A Prophecy Written for the Year 1641, Poem

A Prophecy Written for the Year 1641 · Poem

A PROPHESIE VVRITTEN LONG SINCE FOR THIS YEARE, 1641.

VVherein Prelate-policie is proved to be folly.

AS ALSO, Many notable Paſſages Concerning the fall of ſome great Church-men.

Written by a modern Poet.

LONDON, Printed in the Yeare, 1641.

p. 1A PROPHESIE VVRITTEN LONG SINCE FOR THIS YEARE, 1641.

I Doe not wonder, as I erſt have done,

That when the Prophet Ionas ſhould have gone

To Niniveh, Gods word he diſobey'd▪

And would himſelfe to Tharſus have convey'd:

For, I have now a ſenſe how fleſh and blood

The motions of the Holy Ghoſt withſtood,

And feele (me thinks) how many a likely doubt

The Devill, and his frailty, found him out.

He was a man, (though he a Prophet were)

In whom no little weakneſſe did appeare:

And, thus he thought, perchance, What ſhall J doe?

A ſtrange attempt my heart is urged to:

And, there is ſomewhat, earneſtly incites

That I ſhould haſten to the Ninivites,

And, preach, that if they alter not their waies,

Their time of ſtanding, … but forty dayes.

My ſoule perſwadeth God injoynes me to it;

And, ſleepe in peace, I cannot, till I doe it:

But common Reaſon striveth to restraine

This motion, and perſwadeth me tis vaine.

It ſaith, I am a ſinner, and ſo fraile,

That many times, my best endeavors faile

p. 2To rectifie my ſelfe. How ſhall I then

Be hopefull of reclaiming other men?

To Iſr'el J have threatned many yeares

Gods judgements: yet, no fruit thereof appeares

Although they have ſome knowledge of the Lord,

And are within his League, they ſlight his word:

What hope then is there, that a heathen Nation

Will prove regardfull of my exhortation?

The ſtile of Prophet, in this land I carry;

And ſuch a Calling, here, is ordinary

But, in a forraigne State, what warranty

Have I, to publiſh ſuch a Propheſie?

How may the King and people take the ſame,

If I ſhall in the open ſtreets defame

So great ae City? and, condemne for ſin,

A place wherin I never yet have bin▪

If I ſhall ſay, the Lord commanded me▪

Then, they phehaps, will anſwer: What is he?

For, they profeſſe him no… ▪ Nay, ſome ſuſpition

They may conceive, that I to move ſedition

Am ſent among them. Or, if otherwiſe

They ſhall ſuppoſe; how can they but deſpiſe

My perſon, and my counſell, who ſhall from

So farre a place, ſo meere a stranger come,

That no man knowes, or what, or who I am,

Or, from what Country, or from whom I came?

Such thought (belike) delay'd and fear'd him ſo;

And, ſo the Spirit urg'd him ſtill to go

For Niniveh; that nor to goe, nor ſtay,

Could he reſolve; but, fled another way.

From which rebellious courſe, God fetceth him back

With ſuch a vengeance, that he did not lack

Sufficient proofes, how Reaſon did betray him,

And, in his Calling, cauſleſly affray him,

p. 3Yea (marke heav'ns providence) though Ionas went

Another way, it croſt not God's intent,

But furthered it. For, doubtleſſe, e▪re he came

To Ninveh, the miracle and fame

Of his Deliverance, was ſent before;

And, made his preaching worke on them the more.

Now, though I doe not arrogate, nor dare

My ſelfe (except in frailties) to compare

With bleſſed Jonas: yet I may behold

To ſay, our Cauſes a reſemblance hold.

My heart (and when that moves, as one averres,

It more prevailes then many Counſellers,

My heart (I ſay) perſwaded me e're while,

To reade a warning Lecture to this Ile.

And in ſuch manner moved; that, to ſay

It came from God, me thinks, behold I may.

Yet, my owne nat'rall frailty, and the world,

Among my thoughts ſo many doubtings hurld,

That every ſtep had rubs. I levell'd ſome

In my laſt Canto. Yet, I could not come

To even ground, till I had overtopt

Some other Mountaines which my paſſage ſtopt,

Beware ſaid Reaſon, how thou undertake

This hazardous adventure, which to make

Thou haſt reſolv'd For, this wiſe age denies

That God vouchſated any Propheſies

Concerning them▪ or, that the application

Of ought foretold, pertaineth to this Nation.

She ſaith, my Conſtancy is no true ſigne

That God firſt moved this intent of mine;

Since Hereticks, and Traytors, oft are ſeene

As bold in all their cauſes to have beene

As Martyrs be. And, that for what they doe,

They can pretend the holy Spirit too.

p. 4And ſhe perſwades, tis likely I ſhall paſſe

(At beſt) for one that much deluded was.

She ſayes, moreover, that if theſe times be

Indeed, ſo wicked, as they ſeeme to me,

I ſhall in ſtead of moving to repent,

Nought elſe but ſtir their fury, and be rent

Perhaps in pieces, by their haſty rage,

For, what's more likely in a wicked age?

When people in their ſins grow hardned once,

She ſaies I may as well goe talke to ſtones,

As tell them ought. For, they are in the dark;

And, what they ſee and heare, they doe not marke.

She urged that the Prophets in old times

Did ſpeake in vaine againſt the peoples crimes;

And if in them their words begat no faith,

Much leſſe will ſuch as mine, my Reaeſon ſaith.

She tells me alſo, that this Ile hath ſtore

Of Prophets, and of Preachers never more:

She ſayes, that though their calling none neglect,

Their paines appeare to take but ſmall effect:

And, if ſuch men authorized as they,

Doe caſt their words, without ſucceſſe, away;

In vaine my Muſe (whoſe warrant moſt contemne)

Doth ſeeke to worke more piety in them.

A thouſand things unto the like effect;

Yea, all and more then any can object,

(Who ſhall peruſe this Book) my Reaſon brought

Before me, and objected to my thought,

And, as a Pilgrim (who occaſions hath

To take ſome extraordinary path)

Arrivall making at a double way,

Is doubtfull whether to proceed or ſtay:

So fared I; I was nigh tired quite,

Before I could be certaine of the right.

p. 5Yea, twixt my doubtings, and all thoſe replies

Which in my meditations did ariſe;

I ſo amazed grew, I could not know

Which way it beſt befitted me to goe▪

But▪ at the laſt, God brought me thorow all

My doubts and feares; as though the Storme and Whale,

Once Jonas came: That ſo▪ all they, who are

Ordained for their good, theſe lines to heare,

The more may profit, when they think upon

What ſtraights I paſſed, e're this work was done.

To that intent my frailties I have ſo

Inſiſted on, as in this book I do.

Yea, I am hopefull alſo, they that read

Theſe lines of mine (and mark with how much heed

And Chriſtian awfulneſſe, my heart was won

To cenſure and reprove as I have done)

Will plainely ſee, theſe Numbers flow not from

Fantaſtick raſhneſſe; nor from enuy come▪

Nor ſpring from faction; neither were begot

By their diſtracted zeale, who (knowing not

What Spirit guides them) often are beguiled

With ſhewes of truth; and madly have reviled

Both good and ill: and whoſe unſavory Rimes

Defames mens perſons more then check their crimes.

Diſhonour Kings; their ſacred names blaſpheme;

And having gain'd ſome notions in a dreame,

Or by report (of what they know not well)

Deſire their giddy thoughts abroad to tell

In hope to merit; as in deed they doe,

Sometime the pillory, and gallowes too.

I truſt, I ſay, theſe lines will ſeeme no ſuch;

Or, if they doe, truth is, I care not much,

Becauſe I certaine am what pow'r infuſed

Thoſe matters whereupon I now have muzed▪

p. 6And know, that none will theſe or me condemne,

But they whoſe rage and follies I contemne.

Yet, that they may be ſure I never care

Who cenſures me, nor what their cenſures are,

(When honeſt things I doe) here, ſomewhat more

I'le adde to what is mentioned before▪

And give thee, Britaine, a more perfect ſight

Of thy diſtempers, and thy ſickly plight.

Yea, thou ſhalt know, I have not ſeene alone

A bodily Conſumption ſtealing on,

And waſting of thy Temporalties; but, that

I alſo have diſcovered of late,

A Lethargy upon thy ſoule to ſteale

And that as well the Church as Commonweale

Doth neede a cure. Oh! doe not quite neglect,

The good of both; but, one (at leaſt) reſpect▪

Though Iudahs ſickneſſes unheeded be,

(Although thy temporall wounds afflict not thee▪)

Yet looke on Syon: yea, behold and ſee

Thy Spiritualties how much impair'd they be▪

The Churches Patrimony …s decay'd▪

And many a one is in her ſpoiles draid …o

Thoſe Patrons (as we terme them in this age)

Who of her Dowries have the patronage,

Doe rob and cheat her, many times of all;

And, their Donations baſely ſet to ſale.

Thoſe Cananites, whom thou preſerveſt here,

(And by thy lawes to be expelled were)

Are in thy borders now ſo multiply'd,

That they are thornes and thiſtles in thy ſide.

They are become a Serpens in thy path,

Which bites unſeene; and nigh unhorſed hath.

Some able Riders. On thy Places-high

Thy people doe commin idolatry,

p. 7And reare ſtrange Altars. In thy Fields are found

Thoſe cunning harmefull Foxes to abound,

That ſpoile thy Vines. And, ſome I have eſpy'd,

Twixt whoſe oppoſed tales, are firebrands ty'd,

Which waſts thy fruits. Thy Harvest ſeemeth faire;

But ſecret blaſtings doe ſo much impaire

And blite the Corne: that when it comes to bread,

Thy Children oft unholſomly are fed.

Men uſe Religion as a ſtalking-horſe

To catch preferment; yea, ſometimes to worſe

And baſer uſes they employ the ſame;

Like that bold Harlot, who quite void of ſhame,

Did of her Vowes, and of her Peace-offerings make

A Ginn, laſcivious cuſtomers to take.

Yea, ſome (reſembling him, from whom was caſt

One Devill) when one ſin thy have diſplac't,

Of which the world tooke notice, ſweep and clenſe

Themſelves (in ſhow) from all their other ſins;

Yet ſecretly, let Sathan repoſſeſſe,

And foule them with a ſeven-fold wickedneſſe.

An univerſall dulneſſe will benum

Thy ſenſes, if thou doe not ſoone becom

More heedefull of thy ſtate, then thou art yet:

For, ev'ry part hath felt an ague▪fit.

Thy Academs, which are the famous places

In which all pious knowledges and graces

Should nouriſht be, and whence thy chiefe ſupply

Of Teachers, come, (as from a Nurſery)

Ev'n thoſe faire Fountaines are much tainted grown,

With doctrine hardly ſound, which thence are blown

Through ev'ry quarter. In their Schooles are heard

Vaine jiggs and janglings, worthleſſe of regard.

Their very Pulpits, and their Oratories,

Are Stages, whereupon their owne vain glories

p. 8Men often act. Yea, many a vaine conceit,

Is brought in ſtead of arguments of weight

And (which is worſe) diſorder is ſo riſe

Among them; and the weedes of evill life

Have ſo o'regrowne thoſe Gardens, that (unleſſe

Good government ſhall ſpeedily redreſſe

That ſpreading miſchiefe) it will overtop

The plants of Syon, and deſtroy her crop.

To be thy Shepheards, wolves are ſtolen in;

And thou haſt choſe who even by day begin

To ſow their Tares among thy pureſt Seed;

And, with mixt Craines thy Lands pollutions breed.

For hire, and money, propheſies the Prophet:

The Prieſt doth preach to make a living of it,

Ev'n meerely for a living; and▪ but few

Their holy charge, for conſcience ſake purſue

Which I by many ſignes could make apparent,

But that it is not yet within my Warrant.

Loquntur Curae leves; little Cures

Doe make men preach, whilſt poverty endures.

Ingentes ſtupent; but, large livings make

Our Doctors dumb: condemne not my miſtake

For, though I doe the Latine ſentence wrong,

That's true I tell you in the Engliſh tongue.

Our Nation, which of late prophaneneſſe hated▪

Is in that ſin almoſt Italionated.

The Scriptures without reverence are uſed:

The holy phraſe, in jeſting, is abuſed:

To flout, or praiſe, or curſes we can apply

Gods holy word, moſt irreligiouſly:

In ſtead of Emblemes, moving thoughts divine,

The filthy pictures of lewd Ar…ne,

Are found in many Cloſets. Fooliſh lies,

Prophane and moſt laſcivious Elegies.

p. 9Are publike made. Yea, thoſe whom heretofore

A heathen Emperour did ſo abhor,

That he, for them, their wanton Author ſent

To undergoe perpetuall baniſhment:

Ev'n theſe, we reade; and worſe then thoſe, by far▪

Allowed paſſe, and unreproved are.

Nay, their vaine Authors often cheriſht be:

At leaſt, they have the favour to goe free.

But, if a graver Muſe reprove their ſin,

Lord, with what a haſty zeale they call it in!

How libellous they make it! and how vile,

Thou know'ſt; and at that folly thou doſt ſmile.

Full warily, the politick Divine,

(Who ſhould allow it) ſcanneth ev'ry Line

Before it paſſe▪ each phraſe he doth ſuſpect;

Although he findeth nothing to be chekt,

He feares to Licence it. And if by chance

It paſſe abroad, forthwith doth ignorance

Miſtake or miſapply; and falſe and bade

Conſtructions are, of good expreſſions made▪

Yea, they who on the fears of Iudgement ſit,

Are oft, moſt ready, to miſcenſure it.

I would they were as forward to diſgrace

Thoſe Authors, who have filled ev'ey place

With fruitleſſe volumes. For diſperſed are

Ev'n quite throughout this Land every yeare,

Ev'n many thouſand Reames of ſcurrill toyes,

Songs, Rimes and Ballads, whoſe vaine uſe deſtroyes

Or hinders Uertuous knowledge and Devotion,

And this they doe to further the promotion

Of our Diana▪ Yet, behold, if we

To publiſh ſome few ſheets required be,

Containing pious Hymns, or Chriſtian Songs.

Or ought which to the praiſe of God belongs:

p. 10We do ſo feare the hindrance of our gaine,

That like th' Epheſian Silver-ſmiths, we faine

A great complaint. As if to have enlarged

A little Booke, had grievouſly o'recharged

The Common wealth. Whereas if it were weigh'd,

How much of late this Land is ove… aid

With triviall Volumes or how much they doe

Corrupt our Manners, and Religion too,

By that abuſive matter they containe?

I ſhould not ſeeme unjuſtly to complaine.

Theſe times doe ſwat me with Pamphlets, which be far

More dangerous, then mortall poyſons are.

Ev'n in thoſe bookes, whereby the ſimple thought

To find true▪ knowledge, they their bane have ought

For, thence, ſtrong Hereſies (there being hid

Amid ſome doubtleſſe Truths, a while unſpid)

Steale out among the people, by degees;

More miſchiefe working then each Reader ſees:

And, ſo, to ruine knowledge, that is made

An inſtrument▪ whereby it riſing had.

For (by their lucre, who the Churches peace

Diſturb, their private profit to increaſe)

Thoſe Doctrines which are unauthoriſed,

Are ſo promiſcuouſly divulg'd▪ and ſpread,

Among approved Verities, that ſome

Are in thoſe Labarinths amaz'd become:

And, ſuch a contradiction is in that

Which their confuſed Pamphlets doe relate;

That, common Readers, known not which to leave,

Nor, which the Church of England doth receive.

And, from this miſchiefe many others flow,

Which will, in future times, more harmfull grow

This, ſpins vaine Controverſies to their length;

By this, moſt Hereſies receive their ſtrength.

p. 11And what diſtraction it already makes,

Our grieved Mother wofull notice takes.

In ſtead of active knowledge, and her fruit;

This filleth men with itching of diſpute,

And empty words; wherby are ſet abroach

A thouſand quarrells, to the Truths reproach.

The Sectaries, the Munkeyes, and the Apes,

The Cubs and Foxes, which doe mar our Grapes;

The Wolves in ſheep-skins▪ and our frantick rable

Of VVorſhip-mongers, are innumerable▪

And, as the Churches quiet they moleſt.

So they each other ſpightfully infeſt.

We have ſome Papiſts ▪ ſome that halfe way goe:

Some Semi-puritans; ſome wholly ſo;

Some Anabaptiſts; ſome who doe refuſe

Black puddings; and good porke, like arrant Iewes:

Some alſo term'd Arminians are among

Our Prieſts and People, very lately ſprung.

What moſt, ſo call'd, profeſſe, I ſtand not for:

And what ſome ſay they teach, I doe abhor.

But, what ſome other, ſo miſnam'd, beleeve▪

Is that whereto beſt Chriſtians credit give,

For, as we ſee the moſt reformed man,

By Libertines, is term'd a Puritan:

So (by our purblinde Formaliſt) all thoſe

Who new fantaſticke crotchets doe oppoſe,

Begin to be miſ-term'd Arminians now,

And, hence e're long will greater miſchieves grow

Then moſt imagine. For, the fooliſh feare,

Leſt they to be Arminians may appeare,

Or elſe be termed Puritans, will make

Great multitudes Religion quite forſake.

And, I am halfe perſwaded, this will one

Of thoſe great Schiſmes (or earthquakes) cauſe which John

p. 12Foretold in his Apocalyps; and they

Are bleſt, who ſhall not thereby fall away.

Some Browniſts, and ſome Famaliſts hove we;

And ſome, that no man can tell what they be;

Nor they themſelves. Some, ſeeme ſo wondrous pure

They no mans converſations can endure,

Vnleſſe they uſe their plaiſtrings; and appeare

In ev'ry formall garbe which they ſhall were.

There be of thoſe, who in their words deny,

And hate the practice of Idolary,

Yet make an Idol of their formall zeale,

And underneath ſtrict holineſſe, conceale

A myſtery of evill, which deceives them,

And, when they thinke all ſafe, in danger leaves them.

Their whole Religion, ſome doe place in heating▪

Some, in the outward action of forbearing

Ill deedes; or in well doing, though the heart

In that performance beare no reall part.

Some others, of their mor…all actions make▪

Small conſcience: and, affirme that God doth take

No notize how in body they tranſgreſſe,

If him in their inward man confeſſe:

As if a ſoule beloved could reſide

Within a body quite unſanctifide.

Some not contented in the act of ſin.

Aare growne ſo impudent, that they begin

To jouſtifie themſelves in wickedneſſe;

Or, by quait arguments, to make it leſſe:

And, by ſuch Monſters, to ſuch ends as this,

The Chriſtians liberty de…amed is.

Newfangledneſſe, Religion hath o'rethrowne;

And, many as fantaſticall are growne

In that, as in apparell. Some, delight

In nothing more then to be oppoſite

p. 13To other men: Their zeale they wholy ſpend

The preſent government to reprehend;

The Churches diſcipline to villifie;

And raile, at all, which pleades antiquitie.

They love not peace: and therefore have ſuſpition

Of Truth it ſelfe, if out of perſecution:

And are ſo thankeleſſe, or ſo heedleſſe be

Of Gods great love, in giving ſuch a free

And plenteous meanes of puliſhing his word▪

That, what his Prophets of the Iewes record,

Some verefie in us. Much praiſe is given

To that blinde age, wherein the Queene of Heav'n

Was worſhip heare. And falſely we extoll

Thoſe dayes, as being much more plentifull.

Some, at the frequency of Preaching grutch,

And, tyred with it, thicke we have too much:

Nay, impudently practiſe to ſuppreſſe

That Exerciſe, and make our plenty leſſe.

And, that their doing may not want ſome fayre

Or goodly coulor, they doe call for Pray'r,

In ſtead thereof; as if we could not pray,

Vntill our Preaching we had ſent away.

As theſe are fooliſhly, or lewdly, wiſe;

We have ſome others wantonly preciſe.

So waywardly diſps'd, amidſt our plenty,

And through their curioſity, ſo dainty,

That, very many cannot well digeſt

The Bread of life, but in their manner dreſt.

Nor will Gods Manna, or that meaſure ſerve,

Which he provides; But, they cry out they ſtarve,

Vnleſſe they feed upon their owne opinions,

(Which are like Egypts Garlike and her Onions)

Some like not Prayer that's extempory;

Some not any that ſet forme noth cary:

p. 14Some thinke there's no devotion, but in thoſe

That howle, or whine, or ſnuffle in the noſe;

As if that God vouchſafed all his Graces

For fained geſtures, or for ſoure faces.

Some thinke not that the man, who gravely teacheth;

Or hath a ſober geſture when he preacheth,

Or gentle voyce: hath any zeale in him,

And therefore, ſuch like Preachers they contemne.

Yea, they ſuppoſe that no mans doctrine ſaves

The ſoule of any one, unleſſe he raves,

And rores aloud, and flings, and hurleth ſo

As if his armes he quite away would throw;

Or over-leap the Pulpit; or elſe breake it:

And this (if their opinion true may make it)

Is to advance their voyces Trumpet-like,

As God commands: yea this (they ſay) doth ſtrike

Sinne dead. Whereas indeed, God ſeldome goes

In whirlewinds: but is in the voyce of thoſe

Who ſpeake in meekneſſe. And it is not in

The pow'r of noyſe to ſhake the walls of ſinne:

For clamors, antique actions, writhed lookes

And ſuch like mimmick Rhetoricke none brookes

That hath diſcretion: neither doth it move

The heart of any, when we ſo reprove;

Excpt it be in ſome contrary motion,

Which interupts the hearts good devotion.

The well affected Chriſtian pitties it;

It makes prophaneſt men at naught to ſet

Gods Ordinance. Meere morall men deſpiſe

Such affatection: much it terrifies

The ignorant: but very few from thence

Receive ſound knowledge, or true penitence.

Some reliſh nothing, but thoſe points that are

In controverſie: ſome would nothing heare

p. 15But ſongs of Mercy, ſome delight in none

But Songs of Thunder; and ſcarce any one▪

Is pleas'd in what he heares. Nay of their Preachers,

Mechanicks, arrogate to be the teachers.

Yea, moſt of us, what e're our Paſtor ſhyes,

Keepe ſtill our owne opinions and our wayes.

To heare and know Gods word, to ſome among

Our Nation, ſeemeth onelyonly to belong

To Clergymen; and, their implicite Faith

Is built on what the common rumour ſaith.

Some others fill'd with curioſity

Affirme that ev'ry ſev'rall myſtery

Within Gods Booke included, doth concrne

Ev'n each particular Chriſtian man to learne:

Whereas they might as well affirme, each gueſt

That is invited to each Feaſt,

Is bound the ſev'rall diſhes there to heed,

And upon every meat before him feed▪

Nay, ſome have almoſt this imagination,

That there is hardly hope of their ſalvation

Who ſpeake not Hebrew. And, this now adayes,

Makes fooliſh women, and young Prentiſes

To learne that holy Tongue; in which they grow

As cunning as doe thoſe who nothing know,

Save to be arrogant, and to contemne

Thoſe Paſtors, who have taken charge of them.

The appetite of ſome growes dull, and failes,

Vnleſſe it may be pampered with Quailes;

High flying crotchets, which we ſee doe fill

Not halfe ſo many ſoules as they doe kill.

We cannot be content to make our flights,

For that which God expoſeth to our ſights,

And ſearch for that which he is pleas'd to ſhow,

But, we muſt alſo pry, what God doth know.

p. 16Which was indeed an ancient fallacy

Of Sathans; and the very ſame whereby

He cheated Eave ▪ From ſeeking to diſcloſe

Beyond our warrant, what God onelyonly knowes,

Proceedeth many errors. Thence doth come

Moſt queſtions that have troubled Chriſtendome.

Yea, ſearching things conceal'd, hath overthrowne

The comfortable uſe of what is knowne.

Hence flowes their fruitleſſe fond aſſeveration,

Who blundred on Eternall-Reprobation,

And many groundleſſe whimſies have invented,

Whereby much better muſings are prevented.

Of Reprobation I no doubt have made;

Yet, thoſe vaine quarrellings which we have had,

Concerning her, and her antiquity,

(But that the world hath wiſer fooles then I)

Appeares to me to bring ſo little fruits,

That I ſuppoſe it fitter for diſputes

In hell, (among the reprobrated crue)

Then for for a Church of Chriſtians to purſue:

At leaſt to brawle about with ſuch hot rage,

As hath poſſeſt ſome Spirits of this age.

For, ſome have urg'd this point of Reprobation,

As if the chiefeſt groun-worke of ſalvation

Depended on beleeving, juſt, as they

(Deluded by their fancies) pleaſe to ſay.

And, though they never found Gods holy word

Did any mention of the ſame offord,

But, as of that which did begin ſince Time;

And with reſpect to ſome comſhitted crime:

They, nevertheleſſe, their ſtrengths together guther,

To prove the Child is older then the Father.

And, ſince that fatall thred, there, finds her ſpinning,

But from Of; at fartheſt from Beginning:

p. 17They Reprobation, otherwhile confound

With our Predeſtination: which is found

No where in all the Scripture, to reſpect

The Reprobates, but onelyonly Gods Elect.

And then they are compeld to prove the ſenſe

Of their darke Tenet, by an inference;

And to affirme (from reaſon) that Election

Eternall, doth infer the like rejection.

(As if an action of Eternity,

Were fit to ſquare out ſhallow reaſons, by)

Which Argument becauſe it hath not taken

True Faith, to ground on, may with eaſe be ſhaken.

Their tottering ſtructure, therefore, up to keepe,

They into Gods foreknowledge boldly peep,

Beyond his warrant; ſearching for Decrees

And ſecrets, farther then an Angell ſees:

Preſuming then, as if all things they knew,

And had Eternitie within their view.

But, that hath ſuch an infinite extenſion,

Beyond their narrow-bounded comprehenſion,

That, there, they wander on, till they are madd:

And looſe that little knowledge, which they had:

For what are they but mad-men who maintaine

The giddie fancies of their owne weake braine,

For Theſes of Religion, which we muſt

Beleeve as they affirme them, or be thruſt

Among the Reprobates? What leſſe, I pray,

Are they then madd, who foole their wits away

In wheeling Arguments which have no end?

In Straines which man ſhall never apprehend?

In ſeeking what their knowledge doth exceed?

In vaine diſputings, which contentions breed.

In ſtrange Chymera's, and fantaſtick notions,

That neither ſtirre us up to good devotions,

p. 18Nor mend our manners? But our wayes pervert,

Diſtract the Judgement, or puffe up the heart.

If this I may not madneſſe call, or folly,

Tis (at the beſt) religious-melancholly.

What ſhall we judge of thoſe who ſtrive to make

Gods Word (whoſe Termes and Scope they much miſtake

Their proofes for that whereof no proofes they are,

And ſleight thoſe Truths, for which the Text is clear:

What ſhall we deeme of thoſe, who quite miſtaking

Good Authors, (and their Volumes guiltie making

Of what they never meant) doe preach and write

Againſt thoſe Bookes, with rancorous deſpight,

Which being well examin'd, ſay the ſame

Which they affirme, and check what they doe blame.

Such men there be, and they great noiſe have made

By fighting furiouſly with their owne ſhade.

What may be thought of them, who likely, ever,

In their perverſe opinions to perſever,

Take knowledge up on truſt. and follow thoſe

Who leade them on, as wild-geeſe fly in rowes▪

And when their multitude is waxen great,

Doe then ſo wilfully prejudicate,

Become ſo confident of that they hold,

And in their blind aſſurance, ſo are bold,

That they can brook no tryall, neither ſee

Their overſights, how plaine ſo ere they be?

But fondly think (though we beleeve it not)

That they infallibitie have got?

Some pious men; yea, ſome great Doctors tread,

Such Laborinths; and often are miſled

By holding that which they at firſt were taught,

Without due proving all things as they ought;

And vulgar men are often led awry,

By their examples, and for company.

p. 19For, as a Traveller, that is to come

From ſome far Countrey, through large deſarts, home;

(Not knowing well the way) is glad to take

His courſe with ſuch who ſhowes of cunning make,

And walkes along, depending ſtill on them,

Through many a wood, and over many a ſtreame,

Till he and they are loſt: there to remaine

He finds no ſafetie, nor meanes back againe,

Nor liſt to leave his company; becauſe

He hopes that nearer homeward ſtill he drawes,

And that his guides full ſure of paſſage are,

Although they cannot well deſcribe it, there.

So, when plaine men doe firſt attempt the way

Of knowledge, by their guides, they walk aſtray,

Without diſtruſt: and when arriv'd they be

Where many troubleſome windings they doe ſee,

And where no certaintie they can behold,

Yet, on their leaders knowledge they are bold,

Or on their multitude: yea, though they know,

And, ſee them erre, and turne, and ſtagger ſo,

(In darkſome paths) that well ſuppoſe they may▪

They rove and wander in an uncouth way;

Yet, ſtill they are unwilling to ſuſpect

The wiſdome of the Fathers of their Sect.

Yea, though no ſatisfaction they can find,

Though feares and doubtings doe afflict their mind,

They ſtill impute it rather to their owne

Infirmities, or to the depths unknowne

Of thoſe myſterious points, to mention brought;

But never call in queſtion what is taught:

Leſt being by thoſe Teachers tertifide,

They might forſaken in deſpaire abide.

Their Doctors, alſo, failing to deviſe

Strong Arguments, their hearers to ſuffice;

p. 20This courſe, to ſalve their credits, late have got;

They ſay (forſooth) Faiths doctrine ſettles not

With naturall capacities; and that

The Spirit muſt thoſe men illuminate

Who ſhall receive them. And, indeede in this,

They doe both ſay the truth, and ſay amiſſe:

This is a Jeſuitiſh juggling trick,

And, if allow'd it be, each lunatick,

And ev'ry brain ſick Dreamer, by that way,

May foiſt upon us all that he can ſay.

For, though Gods holy Spirit muſt create

New hearts within us, and regenerate

Depraved nature, e're it can be able

To make our outward hearings profitable;

We muſt not thinke that all which fancy ſaith

(In termes, obſcure) are myſteries of Faith.

Nor make the hearers want of pow'r to reach

Their meanings, to be proofes of what they teach.

There is twixt men, and that which they are taught▪

Some naturall proportion, or tis naught.

The deepeſt myſtery of our profeſſion,

Is capable of literall expreſſion,

As well to Reprobates, as men elected;

Or elſe it may of error be ſuſpected.

Yea wicked men a power granted have

To underſtand, although they miſconceive.

And can of darkeſt points make plaine relations,

Though to themſelves they faile in applications.

God never yet did bid us take in hand

To publiſh that which none can underſtand:

Much leſſe affecteth he a man ſhould mutter

Rude ſounds of that, whoſe depth he cannot utter;

Or in uncertaine termes, as many doe,

Who preach Non-ſenſe, and oft non entia too.

p. 21For thoſe which man to man is bound to ſhow,

Are ſuch plaine Truths, as we by word may know;

Which when the hearer can expreſſe againe,

The fruit hath equalled the Teachers paine.

Then, though the ſoule doth many times conceive

(By Faith, and by that Word which we receive)

Deep myſteries, and that which farre tranſcends

A carnall knowledge: though ſhe apprehends

Some glimmerings of thoſe Objects, that are higher

Then humane Reaſon ever ſhall aſpire;

Though ſhe hath taſtings of that bleſſednes,

Which mortall tongue could never yet expreſſe;

And though the ſoule may have ſome earneſt given

On earth, of what it ſhall enjoy in heaven;

Though God may when he liſt (and now and then

For cauſe not ordinary) to ſome men

Vouchſafeth (for their ſecret ſatisfactions)

A few reflections from eternall actions:

Though this be ſo, let no man arrogate

That he ſuch ſecrets can by word relate:

For, they are things, of which no voyce can preach;

High flights, to which no mortall wing can reach;

Tis Gods owne worke, ſuch raptures to convay,

To compaſſe them there is no other way,

But by his bleſſed Spirit. And, of thoſe

Moſt can we not; ſome muſt we not diſcloſe.

For, if they onelyonly touch our private ſtate,

They were not ſent, that we ſhould them relate;

But daigned that the ſoule they ſtrengthen might

Amid the perills of ſome ſecret fight;

When men to honour God, or for their ſinne,

The terrours of this life are plunged in.

And, as it is reputed of thoſe things,

Which fooliſh people thinke ſome Fairy brings,

p. 22So, of Enthuſiaſmes ſpeak I may;

Diſcover them, and ſtraight they fly away.

For, thus they fare who boaſt of Revelations.

Or of the certainty of their Salvations,

Or any ghoſtly gift, at times or places,

Which warrant not the mention of ſuch graces:

Yea, by revealing things which they ſhould hide,

They entrance make for over-weening pride:

And that quite marres the bleſſing they poſſeſt,

Or, for a while, obſcureth it, at beſt:

And yet, if any man ſhall climbe ſo high,

That they attaine unto a Myſtery,

Conceiv'd by few; they may, if they be able,

Diſcloſe it where it may be profitable.

But, they muſt know, that (if it be, indeed,

Of ſuch tranſcendency, as doth exceed

Meere naturall reaches) it ſhould be declard

To none, ſave unto thoſe who are prepar'd

For ſuch conceptions; and more apt to know them

By their owne thoughts, then are our words to ſhow them.

Elſe, all they utter will in clouds appeare,

And errors, men, for truths, away will beare.

Would this had beene obſerv'd a little more,

By ſome who in our Congregations roare

Of Gods unknowne Decrees, Eternall-Callings,

Of Perſeverance, and of Finall Fallings,

And ſuch like Myſteries. Of elſe, I would

That they t…eir meanings better utter could,

(If well they meant.) For, though thoſe points afford

Much comfort and inſtruction (as Gods word

Hath mention'd them) and may applyed be,

And opened, when we juſt occaſion ſee;

Yet, as moſt handle them, who now adayes

Doe paſſe for Preachers, with a vulgar praiſe,

p. 23They profit not: for, this ripe age hath young

And forward wits, who by their fluent tongue,

And able memories, a way have found

To build a houſe, e're they have laid the ground.

With common places, and with notes purloin'd,

(Not well applyed, and as ill conjoyn'd)

A garb of preaching theſe have ſoone attained,

Which hath, with many, approbation gained

Beyond their merit. For, they take in hand

Thoſe myſteries, they neither underſtand,

Nor ſtudied on. And, they have much diſtracted

Some hearers, by their doctrines ill compacted:

Yea, by enquiring out what God fore-ſees,

And medling much with his unknowne Decrees,

The Churches peace ſo much diſturb'd have they;

So foule and crooked made Faiths plaineſt way;

Such ſcandals raiſ'd; and interrupted ſo,

By doubts impertinent, what men ſhould doe;

And, their endeavours nullifide, ſo far,

That many of them at a nonplus are.

I am not of their minds, who take from this

And other things, that are perform'd amiſſe,

Occaſion to diſparage frequent preaching;

Or, to abate our plentiouſneſſe of teaching:

For, of our Harveſt, Lord, I humbly pray,

The ſtore of Labourers continue may.

And, I could alſo wiſh, that none were choſe

To be a ſeed-man, till he truly knowes

The Wheat from Tares; and is indu'd with reaſon,

And grace, to ſow in order, and in ſeaſon.

And that thoſe artleſſe workmen may be ſtaid,

Who build before foundations they have laid:

Leſt, when our Church well built, ſuppoſe we ſhall,

It ſink, and overwhelme us in the fall.

p. 24It pities me to marke what rents appeare

Within our Sion; and what daubings are

To hide the ruines; and I feare the frame

Will totter, if we long neglect the ſame.

Our Watchmen, for the greater part, are growne

Leſſe mindfull of Gods honour, than their owne:

For either almoſt wholly we omit

That worke, or undiſcreetly follow it.

Some, ſpeake the truth, without ſincere intention,

As they who preach the Goſpell for contention.

Some, by their wicked lives doe give offence,

And harden men in their impenitence.

As if nor hell nor heav'n they did beleeve,

They ryot, game, drink drunk, and whore, and theeve,

For avarice, and envy, none are worſe;

They are malicious, and blaſpheme, and curſe,

As much as any others. None are more

Regardleſſe of the ſoule that's meane and poore;

Among their neighbours, none more quarrelſome,

Or, that more hardly reconcil'd become,

Then many Clergie-…en. And as we ſee

They are the beſt of men, when good they be;

So, there are none that wander more aſtray,

When they have left a ſanctified way.

Some Paſtors are too hot; and ſome too cold;

And, very few the golden temper hold.

Some, at the Papiſt with ſuch madneſſe fling,

As if they could not utter any thing

Of them too vile; though ne're ſo falſe it were:

And, we ſo uſed by their Jeſuits are.

Some others at the Puritan doe ſtrike,

So furiouſly, that they are often like

To wrong the Proteſtants: for, men impoſe

That name, ſometime, upon the beſt of thoſe;

p. 25Yea, they who are prophane, that name miſ-lay

On all who make a conſcience of their way.

Some Shepheards, on their Flocks are gorg'd at full,

And ſumptuouſly arayed in their wooll.

But, thoſe that are diſeaſ'd, they make not ſtrong;

Their ſicklieſt ſheepe they ſeldome come among;

They take no care, the broken up to bind,

The Sheepe that's loſt, they doe not ſeeke to find;

They let ſuch wander as will run aſtray;

And, many times their fury ſo doth fray

The tender conſcience; that their indiſcretion

Doth fright their hearers headlong to perdition.

Gods bounty hath large paſtorage provided;

But, they have not his flocks with wiſdome guided:

For, in the midſt of plenty, ſome be ready

To ſtarve in ignorance. Some ſheepe are headdy;

Some get the ſtaggers; ſome the ſcab; and they

Infect their fellowes. Some, the wantons play

Among the thornes and bryers, which have torne

The marks and fleeces, which they ſhould have worn.

Some ſtraggle from the flock; and they are ſtraight

Surpriz'd by Wolves, which lye for them in wait.

Some, ſought large feeding, and ranck paſtures got,

Which prov'd not wholſome; & they caught the Rot▪

For, many preach themſelves, and fancies broach,

That ſcandall preaching, to the Truths reproach.

Yea, ſome terme that (forſooth) Gods word divine,

Which would halfe ſhame me, ſhould they terme it mine.

And they we ſee, that longeſt pray and ſpeake

Are priz'd of moſt (though head nor foot they make)

Becauſe the common hearers of this Land,

Think beſt of that, which leaſt they underſtand.

Some, alſo, by their feet diſturb the Springs;

Or trample and defile Gods paſturings;

p. 26And they are either ſuch who make obſcure

Faiths principles; or, ſuch whoſe lives impure,

Prophane their Doctrines. Other ſome have we,

Who (like the beaſts that over-gameſome be)

Doe puſh their weaker brethren with their homes;

And hunt them from the flock, by wrongs, or ſcornes▪

Gods houſes, alſo, much neglected are;

And of his Sanctuaries, few have care.

A barne, or any common houſe, or roome,

Is thought as well Gods worſhip to become,

As in the Churches infancy; or there,

Where wants, and wars, and perſecutions are.

Amidſt our peace and plenties, we doe grutch

Our Oratories ſhould be trimm'd as much

As are our vulgar dwellings; and repine

That exerciſes which are moſt divine,

Should with more Rites, or Ornaments, be done,

Then when the troublous times afforded none.

As if a Garden, when the flow'rs are blowne,

Were ſtill to look as when it firſt was ſowne.

To worſhip ſo in ſpirit, we pretend

That, in our bodies, we doe ſcarcely bend

A leg, or move a cap, when there we be,

Where Gods moſt holy Myſteries we ſee.

Yea, many ſeeme ſo carefull to have bin,

To let no Superſtition enter in,

That they have, almoſt, wholly baniſht hence,

All Decency, and pious Reverence.

The Church, by Lukewarme Chriſtians, is neglected,

By brutiſh Atho'ſts, it is diſreſpected;

By greedy Worldlings, robbed of her fleeces;

By ſelfe-will'd Schiſmaticks, nigh torne in pieces;

By Tyrants, and by Infidels oppoſed;

By her blind Guides, to hazard oft expoſed;

p. 27By Hypocrites, injuriouſly defamed;

And, by the frailties of the beſt, oft ſhamed.

A pow'r eccleſiaſticall is granted

To them, full often, who thoſe minds have wanted

Becomming ſuch Authoritie: and they

Play faſt and looſe, ev'n with the Churches Key▪

They cenſure and abſolve, as beſt ſhall make

For their advantage; not for conſcience ſake.

As they ſhall pleaſe, they puniſh or connive;

And, by the peoples follies they doe thrive.

Of evill cuſtomes, many are we ſee

Inſinuated, and ſo ſtrict are we

To keep them, that we ſottiſhly deny

To leave them, for what more would edifie:

And we ſo much doe Innovations feare,

That needfull Reformations none appeare.

We have prophaned ev'ry holy thing;

Ev'n our moſt Chriſtian Feaſts, which are to bring

Gods Mercies to our thought; and memorize

Of Saving-Grace, the ſacred Myſteries:

Some have ev'n thoſe gain-ſayed; and, in that

Have evill ſpoken, of they know not what.

Some others keep them; but, as heatheniſhly,

As Feaſts of Bacchus; and impietie

Is then ſo rife, that God is rarely nam'd

Or thought upon, except to be blaſphem'd.

By theſe, and other wayes, the Church doth loſe

Much honour, to the glory of her foes,

And our great ſhame, and loſſe: for, her decayes

Shall be this Realmes diſprofit, and diſpraiſe.

God hath a Controverſie with our Land;

And, in an evill plight affaires doe ſtand.

Already we doe ſmart for doing ill;

Yet, us the hand of God afflicteth ſtill,

p. 28And many ſee it not; as many be

So wilfull, that his hand they will not ſee.

Some, plainly view the ſame, but nothing care:

Some, at the ſight thereof amazed are

Like Balthazar; and have a trembling heart;

Yet, will not from their vanities depart.

About ſuch matters, other ſome are loth

Their thoughts to buſie (meerely out of ſloth)

Like him, who rather would in hazard put

His life, than riſe from bed the doore to ſhut.

Some, dreame that all things doe by chance ſucceed,

And that I prate more of them than I need.

But, Heav'n and Earth, to witneſſe I invoke,

That, cauſleſly, I nothing here have ſpoke.

If this, oh ſickly Iland, thou beleeve,

And for thy great infirmitie ſhalt grieve,

And, grieving of thy follies make confeſſions;

And ſo confeſſe thine infinite tranſgreſſions:

That thou amend thoſe errors: God ſhall then

Thy manifold diſtempers cure agen;

Make all thy ſcarlet ſins as white as ſnow,

And caſt his threatned judgement on thy foe.

But, if thou (fondly thinking thou art well)

Shalt ſleight this Meſſage, which my Muſe doth tell,

And ſcorne her counſell; If thou ſhalt not rue

Thy former wayes; but, frowardly purſue

Thy wilfull courſe: then, harke what I am bold,

(In ſpight of all thy madneſſe) to unfold.

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

That are unborne, ſhall read, another day;

They will beleeve Gods mercy did infuſe

Thy Poets breſt with a prophetick Muſe.

And know, that he this Author did prefer,

To be from him, this Iles Remembrancer.

p. 29If thou, I ſay, oh Britaine! ſhalt retaine

Thy crying ſinnes, thou doſt preſume in vaine,

Of Gods protection. If thou ſtop thine eare,

Or burne this Rowle, in which recorded are

Thy juſt Inditements; it ſhall written be

With new additions, deeply ſtampt on thee

With ſuch Characters, that no time ſhall race

Their fatall image, from thy ſcarred face.

Though haughtily thou doſt thy ſelfe diſpoſe;

Becauſe the Sea thy borders doth encloſe.

Although upon the Rocks thy neaſt is plac'd;

Though thou among the Stars thy dwelling haſt;

Though thou encreaſe thy ſhips; and unto that

Which is thine owne, with King Iehoſaphat,

Joyne Ahabs forces. Though thou watch and ward,

And all thy Ports and Havens ſtrongly guard;

Although thou multiply thy inland forces,

And muſter up large troups of men and horſes;

Though like an Eagle, thou thy wings diſplay'ſt,

And (high thy ſelfe advancing) proudly ſay'ſt;

I ſit aloft, and am ſo high, that none

Can fetch me from the place I reſt upon.

Yea, though thou no advantages didſt want,

Of which the gloriouſt Emperies did vaunt;

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

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

Till thou repent, prouiſions which are made

For thy defence, or others to invade,

Shall be in vaine; and ſtill, the greater coſt

Thou ſhalt beſtow, the honour that is loſt

Shall be the greater; and thy waſted ſtrength,

Be ſick of a Conſumption, at the length.

Thy Treaties, which for peace or profit be,

Shall nether peace, nor profit, bring to thee.

p. 30Or, if thy Counſels proſper for a while,

God will permit it, onelyonly to beguile

Thy fooliſhneſſe; and tempt thee on, to run

Some courſes, that will bring his Judgements on.

Yea, all thy winnings ſhall but fuell be,

To feed thoſe follies that now ſpring in thee;

And make (with vengeance) thoſe the more enrag'd

Who ſhall for thy correction be engag'd.

What ever threatned in Gods Book hath bin,

Againſt a wicked people for their ſin,

Shall come on thee: His hand ſhall be for ill,

On ev'ry Mountaine, and high-raiſed Hill.

Thy loftie Cedars, and thy ſturdy Oakes,

Shall feele the fury of his thunder-ſtroakes.

Upon thy ſhips, thy Havens, and thy Ports,

Upon thy Armes, thy Armies, and thy Forts,

Upon thy pleaſures and commodities,

Thy Crafts mechanick, and thy Merchandize;

On all the fruits, and cattell in thy fields,

On what the Ayre, or what the Water yeelds,

On Prince and People; on both weak, and ſtrong,

On Prieſt, and Prophet; on both old, and yong;

Yea, on each perſon, place, and ev'ry thing,

The plague it hath deſerved God ſhall bring.

What ever thou doſt hope, he fruſtrate ſhall;

And, make what e're thou feareſt, on thee fall.

This pleaſant ſoyle, wherein ſuch plenty growes,

And where both milke and honey overflowes,

Shall for thy peoples wickedneſſe be made

A Land as barren, as what never had

Such plenties in it. God ſhall drive away

Thy pleaſant Fowles, and all thoſe Fiſh that play

Within thy waters; and for whoſe great ſtore

Some other Nations would have prais'd him more.

p. 31Thoſe Rivers, that have made thy Vallies rich,

Shall be like ſtreames of ever-burning Pitch.

Thy duſt, as Brimſtone; fields as hard and dry

As iron is; the Firmament, on high,

(Like Braſſe) ſhall yeeld thee neither raine nor due.

The hope of waſted bleſſings to renue.

A leanneſſe, ſhall thy fatneſſe quite devoure;

Thy Wheat ſhall in the place of wholſome flowre,

Yeeld nought but bran. In ſtead of graſſe and corne,

Thou ſhalt in times of harveſt, reap the thorne,

The thiſtle, and the bryar. Of their ſhadowes

Thy Groves ſhall robbed be. Thy flowry Medowes

Shall ſterile waxe. There ſhall be ſeldome ſeene

Sheep on thy Downes; or Shepheards on the greene▪

Thy walks, thy gardens, and each pleaſant plot,

Shall be as thoſe where men inhabit not.

Thy Villages, where goodly dwellings are,

Shall ſtand as if they unfrequented were.

Thy Cities, and thy Palaces, wherein

Moſt neatneſſe and magnificence hath bin,

Shall heaps of rubbiſh be, and (as in thoſe

Demoliſht Abbies, wherein Dawes, and Crowes,

Now make their neſts) the bramble, and the nettle,

Shall in their halls, and parlours, root, and ſettle.

Thy Princes houſes, and thy wealthy Ports,

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

Shall no inhabitants in them retaine,

But ſome poore Fiſherman, or Country Swaine,

Who of thy glories, when the marks they ſee,

Shall wonder what thoſe mighty ruines be▪

As now they doe, who old foundations find,

Of Townes and Cities, periſht out of mind.

The places where much people meetings had,

Shall vermine holes, and dens for beaſts be made.

p. 32Or walks for Sprights, who from thoſe uncouth rooms

Shall fright the paſſenger, which that way comes.

In ſtead of mirth and laughter, lamentation

Shall there abide: and▪ loathſome deſolation▪

In ſtead of company. Where once was heard

Sweet melody, men ſhall be made afeard

With hideous cryes, and howlings of deſpaire.

Thy very Climate, and thy temp'rate ayre,

Shall loſe their wholſomneſſe▪ for thy offences;

And breed hot Fevers, Murraines, Peſtilences,

And all diſeaſes. They that now are trained

In eaſe, and with ſoft pleaſures entertained;

In ſtead of idle games, and wanton dances,

Shall practiſe how to handle guns, and launces:

And be compell'd to leave their friends embraces,

To end their lives in divers uncouth places;

Or elſe, thy face, with their owne bloud defile,

In hope to keepe themſelves, and thee, from ſpoile.

Thy beautious Women (whoſe great pride is more

Than theirs, whom Eſay blamed heretofore)

In ſtead of paintings, and of coſtly ſents,

Of glittering gems, and precious ornaments,

Shall weare deformitie about their faces;

And, being rob'd of all their tempting graces,

Feele wants, diſeaſes, and all ſuch like things,

Which to a wanton Lover lothing brings▪

Thy God, ſhall for thy overflowing vices,

Scourge thee with Scorpions, Serpents, Cockatrices,

And other ſuch; whoſe tailes with ſtings are armed,

That neither can be plucked forth, nor charmed.

Thou ſhalt not be ſuffiz'd when thou art fed;

Nor ſhalt thou ſuffer ſcarcitie of bread

And temp'rall food alone; but, of that meat,

Whereof the faithfull ſoule deſires to eate.

p. 33That curſe of Ravenous beaſts, which God hath ſaid,

VponUpon a wicked kingdome ſhall be laid,

He will inflict on the. For though there be

No Tygers, Lyons, Wolves, or beares in th…e,

By beaſtly minded men (that ſhall be farre

More cruell then thoſe bloody ſpoylers are)

Thou ſhalt be torne: for, each man ſhall aſſay

His fellow to devoure as lawfull prey.

In ſtead of Lyons, Tyrants thou ſhalt breed,

Who nor of conſcience, nor of Law take heed;

But, on the weake mans portion lay their paw,

And, make their Pleaſures, to become their L…w.

In ſtead of Tigers, men of no compaſſion,

A furious, and a wilfull generation,

Shall fill thy borders. Theeves, and outlawes vile,

Shall hunt the waies, and haunt the woods for ſpoyle,

As Beares, and Wolves. A ſubtile cheating crew

(That will with tricks and couſenages purſue

The ſimpler ſort) ſhall here encreaſe their breed;

And, in their ſubtleties the Fox exceed.

That hoggiſh herd, which alwaies rooting are

Within the ground, and never upward reare

Their grunting ſnouts; nor fixe their eyes on heav'n,

To looke from whence their daily food is giv'n:

Thoſe filthy ſwiniſh livers, who deſire

To feede on dra…fe, and wallow in the mire;

Thoſe, who affect ranke pudles, more then ſprings;

To trample and diſpiſe moſt precious thing;

The holy to prophane; Gods hearbs of grace

To nouzle up, his Vineyard to deface;

And ſuch like harmes to doe: theſe ſhall thy fields,

Marre worſe, then thoſe wild Boares the d…ſart yeelds.

If thou remaine impenitent, thou ar…

Like Egypt; and ſo ſtony is thy heart.

p. 34For which obdurateneſſe, thoſe plagues will all

Deſcend on thee, which did on Egypt fall.

Blood, Frogs, and Lice, great ſwarmes of uncoth Flies▪

Th' infectious Murraine, whereof Cattle dies;

Boyles, Scabs, & Blaines; fierce Haile, & Thunder-ſtormes,

The Locuſt, and all fruit devouring Wormes.

Croſſe Darkneſſe, and the Death of thoſe that be

Thy Darlings; all thoſe Plagues ſhall fall on thee,

According as the Letter doth imply,

Or, as in myſtick ſenſe they ſignifie.

Thy pureſt Rivers God ſhall turne to blood▪

With ev'ry Lake, that hath beene ſweet and good.

Ev'n in thy noſtrils he ſhall make it ſtinke,

For▪ nothing ſhall thy people eate or drinke,

Vntill their owne, or others blood it coſt;

Or, put their lives in hazard to be loſt.

Moſt loathſome Frogs; that is, a race impure,

Of baſe condition, and of birth obſcure,

(Ev'n in unwholſome fens, and ditches, bred)

Shall with a clowniſh rudeneſſe over-ſpread

Thy pleaſant'ſt fields; thy faireſt roomes poſſeſſe;

And make unwholſome (by their ſluttiſhneſſe)

Thy kneading troughs, thy ovens, and that meat,

Whereof thy people, and thy Princes eat.

This hatefull brood, ſhall climbe to croake and ſing,

Within in lodging chambers of the King.

Yea, there make practice of thoſe naturall notes,

Which iſſue from their evill-ſounding throats:

To wit, vaine brags, revilings, ribaldries,

Vile ſlanders, and unchriſtian blaſphemies.

The Land ſhall breed a naſty Generation,

Vnworthy either of the reputation

Or name of men. For, they as Lice ſhall feed

Ev'n on the body whence they did proceed;

p. 35Till poverty, and ſloventy, and ſloth,

Have quite diſgrac'd them, and conſum'd them both,

There ſhall moreover, ſwarmes of divers Flies,

Engendred be in thy proſperities,

To be a plague: the Fleſh-flye ſhall corrupt

Thy ſavory meats; Musketoes interrupt

The weary traveller; thou ſhalt have Drones,

Dores , Hornets, Waſpes, and s;uch like angry-ones,

Who repreſent that ſwarme whoſe buzzing tongues

(Like ſtings) are uſed in their neighbours wrongs:

And, ſtill are flying, and ſtill humming ſo,

As if they meant ſome weighty worke to do,

When as, upon the common ſtock they ſpend;

And nought performe of that which they pretend.

Thy Butter-flies ſhall plague thee too; ev'n thoſe,

Who waſte their Lands and Rents, in gaudy clothes,

Or idle flutterings; and then ſpawne their ſeed,

Upon thy goodli'ſt flow'rs, and herbs to feed.

As Beaſts deſtroyed by the Murraine be,

So, they th…y that are of beaſtly life in thee,

By lewd example ſhall infect each other;

And in their foule diſeaſes rot together.

On all thy people, or what ſort ſoe're,

Shall Scabs, and bile, and running ſores appeare,

The fruits of their corruption. Yea, with paines

(Within their conſcience, and with ſcars and blaines

Of outward infamy) they ſhall be grieved.

And, in their tortures periſh, unrelieved.

Tempeſtuos ſtormes, upon this Ile ſhall fall,

Hot Thunder-bolts, and Haile-ſtones therewithall;

Men either too too hot, or too too cold;

Or elſe luke warme. But, few or none ſhall hold

A rightfull temper: and, theſe meteors will

Thy borders with a thouſand miſchieves fill.

p. 36The Locuſt alſo and the Palmer wormes,

Shall prey on what eſcapeth from the Stormes:

Not they alone, which on the graſſe do breed;

But, alſo, they who from the pit proceed

Which hath no bottom: and, when any thing

Doth by the dew of heav'n begin to ſpring,

They ſhall devoure the ſame, till they have left thee,

Nor leafe nor bloſſome; but, of all bereft thee,

Then ſhall a darkeneſſe follow, farre more blacke,

Then when the light coporeall thou doſt lacke.

For, groſſeſt Jgnorance, o'reſhadowing all,

Shall in ſo thick a darkneſſe thee inthrall,

That thou a blockiſh people ſhalt be made,

Still wandring on in a deceiving ſhade;

Miſtruſting thoſe that ſafeſt paths are ſhowing,

Moſt truſting them, who counſell thy undoing;

And aye tormented be with doubts and feares,

As one that outeries, in darke places heares.

Nor ſhall the hand of God from thee returne,

Till he hath alſo ſmote thine eldeſt-borne.

That is, till he hath taken from the quite,

Ev'n that whereon thou ſetſt thy whole delight;

And filled ev'ry houſe throughout this Nation,

With deaths unlooked for, and lamentation.

So great ſhall be thy ruine, and thy ſhame,

That when the neighbour kingdomes heare the ſame

Their eares ſhall tingle. And when that day comes,

In which thy follies muſt receive their doomes;

A day of clouds, a day of gloomineſſe,

A day of blacke deſpaire, and heavineſſe,

It will appeare. And, then thy vanities,

Thy gold, thy ſilver, thy confederacies,

And all thoſe reeds on which thou haſt depended;

Will faile thy truſt, and leave thee unbefriended.

p. 37Thy King, thy Prieſts & Prophets, then ſhall mourne;

And, peradventure, fainedly returne

To beg of God to ſuccour them: but, they

Who will not harken to his voyce today,

Shall cry unheeded: and he will deſpiſe

Their vowes, their prayers, and their ſacrifice:

A ſea of troubles, all thy hopes ſhall ſwallow:

As waves on waves, ſo plague on plague ſhall follow:

And, ev'ry thing that was a bleſſing to thee,

Shall turne to be a curſe, and helpe undoe thee.

Thy Sov'raignes have to thee thy Fathers bin;

By meanes of them hath peace beene kept within

Thy ſea-girt limits: they, thy weale befriended,

The bleſſed Faith they ſtoutly have defended:

And, thou haſt cauſe of goodly hopes in him,

Who hath, of late, put on thy Diadem.

But know, that (till thou ſhalt repent) no part

Belongs to thee of what is his deſert

His princely vertues, to his owne availe,

Shall profit much: but they to thee ſhall faile.

To thee his clemency ſhall ſeeme ſevere,

His favours all, ſhall injuries appeare;

And when thy ſinne is fully ripe in thee,

Thy Prince and people, then▪ alike ſhall be.

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

Thoſe Tyrants who by cruelty and force

Shall take away thy ancient freedomes quite,

From all their Subjects; yea themſelves delight,

In their vexations: and, all thoſe that are

Made ſlaves thereby, ſhall murther, yet not dare

To ſtirre againſt them. By degeers they ſhall

Deprive thee of thy patrimonies all;

Compell thee (as in other Lands, this day)

For thine owne meat, and thine owne drinke▪ to pay.

p. 38And, at the laſt beginne to exerciſe

Upon thy ſonnes, all heathniſh tyrannies,

As juſt Prerogatiues To theſe intents,

Thy Nobles ſhall become their inſtruments.

For they who had their birth from noble races,

Shall (ſome and ſome) be brought into diſgraces

From offices they ſhall excluded ſtand:

And all their vertuous off-ſpring from the Land,

Shall quite be worne in ſtead of whom ſhall riſe

A brood advanced by impieties,

By flattery by purchaſe, and by that

Which ev'ry truely-noble one doth hate.

From ſtems obſcure, and out of meane profeſſions,

They ſhall aſcend and mount by their ambtions,

To ſeats of Juſtice; and thoſe Nam…s to beare▪

Which honor'd moſt within theſe Kingdomes are.

And being thither got, ſhall make more ſtrong

Their new-built Greatneſſe, by encreaſing wrong▪

To thoſe▪ will ſome of theſe themſelves unite,

Who by their births to Lordly Stil…s have right;

But, viciouſly conſuming their eſtate,

Did from their fathers worths degenerate.

By this Confederacy▪ their nobler bloods▪

Shall countenance the others ill-got goods;

The others wealth againe ſhall keepe from ſcorne

Their beggery, who have beene nobly borne:

And, both together, being elſe unable,

(In this ill courſe to make their ſtanding ſtable)

Shall ſeeke how they more great, & ſtrong, may grow

By compaſſing the publike over-throw.

They ſhall abuſe thy Kings, with tales, and lies;

With ſeeming love, and ſervile flatteries.

They ſhall perſwade them they have pow'r to make

Their Wils, their Law; and as they pleaſe to take

p. 39There peoples goods, their children and their lives,

Ev'n by their juſt and due Prerogatives.

When thus much they have made them to beleeve,

Then they ſhall teach them practices to grieve

Their ſubjects by; and, inſtruments become

To helpe the ſcrewing up, by ſome and ſome,

Of Monarchies to Tyrannies. They ſhall

Abuſe Religion, Honeſtie, and all.

To compaſſe their deſignes. They ſhall deviſe

Strange projects; and with impudence, and lyes,

Proceed in ſetling them. They ſhall forget

Thoſe reverent uſages, which doe befit

The majeſtie of State; and raile, and ſtorme,

When they pretend diſorders to reforme.

In their high Counſels, and where men ſhould have

Kind admonitions, and reprovings grave,

When they offend, they ſhall be threatned there,

Or ſcoft, or taunted, though no cauſe appeare.

It is unſeemly for a Judge to ſit

And exerciſe a jibing Schoole-boyes wit

VponUpon their trades, or names, who ſtand before

Their judgement ſeats: bu… who doth not abhor

To heare it, when a Magiſtrate objects,

Birth, poverty, or perſonall defects

In an upbraiding wiſe? Or, who with me

Derides it not, when in our Courts we ſee

Thoſe men, whoſe bodies are both old and weake,

(Forgetting grave and uſefull things to ſpeake)

Uent Giants words, and briſtle up, as tho

Their very breath could armies overthrow:

Whereas (poore weaklings) were there in their places

No more authority, then in their faces,

Their perſons, or their language, all their chaſing,

And threatning, nothing would effect but laughing.

p. 40For unto me big looks, and crying ho…,

As dreadfull ſeemes, as when a child cryes boh

To fright his Nurſe, yea ſuch a bugbeare faſhion

Eff…cteth nought but ſcornefull indignation.

But in thoſe times (which nearer are then ſom…

Suppoſe perhaps) ſuch Rhetoricke will come

To be in uſe; and arguments of Reaſon,

And juſt proceeding, will be out of ſeaſon.

Their Wiſedome ſhall be folly; and, goe nigh

To bring con…empt on their Authority.

Their Councell Fable ſhall a ſnare be made,

And thoſe 'gainſt whom they no juſt matter had,

At firſt appearance ſhall be urg'd to ſay

Some word or other, e're they part away,

Which will betray their innocence to blame,

And bring upon them detriment and ſhame:

Yea, many times (as David hath of old,

Concerning ſuch oppreſſors well foretold)

To humble crouchings, and to fained ſhowes,

Deſcend they ſhall, to worke mens overthrowes:

And what their ſubtilty doth faile to gaine,

They ſhall by rigour, and by force obtaine.

What ever from thy people they can teare,

Or borrow, they ſhall keep, as if it were

A prize which had beene taken from the Foe:

And they ſhall make no conſcience what they doe

To prejudice Poſterity. For, they

To gaine their luſt, but for the preſent day,

Shall with ſuch love unto themſelves endeavor,

That (though they knew it would undoe for ever

Their owne poſterity) it ſhall not make

Thoſe Monſters any better courſe to take.

Nay, God ſhall give them up for their offences,

To ſuch uncomely reprobated ſenſes:

p. 41And blinde them ſo, that (when the axe they ſee

Ev'n hewing at the root of their owne tree,

By their owne handy ſtrokes) they ſhall not grieve

For their approaching fall: no, nor beleeve

Their fall approacheth; nor aſſume that heed

Which might prevent it, till they fall indeed.

Thy Princes, Brittaine, in thoſe dayes, will be

Like roaring Lyons, making prey of thee.

God ſhall deliver thee into their hand.

And they ſhall act their pleaſure in the Land;

As one his Prophet threatned to that Nation,

Which doth exemplifie thy Deſolation.

Thy Kings (as thou haſt wallowed in exceſſe)

Shall take delight in drinke, and wantonneſſe.

And, thoſe who thou doſt call thy Noble-ones

Shall to the very marrow, gnaw thy bones.

Thy Lawyers fulfully ſhall wreſt thy Lawes,

And (to the ruine of the common Cauſe)

Shall miſ-interpret them, in hope of grace

From thoſe, who may diſpoyle them of their place.

Yea, that whereto they are obliged both

By Conſcience, by their Calling, and their Oath

To put in execution, they ſhall feare,

And, leave them helpeleſſe, who oppeſſed are.

Thy Prelates in the ſpoyle of thee ſhall ſhare;

Thy Prieſts, as light ſhall be, as thoſe that are

The meaneſt perſons. All their Prophecies,

Or preachings, ſhall be heriſies and lies.

The word of truth in them ſhall not remaine,

Their lips no wholſome knowledge ſhall retaine,

And all his outward meanes of ſaving Grace,

Thy God ſhall carry to another place.

Marke well oh Britaine! what I now ſhall ſay,

And doe not ſleihhtly paſſe theſe words away;

p. 42But, be aſſured that when God begins,

To bring that vengeance on thee, for thy ſinnes,

Which hazzard will with totall over-throw,

Thy Prophets, and thy Prieſts ſhall ſliely ſow

The ſeeds of that diſſention and ſedition,

Which time will ripen for thy ſad perdition.

Ev'n they, who formerly, were of thy peace

The happy inſtruments, ſhall then increaſe

Thy troubles moſt. And, ev'n as when the Iewes

Gods truth-preſaging Prophets did abuſe,

He ſuffered thoſe who preached in his Name,

Such falſhoods as the chiefeſt cauſe became

Of their deſtruction: ſo if thou go on

To make a ſcorne (as thou haſt often done)

Of them who ſeeke thy welfare, he will ſend

Falſe Prophets, that ſhall bring thee to thine end▪

By ſaying all things thou wouldeſt have them ſay:

And lulling thee aſleepe in thine owne way.

If any brain-ſick Fellow, whom the Devill

Seduceth to inflict, on thee ſome evill,

Shall coyne falſe Doctrines, or perſwade thee to

Some fooliſh courſe that will, at length, undoe

The Common-weale: …his counſell thou ſhalt follow▪

Thou, cover'd with his bait, a hooke ſhalt ſwallow

To rend thine entrailes: and thine ignorance

Shall alſo for that miſchiefe, him advance.

But if that any love… of thy weale,

Inſpir'd with truth, and with an honeſt zeale,

Shall tell thee ought pert…ining to thy good,

His Meſſages ſhall ſtiffly be withſtood:

That Seer ſhall be charged not to ſee;

His word ſhall ſleighted as a potſherd be

His l…fe ſhall be traduced, to diſgrace

His Counſells; or, his errant to debaſe:

p. 43In ſtead of recompence he ſhall be ſure,

Impriſonments, or threatnings to procure:

And peradventure (as thoſe Prophets were,

Who did among the Iewiſh Peers declare

Their States enormities) his good intention,

May be ſo rong'd, that he, by ſome invention,

May looſe his life, with publike ſhame and hate,

As one that is a troubler of the State.

But not unleſſe the Prieſt thereto conſent▪

For in thoſe dayes ſhall few men innocent

Be griev'd (through any quarter of the Land)

In which thy Clergie ſhall not have ſome hand.

If ever in the Fields (as God forbid)

The blood of thine owne children ſhall be ſhed

By civill diſcord, they ſhall blow the flame,

That will become thy ruine, and thy ſhame.

And thus it ſhall be kindled. When the times,

Are nigh at worſt; and thy increaſing crimes

Almoſt compleat; the Devill ſhall begin

To bring ſtrange crotchets, and opinons in

Among thy Teachers, which will breede diſunion,

And interrupt the viſible communion

Of thy eſtabliſht Church. And, in the ſteed

Of zealous Paſtors, (who Gods flock did feed)

There ſhall ariſe within thee, by degrees▪

A Clergie, that ſhall more deſire to fleece,

Then feede the flocke. A Clergy it ſhall be,

Divided in it ſelfe: and they ſhall thee

Divide among them, into ſev'rall factions:

which rend thee will, and fill thee with deſtructions:

They all in ourward ſeeming ſhall pretend

Gods glory, and to have one pious end:

But, under colour of ſincere devotion,

Their ſtudy ſhall be temporall promotion;

p. 44Which will among themſelves ſtrange quarrels make

Wherein thy other children ſhall pe…take.

As to the Perſons, or the Cauſe, they ſtand

Affected, even quite throughout the Land.

One part of theſe will for preferment ſtrive,

By li…ting up the King's prerogative

Above it ſelfe. They ſhall perſwade him to

Much more then Law or Conſcience bids him do;

And ſay, God warrants it. His holy Law…s

They ſhall pervert, to juſtifie their cauſe;

And, impudently wreſt, to prove their ends,

What God, to better purpoſes, intends.

They ſhall not bluſh to ſay, that ev'ry King,

May doe like Solomon, in every thing,

As if they had his warrant: and ſhall dare

Aſcribe to Monarches, rights that proper are

To none but Chriſt; and mixt their flatteries,

With no leſſe groſſe and wicked blaſphemies▪

Then Heathens did: yea, make their Kings beleeve,

That whoſoever they oppreſſe or greive,

It is no wrong; nor fit for men oppreſſed,

To ſeeke by their owne Lawes to be redreſſed,

Such councell ſhall thy Princes then provoke,

To caſt upon thee Rehoboams yoake.

And, they not caring, or not taking heed

How ill that ill-adviſed King did ſpeed,

Shall multiply thy cauſes of diſtraction.

For, then, will of thy Prieſts, the other faction

Beſtir themſelves. They will in outward ſhowes,

Thoſe whom I laſt have mentioned, oppoſe.

But, in thy ruine, they will both agree,

As in one Center, though farre off they be

In their Diameter. With lowly zeale,

An envious pride they ſl…ly ſhall conceale:

p. 45And, as the former to thy Kings will teach

Meere Tyranny: ſo ſhall theſe other preach

Rebellion to the people; and ſhall ſtraine

The word of God, Sedition to maintaine.

They ſhall not feare to ſay, that if thy King

Become a Tyrant, thou maiſt alſo fling

Obedience off; or from his Crowne divorce him;

Or, by the terror of drawne ſwords enforce him.

Which falſe Divinity, ſhall to the Devill

Send many ſoules, and bring on thee much evill.

Oh! be thou therefore watchfull; and when e're

Theſe Lambs with Dragons voyces doe appeare,

Repent thy ſinne, or take it for a token,

That ſome great Bulwarke of thy peace is broken,

Which muſt be ſoone repaired; or elſe, all

The greatneſſe of thy glory, downe will fall.

Take heede of thoſe falſe prophets, who will ſtrive

Betwixt thy Prince and people to contrive

A diſagreement. And, what ever come,

Thy due Allegeance never ſtart thou from.

For (their oppreſſions though we may withſtand

By pleading Lawes, or Cuſtomes) not a hand

Muſt move againſt them, ſave the hand of God,

Who makes a King, a Bulwarke, or a Rod,

As pleaſeth him. Oh! take ye therefore heed

Yee People, and ye Kings (that ſhall ſucceed)

Of theſe Impoſtors. Of the laſt beware

Yee Subjects: for, their Doctrines helliſh are.

And though they promiſe Liberty and Peace,

Your Thraldome, and your Troubles they'll increaſe.

Shun oh! yee Kings the firſt; ſor, they adviſe

What will your Crownes and honors prejudice.

When you doe thinke their Prophecies befriend you,

They doe but unto R…moth-Gilead ſend you,

p. 46Where you ſhall periſh; and poore Micahs word,

Though leſſe eſteem'd more ſafety will afford.

They will abuſe your piety, and all

Your vertues. For their wicked ends they ſhall

Apply the Sacred Story; or what ever

May ſeeme to further their unjuſt endevor.

Ev'n what the ſon of Hannah told the Iewes,

Should be their ſcourge (becauſe they did refuſe

The ſov'raignty of God, and were ſo vaine

To aske a King which over them might raigne

As heathen Princes did) that curſe they ſhall

Affirme to be a Law Monarchicall

Which God himſelfe eſtabliſhed to ſtand

Throughout all ages, and in ev'ry land.

Which is as good Divinity, as they

Have alſo taught, who doe not bluſh to ſay

That Kings may have both Wives and Concubines;

And, by that Rule whereby theſe great Divines

Shall prove their Tenet, I dare undertake

(If found it hold) that I like proofe will make

Of any I…wiſh Cuſtome, and deviſe

Authority for all abſurdities.

But, falſe it is. For might all Kings at pleaſure

(As by the right of royaltie) make ſeaſure

Of any mans poſſeſſions: why i pray

Did Ahab grieve, that Naboth ſaid him nay?

Why made he not this anſwer thereunto,

(If what the Prophet ſaid ſome Kings would do,

Were juſtly to be done) Thy vineyards mine;

And at my pleaſure, Naboth, all that's thine

Aſſume I may, like a Turky-chick,

Did he ſo fooliſhly grow ſullen-ſick,

And get poſſeſſion by a wicked fact

Of what might have beene his by royall act?

p. 47If ſuch Divinity, as this were true,

The Queene ſhould not have needed to purſue

Poore Naboth, as ſhe did; or, ſo contrive

His death; ſince by the Kings Prerogative,

She might have got his Vinyard. Nor would God

Have ſcourg'd that murther with ſo keene a rod▪

On Ahab, had he asked but his due.

For, he did neither plot, nor yet purſue

The murther; nor (for ought that we can tell)

Had knowledge of the deed of Iezabel,

Till God reveal'd it by the Prophet to him,

Nor is it ſaid, that Naboth wrong did do him,

Or diſreſpect; in that he did not yeeld,

To ſell, or give, or to exchange his Field.

The Iewiſh Commonwealth did ſo inſtate,

That, theit poſſeſſions none could alienate,

But for a time; who ever, for his mony,

Or in exchange, deſir'd their patrimony.

And, doubtleſſe, we offend, who at this day

Thoſe fredomes give, or loſe, or ſell away,

Which were in common right poſſeſt of old,

By our Forefathers; and, continue ſhould

To all their after commers. For, altho

We may diſpoſe of what pertaines unto

Our perſons: yet, thoſe dues which former ages have left unto us for our heritages,

(And whereunto, the child that borne muſt be,

Hath ev'ry whit as good a right as we)

Thoſe dues we ſhould preſerve with all our might,

By pleading of our juſt and ancient rgiht,

In humble wiſe, if ſo the Sov'raigne ſtate

Our freedome ſhall attempt to violate.

But, when by peacefull meanes we cannot ſave it,

We to the pleaſure of the King muſt leave it,

p. 48And unto God our Judge: for all the pow'r

In us, conſiſts in ſaying, This is our.

A King is for a bleſſing, or a curſe;

And therefore (though a Foole he were, or worſe,

A Tyrant, or an Ethnick) no man may

So much as in their private cloſets, pray

Againſt his perſon; though they moy petition

Againſt the wickedneſſe of his condition.

Nor, is this ſuffrance due to thoſe alone,

Who ſubject are unto a Monarchs throne,

But, from all thoſe who either ſubjects are

To mixed Government, or popular.

For, though irregularities appeare

In ev'ry State; becauſe but men they are

Whom Gods exalts to rule: yet, it is he

By whom all Governments ordained be.

And ev'ry Goverment (although the Name

Be different) is in effect the ſame.

In Monarchies, the Counſell (as it were

An Ariſtocracy) one while doth beare

The ſway of all; and though they name the King,

Yet, him they over-rule in ev'ry thing.

Sometime againe, the pop'lar voice we ſee,

Doth awe the Counſell, when in them there be

Some pop'lar Spirits▪ Ariſtocracies

Are otherwhile the ſame with Monarchies,

For, one great man among them gets the pow'r,

From all the reſt, and like an Emperor,

Doth act his pleaſure. And we know tis common

To have ſome fooliſh Favorite▪ or Woman,

To governe him. So in a pop'lar State,

Affaires are manag'd by the ſelfe ſame fate;

And either one or more, away doe ſteale

The peoples hearts, and ſway the Commonweale.

p. 49Thus God is pleas'd, to humble and to raiſe▪

Thus, he by ſev'rall names, and ſev'rall waies,

The world doth governe. Yea, thus, ev'n in one nation,

And in one State, he makes much alteration

In formes of Goverment; of changing that

Which is but accidentall to a State.

And, ſuch his Iuſtice, and his Wiſedome is,

That he preſerveth by the meanes of this,

Thoſe things which doe eſſentially pertaine

To that great Power, which over all doth raigne▪

Nor is he pleaſed thus it ſhould be done

In States that meerely civill are alone;

But, alſo, in the Churches governments,

Allowes the change of outward accidents.

Yea, they to whom he gives the overſights

Of ſome particular Church, may change old Rites,

The Customes, Formes, or Titles, as occaſions

Are offered them; or, as the Times, or Nations,

Require a change: provided ſo, that they

Take nothing which eſſentiall is, away;

Nor adde what ſhall repugne or prejudice

Gods Lawes, his Kingdome, or the Liberties

Of them that are his people. For, in what

Hath any Church a pow'r, if not in that

Which is indifferent? Or, in what I pray

Will men the Church authority obey,

If not in ſuch like things? Or, who ſhould be

The Iudge what is indifferent, if not ſhe?

A private Spirit knowes what beſt agrees

With his owne fancy; but, the Church beſt ſees,

What fits the Congr…gation. From what gives

Offence to one, another man receives

Much comfort: and, his conſcience edifies,

By diſciplines, which many doe deſpiſe.

p. 50A Pariſh is a little Dioceſſe;

And, as of Cities, Townes, and Villages,

A Biſhopricke conſiſts: ſo, that doth riſe

By Tythings, Hamlets, and by Families.

And little difference would be in the ſame,

(Excepting in the largeneſſe and the name)

If their opinions were allow'd of all,

Who favour not the ſtile Epiſcopall:

For, ev'ry Priest would then uſurpe the ſame

Authority, whereof ſome hate the name.

Yea, many a one would then his Pariſh make

A little Popedome, and upon him take

(Conſidering his meane pow'r) as much as he

That Ʋniverſall Biſhop claimes to be:

And prove more proud, and troubleſome, then they

Againſt whoſe Lordlineſſe they now inveigh.

This therefore is my Rule; that Govern…ment

(What e're it be) in which to me God lent

My birth and breeding; that, untill my end,

I will obey, and to my pow'r defend.

Yea, though it tyrannize, I will denay

No more obedience, then by law I may:

Ev'n by thoſe Lawes and Customes whirh doe ſtand

In force, and unrepealed in that land.

What right another had, e're I was borne

Or how, or for what ſinne, Gods hand hath torne

His Kingdome from him, I will never care;

Let them goe anſwer that who Subjects were,

(When loſt it was) and had that meanes, and calling,

And yeares, which might prevented have his falling.

Or ſhould another Country take me home

As one of hers; when thither I did come

I would not ſeek, nor wiſh to innovate

The Titles, or the Customes of that State,

p. 51To what ſome other Countries better thought:

But, leave ſuch things to thoſe to whom I ought.

And, there, if any Faction ſhall conſtraine

That I one part muſt take, I will maintaine

What bore the Sov'raignty when I came thither;

And, I and that will ſtand and fall together.

The ſame obedience, alſo, keepe I ſhall,

To governments Eccleſiaſticall

Where e're I come; if nothing they command

Which doth Gods word, eſſentially, withſtand:

Or, indirectly, or directly, thwart

His glory, or the purity pervert

Of Chriſtian Principles, nor further ſtrife,

Nor cauſe, nor countenance an evill life.

The Hyerarchy, here, I will obey,

And reverence, while I in England ſtay.

In Scotland if I liv'd, I would deny

No due reſpect to their Presbyterie.

Geneva ſhould I viſit, I would there

Submit my ſelfe to what their cuſtomes were.

Yea, whereſoe're I am, I will ſuppoſe

The Spirit in that Church much better knowes

What beſt that place befitteth, then I do:

And, I will live conformed thereunto,

In ev'ry thing that's meerly politick,

And injuries not the Doctrines Catholick.

To ev'ry temp'rall pow'r I'le be the ſame,

By whatſoever cognizance, or name,

Men pleaſe to call it. If I ſhould be ſent

To Poland, where a mixed government

Eſtabliſht is; I would not tell them, there,

That any other Cuſtome better were

Were I in Switzerland, I would maintaine

Democrity; and, thinke to make it plaine,

p. 52That for theſe Times, thoſe Cantons, and that Nation,

There could not be a better Domination.

In Venice, far before a Monarchy

I would prefer an Ariſtocratie.

In Spaine, and France, and in great Britaine here

I hold no Goverments more perfect are

Then Monarchies. And, if Gods will ſhould be,

Beneath a Tyrant to envaſſaile me,

I would perſwade my ſelfe, that heavy yoake

Were beſt, for ſome reſpects; and, to the ſtroke

Ev'n of an iron Mace would ſubject be,

In Body; with a minde that ſhould be free

From his inforcement, (if he did withſtand,

Or bid me what Gods Law doth countermand.)

There is, I know, a middle-way that lies

Ev'n juſt betwixt the two extremities,

Which to ſedition, and to ſaction tend.

To find which tract, my whole deſire I bend;

And wiſh it follow'd more. For, if we tread

That harmeleſſe path, we cannot be miſ-led;

Nor ſham'd, though blam'd we be. To ev'ry man

I faine would give his due; and all I can

I doe endeavour it. I would not wrong

My Country; neither take what doth belong

To Ceſar: nor infringe, or prejudice,

The vniveſall Churches liberties;

Nor for her outward Diſcipline prefer

Or cenſure, any Church particular;

Or any State, but as befit it may,

His Muſe, which nought but needfull truths doth ſay.

Nor have I any purpoſe to withdraw

Obedience, or reſpect from any Law

That's poſitive; or, to diſhearten from

Thoſe Cuſtomes, which a Chriſtian ſtate become.

p. 53Nor have I any thought to ſcandalize,

Or ſpeake a miſſe of Principalities;

Or, to traduce mens perſons▪ but, I fall

On errors of mens lives in generall,

And, on thoſe great abuſes, which I ſee

To blemiſh ev'ry Calling and Degree

Of Dignities and Perſons, I obſerve,

All meanes I can, their honours to preſerve,

When I reprove their faults. And, ev'n as he

That hunteth Foxes, where Lambes feeding be,

May fright that harmeleſſe flock, and ſuffer blame

Of ſome By-ſtanders, (knowing not his Game)

When from his Dogs, thoſe innocents are free,

And none but their devourers bitten be.

So, though my reprehenſions, often are

Miſtooke by fooliſh Readers; they are far

From reprehending thoſe, or taxing that

Which is unfitting for my ſhooting at.

I ſpeake thoſe things which will advantage rather

Then harme: and hence this blinded age may gather

Much light. Thich little volume doth relate

Nought elſe but what is like to be our fate,

If ſin increaſe; and what in former times

Did fall on other Nations for their crimes.

I utter what our welfare may increaſe,

And helpe confirme us in a happy peace;

Which they will never compaſſe, who purſue

To ſpeake what's pleaſing, rather then what's true,

How ever, here my thoughts deliv'red be:

Let God, as he ſhall pleaſe, deliver me.

And if what here is mention'd, thou doſt heed

(Oh Brittaine!) in thoſe times that ſhall ſucceed,

It may prevent much loſſe, and make thee ſhun

Thoſe miſchiefes, whereby Kingdomes are undone.

p. 54But, to thy other ſins, if thou ſhalt adde

Rebellions (as falſe Prophets will perſwade)

Which likely are to follow, when thou ſhalt

In thy profeſſion of Religion halt:

Then, will thy Kings and People ſcourge each other,

For their offences, till both fall together:

By weakning of your pow'rs, to make them way,

Who ſeeke and look for that unhappy day.

Then, ſhall diſorder ev'ry where abound

And neither juſt nor pious man be found

The beſt ſhall be a Br…er or a Thorne,

By whom their neighbours ſhall be ſcratcht and torne.

Thy Princes ſhall to nothing condiſcend

For any merit, juſt, or pious end;

But either for encreaſing of their treaſure,

Or for accompliſhing their wilfull pleaſure:

And unto what they ſell or daine for meede,

There ſhall be given little truſt or heed.

For, that which by their words confirme they ſhall,

(The royall Seales uniting therewithall)

A toy ſhall fruſtate; and a gift ſhall make

Their ſtricteſt Orders no effect to take.

The Iudge, without a bribe, no cauſe ſhall end:

No man ſhall truſt his brother, or his friend:

The parents and the children ſhall deſpiſe

And hate, and ſpoyle each other: ſhe that lies

Within her husbands boſom, ſhall betray him:

They who thy people ſhould protect, ſhall ſlay them:

The aged ſhall regarded be of none:

The poore ſhall by the rich be troden on:

Such grievous inſolencies, every where

Shall acted be, that good and bad ſhall feare

In thee to dwell; and, men diſcreet ſhall hate

To be a Ruler, or a Magiſtrate;

p. 55When they behold (without impenitence)

So much injuſtice, and ſuch violence.

And, when thy wickedneſſe this height ſhall gaine,

To which (no doubt) it will e're long attaine,

If thou proceede: Then, from the bow that's bent

(And halfe way drawne already) ſhall be ſent

A mortall arrow: and it pierce thee ſhall

Quite through the head, the liver, and the gall.

The Lord ſhall call, and whiſtle from afarre,

For thoſe thy enemies that fierceſt are:

For thoſe thou feareſt moſt; and they ſhall from

Their Countries, like a whirlewind hither come,

They ſhall not ſleepe, nor ſtumble, nor untie

Their garments, till within thy field they lye,

Sharpe ſhall their arrowes be, and ſtrong their bow,

Their faces ſhall as full of horror ſhow

As doth a Lions. Like a bolt of thunder

Their troopes of horſe ſhall come, and tread thee under

Their yron feet. Thy foes ſhall eate thy bread,

And with thy flocks both clothed be and fed.

Thy Dwellers, they ſhall carry from their owne,

To Countries which their fathers have not knowne.

And, thither ſhall ſuch miſchiefes them purſue,

That they who ſeeke the pit-fall to eſchew,

Shall in a ſnare be taken. If they ſhall

Eſcape the ſword, a ſerpent in the wall

To death ſhall ſting them: yea (although they hap;

To ſhun a hundred plagues) they ſhall not ſcape;

But, with new dangers, ſtill be chac'd about,

Vntill that they are wholly rooted out.

The Plowman, then, ſhall be afraid to ſow;

Artificers their labour ſhall forgoe;

The Marchant man ſhall croſſe the Seas no more,

(Except to flye and ſeeke ſome other ſhore)

p. 56Thy ableſt-men ſhall faint: thy wiſe-ones, then

Shall know themſelves to be but fooliſh men.

And they who built and planted by oppreſſion,

Shall leave their gettings to the foes poſſeſſion.

Yea, God will ſcourge thee, England, ſeven times more

With ſeven times greater Plagues then heretofore,

Then▪ thy Allies their friendſhip ſhall withdraw;

And, they that of thy greatneſſe ſtood in awe,

Shall ſay (in ſcorne) Is this the valiant Nation,

That had throughout the world ſuch reputation,

By victories upon the ſhore? are theſe

That people, which were maſter of the ſeas,

And grew ſo mighty? yea that petty Nation,

That were not worthy of thy indignation,

Shall mocke thee too; and all thy former fame,

Forgot ſhall be, or mention'd to thy ſhame.

Marke how Gods Plagues were doubled on the Jewes

When they his mild corrections did abuſe▪

Marke what, at laſt upon their Land he ſent;

And, looke thou for the ſelfe ſame puniſhment,

If them thou imitateſt. I or their ſin,

At firſt, but eight yeares Bondage they were in.

Their wickedneſſe grew more; and God did then,

To Eglon, make them ſlaves, eight yeares and ten

They diſobeying, ſtill, the God of heaven;

Their yeare of Servitude were twenty ſeven,

To Jabin and to Midian. Then, prevailed

Philiſtia forty yeares; and, when that failed,

To make them of their evill waies repent;

There was▪ among themſelves▪ a fatall rent;

And, they oft ſcourg'd each other. Still, they trod

The ſelfeſame path; and, then the hand of God

Brought Aſhur on them; and, did make them beare

His heavie yoake, untill the ſeventeenth yeare.

p. 57And laſt of all the Roman Empire came,

Which from their Country rooted out their Name

That fooliſh project which they did imbrace,

To keep them in poſſeſſion of their place,

Did looſe it. And, like Cain, that vagrant Nation,

Hath now remain'd in fearefull Deſolation

Nigh ſixteene hundred yeares: and, whatſoe're

Some lately dreame) in vaine, they looke for here

A temp'rall Kingdome. For, as long agoe

Their Pſalmiſt ſaid; No Prophet doth foreſhow

This thraldoms end. Nor ſhall it end untill

The Gentiles their juſt number doe fulfill:

Which is unlike to be untill that houre,

In which there ſhall be no more temporall pow'r,

Of temporall Kingdome. Therefore gather them

(Oh Lord!) unto thy new Ieruſalem,

In thy due time. For, yet unto that place

They have a promiſt right, by thy meere grace.

To thoſe who ſhall repent, thy firme Election

Continues in this temporall rejection.

Oh! ſhew thy mercy in their deſolation,

That thou maiſt honor'd be in their ſalvation

Yea, teach us alſo, by their fearefull fall,

To harken to thy voyce, when thou doſt call;

(Leſt thou in anger, unto us proteſt,

That we ſhall never come into thy reſt)

For, we have follow'd them in all their ſin:

Such, and ſo many, have our warnings bin:

And if thou ſtill prolong not thy compaſſion,

To us belongs the ſelfeſame Deſolation.

And it will ſhortly come, with all thoſe terrors

That we on them inflicted, for their errors.

Then, woe ſhall be to them that heretofore

By joyning houſe, to houſe expell'd the poore;

p. 58And field have into field incoporated,

Vntill their Townſhip were depopulated.

For, deſolate their dwelling ſhall be made:

Ev'n in their blood the Lord ſhall bathe his blade:

And they that have by avarice, and wiles,

Erected Pallaces and coſtly Piles;

Shall thinke, the ſtones and timbers in the wall,

Aloud, to God, for vengeance on them call.

Then, woe ſhall be to them who early riſe

To eate and drinke, and play, and wantonnize;

Still adding ſin to ſin: for, they the paine

Of cold, and thirſt, and hunger, ſhall ſuſtaine;

And be the ſervile ſlaves of them that are

Their foes, as to their luſts they captives were.

Then woe to them who darkeneſſe more have lov'd

Then light; and good advice have diſapprov'd:

For, they ſhall wander in a crooked path,

Which neither light, nor end, nor comfort hath.

And, when for Guides, and Counſell they doe cry▪

Not one ſhall pitty them, who paſſeth by.

Then, woe to them that have corrupted bin▪

To juſtifie the wicked in his ſinne;

Or, for a bribe, the righteous to condemne:

For, flames (as on the chaffe) ſhall ſeize on them:

Their bodies to the dunghill ſhall be caſt:

Their flowre ſhall turne to duſt; their ſtock ſhall waſt,

And all the glorious titles they have worne,

Shall but increaſe their infamy and ſcorne,

Then woe to them that have beene rais'd aloft

By good mens ruines; and by laying ſoft

And eaſie pillowes, under great mens armes,

To make them pleas'd in their alluring charmes.

Then, woe to them who being growne afraid

Of ſome nigh perill, ſought unlawfull aid;

p. 59And, ſetting Gods protection quite aſide,

VponUpon their owne inventions have rely'd.

For, God their fooliſh hopes will bring to nought;

On them, their feared miſchiefe ſhall be brought;

And, all their wit and ſtrength, ſhall not ſuffice,

To have their ſorrow off, which on them lies.

Yea, then, oh Britaine! woe to ev'ry one,

That hath without repentance evill done:

For, thoſe who doe not heed, nor beare in mind

His viſitings, Gods reaching hand will find;

And they with howling cries and lamentation,

Shall ſue and ſeeke, in vaine, for his compaſſion.

Becauſe they careleſſe of his Mercies were,

Till in conſumming wrath he did appeare▪

But, ſtill, we ſet far off that evill day;

In dull ſecurity we paſſe away

Our pretious time; and with vaine hopes and toyes,

Build up a truſt which ev'ry puffe deſtroyes.

And therefore, ſtill when healing is expected,

New and unlookt for troubles are effected.

We gather Armies, and we Fleets prepare;

And, then▪ both ſtrong and ſafe we thinke we are.

But, when we looke for victories, and glory,

What followes, but events that make us ſory?

And tis Gods mercy that we turne our faces

With ſo few loſſes, and no more diſgraces.

For, what are moſt of thoſe whom we commend

Such actions to; and whom we forth do ſend

To fight thoſe Battles, which the Lords we call,

But, ſuch as never fight for him at all?

Whom doſt thou make thy Captaines, and diſpoſe

Such Offices unto, but unto thoſe

(Some few excepted) who procure by friends,

Command and pay, to ſerve their private ends?

p. 60Their language, and their practices declare,

That entertained by Gods Foe they were.

Their whoring, ſwearing, and their drunkenneſſe,

Do far more plainely to the world expreſſe

What Generall they doe belong unto,

Then all their Feathers and their Enſignes doe.

Theſe by their unrepented ſinnes, betray

Thy Cauſe. By theſe, the honour, and the day

Is loſt: and when thou hopeſt that thy trouble

▪Shall have and end, thy danger waxeth double.

We wiſht for Parliaments; and them we made

Our Cod: for, all the hope that many had

To remedy the publicke diſcontent,

Was by the wiſedome of a Parliament.

Well; Parliaments we had; and what in beeing,

Suceedeth yet, but greater diſagreeing,

With greater grievances then heretofore?

And reaſon good: for, we depended more

On outward meanes, then on Gods will that ſends

All puniſhments; and all afflictions ends.

Beleeve it, ſhould our Parliaments agree

In ev'ry motion: ſhould our Sov'raigne be

So gracious, as to condiſcend to all

Which for his weale and ours, propoſe we ſhall;

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

Shall make us but ſecure; and helpe to weave

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

Before we ſee the miſchiefe that is wrought.

Whilſt we by Parliament doe chiefly ſeeke

Mere temp'rall ends, the King ſhall doe the like:

Yea, till in them we mutually agree

To helpe each other; and unfained be

In lab'ring for a Chriſtian Reformation;

Each Meeting ſhall beget a new vexation.

p. 61This Iland hath hath ſome ſenſe of what ſhe ayle

And very much, theſe evill times bewailes:

But, not ſo much our ſins doe we lament,

Or mourne, that God for them is diſcontent,

As that the Plagues they being diſturb our pleaſures,

Encreaſe our dangers, and exhauſt our treaſures.

And, for theſe cauſes, now and then we faſt,

And pray, as long as halfe a day doth laſt.

For, if the Sunne doe hut a little cleare

That cloud, from which a tempeſt we doe feare,

What kind of griefe we tooke, we plainely ſhew

By thoſe rejoycings which thereon enſue:

For, in the ſtead of ſuch due thankefulneſſe,

As Chriſtian zeale obligeth to expreſſe;

To pleaſure (not to God) we ſacrifice;

Renew our ſinne; revive our vanities;

And, all our vowed gratitude expires,

In Games, in Guns, in Bels, in Healths, or Fires.

We faine would be at peace; but few men go

That way, as yet, whereby it may be ſo.

We have not that humility which muſt

Effect it: we are falſe, and cannot truſt

Each other; no nor God with true confeſſions:

Which ſhewes that we abhor not our tranſgreſſions.

It proves, that of our errors, we in heart

Repent not, neither purpoſe to depart

From any folly. For all they that are

Sincerely penitent, doe nothing feare

So much as their owne guilt; nor ſeeke to gaine

Ought more, then to be reconcil'd againe:

And they that are thus minded▪ never can

Be long unreconcil'd to God, or man.

When we ſhould ſtoope, we moſt our ſelves exalt

And (though we be) would not be thought in fault.

p. 62Nay, though we faulty be, and though and knowne,

And proved ſo, and ſee that we are thro…e

By our apparent errors, into ſtraits,

From which we cannot get by all our ſleights

Yet, ſtill our ſelves we vaunt and juſtifie,

And ſtruggle, till the ſnare we faſter tye.

We ſin, and we to boaſt it have no …ame,

Yet ſtorme when others doe our follies name:

And rather then we will ſo much as ſay

We did amiſſe (though that might wipe away

The ſtaine of all) I thinke that ſome of us

So wilfull are, ſo proud, and miſchievous,

That we our ſelves, would ruine, and our Nation,

To keepe our ſhadow of a Reputation.

Oh! if we are thus headſtrong tis unlike

We any part of our proud ſailes will ſtrike

Till they have ſuncke our veſſell in the Sea,

Or by the furious windes, are torne away.

Twere better, tho, we did confeſſe our wound,

Then hide it till our ſtate grew more unſound.

Twere better we ſome wealth, or office loſt,

Then keepe them, till our lives, and all, it coſt▪

And therefore, let us wiſely be adviſed,

Before we by a tempeſt be ſurpriſed.

Downe firſt with our Top-gallants, and our Flags;

In ſtormes the skilfull'ſt Pilots make no brags.

Let us (if that be not enough) let fall

Our Miſn…-yeard, and ſtrike our top-ſailes all.

If this we finde be not enough to doe,

Strike Fote-ſaile, Sprit-ſaile yea and Main-ſaile too.

And, rather then our Ship ſhould ſink or rend;

Let's over-board, goods, maſt and tackling ſend.

Save but the Hull, the Maſter, and the Men;

And we may live to ſcoure the ſeas agen.

p. 63Beleeve it England, howſoever ſome

(Who ſhould foreſee thy plagues before they come)

Endeavour to perſwade thee that thou haſt

A hopefull time, and that the worſt is paſt.

Yet I dare boldly tell thee, thou haſt nigh

Worne out Gods patience by impiety.

And, that unleſſe the ſame we doe renue

By penitence, our folly we ſhall rue.

But, what am I, that me thou ſhould'ſt beleeve?

Or, unto what I tell thee, credit give?

It may be this adultrous Generation

Expecteth tokens of her deſolation;

And therefore I will give them ſignes of that

Which they are now almoſt arrived at.

Not ſignes, ſo myſticall as moſt of thoſe

Which did the ruine of the Iewes diſcloſe;

But, ſignes as evident as are the day.

For, know ye Britaines, that what God did ſay

Ieruſalems deſtruction ſhould foreſhew,

He ſpake to ev'ry State that ſhould enſue.

And, that he nought of her, or to her ſpake.

For hers alone, but alſo for our ſake.

One ſigne that Gods long-ſuffering we have tired,

And that his patience is almoſt expired.

Is this; that many judgements he hath ſent.

And ſtill remov'd them e're we did repent.

For, God (ev'n by his Holineſſe) did ſweare,

(Saith Amos) ſuch a Nation he will teare

With bryers, and with Fiſh hookes rend away

The whole poſterity of ſuch as they.

Cleane teeth (ſaith God) I gave them; and with bread

In many places, them I ſcantly fed;

And yet they ſought me not: Then I reſtrained

The dewes of heav'n; upon this Field I rained,

p. 64And not on that; yea, to one City came

Some two or three, to quench their thirſty flame;

Yet, to returne to me, no care they tooke;

With Blaſtings then, and Mildewes, I them ſtrooke;

And mixt among their Fruits the Palmer-worme;

Yet, they their lives did not a jot reforme:

Then did I ſend the Peſtilence (ſaid he)

Devoured by the Sword, their young men be;

Their Horſe are ſlaine, and up to heaven aſcends

Their ſtinke; yet I diſcover no amends

The ſelfe ſame things thy God in thee hath done▪

Oh England! yet, here followes thereupon

So ſmall amendment, that they are a ſigne

To thee; and their ſharpe Judgement, will be thine.

The ſecond Token which doth fore-declare

When Cities States, and Realmes, declining are▪

Ev'n Chriſt himſelfe hath left us: for, (ſaith he)

When Deſolation ſhall approaching be,

Of wars, and warlike rumours ye ſhall heare;

Rare ſignes and tokens will in heaven appeare;

Downe from the Firmament the ſtarres ſhall fall;

The hearts of many men, then, faile them ſhall;

There will be many ſcandals and offences;

Great earthquakes, Schiſmes, Dearths, and Peſtilences,

Realme, Realme; and Nation, Nation ſhall oppoſe;

The neareſt friends, ſhall be the greateſt foes.

Againſt the Church ſhall many tyrannize;

Deceivers, and falſe Prophets, ſhall ariſe;

In ev'ry place ſhall wickedneſſe abound;

And, Charity ſhall very cold be befound.

This Chriſt himſelfe did Prophecy: and we

Are doubtleſſe blind, unleſſe confeſt it be,

That at this houre, upon this Kingdome here,

Theſe markes of Deſolation viewed are.

p. 65How often have we ſeene prodigious lights,

O'reſpread the face of heav'n in moonleſſe nights?

How many dreadfull Meteors, have there beene

In this our Climate, lately heard and ſeene?

Who knoweth not that but a while agoe

A Blazing-Star did threat, if not foreſhow

Gods Judgements▪ In what age, tofore did heare

So many, who did Saints and Stars appeare,

Fall (as it were) from heav'n? Or who hath heard

Of greater Earth-quakes▪ then hath lately ſcar'd

Theſe quarters of the world? How oft, the touch

Of Famine have we had? But, when ſo much

Devoured by the Peſtilence were we,

As in this preſent yeare our people be?

Of Wars, and martiall rumors, never more

Were heard within theſe confines heretofore;

When were all Kingdomes, and all Nations through

The world, ſo oppoſite as they are now▪

We know no Country, whether nigh or far,

But is engag'd, or threatned with ſome War.

All places, either preſent woes bewaile;

Or elſe things feared make mens hearts to faile.

Falſe Prophets, and Deceivers we have many;

We ſcarcely finde integrity in any:

The Name of Chriſt, beginnes in ev'ry place

To ſuffer perſecution and diſgrace;

And, we the greateſt jeopardies are in,

Among our neighbours, and our neareſt kin.

Strange Hereſies doe ev'ry where encreaſe,

Diſturbing Sion, and exiling peace.

Impiety doth multiply. True love

Growes cold. And, if theſe tokens doe not prove

Our fall drawes on, unleſſe we doe amend:

I know not when our folly ſhall have end.

p. 66A third apparant ſigne which doth declare

When ſome devouring Plague approacheth neere,

Is when a Nation doth anew begin

To let Idolatry to enter in;

And openly, or ſecretly give place

To Hereſie, where Truth eſtabliſht was:

Or when like Jeroboam, to poſſeſſe

An outward profit, or a temporall peace,

They either change Religions, or deviſe

A worſhip which doth mixe Idolatries

With truth. For this, ev'n for this very crime,

The King of Aſhur, in Hoſea's time

Led Iſr'el captive And, both from the ſight

Of God; and from the houſe of David quite,

They were cut off for ever, and did neither

Serve God nor Idols; but ev'n both together;

In ſuch a mixt Religion as is-that

Which ſome among us, now, have aymed at.

Marke England; and I prethee marke it well,

If this offence which ruin'd Iſrael,

On thee appeare not: and, if ſo it be,

Amend; or looke for what it threatens thee.

The fourth true token which doth fore-expreſſe

The ruine of a Land for wickedneſſe,

Is when the Prieſts▪ and Magiſtrates begin,

To grow extreamly impudent in ſin.

This Signe, the Prophet Micah giveth us;

And he (not I) to you cryes loudly thus:

Heaere, O ye houſe of Jacob, and all ye

That Princes of the houſe of Iſrael be:

Ye Juſtice hate; and ye pervert what's good;

Ye build the wals of Sion up with bloud;

Jeruſalem with ſin, ye up have rear'd,

Your Judges paſſe their cenſures for reward;

p. 67Your Prieſts doe preach for hire, your Prophets doe

Like them; and prophecy for money too.

And, for this cauſe ſhall Sion mount (ſaith he)

Ev'n like a plowed field become to be;

And like a Forreſt hill where buſhes grow.

The Citie of Jeruſalem ſhall ſhow.

Change but the names, oh Britain, and that token

Of deſolation, unto thee is ſpoken.

For, what this day thy Prieſts and Princes are,

Their actions, and the peoples cryes declare.

A fifth ſure evidence that God among

Thy ruines will entomb thy ſame e're long,

(If thou repent not) is ev'n this, that thou

Doſt ev'ry day the more ungodly grow,

By how much more the bleſſed meanes of grace

Doth multiply it ſelfe in ev'ry place.

God ſends unto thee many learned Preachers,

Apoſtles, Pastors, and all kind of teachers;

His Viſions, and his Prophecies upon thee

He multiplies. And (that he might have won thee

To more ſinceritie) on all occaſions,

By counſell, by entreatie, and perſwaſions,

He hath adviſ'd, allured, and befought thee:

With precept upon precept, he hath taught thee;

By line on line; by miracle; by reaſon;

In ev'ry place; in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon;

By little and by little; and by much

(Sometime) at once: yet is thy nature ſuch,

That ſtill thou waxeſt worſe; and in the roome

Of pleaſant Grapes, more Thiſtles daily come:

And, thou that art ſo haughty, and ſo proud,

For this, ſhalt vaniſh like an empty cloud;

And, as a Lion, Leopard, or a Beare,

Thy God, for this, ſhall thee in pieces teare.

p. 68If thou ſuppoſe my Muſe did this deviſe,

Goe take it from Hoſea's Propheſies

The ſixth undoubted ſignall when the laſt

Good dayes of ſinfull Realmes are almoſt paſt,

Is when the people neere to God ſhall draw

In word, to make profeſſion of his Law:

And by their tongues his praiſes forth declare;

Yet, in their hearts from him continue far.

To ſuch a Land, their deſtiny diſplayes

Iſaiah: for even thus the Prophet ſayes:

God will produce ae marvell in that ſtate

And doe a Worke that men ſhall wonder at;

The wiſedome of their wiſeſt Counſellor,

Shall periſh, and their prudent men ſhall erre.

On their deepe Counſels, ſorrow ſhall attend;

Their ſecret plots ſhall have a diſmall end;

Their giddy projects which they have deviſed,

Shall as the Potters clay be quite deſpiſed.

Like Carmel, Lebanon ſhall ſeeme; and he

Like Lebanon, ſhall make mount Carmel be.

Their pleaſant Fields like Deſarts ſhall appeare;

And, there ſhall Gardens be, where Deſarts are.

God keepe (thou Brittiſh Ile) this plague from thee;

For, ſignes thereof upon thy Body be.

Thou of the pureſt worſhip mak'ſt profeſſion;

Yet, waxeſt more impure in thy condition.

Thou boaſteſt of the knowledge of Gods word,

Yet, thereunto in manners to accord

Thou doſt refuſe. Thou makeſt proteſtation

Of pietie; yet hateſt reformation.

Yea, when thy tongue doth ſing of praiſe divine,

Thy heart doth plot ſome temporall deſigne.

And, ſome of thoſe, who in this wiſe are holy,

Begin to ſhew their wiſedome will be folly.

p. 69For, when from ſight their ſnares they deepeſt hide.

By God Almighties eyes they are eſpide.

The ſeventh Symptome of a dreadfull blow,

(If not a perpetuall overthrow)

Is when a ſlumbring Spirit doth ſurprize

A nation; and hath cloſed up their eyes:

Or when the Prophets and the Seers are

So clouded, that plaine truths doe not appeare:

Or when the Viſions evidently ſeene

Are paſſed by, as if they had not beene:

Or when to Nations who can reade, God gives

His Booke; and thereof doth unſeale the leaves,

And bids them reade the ſame, which they to do

Deny▪ or pleade unableneſſe thereto.

Blacke ſignes are theſe. For if that Booke to them,

Still darke; or as a Book unſealed ſeeme;

Or, if they heede no more what here is ſaid,

Then they that have the Books▪ and cannot reade;

The Iudgements, laſt repeated, are the doome,

That ſhall on ſuch a ſtupid Nation come.

This ſigne is come on us, for, loe, unſealed

Gods Booke is now amongſt us, and revealed

Are all the Myſteries which doe concerne

The children of this preſent age to learne.

So well hath he inſtructed this our land,

That we not onelyonly reade, but underſtand

The ſecrets of his Word. The prophecies

Of his chiefe Seers, are before our eyes,

Vnveiled▪ true interpretations

Are made, and many proper applications

Ev'n to ourſelves, yet is our heart ſo blind,

That what we know and ſee we doe not mind.

We heare, and ſpeake, and much adoe we keepe▪

But we as ſenſeleſſe are as men aſleepe.

p. 70What then we doe. Yea, while that we are talking,

What ſnares are in the way where we are walking,

We heed not what we ſay, but paſſe along;

And, many times, are faſt inſnar'd among

Thoſe miſchiefes, and thoſe faults we did condemne,

Before our tongues have left to mention them.

For our neglect of God in former times,

(Or for ſome preſent unrepented crimes)

A ſlumbring Spirit ſo poſſeſſeth us,

That our eſtate is wondrous dangerous.

We ſee and heare, and tell to one another

Our perils, yet we headlong haſte together

To wilfull ruine: and are growne ſo mad,

That when our friends a better courſe perſwade,

Or ſeek to ſtop us (when they ſee we run

That way in which we cannot ruine ſhun)

We perſecute thoſe men with all our ſoule,

That we may damn our ſelves without controule.

The eight plaine Signe, by which I underſtand

That ſome devouring miſchiefe is at hand,

Is that maliciouſneſſe which I doe ſee

Among Profeſſors of one Faith to be.

We that have but one Father, and one Mother,

Doe perſecute, and torture one another.

So hotly, we oppoſe not Antichriſt,

As we our fellow-brethren doe reſiſt.

The Proteſtant, the Proteſtant defies;

And, we our ſelves, our ſelves doe ſcandalize.

Our Church we have expoſed to more ſcorne;

And her faire ſeamleſſe Veſt…ent rent, and come,

By our owne fury, more then by their ſpight

Who are to us directly oppoſite.

To ſave an Apple, we the Tree deſtroy;

And, quarrels make for ev'ry needleſſe toy:

p. 71From us, if any brother differ ſhall

But in a crochet, we upon him fall

As eagerly, and with as bitter hate,

As if we knew him for a Reprobate.

And, what ever all this doth ſignifie,

Saint Paul (by way of caveat) doth imply.

Take heed (ſaith he) leſt while ye bite each other,

You, of your ſelves, conſumed be together.

Another Signe which cauſeth me to feare

That our confuſion is approaching neere,

Are thoſe Diſunions which I have eſpide,

In Church, and Common-wealth, this preſent tide.

We cannot hide theſe rents; for they doe gape,

So wide, that ſome their Jawes can hardly ſcape.

Would God, the way to cloſe them up we knew,

Elſe, what they threaten, time will ſhortly ſhew;

For, all men know, a Citie or a Land,

Within it ſelfe divided, cannot ſtand.

The laſt blacke Signe that here I will repeat,

(Which doth to Kingdomes deſolation threat)

Is when the hand of God Almighty brings

The people, into bondage, to their Kings.

I ſay, when their owne King ſhall take delight,

Thoſe whom he ſhould protect, to rob, and ſmite.

When they who fed the Sheep, the Sheep ſhall kill,

And eate them; and ſuppoſe they doe no ill.

When God gives up a Nation unto thoſe

That are their neighbours, that they may, as foes,

Devoure them. When (oh England!) thou ſhalt ſee

This come to paſſe, a ſigne it is to thee

That God is angry; and a certaine token

That into pieces thou ſhalt quite be broken:

If not by forraine ſtrength, by force at home;

And, that thy greater torment will become.

p. 72This Vengeance, and this fearefull preparation,

Of bringing ruine on a ſinfull Nation,

(If they remaine impenitent) the Lord

Doth menace; and, by Zachary record,

To make us wiſe. Oh! let us therefore learne,

What now is comming on us, to diſcerne.

For, (well conſidered if all things were)

From this Captivity we ſeeme not farre.

It now already ſeemes to be projected;

Nay, little wants of being quite effected.

For, they that are our Shepheards, now, are they

That fleece us, and endevor to betray

Our lives and freedomes. Thoſe great men that be

Our neighbours (and can claime no more then we)

Would ſell us: and, attempt to gaine a pow'r,

Whereby they may, at pleaſure, us devoure:

And had not we a King, as loth to make

His people ſlaves, as from himſelfe to take

His lawfull right; (or, were there not ſome lett

Vnheeded, which is unremoved yet)

E're this (and juſtly too) the hand of heaven

Into perpetuall bondage us had given.

And, if we doe not more Gods will regard,

That miſchiefe is but for a time deferr'd.

Our King is juſt and mercifull; and tho

Some may (with loyall, and a gilded ſhow

Of pious equity) a while aſſay

To leade his judgement in his youth aſtray;

Yet, God (I hope) will keepe him ſo, that he

Shall ſtill be juſt, (though we ungodly be)

And make him in the fitteſt houre expreſſe

His royall Iudgement, and his Righteouſneſſe.

But, if God ſhould from us (as God forbid)

Take him, as once he good Joſiah did,

p. 73He alſo will (unleſſe we mend) perchance,

In times to come, a Shepheard here advance,

Who ſhall not plead for what his Young men ſay

Is juſt; but, take the ſame, perforce, away.

An Idoll Shepheard, who ſhall neither care

To find or ſeek, for thoſe that ſtrayed are;

Nor guard the Lambs; nor cure what hath a wound;

Nor cheriſh thoſe that firme to him are found;

But, take the fat, and rob them of their fleeces;

And eate their fleſh; and break their bones in peeces.

More Signes I might, as yet, commemorate,

To ſhew Gods patience is nigh out of date.

But, theſe are ſignes enough, and ſo apparant,

That twenty more will give no better warrant

To what I ſpeake. Yet, if theſe falſe appeare,

That's one ſigne more, our fall approacheth neere.

Be mindfull, therefore, while it is to Day;

And, let no good occaſion ſlip away.

Now rend your hearts, ye Britaines, waſh & rinſe them

From all corruption: from all evill clenſe them.

Goe offer up the pleaſing ſacrifice

Of Righteouſneſſe: from folly turne your eyes.

Seeke peace, and follow it, with ſtrict purſuit:

Relieve the needy; Judgement execute:

Refreſh the weary; right the fatherleſſe:

The ſtrangers, and the widowes wants redreſſe:

Give praiſe to God; depend with lowly faith,

On him; and what his holy Spirit ſaith:

Remember what a price thy ranſome coſt;

And, now redeeme the time that thou haſt loſt.

Returne, returne thou (oh back ſliding Nation)

And, let thy teares prevent thy deſolation.

As yet, thou maiſt returne; for, Gods embrace

Is open for thee, if thou haſt the grace,

p. 74To give it meeting. Yet, repentance may

Prevent the miſchiefes of that evill day,

Which here is menac'd: yet, thou maiſt have peace,

And by diſcreet endeavouring, encreaſe

Each outward grace, and ev'ry inward thing,

Which will additions to thy comfort bring.

If this thou doe; theſe fearfull threatnings all,

(Repeated here) to mercies change he ſhall.

We cannot ſay, it will excuſe thee from.

All chaſtiſement; or that no blow ſhall come.

For, peradventure, thou ſo long haſt bin

Unpenitent, that ſome loud crying ſin

Hath wak'd that Vengeance, which upon thy crimes

Muſt fall (as once in Jeremiahs times)

Without prevention; to exemplifie

Gods hate of ſin to all poſteritie,

But, ſure we are, that if he doth not ſtay

His threatned hand, the ſtroke that he doth lay

Will fall the lighter; and become a bleſſing,

Thy future joyes, and vertues more encreaſing,

Than all that large proſperity and reſt

Which thou, ſo long together, haſt poſſeſt.

God (with a Writers inke horne) one hath ſent,

To ſet a marke on them that ſhall repent;

And bids him promiſe in his Name, that they

Who ſhall (recanting) leave their evill way,

And in their hearts, bewaile the grievous crimes,

And miſeries of Sion, in their times;

That they ſhall be ſecure, and ſaved from

The hand of theſe Deſtroyers, which muſt come:

Or elſe by their deſtruction find a way

To that repairing which will ne're decay.

Yea, thou, oh Britaine! if thou couldſt reforme

Thy manners, might'ſt expell the dreadfull ſtorme

p. 75Now threatned; and thy foes (who triumph would▪

The ruine of thy glory to behold.

And jeere thee when thou falleſt) ſoone ſhall ſee

Thy God returning, and avenging thee

On their inſultings: yea, with angry blowes

He would effect their ſhamefull overthrowes▪

Or turne their hearts. For when from ſin men ceaſe,

God makes their enemies, and them, at peace.

Moreover, thou ſhalt have in thy poſſeſſing,

Each inward grace, and ev'ry outward bleſſing;

Thy fruitfull Herds ſhall in rich paſtures feed;

Thy ſoyle ſhall plenteouſly encreaſe thy ſeed;

Thy Flock, ſhall neither Shepherds want, nor meat;

Cleane provander, thy ſtabled beaſt ſhall eate;

There ſhall be Rivers in thy Dales; and Fountaines

Upon the tops of all thy nobleſt Mountaines:

The Moone ſhall caſt upon thee beames as bright

As now the Sunne, and with a ſevenfold light

The Sunne ſhall bleſſe thee. He that reignes in thee,

To all his people reconcil'd ſhall be;

And they ſhall find themſelves no whit deceived,

In thoſe good hopes which are of him conceived:

But he, (and they, who ſhall his throne poſſeſſe

When he is gone) ſhall reigne in righteouſneſſe;

And be more carefull of thy weale (by far)

Then parents of their childrens profits are.

Thy Magiſtrates, with wiſdome ſhall proceed

In all that ſhall be counſell'd or decreed.

As Harbours, when it blowes tempeſtuouſly;

As Rivers, unto places over-dry;

As Shadowes are to men oppreſt with heat;

As to a hungry ſtomack, wholſome meat;

To thee, ſo welcome, and as much contenting,

Thy Nobles will become, on thy repenting.

p. 76Thy Prieſts ſhall preach true doctrine in thy Temples;

And make it fruitfull by their good examples.

Thy God, with righteouſneſſe ſhall them aray,

And heare and anſwer them, when they doe pray.

Thy eyes, that much are blinded, ſhall be cleare;

Thy eares, that yet are deafned, then ſhall heare;

Thy tongue, that ſtammers now, ſhall then ſpeak plain;

Thy heart ſhall perfect underſtanding gaine;

The preaching of the Goſpell ſhall encreaſe;

Thy God ſhall make thy comforts and thy peace,

To flow as doth a River; they who plant,

The bleſſing of their labour ſhall not want;

Thy pooreſt people ſhall at full be fed;

The meek, ſhall of no tyrant ſtand in dread;

Thou ſhalt have grace and knowledge, to avoid

Thoſe things, whereby the reſt, may be annoid;

Thou ſhalt poſſeſſe thy wiſhed bleſſings all;

And, God ſhall heare thee ſtill before thou call.

But, as a Chime, whoſe frets diſordered grow,

Can never cauſe it ſelfe in tune to goe,

Nor chime at all, untill ſome cunning hand

Doth make the ſame againe in order ſtand:

Or, as the Clock, whoſe plummets are not weight,

Strikes ſometimes one for three, and fix for eight;

So fareth it with men and kingdomes all,

When once from their integrity they fall.

They may their motion hurry out of frame,

But have no pow'r to rectifie the ſame.

That curious hand which firſt thoſe pieces wrought▪

Muſt mend them ſtill; or they will ſtill be nought.

To thee I therefore now my ſpeech convert,

Thou famous Artiſt, who Creator art

Of heav'n and earth, and of thoſe goodly Sphe…res,

That now have whirled many thouſand yeares,

p. 77(And ſhall untill thy pleaſure gives it ending)

In their perpetuall motion, without mending.

Oh! be thou pleaſed, by thy pow'rfull hand,

To ſet in order this depraved Land.

Our whole foundation, Lord, is out of courſe;

And ev'ry thing ſtill groweth worſe and worſe;

The way that leads quite from thee, we have tooke;

Thy Covenant, and all thy Lawes are broke▪

In miſchiefes, and in folly, is our pleaſure;

Our crying ſins have almoſt fill'd their meaſure;

Yet, ev'ry day we adde a new tranſgreſſion,

And ſtill abuſe thy favour and compaſſion.

Our Governour, our Prelates, and our Nobles ▪

Have by their ſins encreaſe, encreaſt our troubles.

Our Prieſts, and all the People, have miſgone;

All kind of evill deeds, we all have done.

We have not lived as thoſe meanes of grace

Require, which thou haſt granted to this place▪

But rather worſe than many who have had

Leſſe helpes than we, of being better made.

No Nation under heav'n ſo lewd hath bin,

That had ſo many warnings for their ſin,

And ſuch perpetuall callings on, as we,

To leave our wickedneſſe, and turne to thee.

Yet, we in ſtead of turning, further went;

And when thy Mercies and thy Plagues were ſent

To pull us backe; they ſeldome wrought our ſtay,

Or moved to repentance one whole day.

No bleſſing, no affliction, hath a pow'r

To move compunction in us, for one houre▪

Unleſſe thou worke it. All that I can ſpeake

(And all that I have ſpoken) till thou breake

And mollifie the heart, will fruitleſſe be,

Not onelyonly in my hearers, but in me.

p. 78If thou prepare not way for more eſteeme,

All theſe Remembrances will fooliſh ſeeme.

Nay theſe, in ſtead of moving to repent,

Will indignation move and diſcontent;

Which will mens hardned hearts obdurate more,

And make their fault much greater than before.

Unleſſe thou give a bleſſing, I may ſtrive

As well to make a marble ſtone alive,

As to effect my purpoſe: yea, all this

Like wholeſome counſell to a mad man is,

And, I for my good meaning ſhall be torne

In pieces, or expoſed be to ſcorne.

For, they againſt thy word doe ſtop their eare;

And wilde in diſobedience, will not heare.

In this, we all confeſſe our ſelves to blame,

And that we therefore have deſerved ſhame.

Yea, Lord, we doe acknowledge, that for this

There nothing elſe to us pertaining is,

(Reſpecting our owne worth) but deſolation▪

And finall rooting out, without compaſſion.

But gracious God, though ſuch our merit be,

Yet, mercy ſtill pertaineth unto thee.

To thee the act of pard'ning and forgiving,

As much belongs (oh Father everliving)

As plagues to us: and it were better far

Our ſinnes had leſſe than their deſervings are,

Then that thy Clemency ſhould be outgone,

By all the wickedneſſe that can be done.

As well as theirs whoſe lives now left them have,

Thou canſt command thoſe bodies from the grave,

Who ſtink, and putrifie, and buried be

In their corruption. Such, oh Lord! are we.

Oh! call us from this grave; and ſhew thy pow'r

Upon this much polluted Land of our,

p. 79Which is not onelyonly ſick of works unholy,

But almoſt dead and buried in her folly.

Forgive us all our ſlips, our negligences,

Our ſins of knowledge, and our ignorances;

Our daring wickedneſſe; our bloudy crimes;

And all the faults of paſt and preſent times.

Permit not thy juſt wrath to burne forever;

In thy diſpleaſure doe not ſtill perſever;

But, call us from that pit of Death, and Sin,

And from that path of Hell which we are in.

Remember, that this Vineyard hath a Vine,

Which had her planting by that hand of thine.

Remember, when from Egypt thou remov'dſt it,

With what entire affection, then, thou lov'dſt it.

How thou didſt weed and dreſſe it heretofore;

How thou didſt fence it from the Forreſt Bore;

And thinke how ſweet a vintage then it brought,

When thy firſt worke upon her thou hadſt wrought:

Remember, that without thy daily care,

The choiceſt plants, ſone wilde and fruitleſſe are;

And, that as long as thou doſt prune and dreſſe,

The ſowreſt Vine ſhall bring a ſweet encreaſe.

Remember, alſo Lord, how ſtill that Foe,

Who firſt purſued us, doth ſeek to ſow

His tares among thy wheat; and to his pow'r,

Break downe thy fence, and trample, and devoure

The ſeeds of grace, as ſoone as they doe ſprout;

And is too ſtrong, for us to keepe him out.

Oh! let not him prevaile, ſuch harme to doe us,

As he deſires, but, Lord, returne unto us.

Returne in mercy. Though thou find us ſlack

To come our ſelves, fetch, draw, and pull us back

From our owne courſes, by thy grace divine,

And ſet, and keep us, in each way of thine.

p. 80We from our foes have ſaved beene by thee;

And in thy love, oh Lord ! triumphed we.

But now behold, diſgrac'd thou throw'ſt us by,

And we before our adverſaries flye.

At us our neighb'ring Nations laugh and jeere,

And, us they ſoome, whom late we made to feare.

Oh God ariſe, reject us not for aye;

No longer hide from us thy face away:

But, come, oh come with ſpeed to give us aid,

And let us not be loſt though we have ſtraid.

Vouchſafe that every one in his degree,

The ſecret errors of his life may ſee;

And, in his lawfull calling all his dayes,

Performe his Chriſtian duty, to thy praiſe.

Give peace this troublous age; for, perilous

The times are growne, and no man fights for us

But thou oh God! nor doe we ſeek or crave,

That any other Champion we may have.

Nay, give us troubles, if thy will be ſo,

That we may have thy ſtrength to beare them too;

And in affliction thee more glorifie;

Then heretofore in our proſperity.

For when thy countenance on us did ſhine,

Thoſe Lands that boaſted of their corne and wine,

Had not that joy which thou didſt then inſpire,

When we were boyld and fryde, in bloud and fire.

Oh! give againe that joy▪ although it coſt us

Our lives. Reſtore thou what our ſin hath loſt us▪

Thy Church, in theſe Dominions, Lord preſerve

In purity: and teach us thee to ſerve

In holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, untill

We ſhall the number of our dayes fulfill.

Defend theſe Kingdomes from all overthrowes,

By forraigne enemies, or home-bred foes,

p. 81Our King with ev'ry grace and vertue bleſſe,

Which may thine honour and his owne increaſe.

Inflame our Nobles with more love and zeale,

To thy true Spouſe, and to this Common-weale.

Inſpire our Clergie in their ſeverall places,

With knowledge, and all ſanctifying graces;

That by their lives and doctrines they may reare

Thoſe parts of Sion, which decayed are▪

Awake this People, give them ſoules that may

Beleeve thy Word, and thy commands obey.

The Plagues deſerv'd already, ſave them from.

More watchfull make them, in all times to come.

For bleſſings paſt, let hearty thanks be given.

For preſent ones, let ſacrifice to heav'n

Be daily offred up. For what is needing

(Or may be uſefull in the time ſucceeding)

Let faithfull prayers to thy throne be ſent,

With hearts and hands upright and innocent:

And let all this the better furthred be,

Through theſe Remembrances, now brought by me.

For which high favour, and emboldning thus

My ſpirit, in a time ſo dangerous;

For chuſing me, that am ſo deſpicable,

To be employed in this honorable

And great employment (which I more eſteeme,

Than to be crowned with a Diadem)

For thy enabling me in this Embaſſage;

For bringing to concluſion this my Meſſage;

For ſparing of my life, when thouſands dy'd,

Before, behind me, and on ev'ry ſide;

For ſaving of me many a time ſince then,

When I had forfeited my ſoule agen;

For all thoſe griefes and poverties, by which

I am in better things made great, and rich,

p. 82Then all that wealth and honour brings man to,

Wherewith the world doth keepe ſo much adoe:

For all which thou to me on earth haſt given;

For all, which doth concerne my hopes of heaven;

For theſe, and thoſe innumerable graces,

Vouchſafed me, at ſundry times, and places,

(Unthought upon) unfained praiſe I render:

And, for a living ſacrifice, I tender

To thee (oh God) my body, ſoule, and all,

Which mine I may, by thy donation, call.

Accept it bleſſed Maker, for his ſake

Who did this offring acceptable make,

By giving up himſelfe. Oh! looke thou not

Upon thoſe blemiſhes which I have got

By naturall corruption; or by thoſe

Polluted acts which from that ulcer flowes.

According to my skill, I have enroll'd

Thy Mercies; and thy Justice I have told.

I have not hid thy workings in my breſt;

But as I could, their pow'r I have expreſt

Among our great aſſemblies, to declare

Thy will and pleaſure, loe, I doe not feare:

And though by Princes I am checkt and blamed;

To ſpeake the truth, I am no whit aſhamed.

Oh! ſhew thou, Lord, thy mercy ſo to me,

And let thy Love and Truth, my guardians be.

Forgive me all the follies of my youth;

My faulty deeds; the errors of my mouth;

The wandrings of my heart, and ev'ry one

Of thoſe good workes that I have left undone.

Forgive me all wherein I did amiſſe,

Since thou employd'ſt me in performing this:

My doubtings of thy calling me unto it;

My feares, which oft diſheartned me to doe it;

p. 83My ſloth, my negligences, my evaſions,

And my deferring it, on vaine occaſions,

When I had vowed that no worke of mine,

Should take me up, till I had finiſht thine.

Lord, pardon this; and let no future ſin,

Nor what already hath committed bin,

Prophane this Worke; or cauſe the ſame to be

The leſſe effectuall to this Land, or me.

But to my ſelfe (oh Lord) and others, let it

So moving be, that we may ne're forget it.

Let not the evill, nor the good effect

It takes, or puffe me up, or me deject:

Or make me thinke that I the better am,

Becauſe I tell how others are to blame:

But, let it keepe me in a Chriſtian feare,

Still humbly heedfull what my actions are.

Let all thoſe obſervations I have had,

Of others errors, be occaſions made

To mind me of mine owne. And, leſt I erre,

Let ev'ry man be my Remembrancer;

With ſo much charity, as I have ſought

To bring their duties more into our thought.

And, if in any ſin I linger long,

Without repentance; Lord, let ev'ry tongue

That names me, check me for it: and, to me

Become, what I to others faine would be.

Oh! let me not be like thoſe buſie broomes,

Which having clenſed many naſty roomes,

Doe make themſelves the fouler: but ſweet Father,

Let me be like the precious Diamond rather,

Which doth by poliſhing another ſtone,

The better ſhape and luſtre, ſet upon

His owne rough body. Let my life be ſuch,

As that mans ought to be, who knoweth much

p. 84Of thy good pleaſure. And, moſt awfull God,

Let none of thoſe who ſpread of me abroad

Unjuſt reports, the Devills purpoſe gaine,

By making theſe my warnings prove in vaine

To thoſe that heare them: but let ſuch diſgraces,

Reflect with ſhame, upon their Authors faces,

Till they repent. And let their ſcandall ſerve

Within my heart true meekneſſe to preſerve;

And that humility, which elſe, perchance,

Vaine-glory, or ſome naturall arrogance

Might overthrow, if I ſhould think upon

(With carnall thoughts) ſome good my lines have done.

Reſtraine, moreover, them who out of pride,

Or ignorance, this Labour ſhall deride.

Make them perceive, who ſhall prefer a ſtory

Compoſed for ſome temporall friends glory,

Before thoſe Poems which thy works declare,

That vaine and witleſſe their opinions are:

And, if by thee I was appointed, Lord,

Thy Judgements and thy Mercies to record,

(As here I doe) ſet thou thy mark on thoſe,

Who ſhall deſpightfully the ſame oppoſe:

And let it publikely be ſeene of all,

Till of their malice they repent them ſhall.

As I my conſcience have diſcharged here,

Without concealing ought for love, or feare;

From furious men let me preſerved be,

And from the ſcorne of fooles deliver me.

Vouchſafe at length ſome comforting reflection,

According to the yeares of my affliction.

On me, for good, ſome token pleaſe to ſhow,

That they who ſee it, may thy bounty know;

Rejoyce, with fellow-feeling of the ſame,

And joyne with me, in praiſing of thy Name.

p. 85And leſt (oh Lord!) ſome weake ones may deſpiſe

My words, becauſe of ſuch neceſſities,

As they have brought upon me, by their ſpight,

Who to my Studies have beene oppoſite:

Oh! give me that which may ſufficient be;

To make them know that I have ſerved thee.

And that my labours are by thee regarded,

Although they ſeeme not outwardly rewarded.

Thoſe Honors, or that Wealth, I doe not crave,

Which they affect, who moſt endeavored have

To pleaſe the World. I onelyonly aske to gaine,

But food and rayment, Lord, for all my paine;

And that the ſlaunders, and the poverties,

Wherewith my patience thou ſhalt exerciſe,

Make not theſe Lines, or me, become a ſcorne,

Nor leave me to the world-ward, quite forlorne.

Yet, in preferring of this humble Suit,

I make not my requeſt ſo abſolute,

As that I will capitulate, or tye

To ſuch conditions, thy dread Majeſty.

For, if to honour but an earthly Prince

My Muſe had ſung; it had beene impudence

To prompt his bounty; or, to doubt he might

Forget to doe my honeſt Labours right.

Doe therefore as thou pleaſeſt: onelyonly give

Thy Servant grace contentedly to live,

And, to be thankfull, whatſoever ſhall

In this my weary Pilgrimage befall.

Such things thou doſt command me to require,

With earneſt, and an abſolute deſire:

With which I come: beſeeching I may finde

Thy love continue, though none elſe be kinde;

That bleſſedneſſe eternall I may get,

Though all I loſe on earth, to compaſſe it;

p. 86And that, at laſt, when my accompt is eaven,

My payment may be ſummon'd up in heaven.

Lord, this will pleaſe me: call me quickly thither,

And pay me there my wages all together:

Not that which mine by merit ſeemes to be;

But, what by thy meere grace is due to me.

FINIS.

End of the text · George Wither, A Prophecy Written for the Year 1641 (1641)