Funeral Poem to Thomas Westrow, Canto 4 – Envoy
The fourth CANTO.
Of Chriſtian love, the large extents;
The ſad, the bad, the mad events
Of diſcord, here the Muſe diſplaies;
That Idol SELFNES open laies.
Some other things to heed commends,
And, then, with praiſe, and Prayer ends.
WHat ſhall that Muſing profir, which affords
Nothing but bare Relations, or meer words?
Or, what will things avail, that ſhall be read,
Concerning thoſe, who ſleep among the dead
If no advantages at all they give
To benefit, or better thoſe that live?
Sure none; Leſt, therefore, theſe may juſtly paſſe
For tingling Cymbals, or for ſounding Braſſe,
Some uſeful notes, or notions, ile diſcover
On this occaſion, ere I paſſe it over.
And though I cannot talk, as others do,
He preach my way; and, preach to purpoſe too.
Of many things, which merit mention may,
Wherein my Friend, hath pattern'd out the way
Of walking, and of practiſe; three things, here,
Shall be inſiſted on, as thoſe that are
Deſerving ſpeciall heed: Such, as (if we
Well imitate) a true ALL HEAL ſhall be:
End all Quarrels; Take off, from our eyes
The blinding ſcales, and filmes of prejudice
Which keeps us dark, and from a right perceiving,
of truth, and, in a wilfull misheleeving.
An imitation thereof, would bring hither
Outward, and inward peace; and knit together
CHRISTS diſunited members ſo, that love
Would ripen knowledg; Knowledg help improve
A ſaving Faith; That Faith renevv the Will;
A will renewed, would GODS minde fulfill,
And therewith, ſo acquainted make us grow
That, we ſhould learn to Act, as vvell as know.
The firſt of theſe is Love; love, not extending
It ſelf, to theſe, or thoſe, but comprehending
All things created, with an imitation
Of CHRIST, by meekneſs in his converſation
With Publicans and ſinners; and, vvith ſuch
As knew but little, and beleev'd not much.
Such, vvas CHRISTS love; and (if I do not miſs)
According to man's meaſure, ſuch vvas his.
For, though, that vail of fleſh vvhichwhich others vvear,
And, that, vvhichwhich clothed him, vvhen he vvas here,
Diſguiz'd his inward man, and made him paſs
For one of thoſe, vvho running of a Race
Doth beat the air in vain; yet, they, vvhoſe eyes
Obſerved him vvhen he vvas neer the prize,
Savv, he had uſde the means, and choſe the ground,
Which beſt advantag'd him, and would be crown'd,
When, many, at a loſs themſelves would find.
Who, better dieted, and diſciplin'd
Were thought to be; For, none could know ſo well
What beſt befitted him, as he might tell.
Near to his latter end, he had attain'd
Such love to all, and, therewith, ſo unfain'd
A longing both to win, and to be won
Unto the Truth, that, he was Fo to none
So much, as to himſelf: and, by forbearing,
By hopefulneſs, long-ſuffering, patient hearing,
And meekneſs, without bitterneſs of ſpirit,
True quietneſs of heart he did inherit
Within himſelf; and waited, when GOD'S leiſure
Would of his grace, to others, fill the meaſure.
My cognizance of him, perſwades me ſo,
And, whether he thus perfect were, or no,
It ſerves the turn, as well to let us ſee
What you, and I, and every man ſhould be.
Yet, of this Chriſtian temper I had proof,
To make it forth, with evidence enough.
For, though in fundamentals we agreed,
Eſſentially (as by what did ſucced,
Is manifeſt) yea, though we did accord
In one GOD, in one CHRIST, one Faith, one word.
One will, and hope; (as all true Chriſtians do,)
Yet, in ſome accidentall means thereto
We diſagree'd; yea, often, did diſſent
In ſome things, which 'twixt others made a rent.
And, I was oft, ſo earneſt in diſpute,
His tenents to diſprove, and to confute,
That, they who ſhould have heard us, might have judg'd
Not me to him, but him to me, oblig'd,
And that like Paul …d Barnabas, at leaſt,
A parting, would ha…e followed our conteſt.
Yet, though we both ſtood firm, to what we thought
Nor loſſe of love, nor breach 'twixt us, it wrought;
But, rather, to each other kept us nearer,
The firmer in our friendſhip, and the dearer:
Becauſe we both knew, that, one Judg we had,
In whom Atonement, would, at laſt, be made:
Becauſe, we both intended, not that He,
Or, I, might conquer, but, Truth victor be:
And, I, might conquer, but, Truth victor be:
And, this declareth his deſerving, more
Then all, that I have ſaid of him before.
For, what man els, but he, would not have thought
My Obligations, ſhould my ſoul have brought
In bondage to his Judgment? or, at leaſt
Kept me from owning mine, by hot conteſt?
Who els but he, would have continued on
His love, and bounty, unto ſuch a One
As thwarted his opinions? and, not rather
Have made me ſcatter what he holp to gather?
Converted former friendſhip, into hate,
And, ſought to ruine me, in my Eſtate?
Which had with eaſe been done; ſince, at that time,
My chief ſubſiſtance, was receiv'd from him.
But, of his judgment, what er'e think I might
I knew his love was firm; his heart upright;
And, this beleef of no man, I could have
Who gave his charity, to make a ſlave:
Or, who from bondage did my fleſh unbind
To lay a greater Thraldom, on my mind.
No, (though from ſervitude, he ſet me free)
If he, thus cruel, ſhould to others be.
Nay, though a King, with me ſhould ſhare his Throne,
And prize me, as his chief elected one,
Were he a Tyrant over other men,
I could not give him love, for love agen:
Nay, further (be it ſpoke with reverence
To him I ſpeak of, and without offence)
Could I believe that GOD, in whom I truſt
Were (though he lov'd me) cruel and unjuſt,
I would not ſeek with him in Heav'n to dwell,
But, rather, go, and live alone in Hell.
For, he, that's with eſſential GOD delighted,
And, thereunto by hearty love united;
Should therewith feel to him, ſuch vertue giv'n,
As would tranſlate the loweſt Hell to Heav'n.
I fear, I go too high in my expreſſions,
Ile therefore ſtoop again, from theſe digreſſions
To ſpeak what's poſſible to be beleev'd
Of thoſe, by whom this cannot be receiv'd.
And ſhew them, in my common ſtrain, how far
From Chriſtian love, the greateſt number are,
Who moſt profeſſe it; that, affect they may
A far more excellent, and better way,
If carnall luſts, will give them time to read it,
And, their ſelf-love, admit of Grace to heed it.
It is not love, but cruelty in thoſe,
Who, would on others conſciences impoſe
Their Yoaks, or break the bands of loving kindnes,
Becauſe, their friends have weakneſſes, or blindnes:
Nay, (which of cruelties appears the worſt)
Becauſe, they would not be, from that divorſt,
Which is their comforts chief preſervative;
And, without which, none happily can live
Here, or hereafter; And, when doing ſo,
To theſe impoſers, no true good can do.
What is a friend for; or, what better are
Thoſe friends, then foes, who neither can forbear
Nor help to bear, that Friends infirmities
With meeknes, whom he hath been pleas'd to prize?
But, beat the lame, becauſe, they cannot run;
Leave him that's blind, becauſe he ſees no Sun;
And, ſeperate from them, for that, which they
Would willingly diſclaim, and caſt away
If they were able; or, els, did not fear
They, thereby, ſinners againſt Conſcience, were?
Whereas, they rather ſhould with theſe abide,
To lead the lame; to be the blind-mans guide:
And, with long-ſuffring, to inſtruct the other,
Till he becomes a true beleeving Brother.
Oh! how far off! how far! are ſuch as thoſe
From imitating him, who lov'd his Foes?
(And dide to ſave them?) who perſue with hate
Their friends, for thoſe concerments, which relate
Unto themſelves alone? How far are ſuch
From loving them, who have offended much?
This temper at this time, is very rare,
For gen'rally almoſt, we bite and tear,
So barbarouſly, each others fleſh, and fleeces,
And rend CHRISTS Robes into ſo many peeces,
That, we ſeem rather Woolves, and doggs, then ſheep,
Belonging to that Flock which he doth keep.
Nor are they, only, Woolves in ſheeps array,
Who, thus their Woolviſh nature do betray,
But, ev'n on ſome of us, who of his Fold
Are Members, this, diſtemper doth lay hold.
Ev'n we forſooth, for whom our GOD hath done
So much of late; we, we, who look upon
Our ſelves at this time, as a People choſe
By ſpecial providence, to ſcourge his Foes;
And, to be they, whom he firſt cals to bring
Unto his Throne, our Everlaſting King,
Whoſe Banners LOVE; Ev'n we, have here of late,
Inſtead thereof, advanc'd the Flagg of HATE
To be our Standard; and, the ſame diſplay
With as much virulency as we may
Againſt each other: Yea, againſt thoſe, too,
Who ſeek GOD'S face, as truly as we do.
Some of us, ſo aloft, our ſelves do carry
With hope of great atchievements temporary,
That, we forget from whence we firſt aſcended;
Slight them, for whoſe ſakes, we have been befriended;
None loving, but our ſelves; and looking on
All els, as if the Earth, for us alone,
Had been created; and all others, born
For objects of our hatred, or our ſcorn:
And, leave them unrewarded, by whoſe hands
The ground was won, on which our building ſtands.
Some of us, on a ſpirituall account,
To ſuch an overweningnes do mount,
As if, we only, were the men, to whom
Belongs that Kingdom, which is yet to come:
Or, as if Heav'n, for none els were ordain'd,
But, thoſe, who are among us entertain'd;
Bound up to our Rules; marked, with our Prints;
Or, qualifide with our diſtinguiſhments:
And, ſo bewitch't are we, by our own Dreams,
With that, which we have Preach'd upon thoſe Theams,
That, if we take not heed, 'twill bring about
That miſchief, which we purpoſe to keep out.
For, we through want of love, are ſo devided,
By having this way, or els that way, ſided
To raiſe what others build up, or, in ſtriving
To raiſe a Babell, of our own contriving;
That, ſome perchance, may ſee the Dragons tail,
Swing once more over us, ere we prevail.
Yea, want of love, on all ſides, ſo miſteaches,
Here, ſucn Obſtructions makes, and there, ſuch breaches
That, we are like to make our common Foe,
An eaſie paſſage, where he could not go.
Yet, 'tis not poſſible to make us wake
From our vain Dreams, a ſafer courſe to take;
Unles, GOD, ſhall, our Adderlike deaf ear,
Pence by ſome ſtranger charms, then, yet, we hear:
For, they are thought to ſpeak words moſt in ſeaſon,
Who ſpeak moſt impudently, and leaſt reaſon:
In which beſottednes, if he walk on
Much longer, as too long time we have done,
(Acting, as if we thought, to ſhew, our folly
Would be an argument to prove us holy.
And drive ſtill furiouſly againſt each other,
As if all ſhortly would be mad together,)
They, will not much miſtake therein, who ſhall
This Iſle, Great BEDLAM, now Great BRITAN call.
The other vertue, of my now dead Friend,
Which to our imitation, Ile commend,
Is, to be zealous, in the pulling down
Of our great Idol. now, more famous grown,
Then was Diana; and, ador'd by us,
Much more then ſhe was once, at Epheſus.
That weak, that baſe, that deſpicable ELFE,
Cal'd SELFNES, which, man ſets up in himſelf;
And, for whoſe ſervices, and adoration,
We from all things within the whole Creation,
Make patterns to our ſelves: And, not of theſe
Alone, make we fantaſtick images.
But, of things alſo, which had neither birth,
Or being, on, or underneath the earth;
Neither within the water, ayr, or fire,
Or any where, in lower place, or higher.
This, is that God, which now is worſhip'd more,
Then Baal, and all thoſe Idols heretofore,
Which did provoke to wrath. There, are our loves
Moſt fixt. Thereto, our Temples, Altars, Groves
Are conſecrated; and, what els, beſide
Whereby, an Idol may be glorifide.
Thereto, thoſe Tithes, thoſe Duties, thoſe Oblations,
Thanksgivings, Prayers, ſolemn Obſervations,
All forms, and ceremonies, (whether taught
By truth, or, ſuperſtitiouſly in brought;)
Our Governments, our Parliaments, our Laws,
Our Armies, our unjuſt, and righteous Cauſe;
Our Conqueſts, all our wiſdom, all our wealth;
Our honor, beauty, with our youth, and health;
Our righteouſnes (if we in us, have any;
Our wickedneſſes, (whereof we have many;)
Ev'n Scriptures, Judgments, mercies, Sacraments,
With what els, GOD ordains, or man invents,
Are all, by ſome among us, now converted,
(Or, rather, to ſpeak properly, perverted)
Some way to ſerve, as to advance the praiſe
Of SELFNES, that great Idol of our dayes.
And, ſome, who vote, and ſpeak againſt it more
Then many; more, then any, her adore.
Moſt, who pretend, to ſerve the Common-weal,
Do moſt intend, from thence to rob and ſteal
Wherewith, to ſacrifice before the ſhrine,
Of that lou'd Idol; which doth glare, and ſhine,
With jewels, gold, and thoſe embelliſhments,
VVhichWhich ſhould have been the publike Ornaments.
They, from poor Orphans, and ſad Widdows, tear
Their Garments, for that pſeudo-god to wear:
Pluck from their hungry mouths, their bread and meat,
For that devouring God of theirs to eat:
And, then, for his drink-offrings, pour forth floods
Of faithfull ſervants, Friends, and Childrens bloods.
Moſt, who pretend true Juſtice to maintain,
Do more contend, to wrong thoſe who complain,
Then hovv to right them; that, thereby they may
Make innocents, this curſed Idols pray:
And, to their faithfull friends, are moſt ſevere;
Either, to make a ſhevv, as if they vvere
Impartiall, or, perhaps, thereby, to pay
A good deſert, the clean contrary vvay.
Moſt, vvho pretend to charity, do give
Either, in hope they, thereby ſhall receive
Some benefit; or, els in hope to raiſe
A Monument, or Trophie of ſelf praiſe:
And fevv out of a tendernes of heart,
Give, to releeve, or to revvard deſert.
Moſt, vvho pretend to friendſhip, do but buy
With complements, or ſome cheap courteſie,
Their ſelf advantages; and, to more charge,
When they are put, it is but to inlarge
Their ſelfnes; and, ſome way thereby, among
Such other ends, to make their party ſtrong:
For, when unſerviceable, theſe are grown,
They caſt them off, as Perſons never known.
Yea, when the times doth come, which truly ſhows
Who is a Friends, they then become their Foes.
Moſt, who pretend for GOD, that vertue fain
For nought; with them, is godlines, but gain.
They frequently, more bold with him do make,
Then with all others; and from him dare take
What ere they can, to ſacrifice unto,
This Idoll; and ſuppoſe no wrong they do.
Yea, thoſe pert Jewiſh women, who had given
And, would give ſpice Cakes to the Queen of Heaven
(And had befoold their Husbands to conſent
That, them they ſhould, in GODS deſpight, preſent,
Took not his Oyl, his pure Wheat▪ and his ſpices,
To make, their wicked wilfull Sacrifices,
With bolder impudence, then many a one
Among us, for this to Idols uſe have done.
A Spirit, being, GOD, in no need ſtands
Either of Churches, Tithes, or Rents, or Lands,
Or Forms, or any of thoſe other things,
Which, for GODS worſhip, our devotion brings:
For, theſe will do his deity no good:
But, ſelfnes, is a God of fleſh, and blood,
That will be highly pleas'd, with thoſe oblations
Which GOD Almighty, counts abominations,
If not made uſe of, with all circumſtances,
Which, in a right way, piety advances.
And, therefore, we do purpoſe (if we may)
To take them, for this Idol, quite away.
But peradventure, ere effect that finds
We may be taken hence, or change our minds.
This, is in every heart, the Antichriſt,
Which doth uſurp CHRISTS Temples, and reſiſt
His raigning there. There, paramount is he
(Though other Antichriſts, there, alſo be)
His chiefeſt oppoſite; and gives offence,
More then his Foes of greater eminence.
The Devill, doth in the World, againſt him rant,
As his chief Foe; In his Church militant,
(At large) The man of ſin; And, this, or that
Corruption in each individual State
Or Congregation: But, this, hath alone
In every ſingle man, the ſupream Throne
Of oppoſition; though, ſometimes, appearing
In one beloved ſin, and ſometimes wearing
Another habit, as it beſt befits
The place, or perſon, where, inthron'd it ſits:
And, though the Devill, Turk, and Pope, and all
Whom, in their ſphears, The Antichriſt we call
Should down be thrown; we ſhal rejoyce in vain
If, in our hearts, this Antichriſt ſtill raign.
This, is that Idol, which prolongs our woes:
This, is that Idol, which, if ere we loſe
Our preſent hopes, is that, which will effect it:
And, I do more then probably ſuſpect it.
This, is the laſt thing, my deceaſed friend,
Declaim'd againſt, before his latter end,
As likely to be that abomination,
Which will occaſion here, a deſolation;
If not deſtroyed, or, at leaſt, debaſed
Within thoſe Temples, wherein it is placed.
This Idol, hath in every heart a ſhrine;
Yea, (though I hatert) doth poſſeſſe in mine
The inmoſt room; there, ſcrewed in ſo faſt,
That, thence, I fear, it hardly will be caſt
Till all that Fabrick ſhall be broken down,
VVherewith it is incorporated grown,
It knows what now I think, what now I write,
And ſticks the cloſer to me, in deſpight
Of all that I can think, or ſay, or do:
Yea, and by means of this performance too,
The more exalted in my heart will be,
If, GOD himſelf, ſhall not deliver me.
But, he will add ſufficiency of Grace;
For, I intend ev'n in that very place,
VVhere fixt it ſtands, to ſacrifiſe the Beaſt
VVith all the trinkets of ſelf Intereſt:
VVhichWhich, if I can do, while 'tis fixed there,
VVill better pleaſe, then if deſtroy'd it were.
Another Virtue in my Friend, no leſs
Deſerving heed, was Conſcientiouſneſs
In words and works; whereof, an imitation,
Would bring much happineſs unto this Nation.
For whiſe good Conſcience, entertain we ſhall,
It keeps a never-ending Feſtivall,
Which gladdeth more the heart, then when we ſeaſt
To entertain our beſt beloved Gueſt.
If ſleighted; it becomes our greateſt Fo:
If cheriſhed; it ſuch a Friend will grow,
That, when all elſe forſake us, and abuſe us;
When they oppreſs, and cauſleſly accuſe us;
When opportunity the Devil wins,
To muſter up againſt us, all our ſins;
When, GOD perhaps, doth lay upon us too,
A heavy hand: when Death (as it will do)
Arreſteth us, our countleſs debts to pay,
And, to his dungeon carries us away;
Ev'n then, when all our honors and our wealth,
Our youth, our ſtrength, our pleaſures, and our health,
Shrink from us: when, our beſt beloved Friends,
Our wives and children, upon whom depends
Our greateſt earthly comforts, will forgo us;
Lodg us among the dead, where none ſhall know us;
And, leave us without ſuccour, all alone,
To give account for that which we have done:
Then, will this Friend, if well we cheriſh her;
(Yea, though ſhe formerly abuſed were,
If we be ſorrowfull for our offence
And reconciled by true penitence,
Will go along with us unto the Grave;
Remove all thence, whereof, we dread may have;
Sleep there with us, whileſt there we ſhall remain;
Riſe with us, vvhen vve ſhall ariſe again;
And, make us there, vvith joyfulneſs appear
Before that Judge, vvhom other men ſhall fear:
For, having in this life, the privileges,
Of our Accuſers, Witneſſes, and Judges,
(Which none elſe hath by our terreſtriall Laws,)
Before hand, ſhe determineth our Cauſe.
She, by the Law that's vvritten in our hearts,
Doth judg us; and no jot from that departs;
So that no Soul, can juſtly counter-plead,
An Ignorance; or ſtand in any need
Of an Interpreter, or, witneſs brought,
To teſtifie, of vvhat, vvas good or nought:
For, none, vvill ſhe condemn for that offence,
Whereof, he bringeth not an evidence
Within himſelf, to clear, or to condemn.
For that, vvhichwhich is objected unto them.
And, vvhoſoever to this judgment comes,
Shall blame themſelves, and juſtifie her dooms.
Look therefore that you keep this Judg your friend,
And that, by your fault, ſhe vvho vvill pretend
To be this Conſcience, be not entertain'd
Inſtead thereof: For, Conſcience may be ſtrain'd
So far, and by accuſtomed refuſing
Good counſell; and by vvilfully abuſing
Her juſt reproofs, till her avvay vve chaſe
And let an evil conſcience take her place.
And, vvhat events, may aftervvard enſue,
I leave it, to be thought upon, by you.
Hovv, vve may knovv a Conſcience rectifide;
Hovv, to preſerve it, vve may means provide;
How to recover it again when loſt;
Time to compoſe a large diſcourſe would coſt:
To ſound theſe depths, I therefore will forbear,
And onelyonly add, for your example here,
What, by occaſion of my Friend, that's gone,
I have, ſince his departure, muſed on.
Good Conſcience, whereof high eſteem he made
Three Objects hath; to vvhichwhich there muſt be had
A due reſpect, aſunder, and together,
Without neglecting, what belongs to either;
Except in things, wherein the leſs is debter,
To wave his due, for that, which is the greater.
GOD is the firſt; our neighbours, or our brother
(In ſome reſpects) the next; our ſelves the other;
Whoſe welfare, in ſome caſes, may before
The ſecond be preferr'd, and tender'd more:
Becauſe, it is the Rule whereby to ſquare,
That …ove, which to our neighbours, we ſhould bear.
Our duties to all theſe, were in the heart
Firſt written; and renew'd again, in part,
By common grace: But, ſin hath ſo defaced
That Table, and that writing ſo much raſed,
That, we muſt ſeek to make up that Record
By what, GOD hath ſupplied in his Word;
And, they, who would preſerve the conſcience fair
And blameleſs, to that Glaſs, muſt oft repair;
Which, (by that aid, which GOD to add will pleaſe)
Shews us, our ſeveral duties, to all theſe.
All they, whoſe Conſcience is this way renew'd,
Know what ſhould be embrac'd, and vvhat eſchew'd.
Such, vvill not of his honour, God, bereave,
To ſave their Countrey; nor, their lives to ſave,
Spoil or betray that; nor, themſelves deprive
Of ought, vvhichwhich they to ſerve theſe, did recieve
Through cowardiſe or ſloth; nor, to enjoy
The pleaſures of the fleſh, the Soul deſtroy.
To GOD, they will not make a ſacrifice
Of guiltleſs blood; or, honour him vvith lies:
Or, offer to him things achiev'd by ſtealth,
By fraud or rapine; nor their Common-wealth
Repair, inrich, or ſtrengthen, by oppreſſions;
By tollerating any knovvn tranſgreſſions,
To Piety deſtructive; or, to that
True Juſtice, vvhoſe defect, may ruinate
Humane ſociety; either, by ſearing
To dravv their ſvvords againſt a Tyrants daring;
Or ſeeking, by a warlike way of murther,
Hovv, to inlarge their territories further;
In hope of needles gain, or fruitles glory,
hais'd out of black deeds, by a bloody ſtory:
But, proſecute the troublers of their peace,
Till ſafety, may be ſetled; and, then, ceaſe:
That, throughout all the World it may be knovvn,
They ſought not to inlarge, but ſave their ovvn;
And to diſable thoſe from doing vvrong,
Who, els, vvould all the World embroyl, ere long.
Such, vvill not make their Publique Faith a ſcorn.
That they vvho live, and they vvho are unborn
May in times future, be diſcourag'd from
Aſſiſting, vvhen another need ſhall come;
And, let all, rather unto ruine run,
Then truſt, vvhat is not to be truſted on.
Such, vvill not (as in times of need they may)
Take ſome mens lands, and lively hoods avvay,
The Publique to ſecure, vvithout ſupply,
For loſſe of that, vvhichwhich it vvas ſaved by:
But, to each private ſufferer, reimburſe
Their private damage, from the Publique purſe.
Such, vvill not miſemploy their Powr, in place
Of ſupream Truſt, unjuſtly, to diſgrace
Their faithfull ſervants, upon bare ſurmizes,
On miſreports, vvhichwhich evill will deviſes
To blaſt their credit, ruine their Eſtate,
(Perhaps their lives too) by objecting hate
Which is untrue- For, they not being there
Who could refute that, vvherevvith charg'd they vvere,
(Nor ſuffred to take notice, from vvhoſe tongue
They, in their abſence, did receive that vvrong)
A prejudice, doth bring a cenſure on them,
Which ere they can prevent it, hath undone them.
If they good conſcience have, who thus can do;
Ile think, the devill hath ſome conſcience too;
How ſeared are the conſciences of thoſe,
Who, give their friends, much leſſe reſpect then foes?
Obliging them by favours whom they fear,
VVould els be traytors, (or perhaps ſo are)
And diſoblige true men, becauſe, they know
No injury can make them leſſe then ſo?
VVhat conſcience, have they who do pretend,
The Publique hath not, to releeve a friend
That's periſhing; and, yet the ſelf-ſame day
(Though no need were) profuſely give away
Large ſums among themſelves; and gratifie
Thoſe men, who with their faction do comply?
(And own their ways, opinions, and deſigns)
As if they did poſſeſſe, the Indian Mines?
VVhat Conſciences have they, who pay ſome worſt,
VVho merit beſt; and laſt, who ſerv'd them firſt:
Provide for thoſe; who for ſelf-ends do ſerve;
And let the Common-wealths true ſervant ſtarve?
Give ready Coyn to ſome; and unto them
Who did the ſame work, at the ſelf-ſame time,
Not any thing at all? except, perchance,
A Warrant, Order, or an Ordinance
Which by begetting others, doth ſtill add
New troubles, and expence to what they had;
And without profit, ſo inlarge their coſt,
By pretious time, and redious labour loſt;
That, if at firſt, their debts they had forgiven
(And added ſo much more, to make all even)
To get a flat deniall; ſome, had gain'd
Much more thereby, then will be now obtain'd,
Though they were pay'd to morrow? One, I know
VVho by experiment, hath found it ſo;
Yet, ſome of them, who may this conſcience own,
Wo uld ſeem to think, great things on him, beſtown:
Becauſe, Gods mercy, other wayes ſupplies
That, which to him, their Juſtice yet denies.
What partiall Conſciences are alſo theirs?
Who, in eſtabliſhing of juſt Arrears,
Gave ſome full Intereſt for debts delay'd,
And none to others, for like debts unpay'd
Ten ſummers after; and, which may, before
They are diſcharg'd, ſtand charged ten years more
And then at laſt, perhaps, aſide be lay'd
Among thoſe debts, that never ſhall be pay'd?
From ſuch corrupted conſciences as theſe,
Hath ſprung our Epidemicall diſeaſe:
Thoſe many fold complainings, in our ſtreets,
Wherewith each friend his ſad companion greets:
Thoſe ſcandals, which are publiſh'd in diſgrace
Of perſons, who were lately in the place
Sapream Truſt: hence, alſo, flows that hate
The Quarrels, diſcontentment, and debate,
Which is amongſt us: Hence, thoſe hazzards riſe
VVhichWhich make us fearfull, and our Enemies
Still hopefull, that, it either ſhall occaſion
Some broyl within, or, ſome without Invaſion.
And, if I may beleeve what my heart tels,
That, which they do expect, or ſomewhat els
Equivalent, vvill ſhortly come to paſſe,
If vve below, and they vvho are in place
Above us, make not conſcience of our vvayes
More then vve have done, in preceding dayes.
For, if there be a GOD, as my ſoul knovvs
There is, by that, vvhichwhich daily from him flovvs:
If there be devils, as I knovv vvell to,
There are by vvhat, I ſee their ſervants do.
GOD, or the Devill vvill to us appear
By ſome new Act of Grace, or work of fear,
To purge hearts, from death procuring works,
And that hypocriſie within them lurks;
And keep us to the rule of doing ſo,
To others, as we would be done unto.
Of which good practiſe, whilſt he here was living
My Weſtrow (having by examples of giving)
Deſerved to be a pattern, I, contrived,
This vvay, of having him, again revived;
That, I, and you, and others, by the light
From henoe reflecting, may walk more upright.
Lord, let theſe overflowings of my Spirit,
Which, in themſelves have neither powr, nor merit.
Produce forth good effects; and not be found
Like that, which gives an uſeles, emyty ſound.
Let it be ſome way, fruitfull unto them,
Who had relations in the fleſh to him,
Who, hereof gave occaſion; and, ſome way
To every Reader, who peruſe it may;
And, not a memorandum only be
To other men; but, likewiſe unto me.
Vouchſafe me grace, whilſt, here I live to ſerve
(In this my Generation) not to ſwarve
From my appointed work; but to perſever
In doing it, with vigilant endeavour;
That, of my Talent, when I muſt appear
To give account (which time approacheth near)
I may be faithful found, and to that joy
Admittance have, which nothing can deſtroy.
Let neither fears, nor hopes, neglects, or wrongs,
Deter from doing what to me belongs:
And, though my faculty hath ſmall eſteem,
And needles to the World, perhaps, may ſeem,
In thoſe affairs which may be pertinent
To thy great work: make it a ſupplement
Of ſome good uſe; that, times to come may ſee
My wither'd leaves, did help adorn the Tree
During that ſeaſon, wherein cloth'd it ſtood;
And, were for cure of ſome diſeaſes good.
Of what, in others, to be good, or ill,
I have obſerv'd; let application, ſtill,
So to my ſelf be made, that what I ſaw,
To be amiſſe in them, may me withdraw
From erring paths; and, in their ſteps to tread,
Who nave uprightly walk'd, (alive or dead.)
That, I may truly foot thy meaſures, too,
As well as pipe them out, to thoſe that do:
Leſt, I my ſelf, a Reprobate be found,
When all things have compleatly daunc'd their round.
Let not the Revolutions, or the changes,
Or, that prevarication which now ranges
Throughout the VVorld, me, from my ſtation carry;
Or, cauſe me from good Principles to vary.
But, in the ſtream, of all thoſe great diſtractions,
Diffring opinions, counter-marching actions,
Plottings, deſignings, threatnings, and pertakings,
Whimſies, Chimeras, doubtings, and miſtakings,
Fawnings, and frownings, praiſes, or diſgraces,
Wants, and aboundings, in all times, and places,
So ſteddy keep my Judgment, and ſo clear,
That, all my Life, I firmly may adhear
To truth, and honeſty; and, plainly ſee
What man intends, or is deſign'd by thee,
And, whatſoere, without me, makes a din;
Let, me have alwayes, peace, and joy, within,
My life, hath been a warfar to this day;
And troubles multiply: Yet, if it lay
Within my powr, to chuſe what other lot
The beſt man living hath, (or I have not)
And, might my ſelf, my own ſelf being make;
Let me no comfort, in my Portion take,
If, I, would chuſe ought els, but that which now
I have, and thy free mercy, ſhall allow:
For, of thy love, ſo well aſſur'd am I;
And, how, thou beſt knowſt, what for me is beſt;
That, on thy VViſdom, Powr, and Love Ile reſt.
I, love to ſee the doing what thou doſt,
(Oh GOD! moſt holy, powrful, wiſe, and juſt)
And, therefore, though my fleſh be terrifide
By thy approaches, and, oft loth to bide
Where, I may ſtand to ſee thee marching on,
And doing, here, ſuch things as thou haſt done:
Yea, though ſometime, ſuch horrors on me ceaſe,
That, they do ſhake my bones; yet naytheles,
My ſpirit, ſo is pleaſed, to behold
Thoſe Judgments, and thoſe mercies manifold,
Which I obſerve; that, in no other time,
Nor, (might I chuſe) in any other Clime,
Would I have liu'd, ſave where I might have ſeen
Such things, as have to me diſcovered been:
No, though thy Judgments, which, now on us be,
Have in the fleſh, with others, wrapt up me,
For, whatſoever former times afford;
Whatever, hath been written in the Word;
What ſigns, or wonders, have been to thy glory
Recorded in prophane, or ſacred ſtory;
Hath been a new tranſacted, in my dayes.
So, have I ſeen the River, and the Seas
Made paſſable: So, have I ſeen thy wonders
In blood, and Vermine; in fire, hail, and thunders;
And, in thoſe other dreadfull ſigns, whereby
Thou, heretofore didſt Pharaoh terrifie;
Myſteriouſly, or morally (at leaſt)
If not in all things, lit'rally expreſt:
And, have abſerv'd, that, they on other men
Have now, the ſame effects, which they had then.
To carnal wiſdom, but events of chance
They do appear; and, ſuch, to ignorance.
Great Kings, and Princes, will not yet be wiſe,
But fool themſelves, with vanities, and lies;
And, are like Pharaoh, daily hardned ſo,
As if they dared thee, thy worſt to do.
Yea, their inchanters, though they cannot ſtand
Before thee, (and acknowledg 'tis thy hand,
Which is upon them) do endeavour ſtill,
To ſeek themſelves, and to reſiſt thy will.
And, all of us, almoſt as heedles are,
Of what thou doſt, as Jacobs off-ſpring were.
Thy judgments, mercies, threatnings, promiſes;
The ſeverall cauſes, and effects of theſe,
Have been to me, exemplifide a new,
By that, which hath been offred to my view:
Th' occurrances, betwixt thy Friends, and Foes,
Long time ago, foretipifying thoſe
That ſhould ſucceed, (and, were for Preſidents,
That like proceedings, would have like Events
Throughout all ages) I've ſeem parallel'd
By thoſe, which with mine eyes, I beheld:
And, by thoſe tipes, compar'd with what I ſaw,
Did, ſometimes from them ſuch concluſions draw,
That, I foretold, when few beleeved me,
What, they and I, have liv'd, fulfil'd to ſee.
And, though, thou art not pleas'd to let me know,
Perſpicuouſly, what is approaching now:
Yet, I ſee dim appearances, whereby
I may ſuſpect a miſchief drawing nigh.
A Cloud, which like a mans hand ſeems to be,
Or, els, a mans hand, like a Cloud I ſee
Threatning a ſtorm. I ſee, me thinks, Ob Father!
Vapours far off diſperſt, begin to gather
Into divided bodies, whence may break
A voice of Thunder, and things dreadfull; ſpeak,
With ſad events; If we with ſpeed repent not;
And, thou, the plagues, which we deſerve, prevent not.
Oh! therefore, turn our hearts; and unto thee
So, from our own wayes let us turned be,
That, thou maiſt ſtill continue thy compaſſion,
With thy accuſtom'd favours, to this Nation.
And, my beloved Brethren, for whoſe warnings,
I, thus adventure my dim fore-diſcernings
To publique cenſure, though not for my ſake,
(For your own ſafety, notice of them take:
And, of your vanities, repent with ſpeed;
That, Judgments, but conditionally decreed,
May be averted: And, that, thoſe good things,
Of whoſe approach the ſeaſon ſymptoms brings,
Deferred may not be: For, there is, yet,
Somwhat, to be removed, which doth LET,
That Kingdoms coming, for which, many pray;
And, that Removall, muſt prepare the Way.
If, GOD, this way, by judgments, muſt inforce,
It will, for us, now living, be the worſe;
And, we ſhall bear the ſtrong pangs of that BIRTH
Which, that myſterious WOMAN will bring forth,
On whom, the DRAGON waiteth to devour
The MANCHILD, who (deliver'd from his power
By his Almighty Father, and our GOD)
Shall rule the Nations, with an IRON ROD.
But, if we willingly remove from hence,
That LET; it ſhall produce a recompence,
Which will requite our labour, and deſtroy
The great Obſtructer of our promis'd Joy.
Here, I had done. But ſomwhat, preſſeth in,
On which, I could anew again begin.
It doth not much concern my Theam, I know;
But, what, of that? It may concern you, tho.
My Muſe, oft times, when ſhe is on her wings,
Wheels from her Game, to unexpected things
Which come to view; and, thereby more hath won
Somtimes, then if aſide ſhe had not gone.
So, may ſhe now; Ile therefore, let her fly
At what ſhe ſees, although I know not why.
The Kingdom look'd for, ſeems to be near
By many tokens, which to me appear,
As well upon the Governments of thoſe
Who, there to are profeſt, or ſecret Foes,
As on the SAINIS: For, when I was but young,
(And ever ſince my child-hood, all along)
I, thereto had an eye: And, in this clime,
(Or little world) I've ſeen within my time
Four Governments, almoſt as differing
Both in the roots, from which they forth did ſpring,
And diſcipline, as DANIELS Monarchies:
And, much, to be conſider'd, in them lies,
To make me to beleeve, that, CHRIST is ſhaking
The Worlds foundations; and, approaches making.
The firſt was, when much ſam'd ELIZABETH,
Raig'nd here; In whoſe time, (though I drew my breath
Not thirteen years) I, obſervations made
Of things, then ſaid and done, both good, and bad,
More then my age did promiſe; and, er'c taught,
Was to the beſt part, of my knowledg brought.
During this Monarchy, I did perceive,
Sincerity, begin to take her leave;
That, Chriſtian zeal abate, and cool again.
Which was ſo hot, when ſhe began to Raign;
And, introductions of ſuch deviations,
As, both forego, and foreſhow alterations.
Yet, that, which then did ſeem to keep in aw
Theſe Nations, was, the GOSPEL, and the LAW.
Next her, out from the Caledonian Wood,
A ramping Lyon came; and, up he ſtood.
As, he firſt got this pow'r, he kept the ſame,
By acting of the Fox, and ſeeming tame.
To his devourings, he impos'd no meaſure:
The Law he govern'd by, was WILL, and PLEASƲRE;
And, he purſude, what he deſign'd at firſt,
As far, as any craſty coward durſt.
More ſtoutly, his Succeſſor, carried on,
Then politickly, what his SIRE begun;
And after many ſtruglings, and much coſt,
Himſelf, his Kingdoms, and deſigments he loſt.
Yet, for that Government, thus much Ile ſay,
Juſtice, and piety, wore in that day,
The faireſt out-ſide; and, were trim'd about
With many Ornaments, now, nigh worn out;
And, goodnes, had a very glorious ſhell,
Although the kernels therein prov'd not well.
Againſt this Government, the People roſe,
In throaning them, whom they themſelves had choſe;
And whilſt they were continu'd on the Throne,
NECESSITIE, was law, for what was done:
Which Law, to lengthen, and corroborate,
They, new NECESSITIES did ſtill create;
Till their Adorers, did their Pow'r contemn,
And, found great need of all things, but of THEM.
For, by indulging ſelfnes, they deſtroy'd,
What had by ſelf-deniall been en…oy'd;
And made themſelves ſo rich, and ſome ſo poor,
That, now, the Peoples choice, is out of dore.
Yet, whilſt they kept the Throne, GOD, by them wrought
Effects, which will not wholly come to nought:
For, though ſelf-ſeeking, moſt prevailed then,
There were among them, good, and righteous men,
(To GOD, and to their Country ſerviceable)
Whoſe number, had it been proportionable
To ten, for each five Cities, Towns, or Shiers;
Had made the work, reſerv'd for others, theirs.
The SWORD, hath now, obtain'd the ſoveraign pow'r,
Let it, Oh LORD! protect, and not devou'r.
Let, it take notice, that it is prepar'd,
The Vineyard, only, to ſecure and gard,
(Or, cut away thoſe Plants, which might annoy
The fruitfull Vines, and their ſweet grapes deſtroy)
Not to poſſeſſe the ſame as if it own.
Let us (although the pow'r thereon beſtown,
Should be abus'd) obediently attend,
Till to the raign, thereof, thou ſetſt an end:
For, when thou pleaſeſt, thou, canſt in one hour,
Make it deſtroy it ſelf, by it own Powr.
To rule us, thou haſt now advanced it;
Let us, for conſcience ſake, therefore, ſubmit,
Whether it be for future good, or ill;
Becauſe, to have it ſo, it is thy will.
Thou canſt as well by Arms, as by the Gown
Rule peaceably, and make thy mercy known.
Although it be a Sword, that bears the ſway,
Let, it thine Adverſaries, only, ſlay;
Let none of thine, have any cauſe to fear it:
And, let it no wayes dammage thoſe that wear it.
Still, mindfull make it, for whoſe good, and ayd
'Twas firſt advanced, diſciplin'd, and payd:
Who, did contribute, what, firſt, made it ſtrong
To conquer: who, ſtill adds, what doth belong
To keeping of that Powr; and, let it not
Indanger thoſe by whom it was begot;
Wrong their propriety, whom it defended;
And whoſe juſt preſervation was intended;
Nor, breake thoſe antient bounds which kept ſhould be
'Twixt man and man; and, betwixt man, and Thee;
And, upon whoſe Infringers thou haſt laid,
Curſe, whereof, all, ought to be afraid.
Let it perform the works thereto appointed;
Make way for Juſtice, and for thy Anointed:
And, when the time deſign'd thereto is done,
Let it, to what muſt follow, yeeld the Throne.
The next, I hope ſhall be the LIVING-WORD.
Let his long look'd for KINGDOM come, Oh LORD!
Let over us, that King of Nations raign,
To whom, all praiſe, and Glory doth pertain.
For, whatſoer'e this proves, that beſt will pleaſe us.
Come therefore, quickly Quickly come, LORD JESƲS.
Mean while, accept a ſacrifice of praiſe,
For what hath been vouchſafed in theſe days,
By way of preparation, to that End,
For which, in Faith, and hope, we do attend.
Accept of pra…ſes, from the ſingle hearted,
For all thy Saints, which are from hence departed;
And, for all thoſe, who ſhall make up the ſum,
By which thy Kingdom, will compleat become.
Accept my Thanks, for what thou didſt confer
On me, by him that's gone, and thoſe, yet here:
Accept it rather, for that love of thine,
Vouchſafed from thy ſelf, to me and mine,
By frequent pledges; and, for that Free grace,
Whereby before all time, I choſen was,
To be eternally made One with Thee;
And, in thy ſelf, accept them LORD, of me.
Thus, having my Friends Obit, truly truly kept.
Six nights, (whilſt others round about me ſlept)
Here, that Contexture, which conceiv'd I had,
Is now produced, ſpun, and weav'd, and made.
'Tis true the Object, of my contemplations,
Was WESIROW: But, from him, my Meditations,
Roſe higher; and my ſoul did contemplate
Things, which conce…n theſe Nations, and this State;
And, thereupon, ſome hints, are interweaved,
Which will (if paſſed by, as unperceived).
Make th… which is, the Muſes way of giving
Life to the Dead; to be, unto the Living,
An on … preſage; at leaſt to ſome,
Of death, of ſhame, or, of worſe things to come.
FINIS.
End of the text · George Wither, Funeral Poem to Thomas Westrow (1653)