A Memorandum to London, Poem 3
A SINGLE SACRIFICE, Humbly, offred to Almighty GOD, by the Author during his lonely Confinement in the Towre, to mediate his gratious preventing the Dearth feared, and probably portended, by immoderate Rains in June and July, 1663.
That he with Tools might for this work be fitted,
His Jailer, and his Keeper, he outwitted;
For, twas his greateſt ſuffring, to be pent
From means, to give ſuch meditations vent.
SIN, like the Ocean (but, not ſo well bounded)
Theſe Iſlands hath on ev'ry ſide ſurronded,
And, many Breaches, lately made it hath
Which to the furious Tempeſts of GOD's wrath
Expoſeth us (ev'n quite throughout theſe Lands)
So, that, Hills, Dales, and all in danger ſtands.
The Air, whoſe cloudy brow, upon us lowrs,
Diſſolves it ſelf, into deſtructive ſhowrs,
To move us unto tears of penitence
By feeling that, whereof we have no ſenſe.
For, they, who are moſt ſenſible of ſpoyl
(by Rains or Droughts) of corn, and wine and oyl,
Feel not in heart, the leaſt remorce for ſin;
But, when they ſhould bewail it, laugh and grin.
They, who are very froward, and repine
If they looſe but their monk… or their ſwine,
(And, ſometimes vex them ſelves till they are ſick,
For loſſes, not amounting to a Chick)
And can with many bitter tears, bemone
Small ſuffrings, for their greateſt ſins ſhed none.
In mine own perſon, I much need not fear
Such temporary Plagues, as threatned are
By Rain or Winds, by cold, or ſcortching wether,
By ſuddain floods, or fires; for, I have neither
Eſtate to loſe, nor hope of getting ought
Which, by ſuch things▪ may be in hazard brought;
And, am at preſent, with my daily bread,
By his own hand, miraculouſly fed,
Whoſe All-ſufficiency, ſhould me ſuſtain
Though all the world were to be drown'd again.
External things, are little pertinent
To my chief fafety, or my beſt content:
For, ſhould a Famine; me of life bereave
Death would be more advantage then to live
A life like mine: and as I have been us'd,
A ſpeedy death, is rather to be thus'd.
Yet, whilſt, I may be ſerviceable made
To him, from whom, this life at firſt I had,
I am content to live till it expires,
Although it were in ſtormes, in floods or fires;
And, likewiſe, am ſo ſenſible of that
Which to the Common welfare doth relate,
That up to GOD a prayer Ile prefer
To crave prevention of what many fear:
For, though I am not ſuffred to preſent
A prayer to King, Lord, or Parlement;
Here to GOD's Throne I free acceſs have got,
And he doth hear me when men hear me not:
Of which aſſured, in this loneliness,
My ſelf to him, I humbly thus addreſs.
Almighty and moſt merciful Creater,
Of heaven and earth, of fire, of aire and water,
With whatſoe're, conſiſts of forme or matter,
Of all inviſible, or to be ſeen,
Of all that is or ſhall be, or hath been,
Felt, heard or underſtood (excepting Sin,
At whoſe birth all Privations did begin.)
Thou, by whoſe wiſdom all the whole Creation,
Is ordred, and hath ſtill a preſervation,
Make acceptable in thy ſight, I pray,
What I ſhall meditate or write this day
And, let not my Requeſts be flong away,
Though we have often forfeited again
That Grace, which we did heretofore obtain,
And liable to all thy plagues remain.
We muſt confeſs, that in theſe laſt three years,
Thou haſt abated many of our fears,
For thine own ſake, and for the ſakes of them,
Whom thy blaſpheamers and their Foes contemn.
Awhile ago, we were ſurpriz'd with dread
Of hunger, and the ſcarcety of bread,
By ſuch diſtemper'd ſeaſons, as foreſhew'd
That Chaſtiſement which here, is now renew'd;
And, was remov'd, ere many had much ſenſe,
Of what ſome felt, or of their own offence.
Once, we were frighted with ſuch ſickneſſes
As ſeem'd forerunners of the worſt diſeaſe;
And, till this hour, a brutiſh Diſcord,
Keeps us in daily hazard, that the Sword
Will be again unſheath'd: yea, though we are
Preſerved ſtill, from what we juſtly fear,
And that, thy patience might be more diſern'd,
Have year, by year, been gratiouſly forewarn'd
(By Signes and wonders probably foreſhewing,
The ſad events, that ſeem to be purſuing.
Our crying ſins) yet, we do ne're the leſs,
Continue ſtill in our obduratneſs.
Though, much Inſtruction, likewiſe, we have had,
Examples, Premonitions, publick made,
And extraordinary Diſpenſations,
To draw us, from our wilful aborrations,
We ſo increaſe them, that, it renders me,
Exceeding fearful to Petition thee,
Thoſe …emporary Judgments to withdraw
Whereof, we at this preſent, ſtand in aw,
Leſt they, whom no good counſel mollifies
Thy Juſtice and thy Mercy quite diſpiſe;
And fall into that Reprobated ſauſe,
Which brings unchangeable Impenitence:
For, that, the Conſequence hath often proved,
When Plagues before Repentance were removed.
The fields were lately cloth'd beyond our hope
With an appearance of a fruitful crop,
Which moiſture by unſeaſonable ſhowrs,
So evidently, by degrees, devours
That, moſt men are afraid the teeming Earth
Inſteed of Plenty, wil produce a Dearth;
And, they among us, who do moſt neglect
Removal of the Cauſe, moſt dread th' effect.
Yet, humane pitty, me doth ſo incline
To make the Common fear, a part of mine,
That, though I am not likely much to gain
Or looſe thereby, whether it ſhine or Rain,
I, (as I am a man) well pleas'd could be
Thy Peoples votes, might be vouchſaf'd by thee.
To that intent, I meekly do aſſay
To mediate; but, now I come to pray,
That Spirit whoſe aſſiſtance is expected,
Withdraws, as if my ſuite would be rejected;
So, that I know not how to ſpeak or write,
What gain thy gratious acceptation might
Though, fear, my prayers may be turn'd to ſin,
Conſidering, what Poſtures we are in.
For, who, the pleading of their Cauſe dares own,
On whom, a righteous King doth juſtly frown?
They being Rebels too, in whom appears
No penitence, but onelyonly ſlaviſh fears?
Who, conſcientiouſly, can pray for them
Who perſevere all Juſtice to contemn?
Who turn away their eies, when thou forth ſendſt
Foretokens, of what thou for ſin intendſt?
Who hide them too, ſo far forth as they may
From other men; or, (if that fails) aſſay
To miſinterpret them, when they do ſee
The things nor hid, nor diſapprov'd can be?
Who, can with Faith, thy Grace for them implore,
Who, are unmerciful unto the poor?
Who, daily to thy burning wrath add fewel?
Who, both to others, and themſelves are cruel?
Who, their afflicted Brethren to diſpaiers
Expoſe? cloſe up their ears againſt their prayers?
And moſt injuriouſlys with thoſe men deal?
Who, moſt endeavour, to advance their weal;
Yea, for whoſe ſakes it is, that they are not
Deſtroy'd like Sodom, when thou caldſt forth Lot?
Who, are ſo far, from ſtriving to be better,
That ſtill, to hide one ſin, they act a greater,
Till they on one another heap ſo many
That they have little ſhame, or ſenſe any;
Although their impudent abhominations
Have their Infection ſpread, through all theſe Nations?
LORD! who, on their behalf, can mediate
For any of thoſe Bleſſings which relate
Unto their temporary weal alone,
Who, of their Brethrens welfare, care have none?
Who, do employ their powre, but to oppreſs?
Turn all thy Graces into wantonneſs?
Fling, as it were defiance aginſt heaven?
And, though by thee, they freely were forgiven
Innumerable debts, (and likewiſe are
By thee inrich'd more then before they were)
Take ne're the leſs, their fellows by the throat,
VVho owing them not much more then a Groat,
Forbearance crave, and at their feet do fall,
With, promiſe, when they can, to pay them all?
VVhat can ſuch look for; but to be bereaven
Of that Grace, whereby they were once forgiven
Their debts; or think deſerv'd but, to be laid
In chains, till ev'ry farthing ſhall be paid?
VVho, can to thee be Advocate for thoſe
VVho, both to Truth and Righteouſneſs, are foes,
Though they profeſs both? who, though ever learning,
Can never get the knowledg & diſcerning
Of what pertains to thy eſſential Truth,
Becauſe, they being all EAR, or all MOUTH,
Neither hear willingly, or ſpeak of ought
VVhereby they may to ſtedfaſtneſs be brought?
But rather itch to hear, and ſpeak, and do
That, which their own ſelf-will doth prompt them to;
And, was infus'd into them by falſe teachers,
Whom they ſuppoſe to be the foundeſt Preachers,
VVhen they confirm them, in what doth belong
To their will-worſhip, be it right or wrong;
And keep up thoſe Diana's, which were made
Their Goddeſſes, but to uphold their Trade?
Theſe, twixt Beleivers, do conteſts maintain
For Trifles, which tend more to their own Gain
Then Godlineſ, or thoſe means to increaſe
Which may conduce to ſetlement of peace,
In Chriſtian Charity, and Righteouſneſs.
All, I (with hope to ſpeed) can pray for ſuch
Is, that they may not love the world too much;
Or, by hypocriſie, and lip profeſſions,
(To get themſelves a ſhare in her poſſeſſions)
Obſtruct the bleſſed work of Reformation
By Factions, to the final extirpation
Of all thoſe Diſpenſations, which have yet
Some uſe; and which, whilſt thou doſt them permit,
They to advance thy Glory may improve:
And, by ſincerely ſeeking Truth in Love,
So exerciſe thy Graces, whilſt thoſe laſt,
That, they will perfect be, when their times paſt.
My GOD, for theſe, to this effect I may
And, do (I know) with thy allowance pray;
Becauſe, I hope, tis no malitious pride
Which hath to Selfneſs, drawn their hearts aſide.
But, as for them, who have inclinde their ears
So long time, to ungodly Counſellers,
So perſevered, in the ſinners way,
And, therein with delight, ſo long made ſtay
That, to the Scorners Chair advanc'd they are,
Reſolving with themſelves to ſettle there;
The Dictates of thy holy ghoſt contemn,
Abſolve the wicked, Innocents condemn,
Term evil, good, the beſt things evil call,
(Or, make twixt them no difference at all)
Aſcribe thy Attributes unto the Devil
And his Vicegerent; make thee, of all evil
Prime Author; Thee, detrude out of thy Throne
To ſet their Idol, and themſelves thereon;
Pervert the lawful uſe of ev'ry Creature,
Till their depraving the whole humane nature
For Vengeance calls, and as it were, inforces
Thy Juſtice to turn Bleſſings into Curſes;
What can be ſpoke for theſe, to ſave them from
Thy Judgments here, or in the world to come?
I cannot, LORD, thy mercy comprehend,
Nor know how far their malice doth extend,
Such things, are knowable to thee alone;
Therefore, concerning theſe, thy will be done.
The beſt of us have gone aſtray ſo far,
In Provocations, that, perhaps here are
Now, very many in the ſtate of thoſe
For whom, we are forbid to interpoſe
Our mediations betwixt them and Thee,
As touching Judgments, that now threanned be:
Such, ev'n among thy People heretofore,
Made thee forbid a Prophet to implore
Withholding of thoſe Plagues, which at that time,
Were threatned to be hurled down on them.
Yea then, though thy choice worthies ſhould have pleaded.
That, thy Decree might have been ſuperſeaded,
Thou didſt reſolve, their ſuite ſhould not be heard
For any, ſave themſelves, with good regard.
When ſins grow ripe, and Scandalous become,
They ſeldom ſcape a temporary doome,
Though thou vouchſafeſt mercy, as to David
Whereby, the Souls that ſinned, ſhall be ſaved,
LORD, though that growth, our Guilt attaineth hath,
Alway remember mercy, in thy wrath.
Some ſuch like Barr, and prohibition now,
From thee is iſſued forth, for ought I know.
Alas! if ſo; what poſſibly can we
Endeavour, till it ſhall reverſed be?
Or elſe diſpens'd with? I can never pray
With confidence, for what ſuſpect I may
Is not precarious: And, as qualifi'd
We are, things grantable may be deni'd,
At leaſt, ſo long time, as that ſhall be wanting
Which makes their chief condition of their granting ▪
Tis not a ſlaviſh terror (without Love
And faithful Penitence) that will remove
The Plagues that lie upon us; or prevent
A Threatned Judgment, when 'tis imminent.
Tis not wil worſhippings, though much applauded,
By their approvers, and by them begawded
With Superſtitious Dreſſings, that can pleaſe
Thy Majeſty, and thy juſt wrath appeaſe:
Tis not our formal whinings, or Orations,
Or, our Confeſſions, or our Deprecations,
Or, Bablings with the Tongue, without a heart
That, will thy threatned Judgments quite divert,
Till thou haſt done thy work which is in hand,
Or, till we more conform to thy command;
Whereto, perhaps, that, which we fear, may more
Conduce, then that, which we to ſcape implore.
For, few do conſcience of their duties make
Much longer, then the Rod is on their back.
Yet, ſomewhat, makes me hopeful, that thou haſt
Againſt what I would ask, no ſentence paſt;
And, fain would I obtain from thee, this day,
A Publick Bleſſing, e're I go away,
Which might in ſome degree, abate the dread
Whereby, now, many are diſtempered.
To thee, thy Children for a Bleſſing cry
Upon thoſe Fruits, which drench'd in waters lie;
And (though unworthy) Jacob like, I am
Reſolv'd with thee, to wreſtle for the ſame.
Let, not my LORD, be wrath, that I go on
To proſecute the ſuite I have begun;
For, I with filial fear approach thy Throne.
Direct us, how in this, and ſuch like caſes,
We may make acceptable our Addreſſes,
Leſt, we grow overwhelmed with diſpairs,
Or, come with over peremptory Prayers:
For, ſomewhat thou, at all times, haſt to grant
To comfort thoſe, who conſolation want,
When they are ſenſible of their condition,
And come before thee with unfaind contrition.
Yea, though, when we are outwardly diſtreſt,
We may not abſolutely make requeſt
For what ſeems needful; yet, when we reſigne
In all our ſutes, our own will unto thine,
Our wants (if in particular deni'd)
Are with a Fatherlike reſpect ſuppli'd
Some other way, by mercifully granting
A better thing, then that, which we thought wanting.
For, thou, till he himſelf ſhall bar the door,
Excludeſt no mans prayre, who doth implore
In Faith and Charity, that, which may tend
To give him, a well-being without end.
Of this, experiment I oft have had,
And, me thou confident thereof haſt made.
This Creed, thou haſt been pleas'd to teach me, LORD,
Both by thy holy ſpirit, and thy word,
Confirming my experience day by day,
That, I to other men declare it may,
As I in duty, am oblig'd to do,
When thou my heart inclineſt thereunto.
And, by thy favour, now proceed I can
In that, which, when theſe muſings I began,
I neither able was to proſecute,
As I intended; or commence my ſute,
In terms, which I could think fit to preſent
To thee; or, to my ſelf, could give content.
But, now the Bars remov'd and I can make
A ſhift to Stammer, what I could not ſpeak.
By thy Aſſiſtance likewiſe, I believe
That, what I now ſhall pray for, thou wilt give;
Ev'n ev'ry thing (implicitly at leaſt)
Which ſhall in this my Prayer be expreſt:
I, therefore, in thy ſight, now ſpread abrode
My private meditations, in this mode;
And hope, it ſhall be ſpread, where many may
And their Amen to that, for which I pray:
And, that their joyning in this my Oblation,
Will gain us all ſhares in thy acceptation.
Oh! I ſhould then ſing, with a Joyful heart
LORD, let thy ſervant, now, in peace depart.
That Everlaſting Goſpel make more known,
By which, thy Love eternal is forth ſhown
To all mankind; and which, a glorious throng
Of Angels, publiſh'd in a Joyful ſong,
(Unto the glory of thy bleſſed Name)
When firſt thy Son aray'd with fleſh became;
That, all the world may know, the ſame Goodwill
Which thereby was expreſt, continues ſtill:
And, that, Deſire to know both Good and Evil,
Proceeded from our Selves, and from the Devil,
But, not from thee, who, didſt intend Salvation
To Adam, and to all his Generation;
Not reprobating any of his Race
Save ſuch as wilfully diſpis'd thy Grace,
And, juſtly, cauſed the product of that
Which, thou didſt never preneceſſitate.
Thy Love to all mankinde, compels me oft
(Though for it, I maligned am, and ſcoft)
To preach it to the world, that, men may more
Mind it with thankfulneſs, then heretofore.
I know this Truth is own'd, ev'n among thoſe
VVho, unto thee are yet, apparent foes;
And, that, hath hindreth many to embrace
The Doctrine of thy Univerſal Grace,
Becauſe, they are not heedful, that, unleſs
Theſe held ſome Truths with that unrighteouſneſs
VVhichWhich they maintain, not many would believe
That Miſtery, by which they do deceive.
But, to prevent their wiles, uncloſe their eies,
VVho cannot yet perceive their fallacies;
And let it be made manifeſt to them
VVho do not wilfully the means contemn,
VVhichWhich, thou vouchſafed unto all men haſt,
And alwaies wilt, at firſt, or at the laſt.
Let that large mercy, our hearts work upon,
More then thy Judgments hitherto have done;
To which intention, let thy Saints improve
That Influence which thy Eternal Love
Hath ſhed on them, to work throughout this Nation
By Love and Gentleneſs, a Reformation;
Which will be then more ſpeedy, and ſincere▪
Then that, which is compel'd, & wrought by fear.
Preſerve that pretious ſeed, ſown in this Land;
Now, many Ages paſt, by thine own hand;
It hath been often watred by the Blood
Of thy Elect; hath many Storms withſtood,
And took ſuch root, that, now it doth extend
By ſev'ral Branches, to the worlds far end.
Permit it not to ſuffer diminution
Either by calms, or ſtorms of Perſecution.
Let not the lofty Cedars over-top it,
The wild-ſwine root it up, or tame-beaſt crop it;
Nor weeds or brambles (among which it grows)
Starve it, or choak it; nor the greedy Crows
Devour it; nor the ſwarms of Locuſts, which
In ſmoke, aſcended from th' infernal Ditch;
But, let it, when appearing moſt oppreſt,
Palm-like moſt thrive, and be the more increaſt,
Till th' earth it fills; and till up-rooted be
All plants, that were not planted there by thee.
This, I firſt pray for Lord, becauſe poſſeſſing
Hereof, doth lay the ground of ev…ry bleſſing.
Correct thou not theſe Nations in thy wrath,
But, in that meaſure, which ſhews mercy hath
An intreſt in thy Juſtice. Let them hold
The ſame proportion which they did of old,
In thy ſevereſt chaſtiſements; that, neither
Both Good and Evil, be deſtroy'd together,
Nor, their hopes thereby vacated, by whom
There is a Kingdom look'd for, yet to come.
Five wicked Cities might have ſpared been,
Had twice five, Righteous men been found therein:
Yea, Thou (although in them there was but one)
Defer'dſt their dreadful doom till he was gone.
LORD, I hope, here are many thouſands yet.
On whom thy Seal, on whom thy Mark is ſet.
Who truſt in thee, whoſe faith doth not yet fail;
Who, their own, and the Nations guilt bewaile:
For their ſakes, lay aſide thy wrath again;
Let thy Sun ſhine, and let thy Clouds drop Rain
Both on the juſt and unjuſt, as thou haſt
Been pleaſed to vouchſafe in Ages paſt;
That, Spring and Summer, Seed and Harveſt-times
Untill the world ſhall end, may in all Climes
Be from each other ſtill diſtinguiſhed,
As long ago, by thee was promiſed.
At this time alſo, to this ſinful Nation,
Extend thy wonted favour & compaſſion,
By blowing hence thoſe clouds, whoſe frequent ſhowrs
Spoil not alone graſs herbs and pleaſant flowers,
But, threaten alſo, to deſtroy thoſe crops,
Whereby the painful husband-man hath hopes
To be rewarded for his toil and coſt;
Yea, let this Iſle, which now deſpairs almoſt,
Of ſuch a bleſſing, be ſecured from
That Famine, which we are afraid will come.
Both of our Earthly, and thy heavenly bread,
Preſerve the means, that therewith being fed,
In ſoul and body; we may for the ſame
In fleſh and spirit magnifie thy Name▪
Till Chriſt ſhall come. Continue in this place,
The ſpecial pledges, of thy ſpecial Grace,
Cloſe up thoſe Rents, which malice hath made wide;
Unite by Love, thoſe whom ſelf-will and Pride
Have diſ-united: For, thy Love was that
Which made thee at the firſt, this world create;
And, 'tis the ſame eſſential Love (by thee
In thy Elect made active) which muſt free
The world again, from that confus'd eſtate
Whereto 'tis brought by Envy and by Hate.
To that end, let thy ſpirit, (unto whom
All Diſpenſations, till thy Son ſhall come
Committed are) The hearts of men incline
To be obedient …o that Diſcipline,
In ev'ry Form, which they believe to be
To them injoyned by thy word and thee;
And, that accept of, which they ſhall profeſs
And practiſe with unbiaſt Conſciences.
Make thy Elect to ſtand out all the ſhocks,
Of Tyranny, like never moved Rocks;
And give them prudence, to diſcern the wiles,
Whereby, their Antichriſtian foe beguiles
Unſtable hearts; and pleaſe to pardon that
Wherein through frailty, they ſhall deviate.
Indow them withall ſanctified graces
That may enable in their ſeveral places
To do the honor: And, LORD, let the Pride
Of their Oppreſſors, break ſo, and devide
Their Power and Counſels, that, they may at length
Be ruined, by their own Wit, and Strength.
Behold, the many troubles of this Nation,
With mercy, and vouchſafe it thy ſalvation.
Make haſte to our deliverance oh LORD,
And, ſuccour us according to thy word.
Let them be turned backward, and with ſhame
Confounded, who blaſpheme thy holy Name;
Who, with their own inventions do defile
Thy Ordinances, and purſue the ſpoil
Of thoſe who ſeek thy face. Let them who cry
Aha, aha, and ſay inſultingly,
So we would have it, when thy people are
Oppreſt, be caught at laſt, in their own ſnare,
That, they who love thy Truth, may to thy praiſe
Rejoyce in thy ſalvation all their dayes.
But, gracious LORD, beſide that waſting Rain,
Which makes this Nation with much fear complain
And brings me now to thee; there is a Flood
Portending Inundations too, of Blood,
Ev'n blood of Innocents, for whoſe prevention
To be Petitioner I have intention.
A portion of thy word, concerning Cain
To me, a myſtery ſeems to contain
Implying ſomewhat which relates to thoſe
Who were, and ſhall unto thy Saints be foes
Throughout all Times; and doth relate, likewiſe,
To them, who offer thee that ſacrifice
In which thou moſt delight'ſt: For, ever ſince
That day, Will-worſhippers have took offence
At their Oblations; and proceeded on
In that, which he ſo long ago begun.
Cain was the firſt that perſecuted them
Who in their worſhip differed from him;
And, I collect thence, that, ev'n from that hour
Thou didſt ſubject them to the temp'ral power
Of all thoſe perſecutors, of whom, he
Became the Type, whoever they ſhould be.
And, as I underſtand that Hyſtory,
Therein is couched the whole myſtery
Of that iniquity, which now is grown
Almoſt full ripe, and ſhall be overthrown
In thy appointed time; but, not till then,
Nor by the weapons or the hands of men:
For, thou haſt markt them to be ſaved from
Deſtroying, till their fatal hour is come.
And I conceive likewiſe by what thou haſt
In that memorial to the world expreſt,
Thou wilt avenge it, on all, who withſtand
Their perſons, with a life-deſtroying-hand,
Though they are murdrers; &, that, this ſuctjection
Tends to thy glory, and the Saints perfection;
Whereof, ſome of them, take ſo little heed,
That of precautions they may have ſome need.
This hath inclin'd me, conſcientiouſly
To ſhun oppoſing them deſtructively
In whom there is a viſiability
Of Sov'raign Power, although tyrannical;
Untill that ſome way, it grow doubtful ſhall
To whom it appertains; as, here of late,
When it was thought, thou didſt that power tranſlate
To other hands, and when he, who bereft
Them thereof, to an Anarchy, us left.
And, thou, who knowſt my heart, knowſt I did never
To pull down, or to ſet up Thrones endeaver:
But, only, to preſerve the common peace,
Complide with that, which did the Throne poſſeſſe,
Till thou reſtor'dſt him, who was driv'n hence,
And, to whom, true, I have been ever ſince.
Now, alſo, to preſerve, ſtill, as I ought,
That peace, whoſe preſervation, I then ſought;
I do implore thee, on behalf of him
Who wears this day, the Supream Diadem,
That, from thoſe evil Counſellors, he may
Deliver'd be, who do, or ſhall aſſay,
To bring him to a wilful reſolution,
Of being partner in that perſecution
Which they intend: And that, in all temptations
(And maugre all ſevereſt provocations)
Thy Saints, may be preſerved from contriving
And acting, what may tend to the depriving
Them of their lives or power, who e're they be,
On whom that Power ſhall be confer'd by thee.
And, grace vouchſafe them, alwayes to perſiſt
In that obedience, which may manifeſt
That, conſcientiouſly they may ſubmit
To what thou haſt ordain'd, or ſhall permit
For their probation; till the fewd and War
'Twixt Good and Evil, at a period are:
And, that, upon thy will they may attend
Untill that Good and Evil, hath an end,
Which had form us proceeding, and gives place
To that Eternal GOODNESSE, which IS, WAS
And SHALL BE, when all evil heretofore
In Being, ſhall a being have no more.
Meanwhile confer all means, whereby both they
And he, may walk on, in a peaceful way.
Thy Judgment to the King vouchſafe to give
That, he, and we in Righteouſneſs may live:
That, he may to the Priſoners and the poor,
Shew mercy; to the wrong'd, their dues reſtore;
And be as kind and merciful to them,
Who are oppreſt, as thou haſt been to him:
That, our high Mountains may produce thy peace,
And little Hills, the fruits of Righteouſneſs;
For, whether high or low, all ſhall receive
Such meaſure, as to other men they give.
I know this will be done, even by the drops
Of mercy, which to keep alive my hopes,
Are in this place, to me derived from
Thy Bounty, to fore-ſhew, a ſhower will come
That ſhall refreſh both me, and thoſe, at full,
Who, at this time, each others caſe condole.
Be pleaſed to confirm this my belief,
Redouble ſtill, our Courage as our Grief
Shall be augmented: And although among
Thy Foes, our bodies periſh in the throng;
By thoſe external Judgments, which we ſhall
Occaſion to be Epidemical,
Inflict them, rather then permit thy Name
To be expoſed to reproachful ſhame,
By ſuffering wickedneſs with proud deſpight,
To violate thy Juſtice in thy ſight;
Or, wantonize with grace, till it becomes
The ſaddeſt of all Temporary dooms:
For, common myſ…ries leſs grievous are
Unto thy Saints, though they in them have ſhare,
Then all their private ſufferings, when they ſee
Their inſolence who ſleighted them and thee,
So winked at, as if thou either wouldſt not,
Avenge thy ſelf upon them, or elſe could not.
Thy Souldiers will be pleas'd amid thy foes
To die, e're any honor thou ſhouldſt loſe,
Since death by them, needs never to be fear'd,
Who know with what life, thou wilt them reward.
Let Dagons temple then, be overthrown
Though Sampſon die, in pulling of it down:
For all thy Souldiers, ſeek their glorifying
In conquering, although it be by dying.
Our General, in perſon, led the Van
That way, when he his glorious Conqueſt wan,
Bereft Death of his deadly ſting, thereby,
And, over Hell, triumphed gloriouſly.
Preſerve thoſe, in thy Truth by Faith and Love,
Whom thou ſhalt pleaſe in theſe laſt times to prove
By fiery tryals: So, what e're wind blows,
Whether, it rains or ſhines, or hails or ſnows;
Whether thou ſhak'ſt the heavens or the earth,
Or both; whether, War, Peſtilence, or Dearth
Shall viſite this deprayed Generation,
Thine, ſhall be free from inward pertubation,
And ſing, a bleſſed Requiem to their ſoul,
When their Oppressors gnaſh their teeth and howl.
To that Salvation which thou doſt deſign
For thy Elect, preſerve thou, me and mine;
And, in our ſeveral paſsages thereto,
Whether, the way in which we are to go
Be either rough or ſmooth, or ſhort or long,
Keep us content; and let our Faith be ſtrong
Although the fleſh is weak. Let our Afflictions
And, our proſperities; with benedictions
So ſanctified be throughout our dayes,
That, thou mayſt in our lives & deaths have praiſe
A large Petititon (whereof now bereft)
Before thy face, long ſince ingroſt I left,
Whereby, I thee beſought to this effect,
For my Poſterity; and to direct
And keep them in thy ways: LORD, though to me
The words are loſt, they are not ſo to thee;
My ſpoilers, cannot hide them from thine eyes,
Nor wilt thou, my Requeſts therein deſpiſe.
Rememember thoſe, by whom we have been fed,
When we were by the world depriv'd of brea…
Vouchſafe thou, for their Charitableneſs,
They, never want a Friend in their diſtreſs;
Or comforts, when on their ſick beds they lie,
Or, Freedom, though on outward bands they die:
Mind them, when I of them forgetful grow;
Know them, though I their perſons may not know;
Their Alms-deeds, which they labour to conceal,
Let thy Son, before all the world reveal;
And, what for me or mine, in theſe my prayers,
I have deſired, grant to them and theirs.
My Foes have ſome way been my Benefactors,
(Though, therein, they againſt their wills were Actors
For, that, which to afflict me they design,
Adds more to their vexation, then to mine;
And, that, whereby, they thought me to have harmed,
Againſt all future miſchiefs, me hath armed.
In which reſpect, without diſſimulations,
They, are to me, an object of compaſſion,
And, I beſeech thee, ſo their hearts to turn
That, for their ſins, they heartily may mourn.
To operate in them a preparation,
To proſecute the means of their ſalvation,
Their, too much loving of themſelves abate▪
Which hath inclin'd them other men to hate,
And more to puniſh them, who reprehend,
Their ſins, then thoſe, who, againſt thee offend.
Bereave them of that wealth, in which they truſt,
And ſpend, in giving fewel to their luſt;
That Power exorbitant, make to be leſs,
Which doth but Pride, and Tyranny increaſe;
Leſt they may make themſelves the ſlaves of ſin,
And to be Devils, who might Gods have been,
Forgive them their offences againſt thee,
When for them, truly penitent they be:
For, all their wrongs to me I can forgive
As I from thee forgiveneſs would receive.
This Charity of mine to them, is thine;
Thou, thereunto my heart doſt now incline;
Then, ſurely, if thou haſt a love for thoſe
Who hate thee, yea whilſt they continue Foes,
Thou wilt on them beſtow all I can crave,
If they contemn not, that which they might have,
And, who, can then, be hopeleſs of thy Grace,
Who, in true faith, and love ſhall ſeek thy face?
Oh hear me, in what to their welfare tends,
For all in general, both Foes and Friends,
(To whom, Chriſts ranſom ſhall not bounded be,
More by their own fault, then by thy Decree;
And who againſt themſelves, ſhut not that Gate
Which thou to all Mankind, haſt open ſet.)
Make us true Lovers, as we ought to be,
And, we ſhall be beloved ſtill of thee.
Incline us charitably to regard
The poor mans prayers and ours ſhall be heard.
Make us upright, and then ſhall rich and poor,
More advantageous be then heretofore
Unto themſelves; and they who hate each other,
Shall love, and live in amity together.
None, then ſhall make a prayer, to enjoy
In private, what weal-publick, may deſtroy.
But, all our ſuits, (as in deſtructive Rains
Or Droughts) ſhall be prefer'd for what pertains
Unto the common good; and very many
Be benefitted, without harm to any.
I ſhall, moreover, be permitted then,
To do thee ſervice with my Tongue and Pen,
And, thou, with other bleſſings, wilt ſend hi her
What I now pray for, ſeaſonable weather.
LORD! ſhould theſe meditations be deſpis'd,
Or, (as ſome have been lately) here ſurpriz'd,
And ſmother'd; I beſeech thee, let them not
By thee, be diſ-regarded or forgot;
Nor that, which yet remains to be expreſt,
Be ſtifled any longer in my breſt:
For, that, hath been more torment to my mind,
Then to my Body, to be here confin'd.
But, each branch only grant of theſe Requeſts
As with thine own good pleaſure beſt conſiſts,
And, that in chief, which hath preferred been
To work in us, Repentance of all ſin;
Leſt elſe, when from one Judgment we are freed,
Another, and another ſtill ſucceed,
Till e're from all our fear…, thou us deliver,
We feel the ſharpeſt arrows in thy Quiver.
Though all alone, the world hath ſhut me here,
And, from her ſelf, exil'd me, as it were,
She, being part of that great Work Divine,
In which there is aſwel a ſhare of mine
As hers: (And, though no ſenſe ſhe ſeems to have
Of what I ſuffer in this living Grave)
I have a Fellow-feeling of her fears,
As by thoſe private muſings it appears,
Which often, heretofore I have expreſt,
On her behalf, and now, by this Requeſt;
Which GOD (I know) for his own ſake hath heard,
Although my prayer merits no regard.
The laſt great Rainy-day, I firſt begun
Theſe Meditations; and, e're they were done,
The Clouds were blown away, the Sun appear'd,
The face of heaven was from thick vapours clear'd,
And, he, who lately muſtred them together,
Continues, yet, a ſeaſonable weather
That will renew the hopes (if it holds on)
Which this year promiſed, when it begun.
For, (to the bleſſed name of GOD be praiſe)
The earth begins her face again to raiſe,
Out of her watry bed, chear'd by thoſe Rayes
Whoſe abſence made her many weeks of days
Sit melancholly, and aſide to throw,
Thoſe dreſſings, wherewith ſhe is trimmed now.
This, doth to me, appear to be a ſign
That, to compaſſion, GOD doth ſti… incline,
And, will, once more make proof what Reformation
Shall be endeavour'd after this probation.
Oh! in ſome meaſure, let this grace effect
That, which be juſtly, may from us expect,
Leſt worſe befall: For, GOD will not be mockt;
The doors of heaven, are not yet ſo faſt lockt,
But, that, he ſuddainly may ſend again,
Not only ſuch another waſting rain,
(Or in the ſtead thereof a ſcorching Drouth
And make the tongue, cleave to the parched mouth▪ )
But Fire and Brimſtone too, if he ſo pleaſe;
Whereas, now, whilſt his mercy doth appeaſe
His wrath a little hearty penitence,
Improv'd may keep ſome other Plague from hence,
And, for one ſin that truly is repented,
Three may removed be, or elſe prevented.
Meditated and compoſed during the Authors cloſe Confinement in the Tower, July. 1663.
Pſalm 107.8.
Oh! that men would praiſe the Lord for his goodneſs, and for his wondrous works to the Children of men.
The whole Pſalm is very pertinent to ſtir up to a due conſideration and practiſe of this duty.