HO, Aeolus after a discreet, though sharp and nip­ing use of storm raising Boreas in defence of Charle­mains, I have return'd him (not standing in need of an Ordinance of Indempnity: for, though he hath spoken loud, yet hee hath been harmlesse in his March) into the vast Conclave of his strong prison; and now for the more successefull prosecution of my designe, I request thee gently to latch thy sword into the South West side of that wind preg­nant mountaine, and thence let all fruitfull-shower-distilling Zephirus steale a freedom by degrees tobreath with his humid blasts this Spring, on the Rocks of Albion and make her stony mountains as fertile as the low laid valleyes: or rather, Oblessed Saviour who commandest the windes and they obey thee; send forth amongst us the * Zephirus of thy Word & promise that Grace-infusing Spirit of thy Father,Mat. 8.27. Iohn 3.8. Ioh. 25.26. Act. 17.25.28. 2 Sam. 21.1, 10.14. the Lord of al our be­ings, and God of every blessing; who testified that hee was pacified after his fierce wrath, for the breach of a Nationall Oath or Covenant, by sending a seasonable raine: and who bringeth up the clouds from the ends of the earth, and maketh the lightnings with the raine; drawing forth the winds out of his treasures Ps. 135.7 that hee may blow up a showre of thy precious dew of sauing Charity, and diffuse the rain of the Gospell of Peace, which distilling on the flinty hills and Roc­key Mountaines, the marble hearts and obdurate soules of the Lords and Commons, and all their adherents, may make them as fruitfull of remorse for, and compassion of the sad conditi­on and distraction of this languishing yea gasping Kingdome, as they have been prodigall of its blood and oppression; and that, being mollified with pitty, and melted into commisera­tion, three kingdomes groans may at last make such an impres­sion in their minds as may cause them to look seriously upon their present desperat state, and cordially apply themselves to prevent in this their time their utter ruine and subversion, both Pathetically presented unto them in this mournefull [Page 2]representation of the King and Kingdomes sad and wretched condition.

1. How doth the Eden of Europe remaine solitary with­out her Adam? shee is as a widdow: she that was once in high esteeme among forraigne Countries, and the glory of the whole world for the Scepter of Judah in her, how is shee force'd to turne Issachar (though strong, yet an Asse) and tamely couches between two burthens,Gen. 29.14 Presbitery and Indepen­dency: though great of force, yet wanting courage to resist her enemies.

2. For this, 'tis true, she weeps continually, and her teares murmure in the surrows of her cheeks, but it is by stealth, in the night; despairing of consolation from her pretending sa­vourers, for among such her Lovers, there is none to comfort her: and scaring to discover her griefe to those who former­ly declared themselves her Patriots; for those false friends have dealt unfaithfully with her, and having compounded with the causers of her woe, are become her enemies.

3. Her Lyon,Gen. 49 8 to whom her Fathers sons should bow down is forct to couch under restraint and heavy affliction, and she her selfe brought into great slavery by an heathen sort of peo­ple, who now dwel in her houses: from whose cruell oppres­sions which they lay upon her, shee can discover no hope of freedome, nor can she yet find rest in the midst of those trou­bles, distractions and unnaturall wars wherein they have in­volved her, her persecutors having taken her in the straits.

4. The wayes to the houses of God in her land mourn, for all her solemne Feasts are despiz'd and voted against;Psa. 42.4, 5. all the gates of these Zions into which her David led her sonnes and daughters with the voice of singing and praise, as a multitude that keepeth a Feast, may now lift up their voice in weeping and howling and lamenting, for they are become desolate; the mouths of the Oxen that used there to tread out her corn, are [...]led,1 Cot. 9.9.13. her Priests are permitted neither to waite at her Al­tars, not to partake with her Altars: just cause then have her Ministers to [...]igh [...] her tender ones to be discomsited, and she her selfe to fit in heavynesse.

5. Her enemies flourish having got the better, and those who are her greatest adversaries Oreb and Zech (Fairfax and Grun [...]well) [...] the cheife (the one Captaine, the other Li [...]us­tenantPsal. 83. [Page 3]who with Zeba and Zalo [...]na (the Lords and Com­mons) have cast their heads together with one consent, and made a League together against her, and now that Ashur is also joyned with them, they dare boldly say, Let us take for our possession the habitation of all that is called God: White-Hall, Westminster, with all Cathedrall and Parochial Churches and Chappels. And this the Lord permits (she confesseth) because he intends to humble her by afflictions, and chastise her for the multitude of her transgressions, especially her rebelli­ons against, and want of a due commanded fear of God and her King: Yea because she hath willingly medled, and readily had to do with the seditious,Pro. 24 21. or those that were and are given to change, her children are become captives, slaves and vassels to hers and their enemies.

6 So that now from this daughter of Zion (once flourish­ing England) all her beauty is departed▪ her [...]wfull rulers like Harts that find no pasture, are as men pined away with sorrow, and bereft of all strength and courage, all power and command, are forc'd to flee before the Nimrods of these dayes,Gen. 10 9. 2 K 9.20. who Jehu like pursue them.

7. But what?1 Cor. 4.8. may not her Jerusalem triumph and rejoyce [...] ▪ she lives at case and is full: Nay even she also may e [...]spect a day of affliction for her rebellion: when all the pleasant things that shee enjoyed in time past shall bee taken from her, then shall shee with griefe of soule call to mind and remember the benefits and commodities she had during here obedience, but lost since she hath so consentingly lost the acknowledgement of her Allegiance to her Royall Soveraign. Nay, may we not say her misery is in part faln on her already? look but upon her people and power, inhabitants and Militia: did not they all in one day fal into the hand of her enemy, and none did help here her adversaries advanced towards, looked upon and straight­way overcame her, and now mock at her Sabbaths, all that she held sacred, her Assembly, her Classis and Directory.

8. Yea she is become the derision of other countries,Ier. 18.61. theDeu. 28.37. By word of neighbour Nations, and the [...]ing of them from after▪ Ver. 19.8. Mic. 6.16. al that heretofore hon [...]red her as the best Ordered most decently civiliz [...]d, and purest reformed Catholick-Religion-professing City of the world, now d [...]spise her and point at her, because they have s [...]n h [...]r [...] schismes, [Page 4]yea, her Hydra-headed bulke of errours and blasphemies.

O then that London would purge her stinking ayre with whole gales of heart-breathed sighs, and cleanse her seditious streets with soul-wept teares, out of a seriously sorrowful sense and acknowledgement that she hath grievously sinned.

9, 10, 11. But alas! Now readers, if guilty, read this if you dare without remorse & compunction, if guiltles, hear this without amazement and compassion, sinful London sighs indeed, but the n turns backward. All People sigh and seek the living Bread, the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ, but finde it not, lyea, they part from their plesant things for wholsom meat, sound Doctrin to refresh the soul, but are seduced & deceived, for thy Prophets prophe­sie lyes and thine adversaries the Sectaries love to have it so: these have destroyed Gods true Religion,Ier. 5.31. cast his publique Wor­ship and Service out of their assemblies, rejected his sacred Or­dinances, reviled the foot-steps of his Anointed, strained and laid violent hands upon his loyal Servant their royal Sove­raigne the King, despised Gods Law, despited his servants the Preachers, violated the law of Nature and Nations, beat, im­prisoned, and robd their fellow-subjects, who have not run giddily into the same excesse of Rebellion with themselves, and to make all good that they either say or act; they have set up their Banners and spread their Ensignes in signe of defiance,Ps [...]l. 74.4. and as evidences to all the World, that they resolve to justifie themselves by the Sword not the Word, by Machiavel not the Gospel, by B [...]ll [...]na not the Bible, and confute the Arguments of all that shall oppose their Sic volo sic jubeo, stat proratione vo­luntas, with distresse not discourse, with a Prison not a Pulpit, encouraging one another to cruelty, that not onely Gods Peo­ple might be destroyed, but also his Religion utterly in all places suppressed, and their own Babel of confession and Anar­chy both in Church and State instead thereof erected.

12 What I Hath a universal Lethargy over-spread the whole Land? Hath al the People quaft their fils of the stupifying Waters of Leth [...], hath a blacknesse as palpable as that of Egypt clouded their understandings and darkened their judgements? or hath a willingnesse to be blinded, hood-winckt, and so led namely to their own destruction, seazed on all the Inhabitants [Page 5]of England, that they are generally so insensible of their pre­sent Woes and approaching Miseries? Have ye no regard all­ye that passe by this way? O! thou who art justly stiled The Defender of the Faith, Doest thou not consider how the Faith of Iesus Christ so prospeously, and with Gods blessing peofes­sed in this Land, is assaulted, in danger, and never stood in more need of thy defence than now? Alas, thou doest, but to the griefe of thy soul canst not succour it other wayes than by thy patient suffering all manner of affronts, incivilities, in­humanities wherewith the scum of the Land; the dregges of our Nation, and the off-scouring of thy Subjects daily enter­taine thy person and exercise, thy graces and virtues; for they have rebelliously usurped thy power, and vio­lently wrested the Sword out of thy hand, least thou shouldest oppose the one unsheath the other and make use of both in this so just and lawfull a Defence, which before the Throne of thy King shall make for their greater condemnation, but thy more glorious justification. Thou wouldest but wert not admitted, nay, by force of Armes hindered and restrained from per­forming this thy duty.

O ye great Clerkes and learned Docto [...]rs, whose calling it is to tell Judah of her trangressions and Israel of her sinnes; do ye not see that certain men are crept into the Fold, Wolves in Sheeps cloathing, turning the grace of our God into wan­tonnesse, speaking lyes through hypocrisie,Iude 4. 1 Tim. 4.2 2 Pet. 2.10. walking after the flesh in the lusts of uncleannesse, and dully, but yet impudent­ly despising and despiting Governments, and speaking evil of them that are in authority? Nay, do ye not bear and see how the false Prophets and Teachers spoken of by the Apostles of old are now (if ever) among us, and have broacht damnable er­rours and heresies,2 Pet. 2 21. Iu [...]e 9. even denying the Lord that ha [...]h bought them, God the onely Lord, and the Lord Iesus Christ: those makers of Sects, mockers fore-told of2 P [...]. 3.3. Rom. 16.17, 18. causers of divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ which ye have learned and taught, who serve not the Lord Iesus Christ, but their own bellies; those deceiving deceivers who creep into houses, and with fair speeches and fawning flatter­ings beguile the hearts of the unstable soules; and how that many follow their insolent, wanton, licentious; yea, damna­ble [Page 6]wayes, by reason whereof the way of truth is evill spoken of? And are ye silent, mute, and your Trumpets not heard? Though ye have knowledge, and are established in the Truth, have ye yet need of a Peter to put ye in minde of these things, and stir you up by retriving in your remembrance the duty en­joyned you by Saint Paul, 2 Tim. 4.2 Preach the Word; be instant in season and out of season; improve, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering. Alas, the last gift they will provide ye shall daily exercise, but at no time (by their good wils) any of the former: that head­lesse, heartlesse, tonguelesse Trunck of a Parliament, a genera­tion that strive with the Priest,Hos. 4.2. hath ordered the stopping of your mouthes, or stifling of your breaths: for the time (fore­told by the Apostle) being now come,2 Tim. 4.3 they will not suffer wholesome Doctrine, but having their eares itching, after their owne lusts get them an heap of Teachers. You are silen­ced: you can, but may not.

O then, ye that onely can, ye that call your selves the Pa­triots of the Law, the loyal Subjects of the King, and the re­presentative Body of the Kingdom, expresse it in these two Acts, pity and period their sorrowes, their sufferings towards whom to pregnant a remorse now at last in your breasts, may these sad showers of Lamentation be distilled into your bosomes. Great Britain, Behold and see if ever sorrow were like my sorrow which is done unto me, and wherewith the Lord hath af­flicted me in the day of his fierce wrath. &c. read[?] Lamen. verse [...]. 13, &c.