An Epistle at Random in Prose and Meter, Postscript – Errata
A POST-SCRIPT.
DUring the Interval betwixt the laſt Aſſembly called a Parliament, and the reſtoring of this, I became ſo ſenſible of that ſad condition, whereinto we were generally brought, that, I was ſtupified as to all endeavourings concerning my own Estate; and thought they would be as little effectual, as to go about to repair a Lodging in a Houſe every part whereof was in a flame; the foundations ruined, and the Superſtructures ready to fall. Therefore, knowing it to be every mans duty to do what he could to preſerve the Common-intereſt, I expelled ſelfneſs, as much as poſſibly out of my thought, for a few days; and examining mine own heart, what expedients it could offer thereunto; I apprehended, that the firſt step toward preventing what I feared, would be a right understanding, of that much miſtaken Cauſe, which hath been lately carried on through many Labyrinths, Turnings and Returnings, until moſt men had quite loſt the true Notion, of that, for which, they firſt contended; inſomuch, that ſome Obliquely, and ſome other Diametrically oppoſed it, to the engaging of many thouſands into Factions deſtructive both to the Publick, and to their own private ſafety and welfare. I perceived likewiſe, that ſome had honeſtly, but imperfectly; and ſome ſo maliciouſly ſtated our Good old Cauſe, (as they termed it in ſcoff) that it made men abhor it, who had formerly, thereto adhered; and to occaſion thoſe mutinous and ſeditious Conſpiracies, which are newly broken forth into Rebellion, likely to joyn a Foraign Invaſion to Domeſtick Inſurrections; wch in hope to prevent, I ſtated the ſaid Cauſe according to my underſtanding, before the Reſtauration of this Parliament, with an addition of ſome Preparatory conceptions, which I thought uſeful toward ſuch a ſettlement, as that, whereof our late Innovations and Changes, had for the preſent, made us moſt capable: And, I ſo fitted (as I conceived) my illuſtration of our juſt Cauſe, with ſimple expreſſions, ſuitable to their capacities, whoſe right underſtanding thereof, is moſt needful, that, I thought it might have much conduced to the quieting their ſpirits, whoſe miſapprehenſions only (and not a malevolent wilfulneſs) had made them to be verbally, or actively, oppoſers of their own Intereſt: For, without impoſing upon them, any Magiſterial Authorities, of whoſe validity they can have no certain knowledge (as they uſually do, who ſeek to inſlave mens Conſciences, no leſs then their Bodies, and Eſtates, by frighting them, with Laws made either without their aſſent, or with a conſtrained aſſent, by thoſe Tyrants who had uſurped upon their juſt Rights) I deduced their claim, from the Original thereof; evidencing it, by ſuch Principles, and Reaſons only, as the Common people, may be Judges of; and by bringing to their remembrance, ſuch Truths and tranſactions, to evince the juſtneſs of their Cauſe, as are for the moſt part known unto themſelves; eſpecially as they have relation to the late King, and thoſe, who ſucceeded him, in his Tyranny.
This, I reſolved to publiſh, till the Reſurrection of this Parliament; at which time I thought it would neither be ſo needfully nor ſo warrantably done, in regard there then appeared a lawful viſible power, able enough to proſecute that work, without my Notions, though perhaps, their humility would, and their Prudence might have made ſome of them ſerviceable: and upon that ſuppoſition, I was once again, minded to communicate my Conceptions aforementioned in publick, ſince their Reſtauration, together with my PROTECTORIA, (which is a Collection of ſuch Addreſſes and other Writings, as I had compoſed in relation to the Protectors, whilſt they were in being,) as not impertinent to the facilitating of their work without the doors of their Houſe: But, I have already, contributed ſo much of my Eſtate, toward publick ſervices, and, ſo much is detained from me, that I was not able to print it, at my own coſt; and (I, not then purpoſing, to be known Author thereof, leſt it might have the leſs eſteem) no other man, to my knowledge, would put himſelf to that charge: Moreover, here hath been ever ſince, ſuch a multitude of ſingle ſheets and Pamphlets, daily fluttering about every mans ears, buſying their eyes, and filling their Pockets, that my Papers would probably have been obſcured among them; And, I have alſo, in this Epiſtle bound my ſelf from publiſhing any more hereafter of this nature, except, upon a Conſcientious accompt, or by the command of my Superiours. Therefore if any of my Writings laſt mentioned, or any other, but ſuch as have been formerly printed, (or by command, and as aforeſaid) do come forth by their procurement who have, or ſhall have Copies of them; Let not the Trouble, or diſcontent, which thereby may be occaſioned, be imputed unto me. I will add but this Corollary. My ſins have juſtly deſerved that God ſhould permit me to be oppreſſed; Therefore, though with penitence, I have made uſe of this Epiſtle, among other means for deliverance; I truſt not thereupon; nor upon any thing which I can ſay or do, or which any other man can ſay or do for me; but in Gods free mercies only; and if he will not deliver me, I will not be delivered.
Geo. Wither.
FINIS.
Faults Eſcaped.
In the laſt line of the Title-page, for turn, read cure: page 14. line 28. for the ſame, read ſome.
End of the text · George Wither, An Epistle at Random in Prose and Meter (1659)