Echos from the Sixth Trumpet, Part 1

Echos from the Sixth Trumpet · Part 1

p. 1THis Collection begins with a Review of the Poem called BRITANS REMEMBRANCER, written during the great Peſtilence raging in the year 1625. The Title-page of that Book is a conſiderable Prediction both Emblematically, and in Words. for therein was repreſented a Black Cloud hovering over this Iſland, with Juſtice and Mercy thereon ſeated, attended with an Hoſt of Plagues; and in the oppoſite page the meaning of that Title expreſſed in theſe following words:

Behold, and mark, and mind ye Britiſh Nationt

This dreadful Viſion of my Contemplations:

Before the Throne of Heaven I ſaw, methought,

This famous Iſland into queſtion brought;

With better Ears then theſe my body wear,

I heard Impartial Juſtice to declare

p. 2GOD's Benefits, our Thankleſneſs, and what

Small heed his Love or Judgments here begat.

I heeded how Eternal Mercy ſtrove

GOD's juſt deſerved Vengeance to remove;

But, ſo our ſins encreas'd, and cry'd ſo loud,

That, at the laſt, I ſaw a diſmal Cloud

Exceeding black, as from the Sea aſcending,

And over all this Iſle it ſelf extending,

With ſuch thick foggy vapours, that their ſteams

Seem'd for a while, to darken Mercy's beams,

Within that dreadful Cloud, I did behold

Moſt Plagues and Puniſhments that name I could;

Expecting, with a trembling heart, each hour,

GOD ſhould that Tempeſt on this Iſland pour.

Yet better hopes appear'd; for, lo the Raies

Of Mercy pierc'd the Cloud, and made ſuch waies

Quite through thoſe Exhalations, that mine eye

Did this Inſcription thereupon eſpye

BRITANS REMEMBRANCER, and ſomewhat ſaid

Theſe words, me thought, The ſtorm is yet delaid;

And, if you do not Penitence defer,

This Cloud is onelyonly a Remembrancer:

But if you ſtill affect Impiety,

Expect ere long what this may ſignifie.

This having ſeen and heard, it ſeem'd nor fit

Nor ſafe for me to ſlight or ſmother it:

And therefore, thus, both to your eyes and ears,

I offer here what unto mine appears;

Judge, Readers, as ye pleaſe, of this or me,

Truth will be true, how ere it cenſur'd be.

In the laſt Page of the Epiſtle to the King, before that Poem, there is a confident Preſage relating both to the ſaid Poem, and to the Author p. 5thereof, hitherto made good; the words are theſe:

—I know, what ere the ſpight of man

Againſt this Poem ſpeak or practice can,

It ſhall continue when all they are rotten,

Or live in Infamy, or dye forgotten,

Who ſhall oppoſe it. I more over know,

That dead or living, I eſteem'd ſhall grow

For what they blame, &c.

To maintain confidence in the Authors proſecution of his duty, it was thus preſaged unto his heart, as it is recorded Canto 5. fol. 155.

Thou haſt from Heaven, an Arrant yet to do,

Which (unleſs GOD prevent) will call thee to

New Troubles, and more miſchiefs bring upon thee,

Then all thy former Meſſages brought on thee:

And be aſſur'd the Devil will deviſe

What may diſparage thee, to ſcandalize,

And ineffectual every thing to make,

Which, to good purpoſe, thou ſhalt undertake.

Thou muſt prepare thy ſelf to hear the Noiſe

Of cauſeleſs Threatnings; and the fooliſh Voice

Of Ignorant Reprovers; and expect

The bitter Cenſures of each giddy Sect:

Thou muſt contented be to hear great Lords

Talk without reaſon, big imperious words;

Although with meekneſs thou ſhalt make repair,

When thou art ſummon'd, to the Scorners Chair,

VVhere they with jeers and flouts, will take in hand

To cenſure what they do not underſtand, &c.—

p. 4—But, fear them not, for he that in all places,

From every danger, and from all diſgraces,

Hath hitherto preſerv'd thee, will ſecure

Thy perſon now. That hand which did procure

Relief from thy cloſe Thraldomes, and maintain'd

Contentment when from liberty reſtrain'd,

Will be the ſame for ever, &c.—

For to this Realm and City thou art ſent

To warn them that they ſpeedily repent:

To ſhew them for what failings and offences

GOD ſendeth Famines, Warrs and Peſtilences;

And, to pronounce what other Plagues will come,

If their tranſgreſſions they depart not from, &c.

In folio 106, and in the following leaves, this Author declared how deſolate that Plague had made many places in and near London; particularly, the Kings Houſe, the Innes of Court, Weſtminſter-Hall, and the Parliament-Houſe; which produced this expreſſion, amounting to a Preſage:

—there did I

Behold two Traitors heads which pearcht on high,

Did ſhew their teeth, as if they had been grinning

At our Afflictions, which are now beginning;

For their wide Eye-holes, me thought, ſtar'd, as tho

They look't to ſee that Houſe ſhould overthrow

It ſelf, which they with Powder up had blown,

Had not GOD them, and their device o'rethrown.

Alſo in the 107th leaf, he taking notice of the deſolate Houſes of the Citizens, Peers and Lawyers, at that time, hath words to this effect:

p. 5—wiſh I ſhall,

That they their wayes to mind would better call,

Leſt both their Countrey and their City-Piles

Be ſmoaking ſeen, and burning many miles, &c.

—or elſe leſt there,

Some fear Arreſtings, where no Serjeants are;

For, this portends, that, if they who profeſs

Our Laws, continue on their practiſes,

Till they (as heretofore the Clergy were)

Are more in number than the Land can bear;

Their goodly Palaces will ſpue them forth

As Excrements that are of little worth;

And be diſpoſed of, as now they ſee

Old Priories and Monaſtaries be.

In the 120th, and in many following leaves, the ſaid Author having contemplated how numerouſly the Fields near London were frequented for Recreation, with people of all ſorts, before that Infection; how deſolate they then were, and what ſudden effects would probably enſue, if GOD ſhould withdraw that Plague before we were truly penitent; other future Judgments are there mentioned, as implicitely preſaged in theſe words:

If GOD ſhould whiſtle for thoſe armed Bands

Which now are waſting other Chriſtian Lands,

To put in action on our Commick Stage

The Tragedies of War, and brutiſh rage,

What Lamentations would here then be made,

And calling into mind the peace we had?

Should we in every houſe at board and bed

Have Soldiers and rude Captains billeted,

p. 6That would command and ſwagger as if they

Kept all the Townſhips where they lodg, in pay,

To wait upon their pleaſures? Or ſhould ſee

Our own Defenders our Devourers be?

Should we behold thoſe Fields where now we ſport,

Cut out in Trenches; here a Warlike Fort,

Another there; a Sconce not far from that,

A new-rais'd Mount, &c.

After many other pre-ſuppoſals to this effect, he thus proceeded, fol. 123.

As heretofore the unpeopled Fields I walk'd,

To this effect my thoughts within me talk'd;

Yea, when all preſent Objects gave content,

My heart did ſuch Idea's repreſent

Of Judgments likely to be caſt upon

So great a City, and a ſinful one;

That much I feared, I ſhould live to ſee

Some ſuch Afflictions as here mentioned be.

According to what his heart had preſaged, and was then preſuppoſed, he lived to behold about Eighteen years after, ſuch Inſolencies committed by the Armies, ſuch Forts raiſed, and ſuch Trenches in the Fields round about London.

Many other fore-expreſſions to the ſame purpoſe were dictated to this Author, as more at large appears in ſeveral pages of the ſame Book; and after enumerating ſeveral Tranſgreſſions and Provocations of GOD's Wrath, it was thus predictated in the 8th Canto, fol. 255:

p. 7If thou, oh Britan, dreaming all is well,

Shalt ſlight this Meſſage which my Muſes tell,

And ſcorn their counſel, &c.—

—hear then what I am bold

To tell thee, as now fitting to be told;

For, I will tell thy Fortune, which, when they

Who are unborn ſhall read another day,

They will believe then, that GOD did infuſe

Into thy Poet a Prophetick Muſe:

Moreover know, that he did him prefer

To be, to this Iſle his Remembrancer;

And that if wilfully thou ſtop thine ear,

Or burn theſe Rowles, in which recorded are

Thy juſt Inditements, they ſhall written be

With new additions, deeply ſtampt on thee,

Iu ſuch Characters, that no time ſhall raſe

Their fatal Image from thy ſcarred face.

—though thou watch and ward,

And all thy Forts and Havens ſtrongly guard;

Though thou ſhalt multiply thine Iſland-Forces,

Double thy Trained Bands, and Troups of Horſes:

Though like an Eagle, ſhalt thy wings diſplay,

And (high thy head advancing) proudly ſay,

I ſit aloft, enthron'd ſo, that none

Can pluck me from the place I reſt upon:

Yet, ſure thou ſhalt be humbled, and brought low,

Ev'n then, when leaſt thou fear'ſt it will be ſo.

Till thou repent, all Preparations made

For thy Defence, or, others to invade,

Shall be in vain; and ſtill the greater coſt

Thou doſt beſtow, the Honour thereby loſt

Shall be the greater; and thy waſting ſtrength

Bring on thee a Conſumption at the length.

p. 8The Treaties which for Peace or Profit be,

Shall neither Peace nor Profit bring to thee.

For, if Endeavours proſper for a while,

GOD will permit it onelyonly to beguile

With fooliſh hopes, alluring them to run

Thoſe courſes which will bring new miſchiefs on:

Yea, thy prevailings will but fewel be

To feed the folly which bewitches thee;

And, make againſt thee, thoſe the more enrag'd,

Who ſhall for thy Corrections be engag'd.

What heretofore, by GOD, hath threatned bin

Against a wicked Natiou for their ſin,

Shall ſeize on thee; his hand ſhall be for ill

Upon each little, and high raiſed Hill:

Thy lofty Cedars, and thy ſturdy Oaks,

Shall feel the fury of his thunder-ſtroaks

Upon thy Fleet's, thy Havens and thy Ports;

Upon thine Armies, and thy ſtrong-wall'd Forts,

Upon thy Pleaſures and Commodities,

Upon thy Handicrafts and Merchandiſe,

Upon the Fruits and Cattel in thy Fields,

On what the air, the earth or water yields:

On Prince and people, on both weak and ſtrong,

On Prieſt and Prophet, on both old and young:

Yea, on each Perſon, Place, and ev'ry thing,

His juſt deſerved Judgments, GOD will bring.

What thou haſt hoped for, he fruſtrate ſhall,

And make that which thou fear'ſt, on thee to fall.

This pleaſant Land wherein how plenty grows,

And wherein Milk and Honey overflows,

Shall for thy peoples wickedneſs, be made

As barren as the Soil which never had

Such bleſſings in it. GOD ſhall drive away

The Flocks of Fowles, and Sholes of Fiſh that play

p. 9Within thy waters now; and for the ſtore

Whereof, thy Neighbours would have prais'd him more:

The Rivers which have made thy Vallies rich,

To thee ſhall be like ſtreams of burning pitch:

Thy duſt as Brimſtone, thy Fields hard and dry

Like Iron, and the Firmament on high,

Like Braſs, affording neither ſhowres nor dew

In ſeason, waſted bleſſing to renew.

A leanneſs Shall thy fatneſs quite devour;

Thy wheat ſhall yeild thee bran inſtead of flowr:

Thou ſhalt, when Harveſt cometh, reap the thorn,

Or weeds and thiſtles where thou look'ſt for corn.

Robb'd ſhall thy Groves be of their pleaſant ſhadows,

And of their graſs, thy fertile flowry Meadows.

Sheep on thy Downs, or Shepherds on the Green,

Shall then be few, and not ſo often ſeen.

Thy Garden-Walks, and many a pleaſant plot,

Shall be like places men inhabit not,

Thy Villages which now well peopled are,

Shall ſtand as if no dwellers in them were.

Thy Cities and thy Palaces, wherein

Moſt neatneſs and magnificence hath bin,

Shall heaps of Rubbiſh be; and (as in thoſe

Demoliſht Abbies, wherein Daws and Crows

Now make their Neſts) the bramble and the nettle,

Shall in the Halls and Parlours root and ſettle.

Thy Princely houſes, and the Streets and Courts

Now fill'd with men of all degrees and ſorts,

Shall in them few Inhabitants retain,

Except a Fiſher-man, or Countrey-ſwain;

Who, of thy pride and glory, when they ſee

Such marks, with wonderment ſurpriz'd ſhall be,

As oft they are, who deep foundations find,

Of Towns and Cities periſht out of mind.

p. 10The places where much people meetings had,

Shall Vermine-holes, and Dens for beaſts be made,

Or haunts for Sprights, which do in loanly rooms

Affright the paſſenger who thither comes.

Inſtead of mirth and laughter lamentation

Shall there be heard; abhorred deſolation

Inſtead of Company, and where men heard

Sweet Melody, they ſhall be made affear'd

With hideous cryes, and howlings of deſpair;

Yea, then thy Climate, and well temp'red air

Shall loſe their wholſomneſs for thy offences;

Breed here infectious Feavers, Peſtilences,

And all diſeaſes. They who up were train'd

In eaſe, and with ſoft pleaſures entertain'd,

Leaving their idle games, and wanton dances,

Shall practiſe how, to handle Guns and Launces,

And be compelled from the dear embraces

Of friends, to end their lives in unknown places.

Or, thy face with their own bloud to defile,

In hope to ſave thee and themſelves from ſpoile.

Thy Beautious women (whoſe pride is now more:

Then theirs, whom Eſay mention'd heretofore)

Shall in the ſtead of paintings, coſtly ſcents,

Or glittering Gems, and curious Ornaments,

Wear foul deformities upon their faces;

And robb'd of all their ſweet and tempting graces,

Feel ſtinks, diſeaſes, wants, and all ſuch things,

As loathing, to a wanton Lover brings.

Thy GOD, ſhall for thy multiplied Vices

Scourge thee with Scorpions and with Cockatrices,

Whoſe tailes with ſuch envenom'd ſtings are armed,

As neither can be plucked out, nor charmed.

Thou ſhalt not be ſuffic'd, when thou art fed;

Nor ſuffer onelyonly ſcarcity of bread

p. 11Corporeal, but want likewiſe of that

Whereof each faithful ſoul deſires to eat.

That curſe of ravenous Beaſts which GOD hath ſaid

Upon a wicked Nation ſhall be laid,

He will inflict on thee, for although here

No Tygers, Lyons, Wolves or Bears now are,

To Beaſtly-minded men thou ſhalt be made

A prey, which will be (if not worſe) as bad.

Inſtead of Lyons, Tyrants thou ſhalt breed,

Who nor of Conſcience, nor of Law take heed;

But, on the weak mans portion lay their paws,

And make their pleaſure to become their Laws.

Inſtead of Tygers, men of no compaſſion

(A furious and a wilful generation)

Shall fill thy Borders. Thieves and Outlaws vile,

Shall haunt thy Ways, and hunt the Woods for ſpoile.

A ſubtile, falſe, diſſembling, cheating crew,

(Who will with fraudful coz'nages purſue

The ſimple ſort) ſhall here encreaſe their breed,

And in their craftineſs the Fox exceed.

That Hoggiſh Herd which alwayes nozling are

In filth and dirt, (from whence they ſeldom rear

Their grunting ſnouts, to fix an eye on Heaven,

To look on him from whom good things are given)

Ev'n, Swiniſh livers, having a deſire

To feed on draff, to wallow in the mire,

To drink in puddles, rather then ſweet ſprings,

To tread on, and pollute the precious't things,

Will more deſtructive be unto thy Fields,

Then all the wild-Boars that the Deſart yields.

Whilſt thou continueſt-in thy ſins, thou art

Like Egypt, and the hardneſs of thy heart

Will at the laſt, bring down upon thee all

Thoſe Plagues, which long ſince did on Egypt fall:

p. 12Blood, Frogs and Lice, great ſwarms of ſtinging Flies;

Th' infectious Murrain whereof Cattel dies;

Biles, Scabs & Blains, cold Hail, hot Thunder-ſtorms,

The Locuſt, and the fruit-devouring Worms;

Groſs Darkneſs, and the Death of them that be

Thy darlings: All theſe Plagues will ſeize on thee,

According as the Letter doth implie,

Or, as they Myſtically ſignifie.

Thy Rivers ſhall be turned into blood;

Thy Fountains which were ſavoury and good,

Grow naſty; and ſhall in thy Noſtrils ſtink;

Thy Children ſhall but little eat or drink,

Until a portion of their blood it coſt,

Or, every drop in hazard to be loſt.

Moſt loathſome Froggs, that is, men of impure

Of baſe condition, of birth as obſcure

As Frogs that are in Fens and Ditches bred,

Shall with a Clowniſh rudeneſs overſpread

Each pleaſant place, thy faireſt rooms poſſeſs,

And make unwholſome by their ſluttiſhneſs,

Thy Kneading-troughs, thy Ovens and thy Meat,

Whereof thy Children moſt deſire to eat:

Yea, this Brood ſhall preſume to croak and ſing

Within the Privy-Chambers of thy King;

There exerciſing their harſh-ſounding throats,

With ill-compoſed and unpleaſing notes,

To wit, Vain boaſts, reviling's, ribaldries,

Lyes, curſes, and ungodly blaſphemies.

The Land ſhall breed a loathſome Generation,

Unworthy either of the Reputation.

Or Name of men; for they as Lice ſhall feed

Upon that Body whence they did proceed.

Here ſhall moreover, divers baneful Flies

Ingend'red be in thy proſperities.

p. 13The Fleſh-flye ſhall thy pamp'red fleſh corrupt;

Musketoes, honeſt Lab'rers interrupt;

The lazy and unprofitable Drones,

The Waſps, the Hornet, and ſuch angry ones

As do them repreſent, whoſe buzzing tongues,

And ſtings are active to their neighbours wrongs:

The Butterflies will vex thee too; ev'n they

Who do in idle flutterings waſt away

Their precious time, and their Eſtates conſume

On gaudy Clothes, till beggars they become.

As Beaſts deſtroyed by the Murrain be,

So they who are of Beaſtly life in thee,

By lewd example ſhall infect each other,

And, in their foul diſeaſes rot together.

Men ſhall grow over-hot, or over-cold,

And very few an equal temper hold;

But like tempeſtuous Exhalations, will

Thy Borders with a thouſand miſchiefs fill.

The Locuſt alſo, and the Palmer-worms

Shall prey on what eſcapeth from the Storms;

Ev'n thoſe deſtructive Locuſts too, which from

The bottomleſs infernal pit did come.

Then ſhall a darkneſs follow, much more black

Then when the Sun and Moon-light thou doſt lack;

For groſſeſt ignorance o'reſhadowing all,

Shall with ſo thick a Fog upon thee fall,

That thou a blockiſh Nation wilt be made:

Still ſtumbling on in a deluding ſhade;

Diſtruſting Friends, the way to ſafety ſhewing,

Moſt truſting Foes, who labour thy undoing;

And, ſhalt be daily vext with doubts and fears,

Like him that Outcries in dark places hears.

Yet, then his hand, GOD ſhall not from the turn,

Till he hath alſo ſmote thine Eldeſt Son;

p. 14That is, until he hath removed quite

Thoſe in whom now thou takeſt moſt delight;

And filled every houſe throughout the Nation,

With Deaths unlooked for, and lamentation.

Such will be thy confuſions, and thy ſhame,

That when the neighbouring Kingdoms hear the ſame,

Their ears will tingle; for when that hour comes

In which GOD ſhall inflict deſerved Dooms,

It will be then a day of gloomineſs,

Sad, dreadful, and exceeding comfortleſs;

For then will thy beloved vanities,

Thy Gold and Silver Idol-Deities,

With all thoſe Reeds on which thou haſt depended,

Deceive thy truſt, and leave thee unbefriended.

Thy Kings, thy Prieſts and Prophets then ſhall mourn,

And peradventure, formally return

To him who would have ſaved them; but, they

Who will not hearken to him whilſt they may,

Shall cry unheeded; for, he will deſpiſe

Their vows, their prayers, and their ſacrifice.

A Sea of troubles will thy hopes up ſwallow,

As wave on wave, Plague upon Plague ſhall follow;

And every thing that was a bleſſing to thee,

Shall to a Curſe be turn'd, which may undo thee.

Thy King, who as a Father ſhould have been,

And by whom Peace ſhould be preſerved in

Thy Sea-girt limits, ſhall not much befriend thee,

Nor then in thy profeſſed Faith defend thee.

Thou haft at preſent, goodly hopes of him

Who lately did put on thy Diadem;

But know, that until thou reformed art,

Thou ſhalt in his Deſervings have no part:

His Princely Vertues to his own avail

May prove; but they to profit thee ſhall fail.

p. 15His Clemency ſhall ſeem to thee ſevere,

His greateſt favours injuries appear;

And when thy ſins are fully ripe in thee,

Thy King and People both alike ſhall be.

Thou ſhalt have Babes to be thy Kings; yea worſe,

Thoſe Tyrants who by cruelty and force,

Of all their ancient Liberties will quite

Bereave their Subjects. They ſhall then delight

In their oppreſſing them; yet they who are

By them enſlav'd, ſhall murmur, and not dare

To ſtir againſt them. By degrees they ſhall

Deprive them of their Priviledges all,

And force them (as in other Lands this day)

For their own meat, and their own drink to pay.

—To ſuch intents

Their Nobles will become their Inſtruments;

For men reputed of the nobleſt Races,

Will be expos'd gradatim to diſgraces,

Diſpoil'd of pow'r; and in their ſtead ariſe

A Brood advanced by Impieties,

By flat'ry, and by brib'ry, and by that

Which men of noble principles do hate.

Without deſert (from beggarly poſſeſſions,

And ſtemmes obſcure) they ſhall by their ambitions

Mount Seats of Juſtice, and thoſe Titles wear

Which honord moſt in thoſe Dominions are.

And having gain'd theſe heights hope to make ſtrong

Oppreſſive Grandure, by encreaſing wrong.

For, themſelves, theſe will unto thoſe unite,

Who to ſuch Dignities pretend moſt right;

(With no leſs ill-deſerving) and by ſuch,

Deſtruction will be haſtned forward much:

For theſe will Kings abuſe, with tales and lies,

With feigned love, and ſervile flatteries;

p. 16Perſwading them, that they may juſtly make

Their Will their Law, and at their pleaſure take

(As warranted by their Prerogatives)

Their Subjects goods, their perſons and their lives;

And inſtrumental theſe will then become,

In practiſing to raiſe by ſome and ſome,

Their Monarchies to Tyrannies; yea, ſhall

Abuſe Religion, Honeſty, and all:

And ſhall to compaſs their Deſigns, deviſe

What ever may effect them, Truth or Lies:

Thoſe grave deportments which do beſt befit

The Majeſty of States, they ſhall omit:

Fawn or diſſemble, threaten, rail or ſtorm,

When they pretend Abuſes to reform:

And, in thoſe High Courts wherein ſober, grave

Admoniſhments or Cenſures men ſhould have

If they offend; they ſhall be taunted there,

Or ſcoft, or jeer'd, though innocent they are:

For in thoſe times (which nearer are then ſome

Do yet believe) ſuch Rhetorick will come

In practice; and Law, Equity and Reaſon,

For their defence be pleaded out of ſeaſon.

Folly will then ſeem Wiſdom, and go nigh

To bring contempt on all Authority.

The Council-Table ſhall a ſnare be made;

They againſt whom no juſt complaints they had,

At firſt Convention ſhall be urg'd to ſay

Such words, perhaps, ere they depart away,

As will expoſe their Prudence unto blame,

And make them guilty ſeem, who guiltleſs came.

All that which from the People they can tear,

Exact or borrow, ſhall be (as it were)

A lawful Prize, and taken from a Foe;

Few ſhall make conſcience what they ſay or do,

p. 17Injurious to another, ſo it may

Fulfil their Luſtings for the preſent day.

But to accompliſh it, they will endeavour,

Although they know it will undo for ever

Their own Poſterity, and ſtill perſiſt

In what will ruine their ſelf-Intereſt.

This, will by darkning their Intelligence,

Bring them to ſuch a Reprobated ſence,

And blind them ſo, that when an Ax ſhall be

Seen hewing at the Root of their own tree

By their own handy ſtroaks, they ſhall not grieve

For their approaching downfal; or believe

Their fall approaching (to aſſume that heed

Which may prevent it) till they fall indeed.

Thy Princes, BRITAN, in thoſe dayes will be

Like roaring Lyons, making prey of thee.

GOD ſhall deliver thee into their hands,

And they ſhall act their pleaſure in theſe Lands.

Thy Kings, as now thou walloweſt in exceſſe;

Shall take delight in Drink and Wantonneſs.

They, who reputed are thy Noble ones,

Shall to the very marrow gnaw thy bones.

Thy Lawyers wilfully pervert thy Lawes;

They to the ruine of the Common cauſe,

Shall miſinterpret them, in hope of Grace

From them, who may diſpoile them of their place.

That, whereunto they are obliged both

By their profeſſed Calling, and their Oath,

They ſhall to put in execution fear,

And leave them helpleſs, who oppreſſed are.

Thy Prelates in the publick ſpoils will ſhare.

Thy Prieſts, in manners, as prophane appear

As the prophaneſt; and their Propheſies

And Preachings, mixt with Hereſies and Lies.

p. 18The truths they ſpeak, ſhall ſpoken be in vain;

So little knowledg ſhall with them remain,

That they ſhall cauſe the means of Saving-grace

To be remov'd unto another place.

Mark, BRITAN, what I have yet more to ſay,

And do not ſlightly paſs my words away;

But be aſſured, that when GOD begins

To bring thoſe Judgments on thee for thy ſins,

Which do portend a total overthrow,

Thy Prophets and thy Prieſts will ſlily ſow

The ſeeds of that diſſention and ſedition,

Which time will ripen for thy ſad perdition.

They who in former times were of thy Peace

The bleſſed Inſtruments, will then encreaſe

Thy ſorrows; and as when of old the Jews

Their truth-preſaging Prophets did abuſe,

GOD ſuffered Impoſtors in his Name

To preach thoſe falſhoods which at laſt became

To them deſtructive: So, if thou go on

To make a ſcorn (as thou haſt often done)

Of thoſe who ſeek thy welfare, he will ſend

Falſe Prophets, who thy ruine ſhall intend;

Say nothing but what thou wouldſt have them ſay,

To lull thee faſt aſleep in thine own way.

If any brain-ſick-fellow (whom the Devil

Inſpireth) ſhall to thee intend what's evil,

And (heeding what thou art inclin'd unto)

Perſwades to that which may at laſt undo

Both Prince and People; thou ſhalt like and follow

H…s Counſels; thou that cover'd hook ſhalt ſwallow

Which will deſtroy both; and thine ignorance

For thoſe diſſervices, will him advance:

Whereas, if he who truly ſeeks thy Weal,

Inſpir'd with truth, and with a ſober Zeal,

p. 19Shall tell thee what concerns thy real good,

That Meſſenger ſhall ſtifly be withſtood;

That Seer ſhall be charged not to ſee;

His Meſſage ſhall diſpleaſe, and ſlighted be;

Inſtead of good reſpect, he ſhall be ſure

A Priſon, or worſe uſage to endure;

To death, perhaps, condemned with diſgrace

Among diſturbers of the Common-Peace.

But not unleſs the Prieſts thereto conſent;

For, in thoſe dayes but few men innocent

Shall ſuffer in that mode by ought wherein

Thy Clergy hath not ſome way active been.

If ever in thy Fields (which GOD forbid)

The blood of thine own Children ſhall be ſhed

By Civil Diſcord, they ſhall blow the flame,

Which will encreaſe thy ſorrow, and thy ſhame.

And thus it ſhall be kindled, when the times

Are nigh at worſt, and thy loud-crying Crimes

Almoſt full ripe, the Devil ſhall begin

To bring ſtrange Crotchets and Opinions in

Among thy Teachers, which will breed diſ-union,

And interrupt the viſible Communion

Of thy eſtabliſht Churches. In the ſteed

Of zealous Paſtors, who their Flocks did feed,

There ſhall ariſe within thee, by degrees,

A Clergy, that will more deſire to fleeze

Then feed their Flocks. A Clergy it ſhall be

Divided in it ſelf; and they ſhall thee

Divide among them into ſeveral Factions,

Which will both rend, and fill thee with diſtractions.

All of thoſe, in appearance, will pretend

GOD's glory, and to have one pious end;

But under colour of ſincere Devotion,

Their chief aim will be temporal promotion;

p. 20Which, will among themſelves Diſſentions make,

Wherein all ſorts of people ſhall partake,

As to the Perſons, or the Cauſe they ſtand

Inclin'd, through every quarter of the Land:

One part of theſe, will for Preferment ſtrive,

By raiſing up the King's Prerogative

Above it ſelf: They ſhall perſwade Him to

More then by Law or Conſcience he may do;

And ſay, GOD warrants it: His Righteous Laws

They ſhall pervert, to juſtifie their Cauſe.

With bluſhleſs impudency, they ſhall dare

Aſcrîbe to Monarchs, things which proper are

To none but Chriſt: and mix their flatteries

With ſuch like Attributes and Blaſphemies,

As Heathens did, to make their Kings believe,

That whomſoever they oppreſs and grieve,

They do no wrong; and that one though oppreſſed

Should ſeek by their own Laws to be redreſſed.

Such Counſel ſhall thy fooliſh Kings provoke

To caſt upon thee Rhehoboam's yoak;

And they, not caring, or not taking heed,

How ill, that miſadviſed King did ſpeed;

Shall multiply the cauſes of diſtraction!

And then, ſhall of thoſe Prieſts, the other Faction

Beſtir themſelves. They will in outward ſhows,

Thoſe whom I laſt have mentioned, oppoſe;

But, in their aimes agree, with lowly zeal,

An envious pride of heart, they ſhall conceal.

And, as the former to the King will teach

Meer Tyranny; ſo ſhall the other preach

Rebellion to the People; and then ſtrain

The Word of God, Sedition to maintain.

Oh! therefore be thou watchful; and when here

Thoſe Lambs with Dragons Voices, do appear;

p. 21Repent thy ſins, or take it for a token

That ſuch a Bulwark of thy Peace is broken,

As if it be not ſoon repaired, all

The grandure of thy Glory down will fall.

Beware then of thoſe Prophets who will ſtrive

Betwixt thy Prince and People to contrive

A Breach; and what event ſoever come,

Thy due Allegiance never ſtart thou from.

For (their Oppreſſions though we may withſtand

By pleading Laws or Cuſtomes) not a hand

Muſt move againſt him, but the hand of GOD,

Who makes the King a Bulwark, or a Rod,

As pleaſeth him. Oh take therefore good heed

Ye Subjects, and ye Kings, what may ſucceed

By thoſe Impoſtors, of the laſt, beware

Ye Subjects, for their Counſels wicked are;

And, though they promiſe Liberty and Peace,

Your Thraldom and your troubles they encreaſe.

Shun oh ye Kings, the firſt; for they adviſe

What will your Crowns and Honours prejudice.

When you ſuppoſe their Propheſies befriend you,

They ſhall but unto Ramoth Gillead ſend you,

Where you ſhall periſh; and poor Micha's word,

Though diſeſteem'd, more ſafety will afford.

This Author hath been cenſured, as having deviated from his Principle expreſſed in the laſt foregoing Caveat, when (upon their Command) he took up Arms with the Long-Parliament: But, he declared by the Motto in his Cornet, Pro lege, Rege grege, that he purpoſed nothing contrary thereunto, or againſt the King; and he is alſo ſufficiently vindicated from that aſperſion, by what he long ſince publiſhed to juſtifie both his actings and intentions under that Power, which was called and authorized both p. 22by King and people, to regulate and ſettle their joint and diſtinct Intereſts.

After that, and the reſt of the foregoing Precautions and Predictions, the ſaid Author having conſidered this Nation, and how it had parallel'd the Jews heretofore, he proceeded to declare what would follow thereupon, if they parallel'd them alſo in their final obſtinacy, fol. 269. p. 2.

What here is mentioned, if thou ſhalt heed▪

Oh BRITAN, in thoſe times that will ſucceed,

It may prevent much loſs, and make thee ſhun

Thoſe miſchiefs, whereby Kingdoms are undone.

But, to thy other ſins, if thou ſhalt add

Rebellion, as falſe Prophets will perſwade

When that time comes, wherein thou likewiſe ſhalt

In thy profeſſion, as to GOD-ward, halt,

Then will thy King and People ſcourge each other,

For their offences, till both fall together,

By weakning of their Pow'r, and making way

To their ends, who expect that fatal day.

Then ſhall diſorder every where abound,

Juſtice or Piety be rarely found

Each man ſhall to his neighbour be a thorn,

By whom he ſhall be either ſcratcht or torn.

Thy Princes will to little condeſcend,

Save for accompliſhing their own ſelf-end,

Either in multiplying of their Treaſures,

Or satiating of their fleſhly pleaſures.

Few Cauſes will without a bribe be tri'de,

Few Friends will in each other dare confide.

The Parents and their Children ſhall deſpiſe,

Hate or neglect each other. She that lies

Within her Husbands boſome, ſhall betray him;

They who the People ſhould protect, ſhall ſlay them.

p. 23Old Age ſhall honor'd be by few or none;

The Poor ſhall by the rich be trod upon;

Such Inſolencies, almoſt, every where,

Shall acted be, that good and bad ſhall fear

In thee to dwell; and wiſe men to aſſume

The Magiſtracy, when that time is come,

GOD, ſhall then call, and whiſtle from afar

Thoſe hither, who the moſt malicious are

Of all thine Adverſaries; they ſhall from

Their dwellings, like a whirlwind, on thee come;

Sharp ſhall their Arrows be, and ſtrong their Bow:

To thee their faces will as dreadful ſhow,

As roaring Lyons: They on thee like thunder

Shall furiouſly break in, and tread thee under

Their Iron feet. They ſhall devour thy bread,

And with thy Flocks both clothed be, and fed.

Their Children they ſhall carry from their own,

To Countreys which their Fathers have not known:

And thither ſhall ſuch miſchiefs them purſue,

That they who ſeek the Pit-fall to eſchue,

Shall in a ſnare be taken: them who ſhall

Eſcape the Sword, a Serpent in the wall

Shall ſting to death; and tho they have the hap

To ſhun a hundred Plagues, they ſhall not ſcape;

But with new dangers be ſtill chas't about,

Until they ſhall be wholly rooted out,

The Plow-man ſhall be then afraid to fow;

Artificers their labour ſhall forgo.

The Merchant-man ſhall croſs the Seas no more,

Except to flye hence to another ſhore.

The ſtouteſt heart ſhall fear; the wiſeſt then

Shall know themſelves to be but fooliſh men;

And they who built and planted by oppreſſion,

Shall leave their gettings to their Foes poſſeſſion:

p. 24And yet GOD will chaſtiſe thee ſeven times more

With ſeven times greater Plagues then heretofore

For thy Allies their Friendſhip ſhall withdraw;

They, who of thy Grandure ſtood in aw,

Shall ſay in ſcorn, Is this the Valiant Nation

Which had throughout the World ſush Reputation

By Victories on Land? Alas! are theſe

The men, who were once Maſter of the Seas,

And grew ſo powerful? yea, that petty Nation

Which ſeem'd ſcarce worthy of thine indignation,

Shal ſlight thee too, and all thy former fame

Will be forgot, or mention'd to thy ſhame.

Mark how GOD's Plagues were doubled on the Jews

When they his mild corrections did abuſe.

Mark what at laſt upon their Land was ſent,

And look thou for the ſelf-ſame puniſhment,

Leſt he in anger unto us proteſt,

That we ſhall never come into his reſt.

For we have followed them in all their ſin;

Such, and ſo many have our Warnings been;

And, if GOD ſtill prolong not his compaſſion,

To us belong the ſelf-ſame Deſolation.

Then, wo ſhall be to them that heretofore

By joining houſe to houſe, expeld the po're;

And Field have unto Field incorporated,

Till Villages were nigh depolulated.

For, deſolate their dwellings will be made,

The Lord ſhall in their bowels ſheath his blade;

And, they who have by their oppreſſive wiles

Erected Palaces, and coſtly piles,

Shall ſee the ſtones and timbers in the wall

Ariſe againſt them, and for vengeance call.

Then wo ſhall be to them that early riſe

To eat and drink, to play and wantonni…,

p. 25Still adding ſin to ſin: They the diſtreſs

Shall feel of hunger, thirſt and nakedneſs;

And be the ſervile ſlaves of them that are

Their Foes, as to their luſts they captives were.

Then wo to them who darkneſs more have lov'd

Then light, and wholſom counſel diſapprov'd:

For, they ſhall wander in a crooked path

Which neither light, nor end, nor comfort hath.

Then, wo to them who have corrupted bin,

To juſtifie the wicked in their ſin,

Or, for a bribe the Righteous to condemn:

For, as the Chaff, a Wind ſhall ſcatter them;

Their bodies on the Dunghil ſhall be caſt,

Their fineſt flow're be duſt, their ſubſtance waſt,

And all the gawdy Titles they have worn,

Shall but augment their ſorrow, ſhame and ſcorn.

Then wo to them, who (when they were afraid

Of miſchiefs threatned) ſought unlawful aid;

Or, ſetting GOD's protection quite aſide,

On their own ſtrength and wiſdom have reli'de.

For, he their fooliſh hopes will bring to nought,

Till all they fear, ſhall be upon them brought;

And, all their wit and ſtrength ſhall not ſuffice

To heave that burthen off, which on them lies.

Becauſe fore-warnings they do neither heed

Or mind, till GOD to execution doth proceed;

And of his long-forbearance careleſs are,

Till in conſuming fire he ſhall appear.

Yet we ſtill ſet far off the evil day,

In dull ſecurity we paſs away

Our precious time, and with vain hopes and toyes

Build up a truſt which every puff deſtroyes:

And therefore ſtill when healing is expected,

New and unlook'd for troubles are effected.

p. 26We wiſht for Parliaments, and them we made

Our GOD; for all the hopes that many had,

The miſchiefs which we feared to prevent,

Was by the wiſdom of a Parliament.

Well, Parliaments we had, and what in being

Succeeded hath, but greater diſagreeing,

With greater Grievances then heretofore?

And reaſon good; for we depended more

On ſecond cauſes, then on him who ſends

What to our evil, or well-being tends.

Know then, that ſhould our Parliaments agree

According to our wiſh; ſhould our Kings be

So gracious, as to condeſcend to all

Which to the Publike Weal propoſe they ſhall:

Ev'n that Agreement, till our ſins we leave,

Shall make us but ſecure, and help to weave

A Snare, by whoſe fine threads we ſhall be caught,

Before we ſee the mîſchiefs thereby wrought;

Whilſt for ſelf-Intereſts we chiefly ſeek,

By Parliaments, the King ſhall do the like;

Yea, till in mutual Aides we can agree,

And, our endeavourings unfeigned be,

In labouring for a Chriſtian Reformation,

Each meeting ſhall beget a new vexation.

In the 191 folio, and in many following leaves, the Prevarications of perſons in ſeveral other Callings▪ having been mentioned, the Author added this, and much more, in relation to the Clergy.

Nor came the Prieſts and Prophets much behind

The worſt of theſe, but paſſe them in ſome kind;

For, though a learned Clergy now thou haſt,

And knowledge is here lately much encreaſt;

p. 27Though' likewiſe, I believe thou haſt in thee

Some Paſtors, from a juſt reproof as free

As any Nation hath; yet thou haſt more

Prevaricators now, then heretofore.

A heap of Teachers entertain'd thou haſt,

Reſembling empty vapours, or a blaſt

That breaths no comfort. What GOD never meant

They preach for Truth, and run e're they are ſent.

The Peoples wounds they ſalve with pleaſing ſpeech;

When there's no peace at all, of peace they preach;

Or, like Dumb Dogs conſume their time in ſleep,

And ſome ſo look, that they affright the ſheep.

Like hungry Curres they alwayes gormundize,

Yet never can their appetite ſuffize.

In bribing, and in hunting for Promotion

More is their zeal, and much more their Devotion,

Then to diſcharge their Duty. They delight

In flat'ries, and the fawningſt Paraſite

In all the Courts of Europe, cannot prate

More heath'niſhly, or more inſinuate

Then ſome of theſe, &c.—

There is no Avarice that theirs exceeds;

No Malice that a Miſchief ſooner breeds.

No Pride ſo ſurly as the Clergy-pride,

Except among the Beggars when they cri'de.

They, who a few years paſt would half have broke

Their Kindred to have purchas'd them a Cloke,

And in poor thred-bare Caſſocks came to preach

Beneath an VnderUnder-Curate, and to teach

The Children of a Farmer for their meat,

And, ſcarcely worthy ſeem'd ſo much to get:

Ev'n ſome of theſe have ſo well acted out▪

Their parts, of ſeeming honeſtly-devout;

p. 28And have ſo quaintly humoured and pleaſed

The preſent times, that they at laſt have ſeized

On what they aim'd at, and now over-pe're

Their Heads, by whom they firſt advanced were.

And if you mark, how proudly now they bear

Their lofty heads, how inſolent they are;

How barb'rouſly ingrateful unto thoſe

By whom they from the Dunghil firſt aroſe;

How they at leaſt neglect, if not contemn

Their old Friends, and betwixt themſelves & them,

What diſtances they ſet; unto their Kin

How harſh, and how ill-natur'd they have been,

How peeviſh they are grown, and how unquiet;

How choice in their Attendance, and their Diet;

If it were well obſerved with what ſtrain

Of Pride and Loftineſs they entertain

Their Brethren of the Clergy, when they are

By their own Officers call'd to appear

Before their Lordſhips; with what Pope-like phraſe

They ſeek to terrifie, and to amaze

Their humble Suppliants; how on thoſe they play,

Who their Superiors were the other day.

Were theſe things heeded, with ſome paſſages,

Which name I could, as worthy heed as theſe:

A man would hardly think that theſe had been

Thoſe Prieſts whom they a while before had ſeen

So beggarly, and ſo expos'd to ſcorn,

But, that they had at leaſt been Prelates born,

Few could have elſe thought that theſe men are they

Who lately did ſo bitterly inveigh

Againſt that Pride Epiſcopal, &c.

O Lord! awaken thoſe, I humbly pray,

Whom Pride and Vanity hath led away.

p. 29And, oh ye Houſe of Levi! warning take ye,

Leſt GOD, for times to come, examples make ye;

As he that Clergy an example made,

Whoſe monſtrous Pride, the Age foregoing had

So great a fall. The Prieſts and Prophets ſin

Was ſignal in the bringing thoſe Plagues in

Which overwhelm'd the Jewiſh Commonweal:

And, if what's threatned GOD ſhall not repeal,

Your ſins will be the means to haſten hither

That Vengeance which will ruine all together, &c.

Excuſe me worthy Prelates, &c.

By theſe laſt words, whereby the Author begins to plead an excuſe for his ſharp Reproofs, it appears he at that time thought not Prelacy to have produced ſuch evil Conſequents as he now doth; for he did not then (nor now) conceive that Epiſcopacy gives to the Miniſters of the Goſpel a precedency of Dignity before their fellow-Commiſſioners, but a preheminence of Order onelyonly: And of that Judgment he believes thoſe Biſhops to have been, who underwent Martyrdom for Conſcience ſake, and owned the title of a Prelate in no other ſenſe then he intended it, who thinks the Office of a Biſhop to be a Divine Inſtitution, being regulated, and the perſons qualified according to St. Paul's Character, 1 Tim. 3. This Precaution being added, the Abreviation of his Remembrances thus goes on.

Believe it, BRITAN, howſoever ſome

(Who ſhould forewarn thee of what is to come)

Endeavour to perſwade thee that thou haſt

A hopeful time, and that the worſt is paſt;

p. 30I will be bold to tell thee thou haſt nigh

Out-worn GOD's patience by impiety.

But, what am I, that me thou ſhouldſt believe,

And unto my Predictions credit give?

It may be, this adulterous generation,

Expects fore-tokens of their Deſolation;

And therefore, I will give them ſignes of that

Which they are now almoſt arrived at:

Not Signes ſo dubious as were ſome of old,

Whereby the Jews Deſtruction was foretold;

But Signes as evident as are the day,

For what the Prophets heretofore did ſay,

Jeruſalem's deſtruction did foreſhew,

They ſpake to every State that ſhould enſue.

And that they nought of her, or to her ſpake,

For hers alone, but alſo for thy ſake.

In the 269th folio of the Remembrancer, and in the Eight pages next following it, are Ten Signs recorded, grounded upon the holy Prophets, as preſignifying the deſolation of thoſe Kingdoms and Republicks, which ſhould parallel the Jeweſh Prevarications; to the peruſal whereof, the Reader is referred, to ſhorten this Collection, and onelyonly the laſt of theſe Ten Signs is here inſerted.

The laſt black Sight that I will now repeat,

Which doth to Kingdoms deſolation threat,

Is when the hand of GOD Almighty brings

A People unto bondage to their Kings.

I ſay, when their own King ſhall take delight,

Thoſe whom he ſhould protect, to rob and ſmite.

When they who feed the Flock, the ſheep ſhall kill,

Devour them, and ſuppoſe they do not ill.

p. 31When th…is, h Britan, ſhall befall to thee,

An evident Prognoſtick it will be

Of GOD's diſpleaſure; and a certain token

Thou by a Foreign Pow'r ſhalt be broken,

Or, by thine own divided ſtrength at home,

Which will the more deſtructive Plague become.

GOD will (unleſs we ſhall repent) perchance,

In time to come, a Shepherd here advance,

Who ſhall not plead for what his young men ſay

Is his; but, take the ſame perforce away.

An Idol-ſhepherd, who ſhall neither care

To find or ſeek out thoſe who ſtraying are;

Nor feed the Lambs, nor cure what hath a wound,

Or cheriſh thoſe who firm to him are found:

But take the Fatlings, rob them of their fleeces;

Devour their fleſh, and break their bones in peeces.

I might more Signs then theſe, enumerate,

To ſhew GOD's patience is nigh out of date.

But, theſe are Signs enough, and ſo apparent,

That twenty more will give no better warrant

Of what will come; yet, if theſe falſe appear;

That's one Sign more of what is drawing near.

Be watchful therefore, whilſt it is to day,

And let no good occaſion ſlip away.

Now rent your hearts, ye Britans, waſh and rinſe them

From all corruptions, from all evil clenſe them:

Go offer up the pleaſing Sacrifice

Of Righteouſneſs: From folly turn your eyes;

Seek Peace, and follow it with ſtrict purſuit,

Relieve the needy, Juſtice execute;

Refreſh the weary, right the fatherleſs,

The ſtrangers and the widows wants redreſs.

p. 32Give praiſe to GOD for all; with lowly faith

On him depend; mind what the Spirit ſaith.

Remember what a price your Ranſome coſt,

And now redeem the time that hath been loſt.

It was feigned, That a Shepherd ſaid of what had misbefallen to him, Saepe nobis malum hoc praedixit ab Ilice Cornix,

A Raven from a Holly tree

Did oft preſage this ill to me.

And perhaps, upon the peruſal of this Review, this Author will be likened to thoſe Ravens, which preſage nothing but miſchief; for, ſome have ſaid already, That he hath been a troubler of the people; and as Ahab ſaid Micah did of him, That he predicted no good to this Nation; but it is apparently falſe; for he hath conditionally preſaged as well Mercies as Judgments, intermixing Threatnings and Promiſes fore-declared by his Prophets, to prevent what is pronounced againſt wilful Tranſgreſſors; ſeaſoning all his Predictions wîth many Precautions and Exhortations, to beget and confirm true Faith and Penitence; ſuch as theſe next following.

Return, return thou, oh back-ſliding Nation,

And let thy tears prevent thy deſolation.

As yet thou maiſt return; for GOD's embrace

To thee is open, if thou ſhalt have grace

To give it meeting. Thy repentance may

Prevent the future Miſchiefs (which this day

Are threatned) if ſo be thou ſhalt in time

According to thy pow'r comply with him.

p. 33For, thereupon his dreadful Judgments all

Predicted here, to Mercies change he ſhall.

I cannot ſay, it ſhall excuſe thee from

All Chaſtiſements, ſo that no blow ſhall come:

But, of thus much thou may'ſt aſſured be,

That ev'ry Judgment then, which falls on thee,

Shall be a Mercy, if he ſhall not ſtay

What's threatned, now, the ſtrokes which he doth lay

Will fall the lighter, and produce a bleſſing,

Thy future happineſs much more encreaſing

Then all the great proſperity and reſt

Which hath long time together been poſſeſt.

Yea, BRITAN, if thou timely ſhalt reform

Thy manners, it will ſtop the dreadful ſtorm

Appearing now, and they who triumph would

Thy utter deſolation to behold,

Will either change their minds, or live to ſee

The Judgments which deſcending are on thee,

Remov'd to them; for, when from ſin men ceaſe,

GOD makes their Enemies and them at peace.

Then, thou ſhalt have again in thy poſſeſſings,

All inward Graces, and external Bleſſings;

Thy Herds in ev'ry Paſture ſafe ſhall feed,

Thy Soile ſhall plentifully encreaſe thy ſeed:

Thy Flocks good Shepherds ſhall not want, or meat;

Clean Provender thy ſtalled beaſt ſhall eat.

There ſhall be Rivers in thy Dales, and Fountains

Upon the top of thy moſt barren Mountains,

The Moon ſhall caſt upon thee beams as bright

As did the Sun; and with a ſevenfold Light

Thou ſhalt be bleſſed. He that Raigns in thee

Shall neither jealous of his People be,

Nor they of Him; but he by Righteouſneſs

Shall with the Peoples Love, the Throne poſſeſs;

p. 34And to each other, both as kind appear

As Loving Parents and good Children are.

Thy Magiſtrates with wiſdom ſhall proceed

In all things, by them acted or decreed.

As Rivers are to places over dry;

As Harbours when winds blow tempeſtuo uſly;

As ſhadows when we are oppreſt with heat;

As to the hungry ſtomack, wholſom meat;

So acceptable ſhall thy Rulers be,

When GOD ſhall find true Penitence in thee.

Thy Prieſts ſhall preach truth onelyonly in thy Temples,

And make it fruitful by their good examples.

Chriſt with his Righteouſneſs ſhall them array,

And they ſhall guide thy footſteps in his way;

Thine eyes, which are now blinded, ſhall be clear;

Thine ears, at preſent deafned, then ſhall hear;

Thy faultring tongue ſpeak timely truth and plain;

Thy heart true underſtanding ſhall retain;

Peace will return, no lab'ring man ſhall want

A bleſſing on what he doth ſow or plant.

Thy pooreſt people ſhall at full be fed,

The meek man of no Tyrant ſtand in dread.

Thou ſhalt have Grace and Knowledg to avoid

What may bereave the Mercies yet enjoi'd.

All promis'd Bleſſings, GOD upon thee ſhall

Confer, and hear thee ſtill when thou doſt call.

Theſe and many other Mercies, as well as Judgments, were conditionally predicted in the ſaid Remembrancer, upon ſeveral occaſions; to the peruſal whereof more at large, the Reader is referred, this being but a Breviate, to make this Generation the more heedful thereof. To which end here ſhall be likewiſe added a part of what the Author expreſſed in p. 35the concluſion of that Book, touching his Reſolution to diſcharge his duty, and depend on GOD alone for protection and ſupply in all ſtraits whatſoever; which Reſolution was expreſſed in theſe words, fol. 284.

So now, though not ſo fully as I ought,

My Vow is paid, and to concluſion brought

This Work, for which GOD pleas'd my life to ſpare,

When Thouſands round about me ſlaughter'd were,

And live or dye, I care not, for I ſee

But little uſefulneſs henceforth of me.

Yet ſince none knows what GOD will call him to,

I'le not ſay abſolutely what I'le do

Or not do; though I now intend no more

To exerciſe my Muſe as heretofore:

For if this profit not, I think in vain

I ſhall hereafter touch this ſtring again.

If theſe do not prevail, I ſhall ſuppoſe

Words are not wanting here ſo much as Blows;

And that the filthy will be filthy ſtill,

Till they the meaſure of their ſins fulfill;

Or, till GOD ſhall, to free us from pollution,

Proceed to ſome unuſual execution.

Fol. 285. Pag. 2.

My outward hopes have not my tongue unloos'd,

Nor can my mouth by outward fears be clos'd:

What I would do, is done, and I am eas'd,

And glad, however others will be pleas'd.

Let them who ſhall peruſe it, praiſe or laugh,

Revile, or ſcoff, or threat, or ſwear, or chafe,

All's one to me, ſo I within am ſtill,

Without me, let men make what noiſe they will.

p. 36For, I am ſure, though they my fleſh confound,

What I deſire to ſave, ſhall be kept ſound;

And, likewiſe know, that nor the brutiſh rages

Either of this, or of ſucceeding Ages,

Shall root this Poem out; but that to all

Enſuing times, the ſame continue ſhall,

And be peruſed in this Land, as long

As here they ſhall retain the Engliſh tongue;

Or whilſt there ſhall be ſinners and offences,

Diſorders, Diſcords, Warrs and Peſtilences.

And if our groſs ſins we depart not from,

Before the day of our deſtruction come,

This Book ſhall to the times enſuing ſhow

What Crimes they were that wrought our overthrow.

And teſtifie to others, for their learning,

That Vengeance ſeiz'd us not without fore-warning.

After the Author's inſiſting upon many other particular circumſtances in the pages next following, to make his Precautions and Predictions the better heeded, he thus proceeds.

The King hath ſhown me favour. At this hour

I do not know that living man whoſe Pow'r

Or Perſon I envy or diſaffect;

Or whom, of any malice I ſuſpect

To me or mine: With me all thoſe are friends

Who were at odds; and to obtain my ends

In my Affairs, I never had a day

So probable as now, if I would ſtay

This Meſſage: And this peradventure ſhall

My hopes defer, or quite deſtroy them all.

Yet, is this bluntly told, that you may ſee

My hopes were greater then my fears could be:

p. 37And that it may be known my heart diſclaims

All thoſe poor ends at which ſome think it aims.

Such arguments and words, therefore, as may

Anticipate, I here before-hand ſay,

Not that I think it poſſible by them,

To work on thoſe who will this Book contemn,

(For 'tis not in the pow'r of Argument

Or words, to make the wilful provident)

It lieth not in ſerious proteſtations

To nullifie malicious Combinations,

No, nor in Miraclcs, till GOD ſhall please,

Who of all hearts doth keep the Locks and Keyes.

I therefore theſe Precautions do infert

To evidence the hardneſs of his heart

Who ſhall be obſtinate; and fore-declare

Thoſe things that ſhall be done, ere done they were,

That men may know, when they are come to paſs,

Nought did ſucceed but what expected was;

And that the better working this may have

On thoſe who ſhall GOD's Meſſages receive

By this Remembrancer: for he hath ſent it,

Though I who am unworthy, do preſent it.

This miſadviſedly compos'd I not,

Nor was it by a Miracle begot;

To fit me for this purpoſe, I have thrice

Impriſonment endur'd, Cloſe Priſon twice:

Much trouble on my firſt Eſſayes enſu'd

Through want and ſcandals, not a few I ſhrew'd;

And being guarded by GOD's Providence,

Was lately carried through the Peſtilence;

Both ſaw and felt what Nature doth abhor,

To harden me, and to prepare me for

p. 38This Meſſage. Therefore they who dream they ſhall

With frowning looks, or big words me appale,

Muſt look more grim then Death, more ugly far

Then Vizards or the Devils Pictures are;

Breath ſtronger poyſon then a Plague-fill'd Grave;

And ſtamp, and roar, and tear, and rage, and rave

More dreadfully, and louder then a man

Infected with ſix Peſtilences can:

Elſe, I to play with terrors being born,

Shall ſlight them, and laugh all their rage to ſcorn:

Yet, I am naturally (and I do

Ingenuouſly confeſs it) ſubject to

Such fears and paſſions as make better men

To ſtartle from their duties now and then.

By what is done, may troubles come upon me,

But not performing it, had quite undone me;

Since I deterred by what might befall me,

Had that neglected, whereto GOD did call me:

For, of his calling me the meanes and ways

Whereby he did my weakneſs thereto raiſe,

Unqueſtionable Evidences give;

And they who do not, yet the ſame believe,

Will think ſo too, perhaps, when they ſhall ſee

Themſelves aſſaulted with new Plagues to be.

This I believing, and conſidering

What hazard that neglect therewith might bring,

And what aſſurances I did poſſeſs,

I had contracted a grand guiltineſs

By diſobeying; and more had therein

Tranſgreſſed againſt God, then by a ſin

Againſt the State, though ſuch Truths utter'd were

As they ſhall moſt diſpleaſing be to hear.

What ever others think, this is my fear,

p. 39And to my Soul ſo terrible a thing,

The wilful diſobeying that great King

Appears to me, that I ſhould never ſleep

In peace again, if ſilence I ſhould keep:

Now therefore, neither all the Royal Graces

Of Kings, nor Gifts, nor honorable places

Shall ſtop my mouth; nor will I ſmother this,

Though twenty Kings had ſworn to make me kiſs

The Gallows for it, leſt my Conſcience ſhould

Torment me more then all men living could:

Yea, though this did proceed from Ignorance

Or Fancy, as it will be thought perchance;

Yet, ſince that Fancy may preſent to me

As hideous frights as things that real be;

I'le rather hazard twenty deaths to dye,

Then to be tortur'd by my Fantaſie;

For, I had rather in a Dungeon dwell

Five years, then in my ſoul to feel a Hell

Five minutes; and whilſt GOD and I are Friends,

I ſhall not care how many this offends.

p. 40Now becauſe this Remembrancer was long ago imprinted, and is not eaſie to be gotten, the Contents of every Canto, as they were at firſt publiſhed, are here inſerted, that the general ſcope thereof may be known to them who deſire it.

The Contents of the firſt Canto.

OUr Author firſt with GOD begins,

Deſcribes his anger for our ſins;

Of all his Judgments muſter makes;

Declares how Mercy undertakes

The pleading of this Kingdoms Cauſe,

To bring GOD's wrath unto a pauſe;

And (for the common Reader) ſuites

High things, with lowly Attributes.

Then ſteps into a praiſeful ſtrain

Of Charles His new-beginning Reign;

Emplores, that well ſucced it may,

And for His Weal makes Mercy pray.

He Juſtice alſo introduces,

Complaining on our groſs abuſes;

Who proveth ſo our ſinful Nation

To merit utter Deſolation,

That all GODs Plagues had us enclos'd,

If Mercy had not interpos'd.

But, after pleading of the Caſe

With Juſtice, Mercy doth embrace;

Who (that our ſins may puniſh't be)

To ſend the Peſtilence agree;

Their other Plagues a while ſuſpending,

To prove how that will work amending.

p. 41The Contents of the Second Canto.

Our Muſe defends her lowly ſtile,

And (having flown aſide a while)

Tells how the Plague firſt entred here,

What Means to ſtay it practis'd were.

Some vulgar Tenents are diſputed,

Some rectified, ſome refuted.

She from the Nature and the Cauſe

Of that Diſeaſe, concluſions draws;

Declareth how it runs and creeps,

And what uncertain paths it keeps;

How long ſtrict Orders uſeful ſtood,

The fruit of Chriſtian Neighbourhood:

And many other things betwixt

Theſe mentioned, are intermixt.

She ſheweth (alſo) means aſſured,

By which this Miſchief may be cured:

How to apply that means; how thoſe

Who uſe it, ſhould themſelves compoſe:

How violent the Plague did grow;

Who from it might, or might not go:

How much 'twas feared, how men fled;

How ill, in flying, many ſped:

And laſtly, (as occaſion moves)

She grieves, ſhe counſels; and reproves.

The Contents of the Third Canto.

The Houſe of Mourning, which moſt fear,

(And flye ſo much) is praiſed here.

It ſhews, that outward Joyes and Care,

Nor meerly good, nor evil are,

p. 42But things indifferent, which the wiſe

Nor over-praiſe, nor under-priſe.

The ſtrife within our Authors breſt

About his ſtay, is next expreſt.

Then doth it orderly recite

What Reaſon argu'd for his flight;

What Faith alledged to reprove

The Motives urging his remove:

What Arms for him ſhe did prepare

To hide the ſhock of Death and Fear.

What proof ſhe to his Conſcience made,

That he a lawful calling had,

In midſt of this great Plague to tarry,

By Warrant extraordinary.

What, thereupon he did conclude,

What Joy and Confidence enſu'de:

How much this Favour he doth priſe

Above Earths glorious'ſt Vanities:

How he his time deſires to ſpend;

And ſo this Canto hath an end.

The Contents of the Fourth Canto.

Our Muſe in the Fourth Canto writes

Of Melancholly thoughts and ſights:

What Changes were in ev'ry place,

What Ruines in a little ſpace:

How Trades, and how Proviſions fail'd,

How Sorrow thriv'd, how Death prevail'd;

And how in triumph he did ride,

With all his Horrors by his ſide.

To London then ſhe doth declare

How ſuiting her Afflictions were

p. 43To former Sins; what good and bad

Effects this Plague produced had▪

What Friendly Champions, and what Foes

For us did fight, or us oppoſe:

And how the greateſt Plague of all

On poor Artificers did fall.

Then from the Fields new grief ſhe takes,

And uſeful Meditations makes:

Relates how ſlowly Vengeance came,

How GOD forewarn'd us of the ſame:

What other Plagues to this were joined:

And here and there are interlined

Vpbraidings, Warnings, Exhortations,

And pertinent Expoſtulations.

The Contents of the Fifth Canto.

The Author juſtifies again

His Method, and his lowly ſtrain.

Next, having formerly made known

The common Fears, he tells his own:

Shews with what thoughts he was diſeaſed,

When firſt the Plague his Lodging ſeized:

Of what GOD's Juſtice him accuſed:

Upon what doubts or hopes he muſed:

On what, and how he did reſolve,

And who from Death did him abſolve.

The Plagues encreaſe he then expreſſeth;

The Mercies of the LORD confeſſeth:

Emplores that he himſelf may never

Forget them, but be thankful ever:

Then mounting Contemplations wings,

Aſcends to high and uſeful things.

p. 44From thence his Muſe is called down,

To make Great Britan's errors known;

Wherein, he doth confeſs a failing;

And (his infirmities bewailing)

Is fitted and reſolv'd anew,

His purpoſ'd Meſſage to purſue:

And, having firſt anticipated,

His Arrant is in part related.

The Contents of the Sixth Canto.

The Poet (weighing well his Warrant)

Goes on with his enjoined Arrant:

Impartially he doth relate

This Iſlands good and bad eſtate:

What ſeveral ſins in her have place;

How groſs they are, how they encreaſe

He alſo tells; and then he ſhews

That nor the Gentiles nor the Jews

Were check'd or plagu'd for any Crimes,

Which are not reigning in theſe times.

Next that, he boldly doth approve

The courſe in which our Nobles move:

Derides their folly, blames their ſin,

And warns what danger they are in.

Our Gentry then he reprehends,

Their fooliſh humours diſcommends:

And (having brought them to their ſights)

Upon the guilty Clergy lights:

On Lawyers that abuſe the Laws;

On Officers, and on the Cauſe

Of moſt Corruptions: Laſt of all

On ſome Enormities doth fall,

p. 45Which are in Court and City found;

And runs this Canto there on ground.

The Contents of the Seventh Canto.

Firſt, of himſelf he ſomewhat ſpeaks:

Then of the Cities Errors makes

A larger Scrowl; and therewithal

Inſerts Abuſes general.

He ſhews, by reaſon of her ſin,

What Miſery this Land is in:

What ill ſucceſs, and what diſhonor

Is, for her follies, come upon her

In Foreign parts, and here at home:

How ſenſleſs alſo, ſhe's become.

What ſeveral wayes againſt this Land,

GOD hath of late ſtretcht out his hand:

And how the blame of what's amiſs,

From one to th' other ſhifted is.

By many Symptomes he declares

How ſick this Commonweal appears.

Diſputes the late Diſtemper bred

Betwixt the Body and the Head,

And layes the blame where lye it ſhould;

Yet therein proves not over-bold.

Then aims he at ſome imperfections,

In Burgeſſes, and their Elections;

And, briefly pointeth at the way

By which our Cure effect we may.

The Contents of the Eighth Canto.

Our Poet having toucht again

What frailties in himſelf remain;

p. 46Declares, that many Plagues do ſteal

As well on Church as Commonweal:

Relates what Crotchets do poſſeſs

Some who Righteouſneſs profeſs:

What noiſome Plants, what Tares and Weeds

Are ſprung to choak the holy Seeds:

What feigned Zeal and affectation

Hath fool'd this formal Generation:

And, how from ſome, great ſcandal grows,

Who bear the Keyes that bind and looſe.

Next, he delivereth Predictions

Of Plagues, of Sorrows and Affictions,

Which on this Iſland will deſcend,

Unleſs our manners we amend.

And whenſoever Civil Jarres,

Or miſchiefs, by the rage of Warres

Oppreſs this Realm, his Muſe doth ſhow

Who ſhall oceaſion it, and how.

Which fearful Judgment to prevent,

He calls upon her to repent;

By ten apparent Signs hath ſhown

GOD's Patience nigh expir'd is grown.

Then for the Publick Weal he prayes,

Then for himſelf; and there he ſtayes.