The Dark Lantern, Poem 1
He, that goes with this LIGHT, his way may find:
Him, that againſt it comes, it maketh blind.
HE, from whoſe perfect Light, all true Lights come,
Spake Parables; yea, ſpake nought els, to ſome;
And, Providence, by many various wayes,
Of diſpenſation, to the world convayes
The means, of carrying on, thoſe works which tend
To man's perfection, at his later end;
And, to the wónderfull accompliſhment,
Of what, eternally is his intent;
Bringing oft times about, the ſelf-ſame things,
(Or, ſuch like) towards their accompliſhings;
That, prudent men, might underſtand thereby
What he deſigns, and therewith all comply.
When Jacobs Off ſprings (who, for many ages
Were figures, types, examples, and preſages
For future times, and ſtates) became perverted,
And, grew to be ſo blind, and ſtubborn hearted,
As to deſpiſe the warnings, precepts, cautions,
And good adviſe, which for their preſervations
Their Prophets had perſpicuouſly declar'd;
GOD, juſtly, ſent unto them afterward,
His mind in Parables, whereof but few
The meanings, or interpretations knew:
And as they more and more, from him declin'd,
(And, from the truth) the more he couch'd his mind
In dark expreſſions, till they nothing ſaw
But what their pleaſure made to be a Law.
Prince, Prophet, Priest, and People, then, became
Wholly corrupt; a ſcandall, and a ſhame
To their Profeſſions, and to all their Nation,
By an unlimited prevarication;
Whereby, the means ordained to recure them,
Was rendred inſtrumentall to obdure them,
By their own fault, and thoſe hypocriſies,
Which, juſtly, drew a vail, before their eyes.
For, whereas, uſually in times preceding,
GODS errands, were made plain, at their firſt he eding,
So, alſo, were their Prieſts, and Prophets, then,
Renowned, wiſe, and honorable men,
Ev'n in their outward being; which, did add
Repute to that, which in command, they had:
But, He ardſmen, and fruit-gatherers, afterward
(With ſuch as brought no motives of regard,
According to the fleſh) were ſometime ſent;
Which, in their hearers, did but ſcorn augment.
And, thus, contempt increas'd: the truths then told,
Were not alone, wrapt up in manifold
Strange ambiguities, obſcure expreſſions,
Dark Metaphors, or much beclouded Viſions,
Which few could underſtand; but, ſome, likewiſe
Illuſtrated their words, and Prophecies,
(Or, rather vailed them) with circumſtances,
Which, did inlarge their hearers ignorances;
As alſo their diſdains: for, otherwhile,
They perſonated things, abſurd, and vile,
In vulgar apprehenſion: ſuch as ſeem
Deſerving rather ſlighting, then esteem;
Yea ſuch, ſometimes, as wicked did appear
To thoſe, who morally men righteous were:
As when, they were made ſignes unto that Nation,
Of their ſhame, nakedneſſe, or deſolation,
And of GODS laſting love, although they had,
By their adulteries, him jealous made.
As with the Jewes, he, formerly hath done,
GOD will proceed with us; and hath begun
Already, ſo to judge (and viſit here)
As he did them, when they rebellious were.
He, ſo, by changes, moves us to repent;
And, judgements blends with mercies, to th' intent
That, he, into capacity might wooe us
Of that great good, which he deſires to do us.
This, makes him, ſometime ſmile, and ſometime frown;
Now, raiſe us up; to morrow, pull us down:
This day, he, to our ſtrongeſt enemies,
Renders us dreadfull: They, whom we deſpiſe
That night triumph; and make us glad to fly
Into our chambers, and there ſneaking lie;
Whil'ſt they deride, inſult, affront and jeer us,
Who, ſome few hours before, did greatly fear us.
This, makes him often fool our wiſdome ſo,
That, we are at a non plus, what to do;
And, then, in our diſtreſſe, to make our want,
Weakneſſe, and failings, more predominant
For our deliverance, in a fatall hour,
Then all our wealth, our wiſdome, and our power.
This, makes him lead us through the wilderneſſes
Of doubts, diſpairings, troubles, and diſtreſſes
To our deſired Canaan, as be led
His Choſen heretofore; and, as he did
To them in their reſpective aberrations,
So hath he done, and will do, with theſe Nations.
As their, right ſo, our Princes, for oppreſſions
Are driven from their Thrones, and their poſſeſſions,
To eat (ev'n with confuſion of their faces)
Their bread with ſcarcity, in uncouth places;
Where, peradventure, they were mindfull made
Of thoſe forewarnings, which they timely had.
Our Lords (as their Remembrancer, foretold,
When they had greateſt likelyhood to hold,
And to encreaſe their greatneſſe) this day, ſee,
Their Houſe of Parliament, deſtroy'd to be,
Ev'n by it ſelf; and, that they are become
Vagrants abroad, or, els deſpis'd at home.
Some of their Pallaces and Piles of State,
Are ras't, defac't, or left quite deſolate,
For Zim, and Jim; for Vermine and ſuch fowls,
As Dawes, and Ravens; great and little Owls.
Our Prieſts, that were the gloriouſt Hirarchy,
And proud'ſt in Europe, next the Papacy;
(Who, by the ſame pen warned, did return
Sharp perſecutions, injuries and ſcorn)
Are now deſpoil'd of all the pomp they had,
Diſhonor'd, poor, and deſpicable made.
Their fair Cathedrall Temples ſtand forſaken,
With ſtill increaſing ruines, rent and ſhaken;
And, in their ſteeds, thoſe perſons are deputed,
Whom they moſt hated, and moſt perſecuted.
The Threats long ſince pronounced, now prevail,
The Prieſt and Prophet, are become the tail;
And meer Mechanicks made diſpenſers are
Or thoſe things, which to them committed were:
Perſons, of ſo mean guifts, and ſmall reſpect,
That, truth out of their mouths, gets but neglect;
Except with ſuch, as undervalue not
Good wine, though offered in an earthen pot.
For our unthankfulneſſe, and diſregard
Of nobler Teachers, whom, we long have heard,
Without improvement; for, hypocriſies,
Meer outſide worſhip, and formalities,
In prayers, fasts, and praiſes; and, for, giving
That which coſt nothing, for great boons receiving:
For our backſlidings, and, then, perſevering
In frequent ſinning, after frequent bearing:
For actions, not agrecing with our ſaying:
For painting, guilding, and for overlaying
Our Corrall ſtructures, with fain'd piety:
(Falſe gold, producted by our Chymeſtry)
For falſifying, with a brazen brow,
The ſerious promiſes, which we did vow
To GOD and men, before the face of heaven,
When we into extremities were driven:
For adding to devouring ſlames, more fuell:
For being, in our very mercies, cruell:
For turning careleſſy, our eyes, and ears,
From Widdows prayers, and from Orphans tears:
Yea, though Remembrancers did (as it were)
In publike, often pull us by the ear,
To mind it; yea, where many ſtanders by,
Obſerv'd it; and, our groſſe ſtupidity.
For theſe things; and, for many ſuch as theſe
God, having ſpoken to us, in our dayes,
By ordinary Preachers; now, begins
By others, to reprove us for our ſins:
Not only ſuch, as reaſon may allow,
Though called from the Shop board, or the Plough;
But, ſuch, as we ſeem juſtly to contemn,
As making truths adhor'd, which come from them.
In ſteed of Teachers, train'd up in the Schools
Of Arts, and of the Prophets; children fools,
Women and madmen, we do often meet,
Preaching, and threatning Judgements, in the ſtreet:
To ſome, pronouncing bleſſings; to ſome, woe;
Scatt'ring their bread, and money, as they goe,
To ſuch as need; (though, in appearance, none
Can poorer be, then they, when that is gone:)
Yea, by ſtrange actions, poſtures, tones, and cryes,
Themſelves they offer to our cars and eyes,
As ſigns unto this Nation, of ſome things
Thereby portended; which (although this brings
Contempt upon their perſons) may be ſo,
For ought, the wiſeſt of us, yet doth know;
As were thoſe actions, perſonated by
Some Prophets, whom the Jewes did vilifie.
It may be on that darkneſſe, which they find,
Within their bearts, a ſuddain light hath ſhin'd,
Reflexions making, of ſome things to come,
Which leave within them, muſings troubleſome
To their weak ſpirits; or, too intricate
For them to put in order, and relate;
As they will eaſily believe on whom,
Such, more then naturall, out-beamings, come)
And, that, hath peradventure, thruſt them on
To act, as men in extaſies have done;
Striving, their Cloudy Viſions to declare
(And, of what conſequence, they think they are)
Till they have loſt the Notions, which they had,
And, want but few degrees, of being mad.
This, Providence permitteth, to correct
Our deafneſſe, and our former diſreſpect
Of nobler instruments, whoſe lights did ſhine
More clearly; and, who, laying line, to line;
Precept, to Precept; in and out of ſeaſon,
Taught reaſonably, ev'n truth's, tranſcending reaſon:
Or, els, it hath permitted been, to make us
Leſſe heedfull, of the plague, that may or'etake us;
By tokens, and by ſymptoms, to us giving,
That, ſeem not worth our heeding, or believing.
And, I, perhaps, among theſe, may be one,
That was let looſe, for ſervice to be done,
In order to ſuch kinds: (as, I believe
I am; as when I am gone, ſome will perceive,
Though, none obſerve it now) For, though I dreſſe
The mind, and matter, of my meſſages,
In meaſur'd words, with ſome ſuch other fancies,
As are allowed in Poetick frenzies,
And, paſſe for ſober garbs: yet, now and then,
I blunder out, what worldly prudent men
Count madneſſe; and, what, oft, the beſt men, too,
Diſlike awhile, and wiſh me not to do.
But, I beſt know my warrant; and proceed
As I am mov'd, with little fear, or heed,
What others judge: for, till ſome ſlips, or errors
Expoſe me, to be liable to terrors,
Ther's nothing, to my hurt, can dreadfull be,
Save my own fleſh, and be that gave it me.
And, as this makes me, madly ſeem to dare;
Ev'n ſo, that ſeeming madneſſe, doth prepare,
And draw ſome, out of novelty, to heed,
What, they had never, els, vouchſaf'd to read:
And, theſe my ridlings now, are an invention
Deſigned partly, unto that intention;
And, partly likewiſe, to amaze thoſe Readers,
Who, to my purpoſes, are counter-pleaders.
When, others think, the times afford me may
Enough to ſpeak of, I have nought to ſay:
When my heart calls upon me, I caſt by
My own affairs, and to that call apply,
As I occaſions find, uttring ſometimes,
My thoughts in proſe, another while in rimes;
One while, by ſharp, and bitter ſtrains reproving;
Sometimes, by admonitions, calm, and loving;
Yea, Jigs of recreation, ſometimes ſidling;
And, now, I'm faln into a fit of Ridling.
Riddle my Riddles, then, you, that have heard
Truths, oft, and plainly ſpoke without regard,
(Except it were, in miſchioſs, to combine
Againſt their peace, who caſt their Pearles to ſwine)
Riddle them if you can: For, in them lies,
A dim character of our destinies.
Within theſe Problemes, thoſe things couched are,
Which I, once thought, more plainly to declare:
But, from that purpoſe, have now chang'd my mind,
That, ſeeing, you might ſee, yet ſtill be blind:
That, you might read, and yet not underſtand
The work, which GOD and men, have now in hand:
Or, which of thoſe things will be firſt, or laſt,
Leſt, future fates appear by what is paſt:
And, that, your miſinter pretations may
Produce thoſe good effects, which you delay:
For, to that purpoſe, all, which I unfold,
Hiſterologically ſhall be told.
Yon, likewiſe, who oft read, in ſerious wiſe,
Shiptons Predicts, and Merlins Prophecies;
Or, vain conjectures, from the conſtellations,
Wherewith, Impoſtors, have long fool'd theſe Nations,
Neglecting that, the while, which both foreſeen,
And, brought to paſſe, in your own dayes, hath been:
Riddle thoſe Riddles; or, at leaſt peruſe them,
And, if you find them frivolous, refuſe them.
Riddle theſe Riddles too, ev'n you, that ſeek
The common-peace, with hearts upright and meek:
You, that have underſtanding to diſcern
The preſent times; and, willing are to learn
Good leſſons from a Piſmire: For, to you,
By this Dark Lantern, I ſhall give a view,
Of things far off, and rubs now in your way,
Whereat, through want of light, you ſtumble may:
And, likewiſe, of effects, whereto, perchance,
You, by theſe glimmerings, may raiſe advance.
Obſerve them well, without enquiring, what
Their Authors meaning was, in this, or that,
Till, you your ſelves, have ſearch'd, how they in reaſon,
Suit our affairs, our perſons, and the ſeaſon,
According to your judgements: for, that, ſhall
Be ſomewhat to the purpoſe, though not all.
But, where no ſenſe that's likely, you can rear,
Leave it, as that, which lies without your ſphear;
For, that, which SHALL BE, will receive a being,
From each diſſenting Readers diſagreeing;
From that mans knowledge, who the ſenſe hath got;
From that mans ignorance, who knowes it not;
And he that would, and he that would not too,
Shall help effect, what GOD intends to do.
Thus, through a long lane, I have drawn you in,
Where my new Grove of Riddles doth begin,
With, now and then, a plain Lawn intermixt,
And, here and there, a ſmall ſherewood betwixt;
With ſuch digreſſions, that, you'l ſometimes doubt,
Whether I lead you, further in, or out.
But, 'tis a wild plot, where are walks, and bowers,
Made for my own content, as well as yours:
And, if they tedious ſeem, you may be gone
At next low gap, you ſee, and no harm done.
The harveſt of our Aera now drawes near,
And, faithfull Labourers will then appear
To order that fair field, where in was ſown
The Corn, which now with tares is overgrown:
And, to diſtinguiſh Wheat, from that which had
Reſemblance of it, both in ſtalk, and blade.
Yet, ev'ry day, Impostors creeping in,
Will, by pretended holineſſe, begin
To plant themſelves; ſeeking their luſts to feed,
By ſcattering adulterated-ſeed;
And lab'ring, to deſtroy thoſe means, whereby
Truth may appear in perfect purity.
In little time, ſhall many changes be,
And interchanges, which will make men ſee
Their wiſdome to be folly; their chief might,
Flat feebleneſſe; their high eſteemed light
Meer darkneſſe; and, that, moſt things by them done,
Will have effects, which they nev'r thought upon.
In that Catholicon, or Mithridate,
Which Providence, confected hath of late.
To temper, or diſpell, what hath diſeas'd
The Body Politike; it hath been pleas'd
(As finding it, a mixture requiſite)
Vipers, and mortall poyſons, to unite
With wholeſome things; yea, mineralls and mettle,
Sulphur, and Steel, fixt matter, to unſettle:
The Serpents brains, with faithfull Turtles hearts:
Of Lions, Lambs, and Foxes, ſome choice parts:
Somewhat of Hares, that ſwift and fearful be:
Somewhat of Snailes, in whom we nothing ſee,
But ſlowneſſe, and, by well compounding theſe,
A cure preparing is, for our diſeaſe:
Fire, Water, Earth, and Ayr, (though diſagreeing,
In qualities) if well mixt, give a being
To that, which cannot be, by any one
Or, any two, or three of theſe alone:
And, ſo, at laſt, ſhall ev'ry contradiction,
Among us, add ſome Dos, to our perfection:
Yea, they who pulldown, and they who erect
Shall in the cloſe, concur in one effect;
That, he, who's all in all, may have due praiſe
By ev'ry contradiction in our wayes;
And, that, out of their diſcords, he may bring
A Diapaſon, making ev'ry thing
Aſſent together, in the conſummation
Of his deſignment, at the worlds creation.
For, whil'ſt this medicine fermenting lies,
The wheels of temp'r all contrarieties
Move on; and, ev'ry day, abroad will ſend
Productions, few, diſcerning to what end:
And, yet, each individuall circumſtance,
Somewhat, the Grand-deſignment, ſhall advance,
Yea, foolings, failings, fraud, and treachery
As well as truth, and true ſincerity,
Shall add thereto; and, herein, will alone,
The diff'rence be; ſuch, as have juſtly done
Their duties; and, in doing them perſever,
(Or, willingly, and knowingly endeavour
As they are able) will enjoy the bliſſe,
Which, they who counter-operate ſhall miſſe.
I.G.N.R.N.S. with, other ſome,
Such like, confederated are become,
To ruine this Republike; and, have laid
Deſignes, whereby it may be ſoon betray'd,
And, infamous, inſenſibly, become,
With all wiſe men abroad, and here at home.
Theſe (though but few obſerve it) have, long, had
A purpoſe theſe three Ilands to invade;
And, to poſſeſſe them, with a people far
More barbarous then Kernes, and Redſhanks are.
Some of their Party, to promote their ends,
Do yet appear to be our faithfull friends;
And, into every place of Power, and Truſt,
Themſelves, and their confederates have thruſt.
In Townes and Boroughs, Cittadells and Cities,
In Courts, and Councells, and in all Committees;
In offices of profit, and command,
Throughout the Commonwealth, at Sea, and Land
They have Abettors; and, ſo bold they grow
That, every man almoſt, their aimes may know;
And, their attempts, although but fools they are
Are at this preſent time, improv'd ſo far
That, they have ſhaken that, wherein conſiſts,
Our honor, and our nobleſt intereſts;
And into practiſe, they begin to draw
Among us here, the Clagefurtian Law.
M.N.O.P. Demas, Diotrophes,
Peripateticks, Stoicks, Phariſees,
With others, who, in judgement diff'ring be,
Will, altogether, as one man agree,
To fortifie their private intereſt,
Indangering (by what ſhall be poſſeſt
Unduly) that, which is to others due:
Untill the faithfull Shepherds do purſue
Their claim aright; the ſame deriving from
Their Foſter-Fathers, whence, it firſt did come;
And, of whom, it was long ſince propheci'd
That, GOD, by them, a portion would provide
For thoſe, he ſends forth, to preſerve the beauty
Of holineſſe, when, man, forgets his duty.
Some other accidents, time will beget
Which may be mark'd out, by our Alphabet:
By, and for envy, jealouſie, and pride,
Shall, A. B. C. be laid awhile, afide.
Deſpiſed alſo, V. and I. ſhall be
P P. and S. againſt C S. and P.
Shall then conſpire; and, for a Salve employ
That, which it ſelf, and all things, doth deſtroy,
If Alpha and Omega, help not more
Then all the other letters, did before:
For, common helps, will be apply'd in vain,
The fury of their madneſſe, to reſtrain.
The cauſes, whence this hazard will ariſe,
Are ſuch as this; obſerve it, and be wiſe.
The Temple of the Gods, which heretofore
Stood open to the prayers of the poor,
Is cloſed up, and few admitted in,
But, ſuch as are conveyed by a gin,
Contriv'd ſo narrow, that the people ſay
It was choak'd up, the firſt, or ſecond day:
And, with diſtemper, they exclaim, that this
Of all their grievances, the greateſt is:
Becauſe it puts their patience, to more trialls,
Then, if of Juſtice, they had quick denialls:
Turnes hopes into deſpairs; converts their lives
To living deaths, their b…lmes to coroſives.
The Saints likewiſe, that muſt propitiate,
On their behalfs, and offer at the gate
Of juſtice and of mercy, their petitions
Are not ſo ſenſible of their conditions;
Nor from all partiality ſo free
As Mediators alwayes ought to be.
This, makes one grumble in his privacies;
Another, gapes out open blaſphemies:
Some, with ſuch indignation filled are,
As, if they Giant-like, would make a warre
Againſt their GODS (if, lookers on, may gueſſe,
By their diſtempers, of their purpoſes)
And, univerſally, there is a cry
So lamentable, and rais'd up ſo high,
That, if theſe Deities, ſhall not in time,
With due compaſſion, bow their ears to them,
And, their juſt Prayers, and requeſts fulfill,
A higher power, theſe plaints examine will,
And theſe inferiour Gods, ſhall tumble then,
From heav'n like Lucifer, and die like men:
Riddle this Riddle, and reſolve me whether
This Temple, be Pantheon, or ſome other,
Wherein Subdeities, invoked are:
What Temple e're it be; we wiſh it were
More open; leſt upon thoſe Gods, it bring
Contempt, or worſe, and ruines ev'ry thing
To them ſubordinate: for, hence doth flow
Moſt other grievances, complain'd of now;
And, hence riſe thoſe confuſions, which increaſe
Our troubles, and procraſtinate our peace.
From hence is it, mens ſuits prolonged are
Beyond their lives; and after twice five year,
As far from ending, as when they begun;
Yea, endleſſe, till poor Suiters are undone,
At theſe words, an Illuſion cry'd, take heed;
And, further do not in this ſtrain proceed;
Leſt, ſome Interpreters, interpret, ſo,
Thy Riddles, that the Ridler they undo.
The ſuddain caution, ſtartled me a while;
Yet, back return'd it with a ſtrong recoil;
Suggeſting, that I over-much bewray'd
Their nakedneſſe; and them too open laid
Whoſe ſhame I ought to hide, and, that ſo far
It may provoke them, who ſoon angry are,
As thereby to indanger at the leaſt,
My quiet, and my private interest.
How, therefore, this objection I paſt over,
E're further I proceed, I'le here diſcover.
Againſt theſe doubts, my Genius up aroſe,
And, quite out of my heart, their poyſon throws;
Aſſuring me, I had no cauſe to fear
What other mens interpretations were;
Or, to ſuppoſe the ſafety of this Nation
Were not more worthy of a preſervation
Then their repute, who are quite ſenſleſſe growne,
Both of the publike danger, and their owne.
Or think it better that a generall
Diſeaſe o'reſpread us, rather, then to call
A Scab, a Scab, or, timely to declare
The cure of theſe things, which deſtructive are.
It told me, (and with arguments not weak)
The cauſe, and time, requir'd me now to ſpeak
Without reſpect of perſons; and, that, I
Was bound unto it by my fealty.
It told me, 'twas a duty whereunto
I was ordain'd; and, which I'm kept to do.
It repreſents unto me, from what ſtrong
And ſpitefull Adverſaries; and, how long,
I have preſerved been, ſince I begun
To do ſuch works, when they were to be done.
It bids me to record, by what ſtrange wayes,
(And means unlikely) I have all my dayes,
Deliverances obtain'd; ev'n when I had,
Oppreſſions, that might make a wiſe man mad;
And, not one friend, me, in thoſe ſtreights to own,
But, ſuch as GOD ſtill rais'd me up unknown.
It bids me mind, how oft (when I have had
No other help) his Providence hath made
The malice of my fees, things to project
Againſt me, which my ſuccour, did effect;
And, without which, I probably had loſt
Juſt expectations, with much pain and coſt.
It bids me mark, how many there are ſtill,
(Who, without cauſe, have born me evill will)
That daily do expect to ſee me ſtumble,
When they may add a kick, to make me tumble:
How, in thoſe High Aſſemblies, where they deem,
It may moſt diſadvantage my eſteem,
They whiſper out detractions; or, ſpeak loud
Thoſe things, which cannot juſtly be avow'd:
How enviouſly, they often make relations
Of what GOD gives, beyond their expectations;
With ſuch periphraſes, as may infer
That, my ſupplies, were got as ill as their.
It wills me, likewiſe, ſeriouſly to heed,
How, they in other things, with me proceed;
How, by their ſpight, all publike favours done me.
Bring nought, as yet, but coſt, and troubles on me,
Which had e're this deſtroy'd me, had I not
Preventions, from a Power above them got;
And, by theſe mercies, it conjures me to
What, conſcience, and my judgement, bids me do.
It minds me to be mindfull of that powre,
Which hath preſerv'd in every evill hour.
How plentifully, I have ſtill been fed.
Ev'n when I ſaw not means, of next dayes bread
But, what was in their hands, who would not ſpare,
The leaſt ſupply, when moſt diſtreſt we were.
How, my repute, with good men, was maintain'd,
When with unjuſt aſperſions, I was ſtain'd:
And, when our Princes, on their Judgement Seats,
Thundred againſt me, nothing leſſe then threats.
It charmes, to obſerve, that, though I get
Little or nothing, of that publike debt
Which was aſſign'd, and which hath now been due
Ten years (by claimes approved juſt and true,
On treble trialls) and, though ever ſince,
It yeelds me nought, but troubles and expence;
That GOD, hath naytheleſſe, improv'd of late,
My Mite, into a competent eſtate;
Meerly, by ſuch unlikely means, as thoſe
Which Jacob us'd, when in the watering troughs,
He laid his whit led ſticks, till he was paid
The wages, which his Maſter had delaid.
It calleth on me, to look back upon
Thoſe works, which have within my dayes been done;
(And chiefly thoſe, which ſtand in ſome relation
Unto my ſelf, together with this Nation)
What ſtrange effects, and unbelieved things,
Have followed my fore conjecturings:
What riſings, and what fallings, I have heeded:
What mercies, and what judgements have ſucceeded
Our various paths. It urgeth me to weigh,
What may bety'd me, if I diſobey
The motions of my heart, and what event
He may expect, who ſhall be negligent
To do his duty, when his eye perceives
What GOD intends; and, when his heart believes,
He dreams not; but, is really required
To act, according, as he is inſpired:
And, ſomewhat tells me, that, if after all
Theſe mercies, and remembrances, I fall
From my reſolves; GOD juſtly may expoſe,
And leave me, to the malice of my foes.
Leſt, yet, my frailties, or ſelf interest,
Or carnall reaſons, ſomewhat might ſuggeſt
To blow all this away; it, comes ſometimes,
At midnight (as it did of late) and chimes
Dreadfull Alarms, which, do awaking keep
Mine eyes, when other men are faſt aſleep:
From darkneſſe, then, it freſh advantage taking,
(And from vain thoughts, which too oft keep me waking)
Thus, it invades me; what is that, which thou
Li'ſt muzing on, and ruminating now?
Art thou contriving, how to lay foundations
For thine own family, when Kings, and Nations,
Are tumbling down? and, when impartiall fates,
Are overthrowing Monarchies, and States?
Is this a time to ſettle, when there are
Earthquakes, that ſhake the mountains, ev'ry where?
Is this a time to plant, when thunder-ſtrokes,
Root up high Cedars, and break down ſtrong Okes?
Is this a time to purchaſe, when the trouble,
And hazards, make the payments more then double?
Or wheel thee (as by triall thou haſt found)
Into a fruitleſs and a tedious round?
But, if a ſeaſonable time, it be
For others, can it ſo befall to thee,
Whil'ſt thou delayeſt his affairs, from whom,
The means to make thy purchaſes, muſt come?
When, GOD, to build thy houſe, hath now begun,
Wil't then, to finiſh it to others run?
As if, he, who from nothing, heretofore
Thus far, hath brought thee, now, could do no more?
Oh take good heed, what courſe, thou doſt purſue,
(And, what neglect) leſt els, thy courſe, thou rue.
God, hath already, made thee to poſſeſſe
The gates of thoſe that were thine enemies:
And by a means unlooked for, reſtor'd
That, which was taken from thee by the Sword:
Houſes, by others built, to thee are granted,
Orchards and Gardens, which thou haſt not planted,
He gives, in recompenſe for what was loſt
In publike ſervice; yea, without the coſt
Of this Republike; and, had more beſtowne
E're now, perhaps, if thou to do thine owne
Had'ſt not delay'd his work, and, to thy hope
For this (it may be) he will put a stop.
Why, then, with frnitleſſe muſings, buſied are
Thy thoughts, on what, muſt be anothers care?
Deferring that, which thou art call'd unto,
And ſeeking daily, ſomewhat els to do?
Art thou afraid, leſt thou thereby may'ſt loſe
Thy late recruits? or, reinrage thy foes?
Or, marr thy quiet? curſed is that fear;
And, thou too, if therein thou perſevere:
For, when a temp'r all bleſſing, makes us worſe,
It is a plague, beyond a tem'prall curſe
And, if thou take not heed will quite deprive thee
Of that which Providence, did freely give thee.
But, who are they? or, where inhabit thoſe
Who dare to take away, what, GOD, beſtowes
If thou adhere to him? whom need'ſt thou fear,
If in thy duty, thou ſhalt perſevere?
Nay, rather, which of thoſe, that ſeem to be
Moſt dreadfull, ſhall not be afraid of thee
If he be guilty? and who (though on high
He bears his head) ſhall not, in privacy,
Think on thy lines, with trembling, when he hears
What they declare, and what his conſcience fears?
If thou, ſaid my good Angell, haſt not, yet,
Quite ſhaken off, thy fears, and fanting fit;
Conſider, wiſely, of this Generation,
In thoſe things, which have thereto, nigh relation:
Sum up together, that, which thou haſt heeded
In thoſe thou fear'st: mark, how they have proceeded;
What, they have been; what, at this time, they are;
What, they may be, before they are aware;
What, they deſign, in what paths they are going;
What, they have done; what, they are daily doing;
What Labyrinths involve them; what, confuſions
Encloſe them round, as alſo what concluſions
Are following; and, then, thou wilt not fear
Their power as foes, nor for their friendſhip care.
If, ſtill, ſome outward intereſt, be that
Which thou deſir'ſt to ſave; conſider, what
Thereto conduceth: for, ſometimes, the thing
We fear to looſe, is kept by hazarding:
And, loſt in ſeeking to preſerve the ſame,
By other means, then that, through which it came.
If, thou, permit the proud, without a check
To follow their career, they'l break, their neck.
And, with themſelves (as our affairs, now ſtand)
Indanger all the people of this Land.
Where, then, wilt thou be ſafe? or, where wilt thou
Injoy with peace, what thou poſſeſſeſt now?
But, if a word in ſeaſon, thou ſhalt ſpeak,
Who knows, what inſtruments deſpis'd and weak
May compaſſe? and, who knows, but that, of them,
Who, heretofore thy cautions did contemn.
Some, touch'd may be, with ſenſe of their condition,
And, turn back, from the path-wayes of Perdition?
And, who knows not, that many may be found
(Whoſe actions blameleſſe are, whoſe faiths are ſound)
That, by theſe hints, may hart and courage take.
Their Neighbours, from their dreamings, to awake?
At leaſt, therein thy duty having done,
If any be ſecur'd, thou ſhalt be one.
When theſe things were inſpir'd, and duly weigh'd,
My heart, which was a little while diſmay'd
From proſecuting, what I had begun,
Aſſum'd new courage, and went boldly on:
And, theſe expostulations, may perchance,
Some others, to the like reſolves advance
On like occaſions; unto which intent,
Theſe few ſhort ſteps, beſide my way I went:
For I confeſſe, my theam I following not,
Have rambled out, as if I had forgot
What I at firſt propoſed; and inſteed
Of Riddles, to plain language do proceed.
But, I will wheel about, and with the rein
Turn Pegaſus, into his path again;
Though, he, in his digreſſions (as we ſay
Of Beggers) never is beſide his way.
Once on a time (thus did old tales begin,
E're I was born, or thought I ſhould have been)
A fooliſh people over much at eaſe,
Their wantonneſſe, and vanity to pleaſe,
Among their may-games, brought home from the wood,
Trees, which had els, till now, unheeded ſtood.
Of theſe, they made, by hewings, knocks, and ſmoothing,
That, look like ſomething, which reſembled nothing.
And, out of knotty, ſhapeleſſe logs, did hew
Some ſtatues not uncomely to the view.
Theſe, e're quite ſhaped, with ſome jeers, and mocks,
They ſet up higher, upon other blocks.
Then, them repoliſhed, and painted ſo,
That, of what ſtuffe they were, few men could know.
Beginning then, their own work, to admire,
They rais'd them higher ev'ry day and higher,
Till Idols they became; with whom, they grew
At firſt, familiar, and did them beſtrew
With flowers and garlands: ſhortly after, they
Bow'd humbly down before them, ev'ry day;
Till custome, had their judgement more befool'd;
But, then (when theſe, miſhrin'd they did behold,
Sparkling with Jewells, and with gold aray'd)
They, of their own Creations, grew afraid.
And, at the laſt, (as at the laſt, all do
That whoring after their own fancies go;)
Theſe fools, repented of their ſuperſtition;
Bewail'd the ſlavery, of their condition;
With ſome appearances, of an intent
To grow more wiſe, as well as to repent:
Yea, to blaſpheme, their new made GODS they ſpar'd not,
And, would have pul'd them down again, but dar'd not.
For, by their flattring attributes (long, given)
They had advanc'd them, to a ſphere, or heav'n,
Where, uncontroul'd, a power they exercis'd
According to their luſt; and thoſe deſpis'd
Whoſe hands had made them, & whoſe breath had blown them
Too high, for their ambitiouſneſſe, to own them.
Yea, by their incantations, theſe, had brought
Strong ſpirits, into what their hands had wrought;
Inliv'ning, and enabling them unto
Thoſe actions, which their makers might undo.
Yet, perſevere, this blockiſh people will
To make ſuch idols, and advance them ſtill;
Till both they, and their idols are deſtroy'd
Unleſſe the GOD of Gods, my fears makes void.
For, moſt men being of a ſlaviſh mind,
Are nat'rally to ſlaviſhneſſe inclin'd:
And to fulfill their bruitiſh luſt will fawn
Upon a Dog, and lay their ſouls to pawn.
Riddle this Riddle, if you can, and tell
What People, this may be, and where they dwell:
Which I believing you with eaſe may do,
Will add this following Parable thereto.
There was a time, when ſilly Bees could ſpeak,
(A people, of much induſtry, though weak)
And, theſe, among themſelves, made grievous moans,
As being much oppreſſed, by their drones;
Who (having made intruſions among thoſe
That had an uncontroulable diſpoſe
Of their Republike) did in ſundry wiſe,
Incroachments make on their proprieties;
And, greedily, unto themſelves derive,
The fatneſſe, and the ſweetneſſe of the hive.
Complaints in private, no redreſſe obtaining,
Increaſt to open, and avow'd complaining:
Which finding like ſucceſſes, they begun
To buz, as when their ſwarming time, draws on:
Then, to ſhut up their cells, to ſhake their wings,
To leave their wonted work, and ſhew their ſtings.
The Drones, at firſt, were ſtartled much thereat;
But, being not ſo wiſe, as they are fat;
Neglected ſtill, the courſe which might prevent
The miſchief then appearing imminent:
Which, when I ſaw, I would no longer ſtay;
But, ſaid, GOD help them; and ſo come away.
This Parable, if rightly moralliz'd,
Affords a meaning not to be deſpis'd.
And ſo doth this which follows: as I went
On Pilgrimage unto the Parliament,
Diſperſed in my way, I ſaw the cocks,
(Which kept the hens, and capons from the fox)
With broken wings, with backs, without a feather
To hide their naked bodies, from the weather;
With plumeleſſe tails, with ſcarred necks and brests;
With empty bellies, and with combs, and creſts,
Cut quite away; and ſcraping with their feet
On dunghills, for their food, and in the ſtreet,
So deſpicably, that it could appear
By nothing ſave their ſpurs, what once they were:
And, Popinjaies, and Parrets, cloath'd and fed,
By what the valour of theſe purchaſed,
(And, trim'd with ill got feathers) ſtrutted by,
Caſting upon them a diſdainfull eye:
Which when I ſaw, methought (I tell you true)
It was no good preſage; pray, what think you?
News, if you look for, I but little know,
Save, ſuch as this next Parable doth ſhow.
A fair ſhip, now lies floting on the floods,
Well fill'd with Paſſengers, well fraught with goods,
Labring to fix an Anchor on the ſtrand
Of her wiſh'd harbor, which lies neer at hand.
By many ſtormes, much tackling, ſhe hath ſpent;
Her Maſts are ſhater'd; and her ſhrowds are rent:
Her ammunition, and her ſtores are waſted,
Her bread and bevorage is evill taſted:
Her keel ſprings leaks, through her uncawked ſeams;
Her knees are weakned, bruized are her beams:
Her Pump is broke, no Cable ſound hath ſhe;
And, Anchors have been ſlipt, till none there be:
Her Helm hangs looſe, her Cards have great defects;
Her compaſſe likewiſe often miſdirects:
And ev'ry where, ſhe crazineſſe doth feel,
From Prow to Stern, from topmaſt, to the Keel.
In this condition, too and fro ſhe drives,
And, on the waves, with much ado, yet lives:
For, now of late again, the Seas go high;
A ſtiff gale blows, and ſhe expos'd doth lye
To many hazards, cloſe without the Bar,
Betwixt two Forelands, which in kening are:
If ſhe were fitted, forth again to ſtand
To Seaward, Pyrats threaten; if to Land
She makes; the rocks lye ſcattered, here and there,
In which, as great, or, greater dangers are:
And, which is worſe, they, who in her abide,
Are mutinous; and, ſom what els beſide:
Some ignorant, ſome trecherous, and, ſome
Ambitious, how, poſſeſſors to become
Of what is other mens: yea, ſome of thoſe
Who, have this goodly ſhip at their diſpoſe,
Have in delayes, their time, and ſtores, miſpent,
For private ends; or, for accompliſhment
Of worſe deſignes: and, in this great diſtreſſe,
(In part through fear, in part through guiltineſſe)
So much amuz'd, and ſo amuzed are,
That, they are at a loſſe, what courſe to ſteer,
Themſelves to ſave; and compaſſe their deſign;
Without which, to no courſe, they will incline
The Owners, and the Paſſengers, have waved
No means, whereby this Veſſell might be ſaved:
For, to that purpoſe, they have not alone,
Put hand, to all things needfull to be done;
And, faithfully, unto their labour ſtood;
(Ev'n with the frequent hazard of their blood)
But alſo, willingly away have caſt
Their goods; yea, ſome have thrown forth to the laſt
Of all their outward viſible eſtates:
Few of her Maſters, or her Maſters Mates,
In her extremities, adventring ought;
Although their Cabbins, with rich goods are fraught.
The danger ſtill increaſeth; and thoſe few
In place of truſt, who to their truſt are true,
Perceiving all endeavours rendred vain
By their decreaſe, to whom doth appertain
That Ʋeſſells charge; they labour'd ſeriouſly
To find out an expediment, whereby
Some other Pilots might be timely ſent
Their neer approaching ſhipwrack, to prevent.
And, that by making of their Canons roar,
They might invite help, from the neighbring ſhore.
The motion pleaſed all, ſave ſuch as had
Self-ends to fear; and, theſe a faction made
So ſtrong againſt it; that, this Ʋeſſell, yet
Hulls there, with many perills, round beſet;
Not knowing (without hazard) either how
To ride ſafe, tack about, or venture through
The narrow Channell; whoſe hid winding lies
Obſcured from their knowledge, and their eyes:
And, one dark night, or, but one tempest more,
Might wrack her on the ſands, or on the ſhore.
But, maugre all theſe hazards; ſhe at laſt,
In her wiſh'd barbour, ſhall an anch or caſt;
For, to the Leeward, lies an unſeen Bay,
Where, through the ſoft Ouze, run aground ſhe may
Without a bruize; and, ſhall recruits take in,
Ev'n where 'twas fear'd, ſhe ſhould have ſplitted bin.
You therefore, who conceive your intereſt
To be concern'd by what is here expreſt,
Priſe God alone, when fafe this Ship ſhall be,
For none could have ſecured her, but he.
And let not thoſe, to whom the ſame relates
Slight what this Parable inſinuates,
Which next enſueth: for, it hath an uſe,
That much to their advantage may conduce.
A homebred Lion (of a hair unknown
In Africa) by being overgrown,
And dreadfull to his Keepers, will thereby
Awake the rage of ſmother'd jealouſie,
And loſe his tail; except between his pawes,
He couch his head, and hide his teeth and clawes;
Or Rampant grow; and what will follow then?
Ask thoſe you credit, they are Cunning men:
Of me you ask in vain; for 'tis my fate,
Seldome to be believ'd, till 'tis too late.
But that ſtout Lion by his prudency
May eaſily improve this jealouſie,
Both for the Publike ſafety, and th' increaſe
Of his own honor, alſo, if he pleaſe;
And I do probably preſume he will,
If my well-wiſhes, have not fool'd my skill.
Before that time, they who have took delight
In deeds of darkneſſe, will put out the light
By which the footſteps of their foes are known,
And whereby they might ſee to guide their own:
Inſteed whereof, perhaps erect they ſhall
An ignis fatuus, which will hazard all.
To each man then ſhall Providence diſpoſe
That, which for his chief happineſſe he choſe:
The dogs, who to their vomit do retire,
And ſwine (who love to wallow in the mire)
Themſelves with their beloved fil…h ſhall fill;
And they that are unclean, ſhall be ſo ſtill.
The wilfull Adder, who doth ſtop his ears,
And will not heed the Charmer whom he hears,
Shall feel a voice within him, that will ſhake him
Out of his dumps; and from his deafneſſe wake him,
When 'tis too late to hear what might prevent
The dint of his forewarned detriment.
The Leaches ſhall by ſalt a vomit take;
Or els continue ſucking, till they break.
The Bubbles, who in emptineſſe do find
Their pleaſure, ſhall be puffed up with wind
Till (being blown to nothing) there appear
No ſignes, that in the world ſuch bladders were.
The ſons of earth, who with the Gods make war,
Shall heap up hills on hills, till cruſht they are
Ev'n by their own Deſignes; the Dogs that prey
Upon their Flocks, and tear their wool away,
Shall bark no more, but only ſnarle and grin,
And run about the fields without a skin.
The ſhrubs and Briars, which more proud are grown,
Then were the Cedars, lately broken down;
Among their leaves and thornes, a fire do hide,
Which on a ſuddain will conſume their pride.
The grubs and maggots, but e're while ſo ſmall,
So poor and weak, that they could hardly crawl,
Have got bulk, ſtrength, new formes, aſpiring wings;
Yea dreadfull teeth, and horns, and claws, and ſtings:
But, by a ſtorm, whereof they have no dread,
They ſhall conſume as faſt as they were bred:
Within the circuit of our Northern Clime
Not long before, or after theſe, in time,
Out of the putrified barbed ſteed,
Shall generated be a num'rous breed
Of noyſome hornets, which abroad will fly,
Much miſchief doing, and next winter die.
Friends poſſibly may meet (our Proverb ſayes)
But mountains never; yet in theſe our dayes,
That Proverb's croſt: for hills have often met,
With purpoſe on each other to beget
A long'd for iſſue; and it is believ'd
By many, that they ſomewhat have conceiv'd
Of great concernment: but you'l ſee the birth
Prove nothing, but a moldring lump of earth;
(As they themſelves will be, till clay and duſt,
Seek better things, then to fulfill their luſt:)
For none can anſwer now our expectation,
But that great hill, whence cometh our ſalvation.
All this from objects which are found within
Our Britiſh Orb, hath preconjectur'd bin;
But thoſe that follow next, to me appear
By things which I obſerve without our ſphere.
The blaſted Orange, and the crooked Vine,
With many trees on either ſide of Rhine
Shall twiſt together, that beneath their ſhade,
A ſhelter for the Thiſtle may be made,
Till they perceive what curſe is in purſuit
Of that rejected plant, root, branch, and fruit;
And then they'l wiſer grow; leſt they may become
Expoſed juſtly to the ſelf-ſame doom.
Mean while, the tawny Olive ſhall aſſay
His roots into thoſe Ʋallies to convay,
From whence it was diſplanted; and effect
His purpoſe, by a Wile which few ſuſpect;
Except the Willow, and the Oke foreſee
What for their mutuall good ſhould thought on be:
And both the frogs and mice, which are in fight,
Be wary what is watch'd for by the Kite.
By which means they ſhall break a grand deſign
Which is on foot, their States to undermine;
And they who of this Peace firſt movers are,
Shall of that bleſſing reap the greateſt ſhare.
Obſerve this well: if ever you ſhall ſee
(As poſſibly it may permitted be)
That from it height, the RED-CROSSE ſhall decline,
The half moon for that time ſhall Northward ſhine,
(With an ill influence upon the Seas)
Beyond the Pillars of great Hercules,
And Southward not be retrograde again,
Till that a reaſcenſion ſhall attain.
But loſſes are ſometimes a gainfull prize;
By over-ſights, men grow to be more wiſe;
And they who know not yet what may concern
Their welfare, will perhaps more wiſdome learn,
When more experience makes their judgment ſtronger,
By ſuffering loſſe and ſcorn a little longer.
We, on this ſide the water, are not yet
Confus'd enough that Order to beget,
Which muſt eſtadliſh us; and ſhall therefore
Purſue ſelf-intereſt, a little more.
With new wine our old bottle muſt be fil'd,
(Endangring wine and bottle to be ſpil'd)
Till ſuch as are in powre be pleas'd to hear
The counſell of a ſlighted engineer:
With new cloth our old garment patch'd muſt be,
(Whereby the rents made wider ye ſhall ſee)
Till every old rag be worn out, and then
The Robe ſo rent, ſhall be renew'd agen:
And they that own it, be ſecured more,
And much more dignifi'd, then heretofore;
If they who muſt compleat it make their choice.
By lot divine, as well as humane voice:
Whereto ſelf-ſeekers never will agree,
Untill inforced by ſome streights it be.
But when this comes to paſſe, there ſhall appear
A new light ſhining in our hemiſphere,
That will diſperſe the clouds and fogs, which make
So many croſſe each other, and miſtake
The way of ſafety; then we ſhall perceive
Our Oppoſites deſire to interweave
Their intereſts with ours; and to have ſhare
In that which God will for theſe Iſles prepare:
Wherein if we accord, we ſhall poſſeſſe
Each other, and the world in Chriſtian peace;
Till he approacheth to aſcend the Throne,
Who muſt unite all Nations into one.
Then ſhall the blazing Comets, which have ſeem'd
Fixt ſtars, and been by many ſo eſteem'd,
(Ev'n of the greateſt magnitude) down from
Their heights be thrown; and more deſpis'd become
Then Glowormes, or thoſe rotten chips, that glare
In darkneſſe, as if reall lights they were:
Then ev'ry ſingle perſon ſhall be brought
Unto his Test; and that which he hath wrought
Shall paſſe a fiery Triall, ſuch as were
Made fat with publike ſpoils; and cloathed are
By ruining of others; will that day
Be hungry, poor, and naked ſent away,
And rendred the ſcorn of ev'ry one,
Whom they oppreſt, deſpis'd, and trampled on.
Then they, who large indulgences contrive
For others, that themſelves they may forgive;
Who cunning are, at fast and looſe to play;
Who take to morrow, what they give to day;
Who make their ſeeming favours, means unto
Thoſe miſchiefs, which their malice could not do.
Who Spider-like, weave cobwebs, with pretence
To catch the noyſome flies which give offence.
When none but harmleſſe Bees their engines take,
For, through them waſps and hornets paſſage make.
They, who do ſacrifice unto the dead
That wherewithall the living ſhould be fed;
Ev'n when they (wanting what ſhould life preſerve)
Lie naked, harbourleſſe, and like to ſtarve.
And then ſuch as innocents cauſe betray,
And juſtifie the wicked, then ſhall they
Who add more greaſe to fatneſſe; and where's none
Scrap't off, the fleſh that's left unto the bone.
Then ſhall all theſe, and ſuch like, to their doom
With fear, with trembling, and amazement come,
And undergo deſerved puniſhment,
Unleſſe beforehand timely they repent:
In which condition they may yet receive
Remiſſion, and in future ſafety live.
Then alſo they, who now are forc'd to take
The juiceleſſe apples of Aſphaltis Lake,
(Inſted of that which was the price of blood,
Limbs liberty, and of their livelyhood)
Shall better be rewarded; and confeſſe
There is a GOD that loveth righteouſneſſe.
Then they who have received stones for bread,
(Scorpions for fiſh) ſhall with good things be fed.
Then they, who ſerv'd like Tantalus have bin
(With fruits and waters, which their lips and chin
Have often touch'd in vain) ſhall that enjoy,
For which they fruitleſſe labours now employ:
Yea, they who got but gall and vineger,
When in their greateſt Agonies they were,
Shall ſee what Sampſons Riddle hath imply'd,
On them, and their oppreſſors verifi'd:
Out of their eaters carkaſſes, will meat
Extracted be; and ſweetneſſe they ſhall get
Out of the bones and ruines of the ſtrong,
By whom they formerly received wrong.
Then ravenous Wolves, ſhall Lambs and Kidlings feed,
The thiſtly field ſhall bring forth pretious ſeed:
The Crocodile ſhall tears of kindneſſe weep;
The Ramping Lion to the croſs ſhall creep:
And ſuch things as were noyſome heretofore,
Shall make our future benefit the more.
Then, from the buried Oxe, will forth ariſe,
A ſwarm of thrifty honey making flies,
That ſhall with ſweetneſſe, and with plenty ſtore
Theſe Ilands, from the midland, to the ſhore;
And, ſpread their floting hives o're all the Seas,
'Twixt both the Tropicks, to th' Antipodes,
(And all without) that bleſſings which now are
Somewhere enjoy'd, may then be ev'ry where;
To make preparatives for that which brings
Into one body, all diſperſed things.
Other events, that ſeem of conſequence,
I do foreſee approachings, not far hence:
But ſo obſcurely, that I cannot ſay
(Without ſome doubtings) whereto tend they may
For, far beyond my apprehenſion lies
The chain of thoſe conceal'd contingencies
Which draw on future things: and that frail glaſſe
Through which the light, diſcloſing them, muſt paſſe,
Is ſo defective, that it may perchance
Miſrepreſent them in ſome circumſtance.
Yet by th' inlightnings, which the ſacred Writ
On ſanctified reaſon doth beget,
If we will weigh, conſider, and compare
Thoſe WORDS and works, which paſt and preſent are,
To GOD and men relating; we of ſome
Things future, may aright inform'd become.
Yea, out of queſtion, by theſe are foreſhown
To all intents, as much as need be known,
Relating either to our private fates,
Or unto Kingdomes, Commonwealths, and States:
If thereto, for the right end, men apply
Their ſenſe in faith, and with humility.
To find what ſenſe my Parables contain,
No man that's wiſe, ſhall need his wits to ſtrain;
For e're three years, are three moneths paſt the middle
Moſt men the meaning of them will unriddle,
Without an Oedipus; and think that he
Who made them, had Caſſandra's deſtiny.
But theſe meer trifles are, reſpecting that
Of whoſe approach I tydings can relate:
For long it ſhall not be, e're that be done
Which will cut off all tyrannies in one:
Yea that which many thouſands have expected,
Hundreds of years, ſhall fully be effected,
Before the Wheel of Time, now rowling by
Hath paſt M. D. C. L. X. V. and I.
Which numbers how to calculate aright,
From this that follows take a little light.
Firſt, to begin it, you muſt learn to find
What year the Roman Empire firſt declin'd,
All whoſe Characters, us'd in numeration,
Thus plac'd, according to their valuation,
Explain a mystery: for of that State
Whereto they did belong, they ſhew'd the date:
And at that ſeaſon 'twill compleated be,
In which Rome looks for her next JUBILEE.
My Ridling fit now leaves me for a time;
And here I'le put a period to my Rhime.
My inward perturbations are paſt over,
My brains begin, by ſetling, to recover
Thoſe wits, whereby I may, like other men,
Converſe; and follow my affairs agen.
My night adventures I have paſſed thorow,
And they who meet me in the ſtreets to morrow
Will ſearce believe how mad I was this night,
Untill they ſhall peruſe what I now write;
And moſt of them, will then, (it may be) deem,
That others are more mad, then I yet ſeem.