probability inferre It might be said The world had not his peere In all those vertues that are mention'd here And should confâ—ssed be ev'n of his soe They had not flattred who affiâ—med so Since what was of his worth at home conceivâ—d All Europe for a verity received And loâ— now by thy Grace he sitteth on The seat of Rule and in his Fathers Thâ—one VVho giveth signes of truer love to thee Or of more conscience of his Charge theâ— He VVhat Monarke in appearance better preacheâ—h By good Examples what thy Precepts teacheth Or which of all his reverend Prelacy In shewes of true religious constancie Outgoes or equals him Oh! if so cleare His vertues prove as yet they doe appeare How glorious will they grow And what a light VVill he become when he ascends the height Of his great Orbe And oh what pitty 't were His minde should ever fall below that spheare Of Grace which he hath climb'd or that thy Love Should wanting be to keepe him still above How grievous would it be that his beginning So hopefull and such lâ—ve and honour winning Should faile that expectation which it hath And make thee shut thy favour up in wrath Let not oh God! let not the sins of others Nor any fog which Vertues glorie smothers Ascending from his frailties make obscure His rising honor which yet seemeth pure If might in him be wâ—nting of that worth Which to the publike view is blazâ—d sorth Forgive and perfect him that he may grow To be in deed what he appeares in show Yea Lord as farre as humane frailty can Permit the saâ—e make him ev'n such a Man As now that Kingdome needs and spare that Nation For him which else deserveth Desolation 〈◊〉 If he be what he seemeth Thou I know â—ilt save his Land from utter overthrow Thou in the life-time of a pâ—ous King Wert never yet accustomed to bring Destruction For thou shewedst him compassion Who did but once well act humiliation â—v'n wicked Ahab and within his Times Thou wouldst not punâ—sh no noâ— his owne Crimes Oh! be as mercifull as thou hast bin And let this King thy favours triumph in â—et that exceeding Grace already shew'd him Ev'n that wherewith thy Spirit hath indu'd him Be Pledges of some greater Gifts with whicâ— Thou shalt in future times his heart enrich His brâ—st inflame thou with a sacred fire Teach him to aske and give him his desire Grant him thy Wìsdome and thy Righteousnesse The wrongs of all his People to redresse Let him the Widow and the Orphane save Releeving all that need of succour have And let his Mountaines and each lesser Hill Hiâ— humbler Dales with peace and plenty fill As he was honor'd in his Preservation So let him glory still in thy Salvation As he persisteth to relie on thee So let him sure of thy protection be Be thou his onely joy Be thou I pray His Triumph on his Coronation-â—ay Crowne thou his head with purified gold Make stâ—ong his Scepter â—nd his Throne uphold To be renowned by thy Grace divine As long as either Sunne or Moone shall shine Since thou to rule thine Isrâ—el dost appoint him Let thy most holy Spirit Lord anoint him Make thou a league with him as thou hast done With David and adopt him for thy Sonnâ— To thee Thou art my Father let him say My God my Rocke of safety and my stay Throghout those LaÌ„ds where thou to raign shalt place him With Title of thy First-begotten grace him And let his Kingdomes harbor none of them Who shall deny him to be their Supreme So guard and so enclose him with thine Arme The Man of Sinne may nevâ—r doe him harme To him his Adversaries all subject And prosper none that him shall disaffect Lead thou his Armies when his Warre beginnes Make thou his Peace when he the Battle winnes Let still thy Truth and Love with him abide Let in thy Name his name be glorifi'd Doe thou the Seas into his pow'r dâ—liver Make thou his right hand reach beyond the River And plant so strongly on the Banks of Rhyne Those fruitfull Branches of his Fathers Vine VVhom late the salvage Bore with tripled pow'r Hath rooted up with purpose to devoure That they may spread their Clusters far and nigh And fill and top the Germane Empery Yea minde thou Lord the scornâ—s and deâ—amations Which they have borne among their neighboring nations And please to comfort them and make them glad According to the sorrowes they have had To them so sanctifie their great affliction That it may bring their vertues to perfection And fit them for some place in which they shall Helpe reare againe decaying Sions wall Oh! keep for them a favour still in store Preserve them in thy League for evermore Blesse thou that Race which is or shall be given As lasting make it as the dayâ—s of heav'n And if thy Lawes or Iudgements they forsake Or if thy League or Covenant they breake With Rods let them in mercie be corrected But never fall for aye to be rejected The like for this new Monark I emplore In him encrease thy Graces more and more Make â—im a Blessing for all Christendome Make him a Patterne for all Times to come Make him in ev'ry happy course persever And let him live for ever and for ever His Royall Robe he hath but new put on And I my prayers have but new begun Oh let me to thy Majestie prefer These few Petitions in particular And place them where they may both day and night Stand evermore unfolded in thy sight First teach him to consider how and why Tâ—ou hast enthron'd him on a seat so high And so to think on his great charge and trust As one who knowes he come to reckning mâ—st Foâ— honors if by thee they be not blest Make wisest men as brutish as a beast Teach him to minde how great the favour waâ— When thou of thy meere motion and thy Grace Didst from so many millions chuse out him To weare this Kingdomes fourefold Diadem And make thy Servants favour'd in his sight As thou hast made of him thy Favorite Teach him the fittest meanes to take away And let none murmure at his just delay Those Groves and those Hill-Altars in the Land Which suffred are untâ—ll his dayes to stand And give him wisedome wisely to foresee That Wheat from Chaffe may well distinguisht be For some will else bring Truth into suspition Condemne good Discipline for Superstition And with faire shewes of Piety beguile That underhand they may encroach the while On Gods Inheritance and from her teare Those outward Ornamâ—nts his Bride doth weare Oh! let him purge from Church and Commonweale Those inflammations of corrupted zeale And indigested humors which doe spread Distempers through the Stomacke paine the Head And by prepost'rous courses raise a storme To rend that Body which it would reforme Let him his Reformations first begin Like David with himselfe and search within The closset of his
them For they that heard And liv'd to see fulfil'd what was declar'd By Ieremy against Ierusalem His counsell they did nathelesse contemne When he their slight to Aegypt did oppose And so became of their owne overthrowes The wilfull cause Nay when our Saviour spake To Iudas and that Band which came to take His person to the ground those men he strooke Ev'n with his voice and on the Crosse he shooke The Eaâ—th and rent the Temple with his cry Yet that and all the rest was passed by Of most beholders a if they had beene Vnsensible of what was heard and seene I therefore these Preventions doe insert To aggravate the hardnesse of their heart Who shall be obstinate And here declare What may be said or done e're done they are That all may know when such things come to passe Nought fals on me but what expected was And that the better working this may have On those who shall Gods Messages receive â—y this Remembrancer For God hath sent Though I unworthy am his instrument Him unadvisedly compos'd I not Nor was he by a miracle begot To fit him for this purpose I have thrice Imprisonment endur'd Close-prison twice Much trouble I have past which thence ensu'd Through wants and slaunders not a few I sâ—ru'd And being guarded by Gods Providence I lately walked through the Pestilenâ—e And saw and felt what Nature doth abhor To harden me and to prepare me for This Worke. And therefore he who thinkes he shall Witâ— his big lookes or speeches me appall Must look more grim then Death more ugly far Then Vizards or the shapes of Devils are Breathe ranker poison then a plague fill'd grave And stamp and rore and teare and stare and rave More dreadfully and louder then a man Infected with six Pestilences can Else I to play with terrors being borne Shall laugh both him and all he doth to scorne And though I may perchance as did the best Of all â—ods children when they were opprest Sometime bewaile my suffrings or declare That I doe feele them when their waight I beare Yet murmur will I not at what is laid Vpon me neither seeke to flesh for aid By what 's here done may trouble come upon me But not performing it had quite undone me Since I through feare of what the world may doe Neglected had what God had call'd me to For of his calling me the meanes and wayes Whâ—reby my weaknesse he to this did raise Vnquestionable evidence doe give And they who doe not yet the same beleeve Will think the same perhaps when they shall see Themselves enclosed with new Plagues to be Thus I beleeving aâ—d considering What fearlesnesse this act therewith doth bring With what assurances I doe possesse Me thinks it were a matchlesse wickednesse To disobey Yea sure I more in that Wrong'd God then I shall seeme to wrong the State In uttring what some few are loth to heare How ever divers thinke this is my feare Yea to my soule so horrible a thing The wilfull disobeying that great King Appeared hath that nâ—ver should I sleepe In peace againe if I did silence keepe And therefore neither all the royall graces Of Kings nor gifts nor honourable places Should stop my mouth Nor would I smother this Though twenty Kings had sworne that I should kisâ—e The Gallowes for it lest my Conscience should Torment me more then all men living could Yea though this minde were but my ignorance Or fancy as it will be thought perchance Yet since this Fancy may present to me As hideous feares as things that reall be I 'le hazard rather twenty deaths to dye Then to be tortur'd by my Fantasie For I had rather in a dungeon dwell Five yeares then in my soule to seele a hell Five minutes and so God will be my friend I shall not care how many I offend And yet now I remember troubled is My heart a little for one thing amisse Which I have done This Mâ—ssenger hath bin Long time kept out and I did thrust him in Without a Licence lest he comming late Might shew you a Commission out of date I could excuse the fact and lay the crime Vpon the much disorder of the time For most men know that in a Watch or Clockâ— When it is out of order once or broke The wheeles that are unfaulâ—â—e move awry As well as they in whom the faults doe lye But that you may not thinke I doe professe Against the State as wholly mercilesse Or that I thinke it nothing to misdoe Against good Order though compelld thâ—â—eto For this I aske forgivenesse and submit My selfe to them who shall in judgement sit Vpon the fact For which if I obtaine My Pardon I shall humbly entertaine Their favours with my thankefullest respects And hope this Message will have good effects If otherwise I finde my Body shall Be ready to subject it selfe to all Their strictest Penalties and when I am Enough afflâ—cted for what is to blame In this or me I know God will release By Body or my Soule againe in peace To him alone for Patronage I run Lord let thy pleasure and thy will be done The glory be to God THe faults escaped in the printing wee had not such meanes to prevent as we desired nor could we conveniently collect them by reason of our hast of hazard and other interruptions wee therefore leave them to be amended censured and winked at according to the Readers courtesie or discretion
Ev'n farre before the Courts at Westminster And if I longer these thy dealâ—ngs beare Thou here wilt use me as they use me there For latâ—ly I surveyâ—d it and saw Their Chauncery had halfe devour'd their Law Sweet Lady call to minde there is a due Pertaining equally to me and you As nothing without MERCIE should be done So IVSTICE shoulâ— not be encroaâ—ht upon I claime a Daughters part and I dâ—sire To keepe minâ— owne inhâ—ritance inâ—ire I for your sake huge Armies often save When they had else beene rotting in the grave I suffer you to wipe more sinnes away Then twice tenne thousand millions in a day There 's none whom I doe punish for his crimes Bâ—t I doescarre him first a thousand times At your entreaty when if I had pleased I might so many times his life have seized Yea I shoulâ— none have injur'd though I had Of all the World long since a Bone-fire made For what effects hath your Compassiâ—n wrought What Offringâ— to Gods Altars now are brought By my long sparing them Nay have they not Hâ—m and his awâ—ull pow'r the more forgot What did I say forgot him If they had Vs'd him and his Indulgence but so bad Thou might'st have spoken for them and I could Have left thy supplications uncontroll'd But they have aggravated their neglect With such base villanies such disrespect And such contempt of Him of Thee and Mee That if we beare it we shall scorned be They so presumptuous are that well I know Were but a petty Iustice used so He would not brooke it But so rough appeare That all the sin-professing houses neare Of Reformation would be much in doubt And feare they should not buy his Angeâ— out Though they presented him with coyne and wares And bâ—ib'd his Clarke with whom t is thought he sâ—ares I will not theâ—efore palliate their despight I will not be debarred of my right I will not make my selfe a publike scorne Nor will I longer beare what I have borne Here with as if she thought it were in vaine For Vengeance unto MERCIE to complaine She rais'd her eyes she fixed them upon The â—hrone of heav'n and Him that sate thereon Then bowed thrice and then to her complaint She â—hus proceeded likâ— an Anâ—ry Saint Great IVDGE of all the world just wise and holy Who sin abhorrest and correctest folly Who drivest all uncleannesse from thy sight And feared art ev'n of the most upright Consider well my Cause and let thou not Thy IVSTICE in thy MERCIE be forgot As well as this my sister so am I Vnited unto thee essentially Before all Time and there is cause for me To boast thy favour full as much as she For to maintaine thy Iustice and approve Thâ—t sacred never violated Love Thou bearest me great Monarkies have drunk Thy cup of wrath and into ruine sunk For their contempt of me thou hast rejected The Nation of all Nations most affected Once thou the Globe of Earth didst wholly drowne From Heav'n thou threwâ—st the sinfull Angels downâ— And which is more thy Best beloved dy'd That my displeasure might be satisfi'd But lâ—t no former favour me availe If now of Reason on my side I faile I nâ—ver did a Vengeance yet pursue Before it was requir'd by double due I never plagued any in despight Nor in the death of sinners took delight Why therefore thus is my proceeding staid And thy just wrath so suddenly alaid Hath Mercy their offences vailed so That thou beholdest not what faults thâ—y do And wilt thou still continue thy compassion To this unthankfull and forgetfull Nation What are they but a most corrupted breed A wicked a perverse ingratefull seed A peoplâ— for instruction so untoward So stubborne in their courses and so â—roward That neither tâ—reats nor plagues nor loâ—e can mend â—hem And therefore Desolation must attend them Me they have injured past all â—ompare They flout me to my face they me out dare Ev'n on my Iudgement-seâ—ts they truth deny Although they knew their hearâ—rs know they lye They use my Titles and my Offices But as a meanes to rob or to oppresse The poorer sort and he that wrong sustaines Is sure of more if he for right complaines Search thou their Streets their Markets their Courts Note where the greatest multitude resorts And if thou finde a man among them thâ—re That hath of Truth or Iudgement any care Him let thine Angell save But thou shalt see That nothing else from heele to head they be But swellings wounds and sores that they are wholly O'regrowne with leprosies of noysome folly And that among them there abideth none Whose path is right and pâ—rfect no not one Their studies are in cheâ—ting trickes and shifts Their practice is to compass bribes and gifts Their silver is but dross Their wine impure Thâ—ir finest gold will not the touch endure The poore oppresse the poore The Childe assâ—mes An Elâ—ers place The basest Groome presuâ—es Bâ—fore tâ—e Noble Womâ—n tâ—ke on them Mens habits and subjection doe contemne Men grow â—ffeminâ—te Age dotes Youth raves The begger 's proud The rich man basely craves The neighbour of his neighbour goes in danger The brother to the brother growes a stranger There is no kin but Cousnage Few professe Affection Amity or Friendlinesse But to decâ—ive If men each â—ther greet With shewes of wondrous friendship when they meet They doe but practise kinâ—ly to betray And jeere and scoffe when thâ—y depart away Thâ—y labour and they study lyâ—s to make To grow more wicked serious paines they take Wolves are as mercifull Their Dogs as holy Vertue thâ—y count a Foole Religion folly Their Lawes are but their nets and ginnâ—s to take Those whom they hate and seeke their prey to make The patronage of â—ruth noâ—e standeth for The way of Piety they doe abhor They meet uâ—seene the harmlesse to â—eceive They hâ—tch the Cocatrice They sâ—ely weave The Spiders web and when in bed they aâ—e They lye and study plâ—ts of mischiefe â—here And why thus fares it bâ—t because they see That how unjust soe're their Courses bâ— They prosper in tâ—eir wicked nesse and â—hrive Whilst thâ—y who honor thee aâ—flâ—â—ted live If any man reprove their damned way They persecute and slander him and say Come let us smite him with our tongue that he And his reproofes may unregarded be They desp'rately resolve a wicked Course And ev'ry day proceed from bad to woâ—se Themselves they sooth in evill and professe In publike manner Trades of wickednesse They impudently boast of their Transgressions And madly glory in their great Oppâ—essions Yea some so farre have â—ver-gone the Devils In shamelesnesse that they make bragge of evils Which they committed not as if thâ—y fear'd That else they had not lewd enough aâ—pâ—ar'd Whereas they from themselves would strive to flie If they could sâ—e their owne defoâ—mity For what remaineth to be termed ill Which they are guilâ—lesse of in act or will Thâ—y gall unto
those great comforts which we have conceived For eâ—â—heâ— God may give an â—ll successe To his beâ—t Counsells for our fâ—owardnesse Or leave us some distâ—ustings in our heart To make us censure in an evill paâ—t His gracious purposes or give a pow'r To some ill-willers of his peace and our To sow the seeds of Discord and divide Our heartâ— which now so lovingly are ty'd Or let some Politician woâ—ke upon His Goodnesse and so cunningly goe on That he shall nâ—ver finde how he and his Are injured till all things are amisse Which God forbid yea grant O Lord that I In these suâ—posals may not prophecie As out of doubt I shall if any sin That may procure it we continue in Yea though our Projects may a while possesse Our hearts with flatt'â—ing hopes of good successe Thâ—ugh in affâ—ires of VVarre and in our Fights We thrive a while as did the Benjâ—mites Although a league with Baalam we began And â—erodach the sonne of Baladan Had sent us presents and though he shall seeme To have our health and welfaâ—e in esteeme Though to his Lords the treasures we declare Which in Gods Temple here among us are Yea though we gâ—ve those holy things to buy His love and Babylonish amity It should but linger us along till they Who seeke our overthrow their snares doe lay Vntill they have enlarg'd their growing pow'rs And by their Policy befooled ours Or till our sinnes or our securities Have maâ—e us objects for their Tyrannies And there enthrall'd us where long since were hung On willow trees untuned and unstrung The Harpes of Syon and where Men contemne The heav'nly Sonnets of Ierusalem Ev'n this shall be our lot and worse then this If we continue still to doe amisse Or bring not forth the fruits of Penitence When God hath scourg'd us by the Pestilenâ—â— But if that stirre us to repenting shall He will not onely back againe recall That raging Plague to which he gave such pow'â— Within our peopled Cities to devoure But he will also on this Realme bestow New benefits for entertaining so With lowlinesse his fatherly correction And yeelding him our filiall affection Then ev'ry one beneath his Vine shall siâ— Without disturbance and with pleasure eate The profit of his labours Men shall goe In â—afety through â—he Kingdome to and fro Their Lands they shall enjoy in peace and weare The warmest fleeces that their flockes do beare No sonnes of Belial shall from them divert Their Princes favour in the smallest part Nor shall Seditions Lovers draw from him Their loyalties by misinforming them But God that blessed union shall maintaine Which ought 'twixt King and People to remainâ— He then will multiply the fruits encrease Preseâ—ve our plenty sanctifie our peace And guide by Land and Sea our preparations Of lâ—wfull warre to seize upon those Nations That are our foes and his Which that He may Vouchsafe unto us let us ev'ry day Produce of thankfulnesse some new effect Let us observe with ev'ry due respect The progresse of that Plague sent lately hither How CLEMENCY IVSTICE came togethâ—r Relating to each other what we saw To kindle love or keepe our soules in awe And so record it that should we be rotten It may be still pâ—eserved unforgotten For that we might his honour forth declare We boâ—h created and preserved were To such a purpose I doe thus employ That scorned Faculty which I enjoy And for the compaâ—â—ing of my intention Have offrâ—d up the best of my invention And what that is to those who doe regard Such paines the following Cantoes have declar'd Behold O Lord my purposes from heav'n Accept of me the gift that thou hast given Permit not those who spite or malice me To interrupt my Mâ—se in praising tâ—ee Let none of those who finde that I neglect The way to wealth which thâ—y â—oo much affect Conceive that I my Time have spent in vaine Because their Studies yeeld them greater gaine Let them perceive though this endevour brings Nor Riches Honours nor esteeme of Kings But rather wasts my Fortunes and doth more Increase my charge and troubles then before Let them I say conceive and also know That I am highly pleas'd it should be so And would not change the blessâ—ng of my Fate With those whom they doe hold more fortunate And let not that which I have here comprised Become through my unworthinesse despised But grant it such a moderate respect Thâ—t I may see my labours take effect For their encâ—uragements who shall apply To such goodeâ—ds their gift of Poësie And let all those who shall peruse my Story Receive some profit and give thee the glory The second Canto Our Muse defends her lowly stile And having flowne aside a while Tells how the Plague first entred here What meanes to stay it practis'd were Some vulgâ—r Tenets are disputed Some rectified some refuted She from the Nature and the Cause Of that Disease conclusions drawes Declareth how it runnes and creepes And what unâ—ertaine paths it keepes How long strict orders usefull stood The fruit of Christian neighbourhood And many other things beâ—wixt These mentioned are intermixt She shâ—weâ—h also meanes assured By which this mischiefe may be cured How to apply that meanes how those Who use it should themselves compose How violent the Plague did grow Who from it might or might not goe How much t' was feared how men fled How ill in flying many sped And lastly as occasion moves She grieves she counsells and reproves LEt no fantastique Reader now condemne Out homely Muse for stooping uâ—to them In plaine expressions and in words that show We love not in affected paths to goe For to be understood is language used And speech to other ends as much abused Lines therefore over-darke or over-trimm'd Are like a Picture with a Visour limm'd Or like Pomaâ—ders of a curious sent Within a painted Box that hath no vent Or like Peach-kernels which to get them forth Require more cracking then the fruit is worth Let no man guesse my Measures framed be That wiser men my little wit may see Or that I doe not hold the matter good Which is not more admir'd then understood For chiefly such a Subject I desire And such a plaine Expression to acquire That ev'ry one my meaning may discerne And they be taught that have most need to learne It is the usefull matter of my Rimâ—s Shall make them live Woâ—ds alter as the Times And soonest â—heir fantastique Rhetoriques Who trim their Poesies with schooleboy-tricks That which this age affects as grave and wise Thâ— foâ—lowing generation may despise Greenâ—s phrâ—se and â—â—llie's language were in fashion And had among the wits much câ—mmendation But now another garbe of speech with us Is priâ—'d and theiâ—s is thought ridiâ—ulous As ours perchance will be wheÌ„ Time who changeth Things changeaâ—lâ— the present phrase estrangeth Let no mâ—n therefore dreame I will bestow My precious Time in what will vary so Since that
Beast will doe and hath no doubt As much foresight in what he goes about As those blinde Bayards who couragious be In perills whose events they doe not see Nor will I any man a Coward call Although I see him tremble and looke pale In dangerous attempts unlesse he slacke His just Resolves by basely stepping backe For as the greater part of men wâ— find To laugh and blush by nature much enclin'd So many have a nat'rall inclination To trembling palenesse or some other passion Which no Philosophy can take away Nor any humane wit or strength allay And if their Apprehension proveth better Then other Mens their Passions are the greater Because their searching wits finde peâ—ills out Whereof the Dullard never having doubt Hath boldly ventur'd on them and out-dar'd Whâ—t being heedeâ— him to death had scar'd Give me the Man that with a quaking arme VValkes with a stedfast mind through greatest harm And though his flesh doth tremble makes it stand To execute what Reason doth command Give me the Soule that knowingly descries All dangers and all possibilities Of outward pâ—rills and yet doth persever In ev'ry lawfull action howsoever Give me that Heart which in it selfe doth warre VVith many frailties who liâ—e Traytors are In some besieged Fort and hath to doe VVith outward Foes and inward Terrors too Yet of himselfe and them a conquest makes And still proceeds in what he undertakes For this is double valour and such men Althougâ— they are mis-censur'd now and then Enjoy those mindes that best composed are In lawfull quarrells are without compare And when the Coward hoodwink'd goes to fight Dare chaâ—ge their sternest Foes with open sight Let no Man therefore glory or make boast Of Courage when they feele their Dread is lost Or thinke themseles the safer when they finde Their Feare is gone whilst Perill slayes behinde Especially when they besieg'd appeare With such like Plâ—gues as this we treat of here For that endangers rather then secureth Since Custome or else Ignorance procuâ—eth That bruâ—ish â—earlesnesse And where we see Such hardinesse Gods judgements fruitlesse be There is required yet one Caveat more To perfect that which hath beene said before Ev'n this that we grow watchfull lest the while We trust in God we doe our selves beguile With fruitlesse confidence and on his grace Beyond his warrant our assurance place For many thousands wondrous forward are In Gods large promises to claime a â—hare Who those conditions never mused on Which he doth ground his Covenant upon And as the Iewes from whom they take example Bragg'd of their outward worship and their Temple As if Gods League extended unto all Who could themselves the sonnes of Iacob call Without respecting their partic'lar Way So we have some among us that will say They trust in God and that in this infection They full assurance have of his protection Because they formally his Truth professe Performe externall workes of Holinesse Or visibly with such partakers are With whom the Pledges of Gods love appeare But they that on these ouâ—ward workes rely Without true faith and true sincerity Commit those guilded sinnes whose glosse will weare And leave their naâ—urall corruptions bare Yea they of their professions idols make And will the Covenant of God â—istake Vntill in his conveyances they see What duties on their parâ—s required be God promisâ—th indeed all such to save Who in his holy Church their dwelling have And thâ—t he will vouchsafe them his deâ—ence From dangers of the noysome Pestilence But they must love him and inuoke him then Or else the Bargaine is unmade agen Thus much inferres the Psalmist in that Ode Which pâ—ophecies the saving Grace of God Those therefore too too much on them assume Yea foolishly of mercy they presume Who boast of Gods protection and yet tread Those paths which to a sure destruction lead I doe not meane when any man misâ—does Through frailty or unwillingly mis-goes But when with liking and without remorse He wilfully pursues a wicked Course For such their confidence on God bely Depending on their owne security And cannot see those dangers they are in Because â—heir Consciences have seared bin How many thousands in the Grave are laid Who in their life-times impudently said They should be safe in God yet never tooke His counsell nor one vanity forsooke For love of him How many have I heard Presumptuously affirme they never fear'd The danger of Gods Arrowes though they flew At nâ—one at midnight and so many slew In ev'ry street yea shamelesly professe Their trust in God to cause their fearlesnesse Yet nothing for the love of him â—ndevour How boldly have I seene them to peâ—sever In ev'ry â—in when Gods fierce Angell stood Ev'n just before them all embru'd in blood And slaught'ring râ—uÌ„d about theÌ„ neighbors brothers Their friends their kinsmeÌ„ children fathers mothers And some of ev'ry sort Nay I have heard Of such who were not any jot afear'd To baâ—gaine for their Lust in times to come VVithin the compasse of the selfe-same roome VVhere at that instant they beheld their wives Lye newly dead or lab'ring for their lives They waste Gods Creatures in luxurious diet Consume their times in wantonnesse and riot They feasts and merriments in Tavernes keepe VVhilst others in the Temples fast and weepe Thâ—y pâ—rsecute their brethren and the poore Peâ—forme no good forbeare no sin the more And live so carelesly as if they thought That when the greatest wickednesse they wrought It prov'd their trust in God to be the greater And that lewd works shew'd forth their faith the better Or else that God the more obligement had Because he was so good and they so bad Ev'n such there are And these make boastings will Of â—rust in God yet such continue still Alas it is but vaine to say Lord Lord Or to professe a confidence in word Where lively Faith appeares not for God granteth Protections unto none but whom he planteth Within his Vineyard wherein growes no tree But in some measure it will fruitfull be Or â—lse a storme shall come which down will shake it With whatsoever carnall props we sâ—ake it No high-presuming Cedars nor stiffe Oakes Are those whom God exempteth from the strokes Of his tempestuous wrath but that which bendeth To ev'ry blast which he in Iudgement sendeth As doth a bruised or low-stooping Reed Which by the bowing is from breaking free'd Yea those who really within the shade Of his defence have their abidings made Those onely may depend on his protection Amid the ragings of this hot Infection And who are these but such as when they see The threaâ—ned Plague afraid and humbled be Such as through hearty love ashamed grow That they so good a God displeased so Such as are sory for their passed crimes And truly purpose in all future times A better life Such who for conscience sake And not through servile feare themselves betake To pious exercises such who strive To mortifie their lusts
what Did he thy Soule and Body first create For what redeeme thee For what end infuse That Faâ—ulty which thou dost call thy Muse For what but for his honor to declare Thosâ— Iudgements and his Mercies which will hâ—re Be showne unto thee and to sing the Story Of whâ—t thine eye beholdeth to his glory For if not here then where Or if not now Then at what other time expectest thou So faire an oprortunity to shew With how much readinesse thou couldst beâ—tow Thy life and all thy faculties on him And for his servicâ— who bestowed them What noblâ—r Subject can the woâ—ld afford For thee or for the Muses to record Then will those Iudgements and those Mercies be Which God will in this place disclose to thee If Reason seeke some purpose in thy stay Me thinks this purpose please thy Reason may For though those men who love their owne vaine praise Have little care of their Creators waies And finde small pleasingnesse in those Relations Which are compos'd of such like Observations Yet all the glorioust acts of greatest Kings Aâ—e triviall worthlesse base and foolish things Respecting these And though some nicer wits Scarce think that such a Subject well befits Their artfull Muses Yet twixt this and that Whereon they love to plod and meditate There 's much more diff'rence then betweene their Laieâ— And those which they doe most of all dispraise And they who live the time I hope shall see These Poems much more prized then they be Yea though it may appeare to common Reason An act impertinent and out of season For such an end as this to make thy stay Let not her carnall Sophismes thee dismay For sinâ—e thou seest a vaine Historian dares His person to adventure in the warres That he for fame or hire may wâ—iâ—e a story Of whaâ— is done to his Commanders glory This action wherefore shouldst thou startle from As if thy Iudgement it would mis-become If just it be our safeties to contemne In such a case if that be good in him How much more just is thy adventure then Who sinâ—â—t the praise of God and not oâ— men How muâ—h more safely walkest thou then they How much more glory and how much more pay Can thy great Captaine give thee And how small Should be thy feare If thou should'st feare at all Nor to thy God or to thy selfe alone Will acceptable services be done By staâ—ing here but peradventure some That living are and some in time to come May reap advantage by it and confesse That thou wert borne for them and didst possesse And use thy life not for thy selfe alone But â—hat to others profit might be done The gen'rall notice which men take of thee Will make thy actions more observed be Then those of twenty others who doe seeme In their small circuits men of great esteeme And when hereafter it is knowne abroad To what good purposes thou mad'st abode In this afflicted City on what ground Thy blamed resolution thou dost found How sensible thou wert of ev'ry seare And of each perill thou adventredst here How many friends thou â—adst to flye â—nto How much elsewhere thou mighâ—st have found to do What Censures thou shouldst hazzard in tâ—y stay VVâ—at pleasures wooed thâ—e to come awâ—y How thy continuing here was not by chance By discontent or humorous ignorance How no compulsion no perswading Friend No office hope oâ— gaine or such like end Necâ—ssitated thee Yea when by such VVho are to feare eâ—slaved â—vermuch All this is heeded well And when men shall Consider it comparing therewithall VVhat causes moved thee what meditation Confirm'd thy stay what kinde of conversation Thou daily practisedst and what good use They may from thâ— experiments produce It will perchance occasion some to learne Those things which yet they doe not well discerne Help in good Resolutions some to arme Some weake ones in temptations much confirme To some become a meanes to make them see That men despised may enabled be By Faith to keepe their place undaunted there Where men of better seeming gifts doe fâ—are And peradventure thou maist compasse that Which likeher men in vaine have aymed at For though it may be said this place hath store By Calling and by Gifts adapted more For such a taske and that there may be some That have no warrant for departing from Thâ—se noysome streets who well enough may take This painâ—s and thereof thee excused make Yet shall not that â—xcuse thee For all they Have Callings which employ them wholly may Yea they whose wits are â—bler think not on That worke perchance as needfull to be done Or if they doe perhaps they may expire Before they have performed it or tire And though they should make perfit their designes Yet their obsâ—urity may barre their Lines From taking that effect which if thou write Thy being far more knowne accomplish might For Fame prevailes with many now adaies And if uncoutâ—'d unkist as Chaucer saies Or grant that many had the same attempted And men of note yet wert thou not exempted For best it is when such like things as these Confirmed are by many witnesses Beside if those assurances which thou Shalt publish and thy â—aith shall well allow Affirmed were by none but such as they Who might not from this place depart awâ—y Without much losse or blame meere naturall men Might have contemned all those counsels then And all those just reproofes that may by thee Or any other man objected be Against their flavish Feares and may reply That no man staid but he that could not flye Or that none durst become a voluntary In such a Fire for conscience sake to tarie And that no mortall man had pow'r obtain'd To bide such brunts till outwardly constrain'd Whereas thy free abiding here will move Much better thoughts thy constancy approve Procure the more beleefe to thy Relations The more effectuall make thy good perswasions And stop thâ—ir moâ—thes who might some other wâ—y Thy paineâ— have wrong'd had ought procâ—r'd thy stay Oh! fâ—r far be it that Lust Avaâ—ce The strong dâ—â—â—empers of some hatâ—fâ—ll Vice A stupid Melâ—ncholy or the tumors Of some wilde Passion or fantastiâ—ke Humorâ— Should fixe more stoutnesse in the heart of man Then temperate anâ— pious knowledge can Far be it that old women for their pay Or Sextons for as little bâ—re as they We in the wâ—lks of Death should walking see Without all fâ—are yet they deterred be Who boast of knowlâ—dge and have sung and said That though in Deaths black shadowes they wâ—re laiâ— They would without dismâ—y continue thâ—re Because Gods Rod and Staffe their keepers are Oh! let not this be so And be it far From proving true that they who studious are Of Wisdome and of Piety should shrinke Where he whose head peece is but arm'd with drinke Sits fearlesse Or that Vse or Custome shall Embolden more then Christian Faith and all The Morall Veâ—tues Or that thou shouldst yeeld To carnâ—ll
Plague among us till it had Our Cities and our Townes unpeopled made Should from their noyâ—omnesse so soone be â—râ—ed Is out of doubt a matter worth our heed Yea t is a Merâ—y though most mind it not VVhich in this Land should never be forgot That from an enemy so dangerous So great a City and so populous Should in three months be purified so That all men might with safety come and goe For e're the following Winter was expired The Citizens were to their homes retired The Terme from Reading was recalled hither From ev'ry Quarter Clients came together New trading was begun another brood Soone fild the houses which unpeopled â—â—ood Our Gentry tooke up their old rendevow And such a concourse through our streets did flow That ev'ry place was fill'd and of all those Those many thousands who their lives did lose But some â—ew monâ—hs before no want was found The people ev'ry where did so abound To thee oh Lord to thee oh Lord be praise For thou dost wound and cure strike down and raise Thou kill'st and mak'st alive thou frownst at night And thou art pleased e're the morning light VVhen we offend thee thou a while dost leave us VVhen we repent thou dost againe receive us To ruine thou deliver'st us and then Râ—turne againe thou saift ye sonnes of men For in thy wisedome thou considered hast That man is like a bubble or a blast A heape of Dust a tuft of wither'd Grasse A fading Fâ—owre that soone away doth passe A Moment fled which never shall retire Or smoaking Flaxe that quickly loseth fire An idle â—reame which nothing doth betoken A bruised Reed which may with ease be broken And therefore â—ost in Iudgement Mercy minde Yea in thy greatest anger thou art kinde As is the space twixt heav'n aâ—d eaâ—th above So large to those that feare thee is thy love As far â—s doth from Èâ—st the Westâ—eside â—eside So fâ—r thou dâ—st from us our sins divide Such aâ— a father to his childe doth beare Sâ—â—h love is thine to those who thee do feare Tâ—y Iustice thou froâ—â—ge to age declarest But such as love thee thou for ever sparest I thou but turne away from us thy face Loe we are breathâ—esse in a moments space Thy looke doth us with life againe endue And all our losses instantly renew As oft as we rebell thou dost forgive us And though into distâ—esse sometime thou drive us Yet alwaâ—es in our sorrowes we were eyed And thou didst please to heare us when we cried With tâ—â—rst and hunger faint some stray'd aside To seeke a place where safe they might abide With worse then bands of iron they were chained And in the gloomy shâ—des of Dâ—ath detained With hâ—â—â— and â—ickâ—esse they dejected were And to deliver them no helpe was there Their wickednessâ— when they were plagued for Their soules thâ— sweetest morâ—â—ls did abhor They for their follies did afflicted lye And to the gates of Death approached nigh Their soules within them were nigh dead with feare Yea they distracted and amazed were But when to thee they called they were eased And out of all their troubles quite released Thou sent'st abroad thy Word and they were healed Thy Wrâ—t of Indignation was repealed FroÌ„ out of Death's black shades tâ—ey were reprieved And in their sorrowes and their paines relieved From East and West from North South and from Their sev'rall wandrings thou shalt call them home In ev'ry quarter of the Realme thou soughtst â—hem Yea to their City back againe thou broughtst them And there now joyâ—uâ—l and in health they be From all their feares and all their dangers free Oh would that men this love would think upon And tell their seed what wonders thou hast done Would they Oblations of thanksgiving bringing Thy works would praise and publish them in singing Oh! would they were so wise that they might leaâ—ne Thine infinite compassion to discerne And that they would assist me to declare How greaâ— thy Iudgements and thy Mercies are Though none can of thy favours make relation Nor fully utter all thy commendation Yet let us doe our best that we may raise A thankfull Trophee to thy boundlesse praise Let us whom thou hast saved thee conâ—esse And to our utmost pow'r tâ—y goodnesse blesse Let us proclaime thy bounties in the street And preach thee where ouâ— Congregations meet Let us in private at noone morne and night And in all plâ—ces in thy praise delight Let Prince and Priest and People old and yong The rich the poore the feeble and the strong Men Angels and all creatures that have name Vnite their pow'rs to publish out thy fame But howsoever others may endevor Let me oh God let me oh God! persever To magnifie thy glory Let nor day Nor any morne or evening passe away In which I shall not to remembrance bring Thy Iudgements and of thy great Mercy sing Let never whilst I live my heart forget Those Dangers and that strong entangled Net In which my soule was hamper'd Let me see When in this world I shall best pleased be My dangers such appearing as they were When me they â—ound about enclosed here Yea when o'rewhelm'd with terrors I did call Like Ionas from the belly of the Whale And was deliver'd Lord remember thou That with unfainednesse I beg thee now To keepe me alwayes mindâ—ull of thy love And if hereaâ—ter I forgetfull prove Let this unfainednesse which thou dost give An Earnest be of what I shall receive In time to come Refresh my cooled zeale And let thy Spirit thy hid Love reveale Let nor the fawning World nor cunning Devill Nor wanton Flesh incite my heart to evill Let not my wandâ—ing eyes be tempted by Those Objects that aâ—lure to Vanity Nor let my eares be charmed by their tongues Whâ— to betray me chant out Syren-songs Let me nor taste a Pleasure nor obtaine That carnall Rest whereof I am so faine Till it shall make me plainly to perceive Thy love and teach me foolish paths to leave Let me be still in want and ever striving With some afflâ—ctions whilst that I am living Till they for better Fortunes better me And then let into Rest my entrance be From yeare to yeare as thou hast yearly done New sorrowes and new trials bring thou on My stubborne heart till thou hast softned it And made it for thy service truly fiâ— Buâ— give me hopes and daily comforts too To strengthen me as thou hast us'd to doe And that in Iustice Mercy may appeare Inflict Oh Lord no more then I can beare I feele and tremble that I feele it thus My flesh hath fâ—ailties which are dangerous To mine owne safety and as soone as thou Shalt quite remove the feares that seize me now My sense of thee and those good thoughts I doubt May faile within me or be rooted out Some Lâ—st may queÌ„ch them or some Care may choke them Vaine hoâ—â—s may vaile theÌ„ or new-thoughts revoke theÌ„ The wisdome of
the world or of the Devill Or some suggestion in my selfe that 's evill May urge perhaps that it is melancholy Whicâ— fills me noâ— that superstitious folly Begot this awfulnesse that â—his Disease Did accidâ—ntâ—lly our Câ—tâ— seize And that 't is vaine to muse so much upon Those times or trouâ—les that are past and gone Oh! rather then it should in me be so Some other house of Sorrow send me to And keepe me Lord perpetuall pris'ner there Till all such dangers overpassed are Nor weale nor woe I crave but part of either As with my temâ—er best agrees together For joy without â—hy grace is griefes encreasing And wealth is poverty without thy blessing But if by passing this life 's pâ—rging fires Thou shalt so purifie my hearts desires That without perill to my hopes of heav'n A temp'rall rest may at the last be giv'n Vouchsafe it Lord ev'n for the good of them Who my best resolutions yet condemne Let theâ— discerne thou blessings hast provided For that which they unjustly have derided Thou herâ—tofoâ—e didst heare thy Servant call And mad'st me free when I was close in thrall Oh! to those â—oâ—tals make me not a scorne Who to my Shamâ— my Glory seeke to turne But let it in thy time to them appeare That thou didst me eâ—ect and me wilt heare Let them perceive though they my Lott disdaine The promise of this Life doth appertaine To me as unto them And for their sakes Whose weaknesse otherwhile ofâ—ences takes At my perpetuall scandals let their eye Behold the â—urne of my Capâ—ivity And know thaâ— I have walked in a path Which in this life time some smooth paces hath Bâ—t nought repine I though this boone thou grant not For that which thou to me deny'st I want not I know thy Wisedome knowes what best will fit me I know thy Pow'r enough those things to get me I know thy Love is large enough to me I know thy Pleasure should my pleasure be Thy will be done and hallowed be thy Name Although it be through my perpetuall shame Whilst on such Meditations I was feâ—ding My pleased soule and Gods great goodnes heeding That I might fill her with contemplating On him from whom all happinesse doth spring A suddaine Rapture did my Muse prepare For higher thiâ—gs then she did lately dare Me thought I saw Gods Iuâ—tice and his Love Installed on one throne in heav'n above I had imperfect fights and glimmering notions Concerning some of their partiâ—â—lar motions About this Orbe I much perceiv'd me thought O those their wondrous works which they had wâ—oughâ— In former dayes And as within a Glasse Some things I saw which they will bring to passe In future times By helpe of Gods great Booke Which for my Ephimerides I tooke I had procâ—r'd a large intelligence Of Iustice and of Mercies Influence There learned I theseverall Aspects And of those Stâ—ries the severall effects Wâ—ile in coâ—junctiâ—n those two Lights I saw The best Altâ—oâ—oâ—ers could never draw From all the plâ—nâ—tâ—ry Constellations Ev'n 〈◊〉 â—heir best such heav'nly consolations I coâ—â—d conjectuâ—e of their woâ—ke divine In Sâ—xtile or in Quâ—drine or in Trine And what proâ—igious Plagues the world should fright If their aspâ—ct were wholly Opposite Some things by calculation I discerned Which this our British Latitude concerned And most of them not much impertinent For all Merâ—dians through Earths Continent I saw of Weale and Woe the many ranges I saw the restlesse Wheele of mortall changes I saw how Cities Common-wealths and Men Did rise and fall and â—ise and fall agen I saw the reason why all Times and States Have such vicissitudes and various fates I saw what doth occasion War and Peace What causeth Dearth and what doth bring Encrease I saw what hardens and what mollifies And whence all Blessings and all Plagues arise I saw how sins are linked in together As in a Chaiâ—â— how one doth cause another And how to ev'ry linke throughout the Chaine Are fixt those Plagues which to that Crime pertaine I saw unâ—eal'd that hellish Mystery Of carnall and meere worâ—dly â—olicy Whereby the Devill fooles this generation And brings on Christendome such molestation I saw as plaine as ever I did see The Sun at none what damned projects be Veild o're with Piety and Holy zeale And how a Christian Ath'isme now doth steale Vpon this age Forgive me that I saw A Christian Ath'isme for ev'n to betray Christ Iesus Christ and Iesus those two Names Are oft usurped and it us defames I saw why some abuse their holy Calling And why so many Stars from heav'n are falling I had a Licence given me to come Where I might see the Devâ—ls Tiring-roome And all the Maskes the Visards and Disguises Which he to murther cheat or rob devises And weares himselfe or lends false-hearted brothers Therewith to foole themselves or cozen others Here lay a Box of zeale profâ—ssing Eyes Which serve for acting of Hypocrisies Hard by another full of Double-hearts For those who play the Ambâ—dexters parts There stood a Châ—st of counterfeited Graces Another full of honest-seeming Faces Yoâ—n hung a suit which had some Traytor got He might have passâ—d for a Patriot Close by were prâ—ssâ— fuls of such suits as they Doe weaâ—e in ev'ry Kingdome at this day Who passe for Statesmen when God knowes they be As far from that as knaves from loving me There hung those masking-suits in which the Popes And Cardinals pursue their carnall hopes There were those foâ—mall Garbs wherein false friends Disguise themselves for some unfaithfull ends Faire counterfeits for Bishops saw I there So like their habits that are most sincere And so beâ—ainted that if they were set Vpon the back of our Arch counterfeit He could not be distinguisht from the best Oâ— all those Prelates that have Christ profest There view'd I all those juggling sleights with which Men worke false miracles and so betwitch Deluded soules There saw I all the trickâ— And Faâ—tosmes wherewithall our Schismaticks Abuse themselves and others There with ruth I saw false-Doctrines tâ—imm'd about with Truth Fac'd out with Fathers peeâ—'d and neatly deaâ—ned With Sentences and Sayings of the Learned Yea with Gods holy Scriptures interweaved So cunningly as wâ—uld have nigh deceived Ev'n hiâ— Elect and many a one alas Of these for Christian Verities doth passe I saw moreover with what Robes of Light The King of Darknesse doth his person dight To make it Angel like and how he scrues Himselfe among our musings to abuse Our understandings how he layes his hooks And baits at Sermons and in godly-books Although the Authors had in their invention A pious meaning and a good intention I saw what venome he doth hurle into Our heert'est prayers and those works we doe In purest charity and how he strives To poison us in our preservatives When all these Mâ—skings and a thousand moe My apprehensions eye had lookt into From thence my Conâ—emplation rais'd my thought And to a
And let us not be lost though we have straid Vouchsafe that ev'ry one in his degree The secret errors of his life may see And in his lâ—wfull calling all his dayes Peâ—forme his Christian duty to thy praise Give peace this troublous age for perilous The times are growne and no man fights for us But thou oh God! nor do we seek or crave That any other Champion we may have Nay give us troubles if thy will be â—o That we may have thy strength to beare them too And in affliction thee more glorifie Then heretofore in our prosperity For when thy countenance on us did shine Those Lands thâ—t boasted of their corne and wìne Had not that joy which thou diâ—st then inspire When we were boyld and fryde in blood and fire Oh! give againe that joy although it cost us Our lives Restore thou what our sin hath lost us Thy Church in these Dominions Lord preserve In purity and teach us thee to serve â—n holinesse and righteousnesse untill We shall the number of our dayes fulfill Defend these Kingdomes from all overthrowes â—y forraine enemies or home-bred foes Our King with ev'â—y grace and vertue blesse Which may thine honour and his owne encrease Inflame our Noblâ—s with moâ—e love and zeale To thy true Spouse and to this Common wâ—ale Inspire our â—lergie in their severall places With knowledge and all sanctâ—â—ying gâ—aces That by their livâ—s and doctâ—ines they may reare Thâ—se partâ— of Syon which decayed are Awake â—his Peoâ—le give them soules that may Beleeve thy word and thy commands obey The Plagues deserv'd already save them from More waâ—châ—ull make them in all times to come For blessings past let hearty thanks be given For present ones let sacrifice to heav'n Be daily offred up For what is needing Or may be usefull in the time succeeding Let faithfull prayers to thy throne be sent With hearts and â—ands upright and innocent And let all this the better fuâ—thred be Through these Remâ—mbrances now bâ—oughâ— by me For which high favour and emboldning thus My spirit in a time so dangerous For chusing me that am so despiâ—able To be employed in this honorable And great employment which I more â—steeme Then to be crowned with a Diadem For thy enabling me in this Embassage For bringing to conclusion this my Message For sparing of my lâ—fe when thousands dy'd Before behind me and on ev'ry side For saving of me mâ—ny a time since then When I had foâ—feited my soule agen For all those griefes and poverties by which I am in better things made great and rich Then all that wealth and honor brings man to Wherewith the woâ—ld doth keepe so much adoe For all which thou to me on earth hast given For all wâ—iâ—h doth concerne my hopes of heaven For these and those innumerable graces Vouchsafed me at sundry times and places Vnâ—hought upon unsained praise I render And for a living sâ—crifice I tender To thee oh God my body soule and all Which mine I may by thy donation call Accept it blessed Maker for his sake Who did â—his offring acceptable mâ—ke By giving up himselfe Oh! looke thou noâ— Vpon those blemâ—shes which I have got By naturall corruption or by those Polluted acts which fâ—om that ulcer flowes According to my â—kill I have enroll'd Thy Merciâ—s and thy Iustice I have told I have not hâ—d thy workings in my brest But aâ— I could their pow'r I have exprest Among our great assemblies to declare Thy will and pleasure loe I doe not fâ—aâ—e And thâ—ugh by Princes I am checkt and blamed To spâ—ake â—he truth I am no whit ashamed Oh! â—hew thou Lord thy mercy so to me And lâ—t thy â—ove and Truth my guardians be Forgive me all the follâ—es of my youth My fâ—ulâ—y deeds the errors of my moâ—th The wandrings oâ— my heaâ—t and ev'ry one Of those good workes that I have lest undone Forgive me all wherein I did amisse Since thou â—mployd'st me in performing this My dâ—ublings of thy calling â—e unto it My fâ—areâ— which oft diâ—heartned me to doe it My sloth my negligences my evasions And my defeâ—ring it on vaine occasions When I had vowed that no woâ—ke of mine Should take me up till I had finisht thine Lord pardon this and let no future sin Nor what already hath committed bin Prophane this Wâ—rke or cause the same to be The lesse effectuall to this land or me But to my selfe oh Lord and others let it So moving be that we may ne're foâ—get it Let nor the evill nor the good effect It takes or puffe me up or me deject Or make me thinke that I the better am Because I tell how others aâ—e to blâ—ame But let it keep me in a Christian feare Still humbly heedfull what my actions are Let all those observations I have had Of others erâ—orâ— be occasions made To minâ— me of mine owne And lest I erre Let ev'ry man be my Remembrancer With so much charity as I have sought To bâ—ing their duties more into their thought And iâ— in any sin I linger long Without repentance Lord let ev'ry tongue That nâ—mâ—s me check me for it and to me Bâ—come what I to â—thers faine would be Oh! let me not be like those busie broomes Which having clensed many nasty roomes Doe make themselves the fouller but sweet Father Let me be like the preciâ—us Diamond rather Which doth by polishing another stone The better shape and lustre set upon Hâ—s owne rouâ—h body Let my life be such As that mans ought to be who knoweth much Of thy good pleasure And most awfull God Let none of thoâ—e who spâ—ead of me abroad Vnjust reports the Devâ—lls puâ—pose gaine By making these my warningâ— prove in vaine To those that heare them but let such disgraces Reflect with shame upon their Authors facâ—s Till they repeâ—t And let their scandall seâ—ve Within my heaâ—t true meâ—kâ—â—sse to preserve And that humiliâ—y which else perchance Vaine glory ot some naturall arrogance Might oveâ—throw if I should think upon With carnal thoghts some good my lines have done Restraiâ—e moreover them who out of pride Or ignoâ—ance this Labour shall deride Make them perceive who shall prefer a story Composed â—or some temporall friends glory Before those Poems which thy works declare That vaine and witlesse their opinions aâ—e And if by thee I was appointed Lord Thy Iudgements and thy Mercies to record As here I do set thou thy mark on those Who shall despightfully the same oppose And let it pâ—â—likely be seene of all Till of their malice they repent them shall As I my conscience have dischâ—rged here Without concealing ought for love or feare From furious men let me preserved be And from the scorne of â—ooles deliver me Vouchsafe at length some comâ—orting refection According to the yeares of my affliction On me for good some toâ—en please to show That they who see it may thy bounty know Rejoyce with fellow-feâ—ling of the sâ—me And joyne