JOHN BARFORD, HIS PETITION TO GOD, FOR KING, AND PARLIAMENT. 1645  

O God, thou God of Truth, I pray thee hear  
My souls request, for all that do Thee fear.  
there's but one Truth; to which both hold & bring  
All thy own People, to our sovereign King.  
And He to them, and all to join in One,  
To cast out factious Sects, and suffer none:  
Which do God's sacred Ordinance refuse, 
* Math. 18.17. 2 Pet. 2. 2.   
Led by their Fancies, and do Truth abuse.  
All sins foul plotters; let them be to him  
As gangrenes, to the State, and to each limb.  
A Body perfect, may no Member miss;  
Nor kingdom stand, that long divided is:  
No more blind Bullets, Fire, nor bloody Sword,  
Dissensions end, but let just Law accord:  
Brute bankrupt Ruffians, and Blasphemers are  
All chief rejoicers, when true Christians jar;  
That they may Plunder, Pillage, Drink, and Whore,  
And mourn when Mischief they can do no more.  
O GOD! thou need●st no Instrument of Hell  
Fight for thy Truth, thy Breath can them expel:  
Let not our fourscore years of joy, thus turn  
To horrid outcries, and just cause to mourn.  
But let our King be guided whole by Thee:  
In happiness to keep his kingdoms three:  
And Banish all the Jesuitick crew,  
That we may sing Thee praises old and new.  
Now hear sweet GOD, and settle Truth and Peace,  
AMEN, I cry, Amen and never cease.   
(☞ *⁎* ☜)