348
HUDIBRAS.
[PART III.
And, since our workings-out are crost, 505
Throw up the Cause before 'tis lost.
Was it to run away we meant,
Who, taking of the Covenant,
The lamest cripples of the brothers
Took oaths to run before all others,[1] 510
But in their own sense, only swore,
To strive to run away before,
And now would prove, that words and oath
Engage us to renounce them both?
'Tis true the Cause is in the lurch, 515
Between a right and mongrel-church;
The Presbyter and Independent,
That stickle which shall make an end on't,
As 'twas made out to us the last
Expedient,—I mean Marg'ret's fast;[2] 520
When Providence had been suborn'd,
What answer was to be return'd:[3]
Else why should tumults fright us now,
We have so many times gone thro',
And understand as well to tame 525
As, when they serve our turns, t' inflame?
Throw up the Cause before 'tis lost.
Was it to run away we meant,
Who, taking of the Covenant,
The lamest cripples of the brothers
Took oaths to run before all others,[1] 510
But in their own sense, only swore,
To strive to run away before,
And now would prove, that words and oath
Engage us to renounce them both?
'Tis true the Cause is in the lurch, 515
Between a right and mongrel-church;
The Presbyter and Independent,
That stickle which shall make an end on't,
As 'twas made out to us the last
Expedient,—I mean Marg'ret's fast;[2] 520
When Providence had been suborn'd,
What answer was to be return'd:[3]
Else why should tumults fright us now,
We have so many times gone thro',
And understand as well to tame 525
As, when they serve our turns, t' inflame?
- ↑ These were the words used in the Solemn League and Covenant: "our true and unfeigned purpose is, each one to go before another in the example of a real reformation."
- ↑ The lectures and exercises delivered on days of public devotion were called expedients. Besides twenty-five days of solemn fasting and humiliation on extraordinary occasions, there was a fast kept every month for about eight years together. The Commons attended divine service in St Margaret's church, Westminster. The reader will observe that the orator does not say Saint Margaret's, but Margaret's fast. Some of the sectaries, instead of Saint Peter or Saint Paul, would, in derision, say Sir Peter and Sir Paul. See note at page 54. The Parliament petitioned the king for fasts, while he had power; and the appointing them afterwards themselves, was an expedient they made use of to alarm and deceive the people, who, upon such an occasion, could not but conclude there was some more than ordinary impending danger, or some important business carrying on.
- ↑ These sectaries pretended a great familiarity with Heaven; and when any villany was to be transacted, they would seem in their prayers to propose their doubts and scruples to God Almighty, and after having debated the matter some time with him, they would turn their discourse, and bring forth an answer suitable to their designs, which the people were to look upon as suggested from heaven. See note at page 66.
