A Sudden Flash Timely Discovering, Some Reasons wherefore, the stile of PROTECTOR, should not be deserted by these NATIONS, with some other things, by them very considerable. It was first made visible, The fourth day, after the Author heard it reported, that the Lord Protector, had waved the Title of KING.  
By BRITAN'S REMEMBRANCER.  
— Poetis  
Quidlibet audendum, semper fuit, estque Potestas.  
A Preoccupation, relating to this Title.  
If some shall think, this Book misnamed hath been,  
Because, so long a Flash was never seen;  
Know; that, through Crannies it did thither fly,  
Where Touchwood, and where smoking Flax did lie,  
Which kindling, made it longer than intended;  
And, was a chance, that cannot now be mended.  
But, Flashie Names, and things, those times beseem  
Which, do not solid-serious things esteem.  
And, they who are not pleased to run a Course,  
On Pegasus, may, like a Hobby-horse.  
LONDON, Printed for J.S. in little Britain, and are to be sold there, and at the Pile of Bibles, the corner shop of the East end of the Fishmarket in the Stocks, looking into Lombard street; 1657.   

To his Highness, the Lord PROTECTOR.  

SIR, though this Poem's Title, fitted be  
To what I hear, the World expects from me  
Upon this Subject; yet, a seriousness  
It hath, and shall no Flashie-things express;  
For, 'tis a Flash of light, as well as Fire,  
Which, may give sight of something you desire,  
And such, as will no way disparage you,  
To give them, either hearing, or, a view.   

Betwixt your Highness and the Parliament,  
I, purpose not to cherish that Dissent,  
Which lately was begun; nor do intent  
That, which may justly you, or them, offend;  
But rather, to unite you so together,  
That, Disadvantage, may befall to neither  
By what, your Adversaries hope to find  
Effected; (if, you have a changing mind)  
And, upon hope whereof, they did prepare  
To act, according as resolved you were.   

I am not for myself, yet, grown so wise  
That, when at hazard, Public safety lies,  
I can be silent; though I both disease  
My self; and others, oftentimes, displease,  
By my expressions, who, have power and will,  
To mischieve me, who, purpose them no ill:  
For, though a well approved Author says,  
To please great men, it merits not least praise;  
I think, he merits more, who speaks in season,  
Truths, warranted by conscionable Reason,  
(Although on him, a Prince's wrath it brings)  
Then, if he flattered Parliaments and Kings.   

In that respect, I judged it not amiss,  
Unto your ear, or eye, to offer this,  
A few weeks past: But, things did intervene  
That seems of more concernment to have been;  
And kept it off, until nigh out of date,  
It was become; and came almost too late.  
Yet, since good use may thereof still be made,  
And some advantage also, thereby had;  
It, now comes forth, that, witness it might bear  
To that, which now, resolved on, doth appear.   

For, though we know there is in every thing,  
But one Essential Truth; yet, thence may spring  
Such various Illustrations, as perchance,  
The certainty thereof, may much advance,  
When it appears, they, did the same Truths own,  
Whose judgements, to each other were unknown:  
For, when there is thereof no mediation  
But, as their spirits have communication,  
It doth assure, it flowed from Providence,  
And, not from any carnal influence.   

Your eye, sees much: and yet it cannot see  
Itself, or, what the colours of it be,  
Save by inferior things; and, through inspections  
Acquired, by the medium, of reflections  
From sight-less objects; through which; you may lear●  
Those truths, which they themselves, do not discern:  
And, such like Objects, peradventure, He  
Who offers this and these his offers be.   

SIR, therefore now▪ be pleased, one hour, to hear  
What, by my Muse, is fitted for your ear,  
And was prepared long since, to be presented  
(Though accidentally, till now prevented)  
And, if it be not such, as, then, will seem  
To merit, some part, of your good esteem,  
And, useful to preserve, and to increase  
Your Honour, safety, and the Common-peace;  
Return it, with an Ignominious Dash,  
And, let it then, (in scorn) be called, a Flash.   
Britan's Remembrancer.   

A Sudden Flash  
Made visible, the fourth day after his Highness the Lord Protector had first waved the Title of KING.  

A Prologue, to him, who shall behold, or hear, this Flash.  
A Flash, I term this; and 'tis like enough  
That, many men, will call it so, in Scoff;  
But, I have got before them; and have, too,  
Some Reason, wherefore I have called it so:  
For, to, mine ears, when first that news was brought,  
A thousand thoughts, Flushed in, and this Flashed out;  
Which, I have, now, thus Papered up, for thee,  
To bring to mind what is, and what may be.  
Although it speaks in Rhymes, it Rhymes with Reason;  
And comes in Hast, that it may come in Season.  
If thou regard it, so. If not: my Cost,  
Is Paper, Ink, and part of three days lost.  
Thine may be more; For, much afraid I am,  
That, thou, who saw'st this Flash, wilt see a Flame,  
(Unless an intervening Providence  
Prevents, what likely seems, to give Offence)  
Which, here will burn, as well as give a light,  
Till it hath purged us, or, consumed us, quite.   

The Flash.  

MY Muse, hath on a sudden, once again,  
Invited me, to this unusual strain;  
Which, as the state of my Affairs, now stands,  
Hath put upon me Dangerous Commands:  
But, I, who must obey Her when she calls,  
(What ever hazard, on my self befalls)  
Submitted to express, what I should find  
Infused by her power, in to my mind;  
And, hearing that his Highness, had denied  
The Kingship, thereupon, thus versified:  
For, Poets (privileged, as Prophets were)  
Their Inspirations freely may declare.   

But, hath he waved that Title? and, I pray,  
Are you aright informed of what you say?  
Did not a falsereport, your ears abuse?  
A Crown! a Triple-Crown doth he refuse?  
And will not he, as Bishops used to do,  
Say, No, and take it, as compelled thereto?  
Oh Miracle of men? doth he deny  
A Kingship! freely offered! which, to Buy  
So many thousand Princes, have made sale  
Of Fame, Faith, Conscience, Body, Soul, and all?  
If this (as you affirm it is) be true;  
Friends; bid henceforth, your jealousies adve:  
And, let him who mistrusts him any more;  
Suspect his Honest wife, to be a Whore,  
And in his breast, the torments thereof cherish  
Till he repent that injury, or perish.   

But, since I know what many do surmise,  
(And, what objections malice doth devise)  
Let me a little more expostulate;  
Is it not (think you,) done to palliate  
The soldier's humour? or, a Trick of State  
To draw on some thing more, yet aimed at?  
Is it not by Design, to bring about  
Advantages, by oversight left out?  
Or to delay, a while, what he intends,  
To feel the People's pulse? or for such ends?   

No doubtless: Then, make answer but to Three  
Short Questions more, and they the last shall be.  
Expects he not, when twenty days, are past,  
It should be, Nolens volens, on him cast?  
Nor is it so; for, by that Instrument,  
Which doth yet regulate this Government,  
No Law thereto repugnant, can be made  
Whereto, his free assent, shall not be had:  
And, Really, refusal he doth make,  
In Christian prudence, and for Conscience sake;  
That, he may give no cause of those Offences,  
Suspicions, Scandals, and ill consequences,  
Which may ensue; And, whereof, Honest men  
Are much afraid: Why, did he suffer, then,  
So long time in Debating, to be spent,  
(Since he at first discovered what was meant)  
And, did not interdict them to proceed?  
That, had been a dishonourable deed:  
For, in so doing, he should have prejudged,  
The Parliament; them, disimpriviledged;  
And, thereby, some Experiments, have lost,  
Which are more worth, than twice the time they cost.  
Beside, the matter is of too much weight,  
Each way, to pass, till balanced aright;  
And, you have heard it said, what those men are  
Who Judge a Cause, before the same they hear.   

Thus far 'tis well: But, will he not at last  
When some few more, fit Compliments are past,  
Accept what's offered? what he did, is known:  
But, what he will do, cannot be foreshown:  
And, we shall wrong Him (as he should the State  
Have injured) if, we him prejudicated.  
We may conjecture: And, if I may give  
My Judgement, by the Symptoms I perceive,  
He never will accept it, till, he shall  
By Faith and Reason, be convinced in all  
And every Scruple, which, this day, offends  
His Conscience; or dissatisfies his Friends:  
Beyond which, he, that aught would move him to,  
Doth, what no wise, or honest man, should do;  
And, would not care, though he were quite destroyed  
So, his own Lust, and Will, might be enjoyed.  
If so, then, me he hath not, yet, deceived  
In any thing, which I of him believed  
Since first I heeded, by what Point he steers;  
(What Rock on this hand, what on that, appears;)  
What most men are, with whom he hath to do;  
And, why, few know, which way, he means to go.  
His Foes, though with his Bullocks they have ploughed,  
Have got nought thereby, whereof to be proud.  
And, as I live, I, am thereof, as glad,  
As, therefore, many others will be sad;  
And, if I were (as I have been) a Boy  
I should make Squibs, and Bonfires, now for joy,  
As many would have done, had he complied  
With their desires, whose Offer is denied.  
For, in his condiscending to be King,  
He could have been, at best, no greater thing  
Than other Earthly Princes: But, hereby  
He may ascend unto a Sovereignty,  
Which raiseth him, nine Orbs above their Sphere,  
To be enthroned, where Immortals are:  
And, me, it hopeful makes, to see that Age,  
Which, Britain's genius, did, long since, presage  
In that Prediction, wherein, was among  
Some other things, this following distich sung:  
A King, shall willingly himself unking,  
And thereby grow far greater than before.  
For, now, fulfilled seemeth, in effect,  
What, that vaticination did predict;  
Although there should a Power elsewhere reside  
To bring to pass, what is by him denied.   

Victorious Cromwell! thou, hast, herein, gone  
Beyond thy self; and such an Act hast done,  
As few or none, in this, or foreign Climes,  
Have equalled, in any former times.  
A self-denial like this, none, but He  
Can teach, who, that he might our pattern be,  
The Thrones & kingdoms of this world did slight,  
When he was born up thither, where, he might  
(And did) behold them, spreading forth to view  
All their Enchanting pleasures, false or true:  
And from him only, could that grace proceed,  
Whereby, thou dost perform so brave a deed.   

Thou often hast deserved Mural-Crowns,  
For taking Castles, with high walled Towns,  
And making in subjection, to thy powers,  
Great Cities, fortified with Walls and Towers:  
To thee, for brave Achivements on the Main  
The chief of Naval Trophies, doth pertain:  
Triumphant Laurel, to adorn thy brows,  
To thee is due, for giving ovethrows  
To dreadful Armies, that, had else enslaved  
Thy Country; which, God, by thy sword hath saved.  
Thou hast subdued Kingdoms, and great Kings;  
Whereby, their Crowns, their Sceptres & all things  
Belonging to such Conquerors, are thine,  
As truly, as the Clothes I wear, are mine.  
Yet, these are slight, and petty Foes compared  
To some, with whom, thou secretly haste warred:  
And, for those Conquests, thou I hope, dost carry  
A Tablet, with a secret Honorary;  
Whereby thy virtues fully be rewarded,  
With Trophies, of most worth, though lest regarded.   

These ways, thou wert Victorious heretofore;  
And, I will mention one great Conquest more.  
By few observed: Thou hast stood the Shock  
Of malice and detraction, like a Rock,  
On which the waves and billows of the Main,  
Have spent their strength, and foamed out rage in vain.  
I, very often, have observed the fell,  
Fierce, raging, and three headed dog of Hell,  
With his three double rows of teeth, assay  
To tear thine honour, and thy power, away;  
With his foul tongues, bespattering thy fame,  
To turn thy blooming honour into shame;  
I've seen this Cur oft, dog thee in the dark,  
In hope to by't thee, when he durst not bark;  
And, I have heeded, by what sacred Charms,  
Thou hast been hitherto, preserved from harms.   

This Hellhound, thou hast tamed without so much  
As giving him a crust, a spurn, or touch;  
Merely by meekness, and, as passing by  
With disregard of causeless injury;  
And, now he sometimes fawns on thee and those,  
Who are thy friends; and, snarleth at thy foes,  
As if he were appeased: which, I believe  
Is but a cunning dog trick, to deceive.   

And, yet, among those victories, which lie  
Most visible unto the vulgar eye,  
This, thy last conquest, merits admiration  
Beyond the rest; And, with perseveration  
If thou maintain the same, as thou mayst do,  
By his help, who hath aided hitherto,  
Thou hast thereby a pledge, that, God will never  
Forsake thee; but, thy guardian be for ever.  
Thou hast already scaped, the best tried snare;  
That Satan, or his agents, can prepare:  
For, 'twas the last, of those temptations, which  
He practised by, our Saviour, to bewitch:  
And, as when that grand-tryall, had an end  
His Angels, did forthwith, on him attend  
Rejoicing in his conquest; so, will, too,  
For thine, all, thy most faithful servants do.   

Thou hast thereby, so strengthened all their hands,  
So cheered all their hearts, throughout these lands,  
Who prayed, or feared for thee, in this trial;  
That, thou, of nothing now, canst have denial,  
Wherein their love may serve thee; and they shall  
More fortify thee, than a Brazen wall;  
More comfort thee, than aught that can be had  
From any Title, that the world shall add:  
And, thou at last, shalt find, thou dost not lose  
One grain, of what thou lately didst refuse,  
By that refusal: for, thou shalt have more  
(If not in kind) in value, than before.  
Yea, peradventure, that, in specie, too,  
When, qualified, no offence to do;  
And, when it hath been proved, whereto thy mind  
Without dissimulation is inclined.   

For, 'tis not mere negation of that title,  
Which is thy Test; since, that availeth little  
One way or other, save as unto that  
Which brought it hath unto dislike of late;  
Or, as it may concern some past transactions,  
Which, have occasioned dissatisfactions  
In many of this Nation; or, as thou  
Mayst scandalise them, by thine actings now.  
But, that, wherein thy real proof will be,  
Locked, from men's eyes, lies hid, with God, and thee:  
And, whatsoever thou resolv'st upon,  
Will either Well, or else not well, be done,  
As, unto those things, they relating are,  
Which unto God, and Thee alone, appear.   

The washing of th' Assyrian in the water  
Of Jordan, was but an indifferent matter,  
Till made the sole condition of his Cure:  
And, doubtless, had not that, been in his power,  
He had been Cleansed without it. David's sin  
In Numb'ring of the People, lay not in  
That simple Act; but, in the secret Pride  
And Disobedience, which did then reside  
Within his Heart; And, when it shall appear  
That Thou, from Guiltiness, art that way clear;  
And, hast repent all those Humane failings,  
Which have, in aught, obstructed thy Prevailing:  
Then, shall the gift-refused, neither be  
A Scandal unto Others, or to Thee,  
Although accepted; when thou hast resisted  
So far, as Grace and Reason, have assisted.   

For, should the Pow'r-Coordinate with thine,  
O'repow'r thee so, that, thou thereto incline  
(Consenting to their Motives at the last)  
Thy Conscience bearing witness, that thou hast  
Complied there withal, rather by force  
Than Choice; to keep bad things, from being worse:  
Or, if by strength of Reason, swayed thou art  
To that Acceptance; thou, hast done thy part:  
And, shalt by yielding, pass another Trial  
As honourable, as, is this Denial.  
Thou shalt be safe, from all that was portended,  
Shouldst thou by Levity, have condescended,  
Or, tempted been by Self-ness, to forgo  
That Title, thou hast owned hitherto;  
And wilt be free from blame, what ever shall  
Hereafter, by the Change thereof befall.  
For, nothing shall amiss to thee succeed,  
By what, is not Thine, but, another's deed.  
No Reason, bindeth any to withstand,  
What, Power, and stronger Reason, doth command;  
And, when perhaps too, God, his aid withdraws,  
From thy assistance, in this dubious cause,  
To bring on them, what's due for their offence,  
Who trust their own Wits, more than Providence.   

This, I express here, not to leave a Gap  
Whereby, thou may'st from Just Resolves escape:  
(For, God will find it out, if there be aught  
To such a purpose, lurking in thy thought:)  
But, that, thou may'st not fall into a Snare  
By things, which in themselves, Indifferent are;  
(Nor good nor evil, but, as unto that  
Which may be good, or Evil, they relate;)  
And, to preserve thine Honour, among those  
Who shall, perchance, their Expectations lose  
By what may come to pass; (yea, to prevent  
That, which may thereof, be a Consequent  
To thee disserviceable) I, am bold  
To tell thee, what my Muse to me hath told;  
Which, dictates, otherwhile in Slighted rhymes,  
That, which doth much concern these present times;  
And, would, it may be, had it not been Mine,  
Supposed have been, an Offspring, more divine.   

But, I, my, Muse now, to those will bend  
Who may, perhaps, mistrust what I intent.  
Although I have, by this Anticipation,  
Presented that unto consideration,  
Which may be profitable (if reversed  
His purpose be, on Terms before rehearsed)  
Yet, lest, I may with one hand, be suspected  
To pull down, what the other had Erected;  
I will not smother aught, which I shall find,  
May justly fortify him in the mind,  
By him professed; until, to drive him out  
Of his Resolve, Those Reasons may be brought,  
Which will be stronger; lest, some, should surmise  
He; without Cause, denied what he denies;  
Or, lest my late rejoicings, may appear  
As Reasonless, as many think they were.   

My gladness of it, flowed from no respect  
Unto my self, or, fears of an effect  
By Kingship, which my profits might impair:  
For, I have, that way, likelihoods more fair  
Than I have now (if nothing it occasions,  
To break our Peace, at Home, or, by Invasions  
From Foes abroad) nor can I scandaled be,  
Thereby, through aught, which will reflect on me:  
But, I rejoiced in it, for the sake  
Of Him, who did this Title undertake;  
And, for their sakes, who Acted and Enacted,  
Things, whereby possibly may be contracted  
Great Scandals; or, which may a new expose  
My Country, to be spoiled by her Foes.  
For these, and such respects as these (together  
With what may be again transferred hither,  
My Heart, that was through fear of them, grown sad,  
Became through hope of their prevention, glad.   

For, what a black Scene, should we here have seen?  
How many grieved hearts, would here have been,  
Had our Protector, either been estranged  
From what he was, or, (seemed to be) so changed,  
As, lightly to forgo his interest  
In that, wherewith he had been so much blest?  
Or, should by others, have been so deluded,  
As, to let that upon him be obtruded,  
Which He himself disclaimed? and, may bring back  
A King upon us, with his Pedlars Pack  
Of Vanities, which have been by this Nation  
Rejected by a solemn protestation:  
And, which are Trinkets, as unseparable  
From most Kings, as is from a Fool, his babble?  
For, there is nought more likely, in, to bring  
Him that's expelled, then, to make a King,  
At this time; and, to make on that account  
(Which is designed) that Title paramount:  
Nor can there be, for what our Foe intends,  
A better groundwork laid, by all his friends.   

These things I feared; and, my soul foresees  
That, all those things may creep in by degrees,  
Which, to the Kingdoms of this World pertain;  
Which, may enslave the Saints of God again;  
And, which, may in a short time, reinvest  
With that power, which empowered Antichrist:  
Unless, it by his Mercy, be withstood  
Whose wisdom, can from Evil, bring forth Good.   

These things I feared, and if a Parliament  
Can make a King, which may these fears prevent;  
Him, and his Nobles, if it can so bind,  
That, we may be secured in this kind;  
And keep our sovereign, and these Nations free  
From scandals, which occasioned may be;  
I, should not only yield, on that condition  
To make a King, but beg one by Petition.  
Redouble, that rejoicing, which appeared,  
When, of what was resolved, I first heard:  
And, make my heart, the first step whereupon  
He might set foot, to mount up to his Throne:  
Yea, sing a Panegyric in their praise  
Who moved it, that should long outlast my days.   

We look for such a Government, as shall  
Make way for Christ: not that fantastical  
Fifth Monarchy, whereof some people dream,  
And Conquer would an Earthly Throne for him  
With Carnal weapons: But, that, present here  
He, may so be, and so to reign, appear  
As he hath promised; and, that Righteousness  
And Truth, may every Throne on Earth possess,  
According to that measure of his grace,  
Which is apportioned, to this earthly place.   

His Highness, hath made progress in a path  
As far forth toward it, as any hath  
Since Christ ascended; if, the Depths and Heights,  
The Rugged passages, and Narrow straits  
Consider'd be, through which his March he makes,  
To bring to end the Work he undertakes.  
He must now pass a Rock, which will require  
An Engineer with Vinegar and fire;  
And, cut a Passage, which (as by a thread)  
Must on each hand, even to a hairs-breadth, lead  
'Twixt Conscience and sound Reason: whence, to vary  
Were irrecoverably to miscarry.  
Oh God assist him; and, to what I pray  
Amen, let all, who wish our welfare, say.   

He, hitherto, in that which he hath done,  
His Work, with prudency, hath carried on:  
And, firm to his own Principles abides,  
Though many strive to bring him to their sides:  
Yea, though there be some too, of whom he may  
(As David of Zerviah's Sons did say)  
Complain, that, they, were oft for him, too hard;  
Yet, Him from his Resolves they have not stirred.  
And (be it well considered of all you,  
Who read this, and, perchance miscensure now  
Of his Heroic Act) he doth not wave  
Ought necessary for a Prince to have;  
Which had been a Denial, in effect,  
Of that Power, which his People should protect;  
And, were no Self-denial, (as I gather)  
But, a denial of his Duty rather.  
The Kingship is not waved, but, as it tends  
To what may much disconsolate his friends,  
Or glad his foes; And, which, as things yet stand,  
Relating to Pre-actings in this Land,  
Might draw on very evil Consequences;  
Or give just cause of many great Offences:  
Can these removed, or prevented be,  
So that his Conscience, might from them be free,  
Perchance, That, to take place it would permit  
As rational, which so appears not yet.  
For to the Clean, he knows all things are Clean,  
And (if I guess aright what he doth mean)  
That, whereof, he doth chief scruple make,  
Is, Giving an offence unto the weak;  
And, that, therewith, all things now startled at  
Might pass, when he upon them shall debate,  
If God, informs his Conscience, that they may;  
And Reason shall his Reasons oversway.   

He nothing hath refused with disrespect  
To them who offered it: Or, with neglect  
Of aught proposed for Public benefit:  
But, only, what may possibly beget  
More Jealousy than Love: more Envy, than  
Glory to God, or good to Honest men.  
And, he by his Refusal, unto none  
Denyeth aught, but, to himself alone;  
Or, that, which he doth probably believe  
Will mar our peace, and Civil wars revive:  
For which, if worse, he rather speed than better,  
His merit is the more; his praise the greater;  
And, they, who shall the less affection show him,  
For that, deny the duty which they own him.   

What, if he thinks the changing of his Title,  
Implies a levity, which doth but little  
Beseem a Prince? and may occasion too  
A quarrel, which might all his work undo?  
Or propagate a mischievous effect,  
To their destruction whom he should protect?  
Is he not bound in Conscience to beware  
Of such a Title, whosoever they are  
That shall propose it? should he not betray  
His Trust, by giving easily away  
That earnest of Protection, which doth seem  
To be, by God, conferred upon him  
For safeguard of his Saints? or, might there not  
Some blemish be in Reputation got,  
Relating to that Style? if, he, the same  
Should change for that, by which their bondage came?  
And can he think it nothing signifies,  
That, they, who are his greatest Enemies  
Do more rejoice, in that which was intended,  
Then they, by whom, he hath been best befriended?  
If, likewise, with a serious heed, he shall  
Be pleased to consider therewithal,  
What kind of men, the greatest number are  
Who, for this change most zealous do appear;  
What Interest it is, which they would save:  
What Principles, the most among them have;  
Can he suppose, more safe for him, it were  
To these, then to his best friends, to adhere?  
Whose Conversations, are to him well known?  
Whose cause is his? Whose principles his own?  
Since, Reason doth incline him, to the last,  
And Conscience, too, the balance that way cast?   

That Title, which hath hitherto been owned,  
With victories and blessings, hath been crowned;  
It, now, hath rendered it self exempt  
For ever, from that undeserved contempt  
Which novelty occasioned; and, throughout  
The World, is with much honour spread about.  
He, thereby had a power, which lately shook  
The walls of Babel; and with terror strooke  
His proudest foes; and, is it vanished, now,  
We neither know when or by what, or how?  
Except it be, for thanklesly despising  
So prosperous a Style, and idolising  
Of that, which forced us, in our affliction  
To take up that we have, for our protection.   

When, Israel would be King-rid, God, to show  
His anger, and, what thereon would ensue,  
Destroyed in Harvest time, their corn with showers;  
And at the Seedtime, he did hazard ours  
By extreme Drought; until that was denied  
Which is proposed; and, then, forthwith suppli'de  
Our present want: perhaps, to make us seek  
His will, and, know our sin, and theirs alike:  
Lest, in his wrath, he give us what we crave,  
And take away, what he in mercy gave.   

What will ensue, by settling Kingship here,  
For common good, it doth not yet appear:  
Some, do pretend, it render will, to us,  
Our laws more fixed, and much more vigorous,  
Because, by Kings, they were to us derived,  
And confirmation in their name received.  
But, wherefore, may not all that, which relates  
To King, or People, Freedoms, or Estates  
In our preceding Laws, be so Compacted  
Into one Statute, now to be Enacted,  
That, they may by his Highness' assent,  
Be made as firm, as this new Instrument,  
By our Protector, who, must be the Stone  
First laid, to build their new framed work upon?   

Why may not He, who now is our Supreme,  
Make both unto Himself, and unto them  
Who ask it of him, all our Laws forepast  
As Useful, and as Binding, as this Last?  
Why may not He, who is a Conqueror  
For Us, and did for us, receive his Power  
Confirm our Laws, or any other thing,  
(As strongly, as if he were called a King)  
To Us, and to Himself, with their consent,  
Who by his Power, are made a Parliament?  
Why, should it unto him, ought less afford,  
Than to all Princes, raised by the Sword?  
No man, can justly, that to him denay.  
For, Conquest is the ordinary way,  
Whereby, God changeth Governments, and flings  
From off their Thrones, great Emperors and Kings.  
And 'tis God's mercy, not our own desert,  
Which, hitherto, hath so inclined his heart,  
That, though he hath been straightened more than any,  
His Arbitrary actings were not many;  
Nor, till they were constrained by some distress,  
For preservation of the Public Peace.   

Some, think it will Secure his Person more,  
And, Charge the People less, than heretofore,  
To style him King. But, these men much mistake,  
And, will perceive they Dream, when they awake:  
For, can we think, when he away hath thrown  
A Title, which God gave to be his own,  
Without a Rival, that, assume he may  
A Name, whereto another claim doth lay,  
With greater Safety? Is there some new charm,  
Infused into that word, to guard from harm?  
Or, will it make the Royalists more true  
To him, because, he takes what they think due,  
Unto another? Quite desert the Lord,  
They owned, and, do their homage to a word?  
And, (where they hated) Loyalty profess  
Rather, for doing More wrong, than for less?  
So foolish can we think them, as, to prise  
A Compliment, which nothing signifies,  
Save, either some poor Hope, or vain Desire  
To be in Us, which may advance them higher,  
In those Resolves, which they had heretofore?  
And, make our Dangers no whit Less, but more?   

For, when they do perceive our Giddiness,  
Our falling from, those things we did profess,  
Our doting on those Baubles, which we seemed  
Not much (a while ago) to have esteemed,  
Our Taking up, what we had Thrown away,  
Our slighting that, to Morrow, which this day  
We made a Law; and that our Protestations,  
Were for the most part, but Dissimulations;  
Thence, they will take occasion to conclude  
That, we have, all along, such Ends pursued  
As they have had: And, that, what ere to seem  
We have made Show, we are just like to Them.  
That, we did wade and swim, through streams of blood,  
Not to accomplish what is Just and Good;  
But, to obtain our Lusts: That, we have sought  
By Policy, and by our Battles fought,  
Against Opposers; not so much to save  
Our Liberties, as, others to enslave:  
That, our contests, were not for God, or, for  
Our Country; but, (which Goodmen will abhor  
To think upon) our own selves, to invest  
With, that, which was by other men possessed:  
That, being Hypocrites, in all we did,  
With Cloaks of sanctity, the same we hide,  
Thereby, to draw in those who were sincere,  
To be deceived, in what we made appear.  
(Even to the ruin, of their Children, Wives,  
Their Peace, their Freedoms, their Estates, their Lives)  
That, we might get high Titles, large Possessions,  
Power and Prerogatives, by their oppressions,  
And, that instead of setting Christ upon  
His Throne, we, might install our selves thereon.   

This will be thought: And, they who are our Foes,  
Will peradventure, thereupon suppose  
That God is not among us, as they feared;  
Nor for us, as it formerly appeared;  
And, thence take courage, to begin again  
That, which they hitherto pursued in vain.  
And, such will be the safety, which your King  
Unto Himself, and us, is like to bring.  
Good God how are they changed? how stupefied?  
By whom these dangers are not yet espied?  
How blind, doth selfness, make us quickly grow,  
In that, which might prevent selfe-overthrow?   

Will Kingship, make him safer than he was?  
How may that be? how can it come to pass?  
That Title, not much more than eight years past,  
Can not preserve his Head, who reigned last.  
No, not preserve him, from the dreadful fate,  
Of dying on a Scaffold, at his gate:  
And, if all things be weighed well together  
That Style, as possibly may bring him thither,  
Who ruleth now; yea, and a tragical  
Effect therewith, perhaps, upon us all,  
Before the malice of our foes is ended,  
How safe soe'er, to be, it is pretended.  
We may perceive, (unless we will despise,  
The Light within us, and feel up our eyes,)  
There is no likelyheod, it will abate  
Their fury, who pursue us with their hate;  
But, so increase it, that it will increase  
Those dangers, which we dream, it will make less:  
Yea, make Him, whose safe being it pretends,  
Unsafe among those, who have been his Friends,  
And, them among themselves: It will go near,  
To make men of themselves, to stand in fear.  
It will increase suspicions, till th'effect  
Grows worse, than many of us can suspect:  
Divide, and subdivide, till there be nought  
Left possible to be said, done, or thought;  
To cure the mischiefs, which will be effected;  
(And are by some, both hoped for, and projected;)  
Except in mercy, He, that heretofore  
Hath oft so done; shall (pleased be) once more,  
To draw forth an Expedient, from our failing,  
Which, will for our advantage, be prevailing.   

More might be said; but, aught more to express  
Would be in vain to those, who cannot guess  
The rest by this. And, yet, because the reason,  
Of saving charges, comes in such a season,  
As gives it weight; Let us examine, whether  
The Season, and the thrift, agree together,  
Lest, in that frugal humour we may die,  
And, gain an Epitaph, like this, thereby:   

Here, lies interred the Miser, Father Sparges,  
Who might have lived: but died to save charges.  
I find your Thrift, you, think we might disband  
Those Armies, which are quartered through this Land,  
If our Protector were proclaimed a King.  
It may be so; and I, the self same thing  
Should also think; if I considered not,  
We might thereby, as good as Cut our throat.  
Is any man so void of Common sense,  
As, not to see what might result from thence?  
May we not save the charge of paying One,  
And, let Two Armies in, when that is gone,  
To pay themselves, until at last, they shall  
In Contributions, and in Pay have all?   

You fear, perhaps, that by the soldiery  
Our Laws, our Freedoms, and Propriety  
May be destroyed, if long embodied here;  
And, cause enough there may be of that fear:  
But, will a King, prevent it? may not we  
Another way as much oppressed be,  
By some, who for our Liberties pretend  
Yet, Cry up Kingship, for their private end?  
May we not suffer at the Lawyer's Bar,  
As much as we endured by the War,  
Through those Formalities, which make the Laws,  
Of our most sad oppression, one chief cause?   

The Sword unsufferably, (I confess)  
If not well disciplined, will us oppress:  
But, hitherto, it hath been in those hands,  
Which kept it serviceable in these Lands,  
With so much Moderation, that no time,  
Bears witness of the like in any Clime:  
And, though an Insolent proud Fool or twain,  
Cause, to some few, hath given to complain,  
Their Arbitrary actings, were not many;  
●…or to the ruin, or great loss of any.  
●…onder, any man can stand inawe  
〈◊〉 Swords and Guns, who feels the plague of Law;  
●…d, would not rather be devoured twice  
〈◊〉 Lions, than once eaten up with Lice.  
●…ould I illustrate (which, my private wrong  
●…y, peradventure, force me to e'er long)  
●…e sad discoveries which I have made  
●…ce first that Gangreeve, I, upon me had;  
〈◊〉 what impertinent vexatious ways,  
●…stly devices, or undue delays,  
●…e Suits of wronged Clients forth are spun,  
●…re than twice twenty years, and yet not done;  
〈◊〉 what excessive Fees (twice or thrice took)  
●…ithout one Line writ down, or one word spoke,  
●…d, at how dear a rate they sometimes buy  
●…ain hope, which augments their misery;  
●…w, Motions, Orders, and Reports beget  
●…h other, till their brood grows Infinite;  
●…d, how some Registers, put out, or in,  
●…ose words, which may another Round begin,  
●…hough they who heard the Judge's Order, thought  
●…e Cause, would thereby to an end be brought)  
●…u would suppose (and might suppose it well)  
●…e Courts we toil in, were some Rooms in Hell,  
●…d, that, we had imposed there on us  
●…e never ending Plague of Sisyphus,  
●…o, up a Steep hill, rolled with great pain  
〈◊〉 Weighty Stone, which still rolled down again.   

Should I declare, how frequently our Laws,  
●…e pleaded to maintain a wicked cause;  
●…w rarely, good success on him attends,  
●…o makes not way, by Kindred, Bribes, or Friends:  
What hazards he is in, to be betrayed,  
By them, for whose assistance, he hath paid?  
And, then, how far about, they make him run  
 they will suffer him to be undone,  
You, would not greatly fear (no not at all)  
Courts-martial, or a Major General,  
But, rather, fear to fall into their claws,  
Who, to men's ruin, turn our wholesome Laws,  
Whose practice, being regulated, might  
Preserve our private and our public Right:  
For, that, our Laws are good, confess I do,  
And, that, we have some honest Lawyers, too.   

No men have more oppressed been of late  
This way, then, they who best have served this State,  
And to support it, did themselves expose  
To hazards, by accepting what our Foes  
Had forfeited, to be therewith repaid,  
When, others, of such bargains were afraid:  
For, if it were observed, how they have slighted  
Those Acts of Parliament, which, us invited  
Upon the Public credit, to lay forth  
Ourselves, for Titles of such little worth  
In most men's value, that, but few or none  
Will take thereof, ten pounds, in pledge for one;  
It would appear, that, we, among the rest  
Of those by them grieved, have been most oppressed.  
For my own part, I, now five years together,  
Have sought for Justice, and can yet get neither  
My Land nor Money: though by further cost,  
A thousand pounds are added to what's lost;  
Nor whither, for redress I may retire,  
Do I yet know; nor where, I can inquire:  
And, should I in each circumstance, declare  
My wrongs thereby, and what effects they are  
Which thence have followed you would say, the sword  
●…erewith compared, Mercies did afford;  
●…d, that, it more to our vexation tends,  
〈◊〉 be destroyed by our seeming-friends,  
●…ith lingering torments; then, with one great blow,  
●…be made senseless, by an open Foe.  
●…d, therefore, when I have considered well  
●…hat I (and many more) in this kind feel,  
●…re conclude, that if no course be found,  
●…hereby, that Justice, may be here enthroned,  
●…hich will redress these wrongs (and those that lie  
●…housands of Petitions hurled by,  
●…ithout regard) the sword, will act once more;  
●…d, prove (I fear) more sharp than heretofore,  
●…annag'd by a King; which, both to us,  
●…d to himself, will now be ominous.   

When we have made a King, which, will enlarge  
●…e common burden, by a further charge,  
●…d added to the multitudes of those  
●…ich now are known, new bands, of bosom foes,  
●…o, mad with vengeance, and with discontent,  
●…ll any way, their brutish passions vent;  
●…ll it be thriftiness, the charge to spare  
●…t, should for such a time, a guard prepare?  
●…eed, they few good pennyworths afford,  
●…o measure all things, by the Pike and Sword;  
●…d none of us, I think, could well abide  
〈◊〉 Suits should in a Martial Court be tried;  
●…r, where they managed are, till we could get  
●…re expedition, than we can have yet,  
●…h less expense) but, better sure it were,  
〈◊〉 spend a little quantity of tar  
●…en lose a Hog; and, to be some while willing  
〈◊〉 saving of a Pound, to pay a Shilling.  
Hard things, in great straits, must be undergone  
Offensive guards, are better much than none.   

Are you asleep? and, see you not already  
That, being in our Purposes unsteady,  
Makes Bees, as well as Wasps, to Buz and Hum,  
And show their Stings, portending what will come  
Do not you hear what's murmured, as among  
The People, to and fro, you pass along?  
And, know you not, that, what is voiced abroad  
By them, is otherwhile, the Voice of God?  
Then, know it now; lest, shortly, that be spoke  
Which, when once said, he never will revoke:  
And, though you slight the Scribble of my Pen,  
Learn wisdom, from your prudent Husbandmen.  
Doth any sober Country Fellow, judge  
He saveth aught, by pulling up his hedge  
Before his Corn be housed, to leave (the while  
He therewith warms himself) his Crop to spoil?  
Or, put away his Dogs, that were employed  
To guard the Sheep, till Wolves are quite destroyed?  
Consider these things; And, by these conceive  
What Prudence doth oblige us to believe  
Of all those other Arguments, you bring  
To make us change Protector into King;  
Or, to disarm these Nations, till we see  
This Commonwealth shall better settled be.  
But, 'tis the Reason of a Parliament,  
Which to our Prince, a Kingship doth present.  
True; And, it is the Reason of the Prince,  
(Yea, and his Conscience, too) which takes offence  
At what is offered; and 'tis not a case  
As yet decided, whether should give place.  
My Private Reasons, they might oversway,  
And, though 'twere not convinced, I must obey,  
Or Suffer: And thus for my Conscience too  
It must be, in things, which I cannot do.  
But sure, his Highness (if it may be judged  
By private men) is much more Privileged:  
For, he whom God hath Raised up, or Sent  
To lay the Groundwork of a Government,  
Is with a Spirit, in all likelihood  
By him who raised him, for that work endowed;  
Yea peradventure, he is qualifide  
To that End, more than all men else beside,  
As will appear (though this to some seem strange)  
If we look back on every former change;  
And when to new Works, GOD doth Princes call,  
What Spirits, them he furnishes withal.   

Both Parliaments, and Counsels general,  
Do many times into great errors fall;  
And for their Own, or for the People's Sin  
(Or for some other causes) oft have been  
Deserted by their Guide; that, men may know  
Their Weal, from their Joint wisdom, doth not flow.  
When God will prove a People, or a Prince,  
It must, by somewhat, likely to convince,  
Attempted be: The Spirit, to be tried,  
In somewhat, must embodied abide  
That's venerable: else, no Approbation  
Can thereon follow, worth Consideration.  
A Prophet, by a Prophet was deceived;  
And yet, was therefore of his life bereaved.  
It was even by those men who seated were  
In Moses chair, (and whom Christ bade them hear)  
Who did so misadvise them, that, they cried  
To have the King of glory crucified.  
Yet, they have been accursed till this day,  
Because, they did not as well try, and weigh,  
As hear their counsel; having, so to do,  
A rule of Faith, and Light within them, too.  
The Reason, therefore, of a Parliament,  
May be demurred upon, though it present  
A Kingdom: and, if any man may be  
Thus privileged, then, no man more than he  
Whom, it now most concerneth; and, who, must  
Give an account, for what he hath in trust.   

But, there is something, that persuades my heart,  
This Parliament, in acting of their part  
Hath not alone, done that which providence  
Will make to be, at last, without offence;  
But, serviceable also to that end.  
Which, God, and our Protector, did intent:  
Or, that they will, at least wise, have a care  
That nothing shall be urged to ensnare  
His Conscience; or, be further on him pressed  
Then so far, as the public interest,  
And his, it may advance: For, these are gifts  
That often have put many to hard shifts  
To get them; but, till now I ne'er did know  
A Prince, that might not such a gift forego  
Without offence; or, that a Conqueror,  
To choose his Title had not always power.  
Nor can I think, that, he did so dispose  
Of his whole power, when he empowered those  
For his assistance, that, himself he left  
But as a cipher, of all power bereft:  
Even of enablement, by his negation,  
For that, which tendeth to the preservation  
Of his own conscience: and, of means to do  
That, which the Law of Nature, binds him to:  
For, their Petition, seemeth to imply  
That, somewhat, which they ask he may deny.  
And Reason says, that none should be confined  
From Power, to do the work to him enjoined;  
Which, he would want, if of a Negative  
In such like things as this, they him deprive.   

I must confess, I staggered am, well near,  
And almost overawed with a fear  
Of meddling any further in this Point,  
Lest, I, may bring things farther out of joint  
That stand awry: for, I am not a stranger  
To those Concernments which it may endanger,  
If, I, to common view, should bring out that  
Which is conceived a Mystery of State;  
Or, should entrench upon the Privileges  
Which, due to Parliaments, this Nation judges:  
Nor am I ignorant, what might to me  
Thereby befall, should I suspected be,  
(As it is somewhat probable I may)  
For Arbitrary actings, to make way  
Beyond due Limits (which, I do abhor  
With all my soul, to be a pleader for.)  
Yet, I were false to truth, should I not show  
What Tools are to his undertake due,  
Who must secure our Peace (because he may  
Make use of them perhaps another way.)  
The Drunkard sinneth by excess of Wine,  
Yet, we allow the planting of the Vine;  
And, I conceive it lawful to express  
That, which may public injuries redress,  
Although it may occasion some offence,  
Which is of an inferior consequence.  
I know, what to a Parliament hath been  
Ascribed; and, I have felt, as well as seen  
What power it hath, and what that power may do,  
If, that exorbitance belongs thereto,  
Which many claim; and, which, it had obtained  
Until it was by Providence restrained.  
It hath, to give it an enablement,  
The People's never failing Argument,  
Thereby, to make good, and oblige us to  
What they are pleased we should believe, or do:  
Even this, (which oft doth puzzle and becumber  
The wisest men) an Over-voting Number.  
It acts by Precedents, which, may sometimes  
Make virtues to be punished as crimes:  
It takes a power to make and unmake Treason;  
To bind and lose, as well our Faith as Reason;  
To raise, or pull down Kings; from their possessions,  
To throw men out; to punish for Transgressions,  
Before there have been Law, to make them such;  
And, hath unto itself assumed so much,  
That, doubtless, if there be no power in Him  
Who should be Umpire, betwixt us and them,  
To moderate (nor any other way  
To qualify) that which impose they may;  
No single Tyrant, now or heretofore,  
Did, or can for the future, grieve us more,  
Or more enslave, than we ourselves may do,  
By means of those whom we shall trust unto:  
Nor to so many can those wrongs extend,  
Nor be so hardly brought unto an end;  
Considering, that, things present to enjoy,  
Some, would their own posterity destroy.   

We have had dear experience, both, long since,  
And lately, what effects may flow from thence,  
If, neither in our selves, nor in another,  
Nor in them and a third power, joined together,  
There may be means to save from what we fear;  
Yea, we of our best hopes deprived are,  
And have but leaped (by aught that see I can)  
Into the Fire, out of the Frying-pan:  
For, as things stand, when Deputies are chose,  
Whether, they be our faithful friends, or foes;  
Whether, they have been well, or misbegotten;  
Whether, their Principles be sound, or rotten;  
Whether, they shall be Prudent, or unwise;  
Whether, their votes be gained by surprise,  
Or not; and, whether, that which they conclude  
Be right or wrong; or, for our harm, or good,  
We have no remedy, but, must submit  
To whatsoever is adjudged fit:  
And, not presume to let a word be spoke  
Against it, lest their privilege be broke.  
But, sure, there should some bounds be set to them;  
And, I believe there is, by that Supreme  
And Common law of Nature, which, in part  
Is writ (though much defaced) in every heart.  
Therefore, that Law I very often read,  
And, many times, for common freedoms plead,  
As I find cause; and, will not be afraid  
To plead it, when aside I see it laid,  
Though I have blame; And, though, some will suppose  
And say, Beyond his Last, this Cobbler goes.   

On that account, my Muse compels me, here  
To treat of things that seem beyond my Sphere;  
But, having for Affairs wherewith I deal  
A Warrant in my bosom, under Seal,  
I will proceed unto the point in hand,  
So far forth as the same I understand:  
For, that which is in question, differs not  
In what may follow, from the Gordian-knot;  
And, I should grieve to see it knit so fast,  
That, by the Sword, it must be cut at last,  
Or, all, thereby into a danger slide,  
If still, or overlong, it be untied.  
I know not what this Parliament can do,  
Nor whether it be limited or no,  
By him who called it: but, I believe,  
It power with limitations did receive.  
And, this I know; that, if there doth reside  
A power therein, to force what is denied,  
Maugre his Conscience, who the same to save  
From violence, doth one Proposal wave;  
I, thereupon conclude, it may as well  
Against his single-Reason, him compel;  
And with more show of Justice, if the state  
Of that, which is in question, doth relate  
To Civil things; because, the reason shown  
Is jointly then, the peoples and his own,  
They, being both his chosen Counsellors  
For such affairs, and Deputies of theirs;  
Who may as justly take his power away  
To morrow, as his Title, on this day,  
Against his will; and, Him and His, expose  
To all the rage and malice, of his foes.   

If, from constraint, his Conscience be not free,  
Sad will the consequences thereof be.  
If He, that freedom shall be barred from,  
What of our Christian freedoms will become?  
Who as'tis thought, have given them a power  
Without control, to spare or to devour,  
As they shall please. But, sure empowered thus  
They never were by God, our Prince, or us,  
By aught which tacitly did them invest  
With such power; nor by any thing expressed;  
At least the jure, though we are in Fact  
Concluded by those Laws they shall enact.   

For whatsoever the law of God or nature,  
Confers upon the Reasonable creature,  
No Trust, as Deputies of ours, have they  
To meddle with (much less to take away)  
Until by those Laws forfeited; unless  
For Public weal, or succours in distress,  
For common safety. Nor then, have they power  
O'er person, freedom, goods, or aught that's our  
In equity: unless, they also lay  
As equally as possibly they may,  
Those burdens upon all; lest, some bear nought,  
As lately; and, some be to ruin brought;  
Whose prayers, cries, and unredressed wrongs,  
Is that which our Vnsetlement prolongs.  
It will be, therefore, our securest way,  
The Groundwork of our Government to lay  
Upon some Just Act, which may expiate  
Those Sins that have committed been of late,  
Through our defect of Justice and Compassion,  
To them who have been faithful to this Nation,  
Even to their own undoing: were this done,  
The works which now go Backward, would go on;  
And, God, would make us lovingly comply;  
Instruct us what to Grant, or to deny.  
Till this be done, we only shall contrive  
Snares for each other; or, at best, but strive  
Like Bees in honey- pots; and, be at last,  
Destroyed by that, in which our hopes are placed.  
Yea, till these Nations, do so constitute  
Their Parliaments, and them whom they Depute  
Obliges to fundamentals, they, shall never  
Their Liberties enjoy; but be for ever  
Exposed to Hazards (which might be prevented,  
And none be therewith justly discontented).  
As now things are, at every Parliament,  
May our Religion, or the Government,  
Be innovated, to our greise or shame,  
According to those Model, they will frame,  
Who may by fraued, or other manes unjust,  
For such end's, screw into our Public trust.  
Sometimes, we shall be governed by a king;  
A few years after, by an other thing;  
Then, by a king again; and, to all these  
Be forced to engage, as others please;  
With every wind, turned like a Weathercock,  
Now fast, now Lose; out Nettle and in Dock;  
Yea, and to swear, till we may safely say  
And swear, that, most have sworn their faith away:  
Which, to prevent, either from God, or him,  
Who, hath in all Affairs, the Power Supreme  
Our help must come; and, from a Parliament  
Which, thereunto shall give a full assent:  
But, this can never be, (as I have said  
Elsewhere) until the Groundwork be new laid;  
And, till by good and perfect Chymestry,  
Nature's three principles, Salt, Mercury,  
And Sulphur, be to that just temprature,  
And such proportion brought, as will procure  
To govern us, a Civil-Trinity,  
Made up into a blessed Unity,  
Itself (so far forth as it may be done)  
Conforming to th' Eternal three-in-one  
In Righteousness and Mercy. This product,  
Our selfishness, doth hitherto obstruct;  
And will, till God, in some things, hath a choice  
By Lot, when they are passed by humane voice:  
For, much corruption that will cure; and, then,  
Christ's kingdom, will begin to be with men  
More manifest; and, no false Christ's appear  
As now, and heretofore, they have done here.   

But, know, that when a Government consists  
Of three Estates, it will wrong those Interests  
Which to a Free Republic do pertain,  
Unless it be provided, that, those twain,  
Which are Superior, shall descend to none  
By Birthright: But, that, thereto every one  
Shall be elected; and, no person bear  
Such Place, who was not born a Commoner;  
Or, whose Posterity, shall not return  
To that Condition, whereto he was born.  
For, he, or his, will Tyrants be at last  
By whom, this Proposition is transgressed.  
These things, perhaps, will come to pass in time,  
Whereof, I seem at present, but to dream;  
And, peradventure, we till then, to gain  
A Setlement, shall plodd, and strive in vain.   

Mean while, his Highness, or he, whosoe'er  
God, to the supreme Office doth prefer,  
A Suffrage-negative, should have in that,  
Which, Public safety, doth necessitate  
To be by him, or them, sometime Denied:  
By no means, can he otherwise provide  
To keep his Honour, or, those Dues, which must  
Preserve him able, to perform his trust,  
Or bound them in their Orb, who else, (as we  
By proof have found) exorbitant may be,  
And, like a Herd (if not well kept together)  
When some break out, run all, they know not whether.  
Nay, till there be a Gouvernment here fixed,  
Things balancing, so evenly, betwixt  
Prince, Peers, and People, that, each may subsist,  
And not infringe each others Interest,  
He, that is our Supreme, must trusted be  
With Arbitray Power in some degree,  
To carry on his work, and to secure  
The whole, whilst our unsettlements endure:  
And, to effect that end, God did, perchance,  
Destroy the Power, that was; and this advance.   

Without such Power a Prince chose out of Logs,  
Like that which was bestowed on the Frogs,  
Would be as good: Him, we might deal with all  
As we should please; and any thing might call,  
And leap about him; till ashamed we be  
Of such a Block, and choose a worse than he.  
This Parliament, hath done what them became  
In offrong; he, hath also done the same  
In his refusal: And, still to adhere  
To that whereof resolved he doth appear,  
Shall do as well, until that be removed  
Which gives Offence, or, Inoffensive proved:  
And should he be compelled to accept  
Till that be done, Decorum were not kept.   

They therefore, as I hope, will qualify  
That, which he is enforced to deny,  
(And thereby save the labour and the Cost,  
Which, else, would in an evil time be lost)  
Rather than force him to an acceptation  
Of that which would be an abomination  
Both to himself and others: Which would prove  
No Symptom of their Piety or Love:  
For, should he be compelled unto that  
Which most of his best Friends abominate,  
And, his own Conscience checks at; It would give  
A Kingdom, which no wise man would receive;  
And as it were enthrone him, (shall I tell  
In plain terms where?) even, in the Depths of Hell,  
Within whose cursed bounds, is comprehended  
A wounded conscience, wilfully offended.   

It is confessed, the Title of a King  
Is honourable, and may profit bring  
To some who would conserat; But, to Him  
No benefit (yea, and perhaps, to Them  
At last as little) For, if he grow less  
In Power, that Title, will in his distress  
Not so much help as hinder: And, then, they  
Who gave it, will, first, take the same away:  
Yea, if on that side an advantage grow,  
They will bestow it on his greatest Foe.  
But, if his Power continue, he may still  
Support his Title, call him what you will;  
And, that, to which none can lay claim but he,  
Will safest upon all Adventures be.  
Indeed, all things considered well together,  
There will be Hazards, both in th'one and th'other;  
But, least in that, which will in proof be best  
To keep that conscience, which gives Inward rest.   

Though, in itself, we do confess the Title  
Is honourable, it can add but little  
To his Repute: Nay, it will be a blot  
As things are, to that honour he hath got;  
Which, if it seriously considered be,  
Is of a higher nature and degree,  
Than that which men confer; and, they shall do  
No more who add a King-ship thereunto,  
Than he, who Diamonds in Lead doth set,  
Or, makes an Earl or Duke, a Baronet.  
And, Gideon, peradventure, did therefore  
Refuse a Kingship, being honoured more  
By what he was, then by what he thereby  
Might have conveyed to his Posterity.  
Kingship is lawful; yet, wise men do know  
Things lawful, inexpedient sometimes grow.  
The Style of King, was but an Ordination  
Of men; and afterward by Toleration,  
At their request, by God himself allowed  
Unto his people (so, that neither proud  
They did become, nor puffed up with ambition  
O'er others; which, thereof was one Condition.)  
Yea, 'tis an Attribute of God, whereon  
Was raised, this incommunicable one,  
The King of Kings. If therefore, at the Name  
We simply take offence, We are too blame:  
Or, if we think, the Power they give is less  
Who, by Synonoma's, the same express,  
As many Nations do, who never had  
A King among them, since the world was made,  
Yet give their Prince's power, whereby they may  
Rule well, and make their Subjects well obey.  
The Supreme Person, always is the same  
In Sooner aignty, whatever him you name:  
And, they who do pretend, our Laws to bring  
Advantages, to him that's called a King  
Which other Titles give not, do well know,  
If, he be their Supreme, it is not so:  
For, every thing within our Laws expressed,  
Wherein our former Kings had Interest,  
Is virtually, even by those Laws, derived  
To him, who for our Sovereign is received.  
And, whatsoever they make show of, may,  
Who make the Law, speak what they please to say,  
Were that, which is now conquered by our Swords,  
Brought to their Bars, to be new tried by Words,  
The Judgement would be given on that side  
Where Power, not where the Kingship did reside,  
Although the Law spoke for it, and forbade  
All other Governments: For, Laws are made  
To speak, too often, not to that good end  
For which, Lawmakers, did them first intent:  
But, what best makes out their Accommodation,  
Who take upon them their Interpretation.  
Else, they could tell you (without my direction)  
That, he, whom God hath raised for our Protection,  
Had for his Church, and for his Common-weal,  
The Power he owns, confirmed on that Appeal  
They made to God, when that, for which they fought,  
To Trial, in an Open Field, was brought.   

Conquest, is by our Law, the utmost Trial  
That can be had: and He, (without denial)  
And his Adheres, have right in that respect,  
To any Title which they will elect:  
Yea, and may Change, Confirm, or make the Laws  
Such, as their Safety, and the Common Cause  
Shall now require: Provided, it accord  
With their Trust, for whose sake they drew the Sword;  
And with those ancient Rights, by God and Nature,  
Conferred upon the Reasonable Creature:  
Which, if they shall invade, their Swords now worn,  
Upon Themselves, just vengeance will return:  
For, that Power, was conferred to provide  
A form of Government so rectifide,  
That, neither Prince, nor Peers, nor People might  
Entrench, hereafter, on each others Right:  
Yea, (that by what shall be, and what is past,  
God's purpose might be manifest, at last)  
It them empowers, to lay down those Foundations,  
That shall by This, and future Generations  
Be built upon: In which work, if they should  
Leave any Arch, or Pillars, raised of old,  
Mislaid, or Crooked, Rotten, or Mis-wrought,  
It would, at last, bring all the Pile to nought.  
And therefore, to this end, obliged they are  
Touse their Power with Prudency and care.  
To this end, Providence, into their hands  
Let that Power slip, which at this day commands;  
And they, who merely for their own ends use it,  
Are Tyrants, or else Traitors, and abuse it.   

That, which may of Protectorship be said,  
Was, long ago, made public to be weighed;  
(Not without cause, although to many men,  
It seemed an Impertinency, then)  
And, as if that had been foreseen, which would  
Be offered now, the Sequel was foretold,  
Which would ensue on changing of that Title,  
With other things regarded but a little;  
Which, to repeat here, were but (in effect)  
To offer them again to your neglect.   

New Titles, future Grandeur, do foreshow;  
The greatest Titles, at the first were New:  
And, though the Government which we yet have,  
Was only modellized, but to save  
From likely ruin, till we strongth should get  
To raise up that, which might be more complete;  
You, in this Title no defect can see,  
If, but Imperial thereto added be,  
Or, somewhat else, to put a difference  
'Twixt This, and that in Nonage of a Prince:  
And, those additions which do not estrange,  
But help explain a Title, are no change.  
What, if his Highness, doth suppose it given  
(As I believe) by Providence from Heaven?  
And thinks Himself engaged, not to neglect  
That Gift? And what, if for the like respect,  
His Friends conceived it might be Ominous,  
Either to Him who owns it, or to Us,  
Without an urgent cause to change the same  
For King, or any other Sovereign Name?  
Should this great Title be rejected for  
That, which his best affected Friends abhor?  
And, they, thereby grow jealous, that his heart  
(Which seemed inclined to the better part)  
Had left it for the world, and for those toys  
Wherein her foolish Favourites rejoice?  
Might not thereon, some Consequence ensue,  
Which, peradventure, He, or We, might rue?   

What, if God gave that Title for a Test  
Of his adherence to that Interest,  
Which doth concern Christ's Kingdom? and to show  
That if what God conferred he shall forgo  
(For what the World will offer) he best prizes  
The things of this World, and his Grace despises?  
Or what, (if as that Blood, which heretofore  
Sprinkled the Posts, and Lintels of the door)  
God, gave this Title for a difference  
Betwixt the Kings of Babel, and his Prince?  
That he may be secured, when to destroy  
Christ's foes, he shall that Army here employ,  
Which will cast out their flesh, to Beasts and Fowls,  
To Devils, give their miserable souls?  
Make, that abominable Scarlet-Whore  
Their painted Mistress. desolate and poor?  
And, throw them irrecoverably thither,  
Where, they shall burn perpetually together?   

This may be; for, the time is drawing on  
Wherein, such Executions will be done.  
And therefore, in his Highness, it implies  
Much Christian Prudency, that he denies  
What's offered now; and, he shall be ennobled  
Much more thereby, then by those Offers doubled,  
If he persist; Clear Symptoms, he hath given  
Of good events, by having so long striven  
Against what, seemingly, doth offer him  
Things, of most value in the world's esteem:  
For, they infer, that he is raised above  
Their Sphere, who on such objects set their love;  
That, his Promotions, he expects not from  
The East or West; nor cares for those that come  
By Obliqne Winds: But, most account doth make  
Of what the World, can neither give nor take.  
Those Outward Trappings, which make so much show  
Of what these Nations do on him bestow,  
Are not on him bestown, but, on the State.  
The great Allowances, much murmured at,  
Are upon him conferred, for their own sakes,  
Even to secure Themselves: And, them he takes  
For that intent; because, thereby, he must,  
And cannot otherwise, perform his Trust.  
Whereas, if he perceived it would as little  
Secure the Public, as their Offered Title,  
And, on his Conscience press, as that will do,  
I, do believe, he would refuse that, too.   

Presume I may not, to declare to those  
Who are in Power, which way, they might compose  
Their Diffrences; nor have I ought to say,  
To that End, which, I warrantably may  
Propound: For, if I had, neither the fear  
Of those Wits, who, take liberty to jeer,  
Nor worse things, could affright me; I, have told  
As much, as I can seasonably unfold:  
Except this Hint that follows, doth conduce  
To somewhat, which, may safely be of use.  
Perhaps, it is Cast in, but to Ensnare;  
Perhaps, to make proof, how inclined you are.  
Be wary, therefore, how far you proceed  
Therein; and mind, I warned you, to Take heed.  
Should it offend, I dare not change a Line;  
For, though I speak, these Errands are not mine.  
God, sets before us, this, and that, to choose,  
And leaves us free, to Take or to Refuse;  
And, such marks gives, of what may prove amiss,  
That, if we choose not well, the fault's not His.   

They, who sincerely think, the Style of King  
Will to this Commonwealth advantage bring;  
And, they, who fear it would portend no good  
The title of Protector to explode,  
May, if they can agree, join them together,  
And please perhaps, both Parties; perhaps, neither,  
Till somewhat reconcile them, which, fit Season  
More likely seems to bring to pass then Reason.   

These Titles are consistent; and, if that  
Which is refused, be made Subordinate,  
And this Supreme; that it may thereunto  
Be Vassal, and a kind of Homage do,  
As conquered; it might be serviceable  
With less offence, (for aught that I am able  
To countersay:) for, that wise Legislator  
Who was preserved, by Rushes, from the water,  
Was called a King; and, therewith had the Power  
Which, constitutes with us, an Emperor,  
And in that Commonwealth (which was the best)  
Both Kingly, and Imperial Power possessed;  
Which, if conferred on him, who governs us,  
His Title, might be then contrived thus,  
Or, some such way: On feet, in Verse, it goes  
But lamely; Therefore, take it here, in Prose.   Sovereign Protector, or, Protector Imperial of the Commonwealth of Great Britain, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the Islands, Territories and Dominions, to them belonging. 

This, is not Magisterially proposed,  
As if thereby all Ruptures would be closed;  
Nor is it my desire, it should so be,  
Or, not be so; for, it concerns not me.  
It, almost, into words was thus far brought,  
 it was fully form in my thought;  
And, slipped out, (as do such things now and then)  
Rather, to try the minds of other men,  
Then to declare my Judgement; which, I give,  
(When I intent so) in terms positive.   

But, thus much, I will say; This is by none  
Yet claimed; neither gives to any one  
Just cause of Quarrel: Honourable Power  
Holds forth: Is, by the Law of Conquest our,  
And, may within our own Realms, be assumed,  
Yet, nothing be undecently presumed,  
If we, know by what means, to limit so  
The Power, which therewith all, we shall bestow,  
That no offence it gives; nor may produce  
Pride, Folly, or Oppression by abuse.  
But, what would follow, should this fancied be,  
It is not in my dim sight, to foresee;  
And therefore, to be weighed by those, I leave it,  
Whom it concerns to Offer, & Receive it:  
To whom (if sought where such things may be known)  
It shall be, to their satisfaction shown,  
How far this, or the Title of a King  
May be assumed, and no disturbance bring.  
Power, though bred Tame, is an unruly beast,  
Which if it feed much on self interest,  
Grows quickly wild; and every thing commands  
Except it self; yea breaks the strongest Bands,  
Which once cast off, Restraint it will avoid,  
And never more be bound, till 'tis destroyed.   

Our best course therefore is not to be struggling  
With Power (Although it seems upheld by Juggling  
As well as by good means) or to contend  
With things without us, which War hath no end:  
But rather to compose and order so  
All things within us, as we ought to do:  
For, there we may have Peace (when we have done  
Our Duties) In externals, there is none:  
And what we get by Politic Contriving  
By Falsehood, Force, Dissembling, or Conniving,  
Doth for the most part, but the more disorder  
Our minds; and from our hopes divide us further.  
Yea, whether our chief Magistrate, we shall  
A King hereafter, or Protector call,  
'Twill not be much material, what the Name  
Shall be, if all things else be still the same.  
Nor His, nor our condition will be bettered  
Whilst we are with those Vanities befetterd,  
Which to cast off, we lately made a show:  
Or, whilst in secret, we do still pursue  
Our old ways, and continue, in effect,  
What we in Circumstances, do reject.   

Some are persuaded, that the stile of King  
May be as well assumed, as that Thing  
Which gives like Power: And so it may, if he  
A Jehu, or a Jeroboam be,  
Who, neither conscience makes whom he offend;  
Or scandalizeth, to obtain his Ends;  
Or if he use that Power, which is bestown  
For public works, to bring to pass his own.  
But, howsoever, let it be our care  
Still to perform what our Obligements are:  
Which are not to engage him unto On●  
Offence, through fear another may be done:  
Or, to resist the Power we should obey  
Because it seems by an unlawful way  
Acquired or kept: For, every Wise man knows  
Power, Thrones, and Glory, are at GOD's dispose.   

It is by other some not meanly feared,  
Such Power is by Protectorship conferred,  
That he may now infringe our freedoms more  
Than any of our Princes heretofore:  
Which may be likewise true; yet, what GOD gave  
Wherewith to do him service, he must have  
To whom he gives it; If he then abuse it,  
To their wrong, for whose welfare he should use it,  
GOD will aveng it: And though he defers  
That Vengeance, (and the Politician Jeers  
At such a Vindication) 'twill be paid  
With Interest, for all the time delayed,  
As soon as our Repentance, and those wrongs,  
Are for that ripened, which to them belongs.   

These Nations, and their Parliaments, talk much  
Of Liberties, and Freedoms, as if such  
To them pertained, now, as they have had.  
Indeed, there is an Image of them made,  
Whereby, we, them a little honoured see  
Before the People, (as Saul sought to be.)  
But, of those Privileges, we have none;  
Their Glory is departed; they are gone:  
We, by no tenure, any claim can lay  
But Courtesy of England, at this day,  
To what, by Birth was ours; or unto aught  
Which we have purchased, or for which we sought:  
And till our supreme Magistrate repairs  
Our Losses; Or, till GOD shall hear our Prayers  
And cries (if he oppress us) we shall still  
No other be, but, Tenants at his Will.  
Yet is not he in fault; nor is our Case  
So bad, or in such hazard as it was.  
For, if it were not so, it might be worse;  
And, that which we suppose to be a Curse,  
May prove a Blessing. Otherwhile, men lose  
By having all things at their own dispose;  
And sometimes gain by losing. what was our,  
Did lately slip into another's power;  
Who, thereof taketh (by that forfeiture)  
But so much, as our Freedoms may secure  
To us hereafter. When, he seems to wound  
He doth but lance a sore, to make that sound  
Which would destroy us: when, unto some cost  
He puts us, 'tis that all may not be lost.  
Yea, for our welfare, he is means contriving,  
When we most wrong him, by a misbelieving.  
And doth discharge his Trust (as I believe)  
By doing that, whereof we misconceive.   

Though he permits us to capitulate  
With him, as it we did participate  
In his Power; suffering us to claim and take  
Those Privileges, whereby he may make  
An advantageous use, with least offence,  
To bring to pass the work of Providence;  
And to such purposes, is well content  
To all our just requests, to give assent:  
Those things, do not to us of right pertain;  
They are mere Acts of Favor; no remain  
Of our old freedoms: And, 'twill hazzardize  
Their Restauration, to think otherwise:  
For, those Thoughts hindering that complete submission  
Which GOD requires, will hinder their fruition,  
By making us, perhaps, that means endeavour  
To gain them, which will lose them, quite, for ever.   

In provocations, IS'RAEL did proceed  
So far, that thereupon GOD had decreed  
No Ransom from destruction should redeem  
Their glorious Temple and Jerusalem,  
But, their submission to a foreign King.  
On Us, for our transgressions, GOD doth bring  
A Judgement somewhat like it: And, before  
He, will to us our Liberties restore,  
We must quite lose them, and submit to Him  
Whom, as (in that respect) we did contemn.  
And, now, no humane Policy, or Force  
Can put us into any likely Course  
Of repossessing them, save that Compliance,  
With which we have been long time at defiance;  
And, whereto he that should advise, might speed  
As bad, perhaps, as Jeremiah did  
When he in vain, his Countrymen persuaded  
To fly to him, who had their Land invaded.  
But, so it must be; and, if to believe  
What must be, may assurance thereof give.  
Or, if things probable in Reason, may  
Confirm that, which I now believe and say,  
Our much averseness, rather will bring on  
Then hinder, that which must at last be done.   

For, we are torn into so many fractions,  
Grown of so many minds, by our distractions,  
(Or Coun●eractings) every Party striving  
To bring to pass things of their own contriving,  
All men so apt, whom place of trust, enable  
For their own private ends, to scrape and scrable;  
And every man so jealous, and afraid,  
Of being to his Opposite betrayed;  
That, (as the World was, when it first begun)  
Our Commonwealth, must be the work of One;  
O●e, that hath Power, and, in whom, to agree  
They, who are most concerned, most likely be.  
This One, GOD, hath provided to restore  
All, that our Kings usurped heretofore  
(Or, our Sins forfeited) And to resetle  
On us, those blessings, by a stronger Title;  
(If neither He, nor these divided Nations  
Shall, wilfully, make frustrate their Probations)  
Though, many are, yet, fearful that he may  
In some things, act the quite centrary way.   

Those Counsels, he hath oft together brought  
Which we in former times, most proper thought  
For such a Work; and, much hath taken in,  
Which offered, by some private hands, hath been,  
But, both their Ends, and Contributions are  
So differing, and from Unity so far;  
That, what he hath desired should be done,  
Less perfect seems, than when it was begun.  
And 'tis not possible their work should be  
Long-lasting, who, in so few things agree.  
He, therefore (as in all times past, we find  
It hath been done) who, is by GOD designed  
To change a Government; and, unto whom  
He always, an Assistant will become,  
For his own works; that spirit, must improve  
Which GOD on him conferreth to promove  
His Vndertakeing. Then, resolve he must  
On what his Conscience judgeth to be just,  
And by his Power confirm it: else, the Ways  
Now followed, will destroy him, by Delays.   

By this Course, and by weighing well those things  
Which faithful men, and his experience brings  
To be considered, he himself, alone,  
Shall do that, which will never, else be done;  
Even he alone, if, he, himself deny  
(And on that wisdom, and that power rely,  
Which hitherto, hath carried him along)  
Shall, for his undertake, be more strong  
Then, if he were with all the strength, supplied  
And all the wisdom, of the world beside;  
For, that shall teach him, what advise to choose:  
What he must alter, what he must refuse,  
And what to fix upon: which, will be ●…ore  
His Honour, than his Conquests heretofore;  
Or, then to leave through future Generations,  
A Kingship to his seed, o'er many Nations.   

This done; a Parliament well constituted  
Will crown the work: then, such as are reputed  
Just Privileges, will be all restored;  
Then, they, who now agree not, will accord:  
Then, will our Laws, which yet are made a Snare,  
Have those effects, for which ordained they were,  
And, other things, be fairly carried on  
Which, now, in crooked muddy Channels run.   

We, in this work of Providence, most heed  
Those gross, and obliqne Actings, which proceed  
From man's corruption; and, the deeds of those  
Whom for false friends, or else, for Open foes  
We do suspect; and, greatly vexed are  
With those misactings, which, in them appear;  
As if, their failings only, were occasions  
Of all our losses, and our Preturbations;  
But, were it well observed, we should find  
That, those grand-works, which are by GOD designed,  
Are no less furthered, by our oversights,  
Our weakness, follies, and our foes despites,  
Then by our Virtues, Prudency, or Power,  
Or, any sufferings, or good deeds of our;  
And, thereupon, prepare a way for Peace,  
By prising others more, and, our selves less.  
Or, if our Intellectual eyes could see  
What GOD hath done, or, what those actings be  
Whereby, his finger, doth make manifest  
What changes, have infringed our interest;  
We, in true meekness, would incline unto  
What he expects, we, should believe and do;  
Then, we should find, those changes were permitted  
That, for GOD's, work we might be better fitted;  
That, his great Love and Justice, might be known;  
That, our great failings, we, might know, and own;  
That, it might give us many Evidences  
How little trust there is, in earthly Princes,  
In Parliaments, or, in the best of those  
Externall things, wherein we trust repose:  
And, that, we thence may learn, when we have tried  
Their Trustlesnesse, in whom, we should confide.   

As sure as, GOD, ten tribes from David rend,  
And, made Belshazers' doom, a precedent  
For future times to heed; and, took from Saul  
And other Kings those Kingdoms wherewith all  
They were endowed: so surely, was the Throne  
Of our preceding King, by GOD, broke down:  
So surely, he, who now enthroned sits,  
Was raised by him; and, that if he forgets  
On what Conditions, he, that grace received,  
So surely, shall he be again deprived,  
Of what he yet enjoys; and be devoured  
By that, whereby, he was at first empowered.   

As sure, as jacob's sons delivered were  
Into the hands of Nabuchadnezer,  
Of Eglon, Jabin, Sisera, and those  
Who, did on them great Slaveries impose;  
So certainly, did GOD give up these Lands  
In former times, into Oppressor's hands,  
Both Temporal, and Ghostly; causing them  
In various wise, to be from time to time,  
Either afflicted, eased, enthralled or freed  
As to do well, or ill, they did proceed:  
And, lately, hath poured forth his vials here  
On Priest and People, upon Prince and Peer;  
Yet, if we grow not better than we be,  
Far sadder Changes, we may live to see,  
Because, such Provocations, ours have been,  
As, in no former ages, have been seen.   

Mark what I say; and heed what will ensue;  
For, what I tell you, is, and shall be true.  
GOD, for their many sins, did justly bring  
These Nations, into Bondege, to their King:  
Not to destroy them, as a foe, but rather,  
Them to correct, as it became a Father.  
That Power, He, exercised not to fulfil  
GOD's mind, but, to accomplish his own will;  
And, did exceed the bounds of his commission,  
To make them footsteps, up to his ambition.  
Then, unto GOD they cried, and did repent;  
Who, thereupon, unto their Parliament  
Gave all his Power; whereby, they did proceed  
Against his life, and reigned in his steed.  
When they were thus enthroned, in lieu of giving,  
Forgiving, disinthralling, and relieving.  
Their Brethren, by whose hazards, blood, & treasure,  
They, of the sovereign Power, had gotten seizure;  
Their Helpers, Friends, and Servants, they forgot,  
Or (which is worse) them, they regarded not;  
(Nor in their greatest need, were some of those,  
So civilly respected as their Foes)  
Nay more; them they oppressed; slighted their prayers,  
Exposed them to shame, wants, and despairs;  
Endeavoured chief their own exaltations,;  
Th'enriching of themselves, and their relations;  
And, had not that succeeded, which befell,  
What else they would have done, no man can tell.   

In sight of GOD, of Angels, and of Men,  
These things were done; and, this, compels my pen  
To leave it on Record, here to be read  
By future Ages, when that I am dead.  
These, and more such like things, which I have been  
Enforced to have felt, and to have seen,  
I, from beholding them, long time desned  
My self, into some nook to have retired;  
But, my Engagements always kept me here:  
Perhaps, that thereof, I might witness bear  
To glorify GOD's Justice; and to show  
From whence all our destructive changes flow.  
And (being that which I seem born to do)  
With willingness, I, now submit thereto,  
That, to their Faces, I may testify,  
What, thousands living, know to be no lie.   

For these Exorbitances, (as this day  
●…e do perceive) GOD, took their power away,  
●…d gave it to their Servant, whom they slighted;  
Whom, they, perhaps, as ill would have requited,  
As other men have been; and, they, are now  
His servants; and inforc'd themselves to bo●…  
Before his presence, whom they did contemn,  
Till, GOD, had with their power invested him,  
Who, is (GOD speed him well) on earth's wide stage,  
The greatest expectation, of, this age:  
Yet, at his Exit, he, his doom shall bear  
According, as his part, is acted here.   

To every one, of whatsoever Degree,  
Such as his works are, such, his meed shall be:  
And, this, nor strength, nor wisdom shall prevent;  
No, not an Army, nor a Parliament,  
Nor long time, shall Prince, Priest, or People thrive  
In any thing, they hope for, or contrive,  
But pussel, plague, and still afflict each other  
Till they in Righteous-things agree together;  
And, sanctify this Commonwealths foundation  
With much more Justice, and with more compassion.   

I hope, this downe-right-dealing (which proceeds  
From Conscience) not Apologizing needs:  
But, of their wrath, I no whit am afraid  
To whom, truth, may offensively be said;  
For, if that any thing thereby befall  
To me destructive, much more grieve I shall  
For others than my self; because, their ends  
I do foresee, who shall destroy their friends;  
And, that, if Justice be not more enjoyed  
I, shall be safest, when I am destroyed.   

Yet, Reader, pleased be before thou go  
With Candour, to peruse a few Lines moe  
For my Indemnity and, then I've done;  
Make no false Comments (prithce) hereupon;  
Infer thou not from any word here said,  
One thought, whereby, aspersions may be laid  
On that great Council, by whose prudence, care,  
Zeal, pains and love, those things proposed are  
For his assent, without whose approbation,  
They cannot have Authentic Confirmation.  
The cause is weighty; and, no Humame eye  
Can all the ways of Providence espy.  
Although their Offers are demured upon,  
They, their devoir, as I believe, have done  
To give advance unto that Interest,  
Which, in their Judgement, hath appeared the best;  
And done Gods work, so far forth as they could  
His purposes, with humane eyes behold;  
Or, execute his Will, by Reason's light:  
And, I do hope, they shall (ere that be quite  
Resolved upon, which yet remains to do)  
Receive Divine Illumination, too.  
By that which I have heeded, I conceive  
(And hold myself obliged to believe)  
That, both they, who did on that Instrument  
Agree, and also they, who yet dissent,  
Their Consciences, have with an equal Zeal,  
To God, their Prince, and to this Commonweal  
Therein discharged; and, that those things which be  
Well done, are Best done, when, some disagree:  
And, that, Truth doth appear in her perfection  
When she is polished by Contradiction:  
We, therefore, to both Parties, own both Love  
And Civil thanks, what ere the Sequels prove.   

Believe me herein; and observe, I pray,  
Which heedfulness, that which I next shall say;  
For, it will much concern us: (and I press  
This Caution, therefore, with such earnestness)  
When, that which was proposed, once in vain,  
(And, which is to be offered now again  
Unto his Highness) all debates hath past;  
If then, your Expectations fail at last  
Which must fall out, on th'one or th'other side;  
With that, which comes to pass, content abide:  
And, though in Judgement, you divided be;  
In your Affections, loveingly agree.   

If they, who their Proposals lately brought,  
To be allowed, obtain not what they sought,  
Miscensure not of them, as if they had  
With ill intentions, those Proposals made;  
Nor judge amiss of him, who gave Denial;  
If, when repugnant Reasons have their Trial,  
He shall be swayed to consent, at length,  
By Reasons of the most prevailing strength.  
For, if his Highness, on such terms admit  
Of that to which he gives denial, yet,  
As in his Judgement, and in Conscience too,  
Well satisfied, in that which he shall do,  
And hath beforehand, God's direction sought,  
(As I believe, he hath done as he ought)  
Know, it proceeds from God; and, that what ere  
We thereupon think Probable, or Fear,  
We must leave God, and Him, to act their part;  
Not meddling with what's hidden in his heart,  
Or in an unrevealed Providence,  
Lest, we to both of these, give just offence;  
And by prejudicating things unknown,  
Destroy the Peace of others, and our own.   

When things are done, (for aught that we can know)  
As, God, doth unto him his duty show;  
If, then, we still suspect him, and foment  
Those Jealousies which nourish discontent;  
If we shall then imagine his Delay  
And Scruples, were but only to make way  
To new Designs; or, to accomplish that  
Which, we think he hath always aimed at,  
(Pretending other things, thereby to gain  
A Larger Power than else he should obtain)  
If we think thus, as I know many do,  
Because they have been pleased to tell me so;  
Then, there will be no remedy or end  
Of what we may Injuriously pretend;  
And, how obliqne so e'er, his aims may be,  
We, make our selves as culpable as he;  
And, there is somewhat in us, which, no doubt  
Doth from a Root of bitterness spring out,  
That will produce our Shame; or, which is worse,  
Engage us into some Destructive Course.  
And, if his heart be right, so much the greater  
Will our Shame be, as his designs are better  
Than we believe they are; and, questionless,  
It will to us contract a Guiltiness,  
That will bring on a Plague: and manifest  
That, though against Selfseeking we protest;  
We, have not so much prayed, that, Gods will  
Should take effect, as, our own to fulfil.   

What, of this great Debate will be th' effect,  
I know not; nor presume I to collect  
From what I know: for, Princes hearts are deep,  
And, I, into their secrets will not peep.  
When Abraham, to sacrifice his Son  
Expressed a Will, although it were not done,  
It pleased as well; And, GOD, for that proceed,  
His willingness, accepted for the deed.  
It lies not in our Actions, to fulfil  
What is required, so much, as in our will:  
For, two men in one cause may fight (or grind  
At one Mill,) yet, but one, acceptance find;  
And, what to Act, the Law, on us doth call,  
Sometimes, by grace, may be dispensed withal.  
I, therefore, know not how enlarge we may  
Or circumscribe his Highness in his way;  
Nor how far, GOD, in this Cause, will allow  
A dispensation after Trial now;  
Nor which way he will bend his heart at last;  
But, by those things which are already past,  
(And, by some other symptoms which I find  
Of many good performances, behind)  
I hope the best: and, since no better way  
I, can be serviceable; thus, I pray.   

On Earth, vouchsafe him better things, oh LORD!  
Then, Justice, can for Man's best works afford.  
Within the World to come, let him inherit,  
Not that which He, but, that, which Christ doth merit.  
And, give him power before he thither go,  
To settle righteousness and mercy so,  
Upon his Throne; that, they who now condole  
May sing a blessed Requiem to his soul;  
And, that their hopes deferred, may be enjoyed,  
Before, they, or their patience, are destroyed.   

Our God, hath many ways to bring about  
What he hath foreintended to work out.  
That, which Conditionally to be done  
He Wills, must take effect in every one  
As those Conditions are performed by them,  
To whom, his Offers are proposed by him;  
And, that which he hath absolutely Willed,  
Shall doubtless, absolutely be fulfilled,  
What ever Contrarieties, here, shall  
Thereto obstructive, seemingly befall.   

For my part, therefore, when the Trial's ended,  
Which, I unfeighnedly have recommended  
To God, my Prince, and Country; I'll rejoice  
More in their choosing, then, in mine own choice.  
Although I suffer by it; with belief,  
It will, at last, produce more joy, than grief.  
In that Ship, which the common Fraight doth bear,  
I, am but only a poor Passenger,  
Who, moved thereto by an honest zeal,  
Have spoken, what I thought concerned her weal;  
And, though I have hereby insisted much  
On my own sense; and think it to be such  
As may be owned; Though, such it be reputed  
By others, and shall never be refuted;  
Yea, though, I may discover some things done,  
By which, my just rights are intrenchd upon;  
Yet (having done my duty) I will bear  
Those things with patience, which concluded are;  
And, not alone submit, to what they do,  
My Goods and Person, but, my Reason too:  
At least so far forth, that, I will not press  
One Argument, by which the common-peace  
May be endangered; but, do what I may  
To serve my Country in a sober way:  
In silence, things which are amiss deplore;  
Think my own sins deserved that, and more;  
Mark my own failings; and persuaded be  
These things have happened, to make proof of me,  
And such, as I, as well, as proof to make  
Of those who were engaged for our sake:  
And, praise God, though all things be not so well  
As I desire, that, nothing worse befell.   

For, from those difficulties and confusions,  
Which we are in, to draw forth such conclusions  
As may not be gainsaid, in some repsect,  
Is more than Human wisdom can effect.  
The Course by which we purpose to pursue  
Beloved Peace, loathed Discords may renew;  
And, whilst we fight are, from Foes to clear  
Our Vann, we may be routed in the Rear.  
By those Contrivements, whereby, we suppose  
To save our Lives, our Honours we may lose.  
By that, through which our Persons might be free,  
Our Consciences, perhaps, enslaved may be;  
And, what, for present safety, we endeavour,  
May for the future, ruin us for ever.  
So finite is our Wisdom, and our Power,  
And, those things which may weaken or devour,  
So infinite; that, we as well may span  
The Firmament, as, by the wit of Man  
Contrive, or settle such a Government,  
As will our dangers every way prevent.  
For, that which is best done, and best intended,  
Will still have somewhat in it to be mended:  
Yea, even the best things, which best men can do,  
Insnarings have injected thereinto,  
To catch themselves, or others; which, none escapes  
But, he, that always looks before he leaps;  
And seeks for Council and Protection, from  
That saving-powr, whence all our safeties come.   

He therefore is injurious, who suspects  
All deeds ill purposed, which have ill effects;  
Or, who, those men's Faiths into question calls,  
Whose Council under some Aspersion falls:  
No less unjust are they, who froward be  
Because, he takes his freedom who is free,  
Yet, takes thereof no more than doth belong  
Unto himself, without his Neighbours wrong:  
And, they, are not in every point so wise  
As they might be, who, good advice despise  
(And timely ay'd, when they are like to suffer)  
Because, that man, whom conscience moves to offer  
His services; within the Camp, hath hid  
Himself, as Eldad, and as Medad did.   

These things considered, I, persuaded am  
That neither I, nor any merits blame,  
For aught well proposed: and, that now the day  
Is near at hand, which will prepare a way  
To what Good men desire: and, that a deed,  
Which did from Conscientiousness proceed.  
Justice and Piety, no bar shall prove,  
To that which may our Grievances remove.  
In this hope, I with patience do attend  
What God will do; to whom, I recommend  
The perfecting, of what men strive about,  
For, he must do it. Now, this Flash is out.    

A SPARK.  

BUt see, here's of that Flash, a little Spark  
Yet unextinguished; which, I pray you mark.  
My life's tenth Clymax is now spent well near,  
And yet, my warfare is unfinished here.  
I therefore, by this Flash a trial make,  
How, if need be, Old Powder, fire will take;  
That when occasion calls me so to do,  
I, therewith might discharge a shot or two,  
Or light a Beacon, timely to Alarm  
Those, who may by surprisal, suffer harm;  
And save that, by th' Artillery of words,  
Which, cannot be secured by Guns and Swords.  
For, though by age, my Arms, are useless found,  
My Heart so strong remains, my Brain so sound,  
That both by Action, and by Contemplation,  
I may, yet, some way serve this Generations;  
Whose Welfare to promote, I have bestown,  
More time and cost, then to advance mine own.   

But, when my heart's broke, & hath cracked my brain,  
When all those helps, which unto life pertain;  
When all the present hopes of things without me,  
(Which to and fro, do flutter yet about me)  
Are flown away; (as daily 'tis expected)  
Then, will to mind be brought, things now neglected:  
And that be done, which, yet, self-love and pride  
Obstruct; and will, till they be laid aside.  
Yea, then, with good respect, that will be heard,  
Which, at this present, hath but small regard.  
Meanwhile, I rest contented with my Lot;  
For, I have that esteem which others got  
In former times, who did this way, declare  
Those Notions, wherewithal inspired they were;  
And, to discharge my duties, am a debtor,  
Though my requital, never should be better.   

There lies a little Grain, racked up within,  
From whence, my better-being will begin:  
And, when most Weaknesses appear in me,  
My Power, shall then, in full-perfection be:  
Yea, when I have nor Life, Flesh, Blood, nor Bone,  
Then, that, which could not by those Tools be done,  
Shall be performed; and, many things which are  
Yet dark, will plain, and useful, then, appear.  
Meanwhile, O God vouchsafe thou, to forgive  
What, hinders their performance, whilst I live.    
So prays, Britan's Remembrancer.   

A Cause Allegorically Stated,  
With an Appeal therein, to all that are wise and honest, from an injurious censure, lately passed.  

A Goodly Ship, with precious lading fraught,  
Late, in a dark night, near to land was brought.  
Through many dangers, and much Blustering weather,  
The Providence of God, had brought her thither;  
And, by the Water's motions, and some Humming  
Among the Shrowds, another storm seemed coming.  
The place arrived at, was a dangerous Bay,  
From which, into the Port, two Channels lay,  
Divided by a Quicksand, with great store  
Of Shelus, and Sharp-rocks, upon either Shore:  
She had a brave Commander, Merchants many;  
Stout Seamen, Pilots too, as good as any,  
With Passengers of all sorts; among whom  
Some could (had need been) have supplied the room  
Of well experiensed Seamen, and advised  
Such things, as Prudence would not have despised.  
But, these among themselves, divided were,  
Through which of these two Channels, they should steer,  
One party, thinking that the safest way,  
In which the other, thought most danger lay:  
And in the dark, it could not well be seen,  
In which, the greatest Hazzard would have been.   

There was a poor Old man, that time, a board,  
To whom, God, had been pleased to afford  
A faculty, to see things in the dark,  
Which others could not view, or, did not mark;  
He, seeing what great straits the Ship was in,  
And what their loss was likely to have been,  
Called out to those, who there had Chief Command;  
And said; there stands a Rock; here lies a sand,  
Another yonder, and, a Whirlpool there;  
Be careful therefore, thither not to steer;  
Bear up a little while into the Wind,  
(Although a show of danger there you find)  
And take heed, that a causeless fear or doubt,  
Prevails not now, to make you Tack-about:  
Lest all be lost, and, you, upon a steep  
Ridge strike; and, over-set into the deep.  
Now, by the Starbordside a compass fe●ch,  
Half way to you point, to avoid that Beach;  
And then, upon the Larbordside again  
Wheel off, and you the Harbour shall attain.   

Thus spoke the Old man: for although 'twere night,  
He saw as well, as when the Sun gives light;  
And then, all they who had a will to see,  
Saw how to find the way, as well as he.  
The greater part, not heeding what they heard,  
(Nor knowing their own danger) grinned and jeered;  
Supposed him mad, to talk, and make a show  
Of Demonstrations, which they could not view;  
Crept from the hatches, down into the hold,  
And let them look unto the Ship that would.   

But, they, who more sought their own will to have,  
Then to be counselled, or, the Ship to save;  
Disdaining that an aged doting fool,  
Should put their Wisdom, as it were, to school;  
(And, seeing his Relations tend unto,  
That, which their Captain had resolved to do)  
Grew angry, Therefore, though he neither fears  
Their wrath, nor much for their disfavour cares;  
Hereby, he hath appealed unto you,  
Who, are known honest, wise, goodmen, and true;  
And, prays you, to be Judges, how he hath,  
Or wherein, any way deserved their Wrath:  
For, here in brief, his Cause is plainly shown,  
And, 'tis to some among you, so well known,  
That, if you shall condemn him, he'll submit  
To make what Satisfaction, you think fit.   

If this comes forth too late to take effect,  
My Conscience knows, it was not my neglect:  
For I, my utmost labour, had bestown,  
To make it, in a timely-season known.  
If, therefore, ought amiss thereby ensue,  
There lay the Fault, to whom the Blame is due.    

Here being vacant Pages, the Author hath filled them with a Copy of certain Verses, wherewith he lately enclosed two Petitions to the PARLIAMENT, and laid them within their Threshold; hoping by that Expedient, they might have been presented to the House; The Paper was thus Superscribed; To that Member of PARLIAMENT, who takes up this Paper, with the Petition enclosed.  
The Verses are these:  

SIR, if you are not of this PARLIAMENT,  
Herewith to greet you, 'tis not my intent;  
But, if a Member of this House you are,  
Your taking up this Paper (as it were)  
By Lot, engageth you to manage those  
Petitions, which, therewith I did enclose,  
As, you would have another, use his power,  
Therein, for your avail, were my case your:  
Whereof take this Account; and, why I play  
My Cards refused, in this unusual way.   

Three Parliaments (the eldest of which three,  
Might, had it pleased our LORD, have outlived me)  
Are dead and gone, since first I did complain  
Of Grievances, which hitherto remain  
Without Redress. I, also have survived  
To see a Fourth, which hath itself outlived,  
And may continue, till it hath supplied  
What, Providence, is thereby to provide   

For needful supplements, to carry on  
Those Works, which in these Nations are begun.  
God grant it Power, and Will, and Time, to do  
What, they by Duty, are obliged unto,  
That, they from wrongs, the wronged may release;  
Proceed with Honour, and conclude in Peace.   

To such Achievements, there's a middle-way,  
'Twixt This, and That; 'twixt haste, and long-delay:  
Which, if mistaken, or not timely found,  
May (as it hath done) lead into a Round,  
(Or Labyrinth) whereby, we may be brought  
To pits and snares, which have no passage out;  
And multiply distractions, till our prayers  
Are turned to indignation, or despairs:  
Which, is their drift (and not their least design)  
Who, seek this Commonwealth, to undermine.   

When public wants, require to be suppled,  
A private plaint may then be laid aside,  
But, not too long deferred, lest it become  
A festring-soar, not meanly perilsome:  
For, since an Universal-weal consists  
Of many Individual Interests,  
A perfect Body cannot be enjoyed,  
Where, One by One, the Members are destroyed;  
And, when the Eye or Ear, unheedful grows  
Of what, afflicts the fingers, and the Toes;  
Much less, when it neglects what appertains  
To keep it, from an Ulcer in the Brains.  
The cures therefore, of private wants, betwixt  
Public transactions, should be intermixed;  
(At least sometimes) in those immergent things,  
Wherein, delay of Justice, losses brings  
Beyond repair; or where the State at last  
Must bear the damage, when the cure is past;  
Or else, in point of honour, suffer more  
Than all the public treasure will restore.   

I grudge not, when GOD's glory is at stake,  
That they, who conscience of their Votes do make,  
Should take the freedom to debate at large,  
What, may their duties in their place discharge;  
Or, when the Common-safety doth appear  
In hazard, though my life in danger were:  
But, when those brunts are over, if men please,  
For their mere pleasure, profit, or their ease,  
To leave us in a perishing condition,  
It, of their faithfulness, may give suspicion;  
And, I more grieve, for what I thereby see  
May on the public fall, then falls on me.   

There's time enough in all straits whatsoever,  
For all things, if it well divided were:  
And, for our not apportioning aright  
The time we have (as wisemen see we might)  
GOD, cuts off half the days we should have had,  
And our designments are abortive made.  
As we from week to week, from day to day  
Do put off those, who for our succours pray;  
So likewise, are our suits and hopes put by,  
By him, on whose assistance we rely.  
An hour therefore, should otherwhile be spent,  
To give Reward, as well as Punishment;  
To think on them who help us in our sorrow;  
As well to make repaiments, as to borrow;  
And, like the Tree that's planted by a spring,  
Expected fruits, in season, we should bring;  
Not nine or ten years after they are dead,  
(Who, by our timely fruit should have been said)  
Lest we be felled by the Woodmans' hand,  
Or, like the Figtree, whither where we stand.   

One day, is as well spared sometime, to save  
An honestman, as nine to doom a knave;  
And, of an useful Plant to take due care,  
As, from the good-corn, to weed out a Tare.  
Some private acts of Justice, with our zeal  
To Piety, and to the Publick-weal,  
(Or works of mercy) sprinkled here and there  
Among them, like embroid'ries would appear,  
Or flowers of gold and silver interwove,  
And helpful be, devotion to improve:  
For, where few private grievances are heard,  
God, gives their public prayers small regard:  
And, few are in that Commonwealth much joied,  
By which, their own well-being is destroyed;  
Or, which is senseless, of their sad estate,  
Who did help save it, from a sadder fate.   

Among such sufferers, I myself am One,  
Who, gladly would be better thought upon,  
For your own sakes; who, peradventure, may  
Have by my loss, twice mine, another way.  
As many years as are equivalent  
To two men's lives, I have already spent  
To seek for Justice, with such cost, such trouble,  
And loss of time, as make my losses double:  
So that if many suits, here, at this rate,  
I had depending, three times my estate,  
And three men's lives, would scarce afford me time,  
And means enough, whereby to finish them:  
For, my Petitions, either were deferred  
From mouth to mouth, from year to year, unheard,  
Or answered so, that when my suit seemed, done,  
My Case proved worse, then when it first begun;  
And, to obstruct the Justice I implore,  
They, voice me to be rich, who make me poor.   

With mock-shews of relief, I have been fed;  
With stones, In my distress, instead of bread;  
Which, had ere this day starved me, but that GOD,  
Turns many of them, into wholesome food;  
And raised me a subsistence, out of that  
Which was designed to ruin my estate.  
His Highness, also stored me with a Dish,  
Which hath converted Scorpions, into Fish:  
Else, that small portion, which I yet possess,  
(And some Envy) had long ago been less,  
(It may be nothing); for, that Act of Grace,  
Is made less valuable, than it was  
By him intended, of whose free donation  
It was conferred, beyond my expectation.  
Oh! if that I, who have some friends, thus fared,  
How speed poor men, whom no man doth regard?  
And, who, from none, can claim an obligation,  
Either by Friendship, Faction, or Relation?   

But, now, new-misadventures me beset,  
Which, by delay of Justice, do beget  
Increasing mischiefs, that admit no cure,  
Save, what must from a Legislative power,  
Derived be: And, this befalls me so,  
Perhaps, that I, in every Change, may know,  
The gen'ral temper, by the pulse that beats  
Both in Superior, and Inferior seats;  
That, I, thereby may calculate the length  
Of our oppressions, and improve my strength  
To bear them: mark, how well our public Acts,  
Engagements, Orders, Bargains, and Contracts  
Will be performed; and, that, as by presage,  
Of things that since befell, I told this Age  
Before they came; so, I, might likewise tell  
The next Age, what I saw done ill, or well.  
〈◊〉 many have besought to entertain,  
And offer my petitions, but, in vain.  
Now therefore, having with some patience stayed  
Six months at door, to get my suits conveyed  
●nto this House, where, seeing every day,  
New suitors more and more stop up the way,  
And small sign, that, with any I should meet,  
To hand them in, I laid them at their feet  
Who pass in thither; hopeful, that it may,  
For my enclosed Petitions make free way,  
Through those Obstructions, which have shut the gate  
Against them, till they come almost too late.   

He, who shall take them up, and get them read,  
Where, with effect, they may be answered;  
A Favour shall confer, by doing so,  
On me, and likewise upon many more.  
For, if my suits, obtain respective heed,  
Some other men, will hope, as well to speed;  
And of my wrongs, if no redress I have,  
Both I, and they much future cost may save.  
GOD speed it well: for, I, with what event  
He gives it, am resolved, to be content;  
And, am assured, that though I be neglected,  
By men, I shall of him, be still respected.   
Britan's Remembrancer.   

A Postscript to the Preceding Verses.  

THey, who to neither Side, nor Back, nor Further  
Can turn, or pass, need no Restraints by Order.  
Nor greatly be afraid what next will come,  
Their, just resolvings, to divert them from;  
And, that, whereto necessities compel,  
Is done excusably, though not done well.   

If much oppression, cracks a wiseman's brain,  
Who knows, whereto, it may a fool constrain?  
They, whom delay of Justice doth make poor,  
Do lose but their estates, and, may get more:  
If, therewithal, they are of life deprived,  
They feel not, what to feel, they might have lived:  
But, he who doth in life-time, thereby lose  
Both wealth and credit, shall to friends and foes  
Become a scorn; whereat, if mad he be,  
And, makes ten thousands grow as mad as he,  
The fault is theirs, who, without mercy, stretch  
A weak man's patience, farther than 'twil reach;  
As if, he, of his suffering sense had none,  
Because, they no more feel it, than a stone.   

My principle (which makes me oft abused)  
Injoins me, when I scurvily am used  
Where I expect relief, to show my wrongs;  
And, vengeance leave, to whom the same belongs;  
But, some men, cannot be content to stay  
GOD's leisure, or, for Justice, in his way;  
And, what, their wants, neglects, and indignation  
May tempt them to, is worth consideration.  
There is to all things, an appointed date;  
And, they are unwise, who are wise too late.   
Necessitas, & indignatio quid non possunt  
FINIS.