A Voice Tending to the Pacification of Gods Wrath, Canto 3

A Voice Tending to the Pacification of Gods Wrath · Canto 3

p. 88The third Canto.

The Contents.

Here, whether you be plea'd, or no,

This Author, maketh bold to ſhow

Thoſe Portions of his Private wrongs,

Whoſe knowledge, and redreſſe, belongs

To Publike Juſtice; that, her eye

May through his wounds, her owne eſpie.

The VOICE, then ſpeakes againe, and ſchooles,

In Him, all other froward Fooles,

Who, with impatiencie, do vent

Their private wrongs, or diſcontent:

As if their Trifles could be heard,

When Kingdomes cannot find regard.

It ſhewes, our Senate blameleſſe are,

Of thoſe Diſtractions, raging here;

And, where the Fault, and Fountaine lies,

From whence, our preſent plagues ariſe.

EXcuſe me, if your longings be delai'd,

Mine owne Affaires, a little, to review;

And, if, here ſomewhat of my ſelfe be ſaid,

Before my former Subject I purſue.

For, though I know not many, much encli'nd,

To heare, or ſpeak, of what may profit me,

And ſee moſt pleas'd, when I am as unkind,

Or failing to my ſelfe, as others be:

Ye…, though ſometime I have appeared ſuch,

Yet, now, my meaning to my ſelfe is better;

And, therefore, whoſoever thinks it much,

My ſelfe, I finding, to my ſelfe a Debter,

Will here preſume (becauſe I juſtly may)

To do my ſelfe an Errand, by the way.

p. 89I know it will not reliſh well with ſome,

When, of my ſelfe, they this Digreſſion find;

But (ſeeing Charitie begins at home)

When others do not, I, my ſelfe will mind.

My wrongs do not alone extend to me;

But, on the Publike Rights take, likewiſe, hold:

And, for my ſake, ſince heard they cannot be,

They, for the Common-Safetie, ſhall be told.

Moſt famous Prophets, and renowned Saints,

And many other of approved wit,

When they oppreſſed were did make complaints,

And in their Volumes of themſelves have writ.

If therefore, any of my Readers grutch,

The time of reading, ſome few leaves, to ſpare,

Concerning me, who have not thought it much,

All this, for his Advantage, to prepare;

I leave him to his pleaſure, and his caſe,

And bold will make, to do as I ſhall pleaſe.

The VOICE diſmiſſing me, as in the Cloſe

Of my preceding Canto, you have heard,

From Poſtures of Retirement, I aroſe,

To ſee, in what Deſignes, my Foes appear'd.

And, ſaw indeed my ſelfe ſo ill befriended,

That (whilſt I muſed with a ſerious thought,

What to the Common Peace and Safetie tended)

My Ruine had maliciouſly been ſought.

And, that it hath been follow'd, ever ſince

My firſt engagement in theſe fatall wars;

By reaſon of an evill Influence,

To me directed from malignant Stars,

Who ſhining, openly, with faire Aſpects,

Produce, in ſecret, miſchievous Effects.

Which, if I ſhould endeavour to expreſſe,

The paines, a ſmall Advantage would returne;

Since, they who might my Grievances redreſſe,

Might grudge to heare ſo much as I have borne.

p. 90For, by Oppreſſions, manifold and great,

Remonſtrances are often made ſo long,

That, when Redreſſes we ſuppoſe to get,

Our juſt Complaints, unheard, away are flung:

And, Malice can with ſo much impudence

Invent, and vent untruths, (in hope thereby

To diſadvantage trueſt Innocence)

That, Patience is our cheapeſt remedy:

And, he who ſeeks for other Cures, oft doubles

His Grievance by Expence, Affronts, or Troubles.

There are ſo many Paſſages awry,

In ev'rie Action; and, in ev'rie Cauſe,

So many Tricks, to put a Hearing by;

To blind the Judges, and pervert the Lawes:

So many Fees and Charges, to be paid

To Witneſſes, to Clerks, and Counſellours,

Which quite are loſt, when Hearings are delai'd;

(Ten times, perchance, before an end appears:)

Nay, often, Partialitie and Pride,

(In ſtead of Juſtice) gives that provocation,

Which no free Spirit, alwaies, can abide,

Without ſome ſhewes of our ward Indignation;

Whereby, he peradventure, doth augment

That miſchiefe, which he labours to prevent.

At firſt, I hoped better, and I ſtrove

In humble Supplications, to declare

My ſuffcings; and, their burden to remove.

Where likel'eſt means of ſuch atchievement were.

But, there I ſaw ſuch throngings with Petitions;

So ſmall aſſiſtance, and ſo much ado:

There, ſaw I, in all private Expeditions,

And, in the publike, ſuch Obſtructions too:

Such waiting, ſuch ſolliciting by friends;

Such miſ-informings, makings, and unmakings;

Such partialitie, for private ends,

Such thwartings, ſuch Oppoſings, and miſtakings:

p. 91And, had ſo difficult a Courſe to run,

That, e're I could be heard I was undone.

A place of Profit, or of Reputation,

I never, hitherto, from any ſought,

Vntill my ſelfe thereto by invitation

(From thoſe whom it concern'd) I called thought.

And, when I have a matter to be heard,

I can enforce my ſelfe to little more,

Than (after I my ſuit have once …eterr'd)

To wait for hearing, at the Counſell doore.

Perhaps, when long unheeded I attend,

I give remembrances that I am there;

Or, for diſpatch, a word or two can ſpend:

And, if I ſpeed not, much I do not care.

By which blunt courſe, I paſt, with little fruit,

Through many an honeſt Cauſe, and hopefull Suit.

When long Attendance, no diſpatch affords,

My Paſſions, peradventure, overflow;

And, boyle up into thoſe impatient words,

Which more Corruption, than Diſcretion, ſhow.

And, then, they who, before, to do me right,

Could find no leiſure, ſtraight at leiſure be,

To heare enough to do me a deſpight;

And, to my temper, that reduceth me.

For, though they, with a miſchief, ſend me home;

Yet, many good effects, thereout ariſe:

Of them, and of my ſelf, I, there, become

A Cenſurer: and, ſtudie to deſpiſe

Thoſe Things, and thoſe Affaires pertaining to me,

Wherein, a Foole or Villaine, may undo me.

I cannot, though my life it were to ſave,

Sollicite, as I ſee moſt Suiters can;

And, rather than repulſes I would have,

Vſe ev'rie means, almoſt, to ev'rie man.

When I bring in a matter to be tri'd,

I hope, that all my Judges will be juſt:

p. 92And, (though, this way, much failing I have ſpide)

Till he deceives me, no man I diſtruſt.

To preſſe meer ſtrangers, I, too modeſt am;

Wiſe men, regard not much ſolicitation;

To urge my Friends, their friendſhip ſeemes to blame;

To Court a Foole, is my abhomination:

And, favours to implore from perſons evill,

To me appeares, a praying to the Devill.

This Inclination, ar it keeps me poore,

So, it preſerves me out of many Snares:

It makes my inward quiet much the more,

When outwardly, my reſt diſturb'd appeares.

And, therefore, when away I have been ſent,

With leſſe then nought, when more then all was due,

One puffe blew off, my greateſt diſcontent;

And, e're I ſlept, I pleas'd, and merrie grew.

But, I of late, before I was aware,

That Object of my Contemplation loſt,

Which teaches how affliction I ſhould beare:

And, being with a ſudden ſtorm, then toſt,

Oppreſt with wants, and with unkindneſſe too,

It made me vex my ſelfe, as others do.

And, much adoe I had to keep my tongue

From ſpeaking out the murm'rings of my heart;

And wonder not, that, others, having wrong,

Do ſomtime act an unbeſeeming part:

No marvell, though a wiſer man then I,

Was cauſleſly a mad-man term'd of late,

By reaſon he had with impatiencie,

Oppos'd ſome groſſe abuſings of the State:

And, that, the wiſdome of the Holy Ghoſt,

Hath ſaid, Oppreſſion makes a wiſe man mad:

For, though true wiſdome never can be loſt,

A fit of madneſſe may be thereby had;

And, ſo I think had I: and, ſo may you,

Who read me, being us'd as I am now.

p. 93For, when I came abroad and ſaw the ſpight

Which had been done me: And, when done it was

How much contentment, and how much delight

The Doers took in what they brought to paſſe;

Although I ſleighted them, as fooliſh men,

(Who had no ſenſe, how I aveng'd might be,

Nor worth, to move my anger, or my pen)

Vnkindneſſes, in others, troubled me.

And, though my ſervice merit not ſo much

As an Acknowledgement (much leſſe reward)

I thought, my love unto my Countrey ſuch,

As might, at leaſt, have purchaſed regard,

And friends enough, for me to have injoy'd

More grace then he, that would have her deſtroy'd,

Which finding otherwiſe; as one amaz'd,

I ſate a while; not well diſcerning whether

Griefe, Shame, or Anger, that demurrer caus'd

(Or all thoſe paſſions muſtred up together.)

But, when I call'd to minde how many years

The Brunts of oppoſition, and of ſcorne,

Indur'd I have, for what, to me, appeares

To be the chiefeſt work, for which I'm borne:

And, when I minded, that, nor Peace, nor War,

Prelaticall, nor Preſbyterian dries,

Nor youth, nor age, to me propitious are;

That King nor People, favour'd my eſſayes:

And, that nor Friends, nor Foes, nor Wrong, nor Right

Befriended me; it broke my patience quite.

And being much diſtemper'd, thus my thoughts

Began to grumble, (having drawne together

A crew, of Riotous diſtruſts and doubts,

Which, in ſuch caſes, call forth one another)

Art thou (ſaid they to me) for all thy paines,

Thy loſſes, and adventures, thus rewarded?

Is this, the well-affected Parties gaines?

Are thus, our Vowes and Covenants rewarded?

p. 94Have we the tricks of Hocus Pocus learned

At our Committees? And, can ſome convay

A miſchievous Deſigne, ſo undiſcerned,

That, Honeſtie nor Wit, diſcover may

How impudently they abuſe the State,

For private profit, or through private hate?

Was I, the firſt of thoſe, who, where I dwelt,

To guard our Liberties, and ſave our Lawes,

An uncompelled Contribution dealt?

And, who firſt there was armed for this Cauſe?

Was I, among the firſt, who did withſtand

The ſecret plottings of Malignants, there?

And, Horſe, and Foot, and Caſtle did command,

When fewer Friends, than Foes, about me were?

Was I, among the firſt, of whoſe eſtate

The furious Adverſarie made a prey?

Did I expoſe my ſelfe unto their hate,

Who offred me, a fairer-ſeeming way;

Wherein appear'd, what chance ſoever came,

A likely means, to get a ſaving-game?

Have I, my life adventur'd often too,

Through much diſcouragement, and without pay?

Done everie thing my ſtrength or with could do,

To keep the Weak, from falling quite away?

To help confirme the Strong? To bring them home,

Who by Seducers have been led aſide?

To make our Newters, Zelots to become?

And mark-out Foes, that, here, as friends abide?

Have I, with patience view'd my ſelfe bereft,

In Taxes and Free-quarterings, by our owne,

Of what to me, the plundring Foe had left?

And, ſuffred other Injuries unknowne

In publike? and (it may be) now conceal'd,

That, they more ſeaſonably may be reveal'd?

Have I, upon the Publike-Faith reli'd,

And on the Commons Order, fairly granted,

p. 95Vntill my Children might for bread have cri'd,

If I my ſelf, had private credit wanted?

Have I, to ſerve my Countrey, ſo engaged

My Fortunes and my ſelfe, that, Open Foes

Againſt me are implacably inraged,

And, Secret-Ones, as virulent as thoſe?

Have I, adventured, likewiſe, therewithall

Hopes preſent, and in expectation too,

Reſolving, with this Cauſe, to ſtand and fall,

And (though abus'd) my Dutie ſtill to do?

Yea, thus have I reſolv'd? thus done? thus borne?

To be repaid with injuries and ſcorne?

Behold, Malignancie is growne ſo ſtrong

Within our Quarters; and, hath ſo made voyd

The Publike Faith, that, I am lately flung

Quite out of that, which I, thereby, enjoy'd:

And, it hath acted with ſuch inſolence,

By colour of Authoritie abus'd,

That, it proceeds to warlike violence;

And like a Foe, the Kingdoms-friend, hath us'd.

Before I knew, that, any man appear'd

Againſt me there, where I was overthrowne;

Before that I was called to be heard,

Before my claime or anſwer, could be knowne;

I was expell'd unjuſtly, from my right,

With all the circumſtances, of deſpight.

For, He that hath been armed to bereave me,

Of what by publike Order I poſſeſt,

And, where with (if good hopes do not deceive me)

That, Order ſhall, ere long, me re-inveſt;

Seem'd not enough content that he ſo ſped,

Vnleſſe by boaſting of his Conqueſts too,

The Well-affected he diſcouraged;

And, ſhew'd Malignants, what his Friends could do:

Nor was it without much diſcouragement,

To all the Faithfull-Partie thereabout;

p. 96For, when they ſaw my hopes had that event,

It made them partly feare, and partly doubt;

Leſt he, who for the Publike moſt hath done,

May live, till he ſhall leaſt be thought upon.

For, nothing was conſiderable ſhew'd,

In him, to whom I did perforce reſigne;

But, that his hands were in their bloud imbrew'd,

For whoſe defence, I have adventur'd mine.

I, put on Armes, to ſerve the Common-weale;

And, for her ſafetie offred all I had:

He, raiſed Forces, but to rob and ſteale;

And, to his pow'r, a ſpoyle thereof he made.

Nor, came he hither, as hath been ſurmiz'd,

With ſuch Repentance, as he ought to bring;

But, to purſue a Stratagem, devis'd,

To have betray'd my perſon to the King:

Which not ſucceeding, and, he finding friends

Among my Foes, purſued other ends.

For, Friends he found (as moſt Malignants do)

So forward our Ill-willers to protect,

So pow'rfull, and, withall, ſo cunning too,

Their ends, by faire pretences, to effect;

That, though I were their neighbour, and their friend;

Though my endeavours had been truly done,

To further that, whereto they love pretend;

And, though before this War, I knew not one,

Whoſe malice, in thoſe parts, ſuſpect I mought;

Nor any perſon, who ſuſpected me

To them injuricus, in word, deed, or thought:

Yea, though, by Covenant, oblig'd they be

On my behalfe; They, naytheleſſe, did grow

Confed'rates with this Stranger, my knowne Foe.

Elſe, when they heard how firſt the Plot was layd

For my ſurpriſall; where, it was begun;

To whom, he meant I ſhould have been betrayd;

By whom, and how, and when it ſhould be done,

p. 97Averr'd on oath, me thinks, in ſuch a caſe

He ſhould not, then, ſo ſuddenly, have found

So many fav'ring him, to my diſgrace,

If all of them had at the heart been ſound.

Nor, would you think, if everie circumſtance

Were fully told, that Charitie firſt drew

So many to afford him countenance,

Who was their Foe, if they to us were true;

And, who may thank the ſpite they bore to me,

That, they, to him, ſo kind and friendly be.

And, on ſome likely Grounds, conceive I may

Thoſe friends of his were they, who firſt convay'd

Thoſe notions to him, which firſt ſhew'd the way,

How to my Foes I ſhould have been betray'd.

For, from our Quarters, he ſo far, then, liv'd,

That, elſe, our Poſture, and Affections, here.

He had not ſo well knowne, to have contriv'd

A plot, which did ſo feizable appeare.

And, when he came (as if his coming thither,

A bleſſing to the Countrey had been thought)

To further his Deſignes, they joyn'd together;

They ſtrength'ned him, againſt me, what they mought:

And publiſhed of me, to my diſgrace,

What neither done, nor ſpoke, nor purpos'd was.

And, that they with their Grandees might comply,

My Neighbours turn'd about, I alſo find;

They whom, in Peace, I alwaies lived by,

And, unto whom I never was unkind;

Ev'n they, who true reſpect from me have had,

And, till this War, the like to me did ſhow,

Are of my loſſes and diſgraces glad,

And, to my cauſleſſe wrong, befriend my Foe.

They mention me, when they together ſit,

As if it hardly could allowed be,

That, of Religion, Souldieries or Wit,

There appertained any ſhare to me;

p. 98And ſpeak for truths, what they themſelves do know

They may with ſafety ſweare, is nothing ſo.

My greateſt wrongs, and ſuffrings, now, be there

Where beſt I have deſerv'd: My greateſt ſcorne

And diſ-reſpect, is in thoſe places, where

My dwelling was; and there where I was borne.

They who are moſt obliged to befriend me,

Have moſt abus'd my patience, and deſert;

They, who have made a Covenant to defend me,

Have with my chiefeſt haters taken part.

Yea, now, when my affronts are to the wrong

Of Publike-Juſtice; and, when my defence

VntoUnto the Publike-ſafety doth belong,

They have expos'd my well-known innocence,

To his deſpight, gainſt whom, erewhile, I thought

I needed not, protections to have ſought.

In ſome reſpects, their cruelties are more

Then theirs, by whom my dwelling waſt was laid;

For, (though they rob'd my houſe, and left me poore)

To bar reliefe, no ſpightfull part they plaid.

But, theſe trod on me, when they ſaw me down;

And, leſt I ſhould finde pitie in diſtreſſe,

A falſe report by them abroad was blowne,

As if my well knowne loſſes had been leſſe

Then I can prove them; For, I offer here

That if my hindrances (well weigh'd) be found

One mite below what I affirm'd they were;

For ev'rie ſhilling I will give a pound,

If they will my true dammages defray

When I have prov'd that true which they gain-ſay.

Yet, ſome, to that intent, did late ſuborne

The moſt defamed Varlets of the Shire

To ſweare againſt me, and to be forſworne,

By croſſing what they formerly did ſwear:

To that intent, while our Committee ſate,

The Kingdomes Foe, had leave in perſon, there,

p. 99To mannage witneſſes, as for the State,

And, them by leading queſtions to prepare,

For proofe of what they falſly did ſuggeſt,

To my diſhonour: But, they could not bring

Their witneſſes, againſt me, to atteſt,

One culpable, or one materiall thing;

Nor was it worth regarding if they had,

Conſid'ring, of what perſons, choice they made:

For, one of thoſe, unto that village came

Where now he lives; due puniſhment to ſhun,

Or, to eſcape a juſt deſerving ſhame,

For what he in another place had done.

He, now, in part by labour, part by prowling,

(With other courſes to his neighbours knowne,

As lawleſſe fiſhings, and unlawfull fowling)

And taking ſomwhat more then is his own,

Makes ſhift to live. Another of this Pack,

Was he, that ſhould have been the Inſtrument

Of my betraying, who like courſe doth take;

And, lately, to avoid the puniſhiment

Deſerved long, is married to a whore;

With whom he lived like a knave before.

The third, a Labourer of evill fame,

Whom I five years together had imploy'd

(To keep his brats from ſtarving, him from ſhame,

And, that, he other miſchieves might avoid)

This Beaſt, when I was plundred by our Foes

Of what they found, made offer (for a ſum,

By him deſired) that he would diſcloſe

A parcell of my goods, then hidden from

Thoſe Vultures eyes; who, readily agreed

To promiſe much: But, when the work was done,

And, this falſe Traitor came to aske his meed,

Some blowes they gave, but, money gave him none;

And, told him, hanging was the fitteſt pay

For him, that ſuch a maſter would betray.

p. 100The fourth of theſe, had been my ſervant too,

Whom (though he had deſerved publike ſhame

For doing more then honeſtie ſhould do)

I put away, without an open blame:

And, at that time his faultineſſe conceal'd,

Becauſe he ſeem'd religiouſly inclin'd;

But, ſhortly after, other men beheld

Apparent proofe of his diſ-honeſt mind.

For, in the night felloniouſly he broke

A Colonels Field Waggon of our ſide

Then quartering at his Maſters; and thence took

Some things of worth; for which, he did abide

Correction in the Bilboes, for a day,

And after, by connivance, ran away.

Theſe were the witneſſes, which forth were ſought

By ſome who for the Parliament pretend,

In hope their power, ſhould more effects have wrought

On thoſe choice Inſtruments to worke their end.

Theſe (whom I'le prove charactred thus to be

Without the leaſt addition of a lie)

Are they, whom now my foes, to ſcandall me,

Have rak'd out of the ditch of infamy.

Theſe, are encourag'd to deviſe and ſay

Of me their pleaſures: and to bring and carrie

What ever to my wrong convert they may,

Or to the profit of my adverſarie;

Whom, to the States diſhonour, they protect,

And meerly, in diſpight of me, reſpect.

When informations, were againſt him laid,

And his reply required thereunto;

From juſt reſtraint, his perſon they convaid,

Before cauſe ſhowne, or order ſo to do.

On his behalfe they have ſubſcribed hands,

Thereby deluding, wilfully, the State:

He had our ſoulderie at his commands,

To execute his pleaſure, and their hate.

p. 101And, hath ſo far prevailed, that unleſſe

The merciemercy of the State vouchſafe with ſpeed

The ſuffrings of her ſervant to redreſſe,

And him, and his oppreſſors better heed;

For ought he ſees, his Countrey he may ſerve

With faithfulneſſe; and yet his houſhold ſtarve.

Why ſhould my perſon from that place be driven,

In which I beſt know how to ſerve the State?

Of what to me, by publike grace was given,

Why ſhould I be depriv'd, by private hate?

What knew they in him, whom they more befriended,

But that he was this Realmes profeſſed foe?

Or why to do me wrong have they contended,

Except becauſe I never will be ſo?

They who were wont to gloze and fawne upon me,

When I was arm'd among them; and while they

To their Deſignes were hopefull to have won me,

Now ſnuffe, and turn their noſe another way.

And think, that they themſelves now quite have freed,

From him, who mark'd and hindred their proceed.

For, that Confed'racie within thoſe parts,

Where then I liv'd (and maugre whoſe intent

I there commanded) having rotten hearts

Vnfaithfull, alwaies to the Parliament,

Perceiving me unlikelie to be made

Their Inſtrument; and, that my preſence, there,

(With ſuch repute, and power as I then had)

Might marre their works, which they contriving were▪

They ſo prevail'd, that from my Garriſon

I was removed, if thence not betray'd:

(For many things ſuceeded thereupon,

Which made me think, that ſo it may be ſaid)

And all our neigh'bring Countrie, ever ſince,

Hath dearly paid, for my removing thence.

When I was gone, a part of thoſe aroſe

(Encourag'd by ſome other underhand)

p. 102And my eſtate, (as chiefeſt of their foes)

Firſt ſeiz'd; and then, the place of my Command.

In which forth-breaking, ſome went on ſo far,

That, ever ſince, they open foes have been:

Some went as far as fooles, and cowards dare;

And then ſlunck back, in hope they were not ſeen.

But, ſome of them ſo cunningly did act,

That, though they are as guilty as the reſt,

By circumſtances; yet, by open fact

Their falſhood is not perfectly expreſt:

And, theſe by cunning, ſuch effects have wrought,

That knaves and fooles, our faithfull men are thought.

Theſe, have a way invented how to arme

The dangerouſt Malignants of the Shire,

And, make men hope their Foes will do no harme,

Till ſheathed in their Cheſt their ſwords appeare.

Theſe, have a trick to make their neighbours dreame,

A double Taxe increaſeth not their coſt,

And, that though their deſignes have begger'd them,

Their wit, alone, ſav'd all from being loſt.

Theſe, have ſo laid their Scoene, and acted ſo,

That, though we daily heare, and plainly ſee,

What courſe they bend, and what they mean to do,

(When all things to their purpoſe rip'ned be)

We ſtrive in vain their projects to prevent;

And, gaine but miſchieves, for our good intent.

Nay, this new Junto, doth ſo ſtrong become,

By their conferring Offices and Places,

By adding-to, and by removing-from,

By ſecret-commendations, and diſgraces;

And by deluding of a ſimple crew,

(Who, by theſe Polititians, may be brought

Their own perdition fiercely to purſue)

That, they have almoſt compaſt what they ſought;

And, they will gain the reſt, if not prevented;

For, by their diligence, they have removed,

p. 103Vndone, diſcouraged, or diſcontendted

Moſt men, whoſe faithfulneſſe was moſt approved:

And, they, whoſe power, theſe cannot yet deſtroy,

Do act with ſmall ſucceſſe, and little joy.

Had I conceiv'd, that, now it would have been,

As needfull as I find it, to collect

Such proofes of that which I have heard and ſeen

To prove their faithleſneſſe whom I ſuſpect,

Or know unfaithfull: that, I might have made

Such proofes to others, as I have whereby

To prove it to my ſelfe; I ſhould have had

Enough to make me able to unty

That knot of Vipers, which now to unknit

Is not ſo eaſie. But, my aime hath bin

To mend particulars, and bend my wit,

In generalls, alone, to ſtrike at ſin:

And, that hath rendred, now, my power the leſſe,

The miſchiefs of this Faction to ſuppreſſe.

Theſe, having long, and many ſeverall wayes,

To root me from among them, tride their wit;

And failed heretofore in their aſſayes,

At laſt, thus hapned to accompliſh it.

Within that Village, where my Spoilers made

A prey of that eſtate which I poſſeſt,

A Captain of the Kings a Chattle had,

With which, the Parliament did me inveſt.

He, is that perſon who protected was,

As I have here expreſt: had they a thought,

By countenancing him, to bring to paſſe

Their purpoſe; and have gained what they ſought,

For, I, who ſerv'd my Countrie, thence am chas'd;

And he that ſpoild it, in my room, is plac'd.

I grudge not merciemercy when it ſhould be ſhowne,

Nor is my heart ſo churliſhly inclin'd,

As not to ſpare, a portion of mine owne,

Where, Objects fit for mercy, I ſhall find.

p. 104But, when I ſee my ſelfe ungently us'd,

Thoſe favour'd, who my life would have betray'd,

Authoritie deluded and abus'd,

And plots to ruine, and diſgrace me, laid,

I cannot think it Patience to be mute,

In ſuch a caſe; or, that with charitie,

Or with a manly prudence it can ſuit,

To paſſe, at all times, ſuch abuſes by:

Or, that we may not, juſtly, on our foes

Repaire what in this lawfull war we loſe.

Why ſhould it grudged be, that by the Sword,

We, by the Sword, our loſſes repoſſeſſe?

Why ſhould our Partie to their friends afford

Leſſe favour, then to thoſe that merit leſſe?

So well deſerving, wherefore ſhould he ſeem

Who put the State to hazzard, and to coſt

That all his great eſtate he ſhould redeem

For leſſe, then at one skirmiſh I have loſt?

Of thoſe reliefes, why ſhould I be defeated,

Which do, by right and grace, to me belong?

Thereof, why ſhould I be diſpoil'd and cheated,

Both to the States diſhonour, and my wrong?

And, wherfore ſhould I not expect, and have

A confirmation, of what once they gave?

For, who will in our Senators confide,

Or prize their Orders which are made by them,

If they permit them to be vilifi'd?

And, their Ioynt-Votes, looſe Members to contemne?

To ſay, they heeded not what things they granted,

So prudent an Aſſembly, miſ-became;

To ſay, they power to make it good, have wanted,

Would wrong their power, and bring us all to ſhame:

And, to affirme that they regardleſſe are

To vindicate their grant, for his relief,

Who to advantage them, his life could ſpare,

Were to averre, what merits no belief.

p. 105How comes it then, that, I diſpights have born?

And that their favours, now from me, are torn?

Why hath it openlie, by ſome, been ſpoke

Ere queſtion put, or anie vote made known,

That, there is an intention to revoke

What by the Commons, was on me beſtown?

How dared he (who rather ſhould uphold

The Commons lawfull Right in what he may)

How dared he (aſſoon as it was told

By whom I claim'd) in ſleighting wiſe to ſay,

Twas but the Commons Order? as if that

Were not an Act ſufficient to confer,

For my Recruit, the perſonall eſtate

Of any trait'rous Rebell-Commoner;

Vntill a time return, in which, men may

Have Juſtice done them, in a legall way.

Why are falſe rumours rais'd and entertain'd,

As if I manie thouſand pounds had got;

Whereas, of hind'rances by me ſuſtain'd,

To me, the tenth as yet returneth not?

How comes it, that attendance, nigh two yeare

Procureth me (although my wants be great)

No pennie of two thouſand pounds arreare?

Nor an imploiment, that affords me meat?

Why ſpeed I thus? And wherefore, notwithſtanding

The remnant of my ruines forth I laid,

Thereby to keep my ſouldiers from disbanding,

Is nothing, in requitall, yet, repaid,

But ſleights, and ſlanders? yea, though uſe I pay

For manie hundreds of it, to this day?

Indeed, my houſe GOD hath refurniſhed;

And, of his Love, to give me outward ſhowes,

Hath cloath'd my Bodie, and my Table ſpred,

As well in ſpite, as preſence of my Foes.

Yet, when I ſhall account how I have liv'd;

Of what I have been hindred, ſince theſe wars;

p. 106How, much was loſt; how little is receiv'd;

How, my ſucceſſive-wants ſupplied are:

How, my engagements ev'rie day encreaſe,

How deſtitute, my Wife and Children be,

Of outward Portions; and, how mercileſſe

This world, hath all my life time, been to me:

They, who their favours, have on me beſtow'd,

Shall find no cauſe to grudge the MercieMercy ſhow'd.

And though (as ſome conceive) I have obtained

A full repaire, and therewith ſomewhat more

Than my bare loſſes? what, had I then gained,

Reſpecting all my damage heretofore?

Againſt thoſe Traytours to the Common-Good,

Who, now, apparent Enemies are found,

Nigh thirtie yeares, a Combate I have ſtood:

So long ago, I to theſe Iles did ſound

A warning Trumpet. So long have I borne

The frownes and furie of the wanton Court,

The Prelates malice, the deſpitefull ſcorne

Of wealthy Fooles, and of the vulgar ſort.

Yea, though I know a path applauded more,

I took the courſe, I knew, would keep me poore.

And, why ſhould any man be diſcontent,

That for my damages, and ſervice then,

My charges, paines, and cloſe impriſonment,

I, now have bread, and clothes, like other men?

Why is a trifle thought too much for me?

When, one ſleight Officer can in a yeare,

Cheat up a Sum, that ſhall ſufficient be,

To pay my damages, and my Arreare?

Why, grievous doth it ſeeme, that, out of that,

Which was by him poſſeſſed, who compli'd

With thoſe, who robbed me of my eſtate,

A part of my great loſſe ſhould be ſuppli'd?

He having ſpoyl'd my Friends of ten times more,

Than, ten times that ſmall part, he ſhould reſtore.

p. 107Since, we for Traytours, and for Cut-throats, here,

(And for their wives, and their malignant brood)

Proviſions make, when Converts they appeare;

Why ſhould there not, of raiment, and of food,

For us, our Wives, and Children, ſome ſupplies

Be likewiſe made? yea, ſince they were the Cauſe,

That, on our backs, the work ſo heavie lies,

Of holding up our Liberties, and Lawes?

Why are we poorly cloth'd, while they are brave,

By whoſe unfaithfulneſſe we are undone?

While we want bread, why ſhould they fulneſſe have,

By whom, theſe wars and troubles were begun?

And, till a Reſtauration may be had,

Of what we loſt, why ſhould they rich be made?

Since by our Adverſe partie, our eſtate

Is given and poſſeſſed: Since we are

Aſſured of their everlaſting hate,

So long as we have either peace, or war,

Or Being in this life: yea, ſince our Cauſe

Is knowne unto us, to be juſt, and right;

Since for our Conſcience, Liberties, and Lawes,

Againſt oppreſſing Tyrants we do ſight:

Since to avenge the Saints, we do oppoſe,

Not meerly Cananites, whom for their ſin,

The Land would vomit forth; but, alſo thoſe,

Who without cauſe, this war did firſt begin:

Why ſhould we not out of their Barnes be fed,

By whom we have been robbed of our bread?

Nay, ſince our Charitie doth portions give,

To feed their wives and children, while among

Our Adverſaries, in that courſe, they live,

Which this unhappie Warfare doth prolong,

Why ſhould not we and ours, as well as they,

Be cared for? ſince with a willing heart,

We bore the heat, and burthen of the day,

And, from our duties, mean not to depart?

p. 108Why is our equitie, and our diſcretion

So ſmall, that till our loſſes be repai'd,

We ſuffer for a trifling compoſition,

Their whole eſtates, by them to be enjoy'd?

And, their full freedome, who, for ought we know,

Are here, but Spies, or Agents for the Foe?

He, whom, that true Repentance bringeth home,

Which makes a reall Convert to the State,

Not for his Lands, but Conſcience ſake doth come;

And, ſuch an one, if we redintegrate,

When, of his penitence good proofes appeare;

Of Charitie, both to our ſelves and them,

An honourable Evidence it were,

Which no man ſhould repine at, or condemne.

But, when we unadviſedly ſhall part

With large Poſſeſſions, for a Perſon, which

Brings to us, neither wit, nor honeſt heart,

Nor Pow'r, nor any thing to make us rich,

But poorer; and, it may be weaker too,

How reaſonleſſe, is then the thing we do?

When we receive to MercieMercy, thoſe who ſeek

No more, but how they their eſtates may ſave;

To compaſſe by that match, what are we like,

But an eſtate to loſe, and find a knave?

They, ſtrength receiving, from our falſe-ones, here,

Reſtrengthen them; and are ſo knit together,

That, we who to this Cauſe moſt faithfull were,

Are much diſabled by their coming hither.

And, what advantage had we loſt, I pray,

If of thoſe few, who reconciled ſeeme,

None had return'd? what loſt we, if you weigh,

How uſeleſſe to that partie they did ſeeme,

From whom they came (while they continued there?)

And, what they are to us now they are here?

Who ſhall at laſt our private loſſe repay,

If this courſe hold? who ſhall the charge ſuſtaine

p. 109Of all our future detriments, but they,

Who of the coſt already do complaine?

Why ſhould a perjur'd Commoner, or Lord,

(Who, peradventure, did but ſtay behind,

That ſome advantages it might afford,

To thoſe departed) ſuffred be to blind

The Publike Eye, in favour of our Foes?

Defraud the State? And in our competitions

Sleight, and affront us, for the ſake of thoſe,

Who wilfully endeavour'd our perditions?

And, only, come (for ought yet knowne unto us)

That, at our coſt, they ſafely may undo us?

When of my goods, the Foe had me diſpoil'd,

(For doing faithfull ſervice) and when I,

To ſeek an habitation was compell'd,

And had provided for my Family,

By publike Order; why neglected ſo

Was I, and mine? That (knowing not elſe where

My wife with her big belly to beſtow)

I was diſplac'd, and forc'd to habour there,

Where deſolation dwelt? And, in that place,

Why was the wife of him that plund'red me

There ſetled? why, to my diſgrace,

Muſt I the ſecond time removed be,

And made a Shuttle-cock, or Tennis-ball,

For ev'rie Foole and Knave to play withall?

As I have hope to live, and ſee an end

Of theſe Diſtractions; and, as ere I die,

I hope to ſee our greateſt Foe our Friend,

(Which are my Hopes, though yet I know not why)

Vnleſſe the Civill Juſtice ſhall ere long,

Reſtore my Right; If all the braines I have,

Can in a martiall Poſture make me ſtrong,

My Tameneſſe, ſhall no longer me inſlave.

But, what the Commons pleaſed to afford

(My loſſes in their Service, to repay)

p. 110Ile repoſſeſſe, and ſettle by the Sword,

Or, in that place, my bones I meane to lay.

No run-away Commander of the Kings,

Shall baffle me, although unto his aid,

A Troop of thoſe Committee-men he brings,

By whom the beſt affected are betrai'd;

But, I will make it knowne, if urg'd thereto,

I dare do that, none think I dare to do.

My heart thus murmur'd: And, I know not well,

To what it would have ſtirr'd me; for, my blood

Began to boile, my veines began to ſwell,

And, in mine eyes, a flaming furie ſtood.

But, ere this great diſtemper, to it height

Was raiſed up; I felt into my breſt

Another Spirit entring, which made ſleight

Of all, which in this rapture was expreſt.

With many ſecret checks my heart it ſtrooke,

(Which no man but my ſelfe do much concerne)

Out of my ſoule repining thoughts it ſhooke,

It taught me my great failings to diſcerne;

And, then, the VOICE late heard, did thus begin,

To ſpeak againe unto me, from within.

Impatient, fooliſh, and forgetfull man,

If, now, thou hadſt been left to thy career,

To what concluſions had thy folly ran?

And, what wouldſt thou have made thy ſelfe appear?

Theſe are, indeed, ſuch muſings as the times

Are buſied in. This, is the common note;

Thus go the Citie, and the Countrey chimes;

And, this, without book, now, moſt men have got.

Your private wrongs, and injuries are minded,

With ſuch a partiall, and ſelf-ſeeking heart;

That, in all publike matters, moſt are blinded,

And, act a careleſſe, or a faithleſſe part.

Yea, ſo much after private ends men run,

That little publike ſervice can be done.

p. 111In ſuch a bluſtring tone, thou here hadſt ſhew'd

Thy private wrongs, as if thy paſſion meant,

By furie, ſome ſhort paſſage to have hew'd,

Through all Oppoſers, to thine owne content.

This will not be the Way, to break aſunder

The Lincks of Tyrannie. Among you, be

So many ſtormes of lightning, and of thunder,

Already raiſed, that no Coaſt is free.

The calmeſt tempers, and the ſobreſt wit,

The ſelf-denying, and the ſuffring hearts;

The Worke, the Time, the Place, now beſt befit:

And, if by theſe, you play not forth your parts,

The Tragedies, now acting on your ſtage,

Prolong'd will be, with an encreaſing rage.

In ev'rie Publike Work (as here thou doſt)

Each one, ſome way or other, ſtill contrives

How, thereinto he that Deſigne may thruſt,

Whereby, his private Trade he forward drives.

Yet, theſe your failings, Providence Divine

Employeth, oft, to further his intent,

And, ſhall by this Digreſſion now of thine,

Make better uſe, than thy corruption meant.

For, thereby both to others, and to thee,

Occaſion will be offer'd, to diſcover

Some Obſervations, which will helpfull be,

Your Wits, your Peace, and patience to recover.

Oh! how can praiſes due to him be ſung,

Who, thus, extracts you gold out of your dung!

By this thy giddie Rage, and blunt relating

A branch of thy oppreſſions, wiſe men may

Perceive on what their hearts are ruminating,

Who twice as much have borne, yet leſſe can ſay.

And, thence, perhaps, their wiſdome will collect,

What may ſucceed, unleſſe their care prevents

The likely conſequence, and ill effect

Of Foes prevailings, and Friends diſcontents;

p. 112From thence, it may be, they ſome hints will take,

To mark proceedings better than they did;

And, for the publike ſafetie, notice take

Of Snakes, which underneath faire flowers lye hid.

Thus, otherwhile, the failings of a Foole,

By Providence, may ſet the Wiſe to ſchoole.

But, why wert thou enrag'd? what wanteſt thou,

That, with impatiencie, thou doſt repine?

What Peere, or Prince, in all theſe Ilands now,

Enjoyes a Fortune that ſurpaſſes thine?

Haſt thou not bread, and cloaths enough, and more

Than for the preſent day may well ſuffice?

And, by that Friend, who kept thee heretofore,

Aſſurance (for the future) of ſupplies?

Haſt thou not had a Promiſe of Protection,

In all thy waies; aſſuring thee, that neither

The Rage of War, of Famine, or Infection,

Nor, all thoſe joyned in one Plague together,

Shall do thee harme, if thou in him confide,

Whoſe aid to no Beleever is deni'd.

Why ſhouldſt thou feare, though thy eſtate is gone,

(And MercieMercy fled) that thou, or thine, may want?

Who know'ſt, man liveth not by bread alone,

And, where, for asking, all things may be had?

What need'ſt thou care, though they at laſt deceive thee,

On whom thou didſt repoſe an ample truſt;

Who haſt an able Friend, that will not leave thee,

Though all hopes elſe were buried in the duſt?

Why ſhouldſt thou vex, to ſee Oppreſſours flouriſh,

That haſt beheld ſo many, in thy daies,

Ariſe from nothing, and to nothing periſh?

And that the Part which ev'rie Tyrant plaies,

How gloriouſly ſoever he aſcends,

In certaine ſhame, and ſudden ruine ends?

Wouldſt thou be rich? what riches canſt thou find

Of greater worth, than truly to enjoy,

p. 113At ſuch a time as this, a ſetled mind,

And ſuch a ſtate, as no man can deſtroy?

Some thouſands, who but few weeks paſt could ſay,

That their Revenues, and their Incomes, were

Enough to furniſh them, for ev'rie day,

With more than thine affordeth for a yeare;

Have nothing left them now. Why ſtriv'ſt thou then▪

To ſeek a certaintie, where can be none?

To catch at that which flies from other men?

To ſave thy ſelfe, when all is overthrowne?

And (knowing what thou knoweſt) to deſire

To take a houſe, where all the Towne's on fire?

Wouldſt thou be honourable? where is he,

That by the Bodily, or Ghoſtly Line,

Derives his Being by a Pedigree,

That ancienter, or nobler is, than thine?

What more heroicall can be atchiev'd,

Than, what no King can give, or take away?

And by the King of Kings to be receiv'd

Into that Order, whoſe true Badge, none may

So much as know, but he that weares the ſame,

And was twice borne? What honour is ſo great,

As his, whom Povertie, Reproach, and Blame,

Still more ennobles? And, who doth beget

His honours out of thoſe, who moſt contemne

His Reputation; and, in ſpite of them?

Thou haſt been taught; and, thou doſt ſeeme to know

This Path to Honour; and yet taken art,

With ſuch vaine Bubbles, as from fancie flow:

And, whereon, ev'rie worldling ſets his heart.

Cannot thy contemplations thee enable,

To let the ſimple people dote upon

Their Hobby-horſe, their Fooles Cap, and their Bable,

Becauſe thy Fortune will afford thee none?

Canſt thou not paſſe, except a ſtone thou throw

At ev'rie Cur that bawles? Nor, yet, forbeare

p. 114Impatient, for thoſe vanities, to grow,

Whoſe emptineſſe to thee diſcover'd are?

For ſhame, let more conformity be ſhown,

In practice, unto that which thou haſt known.

Who can exp…ct (when they ſhall ſee or hear,

With what diſtemper thou haſt here expreſt

Thy private wrongs) that other men ſhould bear

Their ſufferings well, when they are ſo oppreſt?

If thou who know'ſt, what comforts do attend

A calme, and patient bearing of the Croſſe,

What bleſſing crownes the Meek mans latter end,

And with what riches GOD repaies his loſſe;

Art ſo inrag'd; no marvell, if nigh mad

Some others grow, who are as greatly pain'd,

And want th'experiments which thou haſt had,

Whereby the wrongs may better be ſuſtain'd.

Is this the power? is this the ſtrength of him,

Who, ſomtimes, thinks he could the world contemn?

Is this a time for thee, who haſt made ſhow

Of better hopes, to ſcramble, with the Boyes,

For Nuts and Apples? wilt thou ſtruggle now,

With Fooles and Slaves, for bables and for toyes?

Contend thou not with Children, in their play;

Nor ſtrive thou their vaine longings to poſſeſſe:

From Micah take thou not his Gods away,

Leſt they may bring thee to unhappineſſe.

Endeavour what is comly to be done,

To reap the profit, which to thee belongs.

Vſe prudent meanes Oppreſſors pawes to ſhun;

Or, to remove, or mitigate thy wrongs:

And, to that purpoſe, having done thy beſt,

Be patient, and to God commit the reſt.

And, to preſerve this temper, warie be

(Above all other times) when their deſpight

And envie ſhall be exercis'd on thee,

Who think, the Publike-Truſt belongs, of right,

p. 115To ſo much by the yeare: Theſe, have ſo long

Inſlav'd the people; that themſelves diſgrac'd

They do conceive, if, to do right or wrong,

Inferiours, in Authority be plac'd:

And, theſe have lately cenſur'd it unfit,

That, with ſo reverend a thing, as Wealth,

Such ſtrangers, now, as Honeſty, and Wit,

Should called be, to ſerve the Common-wealth,

Or lend a helping hand, to ſave, what they

Have took a courſe to ruine, many a day.

Theſe, value men, according to the Rent

Their Fathers left them: and, theſe cannot brook

Without vexation, and much diſcontent,

That, notice ſhould of other worth be took.

And, therefore, if it muſt be as theſe will;

If your beſotted people have a minde

To be oppreſſed, to be fooled, ſtill,

And, to be kept, perpetually blinde;

Straine not thy ſelfe, to helpe unlade an Aſſe

That loves his burden; nor, his drivers trouble;

But, let them, and their ſilly creature paſſe,

Till they have made their ſcornes and miſchiefs double.

For, he that meddles with them, nothing gains,

But kicks, and evill language, for his pains.

Caſt quite behind thee, what of their deſpite,

Or injuries, to thee, hath been reported:

Their open hate, with ſecret love requite;

For evill, let not evill be retorted.

Fret not thy ſelf, although thou ſee them jeer,

And Thee, and thy Authority deride:

For, moſt, to whom their envy ſhall appear,

Will laugh to ſcorne, their folly, and their pride.

And, as thou ſoughtſt it not, nor doſt, yet, know▪

By whom, that ſeeming-honour was confer'd;

So, whether thou continued be, or no,

In thy imployments, give it no regard:

p. 116For, thou ſhalt ſit ere long, above their hate,

And, their Commiſſions ſhall be out of date.

While thou remain'ſt amongſt them, do thy beſt

To ſide with innocence; and do not there

Of wicked prophanations make a jeſt;

Curſe thoſe that curſe; or ſwear at thoſe that ſwear.

Abuſe not thy Authoritie or Place

To favour knaves, or put good men to ſorrow:

Plead not for law, this day in one mans caſe,

What, for another, ſhall be none to morrow.

Vſe not thy power, thy neighbours to enſlave,

As manie do who bettet things pretend,

And, when thou chargeſt others, care to have

That they againſt their Oathes do not offend,

Take heed, thou mak'ſt more conſcience of thine own

Then others of their oathes, have lately ſhowne.

For, ſome of thoſe, who fluently can preach

VponUpon the Bench, as tho (if need had bin)

They could the Parſon of the Pariſh teach

To do his dutie in reproving ſin:

Even ſome of thoſe, at that time countenance

Known Malefactors, there, indicted for

Crimes then in charge: and, ſhameleſly advance

In practice, what in words, they do abhorre.

When there, they have inveighed at abuſes,

Occaſion'd by permitting an exceſſe

Of licenc'd and unlicen'd tipling-houſes,

(And their ſuppreſſion, urg'd with earneſtneſſe;

(Inſtead of what they would appear to do)

They ſeem to put downe one, and ſet up two.

Theſe are not pleas'd, that an obſerving-eye

Is plac'd among them. And, perhaps, to prove

Thy patience, theſe, their power ere long will trie:

But, Thee to no diſtemper let it move.

This, is a time of ſuffring: and, though men

Are inſtruments each other to correct▪

p. 117Yet, GOD, himſelfe employes them. Suffer, then,

Without repining, what he ſhall inflict.

Although thy foes oppreſſe, and friends forſake thee,

Let no ill tydings make thy heart affraid,

From thy firſt principles, let nothing ſhake thee,

What ere againſt thee, ſhall be done or ſaid:

But, further what to Publike-peace belongs,

And leave thou unto GOD, thy private wrongs.

For, though it may be granted, that, if here

Thou ſhould'ſt illuſtrate all things which concern

Thy uſages (but onelyonly in that Shire

Where thou haſt liv'd) thy Readers might diſcern

In what condition manie others are

Who truly, ſerve the Publike: yet, take heed

Leſt following thine own ſuffrings over-far

May tediouſneſſe, or ſleighting of them breed.

Be watchfull too; leſt by much muſing on

Thy perſonall affronts, a ſelfe-reſpect

May cauſe miſ-cenſures to be caſt upon

The Publike Juſtice, to her diſ-reſpect.

For men oppreſt, and griev'd in an extreme,

Look, not alone with ſullenneſſe, upon

Thoſe Parties that are thought to injure them,

And on their own oppreſſions, as if none

Had borne the like; but, alſo, as if cleare

They from all blame, in all their ſuffrings, were.

And, in a publike Grievance, ſcarce a man

Among a thouſand, ſearcheth out thoſe things

Which miſ-befall, ſo farre as they began,

To find the Fountaines, whence the miſchief ſprings.

Moſt men (and thou among the reſt for one)

Can ſpie out many others, much to blame,

But, few men heed what they themſelves have done,

Whereby the Plague ſo generall became.

And, whence ſoev'r it comes, the Male-content

Though in the Perſons he the cauſe may find,

p. 118Fomes out his venome on the Government,

And, to a change is preſently inclin'd.

Whereas, the miſchiefe, ſtill, the ſame will be

Vntill there be a change in ſuch as He.

Ev'n ſome of you, (and manie is that ſome)

Who to the skies, this Parliament have rais'd,

With whom, it was almoſt a GOD become,

And ſuch, as never could enough be prais'd.

This Parliament, in whoſe defence you ſtand

Till all your pretions things, are well nigh waſted,

Till warre, hath marched quite through all the land,

Till bitterneſſe, in all your ſweets is taſted;

Till into pleces, Families are torne,

Vntill with blood, your wayes, and ſtreets do run,

Till Towns, and Towers, and Temples down are borne,

Till Prince and Peaſant, are almoſt undone;

Till Famine, too, beginneth to appeare,

Which in long Warfares, bringeth up the reare.

This Parliament, for which you ſuffer ſo,

And for whoſe preſervation beare you would

Ten times as much, might you before-hand know,

What, (if it proſper'd not) enſue there ſhould;

Ev'n to this Parliament, ſo highly priz'd,

You in your former love are growing ſlack.

This your Diana, is by ſome deſpis'd:

Of your Diſtractions, her the cauſe you make.

On her, you laid the burthen and the blame,

(As if due care ſhe wanted, or fore-ſight)

When diſadvantage, or diſhonour came

By ill ſucceſſe in counſell, or in fight;

And murmured, as if your hearts had ſaid,

That, by your Parliament, you were betrai'd.

Such is your folly, (madneſſe I might ſay)

That, ſome among you, ſo your ſelves expreſſe

As if you thought it much advantage may

The Publike Cauſe, to bring her faithfulneſſe,

p. 119Or prudence into queſtion: For, you heare,

Collect, report, and have diſperſed, ſo,

All ſcandalls, and diſ-truſts, which malice reare;

And, daily give ſuch credence thereunto,

That, you (who ſeeme to be unfained Friends

VntoUnto this Parliament) have, thereby, done

Thoſe miſchieves to it, which the Foe intends;

And will deſtroy it, if this courſe you run:

Yea, this your folly, will more weaken it

Then all your cunning Adverſaries wit.

For, this imprudencie will by degrees

Your bones unſinnew, and your joynts untie:

By this, you both their hands and hearts will leeſe,

Who, in your Quarrell, vow'd to live and die.

What Devill then hath tempted you, in this,

To ſin againſt your ſoules? and, blinds you ſo

That, you obſerve not whoſe deſign it is

Which you now further, and whoſe work you do?

The honour of that Senate, is the power,

And life thereof; and, on the life of that,

Dependeth ev'ry Priviledge of your,

Belonging to your temporall eſtate;

And, peradventure, ſome way doth extend,

That being, to concern, which hath no end.

It is your duty, therefore to diſcerne

And labour the defence of that which may

Your being, and well-being ſo concerne:

And, to that purpoſe, there is much to ſay,

For, though it be your ſtrongeſt Creature-guard

Againſt Oppreſſors; yet, you can expect

No ſafer Tutelage to be confer'd

Thereby, then what a Creature may effect.

It labours your protection; but, alas!

The worke is great, and through much oppoſition,

And manie difficulties, they muſt paſſe,

To bring this Land, into a ſafe condition.

p. 120For to reſtore you to your peace agen,

'Tis now, a work for GOD, and not for men.

You heed their failings; but, you heed not yet

(Nor fullie can conceive) how hard a worke

They have to do, nor how they are beſet

With enemies; nor what obſtructions lurke

In theſe proceedings, which make ſhow to be

Without a rub, to them who ſtand a aloof,

And have not opportunitie to ſee

What ſtops may riſe, before they come to proofe.

Their own infirmities, as they are men

(And which you ought to wink at) may perchance

In this great enterprize, be now, and then,

Occaſions of no little hinderance:

For, who but GOD, alone, can perfect be?

Or, who is fit for ſuch a work, but he?

The haynous ſins, and manie obdurations,

Of that great Bodie, whom they repreſent,

And of thoſe froward, and divided Nations,

Which are concerned in their Government,

Give being unto many ſev'rall things,

And actions, whence, oft-times, an accident

Vnlooked for; or ſome hid miſchiefe ſprings,

Which humane policie cannot prevent.

When Iſrael ſinneth, Benjamin that hath

A wicked cauſe, their Brethren down ſhall ſmite,

To expiate the juſt avengers wrath,

Before the cauſe prevailes, that is upright:

Whilſt in the camp an Achan doth remain,

Theſe Counſell, and your Souldiers fight, in vain.

Though Moſes govern'd you, though Joſuah were

Call'd up to be your Armies Generall;

And Davids Worthies now revived, here,

To be your Colonells, events would fall

Below your hopes, whilſt unrepented ſin

Is, wilfully, conniv'd at: For, that, made

p. 121Your Parliaments unproſprous; that, hath been

Chiefe cauſe of all their failings they have had.

And, then, beſide this hindrance, and this bar

To their ſucceſſe, they have a powerfull foe

Oppoſing them as well by force of war,

As by what fraud and tyrannie can do:

And, that their Faith and ſtoutneſſe may appear,

A muſter of their foes I give you here.

Their Generall in chiefe is ANTICHRIST,

And, he the main Battalia, now, commands:

Which, of thoſe armed Locuſts doth conſiſt

On whoſe Activitie his Empire ſtands.

Lievtenant-Generall, is he that ſtrives

A conqueſt of your Liberties to make;

And counts it one of his Prerogatives,

As he ſhall pleaſe, your goods, to give and take.

He leads the Van; in which, with him appeares

Thoſe Princes, and thoſe Nobles, who ſtill are,

And were at firſt, the wicked Councellers,

Who did encourage him unto this war;

And he of broken Courtiers, up hath made

(And of ſome beggar'd Lords) all this Brigade.

The Major-Generall, (who bringeth on,

The right wing of this Armie) is the Prince

Of broken fortunes; who ſtill falls upon

The Carriages, and Baggage, that from thence

He may recruit. His ragged Regiments

(Beſide thoſe louſie, and thoſe tatter'd fellowes

Late preſſed for him, out of Beggers Rents,

And freed from the priſons, and the gallowes)

Were patch'd up, out of Bankrupts, caſt-Commanders,

Caſhier'd Bandettees, Fellowes of the pot,

Debauched Players, Tapſters, Gameſters, Panders,

With ſuch, as in a drunken fit were got

To beare them companie. And, theſe are they

Who firſt made plunder ſeem a lawfull prey.

p. 122The left wing, by Pope would be, ordered is;

A ſtately Prelate, and one, for whoſe ſake,

(Though he the Triple-crown is like to miſſe)

The war, now rais'd, did firſt beginning take.

He, heads a Partie of as deſp'rate mates,

As e're drew ſword: and, manie of them be

Both diſciplin'd to make Aſſaſinates,

And readie for it, when their time they ſee.

Among theſe, march ſome prudent-ſeeming men,

Some, that, more honeſtie then wealth do want:

Some wittie fellowes; but, not one for ten

Of thoſe, that are extreamlie ignorant;

The openly prophane, the cloſelie vitious,

The Papiſts, Atheiſts, and the Superſtitious.

The Rear is brought up by a Libertine,

That is for anie Doctrine or opinion:

For any Government or Diſcipline,

For Proteſtant, for Browniſt, for Arminian,

Or, anie thing he pleaſes. And, he gives

This libertie (ſo far as they are able

To make it good) to all, whom he receives

Into his Troopes; which are innumerable:

For, all that would their wicked luſts fulfill,

All they, who Law, and Order do contemn;

All they, that are ambitious of their will,

Ev'n all of theſe, unite themſelves to him:

And, in his quarters, manie women too

Are found, who, not a little miſchiefe do.

Theſe Forces, both aſunder and united,

Have ſo obſtructed, and ſo manie waies,

This Parliament oppoſed, and diſpighted,

In all their conſultations, and aſſaies;

They have by ſleight of wit, by ſtrength of hand,

By Treacheries, by Treaties, and by Spies

Abroad, and here at home; by Sea, and Land,

By Proteſtations, Promiſes, and Lies,

p. 123And, by a thouſand other tricks, beſide,

Purſu'd ſuch meanes and courſes to diſtract,

Affright, diſcourage, weaken, or divide,

And, fruſtrate what they ſhall adviſe oract;

That, 'tis no wonder you have ſped no better,

But, rather, that the miſchieves are no greater.

For, if beſide the diſadvantages

Which have occurred to this Parliament,

(By open enemies) you now ſhall pleaſe

To take true notice of the detriment

Suſtain'd by them, who ſeeme no adverſaries;

Or them, who friend-like in your Quarters live;

Whoſe hand, at once, both fire and water carries;

And, mean worſt actions, when beſt words they give:

If you ſhall heed, how they have cheated bin

With honeſt ſhowes, and outward pietie,

When there was little, or nought elſe, within

But rotten falſhood, and hypocriſie,

You would not murmur, as if you had thought,

This Parliament had failed you in ought.

Nay, you their power and prudence would extoll,

Or his great wiſdome, rather, and his power,

Whoſe mercies are exceeding wonderfull,

That, quite you were not ruin'd, ere this houre:

And, marvaile that your Senate could ſubfiſt

Another day; if trulie you did know

How manie moneths, a dang'rous Vipers-neſt,

Did in the verie boſome of it grow;

Or, if you had a perſpective, to ſee

What Engines are ſtill moving to unfix them;

VVhat failings, yet, in their own Members be,

VVhat foolings, in their fav'rites, to perplex them,

And, what a New Diviſion now they run,

Vnthought on, when this Parliament begun.

For, that divided Clergie, out of whom

(As thou fore-ſaw'ſt, and didſt, long ſince, fore-ſhew)

p. 124The preſent Plagues upon theſe Lands are come,

(And by whoſe factions they will endleſſe grow,

If not prevented) have betwixt them got

Another Quarrell, and another Creature,

Of which, the world abroad yet heareth not;

And which, till now, among the things of Nature

Had not a Being. Nay, it hath not yet,

So true a Being (though it hath a name)

That any man may ſo diſcover it,

As truly to expreſſe, or know the ſame.

For, 'tis not what it was; nor will it ſtay

To be to morrow, what it is to day.

It is indeed a Thing, which neither had,

Nor ſhall, nor can have any certaine ſhape;

A thing, in making ſtill, but never made,

A Card drawne out of ſome Vtopian-Map,

To make your Pilots ſteere they know not whither,

Till they arrive at the Antipodes

To ſaving Truth; or, elſe be carried thither

By many changing winds, on moving Seas,

Where they ſhall ſplit upon the rockie ſhores

Of Hereſie; or ſuffer ſhip wrack there,

Where melancholy Deſperation rores;

Or elſe, into thoſe Creeks be driven, where

They moored lye in dull Securitie,

Or, land upon a Carnall Libertie.

Your Linſie-woolſie Faction (not appearing

So Jeſuited as they are) made uſe

Of Simon Magus (a bewitching hearing)

And, by that Sorcerer, did late infuſe

This fancie, and it hath occaſioned

Such difference in Opinions, and ſo rent

Men from each other, that the ſame hath bred

Obſtructions, which diſturb the Parlament,

In their proceedings. Yet, your enemie,

By whom this late unlooked for Offence

p. 125Firſt came, ſhall not effect his end thereby.

But, they who are to be approv'd, ſhall thence

Draw Obſervations, and a pious uſe

Of meanes unthought on, which will Good produce

For, at the preſent, though Offence be given,

And, men of Belial, by Deceiving-lights,

Have, to their pow'r, endeavoured and ſtriven,

To work their ends, by cheating of your ſights,

With falſe appearances, and ſhewes of Good,

And, though right pious men, who ſee faire ſhowes,

And, have not yet their purpoſe underſtood,

Do, for a little while adhere to thoſe;

Yet, when (by triall, and aſſiſting-Grace)

The bottome of it, fully is diſcern'd,

The work deſired ſhall be brought to paſſe:

Yes, by this wrangling, ſomewhat ſhall be learn'd,

To bring a prudent Reformation in,

And make it purer than it would have bin.

The Publike Peace, then, interrupt you not,

Nor vex your private ſpirits, to promove

Thoſe Fancies, which Diſtemp'rature begot,

And will, at laſt, not worth your owning prove.

Let not Demetrius, to maintaine his trade,

Make up-roares in the Land; as if more care

Were of his Occupation to be had,

Than, of thoſe things, which of moſt value are,

But, let Diſcretion teach you to appeaſe

Tumultuous ſpirits, by ſome ſweet allay;

Which, peradventure, ſhall prev…ile with theſe,

Not only, to give eare to what you ſay;

But, alſo, for the Truth, to be ere long,

As zealous as they were, to do it wrong.

So fooliſh be not, as to ſhut your eyes,

Or ſtop your eares, from all that ſeemeth new;

Or, all things, as new ſangles, to deſpiſe,

Which, at firſt ſight, ſeeme uſeleſſe, or untrue.

p. 126So furious be not, as to proſecure,

With an uncharitable proſecution,

All thoſe who (in opinion) ſhall not ſuit

With Diſciplines, of your own Conſtitution.

Nor, be ſo mad, as, wholly, to deface

All Superſtructures, on the true Foundation,

Which are not uniforme, to that which was;

Or, that which ſhall be ſetled in this Nation.

For, to avoid great inconveniences,

Wiſe-men will beare with inconformities.

Thoſe Doctrines, that make void the Morall-Law;

Thoſe, that the Fundamentalls do infringe

Of ſaving-faith: Thoſe, that mens hearts withdraw

From Pietie, or, give the fleſh her ſwinge:

Thoſe Diſciplines, that breake the bands of Peace;

That interrupt the Civill-Government;

That ſleight the meanes of Pieties increaſe,

Or, courſes, that Ill-manners may prevent:

Theſe, are not to be borne with. Theſe, you may,

Nay, theſe you muſt, (with all your power) ſuppreſſe;

And fine, confine, cut off, or ſend away,

And, ſo, that you may therewithall improve

GODS praiſe, the Kingdoms Peace, & Chriſtian love.

And, if that anie one can means propoſe,

Whereby your duties may be better done;

If anie perſon, can a truth diſcloſe,

Which hath been clouded, ſince the Day begun:

If he can tell you, or, believes he can

Informe of anie thing, that may concerne

GODS glorie, or the ſaving health of man;

And, thinks himſelfe (to teach, and you to learn)

Oblig'd in conſcience: And, if he ſhall ſo

Proceed, (in doing that which he ſuppoſeth,

The Will of GOD requireth him to do)

That, no ungodly aime his Courſe diſcloſeth,

p. 127Or, ought which doth your, Publike-peace annoy;

Why, ſuch a Freedom, ſhould he not enjoy?

If anie man a tender conſcience hath,

Which makes him fearfull, to offend the ſame,

And, therewith walkes in ſo diſcreet a Path,

That, he deſerveth not a publike-blame,

In anie point aforeſaid: Why ſhould he

Be wrought upon, by anie other courſe

Save that, whereby the heart may wooed be

By Grace, and Faith, and Reaſon, without Force?

How ſhall the Goſpells paſſage be ſo cleare,

As is deſir'd, and as thereto is due,

If all men be not free to ſpeake and heare,

On ſuch conditions, as before we ſhew?

Since, to the Church, compulſion none invites,

But, ſome few fooles, and manie hypocrites.

Coercive power indeed is to be us'd

In things which to the Outward-man pertaine;

And wherein Words or actions have abus'd

Thoſe Lawes, which words or actions, do reſtraine;

The plots preventing, or the practices,

Which root up thoſe Foundations, whereupon

You are to build up Piety and Peace;

Or, remedie an evill, being done:

Or, for expulſing, or correcting thoſe,

Whoſe principles, whoſe practice, and profeſſion,

Doth diametrically, that oppoſe

Which GOD and Nature, puts in your poſſeſſion;

As Popelings, or ſuch like, who do reſiſt

Eſſentially, the Government of CHRIST.

But, he that dreames, by anie Humane-Law,

To force Belief, or bind the Inner-man,

To think, to hope, to love, or ſtand in awe;

Dreames, to effect, what none accompliſh can.

For, this, would be a tyrannie far worſe

Then to inſlave the bodie. This, doth lay,

p. 128Strong fetters on the Soule; and, would enforce

The Reaſon, if not, take it quite away.

By this, you, to diſſemble, may be brought,

Or, elſe, to feare: But, never to beleeve,

Or hope, or love aright, or, Change a Thought.

Nay, this would, rather, ſo inrage and greeve,

As that, in ſtead of propagating Peace,

Your Quarrells it would ev'rie day increaſe.

Make then, in things Divine, GODS Word your Law,

In Naturals, let REASON be your Guide;

And, from no Civill-Pow'r obedience draw,

Which doth conformable to theſe abide.

Heare all; but, give aſſent to what is beſt:

Prove all, who in the name of CHRIST ſhall come;

But, chooſe that, only, which abides the Teſt:

And, Truth once found, the ſame depart not from▪

Let no true Principle be chang'd, or ſhaken,

Let not an ancient Bounder be removed;

Or, Ceremoniall-Precepts be miſtaken,

For Moralls; nor a Shaddow be improved

Before the Subſtance. Quarrell not away

The Eſſence of Religion, or of Peace,

For Triſtes; which, though them enjoy you may,

Will never bring thee to that happineſſe,

VVhichWhich you expect: And, which will make you ſorrow,

No leſſe to day, and more, perhaps, to morrow.

Be not ſo fooliſh, as to pull downe all,

That was ſet up before; as if you thought

The Government, becauſe Prelaticall,

VVas not to be adhered to in ought.

For, therein, without queſtion, have remain'd

(Among their vaine Inventions) many things,

VVhichWhich, to the Church, in pureſt times, pertain'd;

And, whereto, none a juſt exception brings.

Be not ſo indiſcreet, to ſweep out theſe,

Among their rubbiſh; or, to take away

p. 129Thoſe Vtenſils, or thoſe Indifferences,

Which for conveniencie, ſtill keep you may,

(And edifying too) without abuſe;

Or, anie vain or ſuperſtitious uſe.

Be not ſo ſottiſh, as to think, the Way

Now termed Independent, nothing hath

By which the Throne of CHRIST advance you may,

Depreſſe his foe, or elſe prepare his path:

Or, that, GOD may not, yet, ſome beame reveale,

Or, branch of truth, unto his Church diſcloſe,

Which he hath hitherto kept under-ſeale;

Or, whereof yet, he ſcarce a glimmering ſhowes.

Nor, let thoſe whom you Preſbyterians name,

Of their own ſtructures be ſo confident,

As to conceive, there may not to that Frame

Of Diſcipline, which they to you preſent,

Additions or ſubſtractions, yet, be made,

To make more perfect, that which they have had.

So inconſiderate, let no man grow,

As to believe it ever was intended,

By taking of your Covenant and Vow,

The Scots-Preſbyterie ſhould be befriended

Without reſpect, to whatſoever might

Be found, upon due triall, to accord

With thoſe inſtructions, which to ſet you right,

GOD giveth, in the Canon of his WORD:

Nor, miſconceive you ſo that noble Nation,

As to ſuppoſe, they think their Church is growne

To ſuch perfection in true Reformation,

That, thereon, nothing more may be beſtowne:

Or, that; they come to ſet you one way free,

That, you, another way, inſlav'd might be.

Miſtake not ſo their pietie and love;

But, be aſſured that what you and they

VponUpon deliberate adviſe may prove,

To be the ſafe, unqueſtionable way

p. 130Wherein you ought to walk; that they will joyne,

(VVhether unto the Civill-Peace it tends,

Or, unto Doctrine, or to Diſcipline)

As your aff…ctionate, and faithfull Friends.

Nor, let them ſo miſtake you, or theſe times,

Of publike Viſitations, as to dreame,

That either private weakneſſes, or crimes,

Shall hinder GODS intended work, in them:

But, let both Nations labour to excell,

In right beleeving, and in doing well.

The way to Peace is rather to be juſt,

And faithfull in your ſelves, and to rely

On GOD; than to ſuſpect, or to diſtruſt,

Or quarrell with anothers honeſtie.

The way to Peace, is downe along the Vales

Of Meekneſſe, leaving quite behind your backs

The hils of Pride, and thoſe partition wals,

VVhichWhich Selfe-conceitedneſſe, and Selfe-love makes.

The way of Peace, is to examine more

Your owne Offences, and your neighbours leſſe;

To learne more Charitie than heretofore;

To be in Deed, what you in Word profeſſe;

And not to ſtrive who long'ſt ſhall keep the field,

Againſt the Truth; but, who ſhall ſooneſt yeeld.

Thus far, is this Diſcourſe, now, carried on,

That, it may ſhew both what is pertinent

To Outward Peace, and what is to be done,

The loſſe of outward quiet to prevent.

For, as there be Falſe lights, of late, ſet out,

VVhichWhich give occaſion unto ſome to wander

In giddie paths, to make ſome alſo doubt,

VVhere is no cauſe; or, elſe to bring a ſlander

On ſacred Verities; ev'n ſo, there are

True-lights, of late diſcover'd, which long ſince

By evill-meaning Builders, ſtopped were:

And, they who would nor give, nor take offence,

p. 131Muſt learn, more perfectly, to underſtand

(Then yet they do) thoſe things they take in hand.

Deſire of Vniformitie, doth carrie

So great a ſway with ſome, as if it were

VntoUnto the Church of CHRIST, as neceſſarie

As VNITIE, or, did the ſame appear.

But, they are wide: For as within a pallace,

There may be more conveniency, more ſtate,

More beautie, and more pleaſure for the ſolace

Of him that builds it, when there are, in that,

Some equall Structures; higher ſome, ſome lower,

Some pyramids, ſome flats, ſome rounds, ſome ſquares,

With here a ſingle, there a double tower,

And ſuch like, as in Princely Piles appears;

So, in the Church, true comlineſſe, may be,

And Vnion, without uniformitie.

Nay diſcords, do not generally marre

Eſſentiall unity: For, as you finde

Some notes, which founded, by themſelves, do jarre,

Make up, when they are muſically joyn'd,

A perfect Diapaſon: ſo, may they

The unitie of love, and faith retain,

Who walke not uniformly in the way,

Yet, on the true foundation, fixt remain.

And, as for thoſe poore creatures, who through pride,

And ignorance, have now impoſtumations

Of fancie broken in them, which they void

At mouth, upon the ſillie Congregations

Collected by them; be not diſcontent

That, they with others, their corruptions vent.

For, ſuch like bubbles, ſtill, were wont to riſe

In ſuch diſordered times: And, they will fall

Of their own ſelves. The wind that yet ſupplies

Their tumour, when Peace coms, quite break them ſhall

The Devill of their proud ſimplicitie,

Makes uſe, at preſent, to delude that rabble,

p. 132Which are in love with their owne vanitie,

And, in the waies of Pietie unſtable.

Becauſe, a Prudent-Preaching wonders wrought,

And Carnall wiſdome judg'd it Fooliſhneſſe;

By fooliſh preaching, theſe have, therefore, thought,

Their Arrogancie ſhall prevaile no leſſe;

But, GOD, when they repent, will free theſe Nations,

From all ſuch failings, and Infatuations.

Obſerve this well, and, in true patience, beare

With one another, till God ſhall make knowne,

To what intent theſe broiles permitted are;

And, let your diſcontents be rather ſhowne,

VponUpon the Common Foe: Yea, do your beſt,

(Whilſt you have meanes) to ſettle outward Peace,

According to your pow'r; and, for the reſt,

Depend on GOD, who ſees the faithfulneſſe

Of ev'rie Soule: And, ſuffer not vaine jars,

Among your ſelves, to multiply contention;

Leſt you, thereby, both make theſe preſent wars,

To bring forth an incurable diſſention;

And, hinder (as you have already done)

That Work, which God, among you, hath begun.

Such differences, obſtructions have begot

Retarding Peace. But, doubtleſſe, for the ſame,

To your great Senate, there belongeth not

An imputation of the ſmalleſt blame.

Nor, were it faultie, though it could be ſaid,

And proved too, that ſome among them, now,

Their weightie conſultations had betrai'd,

And, to your Foes, their ſecrets daily ſhow.

Nor, ought they to be blamed, though you ſee

A Spider ſent among them, for an Ant;

A Butterfly, or Hornet, for a Bee;

Or, thoſe that wit, or honeſtie, do want:

For ſuch, when they are found, they ſtill caſt from them,

With as much forwardneſſe, as doth become them.

p. 133But, they, they only, do deſerve the blame,

(Of all thoſe falſhoods, which theſe Lands diſeaſe)

Thoſe brainleſſe fellowes, who had ſo ſmall ſhame,

And little grace, to make their choice of theſe:

Thoſe (falſly termed) free-men, who, for porredge,

Would ſell their birth-right; and, who, to uphold

Their lawfull freedomes, have not ſo much courage,

As to maintaine them, though they ſee they could.

They, whom a pettie Juſtice, by the noſe,

May lead to what abſurdities he pleaſes;

And, make them think, he favour to them ſhowes,

When he their loſſe, and ſlaveries increaſes:

Theſe, and their fellow Burgers, have undone you;

Their ſlaviſhnes, hath brought theſe plagues upon you.

Theſe, to the Houſe of Commons, ſent that Rabble

Of Runawayes, and Traytours, which betrai'd

Your liberties, as much as they wereable:

And, on their heads, the bloud is juſtly laid,

For what you ſuffer. Theſe were, firſt, unjuſt,

In ſending in, to be their Deputies,

In ſtead of men, Pride, Avarice, and Luſt,

Oppreſſion, Folly, Fraud, and Vanities.

Theſe, having neither honeſtie, nor wit,

Nor care to make a prudent choice of thoſe,

To whom ſo great a Truſt, they ſhould commit,

Some perſons, for the publike ſervice, choſe,

So like themſelves; that, wonder it is none,

To ſee ſo many do, as they have done.

For, ſuch a choice they paſſed, that unleſſe

Some prudent Boroughs, and ſome wiſer Shires

Had made elections with more warineſſe,

And ſent brave ſpirits forth, to ballance theſe,

You had been quite undone; and you, and yours,

Of all the Chriſtian world had been the ſcorne;

Perpetuall Bond-ſlaves to malignant Pow'rs;

And, hated of your children, yet unborne:

p. 134For, ever, therefore, let that providence

Which ſo provided for you, be renown'd:

And, let there be a bleſſed difference

On them, and on their ſeed, for ever found,

To honour them, and mark them out from thoſe,

Who to the publike welfare, now, are foes.

And, let your Burgers, and Free-holders learn

In time to come, how much, how neare it may

The publike, and their private weale concern,

To be advis'd, on whom their truſt they lay:

For, what is more unſafe or more unwiſe

Then to commit (as manie times they do)

Their goods, their perſons, liberties, and lives;

Yea, and the meanes of their ſalvations too,

To their diſpoſures, whom they rather fear,

Then well affect? of whom no good they know?

Of whoſe corruptions, frequently, they hear,

Of whoſe injuſtice, ſinſible they grow?

Whoſe worths, are their revenue? and whoſe wait

Is meere formalitie, or nev'r-a-whit?

What can be more abſurd, then to ſuppoſe

They are the wiſeſt men in all the Shire,

And fit'ſt for publike ſervice, to be choſe,

Who wiſeſt, in their own opinions are?

Who come uncall'd, and ſhuffle out their choice

By ſuit and friends, or having got, perchance,

The overplus of one poore ſingle voice,

With much ado, their purpoſe to advance?

Or, what a greater indiſcretion ſhowes,

Then to elect for Giver of your Lawes,

A fellow, that nor Law, nor Goſpell knowes?

Nor difference, 'twixt a good, and evill cauſe?

And, till that day, purſued no other courſe

But, hunting, hawking, or elſe ſomwhat worſe?

What, more diſhonourable can be thought,

Then, to your Court and Senate moſt ſupreme,

p. 135(For which the worthieſt perſons ſhould be ſought)

To ſend a foole or knave, to ſit with them,

Whoſe reverend preſence ſhould not be polluted

With ſuch companions? or, what one thing may

A truer ſigne of madneſſe be reputed,

Then thus to foole their dignitie away?

For, ſince they cannot their debates decide,

But by moſt Voices, what elſe will enſue,

(If manie places, be with ſuch ſuppli'd)

But, thoſe events, which all the Land will rue,

When worſt deſignes, are by the moſt promoted,

And, reaſon ſhall, by noiſe, be over-voted?

There never was a time, in which you ought

To be more carefull of your choice then now,

If you recruit your Houſe: For, men are taught

By this long Parliament, ſo well to know

Each others minde, each others intereſt

And inclination; that, unleſſe you ſee

The number wanting, in due time increaſt,

And made compleat, by men that worthie be;

You will be as aſſuredly undone,

As if the King had tyranniz'd; nay, more:

For, to oppreſſe you, there had been but one,

But, then, you ſhall, perhaps, have many a ſcore.

And therefore, as you here fore-warned are,

In your elections, uſe more prudent care.

Thy Letters of Advice, ere while directed

To thoſe in whom the choice of theſe doth lie,

Have partly ſignifi'd what was effected;

And, what events will ſtill enſue thereby,

While ſuch are choſen; And, what Caveats ought

To be obſerved, that a better choice

May be hereafter; and, that men be ſought

Who wit and conſcience have, aſwell as voice.

For, theſe defects breed vip'rous wormes within

The verie bowells of the Parliament,

p. 136More dangerous then outward foes have bin.

And, if the Members wanting, be not ſent

With better heed, then heretofore you tooke;

For peace embracing truth, in vain you looke.

Let therefore, thoſe true Patriots which are left,

Put forth a ſtrong endeavour to compleat

Their waſted number, e're they are bereft

Of power, and meanes, themſelves to re-beget

Into a perfect bodie. And, let none

By fallacies delude you, with a feare,

It may not now as legally be done,

As when the Members firſt convented were.

For, that they are lawfull Parliament,

(Although the King be abſent) 'tis confeſt

Ev'n by the King: In whom, now to prevent

Their being ſo, the power doth not conſiſt,

Nor ever did, of right; while cauſe you know,

Why SALVS POPVLI, ſhould have it ſo.

Believe it, whoſoever ſhall pretend

This Parliament, hath not a legall power

Her bodie to recruit; is no true friend,

Nor fit to be a Councellour of your.

For, ſeeing they have power to make a Seale,

It were a great abſurditie to dreame,

They had not legally, a power, aſwell

To uſe, as make it. And, if you in them,

Allow an uſe thereof, that private men,

The benefit of juſtice might obtain;

It ſhould much rather be allowed, then,

In things, which to the Publike-right pertaine:

And, moſt eſpecially, in all affaires

Concerning their own being, and repaires.

If really, a Parliament they be

As (without peradventure) they are One,

Then, without limitation they are feee

To do, what may by Parliaments be done.

p. 137And, that is, ev'rie reaſonable thing

Which to their weale and ſafety may belong;

(And their abilitie to paſſe may bring)

If to Divinity, it be no wrong.

And, whoſoe're, in theſe extremities,

Perſwade, that they ſhould take upon them leſſe;

VntoUnto the publike peace, are enemies:

Yea, they deferre, or marre your happineſſe,

By weakning of their hands, who are your friends;

And, ſtrengthening his, who now your ſpoile intends.

Let them not therefore act, as if they had

But halfe a power, or ſeemed to be lame;

Or, as if they a Parliament were made,

To be no more, but only, ſo in name.

With prudent conſcience, and with confidence,

Let them proceed in what they undertake;

And, in what e're pertaines to their defence,

On juſt reſolves, let them no haltings make,

Through want of preſidents: For, power they have

To make new preſidents, as well as they

Who liv'd before them. And, if they will ſave

Their Countrie and themſelves, this is the way:

Since, in an extarordinarie Cauſe,

True Reaſon, binds as firmly, as the Lawes.

And, though it greatly grieve you (as it ought)

Yet ſuffer not the abſence of the King,

To foole you, with ſo frivolous a thought,

As that, a diminution it may bring

To their authority. For, whereſoe're

He bideth, when his Parliament ſhall ſit,

The Kingſhip, vertually, is alwaies there,

And cannot poſſibly divide from it.

The Perſon of a King, may ramble forth,

As his own fancie hurries him about,

Or do things derogating from his worth,

Or die, or from the Kingdome be caſt out;

p. 138And, yet the Kingdome, and the Kingſhip too,

Continue ſtill, as they were wont to do.

The life of Bodies-naturall, indeed,

Departs out of them, when their head is gone;

And, thereunto, no other can ſucceed,

To make it live, or, not a headleſſe-one.

So 'tis not in this Bodie-politike:

The vitalls of it in the body lie,

Not in that head-ſhip: and, though it be ſick

When that falls from it, yet, it doth not die.

A King, is but a ſubſtituted-head,

Made for conveniencie: And, if thereby

The bodie ſeem to be indangered,

(If Power it hath) it hath Authoritie

To take one off, and ſet another on;

Aſwell, as, at the firſt, to make it one.

And when that Body ſhall be repreſented,

As this hath been, according to the Law,

Or, ſhall be by neceſſity convented;

Therein reſides, that Soveraignty, that Awe,

And Rule, whereto the Lawes of GOD and nature

Injoyne obedience; and not in that thing

Corrupted; which was but that Creatures creature,

And, which to ſerve it, was firſt made a King.

When, therefore, GOD injoynes you to obey

And honour Kings; theſe duties, are not meant

To thoſe who from their Kingſhips run away;

But, rather, to th'eſſentiall Government

Of whatſoever kind, by Law ordain'd;

Or, by a ſtrong neceſſity conſtrain'd.

For, were it otherwiſe, the pride, and luſt

Of an injurious Arbitrary power,

Would all men out of their poſſeſſions thruſt,

And all the freedomes of mankind devoure.

Let therefore, neither fear nor flattery,

Preſcription, or vaine cuſtome, make you cleave

p. 139VntoUnto an accidentall Majeſty,

And, that which is ſubſtantiall, quite to leave.

At this time, chieflie, take a ſpeciall care

(As, of what verie much conduceth to

Your Peace and Safety) that, as now things are,

Your juſt advantages you let not goe;

Leſt, by a faint, and conwardly endeavour,

You looſe your freedoms, and be ſlaves for ever.

And, yet take heed, that zeal to Innovations,

Nor private fears, nor hopes incline your minde

To ſubjugate theſe Kingdoms, or theſe Nations,

To Governments of anie other kind.

But, rather uſe your utmoſt diligence

To rectifie thoſe things which are amiſſe

In that which is eſtabliſh'd: and, from thence

Caſt out or purge, whatever therein is

Repugnant to thoſe Charters, which by grace

Or nature were confer'd: And, let your care

Be ſo to ſettle it, that place you make

The Throne of CHRIST, among you, up to reare;

Leſt, when his Kingdome comes, you els be fain

To pull your new-devices down again.

Take likewiſe heed, that you no meanes neglect,

Whereby the King may be reclaim'd and won,

GODS honour, with your ſafetie to reſpect;

And do the duties, he hath left undone.

For, by rejecting him, how juſt ſoe're

The Cauſes be; you ſhall delay the peace,

Which is deſir'd: And make your quarrell, here,

With much more difficultie to decreaſe:

But, if your induſtrie ſhall win him home,

And, he return ſincerely to his charge,

It ſhall a bleſſing to theſe Iſl…s become;

Your honour, and your joy it ſhall inlarge,

And, as CHRISTS Vice-Roy, he ſhall ſit upon

A righteous, and an everlaſting Throne.

p. 140Walk, therefore, prudently in this ſtraight path,

And, turn not to the left hand, or the right.

That pow'r, which GOD to you committed hath,

Improve for him, according to your might;

Him, in the reaſonable-meanes attend

With Faith, and Patience; that, he may, at laſt,

Your King new-moulded, back unto you ſend,

Your King new-moulded, back unto you ſend,

Or, him, out of his ruin'd Kingdome caſt.

If, poſſibly, he can his courſe repent,

GOD, will reſtore him, yet. If you amend,

Then, all theſe Troubles, and this grievous Rent,

Shall in true Peace, and ſweet agreements end.

If both conforme; Both, ſhall true Peace enjoy:

If both be wilfull, GOD, ſhall both deſtroy.

But, heark! my Scribe, I heare a dreadfull crie

Of wounded men; and, therewith, as it were,

The ſhouts of thoſe that have a Victorie,

Of much concernment. Therefore, go and heare,

What now is done: For, ſomewhat hath been wrought,

From whence, if well it ſhall improved be,

Enlargements of thoſe meanes will forth be brought,

Which may effect, what thou deſir'ſt to ſee.

As ſoone as thou haſt Information had,

Of what is rumoured, and duly weigh'd,

What profitable uſes may be made

Of that, which either hath been done, or ſaid:

Retire thou hither, and give eare, again,

To that, which to your Peace, doth appertaine.