A Memorandum to London, Poem 1

A Memorandum to London · Poem 1

A Memorandum to London, Occaſioned by the Peſtilence there begun this preſent year MDCLXV, and humbly offered to the Lord Maior, Aldermen and Commonalty of the ſaid City.

By GEORGE WITHER.

Thereto is by him added, a Warning-piece to London, diſcharged out of a Loophole in the Tower, upon meditating the deplorable Fier, which conſumed the houſe of an eminent Citizen, with all the perſons and goods therein, at the beginning of our moſt Joyful Feſtival, in December, 1662. Alſo, a Single Sacrifice offered to Almighty GOD, by the ſame Author in his lonely confinement, for prevention of the Dearth-feared, and probably portended, by immoderate Raines in June and July, 1663.

Quia Legit haec, &c.

Who read ſuch Lines as theſe?

How few men, do they pleaſe?

Moreover, in regard many have reported and believed this Author to be dead; we have annexed his Epitaph, made by himſelf upon that occaſion.

Imprinted in the Year, MDCLXV.

p. 1A Seaſonable Memorandum Humbly tendred to the City of LONDON, the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and the whole Commonalty thereof, by occaſion of the Peſtilence, begun this year, MDCLXV.

BY their Old Remembrancer, GEORGE WITHER.

THe Pſalmiſt, when he ſaw Truths foes grow ſtrong

A while reſolved to withhold his Tongue

Ev'n from Good words; (as I have often done)

But, in his heart, New-muſings then begun

To muſter ſo, that, he was forc'd to break

His reſolution, and his thoughts to ſpeak.

So fares it now with me; and I muſt do

That which my Mover hath inclin'd me to:

Vouchſafe it hearing, and GOD be my ſpeed,

For, it concerns you, and deſerves good heed.

This, now commencing, is the fourtieth year,

Since firſt, the greateſt Plague that raged here,

Within our time, was ſent for our correction,

To ſcourge us, with a Peſtilent Infection,

p. 2That, GOD's intention, being timely heeded

We, by Repentance, might have ſuperſeded

Thoſe following Judgments, which have ever ſince

Inflicted been, for our Impenitence;

And, are ſtill multiplying, as if from

GOD's quiver, Sharper Arrows were to come.

That year, I having lived, till the Sun

Had thrice twelve times, quite through the Zodiack run,

Conſider'd I had ſpun out half that time

Within your Walls, and might be one of them

For whoſe Tranſgreſſions, that ſharp Viſitation

Came to deſtroy, or work a Reformation;

And, thereupon (without conſtraint) intended

To wait on God, where I had him offended;

That, if to ſpare my life, vouchſafe he ſhould,

I might as truly ſerve him as I could,

By heeding both his Actings, and our own;

And making thoſe things unto others known,

Which I ſhould then obſerve, might beſt promote

His honour; and from being quite forgot,

Keep that upon Record, (though to our ſhame)

Which might hereafter, glorifie his Name.

During that Plague, not one night, all the while,

Remov'd I thence, the diſtance of one Mile,

Or ſhuned either perſon, place, or ſight,

Which, me, experimentally then might

Acquaint with any thing, whereby to learn

My Duty, or what would my work concern;

By which means, I found reaſon to confeſs

(As Job in his probation did profeſs)

That I, who heard of GOD, but by the ear,

Before that time, then; ſaw him as it were;

p. 3And, had ſome things, likewiſe, to me reveal'd

Which were from many wiſer men conceal'd;

So that I both foreſaw, and then foretold

What many thouſands did fulfil'd behold

Soon after: yea, moreover, ſome of them

Who, many years, my Cautions did contemn,

(And ſcofft at my Predictions) juſtifi'd

That, which in times paſt, they did much deride.

But, in their old waies, moſt men did proceed

As if they took a very little heed,

Of any thing, paſt, preſent, or to come,

Which might preſerve Peace, or prevent their Doom.

What I then ſaw, and foreſaw would befall,

I did record, in that which I did call

BRITANS REMEMBRANCER; and have not been

Regardleſs, what tranſactions, here were ſeen

During tho… fourty years of Provocation,

Wherein, GOD's Spirit, by this Generation

Hath greeved been. Of that large Premonition,

At leaſt four thouſands at the firſt Impreſſion

Were publiſht through theſe Iſlands, to prevent

What ſeem'd at hand; and, to the ſame intent

In ſeveral modes, at ſeveral times before

This preſent day, five times as many more

Premonitory hints, whereon enſue

As mean effects, except among thoſe few

For whoſe ſake (next his Sons) GOD, yet hath pity

On theſe three Nations, and on this great City,

Though they have proſecuted and oppreſt▪

Thoſe, in whoſe Weal their welfare doth conſiſt.

But, this comes not within the Creed of many

Nor can be poſſibly believ'd of any,

Whom Pride, Self-love, and Ignorance bewitches

Either with dotage upon Pleaſures, Riches,

p. 4Or Power exorbitant; becauſe no Grace

Can get admittance, where thoſe fill the place,

For, theſe, are part of thoſe things where withall

The Devil tempted Chriſt; and they who fall

By not reſiſting him in that temptation

Are drawn, at laſt, to yeeld him Adoration

(Though peradventure they perceive it not)

And, when he that advantage once hath got;

It is not in the power of any one

To diſpoſſeſs him, bud of GOD alone.

Judgements and Mercies, in the common mode

Move not without th' immediate hand of GOD,

Or, ſome impulſes extraordinary

When from his Dictates, wilfully they vary.

The moſt Convincing Truths, make them but madder;

They, to the wiſeſt Charmer like the Adder,

Still ſtop their ears; and them he works upon

No more, then if he Sung unto a Stone.

This renders theſe more brutiſh then a beaſt

By whom CHRIST is but formally profeſt:

For, Beaſts will ſhun the dangers that purſue them;

Meet thoſe who feed them, when their meat they ſhew them;

Know their preſervers, yea return them too,

Requitals, in their kind, for what they do:

Whereas beſotted men, ev'n when they may

Perceive themſelves beleagured ev'ry way

With miſchiefs; although plainly they may ſee

That their Endeavours unſuccesful be

In ſpight of all their policy or power,

And, God, Avengments threatning every hour

By P…o…gies, and by Events, that from

No mortall hand, to croſs their hopes can come,

p. 5They either look on them as caſualties,

Or, them not to concern, in any wiſe:

Then, with full ſailes, run head long on that Rock

Which is in view; at their good counſel mock,

Who tell them lovingly, how to avoyd

That, whereby, they ſhall elſe be quite deſtroyd,

If they proceed; or, caſt an Anchor where,

They, now in hope of Preſervation are:

And, if theſe be not madmen, there are none

In Bedlam, where we hear is many a one.

Ev'n as a nice and wanton Appetite,

Longs after Kickſhaws, and takes more delight

In diſhes made up of they know not what,

And not ſo wholſome, as plain ſolid meat;

So, moſt men, with Expreſſions are beſt pleas'd

From whence, one ſentence, hardly can be ſqueas'd

Which well conſider'd, any way conduces

To civil manners or to pious uſes,

Though you ſhould ſtrain out all, that every word

For Caution, or Inſtruction, might afford.

To all ſuch true Phanaticks, this will ſeem,

To be perhaps, of very ſmall eſteem,

Becauſe, it ſpeaks plain ſenſe, and is not deckt

And trim'd up with ſuch gawds as they expect.

Yet this, & th…ſe ſtrains which they much diſpiſe.

May be a means to make ſome fools more wiſe.

GOD promis'd to his ſervants long ago,

He would upon their Children ſhed forth ſo

His holy ſpirit, in the later ages,

That they ſhould be inſpired with preſages

Of things to come; and (to his Name be praiſe)

This we have ſeen accompliſht in our daies.

Strange Viſions have appear'd, Truths are foretold,

By men and women too, both young and old,

p. 6Which (though to carnal men vain dreams they ſeem)

With ſuch as know God, they have more eſteem,

And will appear to be his Diſpenſations;

As proper alſo, to theſe Generations,

As thoſe, which were diſpenc'd in ages paſt,

Unto the Jews at firſt; or, at the laſt,

When, as phanatik, and ridiculous,

Their Prophets to them ſeem'd, as ours to us.

For, oft by their Inſpirer, they were moved

To Speak and Act, what was by few approved;

Sometimes, to perſonate, what was abhord,

Or ſeem'd not with good manners to accord,

Ev'n in their Judgements, who appeared then

The wiſeſt and the moſt religious men;

Eſpecially, when God impos'd on ſome,

Things to be ſignal of what was to come.

But, all his Diſpenſations heretofore,

And now in uſe (or whatſoever more,

Shall be hereafter) ſcarcely will ſuffice

To make us, in theſe doting ages wiſe.

God, hath omitted nothing to recal us

Or, to prevent that, which may elſe befal us;

For every year, and upon each occaſion

That did occur (to cauſe a perturbation

Or breach into our Peace) he moved ſome

So zealous of our welfare to become,

That they their own peace have oft hazarded,

(And loſt it too) by things endevoured

For our avail; yea, though their pains and coſt,

As to themſelves) was likely to be loſt

Perſu'd their Aime, ſometimes, by general

Precautions, which did much concern us all;

p. 7And, otherwhile, by memorizing that

Which in particular ſeem'd to relate

To Perſons or to Places, as it beſt

Might bring advance to publick Intereſt:

Forewarnings have by GOD vouchſafed been

To you by others, (as they cauſe have ſeen)

Who ſeem'd to come with more authority

And truſted with Credentials, whereof, I

Unworthy am; But, whatſoever they

Or I appear, that, which I have for you

Prepared by Gods help, I offer now,

In hope, it will be heeded ſomewhat more

Then that, which hath been tendred heretofore.

This year his former Judgements GOD repeats.

And, once again, your ſinful City threats

With Peſtilence. He, over us doth ſhake

A dreadful Rod, wherein I notice take

Of three ſharp twiggs; and he above knows whether

They ſhall be ſingly felt or all together,

Becauſe, he onelyonly knows what will be done

To ſtay that, which already is begun,

And keep out thoſe two, which your City threat,

But, have not yet got entrance through the gate.

London, I fear, unleſs thou take more heed

In what Courſe thou hereafter doſt proceed

(Although that God's Long-ſuffering towards thee

Continues yet) at once, with all the three

Thou ſhalt be ſcourg'd: for mockt, GOD will not be.

I am reſolved therefore, whatſoever

May be the Conſequent of my endeaver,

Now to proceed in what he moves me to,

And, I in duty am oblig'd to do;

Becauſe, though my Good will you ſhould abuſe.

Your faults, my negligence would not excuſe,

p. 8Who, look for my reward (if any due)

From him, whoſe work I do, and not from you.

My firſt Memorials, in their Title page

Hold forth an Emblematical preſage,

Beſides much thereby verbally expreſt

(Relating to the plague which doth infeſt

Your City now) which worth the obſervation

May be, in every ſuch like Viſitation,

And might have had, if heeded, good effects

(Which have been loſt by manifold neglects)

And ſtill may, were things better thought upon

Which thereby, are adviſed to be done.

But here, to adde that, will ſpend too much time,

And therefore, I referring you to them,

That, now will proſecute, which more then Reaſon

Perſwadeth me, is at this day in ſeaſon.

Your City, I have lov'd and honored,

And, no leſs now, then heretofore I did,

For, GOD hath made it, the moſt honour'd place

That is within theſe Iſles, or ever was;

He hath inrolled, and renown'd her Name

Among the Cities of the greateſt Fame,

That either are, or were below the Sun

Since men to dwell in Cities firſt begun.

Large Pledges, he upon her hath beſtown

Of his eſpecial Love; ſome favour ſhown

Vouchſaf'd to few of them; and ſuch a meaſure

Hath ſtored up in her, of his hid treaſure,

And intermixt, from time to time, ſo often

Mercies and Judgements, hardned hearts to ſoften;

So in Long-ſuffering, alſo doth perſevere

(Though we are at this day, grown worſe then ever

That I perceive in her a Seed and Root,

Which to his Glory ſhall bring forth good Fruit

p. 9In his due time; and this inclineth me

To ſend theſe Memorandums now to thee,

Intending in thy Sickness, here to ſtay

Once more, when thy falſe-lovers fly away;

And in, or near, thy borders, to remain

Till GOD reſtores thee unto health again;

Or, till by being quite deſerted here,

I ſhall be forc'd to ſeek my bread elſewhere;

Of which I dreadleſs am: For, I depend

Upon that powerful, and moſt faithful friend

Who hath preſerv'd me often ſince my birth,

From worſe things then War, Peſtilence, & Dearth.

Phyſitians, and all elſe, who ere they are

That, of Sick perſons undertake the care,

Do challenge and ought alſo to aſſume

(Though them, it may be it will misbecome

At other times) a freedom to ſpeak ſo

And, and as occaſion moves them thereunto,

To act what's pertinent to their diſeaſe

In way of Cure, although it may diſpleaſe.

I may, and do, as juſtly challenge now

(Since neighbour like I mean to watch with you)

Like Liberty; and will be bold to tell

That which I know will help to make you well,

Although, therewith diſpleas'd, you froward be,

Harſh words for my good will return to me,

And rage like thoſe, who ſeem to looſe their wits

When they are in their Peſtilential fits:

For, I ſhall ſober be, though ſomewhat ſad,

To ſee thoſe, whom I would keep tame grow mad.

And you I hope, what er'e ſhall now be ſaid

Will patient be, when well my words are weigh'd.

Conſider well (for now high time it is,

That you and all men ſhould conſider this)

p. 10I ſay, conſider how you have improved

GOD's Mercy ſince his …udgments were removed;

How, that provoking ſinfulneſs abates,

And, that Abhomination which God hates:

Nay well conſider if it be not more

Abhominable, then it was before.

I fear it much, and ev'ry day this fear

Increaſeth by what I do ſee and hear;

For, ſince I knew the world (which I have known

And heeded, till an old man I am grown)

I never heard this Nation ſo defam'd

As now of late; and ſins not to be nam'd

By modeſt men, with ſo much impudence

So often acted with ſo little ſence

Of manhood, nor with ſuch impunity

By perſons of no vulgar quality

Both old and young men, high, low, rich and poor,

Out acted have tranſgreſſors heretofore;

Children are left ſo looſe to ſpeak and do

What their corruption doth incline them to,

(And ill example teach) that if their courſe

Continue long, we ſhall at laſt grow worſe

Then Sodom and Gomorrah; which GOD knows

I do not mention (as ſome may ſuppoſe)

To ſcandalize this City or this Nation

But to provoke them to a Reformation.

To that intent, (ſo far forth as it ſhall

Concern this City) ſpeedily let all

Who are in power, with prudence and in love

The ſtrength of their Authority improve

Them to indulge and keep from violence,

Whoſe converſations are without offence;

And, by their executing of the Law

In purity, ſtrive to keep thoſe in awe

p. 11Who either ſhall malitiouſly tranſgreſs

(By an infringment of the publick peace)

Or wilfully commit, abet or teach

What, of the Moral Law may be a breach.

That nothing may by you be done unto

Another, which you would not have him do

To you, if in his caſe; ſearch what you find,

That may on you be charged, in that kind,

And heartily repent it. That, moreover

You may faults, which will elſe lye hid, diſcover;

Conſider, whether you have not with gladneſs

Inſulted over men oppreſt with ſadneſs.

Afflictions heaped up, upon Afflictions,

Or, added Cruelty to due corrections,

By ſeeking more to ſatisfie your Luſt,

Or Vengeance, then to execute what's juſt

For Juſtice ſake; or elſe, to pleaſe their Foes,

Condemned Innocents, their lives to loſe.

Your waies examine, & ſearch out what crimes

You have of late, more then in former times

Been guilty of: As, whether you have been

Or not, defiled with that ſcarlet ſin,

Which in times paſt your City did abhor,

As being a peculiar heretofore

Of that Malignant City, where the Whore

Beſtrides the Beaſt: be heedful alſo, whether

It be not partly, or elſe altogether

His work, to be in cruelties delighted;

To ſee meek, honeſt, harmleſs men diſpighted

For Conſcience ſake; inhumanly exil'd

Husbands from wives, the parent from the child

Impriſon'd to the looſing of their lives

Their little Children, their beloved Wives,

And their whole Families expos'd thereby

p. 12To that unſpeakable extremity

Of wants and ſufferings, which no fleſh and blood

Can bear, without immediate help from GOD.

Whoſe will is thereby wilfully withſtood.

And why all this? not for tranſgreſſing Laws

Of GOD or Nature, but alone, becauſe

Theſe could not condiſcend the world to pleaſe

By an infringment of their conſciences.

Heed what this may deſerve; if you deſire

To ſtop the Plague begun; leſt elſe the fire

Which may be kindled in your habitations,

Do quite conſume them ev'n to their foundations.

For, GOD, of his Prerogatives is Jealous

To vindicate all thoſe he will be zealous

Who ſuffer for his ſake, although perchance

They may be blamable through Ignorance,

Or other, humane frailties; for, where he

Sees Faith and Love, their ſins he will not ſee.

As for their Perſecutors, though he may

His juſt Avengments, for a while delay,

The patience of his people he doth mind,

And, they who ſhew no mercy, none ſhall find.

Examine, whether ſince you made your peace

With GOD, the renovation and increaſe

Of wilful ſins deſerved not renewing

Of Plagues removed, and of worſe enſuing.

It is not without cauſe, that God now hath

Such complicated Judgements, in his wrath

On thee and thine inflicted, when grown great

In hopes, thou thoughtſt thy happineſs compleat:

Nor is it hidden from thee altogether

For what ſin, GOD ſends this, or that plague hither.

In truth, all Plagues are due unto each ſin

When with Impenitence, perſiſted in,

p. 13Yet, frequently the ROD's wherewith we are

Corrected, ſhew forth in Particuler

What we offended in. For Superſtition

Was Gideons Family brought to perdition;

King Davids pride, made manifeſt in him

By numbring of the people) brought on them

A Pestilence: GOD viſited the earth

For wilful breach of Covenants, with Dearth;

And (as to Zedikiah and to Saul

It did for that provoking ſin befal)

The chief offenders and their Children too,

Stand liable to death for ſinning ſo.

Oppreſſion, Cruelty and Idolizing

The Creature (or things of our own deviſing)

Have been chaſtiz'd with ſervitude and fear,

And, when Will-worſhipings impoſed are

On others, with inhumane violence,

Injuſtice acted with ſuch impudence

As Jezabels and Ahabs, rarely ſhall

Such, ſcape from that, which did to them befal.

But, when that Hipocrites, by lying hid

As Annanias and Saphira did,

(Till GOD diſcover'd them) may poſſibly

Obſcure the grouth of Infant Piety;

When they, who Truths foundations overthrow,

When, her malitious perſecutors, grow

So mighty, that the Saints unable are

To calm them, or their furious rage to bear;

Or, when Prophaness and Abhominations

Like Sodoms, wholly hath corrupted Nations

Or Cities, till there ſhall appear in men

Nor will nor power, them to reclaim agen;

GOD, in ſuch caſes, to himſelf alone

Aſſumes the punniſhing of what's miſdone

p. 14And very frequently doth puniſh too,

In ſuch a mode as mortals cannot do:

Sometimes, by Sudden Death, when they are in

Their Jollity, or in the Act of ſin;

Sometimes, by ſickneſſes that long endure,

Whereof no man can find the Cauſe or Cure;

Sometimes, by that, which (till their provocation

Of GOD) had been a means of preſervation;

Sometimes, they of their lives have been bereaven

By Lightning, or by Thunderbolts from Heaven;

And, otherwhile (ſtruck with d…ſpaireful fears)

Are made to be Self-Executioners.

This gives a Hint of that which more affords

Then fully is expreſſed by my words

To make it plain; but either thou, no doubt

Or, ſome for thee, will ſearch and find it out;

Or, by the the ſearching after it, diſcern

Somewhat, which thee as nerely will concern.

Take heed of neighbours, and familiar friends,

Who fawn upon thee for their own baſe ends,

And love thee not, (though they reſpect profeſs

By many ſhews of hearty friendlineſs)

For, ſome of them, already cauſe have bin

Of adding much both to thy Plagues and ſin.

But, ſpecially, of thine own ſelf take heed

For, thence thy greateſt dangers will proceed.

Conſider therefore, by thy ſelf alone,

What thou omitted haſt, and what miſdone;

Whether thy folly, falſehood, fickleneſs,

Apoſtacy from what thou didſt profeſs,

Falling from thy Firſt Love, by miſ-advice;

Thy Luxury, thy ſordid Avarice,

Or, ſome vain hopes, deſerv'd not deprivation

Of that, whereof, thou hadſt an expectation;

p. 15Heed whether, to have cured, or prevented

One Plague, thy ſelf thou haſt not complemented

Into a ſcore; (at leaſt, to ſtop one curſe,

Indanger'd drawing on thee many worſe.)

Obſerve, if ever Beggery and P…ide;

Did both together, upon one horſe ride

So frequently as now, through every ſtreet,

Or walk ſo often on the ſelf-ſame feet;

And, whether miſchiefs which at preſent fall

On ſome, will not at laſt extend to all.

Mind well what thou art doing; what is done;

What is deſigned, but not yet begun,

For what thou both with words and ſword haſt pleaded;

What, thou haſt moſt affected, or moſt dreaded,

What thereon follow'd, or might have ſucceeded;

What factions thou haſt favor'd, and what ſtill

Wouldſt favour, were thy power like thy will.

London, if ſeriouſly thou ponderſt this

Thou wilt perceive that what ſucceeds amiſs

Flowes chiefly from thy ſelf; and how can thoſe

Be friends to any who are their own foes?

Thy Chiefs, care not how others they inſlave,

So, they themſelves from ſervitude may ſave,

Yet, theſe in fine, by that which doth befal

Become to be the baſeſt ſlaves of all,

Ev'n Bondſlaves to their Luſts, and to the Devil

By getting an habitual love of evil.

They hunt for honour, but, their …iery Title

Will adde to them, leſs honour then a little.

They covet to be rich; but wealth ſhall more

Increſe thoſe wants and Luſts, that make them poor.

In Policy and Powre, their truſt is plac't

Yet, they become diſpiſed fools at laſt.

p. 16Yea, we have ſeen thoſe whom wealth, wit, and powre

Supported, ſink down breathleſs in one hour,

That, we may know, there is an unſeen hand

Which oft ſtrikes thoſe, who without fear, may ſtand

Of humane Juſtice, and beyond the reach

Of Mortals: That, therefore, which this may teach

Let all thoſe heed, who, yet much heed it not:

And, let them (by whom this is oft forgot)

Remember ther's an all beholding eie,

Which ev'ry ſecret purpoſe can eſpie;

And, Angels alwaies ready at command.

To execute what no powre can withſtand;

And ſuch, as will for no bribe or reſpect,

The proſecution of their charge neglect.

Let likewiſe, thoſe who moſt oppreſſed are

Be taught hereby, ſtill patiently to bear

The Croſs impos'd for trial of their Faith:

(What ever, their oppreſſor doth or ſaith)

In perſeverance, let them ſtill attend

On GOD with meekneſs, till their Trials end,

And leave all Carnal weapons, to their uſe

Who, muſt be ruined by their abuſe.

I do preſume, among you many are

Who, to this wholeſome Principle adhere,

And, that if into practiſe carried on

It ſhall both ſuperſede the Plague begun

And ev'ry other feared Plague prevent

If timely they their other ſins repent.

For GOD, will winck at many faults in thoſe

Who love, and leave Revenge to his diſpose;

Yea, oftentimes experience we have had

That, worſe it makes things which before were bad,

When through impatience we in our own mode,

Attempt to do, what muſt be done by GOD.

p. 17Or, our ſuffering ſhall prolong (at leſt)

By our ſelf-actings, when we do our beſt.

This Pestilence, which now is brought in hither,

I am aſſur'd, proceeds not altogether

From Cauſes meerly natural, but comes

To execute GOD's juſt deſerved Dooms,

From his immediate hand; and will therefore,

Thoſe Medcines need, which muſt do ſomewhat more

To cure, or ſtay it from proceeding on,

Then can be, by joint Art and Nature done.

If you deſire a Soveraign Antidote

The beſt I know (if you neglect it not)

Is metaphorically call'd Herb-grace,

And will be very uſeful in this caſe;

Some, term it Rue, becauſe twill not begin

To operate, until we Rue our ſin.

Take Rue and Reaſons then, which ſignifie

Repentance and Diſcretion; Theſe apply

As you find cauſe; which, if you do, and Faſt

From things that were offenſive in times paſt,

Keep from thenceforth a conſtant wholeſome diet,

And in your hearts endeavour to be quiet,

My life for yours, GOD will your Souls deliver

From ev'ry hurtful arrow in his quiver.

Nor this, nor any Plague ſhall you anoy,

Although as to the fleſh, it ſhould deſtroy,

For, that can adde to mans loſs or grief

VVhoſe expectation is a better life.

GOD, to this Peſtilence hath joyned War,

And Famine, ſeems not from us to be far;

VVhichWhich, if it now ſhall come will make the trouble

VVe feel already, to be more then double,

Becauſe, our fellow feeling is no more

Of what they ſuffer, whome theſe times make poor▪

p. 18For, ſuch are our deportments, as if neither

S…o…d, Peſtilence and Dearth, put altogether

Were no more, but an Army which did ſtand

Arayed, to be at our own command,

To execute our pleaſures upon thoſe,

(Although our friends) whom we repute our foes.

And therefore, have rejoyced when they ſeiz'd

On them, with whom we highly were diſpleas'd.

When, unto us, ill grounded hopes appear

Whereby, of Mercies we preſuming are;

We are frollick, as if GOD did ſee

Our groſs H…pocriſies, no more then we.

But, let men heed well whether, to acquire

The Sequels which they naturally deſire

Is to inſult when GOD corrects their foes,

Or, cenſure his Intents concerning thoſe

Whom he Afflicts; as if for wrong to them

It rather were, then for offending him:

Or, as if ſins to others onelyonly known,

Were more conſiderable then their own.

There is obſerv'd, much Arragance and folly

In ſome of thy Relations; from which wholly

Thou for the time paſt canſt not cleared be;

Therefore to keep from future ſcandal free,

And alſo, for thy Credits reputation

Take theſe Memento's to conſideration.

Conſider, if it ſober men befits

To ſing with Jollity about the ſtreets

Vain Triumph-Songs, when war is but begun

As when a final Victory is won;

Since tis well known, that many who at firſt

Have thrived beſt, at laſt have thrived worſt;

And, that GOD juſtly ſuffereth ſometime,

(For Cauſes which are onelyonly known to him)

p. 19Thoſe, more then once, before their foes to fall,

Whoſe Cauſe he beſt approveth; and who ſhall

Be conquerors at laſt: and that, where guilt

Is equal, he lets blood be often ſpilt,

And war prolongs or maketh peace twixt them

Who diſagree, as they make peace with him.

Therefore, when you are underneath the Rod,

Remember, you are in the hands of GOD.

When he hath crown'd your hopes with good ſucceſs,

Demean your ſelves with Chriſtian Lowlineſs:

For, when his Mercies much inlarged are.

He doth expect a joyful filial fear:

This, labour to preſerve, leſt elſe, the lack

Thereof, may bring reverſed Judgments back.

Conſider, whether Ships, Arms, men and horſe,

With policy united unto Force,

Can proſper to th' advancement of their end,

Who, upon thoſe things, or themſelves depend:

Who, all their oppoſites as much diſpiſe

As if their Armies were but Gnats and Flies,

Think to ſubdue them with jeers, mocks & taunts,

Puff up each other, with braggs, ſhameleſs vaunts,

And lies deviſed by their fooliſh makers

To keep from fainting Cowardly Partakers,

Whoſe Conſciences accuſing them of guilt,

(Becauſe, their hopefulſt Refuges are built

On Quickſands) they become heart-ſick with fear,

As oft as any evil News they hear;

And, on earth ſlight Report of good ſucceſs,

Inſteed of pious and meek thankfulneſs,

Run to the Taverns (which are much more free

To all, then pious Meeting places be)

There, heathen like, nay rather more uncivil,

Offer up Drink Oblations to the Devil.

p. 20And, to chear up each others drooping Souls

Sing ſongs between their glaſſes and their bowls;

Or intermix Reports of what was won

Or loſt, though that was never ſaid or done.

Such Sacrificers, may find ſome effect

In part, according to what they expect,

But neither for their Faith or Righteouſneſs;

Nor will our hopes, longlaſting be, unleſs

Uſe, of the Common means for our defence,

Be Sanctified by true confidence

In GOD, and we with his known will comply,

Bearing what ere betides us patiently;

Improve each Favour and Deliverance,

To ſomewhat which his Glory may advance;

And whereby, they who are oppreſt and grieved

May ſome way charitably be relieved:

For, it is no beſeeming Thank-Oblation

For Mercies, when a City or a Nation

Shall Solemnize it with but little elſe,

Save Gunſhot, Bonfires▪ Jangling of the Bells,

Or, making others of their Joys partakers,

OnelyOnly, in ſmoke and ſtinck, of Squibs & Crackers;

Or gathering rude throngs of men and boys,

To make about thoſe flames a barbrous noiſe,

Which muſt be fed with fewel forc'd from ſome

Who had none left to make a fire at home;

Then drink healths to each other in the ſtreet

Untill they cannot ſtand upon their feet,

Or elſe looſe their own healths: what thus to do

Can wiſe men think it will amount unto

But meer diſpight of GOD, contempt of grace,

And, throwing (as it were) durt in his face

For, Benefits receiv'd; though they make ſhew

As if they had return'd him all his due,

p. 21When, they but pleaſe themſelves, by doing that

Whereby they ſing their own Magnificat?

What can be deemed a juſt recompence

For ſuch ingratitude, for an offence

So foul, ſo capital, but that inſteed

Of future Bleſſings, Curſes ſhould ſucceed?

London, heed this, and if thou wittingly

Of ſuch Prophaneſs and impiety

Art guilty now, or haſt been heretofore,

Repent it, and henceforth, do ſo no more.

But, herein, ſome will more concerned be

Then thou art, yet, I mention this to thee

With ſome hope, that, they will the leſs contem

What's written here, becauſe, not writ to them.

Much more I have to adde, which I forbear

Leſt, I by adding more then thou canſt bear

With patience, may deſtroy what I deſign

For this whole Nations welfare and for thine,

By ſo diſpleaſing thee, with what I write

That, thou ſlight all whereto, I thee invite:

For, though thy flattrers make thee to believe,

Thou art in better caſe, then I conceive,

Thy beſt friends know, that thine own provocations,

Imprudency in ſome of thy Relations,

(Ev'n of thy Watchmen) who ſhould cures provide

For thy diſtempers, are ſo giddifi'd,

And, that their Eies, their Ears, yea and their brains

(With every faculty which appertains

To thy weal) are obſtructed ſo, by fumings

From their Self-ſeekings, & their, high preſumings,

That thou art, by what theſe inthee have wrought

Into an dangerous Conſumption brought;

For, thy decay of Trade, much hath increaſt

Their Poverty who thereby are diſtreſt:

p. 22Thy hands and feet whoſe labour heretofore

Supplyd thy wants, now, can do little more,

Becauſe, thy ableſt members, by whom theſe

Employd have been, partake of their diſeaſe:

And; ſuch Confuſions daily do begin

To multiply, and farther to break in,

That, I am at a ſtand, what more to ſay

Or, what on thy behalf, I ought to pray.

Yet, one Expedient, I now think upon

Whereby, it may be, ſomewhat will be done

For they availe, if thou ſhalt not omit

(As GOD inables) to endeavour it.

And therefore, let that which I next expreſs

Be read, and minded with due heedfulneſs.

In thee, are at this day, the chief Well-ſprings,

Of all thoſe good, and of thoſe evil things

Which throughout theſe three Nations are diſperſt;

And of the Later, were the Stream reverſt

Or dam'd up at the Fountain; and, the firſt

Set freely open here, it would become

A Rivolet of Waters, flowing from

That River, which through New-Jrruſalem

His Currant hath, ſtill iſſuing out of him

Who, of thoſe Living waters is the head

VVhichWhich through all Nations will at laſt be ſpread.

And London, three times happy, ſhalt thou be

If this Bleſt Fountain may break forth in thee,

To ſweeten ev'ry Ciſtern in theſe Lands,

VVhichWhich now, brimful of ſtincking water ſtands,

And breed all theſe Infections in our Clime,

VVhichWhich are ſo baneful …o us, at this time.

There is a poſſibility of this

If we our parts do, as GOD hath done his;

p. 23Or, but endeavour to co operate.

With him, as he enables us, in that

Which he requires (thereto vouchſaving ſtill

Aſſiſtance to our deeds, and to our will.)

By this Compliance, that New Heaven and earth

VVhichWhich is expected, would ere long come forth;

And Righteouſness, then from thy habitations

As amply flow out, thorow all theſe Nations

As wickedneſs doth now; or heretofore

It did, when ill examples made it more.

This Change, more happineſs would hither bring

Then, when in triumph thou broughtſt in the King,

And of rejoicing, give more cauſe by much,

Then we ſhall have when we do beat the Dutch,

And are from dread of that delivered too,

VVhichWhich ſome ſuſpect the French intend to do;

Yea, and from what, more dangers threats then either

Of thoſe two ſingly, or both joyn'd together:

Ev'n from thoſe, which are poſſible to come

From Factiouſneſs, and Male contents at home,

But this Joy will encreaſe, and all our fears

Abate, when men do more incline their ears

To what's proclaimed by thoſe Trumpeters

VVhom GOD reſerved, to make proclamation

Of that, which moſt concerns this Generation;

And, when the Influences of GOD's graces

By ſupreme perſons, and by powerful places

Shall not obſtructed be, as we have ſeen

Of late, and as they very long have been,

By Antichriſtian wiles; and thoſe through whom

They are more dangerous to us become,

Becauſe their formal piety makes ſhowes

To be for him, whom, chiefly they oppoſe.

p. 24Thou art abuſed by miſinformations,

Not thou alone, but likewiſe theſe three Nations

By thoſe Mintmaſters of untruths and lies,

Who cheat the whole world with fallacies,

Yea, much diſ-ſerviced, diſhonor'd too,

Is he, to whom, they yet pretend to do

Good ſervices; and they by their Deceits,

Have him reduced unto may Streights

Which will deſtroy him, ere he is aware,

Unleſs, GOD ſhall unſnarle him from their ſnare;

And, in what misbefals, thou wilt have ſhare.

To take my counſel, then, think it no ſhame,

(Although, a poorer man then he I am

Who ſav'd a City; for, a Mouſe may gnaw

That ſnare aſunder, which, nor Lions paw

Nor teeth can break. Go, quickly, quickly lay

Your Skarlet Gowns, and your gold chains away;

Faſt, watch and pray; do as King David did;

(When he the peſtolential Angel ſpide)

Of ſomewhat, unto GOD an offring make

Which is thine own; that he a gift may take

Made acceptable, by, and in his ſon,

To ſtay the Plague; which newly is begun.

Shut up your ſelves awhile, and throw aſide

Your factiouſneſs, your malice and your pride;

Luſt, Avarice, and them with ev'ry Sinn

Whereby the wrath of God provok'd hath been.

Fall down before his feet with humbleneſs,

Your miſdeeds, with true penitence confeſs,

Eſpecially, thoſe crying ſins, whereby

You often have inſenſt his Majeſty.

Among which, no crime can offend him more

Then when you ſhall (as Cain did heretofore)

p. 25Deſtroy your bretheren, becauſe, to GOD

They dare not ſacrifice in ſuch a mode,

As they believe he neither doth command

Nor takes, with good acceptance, from their hand.

Your Priviledges, they do not invade

By violence; but, lovingly perſwade

To what they do believe, promoteth beſt

Gods glory, and the Publick Intereſt.

Be thou as charitable unto them;

Leave that to God alone, which unto him

Alone belongs, when he into the Land

Hath caſt his ſeed, permit the Crop to ſtand

Till harveſt; pluck not that away,

Which looks like wheat, though it may prove but Ray

But, weed out that alone, which ev'ry one

Knows hurtful to the Corn, and will be none.

Thus, having way prepar'd to make your peace,

With GOD; in Faith and Love emplore his Grace.

This being done; the next work, which to do

Thou art, as I believe, oblig'd unto,

Is to improve the powre thou haſt in him

Who over all theſe Iſland is ſupream,

And with whom; thou doſt in more favour ſtand

Then any other City of this Land,

Whilſt his eſteem of thee, doth ſeem to laſt

(And ere fit opportunities are paſt)

Unto his Royal Throne make thy Addreſs,

Emplore him, with deliberate advice,

To hear and heed that, without prejudice

Which may in ſeaſon, offred be by them

Who fear God, and both love and honour him,

With an intent to ſerve him faithfully,

Without ſelfends in ev'ry thing whereby

p. 26Their ſervices ſhall really conſiſt

With GOD's, with his, and with their Intereſt,

For whoſe ſake, he originally gave

All thoſe Prerogatives that Princes have.

For, though men ſo unbiaſſed, may dare

To ſpeak ſome Truths which all men cannot bear,

(When cauſe requires) they will with moderation

So heed what tendeth to the preſervation

Of common peace, and of the dignity

Belonging to his royal Majeſty,

(Whom God hath honor'd by reſtoring him

Unto his Predeceſſors Diadem)

That, neither he, nor they, nor I, nor you.

Shall have cauſe, to diſlike what will enſue.

If you believe this, and endeavour ſo

To proſecute it, as you, may yet do,

Who knows, what he, who hath the hearts of Kings

(And the diſpoſing of all other things

VVithin his powre) will do, although this may

Propoſed ſeem, in a diſpiſed way.

Tis an adventer▪ which though partly loſt

VVill bring in ſome return, that's worth the coſt:

And thoſe ſtreights (if well heeded) wherein he

This City, and all theſe three Kindoms be

Adventrers needs, and ſomewhat to be done

VVhereof, no likelihood is yet begun.

For, that which muſt draw order from confuſions,

To our Deſtractions, timely, put concluſions,

And, ſo, divine and civil pow'rs unite

That, neither, may infring each other right,

Effected cannot be, by hauty words,

By Policy, or temporary ſwords,

Nor by that Formal Sanctity with which

The Grand Impoſtors of this world bewitch

p. 27Deluded ſouls (that all things may become

Subjected to their Arbitarry Doome)

But by ſuch Inſtruments and by ſuch waies,

As thoſe, by which Chriſt did begin to raiſe

His Kingdom at the firſt; and by which here

It ſhall continue untill he appear

With that powre, which ſhall batter & beat down,

More Idol Temples then were overthrown.

Since his firſt coming; and, root out all thoſe

Idolatries, which out of them aroſe;

Together with the Thrones of all thoſe Kings,

That are partakers in ſuch worſhippings.

And made drunk with her Cup who rides the Beaſt;

The Subjects of his Kingdom, have oppreſt,

And ſhall oppreſs them without penitence,

For provocations, by that great offence.

More might be ſaid, but, this ſhall now ſuffice;

"GOD make us all unto ſalvation wiſe,

"Preſerve us in his love, ſo knit together

"That we in his love may preſerve each other;

And, that all we can think, or ſay, or do

May now, and in the cloſe, conduce unto

The glorifying of his holy Name

Though to our ſelves, it may occaſion ſhame.

AMEN.