The recantation of the prelate of Canterbury being his last advice to his brethren the bishops of England : to consider his fall, observe the times, forsake their wayes, and to joyne in this good work of reformation.

Palinodia Cantuariensis.

THough the wicked hath settled his habitation with the Eagle among the Starres, and say in his minde, I shall not be changed, I shall not taste of affliction, neither shall the dayes of Adversity lay hold on me, yet there is an appointed time for all things, And the Al∣mighty who hath disposed the whole world, and hath charge over the Earth, will not pervert Judgement, His Eyes are upon the wayes of Man, He seeth all his goings, There is no darknesse, nor shaddow of Death where the workers of ini∣quity may hide themselves, but in end the ful∣nesse of destruction will come upon them, as the wide breaking in of Waters: Terrors will persue their souls as the Winde, and their welfair shall passe away as a Cloud.

To these great Verities do I now humble my self, and in the sense of that convincing power (my reverend Brethren, who should be to your times the Beauty of Integrity) that shakes my minde as an Earthquake, do I pronounce the children of Wisedome blessed, and that no State is so good, so sure, so happy, as the State of a good conscience. But alas, the immoderate de∣sire of a foolish glory, and the passion to raise my condition to an height as unlawfull as unbesee∣ming,

and the want of an humble affection to truth, and hatred of error, hath now produced me an example to after ages, and a beaken to preserve you from Ship wrack, since therefore my angry Starres, will that I forfeit my reputation to shame, and my life t•• Justice; Suffer me (ye that have had a Communion of Fortune with me, and on whom the door of Favour is not, yet altoge∣ther shat) Suffer me to pour further my Soul in the bosome of your compassion: Resigne all your tears to me, that I may weep for this day, this day of indignation, which hath swallowed me up as a prey, and wherein destruction hath come upon me like an armed man, Receive these my words, my last words, I bequeath to you the Counsels of Truth, which if ye treasure up in your minde, will be a Cordiall to make you live, and not die, for now I am upon the borders of Time, The Vail is removed, and I must enter Eternity, Tis no more time to dally with the Gospell, and the World.

Ye have been my Fellow-Labourers in a strange Work, which we must now confesse, is not of God, and therfore wonder not, if it tumble down. We have miserably prostituted our souls to the Imagination of a Miter, whose Glory cannot save us in the day of shame, And all our endeavours have been to erect an Hierarchy, upon the Ruines of Religion and Common-wealths. O consider this, ye that sigure to your self a happinesse, where there is none, and look what pleasure I have of those things, whereof I am now ashamed, No no∣thing but the comfortlesse stings of a restlesse re∣membrance,

of by gone unanswerable deeds, w•••• I speak with horror, and professe with a bleeding heart. I have embraced that Shaddow which ye so hotly court; I have been lift up to the Pinacle of the Temple, whereat ye so zealously aspire, and was gazed upon as a Starre, which gave life, and motion to you all; I have trode these same paths wherein ye contend, and liberally tasted these empty pleasures of preferments. And of all my labours, have reaped nothing, but hatred, and ruine to my self, misery, and reproach to the Church.

And it is in vain to put the day of evill, and Ju∣stice far from me, for it He that lately did swim in his Princes smiles, on vvhom Nature had be∣stowed her great abilities with a liberall hand, and Fortune had bountifully opened her Brest, could finde no eloquence to be with the sword of Justice, nor to mollifie the cruelty of the times, but behoved to drink the unavoidable Cup pre∣sented to him, What can I expect when the Ap∣petite of revenge is set on edge? And if Wrath has so easily travelled over Mountains, how shall it not strike flat the Molehils: If the angry thun∣der made the noble Cedars shrink, how shall not the silly shrubs, lately crept from the mud of the Valleys be drowned in their Primitive basenesse? I will not harbour the least hopes of escape, or think that my Surplice stained with the adulte∣rous spots, of the great whore, can plead favour, when the purple richly dy'd with the rayes of His Majesties Countenance, could not meet with pardon.

Though I have hitherto deckt my self with a kinde of Majesty, and Grace, in my Prelaticall pride arrayed with Splendor, and taught the gazing times to hide my faults, giving my Plots good Fortune, yet behold, an ungratious light (sudden as a Tempest at Sea) hath discovered my nakednesse, and publisht my shame; I am vile, and abased, trode down, and hid in the dust; Judgement and Justice take hold on me, and cast abroad the rage of their wrath, which will cer∣tainly extend their terrours to you, and grinde you to powder, if ye forsake not these wayes, whose going down are to the chambers of death. And therefore while my Oyl is yet lasting, and my Taper weakly burning, I will disclose the true causes of this great misery, and help you with an upright confession of my wayes, as a Sacrifice for my self (if it were possible to expiat the stain of my dishonour, and appease the Worlds displea∣sure, Universall as the Sunne-Beams, and hot consuming flames) and a Testimony against you (O children of defection) in the day of your accompt.

That I might appear a great Church-man of vast desires, and designes, being radically resolved to set up a Tyrannicall Power in the Persons of Prelates, over the worship of God, over the con∣sciences, liberties, and goods of the People, It cannot be denyed, but I have negotiated most eagerly, and strained all Possibilities, and Stra∣tagems of State, to erect an Hierarchy, forget∣ting the directions of the Gospel, and the bonds of Monarchy, and the cryes of the oppressed,

leaving nothing undone to promote my intenti∣ons, and atchieve my ends, to which I had eman∣cipated all thepowers of my mind, with so strong a Passion, as if I had been sent into the world for no other purpose, or as if the glory of God had been interessed, the honor of the King woun∣ded, and all Religion had consisted in Episcopacy.

This I thought to effectuate two manner of wayes, especially, first by establishing my self at home in England, in the power of Sole and uni∣versall Jurisdiction, and that I might attain to be a Patriarch, for which ye know I have not stuck to plead contentiously. 2. By bringing the neigh∣bour Nations of His Majesties Dominions, but most particularly that Kingdom of Scotland (to me so fatall) under my verge, and to the obedi∣ence of these novations, and alternations, wherein my Grandeur, and this change did essentially consist; With what excrbitancy of overdaring pride, and what insolency I have swayed all in the Church of England. How impudently I laid by the pastorall duty, and a care to approve my self to the eternall and secular Powers; how I have neglected all fear of Laws, of censure and shame, since I obtained the chair of Canterbury, and begun my Antichristian raign, imposing absolute Tyran∣ny on the souls and wils of people, shall the after∣age be hardly induced to beleeve. O b••t behold your poor Primitive mother, the distressed Church of this Iland, (if you be the children con∣cerned in her bleeding miseries) and look how wofully she is torn, how we have opened her ten∣der sides, pulled her Crown from her head, and

trode her under foot, Nay she lyes breathlesses, all covered with wounds, with sores all defiled, And those glorious twins, Religion and Peace, who loved to triumph here, sweetly kissing each other, spreading over us the beauty of their hal∣cyonian dayes, how have we alas so shreudly, so undeservedly banished, and given place to the unquiet furies of ugly error, and bloudy warre, so that whiles she lyes labouring, like a disgraced Virgin under the throwes of her thick coming sorrows, in all the corners of the land, may it justly, be complained.

Postquam interna furor discerpere viscera caepit, Omnia membra labant, soluto & defecta vigore, Tabescunt, tota penitus compage soluta A capite ad calcem vestigia nulla salutis Quippe ubi cor languct, vitalia cuncta laborant. Quis miserae queat Ecclesiae memorare dolores, Vulnera deflere lachrimis? mala dicere verbis? Nec mihi si centum linguae, totidem ora sonarent, Nec si Mconii Vatis torrente redundem, Nec si mell••fl••i contingat Musa Maronis Haec satis enumerem, subsint aut verba volenti.

But now her cryes have peirced the Clouds, and he that said he would come, does come full of vengeance, with phials of wrath in his hand to poure upon those who have so sore oppressed her. I did voluntary forego her wo, and Sacrificing to the lusts of my own minde, I lul'd the world a sleep, that the throne which I was building, for the greatnesse of my name, might rise more safe∣ly,

I had erected a kinde of Inquisition through the whole Land, and none dared so much to look stern upon the face of Episcopacy, (though they had been most eminent in all the graces of the Spirit) but presently behoved to be crushed; I had so cunningly interlaced the Image of the Beast, with His Majesties Pourtrait, that none durst inveyagainst the one, but presently behoved to injure the other (thus caught within the com∣passe of Treason,) by a strange Divinity, assuring the world, that the Crown could not flourish on the Kings head, without the Fellowship of a Mi∣ter; All my pretentions were deeply guilded with the Beams of Authority, which through Inadvertencie, and fashion of Times, I made Usher in such strangers, as deflored the Church, abused the State, and dishonoured the whole Do∣minion.

When the seeds of Arminianisme, Superstition, and Popery, (by my Episcopall law more tende∣ring the honour of Hierarchy, then the Gospels integritie) simplicity had been very Luxuriant, and over-run the whole Vineyard, I knew that as Rome was now filled with joy, for the fair hopes of our return to her, so was England, and all the Churches reformed choakt with fear and sorrow; For alas, even as the Earth looks sad, and sullen, at the Sunnes departure, and every Tree, every flower puts forth a tear when he renews his com∣fort, Why do not we conceive the lovers of the Spirit of truth, must be dismayed, wounded in heart, and cloathed in sorrow when truth is banisht from out the face of the Earth. Yet would

I never make scruple (out of zeal to that Spiritu∣all Monarchy) to tread down all those who were bold to speak against the calamities of Times, iniquities of the Times, and the injuiries done to the Gospel, though we must all confesse the Spirit of Truth, did powerfully dwell in them. I suppressed them, removed them, and send them in banishment beyond Sea, thereby depriving Church and Common-wealth of their Christian help, both in Religion, and Policy; But my own Creatures, willing Instruments to promote my Counsells, and Projects, were most solemnly advanced to the places in Church and State. Thus We went on, kept our correspondence, and ordo∣red our game by such a strange cunning, and vio∣lence, that there remains a black History for our deeds, which will hardly meet with belief in other Churches.

By the whole Current of my carriage, by my practises, wayes, motions, and intelligence ye knew, alas, that I was about that great work of the Whore of Rome, (in such sort that some of the Pasquils of the time have Charactered me Her laborious Pander) to make the possession of World Hers, and derogate from the glory of the Gospel, and honour of Kings. O be asha∣med for so miserably prostituting your selves, and your souls to the domineering pride of my humor, in fomenting my Popish intentions, constantly followed by you, as if we had joynt∣ly conspired to the overthrow of Truth and Religion.

And because the Printers Presse did often speake the times, and tell the world the my∣stery of my Episcopising, therefore did I arro∣gate to my selfe the keys thereof, and ma∣king the power of Printing depend on me, did shut and open the same at my pleasure. Nei∣ther durst any booke though never so richly embellisht with the treasures of piety and wis∣dome once appeare, untill by a supercillious license my Canonicke Secretaries had first found it relish deeply of the Romish and Ar∣minian poyson. And as I was the rule of do∣ctrine, intending and remitting the qualities of Sermons, as the conditions of times required, So were many Pulpits prophaned with Here∣sies, Revilings, and Scurrilous reproches; Nay, wherein have I restrained my insolent, and unbridled minde in the pursuit of my supersti∣tious follies? What Statute Civill or Eccle∣siasticall cannot rise up against mee, and argue guilty? To shew how I have framed new Constitutions, Ceremonies without number, which infest the world daily more and more, Canons, and Articles, and Oaths, printed, published, and forced upon the people? How wee have dared to grant Licenses, and make presumptuous Dispensations? How we have kept Courts, made all our Processes, Sum∣mons, Citations, and Censures in our owne name, & style, it would make a History as long as tedious to the World, as shamefull to my

abhorred selfe: They are written with the point of a Diamond on all the Church win∣dows, every letter whereof to mee is a nigrum Theta; for it must be confessed, that I and my furious faction so ordered all, untill all was put out of frame, making the Kingdome the object of pitie, lacerate with many mi∣series and distresses, and my selfe of too just an hate, thereby giving occasion to the Ene∣mies of the Gospel, to sing Te Deum, and to the Church of England to cry Ichabod. And ne∣ver more justly then now might it be said, Men groan from out of the City, and the souls of the wounded cry out.

But I forbeare to enlarge my self, and afflict you with the sad relation of these conveyan∣ces wherein yee had a great hand, & to which yee are privy, only let me confound my self, before the World in this Declaration concer∣ning my tyranny in the Scottish affaires, be∣cause it is the most eminent, and funest act of the Tragedy, and has proved most effectuall to my perdition, and from thence unde dolor & lachrymae, put forth a Prophesie to you of these evils, which will certain∣ly come upon you likewayes, breake you asunder, and shake you to pieces, if you stop your eares, and still hate to be reformed, when Hee that is the confidence of all the ends of the earth, hath now revealed himselfe so powerfully, and answered the expectation

of the upright creature by terrible things, in Righteousnesse; for I know the end of your hopes, and gave expansion to my soule to seek the things of this world, and not of God, but now, behold, I stand upon the stage of morta∣lity like an accursed tree, the miserable object of this age, groan under the hatred of three Kingdomes, able to crush all the Miters in England, ready to be teared by the wrath of mine Enemies, who sharpe their eyes against mee.

Not content with that absolute Power which the errour and consuetude of Times, and the indulgence of Princes (importuned with restlesse ambition) suffered to fall upon mee heere in the English Church, I would needes dilate my selfe like a swolne cloud of infection, to obscure the light, to poyson the aire, and to trouble the calme, and sereni∣ty of other Kingdomes; I could not endure that other Churches should looke grievously, and a squint upon our manner of govern∣ment. For I must confesse, my intentions were deepe and large, against all the reformed Churches, and Reformation of Religion, which through his Majesties Dominions I had wounded to the very soul, so that it lay grove∣ling, and panting on the ground ready to ex∣pire, if I had not been removed, and our plots detected to the glory of God, to the honour of King and Parliament, to the terrour of

the wicked, and comfort of all those who have bin labouring after the beauty of these times, and would have bought these acceptable days with many thousands.

For this purpose, I made the first assault on the weaknesse of Scotland, (as in my light esti∣mation I conceived, but was destitute of the Spirit of Prophecie) and caused to be compi∣led a Service booke for their devotion, obtru∣ding the same upon their Church, which I knew the tenderness of their conscience could no ways endure; yet by my owne counsell I was cast down; for though I knew well it was nothing else but a strange Rhapsody of all un∣clean things and unsavoury, w^ch once received in the bowels of Church or State, could ne∣ver give rest, till like a virulent poyson it had begotten intestine warre in the body Ecclesia∣stick and Civill. I knew likewayes it over∣turned from the foundation the order of their Church, making a large entry to all Novati∣ons to come, being repugnant to the Doctrine, Discipline, and order of their Reformation, to their Confession of Faith, Constitutions of their Generall Assemblies, and Acts of their Parliament establishing true Religion; yet would I needs enforce that booke upon a Nation, which sooner would have welcomed the Plague, the Famine, and the Sword. Hence did spring this terrible combustion, (which I feare shall no other wayes be quenched, then

by the bloud of that faction which caused the same) now threatning with open mouth, and implacable fury to devoure us all; When the Scots affrighted with such an unknown Mon∣ster had in most humble manner prostrate themselvs to authority, and craved a dispensa∣tion, from that imprestable obedience, not able to drinke that poyson which I had so im∣periously presented to them, as if Supreame Majesty had been violated, Monarchy affron∣ted, and a Royall Prerogative many wayes injured, I armed Authority against them, and made such strange pretences, dissembling a Zeale to the honour of the Crowne (which meane while I was trampling under-foote) that any thing behoved to bee done, all the Treasures of Revenge were to be wasted, before his Majesties command did not meete with full obedience; but the suggestions and motions were ever mine, most palpably to blow up all, and involve all in conflagrati∣on.

All the Supplications (both pious and fre∣quent) the Declarations, Informations, and Reformations (to which none of us could ever reply) of that afflicted Nation, I caused to bee suppressed most diligently (not able to stand before such a Light, and fearing they should work the overthrow of our cause) and pro∣cured them to bee answered, with terrible Proclamations. And when they were con∣strained

to use the remedy of protestation, without any scruple or tryall of the busines, (like an undistinguishing fire that delights to feed it self by embracing all Objects) I caused them bee declared and published, in all the Churches of England, Traitors, and Rebells; And lastly when they were seeking to possesse their Religion against my strange devices, and Novations, I Kindled the fatall warre, and rather then I should fall from my counsels, and have any of my intentions cast back on my face, I chosed to cover the whole Island with bloud.

And therefore having once espoused the Roman quarrell, I caused display an open ban∣ner and mustered my forces, called forth my Squadrons (as if religion, and the honour Roy∣all had been lying at the stake) and set forth an Episcopall Expedition for defence of the Mitre, which in end will be covered with a∣shes in despight of all created powers. But ô yee of little providence, for what all this fu∣ry? Where were your souls? And why did none of us foresee the black successe of such destructive, distempers, and unmercifull ex∣tremities? But this was our houre, our very houre, wherein wee were wise to our owne destruction.

Thus when by our working the Land was divided in two Armies, advanced and brought in view of each other, yet not so much as a

Dog to offend; When all matters were sweet∣ly composed, and by a Pacification as unde∣sired as unexpected of us both Nations had comforted themselves with the hopes of peace and quietnesse, then like an angry wind that layes bare the very ocean, or like fire im∣prisoned, I burst forth and spred my self with greater violence, and could not give rest to my mind, till a new war was kindled, and all things for their destruction with a fresher re∣solution then before prepared against them. How I bestirred by self both at the Counsell Table, and privy Juncto, to reproach all his Majesties Royall intentions of peace with his Subjects, and that Pacification as dishonoura∣ble, and fit to be broken, yee can all beare mee record. I controlled the judgement of the whole Kingdome and Parliament. And though they found no just reason and emer∣gencie for warre, yet because I apprehended our Kingdome was like to make a fatall end, and our Babel was trembling, ready to tumble down about our eares, and that there was no safety left but to build upon the ruines of their confusion, Therefore in politick probability I thought it most fit to shake all, and put all in divisions and disorders, that so wee might work our owne safety, and the redemption of Hierarchy from the publike reproach, fishing in troubled waters: Thus in my gracelesse fa∣gacity, I concluded it good counsell to bring

both Kingdomes neerer to ruine, that being made poore and passive, they might be ruled with the more ease.

It is not unknown to you all how impudent∣ly, and blasphemously I railed against that Covenant of Scotland, (which like a terrible Spear in the hand of the mighty has strickē us through the very soul, & must triūph through the world, to the abolishing of that great Bi∣shop, if wee observe the indeniable finger of a Providence) though it was most true that the same did containe nothing but the marrow of Religion, was approved by Nationall Assem∣blies, subscribed by his Majesties Commissi∣oners, & by the Lords of his Majesties Coun∣sell, and by them commanded to be subscri∣bed by all the Subjects of that Kingdome, as a testimony of their duty to God & the King. Though the beautiful face of Religion which did shine there most gloriously, and all these warrants in a morall way could have justified them, and taught mee better manners, yet I would break through all considerations, and make good my mistake, using that power whereof I was in possession to the effectuall embracements of my owne wishes. As they used all means to approve themselves to God and Man, and deliver unto their Posteritie the true Religion in her purity and majesty, So I professe my study was to render them odious, charging with unquestioned guilt these Sub∣jects

that endeavoured to gain his Majesties favour and were most faithfull to his Crown, and dignity.

When the Parliament could not bee in∣duced to discend into warre against a Nation, maintaining their Religion, and Liberties, I did impede their procedings, and stop their Resolutions, as if they had met for no other purpose, then to give up their Judgements to mee, and evidence their devotion to my cor∣rupt ends. And not only did I advise the brea∣king up of that high and honourable Court of Parliament, (on which all the Eys of Europe were fastned, and whence the reformed Chur∣ches expected refreshment) but did like-ways sit still in the Convocation house, making Ca∣nons and Constitutions: Ordaining under all highest paines, that hereafter the Clergy should preach foure times in the yeere such Doctrines as were contrary not only to the Scottish proceedings, but to the Doctrines and proceedings of other Churches, to the Judgement of all sound Divines, and Poli∣tiques, and tending to the utter slavery, and ruining of all Estates, and Kingdomes, and to the dishonour of Kings, and Monarchs. Not content herewith, I procured six Subsidies to be levied of the Clergie, under pain of de∣privation to al who should refuse for this great exigency, and Holy war. And as if all these had not been sufficient (O hide your faces, and

blush for shame) I caused frame and print a Prayer, and sent through all the parishes of England, to be said in time of divine Service, against that Nation by the name of traiterous Subjects having cast off all obedience to their anointed Soveraigne, and comming in a rebel∣lious manner to invade England, that shame might cover their faces, as enemies to God and the King. Here let horrour and won∣der sease your soul, and all Religion and C••dor be ashamed; if these alas be the fruits of the spirit of truth, and peace, or the words of charity or the wayes of the Gospel God and the World will judge.

Many strange oaths I invented pressing them upon the paine of imprisonment and huge pecuniall mulets. And in that sacred Synod (as wee called it, but God is not mocked) was that love-lock of Antichrist for∣ged, that prodigious that bottomlesse and un∣limited oath coined, which was provided most prudently as bonds and chaines to ty the laity from invading our liberties which wee conceived to be powerfully fortified with our imperiors Canons as a Rampard: So that if the wisdome of the State, in the great counsell and supreame Senate of the Kingdome, should think fit to alter any thing hereafter in the government of the Church, we gloried in this as a Master-piece of providence, to an∣ticipate and forestall their judgement by ma∣king

them sweare before hand to damnable heresies (for why should I now dissemble) That the government of Archbishops, Bi∣shops, Deacons, &c. (A strange mishap in Monster with a Dragons taile, not sprung from Scripture,) is jure divino, and that they should never give consent to any al∣teration. This was a heavie yoke, and strong fetters cast upon Christian liberty. Yee all know what meanes wee used in that our Con∣clave to make all sure against the storme that threatned us: for the motive of our mee∣ting was not the peace and purity of the Church, (nay, we threw oile in the flame) nor the extirping of heresies, (for day after day they set up their abominable heads, and came forth as Locusts out of the pit) and establishing the truth, in the power of doctrine and disci∣pline; but to assure our Episcopacie, and exalt Hierarchie, which was now fainting and lan∣guishing under the weight of so many reproa∣ches ready to expire. If we dare not for the ille∣gality of these Canons, appeare before that powerfull Sun-beame (the Estates of Parlia∣ment) which doth melt us like Snow, and make us ashamed like Bats and Owls, where shall we stand for their impietie in the great day of our reckoning.

These, ô these be the trophees of my triumph, these bee the garlands adorning my Mitre, which are now desperatly blasted with the an∣griest

thunder that ever fell upon an ambiti∣ous hea••, which shall be likeways shortly tur∣ned to Cypresse at my unlamented funerals. The black cloud of dishonour hangs over me, and I am drowned in shame; I am now the despised prey of the world, the noysome spe∣ctacle of this age, example of justice to all those who dare crucifie the harmlesse truth, disgrace the beauty of the glorious light, resist the graces of the Gospell, stifle the rayes of Majesty with impure smoake, and drinke with open throat the intoxicate cup of accursed preferment, which taints the judgement, and poysons the heart: And therefore on the ben∣ded knees of my soule let mee entreat you, to cast your eyes upon mee, not for pity and won∣der only, but to hate those things which have plunged me in this depth of misery. Goe mea∣sure the height of your hopes, examine the very life & strength of my happines, and compare it with that weight of anguish, that mighty trou∣ble of mind, those heavy disappointments, the loss of reputation, that bitter hatred (one dram of which evils, drowns the memory of all my forsaken follies, and deceitfull policies) and let this sad and serious remonstrance beget in you a perfit hatred of my ways, opinions and practices, and bring forth in your melting souls, a tender love to the peace of the Church: as you would embrace your owne eternall weal.

For behold I had lately established my self upon the tops of the Mountaines, and thought I could not be removed, and flourish∣ing like a Bay tree, the terrour of three Na∣tions, feared at home, reverenced abroad, (in such sort that the Romish Church thought her selfe meritoriously acquit, when she made eminent mention of mee in her prayers, as of the Rulers of Kingdomes, and Princes of the earth, that God would blesse so worthy a Prelate, and the great worke in his hands) But now I passe away, and my memory stink∣eth, Lo, there are no more eys in the 3 King∣domes, nay, in all the Neighbour Churches almost, then are bent against mee, and setting me up as a mark, do shoot their anger at mee, and gaze at me with out-stretched necks: Con∣sider this, and looke a little how abject I am now, and how they have pestred mee, every mouth is filled with railings, and I remaine the subject and recreation of the more frolick pens. The World has consulted with my fate, and found nothing but tyranny contained in the leaf of my destiny, which they have pickt out in the anatomy of my name, as if I had beene a man set apart for the abuse of Churches and Kingdomes, while one doth persecute me with this Anagram,

WILLIAM LAUDE. Anagram. I made will Law.

SP'rit of Delusion, Church and State Have found this wrapt in thy black fate: Thou rearedst forth the Canon law, And trembling madst them stand in aw, And both the Scepters swaya'st, but now Thy Mitre tumbles from thy brow, Thy maske is torn, and we do see The flames of thine adulterate eye, 'Twas from the North was heard the voice Making all England to rejoyce, Which first betrayed thee to thy shame, And did display thy stinking fame: With tyrant Laws, and Iron rod, Thou mad'st the prouder Mountains nod And Caedars reel, Thence thou wouldst try The Artick Pole, and reach the Skie, But thence great terrours, lightnings, thunder Did teare thy throne, thy selfe asunder, And drown'd thee in eternall night Proud and counterfeited light.

'Tis reason scurvy Mitres fall, Before base Statesmoles sink us all.

If this be the world's estimation, how is my Garland now humbled, and layed in the dust? where is that honour, that usurped power by which I knew well how to muzzell the times, and correct the petulancie of the bolder pens? but now they are filled with the venom of Asps, and cast forth flouds of gall upon me.

Lo here another monument of my fame, for I thought good to shew you with what ho∣nourable Elegies they resolve to attend my Herse, that yee may be acquainted with your Panegyricks before they be engraven on your Tombe, no kind recompence they will allow you nor such as this.

LIke to a blazing Comet in the North Drowning the Neighbour Stars, and casting forth A floud of fire, that poyson'd all the aire, And darkn'd the light, thou didst ere-while appeare, Sulphureous Meteor, dangling in thy skie, Thou thoughtst thou couldst the Sun with beauty die, And Soveraignly presumedst to dispence On everything thy usurped influence. Base, putrid vapour, which some gentle rayes, When Phoebus smiling on the Centre plays, Hath lately but exhal'd, and with his beams Hath so so deeply guilded, that it seems Thou art a Star indeed, 'Cause thou didst mock The Moon and heavenly bodies, and provoke, Climbing with jealousie as to a crown, Like Lucifer thou dyest, and art thrown down.

Here is likeways the lash of another unmerci∣full pen; It is my glory to abhor my self, and I must present these little flourishes to you who like Camelions feed on the aire of po∣pularity, that in them as in a mirrour, yee may discover the minde of the people, and their

propension to hate you as Vipers & Serpents, enemies to mankind.

Laude tibi Laudis nomen malefacta dedere, Vt sine Laude praeis, sic sine Laude peris, Perniciem in patriae natus, Regisque ruinam es, Nequam es consiliis, alter & Achitophel: Hic natum in Patrem docuit fera bella movere, Tu natum in Matrem bella ciere doces. Vt tibi perfidiis fuit ille exemplar iniquis, Sic tibi sit mortis unica norm atuae I morere ut meritus, laqueoque averte laborem Carnificis, Patriae carnificina tuae.

A comfortlesse comparison and sad sen∣tence: but what will not a provoked people (alas too justly provoked) say in the heat of their rage? all language is too narrow. If you will have more evidences of the universall di∣staste, and know how perfectly odious I am, cast your eyes upon this following Satyre, where they have stretcht themselves to the furthest extent of language, & made me aswell a Devill, as a Tyrant, resolving my name thus,

WILLIAM LADE. Anagram. I am a Divell.

THen like a fury poast to Tartarus, Vngentle Monster, and depart from us, Sinke to the brazen-gated deep Abysse, And there iriumph, Quaff Stygian Nonacris. Now, now the Tale-tell God displays his light, To shew the world the horrour of thy night; At whose approach perfuming all the Aire With Spicie vapours, Spirits must disappeare. Hence, hence, on sorrow and revenge to feed, Go pulla Viper from Alectoe's head; Like angry winds goe whip the Stygian Lake, And Rodomanthoes Iron throne make shake; Go swallow Lightnings, dart thy prouder thunder, Fill hell, as earth, with horrours, fear, and wonder. We make more heavenly Musique at thy fall, Then all the Spheares that dance about the ball.

Here comes forth another full of spight as the Grape ready to burst, and shoots his ar∣rows against me, whose poyson doth make my spirit to smart.

To the memory of the true Labourer in the Roman Cause, the Prelate of Canterbury.

LAborious Pander to the Whore of Rome, Th'hast acted bravely, and deserv'st a room Above all those who could divide, confound, And raze a Church, and Kingdome to the ground.

Thou sprung'st most proudly with aspiring vole Which could not stoop but to the Capitole. The Church, the State, lay panting under neath Thy pestring foot, and durst not once but breath A sigh, or groan, nay, though the times we sie Were bleeding forth their soul, yet durst not cry. Thou pick'st the Diamonds from the Diademe T' adorn the Mitre, and t'exalt the name Of Prelacy'bove power Secular, Which shines beside your Moon, but like a Star. Dread Prelat Lambethan, thou shalt be known Where ere the Roman Eagle yet has flown: Nor Becket, Wolsey, nor the hot-braind Crew, Who did the harmlesse Truth so sore pursue, Gregorian Kalendar have beautified, So nobly as thou in Rubricks deified. 'Tis true enraged times may sacrifice Thee for thy zeale, laugh forth thine Elegies, And make thee a Proverb, yet the Lady of lands Which doth embrace the World, amazed stands And weeps thy losse, the Consistoriall train, His Holinesse himself, do much complain, And sweare th'have loos'd th' Arch-feather of their wings By which they used to soare above the Kings: Therefore about each Altar shall they Bayes Throng most solemnly, incense of thy prayse Shall stream through every grieved Cathedrall, While all the bels tole forth thy funerall.

Thus am I tossed and made the scorne of time, they hold it good service to the present age, and posterity, to limne me in an hideous

hue, and contend whose pen shal be most pun∣gent, and victorious in the Pasquill: These same Palmes are springing and ripening for you, if yee continue to incense the impetuous people, now in a dangerous agitation, which though oftentimes undistinguishing, yet nothing mistaken in me.

I desire therefore to entreat you, and con∣jure you all, in the power of passion, to be no more heires of my institutions and designes, but rather be astonished, putting on wonder, and pitie: for I must tell you, some think that Prophesie (thirteene Revel. at the last) about the beast comming out of the earth, which spoke as a Dragon, even now to be fulfilled, and the mystery thereof revealed in my name, the numerall letters whereof being thus writ∣ten WILL. LAVD make directly the number of the Beast.

I am the Beast count it that can, This is the number, I am the Man.

If this cōmentary be not accurate, yet sure the envy is exact, which should beget remorse and feare in mee, and wisdome in you, for it will not forbear you when your cup shall be full. O the revolution of times, o the hopes of man! How happy is hee who is prepared for all the turnings of the World? I must be short∣ly dissolved, brethren, and have faithfully (as becomes one in the last Article of his tim••) cast

open to you the inner cabinet of my heart, where you may see the very fountain and root of all my woes, and learn to correct the per∣versnes of your own souls, & come out of Ba∣bell, as you would flie from a falling Towre. Let my words be precious to you, my conditi∣on terrible, and this my lamentation, which I have

Bathed in dearest teares of bitter grief, That ever sought to language for relief.

Unmaske your eyes, and reclaime you from that spirituall adultery, whereby yee have so grievously prophaned the chastity of Religi∣on, and given offence to the Reformed Chur∣ches. O with what exact humility would I cast my self in the bosome of that truth which I have wounded, if I thought my return would be gracious to the World. I know of what spirit yee be, and in the days of my labour did swell with that happinesse which yee all pro∣mise to your selves. But take knowledge from me who has bought it at so deare a rate, and assure your selves that the hopes of the Righ∣teous shal be gladnes, when the expectation of the wicked shall perish. Truth must triumph.

What shall I doe to enforce this great Re∣solution which concernes you as the life of your souls? Even to quit that your darling which you have hug'd so dearly; To lay by your Rochets, renounce your Episcopacie, which has ever been the very root of all these Ceremonies which this day doe infest the

world, & have of old produced the mystery of iniquity: Once begin to entertain this thought that you are fighting against the heavens, and forsake those things which do so evidently so∣ment the combustions of the Christian world.

How many Rites, and Orders, and Ceremo∣nies, and Comick follies, & novations (which are not confined to number, but still springing up after the vanity of the imagination of the heart of man) doe attend that Antichristian Prelacie, as the tail of the Comet doth follow the imperfect mistion of the evanishing body, which must all be drowned in the clouds of shame, when the Sun comes forth in Majesty like a valiant Champion, to chase ungracious darknesse from the face of heaven and earth? O be ashamed, for all that is deare to you in heaven or in earth be ashamed, for the peace of your minde, for the worlds reputation, and the welfare of your deare Primitive Mother the Church, be ashamed of these Lordly dig∣nities, that abhorred preheminence. No wonder wee have so long troubled the calme of Church and Common-wealth, because be∣ing lift up to the unnaturall places of prefer∣ment, we are out of our Element, and so can∣not give rest to our selves, nor the world. 'Tis no time to stand out any more, multitude of days may teach you wisdome; God is thun∣dring from above, and in a veine of working miracles. The mystery of inquity is now per∣fectly revealed, and the world begins to be

weary of that tyranny and Iron rod, which so cruelly has bruised the powers of the earth, and twiched with repentance, shall shortly swell with the spirit of revenge; Joyne there∣fore cheerfully hand in hand to this Reforma∣tion: Behold, the voice of the Turtle is heard in the Land. Night is gone, the day is come, even the day of his power, the beauty of his holinesse; for now hee will make knowne the strength of his Kingdome, and his Subjects shall bee multiplied as the dew from the wombe of the morning. Can yee restraine the influence of his will? Or make his eter∣nall purpose of no effect? O remember that yee magnifie this great worke which men behold, The Nations that knew no God shall rejoyce at it, The noyse thereof shall goe to the ends of the World. Enquire of the dayes of old, and aske the Genera∣tions past, since this Island was blessed with the prerogative of the Gospell (whereat the rest of the World may stand jealous, and ama∣zed) if ever the Revelation of the Glory of God, was working more powerfully. Nay, certainly, it must be confessed, if wee believe the Scriptures, that as the great Bishop of Bi∣shops, That Man of Sin, that has so long de∣luded the Kings of the Earth, making them worship vain imaginations, must be swept out of the Church, and be destroyed, So now, even now the disenchanted World thrusts at

his very soule through our sides. And those who are more inward with the Spirit of discerning, and observe the advancing of the Prophesies, and long after the riches of the Gospell to be powred forth upon the fulnesse of Nations, have joyfully found; in these times a very strange revolution, and that the powers of heaven are shaken, as if it had been mystically foretold in the 111 Psalme, Verse 3.

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 400 4 40 70
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 6 400 100 4 90 6
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 6 30 70 80
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 200 4 5 6
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 46. 5
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 4 70 30

whose numerall Letters produce directly the strange yeere, even the yeere 1640, wherein by the dread Covenant of Scotland most espe∣cially, and ever since by the deportments of the children of peace and terrour, the God of Truth seemed to make a vow against us. This computation doth hold in English, As in the Hebrew, HIs Worke Is honoVrabLe, anD gLo∣rIoVs, anD hIs rIghteoVsnesse enDVrech for e∣Ver, Which cannot be but strange, and joyned with the consonancy of times abroad and at home, and the congruity of spirits and hu∣mours of men, might charge you with this sad acknowledgment, and beget in you a cu∣riosity to observe what God is doing.

We must indeed be forced to acknowledge from the sense of our losses, from the daily

decreasing of our glory, and the advancements of our enemies, since that great yeere 1640 (which by after ages shall be observed as the times of Babylonish confusion) That the Lord has beene with them wonderfully, that wee have beene deserted in every particular, and tumbling from a precipice day by day, so that it were madnesse to thinke wee shall recover our game, or attain to the tops of the Mountains from whence wee are falne: This assistance, and the very time of the beginning of this re∣formation is observed by the more curious to have been promised, as it were, and intimated in the 2 Chron. 15. 2. in these. The LorD Is with yoV WhILe yee bee WIth hIM, whose numerall letters, fulfill the same yeer. But howsoever those curiosities hold, pro∣phesies are no more mysteries, when myste∣ries are unvailed, and become Histories, for we have found those times, the beginnings of a revolution, which tend to great and effectuall alterations, which have given such a swing to the whole fabrick of our Kingdome, that the ligatures thereof are shaken. Nay, though we should use all nature and art to cement the same, it shall not avail, it shall not prosper, be∣cause the finger of God is against us.

Wee need not straine arguments afarre, to bring this home to your indocile soules, and possesse you with this assurance, that there is a great work begun which shall be consummate

with glory, to the joy of the friends of the Gospell, and utter confusion of the enemies of Peace and Truth; and that in the Church of England likewayes, there is certainly a Re∣formation to be looked for, as in the Church of Scotland, which has (to the great emulati∣on of the dis-heartned people here, in this houre of hope, promising to themselves a cer∣tain relief) so restored Religion and Truth to their splendour and purity (through the parti∣cular finger of God) that this day it is the mea∣sure of the desires, and the height of the wi∣shes, of all distressed Churches to be establish∣ed in the comforts of such a Reformation as they now enjoy.

If the purpose of God by the condition of these times, and this strange working, be not manifested to you, advise with Politike pro∣bability (yee that are Jesuited Statists) and behold how every thing strugles for our con∣fusion. The winds are let loose from all the corners of the earth, and spread themselves furiously: All mens affections decay almost, and are loosed to the Leaders of that great cause, for which we have poured out our souls (but unprofitably as waters spilt on the ground). For though to the gloriation of Pa∣pists (which they have openly, and insolently declared in print) the face of our Church was changed, and the language thereof altered, yet now consider the temper of mens minds,

the strength of their wishes, and power of their affection. Nothing but universall detestation, and aversenesse from us, and our wayes, no∣thing but an inclination well followed, with the maturity of times, to the contrary in all points. For the people, like a field of standing corne moved by a stiffe gale, do all bow their heads one way, or like a strong tyde chased by the winde do all make but one current.

There is likeways a certain quickning, and agitation, and expectation in the spirits of men, to believe, and hope for the beauty of Reformation, and our utter removall, accor∣ding as they have been (no question) effectu∣ally praying, and of late in an extraordinary manner, reporting the comfort of a sure con∣fidence. Now tell me if yee conceive it possi∣ble, that so great a work, so eminently assisted by him who holds the ends of the world in his hands, can be deserted, but that it shall be crowned with the Copestone, else they had losed their prayers, and the strength of their wit, by which wee confesse they prevaile, for Hee that is the God of their Covenant mar∣ches on like a man of war, and wil notstay, till the Antichrist be puld down, and his Enemies be made his footstool, and the Jews and Gen∣tiles call'd in. Wee have seene the goings of God the King in the Sanctuary. This is the day, and the worke of the Lord terrible in our eyes, wherein the Judgement of the great

Whore that sits over many waters shall be shown.

Moreover, the fautors and instruments of this great work, have p••inted their truth, and their actions with a Sun-beam, and so strongly seized the judgements of the World, that now every soule is warmed, fill'd with wonder, and rests sweetly convinced. With us and our faction, nothing but a benummed sullennesse, and a profound silence; We are all given over to the spirit of slumber; Our pens are plagued with a lethargie, Though your Prelacie be now lying gasping, yet there is none almost that dare owne it, not any to encounter those papers which come forth in Squadrons, dis∣playing the Banner of Truth, to captivate e∣very understanding, and will, to the obedience thereof. Lay your hands on your mouth: for we are not all able to restore that Monster to its wonted dignity, and height of power, nor fetch its pedigree from Heaven, or shew how the same ought to bee welcommed in the World, or can be usefull, and expedient in a Christian Republike: no we should fail, though wee concentrat our wits, and alambique our spirits. There is one, indeed, who hath affli∣cted his understanding, and wearied his pen in the defence thereof, and now of late, with a new assault, tendred his Remonstrance to the Parliament, humbly entreating the Honorable Court, to let the poor, miserable, torn thing,

breath a while, but alas, thinke not that noble Senate (to whose wisdome all Europe doe pay their tributary gazes) will any longer nourish such Snakes, & keep Serpents in their bosome, for it cannot be but they must resent their smarts, and think wee have sting'd them with a dangerous poyson, which has mortally defiled all the veines of the Politicke and Ecclesiasticke body. How ready mans cor∣ruption is to any thing, which can give warrant, or coloured pretence to his am∣bition, may well appeare by his livelesse Apologie, wherein his Arguments are not so much Christian, as wrested from Antiquity. Yet yee that are the Fathers of the Church might well know, it was not so from the beginning, Truth did precede erroar, and drive the point home to the Source, it shall be cleere. Antiquity is no patrociny for errour, and prescription no prejudice to Truth, his reasons doe as much befriend the Romish Hierarchy as militate for the English Episcopa∣cie, and much more easie it is to answer them, then to find them out.

But I pray you why doe not we follow the safest way, most free of Ceremonies and offen∣ces? Which among us can reproach all this while the Government of the Scottish Church? And dare wee deny but it is most agreeable to the simplicity of the Gospell? And a surer Rampard against the prevalencie of Herefies?

whether of the governments, their Presbyteri∣all, or our splendide, and magnifick Orders are more cōsonant to the Apostolike & Primitive, and least approaching to the Romish? What Office-bearers among them, which ye find not in the Scriptures? Or any preheminence, and relation, of a Minister to a Minister, being both of one degree? Nay, give over the game which must be lost, yee know if the Antichrist must fall that we can hardly stand; If the Ocean be dryed up, whence shall the Rivers come?

It cannot be denied, but'wee have moved swiftly and boldly. And to say wee have no∣thing advanced to Rome, & forsaken the cleer waters of the Gospell, evaporated, and dispi∣rited the powers of Religion, it were an im∣pudence beyond wonder, which all the Re∣formed Churches would cast back on our fa∣ces with shame. Nay, wee have dethroned Truth, and builded Altars to Errour and Su∣perstition, chasing Christ out of the Church, and making an holy place for Antichrist; from Kings likewayes have we wrested Authority, torn the Crowne, and adorned the Mitre, in such sort that the God of all the World may well say, We have reigned, but not by him, Wee have made our selves Princes, but hee knew it not. If it be not so, what then means the lowing of the Oxen, and the bleating of the Sheep? Whence the huge number of Ce∣remonies? The continuall encrease of No∣vations?

The authorizing of Id••l•••••••• by Church Canons? Whence the communion of words, and practices, with Romanists? For it is very unbeseeming the people of God to symbolize with Idolaters, and the Enemies of God, (whether in their manner of worship or government) where there is no necessity. The Jews would not speak though it were but half the speech of Ashod. And when the world crys out against us, charging our profession with these great dishonours done to the Name of God, wee have no other hole to creep in, nor any better answer to return, then the Pa∣pists have for avoiding the stain of that abomi∣nation, which this day cuts the hearts of the Jews, and Reformed Churches. Now, to think that the Truth shall ever be born downe, and not once set up his victorious head, Nay, in this same Article of Time, wherein it has re∣ceived such strength, and power, and Majesty, and hath dispersed the clouds, which wee of a long while have been diligently assembling, were egregiously to be infatuate, and if yee continue to let these hopes smile upon you ye are certainly finally demented, and fitted to perdition, examples and fore-runners of that great wrath, appointed for those who had their eyes upon our returns, and expected the propagation of their Kingdome from us.

But if all other things should hold their

peace (ye that are witnesses to this great refor∣mation, and upon whom these happy dayes have falne) hear how this late Covenant doth cry aloud; even this great Covenant, sworne, and sealed so solemnly. Do not yee see how they hold out their arms to embrace it, and think they have found a Sovereigne balme for all the wounds in Church & State, if happily applyed? Have they not hereby as it were ta∣ken the Sacrament for our destruction? What lesse things can bee expected then from the Covenant of Scotland, which as it hath filled the earth with the noise thereof, and made the Altars of Rome to tremble for fear, so now likewayes has proved a dangerous precedent, and a strange leading case for our compleat raine? Of what strange productions can this be the fore-runner? Are all these motions, these solemnities of new resolutions, to which the people have so willingly espoused them∣selves, to no purpose? Can all this be for the upholding of our Kingdome? Or do not yee rather perceive a streaming Banner displayed against you? Have not they combined them∣selves with immovable thoughts, to extirpate all unnecessary follies, and novations which are the very soul of our glory, and the beams of our splendour? Have they not cut our haires wherein our strength does lie, made us bald, and discovered our shame, and who may

not invade us securely? No, no, do not dis∣dain these great appearances; from the root of this Covenant shall spring a Tree whose top shall reach the Heaven, and under the branches thereof shall the Nations of the earth hide themselves; it shal increase and flou∣rish as the goodly Cedars of Lebanon, but our contemptible plant, which the heavenly Fa∣ther hath not planted, shall be pulled up, and die. Tell me, yee that can discern the face of the weather, and pretend to know the times and seasons, doth not every day looke more blacke and ugly? What kindnesse have wee found of God, or what conquest of friends have wee made amongst men, since the times began to be shaken? Doth not every day pull a feather from our wings, by which wee used to worke so high, till the vapours of the earth could not reach us? Quae nos dementia coepit to think we shall ever recover of these wounds already inflicted, since the arrows are daily multiplyed, and fall on us in showres from all hands; Wee have strained our moyen at the Courts of Princes, but they be now justly wearied of us: And hee is reputed neither good Christian, nor understanding Countrey∣man, neither pious, nor politike, that dare o∣pen his mouth for us. And if wee shall lift up our eyes to Heaven, behold, Wee cannot say there be more for us, then against us, Wee can

meet with no consolation, but a devouring sword drawne against the children of Pride. What Giant plots we have set afoot, and how inseasonably they are discovered, to our eter∣nall shame, it is now spred like the Suns light. And though hitherto there were some hopes left, yet now they are all blasted, and wee be∣gin to stink in the eyes of our bosome friends. Our purposes are unvailed, our intentions, blacke as darknesse, are now made known, and howbeit wee could have joyed before in some of the peoples good graces, yet these horrible designes, of advocating strange assistance, of soliciting and covenanting with Papists, of forcing and besieging the very Houses of Par∣liament, and doing violence to the whole Kingdome, for upholding our Grandours, for keeping our venerable Garlands upon our heads, are indeed Acts able to draw the in∣supportable weight of publike hate upon us, and which might as deservedly procure us to be cast out of the Church and State, as ever the Jesuits were turned out of France, and are to this day banished from the Venetian Repub∣like.

Nor let us any more evanish in this deceit, to think wee can move Authority to lend us a gracious hand, and keep us from sinking: for though the favours wee have found be great, and a mercifull Majesty hath done much, yet now (it is to be feared) hee will relinquish us,

and not undoe his State Civill, for upholding the Ecclesiastick in Accidentals. And when Heaven and Earth combine against us, and the present estate of affairs deny help, and refuse hope, Whether shall wee flie? There is no balme in Gilead now; Take heed, The windes are blowing, the flouds are comming, and our thunder-stricken building must down, because not of God.

Wee have already received sentence from the Honourable House of Commons; their wisdome and justice have pronounced the peoples minde, and denounced the Kingdoms pleasure; And though the influence of some frolick faction (now fugitive as our hopes are) should yet a little prolong the life of our ex∣pectation, and entertain us with a possibility of wrestling thorow, Tell me if ever any per∣son did thrive being once cōdemned by them? It is certainly a great losse, not to have the Par∣liaments affection, and very hard (as they say) to fit in Rome, and strive against the Pope. No, no, Nature and Grace, Time and Fortune, have taken such a good course to destroy us, that it is impossible wee can be saved without a miracle.

Far, far be it from us to think our contracted, and long accustomed boldnesse, and impu∣dencie, can any more enveigle the eyes of the World, with that Idoll of Jealousie, which by the corruption of times, through the ambition

of mans unlimited heart, is now exalted to such exorbitancie of height, that become top∣heavy, it fals with its own weight. O then for∣sake, In the bowels of mercy depart from that willingly, which as you are now deserted of men, will once make you rejected of God. What is it (alas) to be covered with a Princes wings, to be warmed with the beams of his favour, to be set up as it were on a Pyramide, and made the object of wonder, to have such sway, that with the one foot ye may tread on the Church, with the other crush the State, and so to monopolize all power, that without you there is nothing but simulachrum potestatis? What is it I say, all this? Is God mocked? Can yee elude the thunderbolts of his anger? Can yee be lift up beyond the stroake of re∣venge? Can yee give laws to the Spirit of the most high, to mould the times in what fashion pleaseth you? Be there not certain fatall peri∣ods, as of Houses, Families, & Cōmon-weals, so likeways a vicissitude of governments? In many other places has Episcopacie been cast out, neither ever could the face of Church or Common-wealth look calme, till that Jo∣nas was thrown in the Sea. And in this dispo∣sition of time, when all things smile on them, but frown upon us, nothing more easie, no∣thing more absurd, than to flatter our selves with contrary expectations.

O that I knew what way to induce you

powerfully, to contemne that, which is un∣warranted of God, hatefull to men, odious to the times, hurtfull to the Church, & in the end wil bring a dire destruction upon your selves. Would yee have signes from Heaven? Re∣member how all the inventions of our subli∣mated policies, assisted by the powers of the time, have failed us very wonderfully, in eve∣ry particular, and turned upon our own pates; Looke to the continuall progresse of our affairs, how all the machinations which wee conceived were sufficiently able, to ripen and produce our designes, have proved steps to ad∣vance our enemies (The great chastisers of the times) and that we have reaped nothing of all our pains and expenses, but sad disappoint∣ments to our selves, and confusion to our cause.

Put off therefore these vain and unprofita∣ble desires, which are of the World, and die with the world. The foolish Grandour of your Lordly dignities, is but a dream and toy of some few decrepit yeeres, which flowne over, will make all the veins of your heart to shake, 'Tis but a shadow, in the morning with you, at night behind you, past and gone.

But now the inexorable messenger of death approacheth furiously, and charges mee to re∣move, The impatient world chaseth me away, and I must be gone: I take therefore Heaven and Earth to witnesse against you, that I have

not hid my offences from you, but spred my selfe open, and given your discerning eyes a liberall view of my errours, which have so truly deserved the heaviest censure which can f••ll from the sword of Justice, advising you as yee would eschew the wrath to come, and be delivered from the worlds anger, no longer to resist the Spirit, which prompts the times so powerfully, to solicit the embracements of the Whore, and by the continuall encrease of miseries, to expose the Church & Kingdom, to be a spectacle of pitie & laughter to Neigh∣bour Churches, and Common-weals. And if yee will not forsake your wayes, lay downe your Antichristian Offices at the foot of the Church, which ye have so miserably torne, If you will not divorce your selves, from the lusts of that abominable preheminence, and be strongly devoted to the advancements of this happy Reformation, which moves so sweetly towards the end of Prophesies, for the preser∣vation of the glorious light of salvation, and encouragement of Gods people, I declare in audience of the World, that wrath shall come and fall upon your necks as Thunder from the Clouds, yee shall die and none lament it.

Thus have I acquit my selfe: for the spirit within me constrained me. I must depart, and resigne my chair, never to be fill'd again. Have pity upon me my friends, for the hand of the Lord is upon me.

FINIS.