BRITISH APPEALS, WITH God's merciful Replies, On the behalf of the commonwealth of England.  
Contained in A brief Commemorative Poem, Composed for a Memorial of some of those many signal Mercies, lately vouchsafed to this Rebublike; especially, for those deliverances upon the appeals of the Parliaments, and royal Forces at Naseby; of the English and Sccottish Armies near Dunbar in Scotland, and for the late Surrender of Edenburgh-Castle, &c.  
By GEO. WITHER, Esquire.  

Febr. 1. 1650.  
Let this Poem, entitled the British Appeals, &c. be speedily Printed.  
William Lenthall, Speaker.   
Printed for the Author, and are to be sold by Nathaniel Brooks, at the Angel in Cornhill, 1651.  
BOUND BY J. MACKENZIE BOOKBINDER TO THE KING   

To the sovereign majesty OF THE Parliament of the English republic, (by the grace of God) Keepers of the Liberties of England; Protectors of the true Christian Faith, and (within their Territories) Assertors of all the just privileges of the human Nature, against the Usurpations of domestic and foreign Tyrants, &c. AND, ALSO, To the Right Honourable council of STATE, established by their Authority.  
THe praise of God, and of praiseworthy Men▪  
Are proper subjects of the poet's pen;  
And they, of old (though disesteemed of late)  
Had power heroick-titles to create;  
Or, Attributes of honour, to confer  
Where, Worth, most eminently, did appear;  
And, none, have been more glorious under Heaven,  
Then those, which they, deservedly, have given:  
No, not those high-prized Attributes, with which  
The Pope his Royall-Vassalls did enrich:  
For, this Power, they enjoyed, long before  
Popes were; so shall, when they must be no m●●●●  
And, of their holiness, had thus much odd●  
That, ere they could 〈…〉  
Such as they were; and heretofore great Kings  
Ambitious were, of their Canonizings.  
But though impostors use to make a show,  
With counterfeited jewels, mine, are true;  
And this, now being a triumphal-day,  
Expecting all things in their best array,  
My Muse, in her Addresses you salutes,  
With such New-titles, and high attributes,  
As none have yet ascribed; that, I may show  
To others, what I know to be your due.  
For (though your Justice, and your mercy be  
The Essence of your glory) Wisemen, see,  
That, these are accidents which do belong  
To Power; and, which, may help to make it strong,  
And, should not be refused, when they are brought  
By other men, and by yourselves unsought:  
Nor, will they judged be, to overswell  
A modest height to him that heedeth well,  
What is, in Petty-States, ascribed to them,  
Who are invested with a Power-Supream.  
But these, are but a Preface to my gift,  
Which, I present, out of a nobler drift,  
Than by these Circumstances can appear;  
For they mere harbingers, or Ushers are  
Unto that trophy wherewith I assay  
To imp, the Publick-duties of this day:  
And help to magn●fie his glorious Name,  
To whom, your Piety devotes the same.  
Y●●, these high Titles are not fixed here,  
To make you great, in your own eyes, appear;  
But, honourable, in the sight of those  
〈◊〉 whom your just commands you shall impose:  
〈…〉 to be viewed as Remembrancers,  
〈…〉 hat high trust, which God on you con●ers.  
〈…〉 to serve sinister ends you take them,  
〈…〉 titles of dishonour make them.  
As largely, and as well, as my weak-wit,  
(My leisure and the short time) would permit,  
I offer, here, a brief commem'rative,  
Of those things, for which, Thanks, this day we give:  
That, to God's praise, they may be thought upon,  
When this our short Solemnity is done:  
That, unborn children, may commemorate  
His Mercies in the birth, of this new State,  
When they shall read, by what throws, rent and torn  
The mother was, before it could be born:  
And, that, by knowing, what their Freedoms cost,  
They may not let them carelessly, be lost:  
Or, be unthankful, as now many are,  
And, thereby, in that blessing, lose their share.  
In lofty strains, I do not strive to sing,  
But, in a plain song, humbly forth to bring  
Such charms, as profitably may be read,  
By those, who of my counsel, have most need;  
And, such, as may be useful, to expel  
Those evil spirits which amongst us dwell,  
To interrupt the setting of that Peace,  
Which brings an universal happiness.  
I owe a thanks to God; and thanks to you;  
And though I cannot pay the half that's due,  
Where least I owe; I, truly, have assayed  
That, of a great debt, somewhat might be paid.  
Despise it not, therefore, though much it lacks  
Of what should be. Quench not the smoking flax;  
Break not the bruised Reed. But, acceptation  
Vouchsafe, to this imperfect Presentation;  
And, as I shall deserve it; so, let me  
Preserved in your good opinion be.  
●an●●ry 30. 1650. Geo. Wi●●●●   

TO The well-affected of the commonwealth of ENGLAND.  
When the late Act of Parliament came forth, commanding the celebration of a public Thanksgiving, upon the 30. of January last, for God's manifold mercies to this republic; and for those especially in the said Act expressed: though my own affairs were at that time in their crisis, and my urgent necessities required their immediate prosecution: yet my heart being moved with a strong desire to prepare somewhat (according to my faculty) which Might help stir up this Nation▪ to glorify almighty God for our manifold and great Deliverances; as was piously enjoined by Supreme Authority: I resolved to trust him with my own business; and, wholly to set apart the remainder of that month to compose a Commemorative Poem toward the illustration of his extraordinary favours to this commonwealth, in his glorious goings forth with our Armies; and in such other manifestations of his gracious Providence, as have conduced to the accomplishing of our just, and reasonable hopes. And, though I have not therein answered what may perhaps be expected in such an undertaking; yet having done what my ability and the shortness of the time (made shorter by many accidental obstructions) would permit; I hope you will favourably ex●●●● me, in regard it may nevertheless, be in some 〈…〉 useful to the better performance of the Du●●●● 〈…〉 after the Day is past, by bringing to re●●●●● many of those mercies which occasioned that day's solemnization; and I presume, it widow will find good acceptation with you, whose eye God hath opened to see his wonderful loving kindness, and, whose hearts are not hardened to the●destruction, or shame, for shutting their eyes, wilfully against the light, which heretofore shined up on them.  
I have no hope to prevail upon such, as are perverse: for like Jannes and Jambres, they have obstinately opposed our deliverers, and have 〈◊〉 the Egyptians in resisting God. They have sometimes acknowledged his Finger in the miracles, wrought for us; as that people did, and yet persist in then obduracy. They, have seen the Rods of power and discipline, turned into, Serpents; and that which was in the hand of lawful authority, to devour those, which were grasped by impostors. They have seen, as the Egyptians did, their Lakes, ponds, and Rivers, turned into blood: and all their fields, waters, and habitatitations filled with those, which were hieroglyphically signified by Frogs, Lice, flies and Locusts. God, in like manner, hath proved them, by his judgements, and by plagues, upon their beasts, their fruits, their treasures, their persons, and their hopes of posterity: he hath punished them, as well with a gross darkness, and other privations, as by arming against them, all the Elements. They have seen their late King (for continuing in his hardness of heart) like Pharaoh, drowned (as it were) in the Red Sea, even in that sea of blood, which by his wisfulness hath overflowed these Islands. Yea they see those waters which gave passage for his people, to escape their 〈◊〉 ry, stand on both hands ready to swallow 〈◊〉 up; yet they being more blind and mad 〈…〉 Pharaoh and the Egyptians (because, they 〈◊〉 for examples) the● 〈…〉 purposes, as in despite of God, and will not acknowledge his Actings, though they see them; nor his Voice, though they bear it, nor his hand though they feel it: Now, if all these things have not softened their hearts; and if neither the Pillar of fire which they see going daily before us, nor the Cloud, out of which God looks often very terrbly upon them, can move them to praise God with us, in our public acknowledgements of his mercies; I must not think my charms will operate much upon them: and, therefore, to God's good pleasure, I will leave them, and you, who are better affected, to the enjoyment of his mercies; whereof I humbly expect and confidently believe to be a partaker.  
Your faithful, and ancient Remembrancer, GEO. WITHER.   

The British appeals, with God's merciful Replies, on the behalf of the Commonwealth of England, &c.  
The Argument.  
The Muse, begins, with filial fear,  
To raise a joyful trophy, here.  
The differences, doth express  
twixt formal, and true thankfulness.  
Brings out those mercies to your view,  
For which our praiseful thanks are due.  
Warns, all men, timely, to take heed,  
What, God hath done; and may succeed,  
To those, that will not understand  
The work which he hath now in hand.  
Then after some thanksgiving-songs,  
Informs, what further, yet belongs  
To thankfulness, and open lays  
Th' event, of right and left-hand ways  
MY soul, in honour of th' eternal King,  
Of Judgement, and of Mercy now shall sing:  
Of Mercies, and of Judgements, and, again,  
Of Mercies, that they may not be in vain.  
And that out of my poverty, I may  
Add to the public offerings of this Day,  
A supplement, to fill up vacant places;  
To fill up, extraordinary Graces.  
To make us mindful, what is further due,  
To keep sheedfull, what may else ensue,  
And perfect that, which others have begun,  
Concerning what, the Lord of Hosts, hath, done.  
I sing, the breaking of that Brazen yoke,  
Which, from our gauled necks, was lately broke;  
The gracious Verdicts which the Court of heaven,  
To our Appellant-combatants, hath given;  
The thrusting of the Proud out of the Throne;  
The setting up, of humble men, thereon;  
The malice, craft, and wilfulness, of those,  
Who were our open, or our secret Foes;  
And, therewithal, the matchless love, of him,  
Who from their Tyrannies did us redeem,  
Shall be my Song: and I desire it may  
Be set and tuned, unto such a Key,  
As, that, my Readers, may perceive, thereby,  
The useful power of hallowed-poesy,  
In raising, God's neglected mercies, from  
forgetfulness, to shine through times to come.  
My Structure therefore, shall be rather strong,  
Then Lofty; that, it may continue long:  
And though my weakness, may not reach to that,  
Which my Intentions have been aiming at;  
Yet, I am hopeful, that I shall be able,  
To offer an Oblation acceptable:  
For, God in willingness, takes much delight,  
(Although, it can but set a stone upright,  
As Jacob did) vouchsafing acceptation,  
To every Faithfull-Offrers free oblation;  
And equalling the raising of one stone,  
even with the Temple, of great Solomon.  
Ay, Voices hear, of wondrous things abroad;  
Of multitudes of Mercies, from our God;  
Mercies, too great, for Scorners to believe;  
Too good, for men unthankful, to receive:  
Such Blessings, as no former Age had greater;  
Such, as no time ensuing shall have better  
Yet, every day almost brings forth new matter  
Of exultation, both by land, and water.  
Good news, employeth almost every month;  
Yea, weekly from the East, the West, the South [come)  
(And thence, from whence 'twas said no good can  
Even from the North, Glad tidings are brought home.  
To those, who for their own escapes, have mourned,  
With Zion's ruins, God, hath back returned  
Those Signal Victories, which, you have heard,  
In public, by a public Act declared;  
With their dependent-Mercies: now, I'll add  
What from my private notions may be had;  
O give attentive heed, to what is said;  
And let it with do seriousness, be weighed:  
For, I shall mention, (if time fail me not)  
Things neither to be slighted, or forgot.  
But whence comes this? alas! now I am ready  
To write, I find my shaking hand unsteady.  
A shivering doth surprise me; and a fear,  
As if some Apparition, did appear,  
Obstructing my Designs, and, to assay  
The turning of my thoughts, another way.  
What ails my heart! that in this uncouth fashion,  
There strives in me, a Contradicting Passion?  
Which like the twins, within Rebeccas' Womb,  
●eem to be struggling, which may overcome.  
Why is my heart, (which hath enough to do,  
Wi●h one at once) thus overcharged with two?  
Two Passions, as destructive to each other,  
As fire and water, clos●d uptogether:  
And so divided, that, it hardly knows,  
To whether, most reluctancy, it owes.  
This, is a day of triumph; wherein, they  
Who, have achieved them, set us Trophies may  
〈◊〉 ou●ward joy and such as could not win  
Externalis, may keep holiday within,  
●heretofore, they so good husbands were,  
●o store up aught, for entertainment there,  
It is a day, wherein, I ought to sing,  
A Song of praise; and purposed to bring  
Expressions forth, which might be to this Nation,  
A lengthening out of Thanks, and exultation,  
By making God's free mercies, thought upon,  
When all this generation, shall be gone:  
Yet, now I should perform, what I decreed;  
I, am unable, further to proceed.  
Of glorious victories, the Guns, the Bells,  
And this days due solemnization tells,  
To make us with more seriousness, to heed  
God's owning of our Armies, at their need;  
And those glad tidings, which divulged are,  
Invite to mirth; yet somewhat, bids me fear;  
Yea, though my lips are tempting of a smile,  
Mine eyes (I know not why) drop tears the while,  
Seeming to tell me with a silent voice,  
That we with trembling should this day rejoice:  
Yea, though I feel my heart is truly glad,  
Of what I hear; it is as truly sad,  
For what I know, for what I daily see;  
For what hath been; or may hereafter, be.  
Distempered, thus, I very seldom grow;  
And, therefore, it, the more affects me, now,  
With Jealousies, and Fear, left, somewhat may  
Ere long befall us, to beeloud this day.  
With me 'twas never thus, but when from Spain  
Our late unhappy King, returned again,  
Depraved and made giddy by that Cup  
Of poison, whereof there he took a sup.  
And, then, I felt these Passions. I confess  
My joy was then, as great, my fear no less;  
Though neither much appeared to the eye,  
Or to the ear of any slander by.  
It fareth, now with me, as on that morning  
Which, first, informed us, of his safe returning;  
For, when the voice of his arrival came,  
The City bonfires, blazed into a flame  
Which menaced the Clouds; the Clouds poured down  
A flood, as if the City they would drown.  
The Common people, were transported so,  
(As 'tis their guise) that wisemen could not know  
Whether they might be thought, exceeding glad,  
Or, rather, to be somewhat less than mad.  
The Earth seemed joyful of his safe return;  
The heavens for something hidden seemed to mourn.  
And, as in those, there then appeared to be  
A differing Passion, so, it was, with me.  
Though, none more wished the Kings returning  
Though I was truly glad, to see him come, (home,  
And for this safe arrival showed, then,  
My joy, as much, as other sober men,  
Yet, joy and sorrow strove in me together,  
As if they laboured to supplant each other:  
And, long time kept me, in a doubtful pause,  
Of whether His Return would give most cause;  
And by what hath succeeded, it appears,  
My joys were far more causeless than my fears.  
The same distempers, are, this day in me,  
Great, are my joys and hopes, great also, be  
My griefs and fears: God render them, success,  
And consequences, of more happiness,  
Then, followed after that; and take away  
Th' effects, and causes, of my fears, this day.  
God, turn all to the best; and give us grace  
To cleave to him, what ever come to pass.  
God, give us Will, those achan's to remove,  
Which, to the public Peace, destructive prove.  
God, grant my hopes, hereafter may be truer,  
The causes of my fear, much less, and fewer:  
And, that, the counsels, Charles did then neglect,  
May be received, now with more respect;  
Left his example, that should make us better,  
May make us worse, and our damnation greater.  
For God will not be mocked; nor will he spare  
For ever, though a while he doth forbear.  
Where greatest mercy, he, vouchsafes to show,  
The greatest of his Judgements will ensue.  
He that improves not, every gift God gives,  
(According to the measure he receives)  
Shall lose the talon upon him bestown,  
And into utter darkness too be thrown.  
Then much more, they who shall God's Grace requi●  
With wilful disobedience or despite:  
And for that cause, it hath been said, the Lord  
Is merciful, and therefore should be feared.  
This being true, what Realms, or Nations be  
Obliged more to fear him now, than we?  
If, mercies, be inducements to his fear,  
(As all men well informed, know they are)  
What people, now, inhabits on the earth,  
That, hath more cause of trembling, in their mirth,  
Or, of more filial dread, when they draw nigh,  
The holy name, of God to sanctify?  
For whom hath he so many wonders wrought  
Since out of Egypt, jacob's God was brought,  
As for this Isle, if we reflect upon  
Those things aright, which, he for us for us hath done?  
And, who can blame me, if I sing with fear,  
This day, when we consider, what we are?  
What, God is? what, they seemed, who have been,  
Destroyed for our sakes? what we, have seen  
Done, for us? by what means, at, what a season?  
In what great straits? how far, beyond our reasons  
Or our deserts? (Deserts said I? nay, when,  
We had deserved worse than other men)  
What passed bondage, we are freed from?  
What likely slaveries, for time to come?  
And what a heap of blessings we have had  
●howr'd down, to make us, in his favour glad?  
Who, can? (these things considered) who I say,  
Can blame me, if, I am afraid, this day,  
Amidst our Triumphs? and aloud should cry,  
On other men, to fear as much as I?  
For such a fear, no portion doth destroy,  
Of aught which is essential to our joy:  
But helps to keep it, from an overcasting,  
By future clouds, yea makes it everlasting;  
Rather preventing harm, than harm portending,  
And, from a dull security, defending.  
Already, I discover, that this fear,  
Which, at the first, destructive did appear,  
To my Design, (by making up a Medley,  
Which, on a day of joy, looked somewhat sadly)  
Proves useful to my purpose, and makes way,  
To render that, which I intend to say,  
Much more effectual, than it would have been,  
Unless it had been thereby ushered in.  
To make impression of a joyful fear,  
In those, who shall of God's protections, hear.  
I feel my spirit on a sudden freed,  
From all Distempers: therefore I'll proceed,  
With what I purposed, and enumerate  
Some of those Mercies, which we celebrate  
Thi●d●y, in hope to represent them so,  
That, out of them a filial fear may flow,  
So tempering every Reader, that none shall,  
Neither presume, nor by despairing, fall:  
Yea, so to set them forth, I will assay,  
That, in Remembrance, they continue may:  
That I, who write them, and that they who read them,  
May with more seriousness, hereafter, heed them,  
More often meditate them, to increase  
Our Joy into a perfect thankfulness,  
And, that, as in a glass, our eyes may see,  
How worthless, how unthankful, yet, we be;  
How these good things, which, God, in mercy, ga●●  
To save men's lives, oft send them to their grave,  
If not to Hell: how likewise to improve  
God's judgements, and, the Pledges of his love,  
To our best benefits, and how to raise,  
Such Monuments, and trophies, to his praise,  
As, answer their intents, who set aside  
This day, to be, in public, sanctified.  
Without those ends, the formal observation,  
Of one set-day is but a profanation;  
Or, mere hypocrisy: It, makes men think  
They offer incense, when they offer stink:  
It makes them dream that they have something give●  
To God; when, they have but affronted heaven:  
It proves like that Peace-offering of the Whore,  
Which made her sin more boldly than before;  
And to return again, to her offence,  
With less reluctance, and more impudence:  
To fast a meal or twain, and to put on  
A sadness, for a day, is cheaper done,  
Than, to deny ourselves; or, to suppress,  
Our Avarice, or our ambitiousness.  
To say, the Lord be thanked; or to sing,  
A song of praises; is, an easier thing,  
Than to express a hearty thankfulness,  
By works of mercy, and of righteousness:  
As, giving to the poor, or, taking care  
Of those that under great oppressions are:  
And, 'tis alas! with us, too frequent, seen,  
That some who formally disposed have been  
To outward duties, acting joy, and sorrow,  
This day (with seeming zeal) come forth, to morrow,  
And prosecute their avarice, their pride,  
(With whatsoe'er, they seemed to lay asid●  
The former day) and, entertain as bad,  
If not worse spirits, than, before they had:  
Pursuing wilfully, destructive ways.  
What e'er the Preacher, or, the Charmer says.  
He, that could find expedients to prevent  
These profanations, Well his time had spent;  
And, thanks might merit, for so having done;  
(Although, he peradventure shall have none,)  
I, therefore, to that purpose, will assay  
To set my Meditations, for this day,  
To such a Tune, as may have likelihood,  
Of those effects, if rightly understood;  
For (though it move, but two or three, to dance  
True measures) my design it shall advance:  
And, he, that doth accept a willing heart,  
More, than the best performances of Art,  
Will, perfect his own work, in me, begun,  
Though, that, which I perform, be weakly done.  
It is not my intention to begin  
Where, God's or'eflowing mercy, first broke in,  
Upon this Nation; For, that, would appear,  
A work not for a day, or for a year,  
But, for an Age: and, my poor snuff of Light,  
Would leave me, in an everlasting night,  
Ere I could half those Mercies overlook,  
Whereof, in few years, I have notice took:  
Nay, in each Circumstance, should I display  
Those, only which, of this thanksgiving-day  
Occasions were: I, might dilate thereon,  
Till three such lives, as I have lived were gone.  
Ay, therefore, will but offer up a Beam,  
Out of the Sun; a drop, out of a Stream;  
One Grain, out of that golden-mine, by which,  
Our God, hath made us, in his Favours, rich:  
Or, make a brief Collection, at the most,  
Of so much, that, this day, may not be lost;  
But give thereby a Longer lasting motion  
To real thankfulness, and true devotion.  
Should I suppose a Tripled Golden chain,  
One fold whereof sufficed to contain,  
These British Isles, with all those Seas enclosed,  
Which, may be in a, Circle so supposed;  
And, that, as many Links, thereon were found,  
As there are half-half Inches, in that Round  
Of Land, and Water: therewith, should I think,  
I saw enamelled, upon every Link,  
Ten hundred Thousand mercies; I, might read  
All those Inscriptions thereon charactered,  
As possibly, as make a full relation,  
Of, God's proceedings, in our preservation.  
Ay, therefore, will but set forth, here, and there,  
Such Links of Providence, as do appear  
To most men's view; that, somewhat may remain  
Still visible, of Mercies Golden Chain:  
Looking, no further back, in my design,  
Then, to the year Six hundred thirty nine  
Beyond a Thousand; and, I will relate  
But, only, an epitome, of what  
Hath been vouchsafed since then; For, by the Pa●●●  
You may conceive, what lion I could draw:  
And, if the whole proportion I should Lymn,  
I could not do my work, within the time.  
About, that year, The Tyrant (who now lies  
Beneath our feet) with over weening eyes,  
Had viewed himself; and Puffed up with Pride,  
Began, to think, of being Dei fide;  
Or, at the least, of being somewhat more  
Than Man, or King; or, than what heretofore  
He was esteemed: and, much endeavoured, too,  
That, we (if possible) should think him so.  
His triple-kingdom, upon him bestown,  
For, others; he, usurped as his own;  
Inchroching by undue Prerogatives,  
As well, upon his Loyal Subjects lives,  
As on their freeborn Persons, and Estates;  
With what else, to their Liberties relates:  
Nay, upon that, which is more dear than these,  
(Upon the freedom of our Consciences,)  
He made assaults; well knowing, that would bes●  
Procure him (and secure him) all the rest:  
And, how to prosecute it, he, was taught,  
By them, who knew the way, to what he sought.  
A council, he had picked up, who might well  
Be called his; and, with Achitophel,  
Be judged Peers; but, that, of him, in Wit,  
They came far short; and, have not so well, yet,  
Their houses ordered; nor, secured so  
Their Persons, as, he had the hap to do.  
His Flattering Priests, and Poets, urged him on,  
To what, they found him willing to have done:  
For, by the first, there seemed to be infused,  
A Conscience fitting him, to be abused:  
And, by the last, He, and his Queen became  
So often represented by the name  
Of Heath'nish Deities; that, they, at last,  
Became (Even when their Mummeries were past)  
Like those they represented; and, did move,  
Within their spheres like, Venus, Mars, and Jove▪  
And, had they only failed, but, in thus  
Themselves befooling; Gods, delivering us  
From being Vassals, to such Mimick-Players,  
Had merited our public Thanks, and Prayers.  
For, when the Roman-Emperours begun  
To fill the Stage, they, vilified the Throne;  
And, those oppressions, quickly followed there;  
Which, on the like beginnings, entered, here.  
He, being thus transformed, into a thing,  
No Longer worthy to be called a King.  
(Tho, fairly painted, and well varnished over,  
The wickedness of his designs to Cover)  
A Deep foundation Laid, for such a Throne,  
As, he, Ambitious was to sit upon;  
And, had so couched his Plots, (as he supposed)  
And, so with power and policy, enclosed,  
His Interest (ere heed thereof was taken)  
That, few believed the Structure could be shaken;  
Or, that, a possibility had been,  
Of those Events, which we have lately seen:  
Nor were they Possible until, God's hand,  
Did shake the Rock, whereon the Pile did stand.  
For, that, secure his Actings might become,  
Himself, as well abroad, as here at home,  
He fortified; and Engineers did keep,  
To render his designs, as large, as Deep;  
Neglecting little, which by right or wrong,  
Might, in his undertakings, make him strong.  
With foreign Princes, and each neighbouring State,  
(To whom, himself he might ingratiate)  
He secretly complied; (by whatsoever  
Relations, they might opposites appear.)  
At home, himself, he strengthened many ways,  
With what concerns him, who the Tyrant plays:  
As, by depressing them, who might be foes  
To his designs; by, high Advancing those  
Who might promote them; by, disabling much  
The one, and making of the other Rich:  
By projects, and Employments, which might add  
To them, and, take from others, what they had;  
And, by all practices, which might maintain  
This Cursed Principle, Divide and Reign  
His ends he followed, whatsoever it cost,  
In Treasure, or in blood, by others Lost.  
Witness, the late inhuman Massacre,  
In Ireland: when, in few days murthere● were  
Hundreds of Thousands; and as many mo●,  
Soon after, by Abetters thereunto,  
A Massacre, beyond (without compare)  
Those, which in Sicily and Paris were,  
Though both united; yet, it is believed  
(Upon good grounds) to be at first, contrived  
By him, or with his knowledge: But of this,  
There is an host, or Cloud of Witnesses,  
That, he did palliate, and look thereon  
Without Compassion, when the Deed was done;  
And, hath occasioned that Sea of blood,  
Whereby since then these Isles have been overflowed;  
Even by abusing these unhappy Nations  
With vain pretences, and false Protestations.  
Yet, much more great, the deluge would have been,  
Had not God's mercy interposed between,  
His Cruelty, and us, when, he assayed  
To tempt the Scotish Nation to give aid  
To his designs; by promising, to add  
Four English Counties, to the bounds they had.  
When, likewise with the Armies, in the North,  
He tampered, bloody mischiefs to bring forth,  
Of●ing them largely; when, moreover, that  
Was in designment, which, he aimed at,  
In Scotland, where, (about the selfsame time)  
A Bloody Banquet, was prepared, by him.  
Before these things (and, ere we felt those harms  
Which followed) he, found means to seize our Arms;  
And by mere power, engrossed into his hand,  
The stores of Powder, throughout all the Land.  
He, likewise had contrived, how, to draw  
To serve his ends, the Masters of the Law,  
By placing, or displacing; and, thereby,  
Had, almost, fixed, a Legal Tyranny.  
By maskings, and lose revelings, at Court:  
He, closely wrought upon the younger sort  
Of wanton Students; and alured thereby,  
The flower, of all the young nobility  
And Gentry of his Kingdoms to incline  
To him, in whatsoever, he should design.  
His council-table, was bespread with snares,  
To catch, and hamper those, at unawares,  
Who stood for Liberty; his Courts, were made  
Both Instrumental to the Bribing Trade,  
And bawds, to help advance unjust designs,  
By false decrees, wrong judgements, mulcts, or Fines:  
For, Justice, was afforded, there, to few  
Save such, as to his Interests were true:  
And, most of those (without attending long)  
Had what they su'd for, whether, right or wrong.  
His overgrown Prerogative, Laid hold  
On our Proprieties; and, scarcely should  
Ere long, a Natural-action to this nation,  
Allowed have been, without a dispensation,  
Or Fine, First paid: No; not, to eat, or drink,  
To go, or come; to speak, or safely think,  
Should we have been permitted; had not God,  
To his usurpings, put a Period.  
For, many, to account. not for deeds done  
Have called been, or, for bare-words, alone;  
But otherwhile, to Question, some were brought  
For those things, also, which, to have in thought  
They were suspected: yea, such was the Rage,  
Of Tyranny, that, Children under age,  
For Childish words (spoke without ill intent)  
Were, not alone, to severe Chastisement  
Made liable; but, forced to suffer, too,  
That painful death, which wilful traitors do:  
As (by a cruel act, of all abhorred)  
Appears at Sarum, yet, upon record.  
No marvel then, if neither soap nor Fir●  
Nor Raking rotten Rags, out of the M●●e;  
Or Freedom, in such poor and Trivial things,  
As are Tobacco-Pipes, and Fiddle-strings,  
Could be allowed in this Common-weal,  
Without a Fine, or Patent under Seal.  
His Peerage (some excepted) was endowed,  
With privileges, but, to make them Proud,  
And fit, them to oppress or to enslave  
The people, unto him, from whom they have  
Their empty Titles. Upon some of these  
He did Confer the highest Offices,  
By great sums, purchased; that, so, they Might  
By selling dear (because they dearly bought)  
Engaged be, to share in his oppressions;  
And, strengthen by in Justice, their possessions:  
To make them still, have need of his protection;  
And, ●●eave to him through Fear, if not Affection.  
To this Intention, they had also share:  
In those Base Projects, which injurious were,  
To public-right; and, they employed their power  
To beggar, to disgrace, or quite devour,  
All those, who did not readily befriend,  
His purpose; or, else, freely give, or Lend,  
Or stand engaged, to Answer his desire,  
In whatsoever he pleased to require:  
And, he, that sought a remedy, by Law,  
For these Intrusions, did but only draw,  
More mischiefs on himself: For, 'twas a flower,  
Slipped from the Crown; and, by the Royal power,  
Derived; that, they should be secured, by might,  
From wrongs receiving, and, from doing right.  
But, God, for this Injustice, now hath broke,  
That S●●pter: From their heads; their Crowns hath took  
And, shall destroy all those who will not see,  
That want of Justice, and of Mercy, be  
The Signal causes, of those desolations,  
That fa●● on private-people, Kings, or Nations.  
And, they, who for God's Justice, upon these,  
(Together with, the great deliverances  
Thereby, vouchsafed) cannot, yet perceive  
Just causes, of the public thanks we give;  
Of their concernments, take so little heed,  
That, to awaken them, I will proceed.  
The Tyrant, had some other Instruments,  
(To further him, in his unjust intents)  
In order to our Bondage: among whom,  
None did more mischievous to us become,  
(Nor, any, for him, play their Prizes better)  
Then, his proud Priests: nor, was he more a debtor  
To any, then to them: and, I dare say,  
So dearly for it, he, to none did pay.  
His Prelates, and their underlings, he bought  
To serve his ends, (by giving what they sought  
And what he had in gift) or, else perchance,  
He might in Vain, have piped them a dance.  
Instead of Preaching Christ, they preached us down  
To Slavery; and idolised the Crown:  
Then, to require what they had done, for him;  
He, fooled away three Royal-Crowns, for them:  
They (seeming confident he should prevail)  
Upon his Kingly Person did entail,  
Divinity; that, arrogate he might  
His usurpations, by a Sacred right:  
He, to retaliate what they bestowed  
With Temporal possessions, them endowed:  
And these by their false Doctrines did besot  
The vulgar so; that, in them it begot,  
Idolatry; and therein they hold on,  
Their Dotage, though their Deity is gone:  
Yea, though their Idol, quite destroyed they see,  
And, Dagon-like, without a head to be.  
To make his Clerick Engines serviceable.  
(Yet further) he, did strongly them enable  
With power Canonical; which would have brought  
More mischiefs on us, then most had in thought;  
And, such, as might at length, have entrance made  
For all, that superstition, would have had;  
(Althought 'twas cloaked with a formal zeal,  
Of Piety, their purpose to conceal;)  
And, when these preparations, had unhallowed  
Our Churches; Popery, would soon have followed:  
The People, should have been, once more, an Ass,  
For Prelates to have ridden as it was;  
Kings should have been but Blocks to help them on,  
And, Emperors, their Stirrups wait upon.  
But, mark Gods, Justice, and retaliation,  
To these; for, it is worth your observation:  
The Prelates, justly, lost their tempralties,  
For smooth'ring Truth, and Preaching vanities.  
For seizing that, which Legally is known,  
The people's right, the King hath lost his own:  
And King and Prelates, joining both together,  
In Tyranny, have ruined each other.  
Thus far, you see God's mercies; and, thereby  
May see, his Justice, too, with half an eye,  
And what must have succeeded ere this day,  
If these, had t●ved their wicked way;  
And, we are graceless, if we praise not him,  
By whom, We had deliverance from them:  
For, by those Hydra's heads, not yet berest,  
(And by that poison, which is in them left)  
It is apparent, We should scarf have had,  
A day of rest until our Graves were made.  
On us, by his Assistants, he had brought  
Such Slavery, that, we had scarcely ought  
T●● call our own; Or, at the least, left Free  
From those Intrusions, which were like to be:  
Yet, worse it would have been; as, might appear  
Beyond dispute, should I make mention, here,  
What, I have known, and seen, in preparation,  
To bring a further Bondage; on this Nation.  
Most, are forgetful of what's past; and, some  
By never heeding it, are now become  
Unthankful Murmurers, repining at  
Their present Contributions, to the State:  
Because, the Payments, yet imposed, are more,  
By much (as they conceive) then heretofore:  
(Considering, neither what necessities  
Now are; nor, from whose Faults, they do arise.  
There is, indeed, a very Large expense,  
Occasioned to make our Just-defence,  
Against the many practices of those  
Who, settlement of Peace do still oppose:  
And by long lasting Wars, at Sea, and Land.  
(In several Kingdoms) thereby, to withstand,  
Our present enemies (and to prevent  
Their future purposes) vast sums, are spent:  
But, this, was by Constraint; and, we have hope  
These Issues of expense, will quickly stop;  
If we with Patience, for a while, could bear  
With those disbursements which Compelled are:  
And, would consider, at how much more cost,  
We were, that, all our Freedoms might be Lost.  
As, also, what great burdens, it would bring,  
To readmit a tyrannising King,  
With all those swarms of Locusts, and of flies,  
Which are begot, and fed by Tyrannies:  
With what must be exacted to maintain  
The boundless Cravings, of his hungry Train.  
We like the Sons of Jacob, were oppressed;  
And, God, is making us, a Path to Rest,  
As, he did them, so, he, doth lead us through  
Much Hardship, and great difficulties, now:  
And some of us, like them, (nay, worse than they)  
Even almost at the Period of our way,  
Would back return; and, brutishly Complain  
As if our Ease, were sharper than our pain.  
Now therefore, I will here insert a Note  
Expressing part, of what we have forgot;  
That, when our former burdens we review,  
We may, more thankfully, our Peace pursue.  
We were oppressed by his vain expense,  
Of Large Revenues, which, for our defence,  
And for the Nations honour, were with him,  
Entrusted; For, by his consuming them  
Upon vain Lusts; constrained we were, to add  
Supplies, ofttimes; for which, Returns we had  
Of many new occasions, to increase  
Our burdens, rather than to make them Less:  
And still whatever was on him bestown  
He took without Thanksgiving, as his own.  
Great Subsidies, which such like payments gained  
By false pretences (as by dangers feigned.  
Or some like that,) by him, were, also, spent  
In prosecutions, to the detriment.  
Of all the Nation; and so, all that Cost  
Was, thereby (as to us) much worse than Lost.  
By many, other ways, he did enlarge  
Our burdens, and this Nation overcharge.  
By universal Loans; with an Intent,  
Never, to render back, the money Lent.  
By Privy Seals; which, he did seldom pay  
Except, for other borrowings, to make way.  
By Contributions, termed Free; although,  
We paid them, whether, we did List, or no.  
By houshould-Compositions, (for the Table,  
The kitchen, cellar, and the Royal Stable)  
Which, of themselves, (if we consider shall  
What, Officers exacted, therewithal)  
Might have maintained a King, much better than  
All Scotland's Royal patrimony can.  
Yet, this too, (as I find, by Inquisition),  
Was taken, by a forced Composition.  
To these, may added be, what he encroached  
By Projects, and by Offices new broached  
By selling-places, by drowned Lands, and fens;  
By Fines, for Cottages of other men's;  
By wrong pretended right, to Lands concealed;  
By Vlnage, and by clothes, and Drapries sealed;  
By Patents, Corporations, Fees, and Toll;  
By several Writs and money by the Poll:  
By coat and, Conduct-money; and, by that  
For Ships, which, was extremely Grumbled at.  
By Tunnage, Poundage, customs, both in use,  
And pretermitted; to the great abuse  
Of Trade and Merchants; who, tho paying of these  
To be secured from pirates on the Seas,  
Were left unguarded; to the frequent spoil,  
Of Private men, and weakening of this Isle.  
Moreover, out of our Estates, he made  
Large profit, by the forfeitures, he had;  
By Bonds recognisances, and, by Suits;  
By Tenths, by Lycences, and by First-fruits,  
Escheats, Amercements, Mulcts of several sorts,  
In several Causes; and in several Courts.  
By Wards, and Marriages; by suing forth  
Of Liveries (which now are nothing worth)  
By Honorary Titles, sold to such  
As were not thereby honoured so much,  
As honour was disgraced; by great sums paid  
For Corronation-Knights; by coinage, Aid;  
And, by a multitude of ways beside,  
(Too many, hereby, to be specified)  
This Nation was oppressed. All which, though now  
Of their late Griefs, forgetful, many grow,  
(More notice taking, of what Lies upon  
Their backs, at present, then, of what is g●●●e)  
Would, if summed up, a greater burden prove  
Then we have born, our Bondage to remove  
Considering his vast Incomes, needlessly  
Were wasted, on his Lusts; or, that thereby  
He might enslave us: whereas, all we spent  
Was by Constraint, or, that, we might prevent  
Bell, and the Dragons, ravenous designs:  
And, therefore, whosoever, thereat repines,  
Doth neither his own welfare, understand,  
Nor, that great work, which God, hath now in hand.  
But, if our Citizens, who have forgot  
Their former Pressures (and, begin to dote  
Upon an idol-majesty) would take,  
More heed; they doubtless, more esteem would make  
Of God's late Mercies; and, an offering Bring  
To expiate their cursed Murmuring.  
If, they would mind, at what uncertainties,  
They did possess their goods, and Liberties;  
What Interruptions, formerly they had;  
What Innovations, as concerning Trade:  
How oft, their Charters, upon slight pretence,  
Were questioned, to put them to expense:  
What Presents, they have been constrained to give,  
For Favours, which, they never could receive;  
What Bribes, to get their grievances removed;  
And how unfruitful, Nay-the-less they proved;  
What Scorns, and What disgraces, in time past,  
On them, have undeservedly been cast;  
How oft, when Legally, they sought their own,  
They were abused, and into Prisons thrown,  
Till they were glad, to quit a long-due-debt,  
Lest, else, a greater mischief they might get.  
Would they remember, their late sad Condition.  
Occasioned, by the Cruel Inquisition  
Set up at Lambeth; by the merciless  
Starchamber Court; and by th'Imperiousness  
Of his Court-Marshal; where their Innocence,  
Was racked and tortured, by the Insolence,  
Of Officers; of Clarks; Apparators;  
Of Pursuivants; and cutthroat Messengers.  
Were it remembered more, how they, complained,  
Of grievances by their late King sustained,  
And his ill councillors: (whom we now see  
Not half so worthy, of our blame as he)  
They would not in their Courage, be so poor;  
Nor, so unlike, to what they were before.  
Yea, would they but recall, how furiously  
They Acted (Even almost to mutiny)  
Against the King; and to th' encouragement  
Of this (then, Highly honoured) Parliament;  
How zealously, Horse, money, Arms, and Plate,  
They, then, Contributed, to Vindicate,  
Their nigh-Lost Liberties; how oft, they fought,  
To bring to Pass what, now to Pass is brought;  
And, therewithal, would seriously take heed,  
That whatsoever did thereupon succeed,  
Beyond their first aim, was, God's work (not our)  
They would confess his Justice, with his Power,  
And Mercy: For, all these were manifest,  
When, of his Throne, the King, he dispossessed;  
And took away both Crown, and Life from him,  
That, our, and his long-sufferings, did contemn.  
These things, could they consider somewhat more,  
They would more thankful be, than heretofore;  
And, not so irreligiously persever  
To murmur, that, God blessed their own endeavour;  
Nor, be so mad, to aid those, underhand,  
Who, Gods, declared purposes, withstand;  
Lest, their Ingratitude, he should repay  
With greater Plagues, then, he hath took away:  
And, give them, in his anger, such a thing,  
As they deserve, another, Tyrant King.  
If, Likewise, they, who in the Country-s●ng  
Thanksgivings backward, (and with murmuring  
Require God's mercies) would, by looking back,  
On what is past, more heedful notice take  
What, yearly, out of their Estates was taken,  
In Lamb, Veal, Butter, poultry, Eggs, and Bacon;  
In Wheat, Oats, Hay, and such like things as these,  
(From which exactions, they are now at ease)  
How oft their teems, and Carts, were forced from  
Their husbandries, and Harvest-works at home:  
To their great detriment, for hire, but small,  
And, many times, for no reward, at all:  
How oft, their Saddle-Horses, as his own,  
Were, by his Courtiers. Posted up and down  
As for the public, upon public Warrants,  
When, they were, only, sent on Private errands:  
How, by the multiplying of his Game,  
Oppressed, and enslaved, they became,  
To their great Detriment; yea, many times,  
To their undoing, for suspected Crimes:  
And, how, their nimrod's (or chief Foresters)  
With their insulting under-officers,  
Compelled many, for their preservations,  
Quite to forsake, their Ancient Habitations,  
Or leave their Fields, or Woods, unto the spoil  
Of useless Beasts, and Beastly-men, the while.  
Would they, these things Consider; and, that those  
Taxations, which the State doth now impose;  
With all their late oppressive Plunderings,  
Large Contributions, and Free Quarterings,  
Were first occasioned, by his tyrannies;  
(Or, their own falsehood, or Neutralities)  
They would not, like the murmuring Israelites,  
Render abuse, Reproaches, and despites,  
To their Deliverers; because, a few,  
Among them, to their trust, have proved untrue;  
And, to their own loss, by their selfishness,  
Defer that Peace, which, else, they might Possess.  
Nor would they, so unthankfully, desire  
To their Egyptian Thraldom, to retire,  
And to their garlic; when there feet, were brought  
So near, unto that Rest, which, long they fought:  
Muchless, when they had (as it were) been fed  
With Manna. and, Mirac'lously been led  
Through many straits (for wonderment, no les●  
Then, Israel Passed, in the Wilderness)  
Would they, by staggering, in a Good-proceed,  
Both reinslave themselves, and all their seed.  
Now, if (as other Voluntary preachers  
Presume to do) I, may to teach my Teachers  
Take boldness: I would seriously advise  
Some, of our clergy, to become more wise:  
Even those, who, by a peevish frowardness,  
Neglect, not only, that due Thankfulness,  
Which is commanded; but, make others too  
Prevaricate, from what they ought to do;  
By slighting what Authority enjoins,  
And prosecuting of their own designs.  
Oh, God what bold, what strange apostasy  
Is this? And from a Christian Ministry,  
How disagrees it, that they should profess  
Or, teach, or soothe up an unthankfulness?  
And, whence, proceeds it, but from their old vice,  
Of Selfishness, or Pride, or Averice?  
Which, (as it hath, well near, already, done)  
Will lose them all, that, they insist upon;  
If, they proceed to prosecute those ends  
Which they and their fraternity intends,  
God, bears me witness, I envy them not  
The least Advantages which to their Lot,  
By right, pertain; But, rather, would improve,  
My Vote, (with real heartiness, and Love)  
To give them double-honour, and advanc●  
What is their due, by sacred Ordinance:  
For they who serve him without By-Respects▪  
Had never cause to say, that God neglects  
Their service; though he sometime sends them forth,  
Neither with money, or with money worth:  
As, every one observes, who taketh heed,  
How plentifully at all times of need,  
He them supplies, that, his allowance take  
With thankfulness, and work, for Conscience sake,  
Without Capitulating, whether they  
In Pensions, or, in Tithes, shall have their pay.  
What is it Angers them? Are they displeased,  
(Though, of their former Grievances, now eased)  
That, they, themselves impowered do not find  
To Act the Prelates, in another kind?  
And, to succeed them in their vast Possessions,  
Which was the chief end of their Oppositions?]  
Are they, again desirous of a King?  
How so? Since, they are those, who, first did bring  
Those things to controversy, whereupon,  
That Justice, which they murmur at, was done?  
What, can they hope, by bringing back again  
That Power, whereof, they lately did complain?  
But, greater mischiess, and a heavier yoke,  
Then that, which from their Necks, was lately broke?  
Considering, what confederates, they now have  
This Nation, and Themselves, to reinslave?  
Are they afraid those Tithe-pigs may be lost,  
Which have so many Tracts and Sermons cost  
To prove them sacred? That's, a needless fear,  
As, yet; For, by our Laws confirmed they are:  
And, till supreme power, shall by Law revoke them,  
They, may receive them, as they lately took them:  
And without question, all such due supplies  
Will still vouchsafed be, as many suffice.  
Nor have they cause to murmur, though it may  
Provided, for them be, some other way  
Since, by their Scotish Discipline, they find  
Their claimed Tithes, are seldom paid in kind.  
Is it, their zeal against New-Heresies,  
The Ranters tenants, or the Blasphemies,  
Whereof the Scot injuriously avers  
Our State, and Army to be favourers,  
Which makes them discontent? I think not so,  
What e'er they may pretend: for, they well know,  
The Parliament hath lately made a Law,  
To keep Blasphemous Libertines in awe;  
And to correct their Manners, who transgress  
Against the Rules of Moral Righteousness;  
And, from our Armies frequently they hear,  
That such, by them severely punished are.  
Let them take heed, lest their Endeavour flows  
From Causes which may prove much worse than those  
There mentioned; even from an Interest▪  
Pursued, to raise the throne of Antichrist  
A new found way: or else, from some vain hope,  
In every parish to erect a Pope.  
Let them take heed, lest ere they be aware,  
Their Carnal policy may them ensnare:  
For by that power, whereat their Parties aim,  
They seem to be affected with his Claim  
Who, to God's throne aspires: or else, to that  
Which will produce a double-headed State.  
Or, that, at least, from thence, this may redound;  
That, (if the royalists can cure their wound  
By what, is now designed; They, and their Friends  
The Romanists may thereby gain some ends  
Obstructive to our Peace; though totally  
Destructive to their New Presbytery;  
Which they seditiously have preached and prayed,  
To build up by their groundworks, lately said.  
Oh! therefore, let them speedily return  
To their lost Path; for their backslidings, mourn;  
Observe God's Providence, approve his ways,  
And join with us, in singing of his Praise.  
Let them stir up their Flocks to Thankfulness,  
Like others of their Calling, who profess  
The selfsame Faith; and help us, to redeem  
The losses of Advantages, and Time,  
Occasioned by their Schism; that, we and they  
May friendlike walk together in one way,  
Partakers, of that happy peaceful being,  
Which is deferred, by our disagreeing.  
For, were all well considered, all men would,  
Without the least obscurity, behold,  
What cause we have, to sing God's Praise, this day,  
For taking of our Slaveries away:  
And, in the first place, for removing Him,  
Who, wore, unworthily, the Diadem,  
Of Supreme Government. But, lest, some, yet,  
May our fore-past-condition so forget,  
As to believe, we might have been secured,  
From that, which under Kingship we endured,  
By regulating it (which, I once thought,  
Till, I by Providence, was better taught)  
Let them, with me, take notice, and, well weigh  
How many hundred years, we did assay  
This Remedy in vain; and, heretofore  
Spend all our pains, to wash a blackamoor.  
Let them look back, and heed, how oft we Fought,  
And by fair-means, and humble Prayer, sought  
A firm establishment, of what, we knew,  
(And had oft proved) to be our proper-due:  
How many Charters, and, how many Laws,  
Were made, by Kings, in favour of our Cause:  
How many Curses, and sad Imprecations,  
Were laid upon their wilful Violations:  
How many times, their Royal words, we had;  
How many Oaths, and Vows, were sworn, and made;  
Yet, faithlessly, still, broken, afterward,  
Without remorse of Conscience, or, regard  
Of God, or Men; and, still, revoked, as soon  
As opportunities were fastened on,  
To prosecute, again, their Tyranny.  
And, let us likewise, heed impartially,  
How much, our late King, laboured to make void  
His free Donations; and, to have destroyed  
His own Concessions: what dire Imprecations  
He likewise, ventured on; what Protestations,  
He dared, with a purpose to deceive;  
And, with a hope of making us believe,  
He, meant us well; when, he did all the while,  
Intend his Own-advantage, and, our Spoil:  
Improving, still, (what, e'er, he did pretend)  
All our Indulgences, to his first end,  
Even to his Death: witness, his, laying Plots  
To make a Rent, betwixt us, and the Scots;  
Yea, and, among ourselves, that very time,  
In which, we Treating were, of Peace, with him.  
Hoping, at last, by one device or other,  
To make us, do his work▪ and fall together.  
And, of those jugglings, now, the fruits appear,  
In Ireland, Scotland, Holland, France, and here.  
What could, we have, expected, from a King,  
So wilful, and so false, in every thing?  
Or, from the offspring, of a Generation,  
So long time, rooted in Prevarication?  
So long, irreconcilably professed  
An enemy, to public Interest?  
And, claiming, so Imperiously, to be,  
From all the Bands of Law, and Reason, free?  
What hopes could we have had, that, we should ever  
Have tamed this Leon, by our best endeavour?  
Or, any of his Whelps? or, means have found,  
Whereby, they might have been, securely bound,  
From Crushing all our bones; if, they again,  
Should slip, their collars, or else break their Chain?  
For my part, I so well found, what he was;  
That, though I had large offers of his Grace,  
And studied his chief good; yet, still I found,  
His Heart so hard, so double, and unfound,  
(Even to his last breath) that, I must confess  
It was God's mercy, and, our Happiness  
That, he so fell; and, 'twill be to the Glory  
Of this our Nation, in their future Story,  
That, whereas others have Clandestinely,  
By poison, or by murder, secretly,  
Removed their Tyrants; we, with open face;  
By public Justice; in a public place;  
In presence, of his friends, and, in despite  
Of all our foes, and every opposite,  
tried, judged, and Executed, without fear;  
The greatest Tyrant, ever reigning here.  
Take Then, Gamaliel's counsel, and submit,  
To that, which Providence, adjudgeth fit  
Should come to pass; left else, perhaps, you may  
Be found resisters of your God, this day.  
Halt not twixt two opinions, as ye do;  
But, heed his walkings, and, conform thereto.  
if, to this Government, you do adhere,  
Let, it, by your Obedience, now appear:  
If, you Dissent; make public your Protest,  
As we have done; unite your Interest,  
To Him, whom you desirous are should Reign:  
And, if you dare, come, and appeal again  
To God, That, he may quickly send you thither,  
Where, you may perish, or repent together:  
For, we are confident, the work begun  
Our God, will prosper, still, as he hath done;  
And, that when such as you, are in your place,  
We, shall behold the fullness of his Grace.  
But ere you grow so mad to run that way,  
Be pleased to hear, what I have more to say.  
What profit will you get at last by that,  
Which you have indiscreetly aimed at,  
Tho it should thrive; and, you, should hither bring  
With all his Rabblement, the Scotish King?  
Should they with all their strength unite together,  
And like an Inundation, flow in hither;  
Set your Fair Towns, and Villages on fire,  
(As you, in probability, desire)  
Which would be done, (though you desired it not)  
If, there to your assistance they had got:  
If, with a lousy Army they should cover  
Your fruitful fields; spread your fair Meadows over  
With their Devouring-Troops; your houses fill  
With Nasty sluts, and Grooms against your will;  
Making your Parlours, and your Halls to stink  
With sluttery, like a dunghill, or a sink:  
If you should see your hardly-gotten-stores,  
Devoured by loose Commanders, and their whores;  
Their Brutish followers rudely take the bread,  
With which, your little-childrens should be fed,  
Out of their hands; and keep you so in awe,  
That you should scarcely dare to lodge in straw,  
(Although your own) whilst those bold guests did lie  
In your soft beds; and some stand empty by:  
Should you behold them, proudly domineer,  
Where you this day, both Lords, and Masters are:  
Should you, who may, in peace enjoy your lives,  
See your estates, your Children, and your Wives,  
Encroached upon; the first of them possessed  
By those, who feigned friendship had professed;  
The other, even before your face, misused;  
The last, perhaps, immodestly abused:  
And you yourself, if that appear disliked)  
Disgracefully, both flouted at, and kicked.  
Should you bell ol ● such things, which (if they come  
Upon those terms that are desired by some)  
Would surely follow; what should you then gain  
By that, whereof you seem to be so fain?  
Think you, the most Malignant Cavaliers,  
The worst of Papists, and of Presbyters  
(United in a Trinity together)  
Will bring you purity of worship hither?  
Or, can the wisest man alive conceive,  
What Linsey-woolsey-stuff the Kirk must weave,  
To make a Garment, which will fit and please,  
A body, made up of such Crooks' as these?  
Or frame a discipline that will agree,  
With such dissenting parties as those three?  
Can you be so imprudent to suppose,  
That your New feigned friends, and Ancient foes,  
(Disgraced and engraged as now they are)  
With any good intentions will draw near?  
Or give you precious things, to make you brave?  
Or better Fields and Gardens, than you have?  
Or that your entertainment, whilst they stay,  
Will cost you less than what we monthly pay  
Unto our Army, which by that expense  
Is yet maintained, for our just defence?  
Or can you dream (if at their choice it stand)  
That, having found the sweetness of this Land,  
The Scots, will be so mad, as thence to go  
To feed on Thistles, and to lie in Snow?  
Or think you, they, had lately, gone away  
So quietly, but to obtain their pay,  
To render them more able to come back,  
When more it might for their advantage make?  
Do you believe that, they intend to bring  
Their lately crowned, and new-converted King,  
To vindicate the justness of our Cause?  
Our ancient Freedoms, and our English Laws?  
Or, that, they (having little of their own,  
To keep him) so much cost would have bestown,  
But, that, they are made hopeful to advance  
As well their own wealth, as his maintenance  
From your Estates? Can your Dull brains, admit,  
That, he, or his, for ever, will forget,  
His father's head? his own deserved disgrace?  
And, on what Terms, you forced him to embrace  
A loathed Covenant, which, he did take,  
More for a Kingdom, then for Conscience sake?  
Or can you be so blind, as not to see  
That, all things, which in your possession be,  
Will scarce suffice to make full recompense,  
For Damages, and losses, ever since  
These wars began; when, he makes Computation  
Thereof, and shall demand a Reparation?  
Especially, when all his needy-Train,  
And Greedy-party, shall to him complain  
For satisfaction, of their Vast Arrears?  
Losses, and Expectations, like to theirs?  
Believe it, ere that debt, will quite be paid,  
They, who are yet, of no such thing afraid,  
Will find, that most (or all of them) shall be  
contributors thereto, as well as we,  
Who are proscribed: And, that, if they are rich,  
It will not then, considered be so much,  
How they affected stood, as what they have,  
To satisfy the lusts, of those that crave:  
And, all they, who are Neuters, now, or Friends  
In secret, unto that, which he intends,  
Shall, find small means, to help distinguish them  
From those, whom he, for traitors, will condemn.  
And, their false friends, will then retaliate  
Their former hate, and falsehood to this State.  
Oh! left, this come to pass, more thankful be  
To him, who hath begun, to set you free,  
From former Bondage; and, from what you may,  
Occasion, by an Ill-advised way.  
Observe well, whether that, which God hath wrought,  
●or this poor Nation, could to pass be brought,  
〈◊〉 strength, or Wit of men; had he not been,  
Our helper; and, assistances brought in.  
How, had so many, been so oft, by few,  
Defeated else? how, had the Foes they flew  
And took, so often, more than doubled those,  
Whom, they in open Battle, did oppose?  
●ow, else, had we so often saved been  
〈◊〉 bringing of one Single-vote, between  
Our spoil, and us? how, having had, a Foe  
〈◊〉 strong, so crafty (and, a Party too  
Of his, within our bosoms) had we thus,  
Prevailed, and escaped, what threatened us?  
Yea, and, among so, many murmurings;  
Among so many disencouragings,  
As we have had? and, (which is worse than so)  
Amidst, A People, not so wise, to know,  
Who, seeks their Weal? how, had we stood so long  
But, that, God gave us hearts, and made us strong:  
Had I, a memory, and time to spare,  
But half those Evidences to declare,  
Which, of God's Providence, my observation  
Hath taken heed of, by the dispensation,  
Of mercies, to this Land, since, he begun,  
〈◊〉 prosecute, what he for us hath done,  
〈◊〉 Order to our Peace; you, would behold  
〈◊〉 chain of Graces, richer, then of Gold,  
Pearls, Diamonds, and Rubies; and, believe  
●o other Nations ever did receive,  
More tokens of his love. Could I disclose,  
〈◊〉 Mischievous and deep designs of those,  
Who laid the first foundation of this War;  
〈◊〉, how far on, their Projects carried were,  
In England, and in Ireland, ere our eyes,  
Observed the chief ends of their Policies:  
How, first, the Lawyers and Ambitious Priests,  
Were wooed and won to serve his Interests;  
And, active to become, In making void  
The Just proprieties, that we enjoyed,  
In Civil things; and, render our condition  
More flavish by inducing Superstition.  
How, next he wrought upon, those Hypocrites,  
Who, seeming Patrons, of the people's rights,  
Became, at last to be the worst of those,  
Who to the Publike-Liberties, are foes.  
Could, I expression make, How, God improved,  
His mercies to this Isle when he removed  
Strafford, and Canterbury; how, their Plot,  
To ruin us, by aiming at the Scot,  
(As their first mark) was made the means of 〈◊〉  
Which we were hopeless of arriving at,  
(By such a far-fetched Compass) and, brought on  
What we did never purpose to have done.  
Should I, at full, illustrate here, how, they  
Came, first, to do their own work; then, took 〈◊〉  
To Further ours; and, by mere standing still,  
Enabled us, to do (against their Will)  
What they pretended, with no true intents;  
As hath been manifested by th' events.  
Such, as their fraudful Juggling, in receiving  
The King near Newark; thereby, us hereaving:  
Of those Advantages, for which we Fought:  
And, for which, we their help had dearly bought.  
Such, as their wresting, that, which they professed  
Four our joint Good, to private-Interest;  
Making the Covenant, seem a just occasion,  
Of Prosecuting an unjust Invasion.  
Such, as their Practices when, here they Lay  
Like Snakes within our bosoms, to betray  
〈◊〉 ruin us; by working upon those,  
Who were too Credulous, of their fair-shows,  
〈◊〉 Piety, and Love; For, whilst they were  
With kindness, entertained amongst us, here,  
They were but Spies and Agents to promote  
Their own designs; And, doubtless, had it not  
〈◊〉 God prevented been we had been more  
〈◊〉 this by them enslaved, them heretofore,  
〈◊〉 by those Actings, which we saw by them  
Pursued when they, were weakened from the dream  
Which they pretended, (and which we did take  
〈◊〉 truth, till we, from dreamings did awake)  
All men may evidently now perceive  
What, we, of their Intentions may believe.  
If, I, could make you apprehend the grace,  
Which God vouchsafed when he pleased was  
To move the King a Parliament to call,  
That should be made destructive unto all  
His own designs; permitting, that he should  
〈◊〉 his Fine-Devices, be so fooled,  
As to restore, (of that Just-power it had)  
〈◊〉 much, as that, It could not be unmade,  
Without it own Assent; you would believe,  
That, mercy, was a visible reprieve  
From our undoing. For, that made the way,  
To other privileges which long lay,  
Unheeded, or unpractised; because,  
Prerogative, had swallowed up the Laws,  
Or, seized upon the Power, by which, we might  
Regain possession, of our Ancient-Right.  
But, having, thereby, got that Power again,  
Which, we are hopeful, they shall still retain)  
They (for abusing Kingship, heretofore)  
Enacted, that, we should have, Kings, no more.  
Should I, sum up, what dangers did appear,  
And, what, Gods open, and close mercies were,  
When Gloucester was besieged; when, many thought,  
They, other habitations must have fought;  
And, sent the Goods, and Treasure, they could spare  
To Amsterdam, to be secured there.  
When, Bristol was resigned; and, all the Land  
(Save one poor Corner) in the tyrant's hand.  
When, in the West, one General, began  
To grow afraid, and from his Army ran,  
When, by another, something was was misdone,  
Of no mean consequence, at Dennington.  
When, other Chiefs, (by rambling up and down)  
With their Brigades, their Credits had, o'er thrown:  
And, did begin to Act destructively.  
To them, whose good success, they did envy.  
When, they, who for our Succour, feigned to come,  
Conspired against us, here, and, than went home  
To prosecute their mischiefs,. When, the Foe,  
Became so strong, and, We, so weak did grow,  
That, for our reinforcement, we were fain  
To take all comers; and, some to constrain;  
In whom, we could but sorily confide.  
When, in our Houses false friends did reside,  
More to our cost, and to the hazarding  
Of all; then all, the Armies, of the King.  
When, Our first Champions (who did over-ween  
Their own deserts) swollen big with Pride, and Spleen,  
Jeered our New-Model'd-Army, as if none  
Could do such wondrous feats, as they had done,  
When, from the Parliament, by shameless lies,  
Weekly perpetuated by supplies)  
The people's hearts, were wooed away, to those,  
That were, and are, and will be, still their Foes▪  
When Fury had possessed many so,  
That, like a sudden Torrent, they did flow  
Impetuously, up to the senate-door;  
Yea, break in thither, and, there foam, and ro●●  
Should I proceed on further, and, with these  
Make mention of God's great deliverances,  
When, he at Hull, the first and second time,  
Did nullify a Royal Stratagem.  
When likewise, there appeared a dangerous Rent,  
〈◊〉 City, Army, and in Parliament;  
Not only, those dividing from each other,  
●ut from themselves, to ruin altogether.  
When, both the Armies unto God appealed,  
As to their sovereign Judge, at Naasby-field:  
When, all things, that were dear unto us, lay,  
Upon the doubtful trial of one day.  
When God, at Brainford, by a poor man's wit,  
And valour, (which none hath considered yet)  
〈◊〉 our Chief-city. For, had not, He, been,  
The King, had then surprised it, by design,  
With all our Train (left for him in the way  
〈◊〉 Hammersmith) whilst, our Commanders lay  
●●cure at London; who, did, little fear,  
〈◊〉 great a danger, had been, than so near.  
〈◊〉, should I tell, with every Circumstance,  
God's mercy shown in our Deliverance,  
When (after quenching of the Gen'ral flame)  
●●fested, with new, Mischiefs, we became.  
When Wales revolted; when, with Surrey, Kent,  
And, Essex followed that bad precedent.  
When, Scotland (their confederate) came in  
〈◊〉 second, what their falsehood did begin;  
〈◊〉, after all their great hopes, and vain brags,  
Were glad, to beg the saving of their Craggs.  
When, our perfidious Seamen, did betray  
Their trust; and with our Sea-guard stole away.  
When, our unfriendly Neighbours, looked on,  
The Treason, as well pleased with what was done;  
〈◊〉, did, increase our hazard, by supplying  
〈◊〉 Foes wants; and, by under-hand-complying▪  
when, all our Ports, upon the Irish Coast,  
(With every Inland Town) save two, were lost.  
When our sick Army, likewise, near Dunbar  
Enclosed by their Adversaries were,  
Without the least, Reserve, in their distress;  
Weak Weary, Wounded, Hungry, Harbourless,  
Wet, Cold, and straightened so, that in their Power  
(Both by the Foes opinion, and by Our,)  
They seemed to be; till, God looked through the cloud  
And, then, the Lowly, trampled on the Proud.  
And, lastly; when, Surrender up was made  
Of Edinburgh Castle; which, we had,  
At such a season as much more than doubles  
The Benefit; considering, what troubles,  
(What dangers) might have followed; had 〈◊〉  
So opportunely, that Strong-Fortress got:  
And this great mercy, was the Just occasion,  
Of this days meeting and Solemnization.  
When these deliu'rances, and of this kind,  
Some others, I do fully call to mind;  
With all the Circumstances, too, whereby  
We might illustrate every Victory,  
To God's due praise; and, to th' annihilating  
Of our Endeavours; therewith Meditating,  
What, we have gained; and what it might have cost  
Had any of our hopes, in these, been lost;  
(Or, his Assistances withholden been  
During those straits, which, we were sometimes 〈◊〉  
I cannot, but unfeignedly confess,  
His Goodness, with a hearty thankfulness;  
And, for the Honour of his Name, assay,  
To keep, an Everlasting holiday.  
To these Considerations, I might add,  
How many are displeased, and almost mad,  
With Rage, to see that, still, in their dispignt.  
God looks upon our Thrivings, with delight,  
〈◊〉, still, makes void their Malice; still, unknots,  
From time to time) and Nullifies their Plots.  
〈◊〉 Constantly, He, Leads our Armies on  
With Victories; as if, the Work were done  
Before they came; and, left them nothing else  
〈◊〉 do; but, take the prisoners, and the spoils.  
〈◊〉 strangely. He, in Ireland, did begin  
〈◊〉 make us Room; when, we had scarce, therein  
〈◊〉 of Landing, wherein, we might say  
〈◊〉 could have been secured, for one day.  
〈◊〉 swiftly, he hath prosecuted there,  
●vengements, for the bloody Massacre,  
〈◊〉 our dear Brethren; and, what fair hopes, he  
Vouchsafes, that fully it avenged will be.  
〈◊〉 great a mercy, 'twas that now the Scot,  
〈◊〉 reinvading us prevented not  
〈◊〉 making, in their Land the feat of War;  
Which, they intended should be settled here:  
〈◊〉, what this Blessing is, they truly see,  
〈◊〉 feel, this day, where, now, both Armies be.  
But, over and above all this, there's, yet  
〈◊〉 mercy, which, if we forget  
〈◊〉 mention, to God's praise, we do amiss:  
〈◊〉, much it will avail us; and, 'tis this.  
〈◊〉 Bloody Irish, whose chief interest,  
Depends upon the, ten horns of the Beast,  
And, Sea of Rome) have with all diligence,  
Endeavoured for assistances from thence:  
〈◊〉 was there want, in them, of Willingness,  
〈◊〉 second their desires; yet, nay-the-less,  
They have obtained, hitherto, thereby,  
〈◊〉 Aid, considerable, or supply:  
〈◊〉, God, who, our Avenger is become,  
〈◊〉 cast on that Leviathan of Rome,  
〈◊〉 Chain; and, fastened in his Nostrils too,  
●Hook which hinders what he fain would do.  
God, likewise, ever since, our wars begun,  
(As if, to find them Work, till his were done)  
Hath so distracted every Christian King,  
And every▪ Commonwealth, near neigh'bouring,  
With Jealousies, and discontents at home;  
With Wars abroad; Or, with Invasions from  
Their foreign foes; that, what they would have do●●  
They dared not: but, stood, only, looking on,  
To see our Fall; to watch, how we did play  
Our Game; and, where, their best Advantage lay,  
What, but a Providence, and, such a one,  
As may ascribed be to God alone,  
Could so have timed, and ordered every thing,  
That, they, advantages to us might bring?  
What, Denmark would have done, their foe, the Swed●●●  
Did, by an Act unlooked for, impede.  
What, France intended, was made also vain,  
By their Domostique Jars, and, wars with Spain.  
What, Spain, could have been highly pleased with●●  
Was hindered, both by France, and Portugal.  
The Powerful, and wary Netherlanders,  
Were grown so jealous, of their own Commanders,  
That, though they were unfreindly, at the first,  
(And, countenanced our Foes, in what they durst)  
Yet, peradventure, seeing (or else fearing)  
A mischief, over their own heads, appearing;  
They, have not put opon us, worse conditions,  
Then, very well became such politicians.  
But, had not God, in season, took from thence,  
That rash, and overmuch entrusted Prince,  
Who had almost enslaved them; we, and they,  
Or, both of us, had (probably) this day,  
Been much imbroyled: and, therefore, they, and we  
Should, for that timely favour, thankful be.  
The Portugal, hath had his bridles too,  
Restraining him, from, what, he fain would do  
〈◊〉 Hollander, and Spaniard daily keep  
〈◊〉 hands in action, and his eyes from sleep;  
〈◊〉 that which he hath done in opposition,  
〈◊〉 us, will but accelerate perdition,  
〈◊〉 those whom he secured, against our State;  
〈◊〉 bring them, to repent, when 'tis too late:  
〈◊〉 'twill but keep our 〈◊〉 abroad, a while,  
〈◊〉 show the world, God's favour to this Isle;  
〈◊〉 make it heed, what work, he hath begun;  
〈◊〉 make them know, that, what is left undone,  
〈◊〉 but for trial of their faith, and our;  
〈◊〉, to illustrate so, his boundless power,  
〈◊〉 they may be assured to confess,  
〈◊〉 love, his wisdom and his righteousness.  
And for assurance, that, it shall be thus,  
〈◊〉 what earnest, God hath given us,  
〈◊〉, we had long time, controverted, here,  
〈◊〉 interest; and made the same appear,  
〈◊〉 humble pleadings, and by hearty cries,  
〈◊〉 God against our late King's tyrannies;  
〈◊〉 saw no good success: we brought our cause,  
According to our ancient English laws)  
Before him by appeals. And by the sword,  
〈◊〉 last decision, which those laws afford)  
〈◊〉 the same, to proof; both parties being,  
●●ntented, and in that appeal agreeing.  
●orthwith, both Drums, and Trumpets thereupon,  
●unded a Charge; the battles joined, fell on;  
〈◊〉, God before whose throne our cause was tried,  
〈◊〉 victory, gave sentence on our side.  
This Judgement (not by all, approved at first)  
●●me traitors, and some friends would have reversed,  
And fought to wave it, as a doubtful trial;  
Although throughout the world, without denial,  
And throughout all times) even to this day,  
〈…〉 disputes, decided are, this way.  
But to assure us, that the sentence came  
From God; he, hath, again, confirmed the same  
By seconding that act of providence,  
And, making us, victorious, ever since.  
Thereto, therefore, adhering; we have thrown  
With confidence, the tyrant from his Throne:  
Making him also, pay the forfeiture  
Of life, our present title, to secure.  
And, therein, not alone our Consciences,  
Do warrant us, and, all those witnesses  
Of providence, which have therein appeared:  
But, to the world, the same is, likewise, cleared,  
By all those powerful Kings, and neighbouring States●  
Who, have observed, how God vindicates  
Our cause; and they have now pronounced us free▪  
As we of right, and by God's verdict be.  
For, their ambassadors, who now reside,  
With us, our liberty have justified,  
By their acknowledgements; and, witness bear  
Thereby, to what God's sentence did declare:  
Yea, by their free concession of the same,  
They make themselves as liable to blame  
As we; for, if our Nation justly may  
Be counted murderers; now so must they:  
At least, as accessaries to that deed,  
By which we from our servitude, were freed.  
If, Righteously, our winnings we possess;  
They, are partakers of our righteousness,  
By those acknowledgements; and, God, shall them  
Reward, for their so justifying him:  
If they by no sinister actings mar  
That blessing, whereto, way, it may appear.  
However; we, obliged are to praise  
God's mercy, that we see in our own daye●  
Such blossoms of the fruits, which we expect  
That, our endeavours have so good effect;  
As, that the pow'rfullst Princes of all those  
Whom we suspected Neuters (if not foes)  
Are so convinced as to mediate  
An amicable Juncture, with our State,  
In time sincereness; or, dissemblers are:  
Which, were an evidence of greater fear,  
And baseness, then, we either can detect;  
Or, shall, without some future cause, suspect.  
Oh! what a blindness, what a frowardness,  
Doth some of our own Nation, yet possess,  
That, other men can so far off, discern  
What, God, hath done for us; and thereby learn  
Both to be wise in time, and kiss the son  
Before his burning anger is begun,  
And yet they, still, continue obstinate:  
Grumble at providence, bark at the State,  
Like dogs against the moon, and snarl at all  
Who will not as they do, good things, miscall.  
It may be, such as these, when they shall see  
what's here expressed, will be mad at me:  
Menace, defame and hate, revile, and curse,  
Or, peradventure, mean me, what is worse)  
Yea, some who wish me well, may think I might  
Have wiser been, than, to provoke despite,  
Or, needlessly, (as they suppose) engage  
Against the violence of brutish rage.  
But, I defy that wisdom, which persuades  
A private heed, which public right, invades.  
〈◊〉 never yet, an ease, or safety, found  
〈◊〉 ought, which to my Conscience, gave a wound.  
Already too too many such, now are,  
Who either seem ashamed, or, else fear  
●o own God's Mercies, or, the public causes,  
Without some reservations, blinds, or pauses,  
●o save that interest, which to enjoy,  
●n●eas'●●bly, themselves, they may destroy.  
By this self-love are miseries begun:  
Within this channel, hitherto, they run;  
By this, we lose God's love; by this, we make  
Our courage feeble, and from other; take●  
That confidence in us which might engage  
Their faithfulness; and, them to us oblige,  
With willingness, to help establish that,  
Which for the public-weal, is aimed at.  
For my part I intend a resolution,  
To further what we have in prosecution.  
I see God's mercies, and I understand  
His purpose, in the works he hath in hand:  
And therefore, whosoever displeased shall grow,  
Will publish forth, what of his love I know.  
It is my duty, 'tis my proper call;  
(If I have any in this world, at all.)  
Yea born I was, (if born I were for aught)  
To do the work, which, I to do have fought:  
And, if my Faculty (such as it is)  
Was given me for aught, it was for this  
Which I am doing, and I will employ it  
This way, as long, as I with health enjoy it.  
What ever, I have publicly professed,  
Was really intended; not in jest.  
Neither for praise, or profit, or to please,  
(Except what frailty doth inject of these)  
Nor out of contradiction unto those  
Who shall dislike it, do I this compose:  
And, therefore neither, carnal hopes, or fear  
Shall make, me, my known duty, to forbear.  
For no respect, to Parliament or King,  
Or to my self, have in any thing  
Dissemblingly, spoke hitherto my thought;  
Although much mischief on me it hath brought▪  
And I hope never to be frighted from  
A 〈◊〉 expression, whatsoever come.  
But to declare the truth, and speak my mind,  
As often as, I just occasion find;  
●n spite of all the spiteful world can do,  
And all the rage of Powers infernal too.  
And whence springs this my confidence? not from  
Those grounds, whereby, most men, do now become  
Courageous in their actings: nor from our  
Prevailings hitherto: nor from that power  
We have acquired: or those advantages,  
Whereby we are made hopeful to possess  
Our wished ends: nor trust I to th' events  
Of our endeavours, or our best intents:  
For, all these things, although they promise fair,  
May find a change, and leave us in despair:  
●n this alone my boldness doth consist:  
● see God's presence, and his interest,  
●n all that's done: I have a glimmering, too,  
Of that, which he designs e'er long, to do,  
Though yet delayed: and, therefore, whatsoever  
●efalls me, am resolved to persevere  
●n driving on his work, though I should see  
As great a change, as may supposed be.  
Yea should I perish in this Cause, and knew,  
When I were dying not one, thereto true;  
● should, even then believe, that, God, alone  
Would finish that, which he hath now begun;  
And make his glory, be the better seen  
By those Obstructions, which will intervene.  
Thus, having added somewhat to prevent  
The prejudice, which threatens my intent:  
And summed up also, (as my weakness could)  
A part of that for which we render should  
Our thanks this day; I pu●pose to compose  
Some formal Odes of thankfulness, for those  
●●o 〈◊〉 desirous be, when they rejoice,  
To witness their intentions, by the voice.  
This, prudent men, thought very pertinent  
(And an inseparable compliment)  
For such a duty: though, fanatic fools,  
Who have nor wit, nor music in their souls,  
Perceive not, with, what good effects we may  
Use them in our devotions, at this day.  
Gods, Prophets, who, knew best what did belong  
To praises; did express them, oft, in Song,  
And, left them written, as the best Records,  
To memorize, what present time affords,  
Worth recommending to Posterity:  
Or, of safe keeping it in memory:  
For, seeing hymns beget no expectation  
Of aught proceeding from an inspiration,  
Upon emergent cause; but are a story,  
Expressing, briefly, to th' almighty's Glory,  
Matter, of fact, (as that which hath been done,  
Lately for us, or many ages gone,  
For, others, whose well-being did relate,  
To us) those Odes continue still in date;  
And should sometimes, repeated be, to show  
What, God hath done; that, hopeful we might gro●  
Of like Protection: and, be comforted  
By those examples, when our hopes are dead.  
And necessary 'tis, that, those Records  
Should be preserved, still, in their first words,  
That, future times, a certainty may see  
In those things, which commemorated be.  
And out of question, (to the end of days)  
He, who sincerely sings the, to God's praise,  
Shall feel within him (being so disposed)  
That spirit move, by which they were composed.  
Therefore, though Scorners, & those dull souled things  
Whose judgement knows not, whether better 〈◊〉  
The nightingale or cuckoo, flout me shall,  
And in contempt, these hymns my Ballads ●●ll;  
● will not be discouraged by these;  
From saying, or, from singing, what I please;  
But, in an awful, joyful strain, begin  
A song, to usher this day's praises in.  
Yea, in those forms, which are by them abhorred;  
●, and my household, thus, will praise the Lord.  

Sing this as the 100 Psalm.  

1.  
WIth awful Joy, and joyful Fear,  
To sanctify, O Lord, this day,  
Before thy footstool we appear;  
And, our thank-offerings here to pay:  
Which though it be no other thing,  
Then thy Free-mercies to confess;  
Or, Songs, unto thy praise to sing;  
Vouchsafe acceptance, naytheless.   

2.  
Within ourselves, we are so poor,  
That, we have nothing of our own,  
But, what we had from thee, before;  
Which, by our sins impaired is grown:  
For, our wit, beauty, strength, and health,  
(The goods of body, and of mind)  
Our time, our honours, and our wealth,  
To serve our lusts, have been resigned.   

3.  
And, therefore, till thou shalt renew  
Thine Image, by our fault defaced,  
We, and our offerings, from thy view,  
Deservedly, may forth be cast.  
There is no music in our Songs,  
That's worthy to be heard of thee;  
Because, our hearts, eyes, ears, and tongues,  
Profaned, and untuned be.   

4.  
Yet by those favours, heartened on,  
W●●ch were on us bestown, of late,  
A Hymn, we jointly have begun,  
To sing this Day, at Mercies gate.  
Lord! those eternal doors unclose,  
Through which thy special graces flow;  
The cords of our Corruption lose,  
And, let thy Spirit on us blow.   

5.  
Then, every word, we hear, or say,  
With eu'rything, that's done, or thought  
(In celebrating of this Day)  
Shall do thee honour, as it ought:  
And, they that study public harms,  
Or, flout, what we are doing here,  
Shall be so bound up, by these Charms,  
That when they flout us, they shall fear.   

Thus, having by an humble preparation,  
Made, first our way to God, for acceptation  
Of our intended praises; and, that done,  
A little meditated thereupon;  
Or, exercised our thoughts, on other Notions,  
Which may be pertinent, to these devotions;  
We, in a second Canto, will relate  
Some heads of that which we commemorate:  
And, thus, express our thankfulness to God,  
In exultations, of a higher Mode.    

Sing this as the 113. Psalm.  

1.  
OH God how good! how kind art thou!  
What help, what grace, dost thou bestow  
On us, in our distressed estate!  
Our tears to triumphs, thou hast turned,  
We now do sing, who lately mourned,  
And, by our Foes, were jeered at.  
When we were weak, poor and forlorn,  
Exposed to dangers, fears and scorn,  
Our Comforter, thou didst become:  
And, when we dreaded shame of face;  
Spoils, death, or wounds, joined with disgrace;  
Those fears, we were delivered from.   

As thou, from base and servile bands,  
And out of cruel Pharaoh's hands,  
Thine Heritage redeemdest of old:  
Even so, from those, who fought our harm,  
Thou brought'st us off, with outstretched arm,  
With signs and wonders manifold.  
They so, were blinded, Lord, by thee,  
Who, might have seen, but would not see;  
Nor hear when they were counselled well:  
And He that fraud, and force employed,  
To make our laws, and freedoms void;  
In our own view, like Pharaoh, fell.   

This is the Day, whereon our Yoke  
Of Norman Bondage, first was broke;  
And, England from her chains made free▪  
This is the Day, whereon the Lord,  
Did manumit us by the sword,  
And, 'tis now signal, by decree.  
Slaves, they deserve to be, therefore,  
And to be barred for evermore,  
The Freedoms of this Commonweal,  
Who shall not thankful, now appear,  
And vindicate with sword and spear,  
God's just Replies, to our Appeal.   

By thee, our Freedoms, Lord, we got;  
Oh! to our keeping, leave them not:  
But, still their Guardianship retain.  
And, let not those, who under thee,  
subscribers, of those Freedoms be,  
〈◊〉 our ●ins, forfeit them, again:  
On th●se alone, that are unjust  
Or shall be traitors in their trust,  
To this republic, or to Thee,  
Let thy avenging justice fall;  
And, on all those who hinder shall,  
That Peace, with Truth, may settled be:   

5.  
Write in our hearts, thy sacred Law;  
And, let no future failings, draw  
Our former cursed bondage back:  
But, our depraved wills renew,  
And, to thy service, keep us true;  
Which, will our Freedoms perfect make.  
The Kingdom, Power, and Praise be thine  
As long as Moon, and Sun shall shine:  
Be, likewise, thou our Heritage:  
And, in this Nation, let there be  
No other King, or GOD, but thee,  
What e'er they are, who thereat rage.   

Warmed by these charms, I do begin to feel  
Another motion, in an higher wheel,  
Inclining my invention, to indite  
Expressions, raised to a loftier height;  
That (if it can be done) I may awake  
Some other, in my praises to partake.  
Be silent then; For, I intend a strain,  
That shall reach heaven, and, echo, down again  
Such repercussions, hither, through the air,  
As will within our Foes beget despair,  
Of their designs; and, those, to us, unite  
In praises, who, in England's peace, delight:    

Sing this as the 148. Psalm, doubling the last strain of the Tune.  

1.  
ALl you, that present are,  
Come, let our hearts, and tongues,  
The Praise of God declare,  
In new-Thanksgiving songs;  
Come, let us sing  
●trains, that may make the walls to shake,  
The Roofs to ring:  
Still sounding higher,  
●ill thereby, we, with angels, be  
Joined in one choir.   

Related, we have heard,  
What he, for us, hath done;  
With how much disregard,  
Our Foes, he looks upon:  
And, we have seen,  
●ow, he befriends, when righteous ends  
Pursued have been:  
We, likewise view  
What will befall, to those that shall  
Their lust pursue.   

We see, or may behold,  
That, he our Armies leads;  
And (as in times of old)  
His Banner o'er them spreads,  
And for our sakes,  
●hrough threats and spites, through depths and heights,  
Their passage makes,  
whilst, to his praise  
Their Foes to nought, are justly brought,  
In plainer ways.   

He, made both Seas and Wind,  
To them assistance lend;  
And, what they had designed,  
Sun, Moon, and Clouds befriend.  
F●rce, he repels;  
〈…〉 them bold, to march where cold,  
〈◊〉 hunger dwells:  
And, when their fear  
Did most abound, they mercy found,  
And Victors were.   

5.  
To him doth Praise belong:  
For, he did them subdue,  
Who numerous were, and strong,  
When we were weak, and few;  
And, when our Foes  
Came bragging on, and thought all won,  
They all did lose.  
Still, be it thus;  
Lord! always, so, them overthrow  
Who malice us.   

6.  
His wise-foresight prevents,  
The Politicians wiles:  
He, crosses their intents,  
He, at their Projects smiles:  
In his due time,  
He still unknots, all hidden plots,  
Contrived by them:  
And, in that snare,  
Which, for our feet, they closely set,  
Still caught they are.   

7.  
Vain sons of men, therefore,  
Your brutish grumbling cease;  
Pursue false-hopes no more,  
But follow after peace.  
More prudent grow;  
Reform your ways, and sing his Praise  
As now we do:  
Oh! whilst you may  
In God rejoice, and hear his Voice  
While 'tis to day.   

8.  
Let all men do the same,  
Of whatsoever degree;  
And magnify his Name,  
As all obliged be.  
His righteousness,  
〈◊〉 Power and Grace, in every place  
Let all confess:  
And lay aside  
●heir own deserts, their selfish hearts,  
Their stinking pride.   

Your strength to him submit,  
You, that have conquests won:  
Wise men ascribe your wit,  
To him, even him alone.  
For, he supplies  
the Fool with skill, and, when he will  
Be fools the wise.  
And, certainly,  
●nto to your Foes, he, gives the blows  
By which they die.   

10.  
Rich-men, your precious things  
Bring forth, your Thanks to show;  
Before him, (Oh ye Kings)  
Your Heads, and sceptres bow;  
And, as 'tis meet,  
●ome from your Thrones, and cast your Crowns  
Beneath his feet:  
For, kingdoms all  
●o him pertain, and he again  
Resume them shall.   

11.  
Oh! let all things that were,  
That are, or shall ensue;  
(Or, but in thought appear)  
The Praise, O God, forth-shew;  
●ill Times last bound:  
And, let it run, when time is done,  
An endless Round;  
Where, needs not be  
Privations Night, that we true Light  
May better see.   

12.  
Mean time, let not his praise  
Be merely, in our Voice,  
As if we thought to raise  
A Trophy, out of Noise:  
But, let us more  
Our Thanks express, in righteousness,  
Then heretofore:  
Else (this is plain)  
False shows we make, and, do but take  
God's Name in vain.    

These Hymns I offer up, to be instead  
Of some short Chronicle, for them to read,  
Who have not means to get a larger Book,  
Or leisure-time, long Tracts to overlook.  
And many, peradventure, who should else  
Never have heard a word, of what this tells,  
Shall thereby know it, and thence, take occasion  
To magnify God's Mercies, to this Nation.  
Here I had made an end, but that I find  
Another Christian duty, which to mind  
I must present. All these, forepast Expressions  
Of God's great mercies, and our fair Professions  
Of thankfulness, but words, or actions be,  
Which hypocrites may do, as well as we,  
(As to the outward man) and, many times,  
By them, that service, best performed seems.  
These, are but offerings of our lips, and tongues,  
Or exercises of the breath, and lungs,  
In which, we formally may act a part,  
With little fervour, and without a heart.  
If we upon inquiry find it thus,  
In those Thanksgivings offered now by us,  
●verball, and mere corporal oblation  
●ll be to God, but an abomination.  
We, therefore shall do well, when we have ended  
●e public duties, unto us commended,  
〈◊〉 Power supreme) in private, to retire  
〈◊〉 to ourselves, and of our hearts inquire  
●●w things are there, and whether all be so  
●earnest, as it ought to be, or no.  
〈◊〉 we perceive a failing, let us, then,  
●●nfesse it, as becomes repentant men:  
●●●d take occasion, thence, to magnify  
●ods love the more, and humbly vilify  
●●r ways before him, for the favours done,  
●ill, then, most thankfully be thought upon,  
●hen we consider, that, the Grace bestown,  
●as not, without our self-desert, alone:  
●●t, when we rather merited his wrath.  
●ercie, by guileinesse, more lustre hath,  
●nd God's commiseration will appear  
●●ice greater, when 'tis known, how vile we are.  
Oh! let us therefore, take more care to see,  
●●th what we are, and, what we ought to be,  
●hom, God, hath so much favoured: let us know,  
●●at we our thankfulness are bound to show  
〈◊〉 well with other members, as with tongues,  
●●d, with what, ever else to us belongs.  
●●e ought to bring a circumcised ear,  
●●ot deaf to truth, or, readier to hear  
〈◊〉 false report, then, that which represents  
●●he grievances, and wrongs of innocents.  
〈◊〉 pitiful, and an impartial eye,  
〈◊〉 look upon, the poor man's misery,  
●nd turn from vanities: well cleansed hands:  
●tive, in executing, God's Commands:  
〈◊〉, not to bloodshed swift, but, ordered  
the paths of Christian holiness, to tread;  
And every other Member, serving to  
Those duties, which they were ordained to do.  
Let every man consider, what, he was;  
What, he at this time is; unto what place  
God, hath preferred him: unto what end:  
What, he hath done; and, what, he doth intend:  
Whether, to other men, he hath done so,  
As, he would others, unto him should do.  
Whether his Power be faithfully employed,  
To further that, for which it is enjoyed;  
Or, to enrich himself. Whether, his wealth,  
His reputation, wisdom, strength, and health,  
Have been improved aright; and, whether, he  
Is really the same, he seems to be,  
By those external actings, which express  
His Justice, Piety, and thankfulness.  
For, 'tis not our conformity, to that  
Which is this day, commanded by the State,  
(Or, other like performances) alone,  
That, maketh acceptable what is done.  
'Tis not Religion, stewed into a vapour;  
Taking, of Notes, at Sermons, in a paper;  
Or, giving sixpence, or perhaps, a shilling,  
Wherein, consists a laudable fulfilling  
Of this days-duty: no, beloved Nation,  
'Tis Justice, Justice; bowels of compassion;  
sincereness in your deeds; truth in your hearts;  
And, purifying of your inward parts;  
Which makes a Sacrifice to be approved,  
Or Sacrificer perfectly beloved:  
And, 'tis the want of these, that, most estranges  
From GOD; and brings the most destructive chang●  
Which, being true; all men (in what they may)  
Should to perform the duty of this day,  
Be diligent: But most conduce, it shall  
Unto the public-good, in general;  
That such as have chief Power, in either Nation  
Should take themselves into Examination,  
And search, what in them wanteth, to express  
A hearty, and unfeigned thankfulness:  
Let, therefore those, on whom, at this time, lies  
The greatest Trust, reflect, a while, their eyes  
Upon themselves; to make inquiry, whether  
There be not in their publike-actings, either  
Some falsehood, or some failings, which may need  
A Reformation, and a better heed:  
Whether, they have not swallowed, what may choke  
Themselves, at last; Gods, righteous wrath provoke;  
And, frustrate all our former Preservations;  
Our present Joys, and future expectations.  
Let them examine, how much, yet, they want  
Of making good their vowed Covenant,  
Not in the Scottish, but the English sense)  
Which hath relation to our just defence,  
And, to that mutual aid, which, to each other  
We vowed; when, we were thereby joined together.  
Let them examine, whether, they have not  
That part, of their engagement, so forgot,  
As, to desert their friends, in th' executions  
Of their just Vow, and, made their Prosecutions  
More mischievous to them, then unto those  
That, were appa●ently our guilty Foes:  
And, whether, whilst this Lot, on them attends,  
Men, may not cheaper, be truth's foes, than friends.  
Let them examine, if there be not some,  
Who to their counsels, and Committees come,  
●eldome, or never; but, to set those free  
From Prosecution, who, most guilty be:  
And, whether, many of them, do not know  
Who, these men are, and often, find it so,  
Much to their grief; because, they are unable  
To hinder, what they know unwarrantable.  
Let, them consider, whether, some effects  
Of partial, and of personal respects,  
Have not oft times, destroyed an Innocent,  
The just dooms, of the guilty, to prevent:  
Whether, this Lord, that kinsman, or their friend;  
(Or, he, that can promote their private end)  
This Lady, with the fair bespotted face;  
That gallant, in the suit bedawb'd with Lace;  
Or, seeming Converts, who, perhaps, are come  
To Fine, for means, to mischief us, at home;  
Let them I say, consider whether, these  
Are not received with more civiliti●s,  
And, with much more respect, than many are,  
Who, from the first beginning of this war,  
Have served faithfully; and ever stood  
Firm, in all trials, for the public-good.  
Let them examine, whether, they and we,  
Partakers, of one Common-Justice be,  
According to our right: Or, whether they  
Allow not to themselves, what they deny  
To some of us, who, have the selfsame Cause;  
And, claim the selfsame equity, and Laws.  
Let them examine, whether, none of them,  
Seek opportunities, and watch for time  
How, to surprise their House, to gain a Vote,  
Which, in a full Court, never had been got;  
Because, their motions, had been, then, gainsaid,  
By many, and, their purpose, better weighed.  
Let them examine, how, they do pursue  
Their self-denying Votes, which, gave a show  
Of honourable, and of good intentions;  
Though frustrate, by unlooked for preventions.  
Let them examine, if these Common-weals  
Can hope for benefit, by just Appeals,  
Against Oppressors, who shall Office bear,  
When in Supreme Authority they are,  
And while they shall be privileged so,  
That, they may Judges be; and Parties, too,  
In those Appeals; and, how, their bribery,  
Or other injuries, can possibly  
Be proved; where, all Appellants, against these,  
Shall find so many disadvantages  
To struggle through; and while those they impeach,  
Are in a Sanctuary, out of reach.  
Let them examine, if the distributions  
Of places, gainful by their executions,  
Are equally divided; or, bestown  
So frequently, for any merit, known,  
As, for some nigh relation, unto those  
Who get the power, such places to dispose:  
And, whether, one, may five, or six, deserve,  
Whilst, many of our friends, are like to starve,  
Who, might have been relieved; yea, made our debtor;  
And, served the Common wealth, perhaps much better.  
Let them examine, whether, they, who lent  
And, freely gave, till all they had, was spent,  
The public to secure; are cared for, so,  
As they have been, who, fought our overthrow:  
Whether, they see not many more arise  
To speak for them, upon emergencies;  
To represent their seeming-sad conditions;  
To offer, and to second, their Petitions;  
To get Provisoes, pardons, or Reprieves,  
(And, means to keep their children, and their wives)  
Then do for those, when their distress appears,  
Who, freely, spent their blood, to save our tears.  
Let them examine, whether, some of them  
Do not by their proceedings, both condemn  
And, help destroy themselves; when, in their Choises  
Of Publike-Ministers, they give in Voices,  
Or Names, for by-respects, or kindred's sake;  
Enabling them, confederacies to make,  
For private interest: let them, together  
Take consultation, and examine whether  
They favour not, among them, such as drive  
Those actings on, whereby, they may contrive  
The ruin of our Cause. Let them, moreover,  
Examine, whether, none they can discover  
Who constantly endeavour, to bring in  
Those, who most worthily, deprived have been  
Of their late trust; that, they might them assist  
In strengthening their corrupted interest:  
And, whether, an indulgency to these,  
May not procure some disadvantages  
To that Militia, which, hath been, of late,  
Established, to fortify the State:  
And, let them, if they find it to be so,  
Prevent the mischief, ere it further go.  
Let them examine, whether, Avarice,  
Ambition, malice, pride, or some such Vice,  
Hath not been so indulged, as, that it may  
Deprive us of the comforts, which this day  
We have hope: yea, let us all, apart,  
And, jointly, seek true Peace, with perfect heart.  
These memorandums, I am bold to add,  
That, our Thanksgivings, may be thereby made  
More perfect; and, more acceptable, too,  
By minding, what, we further have to do:  
That, by these Observations, I may keep  
My friends, from singing of themselves asleep,  
In that security, which will destroy  
The truest sweetness, of our present joy:  
That, we might save Supreme Authority,  
From that contempt, that blame, and obloquy,  
Which, may be cast upon it, by our Foes,  
Or, by the secret faithlessness, of those,  
Who (by pretending for it) have much wronged  
Their Actings, and our miseries prolonged:  
●●d that we may not by our heedlessness  
〈◊〉 those things, which will mar our happiness,  
●●wle Elegies, and roar out Lamentations,  
●●ead of songs of praise, and Exultations,  
Lord! give thou hereunto, those good events  
Which, may, in somewhat, answer my intents:  
●nd, take with acceptation, I, thee pray,  
●●is my imperfect, this may weak assay.  
●sten thy work, and bring it to conclusion;  
●aw us, out of that chaos-like confusion,  
〈◊〉 which we are: As, in our preservation  
●ou hast appeared, so in our restauration  
〈◊〉 unity, please, likewise, to appear;  
●●at, Peace and truth, may keep their dwellings here.  
Let Parliament, and people, from this day,  
●●ise thee, by Reformation of their way.  
〈◊〉 City, country, and both poor and rich,  
●●deavour with sincerity, as much.  
●●t our victorious army, do the same;  
●●tributing unto thy glorious Name  
〈◊〉 their prevailings; persevering, still,  
〈◊〉 faithful executing of thy will,  
●●d seeking public-peace without design  
●ought, which may to selfishness incline.  
●nd, make us all, with as much willingness,  
〈◊〉 forth thy praises, for the righteousness  
〈◊〉 thy severest Judgements; as, to sing  
●anks, for those blessings, which thy mercies bring.  
And, my dear countrymen, let me not pray  
●●r you in vain: nor sing my songs, this day  
〈◊〉 Beasts, and Rocks, and Mountains, to be heard,  
As they have often been) without regard:  
●●st, I have cause to change my joyful Odes,  
〈◊〉 mournful Epicedes, and Palinodes.  
〈◊〉 ill presaging Raven to this Nation,  
● would not be (croaking of desolation  
And sad events) I, rather with the Dove,  
My winged Contemplations, would improve  
To bring such Olive-leaves, as may declare  
Your overflowings, quite abated are:  
But, all that is allowed by my Commissions,  
Is, only to declare, on what conditions,  
We may have Peace; and, what events, God hath  
Designed, both to the right, and left hand path.  
Let me not, therefore, whistle to the wind,  
And, emptiness, in my good wishes find.  
For, why should this day of our visitation  
Be overpassed by this generation?  
Why do the Gentry rage? why murmur so  
The brutish Common people, as they do?  
New Vanities, why do they still devise?  
Themselves befooling every day with lies?  
Though, every days, experience doth declare,  
How false their hopes and expectations are:  
If they would learn to love, and to believe,  
God, thereunto, a blessed Event should give;  
And make them know, and see (with comfort too)  
What, he is doing, and intends to do.  
But I begin to feel within my breast,  
A Rapture, pressing on to be expressed.  
Oh! hear me therefore, and let none despise  
To heed it: for I'll now sing Prophecies,  
Which (Whatsoever you think) shall be as true,  
As if a wiser man had told them you.  
If you shall (oh ye Britains) reunite,  
In love, and, but, according to your might,  
Add your endeavours, cheerfully, to do,  
What Grace and Reason, will invite you to,  
Your way shall prosper: and, (my soul for yours)  
Neither all earthlies nor infernal powers,  
Shall able be to make a future rent,  
Betwixt you; or to shake that governme●●  
Which God will settle here: but it shall stand  
●s long, as there is, either sea or land:  
●nd be renowned among all other Nations,  
●hroughout the world, and through all Generations.  
This Island, then, the Darling shall become,  
●ot only, of all States in Christendom;  
●ut, likewise, of all those within the sound  
●f every wind, that blows within this Round.  
● shall be made the Magazine of all  
●hose things on earth, which men do precious call:  
●nd, of all virtues, moral and divine,  
●hat may be found, where Sun and Moon do shine:  
●or, God shall take delight, to multiply  
●is blessings on it, and to beautify  
●ut cities, fields, and persons, with each thing,  
●hat honour, ornament or peace may bring.  
But, if against the Light you shut your eyes;  
●ood counsel, if you frowardly despise:  
〈◊〉 you from God, shall turn away your heart;  
the way of Justice, and of truth pervert:  
〈◊〉, timely mercies you neglect to show  
●o those that need (God, having unto you  
●ouchsaf'd so many favours, and, protections,  
〈◊〉 your great straits, and manifold afflictions)  
●r, shall abuse the power or trust bestown,  
●o set up vain devices of your own,  
●stead of what concerns the throne of Christ;  
●r, this free Nations, lawful interest;  
●r, shall maliciously pursue a course,  
●hat, leads away, from better things, to worse:  
●hen, know your doom, for, here I'll tell it you,  
●nd speak it out, without enigmass too.  
God, with a black-sad cloud shall overcast  
●our hopes; and, on you, breath a sudden blast  
●hat will shrink up, (before you are aware  
●ll those fair bloomings, which this day appear;  
Set back your dials, nip your forward Spring,  
Which promised rich harvest fruits, to bring:  
And, as his mercies, have exceeding been,  
So shall his Judgements, when they do begin.  
Yea, should you conquer, till, you did not know  
Abroad, or, here at home, one able foe.  
Should all those Princes, and those powerful Sta●●●  
Who court you now, prove firm confederates;  
Or, should you stand possessed of all their powers,  
Of whom, you are, or may be conqueror;  
Yet, mark well this (Unless, we shall with speed,  
Reform some things, which Reformation need:  
And with more Courage, with more verity,  
More self-denial, and sincerity,  
Witness our thankfulness (which, by God's grace,  
I hope, will in due time, be brought to pass)  
A thing, which no man yet, knows what to call,  
(Or whence 'twill come) our hopes endanger shall  
Yea, such a thing, as is not yet in thought,  
(And which most men will slight and set at nough●  
When first it shall appear) will overthrow  
Our glory, and lay all our honour low,  
Till we repent: but, then, we shall arise  
From our disgrace again, to be more wise:  
And they who in their hearts abide sincere,  
Shall see this change, without much harm, or fear▪  
More, I might say, but, my set time is gone.  
Take this, among you; and, God's will be done,  
FINIS.    

In the last page of the Epistle l. 21.r. settling. p.6.l. ●●. r. J● seed. p. 7.l.29 r. either and or.