Mixt contemplations in better times by Thomas Fuller ...

VII. After-born.

A Ladie big with Child was con∣demned to Perpetual Impri∣sonment, and in the Dungeon was delivered of a Son; who continued with her 'till a Boy of some bignesse: It happned that one time he heard his Mother (for see neither of them could, as to discern in so dark a place) bemoan her Condition.

VVhy Mother (said the Child) do you complain, seeing you want nothing you can wish, having clothes, meat and drink sufficient; Alas! Child (re∣turned the Mother) I lack Libertie, Converse with Christians, the light of

the Sun, and many things more, which thou being Prison-born, neither art nor can be sensible of in thy condition.

The POST-NATI, understand thereby such Striplings born in Eng∣land, since the Death of Monarchy therein, conceive this land their mo∣ther to be in a good Estate. For one fruitfull harvest followeth another, commodities are sold at reasonable rates, abundance of brave clothes are worn in the City, though not by such persons, whose Birth doth best become, but whose Purses can best bestow them.

But their MOTHER-ENG∣LAND doth justly bemoan the sad difference betwixt her present and former condition, when she enjoyed full and free trade without payment of Taxes, save so small, they seemed rather an acknowledgement of their Allegiance, then a Burthen to their Estate; when she had the Court of a King, the House of Lords, yea and the

Lords House, decently kept, constant∣ly frequented, without falsehood in Doctrine or Faction in Discipline. God of his goodnesse restore unto us so much of these things, as may consist with his glory and our good.