The dark Lantern, Containing A dim Discovery, in Riddles, Parables, and Semi-Riddles, intermixed with Cautions, Remembrances and Predictions, as they were promiscuously and immethodically represented to their Author, in his Solitary Muse, the third of November 1652. about Midnight.  
Whereunto is annexed, A POEM, Concerning A Perpetual Parliament.  
By Geo. Whither Esquire.  
LONDON, Printed by R. Austin, and are to be sold by Richard Lowndes at the white Lion in PAUL'S Churchyard, near the little North Door. 1653.   

To the Reader.  
THese Poems were delivered forth to be published about three months past, with an expectation that they should have been imprinted forthwith, and had either an accidental or a negligent delay preventing their publication the last Term; and perhaps (I being absent) they were afterward purposely delayed, that they might come forth at the beginning of this Easter Term, by their design, who more considered the Booksellers advantage, then how much the hastening of them might concern the public; by which means it was not finished, until that very day whereupon the Parliament had an unlooked for period: and yet peradventure, in regard of the many timely Cautions and Remembrances, which have been heretofore despised, or neglected, Providence hath permitted these to be delayed, until their publication came too late, for effecting that which was intended.  
Howsoever it will be useful to some other ends; at least to testify to the world, that what is now come to pass, was foreseen, and endeavours used for prevention thereof, which might probably have had good success, if contempt of many forewarnings had not hindered the same, it may be, to make way for the accomplishment of somewhat, fore-declared in my Britain's Genius; in which Poem, I laboured as much in vain to reduce the late King, to make use of that means which would have effected his restoration, as I have hereby done to preserve the Parliament: and I hearty beseech Almighty God, that I may not have occasion to be as fatal a Remembrancer to them who are now in Throne; lest worse things happen to them, then to their Predecessors, which I am assured will follow, if their proceed (which I yet suspect not) be not really designed, and made answerable to their fair pretendings. There are many faults escaped in the printing, by reason of my absence, and a Copy hastily, and not very plainly written, some of which are here corrected, the rest I leave to be amended, as you find them.   

PAge 5. line 25. for coral read carnal. p. 32. l. 9 r. Then such as Innocency's cause, etc. p. 49. l. 29. r. Egypt's thrall. p. 72. l. 13. for foot r. fork.   

TO THE PARLIAMENT, AND PEOPLE OF THE Commonwealth of England.  

SO let me speed, in all that I pursue,  
As, in what follows, I mean well to you:  
And, as I bear a loving faithful heart,  
To all of you, united and apart;  
Although, I peradventure, may appear  
On some occasions, bitterly severe,  
To those, in whom, I private-failings see,  
Which, to the Public may obnoxious be;  
To make them judge themselves, and scape the doom,  
Which, from another judgement, else may come:  
For, at no single person, have I struck,  
By any line, or passage, in this book.   

If here, I further seem to have presumed,  
Or, more upon myself to have assumed,  
Then may be warrantable thought, at first,  
Examine it, before you judge the worst;  
And, try by circumstances (as ye may)  
What Spirit, hath directed me this way;  
Or, for what likely ends, or for whose sake,  
I could, or dared, this attempt to make;  
Except it were for GOD'S, for your, and mine,  
As they with one another, do intwine.  
Yea, search, if my Religion, studies, ways,  
Or, manners (which have been throughout my days,  
Before your eyes) may any sign afford,  
That, I have, hitherto, in deed, or word,  
Been an Impostor; or, presented you  
With aught, that hath been useless, or untrue;  
And as that justly may incline your mind,  
Let these expressions acceptation find.   

If madness, they appear; consider well,  
That, such miscensuring have often fell  
On sober men, when those deluding crimes,  
Were prevalent, which reign in these our times.  
If foolish, they be thought; remember this,  
That, truest wisdom, seemeth foolishness  
To worldly prudent men, when, God, forth brings  
To fool their wisdom, despicable things.   

Men, hear fools gladly, when themselves are wise,  
And, meekly pity rather than despise  
Their folly, learning, thereby, sometimes too,  
More, then by their own wisdom, they could do:  
But, wise, mad foolish, or, what e'er I am,  
To do this work, into the world I came;  
To these times, was reserved; to this end, taught;  
And, to the sight of many things, am brought,  
Which, else I had not known, nor would have seen,  
But, that, I tied, (as by the leg) have been,  
(Ten years together, ten days work to do)  
To know them, whether I so would or no.  
And, when I knew them, I would fain have done  
My own work first, or else, like Ionas run  
To Tarsis, or Lundee, or any whither  
(Adventuring through Seas, and Tempests thither)  
Much rather, then to have proceeded on,  
In doing that, which I, at last, have done.  
For, I am like the world, in many things,  
And, oft so tempted by her promisings  
Of ease and safety, in another course,  
That, I, with much strife, did my heart enforce,  
To prosecute her duty; as ye may,  
Perceive, if, you the following tract survey.  
But, my own thoughts, would neither let me sleep,  
Nor suffer me a waking-peace to keep,  
Or, follow my affairs (though they were brought  
Near to a point, of coming quite to nought)  
Till, I, my muse, had in words arrayed  
To be, by you, and other men, survay'd.  
All those affairs, aside, I, therefore threw,  
To clothe my meditations, for your view;  
Which, being finished, I can now lie down  
And sleep, as well as any man in Town.   

The times are dangerous; and, I am told,  
By that which is my Guide, I should not bold  
Beyond discretion be; which makes me talk  
In riddles, and with this Dark Lantern walk:  
That, I may see my way, and not be seen  
By every one, whom I may meet, between  
My go out, and in: and that it may  
Give light to some, who are beside their way,  
As I occasion find; and, where I see  
The light that's offered, may accepted be.   

But, what my visions are, as in relation,  
Unto this Parliaments perpetuation  
I plainly shall unfold; because, it may  
Concern you all, with good advice to weigh.  
Yea, fearlessly, my free thoughts, I will show,  
What liking, or dislike, soe'er ensue.  
For, though to all intents by me designed,  
They may not reach; it much contents my mind,  
That I have freed my soul. by thus employing  
My Talon, to an inward rests enjoying;  
And, raised a Witness up, that may declare  
To future times; what GOD'S proceed are.   

If this find acceptation, it will be  
A sign of future peace, to you, and me.  
If, you reject it; I will fit my mind  
To bear the troubles, which are yet behind:  
Bewail, our manifold procrastinations,  
Of GOD'S intended blessings, to these Nations.  
Possess the little portion, I have got  
As lost, or, else, as if I had it not;  
And, strive to wean my heart, from things abroad,  
To seek my rest; and peace, alone in GOD:  
A refuge, so secured to me, that, neither  
My frailties, faults, or foes; or these together:  
Or friends, or trusties failings, either may  
Hazard, or forfeit; tear, or fool away.   
Your most humble, and most faithful Remembrancer, Geo. Wither.   

A DARK-LANTERNE, OFFERING A Dim Discovery, in Riddles, Parables, and Semi-riddles, intermixed with Cautions, Remembrances, and Predictions, as they were promiscuously, and immethodically represented to their Author, in his solitary muse, the third of November 1652. about midnight. And, concluding with the Result of a Contemplative Vision, revealing a probable means of making, even this present Parliament, to be both perpetual, and acceptable to these Nations to the end of the World.  


He, that goes with this LIGHT, his way may find:  
Him, that against it comes, it maketh blind.   

HE, from whose perfect Light, all true Lights come,  
Spoke Parables; yea, spoke nought else, to some;  
And, Providence, by many various ways,  
Of dispensation, to the world conveys  
The means, of carrying on, those works which tend  
To man's perfection, at his later end;  
And, to the wónderfull accomplishment,  
Of what, eternally is his intent;  
Bringing oft times about, the selfsame things,  
(Or, such like) towards their accomplishing;  
That, prudent men, might understand thereby  
What he designs, and therewith all comply.   

When jacob's Off springs (who, for many ages  
Were figures, types, examples, and presages  
For future times, and states) became perverted,  
And, grew to be so blind, and stubborn hearted,  
As to despise the warnings, precepts, cautions,  
And good advice, which for their preservations  
Their Prophets had perspicuously declared;  
GOD, justly, sent unto them afterward,  
His mind in Parables, whereof but few  
The meanings, or interpretations knew:  
And as they more and more, from him declined,  
(And, from the truth) the more he couched his mind  
In dark expressions, till they nothing saw  
But what their pleasure made to be a Law.   

Prince, Prophet, Priest, and People, then, became  
Wholly corrupt; a scandal, and a shame  
To their Professions, and to all their Nation,  
By an unlimited prevarication;  
Whereby, the means ordained to recure them,  
Was rendered instrumental to obdure them,  
By their own fault, and those hypocrisies,  
Which, justly, drew a vail, before their eyes.  
For, whereas, usually in times preceding,  
GOD'S errands, were made plain, at their first he eding,  
So, also, were their Priests, and Prophets, then,  
Renowned, wise, and honourable men,  
Even in their outward being; which, did add  
Repute to that, which in command, they had:  
But, He ardsmen, and fruit-gatherers, afterward  
(With such as brought no motives of regard,  
According to the flesh) were sometime sent;  
Which, in their hearers, did but scorn augment.   

And, thus, contempt increased: the truths then told,  
Were not alone, wrapped up in manifold  
Strange ambiguities, obscure expressions,  
Dark Metaphors, or much beclouded Visions,  
Which few could understand; but, some, likewise  
Illustrated their words, and Prophecies,  
(Or, rather vailed them) with circumstances,  
Which, did enlarge their hearers ignorances';  
As also their disdains: for, otherwhile,  
They personated things, absurd, and vile,  
In vulgar apprehension: such as seem  
Deserving rather slighting, then esteem;  
Yea such, sometimes, as wicked did appear  
To those, who morally men righteous were:  
As when, they were made signs unto that Nation,  
Of their shame, nakedness, or desolation,  
And of GOD'S lasting love, although they had,  
By their adulteries, him jealous made.   

As with the Jews, he, formerly hath done,  
GOD will proceed with us; and hath begun  
Already, so to judge (and visit here)  
As he did them, when they rebellious were.  
He, so, by changes, moves us to repent;  
And, judgements blends with mercies, to th' intent  
That, he, into capacity might woo us  
Of that great good, which he desires to do us.  
This, makes him, sometime smile, and sometime frown;  
Now, raise us up; to morrow, pull us down:  
This day, he, to our strongest enemies,  
Renders us dreadful: They, whom we despise  
That night triumph; and make us glad to fly  
Into our chambers, and there sneaking lie;  
Whilst they deride, insult, affront and jeer us,  
Who, some few hours before, did greatly fear us.   

This, makes him often fool our wisdom so,  
That, we are at a non plus, what to do;  
And, then, in our distress, to make our want,  
Weakness, and failings, more predominant  
For our deliverance, in a fatal hour,  
Then all our wealth, our wisdom, and our power.   

This, makes him lead us through the wildernesses  
Of doubts, dispairing, troubles, and distresses  
To our desired Canaan, as be led  
His Chosen heretofore; and, as he did  
To them in their respective aberrations,  
So hath he done, and will do, with these Nations.   

As their, right so, our Princes, for oppressions  
Are driven from their Thrones, and their possessions,  
To eat (even with confusion of their faces)  
Their bread with scarcity, in uncouth places;  
Where, peradventure, they were mindful made  
Of those forewarnings, which they timely had.   

Our Lords (as their Remembrancer, foretold,  
When they had greatest likelihood to hold,  
And to increase their greatness) this day, see,  
Their House of Parliament, destroyed to be,  
Even by itself; and, that they are become  
Vagrants abroad, or, else despised at home.  
Some of their Palaces and Piles of State,  
Are razed, defaced, or left quite desolate,  
For Zim, and Jim; for Vermine and such fowls,  
As Daws, and Ravens; great and little Owls.   

Our Priests, that were the glorioust Hirarchy,  
And proudest in Europe, next the Papacy;  
(Who, by the same pen warned, did return  
Sharp persecutions, injuries and scorn)  
Are now despoiled of all the pomp they had,  
Dishonoured, poor, and despicable made.  
Their fair Cathedral Temples stand forsaken,  
With still increasing ruins, rend and shaken;  
And, in their steeds, those persons are deputed,  
Whom they most hated, and most persecuted.  
The Threats long since pronounced, now prevail,  
The Priest and Prophet, are become the tail;  
And mere Mechanics made dispensers are  
Or those things, which to them committed were:  
Persons, of so mean gifts, and small respect,  
That, truth out of their mouths, gets but neglect;  
Except with such, as undervalue not  
Good wine, though offered in an earthen pot.   

For our unthankfulness, and disregard  
Of nobler Teachers, whom, we long have heard,  
Without improvement; for, hypocrisies,  
Mere outside worship, and formalities,  
In prayers, fasts, and praises; and, for, giving  
That which cost nothing, for great boons receiving:  
For our backslidings, and, then, persevering  
In frequent sinning, after frequent bearing:  
For actions, not agrecing with our saying:  
For painting, guilding, and for overlaying  
Our Coral structures, with feigned piety:  
(False gold, producted by our Chymestry)  
For falsifying, with a brazen brow,  
The serious promises, which we did vow  
To GOD and men, before the face of heaven,  
When we into extremities were driven:  
For adding to devouring slames, more fuel:  
For being, in our very mercies, cruel:  
For turning carelessy, our eyes, and ears,  
From Widows prayers, and from Orphan's tears:  
Yea, though Remembrancers did (as it were)  
In public, often pull us by the ear,  
To mind it; yea, where many standers by,  
Observed it; and, our gross stupidity.   

For these things; and, for many such as these  
God, having spoken to us, in our days,  
By ordinary Preachers; now, gins  
By others, to reprove us for our sins:  
Not only such, as reason may allow,  
Though called from the Shop board, or the Plough;  
But, such, as we seem justly to contemn,  
As making truths adhored, which come from them.   

In steed of Teachers, trained up in the Schools  
Of Arts, and of the Prophets; children fools,  
Women and madmen, we do often meet,  
Preaching, and threatening Judgements, in the street:  
To some, pronouncing blessings; to some, woe;  
Scattering their bread, and money, as they go,  
To such as need; (though, in appearance, none  
Can poorer be, than they, when that is gone:)  
Yea, by strange actions, postures, tones, and cries,  
Themselves they offer to our cars and eyes,  
As signs unto this Nation, of some things  
Thereby portended; which (although this brings  
Contempt upon their persons) may be so,  
For aught, the wisest of us, yet doth know;  
As were those actions, personated by  
Some Prophets, whom the Jews did vilify.   

It may be on that darkness, which they find,  
Within their bearts, a sudden light hath shined,  
Reflections making, of some things to come,  
Which leave within them, muse troublesome  
To their weak spirits; or, too intricate  
For them to put in order, and relate;  
As they will easily believe on whom,  
Such, more than natural, out-beamings, come)  
And, that, hath peradventure, thrust them on  
To act, as men in ecstasies have done;  
Striving, their Cloudy Visions to declare  
(And, of what consequence, they think they are)  
Till they have lost the Notions, which they had,  
And, want but few degrees, of being mad.   

This, Providence permitteth, to correct  
Our deafness, and our former disrespect  
Of nobler instruments, whose lights did shine  
More clearly; and, who, laying line, to line;  
Precept, to Precept; in and out of season,  
Taught reasonably, even truth's, transcending reason:  
Or, else, it hath permitted been, to make us  
Less heedful, of the plague, that may or'etake us;  
By tokens, and by symptoms, to us giving,  
That, seem not worth our heeding, or believing.   

And, I, perhaps, among these, may be one,  
That was let lose, for service to be done,  
In order to such kinds: (as, I believe  
I am; as when I am gone, some will perceive,  
Though, none observe it now) For, though I dress  
The mind, and matter, of my messages,  
In measured words, with some such other fancies,  
As are allowed in Poetic frenzies,  
And, pass for sober garbs: yet, now and then,  
I blunder out, what worldly prudent men  
Count madness; and, what, oft, the best men, too,  
Dislike awhile, and wish me not to do.   

But, I best know my warrant; and proceed  
As I am moved, with little fear, or heed,  
What others judge: for, till some slips, or errors  
Expose me, to be liable to terrors,  
there's nothing, to my hurt, can dreadful be,  
Save my own flesh, and be that gave it me.  
And, as this makes me, madly seem to dare;  
Even so, that seeming madness, doth prepare,  
And draw some, out of novelty, to heed,  
What, they had never, else, vouchsafed to read:  
And, these my ridling now, are an invention  
Designed partly, unto that intention;  
And, partly likewise, to amaze those Readers,  
Who, to my purposes, are counter-pleaders.   

When, others think, the times afford me may  
Enough to speak of, I have nought to say:  
When my heart calls upon me, I cast by  
My own affairs, and to that call apply,  
As I occasions find, uttering sometimes,  
My thoughts in prose, another while in rhymes;  
One while, by sharp, and bitter strains reproving;  
Sometimes, by admonitions, calm, and loving;  
Yea, Jigs of recreation, sometimes sidling;  
And, now, I'm fallen into a fit of Riddling.   

Riddle my Riddles, then, you, that have heard  
Truths, oft, and plainly spoke without regard,  
(Except it were, in mischioss, to combine  
Against their peace, who cast their Pearls to swine)  
Riddle them if you can: For, in them lies,  
A dim character of our destinies.  
Within these Problems, those things couched are,  
Which I, once thought, more plainly to declare:  
But, from that purpose, have now changed my mind,  
That, seeing, you might see, yet still be blind:  
That, you might read, and yet not understand  
The work, which GOD and men, have now in hand:  
Or, which of those things will be first, or last,  
Lest, future fates appear by what is past:  
And, that, your misinter pretations may  
Produce those good effects, which you delay:  
For, to that purpose, all, which I unfold,  
Histerologically shall be told.   

Yond, likewise, who oft read, in serious wise,  
Shipton's Predicts, and Merlin's Prophecies;  
Or, vain conjectures, from the constellations,  
Wherewith, Impostors, have long fooled these Nations,  
Neglecting that, the while, which both foreseen,  
And, brought to pass, in your own days, hath been:  
Riddle those Riddles; or, at least peruse them,  
And, if you find them frivolous, refuse them.   

Riddle these Riddles too, even you, that seek  
The common-peace, with hearts upright and meek:  
You, that have understanding to discern  
The present times; and, willing are to learn  
Good lessons from a Pismire: For, to you,  
By this Dark Lantern, I shall give a view,  
Of things far off, and rubs now in your way,  
Whereat, through want of light, you stumble may:  
And, likewise, of effects, whereto, perchance,  
You, by these glimmerings, may raise advance.   

Observe them well, without enquiring, what  
Their Author's meaning was, in this, or that,  
Till, you yourselves, have searched, how they in reason,  
Suit our affairs, our persons, and the season,  
According to your judgements: for, that, shall  
Be somewhat to the purpose, though not all.  
But, where no sense that's likely, you can rear,  
Leave it, as that, which lies without your sphere;  
For, that, which SHALL BE, will receive a being,  
From each dissenting Readers disagreeing;  
From that man's knowledge, who the sense hath got;  
From that man's ignorance, who knows it not;  
And he that would, and he that would not too,  
Shall help effect, what GOD intends to do.   

Thus, through a long lane, I have drawn you in,  
Where my new Grove of Riddles doth begin,  
With, now and then, a plain Lawn intermixed,  
And, here and there, a small sherewood betwixt;  
With such digressions, that, you'll sometimes doubt,  
Whether I lead you, further in, or out.  
But, 'tis a wild plot, where are walks, and bowers,  
Made for my own content, as well as yours:  
And, if they tedious seem, you may be gone  
At next low gap, you see, and no harm done.   

The harvest of our Aera now draws near,  
And, faithful Labourers will then appear  
To order that fair field, where in was sown  
The Corn, which now with tares is overgrown:  
And, to distinguish Wheat, from that which had  
Resemblance of it, both in stalk, and blade.  
Yet, every day, Impostors creeping in,  
Will, by pretended holiness, begin  
To plant themselves; seeking their lusts to feed,  
By scattering adulterated-seed;  
And labouring, to destroy those means, whereby  
Truth may appear in perfect purity.   

In little time, shall many changes be,  
And interchanges, which will make men see  
Their wisdom to be folly; their chief might,  
Flat feebleness; their high esteemed light  
Mere darkness; and, that, most things by them done,  
Will have effects, which they never thought upon.   

In that Catholicon, or Mithridate,  
Which Providence, confected hath of late.  
To temper, or dispel, what hath diseased  
The Body Politic; it hath been pleased  
(As finding it, a mixture requisite)  
Vipers, and mortal poisons, to unite  
With wholesome things; yea, minerals and mettle,  
Sulphur, and Steel, fixed matter, to unsettle:  
The Serpent's brains, with faithful Turtles hearts:  
Of Lions, Lambs, and Foxes, some choice parts:  
Somewhat of Hares, that swift and fearful be:  
Somewhat of Snails, in whom we nothing see,  
But slowness, and, by well compounding these,  
A cure preparing is, for our disease:   

Fire, Water, Earth, and Air, (though disagreeing,  
In qualities) if well mixed, give a being  
To that, which cannot be, by any one  
Or, any two, or three of these alone:  
And, so, at last, shall every contradiction,  
Among us, add some Does, to our perfection:  
Yea, they who pulldown, and they who erect  
Shall in the close, concur in one effect;  
That, he, who's all in all, may have due praise  
By every contradiction in our ways;  
And, that, out of their discords, he may bring  
A Diapason, making every thing  
Assent together, in the consummation  
Of his designment, at the world's creation.   

For, whilst this medicine fermenting lies,  
The wheels of temp'r all contrarieties  
Move on; and, every day, abroad will send  
Productions, few, discerning to what end:  
And, yet, each individual circumstance,  
Somewhat, the Grand-designment, shall advance,  
Yea, foolings, failings, fraud, and treachery  
As well as truth, and true sincerity,  
Shall add thereto; and, herein, will alone,  
The difference be; such, as have justly done  
Their duties; and, in doing them persever,  
(Or, willingly, and knowingly endeavour  
As they are able) will enjoy the bliss,  
Which, they who counter-operate shall miss.   

I.G.N.R.N.S. with, other some,  
Such like, confederated are become,  
To ruin this Republic; and, have laid  
Designs, whereby it may be soon betrayed,  
And, infamous, insensibly, become,  
With all wise men abroad, and here at home.  
These (though but few observe it) have, long, had  
A purpose these three Lands to invade;  
And, to possess them, with a people far  
More barbarous than Kerns, and Redshanks are.  
Some of their Party, to promote their ends,  
Do yet appear to be our faithful friends;  
And, into every place of Power, and Trust,  
Themselves, and their confederates have thrust.  
In Towns and Boroughs, Citadels and Cities,  
In Courts, and Counsels, and in all Committees;  
In offices of profit, and command,  
Throughout the Commonwealth, at Sea, and Land  
They have Abettors; and, so bold they grow  
That, every man almost, their aims may know;  
And, their attempts, although but fools they are  
Are at this present time, improved so far  
That, they have shaken that, wherein consists,  
Our honour, and our noblest interests;  
And into practice, they begin to draw  
Among us here, the Clagefurtian Law.   

M.N.O.P. Demas, Diotrophes,  
Peripatetics, Stoics, Pharisees,  
With others, who, in judgement differing be,  
Will, altogether, as one man agree,  
To fortify their private interest,  
Endangering (by what shall be possessed  
Unduly) that, which is to others due:  
Until the faithful Shepherds do pursue  
Their claim aright; the same deriving from  
Their Foster-fathers', whence, it first did come;  
And, of whom, it was long since prophesied  
That, GOD, by them, a portion would provide  
For those, he sends forth, to preserve the beauty  
Of holiness, when, man, forgets his duty.   

Some other accidents, time will beget  
Which may be marked out, by our Alphabet:  
By, and for envy, jealousy, and pride,  
Shall, A. B. C. be laid awhile, afide.  
Despised also, V and I. shall be  
P P. and S. against C S. and P.  
Shall then conspire; and, for a Salve employ  
That, which itself, and all things, doth destroy,  
If Alpha and Omega, help not more  
Than all the other letters, did before:  
For, common helps, will be applied in vain,  
The fury of their madness, to restrain.   

The causes, whence this hazard will arise,  
Are such as this; observe it, and be wise.  
The Temple of the Gods, which heretofore  
Stood open to the prayers of the poor,  
Is closed up, and few admitted in,  
But, such as are conveyed by a gin,  
Contrived so narrow, that the people say  
It was choked up, the first, or second day:  
And, with distemper, they exclaim, that this  
Of all their grievances, the greatest :  
Because it puts their patience, to more trials,  
Then, if of Justice, they had quick denials:  
Turns hopes into despairs; converts their lives  
To living deaths, their balms to corrosives.   

The Saints likewise, that must propitiate,  
On their behalves, and offer at the gate  
Of justice and of mercy, their petitions  
Are not so sensible of their conditions;  
Nor from all partiality so free  
As Mediators always ought to be.   

This, makes one grumble in his privacies;  
Another, gapes out open blasphemies:  
Some, with such indignation filled are,  
As, if they Giantlike, would make a war  
Against their GOD'S (if, lookers on, may guess,  
By their distempers, of their purposes)  
And, universally, there is a cry  
So lamentable, and raised up so high,  
That, if these Deities, shall not in time,  
With due compassion, bow their ears to them,  
And, their just Prayers, and requests fulfil,  
A higher power, these plaints examine will,  
And these inferior Gods, shall tumble then,  
From heaven like Lucifer, and die like men:  
Riddle this Riddle, and resolve me whether  
This Temple, be Pantheon, or some other,  
Wherein Subdeities, invoked are:  
What Temple e'er it be; we wish it were  
More open; lest upon those Gods, it bring  
Contempt, or worse, and ruins every thing  
To them subordinate: for, hence doth flow  
Most other grievances, complained of now;  
And, hence rise those confusions, which increase  
Our troubles, and procrastinate our peace.  
From hence is it, men's suits prolonged are  
Beyond their lives; and after twice five year,  
As far from ending, as when they begun;  
Yea, endless, till poor Suitors are undone,   

At these words, an Illusion cried, take heed;  
And, further do not in this strain proceed;  
Lest, some Interpreters, interpret, so,  
Thy Riddles, that the Ridler they undo.  
The sudden caution, startled me a while;  
Yet, back returned it with a strong recoil;  
Suggesting, that I overmuch bewrayed  
Their nakedness; and them too open laid  
Whose shame I ought to hid, and, that so far  
It may provoke them, who soon angry are,  
As thereby to endanger at the least,  
My quiet, and my private interest.  
How, therefore, this objection I passed over,  
 further I proceed, I'll here discover.   

Against these doubts, my Genius up arose,  
And, quite out of my heart, their poison throws;  
Assuring me, I had no cause to fear  
What other men's interpretations were;  
Or, to suppose the safety of this Nation  
Were not more worthy of a preservation  
Then their repute, who are quite senseless grown,  
Both of the public danger, and their own.  
Or think it better that a general  
Disease o'erspread us, rather, then to call  
A Scab, a Scab, or, timely to declare  
The cure of these things, which destructive are.   

It told me, (and with arguments not weak)  
The cause, and time, required me now to speak  
Without respect of persons; and, that, I  
Was bound unto it by my fealty.  
It told me, 'twas a duty whereunto  
I was ordained; and, which I'm kept to do.  
It represents unto me, from what strong  
And spiteful Adversaries; and, how long,  
I have preserved been, since I begun  
To do such works, when they were to be done.  
It bids me to record, by what strange ways,  
(And means unlikely) I have all my days,  
Deliverances obtained; even when I had,  
Oppressions, that might make a wise man mad;  
And, not one friend, me, in those straits to own,  
But, such as GOD still raised me up unknown.   

It bids me mind, how oft (when I have had  
No other help) his Providence hath made  
The malice of my fees, things to project  
Against me, which my succour, did effect;  
And, without which, I probably had lost  
Just expectations, with much pain and cost.   

It bids me mark, how many there are still,  
(Who, without cause, have born me evil will)  
That daily do expect to see me stumble,  
When they may add a kick, to make me tumble:  
How, in those High Assemblies, where they deem,  
It may most disadvantage my esteem,  
They whisper out detractions; or, speak loud  
Those things, which cannot justly be avowed:  
How enviously, they often make relations  
Of what GOD gives, beyond their expectations;  
With such periphrases, as may infer  
That, my supplies, were got as ill as their.   

It wills me, likewise, seriously to heed,  
How, they in other things, with me proceed;  
How, by their spite, all public favours done me.  
Bring nought, as yet, but cost, and troubles on me,  
Which had e'er this destroyed me, had I not  
Preventions, from a Power above them got;  
And, by these mercies, it conjures me to  
What, conscience, and my judgement, bids me do.   

It minds me to be mindful of that power,  
Which hath preserved in every evil hour.  
How plentifully, I have still been fed.  
Even when I saw not means, of next day's bread  
But, what was in their hands, who would not spare,  
The least supply, when most distressed we were.   

How, my repute, with good men, was maintained,  
When with unjust aspersions, I was stained:  
And, when our Princes, on their Judgement Seats,  
Thundered against me, nothing less than threats.   

It charms, to observe, that, though I get  
Little or nothing, of that public debt  
Which was assigned, and which hath now been due  
Ten years (by claims approved just and true,  
On triple trials) and, though ever since,  
It yields me nought, but troubles and expense;  
That GOD, hath natheless, improved of late,  
My Mite, into a competent estate;  
Merely, by such unlikely means, as those  
Which Jacob used, when in the watering troughs,  
He laid his whit led sticks, till he was paid  
The wages, which his Master had delayed.   

It calleth on me, to look back upon  
Those works, which have within my days been done;  
(And chief those, which stand in some relation  
Unto myself, together with this Nation)  
What strange effects, and unbelieved things,  
Have followed my fore conjecturings:  
What rise, and what fall, I have heeded:  
What mercies, and what judgements have succeeded  
Our various paths. It urgeth me to weigh,  
What may betid me, if I disobey  
The motions of my heart, and what event  
He may expect, who shall be negligent  
To do his duty, when his eye perceives  
What GOD intends; and, when his heart believes,  
He dreams not; but, is really required  
To act, according, as he is inspired:  
And, somewhat tells me, that, if after all  
These mercies, and remembrances, I fall  
From my resolves; GOD justly may expose,  
And leave me, to the malice of my foes.   

Lest, yet, my frailties, or self interest,  
Or carnal reasons, somewhat might suggest  
To blow all this away; it, comes sometimes,  
At midnight (as it did of late) and chimes  
Dreadful Alarms, which, do awaking keep  
Mine eyes, when other men are fast asleep:  
From darkness, then, it fresh advantage taking,  
(And from vain thoughts, which too oft keep me waking)  
Thus, it invades me; what is that, which thou  
Liest musing on, and ruminating now?  
Art thou contriving, how to lay foundations  
For thine own family, when Kings, and Nations,  
Are tumbling down? and, when impartial fates,  
Are overthrowing Monarchies, and States?  
Is this a time to settle, when there are  
Earthquakes, that shake the mountains, every where?  
Is this a time to plant, when thunder-strokes,  
Root up high Cedars, and break down strong Okes?  
Is this a time to purchase, when the trouble,  
And hazards, make the payments more than double?  
Or wheel thee (as by trial thou hast found)  
Into a fruitless and a tedious round?   

But, if a seasonable time, it be  
For others, can it so befall to thee,  
Whilst thou delayest his affairs, from whom,  
The means to make thy purchases, must come?  
When, GOD, to build thy house, hath now begun,  
Wiled then, to finish it to others run?  
As if, he, who from nothing, heretofore  
Thus far, hath brought thee, now, could do no more?  
Oh take good heed, what course, thou dost pursue,  
(And, what neglect) lest else, thy course, thou rue.   

God, hath already, made thee to possess  
The gates of those that were thine enemies:  
And by a means unlooked for, restored  
That, which was taken from thee by the Sword:  
Houses, by others built, to thee are granted,  
Orchards and Gardens, which thou hast not planted,  
He gives, in recompense for what was lost  
In public service; yea, without the cost  
Of this Republic; and, had more bestown  
e'er now, perhaps, if thou to do thine own  
Hadst not delayed his work, and, to thy hope  
For this (it may be) he will put a stop.   

Why, then, with frnitlesse muse, busied are  
Thy thoughts, on what, must be another's care?  
Deferring that, which thou art called unto,  
And seeking daily, somewhat else to do?  
Art thou afraid, lest thou thereby may'st lose  
Thy late recruits? or, reinrage thy foes?  
Or, mar thy quiet? cursed is that fear;  
And, thou too, if therein thou persevere:  
For, when a temp'r all blessing, makes us worse,  
It is a plague, beyond a tem'prall curse  
And, if thou take not heed will quite deprive thee  
Of that which Providence, did freely give thee.   

But, who are they? or, where inhabit those  
Who dare to take away, what, GOD, bestows  
If thou adhere to him? whom needest thou fear,  
If in thy duty, thou shalt persevere?  
Nay, rather, which of those, that seem to be  
Most dreadful, shall not be afraid of thee  
If he be guilty? and who (though on high  
He bears his head) shall not, in privacy,  
Think on thy lines, with trembling, when he hears  
What they declare, and what his conscience fears?   

If thou, said my good Angel, hast not, yet,  
Quite shaken off, thy fears, and fanting fit;  
Consider, wisely, of this Generation,  
In those things, which have thereto, nigh relation:  
Sum up together, that, which thou hast heeded  
In those thou fearest: mark, how they have proceeded;  
What, they have been; what, at this time, they are;  
What, they may be, before they are ware;  
What, they design, in what paths they are going;  
What, they have done; what, they are daily doing;  
What Labyrinths involve them; what, confusions  
Enclose them round, as also what conclusions  
Are following; and, then, thou wilt not fear  
Their power as foes, nor for their friendship care.   

If, still, some outward interest, be that  
Which thou desir'st to save; consider, what  
Thereto conduceth: for, sometimes, the thing  
We fear to lose, is kept by hazarding:  
And, lost in seeking to preserve the same,  
By other means, then that, through which it came.   

If, thou, permit the proud, without a check  
To follow their career, they'll break, their neck.  
And, with themselves (as our affairs, now stand)  
Endanger all the people of this Land.  
Where, then, wilt thou be safe? or, where wilt thou  
Enjoy with peace, what thou possessest now?  
But, if a word in season, thou shalt speak,  
Who knows, what instruments despised and weak  
May compass? and, who knows, but that, of them,  
Who, heretofore thy cautions did contemn.  
Some, touched may be, with sense of their condition,  
And, turn back, from the path-ways of Perdition?  
And, who knows not, that many may be found  
(Whose actions blameless are, whose faiths are sound)  
That, by these hints, may hart and courage take.  
Their Neighbours, from their dream, to awake?  
At least, therein thy duty having done,  
If any be secured, thou shalt be one.   

When these things were inspired, and duly weighed,  
My heart, which was a little while dismayed  
From prosecuting, what I had begun,  
Assumed new courage, and went boldly on:  
And, these expostulations, may perchance,  
Some others, to the like resolves advance  
On like occasions; unto which intent,  
These few short steps, beside my way I went:  
For I confess, my theme I following not,  
Have rambled out, as if I had forgot  
What I at first proposed; and instead  
Of Riddles, to plain language do proceed.  
But, I will wheel about, and with the rain  
Turn Pegasus, into his path again;  
Though, he, in his digressions (as we say  
Of Beggars) never is beside his way.   

Once on a time (thus did old tales begin,  
 I was born, or thought I should have been)  
A foolish people over much at ease,  
Their wantonness, and vanity to please,  
Among their may-games, brought home from the wood,  
Trees, which had else, till now, unheeded stood.  
Of these, they made, by hew, knocks, and smoothing,  
That, look like something, which resembled nothing.  
And, out of knotty, shapeless logs, did hue  
Some statues not uncomely to the view.  
These,  quite shaped, with some jeers, and mocks,  
They set up higher, upon other blocks.  
Then, them repolished, and painted so,  
That, of what stuff they were, few men could know.  
Beginning then, their own work, to admire,  
They raised them higher every day and higher,  
Till Idols they became; with whom, they grew  
At first, familiar, and did them bestrew  
With flowers and garlands: shortly after, they  
Bowed humbly down before them, every day;  
Till custom, had their judgement more befooled;  
But, than (when these, mishrined they did behold,  
Sparkling with Jewels, and with gold arrayed)  
They, of their own Creations, grew afraid.  
And, at the last, (as at the last, all do  
That whoring after their own fancies go;)  
These fools, repent of their superstition;  
Bewailed the slavery, of their condition;  
With some appearances, of an intent  
To grow more wise, as well as to repent:  
Yea, to blaspheme, their new made GOD'S they spared not,  
And, would have pulled them down again, but dared not.   

For, by their flattering attributes (long, given)  
They had advanced them, to a sphere, or heaven,  
Where, uncontrolled, a power they exercised  
According to their lust; and those despised  
Whose hands had made them, & whose breath had blown them  
Too high, for their ambitiousness, to own them.  
Yea, by their incantations, these, had brought  
Strong spirits, into what their hands had wrought;  
Enlivening, and enabling them unto  
Those actions, which their makers might undo.  
Yet, persevere, this blockish people will  
To make such idols, and advance them still;  
Till both they, and their idols are destroyed  
Unless the GOD of Gods, my fears makes void.  
For, most men being of a slavish mind,  
Are naturally to slavishness inclined:  
And to fulfil their brutish lust will fawn  
Upon a Dog, and lay their souls to pawn.  
Riddle this Riddle, if you can, and tell  
What People, this may be, and where they dwell:  
Which I believing you with ease may do,  
Will add this following Parable thereto.   

There was a time, when silly Bees could speak,  
(A people, of much industry, though weak)  
And, these, among themselves, made grievous moans,  
As being much oppressed, by their drones;  
Who (having made intrusions among those  
That had an  dispose  
Of their Republic) did in sundry wise,  
Encroachments make on their proprieties;  
And, greedily, unto themselves derive,  
The fatness, and the sweetness of the hive.   

Complaints in private, no redress obtaining,  
Increased to open, and avowed complaining:  
Which finding like successes, they begun  
To buzz, as when their swarming time, draws on:  
Then, to shut up their cells, to shake their wings,  
To leave their wont work, and show their stings.   

The Drones, at first, were startled much thereat;  
But, being not so wise, as they are fat;  
Neglected still, the course which might prevent  
The mischief then appearing imminent:  
Which, when I saw, I would no longer stay;  
But, said, GOD help them; and so come away.  
This Parable, if rightly moralised,  
Affords a meaning not to be despised.   

And so doth this which follows: as I went  
On Pilgrimage unto the Parliament,  
Dispersed in my way, I saw the cocks,  
(Which kept the hens, and capons from the fox)  
With broken wings, with backs, without a feather  
To hid their naked bodies, from the weather;  
With plumelesse tails, with scared necks and breasts;  
With empty bellies, and with combs, and crests,  
Cut quite away; and scraping with their feet  
On dunghills, for their food, and in the street,  
So despicably, that it could appear  
By nothing save their spurs, what once they were:  
And, Popinjays, and Parrots, clothed and fed,  
By what the valour of these purchased,  
(And, trimmed with ill got feathers) strutted by,  
Casting upon them a disdainful eye:  
Which when I saw, methought (I tell you true)  
It was no good presage; pray, what think you?   

News, if you look for, I but little know,  
Save, such as this next Parable doth show.  
A fair ship, now lies floating on the floods,  
Well filled with Passengers, well fraught with goods,  
Labouring to fix an Anchor on the strand  
Of her wished harbour, which lies near at hand.  
By many storms, much tackling, she hath spent;  
Her Masts are shatered; and her shrowds are rend:  
Her ammunition, and her stores are wasted,  
Her bread and bevorage is evil tasted:  
Her keel springs leaks, through her uncawked seams;  
Her knees are weakened, bruised are her beams:  
Her Pump is broke, no Cable sound hath she;  
And, Anchors have been slipped, till none there be:  
Her Helm hangs lose, her Cards have great defects;  
Her compass likewise often misdirects:  
And every where, she craziness doth feel,  
From Prow to Stern, from topmast, to the Keel.   

In this condition, too and fro she drives,  
And, on the waves, with much ado, yet lives:  
For, now of late again, the Seas go high;  
A stiff gale blows, and she exposed doth lie  
To many hazards, close without the Bar,  
Betwixt two Forelands', which in kening are:  
If she were fitted, forth again to stand  
To Seaward, Pirates threaten; if to Land  
She makes; the rocks lie scattered, here and there,  
In which, as great, or, greater dangers are:  
And, which is worse, they, who in her abide,  
Are mutinous; and, some what else beside:  
Some ignorant, some treacherous, and, some  
Ambitious, how, possessors to become  
Of what is other men's: yea, some of those  
Who, have this goodly ship at their dispose,  
Have in delays, their time, and stores, misspent,  
For private ends; or, for accomplishment  
Of worse designs: and, in this great distress,  
(In part through fear, in part through guiltiness)  
So much amuz'd, and so amuzed are,  
That, they are at a loss, what course to steer,  
Themselves to save; and compass their design;  
Without which, to no course, they will incline   

The Owners, and the Passengers, have waved  
No means, whereby this Vessel might be saved:  
For, to that purpose, they have not alone,  
Put hand, to all things needful to be done;  
And, faithfully, unto their labour stood;  
(Even with the frequent hazard of their blood)  
But also, willingly away have cast  
Their goods; yea, some have thrown forth to the last  
Of all their outward visible estates:  
Few of her Masters, or her Master's Mates,  
In her extremities, adventring aught;  
Although their Cabins, with rich goods are fraught.   

The danger still increaseth; and those few  
In place of trust, who to their trust are true,  
Perceiving all endeavours rendered vain  
By their decrease, to whom doth appertain  
That Vessels charge; they laboured seriously  
To find out an expediment, whereby  
Some other Pilots might be timely sent  
Their near approaching shipwreck, to prevent.  
And, that by making of their Canons roar,  
They might invite help, from the neighbouring shore.   

The motion pleased all, save such as had  
Self-ends to fear; and, these a faction made  
So strong against it; that, this Vessel, yet  
Hulls there, with many perils, round beset;  
Not knowing (without hazard) either how  
To ride safe, tack about, or venture through  
The narrow Channel; whose hide winding lies  
Obscured from their knowledge, and their eyes:  
And, one dark night, or, but one tempest more,  
Might wrack her on the sands, or on the shore.  
But, maugre all these hazards; she at last,  
In her wished barber, shall an anch or cast;  
For, to the Leeward, lies an unseen Bay,  
Where, through the soft Ouze, run aground she may  
Without a bruise; and, shall recruits take in,  
Even where 'twas feared, she should have split been.  
You therefore, who conceive your interest  
To be concerned by what is here expressed,  
Prize God alone, when fafe this Ship shall be,  
For none could have secured her, but he.   

And let not those, to whom the same relates  
'Slight what this Parable insinuates,  
Which next ensueth: for, it hath an use,  
That much to their advantage may conduce.  
A homebred Lion (of a hair unknown  
In Africa) by being overgrown,  
And dreadful to his Keepers, will thereby  
Awake the rage of smothered jealousy,  
And lose his tail; except between his paws,  
He couch his head, and hid his teeth and claws;  
Or Rampant grow; and what will follow then?  
Ask those you credit, they are Cunning men:  
Of me you ask in vain; for 'tis my fate,  
Seldom to be believed, till 'tis too late.  
But that stout Lion by his prudency  
May easily improve this jealousy,  
Both for the Public safety, and th' increase  
Of his own honour, also, if he please;  
And I do probably presume he will,  
If my well-wishes, have not fooled my skill.   

Before that time, they who have took delight  
In deeds of darkness, will put out the light  
By which the footsteps of their foes are known,  
And whereby they might see to guide their own:  
Instead whereof, perhaps erect they shall  
An ignis fatuus, which will hazard all.  
To each man then shall Providence dispose  
That, which for his chief happiness he chose:  
The dogs, who to their vomit do retire,  
And swine (who love to wallow in the mire)  
Themselves with their beloved fil●h shall fill;  
And they that are unclean, shall be so still.   

The wilful Adder, who doth stop his ears,  
And will not heed the Charmer whom he hears,  
Shall feel a voice within him, that will shake him  
Out of his dumps; and from his deafness wake him,  
When 'tis too late to hear what might prevent  
The dint of his forewarned detriment.  
The Leeches shall by salt a vomit take;  
Or else continue sucking, till they break.  
The Bubbles, who in emptiness do find  
Their pleasure, shall be puffed up with wind  
Till (being blown to nothing) there appear  
No signs, that in the world such bladders were.  
The sons of earth, who with the Gods make war,  
Shall heap up hills on hills, till crushed they are  
Even by their own Designs; the Dogs that prey  
Upon their Flocks, and tear their wool away,  
Shall bark no more, but only snarl and grin,  
And run about the fields without a skin.  
The shrubs and Briars, which more proud are grown,  
Then were the Cedars, lately broken down;  
Among their leaves and thorns, a fire do hid,  
Which on a sudden will consume their pride.   

The grubs and maggots, but  while so small,  
So poor and weak, that they could hardly crawl,  
Have got bulk, strength, new forms, aspiring wings;  
Yea dreadful teeth, and horns, and claws, and stings:  
But, by a storm, whereof they have no dread,  
They shall consume as fast as they were bred:   

Within the circuit of our Northern Clime  
Not long before, or after these, in time,  
Out of the putrified barbed steed,  
Shall generated be a numerous breed  
Of noisome hornets, which abroad will fly,  
Much mischief doing, and next winter die.   

Friends possibly may meet (our Proverb says)  
But mountains never; yet in these our days,  
That Proverb's crossed: for hills have often met,  
With purpose on each other to beget  
A longed for issue; and it is believed  
By many, that they somewhat have conceived  
Of great concernment: but you'll see the birth  
Prove nothing, but a moldring lump of earth;  
(As they themselves will be, till clay and dust,  
Seek better things, then to fulfil their lust:)  
For none can answer now our expectation,  
But that great hill, whence cometh our salvation.   

All this from objects which are found within  
Our British Orb, hath preconjectured been;  
But those that follow next, to me appear  
By things which I observe without our sphere.   

The blasted Orange, and the crooked Vine,  
With many trees on either side of Rhine  
Shall twist together, that beneath their shade,  
A shelter for the Thistle may be made,  
Till they perceive what curse is in pursuit  
Of that rejected plant, root, branch, and fruit;  
And then they'll wiser grow; lest they may become  
Exposed justly to the selfsame doom.   

Mean while, the tawny Olive shall assay  
His roots into those Valleys to convey,  
From whence it was displanted; and effect  
His purpose, by a Wile which few suspect;  
Except the Willow, and the Oak foresee  
What for their mutual good should thought on be:  
And both the frogs and mice, which are in fight,  
Be wary what is watched for by the Kite.  
By which means they shall break a grand design  
Which is on foot, their States to undermine;  
And they who of this Peace first movers are,  
Shall of that blessing reap the greatest share.   

Observe this well: if ever you shall see  
(As possibly it may permitted be)  
That from it height, the RED-CROSSE shall decline,  
The half moon for that time shall Northward shine,  
(With an ill influence upon the Seas)  
Beyond the Pillars of great Hercules,  
And Southward not be retrograde again,  
Till that a reascension shall attain.  
But losses are sometimes a gainful prize;  
By oversights, men grow to be more wise;  
And they who know not yet what may concern  
Their welfare, will perhaps more wisdom learn,  
When more experience makes their judgement stronger,  
By suffering loss and scorn a little longer.   

We, on this side the water, are not yet  
Confused enough that Order to beget,  
Which must estadlish us; and shall therefore  
Pursue self-interest, a little more.  
With new wine our old bottle must be filled,  
(Endangring wine and bottle to be spilled)  
Till such as are in power be pleased to hear  
The counsel of a slighted engineer:  
With new cloth our old garment patched must be,  
(Whereby the rents made wider ye shall see)  
Till every old rag be worn out, and then  
The Robe so rend, shall be renewed again:  
And they that own it, be secured more,  
And much more dignified, then heretofore;  
If they who must complete it make their choice.  
By lot divine, as well as humane voice:  
Whereto self-seekers never will agree,  
Until enforced by some straits it be.   

But when this comes to pass, there shall appear  
A new light shining in our hemisphere,  
That will disperse the clouds and fogs, which make  
So many cross each other, and mistake  
The way of safety; then we shall perceive  
Our Opposites desire to interweave  
Their interests with ours; and to have share  
In that which God will for these Isles prepare:  
Wherein if we accord, we shall possess  
Each other, and the world in Christian peace;  
Till he approacheth to ascend the Throne,  
Who must unite all Nations into one.   

Then shall the blazing Comets, which have seemed  
Fixed stars, and been by many so esteemed,  
(Even of the greatest magnitude) down from  
Their heights be thrown; and more despised become  
Then Glow-worms, or those rotten chips, that glare  
In darkness, as if real lights they were:  
Then every single person shall be brought  
Unto his Test; and that which he hath wrought  
Shall pass a fiery Trial, such as were  
Made fat with public spoils; and clothed are  
By ruining of others; will that day  
Be hungry, poor, and naked sent away,  
And rendered the scorn of every one,  
Whom they oppressed, despised, and trampled on.   

Then they, who large indulgences contrive  
For others, that themselves they may forgive;  
Who cunning are, at fast and lose to play;  
Who take to morrow, what they give to day;  
Who make their seeming favours, means unto  
Those mischiefs, which their malice could not do.  
Who Spider-like, wove cobwebs, with pretence  
To catch the noisome flies which give offence.  
When none but harmless Bees their engines take,  
For, through them wasps and hornets passage make.  
They, who do sacrifice unto the dead  
That wherewithal the living should be fed;  
Even when they (wanting what should life preserve)  
Lie naked, harbourless, and like to starve.  
And then such as innocents' cause betray,  
And justify the wicked, then shall they  
Who add more grease to fatness; and where's none  
Scraped off, the flesh that's left unto the bone.  
Then shall all these, and such like, to their doom  
With fear, with trembling, and amazement come,  
And undergo deserved punishment,  
Unless beforehand timely they repent:  
In which condition they may yet receive  
Remission, and in future safety live.   

Then also they, who now are forced to take  
The juiceless apples of Asphaltis' Lake,  
(Instead of that which was the price of blood,  
Limbs liberty, and of their livelihood)  
Shall better be rewarded; and confess  
There is a GOD that loveth righteousness.  
Then they who have received stones for bread,  
(Scorpions for fish) shall with good things be fed.  
Then they, who served like Tantalus have been  
(With fruits and waters, which their lips and chin  
Have often touched in vain) shall that enjoy,  
For which they fruitless labours now employ:  
Yea, they who got but gall and vinegar,  
When in their greatest Agonies they were,  
Shall see what Sampsons' Riddle hath employed,  
On them, and their oppressors verified:  
Out of their eaters carcases, will meat  
Extracted be; and sweetness they shall get  
Out of the bones and ruins of the strong,  
By whom they formerly received wrong.   

Then ravenous Wolves, shall Lambs and Kidling feed,  
The thistly field shall bring forth precious seed:  
The Crocodile shall tears of kindness weep;  
The Ramping Lion to the cross shall creep:  
And such things as were noisome heretofore,  
Shall make our future benefit the more.   

Then, from the buried Ox, will forth arise,  
A swarm of thrifty honey making flies,  
That shall with sweetness, and with plenty store  
These Lands, from the midland, to the shore;  
And, spread their floating hives o'er all the Seas,  
'Twixt both the Tropics, to th' Antipodes,  
(And all without) that blessings which now are  
Somewhere enjoyed, may then be every where;  
To make preparatives for that which brings  
Into one body, all dispersed things.   

Other events, that seem of consequence,  
I do foresee approachings, not far hence:  
But so obscurely, that I cannot say  
(Without some doubtings) whereto tend they may  
For, far beyond my apprehension lies  
The chain of those concealed contingencies  
Which draw on future things: and that frail glass  
Through which the light, disclosing them, must pass,  
Is so defective, that it may perchance  
Misrepresent them in some circumstance.   

Yet by th' enlightenings, which the sacred Writ  
On sanctified reason doth beget,  
If we will weigh, consider, and compare  
Those WORDS and works, which past and present are,  
To GOD and men relating; we of some  
Things future, may aright informed become.  
Yea, out of question, by these are foreshown  
To all intents, as much as need be known,  
Relating either to our private fates,  
Or unto Kingdoms, Commonwealths, and States:  
If thereto, for the right end, men apply  
Their sense in faith, and with humility.   

To find what sense my Parables contain,  
No man that's wise, shall need his wits to strain;  
For e'er three years, are three months past the middle  
Most men the meaning of them will unriddle,  
Without an Oedipus; and think that he  
Who made them, had Cassandra's destiny.  
But these mere trifles are, respecting that  
Of whose approach I tidings can relate:  
For long it shall not be,  that be done  
Which will cut off all tyrannies in one:  
Yea that which many thousands have expected,  
Hundreds of years, shall fully be effected,  
Before the Wheel of Time, now rolling by  
Hath past M. D. C. L. X. V and I.  
Which numbers how to calculate aright,  
From this that follows take a little light.  
First, to begin it, you must learn to find  
What year the Roman Empire first declined,  
All whose Characters, used in numeration,  
Thus placed, according to their valuation,  
Explain a mystery: for of that State  
Whereto they did belong, they showed the date:  
And at that season 'twill completed be,  
In which Rome looks for her next JUBILEE.   

My Riddling fit now leaves me for a time;  
And here I'll put a period to my Rhyme.  
My inward perturbations are passed over,  
My brains begin, by settling, to recover  
Those wits, whereby I may, like other men,  
Converse; and follow my affairs again.  
My night adventures I have passed thorough,  
And they who meet me in the streets to morrow  
Will searce believe how mad I was this night,  
Until they shall peruse what I now write;  
And most of them, will then, (it may be) deem,  
That others are more mad, than I yet seem.    

The Perpetual PARLIAMENT. BEING The Result of a Contemplative Vision, revealing a probable means of making this Parliament to be both perpetual, and acceptable to these Nations, if they so please.  
A Paradox, though this appear to some, Consider it, lest else, a mischief come.  

IS that designed? then it is time to vary  
My Thames', lest, on a sudden, all miscarry.  
Riddles adien, let clouds away be blown,  
And my Dark Lantern, quite aside be thrown;  
That e'er it be too late, I down may charm  
The Spirits conjured up, to do us harm:  
For in my contemplations I have had  
A Vision, which hath some discov'rie; made,  
And in a plain song I intent to sing,  
How we may concord, out of discords bring,  
Order out of confusions, and restore  
That Peace, whose late infringements we deplore;  
Where, to begin the work; how to proceed,  
That which is yet but words, may be a deed,  
And to declare our means of settlement,  
to be an everlasting Parliament.   

It may appear, (and will be thought perchance)  
At least much rashness, if not arrogance,  
That I adventure to employ my pen  
Upon a subject, which more able men  
Have hitherto declined, and which of late,  
Hath ground administered of much debate,  
(And much dispute) to Counsels of renown,  
Without a full resolve, as yet made known:  
But these are blasts, whereof small heed I take  
For chaff and feathers only, they can shake;  
And he that all things hath at his dispose,  
Is pleased some expedients to disclose  
To poor and simple persons, now and then,  
Which he conceals from wise, and noble men:  
He, sometimes calls men from within the grates,  
To Counsel grave, and mighty Potentates;  
And they in meekness have embraced the same  
Without a jealousy of any shame  
Which might thereby reflect disparagements  
Upon their wisdom, from those instruments.   

Nor is there any cause, why such as are  
Made instrumental, those things to declare  
Which may be serviceable, should therefore  
Esteem their wisdom, or themselves the more;  
Since they have nothing, but what they receive,  
And are but earthen pipes, to help derive  
To others, what into themselves they take,  
Not so much for their own, as others sake.  
And if assume aught to myself I would,  
I nothing know, that arrogate I could  
By what shall be proposed, more than they,  
Who have not to this end a word to say,  
If they desire to serve you; when they shall  
Meet such occasions, as I met withal.   

For, as when two great Armies, long engaged,  
Having each others fury so enraged,  
That over all the fields there are bespread,  
Disorders raised out of despair and dread;  
Such renovations on the hills and valleys,  
Of charges and retreats; of routs and rallies,  
So loud a noise of drums, and guns, and eries;  
Such clouds of smoke and dust to blind their eyes;  
Such stops by them that slain and wounded ,  
Such througs and tumults among those that fly,  
And, such confusions, that the Chief Commanders  
Know not what course to take; if then, bystanders,  
Upon a neighbouring hill, shall thence discern  
Where some advantage lies, which may concern  
Their friends engaged; and from among them one  
Shall (venturing down) inform them what is done;  
Where their foes weakness lies; and how they may  
Rally their broken troops, and win the day,  
What great thing hath he done, whereof to boast?  
Or what dishonour hath that Army lost,  
By his officiousness? or what's his gains  
But knocks perhaps, or wound for his pains;  
From those, it may be, of his Party too,  
Who know not what he thither came to do.   

This is my case; who for such services,  
(And such adventures heretofore as these)  
Have gained so little, that none needs envy  
The profit which I have received thereby;  
Or, those advantages I might expect,  
If that which I propose should take affect;  
Considering, how many still there be,  
To make my best deeds mischievous to me.   

But, whatsoever shall thereon succeed  
With what is now intended, I'll proceed,  
As my peculiar work; and to be done  
By no man, if I let the same alone.  
For, (as it by my Journal Books appears)  
Somewhat above the term of forty years  
I have been on the hills of contemplation,  
A voluntary Watchman for this Nation.  
I, oft, when none to second me I knew.  
In times of greatest danger stood perdue.  
I oft was prisoner took, and did enlarge  
Myself, at all times, at my proper charge.  
I, more than once, to scape my Foes made shift,  
With nothing, but my life, and raiment left;  
And have persuaded been (even ever since  
I reached the years of ripe intelligence)  
That (next unto his service) GOD, in chief,  
Gave me my being, faculties and life,  
To serve my Country, and to have an eye  
On those who hindered her prosperity;  
And, to employ my studies and my wit,  
In searching out what might advantage it,  
Though no man should regard it; yea, though still  
I injuries received for my good will:  
And this hath oft produced such fruits as these,  
Judge me, or use me for it as they please;  
I shall, at last, be paid for all I do:  
And, so shall they, who dare oppose it too.   

Having thus prefaced, to anticipate  
Miscensures, I, my Visions thus relate.  
When with sad thoughts I many nights and days,  
Had overlooked my one, and others ways,  
Considering seriously, both what they were  
And in what posture, our affairs now are;  
I saw so much confusion, and disorder,  
The Chaos daily, so much widing further  
By new confusions, and so few, that see  
Or credit, in what hazards we now be,  
That in these overwhelmings I almost  
Was swallowed up, in danger to be lost:  
And doubtless in those whirlpools lost had been,  
But that the clew, by which I ventured in,  
Did bring me forth, and set me on a Station  
Where I might view them, without perturbation;  
With safety too, and with so true a light  
That, thereby plainly, I discover might  
From whence this Chaos springs; and by what course  
We might (if possible) drink up the source,  
Or make some such diversion, as would win  
An entrance, where good order might begin.   

As I stood musing, how this could be done,  
A voice within me said; this works for none  
But him to do, who first did out of nought  
Bring something; and from something, all things brought.  
Then said my heart, LORD, though this work, to thee  
Belongs alone, yet instruments there be,  
By which thou workest all things here below;  
Some instrumental means, now therefore show,  
Whereby this may be done; and, then alone  
Shalt reap that honour which infues thereon.   

Instead of vocal answer hereunto,  
A firm persuasion, that it should be so  
Possessed my soul; and that he whosoever  
Would faithfully and seriously endeavour  
A restauration, either should acquire  
The full accomplishment of his desire;  
Or so much toward it, as might at least  
Secure him in his noble interest.  
Herewith well satisfied, aside I threw  
My own affairs, and privately withdrew  
Into myself, in season to begin  
That undertaking which I now am in;  
And whereto you, by these long lanes are led,  
To signify that I've considered  
The Propositions, which to light I bring,  
With good precautions, and examining.   

One afternoon, as on my couch I lay,  
About the evening twilight of the day,  
My contemplation introduced there,  
A mask, that might beseem a theatre;  
And many grave spectators: for thereby  
Was represented our late tragedy  
From that time, when the Prologue did begin,  
Even to the very act, we now are in;  
With each material circumstance, which might,  
Be usefully presented to my sight,  
Pertaining to this Nation, and to those  
Who are, or have been, thereto friends or foes.   

It likewise drew a map before mine eyes,  
Of all our past, and present miseries,  
With those distractions, and those contradictions.  
Which do prolong or multiply afflictions:  
As also of each actor and his actions  
Confusedly wrapped up with their transactions,  
As they to me, and other men appear,  
When we do look upon them in our fear;  
Or as they passed by us day by day,  
Whilst we among the same confusions lay.   

This mummery withdrew: and then me thought,  
It back again, each part and actor brought,  
Distinctly represented, so that I  
Might perfectly discern with reason's eye,  
What in themselves they were; and that we had  
Of many things a wrong conjecture made.  
That some, which to our practice were commended,  
Have to our shame, and our destruction tended:  
That others, which we judged might destroy  
Our interest; produced what we enjoy.  
That wicked projects, other while brought forth  
As good effects, as those of real worth,  
(Though not without a woe, to them, by whom  
Offences, and prevarications come)  
That some, which good appeared, were nothing so,  
That, others, making but an evil show,  
Were (if considered simply) very good,  
Or, better than they seemed, if understood  
According to the time, and present state  
Of these affairs, whereto they did relate.   

A Curtain than was drawn aside, that showed  
A Table, whereon portraited I viewed  
A Directory, teaching me the use  
Of all that I had seen, with their produce:  
Which could my memory, have brought away,  
Had done this work (which I intent to day)  
Much better, than this picking out again,  
What their impression left upon my brain.   

A thousand several things (some, neither fit  
For my expression, nor in season, yet  
To be divulged) were brought as in procession  
Before me, in an orderly progression.  
Sometimes confusedly, there passed by  
Strange Apparitions, which away did fly,  
 I could well disern them; or my thought  
Take notice, to what purpose they were brought.  
Sometimes bright shinings from a light I had,  
Which cheered my heart, and made my spirit glad.  
Another while, a darkness me surrounded,  
Which, all my notions, for a time, confounded,  
And sadned so my spirit by privations,  
That I well near lost all those observations  
Which I had made sometimes appeared to me  
Such things, as in our Antimasks we see  
Ridiculous, and worthy laughing at;  
Sometimes things terrible, and after that  
Appearances, which promised to some,  
Much comfort, peace, and happiness to come;  
And so the Vision vanished, and the day  
By that time to the night had given way.   

But by what represented thus hath been,  
By well considering what I have seen;  
(By spelling out, what every character  
Held forth, and what things evidenced were  
By readring all together) found hath been  
Where that great work must first of all begin,  
Which may make up our breaches, when thereto  
Ourselves we settle, as we ought to do.  
In brief, I saw, that in the settlement  
And constitution of this Parliament  
Upon a just foundation laid with speed,  
A course of restauration might succeed;  
And draw on by degrees, a means to bring  
Into right order, every other thing  
Conducing to our Weal; and if we take  
That way whereof proposal I shall make,  
I dare adventure, if it do not thrive,  
To lose my head, or be interred alive.   

I have attained assurance (and without  
So much as any shadow of a doubt  
That by this Parliaments misconstitution  
We are uncapable of that fruition  
Which we expect; that for the most part thence  
Proceed the causes of our indigence  
And miseries; and that 'tis natheless  
The chief, or sole means left of our redress.  
Even this in being now, this which men seek  
To bring into contempt, and to dislike.  
This, which they (justly too, in some respect)  
Have laboured to make of no effect,  
And to annihilate, as if thereby  
(And thereby only) they should perfectly  
Enjoy their full desires, and be secured  
From all the troubles hitherto endured.  
Even by this Parliament, God will effect  
That future settlement which we expect,  
If we too long delay not the pursuit  
Of an impartial rativall recruit.   

For though the body of it being made  
Of many members, hath among them had  
(And hath yet) overmany so corrupted  
That they have not alone much interrupted:  
The activeness of those that have been sound,  
But are oft likely also to confound  
The whole at once, by seeking how to please  
Their lusts, or friends, or how themselves to ease:  
Yet by their faithfulness, who have been true  
Unto their trust, and active to pursue  
The public interest, redeemed we are  
From that captivity in which we were;  
And many things enjoy of him esteem  
(Though by some wants, enjoyments less do seem)  
Whereof we had e'er this been quite despoiled,  
If they in their endeavours had been foired.  
It therefore were an Act of Tyranny,  
(Of high injustice, and of cruelty)  
To wrap up these, with those that have misdone,  
Because some fail, to have respect to none;  
But cast off all at once, and from us thrust  
With men unrighteous, those that have been just.   

For if we weigh things well, it is their praise,  
That they have marched through uneven ways,  
(Oft, ill accommodated) and have long  
Opposed without weariness, a strong  
And cunning enemy; that they have been  
Assailed by some without, and stobed within  
By bosom foes; that they were lamed too,  
In their own limbs, yet forward still did go  
With perseverance: and that also they  
Stand for us in the gap, even to this day;  
It is their glory, rather than their blot,  
Though their good purpose they accomplish not.   

It is from these that we denominate  
This Parliament; in them is lodged the fate  
Of this Republic; yea, what e'er it seem,  
This, as I said, is that which must redeem  
Our late lost honour; and if e'er this shall  
Dissolved be, down all our Structures fall,  
Not to be raised, without the cost of more  
Than hath been spent upon it heretofore.   

For what should keep it up? can wise men think,  
They shall uphold it, that it may not sink,  
Whom these depute? who while they do subsist,  
Preserve, with much care, their own interest?  
Can any of us, reasonably believe  
The power which to their Substitutes these give,  
When they themselves are outed, shall be able  
To keep up strongly, that which is unstable,  
Until a Phoenix, yet unhatched arise  
Out of their ashes, with renewed supplies?  
When, having far less power, and less esteem,  
(As being an extraction out of them  
Who are prejudicated) they shall contend  
With those immergencies, that may ascend?   

But, grant it possible, what way shall we  
Contrive, whereby this power dissolved may be  
Without a force, that may endanger more  
Our safety, than it hath done heretofore?  
(Since by a Law, it was perpetuated  
Which is not rashly to be abrogated;  
And which without enforcement, can by none  
Repealed be, save by itself alone?)  
It were not rational we should petition  
That they now sitting (weighing their condition)  
Dissolve it should, till they can be assured,  
How they may for the future be secured,  
For giving their entrusted power away,  
To those they know not; or, to such as may,  
Ruin both them, and those too, for whose sake,  
They served, that reasonless resolve to make;  
Yea, should they leave to such uncertainties,  
(And, to such hazards, as might thence arise)  
This Commonwealth, it were an Act unjust,  
And, an unanswerable breach of trust.   

This Parliament, though (by and for our sin)  
Her vigorous actings have delayed been,  
Through those obstructions, which it long hath had,  
And, is by many foul bespattering made  
Unacceptable; though, that it should reign  
O'er them, the sons of Belial, do disdain:  
Although, some also (without cause) have thought  
That, to defame it, I myself, have sought  
(Because thereto misunderstandingly,  
They such invectives, and reproofs apply,  
As were intended only against those,  
Who seeming to be friends, were secret foes.)  
Yet since it first begun (even all along)  
I have perceived what works thereto belong,  
And ever had a care how to prevent  
Their scandal, by a plain distinguishment  
Of Doves from Crows, and of men's private factions,  
From public, and authorized transactions.   

For as that man, who can nor hear, nor see,  
And half whose limbs, corrupt and rotten be,  
May possibly be all the means reserved,  
By which a noble house may be preserved  
From extirpation; so, how bad soe'er  
This Parliament may be, (or may appear)  
I am assured, by many a circumstance,  
It is that means by which GOD will advance  
This Commonwealth, unto that settlement,  
Which may accursed Anarchy prevent,  
If those conditions be not long neglected,  
Whereby our happiness may be effected.   

As heretofore, when Sarah was bereaved  
Of that which gave her hope to have conceived,  
She, natheless, obtained a lovely son,  
In whom a numerous Offspring was begun:  
And whence did spring that light, and that salvation,  
Which is the happiness of every Nation;  
Even so, when we had wanted many a year,  
The likely Symptoms of enjoying here,  
Another Parliament; yea when a stop  
Was raised and proclaimed, against the hope  
Of such a mercy, when nought did appear  
But that whereby despairs increased were:  
When Tympanies had swollen our Sarahs' womb,  
And made it rather seem to be the Tomb  
Of dead things only, then to quicken aught,  
Which for our comfort could from thence be brought;  
Lo, then, (and not before) it did conceive  
A son of Consolation, to revive  
Our drooping hearts; and which, if faithlesness  
Deprive us not of what we may possess,  
Will free us from all tyrants, and restore  
Those rights which they usurped heretofore:  
And not restore our liberties alone,  
But propagate the blessing here begun,  
Throughout the world, until all other Nations  
Are freed from their Oppressor's usurpations.   

Before the sons of Jacob entrance found  
Into their promised Land, they had a round,  
Or Progress to fulfil, and many years  
They in the Deserts were Probationers,  
By several hardships, thereby to improve  
The seeds of faith, new sown at their remove  
From Egypt; and by signs and wonders shown)  
To make unto themselves their frailty known.  
But they at each restraining of their lust,  
Broke forth into repine and distrust;  
Yea into flat rebellions, into rearing  
Of Idols (when his Law GOD was preparing)  
Into a wicked causeless murmuring  
Against the means of their delivering  
From Egypt's trial; and into wishes vain  
That they might thither back return again.  
For which of many hundred thousands none  
Enjoyed the promised rest, but two alone.   

And we are just like them; yea, we have done  
Since God, to bring us from our thrall begun,  
The very same things in the wilderness  
Of our Probation; and our carcases  
Shall there be left, unless we do betimes  
Make an attunement, for our passed crimes;  
And with unfainedness that course pursue  
Which leads unto the rest, that is in view.  
So shall our Leaders, likewise, who comply  
With such transgressers, and unsanctify  
Their power: so shall, moreover, those  
Who with our Dathans, and abiram's close  
In their conspiracies, and quite from all  
Their likely hopes, and present glory fall.  
For on conditions, (as King John had  
His Throne) the people's heads, they have been made,  
And if they shall from those conditions swerve,  
They must expect the portion they deserve.   

Let them endeavour, therefore, how they may  
Remove that fear and jealousy away  
Which doth possess the people, and withdraws  
Their good affections, with apparent cause:  
Let those, (even those, who have among the rest,  
Been least to blame, and have deserved best)  
Consider, that by such as careless are  
Of those great burdens, which they seem to bear,  
The weight increaseth, and, that they so fast  
Decrease, on whom their weightiness is cast,  
As will e'er long o'er whelm them, if with speed,  
They do not to some remedy proceed.   

Let them take notice, that the people rage  
At their delays, as likely to engage  
In some disorderly resolve, unless  
They see that followed with more seriousness  
Which they desire; either a parliament  
New made, or somewhat that's equivalent:  
For thereby, they conceive, (and that thereby  
Alone) their sufferings may have remedy.  
And somewhat to that end (although not so  
As most would have it) may be sit to do.  
Yea, if I have not misadvised been,  
Our cure must with the Parliament begin.  
Assist ye therefore, to promote the same,  
Lest ye partake with sinners in their shame.   

There is a course, whereby without disgrace,  
Or danger, you may bring that work to pass,  
And free yourselves from that great cost and pain,  
Which without thanks, or profit you sustain;  
Afflicting others too, by those confusions  
Which are increased by your irresolutions.  
Until a better, therefore shall appear,  
Be pleased that expediment to hear,  
And, if of those preventions, or that good,  
It promiseth, you find a likelihood,  
Take heed, that no self-interest, divert  
That Approbation, whereunto your heart  
Inclineth you; for God will find it out,  
And cross the counter-work you go about.   

In England, and in Wales, there is a Shire,  
For every week that's numbered in the year.  
By twelve, according to the months divide  
The Counties, with their persons qualified  
For Knights and Burgesses, proportioning  
As near as may be, to an equalling  
The number of the whole, so, or so many  
Unto each month, without omitting any.  
Ascertain then, the month and day, wherein  
Each twelfth part an election shall begin;  
(The middle of the week, appearing best  
As being furthest from the day of rest)  
On each first Wednesday, of each month, let those  
By whom their Deputies are to be chose,  
Respectively convene in every Shire,  
Upon that month, and Wednesday every year,  
Which is to them assigned; and having chosen,  
(At month's end) let each twelfth part, of the dozen,  
Send up their chosen men, to represent  
Their Shires and Boroughs in the Parliament:  
And on that very day, in which they come,  
Let all their Predecessors give them room.   

Thus one month some; and month by month for ever,  
Let each twelfth part, still orderly persever  
To take a turn, till every share hath had  
A month in every year; and having made  
Their choice, let them still enter and withdraw  
Successively, by a perpetual Law,  
No man a place of trust, supplying there,  
At one election, longer than one year.   

Thus, as the Thames, doth still continue one,  
And is the selfsame river, though there run  
A new supply of waters every day  
Along the channel, so continue may  
This Parliament, by annual supply,  
To be the selfsame everlastingly,  
With very little charge or molestation  
To those who choose, or represent the Nation.  
Thus may this Parliament, be both together  
Successive, and perpetual; yet neither  
Enjoying such a perpetuity  
As can occasion future tyranny,  
Or present grievances; not that succession,  
Which may bring danger by an intermission:  
But make that constitution, which will add  
All power, which may from both of them be had,  
Either to compass, what good men affect;  
Or to prevent the mischiefs they suspect,   

What I intent may plainly be conceived;  
And to that end, some things may be contrived  
Much better, if your wisdom shall refine  
The rudeness of my proffered design;  
And by authority, some rules provide  
Whereby th' elected may be qualified;  
And their Electors too; for 'twere unjust,  
In things of this concernment, those to trust  
Who have disturbed our Peace, until a time  
For their Probation be allotted them:  
And till they likewise, by some good desert,  
Make manifest a reconciled heart,  
Atested, and approved by those Judges,  
Who shall suspend their former privileges.   

And since, even they who are the best affected  
To Public welfare, often have elected  
Such as deceive their hopes; since there's no eye  
But GOD'S, that sees the heart's hypocrisic:  
Since it appeareth in the best Record,  
(Even in the volumes of the sacred Word)  
That lots were needful in the choice of those,  
On whom they did a Supreme Trust impose:  
Yea, since, even when the purest Congregation,  
In all the world, had with deliberation,  
(And from among the most approved men,  
Which to their knowledge lived among them then)  
Elected two; a lot was also cast,  
That GOD'S Election might on theirs be placed,  
To send forth him, who was to be employed  
In executing of the place then void:  
Since also GOD'S Election, joined with our,  
May peradventure on the Elected pour  
New gifts; since we by doubtless warranty  
May with that ancient Precedent comply:  
Since it will probably give good content  
To prudent men, and may oft times prevent  
The choice of those, whom for sinister ends,  
A numerous corrupted Party sends:  
Why may not? nay, why should not two be chose  
For every place that's void, and one of those  
Be sent by lot? that GOD may have a voice,  
And join with men in making up their choice?  
Since they, who must this Nation represent  
Are GOD'S Vicegerents in the Government,  
As well as our trusties? who would not more  
Conside in such a choice, then heretofore  
They did in others? or, than they will do  
In them, who shall not now be chosen so?   

Why was it not? why should it not be thus,  
If this the Kingdom be of GOD WITH US?  
But that self-seekers find, were this admitted,  
They by reputed fools, should be out-witted?  
And get no Jnlet, others to devour  
Hereafter, by an evil gotten power?  
Yea, wherefore hath the lot been from among  
All our Elections kept away so long,  
But that Usurpers, and Intruders know  
It would their Kingdoms wholly overthrow;  
Make them afraid, that CHRIST would reign indeed  
Among us, (as they sometimes hear and read)  
And that they should hereafter never come  
To revel (as they have done) in his room:  
Nor will they, doubtless, if this take effect,  
Except it be our failings to correct;  
When GOD shall by permission for our sin,  
Reject the lot, and let a Knave come in.   

If therefore some Prevision might be made,  
That we should lots to our Elections add,  
A great security would thence redound,  
And much contentment therein might be found.  
Moreover, as an out-work pertinent  
Remisseness in Electers to prevent,  
(Upon whose due performance much depends,  
Which to the public woe, or welfare tends)  
It were not labour lost, if whensoe'er  
To execute that duty we appear,  
Some short speech might be made, or cautions read,  
Whereby it should be offered to our heed,  
How much it will concern us, to take care  
What choice we make, and what the danger; are  
Which may ensue; lest for sinister ends,  
(For fear of great men, or to please our friends)  
We may displace our trust, and cast away  
Ourselves, and all, for ever, in one day.   

To which intent, our Orator should show  
What trust it is, which we that day bestow:  
What benefits may generally arise  
By choosing men courageous, honest, wise,  
And fearing GOD; what perils will ensue  
(Which by forepast examples he may show)  
If cowards, fools, ungodly men, and vicious,  
Or to the present Government pernicious  
Elected be; he likewise may declare  
How qualified such persons should appear,  
And warn them, that they never do unhallow  
Their choice, with any such as these that follow.   

Men over-talkative, and loving much  
To hear themselves speak; for not many such  
Can keep or give good counsel; and they'll prate  
Much precious time away, in vain debate.  
Your common Gamesters: for, they are unjust  
Unto themselves, and them we should not trust  
With other men's estates, who have been known  
To lose, or hazard, desperately their own.  
Men to their pleasure overmuch addicted,  
For Public works, will be by these neglected.  
Such as apparently are Avaricious,  
Or of Promotion greedily ambitions:  
For if their ends thereby acquire they may,  
These may be hired, their Country to betray.  
Such as indulge their lust, and famed are  
Ju their uncleannesses to persevere;  
For they will leave their Charge, to please their whore,  
And shame their fellows, if they do no more.   

Of irreligious persons make no choice,  
For these will very seldom give their Voice,  
But in the Negative, to any motion.  
That may be for advancement of Devotion.  
Choose none who are defamed in any kind,  
As being vicious; for these means will find  
To hinder all enactings, which restrain  
Ill manners; or to sober life pertain.  
Elect not children: for it is unfit  
That in our Supreme Counsel they should sit,  
To Vote in Grand Affairs, whom Law restrains  
From managing, what to themselves pertains.  
Choose none, who are observed to withhold,  
Their long due debts, when they discharge them could;  
Or outlawed persons; for, unfit are they  
To make our Laws, who will not Laws obey.  
Choose none, who shall solicit, or propose  
That they for your Law makers may be chose;  
(And their Electors, by the old abuse,  
Of feasting, wine, and banquet seduce:)  
For they, who shall uncalled, themselves advance  
To that great work, have much more arrogance  
Then worth; and it is also ten to one,  
They for themselves, have something to be done.   

And lastly, take good heed, that none get in  
By your Elections, who have active been  
Against this State, till you, of them have had  
Good proof, whereby secure you may be made:  
For he that hath into subjection brought,  
A Thief, who on the way, to rob him sought,  
And strait way trusts him, with his sword and horse,  
Takes not a very safe, or prudent course.   

This being done, (as in preceding ages)  
Let those who are Elected have their wages  
Well paid, and rendered proportionable  
To what the times require, to make them able  
To serve their Country in the Parliament  
Without their private cost or detriment:  
For both our Laws, and equity requires,  
That Labourers should be allowed their hires:  
Yea, 'tis a kind of bribery, in those  
Who offer, without wages to be chose;  
And Boroughs, which unable seem to bear  
That charge, not worth the representing are.  
Beside, their choice, is (for the most part) made  
By some Malignant Stewards; or, o'er awed  
By misaffected Landlords, to the wrong  
Of what to them, with others doth belong:  
And their objections are but cavillings,  
Who shall allege, that these est ablishing  
Infringe their Ancient Right: for, be it known,  
The Commonwealth no privilege can own  
Destructive to it self: much rather, we,  
Who now, by Conquest, teinvested be  
With what was lost, are bound to settle it,  
Not as our foes wish, but as may befit  
The present, and the future preservation  
Of safety, peace, and freedom to this Nation.   

Moreover, as upon the House of Peers,  
It was the custom, in preceding years,  
That there the Sages of the Law, attended;  
To whose debate such points were recommended,  
As to the Law related; so, let some  
Selected be, and summoned to come  
To whom each matter questioned relates,  
To be advised withal, in their debates,  
As needful it shall seem; whether the cause  
In controversy shall concern the Laws,  
War, Merchandise, or whatsoever may  
Require their best experience on the day  
Thereto assigned: that every work begun  
May by it proper instrument be done.  
Which will prevent much doing, and undoing,  
And make now comers, in short time, as knowing,  
As they that have sat long, and finish more  
In three weeks, then in three months heretofore.   

These outworks, will much strengthen, and secure  
The works within: yet that they may endure  
All sieges, undermine, and scaladoes,  
Batteries, assaults, and stormings, with Granades,  
By foes without, and treacheries within,  
To build a Citadel, let us begin  
Upon some Fundamentals; and provide  
They may for ever, unrepeal'd abide.   

Let it inviolably be decreed,  
That Cities, Shires, and Boroughs do proceed  
Once every year, upon the time assigned,  
(On penalty of being deeply fined)  
To make Elections; that we never may  
For time to come, be headless for one day.   

Let it be overlasting banishment  
To him, who shall to change this Government  
From being a Republic, motion make:  
And to act further if he undertake,  
Let it be death, with total confiscation  
Of his estate, without commiseration;  
Unless the great Disposer of all things,  
(Who, as he lists, sets up and pulls down Kings)  
Shall thereto by a conquering power compel;  
And, not to do it then, were to rebel.   

Whoever with the public Treasury  
Shall stand entrusted; and doth knowingly  
Defraud the Commonwealth; or shall purloin,  
(Whether it be in goods, or ready Coin)  
The worth of twenty ounces in pure plate,  
Let it be loss of life, and of estate.   

Whoever this Republic shall betray  
Maliciously, or for advance or pay,  
Resign his Trust; or cowardly give up  
What he had means to keep, or likely hope;  
Let it (when proved) be death without reprieving,  
Or any hope of temporal forgiving.   

Whoever shall from any foreign State,  
Or Prince, take pension; or negotiate  
With them, or with their Agents, when they are  
With us in Treaties, or in open war,  
In State affairs, unless the State gives leave;  
Let him, without a pardon, death receive.   

Above a month together suffer none  
To sit hereafter in the Speakers throne,  
On some great penalty: Because thereby  
Both public wrongs, and private injuries  
May be occasioned. Impose the like  
On him that shall absent himself one week  
From Parliament, without a good cause shown;  
Or, that without leave shall departed the Town.  
Let some appearance every day be made,  
That this great Body never want a Head  
That's visible; and to prevent what may,  
Unthought upon, befall us in a day.  
Yea, on the Sabbath, for an hour or two,  
Convene; for, 'tis a Sabboth-work you do:  
And Venice, hath by long experiment  
Found, that this Caution may be pertinent;  
Nor will it over-burthensome appear,  
When they are to continue but one year.   

Let none in Parliament have toleration  
To mention aught to their disreputation,  
Who absent are; except they undertake  
Of what they shall aver good proof to make,  
On pain of an expulsion; or, permit  
An Intimation, likely to beget  
A misconjecture, to the injury  
Of him, that is not present to reply:  
But let th' Accusers and their Accusations  
Be known, that those may have due vindications  
Who are traduced; For, no man should enjoy  
A privilege, his neighbour to destroy.  
Moreover, lest the Parliament become  
(By multiplying Suits) more burdensome  
Than all those other Courts, of whose oppressions  
We have complained, (and render our conditions  
Less curable) let it admit no Cause  
But such as hath no remedy by Laws  
In force; or, for a nonfruition  
Of justice, by their partial execution.  
For, by removing of such grievances,  
And to provide against immergencies  
Which may occur (both in affairs abroad,  
And here at home) they will have still their load.  
If not: the being of a Parliament  
Thus constituted, doubtless, will prevent  
So many mischiefs, that it will return  
Large recompenses for all charges born.   

Let it expulsion be from thence, for ever,  
With some great mulct, for any whosoever,  
That, as a Member of the Parliament,  
Shall sit two years together; yea, though sent.  
And, let no Lawyers practise for a Fee,  
Or plead, whilst of the Parliament they be:  
Or any, who there siteth as a Peer,  
Be judge of any supreme Court that year;  
Or, during that employment, execute  
A Place, permitting not a Substitute;  
That, in Appeals, none may infringe the Laws,  
By being judge and Party in one Cause.   

And, that to all men, justice may be done,  
Among your Fundamentals make this one;  
That whatsoever shall be taken from  
One, few, or many (through all times to come)  
In public wants, and dangers, be repaid  
By equal Taxes, generally laid:  
And, that they shall not make, or abrogate  
A Law, diminishing one man's estate  
More than another's, without recompense,  
On whatsoever occasion or pretence.  
Yea, let all men's estates reduced be  
To less than forty shillings, yearly Fee,  
Rather than friend or foe, should justly say,  
The public faith were broken, any way.  
Which would enrich us, and ennoble more  
Then, if our hills of chalk, were silver o'er;  
Our sand pure gold; our pebbles, pearls of price,  
Our fields as fruitful as old Paradise;  
And, every son, which forth each mother brings,  
As Prince, or Lord, and all their Father's Kings.   

Then to prevent, the drawing those together,  
Who, for by-ends, would fortify each other;  
Let him that place in parliament supplies,  
Who shall by letter, word, or otherwise,  
Either contrive, solicit, or propose  
Another, during that time, to be chose,  
Be from his Trust, exiled with disgrace,  
Never to be admitted, to that place.   

And, that all Fundamentals ratified  
In parliament, for ever may abide  
Inviolated; let no man be sent  
A City, Town, or Shire, to represent,  
Till by Indenture, under hand and seal,  
He stand engaged to the Common-weal,  
And his Electors, that by no endeavour,  
He shall repeal, or any way for ever  
Weaken these Fundamentals; but assay,  
At all times, to enlarge them what he may:  
For, Parl'aments (as heretofore our Kings)  
Are but trusties; and therefore in such things,  
As to the public damage may redound,  
As well as they, should Act within some bound.   

By these provisions, (with some other such  
Made Fundamentals, we might very much  
Advantage this Republic; and as far  
As humane industries enabled are,  
(To promise safety and establishment)  
Secure from change the present Government,  
Till men may dryshod walk upon the sand,  
From Deal, and Dover, Cliffs to Calais strand;  
Or, Penmin Maure, be set on Snowdown hills,  
And, Time unto their springs, turns back the rills.   

This, would be like the river, wherewithal  
The Tyrant Queller, cleansed th' Augean stall,  
(As Poets feign) and wash away that soil,  
And blood, and filth, which doth our beauty spoil.  
By these means, we might both in one, contrive  
A true successive Representative,  
Completed in a safe establishment,  
For ever, of the selfsame parliament,  
Producing all their just desires together,  
Who seek the one, or who desire the other;  
And with prevention of all harms, that may  
Be feared, by th' one or other way.   

By these means, we shall never be without  
A Supreme power, or live in any doubt  
Of harmful change, if wisely we pursue  
This course; and to ourselves continue true.  
By these means, there will still be an appearance  
Sufficient, to keep up a perseverance,  
In all great undertake, with due order,  
And with such quick dispatch, the suits to further  
Of men oppressed; that, they may hope to see  
Those plaints determined, which yet endless be;  
And never will have end, till wit or force,  
Reduce us unto this, or some such course.   

By this expedient, they that are in place  
At present, may resign without disgrace  
The Trust they have, to take a while their ease,  
(Or follow their affairs, as they shall please)  
And after one year, back perhaps return  
To reassume the burdens they have born.  
Hereby a likely means will be contrived  
Of that security, which is derived  
From many Counsellors: and, distribution  
Of burdens, will make easy execution;  
More quick, yea, and more cheap dispatches too,  
For those, who shall have aught with them to do.   

By these means, if, a worthless Member come  
Among our Worthies, to supply a room,  
His heart may changed be; whereas, now, they  
Who came in honest, are oft drawn away  
From their first Principles, with them to close,  
Who, mean to gain, what  the Public lose:  
Or, at the worst, he must from thence be gone  
Before much mischief, can by him be done.  
And, such as do confederate and plot  
That, for themselves, advantage may be got,  
(Though to their Country's loss, and neighbours wrong)  
Shall want the time and means, which doth belong  
To such contrivements, as are frequent now,  
When, most, each others minds, and interests know:  
For, by new Parties, monthly, coming in,  
They'll break, as fast as they to knit begin;  
And, Gins, which heretofore effects have took  
By kindred and alliance, will be broke.   

By these means, they, who do command, to day,  
Shall learn again to morrow, to obey.  
Many, shall be encouraged to enable  
Themselves, in public, to be serviceable;  
And, in few years, some thousands more than now,  
The common interest, will learn to know;  
And, how they may advance it, when they come  
From that grand School, to live again, at home;  
And, think themselves, obliged, every where,  
To further it, as well as sitting there.   

By this means, every man, within his Orb  
Shall be restrained; and none have power to curb  
Supreme authority; or, to aspire  
By his ambition to a Station higher  
Then shall be safe to all, and judged fit  
For this free State, with prudence to admit:  
Nor shall the daringest tyrant in the land  
Presume to move a tongu●, or lift a hand  
Against that power; o● plot, vent, or concceal  
Aught which may damnify this Common-weal.  
Yea, by this means, we calmly shall reduce  
The parliament, unto it genuine use,  
Without adventuring what may intervene  
By intervals; and, what hath feared been  
(Not without cause) by hazarding to call  
A new one; or, by an additional  
Supply to this; as now affairs relate  
To home designs, and our next neighbouring State:  
But, if we fail in any circumstance,  
Here mentioned, we never shall advance  
The Public interest to that effect,  
Which by this Parliament we might expect;  
Nor scape that tyranny, which is designed  
By those, who are contrarily inclined:  
For, they that would be tyrants (knowing those  
Who did the Regal tyranny oppose  
Still zealous, for the people's liberty)  
Will to effect their purposes comply  
With any party; and, then, by displacing,  
By disenabling, or else by disgracing  
The well-affected, at last, compass that  
Which is by them, in secret almed at,  
(Unless prevented) and involve us more  
In servile slaveries, than heretofore.  
For, doubtless, most of those who did befriend  
The tyranny of Kings, will to that end  
Adhere to these, in hope by doing thus,  
To be revenged at last, on them and us.  
These are no such Proposals, as may hatch  
A Cockatrice; or, be abused to catch  
A private interest. No impostures are  
Beneath a fair pretence obscured here:  
Nor doth their Author act the Mountebank  
To any end: For, he expects not thank  
For aught by him designed; nor, cares for more  
But to discharge the debt upon his score;  
And (if occasion be) to find a gap,  
Through which, without a mischief, he may scape.  
Which, if he do, he will confess, 'tis more  
Than ever he could boast of heretofore;  
Or, any other, who thus interrupted  
The wilful practice of a power corrupted,  
Unless that GOD, whom nothing can withstand,  
Secured him, by an overruling hand;  
Or, by a miracle did change their heart,  
As when he did great Nineveh convert.   

This is the sum of that, which I remember  
Kept me awake, some nights of this November,  
When my affairs, which then at hazard lay,  
Had tired in vain my body all the day;  
For, my necessities required the one,  
My conscience cried, the tother must be done;  
And, if, now ought the worse thereby I far,  
My lot, as I am able, I will bear.   

Much more was represented to my view,  
Which I am unprepared (as yet) to show,  
And you to hear: but, if I had a pen  
As acceptable, as some other men,  
(And undisturbed) it might produce perchance,  
That, which the Public weal, might much advance:  
Or, had I but a volubility  
Of tongue, to help my fluid memory;  
Or, durst declare my thoughts,  them I see  
Arrayed in words, that, weighed they first might be:  
Yea, could I speak, as many now can do,  
More in one hour, than they e'er thought in two,  
(Or, than I can be understood in three)  
Much more esteemed would my Proposals be.   

Here I had fixed, but, that there comes to mind  
A supplement, remaining yet behind,  
Of somewhat represented, as relating  
Unto this Parliaments accommodating,  
With due conveniences; and with supply  
Of things pertaining to the Majesty,  
Of Supreme Senates: For, though, doubtless, they  
Are best adorned, who themselves array  
With holiness; though, they have most renown  
When righteousness and mercy, is their Crown:  
And, though the dignity of Governments,  
Consisteth not in outward ornaments,  
Or, neat accommodations; yet, the wise,  
Having regard to man's infirmities,  
Did in all ages, by their joint consents,  
Add to essential things, such accidents  
As might to those men, make their worth appear,  
Who could not see, what in themselves, they were:  
And, that they who discerned it, might not find  
Discouragements, in that which is enjoined,  
To which end, we prescribe unto the sick,  
A gilded pill, and trim with Rhetoric,  
Our Arguments, thereby to palliate  
What, we to others would insinuate.   

And, to this end, were tipifi'd to me,  
Some things, which will, perhaps, hereafter be,  
Mark them, if they be worth your heed: if not,  
Let them be passed over, as forgot.  
Methought, I saw WHITEHALL new modelled out;  
With towers adorned, with strong walls fenced about;  
With buildings, having much variety  
Contrived into a neat conformity  
Of fair aspect, and duly beautified  
With Gardens, walks, and with what else, beside,  
Did render it magnificently fit  
For their abode, who did inhabit it.   

Beside the Fabrics, destined unto  
Mere public use, and common works to do;  
As, in the Firmaments wide Orb, there are  
Twelve mansions; so, twelve structures, saw I there,  
In each of which (as in the Zodiac,  
The twelve celestial signs, their Stations take)  
The Senators, who month by month, were chose,  
Had their distinct abodes; each one of those  
In lodgings, by himself; yet, altogether  
In one pile, who, in one month were sent thither:  
That, for conveniency they might be near  
On all occasions; and, that every Shire,  
Might thereby find the easier addresses,  
And, quick dispatches in their businesses.   

A constant Table, of one meal a day,  
Was there prepared for a frugal pay,  
That none might be compelled to stray forth  
To places unbeseeming men of worth:  
And, all things pertinent to preservation  
Of health, with every fit accommodation,  
Was there contrived, so, as that they might  
Pursue the Public service, with delight.   

No famliy, was licenced there, to host;  
No, not a wife (except a week, at most,  
In guestwise) lest the public services  
Might be disturbed by household businesses:  
Or, lest the drudgeries, or nastiness,  
Occasioned by a numerous access  
Of children, servants, and their visiters,  
Might spread diseases, in infectious years:  
And lest among them, some, through want of grace,  
Might bring an evell name upon that place.   

Nothing uncomely, or disordered there  
Can I behold; no noises did I hear,  
Or such loud clamours, as have oft been heard,  
Among the rude Jncommers, and the guard;  
But, such an lawful silence, as if there  
The Turks Grand Signior, always present were  
By Mutes attended. To offend the eye,  
Or smell, no dung, or sinks, did open lie.  
I saw not thee, a despicable shed;  
No Coach housed there, or any Coach horse fed:  
No little children in the garden sprawling,  
Or, in the Galleries, or Chambers yawling:  
No Bakers Boy went tooting of his horn:  
No Milk pails there, from place to place were born,  
As in those Courts, and Allies which we see  
Pestered with Inmates, and poor lodgers be:  
Nor was there born through any passage there,  
(Save such, as out of common concourse were)  
Unscemly burdens, or, ought else permitted  
But what the honour of the place befitted.   

A Guard was needless then for their defence,  
(Since, justice, mercy, and true innocence,  
Are guard enough, and keep more safe, by far,  
Then if an armed Phalanx doubled were)  
They had true peace within; and through the land  
No man against them, durst to lift a hand;  
But, every one was ready to attend them,  
And with their lives, as their life, to defend them.  
Yet, for magnificency, and to further  
The preservation of respect and order,  
In times of concourse; and that no address  
Be made, but with all due respectiveness,  
They had an able Band of men selected  
Out from among those persons well-affected,  
Whose faith and valour had been well approved  
In public services; who, had unmoved  
Stood firm in trials, and whose conversation  
Had gained them an honest reputation;  
And these, armed, governed, decently arrayed  
In liveries alike, and duly paid,  
Appeared to give attendance altogether  
When Princes, or Ambassadors came thither:  
And, in their turns, at other times, to do,  
That service, which they were enjoined unto.   

Rhen, forasmuch, as outward habits draw  
Respect unto men's persons, there, I saw  
That custom, which all Senators did hold  
In strict observance, through most times of old,  
The Knights and Burgesses who represent  
The Nation, entered not the parliament  
In common habits only; but, each one  
A robe. or upper garment, did put on  
Peculiar to that Semate, differing neither  
In fashion, stuff, or colour from each other.  
To signify (as I conceive) thereby  
Their brotherhood, and their equality;  
And that, they being thereby differenced  
From vulgar persons, might be honoured  
According to their place, and known among,  
And by the people, as they passed along  
Into the Senate; or, as to and fro,  
from place to place, on their affairs they go.   

Moreover, when that they had laid aside  
Their Senate robes, about their necks I spied  
A golden Wreath, which thereat pendent had  
A Tablet, whereon was enameled,  
The British Isles, within the Ocean placed;  
And with a Verge of curled waves embraced:  
Which was bestown upon them for a badge  
of honour, and likewise to privilege  
Their persons, wheresoever they were unknown;  
That due respect might every where be shown,  
And no affronts received. These badges were  
From man to man, (and still from year to year)  
Resigned to their Successors, to be born  
By those whom their Electors should return.   

Much more I saw, which should I here relate,  
Would yet appear, things worthy laughing at;  
(As these declared, already do to some)  
But, when the days of their admittance come,  
(Which I believe draw near) it will be found  
That these Previsions had some likely ground;  
And that the heart, from whence all this did flow  
Meant well to you, though these things prove not so.   

Hear me with patience, but a few words more,  
And, to their freedom, I'll your ears restore.  
As country folks, to keep out Witches, do  
within the threshold, nail a horse's shoe,  
So did I, at the fore-door of this piece,  
Insert a charm, to keep out prejudice:  
And, now, if some way else, it in be brought,  
That, at the Backdoor, I may thrust it out,  
I'll fix a Si quis, (or it may be more)  
Upon the Postern Gate, before I go.   

If any think the posture we are in  
Will still as prosperous be, as it hath been,  
Or, that GOD will this Nation still deliver  
By miracles, although we shall persever,  
In high presumptions, and supreme neglect  
Of that compliance, which he doth expect;  
They greatly are deceived: For, know, the end  
Of most things, on contingence doth depend.  
We of this Nation, having walked upon  
The Pythagorean Y or, Ypsilon  
Are come unto the foot thereof, this day,  
Where lies before our face a double way,  
The one of them directeth us unto  
Prosperity; the other to our woe:  
On this hand, Bliss, on that hand, Curses lie;  
Proceed this way, and live; go that, and die.  
Even David's temporal Kingdom, (though there had  
Large promises, concerning it, been made)  
Was on his heirs entailed, for their fruition,  
Not absolutely, but upon condition;  
Which, being broken; all th' external power  
And glory of it vanished; so shall our.   

Moreover, if that any shall believe  
Our hazards are far less than I conceive;  
Let them not trust to such a dream as that,  
Lest they discover, when it is too late,  
The dangers threatening us: For, I have been  
Informed aright, what perils we are in.  
And, whereas, of those things which passed by  
From time to time, I sought to satisfy  
My private knowledge only, (that I might  
Assured be I had observed aright)  
If I had thereby gathe'rd proofs, to show  
To other men, the truth of what I know,  
I should of such things demonstration give,  
As few suspect, and fewer would believe;  
And you would see, that we are in a course  
Like his, who in a dark night road his horse  
O'er Chepstow bridge, upon a single board,  
When loud to him, the dreadful waters roared,  
(Beneath the broken arch) and seemed to say,  
Oh fool! take heed, there's danger in the way.  
And some, perhaps, if they assured were  
What hazards they have passed, would die through fear,  
As it is said he did, when he had sight,  
Next morn, of what he scaped overnight.  
We think perhaps, we all this while have been  
Upon as plain firm ground as Richmond-green,  
Or in a Course, wherein as safe we run  
As on the race at Bausted-downs at noon;  
When we are rather dancing o'er the tops  
Of tottering pinnacles, on rotten roper,  
Where, but that we by providence are kept,  
We down had fell, at every Stride we stepped.   

Yet, for the most part, every loss and straight  
Which we are in, makes us but lay more weight  
Upon the weak; and each Deliverance  
Doth but increase our pride and arrogance.  
As if we were resolved, without heed  
of judgements, or of mercies, to proceed,  
Until confusion should compel us to  
What we might orderly, and timely do.   

Lastly, if any shall be pleased to say,  
Or dream (as peradventure many may)  
That, with affairs I intermeddle here  
Which pertinent to my Superiors are,  
And not to me: To all these be it known,  
The business which I treat of is mine own.  
I claim, in this Republic, with the best,  
A share, proportioned to my interest;  
And freedom, boldly to express my mind  
As often as I just occasion find.  
the common liberty, and common peace  
Are truly mine, and no man's, more, or less:  
I fought for't, and I pay for't, thrice my share,  
According to the part, which many bear.  
My Country's wrong is mine; her grief my sorrow,  
And therefore they that wound her thrust me thorough.  
They, who her wealth or honour fool away,  
Fool me, when in that kind the fools they play:  
And, therefore they, who thereto Traitors be,  
Are therein also Traitors unto me;  
And no man can without apparent wrong  
Restraint impose upon my pen, or tongue,  
In pleading of her cause; nor will I fear  
To act my own work in my proper sphere.   

For, though I have not power to make a Law,  
Or raise an Army which can keep in awe  
Her private enemies, and open foes;  
Yet, I have charms equivalent to those,  
In some respects; which operate unseen  
Those ends, whereto they have intended been;  
And will have due effects, in their despite  
Who seek to trample on the common Right.  
In this assurance, here I'll add a close,  
To this, and leave th'event to GOD'S dispose;  
Who, if we shall neglect (a few weeks more)  
Good counsel, as we have done heretofore,  
Will break down that, which might preserved have been,  
And, on another Base his work begin.    
Nou. 30.   
FINIS.