A Considering Glass, Floating text 3
The Contented Mans Morice.
1.
FAlſe World, thy Malice I eſpie
with what thou haſt deſigned;
And therein with thee to comply,
who likewiſe are combined:
But, do thy worſt, I thee defie,
Thy Miſchiefs are confined.
2.
From me, thou my Eſtate haſt torn,
by Cheatings me beguiled:
Me thou haſt alſo made thy ſcorn;
with Troubles me turmoiled:
But to an Heritage I'm born,
that never can be ſpoiled.
3.
So wiſe I am not, to be mad,
though great are my Oppreſſions;
Nor ſo much fool as to be ſad,
though robb'd of my Poſſeſſions;
For, Cures for all ſores may be had,
and Grace for all Tranſgreſſions.
4.
Theſe words in youth my MOTTO were,
and mine in Age I'll make them;
I neither have, nor want, nor care;
when alſo firſt I ſpake them:
I thought Things would be as they are,
and meekly therefore take them.
5.
The Riches I poſſeſſe this day
are no ſuch Goods of Fortune
As King can give or take away,
or Tyrants make uncertain:
For, hid within my ſelf are they
behind an unſeen Curtain.
6.
Of my Degree, but few or none
were daily ſo frequented;
But now I'm left of every one,
and therewith well contented:
For, when I am with GOD alone,
much folly is prevented.
7.
Then why ſhould I give way to grief?
Come, ſtrike up Pipe and Tabor;
He that affecteth GOD in chief,
and as Himſelf his Neighbour,
May ſtill enjoy a happy life,
although he lives by labour.
8.
Not me alone have they made poor,
by whom I have been cheated;
But very many thouſands more
are of their hopes defeated;
Who little dreamed heretofore
of being ſo ill treated.
9.
Then if my courage ſhould be leſs
then their who never prized
The Reſolutions I profeſs
(and almoſt idolized)
I well deſerv'd in my diſtreſs
to be of all deſpiſed.
10.
Our ſad Complaints, our Sighs and Tears,
make Meat nor Cloathing cheaper:
Vain are our earthly Hopes and Fears,
this Life is but a Vapour:
And therefore indeſpight of Cares,
I'll ſing, and dance and caper.
11.
Though Food nor Rayment left me were,
I would of wants be dreadleſs:
For then, I quickly ſhould be there
where Bread and Cloth are needleſs:
And in thoſe Bleſſings have my ſhare,
whereof moſt men are heedleſs.
12.
I then ſhould that attain unto
For which I now endeavour;
From my Falſe Lovers thither go,
where Friendſhip faileth never:
And through a few ſhort pangs of Woe,
to Joys that laſt for ever.
13.
For Service done, and love expreſt,
(though very few regard it)
My Country owes me Bread, at leaſt,
but, if I be debarr'd it,
Good Conſcience is a dayly Feaſt,
and ſorrow never marr'd it.
14.
My Grand Oppreſſors had a thought,
when Riches they bereaved,
That then, my Ruine had been wrought,
but they are quite deceived:
For, them the Devil much miſ-taught
when that weak ſnare they weaved.
15.
If in thoſe Courſes I had gone
wherein they are employed,
Till ſuch Atchievments had been won,
as are by them enjoyed,
They might have wager'd ten to one
I ſhould have been deſtroyed.
16.
But, Proofs have now confirmed me
how much our Vice offendeth,
And what ſmall helps our Virtues be
to that which GOD intendeth,
Till he himſelf ſhall make us free,
and our Defects amendeth.
17.
Not one is from corruption clear;
men are depraved wholly:
Meer Cruelties their Mercies are,
their Wiſdom is but Folly;
And when moſt righteous they appear,
then, are they moſt unholy.
18.
There is no Truſt in Temp'ral Things,
for they are all unſteady:
That no aſſurance from them ſprings,
too well I find already;
And that ev'n Parlaments and Kings
are frail, or falſe, or giddy.
19.
All ſtands upon a tott'ring Wheel,
which never fixt abideth;
Both Commonweals and Kingdoms reel:
he, that in them confideth,
(Or truſt their Faith) ſhall Miſchiefs feel,
with which ſoe'er he ſideth.
20.
This Wit, I long ago was taught,
but then I would not heed it:
Experience muſt by Fools be bought,
Elſe they'll not think they need it.
By this means was my Ruine wrought;
Yet, they are Knaves who did it.
21.
When to the ground depreſt I was,
our Muſhroms and our Bubbles
Whom neither Truth, nor Wit, nor Grace,
but Wealth and Pride ennobles,
As cruel were, as they are baſe,
and jeer'd me in my troubles.
22.
And, when their hate, theſe had made known,
new miſchiefs it beg at me,
For, ev'ry Raskal durty Clown,
Preſumed, to amate me;
And all the CURS about the Town,
Grinn'd, ſnarl'd, and barked at me.
23.
Since therefore 'tis not in my power,
(though oft I fore-diſcern them)
To ſhun the worlds deſpights one hower,
thus into mirth I'll turn them;
And neither grieve nor pout, nor lowre,
but laugh, and ſing and ſcorn them.
24.
This FIT, at ſev'nty years and two,
and thus to ſpend my hours,
The worlds contempt, inclines me to,
whilſt ſhe my ſtate devours;
If this be all that ſhe can do,
A Fig for all her powers.
25.
Yet I and ſhee, may well agree,
though we have much contended;
Upon as equal terms are we,
as moſt who are offended:
For, I ſleight her, and ſhe ſleights me,
and there's my Quarrel ended.
26.
This onelyonly doth my mirth allay,
I am to ſome engaged,
Who ſigh and weep, and ſuffer may,
whilſt thus I ſing incaged:
But I've a GOD, and ſo have they,
by whom that Care's aſſwaged.
27.
And he that gives us in theſe days
new Lords may give us new Laws;
So that our preſent Puppet-H…ys,
our Whiſmies, Brauls, and Gew-gaws,
May turned be to ſongs of praiſe,
and holy Hallelujahs.
Thus I have added ſome few Ballads more
To thoſe, which my Deriders heretofore
Have ſcoffingly ſo call'd: and, though I pleaſe
To ſing Defiance in ſuch words as theſe,
(To make them ſomewhat wiſer (if I might)
Who are yet wiſe, but in their own conceit)
'Tis no revengeful or malitious ſcorn,
Which back upon my ſcorners I return.
My Jollities, my Caprings and Advances,
Are not like thoſe you ſee in Morrice-Dances;
Nor is my mirth like their, who cheat their ſouls
With Muſick, Banquets, and o'erflowing Bowls:
'Tis no meer outward or corporeal ſenſe
Of Pleaſures or Immunities, from whence
My Joys do ſpring: nor are they ſuch as their
Who by long-Suffring ſtupified are:
(For, few men living, of all Humane paſſions,
Have deeper ſenſe, or of their Aggravations)
But, my Exultings flow from apprehenſion
Of that, whereto my Faith hath an extenſion;
And of thoſe Objects which I make thoſe ends
To which my actings and my ſuff'ring tends,
As doth a wounded Conquerour, who cries,
Courage, my Mates, the day is ours; then dies:
Or rather; like a Martyr on the Rack,
Who when his Fleſh tears, and his Sinews crack,
Caſts on the Tyrant a diſdainful ſmile,
And in GOD'S Love, rejoyceth all the while.
That which is purpoſed by my Careſſes,
And ſparklings from my ſoul in theſe Expreſſes,
Is partly to preſerve in my own heart
Thoſe Reſolutions, which might elſe depart:
Whereat grudge not, as if you thought I heeded
That which my ſelf concerneth, more then needed;
For, moderate Self-love, is that whereby
We muſt to others meaſure Charity.
'Tis partly too, for others informations
That I ſo oft inſert Pre-occupations
Relating to my ſelf, and to prevent
Annihilating of that good intent
Which I purſue; by taking that away
Which prejudice alleage in private may.
If theſe Expreſſions no advantage be
To other men, they are of uſe to me.
'Tis not amiſs, leaſt I forgetful grow,
To mind my ſelf ſometimes of what I know,
And make to others known, that they who keep
Good Conſciences, may ſing themſelves aſleep
Amidſt their greateſt Foes; and without fear
Awake, when they by them alarmed are:
That, he on whom God makes his face to ſhine,
May be as glad as they, whoſe corne and wine
Doth ſtill encreaſe, and with content be crown'd,
Which way ſoe'er the Rowling wheel goes round;
For, he that acts in ſuff'rings what he teaches,
Moves more, then when but verbally he preaches.
But, moſt men ſo a bound in their own ſenſe,
And rather ſo incline to take offence
At ſuch Expreſſions, then them to regard;
That much of this perhaps might have been ſpar'd.
However, neither much more pains or coſt,
Can I now looſe, then is all ready loſt;
Since therefore what ſhe likes, the world hath got
From me, I'll give her what ſhe liketh not;
For not much longer am I now to bear
Her burthens, or the ſcorn of Fools to hear;
And in my Grave, when I am laid aſleep,
Theſe Muſſings will believ'd memorials keep,
Of things which to GOD'S glory ſhal pertain,
Till his Trump calls me to awake again;
For, though Truths will to our poſterities
Conveyed be among a heap of Lyes,
They will to thoſe who love them, ſhine as clear
As Diamonds which mixt with Charcoals are:
And therefore, till death quite depriveth me
Of ſeeing that which in the Fleſh I ſee,
And Faith foreſees; to my eternall King
To this effect, I'll Hallelujah ſing.
1.
GOD ſits where he doth ſee and hear,
Where Kings and Lords conſulting are,
And heeds what is intended there:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
To make them better underſtand
His Will, and what he hath in hand,
He wonders acts at Sea and Land:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
2.
His Mercies here were lately ſhown,
They who abus'd them are o'erthrown,
And now by Judgements he is known:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
He ſev'rall waies mens hearts hath tride,
He fools their Wit, he ſhames their Pride,
And by their ſhame is glorifide;
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
3.
To tryals ev'ry man he brings,
He ſpares nor Commoners nor Kings,
And of his deeds the whole earth rings.
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
Such marvels as in times of old,
Have either written been or told,
VVe did with our own eyes behold:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
4.
He ſtirs and ſtils the winds and ſeas;
Yea, Kings and Nations can appeaſe,
Things, oft, leſs tameable then thoſe;
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
He wounds and cures, he builds and breaks,
He kills and ſaves, he gives and takes,
And as he finds cauſe, mars or makes:
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
5.
He by contention endeth firife;
By leaving helpleſs, gives Relief;
And, by death bringeth unto life.
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
He for well-doing and for ill,
Doth promiſes and Threats fulfil,
And is both juſt and gracious ſtill.
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
6.
By doing Right he cureth wrongs,
Turns mournful cries to joyfull ſongs;
To all gives what to them belongs.
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
He giveth eaſe, by making ſore;
He makes men rich by being poor,
And looſers win, by looſing more:
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
7.
To crown all this, and cure the fear
VVhichWhich doth in many Saints appear,
His Kingdom now is drawing near:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
For GOG and MAGOG joyn in one,
Their Gen'ral Muſters are begun,
And their deſtruction commeth on:
Sing therefore Hallelujah.
8.
As he foretold us heretofore,
Revenge purſues the Scarlet whore,
And ſhe ere long ſhall be no more
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
The Kings and Captains of his Foes
Shall then be Carrion for the crows,
And all who do the LAMB oppoſe;
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
9.
That we more watchful might be made,
We lately three Probations had;
And now he doth another adde.
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
New offers of his grace mave we;
And though yet obſtinate we be,
Still mercifull to us is he;
ſing therefore Hallelujah.
So, farewell Friends. I will not ſay for ever;
For though I lately purpos'd, that I never
In this mode more would write th' Event hath ſhown
I had then work undone, to me unknown;
And therefore, till he thereto puts an end
Who knows my Task, his pleaſure I'll attend,
And proſecute it, untill he ſhall ſay,
Thy Labour now is finiſh'd; COME AWAY.
Mean while, that I my SOUL may ready make,
For ſuch a CALL, and willingly forſake
Mhis place; I'll ſometimes hearten her along
With this that follows, or ſome ſuch-like SONG.
1.
MY Soul, come let us go,
In Sodom longer linger not;
look not behind thee ſo,
But call to mind the wife of LOT.
Let nothing here
To thee be dear,
Or captive thy deſires;
GOD will thereon,
When we are gon,
Rain down conſuming Fires.
2.
Though with a glorious light,
The SUN thereon begins to riſe,
A dreadfull Storm ere night,
Her careleſs Dwellers will ſurprize.
Come, come away,
VVithout delay;
Quite caſt her out of mind:
For worth thy thought
In her ther's nought,
VVhichWhich thou ſhalt leave behind.
3.
GOD's mercies they condemn;
His Kindneſs with deſpights repay;
ſtill when he ſpeaks to them,
They turn their heads another way.
VVhen he intreats,
Reproves, or threats,
To heed it they diſdain;
Or with a ſcoff
They put it off,
And obſtinate remain.
4.
GOD here hath pitch'd his Tent;
And here, had they his counſel took,
To dwell for ever meant;
But they, alas! have him forſook.
This, which a place
Like EDEN was,
Is now defil'd with ſin;
Still Fruit it bears,
That fair appears;
But 'tis all duſt within.
5.
Then from this curſed Plain
Flee, to thoſe Everlaſting Hills,
where ſafe thou may'ſt remain,
And whereon thy Redeemer dwels.
here make no ſtay:
for though there may
In ZOAR ſafety ſeem,
when ſuch Storms be,
ſecure are we
No where, except in him.
6.
This is their fatall day,
VVhichWhich day perhaps, may laſt a year;
and true Repentance may
Avert the DOOM approaching near.
but, I much doubt,
that trifled out
This Day of Grace will be.
Therefore in fear,
And danger here,
Our ſtay, will always be.
Now my laſt Publick work I hope is ended;
Bleſſed be he that's therewith not offended:
For, whatſoe'er it ſeems, I ſhall expect
A CONSEQUENT, as this doth take effect.
My Exerciſe without me, and within,
Afflictions and diſtractions, long have been;
If therefore, what in haſt I did indite,
When thoſe diſturbances were at their height,
Confus'd appears; the better 'twill declare
What mine, and other mens conditions are.
And, if therein, ought ſeems to merit blame,
They who are Candid, will excuſe the ſame.
G. W.