WESTROW REVIVED.  
A Funeral Poem without Fiction.  
Composed by Geo: Whither Esq.  
That GOD may be glorified in his Saints; That the memory of Thomas Westrow Esq; may be preserved, and that others by his exemplary Life and Death may be drawn to imitation of his Virtues.  

Blessed are the Dead who die in CHRIST;  
For, from their Labours they do rest;  
And, whether they do live or die,  
His Saints are precious in his eye.   

To the READER.  
READER, peruse this thorough: For, to Thee  
It most pertains, though WESTROW named be;  
And, giveth (as by the way) some short hints, there,  
To what Intents, He, chief doth appear,  
And whereof, if good heed shall not be took  
Somewhat, ere long, more fully will be spoke.  
Both Moses, and the Prophets, many a day  
Have spoken; and a Greater one than they.  
Hear them: For when GOD sendeth by the DEAD,  
His Messages will come with much more Dread  
Than Comfort; and few men; with good effect,  
Shall hear these, the former do neglect.  
Be wise, or else; But, I'll, now say no more,  
The Feet of messengers are at the door.   
LONDON: Printed by F: Neile in Aldersgatestreet: 1653.   

WESTROW REVIVED.  

The first CANTO.  

The Author's muse here are shown  
The Night, ere aught, to him was known  
Of Westrowes death; whereof, the Morrow  
Assured him, to his greater sorrow:  
Then, that which he hath more to say,  
Is put off, to another day.   

'tWas midnight; and, I had myself undressed,  
In hope, the night's remainder, for my rest  
Had been allowed; and, in that hope, all those  
Distractings, which my mind might discompose  
Quite threw aside, and hastened to the place,  
Where, that refreshment, offered an embrace.   

But, in sleep's posture, ere I down was laid,  
A Thought, within my heart, start up, and said,  
Westrowe, thy best, and most deserving Friend,  
Lies feeble, and approaching to his end,  
By thee unvisited (though two days, now  
Are past, since of his weakness thou didst know.)  
How, canst thou answer such a gross neglecting,  
Of one, so well, so truly thee affecting?   

A second Thought thus answered thereunto,  
(To make amends) to morrow I will go  
In hope, (since I, for this neglect am grieved)  
A just excuse, will kindly be received;  
And, that Love-reall, shall not through defect  
That's accidental, suffer by suspect.   

To morrow, said a third thought, comes too late;  
His Life's Commission, is quite out of date;  
And, that, which might have been enjoyed to day,  
Is, by procrastination, lost for aye.  
Thou, too too long, thy purpose haste forbore,  
And, never now, shalt hear, or see him more.  
Yet, be not grieved, that it happens thus,  
For, he is safe. And, as good Lazarus  
Lost nothing, by a sickness unto death,  
Save only that suspension of his breath  
For some few days, which did a means provide,  
Whereby, both GOD, and he, were glorified  
In greater measure; so, it may, be thou,  
Shalt hereby, have occasions offered, now,  
Of that, whereby, hereafter may be made  
Advantages, which could not else be had.   

Advantages! cried out, another Thought,  
Alas! what good effect can forth be brought  
By such an Accident, if I shall hear  
That, to be true, which yet, is but my fear?  
How can my pretermission ought produce  
Of any future comfortable use?  
Or, to what likely profitable end,  
Can such a comfortless privation tend?   

In Fancies Tennescourt, thus, to and fro  
My Thoughts were tossed, and played at hazard so,  
That very much distempered I became,  
With that unlooked for, and unpleasing game.  
Their silent Dialogue made such impressions  
Upon my heart, and so enhanced my passion  
That, all the night ensuing they did keep  
My mind on him, and bard mine eyes from sleep.  
I, likewise, have so frequently perceived  
My souls presagings true, that I believed  
This sad surmise; and thereon did proceed  
To muse, as if he had been dead indeed  
And buried too. From whence, broke in upon me,  
Such apprehensions of the Favours done me,  
And of his kindnesses in my oppressions,  
That, they exacted from me those confessions  
Which in the following pages will ensue  
To give, what to his memory is due.   

Dear GOD! if humane mercy so indears  
So swe●t, so precious, if that Love appears  
(And so obliging) which enjoyed may be  
By Creatures! what is that, which flows from thee?  
If, little sparklings, may beget a flame,  
What may be thought of that, from whence they came?  
And, why from him should not my soul ascend,  
To clasp thy love, oh my Eternal Friend!  
Who wert, and art, and wilt continue so,  
When all the World shall into nothing go!   

Some will at first, perhaps, with prejudice  
Peruse, what in this Poem I express,  
On this Occasion; judging, that, hereby  
I, somewhat would, beyond the verity,  
Insinuate; to make small things, appear  
More in the show, than they in substance are.  
But they shall see at last, that, I pursue  
My Theme no farther than I make it true:  
And, bear me witness, ere this hath an end,  
That, I have done but what becomes a Friend:  
That, real cause, occasioned my unrest:  
And, that, of him, my thoughts are here expressed,  
Without hyperboles; without devising  
Or adding, what the World cal●s Poetising:  
And, that, I rather put upon the score  
Less, than I owe his memory, then more.   

But, to the matter: being full of grief,  
By what my fear had raised up to belief,  
To say, within myself, I thus began;  
Westrowe, that noble single hearted man,  
Whom GOD, had in a time of need bestown  
To be my Friend, is now no more his own.  
Alas! nor mine: Westrowe, that heretofore,  
Was, to the Widow, Fatherless, and poor,  
A Husband, Friend, and Father, them to feed,  
To , and harbour, in the time of need.  
Westrowe, GOD'S faithful Almoner; he, from whom  
No needy soul, who for relief did come,  
Went empty (if his neediness required,  
Undoubtedly, the succour he deserved)  
And, then, as GOD doth, he did alms bestow  
Upon the good, and bad, on Friend, and Foe.  
Yea, and when none did ask, what he could grant,  
Sought where to find out those, who stood in want:  
And, often, was directed unto them,  
By Providence, in acceptable time.  
That Westrowe, now, hath left us to bemoan  
Our losses. For thereby, he can have none,  
Nor meant us any: But, is gone away  
That, our contentment, he make perfect may  
By his well-being, in a safe possessing,  
His portion, in an everlasting Blessing:  
And, that, we may look off, from him, to heed  
His Love, from whom, all mercies do proceed.   

Westrowe is gone, and we remaining have  
No more of him, but what is in his Grave:  
There, now, he resteth, and exchanged hath  
Life mortified, for an inlivening death.  
And, him I do behold in contemplation,  
So represented, by transfiguration,  
As having laid that earthly vail aside  
(Which from the World, his better parts did hid)  
That, I will now disclose them; therefore, stay  
And, know him Reader, ere thou go away.   

Nor few, nor mean Advantages he had  
Relating to this life, But, these were made  
Of small account, with him; and, used so,  
As if with them, he little had to do,  
Except, for others sakes: For, he denied  
Himself, to all things, but, Christ crucified;  
And, in respect of him, placed those among  
Such despicable things, as dross and dung;  
He therefore, let them pass, to be forgot;  
And, will not mention, what he prized not.   

He, living, walked upright, in crooked ways,  
And, chose the best part, in the worst of days.  
He, dying, cheerfully, himself denied,  
That (being thereby wholly nudifide  
From all that was his own), he might be clothed,  
With what he loved, instead of what he loathed.  
And, he that can throw off, such Rags as these,  
Shall find himself, exceedingly at ease.   

How, can I know this, some, perhaps, may say,  
If he be dead, and I now far away:  
Thus; when I saw him last, I, saw him then  
Himself undressing, from that bane of men  
Self-love, and selfness; and I know, he never  
Would fall from his intention, and endeavour,  
Till that were done. For, I was always near him  
In spirit, though, I did not see, nor hear him.  
We did communicate (when not by quill,  
Or with our tongues) in spirit, and in will  
As Angels do: yea, many times, when we  
In words and terms, appeared to disagree,  
(Because of that defect which is in those)  
Even then, in will, and spirit, we did close:  
And, they whom such experiments acquaints  
With that communion which belongs to Saints  
Do know, that men may credibly aver,  
Sometimes, what they did neither see, nor hear:  
And, worthy my regard it doth not seem,  
What, others, of this mystery shall deem.   

This confidence of Him, is but the same  
Which he expressed of me, when last I came  
To visit him; at which time, I received  
Assurance, of what is of him believed:  
For, these, the last words were, which from his tongue,  
I heard; and, they, from this occasion sprung.   

I told him, that I might be faulty judged,  
(Considering how to him I was obliged)  
That, nor by conversation, nor by pen,  
I, lately had with him, (like other men)  
My thoughts communicated; but pursued  
My own affairs, as if to be renewed,  
Our Friendship, needed not those compliments  
Which discontinance of respect prevents.   

To such effect I spoke; whereto, he gave  
This answer (which I oft repeated have  
With much contentment;) trouble not thyself,  
With needless things, we are now past the shelf,  
That shipwrecks friendship. That, which seems neglect  
To others; and begets a disrespect,  
Secures you more to me, then if you had  
Left your affairs at hazard; visits made;  
And added to your frequent visitations,  
Acknowledgements of Debts, and Obligations  
As others do▪ It would not give me more  
Assurance of you, than I had before.  
For, my own heart, hath so informed me,  
Of what you are; and of what you shall be  
With an assurance, so undubitable,  
(And everlastingly irrevocable)  
That, whatsoever shall of you be told,  
(Though we each other never more behold  
Nor line comes from you) I, shall live, and die,  
More confident, of your sincerity  
Then, if it were expressed every day,  
By all that you, or other men could say.  
These words (though mine) give, really, the sense,  
Wherein, he did express his confidence:  
In this sense, his last words to me he spoke;  
And, so, my everlasting leave I took.   

I think, it may inferred be, from hence,  
Things may be known, beyond the reach of sense,  
Without corporal presence; and that we  
Of some things, though but part of them we see,  
May know the rest: He, that doth see me go,  
And hear me speak, may, without question, know  
That, I have heart, and lungs; although his eye  
Ne'er saw them, or the place in which they lie:  
And, he, that knows but what he hears, and sees,  
Is from a beast removed so few degrees,  
That, I shall mention unto him, in vain  
What to the Saints communion doth pertain.  
Only to those I, therefore will proceed,  
To speak, who can believe, as well read:   

To be, he rather laboured, then to seem;  
And, sought his honour in self-disesteem.  
He wanted not repute, of being good,  
Save, where his meaning was misunderstood;  
Which seldom happened, but, where prepossession  
Gained entrance, by a misbegetting suspicion,  
And what he suffered by it, did produce,  
Effects, which were to him of some good use:  
And such as gave sometimes occasions, too,  
Of that, which good to other men will do.   

Such, as did know him well, known none to be  
A truer Friend, or better man than he.  
He, by youth's frailties, learned to improve  
In riper years, th'increase of Faith, and Love;  
And, by his life, exemplified that,  
Of which the Formalist, doth only prate   

His Charity, was large; yet, what he did  
As much as might be, he from others hid.  
For, often, his misdoings, he would tell,  
But, seldom mention, wherein, he did well.  
He took more comfort, in a needful giving,  
Then pleasure, in large benefits receiving.  
And (liking not their thrift, who do defer  
Almsdeeds, until their treasures useless are  
Unto themselves) he did, by timely giving,  
Forgiving, and a seasonable relieving,  
Show, he believed, that, thereby leave he shall,  
More to his child, then if he lest him all.  
And, that, he feared, should he not fructify,  
(When, in his hungry members, Christ, passed by)  
Till, that which may be called his own time, came,  
He, and the cursed figtree, were the same.   

He, in his judgement, joined not in one,  
With some good men: But, disagreed with none  
So far, as to infringe the band of peace;  
Or, hinder Christian charities increase:  
Because, he knew, the wisest, here below,  
Know but in part, the things they ought to know:  
And, that, to clear his sight, GOD, now and then,  
Did leave a darkness upon other men;  
Yea, and sometimes, a frowardness, to prove  
And exercise, his patience. and his love.   

The Christian liberty, he did profess,  
Without allowing of licentiousness.  
He, laboured, that, the Conscience might be free,  
From force, (yea though depraud it seemed to be,)  
Because, he saw more hypocrites thereby  
Then Converts made; and, that hypocrisy  
Is worse than error; For, it seldom burns,  
For Conscience; and, to GOD, as rarely turns.  
Because likewise, he was not without fears,  
That, some, who burned in zeal, to weed out tares,  
Might purposely, or causually, instead  
Of that which they pretended forth to weed,  
Either pluck up the wheat, or do it hurt,  
By careless treading it, into the dirt.  
For, hardly, can distinguishment be made  
Twixt Ray, and Wheat, when they are in the blade.  
Moreover, since the owner of the Corn,  
Commanded, that such weeds should be forborn  
Till Harvest, to assent, he was afraid,  
That, this Commandment should be disobaid,  
Lest, to himself, he might contract the guilt  
Of blood, that may be innocently spilt.  
And, from this tenderness, some took offence,  
Not justly given, or arising thence.   

If, he sometimes, did put himself to trouble,  
By vainly building, with wood, straw, or stubble,  
(As all men do) which quite away consumes  
To nothing, when the fiery trial comes;  
The loss was his, which only did redound  
To loss, of what, was better lost, then found.  
He was but man; and man at best, is light,  
And must have grains allowed to make him weight.  
As he had fall, and his humane failings,  
So he had also rise, and prevailings;  
And all GOD'S Saints have less advantaged been,  
By their own righteousness, then by their sin:  
For, both must be disclaimed, and they brook worst,  
And find it hardest, to renounce the first.   

He, by still cleaving to the true foundation,  
(And gracious Author of our preservation)  
Found himself safe, when all those works were gone,  
Which he had vainly builded thereupon.  
And was well pleased to see that turned to smoke,  
Wherein, he, formerly had pleasure took.  
Which▪ were it heeded well, would (sans all doubt)  
Conclude those Quarrels, which arise about  
Our superstructures, and must be denied  
As useless, when by fire they shall be tried.   

To truth essential, he did firm adhear  
Although sometimes, in terms, he did appear  
To leave it: And, when thither he retired,  
Where, he in quiet privacy, expired;  
His mind, he so composed, did so confute  
All self-mistaking, by a self-dispute;  
And, so examined, and so repent,  
All, whereto by mistakes he had assented,  
Unwarrantably (whether, it related  
To aught which had been publicly debated,  
Or privately; For Church, or Common-weal  
For GOD or men.) And, there, so settled all  
His Interests; that with a quiet mind,  
He did enjoy the peace, he sought to find;  
And▪ unto GOD, a resignation made,  
Of will, opinions, and of all he had:  
Even of his selfness; and therein, found more  
Enjoyment, then, in all the world before.   

His body, was consumed, by the zeal  
He bore to GOD'S house, and this Common-weal,  
(And, by foreseeing, that he might outlive,  
The honour of that Representative  
(Of which he was a Member,) For, when he  
And I, our thoughts conferred, we might foresee,  
That, in a short time (as my muse foretold,  
Some months before it came) that happen would  
Which now is come to pass, although those few,  
Who to the Public Interest were true,  
Had neither counsel, nor endeavour spared,  
To help keep off the mischief that was feared.  
Ere, therefore, actually it did ensue,  
Tired out, with vain endeav'rings, he withdrew▪  
A place for his retirement he had chose,  
Near to the Banks of Thame, where backward flows,  
The Tide at highest, up against the stream;  
That, he might neither be too far from them,  
To whom he had Relations, nor too nigh  
To such as might disturb his privacy.  
There, what he could not other waves promote,  
He sought to further by a zealous Vote.  
There, private prayers, offered he at home,  
That, GOD himself would (for the time to come)  
Assume the Work, and call in those thereto  
Who, might accomplish, what they could not do.   

The World, thus left He, ere it him forsook:  
Against the Flesh, the Spirits part he took;  
And by their combatings, attained to have  
A Resurrection, ere he had a Grave.  
But, lo, their long fought Battle now is past,  
The Spirit triumphs, and the flesh, at last  
By yielding to be conquered, hath wone,  
More, then by being victor, it had done;  
And now is lodged, in her withdrawing-room,  
To rest, until the tiumph-day shall come.   

There, from it labours, let it therefore, cease;  
There, let it lie in hope, and rest in peace,  
Till, to a better life, that Flesh, and we,  
Raised by a second Resurrection be  
There to appear, where we shall fully know  
What is but darkly, apprehended now:  
Where, we shall see the root of all those things,  
Whence flow our needless bitter quarrelings;  
And, where, accordingly we shall receive,  
To what we acted, or, as we believe.   

Oh! come LORD JESUS come, and fetch us thithes▪  
Gather thy Saints, and chosen-ones together;  
And, mean time, in that Saint be glorified  
For whose commemoration I provide.  
By thine, and their examples, who do follow  
Their steps, Oh! so inform us, how to hollow  
Our hearts, so cleanse our hands, and guide our feet,  
That, they now gone before, and we may meet.  
Thou, that art both our life, and way thereto;  
That open door, through which we are to go:  
A Fountain always flowing, to refresh  
The thirsting Spirit, and the fainting Flesh;  
Supply unto us, by thy Holy Ghost,  
What, by ourselves, and others, we have lost.  
O thou! who (being GOD'S eternal Son,)  
To free us, from a dungeon, leftest a Throne,  
And, underneath his heavy wrath didst lie  
Till thou cried'st out Lamasabakthani.  
To Heavenly joys, convert our earthly grief;  
Decrease our doubtings, and increase Belief;  
Our carnal love, improve to love divine,  
Till our Affections lose themselves in thine?  
Oh! let that Love, from whence all beings flow,  
Which made all things above, and all below:  
Whose Wisdom, did first set them in their way,  
Whose Providence, preserved them to this day,  
And shall hereafter, govern and dispose,  
That which keeps Order, and that, which misgoes,  
Oh! hasten to perfection! hasten on,  
The work intended, ere the world begun;  
And, let that Glory, which produce it shall,  
Be his (and his alone) that's ALL in ALL.   

Thus, mused I, or, much (if not the same,)   

To this effect, before the morning came.  
These contemplations, ere I knew him dead,  
By thinking on my Friend, conceived I had,  
Which afterward, in words, thus, up I dressed;  
To leave it thereby, vocally expressed,  
What penance, I was put to, for omitting  
A duty, my obligements well befitting  
Then, as the dawning Light began to creep  
About my Chamber, I fell fast asleep.   

Next day, (no longer meaning to defer   

A Visit, but till means prepared were)  
I, meeting with a Friend of his and mine,  
Informed him, what, I did predivine;  
What I had suffered, what, I have done,  
With what, I had that day resolved upon;  
And, to prevent it, was assured by him,  
That, my Presagings, were no idle dream;  
For, he was dead indeed, and on the morrow  
To be interred; which did renew my sorrow,  
And, reingage me, further to pursue  
What, to his pious Memory is due.   

For, there is much behind, as yet unsaid;  
Which, being truly known, and duly weighed  
Will add a fairer lustre to his Fame;  
Not without some reflectings, to my shame,  
For, leaving him, without a Valediction,  
Who was so true a Friend in my affliction.   

Assoon therefore, as I have gotten leisure,  
What's yet remaining, forth in Words, to measure  
Expect it; and in pawn thereof, (till I,  
Shall to your view expose it) let this lie;  
With this ensuing Epitaph, till He  
Shall honoured, by a better musing be.   

The EPITAPH.  

HIs GRAVE (though he desired none  
With Name, or Title thereupon)  
Was made below this Marble stone?  
And, here, interred, now, He lies,  
To wait CHRIST'S coming in the Skies,  
At whose approach the DEAD shall rise.  
Yet, seek not here, among the DEAD,  
(On stones, or brass, or sheets of Lead)  
What, to his honour may be read:  
But, if you more of him, would hear,  
Peruse the sheets, whose Forefronts bear  
His NAME inscribed; and read him, there.  
For though that MONUMENT be built  
Without cost graving paint, or guilt,  
It shall remain, when this is spilt:  
Yea, though it hath but paper wings,  
It shall out last, those lasting things,  
Which, make up Monuments for Kings.     

CANTO the second.  

After a due preoccupation,  
It offers to commemoration,  
Particulars: Insists upon  
A rarely memorable-one  
Illustrating a matchless Friend;  
And, so, this Canto hath an end.   

THe following evening, after I had heard  
That verifide, whereof I was afeard  
The night before, I, than a fresh inspired,  
To give my Muse utterance, retired.  
And, that no interruptions I might find,  
Put all my own concernments, out of mind.  
For, he that honestly one work, would do,  
Must not, the same time, be employed on two.  
But, on the paper, ere I fixed my pen,  
Such things, as possibly by other men  
Might be objected, questioned, or alleged,  
To hinder that, wherein I was engaged,  
Rushed in upon me; and, delays, had wrought,  
Had I not on a sudden kicked them out;  
And given some of them, (ere they would go;)  
Areasonable civil answer too.   

Among the rest, One (who scarce went away  
Well satisfied with aught that I could say)  
Thus questioned me: Art thou become so vain,  
To think, by charms, and words to raise again  
The dead to life; or, to preserve the Name  
Of friends deceased, by surviving Fame,  
Among this Generation, wherein none  
Or few, regard what shall be said, or done,  
To that effect? Canst thou have hope to bring  
By poesy (which an unhallowed thing,  
Is now accounted) any due respect  
To him, whose memory thou dost affect?  
Or, think that thou mayst dignify his Hearse,  
By such a despicable thing, as verse?  
Canst thou hope this, when he that versifies,  
Seems but a coiner, of facetious Lies?  
When lovers of the muses, are so scanty,  
That, there are hardly two, in five times twenty,  
Who, if thy Poem serious be, will heed it;  
Or, (if they will) that have the wit to read it,  
More gracefully, then if an Ass should play  
Upon a Harp, or to the Viol bray?  
For, neither heeding accents, points, or time,  
They, only make a clinking on the Rhyme.  
More harshly grating on judicious ears,  
Then scraping trenchers, which none gladly hears?  
And, what, of all thy muse, have th'effects  
Been hitherto, but troubles, and neglects?  
This being urged, I, thereto made reply   

Thus, in myself: Admit all this, quoth I:  
Mother wiseman fears to do, what should be done  
Through dread of that which may mis-fall thereon:  
Nor, so much cares, what may thereof be thought,  
As to be always doing, as he ought.  
It is the Muse's duty, to be there  
Most active, where, most Difficulties are;  
And, most courageously, there to advance  
Their Standards, where appears most Ignorance;  
That to succeeding Ages they may leave  
Those things, which present times, will not receive.  
It is a portion, whereto they were born  
To be exposed to contempt and scorn;  
And, 'tis their honour, to have wisely dared  
Just things, for which, the world gives no reward.   

Though Poets are despised, and, will yet more  
Contemned be, (and thrust behind the door)  
As Ignorance gets ground; and, as the Base  
Shall rise to sit in honourable place;  
There was a time, when Princes did contend  
In Poetry, and Poets to befriend;  
And, when the one shall consecrate his Muse,  
True Piety, and Virtue to infuse;  
And, men in power, by Righteousness maintain  
Their dignity, it shall be so again.   

The Muses, in times past, so awful were  
That, they made Kings to fawn, and Tyrant's fear.  
The Vulgar, they made Hero's; Hero's GOD'S:  
Drew Trees and Beasts, out of the savage woods,  
To follow them: That is, they drew together  
Blockish and brutish men (as rude as either  
Wild Plants, or Beasts, and them allured unto  
What reasonable creatures ought to do.  
Their Charm threw down the vicious to that hell,  
Where everlasting Infamy doth dwell:  
Raised up the well deservers from the Grave,  
The life of never dying fame to have,  
Yea, by their charms they have expelled the devil,  
The furious, and the melancholy evil.   

And, not alone in former Generations,  
Among the learned, and most civil Nations,  
Had Poesy esteem, and good effects,  
In spite of envy, malice, and neglects.  
But, also, here, and lately some have lived  
Who, by their muse, honour have received.  
And been enabled, by their inspirations,  
To vindicate the Muse's reputations.  
Yea, (in his measure) even the barbarous Bard,  
Is of his, people, so beloved, or feared;  
That, whom soe'er he pleases (by his rhymes)  
He makes to be the minion of the times  
Within his Orb: And, they among us here,  
Who of this faculty the masters are  
(As to the language) can th' affections raise,  
And move the Readers passions various ways,  
By their composures; though they do abuse  
His gift, who did that faculty infuse;  
As I myself have done, till he that gave it,  
Informed me better, to what end I have it.   

Then, why, with confidency may not I,  
Hope by the help of sacred poesy,  
So to embalm my Friend, by that perfume  
(Which fluently will by extraction come  
From his own virtues) that, a sweet breathed fame,  
Disfused from the Orders of his Name,  
May draw some after him? and make them grow  
In love, with what doth from those Orders flow?  
And, thereby woo them to an imitation  
Of him, and to a virtuous emulation?   

If David, in an funeral song preserved,  
The memory of that, which well deserved,  
In wicked Saul his foe; why may not I  
Seek to preserve a good man's memory?  
Why may not I with warranty commend  
The matchless love of my deceased Friend?  
Why may not I, as fully as I can  
Illustrate my beloved Jonathan?   

If, also, they, whose poesy affords  
Little save empty shows, and swelling words,  
Forced Metaphors, and frothy strains of wit,  
(Which on the Jancy, tickle do beget)  
Perused are with some effect that's good,  
And, are most pleasing, when least understood)  
Why may not I, be read by two, or three,  
With more advantage both to them, and me,  
Then, by a thousand, that are pleased with chaff,  
And, at my plain expressions jeer, and laugh.   

Why may not I, who have advantages,  
Of truth, and real merits (which helps, these  
Impostures had not) trophies hope to Rear  
That shall more lasting, and more fair appear  
Then such as they build, who composures fain  
Out of the dirty notions of their brain,  
Or, from the vapours, that strong drink infuses,  
To dignify the subject of their mufes?  
Why may not I, this faculty employ,  
To build up that, which others do destroy,  
By their abusing it? and, hope thereby  
So to reprieve it from that Obloquy.  
Which now it suffers, that, the best of men,  
May fall in love with poesy again,  
And, not (as now they do) avert their eyes,  
As if ashamed of him that versifies?  
For, this is part, whereto my Poems tend  
Though, peradventure, I may miss my end.   

Let it not therefore, seem a profanation  
Of Piety, unto this Generation,  
That, I adventure to redeem from blame  
The gift, by some employed to their shame;  
Since, it was first conferred on each receiver,  
To raise up his own spirit, to the giver:  
And, then, to rouse up other men's affections,  
From carnal, popular, and vain dejections?  
Or that, to take my Reader, by the ear,  
I lay among my verses. here and there,  
Some books, with reason baited, which, sometime,  
Doth each those who expected nought but rhyme.   

Nor, let this (though a long preoccupation)  
Seem to be needless, or a vain digression;  
For, though it nothing adds, to my intents,  
The taking somewhat from them, it prevents;  
Which being done, i'll now proceed to that  
Whereof, I purpose, further to relate.   

The subject of my Muse, being large  
'tis not within my graspings, to discharge  
What's thereto due; nor can it be confined,  
Within that compass, which I have designed.  
To tell you therefore, fully, what he was,  
Or, what he was not, would so far surpass,  
This limit, that I only must express  
So much as may enable you to guess  
At what remains untold, (though it be more  
Then here ensues, or hath been said before)  
And that I may, his inside lay to view  
Which I much better, than his outside knew.   

He was a man, endowed with no less  
Of piety, then moral Righteousness;  
And in the practising of both, so hearty  
That, to the honest, and the god'y party;  
(As called some are) he brought a supplement,  
Of real worth, as well as Ornament:  
And aimed at that reward, for which he ran,  
Not in the outward, but the inward-man.   

From youth's extravagancies, which, (as he  
Hath oft confessed) he once thought to be  
Th'accomplishments of Gentry, without which  
They had in vain, been nobly born, or rich,  
From these (even when he most endangered seemed)  
He was by GOD'S especial grace redeemed,  
(And brought off, by his providential hand)  
In seasonable time; even as a brand  
Snatched from the fire. For, those commodious places,  
Prepared for the Muses, and the Grace,  
To coinhabite in, for education,  
Of youth in knowledge; and to keep this Nation  
From Barbarism; Places, were become  
So fraught with Vices, and so perilsome,  
To soul and body, that, he was almost  
By ill examples, and lewd consorts, lost.  
For which, a threatening vengeance hangeth over  
Those Seats, that will admit of no Remover  
Of what is menaced, till their Foundation  
Is rooted up, or saved by purgation.   

With what pr●varications, he, was there  
Empoisoned, and what principles they were  
Whereby he was endangered, he to us  
Rendered as baneful, and ridiculous  
As words could make them; that, it might advance  
GOD'S grace vouchsafed, for his deliverance;  
And make them useful, unto those who heard  
What he was saved from, and what was feared.   

He was among the first, whose knowing zeal,  
Flamed our, to vindicate this Common-weal  
From thraldom and oppression; thereto moved  
In conscience, and by principles approved.  
Not stirred up, by factious discontent,  
By rashness, want, or by malevolent  
Affections, or Designs; though not without  
Some counterpleas, in what he went about:  
For, in immergencies, which do relate  
To private conscience, and Affairs of State,  
The wisest man, his resolution brings  
To settlement, by various combatings.   

With him, thus fared it: Then he to withstand  
The public Foe, was honoured with Command;  
Wherein, he ventured not his life alone,  
Without that profit, which by many a one  
Was aimed at, and enjoyed) but lent, and give,  
And, wasted his Estate, to guard, and save  
The Public Interest, without a prayer  
Exhibited, or temporal repair.   

Unsought for, (as I verily believe)  
He, afterward, the honour did receive  
Of supreme trust; and, without cause of blame,  
According to his power, discharged the same;  
The speaking, of no needful truth forbearing;  
The power, or presence, of no person fearing;  
Swayed nor by hatred, neither by affection,  
To others; nor by that which ha●… reflection  
Upon himself; But, freely said his mind,  
And conscience, as he did occasions find,  
In whatsoever matter was debated;  
Whether the thing proposed, to GOD related,  
Or Commonwealth: if they who present were,  
(As I believe they did) the truth aver.   

And, if it so did happen that, sometime  
A tender pity, did prevail with him  
To plead for mercy, on behalf of some  
Made liable, by law unto the doom  
Of mulct, or death; the same he never pressed  
Aught further, than the Public Interest,  
With safety might allow it: And although,  
He felt what other men are moved unto.  
By natural Affections, he did still  
Conform his Judgement, and confine his will  
To Justice: And, this, rather doth increase  
His honour, then appear to make it less.   

And, though the Author, of the History  
Of Independents, hath injuriously  
(Among his other Leazing) added him  
Unto his lying Catalogue, of them.  
Who, to the damage of the Common-weal,  
By their Commands, Gifts, Offices, or spoil,  
Enriched, and aloft advanced be.  
From poor estates, and from a low degree;  
On him, that sticks not; but, reflects disgrace  
Apparently, upon that Liars face.   

For, to all those, who knew him, 'tis well known,  
That, with a large estate, by birth his own,  
He was endowed. His Mother, yet, in Kent  
Survive●; a Lady, rarely eminent  
For Charity, and for a open door,  
To such as are in misery, and poor.  
And, as he no way needed to enlarge  
His portion, or the Commonwealth to charge  
By such supplies, as others have desired  
(And often surreptitiously acquired)  
So, he was all his life, so far from craving,  
From wishing, from receiving, and from having  
Gift, place, or office, whereby he might add  
An augmentation, unto what he had,  
That, many whom the Common miseries  
Had beggared, and whose pub iek services,  
And wants he see neglected, he relieved  
Out of his own estate; and them reprieved  
From ruining, when helper they had none:  
Among which number, I myself, was one.   

And, that, which in this kind he lent or gave  
Was meant (as I believe) as well to save  
The Nation's honour, as to do a deed  
Of simple Charity, in time of need:  
For, he preferred, the Public Faith before  
His private Credit; and, did so abhor  
Their Avarice, who by a mutual Giving,  
Forgiving, and unseasonably relieving,  
Obstructed those performances, whereby  
Our deep Engagements did neglected lie:  
That, to prevent it, he thought fit to scatter  
A portion of his bread upon the water  
Lest after private miseries, things worse  
Ensued; a national, a public curse.   

Then, those large Legacies, which he in death  
To Charitable uses, did bequeath,  
(Considered, with his frequent bounteous giving,  
To such as were distressed whilst he was living.)  
Do make it, without question evident  
That he, both had enough, and such content  
With what he had, that, he upon his score  
Leaves nothing, that shall make his Children poor  
As they will do, who gave and took the bread,  
Wherewith the Fatherless should have been fed;  
And, have, with what their Servants blood did buy,  
Enlarged their Fields, and raised their houses high.   

But, I to little purpose thus go on  
To set my Candle up before the Sun.  
They who had eyes to see it did behold,  
And knew as much before, as I have told.  
They, who by wilfulness, dark-sighted be  
Set up what light we can, will never see.  
Now, some of you, (it may be) will suppose  
That my conjectures only, I disclose;  
Or that a knowledge of such things I fain  
Which to his private actings do pertain;  
Or, take them up on Trust. If, so, they think,  
So, let it be; I will not strive to sink  
A millstone in a shallow dish of water;  
Or seek to fill a viol, with such matter,  
As it admits not. Things, which must be known  
As well by others eyes, as by my own  
To make them certain; I'll no further mention,  
Without proof it seem a self invention  
That, which hath passed 'twixt us two alone;  
Those things, whereof my knowledge can by none  
Be doubted of) to mind I will recall;  
And, out of many, bring forth one for all;  
One, that shall set forth his deserving more  
Than all that I have mentioned before;  
(At  according to that excellence  
Which suits a sensual Intelligence)  
And, when with that expression I have done,  
I'll rather leave it to be thought upon,  
Then imitated; till self-love gins  
To lose that ground, which hitherto it wins.   

He, that is really a faithful friend,  
Hath that, which doth within it comprehend  
All moral virtues; yea, and, therewith too  
That charity, which from true Faith doth flow:  
For, such a person cannot be alone  
(In being so) a faithful friend to ONE;  
But also to all others▪ yea, extend;  
His love to all GOD'S creatures, as his friends▪  
And, doubtless▪ far above all those, to him,  
Who, for himself alone created them.   

This virtue therefore, doth on men confer  
The highest excellence they can have here;  
And, this rare virtue, (whereof, I, the Sound  
Had vainly heard before) in him, I found  
And thereof, such experiment will give  
That, you shall think of him, as I believe;  
And that in charity, he did out go  
Most men, who thereof, make the greatest show.   

That, you may know him; whom I knew so well,  
My means of knowing him, thus, first i'll tell.  
The late intestine Wars, which with a flood,  
Of miseries, and with a sea of blood  
Over flowed these Nations, like a raging torrent  
(Which bears down all with an impetuous current,)  
Broke in, even at first rising▪ where then lay  
My chief Estate, and swept it all away;  
That, little thereof, which elsewhere was left,  
Was also, by th' Oppressor's hand bereft,  
Save only some small part of my Estate,  
Consisting in rings, householdstuff, and plate,  
Which being portable, preserved were,  
Or got together, by my future care,   

That, which exposed my portion to the raging,  
Of my destroyers, was, a free engaging  
Against the common foe: And, they, with whom  
I▪ for the Public▪ did engaged become,  
Gave me the Public Faith, that what I lost  
Should be repaired at the public cost;  
And, that my Children, should be looked upon  
With favour, and regard, when I was gone.   

By these encouragements I did pursue  
Their services, until I neither known  
Which way my present wants, might have supply,  
Or whereon, for the future to rely;  
And then, perforce, retreated for recruit,  
To prosecute the Cause with fresh pursuit:  
Whereof I got some few effects in show,  
Which in the substance, proved not to be so.  
But rather brought, much greater mischiefs on me,  
Then all my open enemies had done me.   

For, some who had but feignedly pretended,  
To that, which I had seriously defended;  
Perceiving, me, preparing to disclose  
Their falsehood, did become my open Foes;  
And through their Complices (who by the hand  
Of Providence were weeded from the Land,  
Soon after) they so wrought, that Innocence  
And Faithfulness were judged an offence,  
Maugre apparent proofs and demonstrations  
Yet extant, by their own examinations:  
So, I was find, confined, and on my head  
That censure laid, which they had merited  
With seven▪ fold more; and for my service passed  
Into disgrace, was innocently cast,  
With nothing for subsistence, but, that poor  
House-furniture, which was within my door.   

To add more burden to those heavy weights,  
And drive me, thereby, into greater straits;  
My Friends, and my Acquaintance, than began  
To look upon me as a faulty man  
Who had deceived their hope▪ so that, if they  
Who (though too few to help me) day by day  
Were at my trial, had not seen and heard  
Th'injustice done me, and the same declared;  
I had, in likelihood, ere this day, ended  
My life in want; disgraced, and unbefriended.   

For, as my Friends fell off, my Foes fell on  
With fresh pursuit of what they had begun,  
And▪ had not GOD in an unlooked for hour  
Deprived them of their abused power,  
They had destroyed me quite. But, I, at last  
Escaped; and they into the pit were cast.  
Mean while, they insolently domineered,  
Made songs and pamphlets on me; scoffed and jeered,  
And had so villifide my Reputation  
To those who represented, then, this Nation,  
That, of four thousand pounds (to which account  
My due (proved fully) truly did amount)  
I could not get one penny for relief  
Of me, or mine, to mitigate our grief;  
Though, I had forced words into their ears,  
Which from bystanders, oft, extracted tears;  
And, to compassion, might that Judge have wan  
Who neither feared GOD, nor cared for man.   

To add yet further, to my great afflictions,  
GOD, with a sickness, (spreading forth infections)  
Visits my house, and drove all those from thence,  
Who were some comfort in my indigence,  
That, being shut up, and excluded from  
All other helpers, I, to him might come.  
My children were all sick of that disease;  
Their single keeper, to her little ease,  
Was their sad Mother, whilst (as sad as she)  
I, sought, whereby they might supported be.  
And we, who served were, a while before  
With sixteen household servants, (sometimes more)  
Had then, but one Boy (who, sick also lay)  
And one poor woman, hired by the day.   

To pay, and feed those, I my plate had sold:  
My Wife, the silver, and the lace of gold  
Which lately trimmed her Garments, ripped away;  
To buy things needful, for the present day:  
Her Ornaments she changed for bread, to eat:  
Then, sold the dishes, which did hold our meat:  
And last of all, our highest valued things,  
The precious stones, the jewels, and the rings,  
To us, from honourable Persons sent,  
As tokens of respect (the same way went.  
And what was left, ill spared though it could be)  
To follow, for aught I then could see.  
Only this hope remained, that GOD had sent  
A sickness, which by death, would wants prevent;  
Or, give us by his own hand, some repair:  
For, of his love, I, never shall despair.   

In this good hope, the World's neglect I scorned,  
And my petitions, into prayers turned,  
Directed unto him; who only knew  
My wants, and what was likely to ensue.  
But, he likewise, to answer me delayed;  
And for a while seemed deaf to what I prayed:  
Yet knowing not, what else remained to do,  
Or whether, or to whom, for help to go;  
Nor caring (if GOD left me) for supplies  
From other hands; I still renewed my cries  
To him alone, and suddenly was cheered  
With somewhat, which to sense no where appeared,   

And, as a Loves, thinking (in a dream)  
He hears his best Be oved calling him,  
Starts up in haste, and runneth out to meet  
The voice that calls him, ere he find his feet,  
And goes he knows not whether: So, with me  
It fared, who (hoping not deceived to be)  
Walked forth to see, if providence divine,  
Would bring to sight, or mind, some Friend of mine,  
Or his, from whom, I might that aid receive  
Which to obtain from GOD, I did believe.   

And, mark his goodness, Oh! all you that read it  
So mark it, and with seriousness so heed it  
That; (if I should forget it) you may be  
Remembrancers, hereafter unto me  
As I have been to you, in former time,  
Of what concerns this Nation, and this Clime.  
In this distress, he, meets me, of whom here  
I am discoursing; And with pleasing cheer  
Salutes me thus: Amid thy troubles now  
How is it with thee George? how farest thou?  
I, answered, SIR, I live, though I am poor;  
And, of my welfare, cannot say much more.  
Take heart said he; These days will have an end,  
And future times will better thee befriend.  
I sought thee at thy house, not with intent  
To trifle out an hour in compliment  
But, lovingly brought thither, by a fear  
Lest more lay on thee, than thou well mightst bear.   

For, thy Petitions I, have heard, and seen,  
Of those transactions I have witness been,  
Whereby thou, wert oppressed; and wherein  
Thy Country hath no less abused been.  
I, also publicly have heard debated  
Thy claims, and when they were allowed, and stated;  
Saw what was justly, or unjustly done;  
And am assured GOD will look thereon  
Yea, I have so well heeded what thou hast  
Both lately and in former time expressed  
For GOD, and also for thy Country's sake,  
Whereof ensuing times will notice take  
That, I, myself to be obliged, thought  
To seek thy welfare; and from GOD have brought  
This token of his love▪ thus having said,  
Just twenty pounds into my hand he laid  
Of currant gold; whereat (as one amazed)  
On him with overflowing eyes I gazed;  
Not able, for the present, to afford  
The retribution of one thankful word.  
For, out of me, my heart away was gone  
To GOD, who made him do, what he had done.   

But, after recollection, SIR, said I,  
He ●hat hath moved you, to this charity  
Will doubtlessly with interest repay  
What you have ministered to me this day;  
For, GOD himself alone, and none but he  
(Who knows in what distresses all men be)  
Can, you, to me so timely have directed  
Oppressed with wants, and of all friends neglected  
Or, so enlarged your heart, to bring relief  
Proportionable to my present grief.  
And, therefore, now i'll tell you, in what state  
You find me, that you may rejoice thereat,  
By making you assured, that you have wrought  
A work, which in itself rewards hath brought  
That will requite it fully, though I lived,  
To let slip out of mind, what I received.  
Then, told him all, that is before expressed,  
And so much more as did infer the rest  
That might have followed, if GOD had not sent  
His charity, my ruin to prevent.   

The same impression, which his Act had made  
On me, my words on him, effected had;  
And, I am confident, that, had I given  
To him, the greatest gift, on this side Heaven,  
He had not gone away, with more content  
Then, in his being made an instrument,  
Of such a timely mercy; and, that he  
So opportunely too, should meet with me.   

Now judge, if this be true, which I protest  
(Except the words, wherein it is expressed,  
And, some few circumstances, to supply  
The story, with a formal decency,)  
Is real truth; and no poetic strain,  
More adding, than the Essence did contain.  
Judge now, what, I, could honestly have less  
Hereof declared, then here I do express,  
Considering what he was to me, till then;  
And, what I was to many other men.   

For, at their door, for whom I had of late,  
My life adventured; lost my whole Estate;  
(And those exposed, who were more dear to me  
Then life, and livelihood, destroyed to be)  
Even at their door, I, perishing was left  
Of credit, and Estate, at once bereft:  
To let me thereby know, and knowing, heed,  
That in the times of trial, and of need,  
'tis none of those Acquaintance, or those Friends,  
Which we ourselves get, or whose love attends  
On our Prosperities; nor that, which we  
Think, obligations, upon them to be;  
Nor public Faith, nor Vows, nor Protestations,  
Either of Princes, Parliaments or Nations;  
Nor that which is, nor that, which we suppose  
A merit in Us, (or, for Virtue goes)  
Which, for helps, are to be relied upon,  
In great extremities; But, GOD, alone,  
And, that, in our Desertions, he, can make  
Not only, strangers, pity on us take;  
But, also, from the malice of our Foes,  
Raise us up help, salve mortal wounds, by blows;  
Cure us by sickness; make us rich, by losses:  
Give us true joy, in grief; Content, in Crosses;  
A life, by dying; and the first beginning  
Of justifying righteousness, by sinning:  
Yea, by the hiding (for a time) his Face,  
Assurances of everlasting grace:  
And to confirm my oft experiment  
Hereof; GOD, made this Friend an Instrument,  
To give me, of that mercy, one pledge more,  
Of which, he gave me many, heretofore.   

And yet, this is not all; for, ere those weights  
Which lay upon me; and the many straits,  
Then pressing me, removed were and passed,  
(Which, some years, and some months to boot, did last)  
In times of like need, he continued on  
That work of mercy, thus by him began;  
Till, in this manner, he, upon his score,  
Had set me, twenty hundred Crowns, and more,  
Without desiring, Band, or Bill, or Note,  
To testify the lending of one groat;  
Or urging me, betwixt ourselves, to say  
I owed him aught, or that I would repay.   

Thus much for this time: For, 'tis cold, and late;  
And, that you may have time to ruminate  
On what is said; i'll now break off, and borrow  
An hour or two, from my affairs to morrow,  
So much, of what remaineth, to recite  
As seemeth pertinent: And so, good night.    

The third CANTO.  

The Author, showeth to what end,  
This Poem, was designed, and penned.  
Next, he proceeedeth to unfold  
What, is begun, and left untold  
Relating to his Friend, and Him;  
And, giveth you then, a breathing time.   

WHen I have spent the day, as oft I do,  
In wheeling round, and trudging to and fro,  
Through that meander, which do what I can  
Still further leads, (then when I first begun)  
From my desired rest; and, nothing leaves me,  
But new assurance, that the World deceives me;  
And yet still keeps me active, with a thought  
That, I am thereby doing what I ought;  
(Because, even by pursuing what is vain,  
A knowledge of some usefulness I gain,  
Which else could not be had) I take content  
In suffering what I labour to prevent;  
Permitting GOD, to order as he pleases,  
Me, and my something, and my nothing nesses.   

And, in the night, when all to rest are gone;  
I muse on things more worthy thinking on,  
And, how, to others, and myself, I may  
Add somewhat, by our losses in the day.  
Nor are my watch, in that stolen leisure,  
So painful, as some think; but full of pleasure.  
Nor do my solitary Muse tend  
To that deceitful, and unfruitful end,  
As is perhaps thought, in those lucubrations,  
Wherein I take my lonely recreations;  
For, that, which me all night doth waking keep,  
Refresheth more my spirit, than my sleep.   

The subject, which this hour employs my pen,  
Makes my dead friend, to live with me again:  
I, visit him, and oft he visits me  
With inter-courses, which no eyes can see.  
Within my Chamber; (none else being there)  
Me thinks, we two, as if alone we were  
Converse together, and he brings unto  
My memory, and thought, what I should do  
To order so my life, that when I die,  
No living soul may be more glad as I.  
Sometime, with him I walk unto his grave,  
To view what kind of lodgings dead men have,  
And whether I can, see among them, there,  
Such dreadful things, as flesh and blood doth fear.  
Yea, there, at midnight I have with him been,  
And every corner of the grave have seen,  
By Contemplation, (which sees many sights,  
Not to be viewed by ordinary lights)  
Yet there I did behold no greater dread,  
Then when I sleep most sweetly in my bed.   

Sometimes, he comes into my mind, and brings  
A multitude of temporary things  
To be by many thought of, who yet live,  
And were of that late Representative,  
Which from it honour, and, it being, fallen,  
Because they nor believed, nor acted well.  
Of somethings too, that nearly will concern  
The wise, (till they are grown too wise to learn)  
He me remembers, by those conferences  
Which we oft had, when he enjoyed his senses.  
And, whereupon, I oft did more than guess  
At what was verifide in their success:  
Yea, and sometimes, he makes me think upon  
The present Powre, and on what's yet undone,  
And should be done, and will be done, ere long,  
Unless, it grows, in self opinion strong,  
And sleights that counsel, which may save the State,  
As their Foregoers did, till 'twas too late  
Sometime, the thought of him, translates me hence  
To Heaven; where, what transcends intelligence  
And my expression, is to me disclosed,  
By fraction, and by notions discomposed;  
Which, nay the less a certainty declare  
Of some things, which for edifying are.  
Sometime again (for we can any whither  
Go safely) we descend to Hell together  
By contemplation; and there, take full views  
Of that which on Hypocrisy ensues;  
And, on each other failing, and offence,  
Perpetuating an Impenitence;  
And, thence, assume occasion to improve  
My thank fullness, for that eternal love  
By whom I am secured from that place,  
Through his preventing, and assisting grace.   

By thinking upon him, who in his grave  
Lies thoughtless, of what think I can have  
Thus, I myself employ; and, by things past,  
The ordering of future things forecast;  
And, find a means whereby I do refresh  
My Spirit, whilst imprisoned in the Flesh   

And wherefore, judge you, I my time thus spend?  
Is it to tell the World I had a Friend?  
How vain were that! since, I am not to know  
It cares not, whether I have Friends, or no.  
And, loves to hear of no respect that's shown  
To any, whom she takes not for her own.  
Is it to gain a graciousness with those  
Who, have, what he hath left at their dispose?  
That were to fall, ten thousand leagues below  
My spirit; and more base in me, would show  
Then it would do in them, to look upon  
With such a thought, what, here, by me is done,  
For, these my retributions, are as free  
From self ends, as his bounty was to me,  
And, rather should be paid back, ten time double,  
Then I would lose my freedom for that bubble.   

It is to please, his near and dear relations,  
With large applauses, and commemorations  
Of him that's gone? Alas! that doth but keep  
Sorrows awake, which else would fall asleep.  
Doth but his knowledge in the flesh renew,  
Which keeps his better being, from their view;  
Adds brine to thirst; and to devouring fire  
Casts Oil, which makes it but to flame the higher:  
And, if no better use, could hence be raised,  
It came to far less, then, not to be praised.   

Is it to honour him, that's in his Grave?  
That were the simplest thought the fool could have,  
What honour can they want, who triumph there,  
Where sulnes of eternal glories are?  
What honour can he have from earthly things,  
Or glory, from a fame with paper wings,  
Which cannot make a flight for many miles,  
Beyond the compass of these British Isles?  
Or, from an Epitaph, on stone, or brass  
Read by a few, in some obscured place?  
Or, how will it concern, or please him now,  
Who, to himself, would not, in life, allow  
Those attributes of honour, which appeared  
Then due; nor, for an empty title cared?  
And, would have been displeased, if he had knowwn  
I, would on him, this trifle, have bestown,  
(Only because, it to his honour tends)  
Although, therewith, composed to other ends?  
Beside, (although it somewhat may concern  
His reputation) I am not to learn  
That these Blasts, for the most part, oftener rear  
A dust, to cloud it, then preserve it clear;  
Or, stirs up, envy, hate, or evill-will,  
To brawl, which else (it may be) had lain still.  
For, to the Flower that spreads the fairest blooms,  
The Cankerworm and Caterpillar comes.  
Moreover, they, who least deserving are  
May in this kind of honour have a share  
With best Desert; and buy, with what was theirs,  
A better Monument than this appears.   

Is it for some advantages designed  
Unto myself? sure no; for none I find  
Hereby acquirable; nor had I brought  
My poverty to light, if I had sought  
Self-honor; seeing, there is nothing more  
Dishonourable thought, then to be poor.   

Well then; if it were neither so nor so,  
What is my purpose, in what now I do?  
Even this, That, from the best man whom I knew  
Here living, I might set forth to your view  
A self-denial, through the want of which  
The Commonwealth grows poor, and poor men rich.  
That, also, by him, in whose charity,  
GOD, did appear, in my necessity,  
Others may be provoked, through his examples,  
To show more love unto those living Temples,  
In which he dwelleth; and, at least, forbear  
To ruin them, although they have no care  
Of their Repair: For, this is one of those  
Deficiencies, which multiplies our woes,  
And, through defect, whereof our former cost,  
And present hopes, will suddenly be lost,  
As they have been; unless we do with speed  
Put, what is yet but words, into a Deed;  
Not dreaming still, that, we from GOD can hid,  
What is by men, apparently espied:  
For, though we will not see, what we behold,  
Nor credit what we know true, being told,  
It shall, in spite of all our impudence,  
Let in a Fear, against which, no defence  
Can possibly be made; and, then, the doom  
We feared in secret, openly shall come.   

He, of this self-denial was a Teacher,  
Yea, and as well a Pattern as a Preacher  
Who, taught with power, such principles as these,  
And, not as do our Scribes and Pharisees.   

I written this partly likewise, in requital  
Of his rare kindness; and by his recital  
Of what he was, to stir up imitation  
In all those who had any near relation  
Unto his fleshly being; and thereby,  
To pay my debt to his posterity;  
And, that (if well improved) it might be  
Some retribution, for his love to me.   

But, (in the first place, though I name it l●st)  
This opportunity I have embraced,  
To keep still visible, before mine eyes,  
That Object, which the world doth most despise  
To look upon; even that, disgraceful, poor,  
And low estate, in which I, heretofore  
Was friendless left; and, in how just a time,  
GOD, sent me full Deliverance, by him;  
One, from a Thousand chose, to signify  
Thus much; that, (notwithstanding they whom, I,  
Remembered often; me remembered not)  
His everlasting love, was not forgot.   

Having now shown the Reason of my Rhyme,  
I will return again to speak of him  
Who caused this discourse, which I am in;  
And, where I left ●ff, there, I will begin.   

Before, the bounty, which from him did come,  
Amounted to the fore expressed sum,  
Ashamed in myself, to see how far  
He had engaged me, without taking care  
Of reimbursement; unto him I sent  
Unask, a true and full acknowledgement  
Of all I had received: But, to my hand,  
He back returned it, with this command  
That, to no Person, I a word should say  
Of what had passed betwixt us, in that way.  
For, well I know, said he, both you, and I,  
Shall get but disadvantages thereby.  
The World, is full of envy, and malicious,  
Making to us, our best works most pernicious.  
They who in her affairs, are chief wise,  
And, view, our actions, with mere carnal eyes,  
Will judge me but a fool; and, think perchance,  
Your wit, hath wrought out of my ignorance  
Or easiness, that, which is an effect  
Of GOD'S good providence, and my respect:  
Keep it in secret therefore; for, from thence,  
There can arise no mischief, or offence.   

These Reasons charmed me; and, with much ado,  
I silence kept, because, he wiled it so.  
Only, (some few days after he forbidden  
This to be mentioned) him, I friendly chid  
By these ensuing Verses, which are next  
Inserted here, as not beside my Text.   

SIR, though, so friendly, you to me have been,  
That, to forget it, were a mortal sin,  
Yet, I am one, whom divers do suppose  
To make no difference, betwixt Friends, and Foes  
In my reprooving; And, if that be true,  
My worthy noble Friend, then, have at You.  
For, you forget yourself, and strive to climb  
To heights, so unfrequented at this time,  
That, I suppose, I am in conscience tied  
Your temper, and your practices, to chide,  
Lest by soft-hearted kindness, and compassion  
(With such like virtues, now grown out of fashion)  
It may deservedly be said, by some,  
One of these Sectary you are become,  
(And, of these Heretics thought worse than Turks)  
Who show their true believing, by their works;  
And, seem to bring their simple custom hither,  
Of living well, and lovingly together.   

Fie! have you honoured been to sit among  
The wisest of this Commonwealth so long?  
And where, the men, who do themselves suppeses  
To be (at least) the wisest part of these,  
Can many days, weeks, months, yea many years,  
Hear Widows out-cries, and see Orphans tears,  
Without the casting of one look aside  
On those, who by their path, stand Crucifide?  
And will you so degenerate from them  
Whose practices, are patterns for the time  
To look on him, whom they have trampled on,  
And lest, as to the world-ward, quite undone?  
Can you descend so low, to fix your eyes  
On those, whom men in honour do despise?  
Yea, in a manner, seek unto them, too,  
Who are distressed, (before they seek to you?)  
W●●e them to be relieved, by your expense?  
(As if you suffered, by their indigence)  
And charge them, that they tell it unto none,  
As if a deed of darkness, you had done?   

Believe, it SIR, this is a novelty,  
Which doth betray you, so apparently  
That, were it known, your best Friends would not stick,  
To voice you, publicly, a Schismatic.  
Scarce paralleled: For, you in this divide  
From all I know, in all the World beside,  
Excepting one or two; and you, and they  
Make up that little Congregation may,  
With whom CHRIST promised he would present be  
Though it consisted but of two, or three:  
And which was promised, (for aught I hear)  
Though none of them, a Priest, or Prelate were.   

The circumstances heeded in your acts,  
Do very strangely aggravate the facts.  
Had it been only, in a humour done,  
Or, in a fit, but once, or twice alone  
(As works of charity, are, now and then,  
Performed, and repent of again,)  
Or, had that charity, from you distilled,  
But, drop by drop; or had it forth been filled  
By thimbles full, (as unto those we give,  
Our Aquavitae, whom we faint perceive)  
Had it been so, or so, I should have thought  
So much thereof, as I in reason ought;  
(Though, with much more respect than yet I see,  
My public services, will thought on be)  
And would have strived, as far as I was able  
To make the gifts, and thanks, proportionable,  
As wise men do; or, some way complemented,  
And customary services presented,  
According to the fashion: But, the course,  
That you have took, Acknowledgements enforce  
Beyond all Precedents: For, Sir, you stretch  
Your nobleness so far beyond the reach  
Of my weak faculties, to retribute  
Acknowledgements, which thereunto may suit;  
Yea, and so oft, so long, so generously  
You have relieved my necessity;  
That, therewith overcharged, I am fain,  
To break out of the ro de, into a strain,  
Some way extravagantly to declare,  
As often in such straits as these we are  
Constrained to do; And, as once Peter did  
When through CHRIST'S manhood, he the Godhead spid;  
And, when, he having fished all night for nought,  
And drew a whole ship lading at one draught,  
He cried out, LORD, go from me (get thee gone)  
For I confess myself a sinful one.   

As, is the Fruit, so, may the season be  
A token of the nature of the Tree:  
(As that which cometh by the River's side,  
And, whereby Righteous men are typifide  
Illustrates well,) I, therefore, in respect  
Even of the time, may somewhat here object,  
To show, yet farther, how you rend from those  
Who have our earthly things, at their dispose.  
For, at such times of need, still, aid you lent,  
As if by GOD himself, it had been sent,  
Who, only, knew my wants; and unto whom  
I, only show them, when such great ones come:  
Because, in greatest wants, I do perceive  
Men readier to destroy, then to relieve.  
Such, is the state of many in distress;  
Such, is the hate, of those, who do oppress.   

The rightly timing of a benefit,  
Doth, very often, more than double it:  
And, though such charity, may, in these days,  
Return you little present gain, or praise,  
Yet, GOD observes it; and, as sure, as he  
Will of a cup of Water heed full be  
Bestowed on him who doth assume the name,  
Of his Disciple, (although not the same)  
You timely, and your large benevolence,  
Shall have a timely, and large recompense.   

Me, in due season, GOD not only shall  
Enable too, some way, to pay you all;  
But, add mean time, a blessing to defray  
That interest which he doth yet delay:  
And, in that place, where some of those (I fear)  
Who, me oppressed, will tremble to appear,  
You, shall be welcomed, with come ye blessed,  
Who fed, and clothed me, when I was distressed.   

These things considered, this, which I begun,  
Pretending some reproof, intendeth none:  
But, rather, is, (that debts be not forgot)  
A memorandum only, or a note,  
Subscribed with my hand, for intimation,  
That, you, with me, shall have his obligation  
Whose word is passed already to restore  
Whatever shall be lent unto the poor:  
And, who, doth good to every one intent,  
Whose heart he moves, the needy to befriend.   

Yet, that, mean time, I may not failing be  
To pay as much in hand, as lies in me;  
Receive this Benediction. Whensoe'er  
The day of fiery trial shall appear,  
To prove your Faith, and purge you quite from all  
Your selfness: which ere long time will befall:  
Let, then, your Faith be strong, and GOD be seen  
A friend to you, as you to me have been:  
And let your charity before him stand,  
To manacle, and weaken every hand,  
That would oppress those, whom you leave behind:  
Let them GOD'S favour, in all troubles find:  
Be safe preserved, in all times, and places,  
By his free mercies, and preventing Graces;  
And let this prayer, still, about GOD'S Throne  
Be fluttering, till he saith, so be it done.   

These Verses, for his large benevolence  
Were, for a long time, all his evidence.  
Nor would he more receive, though many a time  
Security was offered unto him.  
And, once, it was in words like these, denied:  
When first I your necessity supplied,  
My purpose was not, merely to relieve  
Your present need; but, likewise, aid to give  
That, by your own endeavour, (with my cost)  
You might recover that which you have lost.  
The State, hath no part satisfied, yet,  
Of your allowed, and overlong due debt:  
And, till that shall be done, I will expect  
No payment, neither aught to that effect.   

But, his assistance having made me strong,  
That, to recover, which had been by wrong  
Detained from me, in a private hand;  
(And having somewhat more at my command)  
I thought myself obliged (as I was able)  
To render some returns proportionable  
To my Estate. So, he accepts, at last,  
Security for part, and left the rest;  
(Of which, to him, I somewhat yearly brought)  
Without his ask, as expecting aught  
(By any thing expressed) until that,  
Were paid me, which is owing by the State;  
Or, till the residue, I could repay,  
By some enablement another way.   

This, shows it is no frivolous occasion  
From whence this Poem springs; or, Obligation  
To be as inconsiderable, slighted  
Which me to this acknowledgement invited:  
But rather, in regard of GOD, and Man,  
An act, which ought, as fully as I can  
To be expressed; That, for it I might give  
The praise to GOD, and, men th' example have.   

For, by his charity, GOD'S love appears:  
I was, thereby, preserved many years  
From perishing: Thereby, likewise, together  
With that assistance, which I had from other  
Concurring helps, (which have the same way, been  
To me by GOD'S good providence, sent in.)  
I got to be possessor of the gate,  
Of those, who were mine enemies of late;  
And, thereby, also, partly to express  
To others, in their need, my thankfulness.  
Thereto, the Noble, and much Honoured  
Bradshaw, and Dixwell, aid contributed,  
Among some others, who are not forgot.  
Although their kindness I here mention not;  
Yea, GOD, for me, so likewise, did dispose  
The purpose, of my avaricious foes,  
That, doubly, it advantaged me, and more  
Than all those loving friends had done before.  
Which, suddenly improoving my Estate  
Beyond, what I did hope, or aimed at;  
The World doth seem to think, and some do say,  
That, I, to thrive, have practised her way;  
And, on my conscience, would now love me too,  
If, truly, she believed it had been so:  
For, nothing renders her, a Foe to me  
But, that she fears my words, and deeds agree.  
And, that, though baits, and snares for me are laid  
To serve her ends, I shall not be betrayed.   

Now, having finished this little story,  
Which hath a near relation to GOD'S glory  
As well as to the honour of my Friend,  
With some brief inferences, I will end.  
But, lest, these may detain you overlong,  
Here pause; and read them, in the following Song.    

The fourth CANTO.  

Of Christian love, the large extents;  
The sad, the bad, the mad events  
Of discord, here the Muse displays;  
That Idol selfness open lays.  
Some other things to heed commends,  
And, then, with praise, and Prayer ends.   

WHat shall that Musing profir, which affords  
Nothing but bare Relations, or mere words?  
Or, what will things avail, that shall be read,  
Concerning those, who sleep among the dead  
If no advantages at all they give  
To benefit, or better those that live?  
Sure none; Lest, therefore, these may justly pass  
For tingling Cymbals, or for sounding Brass,  
Some useful notes, or notions, i'll discover  
On this occasion, ere I pass it over.  
And though I cannot talk, as others do,  
He preach my way; and, preach to purpose too.   

Of many things, which merit mention may,  
Wherein my Friend, hath patterned out the way  
Of walking, and of practice; three things, here,  
Shall be insisted on, as those that are  
Deserving special heed: Such, as (if we  
Well imitate) a true ALL HEAL shall be:  
End all Quarrels; Take off, from our eyes  
The blinding scales, and films of prejudice  
Which keeps us dark, and from a right perceiving,  
of truth, and, in a wilful misheleeving.  
An imitation thereof, would bring hither  
Outward, and inward peace; and knit together  
CHRIST'S disunited members so, that love  
Would ripen knowledge; Knowledge help improve  
A saving Faith; That Faith renew the Will;  
A will renewed, would GOD'S mind fulfil,  
And therewith, so acquainted make us grow  
That, we should learn to Act, as well as know.   

The first of these is Love; love, not extending  
Itself, to these, or those, but comprehending  
All things created, with an imitation  
Of CHRIST, by meekness in his conversation  
With Publicans and sinners; and, with such  
As knew but little, and believed not much.  
Such, was CHRIST'S love; and (if I do not miss)  
According to man's measure, such was his.   

For, though, that vail of flesh which others wear,  
And, that, which clothed him, when he was here,  
Disguised his inward man, and made him pass  
For one of those, who running of a Race  
Doth beat the air in vain; yet, they, whose eyes  
Observed him when he was near the prize,  
See, he had usde the means, and chose the ground,  
Which best advantaged him, and would be crowned,  
When, many, at a loss themselves would find.  
Who, better dieted, and disciplined  
Were thought to be; For, none could know so well  
What best befitted him, as he might tell.   

Near to his latter end, he had attained  
Such love to all, and, therewith, so unfeigned  
A longing both to win, and to be won  
Unto the Truth, that, he was Foe to none  
So much, as to himself: and, by forbearing,  
By hopefulness, long-suffering, patiented hearing,  
And meekness, without bitterness of spirit,  
True quietness of heart he did inherit  
Within himself; and waited, when GOD'S leisure  
Would of his grace, to others, fill the measure.  
My cognizance of him, persuades me so,  
And, whether he thus perfect were, or no,  
It serves the turn, as well to let us see  
What you, and I, and every man should be.   

Yet, of this Christian temper I had proof,  
To make it forth, with evidence enough.  
For, though in fundamentals we agreed,  
Essentially (as by what did succeed,  
Is manifest) yea, though we did accord  
In one GOD, in one CHRIST, one Faith, one word.  
One will, and hope; (as all true Christians do,)  
Yet, in some accidental means thereto  
We disagree'd; yea, often, did descent  
In some things, which 'twixt others made a rent.  
And, I was oft, so earnest in dispute,  
His tenants to disprove, and to confute,  
That, they who should have heard us, might have judged  
Not me to him, but him to me, obliged,  
And that like Paul ●●d Barnabas, at least,  
A parting, would ha●e followed our contest.   

Yet, though we both stood firm, to what we thought  
Nor loss of love, nor breach 'twixt us, it wrought;  
But, rather, to each other kept us nearer,  
The firmer in our friendship, and the dearer:  
Because we both knew, that, one Judge we had,  
In whom Atonement, would, at last, be made:  
Because, we both intended, not that He,  
Or, I, might conquer, but, Truth victor be:  
And, I, might conquer, but, Truth victor be:  
And, this declareth his deserving, more  
Than all, that I have said of him before.  
For, what man else, but he, would not have thought  
My Obligations, should my soul have brought  
In bondage to his Judgement? or, at least  
Kept me from owning mine, by hot contest?  
Who else but he, would have continued on  
His love, and bounty, unto such a One  
As thwarted his opinions? and, not rather  
Have made me scatter what he holp to gather?  
Converted former friendship, into hate,  
And, sought to ruin me, in my Estate?  
Which had with ease been done; since, at that time,  
My chief subsistence, was received from him.  
But, of his judgement, what ere think I might  
I knew his love was firm; his heart upright;  
And, this belief of no man, I could have  
Who gave his charity, to make a slave:  
Or, who from bondage did my flesh unbind  
To lay a greater Thraldom, on my mind.  
No, (though from servitude, he set me free)  
If he, thus cruel, should to others be.  
Nay, though a King, with me should share his Throne,  
And prise me, as his chief elected one,  
Were he a Tyrant over other men,  
I could not give him love, for love again:  
Nay, further (be it spoke with reverence  
To him I speak of, and without offence)  
Can I believe that GOD, in whom I trust  
Were (though he loved me) cruel and unjust,  
I would not seek with him in Heaven to dwell,  
But, rather, go, and live alone in Hell.  
For, he, that's with essential GOD delighted,  
And, thereunto by hearty love united;  
Should therewith feel to him, such virtue given,  
As would translate the lowest Hell to Heaven.   

I fear, I go too high in my expressions,  
I'll therefore stoop again, from these digressions  
To speak what's possible to be believed  
Of those, by whom this cannot be received.  
And show them, in my common strain, how far  
From Christian love, the greatest number are,  
Who most profess it; that, affect they may  
A far more excellent, and better way,  
If carnal lusts, will give them time to read it,  
And, their self-love, admit of Grace to heed it.   

It is not love, but cruelty in those,  
Who, would on others consciences impose  
Their Yokes, or break the bands of loving kindness,  
Because, their friends have weaknesses, or blindness:  
Nay, (which of cruelties appears the worst)  
Because, they would not be, from that divorced,  
Which is their comforts chief preservative;  
And, without which, none happily can live  
Here, or hereafter; And, when doing so,  
To these imposers, no true good can do.   

What is a friend for; or, what better are  
Those friends, than foes, who neither can forbear  
Nor help to bear, that Friends infirmities  
With meekness, whom he hath been pleased to prize?  
But, beat the lame, because, they cannot run;  
Leave him that's blind, because he sees no Sun;  
And, separate from them, for that, which they  
Would willingly disclaim, and cast away  
If they were able; or, else, did not fear  
They, thereby, sinners against Conscience, were?  
Whereas, they rather should with these abide,  
To lead the lame; to be the blindman's guide:  
And, with long-suffring, to instruct the other,  
Till he becomes a true believing Brother.  
Oh! how far off! how far! are such as those  
From imitating him, who loved his Foes?  
(And died to save them?) who pursue with hate  
Their friends, for those concerments, which relate  
Unto themselves alone? How far are such  
From loving them, who have offended much?   

This temper at this time, is very rare,  
For generally almost, we by't and tear,  
So barbarously, each others flesh, and fleeces,  
And rend CHRIST'S Robes into so many pieces,  
That, we seem rather Woolves, and dogs, than sheep,  
Belonging to that Flock which he doth keep.  
Nor are they, only, Woolves in sheep's array,  
Who, thus their Woolvish nature do betray,  
But, even on some of us, who of his Fold  
Are Members, this, distemper doth lay hold.   

Even we forsooth, for whom our GOD hath done  
So much of late; we, we, who look upon  
Ourselves at this time, as a People chose  
By special providence, to scourge his Foes;  
And, to be they, whom he first calls to bring  
Unto his Throne, our Everlasting King,  
Whose Banners LOVE; Even we, have here of late,  
Instead thereof, advanced the Flagg of HATE  
To be our Standard; and, the same display  
With as much virulency as we may  
Against each other: Yea, against those, too,  
Who seek GOD'S face, as truly as we do.   

Some of us, so aloft, ourselves do carry  
With hope of great achievements temporary,  
That, we forget from whence we first ascended;  
'Slight them, for whose sakes, we have been befriended;  
None loving, but ourselves; and looking on  
All else, as if the Earth, for us alone,  
Had been created; and all others, born  
For objects of our hatred, or our scorn:  
And, leave them unrewarded, by whose hands  
The ground was won, on which our building stands.   

Some of us, on a spiritual account,  
To such an overweningnes do mount,  
As if, we only, were the men, to whom  
Belongs that Kingdom, which is yet to come:  
Or, as if Heaven, for none else were ordained,  
But, those, who are among us entertained;  
Bound up to our Rules; marked, with our Prints;  
Or, qualifide with our distinguishments:  
And, so bewitched are we, by our own Dreams,  
With that, which we have Preached upon those Themes,  
That, if we take not heed, 'twill bring about  
That mischief, which we purpose to keep out.   

For, we through want of love, are so divided,  
By having this way, or else that way, sided  
To raise what others build up, or, in striving  
To raise a Babel, of our own contriving;  
That, some perchance, may see the Dragon's tail,  
Swing once more over us, ere we prevail.  
Yea, want of love, on all sides, so misteaches,  
Here, sucn Obstructions makes, and there, such breaches  
That, we are like to make our common Foe,  
An easy passage, where he could not go.  
Yet, 'tis not possible to make us wake  
From our vain Dreams, a safer course to take;  
Unless, GOD, shall, our Adderlike deaf ear,  
Pence by some stranger charms, then, yet, we hear:  
For, they are thought to speak words most in season,  
Who speak most impudently, and least reason:  
In which besottednes, if he walk on  
Much longer, as too long time we have done,  
(Acting, as if we thought, to show, our folly  
Would be an argument to prove us holy.  
And drive still furiously against each other,  
As if all shortly would be mad together,)  
They, will not much mistake therein, who shall  
This Isle, Great BEDLAM, now Great BRITAN call.   

The other virtue, of my now dead Friend,  
Which to our imitation, I'll commend,  
Is, to be zealous, in the pulling down  
Of our great Idol. now, more famous grown,  
Then was Diana; and, adored by us,  
Much more than she was once, at Ephesus.  
That weak, that base, that despicable ELF,  
Called selfness, which, man sets up in himself;  
And, for whose services, and adoration,  
We from all things within the whole Creation,  
Make patterns to ourselves: And, not of these  
Alone, make we fantastic images.  
But, of things also, which had neither birth,  
Or being, on, or underneath the earth;  
Neither within the water, air, or fire,  
Or any where, in lower place, or higher.   

This, is that God, which now is worshipped more,  
Then Baal, and all those Idols heretofore,  
Which did provoke to wrath. There, are our loves  
Most fixed. Thereto, our Temples, Altars, Groves  
Are consecrated; and, what else, beside  
Whereby, an Idol may be glorified.  
Thereto, those Tithes, those Duties, those Oblations,  
Thanksgivings, Prayers, solemn Observations,  
All forms, and ceremonies, (whether taught  
By truth, or, superstitiously in brought;)  
Our Governments, our Parliaments, our Laws,  
Our Armies, our unjust, and righteous Cause;  
Our Conquests, all our wisdom, all our wealth;  
Our honour, beauty, with our youth, and health;  
Our righteousness (if we in us, have any;  
Our wickednesses, (whereof we have many;)  
Even Scriptures, Judgements, mercies, Sacraments,  
With what else, GOD ordains, or man invents,  
Are all, by some among us, now converted,  
(Or, rather, to speak properly, perverted)  
Some way to serve, as to advance the praise  
Of selfness, that great Idol of our days.  
And, some, who vote, and speak against it more  
Than many; more, than any, her adore.   

Most, who pretend, to serve the Common-weal,  
Do most intent, from thence to rob and steal  
Wherewith, to sacrifice before the shrine,  
Of that loved Idol; which doth glare, and shine,  
With jewels, gold, and those embellishments,  
Which should have been the public Ornaments.  
They, from poor Orphans, and sad Widows, tear  
Their Garments, for that pseudo-god to wear:  
Pluck from their hungry mouths, their bread and meat,  
For that devouring God of theirs to eat:  
And, then, for his drink-offrings, pour forth floods  
Of faithful servants, Friends, and children's bloods.   

Most, who pretend true Justice to maintain,  
Do more contend, to wrong those who complain,  
Then how to right them; that, thereby they may  
Make innocents', this cursed Idols pray:  
And, to their faithful friends, are most severe;  
Either, to make a show, as if they were  
Impartial, or, perhaps, thereby, to pay  
A good desert, the clean contrary way.   

Most, who pretend to charity, do give  
Either, in hope they, thereby shall receive  
Some benefit; or, else in hope to raise  
A Monument, or Trophy of self praise:  
And few out of a tenderness of heart,  
Give, to relieve, or to reward desert.   

Most, who pretend to friendship, do but buy  
With compliments, or some cheap courtesy,  
Their self advantages; and, to more charge,  
When they are put, it is but to enlarge  
Their selfness; and, some way thereby, among  
Such other ends, to make their party strong:  
For, when unserviceable, these are grown,  
They cast them off, as Persons never known.  
Yea, when the times doth come, which truly shows  
Who is a Friends, they then become their Foes.   

Most, who pretend for GOD, that virtue fain  
For nought; with them, is godliness, but gain.  
They frequently, more bold with him do make,  
Then with all others; and from him dare take  
What ere they can, to sacrifice unto,  
This Idol; and suppose no wrong they do.  
Yea, those pert Jewish women, who had given  
And, would give spice Cakes to the Queen of Heaven  
(And had befoold their Husbands to consent  
That, them they should, in GOD'S despite, present,  
Took not his Oil, his pure Wheat▪ and his spices,  
To make, their wicked wilful Sacrifices,  
With bolder impudence, than many a one  
Among us, for this to Idols use have done.   

A Spirit, being, GOD, in no need stands  
Either of Churches, Tithes, or Rents, or Lands,  
Or Forms, or any of those other things,  
Which, for GOD'S worship, our devotion brings:  
For, these will do his deity no good:  
But, selfness, is a God of flesh, and blood,  
That will be highly pleased, with those oblations  
Which GOD Almighty, counts abominations,  
If not made use of, with all circumstances,  
Which, in a right way, piety advances.  
And, therefore, we do purpose (if we may)  
To take them, for this Idol, quite away.  
But peradventure, ere effect that finds  
We may be taken hence, or change our minds.   

This, is in every heart, the Antichrist,  
Which doth usurp CHRIST'S Temples, and resist  
His reigning there. There, paramount is he  
(Though other Antichrists, there, also be)  
His chiefest opposite; and gives offence,  
More than his Foes of greater eminence.  
The Devil, doth in the World, against him rant,  
As his chief Foe; In his Church militant,  
(At large) The man of sin; And, this, or that  
Corruption in each individual State  
Or Congregation: But, this, hath alone  
In every single man, the supreme Throne  
Of opposition; though, sometimes, appearing  
In one beloved sin, and sometimes wearing  
Another habit, as it best befits  
The place, or person, where, enthroned it sits:  
And, though the Devil, Turk, and Pope, and all  
Whom, in their spheres, The Antichrist we call  
Should down be thrown; we shall rejoice in vain  
If, in our hearts, this Antichrist still reign.   

This, is that Idol, which prolongs our woes:  
This, is that Idol, which, if ere we lose  
Our present hopes, is that, which will effect it:  
And, I do more then probably suspect it.  
This, is the last thing, my deceased friend,  
Declaimed against, before his latter end,  
As likely to be that abomination,  
Which will occasion here, a desolation;  
If not destroyed, or, at least, debased  
Within those Temples, wherein it is placed.   

This Idol, hath in every heart a shrine;  
Yea, (though I hatert) doth possess in mine  
The inmost room; there, screwed in so fast,  
That, thence, I fear, it hardly will be cast  
Till all that Fabric shall be broken down,  
Wherewith it is incorporated grown,  
It knows what now I think, what now I writ,  
And sticks the closer to me, in despite  
Of all that I can think, or say, or do:  
Yea, and by means of this performance too,  
The more exalted in my heart will be,  
If, GOD himself, shall not deliver me.  
But, he will add sufficiency of Grace;  
For, I intent even in that very place,  
Where fixed it stands, to sacrifice the Beast  
With all the trinkets of self Interest:  
Which, if I can do, while 'tis fixed there,  
Will better please, then if destroyed it were.   

Another Virtue in my Friend, no less  
Deserving heed, was Conscientiousness  
In words and works; whereof, an imitation,  
Would bring much happiness unto this Nation.  
For whise good Conscience, entertain we shall,  
It keeps a never-ending Festival,  
Which gladdeth more the heart, then when we feast  
To entertain our best beloved Guest.  
If slighted; it becomes our greatest Fo:  
If cherished; it such a Friend will grow,  
That, when all else forsake us, and abuse us;  
When they oppress, and causelessly accuse us;  
When opportunity the Devil wins,  
To muster up against us, all our sins;  
When, GOD perhaps, doth lay upon us too,  
A heavy hand: when Death (as it will do)  
Arresteth us, our countless debts to pay,  
And, to his dungeon carries us away;  
Even then, when all our honours and our wealth,  
Our youth, our strength, our pleasures, and our health,  
Shrink from us: when, our best beloved Friends,  
Our wives and children, upon whom depends  
Our greatest earthly comforts, will forgo us;  
Lodge us among the dead, where none shall know us;  
And, leave us without succour, all alone,  
To give account for that which we have done:  
Then, will this Friend, if well we cherish her;  
(Yea, though she formerly abused were,  
If we be sorrowful for our offence  
And reconciled by true penitence,  
Will go along with us unto the Grave;  
Remove all thence, whereof, we dread may have;  
Sleep there with us, whilst there we shall remain;  
Rise with us, when we shall arise again;  
And, make us there, with joyfulness appear  
Before that Judge, whom other men shall fear:  
For, having in this life, the privileges,  
Of our Accusers, Witnesses, and Judges,  
(Which none else hath by our terrestrial Laws,)  
Before hand, she determineth our Cause.   

She, by the Law that's written in our hearts,  
Doth judge us; and no jot from that departs;  
So that no Soul, can justly counter-plead,  
An Ignorance; or stand in any need  
Of an Interpreter, or, witness brought,  
To testify, of what, was good or nought:  
For, none, will she condemn for that offence,  
Whereof, he bringeth not an evidence  
Within himself, to clear, or to condemn.  
For that, which is objected unto them.  
And, whosoever to this judgement comes,  
Shall blame themselves, and justify her dooms.   

Look therefore that you keep this Judge your friend,  
And that, by your fault, she who will pretend  
To be this Conscience, be not entertained  
Instead thereof: For, Conscience may be strained  
So far, and by accustomed refusing  
Good counsel; and by wilfully abusing  
Her just reproofs, till her away we chase  
And let an evil conscience take her place.  
And, what events, may afterwards ensue,  
I leave it, to be thought upon, by you.   

How, we may know a Conscience rectifide;  
How, to preserve it, we may means provide;  
How to recover it again when lost;  
Time to compose a large discourse would cost:  
To sound these depths, I therefore will forbear,  
And only add, for your example here,  
What, by occasion of my Friend, that's gone,  
I have, since his departure, mused on.   

Good Conscience, whereof high esteem he made  
Three Objects hath; to which there must be had  
A due respect, asunder, and together,  
Without neglecting, what belongs to either;  
Except in things, wherein the less is debtor,  
To wave his due, for that, which is the greater.   

GOD is the first; our neighbours, or our brother  
(In some respects) the next; our selves the other;  
Whose welfare, in some cases, may before  
The second be preferred, and tendered more:  
Because, it is the Rule whereby to square,  
That ●ove, which to our neighbours, we should bear.   

Our duties to all these, were in the heart  
First written; and renewed again, in part,  
By common grace: But, sin hath so defaced  
That Table, and that writing so much razed,  
That, we must seek to make up that Record  
By what, GOD hath supplied in his Word;  
And, they, who would preserve the conscience fair  
And blameless, to that Glass, must oft repair;  
Which, (by that aid, which GOD to add will please)  
Shows us, our several duties, to all these.   

All they, whose Conscience is this way renewed,  
Know what should be embraced, and what eschewed.  
Such, will not of his honour, God, bereave,  
To save their Country; nor, their lives to save,  
Spoil or betray that; nor, themselves deprive  
Of aught, which they to serve these, did receive  
Through cowardice or sloth; nor, to enjoy  
The pleasures of the flesh, the Soul destroy.  
To GOD, they will not make a sacrifice  
Of guiltless blood; or, honour him with lies:  
Or, offer to him things achieved by stealth,  
By fraud or rapine; nor their Commonwealth  
Repair, enrich, or strengthen, by oppressions;  
By tollerating any known transgressions,  
To Piety destructive; or, to that  
True Justice, whose defect, may ruinated  
Humane society; either, by searing  
To draw their swords against a Tyrant's daring;  
Or seeking, by a warlike way of murder,  
How, to enlarge their territories further;  
In hope of needles gain, or fruitless glory,  
haised out of black deeds, by a bloody story:  
But, prosecute the troublers of their peace,  
Till safety, may be settled; and, then, cease:  
That, throughout all the World it may be known,  
They sought not to enlarge, but save their own;  
And to disable those from doing wrong,  
Who, else, would all the World embroil, ere long.   

Such, will not make their Public Faith a scorn.  
That they who live, and they who are unborn  
May in times future, be discouraged from  
Assisting, when another need shall come;  
And, let all, rather unto ruin run,  
Then trust, what is not to be trusted on.  
Such, will not (as in times of need they may)  
Take some men's lands, and lively hoods away,  
The Public to secure, without supply,  
For loss of that, which it was saved by:  
But, to each private sufferer, reimburse  
Their private damage, from the Public purse.   

Such, will not misemploy their Power, in place  
Of supreme Trust, unjustly, to disgrace  
Their faithful servants, upon bare surmizes,  
On misreports, which evil will devises  
To blast their credit, ruin their Estate,  
(Perhaps their lives too) by objecting hate  
Which is untrue- For, they not being there  
Who could refute that, wherewith charged they were,  
(Nor suffered to take notice, from whose tongue  
They, in their absence, did receive that wrong)  
A prejudice, doth bring a censure on them,  
Which ere they can prevent it, hath undone them.  
If they good conscience have, who thus can do;  
I'll think, the devil hath some conscience too;   

How seared are the consciences of those,  
Who, give their friends, much less respect than foes?  
Obliging them by favours whom they fear,  
Would else be traitors, (or perhaps so are)  
And disoblige true men, because, they know  
No injury can make them less than so?  
What conscience, have they who do pretend,  
The Public hath not, to relieve a friend  
That's perishing; and, yet the selfsame day  
(Though no need were) profusely give away  
Large sums among themselves; and gratify  
Those men, who with their faction do comply?  
(And own their ways, opinions, and designs)  
As if they did possess, the Indian Mines?  
What Consciences have they, who pay some worst,  
Who merit best; and last, who served them first:  
Provide for those; who for self-ends do serve;  
And let the Commonwealth's true servant starve?  
Give ready Coin to some; and unto them  
Who did the same work, at the selfsame time,  
Not any thing at all? except, perchance,  
A Warrant, Order, or an Ordinance  
Which by begetting others, doth still add  
New troubles, and expense to what they had;  
And without profit, so enlarge their cost,  
By precious time, and redious labour lost;  
That, if at first, their debts they had forgiven  
(And added so much more, to make all even)  
To get a flat denial; some, had gained  
Much more thereby, then will be now obtained,  
Though they were paid to morrow? One, I know  
Who by experiment, hath found it so;  
Yet, some of them, who may this conscience own,  
Woe uld seem to think, great things on him, bestown:  
Because, God's mercy, other ways supplies  
That, which to him, their Justice yet denies.   

What partial Consciences are also theirs?  
Who, in establishing of just Arrears,  
Gave some full Interest for debts delayed,  
And none to others, for like debts unpaid  
Ten summers after; and, which may, before  
They are discharged, stand charged ten years more  
And then at last, perhaps, aside be laid  
Among those debts, that never shall be paid?   

From such corrupted consciences as these,  
Hath sprung our Epidemical disease:  
Those many fold complain, in our streets,  
Wherewith each friend his sad companion greets:  
Those scandals, which are published in disgrace  
Of persons, who were lately in the place  
Sapream Trust: hence, also, flows that hate  
The Quarrels, discontentment, and debate,  
Which is amongst us: Hence, those hazards rise  
Which make us fearful, and our Enemies  
Still hopeful, that, it either shall occasion  
Some broyl within, or, some without Invasion.  
And, if I may believe what my heart tells,  
That, which they do expect, or somewhat else  
Equivalent, will shortly come to pass,  
If we below, and they who are in place  
Above us, make not conscience of our ways  
More than we have done, in preceding days.  
For, if there be a GOD, as my soul knows  
There is, by that, which daily from him flows:  
If there be devils, as I know well to,  
There are by what, I see their servants do.  
GOD, or the Devil will to us appear  
By some new Act of Grace, or work of fear,  
To purge hearts, from death procuring works,  
And that hypocrisy within them lurks;  
And keep us to the rule of doing so,  
To others, as we would be done unto.  
Of which good practice, whilst he here was living  
My Westrow (having by examples of giving)  
Deserved to be a pattern, I, contrived,  
This way, of having him, again revived;  
That, I, and you, and others, by the light  
From henoe reflecting, may walk more upright.   

Lord, let these overflowings of my Spirit,  
Which, in themselves have neither power, nor merit.  
Produce forth good effects; and not be found  
Like that, which gives an useless, emyty sound.  
Let it be some way, fruitful unto them,  
Who had relations in the flesh to him,  
Who, hereof gave occasion; and, some way  
To every Reader, who peruse it may;  
And, not a memorandum only be  
To other men; but, likewise unto me.  
Vouchsafe me grace, whilst, here I live to serve  
(In this my Generation) not to swarve  
From my appointed work; but to persever  
In doing it, with vigilant endeavour;  
That, of my Talon, when I must appear  
To give account (which time approacheth near)  
I may be faithful found, and to that joy  
Admittance have, which nothing can destroy.   

Let neither fears, nor hopes, neglects, or wrongs,  
Deter from doing what to me belongs:  
And, though my faculty hath small esteem,  
And needles to the World, perhaps, may seem,  
In those affairs which may be pertinent  
To thy great work: make it a supplement  
Of some good use; that, times to come may see  
My withered leaves, did help adorn the Tree  
During that season, wherein clothed it stood;  
And, were for cure of some diseases good.  
Of what, in others, to be good, or ill,  
I have observed; let application, still,  
So to myself be made, that what I saw,  
To be amiss in them, may me withdraw  
From erring paths; and, in their steps to tread,  
Who nave uprightly walked, (alive or dead.)  
That, I may truly foot thy measures, too,  
As well as pipe them out, to those that do:  
Lest, I myself, a Reprobate be found,  
When all things have completely danced their round.   

Let not the Revolutions, or the changes,  
Or, that prevarication which now ranges  
Throughout the World, me, from my station carry;  
Or, cause me from good Principles to vary.  
But, in the stream, of all those great distractions,  
Differing opinions, counter-marching actions,  
Plottings, designings, threaten, and pertaking,  
Whimsies, Chimaeras, doubtings, and mistake,  
Fawn, and frownings, praises, or disgraces,  
Wants, and aboundings, in all times, and places,  
So steady keep my Judgement, and so clear,  
That, all my Life, I firmly may adhear  
To truth, and honesty; and, plainly see  
What man intends, or is designed by thee,  
And, whatsoever, without me, makes a din;  
Let, me have always, peace, and joy, within,   

My life, hath been a warfar to this day;  
And troubles multiply: Yet, if it lay  
Within my power, to choose what other lot  
The best man living hath, (or I have not)  
And, might myself, my own self being make;  
Let me no comfort, in my Portion take,  
If, I, would choose aught else, but that which now  
I have, and thy free mercy, shall allow:  
For, of thy love, so well assured am I;  
And, how, thou best know'st, what for me is best;  
That, on thy Wisdom, Power, and Love I'll rest.   

I, love to see the doing what thou dost,  
(Oh GOD! most holy, powerful, wise, and just)  
And, therefore, though my flesh be terrified  
By thy approaches, and, oft loath to bide  
Where, I may stand to see thee marching on,  
And doing, here, such things as thou hast done:  
Yea, though sometime, such horrors on me cease,  
That, they do shake my bones; yet naytheles,  
My spirit, so is pleased, to behold  
Those Judgements, and those mercies manifold,  
Which I observe; that, in no other time,  
Nor, (might I choose) in any other Clime,  
Would I have lived, save where I might have seen  
Such things, as have to me discovered been:  
No, though thy Judgements, which, now on us be,  
Have in the flesh, with others, wrapped up me,   

For, whatsoever former times afford;  
Whatever, hath been written in the Word;  
What signs, or wonders, have been to thy glory  
Recorded in profane, or sacred story;  
Hath been a new transacted, in my days.  
So, have I seen the River, and the Seas  
Made passable: So, have I seen thy wonders  
In blood, and Vermin; in fire, hail, and thunders;  
And, in those other dreadful signs, whereby  
Thou, heretofore didst Pharaoh terrify;  
Mysteriously, or morally (at least)  
If not in all things, lit'rally expressed:  
And, have abserved, that, they on other men  
Have now, the same effects, which they had then.  
To carnal wisdom, but events of chance  
They do appear; and, such, to ignorance.  
Great Kings, and Princes, will not yet be wise,  
But fool themselves, with vanities, and lies;  
And, are like Pharaoh, daily hardened so,  
As if they dared thee, thy worst to do.  
Yea, their enchanters, though they cannot stand  
Before thee, (and acknowledge 'tis thy hand,  
Which is upon them) do endeavour still,  
To seek themselves, and to resist thy will.  
And, all of us, almost as heedless are,  
Of what thou dost, as jacob's offspring were.   

Thy judgements, mercies, threaten, promises;  
The several causes, and effects of these,  
Have been to me, exemplifide a new,  
By that, which hath been offered to my view:  
Th' occurrences, betwixt thy Friends, and Foes,  
Long time ago, foretipifying those  
That should succeed, (and, were for Precedents,  
That like proceed, would have like Events  
Throughout all ages) I've seem paralleled  
By those, which with mine eyes, I beheld:  
And, by those tips, compared with what I saw,  
Did, sometimes from them such conclusions draw,  
That, I foretold, when few believed me,  
What, they and I, have lived, fulfilled to see.   

And, though, thou art not pleased to let me know,  
Perspicuously, what is approaching now:  
Yet, I see dim appearances, whereby  
I may suspect a mischief drawing nigh.  
A Cloud, which like a man's hand seems to be,  
Or, else, a man's hand, like a Cloud I see  
Threatening a storm. I see, me thinks, Ob Father!  
Vapours far off dispersed, begin to gather  
Into divided bodies, whence may break  
A voice of Thunder, and things dreadful; speak,  
With sad events; If we with speed repent not;  
And, thou, the plagues, which we deserve, prevent not.  
Oh! therefore, turn our hearts; and unto thee  
So, from our own ways let us turned be,  
That, thou mayst still continue thy compassion,  
With thy accustomed favours, to this Nation.   

And, my beloved Brethren, for whose warnings,  
I, thus adventure my dim fore-discerning  
To public censure, though not for my sake,  
(For your own safety, notice of them take:  
And, of your vanities, repent with speed;  
That, Judgements, but conditionally decreed,  
May be averted: And, that, those good things,  
Of whose approach the season symptoms brings,  
Deferred may not be: For, there is, yet,  
Somewhat, to be removed, which doth LET,  
That Kingdoms coming, for which, many pray;  
And, that Removal, must prepare the Way.   

If, GOD, this way, by judgements, must enforce,  
It will, for us, now living, be the worse;  
And, we shall bear the strong pangs of that BIRTH  
Which, that mysterious WOMAN will bring forth,  
On whom, the DRAGON waiteth to devour  
The MANCHILD, who (delivered from his power  
By his Almighty Father, and our GOD)  
Shall rule the Nations, with an IRON ROD.  
But, if we willingly remove from hence,  
That LET; it shall produce a recompense,  
Which will requite our labour, and destroy  
The great Obstructer of our promised Joy.   

Here, I had done. But somewhat, presseth in,  
On which, I could anew again begin.  
It doth not much concern my Theme, I know;  
But, what, of that? It may concern you, tho.  
My Muse, oft times, when she is on her wings,  
Wheels from her Game, to unexpected things  
Which come to view; and, thereby more hath won  
Sometimes, then if aside she had not gone.  
So, may she now; I'll therefore, let her fly  
At what she sees, although I know not why.   

The Kingdom looked for, seems to be near  
By many tokens, which to me appear,  
As well upon the Governments of those  
Who, there to are professed, or secret Foes,  
As on the SAINIS: For, when I was but young,  
(And ever since my childhood, all along)  
I, thereto had an eye: And, in this clime,  
(Or little world) I've seen within my time  
Four Governments, almost as differing  
Both in the roots, from which they forth did spring,  
And discipline, as daniel's Monarchies:  
And, much, to be considered, in them lies,  
To make me to believe, that, CHRIST is shaking  
The World's foundations; and, approaches making.   

The first was, when much famed ELIZABETH,  
Raig'nd here; In whose time, (though I drew my breath  
Not thirteen years) I, observations made  
Of things, then said and done, both good, and bad,  
More than my age did promise; and, er'c taught,  
Was to the best part, of my knowledge brought.  
During this Monarchy, I did perceive,  
Sincerity, begin to take her leave;  
That, Christian zeal abate, and cool again.  
Which was so hot, when she began to Reign;  
And, introductions of such deviations,  
As, both forego, and foreshow alterations.  
Yet, that, which then did seem to keep in awe  
These Nations, was, the GOSPEL, and the LAW.   

Next her, out from the Caledonian Wood,  
A ramping Lion came; and, up he stood.  
As, he first got this power, he kept the same,  
By acting of the Fox, and seeming tame.  
To his devourings, he imposed no measure:  
The Law he governed by, was WILL, and PLEASURE;  
And, he pursued, what he designed at first,  
As far, as any crafty coward durst.  
More stoutly, his Successor, carried on,  
Then politicly, what his SIRE begun;  
And after many struggle, and much cost,  
Himself, his Kingdoms, and desigments he lost.  
Yet, for that Government, thus much I'll say,  
Justice, and piety, wore in that day,  
The fairest outside; and, were trimmed about  
With many Ornaments, now, nigh worn out;  
And, goodness, had a very glorious shell,  
Although the kernels therein proved not well.   

Against this Government, the People risen,  
In throaning them, whom they themselves had chose;  
And whilst they were continued on the Throne,  
NECESSITY, was law, for what was done:  
Which Law, to lengthen, and corroborate,  
They, new NECESSITIES did still create;  
Till their Adorers, did their Power contemn,  
And, found great need of all things, but of THEM.  
For, by indulging selfness, they destroyed,  
What had by self-denial been enjoyed;  
And made themselves so rich, and some so poor,  
That, now, the People's choice, is out of door.  
Yet, whilst they kept the Throne, GOD, by them wrought  
Effects, which will not wholly come to nought:  
For, though selfseeking, most prevailed then,  
There were among them, good, and righteous men,  
(To GOD, and to their Country serviceable)  
Whose number, had it been proportionable  
To ten, for each five Cities, Towns, or Shiers;  
Had made the work, reserved for others, theirs.   

The SWORD, hath now, obtained the sovereign power,  
Let it, Oh LORD! protect, and not devou'r.  
Let, it take notice, that it is prepared,  
The Vineyard, only, to secure and guard,  
(Or, cut away those Plants, which might annoy  
The fruitful Vines, and their sweet grapes destroy)  
Not to possess the same as if it own.  
Let us (although the power thereon bestown,  
Should be abused) obediently attend,  
Till to the reign, thereof, thou setst an end:  
For, when thou pleasest, thou, canst in one hour,  
Make it destroy itself, by it own Power.   

To rule us, thou hast now advanced it;  
Let us, for conscience sake, therefore, submit,  
Whether it be for future good, or ill;  
Because, to have it so, it is thy will.  
Thou canst as well by Arms, as by the Gown  
Rule peaceably, and make thy mercy known.  
Although it be a Sword, that bears the sway,  
Let, it thine Adversaries, only, slay;  
Let none of thine, have any cause to fear it:  
And, let it no ways damage those that wear it.   

Still, mindful make it, for whose good, and aid  
'Twas first advanced, disciplined, and paid:  
Who, did contribute, what, first, made it strong  
To conquer: who, still adds, what doth belong  
To keeping of that Power; and, let it not  
Endanger those by whom it was begot;  
Wrong their propriety, whom it defended;  
And whose just preservation was intended;  
Nor, break those ancient bounds which kept should be  
'Twixt man and man; and, betwixt man, and Thee;  
And, upon whose Infringers thou hast laid,  
Curse, whereof, all, aught to be afraid.  
Let it perform the works thereto appointed;  
Make way for Justice, and for thy Anointed:  
And, when the time designed thereto is done,  
Let it, to what must follow, yield the Throne.   

The next, I hope shall be the LIVING-WORD.  
Let his long looked for KINGDOM come, Oh LORD!  
Let over us, that King of Nations reign,  
To whom, all praise, and Glory doth pertain.  
For, whatsoever this proves, that best will please us.  
Come therefore, quickly Quickly come, LORD JESUS.   

Mean while, accept a sacrifice of praise,  
For what hath been vouchsafed in these days,  
By way of preparation, to that End,  
For which, in Faith, and hope, we do attend.  
Accept of pra●ses, from the single hearted,  
For all thy Saints, which are from hence departed;  
And, for all those, who shall make up the sum,  
By which thy Kingdom, will complete become.  
Accept my Thanks, for what thou didst confer  
On me, by him that's gone, and those, yet here:  
Accept it rather, for that love of thine,  
Vouchsafed from thyself, to me and mine,  
By frequent pledges; and, for that Free grace,  
Whereby before all time, I chosen was,  
To be eternally made One with Thee;  
And, in thy self, accept them LORD, of me.    


Thus, having my Friends Obits, truly truly kept.  
Six nights, (whilst others round about me slept)  
Here, that Contexture, which conceived I had,  
Is now produced, spun, and weaved, and made.  
'Tis true the Object, of my contemplations,  
Was WESIROW: But, from him, my Meditations,  
Risen higher; and my soul did contemplate  
Things, which concern these Nations, and this State;  
And, thereupon, some hints, are interweaved,  
Which will (if passed by, as unperceived).  
Make th' … which is, the Muse's way of giving  
Life to the Dead; to be, unto the Living,  
An on 〈◊〉 presage; at least to some,  
Of death, of shame, or, of worse things to come.    
FINIS.