ENGLAND IN ITS CONDITION, BRIEFLY And most lively Characterised, by way of Essay.  
Whereunto are annexed some Acrostic Verses, Upon the Names of several Members of the Honourable House of Commons, and others, (viz.)  

Sir Tho. Fairfax.  
Lieut. General Cromwell.  
Major General Skippon.  
William Lenthall, Esquire.  
Sir Benjamin Ruddiard.  
Sir john Francklyn.  
Sir Thomas Dacres.  
Sir john Trever.  
Sir Robert Pye.  
Sir Roger North.  
Sir Francis Pile.  
Coll. Henry Martin.  
Capt. Thomas Wogan  
Sir Walter Earl.  
Tho. Earl, Esquire.  
Coll. Will. Purefoy.  
Michael Oldsworth.  
Tanfield Vachell.  
Sir john Gell.  
Sir George Gresley.  
Sir john Davers.  
Mr. Ephraim.  
George Manley, Esq.  
Capt. Richard Owen.  
john wastel, Esquire.   
By JOHN BENSON, Gent.  
Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci.  
Printed in the Year 1648.   

To the courteous Reader.  

Look not for smooth lines from a Soldier's quill,  
Who in the art of Retorique hath small skill:  
In stead of pure phrase, he did use to hear  
The Drums and Trumpets sounding in his ear.  
Accept this little Poem as it is;  
Your smiles can only Crown its Fate with bliss.   
Devoted truly to serve you, I. B.   

The Author's Prayer for the Parliament.  

PReserve good Lord this happy Parliament,  
Destroy all those which any ways invent  
Mischief against them; Oh let them flourish,  
And with thy paps of justice do them nourish.  
Let no dissensions spring in that just Court,  
Where so wise, gallant, godly men resort.  
Oh grant them wisdom, that they may foresee  
Those which delight so in our misery.  
Bless their endeavours, let them never cease,  
Till they have made an everlasting peace  
For King and Kingdom, Church and public State,  
Against all those which Reformation hate,  
That God's true sacred word may be shown forth,  
And we of his pure truth may know the worth;  
And let them perish that shall go about  
To raise new war, grant you may find them out;  
Let all their plots and mischiefs be prevented,  
Let all their evil ways be circumvented.  
So pray shall he whilst breath is in his breast,  
Your true devoted servant e'er shall rest.    

An Essay, or short Poem upon the Times.  
The Author briefly here doth show,  
From whence our miseries do flow.  

WHen great Jehovah with outstretched hand  
Did power his mercies on this sinful land;  
When Peace and plenty increased more and more,  
And heavenly blessings did fill full our store;  
Instead of rendering thanks for our great good,  
Our sins abounded more than swiftest flood.  
Fullness of bread begot in us great pride,  
And from Religion's truth we 'gan to slide;  
Nothing but envy did our hearts possess,  
Our sinful souls in goodness still grew less.  
Sects and divisions did amongst us grow,  
In works of goodness we grew dull and slow.  
In Seats of Justice sat corrupted Judges;  
Instead of Peace, amongst us private grudges.  
Nothing but cruel men tyrannising,  
Instead of Justice, Monopolising.  
Our Lordly Prelates, that most wicked stock,  
False doctrine preached to their harmless flock;  
Instead of Christ's true Gospel, they thrust in  
Rome's traditions, that same man of Sinne.  
Nothing but pride possessed their sinful minds,  
More cruel than the Tigers in their kinds.  
England was blessed with a happy sat,  
When Bishops scorned their faith to violate.  
The Judges they who should just Fathers be  
In doing justice, were filled with bribery,  
They viperlike fed on their mother's heart,  
Making her dearest children for to smart.  
Those upright men were left durst hardly speak,  
Their hearts within them ready were to break  
To see such sinful ways, and unjust crimes,  
As daily acted were in those sad times.  
It grieved their godly souls within their breast,  
To see ungodly men so full possessed  
With wickedness, treading ungodly ways,  
And from God's sacred truth most impure strays.  
The Lord of hosts grown angry with our Sin,  
D●d with the sword of Pestilence begin,  
To try if that would make us leave our ill,  
His hand of mercy being with us still.  
When that would do no good on our hard hearts,  
He did divide us into several parts;  
Thousand of opinions mongst us rise,  
And we the sacred truth gi'en to despise;  
Friend against Friend, brothers each other hate  
And nothing but combustions in our State.  
Our souls are troubled, being fully bend,  
Seeking each other for to discontent;  
Malicious thoughts possess our evil hearts,  
And gladly we do laugh, when others smarts,  
Nor can our malice any ways appease,  
Until the cure proves worse than the disease.  
The sound of Trumpets, and the beat of Drums,  
Our only joy and solace now becomes;  
The rattling armour, and the noise of swords,  
Doth louder sound then do our greatest words.  
From words to blows we fall, then to killing,  
Not sparing our dear friends blood from spilling.  
All Kenton field as I well witness can  
Did see the death of many a gallant man,  
And from my heart unfeignedly confess  
God's mercies there to me; nor can I less,  
Then with a grateful heart hmmbly protest  
The Lord of hosts me wonderfully blest.  
Besides in many other dismal fights,  
That I have fought in for my country's rights,  
Against all those whose evil hearts did hate  
The good and welfare of this public state,  
Which heaven preserve from all that seek its ill,  
And with his hand of mercy keep it still.  
Amongst us now are those who do foment,  
Loving to swim in streams of discontent:  
Because they cannot gain their ill designs,  
They are disturbers in these worst of times.  
They neither care for God, nor his just ways,  
If they in Luxury may spend their days,  
Or wanton out their time in drinking down  
Full bowls of wine; and when the signs i'th' crown,  
They rail and fume against both Church and State,  
And all the godly cruelly do hate,  
Or what's averse to their most unjust wills,  
Instead of mending runs to worse ills.  
There is another sort which likewise doth  
Invent new Tenets from the brainy froth  
Of their inventions, and bring forth  
A new Religion, but of slender worth,  
Thinking no truth was found in former times  
But what they now produce, these are great crimes;  
They likewise in their mad prophetic fate,  
Are great disturbers of a quiet State.  
God is the God of order, and he will  
Preserve true order, in spite of their ill;  
Heavens fabric doth in a just order run,  
The glorious stars, and transplendent Sun,  
The Moon and wand'ring stars that are above,  
By their Creator's order gently move:  
If order be not both in Church and State,  
It lively portrays forth an evil fate.  
Another sort there is, that for no cause  
Would gladly alter all Religion's Laws.  
Nothing but what is new they cry is good,  
And such as these are, are to be withstood.  
Another sort there is, within this nation,  
Which fiercely bawls 'gainst Reformation,  
Because it doth restrain their perverse will,  
And in a godly way outvies their skill:  
They take it to be a most grievous rod,  
So strictly to observe the Law of God,  
Because it crosseth their Libertine will,  
They with the Egyptians would live still;  
Rome's relics do them so deeply possess,  
That truth of Gospel they cannot digest.  
Another sort amongst us now doth dwell,  
Who nothing preach but Christ, and can you tell  
The truth of Gospel, how to lead your life,  
Yet in their hearts is nothing else but strife:  
Fellow their doctrine, let their works alone,  
For they will bring you to destruction:  
These are the wolves, which in Lambs clothing come,  
(Whose doctrines purely good) their vices shun,  
And such as these, though they seem men of worth,  
Must out of Church and state be spewed forth.  
The Canaanites amongst us yet do dwell,  
As bad as Locusts sprung from deepest hell.  
Most cruel swearers, such as do profane,  
And take the glorious name of God in vain.  
To you that sit at helm it doth belong  
To punish such who do Gods name thus wrong,  
And have a care you do it out of hand,  
Lest God do cast you out of Canaan's land:  
And pride in  is grown to great excess  
In them who chief should it most suppress.  
The poor and needy not regarded are,  
Nor for to ask their own they hardly dare,  
You rich men have a care, think on the grief  
Of those which are in want, send them relief,  
When as your table's full you little know,  
That like to want there is no greater woe;  
All these are punishments which God hath sent  
Amongst us, and yet we hardly can repent,  
And let me tell you▪ which you may believe  
If we do still Gods sacred spirit grieve,  
And do persist in these our sinful ways.  
More heavy judgements shall come in our days,  
That sword of war, which God hath in his hand  
Hath it not been unsheathed in our land?  
How many souls have felt? witness that blood  
In several battles flowing like a flood.  
If we by these cannot amend our ill,  
God in his quiver hath more arrows still,  
His bow is bend, and if he once more shoot,  
Famine shall destroy both the branch and root.  
Though God comes slowly with his leaden heel,  
His iron hands shall make the stoutest reel.    

The Authors most humble Petition to the Honourable House of Commons.  
Most worthy Senators,  

LEt me beseech you pity my sad fate,  
And let your goodness help my poor estate.  
I always faithful to the State have stood,  
Adventuring many times my dearest blood  
In your most just defence, nor did I seek  
Mine own advantage, but did fight to keep  
Your Noble persons for to sit in Peace,  
That truth by your grave wisdoms might increase.  
Commiserate my wants, think on my grief,  
And let your Honours quickly grant relief,  
And I as bound in duty ever shall,  
For your prosperity to heavens call.    

POEMS UPON THE SEVERAL Members of the honourable House of Commons, and others.  

On his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX, Capt. General of the Parliaments Forces.  

True nobly valiant, and of courage stout,  
Have you not put the Kingdom's foes to rout?  
Of you it may be said without control,  
Man ne'er enjoyed a more purer soul;  
And for your valour, who can parallel,  
Sure many may surmise, but few can tell.   

Fidelity with true religion placed,  
Are of such worth, they cannot be disgraced;  
In these 'tis known your honour hath them both,  
Religion linked with virtue is your troth;  
For sure I am, that after ages will  
Admire your Feats in Military skill,  
Xerxes in wisdom had not half your fill.    

On Oliver Cromwell, Esquire, Lieutenant General, and a Member of the honourable House of Commons.  

Oft hath your valour in the field been shown,  
Loud hath the Trump of fame your merits blown;  
In Winchby field, and upon Marston More  
Undauntedly you fought, and killed goodstore:  
Eternal blisses shall for you statues raise  
Remembrancers to be of your just praise.   

Courage and valour have you in every par●,  
Religion's purities placed in your heart;  
Only true love unto God's sacred word  
Made you unsheathe your keen well tempered sword:  
What have you left undone for Country's right?  
Enforced you have their enemies to flight,  
Leaving a name shall live so long as light.    

On Major General Skippon.  

Philip of Macedon was not more stout,  
How many Battles have you fiercely fought?  
In Cornwall was your valour bravely shown,  
Leaving true trophies, to the world well known;  
Let Newb'ries witness, besides Kenton field,  
In which the stoutest you did make to yield,  
Proudly your brandished sword you there did wield.   

Stand firm and sure, as you have begun,  
Keeping truth fast until your glass be run:  
Invalid merits tends upon all those  
Prefers true virtue, hates the public foes:  
Oft have you ventured life for Country's cause,  
Nor have you swerved from justness of the laws.    

On William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons.  

Wisdom with virtue joined dwells in your breast,  
Inflamed with zeal to seek your Country's rest:  
Learned you are in Laws concerns this State,  
Lending your aid to punish all that hate  
In their most cruel minds the public good,  
Attesting against those which have withstood  
Maliciously to ruin all our good.   

Loud let the trump of fame sound out your praise,  
Erecting statues, and true trophies raise  
Never to fade, that your deserved worth  
To after ages clearly may shine forth;  
Have you not spent your time enacting Laws,  
All in defence of Parliamental cause;  
Live shall your pious name▪ while England is▪  
Leaving a fame shall crown your end with bliss.    

On Sir Benjamin Rudyard, Knight, a worthy Member of the honourable House of Commons.  

Blessed are you in your just and pious ways,  
Envy itself cannot detract your praise;  
Nor can the worst of hate blame your true worth,  
In spite of ill, your virtues shines more forth:  
All godly men are happy in your good,  
More vigour hath it, than the greatest flood;  
In your religious, and pure harmless life,  
None can outvie, with all their greatest strife.   

Remain a Pillar fixed on England's Land,  
Unblemished shall your name for ever stand:  
Deeds of your goodness, and in smother verse,  
You shall have writ upon your sable hearse;  
And af●er ages shall admire your fame  
Rightly deserved, and your spotless name  
Doth speak the goodness of your pious flame.    

On Sir John Franklin, Knight; a Member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

Jnspired with virtue, enriched with noble breast  
Of learning, wisdom, goodness full possessed:  
Have you not spent much time in taking pain,  
Not for your own by-ends, but Country's gain.   

Faithful and trusty to the State you are;  
Religious in performing arts most rare:  
All Soldier's prayers is, that you may be  
Not happy here, but to Eternity.  
Courage (most noble sir) in your brave ways,  
Knowing your merits do deserve great praise;  
Let envy speak its worst, sure you shall have  
Immortal fame to bring you to your grave,  
Nor shall the evillest tongue your merits wave.    

On Sir Tho. Dacres, Knight, a Member of the honourable House of Commons.  

Trusty and faithful are you to the State,  
Have you not spent your time to extirpate  
Open known vices, and for to expel  
Many gross errors which amongst us dwell;  
Arming your heart, with power and might,  
Sins to demolish that stop Gospels' light;   

Deserving here on earth a spotless name,  
Apious, zealous, and religious fame?  
Courage most godly Sir, in your just ways  
Reward from heaven shall crown your age with praise:  
Each Soldier's prayers sure shall you have,  
So long until death calls you to your grave.    

On Sir John Trevers, Knight, a Member of the honourable House of Commons.  

Jndued with a most pure godly mind,  
Oft in God's sacred book you look to find  
How you should lead your life in these sad times,  
Now when this world's best things are full of crimes.   

True refotmation is your only aim,  
Regarding that more than all worldly gain;  
Endeavouring in your most pious soul  
Virtue to cherish, all evil to control,  
Erecting trophies of deserved fame,  
Remembrancers to be of your good name.    

On Sir Robert Pie, Knight, a Member of the honourable House of Commons.  

Right freely have you spent a many days  
On business concerns the public raise;  
Be sure you faint not in so just renown,  
Ere long such actions heavens will crown;  
Religious acts the purest treasure is,  
To bring your soul unto eternal bliss.   

Prosperity is but times fickle wheel  
You see, whereon great men do often reel,  
Every good act's more durable than steel.   

Though you have lost much for the public cause,  
By such as neither feared God, nor laws,  
Yet have you gained a name shall last for ay,  
So long as Moon shines, or Sun lights the day.    

On Sir Roger North, Knight, a Member of the honourable, House of Commons.  

Rightly upright you have been in your life,  
Of all that knows you, you are free from strife,  
Giving rare examples to all those that will  
Incline their hearts to good, as you do still,  
Refraining ways that may incline to ill.   

Nor have you spared to spend your best of pains  
On others not seeking your own private gains.  
Reward that's just shall keep you from disdains,  
Trusty have you continued to the State:  
Heaven for that will prosper your estate.    

On Sir Francis Pile Knight a Member of the Honourable House of Commons,  

Faithful unto your country have you always been  
Rebuking those who wallowed in their sin.  
All good men love you, and admire your worth,  
Nor can the ablest men your praise set forth,  
Contentment to do good, the stream in which you swim  
Inspir▪ d with goodness which your sins control  
Shall make you happy when your bell doth toll.   

Piety adorns your most godly mind,  
In your just ways you will true comfort find;  
Leave not to prosecute such pious ways,  
Eternal bliss shall crown your head with praise.    

On my Honoured Colonel Henry Martin, a Member Of the Honourable House of Commons.  

Heroic spirit of Heroic blood,  
Ever spending yourself for countries good,  
Never but striving with all force and might.  
Religion's purity to bring to light.  
Your fame for such good deeds will shine more bright   

May you live happy in a pious life,  
And may your soul be ever free from strife,  
Resting assured your good God shall send  
Truth to wait on you to your latter end,  
In spite of envy, you shall have a story,  
Not writ by mortal pen, but crowned with glory.   

Ad eundem.  
Help noble Colonel, for want I faint,  
Incline your ears unto my sad complaint,  
Nor let me perish now for want of food.  
Retarded pity is but seldom good  
Your favours heretofore hath that withstood   

May you be pleased out of pious love  
Arrears so due to us, the House to move,  
Remembering them how many poor starved soul  
To hunger destined is without control,  
Except some moneys speedily we have;  
Nor can we live much longer from a grave.  
No man so happy doth enjoy that fate  
But gains from one or other perfect hate.  
I dare be bold to write without control,  
If such there be, they are not made of mould,  
Go on and prosper in your pious ways  
Regard not ill men, good men give you praise.    

On my honoured friend Captain Thomas Wogan a member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

Times ne'er produced a more valiant man,  
Heroic acts that own you, witness can,  
Oft in the field your valour hath been shown  
Mongst thickest of your enemies well known,  
As witness Edge-hill, where with force and might  
Stoutly you kept your standard in that fight.   

When you left wars, than did your noble fate  
Ordain a place for you in public State.  
Goodness with virtue in you is combined,  
Agallant spirit, and a pious mind,  
Nor are you any ways to vice inclined.    

On Sir Walter Earl, a Member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

When as in arms this Kingdom first did rise,  
Assuredly you highly then did prize  
Liberty's freedom, and with force withstood  
T'oppose the hurters of your country's good,  
Even with the hazard of your dearest blood;  
Reddring to the world, that you were truly good.   

Expect that when you have spun out your days,  
A Trophy shall be reared of your just praise.  
Religious zeal flames in your pious breast,  
Love to your maker hath your heart possessed.  
Eternal bliss shall bring your soul to rest.    

On Thomas Earl Esquire, a Member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

True happy, son unto a pious father,  
How little wealth esteeming, choosing rather  
Of all men to be loved, then to gain  
Much worldly treasure, counting that but vain  
Amongst the godly shall be writ your story,  
SStanding forever to your endless glory   

Eternal merit shall wait on your soul  
And pious statues raise without control,  
Restoring memory to your good name,  
Lending more smother verses, mine's but lame,  
Eternal bliss shall crown your worth with fame.    

On Colonel William Purefoy, a Member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

When as this Kingdom first asunder rend,  
In men whose hearts were filled with discontent,  
Little regarding God, or his just Laws  
Loving their self ends more than public cause;  
In that same hint of time did you begin,  
Amongst the first for to extirpate Sinne.  
Much good hereafter will you find therein.   

Perplexed thoughts possessed many hearts,  
Until we were divided into parts;  
Religion than was made a laughing stock,  
Even to the good became a stumbling block.  
Faithful to Church and State did you remain,  
Oft venturing your life for both the same,  
You have by that gained a ne'er dying fame.   

Purefoy Pure faith.  
You have a faithful pillar firmly stood  
(In acting, doing, for the country's good)  
On which we will a pious altar raise,  
To burn the incense of your purer praise.    

On Master Michael Oldsworth Esquire, a member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

May you live happy, in a harmless fate,  
In hating those that do oppose the State.  
Careful and trusty in the public cause,  
Have you not striven to maintain our Laws?  
Admired virtue springs within your breast,  
Eternal bliss shall bring you to your rest.  
Let envy speak its worst in spire of fead,  
Live shall your famous acts, when you are dead.   

Oh you have gained a never dying name.  
Loving Religion more than mundane gain,  
Drawing your actions in so just a line  
Surely few have outvi'd you in your time.  
When fatal death shall seize your harmless heart,  
Oh we shall weep sad tears for your depart;  
Rejoicing yet, that you have left behind  
Triumphant trophies of a godly mind,  
How many men have sought, but few could find?    

On Master Tanfield Vachell Esquire, a member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

True pious wisdom, justly in you shown  
Amongst all those which of your worth have known  
Nor can the worst of envy speak you ill,  
Faithful unto the State, you have proved still,  
Endeavouring with all your force and might,  
In acting things that are both just and right,  
Labouring with zeal, and striving against those  
Durst any ways the Parliament oppose.   

Virtue's true tincture, doth adorn your mind,  
And few such good men in our time we find.  
Created goodness springs within your breast  
Heavens shall receive your blessed soul to rest.  
Eternal merit shall your praise set forth,  
Leaving true trophies of your noble worth.    

On my honoured Colonel Sir John Gell Knight.  

Inspired with virtue, enriched with noble breast  
Of courage, valour, goodness full possessed,  
Having drawn your sword, and hath used the same,  
Not for your own by ends, but country's gain.   

Giving a real teste that you wood,  
Even spend your dearest life for England's good.  
Let envy speak its worst in spite of fraud,  
Live shall your famous acts, when you are dead.   

Accept these lines, sprung from that harmless breast  
Your true devoted servant e'er shall rest,  
Were not his Muse with froward fate cast down,  
In smother lines she would chant your renown,  
Yet whilst she lives, shall evermore set forth,  
Your deserved merits, and heroic worth.    

On my Honoured Capt. Sir George Gresley, Knight.  

Gracious and good, are attributes belongs  
Ennobled spirits free from harm or wrongs;  
Oh these must needs derive a birth from you  
Rightly, for they are your just proper due.  
Go on most worthy Sir, in your brave ways,  
Eternal praise shall crown your age with bays.   

Giving more verdure than the Spring gives flowers,  
Refreshing memory, and when sad hours  
Enlarge themselves upon your sable hearse,  
Sending forth sighs instead of smother verse,  
Live shall your pious acts while time remains,  
Eternal bliss shall be your final gains.  
Your name lives spotless from all blots or stains.    

On the truly noble, Sir John Davers Knight, a Member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

Inspired with valour, enriched with virtue's breast,  
Of learning, courage, goodness full possessed.  
Have you not spent yourself in taking pain?  
Not for your own by ends, but Country's fame.   

Doing and acting all for public good  
And firmly to the state ye have always stood,  
Virtues tresnoble orb springs in your brain,  
Engraving trophies to your worthy fame,  
Rendering you happy, and in stead of bays,  
Surely you'll gain immortal wreaths of praise.  
Your pious valour an unfeigned worth.  
An abler pen than mine cannot set forth.    

On my much honoured friend Master Ephraim Thorn Merchant.  

Eternal merit waits upon all those,  
Prefers true virtue's lore before vain Oaths.  
Have you not in your pious lives set forth,  
Religion in its true esteem and worth.  
Amongst many men of you it may be writ  
In golden letters fallen from purest wit,  
More just desert by man was ne'er gained yet.   

Trusty and faithful are you to your friend,  
Heavens for that will crown you in the end  
Oh that my muse were able to set forth,  
Rightly your noble acts, and real worth,  
Nor need you care for best of Poet's praise,  
Eternal bliss shall crown your head with bays.    

On George Manley, Esquire.  

Greatness with goodness properly belongs  
Ennobled spirits free from harm or wrongs.  
Oft for your doing good  gained loss,  
Regarding justice more than earthly dross.  
Giving a real teste that you wood,  
Even spend your dearest life for country's good.   

May you much prosper in your pious ways,  
Amongst good men you shall receive much praise  
Nor need you care for idle envious▪ elves,  
Let them have rope, they'll quickly hang themselves.  
Enlivening verse shall for you statues raise;  
You shall enjoy a never dying praise.    

On my much honoured friend, Captain Richard Owen.  

Restored you have that most renowned name,  
In Wales, of so brave, and so auntique fame.  
Created manhood dwells in your noble breast.  
Have you not done much for your country's rest?  
Actions most gallant hath by you been known,  
Redoubled courage from your arm hath flown,  
Did but your valour need for to be shown.   

Oft hath your worth been tried in many a field.  
Where you have made the stoutest for to yield.  
Eternal merit shall your statues raise.  
Nor after death shall end your deserved praise.   

Your wisdom valour, and heroic worth,  
An abler pen, than mine cannot set forth.    

On my honoured kinsman, John Wastell esquire a Member of the Honourable House of Commons.  

Justice with wisdom joined, springs in your mind,  
Of a pure judgement, and a wit refined.  
Have you not pleaded oft? the poor man's cause,  
Nor left you them tothth' rigour of the Laws,   

When wars, and jars did first amongst us rise,  
All such fomentors you did them despise.  
Stoutly you stood up for the public good,  
To punish such as liberty withstood.  
Eternal bliss from heavens shall you crown  
Leaving true emblems of your just renown.   
FINIS.