ADVICE To a Wavering FRIEND.
THough 'twere a Sin to doubt a Righteous Cause,
Supported by what all but Rebels awes,
A Peaceful Prince, and Uncorrupted Laws;
Yet since some Sons of Darkness dare invade
It, with what Subtil Arts hath specious made,
Pretended Zeal drest up in Masquerade;
'Tis but an Act of Goodness to advise
All that their own, or Countries Safety prize,
To shun the Fiend, though in the Saints disguise,
You are too young more than by Rumour to
Know, what their Bloody Ancestors did do,
When they their Sovereign to a Scaffold drew;
But those that saw those Dismal Times can tell,
Their Actions then and now run Parallell;
If different, these in Villany excell.
Those Sandy Props of State, the Common Rout,
Were then, as they are now, hurried about
With Fears and Fancies till the Flame burst out.
They then, as now, unjustly did complain
Of Popish Prelates, Arbitrary Reign,
And all that might the Royal Ermins stain.
But here our Modern great Projectors have
Got some Advantage; here's a Plot to save
The Presbyter from being th' only Knave.
A Real Plot, by Subtil Jesuits drew,
Whose Ruine Faction but pretended to,
Whilst they erected One more strange and new.
Here the White Devil puts on Innocence,
Makes Zeal and Loyalty the false Pretence,
As his Friends Ruine were the Kings Defence.
The Popish Lords with Caution lain aside,
As if their twisted Interest would divide,
Should they before more Loyal Men be try'd.
Those Sons o'th' Earth they brought (the Devil knows whence)
To be the Kings Undoubted Evidence,
Will swear to what they say in either sence.
For though the Blinded People will not see
What 'tis they drive at, there's no Good Man free
From Danger, where the Crime is Loyalty.
There is no Means their Sovereign to annoy,
Nor Bishops Lands again to re-enjoy,
Lest His Great Council do His Good destroy;
Impeach His Loyal Lords, Bishops suspend,
And ruine him that to the Crown's a Friend,
And then Rebellion hath its wisht-for End.
They they'll discover what is now th'Intent,
That a Damn'd Faction only strives to rent
Religions Veil, and Civil Government:
A Private Stab which brings Authority
From Rome's dark Conclave of no use will be,
When the King's made His Kingdoms Enemy.
When the Deluded Rout Their Own they have,
Let Him but Grant what they are bold to Crave,
They'll Lop that Head, they now pretend to Save.
The Zealous Veil they'll then cast off, and in
Their Native Colours to the World be seen,
As Black without, as they are now within.
What now you're flatter'd to, you then will hate;
Perhaps turn Convert, but 'twill be too late:
You may repent; but not retrieve your Fate.
Return in time then, and forsake that Way,
Which these False Guides direct thee to, whilst they
Their King, their Country, and the Church betray.
When Black Rebellion bursts into a Flame,
And Treason's known by 'ts own Prodigious Name,
Though pale with Sorrow, then you'll blush for Shame.
Blush that thy easie Faith did e'er consent
To favour Those that Ruine Government:
Be wise in time then, and the Ill prevent.
FINIS.