Britains Genius, Poem 1 · Lection 1
The Contents of the firſt Lection
THe POET poetizeth, here,
Great Britans GENIƲS to appeare;
Expoſtulating (firſt of all)
Some Slips, and Faults in generall.
And, tells what of that GAME, he ſpake,
In which, the publike, lies at Stake.
Next, ſhewes, how He doth move the King,
Himſelfe into his Orbe to bring;
What, will, aſſuredly, ſucceed,
Ʋnleſſe, he ſhall returne with ſpeed;
How, and by whom, and likewiſe, why
He hath been hindred to comply;
And, that, the Men, and Hopes, which he
Depends on, will his ruine be.
Then, are declared, ſome debates
Of Prelates temporall eſtates;
What ought to be believ'd, by Him,
As touching their old Claimes, and Them;
How much, a Prince obliged ſtands,
To keep up, ſuch like Deodands;
Pleads, in what caſe, a State, or King,
May ſell a Dedicated-Thing;
And, makes you, by plaine reaſon, ſee
How falſe the claimes of Tyrants bee.
Then, having tooke ſome Blocks away,
Which ſtop the Kings repentance may;
Provokes thereto; and (though the root
Seems bitter) warrants pleaſant fruit.
When, in his might, the Dogſtar raigned, here,
And, when our City, and our Armies, were
Made jealous of each other, by their wiles,
Who, ſought to nouriſh Diſcord in theſe Hes;
Fill'd full of Thoughts, and ſad, and ſleepleſſe lying
Upon my Couch, there, ſilently, ſurveying
With contemplations eyes, the ſick eſtate
Of theſe three Kingdomes, and, their likely Fate;
My rambling Fancie (which was newly come,
From whence I know not) brought into the room,
A reverend Perſon, who, upon him wore,
A Sea-green mantle, which was wrought all o're
With ſilver wavings (well reſembling thoſe
Which curle the Ocean, when a ſtrong gale blowes)
And, had a Verge, or bordering imboſt
Of Rock-work, like the cliffs, that guard our coſt.
Rais'd with white Saphirs, looking o're a ſtrand,
Beſtrow'd with orient Pearls, and golden ſand.
In his left hand, he ſeem'd to bring with him
A threefold, but a broken Diadem,
Each third whereof contained counterfeits,
Of many differing ſhaped Coronets,
(Which had adorned it) moſt part of which
Seem'd alſo, broken, or defaced much;
And, not improperly, an emblem were
Of ſomething, which this Emperie may feare.
With an heroick look, a Princely pace,
And awefull preſence, entred he the place:
But, ſo, that look, and pace, and preſence, had
A ſhaddowing drawne over them, which made
Appearance, of a heart diſpleas'd, and ſorry;
Yet, gave it, rather, excellence and glory
To his demeanure, then diminiſhment,
Of what, beſeem'd a Perſon excellent.
Not heeding me; nor ſeeming much to care
Who, then, was preſent, or, who was not there,
A turne or two, he walk'd; rais'd to the skies,
(As one admiring) his majeſtick eyes;
And, with hands elevated, and diſplay'd,
Thus, like a much diſpleaſed Friend, he ſaid,
SEE, SEE! how MISCHIEF, like the Lernean Snake,
Renewesher heads, and ſtill new life doth take!
The fire of WAR within our feilds did flame,
A while ago, and, GODS hand quench'd the ſame.
The match and powder, were together laid
In our cheife City; and, he, alſo ſtaid
Thoſe probable effects, which would have ſhooke
Theſe Ilands, if the project, then, had took.
As ſoone as that was paſt, another Traine
Was cloſely laid, to blow up all againe;
And, make theſe Nations, like the clod-borne brood
Of Cadmus, broachers of each others blood.
Is there no end of madneſſe? but, by fits,
Muſt they, who ſhould be wiſeſt, looſe their wits?
And, ſtill be forging new Deſignes and Gins,
To plague themſelves, and others, for their ſins?
Will not, the blind, ſelfe-ſeeking parties, leave,
Snares for themſelves, with their own hands to weave?
VVill not the Serpent ceaſe to bruiſe their heels,
VVhom he purſues, though broken heads he feels?
Nor will the harmleſſe Doves, become ſo wiſe
To know the Birds of prey, through their diſguiſe,
Till they are all beguiled with faire ſhowes,
And, quite devour'd, by Buzzard, Kites and Crowes?
Shall wholſome counſell, alwaies, be withſtood?
And, will you reinvolve your ſelves in blood,
VVhat ever your beſt friends endeavour can,
And, as it were, in ſpight of GOD and man?
O GOD! what dulneſſe hath poſſeſt theſe Nations?
VVhen ſhal the Spirit of Infatuations,
Be diſpoſſeſt, ye Britans? when ſhall peace
Unite your hearts? when ſhall diſſention ceaſe,
And, we behold againe within my Coaſt,
Thoſe bleſſings, which they willfully have loſt,
VVho, ſleighted counſell, when it was in ſeaſon;
And, yet, reſolve not, to be rul'd by Reaſon?
How long! oh LORD! how long ſhall they neglect
The Teachers of a better intellect,
And, in thoſe courſes frowardly perſiſt,
VVhereby, they muſt arrive at had I wiſt!
How long! ſhall that contagious Cloud of lies
VVhichWhich through the ſtreets, almoſt each morning flies
On paper wings, with ſlanders, poyſon ſome?
To others, inſtruments of death, become?
Corrupt weake judgements? Interupt the choice,
Of good things? drown the Pacifying-voice
Which, to their great advantage, they might hear,
Unleſſe deaf Adder-like, they ſtopt their care?
Or, liſtened to thoſe falſhoods, which delude
The Wiſeſt, and enrage the multitude?
How long! ſhall men perſever to delight
In curſed words, and actions of deſpight?
In ſtudying reciprocall diſgraces?
In flinging durt, into each others faces?
And, as it were, in ſtriving, who beſt may
The Devills part, upon each other play.
How long! will you in an unhappy courſe,
Run from one bad extreme, into a worſe?
How long! will you pretend, proteſt, and vow,
To be reform'd, yet, nothing better grow?
How long! will you condemne what others do,
Yet, tread their paths, yea go beyond them, too,
And think it ſhall enough your ſelves commend,
To publiſh, wherein others do offend?
Or puniſh them, whoſe crimes but veniall be,
When Capitall-Tranſgreſſors may go free?
How long! will you obſerve the ſcorners Fate,
Yet, never mend, before it be too late?
How long! ſhall GOD forbear? how long! for you
Befoole the wiſe, yet fooles no wiſer grow?
How long! ſhall he keep off a Forraigne pow'r,
VVhile you, at home, each other do devour,
And ſeek, by ev'ry new Deliverance,
Your owne Deſignes, and profits to advance?
As if the publike Mercics, which GOD ſends,
Were all vouchſafed for your private ends?
How long! will you lie underneath the ſtroke,
Yet, his diſpleaſure ev'ry day provoke?
Or being frighted from what was miſdone,
Commit the ſame fault, when the fear is gone?
How long! ſhall prudence preach a ſafer way,
Yet, you renew your dangers, day by day?
And, though you, ſtill are told what will ſucceed,
Still, careleſſe be, of taking, timely, heed?
How long! will you good principles with-ſtand,
And fortiſfie with pebble ſtones and ſand?
Or paper workes, and ſtubble-ſtructures frame,
When, round about you, all is in a flame?
And, at the givers of good counſell, jeere,
That others, may be fooled as you are?
How long! will ye, whilſt your blind-Harpers play
Diviſions, Jigs, and fancies, dance the Hay,
And, break each others heads, and ſhins, and faces,
At Blind-man-Buffe, (aſwell to your diſgraces
As to your loſſe and ſmart) whilſt moſt about you,
Both for your madneſſe, and your follies, flout you?
And whilſt thereby your adverſaries gaine
That, which they could not otherwaies obtain?
How long! will you permit, Ambition, Pride,
Self-Love or Avarice to be your guide?
And perſevere to truſt, and to commit
Your being, unto ſome who have nor wit,
Nor grace, nor modeſtie? as if ye had
Forſworne good counſell, and a Covenant made
With your Oppreſsors, to reſigne all pow'r
To them, who ſeeke to prey on what is your?
And, ſtill to proſtitute your free Elections
To ſtrenghthen private ends, and nouriſh Factions?
How long will they, on whom your Truſt is plac't
Put off, what ſhould be firſt, untill the last?
How long with they irreſolute appeare
Whereto they ſhould undoubtedly adhere;
And, thereby, keep, from knitting faſt together,
Divided parts, till there be ſtrength in neither
To reunite? Or, till all teare aſunder,
Like Clouds diſperſt, by their owne in-bred Thunder?
How long ſhall Knave be Trump? and all the Cards
Be pack't, to give unmerited rewards?
Or, deale forth undeſervedly, to thoſe
Who are beſt friends, the portion of your Foes?
And, O! how long ſhall ſuch men play your Game,
Who have betray'd, who will betray the ſame,
And, ſtill promote (though better be profeſt)
A Private, or, a Forraigne Intereſt?
Hear, O ye Iſlands! harken, and beleeve
Your Genius, who, doth ſee your waies, and greeve.
If you ſhall act, much longer, as ye do,
Your City, Army, Priest, and People too;
Your King, your choſen Commons, and your Peers,
Your Independents, and your Preſbyters,
The worſt diſpoſed, and the best affected;
The faithfull, and the man of fraud detected;
The Friend, the Foe, the Foole, and he that's wiſe;
The Rich, and he who at his threſhold lies;
Engliſh, Scot, Welſh, and Kerne, ſhall all together
So jumbled be, ſo juggle with each other,
So ſtagger from their Principles, and Friends,
Through fooliſh hopes, falſe feares, or private ends;
The moſt ſhall be deceived, and, undone,
To make a winning-Game for Lookers-on.
For, theſe have eyes upon you; and expect,
From your encreaſing Diſcords, an effect
To their advantage: Theſe, rejoyce to ſee
How ſenſleſſe of your owne true peace, you be;
How frowardly you act to your owne coſt,
And, play for them, that Game which they had loſt.
With ſerious, if ſleight things I may compare,
Ye, Britans are now playing (as it were)
A Game at Cards: For, there are many faces,
Among you, like Kings, Queens, Knaves, Tens & Aces,
Beſide the Vulgar pack; and much ſtrange dealing,
Strange ſhuffling, and ſtrange cutting, (worth revealing)
Is view'd, whereby the publike hath had wrong,
(And many private perſons) over-long.
Some, by the Players; others by the Foxes,
Who have obtain'd the keeping of your Boxes;
Some, by their want of skill; and ſome by betting
Upon both ſides; by violence, or cheating,
Are like to ſhare at laſt, what you to loſe;
Then, laugh to ſcorne, your Folly in the cloſe;
Becauſe, you good advantages did ſleight,
And, plaid your Game no better, when ye might.
How have ye loſt, what lately you had got?
When all men ſaw, you had the better lot?
Of Hearts and Diamonds, you, a while ago,
As faire Games had, as any hand could ſhow:
But, ſome by-ſtanders, who, your cards can view,
Are much afraid, that now ye have but few.
Of Spades and Clubs, yet (if well plaid) ye have
Enough at leaſt, whereby your ſtakes to ſave.
Ye had, but of one Queene, a diffidence;
And, ſhee was plaid away, a good while ſince:
The Knaves are ſhared ſo by either ſide,
That, little odds betwixt you is eſpi'd;
And, they, who yet ſeem Newters, (out of play)
At laſt, may ſerve to count upon, ſome way.
One King, alone, you have; and what to do
With him, a friend of yours could tell you too,
But that he is no Player, and he hath ſpoke,
Already, more, then many have well took.
Yet this, I'le ſay; you cannot make your Game,
By all the Kings, or Court-Cards, you could name,
As by well-playing him. As you diſpoſe
Of him, ſo, you are like to win, or loſe:
So, ye ſhall either gaine or miſſe, your ends;
So, you ſhall multiply your Foes or Friends:
GOD, give you grace to take the ſafeſt way;
VVhichWhich, (if vaine hopes delude not) yet, ye may.
And, GOD, direct him, and incline him too,
So prudently to ſuffer, and to doc,
That, he purſue no more ſiniſter ends:
For, at this preſent, upon him depends
The Fortune of his Houſe: And, therewithall
Shall many other, either ſtand, or fall,
VVhoſe Fates are yet, by very few diſcerned
To be in his well-doing much concerned:
Yea, thereupon, dependeth greater things,
Then are the Riſings, and the Falls of Kings.
My Spirit, therefore, groanes within my breſt,
And, is with violent deſires oppreſt,
That, he, and they, who ſeem yet ſtupifi'd
Might wake out of their Dreamings, to provide,
Againſt thoſe many miſchiefs, which, of late,
Have menaced the ruine of this State:
And, ſeeing, by a neare relation, I
Am more oblig'd then any Stander-by,
To ſeek your welfare, and prevent your woe,
I'le give ſuch hints of what you ought to doe,
As are permitted; O! take therefore heed,
Of what, ye now ſhall either hear, or read:
For, without Riddles, I will plainly tell,
VVhat courſes ye may follow, and doe well.
Firſt, let your erring, and deluded King,
Himſelfe, his Crowns, and Scepters humbly bring,
And, lay them at his feet, to whom, alone,
Belongs the ſupreme Glorie of each Throne.
For, GOD, will not be mock'd: (though for a ſpace
He winks at many, who neglect his Grace)
But, will on every one, avengement take
VVho, in his wickedneſſe, doth progreſſe make.
Let him acknowledge that Supremacie,
And falling downe, before that Majeſty,
VVhichWhich is offended, ask to be forgiven
For his offence againſt both earth and heaven.
And, that he may obtain it, let him weigh
VVhat Common Fame unto his charge doth lay;
VVhat juſt occaſion he hath given, why
Things are ſuſpected, which he may deny;
And, what his heart may juſtly ſmite him for;
Till, all his errors he doth ſo abhor,
That GOD may pardon them; and men may ſee,
His Grace is greater, then their ſinnes can bee.
That this be truly done, let him not ſpare
To make his Failings, truly, what they are,
By, ſeecretly, anatomizing them,
In every circumſtance, 'twixt GOD and him;
For, in the world, it hath not yet been knowne,
That any King was caſt out of his Throne,
VVithout a crying-ſinne; Or, that God ſhooke
A Kingdome; or, a Nation ever ſtrooke;
Or humbled any man, for his offence,
And re-advanced, without Penitence:
Except, when he, in wrath did them reſtore,
To make their ſufferings, and their ſhame the more.
Which, that He may prevent; let him delay
No longer, from a penitentiall way:
But, make return, before he run ſo far,
As to become a pris'ner at the*Inſula Vectis. BAR.
Or, let him take good heed, when he is there,
Leſt other mens deſigns, and his own fear,
Or, ſuch vaine hopes, as he hath had too long,
Occaſion him to fall (by ſtearing wrong)
On Scylla, or Charybdis: Or, leſt, they
Who, ſeek their owne advantage, him betray
By practice underhand: For, ſuch as theſe
Will but prolong their owne, and his Diſeaſe,
With harme to others; and exaſperate
Thoſe humours, which will haſten on the Fate,
That may be fear'd. Thus, therefore, let him do,
Yea, do it quickly, and ſincerely too.
Let him, a while, with-draw himſelfe, apart,
(Ev'n to the ſecret cloſet of his heart)
Excluding company; but, chiefly, them
Who, from his Duties, long have hindred him,
By wicked counſells; or, by flattery,
Caus'd him to dote upon a Majeſty
Which is not reall; and have thereby, turned
His glory into ſhame, and made him ſcorned.
Let him, ſhut out all thoſe, who ſhew unto him,
Thoſe pictures of himſelf, which may undo him,
And, make him, like Narciſſus, on a Bable
To dote, till he be fool'd into a Fable.
For, ſome, with ſo much Piety, beſaint him;
With ſuch fain'd Excellencies they bepaint him;
Yea, they ſo impudently magnifie him,
And, with ſo much Divinity bely him,
As if, to deifie him they profeſt;
Or, elſe, to canonize him, at the leaſt.
And, but, that thouſands know him; and, know too,
How much, men flatter Kings, (and what they do
Who Idolize them) ſome would halfe believe
He were, not only, blameleſſe, but conceive
That, ſeldome ſuch a King, or ſuch a man,
Had raign'd, or liv'd, ſince firſt the world began;
And, that theſe Kingdomes, have afflicted been,
Without his fault; yea, for the peoples ſin
Againſt his God-head, onelyonly: And, this courſe
Hath made him nothing better; but, much worſe;
For, Pharoah-like, it him, ſtill more obdures,
And, ev'ry day, new ſins, new plagues procures.
Let him, with prudent anger, therefore throw
Such cheating Glaſſes from him; and, thoſe too,
Which multiply the faults by others done;
And, repreſent offences, where are none,
In hope to make themſelves the fairer ſeem,
By caſting blurs, on other mens eſteem:
For theſe Impoſtors cheat him, with falſe ſhowes,
That, he to ſave their Stakes, himſelfe may loſe.
Let him take heed of their Compliances,
VVho are declined from thoſe Principles,
VVhereby, they in meer conſcience, and true zeal,
Appeared active for the Common-Weal,
Againſt his Int'reſt; and, in ſhow are won
A counter courſe, in their Deſignes, to run,
In aid of his deſires, with hope of thoſe
Rewards, or Honours, which he ſhall propoſe:
For, on ſuch giddy Turne-coats, all his coſt,
Time, promiſes, and favours, will be loſt,
Both to himſelfe and them; Becauſe thoſe flaſhes,
Are but a ſmoake, rais'd out of Duſt, and Aſhes,
And ſhap'd unto a Cloud; which, being fill'd
VVith noyſome Aire, and, thereby, vainly ſwell'd,
Up to a ſhew of ſomthing, ſhall, at laſt,
Vaniſh to nothing, by a ſuddain Blaſt.
Let him conſider, what ſad deſolations
His wilfulneſſe hath brought upon three Nations;
Upon himſelfe, and Children; what great fears
And ſorrowes he hath heap'd, now, many years,
On others too, aſwell as upon them,
VVhoſe peace, and weal, he ought not to contemne:
Let him take notice, with how little ſenſe,
Of their Afflictions, and of their expence
In Blood and Treaſure, he hath paſſed over
Thoſe loſſes which he never can recover.
And let him ponder what may more befall,
Unleſſe the pow'r of God, prevent it ſhall.
Let him obſerve, to what deſpiſed things,
Below the honour, not alone, of Kings,
But, of Inferiour Perſons, he is brought,
By ſeeking that, which he in vaine hath ſought;
By liſt'ning to bad Counſell; and, by ſtill
Purſuing thoſe beinnings which were ill.
Let him impartially reſolve in mind,
To what conditions it hath him confin'd;
What heights of Glorie it hath caſt him from;
To what a depth of Troubles, he is come;
What meanly-qualified Groomes, of late,
He hath been faine, diſguis'd, to perſonate;
What triviall Fellowes he is forc'd to feed,
Ride, and converſe with: yea, let him take heed,
From what ſleight Jockies, and what Scatter-wits,
He ſeeketh aid, and thereby nothing gets,
To further his Deſignes; nor ought, but Lies,
Rodomantadoes, and ſuch Vanities.
Nay, let him mark it once, and then againe,
What beggerly Companions he is faine
To fawne upon; to humour, bribe, and woe,
VVith promiſes of wealth, and honour too,
To ſerve his ends, when thereto they can add
No more, then from a Porter may be had;
Except it, peradventure, be Returnes
Of ruine on themſelves, and, on him ſcornes.
Let him examine, by himſelfe, alone,
VVhat he commited hath, or left undone,
For which this Change befalls him; And not dream
That, theſe afflictions have purſued him
For other mens tranſgreſſions, altogether.
And let him ſeriouſly conſider, whether
There can be hearty penitence, or no,
For wrongs, without ſome ſatisfaction too.
Let him examine, if a ſacrifice
Of words, and proteſtations, may ſuffice
For bloodſheds, and thoſe many robberies,
VVhichWhich on his Perſon, and his Partie lies:
Or, whether he; and his Prerogatives
VVere ever worth ſo many thouſand lives,
As they have coſt: or, whether, when to make
His laſt accompt, he cometh, GOD will take
So triviall an anſwer, as to ſay;
His will, and pleaſure, they would not obey:
But rebells were, who did that power reſiſt,
VVhichWhich he doth claime, of doing what he liſt
As his Vicegerent, and, as he was taught
By thoſe, whom he, to be true Prophets thought.
Let him conſider, what beſt guards a Throne,
And, keeps him ſafeſt, who doth ſit thereon;
By whom, Kings raigne; why they at firſt were made;
And, for whoſe ſakes, authority they had:
That, he may not ſuppoſe GOD, did provide
His Kingdome, only, to advance his pride;
Or, to inflict an heavy curſe, upon
VVhole Nations, by inſlaving all to one.
Let him conſider, in what infamies
A Tyrant lives, in what ancertainties,
Feares, doubts, and dangers: and with what eſteem,
Content and peace, he weares his Diadem,
VVho raignes, as knowing, that he had his Crowne
More, for his peoples ſake, then for his own:
And, let him kick away thoſe Paraſites,
Whoſe Counſell to Oppreſſion, him invites;
Or, fooliſhly perſwades him, to improve
Pow'r, wealth, or pleaſure, by the loſſe of love.
And, thereby, makes him labour to enjoy
That pow'r, which will at laſt himſelfe deſtroy.
Let him conſider, ſoberly, if he
In honour, or in conſcience, bound may be
Himſelfe, for thoſe, to hazard, who, pretended
His Honour, and his Rights, to have befriended;
Whereas, it may, (by many a circumſtance)
Be made appeare, that, at their owne advance,
They chiefly aim'd; or, to preſerve the Lot,
VVhichWhich, they had by his Grace, already got.
For, to prevent approaching Beggery,
Some ſtrengh'ned him in acts of Tyranny;
Some, to diſturb the waters, that, in them,
They might be thriving Fiſhers, under him.
And very few (what e're they counterfeit)
To him, adhered, but, to ſave, or get.
Or, though their love ingaged them; yet, none
Is bound to more, then can by him be done:
Nor is it juſt, that, he, himſelfe ſhould loſe,
Becauſe, he wanteth pow'r, to ſave all thoſe
VVho ſtood with him ingaged: Nor, would they
Deſire it, if they lov'd him, as they ſay.
Let him not truſt to thoſe fanatick things,
VVho, dote upon the Accidents of Kings,
And ſleight their Eſsence: For, as, hitherto
Theſe, by their aid, did but themſelves undo
VVithout his benefit; ſo ſhall it be
Hereaftet, till their errour they can ſee.
There is no help in humane policy,
Nor any way, but down-right honeſty
To his ſecurity; or to redeem
Their happineſſe who have aſſiſted him:
For ev'ry courſe, and politike deſigne
That, ſhall be drawne out, by a crooked line,
VVill but beget new miſchiefs, and inforce
New projects, whoſe effects will ſtill be worſe;
Till ſpight of pow'r, and fraud, long ſwords, and daggers,
He ſtand enrowl'd among the Royall-Beggers;
Or, with thoſe Kings, who, from their honour fell,
Becauſe, they ſleighted thoſe, who wiſh'd them well.
Let, him not fancy, that their ſeeming love,
VVho Court, him, yet, will worth regarding prove,
Though, daily, more and more they ſhall repaire
To kiſſe his hand; or, fill the emptie aire
VVith acclamations; or, although they may
Upon his birth, or Coronation day,
Make Bonefires, ring the Bells, drink healths unto him,
And ſuch like triviall, and rude honours do him;
For, herein, theſe, act but a ſenſuall part,
Delightfull to themſelves, without a heart:
Some, to expreſſe their preſent diſcontent,
And diſ-affection to the Parliament:
Some, for ſelf-ends; ſome out of levity;
And, many other, they well know not why,
Seem zealous of his honour, who would ſoone,
Repent what, they now covet ſhould be done,
VVere he reſtor'd unto them, with that mind
VVhereto, as yet, he feemes to be inclin'd;
And, they who do this day Hoſanna crie,
VVould ſay, perhaps, to morrow, Crucifie.
The common People, rather live by ſenſe,
Then reaſon; and ſo quickly take offence
At preſent ſuff'rings, that they oft are pleas'd
To cut their own throats, that they may be eas'd,
And, when it ſhall diſtaſt their Fantaſies,
VVill tread on what they did Idolatrize.
If, therefore, he would in their love confide,
And gaine from them, Affections which will bide;
He muſt, protect them from receiving wrong,
In things, which to their Freedomes do belong:
Of their proprieties, he muſt take care;
And, that their Perſons and their purſe he ſpare,
Till he ſhall need them; and untill they ſee
How for his honour, and their good 'twill be.
For they will then, be forwarder to give,
Then he ſhall be to ask, or to receive;
And, when juſt cauſe the ſame occaſion may,
Fling, for his ſake, both goods, and lives away.
Let this be then his aime, and his intent,
VVhen God ſhall joyne him with his Parliament;
VVith Juſtice, let him round impale his Throne,
And, ſet before it, like King Solomon,
A guard of Lions, that, may keep away
Thoſe Apes, Baboons, and Foxes, which aſſay
Thereon to make intruſions; or, deviſe
How to invade him, with ſuch flatteries,
As may delude him; and, divert him from
Thoſe Duties, which his Dignitie become.
All his Prerogatives, likewiſe, let him
So mix with equitie; ſo, circle them
With pious Charmes; and, ſo confine, and awe
His Vaſſalls, by Example, and by Law,
That, in all times to come, nor he, nor they
Who ſhall ſucceed him, find occaſions may
To dim his glory, or his pow'r to ſhake;
Or, on the Subjects right, a breach to make.
So, ſhall the people their juſt claimes enjoy,
So, you, who do each other now deſtroy,
Shall in each others happineſſe delight,
And, raiſe your Mountaine to a glorious height.
What, can he more deſire, then to excell
Among thoſe people, with whom all is well?
Whither can he aſpire, but to poſſeſſe
On earth, the chiefeſt earthly happineſſe?
And, what can he have leſſe, then he now gaines
By ſeeking more, then to a King pertaines?
But, leſt, what his good Genius would adviſe,
He may, by meanes of their deceits deſpiſe,
Who have the Jannes and the Jambres been,
By whoſe enchantments, he continues in
Obdurateneſſe: Let him, take ſpeciall care
Of thoſe falſe Prieſts, and Prophets to beware,
Who ſooth him up with lies; and, make him dream,
That, by endangering his Crowne for them
He ſhould preſerve it; and, that, to provide
Large meanes to feed their gluttony and pride,
Is to promote GODS glory; let him not
Believe thoſe truthleſſe vanities, a jot.
Though ſome good men, have heretofore been fed
With Babels portions, and unforfeited,
Preſerv'd their innocence, (with much ado)
Yet, now, thoſe dainties, have corrupted ſo
This Generation; that, there's cauſe to doubt
Their Charmes. And, therefore, let him ſhut them out
From heart, and eare, (what ever formall ſhew
Of Sanctity, they make in outward view)
Believing, that their chiefe intentions here,
Are to repaire their breaches; or, endeare,
And ſweeten, to the ruine of this Nation,
Thoſe Philters, and that cup of Fornication,
Whereby, their Scarlet Miſtreſſe, giddifies
All thoſe, who liſten to her Witcheries.
Let him, above all others, take good heed
Of theſe deceivers; adde this to his Creed
Concerning them; ev'n this, that they are not
Gods Prophets; that, GOD owns not for his lot,
What they ſo call; and, that, though him they raiſe
Above the Moone, with attributes of praiſe;
It is, but for the ſervice of the Dragon,
Their Luſt, their great Diana, or their Dagon,
That, they ſo Court him: yea, though they adore
The ſeat he ſits on, as divine (or more)
And, canonize him (as it were) for one,
Who, all his Predeceſſors had out-gone
In piety, (becauſe, he ſtourly ſtands
To keep them with full guts, and idle hands)
Let him him not be deceiv'd; nor thinke ſo glorious,
So honourable, or, ſo meritorious,
What he would do for them, (if he were able)
For, Jeſabel did feed, at her owne table,
Eight hundred Prophets; and, appear'd, no doubt,
In her owne way, as bounteouſly devout,
As he would be: yet, did her ſuperstition,
VVith other ſinnes, occaſion her perdition:
And they were but falſe prophets, whom ſhe fed,
VVho, ſhortly after, likewiſe periſhed.
Hypocriſie, and ſuperſtition, may
Be ſooner flattered by ſuch as they,
Into ſtupendions-bounties, then you ſee
The beſt men can, by true devotion be:
And, this, the Sacrifices, Altars, Groves,
Shrines, Idols, Temples, and that Bounty proves,
VVhichWhich hath been dedicated unto men,
To Angells, and to Devills, now and then.
Then, let him, nor their Praiſes prize; nor feare,
Againſt their claimes, that covenant to ſweare,
VVhichWhich is eſtabliſh'd by his Parliament,
Their miſchievous encrochments to prevent:
For, though they have made captive his eſteem:
Not only to their callings, but to them;
Nor they, nor that (once theirs) now, ſold and bought,
Are ſo divine, as they would have them thought.
Yea, though theſe call it ſacriledge, in thoſe
VVho, to diſcharge the publike debts, diſpoſe
VVhat was of late, employed, but to feed
Bel and the Dragon; and, would ſcruples breed
VVithin his conſcience, making him beleeve,
That GOD, is rob'd, if others do receive
VVhat, lately they poſſeſt (and have too long
Uſurp'd already, to the publike wrong.)
Let neither King, nor people, be afraid
Or what by theſe Impostors, hath been ſaid,
To ſave their Kitchenſtuffe; and, that their back
Hereafter, may not their ſoft raiment lack.
Let them not fearfull be to ſell, or buy
Thoſe portions, in their great neceſſity,
Unleſſe they ſell, or buy them, with a mind,
To prey on others rights; or, are inclin'd
To have them, though they think it may be ſin;
And whether right, or wrong be done therein:
For, ſuch a man himſelfe doth guilty make
Of Sacriledge, though but his own he take.
A true Diſciple, doubtleſſe, may injoy
Things carnall; and whilſt them he doth imploy
As he is bound, none ever grudges him
Their uſe; nor doth him, in their uſe, condemne:
But, when, his own falſe int'reſt to advance,
He ſhall miſ-name it, Chriſt's Inheritance,
Or otherwiſe ſhall miſ-imploy the ſame
Againſt Truths Friends, and honor of GOD's name;
He forfeits what he had. Moreover, know,
That Chriſt, whoſe ſervice they pretend unto,
Bequeath'd them no ſuch Lordſhips, as they claime:
Nor Salaries, like thoſe, at which they aime:
But giving them Commiſſion (whom he ſent
His work to do) injoyned them content
VVith his allowance; ſtrictly charged them,
To truſt to none, for wages, but to Him:
And, to expect their Labours hire from none,
(Or any where) but, where the work is done.
But, ſee, how great a difference now appeares
Betwixt theſe Prieſts, and Chriſt's Commiſſioners:
So impudently they do now preſume
The Titles, and the Wages to aſſume,
VVhichWhich were forbid; ſo largely, they provide,
Not neceſſaries onelyonly, but for pride,
For luxury, and for magnificence,
Beyond the limits of a modeſt Prince;
So looſe are their deportments, and ſo vaine;
Such Ruffians and Buffoones they entertaine:
Of common faults, and of each crying ſin,
So manifeſtly guilty, ſome have been;
So peeviſh are they, ſo uncharitable;
Amid their plenty, ſo inhoſpitable;
So ignorant, they have been otherwhile,
And their Apoſtleſhips do ſo defile;
That, to ſuppoſe, CHRISTS Officers were ſuch
As they appear, were in effect, as much
As to profeſſe, his Kingdome were become
Terreſtriall, and his Court, indeed, at Rome;
And, he who ſhall receive theſe, in the name
Of CHRISTS Diſciples, will receive but ſhame.
'Tis pitie, that their Bounty, who were Nurſes
To piety, at firſt; and, who, their purſes
So prodigally empti'd, to endow
The needy Saints, ſhould ſo perverted grow;
And, that, men were ſo graceleſſe in their uſe
Of Bleſſings, as to loſe them by abuſe.
Yet, juſt it was, that they who did ſuppoſe
GODS bounty, not enough; their owne, ſhould loſe.
And, that, gifts which he gave not; and, which may
Pervert his purpoſe, ſhould be tooke away;
(At leaſt) when their poſſeſſors do begin,
To turn, what flow'd from vertue, into ſin.
And, how could you employ their vaſt wealth better,
Then, to diſcharge that, wherein you were debter
By their default, who, ſought to have deſtroy'd
Your Birth-rights, by that wealth which they enjoy'd?
Since, Offrings made to GOD, (and, which to owne,
He doth accept) may be on men beſtowne,
In times of need, when mercy, juſtly cries
To be prefer'd, before a Sacrifice.
Thus, did, without reproofe, the Jewiſh Kings
Buy, otherwhile, with Dedicated things,
Their Kingdomes peace; and, purchas'd uncontrold,
Their Liberties, with ſanctified Gold;
So, with their wealth; by whom your wars begun
To pay the Souldier, you have juſtly done.
But, that your King more plainely may eſpy
His diſobligement, to the Prelacy;
(Which comprehends thoſe Boutefeu's, by whom
He, and his people, are almoſt become
The ruine of each other) Be it knowne;
Theſe, were, at firſt, no creatures of his owne,
Or, of his Predeceſſors; though, they gain'd
A legall Oath, by them to be maintain'd,
As part of holy Church; and, though a while,
They ſate among the Peerage of this Iſle.
But, they were firſt created, to promote
The Kingdome of the BEAST, and, to devote
Their ſervices to him, in raiſing high,
In making ſtrong, and large, his Emperie;
Or, in debaſing Kings; and, how, they did
Performe that ſervice, you in Stories read.
Now, when for bloody tyranny, from hence,
That Tyrant was expell'd, by Providence,
Theſe alſo, (if they had not been befriended)
Had into baniſhment, their Chief, attended.
But, they pretending to a Reformation,
(Perhaps, to keep poſſeſſion in this Nation,
For their grand Signior; and, to bring to paſſe
What, now of late almoſt effected was,)
Obtained grace: And, proving to be fit
For their ambition, who aſpire to get
An arbitrary pow'r, they did ariſe
Almoſt to all their former dignities;
And grew ſo active, and, ſo wiſe became
In praying of the Kings, and their owne game,
That, here, (as plainely as in France) we ſee
There's no ſuch Tyrants, as where Prelates bee.
And, he, perhaps, did mean the ſelf-ſame thing,
Who us'd to ſay, no Biſhops, and no King.
They were advanc'd, like Jeroboams Prieſts,
But to preſerve uſurped Intereſts
Upon the people; and to help encreaſe
Thoſe claimes, which Tyrants covet to poſſeſſe,
By falſifying Charters and Commiſſions,
From Sacred Writ, to juſtifie oppreſſions:
And Juriſdictions, to that end, they had,
To force, when wit they wanted, to perſwade.
Then, to oblige the more, and, that they might
Be like to Jereboams Prieſts, outright;
They, from the pooreſt, and the baſeſt ſort
Of people, roſe, to higheſt place in Court.
This is their Jus Divinum, whatſoe're
Their friends, or they, would make themſelves appeare:
Which, by clear demonſtration, I make good,
And, not by tales of Tubs, and Robin-Hood.
Thus, what they were; and, what they had to do,
And, what at beſt their pride hath brought them to,
I have declared; that, your King no more
May cheated be by them, as heretofore:
Or, think, that Law, or Conſcience, him obliges,
To keep up their uſurped Priviledges,
But, thereby know, that, if he ſhall delight
In that, which is indeed the Royall-right;
He, their vaine ſervices, no more, will need,
And, joy, that from ſuch Flatt'rers he is freed.
If any ſhall object, that, he hath tooke
An Oath on their behalfe; that might be ſpoke
Aſwell of Kings, perhaps, who tooke away
Old Idol-Prieſthoods: For, 'tis likely, they
Vow'd their protection, when the policy
Of Jereboam rais'd his Hi'rarchy
To ſix the Kingdome. But, no Oaths oblige,
Which in unlawfull actions would ingage:
And, his Oath is not broke by him, who tooke it,
When, that, which made it lawfull, doth revoke it.
If it be ſaid, thoſe things to God were given,
Which they poſſeſt. What then? in earth, and heav'n,
God, is the ſole poſſeſſor of all things;
And, (whatſoever any takes, or brings)
Hath neither more nor leſſe; nor doth allow
That any place on earth, or portion, now,
Of things meere earthly, ſhould be made appeare
More holy, or more his, then others are;
For, man intitling GOD, to mens eſtates,
Is, but a Priest-cheat, which he greatly hates.
When, you give more to GOD, then he commands,
His Thanks is; Who requir'd it at your hands?
Nor doth he thoſe Oblations ever prize,
Which from a ſuperſtitious ground ariſe;
Nor counts, a charitable deed made void,
When gifts abuſed, better are imploy'd.
Oh! let not then his hazzards to preſerve
Their temp'rall claimes, be more then they deſerve.
Let him not tire himſelfe to change a boot,
Which he may weare with eaſe, on either foot.
Let him not, by his undue care of theſe
Which were the chiefeſt cauſe of his diſeaſe,
Againſt his own juſt Int'reſt make him erre,
By ſeeking their advancements to preferre
Before his own well-being. Let him not
Permit their formall wiſdome to beſot
His underſtanding ſo, that he ſhall ſcorne
This Counſell; or, continue to adjourne
Compliance with his people in thoſe things
Which are the Cement betwixt them and Kings;
And, will be ſo approved, maugre that
VVhichWhich, to deceive him, they both print, and prate.
Let him not truſt to their inchanting Spells,
Nor to the braine of their Achitophells;
For, if faint, or falſe-heartedneſſe in thoſe
Who, for the Publike, his attempts oppoſe,
Shall not for private, or, by-intereſt
Betray the cauſe and truſt they have profeſt;
GOD, at this preſent time, will lower bring
The tyrannizing pow'r of Priest, and King.
Nor King-craft, Priest-craft, nor the policies
Of all, who preach or fight up tyrannies,
Shall long prevaile, though, to ſupport each other
All Europes Tyrants ſhould unite together:
But, GOD, when they ſuppoſe to reach the tops
Of their deſigns, will fruſtrate all their hopes;
And, cauſe them to perceive, that he intends
To proſper that, whereto they are no friends.
Before that day, from all equivocations,
From all cloſe ends, and mentall Reſervations,
Let Charles, begin a reſolute retreat;
Elſe (MARK this) when ſev'n years he ſhall compleat
Among the Beasts, with Nebuchadnezar,
Th'event of his demurrers will appear:
And, he, who, yet a Leadſtar, might become,
Of juſt Dominion, to all Chriſtendome,
Shall miſſe the beſt advantage offred, yet,
To any, King, who on his Throne did ſit.
Though clouds riſe in the South, and in the North;
There is, a Doome-conditionall, gone forth
To be reverſt, or ſtand, as he ſhall, now,
His want of prudence, or, his wiſdome ſhow,
As when the Sun aſcends, to run his race,
From his ecclipſed honour, and diſgrace,
He, now, may riſe; whereas, if he paſſe by
The preſent offred opportunity,
He may perhaps, begin the fatall dance,
Which ev'ry King muſt foot, who doth advance
Himſelfe above his bound. He, may, now, make
Their expectations fruſtrate, who, yet, take
An old prediction, in that ſenſe, which he
Would be unwilling, ſo fulfill'd ſhould be.
For, through theſe Iſlands this Tradition goes,
That He, who made the Engliſh Damask Roſe,
Or, els ſome other, being curious growne,
To know the future fortune of his Throne,
Receiv'd, in hieroglyphick-wiſe expreſt,
Their Portraitures, who, when he was at reſt,
Should in his Kingdome, after him ſucceed;
VVith words, in Latine Verſe, thus Engliſhed:
A Man, a Child, a Furious One;
A Maid, a Fox, a Lion, None.
Vir, Puer, &c.I would not, any much ſhould truſt, or feare
Such Prophecies; yet, when events appeare
To anſwer unto that which was foretold,
Wiſe men ſhould make what uſe of them they could:
Seek how they might extract, ev'n from the Devills
Deceits, an antidote, againſt his evills;
And, ſo direct their actions, that his Charmes
And cheating riddles, may not do them harmes.
Lo, that prediction, is this day fulfild;
Six, as it was fore-typifi'd, have held
The Scepter of that King; and, now there's none,
Who either weares the Crowne, or fills the Throne;
Nor, any thing to furniſh-out the ſame
Belonging to that race, except a Name:
And, here ſhall end that Propheſie, unleſſe
It further be fulfild through wilfulneſſe.
If he, who ownes that name, ſhall harken to
Their counſell, who will tell him what to do;
That name, at laſt, much like that ſtump, may be
Which was preſerved, when the Royall-tree,
Once, repreſenting Nebuchadnezzar,
Was felled downe. And, as he did appeare
In former Glorie, when he had confeſt
His failings, and the living God profeſt;
So, ſhall it be with Charles, if he repent;
God, will the ruine of his Houſe prevent;
Reſtore him to his Throne, and make his fame
To grow the fairer, through his preſent ſhame.
But, if he ſhall defer, till 'tis too late,
Let him prepare for King Belſhazzars fate,
And, let all thoſe, who ſhall to him adhere,
Expect, in his ſad dooms, to have a ſhare.
As Samuel did for Saul, till God did ſling
That Tyrant off, and choſe another King;
So, ſhall I pray for him (with mourning too)
Till I perceive what GOD, and he will do.
And, therefore, touching him, I will (before
I ſpeake to others) utter ſomewhat more.
By no externall ſymptoms, can I find
That, he doth yet, begin to change his mind;
But, ſo, in his firſt march proceedeth on,
As if, he wrongs receiv'd, but, none had done.
And, whereas GOD, for penitence doth call,
Doth ſeem to think, there needeth none at all;
But, rather, that his people (if not heav'n)
Should ſupplicate, to be of him forgiven,
For ſuffring, ſuch an Innocent as he,
So ſcandalized, and ſo wrong'd to be.
Yea, and the people (as it is their guize)
When ſome offender at the gallowes dies,
Whom they themſelves brought thither (do begin,
To look more on the ſtreight that he is in,
Then, on the reaſon of it. And as when
A Townſhip, having ſeized guilty men,
Who had much wrong'd their ſervants, ſtole their goods,
Devour'd their cattell, ſometime ſhed their bloods,
And, threatned their deſtruction; in a rage
They force them to the ſtocks, or to the cage,
Or to the Juſtice, and, are like to teare
The Rogues in peeces, too, ere they come there:
But, when they are examin'd; and when they
Muſt, at their Pariſh charges them convey
Unto the Goale; be bound to proſecute;
Take paines, and ſpend ſome money in the ſuit,
That Juſtice may be done (the Land to free
From ſuch a plague as thoſe were like to bee)
Then, if the Raſcals whine (as they will do)
And make their moane, they fain would let them go.
Thus, fares it with the people; they complain'd
Againſt the King, of wrongs by him ſuſtain'd,
And, of worſe like to come. They ſaw, he drew
The Sword upon them, therewith to purſue
His Ʋſurpations; and, they were compel'd,
To arme, and to oppoſe him in the field;
Where, GOD, the victory beſtow'd on them;
And, in their owne defence, they conquer'd him.
Then, finding, that this Conqueſt drew on charge,
And, that it further would their coſt inlarge
To keep what they have got, (leſt all the coſt
And blood already waſted, ſhould be loſt,
And worſe things follow,) they impatient grow,
And, are diſcourag'd, and beſotted ſo,
That, they begin to pity his eſtate
More then themſelves; to ſcandalize, and hate
Ev'n their Deliverers; to underprize
GOD'S mercies, their own ſafety to deſpiſe;
And, to behave themſelves, as if they had
An inclination in them to be mad
About next Moone in June: Or, had their Doome
In ſpight of their Defenders, to become
Perpetuall ſlaves: And, this baſe Generation,
(Foes to themſelves, and to their owne ſalvation)
Have ſo confirm'd the Kings obduracy,
By their imprudence, and apoſtacy,
That, he, perhaps, perſwades himſelfe, there needs
No penitence for any of his deeds
Againſt the publike Rights; and that his ends
To compaſſe, this vaine Rout will yeeld him friends.
Now, therefore, all excuſes to prevent,
Though I have ſhew'd, whereof he ſhould repent;
Informed how; and in ſome part, of what;
Yet, here Ile touch a little more of that,
That He, and they who think him without blame,
May ſomewhat now conſider of the ſame.
Deſerves it no repentance, to invade
Thoſe priviledges which his people had?
And thoſe proprieties, which they injoy'd
In their eſtates, unjuſtly, to make void,
Or, from their ancient freedomes, them to thruſt?
Or, from their due poſſeſſions for his luſt?
Or, maintenance for luxury and pride,
By other mens undoings, to provide?
And, then by Proclamation, to pretend
Some neceſſary, and ſome publike end,
Which, could be manifeſt to no mans view,
And, which, was generally knowne untrue?
VVas it no ſinne, by baſe Monopoles,
To raiſe the price of moſt commodities?
To take away free Trades and occupations;
To vex men with perpetuall Moleſtations,
By Courts and Officers, devis'd for nought
But, that men into bondage might be brought
To his Prerogatives? and by degrees
By new exactions, Services, and Fees,
Be ſcrew'd up, (through demands, appearing ſmall)
Till he hath got a ſeeming-right in all?
For, if that be his due, which was receiv'd;
So, is the reſt, if Prieſts may be believ'd.
VVas it no fault, deſerving penitence,
To take away the meanes of their defence,
From his moſt faithfull Subjects? to ingroſſe
And, raiſe the price of powder, to their loſſe,
And their apparent danger? to diſarme
Their perſons, who intended him no harme?
To put them under the Command of thoſe
Who are their knowne Oppreſſors and their Foes?
To make them lend what he ne're meant to pay?
To make them buy what he ſhould give away?
To make them give, who had no liſt thereto;
To make men ſell, what they would not forgo?
To act, what may of all their dues deprive them,
And to deny them that, which ſhould relieve them?
Deſerves it not a ſigh, that in his Court
Prophaneneſſe, and Oppreſſions, were but ſport?
That, Judges were compell'd to wreſt the Lawes?
Divines the Scriptures, to maintaine a Cauſe
Which GOD abhorres; that all oppreſſions ſhould
Be there upheld, and ſin be uncontrold?
That, Schoole-boyes not arriv'd at years of reaſon,
Should ſuffer death, as culpable of Treaſon,
For childiſh words; as if Kings grew afraid
Through guiltineſſe, of what young Infants ſaid?
Deſerves it not bewailing, to repaire
By fines, unjuſtly rais'd, the Houſe of Prai'r?
To puniſh, men of merit, with diſgraces,
Diſmembrings, Stigmatizing of their faces,
Impriſonments, exiles, and ſeparations
From friends, wives, children, yea, from all relations,
For things not capitall; or, deemed crimes,
By Law; or, blamable in better times?
Was nothing done, whereof he might repent,
When ev'n the ſpeaking of a Parliament,
Was made a crime? when Members were confin'd,
For doing what by duty was injoyn'd;
When all their Priviledges were ſo broke,
That, ſome ſhould violently have been tooke,
Ev'n from their Sanctuary; which, of old
To violate, no Tyrant was ſo bold:
And for which act, alone, this free-born Nation,
Would quite have ruin'd all his Generation,
In former times; if, they had ere obtain'd
So great advantages, as now are gain'd?
Deſerves it no repentance, to beſtow
Thoſe honours, which to virtue he doth owe,
On vitious men? Or, ſuch as had no worth
But, wealth and arrogance, to ſet them forth?
Or, could be inſtruments to help undo
Their honeſt neighbours, and the Kingdome too?
Is it no wrong, to ſet ſuch Raſcalls, over
Their well knowne betters, that they may uncover,
And riſe, and bow, before them; who, are fitter
To lacky by their horſe, Caroch, or Litter?
Or, rather to be baffled, kick'd and ſcorned,
Then, with a Coronet to be adorned?
Was nothing purpos'd, fit to be repented,
When that Deſigne was firſt of all invented,
Which, to promote, (and, thereby to inforce)
He ſent, both for Commanders, and for Horſe,
To Germany? And, was there nothing plotted,
VVhen on our Seas that Spaniſh Navy ſloted,
VVhichWhich anchor'd in the Downes? Is there no teare,
Or ſign due, for thoſe things which acted were
Concerning Rochell; whereof, to this day,
The Proteſtants of France complaine, and ſay,
It cannot be, but, that both GOD, and Man
VVill vengeance bring, for what they ſuffred then?
Is there no need of penitentiall prayers,
For innovating of the Scotch-affaires?
For doing, and undoing? For complying,
And failing off? For granting, and denying?
For all thoſe falſifyings which fore-went
The firſt, the ſecond, and this Parliament?
For all thoſe injuries, which have been ſince?
For all the acts of fraud, and violence,
Committed in theſe Iſlands, ſince this Warre,
By him, and thoſe, which of his party are?
For all theſe, is there no compunction due,
VVhichWhich, he before the world, is bound to ſhew?
No cauſe, can he diſcover of contrition,
For that Idolatrie, and Superſtition,
VVhichWhich daily multiplied in theſe Lands
By his connivance, or by his commands?
And, by the vaine hopes, fear, or fraud of thoſe
Whoſe piety conſiſts in mimick ſhowes?
And, ſince there is a Statute, in this Iſle
VVhichWhich treaſonable makes, to reconcile
This people unto Rome; did it appeare
No fault, to tolerate an Agent here,
Or Nuntio from the Pope, to innovate
In matters of Religion, and the State?
Is there not cauſe enough he ſhould repent
(Though no cauſe elſe were found) that, he hath ſpent
So many yeares before he doth begin
That penitence, which brings forgiveneſse in?
That he adventured ſo many falls,
Neglected and with-ſtood ſo many calls?
Made outward ſhewes, of ſorrow and remorſe,
Yet, was no whit the better, if not worſe?
That, in his heart, he ſtill prepares for Warre,
VVhen all his words for peace, and Treaties are?
That, GODS long ſuffrings, and th' indulgencies
Of his wrong'd people, he doth ſtill deſpiſe?
And, that, although he now is in a chaine,
His former hopes, and purpoſes remaine?
If he repent not, may he not at laſt,
Be made repent it, when the time is paſt?
That, he is ſo unwiſe, as to provoke
Thoſe men ſo far, by whom his pow'r is broke,
As by apparant ſignes, to let them ſee
His aimes to compaſſe their deſtruction bee?
And, how, for that intent ſtill meanes are tri'd,
All parties, from each other to divide,
And from themſelves? Moreover, may he not
Find reaſon to repent, what, by the Scot
He hath endeavour'd to effect his ends?
What by the Citie, Armie, and his Friends
In either Houſe? yea by the people too,
That, he may make all Parties help undo
Themſelves, and him, whoſe fall till he repent,
No pow'r, ſhall be ſo powerfull to prevent.
For, though they thriv'd a while, both he, and they
Whom hee corrupteth, ſhall deſcend one way;
And, GOD this Kingdome ſhall in order ſet,
By, men and meanes, not thought upon, as yet.
More might be ſaid; much more, to let him ſee
What cauſes, of repentance there may be;
Which I had rather he himſelfe ſhould find,
(And, ſeriouſly conſider in his mind)
Then hear them from another; and, but that
The Common-Voice, theſe faults enumerate,
I, had not mention'd them: nor, ſhall theſe prove
A blemiſh to him, if all this may move
His heart to Penitence: For, then Ile ſay
Enough, to take all guiltineſſe away;
And make him cleaner, then he was that morn,
In which it was firſt ſaid, that he was borne.
And, GOD, ſo bleſſe my hopes, as I intend
All this, to bring his troubles to an end;
And in this manner do it, that paſt evills,
Nor future ſinnes, nor ſpight of men, or Devills,
May power obtaine, to ſtop him, or to fling him
From that eſtate, whereto, I wiſh to bring him.
The way, by me deſigned (I confeſſe)
To be a path, full of uneaſineſſe
To fleſh and blood; and, not without much terror,
At firſt to thoſe, who liv'd in wayes of error.
It is not ſo with violets beſtrow'd,
With pinks and roſes, as the path way ſhow'd
By his deluding Prelates; but, I'le ſay,
This, confidently, 'tis the ſafeſt way,
And eaſieſt I could find, for one who had
Such long and obſtinate by-wand'rings made;
And, I unwilling am, he ſhould begin
A courſe, which he might loſe his labour in;
As thoſe do, who cloſe up a feſt'ring wound
With healing ſalves, whilſt filth in them is found.
My courſe may harſh appeare, and full of dangers,
To them, who to ſuch practiſes are ſtrangers;
Yet, I dare warrantize, (for I can tell)
It leads to heaven, although it lies by hell:
And that it will at laſt, be well approved,
Of thoſe, who him for his own ſake have loved.
But, leſt, the Maximes, which Court-breeding gives
To Kings, and zeal to their Prerogatives,
May ſteell his conſcience; and, ſtill, make him dream
That, all his Kingdomes, and all things in them,
Are his by right: And, that, if it be ſo,
All thoſe endeavourings conducing to
The keeping of that Right, may, then be done:
And, leſt he thence infer, he wrongeth none,
On whom, he maketh war, with an intent,
Incroachments on his Kingſhip, to prevent;
But, that, they, rather, who have him with-ſtood,
Have down upon their own heads, drawne their blood.
To take the frothie vanity of that
Conceit away; thus, I expoſtulate:
If Kings have ſuch a right; how, was it gained?
From whom, was that Prerogative obtained?
For, ſure, what ever Paraſites may pleaſe
To feigne; Kings are not Ab Origines;
But had beginnings, like to other men,
Who riſe, and fall; are borne, and die agen;
And, came to their preferments, either by
GOD's gift, or mans, or elſe by Victory.
'Twere blaſphemy, to ſay, that God beſtow'd
That pow'r upon them, which to be allow'd
They now contend: and, they from hell did fetch
Their text, or comment, who ſuch doctrine preach.
It cannot be, that God, who, is Perfection;
Goodneſse it ſelfe; the Eſſence of Affection;
And, Fountaine, out of which free merciemercy goes,
Throughout the whole creation, and or'e-flowes:
It cannot be, that from among thoſe creatures,
(VVhichWhich are in all things, of the ſelfe ſame natures)
He ſhould not only, one or two, advance
Above the reſt, but by his Ordinance
Declare it, likewiſe, to be right and juſt,
In them (even meerly to fullfill their luſt)
To take from others, when it pleaſes them,
Child, honour, goods, life, liberty and limb;
Or, practiſe cruelties upon them: No,
It neither can be, neither is it ſo:
For, in his Word he tells, what Kings ſhould do;
There makes deſcription of ſuch Tyrants too,
As thoſe, for which their ſuit his People made,
VVhen, in his wrath, a King beſtow'd he had;
Becauſe, they long'd for that vaine Gallantry,
Which they among the Nations, did eſpie.
He, ſharply threatens Kings, who tyrannize,
Or uſe their pow'r, in an inſulting wiſe;
And ſayes, he gave them their Prerogatives,
That, men ſhould under them, lead quiet lives;
That Swords they have, to execute the Law;
Defend the just; ungodly men to awe;
And, ſo to raigne, that no good man might feare
The port they carry, or the Sword they beare.
VVhence then, obtain'd they that exhorbitant
Dominion, whereof, now ſo much they vaunt?
Did firſt the people, give them ſuch a pow'r
And ſet them up, of purpoſe to devour,
Vex, and inſlave them? That were to conceive
A madneſse, which no wiſe men will beleeve;
Nor many fools, their folly ſo betray,
As thus to think; much leſſe, the ſame to ſay:
And, doubtleſſe hitherto, no Nation had
So little reaſon, as to grow ſo mad.
Did they then raiſe themſelves, unto their height?
VVhere got they pow'r, to conquer ſuch a right?
If others helpt them, whither did they run,
To keep themſelves free, when that deed was done?
It ſeemeth likely, they would ſtay to ſhare,
Their portions, where they ſo victorious were;
And did not ſure, intend to ſet up one,
By whom, they would themſelves be trod upon.
Nor, could thoſe valiant men, become ſo baſe,
To leave behind them, an inſlaved-race,
By takeing ſuch conditions, as are now,
Impos'd on many Kingdomes, which you know.
Or, if a Nation, might be fool'd ſo much,
Who knowes, this Peoples lot, to have been ſuch?
What ancient History, or what record
Thereof, a teſtimoniall doth afford?
If none, how do your Britiſh Tyrants claime
What they uſurp; and that whereat they aime?
If, they obtain'd it by deceiving truſt,
Which is moſt true (then, make amends they muſt)
And if ſpontaneouſly they do the ſame,
They loſe with honour, what they got with blame.
If they preſcription plead, from times of yore;
Time, makes not wrongs, to be the leſſe, but more.
By Conqueſt, will they claime it; know ye, then,
The Conquerours are conquered agen;
And, what time, and the ſword away have tore,
Time, and the ſword, doth righteouſly reſtore:
And, that, time is no bar to rightfull things;
Is for the people, true, as well as Kings;
But how, their Peoples freedomes, goods and lives
Shall Kings protect, if their Prerogatives,
Should be infring'd, or loſt? there is indeed
A juſt Prerogative, that he may need
In ſome Immergencies, which both by reaſon,
And, by the law of nature is in ſeaſon,
When things which for the Publike ſafety are,
Require them; and, when no knowne lawes declare
What may be done. In ſuch neceſſities
No Common-Wealth, no prudent man, denies
An arbitrary Pow'r, to private men;
Much leſſe, to Magiſtrates, and Princes, then.
No Nation is ſo fooliſh to reſtrain
That juſt Prerogative, and ſo make vaine
Their owne ſecurity: they will and may
Be Judge of thoſe neceſſities; for they
Are moſt concerned in them; and if he
Whom they to guard them choſe, depriv'd ſhall be
Of meanes to do his duty; they muſt bear
The blame of what enſues: for, he is clear.
Thus, I could anſwer to all other things,
Which are objected by uſurping Kings,
If need requir'd; and bring them light to ſee,
How they by hypocrites, abuſed be;
And, ſay enough, were he thereto inclin'd,
To make your preſent King, to change his mind.
But, GOD, that only turnes the hearts of Kings,
And to himſelf reſerves ſuch glorious things,
As their converſions; will I hope, in time,
Produce that miracle of grace in him:
For, if I gueſſe right, he would now be glad
To know, where wholeſome counſell might be had;
And knowes what 'tis, to want, in his diſtreſſe,
Such men as dare the truth to him profeſſe,
Without regarding carnall hopes, or fear;
Or, who diſpleaſed, or well pleaſed are.
There are ſome Prayers left upon record,
That, plead yet, ſtrongly for him, to the Lord;
And, which, by his forgot Remembrancer,
VVere offered up, for him, in his firſt year,
When that, which now is truly come to paſſe,
By him foreſeen, and juſtly feared was.
It may be at this preſent time, thoſe Praiers
Then ſent up, for this King, and his affaires,
Begin to take effect; for, who doth know
What mercies from the Fount of Grace may ſlow?
Or, what for him, thoſe, offerings might prepare
Which made, by Faith, in Fiery Trialls were?
Oh, if they take effect, and if he find,
Such motions (as are wiſh'd for) in his mind,
To ſpring up; let a bleſſed deaw from heaven,
Deſcend, that growth unto them, may be given.
With true humility, let him begin,
To meet them kindly, and to welcome in
Thoſe gueſts, with ſuch reſpect into his heart,
As may there fix them, never to depart.
Let not a ſhame, to be repented of,
Or, their deriſions, who perhaps will ſcoffe
At ſuch a change, deter from perſevering;
Or, by their threats, beget in him a fearing
Of what may follow: for, it glad ſhall make,
And cheere his Soul, when all their hearts will ake.
Let him not entertain the leaſt ſuſpect,
His Penitence will want a due effect,
If it be true; or, that a guard or wall,
From being manifeſt, reſtraine it ſhall,
When once it works: Nor let his people feare
To truſt him, when he proves therein ſincere:
For, hearty Penitence, is of a ſtraine
Not like to that, which hypocrites do faine;
But, moving, unreſiſtable, and cleare,
When, and in whomſoere, it ſhall appeare.
Yea, thereunto, ſo great a pow'r is given,
That, hearts, alone, it breaks not ope, but heav'n,
And, maketh way to reconcile agen,
The greateſt ſinners, both to GOD and Men.
For, whoſoere is truly penitent,
Meerely with tongue and eies, doth not repent,
With vowes, with proteſtations, and with teares;
Or, with ſuch formall complements, as theirs
Who keep an out-ſide-faſt, or cloath the back
With vestments, and with long cloakes, died black;
Or, who make faces, or look for a while,
So ſad, as if it were a mortall ſinne, to ſmile:
But, whereſoere true penitence you ſee,
Like riſing up from death to life will be.
It wholly changes, and new moulds, new makes
That man, within whoſe heart, it rooting takes.
As well within, it cleanſeth as without:
And, that the truth of it, ye may not doubt,
The ſinner from ill habits, it eſtranges;
His words, his thoughts, his company it changes:
His works, his waies, his plots, and his deſignes;
Of good intentions, giveth certaine ſignes;
He daily growes more fruitfull, takes more care,
To be indeed reform'd, then to appeare:
Regards not, what of others, he is thought,
So, he, unto perfection, may be brought;
Fears nothing more, ſhuns nothing more then ſin,
And, that abhorred courſe which he was in.
Forgiveth every one, that was his foe;
Gives unto all men, that which he doth owe;
Shames, neither to bewaile, or to confeſſe
To GOD or men, his former wickedneſſe;
Nor any good advice, will diſeſteem,
How mean ſoere the counſellor ſhall ſeem:
And, when the King, thus changed ſhall return,
Who, would deſire his coming to adjourn?
When, thus a true repentance doth inprove him,
Who would not then, forgive, and truſt, and love him?
For, when you find a metamorphoſis,
In him, ſo ſupernaturall as this,
Nought formerly by him, miſ-ſaid, miſ-done
Or, miſconceived, ſhall be thought upon
To future diſadvantage, though the ſin,
Hath black, or, of a ſcarlet tincture bin.
Though, by an over-good conceit of him,
Who ſtood ſuſpected, he reſtrained them,
VVho ſought to bring his fathers death to triall,
And, gave offence, by giving a deniall
To Justice, in that cauſe, to take her courſe;
And, rais'd ſuſpitions, too, of ſomewhat worſe:
Yea, though he were a ſinner, twice as bad
As he (by thoſe, who love him leaſt) is made;
And, had, beſide the blood his Partie ſpilt,
More ſinne upon him, then the double guilt
Of King Mannaſseh; he, as pure ſhould grow
By ſuch repentance, as the Mountaine ſnow.
And, when to this repentance he is brought,
VVho can object? or, how can it be thought,
That, in fullfilling of the covenant
(As touching him) you ſhall one title want,
Of that Branch, which, expreſſeth your intent
To bring delinquents, to due puniſhment?
For, if you can conceive, what 'tis to bring
The lofty heart, and ſpirit of a King,
To ſtoop ſo much, as to deſcend unto
VVhat, he that's truly penitent muſt do;
Or, if you could beleive what ſelfe-denialls,
What inward torments, and what fiery trialls
Are undergone, and muſt be paſſed through
By thoſe, who truly penitentiall grow,
You would confeſſe, that, nor reſtraint, nor chaines,
Nor death it ſelfe, had in them feares or paines,
So terrible, ſo full of grief and ſmart,
As thoſe, which exerciſe a contrite heart;
And, you would ſay (when forth this fruit he brings)
No ſinners; no ſuch Penitents as Kings.
Oh what a bleſſed, what a glorious thing
It were Great Britan, to behold thy King
Come back thus chang'd; nd with a mind to do,
That, which thy Genius hath advis'd him to!
And, that, which his owne conſcience cannot chuſe
But tell him, it were madneſſe, to refuſe!
How, would his drooping Subjects, then rejoyce,
To bid him welcome, both with heart and voice!
How, would his friends triumph, how would his foes,
Their aimes, and wicked expectations loſe?
How would thoſe hypocrites among you tremble,
VVho did with him and all the world diſſemble!
How, would their ſoules be comforted, who were
To him, and to the Common good ſincere!
And by both ſides oppreſſed, for abiding
In their firſt principles; and, for not ſiding
VVith this, or, with that faction, to make ſtrong,
Themſelves and other men, in doing wrong!
VVhat hopes thereby would other Nations take,
That his example would ſome changes make
In their oppreſſors? How, would they be ſtruck
With terrors, who have Tyranny miſtook
For Kingſhip; and, by ſtrained Monarchie
Themſelves infected with Lycanthropie!
How, would your noiſome Graſhoppers, and Flies,
Frogs, Lice, and Caterpillers, which ariſe
From their corruptions (fearing to delay,
Their lingring here) hop, fly, and crawl away!
How, would the BEAST then rage; the Scarlet Whore,
Then, curſe and raile; the Devills howle and roare;
As fearing, they their heights were falling from,
And, that the Kingdome, which they hate, were come!
But, his converſion, would not long adjourne
Their miſeries, to whom he ſhould return,
Unleſſe they take more care, and, more delight
To make their converſations more upright,
Then heretofore; unleſſe to meet him too,
They better ſhall prepare, then yet they do;
Unleſſe they more unite; more wiſe appeare,
In reſolutions; and then, more adhere
To that which is reſolv'd; unleſſe more jealous
They grow of Publike honour, and more zealous
Of Publike Faith; more clear in their intent;
More diligent, more ſtudious to prevent
Supplanting wiles, more ſenſible of wrong,
Suſtain'd by them, who to their ſide belong,
More carefull, that their Friends, may firme abide;
And, that all others may be ſatisfi'd
According to juſt hopes; and plainely ſee
The common-good, their chiefeſt aime to be.
For, ſure, the Kings repentance will availe
But little to their comfort, who ſhall faile
In ſuch like duties; or in meeting him
With ſuch affections, as he brings to them.
But, when all other ſinners grace receive,
They ſhall with Hypocrites, their portion have;
And, to their ſhame and great vexation, then,
See thoſe, whom they thought worst, the better men.
The Britiſh Genius, as, if he had in
Some ſecret Muſing, or Devotion been,
Here made a pauſe; and, therefore, here will we
Take breath, a little, if you pleaſed be.