A Triple Paradox: Affixed to a COUNTER-MURE Raised against the Furious Batteries of Restraint, Slander and Poverty, The three Grand Engines OF The World, the Flesh and the Devil.  
By Major GEORGE WITHER, Who, now beleaguered by their Forces, throws out unto them this DEFIANCE.  
The said PARADOX maintains these Particulars. 

That Confinement is more safe than Liberty,  
Slander more advantageous than Praise,  
Poverty more profitable than Riches.    
Nusquam, non potest esse virtuti locus.  Seneca. 
LONDON, Printed for the Author. 1661.   

The Author, to all those who have relieved him in his Beleagurement.  
IT is a more Blessed thing to Give, than to Receive; Therefore, having hitherto been a Receiver only, I am now desirous to be a Giver also, though it be but of a Mite, or of a Cup of cold water; For, we are not to expect Benedictions or Acceprations, strictly answerable to the quantity or quality of our Gifts considered in themselves, but according to our Purposes and Abilities; which incourages me to send you a handful of such Fruit as grows upon my WITHERD-Tree, now almost past bearing, that if you find it as pleasant and as wholesome, as I conceived it to be, you having therewith refreshed yourselves, may if you please, pick out some of the Kernels, and by sowing and replanting them in your Orchards, preserve the kind for future use, when my Tree is rotten.  
I make not tender of this Diminutive Present, by way of Retribution; For, GOD is your reward: but to be a testimonial of my Gratitude, and of my willingness, to have done more, if I had been able; or rather, that it may be a memorial of GOD'S Mercy to me vouchsafed by your hands when I was deserted of the World; which ought never to be by me forgotten: For, I confess, I have thereby lived to produce this, and whatsoever I shall do hereafter in discharge of my duty, and had else, ere this day perished from the Earth, for aught I know to the contrary, though in my greatest wants and uncertainty of Supplies I was always as far from a despairing Distrust, as if I had then possessed a Vault filled with hidden Treasures, which no man could take from me: And (though I am yet in no more certainty in respect of External Supplies) GOD preserves in me the same confidence, and I believe he will always preserve it in me.  
This, is so great, and so extraordinary a Mercy, considering the many terrors, distrusts & necessities, wherewith many thousands of better men are daily exercised & proved, that I conceive myself obliged in conscience, openly to acknowledge it both to glorify him who vouchsafes it, and to confirm in myself and other men, our Christian hopes, by declaring what GOD hath done for my soul, who have nothing in myself to deserve it, but what is of his gift, and who have much more of my own, which rather deserves the contrary. I am, and I hope shall ever be so far from being ashamed of my preservation by mere Charity, that I do esteem it a greater honour & happiness, than to have the most plentiful subsistence which the world can confer upon me by a constant Revenue, with an eminent dignitary annexed: For I have seen the best Provisions of that kind, not only to fall but to bring their Possessors also to be worse than nothing.  
I had superscribed your Names (or hereto added a Catalogue of them:) but many of you are personally unknown, and, the rest having discovered themselves unto me, for our mutual comfort and conversation only (without any desire that notice might be taken by other men of what hath been communicated, and passed between them and me) I do forbear making your Names public, for that and other considerable respects. You are my friends by the surest side: For you were not made mine by my industry, merit, solicitation, or in respect of any carnal Relations, but merely by GOD'S Mediation who inclined your hearts to that voluntary compassion, whereof I had fruit in due season, sufficient to preserve me, without sordid want or dejection, in that condition wherein I am likely to be continued to fit me for that service, which I have yet to do; and I am confident that he who made you my Friends, will so keep you; and make me thankful to him and you, whilst we live in this world. Your Acceptation I doubt not of, nor of assistance by your prayers to the end of my Pilgrimage: For, though some of us may circumstantially differ in our judgements, we are one in him and with him, in his Essential Truth, and in that love which knits all the Saints into one blessed and everlasting Communion. I am  
Your humble Beadsman, GEORGE WITHER.   
A Triple Paradox; Wherein are asserted, these particulars, that (TIE; IMPRISONMENT, is more safe than LIBERSLANDER, more advantageous than PRAISE; POVERTY, more profitable than RICHES.  

For an INTRODUCTION, the AUTHOR flings this Express to the WORLD.  

A Parley, unto thee disdainful WORLD,  
I sound; and have to thee this Paper hurled.  
Yet, neither for a Treaty or Compliance,  
But, rather, still, to bid to thee Defiance;  
For, what thou were't, thou art; and I yet am  
And will be, whilst I live, to thee the same.   

Thou art become the Mistress of the Field;  
Hast me beleaguered, summoned me to yield  
My Fortress, and thou so proceedest on,  
As if thou wert assured, it should be won:  
But, thereon thou perhaps, mayst yet attend  
As long as did th' Infanta for Ostend;  
And as she nothing had at last but Stones,  
Get nothing but dead flesh, and rotten bones.  
I see thine insolence, and every day  
Hear what thy favourites are pleased to say,  
How they extol thy Power, how they debase  
My succours, and my helpers would disgrace.  
I well observe, thou round begirt me haste;  
That, having all my Outworks quite laid waste,  
Thou, to complete a Conquest, dost begin  
A fierce assault to ruin all within.  
That, to prevent the sending of supplies,  
Thou frightest my friends with slanders and with lies.  
My Accusatrix too, become thou art;  
And, justly (I acknowledge) in some part,  
But, not in all: for, chiefly, thy temptations  
Inducements were to those prevarications  
Whereby, my Talents were sometime abused:  
Though therefore, I seem worthily reduced  
To what I am; thou undeservedly  
Hast me pursued with malignity;  
Because the love which I once bore to thee  
Was more, than thou deservedest it should be;  
Thou most injuriously requited haste  
That love, which in my youth on thee I placed;  
For, though I never totally was thine,  
Thou hadst (when least) more of me then was mine:  
And, him, of his right, to whom all was due  
I robbed then, thy service to pursue.  
But, he, now gives me grace, thy wiles to hate,  
And to observe them ere it is too late,  
That what thou by thy falsehoods dost intend,  
Shall cross thine own Designments in the end.   

Thou, having into many errors run me,  
Thought'st by undoing me, to have undone me,  
But art deceived: for, that which thou hast done  
Hath brought me to the knowledge of that Stone,  
Which turneth dross to gold; and from offences  
Instructs me to extract those Quintessences,  
Which will preserve my Freedom in all places,  
Supply all Wants; Convert all my Disgraces  
To honours; and in every estate,  
With all things needful, me accommodate.   

The Devil by thine aid, hath long time sought  
How, he his ends upon me might have wrought;  
But, neither Thou nor He, nor both conjoined,  
Had power to bring to pass what was designed,  
Until the FLESH, my Dalilah, you got  
To be a third Associate in the Plot;  
And then, both to her damage, and to mine  
You, such progression made in your design,  
That by deluding her, you soon prevailed,  
In that, whereof you otherwise had failed;  
So, by her Frailty, more than by your Power,  
(ay, being in your clutches at this hour)  
Am openly exposed (in some sort)  
Like Samson for a while, to make you sport;  
But, stretched your malignity so far  
That your own Actings, your own works will mar:  
For, though my Dalilah your Vassal be,  
And you by her means have surprised me,  
Your Cords and Chains will off again be flung,  
So that, we shall redeemed be ere long  
From our Captivities, and in conclusion  
Your own contrivements will be your confusion.   

When thou pretendedst kindnesses to me  
(And by them, didst intend to ruin me)  
Thou gav'st me then, one of Pandora's Boxes,  
Which, I return thee full of Paradoxes  
That shall uncharm thy Witchcrafts, and destroy  
Those Gins which thou against me dost employ:  
For, if thou open it, (as it is said  
Prometheus opened what she's fabuled  
To have bestowed on him) from thence will flow  
Those Truths, which will thy falsehood's overthrow,  
And make some who admire them, to contemn  
Those juggle wherewithal thou foolest them:  
As likewise all those Bugbear-Tyrannies,  
Which thy oppressing-Instruments devise  
To fright us from our duties, and adhere  
To thy allurements, out of love or fear.   

To batter down my petty single Sconce,  
Thy three great'st Engines thou hast raised at once,  
And so surrounded me within my Fort,  
That, I have scarce one little Sally-port  
Whereby I may have egress to offend  
My Foes, or to give ingress to a friend.  
Thy Ragged Regiment of POVERTY,  
(And they which by RESTRAINT of LIBERTY,)  
Commanded are) enclose me so about  
With double Trenches, that, here can to nought  
For my Relief, admittance now be given,  
Except it comes immediately from Heaven:  
Moreover, at the four Winds, raised high,  
Are four Mounts, whereupon thy Batteries lie  
So diligently man'd by Major SLANDER  
(An old and well experienced Commander  
In such like services) that, several ways  
His great Artillery upon me plays.  
At me perpetually his tongue-shot flies,  
And his whole Culverings charged full with Lies,  
Send poisoned Bullets, which I often hear,  
Making loud cracks, or whizzing by mine ear.   

But, ay, at last, shall rout all this Brigade,  
Quite frustrate those attempts which thou hast made  
And raise again thy siege, or do as well  
By dying nobly in my Citadel,  
And, that it will to thee (when battered down)  
Prove like the House by Samson overthrown.  
Then, those things, plainly will to thee appear,  
Which thou at present, wilt not see nor hear;  
And I shall be the same to thee and thine,  
Which thou hast lately been to me and mine;  
For, then, my Ghost, arrayed in white sheets  
Shall haunt thy houses, walk about thy streets,  
And fright thee day and night with repetition  
Of what is hasting on, for thy perdition,  
And will descend upon thee at those times  
Wherein thou fill'st the measure of thy Crimes.   

Mean while, to comfort others, and prevent  
The tediousness of my Beleagurement,  
I'll draw a Map, wherein I'll so express  
The vanity of thy maliciousness,  
That, they who list shall know how much I slight  
Thy Triple-Forces, and contemn thy spite;  
And I to thee, their weaknesses apart  
Will so declare, that, unless blind thou art  
Thou shalt perceive, I cannot be destroyed,  
By those whom thou against me hast employed  
Although in one united: for, these three  
SLANDER, IMPRISONMENT and POVERTY,  
To fall upon me, all at once began  
Before, thou didst repute me for a Man;  
And though they charge me all at once again,  
Grown weaker by old age, than I was then,  
My Helper is the same; and suffering long  
Hath by his Grace, now made my power more strong.   

I know thy pride this Confidence contemns:  
For, faith and hope, are now thought but the dreams  
Of those men, whom thou dost fanatics call:  
But, whatsoev'r thou thinkst, proceed I shall.  
And, if thou heedst what follows, thou shalt hear  
How little, either thee, or thine I fear.  
With that part of thy Forces I'll begin  
Which, with the first Trench hath now shut me in.  
Thou know'st, what outwardly, thou hast bereft;  
Now, thou shalt know, what is within me left  
But, never shalt attain to apprehend  
How far my hidden store-house doth extend.    

Confinement is more advantageous than Liberty.  

RESTRAINT, which is an Engine, right or wrong,  
Made use of, (first, or last, short time or long)  
By most Oppressors, hath been oft my lot;  
And, at this present, I escape it not:  
For, (though not in the ordinary way  
It seemeth now inflicted) I might say,  
I am imprisoned, and so confined  
That, I am no way free, except in mind.  
Of most enjoyments I am quite deprived  
Which from external things may be derived,  
Yet thereby not undone; for I possess  
My whole essential Freedom neretheless.  
My toys are lost, but by their deprivations  
I furnished am with real consolations,  
Which, though they to the world-ward make no shows  
Yield sweeter comforts than the things I lose,  
And make my hidden Freedoms to be more  
Than those the world vouchsafed heretofore:  
For, to her Freedoms, when respect I gave  
I was then only free to be a slave,  
Whereas, this, doth from nothing me restrain,  
Which, to true Liberty, doth appertain.   

That, which gives most content to flesh and blood  
I find to be the basest servitude;  
And that we nothing have whereof to boast  
Till what the world calls Liberty is lost.  
What Freedom want I, save what being had  
makes many Freemen slaves, and wise men mad?  
None, have upon themselves, and others, brought  
More plagues than they have done, who would be thought  
The freest men: for Freedoms misemployed  
Have lately all our Liberties destroyed;  
And, most, whom we much reverence as our betters  
Are but our fellow-slaves in golden fetters.  
What Liberty had I, whereof to vaunt  
By those Infranchisements I seem to want?  
I was at Liberty to roll in dust,  
To prosecute my fancies and my lust;  
And therein joyed, when I could walk abroad;  
But, now, I find the Services of GOD  
Are Perfectest Freedom. That, I am debarred  
Of nothing, which deserveth my regard;  
And, that the Liberty I did possess,  
Was not true Freedom, but Licentiousness;  
At which experiment I am arrived,  
By losing that whereof I am deprived.   

This (though fore-seen it was) to me befell  
Before I for it was prepared well,  
And, I confess, at first it made a change  
Within me, and without, that seemed strange:  
But, not long after, at the second sight,  
That, which appeared the wrong-side, proved the right;  
And I am well contented therewithal:  
For, I could see GOD'S Mercies through the wall;  
Discerned, when inwardly, I turned mine eyes,  
Much more of Heaven, than when I saw the skies.  
And, that, from very little I was barred,  
Which I have reason greatly to regard.   

What can I see abroad, which hath not been  
By me before, almost to loathing seen,  
Or, heard not so described, that being shown  
It will not seem a thing already known?  
Both Changes and Rechanges I have viewed;  
Seen new things old become, old things renewed;  
Princes petitioning disdainful Grooms  
Great Kings dethroned, & Peasants in their rooms;  
Laws outlawed, Outlaws raised to be Judges  
Of Laws, Lives, Goods, and of our Privileges,  
By Law and Conscience; Loyalty made Treason,  
And Treason Loyalty; Nonsense for Reason  
Allowed, and Reason thought irrational:  
Yea, Meteors I have seen rise, and Stars fall;  
Foundations that immovable appeared  
Thrown down, and Castles in the Air upreared.  
I have seen Heads and Feet exchange their places,  
Wealth make men poor, and honour bring disgraces;  
Beauties, which ravished beholders eyes  
Wax more deformed than Anatomies,  
Or, no more lovely to be looked upon,  
Than Rawridge, Mumblecrust, or Bloody-bone,  
But, truth to say, they who most lovely be,  
Now, no more pleasureful appear to me  
Than Pictures, nor so much as ugly faces  
Whose hearts are beautified with inward graces,  
Although to Beauty very few were more  
A Servant, than I have been heretofore,  
And if that please not, which I once liked best,  
What pleasure is there to behold the rest?  
That, at this present, and all other sights  
Afford so little which my heart delights,  
That, all the earth, and one poor little room  
Are so equivalent to me become,  
That I know nothing any other where  
More to be prized than my enjoyments here;  
And, that which makes me so indifferent  
Nor melancholy is, nor discontent.   

Confinement, in a house of strength doth dwell,  
A homely, and sometimes a nasty Cell,  
In furnitures, and in attendance poor,  
A Cerberus lies always at the door  
Fawning a little, when we entering are  
But ever snarls while we continue there:  
Yet, I so quickly had found out his diet,  
That, I knew either how to keep him quiet,  
Or order so myself, that when I please,  
I can lie down and sleep in LITTLE-EASE;  
Enlarge within, that which without hath bound,  
Contrive conveniences, where none I found;  
And, every whit as much content receive  
In what I have not, as in what I have.   

I view not here the pleasures of the fields  
Or what a Garden, Grove, or Meadow yields  
Which were of late my daily recreation,  
But, I have Visions by my contemplation,  
Which hither, during my Confinement brings  
Not only sights of more essential things  
But an assurance of enjoyments too,  
Whereof I doubted more a while ago.   

I could not be at that Solemnisation  
Which honoured my Sovereign's Coronation,  
Nor saw his Royal Train in their late Marches  
Through LONDON, under their Triumphant Arches;  
Yet in my solitariness, alone,  
What they were doing, I did think upon,  
With what should else be done, that's not done yet  
And, which I wish we may not quite forget,  
Nor so long, that there, may at length be lost  
Much real honour, and no little cost;  
And which, perhaps, to bring now into mind  
By this expression, I am thus confined;  
For Providence, did neither me restrain  
At this time, nor infuse these thoughts in vain.   

jonick, Doric, and Corinthians works,  
In which, an Architectors cunning lurks  
Apart, or inter-wove (with that applied  
Whereby it may be richly beautified)  
I can conceive, as if I saw it made,  
And all which paintings thereunto can add.  
I know, as well as they who did behold  
That costly Show, what Silver, Silk and Gold,  
Pearls, Diamonds, and precious Rubies, can  
Contribute to adorn a horse or man.  
I have seen all materials which were thither,  
To make up that great triumph, brought together.  
Princes and Dukes, and Marquesses and Earls,  
Plebeians, Men and Women, Boys and Girls,  
As many thousands as then present were  
I did as well imagine to be there  
As if I them had seen; and can suppose  
Not only what is acted at such Shows,  
But also, more than was at any one  
Since first the Roman Triumphs were begun,  
And fancy by myself such glorious things  
As would quite beggar Emperors and Kings  
To represent them. So, by being there  
I had but seen a meaner Show than here  
My fancy could have made; and what had I  
Been then, I pray, advantaged thereby?  
What had I gained then, by sitting long  
And paying, to be crowded in a throng?  
What great contentment could I have derived  
From what Mechanic Artists had contrived,  
Compared to that which my imagination  
Contrived in honour of that Coronation?  
At which the Trophies cost, at most, no more  
Than would have made some needy persons poor?  
I seldom took, at any time much pleasure  
In Shows, which every vulgar eye can measure;  
And time and cost require to make them gay,  
Yet in a moment vanish quite away,  
Behind them leaving nothing that conduces  
To Pious, Moral, or to Civil uses.   

What though I did not see the King that day?  
I did in my Confinement, for him pray  
As heartily as any person there,  
And, GOD, perhaps, assoon the same will hear,  
Although my Tongue was not then heard among  
Those Acclamations of the vulgar throng,  
Which did salute his ear; my silent Voice  
Winged with Devotion (though it made no noise)  
Ascended Heaven, and may bring blessings down,  
Which will conduce to settling of his Crown,  
If he unfix it not by mis-endeavour,  
Or, valuing of the Gift more than the Giver.  
I do presume his duties on that day  
He did discharge; and (wishing others may  
Perform their deuce to him) do not envy  
The glory of that day's Solemnity  
To him, for whom 'twas purposed, nor the sight,  
Thereof, to those who took therein delight;  
But wished, both might be perfectly contented  
In what was at that present represented;  
And hope, nought was to him ascribed then,  
Which rather appertains to GOD than Men:  
For, when to Hereds' eloquent Orations  
The people gave blasphemous Acclamations,  
And he that honour to himself applied,  
Whereby, GOD ought to have been glorified,  
The Doom, which that offence did on him bring,  
Made him a lifeless, and a lousy King.   

Of these things my confinement did produce  
Some thoughts, which are perhaps of some good use.  
ay, likewise exercised my Meditation,  
That day, on other things which have relation  
To what was then in act; and mused upon  
That, which occasion gave of things then done,  
On some now past, and upon other some  
Which probably will be in time to come.  
I mused upon the Changes, and the Chances,  
The Public Troubles, and Deliverances  
Which I have seen. I seriously did ponder  
GOD'S, and men's actions jointly and asunder;  
Our foolish Projects, his wise Providences,  
Both in their Progress, and their Consequences.  
I thought both on the People and the King,  
What good or evil possibly might spring  
From their deportments towards one another  
Now by GOD'S mercy they are brought together.  
On those too, in particular, I thought  
Whom, GOD into his power hath lately brought:  
How great, erewhile, his wants and sufferings were,  
What, his enjoyments at this present are;  
And, on some other matters, not a few,  
Which these, to my consideration drew,  
And which perhaps, that day had been by none  
Mused on, so much, had I not been alone.  
Moreover it occasioned thoughts of that  
Which to a Nobler Object doth relate;  
Even to that Kingdom, King, and Coronation,  
That should be thought on with more veneration  
Than all the Monarches in their greatest glory,  
Who now live, or are memorised in story.  
My Contemplation, with as much content,  
As others had, to me did represent  
That DAY wherein CHRIST through jerusalem  
Road meekly on an Ass, whilst after him  
The people thronged or laqued by his side,  
And voluntarily HOSANNA cried,  
Yet afterward pursuing him with scorns  
Cried Crucify, and crowned him with Thorns;  
And this, me thought, was so considerable,  
That it made all our Pomp seem despicable.  
For, then my Muses drew me by degrees,  
To meditate on what my soul foresee  
Concerning them, who, whilst they do pretend  
CHRIST's Kingdom, do pursue another end;  
And that, which for his glory was bestown,  
Make use of, for advancement of their own.  
Not seldom, likewise, I then thought upon  
Those many thousand families undone,  
Who sit and weep through want of what that day  
Was wastefully and vainly, thrown away,  
At such a time, wherein both Man and GOD,  
Proceedings looked for in another mode,  
And when, our public hazards and distress,  
Required another way of thankfulness.   

Upon that solemn day, (not without wonder)  
I saw and heard, the Lightning, rain, and thunder  
Wherewith GOD seemed to answer and outvie  
Our Guns and fire-Works, (though I was not nigh)  
And such-resemblance had the works of Art,  
To Nature's, that they could not be apart  
Distinguished; but that, to prevent our error,  
The last was loudest, and infused more terror.  
This, I observed well; and furthermore  
Took special heed, that nigh two Months before,  
And likewise ever since, from Rainy weather  
We were not oft free, one whole day together,  
Until that Royal Triumph was begun,  
Nor till that moment wherein it was done:  
Yet, durst I not be so profane, to say  
(As one hath writ) it dared not rain that day.  
Nor at that time, Flaminian like, durst I  
Conjecture by a Heathenish Augury  
What GOD thereby intended: but, with awe  
Considered upon what I heard and saw:  
And I confess, the Lightning, Rain, and Thunder  
At this our Seedtime, caused me to ponder  
On that, which Samuel prayed GOD to send  
In Harvest-time, and what that did portend;  
Which I conceive to be a Meditation  
Not then improper, for my Contemplation.  
And, though some peradventure may suspect  
That these expressions, may some way reflect  
On what concerns them, it concerns him more  
Whose cause and honour I prefer before  
All earthly things; and can be not afraid,  
Who ere shall be displeased with what I've said;  
For, I was barred from seeing what is done  
By men; that, GOD'S works might be mused on.   

Such things, although we then much mind them not,  
Should not amidst our Triumphs be forgot;  
And, that, (which then by me was thought upon)  
Much more effectually, perhaps, was done  
In this condition which I now am in,  
Than could in that state, wherein I have been:  
Forgot therefore, by others, if it be  
It will seem no great wonderment to me;  
For, who remember Joseph's in their sports,  
Or in the jollities at Prince's Courts?   

Confinement (which I once a damage thought)  
To me, hath other privileges brought.  
It manifests apparently to me  
Who are my Kinsmen, who my Neighbours be;  
And whether he who passeth by me than,  
Be Levite, Priest, or a Samaritan:  
For, Neighbourhood and Kindred, he best tries  
That's robbed, wounded, or imprisoned lies.   

In Liberty, I sometimes doubted whether  
They, who then came to visit me, were either  
My Friends or Foes, for, I found other while  
They whom I trusted most, did most beguile.  
But, few or none my Visitants now are  
Save they, whose Visitations are sincere;  
The Friends I got, when I did walk abroad  
I gained myself: These, are made mine by GOD.  
These were acquired without pains or cost;  
Not won by merit, nor by small faults lost.  
The first, were for prosperity decreed,  
The latter, for my help, in time of need,  
And sought my Body out, unknown before  
Because, they heard it was distressed, and poor;  
Which hath to me, Confinement sweeter made,  
Than all the Freedoms which I lately had;  
And, me, with that Communion of the Saints,  
Experimentally, it now acquaints,  
Which, in this life enjoyed is, by all,  
Who, in the life to come, enjoy it shall,  
A Prison, cannot dreadful seem to me,  
For, there I first was taught my A, B, C,  
In Sufferings: There, when I had scarcely past  
Mine Nonage, to be schooled I was placed.  
And, so long as the Providence of GOD,  
Was pleased, that, to instruct me with that Rod,  
I should continue my abiding there,  
Princes, my Tutors, and Correctors were.   

A Prison, is that House of Discipline,  
Wherein the MARTYRS usually begin  
To be Probationers; it is the College  
Of SAINTS, wherein experimental knowledge  
Is first acquired by a carnal sense  
Of that, which tries their Christian patience.  
Prisons, to them, are sanctified Temples,  
Wherein, they by their meekness and examples  
Preach to the world by Deeds (a powerful way)  
What, many other do but merely say.  
And, as our Prelates, in each Cathedral  
Have several places, which they please to call  
More or less holy: so, there likewise be  
Imprisonments of differing degree:  
The Outer-ward, an entertainment gives  
Most commonly to Murderers and Thiefs,  
Or, such like malefactors, who displease  
The world sometimes, and interrupt her ease,  
For which they are confined, till their just guerdon  
They shall receive, or bribe her for a pardon;  
And whereto she gives all advantages  
That may in Prisons granted be to these.   

But, all her Prisoners are not confined  
To Wards, and Receptacles of one kind.  
The Inner-wards, which do to me appear  
The same that Chancels unto Churches are,  
Are not made use of (except now and then)  
But for most holy and Religious men.  
The deepest Dungeons be reserved for those  
Who dare our Vices, or her Lusts oppose;  
Or, things repugnant to our ends profess,  
(When moved thereto by conscientiousness)  
And, whosoe'er presumes to plead their cases,  
As Innocents', doth hazard in like places  
His own Restraint; or else unto suspects,  
Which peradventure may have worse effects.  
Yet, Freedom yields to none so much content,  
As these enjoy, by such Imprisonment.  
For, they with inward comforts are delighted,  
Whilst they with outward darkness are benighted:  
And sweet Refreshments, in amongst them come  
When they are thronged up in a nasty Room.  
When, they of their familiars are deprived,  
They are by those, who knew them not, relieved;  
When they from earthly men, fast locked have been,  
Celestial Angels have sometime broke in;  
Knocked off their chains; the gates and doors unbar'd  
The Prison shook; the sturdy jailor scared  
And made him (falling down before them too)  
Cry, Men and Brethren, say, what shall we do?   

A Prison is the best retiring Room  
That can be got; the best Museolum  
For him, wherein to contemplate, that would  
Those Objects without fallacy behold,  
Which most concern him; or would notions have  
Of what he ought to do, hope or believe;  
For, most of those things, which abroad he spies,  
Either delude his ears, or blind his eyes,  
Pervert his judgement, or withdraw his mind  
From that, wherein his welfare he might find.  
A Prison is a place; which he that can  
Make use of, as becomes a prudent man,  
Finds there, more lasting, and more perfect solace  
Than in the greatest earthly Princes Palace,  
And, when he knows what Privileges are  
In this condition, will scorn all that's there.   

In Prison, quickly, understand he shall  
The worst that can to him, at last, befall.  
There, he may notice take, how most men pother  
Themselves; what plagues they are unto each other.  
How, causelessly men terrified are  
By those, to whom they dreadful would appear;  
And, peradventure, if they patient be  
That, they pursued by their Foes will see,  
By which their self-destruction shall be wrought,  
And those freed, whom, they into bondage brought.  
There, they may learn, that to make black or white,  
One hair, or add one straws-breadth to their height  
Care nought avails; and in that poor estate  
To laugh at all the world's despite and hate:  
For, over them, no power than left she hath,  
Except of prosecuting them to death,  
Which them ten thousand fold will happier make  
Than all, that she can either give or take.  
These are such benefits as I enjoy,  
By what, now seems my Freedom to destroy.   

In Prison, too, this Privilege I have,  
That, living, I descend into my Grave,  
And by my Contemplation can foresee  
What my condition in that place will be.  
I search it to the bottom, by that spark  
Of Light, which shineth brightest in the dark.  
The terrors of that Dungeon I forestall,  
I, (as it were) pre-act my Funeral,  
And in a manner also, see and hear  
What will be said and done, when I am there;  
Which are advantages not to be known,  
Whilst in the world I flutter up and down.  
In Prison also, when least room I have,  
And close am kept, I, far beyond the Grave  
Do Prospects view; and can see pretty well  
What may concern men, both in Heaven and Hell;  
Whereof, if here I should my knowledge speak  
Them, for Fanatic dreams, the world would take;  
And not believe the things I could declare,  
Because, she knows that I was never there;  
And, therefore, I'll proceed again to show  
What, my Experiments are here below.   

Restraint, from me, hath totally shut out  
That frivelous, and that offensive Rout,  
Which interrupts my Muse with discourse  
That's either wholly vain, or somewhat worse:  
For, to nought else, it for the most part tends  
But fruitless compliments, or graceless ends;  
And, what among us, is at meetings blown,  
Wrongs other men's affairs, or else our own,  
Whereas, our words whilst here we are together,  
Tend to the edifying of each other,  
In Faith or Manners; or else, to improve  
That Hope, that Meekness, Constancy and Love  
Which may enable, patiently to bear  
Those Burdens, wherewith we oppressed are:  
And, when our Bodies are asunder gone,  
We never leave each other quite alone;  
For, we (even when corporeally apart)  
Are present, both in Spirit and in Heart.   

Though this Fraternity did often mind me,  
Till my Imprisonment they could not find me,  
Nor did I know their persons. Thou, therefore  
Oh foolish world, to my content add'st more  
By my Restraint, than if to me were given  
All carnal Freedoms on this side of Heaven;  
And, if this be the great'st harms thou canst do,  
Prithee, let every spite thou dost be two.   

But, all the comforts which best friends afford,  
(As they are men) may prove like Ionah's Gourd,  
For, as next morning, that, did wither quite  
Which GOD did cause to spring up in one night,  
So, when the Sun burns, or a sharp wind blows,  
This may as quickly fade, as it arose:  
For, Death or Injuries, do every day  
Take those men's lives, or, their estates away  
Who are most charitable, and, of bread  
They may have need, by whom I have been fed,  
For, unto all men underneath the Sun  
That may betid which doth befall to one.  
Not therefore, upon those things which GOD sends,  
But, on himself alone, my soul depends:  
Here, all my confidence, vain world, is placed,  
Or else I might be ruined at last;  
And all my present hopes, as vain would be,  
As if I had reposed my trust in thee.   

By this Restriction, not a few temptations  
Will be repelled; many deviations  
Of mine prevented; duties better done;  
Things which have been forgot, more thought upon;  
It peradventure may prepare me too,  
For what I'm yet to suffer and to do,  
Much better than that Freedom did, or could,  
Which, by the Common Tenure I did hold:  
And who knows, but some corporal mishap  
I may or did by this Restraint escape,  
Which might have else befell me when together  
The people thronged and trod upon each other.  
Which, though no more but shunning so much harm,  
As breaking of a neck, a leg, or arm,  
Were considerable, and ten to one  
Such mis-adventures daily fall upon  
Some persons unconfined, when they least dread them,  
Because, where dangers are, they little heed them.  
Scaped I no more here, than that slavish load  
Of Complementings, wherewithal abroad  
Men tyre themselves, and others; that, alone  
Sufficient were, if well considered on,  
To make amends for all the sufferings  
Which my confinement now upon me brings.   

For, as to pay this life, I am a debtor  
To Nature, and then hope to have a better,  
My Wants, Restraints, and Poverty do less  
Afflict my Body, by all that distress  
Now laid upon it, than my soul hath been  
To hear and see, what I have heard and seen,  
Whilst I had liberty abroad to go,  
And hear and see, what many say and do:  
With what dissembling Compliments, Caresses,  
Affected Speeches, flattering Addresses,  
And false Pretending, men of every sort  
Do cheat, fool, claw, and one another court,  
As if they did Realities intent  
When, in mere Nullities, at last they end.  
How, Letters, Promises, Vows, Declarations,  
Orders, Oaths, Covenants, and Protestations  
Annihilated are, and turn to smoke  
Or stinks, which rather poison us, and choke  
Than truly nourish; and how they go on  
In acting still, such things as they have done  
Who are destroyed; and yet, ne'er the less,  
Dream they pursue the ways of Happiness.  
I am, as well pleased, with my sad condition,  
As others, with what they have in fruition,  
And, if desire a longer life I could,  
For nothing else the same desire I should,  
Except it were that I might live to see  
What GOD will do, and what their end will be.  
Frequent I cannot, with conveniency  
(As lately, when I had my Liberty,  
I might have done) the Public Congregation;  
But, ay, upon GOD's Word, by meditation,  
(To exercise myself) may set apart  
The time they dedicate; and both my heart  
And my best Faculties, employ that day,  
In preaching somewhat to the world my way  
Which will advance GOD's glory, and improve  
My Brethren in good life, hope, faith, and love:  
Or, that prepare, which thereunto may tend,  
When Days and Times, with me will have an end:  
And, GOD (I know) confines not Saving Graces  
To ordinary Means, Forms, Times, or Places,  
Nor is displeased when his services  
Endeavoured are, without contentiousness,  
As we are able, and with upright heart,  
Though of our duties we may fail in part.   

Some other Notions, which in this estate  
Are apprehended, I might now relate,  
Which further may illustrate those mis-haps  
That man by an Imprisonment escapes  
But, they are Trifles to what I possess,  
In my constrained Solitariness.  
For, though it be not what I might have chose  
(Had I been left unto mine own dispose)  
It proves much better: and for that respect  
What I most naturally do affect  
I dare not absolutely to request,  
(Much less make choice of) but to him that best  
Knows what's best for me, wholly have resigned  
Both mine own self, and things of every kind.  
'Tis he, who hath assigned this lot, and all  
What ere it be, which thereby doth befall;  
And, this Restraint, not only makes him dearer  
To me, but also, to him, draws me nearer,  
So that the more my troubles do increase,  
The nearer unto him is my access.  
He, fortifies my confidence in him,  
And heartens me, the World thus to contemn,  
As boldly as if doubtless cause there were  
For her to fear me, more than I fear her.  
I have my fears, but they are nothing else  
Save what Perdues and Scouts, and Sentinels  
Are to an Army: they do not dis-heart  
A valiant Soldier; though they make him start  
At first Alarm; but cause him to prepare  
For those assaults, which nigh approaching are.  
When I am judged, in an undone-case,  
Because, confined, in wants, and in distress;  
When all my outward Comforters are gone,  
And, I lie musing on my bed alone  
Of what I knew before, or heard that day;  
Of what my Friends fear, and my Foes do say;  
What men they are, who seem with me offended,  
What is already done, and what intended;  
Sometimes a little shuddering doth begin,  
As if a panick-fear were breaking in,  
Which he marks, ere to me it doth appear  
Forthwith, steps down betwixt me and that fear  
Supplies defects, expelleth doubts and sadness,  
Replenisheth my heart with sober gladness,  
About me sets his Angels, watch to keep,  
And (as to his beloved) gives me sleep.   

These things considered, Prisons and Restraints  
(Which have been long, the portion of the Saints)  
Are not alone things little to be feared,  
But also many times to be preferred  
Before those Liberties, and all those things  
That can be found in Palaces of Kings;  
What ere their flatterers are pleased to say,  
By fruitless hopes, to drive their fears away.  
For, more are there endangered, more destroyed:  
There, many times, is less content enjoyed,  
Less outward safety, and a great deal less  
Of what conduceth to true happiness,  
Than in a Prison: And who ere well heeds  
What, there is done, and what thereon succeeds  
Will find cause, their condition to bewail  
Sometimes, much more, than his that's in a Gaol.  
For, errors flowing from Prosperity  
Endanger more, because unseen they lie.  
Men may by their Afflictions be prepared  
For whatsoe'er can follow afterward,  
And are oft fitted by a lingering grief,  
For future happiness in death or life:  
But, while corrupted by excessive Treasures,  
Befooled with honours, and bewitched with pleasures,  
The cause of self-destruction still they nourish;  
They grow as brutish as the beasts that perish;  
And, daily so besotted, by degrees  
That, sense of their humanity they lose;  
So long dream, they are GOD's (or somewhat greater,  
Till they are Devils, or but little better;  
And suddenly, when they think all goes well,  
Sink from supposed Happiness to HELL.   

Most men, (yea very many of the best)  
Their Talents, till they Palm-like down are pressed,  
Improve not; nor their Duties truly do,  
Till by Afflictions they are whipped thereto.  
A Prison, was long time the School, wherein  
chaste joseph those progressions did begin,  
Which, him forth from obscurity did bring  
To be the second person to a King.  
jonas was not obedient to GOD'S Call  
Till he, both by a Storm, and by a Whale,  
Was disciplined: And, if I had a thought  
My duties were performed as they ought  
In any thing, affirmed it should be  
That, thereto my Afflictions fitted me:  
For, such like Simples, as I am, require  
To make them yield forth Oil, the Press, or Fire,  
My Flinty-nature gives not out one spark  
To light myself, or others in the dark,  
Till knocked with Steel. This knowledge I have gained  
Of mine own temper, and it is unfeigned.  
To be imprisoned, slandered, or made poor,  
Shall therefore, henceforth, frighten me no more,  
Nor make me, whilst I live ashamed of either  
Of those three Lots, nor of them altogether.  
Priests, Prophets, Kings and Saints, yea (whilst abode  
He made on earth) the glorious Son of GOD  
Was pleased to submit to all of them  
(But to the latter two in an extreme)  
And, with such Company, I'll undergo  
My share, and think, I'm thereby honoured too.   

To this effect, much more might here be said,  
But, this will be sufficient, if well weighed,  
Which, I suspect; for, very few men heed,  
Or mind, long, what they hear, or what they read.    

SLANDER is more Beneficial than PRAISE.  

WHo, can express the pain of being stung  
With such a fiery Serpent as the TONGUE?  
Or, what can cure it, but his being eyed,  
Whom, once, the Brazen Serpent typified?  
'Tis far more sharp than Arrows, Darts or Spears;  
Down to the heart, it pierces through the ears;  
Not only wounds, but frighteth also more  
Than murdering Canons, when they loudest roar;  
Afflicts us, whilst here we draw our breath,  
And, Gangreeve-like, so spreadeth after death  
(Even to posterity upon our Names)  
That it destroys the life of honest Fames.   

This sury SLANDER, hath been quartered long,  
In Rotten-Row, and Hartstreet, at the Tongue;  
Her Magazines and Forges are all there,  
The Shop at which she vents them, is the Ear,  
In every Town and City; and no places  
Or persons, her aspersions and disgraces  
Can long avoid: For, every where she scatters  
That shot wherewith the Forts of Fame she batters.  
So venomous it is, that every touch  
Proves mortal, or endangers very much,  
And nothing shooteth more empoisoned pellets,  
Except it be the flatteries of Prelates.   

I must confess, that many years ago  
I therewith have been often wounded so  
That, very well, content I could have been  
To lie down, where I might no more be seen;  
And, my stupidity is not, yet, such  
As not to feel indignities as much  
As any man: But, I have learned how  
To change my Sicknesses to Physic, now:  
And when the world intendeth me a shame  
By retroversion to convert the same  
To that, which from be spattring purifies,  
And makes me both her Blame and Praise despise,  
No more displeased, or pleased therewithal  
Than if a whibling Cur, should fawn or bawl.  
For, unto those Oppressions, heretofore  
And now laid on me, whatsoever more  
The world shall add; though they a while oppress,  
Will, shortly, make them, not alone much less  
But, also none at all; and wheel about  
Upon herself, as soon as my Turns out.   

Praise, is a pleasing thing, to flesh and blood,  
Yet, often doth it much more harm than good;  
Puffs up with Pride, ore-weening and vain glory,  
Or, with affection to things transitory  
Beyond a safe Mean; and makes men suppose  
Themselves to be, what every neighbour knows  
They are not; yea, what they themselves do see  
They neither are, nor possibly can be.  
Whereas, to be without a cause despised,  
Dispraised, reproached, scoffed, jeered and scandalised,  
An undue self-opinion doth remove  
True Meekness and Humility improve;  
Brings Constancy and Patience to their trial,  
And, at the last, to such a Self-denial,  
As in the close will more contentment give us  
Than all, whereof a Slander can deprive us.  
The flatteries of his Lords, made Joash stumble,  
Reviling speeches, made King David humble,  
Good men, by praises, oft, are evil made,  
But, by Reproaches harm they never had.   

The World, which best is pleased with her own baubles  
For that false titulary honour scrabbles,  
Which is composed of airy Attributes,  
Or, which opinion only constitutes:  
And, all her happiness, dependant seems  
On vulgar approbations and esteems,  
Which are, indeed, her Portion: but, to those,  
Who can look both beyond, and through the Shows,  
That such Toys make, nought therein doth appear  
To merit their desire, love, hate or fear:  
And, therefore, they respect them, (come, or go)  
As Reason them obliges thereunto,  
Or, as things, which (if grace divine be granted) them,  
Indifferently, may be possessed or wanted;  
Make such use as they serve to, whilst they have  
And yield them, when resumed, to those who gave them.  
For, had external honours in this place,  
Been truly more essential than disgrace,  
To happiness eternal; CHRIST had waved  
The scandals of the Cross; we had been saved  
And sanctified should be without those troubles,  
Scorns and reproaches, which the world now doubles  
And may redouble: yea, in vain had he  
A promise made, that they should blessed be  
Who in his sufferings do with him partake,  
And are reproached and slandered for his sake.   

These things considered, I am at full rest;  
Slanders infringe not my chief interest.  
Good or Ill Words will me no more concern  
When I am dead, than when I was unborn.  
And, whilst I live, (as is inferred before)  
They harm a little, and they profit more.  
If Scandals neither mend nor mar my health,  
Increase not troubles, nor decrease my wealth,  
Save in opinion only; all those lostes  
Are cured, if my vote, that opinion crosses.  
And (prare who list) I will as merry be  
As is a Pie upon a Cherrytree.  
Praise, or dispraises, if so be my heart  
Assures, that neither of them by desert  
To me belongs, my own Fanatic brain  
Is cause of all, where of I do complain,  
Or take delight in: praise, blame, bless, or curse,  
I am no whit the better, or the worse;  
And, all men are as much concerned as I  
In what's then spoken be it Truth, or Lye.   

If of a hundred Crimes I guilty were,  
All which, as evidently did appear,  
As in a cloudless day, the Sun at noon;  
The world, but as the spots within the Moon,  
Would look upon them, if, for my defence  
I have a face well brazed with impudence;  
An Oily Tongue, a Crocodiles moist eye,  
Can find great Friends, bribe, flatter, fawn and lie,  
Ore-awe my neighbours, or, myself express  
A friend to them, in their licentiousness.  
But, were I, both in words and deeds, as free  
From just reproof, as mortal man may be,  
Had I, but one great neighbour, who envies  
All men supposed more honest, or more wise,  
Than he is thought; therewith a neighbourhood,  
Which takes delight in nothing that is good;  
Abhorring all, as their injurious foes,  
Who, them, in their unrighteous ways oppose;  
Or, if I be constrained to have dealing,  
With such, by some relation, or nigh dwelling,  
Who think, there's nothing rational or just,  
But, what tends to their profit, or their lust;  
It is impossible to scape the wrongs  
Of wicked hands, or of malicious tongues:  
And, therefore, he, with whom it thus doth fare  
Must study patience, how his lot to bear;  
And in this case, can look for no defence  
But from GOD'S Justice, and his Innocence,  
Which is sufficient unto them that know  
What consolations from those fountains flow.   

What, is there to be feared in Slanderous Tales,  
Whether, they shall be either true or false?  
A false Report more mischiefs those who spread it,  
Than harmeth me. If it impairs my credit,  
I may recover it again ere long,  
And also peradventure, by that wrong  
Improve some Virtue, or abate some Pride,  
Within myself till that time, unespyed.  
Although hard words, give harder knocks than stones,  
And crack our Credits, yet, they break no Bones;  
And, if unjustly thrown, by spiteful fingers,  
They prove most mischievous unto their flingers.  
One fault which Conscience finds, afflicts me more  
Than twenty slanders, yea than twenty score:  
So long as that lies quietly in me,  
I shall not care who my Accusers be;  
And, when that shall accuse me (as sometime  
It doth) I sue out an Appeal to him  
Who strait acquits me; else I must confess  
I should as much fear mine own Righteousness  
As all my Sins; for, I esteem them both  
Alike impure, and as a menstruous cloth.   

If I am justly blamed for things misdone,  
Or, for faults wherein I am going on,  
It doth by bringing on me shame of face,  
Repentance bring, and to that, state of Grace  
From which I falling was; and stay the course  
Which might have drawn me on from bad to worse,  
Until, that by habituated sin,  
Endless Impenitency had broke in:  
Much more, therefore, to these I am a debtor  
Who speak ill, than to those men who speak better  
Than I deserve: And, though that in their ends  
They differ, they may be as useful friends  
Who speak of me opprobriously, sometimes,  
As they, who praise me, or excuse my crimes.   

For, I have long observed that all Relations,  
Nigh or far off (what ever Obligations  
Have nearly joined them, or whatsoe'er  
Their Quarrels, Bonds, or Disobligements are)  
Be (for the most part) either friends or foes,  
But, as a prosperous, or a cross wind blows;  
Or, as their inter'st or Expectance  
May be secured, or doth at hazard lie.  
The Love or Hatred, which I find in them,  
Differs but in the Measure, or the Time,  
Or, in th' Occasions, which have them inclined,  
To friendliness, or else to be unkind.  
They frown or smile they praise, or they disgrace,  
Destroy and save, and stab, or else embrace,  
Even as the fit which comes upon them, takes them,  
And either pleased, or displeased makes them.  
Such will their words and deeds be then to thee,  
What ere thou art to them, or they to thee.  
As bitter Language, I have heard 'twixt those  
That were dear Lovers, as 'twixt greatest Foes,  
Yea, and more bitter too, in some respects  
Considering their Causes and Effects.   

A Foes Revile very sharp appear,  
But, when our Friends exasperated are  
With, or without Cause given of offence,  
There is between them greater difference  
(Or at the least, but very little less)  
Than tasted is between the bitterness  
Of unpeeled Wallnut-kernels, and strong Gall,  
When with our tongues distinguish them we shall.   

Moreover, I have sometimes also seen  
That, they, who have unto each other been  
Most mischievous, so reconciled together  
(Though little virtue hath appeared in either)  
So kind in words and deeds, for outward ends,  
And, so engaged mutually as friends  
In their Concernments, as if they had never  
At variance been; but, hearty friends for ever.  
Which, when I mind, I neither pleasure have  
In Praises, nor do slanders me bereave  
Of much content, from whom soe'er they come,  
So long as I find Innocence at home;  
Nor, in my own respect at any time,  
So grieved am I, as otherwhile for them  
Who have mis-censured me; because I know  
From what distempers usually they flow;  
And that the sob'rest and the wisest men  
Have some Deliriums on them now and then.  
Exception is not always to be took  
By what shall by a Friend or Foe be spoke:  
For, men in passion, whether they appear.  
Pleased or displeased, speak few things as they are,  
Nor always as they think, but, rather say  
That, which the passion bearing then chief sway  
Transports them to; although a wound it give  
To their own souls, which pains them whilst they live.   

But, Friends and Foes, both good and ill report,  
And, all terrestrial things of every sort,  
Will shortly have an end (with me at least.)  
The worst, as well as that whereof the best  
Esteem I had, will into nothing fly:  
My Slanders, and my Slanderers will die.  
At present, therefore them no more I dread  
Than if I saw they were already dead;  
And, that which dead or living, shall to me  
Befall, will equally forgotten be.  
By living, I, their scandals may outlive,  
And good proofs of my innocency give.  
When I am dead, what ever men shall please  
To speak or do, it cannot me disease:  
And, they who after death do men defame,  
Or shall expose their bodies unto shame,  
Bring that dishonour which they did intend  
To others, on themselves, at latter end:  
Yea, make some question, and suspect their merits;  
Repute them persons of ignoble spirits;  
And, what they hoped should confirm their peace,  
Their terrors and their dangers will increase.  
Slanders (though poison in themselves) have been  
To me a precious Antidote for sin,  
Preventing, not a few times more than one,  
That, wherein else perhaps I had misdone,  
(And I, thereby, effects like his have found  
Who had a Sickness cured by a wound)  
Whereas, chose, a vain Applause  
Of sins or follies, are a frequent cause.   

I well remember, that, when I was young  
(And in both kinds an Object of the Tongue,  
As now I am) I reaped, many ways,  
By Slanders, much more profit than by Praise.  
For, Praises made me sometimes over-ween,  
And (as if no defects in me had been)  
Neglect the means, that, supplements might add  
To what, I more in Show, than Substance had.  
It, likewise, me to envy did expose,  
From which great disadvantages arose,  
And scandals, without cause: But Grace divine  
Crossed thereby, what the Devil did design:  
For, Defamation, so soon was begun,  
That, what it charged me with, was never done.  
That, sin prevented was, and many more  
By sending of the Scandal forth before  
The Crime was acted; So, into a Blessing  
A Curse was turned, which merits this confessing;  
And also, me obliges, all my days,  
On all occasions, to give GOD the praise;  
For, if, perhaps it had over-flowed then,  
The stream had never kept his bounds again.   

The scoffs and jeers, cast on me by the Rhymes  
Of some reputed Poets in these times  
Have been my great advantage: for, th' esteem  
Which in my youthful days I had of them  
Had else perhaps, from my simplicity  
Drawn me, by their familiarity  
To those affected Vanities with which  
They have infected fools, and clawed their itch.  
Were I but as ambitious of that name  
A POET, as they are, and think I am,  
It might a little vex me, when I hear  
How often, in their Pamphlets me they jeer,  
Because, Truth seasonably I convey  
To such as need it, in a homely way,  
Best pleasing unto those who do not care  
To crack hard shells in which no kernels are;  
Or for strong Lines, in which is little found,  
Save an affected phrase, and empty sound.  
But, I do read them with a smiling pity  
To find them to be wicked, who are witty.  
At their Detractions, I do not repine;  
Their Poems I esteem as they do mine:  
Their Censures, I with slighting overpass,  
Who, like words without sense, wit without grace;  
And, better am contented, without cause  
To hear their misreports, than their Applause.  
As also, that, they should by Pantaloons  
Admired be, and honoured by Buffoons.  
Yea, as job said, should they a Book compile  
Against me (as they may, and did erewhile)  
I would receive it, on my shoulders bear it,  
And as a Crown, upon my head would wear it.   

My fearleness of SLANDERS doth not flow  
From Ignorance, which hinders me to know  
How, I am scandalised: for it appears  
In Print and I have heard it through both ears.  
I daily hear what ignominious lies  
Detraction, to defame me doth devise.  
I know, whence they proceed; whereto they tend,  
In what likewise they possibly may end:  
And it would stagger and affright me too,  
Unless I knew the worst, all this could do  
For, they, who Idolise the Prelacy  
Impute to me no less than Blasphemy,  
And Sacrilege: And, I may well expect  
That, when their hopes have taken full effect,  
Though they with me at present, do but dandle,  
They then will curse me with Bell, Book and Candle.  
How ever, for their persons I will pray:  
For, malice hath not moved me to gainsay  
Their Prelacy; nor hope to get again  
What they usurp, and doth to me pertain:  
But, merely conscientiousness of that  
Which in my place I vowed to vindicate.   

Some, call me Traitor too; but well I wot,  
They do not so believe, or know me not.  
I never did betray my trust to any,  
Though I myself have been betrayed by many.  
With Traitors I have numbered beenf or one,  
And served their ends, yet I myself was none:  
For, if like Absolone they did pretend  
To Sacrifice, and had another end,  
I went on in simplicity of heart,  
And did not from my Principles depart.  
If they intended, or committed Treason,  
I wronged not my Conscience, or my Reason.  
By aught misdone, except it were, perchance,  
Through oversight, or else through Ignorance;  
For which, the Plagues now Epidemical,  
To me, as unto other men befall.  
I never was in any factious Plot,  
Nor likely seems it, by what I have got,  
That, with them in their Actings, I was one  
Who, thrived by those designs they carried on,  
Though being subject to the present Law,  
I now do suffer, like Jack fletcher's Daw.  
But, howe'er, I seem to merit blame  
None, to the King, are truer than I am.   

Yet, if in Fame, we credit may repose,  
I am designed to be one of those,  
Who shall not be vouchsafed that Common grace,  
Which at his Coronation granted was.  
GOD's will be done: Perhaps, the King well knows  
I need not, what on others he bestows;  
Or, to me, singly, will his favour show,  
That I his Magnanimity may know;  
And, that he will more gracious be to those  
Who, him did not maliciously oppose,  
Than they, whom I did serve, were to their friends,  
Because they did not serve them, to their ends.  
But, if Report hath not divulged a Lie,  
What, can I lose, or others get thereby?  
My whole estate, already is bereft,  
And, what will there be found, where's nothing left?  
My life, you'll say; Alas! that's little worth,  
It hath been wasting, ever since my birth;  
And (when it was at best) too poor a thing,  
To satisfy the Vengeance of a King.  
It will to most men seem ridiculous,  
To hear a Lion Rampant, killed a Mouse,  
Or, see an Eagle stoop down from on high,  
To truss a Titmouse, or a Butterfly.  
The dread of such a loss will not come near me,  
For, Age will shortly kill me, though he spare me;  
And, when there's no conveniency of living,  
Life, neither is worth ask or the giving.   

But GOD's intentions, and the hearts of Kings,  
Are such inscrutable and hidden things,  
That, none can search their bottoms; then much less  
Can they be fathomed by maliciousness.  
Their ways of working their own pleasures out,  
Are, many times, by wheeling round about,  
By cross and counteractings, and by those  
Which seemed their own Designments to oppose.  
The faithfullest men, they do expose ofttimes  
To hazards; or with such as are for crimes  
Condemned, they number them; or, prove them by  
Desertions, dis-respects, and Poverty;  
And, frequently, do fit them for those places  
Wherein they best may serve them, by disgraces;  
But principally, at those times, wherein,  
Hypocrisy, becomes the Reigning-sin.   

More things I might insert, which have relations  
In this kind, to my own prevarications,  
And, to th' Improvements, which have oft ensued  
By Scandals, which I then would have eschewed.  
But, my Experiments will work on none,  
Who cannot by their own, be wrought upon.  
Consider therefore all ye unto whom  
This Writing, by GOD's providence doth come,  
What, in yourselves and others, you have heeded,  
Which hath from Slanders, and from Praise proceeded;  
And, you shall find more by the last undone  
Than by the former, at least, ten to one.  
According to our Proverb, the Bell clinketh  
Just so, as in his fancy, the fool thinketh  
And, they who flattering praises love to hear,  
Immediately, such to themselves appear,  
As represented by their Parasite,  
Though no more like than Black-swans are to white.   

Such Panegyrics I have sometime seen  
That, hard to be resolved, it had been,  
By him, whose judgement you therein should crave,  
Whether, the Panegyrist were more knave  
Than he was Fool, for whom, the same was made:  
But, of their equal Impudence I had  
No doubt at all, when wistly I had heeded  
What one gave, t'other took, and what succeeded.  
For, I have oftentimes observed, thereby,  
Good Men depraved; Great Men, to Tyranny  
Encouraged; That, which is due to men  
By Nature's Law, at first, they seize and then  
Those Attributes, at last, intrude upon  
That aught to be ascribed to GOD alone.  
Which evidences, that, Immodest Praise  
Is worse than Slander, and a groundwork lays,  
Whereon a superstructure may be built,  
To sink the Builders, down to shame and guilt.   

SLANDERS, and Persecutions of the Tongue  
A portion likewise is, which doth belong  
Unto the Saints; and sanctified they are  
By him, with whom, an individual share  
Each must expect; we, do but only sup  
At brim, he drunk the bottom of the Cup:  
We altogether merited the blame,  
He underwent the sorrow and the shame.  
False witnesses against him were suborned;  
His Glory was to his dishonour turned;  
His nearest friends forsook him, and forswore him,  
His foes preferred a Murderer before him;  
His Innocency not alone reproaching,  
But, likewise most injuriously encroaching:  
Upon his righteous person, him pursued  
Till by a shameful death, he death subdued,  
And breaking from the grave, to Heaven ascended,  
By Angels to Immortal Life attended;  
Where, now enthroned, he Thrones prepared hath  
For all, who follow him in that rough path;  
And every slander, scorn, reproach and shame,  
He suffered here, adds glory to his Name.   

This is the way, and hath been ever since,  
Through which all men must pass, who go from hence  
To that Eternity, where shall be worn  
The Robes of honour, when the Rags of scorn  
Shall off be thrown. On him I fix mine eyes,  
And, that, will me enable to despise  
Terrestrial shame and honour: That, makes all  
My troubles, when at greatest, seem but small.  
That, makes me, whilst my Body is confined,  
Take pleasure, in the freedoms of the Mind;  
Not dreading present, or ensuing wrongs,  
Of wicked hands, or of malicious tongues.  
This Paradox, it helps me to maintain,  
That, where the Grace of GOD is not in vain,  
More profit, bitterest reproach affords,  
Than all the world's Applauses, and fair words.    

Poverty is more profitable than Riches.  

ANother Blackguard hath beleaguered me,  
That, seems to be the worst of all the three  
For, therewith, whosoever hath to do,  
Still is in danger of these other two,  
Imprisonment and Slander, who attend  
On Poverty unto her latter end.  
Yet, whatsoever in herself she seem,  
She merits not a total disesteem:  
For, 'tis an instrument of good and evil,  
Oft-times employed against us by the Devil,  
And, oft by GOD himself, to such effects  
As may prevent the mischief he projects,  
By tempting to those manifold abuses  
Which Riches being misemployed produces.  
There are two sorts of Poverty, that spring  
From differing Roots; effects they likewise bring  
Both differing and alike: for, providence  
Maugre all humane wit and diligence,  
Makes many poor, and all their industries  
Rendereth successeless by Contingencies,  
Which no man can foresee, or wholly shun  
Who shall be thereby outwardly undone.  
This Poverty, afflicts, at first, as much  
As any, but, disparages not such  
As bear it well; and though it grieveth many,  
(Except by their own fault) destroys not any.  
The other sort, is sordid, vile, and base,  
Yet, draws her Pedigree, from such a Race,  
As doth in Country, City, and in Court  
Still bear an extraordinary port:  
For, by the Fathers, or the Mother's side,  
It sprung from Prodigality or Pride,  
Or, from Improvidence or Idleness,  
And, is indeed, near kin to all Excess,  
Though her Alliance, these, now scorn and wave,  
Because, that she is ragged, and they brave.  
She, at this present time, both against me  
And others is employed: But, though she be  
Made use of by the world; yet, I well know  
The World itself abhors her as a foe,  
And, with a slavish dreadfulness doth fear her,  
On whatsoe'er occasion, she comes near her.  
Yea, till this bugbear, was more known to me,  
I, dreaded her almost as much as she,  
And, did the best I could, to keep her from  
That nearness whereunto she now is come.  
For, he that would disgrace, and bring us to  
That State, which questionless might us undo,  
Let him but justly say that we are poor,  
And, to destroy us, he need say no more.  
Whereas disgraced thereby we shall be much  
If, we continue to be very rich,  
Of whatsoever crime or crimes, we stand  
Convicted by the known Laws, of this Land.  
For, Wealth cannot alone our Pardons buy  
And blot out every former Infamy;  
But, in a short time also, make us capable  
Of Trusts or places that be honourable;  
Yea though they be those places which dispense  
To all the people, Law and Conscience;  
And marry Ladies (neither nor poor, nor painted)  
As if our bloods had with no crimes been tainted.  
But, to be poor, implieth every whit,  
As if we had nor honesty, nor wit,  
And, every thing, which since our lives begun,  
We honestly, nor prudently have done,  
Shall so traduced be as if that nought  
Had e'er by us, been well done, spoke, or thought.  
There, where we have been kindly entertained,  
A civil usage, hardly shall be deigned.  
There, where we have been honoured in times past,  
Neighbours and Kinsmen will their doors make fast;  
Our old familiars will our persons shun,  
Like Rats, our Servants from the house will run,  
Which, then, will be a place of desolation,  
And few thenceforth approach our habitation,  
But, Sergeants, Shreeves, or Bailiffs (beasts of prey)  
That little, which is left, to fetch a way:  
And, when there doth remain nor sticks nor stones,  
Dead or alive, they'll take our Flesh and Bones.   

If all I should express, that might be said  
In this kind, you would think me still afraid  
Of Poverty; and, that which I should speak,  
In some, perhaps, would such impressions make  
That, they with difficulty would believe  
What benefits I now thereby receive:  
Forbearing therefore, that which I might add  
I'll tell what profits may thereby be had;  
That, others (who can think I do not lie)  
May be no more afraid thereof than I:  
That, also, they who thereby grieved are,  
May in my Consolations have a share,  
To bear those burchens without discontent,  
Which are now on them, or seem imminent:  
For, little I will mention which was brought  
By reading, or by hearsay to my thought;  
But, that Philosophy, which Reason teaches,  
(Experience hath confirmed, and GOD's Grace  
Unto my heart; that, it may sympathise  
With their hearts, who the same shall not despise: preaches  
Which, though expressed in language rude and plain,  
Will, peradventure, to good use remain,  
When they, who of their Elegancies boast,  
Are, with their Kickshaws, in oblivion lost.  
When most are also, quite forgot, whom they  
Now dream, shall by their Poems, live for aye;  
And, when, that, which they despicable deem,  
With wise and honest men, shall find esteem.   

In my Restraint, I therefore, do not whine;  
At my Reproaches, I do not repine,  
Nor murmur at my losses; nor want sense  
Of that is in them, which may give offence.  
My seeming-friends, I must confess, are fewer,  
But, they whom now God gives me are much truer;  
For, these that now I have, I find more willing  
To give a pound, than those to pay a shilling.  
Yet, some of these are so poor, that, I'm fain  
Them, from their free Donations to restrain,  
Because, that of my Sufferings they are grown  
More sensible, than they are of their own.  
And this, an evidence of that doth give,  
Which pleaseth better than what I receive;  
Since it demonstrates, GOD, hath in this Nation  
A people, capable of his compassion.   

I am not ignorant how much disgrace  
Is thrown on Poverty, nor in what base  
Account they are, who, thereby are constrained  
Merely, by Charity, to be maintained:  
Yet nought ashamed am of that estate  
Which most so scorn, and so abominate.  
For without loss of honour, men of merit,  
This Portion very many times inherit.  
Great Consuls, and renowned Generals  
(In such an exigent as oft befalls  
To very many thousands in this Nation)  
Have had relief without dis-reputation  
By Common Charity: and, Ancient Story  
Hath kept memorials of it to their glory.  
But, I refer that which I might express  
(To take this Blur off) to another place.   

To have subsistence by mere Charity  
Is, to subsist by GOD, immediately,  
And, they are wicked, or, vain fools, at least,  
By whom those Exhibitions are disgraced.  
For, very many of GOD's favourites  
Have been oft, thereby, from the world's despites  
Preserved: yea, to the World, it would appear  
If she would heed it, that, her Minions are  
Exposed to such a Lot, and (without shame)  
Have been by Alms preserved as I am:  
And, not in those necessities alone,  
Which by mis-accidents are undergone,  
Are they relieved; but, very many be  
Thereby likewise upheld, in that degree,  
Which much is honoured; yea, even to Excess,  
In outward splendour, and vain pompousness.  
For, this way, not alone are Monks and Friars  
Maintained, with their Abbots and their Priors,  
But, even the great Prelates, all their lives,  
By Charity's abused Donatives;  
And, yet as loftily advance their crest  
As if they had been Barons born, at least,  
Precedency usurping above those,  
By whom, they from obscurity arose.   

By most men, Poverty is thought so base,  
That, they repute it for the great'st disgrace  
Which can betid them, by what way soever  
It comes; or howe'er they shall endeavour  
To keep it off; and think it not their least  
Dishonour, when enforced to subsist  
By Charity, although it shall be used  
With thankfulness, and in no wise abused.  
And, many seek to turn it to my shame  
That I now brought to this condition am.  
Yet, what's to me befallen worse or more  
Than to good, wise, and great men heretofore?  
Renowned Princes in preceding ages,  
Have sought, and had Supplies and Patronages.  
From Foreign Kings and States, in their distresses  
Without reproach: yea, he that now possesses  
These three great Kingdoms was by indigence  
Constrained (not a very long time since)  
By Charity, to be both clothed and fed;  
To slake his hunger with a poor man's bread,  
And, to accept it, not alone from those  
Who were his friends, but also from his foes,  
(Whose gifts were baits, whose Table was a snare,  
And, of whom, if he do not well beware,  
More mischief, and, dishonour will be done him  
Than by the Poverty then brought upon him.)  
Some other persons also, of great birth,  
From place to place have wandered through the earth  
Maintained by the Charity alone,  
Sometime by many, and sometimes by one;  
And other while, have seemed so left by all,  
That they into great poverty did fall.  
Yet n'eretheless, whilst they have Preservation  
Retain still in the world some Reputation.  
They are mere fools, or worse, who do believe  
That, more disgrace, than these I can receive  
From such an Income: for (by what I gather  
From thence) it is a real honour rather,  
That, GOD supplieth (as it were) from Heaven,  
When earthly wealth and honours are bereaven.  
When Israel had been Captived seventy year,  
He made, even those, by whom enslaved they were  
Them, from their tedious thraldom to redeem,  
When there was none to help or pity them.  
It was their honour, that their preservation  
Should be vouchsafed, so to admiration,  
That Nations all, might in all times to come,  
By heeding it, consider well, from whom  
They must in such like cases aid expect;  
And, that, though by a long delayed effect  
They seem forgot, and outward hopes quite past,  
There will be a Deliverer at last,  
By whom, those wants for which they have been scorned  
Shall, to their honour, certainly be turned.   

What is it more to my Dis-reputation  
That GOD provideth for my preservation  
By Charity, than 'tis disgrace to those  
Who their Estates by Fire or Water lose  
And, thereupon the State vouchsafes a Brief,  
Whereby to ask, and to receive relief?  
Nay, what supply can be so honourable  
As that, which from hearts, by hands charitable  
Is raised and conferred, (unasked, unsought)  
By them, of whom I never heard, or thought?  
This way (which without shame I do confess)  
GOD hath vouchsafed relief in my distress,  
To me, as he to men in like estate,  
Hath done in former times, and now of late.  
ere while at Piedmont in their persecutions  
Our Brethren he relieved by contributions;  
And, should I think it my disgrace can be  
That, he doth for my family and me  
Provide, as for a Nation? I believe  
It blame deserved, if so I should conceive.   

Though I had asked; what without ask came,  
None could impute it justly to my blame  
All things considered: for, a Public Score,  
Demonstrates, that this Nation owes me more  
Than Food and Raiment; and that, in the fine  
My Want, will more be their disgrace than mine.  
My beggarly condition, is a Portion  
More noble, than Wealth gotten by Extortion,  
Bribes, projects, and those cheats whereby some be  
Advanced to great wealth, and high degree,  
Thought honourable: yea Benevolences,  
And forced Loans, which otherwhile by Princes  
Exacted be, much more disgraceful are  
Than what my Benefactors do confer;  
For, at my need, it giveth me relief,  
And, to the Givers, is no wrong or grief.   

I hear that is disgracefully objected  
Which by my Poverty is now effected:  
My house, they say, is desolate become,  
And, I confined am to a single room;  
My wife is of her Dowry quite despoiled;  
I cannot give the portion of a child  
To Son or Daughter, which a while ago  
I offered, and was able to bestow:  
And, that, where lately we had good respect  
Scoffs, flouts and jeers, are added to neglect;  
And, though these hardships possibly I may  
With patience bear, yet, certainly, say they,  
These his Relations cannot: yes, they can  
And have done, ever since the storm began:  
For, we foresaw it, and we did prepare  
A stock of Patience, those events to bear.  
My Spouse is CHRIST's Spouse, by a Law Divine,  
More his, than she by Humane Law is mine.  
Our Children (though the world usurps a power  
O'er them) are likewise, much more his than our;  
And, of her scorn, though she an Object makes them  
He neither helpless leaves them, or forsakes them.  
He made this Globe, with all that therein is;  
All things that are in Heaven and Earth are his;  
We know it, and therefore do not despair  
That here on Earth; our loss he will repair,  
Or, give us better Portions, where, they never  
Shall be impaired, but enjoyed for ever.  
Yea, I am confident, that, if it may  
But add unto GOD's glory any way,  
Or, make for their Advancement in that path  
Which, to Eternity, a tendance hath,  
He'll either keep them Virgins to attend  
The LAMB, when he brings Babel to an end,  
Or, marry them ere long, without my cost,  
And, give them better Portions than they lost,  
Or, at the worst, they shall content be made  
With (be it more or less) what may be had.  
This, without wavering, believe I do,  
And, others will perhaps, believe it too,  
When they consider Marriages in Heaven  
By GOD himself are made, and Portions given,  
In Love and Virtue, without prepossessing  
Of any other Medium, but his blessing.   

Wealth, in itself, is neither good nor bad,  
Nor Poverty, nor takes from, nor doth add  
To Happiness Essential, but, as they  
Are sanctified, and as our games we play:  
And, of the two, in that, least danger lies,  
Which we most seek to shun, and most despise.  
Wealth, makes men wasteful, dissolute and lazy,  
In manners rude, in Mind and Body crazy;  
Makes bold-men cowards, Freemen doth enslave;  
Many, to lose themselves, their wealth to save.  
It so befools them, that Asslike, some bear  
Their golden-load, till, meat for worms they are,  
Enjoying no more profit by their Treasure,  
Save merely, an imaginary pleasure  
Whilst here they live; and, as if hope it gave  
It would be useful to them in the grave  
They hug it, hoard it, and do lock it fast,  
(As long as living breath in them doth last)  
Not sensible of any detriment  
Which they do thereby cause, or might prevent.  
And, I believe, three Families, for one,  
That thereby thrive, by Riches are undone,  
Through those debauchments whereto they allure,  
Till, soul or body's ruin, they procure.  
chose, despised Poverty,  
Incites to courage, and to industry,  
Breaks thraldoms Yokes; cures often, those diseases  
Which Luxury engenders, or increases;  
For, 'tis an Antidote against the Gout,  
And helps to purge all those ill humours out,  
That, send men to their graves, by an excess  
Either in gluttony, or drunkenness.  
Exorbitant desires it doth restrain,  
An empty belly makes a witful brain:  
A crosseless purse, to him small danger brings  
Who bears it; for, before the Thief he sings.  
And, when he dies, that which makes those men sad,  
Who, whilst they lived, things in abundance had,  
Afflicts not him that's poor; for he's deprived  
Of nought, but what oppressed him whilst he lived.  
A very poor man also, escapes their fates,  
Who are beloved, or hanged for their Estates,  
And, some at this time, (I believe) will judge  
The last of these, to be a privilege.  
Though many, not a little do rejoice  
In that rude, loud, and everlasting noise  
Which, in most rich men's houses you shall hear,  
Where every Room is made a thoroughfare;  
Or, where, so many servants help to do  
Their works, as make one Business, more than two;  
Where, for each man who faithfully obeys him,  
The Master feeds another, who betrays him  
And, thrice as many, who, by night or day  
Do steal, perhaps, or spoil, or waste away  
More (oftentimes) than would the charges bear  
Of paying twice their wages, for that year:  
Though many like this; 'tis to me an ease  
That Poverty hath freed me quite from these.  
ay, now, find much more joy, than in much pelf,  
That, I have learned how to serve myself;  
To brush my Cloak, my garments to unloose,  
Put on and off, my stockings and my shoes,  
And, that, without my Servants, I can be  
As well content, as they are without me;  
I know both how to want, and to abound;  
And much more pleasure, I, in this have found,  
Than in choice meats, that in a time of need,  
On bread alone, I savourly can seed,  
Or; on as scanty, and as homely fare  
(In my old age) as men that poorest are:  
Yet, be both more in health, and no less able,  
Than when GOD gave a fully furnished table,  
With meat so well cooked, that it did invite  
At every meal, a double-Appetite.  
And, I, whose worst apparel used to be  
As good as any man's of my degree,  
Can in those garments, without shame, appear  
Which, I, but lately was ashamed to wear;  
Unto which confidence, till want had brought me,  
Philosophy, that lesson never taught me.   

ay, must likewise, ingenuously confess  
That, my distractions have been ten times less  
Since I had nothing left, than whilst I had  
What, in opinion, me a rich man made:  
And, this is gained by losing what is gone,  
That, now, 'twixt having wealth, and having none,  
I know the difference to be so small,  
That, upon neither of them, dote I shall:  
For, as much certainty, I do perceive  
In that uncertainty, at which I live  
As is in any temporal estate  
Of Goods or Lands (especially of late)  
Now, therefore, I desire not to be Rich,  
Or to be Poor, because (not knowing which  
Will best advantage me) I to his pleasure  
Have left it, who, knows what Estate, and Measure  
Of Wealth and Poverty, best fit me shall  
To do that, whereto he vouchsafes a Call.  
I neither Wealth nor Poverty will choose;  
Nor, which soe'er he gives will I refuse.   

But, most men would have somewhat of their own,  
As if supplies by Charity bestown,  
Would sooner fail them; yea, although their Father  
Well clothes and feeds them, they desire much rather  
To finger their whole Portion, that they might  
Pursue their own desires, out of his sight.  
Some other, altogether do rely  
On their own prudence, and self-industry,  
And, of Contingencies, are so afraid  
That, thus within themselves their hearts have said;  
We possibly, into such wants may fall,  
And, so deserted likewise be of all  
By whom we have been harboured, clothed and said,  
(Some of them being ruined, and some dead)  
That, unless we can some Reserve provide,  
Whereby, what e'er haps, we may be supplied,  
We may become exceeding miserable;  
Especially, if us to dis-enable,  
Old Age, Restraint, and Sickness should increase,  
And, to Necessities, add Helplesness.  
Should this befall (as possibly it may)  
Our Poverty would be too great, they'll say,  
With patience to be born: Alas! poor men,  
I'll grant all this may happen: but, what then?  
Did ever you yet know, or see, or hear,  
That Lands or goods freed any from this fear?  
If not, how can you hope to bring to pass  
That, which by no man, yet effected was?  
Have you not still a GOD? and, is not he,  
A Refuge, though all other failing be?  
Your Trust was never placed on him alone,  
If him, you cannot trust, when all is gone.  
While somewhat's left, whereby subsist we may,  
As David said, we boast of him all day,  
But, be assured, that e'er from hence ye go,  
he'll make proof, whether it be thus or no.  
Him, and our own Cause, we do much mistake,  
When 'tis at best, the same at worst, we make,  
And, so much on his Gifts our hearts are set,  
That, him, who did bestow them, we forget.  
To GOD, be therefore, praise, who, by this trial  
Gives me both proof and means of Self-denial.   

ay, am as worthless as the worst of you,  
ay, nothing know by mine own merits due,  
But, that which now I suffer, and much worse,  
(The wages of an everlasting curse)  
My frailties are as great, my sins as many  
As yours; worse than myself I know not any,  
Though some so seem: and, yet, GOD's promises  
Make way through all these disadvantages,  
So well to know him, that I do believe  
My trust in him, he never will deceive;  
And, that it would for my advantage be  
If all that may be feared, should fall on me.  
Were that condition (as it may be) mine,  
I, then, should have no more cause to repine  
Than any other man, who to the doom  
Of Death submitteth, when his time is come:  
For, he who feels this day nor want nor sorrow,  
May be in worse estate than I to morrow.   

So long, as I, have any work to do,  
I shall have what is needful thereunto.  
And when 'tis at an end, no matter whether  
The stroke of Death shall be received, either  
By Axe or Halter, (so I merit not,  
What is by Law the Malefactors Lot.)  
Or, starving, or, by one of those diseases  
Which, ordinarily, the body seizes.  
For, that shame, which men fear, whilst they have breath  
By suffering, what they count a shameful death  
Is shared among mankind, and every one  
Bears part thereof with me, when I am gone.  
And, whilst I live, what e'er can suffered be,  
May fall as well to any, as to me.  
Upon my deathbed, or, upon a Rack,  
When flesh and bones, and all my sinews crack,  
I may be therewithal, as blithe and frolic,  
As, when a burning Fever, or, the Colic  
Age, or Consumptions, or the Pestilence  
Shall be the means to carry me from hence.  
The pains of these, are oftentimes as strong,  
They do continue every whit, as long;  
And, at a Rich man's door, a Lazar dies  
Sometimes as easily, as he that lies  
Upon a bed of Down, and who till death  
All necessaries in abundance hath.  
This, being well observed, it may appear  
That, we are fooled with false hope, or fear,  
When we shall dream to be secured more  
From all events, by being rich, than poor,  
Or, that, there any state on earth can be,  
Which may not have the same Catastrophe.   

When GOD vouchsafes to make men's Poverties  
To glorify him, he doth send supplies,  
Even by unlikely means; and makes that nourish  
Whereby, they, who are fed with dainties perish.  
Them, on whom Tyrant's no compassion have,  
He, in the fiery furnaces can save;  
When they are cast into a Lion's den,  
He maketh beasts more merciful than men.  
He, (when to manifest his Power Divine  
It pleaseth him) turns Water into Wine  
Which, at a poor man's wedding once was done  
More to his honour, than when Conduits run  
With Sack and Claret; which magnificence  
Adds honour to the marriage of a Prince.  
He, when men hungering after Righteousness  
Wait on him in a hungry Wilderness,  
Feeds thousands with a few loaves, and two fishes,  
As full, as if they had ten thousand dishes.  
The bottom of a Barrel, and a Cruse  
Shall Meal and Oil sufficiently produce,  
To keep a family in time of Dearth,  
Until he sends a Plenty upon earth.  
He, when the Creditor, for payment asks  
(With rigour) doth fill many empty Casks,  
Out of one pot of Oil, until there be  
A competence, to set the Debtor free,  
And, for his livelihood, in time to come.  
Yea, by devourers, he doth nourish some:  
For, daily, that Elias might be fed  
The Ravens brought unto him flesh and bread.   

This hath been; and some things I can aver  
Of this kind, in mine own particular.  
Once, twice, nay, oftener I have been distressed  
As, I now am; and three times at the least,  
Have had repair vouchsafed me by GOD,  
In such an extraordinary mode,  
That, many did admire, at my supply;  
As very well they might; for, so did I.  
And, when it seasonably may be shown,  
The manner of it will perhaps be known.   

At, this time, that, which many did suppose  
Would me, ere now, have ruined; on my foes  
Hath cast a bridle, and will keep me from  
What they intent, until my hour is come;  
And, peradventure, then, restrain them too,  
From acting all, that they intent to do.  
That, which both my Estate and Reputation  
Should have destroyed, is my preservation  
Another away; and an advantage brings,  
In better and more profitable things.  
For, Slanders, gain me credit; that, doth glad me  
Which was intended to deject and sad me;  
That, which pursued, is, to make me poor  
Makes my wants less, and my contentments more.  
And, as if GOD had purposed to bestow  
A sign upon me, plainly to fore-show  
That, those Afflictions, and abhorred places,  
Which add to others, torments and disgraces,  
Should comfort me, when common comforts fail,  
NEW GATE, supposed an ignominious Jail  
To me, hath (as it were a Patroness)  
Contributed relief in my distress,  
Perhaps, from some of them, whose pressures were  
Either as great, or greater, than, mine are:  
Which (as I am obliged) to GOD's praise  
I do, and shall acknowledge all my days  
To be an action, which doth signify  
A greater Mercy, than that bare supply;  
For, it informs, and well assureth me  
A Prison, shall no damage bring to me,  
And, that those places, which, make many poor,  
Will make me richer than I was before.  
These things, I thus express, that others may  
Persuaded be, I do not write or say  
What I have read or heard, or whereof I  
Have no more in me, save the Theory;  
And, knowing, this, which into words I spin  
Flows forth from what is really, within,  
And, by experience learned, it might effect  
That operation which I do expect.   

Most men, suppose them signs they are beloved  
Of GOD, and all their ways by him approved,  
(How negligent soe'er of his commands)  
When outward things do prosper in their hands.  
They count them marks of his especial Grace  
If their Cows casts not Calf; if he doth bless  
Their Oxen; if their flocks of Sheep increase;  
If none doth in their persons them oppress;  
If their new-purchased Titles be made good;  
If, by their Trades and Rents, they to their Brood  
May leave great Portions; if, they may at Court  
Find favour; and, if blessings of this sort  
Be multiplied upon them, they suppose  
God is their Friend, and foe unto their foes.  
Indeed, these, blessings are; But signs to me  
Of GOD's especial Grace, these, rather be;  
That, when of Land and Goods I am bereft,  
And, no external comfort seemeth left,  
I can depend on him, and be more glad,  
In his love, than in all that e'er I had:  
That, I am freely justified by him  
In that, for which the world doth me condemn:  
That, I perceive, he deigneth me relief,  
By that, which usually augmenteth grief;  
And, that, when most enraged oppressors are,  
Of their displeasure, I am least in fear:  
That, things which threaten troubles to prolong  
(Till they are helpless) make my faith more strong,  
My fear as little, whilst the Fight doth last,  
As at the Triumph, when all danger's past;  
And, that, their ways, who do most malice me,  
Neither the ways of GOD, or good men be.   

These things, are of GOD's love a truer sign  
Than an increase of Corn, of Oil and Wine,  
And, I do smile to think, how like poor slaves  
They will e'er long, sneak down into their graves,  
Who, make false boast of GOD, when they with shame  
Shall know, that, by their spite I bettered am.  
And, when my Country hears the next Age tell  
How, me they used, who always loved it well;  
What, better men have suffered; what, in vain  
Was said; what done, undone, and done again;  
How, Truth's belied; how Lies upheld for Truth;  
How much the heart dissented from the mouth;  
Their Deeds from what they seem to think and say;  
And, how, at fast and loose, we now do play;  
It will be thought, perhaps, this Generation  
Had lost Faith, Reason, justice, and Compassion,  
And, they, who shall by strict examination,  
Search out the cause of this prevarication  
Will find an hypocritical Devotion  
Sprung from the love of Riches and Promotion,  
(Dis-robing Piety of her plain Dress,  
To be disfigured with that pompousness  
Which is affected by the Man of Sin)  
Of all that is amiss, chief cause hath been.   

I must not scribble all that might be penned  
Upon this Subject, lest I more offend  
Than profit, or, lest, for want of speed,  
Be hindered, in my purpose to proceed.  
But, one more Argument, I'll therefore add  
Whereby, it out of question may be made,  
That, to be very Rich, endangers more  
A real Happiness, than to be poor;  
And, proved it shall be by a Demonstration,  
That, will admit no future confutation.  
Because, it shows that Wealth hath not alone  
More hurt to many single persons done  
Than Poverty, but, also to the Race  
Of all mankind; and unto GOD's Freegrace  
Injurious been; dishonour brought to CHRIST,  
And, set up his opposers Interest.  
Observe it, for, ay, nothing will allege  
But, that, whereof, the meanest wit may judge.   

I need not tell you, we more easily  
May drive a Camel through a needle's eye,  
Or, thread it with a Cable, than, to heaven  
Rich men ascend, or thither may be driven.  
For, most have heard, he spoke to that effect  
Whose judgement none have reason to suspect;  
Yet, I will show to you what way he went,  
And how, by his example to prevent  
That difficulty; For, he did not say,  
One thing to us, and walk another way  
As many do, and did, who would be thought  
To follow him, and teach us what he taught.  
In plain expression I will let you see  
Who, those Impostors and Apostates be  
Who speak sometimes his words, and do profess  
His Truth, yet are in practice nothing less.   

CHRIST, knowing well, that, Avarice, Ambition,  
Wealth and Preferments ripen to perdition,  
And, that, they so insensibly deprave  
The best and wisest men, if way they give  
To their Allurements; that, although he were  
The Son of GOD, and needed not to fear  
The frailties of his flesh, he, to the Law  
Conformed, and preserved it in awe  
By true obedience; mortified that nature  
Which he assumed from the Humane-creature.  
Both by an unconstrained Humility,  
And, by a voluntary Poverty:  
And, did for our example, and our sake  
Forbear, of things indifferent to partake,  
Lest, we, who know not how aright to use  
Our Liberty, things lawful might abuse  
By taking that for food, which was provided  
For Physic rather, when a Cure we needed.   

When, first, from Heaven he came (though Lord of all  
In Heaven and Earth he was) within a stall  
He took up his first Lodging; passed on  
Throughout his Childhood, as he had begun;  
And, to the world, no better did appear  
Than Son to Joseph, a poor Carpenter.  
When to man's age he came (for aught we know)  
He lived by labour, as such poor men do.  
And, when he did begin to manifest  
Himself to be the Saviour JESUS CHRIST,  
His Royalty was furnished out no more  
With Earthly Riches, than it was before;  
He had nor Lands, nor Goods, to find him bread,  
Nor any House, wherein to rest his head.  
He had, for what was needful, no supplies  
But, pious men and women's Charities.  
Poor despicable Fishermen (or such)  
And, those, who neither Noble were, nor Rich  
He those for his Disciples; and when these  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abroad on his Ambassages,  
They were forbidden either to take care  
Wher● with they might be fed, or what to wear,  
Or, m●●y to provide for their expense,  
But, le●ve those things unto GOD's providence.  
To them his Gospel-principles he gave,  
And, taught them how themselves they should behave  
In their Discipleship, both where neglect  
They found, and also where they had respect.  
〈◊〉 them enjoined, to be meek and humble,  
〈…〉 likeli'st block to make them stumble  
〈…〉, to Precedency, not to aspire,  
〈…〉 Lordly Attributes desire:  
〈…〉 Disciples in their low'st condition  
Began to be infected with Ambition.  
The Sons of Zebede, when they were poor,  
Were tainted therewithal; And, how much more  
It doth deprave men when they wealthy grow  
CHRIST did foresee, and we have lived to know  
By that, wherein the Prelacy hath varied  
From his Example; and, by him who carried  
The Bag in his time, we have learned too,  
What Avarice may make a Bishop do.   

Moreover, when by public Acclamation  
CHRIST had a visible inauguration  
Into that Kingdom, whereto he was born,  
No rich or Royal Robes by him were worn;  
Nor sought he to be honoured with such things  
As are affected by terrestrial Kings,  
But, meekly, through Jerusalem did pass  
Not on a barbed Steed, but, on an Ass,  
(Which none had backed before) & which nor Pad,  
Nor saddle, trappings, or a foot-cloth had,  
Save what the people on his back had thrown,  
And, to that purpose taken from their own.  
When he was crowned, no golden Crown he wore  
Lined with soft Fur, but, one much worse than poor:  
A Wreath of Thorns, he wore upon his head;  
He, had no better Sceptre than a Reed;  
A Purple Robe, was cast on him in scorn,  
To be at that sad Coronation worn.  
For him, there was prepared no other Throne,  
Except a Cross, to be advanced upon.  
Nor Funeral Rites, nor Monument, nor Grave,  
Had he when dead, but, what some lent or gave.  
Thus, poorly was his Kingdom here begun;  
Thus, his Affairs of State were carried on.  
So long, as he a life on earth retained,  
Like no terrestrial Monarch, here he reigned;  
But, glorified his Kingdom in this mode:  
And, when that he ascended up to GOD,  
He, by his Holy Spirit, so did mind,  
(And so inspire those whom he left behind)  
To propagate the same, that they pursued  
The Discipline and Pattern, which he showed.  
From SATAN'S Kingdoms, to distinguish it,  
He added whatsoever did befit  
A Righteous Government, in every thing  
Which might advance the Throne of such a King,  
Without those Baubles which do more oppress  
Their Subjects, than promote the Common Peace.  
To this end, and preserve with purity  
The Church and Saints in their integrity,  
They left behind them precepts, counsels, cautions,  
And, many (not ambiguous) declarations,  
Both to inform us of the mind of CHRIST,  
And, of the wiles of that great Antichrist  
Which was to come, and should foundationslay  
To set a Kingdom up, another way;  
That, might (if possible) be thought to be  
CHRIST's Kingdom, as now thousands live to see  
The world reputes what they erected have,  
And, with her Ornaments, made rich and brave.   

Moreover, that CHRIST's Vineyard and Cornfield,  
Might fruits both nourishing and pleasant yield,  
No needful diligence, at first was wanting,  
In digging, dressing, sowing, or in planting;  
Or, so to beautify it, that none might  
Despise it, or not therein take delight.  
And, that, none should by Pride, or Avarice  
Intrude upon their brethren's Legacies,  
They, truly, his Last Tstament recorded;  
The same into a Gospel-Law they worded,  
Which hath sufficiency, without additions  
By humane policies, or new Traditions,  
To constitute his Kingdom, and prevent  
Prevarications, by misgovernment.   

To bar out Innovations, they by Deed  
Confirmed, what they had in words decreed.  
From no true principles of Faith they swerved,  
Devotions reverence they well preserved,  
With ut new-sangles, and those trincketings,  
That Superstition to adorn it brings.  
The Sacrament (by which the death of Christ  
Should be remembered) they made not the Test  
Of things, no way relating to that end,  
For which, that Mystery he did intend,  
Or, rendering, what should be by his intention,  
The Band of Love, a means to breed dissension:  
Nor was the Bread or Wine, then Idolised;  
But, that Love-feast, was duly solemnised,  
In decency, without vain pomp of State;  
Altars, Court-cubbord like, beset with Plate;  
Waxe-lights at noon, in Silver-Candlesticks,  
Or, any other of those needless tricks,  
Which were first introduced, in those days  
When Wooden-Priests, got silver Chalices.  
They used no superstitious Adorations,  
Cringing, ridiculous gesticulations,  
Or mimic Actions: nor these, or those, postures  
Of Body; neither places, times, or vestures,  
Were so essential made, or necessary  
To holy Duties, that, none ought to vary  
From those Formalities: nor, painted walls,  
Nor Pictures had they, Supplices, nor Palls,  
Chimers, hoods, Rochets, nor rich Copes, nor Tippets,  
Nor was their Service cut out into sippets,  
For, such toys (than unknown) did not begin  
Till Ancichrist arose and brought them in;  
And, till with Wealth and Dignities enriched  
The Presbyters, and Bishops were bewitched.   

To have prevented this (as I have said)  
A good Foundation CHRIST himself had laid,  
And, at the first, that Structure was begun,  
Which, he intended should be built thereon.  
Such as were then, by sacred Ordination,  
Called Bishops, watchful were, and took occasion  
From every slip, to travel, preach, and write,  
That, errors and mis-deeds prevent they might.  
As soon as Demas and Diotrephes,  
With such like, were observed in their days  
To innovate, and labour to begin  
That Prelacy which, afterward crept in,  
They so opposed it, that, till from his chain,  
The Devil (then confined) was loosed again,  
None could setup what a faction begun,  
Though many were then working thereupon;  
For, CHRIST's Apostles, and their true successors  
(In spite of Innovators, of Oppressors  
And Heretics) by that simplicity  
Of Truth, which was professed in Poverty,  
Did so distinguish it, from what by those  
Advanced would be, when Antichrist arose,  
That, they inviolate maintained thereby  
Her honour, and her native purity,  
Without that carnal Pomp, and costly Pride  
With which, the STRUMPET, now seems glorified.  
And wherewith, she hath half the world enchanted,  
Since Heathenish Deities, were first supplanted.   

That Miracle, was wrought by GOD, through them  
Whose Poverty the world did then contemn:  
Even when their Worshippers were in full power,  
And, when enraged at height, sought to devour  
Their scorned Opposers, they withal that odds  
Were not then able to support their Gods.  
But, when the Saints were as distressed and poor,  
As they, who seek their bread from door to door,  
When, they broke through a tenfold persecution,  
To put their Master's will in execution;  
When in despised habits through each Nation  
They preached the blessed means of our salvation;  
Were counted Fools, and as much disesteemed  
As any, who are now fanatics deemed;  
When, they had neither Academic Halls,  
Schools, Colleges, or sumptuous Cathedrals,  
Nor Universities, nor Deans, nor Doctors,  
prebend's, Archdeacon's, Chancellors or Proctors,  
Nor Rents, nor Tithes, nor Pensions, nor Oblations,  
Excepting only good men's free-donations;  
When they, nor Bishops had, nor Presbyters,  
Save, such as holy Scripture characters,  
(Who claimed no Precedence, or Submission,  
From those, authorised by the same Commission;  
When, they were meek and lowly, in their places,  
Poor in their Temporalties, and rich in Graces;  
When, they (as necessary to salvation)  
On no man, did impose an Observation  
Of days, times, forms, or Ceremonious Rite,  
But, as to edifying, tend it might;  
And, left them to be practised, or omitted,  
As, either they might, or might not be fitted  
To holy Duties, without just offences,  
To other men's, or their own consciences:  
(In which case, none that hath Sobriety,  
Will bar another of his Liberty.)  
When Pastors meddled not at all, or little,  
With Sovereigns, whether they themselves, or Title  
Were good or bad; excepting in those cases  
Which did concern the duties of their places;  
But, in the fear of GOD, obedient were  
To that Power, which did visibly appear  
Impowered to protect them (whilst it stood  
With that obedience, which they owe to GOD;  
And, did by suffering, render satisfaction,  
For what they dared not perform in action.)  
When, Emperors nor Kings did them esteem,  
Nor flattered were, or fawned upon, by them;  
Even then by these, men's Doctrines and Examples,  
Were all the Gentiles great and glorious Temples  
Throughout the world destroyed: their Superstitions  
(From which New Rome retrived her Traditions)  
Were then by those expelled: Their Oracles,  
Then silenced were; Their juggling Miracles  
Were proved Impostures: Then, the Sophistries  
Of those whom former ages thought most wise,  
Were found but fallacies; their wisdom folly;  
Unsound their Manners, their belief unholy;  
Their books of Curious Arts, whereby great fame  
They had acquired, were cast into the flame;  
And, then, their Flamens, and Archflamins too,  
(Who domineered as the Prelates do)  
Were (as these, in the time appointed shall)  
Brought to those dooms, which on Impostors fall.   

The Worship also, wherewithal the Jews,  
The world's credulity sought to abuse,  
As well as her Philosophy, was foiled  
At their own weapons; of that glory spoiled  
Whereof they boasted; and all this was done,  
Without the Outward Pomp, now doted on.  
And, if the Prelates, can with all the glory,  
Which they have gotten by things Transitory,  
And, by the help of all the Kings on earth,  
To such another Miracle give birth,  
I'll think, that they as great Impostors are,  
As Jannes, and as Jambres long since, were;  
Yet, still believe, that, maugre all their power,  
The Rods of these, will their charmed Rods devour.   

That, which the Prelates take to be a sign  
Of Sanctity, the most becoming shrine  
Of sacred Piety, and true Devotion,  
I mean, that Pomp, whereby (for self promotion)  
They seek to trim and paint it, forth hath brought  
(Compared to this) not any thing worth ought  
But mere contempt: for, by the zeal of those,  
Who, made such poor, and despicable shows,  
More honour to the Church of Christ is done,  
Than all their wealth and honours, have thereon  
Conferred, in more than fifteen hundred years,  
By all their great and potent Favourers.  
They, whom the Church's Poverty brought forth,  
Though poor externally, had inward worth;  
Good life was practised, sacred Truth professed  
Religion, with sincerity embraced,  
In her poor Driss, by many an humble Saint,  
Without the fucus of a Whorish paint;  
And, till men leaving their plain sober way,  
Sought by external wealth, to make her gay,  
The Church, in Piety, did still increase  
Though outward persecutions did not cease.   

But, what hath followed since her Poverties,  
Are changed for temporal wealth and dignities?  
Since Princely Prelates sought for carnal things,  
Had learned to flatter Emperors and Kings,  
And, cheat them with a seeming Loyalty,  
Made credible by feigned Piety?  
Since they, an Ambodexters' part could play,  
Had got two Masters, and a double pay,  
Topped wreathes Imperial with a Triple crown,  
Made Rebels Martyrs, trod Allegiance down  
And, had on so much wealth and honour ceased,  
That they could turn the scale which way they pleased,  
What, hath ere since that time, proceeded thence  
But, products of Destructive consequence?  
And those Confusions, for which (without shame)  
Some, to the Saints of GOD, impute the blame,  
As heretofore, the Heathen Tyrants did  
To them, whose blood they innocently shed?   

And, though that in their public declamations,  
(As also, in their private exultation.)  
The Prelates, to a joy transported seem,  
Like (as they say themselves) men in a dream,  
To see that Wealth, and Pomp restored again,  
Whereof, small hope they did erewhile retain;  
Though, of a golden Hierarchy dreaming,  
They (still the Poverty of CHRIST blaspheming)  
Do think, the Angels are as glad as they  
Of that, wherein they triumph at this day;  
And, say (which I conceive to be a lie)  
That, they, could well content have been to die,  
The next day after they restored had been  
To that condition, which they now are in;  
Yet, I believe, it will not, in the close,  
Make them so happy, as they now suppose;  
Or, give much cause unto this Generation,  
To be well pleased in their restauration.   

For, to these Nations, or unto our King,  
What, can I think, these golden Calves will bring  
Save, at the last, what followed upon that,  
Which jeroboam policy of State  
Produced in Isr'el, when he (as it were  
Inspite of GOD) set golden Calves up there?  
And, his Successors walked on in that way,  
What ere those Prophets, from thenceforth, could say  
Whom GOD, in Justice, or in Mercy, sent  
Their threatened desolation to prevent?  
What, is more likely, if th' abominations  
Of, almost every Goodman, in these Nations  
Shall be indulged? (and, though it ever since  
It first begun, produced nought but offence?)  
For, Observation daily finds it plain,  
That, fear of losses, or the hope of gain,  
Or, of Promotion, will root out apace  
The seeds and plants, of Piety and Grace.  
And, since, already, it so multiplies  
Apostates, and augments Hypocrisies,  
What can be thought, but, that, those days, we see  
Wherein, th' Elect shall hardly saved be,  
Unless GOD shorten them for, whatsoe'er  
Men say, or do, they fall into a snare;  
And, those Deceivers, whereof last I spoke,  
To blind men's eyes, have raised such a smoke,  
That, few, know which way safely turn they may;  
Or, what to think, believe, hope, do, or say.   

Such Histories, as are approved by those,  
Who never did the Prelacy oppose,  
Affirm, that when the Church's Augmentation  
Of wealth and honour, by the free donation  
Of Constantine, was first on them conferred,  
A voice, was in the Air distinctly heard,  
Which did these words, articulately say,  
Into the Church is poison poured this day:  
And, thereupon, that, quickly did ensue,  
Which, manifests the Saying to he true:  
For, they, who read Historical Relations,  
Of what hath been in former Generations,  
(As also, in their times) discreetly heeding  
What, their Experience addeth to their reading,  
Will find, that, here, and, almost every where,  
The Prelate's cause of many mischiefs were.  
Yea, that the greatest troubles on the earth,  
Sprung indirectly, or directly, forth  
From their Ambition, Avarice and Pride.  
When Gold and Silver they had multiplied.   

How many troubles, have been here of late,  
Occasioned by what they did innovate?  
How many thousand Families undone  
In these three Kingdoms are, since they begun,  
Those Whimsies, which the prime occasion were  
Of all the Civil Wars and discords here?  
And, what more will ensue, GOD only knows,  
For, we, already see ill boding shows.  
Their Avarice, and matchless greediness,  
Of hoarding Treasure up, to an excess  
At such a time as this, wherein the State  
Is straitened; (and when much it doth abate  
That, Trading, whereby, our necessities  
Public, and Private, should have their supplies)  
Produceth ill effects; and how by these  
Both in their Civil Peace, and Consciences,  
Men may disturbed be, there's cause of fear,  
By what in their deportments doth appear.  
And, I observed this (which I'll now record)  
That, when they first begun to be restored,  
With them, returned, (God grant there come no  
Maypoles, Maid-marian, & the hobby-horse, (worse)  
Beside, some other heathenish Profanations,  
Maugre the Kings late pious Proclamations.   

It would fill many volumes to collect  
What Prelacy did heretofore effect;  
How troublesome in other commonweals,  
And Kingdoms, it hath to GOD's Israel's,  
And, other people been: how oft have they  
Endeavoured their Sovereigns to betray,  
Unto the See of Rome? how oft, to bring  
The People into bondage to their King,  
That, when their purpose they had wrought on him  
Both King and people, might be slaves to them?  
How insolent and impudent a power,  
Was then usurped when an Emperor  
Did hold the Stirrup? when an English king  
They to so great a slavery did bring,  
(And foolery to boot) as to decline  
His Royal Person, at Tom Beckets shrine?  
Do penance there, and be so much befoold,  
That, school-boy-like, he was with Rods there schooled,  
By Canterbury Monks? when, he, that trod  
Upon his Liege Lords neck (blaspheming GOD)  
That piece of scripture, to himself applied  
Which could in none, but CHRIST, be verifide?  
Intolerable was his arrogance,  
But, such are oft effects of their advance;  
And, thus, have Kings and Emperors been rewarded,  
Who, their lean Gammons, had with fat inlarded.   

These, are the blessed and the holy fruits,  
Of their great wealth, and Lordly Attributes;  
Yet, these are not the worst; for Kings and Princes,  
Were not alone by Prelates insolences,  
Abused like other men, in what relates  
Unto their lives, their honours and estates;  
But, GOD, is also, thrust out of his Throne:  
Even his Peculiars are usurped upon;  
And, such Intrusions are now made, by these  
Upon men's Faiths, and on their Consciences,  
That, they make many Prostites for the Devil,  
Expose them to an everlasting evil,  
And, causes are of mischiefs and offence,  
Which all the world can never recompense:  
For, Bonds they lay, where GOD doth none impose;  
Unbind, from what he never will unlose;  
And, whatsoe'er he speaks, his words, by these,  
Are made to mean, what ever they shall please.   

But, let the Saints in patience persevere;  
For, though these arrogantly domineer,  
And in their hopes grow every day more strong,  
Their time of standing, will not now be long:  
The Kings, who with the Cup of Fornications  
Have been made Drunk, for many Generations,  
Will at the last grow sober, or else mad,  
To see what power on them, these Jugglers had,  
And, help to bring that fatal judgement on,  
Which must reward them for what they have done:  
Great Babylon itself, will shortly fall,  
And, they shall have their Portion therewithal.   

To do us harm, they had not been so able,  
If in those Principles, men had been stable  
Which constitute CHRIST's Church; nor to assist  
As they have done, the Throne of Antichrist.  
Had these been still content to seek no more  
(As Bishops were in ages heretofore)  
Than might supply things needful in their place,  
For Nature to promote the works of Grace,  
(Nor stretched their Precedency ought further,  
Than did conduce to Decency, and Order)  
It had not such ill consequents produced:  
And, could they but, yet, timely be reduced,  
To that Bound; Discords, would ere long be ended,  
And, much, that is amiss would be amended.   

(GOD Bless the King, and open so his eyes,  
That, he may see in what his safety lies;  
And prosper me, as I desire he may  
Walk and continue, in that blessed way,  
Which truly to his glory doth redound;  
Whom he so kind, and merciful hath found.  
My prayers are, that GOD would make him strong  
Against the Charms of every glozing Tongue;  
In Grace and Virtues, daily so improve him,  
That, GOD and Men, for ever more may love him:  
And, that, I may find favour in his sight,  
According as I am in heart, upright:  
For, whatsoever, he shall be to me;  
To him, I'm true, and so will ever be.  
GOD, pardon all that I have done amiss,  
And, so, I finish this Parenthesis.)   

Here, I have shown you, by plain demonstration,  
Which (as I said) admits no confutation,  
That, Poverty (though much despised) is better  
Than Riches; and, that, I thereto am debtor  
Much more, for what concerns my happiness,  
Than, by what can be got by an excess  
In Wealth and Honour: And, what's here rehearsed,  
Will be approved, when Synods have reversed  
Their Votes; and be by Wisest men upheld  
When Acts of Parliament shall be repealed,  
That, were confirmed, by Commons, Lords & King,  
When, GOD, shall to effect, his purpose bring,  
And, those men to their wits, who, little heeded,  
What, would ensue that, wherein they proceeded.  
Now I have done. If this you can believe,  
And, GOD, his blessing thereunto shall give,  
I have what, I desired for my pain;  
And, what's here writ, shall not be writ in vain:  
for, all that's in my words, is in my heart,  
In every circumstance, and every part.  
Perhaps, this despicable Barly-cake,  
May tumble, till a fatal breach it make  
Into the Tents of Midian: but, thereon  
What ere else follows, let GOD's will be done.  
Though no man living, should the same regard,  
A good work, to itself gives full reward;  
And, there is nothing, that can make it less,  
Than what it is, or, bar it from increase:  
For, though such Accidents, may oft befall,  
As, that, it will not so appear to all,  
Nor Poverty, Imprisonment, Disgrace,  
Life, death, good, bad condition, time nor place,  
Praises, Privations, nor aught that hath name,  
Makes real Virtue, not to be the same.   
Glory be to GOD.   

A Word on the behalf of Mr. Zachary Crofton Prisoner in the Tower.  Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye the same unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets, Matth. 7. 12. 

SInce all men err, and one way, or another,  
Occasion what mis-happens to each other,  
I cannot but be sensible of that,  
Which may be mine, and every man's estate.  
CROFTON's a Prisoner, and, some say, must die;  
Yet, I, from none, can learn the reason why.  
If his declaring for the COVENANT,  
Be all his Crime, a reason I shall want,  
To satisfy me, by what Law we shall  
Conclude that his Offence is Capital;  
Or, how, that can imputed be for sin,  
Which, by no Law, hath yet forbidden been.  
GOD, bless the King and State; and so men's reason  
Preserve, that, we may once know Truth from Treason,  
Lest we at last be brought into a snare,  
And, be uncertain, when we Traitors are:  
For, though it safely might be justified  
That, rather than GOD, Men should be obeyed;  
Such, may not be their own Friends, who condemn  
That man, who pleaded both for GOD, and them,  
And, to the hazard of his life persists,  
In vindicating their Joynt-Interests,  
To no man's disadvantage, except those,  
Who, are to GOD and Men, apparent foes.   

Me thinks, it is great pity, that, a man  
Who, to GOD, King and Church, both may, and can  
Be serviceable; and, who doth profess  
His Judgement, in mere conscientiousness  
Without designed contempt, unto the State,  
Or, purposing a mutinous debate,  
And, never gave just cause to be suspected,  
He was to either of them disaffected,  
(But, unto both of them, good service did,  
When they of Faithful Servants had most need;  
And, hath but done his duty, to oppose  
Those Harpies, which to all Good men are foes)  
Should by mistake, or, by misinformation,  
As one, who had deserved no compassion,  
A Sufferer with Malefactors be  
Because, he sees not, what he cannot see;  
Or, else, because he cannot credit give  
To what, he finds no reason to believe;  
For, who will care for life, where Prelacy  
Attains to such a height of Tyranny,  
That, it enslaves both Soul and Body too?  
And, where, of what we should believe and do,  
No certainty, can by their LIGHT be known,  
Nor leave obtained, to make use of our own,  
Though voluntarily the King engaged  
To let the Conscience be so privileged;  
And, Mercy, in some other things, did show  
Whereof, the Prelacy will not allow,   

Whether the COVENANT, by right, or wrong,  
Were made, or burnt, it doth not now belong  
To private men to question: For, when dooms  
Are passed in Parliament, the Case than comes  
Before GOD's Judgement-Seat; and, woe to them,  
Who, that, which he approves of, shall condemn.  
Till, therefore, he, thence answers their appeal  
Wise men, their private think will conceal,  
And, him implore, to whom referred it is,  
To right what's wrong, and pardon what's amiss.   

What, Fame reports by Crofton to be done  
I, singly and sincerely musing on,  
Do find, by that; whereof informed I am,  
That, he more merited reward than blame,  
Unless, that, wherein other men have erred  
(Without his fault) may be to him transferred.  
The Covenant he took, but did not make it;  
Nor forced any one to take, or break it;  
But, in his place alone, the same maintained  
(To his own hazard) as it appertained  
Unto the honour, peace, and preservation  
Both of the Royal persons, and the Nation,  
As he thought it obliged; and as it stood  
In force, relating to the Will of GOD  
And, no jot further; unless, we suppose  
He erred, in pressing it, to bar out those  
Who, have been, still are, and will be again,  
Foes unto GOD, to Kings, and Common men,  
As soon as they themselves enabled find,  
To do the work, for which they were designed.  
For, that, which CROFTON most insisted on,  
(As purposed by the Covenant to be done)  
Is an exploding of the Hierarchy  
Brought in, by Antichristian-Prelacy,  
(To whose support, his Oath cannot extend  
Who, CHRIST's Faith, is obliged to defend.)  
And, if that, be a fault, GOD, me forgive,  
For, therein, I resolve, to die, and live.   

The stress of his Case, as appears to me,  
Lies there; if, he of aught else guilty be,  
I, leave him to excuse himself; for, never  
Saw I his face, nor shall perhaps for ever.  
But, he's in durance, and I fain would do  
As, in his Case, I would be done unto;  
And, peradventure, it will needful be  
That, some, ere long, should do as much for me.  
There are, besides those actings, which do fall  
Within the duties of our Common-call,  
Some, having so peculiar Relation,  
To GOD's Designments in our Generation,  
That, they not only do the force abate  
Of what is called, The Reason of the State,  
But, of those Precepts also, at sometimes,  
Whose violations are most heinous Crimes,  
In any other case; as may appear,  
By many proofs, which I will now forbear.  
GOD, doth a Generation-work design;  
For, every man: These, are a part of mine,  
And, I had rather die ten deaths for one  
Than take ten lives, to let it be undone.  
Till that is done, me, Lord vouchsafe to keep;  
And, David - like, then, let me fall asleep. 
Act. 13. 36.