A Proclamation In the Name of the King of Kings, To all the Inhabitants of the Isles of Great Britain: And especially, to those who have Hypocritically pretended to Justice, Mercy, Honesty and Religion; (as also to them who have lived in open Profaneness and Impiety) summoning them to Repentance, by denouncing GOD's Judgements, and declaring his Mercy, offered in the Everlasting Gospel.  
Warrantably Proclaimed, and Preached, by GEO. WITHER. Though not by any Humane Ordination.  
Whereto are added, some FRAGMENTS Of the same Authors, omitted in the first Imprinting of the Book, Entitled, Scraps and Crumbs; and a few which were Collected since that Impression, and during his Imprisonment.  
LONDON, Printed in the year, 1662.   

A PROCLAMATION In the Name of the King of Kings,  
To the Inhabitants of the Isles of Great Britain; especially to all those who have Hypocritically pretended to Justice, Mercy, Honesty and Religion; as also, to them, who live in open Profaneness and Impiety; summoning them to Repentance, by denouncing GOD'S Judgements; and thereto encouraging them, by declaring his Mercy, offered in the Everlasting Gospel.  
ON the first day of the Week, the second day of the first Month, in the second Year of revived Monarchy in these Islands, and in the eighth Month of my Confinement, for discharging my Conscience; My Consort being then with me in the house of my Imprisonment, and intending to read some parcel of holy Scripture for our instruction and refreshment; The first place presenting itself to her view, and then read, was the seventh Chapter of the Prophecy of Jeremiah the Contents whereof, and part of the next, seemed to my understanding, when I had heard them, to be so pertinent to these Nations in this Generation, that I was immediately inspired with a strong persuasion, that the effect of those words, heretofore dictated to Jeremiah by the LORD, was then spoken to me, by the Spirit of the same GOD; and, he having given me fifty years' Experience of the Transactions between Himself and this People, since I came to years of discretion; and also called me to be a Prophet by that Ordinary Anointing, whereof every true Member of Jesus Christ is partaker; I thereupon thought myself as truly obliged in Conscience, to proclaim it to all the Provinces, Counties, Towns, and Cities of these Islands, as the said Prophet Jeremiah was to publish it in the Gate of the LORD's House at Jerusalem. Therefore, in obedience to that Internal Motion, I now declare and apply it in the same terms, changing and adding only the names and prevarications therein mentioned, into those which are proper to this Time and Place. The Effect of the said Prophecy, is this which next follows paraphrastically expressed; and in the Name and Fear of GOD, I thus proclaim it, Mutatis mutandis.;  

JEREMIAH, the 7th Chapter, and part of the 8th.  
THe Word which came to the Prophet Jeremiah from the LORD, came to me, by the said Prophet, saying; Stand in the Gate of this City, wherein the LORD hath yet his House, there Proclaim this Word, and say; Hear the Word of the LORD, and ye Inhabitants of Great Britain, who pretend to worship the LORD. Thus saith the LORD, the LORD of Hosts, the GOD of Israel, and your GOD: Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, (or, in your formal sanctity and will-worship) saying, The Temple of the LORD, The Temple of the LORD, (nor say in boast, here is only his true reformed Church, and with us are his Ordinances) for know, The Temple of the LORD are these, even they that obey his Word; in them he dwells, and among them is his approved Worship. If you amend your ways and your doings; If you thoroughly execute Judgement between a man and his neighbour; If you oppress not the Stranger, the Fatherless, or the Widow, nor shed innocent Blood in this place, nor walk after other Gods in your heart, to your hurt, (nor worship the True GOD according, to the superstitious Inventions of men) then will I cause you to dwell in this place, which I gave unto your fathers, for ever. But, behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit: Will ye murder, commit Adultery, swear falsely, sacrifice to false Gods, and walk after such as ye know not, and then come and stand before me in my House, or think in your hearts you were delivered from your late troubles, to do all these abominations? Is that House which is called by my Name, become a Den of Robbers in your eyes? Behold, I have seen it, saith the LORD. Consider now my Place which was in Shiloh, where I set my Name at the first: Consider also the City of Jerusalem, and my Temple therein: heed what I did to those places for the wickedness of my People Israel: For, in regard ye have done such works as they did, saith the LORD; and, forasmuch as I spoke unto you (as I did to them) rising up early, yet was not heard, not answered when I called upon you; I will now do unto those Temples upon which ye have imposed my Name, and to that Superstitious Worship, wherein ye trust, as I have done to Shiloh and Jerusalem: For I will cast you out of my sight, as I (long ago) cast our Ephraim, (and as I lately cast out many of your brethren.) Therefore pray not for this people, that they may totally be delivered (from the temporary visitation, which their wilful sins have, as it were, constrained my Justice to bring upon them, lest my Mercy should be quite contemned) life not up thy prayer, nor make intercession on their behalf, for I will not hear thee to that purpose.  
Seest thou not what they do in the Cities of these Isles, and in the streets of LONDON their chief City? (Observest thou not what Swear and Forswearing there are? what Dissemble? what Apostasies? and how few are now secure from the Spiritual and Temporal Oppressions of this Generation? (As they did in Jeremiahs' days) the Children gathered wood, the fathers kindled the fire, the women kneaded the dough to bake cakes for the Queen of Heaven, and to pour out drink oblations to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger, saith the LORD: (So the Children, the Fathers, the Women, and the People of all sorts and degrees, contribute toward their Superstitions, according to their abilities, after the mode of these times; and pour out their drink Oblations of cursed healths, to those Idols which they have set up and honour, to the provocation of GOD's wrath.) But do they provoke me to anger saith the LORD? do they not rather provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? Verily they do so: therefore, thus saith the LORD, Behold, my anger and my fury shall be poured out on this place, upon Man and Beast, upon the trees of the Field, upon the Fruits of the ground, and they shall consume, as if they were burnt up with an unquenchable fire. Thus also, saith the LORD of hosts, the GOD of Israel; (make yourselves merry with your carnal delights, and Superstitious vanities:) Put your burnt-offerings to your Sacrifices, and eat Flesh; Add more of your formal Thanksgivings, to your formal Humiliations; Revive the late interrupted Traditions of men; Please yourselves in them, and Gormundize upon the Profits you raise out of them, until you are fat; yet know, GOD delights not in them. What I spoke unto your Fathers, and unto yourselves, in the days wherein I brought you out of Egypt, (out of the bodily and ghostly servitude of that mystical Egypt, and out of that Babylonish Captivity, whereunto you are preparing to return) I commanded nothing concerning such sacrifices as you have offered, (nor gave I unto you any such Ordinances, as are many of those which ye imposed as mine) But, this I commanded you, saying, obey my Voice, and I will be your GOD, and ye shall be my People: walk in the ways that I have commanded, that, it may be well with you; nevertheless, ye have not harkened nor inclined your ear, but walking after the evil Counsels of your own hearts, went backward and not forward. Ever since that day, wherein I delivered you from your Spiritual Thraldom, and in which I would have delivered you from your Corporeal slaveries; I have even from that time until this day, sent unto you my servants the Prophets (of all sorts, and with various dispensations) rising early, and daily sending them, as I did heretofore to my People Israel; yet, you harkened not unto me, nor Inclined your ear unto them; but, hardened your necks, and did worse than your Fathers; (yea, worse than other transgressors whom I formerly destroyed, and by whose fall, ye ought to have taken warning) Therefore thou shalt speak unto them these words: Even thou into whose heart I have put it, to make application of what I heretofore spoke by my Prophet Jeremiah, shalt Proclaim unto them these words, though they have not harkened unto them; yea, thou shalt call again upon them though they will not answer thy expectation; And, thus thou shalt say unto them: This is a Nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their GOD, nor receive Instruction, notwithstanding the Judgements whereby I have lately proved them many years together; and which, in part, yet lie upon them; for, Truth is perished, and cut off from their mouth.  
Cut off therefore, your hair; lay aside your Ornaments, and cast them away; Forbear your Pride, your Luxury, your Oppressions, and the Trophies of your vanities, in this time at least of penury and Afflictions; and take up a Lamentation in the high Places, wherein ye have exalted your own Inventions: For, the L0RD hath rejected and forsaken the Generations of his wrath. The Children and Inhabitants of these Isles, have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD. They have set up their abominations in my house to pollute it, and in those places whereupon they have imposed my Name, instead of what I commanded. They have built high places, wherein are committed things as abominable as the sacrificing of sons heretofore in Tophet in the valley of the son of Hinnom. They have set up set ways of worshipping me, as were not commanded by me, nor ever entered into my heart: Therefore, the days will come saith the LORD; that those Places shall not be called by their old names, but places of slaughter, and in them shall be Burials, until there be not room to contain more. Then, the Carcases of these Nations shall be meat for the Fowls of Heaven, and for the Beasts of the Earth, and no man shall fright them away. Then, also, will I cause to cease from the Cities of Great Britain, and from the Streets even of her chief City, the voice of mirth and gladness the voice of a cheerful Bridegroom and his Bride; and the sound of those Musical Instruments wherein ye are now so delighted, with all the altared Relics of Superstition. Moreover, thus saith the LORD, a time will come wherein they shall take the bones of your Kings, and the bones of your Princes, (as it lately befell to others) and the bones of your Priests (and Prelates) and the bones of your Prophets who seduced you, and the bones of the Inhabitants of your chief City out of their Graves, and spread them before the Sun and Moon, and before the Host of Heaven, and before the face of those false gods whom you have loved, served, walked after, sought and worshipped, and they shall never be gathered together, nor buried, but be as dung upon the face of the Earth. And, death shall be rather chosen than life, of all those who remain of this evil Family, wheresover they remain in the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of Hosts. Thou shalt say thus likewise unto them; Thus saith the LORD, shall they fall and not rise? Shall they cause him so to turn away from them that he shall not return? If not, why then is this People slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? holding fast their deceit, and refusing to return? I harkened and heard, but they spoke not aright, no man repenteth himself perfectly of his wickedness, saying, what have I done? but every one runneth on in his course, as the Horse rusheth into the battle. They are more brutish than the brute Creatures; for, the Stork knoweth her appointed time; the Turtle, the Crane, and the Swallow know the time of their coming, but my People know not the Judgement of the Lord; yet, they say, We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us; yea, they boast as if they were the most glorious, and best reformed Church of Christ upon Earth.  
The remainder of this Prophetical rebuke and Invitation to Repentance, I leave to be perused in the said prophecy of Jeremiah, and applied by every Reader as GOD shall give him understanding, that the Mystical Balm of Gilead therein mentioned, may be timely sought after; and that Physician found, by whom our Maladies may be cured; To which purpose, I will proceed with what I have more to say, in order to the making you desirous and capable of receiving benefit by that Universal Gospel, which the Angel flying through the midst of Heaven, was to Preach to every Nation, Kindred, Tongue and People throughout the World; and, after a more general reception thereof (it being that which will destroy the whole Mystery of Iniquity, Root and Branch) the Angel next immediately following, will bring tidings, that Babylon is fallen.  
This foregoing Branch of the Prophet Jeremy's Commission; being, (as it were by way of Exemplification) delivered out to me upon the occasion aforesaid, I was internally moved to publish it to these Nations in this my Generation, as I have now done this day; And I have performed it warrantably, with a good Conscience, because, I am infallibly assured, that, it was recorded for all Nations and Generations to the end of the World, as well as intended for the Inhabitants of Judah in Jeremiahs' days; and that it ought to be applied to all those who are found guilty of the same, or of the like Prevarications; and this I believe, in regard he who doth nothing in vain, would not have preserved, during so many Ages, this Record of his Judgements, and of the particular passages between him and his People; and caused it to have been so dispersed throughout the Earth, had it not concerned all his People in all Times and Places. Therefore, it evidently appearing unto me, that GOD moved me to apply it to these Nations, I have accordingly made Application, in this manner; conceiving it will operate the more effectually, by being expressed in the Prophets own powerful words & sense; and much better heeded and regarded then in mine only; or if it had been undertaken by my own Premeditated Design, though I have seen enough to warrant the justness and necessity of making such an Address upon a moral account. I have not hereby charged upon these Nations any transgression which was charged upon the Inhabitants of Judea and Jerusalem by the Prophet Jeremiah, (nor any Prevarications resembling their sins or to them equivolent) but, such as GOD, my own Conscience, and most men know (or may know) these Nations are guilty of; nor do I exclude myself out of that number which needs Repentance, but, have performed my duty faithfully without respect or disrespect of Persons according to my understanding. And, being conscious that it is my duty so to do, I will now, by the Authority of those Credentials, which GOD hath written in my heart (and which are in part, publicly shown) make use of them in such Immergencies and Contingencies as occur, faithfully adding what I believe he hath further Commissioned me to declare, so far forth as my Experience and his known Instructions, jointly considered, shall indubitably warrant. And that is, at this time to send out among you an Exhortation to be wary, that you still harden not your hearts as in those former days of Temptation and Provocation, wherein ye provoked GOD's wrath: but, that you harken unto his Voice whilst the day of Grace lasteth. But, alas! I am between hope and fear, it is almost too late with many; For, they who are worst, have so high a conceit of themselves, that there is more hope of mere fools then of them. They think themselves to be safe & clearsighted, when they are indeed, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; they suppose they are settled upon the hill of Zion, whereas, they are yet but as it were upon the mount Gilboa, even in slippery places, where they cannot long stand fast; For, we have almost so generally indulged Oppressions, Injustice, and Vanities, that they seem to be the principal supporters of our Safety, Power, and Honour; yea to be essential to our Laws and legal Customs, as also so great a part of our Revenues, & the means of our Subsistance, that, we can hardly live without them. Verily break off in due time from your sins, and from all the occasions of transgressing; Hear, repent and turn speedily to the LORD our GOD, not presuming nor despairing.  
In the first place, I do humbly (though I might do it Magisterially) beseech you my dear brethren (who seeming to be Professors of the Gospel, have dissembled or Apostatised, or any way given occasion of Scandal) be exemplary to others in a signal Repentance: For, nor your formal, nor your former Righteousness, will avail, if you have Apostatised from it. Though not in respect to my words, yet for the Honour of GOD, whose servants you are thought to be, and for your own safety sake, repent and turn to the LORD unfeignedly, all ye, who have hitherto taken the Name of Christ in vain, and profaned it, by not living the Life of Christ according to those Doctrines of his, which ye have professed; nor acting, nor suffering constantly according to that honesty, and Piety, whereof ye made fair outward shows: For, many of you have made sordid Gain by a pretended Godliness; and like the Religious Whore, of whom Solomon speaketh, have made your seeming holiness, and formal Devotions and Conformities, to be Preambles and Brokers to your Avarice and uncleanness. There have been very great failings of late in that kind among the best of us; so much selfseeking, dissembling and Apostatising, that, there was little truth in our words, or deeds; and very great and severe are those chastisements which GOD hath already laid upon us for our transgressions, and greater are yet to come, if we more heartily repent not. All GOD's Judgements aforementioned, and threatened against Judah, by the Prophet Jeremiah, might have been prevented by timely Penitence; and so may those wherewith we are threatened, and these also be quite removed, which yet continue. But, neither our Righteousness in time past, from which we have Apostatised, shall profit us; nor shall our sins which we have heretofore committed damnify us, if we reform our ways: For, GOD hath not only said it, but sworn it also by his own Life, Ezek. 33. 11, 12. etc. As I live saith the LORD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather, that he may turn from his wickedness and live; The Righteousness of the Righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his Transgression, nor shall the wicked fall by his wickedness in the day that he turneth from it: neither the Righteousness of the Righteous shall be remembered when he committeth Sin, without Repentance; nor the wickedness of the wicked be mentioned, when he forsaketh his Sin; but he shall surely live, though I formerly said unto him, thou shalt surely die. GOD, who will not be mocked, hath begun to execute Judgements at his own House, and we prolong and increase them, by continuing and increasing our Transgressions; yea, and not only by our little awe of his Judgements, but by not rightly considering his Love, and by defect of that mutual and hearty love to each other which most essentially denominats us to be Christ's Disciples; for, we have thereby multiplied our sorrows and Troubles, more than all our Adversaries could else have done; And, though we had no other Oppressors or Persecutors, that alone is suffcient (if it continue) to make us utterly destroy ourselves. Consider this, my dear brethren, with what it hath already brought upon us, that ye may speedily repent: GOD vouchsafe his Grace to assist you therein, and to me Perseverance also, in unfeigned Repentance and Amendment.  
Repent likewise, all ye, who say in your hearts, There is no GOD, and sport away your Salvation, by such horrible Imprecations, as GOD damn me; For, though you not only think, but speak and act also, as if indeed there was no GOD, you will one day find there is one, and that he hath several ways manifested himself unto you, both openly and in secret (by his Judgements and Mercies upon yourselves, and others for your example) though you will not yet acknowledge it, but run on impudently, into all manner of impiety and profaneness, promising unto yourselves Peace, when destruction hangs over your heads. For, as the Prophet saith, Jerem. 49. 12. and 25. 29. Behold, saith the LORD, they whose Judgement was not to drink of the Cup, have already drunk thereof; and shall you go unpunished? you shall not go unpunished, but shall surely drink it. I have begun to bring evil upon those who are called by my Name, and shall you utterly escape punishment? you shall not escape; for I will bring a sword upon all the Inhabitants of the Earth, saith the LORD.  
But, I will conclude with an Evangelical Consolation; and that which I shall declare unto you is an Epitome of the Everlasting Gospel, which ascertaineth that Jesus Christ is the Eternal Mercy of GOD, and the Redeemer of all mankind according to the Covenant of Grace, the same to day, yesterday, and for ever. This, I am authorized to Preach unto you by an unquestionable Ordination and Commission; For, I declare it according to that Original Commission, which was given to all who were or should be the Ministerial Disciples of Jesus Christ, thereto qualified by the Gifts given to men from above, though not Ordained by men: For, I declare it not by that Light alone which the Son of GOD potentially set up in me when he assumed the Humane Nature, (and wherewith he enlightens in some degree every one who comes into the World, for the Salvation of his own Soul) but, by having his Gospel declared and witnessed also unto me by that Light in the Lantern of his Word, which ought to be a guide to every man's feet, and the direction of all men in their ways, left the other Light, being but like that, which the Moon receiveth by reflection from the Sun, may be darkened by the interpositions of the Flesh and the World, or by the delusions of the Devil. GOD's threatenings, Mercies, and Promises, are all, or for the most part, conditional; and may be, or may not be, according as we demean ourselves, when he calleth & offereth his preventing and assisting Grace; wherein he is never wanting to perform his part of the Covenant made with mankind in Christ Jesus. He is long-suffering, slow to Anger, would all men should be saved, and desireth not the death of any sinner. There is no end of his Mercy, unless to them only, who wilfully forsake him first (after he so sufficiently rewards the Will) when he saith, Give me thy heart, which he may give up unto him, by virtue of the Talon which he hath received; And, even to them who then resist his gracious offer, he is not extremely severe, until they do (as it were) compel his Justice to limit his Compassion, by justly hardening them into a final Impenitency, that his Mercy may not be made contemptible, to the disadvantage of others, by their yielding to the Flesh, which by his aid they might have subdued; and by their ungratefully adhering to, and believing his, and their greatest Enemy, rather than trusting to his Word, who placed them in a happy Condition; and, when they forfeited it by their own default, had so much compassion on them (even whilst they were his Enemies) as to give his only begotten and dearly beloved Son, ●o be disgracefully Crucified to death for their Redemption. This Love being well considered, ●s so strong a Motive to Repentance, that, they with whom it prevails not, will be little moved with Preaching Everlasting Damnation in Hell Fire.  
If ye be not sensible of this unspeakable Mercy, nor of Spiritual Judgements, let the sense ye yet have of those that be Temporary, and Corporeal, make entrance for the former into your serious and timely consideration. Beside many other Plagues that now lie upon you, GOD hath lately threatened to deprive us of the Fruits of the Earth for our Transgressions; we fear a Famine; and it having already begun to pinch us, we pretended a General Humiliation here in England, that our fear might be removed: But, what follows? we continue still in our unrighteousness and unmercifulness, prosecuting our former courses, rather with more than less violence. The Oppressed are not eased, but more oppressed. Prisoners are not set free, to whom the Laws allow Freedom; but, jails are daily replenished with new guests, barbarously treated, Even harmless men and women suffer merely for their Consciences in relation to GOD, or upon misinformations and misprisions only, unheard, and uncondemned by a legal conviction. Which proceedings are contrary to the Laws of GOD, of Nature, and likewise of these Nations, if they have any in force. For, if the Complainants sad cries, which I hear (and hear of) be as creditable, as they are lamentable, many honest Families are (and will be) exposed to beggary, and even rich men will probably be made beggars also. They are shut up from their dearest Relations; and they themselves being despoiled of all their livelihoods, and of means to supply necessaries by their labours, are destitute of all accommodations. They are lodged worse than dogs, thronged up together in sickness and in health, nothing left or provided for them to feed on (except they will eat their own flesh) but what GOD providentially conveys unto them, by the charity of his Servants; of which charity they are sometimes defrauded by their hardhearted Keepers, and that which comes to hand, is handed-in also with much difficulty. These cruelties are aggravated with many other oppressive concommitants, which make them almost inexpressable and unsufferable; yea the more unsufferable, in regard, that during the Sessions of Parliaments and Courts of Justice, which were wont to be their ordinary Refuge, the Oppressed can have no Relief; and these Grievances are kept also from the King's ear, who is their last hope next under GOD.  
Let us take heed how we fall into the hands of the living GOD, when his Wrath is kindled, lest he utterly & suddenly consume us, as he did Sodom and Gomorrah, for showing so little mercy to others, who have lately received such extraordinary mercies from him. Learn by Examples, though ye have neglected Precepts, seeing what hath been heretofore, may be so again hereafter, and in regard Cases that have a resemblance, will bring down the like Judgements. When Jeremiah the Prophet was a Prisoner for discharging his Conscience (as I, and many others are at this day) the Famine so increased, that there was no Bread then left in the street of the Bakers at Jerusalem. It will therefore concern us that we be wary we continue not in the like sins, lest ere long, there be little Meal in our Markets, and a greater scarcity of Bread in the shops of our Bakers at London: For, as there are among us very great failings, so there are very great appearances of GOD's high displeasure; who hath more dreadful plagues ready to execute his Commands, than Famine, Pestilence and raging War, joined all together; and he will here inflict that whereof we are most sensible, and those hereafter, if we repent not. Consider this all ye who forget GOD, and return: for, he is at all times ready to meet every one in mercy (without excepting any) who returns unto him by hearty repentance: yea, he takes all opportunities whereby he may show Compassion, with preservation of his Justice; and is so inclinable to Mercy, that he oft withholds his Judgements from wicked persons and places, for the sakes of a few Righteous men among them, though they persecute and seek to destroy them for whose sakes they are preserved; and vouchsafes temporal Blessings (as he did to Ahab) for outside Humiliations. He is not, as his Enemies do scandalously report of him, a hard Master, who looks to reap where he sowed not, and to gather where he strewed not; but so just, that he will require no more at any man's hands, but according to what he hath given; nor punish any one for the sin of another. There is no better means for us who are Subjects, to live safely in Holiness and Righteousness without fear, than to adhere constantly to GOD's Commands without dread of men, and to obey our Superiors in obedience to the LORD: Nor any surer way for Kings to possess the Thrones of their Kingdoms upon Earth, in honour and safety, without jealousies, than to provide, as much as in then lieth, that GOD may possess his Throne in the Hearts and Consciences of Men without Rivals; and to endeavour to be just, as he is just; and to be merciful, as he is merciful, according to their measure: For, whatsoever the Parasitical Flatterers of Kings would make them believe, they may be more secure from dangers at home & abroad, by those poor conscientious men who are despised, than with twenty times so many Ruffians and God-damn-me's; though assisted also by the formal devotions, and feigned sanctity of superstitious worshippers, who seem glorious and powerful in outward appearances. I have observed, by what Histories testify, that those great Kings and Conquerors of the world, to whom GOD heretofore translated the Kingdoms of men, from their former possessors (when he changed Governors and Governments) enjoyed them in peace and honour, so long, and so far forth, as they tolerated the Servants of GOD to worship Him according to their Consciences, though they themselves were Heathens and false worshippers.  
The Mercy of GOD leadeth to Repentance, and extendeth to and over all his Works. This I am warranted to proclaim by virtue of his grand Charter, and by his Commissions, heretofore issuedout for the comfort and encouragement of every true penitent Believer in the days of his fiercest Indignation. These are the glad Tidings of the Universal Gospel, which caused the Angels to rejoice and sing at the birth of Jesus Christ, this song; Glory be to GOD on High, On Earth peace, good will towards men. Let us join with that celestial Choir in magnifying of this great Mercy which so much concerns us; for it is our noblest Interest, and that which most advanceth GoD's Glory: Let our Burden to that Song be, Amen, Hallelujah, Praise the LORD: Let us be zealous in defending this Universal Charter, and not be seduced by those who seek to abridge itto such a narrowness, and to such an uncertainty, that if they should be believed, we had more cause to howl and lament than to sing: This Gospel is the sum and scope of that Testimony, which was, and is given by those two Witnesses, the two Olive Branches, and two Candlesticks, which stand before the God of the Earth, bearing witness against the Beast rising out of the bottomless-Pit, who was to war upon them, and slay them, and leave their Bodies (as a dead Letter) unburied three days and an half in the Streets of the great City, until the Spirit of Life from GOD should enter into them and make them ascend up into Heaven, in the sight, and to the amazement and vexation of their Enemies.  
Therefore they, whosoever they be (though pretending to be of GOD's Counsel, and to be acquainted with his Eternal Decrees) shall preach contraty hereto, and think they honour GOD by bounding His universal and infinite Mercy, deal with Mankind, concerning His Charter of General Redemption, as many among us now do concerning the King's late Act of Indemnity and general Pardon, pretending thereby to do him honour, where●● intends both to his dishonour and disservice. It is this misunderstanding, and limiting the infinite Love of GOD, which hath been the chief occasion of the narrowness of men's love to each other; and of much of that discord and bloodshed which hath been in the world: For, such as men make their Gods to be, such will they themselves be; in regard, as David saith, They who make them are like unto them. This I add, not impertinently, nor by the suggestion of a contentious spirit, in opposition to the judgement of others; or with an uncharitable censure of those who do yet think otherwise; But I have thus in my mode preached it, in zeal to GOD's Truth and Glory; who sees my heart, and will punish me for it, if it proceed from any other cause. He is perfectly merciful; so merciful in his Justice, and so just in his Mercy, that neither of them infringes the other; and hath left us upon record two unquestionable exemplary Evidences, which manifest that his Mercy is sincerely intended to every true penitent, to be his Consolation when Judgements are epidemical and universal: For, though he spared not the old world, but brought a general flood upon all the ungodly, yet, he even then spared Noah and his family; and when he made the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah an example to wilful transgressors, he then also spared Lot who lived among them, and whose righteous soul they had vexed with their filthy and wicked conversation. Thus will he likewise deal with all those, in all times, who have an upright and contrite heart (though they have been grievous offenders) so far forth as it shall be for his Glory, and their eternal happiness.  
Hear, and heed this Proclamation; for it is of GOD, who is pleased in these days to preach Mercy by his most contemned Servants; and cause them otherwhile to act in such Modes, and by such Dispensations, as to the world seem ridiculous; and as probably he did (in most men's eyes) when his beloved Son road meekly through Jerusalem, on the foal of an Ass, at the time wherein he first came to take a visible possession of his Kingdom upon Earth: which humble deportment his now pretended General Vicar, and the proud Kings of the Earth, would have scorned upon the days of their Inauguration. Which the Prelates, though raised out of the lowest of the people (as Jeroboams priests were) and though pretending to be the successors of Christ's humble Apostles, would have disdained to be carried in that meek manner to their Instalments. But many other things appearing contemptible to flesh and blood, will be permitted ere long to make preparation for the coming of King JESUS, whom they scoff at, who sit in the Chair of the Scornful. It hath pleased GOD in this unusual manner, to make me (though unworthy) to be his Herald in publishing this Proclamation; who having been many years your Despised REMEMBRANCER, liveth yet, to serve GOD and his Generation; known to the World by this Name,  
Given forth at Newgate, one of the most eminent Gates of your chief City, in the 8. month of my Imprisonment there. GEO. WITHER.    

Here is added, A Second Course of those Fragments of that Beggar's Feast, which was daily made him by a good Conscience, whilst he was Prisoner in Newgate, and which were omitted at the Imprinting of the Book, called, Scraps and Crumbs: With some few Collected since the said Impression.  

I.  
To those Friends, unto whom this Author hath been scandalously misrepresented in private, by some false Brethren and others.  
THough hereof I have just occasion had,  
I do not merely for mine own sake add  
This Crum; but likewise here, for your avail  
Insert it, lest my Sland'rers may prevail,  
(By bringing me into your disrespect)  
To make my Cautions take the less effect.  
Give therefore heed to what I now express,  
And let GOD move belief as he shall please.  
As David said, The wrongs of open foes  
I could have born, but near my heart it goes,  
When I am grossly injured by them,  
Who did my loving Friends and Brethren seem,  
And cannot choose (although I do sustain  
Even that with patience) but thereof complain,  
In hope, it may occasion give to some  
Who failed in that kind, henceforth to become  
So sensible of what was heretofore  
Misdone, that they will so offend no more:  
For, unto them, this is the worst design  
Which I intent by this Complaint of mine.  
Two sorts of men there are, with both of which  
I've had to do; and (though not very much)  
More than enough it seems. One sort of these,  
Those Persons are, by whose maliciousness,  
Most, who are conscientious men reputed,  
Are for that cause traduced and persecuted;  
And (when they thereunto shall be inclined)  
A staff to beat a dog, who may not find?  
'Tis care to scape the venom of their tongue,  
So impudent they are in doing wrong,  
And brutish in their Censures: yet but few,  
Except some like themselves, believe that true  
Which they report; and they themselves do know,  
That they asperse me with what is not so.  
Of such men therefore, here complain I not;  
Because, by these, I have not often got  
A disadvantage, which would equalled be  
With what might happen by their praising me.  
The poysnings of the other, more infect,  
Because, received they are without suspect,  
And, vented with a counterfeited show  
Of better ends than those which they pursue.  
Some of these being partners with those sinners,  
Who were of our late Troubles first beginners,  
Did, with a mask of Piety and Zeal  
To GOD, the King, and to the Commonweal,  
Drive on their own designs; And (having made  
Of seeming Godliness, a gainful Trade)  
Their opportunities now being gone,  
Of preying upon those they preyed upon,  
Would make a prey of them, whom they pretended  
In times preceding, much to have befriended.  
So feeds the Pickerel, when, he cannot find  
A Roach or Dace, on fish of his own kind.  
And, some of these, because I will not be  
Enslaved to that, from which I should be free,  
Have (thereto moved by Avarice and Pride)  
Without just cause, me lately vilified  
To some of my best Friends even unto them  
Whose Charity supports me at this time:  
And, should it be believed, might much more  
Undo me, than all they who heretofore  
Have been my open Foes. Moreover, some,  
That I might wholly succourless become,  
Are pleased to say, I am not so bereft  
Of my Estate, but that enough is left  
For my support. Wherein, if they speak right,  
They render me so gross an Hypocrite,  
That I deserve no Friend; And if I am  
By them belied, then much are they to blame,  
Who have, as far as in them lies, to starving  
Exposed me and mine, without deserving.  
But, this I fear not: for, if that supply  
Shall fail, which I have had by Charity,  
He, who by other hands, hath Mercy shown,  
Will from henceforth relieve me by his own:  
And, these are thus confuted, without feigning,  
If they know aught of mine, that's yet remaining  
Within my power; Or, but so much as may  
(If ever it be mine) my Debts repay,  
Save what's yet wholly lost, I give it all  
To him, who thereof make discovery shall;  
And hereby, both confirm this Gift for ever;  
And urge him that Discovery to endeavour  
Who raised that Report; so he thereby  
Shall have some profit, if it be no lie.  
I do perceive, to have me quite destroyed  
The Devil many Agents hath employed  
In several modes; which that prevent I may,  
Nought more or better have I now to say,  
Or do, which will avail me, but to fly  
To my Protector, to your Charity  
Who know me, and unto that Evidence  
Which I have given of my Innocence  
To you who know me not; in hope you'll do  
As in like case you would be done unto:  
And that when their malevolence hath wrought  
Till it shall purge its own corruption out,  
It will abate, and some effects produce,  
Which both to them and me may be of use.  
If me you judge, as you would judged be,  
No more needs to be said thereof by me;  
Especially to him who truly knows,  
Who giveth deeper wounds, than open foes.  
This Case of mine concerneth now and then,  
Not me alone; but other honest men.  
Such like false brethren, in all Ages were  
Among the Saints, and suchlike still there are.  
Therefore these Lines at this time were bestown,  
As justly for their sakes, as for mine own,  
Since, of what here I for myself do plead,  
Some other, thus abused, may stand in need.   

II.  
A causual Meditation on Eaith, Hope, Fear And Love.  
TO keep me watchful, whilst my Foes  
My person here shall fast enclose,  
By Meditations I assay  
To keep the dread of them away;  
And whilst my Contemplation flew  
At various Objects, in her view,  
(Among such Muse as were brought  
Into my mind) this came to thought.  
Faith, Hope, and Fear, and Love are that,  
Which renders every man's Estate  
To be exceeding good or bad,  
Extremely pleasureful or sad,  
According as that Object proves,  
Which he believes, fears, hopes, or loves.  
Make GOD the bottom and the top  
Of thy Fear, Love, Belief and Hope,  
And thou art then safe, whatsoe'er  
Thou dost believe, hope, love, or fear:  
But, if the World their Object be,  
Or, any other thing but He,  
Thou art destroyed: For, by these four,  
Misplaced, thou givest them a power  
To ruin thee, who else had none  
Whereby a mischief might be done.  
If on the World thy hopes depend,  
Despair will be their latter end;  
When her fair-speakings are believed,  
Thou wilt be certainly deceived;  
If her thou love, she will for that  
Requite thee with despiteful hate;  
And, if thou fear her, she'll endeavour  
To make thee slave to fears for ever.  
This by experience I found true,  
And thereof thus forewarn I you.  
Affect no Pleasure; for 'tis vain,  
And terminates at last in pain.  
Fear not, when thou shalt be oppressed  
In doing well; for, such are blest.  
Trust not in Wealth; for, it hath wings,  
And flies away like other things:  
Nor Honour; for, it often spends  
Its stock, and in dishonour ends.  
Rely not upon Prodigies;  
For, they are partly Truths and Lies;  
And, Signs and Wonders can afford  
No such assurance as GOD's Word.  
Place not your trust in Kings; for, when  
They speak like Gods, they act like men.  
No, nor your best Works trust you in,  
For all man's Righteousness is sin.  
Your Faith, Fear, Hope, and Love on none  
Ground therefore, but on GOD alone;  
And, when thus, you hare learned to do,  
Persuade all other men thereto;  
Not terminating Meditations,  
In mere unactive speculations;  
For, they but like those flashes are,  
Which we miscall a shooting-Star.  
Here, whilst my Flesh is in restraint,  
Lest else my Soul grow dull and faint,  
Her, with such thoughts I entertain,  
And find them not to be in vain;  
Though more I needed, I confess,  
These Muse, when I suffered less.  
I might be safely rich again,  
Could I be still employed then  
As I am now. But, who is able,  
To thread a Needle with a Cable?  
They, who in Winter keep at home,  
In Summertime abroad will come;  
And, though a Prison seems a curse,  
Our Liberty oft makes us worse.  
We pray, when Winds and Seas do roar;  
When calm, do as we did before,  
Even GOD's choice Worthies, when released  
From Sufferings, foully have transgressed;  
If in this, or some other kind,  
They were not often disciplined.  
He, that with troubles hemmed about,  
The Battles of the LORD had fought  
Unfoiled; assoon as he had ease,  
(Neglecting such like means as these)  
Did grossly fall; and so shall we,  
When idle and secure we be.  
Had he been musing on GOD's Law  
When in her Bath, he naked saw  
Vriahs' Wife; or, at that time  
Composing of a Psalm or Hymn,  
It had secured him from that sin,  
Which let a lustful Devil in.  
LORD! that I be not so surprised,  
(Though these my Muse are despised)  
Preserve me, (whether weal or woe  
Befalls me) still employed so;  
Or, in what else thou please, that's tending  
To keep me always from offending:  
And to thy Glory, and to my Salvation,  
Vouchsafe to sanctify this Meditation,   

III.  
To those who inquire, why this Author is now imprisoned in Newgate?  
INto this Jail, you ask me, why I'm thrown?  
But to myself that is not fully known;  
Unless it may be charged as a Crime,  
For putting Truth and Reason into Rhyme;  
Or, giving unto some, for doing wrong,  
Such Epithets as unto them belong;  
Which is by very few thought criminal,  
And, by most men, to be no fault at all.  
Yet, since you are my Friends, I bold will make  
To give you Counsel, which I could not take:  
Touch not a galled Jades back, although it be  
To cure him, if you will be ruled by me;  
And if your Conscience force you not thereto,  
No notice take, when other men misdo.  
For, they, who most ungodly courses run,  
(And boast of what they wickedly have done)  
So rage at him, who dares to reprehend  
Their Actions, howsoever they offend,  
That ofttimes by their power they bring on him,  
Those Penalties which were deserved by them,  
A Whore professed, though she would have men know  
She is a Whore, will not be called so.  
(Yea, though she could not live, were it not known  
She lived by abusing of her own)  
But, be so wroth with him, who so shall say,  
That she will scratch his eyes out, if she may:  
At least, if she can do no more, will rail;  
Or, had she power, commit him to the Jail,  
And for a Sland'rer prosecute him there,  
As justly, as they do, who keep me here.   

IV.  
A Hymn of Thanksgiving, for deliverance from a dangerous and sharp Sickness, during his Imprisonment.  

LORD! they who thy Affection measure  
By what thou givest into their possessings,  
Of Riches, Honours, or of Pleasure,  
Or, of such other temporary Blessings,  
And mark how here thou dealest with me,  
May think I am despised of thee;  
For, when I seemed oppressed before  
With loss of Liberty and Wealth,  
So that I could well bear no more,  
Thou thereto addedst loss of health,  
Imbittered and made sharp, with as much pain  
As Flesh and Blood were able to sustain.   

2.  
Yet neither was thy Love impaired,  
Whilst in that manner I afflicted was,  
Nor doubted I, nor aught despaired  
Of thy continuing and assisting Grace;  
But, as the violence and length  
Of pain deprived me of strength,  
My Spirit thereby stronger grew;  
Yea, so thou didst my Faith increase;  
(So Fortitude and hope renew)  
That Sufferings were not pleasureless;  
Because I knew I underwent thy Rod,  
Who art as Well my Father, as my GOD:   

3.  
I know thee not alone by hearing,  
But, also by thy being in my heart,  
And, by thy thereunto declaring,  
How just, wise, good, and merciful thou art:  
Thou tak'st no pleasure in our pain,  
Nor dost, nor ever didst coustrain  
The soul of any to a path,  
Which leads him from a happy conrse;  
To Sin, Shame, Sorrow, or to Death,  
Or, renders his condition worse.  
For, that thou more delighted art to save,  
Than to destroy, I good assurance have.   

4.  
For ever, let thy Name be blessed;  
For, when my patience did begin to fail,  
And pain, a cold-sweat forth had pressed,  
As if in me, fire had been mixed with hail;  
Thou in my first Fit, easedst me  
By means lest means despised might be:  
And when I was shut up alone,  
Of all external helps deprived,  
(Where means of Cure or Ease was none)  
Then, by thy Self I was relieved;  
That I might always confident be made  
Of thy help, when no other can be had.   

5.  
When so extremely I was pained,  
That I could hardly for one minutes space,  
Endure the torment I sustained,  
In any posture, or in any place,  
Thou hug'dst me fast asleep; and then  
Gav'st Ease, I know not how, nor when;  
Which so amazed me, when I awaked,  
That, I at first, could hardly tell  
Whether, I for a Dream might take't,  
Or, whether I were sick or well;  
For, in the fire I thought assoon I might  
Have slept (erewhile) as in my bed that night,   

6.  
Therefore, to thee, for this Compassion  
I do now consecrate a Hymn of Praise:  
Be pleased, O GOD of my Salvation,  
To be thus my Physician all my days.  
Let this preserve me from the fear  
Of what I may yet suffer here:  
And when this Mercy shall be known,  
Thereby assured let others be  
That such Compassion shall be shown  
To them, as was vouchsafed to me,  
If in thy Truth and Fear they shall abide,  
And, without wavering, in thee conside.    

V.  
To them who say, or suppose, that a vain desire of Fame, was this Authors principal motive, to the Composure of what he hath written and published.  
I Hear, some think (and, for their sakes am sorry  
They think so) that Ambition of vain glory,  
Is that, which principally moves my Pen  
To dare more than the Quills of wiser men;  
And, that an irch for popular Applause  
Was of my bold Reproofs the chiefest cause.  
If this be true, I am as mad as they  
Who think so, and take the nearest way  
To my destruction, for a windy puff,  
Which in a moment will be quite blown off,  
And leave me comfortless, in that condition  
Which threatens inavoidable perdition.  
But, these will find their error, when they know  
By trial, from what Root my Actings flow;  
And that I had in what I have expressed,  
A nobler Aim, than mere self-Interest,  
Or any outward ends, although in them,  
My own well-being I shall not contemn.  
I am not ignorant that whatsoever  
I actively or passively endeavour,  
To honour GOD, or for my Country's good,  
May, to my damage, be misunderstood;  
Nor that most men, mis-censure what I've writ  
To be Composures without fear or wit  
And that, if I should be thereby undone,  
(Which likely seems) I may be thought upon  
With very small regard, alive or dead;  
Or any way at all be mentioned,  
Except by some few, who perhaps will say,  
I fooled my Liberty and Life away.  
But should I minded be, when I shall have  
My portion among other in the Grave,  
What greater share shall I have in that Fame,  
Which after Death might memorise my Name,  
Than they, who in Oblivion lie forgot,  
Where Pen nor Tongue their Actions mention not?  
In my time, sixteen persons I have known  
Who did my Christian and my Surname own,  
And one 
* Captain George Whither, a man valiant and witty, and one of the sixteen here mentioned, was hewed to death at Kingston upon Hull by his own Solidiers in their fury, because he had killed one of their fellows in the like fury.  of them oft guilty proved to be  
Of Crimes, imputed falsely unto me,  
By those who knew us not; and he, whilst here  
He lived, had in my repute a share:  
But, after few years, none will know, among  
All these, to which of us, those things belong  
Which we have acted. Nay, though ten times more  
I had deserved (than any heretofore,  
Made memorable by a glorious Fame)  
A feigned person, who no real Name  
Or Being ever had, save what, perchance,  
Was thereunto ascribed in some Romance,  
May seem to be more honoured by that fiction,  
Than any who attained the highest perfection  
In Piety or Morals: For, I've seen  
Some Readers, with such Legends to have been  
So far transported, that it them could move  
More sighs and tears, compassion, honour, love,  
Esteem and admiration, to confer  
On those Ideas, than bestowed are  
On real sufferers, who, did undertake  
To do and suffer freely for their sake.  
And what a trivial prize or purchase then  
Is an esteem, or vain applause of men?  
My Actings have exposed me, during life,  
To hazards, losses, much reproach and Grief;  
And, what shall I the better be, or worse,  
When I am dead, whether men bless or curse  
Speak well or ill, that I should quite destroy,  
For such toys, what in life I might enjoy?  
By being silent, I preserved from blame  
Might be, and more esteemed than now I am  
If I could for advantage swear and lie,  
And flatter Fools and Knaves in Elegy:  
Sure, he who shall observe, as I have done,  
What scorns, and what despites I've undergone;  
What I have felt, and what I do foresee  
Will probably on Earth my Wages be,  
Yet thinks I run these hazards for vain Fame,  
Must like wise, either think, that mad I am,  
Or, that I've only learned in the School  
Of long Experience, to be more than Fool.  
But, though most are deceived in their Design,  
And in their thoughts, I am not so in mine.  
I know my Work; I likewise know that End  
Whereto it doth, or at least, aught to tend:  
And, therefore hope, that till my life's conclusion,  
I shall be kept from such a gross delusion.  
He, that for GOD's Cause, or for his Elects,  
Pretends to do, or suffer; yet, expects  
More honour, or aught else, than his just share  
With them, who of the same Communion are;  
Expects more than his due; Exceeds the bound  
Of that self-love which in true Saints is found,  
And, what he acts, or suffers, no Reward  
Can merit; for, he forfeits his Reward.  
All, that he shall endeavour, on that score,  
When Rich he thinks to be, will make him Poor;  
And, by what he expected to be famed,  
He shall become contemptible and shamed.  
GOD's Mind, I therefore study to fulfil,  
Seeking no Pay, but what, and when he will:  
And, knowing that's my Aim, much care I not  
What, in this world, he gives to be my Lot.  
I no more value Praises than Reproach;  
And, whether in a Carr, or in a Coach,  
I ride to my last home, I little care,  
So with a quiet Conscience I come there.  
If well in life I use them, 'tis no matter,  
How far asunder men my Limbs do scatter,  
Or in what Public place they set my Head,  
To terrify some fools, when I am dead:  
For, every part of me will meet together,  
When GOD shall pleased be to call me thither,  
Where CHRIST now sits enthroned; and whither he  
Ascended to prepare a place for me.  
I prise nor Life, nor Death, but, as thereby,  
I, more or less, GOD's Name may glorify.  
And, whilst my own heart knows this to be so,  
I care not, whether 'tis believed or no  
By any man, uless, that, to infuse  
The like mind into him, it may conduce.  
If, I have acted for a worthless prize,  
Learn by my foolishness to be more wise,  
If I have aimed to suffer, or to do  
For such ends as I should; do ye so too.  
Because then, what you heretofore of me  
Misdeemed, will thenceforth your advantage be;  
And, no more harm to me, than that man found,  
Who had an Ulcer cured by a Wound.   

VI  
A Meditation, occasioned by considering the manifold Temptations to distrust in GOD, whereby his best Servants are otherwhile proved and exercised.  
THe best of men, some failings have; and I,  
Not only many, through Infirmity;  
But, flowing also from those Negligences,  
Which very much have heightened my offences;  
Because I know, what power to me he gave,  
To do those things which I neglected have:  
Especially, when my Distrustfulness  
Hath made me doubtful of GOD's Promises.  
Who, to assure them, hath vouchsafed both  
A written Word, and sealed it with an Oath;  
And, also new experiments, which may  
Ascertain it, vouchsafeth every day.  
David, the most courageous Combatant  
Against suchlike Temptations, did oft want  
That Confidence, which was by him professed,  
And, thereby hazarded his Interest  
In GOD's free Promises. By Saul, said he,  
One time or other I destroyed shall be;  
And, what was promised, had so outright  
Forgotten, in his carnal panic fright,  
That to GOD's Foes he for protection ran,  
The part there acting of a frantic man,  
And of a driuling fool; yea, worse than so,  
Dissembled then, yet scaped with much ado.  
That Course, whereby he thought to be assured  
Of safety, an indangerment procured  
Beyond all former hazards; for, he lost  
Not only Goods, Wives, and all hope almost  
Of Rescue, but was also like to lose  
His Life, and to be stoned by some of those  
(In their distemper) who enraged became,  
To see their Habitations in a flame,  
Their dearest Relations captived, and to those  
Enslaved, who were their old malignant Foes.  
In which strait, if GOD had not him befriended,  
Whom he disinherited, there, his Life had ended.  
There is our Case; for, though that many times,  
Our Fears, our Foes, our Troubles, and our Crimes  
We have, beyond hope, been delivered from,  
And promised in every time to come,  
That like deliverance; yet, when aught fails  
Which we expected, or a Foe prevails,  
(For our probation) we are hurried straight  
Into a causeless, and a foolish fright:  
GOD's promised Assistance we decline,  
Catch hold of any politic Design,  
Run this, and that way, to the World, the Devil  
For help and Counsel, or act any evil  
In such a giddy fit, though we have seen,  
And often felt, what those effects have been  
Which will ensue. Nay, if long time we bear  
A present suffering, and new troubles fear,  
Our Faith is at a stand, and we begin  
Immediately to let Despairing in;  
Make Principle of Faith, give way to Reason,  
And seem Fanatic Whimsies, out of season,  
Or airy Refuges, beseeming none  
In straits, but mere Fools, to depend upon.  
Though in the Saints of old to fall off thus,  
It was a Crime; 'tis greater sin in us,  
By so much, as the sinning against Grace  
Doth our transgressions of the Law surpass:  
And, neither Theft, Adultery, or Murder,  
From GOD and Penitence will draw us further,  
If we avoid it not: For, to be made  
More cautelous, we have not only had  
Examples of old times, and seen since then,  
What hath befallen many thousand men  
In such defections, but, we likewise are  
Experienced in our own particular  
Estates and persons, what will them betid,  
Who in the days of Trial start aside,  
And, by the Gospel are enlightened more,  
Than other Generations heretofore.  
This, makes me, in my present troubles, wave  
Those ways, whereto I some Temptations have,  
My person to redeem; and to prevent  
The future mischiefs, that seem eminent,  
This makes me scorn, to creep, or fawn, or sneak,  
Or, (whatsoe'er I threatened hear) to speak  
To an unworthy person, though I could  
Prevail, perhaps, upon him, if I would:  
For, were my Poverty ten times as much,  
The King of Sodom shall not make me rich;  
Nor, were I sick to death, would I implore  
Those false Gods, which most men do now adore  
For health or life, though I thought they could give  
That, which I most desired to receive.  
This, among other Notions of this kind,  
(Which needful are to fortify my mind  
Amid my Sufferings) makes me muse on these  
Our common failings, that, if GOD so please,  
They may be by his Grace, with my endeavour,  
A means to keep me firm to him for ever;  
And, by declaring what Experiment  
Hath taught to me, make others confident  
In sufferings for his Cause: and, not afraid  
What is, or what can here on them be laid:  
For, as where many Cowards are together,  
They still beget more terrors in each other;  
So men of Courage, more courageous grow,  
When, to each other, they example show  
Of Christian Fortitude: To which good end,  
These fruits of my spare hours I intent.   

VII.  
Another Scrap, to them, who carp at this Author's frequent writing.  
Why should you be displeased, and have a loathing,  
Of that which may do good, and cost you nothing?  
Or, which you may pass by, without offence,  
Or, giving you occasion of expense,  
Unless you please? For, that which I compose,  
On no man, I against his will, impose.  
GOD is our Shield, our Fortress, and that Friend  
On whom alone we always should depend;  
Yet, he expects an Activeness in those,  
On whom a Christian Armour he bestows;  
And, that we put it on, when there's occasion  
Of War defensive, or, of an Invasion;  
As also, that, we always keep it clean,  
And ourselves ready, by good discipline:  
For, of their Talents they will be bereaved,  
Who make not use of what they have received:  
Yea, they will be surprised, who, times and places  
Neglect, wherein to exercise their Graces,  
When means is offered; since it will make room  
And entrance for Temptations when they come,  
If we are negligent in doing that,  
Which to our Perseverance doth relate.  
The Roman Legions, which resided here,  
(When no foes to oppose them did appear)  
Bestowed their spare hours with much diligence,  
In making Preparations for defence  
In times of need; New Fortresses did raise,  
Built Bridges, Causeys, and made easy ways  
For future Marches, whereby, to and fro  
In safety, they, and other men might go.  
And, we must do the like, if we would be  
From future dangers and surprisals free;  
To which end, things that seem of little use  
At present, may hereafter much conduce.  
Our Patience will wear out, our Courage slack;  
Our Spirits faint, and cause us to draw back  
From needful Sufferings, unless in some measure  
We daily shall improve spare time and leisure,  
To fortify our hearts by meditation,  
Which is the nourishment and preservation  
Of Hope and Faith. This, when my Friends are gone,  
(Whose Consolations I do feast upon  
Whilst they are present) if I those can void,  
With whose Impertinences I am cloyed,  
Moves me to gather up, that, into words,  
Which their and my Experiment affords:  
Lest that be lost, which else might serve in stead  
Of Cordials at a sudden time of need.  
This, moves me, when my Foes threat and revile,  
To muster thus (as 'twere in rank and file)  
My scattered thoughts; and then to march up close  
Even to the Vanguard of my furioust Foes:  
For, when we look grim Terrors in the face  
Without dismay, it makes them to give place.  
And, though the Champions of the world do laugh  
To see my weapons, but a Sling, a Staff,  
And Pebble-stones o they will prevail, when they  
Shall either perish, or else run away.  
This moves me (when alone) lest else the Devil,  
Or my own Flesh may tempt me to some evil,  
(When they shall idling find me) to retire  
Into my self, and search what vain desire,  
What hope, or fear, or doubtings there do lurk,  
Which either may advance, or counterwork  
Those Principles of Grace, which by good use  
And practice, I to habits may reduce.  
This, that those Notions▪ may not fly away,  
Which I find helpful, makes me oft employ  
My leisure times, in what, it seems, hath so  
Increased my Scribble, that they nauceous grow  
To many Readers; and, perhaps to some,  
Who might by them advantaged become.  
But I am pleased; for, that, my taste delights,  
Which is disgustful to their Appetites;  
And what at this time they disrelish, may  
Yield profit with delight, another day.   

VIII.  
An Echo from the Thunders, in the celestial Temple, reverberating, in part, the effect of what was uttered by their Voices.  
Fix Trumpets have been sounded forth,  
Six Vials poured on the Earth,  
Six Thunders have their Voices spent;  
Yet, they blaspheme, who should repent,  
And night and day a direful cry,  
Still beating on my ears have I,  
Of men oppressed between their paws,  
Whose God is Gain, whose Lusts are Laws;  
And, dreadful sounds of Vengeance too  
Are echoed wheresoev'r I go.  
Though men are deaf, yet speak I must:  
Hear therefore, lifeless forms of dust,  
And senseless things, that ye may bear  
Your Witness to what I declare:  
For, what hereafter shall ensue  
Will make deep stamps on some of you.  
woe, woe, ere long to C. C. C.  
To P. P. P. P. P. and P.  
Like Woe to S. to M. and L.  
For, they have made this Earth a Hell,  
Wherein, unless Christ quickly comes,  
Few Good men shall have resting rooms;  
And little Faithfulness will here  
Be found, when he shall next appear.  
But Time hath almost wheeled that round,  
Wherein the seventh Trump will sound.  
And then shall Righteousness alone,  
With Power and Glory fill the Throne,  
That JESUS, who (when by his Birth  
He was first visible on Earth)  
Much troubled Herod, and with him  
The City of Jerusalem;  
And is that Universal Prince,  
Of whom all Tyrants ever since  
Have been afraid, will come ere long,  
To set that right, which now is wrong,  
And put an end to their Oppression,  
Who charge his Subjects with Sedition:  
For, though some slighted them when they were seen,  
His Harbingers have here already been.   

IX.  
A brief Reproof of them, who take pleasure in Scandalous Invectives, whereby others are personally defamed.  
THere is a mangy Humour and an Itch,  
(At this day very troublesome) with which  
Most men are so infected, that unless  
We find a speedy cute, 'twill so increase,  
And leave so few from this Contagion free,  
That we shall all appear mere Scabs to be.  
Now, there is nothing more delights the ear,  
Than when it shall those vilified hear,  
Whom they affect not, whether they are blamed  
Without just cause, or worthily defamed;  
Especially, if those in aught descent  
From their Opinions, (Although eminent  
For many Virtues, and with them agree  
In all things, which with Truth essential be)  
And, since our Diffrences did us divide,  
Few men there are of note on either side,  
Of good or ill desert; but (right or wrong)  
They so aspersed are by Pen or Tongue;  
And Truth, if spoke, so blended is with lies,  
With fraud, or else with Ambiguities,  
That, if what is in Pamphlets published,  
Should be hereafter by our Children read,  
They'll think this Age (if they do credit it)  
Had neither Honour, Honesty, nor Wit;  
So scurrilous, and so malevolent  
Are their Invectives, and so impudent.  
There are of Truths and Falsehoods put together,  
Such medleys made, without respect to either,  
And misapplied in such a barbarous wise,  
men's Persons or their Cause to scandalise,  
That, whether they did wickedly, or well,  
They, in their outward Fames are parallel;  
And, frequently, by seeming to intend  
That, which may their Antagonist befriend,  
A Foe disguised, destruction doth devise  
For them, whom he pretends to patronise:  
Shows make of Peace, where they bear no Goodwill,  
And, those to save, whom they intent to kill.  
This Bitterness and Falsehood multiplies  
Those Discords and those Animosities,  
Which have thus far undone us, and this course  
Will make that which is bad, grow daily worse,  
Until it shall exasperate this Nation  
Beyond all means of Reconciliation;  
For, till there shall as much respect be shown  
To other men's Good-names, as to our own,  
And, we are pleased to hear good spoke of those  
Who well deserve, although they are our Foes,  
We never shall be Friends; nor friendship merit  
From any, till we qualify this spirit.  
'Tis gentle speaking that appeaseth Wrath;  
A bitter language, no such virtue hath.  
Yet, let none think, this means to usher-in  
A Reprehension of reproving Sin,  
Or, that, it well beseems not any man  
To render Vice as odious as he can:  
For, no debasement can make Wickedness  
More ugly, than essentially it is.  
Though just Reproofs have not allowed been,  
Where persons are more aimed at, than their sin.  
Their Practice, Justice doth to none allow,  
Who at their Neighbours, from an unseen Bow,  
Shoot poisoned Arrows; and, Bandetti-like,  
The Passengers from such a Covert strike,  
That none can truly know how they are named,  
Or where those dwell, by whom they are defamed.  
In taxing Vices, let nor Tongue nor Pen  
Act sparingly; but spare alone the men,  
(As much as possible) unless they shall  
Engage themselves, by quarrels personal  
Against the Truth; Then spare them only so,  
That thereby Truth may not receive a blow.  
A causeless Scandal, nor a Lie admit,  
Though thereby Truth may some advantage get;  
For, she or they, will honour lose thereby,  
Who think to do her service by a Lie.  
Some Goodmen (not a little to their shame)  
I fear are this way otherwhile to blame,  
As much as they whose refuge it in Lies,  
(And care not by what means they gain their Prize)  
For, when that an Impostor doth express  
What someway suiteth with what they profess;  
Oft-times by that Wile, guilded Pills are swallowed  
As wholesome, which are poisoned and unhallowed,  
And, them deprive, who are deluded so,  
Of outward peace, and Peace of Conscience too.  
Take therefore heed of those, who by their mingling  
Truths with apparent Falsehoods, and by gingling  
Some Silver among Counters, may by shows  
Of their befriending that, which they oppose,  
Obtrude upon you somewhat that is evil,  
Relating unto things Divine or Civil;  
At least, to make you hearken with content,  
To what brings undeserved Disparagement  
On other men: For, all things baneful prove,  
Wherein there's want of Prudence, Faith, or Love,   

X.  
A Disclaim, by way of Advertisement, of a Paper, falsely imputed to this Author.  
THere are Verses printed on one side of sheet, Entitled, The Wheel of Time turning round to the Good Old Cause; which many, who know not me, nor my Principles, nor my Writings from other men's, have ascribed unto me, who do abhor publishing any thing without my Name, which may be scandalous; especially to individual persons, either by name, or by marking them out in such manner, that the Vices I reprove can be justly appropriated to them, and to no other: Neither did I ever purposely compose aught which might endanger the public Peace, or hazard the quiet of private persons, whereof that Paper is suspected. And indeed, I conceived it at the first view, to have been the composure of a malicious person, who thereby intended to make those in Authority jealous of some Innovation intended by sober and conscientious men, who I hope will make patient suffering their Refuge, in all their Probations. Therefore, as soon as I had perused it, I wrote these following Verses on the backside thereof, and gave it unto a Friend, to communicate thereby my sense thereof, to others, if he pleased.  
He, that divulgeth aught without a Name,  
Which individual persons doth defame,  
Although the Truth he writes, deserveth blame:  
Yea, he, that without soberness and reason,  
Speaks what is true, and speaks it out of season,  
Against the Dignity of Truth speaks Treason.  
Yet, Saints, may by oppressions, now and then  
Be so provoked (for they are but men)  
That, they may thus offend by Tongue or Pen.  
If it be so, let him who forth hath sent  
Those Lines, his folly heartily repent;  
For, they portend an Evil-Consequent.  
G. W.   

XI.  
To them who object it as a fault, that this Author hath written several Poems, since he resolved to write no more.  
I Sometimes think my work is done, and then  
Resolved am to lay aside my Pen;  
Yet, when I do discover some remain  
Unfinished, I take it up again:  
For, when I promise, what concerneth none  
(In any manner) but myself alone,  
'Tis always in mine own power, to dispense  
With every such Resolve, without offence;  
Then, specially, when else, perhaps, I may  
To GOD, my self, or others in some way  
Infringe my Duty, by the prosecution  
Of that unprofitable Resolution.  
For this cause therefore, I now think it fit,  
Not only such Resolving to remit,  
But, also, by these Presents, to declare  
That, whensoe'er a just Cause doth appear,  
To write, or speak, or do, what I believe  
GOD may have honour by, or Men receive  
A future benefit, I will assay  
(Whilst I have life) to do it as I may.  
This Promise binds me; and, I must confess,  
That, if in time to come, I shall transgress  
Against this Resolution, there's in me  
No power whereby I from it can be free.  
Reprove me therefore, if at any time  
I break this Promise; for it is a crime.   

XII.  
Of Governors and Governments; and how we ought to demean ourselves toward them.  
ALl Power is of the LORD, the GOD of Heaven;  
And Man hath none, but, that which he hath given:  
To raise, pull down, to change or innovate,  
In governing a Kingdom, or a State,  
Belongs to Him alone; and nought to do  
Have private men, but to submit thereto  
When He a Change hath made, whether he hath  
Vouchsafed it in Mercy, or in Wrath.  
Therefore, the Persons, or the Government,  
To change I never sought, nor had intent;  
But, to submit to that, what e'er it be,  
Which GOD was pleased to set over me.  
Both Men and Forms, if well compared together,  
Do prove so like, and so unlike each other,  
That oft the Constitution which at first  
Appeared the best, becomes at last the worst;  
And, as the Elements do change into  
Each other, so the Governments will do,  
According to th' Affections, and the Powers  
Of those, who are the present Governors.  
All kinds of Government, in some respect,  
Are but one and the selfsame in effect,  
And, when refined, will corrupt again,  
So long as actuated by mere men,  
Who, overswayed by their Lusts and Passions,  
Are always subject to Prevarications,  
And so oft also, as the People's sin  
Compels GOD's Justice to bring Changes in.  
This, when the Supreme Power was here divided  
(So, that some this way, and some that way sided)  
Made many Wisemen, both in resolution,  
As also in their ways of prosecution,  
Exceeding doubtful, that a sad Result  
Might follow, in a path so difficult;  
I therefore, then, endeavoured to adhere  
To that, wherein most Justice did appear  
When I had cause of doubt; and did comply  
Where I saw with most visibility  
That Power did then reside: For, so I thought  
(And still believe) I was divinely taught  
By Precept and Examples; and I joined  
Therein, to those, who seeming of that mind  
And judgement, did in show the same profess  
With zeal, and with much conscienciousness.  
And, some few, doubtless, acted to that end  
Sincerely, which the rest did but pretend.  
But, I was cozened by the greater part:  
Yet, went on in simplicity of heart,  
Till I so far into a snare was run,  
That, back I could not go, nor further on  
Without a Mischief; or, a breach had made  
Upon that Faith which I engaged had.  
For, few I saw pursuing any thing  
Concerning GOD, the People, or the King,  
With true integrity, to which-soere  
Of those three they pretended to adhere,  
With whether side soever they then closed,  
Or, whatsoever they in show proposed.  
I saw, that either by an open scuffling,  
Or, by a politic and secret shuffling.  
Both sides had so the Knaves and Court-cards laid,  
That cheating Games were likely to be played,  
And, that our Losses, who intended best,  
Would be the losing of our Stakes at least.  
Some, for Religion did pretend to fight;  
Some, for the Royal, some for Common-Right;  
But, I perceived Self-Interest was that  
Which principally most men aimed at;  
And had not thereof a bare jealousy,  
For, 'twas apparent by that Policy  
With which they prosecuted their Intent.  
What else by them could probably be meant,  
Who juggling with both sides, to none were true,  
But as their own advantage might ensue?  
Who, siding with one Party, sent a Brother,  
A Son, or else a Nephew to the other;  
Who mutually did their Designs advance  
With Correspondence, and with Maintenance?  
With Counsels and with Treasure strengthening those  
Unseen, whom they did openly oppose?  
And otherwhile, by murdering their own Friends,  
Made bloody passages to their self-ends?  
Thus did they, yet, some of those now appear  
In better case, than we, whose Actings were  
Most innocent. But, though we suffer first,  
The better seeming Game will prove the worst.  
For my part, though it cost me all I had  
To keep my Conscience clear, a shift I made;  
And, am as well contented with my Lot,  
As they are, who have by my Losses got.  
Trust rather therefore thine own Conscience, then  
Upon the Counsel of seven wiser men:  
For, in a dubious path, no humane light  
So well directs us how to walk upright,  
If so far forth as GOD doth means provide,  
We take his Word and Spirit for our Guide.  
Be faithful to the present Government  
That GOD permits, to whatsoe'er intent  
He doth permit it, or whatever it be;  
For, (as I said) LORD of all Power is He;  
And, every Government is good, save when  
It is usurped by unrighteous men;  
And, we must bear it then, till he shall please  
Who laid it on us, to vouchsafe us ease;  
Because (though He permitteth it) our Sin  
Was that, yea that alone, which brought it in.  
We may, and must endeavour in our places,  
(According to those Talents and those Graces  
Which GOD bestows) to offer that which may  
Help keep them in a safe and Righteous way,  
For their sakes and our own; and, without fear,  
Speak to that end, what we shall know or hear,  
(Though they offended be) so we apply  
Our Balm with prudence and sobriety.  
Our seeking to reform it, by a course  
Not lawful, will but make it much the worse;  
Whereas, if we with patience do attend  
On GOD, he'll better, what we cannot mend,  
Or, else, with His own hand, destroy it quite,  
Even when their Tyranny is at the height.  
These are my Principles: These, without fear,  
Have kept me, and will keep me still, who ere  
Shall govern me; and whether Right or Wrong,  
Be done me either little-while, or long.   

XIII.  
A Scrap added to the former, since the sending of the Author's Remonstrance to the house of Commons.  
THough Liberty I've lost, with my Estate,  
Yet, as things are, I wonder not thereat;  
Nor marvel that my Poem, for which here  
I suffer, to the World must not appear:  
For, I confess, it speaks not in a strain,  
Which Flatterers with esteem can entertain;  
And they by whom I have accused been,  
Would miss their Arm, were that in Public seen;  
Occasion likewise I should not have had,  
Of that advantage, which is thereby made.  
But, one thing (which till now I thought not fit  
To mention) I admired at, and do yet;  
Even this, That, being of all else bereft,  
The same Tools in my power should still be left,  
Whereby offence was given, and by which  
My Vindication will be furthered much.  
It was a Mercy, but, sure, not of men,  
That, I bereft was not of my Pen  
When I was first restrained, and also sent,  
(As many are) to close Imprisonment;  
Which, at this time had greater mischief done,  
Than all that I, till now have undergone.  
And this, I here express, not to outbrave  
Man's fury, but, that GOD may Glory have  
By that Assurance, wherewith, me he arms  
In present sufferings, against future harms.  
For that cause, in this manner, is revealed  
That, which a wiser man would have concealed;  
And, though, I somewhat over peremptory  
May seem; yet, when Truth's honour, and GOD's Glory  
Do lie at stake, I know a servile speaking  
To be a foolish and uncomely sneaking;  
Not only disadvantaging the speaker,  
But, rendering also righteous Causes weaker.  
All men to Casualties exposed be,  
And, things befall to others, as to me;  
Even unto them, who are above my sphere,  
And, were occasion of my lodging here.  
When I had been above six months, debarred  
Of Liberty, unpitied, and unheard;  
Accused for Libelling, because I had  
A private Recapitulation made  
Of what I knew, as well by sight as fame,  
(And, for which, yet, unheard, confined I am)  
Five Persons, of no mean degree, were sent  
To be my Fellows by Imprisonment  
Within this Jail; and, at this present are  
Charged with suspicion of no less Crimes here  
Than Theft and Murder; And, there's one among  
That number, which at this time doth belong  
To that Society, which I am said  
To have defamed, and therefore here was laid;  
Though I in private only, had declared  
In genral terms, what common fame averred.  
And, which now seem not so incredible  
As they were thought, nor things impossible.  
Yet, with unfeignedness, desire I do,  
They may be guiltless found, if they be so,  
And quit, without endeavouring to smother  
Two Crimes, by perpetrating of another:  
For, guilt to cover, and damn Innocents',  
Is not in these days without Precedents:  
And, Presidents (although not worth a straw)  
By some are made equivolent to Law.  
Their Youth I greatly pity, though the Rage  
Of my Oppressors pity not my Age,  
Nor care to what straits I may be exposed,  
Whilst here, despised of all, I am enclosed.  
Now they, and I, until we shall be tried  
All scandalous conjectures must abide;  
And, if upon the Test, their Act appears  
Mistake; why may not mine as well as theirs  
Mistaken be? since I more likely am  
Than they, by Prejudice to suffer blame?  
And have less outward means of vindication,  
From an unjust and causeless imputation?  
But, they, and I, shall have, when our time's come,  
That, which GOD hath appointed for our Doom.  
He will be Righteous, though men are not so;  
Whate'er He pleases, therefore let Him do.  
We, by the Justice, which will then be done,  
Shall know, what's likely to ensue thereon  
To other men, who live in expectation  
Of Justice, or of due Commiseration.  
And, if with meekness, upon GOD we rest,  
That, which threats worst things, will produce the best.  
They whom I have displeased, may now be merry;  
For, I have scribbled until I am weary:  
And shall, perhaps, no more be troublesome  
This way, when what's conceived to light shall come;  
But, then permit them from thenceforth, to do  
What they intent, till they are weary too.  
In this mode I have little more to offer,  
To say, or do, but down to lie and suffer;  
Assured, that (if no good effects that have  
Which I have writ) A Poem in my Grave  
Composed and hither sent, would be no more  
Effectual, than my Writings heretofore.  
I have expressed enough to men of Reason,  
Who know when sober Truths come forth in season:  
Now, therefore, if GOD please, let them who shall  
Desire them, take Pen, Credit, Life, and all;  
But let them therewith know, that they will be  
So dealt withal, as they shall deal with me.  
'Tis now known, what I've done, what I can say,  
And, what I suffer, but not what I may.  
Qui jacet in Terrâ, non habet undé cadet.  
" The World can him undo no more,  
" Whom she hath quite undone before:  
" But, he whom GOD shall smile upon,  
" May lose all, yet not be undone.  

A few Lines more I'll add: I hear some say,  
This will occasion rending quite away  
All Liberties at once, and many think,  
That henceforth neither Paper, Pen, nor Ink  
Will be allowed me, nor a Visitant,  
Which may supply me with what I shall want:  
Yea, that I may be thither sent, where none  
Shall see, or hear, what must be undergone;  
And, that nought can be hoped for, but Perdition  
In such a place, and such a sad condition.  
Yet, this I fear not: For, there is no place  
On Earth, or any such distressed case,  
As no Redress admits. There's not alone  
For every Grief, a Cure, for every one  
In every Country; But, each man about him  
Hath also that, within him, or without him,  
Which known, and by GOD's aid applied, cures  
All Maladies, and all Distemperatures.  
The greatest Tyrants power extends not to  
All those things, which he hath a Will to do.  
Nor is there any Misery, or Place  
Whereby I can be shut up from GOD's Grace.  
What more I may now, or hereafter bear,  
Increases not my terror or my care:  
Nay, so far am I from the dread of that  
Which may befall in such a sad estate;  
That when I think on what the Rage of men  
Shall do at worst; And what GOD will do then,  
It keeps me pleased. For, to deliver me  
(What ere betides) a thousand ways hath he.  
He, that can make safe passage through the seas,  
And, through a Fiery Furnace, if He please,  
Pre-apprehensions gives me, of that Grace  
Which will vouchsafed be in such a Case.  
Joseph was long in Prison; yet GOD sent  
A means to free him from Imprisonment,  
In such a mode, that, if within our Creed  
It be, 'twill very well deserve our heed.  
The World can neither bring me to despair,  
Nor me deprive of Hope, Faith, Love, or prayer;  
Nor take away, or unto me restore  
Aught, making my Assurance less or more.  
GOD clothes the Lilies, and doth Sparrows feed;  
He can turn Stones to Bread, if there be need:  
And, could I down to Hell by men be driven,  
When I came thither, I should find it Heaven.  
The Bugbears, wherewithal the World assays  
To scare me, could not in my childish days  
Affright me. I was exercised in youth  
(For loving Honesty, and writing Truth)  
With strict Imprisonments, and made ere since  
A Stone (to very many) of offence,  
Kicked to and fro, till thereat many broke  
Their shins at least, yet harm I never took.  
GOD hath preserved me now fifty years,  
In his Work, in all troubles, wants and fears;  
From Poverty and Shame in worst of times;  
From mine own Follies, Vanities and Crimes;  
From Famines, Pestilences, raging War,  
And Tyrants, worse than those three Judgements are,  
Without dismay, even when it so befell,  
That men in greatest power sped not so well.  
In plain terms I did often represent  
Their failings, to the late Long Parliament,  
Yet scap't their fury, though I could not scape  
Their Fraud, nor Partnership in that mishap,  
Which their Improvidence occasioned then,  
Both to themselves, and many better men.  
But, that will for my welfare prove at last,  
As certainly, as that which in time past,  
I told them would befall, is at this day  
Fulfilled upon them, every several way;  
And, will continue, till their Fiery Trial,  
Hath brought men to that real self-denial,  
Which them will qualify to carry on  
The Work which GOD intendeth shall be done.  
I likewise did presage to Oliver,  
In bold words to his face, and without fear,  
What would at last befall him: and I knew  
(Though he dissembled it) what would ensue  
For such plaindealing: yea, I soon did find,  
By what course my destruction was designed;  
But, whilst he thought, I thought myself befriended,  
GOD taught me to prevent what he intended,  
That, I might suffer, as now at this time,  
What gives more cause of glorifying Him.  
By these Experiments confirmed I am,  
My GOD will always be to me the same,  
That he hath been, and ratify that Truth  
In my old Age, that I believed in Youth,  
By making that, which likely seems to double  
My sorrows, to help others in their trouble,  
With constancy and patience to sustain  
Their Burdens, whilst upon them they remain.  
And, peradventure, they will be so wise,  
Whose Indignation, yet upon me lies,  
That, when they heed what GOD for me hath done▪  
And may do, they'll consider so thereon,  
That they who were my Foes, my Friends will be,  
And save themselves, by their delivering me,  
GOD can effect this for me, if He please:  
For, He doth many stranger things than these.  
But, let Him do his Will. What ere is done▪  
He is my Trust, and, Him I'll rest upon.   

If such a Famine, as is threatened, comes,  
There will be need of such like Scraps and Crumbs.  
But, these, to none can toothsome be, unless  
They thirst and hunger after Righteousness:  
For, they will relish unto all men else,  
Like fleshless bones, or fishless Oyster-shels:  
Perhaps, to some few, they will serve instead  
Of Physical Receipts in time of need,  
If, carelessly they be not cast aside,  
But, prudently and seasonably applied.  
To that end, they endeavoured to save them  
From being lost, by whose means ye now have them.  
They Relics are of that continual Feast  
My Conscience makes me; and probatum est  
To every one of them subscribe I may;  
For I have proved them by night and day.  
They are but part of larger Meditations  
(Thus worded, for my daily Recreations)  
For whilst to write them down, I did assay,  
The greatest portion of them flew away.     

VERSES written by Mr. George Whither upon three Trenchers with Ochre, during his close-Imprisonment, and carried to the Lieutenant of the Tower by the said Prisoners Keeper.  

George Whither, close Prisoner, to the Lieut. of the Tower.  
SIR, I have been a Prisoner now six times,  
For no worse faults, than just Reproofs of Crimes.  
Nigh fifty years acquainted with the power  
Of Jailers; and, shall shortly know the Tower,  
To be the best, or else the worst of all  
Confinements, which did hitherto befall.  
All my defensive Arms are took away,  
Now therefore, I assume such as I may:  
And, since my Lot affords no better Tools,  
A Trencher marked with Ochre, Led, or Coals,  
Shall be my Buckler, Sword, and Advocate  
To you, in this my much oppressed estate.  
These, long experience taught me to provide,  
When such a straight was likely to betid;  
And, if you take them from me, you will do  
More than your Order doth oblige you to,  
Or Charity allows: for, I'm not free  
To come to you, nor will you come at me;  
Though wise, and good, and honourable men,  
Have thought me worth a visit (now and then.)  
When I was in the much despised Jail  
Of Newgate; some from thence were freed by Bail,  
Though charged with Theft & Murder; and I may  
Expect that Privilege as well as they:  
But, kissing goes by favour; and I lack  
The Silver Key, which way thereto doth make,  
And by the want whereof, I find this place  
Affords not unto me, the common grace  
Allowed to Rogues; nor so much as a Slave  
In Turkey, or in Barbary may have:  
For, they have Bread and Water at the least,  
And Place assigned them, wherein to rest,  
Without extorting more than can be had  
(Unless their Flesh could into Coin be made)  
Whereas the Mercy which this place affords  
(In Age and Sickness) had been naked boards,  
And stones for bread, had not my Wife, by giving  
What Charity bestowed to keep her living,  
Prevented for a week, what was designed  
To me, thenceforward, if we caanot find  
Enough beforehand, weekly to bring in,  
And save the stripping of me to the skin:  
By which means, that Impeachment now intended,  
May not be drawn up, till my Life is ended;  
So, they will lose their labour, who assay.  
To mould my Punishment another way:  
Which I conceived, would more vexation be  
To some, than all my Sufferings are to me,  
Prisoners should gently used be, (if mild)  
Not currishly oppressed and reviled:  
For (though neglected) we have still a Law,  
Whereby such Jailers may be kept in awe.  
Know, Sir, that much abuse to me is done;  
Which is not an Abuse to me alone,  
But likewise to yourself, and to the nature  
And privilege of every humane creature.  
For which cause, being willing to prevent,  
Both your Dishonour, and my Detriment,  
I this way have contrived to declare  
My mind; and that, I my Affronts can bear;  
Though (to my knowledge) since my name was Whither  
I was not Villain called, till I came hither;  
Nor from aught, for preserving healthy, debarred;  
Though, oft my usage hath been very hard.  
The mercy of preceding times was such,  
That Prisoners here, were not oppressed so much:  
For, all Close-Prisners, (for what Crime soe'er  
Accused) supplied with all things needful were  
In their degrees; even a● the Prince's cost:  
Which Privilege, though now it seemeth lost,  
Custom had made so legal when due,  
That, till of late, it was de●y'd to few.  
And, whensoever claimed your Predecessors,  
If they denied it, we●● thought Transgressor's.  
They who infringed 〈◊〉 Custom, first did bring  
Dishonour to the Nation, and the King.  
Them, closely imprison, who have nought  
To feed them and thereof, then take no thought)  
Is worse than killing them; yea, such a sin  
As hath by infidel's abhorred been.  
Where's nothing left, there nothing can be got;  
And, to oppress, because men have it not,  
Is an inhuman, and a brutish evil,  
That's found in none, but an incarnate Devil.  
Sir, by profession, you a Christian are,  
And, I hope, this mind, is from you so far,  
That you all civil usages will deign,  
So long as in your keeping▪ I remain.  
A Cat no more can yield you, but her skin.  
If Sheep do pay the Fleeces they are in,  
They'll grow again, so you from Curs preserve them,  
And shut them not so close up, that you starve them.  
That which concerneth other men, and me,  
This day, another day your case may be:  
For, Changes are not fixed with such a Pin,  
But, that those things may happen, which have been.  
Consider it: If Mercy you extend,  
'Twill make a better man than I your Friend;  
And much more honour you, than all your power,  
As Alderman, Lieutenant of the Tower,  
And Member of the Commons, if severe  
You prove to me, beyond what I can bear:  
For, if through want, I perish in these bands,  
My Blood will be required at your hands;  
And, you will find, that I am owned by Him,  
Who justifieth, when man doth condemn.  
Do as your heart inclines: If you deny me  
Things needful, GOD himself will then supply me  
With strength to bear it, till I shall enjoy  
That Freedom, which no mortal can destroy:  
And when the World hath done the worst she can,  
Good men will say, I was an honest man,  
To GOD, Prince, Conscience, and my Country true,  
whatever, on my Trial, shall ensue.  
Yea, though with rigour I may suffer all  
That's threatened, and seems likely to befall,  
I do not yet perceive, which way GOD can  
Be honoured more by any mortal man,  
Than by the Joy and Courage he may give him.  
When others think they most extremely grieve him,  
If I had suffered less since I begun  
To serve Him; I his Work could not have done;  
And, what I now shall suffer, may add more  
Unto his Honour, than all heretofore.  
And, from that, whereto Conscience doth invite,  
My Punishment, will not one man affright  
Who owns my Principles; and shall have grace  
To act them soberly, in his own place.  
Sir, I have twenty times as much to say,  
But, here I am compelled to make stay:  
For lo, this Trencher will contain no more,  
And, Paper must not come within my door.  
Your Prisoner, Geo. Wither.   

Hearing it reported, that the Diurnal women cried the news of his Impeachment for Treason, he composed this Epigram.  
I Am preferred from Newgate to the Tower;  
And, as the Summer's heat mends Ale that's sour,  
So, here my state is mended; and what follows,  
May be, for aught I yet perceive, the Gallows.  
Hark! what is that which now the woman cries,  
Who, this day selleth weekly Truths and Lies?  
How! an Impeachment against Major Wither?  
These words, methinks, seem not well put together.  
But, let them pass, until I know the reason;  
Perhaps, a kind of whistling of Treason  
I am thought guilty of: and if some say  
The Fox's ears are horns, who help it may?  
These Novels, only please, or else affright,  
Children & Fools, who know not black from white,  
Nor right from wrong; and quite contrary things  
They'll tell next week, to what this week forth brings.  
However, Friends, be not thereof afeard,  
He that shall stand accused, must be cleared,  
Or else condemned, before that any one  
Can justly say, that right or wrong is done.  
The Commons do intend to vindicate  
Their Honour; and I am not grieved thereat,  
For, it concerns them; and the Reputation  
Of their House is the Honour of the Nation.  
If that which I have writ, seditious be,  
Or scandalous, 'twas not so made by me:  
But, rather, by some Members of their own;  
For, to all other men, it is unknown;  
And was by me, composed with an intent,  
Both Scandal and Sedition to prevent,  
As that Remonstrance truly hath averd,  
Which to their Speaker I long since preferred.  
I did but part of that in private write,  
Which genrally was famed, that make I might  
Good use thereof: And, if that be a crime,  
I know it was not so in former time,  
Nor will be so hereafter, unless we  
To universal Ruin destined be.  
If their Proceed against me be severe,  
The more my Innocency will appear  
To prudent men; And, if I wronged ●e,  
The more GOD will be merciful to me  
He that beneath his Wings hath his abidings,  
Needs not to be afraid of evil tidings,  
Though they cried, Fire & Brimstone is descending;  
For, Angels always are on him attending.  
If they, as conscientious be, as wise,  
Upon whom now an Imposition lies  
To charge me; They, perhaps, when they have weighed  
What I have done, with what I've writ and said  
In my defence; will to that sense incline,  
Whereby the Honour of their House, and mine,  
May jointly be preserved, and make good use  
Of that which hath been deemed an abuse.  
I know discreet men cannot be so mad,  
To make that worse, which is already bad,  
Or, not to leave one single person free  
To speak Truth plainly, when just cause may be.  
For, they so understand, what doth belong  
To Freemen, and to Slaves, to right and wrong;  
That, to excuse the breach of any Laws,  
I shall not need a Favour worth two straws,  
If Justice may take place, (as I conceive  
It will, when they my Innocence perceive.)  
Yea, peradventure, they, who yet seem Foes,  
Will be to me so friendly in the close,  
That they will by their Justice, honour gain,  
And, me into their favour entertain.  
One bitter herb spoils not a pot of Broth,  
(Though some the single taste thereof may loathe)  
But, makes the same perhaps much wholesomer  
Than if it totally omitted were.  
The best among us, at the best are sinners,  
And, in true Penitence, but new beginners,  
Who need forgiveness: and, GOD will bestow  
Such Mercy, as to other men we show.  
'Tis ●ot the cutting-off of one man's ears  
Will stop the Voice which every body hears;  
Nor possible, if Tongue and Life they take  
From me, to make all men afraid to speak:  
Nor is't in Whirlwinds, which the Rocks do rend,  
Whereby GOD will into men's hearts descend,  
Sunshine makes us those Robes aside to lay,  
Which furious Tempests cannot tear away:  
And, they whom threatenings cannot work upon,  
By Gentleness and Kindness may be won  
To yield up their own Judgements, and their Will,  
Sometime for good, and otherwhile for ill.  
GOD by his Grace, preserve me from that snare,  
And then, come what come will, I nothing fear.  
For, chiefest causes of the greatest Evils,  
Are these; kind Foes, good Witches, and white Devils.   

Ingenii Largitor Venture.  
Hunger will break Stonewalls, and make Fools witty;  
When others will not we ourselves must pity:  
For, he that wholly doth himself neglect,  
Cannot his Neighbour heartily affect,  
And, if we love not those whom we have seen,  
The Love of GOD in us hath not yet been.  
By what Expedient, I shall henceforth get  
A means to vent my thoughts, I know not yet.  
My Black-lead took away; and worn out quite  
My Oker-pensil is; therefore Good-night.  
All I can now do, is to sit and think,  
What might be writ with Paper, Pen and Ink.  
GEO. WHITHER, Close-Prisoner.   
FINIS.