Tuba-Pacifica. Seasonable Precautions, whereby is sounded forth a Re-Treat from the War intended between England and the United-Provinces of Lower GERMANY.  
By GEO: WHITHER, a Lover of Peace, and heartily well-affected toward both Nations.  
Nimis Cautela non nocet.  Matthew 5. 9 
Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God  
ANNO. 1664. Imprinted for the Author, and is to be disposed of, rather for Love then Money.   

TUBA-PACIFICA. Sounding a Retreat from the War intended between England and the United Provinces.  

AN Ancient Emblem, relating to the said Nations.  
Si Collidimur frangimur,  
If we knock, we are broke.   
An hour is come, in which must be renewed  
That Work, which I have hither to pursued;  
And, I to utter what I have to say,  
Will take the Cue that's offered whilst I may,  
In hope that they, whose Prudence can discern  
Those things which their well-being do concern,  
Will hear and heed them, ere it be so late  
That Premonitious will be out of date:  
For, Opportunities may slip away  
To morrow, which are offered us this day;  
And 'tis all one to Wisemen, whether Strangers  
Or Friends, premonish them of likely dangers,  
Or, whether unto them, Alarms from  
A Silver, or a Rams-horn Trumpet come.  
To me there are but two ways known, by which  
Men may speed well or ill, grow poor or rich▪  
To wit, by prosecuting Good or Evil,  
By cleaving close to God, or to the Devil  
And, they are two such Mastership's, that, neither  
Is pleased with him, who serves them both together;  
Because, what is endeavoured for the one  
Obstructs what for the other shall be done.  
Presuming therefore, you depend alone  
On him, whom I serve, thus proceed I on.  
A commom Fame Reports there will be War  
Betwixt the English and the Hollander  
And, by their preparations, I conceive  
We may with probability, believe  
It will be so. Their many panic Fears,  
Their groundless hopes, their bitter Scoffs and Jeers,  
Cast on each other, are plain symptoms too,  
Of what, in likelihood, they mean to do.  
We likewise, by the Truths and by the Lies  
Which to divide them wicked men devise,  
And, whereby such Partakers on both sides  
Augment that hatred which still more divides,  
May fear, as well as by their other deeds,  
The mischief will go on, as it proceeds,  
Until the power doth rest in GOD alone,  
To undo, what is wilfully misdone.  
But, that, which most confirms it, is the sin,  
The Crying Crimes, that both continue in  
Without Repentance: For, among the rest  
These I enumerate are not the least,  
(Nor any whit abated, since GOD made  
The late Breach up, which them else ruined had)  
Such, as their bragging vaunts of that frail strength  
Which will destroy their foolish hopes at length;  
The confidence, the sottish vulgar gathers  
From Ships and Armies, long hair, Muffs & Feathers;  
Their hot contestings which shall have the hap  
To wear the greatest Bauble in their Cap.  
Or, whether 'twill at last, be brought to pass,  
That th' Ass shall ride the Man, or Man the Ass.  
These, and some other things, that are perceived  
Now acting, or about to be contrived,  
Have made me, with small difference to deem  
Most of them are as mad as they do seem.  
And, is it even so? must you now lash  
Each other, and your earthen Pitchers dash?  
Must you, that have so long been Friends, now knock  
Until you into Potsherds quite are broke?  
None taking heed or care how to prevent  
That mischief which appeareth eminent,  
And was presaged about the ninetieth year  
Now past, by this your well known Emblem here?  
Have you not one among you, rich or poor,  
So wise as he, whose Counsel heretofore.  
Preserved a City, and did then receive  
The same reward, which men in this age give  
For suchlike services? Hath neither, place  
A man so prudent as that Woman was  
Who raised the siege from Abel, by her wit,  
When Joab with an host beleaguered it?  
But, are you all of wisdom so bereft,  
That, no Expedient seemeth to be left  
Whereby to act until the sequels are  
Ignoble Peace, or a destructive war?  
If it be so, from whence could it proceed  
But from your failings both in word and deed?  
From sordid Avarice, Pride, and Self-will,  
Enticing Fleshly Lustings to fulfil?  
For, these deprave the Judgements of most Nations▪  
Cause them to fall away from their Foundations;  
Then, fly to Refuges patched up with Lies,  
Seek Power and Riches by those vanities  
Which multiply Oppressions and increase  
Confusions to the ruin of that Peace  
They might enjoy: For, then their strength consists  
In, and by those corrupting Interests,  
Which will engage them to rush further on  
In their Oppressive ways long since begun,  
Till they grow deaf to all that can be said  
To make them of their just deserts afraid.  
And should they then, their crooked paths forbear,  
Most private Trade at a nonplus were;  
Yea all those Incomes whereupon depend  
Their Formal Grandeur would soon have an end▪  
For, many thousands, who did vast Estates  
Get and uphold, by cherishing Debates,  
By multiplying and delaying long  
Vexatious suits, to many a poor man's wrong,  
Would think themselves undone, if every State  
Their Courts of Justice should reduce to that  
For which they were ordained; and Tyranny  
Would Want fit Tools to bring to flavery  
The common people. Very few know how  
They may to GOD and their Superiors now  
Perform their duties, and not both displease  
Or th' one or th' other; For, what is by these.  
Commanded, is not seldom, either quite  
Repugnant, or obliquely opposite,  
As they Interpretations of them make  
Who to be Judges of them undertake.  
Yea, those Professions, and those Trades whereby  
Most live, are subject to such vanity  
That honest men are difficultly able  
To use them with a Consence warrantable.  
It is no easy matter to devise  
What would become of all those Batter-flies  
Who flutter up and down in Prince's Courts,  
If their oppressive Projects of all sorts  
Were took away; and what case were they in  
Who at this day do live upon the sin  
Of one another? But they'll be supplied  
What ever to the Public shall be tie;  
And at the last, (although their Friends they seem)  
Destroy those Governments that nourished them,  
Unless, according to what's just and true  
Themselves they modulize, with speed, a new;  
Which, how, and by whom, that might well be done  
Were an Expedient worthy musing on.  
Perhaps, if you did seriously take heed,  
How this concerns you, and what would proceed  
From such a Constitution, you might know  
From whence the quarrelings between you flow,  
And how to reconcile those differences  
Which now increase your dangers and expenses.  
Perceive you not, that your Prevarications,  
Your Falsehoods, and your gross dissimulations  
With GOD, and with each other, so provokes  
His anger, who on all men's actions looks,  
That 'tis impossible you should have Peace  
With him, your selves or others, till you cease  
From provocations, and bring forth such fruit  
As with a real Reformation suit,  
And with those Churches which are truly Christ's?  
Yea, that your hopes will fail, though flattering Priests  
Do promise peace, and impudently, too,  
Persuade, that GOD is pleased with what you do?  
Observe you may, by what ensues thereon,  
How, GOD abominates what is misdone  
In managing the Mysteries of State,  
And heeds what is in secret aimed at  
By fair pretendings; and how, they thereby  
So long have sought themselves to fortify  
That, most men are inclined to believe  
Lest Good is meant, when sweetest words they give;  
And that they have forgot on what conditions  
Or, to what end God gave them their Commissions.  
Know you not, that a spirit of delusion,  
To bring upon you merited confusion,  
Was Licenced to go forth and delude  
Those Prophets, by whose counsel are pursued  
Unrighteous Actions, that you may be sent  
On Voyages like that which Ahab went?  
Are your eyes wholly blinded? heed you not  
That, such another Spirit is begot  
'Twixt you, and 'twixt the People every where  
Within your several Borders, here and there,  
(And at this time as active) as was that  
Which GOD permitted to infatuate  
Abimelech and Sichem, till it had  
Destroyed them; all their Counsels frustrate made,  
And brought upon both Parties that reward  
Which for bloodthirsty persons is prepared?  
If these things you have heeded, be not still  
By those deluded who intent you ill;  
But, wake out of your deep security,  
And from that Trance wherein you seem to lie.  
Consider seriously, what you intent;  
ere it begin, think well how it may end;  
What an intolerable heavy load  
'Twill lay on most at home, on some abroad,  
What Treasure, and how much blood will be spent;  
How, both your Countries will be thereby rend  
And shattered; beside, what not yet fore-seen,  
Is likewise possible to intervene,  
From them, who watching to enjoy the spoil  
By your contendings, laugh and jeer meanwhile;  
Which to prevent; I sound out this Retreat  
From that War, wherewith you each other threat.  
I nothing aim at, or design to do  
But what I know GOD hath inclined me to,  
And which you too, may know, if you well weigh  
What I have written, with what I might say;  
And, I believe, that man (who ere he be)  
Who shall obstruct what's offered now by me  
Shall thereby suffer as one who withstands  
The mercy he intendeth to both Lands▪  
With nought I charge you▪ but what th' one or th' other  
Is singly guilty of, or both together;  
Nor ought whereto, unless you feared are,  
You in yourselves a witness do not bear:  
For my part, I shall neither gain nor lose  
By Peace or War, or by that which ensues;  
Because, he that on GOD his whole heart sets,  
Will be the same, what ever he permits.  
I love both Nations, truly wish them well,  
And therefore shall not any thing conceal  
That may concern your safety, though with scorn  
My Premonitions you should back return:  
Permit me then, to speak a word in season;  
For, sometimes, he that is a Fool speaks reason.  
Though Joseph was a slave in deep disgrace;  
A Prisoner more neglected than I was  
In my late Thraldom; (no whit less in danger  
By false Accusers, because, more a stranger;)  
A heathen King, disdained not to take  
Good Counsel from him, when her reason spoke  
Though he in him, no more of GOD could see  
At first, than you at this time do in me.  
ay, no such Revelations will pretend  
As give no warrant on them to depend  
Save his own word who tells them; neither ought  
Advise, but Truths, which GOD himself hath taught  
As well to you as me, by his known word,  
Or by the Olive-branch, or, by the Sword.  
His Justice or his Mercy; which have spoke  
That oft, whereof you little heed have took.  
To fright you, no predictions I will fain  
As many do, pumped out of their own brain;  
Nor speak in Riddles, nor such things declare  
As you cannot without cracked patience hear,  
If I may but that freedom have to speak,  
Which harmless Fools, and licenced Jesters take.  
As Moses, from a principle of Love  
Said unto those two Israelites who strove,  
So say I unto you who disagree;  
Wrong not each other, for, you Brethren be  
By Nature; yea, by Grace too, so professed:  
Be therefore Christ●ans or be men at least.  
Like barbarous heathen wherefore should you strive,  
And by dissension to yourselves derive  
A mutual Plague? Act that which is designed  
By them who to destroy you are inclined;  
And, probably, can no way else effect  
That mischief which their Malice doth project?  
Consider what Advantages you had  
By concord, how safe thereby you were made;  
What you professed when you agreed together;  
What heretofore, you have been to each other;  
How strengthened, and how powerful you became  
Whilst your Designs were in effect the same;  
To your Allies how helpeful; and to those  
How terrible, Who dared to be your Foes;  
Even when the pow'rfulst of your neighbouring Nations  
Seemed so assured of their expectations,  
That their Sea Forces, in a proud bravado,  
Were termed an Invinsible Armado;  
Till GOD befriending you, did with one puff  
Bring down their Pride, and blow their Malice off.  
Power, wealth, and honour, ever since that day  
He, likewise, heaped on them, many away,  
Whilst you continued Friends, though you had many  
Backslidings and defects as gross as any.  
As to your outward welfare, all things, yet,  
To prosper, GOD doth graciously permit.  
Some of you, have by losing all, got more  
Than ever they enjoyed heretofore;  
Some other, though of all; no less bereft  
Are twice as rich as they, now nothing's left,  
By having thereby learned to prise that most,  
Which being gotten never shall be lost▪  
And, they who this world's wealth do more desire  
Have means enough their longings to acquire.  
The chiefest Foreign Trade to you is given  
In all the Realms and Countries under heaven.  
Your Ships are numberless, your Merchants more  
And richer, than the Tirians heretofore.  
Your Warehouses are stored by your Commerce  
With all things precious through the Universe;  
For which you were envied by all those  
Who either seemed your Friends or are your Foes.  
Your Naval Forces if you timely might  
Persuaded be sincerely to unite,  
In Righteousness, would balance all the rest  
Between the Orient Indies and the West  
And both the Poles, enabling you to give  
Those Laws to all men, who by Traffic live,  
Whereby, there might, for all, sufficient Trade  
In safety, and with equity be had;  
Without which, whatsoe'er you shall obtain  
Will prove but an unprofitable gain.  
And, (which is more considerable, far,  
Then all your honours, power and riches are)  
GOD, hath among you, sown the feeds of Grace  
More plentifully then in any place  
Below the Sun: his Plants refreshments wanting  
Though set in blood and Fire, at their transplanting  
Into your Borders, so well thrived there  
Even then, that millions from them sprouted are;  
And, more from them continually shall sprout  
In spite of those who seek to root them out;  
Yea, though you by your folly forfeit those  
Advantages which he on you bestows,  
For their sakes▪ whom some of you do revile  
Oppress, and from their native Lands exile.  
For, GOD hath made your Country, to become  
The strongest Bulwark in all Christendom,  
Both against GOG and MAGOG covered Foes  
And such as openly, the Saints oppose;  
That▪ saving Truth and sincere innocence  
Might thereby be preserved from violence;  
Especially, from their hate, who pursue  
The precious seed of Christ in them and you,  
By Antichristian wiles, which hatched were  
In your own wombs, and nursed up now are  
By seeming Friends, who hide their fallacies  
With gaudy vails, and vain formalities,  
Until the souls for which they traps prepare  
Are hunted unto death, or to their snare.  
These Ingineers, within your bosoms lie,  
And, what their chief aims are, no doubt have I.  
Think on these things, and whether 'tis from me  
Or from God, that you minded of them be;  
For, what I had to write when I begun  
I knew not; nor shall I know when 'tis done,  
What, by my Prompter, I was moved unto  
Until I read it over as you do,  
To see what is of God in every line  
As if those writings had been none of mine.  
When GOD, by despicable means and men,  
(As he to do is pleased now and then)  
Speaks to a King or Nation, it doth carry  
A show of somewhat extraordinary  
To be considered on with serious heed,  
And it importeth somewhat to succeed.  
When waving men trained up in learned Schools  
He speaks to them, by those whom they count fools,  
Makes others (as of old some Prophets were)  
Actors in things that scandalous appear  
To most Spectators, yea, ridiculous  
To sober men (as oft of late with us)  
Rendering them signs unto their generation  
Of what's to come; 'tis worth consideration;  
(Especially when injuries and scorn  
Are patiently with sober stoutness born,  
For conscience sake and all men, truly wise  
Although such dispensations fools despise)  
Are deeply sensible, of what on those  
The ignorance and hate, of some impose,  
To whom, it will be manifest ere long,  
That, they have injured those, to their own wrong.  
If yet you know it not, now be it known  
That, by the power which is on you bestown  
To be on all occasions, whilst you have it  
Employed for his honour who first gave it)  
You were entrusted, and enabled so  
As you have been, not your own will to do;  
Or, that you to exalt yourselves above  
Your Neighbours, GOD'S donations, might improve  
Into such an exorbitance of power  
That, at your pleasure, you might them devour,  
Oppress your Brethren, and advantage them  
Who Adversaries are to you and him:  
For, they were given to preserve their Peace  
Who, under you, in love and righteousness  
Desire to live; the same Faith have professed,  
And by Usurping Tyrants are oppressed;  
Which Grace if you shall turn into oppression  
Or wantonness, will hasten your perdition;  
Make many of your truest Friends grow sad  
And me, who of your welfare should be glad,  
Be forced ray work to close (in imitation  
Of Jeremiah) with a Lamentation.  
You will but give your foes just cause to laugh  
To see you quarrelling for straw and chaff  
Wilt they get opportunity to burn  
Those Granards down, whereby the precious corn  
Might be preserved, wherewith your bread of life,  
May be supplied, if you desist from strife.  
Who can assure you that the provocations  
Whereby, now very many in both Nations,  
Exasperated are, will not afford  
Fit opportunities by your discord  
Some such contrivances then to project  
And prosecute as prudence may suspect?  
For, though what Faction moves mad men to do  
Will ruin them at last, so 'twill you too.  
What, men who have good consciences will shun  
Will by men without consciences be done  
When God shall let them lose, or call together  
All sors of sinners to correct each other.  
'Tis likewise possible, that many things  
Pretended causes of your quarrelings  
If they were well examined would be found  
Mere scandals raised without real ground,  
To make misactings on both sides appear  
(By Aggravations) greater then they were.  
For, in both Nations, there is such a Rabble  
(By their ill manners much more despicable  
Then by their Fortunes) who, for servile ends,  
In hope of profit, (or to make them friends  
Of those whom they sought to exasperate)  
Did some misactings much more aggravate  
Then there was cause; and so, that which was bad  
Was by their falsehood, more offensive made:  
This, hath been kindling 'twixt you many years  
A smothering Fire, which now to Blaze appears;  
But hitherto these had not power to blow  
The flame so high as they have raised it now:  
For, GOD did but permit them for probation  
And though it was of long continuation,  
Hath so your wealth increased, that as 'twixt Lot  
And Abraham, it now hath strife begot.  
GOD, by his grace, direct you to a course,  
The consequent thereof may not be worse.  
Your force united hath been heretofore  
A terror to the vassals of that Whore  
Which rides the Beast: yea, often such a dread  
To her, when she at highest boar her head  
That, she's enraged to see you have so long  
Against her Soceries continued strong;  
Though to supplant you she laid many a Train  
Which had not then contrived been in vain,  
Had you been so divided as this day  
You are, or as perhaps ere long you may.  
But Unity did make you so compact  
A Body, that her wiles could not distract  
Your prudent Counsels, neither from your course  
Divert you, by her cunning joined with force▪  
This▪ by experience found, she doth begin  
To work upon you by another Gin  
Which will extend to many far and near  
Who deem they thereby unconcerned are:  
For, they who foolishly, themselves now flatter▪  
That they by fishing in your troubled water  
Shall get Advantages, will be bereft  
Of those expectancies, now preconceived:  
For, that which follows, be it whatsoe'er  
Will further▪ GOD'S designments, but not their;  
And, though you may by folly, lose your ends  
She shall not bring to pass, what she intends.  
If she by this Division, break your power  
She thinks that she shall easily devour  
The scattered Churches, which in hazard lie  
Within the limits of her Sovereignty;  
Then, those that stronger are (though more remote)  
Assoon as opportunities are got  
To practice on them, by the force of Arms  
Or, by the power of her besotting Charms▪  
And if they take effects, her work is done,  
Until GOD'S Counter-work shall be begun,  
Who, though man's working with him he expects,  
Shall no advantage lose by their defects  
Who give Advantages unto his Foes,  
By trifling that away which he bestows,  
To do him service. But, they shall become  
Partakers with Apostates in their doom.  
That grand Impostris now resolves to play  
Divisions, making all those whom she may,  
Dance to her Fiddle; and to bring about  
Her purposes, hath very little doubt:  
For, as a wasted Candle when it sinks  
Into the greasy socket (and there stinks)  
Sends greater flashings forth, and blazeth more  
A little while, than any time before;  
So, she doth now, with her whole force pursue  
The mischief she hath long designed for you;  
And, not much wanting seemeth to complete  
That, whereupon her heart hath long been set:  
For, to that end, were sent forth before hand,  
Her Emissaries into every land,  
With Dispensations (as occasion haps)  
To make use of all courses, forms, and shapes:  
And these have into all Societies  
All Constitutions and Fraternities,  
(Divine or Civil) all Affairs, Relations,  
And Interests, what ever in both Nations,  
Screwed, such a party, that, chief sway they carry  
In things divine, civil, and military;  
So, that, as once it was profanely said,  
Should GOD stand neuter, till her game were played,  
She would prevail against you, at this time,  
Because, no aid shall be withheld from them  
Who malice you, nor any furtherance  
Her power and sinking Throne to readvance  
Which Antichrists confederates can add,  
Or, from profanest persons may be had.  
Be therefore heedful that by your dissension  
You make not feizable her ill intention  
By trusting to the Compliments of those  
Who are her vassals, and your secret foes,  
And (as you, oft do) speak fair, but to deceive  
That they without suspicion may contrive  
Your whole destruction, and recover power  
To re-enlarge their Babylonian Tower▪  
Which, is this day as truly their design,  
As those thoughts, whereon, now I think, are mine.  
Blessed let them be who seriously endeavour,  
To reconcile you; cursed, they who sever  
Whom GOD hath joined; For no outward curse  
To any can befall; that will be worse  
Then that which will in likelihood betid  
To these two Nations if they long divide;  
But, they who of the breach most guilty are  
The greatest burden of that curse shall bear.  
I am no Person who confederates  
With homebred malcontents, or Foreign states  
Either to get revenge for wrongs received  
Or that some gain may be thereby derived  
Unto myself: For, whatsoe'er it be,  
That which best pleaseth GOD, best pleaseth me;  
And having no designments of mine own  
Can wait with patience till his will be shown.  
ay, being one who having oft fore-seen,  
And foretell things that have fulfilled been,  
endeavouring to prevent the prosecutions,  
Of wicked actions and rash Resolutions,  
Am by a power which I dare not oppose  
Once more stirred up, to preadmonish those  
(As heretofore) who now seem rushing on  
In that Career, as other men have done,  
Which tendeth unto that end which befell  
To those, who slighted, what I did foretell:  
And, I to speak again must not forbear;  
Vouchsafe therefore to me a patient ear▪  
Be wary, that your Avarice and Pride,  
Prove not to be a motive to divide  
At this time, though when you divided last  
Your likely hazards were soon overpast,  
And plagues removed ere any penitence  
Had testified remorse for your offence,  
Lest, greater evils follow, and the trouble  
Removed then, returns upon you double▪  
For, Nations to expose to wars unjust  
Merely to satisfy a private Lust,  
And those enforce the greatest weight to bear,  
Who no way guilty of transgressing are  
Of that which in a War engages them,  
Is questionless, a sanguinary crime  
From which, no temporary privilege  
Can vindicate, before a Righteous Judge:  
But, it will bring down Vengeance in due season  
From him whose Justice cannot be called treason  
Although your High Priests, and some others too,  
The boldness may assume to term it so.  
If wrongs be done, let all good means be used  
To judge between th' Accuser and Accused  
ere sentence pass; and do not then prolong  
Due recompense to them who have had wrong;  
Lest by delaying what you should restore,  
Instead of righting him, you wrong him more.  
Ere battle you begin, let peace be offered,  
Accept a good expedient, when 'tis proffered.  
Remit small faults where you find penitence:  
Upon the same terms, let the great'st offence  
Be pardoned also, when the perpetration  
Of wrong, exceeds all means of expiation;  
In that, you'll imitate the King of heaven  
Who often hath such Crimes to you forgiven.  
Make not the Sword your Umpire, till you see  
A remedy, no other way can be▪  
Your just Rights to preserve, do what you can,  
But, fight not to enslave another man;  
Nor venture your own Countries to inflame  
That you may get a fruitless airy fame;  
Much less to grasp a power, which when acquired  
Will in your hands, be like Granados fired;  
Yet, to avoid the mischief and the Curse  
Of War, make not a Peace that shall be worse.  
Nor when you are at rest provoke his wrath  
Who, quietness to you vouchsafed hath,  
By cheating them of their just expectations  
Who truly wish the welfare of both Nations,  
Adventuring their persons and estates,  
To save what to your interest relates;  
And then entrusted you with their defence,  
Thereby, but as a second consequence.  
If you would keep Rebellious men in awe,  
To every one his birthright due by Law  
Preserve impartially; and unto none  
Deny that which is due to every one;  
Lest, whilst abroad engaged you become  
In warfare, there may be worse frays at home:  
For▪ that Allegiance which is in all Lands  
‛ Twist Prince and People, upon two feet stands,  
So, that if th' one fails in what it should do,  
In equity, so will the other, too;  
Men who are much oppressed against reason,  
Will not much fear to act what you call Treason;  
And, then, from questioning, on whom there lies  
The greatest guilt; small profit can arise.  
Which way soever, therefore, GOD shall deign  
To make you Friends, and give you Rest again,  
With moderation, and with Justice use  
That Mercy; for if you the same abuse  
This, without question, will ensue thereon;  
Both, shall one way or other be undone.  
The conquered shall enslaved be; and they  
Who conquer, be made slaves another way▪  
Make not your Rest to be a snare or Stale  
As Fowlers do, to cath Birds there withal.  
Nor means, yourselves with such vast power to arm,  
As helps not so much, to do good▪ as harm;  
For GOD will heed it, and you shall be caught  
Even in those Traps, which your own hands have wrought,  
And as old Rome was you shall be at length  
O'erwhelmed and destroyed, by your own strength.  
To mine own Countrymen, I'll write or say  
Nought at this time, which any justly may  
Apply to them alone; lest, some once more  
May term it scandalous as heretofore,  
Or call me Libeler, for being bold  
To tell them Truths (although in season told.)  
ay, Have, so often in particular  
And so long time been their Remembrancer  
With small regard (except from such as do  
Love simple Truth, and suffer for it too)  
That, I to them, will nothing mention here,  
Save that in which, an equal part to bear  
Both Nations may be said, without my blame;  
Because, thereby, I somewhat hopeful am  
To raise thence an expedient to escape  
The being caught again, in my old Trap.  
But I'll apart, a word or two express  
To our Dutch Neighbours in true friendliness.  
Remember what of old the English Nation  
Hath been to you; and with how much compassion  
They, your Protection timely undertook  
When you extremely by the Spanish yoke  
Oppressed lay; and whether the pursuing  
Of those things which are at this present doing,  
May not at last reduce you back to that  
Deplored condition, or a worse estate;  
And bring you once again, enslaved to lie  
Beneath such an unbounded Monarchy  
As you abhor: Your Senators are wise,  
They in their heads, I know do bear their eyes  
And▪ if they be not hoodwinked▪ need by none  
Be minded, what should be considered on:  
Yet, since but men, let them not be offended  
With what is by a stranger recommended  
Unto their serious heed, and let my caution  
Be acceptable unto your whole Nation▪  
Consider, whether all they who pretend  
Your Country, Cause, and Intr'st to befriend  
May not more complimental prove then real,  
When time shall bring their Friendship to a trial,  
And be as false to you, as you have seen  
Most States and Princes, often to have been  
Unto each other, though allied by blood,  
By Aides in times of need, Leagues, neighbourhood,  
And all engagements whatsoe'er, which might  
Devised be, them, firmly to unite.  
Think, whether such have not a party now  
Among you▪ which as things to ripeness grow,  
Will help improve them, to set up a power  
Tending to their advantage more than your:  
Yea, whether, you already may not see  
That, some to such a purpose, active be,  
This day among you; and, take timely heed,  
That, what you would prevent, may not succeed.  
Ill words corrupt good manners; and I hear  
That, you no scurrile language do forbear  
Which either heighten may the indignation  
And fury kindled in our English Nation,  
Or, make them to be hated of your own;  
As if you wholly resolute were grown,  
So to divide both, that by no endeaver,  
They might be reconciled again, for ever.  
This fault, which to the vulgar I impute  
Will questionless produce a poisonous fruit,  
And, therefore, though I truly may confess  
My Countrymen have not offended less,  
In that kind (and may peradventure take  
Occasion from these Lines, a change to make  
Within themselves) I, heartily entreat  
Both you and them, his love to imitate  
Whose doctrines we profess, and bridle more  
Their rude tongues, than they have done heretofore  
That, from good words, there may at last proceed,  
True reconcilement both in Word and Deed.  
Of one thing more, put you in mind I would  
(Which now to your remembrance bring I should)  
Were I not hopeful you oft mind it so,  
As it becomes you, and repent it too,  
And that, we shall give mutual satisfaction  
For every scandal and injurious action,  
On either charged, for which, to make even  
'Tis in our power; the rest must be forgiven.  
Lord GOD, vouchsafe thy mercy to these Lands  
And, if with thy good pleasure it now stands,  
T he Plagues for their demerits due, adjourn,  
That Peace with Grace united may return  
Before the madness of this Generation  
Hath frustrated their means of preservation.  
By Judgements, and by Mercies interwove,  
By chastisements in anger and in love,  
By threatenings and by gentile invitations,  
Thou, to reclaim us from prevarications  
Hast oft assayed; adding unto these  
Whisper in secret to our consciences;  
Spoke to our ears by men, unto our eyes  
By Apparitions and by Prodigies:  
Yea, whilst I'm writing this, there doth appear  
A Blazing Star within our hemisphere,  
Aswell unto our neighbours as to us  
Made visible: And wherefore Glares it thus  
With an Aspect so dreadful at this time,  
But, to point at, and for warn us and them  
Of some approrahing mischief, whereof heed  
Is to be taken by us, with all speed.  
Lord, let us not, still obstinate remain  
Rendering (as heretofore) at quite in vain,  
That's seen, or said, or done, till none for ever  
By Word, or Deed, our safety shall endeaver▪  
That time is not yet come, I'll spend therefore  
In hope of good success, a few words more▪  
And, look to be excused if I shall thrice,  
Writ that, which I have writ already twice;  
For, neither can hard flints or knotty blocks  
Be shaped without reiterated strokes.  
Why should you quarrel? what are now your wants,  
But, Grace and Faith to use well what GOD grants?  
The World is wide enough, the Seas have room  
Sufficient for your Ships to go and come:  
Expedients will be found which may procure  
An honourable peace that will endure  
Without a disadvantage unto either  
If to make proof thereof you join together.  
Impartial Justice brotherly compassion  
Love, me knees, piety, humiliation  
Faith, prayer, penitence, with such like things  
Are those, whence wealth, and peace, and honour springs  
To them who will persuaded be to do  
To others as they would be done unto;  
As jealous to redress a neighbours wrongs  
As in that which to their own ease belongs;  
As forward, an oppressed man to hear  
As cruel Tyrants to afflict him are;  
And could forbear intruding on GOD'S right  
A settled peace thereby enjoy they might,  
Without fear; yea, without a just suspicion  
Of Treasons, Insurrections or Sedition:  
And, they whom you distrust, will be more true  
Than they, in whom you trust, shall be to you,  
If you endeaver to contract a peace  
And keep it, by unfeigned righteousness:  
Although such mediums are but scoffed at  
Or slighted, by most Ministers of State.  
But, such a Blessing, never can he got  
Or kept, by that whereon most Nations dote.  
The constitution of whose Governments  
Are made according to such precedents  
As Jeroboam left, and lost thereby  
That Kingdom which on his posterity,  
Should have been fixed, had he not counsel took  
From flesh and blood, and God's advice forsook.  
Not those men, whose Advantages are least,  
Or most, shall thrive▪ but, they who use them best;  
Make GOD alone their Refuge, and contend  
That cursed strife, in blessed peace may end.  
'Tis not your carnal policies, or forces,  
Your Forts, Ships, Armies, Guards of men & horses;  
Your fair pretending what was never meant,  
Your heavy Taxes beyond precedent,  
Your flattering Parasites or your Buffoons,  
Your roaring Hectors, and your Pantaloones,  
Or Oaths enforced, or great Brags and lies,  
Nor their complyings whose Hypocrisies  
Are much depended on, that will effect  
Those Conquests and those Triumphs they expect  
Who boast before their Armour is put off,  
And, at the weapons of the spirit scoff:  
For, what by vanity may be obtained  
Shall thereby, be devoured▪ assoon as gained.  
You have betwixt you (as employed before)  
Half of all Foreign Trade, if not more.  
Your many Manufactures, are become  
Staple commodities, that bring you home  
Three times as much in▪ value every year  
As those things, which among you growing are  
Amounted to unwrought; and you are grown  
As rich in Foreign wares as in your own▪  
The Seas have been your Fishponds, and afford  
Enough to make both rich, could you accord  
And both, alike were frugal. Means of Trade  
Is in a thousand places to be had,  
Which to employ you will sufficient be,  
When you like Christian Brethren shall agree,  
Or, but like moral men; nay, if but so  
As many Infidels, and some Beasts do;  
And, GOD and Nature's Laws, would you direct  
Aright, if, them, you did not wilfully neglect,  
Make your own Will a Law, and were inclined  
To that, which hath corrupted all Mankind▪  
Rendering, what for man's real weal was given  
The greatest outward Plague on this side heaven.  
So wilfully pursuing your own ways  
For your self-ends; that he who doth not praise  
Your folly, or with silence pass it by,  
Is thought no Friend, if not an enemy,  
And, to reprove Vice is become a Crime  
Judged Capital among you at this time.  
If you consider these things as you ought,  
(And shall not be displeased to hear them brought  
Thus bluntly to remembrance) I have hope  
I may still scape the Gollows and the Rope  
For speaking Truths in season, unto them  
Who, their well-willers causesly condemn▪  
And, from their Native Countries, banish those  
For whose sakes, GOD hath kept them from their foes,  
Waiting with long-long-suffering, when to him  
They will return, that, he may turn to them.  
This you may do; And I have hope of it:  
For, GOD is resident among you, yet.  
His Canal sticks are not from you removed;  
Within your Borders, of his best beloved  
Are many thousands, for whose sake, he hath  
Remembered Mercy, in his hottest wrath.  
Good Laws you have; some, likewise, who profess  
And practise them, in truth and righteousness  
Though from your first Loves, you are fallen much  
And, your defects are at this present, such  
As in the seven Asian Churches were  
When first the Mystery was hatching there  
Which now orespreads the world▪ you have not that  
Complied with, but, the same abominate;  
And therefore, that you may, return to him  
GOD hath premonished you as he did them,  
Expecting that you better should improve  
Then heretofore, his patience and his love,  
Lest else, you speedily may be bereft  
As they were, of what, yet appeareth left.  
A moral Charity retains a place  
Among you, though grown colder than it was.  
You have a form of GODliness, whereon  
If you depended not as you have done,  
That, which essential is, would more have been  
Improved, and the power, thereof more seen.  
Among your many Vices, blended are  
Some Virtues, which, if you would take more care  
To cherish, God would such assistance give  
That they should, for the future better thrive.  
Though you have multiplied prevarications  
By many carnal, gross abominations,  
And, are with Jezabel (that Sorceress)  
(Who counterfeits herself a Prophetess)  
Open Confederates; some of you hate  
Her Heresies, and their, who imitate  
The Nichola●tans: God, now therefore  
Hangs forth to you a Flag of Truce, once more,  
(Into a Comet formed) and sets it there  
Where, it, at one view, may to both appear;  
That you might speedily and jointly, do  
Through Fear, that which Love could not win you to.  
For, though the Wizards of preceding Ages  
And, some how deemed no despicable Sages,  
Think these prodgious Meteors called Stars  
Are constituted of such Characters  
And shapes, as do undoubtingly fore-shew  
What things particularly will ensuce,  
(Because such consequents have ofter been  
Observed, they are much deceived therein.)  
There's no such virtue proper to their natures;  
For, they are only serviceable creatures  
Employed by Providence, to such an end  
As we by fired Beacons do intend,  
When an Invasions threatened; They declare  
In general, that foes approaching are;  
Stir up the Nation to a timely heed  
But, who their Foes are, what plagues will succeed,  
How long they will continue; upon whom  
They first will seize, at what time, they will come;  
Or such like things by them we cannot know:  
For, they no more than Beacons can fore-show.  
So, this late Exhalation doth portend  
Some Judgement on offenders will descend  
Ere long, to make them watchful, and prepare  
To do those duties which expected are▪  
But in particular presignifies  
Nor this, nor that; nor any terrifies  
Who more desires to know▪ how by GOD'S grace,  
To do his will, then what will come to pass.  
He that is so affected, seldom fears  
The influence of Comets, or of Sta●s;  
Whereas, they who in folly are benighted  
Oft, With a harmless Glow-worm are affrighted.  
Thus far, my mind I have once more expressed  
And hopeful am, ere long to be at rest  
From all my Labours; for, my life, almost,  
To bring this seasonably forth, it cost.  
But, some perhaps will now say, what is he  
That your Remembrancer presumes to be?  
To those, I make this answer; I am one  
Who stands instead of such a Block or Stone,  
As Charity did set up heretofore  
By highway sides, and sometime at each door,  
To save men from the violent approaches  
Of drunken Horsemen, Wagons, Carts & Coaches,  
And in that service, often are abused  
Cursed, broken, cracked, hacked, cut, flashed, knocked, and bruised  
By those, who stumbling on them, heedless are  
To what good purpose they were fixed there.  
And, if this be my Lot, I as I may,  
Will bear it, as I have done till this day.  
For, that which follies hath to many seemed  
Hath by much wiser men, been well esteemed:  
And, I despare not, though confused noises▪  
Should at this time drown and confound the voices  
Of sober men: For, when the raging water  
Doth loudest roar; winds, make the tackle clatter,  
Raffle the sails, and keep the greatest bustle,  
The storm is pierced by the Boat-swains whistle;  
So that all heedful Mariners, thereby  
Perceive whereto their hands they should apply.  
So, likewise, though the Rumour of that War  
Which many hope for, and as many fear,  
With other such confusions, as our sad  
Distractions at this present thereto add,  
Will make these Lines, a while, of small regard  
With many, and with difficulty heard;  
They shall, ere long, by some, with good respect  
Be entertained, and have good effect;  
For days will come wherein, that, shall from them  
Be echoed forth, which all will not contemn;  
And, from whence, at the last, a Voice will come  
That shall out-sound the rattling of a Drum;  
Yet fright no soul but that man's, who depends  
On carnal weapons, and hath carnal ends.  

Praecautiones aenigmaicae per omnes personac terminationes, Modi Imperativi declinatae, numero singulari & plurali.  
Cave MBR. & ED. Cavete V. Caveto A, Caveto B. Cavetote A. Caveat P. P. P. P. & P. Caveant O.  

Jam qui rident Ha, ha, he,  
Mox clamabunt. Heu, Vah, Vae.    

Caveamus ergo, ac Amemus, ni perimus.  
A COROLLARY.  
Some think, I, an Apology may need  
For daring thus to bid my Friends take heed;  
And, so perhaps I may; For, not long since,  
I suffered for as blameless an offence;  
And, heretofore, informed was of ONE,  
Who said; that to be totally undone  
Much less displease him would, then if that he  
Should from undoing, be preserved by me;  
And, shortly after (with no little shame)  
That, which he might have scaped, upon him came.  
I hope they wiser are whom, to take heed  
I now advise and that they'll better speed.  
What e'er succeeds; Praise will to GOD belong,  
And of the Saints, this shall be then the Song.   

A Hallelujah, alluding to the 150 Psalm.  

Come praise the LORD, come praise him  
Where Saints assembled are,  
As he's Almighty praise him  
His Righteousness declare.  
In his excellings praise him  
With Trumpet and with Flute,  
With Harp and Psaltery praise him,  
With Viol and with Lute,  
Let nothing that can praise him  
Unactive be▪ or mute.   

Upon the Timbrol praise him  
In songs his praise advance;  
Upon the Organs praise him  
And praise him in the Dance;  
On tingling Symbals praise him  
That, make the loudest noise  
And let each creatire praise him  
That sense or breath enjoys,  
Yea, let privations praise him  
Although they have no voices.    

The Mystical sense of what is literal expressed by the Metaphorical and Allegorical contexture of the proceeding Hymn, in the Original Text, according to the Authors under standing thereof, is as follows.  
BY the Sanctuary is meant the Congregations of the Saints. By the Firmament of God's power, the unchangeableness of his Almightiness. By his mighty acts, his unresistible Justice. By his excellent greatness. his Mercy, which is said to be over all his works, and his most excellent Attribute. By the Trumpet or Flute, we are exhorted to praise him in our martial expeditions. By the Psaltry and Harpe, in our spirimal rejoices. By the Viol and Lute in our corporeal and civil recreations. By the Timbrel in those actions which are of a spiritual and natural mixture. By the Dance in all those things wherein we move together, and counteract apart, by deeds, words, and dissenting opinions; for in a Dance, are various motions, sidings, turnings, returnings, and moving all one way. By Ten steinged Instruments and the Organ▪ the faculties of our souls and the members of our bodies. By Cymbals, and loud Cymbals, the internal breathe, and external ejaculations of the heart and voice in prayer and praising God. The last two lines of both the foregoing Stanza's, consisting of ten a piece are but a Supplement to my Paraphrase of the 150 Psalms, and not found in the Original. This is in brief my private judgement, not totally excluding the Sense and Interpretation of other pious men.  
FINIS.