St. PAULES-CHURCH HER BILL FOR THE PARLIAMENT, As it was presented to the Kings Ma.tie on Midlent-Sunday last, and intended for the view of that most high and Honourable Court, and generally for all such as bear good will to the reflourishing estate of the said CHURCH. Partly in Verse, partly in Prose. Penned and published for her good by HEN: FARLEY Author of her Complaint. For the Lord will comfort Zion and repair all her decays: He will make her Desert like Paradise, and her Wilderness like the Garden of the Lord. Mirth and joy shall be found there, Thanksgiving and the praise of melody. Isaiah 51. 3. Anno Dom. M. DC. XXI. TO THE HIGH Court of PARLIAMENT. All blessings from the Highest be ever present in your high and Honourable Designs for CHURCH and COMMONWEALTH. MAy your Wisdoms be pleased to accept these my Labours as an humble suit out of my zeal, for the good of God's House. What honour shall accrue thereby, I will ever attribute to his glory, and your goodness; only intimating to your memories something fitting to be considered of at this time; not as an arrogant teacher, but as an humble Remembrancer. Never had any Church more need of Reparation and Reformation; for every day she consumeth, and every base fellow pisseth against her doors and defileth her walls, as if She only (who should be the only She for Beauty and Example) were the only contempt and scorn of all the rest. Her West door, and Brazen Pillar, where his Majesty kneeled, and prayed for good success to his Pious intendment for her restauration, is the most odiously and ignominiously abused; and because there is no power by laws and penalties to punish the offenders, they are so bold that none of her Officers, or others, dare control them: I most humbly refer the consideration thereof to your Grave Wisdoms, it being the only cause that hath moved me to publish this work. There are many of my Honourable Masters among you (the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty for the reparation of the said Church) of whose furtherance in this and much more, I have no doubt; and of whose noble favours I have had some taste. So trusting in the Almighty they will continue the same, and humbly beseeching your pardon, protection, and Patronage, I remain in my Prayers as I first began, Prostrate at your feet in all loyal and humble obedience during life. H. F. S. PAUL'S to the BOOK. THose that read thee with good will, As my friends respect them still; But if Carpers wince, or strike, Tell them they are galled belike. Sure I am my Author's mind Was to please in every kind, And his Work well ordered is, If it be not ta'en amiss. The BOOK to PAUL'S. NOt S. Peter, nor S. Paul, Nor our Saviour could please all, Therefore let no man alive, In that vain of pleasing strive: I will gladly please each friend, And the rest pray God amend. S. Paul's her Reply. THen be gone incontinent To the Court of Parliament, And in truth and reverence, (Without filled Eloquence) Speak the best thou canst for me, So farewell, God prosper thee. The Author breaking forth in joy at this Conference, saith in the behalf of the Church and himself, thus: IF my Book pass currant there, Then be gone all grief and fear: For mine eyes shall shortly see What my soul long wished should be, To my hearts high exaltation, And the honour of our Nation, That's your speedy reparation. Before S. Paul's doth speak any more, She approveth how she may speak, etc. though but stone, etc. AS it is said that Ships do fight, When 'tis the men that in them be: So I (poor Church) pray, speak, and write, When 'tis my Friend doth all for me. For never yet could wood or stone Do any of these things alone. A Posy of sundry Flowers and Herbs, gathered out of the Garden of God's Word, knit up together, and set in the Frontispiece of this Work, for the smell of every good Reader, as a sweet odour to the rest that follows: It being full of divine Caution and Example. (viz.) HAGGAI 1 Chap. Ver. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10. 11. THis People say the * This is Black Time, and a fearful herb; If Hearb-grace, or God's mercy, did not grow by it, to quench his anger with man's repentant tears, etc. Time is not yet come, that the Lords House should be builded. The Branches of this Time are many: (viz.) Then came the Word of the Lord by the Ministry of the Prophet Haggai, saying: Is it time for yourselves (O Ye) to dwell in your seiled houses, and this House lie waste? Now thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider your own ways in your hearts; ye have sown much, but ye bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled; ye cloth you, but ye be not warm; and he that earneth wages, putteth it into a broken bag. Get you up into the Mountain, and fetch In this branch (being the middle branch) doth God's mercy appear, (if man will be warned.) wood and build this House, and I will be glorified, and I will take pleasure in it, saith the Lord; Ezra 6. 10. That ye may have to offer sweet Savours to the God of Heaven, and pray for the King's life and for his Children. Ye looked for much, and lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it, And why (saith the Lord of Hosts?) because of my house that is waste, and ye run every man into his own * If the Separatists and browniti-cal vermin of this time, would but smell well to this Branch, they might learn to love me their mother Church much more than they do; I mean as I am an ancient house of God. house. Therefore upon you the Heaven is stayed from Dew, and the Earth is stayed from yielding her increase. And I have called for a drought upon the Land, and upon the Mountains, and upon the Corn, and upon the Wine, and upon the Oil, and upon all that the Earth bringeth forth; upon Men, and upon Cattles, and upon all the labour of the hands. When Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and joshuah, the son of josedech the high Priest, with all the remnant of the People, heard the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of the Prophet Haggai, as the Lord their God had sent him: Then the People did * This Herb may well be called Sage, or Sapience, for the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. fear before the Lord. And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zorobabel, etc. and the spirit of all the People, and they came and did the work in the house of the Lord of Hosts, their God. Ezra 7. 27. etc. Blessed be the Lord God of our Fathers, which This is Carduu● Benedictus, or Blessed Thistle. hath put such things as these into the heart of our good King, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in jerusalem, etc. 2. Chron. 24. 8. 9 10. etc. And at the King's commandment they made a Penny Royal, or the King's Royal Penny or gift. Chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the Lord; and made a Proclamation through juda and jerusalem, etc. And the Lords and all the People rejoiced, and This may be called Angelica, when Angels are so offered. brought in until there was sufficient, etc. 2. Kings 12. 9 10. 11. 12. But jehoiadah the high Priest took a Chest, This is (as I take it) Bursa Pastoris, or Shepherd's purse or the Clergies Chest. and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the Altar, on the right side, as every man cometh into the Temple of the Lord, etc. And when they saw there was much money in the Chest, the King's Scribe, and the high priest came up and told the money, etc. and gave it sealed into the hands of them that executed the work, and such as had the oversight of the house of the Lord. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. And so the workmen wrought, and the work amended through their hands, and they made the house of God as it ought to be, and strengthened it. So jehoiadah Thus fare extends the pious branches of the good herb called the Shepherd's Purse. waxed old, and died full of days, etc. And they buried him in the City of David, among the Kings, because he dealt well with Israel, and with God and his House. Here followeth Mother-Time, gathered by the good King of our time, and sent to the Reverend Kingly Bishop, Physician, or Father of this Mother-Church, as an Herb of most excellent virtue to cure all her diseases. (viz.) Psalm 102. verses 13. 14. THou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion, for the * This sweet Mother or Mountain Time may also be called the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto our Aaron's beard: yea even to the skirts of his Clothing: or yet more properly, like the Dew of Hermon, which (by a divine Sermon) fell upon our sacred hill of Zion. Time to favour her, yea the set time is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof. A Parallel of present time with time past: Or, of a good King living, with a faithful good King long since deceased. IN the 18. year of the reign of our good King james a Over England, France, and Ireland. , it pleased his sacred Majesty to visit me (poor Church) and soon after to send the Governor of his City, with diverse of his Nobles, Reverend Fathers, and Elders, to survey my wants, and to return unto his Highness all my diseases and corruptions, and their causes; that so he might (like a most excellent b Supreme head & governor in Church and Commonwealth within his Majesty's Dominions. Physician next under God) take course for my cure. And so in the same year he called a Parliament intending first to purge the land and the Temple, and then (I hope) to send his Nobles, etc. again, that shall never cease till I be totally cured, and most beautifully repaired. This may then be worthily paralleled with the noble acts of that famous and faithful King josiah recorded and renowned in the second Book of the Kings, the 22. Chapter, and in the second Verses 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. etc. Verses 8, 9, 10. etc. Book of Chron. the 34. Chapter. For in the 18. year of his Reign (when he had purged the Land and the Temple of Heresy This is heavenly Hyssop. and Corruption) c It should seem this was at the end of a Parliament, which was a heavenly conclusion of one good work, and a most sacred beginning of another. Nota quaeso, etc. he sent Saphan the son of Azaliah, and Maasiah the Governor of the City, and joah the son of joahaz the Recorder, to repair the House of the Lord his God, etc. And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the Entries had gathered of the hands of Manasseh & Ephraim, and of all that yet remained in Israel, and of all judah and Benjamin, and they returned to jerusalem: and they put it in the hands of them Men did not then come like Bears to a stake to such a business, but like poor beggars to a xijd. dole. Happy was he that could do any thing which might dignify and set forward the work. that had the oversight of the house of the Lord, and they gave it to the Laborers that wrought in the house of the Lord, to repair and mend the House: even to Masons and Carpenters gave they it to get hewed stone and timber for Couples and for Beams, etc. And the men did work, etc. And the Overseers of them to courage them forward, were jahath and Obadiah, Levits of the Children of Merari; and Zechariah, and Meshullam of the Children of the Kohathites, which all could skill of Instruments of music: And over the bearers of burdens, and over all that wrought in whatsoever workmanship, were there Scribes, Officers, and Porters of the Levites, etc. Thus fare the Posy of heavenly Herbs and Flowers, gathered out of the Garden where millions more might have been culled for my purpose, but I hope this is enough to him that delighteth in sweet Odours of piety and good works. And to that end I will pray as followeth. This Prayer or Petition is for the King, Prince, etc. and directed to the King of Kings. O King of Kings, and Lord Omnipotent, Direct, protect King james in Parliament; Make all those wholesome Laws he treats upon, T'approve him still, a second Solomon; A blessed Peacemaker, Church's Amender: And (in Great Britain long) true Faiths Defender. That every Pen may write a sacred Story Of all his Noble Acts, done to thy Glory: And Sin (corrupt and base) may (out of hand) Be purged quite and clean out of the Land. His Son (likewise) thy Son (O God) so guide him, That all good hopes and haps may still betide him; And as he is a Prince of prudent carriage. So bless him (Lord) in Single life and Marriage; Make him thy gem of gems, thy Pearl of Pearls, (Next to his Majesty) our Princely Charles; Thy conquering Champion when he goes to Wars, (As he is Conqu'rer at the Tilting-barres;) And thy strong Samson (valiant in the Field,) That he may fight and kill, and ne'er be killed. Bless also all his noble Lords and Peers, His Bishops, Burgesses, and Knights of Shires, And give them joy, Prosperity, and Health, That do their best for Church and Commonwealth. O let not any man be so unholy, From henceforth for to beg a * I mean such as are helpful to one Subject, and hurtful to all the rest. Monopoly: For well I wot, Much-ill proceeds thereby, It wrongs the STATE, and soaks the Subjects dry; Hardens men's hearts, all good b I doubt it hath a little choked men's good devotions towards me. designs doth choke, And (such as pinch) doth to revenge provoke; " (A thing inhuman, that one Christian Brother, " Or fellow Subject, should devour another.) And for my Sovereign's love to me last Lent, Upon a Holy day divinely spent; Love him (good Lord) and let him plainly see, It's much the more for his great love to me; That so his Highness may (without Omission) Most royally proceed in the Commission By Him appointed for my Restauration, Upon my humble Plaint and Supplication; " For never came more honour to a King, " Then my repair will to his Highness bring: " Nor can a work be of more note or name, " To raise Him and His seed Immortal Fame. O let them be as Heaven's bright shining stars, That are my Friends, his true * I have 70. Commissioners and 40. almost are of the Parliament, I hope one good Phinees among them, will stand up in my cause. Commissioners, And such as seek to frustrate his Decree, Darius' a Ezra. 6. 11. 12. etc. Sentence light on them for me, Or turn their hearts, that they may rightly know, I am thy House, so builded long ago; With State, with Honour, and Endowments plenty, Though Wolvish times, and Men have made it scanty; For burial of the dead, for pious uses, And not for b God's House was wont to be had in reverence, but I and my Courts are made a place of Sir-reverence, and as base as any Laystall, etc. Profanation and abuses; That so men may have better conscience To use me (like God's house) with Reverence. And let those base, profane, and idle Rout, That daily pass with burdens, in, and out; Those that c Such as I here mean love neither Mother Churches, nor reverend Fathers: They make a fair tall show of Faith, but (as Maypoles) they grow slenderer and slenderer, till they come to be Weathercockes, and then their Faith turns with every wind, and so be like the Tree that was hewn down and cast into the fire; having neither Roor, Rinde, Sap, Bough, Branch, leaf, Blossom, or Fruit of good Works, etc. deride me with their scoffs and Songs, That wish my downfall with their spiteful tongues, Those hollow upright Maypoles that do hate, To see their Mother Church be fortunate; Those that have sucked my Breasts till all is dry, And yet are backward me to dignify; All that pollute my sacred Courts and Walls, Know there's a scourge for them, whense're it falls; O whip them sound that abuse thy Temple, That others may be warned by their Example. Hear me thy Zion, from thy Sanctuary, Help me (O God) make haste and do not tarry. Sic Opto, sic Oro. This is another Prayer or Petition, for the King, Prince, etc. and directed to the Prince of Princes. O Christ the Son of God, Alpha and Omega, Ruler of heaven and earth, Orderer of all things, Light of lights, Very God of very God, Saviour of the world; Preserve the King and Prince, I was cured of the King's Evil by his gracious coming, and I hope (if he come once more) I shall be cured of the Wolf and Dropsy, and preserved from fear of the falling Sickness. Restore my Fame, justify my Friends, Nullify my Foes, Cure all my evils and infirmities, Endow me with plenty, Prosper great Britain, Send peace to all Christendom. And the God of peace, etc. make you perfect in all good works, etc. So be it. Amen. This is a Petition to the King's Majesty only. I hope to see the 26. day of March to be celebrated as a holy day for ever at my Cross, for a Thanksgiving to the Lord that he stirred up the heart of my good King to visit me, & to take course for my good, and then will there be 3. holy days of great solemnity together: viz. March. 24 Coronation day. 25. annunciation day 26. Visitation of St. Paul's. I Humbly beseech: Whereas upon the 26. day of March last passed, (being then Mid-Lent Sunday) it pleased your Majesty (after the royal solemnity held upon your Coronation day, and the annunciation of our blessed Lady, etc.) to visit me with your Sacred presence in an honourable Assembly; and to declare your Kingly love towards my Retriumphant estate by your own gracious speeches, and by the divine Oratory of my Reverend Diocesan at that instant, and soon after by a most Noble Commission, etc. For the which all people (my good Friends) that have heard thereof, do hearty honour and applaud your Highness, as a second Solomon. That likewise it may please your Majesty (now in this holy time of Lent, or some other time in the Interim of this high and most Honourable Court of Parliament at this present holden) to renew If a competent sum were in cash, and Scaffolds setting up, and a Register appointed for a record of men's Benevolences, as in Sr. Thomas Bodleis Library, I should not fear the wanr of money during my Reparation, or ever after. your pious favour towards me, by gaining some little benevolence to set on the work, as a free Offering or gift, and for redress of my intolerable wrongs, by some penal Laws, and severe punishment of the offenders. And I shall continue my prayers for your sacred Majesty, your Princely Posterity, your long, peaceable, and prosperous Reign; and for that Noble, Reverend, and Worthy Assembly (by the help of my Well-willers) to the world's end. And this poor man (who hath been my voluntary servant these 8. years, by Books, Petitions, and other devices, even to his own dilapidations) will (according to his bounden duty) approve himself your Majesty's loyal Subject, and my faithful Proficient during life, etc. St. Paul's her Conceit after this Petition. OF many Molehills, Mountains may be made, By many Springs, great Rivers we do see, By many hands a Burden's light 'tis said, That (for some few) too weighty seems to be; So many hands might make quick work of me: Though hard it seem at first (most Royal King) Yet once begun 'twill prove an easy thing. And rather benefit then loss. For so shall many work and pay their debts, And what rich Subjects gives, poor Subjects gets: No Money goes out of Thy Land thereby, Or from the Chamber, or Thy Treasury: But all to offer freely at a Chest, One little free Benevolence to begin, will be more prosperous than 1000 forced Collections or Taxations. What gifts they please, as at a Marriage Feast; So Mites to Millions at the last may rise, And I be made a Princely Edifice. Here followeth a Petition written in my name, and presented to the King, two days before his Majesty came to visit me, (viz) on Friday the 24. of March 1619. But the Master of Requests then attending, took it away from his Highness before he could read it, as many things had been so taken before, to the great hindrance and grief of the poor Author. To the KING'S most Sacred MAJESTY. WHereas (to the exeeeding great joy of all my dear Friends, there is certain intelligence given, that your Highness will visit me on Sunday next: And the rather I believe it, for that I have had more sweeping, brushing and cleansing, then in 40. years before. My workmen looked like him they call Mulled-sack after sweeping of a Chimney. May it please your most Excellent Majesty (among your royal Intendments to be celebrated in me upon that Holy day) to manifest (withal) your pious Affection towards Repair of my Decays, and I shall daily pray, etc. The Authors Conceit written under my PETITION. St. PAUL'S (O King) since I her suit began, This (for 500 li.) my Author can approve by oath that it came to me by my Complaint, which he made, that put Mr. Parker (a Benefactor) in mind to do me good, as handsel to bring on more good Customers. hath gained by five (almost) eight hundred pound; Grace thou her Suit, and I'm assured then, each hundred will a thousand pounds be found; Each thousand, ten; and every ten, a score, Till she break forth in thankes, and crave no more. A Petition to the PRINCE. ONe only Advocate with God we have, (Christ jesus, our sweet Saviour, his dear Son) By whom alone we get all things we crave, in humbleness, and just petition; Great Prince, you are my Sovereign's only Son, Resemble then the Course 'twixt God and man, And grace my humble suit the best you can; And (as I'm bound) so will I ever pray, That God will bless your Highness' night and day. A Petition to the Right Honourable, the Lords of his MAJESTY'S most Honourable Privy Council. FOR his sake which (for your sakes) once did cry Eli, Eli, lamasabacthani; For their sakes, which (for God's sake) did not spare Or pains, or cost, or aught, for my welfare; For all your Honour's sakes, I humbly crave, That now (if ever) I your helps may have: My Suit is honest, just and reasonable, The Work is good, the End most honourable: Wherefore if you shall please to speak for me, I'll pray that heaven your dwelling place may be. Your Honours now as aforesaid, and also when you have ended your labours, if you please (as some of your forefathers have done) to rest with me. S. PAUL'S. St. PAUL'S concludeth in an Ecstasy, alluded to the sense of hearing, being as it were ravished with joy of her hopeful success. WHat Wight is he in England-Isra-el, That knows my wants, love's me, and can speak well? Let him stand up with Zeal and sound intent, And speak for me now in this Parliament; Is he a Levite, Priest, Samaritan? Hath he the voice of Angel, or of man? Who should he be (sweet sense do not thou err) Which doth in that high Court my Bill prefer? O, now I know; hark how the people sing, Glory to God, and honour to the King. Is't He indeed? is it that peerless gem? (BEST OF BEST SPEAKERS IN JERUSALEM.) Is't He that holds me still in Reverence? Is't He that gets me a Benevolence? Is't He that (for my good) lifts up his Voice? And do the people thus for me rejoice? Blessed be such a King, and blessed all That thus do honour me their Church of Paul. Thus much (for the most part) of what was given to the King on Midlent-Sunday last. Here follow other things of the Author, done long before, and not impertinent to that which is herein intended (that is) to stir up good minds to set forwards a good work. (viz.) Certain Additions, Voices and Visions, Speeches and Parley, Twixt Paul's and Farley. As they have been given to the King at sundry times, but not till now published. S. PAUL'S. FIRST, recite to me in brief the Dream or Vision thou hadst after thou didst publish my Complaint, which thou didst present to his Majesty by a picture, and which picture thou intendedst to have given to his Majesty, if thy Petition had not failed thee. FARLEY. It was a Dream in three parts. 1 The first showing the King, * This was in the life time of our gracious Q. Anne, and came to pass (in some part) the said 26. day of March, 1619. Queen, and Prince; with all the Nobles, Reverend Bishops, and Clergy; Lord Mayor, aldermans, Citizens, and people, coming as from the Tower (in great state and solemnity) to offer for your good at a Chest standing at your great North-door. In this Dream (me thought) I saw presents of Vide queso, etc. 1. King's Chap. 5. vers. 8. 9 10. etc. all the chapter. stone and timber sent by foreign Princes, to congratulate with his Majesty in that pious work intended for your reparation as * Hiram sent to King Solomon. Also (me thought) I saw a Posy written in Capital letters over your Gate next Cheapside, to this effect; viz. BEHOLD THE KING COMETH WITH GREAT JOY, etc. And (me thought) I saw a great glory in the Heavens, and heard two voices sounding in my ears, one towards the King thus, For thy Temple's sake, etc. I wish thee all prosperity: The other voice sounding towards the middle of the city in these words, Many good things are done in thee, o thou fair City. 2. The second Dream showing the royal solemnities This part of my Dream hath also proved true. at the Offering, and you in that ragged poor, and smoky case, as now you are, and the King, etc. sitting to hear a Sermon in the same very Window and place where his Majesty did sit indeed when He came to visit you. Me thought I saw (among all your Grievances that then were opened to his Majesty's sight and hearing) one thing written in Capital letters, which was well observed on all parts, (viz.) VIEW, O KING, HOW MY WALL-CREEPERS, HAVE MADE ME WORK FOR CHIMNEY-SWEEPERS. The Psalm that was sung before the Sermon was (me thought) the * Vide. 122. Psalm. The Text was out of the 24. Chapter of the second Book of Chron. the 10. verse (viz.) And all the Lords and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the Chest, until there was sufficient. The Preacher (me thought) was that Reverend This approved true in part. Bishop of this Diocese, whose lot was afterward to perform that task in another Text appointed by his Sacred Majesty. Me thought he divided the Text aforesaid thus, The Lords and People rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the Chest. They not only brought in and cast into the Chest (said he) but they also rejoiced, for so (indeed) God is well pleased, who accepteth and loveth a Cheerful giver, and the cheerfulness of the Giver doth much commend the Gift. Then he observed the readiness of the People by the particle, All. Not some of the Lords, or some of the people offered, but All the Lords, and All the People, even the poor Widow cast in her Mite. Then the people's continuance in well doing. For (said he) they gave not a little at the first for fashion sake, or in show of devotion, and then grew weary, but they brought in and cast into the Chest, until there was sufficient. Therein he also observed, how the End crowns the Action, for to begin well, and not to end well is to be a Christian by halves, and that in the worst half too. And these (me thought) were the principal divisions of the Text, whereat I was never a whit vexed, etc. After the Sermon was ended, I went in, and at two of your Pillars near Sir Christopher hatton's Tomb (me thought) I saw two Chests, chained to two Pillars, one having these words and verses in Capital letters written in a fair Table, hanging over the Chest as followeth, (viz.) THE KING'S CHEST. COme all good Subjects loyal, and liege people, With cheerful hearts to help this Church and Steeple, For here's the place of offering appointed By JAMES our sacred King, and Gods Anointed: Where such as (with devotion) offer free, Shall in true Register recorded be, To their great honour, fame, renown and praise, From this time forward, to the end of days: His Highness hath begun for your example, Come then I pray it's for God's holy Temple. THE Queen's CHEST. THis Chest, which here inchained you do find, (Prepared for the gifts of * Or kind Women. womenkind) Queen ANNE (chief foundress, & S. Paul's well-willer) Commanded to be fixed to this pillar, And 'cause she would her pious heart unfold, She first put in a Princely shower of gold. Come Ladies then, her goodness imitate, And let Paul's know she shall be fortunate. Nay come all women, bring away your crowns, Pounds, shillings, pence, from Countries, Cities, Towns: O let it be to all a joy and pleasure, To help this Church with some part of your treasure: It is a blessed work, and welled doth suit, That faithful trees should bring forth holy fruit. Your Offerings shall be kept in true Record, Until the second coming of the Lord. Come then (I pray) and let this Proverb stand, When Women give they have a lucky hand. These two Chests, one for the men, and another for the women's Offerings (me thought) one told me, were placed there, not so much for the present Offering, (which was then in general at your North door, for getting money to set on the Work) but for future, during the time of your Reparation, and were attended by one appointed by the King of purpose to * This Register or Record, is humbly required by, etc. as a Grace to what he hath done. record the gifts which should be brought in, either as voluntary by the living, or as Legatory by the deceased; To the end his Majesty might once a year see how his loving Subjects, and loyal people did second his Highness, and imitate his goodness (to their power) in his pious designs. And thus I concluded my second Dream, viz. As wicked works do bring our soul's damnation, So pious works are steps to our salvation. 3. My third and last Dream was in this manner, Me thought I saw you suddenly renewed, beautifully repaired, and cured of all your evils, and infirmities. And then (me thought) appeared a fare more glorious splendour in the Heavens then that which I saw in my first Dream, and near to the King's Picture, (which (me thought) was rarely engraven and cut in stone upon your Steeple) I saw eight Angels flying up and down, rejoicing with great melody, and sounding Praises with Trumpets and heavenly Voices as followeth: (viz.) 1 Angel. For this good work King james shall rule in peace, And 'cause (by him) the Gospel doth increase, 2 Angel. He shall be prosperous in all his ways, He shall have health, long life, and happy days. 3 Angel. His Royal Seed shall mighty be and many, And shall increase as much as ere did any. 4 Angel. He shall plant Colonies in every Nation, To forward still the Gospel's propagation. 5 Angel. Like as the Sands on Sea, or Stars in Sky, So shall his People grow and multiply. 6 Angel. He shall have conquest when he goes to fight, And shall put all his enemies to flight: 7 Angel. And (at the last) to end our blessed story, He shall be crowned in heaven with endless glory. 8 Angel. Where Angels and Archangels ever sings All praise and honour to the King of Kings. S. Pa. So be it. Fa. Amen. This glorious sound of the Angels, so much inflamed my spirits with divine desires to hear and see more, (being also rapt and ravished with joy at your beautiful appearance) that I suddenly start up in my bed, and was thereby awaked. And thus have I ended my third Dream, and as briefly as I could repeated all three of them. S. Pa. Did you not write a Book of this at large, and give it to his Majesty when you presented the Table? Fa. Yes that I did, but for want of a Friend in Court, I failed of my desires, which was, to have published it; such ill success had I with my Petitions, that (although) his Majesty seemed well pleased with any thing I gave him in your behalf, yet could I never get Reference upon any: So that oftentimes I went by Cheering (alias Charing Cross) in the Morning, and home by weeping Cross at night. S. Pa. What time of the year did you fall into these contemplative Dreams? Fa. Upon the Eve of S. james the Apostle it began, but it continued long after, as you shall see by the Prologue, which is before the Dream in the Book which I gave to the King, in this manner; The PROLOGUE. Wpon the Feast of JAMES th'Apostle last, At ten a clock i'th' night, and somewhat past; I went to bed, and after I had prayed, I turned me on my right side, and so laid; Intending there in quiet sort to sleep, Until the Lark did sing, or day did peep; So musing broad awake a little while, At last a slumber did mine eyes beguile; And what I thought but then, before I slept, I dreamed thereon, and in that Dream was kept Four hours at least, nay (as I now remember) It did not end until the last November; Except some thrice, and then I felt some pain; So dreamed, so waked, then dreamt, then waked again, As if I had been * It might have made a better head than mine ache above three times. made of dream and sleep, Sometimes I laughed, and sometimes wail and weep, By which I called to mind a sacred Theme, That all man's life is but a Sleep or Dream, A Span, a Flower, a Ship at Sea, a Bubble; Like to a Tale that's told, like Grass, like Stubble; Like any thing that soon doth change and fade, Such is the life of man, whom God hath made; I mean in this life, frail and transitory, Until he do attain the life of glory. And then began my waking dreaming Story. S. Pa. Now I pray thee repeat the Conceit thou madest in my name, which thou gavest to the Lord Mayor of London, when thou didst present my Complaint unto him, a little after Christmas. 1615. Pa. I will give you the effect as well as I can remember. (viz.) TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir john jolles Knight, Lord Mayor, etc. It was in his time, etc. The Humble Petition of H. F. for S. Paul's Church in London. WHereas it is a laudable Custom in this Honourable City, that about this time in every year, the Alderman of every Ward doth present unto the Lord Mayor (for the time being) all abuses, misdemeanours, annoyances and decays, to the end they should be reform, avoided and amended. It may please your good Lordship (in regard that no Ward-mote Inquest hath as yet taken notice of my decays and annoyances,) to accept of this my Presentment made by my Friend, and to do to me His answer was Honourable and worthy at that time. what honourable favour and respect you can towards my redress: And I shall pray, etc. S. Pa. Set down likewise, the Letter which you devised in my name to the Reverend Preachers that come to my Cross, for it will not be impertinent to be inserted. F. I shall gladly do it as followeth. (viz.) MY very Reverend Friends, you are the Lords Ambassadors, whom therefore should you fear? You see before your eyes my miserable estate, how (of the fairest Cedar in Lebanon) I am become the least respected in London. Like a great withering Oak in a green flourishing Forest, and of the most remarkable See-farre, a forlorn, and a forsaken cipher; your Wisdoms know I have raised and maintained many; O then let me not be forgotten in mine old age: you know likewise, that Brief upon Brief goes currant for the restauration of the profane houses of men, which have been ruined by misfortune of fire, as I was, and how they are new builded and made better than before. I hope therefore you will do somewhat for God's house. You give thanks for the benefits that are bestowed on them that come with the Lords Ambassage to my Cross: And pray for the increase of such benefactors. I desire that you would pray likewise for such Benefactors as will contribute to my good; that so the Church and Churchmen may thrive together. For the houses of men there are provisoes and Covenants to tie the Tenants to reparation, or to forfeit their Leases: are there no such provisoes and Covenants for God's Tenants? If there be not, then sure it is because he holds them so worthy that they need not be bound: I say no more, because I doubt not of your love and care. And so I commend you to the heavenly protection of the Almighty, and rest in silence ever hereafter as your loving Mother-Church, S. Paul's. S. Pa. Now set down what other things you think fit, and let us draw to conclusion. F. Then first I will write the Carol which I gave to his Majesty on Christmas day, before his going into Scotland (viz.) IN Paradise was Adam borne; jesus Christ but in a Stall: By the first we were forlorn, by the second saved all: Glory be to God on High, joy at Christ's Nativity, God preserve your Majesty. Euah out of Adam came, Christ of Mary took his birth, By the first came woe and shame, by the second joy on earth; Glory be to God on High, etc. Peace be still within thy walls, Plenty to all needy souls, So (good King) remember Paul's. This following I gave to his Majesty when he took Coach at Theobalds', in his Highness' Progress to Scotland aforesaid, as my faithful Farewell or fair wish to the good success of his Sacred Majesty, and of all his Noble, Reverend, and Worthy followers, etc. viz. RIde on with honour (mighty King) With Princely high Renown, From London unto * It may well be called ●●d●n, or a place of joy where so gracious a Peacemaker was borne. Edinburgh, Thy native Seat and Town: And blessed be thy Majesty, In every place thou goest, Unto the joy of Man and Boy, From highest to the lowest. Ride on ye Noble Lords also, God bless you and our Master, And in the Progress as ye pass, Defend you from disaster: And Trinity in Unity, Be still your guide and glory; That of this time each pen may rhyme, A pleasant Progress story. And ride ye on, ye Reverend ones, For you are for our souls; And when you are at Edinburgh, I pray remember Paul's: For she will pray both night and day For your prosperity; Because your words much help affords, In her necessity. Ride on likewise, ye worthy Knights, With jovialty and pleasure, And see you have a noble ear To bring again our * No nation can have a greater Treasure in a Prudent and a gracious King than we have, if we were so thankful to God as we ought to be. Treasure: Your fealty and loyalty, The Lord will ever bless, And for the same you shall get fame, And heavenly happiness. So ride ye on his Officers, And Yeomen strong and trusty; Some guard before, and some behind, Be valiant, bold and lusty: Yet see you be for Courtesy In Scotland well commended: That love and peace may still increase until the world be ended. And as in Progress so in Regress, O, let us ever pray, That God will bless his Majesty, And Queen and Prince always: That North, and West, and South, and East, His glory we may sing, And nights and days give thanks and praise, For JAMES our Sacred King. Now followeth a Welcome to his MAJESTY, as I intended to present the same at Windsor, but was hindered of my purpose. (viz.) WElcome Dread Sovereign from that Paradise, Where Nature gave thee Birth, Grace, Edifice: Welcome Great Britain's Treasure, and best gem, From Edinburgh to our jerusalem: Welcome Peacemaker, Lover of Unity, Europe's admired King for Majesty, And for all Virtues that good Kings befit, As Mercy, justice, Learning, Wisdom, Wit. Welcome ten thousand times, and blessed be All those that (with true hearts) do welcome Thee, And all thy Noble, and thy faithful Train, That went with Thee, and brought Thee safe again. Such joy succeed thy travels to the North, That thereby peace and concord may spring forth, And spread itself throughout great Britain, To the perfecting of true Amity. That so from East to West, from North to South, God's praise, and Thine, may be in every mouth. And to thy meeting with thy Turtle Royal, (Thy sacred second self, thy Queen most Loyal) Thy Princely Son, (our High and Mighty CHARLES,) Thy Noble Councillors, Lords, Ladies, Earls, Bishops, Clergy, Knights, Gentry, Commons, All That long have wished thy presence at Whitehall: And thy true Citizens of famous London, That (for thy absence) thought themselves undone; Such joy succeed as never was before, And God increase that joy for evermore. And as I pray, so pray all loyal people, Never forgetting S. Paul's Church and Steeple. This following is another Christmas Carol which I gave to his Majesty on the Christmas day next after his Highness Return from Scotland. THe a This day we were saved from eternal death. five and twentieth of December, And the b This day from a sudden fearful, and a most inhuman death. fift day of November, Let us thankfully remember; And with joy for ever sing, Praises to our heavenly King, and be doing some good thing: Glory be to God on High, For our Christ's Nativity, Nothing can be more remarkable than Paul's Repair, in thankful memory of our wonderful delivery from the Gunpowder Treason. And our great Delivery. God preserve your Majesty. Peace be still within Thy walls, Plenty to all needy Souls; Now (good King) remember Paul's. Here my Candle was clean burnt out, and this last Carol, was the last thing I presented to his Majesty, until two days before His coming to visit you, (which was the Petition before recited.) In this Interim I grew much dismayed, for that I saw little hope of your help; many rubs I rannne through, many scoffs and scorns I did undergo; forsaken by my Butterfly Friends, laughed and derided at by your Enemies; Let them that scoff at this beware of Suretyship. pursued after by Wolves of Wood-street, and the Foxes of the Poultry, sometimes strongly Encountered, and sometimes at the point of Death and Despair: In stead of serving my Prince, which I humbly desired, (though but as a doorkeeper in you) I was pressed for the service of King Lud, where all the comfort I had, was, that I could see you, salute you, and condole with your miseries: my poor and rags I could not compare to any thing better than to your West End; and my service to nothing less than bondage: So I was troubled in my sleeps, and dreamt I heard fearful voices sounding in, and about you, which were as follow. (viz.) The first voice (me thought) was in the Chapel which now is beautified and repaired by Mr. Ralph Chamberlein, and made a place of * It lay before like a swinesty, with dust, rubbish, and soot, and the windows as if Hags and Hobgoblins had torn them. morning Sacrifice to the Lord. Where a ghastly Ghost start up out of an old Tomb or Grave, and said thus: HAd I and my Forefathers thus neglected, To see God's houses mended and erected; Or for to give of rich Endowments plenty, That none which did his service might go empty; Qu. Where had his Word been taught, to me express? An. In uncouth places, Caves, and Wilderness. " OH then repair what to your hands we builded, " Lest all your works prove painted shows o'er gilded. Then another Ghost appeared near that which is commonly called Duke Humphries Tomb, and made a voice like the voice of Pity. (viz.) WHen Winter with his blasts, floods, frosts and snow, Hath made all things look old, and dead to see; In comes the Spring: so once a year you know, All Cedars, shrubs, and plants renewed be: O thankless man, is God thus good to thee? Why dost thou then neglect his good example, In many Springs not to renew his Temple. Another starts up under the Arches of the Consistory where the Lawyers get Fees, and says thus in answer of Pity. THe Causes why, This was Truth. I'll soon descry; For when men strive themselves to magnify, To flaunt in worldly pomp and rich array, They do forget God's house to dignify, That's left to run to ruin and decay, Alas, alas, alas, and welladay: The time hath been when such a famous Church, Can not (for want of Friends) been left i'th' lurch. Then spoke Zeal out of the two Towers at the West End (viz.) Lollords' Tower, and the Tower where your treasure Ardent Zeal two voices. was kept in a hole of your wall. (viz.) Voice. 1 TO see a strange outlandish Fowl, A acquaint Baboon, an Ape, an Owl, A dancing Bear, a Giant's bone, A foolish Engine move alone, A Morris-dance, a Puppet play, Mad Tom to sing a Roundelay, A Woman dancing on a Rope; Bull-baiting also at the Hope; A Rhymers jests, a jugglers' cheats, A Tumbler showing cunning feats, Or Players acting on the Stage, There goes the bounty of our Age: But unto any pious motion, There's little coin, and less devotion. Voice. 2 FOr every fashion base and vain, For purchasing, or greedy gain, For * Let Mr. Critic think I reach no higher than the Vulgar Upstart in these two lines, or the Prodigal spendthrift: I censure not the Pleasures and pastimes of the truly Noble, and of all others that exercise any laudable sports for Recreation of wit, and agility of body. Dicing, Drinking, foolish sporting, Hunting, Wenching, Coaching, Courting, There is enough in every Function, But to this Church is small Compunction. This voice being ended, I awaked, and in an Impatient manner made this mine own voice, as followeth. viz. IF it be so, farewell Britania, For I will go unto Virginia, To see what savages will do, When Christians are so hard to woo: Take heed all Writers in this kind, For Church Complaints are wasted wind. So going to the Treasurer for Virginia, with Resolution to departed the Land with speed; he being not then at leisure, appointed me to come Upon a Saturday in Lent. the Wednesday following: and at my return from Aldersgate to your presence again, there came news by a sweet Western gale of wind that his Majesty would certainly come to visit you on Mid-Lent Sunday in great solemnity. At which most joyful Tidings I forgot Virginia again, and attended with hope of some happy succcesse, to my hearty desires, towards your Reparation; which (I thank the Lord) was performed to the full of my expectation for that time. DOMINE SALWM FAC REGEM JACOBUM. Thus for your good I written to the full, Wearied my Muse, and made my spirits dull; Spent time and Coin (good God) what shall I more? Only a good Success I do implore. S. Pa. Be of good cheer, and let God work his will, Speak to the King, for he is Gracious still, If so thou canst not either speed or thrive Let me alone, and do no further strive; Thy Charges hath been great I must confess, Thy pains (likewise) I do accept no less, Therefore when any good to me doth fall, Be sure my Love shall prove Reciprocal: And at the last, when Death shall strike thee dead, Within my Womb thou shalt be buried: Where (for thy kindness unto me expressed) Thou shalt remain, till Christ say, Come ye Blessed; So to conclude, and make our Friends to laugh, I'll tell thee what shall be thy Epitaph. (viz.) Under this Stone, my HARRY lies interred, Never till now, by Friends or Fates preferred, For though by Death his body's here in Dust, By Christ his soul's preferred among the Just; He (for my Good) did labour late and early, His Christi'n Name you know, his Sirname's FARLEY: Fa. I humbly thank your Greatness, and do pray, You may prove happy till the latter Day, Expect each * Or the 26. of March. Mid-Lent Sunday while I live, Something (for you) I'll to my Soveragine give. Veritate & Reverentia. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do Thee good, Ps. 122. 9 Blessed may that Preacher be, That will pray and speak for me. A POSTSCRIPT To the Courteous and Charitable Reader. ACcept my meaning (Worthy Friend) Although my wit be weak, And from the Crittickes me defend, If any 'gainst me speak. A Scholar I confess I'm none, By Reading or by Art: But truly I love every one That is so, with my heart. When I the fair Parnassus' Mount To climb was almost able, I fell too short of my account, And went but to Dunce-table. So like a Dunce I writ this Book, (With grief I it reveal,) Where's naught As touching Art or Scholership. praiseworthy (if you look) But only my true Zeal, In which I vow to all good men, My love to Paul's is such, That if I had an Angels pen I'd write ten times as much: Or if of other Angels I Had (as some have) great store She should not need to beg or cry To King or People more. But of those Angels last my Purse Is too too thin and bare; And every day grows worse and worse As Paul's herself doth far. Therefore in me what here is scant Of Money, Art, or Wit: Do thou supply unto our Want, So God bless thee, and it. Thy faithful and thankful Friend, H. F. FINIS.