A Suddain Flash Timely Discovering, Some Reasons wherefore, the stile of PROTEC­TOR, should not be deserted by these NATI­ONS, with some other things, by them very considerable. It was first made visible, The fourth day, after the Author heard it repor­ted, that the Lord Protector, had waved the Title of KING.

By BRITANS REMEMBRANCER.

— Poetis
Quidlibet audendum, semper fuit, estque Potestas.

A Preoccupation, relating to this Title.

If some shall think, this Book mis-nam'd hath been,
Because, so long a Flash was never seen;
Know; that, through Cranies it did thither fly,
Where Touchwood, and where smoking Flax did ly,
Which kindling, made it longer then intended;
And, was a chance, that cannot now be mended.
But, Flashie Names, and things, those times beseem
Which, do not solid-serious things esteem.
And, they who are not pleas'd to run a Course,
On Pegasus, may, like a Hobby-horse.

LONDON, Printed for J.S. in little Britain, and are to be sold there, and at the Pile of Bibles, the corner shop of the East end of the Fish-market in the Stocks, looking into Lumbard street; 1657.

To his Highnesse, the Lord PROTECTOR.

SIR, though this Poem's Title, fitted be
To what I hear, the World expects from me
Upon this Subject; yet, a seriousnesse
It hath, and shall no Flashie-things expresse;
For, tis a Flash of light, as well as Fire,
Which, may give sight of somthing you desire,
And such, as will no way disparage you,
To give them, either hearing, or, a veiw.
Betwixt your Highness and the Parlament,
I, purpose not to cherish that Dissent,
Which lately was begun; nor do intend
That, which may justly you, or them, offend;
But rather, to unite you so together,
That, Disadvantage, may befall to neither
By what, your Adversaries hope to finde
Effected; (if, you have a changing minde)
And, upon hope whereof, they did prepare
To act, according as resolv'd you were.
I am not for my self, yet, grown so wise
That, when at hazzard, Publick safety lies,
I can be silent; though I both disease
My self; and others, oftentimes, displease,
By my expressions, who, have pow'r and will,
To mischieve me, who, purpose them no ill:
For, though a well approved Author sayes,
To please great men, it merits not least praise;
I think, he merits more, who speaks in season,
Truths, warranted by conscionable Reason,
(Although on him, a Prince's wrath it brings)
Then, if he flatter'd Parlaments and Kings.
In that respect, I judg'd it not amisse,
Unto your ear, or eye, to offer this,
A few weeks past: But, things did intervene
That seem's of more concernment to have been;
And kept it off, untill nigh out of date,
It was become; and came almost too late.
Yet, since good use may thereof still be made,
And some advantage also, thereby had;
It, now comes forth, that, witnesse it might bear
To that, which now, resolv'd on, doth appeare.
For, though we know there is in every thing,
But one Essential Truth; yet, thence may spring
Such various Illustrations, as perchance,
The certainty thereof, may much advance,
When it appears, they, did the same Truths own,
Whose judgments, to each other were unknown:
For, when there is thereof no mediation
But, as their spirits have communication,
It doth assure, it flow'd from Providence,
And, not from any carnal influence.
Your eye, sees much: and yet it cannot see
It self, or, what the colours of it be,
Save by inferiour things; and, through inspections
Acquired, by the medium, of reflexions
From sight-less objects; through which; you may lear [...]
Those truths, which they themselves, do not discern:
And, such like Objects, peradventure, He
Who offers this and these his offers be.
SIR, therefore now▪ be pleas'd, one houre, to hear
What, by my Muse, is fitted for your ear,
And was prepar'd long since, to be presented
(Though accidentally, till now prevented)
And, if it be not such, as, then, will seem
To merit, some part, of your good esteem,
And, usefull to preserve, and to increase
Your Honour, safety, and the Common-peace;
Return it, with an Ignominious Dash,
And, let it then, (in scorn) be call'd, a Flash.
Britans Remembrancer.

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

A Prologue, to him, who shall behold, or hear, this Flash.

A Flash, I term this; and 'tis like enough
That, many men, will call it so, in Scoff;
But, I have got before them; and have, too,
Some Reason, wherefore I have call'd it so:
For, to, mine ears, when first that news was brought,
A thousand thoughts, Flusht in, and this Flasht out;
Which, I have, now, thus Paper'd up, for thee,
To bring to minde what is, and what may be.
Although it speaks in Rimes, it Rimes with Reason;
And comes in Hast, that it may come in Season.
If thou regard it, so. If not: my Cost,
Is Paper, Inck, and part of three dayes lost.
Thine may be more; For, much affraid I am,
That, thou, who saw'st this Flash, wilt see a Flame,
(Ʋnless an intervening Providence
Prevents, what likely seems, to give Offence)
Which, here will burn, as well as give a light,
Till it hath purg'd us, or, consum'd us, quite.

The Flash.

MY Muse, hath on a suddain, once again,
Invited me, to this unusual strain;
Which, as the state of my Affairs, now stands,
Hath put upon me Dangerous Commands:
But, I, who must obey Her when she calls,
(What ever hazzard, on my self befalls)
Submitted to expresse, what I should finde
Infused by her pow'r, in to my mind;
And, hearing that his Highnesse, had deny'd
The Kingship, thereupon, thus versifi'd:
For, Poets (priviledg'd, as Prophets were)
Their Inspirations freely may declare.
But, hath he wav'd that Title? and, I pray,
Are you aright inform'd of what you say?
Did not a false-report, your ears abuse?
A Crown! a Triple-Crown doth he refuse?
And will not he, as Bishops us'd to do,
Say, No, and take it, as compell'd thereto?
Oh Miracle of men? doth he deny
A Kingship! freely offered! which, to Buy
So many thousand Princes, have made sale
Of Fame, Faith, Conscience, Body, Soul, and all?
If this (as you affirm it is) be true;
Friends; bid henceforth, your jealousies adue:
And, let him who mistrusts him any more;
Suspect his Honest wife, to be a Whore,
And in his brest, the torments thereof cherish
Till he repent that injury, or perish.
But, since I know what many do surmize,
(And, what objections malice doth devise)
Let me a little more expostulate;
Is it not (think you,) done to palliate
The souldiers humor? or, a Trick of State
To draw on some thing more, yet aimed at?
Is it not by Design, to bring about
Advantages, by oversight left out?
Or to delay, a while, what he intends,
To feel the Peoples pulse? or for such ends?
No doubtlesse: Then, make answer but to Three
Short Questions more, and they the last shall be.
Expects he not, when twenty dayes, are past,
It should be, Nolens volens, on him cast?
Nor is it so; for, by that Instrument,
Which doth yet regulate this Government,
No Law thereto repugnant, can be made
Whereto, his free assent, shall not be had:
And, Really, refusall he doth make,
In Christian prudence, and for Conscience sake;
That, he may give no cause of those Offences,
Suspitions, Scandals, and ill consequences,
Which may ensue; And, whereof, Honest men
Are much affrayd: Why, did he suffer, then,
So long time in Debatings, to be spent,
(Since he at first discovered what was meant)
And, did not interdict them to proceed?
That, had been a dishonourable deed:
For, in so doing, he should have prejudg'd,
The Parlament; them, disimpriviledg'd;
And, thereby, some Experiments, have lost,
Which are more worth, than twice the time they cost.
Beside, the matter is of too much weight,
Each way, to passe, till ballanced aright;
And, you have heard it said, what those men are
Who Judge a Cause, before the same they hear.
Thus far tis well: But, will he not at last
When some few more, fit Complements are past,
Accept what's offer'd? what he did, is known:
But, what he will do, cannot be foreshown:
And, we shall wrong Him (as he should the State
Have injur'd) if, we him prejudicate.
We may conjecture: And, if I may give
My Judgement, by the Symptoms I perceive,
He never will accept it, till, he shall
By Faith and Reason, be convinc'd in all
And ev'ry Scruple, which, this day, offends
His Conscience; or dissatisfies his Friends:
Beyond which, he, that ought would move him to,
Doth, what no wise, or honest man, should do;
And, would not care, though he were quite destroy'd
So, his own Lust, and Will, might be enjoy'd.
If so, then, me he hath not, yet, deceiv'd
In any thing, which I of him believ'd
Since first I heeded, by what Point he steers;
(What Rock on this hand, what on that, appears;)
What most men are, with whom he hath to do;
And, why, few know, which way, he means to go.
His Foes, though with his Bullocks they have plow'd,
Have got nought thereby, whereof to be proud.
And, as I live, I, am thereof, as glad,
As, therefore, many others will be sad;
And, if I were (as I have been) a Boy
I should make Squibs, and Bonefires, now for joy,
As many would have done, had he compli'd
With their desires, whose Offer is deni'd.
For, in his condiscending to be King,
He could have been, at best, no greater thing
Than other Earthly Princes: But, hereby
He may ascend unto a Soveraignty,
Which raiseth him, nine Orbes above their Sphear,
To be inthroned, where Immortals are:
And, me, it hopefull makes, to see that Age,
Which, Britains genius, did, long since, presage
In that Prediction, wherein, was among
Some other things, this following distick sung:
A King, shall willingly himself unking,
And thereby grow farr greater than before.
For, now, fulfilled seemeth, in effect,
What, that vaticination did predict;
Although there should a Power elswhere reside
To bring to passe, what is by him deni'd.
Victorious Cromwell! thou, hast, herein, gone
Beyond thy self; and such an Act hast done,
As few or none, in this, or forraign Climes,
Have equalled, in any former times.
A self-denial like this, none, but He
Could teach, who, that he might our pattern be,
The Thrones & kingdoms of this world did slight,
When he was born up thither, where, he might
(And did) behold them, spreading forth to view
All their Inchanting pleasures, false or true:
And from him onely, could that grace proceed,
Whereby, thou dost perform so brave a deed.
Thou often hast deserved Mural-Crowns,
For taking Castles, with high walled Towns,
And making in subjection, to thy powers,
Great Cities, fortifi'd with Walls and Towers:
To thee, for brave Achivements on the Maine
The chief of Navall Trophies, doth pertain:
Triumphant Laurell, to adorn thy brows,
To thee is due, for giving ovethrows
To dreadfull Armies, that, had else inslav'd
Thy Country; which, God, by thy sword hath savd.
Thou hast subdued Kingdomes, and great Kings;
Whereby, their Crowns, their Scepters & all things
Belonging to such Conquerors, are thine,
As truly, as the Clothes I wear, are mine.
Yet, these are slight, and petty Foes compar'd
To some, with whom, thou secretly hast warr'd:
And, for those Conquests, thou I hope, dost carry
A Tablet, with a secret Honorary;
Whereby thy vertues fully be rewarded,
With Trophies, of most worth, though lest regarded.
These wayes, thou wert Victorious heretofore;
And, I will mention one great Conquest more.
By few observed: Thou hast stood the Shock
Of malice and detraction, like a Rock,
On which the waves and billows of the Main,
Have spent their strength, and foam'd out rage in vain.
I, very often, have observ'd the fell,
Feirce, raging, and three headed dog of Hell,
With his three double rows of teeth, assay
To tear thine honour, and thy pow'r, away;
With his foule tongues, bespattering thy fame,
To turn thy blooming honour into shame;
I've seen this Cur oft, dog thee in the dark,
In hope to bite thee, when he durst not bark;
And, I have heeded, by what sacred Charms,
Thou hast been hitherto, preserv'd from harms.
This Helhound, thou hast tam'd without so much
As giving him a crust, a spurn, or touch;
Meerly by meekness, and, as passing by
With disregard of causlesse injury;
And, now he sometimes fawns on thee and those,
Who are thy friends; and, snarleth at thy foes,
As if he were appeas'd: which, I believe
Is but a cunning dog trick, to deceive.
And, yet, among those victories, which lye
Most visible unto the vulger eye,
This, thy last conquest, merits admiration
Beyond the rest; And, with perseveration
If thou maintain the same, as thou maist do,
By his help, who hath aided hitherto,
Thou hast thereby a pledge, that, God will never
Forsake thee; but, thy guardian be for ever.
Thou hast already scap'd, the best tride snare;
That Sathan, or his agents, can prepare:
For, 'twas the last, of those temptations, which
He practis'd by, our Saviour, to bewitch:
And, as when that grand-tryall, had an end
His Angels, did forthwith, on him attend
Rejoycing in his conquest; so, will, too,
For thine, all, thy most faithfull servants do.
Thou hast thereby, so strengthned all their hands,
So cheered all their hearts, throughout these lands,
Who prayd, or feared for thee, in this tryall;
That, thou, of nothing now, canst have deniall,
Wherein their love may serve thee; and they shall
More fortifie thee, than a Brazen wall;
More comfort thee, than ought that can be had
From any Title, that the world shall add:
And, thou at last, shalt finde, thou dost not lose
One grain, of what thou lately didst refuse,
By that refusall: for, thou shalt have more
(If not in kind) in value, than before.
Yea, peradventure, that, in specie, too,
When, qualified, no offence to do;
And, when it hath been prov'd, whereto thy mind
VVithout dissimulation is inclin'd.
For, tis not meer negation of that title,
VVhich is thy Test; since, that availeth little
One way or other, save as unto that
VVhich brought it hath unto dislike of late;
Or, as it may concern some past transactions,
VVhich, have occasioned dissatisfactions
In many of this Nation; or, as thou
Mayst scandalize them, by thine actings now.
But, that, wherein thy reall proof will be,
Lockt, from mens eys, lyes hid, with God, and thee:
And, whatsoever thou resolv'st upon,
Will either Well, or else not well, be done,
As, unto those things, they relating are,
Which unto God, and Thee alone, appear.
The washing of th' Assyrian in the water
Of Jordan, was but an indifferent matter,
Till made the sole condition of his Cure:
And, doubtlesse, had not that, been in his pow'r,
He had been Cleans'd without it. David's sin
In Numb'ring of the People, lay not in
That simple Act; but, in the secret Pride
And Disobedience, which did then reside
Within his Heart; And, when it shall appear
That Thou, from Guiltiness, art that way clear;
And, hast repented all those Humane failings,
Which have, in ought, obstructed thy Prevailings:
Then, shall the gift-refused, neither be
A Scandall unto Others, or to Thee,
Although accepted; when thou hast resisted
So far, as Grace and Reason, have assisted.
For, should the Pow'r-Coordinate with thine,
O're-pow'r thee so, that, thou thereto incline
(Consenting to their Motives at the last)
Thy Conscience bearing witnesse, that thou hast
Complied there withall, rather by force
Than Choise; to keep bad things, from being worse:
Or, if by strength of Reason, swayd thou art
To that Acceptance; thou, hast done thy part:
And, shalt by yeelding, pass another Trial
As honourable, as, is this Denial.
Thou shalt be safe, from all that was portended,
Shouldst thou by Levity, have condiscended,
Or, tempted been by Self-ness, to forgo
That Title, thou hast owned hitherto;
And wilt be free from blame, what ever shall
Hereafter, by the Change thereof befall.
For, nothing shall amisse to thee succeed,
By what, is not Thine, but, anothers deed.
No Reason, bindeth any to withstand,
What, Pow'r, and stronger Reason, doth command;
And, when perhaps too, God, his ayde withdraws,
From thy assistance, in this dubious cause,
To bring on them, whats due for their offence,
Who trust their own Wits, more than Providence.
This, I expresse here, not to leave a Gap
Whereby, thou may'st from Just Resolves escape:
(For, God will find it out, if there be ought
To such a purpose, lurking in thy thought:)
But, that, thou may'st not fall into a Snare
By things, which in themselves, Indifferent are;
(Nor good nor evill, but, as unto that
Which may be good, or Evill, they relate;)
And, to preserve thine Honour, among those
Who shall, perchance, their Expectations lose
By what may come to passe; (yea, to prevent
That, which may thereof, be a Consequent
To thee disserviceable) I, am bold
To tell thee, what my Muse to me hath told;
Which, dictates, otherwhile in Slighted rimes,
That, which doth much concern these present times;
And, would, it may be, had it not been Mine,
Suppos'd have been, an Off-spring, more divine.
But, I, my, Musings now, to those will bend
Who may, perhaps, mistrust what I intend.
Although I have, by this Anticipation,
Presented that unto consideration,
Which may be profitable (if revers'd
His purpose be, on Tearms before rehears'd)
Yet, least, I may with one hand, be suspected
To pull down, what the other had Erected;
I will not smother ought, which I shall finde,
May justly fortifie him in the minde,
By him profest; untill, to drive him out
Of his Resolve, Those Reasons may be brought,
Which will be stronger; lest, some, should surmize
He; without Cause, deni'd what he denies;
Or, lest my late Rejoycings, may appear
As Reasonlesse, as many think they were.
My gladnesse of it, flow'd from no respect
Unto my self, or, fears of an effect
By Kingship, which my profits might impair:
For, I have, that way, likelihoods more fair
Than I have now (if nothing it occasions,
To break our Peace, at Home, or, by Invasions
From Foes abroad) nor can I scandal'd be,
Thereby, through ought, which will reflect on me:
But, I rejoyced in it, for the sake
Of Him, who did this Title undertake;
And, for their sakes, who Acted and Enacted,
Things, whereby possibly may be contracted
Great Scandals; or, which may a new expose
My Country, to be spoiled by her Foes.
For these, and such respects as these (together
With what may be again transferred hither,
My Heart, that was through fear of them, grown sad,
Became through hope of their prevention, glad.
For, what a black Scene, should we here have seen?
How many greeved hearts, would here have been,
Had our Protector, either been estranged
From what he was, or, ( seem'd to be) so changed,
As, lightly to forgo his interest
In that, wherewith he had been so much blest?
Or, should by others, have been so deluded,
As, to let that upon him be obtruded,
Which He himself disclaim'd? and, may bring back
A King upon us, with his Pedlars Pack
Of Vanities, which have been by this Nation
Rejected by a solemn protestation:
And, which are Trinckets, as unseparable
From most Kings, as is from a Fool, his babble?
For, there is nought more likely, in, to bring
Him that's expelled, then, to make a King,
At this time; and, to make on that accompt
(Which is design'd) that Title paramount:
Nor can there be, for what our Foe intends,
A better ground-worke laid, by all his friends.
These things I feared; and, my soul foresees
That, all those things may creep in by degrees,
Which, to the Kingdomes of this World pertain;
Which, may inslave the Saints of God again;
And, which, may in a short time, reinvest
With that pow'r, which impowred Antichrist:
Unlesse, it by his Mercy, be withstood
Whose wisdome, can from Evil, bring forth Good.
These things I fear'd, and if a Parlament
Can make a King, which may these fears prevent;
Him, and his Nobles, if it can so bind,
That, we may be secured in this kind;
And keep our Sov'raign, and these Nations free
From scandals, which occasioned may be;
I, should not only yeild, on that condition
To make a King, but beg one by Petition.
Redouble, that rejoycing, which appear'd,
When, of what was resolved, I first heard:
And, make my heart, the first step whereupon
He might set foot, to mount up to his Throne:
Yea, sing a Panegyrick in their praise
Who mov'd it, that should long out-last my daies.
We look for such a Government, as shall
Make way for Christ: not that fantastical
Fifth Monarchie, whereof some people dream,
And Conquer would an Earthly Throne for him
With Carnal weapons: But, that, present here
He, may so be, and so to reign, appear
As he hath promis'd; and, that Righteousness
And Truth, may ev'ry Throne on Earth possess,
According to that measure of his grace,
Which is apportion'd, to this earthly place.
His Highness, hath made progress in a path
As far forth toward it, as any hath
Since Christ ascended; if, the Depths and Heights,
The Rugged passages, and Narrow Streights
Consider'd be, through which his March he makes,
To bring to end the Work he undertakes.
He must now pass a Rock, which will require
An Ingeneer with Vineger and fire;
And, cut a Passage, which (as by a thread)
Must on each hand, ev'n to a hairs-breadth, lead
'Twixt Conscience and sound Reason: whence, to vary
Were irrecoverably to miscarry.
Oh God! assist him; and, to what I pray
Amen, let all, who wish our welfare, say.
He, hitherto, in that which he hath done,
His Work, with prudency, hath carried on:
And, firm to his own Principles abides,
Though many strive to bring him to their sides:
Yea, though there be some too, of whom he may
(As David of Zerviah's Sons did say)
Complain, that, they, were oft for him, too hard;
Yet, Him from his Resolves they have not stirr'd.
And (be it well considered of all you,
Who read this, and, perchance miscensure now
Of his Heroick Act) he doth not wave
Ought necessary for a Prince to have;
Which had been a Denial, in effect,
Of that Pow'r, which his People should protect;
And, were no Self-denial, (as I gather)
But, a denial of his Duty rather.
The Kingship is not wav'd, but, as it tends
To what may much disconsolate his friends,
Or glad his foes; And, which, as things yet stand,
Relating to Pre-actings in this Land,
Might draw on very evil Consequences;
Or give just cause of many great Offences:
Could these removed, or prevented be,
So that his Conscience, might from them be free,
Perchance, That, to take place it would permit
As rational, which so appears not yet.
For to the Clean, he knows all things are Clean,
And (if I guess aright what he doth mean)
That, whereof, he doth chiefly scruple make,
Is, Giving an offence unto the weak;
And, that, therewith, all things now startled at
Might pass, when he upon them shall debate,
If God, informs his Conscience, that they may;
And Reason shall his Reasons oversway.
He nothing hath refus'd with disrespect
To them who offer'd it: Or, with neglect
Of ought propos'd for Publick benefit:
But, only, what may possibly beget
More Jealousie than Love: more Envy, then
Glory to God, or good to Honest men.
And, he by his Refusal, unto none
Denyeth ought, but, to himself alone;
Or, that, which he doth probably believe
Will marre our peace, and Civil wars revive:
For which, if worse, he rather speed than better,
His merit is the more; his praise the greater;
And, they, who shall the lesse affection show him,
For that, deny the duty which they owe him.
What, if he thinks the changing of his Title,
Implies a levitie, which doth but little
Beseeme a Prince? and may occasion too
A quarrell, which might all his work undo?
Or propagate a mischievous effect,
To their destruction whom he should protect?
Is he not bound in Conscience to beware
Of such a Title, whosoe're they are
That shall propose it? should he not betray
His Trust, by giving easily away
That earnest of Protection, which doth seem
To be, by God, conferred upon him
For safeguard of his Saints? or, might there not
Some blemish be in Reputation got,
Relating to that Stile? if, he, the same
Should change for that, by which their bondage came?
And can he think it nothing signifies,
That, they, who are his greatest Enemies
Do more rejoyce, in that which was intended,
Then they, by whom, he hath been best befriended?
If, likewise, with a serious heed, he shall
Be pleased to consider therewithall,
What kind of men, the greatest number are
Who, for this change most zealous do appear;
What Interest it is, which they would save:
What Principles, the most among them have;
Can he suppose, more safe for him, it were
To these, then to his best friends, to adhere?
Whose Conversations, are to him well known?
Whose cause is his? Whose principles his owne?
Since, Reason doth incline him, to the last,
And Conscience, too, the ballance that way cast?
That Title, which hath hitherto been own'd,
With victories and blessings, hath been crown'd;
It, now, hath rendered it selfe exempt
For ever, from that undeserv'd contempt
Which novelty occasion'd; and, throughout
The World, is with much honour spread about.
He, thereby had a pow'r, which lately shook
The wals of Babel; and with terror strooke
His proudest foes; and, is it vanish'd, now,
We neither know when or by what, or how?
Except it be, for thanklesly despising
So prosperous a Stile, and idolizing
Of that, which forced us, in our affliction
To take up that we have, for our protection.
When, Israel would be King-rid, God, to shew
His anger, and, what thereon would ensue,
Destroy'd in Harvest time, their corne with showers;
And at the Seed-time, he did hazzard ours
By extream Drought; untill that was deny'd
Which is propos'd; and, then, forthwith suppli'de
Our present want: perhaps, to make us seek
His will, and, know our sinne, and theirs alike:
Lest, in his wrath, he give us what we crave,
And take away, what he in mercy gave.
What will ensue, by setling Kingship here,
For common good, it doth not yet appeare:
Some, doe pretend, it render will, to us,
Our laws more fixt, and much more vigorous,
Because, by Kings, they were to us deriv'd,
And confirmation in their name receiv'd.
But, wherefore, may not all that, which relates
To King, or People, Freedoms, or Estates
In our preceding Laws, be so Compacted
Into one Statute, now to be Enacted,
That, they may by his Highnesses assent,
Be made as firm, as this new Instrument,
By our Protector, who, must be the Stone
First laid, to build their new fram'd work upon?
Why may not He, who now is our Supream,
Make both unto Himself, and unto them
Who ask it of him, all our Laws forepast
As Useful, and as Binding, as this Last?
Why may not He, who is a Conquerer
For Us, and did for us, receive his Pow'r
Confirm our Laws, or any other thing,
(As strongly, as if he were call'd a King)
To Us, and to Himself, with their consent,
Who by his Pow'r, are made a Parlament?
Why, should it unto him, ought less afford,
Than to all Princes, raised by the Sword?
No man, can justly, that to him denay.
For, Conquest is the ordinary way,
Whereby, God changeth Governments, and flings
From off their Thrones, great Emperors and Kings.
And 'tis Gods mercy, not our own desert,
Which, hitherto, hath so inclin'd his heart,
That, though he hath been straightned more than a­ny,
His Arbitrary actings were not many;
Nor, till they were constrain'd by some distress,
For preservation of the Publick Peace.
Some, think it will Secure his Person more,
And, Charge the People less, than heretofore,
To stile him King. But, these men much mistake,
And, will perceive they Dream, when they awake:
For, can we think, when he away hath thrown
A Title, which God gave to be his own,
Without a Rival, that, assume he may
A Name, whereto another claim doth lay,
With greater Safety? Is there some new charm,
Infus'd into that word, to guard from harm?
Or, will it make the Royalists more true
To him, because, he takes what they think due,
Unto another? Quite desert the Lord,
They own'd, and, do their homage to a word?
And, (where they hated) Loyaltie profess
Rather, for doing More wrong, than for less?
So foolish can we think them, as, to prize
A Complement, which nothing signifies,
Save, either some poor Hope, or vain Desire
To be in Us, which may advance them higher,
In those Resolves, which they had heretofore?
And, make our Dangers no whit Less, but more?
For, when they do perceive our Giddiness,
Our falling from, those things we did profess,
Our doating on those Bawbles, which we seem'd
Not much (a while ago) to have esteem'd,
Our Taking up, what we had Thrown away,
Our sleighting that, to Morrow, which this day
We made a Law; and that our Protestations,
Were for the most part, but Dissimulations;
Thence, they will take occasion to conclude
That, we have, all along, such Ends pursude
As they have had: And, that, what ere to seem
We have made Shew, we are just like to Them.
That, we did wade and swim, through streams of blood,
Not to accomplish what is Just and Good;
But, to obtain our Lusts: That, we have sought
By Policy, and by our Battails fought,
Against Opposers; not so much to save
Our Liberties, as, others to inslave:
That, our contests, were not for God, or, for
Our Country; but, (which Goodmen will abhor
To think upon) our owne selves, to invest
With, that, which was by other men possest:
That, being Hypocrites, in all we did,
With Cloaks of sanctity, the same we hid,
Thereby, to draw in those who were sincere,
To be deceiv'd, in what we made appear.
(Ev'n to the ruine, of their Children, Wives,
Their Peace, their Freedoms, their Estates, their Lives)
That, we might get high Titles, large Possessions,
Power and Prerogatives, by their oppressions,
And, that instead of setting Christ upon
His Throne, we, might install our selves thereon.
This will be thought: And, they who are our Foes,
Will peradventure, thereupon suppose
That God is not among us, as they fear'd;
Nor for us, as it formerly appear'd;
And, thence take courage, to begin again
That, which they hitherto pursu'd in vain.
And, such will be the safety, which your King
Unto Himself, and us, is like to bring.
Good God! how are they chang'd? how stupifi'd?
By whom these dangers are not yet espi'd?
How blind, doth selfness, make us quickly grow,
In that, which might prevent selfe-overthrow?
Will Kingship, make him safer than he was?
How may that be? how can it come to pass?
That Title, not much more then eight years past,
Could not preserve his Head, who reigned last.
No, not preserve him, from the dreadfull fate,
Of dying on a Scaffold, at his gate:
And, if all things be weighed well together
That Stile, as possibly may bring him thither,
Who ruleth now; yea, and a tragical
Effect therewith, perhaps, upon us all,
Before the malice of our foes is ended,
How safe soe're, to be, it is pretended.
We may perceive, (unlesse we will despise,
The Light within us, and feel up our eyes,)
There is no likelyheod, it will abate
Their fury, who pursue us with their hate;
But, so increase it, that it will increase
Those dangers, which we dream, it will make lesse:
Yea, make Him, whose safe being it pretends,
Vnsafe among those, who have been his Friends,
And, them among themselves: It will go near,
To make men of themselves, to stand in fear.
It will increase suspitions, till th'effect
Grows worse, than many of us can suspect:
Divide, and subdivide, till there be nought
Left possible to be said, done, or thought;
To cure the mischieves, which will be effected;
(And are by some, both hop'd for, and projected;)
Except in mercy, He, that heretofore
Hath oft so done; shall (pleased be) once more,
To draw forth an Expedient, from our failing,
Which, will for our advantage, be prevailing.
More might be said; but, ought more to expresse
Would be in vain to those, who cannot guesse
The rest by this. And, yet, because the reason,
Of saving charges, comes in such a season,
As gives it weight; Let us examine, whether
The Season, and the thrift, agree together,
Lest, in that frugal humour we may die,
And, gain an Epitaph, like this, thereby:
Here, lies interr'd the Miser, Father Sparges,
Who might have liv'd: but died to save charges.
I find your Thrift, you, think we might disband
Those Armies, which are quarter'd through this Land,
If our Protector were proclaim'd a King.
It may be so; and I, the self same thing
Should also think; if I considered not,
We might thereby, as good as Cut our throat.
Is any man so voyd of Common sense,
As, not to see what might result from thence?
May we not save the charge of paying One,
And, let Two Armies in, when that is gone,
To pay themselves, until at last, they shall
In Contributions, and in Pay have all?
You fear, perhaps, that by the Souldierie
Our Laws, our Freedoms, and Proprietie
May be destroy'd, if long imbodied here;
And, cause enough there may be of that fear:
But, will a King, prevent it? may not we
Another way as much oppressed be,
By some, who for our Liberties pretend
Yet, Cry up Kingship, for their private end?
May we not suffer at the Lawyers Bar,
As much as we endured by the War,
Through those Formalities, which make the Laws,
Of our most sad oppression, one chief cause?
The Sword unsufferably, (I confess)
If not well disciplin'd, will us oppress:
But, hitherto, it hath been in those hands,
Which kept it serviceable in these Lands,
With so much Moderation, that no time,
Bears witness of the like in any Clime:
And, though an Insolent proud Fool or twain,
Cause, to some few, hath given to complain,
Their Arbitrary actings, were not many;
[...]or to the ruine, or great loss of any.
[...]onder, any man can stand inawe
[...] Swords and Guns, who feels the plague of Lawe;
[...]d, would not rather be devoured twice
[...] Lions, than once eaten up with Lice.
[...]ould I illustrate (which, my private wrong
[...]y, peradventure, force me to e're long)
[...]e sad discoveries which I have made
[...]ce first that Gangreeve, I, upon me had;
[...] what impertinent vexatious wayes,
[...]stly devices, or undue delayes,
[...]e Suits of wronged Clients forth are spun,
[...]re than twice twenty years, and yet not done;
[...] what excessive Fees (twice or thrice tooke)
[...]ithout one Line writ down, or one word spoke,
[...]d, at how dear a rate they sometimes buy
[...]ain hope, which augments their misery;
[...]w, Motions, Orders, and Reports beget
[...]h other, till their brood grows Infinit;
[...]d, how some Registers, put out, or in,
[...]ose words, which may another Round begin,
[...]hough they who heard the Judges Order, thought
[...]e Cause, would thereby to an end be brought)
[...]u would suppose (and might suppose it well)
[...]e Courts we toyl in, were some Rooms in Hell,
[...]d, that, we had imposed there on us
[...]e never ending Plague of Sysiphus,
[...]o, up a Steep hill, rowled with great pain
[...] Weighty Stone, which still rowl'd down again.
Should I declare, how frequently our Lawes,
[...]e pleaded to maintain a wicked cause;
[...]w rarely, good success on him attends,
[...]o makes not way, by Kindred, Bribes, or Friends:
What hazzards he is in, to be betrai'd,
By them, for whose assistance, he hath paid?
And, then, how far about, they make him run
E're they will suffer him to be undone,
You, would not greatly fear (no not at all)
Courts-martial, or a Major Generall,
But, rather, fear to fall into their claws,
Who, to mens ruine, turne our wholsome Laws,
Whose practise, being regulated, might
Preserve our private and our publick Right:
For, that, our Laws are good, confesse I do,
And, that, we have some honest Lawyers, too.
No men have more oppressed been of late
This way, then, they who best have serv'd this State,
And to support it, did themselves expose
To hazzards, by accepting what our Foes
Had forfeited, to be therewith repay'd,
When, others, of such bargains were afraid:
For, if it were observ'd, how they have sleighted
Those Acts of Parlament, which, us invited
Vpon the Publick credit, to lay forth
Our selves, for Titles of such little worth
In most mens value, that, but few or none
Will take thereof, ten pounds, in pledg for one;
It would appear, that, wee, among the rest
Of those by them griev'd, have been most opprest.
For my own part, I, now five years together,
Have sought for Justice, and can yet get neither
My Land nor Money: though by further cost,
A thousand pounds are added to what's lost;
Nor whither, for redress I may retire,
Do I yet know; nor where, I can enquire:
And, should I in each circumstance, declare
My wrongs thereby, and what effects they are
Which thence have followed you would say, the sword
[...]erewith compared, Mercies did afford;
[...]d, that, it more to our vexation tends,
[...] be destroyed by our seeming-friends,
[...]ith lingring torments; then, with one great blow,
[...]be made sensless, by an open Foe.
[...]d, therefore, when I have considered well
[...]hat I (and many moe) in this kind feel,
[...]re conclude, that if no course be found,
[...]hereby, that Justice, may be here inthron'd,
[...]hich will redress these wrongs (and those that lye
[...]housands of Petitions hurled by,
[...]ithout regard) the sword, will act once more;
[...]d, prove (I fear) more sharpe than heretofore,
[...]annag'd by a King; which, both to us,
[...]d to himself, will now be ominous.
When we have made a King, which, will inlarge
[...]e common burthen, by a further charge,
[...]d added to the multitudes of those
[...]ich now are known, new bands, of bosome foes,
[...]o, mad with vengeance, and with discontent,
[...]ll any way, their brutish passions vent;
[...]ll it be thriftiness, the charge to spare
[...]t, should for such a time, a guard prepare?
[...]eed, they few good pennyworths afford,
[...]o measure all things, by the Pike and Sword;
[...]d none of us, I think, could well abide
[...] Suits should in a Martial Court be tri'd;
[...]r, where they mannag'd are, till we could get
[...]re expedition, than we can have yet,
[...]h less expence) but, better sure it were,
[...] spend a little quantity of tarre
[...]en lose a Hog; and, to be some while willing
[...] saving of a Pound, to pay a Shilling.
Hard things, in great straights, must be undergone
Offensive guards, are better much than none.
Are you asleep? and, see you not already
That, being in our Purposes unsteady,
Makes Bees, as well as Wasps, to Buz and Humme,
And shew their Stings, portending what will come
Do not you hear what's murmur'd, as among
The People, to and fro, you pass along?
And, know you not, that, what is voyc'd abroad
By them, is otherwhile, the Voyce of God?
Then, know it now; lest, shortly, that be spoke
Which, when once said, he never will revoke:
And, though you sleight the Scriblings of my Pen,
Learn wisdome, from your prudent Husband-men.
Doth any sober Countrey Fellow, judge
He saveth ought, by pulling up his hedge
Before his Corn be hous'd, to leave (the while
He therewith warms himself) his Crop to spoile?
Or, put away his Dogs, that were imploy'd
To guard the Sheep, till Wolves are quite destroy'd?
Consider these things; And, by these conceive
What Prudence doth obliege us to believe
Of all those other Arguments, you bring
To make us change Protector into King;
Or, to disarm these Nations, till we see
This Common-wealth shall better setled bee.
But, 'tis the Reason of a Parlament,
Which to our Prince, a Kingship doth present.
True; And, it is the Reason of the Prince,
(Yea, and his Conscience, too) which takes offence
At what is offer'd; and 'tis not a case
As yet decided, whether should give place.
My Private Reasons, they might oversway,
And, though 'twere not convinc'd, I must obey,
Or Suffer: And thus for my Conscience too
It must be, in things, which I cannot doe.
But sure, his Highness (if it may be judg'd
By private men) is much more Privileg'd:
For, he whom God hath Raised up, or Sent
To lay the Ground-work of a Government,
Is with a Spirit, in all likelyhood
By him who rais'd him, for that work indow'd;
Yea peradventure, he is qualifide
To that End, more than all men else beside,
As will appear (though this to some seem strange)
If we look back on every former change;
And when to new Works, GOD doth Princes call,
What Spirits, them he furnishes withall.
Both Parlaments, and Councels general,
Do many times into great errors fall;
And for their Owne, or for the Peoples Sin
(Or for some other causes) oft have been
Deserted by their Guide; that, men may know
Their Weal, from their Joint wisdome, doth not flow.
When God will prove a People, or a Prince,
It must, by somewhat, likely to convince,
Attempted be: The Spirit, to be tride,
In somewhat, must imbodied abide
That's venerable: else, no Approbation
Can thereon follow, worth Consideration.
A Prophet, by a Prophet was deceiv'd;
And yet, was therefore of his life bereav'd.
It was ev'n by those men who seated were
In Moses chair, (and whom Christ bad them hear)
Who did so misadvise them, that, they cri'd
To have the King of glory crucifi'd.
Yet, they have been accursed till this day,
Because, they did not as well try, and weigh,
As hear their counsell; having, so to do,
A rule of Faith, and Light within them, too.
The Reason, therefore, of a Parlament,
May be demurr'd upon, though it present
A Kingdome: and, if any man may be
Thus privileg'd, then, no man more than he
Whom, it now most concerneth; and, who, must
Give an accompt, for what he hath in trust.
But, there is something, that perswades my heart,
This Parlament, in acting of their part
Hath not alone, done that which providence
Will make to be, at last, without offence;
But, serviceable also to that end.
Which, God, and our Protector, did intend:
Or, that they will, at least wise, have a care
That nothing shall be urged to insnare
His Conscience; or, be further on him prest
Then so far, as the publick interest,
And his, it may advance: For, these are gifts
That often have put many to hard shifts
To get them; but, till now I ne'r did know
A Prince, that might not such a gift forego
VVithout offence; or, that a Conquerour,
To chuse his Title had not alwayes power.
Nor can I think, that, he did so dispose
Of his whole pow'r, when he impowred those
For his assistance, that, himself he left
But as a Cypher, of all pow'r bereft:
Ev'n of enablement, by his negation,
For that, which tendeth to the preservation
Of his own conscience: and, of meanes to do
That, which the Law of Nature, binds him to:
For, their Petition, seemeth to imply
That, somewhat, which they aske he may deny.
And Reason sayes, that none should be confin'd
From Powr, to doe the work to him enjoyn'd;
Which, he would want, if of a Negative
In such like things as this, they him deprive.
I must confess, I stagger'd am, well neer,
And almost overawed with a fear
Of medling any further in this Point,
Lest, I, may bring things farther out of joynt
That stand awry: for, I am not a stranger
To those Concernments which it may endanger,
If, I, to common view, should bring out that
Which is conceiv'd a Mysterie of State;
Or, should intrench upon the Priviledges
Which, due to Parliaments, this Nation judges:
Nor am I ignorant, what might to me
Thereby befall, should I suspected be,
(As it is somewhat probable I may)
For Arbitrary actings, to make way
Beyond due Limits (which, I doe abhor
With all my soul, to be a pleader for.)
Yet, I were false to truth, should I not shew
What Tools are to his undertakings due,
Who must secure our Peace (because he may
Make use of them perhaps another way.)
The Drunkard sinneth by excess of Wine,
Yet, we allow the planting of the Vine;
And, I conceive it lawfull to express
That, which may publique injuries redress,
Although it may occasion some offence,
Which is of an inferiour consequence.
I know, what to a Parliament hath been
Ascrib'd; and, I have felt, as well as seen
What powr it hath, and what that powr may do,
If, that exorbitance belongs thereto,
Which many claim; and, which, it had obtain'd
Untill it was by Providence restrain'd.
It hath, to give it an enablement,
The Peoples never failing Argument,
Thereby, to make good, and oblige us to
What they are pleas'd we should believe, or do:
Ev'n this, (which oft doth puzzle and becumber
The wisest men) an Over-voting Number.
It acts by Presidents, which, may sometimes
Make vertues to be punished as crimes:
It takes a pow'r to make and unmake Treason;
To bind and loose, as well our Faith as Reason;
To raise, or pull down Kings; from their possessions,
To throw men out; to punish for Transgressions,
Before there have been Law, to make them such;
And, hath unto it self assum'd so much,
That, doubtless, if there be no power in Him
Who should be Ʋmpire, betwixt us and them,
To moderate (nor any other way
To qualifie) that which impose they may;
No single Tyrant, now or heretofore,
Did, or can for the future, grieve us more,
Or more inslave, then we our selves may do,
By means of those whom we shall trust unto:
Nor to so many can those wrongs extend,
Nor be so hardly brought unto an end;
Consid'ring, that, things present to enjoy,
Some, would their own posterity destroy.
We have had dear experience, both, long since,
And lately, what effects may flow from thence,
If, neither in our selves, nor in another,
Nor in them and a third pow'r, joyn'd together,
There may be means to save from what we fear;
Yea, we of our best hopes deprived are,
And have but leap'd (by ought that see I can)
Into the Fire, out of the Frying-pan:
For, as things stand, when Deputies are chose,
Whether, they be our faithfull friends, or foes;
Whether, they have been well, or mis-begotten;
Whether, their Principles be sound, or rotten;
Whether, they shall be Prudent, or unwise;
Whether, their votes be gained by surprize,
Or not; and, whether, that which they conclude
Be right or wrong; or, for our harm, or good,
We have no remedy, but, must submit
To whatsoever is adjudged fit:
And, not presume to let a word be spoke
Against it, lest their priviledge be broke.
But, sure, there should some bounds be set to them;
And, I believe there is, by that Supreme
And Common law of Nature, which, in part
Is writ (though much defac'd) in every heart.
Therefore, that Law I very often read,
And, many times, for common freedoms plead,
As I finde cause; and, will not be afraid
To plead it, when aside I see it laid,
Though I have blame; And, though, some wil suppose
And say, Beyond his Last, this Cobler goes.
On that account, my Muse compels me, here
To treat of things that seem beyond my Sphere;
But, having for Affaires wherewith I deale
A Warrant in my bosome, under Seale,
I will proceed unto the point in hand,
So far forth as the same I understand:
For, that which is in question, differs not
In what may follow, from the Gordian-knot;
And, I should grieve to see it knit so fast,
That, by the Sword, it must be cut at last,
Or, all, thereby into a danger slide,
If still, or overlong, it be unty'd.
I know not what this Parliament can doe,
Nor whether it be limited or no,
By him who called it: but, I believe,
It power with limitations did receive.
And, this I know; that, if there doth reside
A pow'r therein, to force what is deny'd,
Maugre his Conscience, who the same to save
From violence, doth one Proposall wave;
I, thereupon conclude, it may as well
Against his single-Reason, him compell;
And with more shew of Justice, if the state
Of that, which is in question, doth relate
To Civill things; because, the reason shown
Is joyntly then, the peoples and his own,
They, being both his chosen Counsellors
For such affaires, and Deputies of theirs;
Who may as justly take his powr away
To morrow, as his Title, on this day,
Against his will; and, Him and His, expose
To all the rage and malice, of his foes.
If, from constraint, his Conscience be not free,
Sad will the consequences thereof be.
If He, that freedom shall be barred from,
What of our Christian freedoms will become?
Who as'tis thought, have given them a power
Without controule, to spare or to devoure,
As they shall please. But, sure impowred thus
They never were by God, our Prince, or us,
By ought which tacitly did them invest
With such powr; nor by any thing exprest;
At least de jure, though we are in Fact
Concluded by those Laws they shall enact.
For whatsoere the law of God or nature,
Confers upon the Reasonable creature,
No Trust, as Deputies of ours, have they
To meddle with (much less to take away)
Untill by those Laws forfeited; unless
For Publique weale, or succours in distress,
For common safety. Nor then, have they pow'r
O're person, freedom, goods, or ought that's our
In equity: unless, they also lay
As equally as possibly they may,
Those burdens upon all; lest, some beare nought,
As lately; and, some bee to ruin brought;
Whose prayres, cries, and vnredressed wrongs,
Is that which our Vnsetlement prolongs.
It wil be, therefore, our securest way,
The Groundworke of our Government to lay
Vpon some Just Act, which may expiate
Those Sinnes that have committed been of late,
Through our defect of Justice and Compassion,
To them who have beene faithfull to this Nation,
Ev'n to their owne undoing: were this done,
The works which now goe Backward, would goe on;
And, God, would make us lovingly comply;
Instruct us what to Grant, or to deny.
Till this be done, we onely shall contrive
Snares for each other; or, at best, but strive
Like Bees in hony- potts; and, be at last,
Destroy'd by that, in which our hopes are plast.
Yea, till these Nations, doe so constitute
Their Parlaments, and them whom they Depute
Obliges to fundamentals, they, shall never
Theire Liberties enjoy; but bee for ever
Exposd to Hazzards (which might be prevented,
And none be therewith iustly discontented).
As now things are, at every Parlament,
May our Religion, or the Government,
Be innovated, to our greise or shame,
According to those Modell, they will frame,
Who may by frau'd, or other manes uniust,
For such end's, screw into our Publike trust.
Sometimes, wee shall be govern'd by a king;
A few yeares after, by an other thing;
Then, by a king againe; and, to all these
Be forced to engage, as others please;
With every wind, turn'd like a Weathercock,
Now fast, now Loose; out Nettle and in Dock;
Yea, and to sweare, till we may safely say
And sweare, that, most have sworn their faith away:
Which, to prevent, either from God, or him,
Who, hath in all Affaires, the Pow'r Supreame
Our help must come; and, from a Parlament
Which, thereunto shall give a full assent:
But, this can never be, (as I have said
Elsewhere) until the Ground-worke be new laid;
And, till by good and perfect Chymestry,
Natures three principles, Salt, Mercury,
And Sulphur, be to that just temprature,
And such proportion brought, as will procure
To govern us, a Civil-Trinity,
Made up into a blessed Ʋnity,
It self (so far forth as it may be done)
Conforming to th' Eternall three-in-one
In Righteousness and Mercy. This product,
Our selfishness, doth hitherto obstruct;
And wil, till God, in some things, hath a choice
By Lot, when they are past by humane voice:
For, much corruption that wil cure; and, then,
Christs kingdom, will begin to be with men
More manifest; and, no false Christs appeare
As now, and heretofore, they have done here.
But, know, that when a Government consists
Of three Estates, 't will wrong those Interests
Which to a Free Republicke do pertain,
Unless it be provided, that, those twain,
Which are Superior, shall descend to none
By Birthright: But, that, thereto ev'ry one
Shall be elected; and, no person bear
Such Place, who was not born a Commoner;
Or, whose Posterity, shall not return
To that Condition, whereto he was born.
For, he, or his, will Tyrants be at last
By whom, this Proposition is transgrest.
These things, perhaps, will come to pass in time,
Whereof, I seem at present, but to dream;
And, peradventure, we till then, to gain
A Setlement, shall plodd, and strive in vain.
Mean while, his Highness, or he, whosoere
God, to the supream Office doth prefer,
A Suffrage-negative, should have in that,
Which, Publicke safty, doth necessitate
To be by him, or them, sometime Denide:
By no means, can he otherwise provide
To keep his Honor, or, those Dues, which must
Preserve him able, to perform his trust,
Or bound them in their Orbe, who else, (as we
By proof have found) exorbitant may be,
And, like a Heard (if not well kept together)
When some break out, run all, they know not whether.
Nay, till there be a Gouvernment here fixt,
Things ballancing, so evenly, betwixt
Prince, Peeres, and People, that, each may subsist,
And not infringe each others Interest,
He, that is our Supream, must trusted be
With Arbitray Power in some degree,
To carry on his work, and to secure
The whole, whilst our unsettlements endure:
And, to effect that end, God did, perchance,
Destroy the Pow'r, that was; and this advance.
Without such Pow'r a Prince chose out of Logs,
Like that which was bestowed on the Frogs,
Would be as good: Him, we might deal with all
As we should please; and any thing might call,
And leap about him; till asham'd we be
Of such a Block, and chuse a worse then he.
This Parlament, hath done what them became
In offrong; he, hath also done the same
In his refusal: And, still to adhere
To that whereof resolv'd he doth appear,
Shall do as well, until that be removed
Which gives Offence, or, Inoffensive proved:
And should he be compelled to accept
Till that be done, Decorum were not kept.
They therefore, as I hope, will qualify
That, which he is inforced to deny,
(And thereby save the labour and the Cost,
VVhich, else, would in an evil time be lost)
Rather then force him to an acceptation
Of that which would be an abomination
Both to himself and others: VVhich would prove
No Symptome of their Piety or Love:
For, should he be compelled unto that
VVhich most of his best Friends abominate,
And, his own Conscience cheks at; It would give
A Kingdom, which no wise man would receive;
And as it were inthrone him, (shall I tell
In plain termes where?) ev'n, in the Depths of Hell,
Within whose cursed bounds, is comprehended
A wounded conscience, wilfully offended.
It is confest, the Title of a King
Is honorable, and may profit bring
To some who would conserat; But, to Him
No benefit (yea, and perhaps, to Them
At last as little) For, if he grow less
In Pow'r, that Title, will in his distress
Not so much help as hinder: And, then, they
Who gave it, will, first, take the same away:
Yea, if on that side an advantage grow,
They will bestow it on his greatest Foe.
But, if his Pow'r continue, he may still
Support his Title, call him what you will;
And, that, to which none can lay claim but he,
Will safest upon all Adventures be.
Indeed, all things consider'd well together,
There will be Hazards, both in th'one and th'other;
But, least in that, which will in proof be best
To keep that conscience, which gives Inward rest.
Though, in it self, we do confess the Title
Is honorable, it can add but little
To his Repute: Nay, it will be a blot
As things are, to that honour he hath got;
Which, if it seriously considered be,
Is of a higher nature and degree,
Than that which men confer; and, they shall do
No more who add a King-ship thereunto,
Than he, who Diamonds in Lead doth set,
Or, makes an Earl or Duke, a Baronet.
And, Gideon, peradventure, did therefore
Refuse a Kingship, being honour'd more
By what he was, then by what he thereby
Might have convey'd to his Posterity.
Kingship is lawful; yet, wise men do know
Things lawful, inexpedient sometimes grow.
The Stile of King, was but an Ordination
Of men; and afterward by Toleration,
At their request, by God himself allow'd
Unto his people (so, that neither proud
They did become, nor pufft up with ambition
O're others; which, thereof was one Condition.)
Yea, 'tis an Attribute of God, whereon
Was rais'd, this incommunicable one,
The King of Kings. If therefore, at the Name
We simply take offence, We are too blame:
Or, if we think, the Pow'r they give is less
Who, by Synonoma's, the same express,
As many Nations do, who never had
A King among them, since the world was made,
Yet give their Princes pow'r, whereby they may
Rule well, and make their Subjects well obey.
The Supream Person, always is the same
In Sover aignty, whatever him you name:
And, they who do pretend, our Lawes to bring
Advantages, to him that's call'd a King
Which other Titles give not, do well know,
If, he be their Supream, it is not so:
For, ev'ry thing within our Lawes exprest,
Wherein our former Kings had Interest,
Is virtually, ev'n by those Lawes, deriv'd
To him, who for our Soveraign is receiv'd.
And, whatsoever they make shew of, may,
Who make the Law, speak what they please to say,
Were that, which is now conquerd by our Swords,
Brought to their Bars, to be new tri'd by Words,
The Judgment would be given on that side
Where Pow'r, not where the Kingship did reside,
Although the Law spoke for it, and forbad
All other Governments: For, Laws are made
To speak, too often, not to that good end
For which, Law-makers, did them first intend:
But, what best makes out their Accommodation,
Who take upon them their Interpretation.
Else, they could tell you (without my direction)
That, he, whom God hath rais'd for our Protection,
Had for his Church, and for his Common-weal,
The Pow'r he owns, confirm'd on that Appeal
They made to God, when that, for which they fought,
To Trial, in an Open Field, was brought.
Conquest, is by our Law, the utmost Trial
That can be had: and He, (without denial)
And his Adheres, have right in that respect,
To any Title which they will elect:
Yea, and may Change, Confirm, or make the Lawes
Such, as their Safety, and the Common Cause
Shall now require: Provided, it accord
With their Trust, for whose sake they drew the Sword;
And with those ancient Rights, by God and Nature,
Conferr'd upon the Reasonable Creature:
Which, if they shall invade, their Swords now worn,
Upon Themselves, just vengeance will return:
For, that Pow'r, was conferred to provide
A form of Government so rectifide,
That, neither Prince, nor Peers, nor People might
Intrench, hereafter, on each others Right:
Yea, (that by what shall be, and what is past,
God's purpose might be manifest, at last)
It them impowers, to lay down those Foundations,
That shall by This, and future Generations
Be built upon: In which work, if they should
Leave any Arch, or Pillars, rais'd of old,
Mis-laid, or Crooked, Rotten, or Mis-wrought,
It would, at last, bring all the Pile to nought.
And therefore, to this end, oblig'd they are
Touse their Pow'r with Prudency and care.
To this end, Providence, into their hands
Let that Pow'r slip, which at this day commands;
And they, who meerly for their own ends use it,
Are Tyrants, or else Traitors, and abuse it.
That, which may of Protectorship be said,
Was, long ago, made publique to be weigh'd;
(Not without cause, although to many men,
It seemed an Impertinency, then)
And, as if that had been foreseen, which would
Be offer'd now, the Sequel was foretold,
Which would ensue on changing of that Title,
With other things regarded but a little;
Which, to repeat here, were but (in effect)
To offer them again to your neglect.
New Titles, future Grandeur, do foreshew;
The greatest Titles, at the first were New:
And, though the Government which we yet have,
Was only modellized, but to save
From likely ruine, till we strongth should get
To raise up that, which might be more compleat;
You, in this Title no defect can see,
If, but Imperial thereto added be,
Or, somewhat else, to put a difference
'Twixt This, and that in Nonage of a Prince:
And, those additions which do not estrange,
But help explain a Title, are no change.
What, if his Highness, doth suppose it given
(As I believe) by Providence from Heaven?
And thinks Himself engag'd, not to neglect
That Gift? And what, if for the like respect,
His Friends conceiv'd it might be Ominous,
Either to Him who owns it, or to Ʋs,
Without an urgent cause to change the same
For King, or any other Soveraign Name?
Should this great Title be rejected for
That, which his best affected Friends abhor?
And, they, thereby grow jealous, that his heart
(Which seem'd inclined to the better part)
Had left it for the world, and for those toyes
Wherein her foolish Favourites rejoyce?
Might not thereon, some Consequence ensue,
Which, peradventure, He, or We, might rue?
What, if God gave that Title for a Test
Of his adherence to that Interest,
Which doth concern Christs Kingdom? and to show
That if what God conferr'd he shall forgoe
(For what the World will offer) he best prizes
The things of this World, and his Grace despises?
Or what, (if as that Blood, which heretofore
Sprinkled the Posts, and Lintels of the doore)
God, gave this Title for a difference
Betwixt the Kings of Babel, and his Prince?
That he may be secur'd, when to destroy
Christs foes, he shall that Army here imploy,
Which will cast out their flesh, to Beasts and Fowls,
To Devils, give their miserable souls?
Make, that abominable Scarlet-Whore
Their painted Mistress. desolate and poor?
And, throw them irrecoverably thither,
Where, they shall burn perpetually together?
This may be; for, the time is drawing on
Wherein, such Executions will be done.
And therefore, in his Highness, it implies
Much Christian Prudency, that he denies
What's offred now; and, he shall be innobl'd
Much more thereby, then by those Offers doubl'd,
If he persist; Clear Symptoms, he hath given
Of good events, by having so long striven
Against what, seemingly, doth offer him
Things, of most value in the worlds esteem:
For, they infer, that he is rais'd above
Their Sphere, who on such objects set their love;
That, his Promotions, he expects not from
The East or West; nor cares for those that come
By Oblique Winds: But, most account doth make
Of what the World, can neither give nor take.
Those Outward Trappings, which make so much show
Of what these Nations do on him bestow,
Are not on him bestown, but, on the State.
The great Allowances, much murmur'd at,
Are upon him conferr'd, for their own sakes,
Ev'n to secure Themselves: And, them he takes
For that intent; because, thereby, he must,
And cannot otherwise, perform his Trust.
Whereas, if he perceiv'd it would as little
Secure the Publike, as their Offer'd Title,
And, on his Conscience press, as that will do,
I, do believe, he would refuse that, too.
Presume I may not, to declare to those
Who are in Pow'r, which way, they might compose
Their Diffrences; nor have I ought to say,
To that End, which, I warrantably may
Propound: For, if I had, neither the fear
Of those Wits, who, take liberty to jeer,
Nor worse things, could affright me; I, have told
As much, as I can seasonably unfold:
Except this Hint that follows, doth conduce
To somewhat, which, may safely be of use.
Perhaps, it is Cast in, but to Insnare;
Perhaps, to make proof, how inclined you are.
Be wary, therefore, how far you proceed
Therein; and mind, I warn'd you, to Take heed.
Should it offend, I dare not change a Line;
For, though I speak, these Arrands are not mine.
God, sets before us, this, and that, to chuse,
And leav's us free, to Take or to Refuse;
And, such markes gives, of what may prove amiss,
That, if we chuse not well, the fault's not His.
They, who sincerely think, the Stile of King
Will to this Commonwealth advantage bring;
And, they, who fear it would portend no good
The title of Protector to explode,
May, if they can agree, joyn them together,
And please perhaps, both Parties; perhaps, neither,
Till somewhat reconcile them, which, fit Season
More likely seems to bring to pass then Reason.
These Titles are consistent; and, if that
Which is refus'd, be made Subordinate,
And this Supream; that it may thereunto
Be Vassal, and a kind of Homage do,
As conquered; it might be serviceable
With less offence, (for ought that I am able
To countersay:) for, that wise Legislator
Who was preserv'd, by Rushes, from the water,
Was call'd a King; and, therewith had the Pow'r
Which, constitutes with us, an Emperor,
And in that Commonwealth (which was the best)
Both Kingly, and Imperial Pow'r possest;
Which, if confer'd on him, who governs us,
His Title, might be then contrived thus,
Or, some such way: On feet, in Verse, it goes
But lamely; Therefore, take it here, in Prose.
Soveraign Protector, or, Protector Imperial of the Commonwealth of Great Brittain, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with the Islands, Territo­ries and Dominions, to them belonging.
This, is not Magisterially propos'd,
As if thereby all Ruptures would be clos'd;
Nor is it my desire, it should so be,
Or, not be so; for, it concernes not me.
It, almost, into words was thus far brought,
E're it was fully formed in my thought;
And, slipt out, (as do such things now and then)
Rather, to try the mindes of other men,
Then to declare my Judgment; which, I give,
(VVhen I intend so) in terms positive.
But, thus much, I will say; This is by none
Yet claymed; neither gives to any one
Just cause of Quarrel: Honourable Pow'r
Holds forth: Is, by the Law of Conquest our,
And, may within our own Realmes, be assum'd,
Yet, nothing be undecently presum'd,
If we, know by what means, to limite so
The Pow'r, which therewith all, we shall bestow,
That no offence it gives; nor may produce
Pride, Folly, or Oppression by abuse.
But, what would follow, should this fanci'd be,
It is not in my dim sight, to foresee;
And therefore, to be weigh'd by those, I leave it,
VVhom it concernes to Offer, & Receive it:
To whom (if sought where such things may be known)
It shall be, to their satisfaction shown,
How far this, or the Title of a King
May be assum'd, and no disturbance bring.
Powr, though bred Tame, is an unruly beast,
Which if it feed much on selfe interest,
Growes quickly wild; and every thing commands
Except it selfe; yea breaks the strongest Bands,
Which once cast off, Restraint it will avoyd,
And never more be bound, till 'tis destroyd.
Our best course therefore is not to be strugling
With Powr (Although it seems upheld by Jugling
As well as by good meanes) or to contend
With things without us, which War hath no end:
But rather to compose and order so
All things within us, as we ought to do:
For, there we may have Peace (when we have done
Our Duties) In externals, there is none:
And what we get by Politick Contrivings
By Falshood, Force, Dissembling, or Connivings,
Doth for the most part, but the more disorder
Our mindes; and from our hopes divide us further.
Yea, whether our cheife Magistrate, we shall
A King hereafter, or Protector call,
'Twill not be much materiall, what the Name
Shall be, if all things else be still the same.
Nor His, nor our condition will be betterd
Whilst we are with those Vanities befetterd,
Which to cast off, we lately made a shew:
Or, whilst in secret, we do still pursue
Our old wayes, and continue, in effect,
What we in Circumstances, do reject.
Some are perswaded, that the stile of King
May be as well assumed, as that Thing
Which gives like Power: And so it may, if he
A Jehu, or a Jeroboam be,
Who, neither conscience makes whom he offend;
Or scandalizeth, to obtaine his Ends;
Or if he use that Power, which is bestowne
For publick workes, to bring to passe his owne.
But, howsoever, let it be our care
Still to performe what our Obligements are:
Which are not to engage him unto On [...]
Offence, through fear another may be done:
Or, to resist the Power we should obey
Because it seems by an unlawfull way
Acquir'd or kept: For, every Wise man knows
Powr, Thrones, and Glorie, are at GOD's dispose.
It is by other some not meanly fear'd,
Such Powr is by Protectorship conferd,
That he may now infring our freedomes more
Then any of our Princes heretofore:
Which may be likewise true; yet, what GOD gave
Wherewith to do him service, he must have
To whom he gives it; If he then abuse it,
To their wrong, for whose well-fare he should use it,
GOD will aveng it: And though he defers
That Vengance, (and the Polititian Jeers
At such a Vindication) 'twill be paid
With Interest, for all the time delay'd,
As soone as our Repentance, and those wrongs,
Are for that ripened, which to them belongs.
These Nations, and their Parlaments, talk much
Of Liberties, and Freedomes, as if such
To them pertained, now, as they have had.
Indeed, there is an Image of them made,
Whereby, we, them a little honor'd see
Before the People, (as Saul sought to be.)
But, of those Priviledges, we have none;
Their Glorie is departed; they are gone:
We, by no tenure, any claime can lay
But Courtesie of England, at this day,
To what, by Birth was ours; or unto ought
Which we have purchas'd, or for which we sought:
And till our supream Magistrate repaires
Our Losses; Or, till GOD shall hear our Prayers
And cries (if he oppresse us) we shall still
No other be, but, Tenants at his Will.
Yet is not he in fault; nor is our Case
So bad, or in such hazzard as it was.
For, if it were not so, it might be worse;
And, that which we suppose to be a Curse,
May prove a Blessing. Otherwhile, men lose
By having all things at their owne dispose;
And sometimes gaine by loosing. what was our,
Did lately slip into anothers pow'r;
Who, thereof taketh (by that forfeiture)
But so much, as our Freedomes may secure
To us hereafter. VVhen, he seems to wound
He doth but lance a soare, to make that sound
Which would destroy us: when, unto some cost
He puts us, 'tis that all may not be lost.
Yea, for our well-fare, he is meanes contriving,
When we most wrong him, by a misbeleeving.
And doth discharge his Trust (as I beleeve)
By doing that, whereof we misconceive.
Though he permits us to capitulate
With him, as it we did participate
In his Powr; suff'ring us to claime and take
Those Priviledges, whereby he may make
An advantageous use, with least offence,
To bring to passe the work of Providence;
And to such purposes, is well content
To all our just requests, to give assent:
Those things, do not to us of right pertain;
They are meer Acts of Favor; no remain
Of our old freedomes: And, 'twill hazzardize
Their Restauration, to think otherwise:
For, those Thoughts hindring that compleat submission
Which GOD requires, will hinder their fruition,
By making us, perhaps, that meanes endeavor
To gain them, which will lose them, quite, for ever.
In provocations, IS'RAEL did proceed
So far, that thereupon GOD had decreed
No Ransome from destruction should redeem
Their glorious Temple and Jerusalem,
But, their submission to a forraigne King.
On Ʋs, for our transgressions, GOD doth bring
A Judgment somewhat like it: And, before
He, will to us our Liberties restore,
We must quite lose them, and submit to Him
Whome, as (in that respect) we did contemn.
And, now, no humane Policy, or Force
Can put us into any likely Course
Of repossessing them, save that Compliance,
VVith which we have been long time at defiance;
And, whereto he that should advise, might speed
As bad, perhaps, as Jeremiah did
VVhen he in vaine, his Countrymen perswaded
To fly to him, who had their Land invaded.
But, so it must be; and, if to beleeve
VVhat must be, may assurance thereof give.
Or, if things probable in Reason, may
Confirme that, which I now beleeve and say,
Our much aversenesse, rather will bring on
Then hinder, that which must at last be done.
For, we are torne into so many fractions,
Growne of so many mindes, by our distractions,
(Or Coun [...]eractings) ev'ry Party striving
To bring to passe things of their own contriving,
Al men so apt, whom place of trust, enable
For their owne private ends, to scrape and scrable;
And every man so jealous, and affraid,
Of being to his Opposite betray'd;
That, (as the World was, when it first begun)
Our Common-wealth, must be the work of One;
O [...]e, that hath Powr, and, in whome, to agree
They, who are most concernd, most likely be.
This One, GOD, hath provided to restore
All, that our Kings usurped heretofore
(Or, our Sins forfeited) And to resetle
On us, those blessings, by a stronger Title;
(If neither He, nor these divided Nations
Shall, willfully, make frustrate their Probations)
Though, many are, yet, fearfull that he may
In some things, act the quite centrary way.
Those Counsels, he hath oft together brought
VVhich we in former times, most proper thought
For such a Worke; and, much hath taken in,
VVhich offerd, by some private hands, hath been,
But, both their Ends, and Contributions are
So diffring, and from Ʋnitie so far;
That, what he hath desired should be done,
Lesse perfect seems, then when it was begun.
And 'tis not possible their work should be
Long-lasting, who, in so few things agree.
He, therefore (as in all times past, we finde
It hath been done) who, is by GOD designd
To change a Government; and, unto whome
He alwayes, an Assistant will become,
For his owne works; that spirit, must improve
VVhich GOD on him conferreth to promove
His Ʋndertakeings. Then, resolve he must
On what his Conscience judgeth to be just,
And by his Pow'r confirm it: else, the Waies
Now follow'd, will destroy him, by Delayes.
By this Course, and by weighing well those things
Which faithfull men, and his experience brings
To be consider'd, he himselfe, alone,
Shall do that, which will never, else be done;
Even he alone, if, he, himself deny
(And on that wisdome, and that pow'r rely,
Which hitherto, hath carried him along)
Shall, for his undertakings, be more strong
Then, if he were with all the strength, supplyd
And all the wisdome, of the world beside;
For, that shall teach him, what advise to chuse:
What he must alter, what he must refuse,
And what to fix upon: which, will be [...]ore
His Honour, then his Conquests heretofore;
Or, then to leave through future Generations,
A Kingship to his seed, o're many Nations.
This done; a Parlament well constituted
Will crown the work: then, such as are reputed
Just Priviledges, will be all restord;
Then, they, who now agree not, will accord:
Then, will our Lawes, which yet are made a Snare,
Have those effects, for which ordaind they were,
And, other things, be fairly carried on
VVhich, now, in crooked muddy Chanels run.
VVee, in this worke of Providence, most heed
Those grosse, and oblique Actings, which proceed
From mans corruption; and, the deeds of those
Whom for false friends, or else, for Open foes
VVee do suspect; and, greatly vexed are
VVith those misactings, which, in them appear;
As if, their failings only, were occasions
Of all our losses, and our Preturbations;
But, were it well observed, we should find
That, those grand-works, which are by GOD design'd,
Are no lesse further'd, by our oversights,
Our weaknes, follies, and our foes despights,
Then by our Virtues, Prudency, or Powr,
Or, any suffrings, or good deeds of our;
And, thereupon, prepare a way for Peace,
By prizing others more, and, our selves lesse.
Or, if our Intellectuall eyes could see
VVhat GOD hath done, or, what those actings be
VVhereby, his finger, doth make manifest
VVhat changes, have infringd our interest;
VVe, in true meeknesse, would incline unto
VVhat he expects, we, should beleeve and do;
Then, we should finde, those changes were permitted
That, for GOD's, work we might be better fitted;
That, his great Love and Justice, might be known;
That, our great failings, we, might know, and owne;
That, it might give us many Evidences
How little trust there is, in earthly Princes,
In Parlaments, or, in the best of those
Externall things, wherein we trust repose:
And, that, we thence may learne, when we have tride
Their Trustlesnesse, in whome, we should confide.
As sure as, GOD, ten tribes from David rent,
And, made Belshazers doome, a president
For future times to heed; and, tooke from Saul
And other Kings those Kingdomes wherewith al
They were indowd: so surely, was the Throne
Of our preceding King, by GOD, broke down:
So surely, he, who now inthroned sits,
VVas raisd by him; and, that if he forgets
On what Conditions, he, that grace received,
So surely, shall he be againe deprived,
Of what he yet injoyes; and be devour'd
By that, whereby, he was at first impowr'd.
As sure, as Jacobs sons delivered were
Into the hands of Nabuchadnezer,
Of Eglon, Jabin, Sisera, and those
VVho, did on them great Slaveries impose;
So certainly, did GOD give up these Lands
In former times, into Oppressors hands,
Both Temporall, and Ghostly; causing them
In various wise, to be from time to time,
Either afflicted, eas'd, inthrall'd or freed
As to do well, or ill, they did proceed:
And, lately, hath powr'd forth his vials here
On Preist and People, upon Prince and Peer;
Yet, if we grow not better than we be,
Far sadder Changes, we may live to see,
Because, such Provocations, ours have been,
As, in no former ages, have been seen.
Mark what I say; and heed what will ensue;
For, what I tell you, is, and shal be true.
GOD, for their many sins, did justly bring
These Nations, into Bondege, to their King:
Not to destroy them, as a foe, but rather,
Them to correct, as it became a Father.
That Pow'r, He, exercis'd not to fulfill
GOD's minde, but, to accomplish his owne will;
And, did exceed the bounds of his commission,
To make them footsteps, up to his ambition.
Then, unto GOD they cri'd, and did repent;
VVho, thereupon, unto their Parlament
Gave all his Power; whereby, they did proceed
Against his life, and raigned in his steed.
VVhen they were thus in-thron'd, in leiw of giving,
Forgiving, disinthralling, and releiving.
Their Brethren, by whose hazzards, blood, & treasure,
They, of the sov'raigne Power, had gotten seisure;
Their Helpers, Friends, and Servants, they forgot,
Or (which is worse) them, they regarded not;
(Nor in their greatest need, were some of those,
So civilly respected as their Foes)
Nay more; them they opprest; sleighted their prayers,
Exposed them to shame, wants, and despaires;
Endeavour'd chiefly their owne exaltations,;
Th'inriching of themselves, and their relations;
And, had not that succeeded, which befell,
What else they would have done, no man can tell.
In sight of GOD, of Angels, and of Men,
These things were done; and, this, compels my pen
To leave it on Record, here to be read
By future Ages, when that I am dead.
These, and more such like things, which I have been
Inforced to have felt, and to have seen,
I, from beholding them, long time desn'd
My self, into some nook to have retir'd;
But, my Engagements alwayes kept me here:
Perhaps, that thereof, I might witnesse bear
To glorifie GOD's Justice; and to show
From whence all our destructive changes flow.
And (being that which I seem born to do)
With willingnesse, I, now submit thereto,
That, to their Faces, I may testify,
What, thousands living, know to be no lye.
For these Exorbitances, (as this day
[...]e do perceive) GOD, took their powr away,
[...]d gave it to their Servant, whom they sleighted;
VVhome, they, perhaps, as ill would have requited,
As other men have beene; and, they, are now
His servants; and inforc'd themselves to bo [...]
Before his presence, whom they did contemn,
Till, GOD, had with their power invested him,
VVho, is (GOD speed him well) on earths wide stage,
The greatest expectation, of, this age:
Yet, at his Exit, he, his doome shall beare
According, as his part, is acted here.
To ev'ry one, of whatsoe'r Degree,
Such as his works are, such, his meed shall be:
And, this, nor strength, nor wisdome shall prevent;
No, not an Army, nor a Parlament,
Nor long time, shall Prince, Priest, or People thrive
In any thing, they hope for, or contrive,
But pussell, plague, and still afflict each other
Till they in Righteous-things agree together;
And, sanctifie this Commonwealths foundation
With much more Justice, and with more compassion.
I hope, this downe-right-dealing (which proceeds
From Conscience) no Apologizing needs:
But, of their wrath, I no whit am afraid
To whom, truth, may offensively be said;
For, if that any thing thereby befall
To me destructive, much more greive I shall
For others then my selfe; because, their ends
I do foresee, who shall destroy their friends;
And, that, if Justice be not more enjoy'd
I, shall be safest, when I am destroy'd.
Yet, Reader, pleased be before thou goe
VVith Candor, to peruse a few Lines moe
For my Indempnity and, then I've done;
Make no false Comments (prithce) hereupon;
Inferre thou not from any word here said,
One thought, whereby, aspersions may be laid
On that great Councell, by whose prudence, care,
Zeale, pains and love, those things proposed are
For his assent, without whose approbation,
They cannot have Authentick Confirmation.
The cause is weighty; and, no Humame eye
Can all the wayes of Providence espie.
Although their Offers are demur'd upon,
They, their devoire, as I believe, have done
To give advance unto that Interest,
Which, in their Judgement, hath appear'd the best;
And done Gods worke, so far forth as they could
His purposes, with humane eyes behold;
Or, execute his Will, by Reasons light:
And, I do hope, they shall (ere that be quite
Resolv'd upon, which yet remains to doe)
Receive Divine Illumination, too.
By that which I have heeded, I conceive
(And hold my selfe obliged to believe)
That, both they, who did on that Instrument
Agree, and also they, who yet dissent,
Their Consciences, have with an equal Zeale,
To God, their Prince, and to this Commonweale
Therein discharg'd; and, that those things which bee
Well done, are Best done, when, some disagree:
And, that, Truth doth appear in her perfection
When she is polished by Contradiction:
We, therefore, to both Parties, owe both Love
And Civill thanks, what ere the Sequels prove.
Believe me herein; and observe, I pray,
Which heedfulnesse, that which I next shall say;
For, it will much concern us: (and I presse
This Caution, therefore, with such earnestnesse)
When, that which was proposed, once in vain,
(And, which is to be offer'd now again
Unto his Highnesse) all debates hath past;
If then, your Expectations fail at last
Which must fall out, on th'one or th'other side;
With that, which comes to passe, content abide:
And, though in Judgement, you devided be;
In your Affections, loveingly agree.
If they, who their Proposals lately brought,
To be allow'd, obtain not what they sought,
Miscensure not of them, as if they had
With ill intentions, those Proposals made;
Nor judge amisse of him, who gave Deniall;
If, when repugnant Reasons have their Triall,
He shall be swayed to consent, at length,
By Reasons of the most prevailing strength.
For, if his Highnesse, on such tearms admit
Of that to which he gives deniall, yet,
As in his Judgement, and in Conscience too,
Well satisfied, in that which he shall doe,
And hath beforehand, Gods direction sought,
(As I believe, he hath done as he ought)
Know, it proceeds from God; and, that what ere
We thereupon think Probable, or Feare,
We must leave God, and Him, to act their part;
Not medling with what's hidden in his heart,
Or in an unrevealed Providence,
Lest, we to both of these, give just offence;
And by prejudicating things unknown,
Destroy the Peace of others, and our own.
When things are done, (for ought that we can know)
As, God, doth unto him his duty show;
If, then, we still suspect him, and foment
Those Jealousies which nourish discontent;
If we shall then imagine his Delay
And Scruples, were but onely to make way
To new Designes; or, to accomplish that
Which, we think he hath alwayes aimed at,
(Pretending other things, thereby to gain
A Larger Powr then else he should obtain)
If we think thus, as I know many do,
Because they have been pleas'd to tell me so;
Then, there will be no remedy or end
Of what we may Injuriously pretend;
And, how oblique so e're, his aimes may be,
We, make our selves as culpable as he;
And, there is somewhat in us, which, no doubt
Doth from a Root of bitternesse spring out,
That will produce our Shame; or, which is worse,
Engage us into some Destructive Course.
And, if his heart be right, so much the greater
Will our Shame be, as his designes are better
Then we believe they are; and, questionlesse,
It will to us contract a Guiltinesse,
That will bring on a Plague: and manifest
That, though against Self-seeking we protest;
We, have not so much prayed, that, Gods will
Should take effect, as, our own to fulfill.
VVhat, of this great Debate will be th' effect,
I know not; nor presume I to collect
From what I know: for, Princes hearts are deep,
And, I, into their secrets will not peep.
VVhen Abraham, to sacrifize his Son
Exprest a Will, although it were not done,
It pleas'd as well; And, GOD, for that proceed,
His willingnesse, accepted for the deed.
It lies not in our Actions, to fulfill
VVhat is requir'd, so much, as in our will:
For, two men in one cause may fight (or grinde
At one Mill,) yet, but one, acceptance finde;
And, what to Act, the Law, on us doth call,
Sometimes, by grace, may be dispens'd withall.
I, therefore, know not how inlarge we may
Or circumscribe his Highnesse in his way;
Nor how far, GOD, in this Cause, will allow
A dispensation after Tryall now;
Nor which way he will bend his heart at last;
But, by those things which are already past,
(And, by some other symptomes which I finde
Of many good performances, behinde)
I hope the best: and, since no better way
I, can be serviceable; thus, I pray.
On Earth, vouchsafe him better things, oh LORD!
Then, Justice, can for Mans best works afford.
Within the VVorld to come, let him inherit,
Not that which He, but, that, which Christ doth merit.
And, give him power before he thither goe,
To settle righteousnesse and mercy so,
Ʋpon his Throne; that, they who now condole
May sing a blessed Requiem to his soul;
And, that their hopes deferd, may be injoyd,
Before, they, or their patience, are destroyd.
Our God, hath many wayes to bring about
What he hath foreintended to work out.
That, which Conditionally to be done
He Wils, must take effect in every one
As those Conditions are performd by them,
To whom, his Offers are propos'd by him;
And, that which he hath absolutely Willd,
Shall doubtlesse, absolutely be fulfil'd,
What ever Contrarieties, here, shall
Thereto obstructive, seemingly befall.
For my part, therefore, when the Trial's ended,
Which, I unfeighnedly have recommended
To God, my Prince, and Country; I'le rejoyce
More in their chusing, then, in mine owne choyce.
Although I suffer by it; with beleefe,
It will, at last, produce more joy, then greife.
In that Ship, which the common Fraight doth beare,
I, am but onely a poore Passenger,
Who, moved thereto by an honest zeale,
Have spoken, what I thought concernd her weale;
And, though I have hereby insisted much
On my owne sense; and think it to bee such
As may bee own'd; Though, such it be reputed
By others, and shall never be refuted;
Yea, though, I may discover some things done,
By which, my just rights are intrenchd upon;
Yet (having done my duty) I will beare
Those things with patience, which concluded are;
And, not alone submit, to what they doe,
My Goods and Person, but, my Reason too:
At least so farr forth, that, I will not presse
One Argument, by which the common-peace
May be indangerd; but, do what I may
To serve my Country in a sober way:
In silence, things which are amisse deplore;
Think my own sinnes deserved that, and more;
Mark my own failings; and perswaded be
These things have happend, to make proofe of me,
And such, as I, as well, as proofe to make
Of those who were engaged for our sake:
And, praise God, though all things be not so well
As I desire, that, nothing worse befell.
For, from those difficulties and confusions,
Which we are in, to draw forth such conclusions
As may not be gainsayd, in some repsect,
Is more then Human wisdome can effect.
The Course by which we purpose to persue
Beloved Peace, loathd Discords may renew;
And, whilst we fighting are, from Foes to clear
Our Vann, we may be routed in the Rear.
By those Contrivements, whereby, we suppose
To save our Lives, our Honors we may lose.
By that, through which our Persons might be free,
Our Consciences, perhaps, inslav'd may be;
And, what, for present safety, we endeavour,
May for the future, ruine us for ever.
So finite is our Wisdome, and our Powr,
And, those things which may weaken or devour,
So infinite; that, we as well may span
The Firmament, as, by the wit of Man
Contrive, or settle such a Government,
As will our dangers every way prevent.
For, that which is best done, and best intended,
Will still have somewhat in it to be mended:
Yea, even the best things, which best men can doe,
Insnarings have injected thereinto,
To catch themselves, or others; which, none scapes
But, he, that alwayes lookes before he leapes;
And seekes for Councell and Protection, from
That saving-powr, whence all our safeties come.
He therefore is injurious, who suspects
All deeds ill purpos'd, which have ill effects;
Or, who, those Mens Faiths into question cals,
Whose Councell under some Aspersion fals:
No lesse unjust are they, who froward be
Because, he takes his freedome who is free,
Yet, takes thereof no more then doth belong
Unto himselfe, without his Neighbours wrong:
And, they, are not in every poynt so wise
As they might be, who, good advice despise
(And timely ay'd, when they are like to suffer)
Because, that man, whom conscience mooves to offer
His services; within the Camp, hath hid
Himself, as Eldad, and as Medad did.
These things considerd, I, perswaded am
That neither I, nor any merits blame,
For ought well propos'd: and, that now the day
Is near at hand, which will prepare a way
To what Good men desire: and, that a deed,
Which did from Conscientiousness proceed.
Justice and Piety, no bar shall prove,
To that which may our Grievances remove.
In this hope, I with patience do attend
What God will do; to whom, I recommend
The perfecting, of what men strive about,
For, hee must do it. Now, this Flash is out.

A SPARK.

BUt see, here's of that Flash, a little Spark
Yet unextinguish'd; which, I pray you mark.
My lifes tenth Clymax is now spent well near,
And yet, my warfare is unfinish'd here.
I therefore, by this Flash a triall make,
How, if need be, Old Powder, fire will take;
That when occasion calls mee so to do,
I, therewith might discharge a shot or two,
Or light a Beacon, timely to Alarm
Those, who may by surprizall, suffer harm;
And save that, by th' Artillery of words,
Which, cannot be secur'd by Guns and Swords.
For, though by age, my Arms, are useless found,
My Heart so strong remains, my Brain so sound,
That both by Action, and by Contemplation,
I may, yet, some way serve this Generations;
Whose Welfare to promote, I have bestown,
More time and cost, then to advance mine own.
But, when my heart's broke, & hath crack't my brain,
When all those helps, which unto life pertain;
When all the present hopes of things without me,
(Which to and fro, do flutter yet about me)
Are flown away; (as daily 'tis expected)
Then, will to mind be brought, things now neglected:
And that be done, which, yet, self-love and pride
Obstruct; and will, till they be laid aside.
Yea, then, with good respect, that will be heard,
Which, at this present, hath but small regard.
Mean-while, I rest contented with my Lot;
For, I have that esteem which others got
In former times, who did this way, declare
Those Notions, wherewithall inspir'd they were;
And, to discharge my duties, am a debter,
Though my requitall, never should be better.
There lies a little Grain, rack'd up within,
From whence, my better-being will begin:
And, when most Weaknesses appear in me,
My Powr, shall then, in full-perfection be:
Yea, when I have nor Life, Flesh, Blood, nor Bone,
Then, that, which could not by those Tools be done,
Shall be performd; and, many things which are
Yet dark, will plain, and usefull, then, appear.
Mean-while, O God vouchsafe thou, to forgive
What, hinders their performance, whil'st I live.
So prays,
Britans Remembrancer.

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

A Goodly Ship, with precious lading fraught,
Late, in a dark night, near to land was brought.
Through many dangers, and much Blustering weather,
The Providence of God, had brought her thither;
And, by the Waters motions, and some Humming
Among the Shrowds, another storm seem'd coming.
The place ariv'd at, was a dangerous Bay,
From which, into the Port, two Channells lay,
Divided by a Quicksand, with great store
Of Shelvs, and Sharp-rocks, upon either Shore:
She had a brave Commander, Marchants many;
Stout Seamen, Pilots too, as good as any,
With Passengers of all sorts; among whom
Some could (had need been) have suppli'd the room
Of well experiens'd Sea-men, and advis'd
Such things, as Prudence would not have dispis'd.
But, these among themselvs, divided were,
Through which of these two Channels, they should steer,
One party, thinking that the safest way,
In which the other, thought most danger lay:
And in the dark, it could not well be seen,
In which, the greatest Hazzard would have been.
There was a poor Old man, that time, a board,
To whom, God, had been pleased to afford
A faculty, to see things in the dark,
Which others could not view, or, did not mark;
He, seeing what great straights the Ship was in,
And what their loss was likely to have been,
Call'd out to those, who there had Chief Commmand;
And said; there stands a Rock; here lies a sand,
Another yonder, and, a Whirlpool there;
Be carefull therefore, thither not to steer;
Bear up a little while into the Wind,
(Although a shew of danger there you find)
And take heed, that a causless fear or doubt,
Prevails not now, to make you Tack-about:
Lest all be lost, and, you, upon a steep
Ridge strike; and, over-set into the deep.
Now, by the Starbordside a compass fe [...]ch,
Halfe way to you point, to avoyd that Beach;
And then, upon the Larbordside again
Wheel off, and you the Harbor shall attain.
Thus spake the Old man: for although 'twere night,
He saw as well, as when the Sun gives light;
And then, all they who had a will to see,
Saw how to find the way, as well as hee.
The greater part, not heeding what they heard,
(Nor knowing their own danger) grinn'd and jeer'd;
Suppos'd him mad, to talk, and make a shew
Of Demonstrations, which they could not view;
Crept from the hatches, down into the hold,
And let them look unto the Ship that would.
But, they, who more sought their own will to have,
Then to be counsel'd, or, the Ship to save;
Disdaining that an aged doting fool,
Should put their Wisedom, as it were, to school;
(And, seeing his Relations tend unto,
That, which their Captain had resolv'd to do)
Grew angry, Therefore, though he neither fears
Their wrath, nor much for their disfavour cares;
Hereby, he hath appealed unto you,
Who, are known honest, wise, goodmen, and true;
And, praies you, to be Judges, how he hath,
Or wherein, any way deserv'd their Wrath:
For, here in brief, his Cause is plainly show'n,
And, 'tis to some among you, so well known,
That, if you shall condemne him, hee'l submit
To make what Satisfaction, you think fit.
If this comes forth too late to take effect,
My Conscience knows, it was not my neglect:
For I, my utmost labour, had bestown,
To make it, in a timely-season known.
If, therefore, ought amisse thereby ensue,
There lay the Fault, to whom the Blame is due.

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

The Verses are these:

SIR, if you are not of this PARLAMENT,
Herewith to greet you, 'tis not my intent;
But, if a Member of this House you are,
Your taking up this Paper (as it were)
By Lot, ingageth you to manage those
Petitions, which, therewith I did inclose,
As, you would have another, use his pow'r,
Therein, for your avail, were my case your:
Whereof take this Account; and, why I play
My Cards refus'd, in this unusual way.
Three Parlaments (the eldest of which three,
Might, had it pleased our LORD, have out-liv'd me)
Are dead and gone, since first I did complain
Of Grievances, which hitherto remain
Without Redress. I, also have surviv'd
To see a Fourth, which hath it self out-liv'd,
And may continue, till it hath suppli'd
What, Providence, is thereby to provide
For needful supplements, to carry on
Those Works, which in these Nations are begun.
God grant it Pow'r, and Will, and Time, to do
What, they by Duty, are oblig'd unto,
That, they from wrongs, the wronged may release;
Proceed with Honour, and conclude in Peace.
To such Atchievments, there's a middle-way,
'Twixt This, and That; 'twixt hast, and long-delay:
Which, if mistaken, or not timely found,
May (as it hath done) lead into a Round,
(Or Labyrinth) whereby, we may be brought
To pits and snares, which have no passage out;
And multiply distractions, till our prai'rs
Are turn'd to indignation, or dispairs:
Which, is their drift (and not their least designe)
Who, seek this Common-wealth, to undermine.
When publick wants, require to be suppl'd,
A private plaint may then be laid aside,
But, not too long deferr'd, lest it become
A festring-soar, not meanly perilsome:
For, since an Universal-weal consists
Of many Individual Interests,
A perfect Body cannot be injoi'd,
Where, One by One, the Members are destroi'd;
And, when the Eie or Ear, unheedful grows
Of what, afflicts the fingers, and the Toes;
Much lesse, when it neglects what appertains
To keep it, from an Ulcer in the Brains.
The cures therefore, of private wants, betwixt
Publick transactions, should be intermixt;
(At least somtimes) in those immergent things,
Wherein, delay of Justice, losses brings
Beyond repair; or where the State at last
Must bear the dammage, when the cure is past;
Or else, in point of honour, suffer more
Then all the publick treasure will restore.
I grudg not, when GOD's glory is at stake,
That they, who conscience of their Votes do make,
Should take the freedom to debate at large,
What, may their duties in their place discharge;
Or, when the Common-safety doth appear
In hazard, though my life in danger were:
But, when those brunts are over, if men please,
For their meer pleasure, profit, or their ease,
To leave us in a perishing condition,
It, of their faithfulness, may give suspition;
And, I more grieve, for what I thereby see
May on the publick fall, then falls on mee.
There's time enough in all streights whatsoe're,
For all things, if it well divided were:
And, for our not apportioning aright
The time we have (as wisemen see we might)
GOD, cuts off half the daies we should have had,
And our designments are abortive made.
As wee from week to week, from day to day
Do put off those, who for our succours pray;
So likewise, are our suits and hopes put by,
By him, on whose assistance we rely.
An hour therefore, should otherwhile be spent,
To give Reward, as well as Punishment;
To think on them who help us in our sorrow;
As well to make repaiments, as to borrow;
And, like the Tree that's planted by a spring,
Expected fruits, in season, we should bring;
Not nine or ten years after they are dead,
(Who, by our timely fruit should have been sed)
Lest we be felled by the Wood-mans hand,
Or, like the Fig-tree, wither where we stand.
One day, is as well spar'd sometime, to save
An honest-man, as nine to doom a knave;
And, of an useful Plant to take due care,
As, from the good-corn, to weed out a Tare.
Some private acts of Justice, with our zeal
To Piety, and to the Publick-weal,
(Or works of mercy) sprinkled here and there
Among them, like embroid'ries would appear,
Or flowers of gold and silver interwove,
And helpful be, devotion to improve:
For, where few private grievances are heard,
God, gives their publick praiers small regard:
And, few are in that Common-wealth much joi'd,
By which, their own well-being is destroi'd;
Or, which is sensless, of their sad estate,
Who did help save it, from a sadder fate.
Among such suff'rers, I my self am One,
Who, gladly would be better thought upon,
For your own sakes; who, peradventure, may
Have by my losse, twice mine, another way.
As many years as are equivalent
To two men's lives, I have already spent
To seek for Justice, with such cost, such trouble,
And losse of time, as make my losses double:
So that if many suits, here, at this rate,
I had depending, three times my estate,
And three mens lives, would scarce afford me time,
And means enough, whereby to finish them:
For, my Petitions, either were deferr'd
From mouth to mouth, from year to year, unheard,
Or answer'd so, that when my suit seemd, done,
My Case prov'd worse, then when it first begun;
And, to obstruct the Justice I emplore,
They, voice me to be rich, who make me poor.
With mock-shews of relief, I have been fed;
With stones, In my distress, instead of bread;
Which, had ere this day starv'd me, but that GOD,
Turns many of them, into wholsome food;
And rais'd me a subsistance, out of that
Which was design'd to ruine my estate.
His Highness, also stor'd me with a Dish,
Which hath converted Scorpions, into Fish:
Else, that small portion, which I yet possesse,
(And some Envie) had long ago been lesse,
(It may be nothing); for, that Act of Grace,
Is made lesse valuable, then it was
By him intended, of whose free donation
It was conferr'd, beyond my expectation.
Oh! if that I, who have some friends, thus far'd,
How speed poor men, whom no man doth regard?
And, who, from none, can claime an obligation,
Either by Friendship, Faction, or Relation?
But, now, new-misadventures me beset,
Which, by delay of Justice, do beget
Increasing mischiefs, that admit no cure,
Save, what must from a Legislative pow'r,
Derived be: And, this befalls me so,
Perhaps, that I, in every Change, may know,
The gen'ral temper, by the pulse that beats
Both in Superiour, and Inferiour seats;
That, I, thereby may calculate the length
Of our oppressions, and improve my strenth
To bear them: mark, how well our publick Acts,
Ingagements, Orders, Bargains, and Contracts
Will be perform'd; and, that, as by presage,
Of things that since befell, I told this Age
Before they came; so, I, might likewise tell
The next Age, what I saw done ill, or well.
[...] many have besought to entertain,
And offer my petitions, but, in vain.
Now therefore, having with some patience stayd
Six months at door, to get my suites convayd
[...]nto this House, where, seeing ev'ry day,
New suitors more and more stop up the way,
And small signe, that, with any I should meet,
To hand them in, I laid them at their feet
Who pass in thither; hopeful, that it may,
For my inclos'd Petitions make free way,
Through those Obstructions, which have shut the gate
Against them, till they come almost too late.
He, who shall take them up, and get them read,
Where, with effect, they may be answered;
A Favour shall confer, by doing so,
On me, and likewise upon many moe.
For, if my suits, obtain respective heed,
Some other men, wil hope, as well to speed;
And of my wrongs, if no redress I have,
Both I, and they much future cost may save.
GOD speed it well: for, I, with what event
He gives it, am resolv'd, to be content;
And, am assur'd, that though I be neglected,
By men, I shall of him, be still respected.
Britans Remembrancer.

A Postscript to the Preceding Verses.

THey, who to neither Side, nor Back, nor Further
Can turn, or pass, need no Restraints by Order.
Nor greatly be afraid what next will come,
Their, just resolvings, to divert them from;
And, that, whereto necessities compell,
Is done excusably, though not done well.
If much oppression, cracks a wiseman's brain,
Who knows, whereto, it may a fool constrain?
They, whom delay of Justice doth make poor,
Do lose but their estates, and, may get more:
If, therewithall, they are of life depriv'd,
They feel not, what to feel, they might have liv'd:
But, he who doth in life-time, thereby lose
Both wealth and credit, shall to friends and foes
Become a scorn; whereat, if mad he be,
And, makes ten thousands grow as mad as he,
The fault is theirs, who, without mercy, stretch
A weak man's patience, farther then 'twil reach;
As if, he, of his suff'ring sense had none,
Because, they no more feel it, then a stone.
My principle (which makes me oft abus'd)
Injoins me, when I scurvily am us'd
Where I expect relief, to shew my wrongs;
And, vengeance leave, to whom the same belongs;
But, some men, cannot be content to stay
GOD's leisure, or, for Justice, in his way;
And, what, their wants, neglects, and indignation
May tempt them to, is worth consideration.
There is to all things, an appointed date;
And, they are unwise, who are wise too late.
Necessitas, & indignatio quid non possunt
FINIS.

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