Britains Genius, Poem 1 · Lection 2

Britains Genius · Poem 1 · Lection 2

p. 42The Contents of the ſecond Lection.

THe Genius, here, declares to them

Who exerciſe the Power-ſupreme,

How, they, much miſchiefe might prevent:

How, they, the people may content:

How, keep their Pow'r, and Cauſe upright,

With honour, in their Foes deſpight;

And tenders, that, this may be done,

Much to be duly thought upon.

Tells, what the people ought to do,

To give aſſiſtance, thereunto;

Perſwades, the Nations to agree,

Leſt by themſelves, they ruin'd be;

The Factious-parties doth adviſe,

To lay aſide their vanities;

And, interweaveth, here and there,

What, others, may with profit heare.

Shewes LONDON, where her wealth doth lie;

Speaks reaſon, to the Soulderie;

Minds, to what ſort of Iriſh, you

Some ſhare of mercy, ſhould allow:

To Preachers, preacheth waies of peace,

To further Truth with Righteouſneſſe:

Then drawing toward his concluſion,

Preſageth Order, from confuſion:

Informeth, from what Pedigree

Good Government deriv'd will bee;

And, when that's told you, ye ſhall heare

What's whiſper'd, in the Authours eare.

THE GENIUS, (whom obſerve I pray, with heed)

With raiſed eyes, did thus, againe, proceed:

How faine would I find words and exhortations,

Which, might not now, be loſt upon theſe Nations?

p. 43But, cauſe them to conſider, and diſcerne

Thoſe things, which their well-being may concerne?

That, all well meant endeavours for their good,

Might not be ſtill neglected, or withſtood;

And, future ages, wonders, what dire Fate,

This Generation did infatuate?

My breath, hath hitherto, been chiefly ſpent,

The Kings approaching ruine to prevent:

By skrewing thoughts into him which may wake him

From ſlumber; and, for peace, induſtrious make him.

Now, I will alſo, ſomwhat, ſay to them,

Who ſtand, in prime relation, unto him;

That, if his heart GOD change not, neither he

May them deſtroy, nor they deſtructive be

Unto themſelves. And, what, to that good end,

I ſhall adviſe, is this: Dear friends, atttend.

Let thoſe high Courts, by whom the Pow'r-ſupreme,

Is exerciſed in the name of him

Who now is laid aſide; let thoſe adventer

No longer, to wheele round, without a Center:

But, ſix on ſomewhat, whereon to be ſteddie,

Before all catch the Staggers, and grow giddie.

Let that be rectifi'd, which now, diſturbs

Their nat'r all motions, in their ſev'rall Orbs;

Leſt if the Nations claſh, they thereby crack

The wheeles of Government, and make them break

Againſt each other, when there will be here,

To mend them, no well-skill'd State-Ingineere.

Reduce your wand'ring lights; let ev'ry ſtar

VVithin your Firmament keep his own ſphere;

Leſt, if above their Circles they aſpire,

Like Phaeton, they ſet the world on fire;

Or aid thoſe Comets, which, already glare

Prodigiouſly, to breed combuſtions here,

VVoſe miſchievous effects, you may in vaine

Attempt, perhaps, hereafter, to reſtraine.

p. 44Till to the ſnuffe they blaze; or, till they ſhall

To quench their thirſtings, all your blood exhale.

This miſchief to prevent, let ev'ry wit,

And ev'ry Pow'r ſubordinate, ſubmit

To that, which is ſupreme; ev'n unto that,

VVhichWhich for the preſent, is predominate,

For publike ſafety: And let that abide

On Principles, whic neither may divide

Or, wound it ſelfe; leſt on it ſelfe, it draw

Contempt, from them, who, thereof ſtood in awe;

And, that contempt ſo weaken them at length,

That they, with loſſe of honour, loſe their ſtrength:

For, you have felt, (as well as heard it told)

VVhat of Diviſions, hath been ſaid of old.

Your preſent postures give occaſion may

To ſome, of doubting, whom they ſhould obey;

How far forth, their obedience muſt extend;

How long they ſhall uncertainely attend,

The hatching of that Government, which muſt

Continue fixt; and, whereto they may truſt.

VVhichWhich queſtionings, and doubtings (though good reaſon

Hath made them in theſe Iſlands, now, in ſeaſon)

Enfeeble much your Pow'r; and do beget,

(Though ſeemingly the people do ſubmit)

Ill conſequences, which will ſtill be worſe,

Untill you ſettle on ſome certaine courſe:

Eſpecially, if they ſuſpect that pow'r,

Intendeth not their benefit, but your.

Delay not, therefore, that which they expect:

And, till a ſettlement may take effect,

(Or, till they better know, what doth pertaine

To your new cunb, and alſo to your reine)

With kindneſſe mannage them, and condeſcend

To what, may for their ſatisfaction tend

In all juſt ſeeming Rights; till they may ſee,

That, by your pow'r, their peace preſerv'd ſhall bee.

p. 45And then, if your Authority to own,

They ſhall refuſe; ſo make your courage known,

That, none may dare blaſpheme, or ſcandalize,

Thoſe needful Pow'rs, and lawful Dignities,

Which are above their Cenſures; leaſt you farther

Their Plots, who have no hope, but in diſorder;

Since, better it becomes, VViſemen to dye

In Order, then, to live in Mutiny.

Mark, thoſe among you, who, whilſt they pretend

Your Power, and your Proceedings, to befriend,

Impair them, underhand, by driving on

Deſigns, deſtructive to what ſhould be done.

So many Marks, upon them do appear,

Declaring to what Party they adhere,

That, well they may be known: And, they to whom

Theſe are diſcover'd, find, what will become

Of You, and your Affairs, unleſs, you ſhall

With ſpeed (and wiſely) them, in queſtion call.

Your greateſt Foes, and, they who moſt may wrong you,

Are ſome, who, dayly Counſel take among you.

Your Adverſaries, as the Prophet ſaid,

Are men of your own Houſes, who have playd

The parts of Seeming Friends. Of theſe, therefore,

Take heed, and ſeek to caſt them out of door

Before they caſt out you; Which, were they ſtronger,

Deferred would not be, one minute longer.

When you have purg'd your Houſes (till which day

All will be ſpoke in vain, that I ſhall ſay)

Take my advice (for it is genuine,

And, that, whereto your Genins doth incline)

Firſt, to Debate, and, then, to Queſtion, bring

The Government, and what concerns the King;

Which, being prudently reſolv'd upon,

Will ſave you twenty labours, in that One:

And, make, (if you perform, as is profeſt)

An eaſie paſſing thorough all the reſt.

p. 46In your Debates, diſcover not that ſpleen

Or Virulency, wherein, may be ſeen,

A purpoſe, nor to give, nor take content;

But, ſo conteſt, that, when ye ſhall aſſent,

There may, on you, be ſeen the fewer ſcars

Of your unhappy and uncivil Wars;

And, that it may appear, your ſtrife hath bin,

Not, that your VVill, but, that the Truth may win.

Yet, leſt, whilſt you are forced to conteſt,

You may deſtroy the nobleſt Intereſt

By dull Indifferency, or want of zeal;

Look to the ſafety of the Common-weal,

As to your chief Alligance: For, a King

Who makes a claim although the claimed thing.

Be due) yet, if he ſo exacteth it,

As, that, it publike danger may beget,

Becomes a Traytor to the Royall Truſt,

In him repos'd; and, merits to be thruſt

Beſides the Throne, if, therein, he perſiſt,

To proſecute his private Intereſt.

When, ye are certain, what ſhould be prefer'd,

From proſecuting it, be not deter'd;

Or, from a ſtout ingagement, in that Cauſe,

Whereto, you are obliged by the Laws

Of GOD, and Nature: For, a work begun

With Courage, is as good, as halfway done.

Let not the fooliſh fears, or ſuperſtition

Of earebor'd ſlaves (the Foot-stools of Ambition)

Who Idolize, and deifie their Kings,

As more then mortal, and unbounded things;

Let not theſe fright: But, well examine you

What, to the People; what, to them, is due,

That, ſo, your Friends, who ſee your prudency,

May be preſerved from Apoſtacy.

Conſider, wiſely, how with him, you deal,

Who, of theſe Veſſels, was eſteem'd, erew hile

p. 47Both Maſter, and Chief owner; that, nor he

Nor you, may ruin'd, or diſhonour'd be,

By any practiſe, which may not befit

Your Wiſdom, or your Juſtice, to permit.

Force not each other into ſuch a Streight,

As, that, there may from thence, be no retreit;

Or, means left, for th'one Party to prevent

The others fall, although he ſhould repent.

But, as, indeed, you hitherto have done,

Him, as the Publike Father look upon.

And, though his Paraſites, have him inrag'd

By cauſeleſs Jelouſies, and far ingag'd

Againſt your Lives, and Freedoms; yet, aſſay

To ſhew him, all the Mercy, that you may.

Ʋliſſes did ſpontaneouſly aſſent

To be inchained, that, he might prevent

The Syrens Charms; and, you, without juſt blame

Have done, (and may, yet do to him) the ſame

Who hath already, been by their inchanting

So charm'd, that, very little now is wanting

Of his, and your deſtruction. By his own,

And others faults, diſtemper'd he was grown;

And thereby hath indangered, no leſs

His own Safe-being, then the Common-Peace;

And, while deſtructive Courſes he ſhall take,

You, are oblig'd to ſtop, and pull him back;

Though, his Seducers, grow inrag'd thereby,

And, term you Traytons, for your loyalty.

Yea, you may ſtill reſtrain him, and thereto

Add more, if need require it ſhould be ſo;

Till GOD, by his eſpecial grace, hath broght him,

To ſhun the Courſe, which, evil Counſel taught him;

Or, left him ſo, that, wilfully he ſhall

Without your fault, by his own Projects, fall.

I will not counſel, that, ought leſs you do

Then Salus Populi, conſtrains you to;

p. 48For, though the Sheepiſh Ront, more think upon

Things preſent, then, on what is paſt and gone;

And, ſeem to have, already, ſo forgot

Late grievances, as if they thought it not

So great a plague, to be inſlav'd for aye,

As preſent weights to bear, though but one day,

Yea, though the moſt part, of the Common rabble,

So ſottiſh, are, and ſo irrationable,

That, out of fear, leſt others ſhould enſlave them,

They would inſlave themſelves, and thoſe that ſave them:

Yet, muſt not thoſe, on whom the Land relies,

Benummed grow, with ſuch ſtupidities:

For, 'tis a Symptome, of a Sottiſh Nation,

To grow reſpectleſs, of Self-preſervation;

Or, fear to practiſe, what agrees with Reaſon,

Becauſe, it hath been falſly called Treaſon,

By Paraſites, and Priests; who, that a King

Might make them ſomething, made him, any thing,

Which he deſir'd to be; and, hence did riſe

Abhominable Court-Idolatries.

Yea, hence, it was, that, men firſt grew afraid

To think (until of late) what may be ſaid,

And muſt be reſolutely done, before

GOD, will, theſe Iſles, to their loſt Peace reſtore.

A Realm, that fears to call her Truſtee, to

Accompt, for ought miſ-done, or left to do;

Is like thoſe Children, who do fear the ſhows,

Which, they themſelves ſet up to ſcar the Crows:

And, they, who think you have no rightful power

To curb his fury, who, might you devour;

May think, as well, they ſhould not put a clog,

Or hang a chain, upon a ſhepherds dog,

Although, he dayly bites, and kills the ſheep,

Which he was, only, bred, and …ed, to keep.

In warlike manner, with his Standard rear'd,

The King, againſt you, in the Field appear'd;

p. 49And, gave you (as it were) a Summons thither,

That, he, and you, might plead you Rights together,

By way of Combate; which, your Common-Laws

Allow of, for the tryal of that Cauſe,

Whereof there's doubtful proof; And, wherein, none

Knows how, to judg aright, but, GOD, alone.

This Tryal, both did ſtand to: By this Tryal,

The King, was overcome, without denyal;

And did ſubmit. What, had you then to do?

But, what you would your ſelves, be done unto,

When your Deſires, were made a Rule, whereby

Another, might, ſquare out his Charity?

Men, do not uſe to hunt a Beaſt of prey,

To take him, and, then, let him go away.

They, who have caught a Lyon, you would blame

If they diſ-miſt him (though he ſeemed tame)

Unchain'd, and without keepers; ſince, that Creature

Is known, of ſo untamable a Nature,

That, he will ravine, as he did before,

If, to himſelf, you leave him any more.

Kings, who without controul, the Scepter ſward,

As tameleſs are, as Lyons, that have preyd:

Which, howſoever, you ſhall uſe, or feed them,

Wil ſoon grow dangerous, unleſs you beed them;

You, therefore, muſt not give them leave to ſeize,

On ought, at will; no, not ſo much as Flo…s,

Leſt, ſome Prerogative, they thereon found:

But, you muſt circle them within a Bound;

And, Laws, and Counſellors provide, whereby

You may their Wills, and Judgments, rectifie:

And, then, when they by general conſents,

So furniſht, be, they may be Inſtruments

Of Honor, Peace, and Plenty. And, take this

From me, who know beſt, what, moſt fitting is

For this Iſles conſtitution; That th'increaſe

Of Wealth, and Honor; Settlement of Peace,

p. 50And Freedom from Oppreſſions, (whatſoe're

Some dream) ſhall never be enjoyed here,

In any Government, ſo perfectly,

As, by a regulated Monarchy.

Shall I adviſe you to a Treaty, than?

No: Tis not now, as when the War began.

Before the Tryal, your Truſtees, did well

To treat for Peace; becauſe, they could not tell

What might ſucceed; and, thought it ſafer, far,

To take ſome wrong, then ſeek redreſs by VVar.

But, now, for them to Treat, were to admit

That, GOD, had paſt no Tryal for them, yet.

And, thoſe, who thereto would perſwade them, now,

I ſhall not for their wiſeſt Friends allow,

If Friends: For, that, not only of their prizes

Defeats the Conquerors, but, equalizes

Them, likewiſe, with the Conquer'd; and, makes void,

What, ſhould by right of Conquest, be injoyd.

When he, whoſe ancient Birth-right was quite loſt,

Hath by expence of labour, time, and coſt,

A lawful repoſſeſſion of it ſought,

And, at the Law, his ſuit to Tryal brought;

Obtained a Verdict, Judgment, Execution,

And, ful poſſeſſion, without Diminution,

What, for a Friend, I pray were ſuch a one?

Who ſhould perſwade this man, when all were done,

To wave his lawful right, ſo dearly bought,

To treat with him, who his undoing ſought?

And, uncompel'd, refer unto debate,

What, he ſhould leave, or take, of that Eſtate?

And, what were that man, but, a Groll, at beſt,

Who, re-adventur'd, thus, his Intereſt?

Nor honeſter, nor wiſer, much, are they

Who, now, into a Treaty would betray

The Parliament. For, what hath yet been done,

If they muſt Treat, again, for what is won?

p. 51Why, did they make good meaning men to fight

And loſe their lives, to win for them, a Right,

Which they muſt get by Treaty? Why, is he

A Priſoner, if a King as yet, he be

That's capable of Treating? Or, of more

Then you ſhall ſeem obliged to reſtore,

In meer humanity? Or, by that band,

Whereby, as Christians, you obliged ſtand,

Upon his true Repentance? And, upon

Security, like fault, ſhall not be done?

But, if no Treaty, be allow'd, how then

Shall you, and he, be reconcil'd agen?

By ſuch a Courſe, as will be generous;

And, for our Genius to adviſe; Ev'n thus:

Like honorable Victors, offer him

Terms honorable, if he merrit them,

By true Repentance (For, it will be more

Then can be juſtly offer'd him before)

Leſt, you, at laſt, may be requited ill,

If Power he get, before he change his Will.

When, you perceive, that, GOD in him hath wrought

That mind, whereto you wiſh he ſhould be brought,

Give him Conditions, freely, ſuch, as may

Full well become a King, whom, to obey,

Acknowledg, and ſubmit to, 'twil beſeem

Thoſe Nations, who, a good repute eſteem.

Give him, that Kingly-Liberty, which will

Confine him, from all power of doing ill;

And, him enable, too, for every thing,

Pertaining to the Office of a King:

Which, to declare; and, to conſider how

It ſhall ſecured be, I, leave to you;

Whom they concern, and, who know how, to make

Your own Conditions, if, good heed you take.

But, many are ſuppos'd, to be inclin'd

To ſome new Government, by them deſign'd,

p. 52In whoſe erection, and eſtabliſhment,

They could receive a great deal more content

Then in well regulating, what they had:

And, ſome of theſe, it may be are ſo mad,

(And ſo uncharitable) as, in heart

To pray, that GOD would rather, quite, depart

Both from this King, and all his Generation,

Then, fruſtrate them, or, their vain Expectation.

If, there be any ſuch, far, be you from

Their evill mind; Let not their ſecret come

Into your Souls: And, though GOD ſhould permit

His wilfulneſs, a little longer, yet;

Pronounce your Judgments, warily, on him,

Leſt, in his Perſon, you, your ſelves condemn.

And, ſince, 'tis poſſible, that, from your ſin,

His Faylings, and your Plagues, might firſt begin,

(As, once did, from the Peoples, an offence

In David, which brought on a peſtilence)

Conſider, 'twil make eaſie your own Doom,

If, toward him, affected you become,

As Children ought to be, whoſe Father hath

Attempted their deſtruction, in his wrath.

Yea, careful be, you do not ſo employ

Your pow'r, to cure the Head, that, you deſtroy

Both Head and Body; and, to eaſe the pains

Of Head-ache, that, you knock not out your Brains.

That, Limb, which, may be cur'd, cut not away:

Thoſe Veſſels, which with water, clenſe ye may

Purge not with Fire; For, GOD, ſhall give an end

By his own Pow'r, to what, you cannot mend;

And, neither he, nor you, ſhall riſe to ſtand,

But, by advancing Justice, in the Land.

Excuſe me, if ('twixt what concerns the King,

And theſe Republikes) with ſome ſtaggering,

I ſeem to Counſel you; One while perſwading,

That, you oppoſe with ſtoutneſs, his invading

p. 53Your Freedoms, and Proprieties; Then, ſtreight

Plead (as it were) that, Grace obtain he might;

Herein, I ſay, excuſe me: For, it fares

With me, as with King David, in his Wars,

With Abſolom; Againſt whom, to prevail,

He was content; yet, did his death bewail.

Loth was he, by a Foc, to be out-braved;

Griev'd was he, that, a Son might not be ſaved;

And, him, whom he had ſent to overthrow him,

He did beſeech, that, Mercy, he would ſhow him.

The ſame I do for him: Oh, let him have it

If he be qualified to receive it:

But, if he ſtill perſiſt, as he begun,

Then, do, as GOD ſhall move you; I, have done.

Done, as concerning him: But, much I find

Concerning, you, and others, yet, behind;

Which muſt be ſpoken, for the Reformation,

And, Wellfare, of this preſent Generation:

Or, elſe, (if otherwiſe it ſhall ſucceed)

That, Future-Ages may take better heed.

For, know, unleſs ye ſpeedily begin

To change the preſent Poſture, you are in;

That, you, who, at this day have Pow'r to give

Conditions, to your King; ſhall, to receive

Conditions, very glad, ere long, become:

Yea, and to buy them, alſo, with a ſum.

That, this may be prevented, break the ſnare,

Wherewith, at this time, you enſnarled are.

When, you have any thing to act, which may

Encreaſe the Publike ſuffrance, by delay;

Conſume not precious howrs, like thoſe who dally,

In their Affairs, with Can We? May we? Shall we?

Till they, whom you obliged, are to cheriſh;

Through want of Juſtice, and Subſistence, periſh.

Or, elſe, till they, who, yet, are knit together

So fall away, from you, and from each other;

p. 54That, what you might effect, this preſent day,

Hereafter, you nor can, nor ſhal, nor may.

For, think not, that, the Generalitie,

Can long continue in proſperitie,

Whilſt, you neglect particulars: Or, that

You can accompliſh, what is aymed at,

If you, leave off, to act by rules of Reaſon,

Or, linger out, your works beyond their ſeaſon.

Take, likewiſe, heed, that, when ye ſhall propoſe

The way of Peace, leſt, there may be of thoſe,

Amongſt you, who, deſire, that courſe ſhould finde,

Obſtructions, whereunto, you ſeem inclinde:

Or, who, for ſecret ends, occaſions give,

That, their demands, deniall may receive;

For, GOD, ſo hateth double heartedneſs,

That, he will favour no ſuch practiſes.

Then, be as heedfull, if you ſhall exceed

Set-bounds, by ſome inevitable need,

Compelling it; that, when the ſtreight is paſt,

Your ſelves into a Legal Courſe, you caſt:

For, while a Town is burning, that, you ſee

May, then, be done; which, after, may not be.

Do, as you would be done to: Give not thoſe

Who are your Friends, occaſion to be Foes:

As you would be Forgiven, thoſe forgive,

In whom, a true Repentance you perceive:

Not all Offenders; For, ſure, no offence

Is pardonable without penitence,

Since, MercieMercy deigned to Impenitents

Is crueltie, to wronged Innocents.

Reward, as well as puniſh: For, by that

You cheriſh Virtue; Fortifie the State,

And, ſhall gain more, then by the pence you ſpare,

Though, many, of this Thrift, unheedfull are.

Againſt all Enemies, make your defence

By prudence, joyn'd with Dove-like Innocence,

p. 55Keep firm to your firſt principles; For, he

That ſtandeth fixt; though weak he ſeems to be

Gets ſtrength; and will by ſtanding ſtill, outgo

That man, who alwaies wanders too, and fro.

Be conſtant then; Affect vain hopes no more:

Do Juſtice, and ſhew mercy to the poor.

Reſpect not Perſons; but, judge every cauſe

According to right Conſcience, and the Laws;

Remembring, GOD, all that, to judgement brings,

Whether, they ſit with Commoners, or Kings.

Know, he marks all mens walkings; and, beleeve

Such meaſure, as ye mere ye ſhall receive;

So, as ye anſwer, poor mens prayers, now,

So, GOD will anſwer, and ſo proſper you.

Make good, the Gifts and Favours you beſtow;

As well, in deed, be righteous, as in ſhow:

Break not, your promiſes to any one

(Eſpecially, to men, for you undone)

And, do not let your left-hand, them deprive,

Of that, which, with your right-hand, you did give:

Nor them repay with ſcandals, or neglect

Who have deſerved, not your leaſt, reſpect:

For, privie to ſuch practiſes, I am

Both, to the grief of many, and your ſhame.

When, any one of thoſe free Commoners,

Whom you do repreſent, traduc'd appears,

Within your Houſes, where, he cannot make

Reply thereto: (And, whereof he muſt take

No notice, when thereof he ſhall be told)

Let his Traducers ſharply be controld.

Or, calld upon, to prove what they have ſaid:

That, Innocencie may not be betrayd,

By Impudent Detractors; yea, and do

That, wrong, as priviledged thereunto.

For, what is more Injurious, then diſgrace

Inflicted, in ſo eminent a place?

p. 56In preſence of the Kingdom, as it were,

And, whereby, ere a man can be aware,

He may be wrong'd, and wounded mortally,

And, never know, by whom, or how, or why.

Let none aſpire, to be a Grandee, thought,

Till he his Greatneſs, worthily hath bought

By prudent Honeſtie; Tri'd Faithfulneſs,

And ſuch like Grandour; nay, let none poſſeſs

Repute by theſe, one minute longer, then,

The Publike-Rights, and thoſe of private-men,

Are, thereby, not infring'd: For, 'tis a wrong

To all men, unto whom there doth belong

Equality, to bring in ſuch a Cheat

Among you, as, a Leſſer, and a Great,

Or, make Eſtates, or Titles paſs for more

Then Cyphers do, within the Counſel-dore.

And, doubtleſs, he unworthily, there, ſits

Whom, falſe opinion of his Fellows wits

Inſlaves in Judgment: and, whoſe Ignorance

Deceived, by a ſmooth-tongu'd Arrogance,

Them, doth advance, to an undue eſteem;

And (which the more abſurd doth make it ſeem)

Superiority, aſcribes unto them

For that, in which, at home, their wives out-do them.

It is a ſhame, to hear it ſhould be ſaid,

(yet, ſaid it is, and done, as well as ſaid)

That, if this man, or that; If He, or He,

To make the Motion, can procured be;

Or, in the Cauſe, to ſpeak: Or, but to heed

The ſame with favour, it will ſurely ſpeed:

And, that, if it concerns, or may diſpleaſe

But, any one, that is a Friend to theſe

Great Hogen Mogens; then, the Suitor loſes

His coſt, and labour, what means er'e he uſes.

Yea, though he hath two hundred friends, among

Your Members, who, cry ſhame upon the wrong.

p. 57Nay, be not angry that I tell you ſo,

For, he that ſpeaks it, ſpeaks what he doth know,

It is this Iſlands Genius (who doth ſee,

What all your works, and inclinations be)

Who ſaith it: And, for him, your Conſcience too,

Shall witneſs, true, what he hath ſaid you do.

And, I beſeech you, to conſider, whether

This, were the end, of calling you together.

The Shiers, and Burroughs, by whom, they were choſe

For Deputies, did verily ſuppoſe,

By their great words at home, their clothes, and faces,

That, theſe, much better, would have fild their places;

And, not have proved ſuch, of whom, they may

(As you abuſively of Taylors, ſay)

Aver, that nine of them, makes but One man:

For, twice ſo many, hardly, make way can

By one Grandee, ſometimes, and not be thruſt

From executing, faithfully, his truſt:

And, therefore, you muſt ſpeedily provide

That, this abuſe, be fully rectifi'd.

I know, there be among you, thoſe, who burn

With zeal to Iuſtice; and who truly mourn,

For thoſe who ſuffer, (and, that, GOD wil keep

Theſe ſafe; and make them ſing, when others weep.)

I know, with what Compaſſion, they paſs by

Their daily Suitors, who upon them cry:

And with what yearning bowels, they bewail,

That they for due relief, cannot prevail:

I know, with what vexations, they are pained,

When Publike Prayers, cannot be obtained:

I know their Love, their Patience, and their care

With what great ſtrivings, exerciz'd they are:

VVhat Diligence they practiſe, in their Calling,

To keep the Houſe, which they are in, from falling,

VVhil'ſt, many ſeeming-Labourers among them,

By falſe-work, or by Ʋndermining, wrong them,

p. 58And, GOD, I know, will them reward at laſt

Though for a while, a bitter cup they taſte.

But, there ae others, ſlyly ſhuffled in

Among you, who both ſhame and grief have been

To you, and to your friends: Therefore, leſt theſe

By ſitting neer you, bring you that diſeaſe

Which hath polluted them; And, leſt thereby

They bring, not only, laſting infamy

Upon this Parliament, but likewiſe break it;

And, by that Rupture, an occaſion make it

Of Ruins (without hope of Reparation)

To all, the rights and Freedomes, of this Nation:

And, that, if theſe things happen, you that are

Excuſable, the better may prepare,

Againſt the Miſchiefs, threatned; I am bold

To tell you, what miſdoings I behold,

What dangers I may fear, what ſcandals grow,

By former failings; and, what wiſe men know

Will ſurely follow: whereof ſince, 'tis but need,

That more be ſaid, therewith, I thus proceed.

With grief; I ſpeak it, (and, I ſpeak the ſame

Not to aſperſe, but to prevent the blame

And miſchief, that may follow) you, have loſt

Your power, your honour, and your ſelves almoſt;

And (though, undoubtedly, you do perceive it)

Proceed, as if you meant not to beleeve it;

Or, were aſleep: But, I intend to wake you;

Or, ſpeak thoſe words, which will to peeces ſhake you.

Oh hear, hear, hear! and, let not wholſome words

Be ſpent in vain: Nay, let not fire and Swords,

Dearth, Peſtilence, and Blood, ſpeak, every day,

In dreadfull Dialects, that rouze they may

Your ſleepie Spirits; yet, ſeem, ſtill, unheard,

Or paſſed over, without due regard,

Till, you be trod to dirt, in your own Gore;

Or, in the Grave, where you can hear no more.

p. 59For Love, for Shame, for Fear; for ſome reſpect,

Awake, in time, out of your dull neglect

Of Publike Safety; and, from dreaming on,

In private projects, till you are undone.

Hark! how, the Beames of your own Houſes cry

Againſt you! hark! hark! how the ſouls that lye

In thoſe Oppreſsions, which you ſhould redreſſe

Roar out, and groan for ſorrow, in diſtreſſe;

Hark: how your Conſciences (though, you contemn,

Their clamours, and in ſecret ſmother them)

Call out, to tell you, what ſad dooms attend

Your preſent being, or your latter end,

If you awak not, quickly, to prevent

The ſhames and miſchiefs which are Imminent.

Now, I perceive you are awake: for, Lo,

You angry ſeem, that I have rub'd you ſo.

But, ere you ſhew your wrath, a little, pauſe;

About you look: ſee, if there be not cauſe

Of this my ſeeming boldneſs. Come, ariſe,

Wipe out the Rheume, and ſpedom, from your eyes.

Walk forth into the Hall at Weſtminſter;

Take ſpecial notice, what, is talked there.

Walk to the City, then, and theſe you meet

At Church, or on the Change, or in the Street,

Or at the Tavern, and in all thoſe places,

Mark well; and, what is ſaid to your diſgraces.

Mark, how they ſleight you, and, how few there are

Who, can with patience, either ſpeak or hear

A word in your defence: And, having weigh'd

What you ſhall find, excuſe, what I have ſaid.

Whence, do their many Imprecations come,

And many Curſed Speakings? Flow, they from

No cauſe at all? No queſtion, if they do,

Their Curſes, and their Imprecations, too,

Will fall upon themſelves. If, from juſt cauſe

They do proceed; Look, leſt, it vengeance draws.

p. 60For, GOD, will Judg between you. If, both give

Occaſion of offence, both ſhall receive

The recompence deſerv'd; and, you, and they,

If you repent not, ſhall be ſwept away.

To Error, therefore, do not Fury add:

VVith him, that ſeeks to cure you, be not mad:

But, in your ſelves, examine patiently

VVhat is amiſs, and, then, what remedy

You may apply. And, I will ſeek to charm

The People, that, mean while, they do no harm.

Conſider, what vaſt ſums have bin brought in;

How, iſſu'd out, and waſted, they have bin:

How partially, your payments, have been made;

How little, this man; how much, that man had;

How, you to ſome, make full, and ſpeedy pay,

VVhen others, who, deſerve as well as they,

Muſt turn Informers, ere they can be paid;

And, peradventure, when, they long have plaid

That hateful part, with loſs of time, and coſt,

Shall add more damages, to what they loſt,

By loſing former Friends, and getting Foes:

VVhichWhich, all their lifetime, they ſhall never loſe.

Herewith, ſometime, let it be thought upon,

How many of your Friends, have been undone

By Votes, and Orders, made for their relief,

VVhichWhich did but more increaſe their coſt and grief,

By making them, from year to year, attend,

For, that, which in one week, might have an end;

By ſuffering, your own Warrants, to be ſlighted:

Your own Authority, to be deſpited;

And, to the loſs of labour, time, and coſt,

One Order, by another to be croſt,

And, that, to be, by Ordinance made voyd,

VVhichWhich, by your Gift, they ſeiz'd, poſſeſt, enjoy'd.

Yea, and, not without recompence, alone,

But, without ſeeming ſenſe, that wrong was done:

p. 61As if it were no mattet, ſo you made

A ſhew of recompence, though none they had:

Or, as if whatſoere you pleas'd to do,

Muſt paſſe for Juſtice, though it be not ſo.

GODS WILL, eſſentiall Juſtice is indeed:

But, that yours is ſo, it is not my creed.

When others have transgreſt, do not injoyne

The guiltleſſe Common-wealth, to pay a Fine,

To recompence thoſe Parties, which were grieved;

For, that will hardly, Juſtice be beleived.

When hungry ſuitors, ask for fiſh, or bread,

With ſtones, or ſcorpions, let them not be fed;

Nor make them wait, ere you an anſwer give,

As if each Perſon, had three lives, to live;

Or, had been borne, no other thing to do,

But, wait on you, and looſe their labour too.

Draw not more ſuitors, to you in one yeare,

Then you are able, in twice ſix, to heare;

Leſt, you diſpleaſe them, whom ye may content,

And cauſe a miſcheife, which ye might prevent.

But take wiſe Jethro's Counſell, for the eaſe,

Both of your ſelves, & thoſe whom you ſhould pleaſe.

Yea, tire not out your ſelves, and others too,

By taking on you more then you can do.

Leſt, when attendance, much expence and trouble,

Hath made the loſſe, and ſuffrance more then double,

They grow impatient; and you come to taſt

The fruit of their impatiency at laſt.

Give Order, how to cure thoſe imperfections,

Which have been, heretofore, in your Elections,

Leſt, Members may among you be emploid,

By whom the Publike-Body, be deſtroid.

Let not the Father, there beget the ſonne,

Though, this in Bodies Naturall, be done.

Let none among you, be admitted in,

By Marriage, or, being near of kin:

p. 62Or, (to the Kingdames juſt diſſatisfaction)

For being of this Sect, or of that Faction;

As, if among you, ſome to purchaſe, meant

Inheritances in the Parliament:

And, others aim'd by Parties, to endeavour

The keeping up Diviſions, there, forever.

Let it be ſo no more, if you can Order,

That, ſuch an injury proceed no further;

But, let the Burroughs, and the Shires be free

To make their choice, (as they inclin'd ſhall bee)

According to their cuſtomes, till it may

Be better done, by ſome new lawfull way:

That, when for Trust-breach, any blamed are,

Their chuſers, in that blame, a part may beare,

If they hereafter, for their private ends,

For fear, or love, ſhall chuſe their Foes, or Friends;

Their Land-Lords, Kinſmen, Lawyers; or, whom ever

They ſhall not think, will faithfully endeavour,

To ſerve his GOD, the People, and the King,

With ſingle heart, in ev'ry lawfull thing.

Conſider, how in giving a reward,

The perſon, more then merit, you regard.

How often that hath been for private ends,

Procur'd; and, with relation unto friends.

How Offices, and Places are beſtowne;

How, ſome have two or three; and others, none,

Who, better merit four, if there were any

Who could be capable of halfe ſo many:

And, would ye well obſerv'd, that this is done,

As if ye fear'd, as if ye car'd for none;

Nor, how, the people, who upon you cry

For bread, obſerve your partiality,

In giving that to one, who hath no need,

Which would a thouſand Starvelings, cloath and feed.

Refuſe no juſt complaints; that, men may ſee

You ſenſible of their oppreſſions bee:

p. 63Yet, to your ſelves aſſume not any cauſe,

Which is determinable by the Lawes,

In other Courts; unleſſe they prove corrupt;

Or, till ſome difficulty interrupt

The courſe of Juſtice there: And, ſo provide,

To try in courſe, what is before you tri'd,

That you undoe not, e're their cauſe have end,

Thoſe, who with Proofes, and Counſell, muſt attend.

The ſad Petition, which the poore man brings,

Sleight not, nor make them but meere pocketings,

Till they are quite worne out, or quite forgot,

Unleſſe perchance your ſtore ſupplies you not

With tinder for Tobacco; and, ſo brings

To memorie againe, ſuch triviall things.

More mind your promiſes, of doing right

To grieved men, when you thereto have might,

And, let them ſee, that your devoiur you do,

As far, as God enables you thereto.

Conſider, how you Legacies beſtow

Before you pay thoſe debts, which yet ye owe;

Ev'n debts, for which the Publike-Faith doth lie

At Pawne; and, is diſhonoured thereby:

Debts, for which, your poore Creditors have laine

In priſon, till, their Freedomes to obtaine,

They ſold their Freeholds, when they had no more

To live on; and, had ſold their goods before.

Debts, which they lent you in your greateſt feare;

And borrowed for you, when diſtreſt you were.

Yea, Debts, which they who ſent, then lent you too

Their lives, the publike ſervices to do;

And, could have loſt them, with more joy them they

Now live to ſee, by ſeeing of this day.

How eaſily, to ſome doe you afford,

Beliefe to their availe, on their bare word!

When, in the ſelfe-ſame caſe you are not moved,

To do the like for others, who have proved

p. 64What they aver'd by vouchers; no, not when

It hath been prov'd, by Oathes of honeſt men.

Conſider, how, to ſome you do allow

Their dues with interest, who well enough

May reſpite it; and, yet the ſame deny

To him, who felt extreame neceſſity

By looſing part; by lending of the reſt;

By borrowing more, for you, on intereſt,

Now four yeares due; and, which before he ſhall

In likelihood, be paid; will eat up all.

And, let it be conſider'd, if it may,

What tis, to take his liberty away,

To fine him; to permit that through the land,

He, for conſpiracy, defam'd ſhould ſtand;

And, ſuffer much more by their impudence

Who misinform'd you, of his innocence,

And all for nought, but, for informing you

What, he was told; what, he beleev'd was true;

What, he produc'd his author for, with proofe

Of Part, and circumſtances too enough,

To make all probable; yea, more, for what

His Covenant, oblig'd him to relate;

And, what his ſirſt Relator did aver,

And will do, ſtill, in each particular.

Should I propoſe, here, as conſiderable,

So many things, to you as I were able,

I ſhould as tedious in the ſame become,

As, many times, Committees, are to ſome.

Ile therefore ſum up all, in wiſhing you

Of thoſe things which you know, to make reveiw,

And ſee, if theſe come ſhort, in any thing,

Of thoſe, who heretofore miſled the King;

Or, if their falſhoods, or miſinformations,

Were greater cauſes, of his abberrations;

Or, more diſhonour to his Government;

Then, theſe have been unto this Parliament,

p. 65Whoſe Pride, Ambition, Malice, Arrogance,

Whoſe Avarice, Selfe-love, and Ignorance,

Whoſe Inſolence, or Cowardice, of late,

Have caus'd ſo many to abhominate

Them, and their courſes; and nigh turned all,

Ev'n all things, both Divine, and Temporall,

Into a Chaos. 'Tis not, as is deemed,

(And, as perhaps, it hath to many ſeemed)

'Tis not the City, which hath lately made

Thoſe tumults, and thoſe uproars you have had.

'Tis not the Army, whence your mutinies,

New plots, and new diviſions, do ariſe;

And, whereby, miſchiefs daily do encreaſe

To cauſe a new adjournment of your Peace;

The Parl'aments diſhonour; ſeparations

Between the late united Britiſh Nations;

And, (if it may be poſſible) to bring

The people of both Kingdomes, and the King,

Into a further hatred, of each other.

It is not your Diſſenting-parties: neither,

Thoſe whom ye call Malignants; who were able

So weake to make you; ſo diſhonourable;

And, in ſo bad a plight, as you are in,

If your owne Members, had not faulty been:

Nor had your City, or the Army moved,

In any courſe, which might not be approved,

If they had felt no influence upon them,

From higher Pow'rs, which thereunto had won them,

Nor had ſo many men, right well-affected,

(And by whoſe purſe, and pow'r, you were protected)

Been drawne into miſactings, and miſtakings,

(Which falſly are miſconſtrued forſakings

Of their firſt love) but, that the policies

Of ſome among you, drew before their eyes

Thoſe miſts; and practiſed thoſe juggling ſleights,

Which kept the ſafeſt courſe, out of their ſights.

p. 66And, what that was, or what that yet, may be,

Few, have diſcover'd, by ought I can ſee;

But, were it knowne, you could not rectifie

Thoſe things among you, which are now awry,

Till you reforme your ſelves; for, well ye know,

Foul ſprings above, make filthy ſtreames below.

But, why ſhould I complaine of you ſo much?

Alas! you were at firſt, begotten ſuch;

The Fathers of your being, in this Nation,

Were an unſound, corrupted Generation;

And, did beget a Repreſentative,

As like themſelves, as ever, man alive

Begot a child: with members, crooked, lame,

Blind, deaf, and dumb, into the world you came,

And, ſuch, they have continu'd ever ſince:

Theirs therefore, is the Fault; theirs the offence.

You, that are lawfull Members, have enough:

Been plagu'd, and troubled with ſuch rotten ſtuffe:

And, rather ſhould be pitied and aided,

In helping you, to purge them, then upbraibed,

With their defects. I therefore, have appear'd,

That, you, of thoſe obſtructions, may be clear'd

Which interrupt; and, that, whilſt there is time,

You may regaine your honour, loſt by them:

That, I might likewiſe, help bring back unto you

The peoples hearts, and make them firme unto you,

By ſhewing them their errors, and, how, they

To late loſt happines, may find their way:

And, having found it, how they may perſever

By GOD's aſſiſtance, in good waies, for ever.

My purpoſe therefore, in what followes now,

Is joyntly, to prefer to them and you,

Some things conſiderable, that may lend

Aſſiſtance unto that, which I intend.

If, good effects this takes, your cares, and feares,

Are likely to be ſhortned many yeares:

p. 67For, know, GOD, promiſes, and threats, are all

Contingencies, and but conditionall:

If you continue mad, the plagues will laſt:

If you repent, they quickly will be paſt:

Let envy one contribute thereunto

A true endeavour, his owne part to do:

In what I'm borne for, I will do my beſt:

And, when that's done, GOD, ſhall performe the reſt.

The reſtauration of this Parliament,

To their due reputation; to prevent

The bondage of the People; and to bring

All things to right, betwixt you, and your King,

Is that, wherein, I have with good intention,

Imploid, long time, the beſt of my invention;

Yet, there appears no likelihood to me,

Of ſaving any one, of all the three,

From hazzard, or from plagues, that linger ſhall,

But, by a reconciling of them all.

And, I conceive it will deſerve more thank;

To play the Artiſt, then the Mountebank;

Who leaves the courſe, that's naturall, and ſure;

To raiſe his credit, by a deſp'rate cure.

He, that, by way of Chymiſtry would act,

And, her Three Principles, hope to compact

Into one Body; ere he compaſſe ſhall

His end, muſt firſt, prepare each Minerall

Secundum Artem, taking that away,

Which hinder their incorporation may;

And, adding that, which doth unite their natures:

So, he that would this Trinity of creatures

Make up againe, in one, muſt do the ſame,

And, now, about that royall work I am;

Which, if I keep a rightly tempred fire,

Will bring forth that production I deſire.

VVith Salt of true ſincerity, and reaſon,

Your hearts, and underſtandings, I would ſeaſon;

p. 68VVith Sulphur of true Magnanimity,

Or Courage; with the perfect Mercury

Of Chriſtian Prudence, I would temperate,

And, ſo eſſentially incorporate

Theſe, throughout all your Faculties, that none

Should hinder that, which I am driving on;

And, therefore, have prejected a concluſion

Wherein, I'le firſt begin with an Infuſion;

Oh, lend me but ſome water from your eyes,

Wherewith to make it; and it ſhall ſuffice.

Lament, Lament your errors, and begin

To ſee, what great diſtractions you are in.

Of thoſe Precipitations, take more heed,

Whereto you now are haſting on with ſpeed;

Obſerve how buſily in ſelfe-deſtroying,

And, raiſing works, againſt a free enjoying

Of your owne Peace you are. Conſider on

Your purpoſes; and that which you have done;

And mark, if either thoſe things you purſue,

Or, yet intend, are like to profit you,

Whilſt ev'ry man, (though better be profeſt)

Aimes, but at his owne ſingle intereſt.

By moſt among you, that is leaſt intended,

Which he in outward ſeeming, hath befriended.

By making ſhow, of things that ſhould be done,

For publike profit, you ſo carry on,

Your private intereſt, that very few

The generall advantages purſue:

Yea, King, Prieſt, People, Commoner and Peer,

So wilfully, to their owne claimes adhere,

That, they will much indanger all together;

And, prove like fire, and fewell to each other,

If, GOD, prevent not, by a ſelfe-denying;

And, by a more conſiderate complying.

Give heed to thoſe Predictions, which foretold

Upon good grounds, what, now, yee do behold

p. 69To be fullfil'd; and, which, behold ye may

To be fullfilling on you, ev'ry day;

And, think not, though you them, or him disdaine

VVho ſpake them, that, they were foretold in vaine.

Mark how all Parties, and all Factions, run

Thoſe courſes, wherein, others were undone,

Whom they impeached, and condemned, too,

But ſome few mouthes before, for doing ſo,

Remember, and conſider, ſince this War

Did firſt begin, how many changes are

To be obſerv'd: How inconſiderable

The meanes, and Perſons were, who did enable

Your weakned Parties; and oft gave them life

When they were ſtooping, almoſt, paſt releef;

And, think it poſſible, there may befall

Another change, when you ſeem ſure of all;

Becauſe, you neither credit what is told;

Nor heedfull are, of that which you behold.

Remember and conſider, what fair hopes

(When an aſſurance, almoſt, crown'd their tops,)

Have unto nothing vaniſh'd: what brave ſhowes

Of Martiall fortitude, againſt your foes;

Of zealous faithfulneſſe unto the State,

And piety to GOD, have fail'd of late;

And left benighted, an aſcending Fame

Before 'twas noone, within a Cloud of ſhame.

And think how poſſible, it may be, yet,

To ſee new ſtormes, before the ſun be ſet:

For, that which hath been, you againe may ſee,

As long, as in the ſelfeſame round, you be.

Remember, and conſider, in what fear,

You have been in: what things then vowed were;

What Holineſſe, you ſeemed to pretend;

VVhat cauſe, you then proteſted to befriend;

VVhat Warnings, and what caveats have been given,

By judgements, mercies; yea, by men, and heaven:

p. 70VVhat private, and what publike faſting daies,

What times of giving ſolemne thanks, and praiſe,

Have celebrated been, without that fruit

Which either with Humility, may ſuit,

Or, with true Gratitude: and when you ſee

How full of filthneſſe, your beſt works be,

Think, what your worſt may prove; and, what event

Will follow them, unleſſe you ſhall repent.

When, theſe things you have thought upon, then mind

Whereto, your promiſes, have you deſign'd,

What fearfull Imprecations, you have made;

What wonderfull protections, you have had;

What witneſſes there are, of what you do;

VVhat forraigne foes; what foes domeſtick too,

Expect advantage: And, ſuch things, as theſe

VVhen you have thought on, with due ſeriouſneſſe,

Think, alſo, what may thereupon redouud,

If, falſhood in your hearts, be likewiſe found;

And, when you have provoked GOD, and men,

What plagues, and horrors, will ſurprize you, then.

Remember, and conſider, with what lyings,

VVhat perjuries, what falſhoods and complyings

VVith wicked men and meanes, you have aſſaid

To perfect thoſe Deſignes, which you have laid;

How, every Faction, takes delight to jeer

At their owne ſhame, and, to relate and heare

VVith merriment, each others wickedneſſe,

And, what the ſcurrill Pamphleters expreſſe,

To their reproach, when they ſhould rather mourne,

Then impudently laugh themſelves to ſcorne.

Beleeve it, till Authority preſcribes

A mulct for liers (cheifly lying Scribes)

And takes more notice of that ſleighted ſin,

VVhichWhich one prime cauſe of all your ſtrifes have bin,

Peace will not ſettle; for, when one warr's done,

Another, by a lie, may be begun.

p. 71Weigh, and conſider, of what Tyrannies,

Of what prophaneneſſe, of what blaſphemies,

Of how much malice, and of what black crimes,

You have been guilty, (ev'n in theſe ſad times)

On either ſide. And, when you well have thought

On theſe things; think likewiſe, how much you ought

To grieve, and to repent, that, GOD might ſpare

Thoſe threatned judgements, which deſerved are;

For, 'tis meere madneſſe, to expect his grace,

Or look for Peace, ſo long, as in the face

Of men, and Angells, you perſiſt in evills,

As if you thought, there were nor GOD, nor Devills.

Think, and conſider, with a ſerious thought,

To what a giddie poſture all is brought:

In what confuſion, your affaires you ſee,

In what amazements, now, the wiſeſt bee;

In what a feare, the valiant, and the ſtrong,

Now are, or will be, ere it ſhall be long;

How manifold, your ſub-diviſions are;

What ſymptomes of deſtruction do appeare;

How impudently ſtill, you palliate

The falſhoods of thoſe Members of the State,

And, of thoſe Agents, who abuſe their truſt;

How all things, out of order, they doe thruſt,

Through want of Juſtice; how, they daily ſad

Mens hearts; and how, when they have made them mad,

They puniſh them, becauſe, they could not uſe

Thoſe wits, which their oppreſſions made them loſe.

Marke, and conſider, with what ſhameleſneſſe,

Your Holy Flatt'rers, do bepaint and dreſſe

Their Patrons in the Prliament, as tho

It were not poſſible, they ſhould miſdo:

How others, make the Army, at the leaſt,

S. Michael, and his Angells; how, the reſt,

So impudently do extoll the King,

As if he were a Saint, in ev'ry thing,

p. 72And, needed no repentance, for ought done,

In former time, or ſince this Warre begun:

And, while ſuch danbings are, conſider you,

If penitence be likely to enſue,

Or wilfulneſſe; and, therewith mind I pray,

Which of the two are Traytors, either they

Who, mind a miſled King, or Parl'ament,

Of thoſe things which deſtruction may prevent;

Or, they, who fawne, and flatter them to hell,

By calling evill doings, doing well:

They, who by Juſtice would uphold the Throne;

Or, they, who praiſe men for what pulls it downe.

VVhen theſe things are conſider'd, then to mend

What is amiſſe, your beſt endeavours bend.

Let all thoſe carnall policies, by which

The world your underſtandings doth bewitch,

Be laid aſide: Let thoſe Deſignes, wherein

'Tis evidently ſeen, that you have been

Without ſucceſſe; be quite by you abjur'd:

Yea, ſince experience often hath aſſur'd

That, thoſe effects, which you have had thereby,

Did ſtill exaſperate, and multiply

Your fears, and griefs; mind, what experience ſhowes,

And, truſt no more, ſuch broken reeds as thoſe.

To no Diſſenting-party be unjuſt;

Nor falſifie ſo much, the Common-truſt,

As by your private mutuall promiſes,

To barter for your owne advantages;

Or, in your Treaties, at the publike coſt,

To ſeek your ſelves, till you, and all is loſt:

But, ſtill in your proceedings, let pure Truth

Preſerved be, both in your heart, and mouth;

So, GOD, who marketh what you act and ſay,

Will help to guide you, out of your dark way;

Advance that Kingdome, whereto you pretend;

And, make your greateſt enemie, your friend:

p. 73Yea, make among you, Truth, and Peace prevaile

Though King and Parliament, your hopes may faile.

Eſchew Hypocriſie; take heed of Pride,

And, of what thing ſoever may divide

The people, th' Army, or the Parliament;

And them into thoſe new Diviſions rent,

Which at this preſent are of many feared;

And, for which, Engines are in ſecret reared.

But, chiefly at this time, think not in vaine,

On that State-Principle, Divide, and Reigne.

For, at this Juncture, thereupon depends

Your welfare; and your Adverſaries ends.

Whatever, therefore, ſhall be now advis'd

By others, let not this note be deſpis'd;

Take heed of an Adjournment, till you ſee

The Kingdomes in a better poſture bee;

Leſt, when you are divided from each other,

You loſe the meanes to meet againe together,

By ſome contrivance; and, by ſomwhat done,

Which at this preſent day you think not on.

Though all are much to blame, let all provide

Their beſt expedients, to amend, or hide

Thoſe failings in each other, which will ſpread

No further, by their being covered.

Forgive, (as much as may be) one another;

That love may knit your ſcatter'd force together:

Leſt, on a ſudden, ſome prevailing pow'r,

Not yet appearing, all at once devour.

Let neither Parliament, nor People ſpare

To keep themſelves in armes, as yet they are:

For, though the burden, greivous may be thought,

Your ſafety will not be ſo dearly bought,

As your deſtruction may. Let now, likewiſe

All Pow'rs, all Councells, and Authorities,

Uſe ev'ry prudent way, and means, whereby

The people may not feare a Tyranny;

p. 74Nor feel a preſent weight, which may appeare

A greater Burthen, then the thing they feare.

But, uſe all cautions, to impoſe it ſo,

That, ſuch as lay it, may help beare it too;

So, ſhall the people know, 'tis laid on them,

For their own ſafety; and, but for a time.

And, that, the threefold Cable be not broke,

Which holds your Anchor; let all care be tooke,

That, City, Shires, and Army, yeeld and give

(As to their Bulworke, and Preſervative,

Next under GOD) unto this Parl'ament

Reſpect, obedience, and each complement

Of duty, which may re-enable them,

To vindicate their honour, and eſteem,

From thoſe obliquities, now thereon throwne

By others, and ſome Members of it owne:

Yea, though ſome part thereof, hath been to blame,

(As all Terreſtrialls are) know; that, their ſhame

And ſuffrings, will be yours; know, that the fault

Is your, that many of their Members halt:

Know, that, their Foes, who ſeek to aggravate

Their crimes to you, have done it out of hate

To them, and you; and, not with an intent,

That, you ſhould leſſe be griev'd, or they repent:

But, that, you ſhould be mad, and make them roome,

Into their places back againe to come,

And double your Oppreſſions; which, the while

With tears they pity, like the Crocodile

Yea, know; that, if you in this ſtorme, forſake

This Veſſell, (though it bruized be, and leake)

Your Fortunes, will be therewith ſhipwrackt found,

If that ſink, you ſhall certainly be drown'd.

For, in this torne, and ancient Veſſell, lies

That, which muſt free you from the ſlaveries

You have been in; and, keep you likewiſe, free

From thoſe, in which, you are afraid to bee.

p. 75Herein, are all your ſtores, for war and peace,

Of ſafety, honour; and, of Trades encreaſe:

And, therefore joyne with courage; uſe your pow'rs,

Wit, wealth, and, ev'ry facultie of yours,

To ſtop the leakes, which it hath lately ſprung,

To keep it tite, and make it faire and ſtrong.

Oh, all you, who have therein fraught, or ſhare,

Whether, ye Maſters, Captains, Pilots are,

Cape-Masters, Souldiers, Sailers, Paſſengers,

Or, (as all ſome way are) Adventurers;

Conſider, I beſeech you, what a loſſe

There would befall, if ſome new ſtorme ſhould toſſe

This Veſsell on the Rocks: Or, if there ſhould

Some Traytors, in her Cabines, or her hold,

Lie cloſely, unſuſpected, or unſeen,

And blow up all her Decks, and Magazeene,

By ſome concealed traine; or, ſpring a Leake

About the keel, whilſt you unwiſely ſeek,

(With quarrelling) for vailes, or private ſhares,

Amongſt the deſperateſt Mutineers.

The ſlaves, your pris'ners, and among the reſt,

Your Malecontents, it may be, will ſuggeſt

That, your Commanders, and your Pilots may

Make prizes of you; and, take all away

By Abitrary Pow'r: For, there are ſome

Who (hoping, if you jealous would become,

It would effect their ends) have whiſperings,

Among their other miſchiefe-breeding things,

To this effect; that, if you make them ſtrong,

They will improve that ſtrength, unto your wrong,

And, faile your truſt, But, dreame not; think not ſo,

Nor, erre you, from your duties, though they do.

What change in them ſoever, might be wrought;

What e're they do, yet do you what you ought.

Keep to your Principles, though they may range;

Saile by the ſame Card; though the winds do change;

p. 76And, that you may not fear what will enſue,

Look back, a little, and things paſt review.

When, lately, by an Arbitrary might

You were oppreſt, and in ſo great a ſtraight,

That you perceiv'd no meanes your ſelves to free,

From your oppreſſions; nor ought like to bee,

Whereby, to ſcape from thrall you ſhould be able;

(Without attempts, then deemed treaſonable)

Loe then, ev'n at that time; and, when your King

A double Chaine on you, aſſay'd to bring,

And thought, together in one teame to yoke,

His Oxen, and his Aſſes; then GOD broke

The Royall ſnare: and, wonderfully wrought.

For your deliverance, to paſſe he brought

By what was never call'd to that intent;

By that, which never more to call he meant;

Ev'n by a Parlament: to which he gave

A pow'r to be, whilſt being it would have;

With Priviledges, which by Pow'r-divine,

Were made deſtructive, to his owne deſigne:

For, lawfull pow'r it got, and juſt occaſion,

To arme againſt a tyrannous invaſion;

And, your eſtates, and freedomes were defended

By that, which for a miſchiefe, was intended.

So, if this Parl'ament degenerate

From what it ſhould be, and from what of late,

You thought it was; and, ſhall imploy that pow'r

Which was from you receiv'd; and which is your,

To raiſe themſelves, upon a publike wrong;

GOD, them will break, when they appear moſt ſtrong;

Cauſe thoſe, whom they depend on, to deceive them;

Of all their expectations, quite bereave them;

And by ſome lawfull way, which yet appears

To no mans eye, preſerve you from your fears.

For, ev'ry tyrannizing pow'r ſhall claſh

Againſt each other, and to pieces daſh,

p. 77All thoſe, and their deſignes, who ſhall comply

With any inſtruments of Tyranny;

That paſſage may be made, to raiſe up that

Which, is the ſtrength and honour of a State.

If yet, your former doubtings be not paſt,

But that th' aſperſions, which on them are caſt,

Whom GOD for your deliverers hath choſe,

Hath ſhooke you from your confidence in thoſe;

Or if defects, which may be found in them,

Do either urge, or tempt you to contemne

Such inſtruments; and in your hearts to ſay,

Can theſe men ſave us? Mindful be, I pray,

What perſons, to your aid, GOD, firſt did call;

By what ſleight meanes, he hath effected all

Your conqueſts. Yea, by what contrary things:

His works, he, often to perfection brings.

Conſider, how this Army was deſpis'd

And ſcorned, when it firſt was modelliz'd:

How, likely, were they, whom you firſt did gather

To be your guard, to be your ruine, rather

Then to defend you? how, did they proteſt,

And rage, when they againſt their wills were preſt?

With how much weakeneſſe was that work begun?

And, yet, thereby what wonders hath GOD done?

How, hath he added unto your prevailings,

By them, though they their errors had, and failings?

How, hath he humbled you by their great pride,

Whoſe ſeeming vertues, you have glorifi'd?

That, you may ſee a pow'r ſo excellent,

Knowes how to work with any inſtrument:

That, you may find there are ſome things deſpis'd.

Which have deſerved, better to be priz'd;

That you may learne, in weak meanes, not to fear;

Nor truſt too much, in thoſe that mighty are;

That, you may know, if your owne waies be ſtreight,

You may be ſafe, though others go not right;

p. 78And, though you will not know it; they who live

By faith, the truth of theſe things do perceive;

And, would in GOD, find out a place to dwell,

Though, there were neither heav'n, earth, nor hell.

Then credit muſt be kept, their pow'r obey'd,

On whom your Truſt, and Guandianſhip is laid;

And, from that duty, none can be excus'd,

Though ſome among them, have that truſt abus'd:

For, as he is a man, that hath a ſoule,

Although his body, be with Ulcers fowle,

Maim'd, blind and deafe; and, may from you thereby,

Claime all the duties of your charity:

So, though the Body Repreſentative,

May wounds, and many blemiſhes receive;

Yet, therein, is the ſoule of Government:

And, therefore, all you whom they repreſent,

Obedience owe thereto, in ev'ry thing;

Excepting an obedience that may bring

Thoſe publike hazzards, which are ſo apparent,

That in themſelves, they bring a ſealed Warrant

Of diſobligement: And, in thoſe things too,

So muſt you then proceed, in what ye do,

That, your owne conſciences may truly ſay,

Obedience, onelyonly, made you diſobey:

And, that, the world may ſee, by your proceed,

That GOD, and justice, have approv'd the deed.

Though crack'd, your Bulwork be, and faulty grown;

This is no time, to ſleight, or pull it downe:

But, to repaire it rather, leſt you leave

Your ſelves unguarded, and a blow receive.

This is no time to ſhake the Reputation

Of thoſe, who are your onelyonly preſervation;

But, rather, to uphold it, by removing

The ſcandalous; by cheriſhing, approving,

And, ſtrength'ning thoſe, among them, by whoſe wit,

And honesty, they have a being yet.

p. 79Informe them better, who are much abus'd,

(By falſe opinions, into them infus'd)

And, thereupon your Supreme Court defame;

As doing, arbitrarily, the ſame,

Which, was denied lawfull in the King:

For, they ſhould know, that ev'n the ſelfe-ſame thing

May be both juſt, and unjuſt: He, doth take

Unlawfully, your goods, a prize to make,

To ſatisfie his luſt, or, to deſtroy

Thoſe Freedomes, and thoſe Rights, you ſhould enjoy:

They, take a portion, from you, orderly,

(And thereto forced by neceſſity)

To ſave your priviledges; and, prevent

The loſſe of all, by that, which they have ſpent.

Their actions, are not bounded, in that Law,

Whereby, men out of Parl'ament, ſhould draw

The Line of their proceedings; But, by that

Which is the firſt foundation of a State:

By that Supreme Law, whereby pow'r they had,

To make or change the Lawes, alreadie made;

And, for the Publike-ſafety, to provide:

By that Law, they muſt act; and, are not ti'd

To any other, when, neceſſity

Shall, for the weale of your Community,

The contrary require: For, otherwiſe,

They meet in vaine, about thoſe remedies,

Which are deſir'd; and, do but time employ

To marre the benefit, they would enjoy;

And, ſtrengthen Tyrants, in their uſurpations

Upon the Rights and Freedomes, of the Nations.

Let no men therefore ſay, when they ſhall vary

From former Lawes, their Acts are arbitrary,

Injuriouſly; ſince, your experience ſees,

That ſtrong neceſſity, at ſometimes frees,

Ev'n private perſons from adhering to,

The Letter of the Law, in what they do,

p. 80The mannaging of Publike Intereſts,

In th' Agents reputation, much conſiſts.

'Tis Reputation, makes a Kingdome ſtrong,

And rich; and keeps it from affronts, and wrong.

'Tis that which maketh Lawes: For, neither wit

Nor humane Pow'r, are able to forget

That Priviledge; becauſe, if Pow'r ſhould make them

A greater Pow'r, by right of Pow'r, would break them.

If Wit, and Reaſon, would a Law deviſe,

There are ſo many, ſeeming to be wiſe,

That they would make ſuch over-long debates,

And worke ſo variouſly, in ſev'rall pates,

That, if to make a Law, ſome ſhould agree,

By others, it would ſtraight repealed bee.

And, if more Settlement, were not obtain'd,

By Reputation, then, there can be gain'd

By Pow'r, and Wit, or Reaſon; you, would never

Agree; but, fight, or elſe, debate for ever.

Take therefore, of their good repute, a care,

On whoſe repute, your Safeties builded are:

For, when that once is loſt, it proveth not

A Jewell, which may eaſily be got;

Nor, is there any precious ſtone, yet knowne

That gives a fairer luſtre to a Crowne.

With Reputation, may a ſingle man

Doe more ſometime, then twenty thouſands can.

A Cities uproars, ſooner it reſtraines,

Then all their Scarlet Gownes, and Golden Chaines:

And dares make ſtand, the peoples rage to ſtay,

When Wit, and Wealth, and Titles run away:

Yea, calmes them ſooner; and ſcapes better too,

Then honeſty, and innocency do.

I know not anie thing that can ſo ſoone,

Bring univerſall Diſcords into tune:

Nor, know I ought, that's in it ſelf, ſo vaine,

And empty, which doth ſo much pow'r obtaine

p. 81In humane actions; and, there is not now,

A Nation, whom it more concernes then you,

(Conſid'ring, what your preſent poſtures are)

To keep your Senates reputation cleare.

For, ſhould I ſhew your poſtures in a glaſſe,

No Puppet-play, that ere deviſed was,

Came neere it; neither did you ever ſee

An Antick, like that ſhew, which there would bee:

Such fruit leſſe hopes, ſuch fears, ſuch mimick actions,

Such turnings, windings, ſidings, ſuch diſtractions,

Were never repreſented, on the Stage

Of anie Common-wealth, in anie Age.

There you ſhould view a thouſand contradictions,

A thouſand fancies, fooleries, and fictions,

Repeated, perſonated, ſworne, beleeved;

And, men, accordingly, made glad or greeved;

And, acting that in their falſe joy, and ſorrow,

Which they muſt backward act againe tomorrow.

From Ireland, this man bringeth heavy newes;

From Scotland, that man little better ſhewes;

One tells what Plots, are in the City laid:

Another, of the Army, what is ſaid.

A third, with an affrighted look, doth bring

A tale of ſome deſignement, with the King,

By Scots, and by Malignants; and, then ſtands

As if he had new purchas'd Biſhops Lands.

A fourth is much diſmayed by ſome tales

Of riſings in the Counties, and in Wales;

As if he fear'd a ſudden ſeparation

From ſomwhat, which he holds by Sequeſtration.

A fifth hath heard from Holland, or from France,

He knowes not what, yet falls into a trance,

As if his conſcience knew of ſomwhat done,

Which he then wiſht, had never been begun.

Another ſhewes, another way, his folly,

And looks as ſadly, and as melancholy,

p. 82As if he were ſurprized with a dread

Of loſing ſome great place, or, of his head.

And, at the turning of the wind or tide,

Upon ſome pleaſing newes on t'other ſide,

Starts up, as they do, when a Piper plaies,

Who, have been bitten by Tarantula's.

You, would not, thus, with ev'ry novell noiſe

Be fill'd with Panick feares, and gannick joyes;

Or, moved be, with ought, which others did,

If you, your owne affaires, would better heed.

This, would not be, were men imploid about

Internall things, as on thoſe things without;

Nor, would they be ſo giddily affrighted,

With things abroad, if things at home be righted.

He, that his way, with ſoberneſſe doth go,

Dreads not the furious marching of a foe.

He, who takes care to keep his conſcience clear,

Shakes not, when evill tidings he doth hear.

He, that indeavours warrantable things,

Feares not the pow'r of Senators or Kings;

Nor, ſhould you ever need to fear a jot

What by the Welch, or Iriſh, French, or Scot

Could be deſign'd or done; or, what the King

With all his party, to effect could bring;

Nor, what an open, or a ſecret foe,

By pow'r, or by his policy, could do,

Either within theſe Ilands, or abroad,

If you repoſe true confidence in GOD;

And, give him, but ſincere, and contrite hearts

To joyne, with him, in acting of your parts:

No, though your ſlips, and Ignorances were

As many, and as great, as now they are.

Let all the ſev'rall Nations of theſe Iles,

Who, liv'd in love, and Amity, ere whiles,

Unite againe, and ſeek each others peace;

That, their encreaſing ſtrifes, and plauges may ceaſe.

p. 83Let, our Welch-Britans, (who their actions ſquare

By thoſe things, which they but ſuſpect, or heare)

Recover, ſo much, of their humane reaſon,

As teaches them, a difference 'twixt Treaſon,

And Lawes of Nature; that it may make place,

To bring them nearer; to the law of Grace.

That, ſo, they may not, ſtill, beleeve, and doe,

Both by implicite Faith, and reaſon, too:

For, when they truly know what doth belong

Unto themſelves, and, their owne right and wrong,

They, will the ſooner, be informed, then,

What duties doe belong to other men;

And, grow more wiſe, by this Epitomie

Of Lawes divine, and true morality;

Do, as yee would be done to, then, all they

VVho pore upon their Law books, ev'ry day;

And, would be thought experienced, in all

Lawes Cannon, Civill, and Municipall.

If this advice they follow, they ſhall dwell

In ſafety on their hills, and live as well

Among their vallies and their Glins, in Wales,

As on the fruitful'ſt Southerne Downes, and Dales:

Then let them practiſe it; and not call to them,

A waſting deſolation, to undo them.

Let them not woo, uncivill civill wars,

To clime up to their Mountaines, Rocks and skars:

For, if they find them rich, they'l leave them poore;

If needy, they will make them need the more;

They bring, the worſt, into a worſe eſtate;

And craſh the Bones, where they can ſuck no fat.

Let your Scotch-Britans, ſo inſiſt upon

Their intereſt, that, nothing may be done,

Againſt their Brethrens rights; and, ſo preſerve

Their Leauges, that willfully, they do not ſwerve

From any Branch thereof; and, let them ſo

Obſerve the Covenant, as men that know

p. 84The letter of it, or, a circumſtance,

Is not to be purſued to th'advance,

Or any ſenſe or practiſe, which may lame

The eſſence, and intentions of the ſame.

For, if they make the letter to extend

Beyond the true intention, and the end

Of what was covenanted; and, ſo weaken

That Intereſt for which the ſame was taken;

They are deceivers, and worſe hypocrites

Then were of old, the cunning Gibeonites.

Let, therefore, that ſtout Nation well adviſe

Among themſelves, wherein the diff'rence lies

Betwixt the Kingdomes; leſt, perhaps, it drawes

A miſchief on both Nations, without cauſe;

And, bring on thoſe ingagements, which may loſe

The love, the peace, the honour, and thoſe dues

Which now are claim'd; &, make them loſe their blood,

And Countrey too, as far as it is good.

Let them not think, that their accommodation,

The profit, or advantage of one Nation,

Prefer'd ſhould be, in any thing at all,

Before theſe Iſlands weal, in generall.

Let them ſeek nothing, but what Iuſtice may

Allow them; leſt ſhe take both that away,

On which they ſeiz'd; and, therewith, all the reſt,

Which, formerly, was lawfully poſſeſt.

For, Iuſtice more ſecures, and more enriches

Then policy, although that more bewitches:

And, neither wealth, nor honour, can be loſt,

By honeſty; though ſomtime ſhe be croſt.

That Nation have done well, to think upon

The bringing of the King back to his Throne;

If from right Principles the motion came:

But, on them it would bring perpetuall ſhame,

If thay recall'd him, without penitence

Of thoſe faults, for which they firſt drove him thence.

p. 85For, that they quarrell'd with him firſt, none doubt;

And, they were with the laſt, who pull'd him out.

That people is too wiſe; to call him home,

Ere he ſhall truly penitent become;

And by ſome ſatisfying expiations,

Hath perfectly ſecured both the Nations:

For, if he bring the ſame heart back, they know,

He will, as ſoon as he ſhall able grow,

Avenge himſelfe on them, as upon thoſe,

Who were the firſt, from whom his troubles roſe.

Let them not give their friends juſt cauſe to lay

That to their charge, which Foes of them do ſay,

Their Brethrens portion, let them not envy,

Or, looke upon it with an evill eye;

Nor, let our Engliſh haughtily, deſpiſe

Their Northerne Brethrens kind compliances;

Or, ſleight their friendſhip; or, (puft up with pride)

Their want of ſuperfluities, deride:

But, by how much more GOD, hath ſeem'd to bleſſe,

Their Clymate, with a greater fruitfulneſſe,

So much the more, reſpectively, let them

Be carefull, that they no way do contemn

Their Lot; leſt GOD, for that in gratitude,

Juſtly permit ſome other to incrude

On their inheritance; and, make them glad

To ſeeke worſe habitations, then they had.

Yea, let both Nations ſtrive with all their mights,

To fortifie each other in their Rights;

And be aſſur'd, that which of them ſoever

Shall firſt to break their late ſworne League endeavour,

Shall both be ruin'd; and, if both make void

Their ſolemn Vowes, then both ſhall be deſtroy'd.

Let both remember well, that Covenant,

Which they have ſworn; and, how much yet they want

Of perfecting their Vowes to God, and Man;

That they may keep them better, if they can.

p. 86Know; you have entred into leauge together,

Not to inſnare, but, to ſecure each other:

And, that your Treaties, were not to get more

From one or t'other, then they had before,

But, that, thereby, they ſtronger might be made,

Againſt him, who, did all their rights invade.

Know, that your Covenant was not contrived,

That Christian liberty ſhould be deprived:

Or, make that for a Jus divinum go,

Which neither was, nor can be proved ſo.

Or, to compell men to renounce, admit;

Or, to accord, as thoſe, or theſe, thought fit;

(Or, as the beſt reformed Churches had it)

Ought further then GGDS word authentick made it.

It is not poſſible that any Nation

Should make a vow, upon conſideration,

To pin their Faith upon anothers ſleeve;

Things to profeſſe, which they cannot beleeve;

To practiſe, what their conſciences abhor,

And what they find, no lawfull warrant for;

But, ſure their meaning was, men ſhould aſſay

To get the truths perfection if they may,

Till otherwiſe, they find it; to adhere

To thoſe as truths, which truths to them appeare;

That, from compulſion, all men ſhould be free,

Where doubtings are, till they decided be;

And, that, their vow injoyned none to do,

More, then their pow'r, and place, oblig'd him too.

Let both remember, that, they vowed have

The Perſon of the King, from harme to ſave;

His honour to preſerve (and what belongs

To him, of right) from violence, and wrongs:

But, this remember, too, that, when you made

This vow, you likewiſe, reſolutions had,

That, therein, his protection ſhould extend.

No further, then you thereby might defend

p. 87The Kingdomes priveledges, and maintaine

Thoſe rights, which to the people appertaine:

For, els, you ſhall betray your greateſt truſt,

And, prove but hypocritically juſt.

Remember, you have vowed to endeavour

To bring to publike triall, whomſoever

You ſhall diſcover, either to divide

The Kingdomes, or, to make the people ſide

In factions; and, that, you have vow'd to ſtrive

(As you are able) that, they may receive

Due puniſhment: And, mark, if you have bin

As faithfull, as you promiſed therein.

Halt not 'twixt two opinions, as ye do;

If Baal be to be ſerv'd, let it be ſo.

Either, you have a pow'r, or you have none:

If none; why act yee, ſtill, as ye have done?

Either your King, or you, deſerveth blame:

If you have traitors been, repent the ſame;

Acknowledge it; ſubmit, implore for grace;

And let him take againe, his pow'r and place.

If he, as much demerit, as you ſay;

Do not your truſt, and your own lives betray;

But, quit your ſelves like men, and do your beſt

To vindicate their cauſe, who are oppreſt.

If both be faulty, then, let both amend;

Leſt, both be quite deſtoyed in the end.

If, you have drove the naile unto the head,

There clinch it; let no more be done, or ſaid:

For, why ſhould this brave Iſland be deſtroid,

That in the mean time, ſome ſhould be imploid

Thereby to raiſe themſelves? and, to prepare

Well-feather'd neſts, perhaps, ſome otherwhere?

Thoſe evill Counſellers, which late appear'd

To be about the King, may now be fear'd

To be among your ſelves; and, they of whom

The King, was made moſt fearfull to become,

p. 88Have now compli'd with him; and, juſtly may

King, People, Scotch, and Engliſh, if they weigh

What hath been done, ſhake hands, and well agree;

For, they are all, as like, as like can be.

Come, come, repent together, and forgive;

For there's no other means, in peace to live;

And, when you are forgiving, let all ſhare

A part of Mercy, who repentant are.

Let, our ſeduced Iriſh, who, among

The reſt, are yet involved in the throng.

Of murth'rous Rebells; but have guiltleſſe bin

Of their inhumane, and loud crying ſin,

Find ſome Gate open, whereby they might gaine

An entrance, your forgivneſſe to obtaine;

(Upon repentance, and on evidence,

Produced, differencing their offence:)

For, ſome of them aſſiſted, to their might,

Their brethren, in their terrified flight,

Againſt deſtroiers; and in ſecret ſtood

Betwixt them, and the ſeekers of their blood.

Some of them, then, ſo far forth as they durſt,

Releev'd them in their hunger, and their thirſt;

Cover'd their nakedneſſe; and them convei'd

(From thoſe, by whom they ſhould have been betraid)

To Townes, and Ports, wherein they might avoid

That rage, whereby they had been els deſtroid.

If theſe, withdraw themſelves, and back recede

From them, whoſe hands in blood were deeply di'd,

Receive them unto mercy; that, you may

By juſtice, therewith mixed, take away

That Kingdomes guilt; and, put a difference

Betwixt the ſmaller, and the great offence,

That, they, whom other men did hurry on,

Againſt their wills, to be with them, undone,

May find a paſſage, out of that diſtreſſe,

Which they are in, by others wickedneſſe;

p. 89And, that repentance, may not be without

A comfortable hope of ſome good fruit,

To ev'ry ſinner, when he ſhall endeavour

A reformation, at what time ſoever.

By this courſe, you ſhall make the freer paſſe,

For your owne ſelves, unto the Throne of grace:

By this courſe, you ſhall greatly weaken thoſe

Who, are your willfull unrepentant foes;

And, ſtrengthen much their hands, who have been true

To GOD, unto their Countrey, and to you.

It may be, too, fullfil'd ſhall be, thereby,

That ancient well knowne Iriſh Prophecy,

By which, unto that Nation, 'twas foretold,

That, there would come a time, wherein they ſhould

Weepe ore your Engliſh Graves: For ſome, no doubt,

Already, tears of pitty have pow'rd out;

Ev'n when they ſaw the cruell butcheries

Of guiltleſſe Engliſhmen, before their eies?

And, now, ſhall ore their Graves, for their offence

Shed teares againe, through heartie penitence.

Let thoſe diſſenting Parties, and thoſe Factions

Which, long have multiplied your Diſtractions,

Leave of thoſe many names of ſeparations,

Of ſcorne, and diſeſteem, which in theſe Nations

Do now abound; and wherewith you provoke

Each other; and, whereby the peace is broke,

And malice nouriſhed: for they prolong

Your diſcords, by a ſtill-renewing wrong.

Let, not all thoſe, who term'd, of late, have been

Malignants, find that name, ſtill ſet between

Themſelves, and others, when they have aſſaid

To make amends, and their redemption paid.

For, by that Bar, you keep the Breach uncloſed

'Twixt them, whoſe quarrells might els be compoſed.

For ſuch of them, as only were miſled

In judgement, have not thereby forfeited

p. 90Their honeſtie; as all thoſe men have done

Who wilfully, and knowingly went on.

Nor, halfe ſo much as thoſe, who have compli'd

With both ſides; or, been falſe to either ſide.

Yet, truſt them not with pow'r, till you have tri'd

Their truth; and, till your Peace is fortifi'd.

Let Innocents, defend their reputations,

As freely, as Knaves make their accuſations.

Good turnes vouchſafe, to honeſt men ſometime,

As willingly, as you do miſchieve them:

For, to undo a man, you ſoone give ear;

Have tongues to ſpeak, and leiſure time to hear,

Within an houres warning; but, before

You heare him for his good, a year, and more,

Yea, ſometimes three, four, five, conſumed be,

Yet, neither end, nor hope of end, hath he.

Let thoſe who for your ſervice, fit are knowne,

Both by abilities, and courage ſhowne;

Thoſe, who for you, their lives have hazarded;

Contributed, and lent their childrens bread;

For your ſakes, brought themſelves, and families

From plenty, to extreme neceſſities,

(Through want of that reſpect, which you ſhould ſhow them,

Till you have means to pay them what you owe them.

Let thoſe, not like old ſhoes, be hurled by,

As if they were not worth your memory,

Or fit for nothing; when malignant Jacks,

Who laugh, and jeer at you behind your backs,

Can fill ſo manie places; and grow rich,

Whilſt better men, lie ſtarving in a ditch.

If ſpent your Treaſure be, then let them ſhare

In your Imployments, till you abler are

To pay them what is due; So, you ſhall eaſe them:

So, you, with hope of better, ſhall well pleaſe them:

So, you, in life, and health, may them ſuſtaine,

Till you have need of honeſt men againe:

p. 91For, when their Countrey wants help, theſe, are they

Who will not faile her, though them faile ſhe may.

Take theſe laſt words among you, where they fall;

And, as occaſion, make them uſefull ſhall:

For, your confuſion ſo confoundeth me,

That want of method, may excuſed be,

Where all is well intended; and, where nought

Is more, then may be profitably taught,

Let thoſe among you, who deſire to plead

For Chriſtian Libertie, take ſerious heed

They make not paſſages, which may let in

Licentiouſneſſe, and Liberty of ſin.

Let them not ſeek to rarifie Devotion,

To nothing, but an incorporall notion;

Leſt, if no place for ſhadowes, they allow,

They never come their ſubſtances to know:

Leſt, if too far away, from Formes they fly,

They fall into ſome fowle deformity;

Or, leſt, when they think pureſt light to ſee,

They blinded by an over-weening bee.

And, you, who thinke, that by a Law-Divine,

There is, one outward forme of Diſcipline,

To be obſerv'd of all men; and, but one

That can be lawfull; which, by you alone,

Is now in practiſe: ſomewhat bear I pray,

With ſuch, as cannnot yet, approve your way

To be infallible; or, give conſent

To make eſſentiall, what's indifferent.

When you poſſeſſe the Wheat, brawl not for Darnell,

Fight not for ſhells, when you enjoy the Kernell.

If to the true Foundation they adhere,

Againſt their buildings, be not too ſevere;

For, if the Structures they erect thereon,

Be Gold, and Silver, they have wiſely done:

If Straw, and Stubble, theirs will be the loſſe;

The Fiery-triall, will conſume the droſſe;

p. 92And, they themſelves, (though from perdition free)

Will in themſelves, enough afflicted bee.

With love and kindneſſe, ſeek to bring them in,

Who, by miſſe-teaching, have deluded been:

With patience, and long-ſuffring, wait upon

Your Brethren, as on you, your GOD hath done;

And, if their errors be but imperfections,

And not of malice, let your good affections

Be exercis'd thereby; and, then perchance

Your Charity, ſhall cure their ignorance,

And, ſooner win them, then your indignation,

Severitie, or bitter provocation.

Compulſion often formes an Hypocrite,

But never makes the will, or heart upright:

And he, that would not vaine concluſions try,

The conſciences of men to rectifie,

Muſt act, by ſomwhat which is more divine,

Then torments, or a Formall Diſcipline.

Speak not in Tempeſts, when vou would reforme;

GOD, oftner comes in Calmes, then in a Storme.

Ill words, corrupt good manners; and, there flowes

From jeerings, brawlings, from your brawlings, blowes;

And, many times, the woundings of your ſwords,

Break not the peace, ſo much as bitter words.

Provide therefore, as wiſely as you may

To take provoking ſpeeches quite away;

Eſpecially among thoſe, who pretend

The Cauſe of GOD, and goodneſſe to befriend:

For, they, who cannot their ſharp tongues reſtraine,

Profeſſe, and talke of Piety, in vaine.

Yea, they, who are Truths Champions with their (tongues,

And want true love, have done the greateſt wrongs.

Let not your Supreme City over-ſwell

That Mediocrity, which heeded well,

Would more ſecure her ſafety, more enlarge

Her honour, and diminiſh more her charge.

p. 93Though ſhe be great, let her not ſeek to awe

Thoſe, who, to her, and all the reſt give law.

Though ſhe be rich, let her not truſt unto

Her riches; leſt at laſt, they her undo.

Though ſhe be ſtrong, let her not boaſt therein;

For, ſome, by their own ſtrength, have ruin'd bin.

Though ſhee be wiſe, let her not think to fool

Her Tutors, and to ſet them new to ſchool:

But, let her motions, be in her owne ſphere,

According as her own occaſions are;

Let her advance her tradings, without wrong

To priviledges, which to all belong:

Endeavour, by continuall watchfulneſſe,

Both how, ſhe may prevent, and how ſuppreſſe

Sedition, routs, and tumults: for theſe be

The bane of Cities: and I do foreſee,

(Unleſſe, prevented, by good taking heed)

That thence a miſchiefe, may to you proceed,

Whereby, you more may ſuffer, in one hour,

Then in an whole year, by a Martiall pow'r.

Returne to your firſt love, and be not jealous

Of thoſe, who mean you well, nor over-zealous

In proſecuting, or beleeving, all,

Which your pretended Lovers counſell ſhall.

Contribute that proportion of due aid,

For, publike ſafety, which on you is laid,

According to the Portion of the bleſſing,

Which is thereby; preſerv'd, in your poſſeſſing,

With praiers, and obedience, them aſſiſt,

Who ſtand up for the common Intereſt,

And take good heed, leſt thoſe who ſhall pretend

Your benefit, may drive ſome other end;

And, overthrow the common peace, and you,

By thoſe proceedings, which they now purſue.

You have done well, and bravely; looſe not then

Your thanks, and your deſerved praiſe, agen.

p. 94Your, of the Souldiery; Men of the Sword,

Receive you Orders too, and take a word

Of good advice: for much it will concerne

The publike weal, that you your duties learne.

Neglect not diſcipline, thereto adhere;

And, therein, alwaies rather be ſevere

Then too remiſſe: for, when an Army ſhall

Into diſorder and confuſion fall;

Deſtruction to it ſelfe, it will become:

And, of all enemies, moſt perilſome

To publike ſafety. And, 'tis better far

(Whether it be in time of peace, or war)

To ſuffer, by obedience to good order;

Then due redreſſe, by mutinie, to further.

Remember, that, you were not arm'd or paid,

To do your own work, but for publike aid:

And, that, you to your Officers are bound,

No further, then while faithfull they are found

To thoſe, who have intruſted them; and, that

If they oppreſſe, there's meanes to regulate

What is amiſſe; and, pow'r that may reſtraine

Their inſolencies, if you ſhall complaine.

Think not your ſelves their creatures, as ſome name you:

For ſuch an attribute doth much defame you.

There is in them no power of creation,

By dignity, by place, or by Relation,

Whereby they any creatures can produce,

But ſonnes, and daughters, or fleas, wormes, and lice;

And theſe, are (properly) but generated,

Or, els, by their corruption propagated.

Delay not publike peace, by private hate;

Each others noble actions emulate;

Out-vie, but them envie not; neither croſſe

Each other, to your countries further loſſe.

Upon your foes, there's honour to be got

Sufficient, with your friends then, quarrell not.

p. 95Seek not, to be aveng'd, for that offence,

Upon the publike, which your innocence

By private hands hath ſuffred; meaſure not

Your merit, by the conquests, you have got;

But, by that worth, which truly is your owne,

And, in your heart lies, to the world unknowne

Judge not of worth, by actions, and events,

(Which fame, it may be, falſly repreſents)

But, by thoſe Principles, and reall worth

Whereby the heart is rouz'd and carried forth

To noble undertakings: Fame that's won

By having gain'd the lot of leading on

Your Engliſh Mastives, (on whoſe ſide befell

A victorie, whoſe author none can tell)

Is but of ſmall eſteem; for, when confuſion

Hath brought their skirmiſhes unto concluſion,

He, many times, who merited but ſhame,

Of all that victorie, ſhall bear the name;

And, then, opinion ev'ry day doth add

Advantages, till he at laſt is made

So arrogant, that he begins to dream

Himſelfe to be, what, ſome have fanci'd him;

And, ſo to act, that they whom he deceiv'd;

Shall ſoone find, what of him ſhould be beleev'd.

Be none of theſe, for, you have lately ſeen,

How, ſuch falſe fires extinguiſhed have been;

And, when with glory, to aſcend they think,

How, quickly, they deſcend, in ſmoke, and ſtink.

Fall not from that, which you have well begun;

But, perſevere, untill the work be done.

An inſtrument, you are, but, nor the tongue,

Nor eye, to whom, direction doth belong:

Therefore aſſume it not; but keepe them free

By true obedience, who your keepers be.

And, be aſſur'd, that, if you ſhall comply

With any, to advance a tyranny

p. 96Of any kind; or, up to raiſe, thereby,

Licentiouſneſſe, inſtead of Liberty:

GOD ſhall let looſe a ſpirit; which will ſoone

Un-nerve your Powres; make it night at noone;

Deſtroy you with a fillip, all together;

Puffe you away, like th'atoms of a feather.

And you, who (if you arrogate it not

Unworthily) are Stewards, for the Lot

Of GOD's Annointed; heare a word or two,

To mind ye, what ye know ye ought to do.

You ſee, to what confuſion all is brought

By thoſe men, who themſelves have onelyonly ſought:

And, what deſtruction will ſucceed thereon,

If in divided paths you ſtill go on.

You know, what meanes, and what advantages

You have, to keep out, or to fetch in peace:

And, I acknowledge, ſome of you have walked

The way of peace, as well as thereof talked:

And, trumpet-like, have rais'd your voices high,

To wake theſe Nations from their Lethargie.

Let all do ſo; and joyntly undertake

To helpe repaire the Breach they holpe to make;

And not contend for that which neither was,

Nor is, nor ever can be brought to paſſe.

Make not thoſe things infallible to be,

In which ſo many millions diſagree:

Make not thoſe things Eſſentialls to appeare,

Which in themſelves but Circumſtantialls are:

And, beare with them (ſince they the woe muſt bide)

Who give offences, that you may be tri'd.

Your Temporalities, claime by your Law,

To be your due; and labour not to draw

Concluſions for your ſelves, from inferences,

Which make not warrantable your pretences:

For, all your claimes, by Ceremoniall dues,

Or Cuſtomes, appertaining to the Iewes,

p. 97Availe you nothing; but enfeeble rather,

Thoſe Arguments, which from their Rights you gather.

You may as well reduce them back againe

To ſacrifices, and to entertaine

All other ſervices, now obſolete,

As, get ſome things, which you have hope to get;

And, whereto you the People would injoyne

By humane Law, as due by Law divine:

Which, what they are; and how from doubts to cleare them,

You ſhall be told, when you are fit to heare them.

From bitter words, and ſharp invectives ceaſe;

Invoke for grace, and then provoke to peace.

From all your Pulpits baniſh all partaking

In Factions; and in weak'ning or ſtrong making

This or that Party: and, pull not in, all

Thoſe things, which into controverſie fall,

(Or into queſtion) within cognizance

Of your own juriſdiction, to advance

Your int'reſt: For, all things which can be thought,

May, by that rule, within your pow'r be brought:

And, by that means, you may recover more

Then hath been, here uſurped heretofore.

Preach Faith, Repentance, Charity, and what

May true belief, and good life propagate.

Be humble, keep more cloſely to your charge;

And ramble not about ſo much at large,

To fetch in fleeces, out of others flocks,

But, be contented with your proper ſtocks;

Leſt, as befell of late, and heretofore,

Inſteed of greater gaine, your loſſe be more.

I more might add; but, you already know it,

Oh therefore, in your practiſe, alſo, ſhow it.

You, hear, what I have ſaid, ye Britiſh Nations,

To further the deſired reparations

Of theſe diſtracted Kingdomes; and to bring

Your King to you, and you unto your King,

p. 98If you, and he, the curing will abide;

And, for that Bleſſing, now grow qualifi'd:

Or, if not both, that one of you, at leaſt

With Peace and ſafetie may againe be bleſt:

And live to praiſe GOD, that you forth are brought

From that ſnare, wherewith wilfulneſſe is caught.

I have not here deceiv'd you with faire ſhowes

From old Records, whoſe credit no man knowes.

From temporarie Acts, worme-eaten found;

(Of which, none knowes the reaſon, or the ground)

I bring not Preſidents, that do belong

To things in Fact, which whether right or wrong,

Were thereby done, there is no certaintie.

You ſee, I uſe no kinde of Sophiſtrie;

Nor doe attempt, concluſions here to draw

From cheating quirks, or quiddities of Law:

From abſtruſe Principles, Authorities,

Unknowne; or, wherein little credit lies:

From ought, too Magisteriall for the ſeaſon;

From fraudfull, or adulterated reaſon;

But meerly, from ſuch grounds, and ſuch poſitions,

As yeeld reſults, without all juſt ſuſpitions.

From nature, common practice, and thoſe things,

Whoſe cleare light meanes of apprehenſion brings

To moſt capacities; and, (which may beſt

Improve them) they, in language are expreſt

So plainely; that all thoſe throughout the Land,

(Ev'n Children) that can read, may underſtand.

And ſince, men wand'ring in a wood by night,

When they ſhall through a Glade, behold ſome light,

Take thereby courage, to walke chearly on,

In hope, their fears, and toyles, are nearly gone;

Ile from a Cloud, flaſh out a little gleame

Of Lightning; and, diſcloſe a little beame,

Whereby on you a glimmering, ſhall be caſt,

Of what you may attaine to, at the laſt:

p. 99For, I will ſhew you, by what Pedigree

That Government, to you deriv'd ſhall bee

Which will, at laſt, theſe Britiſh Iſlands bleſſe

With inward Peace, and outward happineſſe.

It was of late, a briefe Preſage of his,

Who, oft, hath truth foretold: And, it is this.

When, here, a Scot ſhall thinke his Throne to ſet,

Above the Circle of a Brittiſh King;

He ſhall a dateleſſe Parliament beget,

From whence a dreadfull Armed brood ſhall ſpring.

That off-ſpring ſhall beget a wild confuſion;

Confuſion, ſhall an Anarchy beget;

That Anarchy ſhall bring forth in concluſion,

A Creature, which you have no name for, yet:

That Creature, ſhall conceive a ſickly State,

Which will an Ariſtocracie produce:

The many headed Beaſt, not liking that,

To raiſe Democracie, ſhall rather chuſe.

And, then Democracies production ſhall

A Moone-calfe be; which ſome a Mole do call.

A falſe Conception of imperfect nature,

And, of a ſhapeleſse, and a bruitiſh feature.

All theſe Deſcents, ſhall live, and raigne together;

So acting for a while, that few ſhall know

Which of them gets the Sov'raigntie; or whether

There be among them, a Supreme, or no.

When they with jarres and janglings have defac'd

Your triple-building, and themſelves nigh worne,

Into contempt; they, of one cup ſhall taſt;

And, into their first elements returne:

Five of them, ſhall ſubdue the other five;

And, then thoſe five, ſhall by a doubtfull ſtrife,

Each others death ſo happily centrive,

That, they ſhall die, to live a better life:

And, out of their corruption, riſe there ſhall

A true Supreme, acknowledged by all.

p. 100In which the pow'r of all the five ſhall bee

With Unitie made viſible in three.

Prince, People, Parl'ament, with Prieſts and Peers,

Shall be, a while, your emulous Grandees;

Make a confuſed Pentarchie, ſome years,

And, leave off their diſtinct claimes, by degrees:

And, then, ſhall Righteouſneſſe aſcend the Throne;

Then, love, and truth, and peace re-enter ſhall:

Then, faith, and reaſon, ſhall agree in one;

And, all the Vertues to their counſell call.

Then, timely out of all theſe ſhall ariſe,

That Kingdome, and that happie Government,

Which is the ſcope of all thoſe Prophecies,

That future Truths obſcurely repreſent:

But how this will be done, few men ſhall ſee;

For, wrought in clouds and darkneſſe, it will bee,

And, ere it comes to paſse, in publike view,

Moſt of theſe following ſignes will firſt enſue.

A King, ſhall willingly himſelfe unking;

And, thereby grow far greater then before.

The Prieſts, their Prieſthood, to contempt ſhall bring.

And Piety ſhall thereby thrive the more.

A Parliament, it ſelfe ſhall overthrow;

And thereby, ſhall a better being gaine;

The Peers, by ſetting of themſelves below,

A more innobling honour ſhall obtaine:

The people for a time ſhall be inſlav'd;

And, that ſhall make them for the future free.

By private loſſe, the publike ſhall be ſav'd;

An Army ſhall by yeelding Victor bee:

The Cities wealth, her poverty ſhall cauſe:

The Lawes corruption, ſhall reform the Lawes:

And, Bullocks, of the largeſt Northern breed,

Shall fatted be, where now ſcarce ſheep can feed.

You may perhaps, deride what's here recited,

As, heretofore you other Truths have ſleighted.

p. 101But, part of this Preſage you have beheld,

Already in obſcurity, fulfill'd:

The reſt ſhall in the time appointed come;

And, ſooner, then will pleaſing be to ſome.

The laſt nine ſignes, or ſymptomes, of the ten,

Which muſt precede it, ſhall appear to men

Of all conditions: But, our Authour ſaith,

The firſt, is but in hope, not yet in Faith;

And may be, or not be; for, ſo, or ſo,

That King ſhall have his lot, as he ſhall do.

If all his ſins, he heartily repent,

God, will remit, ev'n all his puniſhment;

And, him, unto his Kingdomes, back reſtore,

With greater honour, then he had before.

If he remaine impenitent, like Saul,

God, from the Throne, ſhall caſt both him, and all

His whole Deſcent; and, leave him not a man

To ſill it, though he had a Jonathan.

If Ahab-like, his mourning hath reſpects

To temporary loſſes and effects;

Like Ahabs, then, it therewithall ſhall carry,

Some benefit, which is but temporary.

A reall penitence, though ſomewhat late,

The rigour of his doome may much abate;

By leaving him a part of what he had,

When he a forfeiture of all hath made:

Or elſe, by rooting out thoſe, who in ſin

With him, have actually partakers been;

And, planting in their ſteads, a Branch of his,

Whoſe Innocency no way queſtion'd is.

For, this hath oft, with good ſucceſſe been done]

In Ages paſt; not, in this Iſle alone,

But, in moſt other Kingdomes: And, if you

Will in GOD's Chronicles, but take a view,

Of his proceedings; you, in them will ſee,

For what it is, that Princes changed bee:

p. 102Why ſome loſe but a part; why ſome loſe all;

Why, for a time; why, ſome for ever fall:

Why, ſome ſhall but for three deſcents remaine;

And, how they might have had a longer raigne:

When war, when peſtilence, when dearth, will come

Upon a land; when GOD will take it from

That land againe; and, how, they may foreknow,

When, he will bring a totall overthrow.

They, who have learn'd to contemplate aright

Thoſe old records, may gaine a true foreſight

Of many things, whereby to regulate

Enormities, both in the Church, and State;

Things to themſelves pertaining; to their friends,

Their Foes, their Policies, their Fates, their ends:

And, if this were not ſo; what, are to you,

The ſtories of the Kingdomes of the Iew,

Or of their friends, and foes, more uſefull than

Thoſe, which concerne the realmes of Powhatan?

Or, ſo available, as thoſe relations,

Which memorize the deeds of your own nations?

But all this is but words; there muſt be deeds,

Ere to perfection any thing proceeds:

You muſt not everlaſtingly be ſtating

The Queſtion; or, be ſeven yeares more debating:

For, ere that time, things will too late be done;

Which many fear, will come to paſſe too ſoone.

Expect you, ſome third perſons, ſhould between

The King and you, at this time intervene

To make attonement? Pray, who ſhould they bee?

Who, wiſheth you ſo well? who, doth not ſee,

That, all, 'twixt whom, and you, there be relations,

Them qualifying for ſuch mediations,

May get more, by your wo, then by your weale?

Who knowes not, how with Friends moſt Friends now deale?

And, who perceives not, that thoſe Mediators

Have intereſts, and, many weighty matters,

p. 103Pertaining to themſelves, which they'l begin

On ſuch a faire occaſion, to hedge in?

And, whereby paradventure they may bring

Great diſadvantages, upon the King,

Or, on the Kingdomes: and perhaps on both,

Which to indanger, wiſemen would be loth?

What then can be effected? or by whom,

May your deſires, now feiſeable become?

Since, there is no way open for acceſſe,

Nor any meanes admitted for addreſſe?

The Parliament, conceives it ſelfe abus'd,

In that, their offers have been oft refus'd;

And, ſeems reſolv'd, that they will never more

Send Meſſages in vaine, as heretofore:

And though the King, were now as penitent,

As David and Manaſſeh, with intent,

Unfainedly to ſatisfie, and do

What ever juſtice doth oblige him to;

VVhat ever, you in reaſon could require,

To anſwer, at the full your owne deſire;

Or, whatſoe're affections mortifi'd,

A contrite heart, or conſcience rectifi'd,

Should urge him to: yet, now, there is no way,

VVhereby, this, may be manifeſt, you ſay.

Deſpair not friends: mind what I ſaid before;

True penitence, will find, or make a door:

Though, it be treaſon voted, now to bring

Or, carry Meſſage, to or from the King:

Although his perſon be retain'd in ward;

Attended alwaies, with an armed Guard:

Although ſtrong walls, have round incloſed him:

Though rocks, far ſtronger, have ſurrounded them;

Yea, though the rageing, and the roaring ſeas,

Have alſo, like a mote, incircled theſe:

Through all theſe difficulties, I could find

Conveyances, if thereto he had mind,

p. 104To publiſh his repentance; and prevaile,

If to performe his part, he ſhould not faile.

Yea, find him meanes, without an obligation

To any party, or to any Nation,

Or any, but himſelfe; to make his peace,

VVith honour: and his Kingdomes to poſſeſſe.

Now, let him neither heed, nor harken to

VVhat other men do ſay, or what they do;

For, whatſoever they ſhall act, or prattle,

(VVill be to him, but, fruitleſſe tittle tattle)

But, let him ſit downe, by himſelfe alone;

And, ſet down (as, he reads, it hath been done

By King Manaſſeh) moſt unfain'd confeſſions

Of all his knowne offences, and tranſgreſſions;

Acknowledge GOD's juſt dealing in afflicting;

His Providence, and merciemercy, in correcting

So like a Father; and, for his attending

So long time, for repentance and amending.

Let him expreſſe a reſolute intent,

To leave to GOD's diſpoſe, the government

VVhichWhich he hath mannag'd ill; and to reſigne

Himſelfe, and his, to providence divine,

With full aſſurance, of obtaining place,

In his free love, and alſufficient grace.

This done; let him, ſubſcribe the ſame, and ſpread it,

Before the LORD; let him with ſuch teares read it,

As may declare, it was his act and deed:

Then, ſeal it, with a Heart, which much doth bleed;

And, with a Lion rampant, ſo reverſt,

That, none may fear, his rage or bloody thirſt.

Upon which acts, by meanes of your relation,

And, by that ſpirit of communication,

VVhereby, moſt ſecret actions, are made knowne,

(VVhen to good purpoſes they may be ſhowne)

Ev'n at that point of time, they, who have bin

His oppoſites, will feel, ſome creeping in,

p. 105Firſt, hopes; then Good opinions; and, at laſt,

That which will blot out all Offences paſt;

And make them kill their fat calfe; daunce and ſing;

That they, have found againe their long loſt King.

Oh, that I could behold that happy day

Of penitence; and, that behold I may

Both Parliament, and People meet therein

So truly; that, their unrepentant ſinne

May not, when God hath re-inthroned him,

Prolong their woes, or bring new plagues on them.

But, who am I, that, either you, or he,

Should on my word rely, or take from me

Thoſe things which I have ſaid? know, I am that

Which is your GENIUS cal'd. If, you ask what

A GENIUS is, I will define the ſame,

According to the nature, and the name.

So cal'd it is, becauſe, it doth incline

With an affection truly Genuine,

To draw to good, and to withdraw from ill,

Thoſe Perſons, both in action and in will,

To whom it doth relate; and from diſgraces,

And ſpoile, to keep ſuch Perſons, and ſuch places.

A GENIUS, is an incorporeall creature,

Conſiſting of an intellectuall nature;

Which at the ſelfe-ſame time, a being had,

With that, for whoſe well being it was made.

And, may be cal'd, that Angell, which deſigneth,

Adviſeth, moveth, draweth, and inclineth

To happineſſe; and, naturally reſtraineth

From harme, that creature, whereto it pertaineth:

And, this am I to you. Then, have a care,

My counſells now, with good reſpect to heare:

For, they, to whom their GENIUS repreſents,

That, which to ſaftey tends, and harme prevents;

If, then, they ſhall his good advice neglect,

And, paſſe it by, with willfull diſreſpect;

p. 106They ſhall deſervedly, be left to thoſe

Ill Angels, whoſe direction, they have choſe:

And, what will then ſucceed, they ſhall perceive

When 'tis too late, their evill choice to leave.

Then looking backe, he fixt his eyes on me,

And, ſaid; my Secretary thou ſhalt be

To Regiſter, and publiſh to theſe Nations,

What counſells, warnings, and what exhortations

God hath vouchſaf'd them; that what ere betide,

His Grace, or Iustice may be glorifi'd.

This being ſaid, my FANCY roſe, and drew

A Curtaine; wherewith, quite beyond my view,

This apparition vaniſh'd. And, I tooke

My pen, to put in writing, what was ſpoke,

And publiſh it to others, that it may

Prevent (if poſſible) your evill day:

For, till amendment, or deſtruction come,

The Beaſts would preach, ſhould men continue dumb:

Yea, what their Genius, now to them doth ſpeake,

If they ſhould ſleight it, ſtones would ſilence breake,

To rouze them from their ſlumbers; or, to tell

Succeeding-Ages, how and why they fell.

When all was vaniſh'd; and, I left alone,

Intending, what was willed to be done,

A feare ſurpriz'd me; and, a ſhuddring took me,

Which with a long continuing trembling ſtrook me;

And my weake heart began to be afraid,

To doe what I reſolv'd; and, thus it ſaid.

Obſerv'ſt thou not the madneſse of this Nation,

The rage and fury of this Generation?

And, how like Swine, before whom Pearles are throwne,

They tread the givers of good counſell downe,

And, tear them into pieces, by their ſcornes;

Becauſe, they then expected Barley-cornes?

p. 107For, ten to one, ev'n ſome in whoſe defence,

Theſe truths are ſpoke, will want intelligence

To underſtand them ſo; and fooliſhly

Charge thee, with ſtandring that Authority

Which thou doſt honour; and, which (as this day

Things go) can ſaved be no other way.

Haſt thou, nigh fourty yeers been vext and greoved,

By this dull Generation, unreleeved?

And having for it, ventured thy life,

Ʋndone thy little children, and thy wife,

Left them nor houſe, nor lands, nor cloathes, nor bread,

Nor ought wherewith they may be comforted,

(In that contagious ſickneſſe, which this day,

Hath driven all thy comforters away)

Yea, ſpent all in their ſervice; and, wilt thou

Having obtained words and paper now,

Which promiſe restauration, hazzard all

Thoſe hopes, by that, which hereby may befall?

Haſt thou full five yeers …oyl'd and tired been

To ſtruggle from the miſchiefs thou wert in;

With much-much difficultie, got at laſt,

Acknowledgements, of what forborne thou haſt?

And, probability, that thou perchance

Maiſt get one halfe, by giving, for advance

The other moiety? And, meaneſt thou

To loſe it all againe, by doing now

What this Illuſion doth intice thee to?

And everlastingly thy ſelfe undo?

For nothing ſpoken for the publike good,

Will to thy benefit be underſtood,

By ſuch as hate thee: And, thou well doſt know

That thou maist more be miſchiev'd by one Foe

(Who to the publike faithfulneſse pretends)

Then benefited by a hundred friends.

Take heed of this temptation; thou hast done

Thy ſhare this way. Now, let the world alone:

p. 108Provide for thine owne ſafety and thine eaſe:

As others do, write thoſe things that may pleaſe:

And thou ſhalt then be freed from thoſe diſgraces,

That thou haſt ſuffred: there will then, be places

For thee, as well as others: and thou then

Shalt favour'd be, as much as other men.

Thy peace is made already; not a tongue

Doth move againſt thee; And, thou ſhalt ere long

Of all thy dues be fully repoſsest,

If thou wilt let the world doe what ſhe liſt.

When thus, my owne corruptions from within me,

Had ſpoke, from my good purpoſes to win me;

Another Voice, as coming from behind me,

Thus whiſpered: SON of EARTH, give ear & mind me.

Reſiſt thou that ſuggestion; let it bee

But as a Serpent on a ſtone, to thee,

Which finds no entrance: For, it is the ſeed

Of that old Serpent, whereof to take heed

Thou hast good cauſe; ſince, if his head prevaile

To enter, he will ſlip in to the taile.

And, thou a poor flea-biting to avoid,

Maiſt with the ſtings of Vipers be destroy'd.

Feare not thoſe Bug-beares wherewith fooles are frighted;

Nor prize thoſe toyes wherewith ſuch are delighted;

Fear not the cruell Tyrants of the times;

Nor taſt their dainties, leſt thou act their crimes.

Feare not thy Family ſhall be unfed;

For, he that gave them mouths, will give them bread.

He that alreadie hath five years maintain'd thee,

(Since thou hadſt nought left likely to maintaine thee

Five moneths) and kept thee all that while aflaot

In ſtorms, though thou hadſt neither Oar nor boat;

He can aſwell preſerve thee now, as then,

With nothing: therefore, ſeeke to him agen.

Think not thy ſelfe alone, or without friends;

For, thouſands favour what thy Muſe intends:

p. 109The well-affected Members of each Houſe,

Yea, all among them, who are generous,

Will favour thy endeavours; and, be glad,

That, in theſe times, an Engliſh-man they had,

Whom neither hopes, nor fears, could make affraid

To ſpeake, what he thought pertinently ſaid

For publike ſafety; whatſoere he loſt:

Or, whoſe deſigne ſoere was thereby croſt.

He, that in times paſt, did ſecure thee from

Thy foes; will do the ſame in time to come:

For, that thou maist believe he will do ſo,

Already five ſucceſſions, in a row

He hath destroy'd; who, cauſleſſely had ſought

Thy ruine. Some, of them, (who, lately brought

A miſchiefe on themſelves) now rooted bee

From dwelling, where they perſecuted thee:

The ſixth is alſo ripening to be ſent

To follow them, unleſſe they ſhall repent.

They, whom thou fear'ſt, if thou ſhalt constant be

In good reſolves, will be afraid of thee;

For, GOD ſhall put the feare of thee on thoſe

Who to thy principles, and waies, are Foes;

Or elſe, at leaſt, they ſhall ſtill ſlumber on;

And, let thee ſpeake in vain, as they have done.

Diſcourage not thy ſelfe, as if thy paine

In theſe indeavours would be quite in vaine;

For, GOD will make thy weary Pilgrimage

Bring ſome advantage to this preſent age,

Or to the next. To this work thou wert borne;

And, when thou to thy Fathers doſt returne,

It ſhall not grieve thee, that thou haſt beſtowne,

More time for publike good, then for thine owne.

Thy Faculties were not confer'd on thee

For no Imployment; nor imployd to bee

In flattering fools: nor, as at firſt it was,

To praiſe the fading beauties of a face:

p. 110Or, play with thoſe affections, which infuſe

The vaine expreſſions, that pollute a Muſe;

But, to provoke to vertue: to deter

From vice, all chaſt affections to prefer;

GODS Judgements to declare; his righteouſneſse

To magnifie; his mercies to confeſse:

And, whilſt thou to this purpoſe art imploy'd,

Fear not to be undone, or be deſtroy'd:

For, by undoing, thou ſhalt be new-made;

By thy deſtruction, ſafety ſhall be had:

And, if this Generation ſhall purſue

Thy love with hatred; or with-hold thy due;

It ſhall be one addition to their doome,

To be the ſcorn of ev'ry Age to come.

This reconfirm'd my Spirit; and I found

My heart with fearleſſe courage, to abound.

With reſolutions, I was fortifi'd;

And, throwing all my owne affaires aſide,

Which moſt concerned me; I, to write begun

What I had heard: and, now, the worke is done,

My Conſcience is diſcharg'd; my heart is eas'd;

And, therein come what will, I ſhall be pleas'd.

Terrae Filius.

p. 111To the Parliaments.

IT is not feare, in me; nor it is ſhame,

Which makes me, at this time, conceal my name:

But, humble modeſtie, and conſciouſneſſe,

Of that knowne frailty, and unworthineſſe,

Wherewith my Perſon, outwardly is cloth'd,

Oft, makes my ſelfe, ev'n of my ſelfe ſo loth'd,

That (not without good reaſon) I ſuſpect

My purpoſes, may find the leſſe effect,

If, ere you taſt the fruit, I let you know,

In whoſe poor Garden, GOD, hath made it grow.

For, many times, the beſt wine pleaſeth not,

Unleſſe, we like the Drawer, and the Pot.

A homebred Simples vertue, few will owne;

A Doctor ſeemes beſt skil'd, that is unknowne:

Yea, miracles, by Chriſt, were ſeldome done,

Where, he reputed was, but Joſephs ſon.

How ere it pleaſe, or may be underſtood,

I dare aver, my purpoſes were good;

And, that, hereby, you have advantages

To do your ſelves an honour, if you pleaſe.

Therewith, you profit, likewiſe, may receive,

If, thereunto, but thoſe reſpects you give,

Which are, in equity, to thoſe things due,

That will both profit, and much honour you.

GODS will be done: and, if your will agree

With his, then, let your will be done on mee.