thee Whom thou hast praised and whose graces be The same they were thou knowest many a one In bodily diseases thus hath done Those meats and drinks that are both sweet pure They can nor truly rellish nor endure We seldome see the Bodies torment bred By ought which first ariseth in the Head But oftentimes we feele both head and eyes Diseas'd by fumes which from the Body rise And though downe from the head there may distill Some humour otherwhile which maketh â—ll The lower parts yet that first vapor'd from Those crudities and noysome fumes whiâ—h come From â—ll digestion or from stoppages Which are in our inferior passages 'T is thus in nat'rall Bodies anâ— the like May be observ'd in Bodies pâ—litick The head and body both are evill pleas'd When any part of eitheâ— is diseas'd But their distempers woâ—se or easier are Sustained as their fiâ—st occasions were When Lungs or Liver doth defective grow By ought within it selfe it paines not so The head as when from thence doth also fall Those â—hewâ—â—es and humors that by tickling shall Occasion coughs and strainings to distend The passages as if each part would rend Nor is the Stomack so distempered By any hurt or bruise upon the Head By its owne fault receiv'd as when it akeâ—h Through fumings which from parts below it taketh So fares it with a People and their King Ev'n all their eâ—rors griefes and cares doe bring Vpon each other so that what the one Misdoeth in doth bâ—ing some smart upon The other party But they shall not be Afflicted with it both in one degree For if the Princes oversight or sin Of any publike Plague first cause hath bin The greatest mischiefe will at last be his And if the Subjects have so done amisse That Vengeance followes it the King may gâ—ieve But they shall be consumed I beleeve And that for each ones personall defect The greatest harme will on himselfe reflect What then to be performed is remaining But that we leave repining and complaining On one another and our labours bend Our selves as much as may be to amend Let ev'ry one examine well his way And for himselfe and for all others pray For this is far more likely to redresse The present mischiefes then oâ—r frowardnesse The party that hath innocency shall Be sure to stand though all about him fall And if we all perveâ—sly wicked prove We shâ—ll have all one judgement from above If in thy King oh Britaine ought amisse Appeares to be 'twixt God and him it is Of him he shall be judged What to thee Pertaineth it his censurer to be If thou shalt suffer with him thy offence Deserv'd it and nought else â—ut penitence Becomes thy practice neither shall there ought That 's wrong by other meanes to right be brought Thy generall voice but newly did confesse In him much vertue and much hopefulnesse And he so late assum'd his Diadem That there hath scarce beene time enough for him Those evils to performe that may inâ—erre A generall mischiefe Neither do I heare Of ought as yet which thou to him canst lay But that he doth to thee thy will denâ—y Or with a gentle stoutnesse claime and strive For what he thinks his just Prerogative And why I prethee may not all this flow From some corruptions which in thee do grow Without his fault why may not for thy crimes Some instruments of Sathan in these times Be suffred to obscure from him a while The truth of things and his beleefe beguile With vert'uos showes discreet and good pretences To plague and punish thee for thy offences Why may not God and justly too permit Some Sycophant or cunning hypocrite For thy hypocrisies to steale away His heart from thee and goodly colours lay On projects which may cause him to undo thee And think that he no wrong hath done unto thee Nay wherefore may not some thy King advise To that which seems to wrong thy liberties Yet in themselves be honest men and just Who have abused been by those they trust Thy wickednesse deserves it and that he Who in himselfe is good should bring to thee No profit by his goodnesse but augment Thy sorrowes till thy follies thou repent For what is in it selfe from evill free Is evill made to those that evill be Why may it not be possible that thou Demandedst what he might not well allow Without dishonor Or if all were right Which thou requiredst yet the manner might Distast him Or who certaine is but some Pretending publike grievances might come With private spleene and mâ—lice to pursue Those faults in others which their conscience knew That they themselves were guilty of and had No peace with God by true repentance mnde If so it were I doe admire the lesse That thy petitions had aâ— ill successe If any single man hath ought misdone It is so little while since he begun His being to receive that in respect Oâ— thine his errors could small harme effect But tâ—ou hast heap'd up sin for many yeares And thy exceeding guiltinesse appeares With so much evidence that ev'ry man Of some particular faulâ—s accuse thee can And openly râ—prove thee to thy face For evils done in ev'ry time and place Then blame not him if God hath falsifi'd Some hopes of late or to thy griefe denide That refoâ—mation which thou didst require And addâ—d in the stead of thy desire New grievances Nor too too bitterly Pursue those errors of infirmity Which were by others heretofore commiâ—â—ed But let all past offences be remitted If thou perceive but hope of reformation Goe offer up to God for thy Oblation A true forgivenesse of their injuries Who heretofore have wrong'd thy Liberties And do not this in policy altho The times now present may require it so But so forgive as by the God of heaven Thou dost desire thy sins may be forgiven For by thy faults dishonor'd more is he Then thou by â—heiâ—s that have offended thee And if to them thou tâ—ue compassion showest God will not urge perhaps the debt thou owâ—st Of Reformation thou dost show great zeale But some corruption maist thou not conceale That mars the blâ—ssing Aâ—â— thou â—ure thou hast No just occasion given to distast Thy King Doe thy complainings all intend The publike welfare without private end And in preferring them didst thou commit No errors nor no decencies forget I will not say thou didst but I do feare That they who wisest are in some things erre Forgive me thou high Court of Parliament If I shall utter what will discontent Thy disunited members who have sate In former times grave matters to debate For though I will not arrogate the wit To teach so great a Counsell what is fit Nor censure any Act which thou hast done When all thy parts have joyned been in one Yet I will take upon me to reprove Their private errors who in courses move Repugnant to thy Iustice and oft be The cause of much dishonour unto
many houses in this Land That in remote obscurity doe stand Which to the Foe would yeeld a richer prize Then many Townships which they might surprize On other shores And yet some doe not shame With poverty this Iland to defame WAR threatens us and we of want complaine Not knowing how our safeties to maintaine Yet we doe nothing want that may conduce In warre or peace to serve a needfull use Armes victualls men and money we have store Yet still we falsly cry that we are poore We are so greedy that we will not spare To save the hogge one farthing worth of tarre Gods blessings we so long time have abused That now we know not how they should be used Or else we thinke each other so unjust That no man knows with whom the meanes to truâ—t Oh! pray to God to take away the cause Of these distempers and to breake the Maze In which we wander For like those we fare Who sitting at a banquet starved are If we had peace with God and could agree This Kingdome which so needy seemes to be Might with her superfluities maintaine Far greater armies then the King of Spaine With all his Indies We might begger him And make all who feare him to contemne His winning projects if we had but eyes To see and take the course that open lies It is his gold encreasing his ambition Which to the Christian world will bring perdition And if prevention longer we delay Or if we doe not find a better way Then yet is trod the current of his pow'r Will grow so strong that it will all devoure For wâ—ere a streame runs broad and swift to stop His fury there I see but little hope Materials both for war and peace must come To him from divers quarters for at home His Country yeelds him little But the yeare As it renewes with us reneweth here Our food and rayment and though no supplies Come in a staple of Commodities Our Iland is which both in war and peace Will still be in request and still encrease Let therefore those who on tâ—e Continent Doe feare him use their utmost to prevent His greatnesse there and let our Sea-giâ—t Ile Forbearing on Land forces for a while To spend their strength intirely bend their pow'r As in preceding times the Seas to scoure For with more profit and a lesser charge That shall our lost advantages enlaâ—ge And make his Armies which are now so strong Draw baâ—k decay and mutiny e're long Were we resolv'd our course this way to bend Of our maine stock we needed not to spâ—nd One moitie For halfe of what is lost Within this Kingdome sav'd would quit that cost Let all according to the port they beare Forbeare but one vaine Feast in ev'ry yeare Let ev'ry houshold for the publike wealth Which also would advance the bodies health Fast but one meale a week and separate The price thereof for service of the State Or spare from their full boards of flâ—sh or fish The dressing or the sawce but of one dish Leâ— us but lay one lace or gard the lesse Vpon our Clokes or save the coâ—â—lâ—nesse In our apâ—arell which we well might spare Yet no defect upon the same appeare Let us â—eseâ—ve but halfe the â—ithe of those â—xpences trifled ouâ— in gamâ—s and showes Which do not only needlâ—sse charge encrease But still the kingdâ—me full of idlenâ—sse Oâ— these and many other such expences Which wast our wealth and multiply offences Iâ— we but part would give perhaps that cost Would save our lives and all from being lost Tobacco which the age that went before Nor knew nor needed doth expend us more Then would maintaine an army for few think How much there is consum'd in smoake and stink Pride is so câ—stly that if ev'ry Girle Should give tâ—e worth but of one lace or purle Which trims her Crosse cloth it would sailes provide â—or halfe the ships which now at Plimouth ride Hâ—d we but ev'ry forfeiture that 's due â—â—om those of our notorious drunken crue Or â—f the value were together got Although but of their twentieth needlesse pot I am perswaded it aflote would set A greater Fleet then we have armed yet The very Oaths which we may daily heare The men the women and the children sweare If thundred forth together would rore louder â—hen all our Cannons and great shot and powder Much more then would at â—ea and land suffise Might purchasâ— be by halfe the penalties Which might be justly taken if we had Râ—gâ—rd to execute the Lâ—wes we made God grant that of his honor and of what Conceâ—nes the gen'rall safety of the State We mâ—y moâ—e zealous grow and that some course May stop that mischiefe which yeâ— waxâ—th worse And thâ—t fâ—om this or from some better light The meanes of â—eformation takâ— we might Of which I hopefull am and that e're long Our Commonwealth shall sing a sweeteâ— song When such â— time I see I shall be sure Tâ—esâ— Lines oh England will thy love procure And I who for thy weale this paines bestow Shall find more favour then 〈◊〉 for now Yea then shall I tâ—at yet have beene despâ—s'd â—ewaâ—led dye oâ— liâ—e much better priz'd But not till then Noâ— shall I live to vâ—ew Thy sorrowes ended â— thou do not â—ue Thy sins with speed Oh! the 〈…〉 he To turne â—o God â—hat he may tâ—rne to thee Bâ—sâ—â—ch him England to unclose thine eyes And let thee see in what thy sicknesse lies â—mplore thou him to mollifie thy heart Thy Children from their fâ—llies to divert And break thoâ—â— chaines of ignorance and sin Which at thâ—s present thou ly'st fetterd in Endeavor to be friends with God againe And he will all thy furious foes restrainâ— Thy faulty members who doe now disturb Thy peace he either will remove or curb Those Gâ—ces thou perceivedst heretofore Adorne thy Soveraigne shall be hid no more By those darke fogs which from â—hy sins do rise For God will take the skales from oft thâ—ne eyes On thee his countenance againe â—hall shine That thou maist laâ—d him in a Song divine And thâ—y who now lament thy â—ad â—stâ—te In Hymâ—es of joy shall praise thy happy Fate The eighth Canto Our Poet having â—oucht againe Whâ—t frâ—ilâ—ies in himsâ—lfe remaine Dâ—clâ—res thâ—t many Plagues doe steale As well on Chuâ—ch as Commonweale Relâ—tes whâ—t croâ—cheâ—s doe possesse Some who Religionsnâ—sse professe Wâ—at nâ—ysome â—lants what tares and weeds Aâ—e sprung â—o choake the holy seeds Whâ—t faiâ—ed zeale and affectation Hâ—th fool'd this formall Generation And how from some great scandall growes Who â—eare the keyes that bind and loose Next he delivereth Predictions Of plague of sorrowes and afflictions Which on this â—â—and will descend Vnlâ—sse our manners we amend And whensoever civill jâ—rs Or mischiefes by the rage of wars Oppresse this Realme his Muse doth show Who shall occasion it and how Which fearfull Iudgement to prevent He calls upon her to repent By â—en apparant signes
The meaning of the Title page BEhold and marke and mind ye British Nationâ— â—his dreadfull Vision of my Contemplations Before the Throne of Heav'n I saw me thought Tâ—â—s famous Island into question brought Wâ—th better eares then those my Body beare I bâ—ard impartiall IVSTICEâ—o â—o declare God's Benefits our Thanklesnesse and what Small heed his Love or Iudgements here begat I view'd eternall MERCIE how she strove Gâ—â—'s just deserved Vengeance to remove Bâ—t so enâ—reaâ—t our Sinnes and cry'd so loud That at the last I saw a dismall Cloud Eâ—ceeding blacke as from the Sea ascending And â—â—er all this Isle it selfe extending Witâ— such thicke foggie Vapours that their steames Sâ—eâ—'d for a while to darken MERCIES heames Wiâ—â—in this fearfull Cloud I did behold All Plagues and Punishments that name I could And with a trembling heart I fear'd each houre Gâ—d woulâ— thâ—t Tempest on this Island poure Yet better hopes appear'd for loe the Rayes Of MERCY pierc'd this Cloud made such waies Qâ—ite througâ— those Exhalations that mine eye 〈◊〉 Inscription thereupon espie Bâ—ITAINES REMEMâ—RANCER somewhat said Thâ—se wâ—â—ds me thought The Storme is yet delaid And if ye doe not penitence defer This CLOVD is only a REMEMBRANCER Buâ— if ye still affect impiety Expect e're long what this mâ—y â—ignifie Thâ—â— hâ—ving heâ—rd aâ—d seene I thought nor fit Nor safe it were for me to smother it And thâ—râ—forâ— both to others eyes and eares Have offâ—ed here what unto mine appeares Iâ—dge â—s yâ— pleasâ— ye Readers this or me Trâ—th will be Truth how e're it censur'd be GEO WITHER Britain 's Remembrancer Containing A Narration of the PLAGVE lately past A Declaration of the MISCHIEFS present And a Prediction of IVDGMENTS to come If Repentance prevent not It is Dedicated for the glory of God to POSTERITIE and to These Times if they please by GEO WITHER IOB 32.8 9 10 18 21 22. Surely there is a spirit in man but the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding Great men are not alwayes wise neither doe the aged alway understand judgement Therefore I say heare me and I will shew also my opinion For I am full of matter and the spirit within mee compelleth me I will not accept the person of man neither will I give flattering titles to man For I may not give flattering titles lest my Maker take me away suddenly Reade all or censure not For He that answereth a matter before he heare it it is shame and folly to him PROV 18.13 Imprinted for Great Britaine and are to be sold by IOHN GRISMOND in Ivie-Lane MDCXXVIII TO THE KINGS MOST EXCELLENT MAIESTIE Most Royall SIR BEcause I doubted who might first peruse â—hese honest Raptures of my sleighted Muse Observing it the quality of most To passe rash judgements taken up on trust And that according to the wits of those Who censure fiâ—st the common Censure goes Perceiving too with what oblique aspect Some glaring Comets on my Liâ—es reflect A while I pawsed whether trust I might My plaine-pace'd Measures to their partiall sight Who mâ—y upon them e're you reade them seize And comment on my Text as they shall please Or slâ—ight or scoffe such men were knowne to me And being loth they first of all should be My Iudges here I offâ—r to your eye The prime perusall of this Poesie For minding well what hopes I have of You What course my Fortunes urge me to pursue What bluâ—res good Studies by those Fooles have got Who sleight desert because they knâ—w it not What freedome Nature gives to eâ—'y soule To speake just things to Kings without controule How farre from noble and from wise they be Who disallow the Muses should be free How eas'd we are when we our minds disclose What profit from our honest boldnesse flowes What Resolutions I have made mine owne And what good cause there is to make them knowne All this well weighing with some Reasons moe Which usefull are for none but me to know I did not feare these Poâ—ms forth to bring To bide at first the censure of a King And loe on milke white paper wings they flye Reade they that lift when you have laid them by But SIR I humbly pray you let not fall Your Doome till you have read and read it all For he that shall by fragments this peruse Will wrong himselfe the Matter and the Muse. Although a tedious Worke it may appeare You shall not wholly lose your labour here For though some heâ—alesse Courtiers censure may That on this Booke your time weâ—e cast away I know it may your spirits recreate Without disturbing your affaires of State And with more usefull things acquaint your eares Then twenty hundred thousand tales of theirs You also know that well it fits a King To heare such Messages as now I bring And that in doing so to take some pleasure Great Monarchs thought it just to be at leasure Long since I have elected you to be Moecenas to my Muses and to me And if my hopes in you shall be â—ereâ—t me I have no other hopes in this kind left me Nor any purpose whatsoever come To seeke another Patron in your roome Nor seeke I now that I from you may gaine What other times I covet for my paine Nor for because my heart hath any doubt That I shall need a Friend to beare me out Against the fury or the fraud of those That openly or secretly oppose Such Works For He that me to this doth call Shall save me harmlesse or I meane to fall Not that I sleight your favour speake I this For deare and precious to my soule it is But rathâ—r that the world may know and seâ— How him I trust that hath inspiâ—ed me Though some suppose I may I doe not feare As many would if in my case they were I doe not feare the World deprive me can Of such a mind as may become a Man Whâ—t ever outward mâ—sâ—ries beâ—ide For God will Meanes or Forâ—itude provide I doe not feâ—re unlâ—sse I merit blame That any one hath pow'r to worke my shame Since they who caâ—slâ—sly my Name shall spot Reproach themselves but me disparage not And sure I am though many seeke to spight me That ev'ry Dog which barketh cannot biâ—e me I oft have lookt on Death without dismay When many thousands he hath swept awâ—y On â—v'ry side and fâ—om him have not stirr'd One foot when he most terrible appear'd I know of Want the utmost discontents The cruelty of Close-imprisonments The bitternesse of Slanders and Disgrace In private corneâ—s and in publike place I have sustain'd already whatsoever Despight can adde to wrong a good endeavor And am become so hopelesse of procuring True Peace but by a peaceable enduring That what remaines to suffer shall be borne And to repine at Forâ—une I will scorne I doe not feare the frownes of mighty men Nor in Close-prison to be lodg'd agen For Goods Life Freedome Fame and such as those Are things
could wish it doubled were Wâ—â—h somâ— such observâ—tionâ— as would make Their practices the morâ— successe to tâ—ke And that their naturall meanes had hallowed bin With so much Faitâ— and penitence for sin As might havâ— brought more workes of Piety To sanâ—tifie their outward Poluy Foâ— those dull Nâ—turalists who think this Foe Doth by meere nat'â—all causes come oâ— goe Are much deceiv'd Yea in their heâ—rts they say There is no God how â—ver glâ—ze they may And as their cogitationâ— are unholy So is their seeming wisedome sottish folly They are the base Conjunctions and Aspects Of Sin that this our Climate so infects And neither Constellations nor the Weather For then we had beene poâ—s'ned all together By this Contagion and had breath'd the longer Or shorter while as nature had beene stronger Or weaker in us Nothing had beene free But birds and beasts had dy'd as well aâ— we And this Disease had seiz'd on ev'ry Creature Or more or lesse as it partakes our nature It was no nâ—ysome Ayre no â—ewre or Stinke Which brought this Death as most among us thinke For then those places where ill smells abound Had more infectious at that time beene found Then we perceive they were yea this Disease On ev'ry person delicate would seize Without exception And where Savours ill Still bide the Plague should there continue still Then if they brought the same they sure feed it And keepe it alwayes there as well as breed it Which God â—orbid and â—each us to discerne His providence and what thereby to learne Vaine thoughts have also they who credit can That this Infirmity at first began By meanes of populousnesse For were it so Some Courts and Allies many yeares agoe Had beene infected And thâ—se places where Throng'd up together greatest numbers are From Visitation had not free remained When open Streets and Borroughs have complained And let them not beleeve their fallacy Because great Cities have most frequently This fearfull Sicknesse or afflicted be When little Townes and Villages are free For as there is in great and popular places More sin and more abundance of Gods graces So it is just that thither should be sent The greater measure of his Chastisement That so their eminenâ—e might shew abroad As well the Iustice as the Love of God Whose Iudgements being laid on Townes obscure Might small respect and lesse effect procure As ignorant as these I reckon those Who this Disease infectious doe suppose To ev'ry one and them who credit not That Sicknesse by infection may be got For these opinions can have no defence Since both will false be found in common sense For if we say this Plague infects not any How commeth it we daily see so many Consum'd beneath one roofe in little space How comes it that it creeps from place to place So orderly as oftentimes we see In some close Lane oâ— Street How may it be That twenty Villages far distant from Infected Places tainted should become Within some few dayes after their arriving Who in contageous places had their living None being there before they came infected Nor any such disease neare-hand suspected How comes all this unlesse the Maladâ—e Hath in it selfe as had the Lâ—prosie A spreading Nature and envenom'd that Which of her poison can participate Beleeve it as the Violet or Rose With pure and pleasing sweetnesse where it growâ—s Perfumes the Aire and sendeth Odours out Which keepe a certaine distance there-about And more or lesse affect the Passers-by As they have more or lesse capacity In smelling them Or as the calmed aire Is either more or lesse corrupt or faire Right so this Plague ev'n naturally affects A space of Aire about it and infects At such or such a distance ev'ry one As he hath weaknesses to worke upon Unlesse that her malignitie be staid By naturall meanes or powre Divine alaid And yet a false Position make they shall Who thence infer the Plague infecteth all Who breathe her tainted Aire For how did they Escape it â—hen who long time night and day In places of infection were detain'd And in the bosome of this Pestâ—emain'd â—emain'd Ev'n wheâ—e they often had their eares and eyes Affronted by the sad aspect and cries Of Death and Dying men How scaped he That in the Church obliged was to be Among infectious people and to speake Till tired were his lungs and spirits weake Ev'n when the peoples thronging and their heat Did vapour up their breathings and their sweat For him to swallow What preserv'd the Clarkes The Sextens Searchers Keepers and those Sharks The shamelesse Bearers who were nigh become A rout too bad to picke out hangmen from How scap't the Surgeon that oft puts his head Within the steame of an Infectious bed And ev'ry day doth handle search and dresse Those Biles that over-flow with rottennesse Or which is more how scapt those Babes the Pest That were not only weake but suckt the brest Of Mothers deadly sicke when they did weare Those noisome Blaines that most infectious are This often chanceth Yea this hath beene seene When on the veâ—y brest the sore hath beene Nay I have heard by credible relation That neare to Straâ—ford-bow this Visitation A little Infant was preserv'd alive Who sucked on the dying brests of five How this may be I know not If I shall Conclude with some this Plague hath powre on alâ— Nor can I finde a reason how it stinted Or how our totall ruine was prevented For when it was at height and when appear'd Most causes that Infection should be fear'd Then no man was confined as before No Bill or Crosse was fixt on any doore We visited the Sicke we shunned neither The place nor person but met all together Yet then and let us marke it not till then This Plague her fury did abate agen And constantly abate though most refused To keepe such Orders as at first were used Which manifestâ—th well that howsoe're Malignant in it selfe the â—est appeare Gods hand restraines it many a man protecting Immediately some mediately directing To such or such a meanes of preservation That they might honour him in their salvation And as he striketh some that men might feare His Iustice So he other some doth spare That they might love his Mercies and perceive That he can at his pleasure take and leave For if God saved none some Athe'st would not Make doubt perhaps to publish that he could not And scarce one man would be so neighbourly To helpe his brother in this malady Which Charity to further and to shew How safely men their Callings may pursue In ev'ry danger we have had this yeare Of Gods great Providence faire token here For 't is observ'd that he hath few destroy'd Who were in this mortality employ'd About those Offices which have to us In common sense appear'd most dangerous Few Sextons and few Surgeons have miscari'd Who in their callings at this want have tary'd And of those Market-folks who at our
man desire at least This pow'r that his desirings may be blest With such peâ—formances as he shall need Or have his Will accepted for the Deed. And let him to his Calling ever stand For whosoe're doth leave that place unmann'd Wherein God set him â—orfeits that reward And is dâ—prived of that Angell guard Of which his Muse doth prophesie who sayes We shall prâ—sâ—rved be in all our wayes Far is it from my nature to reprove With proud insultings those whom feare did move To step aside For good and pious men Give way to nat'rall frailties now and then And we whom God emboldned now to stay Hereafter from lesse frights may run away Yea sure I am that if it doe not flow From Love and Pity that their sâ—apes we show God may and will our folly to deride Make them dare stand where we shall seare to bide And therefore hoping none amisse will take What I have writ for truth and conâ—â—ience sake That men in times to come might looke into This duty and be heedfull what they doe I will affirme thâ—t ev'ry one hath erred Who in his lawfull Calling was deterred So much as in â—his danger to forsake it And though a trifling matter many make it I know the most apparant showes of terror Are not excuse enough for such an error For that we should not in such cases dread The greatest perils God hath promised That if we keepe ouâ— wayes and him obseâ—ve He will not onely from this Plague preserve But cause us wâ—thout haâ—me to walke among Ev'n Adders Dragoâ—s Lyons old and yong By which pernicious creatures and untamed Is ev'â—y danger meant â—hat can be named These things we must obseâ—ve if we will hope Gods extraordinary blow to stop And other circumstances must attend Those meanes But they so nat'rally depend On what precedes that in well doing one VVe cannot leave the other part undone Such were those holy med'cines which prevented The Plague at Niniveh when she repented Such Isr'el used and it saved them Such kept the Plague out of Ierusalem And when the bloody Angell came had pow'r To stop him in Araunab's threshing floore Thus Hezekiah was preserv'd thus David Was from the very same contagion saved And if unfainedly we praâ—tise thus He doth of safety also warrant us Yea through this meanes we shall be fortifi'd VVith such a coat of proofe as will abide That murth'ring Arrow which in darknâ—sse flyes From Godâ— owne Bow unseene of mortall eyes And when we thus have done attempt we may To stop the Shaft that flyes abroad by day I meane the nat'rall Sicknesse whiâ—h doth smite By meanes that is apparâ—nt to the sight For as God striketh oft immediate blowes By some immediate way right so he showes A nat'rall cure to those whom he doth please To warrant from the naturall Diseasâ— Thus he for Hezekiah's health revealed That Plaister wherewithall his griefe was healed Thus from this Plague have many beene secured And many saved who the stroke endured Here I could shew what Medâ—cines may be tooke To cure or to prevent the outward stroke To qualifie the Aire what might be used What Diet should be taken what refused What Symptomes doe attend on this disease What good or ill from Labour or from Ease Too much or over-little may be got But to proceed in this presume I not For to prescribe externall med'cines here To ev'ry man too hard a taske it were Since they must often chang'd and mixed â—e As we the sicknesse changeable doe see And as we finde the measure of infection The parties Age his Temper or Complection To those I theâ—efore will commit this part Who are allow'd professors of that Art Advising all that none their aid refuse Nor out of season their assistance use For if before our peace with God be made We seeking outward meanes a cure have had That meanes shall be the meanes our death to â—et That cure shall onely cure us to beget Another Plague unlesse we have repented Our solly and the misâ—hiefe so prevented Yea such as take that course doe sugar o're Strong poyâ—ons and skin up a festring sore Because those med'cines and that watchfulnâ—sse From which they did expect a good succesâ—e Not being with repentance sanctifi'd Nor in their place with faithfulnesse apply'd Corruptd grow make what was evill worse And in the stead of blessings bring a curse This Reason proves For since it is from Sin Whence all our griefes and sicknesses have bin We shall as vainly strive th' effects to stay Till we the Causes first remove away As if we went about to draine a River Before to stop the Springs we did endeavor And as we neither should o're much râ—ly On outward helpes nor take disorderly The meanes of Health â—ight so beware we must That we doe never use it with distrust For as in seeking safety most men use Preposterous courses whence much harme ensues Or else when likely med'â—ines they have got Presume so farre on what availeâ—h not Without Gods blessing that from him they take His due and of his Creatures Idols make So some there be so fearfull that their Feare Corrupts their blood where no infections were Begets that Plague within them which they shun And makes it follow when they from it run No place or counsell can of rest â—ssâ—re them No meanes their hope of safety can procure them But still they are distemper'd ever taking New courses and new Med'cines alwayes making Of all they meet if any meet they dare For some Receipt their fiâ—st enquiries are What e're he be that tells them that or this Prevents the Plague it straightwayes practis'd is They swallow downe hot Waâ—â—rs Sirrups Drinks Choake up their Chambers witâ— Perfumes Stinks With Rue and Wormwood cram their bowels up With Phisicke breake their faâ—ts and dine and suâ— Yet still dâ—spaire as if that world of sluffe Which they devoured were not halfe enough And this their terror doth to me appeare A greater Plague then that which they doe feare Mistake me not I doe not here condemne The christian and the filiall feare of them That are with holy dread employ'd about Such meanes as woâ—keth true salvation out Nor blame it when a moderate feare doth make Alarums in us Reason to awake For while our Feare preserves a moderation It is a very necessary passion And stands for Centinell to bid us Arme When any Foe doth seeme to menace harme Nor doe I checke that nat'rall Feare which from The knowledge of our weaknesses doth come For want of that is meere stupidity And such can neither feele a Misery Nor taâ—te Gods Mercies with more profit than The brutish Creatures wanting Reason can Who of their paines or pleasures nought retaine Much longer then it doth in act remaine I count not each man valiant who dares die Or venture on a Mischiefe desperately When either heat of Youth or Wine or Passion Shall whet him on before consideration For thus a
and how to live As worthy their free-calling such as they Who ev'ry houre doe labour watch and pray Their duties to performe and dare not peepe Abroad at morning or at ev'ning sleepe Till they the sacrifice of thankes have paid For favours past and begg'd for future aid Such as on Gods owne pleasure can rely And in his Faith resolved are to dye Such as have Charity and working are Their safeties with continuall joy and fearâ— Ev'n such as these securely may repose When twenty thousand dangers them enclose On these Gods Angells wait and these they shall From stumbling keepe when many Millions fall From ev'ry kinde of harme they shall be free And sleepe where feares and mischiefes thickest be Yea though that seize them which the Plague we cal It shall to them become no Plague at all But rather be their furth'rance to acquire That perfect happinesse which they desire Let no man therefore in this Visitation Tye God unto the temp'rall preservation Or be discouraged if he shall please To exercise him under this Disease Supposing he inflicteth it on none As some fooles thinke but Reprobates alone For he did Hezekiah thereby strike He by thâ—s Malady or some such like Afflicted holy David his Elected Whose Reprobation is of none suspected And though just men from temporall infection Shall finde more certainty of Gods protection Then others doe yet sure that Pestilence From which God promis'd absolute defence Is not that sicknesse which the body slayes But that which death unto the soule conveyes Our â—â—rthly griefes to heav'nly joyes doe rearâ— And why should any Man or grudge or feare A mortall wound so he might gaine thereby A body cloth'd with immortalitie Or why should we repine in missing that Which to our dammage we had aymed at When God doth give us more then we desired â—nd lifts us higher then our hopes aspired To him due praises rather let us give Whose love to us is better then to live But I have said enough to this effect And if what I have spoken have reâ—pecâ— We shall I hope hereafter well disâ—erne What by this Iudgement we are bound to learne How much to trust how much to hope or feare What outward meanes or inward helpes there are VVhereby this heavy Plague may be prevented Or entertained with a brest contented So few as yet have thus prepared bin That now of late it quickly rushed in In spite of all our Halberds and our Watches And as a Flame which in a Tempest catches On some full Barne is blowne about the Village And fiâ—eth here the hopefull fruits of Tillage A Cottage there on th' other side the way A well-â—ill'd Stable or a Rickâ— of Hay Another yoâ— close by doth menace harme Ev'n to the Church forthwith consume â— Farme Some dwellings now and then doth overgoe Anon laâ—es waste a dozen in a row And still increase goe forward and returne Vntill the Towne in ev'ry quarter burne So rag'd the Pestilence And as we see Those woâ—kmen who repaiâ—ing breaches bâ— In Thame or Trent at first the Banks doe raise Shut closâ— the Sluceâ— strengthen up the Bay's And lâ—bour seriously with much good hope VVhile they perceive but some few gaps to stop But when they see the Flood prevailing more Ten breaches made for â—v'ry one before And all endeavors faile they worke forsake Leaving the waters their owne coursâ— to take So when this Floud began we had â— thought To keepe it backe and to that purpose wâ—ought But when we saw it rise beyond our pow'r VVe gave it way at pleasure to devoure At first the publique Officers did show Their skill in curbing this encroaching Foe Not sparing to be prodigall of paine The spreadings of Infection to restraine And ev'ry private family beside Against this danger did for armes provide Their Yards and Halls were smoked with perfume To stop the stinkes which thither might presume Their Chambers furnisht were with Antidotes With Viols Boxes Glasses Gallipots All filled with munition of defence As they suppos'd against the Pestilence Some did in Meats their meanes of safety thinke Some Epicures did arme themselves with Drinke Some foolishly did build up monstrous hopeâ— Vpon the smoking of Tobacco shops But this disease without a Conscience making Of their presuming on Tobacco taking Came thither too and frequently did cary Good-fellowes from their smoaking Sanctuary Some one and some another course devised Yet ev'ry day more places were surprised Which when we saw and how it overcast All temp'rall force we thought upon at last The helpe of God and then we did repaire To crave his ayd in Fasting and in Prayer Then some through servile terror some for fashioâ— And some out of a true humiliation Emplored ayd from heav'n and show'd in teareâ— Their Hope their true Repentance and their Feares But whether God did for a while contemnâ— Ouâ— suit because we gave not eare to him When first he call'd or whether he thought fit That we the longer might remember it To fright us somewhat more or whether we Brought not such hearty penitence as he Expected from us or appointed were Some further tryalls of our Faith to beare Sure some such cause there was and for that cause God did not onely seeme to make a pause In answ'ring our Petition but to chide More sharply and to throw it quite aside For with a doubled and redoubled stroke The Plague went on and in among us broke With such unequall'd fury and such rage As Brittan never felt in any age With some at ev'ry turning she did meet Of ev'ry Alley ev'ry Lane and Street She got possession and we had no way Or passage but she there in Ambush lay Through Nookes Corners she pursu'd the Chase There was no barring her from any place For in the publique Fields in wait she laid And into private Gardens was convaid Sometime she did among our Garments hide And so disperse among us unespy'd Her stâ—ong Infections Otherwhile unseene A Servant Friend or Child betraid hath beene To bring it home and men were fearfull growne To tarie or converse among their owne Friends fled each other Kinsmen stood aloofe The Sonne to come withiâ— his Fâ—thers roofe Presumed not the Mother was constrain'd To let her child depart unentertain'd The love betwixt the husband and the wife Was oft neglected for the love of life And many a â—ne their promise falsifi'd Who vow'd that nought but death should theÌ„ divide Some to frequent the Markets were afraid And some to feed on what was thence purvay'd For on young pigs such purple spots were sâ—ene As markes of Deâ—th on Plague-sicke men have been And it appeared that our suburbe-Hogs Were little better then our Cats and Dogs Men knew not whither they might safely come Nor where to make appointments nor with whom Nay many shunn'd Gâ—ds-house and much did feare So farre to trust him as to meet him there In briefe the Plague did such distruction threat And
her feares enclosed thee Nay if such common terrors thee amaze How wouldst thou quake if in a generall blaze The world should flame about thee as it may Perhaps before thou see another day Sure if these Scar-crowes do detâ—rre thee so Thou scarce wilt welcome as thou oughtst to do That Moment when it comes nor so rejoyce As they who long to heare the Bridegroomes voice Here therefore stay and practise to inure Thy soule to tryalls that thou maist endure All changâ—s which in after times may come And wait with gladnesse for the Day of Doome Seeke here by holy dread to purge away Those Crimes which heape up terrors for that day Endure the scorching of this gentle fire To purifie thy heart from vaine desire Learne here the death of righteous men to dye That thou maist live with such eternally Hâ—re exercise thy Faith and watch and pray That when thy body shall be mixt with clay The frighâ—full Trumpet whose amazing sound Shall startle Hâ—ll and shake earths massie Round May make thee leape with gladnesse from thy grave And no sad horrors in thy Conscience have What canst thou hope to purchase here below That thou shouldst life unwillingly for goe Since there is nothing which thou canst possesse Whose sweetnesse is not marr'd with bitternesse Nor any thing so safe but that it may To thâ—e become a mischiefe many a way If honourable thou mightst live to grow That honor may effect thy overthrow And as it makes of others make of thee A thing as blockish as bruit creatures be If Rich those Riches may thy life betray Choake up thy vertues and then flye awâ—y If Pleasure follow thee that pleasing vaine May bring thy soule to everlasting paine Yea that which most thou longest to eâ—joy May all the pleasures of thy life destroy Seeke therefore true coâ—tâ—nâ—ment where it lies And feare not ev'ry Bâ—bies fantasies If Life thou love Death is that entring in Where life which is eternall doth begin There what thou most desirest is enjoy'd And Death it selfe by dying is destroy'd Though length of life a blessing be confest Yet length of dayes in sorrow is not best Although the Saylor sea-roome doth require To reach the harbour is his chiefe desire And though 't is well our debts may be delay'd Yet we are best at ease when they are paid If â—itleâ— thou aspire unto Death brings The Faithfull to become immortall Kings Whose glorie passeth earthâ—y pomp as far As Phoebus doth outshine the Morning-star Desirest thou a pleasant healthfull dwelling By Death thou gain'st a Country so excelling That plenty of all usâ—full things is there And all â—hose objects that delightfull are A golden pavement thou shâ—lt walke upon And lodge in Buildings wall'd with precious stone If in rich Garmenâ—s to be cloath'd thou seeke The Persian Monâ—rks never had the like For Puritie it selfe thy Robe shall be And like the Stars thy Crowne shall sâ—ine on thee Hast thou enjoyed those companions here VVhose love and fellowship delightfull are Thou shalt when thou from sight of those art gone Of that high Order be installed one VVhich never did false Brother entertaine VVhereof ev'n God himselfe is Soveraigne And in whose company thou shalt possesse All perfect deare and lasting friendlinesse Yea there ev'n those whom thou on earth hast loâ—ed â—nâ—â—se time with such love as is approved Thou shalt enjoy againe and not alonâ— Their friendship but the love of ev'ry one Of those blest men and women who both were And are and shall be till our Iudge appeare Hath any mortall beauty pleas'd thee so That from her presence thou â—rt loath to goe Thou shalt in stead of those poore imperfections VVhâ—râ—on thou setlest here unsure affections The Fountaine of all Beauties come to see Wiâ—hin his lovely bosome lodged be And know when thou on him hast fixt thine eyeâ— That all earths Beauties are deformities To these and happinesses greater far Then by the heart of man conceived are Death maketh passage And how grim soe're He may to those that stand alooâ—â— appeare Yet if thou bide unmoved in thy place Till he within his armes doe thee embrace Thou shâ—lt perceive that who so timely dieth Enjoyes contentments which this life denyeth Thy feare of painfulnesse in death is vainâ— In Death is easâ— in Life alone is paine Man makes it â—readfull by his owne inventions By causelesse doubts and groundlesse apprehensions But when it comes it brings of paine no more Then Sleepe to him that restlesse was before Thy Soules departurâ— from the Flesh doth maze And thee afflicteth more then there is cause For of his sting thy Saviouâ— Death despoiled And feares and dangers from the Grave exiled Thou losest not try Body when it dyes Nor doth it perish though it putrifies For when the time appointed it hath laine It shall be raised from the dust againe And in the sâ—ead of this corrupted one Thy Soule a glorious Body shall put on But hadst thou not a Faith which might procure theâ— Such comforts and such life in death assure thee Or though thou shouldst by dying be possest Of nothing else but of a senselesse rest Me thinkes thy â—arnall Reason should for that Perswade thee rather to be desperate And stay and seeke for Death e'â—e languish in Perpetuall sorrowes such as thine have biâ— For if to God-ward â—oy thou foelest not What comfort to the world-ward â—ast thou got Which may desirous make thee to delay Or linger out thy life another day 'T is true that God hath given thee a share Iâ— all thosâ— Pleasures that good pleasures are And to the Giverâ— glory be iâ— spoken Hâ—e hath bestow'd on thee as many a â—okâ—n Of his abundant love as he bestowes On any with so sew external shâ—wes For ev'n of outward things he doth impart As much as fits the place in which thou art With full as many pleasures as may serve Thy Patience in thy suffâ—ings to preserve And when for Rest and Plenties thou art fitter I know he will not make thy cup so bittâ—r But if thou live for outwar'd pleasures meerly By living thou dost buy them over dearly For if thy peace in God were sâ—t aside So many wayes thou hast beene crucifi'd That some would think thy Fortune if they had it Most bitter though most sweet thy hopes have made it Hâ—re but a Pilgrimage thou dost possesse Iâ— wandring and perpetuall restlesnesse Like Travellers in sunshine and in raine Both dâ—y and wet and dry and wet againe With rest each Morning well refreshâ— and merry Aâ—d ev'ry Ev'ning full of griefe and weary To Vanity in bondage thou dost lie Still beaten with new stormes of Misery And in a path to which thou art a stranger Assaulted with variety of Danger His Face sometime is hid whence comforts flow And men and devills seek thy overthrow Sin multiplies upon thee ev'ry day Thy vitall pow'rs will more and more decay Wealth honor friends and what thou best
Sometime as well as they I play the Bee But like the Silkeworme it best pleaseth me To spin out mine owne Bowells and prepare them For those who thinke it not a shame to weare them My Matter with my Method is mine owne And I doe plucke my Flow'rs as they are blowne A Maiden when she walkes aâ—road to gather Some herbs to strow the dwellings of her Father Or fragrant flow'rs to deck her wedding Bowre Or make a nosegay for her Paramour She comes into the Garden and first seizeth The Flow'rs which first she sees or what she plâ—aseth Then runs to those whom use or memory Presenteth to her thought or to her eye As toward them she â—asteth she doth finde Some others which were wholly out of mindâ— Ev'n till that very moment while she makes Her prise of those she notice likewise takes Of Herbs unknowne before that lurking lay Among the pleasant Plants within her way She crops off these of those she taketh none Makes use of some and le ts as good alone Here plucks the Cowslips Roses of the prime There Lavander sweet Marjâ—râ—m and Thyne Yonâ— Iulyâ—low'rs or the Damask Rose Or sweet-breath'd Violet that hidden growes Then some againe forenam'd if need she thinks Then Daisies and then Marigolds and Pincks Then Herbs anew then Flow'rs afresh doth pull Of ev'ry fort untill her lap is full And otherwhile before that worke be done To kill a Caterpiller she doth run Or catch a Butterfly which varies from That purpose whereabout she first did come So from the Muses Gardens when I meane Those flow'râ— of usefull Poâ—sie to gleane Whiâ—h being well united may content My Christian Friends or with a pleasing sent Perfume Gods house or beautifie or cheere My soule which else would rude and sad appeare When this I meane I paint out ev'ry Thoâ—ght As to my heart I feele it to be brought I tâ—eat of things as cause conduces to them And as occasions unto me doe show them Someâ—imes I â—rom the matter seeme to goe For purposes which none but I may know Sometime an usefull Flow'r I may forget Anon into my Nosegay I doe set Some other twice becauâ—e perchance the place Affoâ—ds it better use or better gâ—ace Aâ— one conceit I seriously pursue That brings perhaps another to my view And that another and that many a one Which if in Mâ—thods Allies I had gone Haâ— peradventure â—lse remain'd unseene And in my Garâ—and might have missed beene E're I my pen assume I feele the motions Of doing somewhat and have gen'rall notions Oâ— what I purpose But Mogul doth know As well as I what path my Musâ— will goe What in particular I shall expresse I know not as I hope for hapâ—inesse And though my matter when I first begin Will hardly fill one pâ—ge yet being in Me thinks if neither faintnesse friends nor night Disturbed me for ever I could wriâ—e Vpon an inâ—tant I oft feele my brest With infinite variety possest And such a troup of things together throngs Within my braine that had â— twenty tongues I shouâ—d whâ—lst I assaiâ— to utter it Twice more then I could mention quite forget A hundred Masings which I meane to say Before I can expresse them slip away Which to recall although I much endever Oft passe out of my memory for ever And cary forth ev'n to the woâ—lds â—arre end Some other thoughts which did on them depend Whilst I my pen am dipping downe in inke That 's lost which next to tell you I did thinke And somewhat instantly doth follow on Which till that present I ne're thought upon This foâ—ceth me those Methods to forgoe Which others in their Poems fancy so This makes me â—iâ—th to my Concepâ—ions give As fast as they theâ—r Beings doe receive Left whilst I for the common Midwifeâ—ary â—ary The flâ—tting isâ—ue of my braine miscary And howsoe're they please to censuâ—e me Who but Stepfathers to their Poemes be This is that way of uttrance that eâ—ch Muse Makes practice of whom Natureâ—oâ—h â—oâ—h infuâ—e And warrant from thâ—ir Naturall straiâ—es doâ—h fet Whom Artifiâ—iall Poets counterfeit These aâ—e true Raptures â—hâ—irs are imitations Or rather of old Rapâ—uâ—es new Translations Thiâ— Method long agoe old Moses used When God â—is Hymne of â—raise to hâ—m inâ—used Thus Solomon hiâ— Song of Songs compased And when thy sinâ—er â—sâ—â—el was disposed To praise the Lord or spâ—aâ—e â—nto his God Oâ— venâ— his passiens in a mouâ—â—â—uâ—l Ode In thiâ— contemned wiâ—e from him did flow Those heav'nly Rapturâ—s which we honor so As God's good Spirit cary'd him along So vary'd he the mâ—tter of eaâ—h Song Now prayes straight praiseth instantly lâ—menteth Then halfe dâ—spaires is by and by contented The peâ—son of the changeth oft â—epeateâ—h One sentence and one suâ—t oft iterâ—teth Which manner of expression sâ—emes to some So methodlesse and so to wander from A certainty in what he did intend That they his well-knit Raptures discommend As broken and diâ— jointed when indeed From ignorance or from their little heed To such expâ—essions and such mysteries Their cauâ—elesse disesteeme did first aâ—ise Yea Ignorance not knowing what they meant When such an uncouth pâ—th the Muses wâ—nt Was wont long since to call our soule-rapt straines Poetick FurÃes And that Name remaines Yet this old trâ—ct I follow this I use And this no true-borne Poeâ— can refuse My scope I ever keepe in all my Layes Which is to please and profit to Gods praise But in one path or in one pace to ride It is not fiâ— a Pâ—â—â— should be ty'd Sometime he must be grave lest else the wiâ—e The mâ—tter or the mâ—â—ner may despise Sometime he must enâ—evor to be plaine Lest all that he dâ—â—ivers be in vaine Another whâ—le he Parables must use And â—iddlâ—s lest some should the truth abuse And thâ—y that are the Nymrods of the times Grow mad in slead of leaving oft their crimes Sometime he must be pleasing leâ—t he may Drive all his frowâ—rd Reâ—ders quite away Sometimes he must have buâ—er stroineâ— to keepe Tâ—e sullen Reader fâ—om a drowâ—ie sleepe And whip those wantons from an evill course That without waâ—ning would be daiâ—y worse Sometimes againe he must be somewhat merry Lest Fooles of good instruction should be weary Yea he to all men all things should become That he of many might aâ—vantage some This mâ—kes me changâ— the Person and the Style And vary from the matter other while Thiâ— makes me mixâ— smal things and great together Here I am grave there play I with a feaâ—her One page doth make some Reader halfe beleeve That I am angry In the next I give The Câ—ilde an Aple In one leafâ— I châ—de I somewhat in another doe provide To helpe excuse those â—railties I â—eproved And those excusâ—s are in place â—emoved From such reproofes left following on too nigh Thâ— Cheâ—k might without heed be pâ—ssed by This course bâ—câ—meâ— the Muses This doth save Our â—ines from just
which he gave That he the more delight in theâ— might have Thou baâ—ely pâ—ostitutest unto those That aâ—e thy lustâ—ull wooâ—rs and his foes Thy Vines like â—â—ose of Sodom are become Ev'n like those plants that are derived from Gommorrah's Vineyard and their Clusters all Arâ— sowre or else more bitter far then gall Thy Wiâ—e is Dragons poison yea thou hast In all thy pleasant things a lothsome tast But thus in grosse why should I lâ—nger spâ—nd My time thy wickednessâ— to reprehend Since thou art impudent and hast the face To make of theâ—e upbraidings my disgrace In my next Canto's therefore I le prefer Of thy Transgrâ—ssions a PERTICVLER So duâ—y urg'd that none shall justly say I utter what I should not open lay Or thâ—â— my Verse doth brand tâ—ee with a crime Whereof their liues not witnesse all this time Observe it and if ought I mention here Nâ—t fitly â—poken tâ— the publike â—are Oâ— if but in a word I wrong thee shall Me to the most impartiall câ—nsure call Lâ—t my good purpâ—sâ—s be punisht more And pittied also lesse then heretofore Lâ—t me of all thy chilâ—ren be reviled Froâ— thy most pleasaâ—t Bordâ—rs live exiled And nâ—ver be recall'd But if I tell What thy best Lovers shall appâ—ove of well Iâ— Truth I utter and such Truth as is To be disclâ—s'd then maâ—ke what 's found amisse Amend thine errors Leâ— thy folly cease Love him that loves unfainedly thy peace At least despight him not But if thou doe Yet he will serve thee still and love thâ—e too Thy wâ—lâ—are rather then his owne prefer And leave this Boâ—ke for thy REMEMBRANCER The sixth Canto The Poet weiâ—hing wâ—ll his Warâ—ant Goes on with his enjoyned Arrant Iâ—partially he doth relate This Ilandâ— good and bad estate What sâ—v'rall sinnes in her have place How grosse they are how they â—ncrâ—ase He also tâ—ls and then he snâ—wâ—s That nor the Gentiles nor the Iewes Weâ—e châ—ck'd or plâ—guâ—d for any Crimes Which are not reigning in thâ—se times Nâ—xt â—hat he boldly doth reprove â—he course in which ouâ— Noblesâ—ove â—ove Derides their folly blames thâ—ir sin And warnes what danâ—ers we are in Ouâ— Gâ—ntry then he reprâ—hends Their foolish humours disâ—â—n mâ—nds And having brought them to their sights Vpon the guilty Clergy ligâ—ts On Lawyers that abuse the Lawes On Officers and on the Cause Of most Corruptions Last of all On some enormities doth fall Which are in Court and City found And runs this Canto there aground BVt am I well aâ—vis'd and doe I know From whence from what Spirit this doth flow Doe I remember what and who I am That I this famous Monarchy should blame Am I assur'd no ill-suggesting Spirit In hatred of thine honouâ—able merit Seduceth me oh Britaine that I might Become an instrument of his despight Have I considered of what esteeme Thou art How great thy Piety doth seeme What glorious titles and transâ—endent stiles Thou â—ast obtain'd above all other Isles What attributes unto thy selfe thou givest What of thine owne perfections thou beleevest And what thy flâ—ttriâ—g Priests and Prophets say Oâ— thy admired happâ—nesse this day Yes yes all this I ponder'd and I know What gâ—oâ— or evill â—rom this act may flow I am not ignorant thâ—t thou hast beene Among the nâ—â—ghb'ring Countries as a Queene Among â—er Ladies Foâ—mes of Government Oâ— Lawes or Customâ—s through Earths Continent Aâ—e noâ—e â—eceived that more pious be Or moâ—e upright then those tâ—at are in thee Among faiâ—e Sions Daughterâ— none doth sit Mâ—â—e frée fâ—om blemishes theâ— tâ—ou art yet In points of Châ—istian Doctrine though there are Some who that simplenesse begin to marre No people doth retaine a Disâ—ipline More Apâ—stoâ—â—câ—ll â—hen some of thine No Church that 's visible hath kept more pure The grounds of Faith nor countenanced fewer Of Romes innumerable Superstitiâ—â—s Of uselâ—sse â—r of burdensome Trâ—ditions Then thou haâ—t lately done I feele thou hast Some warmth yet left As yet so brazen-fac'd Thou â—rt not growne but that thou dost despise Notorious Câ—imes and open Heresies Because the hidden Leaven of tâ—y sin To sowre the Lumpe is yet but new put in Iâ—le doe thee right and give thee all thy due Before thy follies further I puâ—sue I know that thou with patience heretofore Ev'n like the Church at Ephesus hast boâ—e Thy Christian Labours tâ—at thou hast been moved Against offenders that thou such hast proved Who faâ—sely did â—ffirme themselves to be Apostles and strong â—aith was found in thee Yea â—hou didst long those heresies resist Which God abhorreth and â—idst thâ—m detest I know that like the Smyrnian Congregation Thou hâ—st through poveâ—ty and tribulation Got heav'nlâ— Riches neither didst thou feare When they who of the Church of Satan were Blasphem'd the Tâ—uth and did themselves professe True Isra'lites when they were nothing lesse I know that when â—hy Lott it was to dwell Like Pergamus ev'n where the throne of Hell Erected was and in their bloody Raigne By whom so many Martyrs here were slaine Thou didst not then the Faith of Christ deny Not from professing of his Gospel flye I know that Thyatira-like thy love And tâ—y devotion did unfained prove And that thy piety and righteousnesse Did for a season more and more encrease I know thy goodnesse iâ— not quite bereft But that like Sardis thou some Names hast left That walke with Christ from all pollution free In those white Garments that unspotted be I know that like the Church of Philadelph Thou hast a little strength within thy selâ—e Gods word and holy Sacraments yet are As pledges of his love preserved here Anâ— I doe know that sinâ—e thou heretofore Didst love the Truth God will his Grace restore On thy repentance and in all tempâ—ation Become thy sole-sufficient preservation Yea make all them who now false boasters be Of true Religion to subscribe to thee Confesse he loves thee and to thee hath given That Ciâ—ies title thâ—t came downe from heaven But much is yet amissâ— and to prevâ—nt Thy Ruine I advise thee to râ—pent Remember oh remember thâ—u from whenâ—e Thou fallen â—rt and seeke by penitence To â—se againe Thy former works renew Thy lately practis'd wiâ—kednesse escâ—ew What thâ—u hast lost â—ndeâ—vor to regaine Hold â—ast that Faith which yet thou dost retaiâ—e Awake and use thine utmost pow'rs to cherish Those Graces which in thee are like to perish Oâ— doe it speedilâ— whilst he doth knock Thaâ— opeâ— thâ— dooâ—e which no man can unlock And shuts where none doth open yea lest he Come suddenly and take away from thee Thy pretious Candlesticke renew thy zeale And unto him thy sinne betimes reveale Marke to the Churches what the Spâ—rit saith And purchase thou of Christ by lively faith To make thee rich gold tâ—yed in the fire To hide thy filthy nakednesse desire The pure white â—â—yment of his Righteousnesse Thy former sight thaâ— thou maist repossâ—sse His eye salve take The conquest strive to get
Iawes And Conscience too as if they did contemne His threatnings that pronounced woe to them Who justifie the wâ—cked in their fin Or him gainsay which hath not faulty bin Ev'n in our Court of Coâ—science some things are Vnconscionable For if any here Be causlesly complâ—â—n'd on well is he If uncondemnâ—d in the â—uit he be For this Defenâ—ant hâ—th small râ—medy Save that anâ— patieâ—ce for his injury His causlâ—sse trouâ—lâ—s and his large expence Hath no reqâ—itâ—ll save his innocence For if all they that are uâ—juâ—tly grieved By hâ—â—ing coâ—ts oâ— suits â—â—ould be reâ—â—ved Or if the Plaintiffe should his Bâ—ll aveâ—re Vpon his oath as ev'ry Answerer Confirmes his Anâ—wer mâ—ny â— brawling Kâ—ive Wâ—uld then be quiet and that Court would have Far lesse employment yea and weâ—e it not Their Traveâ—ses did knit againe the knot Wâ—ich Answers upon Oâ—th almost unty Suits would not hâ—lfe so long unended lye This many Offiâ—ers doe seeme to feare And thâ—refore as if Courts erected were To mâ—ke them rich by nâ—urishing contention Much ratâ—er then to coâ—passe the prevention Of wrongs and discord they continue still Tâ—at couâ—se wâ—ich brings most grists unto their mil. If I would mâ—ke a Libell it should be By way of Suit fâ—r I did never see A scurrilous Rime or Pamphlet so compact Oâ— slâ—nâ—ers nor so cunningly derract As doe their than-lesse Bils and their Replies Who seeke thâ—t way mens names to scandalize They dare pâ—etend as if with warranty Those things of which no probability Was ever seene For thouâ—h they prove it noâ— They knoâ— the very mention of a blot Doth leave a staâ—nâ— â—nd that aspersions laid Supâ—osedly are often so â—â—nvaid And so disperst aâ—d in disperting will Such new additions gâ—theâ— to thâ—m sâ—â—ll That at thâ— last althougâ— most falâ—e they were For tâ—uths they told and heard of maâ—y are But their Iâ—tergatorie have a tricke Beyond all other Lâ—bâ—dings to stick An infamy on any for in those Oâ—â—ll which they will causlâ—sly suppose Wâ—thin their Bils they may the quâ—stâ—on move To whomsâ—ever tâ—ey pretenâ—â— shâ—ll prove Whâ—t they object And tâ—ough no pâ—oofe be broght Nâ—y thougâ— it never came within his thought That is complaiâ—'d aâ—ainst to doe or say Those things which they object against him may Yet he thâ—t is examined or he That â—eads what matters question'd of him be Suspects perhaps although he nothing knew Conâ—erning them that ev'ry thing is true Wâ—ich their Intergatâ—ries doe imply For why thinks â—e that meaneth honestly Should Propositions of these things be made If they no likelihood of being â—ad Or wâ—o supposeâ—h he hath so abhord A mind as to suggest and on â—eâ—ord To leave aspersions oâ— deserving blame Oâ— him that no way merited the same Yet this is frequent and this liâ—elling Much profit to thâ—ir Common wealth doth bring Who gaine by others losses And there 's none Oâ— whom this mischiefe mâ—y not â—all upon For â—ne example â—f sucâ— gâ—osse abuse My selfe I can and justly may pâ—oduce For sitting lately in a roome alone My owne occaâ—â—ons meditating on Two men who talking at the doore had bin And as appeared knowing me within Maâ—e entrance and besought me both to heare And witnesse what they had agreed on thâ—re I heard them and I purposed to do As they requiâ—ed being call'd thereto But mark what â—ollow'd Twelve months after that Thâ— one of these not well content with what His bâ—rgaine waâ— and knowing I alone Cou'd reâ—tifiâ— whâ—t they aâ—reed upon Did iâ— this kâ—vish câ—nnâ—ng wise project To make my wiâ—nesse take the lesse effect Forsooth â—e mâ—kâ—s me paâ—ty in the cause A pitifull complaining Bill he drawes Wherein his leâ—rned Counsell did devise Such Combinations and Conspiraciâ—s Such Plots such Praâ—tices and such large talâ—s Of Premises of Bargaiâ—iâ—gs of Sales And such like Heathrish â—â—uffe and his pretence Was woâ—ded out with so much impudence Tâ—at surely whosoever came to see That peece oâ— Châ—uncery supposed me A very cheating Rascall or thaâ— I At least was privy to some knavery Whereas he knew who then did so abuse me I blamelesse was of wâ—at he did accuse me Yea then so farre was I from any plot Or purpos'd wrong that I had quite forgot Both man and maâ—ter and but for his Bill Had beene I thinke unminâ—full of them stiâ—l A wrong like this if any please he may Inflict upon me ev'ry other day With safe impunity For such as he Intituled Amâ—â—i Curiae be And many thousand fees would quite be lost Were they in such like suits to beare the cost If I should here disclose what I have seene The pâ—actice of some Lawyers to have beene What cunning in conveyâ—nces they use How strangely their Profession they abuse And what a glory to themâ—elves they take Whâ—n they an evill cause to thrive can make Or should I heâ—e character their Delayes Their Errors their Demurs their many wâ—yes Of hindring Iustice their impertinent And costly tedâ—ous Formes their impudent Extorting from their Clients doublâ— fees For Motions which they willingly dâ—e leese How they doe move by halfes how they mistake Of purpose for themselves new woâ—k to make How oft their Orders have by procreaâ—ion Made up almost the hundreth generation What double-tongu'd â—eports for double fees Are gotten by corâ—upted Referrees Who when the truth is plaine can coine a doubt To bring againe the falsâ—st Cause about How sense lesse of mens losses griefes or paine They are in all things which concerne their game To what expences they their Clients bring How they doe ride them in an endlesse Ring And prey upon them or if here I should Disclose as evidently as I â—ould How full of wicked bribes their closets be What brutish crueltiâ—â— mine eyes did see How many honest Causes I have knowne For want of prosecution overthrowne Because our tedious fâ—rmes of triall stretch Much further then the Clients purse can reach How many miles poore men are forc'd to come For trifling suits wâ—ich might have end at home But that our higher Coâ—rts more seek encrease Of tâ—eir base profits then of blessed â—eace Shâ—uld I relate wiâ—h what strange tyrannies Some Officers their places exercise What parâ—iality they shew what pride How they insulâ— on men how they dâ—ride How big they speak how scurâ—ilous â—hey be In taunting and reviling men more free From vice then they themselves Or should I tell How little tendernesse doth seeme to dwell VVithin their bosomes when they do oppresse The needy wâ—dow and the fatherlâ—ssâ— If all these things I should insist upon And so describe them as they might be done The woâ—ld would know that all those injuries For which the Law appointeth remedies Are oft lesse grievous to the Common weale Then most wâ—o most pretend her sores to heale And that as little help from them she sees As when she sets her Cats to keep her Cheese For some of them are trusty in their kind And so some trusty Lawyâ—rs
only witnesse who are friends To base corruption Let their suits be scorn'd And no respect unto them be retuâ—n'd Leâ— ev'ry one of those that shall be sent To represent thy Body represent Thy true repentance Let them lay aside Prejudicate opinionâ— faction pride And to their utmost in tâ—emselves restraine All those enormities which they retaine That setting to their owne desires a law They may the more enabled be to draw A Rule for others Let all they that come To serve the Publike leave such thoughts at home As meerly private are for in them luâ—ks An enmitie to all good publike works Let none propose in such a Congregation What is not first prepar'd by consultaâ—ion For otherwhile their pretious houres are spent About a needlesse trâ—fling argument And oft from matters of least moment spring Those disagreeings which great harme â—o bring What their forefathers unto them did leave Let them not suffer any to bereave Their children of For they mâ—y that deny Ev'n to thâ—ir King provided loyally They do it in â—esiâ—ting his demands By legall Pleadingâ— not by force of hands It â—s as Naboths Vineyard and to live He merits not who doth repine to give His life to save it yea accuâ—st is be That would not zealous in those causes be Let them therefore their ancient rights maintain By all just meanes and let them yeeld againe The royall dues For those things prosper not Which are amisse â—â—om God or Cesar got All wrongs shall be revenged but none brings Such vengeance as the wrong to God and Kings If but in word alone nay but in thought We have against our Prince committed ought Which is disloyall hid it shall noâ— lye But be revealed by a winged-spy Let therefore all just freedomes of the Land That can be proved â—orth in publike stand And not in old Records halfe smother'd lye In danger to be lost by casualty Or else embezel'd or by wormes and dust To be devoured or by those we trust Let us not whisper them as men that feare The claiming of their due high treason wâ—re Nor let us as we doe in coâ—ners prate As if the Sov'raigne power or the State Encroacht injuriously and so defame The government disgrace the royall Name And nourish by degrees an evill spirit That us of all our peace will dis-inherit But let us if we see our ancient right Infâ—inged bring our grievances to light Speak loyally and orderly and plaine Those things which for our owne we can maintaine So Kings the truth perceiving and their ends Who did abuse their trust will make amends â—or all our suffrings givâ— our foes their doome And make us more secure for times to come But bring not when ye come to plead with Kings Against their claimes some bare conjectuâ—ings For what thou hast no ceâ—taine evidence To be thy right the right is in the Prince It is a royalty to Monaâ—ks due But if for any Freedome ye can shew A Law enacted or a Custome old Or Presidents that have not beene controld As often as produced ye may lay Your claiâ—e and keep it ev'ry lawfull way Each President and every Demand Which doth from time to time opposed stand Concludeth nothing This let â—ach man heed And with a conscionable awe pâ—oceed In such affaiâ—es Let pure humility True piety true love and charity Be brought along And when all these â—e bring Then goe with lâ—yalty and mâ—et your King In his and your affaireâ— without mistrust And then as certainly as God is just In ev'ry due reqâ—est ye shall prevaile Oâ— gaine some gâ—eat advantage if ye faile Desire of God to teach and guide you so That in this narrow path you straight may go If you would have a King be just to you Be ye upright and to his honor true Yeeld first to him iâ— ev'ry fit demand And long capitulating do not stand On what you may determinate with speed Because perhaps delay may danger breed Afâ—ord him his requests unto youâ— pow'rs Be his the fault if he denieth yours Or if miscounselled he shall reâ—uâ—re What shall his weale oppuâ—ne or your desire Goe cast your selves before him with submission Present him with petition on petition With one accord and with a feaâ—lesse face Informe him how much hindrance or disgrace Or danger to the Land there may accrue If He your loyall counsell shall eschew For God because his lawes we disobey Vs at our Soveraignes feet doth meane to lay To humble us a while If we repent To all our loyall suits he will assent If otherwise God will give up this Land Our lives and freedomes all into his hand Go offer while to offer you are free And what you give him shall peace-offrings be If that which for atonement you provide With love and penitence be sanctifide The world agâ—inst our State doth now conspire Intestine dangers also doe require That we in concord should united be And to supply the Kingdomes wants agree Lest while we stâ—ive and fondly froward grow We be surprised by our common foe Vnwise is he that in a dangerous place Doth stay to wash a spot out of his face When Outlawes he approaching heares that may His body wound or take his head away If I should heare a Lyon neare me roare I 'de arme my selfe though I with wounds were sore And what I had not leasure then to cure Would seek to heale when I of life were sure In times of trouble all must look for crosses And they must â—eare who cannot shift their losses There may be smart by what we sâ—ffer shall But better smart then not to be at all When I do think a blow my head may harme I 'le ward it off although it break mine arme For though my arme be lost yet I may lâ—ve But on my head a blow my death may give I am not so besotted as to think We ought to give the wanton pall at drink Vntill the head be giddy left it may Bring all the body headâ—ong to decay Nor praise I them that are so over-wise To spare what shall be needâ—ull to suffise The gen'rall want although to needlesse ends Some private hâ—nd the publike wealth dispends This only is the scope of my petition That all be done with love and with discretion For we must understand that mâ—ny things Which are not just in us are just in Kings And that it is a kind â—f trait ' rousnesse To give them more then due as well as lesse They who deny the King free pow'r to do What his Republikes weale conduceth to Because some Law gaâ—nsayes ev'n those deprive Their Sov'raigne of a due prerogative Since for the common good it just may be That some injustice may be done to me Or any few Moreover men that say Kings may do more then of true right they may And that no law doth bound them make a King And him that is a Tyrant all one thing In my opinion these men are like those Who
into sev'rall factions Which rend thee will and fill thee with distractions They all in outward seeming shall pretend Gods glory and to have one pious end But under colour of sincere devotion Their study shall be temporall promotion Which will among themselves strange quarrels make Wherein thy other Children shall partake As to the Persons or the Cause they stand Affected even quite throughout the Land One part of these will for preferment strive By lifting up the King's prerogative Above it selfe They shall perswade him to Much more then Law or Conscience bids him do And say God warrants it His holy Lawes They shall pervert to justifie their cause And impudently wrest to prove their ends What God to better purposes intends They shall not blush to say that ev'ry King May doe like Solomon in ev'ry â—hing As if they had his warrant and shall dare Ascribâ— to Monarchs rights that proper are To none but Christ and mixe their flatteries With no lesse grosse and wicked blasphemies Then Heathens did yea make their Kings beleeve That whomsoever they oppresse or grieve It is no wrong nor fit for men oppressed To seeke by their owne Lawes to be redâ—essed Such counsell shall thy Princes then provoke To cast upon thee Rehoboams yoake And they not caring or not taking heed How ill that ill-advised King did speed Shall mâ—ltiply thy causes of distraction For then will of thy Priests the other faction Bestir themselves They will in outward showes Those whom I last have mentioned oppose But in thy ruine they will both agree As in one Center though far oft they bâ— In their Diameter With lowly zeale An envious pride they sâ—ily shall conceale And as the former to thy Kings will teach Meere Tyranny so shall these other preach Rebellion to the People and shall straine The word of God Sedition to maintaine They shall not feare to say that if thy King Become a Tyrant thou maist also fling Obedience off or fâ—om his Crowne divorce him Or by the terâ—or of drawne swords enforce him Which false Divinitie shall to the Devill Send many soules and bring on thee much evill Oh! be thou therefore watchfull and when e're These Lambs with Dragons voyces doe appeaâ—e Repent thy sinne or tâ—ke it for a token That some great Bulwarkâ— of thy peace is broken Which must be â—oone repair'd or els all The greatnes oâ— thy glory downe will fall Take heed of those false propâ—ets wâ—o will strive Betwixt thy Prince and People to contâ—ive A disagreement And what euer come Thy due Allegeance never staâ—t thou from For their oppressions though we may withstand By pleading Lawes or Customes not a hand Must move against them save the hand of God Who makes a King a Bulwark or a Rod As pleaseth him Oh! take ye therefore heed Yee People and yee Kings that shall succeed Of these Impostors Of the last beware Yee Subjects for their Doctrines hellish are And though they promise Liberty and peace Your Thraldome and your Troubles they 'll increase Shun oh yee Kings the first for they advise What will your Crownes and honors prejudice When you doe thinke their Prophecies befriend you They doe but unto Ramoth-Gilead send you Where you shall perish and poore Micahs word Though lesse esteem'd more safety will afford They will abuse your piety and all Your vertues To their wicked ends they shall Apply the Sacred Story or what ever May seeme to further their unjust endevor Ev'n what the son of Hannâ—h told the Iewes Should be their scourge because they did refuse The sov'raignty of God and were so vaine To aske a King which over thâ—m might raigne Aâ— heathen Princes did that curse they shall Affirme to be a Law Monarchiall Which God himselfe established to stand Throuâ—hout all ages and in ev'ry land Which is as good Divinity as they Have also taught who doe not blush to say That Kings may have both Wives and Concubines And by that Rule whereby these great Divines Shall prove their Teneâ— I dare undertake If â—ound it hold that I like proofe will mâ—kâ— Of any Iewish Custome and devise Authority for all absurdities But false it is For might all Kings â—t pleasure As by the right of royaltie make ceasure Of â—ny mans possessions why I pray Did Ahab grieve that Naboth said him nay Why made â—e not this answer thereunto If what the Prophâ—t said some Kings would do Weâ—e justly to â—e done Thy Vineyard's mine And at my pleasure Naboth all that 's thine Assume I may Why like a Turky-chick Did he so foolishly â—row sullen sick And get possâ—ssion by a wicked fact Of what might have beene his by royall act Thus God is pleas'd to humble and to raise Thus he by sev'rall names and sev'rall wayes The world doth govern Yea thus ev'n in one nation And in one State he makes much alteration In formes of Governmeâ—t oft changing that Which is but accâ—dentall to a State And such his Iustice and his Wisdome is That he preserveth by the meanes of this Those things which doe essentially pertaine To that great Power which over all doth raigne Nor is he pleased thuâ— it should be done In States that meerely civill are alone But also in the Churches governments Allowes the change of outward accidents Yea they to whom he gives the oversights Of some particular Church may change old Rites The Customes Formes or Titles as occasions Are offâ—ed them or as the Times or Nations Require a change provided so that they Take nothing which essentiall is away Nor adde what shall repugne or prejudice Gods Lawes his Kinâ—dome or the Liberties Of them that arâ— his people For in what Hath any Church a powâ—r if not in thaâ— Which is indifferent Or in what I pray Will men the Câ—urch authority obey If not in such like things Oâ— who should be The Iudge what is indifferent if not she A private Spirit knowes what beâ—t agrees With his owne fancy but the Church best seâ— What fitâ— tâ—e Congregation From what gives Offence to one anotheâ— man receives Much comfort and his consciencâ— edifies By disciplines which many doe despise A Parish is a little Diocesse And as of Cities Townes and Villages A Bâ—shoprick consists so that doth rise By â—ythings Hamlets and by Families And litâ—le diffrence would be in the same Excepting in the laâ—genesse and the name Iâ— their opinions were allow'd of all Who savour not the stile Episâ—opall Foâ— ev'ry Priest would then usurp the same Autâ—ority wherâ—of oâ— some hate the name Yea many a one would then his Parish make A little Popedome and upon him take Conâ—ideâ—ing his meanâ— pow'r as much as hâ— That Vâ—iveâ—sâ—ll Bishop claimes to be And prove more pâ—oud and troublesome then they Against whose Lordlinesse they now inveigh This therefore is my Rule that Government What e're it be in which to me God â—ent My birth and breeding that untill my end I will obey and to my pow'r dâ—fend Yea
Which from their Country rooted out their Name That foolish project which they did embrace To keep them in possession oâ— their place Did lose it And like Cain that vagrant Nation Hath now remain'd in fearfull Desolation Nigh sixteene hundred yeares and whatsoe're Some lâ—tely dreame in vaine they look for heâ—e A temp'rall Kingdome For as long agoe Their Psalmist said No Prophet doth foreshâ—w This â—hraldomes end Nor shall it end untill The Gentiles their just number doe fulfill Which is unlike to be untill thâ—t houre In which there shall be no more temporall pow'r Or temporall Kâ—ngdome Therefore gather them Oh Lord unto thy new Ierusalem In tâ—y due time For yeâ— unto that pâ—ace They have a promiâ—t right by thy meere grace To those who shall repent thy firme Electiòn Continues in this tâ—mpoâ—all rejection Oh! â—hew thy mercy in their desolâ—â—ion That thou maist honor'd be in thâ—ir salvation Yea teach us also by their fearfull fal To heaâ—ken to thy voice when thâ—u doâ—t caâ—l Lest thou in anger unto us protest That we â—hâ—ll never come into thy rest For we â—ave follow'd them in all their sin Suâ—â— and so mâ—â—y have our warnings bin An◠〈◊〉 thou stâ—â—l prolong not thy compassion To us belongs the selfe same Desolation And it will â—hoâ—tly come with all those terrorâ— Tâ—at were on them inflicted for their errors Then woe shall be to thâ—m thâ—â— heretoâ—ore By joyâ—â—â—g house to houâ—◠〈◊〉 the poore And field have into field incorporated Vntill thâ—ir Towâ—eshâ—ps were depopulated For desolate their dwelling shall be made Ev'n in their blood the Lord shall bathe his blade And they that have by avarice and wiles Erected Pallaces and costly Piles Shall think the stones and timbers in the wall Aloud to God for vengeance on them call Then woe shâ—ll be to them who early rise To eate and drinke and play and wantonâ—ize Still adding sin to sin for they the paine Of cold and thirst and hunger shall sustaine And be the servile slaves of them that are Their Foes as to their Lusts they captives were Then wo to them who dâ—rknesse more have lov'd Then lâ—ght and good advice hâ—ve dâ—sâ—pprov'd For they shall wander in a crooked paâ—â— Which neitâ—er light nor end nor câ—mâ—ort hath And when for Guides and Counsâ—ll they do cry Not one shâ—â—l pity them who pâ—sseth by Then wo to them that have corrupted â—in To justifie the wicked in his sin Or for a bribe the righteous to condemne For flâ—mes as on the chaffe shaâ—l seize on them Their bodies to the dunâ—hill shall be cast Their flowre shall turne to dust their flock shal wast And all the glorious tâ—â—les they have woâ—ne Shall but encrease their infamy and scorne Then wo to them that have beene rais'd aloft By good mens ruines and by laying soft And easie pillowes under great mens armes To make them pleas'd in their alluring charmes Then wo to them who being growne aâ—raid Of some nigh perill sought unlawfull aid And setting Gods protection quite aside Vpon their owne inventions have rely'd For God their foâ—lish hopes will bring to nought On them their feared mischiefe shâ—ll be brought And all their wit and strengtâ— shall not suffiâ—e To heave that sorrow off which on them lies Yea then oh Britaine woe to ev'ry one That hath without repentance evill donâ— For those who doe nâ—r heed noâ— beare in mind His visitings Gods reaching hand will find And they with howling cries and lamentation Shall sue and seeke in vaine for his compassion Because they carâ—lesse of his Mâ—rcies were Till in consuming wrath he did â—ppeaâ—e But still we set far off that eviâ—l day In dull security we passe away Our pretious time and with vâ—ine hopes and toyes Build up a trust which â—v'ry puffe destroyes And therefore still when healing is expected New and unlookt for troubles are effected We gather Armies and we Fleets prepare And then both strong and safe we think we are But when we look for victories and glory What followes but events that make us sory And t is Gods mercy that we turne our faces With so few losses and no more disgraces For what are most of those whom we commend Such actâ—ons to and whom we forth do send To fight those Battels which the Lords we call But such as never fight for him at all Whom dost thou make thy Captaines and disposâ— Such Offices unto but unto those Some few excepted who procure by friends Command and pay to serve their private ends Their laâ—guage and their practices declaâ—e That entertained by Gods Foe they were Their whoring swearing and their drunkennesse Do far more plainly to the world expresse What Generall they doe belong unto Then all their Feathâ—rs and their Ensignes doe These by their unrepâ—nted sins betray Thy Cause By these the honor and the day Is lost and when thou hopest thaâ— thy trouble Shall have an end thy danger waxeth double We wisht for Parliaâ—ents and them we made Our God â—or all tâ—e hope that many had To remedy the publike discontent Was by tâ—e wisdome of a Parliâ—ment Well Parliaments we had and what in being Succeedeth yeâ— but greater disagâ—â—eing With gâ—eater griâ—vaâ—ces then heretofâ—re And reason good for we depended more On outward meanes then on Gods will that sends All punishments and all afflictions â—nds Beleeve it should our Parliaments aâ—ree In ev'ry motion should our Sov'raigne be So gracious as to condiscend to all Which for his weale and ours propose we sâ—all Ev'n that Agrâ—â—ment till our sins we leave Shall make us but secure aâ—d helpe to weave A snare by whose fine threds we shall be caught Before we see the mischieâ—e that is wrought Whilst we by Parliamâ—nts do chiefly seâ—k Meere temp'rall ends the King shall do the like Yea till in them we mutually agree To helpe each other and unfained be In lab'ring for a Christian Reformation Each Meeting shall bâ—get a new vexation This Iland hath some sense of what she ayles And very much these evill times bewayles But not so much our sinnes doe we lament Or mourne that God for them is discontent As that the Plaâ—ues they bring disturb our pleasures Encrease our dangers and â—xâ—aust our treasureâ— And for these causes now and then we â—ast And pray as long as halfe a day doth last For if the Sunne doe but a liâ—tle cleare That cloud from which a tempest we doe fearâ— What kind of gâ—iefe we took we plainly shew By those rejoycings which thereon ensue For in the stead of such duâ— thankfuâ—nessâ— As Christian zeale obligeth to expresse To Pleasure not to God we sacrifize Renue our sins revive our vanities And all our vowed gratitude expiâ—es In Games in Guns in Bels in Healths or Fires We faine would be at peace but few men go That way â—s yâ—t whereby it may be so We have not that hâ—mility which must Effect it we â—re fâ—lâ—e and cannot trust Each other no nor God with true
fled What in their need should them have comforted If Death be dreadfull stay and learne to die For Death affects to follow those that flie Had you not â—one you might for ever after Have said That Sorrow profits more then Laughâ—er You should have known that Death hath limits here And loosed was where he did bound appeare That many were preseâ—ved in thâ— flame And many burnt that came not nigh the same Yea some of you beâ—ore from hence you went Had of these Truths got some experiment What â—olly then or Frenzy you bewitches To leave your houses and goe dye in ditches Forgoe the Comfort which your Ciâ—ie yeelds To venture for a lodging in the fields Or which is worse to trà vell farre and finde Those prove ungentle whom you hoped kinde A Plague so bitter That might Plagues be chuseâ— I would be Plague-sicke rather then so used Did you suppose the Pestilence would spare None here nor come to seaze on any there All perish'd not that did behinde you stay Nor did you all escape who fled away For God your passages had so beset That Hee with many thousands of you meâ— In Kent and all along on Essex side A Troupe of câ—uell Fevers did reside And roâ—nd about on ev'ry other Coast Of severall Country Agues lay an hoaâ—t And most of them who had this place forsooke Were eyther slaine by them or Pris'ners tooke Sometime the Pestilence her selfe â—ad bin Before them in their Lodging at their Inne And hath arrested them upon the Bed Brought many sicke away and meny dead Sometime againe she after them hath gone And when perchance she was not thought upoâ— Among their friends and in their merriment Hath seiz'd them to their greater discontent She divers apprehended on the way Who to so many mischiefes were a prey That poorest beggers found more pitty here And lesser griefe then richer men had there I doe not meane concerning that neglect That barbarous unmanly disrespect Their bodies had among the clownish crew When from the tainted flesh the spirits flew For if their carcasses they did contemne What harme or what disease was that to them What paine or torment was it if that they Like carrion in the fields unburied lay What felt they being â—ragged like a Log Or hurl'd into a Saw-pit like a Dog What disadvantage could that Doctor have Who learnedly was drawne into his grave By naâ—ed men since those things doe disgrace The living rather and doe wrong the place Thâ—t suffers or allowes that barb'rousnesse To shame the Christian Faith which they professe Alas my heart as little can bemone A mangled carcasse as a broken stone It is a living body and the paines Which I conceive a broken heart sustaines That moveth me their griefe in life-time was And whilst they liv'd their sorrowes did surpasse These fained ones as Death and loathed Care By Life and true Content excelled are Some who forsooke faire houses large and high Could scarcely get a Shed to keepe them dry And such who many bedâ— and lodgings had To lye on straw without the doores were glad Some over-tyr'd with weaâ—inesse and heâ—t Could not for money purchase drink or meat But cruelly of succour were deny'd Till through their faintnesse they grew sick dy'd Some who in London had beene waited on With many servants weâ—e enclos'd alone In solitary places where they mâ—ght Find leasure to repent them of their flight And when they had supplyes at any need The bringers did like those that Lyons feed Ev'n throw it at them or else some where set it Where after their departures they might fet it And many a one no helper to attend him Was left to live or dye as God should friend him Some who unwisely did their homes forsake That triall of the Country they might make Have brought their lives to miserable ends Before they could arive among their friends Some having reach'd the places they desir'd With no meane difficulty weake and tyr'd Have missed welcome where they sought reliefe And strucken by unkindnesse dy'd with Griefe The sickly Wife could no â—ssistance have To bring her Husbands body to the grave But was compelled with a grieved heart To act the Parsons and the Sextons part And he that wanted strength â—o beare away His mate who dead within his presence lay VVas faine to let the stinking body lye Till he in death should beare him company Ah me what tongue can tell thâ— many woes The passions and the many griefes of those What mâ—rtall pen is able to expresse Thâ—ir great temptations in that lonelinesse What heart can thinke how many a grieuous feare To those distressed people may appeare Who are with such afflictions over-takâ—n Of ev'ry Crâ—ature in the world forsaken Without a Comforter left all alone Where to themselves they must themselves bemone Without a remedy And where none may Or know or pitty what they â—eele or say Me thinkes to muse on those who suffer'd thus Should bring to minde the mercy shewed us And make our pennes and voyces to expresse The love of God with hearty Thankfulnesse For when no sorâ—owes of mine owne I had The very thought of those hath made me sad And were it not that God hath given me Some tryaâ—ls of those Comâ—ortingâ— which Hee For men in their extremities provides And from the knowledges of others hides Or felt I not how prevalent Gods pow'r Appeares in us when there is none of our What liberty hee giue 's when wee doe fall Within the compasse of an outward thrall And what contentments He bestowes on them Whom others doe neglect or else contemne Yea had I not beleeued him who sayes That God doth knowledge take of all our wayes That He observes each rubb within our path With ev'ry secret sorrow which it hath That he is nearesâ— then when we bemone His absence anâ— suppose him furthest gone And often in us dwels when Those abroad With most insâ—lting say Where is their God Had this beene hidden from me I had here For ev'ry line I writ dropt downe a teare And in a floud of sorrowes drench'd mine eyes When first I mused on these miseries But I have knowne them to my great content And felt so oft wâ—at comforts God hath lent When of all outward helpes we are depâ—ived That could the same of all men be beleeved It would be thought true Pleasures wâ—re possessed Of none but men forsaken and distressed How ever though such mercy God bestowes And brings men comfort in their greatest woes Let none of us presume as some have done Without our Circle foolishly to runne Nor leave our proper station that we may Goe seeke our fortunes in an uncouth way Conceive me right I doe not here deny Or call in doubt the lawfulnâ—sse to flye Nor am I of their counsell who despise All such as fled nor judge I too precise Those wâ—o the Person or the Place avoid Which is with any noysomnesse annoy'd For when the causes
of remove are just We then may flye the Plague nay then we must Since those who will not in such cases goe Tempt God and faile in what they ought â—o doe If that a King or Prince should live within A City much infected it were sin For he no doubt hath some Vice-gerent there Who in his absence may supply his care Or if that Place were certaine of decay By his departure yet he might not stay The Reason is there many thousands are Oâ— Townes and Cities that in him have share Who would conceive it were unjustly done That he should venter all their wealth in One. And make great Kingdomes hazards to endure The welfare of one City to procure So Counsellers of State and he whose Charge Extends throughout the Common wealth at large VVith ev'ry other Magistrate beside Except his pow'r to sâ—me one place be ty'd Must shun the Plague because that such as he Sworne servants to the whole Weale-publique be And since the safest Physicke and defence For Children in the times of Pestilence Is to remove them they unwisely do VVho having wealth and fâ—iends to send them to Neglect the meanes by being over nice Or grudging at the charge through avarice Moreover they whose calling seemes to lye VVithin two sev'rall places equally Till some plaine causes hinder may be freâ— To live where safety best appeares to be Vnlesse their secret conscience doe gaine-say And who can judge of that but God and They Yea Men on divers good occasions mo May from the places of Infection goe For there be times of stay and times of going VVhich ev'ry one that is discreet well knowing Doth censure no partic'lar Man at all But calling unto mind that blessed Paul VVas once ev'n in a basket forth convay'd From his Pursuers yet no iotafraid At other seasons to continue there VVhere bloody peâ—secutions hottest were And if my words have done my meaning right My Muse denyes not but alloweth flight Provided alwayes that Men doe not flie From Casuall Plagues to Plagues with Certainty From those with whom the bands of Charity Of Duty Friendship or Affinity Or of their Calling doth requiâ—e a stay Provided also when they part away That as God blest them hath they somewhat â—â—nde To comfort those who must abide behinde And that they trust not to their Flight as tho That of it selfe could save but raâ—her know And use it as the gracious meanes of him Who saves and not as that which saved them Let theâ— consider likewise that the Sin Was partly theirs which did the Plague begin And in their absence with a Christian feare Make sute for those who must the burthen beare From which they scape yea let them all confesse Their sins with penitencâ— and humblenesse Avoiding ev'ry pleasure where they live Which out of minde their Brethrens cares may drive Lest God pursue them whither they are fled There â—eize upon them to their greater dread Or from them take away all due correction Which Plague were greater then this great Infeâ—tion For when his Iudgements God in wrath removes His Mercy then the greater Iudgement proves There be I know some people gone away Who miâ—ding our afflictions night and day Have much bewayled our distressed case And sent up earnest prayers foâ— this Place For of their Piety good fruits are seene And by their hands the poore refresht have beene These from this Den of Slaughter were no doubt By Gods especiall favour called out Who for their sakes I hope those townes will spare To which for shâ—lter they esâ—aped are As he did Zoar. And I wish they may Obtaine their lives and safeties for a prey But there be some and would to God that some Were but a little one who parted from Our City walls as if they had not gone With Vengeance at their heeles or waited on By feares and dangers but so finifi'd As if their meaning was to shew their pride In Country Churches for a weeke or twaine Ride out like Coâ—kneies and come home againe The sorrowes of their brethren they forgot In holy duties they delighted not In drunken meetings they their leasure spent In idle visits foolish merriment And to their Country-friends they caried downe Those sinnes that are too common in this Towne VVhich if they practise there as here we doe VVill bring their wages also thither too These giddy Runnawayes are they that were Beginneâ—s of that great unmanly feare VVhich did first author of disorder prove These caused that improvident Remove VVhich did both wrong the welfare of the Citiâ— Distract the Country make it voyd of pitie And give occasion of those Tales which Fame Hath now dispersed to our common shame For if their flight had timely beene provided VVith Conscience and Discretion truly guided Thâ—iâ— profit here at home had beene the greater And fâ—iends abroad had entertain'd â—hem better And yet I take small pleasure to excuse Tâ—ose Pesants who so grosly did abuse Tâ—eir Manhood and Religion in denying Tâ—e dues of Charity to people dying For though their folly might their fall deserve Yet we our Christian pitie should preserve Our brother in extremities releeving Not adding sorrowes to encrease his grieving Nor taking notice of his evill deedâ— So much as of that comfort which he needs Till he râ—freshed by a friendly â—and His errors by our love may understand And sure there was a meanes to succour strangerâ— In their distresse and to escape the dangers Of that Infection which so much was feared Had Vnderstandâ—ngs eye beâ—ne better cleared And that Selfe-love and Avarice removed Which kept good pathâ— unseene and unapproved But since that easie knowledge hath beene hid By wilfull blindnesse well enough I did If here I Satyrizing should expresse The Countries folly and foâ—getfulnessâ— And yet I will not write to their disgraces What of some Persons and particular Places Hath rumor'd beene lest I should spirt a blot So blacke as that it would not be forgot In future Ages but make Times-to-come Suspect they had deny'd their Christendome For shouâ—d our Muse who if she list thereto Cares not who frownes or frets at what we doe Should she put on that straine of Bitternesse With which their cruelty we could expresse Should we in our description of their Feare Cause all their Indiscretion to appeare Should we illustrate here the true Relationâ— Of what hath past in many Corporations What uproares in some Townes have raised beene When Londoners approaching them were seene How master Maior was straightway flockt about How they to Counsell went to keepe them out How they their watches doubled as if some Had brought them newes that Spinola would come And what ridiculous actions past among them Some few perhaps wold think thâ—t we did wroÌ„g theÌ„ And they would subjects be of scorne and laughter For â—ll their evill willers ever after Or should we tell what propable suspition Appear'd sometime of wisedome and discretion In goodman Constable when in a standing To