The meaning of the Title page.
BEhold; and marke; and mind, ye British Nation [...],
[...]his dreadfull Vision of my Contemplations.
Before the Throne of Heav'n, I saw, me thought,
T [...]s famous Island into question brought.
W [...]th better eares then those my Body beare,
I b [...]ard impartiall IVSTICE [...]o declare
God's Benefits, our Thanklesnesse, and what
Small heed, his Love, or Iudgements here begat.
I view'd eternall MERCIE, how she strove
G [...]'s just deserved Vengeance to remove.
B [...]t, so en [...]rea [...]t our Sinnes, and cry'd so loud,
That, at the last, I saw a dismall Cloud
E [...]ceeding blacke, as from the Sea ascending,
And [...]er all this Isle it selfe extending:
Wit [...] such thicke foggie Vapours, that their steames
S [...]e [...]'d, for a while, to darken MERCIES heames▪
Wi [...]in this fearfull Cloud, I did behold
All Plagues and Punishments, that name I could.
And with a trembling heart, I fear'd each houre,
G [...]d woul [...] th [...]t Tempest on this Island poure.
Yet, better hopes appear'd: for, loe, the Rayes
Of MERCY pierc'd this Cloud, & made such waies
Q [...]ite throug [...] those Exhalations, that mine eye
[...] Inscription, thereupon espie;
B [...]ITAINES REMEM [...]RANCER: &, somewhat said,
Th [...]se w [...]ds (me thought) The Storme is, yet, delaid,
And if ye doe not penitence defer,
This CLOVD is only, a REMEMBRANCER.
Bu [...], if ye still affect impiety,
Expect, e're long, what this m [...]y [...]ignifie.
Th [...] h [...]ving he [...]rd a [...]d seene, I thought, nor fit
Nor safe it were, for me to smother it:
And, th [...]r [...]for [...], both to others eyes, and eares,
Have off [...]ed, here, what unto mine appeares.
I [...]dge▪ [...]s y [...] pleas [...] ▪ ye Readers, this, or me:
Tr [...]th will be Truth, how e're it censur'd be,
GEO: WITHER▪
Britain's Remembrancer Containing A Narration of the PLAGVE lately past; A Declaration of the MISCHIEFS present; And a Prediction of IVDGMENTS to come; (If Repentance prevent not.) It is Dedicated (for the glory of God) to POSTERITIE; and, to These Times (if they please) by GEO: WITHER.
IOB 32.8, 9, 10, 18, 21, 22.
Surely, there is a spirit in man; but the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.
Great men are not alwayes wise, neither doe the aged alway understand judgement.
Therefore, I say, heare me, and I will shew also my opinion.
For, I am full of matter; and the spirit within mee compelleth me.
I will not accept the person of man, neither will I give flattering titles to man.
For, I may not give flattering titles, lest my Maker take me away suddenly.
Reade all, or censure not:
For ▪ He that answereth a matter before he heare it, it is shame and folly to him.PROV. 18.13.
Imprinted for Great Britaine, and are to be sold by IOHN GRISMOND in Ivie-Lane. MDCXXVIII.
TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT MAIESTIE.
Most Royall SIR:
BEcause I doubted who might first peruse,
[...]hese honest Raptures of my sleighted Muse;
Observing it the quality of most,
To passe rash judgements (taken up) on trust▪
And, that according to the wits of those
Who censure fi [...]st, the common Censure goes:
Perceiving, too, with what oblique aspect,
Some glaring Comets, on my Li [...]es reflect;
A while I pawsed, whether trust I might
My plaine-pace'd Measures to their partiall sight,
Who m [...]y upon them (e're you reade them) seize,
And comment on my Text, as they shall please,
Or sl [...]ight, or scoffe; such men were knowne to me;
And being loth, they first of all should be
My Iudges; here, I off [...]r to your eye
The prime perusall of this Poesie.
For, minding well what hopes I have of You;
What course, my Fortunes urge me to pursue;
What blu [...]res, good Studies by those Fooles have got.
Who sleight desert, because they kn [...]w it not;
What freedome Nature gives to e [...]'y soule,
To speake just things, to Kings, without controule▪
How farre from noble, and from wise they be,
Who disallow the Muses should be free;
[Page]How eas'd we are, when we our minds disclose;
What profit from our honest boldnesse flowes;
What Resolutions I have made mine owne,
And what good cause there is to make them knowne:
All this well weighing, with some Reasons moe
(Which usefull are for none but me to know)
I did not feare these Po [...]ms forth to bring,
To bide, at first, the censure of a King.
And loe, on milke white paper wings they flye,
Reade they that lift, when you have laid them by.
But, SIR▪ I humbly pray you; let not fall
Your Doome, till you have read▪ and read it all:
For, he that shall by fragments this peruse,
Will wrong himselfe, the Matter, and the Muse.
Although a tedious Worke it may appeare,
You shall not wholly lose your labour here.
For, though some he [...]alesse Courtiers censure may
That on this Booke your time we [...]e cast away,
I know it may your spirits recreate,
Without disturbing your affaires of State;
And with more usefull things acquaint your eares,
Then twenty hundred thousand tales of theirs.
You also know, that well it fits a King,
To heare such Messages, as now I bring.
And, that in doing so, to take some pleasure,
Great Monarchs thought it just to be at leasure:
Long since, I have elected you to be
Moecenas, to my Muses, and to me.
And if my hopes in you shall be [...]ere [...]t me,
I have no other hopes in this kind left me;
Nor any purpose, whatsoever come,
To seeke another Patron, in your roome.
Nor seeke I now, that I from you may gaine,
What, other times I covet for my paine.
[Page 3]Nor for because my heart hath any doubt,
That I shall need a Friend to beare me out
Against the fury or the fraud of those,
That openly, or secretly, oppose
Such Works; For, He that me to this doth call,
Shall save me harmlesse, or I meane to fall.
Not that I sleight your favour, speake I this;
(For deare and precious to my soule it is)
But rath [...]r, that the world may know and se [...],
How him I trust that hath inspi [...]ed me.
(Though some suppose I may) I doe not feare,
As many would, if in my case they were.
I doe not feare the World deprive me can
Of such a mind, as may become a Man;
(Wh [...]t ever outward m [...]s [...]ries be [...]ide)
For, God will Meanes, or For [...]itude provide.
I doe not fe [...]re (unl [...]sse I merit blame)
That any one hath pow'r to worke my shame:
Since they who ca [...]sl [...]sly my Name shall spot,
Reproach themselves; but, me disparage not.
And, sure I am, though many seeke to spight me,
That ev'ry Dog which barketh cannot bi [...]e me.
I oft have lookt on Death, without dismay,
When many thousands he hath swept aw [...]y
On [...]v'ry side; and f [...]om him have not stirr'd
One foot, when he most terrible appear'd.
I know of Want the utmost discontents;
The cruelty of Close-imprisonments;
The bitternesse of Slanders and Disgrace,
In private corne [...]s, and in publike place:
I have sustain'd already, whatsoever
Despight can adde, to wrong a good endeavor;
And, am become so hopelesse of procuring
True Peace, (but by a peaceable enduring)
[Page]That, what remaines to suffer shall be borne:
And, to repine at For [...]une, I will scorne.
I doe not feare the frownes of mighty men,
Nor in Close-prison to be lodg'd agen:
For, Goods, Life, Freedome, Fame ▪ and such as those,
Are things which I may often gaine or lose,
At others pleasures: and, o're much to prise
What Man may ta [...]e, or give, I much despise.
I am not fearfull, as (I heare) are so [...]e,
What of the Times, now present, will become:
For, God to prosper them emploring still,
I fea [...]l [...]sly attend upon his will;
And am assur'd, by many P [...]esidents,
Th [...]t like proce [...]di [...]gs will have like events.
I doe not feare those Criticks of your Court,
That may [...]y goo [...] intentions misreport;
Or s [...]y it mis [...] seemeth me to dare
With such bol [...] language to sal [...]te your eare:
[...]or, as I k [...]ow your G [...]eatnesse, I have knowne
Wh [...] [...]eedomes on the Mu [...]es are bestowne;
And, that th [...]ir Serv [...]nts should not whine like those
W [...]o a [...]e your daily O [...]ators in prose.
I f [...]e not any [...]n that would abuse,
O [...] [...]n her [...]a [...]full sl [...]ghts affront my Muse,
Because, perhaps, ex [...]eptions may be tooke
Aga [...]nst some passage in the following Booke.
Fo [...], she to non [...] hath purposed abuse,
And▪ therefore, needs nor shel [...]er, nor excuse.
And when she pleaseth, she hath meanes to fray
Th [...]se Buzzards, that w [...]uld interrupt her way.
She d [...]res not onely, Ho [...]by-like, make wing
At [...]or [...]s and Butterflyes ▪ but also spring
Those Fo [...]les that have beene flowne at yet by none,
Ev'n those, whom our best Hawks turne taile upon.
Rookes, Owles, or Cuckowes, dare she make her flights,
At wily Magpies, or the lay that vaunts
In others Plumes; or, greedy Co [...]morants;
Or those, who being of the Kastrell-kinde,
Vnworthily aspire, and fan the winde
For a [...]rie Titles; or, the Birds men rate
Above their value, for their idle prate.
At Wag-tailes, busie Titmise, or such like;
But, with her pounces, them dares also strike
That furnish Courtly Tables. As, our Gull ▪
A bird much found among the Wo [...]hipfull.
Our Dottrells, which are caught by imitation.
Our Woodcocks ▪ sh [...]owing out that foolish Nation,
Who hide their he [...]ds, and t [...]i [...]k se [...]re th [...]y be,
When they the [...]selves thei [...] da [...]gers [...]e not s [...]e.
O [...]r strutting Peacockes ▪ whose harsh voice do [...]h show,
That some sh [...]rpe stormy windes will shortly blow.
Our Herneshawes, slicing backward filth on those,
Whose worths they dare not openly oppose.
Our traiterous Mallards, which are fed and taught,
To bring in other wilde-fooles, to be caught.
Those Fowles, that in their over-daring pride,
Forget th [...]ir breed, and will be Eglifide.
Our Brittish Barnacles, that are a dish
That can be termed neither flesh nor fish.
Ev'n these, or any Fowle▪ [...]he durst surprise,
If they dare crosse her, when to check she flyes.
Or, if that any one shall doe us wrong,
Who for our mounting Falcons is too strong;
I can unkennell such an eager packe
Of deep-mouth'd Hounds, that they af [...]aid shall make
Our sternest Beasts of prey, and cunning'st Vermine,
Ev'n from the Fox-fur, to the spotted Ermine.
[Page]In plain [...]r termes; if any shall oppose
My Muse, when in a lawfull path she goes,
She will not much be startled; but, goe neare
To tell them what they would [...]e loth to heare.
She's none of those that spew out railing Rimes,
Against some publike persons of the Times,
Through spleene or envy; then, for feare, or shame,
Divulge them to the world without a Name;
Or hide their heads. Nor can those threats (that fright
Such Libellers) compell her not to write,
Vnlesse she please: for, she doth know her Warrants,
And sends her Messengers on lawfull arrants.
She u [...]ters Truth; ev'n that, which well she knowes
Becomes her; at this present, to disclose.
That call'd she was, to make this Declaration▪
She stands assured; and of that vocation
Such testimonies hath, that I despise
His judgement who the pow'r thereof denyes:
For, yours I doubt not, and if pleas'd you are,
For what mans censure living need I care?
No such like pannick fe [...]re affrigh [...]eth her,
As that which doth her enemies deterre.
But, if sh [...] list, in spight o [...] all the rage,
(And all the bitter malice of this age)
S [...]e dares reprove, and vexe the proudst of them,
Who her, and her endeavors doe contemne;
And set (who e're they be) her markes on those
Who Vertue, in her honest course oppose.
Yea, them sh [...]e'll make, whom selfe-conceit besots,
Distrust, that we discry their secret'st plots,
And may at pleasure, lay to open view,
Both what they purpose, and what shall ensue
On their vaine Projects; though when they begun the [...],
They placed many veiles, and maskes, upon them.
[Page 5]SIR, no such Toyes as those doe make me fearfull▪
Nor of their hate or favour am I carefull.
For sh [...]lter ther [...]fore, this I brought not hither,
Nor am I hopefull, or desirous either,
To compasse any private profit by it,
Or, to my person any praise, or quiet.
For, I can hope for nothing, till I seee,
The World, and my deservings b [...]tter be.
And, howsoever I am, now and then,
As fool [...]sh in my hopes as other men;
Y [...]t, at this present, (and at ev'ry season,
In which my oft we [...]ke eyes of Faith and Reason
Vnclosed are) me thinks, thos [...] things, in which
The world appeares most glorious, and most rich;
Are no more worthy of my serious hopes,
Then Ratles, Pot guns, or the Schoole-boyes Tops.
If God will give me bre [...]d but for to day,
(And, but my soule vouchsafe me for a prey)
Twixt him and me, there shall be no conditions
For worldly honors, or for large possessions:
For, (as long since an Hebrew Prophet said,
When such like times, as these, had much d [...]smaid
His fearfull Scribe) Is this a time for me
To seek [...] preferment, or made rich to be?
No, no▪ for, if these dayes continue such
As now they be, each Groome will have as much
As hath his Lord; and diffrence will be small
Betwixt the richest, and the poor'st of all.
There are enough already, who desire▪
To ri [...]hes, and high places to aspire.
There be great numbers, who will projects bring you,
And Bookes, and Tales; and Songs, it may be, sing you,
For, their owne profit: but, there want of [...]hose,
That would their honors, or their livings lose,
[Page]Or hazard their preferments, to declare
Those [...]ruths, that worthy of disclosing are.
Yet, that is all (Dread Soveraigne) I have sought,
In tendring you [...]hese Lines that I have brought.
And, that by my example, others may
Take heart to speake▪ what they are bound to say.
I know, the ods is more [...]hen ten to three,
That for this boldnesse most will censure me
As mad or foolish: and, my best reward
Will be this comfort, that I boldly dar'd
To speake the needfull Truth, at suc [...] a time,
In which the bravest vertue seemes a crime.
I doe expect this wise-appearing ag [...]
Should at the freedome of my Poeme rage,
And, that some wi [...]ty Scorners should abuse
With taunting Epithites, my honest Muse;
As if she were produce'd by Chymistry,
Of Salt and Sulphur, without Mercury.
But, I am proofe against their fl [...]shy stuffe;
And for their scornings I have scorne enough.
I looke our Politicians should d [...]fame
My Straines ▪ by censuring them to be to blame,
O [...] over busie. But, my seeming folly
M [...]y make some Readers strive to be more holy,
Then heretofore: yea, some who thinke they know
[...]nough already; shall more prudent grow
By This. And I am w [...]llin [...] to be thought
A foole, that they more wisedome may be taught.
Yet, I co [...]fesse, that lately when I saw
This course, did hate, and wants upon me draw,
And that, without a Second, I was faine
The w [...]ight of a [...]l my tr [...]ubles [...]o su [...]taine;
I h [...]lfe resolv [...], that I would speake no more
So plaine, against Abuse, as heretofore;
[Page 5]And (thinking I had ventur'd well [...]or one)
Did meane to leave [...]he World her course to run:
Nay, from good words (al [...]hough it was a paine)
I fully was resolved to refraine.
But, when I silence kept, my heart became
As hot within me, as a flery flame.
Yea, like new wine, in vessels wanting vent,
My thoughts did swell my brest to be unpent;
A [...]d, at the last, I empti'd with my quill
A veine, which did the following Volume fill:
Supposing by the publike Presse to send it,
To them▪ for whose Remembrance I intend it.
But, they who keepe the passage, back did thrust in
B [...]fore perusall; and, (be like) distrust it,
Because my name it cary'd, to be such
As might upon their friends too neerely touch.
For, some of them have said; that were my writing
As true as that of holy Iohns inditing,
They would not licence it: so fearfull are
These guilty Times the voice of Truth to heare.
When therefore, I had this my Offring brought,
And laid it at their doore; a while I thought
My selfe discharged: but, my Conscience said,
My worke was lost, and still my vow unpaid,
Till I had practis'd ev'ry likely way,
To tell the Message which I had to say.
And, since the common way it might not passe,
To bring it by your Gate, resolv'd I was.
My first determining of such a thing,
Did many severall doubts upon me bring▪
Oné while I doubted, that those fooles who mock
At piety, would make a laughing stock
Of this and me: and say (with some disdaine)
That I would make my selfe a Prophet faine:
[Page]And puft with selfe conceit, had pe [...]n'd a Story
For private ends, and for mine owne vaine glory.
Or, that with pride and arrogance deluded,
I had upon undecent things intruded.
Another while I doubted some would prate,
That these my Lines dishono [...]e [...] the State,
And on the Government aspersions laid▪
As of their warnings oft the Iewes have said.
Sometime I feared, all my words would make
But few or none the better heed to take.
Because I reade, that many a Prophet spoke,
What, small effect within his life time tooke,
Except, in aggravating of abuses,
And leaving them the more without excuses.
Sometime againe, I feared lest if You
Referring this my Poem to their view
Who misconceive it may, (and trusting them
In censuring, who causl [...]sly condemne
Men innocent) might, by that evill chance
Be wrong'd; and suff [...]r for their ignorance.
[...]hus Kings are of [...]en injur'd: and, some perish
In their disl [...]ke, whom they are [...]ound to cherish.
I s [...]w▪ moreover, that my Foes, of late,
Had so much wronged me in my estat [...],
By ne [...]dlesse charge, and causles [...]e hindring me,
From those due profits, which my Portion be;
That to recover them, (and to pursue
My law [...]ull right) I havē no meanes but you,
And your just favour. Which, if I should misse,
(By giving to your eare distast in this)
My adversaries would prevaile, I thought,
And, my disgrace, and ruine would be wrought.
These carnall doubt [...] ▪ and many other such,
Against my Reason did pr [...]vaile so much,
[Page 7]That I was halfe afraid to venture on
In that, which ought with courage to be done.
But, whilst I stagger'd, and began to stay,
Me thought, within me, somewhat thus did say.
Base Coward; hath God's love so many dayes,
To thee appeared; and so many wayes?
Hast thou so often felt, what thou dost know,
From nothing, but the pow'r of God can fl [...]w?
Hath he so plai [...]ly told thee, with what wiles,
The foolish world, her selfe, and those beg [...]iles
That harken to her? Hath he made thee see
How little harme, her spight can doe to thee?
Nay, hath he pleased bin to bring unto thee,
Great profits, by those injuries men doe thee.
And, shall the feare but of a paltry scoffe,
From that which he appointeth, beat thee off?
Hath he so often kept thee from disgrace,
And fed and cloth'd thee, m [...]erely o [...] his grace,
That thou shouldft now distrust he will deceive thee,
And, when he sends thee on his Message, leave thee,
Without those necessaries, which pertaine
To those who in his Service doe remaine?
Hath he no meane [...] to b [...]ing thee fit supplies,
But such as thine owne wisdome can devise?
Hath God destroy'd so many of thy hopes,
And dost thou build them still on carnall props?
Didst thou so many times, in secret vow
Affiance in hi [...] promises? and, now
Hast thou no surer helps to trust unt [...],
Then Kings and P [...]inces? And, as others doe
(Who have not thy experience) dost thou shrink
As soone as any outward Stay doth sinke▪
Wouldst thou thy God displease, to keepe a friend,
Perhaps in vaine, for s [...]me poore temporall end?
Have shaken all) to settle thy Poss [...]ssions?
When all the I owne about thee is on fire,
Wouldst thou go build thy straw-clad Cottage hyer?
Well; take thy course. Yet, know, if thou forbeare
What now thy Conscience bids thee to declare,
Thy foolish Hope shall faile thee, ne're the lesse;
Thy wrongfull suffring shall h [...]ve no redresse;
Thou shalt have greater wants then pinch thee yet;
New sorrowes, and disgraces, thou shalt get
In stead of helpe; and, which is worst of all,
A guilty Conscience, too, torment thee shall.
[...]hen, be advised, and proceed to do
That lawfull Act, thy heart enclines unto;
And, be thou sure, that God will make thee strong
Against the violence of ev'ry wrong.
Be stout; and though all persons through the Land,
Ev'n Prince and People both, should thee withstand,
Their opposition nothing harme thee shall;
But, thou shalt bide them like a brazen wall;
And if thou suffer persecutions flame,
Thou shalt be but refined in [...]he same.
Such thoughts we [...]e whisp [...]r'd in me. And though some
M [...]y think them vaine suggestions, flowing [...]rom
Distemper'd Fa [...]cy; I dare boldly say,
They lye: And, I their motives doe obey.
All doubts, and feares▪ and stops, are broken through,
And loe (Dread Sov'raigne) I have brought to you
(In all humil [...]tie) my s [...]lfe and these
My honest and my just REMEMBRANCES:
To passe, for those, to whom they appertaine;
Or, here for my discharging to remaine.
God is already angry (I'me afraid)
Because this duty I so long delaid.
I would not, for the world, it were to do.
Good SIR, reject it not, although it bring
Appearances of some fantasticke thing,
At first unfolding: for▪ those Mysteries
Which we most honor, and most highly prise,
Doe seeme to be but foolishnesse to some.
And, when our sin to any height is come,
It brings a height of folly, which oft makes
That course to seeme uncomely, that God takes
For our reproofe, (and chiefly) if it cary
The shew of any way not ordinary.
Which (out of doubt) is requisite▪ when sin
That's extraordinary breaketh in.
Beleeve not those, who reasons will invent,
To make this Volume seeme impertinent:
For, what is more of moment, then a story
Which mentioneth to God Almighties glorie,
His Iudgements, and his Mercies? and doth show
Those things that may prevent our overthrow?
Sure, nothing is more worthy of regard:
And though a foolish tale be sooner heard,
Yet, in respect thereof, the glorioust things,
That stand upon record of earthly Kings,
Appeare to me as vaine, as large discourses
Of childish May-games, and of Hobby-horse [...].
Give eare to none, I pray you, who shall seeke
To move, within your Highnesse, a dislike
To my unusuall boldnesse, or my phrase:
For, who doth listen to an honest cause
In these regardlesse times, unlesse it be
So dr [...]t, as if it seem'd to say; Come see
What's here to doe. Mens wits are falne asleepe;
A [...]d, if I doe not some strange rumbling keepe,
[Page](That is not look [...] for) they no heed will take,
Of what I say, how true soe're I speake.
I know there be Occasion [...], Times, and Causes,
Which doe r [...]quire so [...]t words, and lowly Phrases:
And, then, l [...]ke other men, I [...]each my Muse
To sp [...]ake such language as my neighbours use.
But, there [...]e a [...]so Times which will require,
That we should wi [...]h our Numbers mingle fire:
And, then I vent bold words; that You, and They
Who come to heare them, take occasion may
To aske or to examine, what's the matter,
My Verse speakes tartly, when most Writers flatter.
For, by that meanes, you may experience'd grow
In many things which else you should not know.
My [...]ines are loyall, though they bold appeare:
And thou [...]h at first, they make some [...]eaders feare
I want goo [...] manners; yet, when they are w [...]igh'd,
It will be foun [...] that I have nothing said,
In manner, or in matter worthy blame,
If they alone sh [...]ll j [...]dge me for the same,
Who know t [...]u [...] Vertues language; and how free
Fro [...] gl [...]zing termes, her Servants use to be.
Though bold I seeme to some that Cowards are,
Yet, you I hope, sh [...]ll finde, I neither d [...]re
Thin [...]s that or need [...]esse be, or desperate;
O [...], that [...]oo [...]e to be wondred at
Among those fooles, who love to heare it said,
That they to breake their necks were not afr [...]id.
Fo [...], as a Seaman, when the Mast he climbes,
Is safe enough▪ thou [...]h he in danger seemes
To some beholders: So, although that Path,
In which I tread, a shew of peril [...] hath
To those who see not what fast hold I take,
My [...]tanding will be firme, when theirs doth shake.
[Page 9]And, if I fall, I fall not by this Act,
But, by their malice, who dislike the Fact.
Heed none I pray, that hath so little shame,
To say these times are not so much to blame
As I have made them seeme: [...]or, worse they are
Then I have yet expressed them, by far▪
And, much I fear [...], that [...]hey who most defend them,
Will make them to be worse, before they mend them.
Nor doubt you, Royall SIR, that from the story
Of your just raigne, or from your future glory,
It ought shall derogate, to heare it told,
Such evills, whilst you raigned, were contrould.
For, we doe reade, that Kings who pioust were,
Had wicked Subjects. And, beside, you are
So late enthroned, that your government
Could little inso small a time augment
Their being good or ill: But, you shall gaine
The greater glory, if you can restraine
(And keepe from growing worse) a time, b [...]come
So grossely wicked, and so troublesome.
If any other way my Verse be wronged,
By Readers ill advis'd, or evill tongued,
Vouchsafe to spare your censure, till you heare
What [...]ust replies to their Objections are.
Or, if that any to disparage this,
To yo [...], shall of my life report amisse;
Reject their scandals (for your owne deare sake)
And let them no impression on you make.
For, evill tongues sometimes will set their stings
Vnjustly, on the sacred name of Kings
Much more on mine. But, for my owne repute,
So carefull am I no [...] to make this sute,
But for my Muses honor. For, in all
My outward actions, I dare boldly call
[Page]Your strictest Lawes to censure me. And what
I am to God, it may be guessed at,
But rightly knowne, to none but him, and me.
And, though from outward scapes I stand not free,
Yet, let this Mess [...]ge her due merit win:
For, Gods most holy Prophets had their sin.
As in a Glasse, here may you, by reflection,
Behold (without the hazard [...]f infection)
The horrid Pestilence in her true forme,
Which in your Kingdome did so lately storme;
And is so soone forgotten, that I erre,
Vnlesse there needeth a REMEMBRANCER.
Hereby, succeeding Times, in such like terrors,
May learne to see and to prevent some errors.
Here, understand you may (withou [...] false gloze)
What heretofore your people did suppose
Of You: Their hopes before your Coronation,
And what hat [...] beene since then their expecta [...]ion.
Here, you may partly see, what you of them
May hope: what you should cherish or condemne.
Here, view you may (before too far they steale)
The sicknesses of Church and Commonweale:
What b [...]ings upon your Person, and [...]he State,
Such ca [...]e, and so much trouble as of late:
What marres your Counsels, and what undermines
Your most approved, and most wise designes:
What makes your Armes, your Vertu [...]s, & your Friends
So little helpfull to your pious ends:
What makes your Fl [...]ets returne without successe;
What breedeth doubtings and unsetlednesse
In weighty matters▪ and whence discord springs
Among the People, and twixt them and Kings.
And, if it well observed be perchance,
What seemes to most a trifling circumstance,
[Page 9]Shall of it selfe informe, or else prepare
To signifie those things that weightiest are:
For, they who can my Muses reach discerne
Shall find, that what most think doth but concerne
My person onely; may to that conduce,
Which serves to publike, and to p [...]ivate use.
Moreover▪ this Rem [...]mbrancer doth show,
To what th [...] folly of these times will grow;
And, what in future daies will surely fall
If we our courses long continue shall.
He, lastly do [...]h declare the certaine way,
By which, ensuing harmes prevent we may;
Take off the skars, our passed sins have given,
And, make our present peace with earth and heaven.
Deare SIR; as you your honor do respect
For times to come: as you do now affect
Your present comforts, and those hopes that are
The pledges of that Crowne, you looke to weare,
(When you must leave that golden Crowne of thornes,
Which paines your head, as much as it a [...]ornes)
Give heed to these Remembrances: Command them
To passe, in spight of such as would withstand them.
Doe you reforme, according to your pow'rs.
In ev'ry quarter of this Ile of yours,
Give w [...]y to Reformation. In the Crimes,
And many crying sins, of these lewd times,
Be you no partner, by conniving at
Their Actors; or, discountenancing that
Which may disable them to tyrannize;
Who will to hide old sinnes, new faults devise.
And, doe not for some few reserve that eare,
Which should the suit of ev'ry Subject heare.
But, as you have beene, yet, (and as I trust
You shall continue) be in all things just;
[Page]And as upright, as him it may befit,
Who doth in place of God Almighty sit;
That you and yours ▪ may still in safety stand,
What plague soever fall upon the Land.
And, let not my Petition be condemn'd,
As over bold; or my advice contemn'd,
Because a man despised gives the sa [...]e;
Fo [...], sel [...]ome hi [...]herto, a M [...]ss [...]ge came
From God, on such occasions, [...]ut som [...] one
In outward sh [...]w, scarce worthy thinking on,
Was made the Messenger. All heav'nly graces
Are not intail'd on men of highest places:
Nor is all that which ev'ry Prelate sayes,
To be beleev'd as Gospel [...] now adayes.
God still (as heretofore) calls vulgar men
To speake his will to Princes, now and then:
Yea, to delude the World, or to deride
Her arrogant vaine glory, and her p [...]iee,
God checks her oft, by those of whom we see
She most of all disdaines reprov'd to be:
Th [...]t, so her loftin [...]sse he may debase,
And to the lowly minded shew his grace.
It pe [...]adventu [...]e may be though [...] I come
With nothing else but gleaning [...], gathered from
The common Rumors, (which I faine would s [...]r [...]w
Abroad againe, to publ [...]sh what I know)
But, let me [...] judge their pleasures: I am free
From those poore ends; and, so still hope to be.
In this, I mov'd not, of [...]ine own [...] intent,
Nor am I, SIR, by any Mortall sent:
More strong is my Commission. And, what e're
It seemes to those who una [...]quainted are
With Gods Characters, a [...]d his Privie seale,
The Times to come shall openly reve [...]le
[Page 11]What these perceive not; and, it shall be seene,
That I have warrantably called b [...]ene.
Meane time my Cons [...]ience knowes I have not run
With rashnesse into that which I have done;
But, rather that I maugre mine owne will,
Was rouzed up, and spurred onward still,
In this performance; when my Cowardice,
My Sloth, my Pleasures, or my Ava [...]ice,
Or worldly Po [...]icie [...], their b [...]its did lay,
To tempt and draw my heart another way.
Yea, so untoward was I [...]o conforme
My Will, this uncouth Action to performe,
That, many times I quite gave off to doe
What I ha [...] vowed, and set hand unto.
For, had not God by terror [...] ▪ wants, distraction [...] ▪
And crossing all those temporall hopes and actions
Which I attempted, since I first began
This taske: or, if he had not now and than
Among those lashes, mixed comfortings,
And apprehensions of diviner things
Then flesh and blood informeth (as, no doubt,
This Booke will prove to some who reade it out)
I neither should have knowne what I have told,
Nor dared in these times to be so bold.
For, when the World can tempt me for a day,
To cast such Meditations quite away,
(And plod, as others doe▪ in her affaires,)
My Courage, and my Comforts, it impaires.
And, if I happen then, to over-looke
Some passages in this ensuing Booke,
I wonder at their boldnesse, just as mu [...]h
As he, whose heart had never such a touch:
And, till by reading them, new fire I take,
My owne Expressions, me doe fearfull make.
[Page]Yet, here are poore and slender things, to that
Which of these Times, time comming will relate:
Fo [...] though my Fortune hath obscured me,
Y [...]t in all matters might it fitting be
For me to speake my knowledge of those things
Which to my eare and eye, Occasion brings,
So many sad Rel [...]tions I could make,
That every ho [...]est Re [...]ders heart would ake;
And think this Nation fo [...]lish, (if not mad)
O [...], that all Reason quit [...] forsooke us had.
Yea, had I meanes to prove to ev'ry man,
What to my owne experience prove I can;
Or were it meet, in publike to declare
All things which knowne, and unconsidered are;
My Muse would make, perhaps ev'n those to grieve,
(And tremble too) w [...]o doe nor yet beleeve,
Nor care to know how desp'rately diseas'd
This Land is growne. How ever they are pleas'd
Who have distemper'd it; to you I trust
I [...] shall not be distastfull, that I must
Dilate my minde a little, in such wise,
That you may see how sicke your Kingdome lie [...].
For, that alone which fits me to disclose,
And what's already knowne to friends and foes
My Verse discouers. Yea what to conceale
More h [...]rmes, then profiteth your Commonweale,
Is here in part comm [...]moriz'd, to show
That we con [...]ider not the things we know.
And, if I shall miscarie for declaring
These ne [...]dfull Truths, (and, for this honest darin [...])
A rush I care not. F [...]r, I'de rather die
Alo [...]e, before th [...]se dayes of misery
That s [...]eeme to be approaching (and for saying
What (being beeded) might procure the staying
[Page 11]Of universall Plagues) then live and perish
With fooles, who doe themselves for slaught [...]r nourish.
I am no Statesm [...]n, neither (by pretence
Of having gotten large intelligence)
Would I insinuate for more esteeme
Then I d [...]serve; or, to deserve may seeme.
But, being set on such a middling height,
Where I (by God's permission) have the sight
Of many things (which they shall never see
Who far above, or far below me be)
What I observe, I ponder, and compare;
And, what I thinke may profit, I declare.
I therefore hope, what e're the pe [...]s [...]n s [...]eme,
The matter sh [...]ll procure it selfe est [...]eme:
And, mak [...] this age to know, there's majesty
In simplest Truth; and such authority
As will command regard, though want it shall
Those glorious garbs which falshood jets withall.
I hope to see all Vertue shine in You;
And that your good example will renue
Decaying Piety. I likewise hope
That these Remembrances shall find no stop
By your appointment, nor by any pow'r
Which taketh her authority f [...]om yaur.
For, when it shall be seene, that you give way
To publish T [...]is: your people justly may,
(And will) affirme, that you are still the same
They hoped of you: that you also blame
As much as any, what disordered is;
And, that you se [...]ke to mend what's found amisse:
Yea, they that else will storme and vexe to see
My Lines, thus [...]old, w [...]ll calme and quiet be.
However; I have said, and, I have done;
Let what God pleaseth follow thereupon.
[Page]My heart is fixed; and I up have taken
Those Resolutions, th [...]t will stand unshaken,
(I t [...]ust) though Earth should sinke, and all the Spheare:
Come thundring downe in flames about my eares.
Which Hopes of mine▪ some will, perchance deride,
And fo [...]le themselves, to see my patience tride
By what they can inflict, (unlesse you stay
That rage, to which my Verse provoke them may)
But, see your Honour be not wron [...]ed by it,
And, l [...]t them doe their w [...]rs [...]; for I defie it:
Because I know, what e're the spight of man▪
Aga [...]nst this Poeme, speake or practise can▪
It shall continue, when all those be rotten,
Or live with inf [...]my, or dyeforgotten,
Who shall oppose it. I moreover know,
That, dead, or living, I esteem'd shall grow,
For what t [...]y blame. That Genius tells me this,
Which never yet perswaded me amisse,
And, I beleeve him: Else let me become
Of all as scorn'd, as I am now of some.
Yea, if they ever drive me to repent,
That honest min [...]e with which I under-wen [...]
This Labour; Let the wishes of my Foes
Befall me, and let ev'ry one of those
Who either heare me nam'd in future ages▪
Or shall p [...]rceive, I fail'd in my Presages,
Be bold to say, my heart was never ri [...]ht,
But, that I liv'd and di'de an HYPOCRIT [...]
Your Majesties most loyall Subject, and most humble Servant, GEO: WITHER▪
A Premonition.
STay Reader, and take a few lines by way of prevention: For, though in meere temporall en [...]eavo [...], I observe with Solomon, that, The race is not to the sw [...]ft, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the w [...]se, nor riches to men of understanding nor favo [...]r to men of skill, but that time and chance commeth to all; yet, I know every man is to prosecute likely meanes of convenient things. And, though Ignorance wax [...]th so arrogant, and Art so envious, that after much paines in some good performance, wee must otherwhile take as much more to prevent misconstructions (and thinke our selves well rewarded, if at last we may escape▪ without a mischief [...]) ye [...], since it is the common lot, I will [...]eare i [...] p [...]iently▪ and seeke to avoyd as many inconvenienc [...]s as I may.
It is impossible to prevent all: for▪ some out of meere malice practise the disparagement of every labour whereby the glory of God may seeme to bee advanced; and if on the Worke they cannot fasten their Detractio [...]s, then they will, to disable it, vilifie the person of the Author. This was the conspiracy of the Iewes against Ieremy, (Come, (said they) let us devise devices against him, let us smi [...]e him with the tongue, and let us not give beed to any of his words.) And this way also in so violent a manner have I beene persecuted, as if my Disgrace might advance the publike Honour.
Against my MOTTO, though (as I [...]orespake) it redounded to their owne shame, so raged my Adversaries, that not content with my personal troubles, they sought the disparagement of that Booke, by a libellous answer the [...]eunto: wherein, I was used as most writer [...] of Controversies, in these dayes, use each other: To wit, they objected what I never thought, [Page] and then made replies to their owne devices▪ which being finished, was imprinted with an inscription fal [...]ly cha [...]ging me, with labouring to stay the publication thereof; and then also, it was very gloriously fixed on the gate of my lodging, as if it had been some bill of Triumph. Bu [...], it proved a ridiculous Pamphlet, and became more losse and disgrace unto the divulgers thereof, then I desired; and, non [...] thought th [...] worse of me o [...] that Booke for those Invectives, save they onely, whose commendations would be more dishonor to me, then their dispraise.
Hereby, therefore, I seeke not so much [...] p [...]even [...] the like injury to my person, as to remove those occasions of prejudice, which scandalous censures may raise in some other, who might else, perhaps, re [...]eive the more profit from this REMEMBRANCER: And what I will say to that purpose shall bee very briefe.
First (in regard my ayme in this Poeme, is chiefly God's glory, and the welfare of this Church and Commonwealth) I desire I may no [...]e traduced, though I have here and there inserted some lighter expressions, then seeme at first view to become the gravity of the Subject: For, (considering the common vanity, and how tedious matters of most consequence are unto some eares) it is necessary, and by good authority warrantable, to make use of all indifferent meanes, to worke on humane infirmities, for our hearers profit.
Secondly, I request that wherein I differ from the vulgar Tene [...]s, I may not rashly bee rep [...]oved; but that my affirm [...]tions, may with all their due circumstances, be first wei [...]hed: For, otherwhile the [...]e is just occasion to hyperbolize. And, as he that rectifying [Page] a crooked staffe, bends it somewhat on the [...]t [...]er side: so, in many cases, we are constrained to urge that which appeares over much on the right hand, before those who are too [...]ar on the left hand, will beleeve they are ought awry. Thus did the Fathers of the Church when they had to doe with some Her [...]tikes, and have beene thereby mis understood▪ and mis-censured by heedlesse Readers. In the same manner have my writings beene abused; yea, my hearers have beene so hasty, that had I not explained my selfe to be of their opinion, within some few lines after, doubtlesse they would have robbed me of my owne meaning. But, they who well heed what I affirme or deny, will finde (I hope) that I keepe a midling path betwixt extreames.
If any conceive (as I heare they doe) th [...] I did unwisely to remaine in London during the great M [...]r [...]ality here memorized, [...]et them pe [...]use the third Canto, and they shall there see▪ what Mot [...]ves and what warran [...] I had for so doing. I think it will satisfie them; for, so well it satisfied me, that (whatsoever others may imagine) I know it had beene better I should háve perished in that sicknesse, then to have had a heart disobedie [...]t to such motions.
If any [...]axe me for inse [...]ing so many Lines concerning my owne thoughts and resolu [...]ions; let them conside [...] what use some Readers may make by application to themselves; by having my inwa [...]d co [...]flicts for their examples; and by seeing also what nec [...]ssities [...]here were for me to strengt [...]en my selfe both a [...]ainst the wo [...]ld, and against my [...]wne f [...]ilties, (in my hazardous undert [...]kings) by expo [...]ul [...]ing wi [...]h my heart, what my conscience could say, for it selfe▪ Let them, I say, consider what in this kinde is cons [...] derable, [Page] and then, perhaps, those personall relations will not seeme imper [...]inent.
If question be made, by what authority, I took on me to write this Ilands REMEMBRANCER: in the fif [...]h Canto, and in some other places of this Book, they sh [...]ll finde mention of my Commission; And if they be not thereby perswaded, that I have a good Authority, it will be through their ignorance▪ and no [...]aul [...] of mine. Those Mercies and Iudgements of God's which I memorize, are such as this Kingdome is generally witnesse of. The Sins I reprove, are none but those which were, and are notoriously committed: I have reprehended them ìn such manner, as God's holy Word, and the universall law of Nature hath warranted in all ages. I have foretold what shall come upon such Transgressors, according to the predictions of the Prophets. I have assured, upon Repentance, those ble [...]sings which God himselfe hath promised. I have confirmed all my owne Resolution [...] by the divine Covenant, and that working of the bl [...]ssed Spirit, which I have a feeling of in my own heart: And, if in these things I be de [...]eived, I know not who hath power to make me confident of any thing in this life.
If any dislike my personating God (as in the first Canto) let them search, and they shall finde it usuall not onely in Christian Poems, but also in the holy Text. And if we introduce him according to his A [...] tr [...]butes, and speaking according to what in his written word he hath already spoken, it may be justified. If my personating Mercy and Iustice, or my creating of other Objects representative, or my Method, or my Phrase, or any such like, seeme offensive; my Muse ha [...]h apologized for her selfe, as much as I thinke [Page] need [...]ull, in many places of this Booke as occasion is offered, especially in the second, fi [...]th, and eighth Canto's.
[...]f the Poeme seeme too l [...]rge, or the particulars to be over tediously insisted vpon; consider, in how many impertinent and t [...]ifling discourses and actio [...]s the best of us doe consume f [...]rre more houres th [...] the perusall of this [...]equires minutes, and yet thinke it no tediousn [...]sse: and let them call to minde how m [...]ny huge Volumes this age imprints and reades, which are foolish, if not wicked: let them remember also, tha [...] our whole life is l [...]ttle enough to be employed in the meditation of what is here recorded. Let them be perswaded likewise, that I have not written t [...]is for those who have no need thereof, or to shew my owne wit or compendiousn [...]sse, but to wa [...]ne and instruct the ignorant; to whom I should mor [...] oft [...]n speake in vaine, i [...] I did not otherwhile by r [...]pe [...]itions and circum [...]ocutions, stir [...]e up their affections, and beat into their unders [...]andings, the knowled [...]e and feeling of those things which I deliver. Yea, let them know, that I know those expressions will bee both pleasing and profitable to some, which▪ they imagine to be needlesse, and supe [...]abundant; and that I h [...]d rather twenty nice Criticks should censure mee for a word here and there superfluou [...] ▪ then that one of those other should want that which might explaine my meanings to their capacities, and so make frustrate all my labour to those who have most need of it, and for whom it was chiefly intended.
If you find any thing which may seeme spoken ou [...] of due Time; blame not mee altogether; for, it is above two yeares since I laboured to ge [...] this Booke printed; and it hath cost me more mony, more pains, [Page] and much more time to publish it, then to compose it: For, I was faine to imprint every sheet thereof with my owne hand, because I could not get allowance to doe it publikely: so unwilling are we of Remembrancers in this kind.
If you find ought else that may be doubted of, or for which I may seeme reprovable, or needing advice; let me christianly and charitably receive intell [...]gence thereof: And if I make not a reasonable defence, I will humbly acknowledge and give the best satisfaction for my errors, that I am able. So, I commit you to the blessing of God, and [...]o the per [...]all of this REMEMBRANCER, if you please.
Geo: Wither.
BRITTAN'S REMEMBRANCER.
Canto the first.
Our Author first with GOD beginnes;
Describ [...]s his anger for our si [...]nes;
Of all his Iudgements mus [...]er makes;
Declar [...]s how Mercy under [...]akes
The pleading of this Kingdome's Ca [...]se,
To bring G [...]d's wrath unto apawse;
And (for the common [...]eader) sutes
High things, with lowly Attrioutes.
Then, steps into a praisefull straine
Of CHARLES his new-beginning Reigne;
Empl [...]res that well-suc [...]e [...]d be [...],
And, for his weale [...] [...]ercy pr [...]y.
He Iusti [...]e al [...]o, in [...]roduces,
Complaining on our grosse abuses,
Who proveth so, our si [...]full Nation
To merit utter Desolation,
That all Gods Plagues had [...]s encl [...]sed,
If Mercy had not [...]nterposed.
But, after pleading of the case;
With Iustice, Mercy do [...]h embrace,
Who (that our sinnes may pun [...]sht be)
To send the Pestilence agree;
Their oth [...]r: Plagues a while suspending,
To prove how that will worke amending.
ONe Storm is past, & though some cl [...]uds appear,
A peacefull ayre becalmes our Hemispheare.
That frighting Angell whose devouring blade,
Among the People such ahavock made,
[Page]Is now departed, and hath tooke from hence
His pois'ned Arrowes of the Pestilence.
God smoothes his b [...]ow; and lo, we no [...] obtaine
The cheerfull brightnesse of hi [...] [...]ace againe.
Oh, boundlesse Mercy! what a change is this▪
And what a joy unto my heart [...] is!
Run quickly Mus [...] ▪ to cary thy Oblation;
And, (twixt that Angell, and the Congregation)
Some swee [...] perfume to our Preserver bu [...]ne,
Before that bloody Messenger returne.
[...] Let all affaires keepe of [...], and give thee way;
For, though my faire [...]t outward Fortunes lay
This houre at spoyle, I would not be advis'd▪
To speake for them, till I had sacrifis'd;
Nor will I, to the world, one line allow,
Till I have made p [...]formance of my Vo [...].
Most awfull Pow'r, by whom hath formed [...]in
The Globe of Heav'n and Ear [...]h, and all [...]herein;
Thou Alpha, and Omega of my Songs,
To whom all glory, and all fame belongs;
To thee, thrice holy and Almighty King,
Of Iu [...]g [...]ment, [...]nd of Mercy, now I sing.
Thou hast unclos'd my lips, and I will raise
My thankfull v [...]ice in setting out thy pr [...]ise:
Thou hast pr [...]serv'd thy Children in the flame,
And we ascribe the glory to thy Name:
Thou saved hast thy people from [...]heir crimes;
And, here, I publish unto [...]uture Times,
What I have s [...]ene. Oh! le [...] my Poeme be
A sanctified Sacrifice to t [...]ee.
Acce [...]t this poore Oblation I prefer▪
These drams of Incens [...], and these drops of M [...]r [...]h,
(Which fired in Afflictions Flame, perfume
Thy sacred Altars) gratiously assu [...]e▪
[Page 16]And give my Lines a date to last as long
As there are speakers of our En [...]lish tongue▪
That Children, yet unborne, may reade the Story
Which now I sing, to thy pe [...]petuall glory.
And, harke ye People: harken you, I pray,
That were preserv'd with me to see this day;
And listen you that shall be brought upon
This Stage of action, when our Scaene is done:
Come harken all; and let no soule refraine
To heare; nor let it heare my words in vaine.
For, from the [...]laughter-house of Deat [...], and [...]ro [...]
The habitations of the Dead I come.
I am escaped from the greedy Iawes
Of Hell, and from the furious Lions pawes;
With sorrowes I have lodged; and I have
Experience in the horrors of the Grave;
In those discomfor [...]s which, by day, assaile;
And those black terrors which, by night, prevaile:
Despaire, with her grim Furies, I have seene;
Spectator of Gods Iustice I have beene;
And, passing through Gods Iudgements, had a sight
Of those his Mercies which are infinite:
And here, I tell the world what I observed▪
For, to this purpose is my soule preserved.
That fatall Yeare, in which the forward [...]pring
Be [...]ame an Autumne to our peacefull King;
When Iames his Crowne and Scepter did forgoe,
That Charles (of whom this Kingdome hopeth so)
Might shew, when he did weare hir Diadem,
How worthily we plac'd our hopes on him▪
Yea, when within the compasse of one hou [...]e,
Two King both had, and had not, [...]gall pow'r▪
Ev'n then, by Thames faire Banks▪ I did reside,
Where her swe [...]t waters washeth ev'ry Tide
[Page]The spacious verge of that well peopled Towne,
Which with most princely Pallaces doth crowne
Her goodly streame, and at her Ports and Keyes,
Take in the wealth of Kingdomes and of Seas.
Our soueraigne Citie, then I did espie
Vpon the couch of soft security;
And, how with Peace and Plenty being fed,
She toyed like a wanton, on her bed.
I saw her drest in all that rich attire,
Which doth inflame her Lovers with desire;
And how her idle Children, ev'ry day,
Sate downe to eate, and drinke, and rose to play.
For, she was growne insensible of cares;
She had almost forgot [...]en, sighes, and teares;
And all this Iland in her cup of Pleasure,
With her had quaf [...]ed (so much out of measure)
Till they gr [...]w drunke together through excesse,
And wilde and giddy in their drunkennesse▪
They h [...]d almost forgotten him, from whom
Their ease and their prosperity d [...]d come.
They spent their houres in laughter and in song,
And grew regardlesse of the poore mans wro [...]g.
They alwayes clothed went in soft aray;
They fed themselues with dainties, day by day;
And, that no outward meane [...] of pleasure might
Be wanting to accomplish their delight,
Those iollities, wherein they did appeare,
Were further'd by the season of the yeare.
The windes then breathed on them wholsome aire
T [...]e G [...]oves, th [...]ir su [...]er clothings did repaire;
The frui [...]full F [...]eld [...] wit [...] f [...]esh gr [...]ene gownes were clad,
Which Flor [...] curiou [...]ly embroydered had:
The pleasant G [...]rdens their choyce plaints displaid,
[...] Orch [...]rd with gay blossomes wore arraid;
[Page 17]The winged Choristers did sweetly sing,
And with choice Musicke welcome in the Spring:
Their streets with m [...]chlesse bravery did shine;
Their Parlers many beauties did enshrine▪
Their costly Bowres with rarities were hung,
And alwayes filled with a merry throng▪
Of nought but sports & triumphs were their dreams
Wealth, health & honor, were their studied theam [...]s
No noisome Plagues, within their Gates were found,
Of Grones, their dwellings did but rarely sound▪
Nor was there [...]y storme or danger feared:
For, in this Hemisphere so bright appeared
New CHARLES his waine, that sunlike he did chase
All fogs of discontentment from each place,
And, all those clouds of griefe, expelled farre,
VVhich rose at settin [...] of our IACOB Starre.
But, oh how [...]stlesse are those lying showes
Of happinesse, on which most men repose
Their greatest confidence? And from our fight
How swiftl [...] did these pleasures take their flight▪
For, whether he, who from his heav'nly sphere
Beholde [...]h all our though [...]s and actions here,
Did with a searching ey [...], examine more
Our cours [...] at that present then before:
Or, whether hee our carelesnesse had cyde,
Or our hypocrisie, or else our pride,
O [...] our impiety; or wh [...]th [...]r he
Did in this Iland, or this Kingdome see
Our old Idolatr [...]es come creeping in;
Or, whether he some new devised sinne
Descride to sprout among us here; yea, whether
It were some one of these, or all together,
Or what it was, I know not: But it prov'd.
A crying s [...]ne; and so extreamly moov'd▪
[Page]God's gentleness [...] that angry he became;
His browes were bended, and his eyes did flame.
Me thought [...] saw it so: and (though I were
Afraid within his presence to appeare)
My Soule was rais'd above her common station;
Where what en [...]ues I view'd be Contemplation.
There is [...] spacious Round which bravely reares
Her Arch above the top of all the Spheares,
Vntill her bright Circumference doth rise
Above the r [...]ach of Mans, or Angels eyes;
Conveying through the Bodies christalline
Those Rayes which on our lower Globe doe shine,
And, all the great and lesser Orbes, doe lye
Within the compasse of that Canopy.
In this large Roome of State is fixt a Throne,
From whence the wise Creator looks upon
His workmanship; and thence doth heare and see,
All sounds, all pl [...]es, and all thi [...]gs that be.
Here sate the King of Gods; and from about
His eye-lids, so much terror sparkled out,
That ev'ry circle of the Heav'ns it shooke,
And all the World did [...]remble at his looke;
The prospect of the Skie, [...]hat earst was cleare,
Did with a low [...]ing countenance appeare:
The troubled Ayre, before his presence [...]led;
T [...]e Earth into her bosome [...]hrunk her head;
The Dee [...]s did ro [...]re; the Heights did stand amaz'd;
The Moone an [...] Stars upon each other gaz'd;
T [...]e Sun did stand unmoved in his path;
The Hoast of Heav'n w [...]s frig [...]t [...]d at his wrath;
And with a voice which made all Creatures quake,
To this effect, the great ETERNALL spake.
Are we a GOD? and is there pow'r in us
Ta s [...]artle all our whole Creati [...]n thus?
[Page 18]And yet, are we despis'd, as if these Pow'rs
Were either lesser growne, or none of ours?
Are we, that with our [...]entles [...] breath can blow
All things to nothing, still abused so?
Hath our long suffring hardned so our Foes,
That now our Godhead into question growe [...]?
N [...]y (which is worse) have we compassion showne,
Till we are quite neglected of our owne?
Is this the Land whom we have lov'd so long,
And, in our love, elected from among
The Heathen Iles (and at the first was burl'd
Into the utmo [...]t corner of the world)
That we might raise the glory of her name,
To equall King domes of the greatest fame?
Is this that Iland, which our love did place
(Within our bosome) in the safe embrace
Of great Oceanus? and, garden like
Did whar [...]e about (within her watry Dike)
With mighty Rocks, and Cliffes, whose tops were higher,
Then any foming Billow da [...]es aspire?
Is this the Kingdome, which our band h [...]th made
The Schoole and Shop, of ev'ry Art, and Trad [...]?
The Cornucopia of all needfull plenties?
The Storehouse, and the Closset of our dainties?
Our Iewell house, and Palace royall, where
The fairest of our Loves maintained are?
Is this the Cou [...]t [...]y which our bounty served
With store of bread, when many Lands were starved?
And whom we have pres [...]rved from the spoiles
Of Foes abroad, and from domesticke b [...]oyles?
Are theirs the Cities, which doe weare the Flag
Of Peace, while Rochel, Heidleb [...]rg, and Prague,
And [...]ll the Christian world engaged are,
In some offensive, or defensive warre?
[Page]Are their's the Cities, to whose fleets were showne,
The pathlesse wayes through many seas unknowne?
Whose wealthy Merchants have encreast their trade
From ev'ry Port and Creek, that we have made?
Whose vessel [...] have, by our protection, gone
Past both the Tropicks, and through every Zone,
And made their petty Villages, become
Acquainted with more worlds, then ancient Rome?
Is this that people unto whom we gave,
More lovely Bodies, then most Nations have?
And in whose minds (of our especiall grace)
We did the best [...]pproved temper place?
Is this that People, whom we did restore
To humane shape, when as the sca [...]let-whore
Had with her charmed Cup of poisned wine,
Tran [...]form'd them into Asses, A [...]es and swine?
Did we in pers [...]cution heare their cries?
T [...]ke off, the s [...]les of blindnesse from t [...]eir eyes▪
Win [...]ke at their follies, when they most offended?
Forbeare the punishments [...]hat were intende [...]?
From diverse Plagues inflicted them release?
Make Europe stand and wonder at their peace?
Yea▪ save them f [...]om the malice of their Foe,
When all were like to perish at a blow?
And, grace and fav [...]ur undeserved shew,
Wh [...]n they their owne dest [...]ction did purs [...]e?
H [...]ve we, these threesc [...]re yeares and upwards b [...]est
Th [...]ir Kingdomes [...]rom those troubles that i [...]fest
Most other States? And (when their soules had been
Nigh famisht else) did we provide a Queene,
(A maiden Queene; with vertues masculine)
To nurse them up in holy Discipline?
Did we provide, when she her cou [...]se had [...]un,
A King who favor'd, what her hand begun?
[Page 19]And now another, who doth both re [...]tore
Those hopes they lost in him, and promise more?
Did we but here, of late, when they had lost
Their Prince (that now is King) when they almos [...]
Despair'd of his returne, for evermore,
When he remained on th' Iberian shore?
Did we a [...]cept their vowes? observe their teares?
Com [...]assionate their jealousies and feares?
And send their Darling home, when few did know
Whereon to build a hope it should be so?
Yea, when throughout the world no other pow'r,
Could such a work have compassed but our?
H [...]ve we endur'd their frowardnesse so long?
Forgiven and forgotten so much wrong?
Sought after them, when they [...]ad us forsaken?
So of [...], their counte [...]feit Repentance taken?
So many times appa [...]an [...] made unto them,
Wha [...] mischiefes their owne [...]oolish projects doe them?
Yea, did we freely▪ sundry blessings daigne
Vnaskt, which other Lands could not obtaine
By labors, vowes, and prayers? And have they thus,
For all those benefits requited us?
Is that their vowed thankfulnesse? Are these
The fruits of all their zealous promises?
Is this their Piety? Goe, draw together
Thy Forces, Vengeance: quickly march them th [...]her,
With all our Armies; and consume them so,
That we ma [...] never more displeased grow
At their unkindnesse; or be cheated by
The fained weepings of Hypocrisie.
No sooner had he spoken, but, behold,
An Hoast (which he doth alway keepe enrold,
To execute his wrath) did straight appeare▪
And in his awfull pres [...]nce mustred were.
That, all the wo [...]ld with Plagues, was ove [...]hung:
For not a Iudgement is there, which hath name,
But, thither to attend his Will it came.
Sterne visag'd WAR (whose very look doth strike)
Came driving on his Charret, Iehu like;
Arm'd and beset with holberts, bills, and glaves,
Bowes, a [...]rowes, pikes pole axes, darting staves,
Guns, balls of fire, and ev'ry thing that furthers
The worke of Desolation, Wounds, and Murthers.
His prime c [...]mpanions, The [...]t and Rapine were,
With all those Vices wh [...]ch most c [...]uell are.
And at their heeles pursu [...]d all those Bands
Of raging mischiefes, that afflict the La [...]ds
On which he falls. This is that roring Fiend
Who Lawes, and Leagues, doth into pieces rend.
This is that bloody Tyrant, who o're-turnes
The goodl'est Monument [...], and spoiles and b [...]rnes
The fairest Dwellings. This, is he that raze [...]
Renowned Cities, and the strongest places.
This is that sacrilegious Theefe, who spares
Nor Hospitall nor Temple ▪ neither heares
The [...]uits or cries of [...]ged or of young;
Nor is regardfull of men we [...]ke or [...]trong.
The Suckling from his Mo [...]hers brest be snatcheth
And braines it in her sight: The Wife he c [...]tcheth
Ev'n from her Husbands bed▪ and Virgins [...]rom
Their Lovers armes, his Strumpets to become.
A sertile Soile he makes a Wildernesse,
And Wolves, and Beares, and Foxes, to possesse
Those places, wherein Arts did once abound;
And where have dwelled Nations most [...]enown'd▪
However, he's an instrument of God's;
And usually, the l [...]st of all those rod [...]
Befo [...]e he finally remove away
The mean [...]s of Grace. Next him, came sneaking in
Leane Famine, with [...]are bones, and pa [...]ched skinne;
With deep sunke eyes, with talons over-growne;
With hungry teeth that would have crackt a s [...]one;
And, close behind her, and at ei [...]her hand,
Such Troups did wait, as are at her command.
The crawling Caterpill [...]rs, wa [...]full Flye [...],
The skipping Locust (that in winter dies)
Floods, Frosts, & Mi [...]ewes, Blastings, Windes, & Storme [...],
Drough, rav'nous Fowles, & Vermine, Weeds, & Worme [...] ▪
Sloth, Evill busdandry, and such as those,
Which make a Scarcenesse where most plenty grows.
This is that hungry Houswife, who first found
The searching out for meat f [...]om under ground;
To dig up Roots; to rellish, well, the taft
Of stin [...]ing Garlick, and of bitter Mast.
She taught poore people [...]ow to fill their mawes,
With Bramble-berries, Hedge-picks, Hips, & Hawes▪
Twas she who finding on the sandy shore
A [...]eape of Oisters (all bedaubed o're)
First sought within those dirty shels for meat,
Else we had never dar'd of them to eate;
Nor thought, nor hoped, that so foule a dish
Could bring to table such a dainty fish.
Twa [...] she that learn'd the Spaniards how to dre [...]e
Their Frogs; the Frenchman how to cooke a me [...]se
Of [...]pu [...]y Mushromes; Germans how to make
A dinner or a [...]upper on a Snake;
Italians on the slimy Snaile to feed;
Our Irishme [...] to live upon a weed
That growes in Marshes. And I dare to say,
That, but for her, we scarce had heard this day
[Page]Of Caveär, and twenty such like bables,
VVhich Gluttony now sets upon our Tables.
The broyling of old shooes, was her device;
And so w [...]s eating Carrion, Rats, and Mice.
Those dainty pallats which could relish no [...]ght
But what was fet farre off, and dearly bought,
She so hath d [...]ed, that they could feed
On mouldy scraps; and beg them too for need.
This Hag, hath Townes and Cities famished.
VVith humane flesh, she hungry men hath [...]ed:
She fo [...]c't them hath to suck their horses blood:
To feed on Pigeons dung (in stead of food)
And dearly purchase it. Yea, some constrained
To drinke their Vrine, when they drought sustained.
Nay, this is that un [...]quall'd cruell-one,
VVho urg'd a Mother, once, to kill her Sonne,
And make unnaturally that cursed wombe
VVhich gave him being, to be made his tombe.
Ev'n this is She, God shield us from her cheere,
And g [...]ant her Plagueship never settle here.
The Pestilence, moreover, thither brought
Her feared forces, and employment sought.
This is that Nimble Fury, wh [...] did stay
Her three and twenty thousand in one day;
And in th' Assirïan Camp, to death did smite,
Almost two hundred thousand in one night.
Betwixt an evening and a morning-tide,
From ev'ry house a soule she did divide
Throughout the Land of Aegypt; and could mark
Their eldest-borne, although the nigh [...] were dar [...].
In little space, she quite hath overthrown [...]
Great Cities, and dispeopled many a Towne.
She from each other makes acqua [...]ntance run,
Before that any injuries be don [...];
For, she know [...]s how to poison by conceit.
A Mantle wrought with purple spots she wore,
Embost wi [...]h many a Blaine, and many a Sore.
She had a raving Voice, a frantick Lock,
A noys [...]me Breath, and in her hand she shooke
A venom'd speare, which, where it toucheth, fills
The veines with poison, and distracts, and kills.
Within her Regiment are all Diseases,
And ev'ry Torment which the Body seizes;
Go [...]ts, Collicks, Lethargies, and Apo [...]lexies,
Obstruction, which the spleene, or stomack v [...]xe [...];
The [...]ox of ev'ry kinde, [...]heumes, aches, Stiches,
Quick-killing Pleurisies, and Scabs, and Itches;
The Burning-Fever, who deserveth well
The place of her Lieutenant-Colonell;
Consumptions, Gangreeves, Coughes, and Squina [...]cie [...],
The Falling-evill, Cramps, and Lunacies,
(VVith other such Diseases, many moe
Then I am able by their names to know)
Besides those maladies the Sea procures,
As, sloath-bred Scurvies, and mad Calentures;
And all those other Griefes, and Sorrowes, which
Those Sicknesses doe bring on poore and rich.
But, of that Hoast which here is mentioned,
The maine Battalion was both rang'd and led
By that slye Prince, (ev'n that malicious one)
VVhich in the ayrie Region hath his throne.
To fu [...]ther his designes, he brought in Lyes,
Extortion, Bribing, Fraud, and Perjuries;
VVith many thousand stratagems beside,
VVhose dangerous effects are often tride.
All ravenous Beasts, (or rather those of whom
Such Beasts are Emblemes) in his troups did come:
[Page]To worke his mis [...]hiefes (with amaze and wonder)
He furnisht was [...]ith Lightnings, Winds, & Thunder;
Prodigious apparitions, and those sights
Wherewith mens troubled fancies he affrights;
And, thither did (for soule-assaults) [...]epaire
His two black Twins, Pr [...]sumpt [...]on and Despaire.
Attended by those manifold Temptations,
Wherewith he maketh sure the reprobations
Of all obdurate finners; whom in wrath
Our God, deservedly rej [...]cted hath.
These greedy Spoilers, hungry for a prey,
Stood ready, Gods commandings to obey:
Who having view'd their well prepared Bands,
(And pointing out his finger to these Lands)
Said; Goe ye Plagues. And (had he not beene staid)
Lay waste, that sinfull Realme, he would have said.
And yet, it seems, these dreadfull shews were ra [...]her
The threatnings of a wise and loving Father,
(To bring his Children to a filiall feare)
Then such a wrath as doth in Fo [...]s appeare.
For, ne [...]ther Chance, nor Time, no [...] New-desert,
Was interposed on the guilty part:
But, God's owne good [...]ess [...] brought the means about
That stopt our Doome, before his words were out.
And thus it was. The great Almighty One
Hath evermore attending on his th [...]one
Two royall Daughters. One of t [...]em is she
That's called Iustice; and her Emblemes be
An equall Ballance, and a flaming Blade,
To weigh the Good their due, and fright the [...]ad:
And, both with hand and eye she threatens those,
That her uprightnesse, any way oppose.
The other for her Hierogliphick weares
A Box of Balme, and in her bosome beare [...]
Doth somewhat intimate her gen [...]le nat [...]re)
Betwixt her beauteous brests, a true Co [...]passion
Erecteth her perpetuall habitation;
And, su [...]h a lovely sweet aspect hath she,
Thats if Wrath saw her, Wrath in love would be.
We call her Clemency. She o [...]ten makes
Our peace with God, and his displeasure slakes.
This Princesse, ma [...]king well with what inte [...]t
Her Lord would those great Armies forth have sent;
And finding, by that wrath she saw in him,
What Desol [...]tions would have followed them;
With teares of pitie, to his throne she ran,
To kisse and to embrace hi [...] feet began;
And (whilst his halfe-spoke sen [...]ence God delaid)
These words, the faire-well spoken Virgin said.
Deare, [...]h deare Fa [...]her! wherefore frownst thou s [...]?
What fearfull thing art thou about to doe?
Hold (I beseech thee hold) thou backe the doome,
Which from thy lips is now about to come;
And bear (Dread Sov'raign) heare thy Handmaid speak
A word or two, before thy Iustice wreake
Deserv [...]d vengeance on that wretched place
Which hath so fallen from thy wonted Grace.
Loo [...] Father ▪ looke upon me: it is I,
Thy best-beloved Daughter CLEMENCIE▪
Tis I whom thou forget [...]est. I am she
Who in thy bosome lay, belov'd of thee
Before all worlds; and had a sov'raignty
O're all thy creatures from eternity.
Tis I, at whose intreaty thou wert moved
To send thine onely Sonne, thy best-beloved
(For Mans redemption) to assume the nature,
The forme, and frailties, of a finfull creature.
[Page]Tis I that have presu [...]ed to become
A suitor now, to stay thy heavy d [...]ome:
And, why should I be doubtfull to make triall
Of thy regard, or fearfull of deniall?
In Iudgement, thou hast promised, oh Lord!
To thi [...]ke on Me (ev'n in thy w [...]itten word)
Yea, Heav'n and E [...]rth have often heard thee say,
Thou nev [...]r woul [...]t, for ever, cast away
Thy Loving-Mercy; and, I k [...]ow, thou mus [...]
And wilt, be found in all thy sayings, just.
But, then, to what intents, doe These appeare?
Why are thy dreadfull Armies mustred he [...]e?
VVhat fav [...]ur is it possible to show,
VVhere such a Rablement as this, shall goe?
VVhy may not Pit [...]e shew her selfe as well
VVithin the bottome of the low [...]st Hell
As where these revell? Doubtlesse, these rude Bands
VVill spare nor Lawes nor Temples in those Lands
To which thou send them shalt; but, from each plac [...]
Root out (with ev' [...]y present meanes of Grace)
All outward helps of present knowing thee,
If equall to their hate, their pow'r may be.
And, what if then their breathlesse fury shall
Leave some few trifles which are temporall?
For what will they reserve them, but to breed
A race of Infidels? a wicked seed,
For them to prey upon? a Brood, to whom
The Blessings left Damnation shall become.
Thou hast upon that Iland (I confesse)
Bestowed Favours, great and numberlesse.
I know that they may justly blush for shame,
To heare how grossely they abuse thy Name;
Yea, th [...]y now are, and have a long time bin,
Growne out of measure sinfull in their sin.
[Page 23]Yet, if thou look upon them, thou shalt see
Some there, who bend not unto [...]aal their knee;
Some left, who for thine honour sirme ha [...]e [...]ood;
Some, who have garments washed in the blood
Of thy unspotted Lamb: and some, which beare
Those marks, that Seales of thy free pardon are.
Oh! let not them enclos'd w [...]th Sinners be,
Nor swallowed up with such who know not thee.
But, for the sakes o [...] those forb [...]are thou, rath [...]r,
The Tares, untill thy Harvest thou shalt gather:
So, by those Follies which in them abound,
Thy Goodnesse shall the farther be renown'd.
If, therefore, thou this Kingdome shouldst not spare,
Because, repleat with sin her dwellings are,
What Nation is there, or what Habitation,
That merits not perpetuall reprobation?
Where wilt t [...]ou finde a People, under Heav'n,
Which hath not ev'ry way occasion giv'n
Of thy displeasure? Or, what Man is there
That in thy sight could justifi [...]d appeare,
If thou shouldst mark him with a frowning eye?
And, what a pretty Nothing, then were I,
If no man lived, that amisse had done,
For me, to exercise my pity on?
Nay, if Transg [...]ession had but finite been,
How should thy Mercies infinite. be seene?
Though on this Field (which thou hast plow'd & sown
With purest Wheat) some wicked-ones have throwne
Their Tares, by night; yet, somewhat it hath borne
For which it may be [...]ald thy Field of Corne.
Thy Fence is yet about it; and there stands
A Fort, and Wine-presse, builded by thy hands.
There are thy Sacraments, thy Word divine,
There, is the Schoole of Christian Discipline.
For those who will hereaf [...]er prise them more.
Thy poo [...]e [...]fflicted Servants ▪ thither may
From forraine persecutions flye away;
[...]d sheltred in a Storme, there s [...]f [...]ly tary,
As in a Fortresse, or a [...]anctuary.
But, whither shall they flye when that lyes wast?
Where shall thy sacred Oracles be plac'd?
Or whither with her Sonne that Woman goe,
Who by the Dragon is pursued so?
I know that if thou please thou canst provid [...]
A place for her, securely to abide,
Amid the Westerne wilderness [...] (and where
Scarce glimmerings of thy favo [...]rs yet appeare)
By moulding out the Heathen Salvages
To be a people far surpassing these.
This, Lord, thou couldst effect▪ and make of them
Thy people, whom these most of all contemne.
And, since this Nation, in their weal [...]y peace,
Have sent out Colonies, but to en [...]rease
Their private gaine: since they faire show [...]s have made
Of publishing thy Gospell ▪ when the Trade
For cursed lucre (as the Times reveale)
Was chiefest founder of their fained zeale:
Since they in that, and other things, pretend
Religion, when tis farthest from their end:
Thou didst but right, if thou shouldst force their se [...]d
To set [...]le on some barbarous Coast for reed;
And, there, thy Truth, to those, with sorrow preach,
Whom they neglected, in their weale, to teach.
But, since it were no more for thee to doe,
This Land to save, and call ano [...]her too,
Then one such worke so compasse; why I pray
Shouldst thou remove their Candlestick away?
[Page 24]Why maist not Thou, who all compassion art,
Thy people, rather, by thy pow'r convert,
Then quite destroy them? wherefore shouldst thou no [...]
Their errors forth [...]f thy remembrance blot,
As heretofore? And alwayes praised be
For that abundant Love, which is in thee?
Why should their Foes and thine, with jeering say,
Now, [...]ow we see our long-expected Day▪
Why w [...]lt thou give them cause to domineere?
Ev'n those, who love not thee, to laugh, and fleere
A [...] their destruction, who, thy Truth profest,
(If not u [...]fainedly) in shew, at least.
Though t [...]ey have ill-deserv'd, why should the shame
Of their off [...]nces fall upon thy Name?
And, thy Blasphemers (by thy Peoples fall)
Assume the [...]oldnesse on themselves, to call
Thy Gospel into question? Or, thereby,
T [...]ei [...] shamelesse falshoods seeke to justifie?
Why should the wicked, take occasion from
Th [...]se [...]lagues, to say▪ Where is their God become?
Where is their pow'r, on which they did r [...]pose?
Where is their [...]aith? where are the hopes of those
Their s [...]rvices? Oh! for thine owne deare sake,
(However they des [...]rve) compassion take.
Deare SIR, have pittie: and, as often, thou
Hast granted my request, vouchsafe it now.
Yea, to those many thousands, heretofore,
From thy abundance, adde one favour more▪
By these, and other Motives (breathed from
A zealous brest) the heav'ns are overcome.
His love of us, doth so our Sampson wound,
That, he hath taught us, how he may be bound.
Yea, Holy-writ informeth us, that He,
By such like Charmings, will compelled be.
[Page]And, now they so prevailed, that the rage
Of our great God, they partly did aswage.
Which, MER [...]Y by his looke, had quickly heeded;
And taking that a [...]vantage, thus proceeded,
Oh! what a co [...]fort is it, to behold▪
Thine Eye speak Mercy, and thy Brow unfold
A reconcilement! Now, I seeme to see
Thy gracious face, to shine againe on me.
I finde it is the jealousie of Love,
(And no effect of hatred) which doth mov [...]
Thy wronged Patience: and, that when thou hides [...]
Thy presence in an angry Cloud, or chidest,
It [...] not alwayes in consuming wrath,
( [...]o punish, as the faul [...] deserved hath)
But, that thy frighting Iudgements might prevaile,
To worke a [...]endment, when thy Love doth faile.
That People whom so much thou didst aff [...]ct,
How canst tho [...] have a purpose to reject,
So long as in their Co [...]fines doth remaine
That Number, which thy Vengeance doth restraine?
Who can beleeve [...]hat thou defra [...]a'st such cost,
To purchase what, thou meanest shall be lost?
Or, labour to erect them, didst bestow,
For nothing else, but them away [...]o throw?
VVhy should I thinke, thy endlesse▪ goodnesse, had
So little care, to save what thou hast made,
That Sathans Hate, shou [...]d for their Desolation,
Out-worke thy Love, in working their Salvation?
Or, that the boundlesnesse of M [...]ns transgression,
Could over-match thine Infini [...]e Compassion?
It m [...]y not be beleeved; Or, that this
Pre [...]ended warre, for finall ruine is.
Since, if in summoning thy Iudgement [...], now,
Thou hadst propos'd their u [...]ter overthrow,
[Page 25]Thou wouldst not have discovered an assection,
[...]y still co [...]tinu [...]ng them, in thy prote [...]tion,
As yet thou dost: Nor [...]a [...]ly s [...]nd unto them
Love-tokens, (as if kindnesse, thou wouldst doe them
VVhich they should never know of) nor, make show
Os having [...]eft them, when tis nothing so
Thus hav [...] I seene, on ea [...]th, a Lover use
His Best-beloved, when she did abuse
His true affection. Though he seeme unkind [...],
That her unkindnesse she may thereby find [...];
Yea, though he faine some outward disrespec [...],
Yet, in his hea [...]t, so truly he affects,
That, whats [...]ever good, he can, he does her:
By meanes unscene, to her lost vertues, wo [...]es her:
For h [...]r well-doing, takes a thousand cares:
Of her ill-doing, hath ten thousand seares:
Wakes not, but thoughts of her, in waking, keepes;
Sleeps not, but dreameth of her, when he sleep [...]s.
Not ceasing to end [...]avour, [...] he see
Some sparkes of lost affection kindled be.
And, as her over sights she doth deplore,
So, he his love discovers, more and more;
Vntill the fire, that was a long tim [...] bid,
Breake forth, and flame as high as e're it did.
I never knew thee, yet, to rui [...]ate
A wicked Kingdom [...], or a sinfull State,
Professing thee; but, thou didst first withdr [...]w
From those Offenders, thy abused Law.
And, as in Christian Realmes, the temp'rall Sword
Cuts off no Preacher of thy blessed Word,
(For any Crime committed) untill he
Of Holy-orders, first degraded be:
So, thou (most frequently) dost first remove
The Scales of Grace, and Pledges of thy Love,
W [...]o them, and theirs, shall finally devoure:
For, till thy holy things, be fetched from
Th [...]ir Coast, such Desolation shall not come.
Those, they retaine. And, if conclude I shall
From hope of any blessing temporall,
That yet thou lovest them (and dost intend
Their Land, with future favours, to befriend)
That King which thou hast now on them bestowne,
Some token of thy Clemency hath showne.
For, if man may by good externall signes,
Conjecture whereunto his heart enclines:
If Thou, to whom all secrets open be,
See'st that in him, which mortalls hope they see;
And hast not mockt that People, sor their sinne,
With shewes of things that have not reall bin:
(As Lord forbid) No Kingdome hath a Prince,
Whose infant yeares, gave [...]etter [...]vidence,
[...]hat with an earthly Crowne he should inherit,
A plentious portion of thy sacred Spirit.
None liveth now, on whom the gen'rall eye
Did so much gaze, and so few scapes espy.
F [...]w private men were in their youth so fr [...]e
From all those vanities, which frequent be
In these rude times (he having meanes to doe
His pleasure, and, perhaps, s [...]rong temptings too)
Who seemed of those knowledges, more faine
That might informe him, to obey, and raigne?
How well those crossings was he thought to beare,
Which in the times of his subjection were?
And, with how brave a temper to neglect,
To be aveng'd of wrongs and disrespect?
[...]hat Sonne, did in his Fathers life time, show
[...] [...]iliall feare and love, united so?
App [...]are more zealously devout then [...]e?
Thou knowest which: But, if they doe not erre
Who, things by probability, inferre,
It might be said, The world had not his peere
In all those vertues, that are mention'd here.
And should conf [...]ssed be, ev'n of his soe,
They had not flattred who affi [...]med so:
Since, what was of his worth, at home conceiv [...]d,
All Europe for a verity received.
And lo [...]; now by thy Grace he sitteth on
The seat of Rule, and in his Fathers Th [...]one;
VVho giveth signes of truer love to thee?
Or of more conscience, of his Charge, the [...] He?
VVhat Monarke, in appearance, better preache [...]h
By good Examples, what thy Precepts teacheth?
Or which of all his reverend Prelacy,
In shewes of true religious constancie,
Outgoes or equals him? Oh! if so cleare
His vertues prove▪ as yet they doe appeare,
How glorious will they grow? And, what a light
VVill he become, when he ascends the height
Of his great Orbe? And, oh! what pitty 'twere
His minde should ever fall below that spheare
Of Grace which he hath climb'd! or, that thy Love
Should wanting be, to keepe him still above!
How grievous would it be, that his beginning
(So hopefull, and such l [...]ve and honour winning)
Should faile that expectation, which it hath?
And, make thee shut thy favour up, in wrath?
Let not oh God! let not the sins of others
Nor any fog (which Vertues glorie smothers)
Ascending from his frailties, make obscure
His rising honor, which yet seemeth pure.
[Page]If might, in him, be w [...]nting of that worth
Which to the publike view is blaz [...]d sorth,
Forgive, and perfect him, that he may grow,
To be in deed, what he appeares in show.
Yea, Lord (as farre as humane frailty can
Permit the sa [...]e) make him, ev'n such a Man
As now that Kingdome needs; and spare that Nation
For him, which else deserveth Desolation.
[...] If he be what he seemeth; Thou (I know)
[...]ilt save his Land from utter overthrow.
Thou, in the life-time of a p [...]ous King,
Wert never yet, accustomed to bring
Destruction: For, thou shewedst him compassion,
Who did but once, well act humiliation;
[...]v'n wicked Ahab; and within his Times
Thou wouldst not pun [...]sh (no no [...]) his owne Crimes.
Oh! be as mercifull, as thou hast bin;
And let this King ▪ thy favours triumph in.
[...]et that exceeding Grace already shew'd him,
(Ev'n that wherewith thy Spirit hath indu'd him)
Be Pledges of some greater Gifts, with whic [...]
Thou shalt in future times, his heart enrich.
His br [...]st inflame thou, with a sacred fire;
Teach him to aske, and give him his desire:
Grant him thy Wìsdome, and thy Righteousnesse,
The wrongs of all his People to redresse.
Let him the Widow, and the Orphane save,
Releeving all, that need of succour have:
And, let his Mountaines, and each lesser Hill,
Hi [...] humbler Dales, with peace, and plenty fill.
As he was honor'd in his Preservation,
So, let him glory still in thy Salvation.
As he persisteth to relie on thee;
So, let him sure of thy protection be.
[Page 27]Be thou his onely joy. Be thou I pray
His Triumph on his Coronation- [...]ay.
Crowne thou his head with purified gold:
Make st [...]ong his Scepter, [...]nd his Throne uphold,
To be renowned by thy Grace divine,
As long as either Sunne, or Moone shall shine.
Since thou to rule thine Isr [...]el dost appoint him,
Let thy most holy Spirit, Lord, anoint him.
Make thou a league with him, as thou hast done
With David, and adopt him for thy Sonn [...].
To thee, Thou art my Father, let him say,
My God, my Rocke of safety, and my stay.
Throghout those Lāds, where thou to raign shalt place him
With Title, of thy First-begotten, grace him.
And, let his Kingdomes harbor none of them,
Who shall deny him to be their Supreme.
So guard, and so enclose him with thine Arme,
The Man of Sinne; may nev [...]r doe him harme.
To him, his Adversaries all subject,
And, prosper none that him shall disaffect.
Lead thou his Armies, when his Warre beginnes;
Make thou his Peace, when he the Battle winnes.
Let still thy Truth, and Love, with him abide;
Let in thy Name, his name be glorifi'd.
Doe thou the Seas into his pow'r d [...]liver;
Make thou his right hand reach beyond the River;
And, plant so strongly on the Banks of Rhyne,
Those fruitfull Branches of his Fathers Vine,
(VVhom late the salvage Bore (with tripled pow'r)
Hath rooted up, with purpose to devoure)
That they may spread their Clusters, far and nigh;
And fill, and top, the Germane Empery.
Yea, minde thou, Lord, the scorn [...]s and de [...]amations,
Which they have borne among their neighboring nations▪
[Page]And, please to comfort them, and make them glad,
According to the sorrowes they have had.
To them, so sanctifie their great affliction,
That it may bring their vertues to perfection;
And, fit them for some place, in which they shall
Helpe reare againe, decaying Sions wall.
Oh! keep for them, a favour still in store;
Preserve them in thy League, for evermore;
Blesse thou that Race, which is or shall be given:
As lasting make it, as the day [...]s of heav'n:
And, if thy Lawes or Iudgements, they forsake,
Or, if thy League, or Covenant, they breake,
With Rods, let them, in mercie, be corrected;
But, never fall, for aye, to be rejected.
The like for this new Monark, I emplore:
In him, encrease thy Graces, more, and more.
Make [...]im a Blessing, for all Christendome:
Make him, a Patterne, for all Times to come:
Make him, in ev'ry happy course persever;
And, let him live, for ever and for ever.
His Royall Robe, he hath but new put on;
And, I my prayers have but new begun.
Oh let me to thy Majestie prefer
These few Petitions, in particular:
And place them where, they may both day and night,
Stand, evermore, unfolded in thy sight.
First, teach him, to consider, how and why,
T [...]ou hast enthron'd him on a seat so high▪
And, so to think on his great charge; and trust,
As one who knowes he come to reckning m [...]st:
Fo [...], honors if by thee they be not blest,
Make wisest men as brutish as a beast.
Teach him to minde, how great the favour wa [...],
When thou, of thy meere motion, and thy Grace,
[Page 28]Didst from so many millions chuse out him,
To weare this Kingdomes fourefold Diadem:
And, make thy Servants, favour'd in his sight▪
As thou hast made of him, thy Favorite.
Teach him, the fittest meanes to take away
(And let none murmure at his just delay)
Those Groves, and those Hill-Altars in the Land,
Which suffred are unt [...]ll his dayes to stand:
And, give him wisedome, wisely to foresee,
That Wheat from Chaffe, may well distinguisht be.
For, some will, else, bring Truth into suspition,
Condemne good Discipline, for Superstition;
And with faire shewes, of Piety, beguile,
That underhand they may encroach, the while,
On Gods Inheritance; and from her teare
Those outward Ornam [...]nts his Bride doth weare.
Oh! let him purge from Church and Commonweale,
Those inflammations of corrupted zeale,
And indigested humors, which doe spread
Distempers through the Stomacke; paine the Head:
And, by prepost'rous courses, raise a storme
To rend that Body, which it would reforme.
Let him, his Reformations, first begin,
Like David, with himselfe: and search within
The closset of his heart, what he can finde,
Which may annoy him there, in any kinde:
And let him thence expell it, though it were,
As deare unto him as his eye-bals are.
His Houshold, let him next enquire into,
And, well informed be, what there they doe▪
That, so he may expect thy Comming-day
With heart upright, and in a perfect way.
Let him in no prophanenesse take del [...]ght,
Nor brook a wicked person in his sight.
Nor they that falshoods, to and fro, doe carry.
L [...]t him acquai [...]tance with all such refrain [...];
The lowly cherish; h [...]ughty mindes restrain [...];
Enquire for them that vertuou [...]ly excell,
And take in honest men with him to dwell.
No such Projector, who doth put in vse
Great Injuries, to mend a small abuse;
Nor such, who in reforming, doe no other
B [...]t rob one Knave, to helpe enrich another;
And prove themselves, when tryall doth befall,
To be, perhaps, the veriest K [...]aves of all.
Let him be curst with no base Officer,
Who doth before true Honor, Gold prefer;
And, [...]o enrich his Ches [...], a little more,
Would in his Reputation, make him poore:
Or with some needlesse Treasure, to supply him,
Lose him more Lo [...]e, then all his Lands can buy him.
Let no man of his daily bread partake,
VVho at thy holy Boord shall him forsake;
And, lay thou open their dissimul [...]tion,
Who shall approve of Na [...]mans Tol [...]ration.
K [...]epe from his Counsells, though their wit excels,
All Hypocrites, and all Achitophels.
Yea, let thy Wisdome, hi [...] discretion blesse,
From Rehoboams childish wilfulnesse,
VVho lef [...] his ancient Princes good directions,
[...]o follow his young Nobles raw projections.
Or, if [...]e like their Counsels, and receive them,
Harme let th [...]m bring to none but those wh [...] gave them:
And, if to him some dammage they procure,
Let present losse his future peace procure.
Make him perceive that humane Policy
[...] H [...]nd m [...]id to rel [...]ious H [...]ne [...]ty;
[Page 29]And that, the man who doth foundation [...] lay
On Iustice, (and proves co [...]stant in his w [...]y)
Shall mad the Politician; and [...]ake vaine
His underminings without fear [...], or paine.
For, as a Fowler seldome doth su [...]prise
That wary Bird, which can her s [...]lfe suffise,
With what thy [...]and provideth in the fi [...]lds,
Or, what the [...]orrest, for h [...]r die [...] yeelds:
So, sl [...]ights of Policy (although, perchance,
They seeme, a while, to worke some hinderance)
Can disadvantage no [...]e, but those, who leaving
The pathes of Vertue, and themselves deceiving
With some false hopes (which were before them laid)
Made them the meanes, whereby they were betrayd.
Make him as precious in his Peoples eyes
As their owne blood. Far higher let them prise
His honor then their fortunes; and let him,
Be ev'ry way as tender over them.
Yea, let the mutuall love, betwixt them bred,
Vnite them as the Body, and the Head.
[...]or, such a blessed Vnion doth procure
More saf [...]ty then foure Kingdomes can assure;
Commands mens hearts, their fortunes, and their lives,
Is chiefe of all his chiefe Pre [...]ogatives;
And shall more comfort, and more profit doe him,
Then all those frui [...]lesse claimes can bring unto him;
Whereto, perchance, they urge him will, who shall
Pretend his honor, when they seeke his fall.
Such men in Princes Courts were [...]ver found,
But, thou their l [...]wd Projections wilt confound;
And, when their vaine devise b [...]ing on them,
Confusion, w [...]o thi [...] r [...]all Truth contemne;
When such men's fool [...]sh counsels, shall have brought
Th [...]se mischiefs o [...] them which thei [...] hāds have wrou [...]
[Page](Yea, when opprest, with feares and discontent,
They shall, too late, perhaps, their course repent)
Then, they in heart shall forced be to say,
That, what they sleighted was the safest way.
Blesse him from those, who censure his Intents,
His Counsel [...], or his Actions by events:
An [...] saw [...]ily, his Iudges dare appeare
On ev'ry sla [...]d'rous Rumor they shall hea [...]e.
Preserve him from those Minions (who do raise
Their credits by another mans dispraise)
That Machivillian crew, who to endeare
Their base immerits, fill the royall eare
With tales, and false reports, concerning those
Who their misdoings legally oppose:
They, who gr [...]wne great with rapine, and made strong,
With w [...]alth extorted to the publike wrong,
Still add (to cover what misdone hath bin)
New w [...]ongs; and make new partners in their sin,
In hope their number [...]eep them shall unshent:
And, silence and condemne the Innocent.
Make him ab [...]or such Apes, and such Baboones,
As Parasi [...]es, and impudent Buffoone [...]:
Such, as would make their Princes glad with lies:
Such, as with filthy tales of ribaldries,
With [...]curvile songs, with unbese [...]ming j [...]sts,
And stuffe which ev'ry civill [...]are detests,
Abuse Kings Chambers. Let all those who buy
Their Offices (which is lay Simony)
H [...]ve alwayes his dislike; and not recover
His good esteeme againe, till they give ove [...]
Their evill gotten places. Let all such
Who for the seats o [...] Iudgement, do as much,
A [...]peare to him as men who are detected
Of [...] crimes; and ever be suspected
[Page 30]Of some Corruption: for, it may be thought,
That mony must be made of wh [...]t is bought.
Let him the causes of Abuse discerne;
Let him the cure of ev'ry mischi [...]f [...] learne;
Let him of what he knowe [...]h, practice make;
Let all his People, his example take.
Give them repentance for their passed crimes;
As [...]ist them by thy grace, in future times;
And send thy Holy-Spi [...]i [...] through their Lands,
To keep them in the way of thy Commands.
So, thou in their Devotions wilt [...]e p [...]eas'd,
So, all thine anger will be quite appeas'd;
So, King and People, praise thee shall▪ together;
And, then, thou need'st not send these Armies thithe [...].
Thus MERCIE spake; & more she would have said
(For, she could everlastingly have praid)
To this effect. But▪ IVSTICE having spy'd
Gods eye to ma [...]ke, how she seem'd satisfi'd;
(And looki [...]g somewh [...]t sternly, to betoken
That MERCIE in her injury had spoken)
Thus interrupted her. Faire Sister, stay;
And, doe not think to beare my right away
With smoo [...]hed words. Thou art an Advocate
Well knowne to be the most importunate
That ever pleaded: and, thou hast a trick
With these moist eyes, beyond all Rhetorick.
So that, unlesse I make it still appeare,
What grosse offenders all thy Clients are,
A Bill of mine (how just soe're the case)
Would seldome in this great Star-chamber passe.
No place, no pe [...]sons, are so dissolute,
But if they whine to thee, thou makest sute
On their behalfes. Thou wert Soliciter
For King Manasses (that Idolater
[Page]And gotst his pardon. Thou hast Proctresse bin
For Ieroboam (who m [...]de Isr'el sin)
That hand recuring which he did extend,
The Messenger of God, to apprehend.
Thou art f [...]r any who in thee beleeves,
Though Tray [...]ers, Strumpets, Murtherers, or Th [...]eves.
Thou prayd'st for N [...]neveh; yea thou hast prayd
For Sodome; and my hand had sure beene staid
When I consum'd them, if there had beene, then,
In five great Cities, b [...]t tenne righteou [...] men.
I never yet could get a verdict past
On any Sinner, but thou crost it hast,
Vpon the teast repentance. And if [...]ver
To serve an Execution I endeavor,
Thou; still, one meanes or other dost procure,
To mi [...]igate the strictest forfeiture.
Thee, for delaying Iudgements, I prefer
Ev'n farre before the Courts at Westminster.
And, if I longer these thy deal [...]ngs beare,
Thou here wilt use me, as they use me there.
For, lat [...]ly I survey [...]d it; and saw
Their Chauncery had halfe devour'd their Law.
Sweet Lady call to minde, there is a due
Pertaining equally to me and you.
As nothing without MERCIE should be done;
So IVSTICE shoul [...] not be encroa [...]ht upon.
I claime a Daughters part, and I d [...]sire
To keepe min [...] owne inh [...]ritance in [...]ire.
I, for your sake, huge Armies, often save,
When they had, else, beene rotting in the grave.
I suffer you to wipe more sinnes away
Then twice tenne thousand millions in a day.
There's none whom I doe punish for his crimes,
B [...]t I doescarre him first, a thousand times
[Page 31](At your entreaty) when, if I had pleased,
I might so many times his life have seized.
Yea, I shoul [...] none have injur'd▪ though I had
Of all the World, long since, a Bone-fire made.
For, what effects hath your Compassi [...]n wrought?
What Offring [...], to Gods Altars, now are brought
By my long sparing them? Nay, have they not
H [...]m, and his aw [...]ull pow'r, the more forgot?
What did I say? forgot him? If they had
Vs'd him and his Indulgence but so bad,
Thou might'st have spoken for them; and I could
Have left thy supplications uncontroll'd.
But, they have aggravated their neglect,
With such base villanies, such disrespect,
And such contempt of Him, of Thee, and Mee,
That if we beare it, we shall scorned be.
They so presumptuous are, that well I know,
Were but a petty-Iustice used so,
He would not brooke it: But, so rough appeare,
That all the sin-professing houses neare,
Of Reformation would be much in doubt;
And feare they should not buy his Ange [...] out,
Though they presented him with coyne and wares;
And b [...]ib'd his Clarke, with whom, tis thought he s [...]ares.
I will not the [...]efore palliate their despight;
I will not be debarred of my right;
I will not make my selfe a publike scorne;
Nor will I longer beare what I have borne.
Here with (as if she thought it were in vaine,
For Vengeance, unto MERCIE to complaine)
She rais'd her eyes; she fixed them upon
The [...]hrone of heav'n, and Him that sate thereon:
Then bowed thrice, and, then to her complaint▪
She [...]hus proceeded lik [...] an An [...]ry Saint
[Page]Great IVDGE of all the world just, wise, and holy;
Who sin abhorrest, and correctest folly:
Who drivest all uncleannesse from thy sight,
And feared art, ev'n of the most upright:
Consider well my Cause, and let thou not
Thy IVSTICE in thy MERCIE be forgot▪
As well as this my sister, so am I
Vnited unto thee essentially
Before all Time; and there is cause for me
To boast thy favour, full as much as she.
For, to maintaine thy Iustice (and approve
Th [...]t sacred, never violated Love
Thou bearest me) great Monarkies have drunk
Thy cup of wrath; and into ruine sunk.
For their contempt of me, thou hast rejected
The Nation, of all Nations, most affected.
Once, thou the Globe of Earth didst wholly drowne;
From Heav'n thou threw [...]st the sinfull Angels down [...]:
And (which is more) thy Best beloved dy'd,
That my displeasure might be satisfi'd.
But, l [...]t no former favour me availe,
If now of Reason on my side I faile.
I n [...]ver did a Vengeance, yet pursue
Before it was requir'd by double due.
I never plagued any in despight,
Nor in the death of sinners took delight.
Why therefore thus is my proceeding staid?
And thy just wrath so suddenly alaid?
Hath Mercy their offences vailed so,
That thou beholdest not what faults th [...]y do?
And wilt thou still continue thy compassion
To this unthankfull and forgetfull Nation?
What are they, but a most corrupted breed?
A wicked, a perverse, ingratefull seed?
[Page 32]A peopl [...] for instruction so untoward,
So stubborne in their courses, and so [...]roward,
That, neither t [...]reats, nor plagues, nor lo [...]e can mend [...]hem,
And therefore Desolation must attend them.
Me they have injured, past all [...]ompare;
They flout me to my face; they me out dare
Ev'n on my Iudgement-se [...]ts; they truth deny▪
Although they knew, their hear [...]rs know they lye.
They use my Titles, and my Offices,
But as a meanes to rob, or to oppresse
The poorer sort: and he that wrong sustaines,
Is sure of more, if he for right complaines.
Search thou their Streets, their Markets, & their Courts;
Note where the greatest multitude resorts,
And if thou finde a man among them, th [...]re,
That hath of Truth or Iudgement any care,
Him let thine Angell save. But, thou shalt see
That nothing else from heele to head they be,
But swellings, wounds, and sores: that they are wholly
O'regrowne with leprosies of noysome folly;
And that, among them, there abideth none,
Whose path is right and p [...]rfect, no not one.
Their studies, are in che [...]ting trickes, and shifts.
Their practice, is to compass bribes, and gifts.
Their silver is but dross. Their wine impure.
Th [...]ir finest gold, will not the touch endure.
The poore oppresse the poore. The Childe ass [...]mes
An El [...]ers place. The basest Groome presu [...]es
B [...]fore t [...]e Noble. Wom [...]n t [...]ke on them
Mens habits and subjection doe contemne.
Men grow [...]ffemin [...]te. Age dotes, Youth raves,
The begger's proud. The rich man, basely craves.
The neighbour of his neighbour goes in danger;
The brother to the brother growes a stranger.
[Page]There is no kin, but Cousnage. Few professe
Affection, Amity, or Friendlinesse,
But to dec [...]ive. If men each [...]ther greet,
With shewes of wondrous friendship, when they meet,
They doe but practise kin [...]ly to betray;
And jeere, and scoffe, when th [...]y depart away:
Th [...]y labour, and they study, ly [...]s to make:
To grow more wicked, serious paines they take:
Wolves are as mercifull: Their Dogs as holy:
Vertue, th [...]y count a Foole: Religion, folly.
Their Lawes are but their nets, and ginn [...]s, to take
Those whom they hate, and seeke their prey to make:
The patronage of [...]ruth, no [...]e standeth for:
The way of Piety, they doe abhor:
They meet u [...]seene, the harmlesse to [...]eceive▪
They h [...]tch the Cocatrice: They s [...]ely weave
The Spiders web; and, when in bed they a [...]e,
They lye and study pl [...]ts of mischiefe [...]here.
And, why thus fares it? b [...]t, because they see
That (how unjust soe're their Courses b [...])
They prosper in t [...]eir wicked nesse, and [...]hrive,
Whilst th [...]y who honor thee a [...]fl [...]ted live.
If any man reprove their damned way,
They persecute, and slander him, and say;
Come, let us smite him with our tongue, that he,
And his reproofes, may unregarded be.
They desp'rately resolve a wicked Course;
And, ev'ry day proceed from bad▪ to wo [...]se.
Themselves they sooth in evill: and professe
In publike manner, Trades of wickednesse▪
They impudently boast of their Transgressions,
And madly, glory in their great Opp [...]essions.
Yea, some so farre have [...]ver-gone the Devils
In shamelesnesse, that they make bragge of evils
[Page 33]Which they committed not (as if th [...]y fear'd
That else they had not lewd enough a [...]p [...]ar'd)
Whereas, they from themselves would strive to flie,
If they could s [...]e their owne defo [...]mity.
For, what remaineth to be termed ill
Which they are guil [...]lesse of, in act, or will?
Th [...]y, gall unto the hungry prof [...]r'd have:
They, vine [...]er unto the thirsty gave:
With brutish fiercenesse they themselves aray:
Vnsatisfied in their lust are they,
And neither earth nor heav'n escapes the w [...]ongs
Of their injurious and blasph [...]mous tongue [...].
With ev'ry member, they dishonor Thee,
No part of them from wick [...]dnesse is free:
Their Eyes, are wandring after vanitie,
And l [...]ere about, advantages to spye.
Their Eares are deafe to goodnesse; but most pro [...]e
To heare a sl [...]nder told of any one:
And h [...]ve an itching after ev'ry thin [...],
Which, newes of sensualitie, may bring.
Their braz [...]n Foreheads, without shame appeare:
Their Teeth are sharper then a sword o [...] speare:
Their Lips, as keenly cut, as Razors doe;
And, under them, is Add [...]rs poison too.
Their Mouthes with bitter cu [...]sings, over-flow:
Their oily Tongues, contention dail [...] sow:
In Heart, they Falshood before Truth, preferre:
Their Throats, are like a gaping Sepulcher:
Foule belchings from their Stomacks doe arise,
Ev'n filthie speeches; and ranke bl [...]sphemies.
Their Hands (their right hands) lawlesse gifts receive:
With Bribes, their Fingers, they desiled have.
Their Feet, are swift in executing ill,
And, run the blood of innocents to spill.
[Page]They are corrupt in ev'ry Facultie;
In Vnde [...]standing, Will, and Memorie;
Yea, th [...]ir most specious works of pietie
Are little else, but meere hypocrisie.
All stain'd with Murthers, Thef [...]s, Adulteries,
And other unrepented Villanies
Thy House they enter, as if they were cle [...]re,
Or, thither came, but to out brave thee there.
There, they display their pride: there, they contemne
Thy Messengers ▪ or, sit and censure them.
There, they disturbe thy Children in their pray'rs,
By tatling of impertinent affaires.
The many roving lookes, they throw about,
Doe prove them, far more wanton, than devout.
And, say, they bring devotion for a fit:
Alas! what pleasure canst thou take in it?
Or, what doe they but mocke thee, when they pray,
Vnlesse their wickednesse they cast away?
What profits it, to kneele sometime an houre?
To fast a day? to look demure, or soure?
To raise the hands aloft? the brest to strike?
To shake the head, or hang it Bulrush like?
And, all that while to have no thought of thee;
But on base projects, musing, there, to be?
I many such enormities might name,
Wherein this People have beene much to blame.
And, shall they still, thy gentlenesse contemne?
Wilt thou forbeare, for this, to punish them?
Shall such devotion be regarded more,
Then if they brought the [...]yring of a whore?
Or sacrific'd a Dog? Nay, though they had
Of farre fet Calamus an Offring made,
Or, incense brought from Sheba; doe they think
The smoke of that, shall take away the stink
[Page 34]Of their corruption? shall this wicked Throng▪
(Who partners are in ev'rie kind of wrong,
And Reformation hate) still spared be
Because they can a little prate of thee?
Make zealous outward shewes; and preach thy word,
Whose pow'r they have deny'd? (if not abhorr'd:)
Let me consume them rather. For, Compassion
So often hath prevailed for this Nation,
That, all my threatnings are no whit regarded,
Thy Pittìe is with disrespect rewarded;
Thy Blowes doe nothing soften them: but, more
Hard hearted, rather, make them then before.
They neither know nor s [...]eke thee. They scarce daigne
So much as thoughts of thee to entertaine.
Or if they doe; yet, thou in kindnesse, hast
So frequently, their errors over past
With gentle stripes; that they conjecture, now
That thou art like to them, and dost allow
Their wick [...]d courses. For, Is there (say they)
In God, or sight, or knowledge of our way?
Doth he behold, or car [...] what things we doe?
Will he take vengeance? Tush, it is not so.
Such fables were devis'd in times of old,
And of strange judgements, stories have beene told;
But, who hath seene them? or, when will appeare
That Day of Doome, whereof so oft we heare?
Sure never. For the wo [...]ld doth still remaine
The same it was; and these are feares in vaine.
Oh! what will this increase unto, if thus
Thou suffer them to make a scorne of us?
Where is thy feare, if thou a Master be?
Why, (if a God) should they not honour thee?
What meanes thy long long-suffring? and, what way
To worke amendment wilt thou next assay?
[Page]Thou hast already mov'd them to repent,
By Threats, Gifts, Precepts, and by Punishment.
To stop their wi [...]kednesse, thou Flouds, and Drought,
Frosts, F [...]es, and Tempests, hast upon them brought.
Distempers, F [...]ights, and (many times of late)
Distrusts, and hazzards of the publike State.
With ev'ry kind of Sicknesse, thou hast try'd them;
With Pestilence, and Famine, mortifi'd them:
With Slaughters [...]hou has [...] foild them; and betwix [...]
Each Plague, thou Mercy still hast intermixt▪
Yet▪ all in vaine. Oh! rise, and suffer me
On all at once avenged now to be.
Plucke from thy bosome, thy sure striking hand,
And, let it fall so heavy on that Land,
That, all their Follies may their merit have,
And, they be put to silence in the grave.
Permit them not unplagued to persever,
Blaspheming thus, thy Name and thee for ever.
But, l [...]t me ev'ry Plague upon them cast,
Which thou, for such as they, prepared hast.
Let them perceive, that they have lov'd and served
Those gods, by whom they cannot be preserved.
Let me transport from their polluted Coast,
Those Holy-things, whereof they vainly boast:
And, let not their prophanenesse be protected
By that, whi [...]h they so much have disrespect [...]d.
For, why shouldst thou forbeare this people more
Then ma [...]y other Nations heretofore?
Since they for their example those have had
The lesse excusable their faults are made.
Yea, though their wickednesse were but the same,
Yet, they are worthy of a greater blame.
[...] What are they better then the stubborne Iewes?
Wherein, doe they thy blessings lesse abuse?
[Page 35]What have their Temples, of more worth in them
Then Shilo, Bethel, or Ierusalem,
That we should spare their ma [...]y sleepled Towres,
Not rather making them the Ne [...]sts, and Bowres
Of noysome Vermine, and such fatall Fowles,
As croking Ravens, and loud screeching Owles?
Why shouldst thou not, as low this Ile decline,
As Milke and Hony-flowing Palestine?
What [...]ave they more deserved of thy pittie
Then Sion, thy so much bel [...]ved Cit [...]y?
Or, wherefore should their Seed be thought upon
More kindely, the [...] the br [...]tts of Babylon?
Why should their Common wealth, more prised be,
Then thos [...] great Monarchies destroy'd b [...] me
In former ages, whose transcendent Fate,
[...]ach Time succeeding, hath admired at?
Yea, since the World thou didst for s [...]ning, drowne,
Why should such mercy to thi [...] Land be showne?
If thou a piou [...] King to them [...]ast given,
What loseth be, if then from thence to Heav'n
Translate him shall? From earthly Crownes, to weare
Those wreathes of Glory that immortall are?
And from a froward People, to have place
With Angells, and there triumph in thy grace?
If any man be found observing thee,
To him what discontentment can it be
To view my hand prevailing over those
Who me in my proceedings did oppose?
And see those Tyrants ruin'd, who have long
Committed violence, and offred wrong
To him, and his? what b [...]rme hath he I pray,
To passe through all that sorrow in one day,
And in thy blessed pres [...]nce to appeare,
Who else might here have lingred many a yeare?
[Page]Of what can he complaine, if being borne
Above the reach of ev'ry future scorne,
Within thy heav'nly Mansion, he possesse
A perfect, and an endlesse happinesse?
Why may not IVSTICE glorifie [...]hy Name,
As well as MERCY can extoll the same?
Why should thy former favours, being lost,
Oblige thee to defray a future cost
On Prodigals, and Vnthrifts, who had rather
Live Swineherds, than returne to th [...]e their Father?
Why may not that reproach d [...]verted be,
Which irreligious men will cast on thee
Although thou spare not hypocrites; and them
Who are the causers that thy Foes blaspheme?
What disadvantage can their fall effect
To thy pure honour? or, to thine elect,
Which may not be prevented (if thou [...]lease)
Although thou be not mer [...]ifull to these?
Sure, none at all: and, therefore, I will stay
My hand no longer; but breake off delay.
Thy Sword and Ballance, are with me in trust;
To punish Sin, I know it to be just;
They both arraigned, and condemned are;
My warrant [...], in thy written Word appea [...]e:
Their crimes, for Vengeance, loudly crying [...]e:
Thy Iudgements, ready mustred are, by [...]hee:
Thine eye doth speake unto me to be gone;
And, loe; I flye to see thy pleasure done.
As when a Mother on a sudden hearing
Her babe to shrieke, (and some disaster fearing
That may befall [...]he childe) starts up and flyes
To see the reason of her Infants cries:
So quick, was IVSTICE; & e're now, had brought
Her work, to something; and, this Land, to nought.
Her arme about that angry Virgins waste▪
Look'd sadly on her; hung about her; kist her,
And (weeping in her bosome) said, Sweet Sister,
I pray thee, doe not thus impatient grow,
Nor prosecute deserved Vengeance, so.
Thou art most beautifull; sincerely just;
Most perf [...]ctly upright in all thou dost;
For which [...]h [...]ne excellency, and p [...]rfection,
I love thee with an excel [...]ent a [...]ection.
And though thou frownest; yet thy frownings be
So lovely, that I cannot part [...]rom thee.
What though some Worldlings offer thee disgraces▪
Sh [...]ll they (Sweet heart) make loathed my embraces?
Shall thou, and I, (who near [...]r are then twinnes)
Fall out, o [...] be divorced by their sinnes?
Oh never l [...]t it said, or mutt red be,
That we in any thing can disagr [...]e.
For what's more lo [...]ely, or more sweet then thi [...],
That we each other may embrace and kisse?
And by our mutuall workings, and agreeings,
Bri [...]g all Gods Creatures to their perfect beings.
Belee [...]e me (Deare) Heav'n doth not comprehend
That pleasure, which this pleasure doth transcend:
Nor is our Father better pleas'd in us,
Then when he sees our armes emwined, thus.
For should we jarre, the world would be undone,
And Heav'n, and Earth, into a Chaos runne.
What profit can it bring, or what content,
To see a Kingdome miserably rent,
With manifold afflictions? what great good
To us redoundeth by the death, or b [...]ood
Of any màn? what honour can we have?
What praise, from those that in the silent gra [...]e
[Page]Lye raked up in ruines dead and rotten?
Or in the Land where all things are forgotten?
Seeke not thy Glory by their Overthrow,
That are pursued by too strong a F [...]e,
And over-match'd already; thinke upon
The pow'rfull hate of that malicious One.
Rem [...]mber they were f [...]amed of the dust;
And that to Cl [...]y againe returne they must.
When they are dead they passe away for ever,
Ev'n as that vapour which returneth never.
Oh; make them not the Butt of thy displeasure,
Nor give them of Gods wrath the fullest measure.
I grant this Realme is sinfull; But, what hath
That Realme, or people equalling thy wrath?
T'is honourable, when we stoope below
Our selves; that love or favour we may show▪
Or to correct, with purpose to amend:
But if with such we Foe-like should contend▪
It would appeare, as if some Empery
Did arme it selfe, to combat with a Fly.
When we correction, or forgivenesse daigne,
We may correct them, or forgive againe:
But in destroying quite, our selves we wound,
And to our Infinitenesse, set a bound;
For IVSTICE neither MERCY can have pl [...]ce▪
In subjects, which we totally deface.
We must not seeke for purity divine
In dust and ashes; till we first refine
From earthly drosse the gold that we desire,
By using of the Bellowes and the Fire.
For till we purge it, what (alas) is good,
Or what can holy be in Flesh and Blood?
Who lookes that Figs on Thistles should be borne,
[...]r that sweet Grapes should grow upon a Thorne?
[Page]It cannot be. As therefore hereto [...]ore
God promis [...]d, (that he would never more
Contend with man) let us resolve the same;
And by some other meanes, their wildenesse tam [...].
Keepe, yet a while, this Army where it is▪
And let us try to mend what is amisse,
(As erst we did) by sending jointly thither,
Our Favours, and Corrections, both together:
And if they profit not, there is a Day
In which thine Indi [...]nation shall have way.
As when a Father, who, in heat of wrath
To give a son correction purpos'd hath,
Enraged is, untill his lovely wife
Doth interpo [...]e her selfe with friendly strife;
But (pleased in the sweetnesse of her speech,
Who to forgive the Child doth him beseech)
Doth lay aside his whole displeasure, then,
And turne his anger into smiles agen;
So, IVSTICE was by MERCY wrought upon:
And she that would with so much haste be gone,
Forgot her speed; Her louing Sister ey'd
With calmer lookes; and thus to her reply'd.
Thou, and thy charmings have prevail'd upon me,
And to abate mine anger thou hast wonne me.
I [...]herefore will not cast my plagues on all,
But on worst Livers, onely, let them fall.
Nay, nay, quoth MERCIE, thou must favour show
To most of them, or thou wilt overthrow
The lawes of Destiny; and crost will be
What God did from eternity decree.
For, some of these have not fulfilled yet
Their sinnes, nor made their number up complete.
Some, that are wandring in the wayes of folly,
Shall be regenerated, and made holy.
[Page]Of them some have morality, that may
Be helpfull to Gods childr [...]n, in their way;
Some, must be left, as were the Cana'nites,
To exercise the faithfull Isr'elites;
Yea some, have in their loynes a generation
Vnborne, which must make up the blessed Nation.
And till that seed bud forth, those trees must s [...]and,
Although they grow but to annoy the Land.
It seemes (quoth IVSTICE) I must then abide,
(However they off [...]nd) unsatisfi'd.
Vns [...]tisfi'd (said MERCIE) Is it that,
Sweet Sister, which your zeale hath aimed at?
Then, looke you there. And with that word, her eye
She pla [...]'d on him, who sits in Majesty
At Gods right hand. Behold that Lambe (quoth she)
By him thou fully satisfi'd shalt be.
He poore was made, that He their debt might pay;
He base became, to take their shame away;
He entred bond, their freedome to procure;
He dangers try'd, their safeties to assure;
He scorned was, their honor to advance;
He seem'd a foole, to helpe their ignorance;
He sin was made, their errors to conceale;
He wounded was, that he th [...]ir wounds might heale;
He thirsted, that their thirst might have an end;
He wept, that joy their sorrow might attend;
He lost his blood, that they their blood might save;
He dy'd, that they eternall life might have.
Nor canst thou any for their sins condemne,
(Since he hath over-paid the price for them)
If by partic'lar faith they shall apply
That pardon, which he granteth gen'rally.
And lest to that whole Kingdome thou deny it,
For want of application, I apply it.
[Page 38]VVhy then (said IVSTICE) I may quite dismisse
This hoast of Plagues whi [...]h here assembled is.
Not so, replyed MERCIE: For no curse
Is greater, n [...]r is any mischiefe worse
Then want of due correction: And if I
Shoul [...] yeeld to that, it were not Clemency,
But cruell dealing; and my love no other
Then is the kindnesse of that cock [...]ing m [...]ther,
Who spares the rod (out of her pure affection)
And sends unto the Gallowes for correction:
As if she thought her children apt for learning,
If they could take a hanging for a warning▪
I s [...]eme to cr [...]sse thy workings, and thou mine,
To those that n [...]ther know my wayes, nor thi [...]e:
But, is the motions in a Clocke doe tend
And move together to one purpos'd end,
Although their wheeles contrary courses go [...],
And force the even ballance to and f [...]o.
Ev'n so, although it may to some appeare,
That our proceedings much repugnant are;
Yet in our disagreeings, we agree,
And helpfull to our chi [...]fe desi [...]ne they be▪
We therefore, from Gods A [...]my will select
One Regiment, this people to correct.
Not his that is the Generall: for, he
Resisteth us if he prevail [...]ng be.
Nor Famine; For, (unlesse permit we shall
That she devoure, untill we starve up all)
She most unequally consumes the poore,
And makes the rich to be enriched more.
Nor will we send the Sword; for, that makes way
For ev'ry plague to follow; yea, doth lay
All open to confusion; and bestowes
The pow'r of God oft times upon his foes.
[Page]But, we to punish them, will send from hence,
The dreadfull, and impartiall PESTILENCE.
For, she doth neither Ri [...]h, nor Poore preferre;
The foolish, and the wise, are one to her:
Nor eloquence, nor beauty, nor complexion,
Prevailes wi [...]h her; Nor Hatred, nor Affection.
S [...]e seizeth All alike; she visiteth
The Palace, as the Cottage; and with death,
Or else with sicknesse, strikes at each degree,
Vnlesse our Supersedeas, granted be.
By meanes of her, in any State, or City,
Thou maist avenge, and I may show my pitty
With little noise; and both at once, [...]ulfill
Our wishes, and accompl [...]sh all our will.
For, where a noysome we [...]d is seene to sprout,
She shall, at thy appointment, weed it out.
Or if a plant, or bud, or flow'r we see,
That's ripe for Heav'n, and may impaired be
By standing longer; we the same will gather,
To m [...]ke a precious Posie for our Father.
And, as t [...]ou hast thy purpose, by their fall.
Or smart, whom she or wound, or slaught [...]r shall:
Right so have I: For, if they wicked are
Whom she removes; th [...] better sh [...]ll they fare,
Whose Conversations truly honest be;
And from oppression live the longer free.
If righteous men this Iudgements [...]rey become,
It is appointed to secure them from
Some greater Plague, which must (perhaps) be sent
To scourge this Kingdome, ere it will repent;
Or (peradventure) that my hand may take them
From Earth, the Citizens of Heav'n to make them:
And some, who never e [...]se on God had thought,
Shall, (by her whip) unto his love be brought.
[Page 39]This pleased well, and IVSTIC [...] did agree
With MERCY, that it should all [...]wed be:
And, for the swift [...]ulfilling of their minde,
The PESTILENCE, by warrant, was assi [...]n'd
Great Brittan to invade; and limited
Where to begin the Plague; how far to spread;
How many she should wound; how many slay;
How many grieve; how many fright away;
How long abide; and when her terme was done,
On what conditions (then) she must be gone.
Moreover lest her stroke should not amend u [...],
Gods Hoast of Plagues had warrant to attend us;
That if the Pestilence could not prevaile,
Another might our wicked Land assaile;
And then another, till we did repent,
Or were consumed in our chastisement.
The Prince of Darknes, (though he could not gaine
Permission, fully to unloose his Chaine)
His usuall pow'r obtain'd to worke despite
On some offenders, and to use the sleight
Of Lying-wonders: or by strong temptation
To seize upon the Sonnes of Reprobation:
Yea many times to buffet (for correction)
Ev'n those that have the seales of Gods electio [...].
Dear [...]h was commanded, that (to make us feare
A Scarceness [...]) she should scatter here, and the [...]e,
A Floud, or Tempest; and at sometime bring
A droughty Sum [...]er, or a frosty Spring,
Or Mel-dewes, to remember us, from whom
The blessings of a plenteous yeare doe come.
Warre, (who had quite forgotten us almost)
Injoyned was to sit upon our Coast;
To saile about our Shore, to view our Forts,
To visit all our Havens, and our Ports:
[Page]And with her dreadfull sounds, to rouze and keepe
This Kingdome, f [...]om securities dead sleepe.
But was commanded, not to seize a hoofe
Of what w [...]s ours, till God hath made a proofe
How mollifi'd our stony hearts will be;
What fruits of true repentance he shall see;
What change will be effected in this Land,
By his correcting us with his owne hand;
And what oblations of true thankes, and love,
We render will upon this Plagues remove.
Wherein, if we doe faile his expectation,
We shall be made a miserable Nation.
The Sea that now doth close us, like a wall,
Shall be a Sea o [...] terror; and it shall
Let in our foes upon us, or with [...]louds
O're-flow our borders, and devoure our goods.
Our wealthy Traffiques, and that forraine Trade,
(Whereby so proud, and wanton we are made)
Cut off shall be, and faile in ev'ry Coast.
Our num'rous Fle [...]ts (whereof so much we boast,
(And, in whole pow'r and mu [...]titude, I feare
Ou [...] trust, and hopes too much reposed are)
By Stormes, and Piracies, that shall pursue them,
Or want of meanes, and trading to renue them,
Shall waste away unheeded; till we see
Our ha [...]mes beyond our meanes of curing be.
Our H [...]uses shall by strangers be possessed;
Our goodly Temples, which, (as yet) are blessed
With Gods t [...]ue worship, shall be raz'd, or bu [...]ned,
Or into dennes of theevery be turned.
Throughout those champain fields, & forrests, where
We hunted for our pleasure; we by Feare
Shall hunted be: and made a prey for them
Whom we (perhaps) did most of all contemne.
[Page 40]Our People, (on whose numbers we presume)
Shall by degrees be less [...]ned, and consume.
Our Nation (late renowned through the World)
Shall be unvalu'd, as old rubbish, hu [...]l [...]d
In some by-corner, and quite round about us
Our Foes, our Neighbo [...]s, & our Friends shal flout us.
O [...]r Peace, sh [...]ll make us but effeminate.
Our Riches, and our plentifull estate,
Shall but enrich our enemies; and we
(That of our King so glad, and hopefull be)
Shall (for our sinnes, perchance) be quite d [...]prived
O [...] those great comforts, which we have conceived.
For, e [...]he [...] God may give an [...]ll successe
To his be [...]t Counsells, for our f [...]owardnesse;
Or leave us some dist [...]ustings in our heart,
To make us censure in an evill pa [...]t
His gracious purposes; or give a pow'r
To some ill-willers of his peace, and our,
To sow the seeds of Discord, and divide
Our heart [...], which now so lovingly are ty'd:
Or let some Politician wo [...]ke upon
His Goodnesse; and so cunningly goe on,
That he shall n [...]ver finde, how he, and his
Are injured, till all things are amisse:
Which God forbid; yea, grant (O Lord) that I
In these su [...]posals may not prophecie;
As (out of doubt I shall) if any sin
(That may procure it) we continue in.
Yea, though our Projects may a while possesse
Our hearts with flatt' [...]ing hopes of good successe;
Th [...]ugh in aff [...]ires of VVarre, and in our Fights
We thrive a while, as did the Benj [...]mites;
Although a league with Baalam we began;
And [...]erodach the sonne of Baladan
[Page]Had sent us presents; and though he shall seeme
To have our health and welfa [...]e in esteeme;
Though to his Lords the treasures we declare,
Which in Gods Temple here among us are:
Yea, though we g [...]ve those holy things, to buy
His love, and Babylonish amity:
It should but linger us along, till they
(Who seeke our overthrow) their snares doe lay▪
Vntill they have enlarg'd their growing pow'rs,
And by their Policy, befooled ours;
Or, till our sinnes, or our securities
Have ma [...]e us objects for their Tyrannies,
And, there enthrall'd us, where long since were hung
On willow trees, untuned, and unstrung,
The Harpes of Syon; and where Men contemne
The heav'nly Sonnets of Ierusalem.
Ev'n this shall be our lot, and worse then this,
If we continue still to doe amisse,
Or bring not forth the fruits of Penitence,
When God hath scourg'd us by the Pestilen [...].
But, if that stirre us to repenting shall,
He will not onely back againe recall
That raging Plague, to which he gave such pow' [...]
Within our peopled Cities to devoure:
But, he will also on this Realme bestow
New benefits, for entertaining so,
With lowlinesse, his fatherly correction;
And yeelding him our filiall affection.
Then, ev'ry one beneath his Vine shall si [...]
Without disturbance; and with pleasure eate
The profit of his labours. Men shall goe
In [...]afety through [...]he Kingdome, to, and fro.
Their Lands they shall enjoy in peace; and weare
The warmest fleeces, that their flockes do beare.
[Page 41]No sonnes of Belial, shall from them divert
Their Princes favour (in the smallest part)
Nor shall Seditions Lovers draw from him
Their loyalties, by misinforming them;
But God that blessed union shall maintaine,
Which ought 'twixt King and People to remain [...].
He, then, will multiply the fruits encrease;
Prese [...]ve our plenty, sanctifie our peace:
And guide by Land and Sea, our preparations
Of l [...]wfull warre, to seize upon those Nations
That are our foes, and his. Which, that He may
Vouchsafe unto us; let us ev'ry day
Produce of thankfulnesse some new effect:
Let us observe (with ev'ry due respect)
The progresse of that Plague sent lately hither;
How CLEMENCY & IVSTICE came togeth [...]r;
Relating to each other what we saw
To kindle love, or keepe our soules in awe;
And so record it, that (should we be rotten)
It may be still p [...]eserved unforgotten.
For, that we might his honour forth declare,
We bo [...]h created, and preserved were.
To such a purpose, I doe thus employ
That scorned Faculty, which I enjoy;
And (for the compa [...]ing of my intention)
Have offr [...]d up the best of my invention;
And what that is (to those, who doe regard
Such paines) the following Cantoes have declar'd
Behold (O Lord) my purposes from heav'n,
Accept of me the gift that thou hast given.
Permit not those, who spite or malice me,
To interrupt my M [...]se in praising t [...]ee.
Let none of those, who finde that I neglect
The way to wealth, which th [...]y [...]oo much affect,
[Page]Conceive, that I my Time have spent in vaine,
Because their Studies yeeld them greater gaine;
Let them perceive, though this endevour brings
Nor Riches, Honours, nor esteeme of Kings;
But rather wasts my Fortunes, and doth more
Increase my charge, and troubles, then before;
Let them (I say) conceive, and also know,
That I am highly pleas'd, it should be so;
And would not change the bless [...]ng of my Fate
With those, whom they doe hold more fortunate.
And let not that, which I have here comprised▪
Become (through my unworthinesse) despised;
But grant it such a moderate respect,
Th [...]t I may see my labours take effect
For their enc [...]uragements, who shall apply
To such goode [...]ds, their gift of Poësie;
And let all those, who shall peruse my Story▪
Receive some profit, and give thee, the glory.
The second Canto.
Our Muse defends her lowly stile;
And (having flowne aside a while)
Tells, how the Plague first entred here▪
What meanes to stay it practis'd were.
Some vulg [...]r Tenets are disputed;
Some rectified, some refuted.
She from the Nature, and the Cause,
Of that Disease, conclusions drawes;
Declareth how it runnes and creepes,
And what un [...]ertaine paths it keepes:
How long strict orders usefull stood;
[Page 42]The fruit of Christian neighbourhood;
And many other things, be [...]wixt
These mentioned, are intermixt.
She sh [...]we [...]h (also) meanes assured
By which, this mischiefe may be cured;
How to apply that meanes; how those
Who use it, should themselves compose;
How violent the Plague did grow;
Who from it might, or might not goe;
How much t'was feared; how men fled;
How ill, in flying, many sped;
And lastly (as occasion moves)
She grieves, she counsells, and reproves.
LEt no fantastique Reader now condemne
Out homely Muse, for stooping u [...]to them,
In plaine expressions, and in words, that show
We love not, in affected paths, to goe.
For, to be understood, is language used;
And speech to other ends as much abused▪
Lines, therefore, over-darke, or over-trimm'd,
Are like a Picture with a Visour limm'd;
Or like Poma [...]ders of a curious sent,
Within a painted Box that hath no vent;
Or like Peach-kernels, which, (to get them forth)
Require more cracking, then the fruit is worth.
Let no man guesse, my Measures framed be,
That wiser men, my little wit may see;
Or that I doe not hold the matter good,
Which is not more admir'd then understood:
For, chiefly, such a Subject I desire,
And such a plaine Expression, to acquire,
That ev'ry one my meaning may discerne;
And they be taught, that have most need to learne.
[Page]It is the usefull matter of my Rim [...]s
Shall make them live. Wo [...]ds alter as the Times:
And soonest [...]heir fantastique Rhetoriques,
Who trim their Poesies with schooleboy-tricks.
That, which this age affects, as grave, and wise,
Th [...] fo [...]lowing generation may despise.
Green [...]s phr [...]se, and [...]llie's language were in fashion,
And had among the wits much c [...]mmendation;
But now, another garbe of speech, with us
Is pri [...]'d; and thei [...]s is thought ridi [...]ulous;
As ours (perchance) will be, whē Time (who changeth
Things changea [...]l [...]) the present phrase estrangeth.
Let no m [...]n therefore dreame, I will bestow
My precious Time in what will vary so;
Since that, which, with most ease I shall produce,
May have (for ought I know) the longest use.
Let no man thinke, I'le racke my memory
For pen and-inkehorne-termes, to finifie
My blunt invention; trimming it, as they
Who make rich clothes but for Saint George his day;
When they may be [...]ter [...]heape a suite provide,
To fit that feast, and many dayes beside.
Nor l [...]t unlearned Censurers suppose
Our Muse a course unwarrantable [...]oes,
In framing Objects representative,
Which may imprint▪ or in the soule revive,
True feelings of that wrath or love, which we
In God almighty, by Faiths eyes doe see.
For, though his holy Spirit, when he will,
Can easily the soule [...] of mortals fill
With heav'nly knowledges, by wayes unseene;
Yet, he himselfe hath sometime pleased beene
By ou [...]ward object [...] to employ the senses,
In reaching to the soule some excellencies
[Page 43]Conceal'd before. Yea, many times he suites
His Deity in our poore attributes;
And (that our weaknesse he may work upon)
Our usuall speech, and passions, he puts on▪
If so; then we, that have no other way
Our hidden apprehensions to conuey
From Man to Man, but by the qu [...]int creation
Of some Ideaes in our contemplation;
That so the senses may become inclin'd
To give some information to the mind:
Then we (I say) whose fluid memories
Would else let goe our ayrie fantasies,
May such a libe [...]y with warrant use.
And I (no doubt) my selfe may well excuse,
If other while things bodilesse I cloath
With mortall bodies; and doe give them both
Our speeches, and our gestures▪ Fo [...], by this
A dull affection often quickned is.
Nor thus to doe, are Poets onely moved
But, these are straines Pro [...]heticall, approved.
To say, that God is angry; or that he
Will of our wickednesse avenged be;
Moves little: but, to paint his fury, so
That Men the dreadfulnesse thereof may know,
As if they s [...]w it: or his love to make
So pleading of our cause, as if it spake
(Within our hearing) with such earnestnesse,
As friends would plead for friends in their distress [...];
Doth much incite the Reader to attention,
And rouseth up the dullest apprehension.
Me thinks, I doe, (as with mine eye) behold
The reall sight of all that I have told:
Yea, that which I my selfe described here,
Doth touch mine heart with re [...]ere [...]ce, and fea [...]e.
[Page]I have perpetuall Visions of that rout
Of Plagues, and Iud [...]emen [...]s, which doe rove about
To punish us. And, from that dreadfull hoast
I see (me thinkes) how to invade our Coast,
The Plague march'd hither, like a Regiment
That is for services of moment sent
From some great Armie. And, when I can bend
My troubled spirits truly to attend
Gods Iudgements, and his Mercies, as they goe
Their daily progresse; I can reach unto
Much pleasing thoughts; and oftentimes foresee,
What his intents, and their even [...] will be:
For, when Mans heart is filled with his Feare,
The secrets of the Lord to him appeare.
Oh! what rich treasures doth my soule possesse,
When I doe contemplate the blessednesse,
The Wisedome▪ and the Way of God most high?
How farre above my selfe rais'd up am I?
How little want I, [...]ha [...] the world can give?
What heights ascend I? what huge depths I dive?
How much contemne I dangers here below?
How c [...]rtaine of Gods favours can I grow?
And wi [...]h what sweetn [...]sse is my brest inspired,
When (by the heat of Contemplation fired)
I sit lock'd up within a lonely roome,
Whe [...]e nothing to disturbe my thoughts may come;
And where may enter neither sight, nor Notion
Of any thing, but what may [...]irre Devotion?
Sure, were it not, that I am cloth'd about
With flesh, that doth compell me to come out;
Or, knew I not the Christian Mans estate
Extend [...]d [...]urther, t [...]en to contemplate;
Or saw not them unthankfully precise,
Who Gods externall blessings quite despise;
[Page 44]Or fear'd I not▪ I never should have union
With God, unlesse I were in some communion
Of Saints on earth; whom I might sharers make
Of those sweet thoughts of him, which I pa [...]take;
Or, if I doubted not, I might with Lot,
Vpon the daughters of my b [...]aine begot,
Commit some spirituall incest, had I none
To spend the seed of my full Soule upon:
Or, if I found it not unnaturall,
To leape out of the world, till God did call;
And that fantastique wayes of selfe-contenting
Are but the certaine paths to selfe-tormenting;
If all these things I knew not; I could bide
Shut up, untill my flesh we [...]e Mummy-si'd;
And (though the world should woo me) would disd [...]in
(For ever) to unclose my doore againe.
For though (when I come sorth) I lose agen
My [...]aptures; and have thoughts like other men;
Because my nat'rall f [...]ailties, and the fog
Of earthly Vanities, my soule doth clog:
Yea, though I can as hardly keepe those firings
Vnquench'd abroad, which are (in my retirings
Inflamed in me;) as a naked Man
Retaine that heat upon a [...]ountaine can,
Which in a close warme chamber he retaineth:
Ye [...] (for my comfort) somewhat still remaineth:
And in my recollections I possesse
More happinesse, then I can well expresse.
I view contentments, which I cannot measure;
I have some tastings of immortall pleasure;
I g [...]immerings have of hid [...]en mysteries;
My [...]ou [...]e on glorious things doth fix her eyes:
And though some whited walls (who did attempt
To bring my Muse and Me, unto contempt)
[Page]Endevour still (with shewes of Pietie)
My best-approved paines to v [...]l [...]fie:
I can with scorne of their base envy, raise
My thoughts above their ignorant dispraise:
And pitty their dull sottishnesse, who prize
Their shadowes better, then real [...]ties.
For I have search'd their folly, and espy'd
That they have drown'd their wisdome in their prid [...] ▪
Yea, by their partiall dealings, I now see
They judge mens merits, as their titles be:
And I have gotten those brave things in chase,
That shall advantage me, by my disgrace.
When, therefore, by my selfe I am enclosed,
And for an heavn'ly rapture, well disposed;
I doe not grudge mine enemies to spue
Their flanders on my name; or to pursue
My labours with reproach; nor prey to make
On all my fortunes: But all well can take.
I doe not then repine, although I see
That Fooles ennobled, Knaves enriched be,
And honest men unheeded: but I bide
As pleased, as I am at Whitsontide,
To see faire Nymphs in Country Townes rejected,
And sluttish Milkmaids by the Clownes elected
For Ladies of the May. And if I chance
Where any of those Hobby horses prance;
I can in sport, or courtesie, bestow
Those termes upon them, which I doe not owe.
For when on Contemplations wings I flye,
I then o're-looke the highest Vanity.
I see how base those fooleries do [...] show,
Which are a [...]mired, while I creepe below:
And by the brightnesse of a two-fold light
(Re [...]ecting from Gods word to cleare my sight)
[Page 45]Faiths objects to her eyes, much plainer are,
Then those which to my outward [...]ght appeare.
My towring Soule is winged up, as if
She over-flew the top of Tenariffe,
Or some far higher Mountaine; where we may
All actions of this lower World survey.
I am above the touch of malice borne;
I am beyond the reach of [...]v'ry scorne;
And could—But what mean I? this seems a [...]rai [...]
Impertinent▪ Sweet Muse, come downe againe;
Soare not so high. For in these lofty flights
The Fooles below, doe thinke our Eagles, Kites.
The world, to flout such Raptures now is prone;
I will enjoy them (therefore) al [...] alone:
Of their unhallow'd censuring take heed,
And in my former purpose, thus proceed:
When (as you heard before) the Court of Heav'n
Commission to the Pestilence had given
To scourge our sinnes, and signed her direction [...] ▪
She tooke vp all her boxes of Infections,
Her Carbuncles, her Sores, her Spots, her Blaines,
And ev'ry other thing which appertaines
To her contagious practices; and all
Her followers she did about her call;
Appoint them to their places, and their times,
D [...]rect them to the Persons, and the Crimes
They should correct, and how they should advanc [...]
Her maine Designement in each circumstance.
Then, on she marched; not as doth a Foe
Proclaiming Warre, before he strikes the blow;
But like an Enemy, who doth surprise
Vpon the fi [...]st advantage he espies.
For (passing through the streets of many a Towne
Disguised like a Fever) she, (unknowne)
The well fill'd Suburbs; spread [...]ng there (no doubt)
Inf [...]ction unperceiv'd, in many a place
Before the blea [...]e ey'd Searchers, knew her face;
And since they knew her, they have bribed beene
A thous [...]nd times, to let h [...]r passe unseene.
But at the length, she was discover'd at
A Frenchmans house without the B [...]shopsgate.
To intimate (perhap [...]) that such as be
Our spirituall Wats [...]men, should the more foresee
That they with d [...]scipline made strong the Ward,
Which God appointed hath for them to g [...]ard;
And chiefly, at this present, to have care,
Lest now, while we, and France un [...]ted are
In bodily commerce; they bring unto us
Those Plagues which may eternally undoe us.
For, such like Pestilences soone begin;
And (ere we be aware) will enter in,
Vnlesse our Bishops, both betimes, and late,
Be diligent and watchfull at their Gate.
As soone, as e're the Women-spyes descry'd,
This Foe about the City to reside;
There was a loud All-arme. The Countrimen
Began to wish themselves at home agen.
The Citizens were gen'rally appal [...]'d;
The Senators themselves to Counsell call'd;
And all (who might advise in such a case)
Assembled in their Common meeting place;
Where, what discretion publikely was used;
What was admitted of, and what refused;
What policies, and stratagems invented;
That mischiefes, comming on, might be prevented,
I cannot say: For I had never wit,
Nor wealth enough, to sit in Counsell, yet.
[Page 46]B [...] if to judge of things it lawfull were
By [...]hei [...] events; the propositions there
Were such as these. Most thought the surest play
To save their persons, was, to runne away;
But lest some higher pow'r might then forbid it,
They did not pu [...]lish that, b [...]fore they did it.
Some urged, that the Scav [...]nger should keepe
The s [...]reet [...] more cleane, and oft the channell sweep;
Some thought it fit, (and these no harme did thinke)
That ev'ry morning we should eate, and drinke.
Some (to allay the heat) did hold it meet
To sprinkle water often in the street.
Some did a little further nat' [...]allize,
And these unto the Ayre would sacrifize
(In evening fires) pure F [...]ankincense or Myrrhe,
Sweet herbes, or odorif'rous Iuniper;
Or (for default of those) Pitch, Rosin, Tarre▪
And such perfumings as lesse costly are.
For if the Heart and Liver of a Fish
(Burnt by yo [...]ng Tobit in a Chafind [...]h)
A Spirit from his chamber could expell▪
They hoped these might purge ill ayres, as well:
Some others (not contented herewi [...]hall)
Did into consultation also call
The P [...]iests of Ae [...]culapius, and Apollo;
And held it fit their grave advice to follow:
Nor without cause. For, from the wise Physitia [...]
We best sha [...]l know this Enemies condition.
And some there were of those, who did advise
Not onely to assume those remedies
Which Art prescrib'd▪ but also therewithall
Observed what was M [...]taphy [...]call.
Yea, some s [...]ncerely, and religiously
Vpon the soules infection had an eye,
The surest way that sicknesse to prevent.
But there were others, who derided these,
And talked heath'nish [...]y of this disease.
They prated much of Humours, Incl [...]nations ▪
Conjunction, planetary Constellations;
Of nat'rall causes, unbeleeved fictions;
Impostures, Fables, and meere contradictions
In th [...]t Phil [...]sophy, which they professe:
VVhich fill'd mens mindes with much unsetlednesse.
Yet in their disagreeings, they agree'd
On that which might their common profit breed▪
One had a rare Perfume of speciall note;
Another had a precious Antidote,
VVhich at Constantinople had been tride
VVhen there two thousand on a day have di'de.
A third, prefert'd a Mixture in a bag,
Of whose large vertues he did largely brag,
And said, the same they doe in Plague times, weare
At Rome, (and so I think when he was there.)
A fourth, by Diets, safety did assure.
A fifth, by Drinkes, the Pestilence would cure.
A sixth of Cordials, and Elixars prates;
And some of Treacles, and of Mithridates.
To offer up a portion of the blood
(To save the rest) for some, it seemed good.
For other some to purge: for all to take
Such meanes as might their purses heavie make.
They to the rich prescrib'd Preservatives
On costly termes: and, to prolong the lives
Of poorer men, their consciences abated
The value much: For, health, to them was rated
At some few handfuls of that herbe or grasse,
Which to be gotten▪ for the gathering was.
[Page 47]This being knowne, the Senators dismisse
Those men; and by advice it ordered is,
That some Instructions shall be published,
To further what was gravely counselled.
Moreover, that their discipline might cary
Some likenesse to proceedings military,
A band of Ha [...]be [...]s, mustred was, to guard
The people from the Plague, in ev'ry Ward.
And, if they found, by serious inquisition,
(Or, had but any probable suspition)
Where lodg'd it was (although but for a night)
That Host, exiled was from publike sight;
Close pris'ner him they kept bo [...]h night and day,
As one that els [...] their Citie might betray.
And, to compell that his unwelcome Guest
Should keepe wi [...]hin; his doo [...]e was crost, and blest:
And many VVatchmen, strengthned by command,
Did round about his dwelling, armed stand.
I doe not thus expresse, or mention this,
As if I thought those Orders were amisse:
But, that I might, hereby, the better show
What miseries, attended on this Foe;
And, that this Malady, on us did ce [...]ze,
With circumstances, worse then the Disease.
My Muse inspires not me so foolishly,
That I all naturall causes doe deny.
I doe not thinke, but to this Pest [...]lence,
The Constellations, by their influence
Might somewhat adde: and that corrupted ayre,
Might helpe our healthy being to impaire.
I hold, that Diets, Meats, Complexions, Passions,
With such as these, and all their mitigations,
May helpe or hinder much in such diseases
As we endeavor shall; and as God pleases.
[Page]Nor doe I flout the wisedome, or the paine
Of those who s [...]ught this mi [...]chiefe to restraine:
Nor blame I their much diligence, or care;
But praise it; and could wish it doubled were;
W [...]h som [...] such observ [...]tion [...], as would make
Their practices, the mor [...] successe to t [...]ke;
And that their naturall meanes had hallowed bin,
With so much Fait [...], and penitence▪ for sin,
As might hav [...] brought more workes of Piety,
To san [...]tifie their outward Poluy
Fo [...] those dull N [...]turalists, who think, this Foe,
Doth by meere nat' [...]all causes▪ come o [...] goe,
Are much deceiv'd▪ Yea, in their he [...]rts, they say,
There is no God, how [...]ver gl [...]ze they may:
And as their cogitation [...] are unholy,
So is their seeming wisedome▪ sottish folly.
They are the base Conjunctions, and Aspects
Of Sin, that this our Climate, so infects;
And neither Constellations, nor the Weather:
For, then we had beene po [...]s'ned all together,
By this Contagion; and had breath'd the longer
Or shorter while, as nature had beene stronger,
Or weaker in us Nothing had beene free,
But birds and beasts had dy'd as well a [...] we;
And this Disease had seiz'd on ev'ry Creature
Or more or lesse, as it partakes our nature:
It was no n [...]ysome Ayre, no [...]ewre, or Stinke,
Which brought this Death, as most among us thinke,
For, then those places where ill smells abound,
Had more infectious at that time beene found,
Then we perceive they were; yea, this Disease,
On ev'ry person delicate, would seize,
Without exception. And where Savours ill
Still bide, the Plague should there continue still:
[Page 48]Then, if they brought the same, they sure feed it,
And, keepe it alwayes there, as well as breed it.
Which God [...]orbid; and [...]each us to discerne
His providence, and what thereby to learne.
Vaine thoughts have also they, who credit can
That, this Infirmity, at first, began,
By meanes of populousnesse. For, were it so;
Some Courts and Allies, many yeares agoe,
Had beene infected: And, th [...]se places, where
Throng'd up together, greatest numbers are;
From Visitation, had not free remained,
When open Streets, and Borroughs have complained▪
And, let them not beleeve their fallacy,
Because great Cities, have most frequently,
This fearfull Sicknesse, or, afflicted be,
When little Townes and Villages, are free.
For, as there is in great and popular places,
More sin, and more abundance of Gods graces:
So, it is just▪ that thither should be sent
The greater measure of his Chastisement,
That so, their eminen [...]e, might shew abroad,
As well the Iustice, as the Love of God;
Whose Iudgements being laid on Townes obscure,
Might small respect, and lesse effect procure.
As ignorant as these, I reckon those,
Who this Disease, infectious doe suppose
To ev'ry one: and, them, who credit not
That Sicknesse, by infection may be got:
For, these opinions can have no defence;
Since both will false be found, in common sense.
For, if we say, this Plague infects not any,
How commeth it, we daily see so many
Consum'd beneath one roofe in little space?
How comes it, that it creeps from place to place,
[Page]So orderly, as oftentimes we see,
In some close Lane o [...] Street? How may it be
That twenty Villages (far distant from
Infected Places) tainted should become
Within some few dayes after their arriving
Who in contageous places had their living?
None being there, before they came, infected,
Nor any such disease neare-hand suspected?
How comes all this, unlesse the Malad [...]e,
Hath in it selfe, as had the L [...]prosie,
A spreading Nature, and envenom'd that
Which of her poison can participate?
Beleeve it; as the Violet, or Rose,
(With pure and pleasing sweetnesse) where it grow [...]s
Perfumes the Aire, and sendeth Odours out,
Which keepe a certaine distance there-about;
And, more or lesse, affect the Passers-by,
As they have more or lesse capacity
In smelling them; Or, as the calmed aire,
Is either, more or lesse, corrupt or faire:
Right so, this Plague, ev'n naturally affects
A space of Aire about it; and infects,
(At such or such a distance) ev'ry one,
As he hath weaknesses, to worke upon:
Unlesse, that her malignitie be staid
By naturall meanes, or powre Divine alaid.
And yet, a false Position make they shall
Who thence infer, the Plague infecteth all,
Who breathe her tainted Aire. For, how did they
Escape it [...]hen, who long time, night and day
In places of infection were detain'd?
And in the bosome of this Pest [...]emain'd,
Ev'n whe [...]e they often had their eares and eyes,
Affronted, by the sad aspect, and cries,
[Page 49]Of Death and Dying men? How scaped he
That in the Church, obliged was to be
Among infectious people; and to speake
Till tired were his lungs; and spirits weake?
Ev'n when the peoples, thronging, and their heat
Did vapour up their breathings, and their sweat
For him to swallow? What preserv'd the Clarkes,
The Sextens, Searchers, Keepers, and those Sharks,
The shamelesse Bearers? (who were nigh become,
A rout too bad, to picke out hangmen, from?)
How scap't the Surgeon, that oft puts his head
Within the steame of an Infectious bed▪
And, ev'ry day doth handle, search, and dresse,
Those Biles, that over-flow with rottennesse?
Or (which is more) how scapt those Babes, the Pest,
That were not only weake, but suckt the brest
Of Mothers deadly sicke, when they did weare
Those noisome Blaines, that most infectious are?
This often chanceth. Yea, this hath beene seene
When on the ve [...]y brest, the sore hath beene.
Nay, I have heard (by credible relation)
That neare to Stra [...]ford-bow, this Visitation,
A little Infant was preserv'd alive,
Who sucked on the dying brests of five.
How this may be I know not; If I shall
Conclude with some, this Plague hath powre on al [...]
Nor can I finde a reason how it stinted,
Or how our totall ruine was prevented.
For, when it was at height; and when appear'd,
Most causes, that Infection should be fear'd;
Then, no man was confined, as before:
No Bill, or Crosse, was fixt on any doore;
We visited the Sicke; we shunned neither
The place nor person; but met all together.
[Page]Yet then, and (let us marke it) not till then,
This Plague, her fury did abate agen;
And constantly abate, though most refused
To keepe such Orders, as at first were used.
Which manifest [...]th well, that (howsoe're
Malignant in it selfe, the [...]est appeare)
Gods hand restraines it; many a man protecting
Immediately: some, mediately directing
To such, or such a meanes of preservation,
That they might honour him in their salvation▪
And, as he striketh some, that men might feare
His Iustice: So, he other some doth spare,
That they might love his Mercies; and perceive
That he can at his pleasure take, and leave.
For, if God saved none; some Athe'st, would not
Make doubt, perhaps, to publish that he could not;
And, scarce one man would be so neighbourly,
To helpe his brother in this malady.
Which Charity to further (and to shew
How safely, men their Callings may pursue
In ev'ry danger) we have had, this yeare,
Of Gods great Providence, faire token, here.
For, 'tis observ'd, that he hath few destroy'd
Who were in this mortality employ'd
About those Offices, which have to us
(In common sense) appear'd most dangerous.
Few Sextons, and few Surgeons have miscari'd,
Who in their callings at this want have tary'd.
And of those Market-folks ▪ who at our need
Brought in provisions, this weake place to feed,
I cannot heare of one, who did become
Infected; or, who brought infection home.
Ev'n in that Parish where I did abi [...]e;
And where, nigh halfe a thousand, weekly dy'd)
[Page 50]Not one of all that number perished,
That were the common Bearers of the Dead.
But, though from midnight, till the break of day,
They did infectious Ca [...]kasses convay
From sickly Dwellings, to those Pits of Death,
Which breathed out a most contagious breath,
With life and health, their service, God rewarded;
Ev'n though the most of them nought else regarded,
But that base gaine which might their want supply,
Or feed them in some wicked vanity.
How then, can we, that of this favour heare,
From any lawfull action flye through feare?
Or doubt of Gods protection, when we make
A dangerous attempt, for conscience sake?
And know, beside, that what we [...]rive to do,
We are both called, and oblig'd unto?
Moreover, since the latter sort here named,
Are (for the greater part) in life defamed;
Such, who their needfull Offices abused;
Such, who nor outward meanes, nor inward used;
To keep their healths (but, grew the bolder in
The practices of ev'ry kind of sin)
Such, whom Gods Iudgements stupified more,
And made far harder hearted, then before.
Since those (I say) of such condition were,
And yet preserved in their Callings, here:
For what good use I pray can we suppose
Those men were so preserved; but that those
Who truly seeke Gods glory in their stay,
Might have the more assurance in their way?
And know, that if to such God please to give
This mortall life, they shall much rather live;
Or else (which is far better) if they dye,
Obtaine a life, with immortality.
[Page]Some Wiseman-woud-be, now, perhaps, will prate
That this is Claphamnisme: And, that the State
(In her good policies to stop the breach
Of this g [...]eat Plague) is wrong'd by what I teach?
But, rather they injurious are to me
Who so affirme; and vaine their cavils be.
For, though to shew the powre Divine the more,
Our Muse declares, by what is gone before,
That Gods owne hand, our Citie did preserve,
When we scarce Mea [...]es, or Order, did observe.
Let no man gather thence, that we maintaine,
All Mean [...]s ▪ or Civill Orders to be vaine.
For, of selfe-murther that man guiltie dies,
Who, meanes of health doth wilfully despise.
Yea, doubtl [...]sse, there belongs a curse to them,
That orderly proceedings doe contemne.
And, whereas we our Orders did transgresse,
It was necessitie, not wilfulnesse,
That u [...]ged it; because, our common woe,
Did far [...] beyond the powre o [...] O [...]d [...]r, goe.
At rising of the [...]loud we made a Bay;
But, at the height, it carri'd all away.
In humane Policie, we s [...]w no hope.
But, as the stones and Timbers whi [...]h doe stop
A Breach at first; when all is drowned o're,
Doe nothing else, but make the waters rore:
So, when our Sicknesse, and our Poverty,
Had greater wants than we could well supply,
Strict Orders did but more enrage our griefe,
And, hinder in accomplishing releefe.
Had ev'ry house beene lockt which we suppos'd
To stand infected, few had beene unclos'd,
Yea, our fi [...]st Orders had we still observ'd,
The healthie Housholds would not halfe have serv'd
[Page]To keepe the Sicke. And who should then have heeded
Our private cares? Or got us that we needed?
As long as from each other, we ref [...]ain'd,
We greater sorrowes ev'ry day sustain'd:
Yea, whilst for none, but for ou [...] selves we car'd,
Our brethren perisht, and the worse we far'd.
This made us from our Policies appeale,
And meete in Love, each others wounds to he [...]le.
This, made vs from our civill Orders flie,
To make more practise of our Charitie.
And hereunto, pe [...]haps, compell'd were we,
By meere necessitie, to l [...]t us see
Experiments, of that unmatched good,
Which flowe [...]h from a Christian Neighbourh [...]od ▪
And learne what publike, and what pr [...]vate case
It bringeth in a g [...]nerall Dise [...]se:
And how it may a Common-wealth sustaine
When carnall Wisdome, and Selfe-love are vaine▪
O [...], we perchance from vulgar helpes were driven,
Lest Overmuch assurance might be given
To outward meanes: Or, lest we us'd them so,
As if Gods powre were chained thereunto.
O [...] else, it was permitted, to d [...]clare
That fruitlesse all our best endevours are.
Without his blessing: That, no creatures have
A Vertue to preserve till he will save:
That, his immediate powre must countermand,
When any Plague hath got an upper hand:
And, that, such Mercy showne in s [...]ch distresse,
Might binde us to the greater thankfulnesse.
But, lest what here precedeth hath not showne
My purpose fully; be it also knowne,
That to restraine, or spurre the PESTILENCE,
There is both supernat'rall Providence
[Page]And Causes naturall. The first of these
Can worke without the later, if it please.
The later cannot any thing effect,
But, as the former shall the same direct.
And, though in ev'ry sicknesse, thus it is,
Yet, such hid properties are found in this,
Such oppositions in the Naturall Causes,
Such knots, and riddles; that it much amazes
The naturall man: because he seldome findes
(As he perceives in griefes of other kindes)
The Causes and Effects agree together;
For, there is much uncertainty in either.
On some, this Plague doth steale insensib [...]y,
Their muddy nature, stirring secretly
To their destruction. Some, it striketh so,
As if a mortall hand had with a blow
Arrested them; and on their flesh hath seene
A palmes impression, to appearance, beene.
One m [...]n is faint, weake, sickly, full of feare,
And drawes his breath where st [...]ongst infections are,
Yet scapes with life. Another man is young,
Light-hearted, healthy, stout, well-temper'd, strong,
And lives in wholesome ayre, yet gets a fit
Of this Land Cale [...]ture, and dies of it.
Some are tormented by it, till we s [...]e
Their veines and sinewes almost broken be,
The very soule distracted, sense bereft,
And scarce the smallest hope of scaping le [...]t,
Yet soone recover. Othersome, againe
Fall suddenly; or feele so little paine
When they are seized, that they breathlesse lye,
E're any dying Symptomes, we [...]spy.
On some, an endlesse drowsinesse doth creep [...]:
Some others, cannot get one winke of sleepe.
[Page 52]This, useth ev'ry day preservatives,
Yet dies: another taketh none, yet lives.
Ev'n thus vncertainly this Sicknesse playes;
Spares, wounds, and killeth, many sev'rall wayes.
From this experience, let us not conclude,
As many doe among the multitude,
Who misconceiving (to no small offence)
The doctrine of Eternall Providence,
(Who from the truth of sober knowledge wandring,
And Gods Decrees, and Iustice also slandring)
Doe so necessitate the Fate of man,
That, whatsoever he endevour can,
His paines is lost; and that foredoom'd, he must
At this or that set moment turne to dust:
And that no industry, no innocence,
No wilfull carelesnesse, or foule offence,
N [...]r any humane actions helpfull be
To life or death, but meerly Gods De [...]ree.
Ev'n such there be. And, howsoever they
Preach Faith, or Workes, in show, yet, th [...]y denay
The pow'r of both; and secretly maintaine,
(By consequence at least) that meanes are vaine.
For, they affirme that ev'ry thing men doe,
They are by God predestinated to
Before all worlds; So, that our pow'r, or will,
Affecteth; not effecteth good, or ill;
And that we are by doome inevi [...]able
In ev'ry kind of action made unable.
Which Tenet, seemeth rather to arise
From those, who write of heathnish Des [...]inies,
Then from a Christian. For, though true it be,
That, God Almighty, all things doth foresee,
And order so, and so dispose of things,
That, to perfection his owne worke he brings,
[Page]In spight of Satan, and of every deed
That may from his malignant brood proceed:
Yet, they have Actions naturally their owne,
Which God permits. He likewise hath bestowne
On us that are his children, grace, and powres,
Good Actions to performe, which we call ours
By Gods free gift. Moreover, he doth please
To promise blisse, or threaten plagues, for these,
According to their natures; that each one
May heed the be [...]ter, what is to be done:
Be stirred up to put good workes in use,
Or else be left at last without excuse.
For▪ though I am assured we possesse,
By Nature, no inherent Righteousnesse;
I, naithelesse beleeve that ev'ry one
(Whose being, first, from Adams loines begun)
Received since our Universall fall
One Talent, at the least, to worke withall,
With so much powre of working also, that
We may and should with God cooperate.
As Adam all men did of life deprive;
Ev'n so by Christ, were all men made alive:
Yea, ev'n as Moses did not let remaine
One hoofe in Aegypt which did appe [...]taine
To Isr'ell; So beleeve I that not one▪
Was left unransom'd by Gods only Sonne:
But that all through the sea of bloud d [...]d come,
As well those other who doe wander from
Truths path in this lifes wildernesse; as they
Who come within the Land of Promise may.
And, though like him, who impudently, laid
Injustice to his Masters charge, and said;
He reaped where he sow'd not, though, I say;
There want not some among us, at this day,
[Page 53]Who like to him, doe most unthankfully
This grace of God in IESVS CHRIST deny;
(Affirming, that he some injoynes unto
Much more, than he did give them power to)
Our Maker unto ev'ry soule that lives,
So much by vertue of Christs Passion gives,
That whosoever falleth, fal [...]s not by
Anothers, but his owne iniquitie;
And, by his actuall crimes, makes unforgiven
That Debt originall which was made even
By his Redeemer, who, that, backe will have,
(If we abuse it) which at first he gave.
Who ev'r wants powre to doe what God doth bid,
Lost in himselfe, that pow [...]e as Adam did:
Yet, we that have it, neither had that powre,
No [...] keepe it can, by any strength of our;
But by his holy Spi [...]it, who hath taught
That path of life wherein to walke we ought.
And, this is such a Mystery, that some
Which thinke they s [...]e, are blinde therein become▪
Our guiltie Soules and Bodies were bereft
Of all good Faculties, and had not left
So much as Will, much lesse the powre to doe
What soule or B [...]d [...]es health conduced to.
Their guilt Christ from them tooke; and by his might
Depraved Nature so much sets to right,
That unto ev'ry Soule, he gives the will
Which Adam had, of chusing good or ill.
And then both Life and Death, he doth propose
Before them so, that either may be chose.
To them, whom in his Church he doth afford
To live past Child-hood, He doth by his Word
(And by no other meanes) this tender make.
With Infants, and with Heathens, he may take
[Page]Some other course. But, surely, when, or how
He that effects; concernes not us to know.
When God doth make this tender (which is then
When he doth please, and no man knoweth when)
If any Soule by Sathans guile doth chuse,
What Gods good Spirit moves her to refuse,
She, then, to put in action doth begin
The haynous and impardonable sin
Against the Holy Ghost (which f [...]arfull crime
Is made apparant to the world, in time,
Or more or lesse, by outward actions here,
As God shall please to let the same appeare)
And, after this refusall, ev'ry thing,
Which doth encrease of grace, to others, bring,
Doth make her grow more senselesse of her state,
Or else enrage, or make her desperate.
And, her freewill, in Adam lost before,
Is lost againe, by her, for evermore.
But, if she chuseth as the Spirit move [...]h,
The Lord, this Soule, without repenting loveth;
In her, preserving such affections still,
And such a portion of her first Freewill,
That though the frailties of her flesh doe seeme
To choake them often, in the worlds esteeme;
(And sometime in her owne) yet she for ever
Doth in her motion towards God persever,
Till she arive in him. Nor doth she cease
Of pious workes, her number to encrease:
But labours for assurance in election,
By reaching ev'ry day at more perfection.
An [...], far is it from God to take away
The guerdon of our Faith; or to denay
What he did by his Covenant, ordaine,
To be the wages of our Christian paine:
[Page 54]Or to command us what should profit nought;
Or, to neglect the workes that we have wrought.
For, since God heeds those things that are so small,
As birds alightings, and as haires that fall;
Makes use of ev'ry circumstance, and chai [...]es
(To further those maine ends which he ordaines)
Ten thousand little trifling things together;
Not one omitting, none displacing neither,
Which may be pertinent his ends to fu [...]ther,
Or to effect them, in their timely Order.
How could so fond a crotchet be devised,
That God our serioust actions hath despised?
Or, that by his Foreknowledge, or Decree,
Our deeds should all annihilated be?
Or, that he should so oft incite us to
What he had giv'n to man, no pow'r to doe?
I dare not venture upon their distractions,
Who search the order of Eternall actions;
Nor doe I further seeke what God foreknowes,
Then he within his Word revealed showes;
Nor will I ever strive to pry into
His hidden couns [...]lls, as too many doe:
But their unwarrantable paths eschewing,
And, Gods disclosed purposes pursuing,
Search onely for the knowledge of those things
Which an effecting of his pleasure brings.
Since, if I follow them, it cannot be
That he would purpose any harme to me;
Or in his secret counsell ought ordaine
To make his publi [...]e will to be in vaine.
For, though, when Abram, Isa'k thought to kill,
God's hidden purpose, and revealed will
Did seeme to crosse each other (And when he
Did threaten Niniveh destroy'd should be)
[Page]Yet, they appeare not opposite to those
Whose faith, such holy secrets can disclose.
Or were it so; from acts particular
None should conclusions generall inferre.
God neuer said, as yet, that I could heare,
Man, such a day shall perish, howsoe're
By faithfull workes for safety he endeauour.
But, all his promises and threatnings, euer
Were made conditionall; and haue fore-spoken
Our life, or death, as they are kept, or broken.
Nor is this any barre, or contradiction
To Gods free Grace; or to his firme Election,
Or never-ending Loue. Nor helpes it those
Who, perseverance of the Saints, oppose:
But, rather, maketh all those Doctrines good.
Yea, being rightly weigh'd and understood,
Gods iustice, and his mercy it unites,
Whom mens blind Cavills haue made opposites.
God knew the doome, and date of Adams crime,
Yet, he did fore-expresse no certaine time;
But, speaking of it, spake indefinitely,
And said, That d [...]y thou sinnest, thou shalt dye.
And sure, of all mens deaths (who e're gaine saies)
It is their sinne that setteth downe the daies.
For, till transgression forfeited our breath,
There was no peremptory day of death.
And, in affirming, where Gods Word is mute,
It is presumption, to be absolute.
Doe this, saith God, and liue; Doe that and perish.
Yet some, whose overfights too many cherish,
Dare contradict it; and affirme that wee
Good, bad, dead, liuing, damned, saued be
Eu'n from eternity, without respects,
To any causes, or to their effects.
[Page 55]And these imply, that (whatsoe're we doe,
Or leaue vndone) God fore-appoints us to
A certaine doome; which we shall striue in vaine,
With all our strength, to shunne▪ or to obtaine.
And wherefore then did God his Gospell send?
Why doth his Word exhort vs to amend?
Why doth he [...]id vs, this, or that to shunne?
Why hath he charged some things to be done?
If he no power hath giuen, or else by fate
Disableth all men to cooperate?
And leaues them neither good nor ill to doe
But what he fore-decreed long agoe?
Why threats he stripes? why promiseth reward?
If there be no compassion, no regard,
Nor meed for what is done. And what I pray
Is all Religion, if these truth doe say?
I know God reprobates▪ and doth foresee
Before all worlds, who reprobates will be.
But, none he forceth to be so accurst,
Saue those who haue his Grace rejected first▪
And vnto those, indeed, he powre denies
To worke his will, because they did despise
His profered Love; And just it is in him,
To make them blinde, who did the light contemne.
He doth eternally abhorre the crime;
But he the persons reprobates in time.
And None doth chuse, or personally reject
(What ever some conceive) but with respect
Vnto his Covenant; which hath implide
Something to be perform'd on either side.
For, were it so, that God hath fore-decreed
What should befall unto us without heed
To any Covenant; and bar'd Salvation,
By an eternall doome of R [...]probation,
[Page](In such like manner as the fantasies
Of some (not well advisedly) devise)
What compasse we by striving therewithall▪
Why spend we time, in rising up to fall?
Why linger we to act so many crimes?
To suffer over griefe so many times?
And live so many sev'rall deaths to taste,
To be nor worse, nor better at the last?
Or wherefore have we prayed, since we know
What must be, must be, though we pray not so?
I might be thought o're bitter, if as they
I should interrogate, who sharply say;
Why doe not these, who this opinion hold,
Goe hang themselves before that they are old?
Or in their Gardens, TIMON like, erect
Faire Gibbets for the Schollers of their Sect?
What tends their life unto? why should not they
Refuse to eate and drinke; and, wisely, say,
"God, for our end, a certaine day hath set,
"Which we shall reach, although we taste no meat.
Why doe they shun a danger in the street,
Since they shall live their time, what e're they meet?
If they to any place, desire to goe,
Why trouble they their feet to helpe thereto?
Since they are sure, that if decreed it were
They should come thither, they their paines may spare?
If thus I should have said, some men would deeme me
To be more bitter then did well beseeme me:
For, I confesse that on the quick they grated,
Who in this manner have expostulated.
And I forbeare it. Yet, this generation
Hath some who need this tart expostulation;
With whom loud noises more prevaile by far,
Then doe those proofes, that Faiths and Reasons are.
[Page 56]I know to these Objections, most replies;
I know their strength, and where their weaknesse lies;
I know what holy Scriptures, men mistake,
Which proofes of their assertions seeme to make:
I know, how they their Arguments mis-lay,
From that of Esau, and the Potters clay:
I know what Times and Termes they misconceive,
And wherewithall themselves they doe deceive.
I know with what nick-names of heresie,
Some Readers will for this my Muse belye;
And that nor they, who call'd Armini [...]ns be,
Nor they who reprehend them, will with me
Be friends for this; for neither those nor these
Am I desirous to offend or please.
But to uphold the Truth, which is bely'd▪
Injuriously by most of either side.
I know their spight, their vineger, their gall;
I know what spirit most are led withall
Who spread the Doctrines which I have reproved,
And know such Reason nev [...]r to be moved,
With favour to them that I dare to say,
It is the nearest and the straightest way
To all prophanenesse. It the b [...]idle gives
To [...]arnall liberties, and makes the lives
And hearts of many men so voyd of care:
From hence distractions; hence despairings are.
Hence mischiefes; hence selfe murthers doe arise;
Hence is it that such multitudes despise
Good discipline: yea, this contemned makes
The life of Fai [...]h, if once it rooting takes:
Disableth pious practices outright▪
And where it roots, destroyes Religion quite.
Let no man then admit into his thought,
That God Almighty hath decreed ought
[Page]Which on his Iustice may infringement bring,
Or on his Mercy in the smallest thing:
Or that his Wisedome any thing ordaines
Without the meanes which thereunto pertaines:
Or thinke, because our sinne he doth permit
That therefore he necessitateth it:
Or that he wills those errours he foresees,
As he the workes of righteousnesse decrees:
Or, that our humane actions cyphe [...]s are:
Or, that within this world there ever were
Or shall, those persons be, whom God will call
Vnto account, untill he giue them shall,
At least, one Talent, which may serue vnto
The working of that worke he bids them doe.
Let no man dreame these dreames; nor censure this,
Till he hath well consider'd what that is
Which I deliuer. For in this darke way,
Our learnedst Clerkes doe sometimes runne astray.
Nor let them thinke that I concurre with all,
Who in appearance hold this Tenet shall:
Or that I differ from all men that may
In termes dissent from what I seeme to say.
For they that in expression disagree
In one well-meaning, oft united be.
And either (if that they in loue contend)
Shall then at length, obtaine their wished end.
Oh! labour this, all you that would be thought
GODS glo [...]y in your studies to haue sought;
That though offences come, they may not moue
Disunion; but Gods worthy ones approve.
And let us with a true sobriety,
So heed his Actions of eternitie,
That we may see in them a boundlesnesse,
Beyond our humane wisdome to expresse;
[Page 57]Leave quarrelling about his waies unknowne,
And take more heed here after to our owne.
For, though God pleaseth, other while, to use
Our vulgar Termes, some notions to infuse
Of his eternall workings, and apply
His deeds that way, to our capacity,
Disclosing them unto us one by one,
As if at severall times they had beene done,
(Be [...]ause our shallownesse no meanes can find
To entertaine them in their proper kinde)
And though (respecting us who temp'ral be)
Wee say, that God Almighty doth fores [...]e,
Foreknow us, and pr [...]destinate; yet sure,
His Essence no such termes can well endure
In proper sense; Because with him, no doome,
Word, Thought, or Act, is passed, or to come.
But all things present. Yea, all Times, and all
Those things which wee by severall names doe call,
Our Birth [...], our Lives, our Deaths, and our Saluations,
Our free-el [...]ctions, and pr [...]d [...]stinations,
Are all at once with God, without foreseeing;
Eu'n all in one-eternall-present-being.
Which few observing, many men have thought
That Gods et [...]rnall actions should be wrought
Like ours in Time, which is, as if they should
Endeavour how the world they might enfold
Within a Nut-shell. And while thus men strive
(According to their fancies) to contrive
An order in Gods Workings, they mistake them
Blasphemously, and orderlesse doe make them.
Yea, to define his actions, they neglect
That part which is their duty to effect;
Themselves and others losing in a path
Which neither profit, end, nor safety hath;
[Page]And, by disputing what from us is hidden,
Disturb the doing that which God hath bidden:
I have digrest enough; and some there are
Who think, perhaps, that I have gone too farre.
Yet, let it not be judg'd impertinent,
That I have so pursu'd this Argument.
For, want of minding what is here rehearsed,
Hath often times the Pestilence dispersed.
Yea, some who fondly said, that ev'ry man
Shall live his time decreed, do what he can;
And that each one at his fixt houre shall dye,
'Gainst which he seeks in vaine, a remedy:
Ev'n these, made much good means of health neglected▪
Much wise and wholsome counsell be rejected;
And caused, oft, in this our common wo,
That Death was brought and caried, to and fro.
But, lest in chasing them, I run astray;
Ile prosecute againe my purpos'd way.
The Pestilence doth show her selfe inclin'd
So variously, she cannot be defin'd.
She neither certaine forme, nor habit wears,
But, partly metaphysicall appears,
And partly naturall. She oft may cary
Her Progresse on, by meanes that's ordinary;
But, rarely doth begin, or end her Arrant,
Save by an extraordinary Warrant.
It doth infect, and it infecteth not.
It is an arrow which is often shot
By Gods owne hand, from his far-striking bow▪
Without the help of any meanes below.
It is Gods Angel, which to death can smite,
Miraculously, an army in a night.
It is a rationall Disease, which can
Pick, with discretion, here and there a man;
[Page 58]And passe o're those, who either marked are
For Mercy; or, a greater Plague to beare.
We see, it suting hath to Natures lawes,
A nat'rall motion, and a nat'rall cause;
For, as a Fire among great Buildings throwne,
Burnes [...]imber, melteth Metall, cracketh Stone,
Defaceth Statues, makes moist places dry,
The Vaults below to sweat, the tyles to flye
And manifests his force, in sev'rall kindes,
According to the objects which he findes:
So, hath the Pestilence a nat'rall pow'r
To ha [...]den, fright, end [...]nger, or devou [...]e,
(And divers other changes to procu [...]e)
As she doth find a sev'rall temp'rature
In mind or body, fitting the rejection.
Or for the entertainment of Infection.
These things consider'd. They who shall desire
To scape from this Contagion, must acquire
A double Ward ▪ For, doubtlesse, there is none
That can resist it with one guard alone.
In times of Danger, vainly we presume
Vpon our Iv' [...]y boxes of Perfume.
To little purpose, we defend our noses,
With Wormwood, Rue, or with our Radeliffe Posies
Of tarred Ropes. Small warrant for our lives,
Are all such bodily Preservatives,
As Cordiall waters, Gums, Herbes, Plants, and Rootes,
Our simple or compounded Antidotes.
Our Boezar-stone; our med'cines Chymicall;
Or, that high-p [...]ized Iewell wherewithall,
For horne of V [...]icorne, men cheated are:
Or, those unhallowed Charmes, which many weare.
For, these are far unable to withstand
The vigour of his incorporeall hand,
[Page]Who strikes for sinne, unlesse to these wee adde
A Plaister which of better things is made.
Yea Nature failes, unlesse adjoyne wee doe,
A med'cine metaphisicall thereto.
Moreover, fruitlesly devout are they,
And that they seeke to God they falsely say,
Who wilfully neglect, or else contemne,
That outward meanes, which Nature offers them,
And God provides, to cure, or to prevent,
The mischiefe of Diseases pestilent.
For, since wee fram'd of soules and bodies are,
God pleased is, that wee should have a care
To both of them; and labour how to finde,
What appertaines to either, in his kinde.
He therefore, who desireth a defence
Against this Arrow of the Pestilence;
A compleat Armour must from God procure,
And still be arm'd, his person to secure.
He must put on the Helmet of Salvation,
And shoe his feet with holy Preparation.
A Bel [...] of Truth must for his loines be sought;
His Brest-plate must of Righteousnesse be wrought.
The Shield of Faith, his Target must become,
The darts of Sathan to secure him from.
Gods Word must be the Sword upon his thigh,
His Praiers, like continuall shot must flie;
And he should keepe for ever his abode,
Within the shadow of Almighty God.
Or else the Workeman looseth all his paine;
And he that watcheth, wake [...]h but in vaine.
He also must expell out of the soule,
That filthinesse of sinne, which makes it foule.
He must avoid the crimes he lived in;
His Physi [...]ke must be Rue (ev'n Rue for sinne)
[Page 59]Of Herb of Grace, a Cordiall he must make;
The bitter Cup of true Repentance take;
The Diet of Sobriety assume;
His House with workes of Charitie perfume;
And watch, that from his heart in secrecie,
Arise no savours of Hypocrisie.
He must beleeve, God so doth love him, that
His everlasting good, is aimed at
In all he suffers; and, that, God doth know,
And marke his nature, and his temper so,
As that he will impose nor more, nor lesse,
Than shall be needfull for his happinesse.
For, such a Faith, will keepe h [...]m still content,
Still lowly, under ev'ry cha [...]tisement;
Still thankfull, whatsoever doth befall;
And Blessings make, of what we Plagues doe call.
He must, moreover with a holy Feare,
In all his Christian duties pe [...]severe;
Still watchfull, and at no time daring ought
Which may from God divert him in a thought:
(So neere as possibly, the powre of man,
So great a diligence endeavour can.)
For, round about him are a thousand Feares,
A thousand Dangers, and ten thousand Snares,
And, as a Traveller, who for his Bridges,
To passe deepe waters, having nought but ridges
Of narrow Timbers, dares not cast his eye
From off the Plancke, nor set his foot a wrie;
[...]ecause beneath him, he beholds a Streame,
That runnes, and roares, and gapes to swallow him:
So, he that must an hourely passage make,
Through such like Plagues, as this whereof I speake,
(And many dangers waiting on him hath,
To catch him, if he slip his narrow Path)
[Page]Had need be carefull that he never stray,
Nor swarve in any thing beside the way.
Let, therefore, ev'ry man desire, at least▪
This pow'r; that his desirings may be blest,
With such pe [...]formances as he shall need,
Or, have his Will accepted for the Deed.
And, let him to his Calling ever stand:
For, whosoe're doth leave that place unmann'd
Wherein God set him; [...]orfeits that reward
(And is d [...]prived of that Angell guard)
Of which his Muse doth prophesie, who sayes,
We shall pr [...]s [...]rved be in all our wayes.
Far is it from my nature, to reprove
With proud insultings, those whom feare did move
To step aside: For, good and pious men
Give way to nat'rall frailties now and then;
And, we whom God emboldned now to stay,
Hereafter, from lesse frights may run away.
Yea, sure I am, that if it doe not flow
From Love, and Pity, that their s [...]apes we show,
God may, and will (our folly to deride)
Make them dare stand, where we shall seare to bide.
And therefore, hoping none amisse will take
What I have writ for truth and con [...]ience sake;
(That men in times to come might looke into
This duty, and be heedfull what they doe)
I will affirme, th [...]t ev'ry one hath erred,
Who in his lawfull Calling, was deterred
So much, as in [...]his danger to forsake it:
And, though a trifling matter many make it,
I know, the most apparant showes of terror
Are not excuse enough for such an error.
For, that we should not in such cases dread
The greatest perils: God hath promised,
He will not onely, from this Plague preserve;
But, cause us w [...]thout ha [...]me to walke among,
Ev'n Adders, Drago [...]s, Lyons old and yong:
By which pernicious creatures, and untamed,
Is ev' [...]y danger meant [...]hat can be named.
These things we must obse [...]ve, if we will hope
Gods extraordinary blow to stop;
And other circumstances must attend
Those meanes. But, they so nat'rally depend
On what precedes; that in well doing one,
VVe cannot leave the other part undone.
Such were those holy med'cines, which prevented
The Plague, at Niniveh, when she repented;
Such Isr'el used, and it saved them;
Such kept the Plague out of Ierusalem;
And when the bloody Angell came, had pow'r
To stop him in Araunab's threshing floore.
Thus Hezekiah was preserv'd; thus David
Was from the very same contagion saved:
And if unfainedly we pra [...]tise thus,
He doth of safety also warrant us.
Yea (through this meanes) we shall be fortifi'd
VVith such a coat of proofe, as will abide
That murth'ring Arrow which in darkn [...]sse flyes,
From God [...] owne Bow, unseene of mortall eyes.
And when we thus have done, attempt we may
To stop the Shaft, that flyes abroad by day;
I meane the nat'rall Sicknesse, whi [...]h doth smite
By meanes, that is appar [...]nt to the sight.
For, as God striketh, oft, immediate blowes
By some immediate way: right so he showes
A nat'rall cure to those, whom he doth please
To warrant from the naturall Diseas [...] ▪
[Page]Thus, he for Hezekiah's health revealed
That Plaister, wherewithall his griefe was healed,
Thus from this Plague have many beene secured,
And many saved, who the stroke endured.
Here I could shew, what Med [...]cines may be tooke
To cure or to prevent the outward stroke;
To qualifie the Aire, what might be used;
What Diet should be taken, what refused;
What Symptomes doe attend on this disease;
What good, or ill, from Labour, or from Ease
Too much, or over-little, may be got:
But, to proceed in this presume I not,
For, to prescribe externall med'cines, here
To ev'ry man, too hard a taske it were;
Since they must often chang'd and mixed, [...]e,
As we the sicknesse changeable doe see,
And as we finde the measure of infection,
The parties Age, his Temper, or Complection.
To those I the [...]efore will commit this part,
Who are allow'd professors of that Art;
Advising all, that none their aid refuse,
Nor out of season, their assistance use.
For, if, before our peace with God be made,
We (seeking outward meanes) a cure have had;
That meanes shall be the meanes our death to [...]et:
That cure shall onely cure us, to beget
Another Plague: unlesse we have repented
Our solly, and the mis [...]hiefe, so, prevented.
Yea such, as take that course, doe sugar o're
Strong poy [...]ons, and skin up a festring sore;
Because those med'cines, and that watchfuln [...]sse
(From which they did expect a good succes [...]e)
Not being with repentance sanctifi'd,
Nor (in their place) with faithfulnesse apply'd,
[Page 61]Corruptd grow; make what was evill, worse;
And (in the stead of blessings) bring a curse.
This Reason proves, For, since it is from Sin
Whence all our griefes, and sicknesses have bin:
We shall as vainly strive th'effects to stay,
Till we the Causes first remove away,
As if we went about to draine a River,
Before to stop the Springs we did endeavor.
And, as we neither should o're much r [...]ly
On outward helpes; nor take disorderly
The meanes of Health; [...]ight so, beware we must
That we doe never use it with distrust.
For as, in seeking safety, most men use
Preposterous courses (whence much harme ensues)
Or else (when likely med' [...]ines they have got)
Presume so farre, on what availe [...]h not,
Without Gods blessing; that, from him they take
His due, and of his Creatures, Idols make:
So, some there be so fearfull, that their Feare
Corrupts their blood, where no infections were;
Begets that Plague within them which they shun;
And makes it follow, when they from it run.
No place, or counsell can of rest [...]ss [...]re them;
No meanes their hope of safety can procure them:
But still they are distemper'd; ever taking
New courses, and new Med'cines alwayes making.
Of all they meet (if any meet they dare)
For some Receipt, their fi [...]st enquiries are.
What e're he be that tells them, that, or this
Prevents the Plague; it straightwayes practis'd is.
They swallow downe hot Wa [...]rs, Sirrups, Drinks,
Choake up their Chambers wit [...] Perfumes, & Stinks;
With Rue, and Wormwood cram their bowels up,
With Phisicke breake their fa [...]ts, and dine, and su [...]:
[Page]Yet, still d [...]spaire, as if that world of sluffe
(Which they devoured) were not halfe enough.
And, this their terror, doth to me appeare,
A greater Plague, then that which they doe feare.
Mistake me not; I doe not here condemne
The christian, and the filiall feare of them,
That are (with holy dread) employ'd about
Such meanes, as wo [...]keth true salvation out.
Nor blame it, when a moderate feare doth make
Alarums in us, Reason to awake.
For, while our Feare preserves a moderation,
It is a very necessary passion,
And stands for Centinell, to bid us Arme,
When any Foe doth seeme to menace harme.
Nor doe I checke that nat'rall Feare, which from
The knowledge of our weaknesses doth come:
For, want of that, is meere stupidity;
And such, can neither feele a Misery,
Nor ta [...]te Gods Mercies, with more profit, than
The brutish Creatures wanting Reason, can;
Who, of their paines, or pleasures, nought retaine
Much longer, then it doth in act remaine.
I count not each man valiant, who dares die,
Or venture on a Mischiefe desperately,
When, either heat of Youth, or Wine, or Passion
Shall whet him on, before consideration:
For, thus a Beast will doe, and hath (no doubt)
As much foresight in what he goes about;
As those blinde Bayards, who couragious be
In perills, whose events they doe not see.
Nor will I any man a Coward call,
Although I see him tremble, and looke pale
In dangerous attempts▪ unlesse he slacke
His just Resolves, by basely stepping backe.
[Page 62]For, as the greater part of men w [...] find
To laugh and blush, by nature, much enclin'd:
So, many have a nat'rall inclination,
To trembling, palenesse, or some other passion,
Which, no Philosophy can take away,
Nor any humane wit, or strength, allay:
And if their Apprehension proveth better
Then other Mens; their Passions are the greater▪
Because their searching wits finde pe [...]ills out,
Whereof the Dullard (never having doubt)
Hath boldly ventur'd on them, and out-dar'd,
Wh [...]t being heede [...], him to death had scar'd.
Give me the Man, that with a quaking arme
VValkes with a stedfast mind through greatest harm;
And though his flesh doth tremble, makes it stand
To execute what Reason doth command.
Give me the Soule, that knowingly descries
All dangers, and all possibilities
Of outward p [...]rills; and yet doth persever
In ev'ry lawfull action, howsoever.
Give me that Heart, which in it selfe doth warre
VVith many frailties (who li [...]e Traytors are
In some besieged Fort) and hath to doe
VVith outward Foes, and inward Terrors too;
Yet of himselfe, and them, a conquest makes,
And still proceeds in what he undertakes.
For, this is double-valour; and such men
(Althoug [...] they are mis-censur'd now, and then)
Enjoy those mindes that best composed are;
In lawfull quarrells are without compare;
And (when the Coward, hoodwink'd goes to fight)
Dare cha [...]ge their sternest Foes with open sight.
Let no Man therefore glory, or make boast
Of Courage, when they feele their Dread is lost,
[Page]Or thinke themseles the safer, when they finde
Their Feare is gone, whilst Perill slayes behinde;
Especially, when they besieg'd appeare,
With such like Pl [...]gues, as this, we treat of here.
For that endangers, rather then secureth;
Since Custome, or else Ignorance procu [...]eth
That bru [...]ish [...]earlesnesse: And, where we see
Such hardinesse, Gods judgements fruitlesse be.
There is required, yet, one Caveat more
To perfect that, which hath beene said before;
Ev'n this; that we grow watchfull, lest the while
We trust in God, we doe our selves beguile
With fruitlesse confidence, and on his grace
(Beyond his warrant) our assurance place.
For, many thousands wondrous forward are
In Gods large promises to claime a [...]hare;
Who, those conditions never mused on,
Which he doth ground his Covenant upon.
And as the Iewes (from whom they take example)
Bragg'd of their outward worship, and their Temple,
As if Gods League extended unto all,
Who could themselves, the sonnes of Iacob, call,
Without respecting their partic'lar Way:
So, we have some among us, that will say,
They trust in God, and that, in this infection,
They full assurance have of his protection:
Because they formally his Truth professe;
Performe externall workes of Holinesse;
Or visibly, with such, partakers are,
With whom the Pledges of Gods love appeare.
But, they that on these ou [...]ward workes rely,
Without true faith, and true sincerity;
Commit those guilded sinnes, whose glosse will weare,
And leave their na [...]urall corruptions bare:
[Page 63]Yea they, of their professions, idols make;
And, will the Covenant of God [...]istake,
Vntill in his conveyances, they see
What duties, on their par [...]s, required be.
God promis [...]th (indeed) all such to save,
Who in his holy Church their dwelling have;
And th [...]t he will vouchsafe them his de [...]ence
From dangers of the noysome Pestilence:
But they must love him, and inuoke him, then,
Or else the Bargaine is unmade agen.
Thus much inferres the Psalmist, in that Ode,
Which p [...]ophecies the saving Grace of God.
Those, therefore, too too much on them assume,
Yea, (foolishly) of mercy they presume,
Who boast of Gods protection, and yet tread
Those paths, which to a sure destruction lead.
I doe not meane, when any man mis [...]does
Through frailty, or unwillingly mis-goes:
But when, with liking, and without remorse,
He wilfully pursues a wicked Course.
For, such, their confidence on God, bely,
Depending on their owne security;
And cannot see those dangers they are in,
Because [...]heir Consciences have seared bin.
How many thousands in the Grave are laid,
Who, in their life-times, impudently said
They should be safe in God? yet never tooke
His counsell, nor one vanity forsooke
For love of him? How many have I heard
Presumptuously affirme, they never fear'd
The danger of Gods Arrowes? though they flew
At n [...]one, at midnight, and so many slew
In ev'ry street? yea, shamelesly professe
Their trust in God, to cause their fearlesnesse,
[Page]Yet, nothing for the love of him [...]ndevour?
How boldly have I seene them to pe [...]sever
In ev'ry [...]in, when Gods fierce Angell stood,
Ev'n just before them, all embru'd in blood;
And slaught'ring r [...]ūd about thē neighbors, brothers
Their friends▪ their kinsmē, children, fathers, mothers,
And some of ev'ry sort? Nay, I have heard
Of such, who were not any jot afear'd
To ba [...]gaine for their Lust, in times to come,
VVithin the compasse of the selfe-same roome,
VVhere (at that instant) they beheld their wives
Lye newly dead; or lab'ring for their lives.
They waste Gods Creatures in luxurious diet;
Consume their times in wantonnesse, and riot;
They feasts, and merriments, in Tavernes keepe,
VVhilst others in the Temples, fast, and weepe;
Th [...]y p [...]rsecute their brethren, and the poore;
Pe [...]forme no good; forbeare no sin the more;
And live so carelesly, as if they thought,
That, when the greatest wickednesse they wrought,
It prov'd, their trust in God to be the greater;
And, that lewd works, shew'd forth their faith the better;
Or else that God the more obligement had,
Because he was so good, and they so bad▪
Ev'n such there are. And these make boastings will,
Of [...]rust in God, yet such continue still.
Alas, it is but vaine to say Lord, Lord,
Or to professe a confidence in word,
Where lively Faith appeares not: for, God granteth
Protections unto none, but whom he planteth
Within his Vineyard; wherein growes no tree,
But in some measure, it will fruitfull be;
Or [...]lse, a storme shall come, which down will shake it,
With whatsoever, carnall props, we s [...]ake it.
Are those whom God exempteth from the strokes
Of his tempestuous wrath: but, that which bendeth
To ev'ry blast, which he in Iudgement sendeth,
As doth a bruised, or low-stooping Reed,
Which, by the bowing, is from breaking free'd.
Yea those, who really within the shade
Of his defence, have their abidings made;
Those onely, may depend on his protection,
Amid the ragings of this hot Infection.
And who are these, but such, as (when they see
The threa [...]ned Plague) afraid, and humbled be?
Such, as through hearty love, ashamed grow,
That they so good a God displeased so:
Such, as are sory for their passed crimes,
And truly purpose, in all future times
A better life: Such, who, for conscience sake
(And not through servile feare) themselves betake
To pious exercises: such, who strive
To mortifie their lusts, and how to live
As worthy their free-calling: such, as they,
Who ev'ry houre, doe labour, watch, and pray▪
Their duties to performe; and dare not peepe
Abroad at morning, or at ev'ning sleepe,
Till they the sacrifice of thankes have paid,
For favours past; and begg'd for future aid.
Such, as on Gods owne pleasure can rely,
And, in his Faith resolved are to dye.
Such, as have Charity; and working are
Their safeties with continuall joy, and fear [...] ▪
Ev'n such as these, securely may repose
When twenty thousand dangers them enclose.
On these, Gods Angells wait▪ and these they shall
From stumbling keepe, when many Millions fall▪
[Page]From ev'ry kinde of harme they shall be free,
And sleepe, where feares, and mischiefes thickest be:
Yea, though that seize them, which the Plague we cal,
It shall to them become no Plague at all;
But rather be their furth'rance, to acquire
That perfect happinesse, which they desire.
Let no man, therefore, in this Visitation
Tye God unto the temp'rall preservation;
Or be discouraged, if he shall please
To exercise him under this Disease,
Supposing, he inflicteth it on none
(As some fooles thinke) but Reprobates alone.
For he did Hezekiah thereby strike▪
He, by th [...]s Malady, or some such like,
Afflicted holy David, his Elected;
Whose Reprobation is of none suspected.
And though just men from temporall infection
Shall finde more certainty of Gods protection,
Then others doe: yet sure, that Pestilence
(From which God promis'd absolute defence)
Is not that sicknesse which the body slayes;
But that, which death unto the soule conveyes.
Our [...]rthly griefes, to heav'nly joyes doe rear [...],
And why should any Man or grudge or feare
A mortall wound, so he might gaine thereby
A body cloth'd with immortalitie?
Or why should we repine, in missing that,
Which (to our dammage) we had aymed at;
When God doth give us more then we desired;
[...]nd lifts us higher, then our hopes aspired?
To him due praises, rather, let us give,
Whose love to us, is better, then to live.
But, I have said enough to this effect,
And if, what I have spoken, have re [...]pec [...],
[Page 65]We shall (I hope) hereafter well dis [...]erne,
What, by this Iudgement, we are bound to learne▪
How much to trust; how much to hope, or feare;
What outward meanes, or inward helpes there are,
VVhereby, this heavy Plague may be prevented▪
Or entertained, with a brest contented.
So few (as yet) have thus prepared bin,
That now of late it quickly rushed in
In spite of all our Halberds, and our Watches.
And as a Flame (which in a Tempest, catches
On some full Barne) is blowne about the Village,
And fi [...]eth, here, the hopefull fruits of Tillage;
A Cottage there; on th'other side the way
A well- [...]ill'd Stable, or a Rick [...] of Hay;
Another yo [...]; close by, doth menace harme
Ev'n to the Church; forthwith consume [...] Farme;
Some dwellings (now, and then) doth overgoe▪
Anon la [...]es waste a dozen in a row;
And still increase, goe forward, and returne,
Vntill the Towne in ev'ry quarter burne:
So rag'd the Pestilence. And, as we see
Those wo [...]kmen, who, repai [...]ing breaches b [...]
In Thame, or Trent, at first the Banks doe raise▪
Shut clos [...] the Sluce [...], strengthen up the Bay's,
And l [...]bour seriously with much good hope,
VVhile they perceive but some few gaps to stop:
But, when they see the Flood prevailing more,
(Ten breaches made, for [...]v'ry one before)
And all endeavors faile; they worke forsake,
Leaving the waters their owne cours [...] to take:
So, when this Floud began▪ we had [...] thought
To keepe it backe; and to that purpose w [...]ought:
But, when we saw it rise beyond our pow'r,
VVe gave it way at pleasure to devoure.
[Page]At first, the publique Officers did show
Their skill in curbing this encroaching Foe,
Not sparing to be prodigall of paine,
The spreadings of Infection to restraine;
And ev'ry private family beside,
Against this danger did for armes provide▪
Their Yards, and Halls, were smoked with perfume,
To stop the stinkes, which thither might presume.
Their Chambers furnisht were with Antidotes,
With Viols, Boxes, Glasses, Gallipots,
All filled with munition of defence
(As they suppos'd) against the Pestilence.
Some did in Meats their meanes of safety thinke;
Some Epicures did arme themselves with Drinke;
Some, foolishly did build up monstrous hope [...]
Vpon the smoking of Tobacco shops;
(But this disease, without a Conscience making
Of their presuming on Tobacco taking,
Came thither too, and frequently did cary
Good-fellowes from their smoaking Sanctuary.)
Some, one, and some another course devised▪
Yet, ev'ry day more places were surprised.
Which, when we saw, and how it overcast
All temp'rall force; we thought upon (at last)
The helpe of God: and then we did repaire
To crave his ayd in Fasting, and in Prayer,
Then some, through servile terror; some, for fashio [...],
And some, out of a true humiliation,
Emplored ayd from heav'n; and show'd in teare [...]
Their Hope, their true Repentance, and their Feares:
But, whether God did for a while contemn [...]
Ou [...] suit, because we gave not eare to him,
When first he call'd: or, whether he thought fit,
(That we the longer might remember it)
[Page 66]To fright us somewhat more: or whether we
Brought not such hearty penitence, as he
Expected from us: or appointed were
Some further tryalls of our Faith to beare:
Sure, some such cause there was; and for that cause,
God did not onely seeme to make a pause
In answ'ring our Petition; but, to chide
More sharply, and to throw it quite aside.
For with a doubled, and redoubled stroke
The Plague went on; and, in (among us) broke
With such unequall'd fury, and such rage;
As Brittan never felt in any age.
With some at ev'ry turning she did meet.
Of ev'ry Alley, ev'ry Lane and Street
She got possession: and we had no way,
Or passage, but she there, in Ambush, lay.
Through Nookes, & Corners, she pursu'd the Chase,
There was no barring her from any place:
For in the publique Fields in wait she laid;
And into private Gardens was convaid.
Sometime, she did among our Garments hide;
And, so, disperse among us (unespy'd)
Her st [...]ong Infections. Otherwhile (unseene)
A Servant, Friend, or Child betraid hath beene,
To bring it home; and men were fearfull growne
To tarie, or converse, among their owne.
Friends fled each other▪ Kinsmen stood aloofe▪
The Sonne, to come withi [...] his F [...]thers roofe
Presumed not; the Mother was constrain'd
To let her child depart unentertain'd.
The love, betwixt the husband, and the wife,
Was oft neglected, for the love of life;
And many a [...]ne their promise falsifi'd,
Who vow'd, that nought but death should thē divide.
[Page]Some, to frequent the Markets were afraid;
And some to feed on what was thence purvay'd.
For on young pigs such purple spots were s [...]ene,
As markes of De [...]th on Plague-sicke men have been▪
And it appeared that our suburbe-Hogs
Were little better, then our Cats, and Dogs▪
Men knew not, whither they might safely come,
Nor where to make appointments, nor with whom.
Nay, many shunn'd G [...]ds-house, and much did feare
So farre to trust him, as to meet him there.
In briefe, the Plague did such distruction threat,
And Feares, and Perils were become so great,
That most mens hearts did faile; and they to flight
B [...]ooke themselves, with all the speed they might:
Not onely they, who private persons were,
But, such as did the publique Titles beare.
The Maior startled, and some say was gone:
But, when his Charge he truly thought upon,
It settled him; and he at Helme did 'bide
Vntill his roome was orderly supply'd.
And (let me doe him right) it since appeared,
That, with go [...]d Diligence his Course he steered.
For, on hi [...] backe were many burthens laid;
The Count [...]y of provisions us denay'd;
The greater part with sicknesse waxed froward;
Much want did make the poorer sort untoward;
That when I call to minde his heavy taske,
And little helpe; me thinkes it praise doth aske.
Most of his gowned-Brethren him forsooke,
And to their Country Bow'rs themselves be [...]ooke;
Where, how they pray'd, or what they sent by gift,
To feed the Poore; I leave it to the shr [...]ft
Of their owne consciences; which best can tell,
What things they have performed ill, or well.
[Page 67] Physitians were afraid, as well as these,
And neither Galen, nor Hippocrates
Could yeeld them any warrant for delay;
And therefore (with the first) they went away.
Some Leaches of the Soule, (who should have staid)
Were much (nay somewhat over-much) afraid,
And had forgotten so, how to apply
Thei [...] heav'nly Cordi [...]ls of Divinty,
Against the feare of [...]eath; that when most dangers
Beset their Flocks; they left [...]hem unto strangers.
Nay▪ some there were, who did among us teach,
That Men should flie; & that, which they did preach,
They taught the people by example too.
Pray God, in oth [...]r things th [...]y may do so.
Few staid, of any calling or degree,
VVho to their Country- [...]riends might welcome be;
Or, of themselves were able to provide
A place of Harbour, where they might abide.
Yea some, (to scape uncertaine Death) did flie
Into the Iawes of certaine Beggery,
By leaving of their Callings; and are flowne
So far, and high a flight out of this Towne,
On borrow'd-feathers; that their Neighbour [...] feare,
They never more will in their shops appeare.
Those of our wanton Gentry, that could brooke
No Ayre, but Londons; London quite forsooke;
And all that Crew of Spend-thrifts, whom (untill
This Pl [...]gue did fright them) nor Star-Chamber Bill,
Nor strictest Proclamation, could compell
Vpon their owne Inheritance to dwell;
Were now, among their racked Tenants faine
To seeke for shelter; and to ayre againe
Th [...]se mu [...] Roomes, which [...]heir more thrifty Sire [...]
Kept warme and sweet with hospitable Fires.
[Page]God grant, that where they come, they may do good,
Among their Tenants, by their neighbourhood.
Of some we hopefull are, they will be such;
And of some others we doe feare as much,
That by their presence they will plague them more,
Then by their willing absence heretofore.
In many a mile you scarce could find a Shed,
Or Hovell, but it was inhabited,
(Sometime with double Families) and Stalls
And Barnes were trimmed up in stead of Halls.
Those Burgesses, that walk'd in Gownes, and Furs,
Had got them coats, and swords, and boots, & spurs;
And, till you saw them ride, you would have sworne,
That, they, for horsemen, might have serv'd the turn.
Those Dames, who (out of daintinesse, and Pride)
The rusticke plainnesse did (erewhile) deride,
(And, at a better lodging, Fob, would cry)
Beneath a homely roofe were glad to lye;
And fawne on ev'ry Child, and ev'ry Groome,
That, so they might the welcomer become.
Those, who in all their life-time never went
So far, as is the nearest part of Kent:
Those, who did never travell, till of late,
Halfe way to Pancridge from the City gate:
Those, who might thinke, the Sun did rise at Bow,
And set at Acton, for ought they did know:
And dreame, young Partridge sucke not, but are sed
As Lambes, and Rabbets, which of eggs are bred:
Ev'n some of these have journeyes ventur'd on
Five miles by Land (as farre as Edmunton.)
Some hazarded themselves from Lyon-K [...]y
Almost as far as Erith downe by Sea:
Some row'd against the streame, and stragled out
A [...] far as H [...]un [...]low-heath, or thereabout:
The world so large, that they amazed be;
Yea some are gone so farre, that they doe kno [...]
Ere this, how Wheat is made, and Malt doth grow.
Oh, how they trudg'd, and busled up and downe,
To get themselves a furlong out of towne.
And how they were becumbred, to provide,
That had about a m [...]le or two to ride.
But when whole housholds further off were sent,
You would have thought the Master of it, meant
To furnish forth some Navy, and that he
Had got his neighbours venturers to be.
For all the neare acquaintance thereabout,
By lending somewhat holpe to set them out.
What hiring was there of our hackney Iades?
Wh [...]t scouring up of old, and rusty blades?
What running to and fro was there to borrow
A Safegard, or a Cl [...]ke, untill the morrow?
What shift made Iack for girths? what shift made Gillian
To get her neighbors footstoole, & her pillian,
Which are not yet [...]etu [...]n'd? How great a pother
To furnish, and unfurnish one another
In this great voyage did there then appeare?
And what a time was that for Bankrupts here?
Those who had thought (by night) to steale away,
Did unsuspected shut up shop by day;
And (if good lucke it in conclusion prove)
Two dangers were escap'd at one Remove:
Some hired Palfr [...]yes for a day, or twaine,
But rode so far, they came not backe againe.
Some dealed by their neighbours, as the Iewes
At their departure did th' Aegyptians use:
And some, (with what was of their owne, content)
Tooke up their luggage, and away they went.
[Page]And had you heard how loud the Coaches rūbled;
[...]eheld how Carres, and Cart [...] together jumbled;
S [...]ene how the wayes with people [...]hronged were;
The Bands of Foot, the Troupes of Ho [...]semen there;
What multitudes away by Land were sent;
How many thousands fo [...]th by Water went;
And how the weal [...]h of London thence was borne;
You would have wondred; and (almost) have sworne
The Citie had beene leaving her foundation,
And seeking out another situation;
Or, that some Enemy with dreadfull pow'r,
Was comming to besiege, and to devoure.
Oh; foolish people, though I justly might
Authorize thus my Muse [...]o mock your flight,
And still to flout your foll [...]es: yet, compassion
Shall end it in a kinde expostulat [...]on.
Why with such childish terror did you try
To run from him, from whom you cannot flye?
Why left you so the place of your abode,
Not hasting rather to goe meet your God
With true repentance, who for ever hath
A mercy for us in his greatest wrath?
Why did you not your lawfull callings keepe?
But straggle from you [...] folds like wandring Sheepe▪
That had no Shepheard? And, oh, why, I pray▪
You Shepheards, have you caused them to stray?
Your Neighbours why forsooke you in distresse?
Why did you leave your brethren comfortlesse?
When God did call for Mourning, why so fast
Did you to seeke for mirth, and pleasures, hast?
And take away from other, when you fled,
What, in their need, should them have comforted?
If Death be dreadfull, stay, and learne to die;
For, Death affects to follow those that flie.
[Page 69]Had you not [...]one, you might for ever after
Have said, That Sorrow profits more then Laugh [...]er.
You should have known that Death hath limits here,
And loosed was, where he did bound appeare:
That many were prese [...]ved in th [...] flame,
And many burnt, that came not nigh the same.
Yea, some of you, be [...]ore from hence you went,
Had, of these Truths, got some experiment.
What [...]olly then, or Frenzy you bewitches,
To leave your houses, and goe dye in ditches?
Forgoe the Comfort, which your Ci [...]ie yeelds,
To venture for a lodging in the fields?
Or (which is worse) to tràvell farre, and finde
Those prove ungentle, whom you hoped, kinde?
A Plague so bitter, That might Plagues be chuse [...]
I would be Plague-sicke, rather then so used.
Did you suppose the Pestilence would spare
None here, nor come to seaze on any there?
All perish'd not, that did behinde you stay;
Nor did you all escape, who fled away.
For, God your passages had so beset,
That Hee with many thousands of you me [...].
In Kent, and (all along) on Essex side
A Troupe of c [...]uell Fevers did reside:
And ro [...]nd about, on ev'ry other Coast,
Of severall Country-Agues lay an hoa [...]t.
And, most of them, who had this place forsooke,
Were eyther slaine by them, or Pris'ners tooke.
Sometime the Pestilence her selfe [...]ad bin
Before them in their Lodging, at their Inne;
And hath arrested them upon the Bed,
Brought many sicke away, and meny dead.
Sometime (againe) she after them hath gone,
And when (perchance) she was not thought upo [...]:
[Page]Among their friends, and in their merriment,
Hath seiz'd them, to their greater discontent.
She divers apprehended on the way,
Who to so many mischiefes were a prey;
That poorest beggers found more pitty here,
And lesser griefe, then richer men had there.
I doe not meane concerning that neglect,
That barbarous, unmanly disrespect
Their bodies had among the clownish crew,
When from the tainted flesh the spirits flew.
For, if their carcasses they did contemne,
What harme, or what disease was that to them?
What paine, or torment was it, if that they
(Like carrion) in the fields, unburied lay?
What felt they, being [...]ragged like a Log,
Or hurl'd into a Saw-pit like a Dog?
What disadvantage could that Doctor have,
Who (learnedly) was drawne into his grave
By na [...]ed men? since those things doe disgrace
The living rather, and doe wrong the place
Th [...]t suffers, or allowes that barb'rousnesse
To shame the Christian Faith, which they professe.
Alas; my heart as little can bemone
A mangled carcasse, as a broken stone▪
It is a living body, and the paines,
Which I conceive a broken heart sustaines,
That moveth me: their griefe, in life-time was,
And, whilst they liv'd, their sorrowes did surpasse
These fained ones, as Death, and loathed Care,
By Life, and true Content, excelled are.
Some, who forsooke faire houses, large, and high;
Could scarcely get a Shed to keepe them dry;
And such, who many bed [...], and lodgings had,
To lye on straw without the doores were glad.
Could not, for money, purchase drink, or meat;
But cruelly of succour were deny'd,
Till, through their faintnesse, they grew sick & dy'd.
Some, who in London had beene waited on
With many servants, we [...]e enclos'd alone
In solitary places; where they m [...]ght
Find leasure, to repent them of their flight.
And, when they had supplyes at any need,
The bringers did (like those that Lyons feed)
Ev'n throw it at them; or else some where set it,
Where (after their departures) they might fet it.
And many a one (no helper to attend him)
Was left to live, or dye, as God should friend him.
Some, who unwisely did their homes forsake,
That triall of the Country they might make;
Have brought their lives to miserable ends
Before they could arive among their friends.
Some, having reach'd the places they desir'd,
(With no meane difficulty, weake, and tyr'd)
Have missed welcome, where they sought reliefe;
And, strucken by unkindnesse, dy'd with Griefe▪
The sickly Wife, could no [...]ssistance have
To bring her Husbands body to the grave.
But was compelled, with a grieved heart,
To act the Parsons, and the Sextons part.
And he, that wanted strength [...]o beare away
His mate, who dead within his presence lay;
VVas faine to let the stinking body lye,
Till he in death should beare him company.
Ah me; what tongue can tell th [...] many woes,
The passions, and the many griefes of those?
What m [...]rtall pen is able to expresse
Th [...]ir great temptations in that lonelinesse?
[Page]What heart can thinke, how many a grieuous feare
To those distressed people may appeare,
Who are with such afflictions over-tak [...]n?
Of ev'ry Cr [...]ature in the world forsaken?
Without a Comforter left all alone,
Where to themselves they must themselves bemone,
Without a remedy? And where none may
Or know, or pitty, what they [...]eele, or say.
Me thinkes to muse on those who suffer'd thus,
Should bring to minde the mercy shewed us,
And make our pennes and voyces to expresse
The love of God, with hearty Thankfulnesse.
For when no sor [...]owes of mine owne I had,
The very thought of those hath made me sad.
And were it not that God hath given me
Some trya [...]ls of those Com [...]orting [...], which Hee
For men in their extremities provides,
And from the knowledges of others hides:
Or felt I not, how prevalent Gods pow'r
Appeares in us, when there is none of our:
What liberty hee giue's, when wee doe fall
Within the compasse of an outward thrall:
And what contentments He bestowes on them,
Whom others doe neglect, or else contemne:
Yea, had I not beleeued him who sayes,
That God doth knowledge take of all our wayes;
That He observes each rubb within our path,
With ev'ry secret sorrow, which it hath;
That he is neares [...] then, when we bemone
His absence, an [...] suppose him furthest gone;
And often in us dwels, when Those abroad
(With most ins [...]lting) say; Where is their God?
Had this beene hidden from me: I had here
For ev'ry line I writ, dropt downe a teare;
[Page 71]And in a floud of sorrowes drench'd mine eyes,
When first I mused on these miseries▪
But I have knowne them, to my great content▪
And felt so oft, w [...]at comforts God hath lent,
When of all outward helpes we are dep [...]ived;
That (could the same of all men be beleeved)
It would be thought, true Pleasures w [...]re possessed
Of none, but men forsaken, and distressed.
How ever; though such mercy God bestowes,
And brings men comfort in their greatest woes;
Let none of us presume, (as some have done)
Without our Circle, foolishly to runne;
Nor leave our proper station, that we may
Goe seeke our fortunes in an uncouth way.
Conceive me right; I doe not here deny,
Or call in doubt the lawfuln [...]sse, to flye:
Nor am I of their counsell, who despise
All such as fled: nor, judge I too precise
Those, w [...]o the Person, or the Place avoid,
Which is with any noysomnesse annoy'd.
For, when the causes of remove, are just,
We then may flye the Plague; nay, then we must;
Since, those who will not, (in such cases) goe,
Tempt God, and faile in what they ought [...]o doe.
If that a King, or Prince, should live within
A City much infected, it were sin.
For he (no doubt) hath some Vice-gerent there
Who, in his absence, may supply his care:
Or, if that Place were certaine of decay
By his departure; yet he might not stay.
The Reason is; there many thousands are
O [...] Townes, and Cities, that in him have share.
Who, would conceive, it were unjustly done,
That he should venter all their wealth in One.
[Page]And make great Kingdomes hazards to endure,
The welfare of one City to procure.
So, Counsellers of State, and he, whose Charge
Extends throughout the Common wealth at large,
VVith ev'ry other Magistrate beside,
(Except his pow'r to s [...]me one place be ty'd)
Must shun the Plague; because that such, as he,
Sworne servants to the whole Weale-publique be.
And since the safest Physicke and defence
For Children, in the times of Pestilence,
Is to remove them: they unwisely do,
VVho, having wealth, and f [...]iends to send them to,
Neglect the meanes, by being over nice;
Or grudging at the charge, through avarice.
Moreover they, whose calling seemes to lye
VVithin two sev'rall places, equally,
(Till some plaine causes hinder) may be fre [...]
To live where safety best appeares to be:
Vnlesse their secret conscience doe gaine-say;
And who can judge of that, but God, and They?
Yea, Men, on divers good occasions mo,
May from the places of Infection goe.
For there be times of stay, and times of going,
VVhich, ev'ry one (that is discreet) well knowing,
Doth censure no partic'lar Man, at all:
But calling unto mind, that blessed Paul
VVas once ev'n in a basket forth convay'd
From his Pursuers; yet no iotafraid
(At other seasons) to continue there,
VVhere bloody pe [...]secutions hottest were.
And if my words have done my meaning right,
My Muse denyes not, but alloweth flight:
Provided alwayes, that Men doe not flie
From Casuall Plagues, to Plagues with Certainty:
[Page 72]From those with whom the bands of Charity,
Of Duty, Friendship, or Affinity,
Or of their Calling, doth requi [...]e a stay.
Provided also, when they part away,
That as God blest them hath, they somewhat [...]nde,
To comfort those, who must abide behinde;
And, that they trust not to their Flight, as tho,
That, of it selfe could save: but, ra [...]her know,
And use it as the gracious meanes of him,
Who saves; and, not as that which saved them.
Let the [...] consider likewise, that the Sin
Was partly theirs, which did the Plague begin;
And, in their absence (with a Christian feare)
Make sute for those, who must the burthen beare,
From which they scape: yea, let them all confesse
Their sins with penitenc [...] and humblenesse;
Avoiding ev'ry pleasure, where they live,
Which out of minde, their Brethrens cares may drive;
Lest God pursue them whither they are fled;
There [...]eize upon them to their greater dread;
Or from them take away all due correction,
Which Plague were greater then this great Infe [...]tion.
For, when his Iudgements, God, in wrath, removes,
His Mercy, then, the greater Iudgement proves.
There be, I know, some people gone away,
Who mi [...]ding our afflictions, night and day,
Have much bewayled our distressed case,
And sent up earnest prayers fo [...] this Place:
For, of their Piety good fruits are seene,
And, by their hands, the poore refresht have beene.
These, from this Den of Slaughter, were (no doubt)
By Gods especiall favour called out,
Who, for their sakes, I hope, those townes will spare,
To which, for sh [...]lter, they es [...]aped are,
[Page]As he did Zoar. And I wish they may
Obtaine their lives, and safeties for a prey.
But, there be some; (and would to God, that some
Were but a little one) who parted from
Our City walls, as if they had not gone
With Vengeance at their heeles; or waited on
By feares and dangers; but, so finifi'd,
As if their meaning was, to shew their pride
In Country Churches, for a weeke or twaine,
Ride out like Co [...]kneies, and come home againe:
The sorrowes of their brethren they forgot;
In holy duties they delighted not:
In drunken meetings they their leasure spent;
In idle visits; foolish merriment:
And, to their Country-friends they caried downe
Those sinnes that are too common in this Towne.
VVhich (if they practise there, as here we doe)
VVill bring their wages, also, thither too.
These giddy Runnawayes, are they that were
Beginne [...]s of that great unmanly feare,
VVhich did first author of disorder prove.
These, caused that improvident Remove,
VVhich did both wrong the welfare of the Citi [...],
Distract the Country, make it voyd of pitie;
And, give occasion of those Tales which Fame
Hath now dispersed, to our common shame.
For, if their flight had timely beene provided,
(VVith Conscience and Discretion truly guided)
Th [...]i [...] profit here at home had beene the greater,
And▪ f [...]iends abroad, had entertain'd [...]hem better.
And, yet I take small pleasure to excuse
T [...]ose Pesants, who so grosly did abuse
T [...]eir Manhood and Religion, in denying
T [...]e dues of Charity, to people dying.
[Page 73]For, though their folly might their fall deserve,
Yet we our Christian pitie should preserve,
Our brother in extremities releeving;
Not adding sorrowes to encrease his grieving,
Nor taking notice of his evill deed [...],
So much, as of that comfort which he needs:
Till, he r [...]freshed by a friendly [...]and,
His errors, by our love, may understand.
And, sure, there was a meanes to succour stranger [...]
In their distresse, and to escape the dangers
Of that Infection, (which so much was feared)
Had Vnderstand [...]ngs eye be [...]ne better cleared;
And, that Selfe-love, and Avarice, removed,
Which kept good path [...] unseene, and unapproved.
But, since that easie knowledge hath beene hid,
By wilfull blindnesse, well enough I did,
If, here, I (Satyrizing) should expresse
The Countries folly, and fo [...]getfulness [...].
And yet, I will not write, to their disgraces,
What of some Persons, and particular Places
Hath rumor'd beene: lest I should spirt a blot
So blacke, as that it would not be forgot
In future Ages; but, make Times-to-come,
Suspect, they had deny'd their Christendome.
For, shou [...]d our Muse (who, if she list thereto,
Cares not who frownes, or frets, at what we doe)
Should she put on that straine of Bitternesse,
With which their cruelty we could expresse:
Should we in our description of their Feare,
Cause all their Indiscretion to appeare:
Should we illustrate here, the true Relation [...],
Of what hath past in many Corporations;
What uproares in some Townes have raised beene,
When Londoners, approaching them, were seene:
[Page]How master Maior was straightway flockt about;
How they to Counsell went to keepe them out;
How they their watches doubled, as if some
Had brought them newes that Spinola would come:
And what ridiculous actions past among them;
Some few, perhaps, wold think th [...]t we did wrōg thē;
And, they would subjects be of scorne, and laughter,
For [...]ll their evill willers, ever after.
Or, should we tell what propable suspition
Appear'd, sometime, of wisedome and discretion,
In goodman Constable; when, in a standing,
To wind-ward from the Rode (& there commanding
Browne bills, and Halberts) he examined
Such Travellers, as from the City fled:
And (at the very lookes of them affrighted)
Sent feeble women, weary and benighted,
(Without or meat or drink) to try the field [...]
What Charity, their better nature yeelds.
If this we told, it might goe hard▪ when we
Should apprehended in their Watches, be.
Or, should we shew, what polici [...]s did pleas [...]
The wisdome of some rustick Iustices;
Describe that wondrous witty stratagem
Which for a while was practised by them
To starve the Plague; how Christianly they sought
That no provisions hither might be brought;
Should we produce their Orders, which of late
Were put in u [...]e, and wisemen laughed at:
Or, publish to the world what we have heard
Of their demeanors, when they were afeard:
How they were fool'd by some of them that fled:
What course was taken to interre their dead:
How▪ he who for that worke could hired be,
Was f [...]r his labour, chained to a tree
[Page 74]A full month after: how, they forced some
From their sweet wholsome houses forth to come;
And (being sick and weake) to make their bed
Within a palt [...]y new erected Shed,
Compos'd of clods; which neere some Common-side
Their charitable Worships did provide:
Or, should I on some other matters touch
VVhich I have heard; it would enlarge too much
This booke: and some of those, perhaps, perplex,
VVhom I desire to counsell, not to vex.
But, I from aggravations will forbeare,
And, those their oversights, at this time, spare.
For, some (although most others did not so)
Thei [...] love and Christian piety did show,
In counselling, in cherishing, in giving,
And, in the wisest manner of releeving.
Beside; I love the Count [...]y, as I pitie
The sorrowes and afflictions of the Citie.
And (since they both are guilty) being loth
To side with either; I the faults of both
Have shewed, so, that neither I abu [...]e.
Now, they that like it may; the rest may chuse.
The third Canto.
The House of MOVRNING, which most [...]eare,
(And flye so much) is praised here.
It showes that outward Ioyes and Care,
Nor m [...]erly good, nor evill, are;
But things indiff'rent; which the wise
Nor over-praise, nor under-prize.
The strife within our Authors brest
About his stay, is next exprest.
Then doth it orderly recite
[Page]What Reason argu'd for his flight:
What Faith alleaged, to reprove
The Motives urging his remove:
What Armes for him, she did prepare,
To bide the shock of Death, and Feare:
What proofe she to his Conscience made,
That, he a lawfull Calling had,
In midst of this great Plague to tary,
By Warrant-extraordinary:
What, thereupon he did conclude:
What Ioy, and Confidence ensu'd:
How much this Favour he doth prise,
Above Earths glorioust Vanities:
How he his Time desires to spend:
And so, this CANTO hath an end.
HOw childish is the World! and what a path
Her Throng of braine-sick Lovers trodden hath!
Like brutish herds they troupe along together,
Both led, and leading on, they know not whither.
Much hoping, where no ground of Hope appeares,
Much fearing, where indeed, there are no feares.
In those things pleased, which t [...]ue Mirth destroy:
For that thing grieved which procureth Ioy:
Most shunning, what might bring most gain unto thē;
And seeking most, for what would most undoo them.
How few are so cl [...]are-sighted, a [...] to see
What pleasures mi [...]gled with afflictions be?
Or what conten [...]ments doe concealed lye▪
Behinde the seeming dangers which they flye?
How few have, by experience, unde [...]stood
That God hath sent their troubles for their good?
How few consider, to what fearfull ends,
The faire smooth way, of easefull Pleasure tends?
[Page 75]And, therefore, oh! how few adventure dare
Where Mournings, rather then where Laughters are?
Though God himselfe prefer the house of Griese,
Before vaine Mirth; and Pleasures of this life
Hath termed Thornes, that choke the heav'nly seed:
Yet few of us have taken so much heed
Of what the sacred Volume doth record,
(And, flesh and blood) distrusteth so the word
Of his fi [...]me Truth) that blindly we pursue
Our owne vaine counsels, and his Tract [...]schew.
'Tis therefore doubtfull, it would vaine appeare,
If I should labour to discover here,
How many secret pleasures I have seene
While in the Ce [...]s o [...] Mourning I have beene.
And, what contentments God bestowed hath,
When I have walkt the solitary path
Of Disrespect; (ass [...]ulted by those feares,
Which oft affront us in this Vale of tea [...]es)
O [...] what prevailing hopes I have possessed,
When I, beyond all hope, have seem'd oppressed.
For, vulgar men, doe such expressions hold
To be but idle Paradoxes, told
By those, who grown distemper'd, through some gri [...]f
Vent melancholy passions, past beleefe.
And as our Vpland Pesants, from the shores
Beholding how the Sea swels, fomes, and rores,
Iud [...]e foolishly, that [...]v'ry Seaman raves,
Who talkes of mirth and safety on the waves:
So, they will fondly passe their doome on me,
Who strangers to the Seas o [...] Sorrow be.
But, though the world allow not what I say,
Yet, that the Love of God, proclaime I may;
That, I may justifie him in his Word;
That for mine owne availe I may reco [...]d
[Page]What I have seene: and that experience might
Encrease my hopes, and hope put feare to flight,
In future suffrings: here I testifie,
(And Heav'n is witnesse, I affirme no lye)
My soule did never feele more ravishment,
Nor ever tasted of more true content,
Then when my heart, nigh broke with secret paine,
Hath borne as much as e're it could sustaine;
And strugled with my passions, till it had
Attained to be excellently sad.
Yea, when I teares have powred out, where none
Was witnesse of my griefe but God alone,
He hath infused pleasures into me,
Which seldome can in publike tast [...]d be.
Such Griefe is Comforts Mother. And I mow
Oft times with mirth, what I in teares did sow.
Before my eyes were d [...]yed; I have had
More cause of singing then of being sad.
The Lampe in darkest places gives most light;
And truest Ioyes arise from Sorrowes night.
My Cares ar [...] Blessed Thistl [...]s, unto me,
W [...]ich wholesome are, although the [...] bitter be:
And though their leaves with prick [...] be overgrowne▪
(Which paine me) yet their flowres are full of down,
Wher [...]on my head lyes easie when I sleepe:
And I am never saddest when I weepe.
Yet, long it was before I could attaine
This Mystery: Nor doth it appertaine
To all. For, ev'n as Sarah had not leave
Within her body Isack to conceive,
(VVhich laughter signifies) untill in her
Those customes [...]ailed which in women are:
So, in our soules, true Ioyes are not conceived,
Till we by some afflictions ar [...] bereaved
[Page 76]Of carnall appetites, and cease from su [...]h
Vaine pleasures as affect us overmuch.
To little purpose doe they looke for these
Conc [...]ptions, who are evermore at ease.
Such comforts are of those but rarely found,
VVhose wheele of Fortune never runneth round▪
No soule can apprehend what maketh glad
The grieved heart, but his that griefe hath had,
And various interchanges: nor can he
VVho knowes the joyes that in such sorrowes be
As these I meane, a true contentment take
In any merriment, this world can make:
(No not in all her pleasures) if among
Her sweets, there should be sharpnesse wanting long.
For (being fearfull that his bodies rest
The soules true peace might secretly molest)
His mirth would make him dull: his being jolly
(As worldlings are) would make him melancholy:
And (if no other cause be thought upon)
Would g [...]ieve, because the sense of griefe were gone.
Whilst I have gallopt on in that Career,
Which youth, in freedome, so affecteth here;
And had the most delightfull blandishment,
My youth could yeed me for my hearts content:
When I in handsome robes have beene araid,
(My Tailor, and my Mercer being paid)
When daily I on change of dainties fed;
Lodg'd, night by night, upon an easie bed,
In lordly Chambers; and had therewithall
Attendants forwarder then I to call,
Who brought me all [...]hings need [...]ull: when at hand▪
Hounds, Hawkes, and Horses were at my command:
When chuse I did my walks, [...]n hills, in vallies,
In Grove [...], neere Springs, or in sweet garden allies▪
[Page]Repo [...]ing either in a naturall shade,
Or in neat A [...]bors, which by Art were made:
When I m [...]ght have [...]equir'd without deniall,
The Lut [...], the Organ, or deepe-sounding Viol [...],
To cheere my spirits; with what else beside
Was pleasant: when my friends did this provide
Without my cost or labour: Nay, when all
Those pleasures I have shared, which be [...]all
In praises, or kinde welcommings, among
My dearest friends; my soule retain'd nor long
Nor perfect rest, in those imperfect things:
But, often droupt amid their promisings,
Grew dull, and si [...]kly: and, contrariwise
Hath pleased beene in want, [...]and miseries.
Fo [...], when long time, ev'n all alone they laid me,
Where ev'ry outward comfort was denayd me▪
To many cares and wants unknowne obtruded;
From fellowship of all mankinde excluded;
Expos'd to slandrous censures, and disgrace;
Subjected to contempts, and usage base;
With Tortures threatned, and what those attends;
By Greatmen frown'd on; blamed of my Friends;
In [...]ulted on by Foes; and almost brought
To that for which their malice chi [...]fly sought:
Ev'n then, my spirits mounted to their height,
And my Contentment slew her highest flight.
In those di [...]easings, I more joy received,
Then can from all things mortall be conceived.
In that contemn'd estate, so much was cleared
My Reasons eye; and God so bright appeared
To my dim-sighed Faith; that, lo, he turned
My Griefes to Triumphs Yea, me thought, I scorned
To labour for assistance from abroad,
Or beg for any favour, but from God.
[Page 77]I fear'd not that which others thought I feared;
Nor felt I paine, in that which sharpe appeared:
But, had such inward quiet in my brest,
Till outward ease made way to my unrest;
That, all my Troubles seemed but a Toy.
Yea, my Affliction so encreast my Ioy,
That more I doubted losse of my content,
By losing of my close imprisonment,
Then ever I can feare the bodies thrall,
Or any mischiefe which attend it shall.
For, as if some Antipathy [...]rose
Betwixt the pleasures of the world, and those
Enjoyed then; I found t [...]ue Ioyes begin
To issue ou [...], as they were entring i [...].
Ti [...]l others brought me hopes of my Release,
I scarcely held it worth my hopefulnesse.
I had no frighting dreame; no waking care:
I tooke no thought for meat, nor what to weare;
I sleighted frownes, and I despis'd the threat
Of such as threatned, were they meane or great▪
I laught at dreadfull Rumors, and disdained
Of any suffrings to have then complained,
I valued not a jot the vulgar doome,
Nor what men prat [...]d might of me b [...]come.
I mind [...]d no such trifles, wherewith you,
And I, and others, are oft busied now:
But, being, as it were exiled, then,
From living in the world, with other men,
Twixt God, and mine owne Conscien [...]e, to and fro,
My thoughts, in a quotidian walke, did go.
With Contemplations, I was then inspired,
Beseeming one that wholly was retyred.
I thought, like him, that was to live al [...]e;
I did like him, that had to doe with none.
[Page]And, of all outward actions left the care
Vnto the world, and those who lived there,
Nor hath God onely pleased beene to show
What comforts from a p [...]ivate griefe may flow,
But, that a new experience might be taught me,
He to the house of Publike-s [...]rrow brought me
In this late Pestilence ▪ And, there I saw
Such inward joy commixt with outward awe;
Things bitter with such sweetnesses allaid;
Such pleasures, into sorrowes cup convaid;
Such fi [...]me-assurance, in the greatest dangers;
Such f [...]endlines, when others friends were strangers;
Such f [...]eedome in restraint; such [...]ase in paine;
Such life in death, and ev'ry feare so vaine,
(Which outwardly affrights) that Pleasures Court
Would halfe be robbed of her large resort,
(And stand lesse visited,) if men could see
What profits in the Cels of Sorrow be.
For, he that knew what wisdome there is had,
Would say that mirth were foolish, laughter mad:
That [...]ase perpetu [...]ll bringeth endlesse paine:
That carnall joy arives at hope in vaine:
That, from all outw [...]rd perils [...]o be free,
M [...]y prove most per [...]llous▪ that, h [...]alth may be
The d [...]adl'est sicknesse: that, our pleasures are
But pit-f [...]ll [...] ▪ our se [...]urity a snare;
And, that sometimes those things to which we run,
May bane us more, then those we s [...]eke [...]o shun.
I found it so. And, in my blamed slay,
(Whilst others f [...]om the Plague made haste away)
I gained some renewings of that [...]es [...] ▪
Whereof I h [...]d beene formerly possest.
It forced foll [...], further to depart:
It brought Gods me [...]cies nearer to my heart:
[Page 78]Brave combats in my soule did then begin,
Which I tooke courage from, and pleasure in.
New trialls of my Frailty did befall;
And, of Gods love, I had new p [...]oo [...]es withall.
In all my discontentments, such con [...]ents,
And of Gods wo [...]kings, such experiments
Vouchsafed were; that crowned should I live,
With all those glorious wreathes that King [...] can g [...]ve,
And had by them obtain'd each happin [...]sse,
Which wo [...]ldlings in their greatnesse do [...] possesse;
I would not sell the comfort of my s [...]ay
For that, and all which those imagine may.
Nor doe I over-prise the same, altho,
The ignoran [...]e of some will think I doe:
For, it hath left within me, ever since,
Of Gods firme love, so strong a confidence,
That, whatsoever accidents betide,
I hope to stand the better fortifi'd
Whilst here I live: and that no time to come
Can send me to a place, so perilsome,
That I shall feare it, or, to undergoe
The dreadfull'st perills man can fall into;
If that my calling doe oblige me to it,
Or God, in Iustice, m [...]ke me undergoe it.
In other cases, I expect no mo [...]e,
But, rather, lesse imboldning then be [...]ore.
For, he that any dangerous taske assumes,
Wi [...]hout good warrant, fo [...]lishly presum [...]s;
Tempts God; and justly perisheth, unlesse
The ve [...]le of Mercy hide his wilfulnesse.
Yea, they who over desp'rately have dar'd
Bold things at first; at last have basely fear'd,
Re [...]enting their foole-hardinesse▪ in vaine,
When hope was lost, of turning ba [...]k againe.
Far greater comforts oftentimes arise,
Then from prospe [...]ity (if we attend
God [...] pleasure, and accept what he doth send)
Y [...]t, o [...] themselves, nor paines, nor pleasures can
Felicitate; nor is the wit of man
So perfect, that precisely he doth know
His owne just temper, or his nature so,
As to appoint himselfe, what will be needing
Of weale, or woe, (nought wanting, or exceeding)
And therefore, as some man hath by affecting
Ease, wealth, or temp'rall fame, (without respecting
Gods pleasure) often perished by that
Which his unbounded will ha [...]h reached at;
So, they who shall that [...]ase or wealth contemne
(Which God by law [...]ull meanes doth offer them)
And they, who shall unthankfully refuse,
Of any outward ble [...]sing, meanes to use,
(Through discontent, selfe trust, or wilfull pride)
When they might honestly those meanes provide▪
Ev'n both of these are g [...]ilty of offence,
Against the wise ete [...]nall Providence:
And are in danger to be l [...]ft of God,
In those misleading p [...]ths which th [...]y have trod.
These things I mused; and in heart revolved
A thousand more, before I was resolved
To keepe in London, where m [...]n draw no breath
But that which menaced the b [...]dies death.
And, seeing▪ many have condemn'd the fact.
As an unwar [...]antabl [...], foolish act:
Since, i [...] may teach them to forbeare to give
Their Verdict, till they Evidence receive:
Since, thus to mention it, a m [...]ane [...] may be,
To build againe the like Resolves in me
[Page 79]When [...]uture perill so requireth it;
And when, perhaps, this minde, I may forget:
Yea, since the manner of it, may, perchance,
Deliver others from some ignorance,
And help their Christian Res [...]lutions out,
When they are thrall'd with carnall feare, or doubt:
Ev'n for these causes, (and to glorifie
The pow'r of God in this my victory)
I will relate what Reason [...] m [...]de me stay:
What [...]opes they were, which drove my feares away:
And, with what circumstances, I obtained
That knowledg, which my shaking Faith maintained.
When I perceiv'd the PESTILENCE to rage
In ev'ry street, nor sparing sex, nor age;
How from their City-hive, like Bees in May,
The fearfull Citizens did swarme away:
How fast our Gentry hasted to be gone:
How often I was urg'd and call'd upon,
To beare them company: what safeties were
By absence promist; what great terrors here
My death did m [...]nace: how, by timely flight
I might behold my Country with delight:
How nothing could be gotten by [...]y stay,
But wants, and new afflictions ev'ry day:
With such like disadvantages, which brought,
A hundred other musings to my t [...]oug [...]t.
They made it seeme, a while, well wor [...]h reproving,
To stay, a minute, longer from removing▪
But, then my Conscience also did begin
To draw such pow'rfull Moti [...]es, from within▪
And, to propose before my understanding
Such Reasons, my departure countermanding,
As made me stagger, and new doubts to make,
What course it best behoved me to take.
[Page]At first, I thought by counsell from the Wise,
To build up my Resolves, and to advise
By their opinions what I [...]hould pursue;
But, of the gravest I perceiv'd so few
Who could advise them [...]elves; that I grew more
Divided by their counsels, then before.
I saw such foolishnesse, and such distractions,
Appeare among them in their words and actions;
That I perceiv'd they had enough to doe,
Their owne particulars to looke unto.
Then, guided by example would I be;
But, that I quickly found no Rule [...]or me;
For, they who in opinion do consent,
Oft differ, in [...]he active President.
And some, who have a tongue the truth to say,
Have wanted grace to walke the safest way.
Beside, mens actions, which indiffe [...]ent are,
May foolish, wise, or bad, or good appeare,
As their unknowne occasions are who doe them;
And, small respect is to be had unto them,
By way of P [...]esident, till we can finde
Their outward motives, and their secret minde▪
This heeding; and still waxing more molested,
With diff [...]ring thoughts, and reasons undisgested,
I knew no better way, then to repaire
For counsell unto God, [...]y humble Pray'r;
Beseeching his direction, how to take
That course, which for his glory▪ most should make.
And he (I think) was please [...] to suggest,
That if I askt my Conscience what was bes [...],
His Word and Spirit would informe her so,
That she should shew me what was best to do.
Then, from the noise of other mens perswasions,
(From selfe-c [...]nceit, and from those vaine occasions,
[Page 80]Which bring disturbances) I did retire,
Gods pleasure, of my Conscience, to enq [...]ire.
Who, finding in my brest a strong contention
Twixt Fai [...]h and Reason; and, how their dissention
Was fi [...]st to be composed (that I might
The sooner understand the t [...]uth aright)
She call'd a Court within me; s [...]mmon'd thither
Those Pow'rs, and all those Faculties together,
Which Tena [...]ts a [...]e in chiefe u [...]to the Soule:
Their faulty inclinations did controule:
And, that she might not without profit chide,
Some ill advis [...]d courses rectifi'd.
Then will'd she FAITH and REASON to debate
Their Cause at large: and, that which they, of late,
Had urg'd confusedly within my brest,
She will'd them, into Method, to digest:
That so, my Iudgement might the better see,
To whether part I should enclined be
They both o [...]e [...]'d. And, REASON (who suppos'd
Delay bred danger) hastily compos'd
Those many strong perswasions, wherewithall
She did my person from the City call;
Before my Conscience, them in order laid,
And (as halfe angry) thus me thought she said.
What meanest thou, thus fondly, out of season,
To shew thy boldnesse in contempt of Reason?
Why art thou alwayes these mad courses taking?
Thy Lines, and Actions, Paradoxes making?
Why thus pursu'st thou what to ruine tends,
To glad thy foes, and discontent thy friends?
By making wilde adventures, to the blame
Of thy blinde Faith, and my perpetuall sh [...]me?
Is't not enough, that by thy little caring
To humor Fooles, and by thy over daring
Thy way to riches, and preferment lost?
Is't not enough, that when thou dost become
The scorne of Foole [...], thou wert delivered from
A m [...]ked Hate, ev'n in that day, and place,
Which Malice had assign'd for thy disgr [...]ce?
And sawst the shame of that unjust I [...]tention
Alight on him who plotted that Invention?
Is't not enough, that thou escape [...] hast
Through many wants and perils und [...]sgrac'd,
When thy advent'rous Muse drew downe upon thee
Those Troubles which were like to have undone thee?
Suffice not these, unlesse thou now assay
A needlesse act? and foole thy life away
By tempting Heav'n, in wilfull staying there,
Where, in thy face grim death doth alway stare?
Looke what thou d [...]st, and w [...]ll obse [...]ve [...]hine errors,
For, thou art round about, enclos'd with terrors.
And if thou be not stupid thou maist see
That there is cause thou shouldst affrighted be.
Dost thou not smell the vapours of the Gr [...]ve?
Dost thou not heare thy plague-sicke neighbours rave?
Dost thou not tast infection in the Aire?
Dost thou not view sad objects of despaire?
Dost thou not f [...]ele thy vitall pow'rs assailed?
Dost thou not finde thy spirits often quail [...]d?
Or with thy judgement hast thou lost thy sense,
That thou dost make no greater speed from hence?
Marke there, how fast with Corpses they do throng▪
See yonder, how the Shadowes, passe along.
Behold, just now, a man before thee dies:
Behinde thy back, another breathlesse lies.
That Bell, now ringing, soundeth out the Knell
Of him, whom thou didst leave, last ev'ning, well.
[Page 81]Lo, he that for his life, lyes gasping, there,
Is one of those who thy companions were
This very morning. And, see, see, the Man
That's talking to thee, looketh pale, and wan,
Is sick to death; and, if thou doe not run
For helpe, will die before his tale be done.
Yet, art thou no [...] afraid? I prethee, tell
Why mightst thou not have beene that man as well?
Though he this minute hath prevented thee,
Why maist not thou, the next that followes be?
Why shouldst not thou as quick [...]y drop away,
Since, fl [...]sh and blood thou art, as fra [...]l as they?
What can thy speedy dissolution hinder,
Since thy complexion is as apt as tinder
To take that Flame? And, if it seize thee must,
What art thou better, then a heap of dust?
There is no Constitution, Sex, Degree,
Or Age of man, from this contagion free.
Nor canst thou get an Antidote to fit
For all Infection, though, perhaps, thy wit
Could learne thy temper so, as not to wrong [...]
Thy health, by things too weak, or over strong.
For, men oft change th [...] temper they should hold,
Are sometime hot; sometime againe are cold▪
One while are sprightly, otherwhile are dull;
Are now too empty, and anon too full:
That, tis a doubtfull, and a curious act,
To adde a just proportion, and substract
(In using outward meanes of pres [...]rvation)
According to the bo [...]ies variation.
And, many, therein failing, lose their lives,
By wrong, or misapply'd Preservatives.
Thou shalt have, therefore, but uncertaine hopes
From Druggists, or Apothecary shops.
[Page]To warrantize thy health▪ if thou on those
In staying here, thy confidence repose.
And sure, thou neither harbor'st such a thought,
That, thou of any better s [...]uffe art wrought
Then other men: nor trustest unto Charmes,
To keepe off this Disease from doing harmes:
For, those unhallowed Med'cines, and i [...]pure,
Breed greater Plagues, then those they seeme to cure.
Nor art thou, of that Brotherhood, which sees
The Booke of Gods particular Decrees;
And Gypsie like (by heathnish Palmistry,
Or by the lines of Phisiognomy)
Conjectures dareth not alone to give,
Who of this Plague shall dye, or who shall live:
But also wicke [...]ly, presumes to t [...]ll
Which man shall goe to heav'n, and which to hell:
Of these I know thou art not. For, as yet
I hope thou hast not so forgone thy wit:
To credit their illuding p [...]ophanations,
Which are but fantosmes of illuminations
Begot in these late Ages (by misch [...]nce)
Betwixt much pride, and zealous ignorance.
Thou dost not think thy merits greater are
Then other mens, that God thy l [...]f [...] should spare.
Nor canst thou hope thy safety to poss [...]sse,
For that thy follies or thy sinnes are lesse.
Since if thou hadst but one time beene mis-led,
Thy life for that one time were so [...]fei [...]ed.
And, this Disease, with outward ma [...]ks, doth strike.
The Righteous, and the Wicked, both alike.
Then, since thou art a Sinner, and art sure,
That sinne did first this Pestilence procure:
Since thou maist also justly say with griefe,
That, thou of all transgressors art the chiefe:
[Page 82]Since thy offences some of those have bin,
Which h [...]lpe to bring this great Infection in:
Nay; since it may be (if thou search thy heart)
That thou a principall among them art,
Who from the Ship must Ionas-like be throwne,
Before this Tempest will be over blowne▪
Why doth it not thy guil [...]y soule dismay,
And make thee hasten more to flye away?
It may be thou dost vainly hope for Fame,
By doing this. Oh! what availes the same,
When thou art raked up quite void of sense,
Among the slaughters of the Pestilence?
What will it profit when thou sleep'st in clay,
Some▪ few should praise, and some lament thy stay?
Some heed it not? Some make a mocke thereat?
Some deeme thee foolish, others d [...]sperate?
Some, judge thy tarying might for trifles be?
Some, for thy best intention slander thee?
Or with base trash thy breathlesse Muse bely [...] ▪
Or, mis-report thy dying, if thou dye?
For, if thou chance to perish in this Place,
These wayes, and other meanes to thy disgrace,
Thy Foes will finde▪ and in thy fall contented,
Accomplish what, thy life might have prevented.
But say to scape alive thy Lott it be;
A troupe of other perils wait on thee.
Thou know'st not what extremities may fall,
Nor how thy heart may struggle therewithall.
Such Poverty upon this Towne may seize,
E're God asswage the rage of this Disease,
That meanes may saile thee; and before supply
Thy friends can send thee, thou maist famisht lye:
For they who now affect thee, and with whom
Thou shal [...], perhaps, to live resolv'd become,
[Page]Ev'n they may perish in this Pest, and leave thee
To strangers whose affections will deceive thee:
In time of health, but slenderly befriend thee:
In sicknesse, to a lonely Roome commend thee:
Make spoile of what is thine, and senslesse be
Of helping, and of all regard of thee.
And then it will, perchance, afflict thy mind
That thou unto thy selfe wert so unkinde,
As to neglect th [...]t wholesome Country Ayre▪
Whereto thy friends invited thy repaire.
Thou maist remember, when it is too late,
Those pleasures, and that happy healthy state
Thou mightst have had: A [...]d wi [...]h how much respect
Thou shouldst have liv'd with those that thee affect;
A comfort to thy Parents, who with feare,
D [...]e sorrow for thy needl [...]sse lingring here:
For, them thou leavest, an [...] some friends beside,
(To live, 'twixt hope and feare, unsatisfi'd
By this thy doing) whom thou dost abuse,
If that which may d [...]scomfort them thou chuse.
And, when they shall thy wilfulnesse condemne,
With what good Reasons wil [...] thou answer them?
Thy Dwelling is not here; nor is thy stay
Compelled by Affaires that urge it may.
Thou hast nor publike neither private charge;
But, maist in any place, goe walke at large.
The wo [...]ld conceiveth not the least suspition,
That thou art either Surgeon, or Physitian,
(Whose Art may stand this place in any s [...]eed;)
Or that thy friends will thy attendance need.
For thou canst neither Broths nor Caudles make,
Nor drenches good enough for horse to take.
Thou hast no Calling, that may warrantize
This boldnesse: neither can thy wit devise
An act so needlesse, and so perillous.
Consider well, that there are paines in death;
Consider, that when thou ha [...]t lost thy breath,
Thy Flesh, the deare companion of thy Soule,
Shall be rejected as uncleane, and foule,
And, lodge within a Grave, contemn'd and vile,
Which might have liv'd esteemed, yet a while.
Consider, that thou hast not an estate
Of being, which is base or desperate;
But such, as few on earth possesse a better,
Though each one, that hath ought, enjoyes a greater.
Consider, that thou dost endanger now
The blessing of long life. Consider, how
Thou mightst have lived to a larger measure
Of riches, of preferment, or of pleasure;
And profited thy Country, whereunto
Thy Death, or Sicknesse, will no service do.
Nay, if thou now miscarry, where will be
Those honest hopes which late possessed thee?
To [...]hose thy Studies who an end shall adde,
Which but a while agoe, beginning had?
And, being left unfinisht, make the paine
And houres, upon them spent, to be in vaine?
With somewhat thou endued art, whereby
Thou ma [...]st thy blessed Maker glorifie;
Thy selfe advantage, and a joy become
To such as well affect thee; and 'gainst whom
(If thus thy selfe thou separate) thou shalt
Commit a most inexpiable fault.
Oh! the [...]efore, I beseech thee, wary be,
To thinke what service God requires of thee:
Think, what thou w [...]st thy selfe; and call to mind,
That some wel-wille [...]s thou maist leave behinde,
[Page]Whose hopes thou should'st not wilfully bereave,
(Whose loves thou should'st not unrequited leave)
By hazarding thy Life, which is a debt
To their deservings. For, thou know'st not, yet,
How that may grieve thy soule, or fill thy head
With troubled sancies, o [...] thy dying-bed.
I cannot make d [...]scovery, by all
My faculties, and po [...]'rs rationall,
What worke tho [...] maist imagine should be done
T [...]at's worthy of the hazard thou dost run.
Nor can, as yet, my understanding reach
(What hope soever Faith may please to pre [...]ch)
To those Felicities; which after death
Her supernaturall Doctrines promiseth.
Nor finde I suc [...] assurances, a [...] may
Preserve thee unaffrighted in thy stay.
For when within my Naturall Scale I place
Those Arguments, and Promises of Grace,
Which Faith alledgeth; they so ayrie prove,
That they my Ballance very little move.
Yea, such transcendent things declareth she▪
As they me thinks should so distemper thee,
That doubts and terrors rather should possesse
Thy Soule, then hopes of reall [...]appinesse;
Since what in Death, or after Death shall come,
Are things, that Nature is estranged from.
Fly therefore, this great perill. Seeke a place
Where thou maist plead more safely of thy Case:
And, since thy God, with Reason, thee doth blesse,
Now, most thou need'st it, be not reasonlesse.
All this (and what the ca [...]nall wit of man
Object, in such an undertaking can)
Did R [...]ASON urge, to make my stay appeare
An act imp [...]ovident, and full of feare:
[Page 84]And what her seeming rightfull c [...]use advances,
Was utt'red with such dreadfull ci [...]cumstances,
That she did hal [...]e pe [...]swade me to confesse,
My Resolution would be foolishnesse.
But, when my R [...]ASON had no more to speake,
My FAITH began: & though her st [...]ength was weak,
(Because my [...]railties had enfeebled her)
Yet, then I felt her with more vigour stir,
Then in lesse perills. For, she blew aside
Those fogs whe [...]ewith my heart was t [...]rrifi'd:
Made cleare my Iudgement: and (as having wa [...]gh'd
The speech f [...]regoing) thus, me thought, she said.
How wise is REASON in an Ethnicke Schoole,
And, in divine proceedings, what a foole?
How many likely things she mus [...]er can,
To startle and amaze a naturall man,
W [...]ich, when I am advis'd withall, are found
But pannick feares, and terrors without ground!
And yet, how often doth blinde Ignoranc [...],
Above my reach her shallownesse advance?
Or else of madnesse, wickedly condemne
My wisdome, and my safest paths contemne?
Yet be not thou (my Soule) deceived by
The foolishnesse of humane Sophistry.
But, since by thy Afflictions, thou hast got
Exp [...]rience, which the world attaineth not;
Give heed to me, and I will make thee know
Those things which carnall Reason cannot show.
Yea make thee by my pow'r more certaine be
Of that which mortals can nor heare nor see,
Then of the plainest objects that appeare
Vnto the sense of corp'rall eye or eare:
And though my promise, or my counsell seeme
To vulgar Iudgements, but of meane esteeme,
[Page]Ile so enable the [...] those seares to bide,
W [...]erewi [...]h the worldly-wise are terrifi'd;
And, teach thee such contentednesse to gaine,
Though in Deaths gloomy shades thou dost remaine:
That, thou (without all doubtings) shalt perceive,
Thou shouldst not this afflicted Citie leave.
And Flesh and Blood, with wonder, shall confess [...]
That Faith hath pow'r to teach men fearlesnesse,
I [...] perils; which do make their hearts to ake,
Who scoffe at her, and part with Reason take.
It cannot be denyed that this Place
Yeelds dread enough, to make the boldest face
To put a palenesse on, unlesse the minde
Be over much to sen [...]esnesse enclinde:
Because, we nat'rally abhor to see
Such loathed objects of mortality.
'T [...]s also true, that there is no defence
To guard the body from this Pes [...]ilence,
Within the compasse of mans pow [...]r or wit:
Nor can thy merit so prevaile with it,
But that (for ought thou knowest) thou maist f [...]ll
The growing number of Death [...] weekly-Bill.
And what of that? whìlst I befriend thee shall,
Ca [...] such a common danger thee apal [...]?
Shall that, which heath'nish men, and women beare,
(Yea tender infants) without shewes of feare,
Amate thy spirit? shall the drawing nigh
Of that, from which thou has [...] no meanes to [...]ye,
(And which thou walkest toward, ev'ry day,
(With seeming stou [...]nesse) fright thee now away?
Is Death so busie grow [...]e in London streets,
That h [...] with no man in th [...] Country me [...]ts?
Beleeve [...] thou, the number he hath slaine
Hath added any thing unto the paine?
[Page 85]Or, hast thou lately apprehended more
Deaths fearfull gast lin [...]sse, then heretofore,
That in this time of tryall thou shouldst finde
Thy Soule to slavish Cowardice enclinde?
Death is that Path, which ev'ry man must tread;
A [...]d, whe [...] thou shalt d [...]scend among the dead,
Thou go'st but thither where thy fathers be,
And whither, all that live shall follow thee.
Death is that Haven, where t [...]y Barke shall cas [...]
Her hopefull Anchor, and lye moored fast,
Exempted from those furious windes and seas▪
VVhich in thy heav'nly voyage, thee diseas [...].
Death i [...] th [...] Iaile-deliv'ry of [...]he Soule:
Thy joyfull yeare of Iubilee: thy Goale:
The Day that ends thy sorrowes, and thy sins;
And that, wherein, best happinesse begins.
A lawfull act, then wherefore shouldst thou feare
To prosecute; although thy death it were?
Full oft, have I enabled thee to bide
The brunt of dreadf [...]ll stormes, unterrifide▪
And, when thy dastard Reason (not espying
That heav'nly Game, at which thy Faith was flying)
Di [...]heartned grew; I did thy body free
From ev'ry p [...]rill which enclosed thee:
So working, that those thin [...]s thy praise became,
Which Malice had projected for thy shame;
And, common Reason, who suppos'd thee mad,
Did blush to see how little wi [...] she had.
Yet, now againe, how f [...]olishly she tryes
To cast new fogs b [...]fore thy Iudgements eyes?
[...]hat childish Bug-Bea [...]es hath she mus [...]red [...]ere,
To scar t [...]y senses with a causelesse f [...]are?
Of those loath'd Objects wherefore doth she tell,
Which v [...]x the sight, the hearing, and the smell?
[Page]Since, when the utmost of it shall be said,
All is but Death; which can but strike thee dead.
And when that's done, thou shalt (by me revived)
Enjoy a better life then thou has [...] lived.
If those hobgoblin terrors of the grave,
(Wherewith meere nat'rall men affrighted have
Their troubled soules) deterre thee from that path,
Whereto the will of God injoined hath;
To thee (oh! Soule) how dreadfull would it be
If WARRE, with all her feares enclosed thee?
Nay, if such common terrors thee amaze,
How wouldst thou quake, if in a generall blaze,
The world should flame about thee? (as it may,
Perhaps, before thou see another day)
Sure, if these Scar-crowes do det [...]rre thee so,
Thou scarce wilt welcome (as thou oughtst to do)
That Moment when it comes; nor so rejoyce,
As they, who long to heare the Bridegroomes voice.
Here therefore stay, and practise to inure
Thy soule to tryalls; that thou maist endure
All chang [...]s, which in after times may come:
And wait with gladnesse, for the Day of Doome.
Seeke here, by holy dread, to purge away
Those Crimes which heape up terrors for that day.
Endure the scorching of this gentle fire▪
To purifie thy heart from vaine desire.
Learne here, the death of righteous men to dye;
That thou maist live with such eternally.
H [...]re, exercise thy Faith, and watch, and pray,
That when thy body shall be mixt with clay
The frigh [...]full Trumpet, whose amazing sound
Shall startle H [...]ll, and shake earths massie Round.
May make thee leape with gladnesse from thy grave,
And no sad horrors in thy Conscience have.
[Page 86]What canst thou hope to purchase here below,
That thou shouldst life unwillingly for goe?
Since, there is nothing which thou canst possesse,
Whose sweetnesse is not marr'd with bitternesse:
Nor any thing so safe, but that it may,
To th [...]e, become a mischiefe, many a way?
If honourable thou mightst live to grow,
That honor may effect thy overthrow.
And (as it makes of others) make of thee
A thing as blockish, as bruit creatures be▪
If Rich; those Riches may thy life betray;
Choake up thy vertues, and then flye aw [...]y.
If Pleasure follow thee; that pleasing vaine
May bring thy soule to everlasting paine:
Yea, that which most thou longest to e [...]joy,
May all the pleasures of thy life destroy.
Seeke therefore true co [...]t [...]n [...]ment where it lies,
And feare not ev'ry B [...]bies fantasies.
If Life thou love; Death is that entring in
Where life which is eternall doth begin.
There, what thou most desirest is enjoy'd;
And, Death it selfe, by dying is destroy'd.
Though length of life, a blessing be confest,
Yet, length of dayes in sorrow is not best.
Although the Saylor, sea-roome doth require,
To reach the harbour is his chiefe desire:
And, though 'tis well our debts may be delay'd,
Yet, we are best at ease when they are paid.
If [...]itle [...], thou aspire unto: Death brings
The Faithfull, to become immortall Kings:
Whose glorie passeth earth [...]y pomp, as far
As Phoebus doth outshine the Morning-star.
Desirest thou a pleasant healthfull dwelling?
By Death thou gain'st a Country so excelling;
[Page]That, plenty of all us [...]full things is there,
And all [...]hose objects that delightfull are.
A golden pavement thou sh [...]lt walke upon;
And lodge in Buildings wall'd with precious stone.
If in rich Garmen [...]s to be cloath'd thou seeke,
The Persian Mon [...]rks never had the like:
For, Puritie it selfe thy Robe shall be;
And like the Stars, thy Crowne shall s [...]ine on thee.
Hast thou enjoyed those companions here,
VVhose love and fellowship delightfull are?
Thou shalt, when thou from sight of those art gone,
Of that high Order be installed one,
VVhich never did false Brother entertaine;
VVhereof, ev'n God himselfe is Soveraigne:
And in whose company thou shalt possesse
All perfect, deare, and lasting friendlinesse.
Yea, there ev'n those whom thou on earth hast lo [...]ed
[...]n [...]se time (with such love as is approved)
Thou shalt enjoy againe: and not alon [...]
Their friendship; but the love of ev'ry one
Of those blest men and women, who both were,
And are, and shall be, till our Iudge appeare.
Hath any mortall beauty pleas'd thee so,
That, from her presence thou [...]rt loath to goe?
Thou shalt in stead of those poore imperfections,
VVh [...]r [...]on thou setlest here unsure affections▪
The Fountaine of all Beauties, come to see
(Wi [...]hin his lovely bosome lodged be)
And know (when thou on him hast fixt thine eye [...])
That, all earths Beauties are deformities.
To these, and happinesses, greater far
Then by the heart of man conceived are,
Death maketh passage. And, how grim soe're
He may to those that stand aloo [...] appeare;
[Page 87]Yet, if thou bide unmoved in thy place,
Till he within his armes doe thee embrace;
Thou sh [...]lt perceive that who so timely dieth,
Enjoyes contentments which this life denyeth.
Thy feare of painfulnesse in death is vain [...];
In Death is eas [...]; in Life, alone, is paine.
Man makes it [...]readfull by his owne inventions▪
By causelesse doubts, and groundlesse apprehensions.
But, when it comes, it brings of paine, no more
Then Sleepe, to him that restlesse was before.
Thy Soules departur [...], from the Flesh, doth maze,
And thee afflicteth more then there is cause:
For, of his sting, thy Saviou [...], Death despoiled:
And, feares, and dangers from the Grave exiled.
Thou losest not try Body when it dyes;
Nor doth it perish, though it putrifies.
For, when the time appointed, it hath laine,
It shall be raised from the dust againe,
And, in the s [...]ead of this corrupted one,
Thy Soule, a glorious Body shall put on.
But hadst thou not a Faith which might procure the [...]
Such comforts, and such life in death assure thee:
Or, though thou shouldst, by dying, be possest
Of nothing else, but of a senselesse rest:
Me thinkes thy [...]arnall Reason should, for that,
Perswade thee rather to be desperate,
And stay, and seeke for Death, e' [...]e languish in
Perpetuall sorrowes, such as thine have bi [...].
For, if to God-ward, [...]oy thou foelest not,
What comfort to the world-ward [...]ast thou got,
Which may desirous make thee to delay,
Or linger out thy life another day?
'Tis true that God hath given thee a share
I [...] all thos [...] Pleasures, that good pleasures are;
H [...]e hath bestow'd on thee as many a [...]ok [...]n
Of his abundant love, as he bestowes
On any, with so sew external sh [...]wes.
For ev'n of outward things he doth impart
As much as fits the place in which thou art;
With full as many pleasures as may serve,
Thy Patience, in thy suff [...]ings, to preserve:
And, when for Rest, and Plenties, thou art fitter,
I know, he will not make thy cup so bitt [...]r.
But if thou live for outwar'd pleasures meerly;
By living thou dost buy them over dearly.
For (if thy peace in God were s [...]t aside)
So many wayes thou hast beene crucifi'd,
That some would think thy Fortune (if they had it)
Most bitter; though most sweet thy hopes have made it.
H [...]re, but a Pilgrimage thou dost possesse,
I [...] wandring, and perpetuall restlesnesse.
Like Travellers, in sunshine and in raine,
Both d [...]y and wet, and dry and wet againe.
With rest, each Morning, well refresh [...] and merry▪
A [...]d, ev'ry Ev'ning, full of griefe, and weary.
To Vanity, in bondage thou dost lie,
Still beaten with new stormes of Misery;
And, in a path to which thou art a stranger,
Assaulted with variety of Danger.
His Face, sometime, is hid, whence comforts flow,
And, men and devills, seek thy overthrow.
Sin multiplies upon thee, ev'ry day:
Thy vitall pow'rs, will more and more decay:
Wealth, honor, friends, and what thou best dost love,
Doth leave, deceive thee, or thy torment prove;
Mans very Body burthens him; and brings
Vnto itselfe a thousand torturings▪
[Page 88]Thy Heart, with many Thinkings is perplext:
Yea, by thine owne Affections thou art vext:
And (though by overcomming them at last,
Thy soule hath comfort when the fight is past,)
Thou hast perpetuall conflicts, which requir [...]
Continuall watchfulnesse: for, no Desire
Or nat'rall Passion, ever did molest
The heart of Man, that strives not in thy brest.
In ev'ry Pleasure, somewhat lurks to scar thee▪
In ev'ry Profit, somewhat to ensnare thee:
Whole armies of Afflictions swarme about thee,
Some fight within thee; some assaile without thee:
And, that which thou conceivest shall releeve thee,
Becommeth oft another meanes to gri [...]ve thee.
Yea, thine owne thoughts, thy spe [...]ches, and thine actions,
Occasion discontentments, and distraction:
And all the portion which thou dost inherit,
Yeelds nought, but perturbations of the spirit.
In Childhood, all thy pleasures were but toyes;
In heat of Youth, as fruitlesse were thy joyes:
Thy riper yeares, do nought but ripen care:
And, imperfections, thy perfections are:
If Old thou grow, thy griefes will aged be▪
And, Sicknesse, till thou dye, wil live in thee.
Thy Life's a Warfare, which must quite be done,
E're dangers vanish, or the Field be won.
It is a Voyage full of wearinesse,
Till thou thy wished harbor dost possesse:
And, thou of no externall Ioy canst b [...]ast,
That may not e're thy dying day be lost.
But, truth to say, what thing dost thou possesse,
Which others thi [...]ke to be a happinesse?
The world allowes thee little that is hers,
And [...]hee to very small esteeme prefers.
[Page]Among her Minions: but, in ev'ry place
Endeavors to affront thee with disgrace;
D [...]prives thee of thy labours, and bestowes
On Parasites, on Foo [...]es, and on thy Foes,
Thy due: and with a spightfull enviousnesse,
Thy best approved Studies doth suppresse.
Behold, [...] [...]rothy Masq [...]e, an idle Song,
The witlesse jesting of a scurrilous tongue,
Th [...] capring Dancer, and the foining Fencer,
The bold Buffoone, the slye Intelligencer;
Those fool [...]sh raving fellowes, whose delights
Are wholly fixed on their Curs and Kites ▪
The Termly Pamphlet [...]rs, whose Dedications
Doe sooth and claw the times abominations:
Ev'n such [...]ike things as these can purchase grace,
And quickly compasse Pension, [...]ift, or Place;
When, thy more honest Labours are abused,
Contemned, sleighted, or at best refused.
If such a one as these forenam'd, resort
To set abroach his qualities in Court,
He findes respect, and as an usefull man,
His Faculty, some place afford him, can.
He soone hath entertainment. Or if not,
Yet, something may sor his availe be got.
A base Invention, that scarce merit may
The reputation of a Puppet-play,
So [...]e spangled Courtier, or some foolish Lord ▪
Admires, affects, and of his ow [...]e accord
Prefers it to the Prince, or to the King,
As an ingenious, or much usefull thing.
And (ten to one) if then the Author can
But humor well his Lordship, or his man
(That rules his Honors wisdome) it may gaine him
Some such like Lord as that to en [...]ertaine him,
May open to him: and, be fareth worse
Then many a Foole hath done, unl [...]sse e're long▪
He purchaseth to be enro [...]l'd among
The best Deservers; and arise to be
Superior to a better man then be.
Twixt these and thee what distances appeare?
And, twixt your Fortunes what a space is there▪
When thou hadst f [...]nished a Worke divine,
(As much for others profit, as for thine)
Thou scarcely found'st a man, to make thee way
Thy Present, at thy Soveraigne [...] fee [...] to lay.
And when thou didst▪ No sooner laid he by
What tendred was, but some in [...]urious eye
Did quickly take thereof a partiall view,
And with detracting Censures thee pursue.
Yea, those meere Ignorants, whose courtly wi [...]
Can judge of nothing, but how cloathes doe fit;
How Congees should be acted; how their Boy
Obs [...]rve them should; or some such weighty [...]oy:
Those Shreds of Complement, patcht up for things
To fill vast Roomes in Palaces of Kings,
(As Antiques doe in Hangin [...]) more for show▪
Then any profit, which from them c [...]n flow.
[...]v'n those (scarce worth our laughing at) have pa [...]
Their doomes on that which thou presented hast;
As if they understood it: and, as those,
[...]y chance did censure, so the Censure goes.
If these, or any such like Mountebanks,
By slavish fawning, or by pickin [...] thanks;
By ho [...]eliest services, (or worse) by cheating;
Extorting from the poore, or by defeating
Men hone [...]ly disposed, (or, by any
Of those ill meanes, whereof this age hath many)
[Page]Can, out of heggery, their fortunes reare▪
To hundreds, or to thousands by the yeare:
They thinke themselves abus'd, if any grutch
O [...] m [...]rmur, as if they had got too much.
But, though thou from thy childhood wert employ'd
In painf [...]ll studies, and hadst not enjoy'd
So much externall profit, as would pay
The charges of thy Troubles, for a day:
(Nay, rather, hindrance hadst, and punishment,
For that, which gave most honest men content)
Yet (marke their dealing) when but hope there was
Of gaine to thee (which never came to passe)
And though that gaine were lesse then Traders can
Allow sometimes unto a Iourney-man:
Yea though it were to no mans prejudice;
( [...]ut many profiting) and did arise
By thine owne labours: that small yearly summ [...]
Expected for, nought, yet, but losse doth come)
Was grumbled at; as if it had beene more
Then any ever gained heretofore;
And would the Common-weale have prejudised,
Had none, thereof, to frustrate thee, de [...]ised.
Some, therefore (whose maliciousnesse is yet
Vnanswer'd for) themselves against thee set;
And, by the dammage of their owne estate,
Have labour'd, thee and thine to ruinate.
Some others, as injuriously, as they,
Laid causelesse Nets, to snarle thee in thy way:
And have procured, for thy best intents,
Reproofes, Contempts, and Close Imprisonments;
(As rigo [...]ous as ever were inflicted,
Of those th [...]t for High Treason stood convicted)
Yea, that which might an honest wealth have won thee,
[...]as that, whereby they sought to have undone thee.
[Page 90]Foule Scandals, thy best actions have attended.
And (as if on thine Infamy depended
The Kingdomes glory) Pamphlets false and base,
Yea, publike Ma [...]ques, and Playes, to thy disgrace,
Were set abroach; till justly they became,
To those that made, and favour'd them, a shame.
In Rimes, and Libels, they have done thee wrongs;
Thou hast beene mention'd in their drunken Songs,
Who nothing worse unto thy charge could lay,
But, that, thou didst not seeme so bad as they.
Meere Strangers, who are quite unknowne of thee,
(Although they see not what thy manners be)
Take pleasure to traduce thee, and to draw
Those things in question, which they never saw.
Nay, at their publike meetings, few forbeare
To speake that s [...]andall, which they thinke, or heare▪
Ev'n since this Plague began, and whi [...]st thy hand
Recording was that Iudgement on this Land;
Thou art inform'd, that, Westward from this place
(Some scores of miles) a generall rumor w [...]
Both of thy biding here, and of thy death.
And, they who said, thou hadst expir'd thy breath,
(Supposing, as it seemes) it could not be
That God from this Disease would shelter thee)
Reported also, that, of Grace forsaken,
And, by the sin of Drunkennesse o'retaken,
Thou brok [...]st thy neck. It may be those men thought,
That when the Plague [...]hy life to end bad brought,
They sh [...]uld have added som [...]what, to have slaine
The life of good Report, which might remaine.
Nor was that ayme quite void. For, (though of all
Grosse sins, the staine of t [...]at, least b [...]ur thee shall)
Some straight beleev'd what malice did surmise;
Condemn'd thy Vertues, for Hypocrisies.
Vs'd thee, as Iob was used by his friends▪
Did on thy Life un [...]hristian Censures passe▪
Affirm'd, thy Death had showed what it was;
And, many a one that heard it, shall not know
Vntill his dying day, it was not so.
But, then they shall perceive, that most of that
Is false, which men of others use to prate.
But, wonder it is none, that thou among
Some Strangers, in thy Fame hast suffred wrong:
For, [...]o, thy Neighbours (though they privy be
To no such act as may difparage thee,
But unto many rather, which in show,
Appeared from a Christian minde to flow)
Ev'n they, in private whisp'rings, many times
Have taxed thee as guilty of those crimes
Thou never perpetratedst, but dost more
Abhor them, then do Mizers to be poore.
And from th [...]se blots the more thy life is free,
The more is theirs defilde, by slaundring th [...]e.
In wicked Places (where yet n [...]ver came
Thy foo [...]) some ac [...]ed follies in thy name:
That others present, knowing not thy face,
Might spread abroad of thee, to thy disgrace,
VVhat others did. And, such a mischiefe, none
But perfect Malice, could have thought upon.
Thy very Prayers, and thy Charities
Have [...]cked beene, and judg'd hypocrisies.
When thou wert be [...] employed, thou wert s [...]re
The b [...]sest imputations to endure.
When thy intentions ha [...]e beene most sincere,
Mens misconstructions alwayes ha [...]shest were;
And, when thy piou [...] action thou hadst wrought,
Then▪ they the greatest mischiefe on thee brought.
[Page 91]The best, and most approved of those Laies,
By thee composed for thy Makers praise;
Have lately greatly multipli'd thy F [...]es,
And, not procur'd alone the spight of those
Whom brutish Ignorance bes [...]ts among
The misconceiving and ill [...]terate throng:
But▪ they who on the seats of Iudgement sate,
Thee, and those Labours have inveighed at.
The Learned, who should wiser men have beene,
Did censure that which they had never seene.
Ev'n they, w [...]o make faire shewes of sancti [...]y,
(God grant, it be not with hypocrisi [...])
With spightfulnesse, that scarce can matched be,
Have shamefully tr [...]duced that, and thee.
Nay, of the Clergy, some (and of the chiefe)
Have with unseemly f [...]ry, post beleefe,
So undervalu'd, and so vilifi'd
Those Labors (which the tryall will abide,
When their proud spleene is wasted) that, unlesse
God had, in mercy, curb'd their furiousnesse,
(And by his might abated, in some measure,
That pow'r of acting their impe [...]ious pleasure)
Their place, and that opinion they had gained,
Of knowledge, and sincerity unfained,
Had long ere this, no doubt, made so contemn'd
Those Lines, and thee; that thou hadst beene condemn'd
VVithout a triall. And so true a feeling
Hadst gain'd ere now, of base and partiall dealing,
That, Disconten [...] [...]ight then have urg'd thy stay,
In hope this Plague, would th [...]t, have tooke away:
But, thou by others, hast receiv'd the [...]ings
Of Malice ▪ otherwayes, in other things.
Those men, whose over-grosse and open crime [...],
Are justly taxed in thi [...] [...]onest [...]imes,
[Page]Have by the generall notice of thy name,
Sought how to bring thee to a generall shame,
By raising causelesse rumors to be blowne
Through ev'ry quarter where thy lines are knowne.
For, there's no place without an enuious [...]are,
And slan [...]rous tongues be ready ev'ry where,
To cast, with willingnesse, disgrace on those,
Of whom, some good report, beforehand, goes.
And since thou canst not answer ev'ry man,
As he that's knowne in some few Townships, can;
The falsest Rumors Men divulge of thee,
Doe soone become a common Fame to be.
Moreover (that lesse cause there may appeare,
Why thou shouldst life desire, or dying feare)
The most affected thing this world containes,
Hath tor [...]ur'd thee with most heart-breaking paines.
For, they whom thou hast loved: they to whom
Thou didst obliged many wayes become:
Yea [...]hey who knew thy faithfulnesse; ev'n they,
Have made their outward kindnesses the way
To make thee most ingratefull seeme to be,
Yea, they have heaped more disgrace on thee,
More griefes, and disadvantages, then all
Thy Foes together, bring upon thee shall.
And long pursued have, to thy vexation
Their courses with harsh trickes of ag [...]ravation;
Yet still pretending Love: which makes the curse,
Of this Affliction twenty times the worse.
I will [...]ot say that thou affl [...]cted art
In this (by them) without thy owne desert:
For who perceives in all how he offends?
Or thinks, that God correction causelesse sends?
Nor will I say this injury proceeds,
Fromany Malice. For, perhaps, it breeds
[Page 92]From their distemper'd love. And God to show
Some needfullsecret (which thou best maist know
By this experiment) a while doth please,
To make thy late Contentments thy Disease.
Thy first Acquaintan [...]e, who did many a yeare
Enjoy thy fellowship (and glad appeare
To seeme thy friends) have wearied out their love,
By length of time; and strangers now doe prove.
Thou also seest, thy new acquaintance be
Worne out as fast as gotten. For, to thee
Most come, for nothing but to satisfie
Their idle fruitlesse curiositie:
And, having seene, and found thee but a man,
Their friendship ended, just as it began.
Nay, they who all thy course of life have seene,
And (in appearanc [...]) have perswaded beene,
So well of thy uprightnesse, as if no [...]ght
Could move in them, of thee, one [...]vill thought:
These, by a little absence, or the sound
Of some untrue Relation (wanting ground)
Doe all their good opinion some [...]ime change;
Suspect thy mann [...]rs, and themselves [...]strange,
So unexpecte [...]ly▪ and without cause,
That what to judge of them it makes thee pause▪
For they that vertuous are, but in the show,
Doe soone suspect, that all men else, are so.
Th [...]se things are very bitter unto such
Whose hearts are sensible to ev'ry touch
Of kindnesse, and unkindnesse; and they make
Life tedious, where they deepe impr [...]ssion take.
But, many other griefes thy Soule doe grinde;
And thou by them, art pained in a kinde
So diff [...]ring from the common sense of others,
(Although thy patience much distemper smothers)
[Page]That Reason might me thinkes contented be,
Thou shouldst pursue thy Death to set thee free.
I spe [...]ke not this, as if thou didst repin [...]
At these, or any other lots of thine:
Nor to discourage thee, be [...]ause the World
So little of her Grace on thee hath hurl'd.
For, I would have thee scorne her love; and know
That whe [...]her sh [...] will favour th [...]e or no,
I wil [...], in thy due season, make thee rise
To honor, by that way which me [...] despise:
Ev'n to those honors, which are greater then
The greatest that conferred are, by men.
And, this I mention, in reproach of them
Whose Pride, thy humble Mufings, doth contemn [...]:
And [...]o remember thee, how vaine it were,
To seeke for life, where such harsh dealings are.
And, as I would not have thee wish to live
[...]or love of any thing, this world can give:
So, I am loath her troubles should have pow'r
To make thee seeke to shorten life an houre.
But rather in contempt of all her spight,
To lengthen it, untill pale Envie quite
Consume her selfe; and thou at last be sent
From hence, victorious, crowned with content.
I therefore, here, perswade thee not to stay▪
That vainly thou mightst foole thy life away:
Or, that some poore applauses may be got;
Or, for such trifling ends as profit not;
And, whereof, Reason her di [...]like infers:
For, my opinion jumps in that, with hers.
I doe not counsell thee to cast aside
That care▪ which teacheth wisely to provide
For wholsome Antidotes: Or to observe
Such courses, a [...] are likely to preserve
[Page 93]Thy body sound: nor is it my intent,
Thou shouldst employ, by way of complemen [...],
Thy time in visiting infected friends;
When to their comfortings it little tends.
Nor am I pleas'd in him that so presumes,
Or such a franticke foolishnesse assumes,
As desperately to thrust himselfe among
The noisome brea [...]hings of a sickly thro [...]g,
When such a danger nothing may availe:
And, where the meanes of lif [...] will surely faile.
Nor would I now betray thee to thy sin;
Or worke thy losses, that thy foes may win;
Or make thee tempt thy God; or grieve thy friends▪
Or barre thy Labors of their wished ends:
Nor can [...]t thou thinke thy Rea [...]on well hath said,
To cast such stumbling-blockes, as she hath laid:
For, just and comely things, I doe advise;
And, seeke not Mischiefes, but their Remedies.
A carnall Wisedome sayes she seeth not
What knowledge and assurance may be got
Of those eternall things, that objects are
Of Chr [...]stian hope. But, wherefore shouldst thou feare
What [...]lesh and Blood blasphemously hath said?
Since, into thee already are convaid
[...]th Notions, and the reall sense of that
Which they, who would not see, doe stumble at?
Meere humane Reason cannot [...]each to know
Of many thousand Creatures here below,
The s [...]cret natures: Doe not wonder thou,
That few celestiall things perceive she can:
But call to minde, that to be fl [...]shly wise,
Is to be foolish in Truths Mysteries.
Give God the praise, who hath on thee bes [...]owne
A better apprehension then thine [...].
[Page]Remember still, to cherish this beleefe;
Let Prayer daily fet thy Faith releefe:
And be assur'd that I advise thee best,
What e're thy carnall Reason shall suggest.
If thou suppose that thou hast ought begun,
Which may thy Coun [...]ry profit, being done,
Or honor God: proceed thou in his name,
With cheerfulnesse, and finish up the same.
For God will either give thee life to doe it,
(If cause the [...]e be) or call another to it
Of better gifts▪ And, if thou grudge at this,
Thou seekest thine owne honor, more then his:
And, though a pious purpose thou pretend,
Thy holy shew [...]s have some unholy end.
Say, thou among the m [...]ltitude must fall;
Say, they that hate thee, thereof triumph [...]hall;
Or others (out of levity) contemne
Thy course; or thee unj [...]stly should condemne,
As Reason pleads? what prejudice to thee
Wo [...]ld this be more, then s [...]ch mens pra [...]ses be?
What harme is this to thee wh [...]n [...]hou art gone?
And hast no se [...]se of any wrong that's done?
What needst thou care, if all the wo [...]ld suppose
To hell thou sinkest; if thy spi [...]it it goes
The way to heav'n? And in that narrow path
A [...]lessed being, unperceived hath?
Pursue brave Actions, as a Christian ought,
And, care not thou what shall of them be thought:
(Except to rouze up other men it be,
By making them perceive what rouzed thee)
When thou dost walke uprightly, walke thou on,
And scorne to looke aside, who looks thereon:
For▪ he's a foole (if not an hypocrite)
That in well-doing feeleth no delight,
[Page 94]Vntill some witnesse of his deeds he know,
Or feele some praises his proud sai [...]es to blow,
Nay, he that cannot in a vertuous deed,
(Wherein, his Conscience, warrants to proceed)
Persist without returning, though he should,
Of all the world together, be controul'd;
Or, if he thought it not a favour too
That God would call him such a worke to doe;
(Yea though that for his paines, he should become
Abhorr'd of all men▪ t [...]ll the Day of Doome)
Ev'n such a Man is farre below that height,
To which by perfect Vertue climbe he might;
And lose he doth, by feares that are in vaine,
The bravest honor that his Faith can gaine.
Thy Reason sayes, that thou a sinner art;
And, thereupon doth urge thee to depart.
But wherefore should the guilt of sin [...]ffright
F [...]m staying, rather then from taking flight?
For, if thou shalt remove away from hence,
Thy guilt retaining, by impenitence,
God hath not so his Plagues confined hither,
But that they may pursue thee any whither.
And whereas here, the danger, and the feare,
Encompassing this place, might so deterre,
So mollifie, and awe thy heart within thee;
So move, and to amend thy life, so win thee,
That God shall clense thy soule of ev'ry staine;
And reconcile thee to himselfe againe:
Perhaps, the wicked vaine securit [...],
That will attend thee whither thou shalt flye,
May m [...]ke the measure of thy sinnes compleater,
Thy comforts fewer; t [...]y afflictions greater;
When least thou fearest, most of all disease thee;
And keepe off this, that some worse thing may seize thee:
[Page]And, though thy Reason urge thee to beeleve,
Thy friends may wronged be, or too much gri [...]ve,
By this adventure: I, thy Faith, assure thee,
That if my Motives may to stay procure thee,
(For such good purposes as I propose)
Thy God shall pay thy friends what ere they lose;
Make some (by fearing what thy dangers are)
Of their owne wayes to take the greater care:
K [...]epe others (by preserving of them sad)
More watchfull, that might else lesse heed have had▪
And, sti [...]re up thee for them, and them for thee,
So zealous in continuall vowes to be,
As w [...]ll (perchance) worse perils drive away,
Then those, which are so feared, in thy stay.
Oh! God, how many soules, by fleeing hence
Scape this, and catch a deadlier Pestilence!
How many hearts whom Feare doth somewhat strike
With sorrowes, which begins Repentance-like,
(And might by staying here, accomplish that,
Which ev'ry true Beleever aimeth at)
Will fall from those beginnings, by their flight,
And lose the feeling of Gods Iudgement [...], quite?
How many! by wr [...]ng seeking to prevent,
Their heav'nly Fathers loving chastisement,
Incor [...]igible in their lives will grow?
And bring themselves to utter overthrow?
And oh! what multitudes, by staying here,
Shall change their dread, into a filiall feare?
Their feare to love, and love, and laud thee too,
For sending that, which they abhorred so!
Like them, who in the Deeps employed be,
Here, thou the wondrous works of God shalt see.
That thou maist tell [...]he world what he hath done;
And sing the praise of that Almighty-One
[Page 95]To this, and future a [...]es. And▪ for what
Did he thy Soule and Body first create?
For what redeeme thee? For what end infuse
That Fa [...]ulty, which thou dost call thy Muse?
For what, but for his honor, to declare
Thos [...] Iudgements and his Mercies which will h [...]re
Be showne unto thee? and to sing the Story
Of wh [...]t thine eye beholdeth to his glory?
For, if not here, then where? Or if not now,
Then, at what other time expectest thou
So faire an oprortunity, to shew
With how much readinesse thou couldst be [...]tow
Thy life, and all thy faculties, on him
(And, for his servic [...]) who bestowed them?
What nobl [...]r Subject can the wo [...]ld afford,
For thee, or for the Muses to record,
Then will those Iudgements, and those Mercies be▪
Which God will in this place disclose to thee?
If Reason seeke some purpose in thy stay,
Me thinks, this purpose please thy Reason may:
For, though those men who love their owne vaine praise,
Have little care of their Creators waies,
And finde small pleasingnesse in those Relations,
Which are compos'd of such like Observations;
Yet, all the glorioust acts of greatest Kings,
A [...]e triviall, worthlesse, base, and foolish things▪
Respecting these. And, though some nicer wits
Scarce think that such a Subject well befits
Their artfull Muses. Yet, twixt this and that
Whereon they love to plod and meditate,
There's much more diff'rence, then betweene their Laie [...]
And those which they doe most of all dispraise:
And they who live (the time) I hope shall see,
These Poems, much, more prized then they be:
[Page]Yea, though it may appeare to common Reason,
An act impertinent, and out of season,
For such an end as this to make thy stay:
Let not her carnall Sophismes thee dismay.
For sin [...]e thou seest a vaine Historian dares
His person to adventure in the warres,
That he (for fame, or hire) may w [...]i [...]e a story
Of wha [...] is done to his Commanders glory:
This action, wherefore shouldst thou startle from,
As if thy Iudgement it would mis-become?
If just it be, our safeties to contemne,
In such a case (if that be good in him)
How much more just, is thy adventure, then
Who sin [...]t the praise of God, and not o [...] men?
How mu [...]h more safely walkest thou, then they?
How much more glory, and how much more pay,
Can thy great Captaine give thee? And how small
Should be thy feare? If thou should'st feare at all.
Nor to thy God, or to thy selfe alone,
Will acceptable services be done
By sta [...]ing here: but, peradventure some
That living are, and some, in time to come,
May reap advantage by it, and confesse,
That thou wert borne for them; and didst possesse
And use thy life, not for thy selfe alone,
But [...]hat to others profit might be done.
The gen'rall notice which men take of thee,
Will make thy actions more observed be
Then those of twenty others, who doe seeme
In their small circuits, men of great esteeme:
And, when hereafter it is knowne abroad,
To what good purposes thou mad'st abode
In this afflicted City: on what ground,
Thy blamed resolution thou dost found:
[Page 96]How sensible thou wert of ev'ry seare,
And of each perill thou adventredst here:
How many friends thou [...]adst to flye [...]nto:
How much elsewhere thou migh [...]st have found to do;
What Censures thou shouldst hazzard, in t [...]y stay:
VV [...]at pleasures wooed th [...]e to come aw [...]y:
How, thy continuing here was not by chance
By discontent, or humorous ignorance:
How, no compulsion, no perswading Friend,
No office, hope o [...] gaine, or such like end
Nec [...]ssitated thee. Yea, when by such,
VVho are to feare e [...]slaved [...]vermuch,
All this is heeded well; And when men shall
Consider it, comparing therewithall,
VVhat causes moved thee; what meditation
Confirm'd thy stay; what kinde of conversation
Thou daily practisedst; and what good use
They may from th [...] experiments produce;
It will perchance occasion some to learne
Those things, which yet they doe not well discerne:
Help, in good Resolutions, some to arme:
Some weake ones in temptations much confirme:
To some become a meanes to make them see
That men despised, may enabled be,
By Faith, to keepe their place undaunted there,
Where men of better seeming gifts doe f [...]are.
And peradventure thou maist compasse that
Which likeher men in vaine have aymed at▪
For, though it may be said this place hath store
By Calling and by Gifts, adapted more
For such a taske; and that there may be some,
That have no warrant for departing from
Th [...]se noysome streets, who well enough may take
This pain [...]s; and thereof thee excused make.
[Page]Yet, shall not that [...]xcuse thee. For, all they
Have Callings, which employ them wholly may▪
Yea, they whose wits are [...]bler, think not on
That worke, perchance▪ as needfull to be done.
Or if they doe, perhaps, they may expire
Before they have performed it; or tire.
And though they should make perfit their designes:
Yet their obs [...]urity, may barre their Lines
From taking that effect, which if thou write,
Thy being far more knowne, accomplish might.
For, Fame prevailes with many (now adaies)
And, if uncout [...]'d, unkist (as Chaucer saies.)
Or grant that many had the same attempted,
(And men of note) yet wert thou not exempted.
For, best it is, when such like things as these
Confirmed are by many witnesses.
Beside, if those assurances which thou
Shalt publish (and thy [...]aith shall well allow)
Affirmed were by none but such as they
Who might not from this place depart aw [...]y
Without much losse, or blame: meere naturall men
Might have contemned all those counsels, then,
And all those just reproofes, that may, by thee,
Or any other man objected be,
Against their flavish Feares: and may reply,
That no man staid, but he that could not flye:
Or that none durst become a voluntary,
In such a Fire, for conscience sake▪ to tarie:
And, that no mortall man had pow'r obtain'd
To bide such brunts, till outwardly constrain'd.
Whereas thy free abiding here, will move
Much better thoughts: thy constancy approve;
Procure the more beleefe to thy Relations;
The more effectuall make thy good perswasions:
Thy paine [...] have wrong'd, had ought proc [...]r'd thy stay.
Oh! f [...]r, far be it, that Lust, Ava [...]ce,
The strong d [...]empers of some hat [...]f [...]ll Vice,
A stupid Mel [...]ncholy or the tumors
Of some wilde Passion, or fantasti [...]ke Humor [...],
Should fixe more stoutnesse in the heart of man,
Then temperate, an [...] pious knowledge can.
Far be it, that old women, for their pay,
Or Sextons for as little b [...]re, as they,
We in the w [...]lks of Death should walking see
Without all f [...]are; yet, they deterred be,
Who boast of knowl [...]dge; and have sung, and said,
That though in Deaths black shadowes they w [...]re lai [...] ▪
They would without dism [...]y continue th [...]re;
Because Gods Rod, and Staffe, their keepers are.
Oh! let not this be so: And be it far
From proving true; that they who studious are
Of Wisdome, and of Piety, should shrinke,
Where he, whose head peece is but arm'd with drinke▪
Sits fearlesse: Or, that Vse, or Custome shall
Embolden more, then Christian Faith, and all
The Morall Ve [...]tues: Or, that thou shouldst yeeld
To carn [...]ll Reason, and forgoe the Field.
Moe Arguments I could, as yet, expresse,
To prove thy staying hath much usefulnesse:
As that it were unkindnesse to forsake
Those persons here, who comfort in thee take.
For, some professe already, that th [...]y bide,
By thy example, greatly fortifi'd,
(In their compelled stay) by seeing thee
So willingly, the [...]r griefes companion be.
Y [...]a, many a one, observing thee to stay,
Confesseth, he doth shame to flye away.
[Page]Thereby, those Resolutions they have got,
Which very lately they embraced not;
And might, perhaps, if now thou shouldst depar [...] ▪
Become afraid, because thou fearfull art.
Me thinks, it is unmanlinesse to flie
From those, in woe, whom in prosperity
Thou lovedst: yea, tis basenesse, not to share
In [...]v'ry sorrow which thy f [...]iends d [...]e beare,
As well as in their pleasures, if they be
Such friends, as some of thine doe seeme to thee.
Here, thou hast long continu'd. On the bread
Of Dainties, in this City thou hast fed.
Here, thou hast laught and sung; and here thou hast
Thy youthfull yeares, in many f [...]llies past;
Abus'd thy Christian-liberty, and trod
That Maze, which brings forgetfulnesse of God.
Here, thy example, some corrupted hath;
Here, thou hast moved thy Creators wrath:
Here, thou hast sinned; and thy sinnes they were,
Which holpe to bring this Plague now raging here.
Here, therefore, doe thou fast: here, doe thou mourne,
And, into sighes, and teares, thy laughter turne.
H [...]re, yeeld [...]hy selfe to prison, till thou see
At this Assize, how God will deale by thee:
Ev'n here, the time redeeme thou: here, restore
B [...] good examples, th [...]se whom heretofore
Thou hast offended: here, t [...]y selfe apply
Gods just incensed wrath to pacifie.
Here, joyne in true Repen [...]ance, to remove
[...]hat Storme which now descendeth from above.
And the [...], or live or dye▪ this Place, to thee
A place of Refuge, and of [...]oy shall be.
Nor Sin, nor Death, nor H [...]ll, no [...] any thing
Sh [...]ll d [...]scontentment, fea [...]e, or perill bring
[Page 98]Which to thy Soule or Body, shall become
A disadvantage; but helpe save thee from
Destruction: Ioyes, as yet, unfelt, procure:
In all temptation, mak [...] thy minde secure:
Discover plainly how thy Reason failed;
And, make thee blesse the time, thy Faith prevailed.
But, thou dost w [...]nt a Calling (REASON cries)
Thy staying in this place to warrantize.
And, that untill thereof tho [...] dost obtaine
The full assurance, all my speech is vaine.
Indeed, the glorioust worke we can begin,
Vnlesse God call us to it, is a sin.
And ther [...]fore, ev'ry man should seeke to k [...]ow
What, God, and what vaine [...]ancy cals him to.
For, Pride ▪ and over-weening Arrogance,
The Devill, or a zealous Ignorance,
Suggests false warrants; and allureth men
To dangerous adventures, now and then:
Yea, maketh some, from God [...] commands to fall,
And take employments at the Devils call.
To judge thy Calling, then, learne this of me,
That, some Vocations ordinar [...] be,
Some extraordinary If thou take
An ordinary Calling, thou must make
The common entrance, which that pow'r doth give
Within whose Iurisdiction thou dost l [...]ve:
Else (whatsoever Cause thou dost pretend)
It is Intrusion: and, thou shalt offend.
If thou conceivest thou some Calling hast
In Extraordinary; see it past
By Gods allowance, from Gods holy Writ▪
Before such time as thou accept of it.
And, then, beware that nothing force thee back,
Or, make thee in thine Office to be slacke.
[Page]In briefe; a Calling extraordinary,
To justifie it selfe, these Markes must carie;
And, if it faile of [...]hem, but in the least,
Thy Conscience is deluded in the r [...]st.
Gods glory will be aymed at, in chiefe:
It will be grounded on a true beleefe:
It doth not Gods revealed will oppose:
No step that erres f [...]om Charity it goes:
It seeketh not, what cannot be enjoy'd:
It makes no ordinary calling void:
Some cause not frequent must invite thereto:
And (to accomplish what thou hast to doe)
Some Gift, that's proper for it, must be given,
And then, thou hast thy Calling seal'd from h [...]aven.
Approve thy selfe by these, and thou shalt see,
That, God, no doub [...], hath truly called thee.
To this adventure. For, thy h [...]art intends
His praise in this, above all other ends.
Thou dost bele [...]ve, that (whether live or dye)
Thy st [...]y shall somewhat adde, to glorifie
Thy blessed Maker; and that something shall
To thine, and others profits, here, befall.
Thy Iudgement, to thy Conscience nou [...]ht discloseth,
Wherein it Gods revealed Will opposeth:
It well agrees with Charity, and tryes
To compasse no impossibilities.
Nor binders it, nor calls it th [...]e from ought
Which is more necessary to be wrought.
A Cause not ordinary now requires
Thy presence here; and, God himselfe inspires
Thy B [...]est with Resolutions that agree
To such an a [...]tion. Gi [...]ts, which none but he
Can give, he gives thee; such, as are by Nature,
Not found in any sub [...]oelestiall Creature,
Can counterfeit, by all that may be done.
And, whence are all th [...]se Musiags here exprest?
Wh [...]nce come these combatings within thy brest
Twixt M [...] and Reason? who is it that makes
Thy heart so fearlesse, now such horror shakes
The soules of others? what embolden can
The frightfull spirit of a naturall man,
In such apparant dangers to abide?
And yet, his Reason nothing from him hide,
That seemeth to be dreadfull; neither leave him
Such Aymes, or s [...]ch like Passions to deceive him,
As harden others? Who, but he, that giveth
Each p [...]rfit Gift, these Gifts to thee deriveth?
And sure he nought bestowes, but therewithall
He sends occasions that employ is shall.
Few Officers shall w [...]nt a doubtfulnesse
That they their places doubtfully possesse,
If this be doubtfull; whether God (or no)
Hath called thee to what I bid thee doe.
For, outward Callings, most men doe, or may
Intrude upon, by some sinister way:
By Symony, by Bribe [...]y, by Spoiles,
By open Violence, or secret Wiles.
And therefore (though the Se [...]les of Kings they gaine
To strengthen what unduly they obtaine)
Some doubting of their Callings may be had
To God ward, though such doubts be rarely made.
But, for thy Calling thou Commission hast
So firme; and it so many Seales hath past,
That nothing should induce thee to suspect
Thy Wa [...]rant, or distrust a good effect.
God, from thy Cradle, seemes to have ordain'd thee
To such a purpose: for, he yearly train'd thee
[Page]Through sev'rall cares, and perils, so inure
Thy heart, to what he meant thou shouldst endure:
Else why shouldst thou (whose actions honest were
To Man ward, though to God ward foule they are)
Be more for that afflicted, which doth seeme
(To some) a worke deserving good esteeme,
Then are a multitude in these our times,
Convicted of the most notorious crimes?
Why, at thy very birth, did he infuse
Thy Soule with na [...]urall helpes to forme thy Muse,
Which is a Faculty not lent to many,
Nor by meere Art attained to, of any?
To thee, why gave he Knowledge, such a way
As others l [...]se it by? And why I pray
Did he bestow upon thee so much Fame
For those few childish lines that thou didst frame
In thy minority▪ Why did he then
(When scarce a man) enroule thy Name with men?
And make thee to be prais'd and priz'd before
Those men whose Yeares, and Sciences are more?
What was there in thy Poems? what in thee,
That seem'd not worthy of contempt to be,
Much more then of applause? And what hast thou
From scorne to save thee, but Gods mercy now?
Beleeve it, he divulgeth not thy Name
For thine owne honor: But to make the same
A meanes of spreading his. From p [...]rills past
He sav'd not thee, for any worth thou hast,
But, to declare his Mercies At this season,
He moves this plea betwixt thy Faith and Reason,
Not to be passed over, as in vaine;
But, in thy Brest true courage to maintaine.
Thy Muse he gave thee, not to exercise
Her pow'r in b [...]se and fruitlesse vanities,
[Page 100]Or to be silenc'd: but, to magnifie
The wondrous workings of his Majesty.
And, as the seales of Kings authorize those
To whom they doe their Offices dispose,
So, these are Signes which force enough doe cary
To seale this calling extraordinary:
And, they who sleight the same will in some measure
Incur the King of heavens high displeasure.
Mor [...] might be said (hereof to make a proofe)
But, more to say, were more then is enough.
Of this, no further, therefore, I'le dispute;
But, bid thee stay, thy Place to execute.
When FAITH had made this pleading in my brest
My REASON was perswaded to protest
Her full assent, to what she first gainsaid,
Which, that it might be constantly obey'd,
My Conscience, in her Court, did soone decree;
And, all my thoughts were then at peace in me.
From that time forward, neither Friend, nor Foe,
Could startle me in what I meant to doe.
No vaine desires within me did controul [...]
My purpose: no distrusts did fright my soule:
Nor seemed it, so dangerous, to stay,
As (knowing what I [...]new) to flye away.
For, though these Arguments, and such as these,
Can never fit in all mens Consciences,
The just Meridian (seeing, variations,
In manifold respects, make alterations)
Yet, mine they suted with; and may, and shall
Be some way usefull, to my Readers all.
I wisht it so: For, I was then inspired
With love to all▪ and all mens weale desired.
Me thought, I pitied those, who should not see
What God within this place did show to me:
[Page]And should have grieved to have beene constrained,
Within the City, not to have remained.
For by my selfe, when I to censure b [...]ought
My present Lott; it pleas'd me: and, me thought,
That, Go [...] vouch [...]afed to employ me so,
And furnish me for what I was to doe,
With such a healthfull body, and a minde
To act his will so readily enclin'd;
It seem'd more comfort, and more honour far,
Then if a Mona [...]kes Favorite I were,
Or might for temporall respects become
The noblest person of all Christendome.
A [...] [...], if I shall not still this minde embrace,
A dog halfe hanged is in better case.
For, when that favour I doe value lesse,
I shall grow senselesse of all happinesse.
Oh! God, how great a blessing, then, didst thou
Confer upon me? And what G [...]ace allow!
Oh! what am I, and what my parentage?
That Thou of all the Children of this Age
Didst chuse ou [...] m [...], so highly to prefer,
As of thy Acts, to be a Register?
And g [...]ve me Fortitude and Resolution,
To stay, and view thy Iudgements execution?
That, I should live to see thy Angell here,
Ev'n in his grea [...]est dreadfulnesse appeare?
That, when a thousand fell before my face,
And at my right hand (in as little space)
Ten thousand more, I should be still prot [...]cted
From that contagious blast, whi [...]h them infected!
That, when of Arrowes thou d [...]dst shoot a flight
So thick by day, and such a storme by night
Of pois [...]ned shaft▪ I, then, should walke among
The sharpest of them; and yet passe along
[Page 101]Vnharm'd▪ And that I should behold the path
Which thou dost pace in thy hot burning wrath,
(Yet not consume to Ashes) what a wonder
To me it seemes, when thereupon I ponder!
How great a grace it was, whose tongue can say,
That I who am but breathing dust and clay,
Should waking (and in all my senses, well)
Walke downe the Grave almost as low as hell,
Yet come againe unscar [...]ed? and have leave
To live and tell what there I did perceive!
Yea come (as from the dead) againe to show
The faithlesse wo [...]ld what terrors a [...]e below!
(And justifie, that though a man be sent
Ev'n from the Grave to move men to repent,
No Faith would in those hearers be begot,
Who Moses and the Prophets credit not.)
How great a Mercy was it, that when I
Was thought in dangers, and in griefes to lye,
That, for my Shepheard I had thee my God?
And in the p [...]th of best contentments trod?
That I, on sweetest Pleasures banqueted,
When other men did eate Afflictions bread?
That, I had perfect joyes ev'n in my teares?
Assured [...]afety in my greatest foares?
A thousand [...]omforts, whereof they who lived
In better-seeming states, w [...]e quite deprived?
And much content, which they will never know,
Who keep those paths in which the Vulgar go.
What ma [...]hlesse benefits were these! & whence
Canst thou, that gav'st them, have thy recompence,
But from thy self [...] ▪ Or who but [...]hou alone
Can give me heart enough to thinke [...]pon
These Gr [...]ces as I o [...]ht? Oh! therefore, daigne
To make my brest suffici [...]nt to containe
[Page]That measure of due thankfulnesse, which may
Accepted be, for what I cannot pay.
And, suffer not my frailties, or my sin
To hide againe, what thou dost now begin
To make me see; but grant to me thy grace,
For ever, to behold thy cheerf [...]ll face.
Nor Oile, nor Corne, nor Wine can glad me so:
Nor shall their brutish lovers ever know
What joyes within my brest begotten be,
When thy pleas'd countenance doth shine on me.
Let those who of great Kings affections boast,
(And for [...]heir [...]avours are engaged most)
Those, who possesse (their starveling soules to please)
Sweet Gardens, Groves, and cu [...]ious Palaces,
Rich Iewels, large Revenues, princely Stiles,
The flatteries of Lords, and female smiles,
The pleasures of the Chamber, and the Fields,
All those which dainty fare, or Musique yeelds,
The City or the Court; and all tha [...] stuffe
Of which their hearts can never have enough:
Let these, and those who their desires approve,
With such entising Objects fall in love:
Let them pursue their fancies, till they finde
What so [...]rowes and disgraces come behinde:
And let the [...] [...]urfet on them, till they see
By tride experience, w [...]at their fruit will be.
I never shall [...]nvy their happinesse;
Nor cove [...] their high for [...]unes to possesse,
If thou p [...]eserve m [...] still in thy protection,
And cheere my spi [...]it by thin [...] eyes reflection▪
For then I shall not feare the scornes of such▪
My [...]ares, [...] shall never grieve me much:
I shall not [...] to [...]rouch and sue to them,
Who thee, and me, and ve [...]tue shall contem [...]e▪
[Page 102]I shall nor shrinke nor startle, when I heare
Those evill tidings, which men daily feare.
Not leave my standing, though that in the roome
Of this great Pestilence, a Warre should come.
Or (which were wo [...]se) anot [...]er Fiery-triall,
To [...]orce us, of thy Truth to mak [...] denyall.
And, in these fearfull times, no temporall blisse
Would seeme a greater priviledge then this,
To those, who now with trembling soules, expect
What our proceedings will at last [...]ffect.
Yea, they, perhaps, who now are stupifi'd,
Will praise my lot, whē they their chance have try'd.
But (though ev'n all men living should despise
The comfort of it) I the same will prise.
I praise thee for it, LORD, and here emplore.
That I may praise thee for it, evermore:
Th [...]t these expressions of thy love to me,
May helpfull also to thy praises be
In other men: And (if it may be so)
In other times, and other places too:
And, that the shewing how I did compose
The wa [...]re which twixt my Faith and Re [...]son ros [...],
M [...]y teach some others how they should debate
Such doubts within themselves; and arbitrate
(Within their Co [...]rt of Conscience) what is fit
To be concluded, and so practise it.
For, why so largely, I have this exprest,
That, was not, of my p [...]rposes, the least.
I beg moreover, that I may pursue
To utter that which I have yet to shew.
And, that nor Sloth, nor Want, nor any Let,
M [...]y to these Po [...]es their last period set,
Till I have made my Readers to conceive,
That this was undertaken by thy leave▪
[Page]And, that my Censurers may come to say,
There was an usefull purpose in my stay:
Or shew me what they did; or, what I might
Have done to better uses in my flight.
[...] I lastly, crave (which is, I trust, begun)
That, I [...]he way of thy Commands may run,
The remnant of my Talent, and my dayes,
Employing in good actions, to thy praise:
That, I, for ever, may those paths refuse
Which may unhallow, or pervert my Muse:
And that, when this is done, I may not fall
Through Pride or Sloth; as if this act were all:
But, humbly strive such other wo [...]kes to doe,
As thou r [...]quir'st, and I was borne unto.
Yea fu [...]nish me with ev'ry thing by which
I best may se [...]ve thee, and I shall be rich.
This beg I, LORD; and nothing else I crave,
For, more then that, were lesse then nought to have:
I beg of thee, nor Fame, nor mortall praise,
Nor carnall pleasures, nor yet length of dayes,
Nor honors, nor vaine wealth, but, just what may
The Charges of my Pilgrimage defray.
Oh grant me [...]his; and heare me when I call:
For, if thou stand not by me, I shall fall.
The fourth Canto.
Our Muse, in this fourth Canto, writes
Of melancholy thoughts, and sights:
Wha [...] changes were in [...]very place;
What Ruines in a little space:
How Trades, and how provisions fail'd;
How [...]orrow thriv'd, how Death prevail'd;
And, how in [...] he did ri [...]e▪
[Page 103]With all his horrors, by his side.
To LONDON, then, she doth declar [...]
How suting her afflictions were
To former sinnes: what good and bad
Effects, this Plague produced had:
W [...]at friendly Champions, and what Foes
For us did fight, or us oppose:
And, how the greatest Plague of all
On poore Artificers, did fall.
Then, from the Fields, new griefe she takes,
And, usefull Meditations makes:
Relates, how flowly Vengeance came,
How, God forewarn'd us of the same:
What other Plagues to this were joyned:
And, here and there are interlined
Vpbraidings, warnings, exhortations,
And, pertinent expostulations.
WHen Conscience had allowed my Commission,
For staying, & declar'd on what condition;
I did not onely feele my heart consent
To entertaine it, with a full content,
But also, found my selfe prepared so
To execute the worke I had to do,
That without paine (me thought) I was employ'd,
And all my Passions to good use enjoy'd.
For, though God fre [...]d my soule from slavish feare,
Ye [...], so much awe he still preserved there,
As kept within my hea [...]t some naturall sense
Oft is displeasure, and of penitence
He gave me Ioyes, yet left some Griefe withall,
Lest I into security might fall;
Or▪ lose the fellow-feeling of that paine,
Whereo [...], I heard my neighbours to complaine.
[Page]He lent me health: yet, ev'ry day some twitches
Of pangs unusuall; many qualme [...], and stitches
Of short continuance, my poore heart assailed,
That I might heed the more what others ayled.
He kept me hopefull: and yet, now and then,
His rods (wherewith▪ in love, he scourgeth men)
Did make me smart; lest else I might assume
The liberty of Wantons, and presume.
My ordinary meanes was made their prey,
Who seeke my spoile, and lately tooke away.
Yet, me with plenties, daily did he feed,
And I did nothing wan [...], which I could need,
Which God vouchsafed to assure to me,
That when unusuall workes required be;
He will (e're we shall want what's necessary)
Supply us by a meanes, not ordinary.
By many other signes, unmention'd here,
Gods love, and providence, did so appeare,
And so me thought ingage me, to remove
What ever to his work a let might prove;
That (so farre forth as my fraile natu [...]e could
Admit, and things convenient suffer would)
My owne Affaires aside, a while I threw,
And bent my selfe, with heedfulnesse, to view
What, worth my notice, in thi [...] Plague I saw,
O [...], what good uses I from thence might draw.
But, [...]arre I needed not to pace about,
Nor long enquire to finde such Objects out.
For, ev'ry place with sorrowes then abounded,
And ev'ry way the cryes of Mourning sounded.
Yea▪ day by day, successively till night,
And from the evening till the morning light,
Were Sc [...]e [...]es of Griefe, with strange variety▪
Knit up, in one continuing Tragedy.
[Page 104]No sooner wak'd I, but twice twenty knels,
And many sadly-sounding passing-bels,
Did greet mine eare, and by their heavy towles,
To me gave notice, that some early soules
Departed whilst I slept: That other some
Were drawing onward to their longest home;
And, seemingly, presag'd, that many a one
Should bid the world good-night, e're it were noon [...].
One while the mournfull Tenor, in her tones
Did yeeld a sound as if in deepe fo [...] grones,
She did bewaile the sorrow which attends
The separation of those loving friends,
The Soule and Body. Other while, agen,
Me thought, it call'd on me, and other men
To pray, that God would view th [...]m with compassiō ▪
And give them comfortable separation.
(For, we should with a fellow-feeling, share
In ev'ry sorrow, which our brethren beare)
Sometime my Fancy tuned so the Bell▪
As if her Towlings did the story tell
Of my mortality, and call me from
This life, by oft, and loudly sounding, Come.
So long the solitary nights did last,
That I had leasure my accounts to cast;
And think upon, and over-think those things,
Which darknesse, lonelinesse, and sorrow brings
To their consideration, who doe know,
From whence they came, and whither they must go.
My Chamber entertain'd me all alone,
And in the roomes adjoyning lodged none.
Yet, through the darksome silent night did flye
Sometime an uncouth noise; sometime a cry,
And sometime mournfull callings pierc'd my roome,
Which came, I neither knew from whence, nor whom.
[Page]And, oft betwixt awaking and asleepe,
Their voices who did talke▪ or pray, or weepe,
Vnto my listning eares a passage found,
And troubled me, by their uncertaine sound.
For, though the sounds themselves no terror we [...]e▪
Nor came from any thing that I could feare;
Yet, they b [...]ed Musings; and those musings bred
Conjecturings, in my halfe sleepi [...]g head:
By those Conjectures into minde w [...]re broug [...]t
Some reall things, before quite out of thought;
They, divers Fancies to my soule did shew,
Which m [...] still further, and still further drew
To follow them; till they did thoughts procure
Which humane frailty cannot long endure:
Ev'n such, as when I fully was awake,
Did make my heart to tremble, and to a [...]e.
And, when such frailties have disheartned men▪
Oh! God, how busie is the Devill then?
I know in part his malice, and the wayes
And times, and those occasions which he layes
To worke upon our weaknesse; and there is
Scarce any which doth shew him like to t [...]is.
I partly also know by what d [...]g [...]ees
He worketh it; how he doth gaine or leese
Hi [...] labours; and some sense I have procu [...]'d,
What p [...]ngs are by the soule that while endur'd.
For, though my God, in mercy, hath indu'd
My Soule with Knowledge, and with Fortitud [...]
In such a measure, that I doe not feare
(Distractedly) those tortures which appeare
In solitary da [...]kness [...]: yet, some part
Of this, and of all frailties in my heart
Continues he; that so I might confesse
His mercies with continuall thankfulnesse,
[Page]And, somewhat ( [...]vermore) about me beare,
Which unto me my frail [...]ies may declare.
Yea (thou [...]h without distemper, now it be)
So much of those grim feares are shewed me,
Which terrifi'd my childhood, and which mak [...]
The hea [...]ts of a [...]ed men, sometimes to quake▪
That I am s [...]nsible of their estate;
And can their case the more compassionate,
Who on their beds of [...]eath doe pained lye,
Exil'd from com [...]ort, and f [...]om company,
When dreadfull Fancies doe their soules af [...]ight▪
Begotten by the melancholy nig [...]t.
Glad was I, when I saw the Sun appeare,
(And with his Rayes to blesse our Hemi [...]phere)
That from the tumbled bed I might arise,
And with more lightsomnesse refresh mine eyes:
Or with some good companion [...], [...]ead, or pray,
To passe, the better, my s [...]d thoughts away:
For, though such [...]houghts oft us [...]full are, and good▪
Yet, knowing well, I was but flesh and blood,
I also knew mans naturall condition
Must have in joyes, and griefes, an intermission,
Lest too much joy should fill the heart with folly,
Or, too much griefe breed dangerous melancholy.
But, when the Morning came, i [...] little shewed,
Save light, to see discomfortings renewed:
For, if I staid within, I heard relations
Of nought but dying pang [...], and lamentations.
If in the Stre [...]ts I did my footing set,
With many sad disasters there I met.
And, objects of mortali [...]y and feare,
I saw in great abundance ev'ry where.
Here, one man stagger'd by, w [...]th visage pale:
There, lean'd another, grunting on a stall.
[Page]A third, halfe dead, lay gasping for his grave;
A fourth did out at window call, and rave;
Yonn came the Bearers, sweating from the Pit,
To fetch more bodies to replenish it.
A little further off, one sits, and showes
The spots, which he Deaths tokens doth suppose,
(E're such they be) and, makes them so indeed;
Which had beene signes of heal [...]h, by taking heed.
For, those round-purple-spot [...], which most have thoght
Deaths fatall tokens (where they forth are b [...]ought,)
May prove Life tokens, if that ought be done,
To helpe the worke, which Natur [...] h [...]th begun.
Whereas, that feare, which their opinion brings
Who threaten Death; the want of cordiall things
(To helpe remove that poison from the heart,
Which Nature hath expelled thence in part)
And then, the Sickm [...]ns liberty of having
Cold drinks, and what his appetite is craving,
Brings backe againe those humours pestilent,
Which by the vitall pow'rs had fo [...]th beene sent.
So by recharging him that was before
Nigh spent, the fainting Combatant gives o're:
And he that cheerfully did raise his head,
Is often, in a moment, strucken dead.
Fea [...]e also helps it forward. Yea, the terror
Occasion'd, by their fond and common error,
Who tell the sick [...], that markt for Death they be,
(When those bl [...]w spots upon their flesh they see)
Ev'n that hath murthred thousands, who might here
Have lived, [...]lse, among us, many a yeare.
For, if the Surgeons, or the Searchers, know
Those markes, which for the markes of death do goe,
From common-spots, or purples, (which we must
Confesse, or else all kinde of spots d [...]str [...]st)
[Page 106]Then, such as we Death-tokens call, were seene
On some, that have long since, recover'd beene.
Before I learned this, I fixt mine eyes
On many a private mans calamities,
And saw the Streets (wherein a while agoe
We s [...]arce could passe, the people fill'd them so)
Appeare nigh desolate; yea, quite forlorne
And for their wonted visitant [...] to mourne.
Much peopled Westminster, where late, I saw,
So many rev'rend Iudges of the Law,
With Clients, and with Suitors hemmed round:
Where Courts and Palaces did so abound
With bus [...]nesses: and, wh [...]re, together met
Our Thrones of Iustice, and our Mercy-seat;
That place, was then frequented, as you see
Some Villages on Holy-dayes will be
When halfe the Towneship, and the Hamlets nigh
Are met to revell, at some Parish, by.
Perhaps, the wronging of the Orphans cause,
Denying, or perverting of the Lawes
There practised, did set this Plague abr [...]eding,
And sent the Terme from Westminster to Reading.
Her goodly Church and Chappell, did appeare
Like some poore Minster which hath twice a yeare
Foure visitants: And, her great Hall, wherein
So great a Randevow had lately [...]in,
Did look like those old Structure [...], where long since
Me [...] say, King Arthur kept his residence.
The Parliament had left her, to goe see
If they could learne at Oxford to agree;
Or if that ayre were better [...]or the health
And safety of our English Common-wealt [...].
But there, some did so counsell, and so vrge
The Body politike to take a purge,
[Page]To purifie the parts that seemed foule:
Some others did that motion so [...]on [...]roule,
And plead so much for Cordialls, and for that
Which strengthen might the sinnewes of the State,
That all the time, the labour, and the cost,
Which had bestowed beene, was wholly lost.
And, here, the empty House of Parliament
Did l [...]oke as if i [...] had beene disco [...]t [...]nt,
Or griev'd (me thought) that Oxford should not be
More pro [...]perous, yet; nor c [...]uld I any see
Res [...]rt to com [...]ort her: But, there did I
Behold two Traytors hea [...]s, which perching high,
Did shew their teeth, as if they had beene grinning
At those Affli [...]tious which are now beginning.
Yea, their wide [...]ye holes, star'd, me thought, as th [...]
They lookt [...]o see that House now overthrow
It selfe, which they with Powder up had blowne,
Had God, their snares, and them, not overthrowne.
White Hall, where not three months before▪ I spi'd
Great Britaine in the height of all her pride,
And, France with her contending, which could most
Outbrave old Rome and Persi [...], in their cost
On Robes and Feasts: Ev'n that lay solitary,
As doth a quite-forsaken Monast [...]ry
In some lone Forrest; and we could not passe
To many places, but through weeds and grasse.
Perhaps, the sinnes, of late, committed [...]here,
Occasions of such desolation were.
Pray God, there be not others, in the State,
That will make all, a [...] last, be desolate.
The Stra [...]d, that goo [...]ly thorow-fare between [...]
The Court and City (and where I have seene
Well nigh a million pa [...]sing in one day)
Is now, almost, an unfrequented way:
[Page 107]And peradventure, for those impudencies,
Those riots, and those other foule offences,
Which in that place were frequent, when it had
So great resort; [...]t is now justly made
To stand unvisited▪ God grant it may
Repent▪ lest longer, and another way
It stand unpeopled, or some others use
Those blessings, which the owners now abuse.
The City-houses of our English P [...]eres,
Now smoakt as seldome, as in other yeares
Their Country-palaces: and, they perchance
Much better know then doth my ignorance,
Why so it came to passe. But, wish I shall
That they their wayes to minde would better call;
Le [...]t both their Country▪ and their City-piles,
Be smoaking seene, and burning, many miles.
The Innes of Court I entred; and I saw
Each Roome so desolate, as if the Law
Had out-law'd all her Students; or that there
Some fear'd arrestings, whe [...]e no Sergeants were.
Most dreame, that this great fright was thither sent
Not purposely, but came by accident;
And so, but little use is taken from
Gods Iudgements, to amend the times to come.
Yet, I dare say, it was a warning given
Ev'n by appointment: and decreed in heaven:
To s [...]gnifie, that if our Lawyers will
In their abusive wayes continue still,
The cause of their profession quite fo [...]getting▪
And to their practices no limits setting,
Till they (as hereto [...]ore the Clergy were)
Are moe in number then the Land can beare.
Their goodly Palaces shall spew them forth,
As excrements that have nor use nor worth;
[Page]And, be disposed of, as now they s [...]e,
The Priories, and Monasteries be.
It griev'd me to behold this wofull change,
And places so well knowne, appeare so strange.
But, oh poore LONDON! when I lookt on thee,
Remembring therewithall, thy jollity
Erewhile; and how soone after I did meet
With griefe and sad complaints in ev' [...]y street▪
When I did minde how throng [...]d thy Ga [...]es have bin
And then perceiv'd so few past out or in.
When I consider'd that abundant store
Of wealth, which thou discover'dst heretofore:
And, looking on thy many empty stalls,
Beheld thy shops set up their wooden-wals▪
Me [...]hought, thou should [...]t not be that London, w [...]ich
Appear'd of late so populous, and rich;
But, some large Burrough; either falling from
Her height; or, not unto her greatnesse come.
If to thy Port I walkt; it mov'd remorse,
To see how gr [...]atly, Trade and Intercourse
Decayed there; and what depopulations,
Were made in thy late peopled habitations.
Thy Royall Change, which was the Randevow
Wherein all Nations met, the whole world through,
Within whose princely walls we heard the sound
Of ev'ry Language spoke on Earths vast Round;
And where we could have known what had bin done
In ev'ry forraine Coast below the Sun:
That Place, the City-Merchant, and the Stranger
Avoyded as a place of certaine danger:
And feared (as it seemes) they might have had
Some bargain ther, that would have spoild their trade
Thy large Cath [...]drall, whose decaying frame
Thou leavest unrepaired to thy shame,
And, ev'ry Ma [...]ble of tha [...] ancient Pile,
Did often drop, and seeme to shed forth teares,
For thy late ruine, though thou sleightest hers.
The time hath been, that once a day, from thence,
We could have [...]d a large intelligence
Of most occurences, that publique were.
Y [...]a, many times we had▪ relations there,
Of things, who [...]e foolish actors never thought
Their deeds to open scanni [...]g should be brought.
There, heard we oft made publique by report,
What S [...]resi [...]s were whisper'd in the Court.
The Closet-Cou [...]sels, and the Chamber work,
Which many thinke in privacy doth lurke.
There heard we what those Lords, and Ladies were,
Who m [...]t disguised, [...]hey know when, and where.
The [...]e [...]eard we what they did, and what they said;
And many foolish plots were there bew [...]ai [...]:
There, heard we reasons, why such men were made
Gre [...]t Lords and Knights, who no deserving had,
In common view: and how gre [...]t Pr [...]nces eyes
Are dazled [...]nd abus'd wi [...]h fallacies.
Th [...]re heard we for what G [...]f [...]s most Doctors rise,
And gaine the Church [...]s [...]ighest dignities.
The truest causes also there we [...]e knowne,
Why men advanced are, or pulled down.
Why Officers are changed, or displaced;
Why some confined are and some di [...]graced;
And w [...]at amo [...]g the wise, those men doe seeme,
That are great Stat [...]smen, in their owne es [...]eeme.
Th [...]re we have heard, what Princ [...]s have intended,
When they to doe s [...]me other thing p [...]e [...]ended.
What Policies ▪ and Projects, men pursue▪
With publique aymes, and with a pious s [...]ew.
[Page]Why from the Counsell one is turned out;
What makes another counterfeit the gout,
And many other mysteries beside,
Whith hardly can the mentioning abide.
But those Athenian Merc [...]antmen were gone,
Who made exchange of Newes; and few or none
To heare or make reports remained there.
Yea they who scarce a day (as if they were
Of Pauls the walking Statues) staid from thence
Since LONDON felt the last great Pestilence,
Ev'n they were gone; and those void Iles d [...]d look
As if some properties had them [...]orsooke.
Our Theaters, our Tavernes, Tennis-courts,
And Gaming houses whither great resorts
Were w [...]nt to come; then, seldome were frequented:
Not that such vanities we much repented;
But, lest those places, which had follies taught us,
Might some reward, unlooked for, have brought us.
Where we with Pestilences of the [...]oule
Each other had polluted and made foule,
Our bodies were infected; and our breat [...]s,
VVhich had endanger'd our e [...]ernall de [...]t [...]s,
(In former times) by uttring heresies,
By [...]candals, and by basest flatteries,
Or wanton speeches; put [...]ifide the Ayre,
The blood ev'n at the fountaine did impaire,
To coole our lust▪ And they that were the bliss [...]
Of some▪ mens lives, did poison them with kisses.
The Ma [...]kets which a while before did yeeld
What ayre, se [...]s, riv [...]rs, garden, wood, or field,
To furnish them afforded; no [...] had nought,
But what some few in secret thither brought.
For (as a foresaid) it was ordred so,
That none should with p [...]ov [...]sions, come or goe.
[Page 109]So, like a Towne beleaguer'd thou didst fare,
In some respect [...]: And, but that God had care
By m [...]king others feele necessities
Which forced them to minister supplies;
Thou hadst beene famisht, or beene faine to b [...]ing
Provisions in by way of forraging:
And then their foolishnesse, had brought upon
Those men, two mischiefes, who did feare but one.
Hereafter ther [...]fore, practise well to use
Those plenties thou didst he [...]etofore abuse;
Lest God, [...]gaine bereave thee of thy sto [...]e,
And never so enlarge his bounty more.
For, to co [...]rect thy Surfets, and Excesse,
Thy sleighting of the poore, thy thanklesnesse,
And such like sinnes; God wo [...]thily rest [...]ained
Those plenties which thy pride and lust maintained.
Thy Dwellings, f [...]om whose windowes I have se [...]n
A thousand Ladies, that might Queenes have beene
For bravery, and beauty: And, some far
More faire then they that fam'd in Legends are.
Those s [...]ood unpeopled, as those [...]ouse [...] doe
Which Sprights, and Fairies doe reso [...]t unto.
None to their closed wicke [...]s made repai [...]e;
Their empty gasemen [...]s gaped wide for ayre;
And where once foot clot [...]es and Ca [...]oches were
Attending; now stood Coffi [...]s, and a Biere.
Yea Coffins oftner past by ev'ry doore,
Th [...]n Coaches, and Caroches, heretofo [...]e▪
To see a country Lady, or a Knight
Among us then, had beene a [...] rare a sigh [...]
As was that Elephant which came from Spaine,
O [...] some great Monster spewd out of the Maine.
If by mischance the people in the street,
A Courtier, or a Gentleman did meet,
[Page]They with as much amazement him did view,
As if they had beheld the wand [...]ing [...]ew.
And, many, seeing me to keepe this place,
Did looke as if they much bewaild my cas [...],
And h [...]l [...]e belee'vd that I was doomed hither,
That (since close-prison, halfe a yeare together,
Nor private wrongs, nor publique dis-respect,
Could breake my heart, nor much the same deject)
This Plague might kill me, which is come to whip
Those faults which her [...]tofore my pen did strip.
But here I walkt in safety to behold
What changes, for instructio [...], see I could.
And, as I wandred on, my eye did meet,
Those halfe built Pageants whi [...]h, a thwa [...]t the street,
Did those triumphant Arches counterfeit,
Which heretofore in ancient Rome were fet,
When their victorious Generalls had thither
The spoile of mighty kingdomes b [...]ought together.
The loyall Citizens ( [...]lthough they lost
The glory of their well-intended cost)
E [...]ected those great Structures to renowne
The new receiving o [...] the Sov'raigne Crowne
By hopefull CHARLES (whose royall exaltation,
Make thou oh! God, propitious to this Nation.)
But when those works, imperfect, I beheld,
They di [...] new c [...]uses of sad musings yeeld,
Portending ruine. And, did seeme, me thought,
In honor of Deaths trophees to be wroug [...]t;
Much rather, then from purposes to [...]pring
Which aymed at the honor of a King.
For, their unpolisht forme, did make them fit
For d [...]efull Showes: yea, DEATH on them did sit.
His Captives passed under ev [...]y Arch;
Among them, as in Triumph he did march;
[Page 110]Through ev'ry Street, upon mens backs were borne
His Conquests. His b [...]ack Live [...]ies were wo [...]ne▪
In ev'ry House almost. Hi [...] spoyles were brought
To ev'ry Temple. Many Vaults were frau [...]ht
With his new prizes And his followers grew
To such a multitude, that halfe our Eugh,
And all our Cypresse t [...]ees, could ha [...]dly lend him
A branch for ev'ry one who did attend him.
My Fancy did present to me that houre
A glimpse of DEATH ev'n in his greatest power.
Me thought I saw him, in a Charret ride,
With all his grim companions by his side.
Such as Oblivion, and Corruption be.
Not halfe a step before him, [...]ode these t [...]ree,
(On Monsters backt) Paine, Horror, and Despaire:
Whose fury, had not Faith, and Hope, and Pray'r,
Prevented, through Gods m [...]rcy none had ever
Escap'd Destruction by their best endevour.
For, next to Death, came Iudgement: after whom,
Hell w [...]th devou [...]ing lawes, did gaping come,
To swallow all: But, she at One di [...] snap,
Who now, for many, hath made way to scape.
Death's Carr, with many chaines, & ropes, & strings,
And, by a mu [...]titude of severall th [...]ngs,
As Pleasures, Passions, Cares, and such as they,
VVas drawne along upon a beaten way,
New gravell'd with old bones: and, Sin did seeme
To be the formost Beast of all the Teeme:
And, Sicknesse to be that whi [...]h haled next
The Charret wheele; for, none I s [...]w betwixt.
Time led the way; and, Iustice did appea [...]e,
To sit before, and play the Chariote [...]r.
For since our Sin to p [...]ll on Death begun,
The whip of Iustice makes the Charret run.
[Page]There was of Trumpets, and of Drums the sound;
But in loud cries, and roarings it was drown'd.
Sad El [...]gies, and songs of Lamentation
Were howled out; but, moved no compassion.
Skulls, Coffi [...]s, Spades, and Mattocks placed were
About the Charret. Crawling Wormes were there
And whatsoever else might signifie
Deaths nature, and weak mans mortalitie.
Before the Cha [...]ret, such a multitude
Of ev' [...]y Nation in the world I view'd,
That neither could my eye so farre perceive,
As they were th [...]onging; nor my heart conceive
Their countlesse number. For, all those that were
Since Abel dy'd, he drove before him there.
And▪ of those thousands, dying long agoe,
Some here and there, among them, I did know,
Whose Vertues them in death distinguished
(In spight of Death) from others of the dead.
I saw them stand, me thought, as you shall see
High spreading Oakes, which in [...]el'd Copses be,
O're-top the shrubs; and, where scarce two are found
Of growth, within ten thousand ro [...] of ground.
O [...] those who dy'd within the Age before
This yeare, I sc [...]rce distinguished a score
From Beasts, and Fowles, & Fishes. For, Death makes
So little difference twixt the flesh he takes,
That, into dust alike he [...]urnes it all.
And▪ if no vertue make distinction sh [...]ll,
Those men who did of much in lifetime boast,
Shall dying in the common heap be lost.
But, of tho [...]e Captives which my fantasie
Presented to my apprehensions eye
To grace this Mon [...]r [...]es Triump [...]; most I heeded
Those t [...]oups, which next before the Carr proceeded,
[Page 111]Ev'n those which in the circuit of this yeare,
The prey of Death within our Iland were:
It was an Army royall, which bec [...]me
A King, and loe, King IAMES did lead the same.
The Duke of Richmond, and his onely brother
The Duke of Lenox, seconded each other.
Next [...]hem, in this attendance follow'd on
That noble Sco [...], the Marquis Hammilton,
Sou [...]hampton, Su [...]folke, Oxford, Nottingham,
And Holdernesse, their Earledomes leaving, came
To wait upon this Triumph. There I saw
Some rev'rend Bishops, and some men of Law,
As Winchester, and Hubbard, and I know not
Who else▪ for to their memories I owe not
So much as here to name them: nor doe I
Vpon me take to mention punctually
Their order of departing, nor to sweare
That all of these fell just within the yeare.
For of the time if somewhat I doe misse,
The matter sure, not much materiall is.
Some Barons and some Viscounts, saw I too▪
Zouch, Bacon, Chichester, and others moe,
Whose Titles I forg [...]t. There fol [...]ow'd then
Some Officers of note; some Aldermen;
Great store of Knights, and Bu [...]gesses, with whom
A couple marcht, that had the Shcriff [...]dome
Of London that sad yeare: the one of which
In Piety and Vertue dy'd so rich,
(If his surviving fame may [...]e beleeved)
That for his losse the City much hath grieved.
To be an honor to him, here, therefore
I fixe the name of Crisp, which name he bore:
And I am hopefull it shall none offend,
The Muses doe this right unto their friend.
[Page]Some others also of great state and place,
To me no [...] knowne by office, name, nor face,
Made up the concou [...]se. But, the common Rabble
To number or distingu [...]sh, none was able.
For, rich and poore, men, women, old and yong,
So fast and so confusedly did throng;
By strokes of Death, so markt, so gastly wounded,
So thrust together, and so much confounded
Among that glut of people, which from hence
Were sent among them, by the Pestilence,
That possible it was not, to descry
Or who or what they were who passed by.
Yet, now and then, me thought, I had the view
Of some who much resembled those I knew.
And▪ faine I would the favour have pro [...]u [...]ed
To keepe their Names from being quite obscured
Among the multitude. But, they were gone
Before the meanes could well be thought upon.
And passe they must for aye, unknowne of me:
For, this was but a waking Dreame, I see.
These Fancies ▪ Melancholy often bred:
Yea, many such like Pageants in my head
My working apprehension did beget,
According to those objects which I met.
Some, full of comfort, able to relieve
The heart wh [...]m dread [...]ull thoughts did over-grieve.
Some full of horror▪ such as they have had
(It I mistake nor) th [...]t grow desp'rate mad.
Some, like to their illusions, who in s [...]ead
Of being humbled in this place of dread▪
Are puffed up by their deliverance:
And being full of dangerous a [...]rogance,
Abuse t [...]eir soules, with vaine imaginations,
Ill-grounded hopes, suggested revelations,
[Page 112]And such like toyes, which in their hearts arise
From their owne Pride, and Sathans fallacies.
Some, such as these I had; and other some,
Which cannot be by words expressed from
My troubled heart. And, if I had not got
Gods hand, to help untie the [...]r Gordian-k [...]ot;
His presence, my bold reas'nings to controule;
To curb my passion; to informe my soule;
My faith to strengthen; doubtings to abate;
And so to comfort, [...]nd to arbitrate,
That I m [...]ght see I was of him beloved,
(Though me with many sec [...]et [...]eares he proved)
Su [...]e, in my selfe, some Hell I had invented,
Wher endless thoughts, & doubts, had me tormented.
But, God those depths hath show'd me, that I might
See [...]hat we cary in our selves to fright
Our selves withall And what a hell of feare
Is in our ve [...]y soules, till he be there.
Ev'n when I had the b [...]ight [...]sse of the day,
To chase my melancholy thoughts away,
I was to musings troublesome disposed,
As well as when the da [...]knesse me enclosed;
Th [...]t, by experiments, w [...]ich reall are,
Those horrors which to others oft appeare
(And are not demonstrable) might in part
Be felt in me, to mollifie my heart;
To stir up hearty thankfuln [...]sse; and make
My soule, in him the greater pleasure take.
For frō those prospects, & those thoughts that g [...]ieve me,
I, those ext [...]actions make that much releeve me.
And when my inward combatings a [...]e past,
It give [...]h to my joyes the sweeter tast.
But leaving th [...]s, I will againe returne
To that for which the people soonest mourne.
[Page]I lookt along the Streets [...] chiefest trade;
And, there, perpetuall Holiday they made.
They that one day in sev'n could not forbeare
From trading; had not one in halfe a yeare.
And, all which some had fro [...] their childhood got,
The charges of their flight defrayed not.
To m [...]ke the greedy Cormorant regard
The Sabbath more, and of ill gaines affear'd.
False wa [...]es, fal [...]e oathes, false measures, and false weights,
False promises, a [...]d [...]alsified lights,
Were punisht with false hopes, false joyes, false fears,
False servants, and false frien [...]s, to them, and theirs.
The [...] who of late their neighbours did contemne,
Had not a neig [...]bour le [...]t to comfort them,
W [...]en neighbourhood was need [...]ull Such as were
Selfe-love [...]s, by th [...]mselves remained here;
And w [...]nted those contentments, which arise,
Fro [...] Christian Love, and mutuall Amities.
Mo [...]t Trades were tradefaln, & few Merchāts thriv'd,
Save those men, who by Death and Sicknesse, liv'd.
The Sextons, Searchers, they that Corpses ca [...]ie,
The Herb-wife, Drugg [...]st, and Apothecarie,
Phy [...]itians, Surgeons, Nurses, Co [...]in-makers,
Bold Mounteb [...]nckes, and shamelesse undertakers,
To cure the Pe [...]t in all; these, rich become:
And what we pray to be delivered from
Was their advantage. Yea, the worst of these
Grew stout, and fat, and proud by this disease.
So [...]e, vented refuse w [...]res, at three times more,
Than what is best, was prized at before.
Some set upon their labours such high rates▪
As passed Reason: so, they whose estates
[...] faile of reaching to a price so high,
Were faine to perish without remedy.
[Page 113]Some, wolvishly, did prey upon the quick,
Some, theevishly, purloyned from the sick.
Some robb'd the dead of sheets, some, of a grave,
That there another guest may lodging have:
Yea, Custome had so hardned most of them,
That they Gods Iudgements wholly did contemne.
They, so hard-hearted, and so stupid grew,
So dreadlesly their course they did pursue,
Yea so they flouted, and such jests did make
At that, for which each Christian heart did ake,
That greater were the Plague their mind to have,
Then of the Pestilence to lye and rave.
Now muse I not at what Thucidides
Reporteth of such wicked men as these,
When Athens was depopulated nigh
By such a Pestilence. Nor wonder I,
That when the Plague did this time sixty yeare
Oppresse the Towne of Lyons, that some there
Were said to ravish women, ev'n when death
Was drawing from the [...] their last gaspe o [...] breath.
And when infectious B [...]aines on them th [...]y saw,
Which [...]ight have kept their lustfull flesh in awe.
For man once hardned in impenitence,
Is left unto a reprobated sense.
Till God shall s [...]nct [...]fie i [...], weale, nor woe,
Can make us feare him as we ought to doe.
His love made wanton Is [...]' [...]l [...]purne at him;
His plagues made Phar'oh, his sharpst rod contemn:
And as the Sun from dunghils, and from sinks,
Produceth nothing but ranck weeds, and s [...]inks;
Yet makes a Garden of well-tilled ground,
With wholesome fruits, and fragrant flowres abound:
Or, as in bruising, one thing senteth well,
Another yeelds a loathsome, stifling smell;
According as their sev'rall objects are.
Indeed, my young experience never saw,
So much security, and so much awe
Dwell both together in one place, as here
In this mortality, there did appeare.
I am perswaded, time and place was never
In which afflicted men did more endevor
By teares, vowes, prayers and true penitence,
To paci [...]e Gods wra [...]h for [...]heir offence.
Nor ever was it seene, I think, before,
That men in wickedness [...] presumed more.
Here you should meet a man with bleared eyes,
Bewailing our encreasing miseries;
Another there▪ quite reeling drunk▪ o [...] spewing,
And by renewed sins, o [...]r woes renewing
There sate a peece of sh [...]melesnesse, whose flaring
Attires and looks, did show a monstrou [...] daring:
For, in the postures of true impu [...]ence,
She seem'd as if she woo [...]d the Pestilence
Yonn talkt a couple, ma [...]ter worth your hearing:
Hard by, were others, telling lyes, or sw [...]aring.
Some st [...]eets had Ch [...]rches full of people, weeping:
Some others, Tavernes had, rude-revell keepin [...]:
Within some houses Psalmes and Hymnes wer sung:
W [...]th raylings, and loud scouldings, others rung.
More C [...]arity, did never, yet, appeare:
Nor more maliciousnesse, then we had here.
True piety was ominentl [...] knowne;
H [...]po [...]risie as evidently showne.
More avarice, mor [...] gapers for the wealth
O [...] such as dy'd; no former times of health
Afforded us; nor men of larger heart,
[...]hings need [...]ull for their brethren, to impart.
[Page 114]Their masters goods, some servants lewdly spent,
In nightly feastings, foolish merriment,
And lewd uncleannesse. O [...]her some againe,
Did such an honest carefulnesse [...]etaine,
That their endeavo [...]s had a good successe,
And, Man, and Master m [...]t with joyfulnesse.
Yea, Good and Evill, penitence and sin
Did here so d [...]ive each other out and in;
That in observing it, I saw, me thought,
In sight of Heav'n, a d [...]ead [...]ull Comb [...]t fought
Concerning this whole Iland, which yet lyes,
To be Gods purchas [...], or the Devil [...] prise.
Vice wounded V [...]rtue; Vertue o't co [...]peld
The strongest Vices to forsake the field.
Distrust rais'd up a storme, to drive [...]way
Sure-helpe, our ship, which at Hopes anchor la [...];
And brought supplies with ev'ry winde and tyde,
Whereby this Land was fed and fo [...]tifi [...]d.
The Fort of Faith, was plaid on by D [...]spai [...]e:
But then the gun-shot o [...] continuall-Pray'r
(Well aym'd [...]t Heav'n) Devotion so did ply,
That, he dismounts the Foes Artillery.
The Spirit and the Flesh together strive,
And, oft each other into perill drive.
Presumption, huge high Scaling ladders, r [...]ared,
And then the taking of our Fort was feared.
But awfull Reverence did him oppo [...],
And with Humilities de [...]pe Trench enclose
The Platforme of that Fortresse, from whose Towres
We fight with Principalities, and Pow'rs.
Suggestion lay pur due by Contemplation,
And sought to disadvantage M [...]ditation.
The Regiment of Prudence was assailed,
By head-strong Ignorance, who much prevailed
[Page]Where Temperance was quarter'd, there I saw
Excesse and Riot, both together draw
Their troups against her: and, I some espy'd
To yeeld, and overcome on either side▪
The place that v [...]liant Fortitude made good,
Faint-heartednesse (though out of sight he stood)
Did cowardly oppose, and courses take,
Which otherwhile his Constancy did shake.
For Carnall policy her Engineer,
Had closely suncke a Mine which had gone neere
To blow all up. But Providence divine
Did soone prevent it by a Counter-mine.
Yet Morall-Iustice (though a Court o [...] Gu [...]rd
Was plac'd, and oft r [...]leeved in her Ward)
Had much adoe to m [...]ke a strong defence
Against her Foes. For, Fraud, and Violence,
Respect of persons, Feare, Hate, Perjury,
Faire-speaking, and corrupting Brib [...]ry,
Did wound her much; though she did often take
Avengement; and o [...] some, examples make.
Some Vices, there, I saw themselves disguise
Like Vertues, that their Foes they might surprise;
As doe the Dunkirks, when aboord to lay
Our ships, an English flag they do display.
Pride went for Come [...]nesse: profuse Excesse,
For Hospitality: base Drunkennesse
Was call'd Good fello [...]ship: blunt Rashnesse came
Attyr'd li [...]e Valour: Sloth had got the name
Of Quietnesse: accursed Avarice,
Was term'd Good husbandry. Meere Cowardice
Appear'd like prudent Warinesse, and might
Have passed for a very valiant wight.
Yea, ev'ry Vice, to gaine his purpose, had
So [...]e ma [...]kes o [...] vertue-like disguise [...] made▪
[Page 115]And, many times, such hellish plo [...]s were laid,
Th [...]t divers morall Vertues were gainsaid,
Defam'd, pursu'd, and wounded by their owne;
Whose glory had no [...] else beene overthrowne.
[...]ust-de [...]ling hath beene tooke for Cruelty:
Pure-love for Lust: upright Integri [...]y
For cu [...]ning Falsh [...]od: yea, divinest Graces
Have beene at variance brought in divers Cases,
(By wicked Stratagems) that vaine Inventions,
M [...]ght frustrate pious workes, and good intentions.
To furthe [...] stri [...]e, great Quarrels broached are,
Twixt Faith and Workes. There is another j [...]r
Begun erewhile, betwixt no worse a pai [...]e,
Then Preachin [...], and her blessed Sister Pray'r.
God grant they m [...]y agree; for, I [...]e're knew
A quiet Church, but where they kept one Pew.
Faith and Repentance also are, of late,
About their Birth-rig [...]t fallen at d [...]bate.
But by the Church-bookes it appeares to me
Their Bir [...]hs and their Conceptions mention'd be
Without such nice regard to their precedings,
As some have urged in their needlesse pleadings.
And, so it pleas'd the Father, Sonne and Spirit:
Because that Law by which they shall inherit
The promist meed; doth never question move,
How soone or late, but how sincere they prove.
Moreover, in this [...]attell I espy'd
Some Ambodexters, fight on either side.
The Moralist, who all Religion wants;
Church-Papists; Time-observing Protestants.
All Double-dealers▪ Hypocrites, and such
Base Neutrals, who have scandalized much,
And much endanger'd those who doe contend
This [...]le, from desolation, to defend.
[Page]Beside these former Combatants, which fought
Against or for us; I perceiv'd, me thovght,
Both good and evill Angels fi [...]hting too,
The one, to help; the other, ha [...]me to doe.
And though thi [...] battell yet appeareth not
To common view, so cru [...]ll nor so hot
As I conceive it: yet it will appeare
To all in time, with comfort, or with feare.
For, s [...]ill, and ev'ry day, those enemies
Stand a [...]m'd and watc [...]ing opportunities
To seiz [...] us; and will seize us, if th [...]s [...] times
Shall make complete the measure of our Crimes;
Or our continuing [...]ollies drive away
Our Ange [...]l G [...]ard, which doth our [...]all delay.
Oh st [...]y them Lord! and make that side the stro [...]ger,
For whom this Lan [...] sh [...]ll yet be sp [...]ed longer.
And let us, my dea [...]e C [...]untrimen, with speed,
Of that which so conce [...]neth us, take h [...]d.
Obse [...]ve, thou famoust City of this L [...]nd,
How h [...]avily on thee God layes his hand.
The very rumor of this Plague did make
The fa [...]th [...]st dwellers of this Ile to shak [...]:
And such a sent of D [...]ath they seem'd to c [...]ry,
Who in o [...] nea [...]e about thy Climat [...] tary,
That, from the Mount to Ba [...]w [...]ck they were hated,
Or shunn'd, as persons excommunicated.
[...]nd three weekes ayring on old Sarum plaine,
Woul [...] [...]arce a lodging for a brother gaine.
Yea, mark, ma [...]k London, and confesse with me,
That God [...]at [...] justly thus afflicted thee,
And that in ev'ry point this Plague hath bin
According to the nature of thy sin.
In thy prosperity, such was thy pride,
That thou the Countries plainn [...]sse didst deride.
[Page 116]Thy wanton Children would oft straggle out,
At honest husban [...]men to jeere and flou [...].
Their homely garments, did offend thine eyes:
They did their rurall Dia [...]ect [...] despise▪
Their games and merriments (which for them, be
As commendable, as are thine for thee)
Thou laughedst at: their gestures, and their fashions,
Their very diet, an [...] their habitations
Were sported at: yea, those ingratefull Things,
Did scoffe them for their hearty Welcomings;
And taught ev'n those that had been country-born
The wholesome places of their birth to scorne.
And, see, now see, those thanklesse ones are faine
To seeke their fathers thatched Roofes againe;
And, aske those good old women blessing, whom
They did not see, since they did rich become;
And never would have seene, perhaps, unlesse
This Plague had whipped their ingratefulnesse.
Yea, thine owne naturall Children have beene glad
To scrape acquaintance where no friends they had;
To praise a homely, and a sm [...]ky Shed;
A darke low Parlour, an unea [...]e Bed;
An ill drest di [...]t; yea, perchance, commend
A chu [...]lish Landlord, for an honest Friend;
Yet be contented bo [...]h to pray and pay,
That they may leave obtaine with him to stay.
And peradventure, some of those who plaid
The scoffers hereto [...]ore, were fully pai [...].
Th [...]n, Citizens were sha [...]k [...], and prey'd upon,
In recompence of wrong [...] before time done
To silly Countrim [...]n; and were defeated
Of [...]ha [...], whereof, some Rusticks, they had cheated.
Moreover, for the Countries imitations
Of thy fantastick, vaine, and fruitlesse fashions,
[Page](Of thy apparell, and of thy excess [...]
In Feasts, in Games, in Lust, in Idlenesse;
With such abominations) some of those
Who came from thee, shall doubtlesly dispose
To ev'ry Shire a Viall of that wrath,
Which thy transgression long deserved hath:
That, thou and they, who sinners were together,
May Rods be made to punish one another;
And give each other bitterness [...] to sup,
As you have joyntly quaft of Pleasures Cup.
As to and fro I walked, that I might
On ev'ry ruthfull Object fix my sight,
Vpon those Golgatha's I cast mine eye,
Where all the comm [...]n people buried lye.
Lie buried did I say? I should have said,
Where C [...]rkasses to bury Graves were laid.
Lord! what a sight was there? & what strong smells
Ascended from among Death's loathsome Cells?
You scarce could make a little Infants bed
In all those Plots, but you should pare a head,
An arme, a shoulder, or a leg away,
O [...] one or other who there buried lay.
One grave did often many scores enclose
Of men and women: and, it may be those
That could not in two Parishes agree,
Now in one little roome at quiet be.
Yonn lay a heape of skulls; another there;
Here, halfe unburied did a Corpse appeare.
Close by, you might have seene a brace of feet
That had kickt off the rotten winding-sheet.
A little further saw we othersome,
Thrust out th [...]ir armes for want of elbow roome.
A locke of womans hayre; a dead mans face
Vncover'd; and a gastly sight it was.
Of pamper'd flesh: here plainly did I see
How grim those [...]eauties will e're long appeare,
Which we so dote on, and so cove [...], here.
Here was enough to coole the hottest flame
Of lawlesse lust. Here, was enough to tame
The ma [...]st ambition. And, all they that goe
Vnbetter'd from such objects; worse doe grow.
From hence (fo [...] here was no abiding long)
Our Allies and our Lanes, I walkt among,
Where those Artificers their dwel [...]ings had,
By whom our idle Traders rich are made.
The Plague rav'd there indeed. For, who were they
Whom th [...]t Contagion fastest swept away
But those whose d [...]ily lab' [...]ing hands did feed
Their honest Families? and greatly steed
This place by their mechanick industries?
These are the swarmes of Bees, w [...]ose painfull thighes
Bring Wax unto this Hive; and from whose bones
The Honey drops, that feedeth many Drones.
These are the Bulwarks of this [...]enselesse Towne,
And when this Wall of Bones is overthrowne,
Our stately Dwellings, now both faire and tall,
Will quickly, of themselves, to ruine fall.
Of these, and of t [...]eir housholds, dai [...]y dy'd
Twice more then did of all sorts else beside;
And hungry Poverty (without reliefes)
Did much inrag [...] and multipliply their griefes.
The Rich could flye; or, if they staid, they had
Such meanes that their disease the lesse was made▪
Yea, those poore aged folkes that make a show
Of greatest need, did boldly come and goe,
To aske mens Almes▪ or what their Parish granted;
An [...] nothing at this time those people wanted,
[Page]But thankfulnesse▪ lesse malice to ea [...]h other;
A [...]d grace to live more quietly together.
Their bodies, d [...]y'd with age, were seldome struck
By this Disease ▪ Their neighbours notic [...] took
Of all their wants. Among them, were not many
That had [...]ull fam [...]lies. Or if that any
Of these had children sick; some good supplies
Were sent them from the generall Charities.
Moreover, common Beggers are a nation
Not alwayes keeping in one habitation.
They can remove as time occasion brings:
They have their progresses as well as King;
And most of these, when hence the rich did goe,
Remov'd themselves into the Country too.
The rest about our streets did ask their bread,
And never in their lives, were fuller fed.
But, those good people mentioned before,
Who, till their worke did faile them, fed the poore
As well as others; and maintained had
Great families, by [...]ome laborious trade:
Ev' [...] those di [...] suffer most. For, neither having
Provision left them, nor the face o [...] craving;
Nor meanes of labour: First, to pawne they sent
Their brasse and pewter: t [...]en, their bedding went.
Their garments next▪ or stuffe of best esteeme:
At length, ev'n that which should the rest redeeme,
Their working Instruments. When that was gone,
Their Lease was pawned, if it might be done.
And peradventure, at the last of all,
These things were sold outright for sums but small▪
Or else quite forfeited. For, here were they
Who made of these poore soules, a gainfull prey.
And as one Plague had on the li [...]e a pow'r,
So did these other Plagues, their goods devoure.
[Page 118]When all was gone, afflicted they became
With secret griefes, with poverty, and shame.
And, wanting cheerfull minds, and due refection,
Were seized on, the soone [...], by Infection:
For, hearts halfe broke, and housholds fa [...]isht neare▪
Are quickly spent, when visited they are.
The carefull Master, though it would have saved
A servants life, to get him what he craved,
No kinde of Med'cine able was to give him;
Nay scarce with bread and water to relieve him▪
The tender hearted Mother, hath for meat
Oft heard her dearest child, in vaine, intreat;
And had or foure or five on point of dying
At once, for drink to ease their torment, crying.
The loving husband sitting by her side,
To save whose life he gladly would have dy'd,
Vnable was out of his whole estate,
To purchase her a dram of Mithridate;
One messe of Cordiall broth, or such like thing,
Although it might prevent her perishing.
Sometime, at such a need, abroad they came,
To aske for helpe; but, then, the feare of shame,
Of scorne, or of deni [...]ll, them with-held
To put in practice, what their want compell'd.
Vpon an Evening (when the wa [...]ning light
Was that which could be call'd nor day nor night)
I met with one of these, who on me cast
A [...]ut [...]full eye: and a [...] he by me past,
Me thought, I heard him, softly, somewhat say,
As if that he for some reliefe did pray:
Whereat (he seeming in good cloth [...]s to be)
I staid, and askt him, if he spake to me.
He bashfully replyed; that, indeed
He was asham'd to speake aloud, what Need
[Page]Did make him softly mutter▪ Somewhat more
He would have spoken, but his tongu [...] forbore
To tell the re [...]t; b [...]cause his eyes did see
Their teares had (almost) drawne fo [...]th tears frō me,
And that my hand was ready to bestow
That helpe which my poore fortunes could allow▪
Nor his, nor all me [...]s tongues, coul [...] mo [...]e relate,
Then I my selfe conceiv'd of hi [...] estate.
Me thou [...]ht, I saw, as if I had beene there,
What w [...]nts in his, and such mens houses were;
How empty, and how naked it became▪
How nasty, Poverty h [...]d made the same▪
Me thou [...]ht I saw, how sick [...] his wife mightlye;
Me thought I heard his halfe sta [...]v'd children cry;
Me thou [...]t I felt, with what a broken heart
He lookt upon t [...]em, e're he could depart
To try, i [...] (by Gods [...]avour) he could meet
With any meanes of comfort in the street.
And, Lord my God, thou know'st, that, when alone
The griefes of such as these, I mused on;
My pitie I with watry eye [...] have showne,
And more bewail'd their sorrowes, then my owne▪
But, since those Dewes are vaine that [...]ruitlesse be;
And since the share that is allotted me▪
Of this worlds heritage, will not [...]uffice
To bring relie [...]e to these mens miseries;
Oh! let my teares (ye ri [...]h men) make your ground
With fruits of Charity the more abound.
Let me intreat you, tha [...], when God shall bring
Vpon this place, another Visiting,
You would remember, some reliefe to send
To those, who on t [...]eir labours doe depend,
And have not got their impudence of [...]ace,
Who idlely beg their bread from place to place.
And how you use them, he accou [...]t will take.
It will not be enough, that you have paid
The publique taxes on your houses laid;
Or that▪ you, now and then, doe send a summe
To be disposed, to you know not whom:
But, you yo [...]r selves, must, by your selves alone,
Those neighbour [...], o [...] acqu [...]intance think upon,
Who likeliest are in such a time of need,
To want of t [...]at, whe [...]ein you do exceed:
And, if you know of none, enquire them out;
Or leave some honest neigbour thereabout,
To be your Alm'ner (when the Towne you leave)
That, yo [...], and they, a Blessing may receive▪
For, if that ev'ry weal [...]hy man w [...]uld find
But one, or two, to cherish in this kind:
Gods wrat [...] would much the better be appeased,
And we should of our plagues be sooner eased
As I request the Richer men to take
This pious course; A suit, I likewise m [...]ke
That our inferiour Tradesmen, would not so
Abuse their times of profit, as they doe.
For, most of those doe live at rates as high,
As all their gaines (at utmost) will supply.
Yea, many times they mount above t [...]e tops
Of present fortunes, and ensuing hopes:
That, if a sicknesse, or unlook'd for Crosse,
Or want of trade, or any slender losse,
But for a Yeare, a Qu [...]rter, or a Terme,
Befalls them: it soone maketh so infirme
Their over-strain'd Estates; that Almes are neede [...],
Ere any failin [...]s are by others heeded.
Of these, and other things I notions gained,
Whilst in our sickly Citie I remained;
[Page]And much I contemplated what I saw,
Some profitable uses thence to draw.
But, feeling that my thought [...] nigh [...] were,
With over-musing on those objects there:
I thought to walke abroad into the [...]eld,
To take those comforts, which f [...]esh ayre doth yeeld;
And, to revive my heart, which heavy grew,
With what the streets did offer to my view;
But little ease I found; for, there mine eye [...]
Discover'd Sorrow in a new disguise:
And in so many shapes, himselfe he shewed,
That, still my passion was afresh renewed.
Her [...], dead upon the Roade, a man did lye,
That was (an houre before) as well, as [...] ▪
There, sate another, who did thither come
In health, but had not strength to beare him home.
Yonn, spraul'd a third, so sicke, he did not know
Fro [...] whence he came, nor whither he should goe.
A little further off, a fourth did creepe
Into a ditch, and there his Obit keepe.
Abo [...]t the Fields ran one, who being fled
(In spite of his attendance) from his bed,
Lookt like a Lunatique from Bedlem broken;
And, though of health he had no hopefull token;
Yet, t [...]at he ailed ought, he would not yeeld,
Till Death had, stru [...] him dead upon the field.
This way, a Str [...]nger by hi [...] Host expel [...]ed,
That way, a Servant (shut from where he dwelled)
Came weakly stagg'ring fo [...]th, and (crush'd beneath
Diseases, and unkindnes [...]e) sought for Death;
Which soone was f [...]nd and glad was he, they say,
Who for his Death- [...]ed gain'd a Cock of Hay
At this crosse pa [...]h, were Bearers fetching home
A Neighbour, who in health did thither come:
[Page 120]Close by, were others digging up the ground,
To hide a stranger whom they dead had found.
Before me, went with Corpses, many a one;
Behinde, as many mo did [...]ollow on,
VVith runnin [...] sores, one begg'd at yonder gate:
At next Lanes end, another Lazar sate.
Some halted, as if wounded in the wars;
Some held their necks awry, some shew'd their scars▪
Some, met I weeping, for the losse of friends;
Some others, for their swift approching ends;
And ev'ry thing with sorrow was affected,
On whatsoe're it was mine eye reflected.
The Prospect, which was wont to greet mine eye
With showes of pleasure in variety,
(And lookt, as if it cheerfully did smile,
Vpon the bordring Villages, ere while.)
Had no such pleasingnesse as heretofore,
For ev'ry place, a mask of sorrow wore.
The walks are unfrequented, and the path
Late trodden bare, a grassie Carpet hath.
I could not see (of all t [...]ose Gallants) one
That visited Hide-par [...]e, and Mary-borne.
None w [...]ndred through the pastures, up and downe▪
But, as about some pe [...]ty Country towne:
Nor could I view in many Summers dayes,
One man of note to ride upon our wayes.
Lord, w [...]at a d [...]ff [...]rence did [...]t thou put betweene
That Summer, and the rest that I have seene!
How didst thou change our Fi [...]lds! and what a face
Of Sadnesse, didst thou set upon each place!
Yet oh! how few remember it, or feele
The touches of it, on their hearts of s [...]eele!
And when our banisht [...]i [...]h thou didst renew,
Who did returne to thee the praises due?
[Page]What others apprehended, they know best;
But if it could be fully here exp [...]e [...]
What of that alteration I conceiv'd▪
When of their pleasures, God our fields bereav'd;
It would much mo [...]e be minded: For they had
Nought in them, but what moved to be sad.
Not many weekes, before, it was not so.
But, [...]leasures, had their passage to and fro.
Which way so [...]ver from our Gates I went,
I lately did behold with much content,
The fields bestrow'd with people all about:
Some paceing homeward, [...]nd some passing out.
Some, by the bancks of [...]hame their pleasure taking;
Some, Sulli-bibs, among the Milk-maids, making;
With musique, some upon the waters, rowing;
Some, to t [...]e next adjoyning Hamlets going;
And Hogsdone, Islington, and Tethnam-Court,
For Cakes and Creame▪ had then no small resort.
Some, sate and woo'd their Love [...]s in the shadowes;
Some, straggled to and fro athwart the meadowes;
Some, in discourse, their houres, away did passe;
Some, playd the toyish w [...]ntons on the grasse;
Some, of Religion; some of bus'nesse talked;
Some coached were▪ some horsed; and some walked.
Here Citizens; there Students, many a one;
Here [...]wo together; and, yonn one alone.
Of Nymphs and Ladies. I have often ey'd
A thousand walking at one Evening tide;
As many Gentleman: and yong and old
Of meaner sort, as many▪ ten times told.
And, when I did from some high Towre survey
The Rod [...]s, and Paths, which round below me lay,
Obser [...]ing how each passage thronged was
W [...]h men and Cattell, which both wayes did passe;
[Page 121]How many petty path [...], both far and neare,
With rowes of people sti [...]l suppl [...]ed were;
What infinite provision still came in,
And what abundance hath exported bin;
Me thought this populous City and the trade
Which we from ev'ry Coast about her had,
Was well resembled by an A [...]t-h [...]ll, which
(In some old Forrest) is made lar [...]e, and [...]ich
By those laborious creatures, who have thither
Brought all their wealth, and Coloni [...]s together.
For, as their peopled Borrough ha [...]h resort
From ev'ry quarter, by a severall Port,
And from each Gate thereof a great Rode hath
That branches into many a little Path;
And, as those Negroes doe not on [...]ly fill
Each great and lesser t [...]act unto th [...]ir hill,
But, also, spread them [...]elves out of those wayes,
Among the grasse, the leaves, and bushy sprayes:
Ev'n s [...], [...]he people here, did come and goe
Through our large Rodes; disperse themselves into
A thousand passages; and, often stray
O're neighbouring Pastures, in a pathlesse way.
This, formerly I saw; and, on that Station,
Where this I markt; I had this Contemplation.
How happy were this People, did they know
What rest, our God upon them did bestow!
On us, what show [...]es of blessings hath he rained,
Which he from other Cities hath restrained?
And, from how many mischiefes hath be freed us▪
Which [...]all on those that in good workes exceed us▪
Here lurke no ravenous Beasts to make a prey
On those fat C [...]ttell which these Fields o're-lay.
Within our Gro [...]es no cruell Out-lawes hide,
That in the blood of passengers are dy'd.
[Page]Our Lambs, unworry'd, lye abroad, benighted;
By day, our Virgins walke the Fields unfrighted.
No neighbouring Country doth our food forestall;
No Convoyes need to come and g [...]e withall;
No forraine Prince can sudd [...]ly appall us,
For Seas doe mote us, and huge Rocks doe wall us.
No rotten Fennes doe make our ayre unsound;
No Foe, doth with a trench enclose us round.
We neither tumults have by night or d [...]y,
Nor rude unruly Garisons in pay.
No Taxes, yet, our Land doth over-load:
Our Children are not prest for warres abroad.
From Spanish Inquisitions we ar [...] free;
(God grant that we, for ever, so may be)
We are compeld to no Idolatries;
Our people doe not in rebellions rise:
No sactious spirits much disturbe the State;
No Plagues, our dwellings, yet, dep [...]pulate.
No Rots or Murraines have our Cattell kild:
Our Barnes and Store-house [...], with fruits are fild:
On ev'r [...] thr [...]sh [...]ld, store o [...] children play;
Our breeding Cattell fill both street and way.
And, were we thankefull unto him that gave them,
There are no blessings, but we here might have them.
See, how like Bees upon a Summer-Eve,
(When their young Nymphes have ove [...]-fill'd the hive)
They swarme about the City, sporting so,
As if a winter gale would never blow.
How little d [...]e they dreame, how many times,
While [...]hey deserved ruine for their Crimes,
God, naitheless [...], hath shewed mercies on them,
And s [...]opt those Plagues that comming were upon them!
How seldome is it thought, the pow'r of him,
[...]hose love they much forg [...]t (if not contemne)
Which he upon our neig [...]bouring Nations brings.
For, in a moment, he could s [...]mmon hither
His Iudgements, and inflict them, all together.
Ev'n all. B [...]t, one of those which he hath brought
On other Cities, would enough be thought.
If in displeas [...]re [...]e should call from thence
Where now it r [...]ves, the slaugh [...]ring Pest [...]lence,
Or else the Famine ▪ what a change [...]ere that,
To them that are so healthy, [...]nd so fat?
How desolate, in lesse t [...]en halfe a yeare,
Might all our lodgin [...]s and o [...]r streets appeare?
How unfrequented would that randevow
Be m [...]de, in which, we throng, and just [...]e now?
How lonely would these walk [...]s and fi [...]lds be found,
Wherein I s [...]e the people s [...] abound?
Or, should [...]e w [...]istle for his armed Bands,
(Which now are wasting [...]ther Christian Lands)
To put in action on our Commick Stage
The Tragedies of VVar, and bru [...]sh rage:
What lamentations then here would be made,
And calling unto minde, what peace we had?
Should we in ev'ry house▪ at boord and bed
Have So [...]ldiers and rude Captaines bille [...]ed,
That would command, and swagger as if they
Had all the Towneship (where they lodge) in pay,
To w [...]it upon their pleas [...]res; and should see
Our owne defenders, our devourers be.
Should we behold these Fields (now full of sport)
Cut out with T [...]enches; there, a warlike Fort;
Another here; A Sconce not farre from that;
A new rais'd Mount, or some fire-spitting Cat,
From which the Foes our actions might survey,
And ma [...]e their B [...]llets on our houses play.
[Page]Should we behold our Dwellings beaten downe;
Our Temples batter'd; Turrets over throwne;
Our seats of pleasure b [...]rning from afarre;
Heare, from without, the thundring voice of War ▪
Within, the shriekes of children, or the cry
Of women, strucke with feares, or famisht nigh.
Should we behold, what painfully we got,
Possest by those that seeke to cut our thr [...]at;
Our children slaine befor [...] us, on the ground;
Our selves pierc't through with some deep mortall wound;
And see ( [...]v'n there) where we have wantonniz'd,
Our beau [...]eous wives, by some sterne Troup surpriz'd,
And ravisht in our view. Or (which is worse)
When we have seen all this, be forc't perforce
To live; and live their slaves that shall possesse
Our wives, and all our ou [...]ward happinesse;
And, then, want also, that pure Word of Grace
To comfort us, which yet adornes this place.
Should such a Destiny (as God d [...]fend)
This people, and this place, thought I, attend.
(For, this may be; and ev'ry day we heare
That other Nations doe this burthen b [...]are)
Should we who now for pleasure walke the field,
Be saine to search what weeds the pastures yeeld
To feed us; and peake hungerly about,
Some Roots, or Hawes, or Berries to finde out,
To keepe from starving; and not gaine a food
So meane, without the hazard of our blood:
Should some contagious sicknesse, nois [...]me make
This place, wherein, such pleas [...]re now we take:
Should in these places, whither we repaire
Our bodies to refresh with wholesome ayre,
Those blastings or Serenes upon us fall,
Which other places are anoy'd withall.
[Page 123]Should from the wife the husband be divorc'd,
Or from the parent should the child be forc'd,
While here they walk [...], and perish by the sword:
Or, should here be a famine of the Word,
On which would follow, to our griefe and shame,
A thousand other Plagues which I could name.
Should th [...]se things be; then w [...]at our blessings are
It would by such a curse too soone appeare.
Then, fe [...]le we should, what comforts might arise
From those great mercie [...], which we now despise,
Or think not on. Yea, so we might enjoy
But part of that which now we mis-employ,
We thi [...]ke it would, a greater happinesse,
Then, yet we finde in all we now possesse.
We then should know how much we have b [...]ene blest
In our long time of plenty▪ health, and rest:
How sweet it is that we may to and fro
Without restraint, or feare, or danger goe;
How much we owe to him that hath so long
Our Granards filled, and our Gates made strong;
Permitting us to walke for our delight
About our fields, whilst others march to fight;
And s [...]ffring us to least, whilst others fast,
Or, of the bread of sowre Affliction tast.
As heretofore the peopled Fields I walked,
To this effect, my thoughts within me talked;
And though all present Objects gave cont [...]nt,
My heart did such Ideaes represent
Of Iudgements likely to be cast upon
So great a City, and a sinfull one;
That much I feared, I should live to see,
Some such afflictions, as here mention'd be.
And loe, (though yet, I hope, not in his wrath)
God, part of that I fear'd, inflicted hath:
[Page]A warning War he hath begun to wage
Against the crying sinnes of this our age,
And of this place: And in a gentle wise
Pour'd out a taste of those Calamities
Which other feele at large: that, we should mourn [...]
For our transgressions, and to him retu [...]ne.
Vouchsafe, oh! God, that soone returne we may,
Lest thou, in anger, sweepe us all away.
If we observed, well, what God hath done,
And in what manner, he with us begun;
How he forewarn'd us of those Plagues, which he
Vouchsafed David should a chus [...]r be:
(And how, ev'n he himselfe, in mercy chused,
To keepe us from what David had refused)
We should perceive, that our most loving God
At first did threaten, with a Fathers rod.
A little while before this Pestilence,
Of his just wrath we had in [...]elligence
By divers tokens▪ which we did contemne,
O [...], at the best, but little heeded them.
The Spring before this Plague, one jerke we had
By WAR, which made no little number sad,
By calling many from their ease; by taking
Some husbands from their wives, & childless making
Some Parents: which permitted was to show us
In part, what sha [...]pe corrections God did owe us.
And make us minde, that this unhallow'd place
Is thus long spared meerly of his grace.
Else, to awake us with some touch of that
Which he hath brought on many a forraine State.
For, that he might but touch us, he did call
No Armies hither, to affl [...]ct us all.
But, as a Generall in time of war,
When all his Troupes of somewhat guilty are;
That some as warnings to the rest may dye:
Ev'n so, the God of Armies, in like case,
Pickt, here and there a man, f [...]om ev'ry place,
To meet the sword: that, ev'ry place might learne,
His Mercies, and his Iustice to discerne,
And, leave off sinne; which, if we breake not from,
His Plague [...], and terrors all, w [...]ll shortly come.
If any shall object, we lost in these
But some corrupted blood, which did disease
The common Body: Let them under [...]tand,
That it portends hot Fevers in the Land,
When suc [...] Phl [...]botomy is needfull thought:
And, that, good blood, as well as what is nought,
Is lost at ev'ry op [...]ni [...]g of a veine.
The foot was prickt, and we did feele no paine;
The next blood letting may be in the Arme,
Where lyes our s [...]rength▪ God shend us frō the harm
Of such like Surgery; unlesse we see
The Signe be better then it seemes to be.
God scar'd us, lately, also, by a Dearth,
And for the peoples faults did curse the Earth.
The Winter last before the Pes [...] began,
Throughout some No [...]herne Shires a Famine ranne,
That starved some; and other some were faine,
Their hungry appetites to entertaine
With swine, and sheep, and horses, which have dy'd
By chance: For, better coul [...] they not provide.
Some others on boild nettles gladly fed,
Or else had oft gone supperlesse to bed.
And this was much, considering the soile
And o [...]dinary plenties of this Ile.
Nay, since the Si [...]knesse, we small hope [...] p [...]ssessed,
Of [...]hat, wherewith, this Ki [...]g [...]om, God hath blessed.
[Page]For, when Earths wombe did big with plenty grow,
When her large bosome, and full brests, did show
Such signe [...] of faire encrease, that hope of more
Was never in our life-times, heretofore:
A later frost, our early blossomes cropt;
The heav'ns, upon our labour [...], leannesse dropt;
An [...] such perpetu [...]ll showres, and flouds we had,
That o [...] a Famine, we were fearfull made,
And scarce had any hope (in common reason)
Of harvest either in, or out of season.
Yet, he wi [...]h-held that Plague. The Sky grew cleare;
A kindly weather drove away our f [...]are;
The Floods did sinck; the Mildewes were expell'd;
The bending eares of [...]orne, their heads up held;
And Harvest came, which fild our Granards more,
Then in the fruitfull'st, of sev'n yeares before.
And, doubtlesse▪ had we gone to meet our God,
Wi [...] true repentance, when this fearfull Rod
Was raised first; it had away be [...]ne flung,
And not continued in this Realme so long.
For, as a Fath [...]r, when his dearest chil [...]
Growes disobedient, rude, and over-wilde,
[...]irst warnes; th [...]n threatens; then, the rod doth show;
T [...]en frownes; and then doth feare him with a blow.
Th [...] doubles, and redoubles it, untill
He makes him grow more plyant to his will,
And leave those wanton tricks, which in conclusion
May prove th [...] p [...]rents g [...]iefe, and childes confusion.
Ev'n as this Father; so, our God h [...]th wrought.
Vs, by his Word of Grace, he first besought:
T [...]en▪ of his Wrath, and Iustice spake unto us:
Next, hanging over u [...], he plagues did show us.
Yea, divers months before this Vengeance came,
The spotted Fever did forewarne the same.
[Page 125]Was made her Harbenger; and in one week
Sent hu [...]dreds, in the Grave, their bed to seek.
Which nought prevailing, he did thereupon
(As being loath to strike) first strike but one.
Then, two or three: then slaid a while; and than
To smi [...]e ano [...]her number he began,
And then a greater. Neither did God show
This mercy, onely, in the publike blow;
But daign'd it, also, in that chastisement,
Which he to ev'ry man in private sent.
To hasten his repent [...]nce; first, he smote
Some one of those he knew, in place remote;
Wi [...]hin a w [...]eke, another better knowne;
Next week a friend; the next a dearer-one;
A lit [...]le after that, perhaps, an [...]ther;
And then a kinsman, or [...]n onely brother.
Which no a [...]endm [...]nt working, God did come
(To make him heedfull) somewhat nearer home:
Knockt at h [...]s neighbours house, and took out all
Or most, who lodg'd on tother side the wall:
Then called at his doore, and seized on
A servant fi [...]st; soone afterward, a son;
Next night wa [...] hazarded a daughters life;
And e're that morning c [...]me, he lost his wife:
At last fell sick himselfe, and then repented,
Or dy'd, or liveth to be worse tormented.
Thus, as it were by steps, God came upon us,
That either Love or Terror migh [...] have won us,
To seeke our peace. But, yet, so [...]ew were warned,
(And this long suffring, so few soules discerned)
That some the nature of this Plague beli'd;
The number of the dead, som [...] strove to hide.
On groundles hopes, [...]ods Iudgmē [...]s, some deferred.
Some scofted others, when they were deterred.
[Page]Some rais'd a profit from it. Yea, so few
Conceived what was likely to ensue;
That, when we should like Niniveh have fared,
For sports, and causelesse Triumphs we prepared▪
Of pleasure, in [...]xcessive wise, we [...]asted.
We feasted, when we rather should have f [...]sted.
And when in sack-cloth we should loud have cry'd,
Ev'n then, we ruffled in our greatest pride.
Which God [...]rceiving, and that we were growne
Regardlesse of his smiles, and of his frowne;
He did comm [...]n [...] his Mercy, to let goe
That hand, which did restraine his Iustice so.
Then, catching up a Viall of his wrath,
(W [...]ich he in store for such offenders hath)
He did on thi [...] our Citie, poure it downe.
And, as strong poison shed upon the crowne,
Descendeth to the members, from the head;
And, soone, doth over all the body spread:
Ev'n so, this noysome plague of Pestilence,
On our head City Falling, did from thence,
Disperse, and soake throughout this Emp [...]ry,
In spight of all our carnall polici [...].
Our want of penitency, to allay
Gods wrath, and stop his anger in the way,
Enflamed and exasperated so
This F [...]end, that he did thousands over-throw
In [...]ome few minuts: and▪ the greedy Grave
Devou'd, as if it none alive would save.
Death lurkt at ev'ry angle of the s [...]eet,
And did a [...]rest whom ever he did meet.
There scarcely was that house or lodging found,
In which he did not either slay or wound.
In ev'ry roome his murthers acted he,
Our Close [...]s nay our Temples were not free
[Page 126]From his attemptings; no not while men pray'd,
Could his unb [...]idled fury be delay'd.
In sundry Families the [...]e was not one
Whom his rude hand did take compassion on:
Nay many times he did not spare the last,
Vntill the buriall of the first was past.
For, e're the Bearers back againe could come,
The rest were r [...]ady [...]or their graves at home.
Nor bad nor good, nor rich nor poore did scape him,
Nor foole nor w [...]seman, an excuse could shape him:
He shunned not the yo [...]g man in the sadle,
Nor him that lay and cryed in the cradle.
So dreadfull was his looke, so sterne and grim,
That many dy'd through very feare of him.
For, to mens fancies he did oft ap [...]ea [...]e
In shapes which so exceedi [...]d gastly were,
That flesh and blood, unable was, to brooke,
The horror of his all a [...]righting look.
Ev'n in that house, whose roofe did cover me,
Of this, a sad [...]xperiment had we:
For, there, a plague-sick [...] man (at least) conceiued
That Death a shape assuming, he perceiued
Deform'd and vgly; where at lou [...] he cryes,
Oh! hi [...]e me, hide me, [...]rom his dreadfull ey [...]s.
Looke, oh! looke there he comes: now by the [...]ed
He stands; now at the f [...]t; now at the head.
Oh! draw, draw, draw the Curtaine, Si [...]s I pray,
That his grim loo [...]e no more b [...]hold I may.
To this [...]ffect, and such like wo [...]ds he spake,
But that their hea [...]ers hearts they more did sh [...]e.
Then, rested he a while, and by and by
Vp starting, with a lamentable cry,
Ran to a Couch, whereon his wife (w [...]o waking
Two nights b [...]fore had beene) some [...]est was taking;
[Page]There, kneeling downe, & both his hands up rearing,
As if his eye had seene pale Death appearing
To st [...]ike his wife; Good Sir, said he, forbeare
To kill or h [...]m [...] that poore yong woman there:
For God's sake doe not strike her; for you s [...]e
She's great w [...]th child. Lo, you have wounded me
In twenty places; and I doe not c [...]re
How me you mischi [...]fe, so that her you spare.
Ev'n this, and more then I to minde can call,
He acted with a looke so tragic [...]ll,
Tha [...], all by standers▪ might have [...]hou [...]ht▪ his eyes
Saw reall objects, and no fantasies.
To others, Death, no doubt, himselfe convaid
In other formes; and other Pageants plaid.
Whilst in her armes the mother thought she kept
Her Infant saf [...]; Death stole him when she slept.
Sometime he took the mothers life away,
And left the little babe, to lye and play
With her cold paps, and childish game to make
About those eyes, that never mo [...]e shall wake.
Som [...]times whē friends were talking, he did force
The one to leave unfinisht his discourse.
Sometimes, their morning meetings he hath thwarted,
Who thought not they for ever had beene parted,
The night before. And, many a lovely Bride,
He hath defloured by the Bridegroomes side.
At ev'ry hand, lay one or other dying;
On ev'ry part, were men and women crying,
One for a husband; for a friend another;
One for a sister, wife, or onely brother:
Some children for their parents mone were making▪
Some, for the losse of servants care were taking;
Some parents for a childe; and some againe
[...]or losse of all their children did complaine.
[Page 127]The mother dared not to close her eyes,
Through feare that while she sleepes, her baby dyes.
Wives trusted not t [...]eir husbands out of doore,
Lest they might back againe returne no more.
And in their absence if they did but heare
One knock or call in hast, they quak'd through feare,
That some unluckly messenger had brought
The newes of those mis [...]hances they forethought.
And if (with care and griefe o're-tyr'd) they slept,
They dream'd of Ghosts, & Graves, & sh [...]iekt, & wept.
He that o're night went healthy to his b [...]d,
Lookt▪ e're the morning, to be sicke, or dead.
He that rose Iusty, at the rising Sunne,
Grew faint, and breathlesse, e're the day was done
And, he that for his friend, this day did sorrow,
Lay close besid [...] him in a grave the morrow.
Some men amidst their pleasures were diseased▪
Some, in the very act of sin were seized:
Some, hence were taken laughing, and some singing:
Some, as they others to their graves were bringing,
Yea, so impartiall was this kind of Death,
And so extreamly venemous his breath,
That they who did not in this place expire,
Where saved, like the Children in the fire ▪
It may be that to some it will appeare,
My Muse hath onely poetized here;
And that I fa [...]n'd expressions doe rehearse,
As most of those that use to wri [...]e in verse:
But, in this Poeme I pursue the story
Of reall Truth, without an Allegory:
And many yet surviving witnesse may,
That I come short of what I more might say.
But, what I can I utter; and I touch
This mournfull string, so often, and so much,
[Page]As in this Book I doe; that I might show
To them that of these griefes forg [...]full gro [...],
What sorrowes and what dangers [...]hey have had;
That all of us more thankefull may be made:
And if to any these things doe appeare
Or tedious, or impertine [...]t; I feare
That most of them are they, who take no pleasure,
For good and usefull things to be at l [...]isure.
And more delight in Poems worded out,
Th [...] those that are Gods works employ'd about.
Me thinkes, I cannot speake enough of that
Which I have seene; nor full enough relate
What I declare; but [...] it seemes to me
I leave out somewhat that should utt'red be.
For, though in most, the sense thereof be gone,
It was God's Iudgement, and a fearfull one.
And, LONDON, what availed then thy pride,
Thy pleasures, and thy wealth so multiply'd?
Or, then, oh! what advantage didst thou get
By those vaine thi [...]gs, whereon thy heart is set?
How many sev'rall Plagues did God prevent,
Befo [...]e this Iudgement was upon thee sent?
How many loving [...]avours had he done thee,
Before so roughly he did seize upon thee?
And, that thou mightst his purposes discover,
How long togethe [...], did he send thee over
The weekly newes, of those great Desolations,
Which he infl [...]cts on many ot [...]er Nations?
How often did he send, e're this befell,
His Prophets, of his Iudgements [...]o foretell?
How many thousand Preac [...]ers hath he sent,
With teares, to pray, and woo thee [...]o repent?
To [...]ell t [...]ee, that thy pride, and thy exc [...]sse,
Thy lusts, thy surfets, and thy drunkennesse,
[Page 128]Thine idlenesse, thy great impieties,
Thy much prophanenes [...]e, thy hypocrifies,
And other vanities, would bring at last
Those pl [...]gues wher [...] of thou now some feeling hast▪
How did thy Pastors to repent conjure thee?
How st [...]ongly did Gods Ministers assure thee
That all thy love, thy labour, and thy cost
Besto [...]'d on carnall pleasures, would be lost?
That, t [...]ou hereafter [...]houldst become ashamed
Of that whereof thy comforts thou hadst framed;
And that those evills would at length befall
From which no mortall hand reprieve thee shall.
'Thou canst not but acknowledge these things were
Ev'n ev'ry moment, rounded in thine care;
And that thy Sonnes of Thunder did presage
What, for thy sinnes, should be thine heritage.
Yet, thou to heare their message didst refuse.
And, as the stubborne unbeleeving Iewes,
Despised all those Prophets, who foreshew'd
The times of their approaching servitude,
Yea, punisht them, as troublers of the Land,
And such as weakned much the peoples hand:
So, thou accountedst of thy Teachers, then,
But as a crew of busie-headed men,
Who causlesly, thy quietnesse distu [...]bing,
Had for their saucinesse, deserved curbing.
But with amazement, now thou dost behold,
That they have no uncertainties foretold.
For, God in this one single Plague, comprised
Those other Iudgements, all, epitomized;
Which for thy ruine he at large will send,
If this be not enough to work his end.
Observe this Pestilence, and thou shalt see,
That as there may be some one sin in thee
[Page]With other great Transgressions interlaced,
So, divers Plagues in this great Plague were placed,
It shew'd thee (in some fashion) their dist [...]esses,
Whom WAR, in a besieged Fort oppresses:
For, lo, thou wert deprived of all Trade,
As if t [...]y Foes blockt up thy River had.
And, though no armed Host thy wall surrounded,
Yet (which was worse) thou by thy friends wert bounded:
For, wha [...]soever person passed f [...]om
Thy Ports, upon an enemy did come.
And none more cruell to thy children proved,
Then some of thine, who from thy Pl [...]gues removed.
Confusion, and D [...]sorder, threatn [...]d thee,
(On which attendeth all the Pl [...]gues that be)
For, most of thy grave Senate, who did beare
Thy names of office, far departed were,
To other places; leaving thee, nigh spent
And languishing for want of Government.
Yea, they that were thy Trust, and thy Deligh [...],
In times of health, did then [...]orsake thee quite;
To teach us, that those men, and vanities,
Which have our hearts, in our prosperities,
Will in affliction be the first who leave us;
And, when we most expect, then most deceive us.
Oh! whither then; oh! whither were they gone,
Who, thy admired Beauty doted on?
Where did thy Lovers in those dayes appeare,
Who did so court thee, and so often sweare
Affection to thee? whither were they fled,
Whom thou hast oft with sweetest junkets fed?
And they, whom thou so many yeares, at ease,
Didst lodge within thy fairest Pal [...]ces?
Where London, were thy skarlet Fathers hou [...]'d,
Who in thy glory, were to thee espous'd?
[Page 129]What were become of all thy children, whi [...]h
W [...]re nursed at thy brest, made great, and rich
By thy good-huswifry? and whom we see
In thy prosperity so hugg'd of thee?
Where were thy rev'r [...]nd Pastors, who had pay
To feed thy Flocks, and for thy sinne to p [...]ay?
(I must confesse) the meanest, and some few
Of better sort, were in affection true,
And gave thee comfort. But, oh! where were those,
Those greater ones, on whom thy hand bestowes
The largest portions? Those, who have profest
A zealous care of thee, above the rest?
Those, who (as I conceive) had undertaken
A charge that should not then have beene forsaken?
Those many silken-Doctors, who did here
In shining satten Casso [...]ks late appeare?
They who (till now, a thing scarce heard of ever)
Do flaunt it in their Velv [...], Plush, and Beaver.
And they, whom thou didst honor far above
Those meane ones, who, then, shewed thee most love?
Where were they? &, where were thy Lawyers too
That he [...]etofore, did make so much adoe
Within thy Courts of Iustice? Pre [...]hee, where
Were those Physitians, who so forward were
To give thee physick, when thou neededst l [...]sse,
And wert but sicke, of ease, and wantonnesse?
Where did their foot-cloth [...] wait? whe [...]e couldst thou call
For their assistance? what became of all
Their Diets, and Receipts? and why did they
In that necessity depart away?
Where lurckt those Poe [...]asters, who were wont
To pen thy Mummeries, and vainly hunt
For base reward, by soothing up the Crimes
Of our Grand Epicures, in lofty Rimes;
[Page]And doe before each others Poems raise
The huitlesse Trophees of a truthlesse praise?
Da [...]'d none of all those matchlesse wits to tary
This b [...]unt? That his experienc'd Muse might cary
This Newes to after times; and move compassion,
By his all-moving straines of Lamentation?
What, none bu [...] me? me onely leave they to it,
To whom they s [...]ame to yeeld the Name of Poet?
Well▪ if they ever had a minde to weare
The Lawreat Wre [...]th, they might have got it [...]ere:
For though that my performance may be bad,
A braver Subject, Muses never had.
Where were thy t [...]oups of Ro [...]ers? where were they
Who in thy Chambers did t [...]e wantons play?
Provoking God Almighty, down [...] to cast
Those plagues from which they fled away so fast?
Yea, wh [...]ther were tho [...]e Nothings, all retir'd,
Of whom thou wer [...], of late, so much desir'd?
Alas! was there not any of all these
Who staid to comfort thee, in this Disease?
Did all depart away? And, being gone,
Leave thee to beare thy sorrowes all alone?
Left they upon thy Tally all that sin,
Which had by them and thee, committed bin?
Yes, yes, they left thee: ev'n all [...]hese: and they
So left thee, London, when they went away,
That thy afflictions they did aggravate,
And make more bitter thy deplored Fat [...].
A Dearth mixt also in this P [...]st was found,
For they who did in riches most abound,
(And should have holpen to relieue the poore)
Departing hence, diminished thy store.
To other Borroughes they themselves betooke:
Their sick distressed brethren, they fo [...]sook [...],
[Page 130]And, lest on those th [...]t would be hospitable,
A b [...]rthen which to beare they were unable.
Those few, of worth, who did in thee remaine,
Had multitudes of beggers to sustaine;
And, from the Country (as before I said)
The sending of supply was long delaid.
There was a Famine also, which exceeded
This other; though the same by few was heeded.
We had not so much scarcity of bread,
As of that food wherewith our soules are fed.
For, of our Pastors (in the greatest dangers)
Som [...] left us to the charity of Strangers.
And, many soules, whom they were bound to cherish
Depriv'd of timely sustenance, did perish.
Who could have thought, this Vineyard, heretofore
So fruitfull; and wherein the salvage Bore
Of Turky rooted not: and whose thick fence
Hath long time kept, the Bulls of Bashan thence;
Should then (ev'n in the Vintage t [...]me) be found
So bare of what, so lately did abound?
And, then (a thing worth note) when ev'ry Field
And meanest Villages did plenties yeeld?
Indeed, not long before, we surfeted,
And plaid the wantons with our heav'nly bread.
Our appetite was cloy'd; and we grew dainty,
And either loath'd, or murmur'd at our plenty.
Yea, many of us, when at will we had it,
By private Cookeries, unwholsome made it.
For which, and for our base unthankfulnesse,
Our portion and allowance waxed lesse:
And, we who (like fond children) would not eat,
Vnlesse, this man, or that man carv'd our meat,
Then (like poore folks, that of meere almes do live)
Were glad to take of any that would give▪
And of the best of those that had the ch [...]rge
To sp [...]ead God [...] [...]able ▪ so [...]e g [...]ew faint and tired
By th [...]i [...] perpetu [...]ll trav [...]ile: some expired
Their p [...]infull soul [...]s, and freely sacrifiz'd
Thems [...]lves for us, t [...]at we might be suffiz'd.
Among which [...]ap [...]y number I doe [...]lesse
The memory of learned Mak [...]r [...]sse,
And zealous Eton, who [...]e l [...]rge [...]ng [...]g [...]tions,
Bemoan'd their losse with h [...]a [...]ty l [...]me [...]ations.
And worthily: for, [...]hey di [...] labour here
Wi [...]h cheerfuln [...]sse and in their C [...]lli [...]gs were
So truly diligent w [...]i [...]st vigour lasted,
That they then li [...]e blood, yea [...]hei [...] spi [...]its wasted;
And ev'n unslackt the very ne [...]ves and powres
Of their owne soules, to helpe enable ou [...]s.
To bury, nigh a hundred in a day,
To church, to [...]arry, study, preach and pray;
To make b [...] times; at ni [...]h [...] late watch to keepe;
To be distu [...]b'd at midnight from their sleepe;
To visit him that on his death-bed lyes;
Oft to communicate; more oft baptize;
And daily (and all day) to be in action,
As were those two, to give due satisfaction
To their great Flocks; mo [...]e Laborers there needed;
And their consumed strengths, it much exceeded.
But they are now at re [...]: their w [...]ke is done,
Their Fight is finished: th [...]i [...] G [...]ale is won:
And, though no Troph [...]e I to them can raise,
Save, this poore withe [...]'d Wreath of mortall praise;
Their Master (to reward their faithfulnesse)
For them rese [...]ved Crownes of Happinesse;
Because, unto his houshold, they the Bread
Of life, in season, have distribute [...].
[Page 131]Nor was the [...]ood of life diminisht more
By such mens want alone, then heretofore.
But, to our discontent, we also had
Our d [...]e allowances the sho [...]ter made
Ev'n by command. Fo [...], some (I know not why)
Had [...]alsely mis in [...]orm'd Autho [...]ity,
That o [...]r promiscu [...]us meetings, at the Fast,
Increast the Plague: which wa [...] beleev'd in hast.
And being urg'd, pe [...]haps, with such fane shewe [...]
Of Reason, as [...]onj [...]cture cou [...]d in [...]u [...]e;
(The matt [...]r [...]ei [...]g aggrav [...]ted too,
With suc [...] [...]ntruth [...], as t [...]ave [...]l to and fro)
The publike p [...]eaching on the Fasting day,
Was, in an evill season, tooke aw [...]y.
For, when the flesh was fed, and soule deprived
Of two Repasts, whi [...]h weekly we received,
Prophanenesse, and hard-hea [...]tednesse began
To get new rooting in the mind of man.
We miss [...] those good helpes, and those examples
Which had beene prea [...]hed to us in our Temples.
The poore did want full qui [...]kly, to their griefe,
Those Almes the Fast b [...]ought out for their reliefe.
And, when with Prayers, Preaching did not goe,
Our cold Devotions, did far colder grow.
VVhat instrument of mischiefe might he be
VVho caused that? And, what a [...]oole was he!
If Wensday-Sermons holpe infect; I pray
VVhat kept us safer on the Sabbath day?
Since most fast then till noone without refection?
Or, what at Funeralls, did stop infection?
Good God! in thy affai [...]es, how vaine (to me)
Doth carnall Policy appeare to be?
How apt is flesh and blood to run a course,
Which makes the soules condition, worse and wo [...]se?
[Page]To vent [...]re on eternall death how toward!
And in a temporall danger what a cowa [...]d!
Su [...]e, had not such a [...]roject, had a scope
Beyond the reaching of the D [...]vils hope,
And be [...]n too damnable for any on [...]
To be his Procurator thereupon;
Some w [...]l [...] have made the motion that we might
Have liv'd [...]xclu [...]ed from our Churches quite:
And, that [...]ill [...]od his hand should please [...]o stay,
None [...]hould in publ [...]ke, either preach, or pray.
'Twa [...] well the weekly number of the dead,
By Gods meere m [...]rcy, was diminished,
Before t [...]e prohibition of the Fast:
The Fi [...]nd had els [...], for evermore, di [...]g [...]ac't
That Discipline: and carnall Pol [...]cy
H [...]d so insulted o're Divinity,
That, in succeeding Ages, men unholy,
Would thence have proved, such Devotion, Folly.
But, God prevented it, that we should take
Go [...]d n [...]tice of it; and good uses make:
And I have mention'd it, that here I may
God's Wis [...]dome and Man's foolishnesse display.
Oh▪ let us to our Fasts againe returne;
Let us, for our omissions truly mourne;
And not capitulate with God, as tho
He, first his Rod out of his hand should throw,
He [...]e we would come unto him: for, if thus
A son of ou [...]s should beare himselfe to us,
It would our [...]ire exasperate the more;
And make the fault seem greater then before.
Why should we in an action that is just
The mercy of our gracious God distrust?
Or, unto any place be loath to go,
Where God is to be heard, or spoken to,
[Page 132]Through feare of that which may be caught at home
And in a thousand places where we come?
Our sinnes and plagues were publike: so should wee
In Pray'rs, and Teares, and Almes, and Fastings be.
[...]or, that s [...]rong D [...]vill which hath tortur'd thus
Our generall body, is not cast from us
By single Ex [...]rcismos: neither [...]hall
Our p [...]iv [...]cies advantage us at all,
Except in what conduces to the health
Of private men, or of their private weal [...]h.
If we in close retirements (by our feare)
At ma [...]kets, or where worse Assemblies are,
Infected grow: the Devill, by and by
With us perswadeth, either to belye
The Church, our constant Fasting, or some one
Good wo [...]ke, or pious action we have done.
(As visiting the sick, in ti [...]e of need,
Or any other such like Christian deed)
For, he those practices doth greatly spight,
And, to disparage them hath much delight:
Because he sees, that such as are inclinde
To pious meanes, will soone by triall finde,
Good hopes to thrive beyond their expectations;
Their knowledge, foole his cunning machinations;
Their faiths grow strong; temptations weak appeare;
Their joy most perfect, where most sorrowes are;
And know, that when the Lord of Hoasts is armed,
With all his Iudgements, that, he least is harmed,
Who, bold through Love, selfe-trust quite f [...]om him throws
And, runs with cōfidence to meet his blows.
Let no man then be fearfull to repair [...]
Vnto the house of Preaching, or of Pray'r;
Or, any whither else, those works to doe,
Which he by Conscience is obliged to:
[Page]No, though the Devill in the passage lay,
Or strow'd most [...]earfull dangers in the way.
For, if in such a case, our death we t [...]ke,
Our death, shall for our best advantage [...]ake.
Yet, let none thinke I this opinion cary,
That ev'ry Church, will be a Sanct [...]a [...]y,
To all [...]hat come For, sure, if any dare
Without Devotion ▪ in Gods house appeare,
To them, that pl [...]ce, more pe [...]ill threaten [...], then,
A chamber thronged with infected men.
Some fainted in the Church, as others did
Within their houses (where themselves they hid)
Yet not so o [...]ten. For▪ though some did please
To blame the Church for spreading this disease,
No places were more harmlesse. None did we
Beh [...]ld more healthy, or to sc [...]pe more free
From this Infection, then those persons, whom
We saw most often, to Gods worship come.
Nor were there any houses more infected
Then theirs, who most th [...] hous [...] of God neglected.
I spe [...]ke not this by rumor: For, ev'n thither
Resorted I, where thronged were together
The greatest multitudes: And day by day
I sate▪ where all the croud I could survay.
Yet, I nor man, nor childe, nor woman saw,
To finke, looke pal [...], or from their place withdraw▪
And, d [...]ubtlesse, if such faintings there had beene,
As many prated of; I some had seene.
Which, since I did not see, I wish ag [...]ine,
None would at such a time, Gods house refraine,
Except in Congregations not their owne,
And w [...]ere in [...]ection feared is, or knowne:
Or in their owne Assembly, where disorder
Committed wilfully, the Pest may further.
Their [...]afet [...]es may [...]ome other wa [...]es impaire.
Excepting to ( [...]n [...]imes of Visitation,
When they a [...]e ma [...]kt with ma [...]kes of Separation,
As Rising, Bl [...]es, or So [...]es. O, newly f [...]om
The [...]mpany of such like pe [...]sons, come.
Or, whensoe [...]er they or do [...], or may
Suppose themselves Infectio [...]s any way.
These (as t [...]e [...]epers did, by Mose Law)
From publike Congregations should withdraw,
For, sure, if any such themselves intrude
To mixe among a h [...]althy Multitude,
(Though p [...]ayers or devotions they pretend,
Or whatsoever o [...]her pious end)
Their foolish practise is vnwarrantable;
Yea, their condition so uncharitable,
That I abhorre it: and bel [...]eve that for
So doing, God their prayers doth abhor [...]e:
And, here, (although it may impertinent
By some be thought) I canno [...] chuse but vent,
How I dislike, ou [...] so much liked fashion
Of b [...]riall, where the publike Congregation
Are bound to meet: And then▪ especially,
When of [...]nfectious griefes great number [...] dye.
I know both Custom [...], and Opinion, have
So rooted thi [...], that I my breath may save
In reprehending it. Yet, when I must
Be tak [...]n hence, and turne againe to dust,
Let nought but Earth and Heav'n my carkasse cover,
And neither Church nor Chappell roof [...] me over;
Nor any other Buildings, saving those
That on [...]ly serve, such reliques to enclose.
For, though I doe ingenuously confesse,
W [...] should to shew our Christian hopefulnesse
[Page]Of rising from the dead, lodge decently
Their flesh, who in Christs Faith p [...]ofesse to dye:
And, that Churchyards, or plots distinguisht from
The vulgar use, doe best of all become
That purpose. Yet, I know the common guise
Of bur'ing in the Church, did first arise
From ancient Superstition; and to gaine
Some outward profit, to the priestly tr [...]ine.
For, many simple men were made conceive
That if (when they were d [...]ad) they might have leave
To rest within those plots of hallowed ground,
Which either Church or Chappell did surround▪
No wicked Spirit should permittance have,
To trouble or abuse them, in the grave:
Whereas (which yet old fooles beleeve they do [...])
They might else rise, and walke at midnight too
About their streets, and houses, or crosse wayes;
Till some Masse-monger them at quiet lay [...]s:
And then it was suppos'd, how much the nigher
They lay unto their Altar, or their Choïre,
By so much more the safer they should rest;
Which [...]ought no petty summes to Dagons chest:
Thence was it, that our Churches, first of all,
Were glaz'd with Scutchions like a Heralds hall;
And that this age in them depainted sees
So many vaine and lying Pedigrees.
Thence comes it th [...]t we now adayes behold
Some Chancels filled up with rotten, old,
And foolish monuments. From hence we see
So many puppet Images to be
On ev'ry wall within our Oratories:
So many Ep [...]taphs, and lying stories,
Of men deceast▪ and, thence the guise was gotten,
To let so many Banners dropping rotten
[Page 134]Deforme our pillars; and withdraw our [...]yes
From picus objects to those vanities.
If any man desirous be to lye
Within a Monument, when he shall dye:
Let [...]v'ry noble Family erect
Without their Cities some faire Architect,
Within the compasse of whose roofed wall
There may be founded some good Hospitall
Or build [...]ngs for the law [...]ull r [...]reation
O [...] youth, and for the honor of the Nation.
And of that Name or kin, w [...]en any dyes,
There lay their bones; or to their memories
Erect there Tables. And, let them tha [...] had
Such minds, and fortunes, to the Structure ad [...]e.
Yea thith [...]r (if they please) let them transl [...]te
Their Ancestors. But, I have spoke too late,
Those time [...] [...]re past in which our noble ones
Were able to [...]rect such piles of stones
As might be emin [...]nt. Our kingly race
Had by the s [...]ven [...]h H [...]n [...]y such a place
Erected for them, so magnificent,
That to this Land it is an ornament.
[...]et them th [...]t cannot reach the cost of these,
Raise Cawsies, Bridge [...], and make Docks, and Keyes
For publike use: which with as little cost
As now upon th [...]ir pedling Tombe, is lost,
Should make them live farre longer in their fames;
For▪ we would [...]hose entitle by their Names.
All they that love their Country, [...]ow they know
Which way they may their money best b [...]stow,
( [...]o memorize their Friends, with profiting
The publike) will consider of this thing
And build them Tombes where we may praise the work▪
Not in a Church obscure, unseene to lurke,
[Page]Where few shall view them; and where most who shall
Be [...]old them, take no heed of them at all.
If some good Patriot woul [...] begin the fashion,
It [...]ig [...] allu [...]e, perhaps, to imitation.
And if it were not gr [...]edinesse of gaine
Am [...]ng Church-Officers, whi [...]h did maintaine
Such Custom [...]s w [...] should som [...]what more forbeare
To lay so [...]any sti [...]king bod [...]es there
Where God we s [...]ke (and him should seeke to finde,
With [...]urity of body, and of m [...]nde)
Indeed our s [...]ne, alone pollutes; and y [...]t
An ou [...]ward decen [...]y is a [...]so fit.
Was't well, that in the Church (where throngs and beat
Did mak [...] us in the croud to pant and sweat)
Ev [...]n in the midst of our Devotions too,
Men should, as oft it pleased t [...]em to doe,
Thrust in (where we could hard [...]y stand in e [...]se)
With f [...]ure or five strong sm [...]lling Carkasses?
Was' [...] fit, so many Gr [...]ves, at such a season
Should g [...]e and brea [...]h upon us? was it reason▪
That heaps of ru [...]bish, C [...]ffin-boards, [...]nd stones▪
Late bu [...]y' [...] bodies, and halfe [...] [...] bones,
God's Templ [...] should poll [...]te? a [...]d make it far
More loath some, then most Charnell [...]ouses are?
Was't fitting that to gaine their griping fees,
They should endang [...]r multitudes to leese
Their lives, or healths? or, that they should fulfill
A fool [...]sh motion in a dead mans will,
By wronging o [...] the living? God [...]orbid
It should [...]e reason; and yet, thus they did.
Thus did they? yea, far worse: f [...]r should I tell
At what high rates, some Churchmen, here, did sell
Their burying grounds: What feet they did exact:
H [...]w Readers, Clarkes, and Sextons did compact,
[Page 135]To racke the de [...]d: to what a goodly summe
Their large Church-duties (in some cases) come:
What must [...]e p [...]id for Bearers, though m [...]n have
Their friends to helpe convey them to the grave:
What for the B [...]lls, though not a Bell b [...] rung:
What, for their mourning clothes, though none be hung
V [...]on them but their owne: what pay did passe
For F [...]n [...]rall S [...]rmons, where no Sermon was:
And, what was oft extorted (without shame)
To give him leave [...]o preach, who f [...]e [...]ly came:
If her [...] (I say) I should discover [...]hat
I might, of t [...]ese things m [...]n [...]ioned, rel [...]e,
Those men who die, that charges they may s [...]ve,
Would f [...]are they might be legger [...]d in the Grave:
For, more [...]o take th [...] lodging ha [...] [...]eene spent,
Then would h [...]ve bought a pret [...]y tenement.
Thus, a [...] one matter drew another on,
My Muse hath diuers things discourst upon
To many sund [...]y purposes: but, what
I chiefly in this Can [...]o aimed at
VVas, to prese [...]ue in mind an awfull sense
Of what we suf [...]red in this Pestile [...]ce:
VVhat we deserved; and how variously,
Gods Iustice, this one Cors [...]ve d [...]d apply,
To eate out all Corruptions, which be spotted
Our soules, and h [...]d ere this our bodies rotted.
I might as well have memorized here,
How diversly God's Merci [...]s did appeare,
Amid his Iudgements: [...]ow he comforted,
VVhen outwa [...]d com [...]o [...]t failed: how he sed,
VVhen oile and meale w [...]re wasted: how he gaue
Their lives to them, whose feet were in the graue.
VVhat Patience ▪ what high Fortitude he granted,
And, how he still supplyed what we want [...]d.
[Page]I might commemorate, a world of Grace
Bestow'd in this affliction, on this place,
Both common, and in private. Many a vow
(Of theirs, who will, I feare, forget it now)
Was daily heard. Ten thousand suits were daigned;
Repri [...]ves, for soules condemned were obtained▪
Frie [...]ds prayd for friends; the parents for the lives
Of their deare children▪ Husbands for their wives;
Wives for their husbands beg'd with teares & passiō,
And, God with pitie heard their lamentation.
In friends, in servants, in the temporall wealth,
In life, in death, in sicknesses, and health,
God manifested Mercy. Some did finde
A Friend, to whom till then, none had beene kind.
Some, had their servants better'd, for them, there,
By Gods correction. Some, left wealthy were
By dying kindred, who the day before
Were like to beg their bread from doore to doore,
Some, by their timely deaths were taken from
Such present paines, or from such woes to come,
That they are happy. Vnto some, from heav'n,
The blessing of a longer life was giv'n,
That they might call [...]o minde their youthfull times
Repent omissions, and committed crimes;
Amend their courses, and be warisome
That they displeas'd not God, in [...]imes to come.
Againe, some others by their sicknesses,
And by the feares they had in this Disease,
Grew awfull of Gods Iudgements; and withi [...]
Their harts, good motions were, wher none had bin▪
Ev'n in their hearts who fear'd nor God nor Devill,
Nor guilt of sin, nor punishment for [...]vill.
And, some had health continu'd, that they might
Gods praise ex [...]oll, and in his love delight.
[Page 136]Should I declare, in what unusuall wise
God op'ned here their soules dimsighted eye [...],
Who blinded were before; how nig [...] they reacht
To highest Mysteries: what things they preacht
Ev'n to their neighbours, and their family,
Before their soules did from their bodies flye;
Or, should I tell, but what young Children here
Did speake, to take from e [...]der folke their feare
O [...] Sicknesses and Death; what they exprest
O [...] heav'nly blisse, and of this worlds unrest;
What faith they had; what strange illuminations;
What strong assurances of their salvations;
And with what proper termes, and boldnesse they
Beyond their yeares, such things did open lay,
It would amaze our Naturallists, and raise
A goo [...]ly Trophee to our M [...]kers praise.
But, this for me were too▪ too large a task,
And many yeares and volumes it would aske,
Should I in these particula [...]s record
The never ending mercies of the Lord.
For, he that would his meanest act recite,
Attempts [...]o measure what is infin [...]te.
That story therefore, in particular
To med [...]le with I pu [...]pose to defer
Till in the Kingdome of eternity
My soule in honor of his Majesty
Shall Halelu [...]ah [...]ing; and over-looke
With hallow'd eyes, that great eternall Booke,
Which in a moment to my view shall bring
Each passed, present, and each future thing,
And there my soule shall read, and see revealed
What is not by the LAMBE, as yet, un [...]ealed.
Meane while Ile cry Hosannah, and for all
His love to me, and mercies generall,
[Page]His three times holy, and thrice blessed Name
I p [...]aise, and vow for aye to praise the same.
The fifth Canto.
The Author justifies againe
His Method, and his low [...]y Straine.
Next, having formerly made knowne
The common Feares, he tels his owne.
Shewes with what thoughts he was diseased,
When first the Plague his lodging seized:
Of what God's Iustice him accused;
Vpon what Doubts, or Hopes, he mus [...]d;
On what, and how, he did resolve;
And who from Death, did him absolve.
The Plagues encrease, he then expresseth:
The Mercies of the LORD confesseth:
Emplores that he himselfe may never
Forget them, but, be thanke [...]ull ever:
Then, mounting Con [...]emplations wings,
Ascends to high and usefull things.
From thence his Muse is called downe▪
To make Great Britaines errors knowne:
Wherein, he doth confesse a sailing;
And (his infirmities bewailing)
Is fitted and resolv'd anew,
His purpos'd Message to pursue:
And, having fi [...]st anticipated,
His Arrant is, in pa [...]t, rel [...]ted.
PErhaps, the nicer Cri [...]ickes of these times,
When they sh [...]ll sl [...]ightly view my lowly Rimes,
(Not to an end, these Poems fully reading,
Nor their Occasion, nor my Aymes, well h [...]eding)
[Page 137]May taxe my Muse that she at random flyes;
For want of Method, makes Tautelogies;
And commeth off, and on, in such a fashion,
That▪ oft she [...]a [...]les their curious expectation.
It is enough to me, that I doe know
What they commend, and what they disallow.
And let it be enough to them, that I
Am pleas'd to make such faults for them to spy.
For I intend the Method which I use▪
And, if they doe not like it, they may c [...]use.
They who in their Composures, keep the fashion
Of elder times, and write by imitation;
Whole quaint Inventions must be trimd and trickt,
With curious dressings, from old Authers pickt;
And whose maine workes, are little [...]l [...]e, but either
Old scattred Peeces, finely glew'd together;
Or, some concealed Structures of the Braine,
Found our (where long obscured they have laine)
And new attir'd: These, must (and well they may)
Their Poesies in formall garbes aray,
Their naturall defects by Art to hide;
And, make their old new-straines the Test abide.
These, doe not much amisse, if they assume
Some [...]stridge feath [...]rs, or the Peacockes plume
To strut withall: nor had I greatly h [...]eded
That course of theirs, if they had not proceeded
To c [...]nsure mine. My Muse no wh [...]t envies
That they from all their he [...]thnish Po [...]sies
Have skumm'd the Creame & to themselves (for that)
The s [...]ile of Prince of Poets a [...]ogate.
For, Plautus, Horace, Perseus, [...]uvenal,
Yea Greece and Romes best Muses, we may call
Their Tr [...]b [...]taries; since from them c [...]me in
Those Treasures which their princely Titles win.
[Page]Sometime, as well as they I play the Bee:
But, like the Silkeworme, it best pleaseth me
To spin out mine owne Bowells, and prepare them
For those, who thinke it not a shame to weare them.
My Matter, with my Method, is mine owne;
And I doe plucke my Flow'rs as they are blowne.
A Maiden when she walkes a [...]road to gather
Some herbs to strow the dwellings of her Father,
(Or fragrant flow'rs to deck her wedding Bowre,
Or make a nosegay for her Paramour)
She comes into the Garden, and first seizeth
The Flow'rs which first she sees, or what she pl [...]aseth;
Then runs to those whom use or memory,
Presenteth to her thought, or to her eye:
As toward them she [...]asteth, she doth finde
Some others, which were wholly out of mind [...],
Ev'n till that very moment: while she makes
Her prise of those, she notice likewise takes
Of Herbs unknowne before, that lurking lay
Among the pleasant Plants within her way:
She crops off these, of those she taketh none,
Makes use of some, and lets as good alone;
Here plucks the Cowslips, Roses of the prime,
There, Lavander, sweet Marj [...]r [...]m, and Thyne,
Yon [...] Iuly [...]low'rs, or the Damask Rose,
Or sweet-breath'd Violet, that hidden growes▪
Then some againe forenam'd (if need she thinks)
Then Daisies, and then Marigolds, and Pincks:
Then Herbs anew, then Flow'rs afresh doth pull,
Of ev'ry fort, untill her lap is full.
And otherwhile, before that worke be done,
To kill a Caterpiller she doth run,
Or catch a Butterfly; which varies from
That purpose whereabout she first did come.
[Page 138]So, from the Muses Gardens, when I meane
Those flow'r [...] of usefull Po [...]sie to gleane,
Whi [...]h being well united may content
My Christian Friends; or with a pleasing sent
Perfume Gods house, or beautifie, or cheere
My soule, which else would rude, and sad appeare▪
When this I meane; I paint out ev'ry Tho [...]ght,
As to my heart I feele it to be brought:
I t [...]eat of things, as cause conduces to them,
And as occasions, unto me, doe show them.
Some [...]imes, I [...]rom the matter seeme to goe,
For purposes, which none but I may know
Sometime, an usefull Flow'r I may forget;
Anon, into my Nosegay, I doe set
Some other twice; becau [...]e, perchance, the place
Affo [...]ds it better use, or better g [...]ace.
A [...] one conceit I seriously pursue,
That, brings perhaps another to my view,
And that another; and that, many a one,
Which if in M [...]thods Allies I had gone,
Ha [...], peradventure, [...]lse remain'd unseene;
And, in my Gar [...]and might have missed beene.
E're I my pen assume, I feele the motions
Of doing somewhat, and have gen'rall notions
O [...] what I purpose: But, Mogul doth know
As well as I, what path my Mus [...] will goe.
What, in particular, I shall expresse,
I know not (as I hope for hap [...]inesse)
And though my matter, when I first begin,
Will hardly fill one p [...]ge; yet being in,
Me thinks, if neither faintnesse, friends▪ nor night,
Disturbed me, for ever I could wri [...]e.
Vpon an in [...]tant I oft feele my brest
With infinite variety possest;
[Page]And such a troup of things together throngs,
Within my braine; that, had [...] twenty tongues
I shou [...]d (wh [...]lst I assai [...] to utter it)
Twice more, then I could mention, quite forget.
A hundred Masings, which I meane to say,
Before I can expresse them, slip away;
Which to recall, although I much endever,
Oft passe out of my memory, for ever;
And cary forth (ev'n to the wo [...]lds [...]arre end)
Some other thoughts, which did on them depend.
Whilst I my pen am dipping downe in inke,
That's lost which next to tell you I did thinke;
And, somewhat instantly doth follow on,
Which till that present, I ne're thought upon.
This, fo [...]ceth me those Methods to forgoe,
Which others in their Poems fancy so.
This makes me [...]i [...]th to my Concep [...]ions give,
As fast as they the [...]r Beings doe receive.
Left whilst I for the common Midwife [...]ary,
The fl [...]tting is [...]ue of my braine miscary.
And, howsoe're they please to censu [...]e me,
Who but Stepfathers to their Poemes be;
This, is that way of uttrance that e [...]ch Muse
Makes practice of, whom Nature [...]o [...]h infu [...]e:
And, warrant from th [...]ir Naturall strai [...]es do [...]h fet▪
Whom Artifi [...]iall Poets counterfeit.
These a [...]e true Raptures; [...]h [...]irs are imitations,
Or, rather, of old Rap [...]u [...]es ▪ new Translations.
Thi [...] Method long agoe, old Moses used,
When God [...]is Hymne of [...]raise, to h [...]m in [...]used.
Thus, Solomon hi [...] Song of Songs, compased:
And, when thy sin [...]er, [...]s [...]el, was disposed
To praise the Lord or sp [...]a [...]e [...]nto his God,
O [...] ven [...] his passiens in a mou [...]u [...]l Ode,
Those heav'nly Raptur [...]s which we honor so.
As God's good Spirit cary'd him along,
So vary'd he, the m [...]tter of ea [...]h Song.
Now prayes; straight praiseth; instantly l [...]menteth;
Then halfe d [...]spaires; is by and by contented;
The pe [...]son of the changeth; oft [...]epeate [...]h
One sentence; and one su [...]t oft iter [...]teth.
Which manner of expression, s [...]emes to some
So methodlesse, and so to wander from
A certainty, in what he did intend,
That they his well-knit Raptures discommend,
As broken and di [...] jointed; when, indeed,
From ignorance (or from their little heed
To such exp [...]essions, and such mysteries)
Their cau [...]elesse disesteeme, did first a [...]ise.
Yea, Ignorance, not knowing what they meant,
When such an uncouth p [...]th the Muses w [...]nt;
Was wont (long since) to call our soule-rapt straines,
Poetick Furíes: And that Name remaines.
Yet, this old tr [...]ct I follow; this I use;
And, this no true-borne Poe [...] ▪ can refuse.
My scope, I ever keepe, in all my Layes;
Which is, to please, and profit, to Gods praise:
But, in one path, or in one pace to ride,
It is not fi [...] a P [...] should be ty'd.
Sometime he must be grave; lest else, the wi [...]e
The m [...]tter, or the m [...]ner, may despise.
Sometime he must en [...]evor to be plaine,
Lest all that he d [...]ivers be in vaine:
Another wh [...]le, he Parables must use,
And [...]iddl [...]s, lest some should the truth abuse,
And th [...]y that are the Nymrods of the times
Grow mad, in slead of leaving oft their crimes.
Drive all his frow [...]rd Re [...]ders quite away.
Sometimes he must have bu [...]er stroine [...], to keepe
T [...]e sullen Reader f [...]om a drow [...]ie sleepe;
And whip those wantons, from an evill course,
That, without wa [...]ning, would be dai [...]y worse.
Sometimes againe, he must be somewhat merry,
Lest Fooles, of good instruction, should be weary.
Yea, he to all men all things should become,
That he, of many, might a [...]vantage some.
This, m [...]kes me chang [...] the Person, and the Style,
And vary from the matter, other while.
Thi [...], makes me mix [...] smal things, and great together;
Here, I am grave; there, play I with a fea [...]her.
One page, doth make some Reader halfe beleeve,
That I am angry: In the next, I give
The C [...]ilde an Aple. In one leaf [...], I ch [...]de;
I somewhat in another doe provide,
To helpe excuse those [...]railties I [...]eproved:
And those excus [...]s, are in place [...]emoved,
From such reproofes; left following on too nigh,
Th [...] Che [...]k, might without heed, be p [...]ssed by.
This course b [...]c [...]me [...] the Muses. This doth save
Our [...]ines from just reproofe, when Tyrants rave
At our free Numbers: and when Fooles condemne
Our Straine [...], because they understand not them.
Such Po [...]fie is right: and, therefore▪ they
Who study matter, [...]nd what words to say,
Doe falsly arrogate to be inspired;
Since, when they boast their soules are this way fired,
It is but Wine, or Passion ma [...]es them rave:
And thence the Muses their disgraces have.
Most times, when I compose, I watch, and fast.
I cannot find my Spirits, when I taste
[Page 140]Of meats and drinks; nor can I write a line,
Sometime, should I but take one draught of wine.
Men say, it makes a Poet, and doth warme
His braine, and him with strong invention arme.
No m [...]vell then, that most doe reckon me
For none, who of this Age the Poets be;
And▪ that so [...]nviously at me they strike,
For they and I are not inspir'd alike.
In such like workes as these, if I should fill
My head, my Muse would have an empty qu [...]ll;
And▪ that w [...]ich to expresse she then presumes,
Would smother'd be, with vapourings and fumes.
But, when those write; thēselves they first make mery
With Claret, with Canary, or with Sherry.
And these are sure the Deities which make
A sensuall eare, of them, best liking take.
When such as they reprove a sinfull State,
Or would those great enormities relate,
Wherein their times offend; they may be brough [...]
To question for it; and it may be thought
Their sple [...]ne, revenge, or envy, did incite
Their braines to hammer, what their pens did write,
Because they did premeditate, and straine
Their faculties, their projects to attaine.
But, when a man one Subject purposing,
Sits downe to write it, and another thing
(Vnthought upon before) qu [...]te thrusteth out
That matter which at fi [...]st he went about:
When he remembers, that nor spight, nor spleene,
No [...] envy, hath his primus motor beene:
When he perceives, nor dangers, nor disgrac [...]
Can fright him, when such Raptures are in place:
When he doth find, that with much ease & pleasure
He utters what exceeds the common measure
Are none of those strong lines that catch the times)
They from the V [...]rtuous, good respect can draw,
And keepe the proudest vitious-men in awe:
What should he thinke, but that the pow'r of God
Ins [...]ireth him, to show his will abroad?
What nee [...] he feare, but, most undantedly,
Make use of his inspired Facultie?
No arrogance it were, if he, or I,
Should say that God our pe [...]s had spoken by,
To those we live among, since, we might say,
He speak [...]s by all his creatures, ev'ry [...]ay:
Yea, since in elder times it came to pass [...],
That he declar'd his pleasure by an [...]sse.
What should we do but speak, when we are willed?
What can we doe but speake when we are filled?
While wicked men we do [...] remaine among,
With David, w [...] a while may curb the tongue;
But, burne it will within us, ti [...]l we speake,
And forth, at last, some thundring voice will breake▪
And what should then our hearers doe, but learne
Their errors, by our Poems, to disce [...]ne?
Why should they raile at u [...], who neither fea [...]e
Then fury, nor for all their threatnings care?
Why doe they, childishly, our Lines condemne,
That strike but at their sollies, not at them?
Why, so unjustly still, are we pursued,
Who shew them ho [...]v their falls may be eschewed?
And why doe they by seeking of our shame,
Encrease our glor [...]es, and themselves defame?
Whence comes all this, but from that sot [...]i [...]hnesse
Which doth most people of this age possesse?
But, let these questions passe; lest by degrees,
They draw us on, untill our ma [...]ke we leese.
[Page 141]Thus far my Muse hath wilfully digrest,
And of he [...] purpose, now she vents the [...]est.
When divers weeks together [...] had wasted
In vi [...]wing th [...]se afflictions others tasted;
When day by day, [...] long had walkt abroad,
Beholding how the scou [...]ging hand of God,
Afflict [...]d other men, and how, each morning
My going out, and [...]ow my b [...]ck [...]etu [...]ning,
Was ev'ry night in safety; I be [...]an
Gods care and my unworthinesse to scan.
And, 'twas, me thought, a favour, w [...]ich required
To be both much acknowledg'd, and [...]dmi [...]ed;
That (when so many houses, [...]v'ry day,
Were visited) t [...]e place wherein I lay
Stood free so long; co [...]sidering we were many,
And, then, [...]esorted to, as much as any.
But, th [...]re was somewhat needfull to be knowne,
Which no mans griefe could [...] me but mine own.
And, that I migh [...] thereof in [...]ormed be,
God sent at last his Iudgements home to me.
Y [...]a, peradventure, in my soule he saw
Some [...]ailings of my former filiall awe;
Some thanklesnesse; some inward pride of heart;
Or over-ween [...]ng of mine owne desert,
Arising from the mercifull protection
W [...]ic [...] he vouchsafed me from this In [...]ction;
And t [...]erefore sent as my Reme [...]bra [...]cer,
His dread [...]ull, and his bloody Messenger
To t [...]ke his lodging, where my lodgings were;
And put his rage in execu [...]ion there.
For, in upon us, that Contagion broke,
Five soules out of our Gate, it quickly tooke,
And left [...]nother wounded; that I might
Conceive my danger, and Gods love, a [...]ight.
[Page]It fell about the time in which their sum
Who weekly died, to the full was come:
Then, when infection to such height was growne,
That many dropped on a sudden downe
In ev'ry street: yea, when some fooles did tell
The lying Fables of the Falling-B [...]ll
At Westminster; and how that then did flye
No Bird through Londons ayre which did not dye.
Ev'n then it was. And, though some few did please,
By such like tales, and strange Hyperboles,
To overstraine the stories of our so [...]row:
They did but needlesly their fictions borrow
To set it forth. Nay, their false rumors made
Our woes appeare lesse great, then those we had.
Till now, I made th [...] smart o [...] othe [...]s knowne:
The Griefes I next will tell you, are mine owne.
At fi [...]st, I stood as one who f [...]om a Towre▪
Beholding how the swo [...]d doth such [...]evo [...]e
(Who in the streets beneath him fig [...]ti [...]g be)
Accounts himselfe from danger to be free.
But, at the last, I fared, as it fares
With such, whose Foes have made, at unawares,
A breach upon their Bulw [...]rke; and I stood
No meane assaults, to make my standing stood.
For, both within me, and without me, too,
I had enough, and full enough to doe.
No sooner to my Chamber was I gone,
But, I was follow'd straight, and set upon
By strong Assailants, who did much intrude,
And much disease me, by their multitude.
My Reason, who to Faith did lately stoop,
Revolted, and brought on a mighty troup
Of trayt'rous Arguments, whereby she thought,
On this my disadvantage, to have wrought.
Did undermine, and close me, round about.
My Conscience did begin to be afraid
My Faith had beene a false one; who betraid
My Soule to Death: and (whether then it were
The pow'r of strong I [...]fection, or else Feare,
Occasion'd by those combatings within,
Or both together) I did then begin
To finde my body weakned more and more,
And felt those pangs, till then unfel [...] before.
Ev'n many dayes together, so it fared:
And sure, if Superstition could have scared
My better setled heart, there hapned that,
Which I had fear'd, and somewhat startled at:
And (though I never outwardly complained
To any one, of that which I sustained)
That week, in which our house was visited,
And made complete the number of her dead;
I had a sleeplesse night; in which with heat
Opprest, I purged out (in stead of swear)
Round-rud [...]y-spots (and, that, no little store)
Which on my brest, and shoulders, long I wore.
Perhaps, it was the Pestilence, which then
So ma [...]ked me▪ and I, as other men,
By her had beene devour'd, had I not
Through Gods great mercy, my free pardon got.
Which, how, and on what termes, the same I gain'd,
I [...]e now declare. For, though they seeme but fain'd▪
Or melancholy thoughts, which here I tell;
Yet, sure, to smother them, I did not well.
For, some, perhaps will thinke (as well as I)
That none should sleightly passe such musings by:
And some (who at first viewing will surmise,
That in these things I meerly poetise)
[Page]VVill find, perchance, in times that shall ensue,
Expe [...]imentall proofe, that all is true;
Should D [...]rk [...]esse, where her visage, Danger, showes,
( [...]t such a disadvantage) them enclose.
VVhen all alone I lay, and apprehended,
How many mischiefes my poo [...]e soule attended;
I plainly saw ( [...]hough not with ca [...]nall eyes)
God's dreadfull Angell, ready to su [...]prise
My trembling soule; and ev'ry hideo [...]s feare,
VVhich can to any naturall man appeare,
(In such a case, to aggrava [...]e his terror)
Approacht, with ev'ry circumstance of horror.
I [...]aw the Muster of each passed evill,
And all my youthfull follies, by the Devill
Brought in against me, marshall'd▪ and prepared,
To fight the battell which I long had feared.
And such a mult [...]tude of them sur [...]ounded
My Conscience, that I was almost con [...]ounded.
A thousand sinnes appear'd which were forgot,
And which I till that moment minded not,
Since first committed; and more ugly far
They seem'd, then when they perp [...]trated were.
Yea many things whereof I bragg'd, and thought
That I, in doing them, some good h [...]d wrought,
Declar'd themselves against me; and I found
That they did give my soule the deepest wound.
VVhen these had quite enclosed me, I saw
The Tables, and the Volumes of the Law ▪
To me laid open: and I was, me thought,
Befo [...]e the presence of God's Iustice brought,
VVho from her eye did frownes upon me dart,
And se [...]med, thus to speake unto my heart.
(Oh! Readers marke it well; fo [...] to this D [...]ome,
O [...] to a worse then this, you all must come.
[Page 143]Suppose thou not, vaine man, thou dost possesse
This lif [...] till now, for thine owne righteousnesse,
Or that thou merit [...]st mo [...]e grace to have
Then they who now are sent to fill the Grave:
Lo, here, thy Foe hath brought of thy offences
An Army, and so many evidences
Of thy Corruption; that, plead what thou wilt
Of merit in thy [...]elfe, th [...]y prove a guilt
So hainous, that thy soule thou canst not free:
Yet other sinfull thoughts of thine I see.
I search thy heart, and [...] discover there
Deceits, which cannot to thy selfe appeare▪
I know thy many secret imperfections,
I know thy passions, and t [...]y vaine affections;
And, that performances thou hast not made
According to those favo [...]rs thou hast b [...]d.
Vaineglory, profit, or some carnall end,
Thy best endeavor alw [...]yes did attend;
And, as distrusting, God would thee beguile,
An arme of fl [...]sh thou se [...]kest otherwhile:
Not as the second, but the chiefest Cause:
Which from the glory of thy God withdrawes.
Mine eye doth see what arrogance and pride
Thou dost among thy f [...]irest vertues hide;
And, what impieties, thou shouldst have done,
Had I not stopt the course thou though [...]st to run.
Of [...] [...]mes, when others Vices, thou hast showne,
Thou hast forgotten to repent thine owne.
And, many times, thy ta [...]t reproofes have beene
The fruits, not of thy Vertue, but of Spleene.
Thy wanton Lus [...]s (b [...]t that I did restraine
Their f [...]ry, when thou w [...]uldst have slackt the Reine)
Had horne thee he [...]dlon to those deeds [...]f shame,
With which thy evill willers blur thy Name.
[Page]Shouldst thou have done the best that thou wert able,
Thy services had beene unprofitable:
But, thou scarce h [...]lfe thy Talent hast employ'd;
And, that small good thou didst, is nigh destroy'd,
By giving some occasion, needlesly,
Of questio [...]ing thy true sincerity.
God of [...] hath hid thy frailties, and thy sinne,
Which being knowne, would thy d [...]sgrace have bin.
The show of Wit and Vertue, thou hast had,
He, to the world more eminent hath made,
Then theirs, who wiser, and much better are,
Though outward helpes, and fortunes, wanting were▪
And, though thy knowledge, and thy former Layes,
Among your formall Wizzards got no praise,
Yet what they co [...]nted foolishnesse, became
A greater honor to thy sleighted Name,
Then they obtained: And, that Grace (I see)
Begot more pride, then thankefulnesse in thee:
And, I was faine, to let some scandals flye,
To teach unto thee, more h [...]mility.
In all thy wants, thou still hast beene relieved;
From heav'n thou comfort hadst, whē thou w [...]rt grieved▪
When Princes threatned, thou wert fearlesse made;
In all thy dangers, thou a Guard hast had;
In closest prison, thou best freedome gainedst;
In great contempts, thou most esteeme obtainedst;
When, most thy fo [...]s did labour to undoe thee,
They brought most honour, and most profit to thee.
Yea, still when thy destruction was expected,
Then, God, thy peace beyond thy hope, effected.
And, in the stead of praising him for this,
Thou robdst him of much honour that was his.
Tho [...] w [...]rt content, to heare the Vulgar say,
Thy Spirit, and thine Innocence made way
Thou wert a [...]oward, till God [...]id [...]n [...]ue
Thy heart with Fortitude, and f [...]ely gave thee
That innocency which from harme d [...]d save thee.
When God thy Na [...]e div [...]lg'd for some good end,
(Which his w [...]se P [...]ovidence a [...]d soreintend)
Thou took'st the glory of it for thi [...] [...]wne,
And, justly, therefore thy so being knowne,
Hath beene a m [...]n [...]s whereby t [...]y Fo [...] h [...]ve sent
Their sc [...]ndal f [...]r [...]her, then they else ha [...] went.
As soon [...] as, God from trouble [...]id release thee,
(O [...], but w [...]th [...]pes of ou [...]w [...]rd things possesse thee)
Some fruitlesse thoughts d [...]d quit [...] thy heart estrange,
And after such vaine Project [...]ake thee range,
That he was o [...]t compeld to put thee [...]rom
Those blessi [...]g [...], which [...] to thy lips were come;
Lest, being then unseas'na [...]ly received,
Thou mightst of better thing [...] have beene [...]ere [...]ved▪
F [...]w men so nigh g [...]eat Hopes attained [...]ver▪
With such small fortunes and w [...]thout en [...]eavor,
As thou hast done▪ and f [...]we [...] ha [...]e beene crost▪
That way (which thou h [...]s [...] been [...]) in what was lost;
That see and kn [...]w thou mightst, such losse and gaine,
He sent; and, that he neither sent in vaine.
Yea, that those evils which thou h [...]dst in thought,
Should scape the being into action brough [...],
Ill [...]ong [...]es w [...]e stirred to prevent the f [...]ct,
By blazing what was never yet in act:
Bu [...], might have beene, perhaps▪ had not that er [...]ed
Thy heart▪ whereby t [...]y foes would thee h [...]ve harmed.
Thou to refresh thy soule h [...]st pleas [...]res had,
And tho [...] by their abuse, hast f [...]bl [...]r ma [...]e
H [...]r use [...]ll F [...]culties. Thou hast [...]nj [...]yed
Youth, strength, an [...] health; and▪ them hast mis employed.
[Page]Thy God hath made thee gracious in their eyes,
Whose good esteeme, thy soule doth highly prise;
And (of ill purpose though Il [...] not condem [...]e
Thy love, or meaning, to thy selfe or them)
Thou hast full often stole their hearts away,
Ev'n from themselves; and made thine owne a prey
To many passions ▪ which did sometimes bring
Vpon your s [...]lves, a mutuall torturing:
Because you did not in your loves propose
Those ends, for which, Affection, God bestowes.
But, spent your houres (that should have beene employ'd
To learne and teach how you should have enjoy'd
Gods love) that flame, to kindle, in each other▪
Wherein, you might have perished together.
Thou aggravated hast thy pard'ned crimes,
And, it [...]rated them, a thousand times.
Ev'n yet, thou dost renew them ev'ry day;
And when for Mercy thou dost come to pray,
Thou meri [...]est confusion, through that folly,
Which makes thy prayers to become unholy.
Nay, at this time, and in this very place,
Where God in Iudgement stands before thy face,
Thou oft forgetst the danger thou art in;
Forgetst Gods mercy, and dost hourely sin.
Thou dost neglect thy time, and trifle out
Those dayes, that should have beene employ'd about
The service of th [...] Maker. Thou dost give
Thy selfe that liberty, as if to live
Or dye, were at thy choice▪ and that at pleasure,
Thou mightst pursue his worke; and at thy leasu [...].
Thy Talent thou mis-spendst; and here, as though
To looke upon Gods Iudgements were enough
For thee to doe; thou dost with negligence
Performe thy vowes; which adde to thy offence.
[Page 145]And loe, for these thy faults, and many moe;
Whereof thy Conscience thee doth guilty know,
My spotted-Hound hath seized thee: from whom,
That thou with life shouldst [...]eene have to come,
What canst thou say ▪ I could not make reply;
For, Feare, and Guilt, and that dread Majesty
Which I had apprehended, tooke away
My speach; and not a word had I to say.
But Mer [...]y who came arme in arme along
With Iusti [...]e, and about her alwayes hung;
Did looke, me thought, upon me with an eye
So truly pitifull, that instantly
My heart was cheer'd, and (Mercy prompting her)
Such words, or thoughts as these she did p [...]efer.
Tis true most awfull Iustice, that my sin
Hath greater then thine accusations bin▪
The most refined actions of my soule,
Are in thy presence, horrible and foule.
And if thou take account of what is done,
I cannot of ten thousand answer one.
As soone as I am cl [...]sed from my sinne,
To saile my selfe anew▪ I doe begin.
I to my vomit, like a Dog, retire,
And like a Sow, to wall [...]w in t [...]e mire.
I have within my soule, distempers, passions;
And hourely am besieg'd with strong temptations.
My Flesh is weake, except it be to sin;
My [...]pirit faints, when I the goale should winne.
My Will [...]ff [...]cteth most, what is most vaine;
My Memory doth [...]vill best retaine.
That little good [...] would, I cannot doe;
Those evil [...] I detest, I fall into.
The vapours whi [...]h from earthly things arise,
Too often veile heav'ns glories f [...]om min [...] eyes.
[Page]And I, who can sometimes by contemplation,
Advance my soule above the common station,
(The world contemning) do [...] sometime [...] agen
Lye groveling on the ground with other men:
My Faith doth faile; my mounting wings are clipt;
Of all my braveries I quite [...]n stript▪
My hopes are hid; my sins doe me defile;
And in my owne esteeme, [...]y soule is vile.
I will acknowledge all my aherrations,
According to their utmost a gravations;
And here consesse, that I deserve th [...]refore
The losse of Mercies love for evermore;
Which were a greater plague, then to abide
All torments here, and all hell plagues beside.
But, I repent my sinne: loe, I abhore it,
And, with my heart, am truly sory for it.
I feare thine anger, (but, to feare the love
Of Mercy could be lost, would in me prove
A greater horror) and no slavish dread,
But loving feare, this griefe in me hath bred.
It paines my soule, that I who have conceived
Such pleas [...]re in thy favours, and received
Such to ens of thy love, from day to day,
Should passe a moment of my time away
In any va [...]i [...]y; or live to be
One minutes space without a thought of thee.
But, more I grieve, that I should more [...]ransgresse
Then many doe, whom thou hast favour'd lesse.
Although I am a sinner▪ yet I vow,
I doe not in my soule my sinnes allow;
But, I d [...]t [...]st them, and oft p [...]ay, and strive,
That, I accord [...]n [...] to thy Law may live.
(At least I thinke I doe) and hopefull am,
My love to thee is true, though much to blame.
[Page 146]In me there how rely rise (against my will)
Those lusts which I should mortifie and kill:
And as I am enabled, I doe smite
As well the fat, as leane Amalekite.
But, if I have a sin that is become
My Ag [...]g; or as deare as Absolom,
I wish a Samuel, or a loab may
Destroy it e're my soule it shall betray.
For, if my heart hath not it selfe deceived,
It would, wi [...]h willingnesse, be quite bereaved
Of what it most affects (yea, sacrifice
That which is dear [...]r then my hands, or e [...]es)
E're cher [...]sh, wittingly, w [...]thin my bre [...],
A thought, which thy uprightn [...]sse doth detest.
Thou knowest, that I take no pleasure in
That act which I doe feare to be a sin:
Much lesse if I doe k [...]ow i [...] so: and, this
Doth bitt [...]r make it, when I doe amisse.
Though in my wayes my walkings, now and then,
Appeare irregular to other men;
(And other while may shewes of evill make)
Because from thence offences others take,
Yet, thought I not, it lesse offended thee
To use it, then unus'd to let it be,
I would not tread once more in such a path,
To save my life, and all the joy it hath.
But, should it cost my life I canno [...] tell
If (in some actions) I doe ill or well.
For, many times, when I doe se [...]ke to shun
A plash, into a whirlepoole I doe run.
The Wolfe I flye, and loe, a Lyon frights me;
I shun the Lyon, and a Viper bites me.
A scandall followes, if I take my course;
If I divert it, there [...] a worse.
[Page]If I persist in that which I intend,
It giveth some occasion to offend:
If I forgoe it; my owne knowled esayes
I fin, and scandall give some other wayes.
I find not in my actions, or affections
That thing that is not full of imperfections.
I cannot doe a good or pious act
But there is somewhat evill in the fact,
Or in the manner; and it either [...]ends
To this mans d [...]mmage, or that man offends,
Whatever I resolve upon, I finde
It doth not fully satisfie my minde.
I am so straitned, that I know not whence
To finde the meanes of shunning an offence;
And, if deare Mercy, thou assist me not,
My fairest act will prove my foulest blot.
The Wo [...]ld, our Fri [...]nd [...], our Passion, or our Feare,
Hath so intangled us, at unaware,
With manifold engagements; and so drawes
And win [...]es us, by degrees, into that Maze
Of endlesse Wandrings; that it leads us to
That sin, sometimes, wh [...]ch we abhor to doe:
And, otherwhile so strangely giddifies
The Reason, and the soules best Faculties;
That (as I said before) we doe not know
What in our selves to b [...]ke, or disallow.
Yea, we such turnings and crosse wayes doe finde,
That of [...], our Guides (as well as we) [...]e blinde.
The Spi [...]it and the Flesh have their delight,
In things, so diverse, and so opposite;
And, such a Law of sinne doth still abide
With [...]n our Members; that, we swarve aside
Doe what we can: and, while we helpe the one,
To what seemes needfull, th' ot [...] is undone.
To compasse what I thinke my Soule may need,
My Body wants the while; and I am faine
To leave my course, that her I may sustaine:
L [...]ft my engagements, or necessities,
Might my well meant endeavor scandalize.
If I but feed my Body, that it may
Assist my Spirit in some lawfull way;
It straight growes wanton: If I fast, it makes
My spirit faint in what she undertakes:
And, if I keepe a meane; meane fruits are they,
(And little worth) which then produce I may.
If in a Christi [...]n love some houres I spend
To be a comfort to some female friend,
Who needs my counfell: I doe cause, [...]he while,
Another with hot jealousies, to boyle:
Nor know I how my selfe excuse I may
Vnlesse anothers weaknesse I display.
Which if I doe not, or some lye invent,
They censure me unkinde, or impudent.
I can nor doe, nor speake, nor thinke that thing;
But, still, some inconvenience it will [...]ring;
Or, some occasion of anevill, be
To me, or others; or to them, and me.
And from the body of this Death, by whom
But, by my Saviour, can I freed become?
Oh! therefore, sweet Redeemer, succour lend me,
And, from these bogs, and s [...]ares of sin, defend me▪
Deare God, assist in these perplexities,
Which from our fraile condition doe arise.
S [...]t straight, I pray thee, Lord, [...]he crookednesse
Oferring Nature; and these faults redresse.
So out of frame, is ev [...]ry thing, in me,
That, I can hope for cure, from none, but thee.
[Page]To thee I ther [...]fore kneele; to thee I pray;
To thee my soule complaineth; ev'ry day:
Doe thou but say, Be whole; or be thou cleane;
And, I shall soone be pure, and sound, agen.
The Will thou gav [...]st me, to affect thy Will,
Though it continue not so perfect still,
A [...] when thou first bestow'dst the same; accept it,
Ev'n such as my polluted Vessell kept it.
For▪ though it wounded be, through many fights
Continu'd with my carnall appetites:
Yet, i [...] my h [...]arts desire to me be knowne,
Thy Pleasure I preferre before min [...] ow [...]e.
If I could chuse, I would not guil [...]y be
Of any [...]ct di [...]pl [...]asing unto thee.
In all my life, I would not sp [...]ke a word,
But, th [...]t which to thy lik [...]ng might accord.
I woul [...] not thinke a thought but w [...]at might fhow,
That f [...]om thy Spirit, all [...]y [...]usings flow.
I would nor hate, nor love, nor hope, nor feare,
But as unto thy praise it usefull were.
I would not have a joy within my heart,
Of which thou should [...]t not be the greater part.
Nor would I live or dye, or happy be
In life or death; but (Lord) to honour thee.
Oh! let this Will (which is the precious seed
Of thine o [...]e Love) be taken for the deed.
Assist thou m [...] against the potent evill
Of my great Foes, the World, the Flesh, the Devill.
Renew my fainting pow'rs, my heart revive;
Refresh my spirits, and my soule relieve.
Lord draw me, by the cords of thy affection,
And I shall fall in love with thy perfection.
Vnloose my chaines, and I shall then be free;
Convert me, and converted I shall be.
[Page 148]Yea, to my soule (oh God!) and to my senses
Display thy beautie and thy exc [...]lencies
So plaine, that I may have them still in sight;
And thou shalt ever be my sole delight.
The world though she should into pieces teare me
With troubles; from thy love should never scare me;
Nor [...]ble be to tempt me from one duty
To [...]he, with all her pleasure and her beauty.
Behold; I came to seeke thee, Lord; ev'n here,
Where, to attend thy presence most men feare.
Though here I saw the Pestilence withstand me,
I stand to know what worke thou wouldst command me.
From all the pleasures of the world, and from
H [...]r hopes of safety, I am b [...]her come
Where thou art angry: and to see thy frowne
Am at thy feet, with terror, fallen downe.
Yet, hence I would not flye (although I might)
To gaine the chiefest of this worlds delight,
Till I perceive thou bidd [...]st me goe away;
And, then, for twenty wo [...]lds, I would not stay.
I came as heartily as fl [...]sh and blood
Could come (that hath in it so little good)
To doe thee service: and, if dye I must▪
Loe, here I am; and, I pronounce thee just.
Although thou sl [...]y me yet my soule well knowes
Thou lov [...]st me: And Ile trust in thee repose.
Though in my selfe I feele I am polluted;
I finde a better righteousnesse imputed
Then I have lost. Thy blessed Love doth fill me
With joyes, that will rev [...]ve me, though thou kill me.
My sins are great; [...]ut thy compassion's greater.
I ha [...]e thy Quittance, though I am thy Debtor.
And, though my temp'rall hopes may be destroid▪
Yet, I have those, that never shall be void.
[Page]Thus, to the Lord, my soule I powred out,
When I with d [...]ngers wa [...] enclos'd about;
And though I was a sinner, this appeased
His wrath in Ch [...]ist, a [...]d my g [...]iev'd soule was eased▪
He graciously accepted, in good part,
This poore oblation of an humbled heart.
His Mercy se [...]l'd my pardon; and I shook
The Pestilence (which hold upon me tooke)
From off my shoulder, without sense of harme,
As Paul did shake the Viper from his arme.
That weeke, moreover, God beg [...]n to slack
His Bow, and call his bloody Angell backe;
VVho by degrees retyr'd, as he came on.
For, weeke by weeke, untill it f [...]ll to none,
The number which the Pestilence did kill,
VVas constantly, and much abated still.
VVhen we were fleating on that Inundation,
At first we sent a carnall Lamentation;
VVhich like the Raven ( [...]rom Noahs Arke) did flye,
And found nor rest▪ nor hope of remedy.
Then sent we D [...]ve-like Mournings: but th [...] feet
A while could with no resting places mee [...]
Then forth againe we sent them, out from [...]ence
VVing'd with mo [...]e Charity, and Penitence.
And then, they brought an Olive-b [...]anch of peace,
VVhich made us hopefull of this Floods decrease.
The Lord did favour to this Kingdome daigne,
And, brought from thrall, his Iacob, back againe.
His peoples crimes he freely did release;
His ir [...] abated; his hot rage did cease.
His praise had in our Land a dwelling place;
And Mercy there, with Iustice did embrace.
And 'twas a grace to be considered,
That a Disease, so generally spred,
[Page 149](And so contagious) in few weeks should from
So many thousands, to a cypher come.
That our infectious beds, and roomes, and stuffe▪
(VVhich in all likelyhood had beene enough
To keepe the Plague among us, till it had
Our Cities, and our Townes unpeopled made,
Should from their noy [...]omnesse, so soone be [...]r [...]ed▪
Is out of doubt a matter worth our heed.
Yea, tis a Mer [...]y (though most mind it not)
VVhich in this Land should never be forgot:
That from an enemy so dangerous,
So great a City and so populous
Should in three months be purified so,
That all men might with safety, come and goe.
For, e're the following Winter was expired,
The Citizens were to their homes retired:
The Terme from Reading, was recalled hither,
From ev'ry Quarter, Clients came together;
New trading was begun; another brood
Soone fild the houses which unpeopled [...]ood;
Our Gentry, tooke up their old rendevow;
And such a concourse through our streets did flow,
That ev'ry place was fill'd: and, of all those,
(Those many thousands) who their lives did lose
(But some [...]ew mon [...]hs before) no want was found,
The people ev'ry where did so abound.
To thee oh Lord, to thee oh Lord! be praise:
For, thou dost wound and cure, strike down and raise
Thou kill'st, and mak'st alive: thou frownst at night,
And, thou art pleased e're the morning light.
VVhen we offend thee, thou a while dost leave us▪
VVhen we repent, thou dost againe receive us.
To ruine thou deliver'st us; and then,
R [...]turne againe (thou saift) ye sonnes of men.
[Page]For, in thy wisedome thou considered hast▪
That man is like a bubble, or a blast:
A heape of Dust, a tuft of wither'd Grasse,
A fading F [...]owre, that soone away doth passe:
A Moment fled, which never shall retire;
Or smoaking Flaxe, that quickly loseth fire.
An idle [...]reame, which nothing doth betoken;
A bruised Reed, which may with ease be broken:
And therefore [...]ost in Iudgement, Mercy minde,
Yea, in thy greatest anger thou art kinde.
As is the space twixt heav'n a [...]d ea [...]th, above,
So large, to those that feare thee, is thy love.
As far [...]s doth from È [...]st, the West [...]eside,
So f [...]r thou d [...]st from us our sins divide.
Such a [...] a father to his childe doth beare,
S [...]h love is thine, to those who thee do feare.
T [...]y Iustice thou fro [...] [...]ge to age declarest;
But, such as love thee, thou for ever sparest.
I thou but turne away from us, thy face,
Loe, we are breath [...]esse in a moments space.
Thy looke doth us with life againe endue,
And all our losses instantly renew.
As oft as we rebell, thou dost forgive us;
And though into dist [...]esse, sometime, thou drive us;
Yet, alwa [...]es in our sorrowes we were eyed,
And thou didst please to heare us when we cried.
With t [...]rst and hunger faint, some stray'd aside,
To seeke a place where safe they might abide.
With, worse then bands of iron, they were chained,
And in the gloomy sh [...]des of D [...]ath detained.
With h [...] and [...]ick [...]esse▪ they dejected were;
And to deliver them; no helpe was there.
Their wickedness [...] when they were plagued for,
Their soules th [...] sweetest mor [...]ls did abhor.
[Page 150]They for their follies, did afflicted lye,
And, to the gates of Death approached nigh.
Their soules within them were nigh dead with feare;
Yea, they distracted, and amazed were.
But, when to thee they called, they were eased,
And out of all their troubles quite released.
Thou sent'st abroad thy Word, and they were healed;
Thy Wr [...]t of Indignation was repealed
Frō out of Death's black shades t [...]ey were reprieved;
And in their sorrowes and their paines relieved
From East and West, from North & South, and from
Their sev'rall wandrings, thou shalt call them home▪
In ev'ry quarter of the Realme thou soughtst [...]hem;
Yea to their City back againe thou broughtst them:
And there (now) joy [...]u [...]l, and in health they be;
From all their feares, and all their dangers free.
Oh▪ would that men this love would think upon,
And tell their seed what wonders thou hast done:
Would they, Oblations, of thanksgiving, bringing,
Thy works would praise, and publish them, in singing.
Oh! would they were so wise that they might lea [...]ne
Thine infinite compassion to discerne;
And that they would assist me to declare,
How grea [...] thy Iudgements and thy Mercies are!
Though none can of thy favours make relation,
Nor fully utter all thy commendation;
Yet, let us doe our best, that we may raise
A thankfull Trophee to thy boundlesse praise.
Let us, whom thou hast saved, thee con [...]esse.
And to our utmost pow'r t [...]y goodnesse blesse.
Let us proclaime thy bounties, in the street,
And, preach thee where ou [...] Congregations meet.
Let us in private, at noone, morne, and night,
And in all pl [...]ces, in thy praise delight.
The rich, the poore, the feeble, and the strong,
Men, Angels, and all creatures that have name,
Vnite their pow'rs, to publish out thy fame.
But, howsoever, others may endevor,
Let me oh! God, let me oh God! persever
To magnifie thy glory. Let nor day,
Nor any morne, or evening, passe away,
In which I shall not to remembrance bring
Thy Iudgements; and of thy great Mercy, sing.
Let, never whilst I live, my heart forget
Those Dangers, and that strong entangled Net,
In which my soule was hamper'd. Let me see
(When, in this world, I shall best pleased be)
My dangers such appearing as they were,
When me, they [...]ound about enclosed here:
Yea, when, o'rewhelm'd, with terrors, I did call,
Like Ionas, from the belly of the Whale,
And was deliver'd. Lord, remember thou,
That with unfainednesse, I beg thee, now,
To keepe me alwayes mind [...]ull of thy love.
And, if herea [...]ter, I forgetfull prove;
Let this unfainednesse which thou dost give,
An Earnest be, of what I shall receive
In time to come Refresh my cooled zeale,
And let thy Spirit, thy hid Love reveale.
Let nor the fawning World, nor cunning Devill,
Nor wanton Flesh, incite my heart to evill.
Let not my wand [...]ing eyes, be tempted by
Those Objects that a [...]lure to Vanity;
Nor let my eares be charmed by their tongues,
Wh [...] to betray me, chant out Syren-songs.
Let me nor taste a Pleasure, nor obtaine
That carnall Rest, whereof I am so faine▪
[Page 15]Till it shall make me plainly to perceive
Thy love▪ and teach me, foolish paths, to leave.
Let me be still in want; and ever striving
With some affl [...]ctions (whilst that I am living)
Till they for better Fortunes, better me:
And, then, let into Rest, my entrance be.
From yeare to yeare, (as thou hast yearly done)
New sorrowes, and new trials bring thou on
My stubborne heart, till thou hast softned it,
And▪ made it, for thy service, truly fi [...]:
Bu [...], give me hopes, and daily comforts too,
To strengthen me, as thou hast us'd to doe.
And, that, in Iustice, Mercy may appeare,
Inflict (Oh Lord!) no more then I can beare.
I feele (and tremble that I feele it thus)
My flesh hath f [...]ailties which are dangerous,
To mine owne safety: and as soone as thou
Shalt quite remove the feares that seize me now;
My sense of thee, and those good thoughts (I doubt)
May faile within me, or be rooted out.
Some L [...]st may quēch them, or some Care may choke them,
Vaine ho [...]s may vaile thē or new-thoughts revoke thē;
The wisdome of the world, or of the Devill,
Or, some suggestion, in my selfe, that's evill,
May urge, perhaps, that it is melancholy,
Whic [...] fills me no [...]; that superstitious folly
Begot this awfulnesse; that [...]his Disease
Did accid [...]nt [...]lly, our C [...]t [...] seize;
And, that 'tis vaine to muse so much upon
Those times or trou [...]les, that are past and gone.
Oh! rather, then it should in me be so,
Some other house of Sorrow send me to;
And keepe me, Lord, perpetuall pris'ner there,
Till all such dangers overpassed are.
[Page]Nor weale nor woe I crave, but part of either,
As with my tem [...]er best agrees together.
For, joy without [...]hy grace, is griefes encreasing,
And wealth is poverty, without thy blessing.
But if by passing this lifes p [...]rging fires,
Thou shalt so purifie my hearts desires,
That without perill to my hopes of heav'n,
A temp'rall rest may at the last be giv'n;
Vouchsafe it Lord, ev'n for the good of them
Who my best resolutions, yet, condemne.
Let the [...] discerne, thou blessings hast provided,
For that, which they unjustly have derided.
Thou her [...]tofo [...]e didst heare thy Servant call,
And mad'st me free when I was close in thrall.
Oh! to those [...]o [...]tals make me not a scorne,
Who to my Sham [...] my Glory seeke to turne:
But let it in thy time to them appeare,
That thou didst me e [...]ect, and me wilt heare.
Let them perceive (though they my Lott disdaine)
The promise of this Life doth appertaine
To me as unto them. And for their sakes
Whose weaknesse, otherwhile, of [...]ences takes
At my perpetuall scandals; let their eye
Behold the [...]urne of my Cap [...]ivity;
And know tha [...] I have walked in a path,
Which, in this life time, some smooth paces hath.
B [...]t, nought repine I, though this boone thou grant not.
For, that which thou to me deny'st I want not.
I know thy Wisedome knowes what best will fit me:
I know thy Pow'r enough those things to get me:
I know thy Love is large enough to me:
I know thy Pleasure should my pleasure be:
Thy will be done, and hallowed be thy Name,
Although it be through my perpetuall shame.
My pleased soule (and Gods great goodnes heeding)
That I might fill her with contemplating
On him, from whom all happinesse doth spring:
A suddaine Rapture did my Muse prepare
For higher thi [...]gs then she did lately dare.
Me thought, I saw Gods Iu [...]tice and his Love
Installed on one throne in heav'n above.
I had imperfect fights, and glimmering notions,
Concerning some of their parti [...]lar motions,
About this Orbe. I much perceiv'd, me thought,
O those their wondrous works wc they had w [...]ough [...]
In former dayes. And, as within a Glasse,
Some things I saw, which they will bring to passe
In future times. By helpe of Gods great Booke,
(Which for my Ephimerides I tooke)
I had proc [...]r'd a large intelligence
Of Iustice and of Mercies Influence.
There, learned I theseverall Aspects,
And, of those St [...]ries the severall effects:
W [...]ile in co [...]juncti [...]n those two Lights I saw;
The best Alt [...]o [...]o [...]ers could never draw
From all the pl [...]n [...]t [...]ry Constellations
(Ev'n [...] [...]heir best) such heav'nly consolations.
I co [...]d conjectu [...]e of their wo [...]ke divine,
In S [...]xtile, or in Qu [...]drine, or in Trine;
And what pro [...]igious Plagues the world should fright
If their asp [...]ct were wholly Opposite.
Some things, by calculation I discerned,
Which this our British Latitude concerned;
And most of them not much impertinent
For all Mer [...]dians through Earths Continent.
I saw of Weale and Woe the many ranges:
I saw the restlesse Wheele of mortall changes:
Did rise and fall, and [...]ise and fall agen.
I saw the reason, why all Times and States,
Have such vicissitudes, and various fates.
I saw what doth occasion War, and Peace;
What causeth Dearth, and what doth bring Encrease.
I saw what hardens, and what mollifies;
And whence all Blessings, and all Plagues arise▪
I saw how sins are linked in together
As in a Chai [...]; how one doth cause another;
And how to ev'ry linke throughout the Chaine,
Are fixt those Plagues which to that Crime pertaine▪
I saw un [...]eal'd, that hellish Mystery,
Of carnall and meere wor [...]dly [...]olicy,
Whereby the Devill fooles this generation,
And brings on Christendome such molestation.
I saw (as plaine, as ever I did see
The Sun at none) what damned projects be
Veild o're with Piety, and Holy zeale:
And how, a Christian Ath'isme now doth steale
Vpon this age. Forgive me that I saw
A Christian Ath'isme; for, ev'n to betray
Christ Iesus, Christ and Iesus, those two Names,
Are oft usurped; and it us defames.
I saw, why some abuse their holy Calling,
And why so many Stars from heav'n are falling.
I had a Licence given me, to come
Where I might see the Dev [...]ls Tiring-roome,
And, all the Maskes, the Visards, and Disguises,
Which he to murther, cheat, or rob, devises.
And weares himselfe, or lends false-hearted brothers
Therewith to foole themselves, or cozen others.
Here lay a Box of zeale prof [...]ssing Eyes,
Which serve for acting of Hypocrisies.
[Page 135]Hard by, another, full of Double-hearts,
For those who play the Amb [...]dexters parts.
There, stood a Ch [...]st of counterfeited Graces;
Another, full of honest-seeming Faces.
Yo [...]n, hung a suit, which, had some Traytor got,
He might have pass [...]d for a Patriot.
Close by, were pr [...]ss [...] fuls of such suits, as they
Doe wea [...]e (in ev'ry Kingdome at this day)
Who passe for Statesmen; when, God knowes, they be
As far from that, as knaves from loving me.
There, hung those masking-suits, in which the Popes,
And Cardinals, pursue their carnall hopes.
There, were those fo [...]mall Garbs, wherein false friends
Disguise themselves, for some unfaithfull ends.
Faire counterfeits for Bishops saw I there,
So like their habits that are most sincere,
(And so be [...]ainted) that if they were set
Vpon the back of our Arch counterfeit,
He could not be distinguisht from the best
O [...] all those Prelates, that have Christ profest.
There, view'd I all those juggling sleights with wch
Men worke false miracles; and, so, betwitch
Deluded soules There, saw I all the trick [...]
And Fa [...]tosmes wherewithall our Schismaticks
Abuse themselves and others. There (with ruth)
I saw false-Doctrines, t [...]imm'd about with Truth;
Fac'd out, with Fathers; pee [...]'d, and neatly dea [...]ned,
With Sentences, and Sayings, of the Learned.
Yea, with Gods holy Scriptures, interweaved,
So cunningly, as w [...]uld have nigh deceived
Ev'n hi [...] Elect: (and, many a one, alas,
Of these, for Christian Verities doth passe.)
I saw moreover, with what Robes of Light,
The King of Darknesse doth his person dight▪
[Page]To make it Angel like; and how he scrues
Himselfe among our musings, to abuse
Our understandings; how he layes his hooks▪
And baits, at Sermons, and in godly-books;
(Although the Authors had, in their invention,
A pious meaning, and a good intention)
I saw what venome he doth hurle into
Our heert'est prayers, and those works we doe
In purest charity: and how he strives
To poison us in our preservatives.
When all these M [...]skings, and a thousand moe,
My apprehensions eye had lookt into:
From thence my Con [...]emplation rais'd my thought,
And, to a higher Station I was brought.
There, I beheld what ruine and confusion,
Was of these M [...]mmeries, the sad conclusion.
There, [...]aw I what Catastroph [...]s attend
Those Vanities, wherein ou [...] times we spend:
How God still counterworks▪ and overthrowes
The projects of the Devill, and our Fo [...]s.
And, tell I could ( [...]ut that it would be prated,
I some Propheti [...]k spirit arrogated)
Strange newes to those m [...]n [...] eares, who have not learned
What nay, by M [...]litation, be dis [...]erned▪
Yet, all th [...] [...] conce [...]v [...] I cannot write:
Nor would I though I co [...]ld: for, so I might
Throw Pearles to Swi [...]n; of whom I may be torne▪
Be t [...]ampled in the m [...]re, and ma [...]e a scorne.
Nay, tell m [...] sel [...]e I d [...]re not, what I spy,
When I have [...]oughts of most transcendency;
Lest Pride possesse me, and should cast me downe,
As far below, as I on high hav [...] flowne:
For, when we nearest unto heav'n do so [...]re,
(Till we are there) our perils are the more;
[Page]Since, there is wicked [...]esse which we doe call
The wickednesse that is spi [...]itu [...]ll
In he [...]v'nly places And as we doe know
The [...]e is a Light [...]ing which dot [...] oft [...]n goe
Quite thr [...]ugh t [...]e body, to the vitall pa [...]t,
And kill the very spirits at the h [...]art,
Y [...]t never harme the fl [...]sh; becau [...] it m [...]y
Through v'ry por [...]us member make it way
W [...]thout impr [...]ssi [...]n▪ So, from our offences,
Th [...] Devill doth extract some Q [...]ntess [...]ses ▪
Which we may rightly nam [...], the spiri [...] of [...] ▪
And, til [...] ou [...] thoughts have sublimat [...]d bin,
They a [...]e too grosse for that to worke upon.
But, when [...]uc [...] Sublimations are begun,
He do [...]h infuse his [...]hym [...]ca [...]l receipt,
And, [...]ither w [...]k [...] precipita [...]on, st [...]a [...]ght,
O [...] m [...]kes those V [...]tues, which pure gold were thogh [...]
When they shall come to triall, worse then nought▪
I saw this danger (as my soule did flye
To God ward) and the Devills Chymistry,
I lear [...]d how to frust [...]ate; by assuming
H [...]mil [...]y ▪ and shunning high presuming.
I, of those lovel [...] G [...]ace [...], got the view,
Which te [...]ch us how such peril [...] to eschew.
I learned there, how th [...]y m [...]g [...]t be p [...]ocured;
How the [...] continu [...]nce might be still secured;
And, in my pow' [...] i [...] is not to expr [...]sse,
How I was fi [...]l'd with h [...]pes of happinesse.
My thoughts (yet) climbed higher and perceive [...]
A [...]l [...]mpse o [...] thin [...]s [...]h [...]t ca [...]not be [...]onc [...]ived.
The Love of God; the Ioyes that are [...]o co [...]e;
A [...]d many fights [...]hat long were h [...]dden from
My blinded Soule. This, set my heart [...]n fire
To climbe a lit [...]le, and a little high [...];
[Page]Till I was up so high, that I did see
The World, but like an Atome, under me.
Me thought, it was not worth my looking on;
Much lesse, the setting of my love upon.
My soule did strive to mixe her selfe among
The Cherubins, and in their Angell-song
To beare a part; and, secrets to unskreene,
That cannot by our mortall eyes be seene.
And, I would gladly thither have ascended,
Whe [...]e joyes are perfect, and all woes are ended.
As thus I mounted; by degrees I felt
My strength to faile me, and my wings to melt:
My flesh waxt faint; my objects grew too pure,
For my grosse understanding to endure.
A kind of shuddring did my heart surprise,
Like that which comes when sudden thoughts arise.
I far'd like him, who sleeping, dreames of store,
And waking, finds himselfe exceeding poore.
A pow'r unseene, did hold upon me take,
And, to my soule, to this effect it spake.
"I say it was Gods Spirit; if you doubt
"I arrogate, come heare the matter out:
"For, who the Speaker is, that will disclose:
"And, if 'twere he, his Flocke, his language knowes.
Despaire not Soule (it said) though thou art faine
To sinke from these, to common thoughts againe.
Nor murmur thou, that yet thou must not rise
To thy wisht height. God's favo [...]r will suffise
For that which wants; and these high thoughts are giv'n
In earnest of chat part of thine in heav'n,
Which by t [...]y Royall Master is prepared;
And, in thy time allotted, shall be shared.
St [...]ive to ascend; but straine not over long,
Thy cl [...]mbing spirits, lest thou doe them wrong.
And, Heav'n is seldome reached at one flight.
Mount high; but, mount not higher then thy bound;
Lest thou be loft, and all that thou hast found.
Search deepe; but search no deeper then thy pow'r;
Lest some infernall Depth may thee devoure.
Obse [...]ve thy Makers glory by reflection;
But, gaze not overmuch at his perfection;
Lest that great lustre blinde thee. Take thou heed,
Lest while thou thinkst thou homeward dost proceed,
Thou quite be loft: For, though these flights do raise
Thy Soule with pleasure, they are dangerous waye [...].
When higher then the vulgar pitch she towres
She meets with Principalities, and Pow'rs,
Who wrestle with her, that she may not rise▪
Or tempt her on, by Curiosities,
To lead the mind astray, untill it wanders
Among the windings of unsafe Meanders.
Then doth it whirle about, to see things hidden;
Pryes after Secresies that are forbidden;
And by a path, which tends to Heav'n, in show,
Arivéth, unaware, at Hell below.
Take heedof this▪ the way to heav'n is steep;
Yet, e're thou climbe it, thou must often creep.
The worke appointed thee, is yet unended,
And, Gods good pleasure must be still attended
Ev'n in this world, untill he cal [...] thee thence.
His Kingdome must be got by vi [...]lence.
Thou must with many frailties, yet, contend,
Before thy Christian warfare hath an end.
The World is brewing yet another Cup
Of Bitternesse, for thee to swallow up.
Thou hast from Heav'n an Arrand yet to doe,
Which (if God hinder not) will call thee to
[Page]More troubles, and more hatred bring upon thee,
Then all thy former Messages have won thee.
And be thou sure, the Devill will devise
Al [...] sl [...]nders, and all wicked infamies
That may dispa [...]age thee: or [...]ruitlesse make,
That use [...]ll wo [...]ke which thou dost unde [...]take.
Thou must prepare t [...]ine eares to [...]eare the noise▪
Of causelesse thre [...]tnings, or the foolish voic [...]
Of ignor [...]nt [...]epr [...]vers ▪ [...]nd expect
The secret C [...]sures of ea [...]h g [...]ddy Sect.
Thou must provide thy selfe, to hea [...]e great Lords
Talke, withou [...] [...]eason, big impe [...]ious wo [...]ds.
Thou must contented be to make repai [...]e
(If need require) before the Scorn [...]rs Chaire,
To heare t [...]em jeere, and flout, and take in hand
To scoffe at what [...]hey do [...] not understand.
Or say, perhaps, that of t [...]y selfe thou mak'st
Some goodly thing; or th [...]t thou undertak'st
Above thy Calling; or u [...]warranted:
Not heeding from who [...]e mouth it hath bin sed,
"Gods Wisdome oft elects, what m [...]n despise;
"And foolish things, to foole the worldly wise.
But [...]ea [...]e thou n [...]t. For, he that in all places,
And from all dangers, wants, and all disgraces,
Hath hi [...]herto preserv'd the [...]; will secure
Thy safety now. That hand which did procure
Release from thy clo [...]e Thraldomes, and maintained
Thy hea [...]t content, while thou went so restrained;
Will be the same for ever: and, like stubble,
Consume; or, like the weakest water-bubbl [...].
Dissolve t [...]e force of ev'ry machination▪
Whereby the world shall seek thy molestation.
Thoug [...] thou in knowledg [...] ar [...] a Child, as yet;
And, seemest not by outward Calling fi [...]
[Page 156]For such a taske: yet, doe not thou disable
What God shall please to say is warrantable.
His Word, remaineth s [...]ill in date, which sayes,
That, On the children of the later dayes,
He would poure out a measure of his Spirit;
And, thou the [...]eof a portion shalt inherit.
Though thou d [...]spised art; yet God by thee
Shall bring to passe a worke which strange will be
To most beholders; and, no doubt, it shall
Occasion some to stand, and some to fall.
For, men to ruine doom'd, will misconceive it;
And, they that shall have safety, will receive it.
Thy God ha [...]h toucht thy Tongue, and tipt thy Pen;
And, t [...]erefore, feare not thou the face of men,
Lest [...]e destroy thee. For, this day to stand
'Gainst Princes, Priests, and People of this Land,
Thou a [...]t appointed: and they shall in vaine
Contend. For, thou the conquest shalt obtaine.
Al [...]hough that viperous Brood upon thee lights,
Whose pois'ned tongue with killing slander smites;
And, though the ba [...]barous People of this Ile,
Doe thereupon adjudge thee, for a while,
A man so wicked▪ that (although thou hast
The Sea of Troubles, without ship wrack, past)
Gods Vengeance will not suffer thee to live
The life of honest Fame: Let that not grieve
Thy heart a whit. F [...]r, though their eyes doe see
Reproaches, which like Vipers, hanging be,
Vpon thy flesh; th [...]y shall perceive e're long,
That thou (unharmed) them away hast flung.
And they who did exp [...]ct to see thee fall,
For thy firme standing, p [...]aise Gods mercy shall.
Against oppression, he will [...]afe maintaine thee,
Ev'n God, who oft did his protection daigne thee;
[Page]And tooke thy part against all those, that sought
How they thy Muse, to silence, might have brought.
He, that preserv'd thee from this plague, will save thee:
For, he thy life ev'n of meere mercy, gave thee,
To serve him with Thou knowst thou art a Brand,
Snatcht from the flaming fire, by Gods owne hand;
And that to him thou owest, all thou art,
And all thy Faculties, in ev' [...]y part.
Take heed, therefore, that nothing thou refuse
To utter, which he prompts unto thy Muse.
Be constant: and, Elihu-like, beware
That thou accept not persons; nor declare
With glozing [...]i [...]les, that which thou shalt say;
Left God may take thee suddenly away:
But, publish that which he of thee requires,
In termes, and words, as he the same inspires.
For, to this Realme and City thou art sent,
To warne, that of their follies they repent;
To shew for what omissions, and offences,
God sendeth Famines, Wars, and Pestilences;
And to pronounce what other plagues will come,
If their Transgressions they depart not from.
Indeed, of Priests and Prophets, store have they,
And, some of them are like enough to s [...]y;
When came the Spirit of the Lord to thee,
From us, who no such dangers can foresee
As thou pretendest? These are they that share
The pleasures of the time, with such as are
The Lands perdition. These are they which tye
Soft pillowes to mens elbowes; and still cry
Peace, peace; ev'n when perd [...]tion, hanging over
The peoples heads, they plainly m [...]y discover.
But, they that are true Priests of God among them,
And his true Prophets, think not, he doth wrong thē,
[Page 157]If he doe chuse a Heardman: nor will such
[...]nvy the same (or at the blessing grutch)
I [...] all were Prophets, and God pleased were
To make that Gift to ev'ry man appeare.
Though Gods own presence, had made Moses wise;
Yet. Iethro's counsell would he not despise.
He, whom the Angell fed, did also eat
Ev'n when the Ravers came to bring him meat:
And, all that of their spirit partners be,
Will heare what's good, though published by thee.
Behold; this thanklesse P [...]ople (from whose Land
God hath but newly tooke his heavy hand)
Forget already what his mercy hath
Vouchsafed; and his late enflamed wrath.
S [...]e, how they flocke together, to pursue
New mis [...]hiefes, and old follies to renew.
Their evill courses, they afresh begin;
And, ev'n those very purposes of sin,
Whose p [...]osecution this great Plague hath staid,
To finish now they are no whit afraid.
Those Discords which they, many times, pretended,
Amid their feares, should christian [...]y be ended,
(If God would spare them) are againe revived;
And divers new malicious plots contrived.
Those Lusts, of which th [...]y seemed much ashamed;
Those Vanities, for w [...]ch themselves they blamed;
Those Bargains, whic [...] their conscience did perswade
Were wicked; & o [...] [...]od abhorred made them; (thē,
That Pride; that Slo [...]; that Envy; that Excesse;
That C [...]uelty; t [...]at I [...]religiousnesse;
Yea, all that wickednesse pur [...]ude before,
(And which they fai [...] so truly to deplore)
Returnes with intere [...]t; and they contemne
Good things; as if the Plague had hardned them.
[Page]Like Phar'oh, they repented while the Rod
Was laid upon them. But, as soone as God
Removed it; their mindes they changed too;
And would not let their evill customes goe.
Goe therefore instantly, goe draw the Map
Of that great Plague from which they did eseape:
Set thou before their eyes, as in a glasse,
How great Gods Mercy, and their danger was.
Lay open their grosse crimes, that they may see
How hatefull, and how infinite they be.
Declare what mischiefes their enormities
Have caused; and will daily cause to rise.
Pronounce those Iudgements which Gods holy Word
Doth for the Wages of their Crimes record.
And (as the blessed Spirit shall enable,
Thy Muse; and, show thee what is warrantable)
Tell boldly, what will on their wayes attend,
Vnlesse their lives and courses they [...]mend.
D [...]lay it not; and let no worke of thine;
No goodly-seeming hope, or faire designe,
(How promising soeve [...]) draw thee from
This Taske, untill unto an end it come.
For, no affaire of thine shall finde successe,
Till thou hast finisht this great Businesse.
If any man that is thy friend, or foe,
Shall this deride; and say it is not so;
But, that thy Fancy onely eggeth on
Thy Muse: or, that to doe, or leave undone
This worke, were much alike. If any [...]ay
Thou maist proceed herein, with such delay,
As, vulgarly, dis [...]retion thinketh fit:
Or, as thy common Bus'nesse will permit.
Nay, if thou meet, as thou maist me [...]t with some,
Who like a Prophet, unto thee will come;
[Page 158]And (as the Man of G [...]d seduced was,
Who told in Bethel what should come to passe
Concerning Ieroboams Altar there)
Perswading thee, those thoughts delusions are:
That, selfe-conceit, or pride, hath made thee dreame
That thou art bound to prosecute this Theame:
Beleeve them not. For, if that Man of God
Here mentioned, did feele so sha [...]pe a rod,
When his delay was but to eate and drinke;
(Perchance through hunger) and when he did think
A Prophet sent by God, had licenc'd him:
Take heed thou doe not this advice contemne.
For, since this motion urgeth nought that's ill,
Nor contradicteth Gods revealed will;
But rather helpes effect it: since he moves it
So nat'rally, that thine owne soule approves it
To be his act; beware how thou suspect it,
Or how thou shalt be carelesse to effect it.
Let not a worldly wisedome, (nor the scoffe
Of any) from this motive drive thee off.
Take heed the feare of dangers, not the losse
Of carnall hopes, thy purpose, herein, crosse.
Take heed, that Ionas-l [...]ke, thou be not bent
To Tharsus ▪ when thou knowst that thou art sent
To Niniveh. For, all thy doubts, and feare,
Will be as causelesse, as his doubtings were:
And be thou sure, that wheresoe're thou be,
A Tempest and a Whale shall follow thee.
My heart receiv'd this Message; did allow
It came from God; and made a solemne Vow ▪
It would not entertaine a serious thought
Of any worldly thing, till that were brought
To full perfection: no, although it might
Endanger losing my best fortune quite.
[Page]But, oh I how fraile is Man? and how unable
In any goodnesse to continue stable?
How subtile is the Devill? and what b [...]its,
And undermining policies and sleights,
Hath he to coozen us? My soule was raised
So high, e'rewhile, that I admir'd and praised
My blest estate: And thought, with D [...]vid, then,
My heart sh [...]ll never be r [...]mov'd age [...].
But, see, how soone, if God withdraw his eye▪
We fall to hell, that up to heav [...]n did flye.
I would have sworne (when in my Con [...]emplation,
I was ascended to t [...]at lofty Station,
So lately mention'd) that I should h [...]ve scorn'd
The goodl'est prize the Devill could have subo [...]n'd
To tempt me by. I thought, if God had said,
Doe this; that (though the World had all beene laid
To be my wages, if I should delay
The doing of the same▪ but halfe a day)
[...] [...]ve rather cho [...]e to have forsaken
My life: then so to have beene overtaken.
Yet, lo [...]; so craftily a bait was laid;
S [...]h showes of Goo [...]nesse ▪ thereinto convaid▪
[...] meanes of hel [...]e to Piety, pretended;
[...]o me so seem'd it, to be re [...]ommended
By God himselfe; and, such necessity
App [...]ar'd of taking opportunity
As th [...]n it off [...]ed was, that I suspected
I had [...]one ill, the same to have neglected.
N [...]y, to my Vnderstanding, true Disc [...]etion,
And, all the Wisdome of this Generation,
Did [...]o concur together to betray
My h [...]a [...]t; that I did foolishly delay
The Tas [...] enjoy'd. Yea, what I had bgun,
(Proceed [...]d in) and pu [...]pos'd should be do [...]
[Page 159]Before my best affaires; ev'n that I threw
Aside; and other hopes I did pursue.
I brake my Vow, and I was led awry
For that which was mor [...] light then Vanity;
And so my hopes my judgement did beguil [...],
That, I supposed all was well th [...] while.
Most, also, th [...]ught me wi [...]ely to ha [...]e done,
And, [...]uch a fortune to have lighted on;
That o [...]h [...]rs, of my happinesse, began
To talke; and reckon me a prosp [...]rous man.
But, many scandals, passions, and vexations,
Much hindrance, and a wo [...]ld of perturba [...]ions,
Pursued me; to let me unde [...]stand,
That I had taken some wrong [...]ct in hand.
For, though like Ionas, I resolv'd not quite
From Gods commands to make a stubbo [...]ne slight;
Yet w [...]nt I to his Worke the fu [...]thest way▪
And, travell'd, as mine owne occasions lay.
Which he perceiving, s [...]nt a Storme that c [...]est me;
Mad [...] shipwracke of my hopes; my labou [...] les [...] me;
Bef [...]ol'd my wisdom [...]; of [...]uch joy bere [...]t me;
Within the Sea of many troubles lest me;
And, what with speed and ease I [...]ight have done
At first▪ hath long with paine beene lingred on.
Yea, when the Ha [...]v [...]st of my g [...]eat r [...]pute
Was looked for (and most expected fruit)
It proved chaffe; and, plainly I perceived,
That God had suffred me to be d [...]ceived;
To warne me, that hereafter, I should never▪
Omit, for any reason what [...]oever,
His motions; nor with holy vowes d [...]spense:
B [...]t worke his pl [...]sure, with all diligence.
Which after I had heeded, I descry'd
By what, and whither, I was drawne aside▪
[Page]I plainly saw, that what I then had sought
W [...]th hope of comfort, would my woe have wrough [...] ▪
I f [...]und that likely to have beene to me
A Curse, which promised my Blisse to be.
I prai [...]ed God, as for a savour done,
That he did lose m [...], what I might have won:
And what the world did think me hapl [...]sse in,
I [...]ound a gracious blessing to have bin.
I s [...]w my fault; I saw, in vaine I sought
To worke my will, till [...] Gods will had wrought.
I saw that while the furthest way I went,
Gods Mercy did my foolishnesse prevent:
Yea, made it (by his providence divine)
A great advantage to his owne Designe.
And, for my negligence when I had mourned,
To my propos [...]d Labour, I r [...]turned.
I begg'd of God [...]hat he would give me grace,
To be more constant in a godly race.
I did beseech him to bestow againe
Those Apprehensions, which my hopes in vaine
Had made me lose: and that, for my demerit▪
He would not q [...]ench in me his holy Spirit:
But, gran [...] me pow'r to prosecute my story,
And utter forth his Message, to his [...]lory.
My su [...]e was heard: I got wh [...]t I desired:
My soule, with m [...]tter, was anew inspired.
M [...] eyes were clear'd; my heart was new enlarged:
Bold Resolu [...]ions h [...]d all F [...]ares discharged:
And, that which was d [...]sclosed unto me,
Doth appertaine, G [...]eat Britaine, unto the [...] ▪
Come heare me the [...]efore; for, howe're thou t [...]ke it▪
My Conscience bids me, and I meane to speake it.
Within thy pow'r thou hast me; and what e're
Shall good and right in thine owne ey [...]s appeare,
[Page]Thou maist inflict upon me: But, this kn [...]w,
That what I shall declare, God bids me show;
And that, if I for this, have harme, or shame;
My God shall at thy hands require the sam [...].
Oh! let not my requests in vaine be made;
Nor to thy former sinnes, another adde.
And, my sweet Country, and deare Co [...]ntrimen,
Let not these overflowings of my pen
Distastfull be; as if their spring had beene▪
But either from the Gall, or from the Spleene.
Let not this ages false Int [...]rpr [...]ter,
(Which makes both Iudgement and Affection erre)
Corrupt my Text, by their false Commentary,
To make your good opinions to miscary.
For, though in me (as in all flesh and blood)
M [...]ch error hinders from that perfect good
Which I [...]ffect: y [...]t I his meed may claime,
Who makes Gods glory, and your weale his ayme;
And, begs but of his words a pa [...]ient hearing;
And, from your follies a discreet forbea [...]ing.
If there be Truth, and Reason, in the M [...]ss [...]ge,
Let not my person hinder my Ambass [...]ge.
If God shall in his Mercy pleased be,
To make a Factor for his praise of me;
Let none the poorenesse of my gifts de [...]ide,
Since he to no [...]xternall meanes is ty'd.
Despise not what I speake, for what I am;
Vnlesse you find the mat [...]er be to blame.
For, God by Babes and Sucklings, oft, reve [...]l [...]s,
What from the wisest worldlings he conceales.
Both Heav'n and Earth, to witnesse here I c [...]ll,
I dar'd not speake what now I utter shall,
Vnlesse I thought, that God did me inspire;
And would this duty at my hands require.
[Page]Nor dar'd I to be silent, though I kn [...]w
That ev'ry m [...]n had vowed [...]o pursue
My So [...]le to D [...]ath; because m [...] conscience takes
A [...]kn [...]wl [...]dgement, that God w [...]thin me speakes.
I doe not this, for that I se [...]selesse am,
(Oh! Englan [...]) of thy infamy or shame:
For, thy dishonor doth concerne me nearly;
And thee my he [...]rt affect [...]th far more dearly,
Then cow [...]rds doe their lives. I would dist [...]ll
My blood (as inke is drained from my quill)
Ev'n drop by drop; or else, at once, le [...] all
Gush forth, to save thy honor from a fall.
I aime not at a vaine or fruitlesse glory,
B [...] d [...]ring: for, I know the mortall story
Of all the glorioust actions, that are under
The heav'ns large curt [...]in, are but nine daies wō [...]er.
And that the most deserving workes we doe,
M [...]y ruin [...] us, and helpe disgrace us too.
I doe it not that I may wealthy grow:
For, I the worlds rewards already know
[...]n such attempts. Experience I have g [...]ined,
What poore preferments this way are ob [...]ained.
My former Strain [...]s (which did but way prepare
For that, which I hereaft [...]r should declare)
R [...]ceived evermore the worst reward,
As they grew better worthy of regard.
A [...] (if God let not) as these are my best,
M [...] troubles, will for them, exceed the rest.
Tis odds, but that the wilfull Generation,
F [...] who [...] I write this large Anticipation,
( [...]o stay their censur [...]) will scarce reade so f [...]r,
A [...] hitherto, where th [...]se Preventions are:
B [...]t, here, and there, picke out some tart relations,
W [...]hout observing of those moderations
[Page]That follow or precede them. Else, perchance
Their brazen and Herculcan Ignorance
Will strongly keepe that Vnderstanding from them,
Whereby the pow'r of Reason might o'recome them.
Some also, peradventur [...], will [...]orget,
How, when I formerly was round beset
W [...]th many troubles, I did still despise
The r [...]ging fury of mine enemies.
Yea some, no doubt, will have a minde to see
What kinde of pow'r, there is in them, or me;
And whilst such men there are, he thinks amisse,
Who thinkes to thrive by such a course as this.
Tis not from envy of their Lott, who grow
Great men, or wealthy, whence these lines doe flow▪
For, I rejoi [...]e in each mans happinesse,
Th [...]t to Go [...]s praise, good fortunes doth poss [...]sse:
And they that know my person, witnesse can,
My lookes assure, I am no envious man.
It i [...] not malice that hath wrought upon
My Passi [...]ns: for, I vow, I malice none.
No line or word of this which now I write,
Proceeds from r [...]ncor, or unchristian spight.
When I have wrong received, if I say
Wher [...]in; what harme doe I in th [...]t I p [...]ay?
'Twere much if when we inju [...]y susta [...]ne,
We neither may have helpe, nor ye [...] complaine.
'Twere hard, if knowing I had many foes,
I might not say so, lest some should suppose
What Names they bear. To no man this wil show thē,
But, unto [...]uch as doe already know them.
Nor▪ when I mention wrongs, doe I intend
Their shame who doe them; but some better end.
For, they that yet are enemies of mine,
May prove Go [...]s friends, and to my good encline.
[Page]I wis [...] them well, what e're they wish to me;
And of their harm [...] wou [...]d no procurer be.
In gen'rall termes, I point out those that orre;
With none I meddle in particular:
For, knaves and honest men a [...]e so alike,
In many things, that I amisse may strike.
I finde the faults; let others finde the men.
I no man judge; let no man judge me then.
My M [...]se [...]ath not usurped this Commission:
No [...] arrogateth to mine owne condition,
More excellence then others: But, I shar [...]
A part in those rep [...]oofes that others b [...]a [...]e.
I doe not thinke mine owne a spotlesse eye,
Because it faults in others can [...]spye.
I never thought it was enough for me,
A Criticke in my neighbours faults to be,
Vnlesse I m [...]rkt mine owne: which here I doe▪
And ch [...]ck the wo [...]lds and m [...]n [...] owne errors too.
I meane t [...] winke at n [...]n [...]; at none I ayme;
To heed or friend [...] or foes▪ I doe disclaime.
My Bow i [...] bent, and I must sho [...]t a flight▪
Of shafts, that wil [...] [...]n d [...]ver [...] places light.
Perhaps some o [...] them my best friends may wound▪
Vpo [...] my self [...], som [...] o [...]he [...]s m [...]y rebound.
S [...]e (shot alo [...]t) may [...]ar the Kites that flye
A [...]ove th [...] clouds, themselves to Eaglifie.
Some p [...]er [...]e t [...]e [...]r s [...]des, who thoght they had bin got
B [...]ond th [...] re [...]ching of my winge [...] shot.
A [...] some who thou [...]ht th [...]y h [...]d concealed beene,
M [...]y fe [...]le my ar [...]ow [...], wh [...]re they lurke unseene.
Ligh [...] w [...]ere they w [...]ll the car [...]'s already tooke:
Si [...]c [...] none but he tha [...]'s guilty can b [...] strooke.
Hist thou fo [...]got, oh! Britain [...], (and so soone)
[...]hy lates afflictions, and Gods graci [...]us boone?
[Page 162]As soone as e're thy necke unflacked feeles
The curbing Reine, dost thou let flye thy heeles?
Shall nor Gods Iustic [...], nor his matchlesse Love ▪
Thy flinty nature to repentance move?
But wilt thou still in crooked paths persever,
And of thy Vanities repent thee never?
Oh! looke about thee; yea, looke backe, and see
What wondrous things thy God hath done f