An Epistle at Random in Prose and Meter, Letter · Prose 2
I begin this Wandring-Epiſtle, with reſpect to my preſent temporal condition onelyonly; without having the leaſt thought of the preceding Cataſtrophe. But, as it heretofore befel Sampſon, (and hath oft befallen many of Gods ſervants in their Frailties) with the Philiſtines, he muſt firſt have occaſion given, by an outward injury, before he could be rowzed up to execute GOD's Vengeance upon the Enemies of his Country; ſo, before my Dull Fleſh could be capable of admitting that publick-ſpirit to come upon me, which might ſufficiently emholden me to declare what is at this time neceſſary to be offered to my Country-mens Conſideration, ſhe muſt be firſt reduced to a great ſtraight, by the hazard of her too much beloved temporal Concernments: And, as Expoſitors upon the Pſalms, affirm of the Prophet DAVID, it hath now happened unto me. VVhilſt he (as they conceive) was contemplating and complaining of thoſe his perſonal Perſecutions and Afflictions wherein he was a Type of the MESSIAS, he was ſuddenly tranſported above the ſenſe of his own Sufferings, into Raptures prophetically expreſſing the perſecutions and paſſions of his and our REDEEMER: In like manner, I, whoſe preſent outward Eſtate, much reſembles this Commonwealths confuſed, needy, and hazardous Condition, (as I have heretofore particularly demonſtrated) having a purpoſe, as aforeſaid to expreſs my perſonal Grievances onelyonly, in order to a timely Redreſs, was carried by a Poetical Rapture, into an unpremeditated Apprehenſion, of what may poſſibly come to paſs, and neerly relates to this Republicks well or ill being, as the pre-conditioned means of her welfare ſhall be neglected or performed; and to touch alſo upon ſome Particulars, of a higher concernment; even upon ſuch as relate to the Kingdome of CHRIST and his Saints, with a Hint upon ſomewhat thereto pertinent; which being miſapprehended by many who wait for that Kingdome, may occaſion trouble to themſelves and others, not without infringement of the Civil-peace, and diſhonour to that spiritual Kingdome which we pray for, if they be not wary of thoſe carnal deluſions which the Enemy thereof ſeeks to mingle with their dim Notions of that myſterious Monarchy, to make them thereby ſomewhat inſtrumental to prolong his Empire in the myſtical Babylon.
The latter part of this Diſcourſe, was on a ſuddain dictated to me in the Language of the Muſes: therefore, though Verſe be ſo much grown out of eſteem and faſhon, more then it was when I firſt began to verſifie, that amongſt moſt men it is in as little eſteem as I my ſelf am; and ſo untuneably accented by moſt Readers, that in reading them, they mar the ſenſe, and make worſe Muſick then a Smiths File, or ſcraping of Trenchers: Nevertheleſs, I have inſerted them as they were received from my Inspirer, as pertinent both to my Cauſe, and to them who ſhould aſſume it into Conſideration. Farewell: who thou art, into whoſe hands this will come, I know not: But, if thou ſhalt accept it, and make uſe thereof according to my reaſonable Requeſts, thou art one of thoſe, to whom it was originally intended, by thy Servant in all reaſonable ſervices,
Geo. Wither. Auguſt 10. 1659.
EPIPHONEMA.
THe more, I muſe, the more I may,
Till night, ends in eternal day:
For, ev'ry hour, brings forth new things,
From whence, new matter dayly ſprings,
Whereof, I ſhall but ſpeak in vain,
Whilſt my Corruptions do remain:
But, when I must depart to Him,
Who nor begun, nor ends in Time,
And, hence, quite out of ſight, am gone,
My words will more be thought upon.
Or they (when recknings are ſet right)
Will help make meaſure and full weight.
Enſuing times, will uſeful make them,
Tho I, (in ſcoff, call'd Prophet) ſpake them:
And, when of nothing, I have need,
They, paradventure, or their ſeed,
Who in my life-time, have undone me,
Will (dead) beſtow a Grave upon me;
As they that (iſſuing from their wombs
Who ſlew them) built the Prophets tombs.