A Proclamation in the Name of the King of Kings, Part 2

A Proclamation in the Name of the King of Kings · Part 2

p. 27Here is added, A Second Courſe of thoſe Fragments of that Beggars Feaſt, which was dayly made him by a good Conſcience, whilſt he was Priſoner in Newgate, and which were omitted at the Imprinting of the Book, called, Scraps and Crums: With ſome few Collected ſince the ſaid Impreſſion.

I.

To thoſe Friends, unto whom this Author hath been ſcandalouſly miſ-repreſented in private, by ſome falſe Brethren and others.

THough hereof I have juſt occaſion had,

I do not meerly for mine own ſake add

This Crum; but likewiſe here, for your avail

Inſert it, leſt my Sland'rers may prevail,

(By bringing me into your diſreſpect)

To make my Cautions take the leſs effect.

Give therefore heed to what I now expreſs,

And let GOD move belief as he ſhall pleaſe.

As David ſaid, The wrongs of open foes

I could have born, but near my heart it goes,

When I am groſly injured by them,

Who did my loving Friends and Brethren ſeem,

And cannot chuſe (although I do ſuſtain

Ev'n that with patience) but thereof complain,

In hope, it may occaſion give to ſome

Who fail'd in that kind, henceforth to become

So ſenſible of what was heretofore

Miſ-done, that they will ſo offend no more:

p. 28For, unto them, this is the worſt deſign

Which I intend by this Complaint of mine.

Two ſorts of men there are, with both of which

I've had to do; and (though not very much)

More than enough it ſeems. One ſort of theſe,

Thoſe Perſons are, by whoſe maliciouſneſs,

Moſt, who are conſcientious men reputed,

Are for that cauſe traduc'd and perſecuted;

And (when they thereunto ſhall be inclin'd)

A ſtaff to beat a dog, who may not find?

'Tis care to ſcape the venom of their tongue,

So impudent they are in doing wrong,

And brutiſh in their Cenſures: yet but few,

Except ſome like themſelves, believe that true

Which they report; and they themſelves do know,

That they aſperſe me with what is not ſo.

Of ſuch men therefore, here complain I not;

Becauſe, by theſe, I have not often got

A diſadvantage, which would equal'd be

With what might happen by their praiſing me.

The poyſnings of the other, more infect,

Becauſe, receiv'd they are without ſuſpect,

And, vented with a counterfeited ſhew

Of better ends than thoſe which they purſue.

Some of theſe being partners with thoſe ſinners,

Who were of our late Troubles firſt beginners,

Did, with a mask of Piety and Zeal

To GOD, the King, and to the Commonweal,

Drive on their own deſigns; And (having made

Of ſeeming Godlineſs, a gainful Trade)

Their opportunities now being gone,

Of preying upon thoſe they prey'd upon,

Would make a prey of them, whom they pretended

In times preceding, much to have befriended.

p. 29So feeds the Pickrel, when, he cannot find

A Roach or Dace, on fiſh of his own kind.

And, ſome of theſe, becauſe I will not be

Inſlav'd to that, from which I ſhould be free,

Have (thereto mov'd by Avarice and Pride)

Without juſt cauſe, me lately vilifi'd

To ſome of my beſt Friends ev'n unto them

Whoſe Charity ſupports me at this time:

And, ſhould it be believed, might much more

Undo me, than all they who heretofore

Have been my open Foes. Moreover, ſome,

That I might wholly ſuccourleſs become,

Are pleaſ'd to ſay, I am not ſo bereft

Of my Eſtate, but that enough is left

For my ſupport. Wherein, if they ſpeak right,

They render me ſo groſs an Hypocrite,

That I deſerve no Friend; And if I am

By them beli'd, then much are they to blame,

VVho have, as far as in them lies, to ſtarving

Expoſed me and mine, without deſerving.

But, this I fear not: for, if that ſupply

Shall fail, which I have had by Charity,

He, who by other hands, hath Mercy ſhown,

VVill from henceforth relieve me by his own:

And, theſe are thus confuted, without feigning,

If they know ought of mine, that's yet remaining

VVithin my power; Or, but ſo much as may

(If ever it be mine) my Debts repay,

Save what's yet wholly loſt, I give it all

To him, who thereof make diſcov'ry ſhall;

And hereby, both confirm this Gift for ever;

And urge him that Diſcov'ry to endeavour

VVho raiſed that Report; ſo he thereby

Shall have ſome profit, if it be no lye.

p. 30I do perceive, to have me quite deſtroy'd

The Devil many Agents hath imploy'd

In ſev'ral modes; which that prevent I may,

Nought more or better have I now to ſay,

Or do, which will avail me, but to fly

To my Protector, to your Charity

VVho know me, and unto that Evidence

VVhichWhich I have given of my Innocence

To you who know me not; in hope you'l do

As in like caſe you would be done unto:

And that when their malevolence hath wrought

Till it ſhall purge its own corruption out,

It will abate, and ſome effects produce,

VVhichWhich both to them and me may be of uſe.

If me you judge, as you would judged be,

No more needs to be ſaid thereof by me;

Eſpecially to him who truly knows,

VVho giveth deeper wounds, than open foes.

This Caſe of mine concerneth now and then,

Not me alone; but other honeſt men.

Such like falſe brethren, in all Ages were

Among the Saints, and ſuch-like ſtill there are.

Therefore theſe Lines at this time were beſtown,

As juſtly for their ſakes, as for mine own,

Since, of what here I for my ſelf do plead,

Some other, thus abuſ'd, may ſtand in need.

II.

A cauſual Meditation on Eaith, Hope, Fear And Love.

TO keep me watchful, whilſt my Foes

My perſon here ſhall faſt incloſe,

By Meditations I aſſay

To keep the dread of them away;

p. 31And whilſt my Contemplation flew

At various Objects, in her view,

(Among ſuch Muſings as were brought

Into my mind) this came to thought.

Faith, Hope, and Fear, and Love are that,

VVhichWhich renders ev'ry mans Eſtate

To be exceeding good or bad,

Extreamly pleaſureful or ſad,

According as that Object proves,

VVhichWhich he believes, fears, hopes, or loves.

Make GOD the bottom and the top

Of thy Fear, Love, Belief and Hope,

And thou art then ſafe, whatſoere

Thou doſt believe, hope, love, or fear:

But, if the World their Object be,

Or, any other thing but He,

Thou art deſtroy'd: For, by theſe four,

Miſplac'd, thou giveſt them a pow'r

To ruine thee, who elſe had none

VVhereby a miſchief might be done.

If on the World thy hopes depend,

Deſpair will be their latter end;

VVhen her fair-ſpeakings are believ'd,

Thou wilt be certainly deceiv'd;

If her thou love, ſhe will for that

Requite thee with deſpiteful hate;

And, if thou fear her, ſhe'l endeavour

To make thee ſlave to fears for ever.

This by experience I found true,

And thereof thus forewarn I you.

Affect no Pleaſure; for 'tis vain,

And terminates at laſt in pain.

Fear not, when thou ſhalt be oppreſt

In doing well; for, ſuch are bleſt.

p. 32Truſt not in Wealth; for, it hath wings,

And flies away like other things:

Nor Honour; for, it often ſpends

Its ſtock, and in diſhonour ends.

Rely not upon Prodigies;

For, they are partly Truths and Lyes;

And, Signs and Wonders can afford

No ſuch aſſurance as GOD's Word.

Place not your truſt in Kings; for, when

They ſpeak like Gods, they act like men.

No, nor your beſt Works truſt you in,

For all mans Righteouſneſs is ſin.

Your Faith, Fear, Hope, and Love on none

Ground therefore, but on GOD alone;

And, when thus, you hare learn'd to do,

Perſwade all other men thereto;

Not terminating Meditations,

In meer unactive ſpeculations;

For, they but like thoſe flaſhes are,

VVhichWhich we miſ-call a ſhooting-Star.

Here, whilſt my Fleſh is in reſtraint,

Leſt elſe my Soul grow dull and faint,

Her, with ſuch thoughts I entertain,

And find them not to be in vain;

Though more I needed, I confeſs,

Theſe Muſings, when I ſuffered leſs.

I might be ſafely rich agen,

Could I be ſtill imployed then

As I am now. But, who is able,

To thread a Needle with a Cable?

They, who in Winter keep at home,

In Summer-time abroad will come;

And, though a Priſon ſeems a curſe,

Our Liberty oft makes us worſe.

p. 33We pray, when Winds and Seas do roar;

When calm, do as we did before,

Ev'n GOD's choice Worthies, when releaſt

From Suffrings, fouly have tranſgreſt;

If in this, or ſome other kind,

They were not often diſciplin'd.

He, that with troubles hem'd about,

The Battels of the LORD had fought

Unfoil'd; aſſoon as he had eaſe,

(Neglecting ſuch like means as theſe)

Did groſly fall; and ſo ſhall we,

When idle and ſecure we be.

Had he been muſing on GOD's Law

When in her Bath, he naked ſaw

Vriahs Wife; or, at that time

Compoſing of a Pſalm or Hymn,

It had ſecur'd him from that ſin,

Which let a luſtful Devil in.

LORD! that I be not ſo ſurpriz'd,

(Though theſe my Muſings are deſpiſ'd)

Preſerve me, (whether weal or wo

Befalls me) ſtill imployed ſo;

Or, in what elſe thou pleaſe, that's tending

To keep me alwayes from offending:

And to thy Glory, and to my Salvation,

Vouchſafe to ſanctifie this Meditation,

III.

To thoſe who enquire, why this Author is now impriſoned in Newgate?

INto this Jayl, you ask me, why I'm thrown?

But to my ſelf that is not fully known;

Unleſs it may be charged as a Crime,

For putting Truth and Reaſon into Rime;

p. 34Or, giving unto ſome, for doing wrong,

Such Epithites as unto them belong;

Which is by very few thought criminal,

And, by moſt men, to be no fault at all.

Yet, ſince you are my Friends, I bold will make

To give you Counſel, which I could not take:

Touch not a gald Jades back, although it be

To cure him, if you will be rul'd by me;

And if your Conſcience force you not thereto,

No notice take, when other men miſdo.

For, they, who moſt ungodly courſes run,

(And boaſt of what they wickedly have done)

So rage at him, who dares to reprehend

Their Actions, howſoever they offend,

That oft-times by their pow'r they bring on him,

Thoſe Penalties which were deſerv'd by them,

A Whore profeſt, though ſhe would have men know

She is a Whore, will not be called ſo.

(Yea, though ſhe could not live, were it not known

She lived by abuſing of her own)

But, be ſo wroth with him, who ſo ſhall ſay,

That ſhe will ſcratch his eyes out, if ſhe may:

At leaſt, if ſhe can do no more, will rayl;

Or, had ſhe pow'r, commit him to the Jayl,

And for a Sland'rer proſecute him there,

As juſtly, as they do, who keep me here.

IV.

A Hymn of Thankſgiving, for deliverance from a dangerous and ſharp Sickneſs, during his Imprisonment.

LORD! they who thy Affection meaſure

By what thou giveſt into their poſſeſſings,

Of Riches, Honours, or of Pleaſure,

Or, of ſuch other temporary Bleſſings,

p. 35And mark how here thou deal'ſt with me,

May think I am deſpiſ'd of thee;

For, when I ſeem'd oppreſt before

With loſſe of Liberty and Wealth,

So that I could well bear no more,

Thou thereto addedſt loſs of health,

Imbitter'd and made ſharp, with as much pain

As Fleſh and Blood were able to ſuſtain.

2.

Yet neither was thy Love impaired,

Whilſt in that manner I afflicted was,

Nor doubted I, nor ought deſpaired

Of thy continuing and aſſiſting Grace;

But, as the violence and length

Of pain deprived me of ſtrength,

My Spirit thereby ſtronger grew;

Yea, ſo thou didſt my Faith encreaſe;

(So Fortitude and hope renew)

That Suffrings were not pleaſureleſs;

Becauſe I knew I underwent thy Rod,

Who art as Well my Father, as my GOD:

3.

I know thee not alone by hearing,

But, alſo by thy being in my heart,

And, by thy thereunto declaring,

How juſt, wiſe, good, and merciful thou art:

Thou tak'ſt no pleasure in our pain,

Nor doſt, nor ever didſt couſtrain

The ſoul of any to a path,

Which leads him from a happy conrſe;

To Sin, Shame, Sorrow, or to Death,

Or, renders his condition worſe.

For, that thou more delighted art to ſave,

Than to deſtroy, I good aſſurance have.

p. 364.

For ever, let thy Name be bleſſed;

For, when my patience did begin to fail,

And pain, a cold-ſweat forth had preſſed,

As if in me, fire had been mixt with hail;

Thou in my firſt Fit, eaſedſt me

By means leſt means deſpiſ'd might be:

And when I was ſhut up alone,

Of all external helps depriv'd,

(Where means of Cure or Eaſe was none)

Then, by thy Self I was reliev'd;

That I might alwayes confident be made

Of thy help, when no other can be had.

5.

When ſo extreamly I was pained,

That I could hardly for one minutes ſpace,

Endure the torment I ſuſtained,

In any poſture, or in any place,

Thou hug'dſt me faſt aſleep; and then

Gav'ſt Eaſe, I know not how, nor when;

Which ſo amazed me, when I awak't,

That, I at firſt, could hardly tell

Whether, I for a Dream might tak't,

Or, whether I were ſick or well;

For, in the fire I thought aſſoon I might

Have ſlept (erewhile) as in my bed that night,

6.

Therefore, to thee, for this Compaſſion

I do now conſecrate a Hymn of Praiſe:

Be pleaſ'd, O GOD of my Salvation,

To be thus my Phyſician all my dayes.

Let this preſerve me from the fear

Of what I may yet ſuffer here:

And when this Mercy ſhall be known,

Thereby aſſur'd let others be

p. 37That ſuch Compaſſion ſhall be ſhown

To them, as was vouchſaf'd to me,

If in thy Truth and Fear they ſhall abide,

And, without wavering, in thee conſide.

V.

To them who ſay, or ſuppoſe, that a vain deſire of Fame, was this Authors principal motive, to the Compoſure of what he hath written and published.

I Hear, ſome think (and, for their ſakes am ſorry

They think ſo) that Ambition of vain glory,

Is that, which principally moves my Pen

To dare more than the Quills of wiſer men;

And, that an irch for popular Applauſe

Was of my bold Reproofs the chiefeſt cauſe.

If this be true, I am as mad as they

Who think ſo, and take the neareſt way

To my deſtruction, for a windy puff,

Which in a moment will be quite blown off,

And leave me comfortleſs, in that condition

Which threatens inavoidable perdition.

But, theſe will find their error, when they know

By tryal, from what Root my Actings flow;

And that I had in what I have expreſt,

A nobler Aim, than meer ſelf-Intereſt,

Or any outward ends, although in them,

My own well-being I ſhall not contemn.

I am not ignorant that whatſoever

I actively or paſſively endeavour,

To honour GOD, or for my Countries good,

May, to my dammage, be miſunderſtood;

Nor that moſt men, miſ-cenſure what I've writ

To be Compoſures without fear or wit

p. 38And that, if I ſhould be thereby undone,

(Which likely ſeems) I may be thought upon

With very ſmall regard, alive or dead;

Or any way at all be mentioned,

Except by ſome few, who perhaps will ſay,

I fool'd my Liberty and Life away.

But ſhould I minded be, when I ſhall have

My portion among other in the Grave,

What greater ſhare ſhall I have in that Fame,

Which after Death might memorize my Name,

Than they, who in Oblivion lie forgot,

Where Pen nor Tongue their Actions mention not?

In my time, ſixteen perſons I have known

Who did my Chriſtian and my Surname own,

And one **Captain George Wither, a man valiant and witty, and one of the ſixteen here mentioned, was hewed to death at Kingſton upon Hull by his own Solidiers in their fury, becauſe he had killed one of their fellows in the like fury.of them oft guilty prov'd to be

Of Crimes, imputed falſly unto me,

By thoſe who knew us not; and he, whilſt here

He lived, had in my repute a ſhare:

But, after few years, none will know, among

All theſe, to which of us, thoſe things belong

Which we have acted. Nay, though ten times more

I had deſerv'd (than any heretofore,

Made memorable by a glorious Fame)

A feigned perſon, who no real Name

Or Being ever had, ſave what, perchance,

Was thereunto aſcrib'd in ſome Romance,

May ſeem to be more honour'd by that fiction,

Than any who attain'd the high'ſt perfection

p. 39In Piety or Morals: For, I've ſeen

Some Readers, with ſuch Legends to have been

So far tranſported, that it them could move

More ſighs and tears, compaſſion, honour, love,

Eſteem and admiration, to confer

On thoſe Idea's, than beſtowed are

On real Suff'rers, who, did undertake

To do and ſuffer freely for their ſake.

And what a trivial prize or purchaſe then

Is an eſteem, or vain applauſe of men?

My Actings have expoſ'd me, during life,

To hazards, loſſes, much reproach and Grief;

And, what ſhall I the better be, or worſe,

When I am dead, whether men bleſs or curſe

Speak well or ill, that I ſhould quite deſtroy,

For ſuch toyes, what in life I might enjoy?

By being ſilent, I preſerv'd from blame

Might be, and more eſteem'd than now I am

If I could for advantage ſwear and lie,

And flatter Fools and Knaves in Elegy:

Sure, he who ſhall obſerve, as I have done,

What ſcorns, and what deſpights I've undergone;

What I have felt, and what I do fore-ſee

Will probably on Earth my Wages be,

Yet thinks I run theſe hazards for vain Fame,

Muſt like wiſe, either think, that mad I am,

Or, that I've only learned in the School

Of long Experience, to be more than Fool.

But, though moſt are deceiv'd in their Deſign,

And in their thoughts, I am not ſo in mine.

I know my Work; I likewiſe know that End

Whereto it doth, or at leaſt, ought to tend:

And, therefore hope, that till my lifes concluſion,

I ſhall be kept from ſuch a groſs deluſion.

p. 40He, that for GOD's Cauſe, or for his Elects,

Pretends to do, or ſuffer; yet, expects

More honour, or ought elſe, than his juſt ſhare

With them, who of the ſame Communion are;

Expects more than his due; Exceeds the bound

Of that ſelf-love which in true Saints is found,

And, what he acts, or ſuffers, no Reward

Can merit; for, he forfeits his Reward.

All, that he ſhall endeavour, on that ſcore,

When Rich he thinks to be, will make him Poor;

And, by what he expected to be fam'd,

He ſhall become contemptible and ſham'd.

GOD's Mind, I therefore ſtudy to fulfill,

Seeking no Pay, but what, and when he will:

And, knowing that's my Aim, much care I not

What, in this world, he gives to be my Lot.

I no more value Praiſes than Reproach;

And, whether in a Carr, or in a Coach,

I ride to my laſt home, I little care,

So with a quiet Conſcience I come there.

If well in life I uſe them, 'tis no matter,

How far aſunder men my Limbs do ſcatter,

Or in what Publick place they ſet my Head,

To terrifie ſome fools, when I am dead:

For, ev'ry part of me will meet together,

When GOD ſhall pleaſed be to call me thither,

Where CHRIST now ſits inthron'd; and whither he

Aſcended to prepare a place for me.

I prize nor Life, nor Death, but, as thereby,

I, more or leſs, GOD's Name may glorifie.

And, whilſt my own heart knows this to be ſo,

I care not, whether 'tis believ'd or no

By any man, uleſs, that, to infuſe

The like mind into him, it may conduce.

p. 41If, I have acted for a worthleſs prize,

Learn by my fooliſhneſs to be more wiſe,

If I have aim'd to ſuffer, or to do

For ſuch ends as I ſhould; do ye ſo too.

Becauſe then, what you heretofore of me

Miſdeem'd, will thenceforth your advantage be;

And, no more harm to me, than that man found,

Who had an Vlcer cured by a Wound.

VI.

A Meditation, occaſioned by conſidering the manifold Temptations to diſtruſt in GOD, whereby his beſt Servants are otherwhile proved and exerciſed.

THe beſt of men, ſome failings have; and I,

Not only many, through Infirmity;

But, flowing alſo from thoſe Negligences,

Which very much have heightned my offences;

Becauſe I know, what pow'r to me he gave,

To do thoſe things which I neglected have:

Eſpecially, when my Diſtruſtfulneſs

Hath made me doubtful of GOD's Promiſes.

Who, to aſſure them, hath vouchſafed both

A written Word, and ſeal'd it with an Oath;

And, alſo new experiments, which may

Aſcertain it, vouchſafeth ev'ry day.

David, the moſt couragious Combatant

Againſt ſuch-like Temptations, did oft want

That Confidence, which was by him profeſt,

And, thereby hazarded his Intereſt

In GOD's free Promiſes. By Saul, ſaid he,

One time or other I deſtroy'd ſhall be;

And, what was promiſed, had ſo outright

Forgotten, in his carnal pannick fright,

p. 42That to GOD's Foes he for protection ran,

The part there acting of a frantick man,

And of a drivling fool; yea, worſe than ſo,

Diſſembled then, yet ſcap'd with much ado.

That Courſe, whereby he thought to be aſſur'd

Of ſafety, an indangerment procur'd

Beyond all former hazards; for, he loſt

Not only Goods, Wives, and all hope almoſt

Of Reſcue, but was alſo like to loſe

His Life, and to be ſton'd by ſome of thoſe

(In their diſtemper) who inrag'd became,

To ſee their Habitations in a flame,

Their dear'ſt Relations captiv'd, and to thoſe

Inſlav'd, who were their old malignant Foes.

In which ſtrait, if GOD had not him befriended,

Whom he diſtruſted, there, his Life had ended.

There is our Caſe; for, though that many times,

Our Fears, our Foes, our Troubles, and our Crimes

We have, beyond hope, been deliver'd from,

And promiſed in ev'ry time to come,

That like deliverance; yet, when ought fails

Which we expected, or a Foe prevails,

(For our probation) we are hurried ſtreight

Into a cauſleſs, and a fooliſh fright:

GOD's promiſed Aſſiſtance we decline,

Catch hold of any politick Deſign,

Run this, and that way, to the World, the Devil

For help and Counſel, or act any evil

In ſuch a giddy fit, though we have ſeen,

And often felt, what thoſe effects have been

Which will enſue. Nay, if long time we bear

A preſent ſuffring, and new troubles fear,

Our Faith is at a ſtand, and we begin

Immediately to let Despairings in;

p. 43Make Principle of Faith, give way to Reaſon,

And ſeem Phanatick Whimſies, out of ſeaſon,

Or airy Refuges, beſeeming none

In ſtraits, but meer Fools, to depend upon.

Though in the Saints of old to fall off thus,

It was a Crime; 'tis greater ſin in us,

By ſo much, as the ſinning againſt Grace

Doth our tranſgreſſions of the Law ſurpaſs:

And, neither Theft, Adultery, or Murder,

From GOD and Penitence will draw us further,

If we avoid it not: For, to be made

More cautelous, we have not only had

Examples of old times, and ſeen ſince then,

What hath befallen many thouſand men

In ſuch defections, but, we likewiſe are

Experienc'd in our own particular

Eſtates and perſons, what will them betide,

Who in the dayes of Tryal ſtart aſide,

And, by the Gospel are enlightned more,

Than other Generations heretofore.

This, makes me, in my preſent troubles, wave

Thoſe wayes, whereto I ſome Temptations have,

My perſon to redeem; and to prevent

The future miſchiefs, that ſeem eminent,

This makes me ſcorn, to creep, or fawn, or ſneak,

Or, (whatſoere I threatned hear) to ſpeak

To an unworthy perſon, though I could

Prevail, perhaps, upon him, if I would:

For, were my Poverty ten times as much,

The King of Sodom ſhall not make me rich;

Nor, were I ſick to death, would I implore

Thoſe falſe Gods, which moſt men do now adore

For health or life, though I thought they could give

That, which I moſt deſired to receive.

p. 44This, among other Notions of this kind,

(Which needful are to fortifie my mind

Amid my Suffrings) makes me muſe on theſe

Our common failings, that, if GOD ſo pleaſe,

They may be by his Grace, with my endeavour,

A means to keep me firm to him for ever;

And, by declaring what Experiment

Hath taught to me, make others confident

In ſuffrings for his Cauſe: and, not afraid

What is, or what can here on them be laid:

For, as where many Cowards are together,

They ſtill beget more terrours in each other;

So men of Courage, more couragious grow,

When, to each other, they example ſhow

Of Chriſtian Fortitude: To which good end,

Theſe fruits of my ſpare howers I intend.

VII.

Another Scrap, to them, who carp at this Author's frequent writing.

VVHy ſhould you be diſpleaſ'd, and have a loathing,

Of that which may do good, and coſt you nothing?

Or, which you may paſs by, without offence,

Or, giving you occaſion of expence,

Unleſs you pleaſe? For, that which I compoſe,

On no man, I againſt his will, impoſe.

GOD is our Shield, our Fortreſs, and that Friend

On whom alone we alway ſhould depend;

Yet, he expects an Activeneſs in thoſe,

On whom a Chriſtan Armour he beſtows;

And, that we put it on, when there's occaſion

Of War defenſive, or, of an Invaſion;

As alſo, that, we alwayes keep it clean,

And our ſelves ready, by good diſcipline:

p. 45For, of their Talents they will be bereav'd,

Who make not uſe of what they have receiv'd:

Yea, they will be ſurpriz'd, who, times and places

Neglect, wherein to exerciſe their Graces,

When means is offred; ſince it will make room

And entrance for Temptations when they come,

If we are negligent in doing that,

Which to our Perſeverance doth relate.

The Roman Legions, which reſided here,

(When no foes to oppoſe them did appear)

Beſtow'd their ſpare hours with much diligence,

In making Preparations for defence

In times of need; New Fortreſſes did raiſe,

Built Bridges, Cauſeys, and made eaſie wayes

For future Marches, whereby, to and fro

In ſafety, they, and other men might go.

And, we muſt do the like, if we would be

From future dangers and ſurprizals free;

To which end, things that ſeem of little uſe

At preſent, may hereafter much conduce.

Our Patience will wear out, our Courage ſlack;

Our Spirits faint, and cauſe us to draw back

From needful Suffrings, unleſs in ſome meaſure

VVe daily ſhall improve ſpare time and leaſure,

To fortifie our hearts by meditation,

VVhichWhich is the nouriſhment and preſervation

Of Hope and Faith. This, when my Friends are gon,

(VVhoſe Conſolations I do feaſt upon

VVhilſt they are preſent) if I thoſe can void,

VVith whoſe Impertinences I am cloyd,

Moves me to gather up, that, into words,

VVhichWhich their and my Experiment affords:

Leſt that be loſt, which elſe might ſerve in ſtead

Of Cordials at a ſudden time of need.

p. 46This, moves me, when my Foes threat and revile,

To muſter thus (as 'twere in rank and file)

My ſcatter'd thoughts; and then to march up cloſe

Ev'n to the Vanguard of my furiouſt Foes:

For, when we look grim Terrors in the face

Without diſmay, it makes them to give place.

And, though the Champions of the world do laugh

To ſee my weapons, but a Sling, a Staff,

And Peble-ſtones o they will prevail, when they

Shall either periſh, or elſe run away.

This moves me (when alone) leſt elſe the Devil,

Or my own Fleſh may tempt me to ſome evil,

(VVhen they ſhall idling find me) to retire

Into my ſelf, and ſearch what vain deſire,

VVhat hope, or fear, or doubtings there do lurk,

VVhichWhich either may advance, or counterwork

Thoſe Principles of Grace, which by good uſe

And practice, I to habits may reduce.

This, that thoſe Notions▪ may not fly away,

VVhichWhich I find helpful, makes me oft imploy

My leaſure times, in what, it ſeems, hath ſo

Increaſt my Scriblings, that they nauceous grow

To many Readers; and, perhaps to ſome,

VVho might by them advantaged become.

But I am pleaſ'd; for, that, my taſt delights,

Which is diſguſtfull to their Appetites;

And what at this time they diſreliſh, may

Yeeld profit with delight, another day.

VIII.

An Eccho from the Thunders, in the celeſtial Temple, reverberating, in part, the effect of what was uttered by their Voices.

SIx Trumpets have been ſounded forth,

Six Vials poured on the Earth,

p. 47Six Thunders have their Voices ſpent;

Yet, they blaſpheme, who ſhould repent,

And night and day a direfull cry,

Still beating on my ears have I,

Of men oppreſt between their paws,

Whoſe God is Gain, whoſe Luſts are Laws;

And, dreadful ſounds of Vengeance too

Are eccho'd whereſoev'r I go.

Though men are deaf, yet ſpeak I muſt:

Hear therefore, lifeleſs forms of duſt,

And ſenſleſs things, that ye may bear

Your Witneſs to what I declare:

For, what hereafter ſhall enſue

Will make deep ſtamps on ſome of you.

Wo, wo, ere long to C. C. C.

To P. P. P. P. P. and P.

Like Wo to S. to M. and L.

For, they have made this Earth a Hell,

Wherein, unleſs Chriſt quickly comes,

Few Good men ſhall have reſting rooms;

And little Faithfulneſs will here

Be found, when he ſhall next appear.

But Time hath almoſt wheel'd that round,

Wherein the ſeventh Trump will ſound.

And then ſhall Righteouſneſs alone,

With Pow'r and Glory fill the Throne,

That JESUS, who (when by his Birth

He was firſt viſible on Earth)

Much troubled Herod, and with him

The City of Jeruſalem;

And is that Univerſal Prince,

Of whom all Tyrants ever ſince

Have been afraid, will come ere long,

To ſet that right, which now is wrong,

p. 48And put an end to their Oppreſſion,

VVho charge his Subjects with Sedition:

For, though ſome ſlighted them when they were ſeen,

His Harbengers have here already been.

IX.

A brief Reproof of them, who take pleaſure in Scandalous Invectives, whereby others are perſonally defamed.

THere is a mangie Humour and an Itch,

(At this day very troubleſome) with which

Moſt men are ſo infected, that unleſs

We find a ſpeedy cute, 'twill ſo increaſe,

And leave ſo few from this Contagion free,

That we ſhall all appear meer Scabs to be.

Now, there is nothing more delights the ear,

Than when it ſhall thoſe vilified hear,

Whom they affect not, whether they are blam'd

Without juſt cauſe, or worthily defam'd;

Eſpecially, if thoſe in ought diſſent

From their Opinions, (Although eminent

For many Virtues, and with them agree

In all things, which with Truth eſſential be)

And, ſince our Diffrences did us divide,

Few men there are of note on either ſide,

Of good or ill deſert; but (right or wrong)

They ſo aſperſed are by Pen or Tongue;

And Truth, if ſpoke, ſo blended is with lyes,

With fraud, or elſe with Ambiguities,

That, if what is in Pamphlets publiſhed,

Should be hereafter by our Children read,

They'l think this Age (if they do credit it)

Had neither Honour, Honeſty, nor Wit;

So ſcurrilous, and ſo malevolent

Are their Invectives, and ſo impudent.

p. 49There are of Truths and Falſhoods put together,

Such medlies made, without reſpect to either,

And miſappli'd in ſuch a barbrous wiſe,

Mens Perſons or their Cauſe to ſcandalize,

That, whether they did wickedly, or well,

They, in their outward Fames are parallel;

And, frequently, by ſeeming to intend

That, which may their Antagoniſt befriend,

A Foe diſguiz'd, deſtruction doth deviſe

For them, whom he pretends to patronize:

Shews make of Peace, where they bear no Goodwill,

And, thoſe to ſave, whom they intend to kill.

This Bitterneſs and Falſhood multiplies

Thoſe Diſcords and thoſe Animoſities,

Which have thus far undone us, and this courſe

Will make that which is bad, grow daily worſe,

Until it ſhall exaſperate this Nation

Beyond all means of Reconciliation;

For, till there ſhall as much reſpect be ſhown

To other mens Good-names, as to our own,

And, we are pleaſ'd to hear good ſpoke of thoſe

Who well deſerve, although they are our Foes,

We never ſhall be Friends; nor friendſhip merit

From any, till we qualifie this ſpirit.

'Tis gentle ſpeaking that appeaſeth Wrath;

A bitter language, no ſuch virtue hath.

Yet, let none think, this means to uſher-in

A Reprehenſion of reproving Sin,

Or, that, it well beſeems not any man

To render Vice as odious as he can:

For, no debaſement can make Wickedneſs

More ugly, than eſſentially it is.

Though juſt Reproofs have not allowed been,

Where perſons are more aim'd at, than their ſin.

p. 50Their Practice, Juſtice doth to none allow,

Who at their Neighbours, from an unſeen Bow,

Shoot poyſned Arrows; and, Bandetti-like,

The Paſſengers from ſuch a Covert ſtrike,

That none can truly know how they are nam'd,

Or where thoſe dwell, by whom they are defam'd.

In taxing Vices, let nor Tongue nor Pen

Act ſparingly; but ſpare alone the men,

(As much as poſſible) unleſs they ſhall

Ingage themſelves, by quarrels perſonal

Againſt the Truth; Then ſpare them only ſo,

That thereby Truth may not receive a blow.

A cauſleſs Scandal, nor a Lie admit,

Though thereby Truth may ſome advantage get;

For, ſhe or they, will honour loſe thereby,

Who think to do her ſervice by a Lie.

Some Good-men (not a little to their ſhame)

I fear are this way otherwhile to blame,

As much as they whoſe refuge it in Lyes,

(And care not by what means they gain their Prize)

For, when that an Impoſtor doth expreſs

What ſome-way ſuiteth with what they profeſs;

Oft-times by that Wile, guilded Pills are ſwallow'd

As wholſom, which are poyſned and unhallow'd,

And, them deprive, who are deluded ſo,

Of outward peace, and Peace of Conscience too.

Take therfore heed of thoſe, who by their mingling

Truths with apparant Falſhoods, and by gingling

Some Silver among Counters, may by ſhows

Of their befriending that, which they oppoſe,

Obtrude upon you ſomewhat that is evil,

Relating unto things Divine or Civil;

At leaſt, to make you hearken with content,

To what brings undeſerv'd Disparagement

p. 51On other men: For, all things baneful prove,

Wherein there's want of Prudence, Faith, or Love,

X.

A Diſclaim, by way of Advertiſement, of a Paper, falſly imputed to this Author.

THere are Verſes printed on one ſide of ſheet, Intituled, The Wheel of Time turning round to the Good Old Cauſe; which many, who know not me, nor my Principles, nor my Writings from other mens, have aſcribed unto me, who do abhor publiſhing any thing without my Name, which may be ſcandalous; eſpecially to individual perſons, either by name, or by marking them out in ſuch manner, that the Vices I reprove can be juſtly appropriated to them, and to no other: Neither did I ever purpoſly compoſe ought which might endanger the publick Peace, or hazard the quiet of private perſons, whereof that Paper is ſuſpected. And indeed, I conceived it at the firſt view, to have been the compoſure of a malicious perſon, who thereby intended to make thoſe in Authority jealous of ſome Innovation intended by ſober and conſcientious men, who I hope will make patient ſuffering their Refuge, in all their Probations. Therefore, as ſoon as I had peruſed it, I wrote theſe following Verſes on the backſide thereof, and gave it unto a Friend, to communicate thereby my ſenſe thereof, to others, if he pleaſed.

He, that divulgeth ought without a Name,

Which individual perſons doth defame,

Although the Truth he writes, deſerveth blame:

Yea, he, that without ſoberneſs and reaſon,

Speaks what is true, and ſpeaks it out of ſeaſon,

p. 52Against the Dignity of Truth ſpeaks Treaſon.

Yet, Saints, may by oppreſſions, now and then

Be ſo provoked (for they are but men)

That, they may thus offend by Tongue or Pen.

If it be ſo, let him who forth hath ſent

Thoſe Lines, his folly heartily repent;

For, they portend an Evil-Conſequent.

G. W.

XI.

To them who object it as a fault, that this Author hath written ſeveral Poems, ſince he reſolved to write no more.

I Sometimes think my work is done, and then

Reſolved am to lay aſide my Pen;

Yet, when I do diſcover ſome remain

Unfiniſhed, I take it up again:

For, when I promiſe, what concerneth none

(In any manner) but my ſelf alone,

'Tis alwayes in mine own pow'r, to diſpenſe

With ev'ry ſuch Reſolve, without offence;

Then, ſpecially, when elſe, perhaps, I may

To GOD, my ſelf, or others in ſome way

Infringe my Duty, by the proſecution

Of that unprofitable Reſolution.

For this cauſe therefore, I now think it fit,

Not only ſuch Reſolvings to remit,

But, alſo, by theſe Preſents, to declare

That, whenſoere a juſt Cauſe doth appear,

To write, or ſpeak, or do, what I believe

GOD may have honour by, or Men receive

A future benefit, I will aſſay

(Whilſt I have life) to do it as I may.

This Promiſe binds me; and, I muſt confeſs,

That, if in time to come, I ſhall tranſgreſs

p. 53Againſt this Reſolution, there's in me

No pow'r whereby I from it can be free.

Reprove me therefore, if at any time

I break this Promiſe; for it is a crime.

XII.

Of Governours and Governments; and how we ought to demean our ſelves toward them.

ALl Pow'r is of the LORD, the GOD of Heav'n;

And Man hath none, but, that which he hath giv'n:

To raiſe, pull down, to change or innovate,

In governing a Kingdom, or a State,

Belongs to Him alone; and nought to do

Have private men, but to ſubmit thereto

When He a Change hath made, whether he hath

Vouchſafed it in Mercy, or in Wrath.

Therefore, the Perſons, or the Government,

To change I never ſought, nor had intent;

But, to ſubmit to that, what ev'r it be,

Which GOD was pleaſed to ſet over me.

Both Men and Forms, if well compar'd together,

Do prove ſo like, and ſo unlike each other,

That oft the Conſtitution which at firſt

Appear'd the beſt, becomes at laſt the worſt;

And, as the Elements do change into

Each other, ſo the Governments will do,

According to th' Affections, and the Pow'rs

Of thoſe, who are the preſent Governours.

All kinds of Government, in ſome reſpect,

Are but one and the ſelf-ſame in effect,

And, when refined, will corrupt agen,

So long as actuated by meer men,

Who, overſwayed by their Luſts and Paſſions,

Are alwayes ſubject to Prevarications,

p. 54And ſo oft alſo, as the People's ſin

Compels GOD's Juſtice to bring Changes in.

This, when the Supream Pow'r was here divided

(So, that ſome this way, and ſome that way ſided)

Made many Wiſe-men, both in reſolution,

As alſo in their wayes of proſecution,

Exceeding doubtfull, that a ſad Reſult

Might follow, in a path ſo difficult;

I therefore, then, endeavoured to adhere

To that, wherein moſt Juſtice did appear

When I had cauſe of doubt; and did comply

Where I ſaw with moſt viſibility

That Pow'r did then reſide: For, ſo I thought

(And ſtill believe) I was divinely taught

By Precept and Examples; and I joyn'd

Therein, to thoſe, who ſeeming of that mind

And judgment, did in ſhew the ſame profeſs

With zeal, and with much conſcienciouſneſs.

And, ſome few, doubtleſs, acted to that end

Sincerely, which the reſt did but pretend.

But, I was cozned by the greater part:

Yet, went on in ſimplicity of heart,

Till I ſo far into a ſnare was run,

That, back I could not go, nor further on

Without a Miſchief; or, a breach had made

Upon that Faith which I engaged had.

For, few I ſaw purſuing any thing

Concerning GOD, the People, or the King,

With true integrity, to which-ſoere

Of thoſe three they pretended to adhere,

With whether ſide ſoever they then cloſed,

Or, whatſoever they in ſhew propoſed.

I ſaw, that either by an open ſcuffling,

Or, by a politick and ſecret ſhuffling.

p. 55Both ſides had ſo the Knaves and Court-cards laid,

That cheating Games were likely to be plaid,

And, that our Loſſes, who intended beſt,

Would be the loſing of our Stakes at leaſt.

Some, for Religion did pretend to fight;

Some, for the Royal, ſome for Common-Right;

But, I perceiv'd Self-Intereſt was that

Which principally moſt men aimed at;

And had not thereof a bare jealouſie,

For, 'twas apparant by that Policy

With which they proſecuted their Intent.

What elſe by them could probably be meant,

Who jugling with both ſides, to none were true,

But as their own advantage might enſue?

Who, ſiding with one Party, ſent a Brother,

A Son, or elſe a Nephew to the other;

Who mutually did their Deſigns advance

With Correſpondence, and with Maintenance?

With Counſels and with Treaſure ſtrengthning thoſe

Unſeen, whom they did openly oppoſe?

And otherwhile, by murdring their own Friends,

Made bloody paſſages to their ſelf-ends?

Thus did they, yet, ſome of thoſe now appear

In better caſe, than we, whoſe Actings were

Moſt innocent. But, though we ſuffer firſt,

The better ſeeming Game will prove the worſt.

For my part, though it coſt me all I had

To keep my Conſcience clear, a ſhift I made;

And, am as well contented with my Lot,

As they are, who have by my Loſſes got.

Truſt rather therefore thine own Conſcience, then

Upon the Counſel of ſev'n wiſer men:

For, in a dubious path, no humane light

So well directs us how to walk upright,

p. 56If ſo far forth as GOD doth means provide,

We take his Word and Spirit for our Guide.

Be faithful to the prſent Government

That GOD permits, to whatſoere intent

He doth permit it, or what-ere it be;

For, (as I ſaid) LORD of all Pow'r is He;

And, ev'ry Government is good, ſave when

It is uſurped by unrighteous men;

And, we muſt bear it then, till he ſhall pleaſe

Who laid it on us, to vouchſafe us eaſe;

Becauſe (though He permitteth it) our Sin

Was that, yea that alone, which brought it in.

We may, and muſt endeavour in our places,

(According to thoſe Talents and thoſe Graces

Which GOD beſtows) to offer that which may

Help keep them in a ſafe and Righteous way,

For their ſakes and our own; and, without fear,

Speak to that end, what we ſhall know or hear,

(Though they offended be) ſo we apply

Our Balm with prudence and ſobriety.

Our ſeeking to reform it, by a courſe

Not lawful, will but make it much the worſe;

Whereas, if we with patience do attend

On GOD, he'l better, what we cannot mend,

Or, elſe, with His own hand, deſtroy it quite,

Ev'n when their Tyranny is at the height.

Theſe are my Principles: Theſe, without fear,

Have kept me, and will keep me ſtill, who ere

Shall govern me; and whether Right or Wrong,

Be done me either little-while, or long.

p. 57XIII.

A Scrap added to the former, ſince the ſending of the Authors Remonſtrance to the houſe of Commons.

THough Liberty I've loſt, with my Eſtate,

Yet, as things are, I wonder not thereat;

Nor marvel that my Poem, for which here

I ſuffer, to the World muſt not appear:

For, I confeſs, it ſpeaks not in a ſtrain,

Which Flatt'rers with eſteem can entertain;

And they by whom I have accuſed been,

Would miſs their Arm, were that in Publick ſeen;

Occaſion likewiſe I ſhould not have had,

Of that advantage, which is thereby made.

But, one thing (which till now I thought not fit

To mention) I admir'd at, and do yet;

Ev'n this, That, being of all elſe bereft,

The ſame Tools in my pow'r ſhould ſtill be left,

VVhereby offence was given, and by which

My Vindication will be further'd much.

It was a Mercy, but, ſure, not of men,

That, I bereaved was not of my Pen

When I was firſt reſtrain'd, and alſo ſent,

(As many are) to cloſe Impriſonment;

Which, at this time had greater miſchief done,

Than all that I, till now have undergone.

And this, I here expreſs, not to outbrave

Mans fury, but, that GOD may Glory have

By that Aſſurance, wherewith, me he arms

In preſent ſuffrings, againſt future harms.

For that cauſe, in this manner, is reveal'd

That, which a wiſer man would have conceal'd;

And, though, I ſomewhat over peremptory

May ſeem; yet, when Truths honour, and GOD's Glory

p. 58Do lie at ſtake, I know a ſervile ſpeaking

To be a fooliſh and uncomly ſneaking;

Not onelyonly diſadvantaging the ſpeaker,

But, rendring alſo righteous Cauſes weaker.

All men to Caſualties expoſed be,

And, things befall to others, as to me;

Ev'n unto them, who are above my ſphear,

And, were occaſion of my lodging here.

When I had been above ſix months, debar'd

Of Liberty, unpitti'd, and unheard;

Accuſ'd for Libelling, becauſe I had

A private Recapitulation made

Of what I knew, as well by ſight as fame,

(And, for which, yet, unheard, confin'd I am)

Five Perſons, of no mean degree, were ſent

To be my Fellows by Impriſonment

Within this Jayl; and, at this preſent are

Charg'd with ſuſpition of no leſs Crimes here

Than Theft and Murder; And, there's one among

That number, which at this time doth belong

To that Society, which I am ſaid

To have defam'd, and therefore here was laid;

Though I in private only, had declar'd

In genral terms, what common fame aver'd.

And, which now ſeem not ſo incredible

As they were thought, nor things impoſſible.

Yet, with unfeignedneſs, deſire I do,

They may be guiltleſs found, if they be ſo,

And quit, without endeavouring to ſmother

Two Crimes, by perpetrating of another:

For, guilt to cover, and damn Innocents,

Is not in theſe dayes without Preſidents:

And, Preſidents (although not worth a ſtraw)

By ſome are made equivolent to Law.

p. 59Their Youth I greatly pitty, though the Rage

Of my Oppreſſors pitty not my Age,

Nor care to what ſtraights I may be expoſed,

Whilſt here, deſpiſ'd of all, I am incloſed.

Now they, and I, until we ſhall be try'd

All ſcandalous conjectures muſt abide;

And, if upon the Teſt, their Act appears

Miſtook; why may not mine as well as theirs

Miſtaken be? ſince I more likely am

Than they, by Prejudice to ſuffer blame?

And have leſſe outward means of vindication,

From an unjuſt and cauſleſs imputation?

But, they, and I, ſhall have, when our time's come,

That, which GOD hath appointed for our Doom.

He will be Righteous, though men are not ſo;

Whatere He pleaſes, therefore let Him do.

We, by the Juſtice, which will then be done,

Shall know, what's likely to enſue thereon

To other men, who live in expectation

Of Juſtice, or of due Commiſeration.

And, if with meekneſs, upon GOD we reſt,

That, which threats worſt things, will produce the best.

They whom I have diſpleaſ'd, may now be merry;

For, I have ſcribled until I am weary:

And ſhall, perhaps, no more be troubleſome

This way, when what's conceiv'd to light ſhal come;

But, then permit them from thenceforth, to do

What they intend, till they are weary too.

In this mode I have little more to offer,

To ſay, or do, but down to lye and ſuffer;

Aſſur'd, that (if no good effects that have

Which I have writ) A Poem in my Grave

Compoſ'd and hither ſent, would be no more

Effectual, than my Writings heretofore.

p. 60I have expreſt enough to men of Reaſon,

Who know when ſober Truths come forth in ſeaſon:

Now, therefore, if GOD pleaſe, let them who ſhall

Deſire them, take Pen, Credit, Life, and all;

But let them therewith know, that they will be

So dealt withall, as they ſhall deal with me.

'Tis now known, what I've done, what I can ſay,

And, what I ſuffer, but not what I may.

Qui jacet in Terrâ, non habet undé cadet.

" The World can him undo no more,

" Whom ſhe hath quite undone before:

" But, he whom GOD ſhall ſmile upon,

" May loſe all, yet not be undone.

A few Lines more I'le add: I hear ſome ſay,

This will occaſion rending quite away

All Liberties at once, and many think,

That henceforth neither Paper, Pen, nor Ink

Will be allow'd me, nor a Viſitant,

Which may ſupply me with what I ſhall want:

Yea, that I may be thither ſent, where none

Shall ſee, or hear, what muſt be undergone;

And, that nought can be hop'd for, but Perdition

In ſuch a place, and ſuch a ſad condition.

Yet, this I fear not: For, there is no place

On Earth, or any ſuch diſtreſſed caſe,

As no Redreſs admits. There's not alone

For ev'ry Grief, a Cure, for ev'ry one

In ev'ry Country; But, each man about him

Hath alſo that, within him, or without him,

Which known, and by GOD's aid applied, cures

All Maladies, and all Diſtemperatures.

The greateſt Tyrants pow'r extends not to

All thoſe things, which he hath a Will to do.

p. 61Nor is there any Miſery, or Place

Whereby I can be ſhut up from GOD's Grace.

What more I may now, or hereafter bear,

Increaſes not my terrour or my care:

Nay, ſo far am I from the dread of that

Which may befall in ſuch a ſad eſtate;

That when I think on what the Rage of men

Shall do at worſt; And what GOD will do then,

It keeps me pleaſ'd. For, to deliver me

(What ere betides) a thouſand wayes hath he.

He, that can make ſafe paſſage through the ſeas,

And, through a Fiery Furnace, if He pleaſe,

Pre-apprehenſions gives me, of that Grace

Which will vouchſafed be in ſuch a Caſe.

Joſeph was long in Priſon; yet GOD ſent

A means to free him from Impriſonment,

In ſuch a mode, that, if within our Creed

It be, 'twill very well deſerve our heed.

The World can neither bring me to dispair,

Nor me deprive of Hope, Faith, Love, or Prayr;

Nor take away, or unto me reſtore

Ought, making my Aſſurance leſs or more.

GOD clothes the Lillies, and doth Sparrows feed;

He can turn Stones to Bread, if there be need:

And, could I down to Hell by men be driven,

When I came thither, I ſhould find it Heaven.

The Bugbears, wherewithall the World aſſays

To skare me, could not in my childiſh dayes

Affright me. I was exerciz'd in youth

(For loving Honeſty, and writing Truth)

With ſtrict Impriſonments, and made ere ſince

A Stone (to very many) of offence,

Kickt to and fro, till thereat many broke

Their ſhins at leaſt, yet harm I never took.

p. 62GOD hath preſerved me now fifty years,

In his Work, in all troubles, wants and fears;

From Poverty and Shame in worſt of times;

From mine own Follies, Vanities and Crimes;

From Famines, Peſtilences, raging War,

And Tyrants, worſe than thoſe three Judgments are,

Without diſmay, ev'n when it ſo befell,

That men in greateſt pow'r ſped not ſo well.

In plain terms I did often repreſent

Their failings, to the late Long Parliament,

Yet ſcap't their fury, though I could not ſcape

Their Fraud, nor Partnerſhip in that miſhap,

Which their Improvidence occaſion'd then,

Both to themſelves, and many better men.

But, that will for my welfare prove at laſt,

As certainly, as that which in time paſt,

I told them would befall, is at this day

Fulfill'd upon them, ev'ry ſev'ral way;

And, will continue, till their Fiery Tryal,

Hath brought men to that real ſelf-denial,

Which them will qualifie to carry on

The Work which GOD intendeth ſhall be done.

I likewiſe did preſage to Oliver,

In bold words to his face, and without fear,

What would at laſt befall him: and I knew

(Though he diſſembled it) what would enſue

For ſuch plain-dealing: yea, I ſoon did find,

By what courſe my deſtruction was deſign'd;

But, whilſt he thought, I thought my ſelf befriended,

GOD taught me to prevent what he intended,

That, I might ſuffer, as now at this time,

What gives more cauſe of glorifying Him.

By theſe Experiments confirm'd I am,

My GOD will alwayes be to me the ſame,

p. 63That he hath been, and ratifie that Truth

In my old Age, that I believ'd in Youth,

By making that, which likely ſeems to double

My ſorrows, to help others in their trouble,

VVith conſtancy and patience to ſuſtain

Their Burdens, whilſt upon them they remain.

And, peradventure, they will be ſo wiſe,

VVhoſe Indignation, yet upon me lies,

That, when they heed what GOD for me hath done▪

And may do, they'l conſider ſo thereon,

That they who were my Foes, my Friends will be,

And ſave themſelves, by their deliv'ring me,

GOD can effect this for me, if He pleaſe:

For, He doth many ſtranger things than theſe.

But, let Him do his Will. VVhat ere is done▪

He is my Truſt, and, Him I'le reſt upon.

If ſuch a Famine, as is threatned, comes,

There will be need of ſuch like Scraps and Crums.

But, theſe, to none can toothſome be, unleſs

They thirſt and hunger after Righteouſneſs:

For, they will reliſh unto all men els,

Like fleſhleſs bones, or fiſhleſs Oyſter-ſhels:

Perhaps, to ſome few, they will ſerve inſtead

Of Phyſical Receipts in time of need,

If, careleſly they be not caſt aſide,

But, prudently and ſeaſonably apply'd.

To that end, they endeavoured to ſave them

From being loſt, by whoſe means ye now have them.

They Relicts are of that continual Feaſt

My Conſcience makes me; and probatum eſt

To ev'ry one of them ſubſcribe I may;

For I have proved them by night and day.

p. 64They are but part of larger Meditations

(Thus worded, for my daily Recreations)

For whilſt to write them down, I did aſſay,

The greateſt portion of them flew away.