VATICINIUM CAUSVALE. A RAPTURE Occasioned By the late Miraculous Deliverance OF HIS HIGHNESS THE Lord Protector, From a Desperate Danger. With, a NOVERINT UNIVERSI, in the Close. By Geo: Whither, Esq Who so dwelleth in the Secret, of the MOST HIGH, shall abide in the shadow, of the ALMIGHTY. LONDON, Printed for T. Ratcliff, and E. Mottershed. 1655. A RAPTURE Occasioned By the late Miraculous Deliverance OF HIS HIGHNESS THE Lord Protector With, a Noverint Universi, in the Close. I Will not let this, slip into the Dark, Or keep the Light, without a special mark: For, when GOD Acts, or speaks, each Word and Deed. Should be observed, with some useful heed. That, which hath happened, cannot be undone, Or lie concealed; For, many Looker's on, And, (some, who love to trumpet forth Mischances, With Descanting, on all their Circumstances) Have publshed what befell. Thence, Rumour spreads; Puts various Fancies, into People's heads; And every one draws Uses, or, applieth As Malice fools him, or, Love makes him wise: But, Providential favours, are expressed, As well in worst, Events as in the best; And, they who know not this, will never find The Ports of Comfort, with an Adverse-winde, When he that heeds this, steers through all Events, Or, Censures, without fears, or Discontents: Then, as a Secret, why should we disclose From man to man, what every body knows? And, put the Jealous Vulgar, in a fear There's somewhat done, not fit for them to hear? Why, is it whispered, still, as if, to be Surprised by those things, from which none are free, Dishonour on his Highness could be thrown? Or, as if him, it misbeseemed to own That Action, which occasioned an Event Producing, some external Detriment? Or, why it is conceived, as if, to Us, Or, unto him, his fall were Ominous? Is it not good, we should have, now and then, Somewhat to mind us, that we are but men? And, that our trust in Princes, gasping lies In that short blast, which from their nostrils flies? When he did Fall, was it not wondrous well, That, from his seat, into Gods' Arms he fellâ–ª And, that, He falling, fell not in such wise, As they, who Rise, to fall; But, Fell, to Rise? And to Arise with an improvement too, By Thankfulness, for having scaped so? As also, with that Mark, upon him set, Of being GOD's especial Favourite? If, what befell, must needs be understood As Ominous; why, should it not of Good, An Omen be? (as I believe it will, Much rather, then prove Ominous for ill? For, who can think, that, He was saved from A Mischief, that, to Mischiefs he might come? Or, that, We, by his safety, from the Curse Of Anarchy, are saved, for a worse? Or, that, when Mercies GOD, is pleased to show, They do portend some Evils to ensue? What Inference more wicked, can be brought? What, more profanely! what, more vilely thought! Tired with continual Cares, (in hope, to find Refreshments, by Diversions of the mind) Ere serious thoughts, were wholly laid aside, He grasped those Rains, which, he had often tried To manage heretofore, with good success, When, Small things he more minded; Great things, less: And, though he sped not, as in former time, His Act, was not unseemly; nor a Crime, As they suppose, whose Memory forgets, What, others, or, what, best themselves befits. For, 'twas not judged an Unprincely Game, To drive a Chariot, when th' Olympian Fame, Was thirsted after; And, when on that Hill, Kings, with their Equals, therein showed their skill, And wrapped in Clouds, raised by their horses heels, And, Thundrings, from their furious Chariot wheels, Were emulous, the high-prized Wreaths to wear Belonging to the skilfullest Charioteer. And, what detraction, from the Reputation Of Princes, is that Manly Recreation, More now? or, than it was, when, Charles, of late, For his disport, upon the Coach-box, sat? (As many times he did) and not disdain To let Inferiors, ride in Charles his Wain? Or, what Dishonour is it, that, through one Mishap, he failed, of what was, oft, well done? It was not want of skill, to use the Rain, That stout, and chaste Hippolytus was slain: But, an unlooked for, dreadful Apparition, (Of purpose raised, to hasten his perdition) Frighted his horses; which, with headstrong fury, Their Driver, from the Beaten paths, did hurry Among the Rocks: And, what, thereon befell, (The Story is so known) I need not tell. Yet, this I will observe, (to make the Fable, To my Intention, further serviceable) That, though asunder dragged, his Members were, It magnifide his Wisdom, Love, and Care, Who made him sound, more than it harmed him, Who had that hurt: For, every scattered Limb, Was reunited, without detriment In any kind, by that dismemberment Only, to Virbius, from Hippolytus, His name was changed, as, it befalleth us, When, from our selfness, we are rend and torn, To be Regenerated, or Newborn. And, so (I hope) when we have summed up all Which, to his Highness happened, by his Fall, His gains, will be much greater than his cost; And, nothing, but selfconfidence, be lost. This, by the way: now I to that will come; Which moved me, on this subject to presume. A free Officiousness, doth me employ To be, this once, instead of Philip's boy, Who, every morning, called on him to mind That, he was Mortal, and of humane kind: For, though his sad disaster hath of late, In likelihood, remembered him, of that, It will not be amiss, that, I engage His Caution, further, by this surplusage; Lest, though his Piety, shall him incline To do his duty, I may fail of mine, Who think myself obliged, when I shall see Occasion, his Remembrancer to be, As I have been to others; who, thereto Gave less regard, than he (I hope) will do. As GOD, hath often shown, 'twas he, that, armed His head in battle; and, preserved unharmed His Person, when the chance of War he tried, And thousands slaughtered fell, on every side: So, he now gives a new Experiment, That, it is he alone, who doth prevent, The Danger of his Peace; and, that, there are Perils enclosing him, when none appear. It doth inform him, with a sident tongue, What wariness, doth now to him belong More then in former times; and, that there are Aswell in his Retirements, as in War, Guards, Sentinels, and Watch, necessary With strictness to be kept; lest he miscarry. Moreover, it informs, that, had he none Maligning him; Even he Himself, alone, Might be his own Destroyer; by forgetting Due Care: Or, else, by acting, or omitting Such things, as have a very nigh relation, Either to Danger, or to Preservation. It calls on him, to mind, how many ways, And means there are, of cutting short his days If GOD, prevent not: yea, it calls on him, Both, to redeem, and husband well, his Time; And, loudly calls; that, for the Mercy shown, It may, in showing Mercy, be bestown: That, they, who of his Justice, well believe, May bless him, for the Comforts, they receive; That, they, who, in his ruin would have joyed, May rather wish, their own Designs destroyed; And, that, the Blessing, may be carried on, Which, his, and our PROTECTOR, hath begun. It likewise, calls upon us all, to heed Both our own ways; and how, GOD, doth proceed; Chief, in what, of late, vouchsafed was By his applying of preventing Grace, For his deliverance, in whose life consists The likeliest Guard of public Interests; And, which, includes, of Mercies, yet to come, Another Pledge: and, as it were, the sum Or, brief Epitome, of all things done For our avail, since first the Wars begun. My contemplating of his Dangers-past, Makes them seem great: yet, it hath made this last, Exceed them all; and so great to have been, That, surely, had not, God himself, stepped in, To bring him Succour, suddenly from heaven No safety had been found; no Quarter given. Thus have we seen, a tender Mother, run (Or, rather fly) when her dear only Son Was innocently playing in the street; And snatch him, from among the horses feet Endangering his Life: Thus, have we seen. A Loving Bridegroom, throw himself between Death, and his Bride; and bravely fetch her from A Peril, which was desperate become. To tell this Danger, were to tell you that, Which I can better Fancy, then relate; And, which (as I conceive it) cannot well Be better shown, by any parallel, Then when a brave Ship, on huge Billows tossed, With Sails full-spread, Helm broke, and Ruther lost, Is by a strong storm, in the darkest night, Forced to a strange Coast, with a wind foreright, Upon the Rocks, which over-hanging, lie, The foaming Floods, a hundred fathoms high; Where, every Wave, all cries for help, out roars; Threating destruction, both from Seas and shores: Where, can be seen nor Earth, nor Heaven, nor Light, But dark blind ways, to everlasting night; And, where, no succour, find admittance can By all the Power, and all the wit of man. By this Description, you, perhaps, may guess From what a depth of dang'rousnesse His Highness was repreeved; and, who, alone Must, then, be his Deliverer, or none. Thence, you may likewise, gather, if you will, (And not continue blind, and froward, still) Who takes charge of him; Whom, they do oppose; Who without cause, at this time are his Foes; And, for what end, such aids vouchsafed be In great immergencies; And, so may HE. Oh! let us, therefore, better now, improve The evidences of Eternal Love, Then we have done: and, let his Highness, mind, How bountiful, how gracious, and how kind, Our GOD hath been to him; that, so he may Unto his People, part thereof repay, In love to them: Let him remember, too, Had he miscarried, what had been to do: What, likely to be suffered; not alone By some of us; but, even by ever'y one, Who breathes the British air; and, not despise This Counsel, though the Giver seem unwise. Yea, let it be considered, (to improve A hastening, unto Unity in Love) What sad Confusions, had anew been hurled. Upon this much unsettled British world, (And, upon others, whom we would respect) If, what was almost done, had took effect. Let this great Mercy, never be forgot; Chief, of him, who hath the largest Lot In this Deliverance; Lest worse he speed, When of a Helper, he shall stand in need. And, let it make him, more to hasten on That, which his Prudence prompteth should be done; Lest, some such Humane Casualty prevents The manifesting of his good Intents, And gives his Foes, occasions to believe Their own vain thoughts; And makes his friends to grieve. I doubt not, what I counselâ–ª If I did, It had with me, in mine own heart, lain hid. But, He, who me emboldeneth unto this, Persuades me, that my aims, I shall not miss: Gives me, for earnest of them, a presage, Of healths Return, with future Tutulage: Shows me, by what conditions, he may gain Th' Eshablishment, he labours to obtain; And (secret things considered) bids me, tell him, 'Twas Mercy, not a Mischief, that befell him: That, also, there are greater Mercies, yet, For him, reserved; if he shall not forget This Favour; nor the Vows, and Protestations, Made heretofore, to GOD, and to these Nations: Assures me, that, on these Conditions lies, The highest glory, whereto he can rise; And, that, if he escape the stumbling stones, Environing th'Ascent, to Earthly Thrones, He, without fear of any harm, shall tread On Viper's Asps, and on the Dragon's head: That, Emperor to style him, should not better His happy Lot, or make him ought the greater; But, rather seem, a foolish over-lay Of purest Ophir Gold, with common Clay. Thus, otherwhile, Remembrances I scatter, As, GOD, and Man's proceed, offer matter; Not without some discernible effect: (Though neither they, nor I, gain much respect.) For, on my Self, they have an operation Not needless; yea, the less good acceptation, They have with others, they, thereby, to me The more effectual, sometimes rendered be; And, teach me to be quiet, and to bear What misbefals me, with more Joy, then Care. Thus, when the Bows of Malice are full bend, And, poisoned shafts, made ready to be sent Against th' upright in heart; I, interpose Minerva's shield, sometimes, unknown to those Whom it secures; and, when, for what was done, Others, with all the thanks, away have gone. Long since, with suchlike Spells, and Charms as these, I did assay, to cure the King's disease; But, either, he was over-deaf to hear, Or else, not strong enough, my Charm were. Oft, afterward, I sung unto the State, Some Lessons, which, when 'twas a day too late, Were called for; and frequently there fell Much ill to me, for wishing others well. Sometimes, I, to the Common-people fiddle To still their madness; and, oft fool, and riddle To make them wiser: but, with little gains, To them; and, loss of labour, for my pains. And, now, to charm those, I endeavouring am, Who seek to turn his Glory, into shame, Whom GOD, hath honoured; That, I might make less (If possible) their sottish brutishness, Who wound themselves, through him; and scoff and jeer At Mercy, shown to their Deliverer, In such a Danger, as could be, by none Removed, but, by an Almighty-one. Vain sons of men, how long, will ye despise Good Counsel! and, still, follow after Lie! Not knowing, or not heeding, that, GOD hath Maugre your Spite, your Envy, and your Wrath, Made him to be your Lord, whom you contemn; To Supreme honour's height, advanced him; Laughs you to scorn; Turns all your oppositions, To his advantage and your own perditions: Not heeding, GOD, hath given all these Lands; All these three Nations, up, into his hands; And, him, on them bestowed; to make proof, whether He, or else They; or, both of them, or neither, Will hearken to his Voice: that, he may do, What their proceed will incline him to. Fools! 'tis not as you dream: But, whatsoever He Was, or Is, or, shall to you appear, GOD, from among your selves, did him advance, To guard his Flocks, and his Inheritance; To be a friendly comforter of those, Who are his Friends; A terror to his Foes: And, what, you fret and storm at, was not done, By man's designments; but, by GOD, alone. Through all these Islands, be it therefore known; And, to all persons, every where, which own, Relation to this Empire; that by him, Who hath dispose of every Diadem, (Of Sceptres, Crowns, & Thrones) the change was made, Which did remove the Government we had; (When our great sins deserved to be bereft, Of all those Privileges, which are left) And, that, GOD, in mere mercy, did translate The Power, which was in other men, of late, To be with him entrusted, who is now Styled, your PROTECTOR. Know, likewise, that, you Are bound, by Law and Conscience, to obey; And humbly at his Throne, yourselves to lay On those Conditions, only, whereon, he Hath your Protector, undertook to be. Moreover, Be it known, that, if he shall Perform his Part; and, you perversely fall Into rebellious actings; or, not cease From those, which may disturb the common-peace; His Sceptre, shall, perforce, your stiff necks bend To that, which he doth Righteously intent; And, either thereunto obedient make you, Or, therewith, bruise; or, else, to pieces break you: Lest, your perverseness, bring a Tyrant hither, To break us; never to be set together. And, that, if prudently you do comply, He may, at last, improve his Sovereignty, To make you fare more happy, and more free, Then else, you had been, or had means to be. And, now great OLIVER, to thee, likewise, Let this be known; and, do not thou despise The Publisher; GOD, doth expect to have Honour from them, to whom he honour gave: That, such, who have the rule o'er men, be just: That, they their Vows infringe not, nor his trust: That, they consider, he bestows large measure, Of Power upon them, not to act their pleasure, Or to fulfil their lust; but, doth enlarge His Bounty, that their Place, they may discharge With Courage: That, he Riches doth provide, Lest Avarice, might draw their hearts aside; Or, wants, to do injustice, them compel: That, he gives honours, not to make them swell Above their Brethren; but, them, to exempt From what, may fall upon them, by contempt: And, that, all these things, are on them bestown, Much more, for others sakes, then for their own. Know SIR, that, GOD, from persons in your place, Expects all this; and thereto offers Grace, And Power, for ask: That, (what ere some say) He, none necessitates to go astray; Nor leaves, nor hardens any (not the worst) Till, Love to selfness, makes them, leave him first. If, this, thou well considering, shalt act Accordingly; performing thy Contract, With GOD, and with his People; he, shall then, Give thee the Love, and Hearts, of all Good men: Fix thee as firmly, as the Rocky shores, Which sleight the Ocean, when it foams and roars: And brighter make thy Fame, and spread it more, Then any man's renowned heretofore: For, in Fame's Book, thou mayst enrolled be The first, who, made a People truly free: And firstborn, of those Viceroys, who, shall take Their Throns' from HIM, whose Kingdom down will break, All Monarchies of Tyrants; with all those, Who, help patch up, the Clay and Iron toes, The Relics of that Image, which hath been The prop of him, that's called, the man of sin. All this may be: and, if thou strive to go The way, that open lies; It shall be so. Oh! lose not this advantage, for a Bubble, Which, in vain hope, gins, & ends with trouble. And, lastly, Be it known, (not by event Which may be to thy future detriment, But, by precaution) that, if fail thou shalt Without this People's obstinate default, Of what they, justly may from thee expect, Who art advanced their freedoms to protect; Or shalt abuse thy Power, them, to oppress; Or, leave them unrelieved, in their distress, So, that, they must be forced to cry, and call, To GOD, for help: GOD, hear, and help them shall: Search what is done: And, though their former sin, Hath great, and full of provocations been, He, for the present time, will pass it by, And on thy failings, only, cast an eye: Avenge their Cause; call thee, account to give, Of all those Favours, which thou didst receive; (Of that late Mercy, too, among the rest, Which hath occasioned, what, is here expressed) And, with much indignation, cast thee down, When, to its height, thy Confidence is grown. Yea, they, who shall most flatter, and with whom Thou, shalt then, think most safe thou mayst become, Will help destroy thee: And, this, shall to Thee A sad presage, of thy destruction be, Which, may be made a Prophecy Divine, Of Everlasting Good, to Thee, and Thine. But, to his Saints, GOD, gives a blessed close; And, keeps his Vengeance, only, for his Foes. Thus, I have shown, that, Mercy which produces Contempt in Scorners, came for better uses: Let it, by all, whom it concerns, be weighed; And, when, I've more to say, It shall be said. Geo. Whither.