths (but, grew the bolder in

The practices of ev'ry kind of sin)

Such, whom Gods Iudgements stupified more,

And made far harder hearted, then before.

Since those (I say) of such condition were,

And yet preserved in their Callings, here:

For what good use I pray can we suppose

Those men were so preserved; but that those

Who truly seeke Gods glory in their stay,

Might have the more assurance in their way?

And know, that if to such God please to give

This mortall life, they shall much rather live;

Or else (which is far better) if they dye,

Obtaine a life, with immortality.

Some Wiseman-woud-be, now, perhaps, will prate

That this is Claphamnisme: And, that the State

(In her good policies to stop the breach

Of this g…eat Plague) is wrong'd by what I teach?

But, rather they injurious are to me

Who so affirme; and vaine their cavils be.

For, though to shew the powre Divine the more,

Our Muse declares, by what is gone before,

That Gods owne hand, our Citie did preserve,

When we scarce Mea…es, or Order, did observe.

Let no man gather thence, that we maintaine,

All Mean…s ▪ or Civill Orders to be vaine.

For, of selfe-murther that man guiltie dies,

Who, meanes of health doth wilfully despise.

Yea, doubtl…sse, there belongs a curse to them,

That orderly proceedings doe contemne.

And, whereas we our Orders did transgresse,

It was necessitie, not wilfulnesse,

That u…ged it; because, our common woe,

Did far… beyond the powre o… O…d…r, goe.

At rising of the …loud we made a Bay;

But, at the height, it carri'd all away.

In humane Policie, we s…w no hope.

But, as the stones and Timbers whi…h doe stop

A Breach at first; when all is drowned o're,

Doe nothing else, but make the waters rore:

So, when our Sicknesse, and our Poverty,

Had greater wants than we could well supply,

Strict Orders did but more enrage our griefe,

And, hinder in accomplishing releefe.

Had ev'ry house beene lockt which we suppos'd

To stand infected, few had beene unclos'd,

Yea, our fi…st Orders had we still observ'd,

The healthie Housholds would not halfe have serv'd

To keepe the Sicke. And who should then have heeded

Our private cares? Or got us that we needed?

As long as from each other, we ref…ain'd,

We greater sorrowes ev'ry day sustain'd:

Yea, whilst for none, but for ou… selves we car'd,

Our brethren perisht, and the worse we far'd.

This made us from our Policies appeale,

And meete in Love, each others wounds to he…le.

This, made vsus from our civill Orders flie,

To make more practise of our Charitie.

And hereunto, pe…haps, compell'd were we,

By meere necessitie, to l…t us see

Experiments, of that unmatched good,

Which flowe…h from a Christian Neighbourh…od ▪

And learne what publike, and what pr…vate case

It bringeth in a g…nerall Dise…se:

And how it may a Common-wealth sustaine

When carnall Wisdome, and Selfe-love are vaine▪

O…, we perchance from vulgar helpes were driven,

Lest Overmuch assurance might be given

To outward meanes: Or, lest we us'd them so,

As if Gods powre were chained thereunto.

O… else, it was permitted, to d…clare

That fruitlesse all our best endevours are.

Without his blessing: That, no creatures have

A Vertue to preserve till he will save:

That, his immediate powre must countermand,

When any Plague hath got an upper hand:

And, that, such Mercy showne in s…ch distresse,

Might binde us to the greater thankfulnesse.

But, lest what here precedeth hath not showne

My purpose fully; be it also knowne,

That to restraine, or spurre the PESTILENCE,

There is both supernat'rall Providence

And Causes naturall. The first of these

Can worke without the later, if it please.

The later cannot any thing effect,

But, as the former shall the same direct.

And, though in ev'ry sicknesse, thus it is,

Yet, such hid properties are found in this,

Such oppositions in the Naturall Causes,

Such knots, and riddles; that it much amazes

The naturall man: because he seldome findes

(As he perceives in griefes of other kindes)

The Causes and Effects agree together;

For, there is much uncertainty in either.

On some, this Plague doth steale insensib…y,

Their muddy nature, stirring secretly

To their destruction. Some, it striketh so,

As if a mortall hand had with a blow

Arrested them; and on their flesh hath seene

A palmes impression, to appearance, beene.

One m…n is faint, weake, sickly, full of feare,

And drawes his breath where st…ongst infections are,

Yet scapes with life. Another man is young,

Light-hearted, healthy, stout, well-temper'd, strong,

And lives in wholesome ayre, yet gets a fit

Of this Land Cale…ture, and dies of it.

Some are tormented by it, till we s…e

Their veines and sinewes almost broken be,

The very soule distracted, sense bereft,

And scarce the smallest hope of scaping le…t,

Yet soone recover. Othersome, againe

Fall suddenly; or feele so little paine

When they are seized, that they breathlesse lye,

E're any dying Symptomes, we …spy.

On some, an endlesse drowsinesse doth creep…:

Some others, cannot get one winke of sleepe.

p. 52This, useth ev'ry day preservatives,

Yet dies: another taketh none, yet lives.

Ev'n thus vncertainly this Sicknesse playes;

Spares, wounds, and killeth, many sev'rall wayes.

From this experience, let us not conclude,

As many doe among the multitude,

Who misconceiving (to no small offence)

The doctrine of Eternall Providence,

(Who from the truth of sober knowledge wandring,

And Gods Decrees, and Iustice also slandring)

Doe so necessitate the Fate of man,

That, whatsoever he endevour can,

His paines is lost; and that foredoom'd, he must

At this or that set moment turne to dust:

And that no industry, no innocence,

No wilfull carelesnesse, or foule offence,

N…r any humane actions helpfull be

To life or death, but meerly Gods De…ree.

Ev'n such there be. And, howsoever they

Preach Faith, or Workes, in show, yet, th…y denay

The pow'r of both; and secretly maintaine,

(By consequence at least) that meanes are vaine.

For, they affirme that ev'ry thing men doe,

They are by God predestinated to

Before all worlds; So, that our pow'r, or will,

Affecteth; not effecteth good, or ill;

And that we are by doome inevi…able

In ev'ry kind of action made unable.

Which Tenet, seemeth rather to arise

From those, who write of heathnish Des…inies,

Then from a Christian. For, though true it be,

That, God Almighty, all things doth foresee,

And order so, and so dispose of things,

That, to perfection his owne worke he brings,

In spight of Satan, and of every deed

That may from his malignant brood proceed:

Yet, they have Actions naturally their owne,

Which God permits. He likewise hath bestowne

On us that are his children, grace, and powres,

Good Actions to performe, which we call ours

By Gods free gift. Moreover, he doth please

To promise blisse, or threaten plagues, for these,

According to their natures; that each one

May heed the be…ter, what is to be done:

Be stirred up to put good workes in use,

Or else be left at last without excuse.

For▪ though I am assured we possesse,

By Nature, no inherent Righteousnesse;

I, naithelesse beleeve that ev'ry one

(Whose being, first, from Adams loines begun)

Received since our Universall fall

One Talent, at the least, to worke withall,

With so much powre of working also, that

We may and should with God cooperate.

As Adam all men did of life deprive;

Ev'n so by Christ, were all men made alive:

Yea, ev'n as Moses did not let remaine

One hoofe in Aegypt which did appe…taine

To Isr'ell; So beleeve I that not one▪

Was left unransom'd by Gods only Sonne:

But that all through the sea of bloud d…d come,

As well those other who doe wander from

Truths path in this lifes wildernesse; as they

Who come within the Land of Promise may.

And, though like him, who impudently, laid

Injustice to his Masters charge, and said;

He reaped where he sow'd not, though, I say;

There want not some among us, at this day,

p. 53Who like to him, doe most unthankfully

This grace of God in IESVS CHRIST deny;

(Affirming, that he some injoynes unto

Much more, than he did give them power to)

Our Maker unto ev'ry soule that lives,

So much by vertue of Christs Passion gives,

That whosoever falleth, fal…s not by

Anothers, but his owne iniquitie;

And, by his actuall crimes, makes unforgiven

That Debt originall which was made even

By his Redeemer, who, that, backe will have,

(If we abuse it) which at first he gave.

Who ev'r wants powre to doe what God doth bid,

Lost in himselfe, that pow…e as Adam did:

Yet, we that have it, neither had that powre,

No… keepe it can, by any strength of our;

But by his holy Spi…it, who hath taught

That path of life wherein to walke we ought.

And, this is such a Mystery, that some

Which thinke they s…e, are blinde therein become▪

Our guiltie Soules and Bodies were bereft

Of all good Faculties, and had not left

So much as Will, much lesse the powre to doe

What soule or B…d…es health conduced to.

Their guilt Christ from them tooke; and by his might

Depraved Nature so much sets to right,

That unto ev'ry Soule, he gives the will

Which Adam had, of chusing good or ill.

And then both Life and Death, he doth propose

Before them so, that either may be chose.

To them, whom in his Church he doth afford

To live past Child-hood, He doth by his Word

(And by no other meanes) this tender make.

With Infants, and with Heathens, he may take

Some other course. But, surely, when, or how

He that effects; concernes not us to know.

When God doth make this tender (which is then

When he doth please, and no man knoweth when)

If any Soule by Sathans guile doth chuse,

What Gods good Spirit moves her to refuse,

She, then, to put in action doth begin

The haynous and impardonable sin

Against the Holy Ghost (which f…arfull crime

Is made apparant to the world, in time,

Or more or lesse, by outward actions here,

As God shall please to let the same appeare)

And, after this refusall, ev'ry thing,

Which doth encrease of grace, to others, bring,

Doth make her grow more senselesse of her state,

Or else enrage, or make her desperate.

And, her freewill, in Adam lost before,

Is lost againe, by her, for evermore.

But, if she chuseth as the Spirit move…h,

The Lord, this Soule, without repenting loveth;

In her, preserving such affections still,

And such a portion of her first Freewill,

That though the frailties of her flesh doe seeme

To choake them often, in the worlds esteeme;

(And sometime in her owne) yet she for ever

Doth in her motion towards God persever,

Till she arive in him. Nor doth she cease

Of pious workes, her number to encrease:

But labours for assurance in election,

By reaching ev'ry day at more perfection.

An…, far is it from God to take away

The guerdon of our Faith; or to denay

What he did by his Covenant, ordaine,

To be the wages of our Christian paine:

p. 54Or to command us what should profit nought;

Or, to neglect the workes that we have wrought.

For, since God heeds those things that are so small,

As birds alightings, and as haires that fall;

Makes use of ev'ry circumstance, and chai…es

(To further those maine ends which he ordaines)

Ten thousand little trifling things together;

Not one omitting, none displacing neither,

Which may be pertinent his ends to fu…ther,

Or to effect them, in their timely Order.

How could so fond a crotchet be devised,

That God our serioust actions hath despised?

Or, that by his Foreknowledge, or Decree,

Our deeds should all annihilated be?

Or, that he should so oft incite us to

What he had giv'n to man, no pow'r to doe?

I dare not venture upon their distractions,

Who search the order of Eternall actions;

Nor doe I further seeke what God foreknowes,

Then he within his Word revealed showes;

Nor will I ever strive to pry into

His hidden couns…lls, as too many doe:

But their unwarrantable paths eschewing,

And, Gods disclosed purposes pursuing,

Search onelyonly for the knowledge of those things

Which an effecting of his pleasure brings.

Since, if I follow them, it cannot be

That he would purpose any harme to me;

Or in his secret counsell ought ordaine

To make his publi…e will to be in vaine.

For, though, when Abram, Isa'k thought to kill,

God's hidden purpose, and revealed will

Did seeme to crosse each other (And when he

Did threaten Niniveh destroy'd should be)

Yet, they appeare not opposite to those

Whose faith, such holy secrets can disclose.

Or were it so; from acts particular

None should conclusions generall inferre.

God neuer said, as yet, that I could heare,

Man, such a day shall perish, howsoe're

By faithfull workes for safety he endeauour.

But, all his promises and threatnings, euer

Were made conditionall; and hauehave fore-spoken

Our life, or death, as they are kept, or broken.

Nor is this any barre, or contradiction

To Gods free Grace; or to his firme Election,

Or never-ending LoueLove. Nor helpes it those

Who, perseverance of the Saints, oppose:

But, rather, maketh all those Doctrines good.

Yea, being rightly weigh'd and understood,

Gods iustice, and his mercy it unites,

Whom mens blind Cavills hauehave made opposites.

God knew the doome, and date of Adams crime,

Yet, he did fore-expresse no certaine time;

But, speaking of it, spake indefinitely,

And said, That d…y thou sinnest, thou shalt dye.

And sure, of all mens deaths (who e're gaine saies)

It is their sinne that setteth downe the daies.

For, till transgression forfeited our breath,

There was no peremptory day of death.

And, in affirming, where Gods Word is mute,

It is presumption, to be absolute.

Doe this, saith God, and liue; Doe that and perish.

Yet some, whose overfights too many cherish,

Dare contradict it; and affirme that wee

Good, bad, dead, liuing, damned, saued be

Eu'n from eternity, without respects,

To any causes, or to their effects.

p. 55And these imply, that (whatsoe're we doe,

Or leaue vndone) God fore-appoints us to

A certaine doome; which we shall striue in vaine,

With all our strength, to shunne▪ or to obtaine.

And wherefore then did God his Gospell send?

Why doth his Word exhort vsus to amend?

Why doth he …id vsus, this, or that to shunne?

Why hath he charged some things to be done?

If he no power hath giuen, or else by fate

Disableth all men to cooperate?

And leaues them neither good nor ill to doe

But what he fore-decreed long agoe?

Why threats he stripes? why promiseth reward?

If there be no compassion, no regard,

Nor meed for what is done. And what I pray

Is all Religion, if these truth doe say?

I know God reprobates▪ and doth foresee

Before all worlds, who reprobates will be.

But, none he forceth to be so accurst,

Saue those who hauehave his Grace rejected first▪

And vntounto those, indeed, he powre denies

To worke his will, because they did despise

His profered Love; And just it is in him,

To make them blinde, who did the light contemne.

He doth eternally abhorre the crime;

But he the persons reprobates in time.

And None doth chuse, or personally reject

(What ever some conceive) but with respect

VntoUnto his Covenant; which hath implide

Something to be perform'd on either side.

For, were it so, that God hath fore-decreed

What should befall unto us without heed

To any Covenant; and bar'd Salvation,

By an eternall doome of R…probation,

(In such like manner as the fantasies

Of some (not well advisedly) devise)

What compasse we by striving therewithall▪

Why spend we time, in rising up to fall?

Why linger we to act so many crimes?

To suffer over griefe so many times?

And live so many sev'rall deaths to taste,

To be nor worse, nor better at the last?

Or wherefore have we prayed, since we know

What must be, must be, though we pray not so?

I might be thought o're bitter, if as they

I should interrogate, who sharply say;

Why doe not these, who this opinion hold,

Goe hang themselves before that they are old?

Or in their Gardens, TIMON like, erect

Faire Gibbets for the Schollers of their Sect?

What tends their life unto? why should not they

Refuse to eate and drinke; and, wisely, say,

"God, for our end, a certaine day hath set,

"Which we shall reach, although we taste no meat.

Why doe they shun a danger in the street,

Since they shall live their time, what e're they meet?

If they to any place, desire to goe,

Why trouble they their feet to helpe thereto?

Since they are sure, that if decreed it were

They should come thither, they their paines may spare?

If thus I should have said, some men would deeme me

To be more bitter then did well beseeme me:

For, I confesse that on the quick they grated,

Who in this manner have expostulated.

And I forbeare it. Yet, this generation

Hath some who need this tart expostulation;

With whom loud noises more prevaile by far,

Then doe those proofes, that Faiths and Reasons are.

p. 56I know to these Objections, most replies;

I know their strength, and where their weaknesse lies;

I know what holy Scriptures, men mistake,

Which proofes of their assertions seeme to make:

I know, how they their Arguments mis-lay,

From that of Esau, and the Potters clay:

I know what Times and Termes they misconceive,

And wherewithall themselves they doe deceive.

I know with what nick-names of heresie,

Some Readers will for this my Muse belye;

And that nor they, who call'd Armini…ns be,

Nor they who reprehend them, will with me

Be friends for this; for neither those nor these

Am I desirous to offend or please.

But to uphold the Truth, which is bely'd▪

Injuriously by most of either side.

I know their spight, their vineger, their gall;

I know what spirit most are led withall

Who spread the Doctrines which I have reproved,

And know such Reason nev…r to be moved,

With favour to them that I dare to say,

It is the nearest and the straightest way

To all prophanenesse. It the b…idle gives

To …arnall liberties, and makes the lives

And hearts of many men so voyd of care:

From hence distractions; hence despairings are.

Hence mischiefes; hence selfe murthers doe arise;

Hence is it that such multitudes despise

Good discipline: yea, this contemned makes

The life of Fai…h, if once it rooting takes:

Disableth pious practices outright▪

And where it roots, destroyes Religion quite.

Let no man then admit into his thought,

That God Almighty hath decreed ought

Which on his Iustice may infringement bring,

Or on his Mercy in the smallest thing:

Or that his Wisedome any thing ordaines

Without the meanes which thereunto pertaines:

Or thinke, because our sinne he doth permit

That therefore he necessitateth it:

Or that he wills those errours he foresees,

As he the workes of righteousnesse decrees:

Or, that our humane actions cyphe…s are:

Or, that within this world there ever were

Or shall, those persons be, whom God will call

VntoUnto account, untill he giuegive them shall,

At least, one Talent, which may serue vntounto

The working of that worke he bids them doe.

Let no man dreame these dreames; nor censure this,

Till he hath well consider'd what that is

Which I deliuer. For in this darke way,

Our learnedst Clerkes doe sometimes runne astray.

Nor let them thinke that I concurre with all,

Who in appearance hold this Tenet shall:

Or that I differ from all men that may

In termes dissent from what I seeme to say.

For they that in expression disagree

In one well-meaning, oft united be.

And either (if that they in louelove contend)

Shall then at length, obtaine their wished end.

Oh! labour this, all you that would be thought

GODS glo…y in your studies to hauehave sought;

That though offences come, they may not moue

Disunion; but Gods worthy ones approve.

And let us with a true sobriety,

So heed his Actions of eternitie,

That we may see in them a boundlesnesse,

Beyond our humane wisdome to expresse;

p. 57Leave quarrelling about his waies unknowne,

And take more heed here after to our owne.

For, though God pleaseth, other while, to use

Our vulgar Termes, some notions to infuse

Of his eternall workings, and apply

His deeds that way, to our capacity,

Disclosing them unto us one by one,

As if at severall times they had beene done,

(Be…ause our shallownesse no meanes can find

To entertaine them in their proper kinde)

And though (respecting us who temp'ral be)

Wee say, that God Almighty doth fores…e,

Foreknow us, and pr…destinate; yet sure,

His Essence no such termes can well endure

In proper sense; Because with him, no doome,

Word, Thought, or Act, is passed, or to come.

But all things present. Yea, all Times, and all

Those things which wee by severall names doe call,

Our Birth…, our Lives, our Deaths, and our Saluations,

Our free-el…ctions, and pr…d…stinations,

Are all at once with God, without foreseeing;

Eu'n all in one-eternall-present-being.

Which few observing, many men have thought

That Gods et…rnall actions should be wrought

Like ours in Time, which is, as if they should

Endeavour how the world they might enfold

Within a Nut-shell. And while thus men strive

(According to their fancies) to contrive

An order in Gods Workings, they mistake them

Blasphemously, and orderlesse doe make them.

Yea, to define his actions, they neglect

That part which is their duty to effect;

Themselves and others losing in a path

Which neither profit, end, nor safety hath;

And, by disputing what from us is hidden,

Disturb the doing that which God hath bidden:

I have digrest enough; and some there are

Who think, perhaps, that I have gone too farre.

Yet, let it not be judg'd impertinent,

That I have so pursu'd this Argument.

For, want of minding what is here rehearsed,

Hath often times the Pestilence dispersed.

Yea, some who fondly said, that ev'ry man

Shall live his time decreed, do what he can;

And that each one at his fixt houre shall dye,

'Gainst which he seeks in vaine, a remedy:

Ev'n these, made much good means of health neglected▪

Much wise and wholsome counsell be rejected;

And caused, oft, in this our common wo,

That Death was brought and caried, to and fro.

But, lest in chasing them, I run astray;

Ile prosecute againe my purpos'd way.

The Pestilence doth show her selfe inclin'd

So variously, she cannot be defin'd.

She neither certaine forme, nor habit wears,

But, partly metaphysicall appears,

And partly naturall. She oft may cary

Her Progresse on, by meanes that's ordinary;

But, rarely doth begin, or end her Arrant,

Save by an extraordinary Warrant.

It doth infect, and it infecteth not.

It is an arrow which is often shot

By Gods owne hand, from his far-striking bow▪

Without the help of any meanes below.

It is Gods Angel, which to death can smite,

Miraculously, an army in a night.

It is a rationall Disease, which can

Pick, with discretion, here and there a man;

p. 58And passe o're those, who either marked are

For Mercy; or, a greater Plague to beare.

We see, it suting hath to Natures lawes,

A nat'rall motion, and a nat'rall cause;

For, as a Fire among great Buildings throwne,

Burnes …imber, melteth Metall, cracketh Stone,

Defaceth Statues, makes moist places dry,

The Vaults below to sweat, the tyles to flye

And manifests his force, in sev'rall kindes,

According to the objects which he findes:

So, hath the Pestilence a nat'rall pow'r

To ha…den, fright, end…nger, or devou…e,

(And divers other changes to procu…e)

As she doth find a sev'rall temp'rature

In mind or body, fitting the rejection.

Or for the entertainment of Infection.

These things consider'd. They who shall desire

To scape from this Contagion, must acquire

A double Ward ▪ For, doubtlesse, there is none

That can resist it with one guard alone.

In times of Danger, vainly we presume

VponUpon our Iv'…y boxes of Perfume.

To little purpose, we defend our noses,

With Wormwood, Rue, or with our Radeliffe Posies

Of tarred Ropes. Small warrant for our lives,

Are all such bodily Preservatives,

As Cordiall waters, Gums, Herbes, Plants, and Rootes,

Our simple or compounded Antidotes.

Our Boezar-stone; our med'cines Chymicall;

Or, that high-p…ized Iewell wherewithall,

For horne of V…icorne, men cheated are:

Or, those unhallowed Charmes, which many weare.

For, these are far unable to withstand

The vigour of his incorporeall hand,

Who strikes for sinne, unlesse to these wee adde

A Plaister which of better things is made.

Yea Nature failes, unlesse adjoyne wee doe,

A med'cine metaphisicall thereto.

Moreover, fruitlesly devout are they,

And that they seeke to God they falsely say,

Who wilfully neglect, or else contemne,

That outward meanes, which Nature offers them,

And God provides, to cure, or to prevent,

The mischiefe of Diseases pestilent.

For, since wee fram'd of soules and bodies are,

God pleased is, that wee should have a care

To both of them; and labour how to finde,

What appertaines to either, in his kinde.

He therefore, who desireth a defence

Against this Arrow of the Pestilence;

A compleat Armour must from God procure,

And still be arm'd, his person to secure.

He must put on the Helmet of Salvation,

And shoe his feet with holy Preparation.

A Bel… of Truth must for his loines be sought;

His Brest-plate must of Righteousnesse be wrought.

The Shield of Faith, his Target must become,

The darts of Sathan to secure him from.

Gods Word must be the Sword upon his thigh,

His Praiers, like continuall shot must flie;

And he should keepe for ever his abode,

Within the shadow of Almighty God.

Or else the Workeman looseth all his paine;

And he that watcheth, wake…h but in vaine.

He also must expell out of the soule,

That filthinesse of sinne, which makes it foule.

He must avoid the crimes he lived in;

His Physi…ke must be Rue (ev'n Rue for sinne)

p. 59Of Herb of Grace, a Cordiall he must make;

The bitter Cup of true Repentance take;

The Diet of Sobriety assume;

His House with workes of Charitie perfume;

And watch, that from his heart in secrecie,

Arise no savours of Hypocrisie.

He must beleeve, God so doth love him, that

His everlasting good, is aimed at

In all he suffers; and, that, God doth know,

And marke his nature, and his temper so,

As that he will impose nor more, nor lesse,

Than shall be needfull for his happinesse.

For, such a Faith, will keepe h…m still content,

Still lowly, under ev'ry cha…tisement;

Still thankfull, whatsoever doth befall;

And Blessings make, of what we Plagues doe call.

He must, moreover with a holy Feare,

In all his Christian duties pe…severe;

Still watchfull, and at no time daring ought

Which may from God divert him in a thought:

(So neere as possibly, the powre of man,

So great a diligence endeavour can.)

For, round about him are a thousand Feares,

A thousand Dangers, and ten thousand Snares,

And, as a Traveller, who for his Bridges,

To passe deepe waters, having nought but ridges

Of narrow Timbers, dares not cast his eye

From off the Plancke, nor set his foot a wrie;

…ecause beneath him, he beholds a Streame,

That runnes, and roares, and gapes to swallow him:

So, he that must an hourely passage make,

Through such like Plagues, as this whereof I speake,

(And many dangers waiting on him hath,

To catch him, if he slip his narrow Path)

Had need be carefull that he never stray,

Nor swarve in any thing beside the way.

Let, therefore, ev'ry man desire, at least▪

This pow'r; that his desirings may be blest,

With such pe…formances as he shall need,

Or, have his Will accepted for the Deed.

And, let him to his Calling ever stand:

For, whosoe're doth leave that place unmann'd

Wherein God set him; …orfeits that reward

(And is d…prived of that Angell guard)

Of which his Muse doth prophesie, who sayes,

We shall pr…s…rved be in all our wayes.

Far is it from my nature, to reprove

With proud insultings, those whom feare did move

To step aside: For, good and pious men

Give way to nat'rall frailties now and then;

And, we whom God emboldned now to stay,

Hereafter, from lesse frights may run away.

Yea, sure I am, that if it doe not flow

From Love, and Pity, that their s…apes we show,

God may, and will (our folly to deride)

Make them dare stand, where we shall seare to bide.

And therefore, hoping none amisse will take

What I have writ for truth and con…ience sake;

(That men in times to come might looke into

This duty, and be heedfull what they doe)

I will affirme, th…t ev'ry one hath erred,

Who in his lawfull Calling, was deterred

So much, as in …his danger to forsake it:

And, though a trifling matter many make it,

I know, the most apparant showes of terror

Are not excuse enough for such an error.

For, that we should not in such cases dread

The greatest perils: God hath promised,

p. 60That if we keepe ou… wayes, and him obse…ve,

He will not onelyonly, from this Plague preserve;

But, cause us w…thout ha…me to walke among,

Ev'n Adders, Drago…s, Lyons old and yong:

By which pernicious creatures, and untamed,

Is ev'…y danger meant …hat can be named.

These things we must obse…ve, if we will hope

Gods extraordinary blow to stop;

And other circumstances must attend

Those meanes. But, they so nat'rally depend

On what precedes; that in well doing one,

VVe cannot leave the other part undone.

Such were those holy med'cines, which prevented

The Plague, at Niniveh, when she repented;

Such Isr'el used, and it saved them;

Such kept the Plague out of Ierusalem;

And when the bloody Angell came, had pow'r

To stop him in Araunab's threshing floore.

Thus Hezekiah was preserv'd; thus David

Was from the very same contagion saved:

And if unfainedly we pra…tise thus,

He doth of safety also warrant us.

Yea (through this meanes) we shall be fortifi'd

VVith such a coat of proofe, as will abide

That murth'ring Arrow which in darkn…sse flyes,

From God… owne Bow, unseene of mortall eyes.

And when we thus have done, attempt we may

To stop the Shaft, that flyes abroad by day;

I meane the nat'rall Sicknesse, whi…h doth smite

By meanes, that is appar…nt to the sight.

For, as God striketh, oft, immediate blowes

By some immediate way: right so he showes

A nat'rall cure to those, whom he doth please

To warrant from the naturall Diseas… ▪

Thus, he for Hezekiah's health revealed

That Plaister, wherewithall his griefe was healed,

Thus from this Plague have many beene secured,

And many saved, who the stroke endured.

Here I could shew, what Med…cines may be tooke

To cure or to prevent the outward stroke;

To qualifie the Aire, what might be used;

What Diet should be taken, what refused;

What Symptomes doe attend on this disease;

What good, or ill, from Labour, or from Ease

Too much, or over-little, may be got:

But, to proceed in this presume I not,

For, to prescribe externall med'cines, here

To ev'ry man, too hard a taske it were;

Since they must often chang'd and mixed, …e,

As we the sicknesse changeable doe see,

And as we finde the measure of infection,

The parties Age, his Temper, or Complection.

To those I the…efore will commit this part,

Who are allow'd professors of that Art;

Advising all, that none their aid refuse,

Nor out of season, their assistance use.

For, if, before our peace with God be made,

We (seeking outward meanes) a cure have had;

That meanes shall be the meanes our death to …et:

That cure shall onelyonly cure us, to beget

Another Plague: unlesse we have repented

Our solly, and the mis…hiefe, so, prevented.

Yea such, as take that course, doe sugar o're

Strong poy…ons, and skin up a festring sore;

Because those med'cines, and that watchfuln…sse

(From which they did expect a good succes…e)

Not being with repentance sanctifi'd,

Nor (in their place) with faithfulnesse apply'd,

p. 61Corruptd grow; make what was evill, worse;

And (in the stead of blessings) bring a curse.

This Reason proves, For, since it is from Sin

Whence all our griefes, and sicknesses have bin:

We shall as vainly strive th'effects to stay,

Till we the Causes first remove away,

As if we went about to draine a River,

Before to stop the Springs we did endeavor.

And, as we neither should o're much r…ly

On outward helpes; nor take disorderly

The meanes of Health; …ight so, beware we must

That we doe never use it with distrust.

For as, in seeking safety, most men use

Preposterous courses (whence much harme ensues)

Or else (when likely med'…ines they have got)

Presume so farre, on what availe…h not,

Without Gods blessing; that, from him they take

His due, and of his Creatures, Idols make:

So, some there be so fearfull, that their Feare

Corrupts their blood, where no infections were;

Begets that Plague within them which they shun;

And makes it follow, when they from it run.

No place, or counsell can of rest …ss…re them;

No meanes their hope of safety can procure them:

But still they are distemper'd; ever taking

New courses, and new Med'cines alwayes making.

Of all they meet (if any meet they dare)

For some Receipt, their fi…st enquiries are.

What e're he be that tells them, that, or this

Prevents the Plague; it straightwayes practis'd is.

They swallow downe hot Wa…rs, Sirrups, Drinks,

Choake up their Chambers wit… Perfumes, & Stinks;

With Rue, and Wormwood cram their bowels up,

With Phisicke breake their fa…ts, and dine, and su…:

Yet, still d…spaire, as if that world of sluffe

(Which they devoured) were not halfe enough.

And, this their terror, doth to me appeare,

A greater Plague, then that which they doe feare.

Mistake me not; I doe not here condemne

The christian, and the filiall feare of them,

That are (with holy dread) employ'd about

Such meanes, as wo…keth true salvation out.

Nor blame it, when a moderate feare doth make

Alarums in us, Reason to awake.

For, while our Feare preserves a moderation,

It is a very necessary passion,

And stands for Centinell, to bid us Arme,

When any Foe doth seeme to menace harme.

Nor doe I checke that nat'rall Feare, which from

The knowledge of our weaknesses doth come:

For, want of that, is meere stupidity;

And such, can neither feele a Misery,

Nor ta…te Gods Mercies, with more profit, than

The brutish Creatures wanting Reason, can;

Who, of their paines, or pleasures, nought retaine

Much longer, then it doth in act remaine.

I count not each man valiant, who dares die,

Or venture on a Mischiefe desperately,

When, either heat of Youth, or Wine, or Passion

Shall whet him on, before consideration:

For, thus a Beast will doe, and hath (no doubt)

As much foresight in what he goes about;

As those blinde Bayards, who couragious be

In perills, whose events they doe not see.

Nor will I any man a Coward call,

Although I see him tremble, and looke pale

In dangerous attempts▪ unlesse he slacke

His just Resolves, by basely stepping backe.

p. 62For, as the greater part of men w… find

To laugh and blush, by nature, much enclin'd:

So, many have a nat'rall inclination,

To trembling, palenesse, or some other passion,

Which, no Philosophy can take away,

Nor any humane wit, or strength, allay:

And if their Apprehension proveth better

Then other Mens; their Passions are the greater▪

Because their searching wits finde pe…ills out,

Whereof the Dullard (never having doubt)

Hath boldly ventur'd on them, and out-dar'd,

Wh…t being heede…, him to death had scar'd.

Give me the Man, that with a quaking arme

VValkes with a stedfast mind through greatest harm;

And though his flesh doth tremble, makes it stand

To execute what Reason doth command.

Give me the Soule, that knowingly descries

All dangers, and all possibilities

Of outward p…rills; and yet doth persever

In ev'ry lawfull action, howsoever.

Give me that Heart, which in it selfe doth warre

VVith many frailties (who li…e Traytors are

In some besieged Fort) and hath to doe

VVith outward Foes, and inward Terrors too;

Yet of himselfe, and them, a conquest makes,

And still proceeds in what he undertakes.

For, this is double-valour; and such men

(Althoug… they are mis-censur'd now, and then)

Enjoy those mindes that best composed are;

In lawfull quarrells are without compare;

And (when the Coward, hoodwink'd goes to fight)

Dare cha…ge their sternest Foes with open sight.

Let no Man therefore glory, or make boast

Of Courage, when they feele their Dread is lost,

Or thinke themseles the safer, when they finde

Their Feare is gone, whilst Perill slayes behinde;

Especially, when they besieg'd appeare,

With such like Pl…gues, as this, we treat of here.

For that endangers, rather then secureth;

Since Custome, or else Ignorance procu…eth

That bru…ish …earlesnesse: And, where we see

Such hardinesse, Gods judgements fruitlesse be.

There is required, yet, one Caveat more

To perfect that, which hath beene said before;

Ev'n this; that we grow watchfull, lest the while

We trust in God, we doe our selves beguile

With fruitlesse confidence, and on his grace

(Beyond his warrant) our assurance place.

For, many thousands wondrous forward are

In Gods large promises to claime a …hare;

Who, those conditions never mused on,

Which he doth ground his Covenant upon.

And as the Iewes (from whom they take example)

Bragg'd of their outward worship, and their Temple,

As if Gods League extended unto all,

Who could themselves, the sonnes of Iacob, call,

Without respecting their partic'lar Way:

So, we have some among us, that will say,

They trust in God, and that, in this infection,

They full assurance have of his protection:

Because they formally his Truth professe;

Performe externall workes of Holinesse;

Or visibly, with such, partakers are,

With whom the Pledges of Gods love appeare.

But, they that on these ou…ward workes rely,

Without true faith, and true sincerity;

Commit those guilded sinnes, whose glosse will weare,

And leave their na…urall corruptions bare:

p. 63Yea they, of their professions, idols make;

And, will the Covenant of God …istake,

Vntill in his conveyances, they see

What duties, on their par…s, required be.

God promis…th (indeed) all such to save,

Who in his holy Church their dwelling have;

And th…t he will vouchsafe them his de…ence

From dangers of the noysome Pestilence:

But they must love him, and inuoke him, then,

Or else the Bargaine is unmade agen.

Thus much inferres the Psalmist, in that Ode,

Which p…ophecies the saving Grace of God.

Those, therefore, too too much on them assume,

Yea, (foolishly) of mercy they presume,

Who boast of Gods protection, and yet tread

Those paths, which to a sure destruction lead.

I doe not meane, when any man mis…does

Through frailty, or unwillingly mis-goes:

But when, with liking, and without remorse,

He wilfully pursues a wicked Course.

For, such, their confidence on God, bely,

Depending on their owne security;

And cannot see those dangers they are in,

Because …heir Consciences have seared bin.

How many thousands in the Grave are laid,

Who, in their life-times, impudently said

They should be safe in God? yet never tooke

His counsell, nor one vanity forsooke

For love of him? How many have I heard

Presumptuously affirme, they never fear'd

The danger of Gods Arrowes? though they flew

At n…one, at midnight, and so many slew

In ev'ry street? yea, shamelesly professe

Their trust in God, to cause their fearlesnesse,

Yet, nothing for the love of him …ndevour?

How boldly have I seene them to pe…sever

In ev'ry …in, when Gods fierce Angell stood,

Ev'n just before them, all embru'd in blood;

And slaught'ring r…ūd about thē neighbors, brothers

Their friends▪ their kinsmē, children, fathers, mothers,

And some of ev'ry sort? Nay, I have heard

Of such, who were not any jot afear'd

To ba…gaine for their Lust, in times to come,

VVithin the compasse of the selfe-same roome,

VVhere (at that instant) they beheld their wives

Lye newly dead; or lab'ring for their lives.

They waste Gods Creatures in luxurious diet;

Consume their times in wantonnesse, and riot;

They feasts, and merriments, in Tavernes keepe,

VVhilst others in the Temples, fast, and weepe;

Th…y p…rsecute their brethren, and the poore;

Pe…forme no good; forbeare no sin the more;

And live so carelesly, as if they thought,

That, when the greatest wickednesse they wrought,

It prov'd, their trust in God to be the greater;

And, that lewd works, shew'd forth their faith the better;

Or else that God the more obligement had,

Because he was so good, and they so bad▪

Ev'n such there are. And these make boastings will,

Of …rust in God, yet such continue still.

Alas, it is but vaine to say Lord, Lord,

Or to professe a confidence in word,

Where lively Faith appeares not: for, God granteth

Protections unto none, but whom he planteth

Within his Vineyard; wherein growes no tree,

But in some measure, it will fruitfull be;

Or …lse, a storme shall come, which down will shake it,

With whatsoever, carnall props, we s…ake it.

p. 64No high-presuming Cedars, nor stiffe Oakes,

Are those whom God exempteth from the strokes

Of his tempestuous wrath: but, that which bendeth

To ev'ry blast, which he in Iudgement sendeth,

As doth a bruised, or low-stooping Reed,

Which, by the bowing, is from breaking free'd.

Yea those, who really within the shade

Of his defence, have their abidings made;

Those onelyonly, may depend on his protection,

Amid the ragings of this hot Infection.

And who are these, but such, as (when they see

The threa…ned Plague) afraid, and humbled be?

Such, as through hearty love, ashamed grow,

That they so good a God displeased so:

Such, as are sory for their passed crimes,

And truly purpose, in all future times

A better life: Such, who, for conscience sake

(And not through servile feare) themselves betake

To pious exercises: such, who strive

To mortifie their lusts, and how to live

As worthy their free-calling: such, as they,

Who ev'ry houre, doe labour, watch, and pray▪

Their duties to performe; and dare not peepe

Abroad at morning, or at ev'ning sleepe,

Till they the sacrifice of thankes have paid,

For favours past; and begg'd for future aid.

Such, as on Gods owne pleasure can rely,

And, in his Faith resolved are to dye.

Such, as have Charity; and working are

Their safeties with continuall joy, and fear… ▪

Ev'n such as these, securely may repose

When twenty thousand dangers them enclose.

On these, Gods Angells wait▪ and these they shall

From stumbling keepe, when many Millions fall▪

From ev'ry kinde of harme they shall be free,

And sleepe, where feares, and mischiefes thickest be:

Yea, though that seize them, which the Plague we cal,

It shall to them become no Plague at all;

But rather be their furth'rance, to acquire

That perfect happinesse, which they desire.

Let no man, therefore, in this Visitation

Tye God unto the temp'rall preservation;

Or be discouraged, if he shall please

To exercise him under this Disease,

Supposing, he inflicteth it on none

(As some fooles thinke) but Reprobates alone.

For he did Hezekiah thereby strike▪

He, by th…s Malady, or some such like,

Afflicted holy David, his Elected;

Whose Reprobation is of none suspected.

And though just men from temporall infection

Shall finde more certainty of Gods protection,

Then others doe: yet sure, that Pestilence

(From which God promis'd absolute defence)

Is not that sicknesse which the body slayes;

But that, which death unto the soule conveyes.

Our …rthly griefes, to heav'nly joyes doe rear…,

And why should any Man or grudge or feare

A mortall wound, so he might gaine thereby

A body cloth'd with immortalitie?

Or why should we repine, in missing that,

Which (to our dammage) we had aymed at;

When God doth give us more then we desired;

…nd lifts us higher, then our hopes aspired?

To him due praises, rather, let us give,

Whose love to us, is better, then to live.

But, I have said enough to this effect,

And if, what I have spoken, have re…pec…,

p. 65We shall (I hope) hereafter well dis…erne,

What, by this Iudgement, we are bound to learne▪

How much to trust; how much to hope, or feare;

What outward meanes, or inward helpes there are,

VVhereby, this heavy Plague may be prevented▪

Or entertained, with a brest contented.

So few (as yet) have thus prepared bin,

That now of late it quickly rushed in

In spite of all our Halberds, and our Watches.

And as a Flame (which in a Tempest, catches

On some full Barne) is blowne about the Village,

And fi…eth, here, the hopefull fruits of Tillage;

A Cottage there; on th'other side the way

A well-…ill'd Stable, or a Rick… of Hay;

Another yo…; close by, doth menace harme

Ev'n to the Church; forthwith consume … Farme;

Some dwellings (now, and then) doth overgoe▪

Anon la…es waste a dozen in a row;

And still increase, goe forward, and returne,

Vntill the Towne in ev'ry quarter burne:

So rag'd the Pestilence. And, as we see

Those wo…kmen, who, repai…ing breaches b…

In Thame, or Trent, at first the Banks doe raise▪

Shut clos… the Sluce…, strengthen up the Bay's,

And l…bour seriously with much good hope,

VVhile they perceive but some few gaps to stop:

But, when they see the Flood prevailing more,

(Ten breaches made, for …v'ry one before)

And all endeavors faile; they worke forsake,

Leaving the waters their owne cours… to take:

So, when this Floud began▪ we had … thought

To keepe it backe; and to that purpose w…ought:

But, when we saw it rise beyond our pow'r,

VVe gave it way at pleasure to devoure.

At first, the publique Officers did show

Their skill in curbing this encroaching Foe,

Not sparing to be prodigall of paine,

The spreadings of Infection to restraine;

And ev'ry private family beside,

Against this danger did for armes provide▪

Their Yards, and Halls, were smoked with perfume,

To stop the stinkes, which thither might presume.

Their Chambers furnisht were with Antidotes,

With Viols, Boxes, Glasses, Gallipots,

All filled with munition of defence

(As they suppos'd) against the Pestilence.

Some did in Meats their meanes of safety thinke;

Some Epicures did arme themselves with Drinke;

Some, foolishly did build up monstrous hope…

VponUpon the smoking of Tobacco shops;

(But this disease, without a Conscience making

Of their presuming on Tobacco taking,

Came thither too, and frequently did cary

Good-fellowes from their smoaking Sanctuary.)

Some, one, and some another course devised▪

Yet, ev'ry day more places were surprised.

Which, when we saw, and how it overcast

All temp'rall force; we thought upon (at last)

The helpe of God: and then we did repaire

To crave his ayd in Fasting, and in Prayer,

Then some, through servile terror; some, for fashio…,

And some, out of a true humiliation,

Emplored ayd from heav'n; and show'd in teare…

Their Hope, their true Repentance, and their Feares:

But, whether God did for a while contemn…

Ou… suit, because we gave not eare to him,

When first he call'd: or, whether he thought fit,

(That we the longer might remember it)

p. 66To fright us somewhat more: or whether we

Brought not such hearty penitence, as he

Expected from us: or appointed were

Some further tryalls of our Faith to beare:

Sure, some such cause there was; and for that cause,

God did not onelyonly seeme to make a pause

In answ'ring our Petition; but, to chide

More sharply, and to throw it quite aside.

For with a doubled, and redoubled stroke

The Plague went on; and, in (among us) broke

With such unequall'd fury, and such rage;

As Brittan never felt in any age.

With some at ev'ry turning she did meet.

Of ev'ry Alley, ev'ry Lane and Street

She got possession: and we had no way,

Or passage, but she there, in Ambush, lay.

Through Nookes, & Corners, she pursu'd the Chase,

There was no barring her from any place:

For in the publique Fields in wait she laid;

And into private Gardens was convaid.

Sometime, she did among our Garments hide;

And, so, disperse among us (unespy'd)

Her st…ong Infections. Otherwhile (unseene)

A Servant, Friend, or Child betraid hath beene,

To bring it home; and men were fearfull growne

To tarie, or converse, among their owne.

Friends fled each other▪ Kinsmen stood aloofe▪

The Sonne, to come withi… his F…thers roofe

Presumed not; the Mother was constrain'd

To let her child depart unentertain'd.

The love, betwixt the husband, and the wife,

Was oft neglected, for the love of life;

And many a …ne their promise falsifi'd,

Who vow'd, that nought but death should thē divide.

Some, to frequent the Markets were afraid;

And some to feed on what was thence purvay'd.

For on young pigs such purple spots were s…ene,

As markes of De…th on Plague-sicke men have been▪

And it appeared that our suburbe-Hogs

Were little better, then our Cats, and Dogs▪

Men knew not, whither they might safely come,

Nor where to make appointments, nor with whom.

Nay, many shunn'd G…ds-house, and much did feare

So farre to trust him, as to meet him there.

In briefe, the Plague did such distruction threat,

And Feares, and Perils were become so great,

That most mens hearts did faile; and they to flight

B…ooke themselves, with all the speed they might:

Not onelyonly they, who private persons were,

But, such as did the publique Titles beare.

The Maior startled, and some say was gone:

But, when his Charge he truly thought upon,

It settled him; and he at Helme did 'bide

Vntill his roome was orderly supply'd.

And (let me doe him right) it since appeared,

That, with go…d Diligence his Course he steered.

For, on hi… backe were many burthens laid;

The Count…y of provisions us denay'd;

The greater part with sicknesse waxed froward;

Much want did make the poorer sort untoward;

That when I call to minde his heavy taske,

And little helpe; me thinkes it praise doth aske.

Most of his gowned-Brethren him forsooke,

And to their Country Bow'rs themselves be…ooke;

Where, how they pray'd, or what they sent by gift,

To feed the Poore; I leave it to the shr…ft

Of their owne consciences; which best can tell,

What things they have performed ill, or well.

p. 67Physitians were afraid, as well as these,

And neither Galen, nor Hippocrates

Could yeeld them any warrant for delay;

And therefore (with the first) they went away.

Some Leaches of the Soule, (who should have staid)

Were much (nay somewhat over-much) afraid,

And had forgotten so, how to apply

Thei… heav'nly Cordi…ls of Divinty,

Against the feare of …eath; that when most dangers

Beset their Flocks; they left …hem unto strangers.

Nay▪ some there were, who did among us teach,

That Men should flie; & that, which they did preach,

They taught the people by example too.

Pray God, in oth…r things th…y may do so.

Few staid, of any calling or degree,

VVho to their Country-…riends might welcome be;

Or, of themselves were able to provide

A place of Harbour, where they might abide.

Yea some, (to scape uncertaine Death) did flie

Into the Iawes of certaine Beggery,

By leaving of their Callings; and are flowne

So far, and high a flight out of this Towne,

On borrow'd-feathers; that their Neighbour… feare,

They never more will in their shops appeare.

Those of our wanton Gentry, that could brooke

No Ayre, but Londons; London quite forsooke;

And all that Crew of Spend-thrifts, whom (untill

This Pl…gue did fright them) nor Star-Chamber Bill,

Nor strictest Proclamation, could compell

VponUpon their owne Inheritance to dwell;

Were now, among their racked Tenants faine

To seeke for shelter; and to ayre againe

Th…se mu… Roomes, which …heir more thrifty Sire…

Kept warme and sweet with hospitable Fires.

God grant, that where they come, they may do good,

Among their Tenants, by their neighbourhood.

Of some we hopefull are, they will be such;

And of some others we doe feare as much,

That by their presence they will plague them more,

Then by their willing absence heretofore.

In many a mile you scarce could find a Shed,

Or Hovell, but it was inhabited,

(Sometime with double Families) and Stalls

And Barnes were trimmed up in stead of Halls.

Those Burgesses, that walk'd in Gownes, and Furs,

Had got them coats, and swords, and boots, & spurs;

And, till you saw them ride, you would have sworne,

That, they, for horsemen, might have serv'd the turn.

Those Dames, who (out of daintinesse, and Pride)

The rusticke plainnesse did (erewhile) deride,

(And, at a better lodging, Fob, would cry)

Beneath a homely roofe were glad to lye;

And fawne on ev'ry Child, and ev'ry Groome,

That, so they might the welcomer become.

Those, who in all their life-time never went

So far, as is the nearest part of Kent:

Those, who did never travell, till of late,

Halfe way to Pancridge from the City gate:

Those, who might thinke, the Sun did rise at Bow,

And set at Acton, for ought they did know:

And dreame, young Partridge sucke not, but are sed

As Lambes, and Rabbets, which of eggs are bred:

Ev'n some of these have journeyes ventur'd on

Five miles by Land (as farre as Edmunton.)

Some hazarded themselves from Lyon-K…y

Almost as far as Erith downe by Sea:

Some row'd against the streame, and stragled out

A… far as H…un…low-heath, or thereabout:

p. 68Some climbed High-gate-hill, and there they …ee

The world so large, that they amazed be;

Yea some are gone so farre, that they doe kno…

Ere this, how Wheat is made, and Malt doth grow.

Oh, how they trudg'd, and busled up and downe,

To get themselves a furlong out of towne.

And how they were becumbred, to provide,

That had about a m…le or two to ride.

But when whole housholds further off were sent,

You would have thought the Master of it, meant

To furnish forth some Navy, and that he

Had got his neighbours venturers to be.

For all the neare acquaintance thereabout,

By lending somewhat holpe to set them out.

What hiring was there of our hackney Iades?

Wh…t scouring up of old, and rusty blades?

What running to and fro was there to borrow

A Safegard, or a Cl…ke, untill the morrow?

What shift made Iack for girths? what shift made Gillian

To get her neighbors footstoole, & her pillian,

Which are not yet …etu…n'd? How great a pother

To furnish, and unfurnish one another

In this great voyage did there then appeare?

And what a time was that for Bankrupts here?

Those who had thought (by night) to steale away,

Did unsuspected shut up shop by day;

And (if good lucke it in conclusion prove)

Two dangers were escap'd at one Remove:

Some hired Palfr…yes for a day, or twaine,

But rode so far, they came not backe againe.

Some dealed by their neighbours, as the Iewes

At their departure did th' Aegyptians use:

And some, (with what was of their owne, content)

Tooke up their luggage, and away they went.

And had you heard how loud the Coaches rūbled;

…eheld how Carres, and Cart… together jumbled;

S…ene how the wayes with people …hronged were;

The Bands of Foot, the Troupes of Ho…semen there;

What multitudes away by Land were sent;

How many thousands fo…th by Water went;

And how the weal…h of London thence was borne;

You would have wondred; and (almost) have sworne

The Citie had beene leaving her foundation,

And seeking out another situation;

Or, that some Enemy with dreadfull pow'r,

Was comming to besiege, and to devoure.

Oh; foolish people, though I justly might

Authorize thus my Muse …o mock your flight,

And still to flout your foll…es: yet, compassion

Shall end it in a kinde expostulat…on.

Why with such childish terror did you try

To run from him, from whom you cannot flye?

Why left you so the place of your abode,

Not hasting rather to goe meet your God

With true repentance, who for ever hath

A mercy for us in his greatest wrath?

Why did you not your lawfull callings keepe?

But straggle from you… folds like wandring Sheepe▪

That had no Shepheard? And, oh, why, I pray▪

You Shepheards, have you caused them to stray?

Your Neighbours why forsooke you in distresse?

Why did you leave your brethren comfortlesse?

When God did call for Mourning, why so fast

Did you to seeke for mirth, and pleasures, hast?

And take away from other, when you fled,

What, in their need, should them have comforted?

If Death be dreadfull, stay, and learne to die;

For, Death affects to follow those that flie.

p. 69Had you not …one, you might for ever after

Have said, That Sorrow profits more then Laugh…er.

You should have known that Death hath limits here,

And loosed was, where he did bound appeare:

That many were prese…ved in th… flame,

And many burnt, that came not nigh the same.

Yea, some of you, be…ore from hence you went,

Had, of these Truths, got some experiment.

What …olly then, or Frenzy you bewitches,

To leave your houses, and goe dye in ditches?

Forgoe the Comfort, which your Ci…ie yeelds,

To venture for a lodging in the fields?

Or (which is worse) to tràvell farre, and finde

Those prove ungentle, whom you hoped, kinde?

A Plague so bitter, That might Plagues be chuse…

I would be Plague-sicke, rather then so used.

Did you suppose the Pestilence would spare

None here, nor come to seaze on any there?

All perish'd not, that did behinde you stay;

Nor did you all escape, who fled away.

For, God your passages had so beset,

That Hee with many thousands of you me….

In Kent, and (all along) on Essex side

A Troupe of c…uell Fevers did reside:

And ro…nd about, on ev'ry other Coast,

Of severall Country-Agues lay an hoa…t.

And, most of them, who had this place forsooke,

Were eyther slaine by them, or Pris'ners tooke.

Sometime the Pestilence her selfe …ad bin

Before them in their Lodging, at their Inne;

And hath arrested them upon the Bed,

Brought many sicke away, and meny dead.

Sometime (againe) she after them hath gone,

And when (perchance) she was not thought upo…:

Among their friends, and in their merriment,

Hath seiz'd them, to their greater discontent.

She divers apprehended on the way,

Who to so many mischiefes were a prey;

That poorest beggers found more pitty here,

And lesser griefe, then richer men had there.

I doe not meane concerning that neglect,

That barbarous, unmanly disrespect

Their bodies had among the clownish crew,

When from the tainted flesh the spirits flew.

For, if their carcasses they did contemne,

What harme, or what disease was that to them?

What paine, or torment was it, if that they

(Like carrion) in the fields, unburied lay?

What felt they, being …ragged like a Log,

Or hurl'd into a Saw-pit like a Dog?

What disadvantage could that Doctor have,

Who (learnedly) was drawne into his grave

By na…ed men? since those things doe disgrace

The living rather, and doe wrong the place

Th…t suffers, or allowes that barb'rousnesse

To shame the Christian Faith, which they professe.

Alas; my heart as little can bemone

A mangled carcasse, as a broken stone▪

It is a living body, and the paines,

Which I conceive a broken heart sustaines,

That moveth me: their griefe, in life-time was,

And, whilst they liv'd, their sorrowes did surpasse

These fained ones, as Death, and loathed Care,

By Life, and true Content, excelled are.

Some, who forsooke faire houses, large, and high;

Could scarcely get a Shed to keepe them dry;

And such, who many bed…, and lodgings had,

To lye on straw without the doores were glad.

p. 70Some over-tyr'd with wea…inesse, and he…t,

Could not, for money, purchase drink, or meat;

But cruelly of succour were deny'd,

Till, through their faintnesse, they grew sick & dy'd.

Some, who in London had beene waited on

With many servants, we…e enclos'd alone

In solitary places; where they m…ght

Find leasure, to repent them of their flight.

And, when they had supplyes at any need,

The bringers did (like those that Lyons feed)

Ev'n throw it at them; or else some where set it,

Where (after their departures) they might fet it.

And many a one (no helper to attend him)

Was left to live, or dye, as God should friend him.

Some, who unwisely did their homes forsake,

That triall of the Country they might make;

Have brought their lives to miserable ends

Before they could arive among their friends.

Some, having reach'd the places they desir'd,

(With no meane difficulty, weake, and tyr'd)

Have missed welcome, where they sought reliefe;

And, strucken by unkindnesse, dy'd with Griefe▪

The sickly Wife, could no …ssistance have

To bring her Husbands body to the grave.

But was compelled, with a grieved heart,

To act the Parsons, and the Sextons part.

And he, that wanted strength …o beare away

His mate, who dead within his presence lay;

VVas faine to let the stinking body lye,

Till he in death should beare him company.

Ah me; what tongue can tell th… many woes,

The passions, and the many griefes of those?

What m…rtall pen is able to expresse

Th…ir great temptations in that lonelinesse?

What heart can thinke, how many a grieuous feare

To those distressed people may appeare,

Who are with such afflictions over-tak…n?

Of ev'ry Cr…ature in the world forsaken?

Without a Comforter left all alone,

Where to themselves they must themselves bemone,

Without a remedy? And where none may

Or know, or pitty, what they …eele, or say.

Me thinkes to muse on those who suffer'd thus,

Should bring to minde the mercy shewed us,

And make our pennes and voyces to expresse

The love of God, with hearty Thankfulnesse.

For when no sor…owes of mine owne I had,

The very thought of those hath made me sad.

And were it not that God hath given me

Some trya…ls of those Com…orting…, which Hee

For men in their extremities provides,

And from the knowledges of others hides:

Or felt I not, how prevalent Gods pow'r

Appeares in us, when there is none of our:

What liberty hee giue's, when wee doe fall

Within the compasse of an outward thrall:

And what contentments He bestowes on them,

Whom others doe neglect, or else contemne:

Yea, had I not beleeued him who sayes,

That God doth knowledge take of all our wayes;

That He observes each rubb within our path,

With ev'ry secret sorrow, which it hath;

That he is neares… then, when we bemone

His absence, an… suppose him furthest gone;

And often in us dwels, when Those abroad

(With most ins…lting) say; Where is their God?

Had this beene hidden from me: I had here

For ev'ry line I writ, dropt downe a teare;

p. 71And in a floud of sorrowes drench'd mine eyes,

When first I mused on these miseries▪

But I have knowne them, to my great content▪

And felt so oft, w…at comforts God hath lent,

When of all outward helpes we are dep…ived;

That (could the same of all men be beleeved)

It would be thought, true Pleasures w…re possessed

Of none, but men forsaken, and distressed.

How ever; though such mercy God bestowes,

And brings men comfort in their greatest woes;

Let none of us presume, (as some have done)

Without our Circle, foolishly to runne;

Nor leave our proper station, that we may

Goe seeke our fortunes in an uncouth way.

Conceive me right; I doe not here deny,

Or call in doubt the lawfuln…sse, to flye:

Nor am I of their counsell, who despise

All such as fled: nor, judge I too precise

Those, w…o the Person, or the Place avoid,

Which is with any noysomnesse annoy'd.

For, when the causes of remove, are just,

We then may flye the Plague; nay, then we must;

Since, those who will not, (in such cases) goe,

Tempt God, and faile in what they ought …o doe.

If that a King, or Prince, should live within

A City much infected, it were sin.

For he (no doubt) hath some Vice-gerent there

Who, in his absence, may supply his care:

Or, if that Place were certaine of decay

By his departure; yet he might not stay.

The Reason is; there many thousands are

O… Townes, and Cities, that in him have share.

Who, would conceive, it were unjustly done,

That he should venter all their wealth in One.

And make great Kingdomes hazards to endure,

The welfare of one City to procure.

So, Counsellers of State, and he, whose Charge

Extends throughout the Common wealth at large,

VVith ev'ry other Magistrate beside,

(Except his pow'r to s…me one place be ty'd)

Must shun the Plague; because that such, as he,

Sworne servants to the whole Weale-publique be.

And since the safest Physicke and defence

For Children, in the times of Pestilence,

Is to remove them: they unwisely do,

VVho, having wealth, and f…iends to send them to,

Neglect the meanes, by being over nice;

Or grudging at the charge, through avarice.

Moreover they, whose calling seemes to lye

VVithin two sev'rall places, equally,

(Till some plaine causes hinder) may be fre…

To live where safety best appeares to be:

Vnlesse their secret conscience doe gaine-say;

And who can judge of that, but God, and They?

Yea, Men, on divers good occasions mo,

May from the places of Infection goe.

For there be times of stay, and times of going,

VVhichWhich, ev'ry one (that is discreet) well knowing,

Doth censure no partic'lar Man, at all:

But calling unto mind, that blessed Paul

VVas once ev'n in a basket forth convay'd

From his Pursuers; yet no iotafraid

(At other seasons) to continue there,

VVhere bloody pe…secutions hottest were.

And if my words have done my meaning right,

My Muse denyes not, but alloweth flight:

Provided alwayes, that Men doe not flie

From Casuall Plagues, to Plagues with Certainty:

p. 72From those with whom the bands of Charity,

Of Duty, Friendship, or Affinity,

Or of their Calling, doth requi…e a stay.

Provided also, when they part away,

That as God blest them hath, they somewhat …nde,

To comfort those, who must abide behinde;

And, that they trust not to their Flight, as tho,

That, of it selfe could save: but, ra…her know,

And use it as the gracious meanes of him,

Who saves; and, not as that which saved them.

Let the… consider likewise, that the Sin

Was partly theirs, which did the Plague begin;

And, in their absence (with a Christian feare)

Make sute for those, who must the burthen beare,

From which they scape: yea, let them all confesse

Their sins with penitenc… and humblenesse;

Avoiding ev'ry pleasure, where they live,

Which out of minde, their Brethrens cares may drive;

Lest God pursue them whither they are fled;

There …eize upon them to their greater dread;

Or from them take away all due correction,

Which Plague were greater then this great Infe…tion.

For, when his Iudgements, God, in wrath, removes,

His Mercy, then, the greater Iudgement proves.

There be, I know, some people gone away,

Who mi…ding our afflictions, night and day,

Have much bewayled our distressed case,

And sent up earnest prayers fo… this Place:

For, of their Piety good fruits are seene,

And, by their hands, the poore refresht have beene.

These, from this Den of Slaughter, were (no doubt)

By Gods especiall favour called out,

Who, for their sakes, I hope, those townes will spare,

To which, for sh…lter, they es…aped are,

As he did Zoar. And I wish they may

Obtaine their lives, and safeties for a prey.

But, there be some; (and would to God, that some

Were but a little one) who parted from

Our City walls, as if they had not gone

With Vengeance at their heeles; or waited on

By feares and dangers; but, so finifi'd,

As if their meaning was, to shew their pride

In Country Churches, for a weeke or twaine,

Ride out like Co…kneies, and come home againe:

The sorrowes of their brethren they forgot;

In holy duties they delighted not:

In drunken meetings they their leasure spent;

In idle visits; foolish merriment:

And, to their Country-friends they caried downe

Those sinnes that are too common in this Towne.

VVhichWhich (if they practise there, as here we doe)

VVill bring their wages, also, thither too.

These giddy Runnawayes, are they that were

Beginne…s of that great unmanly feare,

VVhichWhich did first author of disorder prove.

These, caused that improvident Remove,

VVhichWhich did both wrong the welfare of the Citi…,

Distract the Country, make it voyd of pitie;

And, give occasion of those Tales which Fame

Hath now dispersed, to our common shame.

For, if their flight had timely beene provided,

(VVith Conscience and Discretion truly guided)

Th…i… profit here at home had beene the greater,

And▪ f…iends abroad, had entertain'd …hem better.

And, yet I take small pleasure to excuse

T…ose Pesants, who so grosly did abuse

T…eir Manhood and Religion, in denying

T…e dues of Charity, to people dying.

p. 73For, though their folly might their fall deserve,

Yet we our Christian pitie should preserve,

Our brother in extremities releeving;

Not adding sorrowes to encrease his grieving,

Nor taking notice of his evill deed…,

So much, as of that comfort which he needs:

Till, he r…freshed by a friendly …and,

His errors, by our love, may understand.

And, sure, there was a meanes to succour stranger…

In their distresse, and to escape the dangers

Of that Infection, (which so much was feared)

Had Vnderstand…ngs eye be…ne better cleared;

And, that Selfe-love, and Avarice, removed,

Which kept good path… unseene, and unapproved.

But, since that easie knowledge hath beene hid,

By wilfull blindnesse, well enough I did,

If, here, I (Satyrizing) should expresse

The Countries folly, and fo…getfulness….

And yet, I will not write, to their disgraces,

What of some Persons, and particular Places

Hath rumor'd beene: lest I should spirt a blot

So blacke, as that it would not be forgot

In future Ages; but, make Times-to-come,

Suspect, they had deny'd their Christendome.

For, shou…d our Muse (who, if she list thereto,

Cares not who frownes, or frets, at what we doe)

Should she put on that straine of Bitternesse,

With which their cruelty we could expresse:

Should we in our description of their Feare,

Cause all their Indiscretion to appeare:

Should we illustrate here, the true Relation…,

Of what hath past in many Corporations;

What uproares in some Townes have raised beene,

When Londoners, approaching them, were seene:

How master Maior was straightway flockt about;

How they to Counsell went to keepe them out;

How they their watches doubled, as if some

Had brought them newes that Spinola would come:

And what ridiculous actions past among them;

Some few, perhaps, wold think th…t we did wrōg thē;

And, they would subjects be of scorne, and laughter,

For …ll their evill willers, ever after.

Or, should we tell what propable suspition

Appear'd, sometime, of wisedome and discretion,

In goodman Constable; when, in a standing,

To wind-ward from the Rode (& there commanding

Browne bills, and Halberts) he examined

Such Travellers, as from the City fled:

And (at the very lookes of them affrighted)

Sent feeble women, weary and benighted,

(Without or meat or drink) to try the field…

What Charity, their better nature yeelds.

If this we told, it might goe hard▪ when we

Should apprehended in their Watches, be.

Or, should we shew, what polici…s did pleas…

The wisdome of some rustick Iustices;

Describe that wondrous witty stratagem

Which for a while was practised by them

To starve the Plague; how Christianly they sought

That no provisions hither might be brought;

Should we produce their Orders, which of late

Were put in u…e, and wisemen laughed at:

Or, publish to the world what we have heard

Of their demeanors, when they were afeard:

How they were fool'd by some of them that fled:

What course was taken to interre their dead:

How▪ he who for that worke could hired be,

Was f…r his labour, chained to a tree

p. 74A full month after: how, they forced some

From their sweet wholsome houses forth to come;

And (being sick and weake) to make their bed

Within a palt…y new erected Shed,

Compos'd of clods; which neere some Common-side

Their charitable Worships did provide:

Or, should I on some other matters touch

VVhichWhich I have heard; it would enlarge too much

This booke: and some of those, perhaps, perplex,

VVhom I desire to counsell, not to vex.

But, I from aggravations will forbeare,

And, those their oversights, at this time, spare.

For, some (although most others did not so)

Thei… love and Christian piety did show,

In counselling, in cherishing, in giving,

And, in the wisest manner of releeving.

Beside; I love the Count…y, as I pitie

The sorrowes and afflictions of the Citie.

And (since they both are guilty) being loth

To side with either; I the faults of both

Have shewed, so, that neither I abu…e.

Now, they that like it may; the rest may chuse.