Sigh for the Pitchers Breathed out in a Personal Contribution TO THE NATIONAL HUMILIATION the last of May 1666. In the Cities of London and Westminster UPON The near approaching ENGAGEMENT Then expected Between the English and Dutch Navies Wherewith are complicated such Muse as were occasioned by a Report of their Actual Engagement and by observing the Public Rejoicing whilst this was preparing by the Author GEORGE WITHER Hold If ye knock ye are broke Hold. Unless God prevent Imprinted in the sad year expressed in this seasonable CHRONOGRAM LorD haVe Mercy Upon Vs. MDCLXVI To the English Nation and to every Individual Person within these British Isles Geo. Whither wishes that Grace Peace and Love in CHRIST JESUS which by an unfeigned Humiliation may reconcile us all to GOD Unite us by an indissolvable Band of Charity to each other and in a Christian Amity withal Nations through the world MY Sighs concern you all throughout this Nation Who are this day in true Humiliation To seek the face of GOD For we make One Of those two Pitchers whom I do bemoan And unto whom then fearing much their breaking When first I saw War preparations making I sent a Trumpet both with an Intent And hope that which was feared to prevent Which failing my good purpose to produce I send this now to mediate a Truce For who can tell but that my words may have Such ●ssue now as heretofore GOD gave Unto a private-womans' when she spoke For Abel what effect in season took So may it prosper as I am sincere In that Which I have Superscribed here And let my Foes on earth be still as many As there are men if I wish ill to any Or am not pleased that all should live and die As happy both in Life and Death as I Who shall not by a final Wilfulness Deprive themselves of what they might possess And slander GOD as cause Original Of that which doth amiss to them befall For though not few my Adversaries be Or such as yet bear no good will to me ay even for that cause am in love their debtor For him who loves his Foes GOD loves the better Yea having partly been in my distress Relieved by some few who do naytheless Seem still my Enemies it makes me more Love GOD and all Mankind than heretofore A time is come in which it is our turn Both altogether and apart to mourn Those General Calamities befall Which for a general Repentance call And for particular Humiliation In order to a public Reformation From which at present are excepted none No not the King who sitteth on the Throne For that which is in Cottages begun Will seize the Palace ere the Round is run If GOD in mercy answer not our hope And to our sins and fears vouchsafe a Stop To that end though this be not what I would Or should contribute it is what I could And may now be as usefully expressed As what more artificially is dressed Yea though it be that only in effect Which I have  preferred without respect This seems a very seasonable time To greet you with a Reasonable Rhyme Accept it therefore and be not offended With what is conscientiously intended GOD who from us doth Trifles oft receive Requires of none more than he hath to give And if you shall accept what 's in my power He will of that accept which is in your For all that is contributed by this Worth your acceptance is not mine but his Sighs for the Pitchers Breathed out in a Personal Contribution to the National Humiliation formally begun in the Cities or London and Westminster the last of May 1666. Such is GOD'S gratiousness that wheresoever He finds a Willingness joined with endeavour To please or to appease him though bat small And in itself worth no respect at all He doth accept it But it is not so With men what ere we mean or say or do For most so pettish are that even with that Which to their own well-being doth relate They quarrel and as much offended are With what unto their own particular Hath no relation as to any thing Which may to them a disadvantage bring Yea so inclined are to be discontent With Actions and with words indifferent That how to fit all humours no man knows What ere he writes be it in Verse or Prose Some are best pleased with this and some with that With nothing some or with we know not what Except with that and in their own mode dressed Whereby their Single Fancies are expressed If I may freely Truth declare in either To me it is indifferent in whether Verse cannot be so justly termed unholy As they who think so may be charged with folly The Liberty I therefore at this time Resume to vent my mind in Verse and Rhyme As heretofore without an affectation Of what is this day with most men in fashion And what I purpose to contribute now Shall be such private Sigh as I owe To Public sorrowings not such as may Without true sense thereof be puffed away I offer not now Cures are to be done That which will prove no better than Herb-John Or Chip's in broth nor when provide I should Apparel to preserve my Friend from cold Bring them such thin sleight Garments as are neither Good Silk or Cloth but Baubles patched together Lace Points and Ribbons Nor to feed them set A platter full of Sauces without meat Or with so little and so trimmed about With Kickshaws that they cannot pick it out Nor give the Sick when they for health endeavour Such Trash as may beget a mortal Fever Nor Healing Plasters when I do perceive The Patient rather needs a Corrosive Nor if there ought improper to that end For which Humiliations we pretend In that which I in words have added here Either peruse it therefore or give ear BEfore a Storm is actually begun Or Symptoms of it in the Skies appear Both Birds and Beasts for shelter fly and run To scape the Dangers then approaching near To what these are by Sense inclined in season Men are assisted for their preservations By Strong Impulses both of Grace and Reason Till they neglect or slight those Inclinations And to the Public safety every one Owes what may possibly by him be done For there 's a Portion due from him that 's poor Though from the Rich there is expected more 2. I had some education in the Schools But my best Teachings came another way And neither to the wisest or mere Fools Is that intended which I have to say My Muse is to a midling-temper fitted What suits with their capacities to write Who not much under or much over witted More in the Matter than the Words delight By that means when with Trifles I begin Things useful are oft thereby Skrewed in Which peradventure had not else been sought Where they appeared more likely to be taught What I but to one end at first intended Occasions many Cautions ere 't is ended So sometimes twenty businesses are done By him who went from home to do but one 3. Sometimes too by what in this mode is hinted On slight occasions in a Vulgar Strain Such Notions have been in the heart imprinted As were more plausibly expressed in vain Yea otherwhile a few plain words in season Experimentally in private spoke More operate with Sanctified Reason And of what they import more heed is took Then is although more gloriously arrayed Of what 's but formally in public said Now therefore I contribue thus alone To what was this day publicly begun But stay what Panic fear hath seized this Nation That they who Triumphed but one day ago Assume the Postures of Humiliation And Fast and Pray at least pretend thereto Their Jollity is at a sudden pause And to the Temples they begin to flock God make th' effect as real as the cause That him with formal shows we do not mock Lest Plagues increase and when of what is better We are in hope our fears grow daily greater For till our sins are heartily repent By Fasts and Prayers Plagues are not prevented 5. Most dedicated this month's first Aurora To their own fleshly Lusts and spent the day In sacrificing to the Strumpet Flora Which was by some employed another way Perhaps though not Profane more superstitious Than holy for all is not sanctified That is not vulgarly reputed vicious Nor all unholy which will not abide A Sanctuary-Test But somewhat hath Doubtless been acted which provokes God's wrath Against our Nation since this Month begun That brings us on our knees before 't is done 6. Our Safety Peace and Glory lie at stake And we are forced such a Game to play As makes us tremble and our hearts to ache 'twixt hope and fear of that which follow may Even they who lately foolishly did boast And with proud Vaunts and scorns contemn their Foes Do find that Reckon made without their host Arise to more than they did presuppose Of Foes without them their regard was small Of those within them less or none at all But now to be assaulted they begin With outward perils and with fears within 7. Beyond reteating we engaged are With foreign enemies and not quite free From Factions threatening an intestine War If our Presuming unsuccessful be As foes do multiply so friends grow fewer And in those few there is but little trust For none can in another be secure Who to himself is neither kind nor just War is begun the Pestilence doth spread And though of Dearth we feel but little dread They by whose Labours plenty was increased Are by a wasting Poverty oppressed 8. The Rich are discontent the Poor much grieved The first have small hope to be better pleased The last as little hope to be relieved And most men are grown stupidly diseased Men with Ill tidings in all places meet Bewailing loss of Goods or want of Trade All day they hear complain in the street All night they and their Families are sad Hereof they upon others lay the blame Who have been chief deservers of the same Most apprehend a general Distress But no man knows which way to make it less 2. They who should act or mediate at least Some course to stop the fury of the Current Find it will most advance their Interest To be at this time Fishing in the Torrent They who have now most cause lest frighted be Those few alone who with a filial fear And Christian hope God's purposes foresee Submissive to his Dispensations are The rest are active still in their own mode As if in their own power their safety stood Or that it might be wrought by their own hand If as 't was once said GOD would Neuter stand 16. For our defence a Naval preparation Is made as strong as ever heretofore In any Age was modelled by this Nation Yea stronger much though not in number more And if they who thereof have management Shall not thereon as if it could not fail Or in themselves be over-confident It may against our ablest Foes prevail But not unless we timely lay aside Our malice our profaneness and our pride Which by the Lord of hosts are so abhorred That they destroy more than both fire and sword 11. In mournings we so little do delight That whatsoever sad event befalls Which to humiliation doth invite It seldom supersedes our Festivals A Fast therefore so near a Feast begins To moderate our Mirth and make us mind A true and speedy mourning for those sins Whereto we have been and are still inclined A change of Feasts to fastings threatened was Which is within a little come to pass And that may peradventure be effected Which we most fear when it is least expected 12. Hereof the Civil powers having sense And fearing what might probably befall Unless we strengthened are by Providence Much more then by their moving wooden-wall They lately summoned us by Proclamations To meet and on the last of May begin In our head-Cities such Humiliations As may declare a true Remorse for sin Early that morning likewise lest we might Their summons either than forget or slight GOD seconded their Act and from our beds With Peals of Thunders raised our drowsy heads 13 If I was not deceived five hours together That Summons lasted with few Intervals Made signal by Rain Lightning Stormy weather And Thunderbolts which pierced through stonewalls It broke and melted Bells consumed a Steeple Scard Fowls and Beasts yea and afraid did make Even them among those unrelenting People Who heed of nought but smart and noise will take And in security again sleep on Assoon as ere the pain or noise is gone Alas what horrors will such men confound When they shall hear the seventh Trumpet sound 14. I did obey this Call and knowing too That in the common peace mine doth consist In meekness I prepared my heart to do What might secure the common Interest The best have failings and the worst have more Though therefore they oft err who are in power With their defects we must our own deplore For oftentimes their faults take root from our King David's crime sprung from the People's sin For his offence a Plague on them broke in Thus to each other men of each degree A mutual cause of sins and sufferings be 15. This makes me the more cautious to take heed Wherein I personally give offence And ere I censure that which others did Bewail mine own misdeeds with penitence All of us have offended if not more As much as our forefathers have transgressed Some with more Impudence than heretofore And my sins have the common guilt increased Myself to humble therefore I went thither Where good and bad men congregate together And where the worst are or before they die May be for aught I know more just than I 16. He seems to me unlikely to appease The wrath of GOD or mortified to be Who offers Prayers like that Pharisees Who judged the Publican less just than he There is no sign of true Humiliations But of a proud self-overweening rather In those who judge unclean whole Congregations Who with them serve one Spirit Son and Father And although members of another College Adore one GOD according to their knowledge According unto mine therefore with them I joined in Love and left their doom to him 17. I dare not such a separation make 'twixt persons things or places as may bar A freedom in those Duties to partake Which necessary or expedient are When sins and Plagues grow Epidemical It such Humiliations than requires As may in that respect be general For private tears quench not the public Fires In all Fraternities and Constitutions Among men are both errors and pollutions Yet safe converse for pious men hath been With such even then in all things but their sin 18. With others I preferred those petitions Which with Christ's prayer assentially agree With them I joined in all those confessions That seemed proper both to them and me Their persons I did much commiserate Who were in hazard by the War now waged With GOD I meekly did expostulate Concerning that wherein we are engaged For others sakes those fears my fears I made Whereof no sense for self-respects I had And wished all their hopes might be enjoyed Whereby their true bliss might not be destroyed 19 Although particulars inclusive are In Universals yet they who neglect Their single Duties justly lose their share In what the general Devoirs effect I have contributed my best endeavour To what I think is publicly intended And in that duty purpose to persever Which is to my performance recommended For all things and all men so far as they Are objects of our Prayers I do pray And when I doubt what to insist upon Conclude my prayer thus GOD'S will be done 20. Their welfare seeking who would me enslave The person I distinguish from his Crime And rather would a wicked people save Then let the Righteous be destroyed with them To their proceeds in wickedness I say GOOD speed to none and whensoe'er therefore I pray against their sins for them I pray Yea when they seem worst pray for them the more When LOT was prisoner among Sodomites Against their Foes to free him Abram fights When universal Plagues on us befall Not knowing good from bad I pray for all 21. I have a long time taken so much heed Both of GOD'S righteous and our crooked ways That whatsoe'er doth outwardly succeed I find just cause to give him hearty praise So oft experience I have likewise had My losses wants and those things which I feared To have been unto me more gainful made Then such as more desirable appeared That whensoe'er GOD granteth or denies My soul is pleased and on his love relies For when they seemed most severe to be His Judgements have been Mercies unto me 22. Such they were such they are such will be still Not unto me and to some few alone But if they be submissive to his will Such likewise at all times to every one And though he grants not always that Request Which is preferred he doth condescend To what is better yea to what may best Conduce to what we chiefly should intend If what we pray for he denies to grant Humility or Faith or Love we want Or else there are some other great defects In those Petitioners whom GOD rejects 23. Sin's National so far forth as they were Confessed in Public I with those confessed To whom I joined and in particular If possible they ought to be expressed I know we are obliged at this time Considering why together we did come To mention such or part at least of them As brought what we would be delivered from I hope such were acknowledged by many But since I heard it not performed by any I will enumerate some few of those Provoking sins from whence most danger flows For GOD at this time over all the Land Hath in displeasure stretched forth his hand And for our sins doth strike us here and there With every Judgement yea and every where 24. We are a Nation to whom God hath given As many privileges as bestown On any people that is under Heaven But therewithal more proud then thankful grown We overween as if we thought none were Our equals and with so much impudence Ourselves before our Neighbours do prefer That more Disgrace than Honour springs from thence Some vaunt as if none ought to be compared With them in what is by their valour dared And some as if none went or knew the way Whereby men shall ascend to heaun but they 25. If what GOD hath conferred or for us done Were mentioned to stir up thankfulness In us or to advance his praise alone Thence would spring many great advantages But that which most men rather do pursue Is but before men's eyes a Blind to raise And hide their shameful nakedness from view Or blow the Bubbles of an empty praise And as if we were not befoold enough With such ridiculous and frothy stuff In Ballads which are for such objects meet We sing out our own shame in every street 26 Perhaps in suchlike things the neighbouring Nations Opposing us as guilty are as we But our own sins in our Humiliations Is that which to confess obliged we be Our sins our sins are horrid great and many Those Plagues too which they bring on us are great Whereof there is not so much fence in any As aught to be nor such confessions yet So loath we are that other men should see Or we ourselves in what sad case we be That we our scabs and sores had rather hide With any Clouts then let them be espied 27. So loath we are in that course to proceed Which GOD and Reason offers to our heed So apt to take the clean contrary way To heed what every Mountebank doth say So venturous any hazard to endure Which our enjoyments present may secure So prone with Bugbears to be frighted from What may secure a happiness to come And are so wilful in pursuing things Which every day more mischiefs on us brings That very seldom we approve of that Which may be for our good till 't is too late 28. And then surprised with a sudden dread To any God to any Idol run Move every way like Dor without a Head Do every thing save that which should be done Catch hold on sticks and reeds and chips & straws To save ourselves descend to sawn on those Whom we contemned and to support our cause Against old Friends confederate with Foes Yea with the greatest enemy of Christ And rather hazard all our Interest In him than here to be deprived of that Which we enjoyed and have aimed at 29. We are so much inclined to rely Upon the trustless and bewitching Charms Of State-designs and humane policy On Armies Fleets and strength of our own Arms That we are deafer than th'inchanted Adder To those who show to us the way of peace Good counsel maketh us to be the madder And doth but raging violence increase Yet they who know they shall not be excused From doing their endeavour though abused Must speak what on their Consciences doth lie Whate'er thereby befalls and so will I. 30. Such times have be●n and such are come again Wherein the Sluggard to the Ant was sent The Wise instructed were by simple men How to reform their ways when they miswent GOD by them Kings reproud even for their sake Whom they had then enslaved and they were heard Yea unto Balaam by his Ass he spoke And at that present he escapd the Sword But they who to their words gave no regard Received their obstinacies due Reward They who were penitent escapd the blow Which then was threatened so shall all such now 31. o'er them a very dreadful Plague impends Whom to the will of men GOD doth expose Though such they be whom they suppose their friends And have thereof made fair external shows A greater Plague it is when known foes are Empowered upon them to excercise All cruelties and outrages of War Which rage will act and malice can devise But when so terrible a doom as this And mercy too much and oft slighted is It will be then more horrible than all That can be thought into God's hands to fall 32. Alas how shall this horror be prevented If none in such a time should silence break When should what is misacted be repent Unless to that intent the stones could speak And what may they speak likely to prevail Upon a Generation grown so giddy The Stars to do their duty did not fail The Elements have often spoke already And acted in their place as well as spoken What might our duties and God's mind betoken Yea so much and so oft that what they heard Or saw few men did credit or regard 33. Hereby are blessings turned into a curse Those hardened whom it should have softened more They who were bad before grow to be worse Some wicked who seemed good men heretofore Our sins are as  as Rocks Our Guides and Leaders either lame or blind The Shepherds as great stragglers as the Flocks And both alike to wickedness inclined That which we thought should make us doth undo us All things do seem to cry Woe woe unto us And that which should have moved men to repent Doth but their Rage and Blasphemies augment 34. Most against those by whom they were offended Are so imbitterd that although in them They see performances to be commended Such naytheless they totally condemn Yea those who have ingenuously confessed What seems to be in these worth approbation They judge to be Time-pleasers not the best Which is a bar to Reconciliation Our Proverb bids us give the devil his due And they the ways to peace do not pursue Who are unwilling in their Foes to see Good things as well as those that evil be 35. The Knowledge men have gotten hath destroyed That Love which ought thereby to be increased The Public peace that might have been enjoyed Is vitiated by Self-interest The Gospel is abused Law made a snare Or of Unrighteousness a confirmation The Consciences of men enslaved are To nothing left so free as Profanation The Rich do quarrel and the Poor must fight To serve their Lusts who do them little right And they whose Lives to pawn for them are laid With Deaths or Wounds or with neglect are paid 36. Religion is to Policy become A servile Handmaid and few persons are Conceived to be so dangerous as some Who are in Christian Piety sincere Now not to be like others Superstitious Or to be strict in moral Righteousness Gives cause of more suspect then to be vicious Or else at least it them ingratiates less Foundations are so overthrown that few Are safe in whatsoever they pursue For liberty life credit and estate In hazard are by all that aim thereat 37. Picked Juries and suborned Witnesses May if assisted then with partial udges Bring quickly to destruction whom they pleases Frustrate all Laws and all our privileges And what was never heretofore in Reason Thought probable charge falsely upon some The plotting and pursuing Plots of Treason At open meetings whither all may come In likelihood they have nor wit nor fear Nor need be feared who so foolish are And I might of my fear be much ashamed If I should fear such Plots as then were framed 38 Who err in malice or to get reward Shall forge an Accusation though it be Improbable with favour shall be heard When none seems guilty of the Plot but he They who of all men do least conscience make Of Perjury at pleasure may destroy An Innocent They who false Oaths dare take May rob rich men of all they do enjoy The Liar is not out of danger ever But he that speaks truth boldly is safe never Until his death unless by God protected From what may be by wicked men projected 39 This also doth increasing Plagues pretoken Unless we to repair it speedy are The Bond of Christian Charity is broken And brotherly affection lost well-near Both Persons and Societies seek more Their several new Structures to uphold Then Disciplines and Doctrines to restore Unto that purity which was of old From hence doth spring impair of peace and health In mind and body Church and Commonwealth For though few heed it thence our private Jars At first proceeded and then open Wars 40. All Constitutions both in Church and State Are for the most part made but properties To add a grandeur and repute to that Which pride and avarice did first devise Not those alone which may essential seem Unto the Civil power but also some Which have among Divine Rites most esteem Are serviceable to the flesh become Profaned is every holy Ordinance Self-profit or self-honour to advance Yea even the Lords day and the Sacraments Are made expedients for the same intents 41. Judgements & Mercies have not in their course Wrought that on us which they were sent to do For what should make us better makes us worse And others by our ill examples too Good counsels timely given we have slighted Scoffed and derided seasnable forewarnings Neglecting that whereto we were invited Both by our own and other men's discern And if these failings be not heeded more Now and in time to come than heretofore The Consequents will not much better be Whether the Dutch are Conquerors or we 42. Those Animosities we must repent Which are pretended to be laid aside Else pride and malice will so much augment Those Practices which more and more divide That as the ruin of Jerusalem Had been completed when the time was come By those three Factions which then wasted them Although it had not been destroyed by Rome So though we should subdue French Dutch & Dane Our own distempers would become our bane And that which others are inclined unto Our follies and our wilfulness will do 43. The breach of Covenants of Faith and Oaths We must lament and from that falsehood turn For GOD that capital transgression loathes Oaths now if ever make the land to mourn We must confess our sin of bloodshed too The Blood of Innocents' much more bewail And our oppressing them than yet we do Else of our expectations we shall fail For to no more a bare confession tends Then to increase our guilt without amends He that neglects performing what he knows To be his duty merits nought out blows 44. We have moreover failings by omissions Which it concerns us to be humbled for No less then for those actual transgressions Which we are now engaged to abhor Not one day no not one year will suffice To recollect them And yet if we would Ourselves but so much humble as it lies In us GOD would accept of what we could Hereof apparent evidences are In Nineveh and Nabuchadnezzar For by these Patterns King and People too Instructed are what in our case to do 45. When that King for his sins had been bereaven Of understanding and for seun years space To live with Beasts was from his Kingdom driven And re-inthroned when unlikely 't was Himself he did abase God's power confess Acknowledge him to be in chief adored Declare that power extol his righteousness And that Free grace by which he was restored Yea praised him for their deliverance Whom he himself oppressed them did advance Who suffered and reversed that Law whereby He had compelled them to Idolatry 46. This signal Pattern of Humiliation Was Royal but by one both popular And Regal unto what beseems a Nation In our condition we directed are At Nineveh there was not in a day Like this some in the Temples GOD adoring Some there inclined more to sleep then pray Some in an Alehouse or a Tavern roaring Some who did of their duties Conscience make Some who performed it but for fashion sake But I believe that with more Veneration They testified their Humiliation 47. Both King and People joined there as One In penitence net being less fincere Than formal in pursuing what was done Strict their commands and executions were The King his rich Apparel from him cast By good Examples precepts are made strong He and his Nobles did proclaim a Fast With all the Rites that to a Fast belong The Prophet was believed in what he said The Royal Proclamation was obeyed God thereto had so gracious a regard That King and People thereupon he spared 48. Alas how comes it that now Christian men Are deaf to what GOD'S Messengers do say Not so meek-hearted as those Heathens then More dead in Sins and Trespasses than they Imperfect was their Penitence no doubt Yet God accepted what they did endever And though perhaps their zeal did soon burn out He in vouchsafing mercy did presever So might it be with us if we would heed His judgements and perform what Ethnics did For GOD upon a Formal penitence Did with a part of ahab's doom dispense 49. But though we have as much cause to bewail Our sad condition we have much less fear And little or no sense of what we all Until with mischief overwhelmd well-near Then likewise we endeavour all we can To hide what cannot cured be till known Dissembling grossly both with GOD and Man And will not see what 's evidently shown Yea so presumptuous are that now GOD sends His Judgements and his Arm in wrath extends We labour to obscure it lest the heeding Of his Proceeds may hinder our proceeding 50. And as among the Jews in former ages There were false Prophets and corrupted Priests Who prophecid and preachd for Balaams' wages And to promote their carnal Interests Then Flattered them into Security So we have some among us who as much Do magnify this Nation's Piety As if it never had till now been such They boast of our prosperities increase And promise us both Victories and Peace As if vain words believed should rather be Then what we feel as well as hear and see 15. Though sensible enough of sin we are not To humble us or though Plagues yet deferred How near at hand soever we much fear not Nor thereby for this duty are prepared Methinks the loss of so much blood and Treasure As hath been spent At home decay of Trade And Manufactures in so large a measure Abroad in Colonies the havoc made Should humble us or that at least which hath More cause of dread than War or sudden Death To wit a PRESS whereby some grieved are More than by all the worst events of War 2. For War is pleasing to those Voluntaries Who Wealth or Honour hope thereby to gain Through every difficulty them it carries With very little sense of dread or pain By Sudden Death likewise all Plagues are ended Which Sin or Folly on our bodies bring Yea thereby finished ere apprehended In which respect no very dreadful thing But to be snatched at unawares away From all Relations by a Sudden PRESS And from all our Affairs as at this day Is more injurious than words can express Whole Families thereby destroyed become In soul and body it tormenteth some And thereby greater Griefs occasioned are Then do befall by life or death in War 54. I know well that the Civil powers intent The prosecution of those Services Which to their Substitutes they recommend Should be pursued without just Grievances And to inform us in this very case Of taking men to serve them in the Wars A Law among the Jews established was To be our Guide in some particulars Let it observed be lest that Oppression Which is occasioned by indiscretion Those persons to our damage may enrage Whom we think for our safety to engage 55. With others I did publicly be moon Those things which we ought jointly to deplore And in my Spirit I lament alone That for mine own Sins I can sigh no more I sigh for those two Pitchers which are knocking Against each other when they mind not me Yea when some are perhaps my sigh mocking Or not well pleased with my good meanings be I sigh to see their Charity decrease Who are pretenders to Religiousness Not for myself though I perceive 't is grown Less than it was five shillings in a Crown 56. I have now somewhat more than fifty years Been oft mine own and your Remembrancer And whilst I live as oft as cause appears Resolved am such Cautions to prefer For since GOD hath so long preserved me from A total Ruin in such Services I will continue during life to come Whilst I see need in services like these Not doubting but his Mercy shall outlast The Time to come as well as what is past And still as comfortably be enjoyed Though life in their pursuit should be destroyed 57 This I have therefore now contributed In private to what publicly was done With hopefulness that when it shall be read It will to good effect be thought upon For in the common Lot I shall have part To whatsoever the success may tend And dare to arrogate no self-desart More than they justly may who most offend From Public sins myself I count not free What is in others bad is worse in me Since he whom GOD so many years hath taught If bad is worse than others who are naught 58. Yet as there is no Righteousness in me That may with safety be confided in So whatsoe'er the Common Plagues may be In me there is no slavish fear of sin For in God's Promise and his Mediation Who hath Redeemed me ay so confide That I despair not of a Soul-salvation Whatever to my Body shall betid And know that whilst to live more than to die Shall tend to what GOD'S name may glorify My life shall comfortably be enjoyed When thousands round about me are destroyed And that all who are firm in this belief Shall see a glad end of their present Grief Lord in that patience keep me always strong Which to the Saints probation doth belong 50. There was a Promise made long time ago To some who then in our condition were And in what they were to believe and do As much as they we now concerned are To them it by GOD'S Prophet was declared That from their wickedness if they returned One with a Writers Inkhorn was prepared To set a Mark on all who truly mourned Assuring all who had his Mark upon them That when the common Judgements seized on them It should not harm them as to that at least In which a real safety doth consist 60. That Mark is set on thousands at this day And many Writers hither have been sent To show it and inform us how we may The Mischiefs threatened seasonably prevent Prophet's rise early and do sit up late To mind us of our duties yea there are Some thousands even this day declaring that Which they are bound to speak and we to hear To that end also GO hath now and then Employed me and my Despised Pen As at this time and at his feet I lay Wha● I have writ and what I have to say I might BUt hark methinks some Whisper I hear As it both Navies now engaged were And Lo the sudden Rumour of that Storm Startles my Muse into another form Before I am aware and makes me stop To heed what it contributes to my hope Fame speaks it louder and th' increasing sound On every side my person doth surround If what we fear succeeds let them speed worst At last who of this War gave just cause first And by both Parties let all be amended Wherein they jointly or apart offended More blood more fury still are brutish passions No whit abated by Humiliations No marvel then no good effects yet spring To peace conducting by my Trumpeting When I first saw a likelihood of breaking Our Pitchers by the Preparations making For that wherein divine expedients fail Humane endeavours little can prevail My heart is pinched betwixt hope and fear By musing upon what I see and hear With that whereto our Actings may amount When we of all events have had account Fame tells us that the English and the Dutch Have fought five days together This is much And I think so implacable a Rage Was rarely paralleled in any Age If as it is reported neither side Gave Quarter whatsoever did betid How that with Christian charity may be Consistent it appeareth not to me Or how it quadrats with the tender nature That 's pro●er to a reasonable Creature Nor do I know infallibly how far It is permissive in an actual War Nor is it known to any till ●e tries The justness of it in extremities To censure that I therefore will forbear Which lies without the compass of my Sphere King David in some cases such things did As Natural compassion doth forbid This I dare say no man can see that end Whereto a brutish fury will extend When both provoked and let loose to do Whatever it shall then be prone unto I clearly gather from our contestations What may be truly judged of both Nations As to their daring and Couragiousness Which I in few words fully will express Even thus for nothing parallels it fitter Two English Mastiff Dogs never fought better Nor hath aught oft been acted heretofore Which evidenced humane courage more If all be truly said which we have heard This day of these Antagonists averd For though some Cowards upon either side Were so amazed they knew not what they did And some when blinded by the fires and smoke Slaughtered those Friends whom they for Foes In that long combat neither of the two mistake The other did in any thing outdo And which deserveth heed no wind yet wags That brings us tidings of such Fears or Brags As usually are published abroad When Rivals are engaged in this mode And that to me presageth a success Which may to both contribute happiness If meekly they and we submit unto What GOD vouchsafeth to permit or do Who did a Mercy unto both begin When he withheld the French from coming in Which Mercy though yet hidden will be seen When time removes that artificial Screen Which an abusive Policy invents To interpose 'twixt actions and intents Heed therefore let both take when this fight ends How it concerns both quickly to be Friends What may be quite lost what may yet be saved How both may by their Discord be enslaved What great Plagues they now feel what may betid More grievous if they further should divide What great advantages it might bring thither Where they their Strength & Courage join together Not thereupon as heretofore presuming Neither that glory to themselves assuming Which appertaineth unto God alone Nor vaunting of what their own hands have done Nor la'bring Breaches to repair with Lies Nor putting upon Truths a false disguise A fault now so habitual become That 't is not easily refrained from Nor sacrificing what GOD doth abhor Or that which at the best he cares not for But giving what he still takes in good part Though meritless an Humble contrite heart Then that the Mercies deigned may be prolonged Let not his Saints in any wise be wronged Among whom many will be found at last On whom the world reproachful terms hath cast For when or wheresoever Peace he makes It is at their Requests and for their Sakes Whereas no Peace is true or long possessed Where Innocents' are causelessly oppressed Especially where they oppressed are Who serve GOD with a conscientious fear According to their knowledge of this Crime Neither the Dutch nor they who now with them Associate so guilty are as we Do at this present day appear to be And I believe 't was therefore that GOD'S hand Enabled them our Forces to withstand And still preserves both that both might more heed What they have done and how they should proceed Among those things by them and us misdone Provoking GOD'S displeasure this alone Next mentioned is enough without one more Us in all our Plantations to undo For to advance our carnal Interest We parallel the Practice of the BEAST In merchandizing Souls Yea more than so Have set to sale both Souls and Bodies too In many Colonies our Avarice Which is one root of every other Vice Gave partly an occasion of that Jar From whence first sprung this present bloody War And which at last will totally destroy Both that which we in Foreign Lands enjoy And here at Home unless we shall with speed Repent that course wherein we do proceed We do not only there both sell and waste men's Bodies whilst their lives and strength do last In bondage and in labour like a Beast From which they have no hope to be released But miserably keep them too inslaud Without the means whereby the Soul is saved Whereas a blessing both to them and us Might be procured by endeavouring thus Even by providing Conscientious Preachers To be one day in every week their Teachers This would in part at least excuse the Crime Whereby Gild lies on many at this time ay seriously have heeded with compassion What them concerns who have to God relation And in particular what I beheld Or heard concerning those of late Exiled For Consciencesake How much ado there was How much time spent to send them to the place Of their Confinement what within short time Befell thereby to others what to them Worth observation and how they were cast Into the power of our Dutch Foes at last To whom their Ship and Goods are made a prey Who undertook to carry them away Whence I collect that we shall nothing win Whilst we are guilty of so great a Sin And that by long continuance in this guilt Much blood that might besaved will be spilt Of this sin therefore let an Expiation Be constantly endeavourd through the Nation And henceforth 'twixt the English and the Dutch Let nothing be contended for so much As whether shall the other most excel In Love in Piety and doing well Let both petition for Grace Truth and Peace And for their mutual Amity's increase Let them not Fast to be protected in Their quarrelings but fast from Strife and sin And when Humiliations they pretend Begin them with beginning to amend Withhold their hands from Lawless Violences Not cloak Hypocrisy with fair pretences Nor think when God vouchsafes Deliverance It is their Pride and Selfness to advance Or that when they a Victory have won 't was got that they might do as they have done This though Humiliation we pretend I fear by very many is designed For Providence hath brought me to behold What I should not have credited if told The dreadful hazards which we now are in So little moves to penitence for Sin That I have heard of one this day who from The last Engagement came sore wounded home Who ere those wounds were cured did by another Endeavour how he might corrupt the Mother To be her daughter's Bawd and to contrive The means how they might in uncleanness live This I have heard and whether yea or no See probability it may be so Alas what will ensue thereon in fine If this should be the general design Oh! let each individual Soul beware Of such presumptions lest they spread so far That GOD in his provoked indignation Wholly destroy this wicked Generation In chief let those Grand Parties whose escapes Yet give them time beware of a Relapse And hear him For assured then I am That he according to the Chronogram Upon my Title page us will so bear That this will prove to be a happy year Let us for bear to vaunt as we have done Of Conquests whilst our Arms are putting on For an example of that folly have I In their invincible so called Navy Which was in Eighty eight upon our Coasts Destroyed after many shameless Boasts God grant that Sixty six be not to us For such like Vaunt as unprosperous I hope the best and I as much do fear The worst according as our Actings are If possible it be let an Accord Be made by Christian Prudence not the Sword For that Cure usually doth leave a Scar From whence at last breaks forth another War If to no end our Quarrels can be brought Till we have to the utmost fought it out Let them whom GOD shall pleased be to crown With Signal Victory themselves bow down In true Humility as low as they Who then have lost the glory of the day Such Mercy showing as they would have shown U●●● themselves if that case were their own And mind what Plagues GOD threatens to inflict On them who add grief where he doth correct Else to avenge their Cruelty and Pride A greater Foe shall rise up in his stead Who was destroyed and they shall then have That Measure to them given which they gave When all this and much more than this is done We may as far be as when we begun From being truly humbled For with leaving Gross sins there enters often a deceiving Whereby the Soul may be polluted more And in more danger than it was before Unless we shall together with a loathing Of all sins Value our ownselves at nothing For we have nought good but by imputation Which to confess is true Humiliation If done sincerely It will then abide The Test when thus it shall be qualifide And we soon after shall behold or hear What will complete our Hope and banish Fear For GOD in Mercy always doth return To all who for offending him so mourn WHilst this was writing Tidings we received Which very willingly we then believed That we were Victors God vouchsafe thereto A blessed consequence if it prove so Make us whatever otherwise befell Sincerely thankful that we speed so well Still mindful of the hazards we were in Before that Doubtful Trial did begin And be henceforth obedient to his calls Lest else a worse thing suddenly befalls For most to fear him we have then most cause When an impending Judgement he withdraws Since in our Duties if we then grow slack Vengeance with double Rigour it brings back But much more when instead of Penitence Those Faults renewed are which first gave offence That News came whilst the People were in prayer Some hopeful some afraid some in despair Such medleys making of Words Thoughts and Passions As oft befall in sudden Alterations And peradventure caused some to forget To what end they that day together met For many had expressed signs of Gladness Before they gave one sign of Sober sadness Days of Thanks giving and Humiliation Being by them observed still in one fashion And by their various Postures those Digressions Occasioned were which vary my Expressions We were nor like Jews-harps on Willows hung But like those which are always tuned and strung For Jigs and we a Triumph-song begun Before our Lamentation-song was done From laying by our vain Desires and Boasts From Sanctifying of the Lord of Hosts With filial awe and Praise to him returning For joyful Tidings on our Day of mourning We were so far that eun before we knew Or could hear certainly the News was true We skipped abruptly from Humiliation Into our Antic mode of Exultation Joining ourselves to throngs of Fools and Boys In Triumphs which consist of Squibs and Noise Of Healths and Bells and Fires and Tunes and Smoke Thanksgiving Tools in which delight we took Objects of Scorn to wisemen rendering us To grave Spectators more ridiculous Than pleasing And instead of some Relief To sufferers an increasing of their Grief Chiefly to those poor Orphans and sad Wives Whose Husbands and whose Fathers limbs and lives Were lost in that Engagement whereof they Had little Sense or drank the same away Whilst they who hardly scaping it lay grieving Their safety rather doubting then believing And these too when grown sober found they had Not so much cause of Mirth as to be sad An outward Joy expressed with moderation And Triumphs are not without Approbation When they shall be exhibited in season And for ends justified by sound Reason Yet for all Victories they are not so Nor the same things fit at all times to do King David knew it did not him become To triumph when he conquered Absolom And I have seen for Victories of late Much less to be rejoiced in than that Great Joy expressed yea for a Conquest won Thanksgivings also rendered where was none At all times by all men are Praises due And thanks to God for all things that ensue On our Endeavours for in all he doth Inclusively are comprehended both Justice and Mercy yet our thanks to GOD Is not on all occasions in one mode To be expressed nor ought we to pretend His Glory when 't is for another end Lest he in our Destruction or our shame Provoked be to glorify his Name In both our late Engagements GOD hath done That which both Nations ought to think upon With much more heed and much more thankfulness Then either we or they do yet express This month last year when we did glorify Ourselves for a supposed Victory I did contribute then as I do now My single Mite as well as I knew how To praise GOD for his Mercy making none With him a sharer in what he had done Then offering also to consideration Such things as tended to Humiliation Much to the same effect with that which here I tender in another mode this year But GOD who times and Orders all we do My purpose knowing put a Stop thereto Perhaps lest if it had been publishd then It had exasperated more some men Both to their own and to my detriment Then was consistent with my good intent For by my Printers death what I then did In some unknown hand till this day lies hid And possibly may come again to light By that time this is brought to open sight Meanwhile I will proceed with what this day A New Occasion prompteth me to say The said Engagements now already past Which if GOD please I wish might be the last By Providential means have made their swords Speak more than else with so much power in words Could have been spoken to persuade us to What it will most concern us both to do For whatsoever Policy and Pride Have published abroad on either side 't is evident or may be so to either Our Earthen Pitchers are so knocked together That one or two more such like knocks will break them So small that useless Potsherds it will make them Except to patch up the Designs of those Who seem their Friends to whom they will be Foes This would be better heeded if it were Propounded by a Private Counsellor A Bishop or a Judge Thus I suppose Till I remember that the best of those Have writ and spoke in vain yet then were they Obliged to speak their conscience so am I But many who to be my Friends would seem And not me or my words to disesteem Persuade me in thes: matters to be mute Tell me that my Attempts produce no fruit Save mischiefs to myself and other some Affirm this Meddling doth no● me become I thank their wisdoms but am not so wise As to believe they prudently advise A Fool may to good purpose speak sometimes And they have found sound Reason in my Rhymes Who were not so adverse to words in season That they loud neither Truth nor Rhyme nor Reason Th' effects to other men will be the same Whether to them I speak or silent am Yet since with profit I have heretofore Spoke somewhat I will speak a little more Because I know the damage will not be So great then in relation unto me As unto those men who shall be offended With what is conscientiously intended Successes good and bad are shared so even Between them by his Justice who from heaven Beholds both what they did in every place With whatsoe'er by them intended was That if on both sides Truth might be expressed It would by them and others be confessed The Sword hath spoke a loud and plainly too That which both Nations speedily should do That it speaks also what they do intend On whose Assistances they much depend And hints that both in their proceeds at length May be devoured by their own Wealth and Strength For whereunto amounts all we have heard Three days together to and fro averd But certainty of Ruin on both sides To which soever best success betides What have we heard by that which pro and con Hath been reported of what 's lost and won But contradictions intermixed with sounds Of Lamentations Losses Deaths and Wounds And with relation of a Victory Which with enfeebled and lame wings doth fly None certainly informed of what 's done Or of that which may follow thereupon We hear sad News one day as bad next morrow Or worse perhaps and shall have daily sorrow Till of their sorrows we more sense have got Whose Sufferings we do know and pity not And till our Nation shall discharge that better Where●n to GOD and Man it is a Debtor I have with heedfulness perused that Sea-Gibbersh which is publishd to relate What passed in the Naval fight between Both Fleets with what to some a ground hath been To think the Victory is on our side And that we st●ll victorious do abide If so it were because it might prevent The Foes proud brags our Friend's discouragement Or superfede their Fears I should be glad And thankful for the good success we had But nothing therein mentioned found I out Whence I could pick forth what to find I sought All I could thence collect was but thus much That We were heaten and did beat the Dutch Till they were glad at last to sail away And we as glad they did no longer stay He that was otherwise informed thereby Doth understand much more or less than I And for ourselves I know no reason why We should if we for GOD ought not to Lie For though it is imprudence to reveal All Truths at all times and not to conceal What may occasion mischiefs never should The Truth be falsesaid or Untruths be told And more advantage would to us ensue If our Intelligence were always true Indeed I found in that Express much wit In such terms as that Subject did befit As also very much related there To magnify those who then active were For our defence And I well pleased am With what may add to their deserved Fame To them I grudge no meed or honour due Who prudently and valiantly pursue Their undertake But God's praise alone Is my chief Aim To praise what men have done Is to my proper work impertinent And also at this time to my intent If by omitting that I shall offend In prosecutions to a better end Or if that any shall malign me more For this who di● not love me heretofore I shall not think it strange For I of late Merely for Speaking and for Writing that Which both to God's prdise and Man's welfare are tends Lose daily very many seeming Friends Whereby if they no whit indamagd are I shall not for what haps to me much care Especially whilst that which I design Tends to God's praise without selfends of mine To which intention that which now is read In these few pages is contributed And though like Jeremiahs' Lamentation Or David's humblings this Humiliation Is not besprinkled with corporeal tears Or worded with Hyberbolies like theirs Nor strewed with Ashes nor in Haircloth dressed Or with such formal-complements expressed As may be and ofttimes assumed are As well by Hypocrites as Men sincere Or though it may want what affects the Sense I hope that which affects th' Intelligence It shall not want nor aught which to that end Is needful whereto I the same intent And 't is exhibited in such a mode I hope too as will pleasing be to GOD. What he hath done at this time seems to me Not so much heeded as it ought to be To make us thankful nor do we express What we pretend in way of thinkfulness As it becomes us neither do we show it As doth beseem him unto whom we owe it But act it with such vain appurtenances And break out into such Extravagances As to our Sins are rather an addition Then signs of Thankfulness or true Contrition For though at full informed I have not been What straits and what great hazards they were in Or of what might have happened unless then Assisted more by Providence than Men Thus much is likely we were so entrapped That by our own power we had not escaped A total Rout if Providentially There came not in a seasonable supply For had not GOD sent Rupert timely back The Fleet with Albemarl had gone to wrack Or both perhaps then been destroyed together Had not GOD sent the French we know not whither Yea somewhat in that Providence I see Which our Foes ought to heed as much as We. GOD grace vouchsafe both unto us and them To heed whereto it tends whilst there is time And unto me and every person living Timely Repentance and sincere Thanksgiving Ere these few Cautionary exhortations Which I think proper to Humiliations I do conclude I 'll add this Corollary In hope that some the same in mind will carry Though very great our Streighrs and Hazards are And those may be much greater which we fear Seek Remedies by no dishonest course Lest thereby we still make the mischief worse That were to do like them who when an Evil Befalls run to a Witch or to the Devil Who such Cures only for his Patient's hath As their who kill themselves through fear of Death It hath been thought ye● ● have oft been told That I in my Attempts have been too bold Yet I think no man standeth in more dread Of doing aught which is not warranten By common Justice For I dare not act To save my life in any such like f●ct Nor would my Conscience let me step in peace Should I but wink at an Unrigh eousness Which might by me be hundred though to gain That which I do most covet to obtain Till I repented it nay I should dread A Vengeance were impending o'er my head If I in secret wished advance unto My hopes by what another might misdo Without my knowledge or by aught not right Both in GOD'S eye and every good man's sight Which I profess that others might beware Of such Ill consequents as I now fear If we believe there is a GOD that heeds The Patience of the Sain●s and our Procreeds Let us not still persist as we have done Within man's corscience to usurp GOD'S Throne As many do in most presumptaous wise Even whilst his heavy hand upon us lies For he will shortly make it to appear None ought but he to sit in Judgement there As also what th●y merir who offend So highly when an humbling they pretend At Ho●re from persecuting of them cease Who do not interrupt the civil peace Let for bear in an inhuman mode More to divide us and our foes abroad Let us leave off those Rail at each other Which hinder the uniting us together T●ll GOD shall judge the cause that is depending Between the Nations which are now contending Let none of us who in ou private Stations Are called to sincere Humiliations Presume to judge them further than he knows Their Actings and what Judgements GOD allows In doubtful Tria s But with Humbleness At end on ose of the success 〈…〉 as tears and prayers What ●l●e●h Immergencies of our Affairs 〈…〉 require lest we betray 〈…〉 ves and th●m we should obey 〈…〉 private share is part of that Which ●s the Joint Stock of the Public State A●d ought propositions ably ●o b● shared As shall b● to make a Public Gard. others are thereby invited to Is which conscientions● I do For this end though I am so bereft Of I hd that ●o h●ing now is left But Alms to live on I have ever since ● and T●xes out of that B nevol●nce And will not grudge to do it whilst GOD shall That way any way give wherewithal ●hat he Public strength may not decline Will take h●ed that it be no Fault of mine By not contributing what I think may Be thereto needful in an evil day If well it be employed GOD will bless Their prudent Management and Faithfulness Who therewith are entrusted ●f unjust Therein th●y prove and shall deceive our trust 't will be deste uctive only to th' Abusers And faithful men will be at last no Loser's For when the Kingdom which we look for cometh All men shall have their just deserved Dooms Hereof to me GOD hath oft Earnest given By aids vouchsafed as it were from Heaven At every need By him I have been fed With Manna Quail s and with my daily bread I know not else either by whom or how For some years lately pnst and so am now Without suspect of aught which may be fall Whether my gathering shall be much or small Yea now while I behold despairing fear In most men's faces almost every where Although the day now very gloomy be Though falling off our Chariot-wheels I see Their Drivers with much difficulty driving Against Waves Rocks and Sands our Leaders striving And GOD in this day of our great distress Within a Black Cloud hiding yet his Face A Glummering I naytheless perceive Of Mercy shining on all who believe With Symptoms of the like aspect to them Who yet believe not if they turn to him Turn therefore oh return unto him now Hear him and he will give an ear to you But I fear most men so corrupt are grown That my words are on them in vain bestown Lest therefore what I write they heed the less I at this present will no more express And since in our case there 's no help in Man His aid I will implore who help us can LEt GOD arise Arise LORD I implore thee And let all those who hate thee fly before thee Rebuke them who thy Adversaries are The Bulls and Calves who take delight in War Aswel the Common People as their Kings Till all the world to thee due tribute brings Lee those destroying Angels which are sent To chastise us make a distinguishment Between them who through Human frailty sin Without persisting wilfully therein And such as have been unto thee and Thine Malicious Foes a long time by Design Or who not only against us now be Confederates but likewise against Thee In Mercy look again on us and those Who are at this day our professed Foes Lest the pursuit of what is yet intended Consumes both Nations ere the war be ended Now so unclose the Eyes of every Nation Which hath pretended to a Reformation That they may see how much they have been blinded How they depraved are and howself-minded So prudent make all Governors and Kings So qualify the People's murmurings So let thy holy Spirit sanctify Each Congregational Society So show to every Individual one What ought to be believed and to be done Together and Apart which may improve That Principle of Universal Love In which the Being of the world begun Whereby preserved while Time wheeleth on And by which that perfection shall be gained Which was by thy Eternal Love ordained That we regenerated may become And not continue till the day of Doom So stupefied in our sins as they Who were at last with Water washed away Or Sodom-like in sinning persevere Until with Fire consumed as they were But let what thou haft done sufficient be To turn thee unto us and us to Thee I do confess shouldst thou be so severe As but to heed how bad the best men are Among us all there could be found out none Who might be called Righteous no not one Of whatsoever Calling or Degree Whether Priest Prophet a King it be Or of the common Rank Lord naytheless In Mercy and in thy Son's Rigteousness Vouchlafe to look upon us and to cure Our single and our joint distemperature At this time to those Lustings put an end Which makes us more than brutishly contend For trifles and to brawl curse lie and swear Like Dogs for bones to scramble scratch and tear Fight wound and kill each other without heed Of what we do or of what may succeed Yea so inhumanely as if now here The Devils clothed with Humane bodies were Hell as it were broke loose and they come hither With purpose to bring Hell and Earth together That which this may portend secure us from Hollow thy Name and let thy kingdom come Thy will be done on Earth as 't is in Heaven Give us the bread of Life and that forgiven Our sins may be let us forgive each other And henceforth live in Amity together On us let not temptations then prevail When then permittest any to assail Our persons that we may in our Probations Be constant and enjoy our expectations Let neither presnt past or future evil The tempt of the World the First or Devil Hive pour to harm or fright us any more With Plagues and Wars as now and heretofore Especially let them not us ensnare With those sins whereof these the wages are Wholly to thee ourselves let us resign Counsels the Kingdom Pour and Glory thine Without a partner and henceforth forbear To seek our Kingdom Pour and Glory here Whilst that time lasts wherein in things yet remain Undone which to thy Glory appertain And wherein we must further be employed Before the Man of Sin shall be destroyed Who very oft usurps a lodging where Thy Kingdom is although he Reigns not there Him to resist vouchsafe Assisting Grace To every one of us in his own place Preserve us blameless in that Dispensation Whereto a Conscentious inclination Without self-ends hath joined us so to use Our Liberty that we do not abuse The Christian Freerdom by including on Thy Right or by imposing that upon Another's conscience by usurped power Which we would not should be imposed on our And so incline those also to do thus To whom thou givest power over us That none may to obey them forced be By being disobedient unto thee But let our Duties be performed in Peace To thee and to all men in Righteousness And that both We and our Superiors too May be the more kept heedful what to do Make them to know that if in what relates To Thee the humane Laws or Magistrates Must be obeyed in all they shall command However they or we shall understnd Thy revealed then if the Kingdom be The Turks or Popes we must believe as he And thy will and thy Deity thenceforth Stand for a Cyther or for what 's less worth For tha● will be the consequence thereof Though Politians at his Truth will skoff Me therefore unto what thou callst me to Keep firm in spite of all the world shall do The single and the joint Humiliation of King and People bless with acceptation Although what hath been done prayed or confessed Will not abide thy Sanctuery Test For hope of an acceptance none there is If thou shouldst mark all things that are am'ss And saved from what 's deserved here would neither Be Good or Bad men but sink altogether Let in one Duty none be so ●mployd That all the rest be slighted or made void So let us Hear that we as aswel may Do As Hea ken what thy word persuades unto So let us strive to Do that having done The best we can we trust not thereupon And so Believe too that we may improve Our Faith still more both by Good works and Love Remembering it is Love that doth fulfil The Law the Gaspel and thy total will Let thin own Spirit help urs so to pray That we may mind Thee more than what we say Since to Speak words less needful is to thee Then telling our own hearts what our thoughts be And chiefly used that we might discern Or h●●d the better those things which concern Ourselves and Brethren because none can show That unto thee which thou didst not foreknow Words oft are forsook to others with intent To counterfeit that which was never meant To such ends as we ought to make Addressing To thee are all my Prayers and Confessings To such ends I now offer here in words Those Muse which my narrow heart affords And which drawn and pressed out of it have been By those great straits we still continue in To such ends 1 implore thee in this mode Accept of this Oblation my dear GOD Give us his Righteousness who took our Gild Love us and then do with us what thou wilt These Muse me did waking keep When other men were fast asleep And may when I a nap am taking Keep others peradventure waking GOD grant we may so help each other To watch by turns or altogether That when the Bridegroom doth appear Although at midnight we may hear And keep our Lamps in such a Trim That we may entrance have within Written June 17. this sad year MDCLX VI. That which is mentioned in the thirty fifth page aforegoing being imprinted in or about June 1665 and ever since concealed by reason of the Printers death is now come to light and hereto added in the three next following sheets There are many faults escaped in the Printing by reason of the Author's absences which the Reader must correct where he finds them FINIS