Seasonable thoughts in sad times being some reflections on the warre, the pestilence, and the burning of London, considered in the calamity, cause, cure / by Joh. Tabor. Tabor, John. 1667 Approx. 165 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 57 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A64521 Wing T93 ESTC R15193 13144586 ocm 13144586 98038 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A64521) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 98038) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 780:6) Seasonable thoughts in sad times being some reflections on the warre, the pestilence, and the burning of London, considered in the calamity, cause, cure / by Joh. Tabor. Tabor, John. [12], 100 p. Printed for Anne Seil, London : 1667. In verse. Errata: prelim. p. [12]. Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Anglo-Dutch War, 1664-1667 -- Poetry. Plague -- England -- London. London (England) -- Fire, 1666 -- Poetry. 2006-03 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-02 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2007-02 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Seasonable Thoughts in Sad Times , Being some REFLECTIONS ON THE WARRE , THE PESTILENCE , AND THE BURNING OF LONDON . Considered in the Calamity , Cause , Cure. By Joh. Tabor , M. A. Non placentia , sed utilia . Amos 4.10 . I have sent among you the Pestilence after the manner of Egypt , your young men have I slain with the Sword , &c. I have overthrown some of you as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah , and ye were as a fire-brand pluckt out of the burning , yet have ye not returned to me saith the Lord , &c. And Psal . 141.5 . Let the righteous smite me , it shall be a kindness , and let him reprove me , it shall be an excellent Oyl which shall not break my head , for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamity . London , Printed for Anne Sell , 1667. To the Right Worshipful Sir GERVASE ELWES Knight and Baronet , One of His Majesties Deputy Leiutenants in the County of Suffolk , and Justice of the Peace and Quorum for the Counties of Essex and Suffolk . Right Worshipful ! THE knowledge of your Piety and Virtue , Candour and Benignitie , emboldens me to address these Reflections on our Calamities , with their Cause , and Cure , to the world , under the shadow of your Name , and favour ; presuming that with the regularly devout , and truly pious , such as you are , they may find favour , though perhaps not pleasing the nicer Wits of this curious Age , who will mind more the strain of Poetry than Piety , and like Children throw away the kernel to play with the shell : and since they so freely and impartially taxe the Vices of all , yet only the humble , and pious will endure to hear of their faults , and there ? are few such in these Atheistical dayes , possibly distasting many licentious and erroneous persons , which yet discourages me not from endeavouring to amend our sad Times , the complaint of all mouths , by reforming our evil Manners , the care of few . Now ( Noble Sir ) you sheltered my person under your roof , and favour in the late Times of Tyranny and Confusion ; and when I entered into the Ministery by the Dore , with an Episcopal Ordination on my head , in a time , and place that would for that cause only render me slighted and rejected of the most , you therefore contracted the beams of your Countenance more auspiciously upon me ; nor shunned to impart to me your pious and loyal thoughts of heart for our then persecuted Church , and distressed Soveraign . A confidence you were pleased to put in me , which hath inseparably obliged my soul to you in the greatest sincerity and dearness of honour and affection ; so that if I may be so free with you , I can sincerely profess , no Gentleman in the world possesses a greater love and esteem in my heart than your self . I saw your exuberance of joy , and extasie of spirit when you received the happy tidings of the then Parliaments Vote for his Majesties Restauration , as therein for seeing the return of Glory and Prosperity to our Land : and by this , though absent from you , I can easily guess at the greatness of your sorrow for your Nations sufferings since : Besides , you have been no small sufferer in these woes , chiefly in the fire , in reference to your own Concernments and your Relations : and therefore I conceive a Poem of the nature and design this is , may not be unacceptable to you . And since I have had thoughts of making my Reflection on these things publick , thinking to contribute something to the return of our prosperity , by turning if it may be , some from their iniquity , I have been glad hereby to catch the opportunity , to testifie to the world my due resentments of your manifold undeserved kindnesses ; a grateful acknowledgment being the only requital I am able to make for all your accumulated favours , a poor requital indeed , when thus by paying my old score I run but farther into your debt , begging your acceptance from him , who remains Your very much obliged Servant John Tabor . TO THE Pious Unprejudiced READER , giving an account of the ensuing Poem . Christian Reader , THE dismal Dispensations of Divine Providence towards us , in that series of sad Judgments lately inflicted on us , viz. the destroying War , devouring Pestilence , and desolating Fire in London , having swallowed up my Soul in a deep sense of our hainous sins as the true cause of our heavy sufferings , I remained some time in a confused plunge of spirit hereby , all other business and employs superseded , till at last recollecting my disordered thoughts , I brought them to a certain composure , and to render them more profitable to my self , and to allay the sharpness of sorrow with the pleasure of some phancy , I framed them in metre . I began with the War , therein considering not the History as to the management of men , but the calamity as to the judgment of God : I went on with the Pestilence guided in my Contemplation by the course of that , considering the rise , increase , progress , and deplorable effects thereof , as they happened , but having no thoughts all this time of publishing what I wrote , concluding with my self in regard these Reflections would not be sin shed but with the Sickness , they would be then less seasonable , acceptable and profitable to the Publick , the sense of Judgments too frequently wearing off with the suffering , and scarce any thing concerning them than making impression on most hearts . But then the startling and astonishing news of the Cities Conflagration , hurried my Muse to a new wrack of tormenting griefs , rending me as many others for a time capable of nothing but to stand in the way for News , wherein for some days together we still met with Job's messengers , with sad tidings of increasing misery : till at length occurring the joyful report of the miraculous extinguishing of the Flames , and unexpected Preservation of the unconsumed part of the City and Suburbs , my mind became more sedate and quiet , and my Muse set her self to reflect on this woe as the former , not without some thoughts of Publication , imagining this had revived mens sense of Gods just displeasure , and might render them capable of remorse for their sins , procuring these dire effects of it in such a dreadful succession of woes : then purposing to discover all our sins as cause of our sufferings , and knowing that by the Law is the knowledge of sin , I run over the Law of God in my thoughts , and observed how sins of all sorts against every Commandment , and others more directly against the Gospel abound among us , so that our sins being found so great , and numerous , we may not wonder our sufferings have been so many and calamitous : And what ever God in his merciful Providence may seem to be doing for the removal of his Judgments , and restoring of Health , and Peace , and Prosperity to us , and we may flatter our selves with hopes of seeing good days again ; yet otherwise than on the foundation of our Repentance and better Obedience , can we build no assurance of setled Prosperity for the future ; for should it now clear up , yet another cloud may soon rise , if we still provoke the God of Heaven . And therefore I proceed to add an Hortatory part , perswading to Repentance and Obedience to Gods Laws , as the most certain cure of our Calamities , and sure way to have better times , which , ( if ( as we hope ) our woes are in a manner past , yet ) may be of good use to us all for the securing us in a flourishing condition for time to come , the Prosperity of any People usually ebbing and flowing with their Piety and Virtue . And so at last , I add a Consolatory Part as a Cordial for to chear the penitent and humble , introducing there , the Historical Relation of our War omitted in the First Part. The three first Parts I have composed in a familiar kind of compleat Verse , as being for the most part Reprehensive , and Hortatory , therein condescending to the meanest capacities , as meant for the use and benefit of all : In the last , where the Subject is more Heroick , suitably I use quattrains closing the sense with a compleat , and rise to a little higher , though not aiming ( if I could attain it ) at a lofty strain : I seek where to make my Verse serve my Subject , and not subject my nobler matter to my Metre . Now candid Reader , I hope the sincerity and integrity of my Design in this Work may obtain an Apology for any defects in the management ▪ and the Divinity excuse the want of Phansie : I do more than suspect I shall fall under the censure of seduced Sectaries , though piously affected , because I tax their Errors ; of Vitious persons , though loyal and conformable , because I tax their vices ; of Hypocrites , especially such as mask traiterous and factious designs with pious pretences to seduce the People , because I lay them open to the world , furtivis nudatos coloribus , and tax their villanies , however palliated , as contributing to our Calamities : But my Prayer to God is , that he would open all their eyes and turn their hearts , the first to follow after Truth , the second Holiness , and the third sort the Truth of Holiness , then I am sure we should be a flourishing Church and Nation . If thou blame me ( Reader ) for any where ripping up old sores , I will assure thee I do not otherwise than for fear that false Prophets have healed the hurt of the Daughter of our People slightly , to let out the corruption the right way by Repentance , lest they fester and break inwardly and kill their souls . If thou complain of rough handling , know it is done with a Chirurgeons heart , to heal and not wound : and if my Patient cry out of me in searching his sore as an Enemy , I am well assured if he would suffer the cure , he would acknowledge me in the end to be his friend : and when in searching thy sore I touch thee to the quick , lay thine hand on thine own heart confessing thy corruption and sin , rather than stretch out that , or move thy tongue to smite me who only mean thy health , and welfare . Read on , and the sweetness of Consolation at last will allay the tartness of Reprehension before : nauseate therefore nothing herein , since all will do thee good , if thou with candor receive and digest it . Accept then kindly what is intended sincerely for Gods , thy Souls , and this Nations glory from him who is Thine in the Lord Jesus , John Tabor . To the Reader . REader suspend thy Censure , till thou run The whole Book over , and when that is done : The Author's meaning rightly understood ; That his Design , if not his Verse , is good , I doubt not thou wilt say ; and when you see : He layes our Woes on our Impietie : Think not one Sin , or Party he alone Doth here accuse , but all and every one : Assure thy self the Author doth designe , That Times may mend , to mend his heart , and thine . Curteous Reader . Before thou peruse this Book , I intreat thee , for thine own sake , to turn to and correct or supply with thy Pen , these mistakes and omissions of the Printer , and let not his Errors be imputed to the Author , who fears some will judge he hath enough herein to answer for of his own , but desires thou wilt courteously mend the Printers , and candidly forgive his Errata . In the Epistle to the Reader page 4. line 2. & 7. for compleat r. couplet , l. 9. before where add every . in the Poem p. 17. l. 10. for Chelmford r. Chelmsford , p. 21. l. 17. for then r. thence , p. 25. l. 2 before stuffe add their , pag. 30. that which is under an asterism in the margent refers to the asterism upon Lud in the next page ; and the asterism in the margent p. 31. answers to this on Brute , p. 30. p. 32. l. 25. for land r. laud , p. 33. for lately r. late , p. 36. l. 21. before mere blot out are , p. 37. l. 11. before him blot out of , & l. 14. for swettest r. sweetest , p. 38. l. 7. for to r. too , p. 44. l. 12. for first r. first 's , p. 50. l. 8. for religious r. religions , p. 56. l. 7. before glory add bliss and , p. 62. l. 19. for convey r. conveys , pag. 63. l. 2. before please blot out doth . p. 66. l. 28. for sottishness r. foolishness , p. 80. in marginal note for countries r. country as . p. 81. l. 16. for own r. one . Seasonable Thoughts IN SAD TIMES . Reflections on the War. WHere e're I go , the sighing Air rebounds Sad Ecchoes to my heart , and doleful sounds Of Lamentation : still the Plague and War , In ev'ry place , the talk of all mouths are . The Funeral Knells continually ring In mortal ears , and thundering Guns do sing In the reporting Air , by both are brought Nothing but death , and slaughter to our thought . Death rules at Land , devouring as he please ; And sight who will , he 's Master on the Seas , Thousands at Land away he weekly sweeps , By Sea he Hundreds swallows in the deeps . From one poor City , in few months he hurl'd So many thousands to another World ; As against this would a stout Army be : Unsatiate yet , in Town , and Country , he Hath slain so many Thousands , as might serve An Alexander , for a sure reserve , If to content his great ambitious mind , Another World to conquer he could find : These are the dire effects ( Oh God! ) of our Transgressions , and thy just avenging pow'r . Did then the Persian Cyrus , from an Hill Beholding his huge Host , his Eye-lids fill With brackish tears to think , one age revol'd , All those would into ashes be resolv'd ? And shall so many Christians in one year , Be turn'd to dust , and we not shed a tear ? O that my head a Fountain wore , and I Could vent a stream of grief from either eye , Weep , and blot out of Sin the crimson stain , Whereby the Daughter of my People 's slain ! Sometimes I sit in pensive posture , and Form sad Ideas of the Sea , and Land. How while the proud insulting Dutch , and we Contend in dreadful Fights for Masterie : Hell opes her mouth , and in few hours receives Such crouds of Souls , as no time ere retrieves : Of Bodies such huge numbers sinking then , As threaten to Earth up the Sea with men . So that our Ships may for the future strand On shelves of bodies , not on shelves of sand . Methinks I see the swelling billows boil , Heat by the fire doth from the Guns recoil : The roaring Guns which pierce the parting air , With terror we on Land far distant hear They shake the massie Earth , and thunder like , Houses , and Windows into trembling strike : And each broad side which strikes my ear , I think , Now a brave Ship with braver Men doth sink . Enraged Mortals striving to out-vie , Thunder , and Lightning in the lofty skie Darken the air with smoak , but fire gives light , Or they at noon-day would scarce see to sight . Blood from the reeking Decks into the Main Pours down , like water in a showr of Rain , Discolouring the Ocean by its fall , As if 't would turn it to a Red-Sea all . Fire-ships set all on flames , and make a show , As Subterranean fires were from below , Broke through the waves : and one would think no doubt , Fire strove to drink up Sea , Sea to quench out The fire , and men by their contentious action , Put all the Elements into distraction : But themselves rue most , while the bloody sight Gives blood to them , who do in war delight . Now on the Decks some shriek with painful And others sinking are in deadly swounds : wounds , Here a Commander falls , th' Opponents hollow , The Souldiers soon in death their Leader follow : Here from torn shoulder flies an arm , and there From shatter'd thigh a leg the bullets tear : Here wags a head off , this mans brains are dasht Full in the next mans face , his bowels pasht On his next neighbour , and a third is found , Groaning his soul out at a wide-mouth'd wound . Here Bullets force drives a heart out , which dies To mortals rage a bloody Sacrifice : There a head from the bloody neck is rent , Mounting as if to hit the Sun it meant ; Thus the Dutch heads we well may wish to rise , And be lift up , above their Enemies . But I had rather we , and they in Peace Might live , and War might from all Nations cease Had not Astraea left the Earth , and rage Possest mens bosomes in this Iron age : Had not sin first divided men from God , Then from themselves , scattering all abroad To seek new Countries , all had still been one Language , and People , letting Warr alone . Sin is the onely make-bate in the World , That hath all things into Contention hurl'd : But since the Prince of Peace his happy birth , Who came to reconcile both things on Earth , And things in Heaven , methinks those who professe , Themselves his Subjects , from all wars should cease : One faith should be of force hearts to unite , In love as much as e're one language might : The second Adam should all his restore To the same concord , which they had before By nature in the first , and not pursue Their Christian Brethren , like a Turk , or Jew . But what a grief 't is to good hearts , to see Christians among themselves thus disagree : And those , for whom Christ spilt his blood & life , To shed each others blood in lust , and strife : That those , who when they go to sight doe pray To the same God , that each may have the day , And both doe hope alike in death to be Translated hence to Heavens felicitie , Should one another with such fury kill ; And r●uch rejoyce each others blood to spill : Good Lord ! how will Heav'n quietly hold those Souls , who just now were here such deadly foes : If some of either side to Heav'n do come , And both to Dutch , and English be their home , Could Heav'n admit repentance , grief , and sorrow Find a place there , those souls would surely borrow Time from their heav'nly joys this to repent , And their unchristian feuds below lament : Lament now Christians , and leave of your slaughter , There 's no bewailing but in Hell hereafter . Yet 't is to be bewail'd that such a slood By Christian hands is shed of Christian blood . Thus we contend to blood , but all the while The holy Spirit grieves , and Devils smile , All the good Angels too are grieved for 't , But your Contention makes the Devils sport ; And the slain carkases of Christians drest In blood , and wounds , make Lucifer a Feast : And at these broils the Infidels do laugh , Christians should weep , but yet the most do quaff : Such direful deeds just God thou sufferest , Sinners for their transgressions to infest : In times when blood , and wounds make such ado ; O that our hearts were rightly wounded too ! And with just grief could bleed as fast as those Poor hearts , who have been pierced by their foes . Slack Christians , slack your fury ! and employ Your noble Valour for a Victory More worthy praise , than any you can gain By numbers of your Christian Brethren slain . You Souldiers by Profession are , your life A warfare , and you must here live in strife : But 't is a strife more with your selves than others , ' Gainst certain foes , and not your Christian brothers . The World , the Flesh , the Devil , these are those You must still combate with , as mortal foes To your immortal bliss ; and these will find Tough work enough for the most warlike mind : But while with Christian men we do contest , We cherish , and serve these foes in our brest : The World rejoyces , Devil takes delight , Lusts of the flesh are pleas'd when Christians sight . Le ts turn our force then against them , and shew What noble acts our Valour there can do ; The Lord of Hosts our Captain is , and will With Armour furnish you , courage , and skill : You need not doubt success at all , for he Who fights Gods battails shall have Victorie : One lust subdued will you more glory gain , Than he whose single Arm an Host hath slain . For 't is more honour , to o're-come within Our selves our lusts , than Cities wall'd to win . Great Alexander , who subdued all Nations , Continued slave still to his lustful Passions . Be of good courage then , subdue your sin , And an eternal Crown , and Kingdom win : Or if the Warriours spirit can't be laid , But it will still in blood , and slaughter trade Let Christians valiant , and victorious arm , Turn to do Turks , and Infidels the harm Which now amongst our selves , we daily feel , And let the Heathen fall upon our Steel ! There might be rais'd another holy War , More truly holy , than the first by far : Not to get Canaan , a Land accurst As well for Jews , as Canaanites at first : But the insulting Sultan to restrain ; Who hath so many thousand Christians slain ; And with his Hundred Thousands oft doth come Pouring destruction into Christendome , Forraging , wasting all with Fire , and Sword , Defying , and blaspheming Christ our Lord. Leading away such as the Sword doth spare , Into a bondage worse than death by far : O that all Christian Princes could agree To hamper this Leviathan , and free , From his outragious Inroades , all those Borders Of Christendom , where he commits his murders . The Asiatick Churches when I think upon Mention'd in Saint John's Revelation : Oh how it grieves my heart ! to think that there , Where sometimes famous Christian Churches were Now Turkish Mosques do stand , & men adore , The Imposture Mahomet , where Christ before . And those who yet retain a Christian name , Have little else of Christ , beside the same : Their low estate allows no means to gain Such knowledge , as is needful to retain , Religion pure and perfect : Besides , must they To this great Turk the tenth child yearly pay . The tenth is due ( O God! ) to thee alone , And must an Infidel thy tribute owne ? This woe of all their woes is worst , to see Their dearest children educated be In blinder Turcism , made his Janizars , Chief Souldiers against Christians in his Wars . When cruel Herod mockt of the Wisemen slew So many Infants , he did kindness shew , Compared to this Turkish Tyranny ; For 't is a greater priviledge to die Innocent Martyrs , and go hence to glory , Than to be train'd up in the cosening story Of Mahomet : Poor babes ! at once must you Be from Christs bosome , and your Parents too , By Tyrants-force thus miserably torn ? Better it were you never had been born . Let us reflect , and think did we now hear The approaching feet of Turkish Officer , Entring to take away our darling child , Oh what a plight should we be in ? how wild , And quite beside themselves , would surely be The tender Mothers of the Infantry ? Who , that their senses have , would not desire To see their tender Infants soul expire , His brains dasht on the wall before his eyes , And how the sprawling Corpse convulsing dies , Rather than such should us of them bereave , In thraldom , and Idolatry to live ? But who do think on this with pity , and Deplores not the sad state of Grecian Land ? Now then it were a noble enterprise , If Christian Princes hearts , and Arms would rise , To pull down this proud Sultan , and restore The Christian Faith where 't flourished before ; And free afflicted Greece , once the Worlds eye From Turkish thraldom , and Idolatry ; And all those Christian souls which yearly come Tribute , and Captives from poor Christendome . If th' English and Dutch Fleer would both combine , T' assist the bold Venetian , Worthy of Christian Valour ) they would make a designe The Vaunting Seigniour with his Gallies quake : If throughout all Christendom were more ( Like those brave Knights of Malta , who have swore Destruction to the Turks ) that would combine Quite to raze out the bloody Ottoman line : Then Christendome might flourish , and be free From Devastation , and Captivitie . God grant us Peace at home , and send Us Victory abroad , and end All Wars 'mong Christian men , and cease The Plague his War with men ; In peace , And health grant us to live , that we Might still a happy Kingdom be . But though the Lord in War on our side stood , And gave us Victory for the price of blood , Allaying this sore Judgment by success , Which in the loss of lives makes grief go less : Yet the Plague raging far and nigh , destroyes With sweeping slaughter , and doth damp our joys : This casts my soul into a sad Reflection , On the just Vengeance of such dire Infection . REFLECTIONS ON THE PESTILENCE . JER . 9.9 . Shall I not visit them for these things saith the Lord ? Shall not my soul be avenged on such a Nation as this ? WHen the just God did visit London first , Our danger less , our fears were at the worst : In every place men stood upon their guard , And against Citizens kept Watch , and Ward : Had we done so against our sins before , Less had our danger been , our safety more : But when this dire Destruction still doth last , And round about us fearfully doth wast ; Harden'd by custom , we do nothing fear : Our dangers greater , but who sheds a tear ? Our hearts are stone , were they of marble kind 'T were well , marble sometimes we weeping find . On the great City of this sinful Land London , with wealth , and folk , abounding , and With sin , the cause of woe too , God first pour'd The brimful Vial of his wrath , and showr'd His ireful Judgments : There his Angel drew The Sword of Vengeance , and that people slew , At first by Tens , which soon to Hundreds come , Then Thousands weekly sent to their long-home . The frighted Citizens begin to fly From House , and Habitation , lest they die : They leave their livelyhood to save their life ; And where they come , their coming makes a strife . Lest they bring death with them , Towns are in arms To keep out Citizens , as mortal harms : Waggons , and Coaches still in every Road Are met with , which they , and their Goods do load : Where they shall shelter find , they scarce do know , Yet durst not stay at home , where e're they go . Some who did thure in stately Houses dwell , Now gladly creep into a Countrey-cell : And others wandering up and down the Fields ; No Town , or Village them admittance yields : Thus from the Rod of God poor Sinners fly , Not from their Crimes , for which they smart , & die . Alas ! what boots it from the Plague to start , And bear with you a worse Plague in your heart ? Running will not secure you , you 're undone , Unless you know how from your selves to run : Had you your selves forsaken , when at home , You need not thus about the Countrey roame . Had you fled from your Sins before as fast , You need not from the Plague have made such hast . Had you been just , and honest in your Trade , To deal uprightly , had a Conscience made ; False weights , and measures , and deceitful wares , the snares False oaths , equivocations , lies , For simple buyers , ) had you never us'd : Nor with great prizes Customers amus'd : For which i' th' Countrey you a Proverb are ; You ask , say they , just like a Londoner : Had not your Shops been Dens of such as theive , And lie in wait cunningly to deceive ; Nay oftentimes your cosening with a shew Of honesty , and goodness cloaked too : No Plague had likely nigh your dwellings come ; You might securely still have staid at home . Had you but kept your Conscience , so you might Your Shops with comfort , free from deadly fright : But when you turn out Conscience first , no doubt , Gods Judgments after 't justly turn you out : And if you e're get home again , beware ! More Plagues in store for Sinners still there are : But for a while here they resolve to be , Till London shall be from Contagion free : But there Contagion is , from which , I fear You 'le never find the sinful City clean . But now le ts think on those who stay behind , Distrest in Body , and Estate , and Mind : Who know not where to sly , and fear to stay ; But yet must bear the burthen of the day ; A wrathful day , a dismal time , wherein Thousands receive the wages of their sin : Some have no Friends to go to , nor yet Coin To make them any , some the Laws enjoyn To stay , and do their Office , some presume , And others trust no Plague shall them consume . But it increases , spreads , destroyes , doth make Such as remain , for fear of death to quake . Now might you see red Crosses there great store , And Lord have mercy upon many a doore : The Wardsman standing , as if he were sent Deaths Bayliffe to arrest the house for Rent , And turn the dwellers out ; and sure I am , But few could live long there after he came : Now Knells of death continually do ring , And that same doleful sound of Buryers , bring Your dead out , mortal Ears with terror pierce ; And now a Cart becomes the only Hearse To bear a heap of bodies to their Grave , Which neither Obsequies , nor Rites can have Of Christian burial , the best of all Have now no Friends attend their Funeral : No cost of Heirs , no Mourners to be seen , But driven in a Cart , as they had been From hanging carry'd , thrown into a pit , No Priest to say , Earth to Earth I commit . Now might you see all faces blackness gather , The Son lamenting for his dying Father , The Wife for her deceased Husband crying , And Parents mourning for their Children dying : Now might you hear some from their windows cry , Bread for the Lords sake , or we starved die ; Groaning at once under two dismal woes , The Plague , and Famine , both their deadly foes . Now Friends , and Neighbours keep at distance , fear T' approach their nearest Kindred , for life's dear : The Father dreads to see his only Son , The Son to see his Father too doth shun , The Husband dreads his Wife , whom he with dear Embraces us'd to hold , durst not draw near , The Wife 's afraid her Husband to behold , Whom in kind Arms she used to infold : Now such as yet do dwell in health and ease , Know not how soon the Plague on them may seise : Where lately by our Kings happy return , All joy , and triumph was , and then to mourn , It was piacular ; behold ! and see How sad now there , and mournful all things be ! And now it were ridiculous to laugh , Yet some bold sinners now game , sing , and quaffe : Nay ( as 't is told ) some by dead Corps do play , Away the remnant of their lives short day : Poor London ! this thy sad condition is , Yet who bemoans thee ? and who weeps for this ? Thou sit'st disconsolate , of joys bereft , In thy distress by friends , and lovers left : Such as to satisfie their Pride , and Lust , Spend here their wanton Summers yearly must ; When they have helpt to bring the Plague upon thee Now in thy woe , and misery fly from thee : But let them go , if they mend not , no doubt , Gods Judgments in due time will find them out : Though it begins with thee , and you must bear The Almighty's wrath , for that you sinful were ; A wrath so killing , that your dead do come Unto nine Thousand in the Weekly sum ; And 't is reported , though Bills speak no more , Fourteen might be some weeks upon the score . Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? Is His mercy gone for ever , and your bliss ? O spare thy people Lord , thy people spare ! Who with thy precious Bloud redeemed are : Will God his anger evermore retain ? Will he still frown , and never smile again ? No , he is gracious , and his mercies sure , His pity doth from age to age endure : Humble thy self , and hope well London ! for God will not cast off his for ever , nor Be always wrath , slouds at the highest fall ; So now his over-flowing Judgments shall : He will consult his bowels , and have pity For mercy sake upon an humbled City : And ere the year went round , the Plague was so Abated , folk a pace did thither go . Theirs ended : now began the Countrey 's woe . And as provoking Sin its course hath run , Avenging Judgment after that hath gone . As London like the Fountain , sent forth streams Of evil through the Land , so now the gleams Of wrath , dart thence the Plague abroad , and thus Sent Death into the Countrey among us : Colchester for two years her Thousands paid For tribute unto Death , poor Braintry's made To give her Hundreds , Chelmford scapes not free , And Mousham long hath worn Deaths Liverie . In Easterford Kelv'don upon the way , Death took into an Inne , and made some stay ; But , ( blessed be the God of Heav'n ) slaughter Was here no dweller but a sojourner : As once the year before he here was sent Into a Cottage , but no further went. But in most Market-Towns about us slays , And by his terror puts down Market-days . Whereby the Poor want work , the Farmer vent For his Commodities , his Landlord Rent , And such whom God doth in their persons spare , Deep in their Purses now afflicted are : Money is dead as well as People , Trade Is low , yet Payments high must needs be made . For Sickness , and the War do both require . Though things we sell are low , our Rates be higher . This is our woe , this is our great distress , The more 's our sorrow , Is our sin the less ? 'T were well if so , our loss would be our gain , Nor would I doubt to see good days remain : But this I cannot see , and therefore fear No end of these , but a third woe is near : Gods knows what will be next , but sure , unless We better prove for these , God will not cease To punish us , he hath more Plagues in store , And can for sin afflict us seven times more : Since both the War , and Sickness still endure , And once to know the Cause is half the Cure ; Let us reflect on that , and throughly try To search the Cause , and find a Remedy For these Calamities , which make so long , Have mercy Lord , the burthen of our Song : Let 's see what hinders mercy , and what sure Course we must take , his mercy to procure : But while I was about to think on this , Another woe befell ; The City is All on a flame , the Countrey in a fright , Our thoughts distracted , business put to flight , All stand i' th' way to hear what news from thence , As men astonisht , even bereft of sense : But when my Muse her self could recollect ; On this third Woe began she to reflect , Resolv'd at last by light of th' Fire to see The cause of all these woes , and remedie . On the BVRNING OF LONDON . JER . 18.7 , 8. At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation , and concerning a Kingdom to pluck up , and to pull down , and to destroy it . If that Nation against whom I have pronounced , turn from their evil , I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them , &c. THe War still slaughters , & the Plague destroys , And England mournful sits , berest of joys , Abandoned to sorrow : yet Gods Hand Is stretched out against this sinful Land : And as the City London still hath been The Spring , and Fountain of the Nations sin , Another wrathful Vial God doth spill On them , and thence the Land with terror fill . Heav'n from the former with provoked ire Shed death among them , but from this a Fire , A wasting fire : scarce had that Vial done Dropping down sickness , ere this woe begun , And all at once in flaming fury thrown On this great City , quickly burnt it down : God seem'd to slack his wrath , the Pestilence Was in a manner quite removed thence : And having swept the City , thence did come , And all about the Countrey strangely roame : And those who hither fled for safety , fly For danger hence , and gladly homewards hye : London is quickly fill'd , Trading returns , No miss , or thought of those are in their urns : And with the People sin returned too Unmortified , by all the Plague could do : This foster'd in their flight , brought home again In their return , bred their ensuing bane : They come the same men home , take the old course ; Whom judgments do not mend , they oft make worse : The Beasts God sav'd in Noah's Ark came out Beasts as they went in , and some Men , no doubt , Have no more sense of mercy , when they live , While God doth others to destruction give : C ham scapt among the eight in Noah's flood , Yet this deliverance did not make him good ; He 's sav'd , the World destroy'd , yet when all 's done Wicked comes forth and proves a cursed son . So when the Plague like to a deluge swept In London , and God there a remnant kept Alive , and such as to the Countrey fled , A life in mercy here in safety led ; London replenisht once , the Plagues forgot , And God that sent it too , the folk no jot Amended by it , but the Plague is still Most in their Hearts , when lest 't is in their Bill : Therefore as when the Plague of Leprosie Among the Jews , could no way purged be Out of their houses , Gods Law did require , Such houses should be burned down with fire : So when the Plague of Sin could not be purg'd From out that sinful City , sharply scourg'd By that of Sickness , God himself in ire Burnt down their Houses with consuming fire . Upon September's second day i' th' year ▪ Much talkt of * Sixty six , did there appear By two i' th' morning these consuming Flames , Which did break out first in the Street of Thames : And then blown on by a strong wind into The City , what e're Art , or strength could do Of men to stop , or slack its fury , by The Friday morning did in ruines lie The greatest part of that within the Wall , And much beside of that we Suburbs call : For it broke thorough Newgate , and went on To Holborn-bridge , and had through Ludgate gone , Up Fleetstreet unto Temple-bar before Its fury stopt , and did burn down no more : If what without the Walls is burnt , you count For that which stands within , as tant'amount ; Even the whole City in a manner lies A ruinous heap to all spectators eyes : To quench this fire men labour'd all in vain , It wasting run like wild-fire in a train , Then you might hear at first the doleful sound , Fire , fire cryed all about the City round , And there you might behold with weeping eye , By fire a whole Street , quickly ruin'd lye ; Th' increasing flame mounting its spire to Heav'n , Laid th' aspiring buildings with earth even : There might you see the Water-Engines ply'd With toilsome hands , but God success denyed ; They quickly broke , and peoples hearts while they Behold their Houses to the flames a prey : Thousands did strive to quench the fire , but all Labour'd in vain , the stately Structures fall Before its fury : Some do water bear ; Others pull down such houses as are near , To stop its progress , but aloft it flies O're th' interval , and makes a Sacrifice Of the next Mansion , thence again doth hast , The rest with sweeping Vengeance to lay wast : No Church , no Hall , no House , no Hospitall Can stand before it , but it ruines all : What will not burn , it breaks with piercing heat , And tumbling down with rubbish fills the street : As when a field of stubble's fired , and It runs like flowing billows cross the Land Blown with the wind , or as when torrents fall From some steep Hills , they bear before them all Stands in their way : E'ven so this fire runs on , And in a little time a mile hath gone : Buildings of all materials you can name , As stubble were before the spreading flame ; Which like a falling torrent swiftly flows Through London streets , it comes and down all goes : Which while the tired people do behold With deep astonishment ; their hearts grow cold Within them by this fire , when thus they view The fate of old Troy light upon the new . Now might you poor distressed people meet With streams of tears lamenting in each Street : Were these for sin , they 'd sooner quench the flames , Than all the water of the River Thames . Some you might see there with extreamest passion , Bewail their loss as nigh to desperation . Now might you see our Soveraign Lord the King , Water himself unto this fire to bring , I mean in mournful eyes , weeping to see His Cities ruines , Subjects miserie ; Whose sorrow was their solace , as compassion To those in woe 's a kind of Consolation : Nor did his tears speak pity only , but By comfortable words he solace put Into distressed hearts , and night , and day Rode up and down from place to place , to stay By all means possible the running Flame : Giving forth orders look't to see the same Effectually performed , ventring where Inferior persons dar'd not to come near ; And with his hands to labour did not spare , ( 'T is said ) and to expose his life , through care To save the City , for a rumor slew Abroad of treachery , if that be true ; To think , I tremble in what peril then Our Soveraign was among the rout of men , When any foe had opportunitie To act a not to be thought of Tragedie : But praised be the King of Kings alone , No hand , or tongue was mov'd by anyone Against our King , all joy'd , and blest him , when They saw his care , his grief , his labour then ; But nothing would asswage this furious fire , Which all attempts to quench did raise but higher : As the Smiths forge by water grows more hot ; When fire of water mastery hath got : All limbs , and spirits tired were , but yet Their hopes grew lesser , and the Flames more great : Now faint , and weary , and despairing quite E're to put out the fire , all in a fright , ( Giving o're the whole City to the will Of God , and fury of the Flames , which still Rage more , and more ) ( too soon perhaps ) disperse Their several wayes , to save stuffe , and purse : As when a Town 's besieged , ta'ne and sackt ; Their Goods away like Plunder now are packt : But many , whom the Flame surpris'd before , Out of their Houses they remov'd their store , Lost all their Goods , and in one hour were some , Wealthy before , mere beggars now become : And those who most did save , and bear away , Much of their Goods left to the Flames a prey : Th' excessive rates of Carrs made much not worth Removal , though they safe could get it forth : Some hurrying what they snatcht out of the fire To the first friends they thought of , when that nigher Approacht those places , now with speed they were Compell'd their things away from thence to bear . And the fire still pursuing them as fast , Forc't them soon to a third remove in hast : Thus some to shift their place were oft compell'd , Who still in hopes the fire would be quell'd , Would not quite leave the Town , until at last , All thinking the whole City it would wast ; No other refuge sought but open fields : Man loth at last unto Gods Judgments yields . Moore-fields with piles of Goods are fill'd , and there Their Owners lie abroad in th' open air : Thousands who lately went secure to bed , Their dainty limbs on Doun , or Feather spread In stately Mansions , now abroad must lie , The Earth their Bed , and Heav'n their Canopie . And after three days toil , trouble , and fright , Having no ease by day , nor rest by night , Nor leisure all this time , due food to eat , Now in the fields may sleep , but still want meat : Many who late fed on delicious fare , Would now skip at a crust , though brown it were : But hold ! with horror think I now upon ( What 's yet forgot ) the sad condition Of women then in travail , and such there As in this time sick , weak , and dying were : For scarce a day revolved , but you might Here there of births , and deaths each day and night . How many sad Benoni's now were born ! While lab'ring mothers through the streets are born . How many frighted Parents now miscarry , And travail must , at home they may not tarry ! How many while they in the fields do lie , Have pangs of Child-birth , and deliverie ! How many dying persons now expire ! Breathing their last like Martyrs in the fire ; Their Souls like Manoah's Angel , soaring on The mounting Flames to Heav'ns blest Mansion : How many dead have Roman buryal there ! Their Houses funeral piles wherein they were Now burned , and lie buried underneath The ruines of the place , where seiz'd by death . As when our Saviour in Judea wrought . His powerful Miracles , they sick folk brought On Beds , and Couches to him ; Even so you Might see them carried forth the City now ; But with this diff'rence , then to him they came For life , and health , but fly hence for the same : These were the sad disasters , which the ire Of Heav'n did punish sinners with by fire : The Rampant Flames went on victorious still , On both hands levelling up to Tower-Hill , Approach't , as if 't would offer an assault , But there receiv'd a blow , and made an halt ; Houses blown up , by which a breach was made , Prov'd the best Rampart now , whereby was staid The fury of this foe , and in one hour Gunpowder cool'd his courage , sav'd the Tower : Is Powder then the way to quench a Flame : Strangely begun , went on , went out this same . Stranger Experiment sure ne're hath bin , Thus by a blast to save the Magazin . But had the fire came on , the Tower ta'ne , How had that strong and ancient Structure lain , Great Britains strength and glory , in the dust ! For want of Ammunition then we must Yield to our foes ; But God ( blest be his Name ) Would not commit the Tower to the Flame : Which elsewhere forward went , Newgate can't hold This fire , it broke the Prison , and as bold As ever , unto Holborn-Bridge it straid , But there through mercy was its fury staid . Yet still in Fleetstreet did it wander far , E'ven to the Temple , but God put a barre There to this lawless fire , and here supprest This Tyrants raging force , and sav'd the rest ; For which we ought with thankful hearts to raise To him some Trophies of immortal praise . Now he that once gave forth his Law in Flame , Would not at once destroy ours by the same . Now he that saith , from Truth he will not vary , Gods mercy was the Temples Sanctuary . Had not his mercy now a remnant spar'd , Like Sodom , and Gomorrah we had far'd : The City for the most part ruin'd lies , To Gods just vengeance a due Sacrifice ; But through his mercy , just like a fire-brand , Out of the burning pluckt , the Suburbs stand : Their Goods for the most part too , and lives he saves , Who in their houses might have found their graves : But now when I reflect on what 's consum'd , How many Churches are themselves inhum'd ! How many Hospitals are Cripples made ! How many lofty publick Halls are laid E'ven with the ground ! my quill in tears I steep , My Muse sits down in dropping Verse to weep . Now stately Churches in their Graves are laid : Altars themselves are Sacrifices made : And now old Paul a Martyr is once more , And that in England , which we must deplore : His Temple in the firie Ocean stood Like to some Island , but the raging flood Of Flames hath drown'd its glory , over-turn'd This wondrous Fabrick , wonder ! how it burn'd ! The School it self Ignis could not decline : The Pulpit could not its own fall divine : Yet falling preacht Earths glory is a trance : The Organs could not pipe , though the Stones dance : Paul falls away in 's old age , the Saint hath By strange Apostacy now broke his Faith † Yet he who when he liv'd wrought many , fell Not now 't is said without a Miracle . His Altar , Clothing , Canopie remain'd Untouch't , and unconsum'd when the sire reign'd O're all the rest , lest some Phanaticks shall Report the bowing that way made him fall . But since he now lies buried in Faith , My heart hope of his Resurrection hath : Where could the Doctor of the Gentiles have , Than among learned Books * , a fitter grave : Now some obscure Authors , Profane , Divine , Are brought to light , and their names made to shine : Some of them said , Tempus est edax rerum , But this fire proves it self so , and doth jeer ' um . Were I Poet only , no Divine , I chiefly might lament the loss of Wine ; But I care not if it were burned all ; Too much of this hath made the City fall . See how this fire did worldly glory jeere ! View the Exchange ! O what a change is here ! Now from the Steeple of the stately Bow The Bells are shot , and run indeed , but so That scarcely one of twelve well cast is found ; All are like water spilt upon the ground : You that were wont to make the Ringers sweat , Now are your selves in a far greater heat : Ringers keep up your bells ! so we would man , But they will fall too fast , do what we can : Now for the bells men wring their hands , to see How the sweet Ring of Cornhil melted bee : The Town 's on fire , ring the bells backwards all ! Alas ! they cannot , for they backwards fall : For help to save themselves they cannot call , How sits the City solitary , who Was full of People only full of woe ? How like a Cottage in a Garden shows , Or a storm'd Garrison sack't , burnt by foes , This ancient City ! which as stories tell , Brute * built when Samuel judged Israel , And call'd it Troy-novant , 't was ominous sure , And signified Troy's fate it must endure . Lud * afterward rebuilt , more ample made This City unto Ludgate , which 't is said , Deriv'd its name from his , nay some averre , He his name to the City did transferre ; And changed Troy-novant into Luds-Town , Which time hath chang'd to London of renown For age , yet beauty , strength , wealth , glory , scarce To be paralel'd in the Universe : The ancient fear of Kings , and royal place Of British , Saxon , Norman , Scottish race ; And which hath hitherto by age , and time , Grown but more beautiful , than in its prime : But not without some alteration , true , It hath oft like a Snake chang'd skin , and hew : Nor did it alwayes scape the fire before , But in the Conquerours twentieth year (a) it bore , Such marks of wasting Flames as at this day : The greatest part in ruines then did lay . Saint Paul's which Ethelbert , (b) of Saxon men First Christian King , did build , was burnt down then ; This Erkenwald (c) its Bishop had enlarg'd , Adorn'd , Enricht , all which this fire discharg'd . But the next year (a) Mauritius piouslie , Another Prelate of this Ancient See , Laid the foundation of a far more fair , Magnificent , and stately Structure there ; Which in process of time , by bounteous hand Of pious Benefactors , late did stand This Nations glory , others envy , and Not to be paralel'd in Christian Land : The boasted of fair Church of Nostre Dame In Paris , might be Handmaid to this same ; When our St. Paul was in his pomp , I trow , Their Lady set by him would make no show Until the Steeples Heav'n assaulting Spire , By Lightning sent from Heav'n was set on fire : As if this seem'd to imitate the pride Of Babel builders , whom God did deride , This lofty Pyramis he burned down ; Which fire seis'd on Paul's roof , & sing'd his crown , And with its smutty beams , scorched his head , Black't and defac't the whole Structure , and made Paul look more like , to such as did him mark , An Ethiopian , than an English Clark : The marks of which he for a long time bore , Nor could regain his beauty as before ; Till to the Land of God , and his own praise , The Reverend Archbishop Land did raise Paul's to its pristine glory ; till late times , When Sacriledge , Rebellion no crimes , But Vertues were accounted : Some mens zeal Could devour whole Cathedrals at a meal : Christ's zeal for Gods House eat him up , more odd Was this , their zeal eat up the House of God : The holy Tribe , and service , they cast out , Brought Horses in , the more beasts they no doubt : Thus these Phanaticks , O abominable ! Turned the House of God into a Stable ; And Reformation was there never stranger , Where Altars stood , to set up Rack , and Manger : Temple profaners must on the sacred sloore Your Horses dung ? What could the Turks do more ? The Jews indeed did less , they to a Den Turned Gods Temple , but it was of men , Though thieves , but these more brutish , for the nonce Make it a den of thieves , and beasts at once ; And by such usage , Paul declin'd a pace ; The Souldiers gave him deep scars on his face , His Walls lookt sadly , and his Gates did mourn , Until the late miraculous return Of King , and Bishops , who remov'd th' abuse , And Paul's restor'd unto its pristine use : And daily did re-edifie , repair All parts about it , which lately ruin'd were : But by this raging fire , which now befell The City , sparing neither Church , nor Cell , Paul 'mong the rest into his Grave is thrown , Whence we expect his Resurrection : In King , and Bishops , to good works inclin'd We Ethelbert , and Erkenwalds to find , And generous Mauritus too do trust ; Who will redeem Paul's once more from its dust : Nor do I doubt , did we but lay to heart The causes of our woes , by which we smart : Or would this stubborn Nation but endure The means of their Recovery , and Cure : Th' Almighty would in mercy soon restore The City to its beauty , or to more : It should not long as now in ruines lie ; Nor noise of War our borders terrifie : The killing Plague should in all places cease , Our Land enjoy Prosperity , and Peace . Let us consider then of all our woe The Cause , the Cure we shall the better know . The Cause of our Calamities . THE Cause of all , in highest Heav'ns I seek , And in our sinful bosomes , which do reek With boiling lust , whence sinful deeds do rise , As vapours from the Earth , above the Skies Ascend , and make those clouds of Gods just ire , Which thunder'd forth the War , lightned the Fire , And did on this provoking people pour Of mortal sickness a contagious showr : Not for the causes meerly natural Of all these woes , or means instrumental , Search I , but for the prime efficient , And inward moving cause , were our hearts rent With due contrition , this we soon might spy Deep in our brests , for that we must look high : God is the Author , and our Sins the Spring ; Which on us all these dreadful Plagues do bring : How many Atheists in this Land do dwell ? Even Owles at Athens , blind in Israel . There is no God , say some fools in their heart , VVhom war , nor Plague would from their Atheism start : Sure by the light of the late dreadful fire They 'le see their folly , and the light that 's higher . How many with corporeal fancies serve That God who is all Spirit ? others swerve From his prescription , after their own will Do worship him , and are devoutly ill . Many a swearing , cursing miscreant , As Devils upon Earth , each place doth haunt , And do blaspheme Gods sacred Name , in spight Of all Plagues , wish a Plague , and take delight To tear Christs wounds , & afresh make him bleed ; Pray to be damn'd , but sure they shall not need : When neither war , nor plague would these affright , God fir'd their Houses 'bout their ears to light Them to Repentance , and thus let them see An Embleme of the Worlds Catastrophe , And an Epitome of that Hell Infernal In which the wicked after death must burn all . How many do neglect , contemn , profane All holy times consecrate to God's Name , And service now ? How is the zeal grown cold , Which thronged Christian Churches so of old ? Scarce the tenth part will in some places come To Church , but most do idley stay at home ? Or to Schismatical Assemblies run , Or make an halt until the Pray'rs be done : Of those , who in our Churches do appear , How few with reverence , and godly fear Behave themselves ? some do in Taverns wast Those precious hours , when here their souls should feast ; And one would think , when such a Plague God sent , All Christians now would fast , pray , and repent : But on the Fasting days , Good Lord ! how few Will come before thee , and for mercy sue ! All Holy-days are mere Play-days now are made , Or consecrate to drunken Baechus trade : Church doors are open'd , & bells ring for fashion , But th' Alehouse hath the greater Congregation : Gods House indeed is styl'd the House of Pray'r , But if no Preaching be , few will come there , They think 't not worth the while to call on God , Even when they groan under his scourging Rod : They hear , and hear , but never learn to do Those duties which all Preaching tendeth to : Others whose lusts , and sins the Word controuls , Nauseate all Preaching , Physick for their Souls ; And the seduced people , whose blind eyes See not of Christ the saving mysteries , Yet wholesome Chatechizing wont endure , For their Souls blindness though the only cure : Thus is Gods Service crucified between Two thieves like him , and in his House is seen A den of thieves , one sort rob of him of Pray'r ▪ The other rob their souls of his Word there : And for the blessed Sacrament , so full Of sweetest consolation , to the dull A quickning goad , to weak a strong support , Assurance to the fearful , and a fort To tempted Christians , to such as for sin cry , An Handkerchief dipt in Christs blood to dry Their sorrow up , a Cordial to the faint , An heav'nly banquet to the humble Saint : How few will sit themselves , draw nigh , and tast This soul refreshing mystical repast : 'T was one effect of our late Reformation , T' exile this Sacrament out of the Nation Almost , some towns in twenty years had not Any Communion , they had forgot Do this in remembrance of me , and now They 've lost their stomacks by long fasting ; how To bring them to an appetite once more , That the Lords Table may of guests have store , We scarce do know , they have been so affrighted From that wherewith their souls should be delighted Their Preachers sounding in their ears damnation , To scare them from Communion profanation , Which was indeed to rise 'mong some , that durst Approach without due Preparation first , But still forgetting equally to press Their duty to receive , though in the dress Of Knowledge , Faith , Repentance , Charitie ; That in contempt did as much peril lie ; The poor deluded people did believe , The only danger was if they receive ; Fly from their Souls food as their certain bane ; To whom Christs Institution is in vain , So strangely Gods Commandements were then Made void by the Traditions of these men . Now this luke-warmness to Gods worship , we May both in Countrey , and in City see : For such contempt of Christs Authoritie , Might justly some be sick , some weak , some die : Mens coldness kindled wrath , that fire anon , To make them fervent in Religion : You would not come to Church a while ago , No Churches now you have to come unto : The Gates of Sion mourn'd ' cause few , or none Would enter there , but now you make your mone , And mourn for Sions gates , ' cause they are burn'd With fire , and to a heap of ashes turn'd . Sion before in silence did lament , Because so few her solemn Feasts frequent Now you may mourn in silence , sigh , and fast , For that the places of her Feasts be wast : Thus want of zeal hath sir'd the House of God , Neglect of Worship Temples hath destroy'd , Nor could you look , but that which burned down God's Houses thus , must needs consume your own . Thus justly may the War , Plague , Fire , and all , For our neglect to serve God , on us fall . How many disobedient are to all Their Parents , civil , spiritual , natural ? How rife's Rebellion , while the People strive With Prince and Priest neither due reverence give ? Their Princes Laws , the people think not right ; The Priests their Prelates admonition slight : Servants rebel against their Masters , and Wives disobey their Husbands sit command : Children their loving Parents honour not : Obedience among all sorts is forgot . What swarms have we of stubborn Sectaries ? Who all Dominion boldly do despise : Nor are afraid to speak of Dignities All kind of evil , though most grievous lies . The Ark had but one Cham , our Church many , Who glad their Fathers nakedness to spy , With most reproachful mocks , and taunts discover , And blazon it abroad the Nation over . Nay rather than Fathers in Church or State , Shall want the ruder peoples scorn , and hate : Such whet their tongues to tell the smoothest lies , Which these to pop'lar scorn may sacrifice . Rebellion though as sin of witchcraft reigns Among this headstrong people , whom no reins Of Law will rule , no Power curb , or awe From following their will , their will 's a law To them alone , who without fear , or shame , Publickly their perversness do proclaim : Saying , if they were not commanded to These , and these things they would them freely do . O stubborn people ! shall there ever rest Spirits of Contradiction in your brest ? Hath God stampt his Authority upon Your Governours , and do you think they 've none ? Hath he said they are Gods , and will ye then Give less respect to them , than other men ? Counsels of whispering Seducers , how Prone to observe , and promptly follow , you Are ; but how backwards to obey , we see , Lawful Commands of just Authoritie : And is the lawfulness , and duty less , Because enjoyn'd ? nay more your stubbornness To disobey : God is contemned sure , And such contempt from men will not endure . Yet when for peoples sins he Plagues hath sent , They oft impute them to the Government : So the rebellious mutineers of old VVhen the Earth strangely swallowed up those bold Conspirators of Corah's faction , cry'd Ye the Lords people kill'd , Gods hand denied , Moses , and Aaron with that slaughter charg'd , Till God by his just judgment them discharg'd ; By a sad Plague sweeping these murmurers thence , Brought the whole Camp into another sense : Now when the like sins among us are spread ; Shall we not say for these are many dead ? Gods Judgments are a great deep , if we dive Too far , we drown all Charity , alive Preserve censoriousness , believe I do All sorts have sin'd , all sorts have suffer'd too ; Yet all may hear , what some observe , and dread ; Most factious places are most visited . Have we not murmurers among us too , Like to rebellious Corah , and his crew ? VVill , what is Moses , and what Aaron , say , Are we not all holy , as well as they ? To rule , and sacrifice , all would have pow'r : Might not for this a fire from God devour The City , which as eminent in sin , Hath exemplary now in judgment been ? That whilome was rebellions spring and nurse , And seem'd back-sliding to the former course : Is now of England's woe , and sorrow source : Sin no more so , lest you are plagued worse . What murthers in this Land committed were ; For Civil Wars on one side murthers are : And God doth know , to whose charge shall be laid That blood which in our Civil Wars was shed . Blood is a crying sin , so much was spilt , This Nation cannot but be deep in guilt ; Especially when Royal blood hath been Profanely shed , no doubt a roaring sin ; And who doth know , but the just God doth make Now Inquisition for that blood , and take Due Vengeance on us for that barbarous fact , The like whereto no Nation ere did act : Unless those cursed Jews who crucified Their Saviour , for which they still abide The wrath of God , and shame of men , as we For that through all the world reproached be . Nor need we wonder judgment was delaid , That this same Vengeance was no sooner paid , If it should be for this : For God is wont To call men to Repentance first , he don't Suddenly punish , but gives means and time , That men may see , and sorrow for their crime ; And so prevent the Plague ; now all the while Usurpers rul'd ; Our King was in exile ; None openly of this might speak a word ; Which to deluded people could afford Due Information of these hainous crimes , Which past for Vertues in those cheating times : But since the Throne , and Pulpit too were free From Gulls , Impostors and their knavery ; Since all men saw , what ever such pretended , In Self-advancement their Religion ended : Since the Saints coat was pulled o're their ears , Who for a Cloak of Villany it wears . Since that vile murther hath been quite disclaim'd By a free Parliament , a Fast proclaim'd , Wherein the Nation annually may Humble themselves before their God , and pray The guilt hereof may not lie on their head , To them nor their posterity be laid : Since Orthodox Divines have soundly shown How sins of others may become our own ; And so how many ways men guilty stand Of Royal blood , before Gods bar , whose hand Or heart ne're toucht it : not by commission , Covnsel , or by abetting the transgression Only , or by allowing it for good , But by our not resisting it to blood , Or by not mourning for 't enough , or by Those sins , which did provoke the Deitie , So far to suffer villany to reign , For woe to us , to kill our Sovereign : Since means , and opportunities have thus Of true Repentance been afforded us ; The only reason of Gods Patience ; Yet so few shew a hearty Penitence , Even among those most deeply guilty were ; Who where the Fast is kept will not come there : But have such seared Consciences , that they Keep a Thanksgiving on that Fasting-day ▪ Dwell we not stil with those ? whose fine tongues are More soft than Oyl , yet in their hearts have War , Who smoother are than Butter in their words , Yet in design , and wish , are drawing Swords : Such as pretended ever to abhorre , Charles the first death , and seemed zealous for The Seconds Restauration , missing what In Church , or State they hoped for by that , Seem in their discontent to lay the train Of th' old Rebellion , venturing again A second Charles his ruine , rather then Their will shall not be law , and they the men . Shall not God visit such a Generation , And be avenged on a bloody Nation ? And since that sinful City cannot be Excus'd from guilt of blood , which was too free In contributing to the war , and killing ; And to the Royal bloods inhumane spilling , Not ( to the shedding of their own , ) resisting , To that which came to this , too much assisting ▪ ( The Bodkins which the City Dames did give , Our Caesar of his life help't to deprive : The tumults raised there were Prologue to This tragick Act , which other hands did do : ) Since they could see their King before his Doore Murther'd by miscreants , and weep no more : Since blood of loyal Subjects too was shed I' th' midst of them , and they scarce shook their head . Since they so long supported , and maintained Usurping Powers , who in Rebellion raigned Under the Kingly power unruly were , Yet Tyrants force so long could tamely heauen Might not for this Gods Justice lately call For those Judgments did on the City fall ? In David's time a Plague on Israel , For what Saul did to th' Gibeonites , befel . How with uncleanness of all sorts defil'd Is this our sinful Land , the people wild In their unbridled lusts , like Horses they Are ranck , each for his neighbours wife do neigh : Sodomy , Incest , Fornication , and Adultery ; Nay of heart , tongue , and hand , All kind of filthiness is sadly found To be too fruitful in our English ground : In Court , and Camp , City , and Countrey , we This kind of sin grown impudent do see : The Nation hath the forehead of an Whore , Declares her sin as Sodom , and doth more : When such as should in others punish it , The same themselves without shame do commit ; Sinners are bold , and do not seek to hide Their shame , but all reproof thereof deride . We read by Plague did many thousands die , When Israel did with Moab's Daughters lie : How Sodom , and Gomorrah when they burn'd In lustful heat , God into ashes turn'd By fire from heav'n , since first our guilt and blame Hath been , well might our suff'ring be the same ; And that same filthy City which doth lie In ruines , How full of Adulterie , And all uncleaness was it ? and as some Observ'd , the Plague did most in places come And rage , where this sin reign'd , yet , health return'd To them , afresh they in their old lusts burn'd : In filthiness they drove on Sodom's trade , And now by fire are like Gomorrah made : Yet have a remnant scap't , like little Zoar For shelter unto Lot , let such beware ! More Plagues in store for sinners still there are . Thou shalt not steal , saith God , but O my soul ! How doth our Peoples practice this controul ? Will they not rob ? Yes , God himself they will ; In Tithes , and Offerings they do it still . In ev'ry Parish Vicar you may see A witness of the old Church robberie : Nor can we yet forget the later time , When Sacriledge accounted was no crime : When from the Church her Rights , Revenues , Lands Were pluck't away by Sacrilegious hands : When some mens zeal the very Bells did melt Bullets to make , their Enemies to pelt : When heat of Reformation our Church Plate Coin'd into current money for the State. And some mens feud with Superstition rent Each peice of Brass from dustie monument : When greedy Cormorants stood gaping still For gleab , and tithes , even to the Goose , whose quill , Thanks be to God , is left us yet to write The shame of those , who in such theft delight ; And was it not Commission of transgression Against this Law , to Plunder by Commission ? Besides their Sequestration , Decimation , Was there not cunning stealing in this Nation ? Whatever some do reckon of their sin , Far lesser theives I doubt have hanged bin . Now when I Fraud , and Cosenage think upon , Extortion , Bribery , and Oppression : I fear almost in ev'ry way and street , Go where you will , each man 's a theif you meet : Some on the Bench are greater theives by far , Than such as stand before them at the bar : Too often Law , and Livings too are sold For bribes , and simony , now very bold : Such as do sell , or lend to court must stay , And some years hence for expedition pay : In ev'ry shop a cheating thief doth stand , To cosen with fine words , while by the hand He friendly shakes you ; In each Market , Fair , Each buyer finds thieves are not very rare . Each brother will supplant , and falsely deal , Each neighbour over-reach , which is to steal : And I believe , even to the Countreys cost , The King of all men now is cheated most . Whom may we trust , whose word now dare we take ? Why do we Bonds to one another make ? There are we see more thieves among us , then House-breakers , Cut-purses , and High-way men . Now may I be of Jeremiah's mind , And wish some quiet lodging-place to find In solitary Wilderness , that so I might from such a treach'rous people go : Who bend their tongues as bows for cosening lies ; Deceitful men , whom none will trust , that tries : Whose tongues are arrows shot out , speak deceit , Utt'ring fine words to cheat , they lie in wait : Of such God saith , Behold , I 'le melt , and try them : Reprobate silver , then to be he 'l spy them . Shall I not visit for these things , saith he , And on such people now avenged be ? And as the City hath notorious been For sins of this sort , justly now 't is seen Low in the dust , sunk under its own weight Of Cosenage , and Oppression , from its height . Landlords intolerably rack't their Rent , This made them rack their Consciences to vent At highest rates their Wares ; E'ven forc't to cheat , To get their Landlords Rent , their Family meat : Fraud , with Equivocations , lies to mask , Double the price of any thing to ask , Hath been the brand of Citizens we know : These things may be the cause of all their woe . Thou shalt not bear false witness God hath said : How then are Knights of th' post become a trade ? Nay those who like Saints walk in holy guise , Do bend their tongues as bows for telling lies : Had there been none who would false witness bear , Our Martyr'd Sovereign had yet stood clear Before the worst of Judges , Calumnies Were ever blown into the peoples eyes ( Lest they should see his innocence , and wrongs ) By subtile slander from their double tongues , Who fought against , yet said they for him fought , Vow'd to preserve , yet to the Scaffold brought His life , and honour ; still belied his Cause , His Person , Party , and the juster Laws ; While in a mockery of Justice , they Would seem by Law their Sovereign to slay : Falsely accuse God too , Religion , Reason , While they would make these seem t' allow their Treason : Had not false rumors , & reports 'mong us , Into Rebellion gull'd the people thus : They'd ne're have suffer'd Charles the first so good A Prince , by Regicides to lose his blood : Still the same trade of lying's carried on Under the mask of pure Religion : No Mountebanck doth use more lying tricks To cheat , than these religious Empericks : On womens zeal when they 'd commit a Rape , The Pander still must be religious Ape : To slander King , and Bishops , from the Church , Is still the way , new Proselytes to lurch : And of all men the holy Tribe are most Belyed by some , who of their Saintship boast ; Nor of her sons alone false tales they broach , But most the Church their Mother do reproach : Schism's backt with slander of the Church their Mother ; Yet all the Factions slander one another : But beside Slanders , Errors , Heresies , False Oaths , Equivocations , Perjuries , Are in these sinful dayes among us found , To grow , and thrive , and spread in English ground : Oaths of Allegiance , some like Sampsons cords Can snap asunder , while a pack of words They call a Covenant , contrived by A pack of Knaves , must hold inviolably : Oaths of Canonical Obedience Many to keep make little Conscience , But swallow them , and think no more upon 't , These ne're rise in their stomacks , though they don 't At all observe them , while a squeamish Sister , To whom the Cross , or Surplice , gives a Glister , It goes against their Conscience to offend Though oaths , subscriptions , and all bonds they rend In pieces quite ; nay their good Dames to please , To all their duty give a writ of ease : Nor is the Countrey fertile soil alone To these ill weeds , but they have freely grown Within the City , for such sins of late God justly might lay it even desolate . Nor is the root of all curs'd evil less Of growth in English ground , Covetousness : This sin with us hath had the greatest stroke In breach of both the Tables , we thus broke : Many make Gold their God , a silver shrine Is their Diana , Conscience for coin Is sold ; Truth , Honestie , Justice , and Faith The greedy lust of Gain devoured hath : O cursed thirst for gain , what canst not thou Compel frail mortals sinful hearts to do : To swear , and lie , rebel , and murther , and Turn bauds , or whores , Knights of the post , or stand To cry , and rob , to cosen , and betray Their dearest friend , Church-rights to make their prey , For gain to prostitute wives , daughters , and Do any thing , they are at thy command : Nay some the form of godliness do make A cloak for cosenage , and a snare to take The simple buyer in : In holy guise Some hucksters dare of souls make merchandise ; Who like the Pharisees pray by the hour Only the widows houses to devour : And others will not spare an hour to pray , Devoted unto Mammon quite are they ; Who now do find to leave their shops to pray , Had been to keep their shops the surest way : While Covetousness in all our hearts thus grew , Alas poor London ! is it not too true ? For these things we ▪ and thou above the rest , By the just hand of God now sufferest . Nor let the Drunkard think he is forgot , His Nations stain , and his religions blot : Who under one Commandement alone Is hardly rank't , his sins ' gainst ev'ry one ; Or doth at least betray him to commit The Heav'n provoking sins , which violate it . The swinish Drunkard Bacchus doth adore : Who Oaths , and Curses in his mouth hath more ? Gods Service he contemns , his Sundays spends At some good fellowship of drunken friends : He little Honour , or Obedience shows To whom he Honour , and Obedience ows ; Be they Parents or Preists , Prelates , or Prince ; David the Song of Drunkards was long since : What brawls , contentions , murthers some commit In drunken Revels , without fear , or wit : By drinking Healths , some drink away their own , And kill themselves , a thing not seldom known : Wine is they say the milk of Venus , true , A Drunkard not a Wencher , who ere knew ? Nor spares he cosening , sland'ring , and doth covet More liquor still , above his Soul doth love it : To sins of all sorts thus he gives the reins , All ill with 's liquor slides into his veins : Since now so rise is this abomination , Who can expect from Heaven , but desolation , And with the noisome Pestilence chastise A beastly people , who themselves disguise So much with drink ; some their bowls tossing up , Found death even at the bottom of the Cup ; When in the midst of jollity were they , Death brought a reck'ning up and took away ; And in this City , where this sin was common , A Drawer now can show a room to no man : Such who o're-charg'd with drink too oft cast in , God out of house , and home hath cast for sin : And he hath pour'd that wine upon the floore , Which often laid the drinkers there before : Wine in a thousand Cellars was burn't all , And pour'd out at the Cities Funeral : And some for loss of wine did more lament Than for their sins , for which our Plagues are sent : More of a Tavern , or Play-house the fall Lament , than of a Church , or Hospital . Sick with this sin from head to foot hath bin Our Nation , sick 't is justly for this sin : Their Wine inflam'd the Citizens before , Justly now fire inflam'd their Wine therefore : As well with shame , as wine , to make these blush , God now in th' fire appeared in the bush : And for this sin God justly might , no doubt , Make this good Land to spew the dwellers out . And next to Drunkenness , now Pride may stand Accus'd as cause of all woe in this Land : For this the French , whose Apes in this we be , May justly be our scourge ; the vanitie Of varying fashions ! which doth make us strange To such as know us , and our women change Their shape with each new Moon , & some do show , By the loose wanton garb in which they go , What ware they sell ; and some do strive by paint , To make the ugly Devil seem a Saint : Some have their faces with black Patches drest , As thinking dapled Ladies will sell best : Methinks it seems as if some Feind did place The print of Hell burnt fingers on their face : Born with such spots should you your children see , You 'd call 't no beauty , but deformitie : God now sends spots , as he would theirs deride , And note to all , that theirs is plaguie Pride : And now adays , because within there rests So little Vertue in most womens brests , ( Which of old won them Husbands , that would give Dowries to get a vertuous Wife to live With them , as helps most meet , and comforts sure , Friends in both fortunes till death to endure ▪ ) Naked they expose them to youthful eyes , Hoping , if not true Love , yet Lust may rise At such a sight ; and seizing on the heart Betray it unto them , and the fond smart Of Cupid's flames , while these do now deny What they would fainest grant , and only try , By sprinkling water to increase the fire , By their denyal to augment desire : Thus hunt they for their dear , and use some wile To bring the simple heart within their toil ▪ Vertue can only it a subject make ; Beauty a wandring heart may captive take : And now our Ladies vanity , and pride , And their neglect of Huswifery beside , Affright all sober men , who fear to woo , Lest they should court their woe in doing so ; Or with their wives will now some thousands have To keep them in the fashion fine , and brave . What a fine life our Gallants live ? and yet 'T were fine indeed , if 't were the way to get To Heav'n , and its immortal happiness ; But they 're beside the way I more than guess ; Whose days , and years are always vainly spent In Dressing , Mistressing , and Complement ; Who rise , and dress by noon , come down and dine , Then to a Play , thence to the House of wine , And so to bed , it may be drunk before ; Perhaps all night embracing of an whore : If these be Christians , where 's their Masters badge , The Cross , and Self-denyal ? they can't fadge With these ; If such go hence to glory , Hell , and the Devil sure are but a story : The way to Heav'n is broadest sure , if they Who wander thus , can thither find the way : Pride doth usurp on God , provoke him thus To plague us for 't , that he might humble us : And that proud City , which lift up her hand Above the rest in pride , full low is laid : The parent , nurse , spring , stage , of pride , and vain Fashions , and tricks , which our Religion stain . And whose proud Dames out-vied in garishness , Our modest Ladies in their Countrey dress . To all these sins , wherewith this sinful Land Before the Lord of Heav'n doth guilty stand , May many aggravations urged be , From Gospel light , whereby men clearly see The evil of these evils , yet do they The works of darkness in the brightest day ; From great Ingratitude so plainly shown , When God miraculously poured down Incomparable mercies on us ; those , Who late opprest under their cruel foes , Could own their sins the cause of all their woes , Now freed from these , return again to those : A King , a Parliament , a Church regain'd Peace , Liberty , Religion maintain'd , Some desperate God-dammes do begin To war with Heav'n by their Gigantine sin : The roaring blades aloud do quickly call For thundring Vengeance on their heads to fall : When health , and plenty , joy , and triumph , crown'd Our Land , our hainous sins apace abound : Swearing , Carowsing , Cheating , Briberie , Oppression , Sacriledge , and Simonie , Pride , lust , and all the rout of sins o're-run Our Countrey , so our joy , and triumph's done : We first forsook the God of mercies , and God makes his mercies to forsake our Land ; And now to mercy judgment doth succeed ; VVe surfeited , and God doth make us bleed : Abundance of corruption sickness brings ; And heat of lust hath fir'd our pleasant things : Yet under all these Judgments are we still Incorrigible , and perverse in ill : God may say , I have sent the Pestilence , That I might bring you to an humble sense Of sin : your young men with the Sword I slew : Your City I as Sodom overthrew : Yet have ye not returned unto me ; Therefore yet seven times more I 'le punish ye : And thus of all our woes we see the cause Transgression is against Gods holy Laws : A Gospel unbecoming Conversation Provoketh God thus to afflict our Nation : And in the ripping up our sins to see The root , and spring of all our miserie , I would not have men think , to any one Or sin , or party , I impute alone Our woes , and judgments , but to one , and t'other , To all , and ev'ry one , I would not smother My own , or Friends , but do desire that all Would think for their sins these things us befal And each apply the Plaister to his wound , Which healing ev'ry one will make all sound : Nor need we doubt to have a perfect Cure If all will but the Remedy endure : Which now I shall consider of , and try , For all these woes to find a remedy . The Cure. ANd 't is half wrought already , since we see The inward cause of our sad maladie : Now to remove the cause is the most sure Way to effect a safe and speedy cure : And had I but good Patients , then I might Promise a cure , and lose no credit by 't : But I must first the Patients court , to let The Physick be apply'd , for they as yet , How sick soever , scorn our Ministry , Who would the healing Remedies apply : In bodily Diseases they will hie Them quickly to Physicians , lest they die , Send , pray , and pay , take what 's prescrib'd , endure All pains , and tortures , for a speedy cure : But in their Soul distempers will not give An ear to sound advice , nor seek to live : And when we freely offer , do disgust Our wholsom Physick , such needs perish must : Is Earth less worth than Heav'n ? or is the Soul Less to be valued than the Body soul ? No reason can you thus preposterous make ; We keep the Casket for the Jewels sake : Or if this transitory life now is In more esteem than Heav'ns immortal bliss , Yet take our counsel , and our medicines , seeing They 're for the welfare of your present being : Receive , apply , and let them work , they health , Temporal , and eternal peace , and wealth Do bring : And now these Remedies so rare Repentance , Faith , and true Obedience are : Repentance takes away the cause of woe , Faith reconciles us unto God , and so Future Obedience will our bliss secure , From age to age for ever to endure . Go mourning , and hold up your guilty hand Before Gods bar , there self-condemned stand ; The way here to be sav'd is to confess , Your sins cloak not , excuse not , nor make less ; But aggravate them all , mercy implore , From him who keepeth mercy still in store For penitent offenders , ever will Exalt the humble , and the mournful fill VVith Oyl of gladness , never will despise , But with delight accepts the Sacrifice Of broken-hearts , and binds them up and heals The wounded Spirit , which compunction feels : Before Gods foot-stool therefore prostrate lie , Cry guilty Lord , confess , or else you die : Judge , and condemn your selves , if you would save Your selves , with God such only pardon have . Relent , repent , reform , and throughly purge Away your sins , and God will take his scourge , And Plague away , with him make but your peace , And he will make your VVars with men to cease , Or us Victor ; quench but the flames of lust , And he will raise the City from the dust . That kindled first Gods wrath , and this the flame VVhich sit'd the City of so ancient fame : For this bow down before Gods Throne , and kneel , This fire might melt you , if you were all steel , Into some godly sorrow ; lie as low As doth your City , and bemone your woe . Repent in dust , and ashes , as that lies , And God will make it Phoenix like to rise From Funeral ashes , London then shall yee More glorious in its Resurrection see : Might this fire be the Cities Purgatory , God would restore it with far greater glory : Thus if Repentance make our peace with God , VVe may believe he 'l throw away his Rod : VVithout Repencance Faith presumption is , And finds no mercy ; but when mixt with this It never fails to find , and sure ground hath For hope , and trust , and then indeed 't is faith : If we repent , it 's the Condition still Imply'd in every Promise , that God will Prevent , or take away his Judgments , but Th' impenitent the door of mercy shut Against themselves , and lock themselves in woe , Keep then your sorrows , or your sins forgoe : But if we do repent , we then may trust , God will forgive us because he is just : Then pray in faith , with hearty Supplication , That God would pardon this our sinful Nation , Remove his heavy hand , send peace and health , Repair our ruines , and restore our wealth . Go sin no more , but henceforth him obey , So shall our Kingdom flourish , and all they VVho seek its ruine shall confounded be , And snar'd in their subtile iniquitie : No force , nor fraud shall hurt a righteous Cause , Manag'd by such as keep th' Almighty's Laws : But we oft see the juster cause o'rethrown In sinners hands , who hardly God will own , The stronger party to the weak a prey , When they will not the Lord of Hosts obey . If God be for us , who can us defeat ? If he against us , where shall we retreat For refuge ? If we him against us arm Whom all the creatures serve , what cannot harm And ruine us ? The Angels take Gods pay , And one of them a mighty Host can slay : The Stars in their swift course do slyly fight Gods battels against sinners day , and night : Clouds are his Canons , swift destruction fling By Thunder , and their Lightnings vengeance bring By fire on sinful mortals : and the wind Brings on its wings oft ruine to mankind : The calmer air convey the Pestilence , Whereby death steals into us without sense : The Earth is iron , and the Heav'ns are brass , When threatned Famine God will bring to pass ! Earth once did open , and take Rebels in Alive , as if it could not bear that sin : The Seas do pass their bounds , and us o'reflow With mischeif , when God bids them further go : Frogs , Locusts , Caterpillars , creeping things , Will take the Palaces of mighty Kings When God doth arm them , and their persons seise , And in a Land devour all ( when God doth please ) That 's fair , and fruitful : Even our breath infects , Our very dust turns Lice , or some Insects To infest sinful men ; A Fly 't is spoke Ventur'd a Pope infallibly to choke : Could he Souls out of Purgatory vote , And yet not keep a Fly out of his throat ? But thus we see , when God gives them Commission , The feeblest Creatures give us expedition Into another world : who God not fears Hath all the world in Arms about his ears : While Man his Maker serves , he 's Lord of these ; But when he sins they are his Enemies : When we provoke our God , where e're we go , Each creature looks upon us as a foe : God will protect , and bless his servants , but They who rebel , no confidence can put In him : Since to believe , and not obey , Self flatt'ry is no faith , henceforth I pray , Le ts lay the sure foundation of our trust , In purposes to keep his Laws most just : Then may we trust he will our Plagues remove , And showr down blessings on us from above : When we do purpose to endeavour , and Do strive to purpose to keep his command : Begin a new course then , and never cease To walk in Gods ways , for his ways are peace , And pleasantness , to bear Christs yoke delight ; His yoke is easie , and his burthen light : To sin is no light thing , did it not press Legions of Angels to the bottomless Infernal pit from highest glory ? hath Not man by weight of sin been prest to death ? Look upon worldly wealth , and count it dross ; Deny your selves , take up your Saviours Cross ; The worlds crown hath its cross , his cross a Crown , Her smiles betray , more safety's in her frown . Give unto Caesar , and to God their due . Fear God honour the King , to both be true : Since God is one , so let your heart be , and Serve him with one heart after his command . Think not your wit a better way can find To worship God , than what is his own mind : Take not his Sacred Name in vain , nor swear Profanely , but with reverence , and fear Mention Gods holy Name , in Justice , Truth , And Judgment , when call'd to it , take an Oath . Observe the holy Times , grudge not to spare Some time each day for holy thoughts , and pray'r ; But on the days to worship consecrate , Divide not betwixt God , and Mammon , hate To rob God , and your Souls , be wholly given To holy Service , grudge not one in seven To him that made them all , nor yet refuse The Churches holy days , as such to use : Nor count to pray scarce worth your coming there , Since God doth style his House , the house of Pray'r . Honour your Parents of all sorts , and show To Prince , and Priest the rev'rence that you owe : Their nakedness when spy'd lament , and bide ; And not like Cham discover , and deride . Hate not your brother , have no murtherous thought : Remember what dire Vengeance murther brought On Cain , and under no pretence be killing ; Religion cannot justifie blood-spilling . Make clean your hearts , and keep your bodies free From Fornication , and Adulterie : They are the Temples of the Lord , be sure The holy Spirit hath a mansion pure In you ; That Dove likes not a cage unclean : You 'l be th' unclean Spirits den , if obscaene . Be just , and honest , and do no man wrong , Nor cheat , and cosen with a double tongue ; Ill gotten goods do not increase your wealth , But are the rust , that wasts by secret stealth : Think not you gain , when you a curse do get , This is a Canker , and will surely fret . Accuse thou no man falsely , nor defame Thy neighbour , tender as thine own , his Name : The Angel durst not on the Devil rail ; And shall we call them Saints , who do not fail Prince , Prelates , Priests , & all their friends to slander ; Nor spare the Church their Mother , but will brand With Calumnies , their Schism to justifie : Bad is the Cause sure , which doth need a lie For its support ; and shall they not be had In more esteem , whom foes by lies make bad ? Father of lies the Devil 's rightly styl'd ; And he who like him is , is his own child : His own brood then are sure the Sectaries , Whose constant Trade is to be telling lies : Truth unto ev'ry one , or friend , or foe , In Justice , and in Charity we owe. Accuse not God as the Heretick doth , Who broaches his own Error , for Gods Truth . Beware of Covetousness the root of Evil ! Mammon of all the swarm's , the Master Devil : Love not the world , nor sell thy Soul for coine ; Thy Soul 's a richer Jewel , than doth shine In this inferior Orb , keep that , and quit Thy wealth , wealth 's of no worth and price to it . Love God , thy Soul , thy Friend , covet more grace ; And care to see in Heav'n thy Saviours face . Leave Drunkenness , and lew'd debauchery , Your Nations , and Religions infamy , Your souls , and bodies ruine , families bane , Estates consumption , only Devils gain : God made you Man , make not your self a Beast ; Drink of its Reason will your mind divest : Drink to refreshment , not to sottishness ; By healths to lose your own is ●o●●ishness ; Stay at the third glass , keeping still the round Doth often spill the drinkers on the ground : Custom , continuance makes the Wine inflame , Then in thy Face beholders see thy shame . Leave foolish Pride , and garish vanity , And cloath your selves with neat Humility : Meekness , and Grace , with neatness more adorn , Than all the foolish Fashions which are worn . Let not Gods Mercies be by us neglected ; Nor all his Judgments leave us uncorrected : His showrs of Blessings be more fruitful under , And let his hammering Judgments break asunder Your rocky Hearts , the means of Grace regard ; Walk in the Light , and Light shall you reward , Light of Gods countenance in heav'nly bliss Where neither Fire , nor VVar , nor Sickness is : Nay did we thus , I doubt not God would send Us here Peace , Health , and Joy , our Times amend : And with our former blessings prosper us , For the days wherein we 're afflicted thus : VVhich that our God , and Saviour quickly may ; Let us repent , return , and humbly pray . Deo gloria in excelsis . FINIS . * PSAL. 118.6 , 7 , 10. 6. The Lord is on my side , I will not fesr what man can do unto me . 7. The Lord taketh my part with them that help me , therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me . 10. All Nations compassed me about , but in the Name of the Lord will I destroy them . PSAL. 91. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the Fowler and from the noysome Pestilence . He shall cover thee with his feathers , and under his wings shalt thou trust , his truth shall be thy shield and buckler , &c. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror be night , nor for the Arrow that flyeth by day . Nor for the Pestilence which walketh in darkness , nor for the Destruction which wasteth at noon day . A Thousand shall fall at thy side , and Ten thousand at thy right hand , but it shall not come nigh thee . JER . 30. 18. Thus saith the Lord , Behold ! I will bring again the Captivity of Jacobs Tents , and have mercy on his dwelling places , and the City shall be builded upon her own heap , and the Palace shall remain after the manner thereof . 19. And out of them shall proceed Thanksgiving , and the voyce of them that make merry , and I will multiply them , &c. I will also glorifie them , &c. 20. Their Children also shall be as afore-time , &c. And I will punish all them that oppress them , &c. A Cordial to Chear our Spirits under our Calamities * . ( 1. ) WHen force of Physick quite hath put to rout , The noxious humors did within us reign , The vital Spirits almost tired out By the long conflict which they did maintain ; The wise Physician doth some Cordial give The Patients fainting Spirits to revive . ( 2. ) Thus when by mournful conflicts we have won The day of sin , and hope our woes do slie : Lest tim'rous hearts into despair do run , And when the cure is wrought begin to die ; 'T is not amiss to give some Consolation To chear the Spirit of an humbled Nation . ( 3. ) And if indeed the mighty Hand of God Hath duly humbled us , we need not fear , We once corrected , he 'l reject the Rod ; And from our mournful eyes wipe ev'ry tear ; His face on us shall shine , frown on our foes , And from our Land to theirs transmit our woes . ( 4. ) Chear up brave English , fear no foe but sin ! Though the ingrateful Dutch , and Dane combine , And proud French bustle , these shall nothing win , But shame , and slaughter from Gods hand , and thine Thy thundring Guns shall shake the Belgick shore , Their Lyon (a) couch , when ours do rowse & roar . ( 5. ) Their Lyon once was a poor sneaking Curr Broke from Spains Castle (b) , croucht to us , to gain Our aid , in which had we but made demurr , He soon had been remanded to his chain . We succour'd him until he freedom knew , Shook chain , and Master (c) off , and Rampant grew . ( 6. ) The poor Distressed States came Suppliants then , Now , High and Mighty grown , they have forgot , Whose blood and treasure helpt to make them men , 'T was the brave English , Holland was it not ? Methinks while lives the noble name of Vere , The Dutch should blush ' gainst England to appear . ( 7. ) The valiant Acts of the brave Veres for these , A second Caesar's Commentaries make , Which whosoe're surveys , from thence with ease The height of Dutch ingratitude may take , Who by our Armies raised to their height , To do us mischief , still employ their might . ( 8. ) And who may trust a Rebel , or expect To find a Traytor prove a faithful Friend , Who violate Allegiance , will neglect All Articles with others for their end : We hatcht them , thinking we should find a Dove , Come forth , and loe ! it doth a Serpent prove . ( 9. ) Like Serpents of a vip'rous brood , which strive To kill the Parent gave them life , and growth ; These who by our Protection first did thrive , To let us live by whom they live are loath : But now we shall , if Stars speak right their fates , Bring down the Mighty to Distressed States . ( 10. ) So do our Magi read in Heav'ns bright Book , ( God grant who rules the Stars , they may not err , ) The shaggy Comets have their mischief shook On us , now will as much to them transferr : Heav'n hath , and will still take our part no doubt , Th' Almighty can the high and mighty rout . ( 11. ) Just are thy ways O God , thy Judgments right , But we to thee , our foes to us ingrate , Therefore at Land thou justly us do smite , And them for us at Sea dost dissipate : We humbled under thy correcting pow'r , Them thou wilt quickly humble under our . ( 12. ) Thrice have the vaunting Belgians come to show Their numerous Navy , by constraint did fight ; Thrice have the braver English made them know , Their safety 's best pursu'd by hasty slight : Twice their expecting people saw them come As prey before the English hunted home . ( 13. ) Once when unlucky shot disabled quite Our Gen'rals Ships that they could not pursue , They getting home , brag'd they beat us out-right , But to get home with them is to subdue : And a Thanksgiving wisely they observ'd , For that so many of them were preserv'd . ( 14. ) But stay my Muse ! and on the peaceful shore Behold the martial combates on the Seas , Such as no age ere veiwed heretofore , Nor will succeeding times see after these : Where God pays home ingratitude and pride ; Giving the Conquest to our juster side . ( 15. ) His Royal Highness first in Person goes , With him the brave Prince Rupert , each of these More worth than all the Navy of our foes , Whom the bold Opdam did not doubt to seise : With what odds fought we them ? if richest prize Can whet the Valour of our Enemies . ( 16. ) The Fleets engag'd (d) and a fierce conflict grew , The clouds of smoke obscur'd the midday Sun , From thund'ring Canons storms of bullets flew Driving out souls , while streams of blood do run From shatter'd bodies , as sometimes you shall In sudden showres see rain from houses fall . ( 17. ) The frighted Sun himself i' th' smoke doth shroud , And threatens night so soon as day 's begun ; To do his office , from no thundring cloud Lightning breaks forth , but from the louder Gun : When peaceful Heav'n denies its purer light To mortals rage , by their own fire they fight . ( 18. ) Forth from the deadly Engines sirie womb The sp'rit'ous Peter bursting rends the skies , And flaming Sulpher raises foaming scum In boiling Seas , the fish in water fries ; The Earth receiving the report doth quake , But all this cannot English spirits shake . ( 19. ) No wonder they did Deisie of old Their valiant Heroes , who undaunted run Into the arms of Death , resolv'd , and bold , For Fame , and Honour , they no peril shun , But dangers which all others dread desie ; A noble soul 's a kind of Deity . ( 20. ) But if these Heroes had so great renown , Who stood in noiseless war , pecking out life With flying Arrows , hewing bodies down With Swords , to let out souls ; a sporting strife : What honours due to him who never shuns The deaths which flies so thick from roaring Guns ? ( 21. ) Guns , whose report strikes fearful hearts with death , And more with terror than with blows do slay , Whose wind doth snatch from untouch't men their breath , And passing by can whistle souls away : Here cowards hearts dead in their breasts are found , Though coming off at last without a wound . ( 22. ) Guns whose loud thunder shakes the worlds huge frame Into convulsive fits , and seems to threat A sudden dissolution of the same , Before the wise Creator thinks it fit : Yet among these our Worthies boldly stand With hearts unshaken , shaking death by th' hand . ( 23. ) Neptune rows'd with their noise comes up to see , What on the surface of his Kingdom 's done , Rising , he shakes his head to see that he Cannot be Master of the Seas alone : But that two daring Fleets are sighting for 't Without Commission from his watry Court. ( 24. ) He looks upon them , and the Dutch he knows , Their Land was stol'n from him , & all their wealth His Tides bring in ; if nurselings proves his foes , He will recover what they got by stealth : He fears them not , though valiant in a cup , He thinks they cannot drink the Ocean up . ( 25. ) But on the English casts a jealous eye , Seeing them mantled all in fire , and smoke , He fears they will with him for Empire vie , Gazing a while , deep silence thus he broke : What mean these daring mortals ? who are these Without my leave thus Lord it on the Seas ? ( 26. ) He spies the Duke (e) and fears that Mars is come To ravish Thetis , and to rule at Sea Yet thinks he , I will send him whistling home , And therefore bids the winds to come away : But drawing nearer he beheld the Prince (f) . And his mistake , with a far kinder sence . ( 27. ) He smooths his ruffled brow , and calms the air , Comes mildly on , doth thus the Duke salute ; Accept this Trident O thou fiercely fair , And rule at Sea , see it is Neptune's sute : Let all the winds serve thy design , and show To thee , what reverence to me they owe. ( 28. ) Where e're my Trident's known , or rule extends , From Sea to Sea , where e're my tides do flow , And to each River which his tribute sends To me , do thou a Conquerour still go ! Ride Sir in Triumph on the Ocean wide And tame these Hogen Mogens swelling pride . ( 29. ) He said , and on his Sea-green Couch sits down To see the issue of the kindling sight : By this his Highness hot , and eager grown , Diffuses valour as the Sun doth light , Till by his raies the English all on fire , Make the Dutch Valour soon like smoke expire . ( 30. ) They fire at greatest distance , and the air Not us they beat , and make the water fly , They hope the noise us a far off will scare , For they much fear that we will come too nigh : But ours bear bravely up , nor spent a shot Till almost certain that they loose it not . ( 31. ) Now near enough , discharged Canons send Pluto a present of Dutch souls , who take A sudden leave of sprangling corpse , and wend To lower shades over the Stygian lake : Who came in hopes as high as Ships on float , Now sail to their long home in Charon's Boat. ( 32. ) When our brave Admiral on lofty deck Stands brandishing his Sword , confronting death , Whose influence to fear in all gives check , And inspires valiant heat by his warm breath . Whom as a noble prey Opdam espies , And with a daring fierceness at him flies . ( 33. ) Him others follow , all the Duke engage , Who life to his , and death to their men throws From martial brows , which with a smiling rage Strike awful love into his very foes . Put five (g) to one is odds , yet so he shows His presence counter-vaileth four of those . ( 34. ) Smith saw the unequal combate , and straight flew With wind fill'd canvase wings the Duke to shield , Himself between the Duke , and Dutch he threw , Nor gives them time to choose , die , flie , or yield : One broad side given unto Opdam blows Him up , and blew away the other foes . ( 35. ) Now bragging Opdam ( set in Chair of State As still alive ( though kill'd before some say ) With cosening shew his men to animate ) Sinks down in Triumph , leading more the way To Stix and Acheron , where such as shall Descend , will find him Pluto's Admiral . ( 36. ) Mean while Prince Rupert doth like lightning fall Among the scattered Squadrons of the Dutch , VVhere he finds none , makes way like Hanibal , Who many fights have seen , saw never such : With murd'ring broad-sides opening passage wide : His dreadful Frigate thorough them doth glide . ( 37 ) Passing , on either side he shares his shot , To which Dutch Hulls so weak resistance make , That speedy death enters at ev'ry plot , And sinking ships a shrieking farewel take , And shiver'd splinters from torn planks that fly To many deaths make one shot multiply . ( 83. ) Thorough , he tacks about , and soon returns , And from loud Guns repeats the doom of wounds , And death to them , some sinks , some takes , some burns , And hundreds makes fall into lasting swounds : While his besieged batter'd Pinnace stood A floating Castle in a Sea of blood . ( 39. ) Experience now doth give a just allay To his high metal , both in him do meet So duly temper'd , that he justly may Lead a Land Army , or conduct a Fleet : In Conduct wary , and in Counsel grave , In Courage fiery , and in Conquest brave . ( 40. ) Here gallant Holms too , bold defiance gave To Trump , and all his fury , whom he made ' Twice quit his sinking ship his life to save , Who in a Boat got home at last , 't is said : Where landing , if the women could have catch't him , For slaughter'd sons , and husbands they 'd have scratch't him . ( 41. ) Now all this time the ecchoing air resounds , The noise of war to many aking hearts On trembling Holland , and on English grounds , Each wound in sympathizing bosomes smarts : But now the routed Dutch invoke the winds , Hoyse all their sails too slack for flying minds . ( 42. ) All steer for nearest Ports where their folk stand Expecting them laden with spoils to come ; But see them with stretcht Canvase fly to Land , And the pursuing English drive them home . Whose guns , and shouts strengthning the winds the more , Hast fleeing Belgians to their wisht for shore . ( 43. ) Got into Harbour , there they skulking lie , By our Triumphant daring Navy aw'd : So creeps the tim'rous Hare to some wood by , And squatted lies , hearing the Hounds abroad : From smitten brests now doleful cries rebound , For sons , and husbands not returned found . ( 44. ) Mean while our crouded shore with shouts doth ring Of joyful people , which with longing eye Behold the Vessels that doth tidings bring , And Colours (h) Trophies of our Victorie : And conqu'ring Frigates bringing home their prize , Make thundring Guns shake th' earth , and rend the skies . ( 45. ) Whose kind salute our watchful Forts return With as loud welcome , and the watry store , Proud of the Worthies on its waves are born , Curvets , and foams , and gallops to the shore : Where landed Captives , and the taken prize Do take our hearts , and captivate our eyes . ( 46. ) Now see the fruit of pious management Of war , and all affairs , we kept a Fast Before the fight , and Heav'n success hath sent , Who sow in tears shall reap in joy at last : Le ts owe our glory to Humiliation ; For humble Penitence exalts a Nation . ( 47. ) What Prayers got , let praises give to God ; Who in the first Engagement turn'd the wind To favour us , and be to them a Rod With smoke repell'd to lash them almost blind : Nor will our giving God the greatest glory At all eclipse mans honour in the story . ( 48. ) In giving Thanks , we do but sow the seeds Of future blessings , and lay up in store That which in time a fruitful harvest breeds ; And praise for what heav'n gives , bespeaks for more . Thus do Thanks-givings Victories obtain , And Conquests make Thanks-giving-days again . ( 49. ) Now bragging Holland saw they could not beat The English by their single strength alone , From France , and Denmark they seek aid to get , So hope to match us , being three to one : We dread them not , our trust in God shall be , There 's three in one can make our own beat three . ( 50. ) Our King , and Loyal hearts no help require From such consederates , our Cause is good , And God will blast our foes designs , as fire Consumes with sudden blaze the thorny wood . Though Nations compass us about , we shall In Gods great Name , we trust , destroy them all . ( 51. ) The faithless Dane first offer'd friendship here ; And during Treaty tempts us to his Port (i) To seise the Belg'ans Indies anchor'd there , A Squadron under Tyddiman go for 't : And under sail to Berghen by the way Each Sea mans mind is laden with his prey . ( 52. ) Arriv'd they see inclos'd in Rocks their prize , First Clifford lands the Governour to treat , Who knowledge of his Master's (k) will denies , Brib'd by the Dutch , he means both Kings to cheat : Yet bears us fair in hand if once he knows His Princes will , he our design allows . ( 53. ) Mean while he lets the Belgians plant on shore Their batt'ring Canons to defend their wealth , And from his Castle murd'ring pieces roar , Fir'd by the Dutch , he saith , got in by stealth : Thus basely dealt with , the bold English fall Pell , mell to batter Castle , Town , and all . ( 54 ) Enrag'd to see themselves thus Tantalize , They seek to sink what 's past their pow'r to gain One on a Bed of Spices sweetly dies , Others by broken Diamonds are slain . Rich Odours fir'd in Ships now cloud the skies , As Incense doth from kindled Censors rise . ( 55. ) But this did not appease incensed minds , Our batt'ring balls now shatter houses down , Now thorough Castle-wals death entrance finds , And folk now fear the Sea will take the Town , What will not English spirits bravely dare To do ? for Ships to storm a Castle 's rare . ( 56. ) By this the Governour seems to relent , Desires to treat again , pretending now Th' Agreement made betwixt the King is sent , The order owns , he first did disavow , That what we in their Harbours take shall be Betwixt the Kings divided equallie . ( 57. ) Now he invites ours to a fresh attempt , But limitted with terms to frustrate it , They saw his proffers did success exempt , And wisely thought a new assault not sit : Till they return'd , he would secure the prey He promis'd , they hoise sail , and come away . ( 58. ) Now whether Denmarks King new counsels took , Or Berghens Governour his faith did sell , Few day 's expired ere the Dutch forsook The Harbour uncontroul'd , but a storm fell ; Whereby just Heav'n seeing our wrong did bring , Part of the prize we fought for to our King. ( 59. ) Nor shall perfidious Denmark lose his due , Heav'n will his kindness unto us repay , And he his double dealing erst shall rue , When England shall of Holland win the day : And then have leisure to remember friends , Whose proffer'd leagues but serve their treach'rous ends . ( 60. ) Mean time the slighted Swede may check the Dane , And ballance him on the divided Sound ; Or ancient fame of Swedish valour gain By flowing Conquests on the Danish ground : Whom he may soon in field subdue , and then In Coppenhagen block him up agen . ( 61. ) Nor wish we Munster's Bishop better fate , Who got our coin , and left us in the lurch , By whose deceit we costly learn too late , The German faith is not in Roman Church : Which keeps no faith with Hereticks we know , But did forget that they do count us so . ( 62. ) Holland of France expects a kind Protector , 'T is envy , and not love that makes him such , I doubt he 'l rather prove a sly projector , And only help that he may rule the Dutch : So once the Saxons did the Britains aid , Until this Kingdom for their service paid . ( 63. ) What ruffling France for Holland means to do , Two Summers hence they possibly shall know , The last they complemented to and fro , This their fine Fleet abroad shall fairly show : The third he may to show his horns begin , But if a storm comes wisely draw them in . ( 64. ) Yet proud France blusters with his Men , and Arms As if he 'd win the world , and great plots laies For some Invasion , but no Land he harms , His mind on Holland , not on England preys : The Sea 's an Hill (l) his Forty Thousand men May bravely sail up , and goe down agen . ( 65. ) Le Roche can tell 't is a design more meet For Courtly French to man a Lady home , Than warlike English on the Seas to greet From whose salute doth greater mischief come . If first he had not carried home their Queen , France's tall ships Portugal ne're had seen . ( 66. ) Yet he with promises doth Holland feed Of great assistance which he still delays , Those haughtiness in Belgian spirits breed , But this their expectation still betrays : The greatest kindness he hath done them yet , Was by the show he made to part our Fleet. ( 67. ) Unhappy parting when Prince Rupert went To seek the French , nois'd to be put to Sea , Their joyning with the Belgians to prevent , Which the Dutch hearing came out presentlie : Whom Albemarle's great Duke (m) engag'd alone , Though they in numbers were near three to one . ( 68. ) Their numerous Navy he no sooner spies , Which on the Ocean like a City shows , But he with Canvase wings to battel flies , Whose Fleet looks like an Hamlet to his foes : More great in mind , in pow'r less by far , He hurls himself into unequal war. ( 69. ) His Captains all bear bravely up , and fear No perils where this Gen'ral leads them on , Dangers with him like shadows do appear , Which where bright Phoebus sheds his rays are gone : The name of Monk was dreadful still among Remembring Dutch , his Name 's a Squadron strong . ( 70. ) The Fleets engage (n) , and they in numbers bold , And ours in spirit , now the fight grows warm , Our snugging Frigates do their sides unfold , And their 's more lofty built our rigging harm : We ply'd them thick , & made their fleet more thin , Each Ship its own way open'd to get in . ( 71 ) Among their multitude unseen ours lie , Like stragling Hunters beating in a spring , Until the hollowing Guns do signifie To partner Ships their place ; these answering : Then through the Dutch they cut their passage free , And let in light ; thus one another see . ( 72. ) Long time our few their many counterpoise , The English Valour holds the balance even , If either , the Dutch scale did seem to rise , And the advantage to our side was given : But envious night her sable mantle spread , And from our force glad Belgians covered . ( 73. ) The weary Seamen lay them down to rest To fresh their spirits for a fiercer fight ; Victorious dreams (o) the English minds possest , And black Ideas did the Dutch affright : Those dream of flying Dutch , start up , and shout These startle up to run as put to rout . ( 74. ) Aurora drew her curtains , and did peep Forth from her Eastern bed , and scatter light , Our eager Souldiers shook of idle sleep , And theirs arose with early minds for flight : With wishing heart each homewards casts his eye , And Vessels coming from their Coast doth spy . ( 75. ) Which brought a fresh supply of sixteen Sail , These rais'd their fal'n spirits up anew : Ours heard their shout , and saw : their hearts might fail , If ought the English Spirit could subdue : Whose strength 's their courage , doubling this they vie Th' increasing number of their foes supply . ( 76. ) Our little Fleet was lesser grown by war ; A little from a little 's quickly mist : Their multitude did many better spare : Yet all discouragements our still resist : With such a General they scorn to fear , Who doth the prize of conquer'd Nations wear . ( 77. ) The Noble Duke , what e're his heart revolves , With smiling aspect chears his pensive men , And fills their anxious hearts with brave resolves ; To new assault he fiercely leads them then : Long time with even success the fight maintain'd , No Conquest ever greater honour gain'd . ( 78. ) Another new supply (p) augments their store , And so the strongest strength increasing get ; While our disabled Ships sent off to shore , Unto the weaker adds more weakness yet : But Day these conflicts weary to behold , Gave leave to Night her Sables to unfold . ( 78. ) The careful Duke commands his men to (q) rest , Himself on reeling Deck doth watchful stand , A thousand thoughts perplex his anxious brest No gale of hopes his fervent spirit fann'd : Yet he resolves no English shore to touch , Unless he 's Victor o're the vaunting Dutch. ( 80. ) The rising Sun now gilds the Eastern skie , Both Fleets prepare the quarrel to decide , Victory thus far evenly pois'd did lie , But now inclined to their stronger side : Yet are not ours o'recome when they pursue , But to the flying still the honour's due . ( 81. ) Opprest with number mightiest Spirits yield , When Force , and Ammunition both do fail , The truest Valour wisely quits the Field , Thus wants , and weakness , not the Dutch , prevail , Make our unwilling General retreat , Who yet in this doth still his foes defeat . ( 82. ) In such triumphant order he retires As above former Victories doth raise His great renown , big Frigates he requires To keep the reer , the less securely lays Under the shelter of the greaters wing , And thus his shatter'd Navy off doth bring . ( 83. ) Our greatest Frigates keep the Dutch in awe , If their advancing Vessels drew too near , They turn'd , and by a broadside give them law For distance , one was sunk the other fear , And follow as if awfully they come To see our batter'd Navy safely home . ( 84. ) Only the Prince ( a gallant Ship ) did strand , Whose presence boldest Dutch could never brook , Nor durst approach while upright she could stand , But falling fowl , her helpless men they took : Her self expir'd in flames , much better so Than to be prize to the insulting foe . ( 85. ) At last the Prince (r) whose heart was in his ear , E're since he heard the Guns , steer'd by their Sound , With flying Colours doth far off appear , But French they were , which first did ours confound , And the glad Dutch bore up their friends to meet , And him with warlike welcome kindly greet . ( 86. ) Approaching , he red Crosses soon displays , Which husht their joy , heav'd English hearts , and hands , De Ruyter sneaking back with shame , now lays With craft his bragging Ships behind the Sands , Who with a braving shew now hover there To tempt the eager Prince into the snare . ( 87. ) Fierce as a Lyon he to combate slyes , To check the boldness of this vaunting foe , But the Dukes wibfe upon his Jack-slag spyes , The signal that he should not forwards go , But first consult ; then with a slighting tack He waves the Dutch , and to our Fleet comes back . ( 88. ) With leaping hearts the Prince , and Duke embrace ; The Prince doubts no success , the Duke alive , The Duke sees Victory in the Prince's face ; Both joy , and weep for joy , and weeping strive To tell their sights , and fears , how parted hence , Each shot against the Duke did wound the Prince . ( 89. ) They curse their parting hour , but 't is too late : Now the Dukes wasted stores the Prince supplies , And both next morn resolve to try their fate , For night came on , but soon their hunting eyes Did catch the breaking day , then rowse their men , And to the wakened Dutch stood in agen . (ſ) ( 90. ) In this one (t) day they three days war repeat ; As if the Princes presence healed all , The wounded men , and Ships so nimbly treat The Dutch with Presents of their Powder'd ball , That their vast numbers to retreat begin , Willing to part stakes since they could not win . ( 91. ) Night interceded for a truce again : Her suit was granted , but day calls to fight ; The maimed Fleets lie lagging on the Main , Their chiefest war was now in angry sight ; Their eyes shot death , unweildy Ships could not ; The Princes Main-yard down by luckless shot . ( 92. ) The Belgians bless the time , and now with-drew , In joyful triumph stand for Holland's Coast , Our shatter'd Generals could not pursue ; And this is that great Victory they boast : When we not wont such Victories to make , Disclaim more right , and call it parting stake . ( 93. ) Now our torn Vessels too are homewards bound For swift repair ; The Duke displeas'd he brought No Triumph home , would touch no English ground , Until the Dutch with more success he fought : Took no content , although he had renown For what he did , in all minds but his own . ( 94. ) The famous name of Monk all Lands adore , And though no Monks in England Bishops be , The Monk who soundly beat the Dutch before , In spite of them shall rule the Brittish Sea : He th' honour of three conquer'd Kingdoms bore The honour had three Kingdoms to restore . ( 95. ) This sight the earnest was of great success , Without a Miracle could be no more ; By which wisemen with hopeless hearts did guess The rest for a new fight was kept in store : For if divided us they could not beat , How will they stand by our united Fleet. ( 96. ) Our careful King with Pers'nal industry Quickens his Carpenters with active hands To sit his Fleet another bout to try , Whose double diligence serves his Commands : Now the Streights Fleet to joyn come fitly home : And others , newly of the stocks , do come . ( 97. ) But to maintain the honour they assum'd The hasty Dutch were vap'ring on our shore , Now all would think them Victors they presum'd , Who dar'd the Enemy at his own dore : Nor stayd our ( yet unready ) Navy long , But soon appear as numerous , and strong . ( 98. ) The boasting Dutch our coming would not stay , Nor th' English durst with equal numbers meet , Wisely they hoyse their Sails , and go away ; And after them did sail our gallant Fleet : Now Courages must fight , the numbers even , The glory to the Valiant shall be given . ( 99. ) What ours ne're shun to seek , they seek to shun , An equal combate on the watry plain . Do Victors use from beaten foes to run ? Leave bragging Belgians ! for your brags are vain . These never will but with advantage fight , Nor kindness shew but where they can get by 't . ( 100. ) Behind their dangerous shallows bold they lie , As coward Cocks on their own dunghils crow , Ours mind no danger but to battel flie , Toss't o're the flats by waves that lofty slow : Well overtaken , they their foes engage , And on their own Coast a fierce battel wage . ( 101. ) The Generals did like themselves , nor can More in their praise be said ; Allen was brave : Holmes as he us'd still plaid the gallant man ; And Spraggs from Trump himself shall honor have : Harman through fire and water glory sought , And all the rest there like true English fought . ( 102. ) The fight was sharp , but short , nor could be long Where heartless foes so soon did leave the field : They will not fight but when they 're much too strong , Whose hasty flight did us less glory yield , They from the waxing sight so soon withdrew , The battel wain'd e're it to fulness grew . ( 103. ) Now fled to Harbour close to shore they lay Their beaten Vessels , where 't was pretty sport , To see the Fanfan with de Ruyter play ; As if a Pigmy went to storm a Fort : The Prince , and Duke had pleasure there to note De Ruyters Ship fought by their Pleasure Boat. ( 104. ) While on their Coast as Victors thus we lie , Holms , Holland's scourge , goes on an enterprise ; And with admir'd success burns in the Uly A numerous Fleet (t) most rich in merchandise ; Who when winds serv'd would sev'ral wayes have gone , But end their Voyage in the Torrid Zone . ( 105. ) This done he Lands , and gives a Town to flames ; But in this light our fate we did not see , Who had a greater soon on this side Thames A fire that quench'd the joy of Victorie : Yet prais'd be God , who under all our woe Supports our hearts from yielding to our foe . ( 106. ) See here the vain attempts of mortals care , With restless toil for wealth by Sea , and Land , When Earth , Fire , Water , and the blustring Air Can all devour , what we count sure in hand : With much less labour we might be more wise , If we did trade for Heavens Merchandise . ( 107. ) Even when the flames our London made their prey , Our nimble Fleet was hunting foes at Sea , Both French and Dutch were joyned now they say , This the brave Prince , and Fleet would gladly see : At last they have their sought for foes in veiw ; But her black curtain night betwixt them drew . ( 108. ) And e're the morn did in the East appear , Heav'n as a Mediator rais'd a wind To intercept the sight , no Ships could steer A steady course , nor place for battel find : This storm might Christians furious spirits calm , And on its wings for wounds bring healing balm . ( 109. ) But if Dutch haughty spirits will not yield To Terms may suit our Nations interest , Let foes combine ! God is our Rock , and Shield , And will the justness of our cause attest : By War we seek an honourable Peace , Till this may be , War may not safely cease . ( 110. ) Nor shall while England hath , or blood , or treasure , Or Loyal hearts have Votes in Parliament , Whose Princes will is their own choice , & pleasure , Assur'd the Nations good is his intent : And Loyal London which in ruine lies , Rak'd from her ashes raises new supplies . ( 111. ) Whose fire hath made her Loyaltie to shine , Rich to her King even in her low estate , Nor doth her bounty to her wealth confine , But makes her want supply the needs of State , And will convince both France , & Holland's Fleets , Her Spirit is not fallen with her Streets . ( 112. ) Her Courage , and her Patience both are try'd By fire , and do illustrious appear ; With greater Patience none can loss abide Or with more courage far less crosses bear ; Laid low , her foes to trample on her think , But neither fire , nor water make her shrink . ( 113. ) Relenting Heav'n who hath us soundly scourg'd , These Vertues , pledge of better times , doth give , And if our Sickness hath our Vices purg'd , And Fire consum'd our dross , we yet shall live , To see the War in our full Conquest cease , And London rising from her dust in peace . ( 114. ) Then shall the Wealth of Nations thither flow , And silver Thames be rich as Tagus shore , And Strangers ravish'd by her beauteous show , Turn captiv'd Lovers , and go home no more : The East shall her adore with Incense , and The West enrich her with her golden sand . ( 115. ) In ample glory lofty , and more wide , Her Streets with Structures uniform shall stand Surpassing all the world can boast beside ; The Palace , and the Temple of our Land : And Swains who Heav'n some glorious City deem , Will this the new Jerusalem esteem . ( 116. ) Her Royal Father , whose dear sympathy In her late suff'rings was her sweetest fare , Shall in her beauty , and her Loyalty Rejoyce , and she in his great love , and care : Their twined Int'rests and Affections shall Native , and Forreign Enemies appal , ( 117. ) We have indeed been compassed with woes , Trials to good , and punishments to bad : We are beset by Sea , and Land with foes , Who in our sorrows , and distress are glad : But let our Faith and Courage now appear , Nor let us ought but God Almighty fear . ( 118. ) Who his destroying Angels hand hath staid , Who much from flames beyond our hopes did save , Who twice our Navy hath Victorious made , Whom still the faithful on their side shall have , Who to the patient will their loss repair With double gain ; so patient Job did fare . ( 119. ) Now for the yet unfinisht part of war : Go on brave Seamen , and compleat your glory ! Who die in this their Countries Martyrs are , Whose worthy Names shall live in British story : Lawson , and Mims with honour now do lie Embalmed in the English memorie . ( 120. ) When bullets flie so thick they darken air , The Lord of Hosts in such a storm can save ; Or if your Souls these to light Mansions bear , And Seas your bodies take , the Sea 's a grave Trusty as Earth , and when the Angel sounds Gives up her dead safe as the sacred grounds . ( 121. ) But there 's less fear of death than honour now , Your vanquisht foes will scarce endure a sight , Scarce will their Keels this Spring the Ocean plough , The Conquest 's now less difficult than sight : They , like dull Stars the Sun with-drawn , are clear About , watch their advantage to appear . ( 122. ) Or as full Moons rise when the Sun doth set , Look big , and fierce , as if the skies they won ; Our searching Fleet come in , so out they get , And shine as if the Ocean were their own . But when the Sun looks up , the Moon doth hide : So can't the Dutch our Navy's sight abide . ( 123. ) But the Sun hunts the flying Moon until His Opposition doth eclipse her light : So seek the shifting Dutch our Navy will , Till they eclipse their honour in a fight . As for the French they Meteors are , no doubt ; Let them but blaze a while , they will go out . ( 124. ) Those shine like Stars , but are indeed a vapour , Which hath no proper Orb , howe're it shows , But only upwards cuts a nimble caper , And sinks to Earth again from whence it rose : Perhaps these ignes fatui may jeer The Dutch into the Ditch and leave them there . ( 125. ) But let us pious , loyal , loving , prove To God , our King , our Church , and one another ; So shall the reliques of our woes remove , And prosp'rous days our griefs , and fears shall smother : Our bliss from Virtue we may calculate More sure than any Stars Prognosticate . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A64521-e6560 * Sept. 2. 1666. by two in the morning began this fire , which was not supp●●st in all places till Friday morning following . † The roof of Paul's falling , broke strangely through into St. Faith's Church underneath Pauls . * Many Books by the Stationers were put under Pauls Church , to secure them from the fire , but there were burned . * Lud King of Britain . * Who as Stories tell landed at Totnes in Devonshire , Anno Mundi , 2855. and before Christs birth , 1108. years , and soon after built here a City , calling it Troy-novant . (a) Anno Dom. 1086. (b) King of Kent : and moved by Mellitus Bishop of London , to found this Church Mellitus consecrated Bishop , An. Dom. 606. (c) Consecrated Bishop of London , An. Dom. 675. (a) Anno Dom. 1087. Notes for div A64521-e21910 (a) The Arms of Holland . (b) The Arms of Spain , from whom the Netherlands revolting , were aided by Queen Elizabeth . (c) King of Spain . (d) The first sight with the Dutch. (e) Duke of York . (f) Duke of York . (g) Five of their Ships set upon the Duke 's at once . (h) Colours taken from the Dutch ships ours took , and sent up to the King , shewed in the Countries they went. (i) Bergh●n business . (k) The King of Denmark who profered our King that his ships might take any Dutch ships in his harbours , and the Prize to be divided betwixt them . (l) According to the common o●inion that the waters are h●gher than the Earth , and lie upon and heap at Sea. (m) The second sight with the Dutch , in the beginning of June this last Summer , when Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle went General● by joynt Commission . (n) The first days fight . (o) The second days fight . (p) On Saturday even . (q) The third day . (r) Prince Rupert who came into the Duke on Sunday ever . (ſ) The fourth days fight . (t) The fifth day the fight held but an hour or two e're the Dutch withdrew . (t) Con●isting of 150. Sail.