The Protector, Author to the readers
To the Readers.
THe Subject of my Muſe, is now a TITLE;
Which, though yet known unto the World but little;
May much concern it: but, abov the rest,
(And in the firſt place) Britain's Interest;
If we deſtroy not, by a wilful ſinning,
The glory of it, in the firſt beginning.
'T is not my Principle, to take away,
Or, to reſiſt the Pow'r I ſhould obey,
Or, queſtion that, which Providence approves,
Or ſets up, when another it removes;
Confirming viſibly, what it advances,
With all the Supplements and Circumſtances
Which make a Pow'r: and therefore, when at firſt,
Pow'r was diſ-joynted, and I ſeem'd inforc'd
To take one Part of what was then divided;
I clave to that, wherewith, I thought reſided
Moſt Equity, adhering to the ſame
With Conſtancie; and, I think, without blame
Justly imputed: for, with an intent
To ſerve as well the King, as Parliament,
I put on Arms; and, as ſincerely ſought
His good, as theirs, beneath whoſe Flag I fought,
Till, I, betwixt them nigh deſtroy'd became;
And, then, perceiving they were both to blame,
Left off the Quarrel, unto Him, that knew
Which beſt deſerv'd, and, what to both was due.
Yet, firm continu'd, to this Commonweal,
When, by the Sword, GOD, anſwer'd her Appeal,
According to our Laws, (which, in ſuch caſe,
Combate allows, when no proof elſe, takes place.)
Yea, to the Peoples Repreſentative,
I, did (though thereby wrong'd) obedience give;
Contributing, what I was able, then,
With my Eſtate, and alſo by my Pen:
Which, (though deſpiſed) ſomewhat did effect
Producing more Advantage, then reſpect:
For, they, who were not pleas'd it ſhould be known
To come from me, made my Deſignes their own;
And left me to the miſchief of their hate,
Who, malic'd my Affection, to the State.
When their Pow'r ſubdivided, I adher'd
To that, in which moſt Righteouſneſs appear'd:
And, though I ſuffer'd ſtill, without regard,
(Aiming at nobler Guerdon, and reward,
Then they could give me) did the beſt I could,
Their Peace, and crazie Honour, to uphold
By ſecret Cautions, and, by publiſhing
What I much fear'd their courſe would on them bring:
But, Selfneſs, Pride, and Avarice, made void
All good endeavours, till they were deſtroy'd;
And, ſome among them, who deſerved well,
Were wrapt up, in the Miſchiefs which befel,
Blam'd, and unpiti'd; yea, and moſt of all
By them, whoſe wickedneſs, drew on their fall.
How, it ſo came to paſs, I, could not mark;
For, in a Cloud 't was done, and in the dark,
(As in reſpect of me) till, GOD reveal'd
That Myſtery, which was at firſt conceal'd:
And then, from late Corruptions, forth did peep
(As Eve from Adam, whilſt he was aſleep)
Appearances; which, when they were reduc'd
To their perfection, viſibly produc'd
The preſent GOVERNMENT, ere well I knew
What men were doing, or, what would enſue.
But, when it ſhew'd it ſelf, I, plainly ſaw
A Creature form'd, cloath'd with ſuch Pow'r, and awe,
That, none but GOD himſelf, could Author be
Of that, which I did then produced ſee:
Conſid'ring, what Confuſions we were in;
What, might, much rather, have expected bin;
And, how, to wonderment, he had aſſwag'd
Their Fury, who, were Envious, and enrag'd.
Therefore, although, before that time, I had
Some Overtures, within my own heart made;
And, ſome Expedients fancy'd, how to lay
Foundations of our Peace, another way;
And, to rebuild the Structure late o'erthrown,
By gath'ring out, from what was pulled down,
The Good, from Bad, (and that, which proved ſound,
From Rubbiſh, which therewith, was mixed found.)
I threw by my own thoughts; and, thenceforth, ſought
To work on, in that Work, which GOD had wrought;
And am reſolv'd, with all the ſtrength I have,
(And, ev'ry Faculty which I receive)
To fortifie that Pow'r, which rais'd I ſee,
Till God himſelf removes it; though to me
It prov'd leſs favourable, yea, and more
Deſtructive, then the Pow'r, which raign'd before:
And (without other purpoſe) to that end,
Theſe Muſings, on this Title did intend,
Which here enſues; that, you away may caſt
Your own Deſignes, as I did mine, at laſt,
And joyn together, in advancing that
New Pow'r, and Title, which, GOD, did create;
Rather, then by a fooliſh wilfulneſs,
Oppoſe his will, and ruine your own Peace.
Which Miſchief, that you timely may prevent,
(And, not deſtructive Diſcord ſtill foment)
I have contriv'd this Engine, to prepare
Their hearts for Concord, who divided are;
And ſhew them, what Advantages may riſe
By that, which they through Ignorance deſpiſe.
Conſider therefore, duely, what it may
Concern you, to take heed, of what I ſay;
And, that ſometime a Title, or a Word,
(Scarce thought worth heed) occaſion may afford
Of furth'ring matters of great Conſequence,
And of removing things which gave offence.
Conſider what is offer'd to your view:
Remember, that ſome things, and not a few,
Which were foretold (ev'n many yeers before
They came to paſs) were careleſly paſs'd ore,
And what befel. Remember, that, to you
I have nought tender'd, yet, which prov'd untrue,
(If rightly underſtood) when 't was profeſs'd
Delib'rately, and, ſeriouſly expreſs'd:
And, let me finde reſpect, as I intend
Your weal, by that, which new I recommend.
Your ancient Remembrancer, Geo. Wither.