The Protector, Poem
The Protector.
A POEM Briefly illuſtrating the Supereminency of that Dignity.
WIſe Providence, which, leaves unheeded, neither
ſhe falling hair, or wagging of a feather,
Induceth me, ſomtimes, with ſerious eyes,
To view, & Muſe on that, wch moſt deſpiſe:
And, now, amidſt a world of Things, I am
Thereby inclin'd, to Contemplate a Name;
For which, perhaps, I ſhall be thought as wiſe,
As he, who telleth Straws, or hunteth Flyes:
But, think men as they liſt, my Thinkings, too,
Shall be as free; and, what I pleaſe I'll do:
For, now, of boundleſs Freedoms many dream;
And, I may prove as wiſe, as one of them.
A Factious Rout, becauſe I much decline
Their Principles, pretend, I fall from mine;
And, falſly, ſay, that, I have taught my Rimes
To ſoothe the Innovations of theſe Times:
As if, a zeal to Publike good, none had,
Until it made him, in ſome meaſure, mad,
And partner in ſeditious ways, with thoſe,
Who, to the Preſent Pow'r, are always Foes.
A Fawning Crew, becauſe I bars provide
Againſt their growing Vanities, and Pride,
Have publiſhed, by Fame, (which is the Lyer)
That, my laſt Lines, were voted to the fire:
As if, Wiſe men, a blameful act would do,
Becauſe, miſ-jugding Fools, would have it ſo:
But, I much value not, how I diſpleaſe
Such vain, and partial Cenſurers as theſe:
For, having learn'd, that Knaves and Fools, are thoſe
Who, to my Muſings, are ſtill greateſt Foes,
I, now again adventure, maugre them,
To deſcant on another Caſual-Theame
That's offered by the New Sprung Soveraign Style,
Which lately was indeniz'd in this Iſle:
And, having ſound what Providence will do,
There, where that Honour 's, I will honour too;
Not heeding, neither greatly taking care,
Who thinks I temp'rize, or who angry are:
This, was my temper known, when I was yonger;
And, (as I older grow) it groweth ſtronger.
Our needleſs Novelties, approve I not;
Nor on Antiquities, did ever dote,
Which are not uſeful; nor, is 't my intent
To cavil, about things indifferent;
But would have ev'ry Soul, preſerv'd as free,
As I my ſelf, deſirous am to be:
And, therefore, when I have declar'd my minde,
Let all men Cenſure, as they ſtand inclinde.
Some, miſ-advis'd, or, ſome deluded friends,
(And, ſome, concealing miſ-directed ends
With fair Pretendings) would have laid aſide
This Title; and, his Highneſs digniſide,
With what the Jews, imprudently, once, choſe;
Or, what the Germanes, on their CHIEF impoſe:
Not heeding, peadventure, what Offence
It had occaſion'd, againſt Providence;
Nor, of what Benefits, it may deprive
Both Him, and Ʋs, if their Deſigne ſhould thrive.
Therefore, I offer up this Vindication,
Of what ſeems yet approv'd of by this Nation:
Which, (though it may a Vanity appear,
To thoſe, who know not, what things proper are,
Nor what is uſeful) ſhall, by what ſucceeds,
Shew, how much, this Age theſe Expreſſions needs;
And, have effects, which may to others be
Of much advantage; though, of none to me.
Did I not gheſs at what our Eagle flyes,
And to what Heights, I muſt advance mine eyes,
To heed in what tranſcendent Sphere he goes;
I might have ſought him among Kites and Crows;
And call'd them by his Name; or, elſe, to Him,
Communicated, what belongs to them,
As others would have done; and, loſt the view
Of things that are, and, things that will enſue.
Knew I not, alſo, that, to new Creations,
There do belong peculiar Appellations,
To keep things from Confuſion; I, perchance,
(Deluded by Self-love, or Ignorance,
Yet blinding others) might have prized more
Thoſe Attributes, thought glorious heretofore;
And been as violent, to have reſtor'd
Thoſe Titles, which the Vulgar have ador'd:
For, I envie not, that men ſhould beſtow
The higheſt Titles, where moſt Worth, they know.
But, I heed, that, when Things and Names agree,
And, that, when joyn'd by Providence they be,
There 's ſomewhat in it, of more Conſequence
Then all men, at firſt ſight, collect from thence:
Eſpecially, when old Names, may obſtruct
Th' effects, which changing of a Name product,
As in this preſent caſe; which, ſome, that have
More Wit then Grace, do well enough perceive.
Why, then, ſhould we deſire again that Thing,
Which, formerly, theſe Nations call'd a King?
Or, ſo much as the Name of that retain,
To which, we long in bondage did remain?
As if it had bewitch'd us, ſtill, to bear
Some mark of that, whereby inthral'd we were?
And, which did by relapſe (do what we could)
Corrupt, ſtill, into what it was of Old?
Why ſhould we court it now? whilſt on us lies
The heavie burthens, which their Tyrannies
Occaſion'd? and, before the wounds are cur'd,
Which, we, in caſting off thoſe Chains, endur'd?
Or, why on him who hath our Sov'reign Power,
Should we beſtow the Stile of Emperour?
A drooping Title, ſhuffled off and on,
Till it hath ſcarcely Place to reſt upon,
Or Perſon, which at this day owns the ſame,
According to the Grandeur of that Name?
If, they, who gave him firſt his Stile and Pow'r,
That now protecteth, were his friends, and our,
And, meant thereby to honour Ʋs, and Him;
Why, now ſhould we their Noble Gift contemn?
Why by the name of King, ſhould we now call him,
Which is below the Honours, that befall him;
And makes him to be rather leſs then greater,
(As in himſelf) and rather worſe then better
As to his People? For, it renders voyd
The Dignity conferr'd; and, now enjo'd.
At beſt, it mixeth with it, but as Clay
With Iron, which, both takes the ſtrength away,
And value of it: adding thereunto,
Nothing, but what that ſtructure may undo.
It cracks the Inſtrument, which doth inveſt
Him in his Pow'r; and lames his Intereſt:
Yea, and diſables him, to proſecute
That Duty, whereto, it did him depute.
It croſſeth the deſignes of Providence.
It will deprive him ev'n of that Defence
Which ſeems intended; and, will him expoſe
To all the purpos'd Cavils of his Foes.
It wooes him from that Principle, whereon
His Safety ſtands, to lean and reſt upon
A Pinaclc, which totters under all,
Who do aſcend it; and, portends a Fall.
In brief, it many ways, expoſeth him
To Dangers, which my ſight (though ſomwhat dim)
Better, it may be, can foreſee, then ſome
Who do ſupply a more perſpicuous Room.
It giveth ſhells for kernels; and, the ſhade
Of that which he, before, in eſſence had.
And, if by others flatt'ries, or, by ought,
Which may to that end riſe from his own thought,
He waves this Title, for the beſt of thoſe
The World admires; he, therewithal hath choſe
His Portion in the world; and will, at laſt,
Prove like to them, with whom his lot is caſt.
Some of the Long-robe, to advance their Trade,
And others, that, an Inlet might be made
To what they hope for (and, perhaps contrive
In ſecret) our Old Title would revive;
Becauſe, from Kingſhip they have hope to draw
Advantage by the letter of our Law,
To all his Subſtitutes, who govern by
That Name, ſufficient to indempnify
Them, both in their Eſtates, and Perſons, from
Thoſe hazards, which might elſe upon them come;
If, He, the Supreme Pow'r ſhould repoſſeſs
Whom GOD remov'd. But, neither more, nor leſs,
Will they be priviledged, whether he
King, or Protector, ſhall inſtiled be.
Nor can a Name of novel Inſtitution,
Which in it ſelf implies no diminution
Of real Pow'r (but rather a ſupply)
Diminiſh ought of his Authority
That Rules in Chief; ſince, to him pertinent
(Ev'n of due right) is all enablement
That 's neceſſary to effect thoſe ends,
Which Government, eſſentially intends.
For, our PROTECTOR is not ſuch a one,
As that, whereby we did ſupport the Throne,
In Non-age of a King, (as ſome conceive)
But, that, which to his Highneſs doth derive,
As abſolute, and as Supreme a Pow'r
As that of Kingſhip, or of Emperour,
Which arrogates no more, then may ſubſiſt,
With GOD's, and with his People's Interest.
And, be it known, (though ſome think otherwiſe)
(Whoſe Judgement, we in many matters prize)
That by a King, our Laws mean not alone,
That Name, but, alſo that, which fills the Throne,
Be it a King, a Queen, or Parliament,
Or, whatſoever elſe, doth repreſent
The Supreme Pow'r: And, that, each Attribute
Or Priviledge, which Statute-laws impute
To Pow'rs in being, when they firſt were made,
Is (in each Change) with ev'ry force it had,
Transferred thither, and, to that, wherein
The Supreme Pow'r eſſentially is ſeen
To act and to reſide: (though in the Name,
Or other Accidents, we change the ſame.)
For, to thoſe Laws, although ſome violence
Seem'd to be offer'd, in the lit'ral ſence,
When here a Woman raign'd; no wiſe-man thought
The eſſence of the Laws tranſgreſs'd in ought,
Becauſe ſhe was no King: nor will, of that,
The Title of Protector ought abate.
And, they, who may by nice diſtinguiſhings,
Or Terms, impos'd indiff'rently on Things,
Or Perſons, be unwiſely tempted from
Realities; will much deceiv'd become
In what they hope for: and, when thought they are
Moſt ſafe, be taken in an unſeen ſnare.
When once a Supreme Pow'r is conſtituted,
Submitted to, and ſhall be ſuch reputed,
Without reſiſtance, or a Proteſtation
Againſt it made in Publike, by that Nation
Whom it concerns, (or by ſome part at leaſt,
Conſiderable, claiming Intereſt,
Or ſhare therein, having enablement
Likewiſe to guard thoſe, who thereto aſſent)
Such Conſtitution, (and the Being, what
It ſeems to be) gives it not onelyonly that,
But ev'ry other Right, which doth inveſt
With real Pow'r; whether, it be expreſt
By Law, or not; and virtually makes void
All Laws, whereby ſuch Pow'r may be deſtroy'd;
Until another Pow'r, that is more able,
Removeth it: And, then, as warrantable
That, thenceforth grows, as long, as it doth reign,
And, actually, a Being doth retain.
Provided, that ſuch Pow'rs do neither ſwerve
From Juſtice, nor deſtroy, what to preſerve
They were ordain'd; nor leave a private wrong
Unrecompenſed quite (or over-long)
When they are forced to endamage ſome,
That, many, may not to deſtruction come.
And, all they, who to ſuch a Pow'r ſubmit,
(Or, for the Common Peace, act under it)
Whilſt it continues, merit no juſt blame,
Howe'er, that Pow'r, to be a Pow'r became;
So they, at firſt, conſpired not with thoſe
By whoſe unrighteous actings, it aroſe:
For, GOD himſelf, commands us to obay
The Pow'rs that are; not queſtioning what way
They were acquir'd. His Son, whilſt here on earth,
He did reſide, (although true King by birth)
Paid Tribute to th' Uſurper, that, he might
Advance GODS work, by waving his own right.
His Followers, taught this doctrine; yea, did teach
By Practice, that which they by word did preach.
And did ſubmit for Conſcience ſake, ev'n when
The Sov'raign Pow'r was graſp'd by worſt of men,
And got by baſeſt means; which, to this day,
Became a Guide, to many in that way,
Which, elſe, had doubtful been: And, had we not
This Rule to walk by, through GODS mercy got,
Mankinde would be deſtroy'd: for, by our ſiding,
With this, or with that Faction; by dividing,
And ſubdividing Pow'rs, as Malice, Love.
Pride, Envie, or Self-interest may move,
All would be torn in pieces; and no Peace,
Be ſetled, till Mankinde, to be, ſhould ceaſe.
Why then ſhould any ſo imprudent grow?
Or rather, why ſo mad? (for they are ſo)
Who, when they might unblamefully poſſeſs
Their lives and portions, in ſafe Quietneſs,
Will, unconſtrained, loſe their ſweet enjoying
Of what they have, and venture the deſtroying
Of all that 's dear unto them, to pull down
A fixed Power? and, ſet up one unknown?
That will be, or that may (at leaſt) be worſe?
And, both on them, and others, bring the Curſe
Of All-devouring War? yea, and perchance,
A Family, or Perſon, here advance,
Who, either will not heed their ſervices,
Or elſe forget them, when they get their Prize?
Or (which is worſe) requite at laſt, with ill
Their coſt, their pains, their hazards, & Good-will?
And leave them to the ſpights and ſcorns of thoſe
Whom they, for their ſakes, did at firſt oppoſe?
For ſuch things I have ſeen; ev'n Traytors made
Their Favourites, whom they would have betray'd;
And, thoſe caſt out of Favour, without Reaſon,
Whoſe faithfulneſs, preſerv'd them from their treaſon.
Why then ſhould we permit Diſcretions eyes
To be deceiv'd with Cheating Fallacies?
Why then ſhould we of Scarcrows be afraid?
Or on Foundations, by GODS own hand laid,
Rebuild again old Babylon? or fix
To Sion's firm ſtones, her untemper'd bricks?
Why, when the work of God is both in Name,
And in the Thing, of one Piece, and the ſame,
Should Humane Policie preſume to adde
Her Trimmings? as if he miſtaken had
His purpoſe? Or, as if he had forgot
What Title, beſt became the Pow'r and lot
Which was conferr'd on him, to whom, of late,
The Supreme Seat, it pleas'd him to tranſlate,
From thoſe who had abus'd it? For, that Change
(Although irregular it ſeem'd, and ſtrange)
Is not of Man, but GOD; though men have bin
Dull, and imperfect Inſtruments therein:
And, 't will eſtabliſh'd be; if he that bears
The Scepter ſhuns ungodly Counſellors;
Makes not a wilful ſtand in ſinners ways,
Nor to the Scorners Throne, himſelf ſhall raiſe.
But if this Title meerly did depend
On humane prudence, we ſhould much offend
Againſt her Principles, by vary'ng from
That Reſolution whereto we are come.
Why then ſhould we, if now we Free-men are,
(And by the world without, reputed were
A world within our ſelves) be bound up to
Their Cuſtoms, who have nought with us to do?
Since, 't will be thereby tacitely confeſt,
We are not Maſters of that Interest
Which we do claim; nor can of right create
(As well as any other Supreme State)
New Dignities; or make new Preſidents,
When Time brings forth occaſioned Events.
For, this inferr'd, we granted, or believ'd,
That, we our chief Ennoblements receiv'd
From other States; and, are oblig'd become
Thoſe Rags of Honour, onelyonly, to aſſume,
Which they have worn, though ſoyled and diſgrac'd
By thoſe, on whom they were unjuſtly plac'd.
A Title giveth no eſſential Fame;
It is the Man, that dignifies the Name.
Tyrant, was thought an honourable Stile,
Until, Oppreſſors did the ſame defile.
By luſtful Inſolence, in Tarquin's race,
Kingſhip, at Rome, firſt fell into diſgrace,
And, 't was from thence exploded with ſuch hate,
That, though the King of Romanes, is of late,
Made Titular; no Romane, to this day,
Submits thereto, nor in Rome bears it ſway.
The Baſis, of true Supreme honour ſtands
Not upon abſolute, but, Juſt Commands.
A Prince, doth his Pre-eminence receive,
From Vertue, not from his Appellative;
And Righteouſneſs, addes more to his renown,
Then Conqueſt, Title, Scepter, and a Crown.
As quickly will appear, when he ſhall want
That Dignity, and grows exorbitant.
An honourable Title is confeſt
To be a fair Engagement, or at beſt,
An uſeful Pledge, and ſome Memento too,
Of what the Owner is oblig'd to do:
But, of it ſelf, on him that fills the place
Of Pow'r, it doth confer, nor Worth, nor Grace.
It is an Ornament, that priz'd ſhould be,
And, alſo, that which may, in ſome degree
Illuſtrate him that wears it; if he frame
His Actions anſwerable to the ſame,
According to the purpoſes of thoſe,
Who did on him, the Sov'raignty impoſe.
And, that, which on our Chief hath been of late
Conferr'd, (and is confirm'd now by our State)
Is more ſignificant, to that intent,
Then All, whereof there's any Preſident,
Throughout the Univerſe; unleſs it be
In ſome far Climate, yet unknown to me.
To him, who hath obtain'd a Supreme Pow'r,
Whether Duke, Prince, a King, or Emperour,
Sophy, Grand Seignior, Pope, (or what Stile elſe
We place on him, who, other men excels)
He by the greateſt of them, is poſſeſt
Of no more Sov'raignty, then by the leaſt.
For, all their Titles are equivalent
According to their Seigniories extent;
Becauſe, he that dependeth upon none,
Is made as abſolute, by any One
Of thoſe, or other Titles, as by all;
Which will appear, when I diſcover ſhall
How much, or little, each of them contains,
Of that, which to Supremacie pertains;
And, when it is conſidered what they are
Who, as chief Soveraigns, theſe Titles, wear.
A Duke, is but a Leader; ſupreme Prince,
Is one who claims the chief Pre-eminence;
A King, is he, who hath a Ruling Pow'r;
Command, denominates an Emperour;
Sophie (the Perſian Title) ſignifies
A Perſon, who, in governing is wiſe;
Grand Seignior (which the Turks ambitiouſneſs
Now arrogates) doth Power in Chief expreſs;
The ſtile of Pope, implies a Fatherhood,
And more relateth to a Peoples good,
Then any of the former, though as little
He doth conform his Actings to his Title:
But, all thoſe Titles want that which compleats
A perſon meriting, the Supreme Seats,
Except this laſt, whoſe Claimers (ſwerving from
What their high Stile implieth) are become
Stepfathers unto thoſe, whom they pretend
To father, foſter, cheriſh, and defend;
And, GOD as well for their Deliverance,
As our, ſhall this Protectors pow'r advance,
(Or his Succeſſors) till it quite ſets free
All Nations, who, to them enſlaved be;
Avenging all the blood which they have ſhed;
(The blood of Saints whom they have maſſacred
Of late, or heretofore:) yea, look how far
The Pow'rs of GOG, and MAGOG, ſtretched are;
And whereſoe'er thoſe Catholike pretenders
Oppreſs; theſe ſhall be Catholike Defenders
Of men oppreſſed; and, GOD, to that end,
Shall univerſally this Pow'r extend.
It hath already (as that Angel did,
Of whom John wrote) to that intent, beſtrid
A great part of the world; and one foot ſtands
upon the Seas, the other on the Lands.
But, whither, do my Contemplations fly?
I may, perchance, unſeal a Myſtery
Before the time; my Muſe, therefore, deſcend,
And, proſecute the Subject I intend;
Thereby, to further that, which I conceive
Is drawing neer, and few will yet believe.
None, of the other Titles, bring to minde
All Duties, whereto Princes, are enjoyn'd;
And, ſuch as owe them, frequently are caſt,
Among the vile, and infamous, at laſt;
Becauſe, they nor eſſential retain
Within themſelves, the Pow'r, thoſe Titles fain,
Nor any of thoſe Vertues, which aſſure
The Dignity, they formally procure.
But, if, that any Title under heav'n,
Hath in times paſt, or, in this age been giv'n,
That, truely magnifies; and, may conduce
To bring thoſe Vertues, unto minde and uſe,
Which dignifie the Perſons; it is that
Which Providence conferred hath of late,
Upon our Governour. For, though it ſeem
Through Novelty, not grown up to eſteem,
Yet, (if, unhappily, there be not wanting,
Concomitances, uſeful to its planting)
It will be reverenc'd, in fartheſt Climes,
And, honourable through all future times,
(Beyond compare;) when, Kings and Emperours
Hav loſt their Names, their Kingdoms, & their Pow'rs:
And, until here, that King of kings doth raign,
Whoſe Glory, heav'n and earth, cannot contain.
This glorious Title, hath in it expreſt,
No ſtamp of Self-relation, like the reſt;
But, marks forth One, (as if from heav'n ſent down)
Who ſeeks his Peoples weal, more then his own.
It is the chiefeſt of GOD's Attributes
Which he to thoſe men, whom he here deputes
Communicates; and ought, therefore, by none
To be aſſum'd, but God-like men, alone,
Who in their hearts, have purpoſed, to be
(At leaſt, by Imitation) ſuch as He:
And, ready, to contribute in his ſtead,
Due ſuccours to all Suppliants in their Need.
It is a Name of mercy and affection,
Which, not alone engageth to Protection,
But, likewiſe to a ſtrenuous Oppoſition
Of Tyrants, Tyrannies, and all Oppreſſion.
For, to be call'd a Nation to protect,
Implies (at leaſt, in ſome degree) th' effect
Of ev'ry Means, which may be helpful to
Thoſe Works which GOD provided Him to do;
And nobler is, in that reſpect, then thoſe
Loud-ſounding Titles, which our Fathers choſe:
Becauſe, we therein comprehended finde
More Notions, then in all thoſe Titles joyn'd,
Which are throughout the whole world, own'd by them,
Who do enjoy a Sov'raign Diadem.
Conduct, Pre-eminence, Rule, and Command,
Policie, Grandeur, (both by Sea and Land)
And, that Paternity, which they poſſeſs
To whom is miſ-imputed Holineſs,
Are but a Part, and that part very little
Of what is intimated by this Title.
For (being well conſider'd) it implies
That he, who owns it, ſhould be truly wiſe,
As well as politick; a foe to Vice;
A friend to Vertue; free from Avarice.
Awful of GOD; affectionate to Man,
His Welfare ſeeking, by all means he can;
Stout, and yet humble, in his Exaltation;
Just, and his Juſtice, ſweetning by Compaſſion;
Due recompence to well-deſervers giving;
Pard'ning the Penitent, th' Oppreſt relieving;
Watchful for all Occaſions how he may
Advance his Peoples welfare, ev'ry way:
As alſo, by what means he may prevent
The Common, and each private Detriment;
A hearty Zelot of the Publike Faith;
By Deeds confirming, what in Words he ſaith;
And, readyer for his Flocks, his life to ſtake,
Then, of their Fleſh, or Fleece, a prey to make:
Nor to his own alone, doth he extend
His Goodneſs; but ev'n to the worlds far end,
Will ſtretch it alſo; as acknowledging
All men for Subjects of that Heav'nly King,
Whom, he but repreſents; and, unto whom
He muſt account, when Audit-day is come.
And, of neceſſity, to all, he muſt
Be righteous, who will to his own be juſt;
Since, univerſal Justice, muſt make ſtrong
His Arm, who would defend his own from wrong;
And, he who to this Vertue, is inclinde,
Becomes, as well, a friend to all Mankinde
As to his Native People, when they need
Protection, and from Tyrants to be freed.
This, is a true PROTECTOR; ſuch a one
As I deſire, ſhould ever fill the Throne
Of theſe three Nations: And, if he prove ſuch
Who governs now, I'll never think it much
To ſacrifice my life, and all I have,
His Perſon, Pow'r, and Dignity to ſave
From his Maligners: whereas, if that he
Who rul'd the whole world, were ſo kinde to me,
As to advance me to the ſecond place
Within his Government; and when he was
Remov'd by death, could, and would ſet me there
Where he had ſate; yet, if I certain were
His heart ſtood not unfeignedly inclinde
To do (as he enablement ſhould finde)
The duty of his place; I could not prize
His Favours, nor his Greatneſs idolize,
Nor truely love him: yet, would ſtill be true
Unto his Pow'r, and give him all his due.
This, a PROTECTOR is, according to
The meaning of his Name. Thus, ſhould he do.
This, is that ſupereminent Degree,
Whereto I ſtrive, that he advanc'd ſhould be
Whom I inaugurate; and would hereby
Tranſmit, to paſs through all Poſterity
Among the Heroes, (whoſe wide-ſpreading Fames
Make vulgar Appellations, and New-Names
Grow honourable;) that, both far and neer,
This Title, high exalted may appear;
Until it hath attained an eſteem
Beyond all Attributes in former time.
Room, therefore; and henceforth let Names of Pow'r,
Such, as of Duke, King, Prince, or Emperour,
Sophie, Grand Seignior; and that, which they own
Who, claim the wearing of a Triple Crown,
Deſcend; that in their place I may enthrone
The Title of PROTECTOR, which in One
Contains all, which, their Attributes afford;
Yea, all the worlds grand Titles in one word:
And, ſhall, by what it intimates, direct
Till He, who theſe Dominions doth protect,
Hath by example, taught, how to reduce
All Governments to their intended uſe;
Or, broke them into pieces, who, perſiſt
To tyrannize, and rant it, as they liſt.
This, a PROTECTOR is, or ought to be;
And, ſuch a one as this, I hope, is He
Who now reigns over us; although, as yet
(To exerciſe our faith) GOD doth permit
Some doubtings, and ſome few diſſatisfactions;
Becauſe, we know not of his ſev'ral Actions,
The Grounds & Reaſons: which, were they ſo known
To us, as thoſe Deſignes, that are our own,
Would make, perhaps, theſe Nations to believe
They ſhould that great Deliverance receive
Which they expect; and, by his means, receive it,
(If they could be perſwaded to believe it.)
At leaſt, ſo far forth, as they juſtly can
Expect ſo great a Bleſſing, by a Man
Subject to Frailties; and, who did on him
Aſſume that heavie Burthen, at that time
Wherein, all things were to Confuſion brought;
And, wherein, Contrarieties were ſought
With ſo much violence, that, few, or none
Knew what to crave, or what might beſt be done:
When, for this Thing, one Faction madly bawl'd;
When, for much diff'ring things, another call'd;
A third, for ſomewhat, which would quite deſtroy
What both the former, craved to enjoy.
When ſome drew back; when, others on did hurry
To their Deſignments, with a headſtrong fury:
When, moſt, each others purpoſe did miſtake,
Or, of beſt Meanings, worſt Conſtruction make,
Through weakneſs, or by being prepoſſeſt
With Pride, O'erweening, or Self-intereſt:
And, when thoſe Straights, and thoſe Neceſſities,
Which from the Pow'rs preceding, did ariſe,
Did him to Arbitrary Acts enforce,
That, things grown much amiſs, might not grow worſe.
For, theſe things, make it difficult to know
What, really he is; what he would do;
Or, what he can do, whilſt our ſins and paſſions
Foment our Strife; or, whilſt Miſ-applications,
Miſ-repreſentings, or ſuch-like, obſtruct
That Bleſſing, which GOD's mercy would product.
If, likewiſe, we conſider'd herewithal,
That, when to this great Charge, he had this Call,
It was, when our Unſetledneſs, had made it
So hazardous, that none elſe would have had it;
But ſuch, as, probably, had, ere this day,
Thereby, both to their own Deſignes made way,
And, to our total Ruine: And, when, ſome
Who did project, what now to paſs is come,
Did not, perhaps, intend ſo much, thereby,
To raiſe him to a Supreme Dignity,
As to enſnare him; and, to mount him to
That eminence, in hope thereby to do
His Adverſaries work; and, him at length
To weaken, by re-burth'ning him with ſtrength.
Were this conſider'd; and, therewith, if we
Well weigh'd, how great, yet, out Diſtempers be;
And, what Neceſſity, and Prudence may
Conſtrain him to, in that untrodden way,
Wherein he marches; that, the Work begun,
May not, diſhonourably, now be done,
Through want of Pow'r; and, bring a ſad return
Of Miſchief, with an everlaſting Scorn:
We would believe, his Actions did produce,
What, rather, praiſe required, then excuſe.
Yea, by this Obſervation, and by what
We know well done, we would not judge of that
We know not yet; and, (by what we diſcern,
Without ſuſpect) as perfectly might learn,
How, by his Foot, a harmleſs Lamb to draw,
As to deſcribe a Lion, by his Paw.
But, who can us aſſure, that for our ſin,
Miſ-underſtandings have not raiſed bin
'Twixt him and us; whereby, GOD's wrath may bring
Thoſe Miſchiefs back, we ſuffer'd by a King?
And, make our Surgeon, put us to more pain,
Then thoſe late wounds, whereof we did complain?
What Peace, can we expect, if for ſuch Times
He was prepar'd, in which loud-crying Crimes
(Still unrepented of) will not afford,
A milder way of Curing, then the Sword?
Or what reproof deſerves that Inſtrument,
Who, then, acts that, for which, he forth was ſent?
If I, ſhould here, thoſe ſins enumerate,
Which are revived in this Land of late;
Yea, and improved, much beyond the Crimes
Which I took heed of in my yonger times:
(And am perhaps preſerved to be old,
That, I, to ſome good purpoſe, might behold
The works of GOD and Men; and, to this Nation
Be ſerviceable in my Generation,
For Future times:) It, plainly would appear,
What, future Judgements, we might juſtly fear;
And, that, it will be to my Maker's praiſe
Hereafter, (although ſlighted in theſe days)
To have it teſtified on record,
How righteous he is ſtill, in deed and word;
How merciful, he to theſe Lands hath been;
Ev'n when, we, him correcting us have ſeen:
And, how, in Love, he ſtill proceedeth on,
Though, ſtill, we do as ill, as we have done.
Should I, illuſtrate thoſe Prevarications,
Thoſe Vanities, and thoſe Abominations,
Which are increas'd, ſince here we did pretend
A Reformation; and, how ſome offend
By groſs Extravagances, whoſe falſe Zeal
To GOD, to Juſtice, & this Commonweal
Hath made them rich and great: how they could preach,
And pray, till by pretendings, they did catch
VVhat they had preach'd & pray'd for; &, how mute
They are become, ſince they have reap'd the fruit
Of their Deſignes: Should I, illuſtrate, how
They counter-act their former actings, now,
And fained Principles: with how much haſt
They follow them, whom their hands forth have caſt,
To all exceſs; and, how imprudently
They do redintegrate, piece, and comply
With thoſe, that would deſtroy them; you, would dread,
That, we deſerved to be puniſhed,
More then our Predeceſſors; and, that He,
Who ſhould deliver us, our Scourge muſt be.
Curs'd be their Comments, who ſhall this apply
To Him, or Them, who in ſincerity
Did preach, or pray, or act, in order to
What Providence inſtructed them to do,
And was well done: But let this be applide,
OnelyOnly to thoſe, who ſwerved are aſide
From pious Principles, and ſunk below
Thoſe Vertues, whereof, they had but the ſhow.
For, ſuch there be; and, their Apoſtacies
May, probably, prolong our Miſeries.
And, us, of that great happineſs deprive,
Which, we, by our PROTECTOR might receive.
Should it prove ſo, how juſt ſoe'er he were,
His Righteouſneſs, would not to us appear;
Nor is there poſſibility of Peace
That will endure, till Wickedneſs decreaſe;
Till Juſtice more be priz'd; more care be took
Of Publike Faith; mens private faith, leſs broke;
Oppreſſed men more pitied; ſuccours pray'd,
Not ſo much, and ſo needleſly, delay'd;
Burthens, ſuſtained for the preſervation
Of Publike weal, apportion'd in the Nation
More equally; and, till men grow more wiſe,
To ſee wherein the Common ſafety lies.
For, till theſe things be done, what Humane pow'r
Can ſave us from the Plagues which will devour?
Who ſhall ſecure us? or, to what effect,
Have we ſet up one Perſon to Protect,
Or elſe to govern, or deliver us,
From ſwift deſtruction, if it ſtill be thus?
What ſhall I ſay? what have we then to do,
Save humbly to ſubmit our ſelves unto
Some Courſe, that may reform what is amiſs;
Whilſt means thereof, and time afforded is;
And ſeek, by true Contrition, to revoke
The Doom, that GOD, may ſuperſede the ſtroke.
The thought of this, hath brought me to a Pauſe,
And, my Inſpirer, now, from me withdraws
That Influence, whereby I ſhould proceed,
On my firſt Text. For, here, there may be need
Of ſome Digreſſion, to another ſtrain;
That; what is ſpoken, be not ſaid in vain.
Yea, here, (as in ſuch Themes, it is my faſhion)
A few words more, of Uſe and Exhortation,
Precaution, and Precation, I will adde;
And, leave it unto thoſe, for whom 'tis made;
That, by the worſt Events, which can befal,
We may have Peace; and, God, the Praiſe of all.
Let us be pleas'd his Pleaſure ſhould be done;
And, for the time to come, let ev'ry one
Be rather careful, his own ways to heed,
Then fearful, how Another will proceed.
Enough, we now our Brethren have oppreſt,
Let us, henceforth, afford them, eaſe and reſt;
That, GOD, may give us Peace, and ſave us from
That Bondage, which will, elſe, upon us come.
Let thoſe, who have occaſioned the Cries
Of men oppreſt, ſeek by a Sacrifice
Of Righteouſneſs, and both by Reſtitution
Of Spoils, and willing Contribution,
To take that Curſe off, which on us is brought
Through breach of Publike faith (nigh ſet at nought.)
For, till that be endeavour'd, GOD will blaſt
Our Counſels, and aſide our Prayers caſt;
As we do theirs, who, grov'l at our feet,
And, with ſad Exclamations, fill the ſtreet.
'T is not the cheap Oblations of Thanksgivings,
With much Hypocriſie, and Miſ-believings
Prophan'd; nor Formal Faſtings, nor a Zeal
Of ſetling this diſtracted Commonweal,
For our own ſafety; which, will ſerve, alone,
To expiate thoſe Evils we have done:
No, nor the fervour, wherewith we expreſs
Our Care of that Religion we profeſs;
And, to explode all other, that will make
Atonement for us, whilſt the Rules we break
Of Moral honestie: or, whilſt we want
That Love, which ought to be concomitant
Therewith; and are not truely purg'd from that
Which our Devotion, doth contaminate:
For, undefil'd Religion, doth conſiſt
In ſuccouring the Widow, the Opprest
And Fatherleſs; of which, until we take
More care, we, of our Faith, falſe boaſtings make:
And, that Religion, which our Wits we ſtrain
To ſettle, will profeſſed be in vain.
Let us ſo labour, therefore, to enjoy
Religious Truth, that, neither we deſtroy
The Civil peace; nor, barb'rouſly neglect
Morality; whoſe wilful diſ-reſpect
Deſtruction brings. To him, let us ſubmit,
Whom, GOD, hath rais'd up, on the Throne to ſit.
Let us conform, unto that Pow'r, which IS;
Becauſe, all Pow'rs that are, be onelyonly His
To whom all Thrones belong; whether he hath
In love, vouch ſafed it, or, in his wrath.
For, unto whomſoever he commits
That Pow'r; or, whoe'er, full dominion gets,
They will be inexcuſable, who ſhall
Reject, whom GOD, inveſteth therewithal;
Since, if they bring us Peace, we are too blame,
If we, with them, comply not in the ſame,
Or, help not to improve it; though, it more
Should coſt, then would have bought it heretofore.
Though, with a Sword they come, let us obay,
Till he who ſent it, takes the ſame away;
Who, as he rais'd them, ere we were aware,
Will caſt them down, when we leaſt able are,
If they tranſgreſs their bounds, and ſhall forget
To what intent, they on their Thrones were ſet.
Yea, when to us, no likelihood appears
Of Freedom, or Deliv'rance from our Fears,
GOD, will (ev'n when for us too ſtrong they grow)
By their own Pow'r, effect their overthrow.
As upon thoſe, who having heretofore
Abus'd their Pow'r, are to be ſeen no more.
And, no Good man, ſhall need, his hand to rear
Againſt them: for, enough there always were,
And are, and will be; whom, Revenge, Deſpight,
Self-interests, or Envie, will incite
To execute GOD's wrath: and, in their ſin,
When Tyrants rage, and hardned are therein,
As Pharaoh. was; ſuch things as they deſpiſe
(Ev'n Frogs and Caterpillers, Lice and Flyes)
Will waſte them: yea, their own vain Wit and Will
Should ruine them, though all things elſe ſtood ſtill;
And, they themſelves, Traytors enough would raiſe,
(Complying with them, in their evil ways)
To root them out: the Mag gots which were bred
By their rank Luſts, and by their Carrion ſed,
Shall eat them up. And, theſe ſignes will fore-run
That Deſtiny, when their ſad fall draws on.
Projectors, Flatt'rers, and Buffoons, will then
Finde more eſteem, then good and ſober men:
Prudent advice, and timely-ſpoken Truth,
Shall be deſpis'd: Raſh unexperienc'd youth,
Like Rehoboam's Counſel, ſhall be heard,
And grave advice obtain but ſmall regard:
The Temporizer, who, himſelf inclines
To humour and to further their Deſignes,
Shall finde moſt favour; they, who ſaithful are
To Publike Interest, they, more ſhall fear
Then their known Foes; and, them out of their way
Remove, or elſe deſtroy them, if they may.
And (mark this well) when that 's done, next of all,
And quickly too, will follow their own fall.
Be therefore, wiſe, ye Princes; Rulers, learn
VVhat, may your weal and honour, moſt concern.
Be careful, that, you ſin not againſt Him,
VVho, rais'd you, to a Sov'raign Diadom.
As it becomes his Vice-roys, govern ſo,
That, to the world, his Juſtice you may ſhow,
For propagation of that Kingdom, here,
Which we expect; and, will ere long appear.
And Thou, whoſe Title, here I celebrate;
Thou, who, haſt oportunity of that
VVhichWhich may to GOD and Men, moſt pleaſing be;
(And, haſt the means thereof, confer'd on thee,
Firſt, and above all others;) loſe thou not
Thoſe great advantages, which thou haſt got,
For all the proffers, which this world can make.
To Sodom, or to Aegypt, look not back,
Leſt, thou be made a Monument of Salt
To keep thoſe, who come after, from thy fault;
Or, leave thy bones, obſcur'd, by deſolation,
VVithin the Wilderneſs of thy Probation.
Thou, who art now, the worlds new Northern Star,
Let, in thine Orb, no Courſe irregular
(Oblique or Retrograde) divert thee from
Thoſe motions, which, thy Circle beſt become;
Leſt, from that Heav'n, in which thou now doſt ſhine,
Down to the Earth, thou back again decline.
And, like the Star call'd Wormwood, bitter make
Thoſe waters, whence, we now refreſhments take.
Since, there are Conſtellations of ſome might,
Whoſe motions, to thy Courſe, are oppoſite;
Give no occaſion of the ſad effects,
Which are portended, by their croſs Aſpects.
Since, they, who love thee beſt, finde in thy way,
Great Dangers; Fear much, for thee; watch & pray:
Oh! be not too ſecure; truſt not upon
What, may by humane Pow'r, or Wit be done:
But, cleave to him, who rais'd thee to this hight;
Yea, keeps thee on the Throne, in their deſpight:
And, think thou haſt great Cauſe, good heed to take,
When, like a Man, thou hear'ſt an Aſs to ſpeak.
If we expect a Bleſſing, let us, too,
Without Hypocriſie, our duties do,
To thoſe in Pow'r: To him, partic'larly,
That, over us, hath now the Sov'raignty;
With true obedience, not in ſhew, or word,
Aſcribing, what our hearts do not afford:
Nor let us ſeek, in ſecret, to deprive him,
Of that, which openly we ſeem to give him:
For, Falſhood, ſhall be falſly dealt withal;
And, Sand and Pebbles make as firm a wall
In our defence, as either word, or deed,
Which, from diſſimulation, doth proceed.
Let us not grudge at, what muſt make him able
To do his Office, in an honourable
And pow'rful way; leſt, that, which fails thereby,
On our account, to our own loſs, may lie.
If, to that end, he ſeeks accommodations,
He ſeeks them, for the honour of theſe Nations,
As well as for his own; and, more, perchance,
The Publike, then his private, to advance.
And, what, too little, or too much will be
To that end; he, may better know then we.
If, in this late Eſtabliſhment, he aims
At Safety; 't is no more then Nature claims;
And, to accept of leſs, then may, in reaſon
Thereto ſuffice, were by miſpriſion treaſon
Againſt the Dignity, on him beſtown,
And, may betray our Safety, with his own.
We, whoſe abodes, are on the Globe below,
Some motions of the Stars above, may know:
But, 't is impoſſible, that we ſhould learn
All things, which may their influence concern:
And, 'tis not eaſie, for our eyes to heed
What, they may be conſtrain'd to, in their need,
Whoſe hands muſt tune ſo many diff'ring ſtrings,
And have, in charge, ſo many thouſand things.
Though, ſuch as mark not, that Emergencies
Oft happen; and, that, perils may ariſe
(Unthought upon) which, will neceſſitate
The Supreme Officer, of ev'ry State
To act ſome things, which are not warrantable
By their known Laws: yet, wiſe-men (who are able
To ſee how far, they juſtly, then, may go
Beyond Set Rules) do rationally know,
That, Arbitrary Pow'r, in ſome degree,
(And in ſome caſes) muſt allowed be
As if by Law expreſſed; or, that, all
Earths Governments, would into pieces fall.
And, this, is but that Pow'r, whereby we arm
Each Private perſon, when a Common harm
Is menaced: for, when a City burns,
To ſave it, he pulls down, and overturns
What, he thinks fit; and, takes away their right,
From Some, that All, may not be rum'd quite.
No leſs, ſhould be his Pow'r, if need require,
Who, may have otherwhile, a Gen'ral Fire
To ſtop, or quench; by which, not onelyonly, one,
But, many Cities, may be quite undone:
Yea, three great Nations; for whoſe good, I truſt,
He will improve it, and, appear as juſt
As I believe him; and, bring all, at laſt,
Into a right Courſe, when the danger's paſt.
Whate'er he proveth; whether by his will
Or Law he Rules; or, comes, for good or ill;
Let all of us, o'er whom GOD gives him pow'r,
Make conſcience, that the fault be none of our.
For, though that this PROTECTOR, is not he
Whom long we look'd for; this was ſent to be
His Ways preparer; and, is, (though not that
Supreme Protector) one, ſubordinate
To him; and ſubſtituted for Probation,
Both of himſelf, and of this Generation,
In order to Chriſt's Empire; to break down
Both our Self-confidences, and his own,
As well as their, who have been miſchievous
Unto that Kingdom, which lies hid in us.
Whereof, take heed, leſt when you ſhall reſiſt
His Pow'r, you take a part with Antichrist;
And, in the ſtead of ſetling Common peace,
Our Publike Jars, and private Woes, increaſe.
Heed, alſo, this; that, thoſe Events, which ſhall
Thereon ſucceed, are but conditional,
To fail, or be effected, as, thereto
Both Parties, ſhall conform, omit, or do:
And, that this Title, likely to be made
The moſt renown'd, that ever Mortal had,
May, by Prevarications, fall below
The vileſt Names, that Malice can beſtow;
And, that, what, we to build up have preſum'd,
May, by a firy trial, be conſum'd.
Should it ſo prove, then, therewith mindful be,
That, our works onelyonly, would be loſt; not we:
And, that, we need not to deſpair or fear,
(If, to a Right Foundation, we adhere)
Whatever follows: for, beſt ſpeed we ſhall,
When, we are Nothing; and, GOD's All in All.
But, ſhould our North-ſtar be remov'd from hence,
Or, we deprived of his Influence
By Counter-working Pow'rs, (which, to ſuſpect
I am not prone) I fear, that ſad effect
Will come to paſs by ſome default of our;
As, by our Envie, murm'ring at his Pow'r;
Or, elſe, by ſome way, him provoking ſo,
That, GOD may leave him, his own will, to do,
For our juſt puniſhment; and, therewithal
Permit him, through ſome Overſights, to fall
Into ſuch errors, or ſuch negligences,
As, on himſelf, may bring ſad Conſequences.
Moſes, the beſt and meekeſt of all men
In his time living, and, perhaps, ſince then;
By being, thus exaſperated, loſt
The honor, to be Leader of GOD's Hoſt
Into their promis'd land; and, after all
His glory, in the wilderneſs did fall:
Thus, for like Provocations, GOD oft hath
Set over Nations, RULERS, in his wrath;
And, for ſome overſights, makes Kings, to ſhare
In thoſe Corrections, wherewith ſcourg'd they are.
Thus, heretofore, for Iſr'els wickedneſs,
King David, was permitted to tranſgreſs;
And, thus, we, and our Chief, for what is ill,
In us, may be joynt-ſuff'rers; yet, he, ſtill
Continue in Uprightneſs, as to that
Which doth concern him, in his beſt Eſtate.
For, though Detraction, raiſed by his Foes,
(And, no leſs, by the Levity, of thoſe
Who, owe him love and duty) ſtrives to vail
His Worth; by ſhewing, wherein he doth fail
Their expectations: yet, (for ought I ſee)
His Actions hitherto, not onelyonly be
Unblameable, but alſo ought, at leaſt
By an acknowledgement, to be expreſt
(All things conſidered) with high applauſe,
As bringing welſare as the Publike cauſe.
And, therefore, though the nature of my Theme,
Doth not invite me now, to ſpeak of him,
But, of his Title onelyonly; And, though none
Should give their Plaudits, till the Play be done;
(Or, crown men, till the Coronation-day,
Which is their laſt) yet, ſomewhat I will ſay
To hint, in brief, what, more at large, I might
Expreſs, ſhould I, a Panegyrick write:
Yea, in deſpight of Envie, (though by him,
I ſhould no more be favour'd, then by them
Who hate me) I'll with confidence aver,
And, maugre Malice, make it to appear,
That, if he had not often, great things done,
Beyond meer humane hope, and far outgone
All preſidents of Senators, or Sages,
Princes, or Captains, in preceding Ages,
And all thoſe, who had lately Supreme Pow'r,
We had not been a Nation, at this hour,
Enabled to ſubſiſt, within our dores;
Or, from Invaſion, to have kept our ſhores.
Whereas, we now, are by the Sword of GOD,
In this Protector's hand, bow'd to, abroad;
In Peace at home; enabled to aſſiſt
Our friends; emboldened, where we liſt,
To ſpread our Sayls: The Envie grown, of thoſe
Who ſlighted us; made dreadful to our Foes;
And, in ſo ſhort time, that, the work was done
Almoſt, as ſuddenly as 'twas begun.
Nay, more then this, (if more then this, can be
Atchiev'd for our advantage) it is He
Who, was that happie Inſtrument, whereby
GOD, ſav'd us from a barb'rous Anarchie;
And, from a Tyranny, which had, perhaps,
Appear'd ere thi, in many ſev'ral ſhapes;
And, may, yet, ſeize us, if Sin ſhould deprive
This Commonwealth, of her Preſervative.
This, is ſo evident, that I believe,
His Enemies, my witneſs will receive;
And, that a feigned Poem, in his praiſe,
We need not, by Hyperboles, to raiſe;
Or, by ſtrain'd Metaphors, which, make him, more
Envi'd then honor'd: And, the Cauſe wherefore
I wave thoſe Strains, is, leſt, in ſtead of wat'ring
Vertues, with modeſt Praiſes; I, by flatt'ring
Might hap to drown them; and, deſtroy that end,
Whereto, my rational endeavours tend.
That, therefore, thoſe good aims may be effected,
Whereto, they are intentionally directed,
Let us, with humble and true Self-denial,
Submit to tarry out our days of trial;
And, if ſome yet, among us, doubtful are
Whether, by GOD, or men advanc'd he were,
Let them, (as wiſe Gamaliel did adviſe)
Wait, without off'ring force, what from ſucceſs
May be reſolv'd: For, ſure more dangers will
Riſe from reſiſtance, then from ſitting ſtill.
Joyntly let us aſſent, in carry'ng on
That work, which GOD, appointeth to be done;
And, not deprive our ſelves of real good,
To ſettle an uncertain Likelihood:
If there were Likelihood of any thing
Which, we by other means, to paſs might bring,
Conducing more unto our happineſs,
Then, what the Courſe in act, yet promiſes.
Let us recal, with due conſiderations,
What, hath been long time ſuffer'd by theſe Nations,
Through thoſe deſtructive Diſcords, lately bred
Betwixt the Peoples Truſtees, and their Head;
As alſo, 'twixt themſelves: Let it be weigh'd,
What Burthens were, thereby upon us laid,
And, yet, lie heavie: Let the mournful cries,
Of Families undone; the weeping eyes
Of Childleſs mothers, and, the dying grones
Of many Fathers, ſlaughter'd with their Sons,
(And, Friends imbrued in each others gore
By Civil Wars) make us conſider more
What, may again befal; and, by regard
To what hath been, prevent, what afterward
May follow, if that Quarrel ſhould renew
In which, our Swords, unhappily we drew;
And, which, would now, upon a worſe Account,
Revive; and, to a worſe reſult amount.
Oh! think of theſe things with a ſerious thought,
Before Repentance be too dearly bought:
And, ſuffer not, our former countleſs coſt,
In treaſure, blood, and labour, to be loſt;
But, rather with due thankfulneſs to heav'n,
Enjoy in Peace, what, GOD hath left, or giv'n.
Let, for the future, none of us repine
At that, which hath by Providence divine
Effected been; but, patiently attend
Till, he, who hath begun, ſhall make an end:
For, whether to our weal, or we it prove,
His ways are juſt, and all his works are love.
Let us not change that Title which is given
(For ought we know of) by decree from heav'n:
Nor, let a looking backward, on thoſe things
Which time, and ripeneſs, to their Period brings,
Obſtruct our looking forward; as if nought
For our avail, could poſſibly be wrought
Save by that Pow'r, which once we idoliz'd,
Until it grew to be as much deſpis'd,
As honor'd heretofore; and miſchievous
Both to its own ſelf-being, and to us.
For, GOD, will have it known, that an Extent
Is ſet to ev'ry State or Government;
And, that there is no Kingdom, Pow'r, or Glory,
But, His, alone, which is not tranſitory.
We have dim Revelations, of ſome things
By, and through whoſe imperfect glimmerings,
We grope, and ſtumble onward, toward that
Which we by faith and hope have aimed at;
Slipping, ſometimes, beſide the ſafeſt path,
Or, on each other falling foul, in wrath;
Becauſe, we, but in part, ſee, whereunto
Our Courſes tend, or what we ought to do.
Yet, we are bound, according, to that Light
To make our Progreſſes, with all our might;
And, not diſtruſt th' affection of our Guide,
How weak a means ſoever he provide:
For, when we finde our ſelves, quite in the dark,
And, where Light-real, caſteth forth, no ſpark,
We muſt ſtand ſtill; and, totally reſigne
Our ſelves, unto that Providence divine,
Which governs all; leſt, ſuch falſe lights appear
As thoſe, wherewith, all men deluded are,
Who, in ſuch Streights, are tempted to deſpair;
To murmur; or, their loſſes to repair,
By wicked means; And, ſo, in hope to ſhun
A Hazard, unto Deaths aſſured run.
As our Affairs now ſtand, we ſeem, like thoſe
Whom, on both ſides, high mountains did encloſe
Not to be climb'd; whoſe fore-right march was bar'd
By Seas, through which, no hope of paſs, appear'd:
Who had behinde their backs a pow'rful Hoſt
By whoſe ſwift coming on, all means was loſt
Of ſafe Retreats: They could not downward dive;
Nor knew they, how to get to heav'n alive:
But, they a Moſes, and an A'ron had,
Who, lately, for them, had a paſſage made
Through no leſs difficulties: yea, their GOD
Did manifeſt among them his abode
Ev'n in that Streight, and, forward, made them go,
With ſafety, and triumphant honor too.
Obſerve the Parallel: Diviſions, here,
Have raiſed Factions, which, like Mountains are
On each hand ſtraightning us: before our eyes,
Much People, like the Red-ſea, raging lies,
And, murmuring, as if a Paſs were ſought,
VVhereby, their Liberties, would come to nought:
That Pharaoh, and his ſervants, from whoſe yoke,
VVe are eſcap'd; encouragement have took
To follow after us (as if, they thought
Not Providence, but Chance, our freedom brought:)
And, ev'n this Earth and Air, gives food and breath
To thoſe, that have with them conſpir'd our death.
Yet, we have ſtill a Moſes in our Camp;
And, thoſe, on whom, there doth appear the ſtamp
Of A'rons ſanctity; and, (which is more)
God, ſtill, with us, abides as heretofore.
Why, ſhould we then deſiſt to truſt upon
His kindneſs, who ſo much for us hath done?
Can we ſuſpect, that he, whoſe mercy gave us
A man impow'r'd, and qualiſi'd to ſave us
From our Oppreſſors; did intend that he
Should make us preſently his ſlaves to be?
Did any grudge at Moſes, whom he ſent
For their Deliverer; but ſuch as went
Down quick to hell? or, thoſe whom he did ſlay
With fire from heav'n, or, from earth took away
By his immediate hand? Nay, when King Saul
He in his wrath, up to the Throne did call,
Were any then diſpleaſed therewithal,
But wicked men, and ſons of Belial?
Oh! take good heed, whoſe Juſtice, you accuſe;
Whoſe Goodneſs, and whoſe Mercy you abuſe.
Be not, ſtill faithleſs; but, on him depend,
Whoſe loving kindneſs, hath nor change, nor end.
Learn, but ſo well to know him, as you may,
And, by that knowledge, you will finde the way
To love him ſo, that you from thenceforth, ſhall
With your eſtates, your bodies, ſouls, and all,
Intruſt him; and, admit of no ſuſpect
That, his Deſignes, can have an ill effect,
Concerning you; or, that, the Pow'r, or failing,
Of others, can obſtruct your hopes prevailing.
But, if you cannot, upon him rely,
What, will you do? To whoſe help, would you fly?
Affairs, will not ſucceed, as many dream.
We are at ſuch a loſs, that things which ſeem
To ſome, moſt likely, will not be effected,
According to the mode they have projected.
We ſee our old Foundations broken down;
VVe ſee the Pow'rs we had, quite overthrown;
VVe finde, that our own wiſdom, is unable
To counſel us; and, ſo unprofitable
(Through Contradictions) that, it doth but add
New fears, or jealoufies, to thoſe we had;
And menace dangers, likely to be more
Deſtructive, then our Troubles heretoſore.
The preſent time, is almoſt wholly ſpent
A general Deſtruction, to prevent;
And thoſe men, by whoſe private Interest,
The Publike ſtrength, and ſafety doth ſubſiſt,
Are without remedy expos'd the while,
To ſure, and irrecoverable ſpoil:
VVhichWhich, when this Commonwealth reſtor'd appears,
VVill leave them, in their triumphs, little ſhares.
VVould you return again, unto the Pow'r
Firſt laid aſide? That, rather will devour
Then bring us help: All, that this Iſland hath
VVill not ſuffice to ſatisfie his wrath,
VVith their Ambition, Avarice, and Luſt,
VVho, in, upon your Rights, with him, will thruſt:
Yea, many, who, now hope, they ſhall acquire
Great things thereby, will periſh in that fire;
And, none of thoſe, who think moſt ſafe to be
Shall from the common miſchief, then, be free.
VVould you reſume the Pow'r aboliſh'd, next?
(VVhereby you were ſo many ways perplext?)
Let it appear a Pow'r; and, we will, then,
If it be Righteous, give it place agen.
But it hath now no being: nor, was able
To ſave it ſelf, or to be profitable
To others, whilſt it raigned. VVe, have, now,
An Image of it rais'd; but, who knows how
It will comply with that, which raiſed it?
And, if it ſhall not, what will then befit
A prudent People? but, cloſe to adhere
To that, wherein, GOD's Pow'r ſhall moſt appear?
What reaſon is there, we ſhould doat ſo much
On our Old Staff, new pieced with a Crutch,
That, if it ſhall be forc'd out of our hand,
We will, thenceforward, neither go, nor ſtand?
But, Childlike, (who, if he a toy deſire,
Throws all his other play-games into fire
When that 's deny'd him) all our good deſtroy,
Becauſe, we may not ſomewhat more enjoy?
Oh! heed this folly; and, be rather taught
By Fools, then be Fools, and bring all to nought:
For, GOD, by men and means, that moſt deſpiſe,
Effects things, which the Prudence of the Wiſe,
Doth but retard; and, where the means hath been
Moſt weak; there, was his Pow'r and Love, moſt ſeen.
Make not, unjuſt ſuſpitions of a failing
In others; to obſtruct, your own prevailing.
He, upon whom, GOD's Providence beſtows
The Supreme Pow'r, without all doubting, knows,
Or may know, (yea, and ſhall know, late or ſoon,
By ſome things paſt, or ſome things to be done)
That, on his Good-behaviour, it is daign'd;
And, could not poſſibly, be long ſuſtain'd,
If, He, ſhould leave him, from whom, he derives
His ſtrength, his honour, and preſervatives.
He, hath obſerved, (if my information
Be true) that an inherent inclination
To Tyranny, is found in ev'ry one,
That is advanced to a Sov'raign Throne,
Which will corrupt him wholly, by degrees,
Unleſs by Grace, that danger he foreſees,
With watchfulneſs; ſtill, lab'ring to poſſeſs
His Spirit, in perpetual h…mblexeſs,
And, 'twixt his people, and himſelf, to make
No difference, but, for his Callings ſake.
His wiſdom, ſhews him what unſtableneſs
There is, in all, that he doth, yet poſſeſs:
He, findes by this time, what it is to take
The weight of three great Kingdoms on his back,
What ha…ards he is in, as well by thoſe
Who, ſeem to be his friends, as by his foes:
Yea, well enough he ſees, what hardſhip ſtands,
Before him, and what downfals at both hands;
And, will not therefore, doubtleſs, be ſo mad
(When an aſſured ſafety may be had)
To live in danger; or, to blot the Story
Which, hath ſo much recorded to his glory;
By acting, or intending, what may turn
His far-ſpread honour, to his future ſcorn.
To truſt him, therefore, why ſhould we refuſe
Whom we did truſt? and when we cannot chuſe?
Nay, when, by cur diſtrust, we cannot ſnun
Thoſe Rocks, on which, we likely are to run?
Or, what, adventures either He, or We
(Since, in an equal hazard, both yet be)
So both be ſafe; and, he hath pow'r to do
That Work, which GOD hath called him unto,
If, both, ſubmit unto the frugal cost,
Of yeelding Part, that, All may not be loſt?
And, give unto each other, that, whereby
Both may be ſtrong, againſt an Enemy
Which threatens both? and, who, may elſe deſtroy
Both Parties, and poſſeſs what both enjoy?
For, your Maligners, do the world ſurround;
Have Snares above, and Engines under-ground;
A Partie, both abroad, and here at home;
As well in London, as in France and Rome:
Spies, in your houſes, watching what ye do;
Yea, in your Chambers, and your Boſoms too:
Nay more; they hope, if their cloſe Plots do fail,
That, they, by your miſ-actings, may prevail,
Through, their infuſing that, into your breſts
Whereby they may advance their Interests;
And, when their Pow'r, is quite infeebled grown,
Cauſe you, to be deſtroyed by your own.
Hear, and believe me, (who have oft foretold,
What, ſome found true, though few regard it would)
This, is deſign'd: yet, you may, ne'ertheleſs
In ſafety be, if, by your wilfulneſs
You let not Oportunities paſs by,
Which, now, are in your hand, and in your eye:
An entrance into Reſt, GOD, would now give,
If, you, will in humility believe.
Believe then: and, although you do not heed
GOD's promiſes; believe, what he by deed
Hath warranted, (with many gracious Pledges
Thereof, vouchſafed in our Pilgrimages;)
And hath, with ſignal wonders ratifide
That, diffidence, withdraw us not aſide.
Thoſe mercies paſſed, which fore-tokens were
Of more to come, conſider, as they are
To be conſider'd; leſt, they aggravate
Our ſins, and, bring us to that ſad eſtate
Which we were in; and, wheel us back again
To Aegypt, there, for ever, to remain.
And, know this; (for, I nothing dare conceal,
Which, now, my heart inclines me to reveal)
That, they, who for Self-intereſt, enforce
A final breach; (and, of ſo great a Curſe;
Needleſs occaſions, wilfully do give)
With Hypocrites, their Portion ſhall receive;
Who, are the worſt of ſinners; and whoſe doom
Is, to poſſeſs in Hell, the loweſt room.
Yea, know, if we unite not in the day
VVherein, GOD offers Peace, (and, whilſt we may)
The time, will be but ſhort, betwixt the Pow'r
That, doth Protect; and, that, which will devour.
But, LORD, prevent what's threatned; & ſuppreſs
That wicked Spirit of Contentiouſneſs,
VVhichWhich now doth raign: and, though we merit not
This Grace; yea, though, we have almoſt forgot
VVhat Bondage we were in; what Rest we want;
And, whereto, we are bound by Covenant;
Save us! Oh, ſave us, in this preſent Criſis
Of Good, and Ill, and, from our own Devices.
Aſſiſt us, in performing our Conditions,
That, thou mayſt have the Praiſe of our fruitious,
And, we, the Comfort; who, are at this day,
Upon the verge of being caſt away,
Or of admiſſion to that bleſſed Reſt,
In which conſiſts, our nobleſt Intereſt.
Let not th'enjoyment of a glorious Bleſſing,
Now offer'd; (and, not far from our poſſeſſing)
Be vacated by us, who, are to ſhare
The greateſt part, in what thou wilt confer
If thankfully received: Let not that
High Title, wherewithal thou haſt of late
Thy ſervant honor'd, work effects on him
Like thoſe, which uſually are found in them,
VVho, ſeek themſelves: nor, let Initiations,
So far beyond our hopes, our expectations,
And, former Preſidents, be like the blaze
Of Comets, which, a while amuſe, amaze,
Or ſome way chear beholders in the night
Of their Afflictions, and, then, vaniſh quite.
But, let them grow and riſe, until they are
Improv'd, into a glorious fixed Star.
Let not my much unworthineſs, by whom
This Suit is made, a bar thereto become;
Nor cauſe thoſe, with the leſs effect to heed
Thoſe Cautions, which, I give them, now, to read.
For, through an earthen trunk though 'tis expreſt,
(Or, by a Rams-horn-trumpet, at the beſt)
Thy Spirit lent the breath, which gives the ſound,
And, will not let it be quite uſeleſs found;
But make it pertinent unto their ſhame,
Or to their honour, who ſhall hear the ſame.
It tunes, a well-known Note; here's nothing ſpoke,
In Riddles, which may doubtfully be took,
As heretofore, when I was ſo inſpir'd
To ſpeak, as our Condition, then, requir'd.
Theſe Counſels, though, a man unwiſe may give them,
A wiſe man, without bluſhing, may receive them;
And, he that ſitteth in the higheſt place
May heed them with more honor, then diſgrace,
If, he as well conſider ſhall, from whom
They may be ſent, as by whoſe hand, they come.
This, is a Piping, which the Babes who play
VVithin the Market-place, ſoon practiſe may
To dance unto; and, 'twill be well for them,
If, now, their Fathers, do not ſo contemn
This Muſick, that hereafter, they begin
In ſtead thereof, a bloody Matachin.
For, though, theſe Warnings, come in that diſguiſe
VVhichWhich Ignorance, and flouting Wits deſpiſe:
And, is a kinde of Preaching, which theſe times
Eſteems no better, then of ſcurrile Rimes:
This, will appear, one of thoſe many ways,
VVhereby, GOD, ſpeaks unto theſe later days;
And, which, if ſlighted, will be ſcor'd among
Thoſe Warnings, that, have been contemn'd, too long.