A Timely Expostulation, Poem
Carmen Expoſtulatorium: Or, A timely EXPOSTULATION VVith thoſe both of The City of London, AND The preſent Armie, VVho have either endeavoured to ingage theſe Kingdoms in a Second Warre; or neglected the prevention thereof. Intended, for averting (if it may be poſsible) of that generall Deſtruction thereby threatened; and to that purpoſe, haſtily (upon the immergent occaſion) publiſhed. By GEO. VVITHER.
2 COR. 11.19.
Suffer fools gladly, ſeeing ye your ſelves are wiſe.
Printed in the Yeere MDCXLVII.
Carmen Expoſtulatorium: OR, A timely Expoſtulation with thoſe both of the City of LONDON, and the preſent ARMIE, who have either endeavoured to ingage theſe Kingdomes in a Second Warre; or neglected the prevention thereof.
THough, I have ſpoken heretofore in vaine,
And may do now; yet, I will ſpeak againe,
In hope, that what by Reaſon, nor by Rhyme,
Could be effected, may be done by Time:
And, that, although my words be loſt to ſome,
They ſhall not fruitleſſe, unto all, become.
Hark! how the Drums beat! how the Trumpets are
Sounding Alarums to a ſecond-warre,
Before the firſt is done! and, whilſt yet green
The wounds upon our bodies may be ſeen!
Behold, that, which was coming long ago,
Drawes now ſo neer, that none ſhall need fore-ſhow
What next will follow; or, what will enſue
On that: For, we, without a glaſſe, may view
Such things in kenning, that unleſſe our GOD,
To them ſhall pleaſe to ſet a period;
Or, make ſome ſuch diverſion, as no man
Conjecture of, by any ſymptome, can,
An univerſall Plague, on us will ſeize,
Inſtead of Remedies, for our Diſeaſe.
Why, then, ſhall I, in time of need, with-hold
That, which my conſcience tells me, ſhould be told?
Why ſhould I keep thoſe premonitions back,
Which I conceive, my friends at this time lack?
A poore-mans counſell, once, (as we heare ſay)
Did ſave a City: So, perhaps, this may.
Excuſe me therefore, if (much grieved at
Your raſh proceedings) I expoſtulate,
The ſad condition, wherein, you to me,
By this renewed warre, may ſeem to be.
Renowned Citizens! what do you meane,
To make your dwellings, that unhappie Scoene
Whereon there ſhall, in probability,
Be acted, now, the bloodieſt Tragedie,
That e're this Kingdome ſaw? Are you grown mad?
And, is there no Phyſitian to be had
For, this Diſtemp'rature? But, muſt it, here,
Be Cuckow-monethmonth, or Dog-daies all the yeare?
Have you no drugs, that may loſt wits reſtore?
Can Patience, Herbagrace, nor Hellebore,
Nor any other Simple, or Confection,
Work out that noy ſome humour and infection,
(That hath beſotted you) till you grow fit
For Bedlam? where, are no ſuch mad-men yet.
Will nor Plaine-ſpeakings, Parables, nor Charms,
Make you regard, your ſafety, nor your harmes?
But, that, as in deſpight of all that can
Be threatned, or fore-told, by GOD, or man,
You will reſolved be to hurrie on,
Till you beyond all remedies are gone?
Are you diſtemper'd ſo, that nought can pleaſe,
Save, what, ſtill more increaſeth your diſeaſe?
Thinke you no Balme, or Salve, or Phyſick good,
But, that which mortifies, or draweth blood,
To your deſtruction? would you faine make void
All your late hopes? would you ſee all deſtroy'd
That, ſo much treaſure; ſo much blood hath coſt;
And, let it, everlaſtingly, be loſt,
Your humour to fulfill; or, for a toy,
Which, alſo, you perhaps, may nev'r enjoy?
Nay, will you now for nothing? or, for worſe,
Will you to purchaſe miſchief, and a curſe
To you, and to your children, re-ingage
Into a war? and, by a bruitiſh rage,
Expoſe thoſe Freedomes to an over-throw,
For, which your fathers did their lives beſtow.
To leave them unto you? And, which might be
Confirm'd for ever, if you could agree
Upon thoſe principles of common-Reaſon,
Whoſe violation is the higheſt Treaſon?
Have you not yet diſcover'd who be they
Who cheat you? nor whoſe game it is you play,
By your diviſions? And, when others find
Your falſhoods for you, will you ſtill be blind;
Or, wink, as careleſſe of the things you heed,
Till, by long winking, you grow blinde indeed?
Diſcerne you not whoſe Kingdome is befriended,
Whilſt, GOD and CHRIST, are formally pretended?
Nor whoſe deſignes, promoted are, the while
Some, with faire ſhewes of piety, beguile
Well-meaning men? And, carrie on their actions,
By working with, and in, thoſe differing factions
Which they firſt raiſed? Marke you not, how, by,
And in, that duplifi'd-capacity,
Their Ingineers doe ſcrew themſelves into
Moſt ſecrets on both ſides? how, they undo
(By meanes of that their unperceived gin)
What, hath moſt privately contrived been?
And, ſee you not, that thereby they doe bring
What, e're the City, Parliament or King,
Or any other party, doth propound,
Adviſe or act, to give it ſelfe a wound,
And further their particular deſigne,
Till GOD prevents it by ſome countermine?
Can you not yet diſcover (through their miſt)
Thoſe juglings, which the ſpawne of Antichriſt
(Falſe Priests, and lying Prophets) practiſe, now,
To raiſe themſelves, and work your overthrow?
Nor, with what impudence they ſpread their lies,
Their bitter jeerings, and their blaſphemies,
To make new breaches, or to widen thoſe,
Which Love, and Prudence, had begun to cloſe?
And, which ere this, quite cloſed might have been;
Had not they caſt untemper'd dirt between?
Perceive you not, that, ſome of both your factions,
Do labour an increaſe of your diſtractions,
Becauſe they ſeem not ſafe from queſtioning,
For falſhoods, to the Parliament, or King,
Unleſſe they ſhall endcavour to prevent
The ſetling of that peacefull Government
Which furthers juſtice? Yea, and ſee you not
How, they conſpire; how, they contrive, and plot
To ruine all, in hope they may, by hap,
Amidſt the tumults, their juſt doomes eſcape?
Or, by diſpairing of a good concluſion,
Bring all things, with themſelves, into confuſion?
Is it a time your Quarrells to renew,
When all is hazzarded, that's deare to you?
Obſerve ye not, three Factions, like to them
Which were the ruine of Jeruſalem,
At ſtrife within your walls? Doe you not ſee,
What ſpighfull ſparklings in their eyes there bee?
How ſharply, they at one another whet
Their ſlanderous tongues? how grinningly they ſet
Their teeth againſt each other? And how they
With pens dipt in black poyſon, doe aſſay
To re-ingage you; and, by curſed words,
Provoke the re-unſheathing of your ſwords,
That ev'ry ſonne, and father, friend, and brother,
May ſheath it in the heart of one another?
Are you beſotted ſo, not to perceive
Who hath befool'd you? who, the ſnares doe weave,
That have intrap'd you? and who ſpic'd the Bowle
Which makes you drunken, ſtagger, reel and rowle
Into perdition? doth it not appeare,
That, to prevent the miſchiefs which you feare,
You run a hazzard, to draw downe upon you
A greater, then they ever could have done you,
Whom you diſtruſt? And, that, in hope to ſhun
Uncertainties, to certaine deaths you run?
Is GOD, now acting for you, and doth lurk
Within a cloud, to hide from you his work?
And, will you work againſt him, to deſtroy
That preſervation, which you might enjoy,
By living to behold that ſaving-health,
Which he was bringing to this Common-wealth?
Have you concluded never to retire
In your Career, till all is on a fire?
And you, and yours, lie ſprawling in the plaſhes
Of your own blood? or, in your Cities aſhes?
Or, till you view this goodly ſpacious frame,
(The work of many Ages) in a flame?
Have you ſo often heard it ſaid, from him,
(Whoſe true preſages, no man will contemn,
But Reprobates) what miſerable Fate
Attends that Houſe, that City, and that State,
Which is divided? Have his Prophecies
So often been fulfill'd before your eyes?
And, are they, at this day, ſo likely, too,
To be, ere long, fulfilled upon you;
And, yet, will you a new-diviſion run,
As if you ſtudied how to be undone?
Or, as if you reſolved on that path,
Which to avoid, ev'n GOD fore-warn'd you hath?
Have I my ſelfe, by GOD's permiſſion, too,
So often told you, what you would miſ-do,
What courſes you would follow; what, reject?
Fore-ſhown you plainly, what it would effect,
If you did otherwiſe? Have you oft ſeen
Thoſe things fulfilled, which fore-told have been,
And ſpoken of them? Nay, have you oft read,
And deſcanted on that which I have ſaid,
And jeered my predictions? yet, will you
In ev'ry circumſtance fulfill them now?
Shall I be made (as me in ſcorn you call)
A Prophet, as it were, in ſpight of all
Which I fore-ſhewed you, with an intent,
That you might take occaſion to prevent
What was fore-told; and make my true predictions.
By penitencie, to appear but fictions?
Have you crack'd all my Almonds? And (inſtead
Of making them a meanes of taking heed
What courſe you ſteer'd) ſo acted, as if you,
From them, had tooke occaſion to purſue
Forbidden paths? that, future times may know
GOD'S providence was pleaſed to fore-ſhow
What would be done by men impenitent,
Though warnings doe precede their puniſhment?
But, let that paſſe, which cannot be undone;
And, to prevent, what you, as yet, may ſhun,
Let me upon the credit gotten from
Things paſt, finde means from perills yet to come,
Your City to preſerve; and, let me loſe
Or thrive, as I to you ſhall things propoſe
To be conſider'd on, without deſigne,
For any private, or baſe end of mine;
Or to contribute ſtrength to any Faction,
Or, weaken anie Party now in action,
But as relating to the preſervation
Of this indanger'd City, State, or Nation.
Have you conſider'd rightly of the cauſe
Which on your City, this ingagement drawes?
And rightly weigh'd it, with all circumſtances
Thereto belonging; and what 'tis advances
Your quarrell to this height? or how you find
Thoſe Leaders, by their principles inclin'd,
Whoſe prudence you depend on? do you know
How dim the ſight of wiſeſt men may grow
By private intereſt, or by reſpect,
To thoſe men whom they malice, or affect,
Or to opinions? If not, have a care
How you ingage: eſpecially if warre
Be like to follow. For, we daily ſee
By thoſe diſcourſes which divulged bee
By diſagreeing parties; that, when they
Each others writings happen to ſurvey,
At ev'rie page they ſeem to take offence,
And judge it void of learning, truth, or ſenſe;
When he that is as wiſe, and in his waies
Unbiaſſed, peruſeth it with praiſe.
Have you conſider'd, ſeriouſly, how ſtrong
Your foes may prove? how chargeable, how long
This warre may be? who, ſhall the coſt defray?
How willingly the Citizens will pay
That ayd which you may need, when they are made
Unable by a long decay of trade?
Yea, when ſo many thouſands want their bread,
Who were by conſtant labour daily fed,
And, ſhall conſume their lives, or ſtrength away,
By watchings, and hard dutie, night and day?
Have you well-weighed, for how long a ſpace
Proviſions may be ſtopped from this place?
How greatly, Famine may increaſe your charge?
How, want, and naſtineſſe, may then inlarge
The Peſtilence begun? how much, the three
Diſſenting Parties, which among you bee,
Your troubles may augment? Or, doe you know,
When you advanced are, to meet a foe
Without your walls, what miſchiefs may begin
By meanes of ſome, whom you muſt leave within?
Eſpecially, when poverty extreme,
Revenge, or avarice, hath tempted them,
By unexpected opportunities,
To act things for their own advantages?
Are you, in theſe particulars, aſſured,
To bee, at each extremitie, ſecured?
Have you conceiv'd, how truly miſerable
You ſhall be rendred, if you prove unable
To over-come? And, though you victors be,
How little comfort thereof you may ſee
When you have ſummed up, what you ſhall loſe?
And (by removing them) what other foes,
You may make way for, to the conſumation
Of all the ſtrength, and glorie, of this Nation?
Yet, once againe, look downe into that hell,
Wherein you are preparing now to dwell:
Can you ſuppoſe, that all, whom you intend
To arme, your Cauſe, and City, to befriend,
Will act as you expect? Or, think you, they
Can do, as much for you, as they can ſay?
Can you, by any caution, be aſſured,
Your goods and families will bee ſecured
From your owne Party? Or, your perſons free
From outrage, when, among you, there ſhall be
A generall confuſion, and their need?
And yours, ſhall daily new diſtractions breed?
Which ev'rie day, and week, will ſtill grow greater,
Till your afflictions have advis'd you better?
Can you beleeve, that all your power and wit,
(Which make ſmall ſhew of ſuch effects, as yet)
Shall able be, by force, or, gentle waies,
To conjure downe the ſpirits you may raiſe?
Or, draw a circle, or provide a charme
So ſtrong, that none of them ſhall do you harme?
Have you ſome works, which fain you would have done,
For your owne ends? and, thinke you, they have none?
Or, that, they who did ſleight a greater power,
Will conſcience make of trampling upon your?
Or (if provok'd) of treading on you, too,
When they diſlike of anie thing you do?
Can you conceive, that though you armed were
Againſt all thoſe whom you abroad may feare,
That, in your ſtreets, your houſes, (nay, within
Your chambers) there will not (as there hath been)
A Party be, which will aſſay to make
Your hopes abortive, if this courſe you take?
Yea, multiply your ſorrowes, till th'event
Grow deſperate? Or, you too late repent;
And, ſhall be over-whelmed with diſorders,
Fears, out-cries, violences, flames, and murthers?
Do you believe, thoſe liſted Reformadoes,
Who puffe you up with vauntings and bravadoes?
(Miſtake me not; I purpoſe no diſgrace
To all (who now abiding in this place,
Are caſt out of imploiment) do you think,
Thoſe, who are moſt couragious in their drink?
Thoſe, of the roaring Frenchified-Rout,
With untruſs'd breeches, with ſhirts hanging out,
And Codpeeces beribanded about
With partie-colour'd Inkle? Or, that thoſe
Apprentices, who late in tumults roſe,
And, without check (to your perpetuall ſhame)
To force th'unguarded Senate, rudelie came,
(And foamed raging furie at their doore,
Like billowes beating on the patient ſhore)
Think you, that ſuch as theſe ordain'd have been
To ſave you from the feares that you were in?
To be Deliverers, do you believe
Theſe likey? or, are thoſe, who to receive
New entertainment (and perhaps old pay)
Have onelyonly aim'd at, ſuch like men as may
Be ſo reli'd upon; as, to ingage
Your Citie now, a ſecond warre to wage?
If ſo; Oh! be more cautious, be more ſage.
Oh, where! where now, is all that piety,
That prudence, and that Chriſtian charity,
Which you pretended to? where is that care
Of publike ſafetie which did once appeare?
Where is that conſcience of the preſervation
Of your owne families from deſolation,
Which doth or ſhould in ev'rie Chriſtian dwell,
That is not far below an Infidell?
Oh! be not wilfull in the proſecution
Of an unfit and frantick reſolution,
Which, doubtleſſe, by the malice of the Devill
(And by his inſtruments) is now for evill
Inſtill'd into you; that, he might make void
Thoſe hopes, which we, e're this time, had enjoi'd,
If want of faith, and love, to one another,
Indanger'd not our periſhing together.
Be, therefore, well advis'd, what will enſue,
Before this curſed warre you do renew?
Be not deluded, or provok'd by thoſe
Who care not how your Citie they expoſe
To hardſhip, and to hazzard: For, it may
Indanger all; if J know what I ſay.
Invite you not, from ev'rie quarter, hither
Thoſe plagues, and thoſe confuſions, altogether,
Of which moſt places now have had a taſt;
Leſt, all the ſtorm deſcend on you at laſt;
And you conſtrained be to ſwallow up
The verie dregs of their moſt bitter cup,
As you by Riddles, intimation had;
Though you of them, out ſmall accompt have made;
And, as all uſe to doe, whoſe ſins are ripe,
And, take no warnings, till they feel the ſtripe.
Regard not, what your flatterers pretend,
But, rather, hearken to your faithfull friend,
Who plainly doth fore-ſee, the ſad effects,
To which your courſe intended, now directs.
Be, yet, perſwaded, your own ſelves to pity;
Your friends, your little ones, your wives, your City;
And do not unadviſedly fulfill
Your foes deſignes; by your perverted will:
What is't to me, what courſe you pitch upon,
Who to the world-ward wholly am undone,
And ruined alreadie, by neglects,
Of juſtice, on th'one ſide; and by th'effects
Of war, on t'other? and, whoſe cheef wealth lies
In thoſe things, which the world doth moſt deſpiſe?
And which (I hope) till I my life ſhall finiſh,
Nor peace nor war, nor ought els, ſhall diminiſh?
What have I got? or what can I obtaine
By ſeeking thus, your madneſſe to reſtraine,
But their diſpleaſure, who delight in war?
And, my deſpightfull foes, alreadie are?
The profit will be yours; And, this alone
My recompence will be, that I have done
My dutie, in perſwading you unto
That, which my heart believes, you ought to do.
Contemn not, therefore, what I now adviſe,
Though I may ſeem deſpiſed, in their eyes,
Who counſell otherwiſe. Seek to be quiet;
And, add this ſhort-receipt unto your diet:
To qualifie your ſelfe-deſtroying-rage,
Take, Time, Rue, Patience; and as much of Sage
As may be needfull: Then, mix ſpeedily
All theſe ingredients, and, them ſo apply
As you have oft been taught; So, GOD ſhall cure
Or qualifie this Engliſh-Calenture;
Which is, an Epidemicall diſeaſe,
That, on this nation, every where doth ſeize,
As did the Sweating Sickneſſe: If we may
Confide, in what Chronologers do ſay.
Why will ye periſh and indanger all
Your neighbours; and, three Kingdomes by your fall,
Since you may ſhun it, and be ſafe and bleſſed?
A refuge, to the needie, and oppreſſed?
What moveth you, that, to eſcape a feare,
You flie into a miſchiefe, or a ſnare?
What is it makes you feare, where no feare is,
And, feareleſſe of true dangers, but, ev'n this,
That, neither of GOD'S threats, you awefull grow;
Nor love your neighbour, as you ought to doe?
Some of you, have, it ſeems, a thirſt for blood,
And, peradventure, for that reaſon, GOD
Will give them blood to drink. Their heart is far
From peace; and, he will come to them, in war.
The ſons of Conſolation have been ſcorned;
And, therefore, he his Meſſengers hath turned
To ſons of thunder, who, as they deſire,
Will ſpeake to them in Sulphure and in Fire.
A Spirit of detraction, and of lying,
On paper-wings, among you hath been flying,
Till, as it ſeems, GOD hath, for that offence,
Expos'd you to a reprobated ſenſe,
Believing lies; and, to an Appetite
Bewitched with a gluttonous delight
In blaſphemies, and falſhoods; which are vented
For every mornings breakfaſt, newly minted:
And, that groſſe diet, hath begot in you
Thoſe evill humours, which diſtemper, now,
Your Bodie-Politike; and makes your Peace
Diſreliſh, by a loathſome nauſeouſneſſe.
You may, perchance, believe, by their deluſions,
Who have abus'd your truſt, to your confuſions,
And their own ſhame; that, you your ſelves are banding,
For Chriſt his Kingdome: And, arm, for withſtanding
Of his oppoſers: But, take heed, I pray,
Leſt you prove, rather, to be ſuch as they,
Who, think they do GOD ſervice, when they ſpill.
The blood of thoſe, who ſeek to do his will.
I will, and muſt acknowledge, that in you
There is a zeale: But, this is alſo true,
That, moſt of you have not obtained, yet,
That knowledge, which true Zealots doth befit.
Religious, I confeſſe, you are; and, ſo,
The Jewes were too, when GOD did overthrow
Their greateſt City; yea, they never ſeem'd
So worthily devout to be eſteem'd,
(According to their Law) yet, then GOD ſhook
Their whole foundation, and quite from them took
That Law, and place, for which they did not ſpare
Their lives, nor ought, which unto them was dear.
Yea, through that means, by which they would prevent
That loſſe, they loſt it: Ev'n when innocent,
And guiltleſſe blood they ſpilt: And, they who run
Their courſe, will doubtleſſe fare as they have done.
Your ſelves therefore delude not, with bare ſhowes
Of ſanctitie; but ſeriouſly diſpoſe
Your minds to charity, that Chriſtian peace
May ſetled be; and bruitiſh diſcord ceaſe.
For, all your pious, and your morall works
Are nothing better, then are thoſe of Turks,
Or Pagans, till a will renew'd doth move
To action, by a principle of love.
You preach; but, preach ye Chriſt, with leſſe contention,
And, that ſhall be of ſtrife a good prevention:
You write; but, put leſſe gall into your ink;
And, let not your expreſſions taſt, and ſtink
Of bitter ſlanders, to the provocation
Of vengeance, and of furious indignation:
For, when from us unſeemingly ſpeeches flow,
Although out cauſe be right, we are not ſo.
You faſt: But, if you faſt not more from ſtrife,
Oppreſſion, pride, and from a wicked life;
Your faſtings, never will procure your peace,
But, rather, your confuſions more increaſe.
You pray: But, pray as Phineas did; and wee
Shall better fruits of your long-prayer ſee.
You liſt your ſelves, the Army to reſiſt:
But, to be reconcil'd, have better liſt
Then you have had: And, ſeek, and follow more
The likely way of peace, then heretofore.
For, you may conquer more with loving words,
Then with your piſtolls, and your naked ſwords:
And, you ſhall get more profit and more praiſe,
Then by thoſe Forces you intend to raiſe:
And, thouſands, who would dying, curſe your rage,
Shall live, and bleſſe you, in another age.
What makes you, and our Army now to bee,
So jealous of-each other as, we ſee,
But, ev'n ſelfe-love and pride, which you, and they
Purſue in others? Or, becauſe each day
You more and more, in manners grow like them,
Whoſe guiltineſſe you raile at, and condemn?
For, moſt of thoſe, who in theſe times pretend
To Reformation, do but ſeem to mend
Their neighbours faults, that, they, thereby, to make
Themſelves, and Fortunes, may occaſion take;
Yea, zealouſlie they labour to remove
And puniſh Tyrants: But, it may from love,
And not from hate of Tyrannie ariſe,
That, they remove thoſe men who tyrannize.
For, it is done, perhaps, that in the roome
Of Tyrants, they, like Tyrants may become;
Elſe 'twere not poſſible, that we ſhould ſee
Suppreſſed Tyrants, ev'rie day to be
Out-vi'd by their Succeſſors; and out-gone
By thoſe, who blamed moſt, what they have done.
'Tis not, becauſe you ſeek the publike good,
That you renew this War: For, letting-blood,
(Eſpecially, now when the Dog-ſtarre reignes)
So neare the heart, and in thoſe maſter-veines,
Now likely to be op'ned, ſeemes, to me,
Not Phyſicke, but, true butcherie, to be.
'Tis not for GOD, that you do now promove
This Quarrell: For, you know, that GOD is Love;
And, when he doth ingage you in a warre,
It alwaies evidently doth appeare,
How it conduceth to the preſervation
Of amity, and union, in a Nation;
And that we cannot otherwiſe avoid
The having of thoſe Freedomes quite deſtroid,
By which we ſhould conſerve it: But, in this
Your quarrell, no ſuch thing apparent is.
'Tis not, becauſe one Party doth incline
Unto a differing forme of Diſcipline,
Which t'other ſide diſlikes, from whence aroſe
This Quarrell, (though from thence it partly flowes:)
For, prudence, whereſoever love remaines,
In any meaſure, tempers or reſtraines
From all extremes; as you by thoſe may ſee,
Who moderate in either Partie bee,
And firm to principles, which do preſerve
The eſſence of our Faith: And, they obſerve
That your contentions, rather, do ariſe
From fleſhly luſts, and carnall vanities,
Then from that zeale pretended; and, there's none
Will doubt it, if you wilfullie go on
In bloud-ſned; and, indeavour not for grace,
To make your fury, give diſcretion place.
'Tis not the fallings, or the imperfections
Of your opinions, but, of your affections,
Which heightens diſcords; and a will to pleaſe
Back-ſliding Demas, and Diotrophes,
Which hath ſurpriz'd you. 'Tis a diſregard
Of Juſtice, in chastiſements, and reward,
And, that reſpect of perſons, which each ſide
Is guilty of; if both bee not beli'd.
For, if by ſimptomes, I the truth may gather,
The City, and the Army too, had rather
Adventure their ſafe being (by deniall
Of yeelding up their minions to triall)
Then to permit, that Juſtice ſhall proceed
Impartially. Both are, it ſeems, agreed,
What ever their well-willers do propoſe,
To ſave their Malefactors, though they loſe
Themſelves, and all their Tribe, (as, for that crime,
The Benjamites once did, in former time)
And (which more aggravates) ev'n thus they do,
Though they have ſeen the King, for doing ſo,
Set halfe beſide his Throne; And, though they ſee
This Parliament, indangered to bee,
Ev'n for the ſelfe-ſame fault: So hard a thing,
It is, ev'n for the beſt of men, to bring
Their wills, and their affections, to ſubmit
To juſtice, though they cannot fly from it.
But, they will ſtill be trying to avoid
Her juſt injunctions, till they bee deſtroi'd,
And hence, hence, chieflie floweth all thoſe factions,
Thoſe miſchiefs, diſcords, and all thoſe diſtractions,
That are among us; And, he that aſſayes
To ſhew them the diſorder of their wayes,
(And their unſafeneſſe) though with no intent,
But, their, and your deſtruction, to prevent:
Or, when he minds them of it, though he ſpares
Their perſons; And the matter ſo prepares,
By couching it in generalls, that they
Who are to blame, correct their errours may,
Without diſgrace; yet, they return him ſtill,
Unkindneſſes (at leaſt) for his good will;
Deprive him, of his freedome, or eſtate;
Eclipſe his credit, or his perſon hate;
Or, at the beſt, regard what he hath ſpoke,
No more then doth a Starue, or a block.
And, ten to one, when ſome of thoſe doe hear
Theſe motives unto peace; they, will go near
To queſtion it before Authoritie,
As if I had enfeebled much thereby,
The peoples hands. The Jewes, to this effect,
In ſuch a caſe, did ſpightfully object
Againſt the life of Ieremie; but, he
Who ſav'd him then, will do the like for mee.
Oh! let the Citie; Let our Army too,
Conſider wiſely, what they have to do;
And, that, among the beſt, are imperfections
Which call to us, for brotherly affections
To cover them; and, helps, to cure them, rather,
Then Inſtruments to ſeek, or, Armes to gather
To ſpoile each other. 'Tis our Ignorances
And want of, love and meekneſſe which advances
Our ſpleenes againſt our brethren. We ſo long
Have, at each other, bitter-ſpeakings flung.
And ſhot the Arrowes of reviſing words;
That, they provoke us, to unſheath our ſwords,
And, execute; before it doth appeare
Which partie is to blame; and which is cleare:
Or, whether any cauſe may be perceived,
Why both (though guilty) may not be reprieved.
Their party, or their ſingle intereſt
Doth, oft, ſo biaſſe men from what is beſt
For them to practiſe: And, vain policy
In outward ſeeming, doth appeare ſo nigh
To blameleſſe prudence; that it drawes them on
To thinke injuſtice warrantable done:
Or, that, (at leaſt) it warrants them to think,
They, at injuſtice, in their own, may wink:
Eſpecially, if they conceive, it may
From anie good deſigne, take ſtrength away.
And this falſe principle, and wrong proceed,
Made thereupon, much injurie doth breed.
This makes, the Preſbyterian-Party mad,
That, anie of their ſide, though nev'r ſo bad,
Should queſtion'd be. This, alſo blinds them ſo
From ſeeing what it doth invite them to,
That it hath rend'red them much willinger
To hazzard all by a renewing-war,
Then, leave them to that triall, which perchance
Would cleare them; And their innocence advance.
This maketh manie, on the other ſide,
As partiall, and unable to abide
That, their partakers, ſhould with ought be charged:
Whereas, had their impeachments been inlarged
With ſuch of their own party, who, by fame
Proclaimed are, to be no leſſe to blame,
Then ſome accuſed; And, of whoſe offence,
They might have got as good intelligence;
It had prevented all thoſe jealouſies,
Which from their ſeeming partialities,
Have lately ſprung; and, which will be removed,
When they, who ſo adviſed, have improved
Their counſell into practiſe; As e're this
It had been done; but, that, you know there is
A Remora in moſt things; and, that ſome
To all good motions, oppoſites become.
Had they (as I preſume they mean to do)
Caſt reſolutely off, all leaning to
That, which their party doth denominate,
And, only ſought the ſetling of the State,
According to the Lawes; and how to bring
An Union 'twixt the people and the King,
By bringing all, indifferently to bide
Th'impartiall Teſt, by which they ſhould be tri'd;
It had, before this day, a period ſet,
To our chiefe troubles. And, this peace is, yet,
But, for a time, deferr'd; unleſſe you marre
That future bleſſing, by a preſent warre.
Demur, therefore, a while, e're you purſue
Thoſe thoughts or actions, which your hearts may rue,
Doe not falſe courage from thoſe vap'rings take,
Or, thoſe high-flying vaunts, which they do make,
Who would engage you; though, with fair preten
To reaſon, juſtice; and with confidence,
They would beguile you. For, no men appear
More arrogant, more bold, or leſſe to fear
Then they, whom GOD infatuates, rejects,
And giveth over unto thoſe effects,
Which their owne wit to put in action thoſe,
As in deſpight of what he doth propoſe.
Let not thoſe fooliſh, fruitleſſe, policies,
(Thoſe impudent and thoſe truth-ſeeming lies)
Which they on all occaſions do invent,
As their moſt uſefull gin and inſtrument
To worke their ends; Let not theſe draw you to
Their courſe, from that, wherein you ought to go:
For, they do but delude you. When ye heare
That, they give out, the Counties will appeare
To be your aid; believe it not, till you
Perceive them coming: For, they do not know
Your Quarrell; neither why you ſhould oppoſe
Your moſt deſerving Friends, as greateſt Foes.
When you ſhall heare them, for the King pretend,
That, they may draw his party, to befriend
Their new deſigne. Or, when they cry, The King!
The King! The King! with promiſes to bring
His perſon hither; and make ſhew to ſettle
Your peace by him: Believe them, but a little,
For, they who ſo pretend, do neither dare
To bring him hither; neither able are.
And, though they were; The King ſo well deſcries
Where, his beſt play, and chief advantage, lies;
What, with his principles, may beſt agree;
Why, they, who would not have him, willing bee
To have him now: Yea, ſo to him 'tis known,
Who for the publike ends; who, for their own,
Reſtrain him, or inlarge him; whom to truſt;
Who, firm, or fickle were; who falſe, or juſt,
Either to him, or others; And, hath made
So many proofs, of things whereof he had
No triall heretofore; that, well I know,
His bought experience will permit him, now,
To truſt to none but them, whoſe honeſtie
Is their chief honour, and beſt policie:
And, when GOD hath inclin'd him, ſo to do;
He ſhall truſt us, and we ſhall truſt him too.
That, this Conjunction may not be prevented,
Let that, which you determine, be repented.
Quench, ere too late, the fire which is begun;
And, leſt, to be unquenchable it run,
Remove the fewell; powre upon the flame
True penitentiall teares; And, grow more tame,
More wiſe, more charitable, yea, more meek;
And, in GOD'S grace, your peace and ſafetie ſeek:
Which, cannot be expected, whilſt with them,
You are at variance, who are dear to him;
Or, whilſt you thoſe reſiſt, whom he doth call
To do his work; although, perhaps, they ſhall
Not do it for his ſake, as they pretend;
But, for their owne, and ſome unworthy end.
By, generally, ſhutting up your ſhops,
Make not a ſad obſtruction, in the hopes
Of your ſubſiſtance; which, will over-ſoone
Conſumed be, though that were left undone:
For, by this Stratagem, your Polititians,
Will but accelerate their own perditions,
By heightning of their furie, who thereby,
Shall feele the gripes of helpleſſe povertie:
Uſe, rather, what good meanes your wits afford
As well to keep off hunger, as the ſword;
That, you may have a being, till GOD pleaſe
To conſummate the cure of this diſeaſe.
Take heed, what thoſe good Prieſts, and Prophets ſay,
Who preach to you, a charitable way,
Unto your peace; And, do not be beguil'd
By thoſe, who counſell to divide the Child;
But, truſt unto his wiſdome, and his doome
From whom, the ſentence, on your wayes, muſt come:
And if you needs will armed be, put on
(As you ought, long ere this time, to have done)
The Chriſtians compleat Armes. For, then, if you
Shall be deſtroyed, ſo, will I be too.
If, for the publike-weal, that Hoſt appeare,
Of whoſe intents, you ſeeme to ſtand in fear;
You have no cauſe of dread. If, they conceale
A private ayme, beneath a publike zeale;
Or vaile their pride, their Avarice, or hate,
With Godlineſſe, or ſervice to the State;
If they ſhall ſeek, one faction to ſuppreſſe;
Indulge the wicked, or the wickedneſſe
Of their owne partie; And, proceed, as tho
God would not heed, what they unjuſtly do;
Then, God himſelfe againſt them ſhall appeare;
And, for your Cities guard, a ſtandard reare:
A buckler he ſhall weild, and interpoſe
'Twixt you, and them, to ward away their blowes:
Then, he ſhall ſave you from their crueltie,
And, be aveng'd on their hypocriſie,
Without your guilt: And, crumble them, till they,
With all their hopes, and glories, fume away;
As theirs have done, who out of grace were thruſt,
In former times, for their abuſed truſt.
And, this will be, ſucceſſively, the doome,
That ſhall on all our falſe Reformers come,
Till all ſuch periſh; and, till ſuch appear,
As, neither will, for profit, love, or teare,
Corrupted be. If, for ſiniſter ends,
You falſe have plaid, with your wel-meaning Friends:
If, you, to gain advantages, have ſtraid
From due performing ought, which you have ſaid:
If, out of wilfulneſſe, or, out of pride,
And haughtineſſe of minde, you thus provide
To give them battell; GOD will finde it out,
And puniſh, till amendment he hath wrought.
Yea, both of you, if both of you ſhall be
Alike perverſe, alike reward will he.
But, hark! a ſtrong Alarum I doe heare,
The Army, you ſo dread, is drawing neare,
And, will not long be hence; I will therefore
(Before the Drums beat, and the Cannons roare
Too loud for them to heare me) now direct
Some words to them, in hope of good effect:
For, thouſands of them know me: and, perchance,
It may more profit you, then an advance
With all your force againſt them. Howſoever;
Ile try, how GOD will proſper my endeavour.
Friends of that honour'd Army, by whom, we
Have had aſſiſtance; and, yet hope to ſee
This War concluded; me with patience heare.
And, to that end, a little while forbeare
To proſecute that worke, which may be done
Yet ſoon enough. And, oh! I feare, too ſoone.
I come with no defiance; nor to bring
A charge againſt you, touching any thing
Wherein you may be cenſur'd to abuſe
Your power or truſt: For, thereof to accuſe,
I neither have Commiſſion, nor intent:
Nor knowledge, have I, were I thereto bent,
Of the determinations, or the waies
Which you purſue; ſave, as that Rumour ſayes,
Whoſe contradictions, do ſo much condemn
Her owne Relations, that, I truſt not them.
Nor do I blame you, though it be confeſt
In your expreſſes, that you have tranſgreſt
The bounds of Common-Order, in ſome things:
Becauſe, to me experience, knowledge, brings
Of that Neceſſity, which lawfull makes
What Law forbids: And, that when ſelf-will takes
A lawleſſe Liberty, which may diſable
To ſave the publike, by meanes warrantable,
In ordinarie courſe; the SUMMUM JUS
Of humane nature, then, intitles us,
Unto a rightfull freedome, to diſpenſe
With anie humane Law, in our defence.
Becauſe, our preſervation, is that end,
Whereto all Lawes do principally tend.
Now, whether you neceſſitated were
To ſuch a courſe, you more concerned are
In weighing it then I; and, better know
Upon what grounds you have conceived ſo.
I know that ſuch neceſſities may be;
I know, that they, who feel them, beſt can ſee,
How great they are: I, likewiſe know, that they
And their adherents, who the tyrants play,
Have ſeldome ſuch neceſſities confeſt,
To light on any, till they were oppreſt
Beyond repaire; And, therefore, leaving, now,
This matter to be ſcan'd, alone, by you,
And your own conſciences; I will preſent
What, I think, future miſchiefs may prevent.
If, therefore, now, among you, any be
Who need it, take this brief advice of me.
If you come armed, not for war, but peace,
And, look, that GOD ſhould your proceedings bleſſe;
Remember thoſe main principles, whereon
You ſeem to ground, what hath, by you, been done.
GOD's glory, publike ſafety, and the Lawes,
With your juſt liberty, were all the cauſe
Of your engaging; and, therefore take heed,
That, you for no deſignement, now, proceed,
Of private conſequence, leaſt you deſtroy
The hope of that, which you might els enjoy.
Let, in your ſight, your brethrens blood be deare;
Let not the riches of this place, appeare
A prize, to draw, or tempt you, further then
Becometh juſt, and bravely-minded men.
To this renowned City, wherein you
Have many Friends, a true compaſſion ſhow,
Though ſhe provok'd you; know, that nobler, far,
Are Saviours, then an Executioner.
Let Juſtice have due courſe, though hand ſhe lay
Upon your Darlings: For, one Achan may
Indanger your whole Camp; and you have ſeen
How plagued, for Injuſtice, wee have been.
From needleſſe violence, with-hold your hands,
Let moderation be in your demands;
That, by your actions, they, whoſe Papers flie,
To your diſhonour, may receive the lie.
To utter now unto you, I have more,
Yea, many things materiall, yet, in ſtore.
But, whil'ſt this line is writing, I am told,
Oh, Line is enter'd, and our Southerne-Hold.
And, therefore, here I pawſe—
Theſe words are vain; and, all, that we can do,
Except, GOD adds his bleſſing thereunto.
"O LORD! thou great Peace-maker, therfore ſay,
"Amen to that, for which I now ſhall pray.
"Out of our preſent dangers, ſafety bring;
"Out of our darkneſſe, let thy true light ſpring;
"Peace, out of theſe our warres; love, out of hate;
"Out of diſorders, a well-ſetled State.
"Let People, City, King, and Parliament,
"And, all diſſenting-parties, now, aſſent,
"And, ſo, unite; that, none may them divide:
"Make us well principled; and, ſo, abide.
"Make us ſincerely practiſe, and profeſſe
"A ſingle-Truth, in ſimple-Righteouſneſſe.
"Yea, now, when all the Powers within this Land,
"Are in confuſion, and amazed ſtand,
"Affrighted by each other; now, when ſin
"Is like to hazzard all; do thou begin
"To work alone; and, raiſe, thou, out of that,
"A Change, which all the Land ſhall wonder at.
"And, if my own corruptions be not, yet,
"Too many, ſuch a bleſſing to permit,
"Minde me in mercy too; And, minde me, ſo,
"That, they, who have oppreſſed me, may know,
"I am a Servant, who, to thee, is deare;
"What ever, to the world, I may appeare:
"And, haſten that Deliverance, O LORD!
"Which thy compaſſion ſhall to me afford:
"For, in my ſufferings, I am left alone;
"And, friend, or hope, but thee, LORD! I have none.
Fiat voluntas Dei.
End of the text · George Wither, A Timely Expostulation (1647)