The Prisoners Plea, Petition
The PETITION.
I Humbly beſeech your Honours, as you reſpect the many great and extraordinary Mercies of God lately vouchſafed to the King, to your ſelves, and to thoſe whom you Repreſent: As you ſtand in awe of thoſe Judgements, that are in part removed; as you deſire the total removal of thoſe which yet lie upon us; and the prevention of thoſe that are feared; as alſo, to behold the Face of God with Joy at the laſt Judgement: that, in all your future Conſultations, Debates and Actings, you ſeek the preſervation of a good Conſcience, in preferring the Cauſe and Honour of God, before all Royal, Popular, or Perſonal Intereſts: That, in particular you would be careful his Divine Worſhip, may not be adulterated, or clogged with the Superſtitious Traditions of Men, by your aſſent; and that no Power, Perſon or Perſons, by your neglect or means, be permitted to Uſurp a ſeat in the Conſcience, which is Gods Peculiar Throne upon Earth. That, you will ſo endeavour to Eſtabliſh the Kings Throne in Righteouſneſs, that Juſtice and Mercy, being the Supporters thereof, neither the Juſt Royal Perogative, nor the Lawful Liberties of the People (by whom you are Intruſted) may be infringed, or claſh; But, that, Right may be equally diſpenſed. That, you would be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful, extending Compaſſion (which is the beſt Sacrifice) to other men, according to that Mercy which you would willingly receive, if you were in their ſtead; rather mitigating, then agravating their puniſhment, who have offended through Ignorance, Weakneſs, or Inconſiderateneſs, and not by Deſign or Malice. And, foraſmuch, as the Priviledges you Claim, were not at firſt conferred for your own ſakes, but for the ſakes of the People whom you repreſent, and by whom you were choſen and intruſted; That, you make no farther uſe of thoſe Priviledges for your Perſonal advantages, then may conſiſt with your Truſt; which is to be kept inviolable without reſpect of Perſons, Fear, Favour, or Reward. Theſe Petitions being by you approved and granted, ſo far forth as it may be in your Power, I ſhall have ſo large a ſhare in them, that it will be needleſs for me, to Petition ought a part by my Self; and I ſhall be fully contented with what God pleaſeth to allow; Praiſe him, and Pray for you unfeignedly, as in Duty I am bound; who, by vouchſafing theſe requeſts, ſhall have a Joyful welcome home, by all your Counties, Cities, and Burroughs, when you are adjourned, prorogued, or diſſolved; And your Honour, ſhall be ſo tranſcendant, that no Tongue, Pen, Lybeller or Lybel, ſhall have Power to caſt a blemiſh the reupon.
Jam que Opus Exegi.
My Life, and work (for ought, that yet I know)
Is either quite, or almoſt ended now;
And my Quietus eſt, within a Grave
Is, that, which beſt would pleaſe me, now to have:
For, by their ſtruggling, many years together,
My Fleſh and Spirit, have nigh tir'd each other.
Lord, let the ſhort-ſnuff, of my Life unſpent
Burn out, with clear flames, and a pleaſing ſcent.
Newgate, January the 27th. 1661. Geo. Wither.
THE END.
End of the text · George Wither, The Prisoners Plea (1661)