A Memorandum to London, Occaſioned by the Peſtilence there begun this preſent year MDCLXV, and humbly offered to the Lord Maior, Aldermen and Commonalty of the ſaid City.
By GEORGE WITHER.
Thereto is by him added, a Warning-piece to London, diſcharged out of a Loophole in the Tower, upon meditating the deplorable Fier, which conſumed the houſe of an eminent Citizen, with all the perſons and goods therein, at the beginning of our moſt Joyful Feſtival, in December, 1662. Alſo, a Single Sacrifice offered to Almighty GOD, by the ſame Author in his lonely confinement, for prevention of the Dearth-feared, and probably portended, by immoderate Raines in June and July, 1663.
Quia Legit haec, &c.
Who read ſuch Lines as theſe?
How few men, do they pleaſe?
Moreover, in regard many have reported and believed this Author to be dead; we have annexed his Epitaph, made by himſelf upon that occaſion.
Imprinted in the Year, MDCLXV.
A Seaſonable Memorandum Humbly tendred to the City of LONDON, the Lord
Maior, Aldermen, and the whole Commonalty thereof, by occaſion of the
Peſtilence, begun this year, MDCLXV.
BY their Old Remembrancer, GEORGE WITHER.
THe Pſalmiſt, when he ſaw Truths foes grow ſtrong
A while reſolved to withhold his Tongue
Ev'n from Good words; (as I have often done)
But, in his heart, New-muſings then begun
To muſter ſo, that, he was forc'd to break
His reſolution, and his thoughts to ſpeak.
So fares it now with me; and I muſt do
That which my Mover hath inclin'd me to:
Vouchſafe it hearing, and GOD be my ſpeed,
For, it concerns you, and deſerves good heed.
This, now commencing, is the fourtieth year,
Since firſt, the greateſt Plague that raged here,
Within our time, was ſent for our correction,
To ſcourge us, with a Peſtilent Infection,
That, GOD's intention, being timely heeded
We, by Repentance, might have ſuperſeded
Thoſe following Judgments, which have ever ſince
Inflicted been, for our Impenitence;
And, are ſtill multiplying, as if from
GOD's quiver, Sharper Arrows were to come.
That year, I having lived, till the Sun
Had thrice twelve times, quite through the Zodiack run,
Conſider'd I had ſpun out half that time
Within your Walls, and might be one of them
For whoſe Tranſgreſſions, that ſharp Viſitation
Came to deſtroy, or work a Reformation;
And, thereupon (without conſtraint) intended
To wait on God, where I had him offended;
That, if to ſpare my life, vouchſafe he ſhould,
I might as truly ſerve him as I could,
By heeding both his Actings, and our own;
And making thoſe things unto others known,
Which I ſhould then obſerve, might beſt promote
His honour; and from being quite forgot,
Keep that upon Record, (though to our ſhame)
Which might hereafter, glorifie his Name.
During that Plague, not one night, all the while,
Remov'd I thence, the diſtance of one Mile,
Or ſhuned either perſon, place, or ſight,
Which, me, experimentally then might
Acquaint with any thing, whereby to learn
My Duty, or what would my work concern;
By which means, I found reaſon to confeſs
(As Job in his probation did profeſs)
That I, who heard of GOD, but by the ear,
Before that time, then; ſaw him as it were;
And, had ſome things, likewiſe, to me reveal'd
Which were from many wiſer men conceal'd;
So that I both foreſaw, and then foretold
What many thouſands did fulfil'd behold
Soon after: yea, moreover, ſome of them
Who, many years, my Cautions did contemn,
(And ſcofft at my Predictions) juſtifi'd
That, which in times paſt, they did much deride.
But, in their old waies, moſt men did proceed
As if they took a very little heed,
Of any thing, paſt, preſent, or to come,
Which might preſerve Peace, or prevent their Doom.
What I then ſaw, and foreſaw would befall,
I did record, in that which I did call
BRITANS REMEMBRANCER; and have not been
Regardleſs, what tranſactions, here were ſeen
During tho
••
fourty years of Provocation,
Wherein, GOD's Spirit, by this Generation
Hath greeved been. Of that large Premonition,
At leaſt four thouſands at the firſt Impreſſion
Were publiſht through theſe Iſlands, to prevent
What ſeem'd at hand; and, to the ſame intent
In ſeveral modes, at ſeveral times before
This preſent day, five times as many more
Premonitory hints, whereon enſue
As mean effects, except among thoſe few
For whoſe ſake (next his Sons) GOD, yet hath pity
On theſe three Nations, and on this great City,
Though they have proſecuted and oppreſt▪
Thoſe, in whoſe Weal their welfare doth conſiſt.
But, this comes not within the Creed of many
Nor can be poſſibly believ'd of any,
Whom Pride, Self-love, and Ignorance bewitches
Either with dotage upon Pleaſures, Riches,
Or Power exorbitant; becauſe no Grace
Can get admittance, where thoſe fill the place,
For, theſe, are part of thoſe things where withall
The Devil tempted Chriſt; and they who fall
By not reſiſting him in that temptation
Are drawn, at laſt, to yeeld him Adoration
(Though peradventure they perceive it not)
And, when he that advantage once hath got;
It is not in the power of any one
To diſpoſſeſs him, bud of GOD alone.
Judgements and Mercies, in the common mode
Move not without th' immediate hand of GOD,
Or, ſome impulſes extraordinary
When from his Dictates, wilfully they vary.
The moſt Convincing Truths, make them but madder;
They, to the wiſeſt Charmer like the Adder,
Still ſtop their ears; and them he works upon
No more, then if he Sung unto a Stone.
This renders theſe more brutiſh then a beaſt
By whom CHRIST is but formally profeſt:
For, Beaſts will ſhun the dangers that purſue them;
Meet thoſe who feed them, when their meat they ſhew them;
Know their preſervers, yea return them too,
Requitals, in their kind, for what they do:
Whereas beſotted men, ev'n when they may
Perceive themſelves beleagured ev'ry way
With miſchiefs; although plainly they may ſee
That their Endeavours unſuccesful be
In ſpight of all their policy or power,
And, God, Avengments threatning every hour
By P
•
o
••
gies, and by Events, that from
No mortall hand, to croſs their hopes can come,
They either look on them as caſualties,
Or, them not to concern, in any wiſe:
Then, with full ſailes, run head long on that Rock
Which is in view; at their good counſel mock,
Who tell them lovingly, how to avoyd
That, whereby, they ſhall elſe be quite deſtroyd,
If they proceed; or, caſt an Anchor where,
They, now in hope of Preſervation are:
And, if theſe be not madmen, there are none
In Bedlam, where we hear is many a one.
Ev'n as a nice and wanton Appetite,
Longs after Kickſhaws, and takes more delight
In diſhes made up of they know not what,
And not ſo wholſome, as plain ſolid meat;
So, moſt men, with Expreſſions are beſt pleas'd
From whence, one ſentence, hardly can be ſqueas'd
Which well conſider'd, any way conduces
To civil manners or to pious uſes,
Though you ſhould ſtrain out all, that every word
For Caution, or Inſtruction, might afford.
To all ſuch true Phanaticks, this will ſeem,
To be perhaps, of very ſmall eſteem,
Becauſe, it ſpeaks plain ſenſe, and is not deckt
And trim'd up with ſuch gawds as they expect.
Yet this, & th
•
ſe ſtrains which they much diſpiſe.
May be a means to make ſome fools more wiſe.
GOD promis'd to his ſervants long ago,
He would upon their Children ſhed forth ſo
His holy ſpirit, in the later ages,
That they ſhould be inſpired with preſages
Of things to come; and (to his Name be praiſe)
This we have ſeen accompliſht in our daies.
Strange Viſions have appear'd, Truths are foretold,
By men and women too, both young and old,
Which (though to carnal men vain dreams they ſeem)
With ſuch as know God, they have more eſteem,
And will appear to be his Diſpenſations;
As proper alſo, to theſe Generations,
As thoſe, which were diſpenc'd in ages paſt,
Unto the Jews at firſt; or, at the laſt,
When, as phanatik, and ridiculous,
Their Prophets to them ſeem'd, as ours to us.
For, oft by their Inſpirer, they were moved
To Speak and Act, what was by few approved;
Sometimes, to perſonate, what was abhord,
Or ſeem'd not with good manners to accord,
Ev'n in their Judgements, who appeared then
The wiſeſt and the moſt religious men;
Eſpecially, when God impos'd on ſome,
Things to be ſignal of what was to come.
But, all his Diſpenſations heretofore,
And now in uſe (or whatſoever more,
Shall be hereafter) ſcarcely will ſuffice
To make us, in theſe doting ages wiſe.
God, hath omitted nothing to recal us
Or, to prevent that, which may elſe befal us;
For every year, and upon each occaſion
That did occur (to cauſe a perturbation
Or breach into our Peace) he moved ſome
So zealous of our welfare to become,
That they their own peace have oft hazarded,
(And loſt it too) by things endevoured
For our avail; yea, though their pains and coſt,
As to themſelves) was likely to be loſt
Perſu'd their Aime, ſometimes, by general
Precautions, which did much concern us all;
And, otherwhile, by memorizing that
Which in particular ſeem'd to relate
To Perſons or to Places, as it beſt
Might bring advance to publick Intereſt:
Forewarnings have by GOD vouchſafed been
To you by others, (as they cauſe have ſeen)
Who ſeem'd to come with more authority
And truſted with Credentials, whereof, I
Unworthy am; But, whatſoever they
Or I appear, that, which I have for you
Prepared by Gods help, I offer now,
In hope, it will be heeded ſomewhat more
Then that, which hath been tendred heretofore.
This year his former Judgements GOD repeats.
And, once again, your ſinful City threats
With Peſtilence. He, over us doth ſhake
A dreadful Rod, wherein I notice take
Of three ſharp twiggs; and he above knows whether
They ſhall be ſingly felt or all together,
Becauſe, he onely knows what will be done
To ſtay that, which already is begun,
And keep out thoſe two, which your City threat,
But, have not yet got entrance through the gate.
London, I fear, unleſs thou take more heed
In what Courſe thou hereafter doſt proceed
(Although that God's Long-ſuffering towards thee
Continues yet) at once, with all the three
Thou ſhalt be ſcourg'd: for mockt, GOD will not be.
I am reſolved therefore, whatſoever
May be the Conſequent of my endeaver,
Now to proceed in what he moves me to,
And, I in duty am oblig'd to do;
Becauſe, though my Good will you ſhould abuſe.
Your faults, my negligence would not excuſe,
Who, look for my reward (if any due)
From him, whoſe work I do, and not from you.
My firſt Memorials, in their Title page
Hold forth an Emblematical preſage,
Beſides much thereby verbally expreſt
(Relating to the plague which doth infeſt
Your City now) which worth the obſervation
May be, in every ſuch like Viſitation,
And might have had, if heeded, good effects
(Which have been loſt by manifold neglects)
And ſtill may, were things better thought upon
Which thereby, are adviſed to be done.
But here, to adde that, will ſpend too much time,
And therefore, I referring you to them,
That, now will proſecute, which more then Reaſon
Perſwadeth me, is at this day in ſeaſon.
Your City, I have lov'd and honored,
And, no leſs now, then heretofore I did,
For, GOD hath made it, the moſt honour'd place
That is within theſe Iſles, or ever was;
He hath inrolled, and renown'd her Name
Among the Cities of the greateſt Fame,
That either are, or were below the Sun
Since men to dwell in Cities firſt begun.
Large Pledges, he upon her hath beſtown
Of his eſpecial Love; ſome favour ſhown
Vouchſaf'd to few of them; and ſuch a meaſure
Hath ſtored up in her, of his hid treaſure,
And intermixt, from time to time, ſo often
Mercies and Judgements, hardned hearts to ſoften;
So in Long-ſuffering, alſo doth perſevere
(Though we are at this day, grown worſe then ever
That I perceive in her a Seed and Root,
Which to his Glory ſhall bring forth good Fruit
In his due time; and this inclineth me
To ſend theſe Memorandums now to thee,
Intending in thy Sickness, here to ſtay
Once more, when thy falſe-lovers fly away;
And in, or near, thy borders, to remain
Till GOD reſtores thee unto health again;
Or, till by being quite deſerted here,
I ſhall be forc'd to ſeek my bread elſewhere;
Of which I dreadleſs am: For, I depend
Upon that powerful, and moſt faithful friend
Who hath preſerv'd me often ſince my birth,
From worſe things then War, Peſtilence, & Dearth.
Phyſitians, and all elſe, who ere they are
That, of Sick perſons undertake the care,
Do challenge and ought alſo to aſſume
(Though them, it may be it will misbecome
At other times) a freedom to ſpeak ſo
And, and as occaſion moves them thereunto,
To act what's pertinent to their diſeaſe
In way of Cure, although it may diſpleaſe.
I may, and do, as juſtly challenge now
(Since neighbour like I mean to watch with you)
Like Liberty; and will be bold to tell
That which I know will help to make you well,
Although, therewith diſpleas'd, you froward be,
Harſh words for my good will return to me,
And rage like thoſe, who ſeem to looſe their wits
When they are in their Peſtilential fits:
For, I ſhall ſober be, though ſomewhat ſad,
To ſee thoſe, whom I would keep tame grow mad.
And you I hope, what er'e ſhall now be ſaid
Will patient be, when well my words are weigh'd.
Conſider well (for now high time it is,
That you and all men ſhould conſider this)
I ſay, conſider how you have improved
GOD's Mercy ſince his
•
udgments were removed;
How, that provoking ſinfulneſs abates,
And, that Abhomination which God hates:
Nay well conſider if it be not more
Abhominable, then it was before.
I fear it much, and ev'ry day this fear
Increaſeth by what I do ſee and hear;
For, ſince I knew the world (which I have known
And heeded, till an old man I am grown)
I never heard this Nation ſo defam'd
As now of late; and ſins not to be nam'd
By modeſt men, with ſo much impudence
So often acted with ſo little ſence
Of manhood, nor with ſuch impunity
By perſons of no vulgar quality
Both old and young men, high, low, rich and poor,
Out acted have tranſgreſſors heretofore;
Children are left ſo looſe to ſpeak and do
What their corruption doth incline them to,
(And ill example teach) that if their courſe
Continue long, we ſhall at laſt grow worſe
Then Sodom and Gomorrah; which GOD knows
I do not mention (as ſome may ſuppoſe)
To ſcandalize this City or this Nation
But to provoke them to a Reformation.
To that intent, (ſo far forth as it ſhall
Concern this City) ſpeedily let all
Who are in power, with prudence and in love
The ſtrength of their Authority improve
Them to indulge and keep from violence,
Whoſe converſations are without offence;
And, by their executing of the Law
In purity, ſtrive to keep thoſe in awe
Who either ſhall malitiouſly tranſgreſs
(By an infringment of the publick peace)
Or wilfully commit, abet or teach
What, of the Moral Law may be a breach.
That nothing may by you be done unto
Another, which you would not have him do
To you, if in his caſe; ſearch what you find,
That may on you be charged, in that kind,
And heartily repent it. That, moreover
You may faults, which will elſe lye hid, diſcover;
Conſider, whether you have not with gladneſs
Inſulted over men oppreſt with ſadneſs.
Afflictions heaped up, upon Afflictions,
Or, added Cruelty to due corrections,
By ſeeking more to ſatisfie your Luſt,
Or Vengeance, then to execute what's juſt
For Juſtice ſake; or elſe, to pleaſe their Foes,
Condemned Innocents, their lives to loſe.
Your waies examine, & ſearch out what crimes
You have of late, more then in former times
Been guilty of: As, whether you have been
Or not, defiled with that ſcarlet ſin,
Which in times paſt your City did abhor,
As being a peculiar heretofore
Of that Malignant City, where the Whore
Beſtrides the Beaſt: be heedful alſo, whether
It be not partly, or elſe altogether
His work, to be in cruelties delighted;
To ſee meek, honeſt, harmleſs men diſpighted
For Conſcience ſake; inhumanly exil'd
Husbands from wives, the parent from the child
Impriſon'd to the looſing of their lives
Their little Children, their beloved Wives,
And their whole Families expos'd thereby
To that unſpeakable extremity
Of wants and ſufferings, which no fleſh and blood
Can bear, without immediate help from GOD.
Whoſe will is thereby wilfully withſtood.
And why all this? not for tranſgreſſing Laws
Of GOD or Nature, but alone, becauſe
Theſe could not condiſcend the world to pleaſe
By an infringment of their conſciences.
Heed what this may deſerve; if you deſire
To ſtop the Plague begun; leſt elſe the fire
Which may be kindled in your habitations,
Do quite conſume them ev'n to their foundations.
For, GOD, of his Prerogatives is Jealous
To vindicate all thoſe he will be zealous
Who ſuffer for his ſake, although perchance
They may be blamable through Ignorance,
Or other, humane frailties; for, where he
Sees Faith and Love, their ſins he will not ſee.
As for their Perſecutors, though he may
His juſt Avengments, for a while delay,
The patience of his people he doth mind,
And, they who ſhew no mercy, none ſhall find.
Examine, whether ſince you made your peace
With GOD, the renovation and increaſe
Of wilful ſins deſerved not renewing
Of Plagues removed, and of worſe enſuing.
It is not without cauſe, that God now hath
Such complicated Judgements, in his wrath
On thee and thine inflicted, when grown great
In hopes, thou thoughtſt thy happineſs compleat:
Nor is it hidden from thee altogether
For what ſin, GOD ſends this, or that plague hither.
In truth, all Plagues are due unto each ſin
When with Impenitence, perſiſted in,
Yet, frequently the ROD's wherewith we are
Corrected, ſhew forth in Particuler
What we offended in. For Superſtition
Was Gideons Family brought to perdition;
King Davids pride, made manifeſt in him
By numbring of the people) brought on them
A Pestilence: GOD viſited the earth
For wilful breach of Covenants, with Dearth;
And (as to Zedikiah and to Saul
It did for that provoking ſin befal)
The chief offenders and their Children too,
Stand liable to death for ſinning ſo.
Oppreſſion, Cruelty and Idolizing
The Creature (or things of our own deviſing)
Have been chaſtiz'd with ſervitude and fear,
And, when Will-worſhipings impoſed are
On others, with inhumane violence,
Injuſtice acted with ſuch impudence
As Jezabels and Ahabs, rarely ſhall
Such, ſcape from that, which did to them befal.
But, when that Hipocrites, by lying hid
As Annanias and Saphira did,
(Till GOD diſcover'd them) may poſſibly
Obſcure the grouth of Infant Piety;
When they, who Truths foundations overthrow,
When, her malitious perſecutors, grow
So mighty, that the Saints unable are
To calm them, or their furious rage to bear;
Or, when Prophaness and Abhominations
Like Sodoms, wholly hath corrupted Nations
Or Cities, till there ſhall appear in men
Nor will nor power, them to reclaim agen;
GOD, in ſuch caſes, to himſelf alone
Aſſumes the punniſhing of what's miſdone
And very frequently doth puniſh too,
In ſuch a mode as mortals cannot do:
Sometimes, by Sudden Death, when they are in
Their Jollity, or in the Act of ſin;
Sometimes, by ſickneſſes that long endure,
Whereof no man can find the Cauſe or Cure;
Sometimes, by that, which (till their provocation
Of GOD) had been a means of preſervation;
Sometimes, they of their lives have been bereaven
By Lightning, or by Thunderbolts from Heaven;
And, otherwhile (ſtruck with d
•
ſpaireful fears)
Are made to be Self-Executioners.
This gives a Hint of that which more affords
Then fully is expreſſed by my words
To make it plain; but either thou, no doubt
Or, ſome for thee, will ſearch and find it out;
Or, by the the ſearching after it, diſcern
Somewhat, which thee as nerely will concern.
Take heed of neighbours, and familiar friends,
Who fawn upon thee for their own baſe ends,
And love thee not, (though they reſpect profeſs
By many ſhews of hearty friendlineſs)
For, ſome of them, already cauſe have bin
Of adding much both to thy Plagues and ſin.
But, ſpecially, of thine own ſelf take heed
For, thence thy greateſt dangers will proceed.
Conſider therefore, by thy ſelf alone,
What thou omitted haſt, and what miſdone;
Whether thy folly, falſehood, fickleneſs,
Apoſtacy from what thou didſt profeſs,
Falling from thy Firſt Love, by miſ-advice;
Thy Luxury, thy ſordid Avarice,
Or, ſome vain hopes, deſerv'd not deprivation
Of that, whereof, thou hadſt an expectation;
Heed whether, to have cured, or prevented
One Plague, thy ſelf thou haſt not complemented
Into a ſcore; (at leaſt, to ſtop one curſe,
Indanger'd drawing on thee many worſe.)
Obſerve, if ever Beggery and P
•
ide;
Did both together, upon one horſe ride
So frequently as now, through every ſtreet,
Or walk ſo often on the ſelf-ſame feet;
And, whether miſchiefs which at preſent fall
On ſome, will not at laſt extend to all.
Mind well what thou art doing; what is done;
What is deſigned, but not yet begun,
For what thou both with words and ſword haſt pleaded;
What, thou haſt moſt affected, or moſt dreaded,
What thereon follow'd, or might have ſucceeded;
What factions thou haſt favor'd, and what ſtill
Wouldſt favour, were thy power like thy will.
London, if ſeriouſly thou ponderſt this
Thou wilt perceive that what ſucceeds amiſs
Flowes chiefly from thy ſelf; and how can thoſe
Be friends to any who are their own foes?
Thy Chiefs, care not how others they inſlave,
So, they themſelves from ſervitude may ſave,
Yet, theſe in fine, by that which doth befal
Become to be the baſeſt ſlaves of all,
Ev'n Bondſlaves to their Luſts, and to the Devil
By getting an habitual love of evil.
They hunt for honour, but, their
•
iery Title
Will adde to them, leſs honour then a little.
They covet to be rich; but wealth ſhall more
Increſe thoſe wants and Luſts, that make them poor.
In Policy and Powre, their truſt is plac't
Yet, they become diſpiſed fools at laſt.
Yea, we have ſeen thoſe whom wealth, wit, and powre
Supported, ſink down breathleſs in one hour,
That, we may know, there is an unſeen hand
Which oft ſtrikes thoſe, who without fear, may ſtand
Of humane Juſtice, and beyond the reach
Of Mortals: That, therefore, which this may teach
Let all thoſe heed, who, yet much heed it not:
And, let them (by whom this is oft forgot)
Remember ther's an all beholding eie,
Which ev'ry ſecret purpoſe can eſpie;
And, Angels alwaies ready at command.
To execute what no powre can withſtand;
And ſuch, as will for no bribe or reſpect,
The proſecution of their charge neglect.
Let likewiſe, thoſe who moſt oppreſſed are
Be taught hereby, ſtill patiently to bear
The Croſs impos'd for trial of their Faith:
(What ever, their oppreſſor doth or ſaith)
In perſeverance, let them ſtill attend
On GOD with meekneſs, till their Trials end,
And leave all Carnal weapons, to their uſe
Who, muſt be ruined by their abuſe.
I do preſume, among you many are
Who, to this wholeſome Principle adhere,
And, that if into practiſe carried on
It ſhall both ſuperſede the Plague begun
And ev'ry other feared Plague prevent
If timely they their other ſins repent.
For GOD, will winck at many faults in thoſe
Who love, and leave Revenge to his diſpose;
Yea, oftentimes experience we have had
That, worſe it makes things which before were bad,
When through impatience we in our own mode,
Attempt to do, what muſt be done by GOD.
Or, our ſuffering ſhall prolong (at leſt)
By our ſelf-actings, when we do our beſt.
This Pestilence, which now is brought in hither,
I am aſſur'd, proceeds not altogether
From Cauſes meerly natural, but comes
To execute GOD's juſt deſerved Dooms,
From his immediate hand; and will therefore,
Thoſe Medcines need, which muſt do ſomewhat more
To cure, or ſtay it from proceeding on,
Then can be, by joint Art and Nature done.
If you deſire a Soveraign Antidote
The beſt I know (if you neglect it not)
Is metaphorically call'd Herb-grace,
And will be very uſeful in this caſe;
Some, term it Rue, becauſe twill not begin
To operate, until we Rue our ſin.
Take Rue and Reaſons then, which ſignifie
Repentance and Diſcretion; Theſe apply
As you find cauſe; which, if you do, and Faſt
From things that were offenſive in times paſt,
Keep from thenceforth a conſtant wholeſome diet,
And in your hearts endeavour to be quiet,
My life for yours, GOD will your Souls deliver
From ev'ry hurtful arrow in his quiver.
Nor this, nor any Plague ſhall you anoy,
Although as to the fleſh, it ſhould deſtroy,
For, that can adde to mans loſs or grief
VVhoſe expectation is a better life.
GOD, to this Peſtilence hath joyned War,
And Famine, ſeems not from us to be far;
VVhich, if it now ſhall come will make the trouble
VVe feel already, to be more then double,
Becauſe, our fellow feeling is no more
Of what they ſuffer, whome theſe times make poor▪
For, ſuch are our deportments, as if neither
S
•
o
•
d, Peſtilence and Dearth, put altogether
Were no more, but an Army which did ſtand
Arayed, to be at our own command,
To execute our pleaſures upon thoſe,
(Although our friends) whom we repute our foes.
And therefore, have rejoyced when they ſeiz'd
On them, with whom we highly were diſpleas'd.
When, unto us, ill grounded hopes appear
Whereby, of Mercies we preſuming are;
We are frollick, as if GOD did ſee
Our groſs H
•
pocriſies, no more then we.
But, let men heed well whether, to acquire
The Sequels which they naturally deſire
Is to inſult when GOD corrects their foes,
Or, cenſure his Intents concerning thoſe
Whom he Afflicts; as if for wrong to them
It rather were, then for offending him:
Or, as if ſins to others onely known,
Were more conſiderable then their own.
There is obſerv'd, much Arragance and folly
In ſome of thy Relations; from which wholly
Thou for the time paſt canſt not cleared be;
Therefore to keep from future ſcandal free,
And alſo, for thy Credits reputation
Take theſe Memento's to conſideration.
Conſider, if it ſober men befits
To ſing with Jollity about the ſtreets
Vain Triumph-Songs, when war is but begun
As when a final Victory is won;
Since tis well known, that many who at firſt
Have thrived beſt, at laſt have thrived worſt;
And, that GOD juſtly ſuffereth ſometime,
(For Cauſes which are onely known to him)
Thoſe, more then once, before their foes to fall,
Whoſe Cauſe he beſt approveth; and who ſhall
Be conquerors at laſt: and that, where guilt
Is equal, he lets blood be often ſpilt,
And war prolongs or maketh peace twixt them
Who diſagree, as they make peace with him.
Therefore, when you are underneath the Rod,
Remember, you are in the hands of GOD.
When he hath crown'd your hopes with good ſucceſs,
Demean your ſelves with Chriſtian Lowlineſs:
For, when his Mercies much inlarged are.
He doth expect a joyful filial fear:
This, labour to preſerve, leſt elſe, the lack
Thereof, may bring reverſed Judgments back.
Conſider, whether Ships, Arms, men and horſe,
With policy united unto Force,
Can proſper to th' advancement of their end,
Who, upon thoſe things, or themſelves depend:
Who, all their oppoſites as much diſpiſe
As if their Armies were but Gnats and Flies,
Think to ſubdue them with jeers, mocks & taunts,
Puff up each other, with braggs, ſhameleſs vaunts,
And lies deviſed by their fooliſh makers
To keep from fainting Cowardly Partakers,
Whoſe Conſciences accuſing them of guilt,
(Becauſe, their hopefulſt Refuges are built
On Quickſands) they become heart-ſick with fear,
As oft as any evil News they hear;
And, on earth ſlight Report of good ſucceſs,
Inſteed of pious and meek thankfulneſs,
Run to the Taverns (which are much more free
To all, then pious Meeting places be)
There, heathen like, nay rather more uncivil,
Offer up Drink Oblations to the Devil.
And, to chear up each others drooping Souls
Sing ſongs between their glaſſes and their bowls;
Or intermix Reports of what was won
Or loſt, though that was never ſaid or done.
Such Sacrificers, may find ſome effect
In part, according to what they expect,
But neither for their Faith or Righteouſneſs;
Nor will our hopes, longlaſting be, unleſs
Uſe, of the Common means for our defence,
Be Sanctified by true confidence
In GOD, and we with his known will comply,
Bearing what ere betides us patiently;
Improve each Favour and Deliverance,
To ſomewhat which his Glory may advance;
And whereby, they who are oppreſt and grieved
May ſome way charitably be relieved:
For, it is no beſeeming Thank-Oblation
For Mercies, when a City or a Nation
Shall Solemnize it with but little elſe,
Save Gunſhot, Bonfires▪ Jangling of the Bells,
Or, making others of their Joys partakers,
Onely, in ſmoke and ſtinck, of Squibs & Crackers;
Or gathering rude throngs of men and boys,
To make about thoſe flames a barbrous noiſe,
Which muſt be fed with fewel forc'd from ſome
Who had none left to make a fire at home;
Then drink healths to each other in the ſtreet
Untill they cannot ſtand upon their feet,
Or elſe looſe their own healths: what thus to do
Can wiſe men think it will amount unto
But meer diſpight of GOD, contempt of grace,
And, throwing (as it were) durt in his face
For, Benefits receiv'd; though they make ſhew
As if they had return'd him all his due,
When, they but pleaſe themſelves, by doing that
Whereby they ſing their own Magnificat?
What can be deemed a juſt recompence
For ſuch ingratitude, for an offence
So foul, ſo capital, but that inſteed
Of future Bleſſings, Curſes ſhould ſucceed?
London, heed this, and if thou wittingly
Of ſuch Prophaneſs and impiety
Art guilty now, or haſt been heretofore,
Repent it, and henceforth, do ſo no more.
But, herein, ſome will more concerned be
Then thou art, yet, I mention this to thee
With ſome hope, that, they will the leſs contem
What's written here, becauſe, not writ to them.
Much more I have to adde, which I forbear
Leſt, I by adding more then thou canſt bear
With patience, may deſtroy what I deſign
For this whole Nations welfare and for thine,
By ſo diſpleaſing thee, with what I write
That, thou ſlight all whereto, I thee invite:
For, though thy flattrers make thee to believe,
Thou art in better caſe, then I conceive,
Thy beſt friends know, that thine own provocations,
Imprudency in ſome of thy Relations,
(Ev'n of thy Watchmen) who ſhould cures provide
For thy diſtempers, are ſo giddifi'd,
And, that their Eies, their Ears, yea and their brains
(With every faculty which appertains
To thy weal) are obſtructed ſo, by fumings
From their Self-ſeekings, & their, high preſumings,
That thou art, by what theſe inthee have wrought
Into an dangerous Conſumption brought;
For, thy decay of Trade, much hath increaſt
Their Poverty who thereby are diſtreſt:
Thy hands and feet whoſe labour heretofore
Supplyd thy wants, now, can do little more,
Becauſe, thy ableſt members, by whom theſe
Employd have been, partake of their diſeaſe:
And; ſuch Confuſions daily do begin
To multiply, and farther to break in,
That, I am at a ſtand, what more to ſay
Or, what on thy behalf, I ought to pray.
Yet, one Expedient, I now think upon
Whereby, it may be, ſomewhat will be done
For they availe, if thou ſhalt not omit
(As GOD inables) to endeavour it.
And therefore, let that which I next expreſs
Be read, and minded with due heedfulneſs.
In thee, are at this day, the chief Well-ſprings,
Of all thoſe good, and of thoſe evil things
Which throughout theſe three Nations are diſperſt;
And of the Later, were the Stream reverſt
Or dam'd up at the Fountain; and, the firſt
Set freely open here, it would become
A Rivolet of Waters, flowing from
That River, which through New-Jrruſalem
His Currant hath, ſtill iſſuing out of him
Who, of thoſe Living waters is the head
VVhich through all Nations will at laſt be ſpread.
And London, three times happy, ſhalt thou be
If this Bleſt Fountain may break forth in thee,
To ſweeten ev'ry Ciſtern in theſe Lands,
VVhich now, brimful of ſtincking water ſtands,
And breed all theſe Infections in our Clime,
VVhich are ſo baneful
•
o us, at this time.
There is a poſſibility of this
If we our parts do, as GOD hath done his;
Or, but endeavour to co operate.
With him, as he enables us, in that
Which he requires (thereto vouchſaving ſtill
Aſſiſtance to our deeds, and to our will.)
By this Compliance, that New Heaven and earth
VVhich is expected, would ere long come forth;
And Righteouſness, then from thy habitations
As amply flow out, thorow all theſe Nations
As wickedneſs doth now; or heretofore
It did, when ill examples made it more.
This Change, more happineſs would hither bring
Then, when in triumph thou broughtſt in the King,
And of rejoicing, give more cauſe by much,
Then we ſhall have when we do beat the Dutch,
And are from dread of that delivered too,
VVhich ſome ſuſpect the French intend to do;
Yea, and from what, more dangers threats then either
Of thoſe two ſingly, or both joyn'd together:
Ev'n from thoſe, which are poſſible to come
From Factiouſneſs, and Male contents at home,
But this Joy will encreaſe, and all our fears
Abate, when men do more incline their ears
To what's proclaimed by thoſe Trumpeters
VVhom GOD reſerved, to make proclamation
Of that, which moſt concerns this Generation;
And, when the Influences of GOD's graces
By ſupreme perſons, and by powerful places
Shall not obſtructed be, as we have ſeen
Of late, and as they very long have been,
By Antichriſtian wiles; and thoſe through whom
They are more dangerous to us become,
Becauſe their formal piety makes ſhowes
To be for him, whom, chiefly they oppoſe.
Thou art abuſed by miſinformations,
Not thou alone, but likewiſe theſe three Nations
By thoſe Mintmaſters of untruths and lies,
Who cheat the whole world with fallacies,
Yea, much diſ-ſerviced, diſhonor'd too,
Is he, to whom, they yet pretend to do
Good ſervices; and they by their Deceits,
Have him reduced unto may Streights
Which will deſtroy him, ere he is aware,
Unleſs, GOD ſhall unſnarle him from their ſnare;
And, in what misbefals, thou wilt have ſhare.
To take my counſel, then, think it no ſhame,
(Although, a poorer man then he I am
Who ſav'd a City; for, a Mouſe may gnaw
That ſnare aſunder, which, nor Lions paw
Nor teeth can break. Go, quickly, quickly lay
Your Skarlet Gowns, and your gold chains away;
Faſt, watch and pray; do as King David did;
(When he the peſtolential Angel ſpide)
Of ſomewhat, unto GOD an offring make
Which is thine own; that he a gift may take
Made acceptable, by, and in his ſon,
To ſtay the Plague; which newly is begun.
Shut up your ſelves awhile, and throw aſide
Your factiouſneſs, your malice and your pride;
Luſt, Avarice, and them with ev'ry Sinn
Whereby the wrath of God provok'd hath been.
Fall down before his feet with humbleneſs,
Your miſdeeds, with true penitence confeſs,
Eſpecially, thoſe crying ſins, whereby
You often have inſenſt his Majeſty.
Among which, no crime can offend him more
Then when you ſhall (as Cain did heretofore)
Deſtroy your bretheren, becauſe, to GOD
They dare not ſacrifice in ſuch a mode,
As they believe he neither doth command
Nor takes, with good acceptance, from their hand.
Your Priviledges, they do not invade
By violence; but, lovingly perſwade
To what they do believe, promoteth beſt
Gods glory, and the Publick Intereſt.
Be thou as charitable unto them;
Leave that to God alone, which unto him
Alone belongs, when he into the Land
Hath caſt his ſeed, permit the Crop to ſtand
Till harveſt; pluck not that away,
Which looks like wheat, though it may prove but Ray
But, weed out that alone, which ev'ry one
Knows hurtful to the Corn, and will be none.
Thus, having way prepar'd to make your peace,
With GOD; in Faith and Love emplore his Grace.
This being done; the next work, which to do
Thou art, as I believe, oblig'd unto,
Is to improve the powre thou haſt in him
Who over all theſe Iſland is ſupream,
And with whom; thou doſt in more favour ſtand
Then any other City of this Land,
Whilſt his eſteem of thee, doth ſeem to laſt
(And ere fit opportunities are paſt)
Unto his Royal Throne make thy Addreſs,
Emplore him, with deliberate advice,
To hear and heed that, without prejudice
Which may in ſeaſon, offred be by them
Who fear God, and both love and honour him,
With an intent to ſerve him faithfully,
Without ſelfends in ev'ry thing whereby
Their ſervices ſhall really conſiſt
With GOD's, with his, and with their Intereſt,
For whoſe ſake, he originally gave
All thoſe Prerogatives that Princes have.
For, though men ſo unbiaſſed, may dare
To ſpeak ſome Truths which all men cannot bear,
(When cauſe requires) they will with moderation
So heed what tendeth to the preſervation
Of common peace, and of the dignity
Belonging to his royal Majeſty,
(Whom God hath honor'd by reſtoring him
Unto his Predeceſſors Diadem)
That, neither he, nor they, nor I, nor you.
Shall have cauſe, to diſlike what will enſue.
If you believe this, and endeavour ſo
To proſecute it, as you, may yet do,
Who knows, what he, who hath the hearts of Kings
(And the diſpoſing of all other things
VVithin his powre) will do, although this may
Propoſed ſeem, in a diſpiſed way.
Tis an adventer▪ which though partly loſt
VVill bring in ſome return, that's worth the coſt:
And thoſe ſtreights (if well heeded) wherein he
This City, and all theſe three Kindoms be
Adventrers needs, and ſomewhat to be done
VVhereof, no likelihood is yet begun.
For, that which muſt draw order from confuſions,
To our Deſtractions, timely, put concluſions,
And, ſo, divine and civil pow'rs unite
That, neither, may infring each other right,
Effected cannot be, by hauty words,
By Policy, or temporary ſwords,
Nor by that Formal Sanctity with which
The Grand Impoſtors of this world bewitch
Deluded ſouls (that all things may become
Subjected to their Arbitarry Doome)
But by ſuch Inſtruments and by ſuch waies,
As thoſe, by which Chriſt did begin to raiſe
His Kingdom at the firſt; and by which here
It ſhall continue untill he appear
With that powre, which ſhall batter & beat down,
More Idol Temples then were overthrown.
Since his firſt coming; and, root out all thoſe
Idolatries, which out of them aroſe;
Together with the Thrones of all thoſe Kings,
That are partakers in ſuch worſhippings.
And made drunk with her Cup who rides the Beaſt;
The Subjects of his Kingdom, have oppreſt,
And ſhall oppreſs them without penitence,
For provocations, by that great offence.
More might be ſaid, but, this ſhall now ſuffice;
"GOD make us all unto ſalvation wiſe,
"Preſerve us in his love, ſo knit together
"That we in his love may preſerve each other;
And, that all we can think, or ſay, or do
May now, and in the cloſe, conduce unto
The glorifying of his holy Name
Though to our ſelves, it may occaſion ſhame.
AMEN.
A further
Ingagement.
MAny years after that Grand Peſtilence, in 1625, during which I wrote my Book called BRITANS REMEMBRANCER, and after publication thereof; ſome eminent perſons, having reſpect thereunto; endeavoured of their own accord, (without my ſeeking) that the Office of their City Remembrancer, then void, might have been conferred upon me; which motion, though it took not effect, was by me as thankfully taken as it was by them lovingly intended. Had it been ſucceſsful, I ſhould then perhaps have been more obliged upon outward conſiderations, then I am now, to continue my abode here during this Viſitation, then I was in that aforementioned. Nevertheleſs, I yet reſolve to partake with this City in GOD's diſpenſation, at this time alſo, unleſs I ſhall be conſtrained by Neceſſity, to ſeek place of abode, and means of ſubſiſtance elſewhere.
Yet, I have little external incouragement thereto; for, to mee, it appears by many Symtoms, that ſome here, are malitiouſly affected towards me, (who have no diſaffection to any perſon) as appears in particular, by their declaring already, that my houſe is infected with the Peſtilence and Shut up; whereas (God be praiſed) not ſo much as one hath been there ſick of any
diſeaſe, ſince that Plague laſt begun; nor is it, to my knowledge, near my habitation. What was deſigned by the publiſhers of that Report, I cannot imagine, unleſs it were becauſe, they knowing, I had no means of livelihood left (ſave what was ſupplied by the Charity of my Chriſtian friends onely) they hoped, I being deſerted of all, might be the ſooner expoſed to deſtruction; as I hear ſome are, whoſe condition is more to be conſidered and pitied, if it be ſo. But this troubles me not in reſpect of my ſelf; For, GOD cannot be kept from me, who is my onely All-ſufficient Refuge and Protection: And if this Peſtilence, and Famine, alſo, Viſite my Dwelling, (into which her Siſter Poverty is already come) they ſhall be welcome; for, they are Angels of GOD, and it is better to fall into his hands, then into the hands of men.
Written in June 1665.
A Warning-Piece to
London, Diſcharged out of a Loophole in the Tower
during the Authors cloſe impriſonment
there.
It was meditated upon the deplorable conſuming of an eminent Citizen with his whole Family, in the night, by a ſad and ſuddain Fire, at the beginning of our moſt Joyful Feſtival, in Decemb. 1652.
The Author conceived, that it would better ſtir up the hearts of ſome, by being ſung, then Read: Therefore, he compoſed it in Lyrick Verſe, fitted to the Tune of the Lamentation, at the end of the ſinging Pſalms, if the laſt Strain of that Tune ſhall be repeated with the two laſt lines in every Stanza.
WAke London wake, Faſt, watch, and pray,
Well heed likewiſe this Warning-ſong;
To eat and drink, riſe up and play,
Hath been thy daily practiſe long:
Oh! from henceforth, remember more,
Thy Brethren, whom oppreſſors grieve;
Refreſh the ſick, relieve the poor;
For none without good works believe.
If hardly ſav'd the Righteous are
Ah! how ſhall wilful ſinners fare?
2. The Rich man, heedleſly diſcerns
The near approaching day of wrath,
To fill his Warehouſe and his Barne,
Is all the preſent care he hath.
At large, he preparation makes
For offerings to his Belly God,
Till Juſtice an occaſion takes
To mixe thoſe offrings with his blood;
When fools in folly moſt delight,
They, often, looſe their Souls that night.
3. Our Love is cold, nigh ripe our ſin,
And, in their march, GOD's Judgments be;
At his own houſe they do begin;
Then, from them, who ſhall now be free?
To make us thereof take more heed,
One houſe they ſingled out of late,
And, in a bright flame-colour'd weed,
Upon the top thereof they ſate
And when to ſleep they laid their heads,
Conſum'd her dwellers in their beds.
4. Why ſhould not each man to whoſe ear
This news was in the morning brought,
Upon himſelf reflect with fear,
Thus, thereon muſing, in his thought?
LORD, this unlook'd for ſtroke of thine,
Hath often been deſerved by me;
This ſad miſhap might have been mine
This night, had it ſo pleaſed thee;
But, (praiſed be thy holy name)
Here, yet alive, and ſafe I am.
5. Oh with what terrors, were they ſtroke
How ſadly were they diſcompos'd,
To find themſelves when they awoke
With ſtifling fumes, and flames inclos'd
It made their terror much the more,
If to remembrance they did call
What they had done, awhile before,
And, what ſo quickly did befal.
More dreadful it appears to me,
Then Dungeons, Racks, and Halters be.
6. Thus will they fare, when his laſt Doome
To paſs on ſinners, Christ appears;
Thus, in a moment, he will come,
When leaſt the world his coming fears.
Thus whether then her heedleſs heart
Is either ſleeping or awake,
Surprized with a ſuddain ſtart,
They ſhall with horrid terrors quake,
When they behold with ſad amaze,
All things about them in a blaze.
7. Unleſs my thoughts miſdictate me,
A ſecret Judgment, in this Act,
May doubtleſly diſcerned be
To ſhew GOD's hand was in the fact.
For, though his waies are in the dark,
Forth from the Cloud, a flaſhing breaks
To ſhew us, (if we ſuch things mark)
His purpoſe, by the Courſe he takes.
In darkneſs he hath perfect Light,
And all mens deeds are in his ſight.
8. But, though this Judgment be ſevere,
Let not us who eſcape it, ween
Them, greater ſinners then we are;
But, judg what our deſerts have been.
Chriſt doom'd not thoſe whom P
••
at ſlew
As more to blame, then other men,
Though with their blood he did imbrew,
That, which they ſacrifized then;
And of thoſe perſons judg'd as well,
On whom the Towre of Silo fell.
9. Hereof, ſmall ſenſe have carnal men;
This, for ſad news, at Noon they tell,
Return unto their ſins agen,
And ſleep next night at brink of hell:
That, which concerns their ſafety moſt,
As quickly ſlips out of their mind
As letters written in the duſt,
Blown out with ev'ry puff of wind.
Of others harms, how ſenſeleſs grown
Are they, who do not mind their own?
10. This came to paſs within thy walls
That, thou mightſt thereof take good heed,
Mind, who thereby upon thee calls,
And think, what further may ſucceed:
It was not from thoſe places far,
Where much to be, thou doſt delight,
That thou ſhouldſt heed thy dealing there;
And, it befel there in the night,
That, thou, a ſtricter watch maiſt keep:
For Sathan wakes when men do ſleep.
11. Hereof, likewiſe, let heed be took,
That, when thy heart was moſt ſupine,
This Judgment, in upon thee broke,
Amidſt thy Muſick, mirth and wine;
And, that, unleſs for ſin thou mourn,
Relieve and comfort men diſtreſt,
Thy Feaſts, to Faſtings GOD will turn,
And, ſmite thee when thou fearſt it leaſt.
When Sodom ſinned without ſhame,
Down thereon, Fire and Brimſtone came.
12. The Drowned world, was warn'd of old
Of what would in ſhort time befal,
By Words and Doeeds it was foretold,
Yet unregarded ſtill by all.
They married and in marriage gave,
Did eat and drink, as we do now,
Did ſo, the wrath of GOD outbrave,
And, as we, liv'd they car'd not how:
But, lo, when in leaſt awe they ſtood,
Out break the Deeps, in came the Flood
13. Thou, LONDON, whoſoe re doth weep,
Doſt, on thy Viol, play and ſing;
Thy Children▪
daily revel keep,
Ev'n when their Paſſing bells do ring.
Themſelves on coſtly Beds they ſtreach,
Regarding not how Joſeph fares;
To them, who of Repentance preach
They liſten, but with Adders ears.
And, well he ſpeeds, who ſhall be heard,
If miſchiefs be not his reward.
14 In ſixteen hundred ten and one,
I, notice took of publick Crimes,
With mine own faults, I firſt begun;
Obſerv'd the Changes of the Times:
And, what GOD had on me beſtown
Employed for the Common good;
Therein, I ſought to find mine own,
Which, was ſo oft miſunderſtood,
That I, for being ſo employd,
Have been three times, nigh quite deſtroyd.
15. In ſixteen hundred twenty five,
When thou wert ſick, I watcht by thee;
Then, did my First Forewarning give,
And, this perhaps, my laſt muſt be.
For, now, my Tools away are took,
Some things half wrought, ſome but begun;
Quite being rob'd of alll my ſtock,
Concludes my work, before tis done;
And that Fleſh Rugg, by me yet worn,
May ſoon drop off, or, off be torn.
16. Here, I yet live, where, what me grieves,
But few of thine, have heeded much;
Nor Mayors, Aldermen, or Sheriffs
Or any noble, great or rich;
But, in Long-ſuffrings being old,
(If not relived by the poor)
By ſickness, hunger, or by cold
Death had ere now, unlockt my door.
Leſt thou as much neglected be,
Think more on GOD, though leſs on me.
17. My Publick warnings, are ſuppreſt,
As once, was Jeremiahs Roll;
Which GOD, will when he ſees it beſt,
Revive, with an inlarged Skroll:
Meanwhile, by ſtifled muſings tir'd,
The flames within me cloſly pent,
Like powder in Granado's fir'd,
Do tear my heart, through want of vent,
And crack my earthen veſſel more
Then all my ſuffrings heretofore.
18. Within thy Weſt and Eaſtern Jail.
Now twice ten months confind I've lain,
Denied both Relief, and Bail,
Which Law allows, and Rogues obtain:
To tell, what others did, or ſaid,
Is thought in me a grand miſdeed,
Though being of their harms afraid,
I did but bid my friends take heed:
If this be falls for words well ment,
Woe to ill deeds, with ill intent.
19. Alas! how apt are we to fear,
Or fancy danger, where is none?
Yet how unapt, how loth to hear,
What may prevent a certain one?
Except propounded in their mode,
Who, in their own conceit are wiſe,
The Counſels both of Men and GOD
They, either fruſtrate, or diſpiſe:
Which being well weigh'd, is a ſigne,
That, to deſtruction they decline.
20. Seaven daies before the late ſad night,
Thy Praetor, ſeized in my hands
What GOD inclined me to write,
For timely warnings to theſe Lands;
So, that, which to their weal conduc'd,
Hath hitherto been fruitleſs made;
And, I more ſtrictly have been us'd,
Though, I before, hard meaſure had.
But, GOD, by whom it was begun,
Will gard me, till my work is done.
21. No more ſeems now within my powre,
But, down to lie, beneath my Lode,
Attending my Redemption hour,
With patient waiting on my GOD.
Yet, there is hope, that Prayers may
To what is feared ſtoppage put;
And, ſince, to Heaven ther's open way,
(Though from the world, I cloſe am ſhut)
As Jonas did (when in a Whale;
Cloſe priſoner kept) to God ile call.
22. Correct us LORD, but not in wrath,
Purge rather, what miſdone hath been,
By any temporary Death,
Then by correcting ſin with ſin,
For all the blood that hath been ſpilt,
Let us, who think our ſelves moſt clear,
In private, ſearch out our own guilt,
And, wherein elſe, we faulty are,
That, by a ſelf-condemning Doom,
We may eſcape the wrath to come.
23 Preſerve thy Church, Lord, bleſs the King
And, ſeeing thou haſt him reſtor'd,
Him, out of all his troubles bring,
And, make his will, with thine, accord,
That under his Protection here,
We, without faction, hate or ſtrife,
(In all uprightneſs, without fear)
May live a ſanctified life,
And, he indulge the conſcience tender,
As beſt becomes, the Faiths Defender.
Thus, on what lately did befal,
I ſung my Muſings, to the wall,
Which gave thereto, as much regard
As moſt will, when abroad tis heard:
For, little have ſuch lines as theſe,
Which may a Carnal pallat pleaſe.
The wanton huggs a wanton ſtrain,
The miſer, that which treats of Gain;
Ambitious men give moſt applauſe
To that, which their, Ambition claws;
In lies and follies, fools delight,
And, if this ever come to ſight,
It will by none, be reliſh'd well
Save thoſe, with whom the Graces dwell.
The more Precautions are in ſeaſon.
(The more agreeable to Reaſon)
Their Rage it will the more increaſe,
Who are inclined to oppreſs;
And, if I die not in this place,
It will be meerly of GOD's grace,
To make it known, the Rage of man,
Is bounded, do the worſt he can.
Theſe Muſings, and ſome other too,
Eſcap'd ſurprize, with much ado,
And, that whereof I was bereft
Me, for awhile, in ſadneſs left;
Yet, much more ſorrowful am grown
For others ſakes, then for mine own,
Becauſe, the world ſo misbefriends,
What to her own well being tends.
God, never any Place bereaves
Of ſaving means, till him it leaves,
Nor is their any man quite loſt,
Till he reſiſts the holy Ghoſt.
He, helpleſs leaves no willing one
In acting what he would have done;
But, when to ſelfneſs, man adheres
Then, as he worketh, ſo he fares
GOD, gives firſt motion to each wheol,
In motion alſo, keeps it ſtill,
If he with him Compliance feel,
Elſe let's it go which way it will.
Thus he will do, and thus hath done,
Ev'n ever ſince the world begun.
That, men his works and mind might mark,
He preach'd by Noah and his Ark,
And, to prevent their threatned doom
Allow'd them ſix
•
one years to come.
That, Sodom timely might repent,
He, Lot to be exemplar ſent;
When Balam miſaffected was
He made a Preacher of his Ass;
And by a Whale, he Jonas ſent
To bid the Ninevites repent,
Who, more thereto inclined were
Though heathens, then moſt Chriſtians are.
What did to Iſraels weal belong,
He gave by Moſes in a ſong,
That, when Records could not be had,
They, thereof mindful might be made.
When their Tranſgreſſions were nigh full,
To Babel they were ſent to ſchool;
Since which time, they ſtill growing worſe
(Till they incur'd Cains dreadful Curſe,
For ſhedding of their brothers blood,
Who died zealous of their good)
Them, out of their good land, GOD hurl'd,
To rovee like him about the world;
Depriv'd (now ſixteen hundred years)
Of Prophets and Remembrancers:
And, in this mode, with ev'ry Nation
God deals, e're final Reprobation.
LORD! from their wandrings call them home;
Into thy fold, back let them come.
We got advantage by their fall
Let it increaſe by their Recall,
Since they, and we in ev'ry ſin,
Have Paralels, a long time been,
Let our joint force, henceforth be ſpent
To move each other to repent,
That, they and we may in that Place,
Become Partakers of thy Grace,
Where Jews and Gentiles ſhall be ſaved,
By our Redeemer, and thy David,
By wiſer men, in times of old,
Much was expreſt, which I have told,
And, they have both in Proſe and Rimes,
Forewarnings given in their times;
Declar'd in ſeaſon, how GOD deals
With wicked Realms and Common-weals.
Our own Records likewiſe declare
GOD's frequent diſpenſations here;
How conſtantly, avenging wrath
In ev'ry Age purſued, hath
The greateſt Tyrants in their turns,
Though ſometimes, he their doom adjourns,
But, that, no juſt excuſe will be
Either, to other men, or me,
If we ſhall negligently do
What, GOD inclines our hearts unto,
And may, now, or in future daies
Advance mans welfare, and praiſe.
For, on us lieth Obligations,
To bring forth in our Generations,
VVhat needful ſeems to be expreſt;
In ſuch a manner alſo dreſt
As beſt that Ages temper fits
In which we live, and beſt begets
A timely heed, in thoſe to whome
VVe ſerviceable would become:
Yea, we to them muſt hand it too;
Elſe, lamely, we our duties do.
Thus, I according to my powre
Have done, and therefore kiſs the Towre
From whence, I ſend this Warning-ſhot
By Ammunition hardly got.
LONDON, as Moſes gave a ſong to be
Iſraels MEMENTO, I give this to thee;
To ſhew, that (though the world doth me deprive
Of what was hers) I ſomewhat have to give
Which I by GOD's free grace, may call mine own,
And, is not needleſly on thee beſtown.
But, e're ſome change, the means thereof bereave,
Now, both of Friends and Foes, Ile take my leave;
Adue my Foes; for often, by event,
You did me good, though none to me you ment.
To pray for you, I know, I am your debter,
And, therefore ſo I do; GOD, make you better,
And ſo to mark and mind what he intends,
That, we may in his Love, henceforth be friends.
My friends, farewel; and no whit grieved be
Though you ſhould me no more in Babel ſee,
For, at the Holy Lambe, we fafe ſhall meet,
E're long, in New Jeruſalems high ſtreet.
Written in the Towre 1662.
The meek, and humble to adviſe
I write; but not to teach the wiſe.
You muſt not therefore, here expect,
Such Strains as theſe times beſt affect
For, you may have enough of thoſe
By others writ, in verſe and proſe.
A SINGLE SACRIFICE, Humbly, offred to
Almighty GOD, by the
Author during his lonely Confinement in the
Towre, to mediate his gratious preventing the
Dearth feared, and probably portended, by immoderate
Rains in
June and
July, 1663.
That he with Tools might for this work be fitted,
His Jailer, and his Keeper, he outwitted;
For, twas his greateſt ſuffring, to be pent
From means, to give ſuch meditations vent.
SIN, like the Ocean (but, not ſo well bounded)
Theſe Iſlands hath on ev'ry ſide ſurronded,
And, many Breaches, lately made it hath
Which to the furious Tempeſts of GOD's wrath
Expoſeth us (ev'n quite throughout theſe Lands)
So, that, Hills, Dales, and all in danger ſtands.
The Air, whoſe cloudy brow, upon us lowrs,
Diſſolves it ſelf, into deſtructive ſhowrs,
To move us unto tears of penitence
By feeling that, whereof we have no ſenſe.
For, they, who are moſt ſenſible of ſpoyl
(by Rains or Droughts) of corn, and wine and oyl,
Feel not in heart, the leaſt remorce for ſin;
But, when they ſhould bewail it, laugh and grin.
They, who are very froward, and repine
If they looſe but their monk
•
or their ſwine,
(And, ſometimes vex them ſelves till they are ſick,
For loſſes, not amounting to a Chick)
And can with many bitter tears, bemone
Small ſuffrings, for their greateſt ſins ſhed none.
In mine own perſon, I much need not fear
Such temporary Plagues, as threatned are
By Rain or Winds, by cold, or ſcortching wether,
By ſuddain floods, or fires; for, I have neither
Eſtate to loſe, nor hope of getting ought
Which, by ſuch things▪ may be in hazard brought;
And, am at preſent, with my daily bread,
By his own hand, miraculouſly fed,
Whoſe All-ſufficiency, ſhould me ſuſtain
Though all the world were to be drown'd again.
External things, are little pertinent
To my chief fafety, or my beſt content:
For, ſhould a Famine; me of life bereave
Death would be more advantage then to live
A life like mine: and as I have been us'd,
A ſpeedy death, is rather to be thus'd.
Yet, whilſt, I may be ſerviceable made
To him, from whom, this life at firſt I had,
I am content to live till it expires,
Although it were in ſtormes, in floods or fires;
And, likewiſe, am ſo ſenſible of that
Which to the Common welfare doth relate,
That up to GOD a prayer Ile prefer
To crave prevention of what many fear:
For, though I am not ſuffred to preſent
A prayer to King, Lord, or Parlement;
Here to GOD's Throne I free acceſs have got,
And he doth hear me when men hear me not:
Of which aſſured, in this loneliness,
My ſelf to him, I humbly thus addreſs.
Almighty and moſt merciful Creater,
Of heaven and earth, of fire, of aire and water,
With whatſoe're, conſiſts of forme or matter,
Of all inviſible, or to be ſeen,
Of all that is or ſhall be, or hath been,
Felt, heard or underſtood (excepting Sin,
At whoſe birth all Privations did begin.)
Thou, by whoſe wiſdom all the whole Creation,
Is ordred, and hath ſtill a preſervation,
Make acceptable in thy ſight, I pray,
What I ſhall meditate or write this day
And, let not my Requeſts be flong away,
Though we have often forfeited again
That Grace, which we did heretofore obtain,
And liable to all thy plagues remain.
We muſt confeſs, that in theſe laſt three years,
Thou haſt abated many of our fears,
For thine own ſake, and for the ſakes of them,
Whom thy blaſpheamers and their Foes contemn.
Awhile ago, we were ſurpriz'd with dread
Of hunger, and the ſcarcety of bread,
By ſuch diſtemper'd ſeaſons, as foreſhew'd
That Chaſtiſement which here, is now renew'd;
And, was remov'd, ere many had much ſenſe,
Of what ſome felt, or of their own offence.
Once, we were frighted with ſuch ſickneſſes
As ſeem'd forerunners of the worſt diſeaſe;
And, till this hour, a brutiſh Diſcord,
Keeps us in daily hazard, that the Sword
Will be again unſheath'd: yea, though we are
Preſerved ſtill, from what we juſtly fear,
And that, thy patience might be more diſern'd,
Have year, by year, been gratiouſly forewarn'd
(By Signes and wonders probably foreſhewing,
The ſad events, that ſeem to be purſuing.
Our crying ſins) yet, we do ne're the leſs,
Continue ſtill in our obduratneſs.
Though, much Inſtruction, likewiſe, we have had,
Examples, Premonitions, publick made,
And extraordinary Diſpenſations,
To draw us, from our wilful aborrations,
We ſo increaſe them, that, it renders me,
Exceeding fearful to Petition thee,
Thoſe
•
emporary Judgments to withdraw
Whereof, we at this preſent, ſtand in aw,
Leſt they, whom no good counſel mollifies
Thy Juſtice and thy Mercy quite diſpiſe;
And fall into that Reprobated ſauſe,
Which brings unchangeable Impenitence:
For, that, the Conſequence hath often proved,
When Plagues before Repentance were removed.
The fields were lately cloth'd beyond our hope
With an appearance of a fruitful crop,
Which moiſture by unſeaſonable ſhowrs,
So evidently, by degrees, devours
That, moſt men are afraid the teeming Earth
Inſteed of Plenty, wil produce a Dearth;
And, they among us, who do moſt neglect
Removal of the Cauſe, moſt dread th' effect.
Yet, humane pitty, me doth ſo incline
To make the Common fear, a part of mine,
That, though I am not likely much to gain
Or looſe thereby, whether it ſhine or Rain,
I, (as I am a man) well pleas'd could be
Thy Peoples votes, might be vouchſaf'd by thee.
To that intent, I meekly do aſſay
To mediate; but, now I come to pray,
That Spirit whoſe aſſiſtance is expected,
Withdraws, as if my ſuite would be rejected;
So, that I know not how to ſpeak or write,
What gain thy gratious acceptation might
Though, fear, my prayers may be turn'd to ſin,
Conſidering, what Poſtures we are in.
For, who, the pleading of their Cauſe dares own,
On whom, a righteous King doth juſtly frown?
They being Rebels too, in whom appears
No penitence, but onely ſlaviſh fears?
Who, conſcientiouſly, can pray for them
Who perſevere all Juſtice to contemn?
Who turn away their eies, when thou forth ſendſt
Foretokens, of what thou for ſin intendſt?
Who hide them too, ſo far forth as they may
From other men; or, (if that fails) aſſay
To miſinterpret them, when they do ſee
The things nor hid, nor diſapprov'd can be?
Who, can with Faith, thy Grace for them implore,
Who, are unmerciful unto the poor?
Who, daily to thy burning wrath add fewel?
Who, both to others, and themſelves are cruel?
Who, their afflicted Brethren to diſpaiers
Expoſe? cloſe up their ears againſt their prayers?
And moſt injuriouſlys with thoſe men deal?
Who, moſt endeavour, to advance their weal;
Yea, for whoſe ſakes it is, that they are not
Deſtroy'd like Sodom, when thou caldſt forth Lot?
Who, are ſo far, from ſtriving to be better,
That ſtill, to hide one ſin, they act a greater,
Till they on one another heap ſo many
That they have little ſhame, or ſenſe any;
Although their impudent abhominations
Have their Infection ſpread, through all theſe Nations?
LORD! who, on their behalf, can mediate
For any of thoſe Bleſſings which relate
Unto their temporary weal alone,
Who, of their Brethrens welfare, care have none?
Who, do employ their powre, but to oppreſs?
Turn all thy Graces into wantonneſs?
Fling, as it were defiance aginſt heaven?
And, though by thee, they freely were forgiven
Innumerable debts, (and likewiſe are
By thee inrich'd more then before they were)
Take ne're the leſs, their fellows by the throat,
VVho owing them not much more then a Groat,
Forbearance crave, and at their feet do fall,
With, promiſe, when they can, to pay them all?
VVhat can ſuch look for; but to be bereaven
Of that Grace, whereby they were once forgiven
Their debts; or think deſerv'd but, to be laid
In chains, till ev'ry farthing ſhall be paid?
VVho, can to thee be Advocate for thoſe
VVho, both to Truth and Righteouſneſs, are foes,
Though they profeſs both? who, though ever learning,
Can never get the knowledg & diſcerning
Of what pertains to thy eſſential Truth,
Becauſe, they being all EAR, or all MOUTH,
Neither hear willingly, or ſpeak of ought
VVhereby they may to ſtedfaſtneſs be brought?
But rather itch to hear, and ſpeak, and do
That, which their own ſelf-will doth prompt them to;
And, was infus'd into them by falſe teachers,
Whom they ſuppoſe to be the foundeſt Preachers,
VVhen they confirm them, in what doth belong
To their will-worſhip, be it right or wrong;
And keep up thoſe Diana's, which were made
Their Goddeſſes, but to uphold their Trade?
Theſe, twixt Beleivers, do conteſts maintain
For Trifles, which tend more to their own Gain
Then Godlineſ, or thoſe means to increaſe
Which may conduce to ſetlement of peace,
In Chriſtian Charity, and Righteouſneſs.
All, I (with hope to ſpeed) can pray for ſuch
Is, that they may not love the world too much;
Or, by hypocriſie, and lip profeſſions,
(To get themſelves a ſhare in her poſſeſſions)
Obſtruct the bleſſed work of Reformation
By Factions, to the final extirpation
Of all thoſe Diſpenſations, which have yet
Some uſe; and which, whilſt thou doſt them permit,
They to advance thy Glory may improve:
And, by ſincerely ſeeking Truth in Love,
So exerciſe thy Graces, whilſt thoſe laſt,
That, they will perfect be, when their times paſt.
My GOD, for theſe, to this effect I may
And, do (I know) with thy allowance pray;
Becauſe, I hope, tis no malitious pride
Which hath to Selfneſs, drawn their hearts aſide.
But, as for them, who have inclinde their ears
So long time, to ungodly Counſellers,
So perſevered, in the ſinners way,
And, therein with delight, ſo long made ſtay
That, to the Scorners Chair advanc'd they are,
Reſolving with themſelves to ſettle there;
The Dictates of thy holy ghoſt contemn,
Abſolve the wicked, Innocents condemn,
Term evil, good, the beſt things evil call,
(Or, make twixt them no difference at all)
Aſcribe thy Attributes unto the Devil
And his Vicegerent; make thee, of all evil
Prime Author; Thee, detrude out of thy Throne
To ſet their Idol, and themſelves thereon;
Pervert the lawful uſe of ev'ry Creature,
Till their depraving the whole humane nature
For Vengeance calls, and as it were, inforces
Thy Juſtice to turn Bleſſings into Curſes;
What can be ſpoke for theſe, to ſave them from
Thy Judgments here, or in the world to come?
I cannot, LORD, thy mercy comprehend,
Nor know how far their malice doth extend,
Such things, are knowable to thee alone;
Therefore, concerning theſe, thy will be done.
The beſt of us have gone aſtray ſo far,
In Provocations, that, perhaps here are
Now, very many in the ſtate of thoſe
For whom, we are forbid to interpoſe
Our mediations betwixt them and Thee,
As touching Judgments, that now threanned be:
Such, ev'n among thy People heretofore,
Made thee forbid a Prophet to implore
Withholding of thoſe Plagues, which at that time,
Were threatned to be hurled down on them.
Yea then, though thy choice worthies ſhould have pleaded.
That, thy Decree might have been ſuperſeaded,
Thou didſt reſolve, their ſuite ſhould not be heard
For any, ſave themſelves, with good regard.
When ſins grow ripe, and Scandalous become,
They ſeldom ſcape a temporary doome,
Though thou vouchſafeſt mercy, as to David
Whereby, the Souls that ſinned, ſhall be ſaved,
LORD, though that growth, our Guilt attaineth hath,
Alway remember mercy, in thy wrath.
Some ſuch like Barr, and prohibition now,
From thee is iſſued forth, for ought I know.
Alas! if ſo; what poſſibly can we
Endeavour, till it ſhall reverſed be?
Or elſe diſpens'd with? I can never pray
With confidence, for what ſuſpect I may
Is not precarious: And, as qualifi'd
We are, things grantable may be deni'd,
At leaſt, ſo long time, as that ſhall be wanting
Which makes their chief condition of their granting
▪
Tis not a ſlaviſh terror (without Love
And faithful Penitence) that will remove
The Plagues that lie upon us; or prevent
A Threatned Judgment, when 'tis imminent.
Tis not wil worſhippings, though much applauded,
By their approvers, and by them begawded
With Superſtitious Dreſſings, that can pleaſe
Thy Majeſty, and thy juſt wrath appeaſe:
Tis not our formal whinings, or Orations,
Or, our Confeſſions, or our Deprecations,
Or, Bablings with the Tongue, without a heart
That, will thy threatned Judgments quite divert,
Till thou haſt done thy work which is in hand,
Or, till we more conform to thy command;
Whereto, perhaps, that, which we fear, may more
Conduce, then that, which we to ſcape implore.
For, few do conſcience of their duties make
Much longer, then the Rod is on their back.
Yet, ſomewhat, makes me hopeful, that thou haſt
Againſt what I would ask, no ſentence paſt;
And, fain would I obtain from thee, this day,
A Publick Bleſſing, e're I go away,
Which might in ſome degree, abate the dread
Whereby, now, many are diſtempered.
To thee, thy Children for a Bleſſing cry
Upon thoſe Fruits, which drench'd in waters lie;
And (though unworthy) Jacob like, I am
Reſolv'd with thee, to wreſtle for the ſame.
Let, not my LORD, be wrath, that I go on
To proſecute the ſuite I have begun;
For, I with filial fear approach thy Throne.
Direct us, how in this, and ſuch like caſes,
We may make acceptable our Addreſſes,
Leſt, we grow overwhelmed with diſpairs,
Or, come with over peremptory Prayers:
For, ſomewhat thou, at all times, haſt to grant
To comfort thoſe, who conſolation want,
When they are ſenſible of their condition,
And come before thee with unfaind contrition.
Yea, though, when we are outwardly diſtreſt,
We may not abſolutely make requeſt
For what ſeems needful; yet, when we reſigne
In all our ſutes, our own will unto thine,
Our wants (if in particular deni'd)
Are with a Fatherlike reſpect ſuppli'd
Some other way, by mercifully granting
A better thing, then that, which we thought wanting.
For, thou, till he himſelf ſhall bar the door,
Excludeſt no mans prayre, who doth implore
In Faith and Charity, that, which may tend
To give him, a well-being without end.
Of this, experiment I oft have had,
And, me thou confident thereof haſt made.
This Creed, thou haſt been pleas'd to teach me, LORD,
Both by thy holy ſpirit, and thy word,
Confirming my experience day by day,
That, I to other men declare it may,
As I in duty, am oblig'd to do,
When thou my heart inclineſt thereunto.
And, by thy favour, now proceed I can
In that, which, when theſe muſings I began,
I neither able was to proſecute,
As I intended; or commence my ſute,
In terms, which I could think fit to preſent
To thee; or, to my ſelf, could give content.
But, now the Bars remov'd and I can make
A ſhift to Stammer, what I could not ſpeak.
By thy Aſſiſtance likewiſe, I believe
That, what I now ſhall pray for, thou wilt give;
Ev'n ev'ry thing (implicitly at leaſt)
Which ſhall in this my Prayer be expreſt:
I, therefore, in thy ſight, now ſpread abrode
My private meditations, in this mode;
And hope, it ſhall be ſpread, where many may
And their Amen to that, for which I pray:
And, that their joyning in this my Oblation,
Will gain us all ſhares in thy acceptation.
Oh! I ſhould then ſing, with a Joyful heart
LORD, let thy ſervant, now, in peace depart.
That Everlaſting Goſpel make more known,
By which, thy Love eternal is forth ſhown
To all mankind; and which, a glorious throng
Of Angels, publiſh'd in a Joyful ſong,
(Unto the glory of thy bleſſed Name)
When firſt thy Son aray'd with fleſh became;
That, all the world may know, the ſame Goodwill
Which thereby was expreſt, continues ſtill:
And, that, Deſire to know both Good and Evil,
Proceeded from our Selves, and from the Devil,
But, not from thee, who, didſt intend Salvation
To Adam, and to all his Generation;
Not reprobating any of his Race
Save ſuch as wilfully diſpis'd thy Grace,
And, juſtly, cauſed the product of that
Which, thou didſt never preneceſſitate.
Thy Love to all mankinde, compels me oft
(Though for it, I maligned am, and ſcoft)
To preach it to the world, that, men may more
Mind it with thankfulneſs, then heretofore.
I know this Truth is own'd, ev'n among thoſe
VVho, unto thee are yet, apparent foes;
And, that, hath hindreth many to embrace
The Doctrine of thy Univerſal Grace,
Becauſe, they are not heedful, that, unleſs
Theſe held ſome Truths with that unrighteouſneſs
VVhich they maintain, not many would believe
That Miſtery, by which they do deceive.
But, to prevent their wiles, uncloſe their eies,
VVho cannot yet perceive their fallacies;
And let it be made manifeſt to them
VVho do not wilfully the means contemn,
VVhich, thou vouchſafed unto all men haſt,
And alwaies wilt, at firſt, or at the laſt.
Let that large mercy, our hearts work upon,
More then thy Judgments hitherto have done;
To which intention, let thy Saints improve
That Influence which thy Eternal Love
Hath ſhed on them, to work throughout this Nation
By Love and Gentleneſs, a Reformation;
Which will be then more ſpeedy, and ſincere▪
Then that, which is compel'd, & wrought by fear.
Preſerve that pretious ſeed, ſown in this Land;
Now, many Ages paſt, by thine own hand;
It hath been often watred by the Blood
Of thy Elect; hath many Storms withſtood,
And took ſuch root, that, now it doth extend
By ſev'ral Branches, to the worlds far end.
Permit it not to ſuffer diminution
Either by calms, or ſtorms of Perſecution.
Let not the lofty Cedars over-top it,
The wild-ſwine root it up, or tame-beaſt crop it;
Nor weeds or brambles (among which it grows)
Starve it, or choak it; nor the greedy Crows
Devour it; nor the ſwarms of Locuſts, which
In ſmoke, aſcended from th' infernal Ditch;
But, let it, when appearing moſt oppreſt,
Palm-like moſt thrive, and be the more increaſt,
Till th' earth it fills; and till up-rooted be
All plants, that were not planted there by thee.
This, I firſt pray for Lord, becauſe poſſeſſing
Hereof, doth lay the ground of ev
•
ry bleſſing.
Correct thou not theſe Nations in thy wrath,
But, in that meaſure, which ſhews mercy hath
An intreſt in thy Juſtice. Let them hold
The ſame proportion which they did of old,
In thy ſevereſt chaſtiſements; that, neither
Both Good and Evil, be deſtroy'd together,
Nor, their hopes thereby vacated, by whom
There is a Kingdom look'd for, yet to come.
Five wicked Cities might have ſpared been,
Had twice five, Righteous men been found therein:
Yea, Thou (although in them there was but one)
Defer'dſt their dreadful doom till he was gone.
LORD, I hope, here are many thouſands yet.
On whom thy Seal, on whom thy Mark is ſet.
Who truſt in thee, whoſe faith doth not yet fail;
Who, their own, and the Nations guilt bewaile:
For their ſakes, lay aſide thy wrath again;
Let thy Sun ſhine, and let thy Clouds drop Rain
Both on the juſt and unjuſt, as thou haſt
Been pleaſed to vouchſafe in Ages paſt;
That, Spring and Summer, Seed and Harveſt-times
Untill the world ſhall end, may in all Climes
Be from each other ſtill diſtinguiſhed,
As long ago, by thee was promiſed.
At this time alſo, to this ſinful Nation,
Extend thy wonted favour & compaſſion,
By blowing hence thoſe clouds, whoſe frequent ſhowrs
Spoil not alone graſs herbs and pleaſant flowers,
But, threaten alſo, to deſtroy thoſe crops,
Whereby the painful husband-man hath hopes
To be rewarded for his toil and coſt;
Yea, let this Iſle, which now deſpairs almoſt,
Of ſuch a bleſſing, be ſecured from
That Famine, which we are afraid will come.
Both of our Earthly, and thy heavenly bread,
Preſerve the means, that therewith being fed,
In ſoul and body; we may for the ſame
In fleſh and spirit magnifie thy Name▪
Till Chriſt ſhall come. Continue in this place,
The ſpecial pledges, of thy ſpecial Grace,
Cloſe up thoſe Rents, which malice hath made wide;
Unite by Love, thoſe whom ſelf-will and Pride
Have diſ-united: For, thy Love was that
Which made thee at the firſt, this world create;
And, 'tis the ſame eſſential Love (by thee
In thy Elect made active) which muſt free
The world again, from that confus'd eſtate
Whereto 'tis brought by Envy and by Hate.
To that end, let thy ſpirit, (unto whom
All Diſpenſations, till thy Son ſhall come
Committed are) The hearts of men incline
To be obedient
•
o that Diſcipline,
In ev'ry Form, which they believe to be
To them injoyned by thy word and thee;
And, that accept of, which they ſhall profeſs
And practiſe with unbiaſt Conſciences.
Make thy Elect to ſtand out all the ſhocks,
Of Tyranny, like never moved Rocks;
And give them prudence, to diſcern the wiles,
Whereby, their Antichriſtian foe beguiles
Unſtable hearts; and pleaſe to pardon that
Wherein through frailty, they ſhall deviate.
Indow them withall ſanctified graces
That may enable in their ſeveral places
To do the honor: And, LORD, let the Pride
Of their Oppreſſors, break ſo, and devide
Their Power and Counſels, that, they may at length
Be ruined, by their own Wit, and Strength.
Behold, the many troubles of this Nation,
With mercy, and vouchſafe it thy ſalvation.
Make haſte to our deliverance oh LORD,
And, ſuccour us according to thy word.
Let them be turned backward, and with ſhame
Confounded, who blaſpheme thy holy Name;
Who, with their own inventions do defile
Thy Ordinances, and purſue the ſpoil
Of thoſe who ſeek thy face. Let them who cry
Aha, aha, and ſay inſultingly,
So we would have it, when thy people are
Oppreſt, be caught at laſt, in their own ſnare,
That, they who love thy Truth, may to thy praiſe
Rejoyce in thy ſalvation all their dayes.
But, gracious LORD, beſide that waſting Rain,
Which makes this Nation with much fear complain
And brings me now to thee; there is a Flood
Portending Inundations too, of Blood,
Ev'n blood of Innocents, for whoſe prevention
To be Petitioner I have intention.
A portion of thy word, concerning Cain
To me, a myſtery ſeems to contain
Implying ſomewhat which relates to thoſe
Who were, and ſhall unto thy Saints be foes
Throughout all Times; and doth relate, likewiſe,
To them, who offer thee that ſacrifice
In which thou moſt delight'ſt: For, ever ſince
That day, Will-worſhippers have took offence
At their Oblations; and proceeded on
In that, which he ſo long ago begun.
Cain was the firſt that perſecuted them
Who in their worſhip differed from him;
And, I collect thence, that, ev'n from that hour
Thou didſt ſubject them to the temp'ral power
Of all thoſe perſecutors, of whom, he
Became the Type, whoever they ſhould be.
And, as I underſtand that Hyſtory,
Therein is couched the whole myſtery
Of that iniquity, which now is grown
Almoſt full ripe, and ſhall be overthrown
In thy appointed time; but, not till then,
Nor by the weapons or the hands of men:
For, thou haſt markt them to be ſaved from
Deſtroying, till their fatal hour is come.
And I conceive likewiſe by what thou haſt
In that memorial to the world expreſt,
Thou wilt avenge it, on all, who withſtand
Their perſons, with a life-deſtroying-hand,
Though they are murdrers; &, that, this ſuctjection
Tends to thy glory, and the Saints perfection;
Whereof, ſome of them, take ſo little heed,
That of precautions they may have ſome need.
This hath inclin'd me, conſcientiouſly
To ſhun oppoſing them deſtructively
In whom there is a viſiability
Of Sov'raign Power, although tyrannical;
Untill that ſome way, it grow doubtful ſhall
To whom it appertains; as, here of late,
When it was thought, thou didſt that power tranſlate
To other hands, and when he, who bereft
Them thereof, to an Anarchy, us left.
And, thou, who knowſt my heart, knowſt I did never
To pull down, or to ſet up Thrones endeaver:
But, only, to preſerve the common peace,
Complide with that, which did the Throne poſſeſſe,
Till thou reſtor'dſt him, who was driv'n hence,
And, to whom, true, I have been ever ſince.
Now, alſo, to preſerve, ſtill, as I ought,
That peace, whoſe preſervation, I then ſought;
I do implore thee, on behalf of him
Who wears this day, the Supream Diadem,
That, from thoſe evil Counſellors, he may
Deliver'd be, who do, or ſhall aſſay,
To bring him to a wilful reſolution,
Of being partner in that perſecution
Which they intend: And that, in all temptations
(And maugre all ſevereſt provocations)
Thy Saints, may be preſerved from contriving
And acting, what may tend to the depriving
Them of their lives or power, who e're they be,
On whom that Power ſhall be confer'd by thee.
And, grace vouchſafe them, alwayes to perſiſt
In that obedience, which may manifeſt
That, conſcientiouſly they may ſubmit
To what thou haſt ordain'd, or ſhall permit
For their probation; till the fewd and War
'Twixt Good and Evil, at a period are:
And, that, upon thy will they may attend
Untill that Good and Evil, hath an end,
Which had form us proceeding, and gives place
To that Eternal GOODNESSE, which IS, WAS
And SHALL BE, when all evil heretofore
In Being, ſhall a being have no more.
Meanwhile confer all means, whereby both they
And he, may walk on, in a peaceful way.
Thy Judgment to the King vouchſafe to give
That, he, and we in Righteouſneſs may live:
That, he may to the Priſoners and the poor,
Shew mercy; to the wrong'd, their dues reſtore;
And be as kind and merciful to them,
Who are oppreſt, as thou haſt been to him:
That, our high Mountains may produce thy peace,
And little Hills, the fruits of Righteouſneſs;
For, whether high or low, all ſhall receive
Such meaſure, as to other men they give.
I know this will be done, even by the drops
Of mercy, which to keep alive my hopes,
Are in this place, to me derived from
Thy Bounty, to fore-ſhew, a ſhower will come
That ſhall refreſh both me, and thoſe, at full,
Who, at this time, each others caſe condole.
Be pleaſed to confirm this my belief,
Redouble ſtill, our Courage as our Grief
Shall be augmented: And although among
Thy Foes, our bodies periſh in the throng;
By thoſe external Judgments, which we ſhall
Occaſion to be Epidemical,
Inflict them, rather then permit thy Name
To be expoſed to reproachful ſhame,
By ſuffering wickedneſs with proud deſpight,
To violate thy Juſtice in thy ſight;
Or, wantonize with grace, till it becomes
The ſaddeſt of all Temporary dooms:
For, common myſ
•
ries leſs grievous are
Unto thy Saints, though they in them have ſhare,
Then all their private ſufferings, when they ſee
Their inſolence who ſleighted them and thee,
So winked at, as if thou either wouldſt not,
Avenge thy ſelf upon them, or elſe could not.
Thy Souldiers will be pleas'd amid thy foes
To die, e're any honor thou ſhouldſt loſe,
Since death by them, needs never to be fear'd,
Who know with what life, thou wilt them reward.
Let Dagons temple then, be overthrown
Though Sampſon die, in pulling of it down:
For all thy Souldiers, ſeek their glorifying
In conquering, although it be by dying.
Our General, in perſon, led the Van
That way, when he his glorious Conqueſt wan,
Bereft Death of his deadly ſting, thereby,
And, over Hell, triumphed gloriouſly.
Preſerve thoſe, in thy Truth by Faith and Love,
Whom thou ſhalt pleaſe in theſe laſt times to prove
By fiery tryals: So, what e're wind blows,
Whether, it rains or ſhines, or hails or ſnows;
Whether thou ſhak'ſt the heavens or the earth,
Or both; whether, War, Peſtilence, or Dearth
Shall viſite this deprayed Generation,
Thine, ſhall be free from inward pertubation,
And ſing, a bleſſed Requiem to their ſoul,
When their Oppressors gnaſh their teeth and howl.
To that Salvation which thou doſt deſign
For thy Elect, preſerve thou, me and mine;
And, in our ſeveral paſsages thereto,
Whether, the way in which we are to go
Be either rough or ſmooth, or ſhort or long,
Keep us content; and let our Faith be ſtrong
Although the fleſh is weak. Let our Afflictions
And, our proſperities; with benedictions
So ſanctified be throughout our dayes,
That, thou mayſt in our lives & deaths have praiſe
A large Petititon (whereof now bereft)
Before thy face, long ſince ingroſt I left,
Whereby, I thee beſought to this effect,
For my Poſterity; and to direct
And keep them in thy ways: LORD, though to me
The words are loſt, they are not ſo to thee;
My ſpoilers, cannot hide them from thine eyes,
Nor wilt thou, my Requeſts therein deſpiſe.
Rememember thoſe, by whom we have been fed,
When we were by the world depriv'd of brea
•
Vouchſafe thou, for their Charitableneſs,
They, never want a Friend in their diſtreſs;
Or comforts, when on their ſick beds they lie,
Or, Freedom, though on outward bands they die:
Mind them, when I of them forgetful grow;
Know them, though I their perſons may not know;
Their Alms-deeds, which they labour to conceal,
Let thy Son, before all the world reveal;
And, what for me or mine, in theſe my prayers,
I have deſired, grant to them and theirs.
My Foes have ſome way been my Benefactors,
(Though, therein, they againſt their wills were Actors
For, that, which to afflict me they design,
Adds more to their vexation, then to mine;
And, that, whereby, they thought me to have harmed,
Againſt all future miſchiefs, me hath armed.
In which reſpect, without diſſimulations,
They, are to me, an object of compaſſion,
And, I beſeech thee, ſo their hearts to turn
That, for their ſins, they heartily may mourn.
To operate in them a preparation,
To proſecute the means of their ſalvation,
Their, too much loving of themſelves abate▪
Which hath inclin'd them other men to hate,
And more to puniſh them, who reprehend,
Their ſins, then thoſe, who, againſt thee offend.
Bereave them of that wealth, in which they truſt,
And ſpend, in giving fewel to their luſt;
That Power exorbitant, make to be leſs,
Which doth but Pride, and Tyranny increaſe;
Leſt they may make themſelves the ſlaves of ſin,
And to be Devils, who might Gods have been,
Forgive them their offences againſt thee,
When for them, truly penitent they be:
For, all their wrongs to me I can forgive
As I from thee forgiveneſs would receive.
This Charity of mine to them, is thine;
Thou, thereunto my heart doſt now incline;
Then, ſurely, if thou haſt a love for thoſe
Who hate thee, yea whilſt they continue Foes,
Thou wilt on them beſtow all I can crave,
If they contemn not, that which they might have,
And, who, can then, be hopeleſs of thy Grace,
Who, in true faith, and love ſhall ſeek thy face?
Oh hear me, in what to their welfare tends,
For all in general, both Foes and Friends,
(To whom, Chriſts ranſom ſhall not bounded be,
More by their own fault, then by thy Decree;
And who againſt themſelves, ſhut not that Gate
Which thou to all Mankind, haſt open ſet.)
Make us true Lovers, as we ought to be,
And, we ſhall be beloved ſtill of thee.
Incline us charitably to regard
The poor mans prayers and ours ſhall be heard.
Make us upright, and then ſhall rich and poor,
More advantageous be then heretofore
Unto themſelves; and they who hate each other,
Shall love, and live in amity together.
None, then ſhall make a prayer, to enjoy
In private, what weal-publick, may deſtroy.
But, all our ſuits, (as in deſtructive Rains
Or Droughts) ſhall be prefer'd for what pertains
Unto the common good; and very many
Be benefitted, without harm to any.
I ſhall, moreover, be permitted then,
To do thee ſervice with my Tongue and Pen,
And, thou, with other bleſſings, wilt ſend hi her
What I now pray for, ſeaſonable weather.
LORD! ſhould theſe meditations be deſpis'd,
Or, (as ſome have been lately) here ſurpriz'd,
And ſmother'd; I beſeech thee, let them not
By thee, be diſ-regarded or forgot;
Nor that, which yet remains to be expreſt,
Be ſtifled any longer in my breſt:
For, that, hath been more torment to my mind,
Then to my Body, to be here confin'd.
But, each branch only grant of theſe Requeſts
As with thine own good pleaſure beſt conſiſts,
And, that in chief, which hath preferred been
To work in us, Repentance of all ſin;
Leſt elſe, when from one Judgment we are freed,
Another, and another ſtill ſucceed,
Till e're from all our fear
•
, thou us deliver,
We feel the ſharpeſt arrows in thy Quiver.
Though all alone, the world hath ſhut me here,
And, from her ſelf, exil'd me, as it were,
She, being part of that great Work Divine,
In which there is aſwel a ſhare of mine
As hers: (And, though no ſenſe ſhe ſeems to have
Of what I ſuffer in this living Grave)
I have a Fellow-feeling of her fears,
As by thoſe private muſings it appears,
Which often, heretofore I have expreſt,
On her behalf, and now, by this Requeſt;
Which GOD (I know) for his own ſake hath heard,
Although my prayer merits no regard.
The laſt great Rainy-day, I firſt begun
Theſe Meditations; and, e're they were done,
The Clouds were blown away, the Sun appear'd,
The face of heaven was from thick vapours clear'd,
And, he, who lately muſtred them together,
Continues, yet, a ſeaſonable weather
That will renew the hopes (if it holds on)
Which this year promiſed, when it begun.
For, (to the bleſſed name of GOD be praiſe)
The earth begins her face again to raiſe,
Out of her watry bed, chear'd by thoſe Rayes
Whoſe abſence made her many weeks of days
Sit melancholly, and aſide to throw,
Thoſe dreſſings, wherewith ſhe is trimmed now.
This, doth to me, appear to be a ſign
That, to compaſſion, GOD doth ſti
••
incline,
And, will, once more make proof what Reformation
Shall be endeavour'd after this probation.
Oh! in ſome meaſure, let this grace effect
That, which be juſtly, may from us expect,
Leſt worſe befall: For, GOD will not be mockt;
The doors of heaven, are not yet ſo faſt lockt,
But, that, he ſuddainly may ſend again,
Not only ſuch another waſting rain,
(Or in the ſtead thereof a ſcorching Drouth
And make the tongue, cleave to the parched mouth▪
)
But Fire and Brimſtone too, if he ſo pleaſe;
Whereas, now, whilſt his mercy doth appeaſe
His wrath a little hearty penitence,
Improv'd may keep ſome other Plague from hence,
And, for one ſin that truly is repented,
Three may removed be, or elſe prevented.
Meditated and compoſed during the Authors cloſe Confinement in the Tower,
July. 1663.
Pſalm 107.8.
Oh! that men would praiſe the Lord for his goodneſs, and for his wondrous works to the Children of men.
The whole Pſalm is very pertinent to ſtir up to a due conſideration and practiſe of this duty.