A Sudden Flash, Part 1

A Sudden Flash · Part 1

The Flaſh.

MY Muſe, hath on a ſuddain, once again,

Invited me, to this unuſual ſtrain;

Which, as the ſtate of my Affairs, now ſtands,

Hath put upon me Dangerous Commands:

p. 2But, I, who muſt obey Her when ſhe calls,

(What ever hazzard, on my ſelf befalls)

Submitted to expreſſe, what I ſhould finde

Infuſed by her pow'r, in to my mind;

And, hearing that his Highneſſe, had deny'd

The Kingſhip, thereupon, thus verſifi'd:

For, Poets (priviledg'd, as Prophets were)

Their Inſpirations freely may declare.

But, hath he wav'd that Title? and, I pray,

Are you aright inform'd of what you ſay?

Did not a falſe-report, your ears abuſe?

A Crown! a Triple-Crown doth he refuſe?

And will not he, as Biſhops us'd to do,

Say, No, and take it, as compell'd thereto?

Oh Miracle of men? doth he deny

A Kingſhip! freely offered! which, to Buy

So many thouſand Princes, have made ſale

Of Fame, Faith, Conſcience, Body, Soul, and all?

If this (as you affirm it is) be true;

Friends; bid henceforth, your jealouſies adue:

And, let him who miſtruſts him any more;

Suſpect his Honeſt wife, to be a Whore,

And in his breſt, the torments thereof cheriſh

Till he repent that injury, or periſh.

But, ſince I know what many do ſurmize,

(And, what objections malice doth deviſe)

Let me a little more expoſtulate;

Is it not (think you,) done to palliate

The ſouldiers humor? or, a Trick of State

To draw on ſome thing more, yet aimed at?

Is it not by Deſign, to bring about

Advantages, by overſight left out?

Or to delay, a while, what he intends,

To feel the Peoples pulſe? or for ſuch ends?

p. 3No doubtleſſe: Then, make anſwer but to Three

Short Queſtions more, and they the laſt ſhall be.

Expects he not, when twenty dayes, are paſt,

It ſhould be, Nolens volens, on him caſt?

Nor is it ſo; for, by that Inſtrument,

Which doth yet regulate this Government,

No Law thereto repugnant, can be made

Whereto, his free aſſent, ſhall not be had:

And, Really, refuſall he doth make,

In Chriſtian prudence, and for Conſcience ſake;

That, he may give no cauſe of thoſe Offences,

Suſpitions, Scandals, and ill conſequences,

Which may enſue; And, whereof, Honeſt men

Are much affrayd: Why, did he ſuffer, then,

So long time in Debatings, to be ſpent,

(Since he at firſt diſcovered what was meant)

And, did not interdict them to proceed?

That, had been a diſhonourable deed:

For, in ſo doing, he ſhould have prejudg'd,

The Parlament; them, diſimpriviledg'd;

And, thereby, ſome Experiments, have loſt,

Which are more worth, than twice the time they coſt.

Beſide, the matter is of too much weight,

Each way, to paſſe, till ballanced aright;

And, you have heard it ſaid, what thoſe men are

Who Judge a Cauſe, before the ſame they hear.

Thus far tis well: But, will he not at laſt

When ſome few more, fit Complements are paſt,

Accept what's offer'd? what he did, is known:

But, what he will do, cannot be foreſhown:

And, we ſhall wrong Him (as he ſhould the State

Have injur'd) if, we him prejudicate.

We may conjecture: And, if I may give

My Judgement, by the Symptoms I perceive,

p. 4He never will accept it, till, he ſhall

By Faith and Reaſon, be convinc'd in all

And ev'ry Scruple, which, this day, offends

His Conſcience; or disſatisfies his Friends:

Beyond which, he, that ought would move him to,

Doth, what no wiſe, or honeſt man, ſhould do;

And, would not care, though he were quite deſtroy'd

So, his own Luſt, and Will, might be enjoy'd.

If ſo, then, me he hath not, yet, deceiv'd

In any thing, which I of him believ'd

Since firſt I heeded, by what Point he ſteers;

(What Rock on this hand, what on that, appears;)

What moſt men are, with whom he hath to do;

And, why, few know, which way, he means to go.

His Foes, though with his Bullocks they have plow'd,

Have got nought thereby, whereof to be proud.

And, as I live, I, am thereof, as glad,

As, therefore, many others will be ſad;

And, if I were (as I have been) a Boy

I ſhould make Squibs, and Bonefires, now for joy,

As many would have done, had he compli'd

With their deſires, whoſe Offer is deni'd.

For, in his condiſcending to be King,

He could have been, at beſt, no greater thing

Than other Earthly Princes: But, hereby

He may aſcend unto a Soveraignty,

Which raiſeth him, nine Orbes above their Sphear,

To be inthroned, where Immortals are:

And, me, it hopefull makes, to ſee that Age,

Which, Britains genius, did, long ſince, preſage

In that Prediction, wherein, was among

Some other things, this following diſtick ſung:

A King, ſhall willingly himſelf unking,

And thereby grow farr greater than before.

p. 5For, now, fulfilled ſeemeth, in effect,

What, that vaticination did predict;

Although there ſhould a Power elſwhere reſide

To bring to paſſe, what is by him deni'd.

Victorious Cromwell! thou, haſt, herein, gone

Beyond thy ſelf; and ſuch an Act haſt done,

As few or none, in this, or forraign Climes,

Have equalled, in any former times.

A ſelf-denial like this, none, but He

Could teach, who, that he might our pattern be,

The Thrones & kingdoms of this world did ſlight,

When he was born up thither, where, he might

(And did) behold them, ſpreading forth to view

All their Inchanting pleaſures, falſe or true:

And from him onelyonly, could that grace proceed,

Whereby, thou doſt perform ſo brave a deed.

Thou often haſt deſerved Mural-Crowns,

For taking Caſtles, with high walled Towns,

And making in ſubjection, to thy powers,

Great Cities, fortifi'd with Walls and Towers:

To thee, for brave Achivements on the Maine

The chief of Navall Trophies, doth pertain:

Triumphant Laurell, to adorn thy brows,

To thee is due, for giving ovethrows

To dreadfull Armies, that, had elſe inſlav'd

Thy Country; which, God, by thy ſword hath ſavd.

Thou haſt ſubdued Kingdomes, and great Kings;

Whereby, their Crowns, their Scepters & all things

Belonging to ſuch Conquerors, are thine,

As truly, as the Clothes I wear, are mine.

Yet, theſe are ſlight, and petty Foes compar'd

To ſome, with whom, thou ſecretly haſt warr'd:

And, for thoſe Conqueſts, thou I hope, doſt carry

A Tablet, with a ſecret Honorary;

p. 6Whereby thy vertues fully be rewarded,

With Trophies, of moſt worth, though leſt regarded.

Theſe wayes, thou wert Victorious heretofore;

And, I will mention one great Conqueſt more.

By few obſerved: Thou haſt ſtood the Shock

Of malice and detraction, like a Rock,

On which the waves and billows of the Main,

Have ſpent their ſtrength, and foam'd out rage in vain.

I, very often, have obſerv'd the fell,

Feirce, raging, and three headed dog of Hell,

With his three double rows of teeth, aſſay

To tear thine honour, and thy pow'r, away;

With his foule tongues, beſpattering thy fame,

To turn thy blooming honour into ſhame;

I've ſeen this Cur oft, dog thee in the dark,

In hope to bite thee, when he durſt not bark;

And, I have heeded, by what ſacred Charms,

Thou haſt been hitherto, preſerv'd from harms.

This Helhound, thou haſt tam'd without ſo much

As giving him a cruſt, a ſpurn, or touch;

Meerly by meekneſs, and, as paſſing by

With diſregard of cauſleſſe injury;

And, now he ſometimes fawns on thee and thoſe,

Who are thy friends; and, ſnarleth at thy foes,

As if he were appeas'd: which, I believe

Is but a cunning dog trick, to deceive.

And, yet, among thoſe victories, which lye

Moſt viſible unto the vulger eye,

This, thy laſt conqueſt, merits admiration

Beyond the reſt; And, with perſeveration

If thou maintain the ſame, as thou maiſt do,

By his help, who hath aided hitherto,

Thou haſt thereby a pledge, that, God will never

Forſake thee; but, thy guardian be for ever.

p. 7Thou haſt already ſcap'd, the beſt tride ſnare;

That Sathan, or his agents, can prepare:

For, 'twas the laſt, of thoſe temptations, which

He practiſ'd by, our Saviour, to bewitch:

And, as when that grand-tryall, had an end

His Angels, did forthwith, on him attend

Rejoycing in his conquest; ſo, will, too,

For thine, all, thy moſt faithfull ſervants do.

Thou haſt thereby, ſo ſtrengthned all their hands,

So cheered all their hearts, throughout theſe lands,

Who prayd, or feared for thee, in this tryall;

That, thou, of nothing now, canſt have deniall,

Wherein their love may ſerve thee; and they ſhall

More fortifie thee, than a Brazen wall;

More comfort thee, than ought that can be had

From any Title, that the world ſhall add:

And, thou at laſt, ſhalt finde, thou doſt not loſe

One grain, of what thou lately didſt refuſe,

By that refuſall: for, thou ſhalt have more

(If not in kind) in value, than before.

Yea, peradventure, that, in ſpecie, too,

When, qualified, no offence to do;

And, when it hath been prov'd, whereto thy mind

VVithout diſſimulation is inclin'd.

For, tis not meer negation of that title,

VVhichWhich is thy Teſt; ſince, that availeth little

One way or other, ſave as unto that

VVhichWhich brought it hath unto diſlike of late;

Or, as it may concern ſome paſt tranſactions,

VVhichWhich, have occaſioned diſſatisfactions

In many of this Nation; or, as thou

Mayſt ſcandalize them, by thine actings now.

But, that, wherein thy reall proof will be,

Lockt, from mens eys, lyes hid, with God, and thee:

p. 8And, whatſoever thou reſolv'ſt upon,

Will either Well, or elſe not well, be done,

As, unto thoſe things, they relating are,

Which unto God, and Thee alone, appear.

The waſhing of th' Aſſyrian in the water

Of Jordan, was but an indifferent matter,

Till made the ſole condition of his Cure:

And, doubtleſſe, had not that, been in his pow'r,

He had been Cleanſ'd without it. David's ſin

In Numb'ring of the People, lay not in

That ſimple Act; but, in the ſecret Pride

And Diſobedience, which did then reſide

Within his Heart; And, when it ſhall appear

That Thou, from Guiltineſs, art that way clear;

And, haſt repented all thoſe Humane failings,

Which have, in ought, obſtructed thy Prevailings:

Then, ſhall the gift-refuſed, neither be

A Scandall unto Others, or to Thee,

Although accepted; when thou haſt reſiſted

So far, as Grace and Reaſon, have aſſiſted.

For, ſhould the Pow'r-Coordinate with thine,

O're-pow'r thee ſo, that, thou thereto incline

(Conſenting to their Motives at the laſt)

Thy Conſcience bearing witneſſe, that thou haſt

Complied there withall, rather by force

Than Choiſe; to keep bad things, from being worſe:

Or, if by ſtrength of Reaſon, ſwayd thou art

To that Acceptance; thou, haſt done thy part:

And, ſhalt by yeelding, paſs another Trial

As honourable, as, is this Denial.

Thou ſhalt be ſafe, from all that was portended,

Shouldſt thou by Levity, have condiſcended,

Or, tempted been by Self-neſs, to forgo

That Title, thou haſt owned hitherto;

p. 9And wilt be free from blame, what ever ſhall

Hereafter, by the Change thereof befall.

For, nothing ſhall amiſſe to thee ſucceed,

By what, is not Thine, but, anothers deed.

No Reaſon, bindeth any to withſtand,

What, Pow'r, and ſtronger Reaſon, doth command;

And, when perhaps too, God, his ayde withdraws,

From thy aſſiſtance, in this dubious cauſe,

To bring on them, whats due for their offence,

Who truſt their own Wits, more than Providence.

This, I expreſſe here, not to leave a Gap

Whereby, thou may'ſt from Juſt Reſolves eſcape:

(For, God will find it out, if there be ought

To ſuch a purpoſe, lurking in thy thought:)

But, that, thou may'ſt not fall into a Snare

By things, which in themſelves, Indifferent are;

(Nor good nor evill, but, as unto that

Which may be good, or Evill, they relate;)

And, to preſerve thine Honour, among thoſe

Who ſhall, perchance, their Expectations loſe

By what may come to paſſe; (yea, to prevent

That, which may thereof, be a Conſequent

To thee diſſerviceable) I, am bold

To tell thee, what my Muſe to me hath told;

Which, dictates, otherwhile in Slighted rimes,

That, which doth much concern theſe preſent times;

And, would, it may be, had it not been Mine,

Suppos'd have been, an Off-ſpring, more divine.

But, I, my, Muſings now, to thoſe will bend

Who may, perhaps, miſtruſt what I intend.

Although I have, by this Anticipation,

Preſented that unto conſideration,

Which may be profitable (if revers'd

His purpoſe be, on Tearms before rehears'd)

p. 10Yet, leaſt, I may with one hand, be ſuſpected

To pull down, what the other had Erected;

I will not ſmother ought, which I ſhall finde,

May juſtly fortifie him in the minde,

By him profeſt; untill, to drive him out

Of his Reſolve, Thoſe Reaſons may be brought,

Which will be ſtronger; leſt, ſome, ſhould ſurmize

He; without Cauſe, deni'd what he denies;

Or, leſt my late Rejoycings, may appear

As Reaſonleſſe, as many think they were.

My gladneſſe of it, flow'd from no reſpect

Unto my ſelf, or, fears of an effect

By Kingſhip, which my profits might impair:

For, I have, that way, likelihoods more fair

Than I have now (if nothing it occaſions,

To break our Peace, at Home, or, by Invaſions

From Foes abroad) nor can I ſcandal'd be,

Thereby, through ought, which will reflect on me:

But, I rejoyced in it, for the ſake

Of Him, who did this Title undertake;

And, for their ſakes, who Acted and Enacted,

Things, whereby poſſibly may be contracted

Great Scandals; or, which may a new expoſe

My Country, to be ſpoiled by her Foes.

For theſe, and ſuch reſpects as theſe (together

With what may be again transferred hither,

My Heart, that was through fear of them, grown ſad,

Became through hope of their prevention, glad.

For, what a black Scene, ſhould we here have ſeen?

How many greeved hearts, would here have been,

Had our Protector, either been eſtranged

From what he was, or, (ſeem'd to be) ſo changed,

As, lightly to forgo his intereſt

In that, wherewith he had been ſo much bleſt?

p. 11Or, ſhould by others, have been ſo deluded,

As, to let that upon him be obtruded,

Which He himſelf diſclaim'd? and, may bring back

A King upon us, with his Pedlars Pack

Of Vanities, which have been by this Nation

Rejected by a ſolemn protestation:

And, which are Trinckets, as unſeparable

From moſt Kings, as is from a Fool, his babble?

For, there is nought more likely, in, to bring

Him that's expelled, then, to make a King,

At this time; and, to make on that accompt

(Which is deſign'd) that Title paramount:

Nor can there be, for what our Foe intends,

A better ground-worke laid, by all his friends.

Theſe things I feared; and, my ſoul foreſees

That, all thoſe things may creep in by degrees,

Which, to the Kingdomes of this World pertain;

Which, may inſlave the Saints of God again;

And, which, may in a ſhort time, reinveſt

With that pow'r, which impowred Antichriſt:

Unleſſe, it by his Mercy, be withſtood

Whoſe wiſdome, can from Evil, bring forth Good.

Theſe things I fear'd, and if a Parlament

Can make a King, which may theſe fears prevent;

Him, and his Nobles, if it can ſo bind,

That, we may be ſecured in this kind;

And keep our Sov'raign, and theſe Nations free

From ſcandals, which occaſioned may be;

I, ſhould not only yeild, on that condition

To make a King, but beg one by Petition.

Redouble, that rejoycing, which appear'd,

When, of what was reſolved, I firſt heard:

And, make my heart, the firſt ſtep whereupon

He might ſet foot, to mount up to his Throne:

p. 12Yea, ſing a Panegyrick in their praiſe

Who mov'd it, that ſhould long out-laſt my daies.

We look for ſuch a Government, as ſhall

Make way for Chriſt: not that fantaſtical

Fifth Monarchie, whereof ſome people dream,

And Conquer would an Earthly Throne for him

With Carnal weapons: But, that, preſent here

He, may ſo be, and ſo to reign, appear

As he hath promis'd; and, that Righteouſneſs

And Truth, may ev'ry Throne on Earth poſſeſs,

According to that meaſure of his grace,

Which is apportion'd, to this earthly place.

His Highneſs, hath made progreſs in a path

As far forth toward it, as any hath

Since Chriſt aſcended; if, the Depths and Heights,

The Rugged paſſages, and Narrow Streights

Conſider'd be, through which his March he makes,

To bring to end the Work he undertakes.

He muſt now paſs a Rock, which will require

An Ingeneer with Vineger and fire;

And, cut a Paſſage, which (as by a thread)

Muſt on each hand, ev'n to a hairs-breadth, lead

'Twixt Conſcience and ſound Reaſon: whence, to vary

Were irrecoverably to miſcarry.

Oh God! aſſiſt him; and, to what I pray

Amen, let all, who wiſh our welfare, ſay.

He, hitherto, in that which he hath done,

His Work, with prudency, hath carried on:

And, firm to his own Principles abides,

Though many ſtrive to bring him to their ſides:

Yea, though there be ſome too, of whom he may

(As David of Zerviah's Sons did ſay)

Complain, that, they, were oft for him, too hard;

Yet, Him from his Reſolves they have not ſtirr'd.

p. 13And (be it well conſidered of all you,

Who read this, and, perchance miſcenſure now

Of his Heroick Act) he doth not wave

Ought neceſſary for a Prince to have;

Which had been a Denial, in effect,

Of that Pow'r, which his People ſhould protect;

And, were no Self-denial, (as I gather)

But, a denial of his Duty rather.

The Kingſhip is not wav'd, but, as it tends

To what may much diſconſolate his friends,

Or glad his foes; And, which, as things yet ſtand,

Relating to Pre-actings in this Land,

Might draw on very evil Conſequences;

Or give juſt cauſe of many great Offences:

Could theſe removed, or prevented be,

So that his Conſcience, might from them be free,

Perchance, That, to take place it would permit

As rational, which ſo appears not yet.

For to the Clean, he knows all things are Clean,

And (if I gueſs aright what he doth mean)

That, whereof, he doth chiefly ſcruple make,

Is, Giving an offence unto the weak;

And, that, therewith, all things now ſtartled at

Might paſs, when he upon them ſhall debate,

If God, informs his Conſcience, that they may;

And Reaſon ſhall his Reaſons overſway.

He nothing hath refus'd with diſreſpect

To them who offer'd it: Or, with neglect

Of ought propos'd for Publick benefit:

But, only, what may poſſibly beget

More Jealouſie than Love: more Envy, then

Glory to God, or good to Honeſt men.

And, he by his Refuſal, unto none

Denyeth ought, but, to himſelf alone;

p. 14Or, that, which he doth probably believe

Will marre our peace, and Civil wars revive:

For which, if worſe, he rather ſpeed than better,

His merit is the more; his praiſe the greater;

And, they, who ſhall the leſſe affection ſhow him,

For that, deny the duty which they owe him.

What, if he thinks the changing of his Title,

Implies a levitie, which doth but little

Beſeeme a Prince? and may occaſion too

A quarrell, which might all his work undo?

Or propagate a miſchievous effect,

To their deſtruction whom he ſhould protect?

Is he not bound in Conſcience to beware

Of ſuch a Title, whoſoe're they are

That ſhall propoſe it? ſhould he not betray

His Truſt, by giving eaſily away

That earneſt of Protection, which doth ſeem

To be, by God, conferred upon him

For ſafeguard of his Saints? or, might there not

Some blemiſh be in Reputation got,

Relating to that Stile? if, he, the ſame

Should change for that, by which their bondage came?

And can he think it nothing ſignifies,

That, they, who are his greateſt Enemies

Do more rejoyce, in that which was intended,

Then they, by whom, he hath been beſt befriended?

If, likewiſe, with a ſerious heed, he ſhall

Be pleaſed to conſider therewithall,

What kind of men, the greateſt number are

Who, for this change moſt zealous do appear;

What Intereſt it is, which they would ſave:

What Principles, the moſt among them have;

Can he ſuppoſe, more ſafe for him, it were

To theſe, then to his beſt friends, to adhere?

p. 15Whoſe Converſations, are to him well known?

Whoſe cauſe is his? Whoſe principles his owne?

Since, Reaſon doth incline him, to the laſt,

And Conſcience, too, the ballance that way caſt?

That Title, which hath hitherto been own'd,

With victories and bleſſings, hath been crown'd;

It, now, hath rendered it ſelfe exempt

For ever, from that undeſerv'd contempt

Which novelty occaſion'd; and, throughout

The World, is with much honour ſpread about.

He, thereby had a pow'r, which lately ſhook

The wals of Babel; and with terror ſtrooke

His proudeſt foes; and, is it vaniſh'd, now,

We neither know when or by what, or how?

Except it be, for thankleſly deſpiſing

So prosperous a Stile, and idolizing

Of that, which forced us, in our affliction

To take up that we have, for our protection.

When, Iſrael would be King-rid, God, to ſhew

His anger, and, what thereon would enſue,

Deſtroy'd in Harveſt time, their corne with ſhowers;

And at the Seed-time, he did hazzard ours

By extream Drought; untill that was deny'd

Which is propos'd; and, then, forthwith ſuppli'de

Our preſent want: perhaps, to make us ſeek

His will, and, know our ſinne, and theirs alike:

Leſt, in his wrath, he give us what we crave,

And take away, what he in mercy gave.

What will enſue, by ſetling Kingſhip here,

For common good, it doth not yet appeare:

Some, doe pretend, it render will, to us,

Our laws more fixt, and much more vigorous,

Becauſe, by Kings, they were to us deriv'd,

And confirmation in their name receiv'd.

p. 16But, wherefore, may not all that, which relates

To King, or People, Freedoms, or Eſtates

In our preceding Laws, be ſo Compacted

Into one Statute, now to be Enacted,

That, they may by his Highneſſes aſſent,

Be made as firm, as this new Inſtrument,

By our Protector, who, muſt be the Stone

Firſt laid, to build their new fram'd work upon?

Why may not He, who now is our Supream,

Make both unto Himſelf, and unto them

Who ask it of him, all our Laws forepaſt

As Uſeful, and as Binding, as this Laſt?

Why may not He, who is a Conquerer

For Us, and did for us, receive his Pow'r

Confirm our Laws, or any other thing,

(As ſtrongly, as if he were call'd a King)

To Us, and to Himſelf, with their conſent,

Who by his Pow'r, are made a Parlament?

Why, ſhould it unto him, ought leſs afford,

Than to all Princes, raiſed by the Sword?

No man, can juſtly, that to him denay.

For, Conqueſt is the ordinary way,

Whereby, God changeth Governments, and flings

From off their Thrones, great Emperors and Kings.

And 'tis Gods mercy, not our own deſert,

Which, hitherto, hath ſo inclin'd his heart,

That, though he hath been ſtraightned more than any,

His Arbitrary actings were not many;

Nor, till they were conſtrain'd by ſome diſtreſs,

For preſervation of the Publick Peace.

Some, think it will Secure his Perſon more,

And, Charge the People leſs, than heretofore,

To ſtile him King. But, theſe men much miſtake,

And, will perceive they Dream, when they awake:

p. 17For, can we think, when he away hath thrown

A Title, which God gave to be his own,

Without a Rival, that, aſſume he may

A Name, whereto another claim doth lay,

With greater Safety? Is there ſome new charm,

Infus'd into that word, to guard from harm?

Or, will it make the Royaliſts more true

To him, becauſe, he takes what they think due,

Unto another? Quite deſert the Lord,

They own'd, and, do their homage to a word?

And, (where they hated) Loyaltie profeſs

Rather, for doing More wrong, than for leſs?

So fooliſh can we think them, as, to prize

A Complement, which nothing ſignifies,

Save, either ſome poor Hope, or vain Deſire

To be in Us, which may advance them higher,

In thoſe Reſolves, which they had heretofore?

And, make our Dangers no whit Leſs, but more?

For, when they do perceive our Giddineſs,

Our falling from, thoſe things we did profeſs,

Our doating on thoſe Bawbles, which we ſeem'd

Not much (a while ago) to have eſteem'd,

Our Taking up, what we had Thrown away,

Our ſleighting that, to Morrow, which this day

We made a Law; and that our Proteſtations,

Were for the moſt part, but Diſſimulations;

Thence, they will take occaſion to conclude

That, we have, all along, ſuch Ends purſude

As they have had: And, that, what ere to ſeem

We have made Shew, we are juſt like to Them.

That, we did wade and ſwim, through ſtreams of blood,

Not to accompliſh what is Just and Good;

But, to obtain our Luſts: That, we have ſought

By Policy, and by our Battails fought,

p. 18Againſt Oppoſers; not ſo much to ſave

Our Liberties, as, others to inſlave:

That, our contests, were not for God, or, for

Our Country; but, (which Goodmen will abhor

To think upon) our owne ſelves, to inveſt

With, that, which was by other men poſſeſt:

That, being Hypocrites, in all we did,

With Cloaks of ſanctity, the ſame we hid,

Thereby, to draw in thoſe who were ſincere,

To be deceiv'd, in what we made appear.

(Ev'n to the ruine, of their Children, Wives,

Their Peace, their Freedoms, their Estates, their Lives)

That, we might get high Titles, large Poſſeſſions,

Power and Prerogatives, by their oppreſſions,

And, that inſtead of ſetting Chriſt upon

His Throne, we, might inſtall our ſelves thereon.

This will be thought: And, they who are our Foes,

Will peradventure, thereupon ſuppoſe

That God is not among us, as they fear'd;

Nor for us, as it formerly appear'd;

And, thence take courage, to begin again

That, which they hitherto purſu'd in vain.

And, ſuch will be the ſafety, which your King

Unto Himſelf, and us, is like to bring.

Good God! how are they chang'd? how ſtupifi'd?

By whom theſe dangers are not yet eſpi'd?

How blind, doth ſelfneſs, make us quickly grow,

In that, which might prevent ſelfe-overthrow?

Will Kingſhip, make him ſafer than he was?

How may that be? how can it come to paſs?

That Title, not much more then eight years paſt,

Could not preſerve his Head, who reigned laſt.

No, not preſerve him, from the dreadfull fate,

Of dying on a Scaffold, at his gate:

p. 19And, if all things be weighed well together

That Stile, as poſſibly may bring him thither,

Who ruleth now; yea, and a tragical

Effect therewith, perhaps, upon us all,

Before the malice of our foes is ended,

How ſafe ſoe're, to be, it is pretended.

We may perceive, (unleſſe we will deſpiſe,

The Light within us, and feel up our eyes,)

There is no likelyheod, it will abate

Their fury, who purſue us with their hate;

But, ſo increaſe it, that it will increaſe

Thoſe dangers, which we dream, it will make leſſe:

Yea, make Him, whoſe ſafe being it pretends,

Vnſafe among thoſe, who have been his Friends,

And, them among themſelves: It will go near,

To make men of themſelves, to ſtand in fear.

It will increaſe ſuſpitions, till th'effect

Grows worſe, than many of us can ſuſpect:

Divide, and ſubdivide, till there be nought

Left poſſible to be ſaid, done, or thought;

To cure the miſchieves, which will be effected;

(And are by ſome, both hop'd for, and projected;)

Except in mercy, He, that heretofore

Hath oft ſo done; ſhall (pleaſed be) once more,

To draw forth an Expedient, from our failing,

Which, will for our advantage, be prevailing.

More might be ſaid; but, ought more to expreſſe

Would be in vain to thoſe, who cannot gueſſe

The reſt by this. And, yet, becauſe the reaſon,

Of ſaving charges, comes in ſuch a ſeaſon,

As gives it weight; Let us examine, whether

The Seaſon, and the thrift, agree together,

Leſt, in that frugal humour we may die,

And, gain an Epitaph, like this, thereby:

p. 20Here, lies interr'd the Miſer, Father Sparges,

Who might have liv'd: but died to ſave charges.

I find your Thrift, you, think we might disband

Thoſe Armies, which are quarter'd through this Land,

If our Protector were proclaim'd a King.

It may be ſo; and I, the ſelf ſame thing

Should alſo think; if I conſidered not,

We might thereby, as good as Cut our throat.

Is any man ſo voyd of Common ſenſe,

As, not to ſee what might reſult from thence?

May we not ſave the charge of paying One,

And, let Two Armies in, when that is gone,

To pay themſelves, until at laſt, they ſhall

In Contributions, and in Pay have all?

You fear, perhaps, that by the Souldierie

Our Laws, our Freedoms, and Proprietie

May be deſtroy'd, if long imbodied here;

And, cauſe enough there may be of that fear:

But, will a King, prevent it? may not we

Another way as much oppreſſed be,

By ſome, who for our Liberties pretend

Yet, Cry up Kingſhip, for their private end?

May we not ſuffer at the Lawyers Bar,

As much as we endured by the War,

Through thoſe Formalities, which make the Laws,

Of our moſt ſad oppreſſion, one chief cauſe?

The Sword unſufferably, (I confeſs)

If not well diſciplin'd, will us oppreſs:

But, hitherto, it hath been in thoſe hands,

Which kept it ſerviceable in theſe Lands,

With ſo much Moderation, that no time,

Bears witneſs of the like in any Clime:

And, though an Inſolent proud Fool or twain,

Cauſe, to ſome few, hath given to complain,

p. 21Their Arbitrary actings, were not many;

…or to the ruine, or great loſs of any.

…onder, any man can ſtand inawe

… Swords and Guns, who feels the plague of Lawe;

…d, would not rather be devoured twice

… Lions, than once eaten up with Lice.

…ould I illuſtrate (which, my private wrong

…y, peradventure, force me to e're long)

…e ſad diſcoveries which I have made

…ce firſt that Gangreeve, I, upon me had;

… what impertinent vexatious wayes,

…ſtly devices, or undue delayes,

…e Suits of wronged Clients forth are ſpun,

…re than twice twenty years, and yet not done;

… what exceſſive Fees (twice or thrice tooke)

…ithout one Line writ down, or one word spoke,

…d, at how dear a rate they ſometimes buy

…ain hope, which augments their miſery;

…w, Motions, Orders, and Reports beget

…h other, till their brood grows Infinit;

…d, how ſome Regiſters, put out, or in,

…oſe words, which may another Round begin,

…hough they who heard the Judges Order, thought

…e Cauſe, would thereby to an end be brought)

…u would ſuppoſe (and might ſuppoſe it well)

…e Courts we toyl in, were ſome Rooms in Hell,

…d, that, we had impoſed there on us

…e never ending Plague of Syſiphus,

…o, up a Steep hill, rowled with great pain

… Weighty Stone, which ſtill rowl'd down again.

Should I declare, how frequently our Lawes,

…e pleaded to maintain a wicked cauſe;

…w rarely, good ſucceſs on him attends,

…o makes not way, by Kindred, Bribes, or Friends:

p. 22What hazzards he is in, to be betrai'd,

By them, for whoſe aſſiſtance, he hath paid?

And, then, how far about, they make him run

E're they will ſuffer him to be undone,

You, would not greatly fear (no not at all)

Courts-martial, or a Major Generall,

But, rather, fear to fall into their claws,

Who, to mens ruine, turne our wholſome Laws,

Whoſe practiſe, being regulated, might

Preſerve our private and our publick Right:

For, that, our Laws are good, confeſſe I do,

And, that, we have ſome honeſt Lawyers, too.

No men have more oppreſſed been of late

This way, then, they who beſt have ſerv'd this State,

And to ſupport it, did themſelves expoſe

To hazzards, by accepting what our Foes

Had forfeited, to be therewith repay'd,

When, others, of ſuch bargains were afraid:

For, if it were obſerv'd, how they have ſleighted

Thoſe Acts of Parlament, which, us invited

VponUpon the Publick credit, to lay forth

Our ſelves, for Titles of ſuch little worth

In moſt mens value, that, but few or none

Will take thereof, ten pounds, in pledg for one;

It would appear, that, wee, among the reſt

Of thoſe by them griev'd, have been moſt oppreſt.

For my own part, I, now five years together,

Have ſought for Justice, and can yet get neither

My Land nor Money: though by further coſt,

A thouſand pounds are added to what's loſt;

Nor whither, for redreſs I may retire,

Do I yet know; nor where, I can enquire:

And, ſhould I in each circumstance, declare

My wrongs thereby, and what effects they are

p. 23Which thence have followed you would ſay, the ſword

…erewith compared, Mercies did afford;

…d, that, it more to our vexation tends,

… be deſtroyed by our ſeeming-friends,

…ith lingring torments; then, with one great blow,

…be made ſenſleſs, by an open Foe.

…d, therefore, when I have conſidered well

…hat I (and many moe) in this kind feel,

…re conclude, that if no courſe be found,

…hereby, that Justice, may be here inthron'd,

…hich will redreſs theſe wrongs (and thoſe that lye

…houſands of Petitions hurled by,

…ithout regard) the ſword, will act once more;

…d, prove (I fear) more ſharpe than heretofore,

…annag'd by a King; which, both to us,

…d to himſelf, will now be ominous.

When we have made a King, which, will inlarge

…e common burthen, by a further charge,

…d added to the multitudes of thoſe

…ich now are known, new bands, of boſome foes,

…o, mad with vengeance, and with diſcontent,

…ll any way, their brutiſh paſſions vent;

…ll it be thriftineſs, the charge to ſpare

…t, ſhould for ſuch a time, a guard prepare?

…eed, they few good pennyworths afford,

…o meaſure all things, by the Pike and Sword;

…d none of us, I think, could well abide

… Suits ſhould in a Martial Court be tri'd;

…r, where they mannag'd are, till we could get

…re expedition, than we can have yet,

…h leſs expence) but, better ſure it were,

… ſpend a little quantity of tarre

…en loſe a Hog; and, to be ſome while willing

… ſaving of a Pound, to pay a Shilling.

p. 24Hard things, in great ſtraights, muſt be undergone

Offenſive guards, are better much than none.

Are you aſleep? and, ſee you not already

That, being in our Purpoſes unſteady,

Makes Bees, as well as Waſps, to Buz and Humme,

And ſhew their Stings, portending what will come

Do not you hear what's murmur'd, as among

The People, to and fro, you paſs along?

And, know you not, that, what is voyc'd abroad

By them, is otherwhile, the Voyce of God?

Then, know it now; leſt, ſhortly, that be ſpoke

Which, when once ſaid, he never will revoke:

And, though you ſleight the Scriblings of my Pen,

Learn wiſdome, from your prudent Huſband-men.

Doth any ſober Countrey Fellow, judge

He ſaveth ought, by pulling up his hedge

Before his Corn be hous'd, to leave (the while

He therewith warms himſelf) his Crop to ſpoile?

Or, put away his Dogs, that were imploy'd

To guard the Sheep, till Wolves are quite deſtroy'd?

Conſider theſe things; And, by theſe conceive

What Prudence doth obliege us to believe

Of all thoſe other Arguments, you bring

To make us change Protector into King;

Or, to diſarm theſe Nations, till we ſee

This Common-wealth ſhall better ſetled bee.

But, 'tis the Reaſon of a Parlament,

Which to our Prince, a Kingſhip doth preſent.

True; And, it is the Reaſon of the Prince,

(Yea, and his Conſcience, too) which takes offence

At what is offer'd; and 'tis not a caſe

As yet decided, whether ſhould give place.

My Private Reaſons, they might overſway,

And, though 'twere not convinc'd, I muſt obey,

p. 25Or Suffer: And thus for my Conſcience too

It muſt be, in things, which I cannot doe.

But ſure, his Highneſs (if it may be judg'd

By private men) is much more Privileg'd:

For, he whom God hath Raiſed up, or Sent

To lay the Ground-work of a Government,

Is with a Spirit, in all likelyhood

By him who rais'd him, for that work indow'd;

Yea peradventure, he is qualifide

To that End, more than all men elſe beſide,

As will appear (though this to ſome ſeem ſtrange)

If we look back on every former change;

And when to new Works, GOD doth Princes call,

What Spirits, them he furniſhes withall.

Both Parlaments, and Councels general,

Do many times into great errors fall;

And for their Owne, or for the Peoples Sin

(Or for ſome other cauſes) oft have been

Deſerted by their Guide; that, men may know

Their Weal, from their Joint wiſdome, doth not flow.

When God will prove a People, or a Prince,

It muſt, by ſomewhat, likely to convince,

Attempted be: The Spirit, to be tride,

In ſomewhat, muſt imbodied abide

That's venerable: elſe, no Approbation

Can thereon follow, worth Conſideration.

A Prophet, by a Prophet was deceiv'd;

And yet, was therefore of his life bereav'd.

It was ev'n by thoſe men who ſeated were

In Moſes chair, (and whom Chriſt bad them hear)

Who did ſo miſadviſe them, that, they cri'd

To have the King of glory crucifi'd.

Yet, they have been accurſed till this day,

Becauſe, they did not as well try, and weigh,

p. 26As hear their counſell; having, ſo to do,

A rule of Faith, and Light within them, too.

The Reaſon, therefore, of a Parlament,

May be demurr'd upon, though it preſent

A Kingdome: and, if any man may be

Thus privileg'd, then, no man more than he

Whom, it now moſt concerneth; and, who, muſt

Give an accompt, for what he hath in truſt.

But, there is ſomething, that perſwades my heart,

This Parlament, in acting of their part

Hath not alone, done that which providence

Will make to be, at laſt, without offence;

But, ſerviceable alſo to that end.

Which, God, and our Protector, did intend:

Or, that they will, at leaſt wiſe, have a care

That nothing ſhall be urged to inſnare

His Conſcience; or, be further on him preſt

Then ſo far, as the publick intereſt,

And his, it may advance: For, theſe are gifts

That often have put many to hard ſhifts

To get them; but, till now I ne'r did know

A Prince, that might not ſuch a gift forego

VVithout offence; or, that a Conquerour,

To chuſe his Title had not alwayes power.

Nor can I think, that, he did ſo diſpoſe

Of his whole pow'r, when he impowred thoſe

For his aſſiſtance, that, himſelf he left

But as a Cypher, of all pow'r bereft:

Ev'n of enablement, by his negation,

For that, which tendeth to the preſervation

Of his own conſcience: and, of meanes to do

That, which the Law of Nature, binds him to:

For, their Petition, ſeemeth to imply

That, ſomewhat, which they aske he may deny.

p. 27And Reaſon ſayes, that none ſhould be confin'd

From Powr, to doe the work to him enjoyn'd;

Which, he would want, if of a Negative

In ſuch like things as this, they him deprive.

I muſt confeſs, I ſtagger'd am, well neer,

And almoſt overawed with a fear

Of medling any further in this Point,

Leſt, I, may bring things farther out of joynt

That ſtand awry: for, I am not a ſtranger

To thoſe Concernments which it may endanger,

If, I, to common view, ſhould bring out that

Which is conceiv'd a Myſterie of State;

Or, ſhould intrench upon the Priviledges

Which, due to Parliaments, this Nation judges:

Nor am I ignorant, what might to me

Thereby befall, ſhould I ſuſpected be,

(As it is ſomewhat probable I may)

For Arbitrary actings, to make way

Beyond due Limits (which, I doe abhor

With all my ſoul, to be a pleader for.)

Yet, I were falſe to truth, ſhould I not ſhew

What Tools are to his undertakings due,

Who muſt ſecure our Peace (becauſe he may

Make uſe of them perhaps another way.)

The Drunkard ſinneth by exceſs of Wine,

Yet, we allow the planting of the Vine;

And, I conceive it lawfull to expreſs

That, which may publique injuries redreſs,

Although it may occaſion ſome offence,

Which is of an inferiour conſequence.

I know, what to a Parliament hath been

Aſcrib'd; and, I have felt, as well as ſeen

What powr it hath, and what that powr may do,

If, that exorbitance belongs thereto,

p. 28Which many claim; and, which, it had obtain'd

Untill it was by Providence reſtrain'd.

It hath, to give it an enablement,

The Peoples never failing Argument,

Thereby, to make good, and oblige us to

What they are pleas'd we ſhould believe, or do:

Ev'n this, (which oft doth puzzle and becumber

The wiſeſt men) an Over-voting Number.

It acts by Preſidents, which, may ſometimes

Make vertues to be puniſhed as crimes:

It takes a pow'r to make and unmake Treaſon;

To bind and looſe, as well our Faith as Reaſon;

To raiſe, or pull down Kings; from their poſſeſſions,

To throw men out; to puniſh for Tranſgreſſions,

Before there have been Law, to make them ſuch;

And, hath unto it ſelf aſſum'd ſo much,

That, doubtleſs, if there be no power in Him

Who ſhould be Ʋmpire, betwixt us and them,

To moderate (nor any other way

To qualifie) that which impoſe they may;

No ſingle Tyrant, now or heretofore,

Did, or can for the future, grieve us more,

Or more inſlave, then we our ſelves may do,

By means of thoſe whom we ſhall truſt unto:

Nor to ſo many can thoſe wrongs extend,

Nor be ſo hardly brought unto an end;

Conſid'ring, that, things preſent to enjoy,

Some, would their own poſterity deſtroy.

We have had dear experience, both, long ſince,

And lately, what effects may flow from thence,

If, neither in our ſelves, nor in another,

Nor in them and a third pow'r, joyn'd together,

There may be means to ſave from what we fear;

Yea, we of our beſt hopes deprived are,

p. 29And have but leap'd (by ought that ſee I can)

Into the Fire, out of the Frying-pan:

For, as things ſtand, when Deputies are choſe,

Whether, they be our faithfull friends, or foes;

Whether, they have been well, or miſ-begotten;

Whether, their Principles be ſound, or rotten;

Whether, they ſhall be Prudent, or unwiſe;

Whether, their votes be gained by ſurprize,

Or not; and, whether, that which they conclude

Be right or wrong; or, for our harm, or good,

We have no remedy, but, muſt ſubmit

To whatſoever is adjudged fit:

And, not preſume to let a word be ſpoke

Againſt it, leſt their priviledge be broke.

But, ſure, there ſhould ſome bounds be ſet to them;

And, I believe there is, by that Supreme

And Common law of Nature, which, in part

Is writ (though much defac'd) in every heart.

Therefore, that Law I very often read,

And, many times, for common freedoms plead,

As I finde cauſe; and, will not be afraid

To plead it, when aſide I ſee it laid,

Though I have blame; And, though, ſome wil ſuppoſe

And ſay, Beyond his Laſt, this Cobler goes.

On that account, my Muſe compels me, here

To treat of things that ſeem beyond my Sphere;

But, having for Affaires wherewith I deale

A Warrant in my boſome, under Seale,

I will proceed unto the point in hand,

So far forth as the ſame I underſtand:

For, that which is in queſtion, differs not

In what may follow, from the Gordian-knot;

And, I ſhould grieve to ſee it knit ſo faſt,

That, by the Sword, it muſt be cut at laſt,

p. 30Or, all, thereby into a danger ſlide,

If ſtill, or overlong, it be unty'd.

I know not what this Parliament can doe,

Nor whether it be limited or no,

By him who called it: but, I believe,

It power with limitations did receive.

And, this I know; that, if there doth reſide

A pow'r therein, to force what is deny'd,

Maugre his Conſcience, who the ſame to ſave

From violence, doth one Propoſall wave;

I, thereupon conclude, it may as well

Againſt his ſingle-Reaſon, him compell;

And with more ſhew of Juſtice, if the ſtate

Of that, which is in queſtion, doth relate

To Civill things; becauſe, the reaſon ſhown

Is joyntly then, the peoples and his own,

They, being both his choſen Counſellors

For ſuch affaires, and Deputies of theirs;

Who may as juſtly take his powr away

To morrow, as his Title, on this day,

Againſt his will; and, Him and His, expoſe

To all the rage and malice, of his foes.

If, from conſtraint, his Conſcience be not free,

Sad will the conſequences thereof be.

If He, that freedom ſhall be barred from,

What of our Chriſtian freedoms will become?

Who as'tis thought, have given them a power

Without controule, to ſpare or to devoure,

As they ſhall pleaſe. But, ſure impowred thus

They never were by God, our Prince, or us,

By ought which tacitly did them inveſt

With ſuch powr; nor by any thing expreſt;

At leaſt de jure, though we are in Fact

Concluded by thoſe Laws they ſhall enact.

p. 31For whatſoere the law of God or nature,

Confers upon the Reaſonable creature,

No Truſt, as Deputies of ours, have they

To meddle with (much leſs to take away)

Untill by thoſe Laws forfeited; unleſs

For Publique weale, or ſuccours in diſtreſs,

For common ſafety. Nor then, have they pow'r

O're perſon, freedom, goods, or ought that's our

In equity: unleſs, they alſo lay

As equally as poſſibly they may,

Thoſe burdens upon all; leſt, ſome beare nought,

As lately; and, ſome bee to ruin brought;

Whoſe prayres, cries, and vnredreſſed wrongs,

Is that which our Vnſetlement prolongs.

It wil be, therefore, our ſecureſt way,

The Groundworke of our Government to lay

VponUpon ſome Juſt Act, which may expiate

Thoſe Sinnes that have committed been of late,

Through our defect of Juſtice and Compaſſion,

To them who have beene faithfull to this Nation,

Ev'n to their owne undoing: were this done,

The works which now goe Backward, would goe on;

And, God, would make us lovingly comply;

Inſtruct us what to Grant, or to deny.

Till this be done, we onelyonly ſhall contrive

Snares for each other; or, at beſt, but ſtrive

Like Bees in hony-potts; and, be at laſt,

Deſtroy'd by that, in which our hopes are plaſt.

Yea, till theſe Nations, doe ſo conſtitute

Their Parlaments, and them whom they Depute

Obliges to fundamentals, they, ſhall never

Theire Liberties enjoy; but bee for ever

Expoſd to Hazzards (which might be prevented,

And none be therewith iuſtly diſcontented).

p. 32As now things are, at every Parlament,

May our Religion, or the Government,

Be innovated, to our greiſe or ſhame,

According to thoſe Modell, they will frame,

Who may by frau'd, or other manes uniuſt,

For ſuch end's, ſcrew into our Publike truſt.

Sometimes, wee ſhall be govern'd by a king;

A few yeares after, by an other thing;

Then, by a king againe; and, to all theſe

Be forced to engage, as others pleaſe;

With every wind, turn'd like a Weathercock,

Now faſt, now Looſe; out Nettle and in Dock;

Yea, and to ſweare, till we may ſafely ſay

And ſweare, that, moſt have ſworn their faith away:

Which, to prevent, either from God, or him,

Who, hath in all Affaires, the Pow'r Supreame

Our help muſt come; and, from a Parlament

Which, thereunto ſhall give a full aſſent:

But, this can never be, (as I have ſaid

Elſewhere) until the Ground-worke be new laid;

And, till by good and perfect Chymeſtry,

Natures three principles, Salt, Mercury,

And Sulphur, be to that juſt temprature,

And ſuch proportion brought, as will procure

To govern us, a Civil-Trinity,

Made up into a bleſſed Ʋnity,

It ſelf (ſo far forth as it may be done)

Conforming to th' Eternall three-in-one

In Righteouſneſs and Mercy. This product,

Our ſelfiſhneſs, doth hitherto obſtruct;

And wil, till God, in ſome things, hath a choice

By Lot, when they are paſt by humane voice:

For, much corruption that wil cure; and, then,

Chriſts kingdom, will begin to be with men

p. 33More manifeſt; and, no falſe Chriſts appeare

As now, and heretofore, they have done here.

But, know, that when a Government conſiſts

Of three Eſtates, 't will wrong thoſe Intereſts

Which to a Free Republicke do pertain,

Unleſs it be provided, that, thoſe twain,

Which are Superior, ſhall deſcend to none

By Birthright: But, that, thereto ev'ry one

Shall be elected; and, no perſon bear

Such Place, who was not born a Commoner;

Or, whoſe Poſterity, ſhall not return

To that Condition, whereto he was born.

For, he, or his, will Tyrants be at laſt

By whom, this Propoſition is tranſgreſt.

Theſe things, perhaps, will come to paſs in time,

Whereof, I ſeem at preſent, but to dream;

And, peradventure, we till then, to gain

A Setlement, ſhall plodd, and ſtrive in vain.

Mean while, his Highneſs, or he, whoſoere

God, to the ſupream Office doth prefer,

A Suffrage-negative, ſhould have in that,

Which, Publicke ſafty, doth neceſſitate

To be by him, or them, ſometime Denide:

By no means, can he otherwiſe provide

To keep his Honor, or, thoſe Dues, which muſt

Preſerve him able, to perform his truſt,

Or bound them in their Orbe, who elſe, (as we

By proof have found) exorbitant may be,

And, like a Heard (if not well kept together)

When ſome break out, run all, they know not whether.

Nay, till there be a Gouvernment here fixt,

Things ballancing, ſo evenly, betwixt

Prince, Peeres, and People, that, each may ſubſiſt,

And not infringe each others Intereſt,

p. 34He, that is our Supream, muſt truſted be

With Arbitray Power in ſome degree,

To carry on his work, and to ſecure

The whole, whilſt our unſettlements endure:

And, to effect that end, God did, perchance,

Deſtroy the Pow'r, that was; and this advance.

Without ſuch Pow'r a Prince choſe out of Logs,

Like that which was beſtowed on the Frogs,

Would be as good: Him, we might deal with all

As we ſhould pleaſe; and any thing might call,

And leap about him; till aſham'd we be

Of ſuch a Block, and chuſe a worſe then he.

This Parlament, hath done what them became

In offrong; he, hath alſo done the ſame

In his refuſal: And, ſtill to adhere

To that whereof reſolv'd he doth appear,

Shall do as well, until that be removed

Which gives Offence, or, Inoffenſive proved:

And ſhould he be compelled to accept

Till that be done, Decorum were not kept.

They therefore, as I hope, will qualify

That, which he is inforced to deny,

(And thereby ſave the labour and the Coſt,

VVhichWhich, elſe, would in an evil time be loſt)

Rather then force him to an acceptation

Of that which would be an abomination

Both to himſelf and others: VVhichWhich would prove

No Symptome of their Piety or Love:

For, ſhould he be compelled unto that

VVhichWhich moſt of his beſt Friends abominate,

And, his own Conſcience cheks at; It would give

A Kingdom, which no wiſe man would receive;

And as it were inthrone him, (ſhall I tell

In plain termes where?) ev'n, in the Depths of Hell,

p. 35Within whoſe curſed bounds, is comprehended

A wounded conſcience, wilfully offended.

It is confeſt, the Title of a King

Is honorable, and may profit bring

To ſome who would conſerat; But, to Him

No benefit (yea, and perhaps, to Them

At laſt as little) For, if he grow leſs

In Pow'r, that Title, will in his diſtreſs

Not ſo much help as hinder: And, then, they

Who gave it, will, firſt, take the ſame away:

Yea, if on that ſide an advantage grow,

They will beſtow it on his greateſt Foe.

But, if his Pow'r continue, he may ſtill

Support his Title, call him what you will;

And, that, to which none can lay claim but he,

Will ſafeſt upon all Adventures be.

Indeed, all things conſider'd well together,

There will be Hazards, both in th'one and th'other;

But, leaſt in that, which will in proof be beſt

To keep that conſcience, which gives Inward reſt.

Though, in it ſelf, we do confeſs the Title

Is honorable, it can add but little

To his Repute: Nay, it will be a blot

As things are, to that honour he hath got;

Which, if it ſeriouſly conſidered be,

Is of a higher nature and degree,

Than that which men confer; and, they ſhall do

No more who add a King-ſhip thereunto,

Than he, who Diamonds in Lead doth ſet,

Or, makes an Earl or Duke, a Baronet.

And, Gideon, peradventure, did therefore

Refuſe a Kingſhip, being honour'd more

By what he was, then by what he thereby

Might have convey'd to his Poſterity.

p. 36Kingſhip is lawful; yet, wiſe men do know

Things lawful, inexpedient ſometimes grow.

The Stile of King, was but an Ordination

Of men; and afterward by Toleration,

At their requeſt, by God himſelf allow'd

Unto his people (ſo, that neither proud

They did become, nor pufft up with ambition

O're others; which, thereof was one Condition.)

Yea, 'tis an Attribute of God, whereon

Was rais'd, this incommunicable one,

The King of Kings. If therefore, at the Name

We ſimply take offence, We are too blame:

Or, if we think, the Pow'r they give is leſs

Who, by Synonoma's, the ſame expreſs,

As many Nations do, who never had

A King among them, ſince the world was made,

Yet give their Princes pow'r, whereby they may

Rule well, and make their Subjects well obey.

The Supream Perſon, always is the ſame

In Sover aignty, whatever him you name:

And, they who do pretend, our Lawes to bring

Advantages, to him that's call'd a King

Which other Titles give not, do well know,

If, he be their Supream, it is not ſo:

For, ev'ry thing within our Lawes expreſt,

Wherein our former Kings had Intereſt,

Is virtually, ev'n by thoſe Lawes, deriv'd

To him, who for our Soveraign is receiv'd.

And, whatſoever they make ſhew of, may,

Who make the Law, ſpeak what they pleaſe to ſay,

Were that, which is now conquerd by our Swords,

Brought to their Bars, to be new tri'd by Words,

The Judgment would be given on that ſide

Where Pow'r, not where the Kingſhip did reſide,

p. 37Although the Law ſpoke for it, and forbad

All other Governments: For, Laws are made

To ſpeak, too often, not to that good end

For which, Law-makers, did them firſt intend:

But, what beſt makes out their Accommodation,

Who take upon them their Interpretation.

Elſe, they could tell you (without my direction)

That, he, whom God hath rais'd for our Protection,

Had for his Church, and for his Common-weal,

The Pow'r he owns, confirm'd on that Appeal

They made to God, when that, for which they fought,

To Trial, in an Open Field, was brought.

Conqueſt, is by our Law, the utmoſt Trial

That can be had: and He, (without denial)

And his Adheres, have right in that reſpect,

To any Title which they will elect:

Yea, and may Change, Confirm, or make the Lawes

Such, as their Safety, and the Common Cauſe

Shall now require: Provided, it accord

With their Truſt, for whoſe ſake they drew the Sword;

And with thoſe ancient Rights, by God and Nature,

Conferr'd upon the Reaſonable Creature:

Which, if they ſhall invade, their Swords now worn,

Upon Themſelves, juſt vengeance will return:

For, that Pow'r, was conferred to provide

A form of Government ſo rectifide,

That, neither Prince, nor Peers, nor People might

Intrench, hereafter, on each others Right:

Yea, (that by what ſhall be, and what is paſt,

God's purpoſe might be manifeſt, at laſt)

It them impowers, to lay down thoſe Foundations,

That ſhall by This, and future Generations

Be built upon: In which work, if they ſhould

Leave any Arch, or Pillars, rais'd of old,

p. 38Miſ-laid, or Crooked, Rotten, or Miſ-wrought,

It would, at laſt, bring all the Pile to nought.

And therefore, to this end, oblig'd they are

Touſe their Pow'r with Prudency and care.

To this end, Providence, into their hands

Let that Pow'r ſlip, which at this day commands;

And they, who meerly for their own ends uſe it,

Are Tyrants, or elſe Traitors, and abuſe it.

That, which may of Protectorſhip be ſaid,

Was, long ago, made publique to be weigh'd;

(Not without cauſe, although to many men,

It ſeemed an Impertinency, then)

And, as if that had been foreſeen, which would

Be offer'd now, the Sequel was foretold,

Which would enſue on changing of that Title,

With other things regarded but a little;

Which, to repeat here, were but (in effect)

To offer them again to your neglect.

New Titles, future Grandeur, do foreſhew;

The greateſt Titles, at the firſt were New:

And, though the Government which we yet have,

Was only modellized, but to ſave

From likely ruine, till we ſtrongth ſhould get

To raiſe up that, which might be more compleat;

You, in this Title no defect can ſee,

If, but Imperial thereto added be,

Or, ſomewhat elſe, to put a difference

'Twixt This, and that in Nonage of a Prince:

And, thoſe additions which do not eſtrange,

But help explain a Title, are no change.

What, if his Highneſs, doth ſuppoſe it given

(As I believe) by Providence from Heaven?

And thinks Himſelf engag'd, not to neglect

That Gift? And what, if for the like reſpect,

p. 39His Friends conceiv'd it might be Ominous,

Either to Him who owns it, or to Ʋs,

Without an urgent cauſe to change the ſame

For King, or any other Soveraign Name?

Should this great Title be rejected for

That, which his beſt affected Friends abhor?

And, they, thereby grow jealous, that his heart

(Which ſeem'd inclined to the better part)

Had left it for the world, and for thoſe toyes

Wherein her fooliſh Favourites rejoyce?

Might not thereon, ſome Conſequence enſue,

Which, peradventure, He, or We, might rue?

What, if God gave that Title for a Teſt

Of his adherence to that Intereſt,

Which doth concern Chriſts Kingdom? and to ſhow

That if what God conferr'd he ſhall forgoe

(For what the World will offer) he beſt prizes

The things of this World, and his Grace deſpiſes?

Or what, (if as that Blood, which heretofore

Sprinkled the Poſts, and Lintels of the doore)

God, gave this Title for a difference

Betwixt the Kings of Babel, and his Prince?

That he may be ſecur'd, when to deſtroy

Chriſts foes, he ſhall that Army here imploy,

Which will caſt out their fleſh, to Beaſts and Fowls,

To Devils, give their miſerable ſouls?

Make, that abominable Scarlet-Whore

Their painted Miſtreſs. deſolate and poor?

And, throw them irrecoverably thither,

Where, they ſhall burn perpetually together?

This may be; for, the time is drawing on

Wherein, ſuch Executions will be done.

And therefore, in his Highneſs, it implies

Much Chriſtian Prudency, that he denies

p. 40What's offred now; and, he ſhall be innobl'd

Much more thereby, then by thoſe Offers doubl'd,

If he perſiſt; Clear Symptoms, he hath given

Of good events, by having ſo long ſtriven

Againſt what, ſeemingly, doth offer him

Things, of moſt value in the worlds eſteem:

For, they infer, that he is rais'd above

Their Sphere, who on ſuch objects ſet their love;

That, his Promotions, he expects not from

The Eaſt or Weſt; nor cares for thoſe that come

By Oblique Winds: But, moſt account doth make

Of what the World, can neither give nor take.

Thoſe Outward Trappings, which make ſo much ſhow

Of what theſe Nations do on him beſtow,

Are not on him beſtown, but, on the State.

The great Allowances, much murmur'd at,

Are upon him conferr'd, for their own ſakes,

Ev'n to ſecure Themſelves: And, them he takes

For that intent; becauſe, thereby, he muſt,

And cannot otherwiſe, perform his Truſt.

Whereas, if he perceiv'd it would as little

Secure the Publike, as their Offer'd Title,

And, on his Conſcience preſs, as that will do,

I, do believe, he would refuſe that, too.

Preſume I may not, to declare to thoſe

Who are in Pow'r, which way, they might compoſe

Their Diffrences; nor have I ought to ſay,

To that End, which, I warrantably may

Propound: For, if I had, neither the fear

Of thoſe Wits, who, take liberty to jeer,

Nor worſe things, could affright me; I, have told

As much, as I can ſeaſonably unfold:

Except this Hint that follows, doth conduce

To ſomewhat, which, may ſafely be of uſe.

p. 41Perhaps, it is Caſt in, but to Inſnare;

Perhaps, to make proof, how inclined you are.

Be wary, therefore, how far you proceed

Therein; and mind, I warn'd you, to Take heed.

Should it offend, I dare not change a Line;

For, though I ſpeak, theſe Arrands are not mine.

God, ſets before us, this, and that, to chuſe,

And leav's us free, to Take or to Refuſe;

And, ſuch markes gives, of what may prove amiſs,

That, if we chuſe not well, the fault's not His.

They, who ſincerely think, the Stile of King

Will to this Commonwealth advantage bring;

And, they, who fear it would portend no good

The title of Protector to explode,

May, if they can agree, joyn them together,

And pleaſe perhaps, both Parties; perhaps, neither,

Till ſomewhat reconcile them, which, fit Seaſon

More likely ſeems to bring to paſs then Reaſon.

Theſe Titles are conſiſtent; and, if that

Which is refus'd, be made Subordinate,

And this Supream; that it may thereunto

Be Vaſſal, and a kind of Homage do,

As conquered; it might be ſerviceable

With leſs offence, (for ought that I am able

To counterſay:) for, that wiſe Legiſlator

Who was preſerv'd, by Ruſhes, from the water,

Was call'd a King; and, therewith had the Pow'r

Which, conſtitutes with us, an Emperor,

And in that Commonwealth (which was the beſt)

Both Kingly, and Imperial Pow'r poſſeſt;

Which, if confer'd on him, who governs us,

His Title, might be then contrived thus,

Or, ſome ſuch way: On feet, in Verſe, it goes

But lamely; Therefore, take it here, in Proſe.

p. 42Soveraign Protector, or, Protector Imperial of the Commonwealth of Great Brittain, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the Iſlands, Territories and Dominions, to them belonging.

This, is not Magiſterially propos'd,

As if thereby all Ruptures would be clos'd;

Nor is it my deſire, it ſhould ſo be,

Or, not be ſo; for, it concernes not me.

It, almoſt, into words was thus far brought,

E're it was fully formed in my thought;

And, ſlipt out, (as do ſuch things now and then)

Rather, to try the mindes of other men,

Then to declare my Judgment; which, I give,

(VVhen I intend ſo) in terms poſitive.

But, thus much, I will ſay; This is by none

Yet claymed; neither gives to any one

Juſt cauſe of Quarrel: Honourable Pow'r

Holds forth: Is, by the Law of Conqueſt our,

And, may within our own Realmes, be aſſum'd,

Yet, nothing be undecently preſum'd,

If we, know by what means, to limite ſo

The Pow'r, which therewith all, we ſhall beſtow,

That no offence it gives; nor may produce

Pride, Folly, or Oppreſſion by abuſe.

But, what would follow, ſhould this fanci'd be,

It is not in my dim ſight, to foreſee;

And therefore, to be weigh'd by thoſe, I leave it,

VVhom it concernes to Offer, & Receive it:

To whom (if ſought where ſuch things may be known)

It ſhall be, to their ſatisfaction ſhown,

How far this, or the Title of a King

May be aſſum'd, and no diſturbance bring.

p. 43Powr, though bred Tame, is an unruly beaſt,

Which if it feed much on ſelfe intereſt,

Growes quickly wild; and every thing commands

Except it ſelfe; yea breaks the ſtrongeſt Bands,

Which once caſt off, Reſtraint it will avoyd,

And never more be bound, till 'tis deſtroyd.

Our beſt courſe therefore is not to be ſtrugling

With Powr (Although it ſeems upheld by Jugling

As well as by good meanes) or to contend

With things without us, which War hath no end:

But rather to compoſe and order ſo

All things within us, as we ought to do:

For, there we may have Peace (when we have done

Our Duties) In externals, there is none:

And what we get by Politick Contrivings

By Falſhood, Force, Diſſembling, or Connivings,

Doth for the moſt part, but the more diſorder

Our mindes; and from our hopes divide us further.

Yea, whether our cheife Magiſtrate, we ſhall

A King hereafter, or Protector call,

'Twill not be much materiall, what the Name

Shall be, if all things elſe be ſtill the ſame.

Nor His, nor our condition will be betterd

Whilſt we are with thoſe Vanities befetterd,

Which to caſt off, we lately made a ſhew:

Or, whilſt in ſecret, we do ſtill purſue

Our old wayes, and continue, in effect,

What we in Circumſtances, do reject.

Some are perſwaded, that the ſtile of King

May be as well aſſumed, as that Thing

Which gives like Power: And ſo it may, if he

A Jehu, or a Jeroboam be,

Who, neither conſcience makes whom he offend;

Or ſcandalizeth, to obtaine his Ends;

p. 44Or if he uſe that Power, which is beſtowne

For publick workes, to bring to paſſe his owne.

But, howſoever, let it be our care

Still to performe what our Obligements are:

Which are not to engage him unto On…

Offence, through fear another may be done:

Or, to reſiſt the Power we ſhould obey

Becauſe it ſeems by an unlawfull way

Acquir'd or kept: For, every Wiſe man knows

Powr, Thrones, and Glorie, are at GOD's diſpoſe.

It is by other ſome not meanly fear'd,

Such Powr is by Protectorſhip conferd,

That he may now infring our freedomes more

Then any of our Princes heretofore:

Which may be likewiſe true; yet, what GOD gave

Wherewith to do him ſervice, he muſt have

To whom he gives it; If he then abuſe it,

To their wrong, for whoſe well-fare he ſhould uſe it,

GOD will aveng it: And though he defers

That Vengance, (and the Polititian Jeers

At ſuch a Vindication) 'twill be paid

With Intereſt, for all the time delay'd,

As ſoone as our Repentance, and thoſe wrongs,

Are for that ripened, which to them belongs.

Theſe Nations, and their Parlaments, talk much

Of Liberties, and Freedomes, as if ſuch

To them pertained, now, as they have had.

Indeed, there is an Image of them made,

Whereby, we, them a little honor'd ſee

Before the People, (as Saul ſought to be.)

But, of thoſe Priviledges, we have none;

Their Glorie is departed; they are gone:

We, by no tenure, any claime can lay

But Courteſie of England, at this day,

p. 45To what, by Birth was ours; or unto ought

Which we have purchaſ'd, or for which we ſought:

And till our ſupream Magiſtrate repaires

Our Loſſes; Or, till GOD ſhall hear our Prayers

And cries (if he oppreſſe us) we ſhall ſtill

No other be, but, Tenants at his Will.

Yet is not he in fault; nor is our Caſe

So bad, or in ſuch hazzard as it was.

For, if it were not ſo, it might be worſe;

And, that which we ſuppoſe to be a Curſe,

May prove a Bleſſing. Otherwhile, men loſe

By having all things at their owne diſpoſe;

And ſometimes gaine by looſing. what was our,

Did lately ſlip into anothers pow'r;

Who, thereof taketh (by that forfeiture)

But ſo much, as our Freedomes may ſecure

To us hereafter. VVhen, he ſeems to wound

He doth but lance a ſoare, to make that ſound

Which would deſtroy us: when, unto ſome coſt

He puts us, 'tis that all may not be loſt.

Yea, for our well-fare, he is meanes contriving,

When we moſt wrong him, by a miſbeleeving.

And doth diſcharge his Truſt (as I beleeve)

By doing that, whereof we miſconceive.

Though he permits us to capitulate

With him, as it we did participate

In his Powr; ſuff'ring us to claime and take

Thoſe Priviledges, whereby he may make

An advantageous uſe, with leaſt offence,

To bring to paſſe the work of Providence;

And to ſuch purpoſes, is well content

To all our juſt requeſts, to give aſſent:

Thoſe things, do not to us of right pertain;

They are meer Acts of Favor; no remain

p. 46Of our old freedomes: And, 'twill hazzardize

Their Reſtauration, to think otherwiſe:

For, thoſe Thoughts hindring that compleat ſubmiſſion

Which GOD requires, will hinder their fruition,

By making us, perhaps, that meanes endeavor

To gain them, which will loſe them, quite, for ever.

In provocations, IS'RAEL did proceed

So far, that thereupon GOD had decreed

No Ranſome from deſtruction ſhould redeem

Their glorious Temple and Jeruſalem,

But, their ſubmiſſion to a forraigne King.

On Ʋs, for our tranſgreſſions, GOD doth bring

A Judgment ſomewhat like it: And, before

He, will to us our Liberties reſtore,

We muſt quite loſe them, and ſubmit to Him

Whome, as (in that reſpect) we did contemn.

And, now, no humane Policy, or Force

Can put us into any likely Courſe

Of repoſſeſſing them, ſave that Compliance,

VVith which we have been long time at defiance;

And, whereto he that ſhould adviſe, might ſpeed

As bad, perhaps, as Jeremiah did

VVhen he in vaine, his Countrymen perſwaded

To fly to him, who had their Land invaded.

But, ſo it muſt be; and, if to beleeve

VVhat muſt be, may aſſurance thereof give.

Or, if things probable in Reaſon, may

Confirme that, which I now beleeve and ſay,

Our much averſeneſſe, rather will bring on

Then hinder, that which muſt at laſt be done.

For, we are torne into ſo many fractions,

Growne of ſo many mindes, by our diſtractions,

(Or Coun…eractings) ev'ry Party ſtriving

To bring to paſſe things of their own contriving,

p. 47Al men ſo apt, whom place of truſt, enable

For their owne private ends, to ſcrape and ſcrable;

And every man ſo jealous, and affraid,

Of being to his Oppoſite betray'd;

That, (as the World was, when it firſt begun)

Our Common-wealth, muſt be the work of One;

O…e, that hath Powr, and, in whome, to agree

They, who are moſt concernd, moſt likely be.

This One, GOD, hath provided to reſtore

All, that our Kings uſurped heretofore

(Or, our Sins forfeited) And to reſetle

On us, thoſe bleſſings, by a ſtronger Title;

(If neither He, nor theſe divided Nations

Shall, willfully, make fruſtrate their Probations)

Though, many are, yet, fearfull that he may

In ſome things, act the quite centrary way.

Thoſe Counſels, he hath oft together brought

VVhichWhich we in former times, moſt proper thought

For ſuch a Worke; and, much hath taken in,

VVhichWhich offerd, by ſome private hands, hath been,

But, both their Ends, and Contributions are

So diffring, and from Ʋnitie ſo far;

That, what he hath deſired ſhould be done,

Leſſe perfect ſeems, then when it was begun.

And 'tis not poſſible their work ſhould be

Long-laſting, who, in ſo few things agree.

He, therefore (as in all times paſt, we finde

It hath been done) who, is by GOD deſignd

To change a Government; and, unto whome

He alwayes, an Aſſiſtant will become,

For his owne works; that ſpirit, muſt improve

VVhichWhich GOD on him conferreth to promove

His Ʋndertakeings. Then, reſolve he muſt

On what his Conſcience judgeth to be juſt,

p. 48And by his Pow'r confirm it: elſe, the Waies

Now follow'd, will deſtroy him, by Delayes.

By this Courſe, and by weighing well thoſe things

Which faithfull men, and his experience brings

To be conſider'd, he himſelfe, alone,

Shall do that, which will never, elſe be done;

Even he alone, if, he, himſelf deny

(And on that wiſdome, and that pow'r rely,

Which hitherto, hath carried him along)

Shall, for his undertakings, be more ſtrong

Then, if he were with all the ſtrength, ſupplyd

And all the wiſdome, of the world beſide;

For, that ſhall teach him, what adviſe to chuſe:

What he muſt alter, what he muſt refuſe,

And what to fix upon: which, will be …ore

His Honour, then his Conqueſts heretofore;

Or, then to leave through future Generations,

A Kingſhip to his ſeed, o're many Nations.

This done; a Parlament well conſtituted

Will crown the work: then, ſuch as are reputed

Juſt Priviledges, will be all reſtord;

Then, they, who now agree not, will accord:

Then, will our Lawes, which yet are made a Snare,

Have thoſe effects, for which ordaind they were,

And, other things, be fairly carried on

VVhichWhich, now, in crooked muddy Chanels run.

VVee, in this worke of Providence, moſt heed

Thoſe groſſe, and oblique Actings, which proceed

From mans corruption; and, the deeds of thoſe

Whom for falſe friends, or elſe, for Open foes

VVee do ſuſpect; and, greatly vexed are

VVith thoſe miſactings, which, in them appear;

As if, their failings only, were occaſions

Of all our loſſes, and our Preturbations;

p. 49But, were it well obſerved, we ſhould find

That, thoſe grand-works, which are by GOD deſign'd,

Are no leſſe further'd, by our overſights,

Our weaknes, follies, and our foes deſpights,

Then by our Virtues, Prudency, or Powr,

Or, any ſuffrings, or good deeds of our;

And, thereupon, prepare a way for Peace,

By prizing others more, and, our ſelves leſſe.

Or, if our Intellectuall eyes could ſee

VVhat GOD hath done, or, what thoſe actings be

VVhereby, his finger, doth make manifeſt

VVhat changes, have infringd our intereſt;

VVe, in true meekneſſe, would incline unto

VVhat he expects, we, ſhould beleeve and do;

Then, we ſhould finde, thoſe changes were permitted

That, for GOD's, work we might be better fitted;

That, his great Love and Juſtice, might be known;

That, our great failings, we, might know, and owne;

That, it might give us many Evidences

How little truſt there is, in earthly Princes,

In Parlaments, or, in the beſt of thoſe

Externall things, wherein we truſt repoſe:

And, that, we thence may learne, when we have tride

Their Truſtleſneſſe, in whome, we ſhould confide.

As ſure as, GOD, ten tribes from David rent,

And, made Belſhazers doome, a preſident

For future times to heed; and, tooke from Saul

And other Kings thoſe Kingdomes wherewith al

They were indowd: ſo ſurely, was the Throne

Of our preceding King, by GOD, broke down:

So ſurely, he, who now inthroned ſits,

VVas raiſd by him; and, that if he forgets

On what Conditions, he, that grace received,

So ſurely, ſhall he be againe deprived,

p. 50Of what he yet injoyes; and be devour'd

By that, whereby, he was at firſt impowr'd.

As ſure, as Jacobs ſons delivered were

Into the hands of Nabuchadnezer,

Of Eglon, Jabin, Siſera, and thoſe

VVho, did on them great Slaveries impoſe;

So certainly, did GOD give up theſe Lands

In former times, into Oppreſſors hands,

Both Temporall, and Ghoſtly; cauſing them

In various wiſe, to be from time to time,

Either afflicted, eaſ'd, inthrall'd or freed

As to do well, or ill, they did proceed:

And, lately, hath powr'd forth his vials here

On Preiſt and People, upon Prince and Peer;

Yet, if we grow not better than we be,

Far ſadder Changes, we may live to ſee,

Becauſe, ſuch Provocations, ours have been,

As, in no former ages, have been ſeen.

Mark what I ſay; and heed what will enſue;

For, what I tell you, is, and ſhal be true.

GOD, for their many ſins, did juſtly bring

Theſe Nations, into Bondege, to their King:

Not to deſtroy them, as a foe, but rather,

Them to correct, as it became a Father.

That Pow'r, He, exerciſ'd not to fulfill

GOD's minde, but, to accompliſh his owne will;

And, did exceed the bounds of his commiſſion,

To make them footſteps, up to his ambition.

Then, unto GOD they cri'd, and did repent;

VVho, thereupon, unto their Parlament

Gave all his Power; whereby, they did proceed

Againſt his life, and raigned in his ſteed.

VVhen they were thus in-thron'd, in leiw of giving,

Forgiving, diſinthralling, and releiving.

p. 51Their Brethren, by whoſe hazzards, blood, & treaſure,

They, of the ſov'raigne Power, had gotten ſeiſure;

Their Helpers, Friends, and Servants, they forgot,

Or (which is worſe) them, they regarded not;

(Nor in their greateſt need, were ſome of thoſe,

So civilly reſpected as their Foes)

Nay more; them they oppreſt; ſleighted their prayers,

Expoſed them to ſhame, wants, and deſpaires;

Endeavour'd chiefly their owne exaltations,;

Th'inriching of themſelves, and their relations;

And, had not that ſucceeded, which befell,

What elſe they would have done, no man can tell.

In ſight of GOD, of Angels, and of Men,

Theſe things were done; and, this, compels my pen

To leave it on Record, here to be read

By future Ages, when that I am dead.

Theſe, and more ſuch like things, which I have been

Inforced to have felt, and to have ſeen,

I, from beholding them, long time deſn'd

My ſelf, into ſome nook to have retir'd;

But, my Engagements alwayes kept me here:

Perhaps, that thereof, I might witneſſe bear

To glorifie GOD's Juſtice; and to ſhow

From whence all our deſtructive changes flow.

And (being that which I ſeem born to do)

With willingneſſe, I, now ſubmit thereto,

That, to their Faces, I may teſtify,

What, thouſands living, know to be no lye.

For theſe Exorbitances, (as this day

…e do perceive) GOD, took their powr away,

…d gave it to their Servant, whom they ſleighted;

VVhome, they, perhaps, as ill would have requited,

As other men have beene; and, they, are now

His ſervants; and inforc'd themſelves to bo…

p. 52Before his preſence, whom they did contemn,

Till, GOD, had with their power inveſted him,

VVho, is (GOD ſpeed him well) on earths wide ſtage,

The greateſt expectation, of, this age:

Yet, at his Exit, he, his doome ſhall beare

According, as his part, is acted here.

To ev'ry one, of whatſoe'r Degree,

Such as his works are, ſuch, his meed ſhall be:

And, this, nor ſtrength, nor wiſdome ſhall prevent;

No, not an Army, nor a Parlament,

Nor long time, ſhall Prince, Prieſt, or People thrive

In any thing, they hope for, or contrive,

But puſſell, plague, and ſtill afflict each other

Till they in Righteous-things agree together;

And, ſanctifie this Commonwealths foundation

With much more Juſtice, and with more compaſſion.

I hope, this downe-right-dealing (which proceeds

From Conſcience) no Apologizing needs:

But, of their wrath, I no whit am afraid

To whom, truth, may offenſively be ſaid;

For, if that any thing thereby befall

To me deſtructive, much more greive I ſhall

For others then my ſelfe; becauſe, their ends

I do foreſee, who ſhall deſtroy their friends;

And, that, if Juſtice be not more enjoy'd

I, ſhall be ſafeſt, when I am deſtroy'd.

Yet, Reader, pleaſed be before thou goe

VVith Candor, to peruſe a few Lines moe

For my Indempnity and, then I've done;

Make no falſe Comments (prithce) hereupon;

Inferre thou not from any word here ſaid,

One thought, whereby, aſperſions may be laid

On that great Councell, by whoſe prudence, care,

Zeale, pains and love, thoſe things propoſed are

p. 53For his aſſent, without whoſe approbation,

They cannot have Authentick Confirmation.

The cauſe is weighty; and, no Humame eye

Can all the wayes of Providence eſpie.

Although their Offers are demur'd upon,

They, their devoire, as I believe, have done

To give advance unto that Intereſt,

Which, in their Judgement, hath appear'd the beſt;

And done Gods worke, ſo far forth as they could

His purpoſes, with humane eyes behold;

Or, execute his Will, by Reaſons light:

And, I do hope, they ſhall (ere that be quite

Reſolv'd upon, which yet remains to doe)

Receive Divine Illumination, too.

By that which I have heeded, I conceive

(And hold my ſelfe obliged to believe)

That, both they, who did on that Inſtrument

Agree, and alſo they, who yet diſſent,

Their Conſciences, have with an equal Zeale,

To God, their Prince, and to this Commonweale

Therein diſcharg'd; and, that thoſe things which bee

Well done, are Beſt done, when, ſome diſagree:

And, that, Truth doth appear in her perfection

When ſhe is poliſhed by Contradiction:

We, therefore, to both Parties, owe both Love

And Civill thanks, what ere the Sequels prove.

Believe me herein; and obſerve, I pray,

Which heedfulneſſe, that which I next ſhall ſay;

For, it will much concern us: (and I preſſe

This Caution, therefore, with ſuch earneſtneſſe)

When, that which was propoſed, once in vain,

(And, which is to be offer'd now again

Unto his Highneſſe) all debates hath paſt;

If then, your Expectations fail at laſt

p. 54Which muſt fall out, on th'one or th'other ſide;

With that, which comes to paſſe, content abide:

And, though in Judgement, you devided be;

In your Affections, loveingly agree.

If they, who their Propoſals lately brought,

To be allow'd, obtain not what they ſought,

Miſcenſure not of them, as if they had

With ill intentions, thoſe Propoſals made;

Nor judge amiſſe of him, who gave Deniall;

If, when repugnant Reaſons have their Triall,

He ſhall be ſwayed to conſent, at length,

By Reaſons of the moſt prevailing ſtrength.

For, if his Highneſſe, on ſuch tearms admit

Of that to which he gives deniall, yet,

As in his Judgement, and in Conſcience too,

Well ſatisfied, in that which he ſhall doe,

And hath beforehand, Gods direction ſought,

(As I believe, he hath done as he ought)

Know, it proceeds from God; and, that what ere

We thereupon think Probable, or Feare,

We muſt leave God, and Him, to act their part;

Not medling with what's hidden in his heart,

Or in an unrevealed Providence,

Leſt, we to both of theſe, give juſt offence;

And by prejudicating things unknown,

Deſtroy the Peace of others, and our own.

When things are done, (for ought that we can know)

As, God, doth unto him his duty ſhow;

If, then, we ſtill ſuſpect him, and foment

Thoſe Jealouſies which nouriſh diſcontent;

If we ſhall then imagine his Delay

And Scruples, were but onelyonly to make way

To new Deſignes; or, to accompliſh that

Which, we think he hath alwayes aimed at,

p. 55(Pretending other things, thereby to gain

A Larger Powr then elſe he ſhould obtain)

If we think thus, as I know many do,

Becauſe they have been pleas'd to tell me ſo;

Then, there will be no remedy or end

Of what we may Injuriouſly pretend;

And, how oblique ſo e're, his aimes may be,

We, make our ſelves as culpable as he;

And, there is ſomewhat in us, which, no doubt

Doth from a Root of bitterneſſe ſpring out,

That will produce our Shame; or, which is worſe,

Engage us into ſome Deſtructive Courſe.

And, if his heart be right, ſo much the greater

Will our Shame be, as his deſignes are better

Then we believe they are; and, queſtionleſſe,

It will to us contract a Guiltineſſe,

That will bring on a Plague: and manifeſt

That, though againſt Self-ſeeking we proteſt;

We, have not ſo much prayed, that, Gods will

Should take effect, as, our own to fulfill.

VVhat, of this great Debate will be th' effect,

I know not; nor preſume I to collect

From what I know: for, Princes hearts are deep,

And, I, into their ſecrets will not peep.

VVhen Abraham, to ſacrifize his Son

Expreſt a Will, although it were not done,

It pleas'd as well; And, GOD, for that proceed,

His willingneſſe, accepted for the deed.

It lies not in our Actions, to fulfill

VVhat is requir'd, ſo much, as in our will:

For, two men in one cauſe may fight (or grinde

At one Mill,) yet, but one, acceptance finde;

And, what to Act, the Law, on us doth call,

Sometimes, by grace, may be diſpens'd withall.

p. 56I, therefore, know not how inlarge we may

Or circumſcribe his Highneſſe in his way;

Nor how far, GOD, in this Cauſe, will allow

A diſpenſation after Tryall now;

Nor which way he will bend his heart at laſt;

But, by thoſe things which are already paſt,

(And, by ſome other ſymptomes which I finde

Of many good performances, behinde)

I hope the beſt: and, ſince no better way

I, can be ſerviceable; thus, I pray.

On Earth, vouchſafe him better things, oh LORD!

Then, Juſtice, can for Mans beſt works afford.

Within the VVorld to come, let him inherit,

Not that which He, but, that, which Chriſt doth merit.

And, give him power before he thither goe,

To ſettle righteouſneſſe and mercy ſo,

Ʋpon his Throne; that, they who now condole

May ſing a bleſſed Requiem to his ſoul;

And, that their hopes deferd, may be injoyd,

Before, they, or their patience, are deſtroyd.

Our God, hath many wayes to bring about

What he hath foreintended to work out.

That, which Conditionally to be done

He Wils, muſt take effect in every one

As thoſe Conditions are performd by them,

To whom, his Offers are propos'd by him;

And, that which he hath abſolutely Willd,

Shall doubtleſſe, abſolutely be fulfil'd,

What ever Contrarieties, here, ſhall

Thereto obſtructive, ſeemingly befall.

For my part, therefore, when the Trial's ended,

Which, I unfeighnedly have recommended

To God, my Prince, and Country; I'le rejoyce

More in their chuſing, then, in mine owne choyce.

p. 57Although I ſuffer by it; with beleefe,

It will, at laſt, produce more joy, then greife.

In that Ship, which the common Fraight doth beare,

I, am but onelyonly a poore Paſſenger,

Who, moved thereto by an honeſt zeale,

Have ſpoken, what I thought concernd her weale;

And, though I have hereby inſiſted much

On my owne ſenſe; and think it to bee ſuch

As may bee own'd; Though, ſuch it be reputed

By others, and ſhall never be refuted;

Yea, though, I may diſcover ſome things done,

By which, my juſt rights are intrenchd upon;

Yet (having done my duty) I will beare

Thoſe things with patience, which concluded are;

And, not alone ſubmit, to what they doe,

My Goods and Perſon, but, my Reaſon too:

At leaſt ſo farr forth, that, I will not preſſe

One Argument, by which the common-peace

May be indangerd; but, do what I may

To ſerve my Country in a ſober way:

In ſilence, things which are amiſſe deplore;

Think my own ſinnes deſerved that, and more;

Mark my own failings; and perſwaded be

Theſe things have happend, to make proofe of me,

And ſuch, as I, as well, as proofe to make

Of thoſe who were engaged for our ſake:

And, praiſe God, though all things be not ſo well

As I deſire, that, nothing worſe befell.

For, from thoſe difficulties and confuſions,

Which we are in, to draw forth ſuch concluſions

As may not be gainſayd, in ſome repſect,

Is more then Human wiſdome can effect.

The Courſe by which we purpoſe to perſue

Beloved Peace, loathd Diſcords may renew;

p. 58And, whilſt we fighting are, from Foes to clear

Our Vann, we may be routed in the Rear.

By thoſe Contrivements, whereby, we ſuppoſe

To ſave our Lives, our Honors we may loſe.

By that, through which our Perſons might be free,

Our Conſciences, perhaps, inſlav'd may be;

And, what, for preſent ſafety, we endeavour,

May for the future, ruine us for ever.

So finite is our Wiſdome, and our Powr,

And, thoſe things which may weaken or devour,

So infinite; that, we as well may ſpan

The Firmament, as, by the wit of Man

Contrive, or ſettle ſuch a Government,

As will our dangers every way prevent.

For, that which is beſt done, and beſt intended,

Will ſtill have ſomewhat in it to be mended:

Yea, even the beſt things, which beſt men can doe,

Inſnarings have injected thereinto,

To catch themſelves, or others; which, none ſcapes

But, he, that alwayes lookes before he leapes;

And ſeekes for Councell and Protection, from

That ſaving-powr, whence all our ſafeties come.

He therefore is injurious, who ſuſpects

All deeds ill purpoſ'd, which have ill effects;

Or, who, thoſe Mens Faiths into queſtion cals,

Whoſe Councell under ſome Aſperſion fals:

No leſſe unjuſt are they, who froward be

Becauſe, he takes his freedome who is free,

Yet, takes thereof no more then doth belong

Unto himſelfe, without his Neighbours wrong:

And, they, are not in every poynt ſo wiſe

As they might be, who, good advice deſpiſe

(And timely ay'd, when they are like to ſuffer)

Becauſe, that man, whom conſcience mooves to offer

p. 59His ſervices; within the Camp, hath hid

Himſelf, as Eldad, and as Medad did.

Theſe things conſiderd, I, perſwaded am

That neither I, nor any merits blame,

For ought well propos'd: and, that now the day

Is near at hand, which will prepare a way

To what Good men deſire: and, that a deed,

Which did from Conſcientiouſneſs proceed.

Juſtice and Piety, no bar ſhall prove,

To that which may our Grievances remove.

In this hope, I with patience do attend

What God will do; to whom, I recommend

The perfecting, of what men ſtrive about,

For, hee muſt do it. Now, this Flaſh is out.