Historie & policie re-viewed, in the heroick transactions of His Most Serene Highnesse, Oliver, late Lord Protector; from his cradle, to his tomb: declaring his steps to princely perfection; as they are drawn in lively parallels to the ascents of the great patriarch Moses, in thirty degrees, to the height of honour. / By H.D. Esq.

The sixth and last, Transcen∣dental Ascent.

MOses built himself a Monument in the hearts of all his people, and left a bles∣sed Memorial behind him; and all this was attested, by the Spirit of God himself, af∣ter his death, expressely assuring us, that there arose not a Prophet since in Israel,* 1.1 like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face: in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the Land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and all his servants, and to all his Land, and in all that mighty hand, and in all that great ter∣ror, which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.

The Parallel.

Thus the Lord is pleased to make the me∣mory of his Saints precious (in the language of the Spirit) as sweet ointment poured forth; for we see here, how he will make his dead servant Moses to ascend still in this World, by the fragrancy of his memory: and indeed it

is the last Ascent, that humane perfection is capable of; to mount up, after a blessed death, to a happy and honourable remembrance a∣mongst men; a most particular grace and pre∣rogative, which the Divine goodnesse indul∣geth to none, but to his most dear ser∣vants.

For some there are (as Ecclesiasticus not Apocryphally observes) which have no me∣morial at all,* 1.2 who are perished, as though they had never been,* 1.3 and are become, as though they had never been born, and their children after them; but the righteousnesse of merciful men, hath not been forgotten, &c, Then again their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth for evermore;* 1.4 nay further, the people will tell of their wisdom,* 1.5 and the Con∣gregation will shew forth their praise.

Has not our most Serene second Moses, re∣ceived this precious Transcendental favour likewise, from the hands of his gracious God? has he not so filled the mindes and mouthes of all the good people, of the Nation? that they have nothing almost left to think, and speak on, but the memory of their late great Pro∣tector? Insomuch, that we can compare this glorious Ascent, of his Highnesse his happy death, to nothing so properly, as to the expi∣ration of the Phenix, upon the Mountain of the Sun, in the sweet odours of his heroick vertues.

O what a memory has his Highnesse left us, of his unspotted piety, and undefiled policy,

amidst all the depravations and corruptions of the Word! O what a memory has he left us, of his arriving to the highest honours, and dig∣nities, by flying them, and to have ennobled all his Charges, by the integrity of his man∣ners! O what a memory of a life lead truly according to Christianity, that has alwayes daunted the most audacious Libertins, and like a Divine Mirrour, killed Basiliskes, with the repercussion of their own poison! O what a memory has he left us, of having governed a Church and State, so as if it had been a clear copy of Heaven, and an eternal pattern of holy Policy: holding himself alwayes to those heavenly Poles of piety and justice, that sup∣port the great policy of the Universe; esteem∣ing them, as Democritus did, the two divini∣ties of Weales publick, or great wheeles, upon which, all the affaires of the World were to move, so establishing himself still upon those holy Columnes; as the one, has given him immortality with God, so the other has per∣petuated his memorial amongst men!

O what a memory has he left behind him, of having borne upon his shoulders so happily, all the interests and glories of this Nation, and the very moveables of the House of God! O what a memory has he left, of having so ma∣ny times trampled the heads of Dragons under his feet, and rendered himself the wonder of the World! For who indeed is it, but must remember, how this brave, valorous, and Princely person, who was to joyne the king∣dom

of his vertues, to the force of his armes, was alwayes of so vigorous and sublime a spi∣rit, that he measured still, all his most difficult undertakings, by the greatnesse of his own courage, and like a Caesar indeed, but more like a true Moses, resolved to break through all obstacles, to Crown his inspired pur∣poses.

O what a memory of a blessed death, in a good old age, and full fruition of all his la∣bours! to have died, as in a field of Palmes, and all planted with his own hand, manured with his constant industry, and water'd with his own painful sweats!

O what a memory after death, to be ac∣knowledged by all, to have built himself be∣fore his death, a most stately Tombe, stufft with the precious Stones, of his own most good∣ly and incomparable vertues! all which right∣ly now to represent, would require a recapi∣tulation of all our Parallels, and take up a bulk bigger, than this small Volume is in∣tended to bear. And it is enough I conceive to our present purpose, to say, that this Na∣tion, shall for ever preserve the memory of him, as of a Prince, that has proved it possible, though miraculous, to hold a conjunction of piety, with the Supreme power, and Sove∣raign authority, sweetly tempered with good∣nesse, things before thought utterly incom∣patible in Kings; and truly I know not, what just quarrel any man can have against his me∣mory, but that he hath shewed a path to mor∣tall

men, and trod it by his own example, to prove it possible, to arrive at so much per∣fection, and that may be a fault indeed, and worthy of exception, in so debaucht an age, as this.

But let such unsavory breaths as these, blow how, and where they please, whilest all the sweet ones of the Nation, shall preserve a fragrant memory of their departed Protector, and second Moses; ever acknowledgeing their lives and fortunes, nay the liberties of their very souls, to have been the pious purchase of his Princely pains.

Some impious great ones, we know, have brought a period upon the greatest Empires, ruined whole Kingdoms, their people, and themselves: have we not seen, I say, to in∣stance in one for all, the great Roman Empire it self, which had so many times, caused its victorious Chariots, loaden with Palms and Lawrels, to passe over the heads of the most puissant Monarchs of the World, that so often have been shaken, and so many times establisht by concussion; at last, by the interposition of one wicked unlucky Prince, or two, to be most irrecoverably entombed. How much are we engaged then to the precious memory of our late Lord Protector, who in the staggering conditions, that our tottering state at last, and Kingdom before was in, has not onely establisht but augmented the glories of our Nation; eter∣nizing himself more amongst us, and rendring

himself more honorable to all the World, by those his great actions, than all the Monarchs of Egypt could do, in all their rich Marbles, Pyramids and Obelisks.

What memory now, I would fain know, has that great Egyptian King Cleopes left be∣hind him? who prostituted his own daughter, to raise himself a Pyramid for buryal, and it was so enormously great, as we read, that the earth seemed too weak to bear it, and Heaven not high enough, to free it self from its im∣portunities: yet that, doating with age, has now forgot its founder, and he retains the stink of a rotten reputation, and is proclaimed by all the World, but a sottish Prince for his pains.

Pompey on the other side, we see, after he had measured three parts of the World, more by his triumphs than travails, comes to be killed at length, by the hand of a half man, and the earth which seemed too scanty and narrow for his conquests, was seen to fail him for a Tomb: and what memory have all his great actions acquired to him, but of a proud, bloody, imperious Common-wealths-man, that could endure no corrival in greatnesse.

We have seen again in story, a great Manlius, precipitated, from the Capitol, which once he had so bravely defended, that the Theater of all his glories, might be turned into the scaf∣fold of his dismal punishment: like that inso∣lent Pharaoh, whom we have so often spoken of, which thought by the help of his false

gods, to command the waves of the Sea, and to walk upon stars: yet perisht in those his ve∣ry attempts, and was buried in execration and horrors. What which memory have any of these, or other wicked Princes left behind them, better than Erostratus before spoken of? No, nothing can erect a true monument of eternal memory, but pure Mosaick piety.

Our glorious second Moses full well saw, that Royal Crowns themselvs, did loose their lustre on heads without brains, and brows without Majesty; and did much less regard a King with∣out piety, than a blind Cyclop, in an hollow cave.

Princes he knew there have been, and are still in the World, born like Diadumenus, with a Diadem of honour in their foreheads, but most of them, we see, appear like Josias, with a leprosie there too. O what a memory then must his late Highnesse have left behind him? who is well known, to have been of the Lords own election, & so much according to his own heart, that his servant Moses and he, may stand in line Parallel; for just by such means as he, we have seen how he came into the Govern∣ment, became the God of Monarchs, ruined the state of his enemies, opened stormy Seas, manured Wildernesses, and cleft Rocks, with as small a thing as a twig: just as he, he has been laborious amongst Shepherds, sanctified and exemplary in Cities, temperate in prin∣cipalities, a Companion of Angels in his re∣tirements, and as it were a Cabinet friend of God. Nay has our gracious second Moses

shewed lesse piety in the service of the Omni∣potent, lesse sweetnesse in government, lesse greatnesse of spirit in all noble enterprises, lesse patience in difficulties, lesse prudence in the direction of his affairs, or lesse dispatch in his expeditions? And to conclude in short, has he been lesse blest in all his battails, having ever had, as it were, good hap, and victories, under his pay? and can we do lesse than fall down, and worship divinity in all this, and give him the immortalitie of our memories at least, in lieu of those eternal obligations, that his most Serene Highnesse has laid upon us? Nay have we not seen him all along, like his old Master Moses too, holding Heaven con∣tinually for object, and all greatnesse of this World in contempt? How like him too, he has alwaies shewed himself full of the spirit of all Prudence, Piety, and Prophesie it self; and over and above all that, crowned with a most soveraign high humility? How he like him too, but most especially toward his later end, had blotted one almost all, that was man with∣in him, by a conversation wholly celestial, redu∣cing his flesh into so much subjection, & exalt∣ing his spirit to such an empire over it, that he might deserve the name of God too, as his old Master Moses did, in resemblance of whom, he was so transformed, by the superabudance of his most excellent, and celestial qualities? And has he not deserved an immortality upon earth, for all this, as well as Crowns in Hea∣ven? Yes sure, for the most malicious enemy

that his Highnesse has in the World, cannot deny him to have dyed, under the shadow of so many Palms, of his own most noble and he∣roical vertues, that they must spring still to all eternity, and grow green with very age: his Lawrels can never wither, nor his Bays be blasted; the resplendent raies of his honour, can never loose their luster, nor the odours of his holy conversation, ever fail of sending forth their precious perfumes.

Thus has his most Serene Highnesse, our second Moses, like the former, perfectly changed his Sepulcher into a Cradle, and even drawn life out of his Tomb. O what an im∣mortallty is this, to survive eternally in the mouths of men! But how much more happy an eternity is it, to have a perpetual life in Heaven, enjoying the very knowledge, love, life and felicity of God himself?

Come hither then all you Princes, and mighty Persons of the earth, and make hast, to take out your copy and pattern here, betaking your selves betimes to the glorious Temple of Honour, by that difficult one, of holy virtues, which will prove themselves to you in the end, as they have done to our first and second Moses here, like Elias his heavenly Chariot, all fla∣ming with glory, to render you, not onely most illustrious and eternal here upon earth, but to transport your brave, Princely, & most purified souls, above the height of the Empirean Heaven.

Come hither, I pray you likewise, all you malecontented spirits of this Nation, that have

so long maliciously repind, and impiously op∣posed your selves, against his late most Serene Highnesse his Mosaical Person, and Govern∣ment, and still do continue to malign his most precious memory, together with the power of his most gracious Son and Successor, set over us now, by God himself, and his own divine ver∣tues: repair hither, I say, with all the inge∣nuity of judgement, and Christian candor that you can, and I doubt not but by such an im∣partial perusal of our happy Parallels, you will find all your aversions and distasts alleviated, and that the loathings and nauseousness which you had before, did spring from the disease of your own palats onely, or Malos gustos, as the Spaniard calls them, and from no other cause at all. If that remedy will not serve your turns, to divert the violent stream, of your old animosities, I would earnestly desire you again (if you are not yet stark mad with ju∣daising) to reflect with horrour, upon Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, and all his complices, with the rest of that mutinous Nation, the murmuring Israelites, & by a serious soliloquy with your own souls, you may correct that cursed spirit of contumacy, which has so long possest you,* 1.6 Quorum facta immitamini eorum, exitus per horrescendo, by a due consideration of the direful effects of their devilish doings, whose steps you stil pursue. And if all this prove but counsel cast away, let me humbly beseech you once more, through the blessed bowels of our gracious Lord and Saviour, to make your

earnest and often addresses to him, and holding some such divine discourses with him, as I shall here set down in a form, that I have sometimes used myself upon like occasion, and I cannot doubt, but by his all-healing grace, you shal all be reduced to a better temper, and most am∣ple complacency with the present government.

O most gracious Lord God, which guidest the lives, estates and conditions of all men li∣ving in this World, and makest a perfect mu∣sick in the universe, which thou composest of many accords; or let us take this great All, and government of thine, as a Table of many colours, or a body of many members: why should I, be it one, or be it 'tother, make my self a false harmony in so sweet a Consort; an extravagant colour, in so compleat a Ta∣ble, or a prodigious member, of so beautiful a body. It shall suffice me, O Lord, to be a part in this Musick, this Table, or of this Body: set me high, set me low, let me be white, let me be black, make me head, make me foot. My God, it is in thee to give me my part, and in me onely to play it well; why should I kick against the spur, like a paltry Jade? Why being but a miserable earthen pot, should I argue against my Potter, for the fashion, that he has pleased to put me in? If the men whom I envy, or bear malice to, merit their good fortunes, and happy advancements, I wrong thy divine justice, O Lord, to maligne, or oppose them; And if they deserve them

not, they more merit my compassion, than envy; since all their greatness, will serve them but for a burthen in this life, and a far deeper condemnation in the other. If the stars, by contribution of their raies, do strengthen the activity of hell fire, as we are informed they do, how much more then, will those great lights of honour, and sparkling advantages of greatness, increase the torments of a reprobate Prince, or great person? Be∣sides, O Lord, why should I be guilty of so strange a malignity against my self, as forget∣ing the preservation of my own person, to which I am by nature obliged, go about to ruine any other man, a thing, that nature it self abhors from? & if by loving my very ene∣my, all will make for me, as thou, O Lord, thy self hast told me: Why should I, through want of love, deprive my self of so great advantage to my self, or so great a power over him? and this way of revenging by love, being of all things most easie: Why should I go obout to create a hell within my self, where thou, O my God, hast a gracious purpose, to erect a Paradise? So, Good Lord, of thy mercie, send us all a happie peace, and true Christian com∣placencie, one with another, and to thine own name give the glory, for so it properlie belongs.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Deut. 34.10.

  Ver. 11. Ver. 12.
• * 1.2

  Eccles. 44.9.
• * 1.3

  V. 10.
• * 1.4

  V. 14.
• * 1.5

  V. 15.
• * 1.6

  Cicero.