Seasonable Precautions, Title page

Seasonable Precautions · Title page

Tuba-Pacifica. Seaſonable Praecautions, whereby is ſounded forth a Re-Treat from the War intended between England and the United-Provinces of Lower GERMANY.

By GEO: WITHER, a Lover of Peace, and heartily well-affected toward both Nations.

Nimis Cautela non nocet.

Matthew 5. 9.

Bleſsed are the Peace-makers, for they ſhall be called the Children of God

ANNO. 1664. Imprinted for the Author, and is to be diſpoſed of, rather for Love then Money.

p. 3TUBA-PACIFICA. Sounding a Retreat from the War intended between England and the United Provinces.

AN Ancient Emblem, relating to the ſaid Nations.

Si Collidimur frangimur,

If we knock, we are broke.

An hour is come, in which muſt be renew'd

That Work, which I have hither to purſude;

And, I to utter what I have to ſay,

Will take the Kue that's offer'd whilſt I may,

In hope that they, whoſe Prudence can deſcern

Thoſe things which their well-being do concern,

Will hear and heed them, e're it be ſo late

That Premonitious will be out of date:

For, Opportunities may ſlip away

To morrow, which are offer'd us this day;

And 'tis all one to Wiſe-men, whether Strangers

Or Friends, premoniſh them of likely dangers,

Or, whether unto them, Alarums from

A Silver, or a Rams-horn Trumpet come.

To me there are but two wayes known, by which

Men may ſpeed well or ill, grow poor or rich▪

To wit, by proſecuting Good or Evil,

By cleaving cloſe to God, or to the Devil

p. 4And, they are two ſuch Maſterſhips, that, neither

Is pleas'd with him, who ſerves them both together;

Becauſe, what is endeavour'd for the one

Obſtructs what for the other ſhall be done.

Preſuming therefore, you depend alone

On him, whom I ſerve, thus proceed I on.

A commom Fame Reports there will be War

Betwixt the English and the Hollander

And, by their preparations, I conceive

We may with probability, believe

It will be ſo. Their many panick Fears,

Their groundleſs hopes, their bitter Scoffs and Jeers,

Caſt on each other, are plain ſymptoms too,

Of what, in likelihood, they mean to do.

We likewiſe, by the Truths and by the Lies

Which to divide them wicked men deviſe,

And, whereby ſuch Partakers on both ſides

Augment that hatred which ſtill more divides,

May fear, as well as by their other deeds,

The miſchief will go on, as it proceeds,

Untill the power doth reſt in GOD alone,

To undo, what is wilfully miſdone.

But, that, which moſt confirms it, is the ſin,

The Crying Crimes, that both continue in

Without Repentance: For, among the reſt

Theſe I enumerate are not the leaſt,

(Nor any whit abated, ſince GOD made

The late Breach up, which them elſe ruin'd had)

Such, as their bragging vaunts of that frail ſtrength

Which will deſtroy their fooliſh hopes at length;

The confidence, the ſottiſh vulgar gathers

From Ships and Armies, long hair, Muffs & Feathers;

Their hot conteſtings which ſhall have the hap

To wear the greateſt Bauble in their Cap.

p. 5Or, whether 'twill at laſt, be brought to paſs,

That th' Aſſe ſhall ride the Man, or Man the Aſſe.

Theſe, and ſome other things, that are perceiv'd

Now acting, or about to be contriv'd,

Have made me, with ſmall difference to deem

Moſt of them are as mad as they do ſeem.

And, is it even ſo? muſt you now laſh

Each other, and your earthen Pitchers daſh?

Muſt you, that have ſo long been Friends, now knock

Untill you into Potſherds quite are broke?

None taking heed or care how to prevent

That miſchief which appeareth eminent,

And was preſag'd about the ninetieth year

Now paſt, by this your well known Emblem here?

Have you not one among you, rich or poor,

So wiſe as he, whoſe Counſel heretofore.

Preſerv'd a City, and did then receive

The ſame reward, which men in this age give

For ſuch-like ſervices? Hath neither, place

A man ſo prudent as that Woman was

Who rais'd the ſiege from Abel, by her wit,

When Joab with an hoaſt beleagur'd it?

But, are you all of wiſdom ſo bereft,

That, no Expedient ſeemeth to be left

Whereby to act untill the ſequels are

Ignoble Peace, or a deſtructive war?

If it be ſo, from whence could it proceed

But from your failings both in word and deed?

From ſordid Avarice, Pride, and Self-will,

Inticing Fleſhly Luſtings to fulfil?

For, theſe deprave the Judgments of moſt Nations▪

Cauſe them to fall away from their Foundations;

Then, fly to Refuges patcht up with Lies,

Seek Power and Riches by thoſe vanities

p. 6Which multiply Oppreſsions and increaſe

Confuſions to the ruine of that Peace

They might enjoy: For, then their ſtrength conſiſts

In, and by thoſe corrupting Intereſts,

Which will ingage them to ruſh further on

In their Oppreſſive ways long ſince begun,

Till they grow deaf to all that can be ſaid

To make them of their juſt deſerts afraid.

And ſhould they then, their crooked paths forbear,

Moſt private Tradings at a non-plus were;

Yea all thoſe Incomes whereupon depend

Their Formal Grandeur would ſoon have an end▪

For, many thouſands, who did vaſt Eſtates

Get and uphold, by cherishing Debates,

By multiplying and delaying long

Vexatious ſuits, to many a poor mans wrong,

Would think themſelves undone, if ev'ry State

Their Courts of Juſtice ſhould reduce to that

For which they were ordain'd; and Tyranny

Would Want fit Tools to bring to flavery

The common people. Very few know how

They may to GOD and their Superiours now

Perform their duties, and not both diſpleaſe

Or th' one or th' other; For, what is by theſe.

Commanded, is not ſeldom, either quite

Repugnant, or obliquely oppoſite,

As they Interpretations of them make

Who to be Judges of them undertake.

Yea, thoſe Profeſſions, and thoſe Trades whereby

Moſt live, are ſubject to ſuch vanity

That honeſt men are difficultly able

To uſe them with a Conſence warrantable.

It is no eaſie matter to deviſe

What would become of all thoſe Batter-flies

p. 7Who flutter up and down in Princes Courts,

If their oppreſſive Projects of all ſorts

Were took away; and what caſe were they in

Who at this day do live upon the ſin

Of one another? But they'l be ſupply'd

What ever to the Publick ſhall be tide;

And at the laſt, (although their Friends they ſeem)

Deſtroy thoſe Governments that nouriſh'd them,

Unleſs, according to what's juſt and true

Themſelves they modulize, with ſpeed, a new;

Which, how, and by whom, that might well be done

Were an Expedient worthy muzing on.

Perhaps, if you did ſeriouſly take heed,

How this concerns you, and what would proceed

From ſuch a Conſtitution, you might know

From whence the quarrellings between you flow,

And how to reconcile thoſe differences

Which now increaſe your dangers and expences.

Perceive you not, that your Prevarications,

Your Falſhoods, and your groſs diſſimulations

With GOD, and with each other, ſo provokes

His anger, who on all mens actions looks,

That 'tis impoſſible you ſhould have Peace

With him, your ſelves or others, till you ceaſe

From provocations, and bring forth ſuch fruit

As with a real Reformation ſuit,

And with thoſe Churches which are truly Chriſts?

Yea, that your hopes wil fail, though flattering Prieſts

Do promiſe peace, and impudently, too,

Perſwade, that GOD is pleas'd with what you do?

Obſerve you may, by what enſues thereon,

How, GOD abominates what is miſdone

In managing the Myſteries of State,

And heeds what is in ſecret aimed at

p. 8By fair pretendings; and how, they thereby

So long have ſought themſelves to fortifie

That, moſt men are inclined to believe

Leſt Good is meant, when ſweeteſt words they give;

And that they have forgot on what conditions

Or, to what end God gave them their Commiſsions.

Know you not, that a ſpirit of deluſion,

To bring upon you merited confuſion,

Was Licenſed to go forth and delude

Thoſe Prophets, by whoſe counſel are purſu'd

Unrighteous Actions, that you may be ſent

On Voyages like that which Ahab went?

Are your eyes wholly blinded? heed you not

That, ſuch another Spirit is begot

'Twixt you, and 'twixt the People ev'ry where

Within your ſeveral Borders, here and there,

(And at this time as active) as was that

Which GOD permitted to infatuate

Abimelech and Sichem, till it had

Deſtroy'd them; all their Counſels fruſtrate made,

And brought upon both Parties that reward

Which for blood-thirſty perſons is prepar'd?

If theſe things you have heeded, be not ſtill

By thoſe deluded who intend you ill;

But, wake out of your deep ſecurity,

And from that Trance wherein you ſeem to lie.

Conſider ſeriouſly, what you intend;

E're it begin, think well how it may end;

What an intollerable heavy load

'Twill lay on moſt at home, on ſome abroad,

What Treaſure, and how much blood will be ſpent;

How, both your Countries will be thereby rent

And ſhatter'd; beſide, what not yet fore-ſeen,

Is likewiſe poſſible to intervene,

p. 9From them, who watching to enjoy the ſpoil

By your contendings, laugh and jeer meanwhile;

Which to prevent; I ſound out this Retreat

From that War, wherewith you each other threat.

I nothing aim at, or deſign to do

But what I know GOD hath inclin'd me to,

And which you too, may know, if you well weigh

What I have written, with what I might ſay;

And, I believe, that man (who ere he be)

Who ſhall obſtruct what's offer'd now by me

Shall thereby ſuffer as one who withſtands

The mercy he intendeth to both Lands▪

With nought I charge you▪ but what th' one or th other

Is ſingly guilty of, or both together;

Nor ought whereto, unleſs you feared are,

You in your ſelves a witneſs do not bear:

For my part, I ſhall neither gain nor looſe

By Peace or War, or by that which enſues;

Becauſe, he that on GOD his whole heart ſets,

Will be the ſame, what ever he permits.

I love both Nations, truly wiſh them well,

And therefore ſhall not any thing conceal

That may concern your ſafety, though with ſcorn

My Premonitions you ſhould back return:

Permit me then, to ſpeak a word in ſeaſon;

For, ſometimes, he that is a Fool ſpeaks reaſon.

Though Joſeph was a ſlave in deep diſgrace;

A Priſoner more neglected then I was

In my late Thraldome; (no whit leſs in danger

By falſe Accuſers, becauſe, more a stranger;)

A heathen King, diſdained not to take

Good Counſel from him, when her reaſon ſpake

Though he in him, no more of GOD could ſee

At firſt, then you at this time do in me.

p. 10I, no ſuch Revelations will pretend

As give no warrant on them to depend

Save his own word who tells them; neither ought

Adviſe, but Truths, which GOD himſelf hath taught

As well to you as me, by his known word,

Or by the Olive-branch, or, by the Sword.

His Juſtice or his Mercy; which have ſpoke

That oft, whereof you little heed have took.

To fright you, no predictions I will fain

As many do, pumpt out of their own brain;

Nor ſpeak in Riddles, nor ſuch things declare

As you cannot without crakt patience hear,

If I may but that freedom have to ſpeak,

Which harmleſs Fools, and licens'd Jeſters take.

As Moſes, from a principle of Love

Said unto thoſe two Iſraelites who ſtrove,

So ſay I unto you who diſagree;

Wrong not each other, for, you Brethren be

By Nature; yea, by Grace too, ſo profeſt:

Be therefore Chriſt…ans or be men at leaſt.

Like barbrous heathen wherefore ſhould you ſtrive,

And by diſſention to your ſelves derive

A mutual Plague? Act that which is deſign'd

By them who to deſtroy you are inclin'd;

And, probably, can no way elſe effect

That miſchief which their Malice doth project?

Conſider what Advantages you had

By concord, how ſafe thereby you were made;

What you profeſt when you agreed together;

VVhat heretofore, you have been to each other;

How ſtrengthned, and how pow'rful you became

VVhilſt your Deſigns were in effect the ſame;

To your Alies how helpeful; and to thoſe

How terrible, Who dar'd to be your Foes;

p. 11Ev'n when the pow'rfulſt of your neighbouring Nations

Seem'd ſo aſſured of their expectations,

That their Sea Forces, in a proud bravado,

Were termed an Invinſible Armado;

Till GOD befriending you, did with one puff

Bring down their Pride, and blow their Malice off.

Power, wealth, and honour, ever ſince that day

He, likewiſe, heaped on them, many away,

VVhilſt you continu'd Friends, though you had many

Backſlidings and defects as groſs as any.

As to your outward welfare, all things, yet,

To proſper, GOD doth graciously permit.

Some of you, have by looſing all, got more

Then ever they enjoyed heretofore;

Some other, though of all; no leſs bereft

Are twice as rich as they, now nothing's left,

By having thereby learn'd to prize that moſt,

VVhichWhich being gotten never ſhall be loſt▪

And, they who this worlds wealth do more deſire

Have means enough their longings to acquire.

The chiefeſt Forraign Trade to you is given

In all the Realmes and Countries under heaven.

Your Ships are numberleſs, your Merchants more

And richer, then the Tirians heretofore.

Your Ware-houſes are ſtor'd by your Commerce

VVith all things precious through the Univerſe;

For which you were envyed by all thoſe

VVho either ſeem'd your Friends or are your Foes.

Your Naval Forces if you timely might

Perſwaded be ſincerely to unite,

In Righteouſneſs, would ballance all the reſt

Between the Orient Indies and the Weſt

And both the Poles, enabling you to give

Thoſe Laws to all men, who by Traffick live,

p. 12VVhereby, there might, for all, ſufficient Trade

In ſafety, and with equity be had;

VVithout which, whatſoere you ſhall obtain

VVill prove but an unprofitable gain.

And, (which is more conſiderable, far,

Then all your honours, power and riches are)

GOD, hath among you, ſown the feeds of Grace

More plentifully then in any place

Below the Sun: his Plants refreſhments wanting

Though ſet in blood and Fire, at their tranſplanting

Into your Borders, ſo well thrived there

Ev'n then, that millions from them ſprouted are;

And, more from them continually ſhall ſprout

In ſpight of thoſe who ſeek to root them out;

Yea, though you by your folly forfeit thoſe

Advantages which he on you beſtows,

For their ſakes▪ whom ſome of you do revile

Oppreſs, and from their native Lands exile.

For, GOD hath made your Countrie, to become

The ſtrongeſt Bulwork in all Chriſtendom,

Both againſt GOG and MAGOG cover'd Foes

And ſuch as openly, the Saints oppoſe;

That▪ ſaving Truth and ſincere innocence

Might thereby be preſerv'd from violence;

Eſpecially, from their hate, who purſue

The precious ſeed of Chriſt in them and you,

By Antichristian wiles, which hatched were

In your own wombs, and nurſed up now are

By ſeeming Friends, who hide their fallacies

VVith gaudy vails, and vain formalities,

Untill the ſouls for which they traps prepare

Are hunted unto death, or to their ſnare.

Theſe Ingineers, within your boſomes lie,

And, what their chief aims are, no doubt have I.

p. 13Think on theſe things, and whether 'tis from me

Or from God, that you minded of them be;

For, what I had to write when I begun

I knew not; nor ſhall I know when 'tis done,

What, by my Prompter, I was mov'd unto

Untill I read it over as you do,

To ſee what is of God in ev'ry line

As if thoſe writings had been none of mine.

When GOD, by deſpicable means and men,

(As he to do is pleaſed now and then)

Speaks to a King or Nation, it doth carry

A ſhew of ſomewhat extraordinary

To be conſider'd on with ſerious heed,

And it importeth ſomewhat to ſucceed.

When waving men train'd up in learned Schools

He ſpeaks to them, by thoſe whom they count fools,

Makes others (as of old ſome Prophets were)

Actors in things that ſcandalous appear

To moſt Spectators, yea, ridiculous

To ſober men (as oft of late with us)

Rendring them ſigns unto their generation

Of what's to come; 'tis worth conſideration;

(Eſpecially when injuries and ſcorn

Are patiently with ſober ſtoutneſs born,

For conſcience ſake and all men, truly wiſe

Although ſuch diſpenſations fools deſpiſe)

Are deeply ſenſible, of what on thoſe

The ignorance and hate, of ſome impoſe,

To whom, it will be manifeſt ere long,

That, they have injur'd thoſe, to their own wrong.

If yet you know it not, now be it known

That, by the power which is on you beſtown

To be on all occaſions, whilſt you have it

Employed for his honour who firſt gave it)

p. 14You were intruſted, and inabled ſo

As you have been, not your own will to do;

Or, that you to exalt your ſelves above

Your Neighbours, GODS donations, might improve

Into ſuch an exorbitance of power

That, at your pleaſure, you might them devour,

Oppreſs your Brethren, and advantage them

VVho Adverſaries are to you and him:

For, they were given to preserve their Peace

VVho, under you, in love and righteouſneſs

Deſire to live; the ſame Faith have profeſt,

And by Uſurping Tyrants are oppreſt;

VVhichWhich Grace if you ſhall turn into oppreſſion

Or wantonneſs, will haſten your perdition;

Make many of your trueſt Friends grow ſad

And me, who of your welfare ſhould be glad,

Be forc'd ray work to cloſe (in imitation

Of Jeremiah) with a Lamentation.

You will but give your foes juſt cauſe to laugh

To ſee you quarrelling for ſtraw and chaff

VVilſt they get opportunity to burn

Thoſe Granards down, whereby the precious corn

Might be preſerv'd, wherewith your bread of life,

May be ſupply'd, if you deſiſt from ſtrife.

VVho can aſſure you that the provocations

Whereby, now very many in both Nations,

Exaſperated are, will not afford

Fit opportunities by your discord

Some ſuch contrivances then to project

And proſecute as prudence may ſuſpect?

For, though what Faction moves mad men to do

VVill ruine them at laſt, ſo 'twill you too.

VVhat, men who have good conſciences will ſhun

VVill by men without conſciences be done

p. 15VVhen God ſhall let them looſe, or call together

All ſors of ſinners to correct each other.

'Tis likewiſe poſſible, that many things

Pretended cauſes of your quarrellings

If they were well examin'd would be found

Meer ſcandals raiſed without real ground,

To make miſactings on both ſides appear

(By Aggravations) greater then they were.

For, in both Nations, there is ſuch a Rabble

(By their ill manners much more deſpicable

Then by their Fortunes) who, for ſervile ends,

In hope of profit, (or to make them friends

Of thoſe whom they ſought to exaſperate)

Did ſome miſactings much more aggravate

Then there was cauſe; and ſo, that which was bad

VVas by their falſhood, more offenſive made:

This, hath been kindling 'twixt you many years

A ſmothering Fire, which now to Blaze appears;

But hitherto theſe had not power to blow

The flame ſo high as they have rais'd it now:

For, GOD did but permit them for probation

And though it was of long continuation,

Hath ſo your wealth increas'd, that as 'twixt Lot

And Abraham, it now hath ſtrife begot.

GOD, by his grace, direct you to a courſe,

The conſequent thereof may not be worſe.

Your force united hath been heretofore

A terrour to the vaſſals of that Whore

VVhichWhich rides the Beaſt: yea, often ſuch a dread

To her, when ſhe at higheſt bore her head

That, ſhe's inrag'd to ſee you have ſo long

Againſt her Soceries continu'd ſtrong;

Though to ſupplant you ſhe laid many a Train

Which had not then contrived been in vain,

p. 16Had you been ſo divided as this day

You are, or as perhaps e're long you may.

But Unity did make you ſo compact

A Body, that her wiles could not diſtract

Your prudent Counſels, neither from your courſe

Divert you, by her cunning joyn'd with force▪

This▪ by experience found, ſhe doth begin

To work upon you by another Gin

Which will extend to many far and near

Who deem they thereby unconcerned are:

For, they who fooliſhly, themſelves now flatter▪

That they by fiſhing in your troubled water

Shall get Advantages, will be bereaved

Of thoſe expectancies, now preconceived:

For, that which follows, be it whatſoere

Will further▪ GODS deſignments, but not their;

And, though you may by folly, looſe your ends

She ſhall not bring to paſs, what ſhe intends.

If ſhe by this Diviſion, break your power

She thinks that ſhe ſhall eaſily devour

The ſcatter'd Churches, which in hazard lie

Within the limits of her Sov'raignty;

Then, thoſe that ſtronger are (though more remote)

Aſſoon as opportunities are got

To practice on them, by the force of Arms

Or, by the power of her beſotting Charms▪

And if they take effects, her work is done,

Untill GODS Counter-work ſhall be begun,

Who, though mans working with him he expects,

Shall no advantage loſe by their defects

VVho give Advantages unto his Foes,

By trifling that away which he beſtows,

To do him ſervice. But, they ſhall becom

Partakers with Apoſtates in their doom.

p. 17That grand Impoſtris now reſolves to play

Diviſions, making all thoſe whom ſhe may,

Dance to her Fiddle; and to bring about

Her purpoſes, hath very little doubt:

For, as a waſted Candle when it ſinks

Into the greaſie ſocket (and there ſtinks)

Sends greater flaſhings forth, and blazeth more

A little while, then any time before;

So, ſhe doth now, with her whole force perſue

The miſchief ſhe hath long deſign'd for you;

And, not much wanting ſeemeth to compleat

That, whereupon her heart hath long been ſet:

For, to that end, were ſent forth before hand,

Her Emiſſaries into ev'ry land,

With Diſpenſations (as occaſion haps)

To make uſe of all courſes, forms, and ſhapes:

And theſe have into all Societies

All Conſtitutions and Fraternities,

(Divine or Civil) all Affairs, Relations,

And Intereſts, what ever in both Nations,

Screw'd, ſuch a party, that, chief ſway they carry

In things divine, civil, and military;

So, that, as once it was prophanely ſaid,

Should GOD ſtand neuter, till her game were plaid,

She would prevail againſt you, at this time,

Becauſe, no aid ſhall be withheld from them

Who malice you, nor any furtherance

Her power and ſinking Throne to readvance

Which Antichriſts confederates can add,

Or, from prophaneſt perſons may be had.

Be therefore heedful that by your diſſention

You make not feizable her ill intention

By truſting to the Complements of thoſe

Who are her vaſſals, and your ſecret foes,

p. 18And (as you, oft do) ſpeak fair, but to deceive

That they without ſuſpicion may contrive

Your whole deſtruction, and recover power

To re-enlarge their Babylonian Tower▪

Which, is this day as truly their deſign,

As thoſe thoughts, whereon, now I think, are mine.

Bleſt let them be who ſeriouſly endeavour,

To reconcile you; curſed, they who ſever

Whom GOD hath joyned; For no outward curſe

To any can befall; that will be worſe

Then that which will in likelihood betide

To theſe two Nations if they long divide;

But, they who of the breach moſt guilty are

The greateſt burthen of that curſe ſhall bear.

I am no Perſon who confederates

With home-bred male-contents, or Forraign ſtates

Either to get revenge for wrongs received

Or that ſome gain may be thereby derived

Unto my ſelf: For, whatſoere it be,

That which beſt pleaſeth GOD, beſt pleaſeth me;

And having no deſignments of mine own

Can wait with patience till his will be ſhown.

I, being one who having oft fore-ſeen,

And fore-told things that have fulfilled been,

Endeav'ring to prevent the proſecutions,

Of wicked actions and raſh Reſolutions,

Am by a power which I dare not oppoſe

Once more ſtir'd up, to preadmoniſh thoſe

(As heretofore) who now ſeem ruſhing on

In that Career, as other men have done,

Which tendeth unto that end which befell

To thoſe, who ſleighted, what I did fore-tell:

And, I to ſpeak again muſt not forbear;

Vouchſafe therefore to me a patient ear▪

p. 19Be wary, that your Avarice and Pride,

Prove not to be a motive to divide

At this time, though when you divided laſt

Your likely hazards were ſoon over-paſt,

And plagues remov'd ere any penitence

Had teſtifi'd remorce for your offence,

Leſt, greater evils follow, and the trouble

Removed then, returns upon you double▪

For, Nations to expoſe to wars unjuſt

Meerly to ſatisfie a private Luſt,

And thoſe inforce the greateſt weight to bear,

Who no way guilty of tranſgreſſing are

Of that which in a War ingages them,

Is queſtionleſs, a ſanguinary crime

From which, no temporary priviledge

Can vindicate, before a Righteous Judge:

But, it will bring down Vengeance in due ſeaſon

From him whoſe Juſtice cannot be call'd treaſon

Although your High Prieſts, and ſome others too,

The boldneſs may aſſume to term it ſo.

If wrongs be done, let all good means be us'd

To judge between th' Accuſer and Accus'd

E're ſentence paſs; and do not then prolong

Due recompence to them who have had wrong;

Leſt by delaying what you ſhould reſtore,

Inſtead of righting him, you wrong him more.

Ere battail you begin, let peace be offer'd,

Accept a good expedient, when 'tis proffer'd.

Remit ſmall faults where you find penitence:

Upon the ſame terms, let the great'ſt offence

Be pardoned alſo, when the perpetration

Of wrong, exceeds all means of expiation;

In that, you'l imitate the King of heaven

Who often hath ſuch Crimes to you forgiven.

p. 20Make not the Sword your Umpier, till you ſee

A remedy, no other way can be▪

Your juſt Rights to preſerve, do what you can,

But, fight not to inſlave another man;

Nor venture your own Countries to inflame

That you may get a fruitleſs aiery fame;

Much leſs to graſp a power, which when acquir'd

Will in your hands, be like Granados fir'd;

Yet, to avoid the miſchief and the Curſe

Of War, make not a Peace that ſhall be worſe.

Nor when you are at reſt provoke his wrath

Who, quietneſs to you vouchſafed hath,

By cheating them of their juſt expectations

Who truly wiſh the welfare of both Nations,

Adventuring their perſons and eſtates,

To ſave what to your intereſt relates;

And then intruſted you with their defence,

Thereby, but as a ſecond conſequence.

If you would keep Rebellious men in awe,

To ev'ry one his birth-right due by Law

Preſerve impartially; and unto none

Deny that which is due to ev'ry one;

Leſt, whilſt abroad ingaged you become

In warfare, there may be worſe fraies at home:

For▪ that Allegiance which is in all Lands

'Twist Prince and People, upon two feet ſtands,

So, that if th' one fails in what it ſhould do,

In equity, ſo will the other, too;

Men who are much oppreſſed againſt reaſon,

Will not much fear to act what you call Treaſon;

And, then, from queſtioning, on whom there lies

The greateſt guilt; ſmall profit can ariſe.

Which way ſoever, therefore, GOD ſhall daigne

To make you Friends, and give you Reſt again,

p. 21With moderation, and with Juſtice uſe

That Mercy; for if you the ſame abuſe

This, without queſtion, will enſue thereon;

Both, ſhall one way or other be undone.

The conquer'd ſhall inſlaved be; and they

Who conquer, be made ſlaves another way▪

Make not your Reſt to be a ſnare or Stale

As Fowlers do, to cath Birds there withall.

Nor means, your ſelves with ſuch vaſt power to arm,

As helps not ſo much, to do good▪ as harm;

For GOD will heed it, and you ſhall be caught

Ev'n in thoſe Traps, which your own hands have wrought,

And as old Rome was you ſhal be at length

Orewhelm'd and deſtroy'd, by your own ſtrength.

To mine own Countrymen, I'le write or ſay

Nought at this time, which any juſtly may

Apply to them alone; leſt, ſome once more

May terme it ſcandalous as heretofore,

Or call me Libeller, for being bold

To tell them Truths (although in ſeaſon told.)

I, Have, ſo often in particular

And ſo long time been their Remembrancer

With ſmall regard (except from ſuch as do

Love ſimple Truth, and ſuffer for it too)

That, I to them, will nothing mention here,

Save that in which, an equal part to bear

Both Nations may be ſaid, without my blame;

Becauſe, thereby, I ſomewhat hopeful am

To raiſe thence an expedient to eſcape

The being caught again, in my old Trap.

But I'le apart, a word or two expreſs

To our Dutch Neighbours in true friendlineſs.

Remember what of old the Engliſh Nation

Hath been to you; and with how much compaſſion

p. 22They, your Protection timely undertook

When you extreamly by the Spaniſh yoke

Oppreſſed lay; and whether the purſuing

Of thoſe things which are at this preſent doing,

May not at laſt reduce you back to that

Deplor'd condition, or a worſe eſtate;

And bring you once again, inſlav'd to lie

Beneath ſuch an unbounded Monarchy

As you abhor: Your Senators are wiſe,

They in their heads, I know do bear their eyes

And▪ if they be not hoodwinckt▪ need by none

Be minded, what ſhould be conſider'd on:

Yet, ſince but men, let them not be offended

With what is by a ſtranger recommended

Unto their ſerious heed, and let my caution

Be acceptable unto your whole Nation▪

Conſider, whether all they who pretend

Your Country, Cauſe, and Intr'ſt to befriend

May not more complemental prove then real,

When time ſhall bring their Friendſhip to a tryal,

And be as falſe to you, as you have ſeen

Moſt States and Princes, often to have been

Unto each other, though aly'd by blood,

By Aides in times of need, Leagues, neighbourhood,

And all ingagements whatſoere, which might

Deviſed be, them, firmly to unite.

Think, whether ſuch have not a party now

Among you▪ which as things to ripeneſs grow,

Will help improve them, to ſet up a power

Tending to their advantage more then your:

Yea, whether, you already may not ſee

That, ſome to ſuch a purpoſe, active be,

This day among you; and, take timely heed,

That, what you would prevent, may not ſucceed.

p. 23Ill words corrupt good manners; and I hear

That, you no ſcurrile language do forbear

VVhichWhich either heighten may the indignation

And fury kindled in our Engliſh Nation,

Or, make them to be hated of your own;

As if you wholly reſolute were grown,

So to divide both, that by no endeaver,

They might be reconciled again, for ever.

This fault, which to the vulgar I impute

VVill queſtionleſs produce a poiſonous fruit,

And, therefore, though I truly may confeſs

My Countrymen have not offended leſs,

In that kind (and may peradventure take

Occaſion from theſe Lines, a change to make

Within themſelves) I, heartily intreat

Both you and them, his love to imitate

VVhoſe doctrines we profeſs, and bridle more

Their rude tongues, then they have done heretofore

That, from good words, there may at laſt proceed,

True reconcilement both in Word and Deed.

Of one thing more, put you in mind I would

(VVhichWhich now to your remembrance bring I ſhould)

VVere I not hopeful you oft minde it ſo,

As it becomes you, and repent it too,

And that, we ſhall give mutual ſatisfaction

For ev'ry ſcandal and injurious action,

On either charged, for which, to make even

'Tis in our power; the reſt muſt be forgiven.

Lord GOD, vouchſafe thy mercy to theſe Lands

And, if with thy good pleaſure it now ſtands,

The Plagues for their demerits due, ad…ourn,

That Peace with Grace united may return

Before the madneſs of this Generation

Hath fruſtrated their means of preſer…ation.

p. 24By Judgments, and by Mercies interwove,

By chaſtiſements in anger and in love,

By threatnings and by gentile invitations,

Thou, to reclaim us from prevarications

Haſt oft aſſaied; adding unto theſe

Whiſperings in ſecret to our conſciences;

Spoke to our ears by men, unto our eyes

By Apparitions and by Prodigies:

Yea, whilſt I'm writing this, there doth appear

A Blazing Star within our hemiſphere,

Aſwell unto our neighbours as to us

Made viſible: And wherefore Glares it thus

With an Aſpect ſo dreadful at this time,

But, to point at, and for warn us and them

Of ſome approrahing miſchief, whereof heed

Is to be taken by us, with all ſpeed.

Lord, let us not, ſtill obſtinate remain

Rendring (as heretofore) at quite in vain,

That's ſeen, or ſaid, or done, till none for ever

By Word, or Deed, our ſafety ſhall endeaver▪

That time is not yet come, I'le ſpend therefore

In hope of good ſucceſs, a few words more▪

And, look to be excus'd if I ſhall thrice,

VVrite that, which I have writ already twice;

For, neither can hard flints or knotty blocks

Be ſhap'd without reiterated ſtrokes.

Why ſhould you quarrel? what are now your wants,

But, Grace and Faith to uſe well what GOD grants?

The World is wide enough, the Seas have room

Sufficient for your Ships to go and come:

Expedients will be found which may procure

An honourable peace that will endure

VVithout a diſadvantage unto either

If to make proof therof you joyn together.

p. 25Impartial Juſtice brotherly compaſſion

Love, mee kneſs, piety, humiliation

Faith, prayer, penitence, with ſuch like things

Are thoſe, whence wealth, and peace, and honour ſprings

To them who will perſwaded be to do

To others as they would be done unto;

As jealous to redreſs a neighbours wrongs

As in that which to their own eaſe belongs;

As forward, an oppreſſed man to hear

As cruel Tyrants to afflict him are;

And could forbear intruding on GODS right

A ſetled peace thereby enjoy they might,

Without fear; yea, without a juſt ſuſpicion

Of Treaſons, Inſurrections or Sedition:

And, they whom you diſtruſt, will be more true

Then they, in whom you truſt, ſhall be to you,

If you endeaver to contract a peace

And keep it, by unfeigned righteouſneſs:

Although ſuch mediums are but ſcoffed at

Or ſleighted, by moſt Miniſters of State.

But, ſuch a Bleſſing, never can he got

Or kept, by that whereon moſt Nations dote.

The conſtitution of whoſe Governments

Are made according to ſuch preſidents

As Jeroboam left, and loſt thereby

That Kingdom which on his poſterity,

Should have been fixt, had he not counſel took

From fleſh and blood, and Gods advice forſook.

Not thoſe men, whoſe Advantages are leaſt,

Or moſt, ſhall thrive▪ but, they who uſe them beſt;

Make GOD alone their Refuge, and contend

That curſed ſtrife, in bleſſed peace may end.

'Tis not your carnal policies, or forces,

Your Forts, Ships, Armies, Guards of men & horſes;

Your fair pretending what was never ment,

Your heavy Taxes beyond preſident,

p. 26Your flattering Paraſites or your Buffoones,

Your roaring Hectors, and your Pantaloones,

Or Oaths inforced, or great Brags and lies,

Nor their complyings whoſe Hypocriſies

Are much depended on, that will effect

Thoſe Conqueſts and thoſe Triumphs they expect

Who boaſt before their Armour is put off,

And, at the weapons of the ſpirit ſcoff:

For, what by vanity may be obtained

Shall thereby, be devour'd▪ aſſoon as gained.

You have betwixt you (as imply'd before)

Half of all Forraign Tradings, if not more.

Your many Manufactures, are become

Staple commodities, that bring you home

Three times as much in▪ value ev'ry year

As thoſe things, which among you growing are

Amounted to unwrought; and you are grown

As rich in Forraign wares as in your own▪

The Seas have been your Fiſh-ponds, and afford

Enough to make both rich, could you accord

And both, alike were frugal. Means of Trade

Is in a thouſand places to be had,

Which to imploy you will ſufficient be,

When you like Chriſtian Brethren ſhall agree,

Or, but like moral men; nay, if but ſo

As many Infidels, and ſome Beaſts do;

And, GOD and Natures Laws, would you direct

Aright, if, them, you did not wilfully neglect,

Make your own Will a Law, and were inclin'd

To that, which hath corrupted all Mankinde▪

Rendring, what for mans real weal was given

The greateſt outward Plague on this ſide heaven.

So wilfully purſuing your own wayes

For your ſelf-ends; that he who doth not praiſe

Your folly, or with ſilence paſs it by,

Is thought no Friend, if not an enemy,

p. 27And, to reprove Vice is become a Crime

Judg'd Capital among you at this time.

If you conſider theſe things as you ought,

(And ſhall not be diſpleas'd to hear them brought

Thus bluntly to remembrance) I have hope

I may ſtill ſcape the Gollows and the Rope

For ſpeaking Truths in ſeaſon, unto them

Who, their well-willers cauſeſly condemn▪

And, from their Native Countries, baniſh thoſe

For whoſe ſakes, GOD hath kept them from their foes,

Waiting with long-long-ſuffering, when to him

They will return, that, he may turn to them.

This you may do; And I have hope of it:

For, GOD is reſident among you, yet.

His Canal ſticks are not from you removed;

Within your Borders, of his beſt beloved

Are many thouſands, for whoſe ſake, he hath

Remembred Mercy, in his hotteſt wrath.

Good Laws you have; ſome, likewiſe, who profeſs

And practiſe them, in truth and righteouſneſs

Though from your firſt Loves, you are fallen much

And, your defects are at this preſent, ſuch

As in the ſeven Aſian Churches were

When firſt the Myſtery was hatching there

Which now ore-ſpreads the world▪ you have not that

Comply'd with, but, the ſame abominate;

And therefore, that you may, return to him

GOD hath premoniſh'd you as he did them,

Expecting that you better ſhould improve

Then heretofore, his patience and his love,

Leſt elſe, you ſpeedily may be bereft

As they were, of what, yet appeareth left.

A moral Charity retains a place

Among you, though grown colder then it was.

You have a form of GODlineſs, whereon

If you depended not as you have done,

p. 28That, which eſſential is, would more have been

Improved, and the power, thereof more ſeen.

Among your many Vices, blended are

Some Vertues, which, if you would take more care

To cheriſh, God would ſuch aſſiſtance give

That they ſhould, for the future better thrive.

Though you have multiply'd prevarications

By many carnal, groſs abominations,

And, are with Jezabel (that Sorcereſſe)

(Who counterfeits herſelf a Propheteſſe)

Open Confederates; ſome of you hate

Her Hereſies, and their, who imitate

The Nichola…tans: God, now therefore

Hanges forth to you a Flag of Truce, once more,

(Into a Comet form'd) and ſets it there

Where, it, at one view, may to both appear;

That you might ſpeedily and joyntly, do

Through Fear, that which Love could not win you to.

For, though the Wiſards of preceding Ages

And, ſome how deem'd no deſpicable Sages,

Think theſe prodgious Meteors called Stars

Are conſtituted of ſuch Characters

And ſhapes, as do undoubtingly fore-ſhew

What things particularly will enſuce,

(Becauſe ſuch conſequents have ofter been

Obſerved, they are much deceiv'd therein.)

There's no ſuch vertue proper to their natures;

For, they are only ſerviceable creatures

Employ'd by Providence, to ſuch an end

As we by fired Beacons do intend,

When an Invaſion's threatned; They declare

In general, that foes approaching are;

Stir up the Nation to a timely heed

But, who their Foes are, what plagues will ſucceed,

How long they will continue; upon whom

They firſt will ſeize, at what time, they will come;

p. 29Or ſuch like things by them we cannot know:

For, they no more then Beacons can fore-ſhow.

So, this late Exhalation doth portend

Some Judgment on offenders will deſcend

Ere long, to make them watchful, and prepare

To do thoſe duties which expected are▪

But in particular preſignifies

Nor this, nor that; nor any terrifies

Who more deſires to know▪ how by GODS grace,

To do his will, then what will come to paſs.

He that is ſo affected, ſeldom fears

The influence of Comets, or of Sta…s;

Whereas, they who in folly are benighted

Oft, With a harmleſs Glow-worm are affrighted.

Thus far, my mind I have once more expreſt

And hopeful am, ere long to be at reſt

From all my Labours; for, my life, almoſt,

To bring this ſeaſonably forth, it coſt.

But, ſome perhaps will now ſay, what is he

That your Remembrancer preſumes to be?

To thoſe, I make this anſwer; I am one

Who ſtands inſtead of ſuch a Block or Stone,

As Charity did ſet up heretofore

By high-way ſides, and ſomtime at each door,

To ſave men from the violent approaches

Of drunken Horſe-men, Waggons, Carts & Coaches,

And in that ſervice, often are abuſed

Curſt, broken, crackt, hackt, cut, flaſht, knockt, and bruiſed

By thoſe, who ſtumbling on them, heedleſs are

To what good purpoſe they were fixed there.

And, if this be my Lot, I as I may,

Will bear it, as I have done till this day.

For, that which follies hath to many ſeem'd

Hath by much wiſer men, been well eſteem'd:

And, I deſpare not, though confuſed noiſes▪

Should at this time drown and confound the voices

p. 30Of ſober men: For, when the raging water

Doth loudeſt roar; winds, make the tacklings clatter,

Raffle the ſails, and keep the greateſt buſtle,

The ſtorm is peirced by the Boat-ſwains whiſtle;

So that all heedful Mariners, thereby

Perceive whereto their hands they ſhould apply.

So, likewiſe, though the Rumor of that War

Which many hope for, and as many fear,

With other ſuch confuſions, as our ſad

Diſtractions at this preſent thereto add,

Will make theſe Lines, a while, of ſmall regard

With many, and with difficulty heard;

They ſhall, ere long, by ſome, with good reſpect

Be entertain'd, and have good effect;

For dayes will come wherein, that, ſhall from them

Be eccho'd forth, which all will not contemn;

And, from whence, at the laſt, a Voice will come

That ſhall out-ſound the ratling of a Drum;

Yet fright no ſoul but that mans, who depends

On carnal weapons, and hath carnal ends.

Praecautiones aenigmaicae per omnes perſonac terminationes, Modi Imperativi declinatae, numero ſingulari & plurali.

Jam qui rident Ha, ha, he,

Mox clamabunt. Heu, Vah, Vae.

Caveamus ergo, ac Amemus, ni perimus.

A COROLLARY.

Some think, I, an Apology may need

For daring thus to bid my Friends take heed;

p. 31And, ſo perhaps I may; For, not long ſince,

I ſuffer'd for as blamleſs an offence;

And, heretofore, informed was of ONE,

Who ſaid; that to be totally undone

Much leſs diſpleaſe him would, then if that he

Should from undoing, be preſerv'd by me;

And, ſhortly after (with no little ſhame)

That, which he might have ſcapt, upon him came.

I hope they wiſer are whom, to take heed

I now adviſe and that they'l better ſpeed.

What e're ſucceds; Praiſe will to GOD belong,

And of the Saints, this ſhall be then the Song.

A Hallelujah, alluding to the 150 Pſalm.

Come praiſe the LORD, come praiſe him

Where Saints aſſembled are,

As hee's Almighty praiſe him

His Righteouſneſs declare.

In his excellings praiſe him

With Trumpet and with Flute,

With Harp and Pſaltery praiſe him,

With Viol and with Lute,

Let nothing that can praiſe him

Unactive be▪ or mute.

Upon the Timbrol praiſe him

In ſongs his praiſe advance;

Upon the Organs praiſe him

And praiſe him in the Dance;

On tingling Symbals praiſe him

That, make the loudeſt noiſe

And let each crature praiſe him

That ſenſe or breath enjoys,

Yea, let privations praiſe him

Although they have no voices.