Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n
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A66466
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Divine poems and meditations in two parts / written by William Williams ...
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Williams, William, b. 1613.
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1677
(1677)
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Wing W2786; ESTC R8131
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55,180
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128
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the Matter indifference is like to have a better composure and my Adversary is become my friend When I returned to the Kings-Bench I took it to be my duty to return thanks and praises to God for his so great a mercy never to be forgotten The which I did in the manner as is hereunto annexed which I hope God hath accepted of For since which time I began to write these following meditations which never before did dare to adventure on such subjects But since I am never well nor at quiet with my soul but when I am about such exercises and I was so far from helps as it is well known that I had to many hindrances I will not say to you that I present you with the fruits of idle hours but of the best hours that ever I spent For it hath set more gladness in my heart than when the Corn and wine and oyl encreased It may be that the reverend Clergy will be offended with me for presuming to take upon me to descant on Scriptures I humbly beg their pardons Yet I hope I have not abused any text that I have insisted on But kept close to the matter of it without making any vain fictions and truly I had scarce any book but the bible And I was without that too until I complained of it as one of my greatest wants for my spiritual refreshment to a very good Lady Madam Scawen who presently sent me a very good Bible And I was beholding to Mr Stretch the Minister of the Kings Bench which really is a very civil person to prisoners doing them any good offices that lies in his power he lent me also Doctor Featleys Sermons And from thence as in my dayly practice and observations as my fancy led me I took some things to meditate on for my divertisement The which I hope they will charitably censure these weak exercises and accept them not as coming from a colledg but a Prison I have much hopes of their favors for I have communicated some of these to several good Divines from whom I have had good encouragement which I shall ever most thankfully acknowledge I believe that there be some that will taxe me for too much boldness for coming forth in print And condemn these as weak and indigested I am sensible enough of the weakness of them and therefore they may save that Labor But should I be without reproof I should fare much better than many far my betters who cannot escape the tongues of such carping Zoilus's who have only wit to censure and not to amend and think nothing well done because they do it not yet will quarrel at the private divertisements of a poor Prisoner Should I to add to the heat of their fiery tongues burn these papers or let them rot by me I am sure it would do less good than they will do now For though they want the rethorical streins of great learning yet they are the plain and harmless exercises of an old man a Prisoner that may have the good hap to meet with more charitable and courteous persons that will friendly accept them from a Prisoner under so long and severe a Calamity These Boanerges or Sons of Thunder I shall not Court but leave them to their carping dispositions But you whose pious Charity will be pleased to take this little Babe into your hands and dispise it not though born in a Prison It speaks the language of the Scriptures I have some eminent predecessors and presidents even from Prisons and I hope I do shew the duty and honor I have ever born to the doctrin and discipline of the Church of England In which I was born and bread And I have ever taken it to be my duty to defend it even in the worst of times to my irreparable ruin as is too visible Therefore I hope it will meet with more charitable humble and good dispositions that will friendly accept of and charitably pass by a Prisoners failings And if they may have the good fortune to find acceptance It will give much satisfaction for the pains taken by Your hearty well wishing friend William Williams Psalm 32.11 Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord mercy embraceth him on every side INTRODUCTION A Prisoners thanksgiving that was by Habeas Corpus brought to the Chancery Bar by one that he had trusted with his Estate the first day of Trinity term where having exprest himself it moved so much pitty that it pleased God to raise to his assistance Sir Francis Winnington and Sir John King most effectually to plead his cause without ever being spoke to or retained meerly out of principles of pitty and charity for which the Prisoner at his return to the Kings-Bench wrote as followeth CAn I forget thy mercies Lord this day So freely shew'd me can I make delay To give thee praise oh Lord 't was by thy power I spake so feelingly that happy hour Wherein thou shewd'st thy goodness Lord 't was thine All powerful providence not art of mine Thou didst direct great councel to assist A prisoner poor encountred in the list With other councel whose design yet mist me Lord thou didst ' ope their mouths for to assist me For which I shall for ever praise thy name Too weak's my pen for to express the same Accept dear Lord my thankful hearts expression That 's fill'd with praises let not the Transgression Of my frail heart be hindrance to declare Thy prasses in a work so plous rare That Lawyers which are men design'd for hire Should freely speak 't was cause thou didst inspire Their hearts and made them unto pitty bent To plead the cause of the poor innocent That was by wiles and promises seduc'd Being assured much good should be infus'd To me and mine But Lord thou truly art The God of truth and searcher of the heart Thou know'st what cruel threats I have endur'd That did expect relief and be assur'd Of some kind usage but that I must see My whole dependance is alone on thee Thou hast still by thy own Almighty power Preserv'd me to this very day and hour Dear Lord 't was thou that dost provide for me Means of support when prest with misery Continue still thy all preserving power Leave me not helpless in my latest hour A waken still in me a thankful heart That from depending on thee may not part But let my hope be cast on thee that can Preserve me from the cruel rage of Man VVhose projects are to starve this body frail Oh keep me Lord that they may not prevail Thou that canst bless the little stock of meal And by thy power art able to reveal VVonderful providences to preserve The weakest mortals who in faith thee serve Give me content oh let me not repine At thy just dealings for those sins of mine Pardon my youthful wandrings aged faults My many weaknesses and numerous halts My crooked walks oh let my sad condition Excite a pious grief for my