Study to be quiet: Or, a short VIEW Of the Miseries of WAR, With the Necessity of PEACE.  
ALSO, The Character of a Peaceable Man: whose Motto is,  I am for Peace, Psal. 120. vers. 7. 
By a DYER.  
LONDON:  
Printed for B. Als●●, 1647.   


A short view of the Miseries of War, and the necessity of Peace.  
O England! thou hast need to study to be quiet; truly this work is a very seasonable work, especial in these times of distraction; but if not considered it will prove thy utter ruin, whereof in some part thou hast already felt: Let all therefore as one man, from the greatest from the greatest to the least, both Prince and Subjects, Noble and simple, Church, and State, judges and Councillors, Lawyers and Clients, City and Country. Ministers, and people, Parents and Children, Masters and Servants Rich and poor, (let all I say) learn this lesson, to study to be quiet; and not only learn it, but put it in practice, Nature teacheth us, especially holy writ commands us this duty: of studing to be quiet: in which there are such infinite Exhortations, and Incitations, to this work, of quietness. Peace, Love, Unity, that had I the tongue of men and Angels, it were impossible for me to declare or set forth the worth of it: and that I may spur you on to this duty; of studying to be quiet: let me give you a little instance of the miseries of War; that you may with a more ready and willing mind, sue for Peace and study to be quiet. What desolations hath War brought in other places, Countries & Kingdoms: we ourselves are sensible in some measure of it, for have we not heard the murdering Cannons about our ears, have not our houses been burnt, and Churches spoilt, the worship of God neglected, have there not been Rapes and outrageous violences committed upon our Wives and Daughters; and had we not need to study to be quiet; have we not seen our goods taken from us and our houses rifled by unruly soldiers? Have we not heard the cries of the wounded, the fields and the high ways scattered dead carkasies, have we not heard despeiate soldiers cry kill, kill; was not the young in●ant snatched from the Mother's breast and throne against the stones, or tossed on the top of pikes? have we not seen men and horses wallow in their blood: and had not we need study to be p●●et: could the Country man follow the plough where an Army was, did they not leave soing; was not the standing corn burnt down, or trodden under feet, or eaten up by horses, was not the cattles destroyed, and waste made of that which was killed and of all other things, a way to bring in a famine; and had we not need to study to be quiet: what profit is got by Wars, the Laws are silent, outrages are committed, trading ceaceth, want increaseth, learning abolished and almost all manner of sin perpetrated; the son fears not his Father, nor the servant his Master and should we not study to be quiet again? here cries the Wife for her dead husband, here a child laments for his Father, and a Father for his child, for how many are the Fatherless and the widows: here's one lieth killed, another hath his brains shot out, a third lost his arm, a fourth hath lost a leg and a fift hath a bullet shot in his body and cannot be got out and endures a world of misery; some can neither die nor live, with an infinite other calamities that follow, and whose heart would not lament and mourn to see and hear these things, and to behold such sad spectacles: and had we not need to study to be quiet: and find out a way that our miseries may be put to a period, that every one may sit under his own Vine, and eat of the labour of his hands in peace and quiet, with giving thanks to God: for which peace and quietness let us all pray: In the mean time, although I cannot find out a way to end our troubles, yet I will describe to you the character of a quiet man, by whose example every man may study to be quiet.   

The Character of a peaceable and quiet man.  

THis Study to be quiet, is a theme  
That all should learn, it is so sweet a stream,  
And where this peace and love goes hand in hand,  
All things are there, and what you can demand:  
But where ruff waters, troubled Seas do roar,  
There quietness is shut clean out of door:  
Then study to be quiet, I you w●sh  
Or else 'twill prove a vety unkind dish;  
And that I may describe to you the man  
That studies to be quiet, lo hear than  
He is portrayed to you here in brief  
Of mortal men we may esteem him chief,  
First, it is he that twixt God and his soul,  
Hath made his peace, and doth upon h●m roll,  
That hates all sin, and wickedness, and why?  
Because that God is much displeased thereby.  
Next loves his Neighbour even as himself,  
And cares not for the world, and all its pelf,  
That at God's glory chief he doth aim,  
That's no self-seeker, such let no man blame,  
That is content with raiment or with diet,  
That is that man, that studies to be quire,  
That speaketh truth, and of a christian temper,  
That's slow to wrath, and is eadem semper,  
Whose eyes not wanton, nor whose ears are itching  
For novelties, whose heart is never wishing  
For others wealth; nor yet is ever idle,  
But well employed, and doth always bridle  
His mouth and tongue, that they do not offend,  
That never sweareth, though it were for his end.  
That beareth all things with great patience,  
Within whose breast remaineth innocence;  
That gives no ear to every idle talk,  
And in his Calling consciously doth walk,  
Whose Natures mild, and loveth no division,  
That ●s no scoffer, hateth all ambition,  
That puts up wrongs, and gives to all men right,  
Seeks no revenge, though others seek to fight,  
That doth not covet, is no Hypocrite,  
That bears no malice, anger, nor yet spite,  
That is not curious, jealous, or unkind,  
That is not proud, but of a loving mind,  
That is no Swearer, nor no drunken man,  
Nor unclean person, say the worst who can,  
That feareth God, and doth obey the King,  
Loves truth, and peace, more than an Earthly thing;  
At such a man I never will invie at  
That daily thus doth study to be quiet.   Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.  

The peaceable man's Motto.  

I am for peace.  
WElcome sweet peace, our second sister, that  
Hath nourished us with her sweets and her fat,  
Her plenty and prosperity, and wealth,  
Her choicest riches, to preserve our health,  
By whose blessed means, each one so fruitful grows,  
What 'tis to want (where peace is) none scarce knows.  
Why should we kick at her whose breasts we sucked,  
Why should we fight 'gainst her, who hath us plucked  
From violence, and us preserved from Fees,  
From the rage and malice of all those  
That seeks our ruin; oh let love increase,  
For where 'tis wanting no man is at ease:  
Come peace, let us embrace thee in our arms,  
Where thou dost dwell, there is no thought of harms,  
For love is with thee, thou to all goodwill  
Dost bear, and thou to no man thinkest ill:  
Why shouldst thou be a stranger to us now,  
Of stay we pray, and we will make a vow  
To be at one with thee, we'll have no thought  
Of ranker, hate, or any thing that's naught:  
Well! she will stay, I'm glad we shall have peace,  
Make much on ● now, 'tis time that wars should cease,  
We have enough on't; peace is earthly bliss,  
For truth and peace shall one another kiss:  
Lo then here's peace, the mistress with her maiden,  
Love, Unity, and Concord richly laden,  
With all good things, behold the Earth is full,  
And we our laps full here and there may cull,  
Of her attendants, that peace with her brings  
In such abundance, as is fit for Kings.  
Thrice blessed art thou, peace, that sweetly crownes  
Our Land, our Cities, Villages and towns,  
That fil'st our barns with corn, our stalls with hay.  
Our Orehards, Gardens,  with flowers gay,  
Our sheep with wool, our Oxen stout and strong,  
Our Ponds, our Rivers, sweetly rune along  
Where Fishes sport themselves, yea in the fields,  
The Birds do sing and pleasure much it yields:  
There be trees laden with all manner of fruit,  
There is no person that hath any suit  
At Law, but all desire to live at ease,  
Our Corn and Cattell brings us great increase,  
A hundred fold, for here is no complaining  
We are all in love, not one sin now is reigning:  
With these, and thousands more, men may delight  
Themselves, and solace with the ear and sight:  
Here the brave Courtier, and the mighty men  
For recreation may come now and then,  
And take their fill of what sweet peace doth yield  
Ith' Air, i'th' waters, or within the field;  
The meaner sort with those of low degree,  
May come and share with these we daily see,  
They have as great an intetest as any,  
Provided always that they have but money.  
Peace is not partial freely she imparts  
Of her abundance, comforting men's hearts:  
Where peace doth dwell, and where the land hath rest,  
There is no fear or sorrow to molest,  
Or vex or fright us, there's no hideous cries  
Of wounded men, or dead before our eyes,  
Where peace is queen, no Drums nor Canons roar,  
No sword is drawn, that kills both rich and poor,  
Here's no destroying corn, or grass, or hay,  
Here is no firing houses all the way,  
But all is quiet, each man in his calling  
Doth follow closely, neighbours are not brawling  
With one another, but do live in love,  
This is that blessing that comes from above,  
And that we may thus live in joy and peace,  
Pray ●ur Peacemaker that our wars may cease:  
But ●f that any herein I displease,  
Le● whose will be for war, I am for peace.    
FINIS.