A Poetic Frenzy, Poem – Publishers advertisement

A Poetic Frenzy · Poem – Publishers advertisement

p. 1Furor-poeticus, (i.e.) Propheticus. A Poetick-Phrenſie.

AFit, that ſome will call poetick-madneſs,

Hath now ſurprized me, in ſober-ſadneſs;

Which, how it ſeiz'd me, ſhall be here declar'd,

If any think it worthy of regard:

Nay, heard it ſhall be, ſince it is begot,

Whether regarded, or regarded not:

For, good to them, is equally intended,

Who, ſhall be therewith, pleaſed or offended,

If, quite inſenſible, they are not grown

Both of the publike welfare, and their own;

And, if well taken, this deſpiſed-bable,

will hint ſome Notions not unprofitable.

From thence, where many did of wrongs complain,

(And, where, to right them, ſome few ſtrove in vain)

I was retir'd, as far as I could go,

From hearing, what Knaves, Fools, and madmen do;

Expecting no ſuch influence from heaven

As now appears, till nights and daies were even:

About which time (though why I do not know)

I look'd for ſomething, like what's happen'd now;

But, Rumor, which is flutt'ring ev'ry whither,

Hath of a quicker change brought tidings hither:

p. 2Whereon, a greater change will ſoon enſue,

If probable conjectures may be true.

The Wind is ſtrangely turn'd; but, none yet knows

For whoſe avail, or to whoſe harm it blows:

Becauſe, to gueſs who is a foe or friend,

Or, what, men by their words or deeds intend,

'Tis now ſo hard, that none can ſcape deceit

Save he, who keepeth his own heart upright,

And he (ev'n then) may ſuffer naytheleſs,

Who walketh in the paths of righteouſneſs.

I hear the news; and I have heard it too,

With as much joyful hope as moſt men do

Who know the World, and how much doubt and fear

May riſe from ev'ry thing they ſee and hear;

When there is little Juſtice, Truth, or Order,

The preſervation of their peace to further;

And where they are ſo puzz'led in the dark,

That they rejoyce in any glim'ring ſpark.

A Star, is now ſhot hither from the North;

But, what events the ſame will uſher forth

I cannot tell; nor (though the Morning's bright)

What clouds may overſhadow us ere night;

And, therefore, I muſt wait a while, to heed

With what Aſpects thoſe Planets will proceed

Which regulate our Clime, before I can

Conclude on any thing deſign'd by man.

The greateſt Planet, that appears in heaven

Hath no more influence than one in ſeven;

And, from malevolence, we are not free

While Mars and Saturne in conjunction be,

Although to comfort us, we may receive

Fair promiſings, from all the other five;

Except that he who plac'd them in their Orbs

Their Conſtellations qualifies and curbs;

p. 3And, they are lying Prophets, who ſhall dare

In his name, any ſequel to declare,

As abſolute, and not conditional,

Relating meerly to to things temporal:

For, that could only, but a means become,

To make men deſperate, or to preſume.

He, that, our grand Aenigma's muſt unriddle

Is in the Zenith now, ev'n in the middle

Of that place, where our fatall Gordian-knot,

(If my conjectures greatly fail me not)

Muſt be unti'd, or cut; and if ſo faſt

And ſo enſnarl'd it be, that, at the laſt

The Sword muſt once again the ſame unknit,

Woe be to them who ſhall occaſion it.

O'er LONDON, now that Luminary ſhines,

Which, I foretold in my laſt publiſh'd lines,

Should be the Mountain whence that winde would blow

Which of our greateſt weal, or greateſt woe,

Should inſtrumental be; and I expect

Accordingly, ere long time, an effect.

We oft ſee miracles, (I muſt confeſs)

But, I would fain ſee truth and righteouſneſs

Aſcend the Throne; that, we at length might feaſt

Upon that Peace, whereof we had a taſte;

And, on thoſe mercies which in little time

GOD would vouchſafe, if we reli'd on him,

And wilfully purſu'd not ſtill that courſe

Which to deſtroy our hopes, may him enforce;

And which, by long neglect of good endeavour,

Are now in hazard to be loſt for ever.

He, many Patrons and Deliv'rers gave us,

From Forraign and Domeſtick foes to ſave us:

Of whom, ſome, by their ſelf-will and Ambition,

Wrought both our ſorrow, and their own perdition.

p. 4Some of them, we diſabled; ſome deſpis'd:

We flatter'd ſome, and ſome we Idoliz'd,

Untill to ſuch a height we puſt them had,

That to our ſervants, ſlaves our ſelves we made;

Yet ceaſe not at this hour to do the ſame,

Though ſtill, it brings more ſorrow, and more ſhame;

And will, to be deliver'd from one curſe

Thereby incurr'd, run headlong to a worſe.

Mark, (though you ſleight me) what we dayly do;

And brand me, if it ſhortly prove not ſo,

Unleſs we tack and wheel about to that

Which may prevent it, ere it be too late.

GOD, ſtill, in his long ſuffering doth perſever,

And, us, from our diſtractions to deliver

Renews his mercy ſtill, when we (almoſt)

Our hopes of reparation have quite loſt.

Yea, though he finds us willing to return

To our late Bondage; to diſtruſt and ſcorn

The Doom pronounced for this Common weal

When we did in the field to him appeal:

Although he ſees us prone in ev'ry triall

To make of our juſt Cauſe a baſe deniall;

To bid to his aſſist ances defiance;

With his, and our known foes to have compliance;

From our profeſſions to apoſtatize,

And to requite him with hypocriſies

For all his favours; he is ſtill to us

The ſame he was, though we continue thus;

And, though he from our ſins himſelf withdraws,

Still owneth both our Principles and Cauſe.

He hath now rais'd, beyond our expectation,

A likely means of timely reparation,

And, by his providence, a man begot

To perfect it, if we corrupt him not,

p. 5Nor he decline from what he hath profeſt

In order to the publike Interest;

Which I ſuſpect not, if he be ſo ſtrong

As to reſiſt the batt'ries of the Tongue,

And uſe thoſe Antidotes that may prevent

The poys'ning that's infus'd by Complement.

At this time, to be GOD's Probationer

In his great Work, as others lately were,

He takes his turn; and peradventure, may

Attain a Pow'r as abſolute as they;

That, what by them was wilfully neglected,

(And by a leſs Power cannot be effected)

May now be done. LORD! make him wiſe and ſtrong,

To do what to his duty doth belong;

And mindful, that, his chiefeſt Obligations

Are, to be true to Thee, and to theſe Nations.

St George for England, we were wont to ſay;

And, to that Name, aſſign'd a ſolemn day

We knew not why: But, if what's now begun

Shall with ſincerity be carried on,

It did, perhaps, by way of Allegory,

Preſage what will produce an Actual Story;

That ſhall in future times, deſerve much better

Mens credit morally, than in the Letter

That Fable did: For, we may hope (unleſs

Good probabilities have ill ſucceſs)

A Champion of this Name ſhall free us from

That Dragon which infeſts all Chriſtendome,

And, ſet a Bar to their malignant-pow'r,

Who threaten this Republike to devour.

If ſo it happen, it will more endear

This Name of George, than Dick, or Oliver;

Yea, more than all their Names, who lately loſt

That honour, which they purchas'd at our coſt,

p. 6And left us in thoſe hazards, from whence, none

Now can deliver us, but, GOD alone

By his own Arm, or elſe by an advance

Of one deſign'd for our deliverance,

And qualifi'd by his eſpecial grace,

To be a Guardian Angel for this place.

Inſtead of that imaginary Saint,

Which on our Inns, and Tavern-ſigns we paint,

And, whom our Grandees, in blew Ribbands wore,

As badge of their chief honour heretofore;

(And in his room, of whom about next Spring,

Another Party ſeem'd in hope to ſing

John for the King) GOD, hath perhaps, prepar'd

That Hero for our Tutelary Gnard;

Whom Fame reports arriv'd with an intent

To re-inveſt the baffl'd Parliament

With her loſt Pow'r: which, if it ſo enſue,

Will make ſome bid their old St George adieu:

His Legend, will be very little priz'd,

Except, as now, it is Mythologiz'd:

And, this GEORGE will henceforward, by this Nation

Be thought more worthy of Canonization

Than either He, or any one of thoſe

On whoſe new Saintſhips, we did truſt repoſe,

Till many did our confidence contemn,

And few, at laſt, truſt either us, or them.

This GEORGE for England, probably intends

The publike weal without ſiniſter ends,

And is One meaning that which he profeſſes;

One, whom nor gifts, nor flattering Addreſſes

Shall tempt from an heroick Reſolution,

Or, draw to an ignoble proſecution;

One, whom the Strumpet, who bewitcheth Kings,

Nor thoſe enchanting Songs the Syren ſings,

p. 7Shall ſo ſeduce, as they ſeduced were,

Who, by the Dragons tail were from their Sphere

Unhors'd of late: But, one who ſhall proceed,

Till from his Fangs theſe Nations he hath freed,

Deſpiſing thoſe Allurements, whereby they

Who would divert him, hope to ſtop his way:

For, if his heart be right, he will ſuſpect

Thoſe Baits laid to corrupt his Intellect,

Or blind his eyes; that, from what's well begun

Into their Pitfals he may ſtumble on.

He will conſider, that, they who profeſs

Much love (and fawn with moſt obſequiouſneſs)

Are either ſome of thoſe, or ſuch as they

Who did the ſame to them the other day,

Whom now moſt barbarouſly they revile;

And may abuſe him worſe within a while.

And, he will ſee, that he muſt be more wary

Than they were, who, not long ſince, did miſcarry,

By playing like a Moath about the flame,

Till thereby quite conſumed they became.

I hope, that as I have expreſt him here,

He is reſolv'd: If not, I wiſh he were;

That I might live to ſee, before I die,

One man, whoſe Deeds made not his words a lie.

A Monk profest, an Inſtrument became

Of Reformation: Why not one by Name?

If love of honeſty with him prevail,

The hopes of honeſt men he will not fail:

If love of honour, or of ſafety move him,

Thoſe Interests, will for our Cauſe improve him.

It is a much more honourable thing,

To ſave a People, than to make a King,

And ſafer too; if he that makes him one

Shall be his Liege-man whom he doth enthrone:

p. 8For, Kings are of their Makers ſo afraid,

That, ſeldome are ſuch benefits repay'd

With leſs than ruine; ſpecially, if he

A man beloved of the People be:

But, much more hazardous will be his Caſe,

If he be likewiſe of the Royal Race.

This General, hath been a Royaliſt,

Engag'd againſt the publike Intereſt,

And, therefore, ſome ſuſpitious are become

He may, at laſt, his firſt Cauſe re-aſſume:

But, that's improbable: For hitherto

He nothing ſeemeth to neglect, or do,

Save what he ſhould; If there be neither ought

Done or omitted, more than yet, is brought

Unto my ears; and his profeſſions are

Sufficient to abate the Peoples fear;

Yet, with that modeſty conſiſt, whoſe want

Made others, lately ſo exorbitant,

That, many did ſuſpect their gaudy ſigne

VVas hung forth but to vent unwholſome wine.

He may appear to thoſe who cannot ſee,

Whereto he ſhall neceſſitated be

To deviate ſometimes; yet, naitheleſs

No whit infringe eſſential righteouſneſs;

As when he is compell'd to raiſe a Blind

To fruſtrate what is by his Foes deſign'd,

And hoped for, by letting them enjoy

Thoſe hopes a while, which may themſelves deſtroy;

Or, that he may diſcov'ries make, thereby,

Whom to ſuſpect, and on whom to relie.

That, he was once a Captain for the King,

Doth him with me, in no ſuſpition bring,

If he retain but ſo much gen'rouſneſs

As honourable Sword-men do profeſs:

p. 9For, there are many perſons whom I know,

True to him then, and faithful to us now:

And touching him, this is conſiderable,

That he made no revolt diſhonourable

To his Profeſſion: nor his aide withdrew

Fro him, to whom he thought his ſervice due;

Or left him till that Obligation ended

By his deceaſe, on whoſe life it depended:

No, nor did afterward deſert his Cauſe,

Till having leiſure to peruſe the Laws

And Cuſtomes of this Nation, he perceiv'd,

Crowns were not alwaies by deſcent receiv'd;

Nor juſtly could be worn by any here,

Till by the People they elected were

Upon conditions; whereto they were both

By Law obliged, and engag'd by Oath:

Which having weigh'd; and that by GOD's permiſſion

The Pow'r was in another mans poſſeſſion

Without diſpute; meer conſcienciouſneſs

(Not Levity) induc'd him to profeſs

And Act, as he hath done. This, I take leave

Till he ſhall contradict it, to conceive;

And, of my hopes concerning him, expect

To ſee ere long, a ſutable effect;

Whereof, if I unhappily ſhall miſs,

My damage will be ten times leſs than his;

Since really, he thereby forfeits more

His honour, than he did in ſhew before:

And, if at this time, to his moral trust,

And his Engagements he ſhall prove unjuſt,

(Which may be poſſible) no further, then,

Thenceforward, in the words or deeds of men

Will I confide, beyond what I know true;

Whether of honeſty, they make a ſhew,

p. 10Or of Religion: But conclude that we

On whomſoere we truſt, may cheated be;

And think, (as I did heretofore ſuppoſe)

None but falſe friends, and reconciled foes

Should overthrow our Cauſe. My hopes of him

Are better yet: (Oh GOD! continue them.)

No cauſe to me appeareth of ſuſpect,

Save ſuch as I may reaſonably reject.

Yet, ſince he's but a man; and leſt I ſeem

To under-prize, or over-value him;

Yea, ſince the heart's unknown; and I now am

Of him inform'd, but by a common fame,

At ſuch a diſtance too, as cannot give me

Aſſurance that Report will not deceive me,

I'll keep him on the Balance, till I hear

How he proceedeth and ſhall perſevere:

For Lucifer did fall; yea, and he fell

Whom ſome thought lately, more than parallel

To Moſes, Joſuah, and many more,

Renowned for their vertues heretofore:

And, ſince he poſſibly, by Adulations,

May be expoſed to the like temptations;

I will not, though he bravely hath begun,

A Garland make him, till the field is won.

But, if I live to hear he ſhall perſever

In proſecuting of his beſt endeavour

To that effect for which GOD ſeems to raiſe him,

Whatere event ſhall follow, I will praiſe him

In ſuch a Mode, as cannot juſtly be

By others blam'd, or ſhame to him or me;

Which none can do, though his deſerts were greater,

Who doth not praiſe a man to make him better.

Faithful performances have been ſo rare,

That this Republike barb'rous would appear,

p. 11If, what he merits be not duly weigh'd

And well rewarded, when her debts are paid.

Yet, leſt he may be (if deferr'd till then)

As ill repaid as other faithful men,

Let them reward him now, (and whilſt they may;)

For, here will be new changes ev'ry day.

But, though he do his duty; nor his Pow'r

Or Virtue will avail us, till of our

Known duties, our regard be ſomewhat more

Than it appears to have been heretofore.

No good ſucceſs, though he continue true,

If we be falſe, can poſſibly enſue.

No Nation can from ſervitude be ſaved,

Which, when it may be free, will be enſlaved.

They eaſily, and juſtly are betray'd,

Where Traiters are for treaſon better paid

Than faithful men, who freely did oppoſe,

With life and livelihood, their Countries Foes.

Who can be ſafe, where it is hardly known

Either what Laws, or Cauſe, or Pow'r to own,

Or to diſown? VVhere, merited or not,

Knaves, Fools, and Wiſe men have the ſelf-fame Lot?

And honest men, deſerving beſt, (and firſt)

A worſe than they, who have deſerved worſt?

Yea, where ſome ſuffer, till they cannot fear

VVorſe miſchiefs, than they feel already there,

Although he ſhould deceive their expectations,

Who, now, preſerves the peace of theſe three Nations,

Expoſe us to the fury of the Dragon,

And with his horſe, draw hither Charles his Wagon.

Some, are of this, in hope, and ſome afraid;

But chiefly they who have been largely paid

For little work; and ſome for doing none,

Or, that, which had been better left undone.

p. 12Some, who were paid with little, for great coſt,

Which then may be in hazard to be loſt:

Some likewiſe, whom their Conſcience hath accus'd

For having wilfully their pow'r abus'd.

But, be it as GOD pleaſeth it ſhall be,

It no whit ſtartles, or affrighteth me:

For, though this George ſhould act that which will further

His ends, who is the Soveraign of the Order

Of George on horſeback, guiltleſs I have bin

Of what may make me dread his coming in;

Becauſe, I acted nothing with intent

To Innovate the former Government,

Or to uphold this Pow'r ſave that, whereto

Conſcience and Duty did oblige me to.

For, when the late Inteſtine war begun,

I did not by a ſelf-inducement run

To make a Breach; but, (called by that Power

Which was by Law intruſted, both with our

And his Prerogatives who then did raign)

Came arm'd, aſwell his Intereſt to maintain,

As to preſerve our own: Which may appear

By that Impreſs my Cornet then did bear.

Pro Rege, Lege, Grege, was the WORD

Which manifeſted why I drew my Sword;

And if the Pow'r I ought to have obey'd

Miſled me, let the fault on that be laid.

What is't to me, ſince I am innocent,

If they proceeded further than I went?

The Pow'rs that rule, my lawful warrant be,

And ought not to be queſtioned by me.

If they had ill intents, in what was done,

What blame have I deſerved, who had none?

Or, who can blame them juſtly, if perforce

The Conſequents have hapned to be worſe

p. 13Then their Deſign? as I believe (and ſhall

Believe) it was, in ſome, though not in all.

If for the ſins of Nations and of Kings

GOD caſts out Governours, and Judgements brings

Upon a People; What man can reſiſt

His hand, or mend the matter, till he liſt?

Who doth not ſtand obliged to maintain

The Pow'r that GOD ſets up, whilſt it muſt raign,

Although it ſhall oppreſs him, and were ſent

To be, for his defaults, a puniſhment?

And, who ſo little reaſon underſtands,

That when without advancing of his hands

He, by anothers act, (through GOD's permiſſion,

May of his long-loſt Freedom gain fruition)

Will not accept it, when it may be had,

Although they who were fools, will be ſo mad

To venture their own lives, thoſe to betray

That would not be as very ſlaves as they?

When GOD enthrals a Nation, tis a crime

To break their chains and cords before his time;

And when he ſetteth ope the priſon door,

They do offend as much, or rather more,

By adding to ungrateful diſreſpects

Of GOD's free grace, unnatural neglects:

If therefore, when our ſins we had confeſt,

GOD, them removes from us who then oppreſt;

And when we ſlip into our former courſe,

Brings back again thoſe Tyrants, or elſe worſe,

Why ſhould I murmur to behold him juſt?

Or, (if I do repent, and in him truſt)

Fear, I ſhall him inexorable find,

Whom I offend not, but againſt my mind?

When frailty, and the torrents of the times,

Have hurri'd me into the vulgar crimes?

p. 14This I have well conſidered: And, though they

Who, wilfully have gone out of the way,

And, with corrupt minds, do again begin

To tread the paths which they have erred in;

(Not yet repenting) find, that evil-tidings

(Becauſe they have not ſettled their abidings

Beneath the ſhade of GOD-Almighties wings)

Are, in theſe times of trouble, dreadful things;

He arms my heart againſt them; and the more

They ſhake the Earth, and make the Waters roare,

The more I ſlight them. Yea, although, beſide

Thoſe dangers, which have others terrifi'd,

My ruine threatning, there, at preſent ſtand

Steep mountains, and a Deſart on each hand;

Deep ſeas before me, and an hoſt behind

Which doth appear malignantly enclin'd;

Yet, all theſe cannot from my hopes remove me,

Becauſe, I ſee GOD in a cloud above me.

My chief well-being, totally conſiſts

With that wind, which blows when, and where it liſts,

And, 'twill not mar my prime contentment, whether

We ſhall have Parliaments, Kings, both, or neither;

Whether or no, the old Lords, or the new;

All the ſecluded Members, none, or few,

Shall to this Parliament admitted be,

Or to the next, and all men then be free

To chuſe, or to be choſe: Whether this Sect,

Or that; the ſupream Pow'r will beſt reſpect.

So Juſtice henceforth over us may raign,

And Truth may her due freedom ſtill retain,

I ſhall be pleas'd, and my endeavour bend

To ſuffer, what I know not how to mend.

Whatever GOD permits, his will be done:

For, he is not a careleſs looker on,

p. 15But, active in diſpoſing to his ends,

What, man, to his vain purpoſes intends:

And, our deſigns will fruſtrate be for ever,

Unleſs, with him concurrence we endeavour.

The peoples voice is GOD's, the Proverb ſaies;

And is ſo, many times, but, not alwaies.

Their Voice is, that the beſt means to prevent

Our threatned ruine, is a Parliament

(Next under GOD) that muſt be truly free.

This, I believe, but, gain'd how ſhall that be,

Or when procur'd? If, none we free muſt call,

But, when there is a freedom left to all

To chuſe, or to be choſe; Some other way

We muſt be ſav'd before we ſee that day,

Elſe we ſhall be deſtroy'd. Muſt we give Theeves

(Who live but by their pardons and Reprieves)

Pow'r, to diſpoſe as they ſhall pleaſe to do

Of our Eſtates, and think it reaſon too?

To ſober men appears it to be juſt,

With murtherers to put our Lives in truſt?

To any wiſe men, will it prudence ſeem,

With bloud and vast ſums, in the hands of thoſe,

From whom we won them, (being ſtill our Foes?)

Conſent to take what freedom they will give us,

Who are the men who did, and would inſlave us?

And, cauterized conſciences permit

In judgement, on our conſciences to ſit?

Free Parliaments, can we call ſuch as thoſe?

Or, think the Members of it freely choſe,

When they who much leſs worthy men do ſeem

In others eyes, than in their own eſteem,

(And they, who have more wealth and pow'r, than grace,

Wit, or ſincerity with ſhameleſs face,

p. 16By bribes, threats, fawnings, or corrupted friends,

Procure their own Elections for ſelf ends?

And when th' Electors likewiſe cheated are

Of their free choice, by weakneſs, hopes, or fear?

Call you that free, which was at firſt begot

In bondage? Which, at full enjoyeth not

A freedom yet? and, was to come and go,

When others pleaſed were to have it ſo?

Can that be free, or freemen make of us,

Which is begot and conſtituted thus?

To which a Coney-burrough, or a village,

Not able with rents, labour, trade, and tillage,

The Charges of one Burgeſs to maintain,

Is as well priviledg'd, to ſend in twain

Unto a Parliament, as any Shire

Which doth two hundred times their burdens bear?

And may corrupted be to make a choice

Which will deſtroy three Nations, with one voice?

But, if a Parliament thus choſen, be

By Custome lawful, and reputed free;

We muſt be as we are, till reſolution

Be taken up, to mend that Conſtitution.

For though this Age to GOD alloweth not

His choice, out of our choſen ones, by lot,

(As when Matthias, after mans election,

Was choſe, when chuſers had leſs imperfection:)

And though this Lottery was thrown aſide,

Becauſe it bounded Avarice and Pride;

And pleas'd not them whoſe aime was to retain,

Or to acquire pre-eminence and gain;

Yea, though it hath, without good reaſon why,

Been wav'd by Clergy and by Laity;

By Lot, not only the firſt vacant place

To an Apostleſhip ſupplied was,

p. 17But, alſo, Saul thereby Election had

Before he by the people King was made:

Mo…eover, Achans crime when cloſe conceal'd

From humane knowledge, was by Lot reveal'd.

Then, that Expedient, why ſhould we explode,

And, in things doubtful, ſhun the Teſt of GOD?

His providence will order all we do,

Whether, thereby we pleaſed are or no;

And his concurrence in our choice by Lot

Is juſt and needfull, though we like it not.

For, of his Kingdom, we have oft confeſt,

Theſe Iſles are part: Our nobleſt Interest

Depends upon his Title and protection;

They are now much endanger'd by defection

From him, and by ſelf-truſt: That wicked one,

Who hath in other Lands uſurp'd his Throne,

(And here in former Ages) doth intend

To re-inſlave us; he hath to that end

Made up his Breaches; is (with falſe pretence

Of doing right to wronged innocence)

Now aiming to invade us, with a Pow'r,

In probability, too ſtrong for our;

And, to reſiſt, we have not many more

Of choſen-ones, than made up heretofore,

That little number, whereby (though ſo few)

A mighty Army, Gideon overthrew,

Through GOD's aſſiſtance, who compel'd their foes

To make him way, by their ſelf-overthrows,

Becauſe, he credit gave to his direction,

Who ſent him helpers by divine election;

And ſhall we, in ſo viſible a danger,

Make him, that's moſt concern'd, to us a ſtranger?

All, this premiſed, why ſhould we refuſe

To let GOD chuſe among us when we chuſe?

p. 18Or, thereupon diſtruſtful grow, that we

Shall in ſo doing, proſper worſe than he?

GOD, by deſpiſed helpers, oft enables:

By Inſtruments that moſt eſteem but bables;

By Lamps concealed in weak earthen pots,

And things much more to be deſpis'd than Lots.

But, what expedient likelier can be found

To fix that which is alwaies running round?

Or, make a choice with which men pleas'd may be,

Who, in ſo many matters diſagree,

Than (having choſe as well as they can do)

To let GOD add perfection thereunto?

Since, when he liſts, he can; and ever will

Make all we act, effect his pleaſure, ſtill?

This makes me, having acted what may ſeem

Injoyn'd by reaſon, leave the reſt to him.

This makes me patiently to wait and heed

Mens counteractings, with what will ſucceed;

And, wait the more content, becauſe I ſee,

That, ſometimes things contemned uſeful be

In that which he at this time hath in hand,

If his intents, I rightly underſtand.

For my part, I will there no chuſer be

Of any, where GOD may not chuſe with me;

And, I their free choice alſo would refuſe

If (ſingly) Shire or Burrough me ſhould chuſe

Without a Lot. But little need I feare

My being put to ſuch a trial here;

For, one unfitting to be call'd unto

That trust, moſt think me; and if not, I do:

For, whoſe end can I ſerve, that am well known

This Principle, and ſuch as this to own?

Or, who can hope I will to them be juſt,

Who truſt to none but him, whom they diſtruſt?

p. 19Let them who of themſelves have high eſteem

Purſue that courſe which beſt to them ſhall ſeem,

Set up what Pow'r, and make what Laws they pleaſe,

I ſhall have comfort, though but little eaſe;

And if inſtead of right, I ſtill have wrong,

My time of ſuffering, will not now be long.

To whatſoever Pow'r, GOD, me ſubjects,

I will obey it with all due reſpects

Till he removes it; (as I ſtill have done,

Ev'n then, when I was cenſur'd to have gone

Beſide my Rule.) When Anarchy takes place

By reaſon, to preſerve the common peace,

I'll uſe all good and likely means I may;

Sing, whilſt it laſteth; when it faileth, pray;

That, though from me my Foes the out-works win,

I may ſecure the Fortreſſes within,

And, in the mean ſpace, neither be perplext,

Or ſcar'd, to think, who will enſlave me next:

For, he that truſts to an internal aid,

Of no external Pow'r need be afraid.

The troubles of this life will ſoon be paſt;

The bliſs that follows, will for ever laſt:

And, I have ſeen the Authors of our troubles

So oft blown up, and puft away like Bubbles,

That much I am aſham'd to think how poor

My courage was to fear them heretofore.

I know what Changes are now menaced,

Yet, I'll attend them without ſervile dread.

Let all thoſe do the like, who have took part

In this Republicks Cauſe with ſingle heart;

For, though, if he who doth our Peace prolong,

Should follow thoſe, who heretofore went wrong,

To make them proſp'rous in their undertakings,

Who may be mark'd out by their ourſed ſpeakings,

p. 20(Their malice, ſlanders, and ſcurrilities,

Their great delight and confidence in Lies.)

They muſt endure the ſharpeſt blast that blew

Within this Climate, ſince the world they knew;

GOD, will vouchſafe them his aſſiſting grace

To bear it ſtoutly when it comes to paſs,

And, put a ſignal difference, between

Thoſe that have honeſt, and unfaithful been.

A ſtorm, is brewing, whereunto, perchance,

The late North wind, hath given an advance;

For, I perceive, (although from Camps or Courts

There be where now I am, but few reports)

Some Actings have produced an effect

Much differing from what I did expect,

And working on the common peoples paſſions

According to their various inclinations;

So that he muſt be wiſer than Apollo,

Who ſhall inform us, what events will follow.

Some rail, ſome rave, ſome ſcoff, and ſome do jeer,

Some ring, ſome ſing, ſome hope, and ſome do fear,

Some of them do inſult, ſome others whine;

But, all theſe whirlwinds ſhake no corn of mine:

To my old Principles, I ſtill am true,

And will be, whatſoever Change enſue:

Becauſe, I am aſſur'd the Cauſe we had

Was very good, though we our ſelves are bad;

And, that, if after all our pains and coſt

We loſe it, by our wickedneſs 'tis loſt.

And, for my part, my portion hath been ſuch,

That, if I loſe all, I cannot loſe much;

Nor by my Foes be much worſe dealt withall

Than I have been by thoſe whom Friends we call.

The World can me of nothing diſinveſt,

Save that, which heretofore my cares increaſt;

p. 21And, though ſhe ſomewhat more oppreſs me may,

She ſhall not take my happineſs away,

Nor mar my hopes with all her ſcorns and brags,

Although, ſhe wears, and tears, my fleſh to rags.

I can be but abus'd, and ground between

Two Mill-ſtones, as I hitherto have been.

The favours of the World, to men upright,

Makes them the more obnoxious to deſpight.

If ſhe, to place of Pow'r and Trust commends

Well-minded men, 'tis but for her own ends:

For, when her purpoſes to paſs are brought

By them, who, her preferments never ſought,

(And, others for her ſervice ſitter ſeem)

The firſt ſhe ſlights, with barb'rous diſeſteem,

And them expoſeth to diſgraceful ſcorns,

Becauſe, no longer they can ſerve her turns.

Therefore, though worſe I ſpeed than heretofore,

My peace thereby ſhall be diſturb'd no more,

Than if I heard a drivelling fool did ſwear,

His Bable, and Bell'd-cap, I ſhould not wear.

As well mine, I confeſs, as others crimes,

Have multipli'd the troubles of theſe times;

And, therefore, I muſt undergo my ſhare,

In what our National demerits are.

But, they can never force me to deſpair,

Becauſe, I have a Mediators pray'r;

And, ſuch a gracious GOD to truſt unto,

As neither looks for more than men can do,

Nor doth ſeverely mark what's done amiſs

Through frailty, and without maliciouſneſs.

And, though, a real unſucceſſeful zeal

To do my duty to this Commonweal

Hath loſt me ſome friends, and foes made me many,

I, am not a malicious foe to any;

p. 22Nor were my ſuff'rings, ſince theſe wars begun,

For any knavery, but, for having none:

And, therefore, I ſhall thrive, when honeſt men

May have a thriving time; but, not till then:

And ſuch a time (though by what's pre-declar'd,

It may a very long time be deferr'd)

May, very poſſibly, ſoon come to paſs,

If he, that ſhall have pow'r, hath alſo grace

To uſe it prudently, when he receives it

To that intent, for which GOD chiefly gives it;

And ſhall vouchſafe a more indulgent eare

To them, whoſe words, by deeds confirmed were,

Than to the Complements of ſeeming friends,

Who fawn upon him for ſiniſter ends.

To fortifie that hope, a little more,

I have, (beſide what is expreſs'd before)

Conſider'd this, that, underſtanding men,

Although they make ſome uſes, now and then,

Of Paraſites, to them, no truſt will give,

Till they may be induced to believe

That, Crows, which flock about a new-yean'd Lamb,

(To pick his eyes out) to protect him came;

That, they have oft obſerv'd, it is their guiſe,

To worſhip all new Stars, when firſt they riſe;

Hoſanna unto him, this day to cry,

Whom they will next day ſeek to crucifie;

Set up a Man of clouts, to be their King,

Yea, honour as a God-head any thing,

Whereby their preſent Luſt may be enjoy'd,

Though thereby, they at laſt may be deſtroy'd;

And, when by their own faults they are diſtreſs'd,

Curſe their beſt friends, and thoſe whom they have bleſs'd.

But, this mans fortitude, I hope is ſuch,

That, their Bolts will not thereon batter much;

p. 23For, GOD confers the Pow'r on him beſtown,

Ev'n for this Peoples ſake, not for his own;

And, if their truſt in him, he ſhould betray

By whom he is, that which he is this day,

His loſs will be as great (perhaps much more)

As their, who have, betray'd it heretofore.

Whether to this, or to that Intereſt,

He will decline, 'tis coming to the Teſt:

For, he now ſtandeth on that fo…ed Y,

Wherein, a right way, and a wrong doth lie;

And, he ſhall hear a voice behind him, ſay,

GEORGE, that's the left, and this the right hand way:

This, leads to honour here, and future bliſs;

That way, the next way to deſtruction is:

That way, the greateſt number doth purſue;

Yet, this the ſafeſt, although trod by few.

Now, whether this, or that way he encline,

The danger will be rather his, than mine.

Whatever ſhall ſucceed, which more or leſs

Obſtructs th' enjoyment of our outward-peace,

Me, 'twill not make much merrier, or much ſadder,

Than ratling of three blew beans in a bladder;

So, GOD gives patience till the ſtorm be paſt,

And Truth and righteouſneſs prevail at laſt.

What, MONCK perhaps will do, or leave undone,

May mar ſome Trifles, I have doated on;

But, that, whereon my beſt hopes fixed be

Doth lie ſecured betwixt GOD, and me.

That, which conduceth to my noblest ends,

No more on his, than his on mine depends;

And, GOD, I know, will conſtantly proceed

In proſecuting what he hath decreed

Concerning this Republick, whatſoever

He, we, or any other ſhall endeavour:

p. 24And, when their falſhood, malice, and doſpight,

Inſultings, and vain hopes, are at the height,

(Who, now, againſt this Commonwealth conſpire

To bring on ſuch a Change as they deſire)

They ſhall but to and fro, like drunkards reel,

Do, and undo, and run round in a wheel,

Till they have made that, not to be endur'd,

Whereby, they dream diſtempers may be cur'd;

And, GOD ſhall fo…l their wiſdom in that hour;

So break their ſnares, and weaken ſo, their pow'r,

That, what they did ſuppoſe would have o'rthrown

His purpoſes, will quite deſtroy their own.

This I believe, who oft-times have foreſeen

Contingent things, that have unlikely been:

And, though for this, I may be flouted more

Than for the like expreſſions heretofore,

And more in hazard; I am not afeard

To let them any where, be ſeen or heard,

Nor will be diſcontent with him who ſhall

Conceive of me, as Feſtus did of Paul;

For, I expect not, that Grapes can be born

Upon a Thiſtle, or Figs on a Thorn.

And though the Scorners ask to what intent

I have compos'd this Ribble-rabblement,

(As they will call it) I, will tell them why,

In meekneſs, that they may as well as I

Be thereby profited; and (if their pride,

Obſtruct it not) lay prejudice aſide.

At firſt relation of the foreſaid News,

I ſtept aſide, to counſel with my Muſe,

That, as I often do, I might thereby

My heart againſt aſſailings fortifie:

For, (my infirmities, I'll not diſſemble)

My fleſh as prone is to look pale and tremble

p. 25As other mens, if I neglect the cures

That muſt be took for ſuch diſtemperatures

As are begot, by ſudden informations

Of accidents beyond our expectations.

To which end, if I did not oft retire

To ſeek by muſings, what, GOD, will inſpire,

And thus preſerve them in my ſlighted Rimes,

I could not bear the burdens which theſe times

Impoſe on me, or mine, and upon thoſe

Who firſt made head againſt our common foes

By their encouragement, who had the pow'r,

Which might have ſav'd thoſe whom they did de…

And have as well brought ſcorn and outward ſha…

On thoſe who acted with them, without blame,

As on themſelves; and, when GOD did reſtore

Their Pow'r twice loſt, ſtill acted, as before.

In that, and ſuch like Caſes, not in vain,

I thus diſtill out from the heart and brain,

The ſpirits of thoſe many mus'd-on matters

Which there I find, to make ſome cordial waters.

For, though they, who confide in men and horſe,

Deride them, as meer whimſies of no force;

They make me merry, when my heart was ſad,

They keep me ſober, when men think me mad;

And, by my muſings alſo, now and then,

The like effects are wrought on other men;

For, they aſſiſt us to conſider ſo,

Thoſe things, which men may; thoſe, which GOD will do;

What, we our ſelves muſt act; what, leave undone;

What, may in reaſon, follow thereupon;

What madneſs 'twere to overcharge with ſorrow

The preſent day, with dreading more to morrow;

Or, mar our ſleep, by being diſcontented

At what may not be, or not be prevented,

p. 26That, I take up what likely hopes I may

My preſent fears or doubtings to allay;

And fix my confidence on him, by whom,

I am aſſured help at laſt will come:

And he ſtill ſends in, (when I know not where

To find ſupply for things that needful are)

So much, as may ſupport me to perſever

In what I am obliged to endeavour.

I, am as ſenſible, as moſt men are,

Of all thoſe Dangers, which do now appear;

And, till with GOD, I had convers'd a while,

GEORGE MONCK with all his Forces in this Iſle,

And all that He and Mountague can do

At Sea and Land, with help of LONDON too,

Could put me in no hope they ſhould prevent

The perils which appeared imminent:

But, now, though all their Forces they ſhould bend

Againſt that Cauſe, which we hope they befriend,

And, all the ſtrength both Spaine & France can bring,

Were joyned to impoſe on us a King

Without Conditions, I ſhould not repent

My Principles, or fear the conſequent.

Becauſe, if by his coming, he ſhall heal

Our wounds, and breaches, we are ſafe and well;

And if he come in vengeance, we ſhall taſte

A bitter Cup, and, he the dregs, at laſt.

For, having as Appendants to that Pow'r

Sins unrepented, and as great as our,

Which daily will encreaſe, when they come in,

SIN, ſhall do execution upon ſin:

Prophaneſs, joyning hands with ſuperſtition,

And, Sanctity diſſembled, with Ambition;

They ſhall ſo plague each other, that, if ten

Of honeſt and true-hearted Engliſh men

p. 27Be left in ev'ry thouſand, and, together

Knit in true Charity faſt to each other,

They ſhall be a RESERVE, to make this Nation

More proſp'rous in another Generation,

I, would have ſaid, before this year be gone,

If, I, had now ſeen Juſtice better done;

Or, any probability perceiv'd,

That, what I ſhould declare, would be believ'd.

But, peradventure, 'tis a day too late,

This day, on any terms to promiſe that,

Which yet, expected is, by ſome of them,

Who, have the means neglected, and the time.

For, Charles thoſe great advantages hath won

By what hath been omitted, and miſs-done,

(Which, I long ſince foreſaw) that, though his Pow'r

MONCK ſhall employ for us; nor his, nor our,

Nor both united; nor a Parliament,

Eſtabliſhed with full and free conſent,

Of all the People; (if by penitence,

GOD, reconciled be unto that Prince)

Can at this preſent, make the ſcale ſo even,

(Ʋnleſs our peace be likewiſe made in heaven)

But, that there will be ten for one, at leaſt,

To weigh him out his claimed Intereſt,

And, force us thoſe conditions to receive,

Which he himſelf ſhall pleaſed be to give.

For, our great Wars, confuſions, and diſſenting,

Will fruſtrate ſo, endeavours of preventing

Our fears, and ſetling true peace, in that way,

Whereby, we for a ſettlement aſſay;

That he, by whom, loſt hopes reviv'd became,

May accidentally, without juſt blame,

Through breach of truſt, make way to bring him in,

Who, hitherto hath moſt oppoſed bin.

p. 28For, that, which cures, where one diſtemper lies,

Kills, where are complicated maladies;

Or, elſe, at leaſt, produceth an effect

Much differing, from what we did expect.

If ſtill both Parties be the ſame they were,

They rather ſhall encreaſe confuſions here

Than qualifie them: and, for ought that, yet,

To me appeareth likely to beget

A better hope: nought, Reaſon offers us,

But this; GOD, grant it prove no worſe than thus.

If, he be qualifi'd, as now ſome ſay

He is; and as (for ought I know) he may,

That will be then effected, which few thought

Could have here whilſt they liv'd to paſs been brought.

And, if to GOD, he reconciled be,

Why, not to men? Or, wherefore not to me,

Who, never was for ſelf-reſpects to him

An Adverſary, or, a friend to them

Who were his Enemies, for being ſo,

But, as he was, or ſeem'd to be, a Foe

To GOD and Juſtice? If, he be not ſuch,

Why ſhould I doubt his favour? Or, fear much

His wrath? For, doubtleſs, if he be upright,

He, then, in honeſt men will take delight;

Yea, peradventure, may have need of one

To do ſuch ſervices as I have done,

Without regarding greatly what men ſhall

Be pleaſed, or diſpleaſed there withall;

And, if he be a Tyrant, I know why

He, will have greater cauſe to fear, than I.

If, her, who with her Cup of fornications

Hath long made drunk the Kings of many Nations,

He hath not pledg'd in ſecret; nor, ſo long

Drunk her inchantments, that they are too ſtrong

p. 29To be expell'd, there may be perfect cures

For all meer natural diſtemp'ratures,

Whereby, he from Impoſtures may depart,

To own what GOD hath written in his heart.

And, then, it will be evidently ſeen

Which way, he might a glorious King have been,

Who, now is none; and what the Parliament,

Which promiſed to make him ſuch, then meant;

For, he that governs men, muſt righteous be,

And, there is no ſuch glorious King as he.

When King and People are confin'd by Laws,

Neither the Princes, nor the Peoples Cauſe

Can be infring'd; and queſtionleſs, if he

Inclin'd to ſuch a condeſcention be;

This would, when both ſides thereunto ſubmit,

Good will to men, and peace on earth, beget;

And, both GOD's Juſtice, and his Mercy too

It would illuſtrate, if it might be ſo.

For, GOD's Long-ſuff'ring doth abide for ever;

And, Judgements, very ſeldom times, or never,

Are paſt by ſuch an abſolute Decree,

As, by Repentance not revers'd to be;

Nor doth he look, that, man's Repentance ſhould

Proportion with his Deviations hold,

Since his Free Grace, a ſtanding help ſupplies,

To make amends for thoſe deficiencies.

Manaſſes, guilty of ſins moſt abhorr'd,

Was caſt out of his Kingdom, and reſtor'd;

Yea, and this Parliament, whoſe Crimes are more

Ten times, than his, were twice ſhut out of doore;

Yet, now in grace again (God grant they may

Take heed of falling the third time away,)

For, GOD, will then perhaps, the ſecond time,

(As he did of the reſt) make proof of him.

p. 30What he will do, is known to him alone,

Becauſe, he only knows, what will be done

By them, to whom Conditions are declar'd

With threatnings, and a promiſed reward,

As they ſhall be neglected, or fulfill'd;

Or, men are either well, or evill-will'd:

For, they, the Devil's, not GOD's, Prophets are,

Who, abſolutely, either peace, or war,

(Or ſhame, or honour, poverty, or wealth,

Or life, or death, or ſickneſſes, or health)

Shall promiſe unto them, who have tranſgreſs'd

Without conditions tacite, or expreſs'd;

And they are Fools abus'd by ill ſuggeſtions,

Who tempt men, by demanding of ſuch queſtions.

Yet, GOD, ſometimes indulgently complies

With us, ev'n in our curioſities;

And, other while, unſought for, giveth hints,

To prove us by conditional events.

Among ſome other things, made ſignes to me,

When, here a ſetled Government ſhould be,

My Britains Genius hath long ſince recorded

A ſignal previous one, which is thus worded:

Brit. Genius, Pag. 100.

A King, ſhall willingly himſelf un-king,

And, thereby, grow far greater than before, &c.

This, in the meaning, might have twice, ere this

Fulfill'd have been; and once, in Terminis,

If Pride, ſelf-will, and frowardneſs of mind,

Had not, by falſe lights, made true Reaſon blind.

And, if that he, whom it will moſt concern,

Shall now, GOD's viſitation-time diſcern,

p. 31(Not letting opportunities depart,

By ſuff'ring vain hopes to obdure his heart)

When GOD ſhall on his ſoul begin to ſtrike,

A call to penitence, Manaſſeth-like,

But, meekly comes, and laies revenge aſide,

All ſelf-will, animoſities, and pride;

It ſhall have ſuch effects the ſelf-ſame hour,

On theſe three Nations, by a ſecret pow'r,

As, will ſo change them too, that, ere the Sun

Is at his next height, and through Cancer run,

It will amaze the World; their Foes confound;

Make ſome believe, all things are wheeling round;

Or, think, that Revolution drawing near

Which muſt conclude the great Platonick-year;

And, good, to many Realms, 'twill pre-divine

Betwixt the Tropicks on both ſides the Line.

This, doubleſs, will by no man be withſtood

Who ſeeks his own weal in the common good,

And, doth not either ſtrive to have poſſeſſion

Of other mens concernments, by oppreſſion,

Or, is diſpleas'd with ev'ry Government,

Save that, which his own wiſdom ſhall invent.

If this, may be vouchſaf'd, or, any thing

Which might appear to have a modelling

By GOD's, and Natures Laws; I am ſo far,

From Jonah's frowardneſs, when, GOD, did ſpare

Great Niniveh, that, though it quite diſſented,

From all that I have aimed at, or hinted,

(Here, or elſewhere) I, therein ſhould rejoyce,

And praiſe Almighty GOD, with heart and voyce,

That, though he both did threaten to deſtroy,

He lets both parties, at the laſt enjoy

More grace than they deſerve; and turns to them,

In mercy, though they turn not, yet, to him:

p. 32For, my endeavours wholly were beſtown,

To have GOD's mind fulfilled, not mine own;

And, whether he in mercy or in wrath

To give us Kings again, determin'd hath;

If he, ſhall bring one hither, I'll receive him

With ſuch obedience as I ought to give him;

And, praiſe GOD for his Justice, though his hand

Shall ſmite me firſt of any in this Land.

But, I ſhall not believe he hath Commiſſion

To raign here, by GOD's grace, or his permiſſion,

Untill he gets admittance by th' Aſſents

Of theſe three Nations in their Parliaments;

Or, by re-conqueſt: Nor, will I deſiſt

From ſtill adhering to that Intereſt

Which we poſſeſs, and, on Appeals from heaven,

Was by GOD's Doom, unto this People given:

But, I'll aſſert it, while life ſhall endure,

Or, till for ſin, GOD, takes the forfeiture

Of what he gave; and abſolutely ſhall

Tranſlate it; or, on terms conditionall:

Or, till I ſee our diff'rences decided,

And, how the Pow'r now claim'd ſhall be divided.

Mean while, I neither to be ſaved from

His wrath, or, to find grace in time to come,

Will have with him compliance; leſt I wrong

That Pow'r to which my ſervices belong:

Nor, will I, whilſt this laſts, one deed aſſay

Which tendeth to removing it away.

Nay, notwithſtanding it ſhould me oppreſs,

And, ill requite me for my faithfulneſs,

I would not tell in ſecret, how it ſhould

Supplanted be, although, perhaps, I could:

Except, in telling Charles, his Reſignation,

Will be the beſt means of that ſupplantation:

p. 33For, though the Cauſe, I fought for, were unjuſt,

I am a Traytor if I break my truſt.

Yea, though thereof, I be well ſatisfied,

If I ſhall turn unto the other ſide

Before that truſt, I, totally reſign,

With all that Pow'r, which by that truſt was mine,

Or, make my ſelf a ſtarting hole, whereby

I may be falſe, with ſhews of Loyalty.

The Royal Pow'r, I loyally obey'd;

And, though it did oppreſs, was ſo afraid

Of innovating; that a Reformation

Thereof I wiſhed, not an extirpation.

But, when by other men, through GOD's permiſ,

It was remov'd; to that, did yield ſubmiſſion,

Which then ſucceeded; and ſo would have done,

Had twenty been admitted one by one,

In whom I ſaw the ſoveraign pow'r reſide,

And, with moſt viſibility abide:

For, ev'ry private perſon it behoves,

Till that whole Orbe, wherein he's fixed, moves,

To keep his place, not medd'ling any way

To overthrow the Pow'r he ſhould obey.

Let that MONCK, whom I ſee but through a cloud,

(And may two faces hide beneath one hood,)

Conſider this; and take heed, leſt he may

By fair appearances be led aſtray,

And make his Pow'r to over-balance that

Which muſt be weigh'd out, by their free debate

To whom it appertains: for, they alone,

Muſt, now, untill their own ſet time is gone,

Determine that which in ſuſpence doth ſtand;

And, if the Pow'r then ſlip into his hand,

(As poſſibly it will) he then may do

What GOD and his own conſcience prompts him to.

p. 34Mean while, it will behove him to be wary;

For, if an equal hand he ſhall not carry,

As their Affairs now ſtand, 'twill treaſon be,

Ev'n in the moſt ſuperlative degree;

And, ſhall be, doubtleſs, in the final ſwinge

Rewarded with ſuperlative revenge,

Whether the Pow'r, from whom his Pow'r he had

Were perfect, or, ſome way imperfect made,

Either by their own faults, or other mens;

For, his defects have no excuſe from thence:

Becauſe, a ſervants truſt, muſt be maintain'd,

How e'r their Maſterſhips, his Maſters gain'd.

Let him conſider well, that, he is bound

To them in that ſtate, wherein them he found

When they intruſted him; till their own Acts,

Or, providence, invalid thoſe Contracts;

Or, totally annihilates the Band

By which they mutually obliged ſtand;

And, that, if they, through what he ſhall miſs-do,

Be either forc'd, miſled, or frighted to

Thoſe condeſcentions, which may quite deſtroy

That Pow'r, by which he did his Pow'r enjoy,

His Faith is broke; unleſs, he do his beſt,

To re-impow'r them; or, make good, at leaſt,

That End, for which GOD and the people gave

To them, and him, the Pow'r which now they have.

And, this, (if there befall an overſight)

Muſt be endeavoured with all his might;

For, ev'ry promiſe, vow, and undertaking,

Repugning this, is made null in the making;

And, all the bloud which is in this Cauſe ſhed,

Will down be ſhowr'd, in vengeance on his head,

Who ſhall to wrong the Common right endeavor,

And in that proſecution ſtill perſever.

p. 35This is the Judgement, which this day, my Muſings,

Dictate (as I think, by divine infuſings)

To ſome good purpoſes, if we repent

That Courſe, which yet obſtructeth GOD's intent.

And, when that mad diſtemper is allay'd

Which fruſtrates all that can be writ or ſaid.

Theſe Principles, by muſing, I aſſay

To keep up, in my ſelf; and, as I may,

To build in others, thereby, to encreaſe

Their faithfulneſs, and ſettle common-peace.

Theſe Principles, ſo long as that Pow'r laſts

Which is in being, though it dayly waſtes,

Is much contemn'd; (and without likelihood

Of ought effecting for the publike good)

Compels me conſcientiouſly to wave

All ſelf-reſpects; and all thoſe which I have

To them, whoſe welfare is to me more dear

Than mine own life, and all things mortal are,

Rather, than I thoſe duties would neglect,

Which, I think, may the common-peace effect,

(Though duties nor exacted, nor regarded,

But, oft, with in juries, and ſpights rewarded.)

Yea, ſtill, though moſt my purpoſes deride,

And, make me ſcorn'd of Fools on either ſide;

I, take up all occaſions to re-mind them

Of needful Cautions which they caſt behind them,

As now I do, and heretofore have done:

Sometimes, foretelling, what would fall thereon,

And, then, remembring them as I ſaw need,

How, that which was foretold them, did ſucceed;

That, them (if poſſible) reduce I may

Before it be too late, into that way,

Wherein they may be ſafe; for, they have bin

Long out, and likely, never to come in,

p. 36Till GOD, by what he ſeems about to do,

(Or, ſome ſuch way) ſhall force them thereunto.

For, 'tis not that courſe which hath practis'd bin,

Our putting this man out, and that man in;

Our puniſhing, of ſome for miſs-conceiving

Their duties; nor, our giving, or forgiving,

According as our ends, it may effect,

Or, as we favour, or, elſe diſ-reſpect;

Nor our Prudentials, though they did excell

The plots and counſels of Achitophel,

That will procure our ſafety; or, ſucceed

Much better, at this preſent, than his did.

No ſure Concluſions, can be grounded on

That, which this General hath lately done,

Although, to make his paſſage hither ſmooth,

He Lambert foyl'd, as Lambert foiled Booth;

For, men, and humane actions, whatſoe'r

They promiſe, or portend, ſo truſtleſs are,

That, none can yet know, whether of the Three

Shall to himſelf, or us, moſt proſp'rous be;

Though, for the preſent, there is in the One

Hope of much good, and in the other none.

'Tis not diſcov'ring of each others ſhame,

(And of thoſe dunghils, out of which they came)

By ſuff'ring ſcurrilous baſe Pamphleteers

To fill the ſtreets, with ſlanders, lies, and jeers,

Till there is hardly left us time and room

Of uſeful Truths, informed to become.

Nor preaching Swordmen, nor the fighting Prieſts,

Are they, who muſt ſupport our Intereſts.

Nor they, who make our publike plagues the more

By ſhutting private mercies out of door:

For doubtleſs they, who, find not time, to hear

A man oppreſſed, once in twice four year,

p. 37Though urg'd with frequent importunities,

Will make GOD's ears as deaf unto their cries.

'Tis not our Fellowſhip with pious friends,

Made inſtrumental for meer carnal ends:

'Tis not our eagerneſs to miſs-apply

The grace of GOD, and cloud it with a Lie,

Which will endear, and make us acceptable

To him, who to deliver us is able.

Nor is't our formal Off'rings, or our zeal

To GOD, and ſafety of this Commonweal

Pretended, by our weeding from his Corn

Thoſe, whom he doth command to be forborn

Till harveſt-time, (leſt, as we dayly do,

Among the Tares, we pluck up good wheat, too)

That, will be our protection from the ſmart

And ſting of Conſcience, when GOD tries the heart;

Nor from thoſe ou'ward plagues, which many run

To meet, in hope, by that courſe, them to ſhun.

'Tis neither our, nor the deſigns of thoſe

Who, to this Commonwealth are open foes,

That help, or harm us: For, none can contrive

Worſe miſchieves, than both Parties do derive

From their own projects; (as it would appear

If, they of their ſucceſſes heedful were.)

Nor will it be our having of a King

Or no King good or bad, that peace will bring

To either ſide, till they ſhall better heed

How miſ-adviſedly they do proceed.

Nor is't a pack'd, peec'd, or, new Parliament,

Elected by a general aſſent,

That will repair us, though it might be had:

But, ſome things, whereof ſmall account is made,

As we ſhall ſhortly find, when we have tri'd

What, by exper'ence will be verifi'd.

p. 38Some will deſire to know them: would they could

As heartily deſire it, as they ſhould,

And mend what is amiſs, when they do know it,

As eaſily as I can truly ſhow it.

It is, that Mercy, and that righteouſneſs,

Which, hypocritically we profeſs,

When we do ſhut our doors, our eyes, and ears,

Againſt the ſad Petitions, cries, and tears

Of men oppreſs'd, and caſt away that Bread

To dogs and ſwine, that Children ſhould have fed.

'Tis ſelf-denial, and not that alone

Which ought by all men to be undergone,

But alſo that in chief, which by a Vote

Was once pretended, and e'r ſince forgot.

It is a conſcientious reparation

Of this Republicks Faith, whoſe violation

Makes all unproſp'rous which we take in hand;

And, which hath brought a Curſe upon this Land

That will not be remov'd, till we have payd

Thoſe Vows, which have been ſhameleſly delay'd.

'Tis want of meekneſs upon either ſide,

And Charity, which (making men divide,

And ſubdivide) doth day by day, encreaſe

Thoſe Diſcords, which deſtroy the common peace;

For, nor mens wrath, nor their Phanatick zeal,

Compleats GOD's will, or cures the Commonweal,

Or edifies his Church: But, Righteouſneſs,

And Truth profeſs'd, with ſincere ſoberneſs.

'Tis theſe things, that muſt cure our Grand diſeaſe,

And, if we periſh, 'tis through want of theſe.

Theſe, are the ſins, (as often heretofore

I have affirm'd, and ſay it now once more)

Which have deſtroy'd, and totally laid waſte

Great Monarchies, and States in Ages paſt.

p. 39Yet, to theſe Crimes, this Age hath added many,

Beſide hypocriſie, the worſt of any.

Yea, they have crown'd them with impenitencies

For ſins committed under fair pretences;

With perſeverance in them, whilſt GOD's hand

Is ſtretched forth in anger o'er this Land.

And, it is Penitence for theſe Tranſgreſſions,

As alſo, for our manifold omiſſions,

That muſt prevent the plagues now coming on.

GOD, grant, it may be timely, thought upon;

And, this, therewith, in ſeaſon minded too;

That, we in conſcience, are oblig'd to do

As much as poſſibly we ſhall be able

To ſeek preventing of that miſerable

And ſad condition, whereto they are brought,

Who, for the common Intereſt, have fought

By their injoynments, (who then managed

The Pow'r, which their obedience watranted)

And, thereto, not alone contributed

Their Livelihoods. but, in their ſervice ſhed

Their precious bloud, with hazard of their lives,

And ruine to their children, and their wives;

Whom, if we ſlightly leave indempnifi'd,

Will raiſe the loudeſt CRY that ever cri'd;

Make all men ſay, (who have their Cauſe well ſcann'd)

That honeſt men by knaves have been trapann'd;

Fulfill, what, in my OPOBALSAMƲM,

I, fifteen years now paſt, foretold ſhould come;

And in ſome other Premonitions too,

(Though heeded not) nigh forty years ago.

Yea, and, bring Vengeance, ev'n on thoſe who ſhall

Suppoſe, it them concerneth not at all;

For, moſt, one way or other, guilty be,

And from the puniſhment, few ſhall be free.

p. 40What pinch was that? Oh gracious GOD! where art?

Stay by me: For, a ſudden twinge at heart,

So gripeth it, with an injected fear,

As if ſome dreadful thing, were drawing near.

Waves, after waves, begin (methinks) to roul,

And, are come up, almoſt, ev'n to my ſoul.

Yet, why my ſoul, art thou cast down in me?

What is it, that can thus diſquiet thee?

Still, truſt in GOD; thy ſelf to him reſigne:

For, thou art his, and he is truly thine.

Although the Waters roar, the waves mount high,

And we are far from ſhore, yet, GOD is nigh;

Although the ſhip ſinks, he can, if he pleaſe,

Make us, with ſafety, walk upon the Seas;

And, if we down into the Deeps muſt go,

There, we ſhall find him, and enjoy him too.

Take courage then, my heart, firm credit give,

To what he promiſeth, and thou ſhalt live.

This pang is wholly paſt, and all my fear

Is now, for them, who, ſenceleſs do appear

Of their own hazards; who are without dread

Of that deſtruction which hangs o'er their head;

And, who have help and peace expected from

Thoſe hills, from whence, their welfare cannot come;

As, they would ſoon find, if they heedful were

What winds breathe from them, and what fruits they bear.

How long! how long! ſhall GOD unto this place

Make diſ-reſpected offers of his Grace?

How often, ſince great failings firſt begun,

Hath he provoked almoſt ev'ry one,

Apart, or joyntly? Ceaſing not to prove

By Judgements and by mercies interwove,

How difficultly, either Grace or Nature

Can work upon a ſelf-corrupted Creature?

p. 41By all things which may any way relate

To ſoul or body, credit or eſtate

We have been call'd upon, one way or other;

By ſweet, and ſharp things, and both mixt togeth

By what to our chief joy, and ſorrow tends;

By ſervants, neighbours, kindred, and by friends;

By ſickneſſes, and health; by ſcorns, and jeers;

By ſhame, and honour, and by hopes, and ſears:

By other mens examples, GOD, forewarns;

Sometimes, by our own ſuff'rings, wiſdom learns;

One while by wiſe men, and true Prophets reaches,

Sometimes, by Wiſards, fools, and children preach

Then, laſt of all, when no effect theſe take,

By things (as now) like Bal'ams Aſs, doth ſpeak:

And, that, which all this, probably preſages,

Is (without ſwift repentance) Bal'ams wages;

Which will be ſurely paid, when they who may

Prevent it yet, ſhall give their pow'r away:

Unleſs that Mercy, which no ending hath,

Shall once again, put off the day of wrath;

(Now-near approaching) when, in few, or none,

There ſhall be any hope it maybe done.

So, for a while, my mad fit now is over.

Would other mad men might as ſoon recover:

And, be as ſober in their Intervalls,

As I have hope to be, whatere befalls.

Thus, once again, although that heretofore,

In this mode, I reſolv'd to write no more,

(As, juſtly, otherwhile, the Parliament

Revokes their Orders, when impertinent

To Common ſafety) I, have boldneſs took,

For like reſpects, my purpoſe to revoke.

And, though, as our Cauſe now at hazard lies,

Moſt men will judge me far more bold than wiſe,

p. 42To own theſe Muſings. I ſo dreadleſs am,

That, to atteſt them, I ſubſcribe this Name

At Hambledon, Feb. 19. 1659. George Wither.

An Advertiſement.

IT is the great mercy of GOD that the Author of this Furor-poeticus, (all things conſidered) fell not into Furorem Bethlemeticum, long ſince: (for beſide three Addreſſes in Manuſcript, preſented to the two Protectors, and many hundreds of other Poems, Papers, and Petitions printed and written, publiſhed, and privately preferred, during almoſt 18 years ſollicitation for publike and private juſtice and mercy) it will be partly demonſtrated what experience he the ſaid Author had of theſe Latter times, to all thoſe who ſhall have patience to peruſe thoſe few Poems, preparatories, and Epiſtolary diſcourſes, only, which have been divulged within the compaſs of the laſt year, (or, not long before) and which may be had with the Printer hereof, or, at Mrs Stamps, who ſelleth Books in Weſtminſter-hall, & at other Book-ſellers, being theſe in particular.

1. A Narrative of the ſeries of his Grievances, with a preparatory to his Petitions, and the ſaid Narrative, intended to each Individual Member of Parliament.

2. The Sinners Confeſſion, or the product of a private humiliation.

3. The Poem intituled Salt upon Salt.

4. Epiſtolium-Vagum-proſa-metricum, or an Epiſtle at Randome in Proſe and Metre.

5. A Cordial Confection, to ſtrengthen their hearts, whoſe courage begins to fail by the Armies late diſſolving of the Parliament, &c.