Sigh for the Pitchers Breathed Out, Poem – Errata

Sigh for the Pitchers Breathed Out · Poem – Errata

p. 3Sighs for the Pitchers.

Breathd out, in a Perſonal Contribution to the National Humiliation, formally begun in the Cities or London and Weſtminſter, the laſt of May, 1666.

'Such is GODS gratiouſneſs, that, whereſoever

'He finds a Willingneſs joynd with endeavour

To pleaſe or to appeaſe him, though bat ſmall,

(And in it ſelf worth no reſpect at all)

He doth accept it: But, it is not ſo

With men, what er'e we mean, or ſay, or do.

For, moſt ſo pettiſh are; that ev'n with that

Which to their own well-being doth relate,

They quarrel; and as much offended are

With what, unto their own particular

Hath no relation, as to any thing

Which may to them a diſadvantage bring.

Yea, ſo inclind are, to be diſcontent

With Actions, and with words indifferent,

That how to fit all humors no man knows

What ere he writes, be it in Verſe or Proſe.

Some, are beſt pleaſd with this, and ſome with that,

With nothing ſome; or, with we know not what,

Except with that, (and in their own mode dreſt)

Whereby their Single Fancies are expreſt.

If, I may freely, Truth declare in either,

To me, it is indifferent in whether:

Verſe cannot be ſo juſtly termd unholy

As they, who think ſo, may be chargd with folly.

The Libertie, I therefore, at this time,

Reſume, to vent my mind in Verſe and Rime

p. 4As heretofore without an affectation

Of what, is this day, with moſt men in fashion;

And, what I purpoſe to contribute now,

Shall be ſuch private Sighings as I owe

To Publick ſorrowings; not ſuch, as may,

Without true ſenſe thereof, be puft away.

I offer not, now Cures are to be done,

That, which will prove no better then Herb-John

Or Chipps in broth; nor, when provide I ſhould

Apparel to preſerve my Friend from cold,

Bring them ſuch thin ſleight Garments, as are neither

Good Silk or Cloth, but Bawbles patcht together,

Lace, Points and Ribbands: Nor, to feed them, ſet

A platter full of Sawces without meat,

Or, with ſo little, and ſo trimd about

With Kickſhawes, that they cannot pick it out:

Nor give the Sick, when they for health endeavor,

Such Traſh, as may beget a mortal Feaver;

Nor Healing Plaſters, when I do perceive

The Patient rather needs a Corroſive:

Nor, if there ought improper to that end,

For which, Humiliations we pretend

In that, which I in words have added here:

Either peruſe it therefore, or, give ear.

BEfore a Storm is actually begun,

Or, Symptoms of it, in the Skies appear;

Both Birds and Beaſts, for ſhelter fly and run,

To ſcape the Dangers, then approaching near.

To what theſe are by Senſe inclind, in ſeaſon,

Men are aſſiſted (for their preſervations)

By Strong Impulſes, both of Grace and Reaſon,

Till they neglect, or ſleight thoſe Inclinations.

p. 5And to the Publick ſafety, every one

Owes what may poſſibly by him be done:

For, there's a Portion due from him that's poor,

Though from the Rich, there is expected more.

2. I had ſome education in the, Schools,

But my beſt Teachings, came another way,

And, neither to the wiſeſt, or meer Fools,

Is that intended which I have to ſay.

My Muſe is to a midling-temper fitted,

What ſuits with their capacities to write

Who, (not much under or much over witted)

More in the Matter, then the Words delight.

By that means, when with Trifles I begin,

Things uſeful, are oft, thereby Skrewed in,

Which peradventure, had not elſe been ſought,

Where, they appeard more likely to be taught:

What I but to one end, at firſt intended,

Occaſions many Cautions, ere 'tis ended.

So, ſometimes, twenty buſineſſes are done,

By him, who went from home, to do but one.

3. Sometimes too, by what in this mode is hinted,

(On ſleight occaſions in a Vulgar Strain)

Such Notions have been in the heart imprinted

As were more plauſibly expreſt in vain:

Yea, otherwhile, a few plain words, in ſeaſon,

Experimentally in private ſpoke,

More operate with Sanctified Reaſon,

(And of what they import, more heed is took)

Then is (although more gloriouſly arayd)

Of what's but formally, in publick ſaid.

Now therefore, I contribue thus, alone,

To what was this day, publickly begun.

But, ſtay! what Pannick fear hath ſeizd this Nation

That, they who Triumphd but one day ago,

p. 6Aſſume the Poſtures of Humiliation,

And Faſt and Pray, at leaſt, pretend thereto?

Their Jollitie is at a ſuddain pauſe,

And to the Temples, they begin to flock;

God make th' effect, as real as the cauſe,

That, him with formal ſhowes we do not mock,

Leſt Plagues increaſe, and when of what is better,

We are in hope, our fears grow dayly greater:

For, till our ſins are heartily repented,

By Faſts and Prayers, Plagues are not prevented.

5. Moſt, dedicated this moneths firſt Aurora

To their own fleſhly Luſts; and ſpent the day

In ſacrificing to the Strumpet Flora,

Which was by ſome employd another way,

Perhaps though not Prophane, more ſuperſtitious

Then holy: for, all is not ſanctifide

That is not vulgarly reputed vitious;

Nor all unholy, which will not abide

A Sanctuary-Teſt: But, ſomwhat hath

Doubtleſs, been acted which provokes Gods wrath

Againſt our Nation, ſince this Month begun,

That brings us on our knees, before 'tis done.

6. Our Safety, Peace and Glory lie at ſtake;

And, we are forced ſuch a Game to play,

As makes us tremble, and our hearts to ake

Twixt hope and fear of that which follow may:

Ev'n they, who lately fooliſhly did boaſt,

And with proud Vaunts and ſcorns contemn their Foes,

Do find, that Recknings made without their hoaſt,

Ariſe to more then they did preſuppoſe.

Of Foes without them, their regard was ſmall;

Of thoſe within them, leſs, or none at all:

But, now, to be aſſaulted, they begin

With outward perils, and with fears within.

p. 77. Beyond reteating we ingaged are

With forraign enemies; and not quite free

From Factions, threatning an inteſtine War,

If our Preſumings unſucceſsfull be.

As foes do multiply, ſo, friends grow fewer;

And, in thoſe few, there is but little truſt:

For, none can in another be ſecure

Who, to himſelf is neither kind nor juſt.

War is begun; the Peſtilence doth ſpread;

And, though of Dearth we feel but little dread,

They, by whoſe Labours, plenty was increaſt,

Are by a waſting Poverty oppreſt.

8. The Rich are diſcontent, the Poor much grievd:

The firſt have ſmall hope to be better pleaſd;

The laſt as little hope to be relievd,

And moſt men are grown ſtupidly diſeaſd.

Men with Ill tidings in all places meet,

Bewailing loſs of Goods, or want of Trade:

All day they hear complainings in the ſtreet;

All night, they and their Families are ſad.

Hereof, they upon others lay the blame

Who have been chief deſervers of the ſame:

Moſt, apprehend a general Diſtreſs,

But, no man knows which way to make it leſs.

2. They, who ſhould act, or mediate at leaſt,

Some courſe to ſtop the fury of the Current,

Finde, it will moſt advance their Intereſt,

To be at this time Fiſhing in the Torrent.

They, who have now moſt cauſe, leaſt frighted be:

Thoſe few alone, who with a filial fear

And Chriſtian hope, Gods purpoſes foreſee,

Submiſſive to his Diſpenſations are:

The reſt are active ſtill, in their own mode,

As if in their own power their ſafety ſtood;

p. 8Or, that it might be wrought, by their own hand,

If (as twas once ſaid) GOD would Neuter ſtand.

16. For our defence, a Naval preparation

Is made, as ſtrong, as ever heretofore

In any Age, was modeld by this Nation;

Yea, ſtronger much, though not in number more.

And, if they who thereof have management,

Shall not thereon (as if it could not fail)

Or, in themſelves, be over-confident,

It may againſt our ableſt Foes prevail:

But, not unleſs, we timely lay aſide

Our malice, our profaneſs, and our pride,

Which by the Lord of hoſts, are ſo abhord,

That, they deſtroy more, then both fire and ſword.

11. In mournings, we ſo little do delight,

That, whatſoever ſad event befals,

Which to humiliation doth invite,

It ſeldom ſuperſedes our Feſtivals.

A Faſt therefore, ſo near a Feaſt begins,

To moderate our Mirth, and make us minde

A true and ſpeedy mourning for thoſe ſins

Whereto we have been, and are ſtill inclinde.

A change of Feaſts to faſtings threatned was,

Which is within a little come to paſs;

And, that, may peradventure be effected

Which we moſt fear, when it is leaſt expected.

12. Hereof the Civil powers having ſenſe,

And, fearing what might probably befal,

Unleſs, we ſtrengthned are by Providence

Much more, then by their moving wooden-wall;

They lately ſummond us by Proclamations

To meet, and on the laſt of May begin

In our head-Cities, ſuch Humiliations

As may declare a true Remorſe for ſin.

p. 9Early that morning, likewiſe, leſt we might

Their ſummons, either then forget, or ſlight,

GOD, ſeconded their Act, and from our beds

With Peals of Thunders, raiſd our drowzie headſ.

13 If I was not deceivd, five hours together

That Summons laſted, (with few Intervals)

Made ſignal by Rain, Lightning, Stormy weather,

And Thunderbolts, which pierced through ſtone-wals.

It brake and melted Bells; conſumd a Steeple;

Scard Fowls and Beaſts, yea, and afraid did make

Even them, among thoſe unrelenting People,

Who, heed of nought but ſmart and noiſe will take;

And in ſecurity again ſleep on

Aſſoon as ere the pain or noiſe is gone.

Alas! what horrours will ſuch men confound,

When they ſhall hear the ſeventh Trumpet ſound?

14. I did obey this Call; and knowing too,

That in the common peace, mine doth conſiſt,

In meekneſs, I prepard my heart, to do

What might ſecure the common Intereſt.

The beſt have failings, and the worſt have more;

Though therefore they oft erre, who are in powre,

With their defects, we muſt our own deplore:

For oftentimes their faults take root from our.

King Davids crime ſprung from the Peoples ſin;

For his offence, a Plague on them broke in:

Thus, to each other, men of each degree,

A mutual cauſe, of ſins and ſuffrings be.

15. This makes me the more cautious, to take heed

Wherein, I perſonally give offence;

And, ere I cenſure that which others did,

Bewail mine own miſdeeds with penitence.

All of us have offended, (if not more)

As much as our forefathers have tranſgreſt:

p. 10Some, with more Impudence, then heretofore;

And, my ſins, have the common guilt increaſt:

My ſelf, to humble therefore, I went thither

Where good and bad men congregate together;

And, where, the worſt are, or (before they die)

May be, for ought I know, more juſt then I.

16. He ſeems to me, unlikely to appeaſe

The wrath of GOD, or mortifide to be,

Who, offers Prayers like that Phariſees,

Who judg'd the Publican leſs juſt then he.

There is no ſign of true Humiliations,

But, of a proud ſelf-overweening rather

In thoſe, who judge unclean whole Congregations

Who with them, ſerve one Spirit, Son and Father;

And (although members of another Colledge)

Adore one GOD according to their knowledge.

According unto mine, therefore, with them

I joynd in Love, and left their doom to him.

17. I dare not ſuch a ſeparation make

Twixt perſons, things or places, as may bar

A freedom in thoſe Duties to partake

Which neceſſary or expedient are.

When ſins and Plagues grow Epidemical,

It ſuch Humiliations then requires,

As may in that reſpect, be general:

For, private tears quench not the publike Fires.

In all Fraternities and Conſtitutions,

Among men, are both errours and pollutions;

Yet ſafe converſe, for pious men hath bin

With ſuch, (even then) in all things, but their ſin.

18. With others, I preferred thoſe petitions

VVhichWhich with Chriſts prayr aſſentially agree;

VVith them, I joyned in all thoſe confeſſions

That ſeemed proper both to them and me.

p. 11Their perſons I did much commiſerate,

Who were in hazard by the War now wag'd:

With GOD, I meekly did expoſtulate

Concerning that wherein we are engag'd.

For others ſakes, thoſe fears my fears I made,

Whereof, no ſenſe, for ſelf-reſpects I had;

And wiſhed all their hopes might be enjoyd

Whereby, their true bliſs might not be deſtroyd.

19. Although particulars incluſive are

In Vniverſals; yet, they who neglect

Their ſingle Duties, juſtly looſe their ſhare

In what the general Devoirs effect.

I have contributed my beſt endeavour,

To what I think is publickly intended,

And in that duty purpoſe to perſever

Which is to my performance recommended.

For all things, and all men (ſo far as they

Are objects of our Prayers) I do pray;

And, when I doubt, what to inſiſt upon,

Conclude my prayer thus: GODS will be done.

20. Their welfare ſeeking, who would me enſlave,

The perſon I diſtinguiſh from his Crime;

And rather would a wicked people ſave,

Then let the Righteous be deſtroyd with them.

To their proceeds in wickedneſs, I ſay

GOOD ſpeed to none; and whenſoere, therefore

I pray againſt their ſins, for them I pray:

Yea, when they ſeem worſt, pray for them the more.

When LOT was priſner among Sodomites,

Againſt their Foes, to free him, Abram fights.

When univerſal Plagues on us befal,

Not knowing good from bad, I pray for all.

21. I have a long time taken ſo much heed

Both of GODS righteous, and our crooked ways,

p. 12That, whatſoere doth outwardly ſucceed,

I finde juſt cauſe to give him hearty praiſe.

So oft, experience I have likewiſe had,

My loſſes, wants, and thoſe things which I feard,

To have been unto me more gainful made,

Then ſuch, as more deſirable appeard;

That, whenſoere GOD granteth or denies,

My ſoul is pleaſd, and on his love relies.

For, when they ſeemed moſt ſevere to be,

His Judgements have been Mercies unto me.

22. Such they were, ſuch they are, ſuch will be ſtill,

Not unto me, and to ſome few alone;

But, if they be ſubmiſſive to his will,

Such likewiſe, at all times, to every one:

And, though he grants not always that Requeſt,

Which is preferred, he doth condeſcend

To what is better; yea, to what may beſt

Conduce to what we chiefly ſhould intend.

If, what we pray for, he denies to grant,

Humility, or Faith, or Love we want;

Or elſe, there are ſome other great defects,

In thoſe Petitioners, whom GOD rejects.

23. Sins National, ſo far forth as they were

Confeſt in Publike, I with thoſe confeſt

To whom I joynd; and in particular,

If poſſible, they ought to be expreſt.

I know we are obliged at this time

(Conſidering why together we did come)

To mention ſuch, (or part at leaſt of them)

As brought what we would be deliverd from.

I hope ſuch were acknowledged by many;

But, ſince I heard it not performd by any,

I will enumerate ſome few of thoſe

Provoking ſins, from whence moſt danger flows.

p. 13For, GOD, at this time over all the Land

Hath in diſpleaſure ſtretched forth his hand;

And for our ſins, doth ſtrike us, here and there

With every Judgement, yea, and every where.

24. We are a Nation to whom God hath given

As many priviledges, as beſtown

On any people that is under Heaven:

But, therewithal more proud, then thankful grown.

VVe overween, as if we thought none were

Our equals; and with ſo much impudence

Our ſelves before our Neighbours do prefer,

That, more Diſgrace then Honor ſprings from thence.

Some vaunt as if none ought to be compar'd

VVith them, in what is by their valour dar'd;

And, ſome, as if none went or knew the way

VVhereby, men ſhall aſcend to heavn, but they.

25. If what GOD hath conferd, or for us done

VVere mentioned, to ſtir up thankfulness

In us; or to advance his praiſe alone,

Thence would ſpring many great advantages.

But that which moſt men rather do purſue,

Is but before mens eyes a Blinde to raiſe,

And, hide their ſhameful nakedneſs from view;

Or, blow the Bubbles of an empty praiſe.

And, (as if we were not befoold enough,

VVith ſuch ridiculous and frothy ſtuff)

In Ballads, which are for ſuch objects meet,

VVe ſing out our own ſhame, in every ſtreet.

26 Perhaps in ſuchlike things the neighbring Nations

Oppoſing us, as guilty are as we:

But, our own ſins, in our Humiliations

Is that, which to confeſs, oblig'd we be.

Our ſins, our ſins, are horrid, great and many,

Thoſe Plagues too, which they bring on us, are great;

p. 14VVhereof, there is not ſo much fenſe in any,

As ought to be, nor ſuch confeſſions, yet.

So loth we are that other men ſhould ſee

(Or, we ourſelves) in what ſad caſe we be,

That, we our ſcabs and ſores had rather hide

VVith any Clouts, then let them be eſpide.

27. So loth we are, in that courſe to proceed,

VVhichWhich GOD and Reaſon offers to our heed;

So apt, to take the clean contrary way;

To heed, what every Mountebanck doth ſay;

So ventrous, any hazard to endure,

VVhichWhich our enjoyments preſent may ſecure;

So prone with Bugbears to be frighted from

VVhat may ſecure a happineſs to come;

And, are ſo wilful in purſuing things

VVhichWhich every day, more miſchiefs on us brings,

That, very ſeldom we approve of that

VVhichWhich may be for our good, till tis too late.

28. And then, ſurpriſed with a ſudden, dread,

To any God, to any Idol run;

Move every way, like Dors without a Head;

Do every thing ſave that which ſhould be done:

Catch hold on ſticks, and reeds, and chips & ſtraws,

To ſave our ſelves; deſcend, to ſawn on thoſe

VVhom we contemn'd; and to ſupport our cauſe,

Againſt old Friends, confederate with Foes;

Yea, with the greateſt enemy of Chriſt;

And, rather hazard all our Intereſt

In him, then here to be deprivd of that

Which we enjoyed, and have aimed at.

29. VVe are ſo much inclined to rely

Upon the truſtleſs and bewitching Charms

Of State-deſigns and humane policie,

On Armies, Fleets, and ſtrength of our own Arms,

p. 15That we are deafer then th'inchanted Adder,

To thoſe who ſhew to us the way of peace;

Good counſel maketh us to be the madder,

And, doth but raging violence increaſe.

Yet, they who know they ſhall not be excuſd

From doing their endeavour, though abuſd,

Muſt ſpeak what on their Conſciences doth lie,

Whatere thereby befals; and ſo will I.

30. Such times have be…n, and ſuch are come agen,

Wherein, the Sluggard to the Ant was ſent;

The Wiſe inſtructed were by ſimple men

How to reform their wayes when they miſwent.

GOD, by them, Kings reprovd, ev'n for their ſake

Whom they had then inſlav'd; and they were heard.

Yea, unto Balaam, by his Aſs he ſpake,

And, at that preſent he eſcapd the Sword:

But they who to their words gave no regard,

Receivd their obſtinacies due Reward.

They, who were penitent eſcapd the blow

Which then was threatned; ſo ſhall all ſuch now.

31. Ore them a very dreadful Plague impends

Whom to the will of men, GOD, doth expoſe,

Though ſuch they be whom they ſuppoſe their friends

And, have thereof made fair external ſhows.

A greater Plague it is, when known foes are

Impowred upon them to excerciſe

All cruelties, and outrages of War

Which rage will act, and malice can deviſe.

But, when ſo terrible a doom as this,

And merciemercy too, much and oft ſleighted is,

It will be then more horrible then all

That can be thought, into Gods hands to fall.

32. Alas! how ſhall this horrour be prevented,

If none in ſuch a time ſhould ſilence break?

p. 16VVhen ſhould what is miſacted be repented,

Unleſs, to that intent the ſtones could ſpeak?

And, what may they ſpeak likely to prevail

Upon a Generation grown ſo giddy?

The Stars to do their duty did not fail;

The Elements have often ſpoke already,

And acted in their place, as well as ſpoken

What might our duties, and Gods minde betoken;

Yea, ſo much, and ſo oft, that what they heard

Or ſaw, few men did credit or regard.

33. Hereby are bleſſings turnd into a curſe;

Thoſe hardned, whom it ſhould have ſoftned more;

They who were bad before, grow to be worſe;

Some wicked, who ſeemd good men, heretofore.

Our ſins are as immoveable as Rocks;

Our Guides and Leaders, either lame or blinde;

The Shepherds as great ſtraglers as the Flocks,

And both alike, to wickedneſs inclinde.

That, which we thought ſhould make us, doth undo us,

All things do ſeem to cry VVo wo unto us:

And, that which ſhould have movd men to repent

Doth but their Rage and Blaſphemies augment.

34. Moſt, againſt thoſe by whom they were offended

Are ſo imbitterd, that although in them

They ſee performances to be commended,

Such, naytheleſs, they totally condemn:

Yea, thoſe who have ingenuouſly confeſt

What ſeems to be in theſe worth approbation,

They judge to be Time-pleaſers, not the beſt;

VVhichWhich is a bar to Reconciliation.

Our Proverb bids us give the devil his due;

And, they the ways to peace, do not purſue

VVho are unwilling, in their Foes, to ſee

Good things, as well as thoſe that evil be.

p. 1735. The Knowledge men have gotten hath deſtroyd

That Love, which ought thereby to be increaſt.

The Publick peace, that might have been enjoyd,

Is vitiated by Self-intereſt.

The Goſpel is abuſd, Law made a ſnare,

Or, of Unrighteouſneſs a confirmation:

The Conſciences of men inſlaved are,

To nothing left ſo free as Prophanation.

The Rich do quarrel, and the Poor muſt fight,

To ſerve their Luſts, who do them little right;

And they whoſe Lives to pawn for them are laid,

With Deaths or VVounds, or with neglect are paid.

36. Religion is to Policy become

A ſervile Handmaid; and few perſons are

Conceivd to be ſo dangerous as ſome,

VVho are in Chriſtian Piety ſincere.

Now, not to be like others Superſtitious,

Or to be ſtrict in moral Righteouſneſs,

Gives cauſe of more ſuſpect then to be vitious;

Or elſe, at leaſt, it them ingratiates leſs.

Foundations are ſo overthrown, that few

Are ſafe in whatſoever they purſue:

For, liberty, life, credit, and eſtate,

In hazzard are by all that aim thereat.

37. Pickt Juries, and ſuborned VVitnesses

May, if aſſiſted then with partial udges,

Bring quickly to deſtruction, whom they pleaſes;

Fruſtrate all Laws, and all our priviledges:

And (what was never heretofore in Reaſon

Thought probable) charge falſly upon ſome

The plotting and purſuing Plots of Treaſon

At open meetings whither all may come.

In likelihood, they have nor wit, nor fear,

Nor need be feared, who ſo fooliſh are:

p. 18And, I might of my fear be much aſhamed

If I ſhould fear ſuch Plots, as then were framed.

38 VVho erre in malice, or to get reward,

Shall forge an Accuſation, though it be

Improbable, with favour ſhall be heard,

VVhen none ſeems guilty of the Plot but he.

They, who of all men do leaſt conſcience make

Of Perjury, at pleaſure may deſtroy

An Innocent. They who falſe Oathes dare take

May rob rich men of all they do enjoy.

The Lyar is not out of danger ever;

But, he that ſpeaks truth boldly, is ſafe never

Until his death, unleſs by God protected

From what may be by wicked men projected.

39. This alſo, doth increaſing Plagues pretoken,

(Unleſs we to repair it ſpeedy are)

The Bond of Chriſtian Charity is broken,

And brotherly affection loſt well-near.

Both Perſons and Societies ſeek more

Their ſeveral new Structures to uphold,

Then Diſciplines and Doctrines to reſtore

Unto that purity which was of old.

From hence doth ſpring impair of peace and health

In minde and body, Church and Commonwealth,

For, though few heed it, thence our private Jars

At firſt proceeded, and then, open VVars.

40. All Conſtitutions both in Church and State

Are, for the moſt part, made but properties

To add a grandeur, and repute to that

VVhichWhich pride and avarice did firſt deviſe.

Not thoſe alone, which may eſſential ſeem

Unto the Civil powre; but alſo, ſome

Which have among Divine Rites moſt eſteem,

Are ſerviceable to the fleſh become.

p. 19Prophand is every holy Ordinance,

Self-profit or ſelf-honour to advance:

Yea, ev'n the Lords day and the Sacraments

Are made expedients for the ſame intents.

41. Judgements & Mercies have not in their courſe

Wrought that on us, which they were ſent to do:

For, what ſhould make us better, makes us worſe,

And others by our ill examples, too.

Good counſels timely given we have ſlighted,

Scoft and derided ſeaſnable forewarnings,

Neglecting that, whereto we were invited

Both by our own and other mens diſcernings:

And, if theſe failings be not heeded more

Now, and in time to come, then heretofore,

The Conſequents, will not much better be

Whether the Dutch are Conquerours, or we.

42. Thoſe Animoſities we muſt repent

Which are pretended to be laid aſide;

Elſe pride and malice will ſo much augment

Thoſe Practices which more and more divide,

That, as the ruine of Jeruſalem

Had been compleated when the time was come

By thoſe three, Factions, which then waſted them,

Although it had not been deſtroyd by Rome:

So, though we ſhould ſubdue French, Dutch & Dane,

Our own diſtempers would become our bane;

And, that which others are inclind unto,

Our follies and our wilfulneſs will do.

43. The breach of Covenants, of Faith and Oathes

We muſt lament, and from that falſhood turn:

For, GOD that capital tranſgreſſion loathes;

Oathes, (now, if ever) make the land to mourn,

We muſt confeſs our ſin of bloudſhed too,

The Blood of Innocents much more bewail,

p. 20And our oppreſſing them, then yet we do;

Elſe, of our expectations we ſhall fail.

For, to no more a bare confeſſion tends,

Then to increaſe our guilt, without amends.

He that neglects performing what he knows

To be his duty, merits nought out blows.

44. We have moreover, failings by omiſſions

Which it concerns us to be humbled for

No leſs then for thoſe actual tranſgreſſions

Which we are now engaged to abhor:

Not one day, no not one year will ſuffice

To recollect them. And yet if we would

Our ſelves but ſo much humble as it lies

In us, GOD, would accept of what we could.

Hereof apparent evidences are

In Nineveh and Nebuchadnezzar:

For by theſe Paterns, King and People too

Inſtructed are, what in our caſe to do.

45. When that King, for his ſins had been bereaven

Of underſtanding, and for ſevn years ſpace,

To live with Beaſts, was from his Kingdom driven,

And re-inthroned, when unlikely twas;

Himſelf he did abaſe, Gods powre confeſs

Acknowledge him, to be in chief ador'd;

Declare that powre extol his righteouſneſs

And that Free grace, by which he was reſtor'd:

Yea, praiſed him for their de…iverance

Whom he himſelf oppreſt; them did advance

Who ſuffred; and reverſt that Law whereby

He had compeld them to Idolatry.

46. This ſignal Patern of Humiliation

Was Royal; but, by one both popular

And Regal, unto what beſeems a Nation

In our condition, we directed are.

p. 21At Nineveh, there was not in a day,

Like this, ſome in the Temples GOD adoring,

Some there, inclined more to ſleep then pray,

Some, in an Alehouſe, or a Tavern roaring;

Some, who did of their duties Conſcience make,

Some who perform'd it, but for faſhion ſake:

But I believe, that with more Veneration

They teſtified their Humiliation.

47. Both King and People joyned there as One

In penitence, net being leſs fincere

Then formal in purſuing what was done.

Strict their commands and executions were.

The King, his rich Apparel from him caſt

(By good Examples, precepts are made ſtrong)

He, and his Nobles did proclaim a Faſt,

VVith all the Rites, that to a Faſt belong.

The Prophet was believd, in what he ſaid;

The Royal Proclamation was obeyd.

God, thereto had ſo gratious a regard

That, King and People thereupon he ſpard.

48. Alas! how comes it that now Chriſtian men,

Are deaf to what GODS Meſſengers do ſay?

Not ſo meek-hearted as thoſe Heathens then?

More dead in Sins and Treſpaſſes then they.

Imperfect was their Penitence, no doubt,

Yet God accepted what they did endever,

And (though perhaps, their zeal did ſoon burn out,)

He, in vouchſafing mercy did preſever.

So might it be with us, if we would heed

His judgements, and perform what Ethnicks did:

For, GOD, upon a Formal penitence,

Did with a part of Ahabs doom diſpence.

49. But, though we have as much cauſe to bewail

Our ſad condition, we have much leſs fear.

p. 22And little or no ſence of what we all

Until with miſchief overwhelmd well-near.

Then, likewiſe, we endeavour all we can

To hide what cannot cured be till known,

Diſſembling groſly, both with GOD and Man,

And will not ſee what's evidently ſhown.

Yea, ſo preſumptuous are, that, now GOD ſends

His Judgements, and his Arm in wrath extends,

VVe labour to obſcure it, leſt the heeding

Of his Proceeds, may hinder our proceeding.

50. And as among the Jews in former ages

There were falſe Prophets and corrupted Prieſts,

VVho prophecid and preachd for Balaams wages,

And to promote their carnal Intereſts,

Then Flatterd them into Security:

So we have ſome among us, who as much

Do magnifie this Nations Piety

As if it never had till now been ſuch.

They boaſt of our proſperities encreaſe,

And promiſe us both Victories and Peace,

As if vain words believd ſhould rather be

Then what we feel, as well, as hear and ſee.

15. Though ſenſible enough of ſin we are not

To humble us; or though Plagues yet deferd

(How near at hand ſoever) we much fear not,

Nor thereby for this duty are prepard:

Methinks the loſs of ſo much blood and Treaſure

As hath been ſpent; At home, decay of Trade

And Manufactures in ſo large a meaſure;

Abroad in Colonies, the havock made

Should humble us, or that at leaſt, which hath

More cauſe of dread then War, or ſudden Death,

To wit, a PRESS, whereby ſome grieved are,

More then by all the worſt events of War.

p. 232. For, War is pleaſing to thoſe Voluntaries,

Who, Wealth or Honor, hope thereby to gaine;

Through every difficulty them it carries

With very little ſenſe of dread or pain.

By Suddain Death likewi…e all Plagues are ended

Which Sin, or Folly on our bodies bring;

Yea, thereby finiſhed ere apprehended,

In which reſpect, no very dreadful thing.

But, to be ſnatcht at unawares away,

From all Relations by a Suddain PRESS,

And, from all our Affairs, as at this day,

Is more injurious, then words can expreſs.

Whole Families, thereby deſtroyd become;

In ſoul and body, it tormenteth ſome;

And, thereby greater Griefs occaſiond are

Then do befal, by life or death, in War.

54. I know well that, the Civil powrs intend

The proſecution of thoſe Services

Which to their Subſtitutes they recommend,

Should be purſu'd without juſt Grievances:

And, to inform us in this very caſe,

(Of taking men to ſerve them in the Wars)

A Law among the Jews eſtabliſht was

To be our Guide in ſome particulars:

Let it obſerved be, leſt that Oppreſſion

Which is occaſioned by indiſcretion,

Thoſe perſons to our damage may inrage,

Whom we think, for our ſafety to ingage.

55. With others I did publickly be mone

Thoſe things which we ought joyntly to deplore;

And, in my Spirit, I lament alone

That for mine own Sins, I can ſigh no more.

I ſigh for thoſe two Pitchers, which are knocking

Againſt each other, when they mind not me;

p. 24Yea, when ſome are, perhaps, my ſighings mocking,

Or, not well pleaſd with my good meanings be.

I ſigh to ſee their Charity decreaſe

Who are pretenders to Religiouſneſs;

Not for my ſelf, though I perceive tis grown

Leſs then it was, five ſhillings in a Crown.

56. I have now, ſomwhat more then fifty years,

Been oft mine own and your Remembrancer;

And whilſt I live, as oft (as cauſe appears)

Reſolved am ſuch Cautions to prefer.

For ſince GOD hath ſo long preſervd me from

A total Ruine in ſuch Services,

I will continue during life to come

Whilſt I ſee need, in ſervices like theſe,

Not doubting but his Mercy ſhall outlaſt

The Time to come as well as what is paſt;

And, ſtill, as comfortably be enjoyd,

Though life in their purſute ſhould be deſtroyd.

57. This, I have therefore, now contributed

In private to what publickly was done.

With hopefulneſs, that when it ſhall be read

It will to good effect be thought upon:

For in the common Lot, I ſhall have part,

To whatſoever the ſucceſs may tend,

And dare to arrogate no ſelf-deſart,

More then they juſtly may, who moſt offend.

From Publick ſins my ſelf I count not free;

What is in others bad, is worſe in me,

Since, he whom GOD ſo many years hath taught,

If bad, is worſe then others who are naught.

58. Yet, as there is no Righteouſneſs in me,

That, may with ſafety be confided in;

So, whatſoere the Common Plagues may be,

In me there is no ſlaviſh fear of ſin:

p. 25For, in Gods Promiſe, and his Mediation

Who hath Redeemed me, I, ſo confide,

That, I deſpair not of a Soul-ſalvation,

Whatever to my Body ſhall betide,

And, know, that, whilſt to live, more then to die,

Shall tend to what GODS name may glorifie,

My life ſhall comfortably be enjoyd

When thouſands round about me are deſtroyd;

And that all, who are firm in this belief,

Shall ſee a glad end of their preſent Grief.

Lord in that patience keep me alway ſtrong,

Which, to the Saints probation doth belong.

50. There was a Promiſe made long time ago,

To ſome, who then in our condition were,

(And, in what they were to believe, and do,

As much as they, we now concerned are.)

To them, it by GODS Prophet was declard

That, from their wickedneſs if they returned,

One with a Writers Inkhorn was prepard

To ſet a Mark on all who truely mourned,

Aſſuring all who had his Mark upon them

That when the common Judgements ſeized on them

It ſhould not harm them, as to that, at leaſt,

In which a real ſafety, doth conſiſt.

60. That Mark is ſet on thouſands at this day,

And many Writers hither have been ſent

To ſhew it, and inform us how we may

The Miſchiefs threatned, ſeaſonably prevent.

Prophets riſe early, and do ſit up late,

To mind us of our duties, yea, there are

Some thouſands ev'n this day, declaring that

Which they are bound to ſpeak, and we to hear.

To that end alſo, GOO, hath now and then,

Employed me, and my Deſpiſed Pen,

p. 26As at this time: and, at his feet I lay

Wha… I have writ, and what I have to ſay.

I might—

BUt, hark! methinks, ſome Whiſperings I hear,

As it both Navies now ingaged were:

And, Lo, the ſuddain Rumour of that Storm

Startles my Muſe into another form

Before I am aware, and makes me ſtop,

To heed, what it contributes to my hope.

Fame ſpeaks it louder, and th' increaſing ſound

On every ſide, my perſon doth ſurround.

If what we fear ſucceeds, let them ſpeed worſt

At laſt, who of this War gave juſt cauſe firſt;

And, by both Parties, let all be amended

Wherein they joyntly, or apart offended.

More blood! more fury ſtill! are bruitiſh paſſions

No whit abated by Humiliations?

No marvel then, no good effects yet ſpring

To peace conducting, by my Trumpeting,

When I firſt ſaw a likelihood of breaking

Our Pitchers, by the Preparations making;

For, that, wherein divine expedients faile

Humane endeavours little can prevaile.

My heart is pinched betwixt hope and fear,

By muſing upon what I ſee and hear,

With that whereto our Actings may amount

When we of all events have had account.

Fame tells us that the Engliſh and the Dutch

Have fought five days together. This is much,

And I think ſo implacable a Rage,

Was rarely paralleld in any Age,

If (as it is reported) neither ſide

Gave Quarter, whatſoever did betide.

p. 27How that with Chriſtian charity may be

Conſiſtent, it appeareth not to me;

Or, how it quadrats with the tender nature

That's pro…er to a reaſonable Creature:

Nor do I know infallibly how far

It is permiſſive in an actual War;

Nor is it known to any, till …e tries

The juſtneſs of it in extremities.

To cenſure that, I therefore, will forbear

Which lies without the compaſs of my Sphear.

King David in ſome caſes, ſuch things did

As Natural compaſſion doth forbid.

This I dare ſay, no man can ſee that end

Whereto, a bruitiſh fury, will extend,

When both provoked, and let looſe, to do

Whatever it ſhall then be prone unto.

I clearly gather from our conteſtations,

What may be truely judged of both Nations

As to their daring, and Couragiouſneſs;

Which, I in few words, fully will expreſs,

Ev'n thus: (for nothing parallels it fitter)

Two Engliſh Maſtive Dogs never fought better;

Nor hath ought oft been acted heretofore,

Which evidenced humane courage more,

If all be truely ſaid which we have heard

This day, of theſe Antagoniſts averd:

For, though ſome Cowards upon either ſide,

Were ſo amazd they knew not what they did,

And ſome (when blinded by the fires and ſmoke

Slaughtred thoſe Friends, whom they for Foes

In that long combate, neither of the two (miſtook;

The other, did in any thing outdo.

And (which deſerveth heed) no wind yet wags

That brings us tidings of ſuch Fears, or Brags

p. 38As uſually are publiſhed abroad,

When Rivals are ingaged in this mode;

And, that, to me preſageth a ſucceſs

Which may to both contribute happineſs,

If meekly, they and we, ſubmit unto

What GOD vouchſafeth to permit, or do,

Who, did a Mercy unto both begin

When he withheld the French from coming in;

Which Mercy, though yet hidden, will be ſeen

VVhen time removes that artificial Skreen,

VVhichWhich, an abuſive Policy invents

To interpoſe twixt actions and intents.

Heed, therefore, let both take when this fight ends,

How it concerns both, quickly to be Friends;

VVhat may be quite loſt; what may yet be ſaved:

How both may by their Diſcord, be inſlaved:

VVhat great Plagues they now feel; what may betide

More grievous, if they further ſhould divide;

VVhat great advantages it might bring thither

Where, they their Strength & Courage joyn together,

Not thereupon as heretofore preſuming,

Neither that glory to themſelves aſſuming,

VVhichWhich appertaineth unto God alone;

Nor vaunting of what their own hands have done;

Nor la'bring, Breaches to repair with Lies,

Nor putting upon Truths a falſe diſguiſe,

(A fault now ſo habitual become

That, tis not eaſily refrained from)

Nor ſacrificing what GOD doth abhor,

Or that, which at the beſt, he cares not for;

But, giving what he ſtill takes in good part,

(Though meritleſs) an Humble contrite heart.

Then, that the Mercies daignd may be prolongd,

Let not his Saints in any wiſe be wrongd;

p. 39(Among whom many will be found at laſt,

On whom the world reproachful terms hath caſt)

For, when, or whereſoever, Peace he makes,

It is at their Requeſts, and for their Sakes;

Whereas, no Peace is true, or long poſſeſt,

Where Innocents are cauſleſly oppreſt;

Eſpecially, where they oppreſſed are

Who ſerve GOD, with a conſcientious fear

According to their knowledge: of this Crime,

Neither the Dutch, nor they who now with them

Aſſociate, ſo guilty are as we

Do at this preſent day appear to be.

And, I believe 'twas therefore that GODS hand

Enabled them our Forces to withſtand;

And ſtill preſerves both, that both might more heed,

What they have done, and how they ſhould proceed.

Among thoſe things by them and us miſdone

Provoking GODS diſpleaſure, this alone

Next mentiond, is enough without one moe,

Us, in all our Plantations to undo:

For, to advance our carnal Intereſt

We parallel the Practice of the BEAST

In merchandizing Souls; Yea, more then ſo,

Have ſet to ſale, both Souls and Bodies too,

In many Colonies: our Avarice

(Which is one root of evry other Vice)

Gave partly an occaſion of that Jar,

From whence firſt ſprung, this preſent bloody War,

And, which at laſt, will totally deſtroy,

Both that which we in Forraign Lands enjoy

And here at Home, unleſs we ſhall with ſpeed,

Repent that courſe wherein we do proceed.

We do not only there, both ſell and waſt

Mens Bodies whilſt their lives and ſtrength do laſt,

p. 30(In bondage and in labour like a Beaſt,

From which they have no hope to be releaſt,)

But, miſerably, keep them, too, inſlavd

Without the means, whereby the Soul is ſavd:

Whereas, a bleſſing both to them and us

Might be procured by endeav'ring thus:

Ev'n by providing Conſcientious Preachers,

To be one day in every week their Teachers.

This would in part at leaſt, excuſe the Crime,

Whereby Guilt lies on many at this time.

I, ſeriouſly have heeded with compaſſion

What them concerns, who have to God relation,

And, in particular what I beheld

Or, heard concerning thoſe of late Exild

For Conſcienceſake. How much ado there was;

How much time ſpent, to ſend them to the place

Of their Confinement; what, within ſhort time,

Befel thereby to others; what to them

Worth obſervation; and how they were caſt

Into the powre of our Dutch Foes at laſt,

To whom their Ship and Goods are made a prey,

Who undertook to carry them away.

Whence I collect, that, we ſhall nothing win,

Whilſt we are guilty of ſo great a Sin;

And, that by long continuance in this guilt,

Much blood that might beſaved will be ſpilt.

Of this ſin, therefore let an Expiation

Be conſtantly endeavourd through the Nation,

And henceforth, twixt the Engliſh and the Dutch,

Let nothing be contended for ſo much

As, whether ſhall the other moſt excel

In Love, in Piety, and doing well

Let both petition for, Grace, Truth and Peace,

And, for their mutual Amities increaſe,

p. 31Let them not Faſt to be protected in

Their quarrellings, but, faſt from Strife and ſin,

And when Humiliations they pretend

Begin them with beginning to amend;

Withhold their hands from Lawleſs Violences,

Not cloke Hypocriſie with fair pretences,

Nor think, when God vouchſafes Deliverance,

It is, their Pride and Selfneſs to advance,

Or, that, when they a Victory have won,

Twas got, that they might do as they have done,

This, (though Humiliation, we pretend)

I fear, by very many is deſignd.

For, Providence hath brought me to behold

What I ſhould not have credited if told.

The dreadful hazzards which we now are in,

So little moves to penitence for Sin,

That I have heard of one this day, who from

The laſt Ingagement came ſore wounded home

Who, ere thoſe wounds were cur'd, did by another

Endeavour, how he might corrupt the Mother

To be her daughters Baud, and to contrive

The means, how they might in uncleanneſs live.

This I have heard, and (whether yea or no)

See probability it may be ſo.

Alas! what will inſue thereon in fine

If this ſhould be the general deſigne?

Oh! let each individual Soul beware

Of ſuch preſumptions, leſt they ſpread ſo far

That, GOD, in his provoked indignation

Wholly deſtroy this wicked Generation.

In chief, let thoſe Grand Parties whoſe eſcapes

Yet, give them time, beware of a Relapſe

And hear him; For, aſſured then I am,

That, he, (according to the Chronogram

p. 32Upon my Title page,) us will ſo bear,

That, this will prove to be a happy year.

Let us for bear to vaunt, as we have done,

Of Conqueſts, whilſt our Arms are putting on:

For, an example of that folly have I

In their invincible (ſo called) Navie

Which was in Eighty eight, upon our Coaſts

Deſtroyed after many ſhameleſs Boaſts.

God grant that Sixty ſix, be not to us

For ſuch like Vauntings as unproſperous.

I hope the beſt, and I as much do fear

The worſt, according as our Actings are.

If poſſible it be, let an Accord

Be made by Chriſtian Prudence, not the Sword.

For that Cure, uſually doth leave a Skar

From whence at laſt, breaks forth another War.

If to no end, our Quarrels can be brought

Till we have to the utmoſt fought it out;

Let them, whom GOD ſhall pleaſed be to crown

With Signal Victory, themſelves bow down,

In true Humility, as low as they

Who, then, have loſt the glory of the day;

Such Mercy ſhowing, as they would have ſhown

U… themſelves, if that caſe were their own;

And, mind what Plagues, GOD threatens to inflict

On them, who add grief, where he doth correct:

Elſe to avenge their Cruelty and Pride,

A greater Foe, ſhall riſe up in his ſtead

Who was deſtroyed, and they ſhall then have

That Meaſure to them given, which they gave.

When all this, and much more then this is done,

We may, as far be, as when we begun

From being truly humbled. For, with leaving

Groſs ſins, there enters often a deceiving

p. 33Whereby, the Soul may be polluted more

And, in more danger then it was before;

Unleſs we ſhall together with a loathing

Of all ſins, Value our ownſelves at nothing.

For, we have nought good, but by imputation,

Which to confeſs, is true Humiliation

If done ſincerely. It will then abide

The Teſt, when thus it ſhall be qualifide;

And, we ſoon after, ſhall behold, or hear

What will compleat our Hope and baniſh Fear,

For, GOD in Mercy always doth return

To all, who for offending him, ſo mourn.

WHilſt this was writing, Tidings we receivd

(Which very willingly we then believd)

That we were Victors. God vouchſafe thereto

A bleſſed conſequ…nce, if it prove ſo:

Make us, whatever otherwiſe befel,

Sincerely thankful that we ſpeed ſo well,

Still mindful of the hazzards we were in,

Before that Doubtful Trial did begin;

And be henceforth, obedient to his calls

Leſt elſe a worſe thing ſuddainly befals:

For, moſt to fear him, we have then moſt cauſe

When an impending Judgement he withdraws,

Since, in our Duties, if we then grow ſlack;

Vengeance, with double Rigour it brings back;

But, much more, when inſtead of Penitence

Thoſe Faults renewd are, which firſt gave offence.

That News, came whilſt the People were in prayr,

Some, hopeful, ſome afraid, ſome in deſpair,

Such Medlies making of Words, Thoughts and Paſſions

As oft befal in ſuddain Alterations;

And peradventure, cauſd ſome to forget

To what end, they that day together met:

For, many had expreſſed ſigns of Gladneſs

Before, they gave one ſign of Sober ſadneſs,

Days of Thanks giving and Humiliation

Being by them, obſervd ſtill in one faſhion;

p. 34And, by their various Poſtures, thoſe Digreſſions

Occaſiond were, which vary my Expreſſions.

We were nor like Jews-harps on Willows hung,

But, like thoſe, which are always tun'd and ſtrung

For Jiggs; and we, a Triumph-ſong begun

Before our Lamentation-ſong was done.

From laying, by, our vain Deſires and Boaſts,

From Sanctifying of the Lord of Hoſts

With filial awe! and Praiſe to him returning

(For joyful Tidings on our Day of mourning)

We were ſo far, that, evn before we knew,

Or could hear certainly, the News was true,

We skipt abruptly, from Humiliation

Into our Antick mode of Exultation,

Joyning our ſelves to throngs of Fools and Boys,

In Triumphs, which consiſt of Squibs and Noiſe,

Of Healths, and Bells, and Fires, and Tunes, and Smoak

(Thanksgiving Tools, in which delight we took)

Objects of Scorn, to wiſemen rendring us;

To grave Spectators, more ridiculous

Then pleaſing: And, inſtead of ſome Relief

To ſufferers an increaſing of their Grief,

Chiefly to thoſe poor Orphans and ſad Wives,

Whoſe Husbands, and whoſe Fathers limbs and lives

Were loſt in that Ingagement, whereof they

Had little Senſe, or drank the ſame away,

(Whilſt they who hardly ſcaping it, lay grieving,

Their ſafety, rather doubting then believing)

And, theſe too, when grown ſober, found they had

Not ſo much cauſe of Mirth, as to be ſad.

An outward Joy, expreſt with moderation,

And Triumphs, are not without Approbation,

When they ſhall be exhibited in ſeaſon,

And for ends juſtified by ſound Reaſon;

Yet, for all Victories, they are not ſo;

Nor the ſame things, fit at all times to do.

King David knew it did not him become

To triumph when he conquerd Abſolom,

And I have ſeen, for Victories, of late,

(Much leſs to be rejoyced in than that)

Great Joy expreſt: yea, for a Conqueſt won

(Thanksgivings alſo rendred) where was none.

p. 35At all times, by all men, are Praiſes due,

And thanks to God, for all things that enſue

On our Endeavours: for, in all he doth

Incluſively, are comprehended both

Juſtice, and Mercy: yet, our thanks to GOD

Is not on all occaſions, in one mode

To be expreſt; nor ought we to pretend

His Glory, when tis for another end;

Leſt, he in our Deſtruction or our ſhame,

Provoked be to glorifie his Name.

In both our late Ingagements GOD hath done

That, which both Nations ought to think upon

With much more heed, and much more thankfulneſs,

Then either we or they do yet expreſs.

This month laſt year when we did glorifie

Our ſelves, for a ſuppoſed Victory,

I did contribute then, as I do now

My ſingle Mite,(as well as I knew how)

To praiſe GOD for his Mercy, making none

With him, a ſharer in what he had done;

Then offring alſo to conſideration

Such things as tended to Humiliation,

Much to the ſame effect, with that which here,

I tender in another mode this year.

But, GOD who times, and Orders all we do,

My purpoſe knowing, put a Stop thereto;

Perhaps leſt if it had been publiſhd then,

It had exaſperated more, ſome men,

Both to their own, and to my detriment,

Then was conſiſtent with my good intent.

For, (by my Printers death) what, I then did

In ſome unknown hand, till this day lies hid;

And poſſibly may come again to light,

By that time, this is brought to open ſight.

Meanwhile, I will proceed, with what, this day

A New Occaſion prompteth me to ſay.

The ſaid Ingagements, now already paſt

(Which if GOD pleaſe, I wiſh might be the laſt)

By Providential means, have made their ſwords

Speak more, then elſe with ſo much power in words,

Could have been ſpoken, to perſwade us to

What, it, will moſt concern us both, to do.

p. 36For, whatſoever, Policy and Pride

Have publiſhed abroad on either ſide,

Tis evident; (or, may be ſo to either)

Our Earthen Pitchers, are ſo knockt together

That one or two more ſuch like knocks will break them

So ſmall, that uſeleſs Po…ſherds it will make them;

Except to patch up the Deſigns of thoſe

Who ſeem their Friends, to whom they will be Foes.

This would be better heeded, if it were

Propounded by a Private Counſeller,

A Biſhop or a Judge: Thus I ſuppoſe,

Till I remember, that the beſt of thoſe

Have writ, and ſpoke in vain: yet, then, were they

Obligd to ſpeak their conſcience, ſo am I.

But, many, who to be my Friends would ſeem,

(And, not me, or my words to diſeſteem)

Perſwade me, in theſ: matters to be mute:

Tell me, that my Attempts produce no fruit

Save miſchiefs to my ſelf: and, other ſome

Affirm this Medling doth no… me become.

I thank their wiſdoms; but, am not ſo wiſe

As to believe they prudently adviſe.

A Fool may to good purpoſe ſpeak ſomtimes,

And, they have found ſound Reaſon in my Rimes,

Who were not ſo adverſe to words in ſeaſon,

That, they lovd neither Truth, nor Rime, nor Reaſon.

Th' effects to other men will be the ſame,

Whether, to them I ſpeak, or ſilent am;

Yet, ſince with profit, I have heretofore

Spoke ſomwhat, I will ſpeak a little more,

Becauſe, I know the damage will not be

So great, then, in relation unto me,

As unto thoſe men, who ſhall be offended

With what is conſcientiouſly intended.

Succeſſes, good and bad, are ſhard ſo even

Between them (by his Juſtice, who from heav'n

Beholds both what they did in every place

With whatſoere by them intended was)

That, if on both ſides, Truth might be expreſt

It would by them and others, be confeſt,

The Sword hath ſpoke a loud, and plainly too,

That, which both Nations ſpeedily ſhould do:

p. 37That, it ſpeaks alſo, what they do intend

On whoſe Aſſiſtances they much depend:

And hints, that both, in their proceeds, (at length)

May be devourd by their own Wealth and Strength.

For, whereunto amounts all we have heard

Three days together, to and fro, averd,

But certainty of Ruine, on both ſides,

To which ſoever beſt ſucceſs betides?

What have we heard, by that which pro and con

Hath been reported of what's loſt and won,

But contradictions, intermixt with ſounds

Of Lamentations, Loſſes, Deaths and Wounds,

And with relation of a Victory,

Which with infeebled and lame wings doth fly:

None certainly informed of what's done,

Or of that which may follow thereupon.

We hear ſad News one day, as bad next morrow,

Or worſe perhaps: and ſhall have dayly ſorrow,

Till of their ſorrows, we more ſenſe have got,

Whoſe Suff…ings, we do know and pitty not:

And till our Nation ſhall diſcharge that better,

Where…n to GOD and Man it is a Debter.

I have with heedfulneſs, peruſed that,

Sea-Gibberſh, which is publiſhd to relate

What paſſed in the Naval fight between

Both Fleets; with what, to ſome a ground hath been

To think, the Victory is on our ſide

And, that we ſt…ll victorious do abide.

If ſo it were (becauſe, it might prevent

The Foes proud brags, our Friends diſcouragement;

Or, ſuperfede their Fears) I ſhould be glad,

And thankful, for the good ſucceſs we had:

But, nothing therein mention'd found I out,

Whence, I could pick forth, what to find, I ſought.

All I could thence collect, was but thus much,

That, We were heaten, and did beat the Dutch,

Till they were glad, at laſt, to ſail away,

And, we as glad, they did no longer ſtay.

He, that was otherwiſe informd thereby

Doth underſtand much more, or leſs, then I,

And, for ourſelves, I know no reaſon why

We ſhould, if, we for GOD, ought not to Lie;

p. 38For, though it is imprudence to reveal

All Truths at all times (and not to conceal,

What may occaſion miſchiefs) never ſhould

The Truth be falſeſaid, or Untruths be told:

And, more advantage would to us, enſue

If our Intelligence were always true:

Indeed, I found, in that Expreſs, much wit

In ſuch terms, as that Subject, did befit;

As alſo, very much, related there

To magnifie thoſe who then active were

For our defence. And, I well pleaſed am

With what may add to their deſerved Fame.

To them I grudge no meed, or honour due,

Who prudently, and valiantly purſue

Their undertakings: But, Gods praiſe alone,

Is my chief Aim. To praiſe what men have done,

Is, to my proper work impertinent,

And, alſo, at this time, to my intent.

If, by omitting that, I ſhall offend

In proſecutions to a better end;

Or, if that any ſhall maligne me more,

For this, who di… not love me heretofore,

I ſhall not think it ſtrange: For, I of late

Meerly, for Speaking, and for Writing that,

Which both to Gods prdiſe, and Mans welfare are tends,

Looſe daily, very many ſeeming Friends;

Whereby, if they no whit indamagd are,

I ſhall not, for what haps to me, much care;

Eſpecially, whilſt that, which I deſigne

Tends to Gods praiſe (without ſelfends of mine.)

To which intention, that which now is read

(In theſe few pages,) is contributed.

And though, like Jeremiahs Lamentation,

Or Davids humblings, this Humiliation

Is not beſprinkled with corporeal tears,

Or, worded with Hyberbolies like theirs;

Nor ſtrowd with Aſhes, nor in Haircloth dreſt;

Or, with ſuch formal-complements expreſt,

(As may be, and ofttimes aſſumed are

As well by Hypocrites, as Men ſincere

Or, though it may want what affects the Senſe,

I hope, that, which affects th' Intelligence

p. 39It ſhall not want, nor ought, which to that end

Is needfull, whereto, I, the ſame intend;

And, tis exhibited in ſuch a mode,

I hope too, as will pleaſing be to GOD.

What, he hath done, at this time, ſeems to me

Not ſo much heeded as it ought to be,

To make us thankful; nor do we expreſs

What we pretend, in way of thinkfulneſs

As it becomes us; neither do we ſhow it

As doth beſeem him, unto whom we ow it:

But, act it with ſuch vain appurtenances

(And break out into ſuch Extravagances)

As, to our Sins, are rather an addition

Then ſignes of Thankfulneſs, or true Contrition.

For, though, at full, informd I have not bin

What ſtreights, and what great hazzards they were in;

Or, of what might have hapned, unleſs then

Aſſiſted more by Providence, then Men;

Thus much is likely, we were ſo intrapt,

That, by our own powre, we had not eſcapt

A total Rout, if Providentially

There came not in, a ſeaſonable ſupply.

For, had not GOD, ſent Rupert timely back,

The Fleet with Albemarl, had gone to wrack;

Or, both perhaps, then, been deſtroyd together,

Had not GOD ſent the French, we know not whither:

Yea, ſomewhat, in that Providence I ſee,

Which our Foes ought to heed, as much as We.

GOD, grace vouchſafe both unto us, and them,

To heed, whereto it tends, whilſt there is time;

And, unto me, and every perſon living,

Timely Repentance, and ſincere Thanksgiving.

Ere theſe few Cautionary exhortations,

(Which I think proper to Humiliations)

I do conclude; Lle add this Corollary

In hope, that ſome, the ſame in mind will carry.

Though very great our Streighrs and Hazzards are,

(And, thoſe may be much greater which we fear)

Seek Remedies, by no diſhoneſt courſe;

Leſt, thereby, we ſtill make the miſchief worſe.

That, were to do like them, who, when an Evil

Befals, run to a Witch, or to the Devil,

p. 40Who, ſuch Cures, onelyonly, for his Pati…nts hath

As their, who kill themſelves, through fear of Death.

It hath been thought, ye…, … have oft been told,

That, I, in my Attempts, have been too bold;

Yet I think no man ſtandeth in more dread

Of doing ought which is not warranten

By common Juſtice; For, I dare not act

To ſave my life, in any ſuch like f…ct.

Nor would my Conſcience let me ſtep in peace

Should I but wink at an Unrigh eouſneſs,

Which might by me be hundred, (though to gain

That, which I do moſt covet to obtain)

Till I repented it: nay, I ſhould dread

A Vengeance were impending ore my head,

If I in ſecret, wiſhd advance unto

My hopes, by what another might miſdo

Without my knowledge; or, by ought not right

Both in GODS eye, and evry good mans ſight.

Which, I profeſs, that others might beware

Of ſuch Ill conſequents, as I now fear.

If we believe there is a GOD, that heeds

The Patience of the Sain…s, and our Procreeds,

Let us not ſtill perſiſt, as we have done,

Within mans corſcience, to uſurp GODS Throne

As many do, in moſt preſumptaous wiſe,

Ev'n whilſt his heavy hand upon us lies:

For, he will ſhortly make it to appear,

None ought, but he, to ſit in Judgment there;

As alſo, what th…y merir, who offend

So highly, when an humbling they pretend.

At Ho…re, from perſecuting of them ceaſe

Who do not interrupt the civil peace;

Let for bear in an inhumane mode,

More to divide us, and our foes abrode;

Let us leave off thoſe Railings at each other,

VVhichWhich hinder the uniting us together.

T…ll GOD ſhall judge the cauſe that is depending

Between the Nations which are now contending,

Let none of us who in ou private Stations,

Are called to ſincere Humiliations,

Preſume to judge them further then he knows

Their Actings, and what Judgements GOD allows

p. 41In doubtful Tria s; But with Humbleneſs,

At end on … oſe of the ſucceſs;

… as tears and prayers,

VVhat …l…e…h Immergencies of our Affairs

… require; leſt, we betray

… ves, and th…m we ſhould obey.

… private ſhare, is part of that

VVhichWhich …s the Joint Stock of the Publick State,

A…d, ought propo…ition… ably …o b… ſhard,

As … ſhall b…, to make a Publick Gard.

… others, are thereby invited to

Is …, which conſcientionſ… I do:

For, … this end, (though I am ſo bereft

Of … I hd, that, …o h…ing now is left

But Almes to live on) I, have ever ſince

… and T…xes, out of that B nevol…nce;

And, will not grudg… to do ir, whilſt GOD ſhall

That way, … any way, give wherewithal:

… …hat he Publick ſtrength, may not decline

VVill take h…ed that it be no Fault of mine,

By not contributing, what I think may

Be thereto needful, in an evil day.

If well it be employed, GOD, will bleſs

Their prudent Management, and Faithfulneſs,

VVho therewith are intruſted: …f, unjuſt

Therein th…y prove, and ſhall deceive our truſt,

Twill be deſt… uctive onelyonly to th' Abuſers,

And, faithful men, will be at laſt no Looſers:

For, when the Kingdome which we look for, comes,

All men, ſhall have their juſt deſerved Dooms.

Hereof, to me, GOD hath oft Earneſt given

By aids vouchſ…fed, as it were, from Heav'n,

At every need. By him, I have been fed

VVith Manna, Quail s, and with my dayly bread,

(I know not elſe, either by whom or how)

For ſome years lately pnſt; and ſo am now,

VVithout ſuſpect, of ought which may be fal

VVhether, my gathering ſhall be much or ſmall.

Yea, now, while I behold d…ſpairing fear

In moſt mens faces, almoſt evry where;

Although the day, now very gloomy be;

Though falling off, our Chariot-wheels I ſee;

p. 42Their Drivers with much difficulty driving;

Againſt Waves, Rocks and Sands, our Leaders ſtriving,

And, GOD, in this day of our great diſtreſs,

Within a Black Cloud, hiding yet his Face;

A Glummering, I naytheleſs perceive

Of Mercy, ſhining on all who believe;

With Symp…oms, of the like aſpect to them

Who, yet believe not, if they turn to him.

Turn therefore, oh return unto him, now;

Hear him, and he will give an ear to you.

But I fear moſt men ſo corrupt are grown,

That, my words, are on them in vain beſtown:

Leſt, therefore what I write, they heed the leſs,

I, at this preſent, will no more expreſs;

And, ſince, in our caſe, there's no help in Man,

His aid, I will implore, who help us can.

LEt GOD ariſe! Ariſe LORD, I implore thee;

And, let all thoſe who hate thee, fly before thee;

Rebuke them who thy Adverſaries are,

The Bulls and Calves who take delight in War;

Aſwel the Common People, as their Kings,

Till all the world, to thee, due tribute brings.

Lee thoſe deſtroying Angels, which are ſent

To chaſtiſe us, make a diſtinguiſhment

Between them, who through Hum…ne frailty ſin,

Without perſiſting wilfully therein,

And, ſuch, as have been unto thee and Thine,

Malitious Foes, a long time, by Deſigne;

Or, who, not onelyonly, againſt us, now be

Confederates, but likewiſe againſt Thee.

In Mercy, look again, on us, and thoſe,

Who are, at this day, our profeſſed Foes;

Leſt, the purſuit of what is yet intended

Conſumes both Nations, ere the war be ended.

Now, ſo uncloſe the Eyes of evry Nation,

Which hath pretended to a Reformation,

That, they may ſee how much, they have been blinded;

How they depraved are, and howſelf-minded:

So prudent make all Governours and Kings,

So qualify the Peoples murmurings;

p. 43So, let thy holy Spirit ſanctifie

Each Congregational Societie;

So ſhew, to evry Individual one,

What ought to be believd, and to be done

Together and Apart, which may improve

That, Principle of Vniverſal Love,

In which, the Being of the world begun;

Whereby, preſerved while Time wheeleth on,

And, by which, that perfection ſhall be gaind

Which was by thy Eternal Love ordaind;

That we regenerated may become,

And not continue, till the day of Doome,

So ſtupified in our ſins, as they

Who were, at laſt, with Water, waſhd away;

Or, Sodom-like, in ſinning perſevere

Until with Fire conſumed as they were:

But, let what thou haft done, ſufficient be

To turn thee unto us, and us to Thee.

I do confeſs, ſhouldſt thou be ſo ſevere,

As, but to heed how bad, the beſt men are;

Among us all, there could be found out none

Who might be called Righteous; no, not one

Of whatſoever Calling, or Degree,

Whether, Priest, Prophet, a King it be,

Or of the common Rank; Lord, naytheleſs

In Mercy, and in thy Sons Rigteouſneſs

Vouchlafe to look upon us; and, to cure

Our ſingle, and our joynt diſtemp'rature.

At this time, to thoſe Luſtings put an end,

Which makes us more then brutiſhly contend

For trifles; and to brawl, curſe, lye and ſwear;

Like Dogs, for bones, to ſcramble, ſcratch and tear;

Fight, wound and kill each other, without heed

Of what we do, or of what may ſucceed.

Yea, ſo inhumanely, as if, now, here

The Devils, clothd with Humane bodies were;

Hell, as it were, broke looſe, and, they come hither

With purpoſe, to bring Hell and Earth together.

That, which this may portend, ſecure us from:

Hallow thy Name, and let thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on Earth, as tis in Heaven:

Give us the bread of Life; and, that forgiven

p. 44Our ſins may be, let us forgive each other,

And, henceforth, live in Amity together,

On us, let not temptations, then prevail,

When then permittest any to. …ſſail

Our perſons; that, we may in our Probations

Be conſtant, and enjoy our expectations.

Let neither preſnt, paſt, or future evil,

(The temptings of the World, the Firſt or Devil)

Hive powre to harm, or fright us any more,

With Plagues and Wars, as now, and heretofore;

Eſpecially, let them not us, inſnare

With thoſe ſins, whereof theſe the wages are.

Wholly, to thee, our ſelves let us reſigne;

Conſels the Kingdom, Powre and Glory thine

Without a partner; and henceforth, forbear

To ſeek our Kingdom, Powre and Glory here.

Whilſt that time laſts, wherein in things yet remain

Undone, which to thy Glory appertain

And, wherein we muſt further be imployd,

Before the Man of Sin ſhall be deſtroyd,

(Who very oft, uſurps a lodging, where

Thy Kingdom is, although he Reigns not there)

Him to reſiſt, vouchſafe Aſſiſting Grace

To every one of us, in his own place:

Preſerve us blameleſs, in that Diſpenſation

Whereto, a Conſcentious inclination

(Without ſelf-ends) hath joynd us; ſo to uſe

Our Liberty, that, we do not abuſe

The Chriſtian Freerdom by including on

Thy Right; or, by impoſing that upon

Anothers conſcience, by uſurped powr,

Which, we would not ſhould be impoſd on our.

And, ſo incline thoſe alſo, to do thus

To whom thou giveſt power over us,

That none, may to obey them forced be,

By being diſobedient unto thee;

But, let our Duties be performd in Peace

To thee, and, to all men, in Righteouſneſs.

And, that both We, and our Superiours too,

May be the more kept heedful what to do;

Make them to know; that if in what relates

To Thee, the humane Laws, or Magiſtrates

p. 45Muſt be obeyd in all they ſhall command,

However they, or we ſhall underſtnd

Thy … reveald; then, if the Kingdom be

The Turks or-Popes, we maſt believe, as he;

And, thy will and thy Deity, thenceforth,

Stand for a Cyther, or, for what's leſs worth:

For tha…, will be the conſequence thereof,

Though Politians, at his Truth will skoff:

Me therefore, unto what thou callſt me to,

Keep firm, in ſpight of all the world ſhall do.

The ſingle, and the joynt Humiliation

of King and People, bleſs with acceptation,

Although, what hath been done, prayd, or conſeſt,

Will not abide thy Sanctuery Teſt;

For, hope of an acceptance, none there is,

If thou ſhouldſt mark all things that are am'ſs:

And, ſav'd from what's deſerved, here, would neither

Be Good or Bad men, but, ſink altogether.

Let, in one Duty, none be ſo …mployd,

That, all the reſt be ſleighted, or made void.

So let us Hear, that, we as aſwel may Do

As Hea ken, what thy word perſwades unto.

So let us ſtrive to Do, that having done

The beſt wee can, wee truſt not thereupon;

And, ſo Believe too, that wee may improve

Our Faith ſtill more, both by Good works and Love;

Remembring, it is Love, that doth fulfil

The Law, the Gaſpel, and thy total will.

Let thin own Spirit help urs ſo to pray,

That, wee may minde Thee, more then what we ſay.

Since to Speak words, leſs needful is to thee,

Then telling our own hearts, what our thoughts be;

And, chiefly uſed, that we might diſcern

Or, h…d, the better thoſe things which concern

Our ſelves, and Brethren; becauſe, none can ſhow

That unto thee, which thou didſt not foreknow

Words, oft are ſooke to others, with intent

To counterfeit that which was never ment.

To ſuch ends, as we ought to make Addreſſings

To thee, are all my Prayers and Confeſſings;

To ſuch ends, I now offer here in words,

Thoſe Muſings, which my narrow heart affords;

p. 46And, which drawn, and preſt out of it, have been

By thoſe great ſtreights, we ſtill continue in.

To ſuch ends, 1 implore thee in this mode;

Accept of this Oblation, my dear GOD:

Give us his Righteouſneſs, who took our Guilt;

Love us, and then, do with us, what thou wilt.

Theſe MuſingS, mee, did waking keep

When other men were faſt aſleep:

And, may, when I a nap am taking,

Keep others, peradventure, waking.

GOD, grant we may ſo help each other

To watch, by turns, or, altogether,

That, when the Bridegroom, doth appear

(Although at midnight) we may hear.

And, keep our Lamps, in ſuch a Trim

That, we may entrance have within.

Written June 17. this ſad year, MDCLX VI.

That which is mentioned in the thirty fifth page aforegoing, being imprinted in or about June 1665, and ever ſince concealed by reaſon of the Printers death, is now come to light, and hereto added in the three next following ſheets. There are many faults eſcaped in the Printing by reaſon of the Authors abſences, which the Reader muſt correct where he finds them.

FINIS.

End of the text · George Wither, Sigh for the Pitchers Breathed Out (1666)