Royal Vision
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo2/A79268.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
CALVERS ROYALL VISION.
With his most humble Addresses TO HIS MAJESTIES Royal Person.
[illustration] [man lying down daydreaming of a king, queen, and prince]
CALVERS ROYALL VISION
Impartiall Heavens, that never did despise —
Poor silly Shepherds, more then sage and wise —
In making them the Messengers to bring —
Most blessed tidings, tunes that Angels sing:
Glory to God, to God on high; and then —
Peace upon Earth, and good will towards men—
CALVERS Royal Vision.
WHen Titan posting in his restless motion,
Had cast himself into the Western Ocean,
When sable shadows Phoebus shop shut in,
And lesser Tapers did their watch begin.
Whiles silent Morpheus seized on every sense,
Fetterd affection choked intelligence,
And charmed each Member: only in my head
A glorious Vision thus my fancy fed.
My thoughts presented my half waking eyes,
With glorious objects where the Sun doth rise,
Yea in the Sun, that Usher of our days,
Who was arrived now in our Eastern bayes,
And with his beams our dark'ned Orbe adorning,
Set ope the golden windows of the Morning.
I saw the Sun most radiantly arise,
And in its Circle, as I did surmise,
I saw our Noble Sovereigns Arms appear
Most richly, lively, truly drawn and clear.
Whereat delighted to behold the sight
Of such a Sun rise from so sad a night,
My thoughts possessed me in my busied brain,
Of now another Noble CHARLES his wane.
Whereon a while my hungry fancy fed,
And in this heavenly, hopeful figure read
With much contentment, hoping now the day
Was springing, should all shadows chase away.
But whiles this Object thus my thoughts indeard,
More cause of comfort suddenly appeared;
For this rare Object offered to my view
The richest pictures ever pencil drew.
Three Royal Persons lively portraitur'd,
The sun, the ground work, by no clouds obscured,
Whose silver luster gave these forms in gold,
The most of beauty mortals may behold.
Above King
Charles
sat in a Royal Chair;
More low Queen
Mary,
smiling on her hair;
Our noble Pince
Charles,
each in order sit,
Where they, out shining crystal pearls in jet,
Ascended in our hemispheare on high,
With matchless splendor burnishing the skye.
But over dazzel'd by these Objects bright,
I too much gazing, lost my too weak sight:
And in this rapture, pleasures pleasant deep,
My thoughts were drowned, fancy fest asleep.
Thrice happy fancy that such prey obtained;
But more unhappy, loosing what you gained:
Could you not wait with more respect and care
Upon such Object as these Persons were?
But in presumption must approach so near,
To dim your Lanthornes, by those lights so clear?
Doubtless these wonders were not without weight,
Not empty shadows only mere conceit;
But had some substance, and presaged more
Then Ayry fancy ever had in store.
Most humble addresses to His Majesty's Royal Person.
M
Ost glorious
Charles
whom in heavens chair of State,
The Sun I mean I saw inthron'd of late,
Ascending in our Hemisphere or high,
With objects dearest to Your Majesty.
(Which here I have in a rude habit dressed,
Which of all habits doth deserve the best.)
My thoughts are fixed what ere is figured out,
Or thus foreshown, time now will bring about,
And unto all men make the substance known
Of what to me was but in shadows shown.
Those fatal vapors, which obscured your rays,
And caused our night, or most prodigious days
Begin to vanish, and some beams appear,
As signs of a most happy sun-rise near.
The powers above prepare to see this sight,
With drawing of the curtains of the night,
To this the stars are in their course directed,
The planets in their houses well aspected:
Late angry
Mars
his fatal force abates,
And
Jupiter
our joy predominates,
Who moderating of the powers above,
Presageth fair and happy days of love.
Whiles mortals we, as lookers on below,
Your fainting Subjects, who that duty
•
ow,
Are gazing, waiting, and entirely pray,
As under an Antartick night, for day.
Bright Sun arise then, break those clouds asunder,
And let the splendor of your rays like thunder,
Disperse all vapors clearing up the skies,
That so our Sun may without shadows rise,
Blest Sun our Sovereign, do not then disdain
To shine upon your darkened Orbs again,
Let not displeasure us deprive of day,
That have loved darkness, though it justly may:
But rather imitate the Sun, which still
Vouchsafes to shine both on the good, and ill.
What is the cause that we have winter here?
When all things languish, and as dead appear?
But only that by heavens ordained Laws,
The Sun His fruitful Sovereign beams withdraws.
And what dear Sovereign in the chiefest place,
But the unhappy absence of your grace
Hath been the reason that our Realm of late,
Hath sat in darkness, and so sad a state?
Doubtless full sad are the effects of night,
In darkness wisemen lose or want their sight.
And if Your Highness do not yet think well
To rise and shine upon us, to dispel
Those clouds of danger do us overcast,
Our state will prove incurable at last.
Let pity then Your Royal heart inspire
To shine upon us, shadows may retire,
And men in danger may their danger see,
And shun the same, and not consumed be.
Most gracious Sovereign, if you should' 'tis true,
Proceed in Justice and no mercy show,
You might in justice leave that Land in night
Which hath endavour'd to eclipse your light.
But acts above do most from bounty flow:
And pardons best befit the God's below;
Then pass by Justice, and in mercy act,
The Sun by shining only doth attract.
Your Kingdoms shaking do already stand,
And force we find, sometimes confounds a Land:
Much more revenge, whiles clemency and love
Ingender Peace, and jealousies remove.
The breaches which infortunate debate
Hath brought to pass already in our state
May still grow worse, if still we disagree;
But without concord never made up be:
The Sea as soon may empty as that blade
May cure the Kingdom, which its wounds hath made.
Your Subjects now in general begin
To see and fear the dangers they are in,
And therefore with unanimous consent,
(And surely with a Loyall hearts intent)
Consult, resolve, petition and desire
As men inflamed with a quenchlesse fire,
The speedy safe returning of Your Grace
With joy and honor to Your former place.
What though Your Subjects were a while dissenting?
Behold them now, as people now repenting;
And let them see your tender bowels yearning,
Upon such humble prodigalls returning;
Remembering still when Shepherds are a way,
Their sheep are left or like to run astray.
As 'tis its said, a glory unto Kings
To pass by Subjects failings in some things:
So sure in matters without danger held,
Your Majesty may conquer whiles You yield,
And bow those hearts by clemency and love,
Which frowns would burst or make more flinty prove:
For sure most safe and double blest are they,
Who by the scepter not the sword do sway.
Great Prince, and gracious both with God, and men,
Put on the bowels of compassion then,
And show yourself by heavens assigned that Sun.
Which can revive; when all the stars have done.
Addresse Your person, thoughts, affections all;
God, men and Angels for Your aid do call:
Do not dread Sovereign, do no then deny,
To tender what befits Your Majesty.
Let it be no impediment to Peace,
To treat with Subjects for a Kings release;
Or to compound for that which is well known
To be, or hath been ever thought Your own.
But rather look beyond the deeds of men,
And view a hand of providence herein;
And to that secret hand of heavens submit
So far as heavens revealed have, is fit.
Doubtless the work here which implores Your aid,
Ought not through small things to become delaid,
It being of a consequence so great
That being undone, it undoes the State.
Unless Your greatness, Royal Majesty
Shall with Your Graces Parliament comply,
No sound Religion can established be:
No Peace be settled in a safe degree:
No glory in the Crown of
England
had,
Nor hope of future glory; which is sad:
No Laws ordained which will ever stand:
No love, no joy, no plenty in the Land:
No freedom to the Subject given: no ease
Of any present burden, but increase.
Besides that sore, that present bloody vent
will run 'tis like, until the stream be spent,
And
England
made the scorn of future days,
Which hath so long been
Europes
highest praise.
All which considered, and a thousand ills
Which hence would follow, past the art of quills
To figure fully will my Liege, I know
Incite Your Highness, though you should stoop low;
To put your sacred saving hand to stay
Our dreadful ruins, and your Lands decay.
In that sad posture yet your Realms are in,
You are the loser whosoever win.
And though my duty shall be kept in store;
Yet I am doubfull heavens will call no more,
If You hold back now from Your Parliament,
When heavens hath for you such a chariot sent.
But sure Your Highness will not so decline,
Not hazard so the tempting powers divine,
Least when Your Grace and Subjects would agree,
By Heavens displeased, should prevented be;
Those powers above, by whom Kings reign below,
And fade and flourish, as seas ebb and flow.
Arise, arise, then glorious Sun arise,
And let your rays illuminate our eyes,
And warm our heavy chilled hearts to see
You in Conjunction with your stars, that free
From opposition, while the skies are fair,
You may ascend to your meridian chair.
Your lofty throne which is your due, and thence
Your healthful beams on us below dispence,
That underneath your footstooll, we may sit
A loyal, joy full, happy people yet.
Hark hark, then
England,
dying
England
here
Are hopes of comfort, helps for cure appear:
Lift up thy head, though heavy and thy heart,
And out of duty, having done thy part
In begging pardon, for thy follies past,
Thou mayest expect a joyful day at last.
Thy Sun will now arise, thy stars give way,
As lights too feeble to produce a day:
And out of duty will resign the right
Unto the fountain of their borrowed light.
Upon petition by me made I find
Both
Jupiter
and
Mars
are thus inclined;
Whence all the order of those lights above
Do out of question thus aspected move.
Addresse thyself then
England,
for this thing.
Prepare thy Bonefires, fit thy bells to ring;
But above all adorn thy inward parts
With thankful, loyal, and religious hearts:
That praises sounding, and thy prayers ringing
May make such melody in heaven for bringing
Thy Sovereign home, and sufferings to a stay,
That heavens may finish, not this work delay.
Thus gracious Sovereign, I your Subject born,
Your Christian Subject otherwise forlorn:
In croching on a Subjects freedom, have
I fear offended, and become your slave,
Attempting, stead of sublime wings, to fly
With fordid, and to soar a pitch too high.
But gracious Sovereign, let your Highness know
I had been silent, or had kept below,
Had not the Vision, not a fond conceit;
Which heavens allowed me, lifted me this height.
Where heavens on purpose I think, did intend
What they had picturd should by me be penned,
That so your Highness, and the world might see
How far in favor with the Heavens you be,
And what a height of glory and renown
They do intend you after casting down:
If you resist not; but the Heavens be blest,
Your Highness late hath so dispeld this mist,
So dashed this doubt, so rac'd this scruple made
As may the most obdurate heart persuade:
Your Royal, ample, gracious answer sent
In terms of peace unto your Parliament,
Are such as sure no Christian eye can view,
Or ear can hear, and not their cheeks bedew
With tears of joy, to your hearts intent
So full and firm for peace and truth in print;
Which praise in point to your eternal fame,
Shall outlive cruel fate, and bless your name.
Besides some former waking thoughts of mine,
The rather makes me hereunto incline;
Where treating of your troubles in the West,
(As in those extant Verses is expressed)
I do compare your Highness to the Sun,
Ascribing of our cares but (then begun)
In part unto our Suns, your sacred Graces
Then rising in the Suns unwonted places,
The West: and how it was a wonder strange,
Prognosticating to the Land a change,
Which much portended as (th' event displays)
Times of confusion, most prodigious days,
Which should continue till our darkened East,
Should with our Suns your Sovereign beams be blest.
Which Meditations by this vision since
So far confirmed, and by evidence
So clear and powerful who can be so dull,
To think that empty which appears so full?
Great King I cannot but 'tis in my breast
That this in part, shall come to pass at least:
But gracious Sovereign, On that here my quill
Dip'd in some Fountain on
Pernassus
hill,
To draw Petitions could afford such inck
As might into your tender bosom sink.
Suppose that heavens, insensed Heavens above
Out of displeasure, rather then in love;
If you requirit, admits you to retire
Unto your throne in ruin, blood, and fire,
By force I mean, as a reward most fit
For such as will not terms of peace admit.
Thus you perhaps, may gain what you have lost;
But thus to gain, what will the purchase cost?
'It is sad to think, 'tis dangerous to try,
But above all, 'tis deer, full deer to buy.
Much blood must spill before this spoil be won;
And who can tell what precious blood may run?
'It is sure that wound within our Kingdoms side,
Now almost desperate, must be made more wide,
And blood must more and more defile the Land,
And make it yet more weak and tottering stand.
But whatsoever under this doth groan,
Dear Sovereign let not blood defile your throne,
That matchless throne so many years hath stood
Unstain'd, whiles all the world hath been in blood.
Besides, Great Prince, if through these ruins past,
These seas of danger you arrive at last,
Upon your throne in spite of all oppose;
Yet all will but exasperate your foes,
Who though subdued for the present, will
Retain a heart to be revenged still.
Whereby your Highness and your Kingdoms three
And which is moe your Royal race shall be
Stil Subject to the danger of revenge
Of deadly hatred, desperate war and change.
That though you this way should the conquest gain,
Yet thus you should in no contentment reign,
But still possess that with continual fear
Which you shall conquer with much cost and care.
But here, dread Sovereign, do not me mistake,
Of harmless lines, no harsh construction make,
Nor yet suspect my Loyalty at all:
I neither see, or yet foresee your fall,
Nor fear the same, but with that jealous care
With which men keep their jewels which are rare.
Nor do I think, nor would I here present
That in a prison you should rest content,
You at whose Royal, awful, just command,
Should all the prisons in your Kingdoms stand.
Nor do I hold it in your highness bad,
If no way else your freedom can be had
If you use force, and show your Princely might,
To gain by strength, what is in truth your right.
But only this, this makes me thus assume,
Thus past the bounds of duty to presume;
My loyal, real, Christian and entire
Intents of heart, my prayer, and desire
That Peace may make the path unto you joy,
Which fought by war, the seeking may destroy.
Besides dread Sovereign, and most Christian Prince,
If this my vision may give evidence
Of your ascending to your Throne in fame;
Sure war is not the way unto the same:
For in that Vision, or that rapture rare,
No signs appeared of war, of force, or fear,
No Clouds, not any opposition seen;
But all concurring, gentle, sweet, serene,
And joyful tokens of such Peace, and love,
As if some heavenly Parliament above
In consultation voted your release,
And blest, return unto your Throne in peace.
Peace, Christian peace! my pen's too weak by odds
To shadow 't out, unto the life; the God's,
Yea that same God, who doth the God's excel
Delights in Peace, in Peace delights to dwell,
Hath made his Throne the Throne of Peace: his son
The Prince of Peace: and who below hath won
More glory then that King of Peace, or rather,
That God of Peace amongst us men, your Father;
Who gained by Peace that glory and renown,
Which Europe could not equal to his Crown.
Who having here in Peace his Office done,
To his reward, eternal peace is gone,
Where he no doubt desires his thrown below
Should still remain, the same he did bestow,
A throne of peace, which he hath found the way
Unto that glory never shall decay
Upon the Earth whiles Sun and Moon shall shine,
Nor yet in Heaven when those our lights decline.
Shall any heart then so conceive amiss,
To fear a branch of such a stock as this
Should prove so far degenerate from kind,
As to be of a cruel bloody mind?
It must be sure a cruel heart must think
Such cruel thoughts, which never yet could sink
Into my head, nor ever shall, I trust;
The powers producing are not so unjust.
No, no dear Sovereign, no, I am possessed,
You have a tender heart within your breast,
And are by nature properly inclined
To Peace and concord of a gentle mind;
Inheritance doth make these virtues yours;
Besides the working of supreamer powers.
That if your highness ever did adhere,
Or ever shall to any needless war,
Or any other cruel act, I know
It cannot from your disposition flow,
But must be rather forced, or a thing
Proceeding from a mis-informed King,
By such as work upon your Majesty,
To work their own unnappy ends thereby.
Doubtless full weighty is a Crown to wear,
And oft as full of danger as of care;
The danger of seducing heads as great
As all the care had to uphold a State.
If ever Monarch since the worlds increase
Had need of patience, and a love of Peace;
Then sure your Highness, of which gifts indeed,
I want expressions to explain your need:
Besides the troubles, trials, grief of heart
Your Grace hath been in, and are yet in part;
Which sure might move the most unmoved spirit,
That flesh and blood did ever yet inherit.
When I consider of ensuing days,
When heavens, I hope your Majesty shall raise
Unto your Throne, and Crown your temples yet
With that same precious Diadem is fit:
When you arrived at this port for peace,
Which you have sailed to through such rugged Seas,
Where, like one banished, raised to renown,
Or like your Grace from prison to a Crown:
Your Highness should expect a happy rest,
A blessed Sun-shine when the storm is past,
Wherewith to warm, to comfort, joy, and cheare
Your sad, and weary, Sacred Soul most dear,
With all those Royal, ample, during, blest,
And sweet enjoyment that befits you best.
When thus I say, your Highness should remain
Thus Crown'd with Peace, in happiness to reign,
Oh, how my thoughts, my thoughts as out of place,
Are here molested, thinking on your Grace?
To think how then your Peace may be molested
By dreadful motions of revenge suggested.
Me thinks I fore-see, or at least I fear
What powerful objects of your future care
Will be presented daily to your eyes,
Presented too, perhaps in tears and cries,
Most strong Petitions to your Noble Grace
By such as have been suffters in your case,
That then at last they may have their desire,
And quench those flames revenge will set on fire:
Revenge, revenge, a just revenge O King,
Ingaging to your Highness in the thing,
Will be a daily echo in your ears
With such a trumpet sounding out your cares,
And wrongs sustained, with their own, this war
As will prevail, if not prevail too far.
But heavens, I hope, nay, more then hope, I know
If they in peace, and mercy, will bestow
Your throne upon you; which I hope to see:
They will there with bestow such a degree
Of gifts, and virtues on your Royal Grace
As shall both please them, and befit your place.
Besides Great King, as I have shown in part.
You have (I doubt not) in your breast a heart
Which is by nature tender, sweet, and mild,
As best befits a peaceful Fathers child;
By birth a son of peace, and sure will prove
By grace I trust, a Prince of peace and love.
And so be able wisely to resist
The dreadful motions that revenge suggest,
And stop your ears unto that hideous cry,
Wherein concealed doth all confusion lie.
The bane and ruin both of Church and State,
Especially where ruin was so late.
That so when heavens have set your Highness free
You may no more in bonds ensnared be,
But seek by peace and concord to enjoy
What war and discord did so late destroy.
Preferring peace above the suits of those
That beg revenge, although upon your foes,
Supposed foes, or foes that will recant,
And beg your Graces pardon, which to grant
Will bless your Grace, and set your Throne more sure,
Then black revenge forever can procure,
And raise your Highness higher still and higher,
Untill your Grace shall to that Throne aspire
Erected in the highest heavens above,
The Throne of God, the seat of peace and love,
Where Kings of peace, and men of peace shall reign
In peace and glory ever shall remain.
Unto which Throne I shall not cease to pray,
That Heavens may thus direct you in the way,
That manger what might move you to miscarry,
You may not from that heavenly dictate vary;
But steer your course still in this calm of rest,
Where sailing's safe, and to arrive is blest.
That when your Highness hath this voyage past,
And be arrived at that same Haven at last
The Heaven of Havens, the shore of all renown,
The Throne of God, to wear a better Crown:
You then may leave that blessing to your son,
Our hopeful Prince; that blessed
James
hath done
Unto your Grace; a Throne of Peace I mean,
That so his Crown may flourish, may be green,
And free from war, and envy 's nipping blast;
May bring forth fruits of glory, which may last,
And make his Highness to his Subjects prove
The blessed, blessed Object of their love:
And England henceforth ever understood
A Land of Peace, no more a field of blood.
Thus Gracious Sovereign, on my knees to crave
The pardon Loyall muses wont to have,
As building on your Goodness I begun,
So begging your forgiveness, I have done.
FINIS.