The British Appeals with Gods Merciful Replies, Poem

The British Appeals with Gods Merciful Replies · Poem

p. 1The Britiſh Appeales, with Gods mercifull Replies, on the behalf of the Commonwealth of England, &c.

The Argument.

The Muſe, begins, with filiall fear,

To raiſe a joyfull trophie, here.

The differences, doth expreſs

'Twixt formall, and true thankfulneſſe.

Brings out thoſe mercies to your view,

For which our praiſefull thanks are due.

Warns, all men, timely, to take heed,

What, God hath done; and may ſucceed,

To thoſe, that will not underſtand

The work which he hath now in hand.

Then after ſome thankſgiving-ſongs,

Informs, what further, yet belongs

To thankfulneſſe, and open layes

Th' event, of right and left-hand wayes

MY ſoul, in honour of th' Eternall King,

Of Judgement, and of Mercy now ſhal ſing:

Of Mercies, and of Judgements, and, again,

Of Mercies, that they may not be in vain.

And that out of my poverty, I may

Add to the publick offrings of this Day,

A ſupplement, to fill up vacant places;

To fill up, extraordinary Graces.

To make us mindfull, what is further due,

To keep sheedfull, what may elſe enſue,

And perfect that, which others have begun,

Concerning what, the Lord of Hoſts, hath, done.

p. 2I ſing, the breaking of that Brazen yoke,

Which, from our gauled necks, was lately broke;

The gracious Verdicts which the Court of heaven,

To our Appellant-combatants, hath given;

The thruſting of the Proud out of the Throne;

The ſetting up, of humble men, thereon;

The malice, craft, and wilfulneſſe, of thoſe,

Who were our open, or our ſecret Foes;

And, therewithall, the matchleſſe love, of him,

Who from their Tyrannies did us redeem,

Shall be my Song: and I deſire it may

Be ſet and tuned, unto ſuch a Key,

As, that, my Readers, may perceive, thereby,

The uſefull power of hallow'd-Poeſie,

In raiſing, Gods neglected mercies, from

Forgetfulneſſe, to ſhine through times to come.

My Structure therefore, ſhall be rather ſtrong,

Then Lofty; that, it may continue long:

And though my Weakneſſe, may not reach to that,

Which my Intentions have been aiming at;

Yet, I am hopefull, that I ſhall be able,

To offer an Oblation acceptable:

For, God in willingneſſe, takes much delight,

(Although, it can but ſet a ſtone upright,

As Iacob did) vouchſafing acceptation,

To ev'ry Faithfull-Offrers free oblation;

And equalling the raiſing of one ſtone,

Eve'n with the Temple, of great Solomon.

I, Voices hear, of wondrous things abroad;

Of multitudes of Mercies, from our God;

Mercies, too great, for Scorners to believe;

Too good, for men unthankfull, to receive:

Such Bleſſings, as no former Age had greater;

Such, as no time enſuing ſhall have better

Yet, every day almoſt brings forth new matter

Of exultation, both by land, and water.

p. 3Good newes, employeth almoſt every month;

Yea, weekly from the Eaſt, the West, the South [come)

(And thence, from whence 'twas ſaid no good can

Even from the North, Glad tidings are brought home.

To thoſe, who for their own eſcapes, have mourn'd,

With Zions Ruines, God, hath back return'd

Thoſe Signal Victories, which, you have heard,

In Publick, by a Publick Act declar'd;

With their dependent-Mercies: now, I'le add

What from my private notions may be had;

O give attentive heed, to what is ſaid;

And let it with doe ſeriouſneſſe, be weigh'd:

For, I ſhall mention, (if time fail me not)

Things neither to be ſleighted, or forgot.

But whence comes this? alas! now I am ready

To write, I find my ſhaking hand unſteady.

A ſhivering doth ſurpriſe me; and a fear,

As if ſom Apparition, did appear,

Obſtructing my Deſigns, and, to aſſay

The turning of my thoughts, another way.

What ails my heart! that in this uncouth faſhion,

There ſtrives in me, a Contradicting Paſſion?

Which like the twins, within Rebeccas Womb,

…eem to be ſtrugling, which may overcome.

Why is my heart, (which hath enough to do,

Wi…h one at once) thus overcharg'd with two?

Two Paſsions, as deſtructive to each other,

As fire and water, cloſ…d uptogether:

And ſo divided, that, it hardly knowes,

To whether, moſt reluctancy, it owes.

This, is a day of triumph; wherin, they

Who, have atchiev'd them, ſet us Trophies may

… ou…ward Ioy and ſuch as could not win

Externalis, may keep Holyday within,

…heretofore, they ſo good husbands were,

…o ſtore up ought, for entertainment there,

p. 4It is a day, wherein, I ought to ſing,

A Song of praiſe; and purpoſed to bring

Expreſſions forth, which might be to this Nation,

A lengthening out of Thanks, and exultation,

By making Gods free mercies, thought upon,

When all this generation, ſhall be gone:

Yet, now I ſhould perform, what I decreed;

I, am unable, further to proceed.

Of glorious victories, the Guns, the Bells,

And this dayes due ſolemnization tells,

To make us with more ſeriouſneſſe, to heed

Gods owning of our Armies, at their need;

And thoſe glad tidings, which divulged are,

Invite to mirth; yet ſomewhat, bids me fear;

Yea, though my lips are tempting of a ſmile,

Mine eyes (I know not why) drop tears the while,

Seeming to tell me with a ſilent voice,

That we with trembling ſhould this day Rejoyce:

Yea, though I feel my heart is truly glad,

Of what I hear; it is as truly ſad,

For what I know, for what I daily ſee;

For what hath been; or may hereafter, be.

Diſtempred, thus, I very ſeldom grow;

And, therefore, it, the more affects me, now,

With Jealouſies, and Fear, left, ſomewhat may

Ere long befall us, to beeloud this day.

With me 'twas never thus, but when from Spain

Our late unhappy King, return'd again,

Depraved and made giddy by that Cup

Of Poyſon, whereof there he took a ſup.

And, then, I felt theſe Paſſions. I confeſſe

My joy was then, as great, my fear no leſſe;

Though neither much appeared to the eye,

Or to the ear of any ſtander by.

It fareth, now with me, as on that morning

Which, firſt, inform'd us, of his ſafe returning;

p. 5For, when the voice of his arrivall came,

The City Bon-fires, blaz'd into a flame

Which menaced the Clouds; the Clouds powr'd down

A floud, as if the City they would drown.

The Common people, were tranſported ſo,

(As 'tis their guiſe) that wiſemen could not know

Whether they might be thought, exceeding glad,

Or, rather, to be ſomewhat leſs than mad.

The Earth ſeem'd joyfull of his ſafe return;

The heav'ns for ſomething hidden ſeem'd to mourn.

And, as in thoſe, there then appear'd to be

A diffring Paſsion, ſo, it was, with me.

Though, none more wiſh'd the Kings returning

Though I was truly glad, to ſee him come, (home,

And for this ſafe arivall ſhewed, then,

My joy, as much, as other ſober men,

Yet, joy and ſorrow ſtrove in me together,

As if they labour'd to ſupplant each other:

And, long time kept me, in a doubtfull pauſe,

Of whether His Return would give moſt cauſe;

And by what hath ſucceeded, it appears,

My joyes were far more cauſleſſe than my fears.

The ſame diſtempers, are, this day in me,

Great, are my joyes and hopes, great alſo, be

My griefs and fears: God render them, ſucceſſe,

And conſequences, of more happineſs,

Then, followed after that; and take away

Th' effects, and cauſes, of my fears, this day.

God, turn all to the beſt; and give us grace

To cleave to him, what ever come to paſſe.

God, give us Will, thoſe Achans to remove,

Which, to the publick Peace, deſtructive prove.

God, grant my hopes, hereafter may be truer,

The cauſes of my fear, much leſſe, and fewer:

And, that, the Councells, Charles did then neglect,

May be received, now with more reſpect;

p. 6Left his example, that ſhould make us better,

May make us worſe, and our damnation greater.

For God will not be mockt; nor will he ſpare

For ever, though a while he doth forbear.

Where greateſt MercieMercy, he, vouchſafes to ſhew,

The greateſt of his Judgements will enſue.

He that improves not, ev'ry gift God gives,

(According to the meaſure he receives)

Shall loſe the Talent upon him beſtown,

And into utter darkneſſe too be thrown.

Then much more, they who ſhall Gods Grace requi…

With willfull diſobedience or deſpight:

And for that cauſe, it hath been ſaid, the Lord

Is mercifull, and therefore ſhould be fear'd.

This being true, what Realms, or Nations be

Obliged more to fear him now, than we?

If, mercies, be inducements to his fear,

(As all men well informed, know they are)

What people, now, inhabits on the earth,

That, hath more cauſe of trembling, in their mirth,

Or, of more filial dread, when they draw nigh,

The holy name, of God to ſanctifie?

For whom hath he ſo many wonders wrought

Since out of Aegypt, Jacobs God was brought,

As for this Iſle, if we reflect upon

Thoſe things aright, which, he for us for us hath don?

And, who can blame me, if I ſing with fear,

This day, when we conſider, what we are?

What, God is? what, they ſeemed, who have been,

Deſtroyed for our ſakes? what we, have ſeen

Done, for us? by what means, at, what a ſeaſon?

In what great ſtreights? how farre, beyond our reaſons

Or our deſerts? (Deſerts ſaid I? nay, when,

We had deſerved worſe than other men)

What paſſed bondage, we are freed from?

What likely ſlaveries, for time to come?

And what a heap of bleſſings we have had

p. 7…howr'd down, to make us, in his favour glad?

Who, can? (theſe things conſider'd) who I ſay,

Can blame me, if, I am afraid, this day,

Amidſt our Triumphs? and aloud ſhould cry,

On other men, to fear as much as I?

For ſuch a fear, no portion doth deſtroy,

Of ought which is eſſentiall to our joy:

But helps to keep it, from an overcaſting,

By future clouds, yea makes it everlaſting;

Rather preventing harm, than harm portending,

And, from a dull ſecurity, defending.

Already, I diſcover, that this fear,

Which, at the firſt, deſtructive did appear,

To my Deſign, (by making up a Medley,

Which, on a day of joy, lookt ſomewhat ſadly)

Proves uſefull to my purpoſe, and makes way,

To render that, which I intend to ſay,

Much more effectuall, than it would have been,

Unleſſe it had been thereby uſher'd in.

To make impreſſion of a joyfull fear,

In thoſe, who ſhall of Gods protections, hear.

I feel my ſpirit on a ſudden freed,

From all Diſtempers: therefore Ile proceed,

With what I purpos'd, and enumerate

Some of thoſe Mercies, which we celebrate

Thi…d…y, in hope to repreſent them ſo,

That, out of them a filiall fear may flow,

So tempring ev'ry Reader, that none ſhall,

Neither preſume, nor by deſpairing, fall:

Yea, ſo to ſet them forth, I will aſſay,

That, in Remembrance, they continue may:

That I, who write them, and that they who read them,

May with more ſeriouſneſſe, hereafter, heed them,

More ofte… meditate them, to encreaſe

Our Joy into a perfect thankfulneſſe,

And, that, as in a glaſſe, our eyes may ſee,

How worthleſſe, how unthankfull, yet, we be;

p. 8How theſe good things, which, God, in mercy, ga…

To ſave mens lives, oft ſend them to their grave,

If not to Hell: how likewiſe to improve

Gods judgements, and, the Pledges of his love,

To our beſt benifits, and how to raiſe,

Such Monuments, and trophies, to his praiſe,

As, anſwer their intents, who ſet aſide

This day, to be, in publick, ſanctifi'd.

Without thoſe ends, the formall obſervation,

Of one ſet-day is but a profanation;

Or, meer hypocriſie: It, makes men think

They offer incenſe, when they offer ſtink:

It makes them dream that they have ſomthing give…

To God; when, they have but affronted heaven:

It proves like that Peace-offering of the Whore,

Which made her ſin more boldly than before;

And to return again, to her offence,

With leſſe reluctance, and more impudence:

To faſt a meal or twain, and to put on

A ſadneſſe, for a day, is cheaper done,

Than, to deny our ſelves; or, to ſupreſſe,

Our Avarice, or our ambitiouſneſs.

To ſay, the Lord be thanked; or to ſing,

A ſong of praiſes; is, an eaſier thing,

Than to expreſſe a hearty thankfulneſſe,

By works of merciemercy, and of righteouſnes:

As, giving to the poore, or, taking care

Of thoſe that under great oppreſſions are:

And, 'tis alas! with us, too frequent, ſeen,

That ſome who formally diſpos'd have been

To outward duties, acting joy, and ſorrow,

This day (with ſeeming zeal) come forth, to morrow,

And proſecute their avarice, their pride,

(With whatſoe'r, they ſeem'd to lay aſid…

The former day) and, entertain as bad,

If not worſe ſpirits, than, before they had:

p. 9Purſuing wilfully, Diſtructive wayes.

What e're the Preacher, or, the Charmer ſays.

He, that could finde expedients to prevent

Theſe Prophanations, Well his time had ſpent;

And, thanks might merit, for ſo having done;

(Although, he peradventure ſhall have none,)

I, therefore, to that purpoſe, will aſſay

To ſet my Meditations, for this day,

To ſuch a Tune, as may have likelihood,

Of thoſe effects, if rightly underſtood;

For (though it move, but two or three, to dance

True meaſures) my Deſigne it ſhall advance:

And, he, that doth accept a willing heart,

More, then the beſt performances of Art,

Will, perfect his own work, in me, begun,

Though, that, which I perform, be weakly done.

It is not my intention to begin

Where, Gods or'eflowing merciemercy, firſt broke in,

Upon this Nation; For, that, would appear,

A work not for a day, or for a year,

But, for an Age: and, my poor Snuffe of Light,

Would leave me, in an everlaſting night,

E're I could half thoſe Mercies overlook,

Whereof, in few years, I have notice took:

Nay, in each Circumſtance, ſhould I diſplay

Thoſe, onelyonly which, of this Thankeſgiving-day

Occaſions were: I, might dilate thereon,

Till three ſuch lives, as I have liv'd were gone.

I, therefore, will but offer up a Beam,

Out of the Sun; a drop, out of a Stream;

One Grain, out of that golden-mine, by which,

Our God, hath made us, in his Favours, rich:

Or, make a brief Collection, at the moſt,

Of ſo much, that, this day, may not be loſt;

But give thereby a Longer laſting motion

To real Thankefulneſs, and true devotion.

p. 10Should I ſuppoſe a Tripled Golden chain,

One fold whereof ſufficed to contain,

Theſe Britiſh Iſles, with all thoſe Seas inclos'd,

Which, may be in a, Circle ſo ſuppos'd;

And, that, as many Links, thereon were found,

As there are half-half Inches, in that Round

Of Land, and Water: therewith, ſhould I think,

I ſaw enamel'd, upon ev'ry Link,

Ten hundred Thouſand mercies; I, might read

All thoſe Inſcriptions thereon Character'd,

As poſſibly, as make a full relation,

Of, Gods proceedings, in our preſervation.

I, therefore, will but ſet forth, here, and there,

Such Links of Providence, as do appear

To moſt mens view; that, ſomewhat may remain

Still viſible, of Mercies Golden Chain:

Looking, no further back, in my deſigne,

Then, to the year Six hundred thirty nine

Beyond a Thouſand; and, I will relate

But, onelyonly, an Epitomy, of what

Hath been vouchſaf'd ſince then; For, by the Pa…

You may conceive, what Lyon I could draw:

And, if the whole proportion I ſhould Lymn,

I could not do my work, within the time.

About, that year, The Tyrant (who now lies

Beneath our feet) with over weening eyes,

Had view'd himſelf; and Puffed up with Pride,

Began, to think, of being Dei fide;

Or, at the leaſt, of being ſomewhat more

Then Man, or King; or, then what heretofore

He was eſteem'd: and, much endeavoured, too,

That, we (if poſſible) ſhould think him ſo.

His Tripple-Kingdom, upon him beſtown,

For, others; he, uſurped as his own;

Inchroching by undue Prerogatives,

As well, upon his Loyal Subjects lives,

p. 11As on their Free-born Perſons, and Eſtates;

With what elſe, to their Liberties relates:

Nay, upon that, which is more dear then theſe,

(Upon the freedome of our Conſciences,)

He made aſſaults; well knowing, that would beſ…

Procure him (and ſecure him) all the reſt:

And, how to proſecute it, he, was taught,

By them, who knew the way, to what he ſought.

A Councel, he had pick'd up, who might well

Be called his; and, with Achitophel,

Be judged Peers; but, that, of him, in Wit,

They came far ſhort; and, have not ſo well, yet,

Their houſes Order'd; nor, ſecured ſo

Their Perſons, as, he had the hap to do.

His Flattering Prieſts, and Poets, urg'd him on,

To what, they found him willing to have done:

For, by the firſt, there ſeem'd to be infus'd,

A Conſcience fitting him, to be abus'd:

And, by the laſt, He, and his Queen became

So often repreſented by the name

Of Heath'niſh Deities; that, they, at laſt,

Became (ev'n when their Mummeries were paſt)

Like thoſe they repreſented; and, did move,

Within their Sphears like, Venus, Mars, and Jove▪

And, had they onelyonly failed, but, in thus

Themſelves befooling; Gods, delivering us

From being Vaſſals, to ſuch Mimick-Players,

Had merited our publike Thanks, and Prayers.

For, when the Roman-Emperours begun

To fill the Stage, they, Vilify'd the Throne;

And, thoſe oppreſſions, quickly follow'd there;

Which, on the like beginnings, entred, here.

He, being thus transform'd, into a thing,

No Longer worthy to be call'd a King.

(Tho, fairly painted, and well varniſh'd over,

The wickedneſs of his Deſignes to Cover)

p. 12A Deep foundation Laid, for ſuch a Throne,

As, he, Ambitious was to ſit upon;

And, had ſo couch'd his Plots, (as he ſuppos'd)

And, ſo with pow'r and Policie, inclos'd,

His Intereſt (ere heed thereof was taken)

That, few believ'd the Structure could be ſhaken;

Or, that, a poſſibility had been,

Of thoſe Events, which we have lately ſeen:

Nor were they Poſſible untill, Gods hand,

Did ſhake the Rock, whereon the Pile did ſtand.

For, that, ſecure his Actings might become,

Himſelf, as well abroad, as here at home,

He fortifi'd; and Engineers did keep,

To render his Deſignes, as large, as Deep;

Neglecting little, which by right or wrong,

Might, in his undertakings, make him ſtrong.

With Forain Princes, and each neighbouring State,

(To whom, himſelf he might ingratiate)

He ſecretly comply'd; (by whatſoere

Relations, they might oppoſites appear.)

At home, himſelf, he ſtrengthned many ways,

With what concerns him, who the Tyrant plays:

As, by depreſſing them, who might be foes

To his deſignes; by, high Advancing thoſe

Who might promote them; by, diſabling much

The one, and making of the other Rich:

By projects, and Employments, which might add

To them, and, take from others, what they had;

And, by all practices, which might mantain

This Curſed Principle, Divide and Reign

His ends he follow'd, whatſoere it coſt,

In Treaſure, or in blood, by others Loſt.

Witneſs, the late Inhumane Maſſacre,

In Ireland: when, in few days murthere… were

Hundreds of Thouſands; and as many mo…,

Soon after, by Abetters thereunto,

p. 13A Maſſacre, beyond (without compare)

Thoſe, which in Sicily and Paris were,

Though both united; yet, it is believ'd

(Upon good grounds) to be at firſt, contriv'd

By him, or with his knowledge: But of this,

There is an Hoaſt, or Cloud of Witneſſes,

That, he did palliate, and look thereon

Without Compaſſion, when the Deed was done;

And, hath occaſioned that Sea of blood,

Whereby ſince then theſe Iſles have been o'erflow'd;

Ev'n by abuſing theſe unhappy Nations

With vain pretences, and falſe Proteſtations.

Yet, much more great, the deluge would have been,

Had not God's mercy interpos'd between,

His Cruelty, and us, when, he aſſayd

To tempt the Scotiſh Nation to give ayd

To his Deſignes; by promiſing, to add

Four Engliſh Counties, to the bounds they had.

When, likewiſe with the Armies, in the North,

He tamper'd, bloody miſchiefs to bring forth,

Of…ing them largely; when, moreover, that

Was in deſignment, which, he aymed at,

In Scotland, where, (about the ſelf-ſame time)

A Bloody Banquet, was prepar'd, by him.

Before theſe things (and, e're we felt thoſe harms

Which followed) he, found means to ſeize our Arms;

And by meer power, ingroſt into his hand,

The ſtores of Powder, throughout all the Land.

He, likewiſe had contrived, how, to draw

To ſerve his ends, the Maſters of the Law,

By placing, or diſplacing; and, thereby,

Had, almoſt, fixt, a Legal Tyranny.

By maskings, and looſe Revellings, at Court:

He, cloſely wrought upon the yonger ſort

Of wanton Students; and allur'd thereby,

The flower, of all the yong Nobilitie

p. 14And Gentry of his Kingdoms to encline

To him, in whatſoere, he ſhould deſign.

His Councel-Table, was beſpread with ſnares,

To catch, and hamper thoſe, at unawares,

Who ſtood for Liberty; his Courts, were made

Both Inſtrumental to the Bribing Trade,

And Bawdes, to help advance unjuſt deſignes,

By falſe decrees, wrong Judgments, mulcts, or Fines:

For, Juſtice, was afforded, there, to few

Save ſuch, as to his Intereſts were true:

And, moſt of thoſe (without attending long)

Had what they ſu'd for, whether, right or wrong.

His overgrown Prerogative, Laid hold

On our Proprieties; and, ſcarcely ſhould

Ere long, a Natural-action to this nation,

Allow'd have been, without a diſpenſation,

Or Fine, Firſt paid: No; not, to eat, or drink,

To go, or come; to ſpeak, or ſafely think,

Should we have been permitted; had not God,

To his uſurpings, put a Period.

For, many, to Accompt. not for deeds done

Have called been, or, for bare-words, alone;

But otherwhile, to Queſtion, ſome were brought

For thoſe things, alſo, which, to have in thought

They were ſuſpected: yea, ſuch was the Rage,

Of Tyranny, that, Children under age,

For Childiſh words (ſpoke without ill intent)

Were, not alone, to ſevere Chaſtiſement

Made Lyable; but, forc'd to ſuffer, too,

That painful death, which wilful Traytors do:

As (by a cruel act, of all abhor'd)

Appears at Sarum, yet, upon record.

No marvel then, if neither Sope nor Fir…

Nor Raking rotten Rags, out of the M…e;

Or Freedom, in ſuch poor and Trivial things,

As are Tobacco-Pipes, and Fiddle-ſtrings,

p. 15Could be allowed in this Common-weal,

Without a Fine, or Patent under Seal.

His Peerage (ſome excepted) was indow'd,

With Priviledges, but, to make them Proud,

And fit, them to oppreſs or to enſlave

The people, unto him, from whom they have

Their empty Titles. Upon ſome of theſe

He did Confer the higheſt Offices,

By great ſums, purchaſed; that, ſo, they mought

By ſelling dear (becauſe they dearly bought)

Ingaged be, to ſhare in his oppreſſions;

And, ſtrengthen by in Juſtice, their poſſeſſions:

To make them ſtill, have need of his protection;

And, …eave to him through Fear, if not Affection.

To this Intention, they had alſo ſhare:

In thoſe Baſe Projects, which injurious were,

To publike-right; and, they employ'd their power

To begger, to diſgrace, or quite devour,

All thoſe, who did not readily befriend,

His purpoſe; or, elſe, freely give, or Lend,

Or ſtand engag'd, to Anſwer his deſire,

In whatſoe're he pleaſed to require:

And, he, that ſought a remedy, by Law,

For theſe Intruſions, did but onelyonly draw,

More miſchiefs on himſelf: For, 'twas a flower,

Slipt from the Crown; and, by the Royal power,

Deriv'd; that, they ſhould be ſecur'd, by might,

From wrongs receiving, and, from doing right.

But, God, for this Injuſtice, now hath broke,

That S…pter: From their heads; their Crowns hath took

And, ſhall deſtroy all thoſe who will not ſee,

That want of Juſtice, and of Mercy, be

The Signal cauſes, of thoſe deſolations,

That fa… on private-Perſons, Kings, or Nations.

And, they, who for Gods Juſtice, upon theſe,

(Together with, the great deliverances

p. 16Thereby, vouchſafed) cannot, yet perceive

Juſt cauſes, of the Publike thanks we give;

Of their concernments, take ſo little heed,

That, to awaken them, I will proceed.

The Tyrant, had ſome other Inſtruments,

(To further him, in his unjuſt intents)

In order to our Bondage: among whom,

None did more miſchievous to us become,

(Nor, any, for him, play their Prizes better)

Then, his proud Prieſts: nor, was he more a debter

To any, then to them: and, I dare ſay,

So dearly for it, he, to none did pay.

His Prelates, and their Ʋnderlings, he bought

To ſerve his ends, (by giving what they ſought

And what he had in Guift) or, elſe perchance,

He might in Vain, have piped them a dance.

Inſtead of Preaching Chriſt, they Preach'd us down

To Slavery; and Idoliz'd the Crown:

Then, to require what they had done, for him;

He, fool'd away three Royal-Crowns, for them:

They (ſeeming confident he ſhould prevail)

Upon his Kingly Perſon did intail,

Divinity; that, arrogate he might

His Ʋſurpations, by a Sacred right:

He, to retaliate what they beſtow'd

With Temporal poſſeſſions, them endow'd:

And theſe by their falſe Doctrines did beſot

The Vulger ſo; that, in them it begot,

Idolatry; and therein they hold on,

Their Dotage, though their Deity is gone:

Yea, though their Idol, quite deſtroy'd they ſee,

And, Dagon-like, without a head to be.

To make his Clerick Engines ſerviceable.

(Yet further) he, did ſtrongly them enable

With Pow'r Canonical; which would have brought

More miſchiefs on us, then moſt had in thought;

p. 17And, ſuch, as might at length, have entrance made

For all, that ſuperſtition, would have had;

(Althought 'twas Cloked with a formal zeal,

Of Piety, their purpoſe to conceal;)

And, when theſe preparations, had unhallow'd

Our Churches; Popery, would ſoon have follow'd:

The People, ſhould have been, once more, an Aſs,

For Prelates to have ridden as it was;

Kings ſhould have been but Blocks to help them on,

And, Emperours, their Stirrups wait upon.

But, mark Gods, Juſtice, and retaliation,

To theſe; for, it is worth your obſervation:

The Prelates, juſtly, loſt their tempralties,

For ſmooth 'ring Truth, and Preaching vanities.

For ſeizing that, which Legally is known,

The Peoples right, the King hath loſt his own:

And King and Prelates, joyning both together,

In Tyranny, have ruined each other.

Thus far, you ſee Gods mercies; and, thereby

May ſee, his Juſtice, too, with half an eye,

And what muſt have ſucceeded ere this day,

If theſe, had t…ved their wicked way;

And, we are graceleſs, if we praiſe not him,

By whom, We had deliverance from them:

For, by thoſe Hydra's heads, not yet bereſt,

(And by that Poyſon, which is in them left)

It is apparant, We ſhould ſcarfe have had,

A day of reſt until our Graves were made.

On us, by his Aſſiſtants, he had brought

Such Slavery, that, we had ſcarcely ought

T… call our own; Or, at the leaſt, left Free

From thoſe Intruſions, which were like to be:

Yet, worſe it would have been; as, might appear

Beyond diſpute, ſhould I make mention, here,

What, I have known, and ſeen, in preparation,

To bring a further Bondage; on this Nation.

p. 18Moſt, are forgetful of what's paſt; and, ſome

By never heeding it, are now become

Unthankful Murmurers, repining at

Their preſent Contributions, to the State:

Becauſe, the Payments, yet impos'd, are more,

By much (as they conceive) then heretofore:

(Conſidering, neither what neceſſities

Now are; nor, from whoſe Faults, they do ariſe.

There is, indeed, a very Large expence,

Occaſioned to make our Juſt-defence,

Againſt the many practices of thoſe

Who, ſettlement of Peace do ſtill oppoſe:

And by long laſting Wars, at Sea, and Land.

(In ſeveral Kingdoms) thereby, to withſtand,

Our preſent enemies (and to prevent

Their future purpoſes) vaſt ſums, are ſpent:

But, this, was by Conſtraint; and, we have hope

Theſe Iſſues of expence, will quickly ſtop;

If we with Patience, for a while, could bear

With thoſe Disburſments which Compelled are:

And, would conſider, at how much more coſt,

We were, that, all our Freedoms might be Loſt.

As, alſo, what great Burthens, it would bring,

To readmit a Tyrannizing King,

With all thoſe ſwarms of Locuſts, and of Flyes,

Which are begot, and fed by Tyrannies:

With what muſt be exacted to maintain

The boundleſs Cravings, of his hungry Train.

We like the Sons of Jacob, were oppreſt;

And, God, is making us, a Path to Reſt,

As, he did them, ſo, he, doth lead us through

Much Hardſhip, and great difficulties, now:

And ſome of us, like them, (nay, worſe then they)

Ev'n almoſt at the Period of our way,

Would back return; and, brutiſhly Complain

As if our Eaſe, were ſharper then our pain.

p. 19Now therefore, I will here inſert a Note

Expreſſing part, of what we have forgot;

That, when our former Burthens we review,

We may, more thankfully, our Peace purſue.

We were oppreſſed by his vain expence,

Of Large Revenues, which, for our defence,

And for the Nations honour, were with him,

Intruſted; For, by his conſuming them

Upon vain Luſts; conſtrain'd we were, to add

Supplies, oft-times; for which, Returns we had

Of many new occaſions, to increaſe

Our Burthens, rather then to make them Leſs:

And ſtill whatever was on him beſtown

He took without Thankſgiving, as his own.

Great Subſidies, which ſuch like payments gain'd

By falſe pretences (as by dangers fain'd.

Or ſome like that,) by him, were, alſo, ſpent

In proſecutions, to the detriment.

Of all the Nation; and ſo, all that Coſt

Was, thereby (as to us) much worſe then Loſt.

By many, other wayes, he did inlarge

Our Burthens, and this Nation over-charge.

By Ʋniverſal Loans; with an Intent,

Never, to render back, the money Lent.

By Privy Seals; which, he did ſeldom pay

Except, for other borrowings, to make way.

By Contributions, termed Free; altho,

We paid them, whether, we did Liſt, or no.

By houſhould-Compoſitions, (for the Table,

The Kitchin, Sellar, and the Royal Stable)

Which, of themſelves, (if we conſider ſhall

What, Officers exacted, therewithall)

Might have maintain'd a King, much better than

All Scotlands Royal patrimony can.

Yet, this too, (as I finde, by Inquiſition),

Was taken, by a forced Compoſition.

p. 20To theſe, may added be, what he encroach'd

By Projects, and by Offices new Broach'd

By ſelling-places, by dround Lands, and Fenns;

By Fines, for Cottages of other mens;

By wrong pretended right, to Lands conceal'd;

By Ʋlnage, and by cloaths, and Drapries ſeald;

By Patents, Corporations, Fees, and Toll;

By ſev'ral Writs and money by the Poll:

By Coate and, Conduct-money; and, by that

For Ships, which, was extreamly Grumbled at.

By Tunnage, Poundage, Cuſtomes, both in uſe,

And pretermitted; to the great abuſe

Of Trade and Merchants; who, tho paying of theſe

To be ſecur'd from Pyrates on the Seas,

VVere left unguarded; to the frequent ſpoil,

Of Private men, and weakning of this Iſle.

Moreover, out of our Eſtates, he made

Large profit, by the forfeitures, he had;

By Bonds Recognizances, and, by Suits;

By Tenths, by Lycences, and by Firſt-fruits,

Eſcheats, Amercements, Mulcts of ſeveral ſorts,

In ſev'ral Cauſes; and in ſev'ral Courts.

By Wards, and Marriages; by ſuing forth

Of Liveries (which now are nothing worth)

By Honorary Titles, Sould to ſuch

As were not thereby honoured ſo much,

As honor was diſgrac't; by great ſums paid

For Corronation-Knights; by Coynage, Aid;

And, by a multitude of wayes beſide,

(Too many, hereby, to be ſpecifi'd)

This Nation was oppreſt. All which, though now

Of their late Griefs, forgetful, many grow,

(More notice taking, of what Lies upon

Their backs, at preſent, then, of what is g…e)

VVould, if ſum'd up, a greater Burthen prove

Then VVe have born, our Bondage to remove

p. 21Conſidering his vaſt Incomes, needleſly

VVere waſted, on his Luſts; or, that thereby

He might Inſlave us: whereas, all we ſpent

VVas by Conſtraint, or, that, VVe might prevent

Bell, and the Dragons, ravenous deſignes:

And, therefore, whoſoe're, thereat repines,

Doth neither his own welfare, underſtand,

Nor, that great work, which God, hath now in hand.

But, if our Citizens, who have forgot

Their former Preſſures (and, begin to dote

Upon an Idol-Majeſlie) would take,

More heed; they doubtleſs, more eſteem would make

Of Gods late Mercies; and, an offring Bring

To expiate their curſed Murmuring.

If, they would mind, at what uncertainties,

They did poſſeſs their goods, and Liberties;

What Interruptions, formerly they had;

What Innovations, as concerning Trade:

How oft, their Charters, upon ſlight pretence,

Were queſtioned, to put them to expence:

What Preſents, they have been Conſtrain'd to give,

For Favours, which, they never could receive;

What Bribes, to get their grievances remov'd;

And how unfruitful, Nay-the-leſs they prov'd;

What Scorns, and What diſgraces, in time paſt,

On them, have undeſervedly been caſt;

How oft, when Legally, they ſought their own,

They were abus'd, and into Priſons thrown,

Till they were glad, to quit a long-due-debt,

Leſt, elſe, a greater miſchief they might get.

Would they remember, their late ſad Condition.

Occaſion'd, by the Cruel Inquiſition

Set up at Lambeth; by the mercileſs

Starchamber Court; and by th'Imperiouſneſs

Of his Court-Marſhal; where their Innocence,

Was rack't and tortur'd, by the Inſolence,

p. 22Of Officers; of Clarks; Apparators;

Of Purſuivants; and Cut-throat Meſſengers.

Were it remembred more, how they, complain'd,

Of grievances by their late King ſuſtain'd,

And his ill Councellors: (whom we now ſee

Not half ſo worthy, of our blame as he)

They would not in their Courage, be ſo poor;

Nor, ſo unlike, to what they were before.

Yea, would they but recal, how furiouſly

They Acted (ev'n almoſt to mutiny)

Againſt the King; and to th' incouragement

Of this (then, Highly honour'd) Parliament;

How zealouſly, Horſe, money, Arms, and Plate,

They, then, Contributed, to Vindicate,

Their nigh-Loſt Liberties; how oft, they fought,

To bring to Paſs what, now to Paſs is brought;

And, therewithall, would ſeriouſly take heed,

That whatſoere did thereupon ſucceed,

Beyond their firſt aym, was, Gods work (not our)

They would confeſs his Juſtice, with his Power,

And Mercy: For, all theſe were manifeſt,

When, of his Throne, the King, he diſpoſſeſt;

And took away both Crown, and Life from him,

That, our, and his long-ſufferings, did contemn.

Theſe things, could they conſider ſomewhat more,

They would more thankful be, then heretofore;

And, not ſo irreligiouſly perſever

To murmur, that, God bleſt their own endeavour;

Nor, be ſo mad, to Ayd thoſe, underhand,

Who, Gods, declared purpoſes, withſtand;

Leſt, their Ingratitude, he ſhould repay

With greater Plagues, then, he hath took away:

And, give them, in his anger, ſuch a thing,

As they deſerve, another, Tyrant King.

If, Likewiſe, they, who in the Country-ſ…ng

Thanksgivings backward, (and with murmuring

p. 23Require Gods mercies) would, by looking back,

On what is paſt, more heedful notice take

VVhat, yearly, out of their Eſtates was taken,

In Lamb, Veal, Butter, Poultery, Eggs, and Bacon;

In Wheat, Oats, Hay, and ſuch like things as theſe,

(From which exactions, they are now at eaſe)

How oft their Teemes, and Carts, were forced from

Their husbandries, and Harveſt-works at home:

To their great detriment, for hyre, but ſmall,

And, many times, for no reward, at all:

How oft, their Saddle-Horſes, as his own,

Were, by his Courtiers. Poſted up and down

As for the Publike, upon Publike Warrants,

When, they were, onelyonly, ſent on Private arrants:

How, by the multiplying of his Game,

Oppreſſed, and inſlaved, they became,

To their great Detriment; yea, many times,

To their undoing, for ſuſpected Crimes:

And, how, their Nimrods (or chief Foreſters)

VVith their inſulting Ʋnder-Officers,

Compelled many, for their preſervations,

Quite to forſake, their Ancient Habitations,

Or leave their Fields, or Woods, unto the ſpoyl

Of Ʋſeleſs Beaſts, and Beaſtly-men, the while.

VVould they, theſe things Conſider; and, that thoſe

Taxations, which the State doth now impoſe;

VVith all their late oppreſſive Plunderings,

Large Contributions, and Free Quarterings,

VVere firſt occaſion'd, by his Tyranies;

(Or, their own Falſe-hood, or Neutralities)

They would not, like the murmuring Iſraelites,

Render abuſe, Reproaches, and deſpights,

To their Deliverers; becauſe, a few,

Among them, to their truſt, have prov'd untrue;

And, to their own loſs, by their ſelfiſhneſs,

Defer that Peace, which, elſe, they might Poſſeſs.

p. 24Nor would they, ſo unthankfully, deſire

To their Aegyptian Thraldom, to retire,

And to their Garlick; when there feet, were brought

So neer, unto that Reſt, which, long they fought:

Muchleſs, when they had (as it were) been fed

With Manna. and, Mirac'louſly been led

Through many Streights (for wonderment, no leſ…

Then, Iſrael Paſſed, in the Wilderneſs)

VVould they, by Stagg'ring, in a Good-proceed,

Both re-inſlave themſelves, and all their ſeed.

Now, if (as other Voluntary preachers

Preſume to do) I, may to teach my Teachers

Take boldneſs: I would ſeriouſly adviſe

Some, of our Clergie, to become more wiſe:

Ev'n thoſe, who, by a peeviſh frowardneſs,

Neglect, not onelyonly, that due Thankfulneſs,

VVhichWhich is commanded; but, make others too

Prevaricate, from what they ought to do;

By ſlighting what Authority injoyns,

And proſecuting of their own Deſignes.

Oh, God! VVhat bold, what ſtrange Apoſtacie

Is this? And from a Chriſtian Miniſtry,

How diſagrees it, that they ſhould profeſs

Or, teach, or ſooth up an Ʋnthankfulneſs?

And, whence, proceeds it, but from their old vice,

Of Selfiſhneſs, or Pride, or Averice?

VVhichWhich, (as it hath, well near, already, done)

VVill looſe them all, that, they inſiſt upon;

If, they proceed to proſecute thoſe ends

VVhichWhich they and their Fraternitie intends,

God, bears me witneſs, I envy them not

The leaſt Advantages which to their Lot,

By right, pertain; But, rather, would improve,

My Vote, (with real heartineſs, and Love)

To give them double-honour, and advanc…

VVhat is thier due, by ſacred Ordinance:

p. 25For they who ſerve him without By-Reſpects▪

Had never cauſe to ſay, that God neglects

Their ſervice; though he ſometime ſends them forth,

Neither with money, or with money worth:

As, every one obſerves, who taketh heed,

How plentifully at all times of need,

He them ſupplies, that, his allowance take

With thankfulneſs, and work, for Conſcience ſake,

Without Capitulating, whether they

In Penſions, or, in Tithes, ſhall have their pay.

What is it Angers them? Are they diſpleas'd,

(Though, of their former Grievances, now eas'd)

That, they, themſelves impow'red do not finde

To Act the Prelates, in another kinde?

And, to ſucceed them in their vaſt Poſſeſſions,

Which was the chiefe end of their Oppoſitions?]

Are they, again deſirous of a King?

How ſo? Since, they are thoſe, who, firſt did bring

Thoſe things to controverſie, whereupon,

That Juſtice, which they murmur at, was done?

What, can they hope, by bringing back again

That Power, whereof, they lately did complain?

But, greater miſchieſs, and a heavier yoke,

Then that, which from their Necks, was lately broke?

Conſidering, what Confed'rates, they now have

This Nation, and Themſelves, to re-inſlave?

Are they afraid thoſe Tithe-pigs may be loſt,

VVhichWhich have ſo many Tracts and Sermons coſt

To prove them ſacred? That's, a needleſs fear,

As, yet; For, by our Laws confirm'd they are:

And, till ſupream power, ſhall by Law revoke them,

They, may receive them, as they lately took them:

And without queſtion, all ſuch due ſupplies

VVill ſtill vouchſafed be, as many ſuffice.

Nor have they cauſe to murmur, though it may

Provided, for them be, ſome other way

p. 26Since, by their Scotiſh Diſcipline, they find

Their claimed Tithes, are ſeldom paid in kind.

Is it, their zeal againſt New-Hereſies,

The Ranters Tenents, or the Blaſphemies,

VVhereof the Scot injuriouſly avers

Our State, and Army to be favorers,

VVhichWhich makes them diſcontent? I think not ſo,

VVhat er'e they may pretend: for, they well know,

The Parliament hath lately made a Law,

To keep Blaſphemous Libertines in aw;

And to correct their Manners, who tranſgreſs

Againſt the Rules of Moral Righteouſneſs;

And, from our Armies frequently they hear,

That ſuch, by them ſeverely puniſh'd are.

Let them take heed, leſt their Endeavour flows

From Cauſes which may prove much worſe then thoſe

There mentioned; ev'n from an Intereſt▪

Purſu'd, to raiſe the throne of Antichriſt

A new found way: or elſe, from ſome vain hope,

In every pariſh to erect a Pope.

Let them take heed, leſt er'e they be aware,

Their Carnal policie may them enſnare:

For by that power, whereat their Parties aim,

They ſeem to be affected with his Claim

VVho, to Gods throne aſpires: or elſe, to that

VVhichWhich will produce a double-headed State.

Or, that, at leaſt, from thence, this may redound;

That, (if the Royalliſts can cure their wound

By what, is now deſign'd; They, and their Friends

The Romaniſts may thereby gain ſome ends

Obſtructive to our Peace; though totally

Deſtructive to their New Presbytery;

VVhichWhich they ſeditiouſly have preach'd and praid,

To build up by their Ground-works, lately ſaid.

Oh! therefore, let them ſpeedily return

To their loſt Path; for their backslidings, mourn;

p. 27Obſerve Gods Providence, approve his waies,

And joyn with us, in ſinging of his Praise.

Let them ſtir up their Flocks to Thankfulneſs,

Like others of their Calling, who profeſs

The ſelf-ſame Faith; and help us, to redeem

The loſſes of Advantages, and Time,

Occaſion'd by their Schiſm; that, we and they

May friendlike walk together in one way,

Partakers, of that happy peaceful being,

Which is deferred, by our diſagreeing.

For, were all well conſider'd, all men would,

Without the leaſt obſcurity, behold,

What cauſe we have, to ſing Gods Praiſe, this day,

For taking of our Slaveries away:

And, in the firſt place, for removing Him,

Who, wore, unworthily, the Diadem,

Of Supreme Government. But, leaſt, ſome, yet,

May our fore-paſt-condition ſo forget,

As to believe, we might have been ſecur'd,

From that, which under Kingſhip we endur'd,

By regulating it (which, I once thought,

Till, I by Providence, was better taught)

Let them, with me, take notice, and, well weigh

How many hundred years, we did aſſay

This Remedy in vain; and, heretofore

Spend all our pains, to waſh a Blackamore.

Let them look back, and heed, how oft we Fought,

And by fair-means, and humble Prayer, sought

A firm eſtabliſhment, of what, we knew,

(And had oft prov'd) to be our proper-due:

How many Charters, and, how many Laws,

Were made, by Kings, in favour of our Cauſe:

How many Curſes, and ſad Imprecations,

Were laid upon their wilful Violations:

How many times, their Royal words, we had;

How many Oaths, and Vows, were ſworn, and made;

p. 28Yet, faithleſly, ſtill, broken, afterward,

Without remorſe of Conſcience, or, regard

Of God, or Men; and, ſtill, revok'd, as ſoon

As opportunities were faſtned on,

To proſecute, again, their Tyranny.

And, let us likewiſe, heed impartially,

How much, our late King, labour'd to make void

His free Donations; and, to have deſtroy'd

His own Conceſſions: what dire Imprecations

He likewiſe, ventred on; what Proteſtations,

He dared, with a purpoſe to deceive;

And, with a hope of making us believe,

He, meant us well; when, he did all the while,

Intend his Own-advantage, and, our Spoil:

Improving, ſtill, (what, er'e, he did pretend)

All our Indulgences, to his firſt end,

Ev'n to his Death: witneſs, his, laying Plots

To make a Rent, betwixt us, and the Scots;

Yea, and, among our ſelves, that very time,

In which, we Treating were, of Peace, with him.

Hoping, at laſt, by one device or other,

To make us, do his work▪ and fall together.

And, of thoſe Juglings, now, the fruits appear,

In Ireland, Scotland, Holland, France, and here.

What could, we have, expected, from a King,

So wilful, and ſo falſe, in every thing?

Or, from the Off-ſpring, of a Generation,

So long time, rooted in Prevarication?

So long, irreconcileably profeſt

An enemy, to Publick Intereſt?

And, claiming, ſo Imperiouſly, to be,

From all the Bands of Law, and Reaſon, free?

What hopes could we have had, that, we ſhould ever

Have tam'd this Leon, by our beſt endeavour?

Or, any of his Whelps? or, means have found,

Whereby, they might have been, ſecurely bound,

p. 29From Cruſhing all our bones; if, they again,

Should ſlip, their Collers, or elſe break their Chain?

For my part, I ſo well found, what he was;

That, though I had large offers of his Grace,

And ſtudied his chief good; yet, ſtill I found,

His Heart ſo hard, ſo double, and unfound,

(Ev'n to his laſt breath) that, I muſt confeſs

It was Gods merciemercy, and, our Happineſs

That, he ſo fell; and, 'twill be to the Glory

Of this our Nation, in their future Story,

That, whereas others have Clandeſtinely,

By Poyſon, or by Murther, ſecretly,

Remov'd their Tyrants; we, with open face;

By Publick Juſtice; in a Publick place;

In preſence, of his friends, and, in deſpight

Of all our foes, and ev'ry oppoſite,

Try'd, Judg'd, and Executed, without fear;

The greateſt Tyrant, ever reigning here.

Take Then, Gamaliels counſel, and ſubmit,

To that, which Providence, adjudgeth fit

Should come to paſs; left elſe, perhaps, you may

Be found reſiſters of your God, this day.

Halt not 'twixt two opinions, as ye do;

But, heed his walkings, and, conform thereto.

if, to this Government, you do adhere,

Let, it, by your Obedience, now appear:

If, you Diſſent; make publick your Proteſt,

As we have done; unite your Intereſt,

To Him, whom you deſirous are ſhould Reign:

And, if you dare, come, and appeal again

To God, That, he may quickly ſend you thither,

Where, you may periſh, or repent together:

For, we are confident, the work begun

Our God, will proſper, ſtill, as he hath done;

And, that when ſuch as you, are in your place,

We, ſhall behold the fulneſs of his Grace.

p. 30But er'e you grow ſo mad to run that way,

Be pleas'd to hear, what I have more to ſay.

What profit will you get at laſt by that,

Which you have indiſcreetly aimed at,

Tho it ſhould thrive; and, you, ſhould hither bring

VVith all his Rabblement, the Scotiſh King?

Should they with all their ſtrength unite together,

And like an Inundation, flow in hither;

Set your Fair Towns, and Villages on fire,

(As you, in probability, deſire)

VVhichWhich would be done, (though you deſir'd it not)

If, there to your aſſiſtance they had got:

If, with a Louſie Army they ſhould cover

Your fruitful fields; ſpread your fair Meadows over

VVith their Devouring-Troops; your houſes fill

VVith Naſty ſluts, and Grooms againſt your will;

Making your Parlours, and your Halls to ſtink

VVith ſluttery, like a dunghill, or a ſink:

If you ſhould ſee your hardly-gotten-ſtores,

Devour'd by looſe Commanders, and their whores;

Their Brutiſh followers rudely take the bread,

VVith which, your Little-children ſhould be fed,

Out of their hands; and keep you ſo in aw,

That you ſhould ſcarcely dare to lodge in ſtraw,

(Although your own) whilſt thoſe bold gueſts did lie

In your ſoft beds; and ſome ſtand emptie by:

Should you behold them, proudly domineer,

VVhere you this day, both Lords, and Maſters are:

Should you, who may, in peace enjoy your lives,

See your eſtates, your Children, and your Wives,

Incroach'd upon; the firſt of them poſſeſt

By thoſe, who faigned friendſhip had profeſt;

The other, ev'n before your face, mis-us'd;

The laſt, perhaps, immodeſtly abus'd:

And you your ſelf, if that appear diſlik'd)

Diſgracefully, both flouted at, and kickt.

p. 31Should you bel ol … ſuch things, which (if they come

Upon thoſe terms that are deſir'd by ſome)

VVould ſurely follow; what ſhould you then gain

By that, whereof you ſeem to be ſo fain?

Think you, the moſt Malignant Cavaliers,

The worſt of Papiſts, and of Presbyters

(United in a Trinity together)

VVill bring you puritie of worſhip hither?

Or, can the wiſeſt man alive conceive,

VVhat Linſey-woolſey-ſtuff the Kirk muſt weave,

To make a Garment, which will fit and pleaſe,

A body, made up of ſuch Crooks as theſe?

Or frame a diſcipline that will agree,

VVith ſuch diſſenting parties as thoſe three?

Can you be ſo imprudent to ſuppoſe,

That your New feigned friends, and Ancient foes,

(Diſgraced and engrag'd as now they are)

VVith any good intentions will draw near?

Or give you precious things, to make you brave?

Or better Fields and Gardens, then you have?

Or that your entertainment, whilſt they ſtay,

VVill coſt you leſs then what we monthly pay

Unto our Army, which by that expence

Is yet maintained, for our juſt defence?

Or can you dream (if at their choice it ſtand)

That, having found the ſweetneſs of this Land,

The Scots, will be ſo mad, as thence to go

To feed on Thiſtles, and to lie in Snow?

Or think you, they, had lately, gone away

So quietly, but to obtain their pay,

To render them more able to come back,

When more it might for their advantage make?

Do you believe that, they intend to bring

Their lately Crown'd, and new-converted King,

To vindicate the juſtneſs of our Cauſe?

Our ancient Freedoms, and our Engliſh Laws?

p. 32Or, that, they (having little of their own,

To keep him) ſo much coſt would have beſtown,

But, that, they are made hopeful to advance

As well their own wealth, as his maintenance

From your Eſtates? Can your Dull brains, admit,

That, he, or his, for ever, will forget,

His Fathers head? his own deſerv'd diſgrace?

And, on what Terms, you forc'd him to embrace

A loathed Covenant, which, he did take,

More for a Kingdom, then for Conſcience ſake?

Or can you be ſo blinde, as not to ſee

That, all things, which in your poſſeſſion be,

VVill ſcarce ſuffice to make full recompence,

For Damages, and loſſes, ever ſince

Theſe wars began; when, he makes Computation

Thereof, and ſhall demand a Reparation?

Eſpecially, when all his needy-Train,

And Greedy-party, ſhall to him complain

For ſatisfaction, of their Vaſt Arrears?

Loſſes, and Expectations, like to theirs?

Believe it, E're that debt, will quite be paid,

They, who are yet, of no ſuch thing afraid,

VVill finde, that moſt (or all of them) ſhall be

Contributers thereto, as well as we,

VVho are proſcrib'd: And, that, if they are rich,

It will not then, conſider'd be ſo much,

How they affected ſtood, as what they have,

To ſatisfie the luſts, of thoſe that crave:

And, all they, who are Neuters, now, or Friends

In ſecret, unto that, which he intends,

Shall, finde ſmall means, to help diſtinguiſh them

From thoſe, whom he, for Traytors, will condemn.

And, their falſe friends, will then retaliate

Their former hate, and falſhood to this State.

Oh! left, this come to paſs, more thankful be

To him, who hath begun, to ſet you free,

p. 33From former Bondage; and, from what you may,

Occaſion, by an Ill-adviſed way.

Obſerve well, whether that, which God hath wrought,

…or this poor Nation, could to paſs be brought,

… ſtrength, or Wit of men; had he not been,

Our helper; and, aſſiſtances brought in.

How, had ſo many, been ſo oft, by few,

Defeated elſe? how, had the Foes they flew

And took, ſo often, more then doubled thoſe,

Whom, they in open Battle, did oppoſe?

…ow, elſe, had we ſo often ſaved been

… bringing of one Single-vote, between

Our ſpoil, and us? how, having had, a Foe

… ſtrong, ſo Craftie (and, a Party too

Of his, within our boſomes) had we thus,

Prevailed, and eſcap'd, what threatned us?

Yea, and, among ſo, many murmurings;

Among ſo many diſencouragings,

As we have had? and, (which is worſe then ſo)

Amidſt, A People, not ſo wiſe, to know,

Who, ſeeks their Weal? how, had we ſtood ſo long

But, that, God gave us hearts, and made us ſtrong:

Had I, a memory, and time to ſpare,

But half thoſe Evidences to declare,

Which, of Gods Providence, my obſervation

Hath taken heed of, by the diſpenſation,

Of mercies, to this Land, ſince, he begun,

… proſecute, what he for us hath done,

… Order to our Peace; you, would behold

… chain of Graces, richer, then of Gold,

Pearls, Diamonds, and Rubies; and, believe

…o other Nations ever did receive,

More tokens of his love. Could I diſcloſe,

… Miſchievous and deep Deſignes of thoſe,

Who laid the firſt foundation of this War;

…, how far on, their Projects carried were,

p. 34In England, and in Ireland, ere our eyes,

Obſerv'd the chief ends of their Policies:

How, firſt, the Lawyers and Ambitious Prieſts,

Were woo'd and won to ſerve his Intereſts;

And, active to become, In making void

The Juſt proprieties, that we injoy'd,

In Civil things; and, render our condition

More flaviſh by inducing Superſtition.

How, next he wrought upon, thoſe Hypocrites,

Who, ſeeming Patrons, of the peoples rights,

Became, at laſt to be the worſt of thoſe,

Who to the Publike-Liberties, are foes.

Could, I expreſſion make, How, God improv'd,

His mercies to this Iſle when he remov'd

Strafford, and Canterbury; how, their Plot,

To ruine us, by ayming at the Scot,

(As their firſt mark) was made the means of …

Which we were hopeleſs of arriving at,

(By ſuch a far-fetcht Compaſs) and, brought on

What we did never purpoſe to have done.

Should I, at full, illuſtrate here, how, they

Came, firſt, to do their own work; then, took …

To Further ours; and, by meer ſtanding ſtill,

Enabled us, to do (againſt their Will)

What they pretended, with no true intents;

As hath been manifeſted by th' events.

Such, as their fraudful Juggling, in receiving

The King neer Newark; thereby, us hereaving:

Of thoſe Advantages, for which we Fought:

And, for which, we their help had dearly bought.

Such, as their wreſting, that, which they profeſt

Four our Joynt Good, to private-Intereſt;

Making the Covenant, ſeem a juſt occaſion,

Of Proſecuting an unjuſt Invaſion.

Such, as their Practices when, here they Lay

Like Snakes within our boſoms, to betray

p. 35… ruine us; by working upon thoſe,

Who were too Credulous, of their fair-ſhows,

… Piety, and Love; For, whilſt they were

With kindneſs, entertain'd amongſt us, here,

They were but Spies and Agents to promote

Their own deſignes; And, doubtleſs, had it not

… God prevented been we had been more

… this by them inſlav'd, them heretofore,

… by thoſe Actings, which we ſaw by them

Purſu'd when they, were weakned from the dream

Which they pretended, (and which we did take

… truth, till we, from dreamings did awake)

All men may evidently now perceive

What, we, of their Intentions may believe.

If, I, could make you apprehend the grace,

Which God vouchſafed when he pleaſed was

To move the King a Parliament to call,

That ſhould be made deſtructive unto all

His own Deſignes; permitting, that he ſhould

… his Fine-Devices, be ſo fool'd,

As to reſtore, (of that Juſt-power it had)

… much, as that, It could not be un-made,

Without it own Aſſent; you would believe,

That, MercieMercy, was a viſible reprieve

From our undoing. For, that made the way,

To other Priviledges which long lay,

Unheeded, or unpractiſed; becauſe,

Prerogative, had ſwallowed up the Laws,

Or, ſeis'd upon the Power, by which, we might

Regain poſſeſſion, of our Ancient-Right.

But, having, thereby, got that Power again,

Which, we are hopeful, they ſhall ſtill retain)

They (for abuſing Kingſhip, heretofore)

Enacted, that, we ſhould have, Kings, no more.

Should I, ſum up, what dangers did appear,

And, what, Gods open, and cloſe mercies were,

p. 36When Gloceſter was beſieg'd; when, many thought,

They, other habitations muſt have fought;

And, ſent the Goods, and Treaſure, they could ſpare

To Amſterdam, to be ſecured there.

VVhen, Briſtol was reſign'd; and, all the Land

(Save one poor Corner) in the Tyrants hand.

When, in the Weſt, one General, began

To grow afraid, and from his Army ran,

When, by another, ſomthing was was miſdone,

Of no mean conſequence, at Dennington.

When, other Chiefs, (by rambling up and down)

With their Brigades, their Credits had, or'e thrown:

And, did begin to Act deſtructively.

To them, whoſe good ſucceſs, they did envy.

When, they, who for our Succour, feign'd to come,

Conſpir'd againſt us, here, and, then went home

To proſecute their miſchiefs,. When, the Foe,

Became ſo ſtrong, and, We, ſo weak did grow,

That, for our Re-enforcement, we were fain

To take all comers; and, ſome to conſtrain;

In whom, we could but ſorily confide.

VVhen, in our Houſes falſe friends did reſide,

More to our coſt, and to the hazarding

Of all; then all, the Armies, of the King.

VVhen, Our firſt Champions (who did over-ween

Their own deſerts) ſwoln bigg with Pride, and Spleen,

Jeer'd our New-Model'd-Army, as if none

Could do ſuch wond'rous feats, as they had done,

VVhen, from the Parliament, by ſhameleſs lyes,

VVeekly perpetuated by ſupplies)

The peoples hearts, were woo'd away, to thoſe,

That were, and are, and will be, ſtill their Foes▪

VVhen Fury had poſſeſſed many ſo,

That, like a ſudden Torrent, they did flow

Impetuouſly, up to the Senate-dore;

Yea, break in thither, and, there foam, and ro…

p. 37Should I proceed on further, and, with theſe

Make mention of Gods great deliverances,

When, he at Hull, the firſt and ſecond time,

Did Nullifie a Royal Stratagem.

When likewiſe, there appear'd a dang'rous Rent,

… City, Army, and in Parliament;

Not onelyonly, thoſe dividing from each other,

…ut from themſelves, to ruine altogether.

When, both the Armies unto God appeal'd,

As to their Soveraign Judge, at Naasby-field:

When, all things, that were dear unto us, lay,

Upon the doubtful Tryal of one day.

When God, at Brainford, by a poor mans wit,

And Vallour, (which none hath conſider'd yet)

… our Chief-city. For, had not, He, been,

The King, had then ſurpriz'd it, by deſign,

VVith all our Train (left for him in the way

… Hammerſmith) whilſt, our Commanders lay

…cure at London; who, did, little fear,

… great a danger, had been, then ſo near.

…, ſhould I tell, with every Circumſtance,

God's merciemercy ſhewn in our Deliverance,

VVhen (after quenching of the Gen'ral flame)

…feſted, with new, Miſchiefs, we became.

VVhen Wales revolted; when, with Surrey, Kent,

And, Eſſex follow'd that bad preſident.

VVhen, Scotland (their confederate) came in

… ſecond, what their falſhood did begin;

…, after all their great hopes, and vain Braggs,

Were glad, to begg the ſaving of their Craggs.

When, our perfideous Seamen, did betray

Their truſt; and with our Sea-guard ſtole away.

When, our unfriendly Neighbours, looked on,

The Treaſon, as well pleas'd with what was done;

…, did, encreaſe our hazard, by ſupplying

… Foes wants; and, by under-hand-complying▪

p. 38VVhen, all our Ports, upon the Iriſh Coaſt,

(VVith every Inland Town) ſave two, were loſt.

VVhen our ſick Army, likewiſe, near Dunbar

Incloſed by their Adverſaries were,

VVithout the leaſt, Reſerve, in their diſtreſs;

Weak Weary, Wounded, Hungry, Harbourleſs,

Wet, Cold, and Straightned ſo, that in their Power

(Both by the Foes opinion, and by Our,)

They ſeem'd to bee; till, God look't through the cloud

And, then, the Lowly, trampled on the Proud.

And, laſtly; when, Surrender up was made

Of Edenborough Caſtle; which, we had,

At ſuch a ſeaſon as much more then doubles

The Benefit; conſidering, what troubles,

(VVhat dangers) might have follow'd; had …

So opportunely, that Strong-Fortreſs got:

And this great merciemercy, was the Juſt occaſion,

Of this days meeting and Solemnization.

VVhen theſe Deliv'rances, and of this kinde,

Some others, I do fully call to minde;

VVith all the Circumſtances, too, whereby

VVe might illuſtrate every Victory,

To Gods due praiſe; and, to th' annihilating

Of our Endeavours; therewith Meditating,

VVhat, we have gain'd; and what it might have cost

Had any of our hopes, in theſe, been loſt;

(Or, his Aſſiſtances with-holden been

During thoſe ſtraights, which, we were ſometimes …

I cannot, but unfainedly confeſs,

His Goodneſs, with a hearty thankfulneſs;

And, for the Honour of his Name, aſſay,

To keep, an Everlaſting Holyday.

To theſe Conſiderations, I might add,

How many are diſpleas'd, and almoſt mad,

VVith Rage, to ſee that, ſtill, in their diſpignt.

God looks upon our Thrivings, with delight,

p. 39…, ſtill, makes void their Malice; ſtill, unknots,

From time to time) and Nullifies their Plots.

… Conſtantly, He, Leads our Armies on

VVith Victories; as if, the Work were done

Before they came; and, left them nothing elſe

… do; but, take the pris'ners, and the Spoyls.

… ſtrangely. He, in Ireland, did begin

… make us Room; when, we had ſcarce, therein

… of Landing, wherein, we might ſay

… could have been ſecured, for one day.

… ſwiftly, he hath proſecuted there,

…vengements, for the bloody Maſſacre,

… our dear Brethren; and, what fair hopes, he

Vouchſafes, that fully it aveng'd will be.

… great a MercieMercy, t'was that now the Scot,

… Re-invading us prevented not

… making, in their Land the feat of War;

Which, they intended ſhould be ſetled here:

…, what this Bleſſing is, they truely ſee,

… feel, this day, where, now, both Armies be.

But, over and above all this, there's, yet

… MercieMercy, which, if we forget

… mention, to God's praiſe, we do amiſs:

…, much it will avail us; and, 'tis this.

… Bloody Iriſh, whoſe chief intereſt,

Depends upon the, ten horns of the Beaſt,

And, Sea of Rome) have with all diligence,

Endeavour'd for aſſiſtances from thence:

… was there want, in them, of Willingneſs,

… ſecond their deſires; yet, nay-the-leſs,

They have obtained, hitherto, thereby,

… Aid, conſiderable, or ſupply:

…, God, who, our Avenger is become,

… caſt on that Leviathan of Rome,

… Chain; and, Faſtned in his Noſtrils too,

…Hook which hinders what he fain would do.

p. 40God, likewiſe, ever ſince, our wars begun,

(As if, to finde them Work, till his were done)

Hath ſo diſtracted ev'ry Chriſtian King,

And ev'ry▪ Commonwealth, near neigh'bouring,

With Jealouſies, and diſcontents at home;

With Wars abroad; Or, with Invaſions from

Their forraign foes; that, what they would have do…

They dar'd not: but, ſtood, onelyonly, looking on,

To ſee our Fall; to watch, how we did play

Our Game; and, where, their beſt Advantage lay,

What, but a Providence, and, ſuch a one,

As may aſcribed be to God alone,

Could ſo have tim'd, and Order'd every thing,

That, they, advantages to us might bring?

What, Denmark would have done, their foe, the Swed…

Did, by an Act unlooked for, impede.

What, France intended, was made alſo vain,

By their Domoſtique Jars, and, wars with Spain.

What, Spain, could have been highly pleas'd with…

Was hinder'd, both by France, and Portugal.

The Powerful, and wary Netherlanders,

Were grown ſo jealous, of their own Commanders,

That, though they were unfreindly, at the firſt,

(And, Countenanc'd our Foes, in what they durſt)

Yet, peradventure, ſeeing (or elſe fearing)

A miſchief, over their own heads, appearing;

They, have not put opon us, worſe conditions,

Then, very well became ſuch Polititians.

But, had not God, in ſeaſon, took from thence,

That raſh, and over-much intruſted Prince,

Who had almoſt inſlav'd them; we, and they,

Or, both of us, had (probably) this day,

Been much imbroyl'd: and, therefore, they, and we

Should, for that timely favour, thankful be.

The Portugal, hath had his bridles too,

Reſtraining him, from, what, he fain wuld do

p. 41… Hollander, and Spaniard daily keep

… hands in action, and his eyes from ſleep;

… that which he hath done in oppoſition,

… us, will but accelerate perdition,

… thoſe whom he ſecur'd, againſt our State;

… bring them, to repent, when 'tis too late:

… 'twill but keep our … abroad, a while,

… ſhew the world, Gods favour to this Iſle;

… make it heed, what work, he hath begun;

… make them know, that, what is left undone,

… but for triall of their faith, and our;

…, to illuſtrate ſo, his boundleſs power,

… they may be aſſured to confeſs,

… love, his wiſdome and his righteouſneſſe.

And for aſsurance, that, it ſhall be thus,

… what earneſt, God hath given us,

…, we had long time, controverted, here,

… intereſt; and made the ſame appear,

… humble pleadings, and by hearty cries,

… God againſt our late Kings tyrannies;

… ſaw no good ſucceſs: we brought our cauſe,

According to our ancient Engliſh Lawes)

Before him by appeals. And by the ſword,

… laſt deciſion, which thoſe Lawes affoord)

… the ſame, to proof; both parties being,

…ntented, and in that appeal agreeing.

…orthwith, both Drums, and Trumpets thereupon,

…unded a Charge; the battells join'd, fell on;

…, God before whoſe throne our cauſe was tri'd,

… victory, gave ſentence on our ſide.

This Judgement (not by all, approv'd at firſt)

…me traytors, and ſome friends would have revers'd,

And fought to wave it, as a doubtfull triall;

Although throughout the world, without deniall,

And throughout all times) even to this day,

… diſputes, decided are, this way.

p. 42But to aſſure us, that the ſentence came

From God; he, hath, again, confirm'd the ſame

By ſeconding that act of providence,

And, making us, victorious, ever ſince.

Thereto, therefore, adhering; we have thrown

With confidence, the tyrant from his Throne:

Making him alſo, pay the forfeiture

Of life, our preſent title, to ſecure.

And, therein, not alone our Conſciences,

Do warrant us, and, all thoſe witneſſes

Of providence, which have therein appear'd:

But, to the world, the ſame is, likewiſe, clear'd,

By all thoſe pow'rfull Kings, and neighbouring States…

Who, have obſerved, how God vindicates

Our cauſe; and they have now pronounc'd us free▪

As we of right, and by Gods verdict be.

For, their Ambaſſadours, who now reſide,

With us, our liberty have juſtifi'd,

By their acknowledgements; and, witneſſe bear

Thereby, to what Gods ſentence did declare:

Yea, by their free conceſſion of the ſame,

They make themſelves as liable to blame

As we; for, if our Nation juſtly may

Be counted Murtherers; now ſo muſt they:

At leaſt, as acceſſaries to that deed,

By which we from our ſervitude, were freed.

If, Righteouſly, our winnings we poſſeſſe;

They, are partakers of our righteouſneſſe,

By thoſe acknowledgements; and, God, ſhall them

Reward, for their ſo juſtifying him:

If they by no ſiniſter actings mar

That bleſſing, whereto, way, it may appear.

However; we, obliged are to praiſe

Gods merciemercy, that we ſee in our own daye…

Such bloſſoms of the fruits, which we expect

That, our endeavours have ſo good effect;

p. 43As, that the pow'rfullſt Princes of all thoſe

Whom we ſuſpected Neuters (if not foes)

Are ſo convinced as to mediate

An amicable Juncture, with our State,

In time ſincereneſſe; or, diſſemblers are:

Which, were an evidence of greater fear,

And baſeneſſe, then, we either can detect;

Or, ſhall, without ſome future cauſe, ſuſpect.

Oh! what a blindneſſe, what a frowardneſſe,

Doth ſome of our own Nation, yet poſſeſs,

That, other men can ſo farre off, diſcern

What, God, hath done for us; and thereby learn

Both to be wiſe in time, and kiſſe the ſon

Before his burning anger is begun,

And yet they, ſtill, continue obſtinate:

Grumble at providence, bark at the State,

Like dogs againſt the moon, and ſnarl at all

Who will not as they do, good things, miſcall.

It may be, ſuch as theſe, when they ſhall ſee

VVhat's here expreſsed, will be mad at me:

Menace, defame and hate, revile, and curſe,

Or, peradventure, mean me, what is worſe)

Yea, ſome who wiſh me well, may think I might

Have wiſer been, than, to provoke deſpight,

Or, needleſly, (as they ſuppoſe) engage

Againſt the violence of brutiſh rage.

But, I defie that wiſdome, which perſwades

A private heed, which publick right, invades.

… never yet, an eaſe, or ſafety, found

… ought, which to my Conſcience, gave a wound.

Already too too many ſuch, now are,

VVho either ſeem aſhamed, or, elſe fear

…o own Gods Mercies, or, the publick cauſes,

VVithout ſome reſervations, blinds, or pauſes,

…o ſave that intereſt, which to enjoy,

…n…eas'…bly, themſelves, they may deſtroy.

p. 44By this ſelf-love are miſeries begun:

Within this channell, hitherto, they run;

By this, we loſe Gods love; by this, we make

Our courage feeble, and from other; take…

That confidence in us which might engage

Their faithfullneſſe; and, them to us oblige,

With willingneſſe, to help eſtabliſh that,

Which for the Publick-weal, is aimed at.

For my part I intend a reſolution,

To further what we have in proſecution.

I ſee Gods mercies, and I underſtand

His purpoſe, in the works he hath in hand:

And therefore, whoſoe're diſpleas'd ſhall grow,

Will publiſh forth, what of his love I know.

It is my duty, 'tis my proper call;

(If I have any in this world, at all.)

Yea born I was, (if born I were for ought)

To do the work, which, I to do have fought:

And, if my Faculty (ſuch as it is)

Was given me for ought, it was for this

Which I am doing, and I will employ it

This way, as long, as I with health enjoy it.

What ever, I have publickly profeſt,

Was really intended; not in jeſt.

Neither for praiſe, or profit, or to pleaſe,

(Except what frailty doth inject of theſe)

Nor out of contradiction unto thoſe

Who ſhall diſlike it, do I this compoſe:

And, therefore neither, carnall hopes, or fear

Shall make, me, my known duty, to forbear.

For no reſpect, to Parliament or King,

Or to my ſelf, have Im any thing

Diffe blingly, ſpoke hitherto my thought;

Although much miſchief on me it hath brought▪

And I hope never to be frighted from

A … expreſſion, whatſoever come.

p. 45But to declare the truth, and ſpeak my mind,

As often as, I juſt occaſion find;

…n ſpight of all the ſpitefull world can do,

And all the rage of Powers Infernall too.

And whence ſprings this my confidence? not from

Thoſe grounds, whereby, moſt men, do now become

Couragious in their actings: nor from our

Prevailings hitherto: nor from that power

We have acquir'd: or thoſe advantages,

Whereby we are made hopefull to poſſeſſe

Our wiſhed ends: nor truſt I to th' events

Of our endeavours, or our beſt intents:

For, all theſe things, although they promiſe fair,

May find a change, and leave us in deſpair:

…n this alone my boldneſſe doth conſiſt:

… ſee Gods preſence, and his intereſt,

…n all that's done: I have a glimmering, too,

Of that, which he deſigns e're long, to do,

Though yet delay'd: and, therefore, whatſoe're

…efalls me, am reſolv'd to perſevere

…n driving on his work, though I ſhould ſee

As great a change, as may ſuppoſed be.

Yea ſhould I periſh in this Cauſe, and knew,

When I were dying not one, thereto true;

… ſhould, even then believe, that, God, alone

Would finiſh that, which he hath now begun;

And make his glorie, be the better ſeen

By thoſe Obſtructions, which will intervene.

Thus, having added ſomewhat to prevent

The prejudice, which threatens my intent:

And ſum'd up alſo, (as my weakneſſe could)

A part of that for which we render ſhould

Our thanks this day; I pu…poſe to compoſe

Some formall Odes of thanfullneſſe, for thoſe

…o … deſirous be, when they rejoyce,

To witneſſe their intentions, by the voice.

p. 46This, prudent men, thought very pertinent

(And an inſeparable complement)

For ſuch a duty: though, fanatick fools,

Who have nor wit, nor muſick in their ſouls,

Perceive not, with, what good effects we may

Uſe them in our devotions, at this day.

Gods, Prophets, who, knew beſt what did belong

To praiſes; did expreſſe them, oft, in Song,

And, left them written, as the beſt Records,

To memorize, what preſent time affoords,

Worth recommending to Poſterity:

Or, of ſafe keeping it in memorie:

For, ſeeing Hymnes beget no expectation

Of ought proceeding from an inſpiration,

Upon emergent cauſe; but are a ſtory,

Expreſſing, briefly, to th' almighties Glory,

Matter, of fact, (as that which hath been done,

Lately for us, or many ages gone,

For, others, whoſe well-being did relate,

To us) thoſe Odes continue ſtill in date;

And ſhould ſometimes, repeated be, to ſhow

What, God hath done; that, hopefull we might gro…

Of like Protection: and, be comforted

By thoſe examples, when our hopes are dead.

And neceſsary 'tis, that, thoſe Records

Should be preſerved, ſtill, in their firſt words,

That, future times, a certainty may ſee

In thoſe things, which commemorated be.

And out of queſtion, (to the end of dayes)

He, who ſincerely ſings the, to Gods praiſe,

Shall feel within him (being ſo diſpos'd)

That ſpirit move, by which they were compos'd.

Therfore, though Scorners, & thoſe dull ſoul'd things

Whoſe judgement knows not, whether better …

The Nightingall or Cuckow, flout me ſhall,

And in contempt, theſe Hymnes my Ballads …ll;

p. 47… will not be diſcouraged by theſe;

From ſaying, or, from ſinging, what I pleaſe;

But, in an awfull, Joyfull ſtrain, begin

A ſong, to uſher this dayes praiſes in.

Yea, in thoſe forms, which are by them abhor'd;

…, and my houſhold, thus, will praiſe the Lord.

Sing this as the 100. Pſalm.

1.

WIth aweful Joy, and joyful Fear,

To ſanctifie, O Lord, this day,

Before thy Foot-ſtool we appear;

And, our Thank-offrings here to pay:

Which though it be no other thing,

Then thy Free-mercies to confeſſe;

Or, Songs, unto thy praiſe to ſing;

Vouchſafe acceptance, nay-the-leſſe.

2.

Within our ſelves, we are ſo poor,

That, we have nothing of our own,

But, what we had from thee, before;

Which, by our ſins impair'd is grown:

For, our wit, beauty, ſtrength, and health,

(The goods of body, and of mind)

Our time, our honours, and our wealth,

To ſerve our luſts, have been reſign'd.

3.

And, therefore, till thou ſhalt renew

Thine Image, by our fault defac'd,

We, and our Offrings, from thy view,

Deſervedly, may forth be caſt.

There is no muſick in our Songs,

That's worthy to be heard of thee;

Becauſe, our hearts, eyes, ears, and tongues,

Prophaned, and untuned be.

4.

Yet by thoſe favours, heartned on,

W…ch were on us beſtown, of late,

p. 48A Hymn, we joyntly have begun,

To ſing this Day, at Mercies gate.

Lord! thoſe eternall doores uncloſe,

Through which thy ſpeciall graces flow;

The cords of our Corruption loſe,

And, let thy Spirit on us blow.

5.

Then, ev'ry word, we hear, or ſay,

With ev'rything, that's done, or thought

(In celebrating of this Day)

Shall do thee honour, as it ought:

And, they that ſtudy publike harms,

Or, flout, what we are doing here,

Shall be ſo bound up, by theſe Charms,

That when they flout us, they ſhall fear.

Thus, having by an humble preparation,

Made, firſt our way to God, for acceptation

Of our intended praiſes; and, that done,

A little meditated thereupon;

Or, exercis'd our thoughts, on other Notions,

Which may be pertinent, to theſe devotions;

We, in a ſecond Canto, will relate

Some heads of that which we commemorate:

And, thus, expreſſe our thankefulneſſe to God,

In exultations, of a higher Mode.

Sing this as the 113. Pſalm.

1.

OH God! how good! how kind art thou!

What help, what grace, doſt thou beſtow

On us, in our diſtreſt eſtate!

Our tears to triumphs, thou haſt turn'd,

We now do ſing, who lately mourn'd,

And, by our Foes, were jeered at.

When we were weak, poor and forlorn,

Expos'd to dangers, fears and ſcorn,

Our Comforter, thou didſt become:

p. 49And, when we dreaded ſhame of face;

Spoils, death, or wounds, joyn'd with diſgrace;

Thoſe fears, we were deliver'd from.

As thou, from baſe and ſervile bands,

And out of cruel Pharoahs hands,

Thine Heritage redeemd'ſt of old:

Ev'n ſo, from thoſe, who fought our harm,

Thou broughtſt us off, with out-ſtretch'd arm,

With ſigns and wonders manifold.

They ſo, were blinded, Lord, by thee,

Who, might have ſeen, but vvould not ſee;

Nor hear when they were counſell'd well:

And He that fraud, and force imploy;d,

To make our Lavvs, and Freedomes void;

In our own view, like Pharoah, fell.

This is the Day, whereon our Yoke

Of Norman Bondage, firſt was broke;

And, England from her chains made free▪

This is the Day, vvhereon the Lord,

Did manumit us by the ſword,

And, 'tis novv ſignall, by decree.

Slaves, they deſerve to be, therefore,

And to be bar'd for evermore,

The Freedoms of this Commonweal,

Who ſhall not thankfull, now appear,

And vindicate with ſword and ſpear,

Gods juſt Replies, to our Appeal.

By thee, our Freedoms, Lord, vve got;

Oh! to our keeping, leave them not:

But, ſtill their Guardianſhip retain.

And, let not thoſe, vvho under thee,

Sub…ers, of thoſe Freedoms be,

… our …ins, forfeit them, again:

On th…ſe alone, that are unjuſt

p. 50Or ſhall be traytours in their truſt,

To this Republike, or to Thee,

Let thy avenging juſtice fall;

And, on all thoſe who hinder ſhall,

That Peace, with Truth, may ſetled be:

5.

Write in our hearts, thy ſacred Law;

And, let no future failings, draw

Our former curſed bondage back:

But, our depraved wills renew,

And, to thy ſervice, keep us true;

Which, wil our Freedoms perfect make.

The Kingdom, Power, and Praiſe be thine

As long as Moon, and Sun ſhall ſhine:

Be, likewiſe, thou our Heritage:

And, in this Nation, let there be

No other King, or GOD, but thee,

What e're they are, who thereat rage.

Warm'd by theſe Charmes, I do begin to feel

Another motion, in an higher wheel,

Inclining my invention, to indite

Expreſſions, raiſed to a loftier height;

That (if it can be done) I may awake

Some other, in my praiſes to partake.

Be ſilent then; For, I intend a ſtrain,

That ſhall reach heaven, and, eccho, down again

Such repercuſſions, hither, through the ayre,

As will within our Foes beget deſpaire,

Of their deſignes; and, thoſe, to us, unite

In praiſes, who, in Englands peace, delight:

Sing this as the 148. Pſalm, doubling the laſt ſtrain of the Tune.

1.

ALl you, that preſent are,

Come, let our hearts, and tongues,

The Praiſe of God declare,

p. 51In new-Thanksgiving ſongs;

Come, let us ſing

…trains, that may make the walls to ſhake,

The Roofs to ring:

Still ſounding higher,

…ill thereby, we, with Angells, be

Joyn'd in one Quire.

Related, we have heard,

What he, for us, hath done;

With how much diſregard,

Our Foes, he looks upon:

And, we have ſeen,

…ow, he befriends, when righteous ends

Purſu'd have been:

VVe, likewiſe vievv

VVhat will befall, to thoſe that ſhall

Their luſt purſue.

We ſee, or may behold,

That, he our Armies leads;

And (as in times of old)

His Banner o're them ſpreads,

And for our ſakes,

…hrough threats and ſpights, through depths and heights,

Their paſſage makes,

VVhilſt, to his praiſe

Their Foes to nought, are juſtly brought,

In plainer waies.

He, made both Seas and Wind,

To them aſſiſtance lend;

And, what they had deſign'd,

Sun, Moon, and Clouds befriend.

F…rce, he repells;

… them bold, to march where cold,

… hunger dwells:

p. 52And, when their fear

Did moſt abound, they mercy found,

And Victors were.

5.

To him doth Praiſe belong:

For, he did them ſubdue,

Who num'rous were, and ſtrong,

When we were weak, and few;

And, when our Foes

Came bragging on, and thought all won,

They all did loſe.

Still, be it thus;

Lord! alway, ſo, them overthrow

VVho malice us.

6.

His wiſe-foreſight prevents,

The Politicians wiles:

He, croſſes their intents,

He, at their Projects ſmiles:

In his due time,

He ſtill unknots, all hidden plots,

Contriv'd by them:

And, in that ſnare,

VVhichWhich, for our feet, they cloſely ſet,

Still caught they are.

7.

Vain ſons of men, therefore,

Your bruitiſh grumbling ceaſe;

Purſue falſe-hopes no more,

But follow after peace.

More prudent grow;

Reform your waies, and ſing his Praiſe

As now we do:

Oh! whilſt you may

In God rejoyce, and hear his Voice

VVhile 'tis to day.

8.

Let all men do the ſame,

p. 53Of whatſoe're degree;

And magnifie his Name,

As all obliged be.

His Righteouſneſſe,

… Power and Grace, in ev'ry place

Let all confeſſe:

And lay aſide

…heir own deſerts, their ſelfiſh hearts,

Their ſtinking pride.

Your ſtrength to him ſubmit,

You, that have conqueſts won:

Wiſe men aſcribe your wit,

To him, ev'n him alone.

For, he ſupplies

…he Fool with skill, and, when he will

Be fools the wiſe.

And, certainly,

…nto to your Foes, he, gives the blows

By which they die.

10.

Rich-men, your precious things

Bring forth, your Thanks to ſhow;

Before him, (Oh ye Kings)

Your Heads, and Scepters bow;

And, as 'tis meet,

…ome from your Thrones, and caſt your Crowns

Beneath his feet:

For, Kingdomes all

…o him pertain, and he again

Reſume them ſhall.

11.

Oh! let all things that were,

That are, or ſhall enſue;

(Or, but in thought appear)

The Praiſe, O God, forth-ſhew;

…ill Times laſt bound:

And, let it run, when time is done,

An endleſſe Round;

p. 54Where, needs not be

Privations Night, that we true Light

May better ſee.

12.

Mean time, let not his praiſe

Be meerly, in our Voice,

As if vve thought to raiſe

A Trophy, out of Noiſe:

But, let us more

Our Thanks expreſſe, in Righteouſneſſe,

Then heretofore:

Els (this is plain)

Falſe ſhows we make, and, do but take

GODS Name in vain.

Theſe Hymns I offer up, to be inſtead

Of ſome ſhort Chronicle, for them to read,

Who have not means to get a larger Book,

Or leiſure-time, long Tracts to overlook.

And many, peradventure, who ſhould els

Never have heard a word, of what this tells,

Shall thereby know it, and thence, take occaſion

To magnifie Gods Mercies, to this Nation.

Here I had made an end, but that I find

Another Christian duty, which to mind

I muſt preſent. All theſe, forepaſt Expreſſions

Of Gods great mercies, and our fair Profeſſions

Of thankfuineſſe, but words, or actions be,

Which hypocrites may do, as well as we,

(As to the outward man) and, many times,

By them, that ſervice, beſt performed ſeems.

Theſe, are but offrings of our lips, and tongues,

Or exerciſes of the breath, and lungs,

In which, we formally may act a part,

With little fervor, and without a heart.

If we upon inquiry find it thus,

In thoſe Thankſgivings offred now by us,

p. 55…verball, and meer corporall oblation

…ll be to God, but an abomination.

We, therefore ſhall do well, when we have ended

…e publike duties, unto us commended,

… Power ſupreme) in private, to retire

… to our ſelves, and of our hearts inquire

…w things are there, and whether all be ſo

…earneſt, as it ought to be, or no.

… we perceive a failing, let us, then,

…nfeſſe it, as becomes repentant men:

…d take occaſion, thence, to magnifie

…ods love the more, and humbly vilifie

…r wayes before him, for the favours done,

…ill, then, moſt thankfully be thought upon,

…hen we conſider, that, the Grace beſtown,

…as not, without our ſelf-deſert, alone:

…t, when we rather merited his wrath.

…ercie, by guileineſſe, more luſtre hath,

…nd Gods commiſeration will appear

…ice greater, when 'tis known, how vile we are.

Oh! let us therefore, take more care to ſee,

…th what we are, and, what we ought to be,

…hom, God, hath ſo much favour'd: let us know,

…at we our thankfullneſſe are bound to ſhow

… well with other members, as with tongues,

…d, with what, ever elſe to us belongs.

…e ought to bring a circumciſed ear,

…ot deaf to truth, or, readier to hear

… falſe report, then, that which repreſents

…he grievances, and wrongs of innocents.

… pitifull, and an impartiall eye,

… look upon, the poore mans miſerie,

…nd turn from vanities: well cleanſed hands:

…tive, in executing, Gods Commands:

…, not to bloodſhed ſwift, but, ordered

…he paths of Chriſtian holineſſe, to tread;

p. 56And ev'ry other Member, ſerving to

Thoſe duties, which they were ordain'd to do.

Let ev'ry man conſider, what, he was;

What, he at this time is; unto what place

God, hath preferred him: unto what end:

What, he hath done; and, what, he doth intend:

Whether, to other men, he hath done ſo,

As, he would others, unto him ſhould do.

Whether his Power be faithfully employ'd,

To further that, for which it is enjoy'd;

Or, to enrich himſelf. Whether, his wealth,

His reputation, wiſdome, ſtrength, and health,

Have been improv'd aright; and, whether, he

Is really the ſame, he ſeems to be,

By thoſe externall actings, which expreſſe

His Justice, Piety, and Thankefulneſſe.

For, 'tis not our conformity, to that

Which is this day, commanded by the State,

(Or, other like performances) alone,

That, maketh acceptable what is done.

'Tis not Religion, ſtew'd into a vapour;

Taking, of Notes, at Sermons, in a paper;

Or, giving ſixpence, or perhaps, a ſhilling,

Wherein, conſiſts a laudable fulfilling

Of this daies-duty: no, beloved Nation,

'Tis Justice, Justice; Bowells of compaſſion;

Sincereneſſe in your deeds; truth in your hearts;

And, purifying of your inward parts;

Which makes a Sacrifice to be approv'd,

Or Sacrificer perfectly belov'd:

And, 'tis the want of theſe, that, moſt eſtranges

From GOD; and brings the moſt deſtructive chang…

Which, being true; all men (in what they may)

Should to perform the duty of this day,

Be diligent: But moſt conduce, it ſhall

Unto the Publike-good, in generall;

p. 57That ſuch as have chief Power, in either Nation

Should take themſelves into Examination,

And ſearch, what in them wanteth, to expreſſe

A hearty, and unfained thankfulneſſe:

Let, therfore thoſe, on whom, at this time, lies

The greateſt Truſt, reflect, a while, their eyes

Upon themſelves; to make enquirie, whether

There be not in their publike-actings, either

Some falſhood, or ſome failings, which may need

A Reformation, and a better heed:

Whether, they have not ſwallow'd, what may choke

Themſelves, at laſt; Gods, righteous wrath provoke;

And, fruſtrate all our former Preſervations;

Our preſent Joys, and future expectations.

Let them examine, how much, yet, they want

Of making good their vowed Covenant,

Not in the Scottiſh, but the Engliſh ſenſe)

Which hath relation to our juſt defence,

And, to that mutuall aid, which, to each other

We vow'd; when, we were thereby joyn'd together.

Let them examine, whether, they have not

That part, of their Ingagement, ſo forgot,

As, to deſert their friends, in th' executions

Of their juſt Vow, and, made their Proſecutions

More miſchievous to them, then unto thoſe

That, were appa…ently our guilty Foes:

And, whether, whilſt this Lot, on them attends,

Men, may not cheaper, be truth's foes, then friends.

Let them examine, if there be not ſome,

Who to their Counſells, and Committees come,

…eldome, or never; but, to ſet thoſe free

From Proſecution, who, moſt guilty be:

And, whether, many of them, do not know

Who, theſe men are, and often, find it ſo,

Much to their grief; becauſe, they are unable

To hinder, what they know unwarrantable.

p. 58Let, them conſider, whether, ſome effects

Of partiall, and of perſonall reſpects,

Have not oft times, deſtroy'd an Innocent,

The juſt dooms, of the guilty, to prevent:

Whether, this Lord, that kinſman, or their friend;

(Or, he, that can promote their private end)

This Lady, with the fair beſpotted face;

That gallant, in the ſuit bedawb'd with Lace;

Or, ſeeming Converts, who, perhaps, are come

To Fine, for means, to miſchief us, at home;

Let them I ſay, conſider whether, theſe

Are not receiv'd with more civiliti…s,

And, with much more reſpect, then many are,

Who, from the firſt beginning of this war,

Have ſerved faithfully; and ever ſtood

Firm, in all Trialls, for the Publike-good.

Let them examine, whether, they and we,

Partakers, of one Common-Juſtice be,

According to our right: Or, whether they

Allow not to themſelves, what they deny

To ſome of us, who, have the ſelf-ſame Cauſe;

And, claim the ſelf-ſame equity, and Laws.

Let them examine, whether, none of them,

Seek opportunities, and watch for time

How, to ſurprize their Houſe, to gain a Vote,

Which, in a full Court, never had been got;

Becauſe, their motions, had been, then, gainſaid,

By many, and, their purpoſe, better weigh'd.

Let them examine, how, they do purſue

Their ſelf-denying Votes, which, gave a ſhew

Of honorable, and of good intentions;

Though fruſtrate, by unlooked for preventions.

Let them examine, if theſe Common-weals

Can hope for benefit, by juſt Appeals,

Againſt Oppreſſors, who ſhall Office bear,

When in Supreme Authority they are,

p. 59And while they ſhall be priviledged ſo,

That, they may Judges be; and Parties, too,

In thoſe Appeals; and, how, their bribery,

Or other injuries, can poſſibly

Be prov'd; where, all Appellants, againſt theſe,

Shall find ſo many diſadvantages

To ſtruggle through; and while thoſe they impeach,

Are in a Sanctuary, out of reach.

Let them examine, if the diſtributions

Of places, gainfull by their executions,

Are equally divided; or, beſtown

So frequently, for any merit, known,

As, for ſome nigh relation, unto thoſe

Who get the power, ſuch places to diſpoſe:

And, whether, one, may five, or ſix, deſerve,

Whilſt, many of our friends, are like to ſtarve,

Who, might have been reliev'd; yea, made our debter;

And, ſerv'd the Common wealth, perhaps much better.

Let them examine, whether, they, who lent

And, freely gave, till all they had, was ſpent,

The Publike to ſecure; are car'd for, ſo,

As they have been, who, fought our overthrow:

Whether, they ſee not many more ariſe

To ſpeak for them, upon emergencies;

To repreſent their ſeeming-ſad conditions;

To offer, and to ſecond, their Petitions;

To get Proviſoes, pardons, or Reprieves,

(And, means to keep their children, and their wives)

Then do for thoſe, when their diſtreſſe appears,

Who, freely, ſpent their bloud, to ſave our tears.

Let them examine, whether, ſome of them

Do not by their proceedings, both condemn

And, help deſtroy themſelves; when, in their Choiſes

Of Publike-Ministers, they give in Voices,

Or Names, for by-reſpects, or kindreds ſake;

Enabling them, Confed'racies to make,

p. 60For private interest: let them, together

Take conſultation, and examine whether

They favour not, among them, ſuch as drive

Thoſe actings on, whereby, they may contrive

The ruine of our Cauſe. Let them, moreover,

Examine, whether, none they can diſcover

Who conſtantly endeavour, to bring in

Thoſe, who moſt worthily, depriv'd have been

Of their late trust; that, they might them aſſiſt

In ſtrengthening their corrupted intereſt:

And, whether, an indulgency to theſe,

May not procure ſome diſadvantages

To that Militia, which, hath been, of late,

Eſtabliſhed, to fortifie the State:

And, let them, if they find it to be ſo,

Prevent the miſchiefe, e're it further go.

Let them examine, whether, Avarice,

Ambition, malice, pride, or ſome ſuch Vice,

Hath not been ſo indulg'd, as, that it may

Deprive us of the comforts, which this day

We have hope: yea, let us all, apart,

And, joyntly, ſeek true Peace, with perfect heart.

Theſe memorandums, I am bold to add,

That, our Thanksgivings, may be thereby made

More perfect; and, more acceptable, too,

By minding, what, we further have to do:

That, by theſe Obſervations, I may keep

My friends, from ſinging of themſelves aſleep,

In that ſecurity, which will deſtroy

The trueſt ſweetneſſe, of our preſent joy:

That, we might ſave Supreme Authority,

From that contempt, that blame, and obloquy,

Which, may be caſt upon it, by our Foes,

Or, by the ſecret faithleſneſſe, of thoſe,

Who (by pretending for it) have much wronged

Their Actings, and our miſeries prolonged:

p. 61…d that we may not by our heedleſneſſe

… thoſe things, which will mar our happineſſe,

…wle Elegies, and roar out Lamentations,

…ead of ſongs of praiſe, and Exultations,

Lord! give thou hereunto, thoſe good events

Which, may, in ſomwhat, anſwer my intents:

…nd, take with acceptation, I, thee pray,

…is my imperfect, this may weak aſſay.

…ſten thy work, and bring it to concluſion;

…aw us, out of that chaos-like confuſion,

… which we are: As, in our preſervation

…ou haſt appear'd, ſo in our reſtauration

… unity, pleaſe, likewiſe, to appear;

…at, Peace and truth, may keep their dwellings here.

Let Parliament, and people, from this day,

…iſe thee, by Reformation of their way.

… City, Countrey, and both poore and rich,

…deavour with ſincerity, as much.

…t our victorious Armie, do the ſame;

…tributing unto thy glorious Name

… their prevailings; perſevering, ſtill,

… faithfull executing of thy will,

…d ſeeking publick-peace without deſign

…ought, which may to ſelfiſhneſſe incline.

…nd, make us all, with as much willingneſſe,

… forth thy praiſes, for the righteouſneſſe

… thy ſevereſt Judgements; as, to ſing

…anks, for thoſe bleſſings, which thy mercies bring.

And, my dear countreymen, let me not pray

…r you in vain: nor ſing my ſongs, this day

… Beaſts, and Rocks, and Mountains, to be heard,

As they have often been) without regard:

…ſt, I have cauſe to change my joyfull Odes,

… mournfull Epicedes, and Palinodes.

… ill preſaging Raven to this Nation,

… would not be (croaking of deſolation

p. 62And ſad events) I, rather with the Dove,

My winged Contemplations, would improve

To bring ſuch Olive-leaves, as may declare

Your overflowings, quite abated are:

But, all that is allow'd by my Commiſſions,

Is, only to declare, on what conditions,

We may have Peace; and, what events, God hath

Deſign'd, both to the right, and left hand path.

Let me not, therefore, whiſtle to the wind,

And, emptineſſe, in my good wiſhes find.

For, why ſhould this day of our viſitation

Be overpaſſed by this generation?

Why do the Gentry rage? why murmur ſo

The brutiſh Common people, as they do?

New Vanities, why do they ſtill deviſe?

Themſelves befooling every day with lies?

Though, every dayes, experience doth declare,

How falſe their hopes and expectations are:

If they would learn to love, and to believe,

God, thereunto, a bleſt Event ſhould give;

And make them know, and ſee (with comfort too)

What, he is doing, and intends to do.

But I begin to feel within my breaſt,

A Rapture, preſſing on to be expreſt.

Oh! hear me therefore, and let none deſpiſe

To heed it: for I'le now ſing Prophecies,

Which (whatſoe're you think) ſhall be as true,

As if a wiſer man had told them you.

If you ſhall (oh ye Brittains) reunite,

In love, and, but, according to your might,

Add your endeavours, chearfully, to do,

What Grace and Reaſon, will invite you to,

Your way ſhall proſper: and, (my ſoul for yours)

Neither all earthlies nor Infernall powers,

Shall able be to make a future rent,

Betwixt you; or to ſhake that governme…

p. 63Which God will ſettle here: but it ſhall ſtand

…s long, as there is, either ſea or land:

…nd be renown'd among all other Nations,

…hroughout the world, and through all Generations.

This Iſland, then, the Darling ſhall become,

…ot only, of all States in Chriſtendome;

…ut, likewiſe, of all thoſe within the ſound

…f everie wind, that blows within this Round.

… ſhall be made the Magazine of all

…hoſe things on earth, which men do precious call:

…nd, of all vertues, morall and divine,

…hat may be found, where Sun and Moon do ſhine:

…or, God ſhall take delight, to multiply

…is bleſſings on it, and to beautifie

…ut cities, fields, and perſons, with each thing,

…hat honour, ornament or peace may bring.

But, if againſt the Light you ſhut your eyes;

…ood counſel, if you frowardly deſpiſe:

… you from God, ſhall turn away your heart;

…he way of Juſtice, and of truth pervert:

…, timely mercies you neglect to ſhew

…o thoſe that need (God, having unto you

…ouchſaf'd ſo many favours, and, protections,

… your great ſtraights, and manifold afflictions)

…r, ſhall abuſe the powre or truſt beſtown,

…o ſet up vain devices of your own,

…ſtead of what concerns the throne of Chriſt;

…r, this free Nations, lawfull intereſt;

…r, ſhall maliciouſly purſue a courſe,

…hat, leads away, from better things, to worſe:

…hen, know your doom, for, here I'le tell it you,

…nd ſpeak it out, without Aenigmaes too.

God, with a black-ſad cloud ſhall overcaſt

…our hopes; and, on you, breath a ſudden blaſt

…hat will ſhrink up, (before you are aware

…ll thoſe fair bloomings, which this day appear;

p. 64Set back your Dialls, nip your forward Spring,

Which promiſed rich harveſt fruits, to bring:

And, as his mercies, have exceeding been,

So ſhall his Judgements, when they do begin.

Yea, ſhould you conquer, till, you did not know

Abroad, or, here at home, one able foe.

Should all thoſe Princes, and thoſe powrfull Sta…

Who court you now, prove firm confederates;

Or, ſhould you ſtand poſſeſt of all their powrs,

Of whom, you are, or may be Con querours;

Yet, mark well this (unleſſe, we ſhall with ſpeed,

Reform ſome things, which Reformation need:

And with more Courage, with more verity,

More ſelf-deniall, and ſincerity,

Witneſſe our thankfullneſſe (which, by Gods grace,

I hope, will in due time, be brought to paſſe)

A thing, which no man yet, knows what to call,

(Or whence 'twill come) our hopes endanger ſhall

Yea, ſuch a thing, as is not yet in thought,

(And which moſt men will ſleight and ſet at nough…

When firſt it ſhall appear) will overthrow

Our Glorie, and lay all our honour low,

Till we repent: but, then, we ſhall ariſe

From our diſgrace again, to be more wiſe:

And they who in their hearts abide ſincere,

Shall ſee this change, without much harm, or fear▪

More, I might ſay, but, my ſet time is gone.

Take this, among you; and, Gods will be done,

FINIS.

In the laſt page of the Epiſtle l.21.r. ſetling. p.6.l.….r. J… ſeed. p.7.l.29. r. either and or.

End of the text · George Wither, The British Appeals with Gods Merciful Replies (1651)