The British Appeals with Gods Merciful Replies, Letter 2
TO The VVel-affected of the Common-wealth of ENGLAND.
VVHen the late Act of Parliament came forth, commanding the celebration of a publick Thanksgiving, upon the 30. of January laſt, for Gods manifold mercies to this Republick; and for thoſe eſpecially in the ſaid Act expreſſed: though my own affairs were at that time in their criſis, and my urgent neceſſities required their immediate proſecution: yet my heart being moved with a ſtrong deſire to prepare ſomewhat (according to my faculty) which migh help ſtir up this Nation▪ to glorifie almighty God for our manifold and great Deliverances; as was piouſly enjoyned by Supreme Authority: I reſolved to truſt him with my own buſineſse; and, wholly to ſet apart the remainder of that MonethMonth to compoſe a Commemorative Poem toward the illuſtration of his extraordinary favours to this Common-wealth, in his glorious goings forth with our Armies; and in ſuch other manifeſtations of his gracious Providence, as have conduced to the accompliſhing of our juſt, and reaſonable hopes. And, though I have not therein anſwered what may perhaps be expected in ſuch an undertaking; yet having done what my ability and the ſhortneſſe of the time (made ſhorter by many accidentall obſtructions) would permit; I hope you will favourably ex… me, in regard it may nevertheleſſe, be in ſome … uſefull to the better performance of the Du… … after the Day is paſt, by bringing to re… many of thoſe mercies which occaſioned that dayes ſolemnization; and I preſume, it wi will find good acceptation with you, whoſe eye God hath opened to ſee his wonderfull loving kindneſſe, and, whoſe hearts are not hardened to the… deſtruction, or ſhame, for ſhutting their eyes, wilfully againſt the light, which heretofore ſhined up on them.
I have no hope to prevail upon ſuch, as are perverſe: for like Jannes and Jambres, they have obſtinately oppoſed our deliverers, and have … the Egyptians in reſiſting God. They have ſometimes acknowledged his Finger in the miracles, wrought for us; as that people did, and yet perſiſt in then obduracy. They, have ſeen the Rods of power and diſcipline, turned into, Serpents; and that which was in the hand of lawfull authority, to devour thoſe, which were graſped by impoſtors. They have ſeen, as the Egyptians did, their Lakes, ponds, and Rivers, turned into blood: and all their fields, waters, and habitatitations filled with thoſe, which were hieroglyphically ſignified by Frogs, Lice, Flyes and Locuſts. God, in like manner, hath proved them, by his judgements, and by plagues, upon their beaſts, their fruits, their treaſures, their perſons, and their hopes of posterity: he hath puniſhed them, as well with a groſs darknes, and other privations, as by arming againſt them, all the Elements. They have ſeen their late King (for continuing in his hardneſſe of heart) like Pharaoh, drowned (as it were) in the Red Sea, even in that ſea of blood, which by his wiſfullneſſe hath overflowed theſe Iſlands. Yea they ſee thoſe waters which gave paſſage for his people, to eſcape their …ry, ſtand on both hands ready to ſwallow … up; yet they being more blind and mad … Pharaoh and the Egyptians (becauſe, they … for examples) the… … purpoſes, as in deſpight of God, and will not acknowledge his Actings, though they ſee them; nor his Voice, though they bear it, nor his hand though they feel it: Now, if all theſe things have not ſoftned their hearts; and if neither the Pillar of fire which they ſee going daily before us, nor the Cloud, out of which God looks often very terrbly upon them, can move them to praiſe God with us, in our publick acknowledgements of his mercies; I muſt not think my charmes will operate much upon them: and, therefore, to Gods good pleaſure, I will leave them, and you, who are better affected, to the enjoyment of his mercies; whereof I humbly expect and confidently believe to be a partaker.
Your faithfull, and ancient Remembrancer, GEO. WITHER.