Boni ominis Votum: A GOOD OMEN To the next PARLIAMENT, Expressed upon occasion of those extraordinary Grand Juries, lately summoned out of the most eminent Baronet's, Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen, in some Counties, to serve at the summer Assizes, this year, 1656. By a faithful Servant to this Republic.  
London, Printed for John Hardesty, at the black Spread-Eagle in Duck Lane, or at his shop in the Strand nigh Worcester House.   

Boni ominis Votum.  
A good Omen to the next Parliament, etc.  

GOod speed to this Republic; and, increase  
Of happiness, to those who seek her peace.  
Sad things are threatened, and a lowering sky  
Seems to portend, great storms are drawing nigh:  
But look above them, and good courage take,  
The Sun still shines, although the clouds be black,  
And beamings through their darkest parts appear,  
Whereby, discernible good Omens are,  
With Symptoms of the Blessing we expect,  
If, we ourselves, obstruct not their effect,  
And turn them to ill signs: which to prevent,  
That, which here follows, gives a needful hint.   

As both abroad, and here within this Land,  
Public and private men's affairs, now stand.  
This year is likely to be critical,  
About the time in which the leaves will fall,  
If, preconjectures, may be builded on  
Things put in action, with things left undone,  
Spelled both together; and from some of these,  
We may deduce good cautions, if we please.   

Whether it were the policy of some,  
In hope, it an Obstruction might become  
To Concord; or, the prudence of the Shreeve,  
Or, special providence, which did contrive  
Those Grand-grand juries, that must represent  
Their Counties, we, shall best know by th' event:  
For, whether cheerfully they come to do  
That service which their Call invites them to,  
Or, by a wilful non-appearance, wave  
That duty, which the common cause doth crave,  
It will be signal; and, to many a one,  
A Test, as virtual as the Lydian stone:  
And, also, give an intellectual view,  
Of some Results, which thereon will ensue  
At their next meeting, who, to represent  
This Nation, shall be summoned and sent.   

For, those Grand jurors, are now chosen forth  
Of them, whose gifts, estates, degree, or birth,  
Hath ranked them with the best: yea, out of those  
(Excepting such as have been open foes  
To this Republic) who, have been suspected  
Mere Newters, or, else, persons disaffected,  
As well, as from among them, whose true zeal  
Hath kept them constant to this Commonweal;  
That, they, whose faiths yet questionable are,  
May to this Government themselves endear  
Some way; and, from henceforth, enroled stand  
Among the noblest Patr'ots of the Land,  
Endowed with all their Liberties, and freed  
From those distinguishments, which, either breed  
Or nourish secret hat red, to th' increase  
Of Quarrels, and deminishment of Peace;  
If, they, shall not imprudently contemn  
That means thereof, which, now, is offered them.   

And, who can tell, what providence, by these  
(Though some dissent in judgement) will now please,  
In season to effect, for preservation,  
Or settlement of Peace throughout this Nation?  
When things are acted, by a moderate  
Expostulation, in a joint debate,  
Where, every one, may freely speak his thought;  
And, when it is considered, as it ought,  
That, no man can of safety be assured,  
Until the Public welfare be secured.   

We know, that differing simples put together  
To qualify, and to correct each other,  
(Though some of them be poison) purge away  
Malignant humours, which would else destroy  
The life of man: So, they, who formerly  
Did in their singular capacity  
And private judgement, sometimes, act or speak,  
What might, at least, endanger, if not break  
The Common peace, may, when they gathered are  
Into one fellowship, be helpful there,  
Both to themselves and Countries, ten times more  
Than they have been, or could be, heretofore.   

Yea, as the fat Lime and the barren Sand,  
When they are mixed, make a stronger band  
To bind together rough or hewed stone,  
Then either of them could have done alone;  
So, may by them who are dissenters, now,  
Our public buildings much the stronger grow,  
When, they, into one Structure shall be fixed  
Well qualified, and rationally mixed;  
And, prove a happy Omen and presage,  
To those, who, now are summoned to engage  
Within a higher Orb, and, shortly must  
Become our trusties, in a higher trust.  
For, he, who hath considered it, believes  
That, if those petty-Representatives,  
By loving prudence, shall prepare a way  
Thereto (as in good likelihood they may)  
That nobler Body, which to its perfection,  
Must (for the most part) rise by their election,  
Will be so modulized, and tempered so,  
That, discords, into sympathy shall grow:  
And, all our fears and dangers, in the close,  
Quite vanish, to the terror of our foes.   

We see, unlike and disagreeing matter,  
Such as the earth and air, the fire and water,  
Makes perfect natural bodies: wherefore, then,  
May we not hope, that differing minded men  
Themselves, may reason forth, out of a sick  
Into a healthy body-politick  
By GOD's assistance (when our discontent  
Is cured, and, our malignant humour spent)  
Before we feelingly, by Sense perceive,  
What, Reason, cannot make us yet believe?   

It may be thus, and will be thus, if, yet  
men's Wilfulness hath left them any wit:  
For, why should they, who now may be at rest,  
Run hazards to advance their interest,  
Whom nothing else could satisfy, but power,  
All others, at their pleasure to devour,  
And spoilers of their own estates become,  
To make a fortune, for they know not whom?  
Why should they venture, their respects to lose,  
Who, have been ancient friends, to get new Foes?  
Or, seek to have that game afresh begun,  
By which, all may be lost, and, nothing won?  
I hope we shall be wiser, and, that we,  
Whose weal and safeties much concerned be  
In this expedient, shall so cautiously  
Proceed; and, act with so much prudency,  
That, whatsoever others do intent,  
Or put in practice, we, shall seek that end  
We ought to prosecute; and, at the last,  
Our Anchor in a peaceful harbour cast.   

I wish it hearty; and (since I see,  
Wish in vain, without endeavours be)  
That, those whom it concerns, provoke I may  
To seek this blessing, and help make the way  
To what I wish for, I, composed this SPELL:  
Let him, who moved me to it, speed it well;  
And, make it so considered by this Nation,  
(Before things grow beyond consideration)  
That, words, which to their safety do pertain,  
May not be always spoke to them in vain;  
For, they are fools, who, still pursue a course  
Which makes a sickly-being to be worse.  
And, they are also, somewhat more than mad,  
Who would exchange a good-one for a bad,  
Or, put in hazard, a possessed LOT,  
In hope to get, what never can be got.   
So thinks Geo. Wither.