VOX PACIFICA OR A congratulatory Poem on the peace; Between England, France, Denmark, and Holland. BY the High Senate of the Powers above A Union is decreed, the God of Love Dissides dissension, makes Neighbours to agree; The only Maxim in Christianity! Mow England do I see thy stars shine clear, For though thy Natives hearts no Foe did fear I'th' height of War: but for their Country's good Wooled Right its wrong, or spend their dearest blood, Rather than yield, and as deaths welcome prize Render their lives a valorous sacrifice: Like those bold Turks who on their nimble feet Did run to face death with their winding sheet; Yet notwithstanding, all that's wise will deem Pax bello potior: is a Princely theme Bellona's frowns no more do war presage, We must enjoy such as love only wage, And like a Nation truly, happy sit. Under secure shades, use the benefit Of peace and plenty, which the blessed hand Of a good King gave this distrempered Land. A general joy this general peace atends, A happy virtue that makes Foes prove friends! What to our City's good can be more dear, The Seas are free, each Ship doth pass by clear, And safely to its haven does arrive With a full fraught to make their Merchants thrive, At which they smile, like dying Saints that know They are to leave the earth and the heaven go, Indeed who is not glad, whose interest. Is not hereby made greater, whose is best, Is indisputable, but all will confess Peace makes a universal happiness. What shall I say? my weak Muse can't impart Peculiar joys, which every loyal heart Echoed, when proclamation of a Peace, Gave us assurance that our wars must cease: But if loud shouts and hollowing descry, A joyful heart, I am sure I do not lie If I say many thousands did express, By such glad signs their endless happiness: If ringing of the bells, if bonfires show, We have good cause now, to surcease our woe I dare avouch then (since difference does decay, London in time will see a second May. Then let us sing such songs, as may dispense. Knowledge and pleasure to the Soul and sense, tourneys, Masques, theatres, will now become Our Halcyon days: what though the Heathen drum: Bellow for freedom and revenge, the noise Concerns not us, nor shall divert our joys, Mor shall the thunder of their Corabins Drown the sweet airs of our tuned Violins; For I believe if their prevailing powers Gained them a calm security like ours. They'd hang their arms upon the Olive bough, And dance and revel then, as we may now. But let not our mirth extend to sin, Lest peace abused create a war agi'n, Pardon my Muse if that he seems to be Tedious in one line of divinity, In representing to each Christians view, Entire Emblems, from which may ensue Entire Joy to those, whose life does move In Hope, Faith, Fear, Grief and Entire love: Let us not Heathen like appear so rude, To repay mercies with Ingratitude. Though 've a peace, we must not now forget, We have been sinful, but from sin regret. Retire then presumptuous man and see These Emblems that may work thy Eternity; Despise the world, and what's voluptous, A perfect Dives to a Lazarus! Trust, trust in God alone and he will be, Thy chiefest comfort in thy misery, For when despair had almost wrought our death This welcome peace gave as a second breath: Then England doubt not, thou hast a God above. That will replenish thy wants with his love. Contemn the help that this world does afford, And let thy Faith be steadfast in the Lord. Him seek, him serve, and daily from thy heart Thy sins confess and his due praise impart, With fear and Reverence, and he will be Thy God of comfort to Eternity: Bewail thy sins and for the future be More mindful of thy immortality, And in the sphere of union only move For God loves him who knows that God is love; This done will make each Christians joy increase. Ascribe all praise unto the God of Peace Pax optime virtus. With Allowance. London Printed by P. Lillicrap 1667.