Divine Poems In seuen seuerall Classes, Written To his most Excellent Maiestie, Charles, By the Grace of God King of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith &c. By Sr Iohn Stradling |
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The third Classis.
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 | Divine Poems |  |
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The third Classis.
THE ARGVMENT.
Christs Miracles on Lazars, Lepers, Blinde,Dumbe, Deafe, Dead, wretched men possest with Deuills
Th' Apostles no lesse powrefull in that kinde,
By his commission vanquish all those euills.
The strange encrease of pious Christianisme,
The vnlike growth of hell-bred Mah'metisme.
1
Who pennes the storie of an earthly King,Whose deeds aske folio-Volumes large & thick:
Ere of his Acts and Gests he fall to sing,
Or come to touch the Matter to the quick:
To times, and things preceding must looke back,
Else shall his writings grace and lustre lacke.
2
Of all the Kings that euer Scepter sway'd,Since Nimrod first that Title did attaine:
If all their doings were together layd,
And Kingdomes ioyn'd, wherein they all did raigne:
Their states and stories no wayes might compare
With Israels King, nor clayme therein a share.
3
My Muse (like Dogges that running lap and taste.Of Nilus streames, to quench their raging thirst)
Some passages hath posted o're in haste
From Eden, where shee set her foot at first,
Through hills, and dales, and woods, & champion fields,
Which endlesse matter of discoursing yeilds.
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4
Yet shee, too weake for such a worke of wonder,(What Atlas can so huge a weight sustaine!)
Resolu'd, part of that burthen to goe-vnder,
Which though it put her to no little paine:
Her zeale to doe that King true vassallage,
Makes it seeme but an easie carriage.
5
Dread soueraigne King of Kings, stretch forth thy hand,To stay thy feeble seruant least he fall:
Enlighten him, that he may vnderstand,
Those secrets of thy Court he deales withall:
Not prie into thy inner Cabinet,
But walke within the bounds which thou hast set.
6
The Sea is deepe, no bottome to be found,Where thou thy greatest mysteries hast hid:
Yet may we wade, whilst we can touch the ground,
Keepe by the shore, not venter to the mid.
Here little Lambes may sip, and quench their thirst,
Stout Elephants swill deepe, vntill they burst.
7
With whom predictions of the Prophets old,Nor types and figures, better things resembling;
Nor Gods sure promises fairely enroll'd
By faithfull Scribes, that neuer vs'd dissembling:
Nor witnesses 'boue all exceptions iust,
Can worke beliefe, and driue away distrust:
8
For such, some easier arguments there bee,(The future subiect of my plaine-tune-song)
By which the simplest sort may cleerly see;
The things that were fore-spoken off so long;
And get soule-sauing faith, that's neuer idle,
A spurre to Vertue giues, to Vice a bridle.
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9
Like one, who in a spacious garden set,With flowers, and fruits of sundrie sorts repleat:
Hath libertie without controll or let,
To take his choise for sauour, or for meat:
Lookes oft about, not knowing where begin,
All is so faire in shew, so sweet within.
10
So I, amid a Sea and World of matter,Exposed to my choise whereon to sing:
Where no man need to gloze, much lesse to flatter,
But smoothly say the truth in euery thing:
Confounded with my Theames varietie,
Stand doubtfull where begin my poesie.
11
Thus wondring at this wondrous affluence,As I my pen vnto my paper set:
It seem'd some hid celestiall influence
My wau'ring hand, and purpose did abet,
And mou'd me first dispose my selfe to treat,
Christs Miracles, and workes of wonder great.
12
'Twas meet that he who brought new Doctrine in,Put end vnto old Iewish ceremonies,
With Miracles and wonders should begin:
Such wondrous workes perform'd before mens eyes,
Confirm'd his Doctrine with strong euidence,
As none thereat could iustly take offence.
13
The first, is one among them not the least,That he, a childe of young and tender yeeres,
Eu'n in the Temple, at a solemne feast,
Appos'd profoundest Doctors of the Chaires:
His knowledge and his answeres were so rare,
As all men wondred, who then present were.
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Yet, by degrees he grew vnto perfection,In grace and wisedome daily did encrease:
As man, we reade he liu'd in some subiection
To passions: Onely sinne could not him seaze.
His God-head in his wonders did appeare;
So, of his Man-hood he left tokens cleare.
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In Galile (next) at a marriage feast,His mother and disciples comming thither,
Himselfe likewise a solemne bidden ghest,
And many more assembling there together:
He gaue a probat of his pow'r diuine,
By turning Water into perfect Wine.
16
When Adam stood in state of innocence,In Paradise God knit that sacred band,
With breach whereof no mortall may dispence,
He brought the Woman to the husbands hand.
A mysterie, more to be had in honour,
Sith of the first Wife, God himselfe was donour.
17
Perhaps from truth I shall not goe astray,Nor wrong the holy Text by misconstruction:
If, as I thinke, so I presume to say,
That Christ herein respected our instruction:
By his first miracle at a marriage-dinner,
To grace that Rite, whereof God was beginner.
18
He left a patterne of ciuilitie,To such as should his holy Faith embrace:
To shun all churlish harsh rusticitie,
And frame themselues to persons, time, and place:
To feast sometimes with friends, at seasons fit;
And sometimes weepe, with such as mourning sit.
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19
“No men on earth haue Angell-like perfection,“Whilst we are clothed with mortalitie,
“To humane passions we liue in subiection,
“None is exempt from mutabilitie.
“We laugh, we weepe, are sick, recouer health,
“From pouertie, sometimes rise vp to wealth.
20
As Christ made merrie with his friends at feasting,It's likewise in the holy Storie noted:
He soone retyr'd, and gaue himselfe to fasting,
A worke whereto he chiefly was deuoted.
The Deuill then beginneth him to trie,
And takes aduantage of necessitie.
21
Full fortie dayes he spent in meditation,(He was not idle in the Wildernesse)
In which he tooke no food for sustentation:
This worke, his God-head makes vs to confesse.
His hunger after that, doth testifie,
And giue sure proofe of his Humanitie.
22
Hence that Old Serpent, subtle sophister,Begins to argue thus: Bread here is none:
That (as thou know'st) is life's chiefe nourisher:
Loe, here is matter, Take to thee this stone,
If thou wilt proue thy selfe to be Gods sonne,
Command it to be bread, and 'twill be done.
23
He had not yet forgot, how simple EueBy faire pretence, was foully circumuented:
So hoped he our Sauiour to deceaue,
And make him yeild assoone as he was tempted.
His wiles in tempting Christ, were farre more slie,
They made no shew of grosse impietie.
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24
The woman did what flatly was forbidden,From due obedience to rebellion slided:
Foule gluttonie within her brest lay hidden,
By sight, and taste her appetite shee guided.
Because the fruit was pleasant to the eye,
And good to eate, shee tooke it instantly.
25
One motiue, worse then th' other two beside,Preuaill'd with her. A rash, and damn'd desire
Of knowledge like to God. Loe, here was pride,
A sinne that still sets all the world on fire.
By pride, rebellion, sensualitie,
The Tempter gat on her the victorie.
26
With Christ, more warely he goes to worke.To turne a stone into a piece of bread,
A man would thinke no treason here could lurke,
And yet our Lord, withstood him to his head:
Tells him, that God by's word, and prouidence,
Not by sole bread, procures our liues defence.
27
Th' audacious boldnesse of the wicked fiendSets out it selfe, that being once repell'd,
He durst his wit against our Sauiour bend:
The more he was kept downe, the more he swell'd.
For, hauing failed in his first assay,
He leaues not so, but tries another way.
28
He lifts him vp vpon the Temples top,A place of danger, rashly to descend:
Anon perswades him, boldly thence to hop,
On confidence that God would him defend:
And for assurance, Scripture he produceth,
Though (like himselfe) the Text there he abuseth.
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29
“The Deuill, when he leades a man to sinne,“Seekes not t'obtayne his full designe at first:
“With slender slips, and errors hee'll beginne,
“Then drawes him on, to actions more accurst.
“For, he that to his first assault giues way,
“At next will be more readie to obay.
30
One other gilded bait this Tempter sets,(With such too many in these dayes are caught)
Him to a huge high Mountaynes top he gets,
Thence shewes him all the world with glorie fraught,
And offers all, so he might be ador'd:
But then he was rebuked by our Lord.
31
Marke well, to euery point of this temptation,How Christ still answered with a scriptum est:
The Deuill once spake so in altercation,
Of him his Schollers learne the Text to wrest:
Christ teacheth vs whereon our faith to ground,
And how all deuillish wranglers to confound.
32
Though Moses did endure so long a fast,While in the holy Mount he did abide:
Gods presence was to him a full repast,
He needed not some sustenance beside.
Eu'n in the clowd that time with God he dwelt,
No touch of humane frailtie there he felt.
33
Eliah tasted of a heauenly meate,Ordayned for the nonce to giue him strength:
An Angell set it downe, and bid him eate,
For-cause he had a iourney of great length:
This was a meane of good Eliahs fasting,
The Angels foode had such a force of lasting.
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34
And why not so? Farre stranger was that tree,Whose fruit once eaten, had so strong a force;
The Eater, from diseases had beene free,
His body neuer should beene made a coarse.
Then maruaile not, if for some fortie dayes,
One Angell-meale the Prophets stomack stayes.
35
Of Christ his fast, no meane at all I see,But onely that he did performe the deed;
His Manhood strengthned by his Deitie,
Of secundarie causes had no need.
'Twas God that fasted: so communitie
Of properties, that speech doth iustifie.
36
In Galile where he began his preaching,His miracles aboundantly he wrought:
By them he wan assent vnto his teaching,
More Auditors to him thereby were brought.
All people that were any wayes diseased,
He made them sound, and left them wholly eased.
37
No sore, no sicknesse came to him amisse,He healed all, and euery kinde of griefe:
A leprosie (what spot more loathsome is?)
He cured with his word: 'twas short and briefe.
Be cleane, such is my will thou shouldest bee;
The griefe departed, and the man was free.
38
Two more he cur'd, with palsies much tormented,His word alone he vsed for their ayde:
The one, before him neuer was conuented,
Onely on his behalfe his Master pray'd:
Goe home (saith Christ) thy seruant shall doe well,
If thou beleeue: and iust so it befell.
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39
A feuer by a touch he did expell,Rebukes the windes, they instantly obay'd;
Becalmes the Seas which mightily did swell,
Whereat his faint Disciples were dismay'd.
Be still (said he) 'twas calme eu'n as he spake;
They all with feare, and wonder 'gan to quake.
40
“He onely is the Lord of Sea and Land,“He holds the windes fast closed in his fist:
“He hath both waues, and blasts at his command,
“He makes them stirre, and stayes them when he list.
“Of him they stand in awe, and feare his check,
“When most thy striue, he stills them with a beck.
41
To him the Sea is as the firmest ground,Thereon he walkes, makes Peter doe likewise:
Who waxed faint, and feared to be drown'd,
When he perceau'd a tempest to arise.
“Needs must they sinke, whom Christ doth not sustaine,
“The helpe of others, we implore in vaine.
42
Two men, who were depriued of their sight,(When of their faith they first had made confession)
He toucht their eyes, that they mought see the light,
Yet 'twas to take effect vpon condition,
So their beliefe were heartie, and vyfayn'd:
Which soone appear'd, in that their sight they gayn'd.
43
Another, noted to be blinde by birth,'Bout whom the Iewes vs'd many captious questions:
He spat, and made a temper of the earth,
'Mongst them it caused many nice suggestions:
They labour'd much this wonder to deface,
Their stirring gate to Christ and it, more grace.
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44
As one, who seekes to quench a fire begun,Bestirres himselfe with what comes next to hand:
Then to some vessell hastily doth run,
Takes vp a pot of oile which there did stand,
Throwes it thereon, in hope the flame to smother,
But then each little flame, begets three other:
45
So they halfe mad; that wonder to disgrace,(At least, thereof to stop the spreading fame)
Run vp and downe, and walke from place to place,
One while the man, then they his parents blame:
The Deed at length confirm'd, and clear'd from doubt,
They curse the late-blinde man, and cast him out.
46
The deafe and dumbe, he made to heare and speake,Limmes withred vp, to strength he did restore:
By meanes in seeming simple, feeble, weake,
Which caus'd all men thereat to wonder more.
What euer meanes he pleased to apply,
His will alone, was th' onely remedy.
47
One creeple noted more then all the rest,Poore impotent, full thirtie yeeres and eight;
His strength regayned when he hoped least,
At that strange Poole, where he so long did wait:
That helpe which by the Poole he could not haue,
Christ with his onely word vnto him gaue.
48
Who euer with such slender store of bread,As fiue poore barley loaues, and two small fishes:
Hath read, or heard fiue thousand men full fed,
Whose stomacks might haue askt a thousand dishes?
They all were fill'd, and after meale left more,
Then what to them presented was before.
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49
One other meale, much like vnto the last,To men, their wiues and children did he make:
With little food, he gaue them large repast.
Then they who sawe these workes, precisely spake
That this was he, expected for so long;
(Diuine-sweet subiect of my simple song.)
50
Herein was neere resemblance with Creation,No man did so in former time, nor since:
Admit therein but multiplication,
It giues full proofe of his Omnipotence.
To make huge matter out of little store,
All's one, as if there had beene none afore.
51
These workes were strange; Farre stranger rest vntold,The like were neuer since, nor yet before:
Consuming griefes, long-lingering and old,
By touching of his garment, and no more.
To vanish in a moment, and depart,
Not eas'd, but waxing worse by physicks art.
52
Yet, all diseases, griefes, and maladiesExceeding physicks skill, and surgerie,
May not be thought so farre past remedies
As death, attendant on mortalitie.
When once the thred of life is cut in twaine,
God, and no Man, can fasten it againe.
53
This Sonne of God, both God and Man together,Like pow'r had ouer death, as on diseases:
He conquer'd th' one, aswell as cur'd the other,
With's Word, or lesse then that, doth what him pleases.
He could assoone make any dead man liue,
As health vnto diseased persons giue.
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54
When first he came vnto the Rulers daughter,(Her fathers humble suit him thither led)
The people there began to raise a laughter,
In that they knew, the Maide was fully dead.
He takes her by the hand, bids her arise,
Shee walks, and eateth meat before their eyes.
55
Like deed at Naim, wrought he on another;A dead man carried out vpon a Beere,
Who was the onely sonne vnto his mother
A widdow, weeping shew'd shee lou'd him deere.
Christ tooke compassion, will'd her not to weepe,
Then rowz'd her sonne from death, as from a sleepe.
56
These two were strangers, both to him vnknowne,(Respecting passions of humanitie)
A friend and deare acquaintance of his owne,
Who dwelt within the towne of Bethanie,
Giues greater cause to manifest Gods glorie,
As is obserued in the sacred Storie.
57
No miracle in all the holy Booke,So fully is describ'd in euery part:
I wish my Reader on that Text to looke,
That deed alone did many Iewes conuert:
And he who reading it, rests vn-conuerted,
Then any stubborne Iew, is more hard-hearted.
58
Here are cleere signes of Christs humanitie,His loue, his sorrow, witnessed by weeping:
Mayne arguments of his Diuinitie,
Awaking one, who mortally was sleeping.
By natures course, the corps began to stinke,
And so his friends that lou'd him best, did thinke.
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59
What though his flesh had beene to dust consum'd,And all his limmes disioynted cleane asunder?
His former state he should haue re-assum'd,
Had Christ beene pleas'd to shew so rare a wonder.
He cry'd alowd, and call'd him by his name,
The dead man rose, out of his tombe he came.
60
Why should that Article of our Christen Creed,Which doth assure vs of the Resurrection,
(Though Reasons reach in sort it doth exceed)
Against beliefe be held a strong obiection?
This one example makes the matter plaine,
That dead men may rise vp, and liue againe.
61
This deed was done neere to Ierusalem,A great recourse of Iewes then in the place:
It shewes, our Lord was willing to win them,
At least wise such, in whom was sparke of grace.
Great numbers did beleeue; some went their wayes,
And told the matter to the Phariseis.
62
Such publike notice of this Act was taken,That all the Citie therewith gan be troubled,
The Priests and Pharisees with feare were shaken:
Their malice and their furie both redoubled,
Sith Lazarus caus'd many to belieue,
Who knew he had beene dead, and sawe him liue.
63
O faithlesse Iewes, most vnbeleeuing Nation,What madnesse did your crazie braines possesse!
Hard-hearted, stubborne, froward Generation,
Who seeing such great workes, would not confesse!
The gangren of your incredulitie,
Infecteth yet your whole posteritie.
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64
Thou soules and bodies Surgeon and Physition,Haue pitie on this braine-sick, frantick crue:
Prepare some strong-soule-curing composition,
Vouchsafe their drowsie spirits to renewe:
Turne them at last, that they and we together,
May knowledge thee coequall with thy Father.
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And by the working of thy holy Spirit,One God that makes the Glorious Trinitie:
Thy heauenly Kingdome we may all inherit,
Knit here below in perfect vnitie,
In vertue striuing each to passe the other,
True Children of thy holy Church, our Mother.
66
Another proofe of Christs Diuinitie,His greatest foe, the Deuill shall auow:
Though wicked men all bent to blasphemie,
Him and his workes disgrac't, they car'd not how.
When he the Deuills, by his pow'r o're-came,
They said he did it in the Deuills name.
67
Damn'd blasphemie! Repugnant to all reason,That Satan should against himselfe rebell:
Nay, 'mongst those cursed fiends there's no such treason,
To mischieue vs, they all agree too well:
Their concord (such as 'tis) maintaynes their state,
We lose our selues by strife, and mutuall hate.
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Sometimes he checks the Deuills with his Word,Commands them to come out, and is obay'd:
Sometimes at very presence of our Lord,
Before he speakes, they crie and are afray'd.
They begge his leaue to enter into Swine;
What stronger probat of his pow'r diuine?
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69
To Iewes and Gentiles he was kind alike,Lord of them both, in mercy rich to all:
One woman who by Nation was a Greeke,
Before his feet, most humbly downe did fall:
Her daughter from a Deuill he set free,
Yet came not neere, nor euer did her see.
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If all the workes of wonder had beene penn'd,By which our Lord prou'd his Diuinitie:
The pen-men hardly could haue found an end,
They mounted neere vp to infinitie.
These were, and are enough to gender faith;
So I beleeue, for so the Gospell faith.
71
Some circumstances rest worth obseruation,Whereof my Muse desires a note to warble:
The Theame yeilds her such inward contentation,
Shee holds it fitter to be grau'n in marble,
Then rudely scribb'ld with her ragged quill,
Yet hopes, the best may like of her good will.
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In giuing pow'r to simple Fishermen,That they like workes should doe, as he had wrought:
Most of them wanting skill to hold a pen,
Who neuer in their youth to schoole were brought:
This was a wonder much admired at,
The learned Iewes tooke speciall note of that.
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Christ, bodies Surgeon, and the soules Physition,Great Lord and King of both by lawfull right:
To his Apostles gaue a large Commission,
Against all griefes, and euery vncleane sprite.
He bids them heale the sick, make lepers cleane,
Cast out the Deuils, raise the dead againe.
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Freely they had this gift, payd nothing for it,As freely they bestow'd the same on others.
Money or bribes to take, they did abhorre it,
But gaue to strangers, as vnto their brothers.
This law and practise is grow'n obsolet,
Now men must pay, if ought they meane to get.
75
While Phœbus shewes his face, it shines so bright,The Moone and lesser Lamps yeild not a sparke:
There's no apparance of their borrowed light,
Till he withdraw, and it begin grow darke:
Then, all such force as he to them doth lend,
To serue the vse of man, they freely spend.
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A King, whilst he is present in the place,And deignes himselfe a bus'nesse to effect:
For subiects then to wait, it's no disgrace,
Till he be pleas'd, some specially t'elect,
And giue them pow'r in those affaires to deale,
To trie them trustie, and himselfe to speale,
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Our Lord, long time in person did attendHis Church-affaires, himselfe tooke all the care:
He trayn'd some neere about him, to this end
When he sawe time, the burthen they might share,
And by Commission ample, full and large,
Performe what he to them should giue in charge.
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Th' Apostles were no slack Commissioners,But roundly let themselues vnto their taske:
All people of the world were their Parishioners,
They gaue to all, that came to them to aske.
By vertue of Christs pow'r to them diriu'd,
What e're they tooke in hand, prou'd well, and thriu'd.
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79
And first, t'assure them of his powerfull aide,To warrant them in that so high a function:
T'accomplish what not long before he saide,
On them he did bestow a sp'rituall vnction.
They with the holy Ghost were wholly fill'd,
In euery language on a sodaine skill'd.
80
This strange beginning had a faire successe,Though some forbare not, foully to blaspheme:
Three thousand soules were gayned, and no lesse
By Peters Sermon, grounded on that Theame.
Hereby Christs God-head was aswell made knowne,
As by the greatest wonders of his owne.
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What miracles were by th' Apostles showne,Though all the people offred them the honour:
Yet they surrendred it to him alone,
Who of their large Commission was the Donour.
“The Authour of each worke deserues the prayse,
“More then the Instrument, which him obayes.
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So, what they did as seruants to their Lord,Whence they deriued their authoritie:
Among those Acts I iustly may record,
Which giue vs proofe of his Diuinitie.
By him, and in his Name, their deedes were wrought;
Confest, that of themselues they could doe nought.
83
As when they set the creeple on his feet,Who from his birth before could neuer stand,
Vntill that Peter friendly did him greet,
And gently taking him by his right hand,
Bid him rise vp, and walke in Iesus Name:
Which said, the creeple was no longer lame.
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84
The Iewish Rulers, madded with this deed,And more, in that they did the people teach:
Laid hands on them. But marke how it did speed,
The Doctrine was so sweet which they did preach,
So well confirmed, that fiue thousand more,
Were ioyn'd to them, which did beleeue before
85
Me thinkes, it was a miracle to see,How these hard-hearted Rulers beat their braine:
To compasse, that the deed conceal'd might bee,
Which was so open, manifest, and plaine.
Themselues blind-foulded, would haue other men,
Seeme not to see, what cleerly they did ken.
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Like children when they hide their eyes, or winke,While they themselues see not the face of others:
That no man else sees them (poore soules) they thinke,
Thus please their fancie, and delight their mothers.
Such was the childish folly of those people,
About the bus'nesse of that cured creple.
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Here Peters loue vnto his Lord appear'd,Whereof not long before he made profession:
The threatnings of the Iewes, he no whit fear'd,
But boldly made a most diuine confession:
Proues, they had cast aside that Corner-stone,
Which all the faithfull should be built vpon.
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When he and other of his fellowes met,Recounting how the Rulers had them threat'ned:
Themselues to pray with one accord they set,
Desiring God they might by him be heart'ned,
Boldly to preach: and that in Iesus Name,
They might worke wonders, so to spread his fame.
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No sooner had they ended their deuotion,But instantly the place wherein they sat,
Was strangely shaken with a heauenly motion:
They courage tooke, and waxed bold thereat,
Inspired from aboue, they all agree,
Their hearts and soules fast knit in charitie.
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A King, that seekes his Empire to enlarge,Winnes strangers to acknowledge him their Lord:
As well of th' one, as th' other sort takes charge,
Like Iustice to them all, he doth afford.
One sharpe example shew'd on his owne Nation,
Makes strangers loue: and feare like castigation.
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Some one, who in the Churches bosome lurkes,Who of Religion makes a faire pretence:
Corrupts his fellowes with his wicked workes,
To Infidels giues scandall, and offence.
By cutting off so bad a rotten limme,
The body is preserued cleane, and trimme.
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A scabbed sheepe that would the whole infect,Good Shepherds vse to draw-out from the rest:
The flock, more then one culling, they respect.
Th' Apostles, Pastors of all else, the best,
With their new chosen sheepe doe so begin,
Thereby more loue, and credit did they win.
93
What sinne more haynous in the Church of GodThen Sacriledge? Of all thefts, that's the worst:
Such theeues aske scourging with an Iron rod.
Of all Church-robbers, he who was the first
'Mong men professing Christ, death was his hire
The manner strange, as did the fact require.
106
94
The man who did commit that robberie,Though 'twere most close, and secret in his heart:
No sooner came in Peters companie,
But he perceau'd his falshood, and his art:
Rebuk't him sharply for his foule dissembling,
Downe dead he fell, eu'n at his feet with trembling
95
His wife, partaker in the trecherie,Not knowing what her husband did betyde:
Presents her selfe with like impietie,
But instantly at Peters word, shee dy'de.
These rare examples strake a sodaine feare,
In all beleeuers, who thereof did heare.
96
A crime there is, neere kin vnto the other,Which from the Authour doth deriue its name:
'Tis Simonie, to Sacriledge next brother,
A Sorcerer he was who broacht the same:
Yet, by the wonders which Saint Philip wrought,
Within the Churches verge he had been brought.
97
He thought Gods gifts with money might be gayn'd,Saint Peter checks him sharpely for his fault,
Exhorts him to repent with zeale vnfayn'd:
Perhaps the man did so as he was taught.
Himselfe he humbled, seemed penitent,
I find no mention of his punishment.
98
“That argues not, the fault t'haue beene the lesse,“God strikes, and spares whom to him seemeth good:
“A late example makes vs so confesse,
“Like Siloes Tower rightly vnderstood.)
“Those faults are both of them so neere of kinne,
“I wot not which to call the greater sinne.
107
99
The Church hath long beene pesterd with those crimes,(Th' are deeply mor'd, 'tis hard to weed them out)
If holy Peter liu'd in these our times,
'Twould cause him rowze himselfe, and looke about,
And strike some dead, to make the others feare.
“Examples moue, wordes onely beat the aire.
100
As Peter, Ananias and his wifeFor their offences, with a word did slay:
So, good Tabitha he restores to life,
When kneeling by her carkasse, he did pray.
Onely he bid her rise, then vp shee sat,
Many beleeu'd, and wondred much thereat.
101
How much did he amaze the faithfull Iewes,In shewing them the Gentiles strange conuersion?
At first they were offended with the newes,
And rashly laid on him a foule aspersion:
But when he plainely told them all the storie,
They held their peace, and gaue to God the glorie.
102
Strange wonders more were by th' Apostles wrought,As if their Lord himselfe had beene in place:
The sick in couches, and in beds were brought,
No kinde of griefe made difference in the case:
All coming to them, whole and sound were made,
Yea some, obtayning onely Peters shade.
103
Not much vnlike it's noted of Saint Paul,The linnen clothes that from his person came,
Draue-out foule spirits, and cur'd diseases all:
Done by Christs helpe and onely in his Name.
He that to mortall men such pow'r could giue,
Him to be more then man, we must belieue.
108
104
Strong prison doores flue-ope, to let them out,So did an Iron gate, though surely warded:
They shakt off chaines, and fetters like a clout,
And past through all such watches as them guarded:
Till their Commission they had fully ended,
Their Master from all Tyrants, them defended.
105
When Saul against the faithfull tyranniz'd,With bonds and torments threatning them to punish
In wondrous manner sodenly surpriz'd,
A light from heauen did him so astonish,
That tumbling downe he fell, and lost his sight,
The vision which appeared was so bright.
106
To him our Lord himselfe distinctly spake,Recall'd him from the error he was in:
He readily obey'd, and nothing slacke,
To preach and teach did presently begin:
And plainly prou'd, that Christ in deed was hee,
By God ordayn'd, worlds Sauiour to bee.
107
Now shall you heare how persecuting Saul,Conuerted by so strange an apparition:
Became a most religious preaching Paul,
Receau'd from Christ himselfe a new Commission:
Wherein he labour'd more then all the rest,
His labours with a faire successe were blest.
108
At Antioch, a Citie of renowne,The faith of Christ he so diuinely taught:
As first the name of Christians in that Towne,
Was giu'n to all, who to the Faith were brought.
(O, as we doe retayne that glorious Name,
So would we doe such workes, as fit the same!)
109
109
As to darke men they oft restored sight,So with a word they would strike others blinde.
A Sorcerer resisting Paul with might,
The force of his commanding word did finde:
That act made Sergius Paulus yeild assent
To Christian faith, with great astonishment.
110
A most diuine and pythie exhortation,(Like Peters sermon at Ierusalem)
Paul boldly spake to that vntoward Nation,
Yet little good his preaching did to them:
The Gentiles gladly did the Truth embrace,
And were accepted in the others place.
111
How comes it, that the Word diuinely taught,Makes some more stubborne then they were before?
When other-some therewith are sweetly caught,
With grace replenisht daily more and more?
“What's antidote to one, another kills,
“What saues the sonnes life, oft the fathers spills.
112
The fires warmth, and heat of shining Sunne,A roll of waxe doth gently mollifie:
On dirt and clay the contrarie is done,
These more obdurate grow, and hard thereby.
Some men haue hearts of waxe, and some of clay,
In Sunne or Fire the fault we must not lay.
113
This great Apostle neuer sate him downe,But still attending on his holy Function,
He trauail'd day and night, from towne to towne:
Some, moued in their hearts with true compunction,
Were won to Christ: Some others stirr'd vp strife,
And some laid plots, to take away his life.
110
114
At Lystra lay a creeple impotent,Who neuer vs'd his legs since he was bore:
Stand vp, quoth Paul; he leapt incontinent,
Then they who long had knowne the man before,
Would needes haue done vnto him sacrifice,
And hardly were restrayned with his cries.
115
Eu'n as a grand Commander in the field,Who ouer many thousands hath the charge:
Walks oft about his campe, and resteth seild,
Suruayes it round (although in compasse large)
Where he perceaues his men stand most in need,
There he runnes in, and succours them with speed:
116
So this grand Captayne of the Christian bands,Who fought against a strong and subtill foe:
Reviewes his Souldiers in remotest lands,
New-heartens those he had, still takes vp moe:
His foe-mans Souldiers runne to him amayne,
With such good pay, he did them entertayne.
117
In Macedon where Lydia was conuerted,A Maide which had a sprite of diuination:
To Paul and Silas who with him consorted,
Great trouble bred, and cruell castigation.
When he the Deuill by his word expell'd,
Some much incenst with rage against him swell'd.
118
That sooth-saying Damsell brought her Master gayne,Who when he saw the hope thereof was gone:
He cryes out to the Magistrates amayne,
Implores their ayde, else they were qu te vndone.
These Iewes (saith he) doe trouble all our Towne:
So were they whipt, and to the Iayle cast downe.
111
119
How loath are worldly men to beare a crosse?Such as be rich, haue all things at the full,
They'll follow Christ, so't be not to their losse:
You prick their hearts, if once their fleece yee pull.
Demetrius gayning by Dianaes shrines,
With all the craftsmen 'gainst Saint Paul combines.
120
Silas and he were fast set in the stocks,They pray'd all night, and Psalmes to God did sing:
The prison strangely shakt, off flue the locks,
The Iayler all amazed at the thing,
Admires the men: He with his familie
Baptiz'd, were turn'd to Christianitie.
121
A Traytor who vnto a Crowne aspires,Deuiseth how to climbe vp to the Throne:
The better to accomplish his desires,
And gayne the Honour due to Kings alone:
Prepares himselfe by apish imitation,
Ere he presume to broach his innouation.
122
First frames a count'nance fit for Maiestie,Then counterfeits, iust like a King to talke:
He learnes the way to speake Imperiously,
Next tries how Prince-like he in state can walke:
Thus when he thinkes himselfe shap't fit for action,
He makes some vse of Partners in his faction.
123
His Warrants and Commissions flie about,As if he were a King in veritie:
His Officers, among the simpler rout,
Make shew of iustice, and sinceritie:
But, as in their mayne-warrant there is fault,
So all their deeds are counterfeit, and naught.
112
124
The Deuill is to heauens King a traytor,Vsurps Gods lawfull iurisdiction:
He drawes vnto him many a gracelesse wayter,
Some he beguileth with his subtill fiction:
By sleights he makes his Vassals to belieue,
That he like powre, as God himselfe, can giue.
125
When Moses by Commission from his God,First to King Pharo did himselfe present:
He rayz'd a liuing Serpent of his Rod,
To make it knowne, that he from God was sent.
This deed (in reason) might haue mou'd the King,
But that the Deuill closely crost the thing.
126
False Sorcerers (the Deuills Iourney-men,That long had beene Apprentice to the Trade)
By their enchauntments did the like agen,
I thinke, not so in substance, but in shade.
For Moses Serpent truly being so,
Deuoured theirs, which were but such in show.
127
The vilest vermine rays'd from Egypts dust,Compell'd th' Inchaunters to confesse Gods hand:
Small reason had they in their Art to trust,
Sith they in Moses presence could not stand:
But all as much with botches were opprest,
As other men, the cattle and the beast.
128
Among the Iewes, while Paul true wonders wrought,The Deuill had Commissioners abroad:
These, not Gods glorie, but their Masters sought,
Abus'd the Name of Iesus to their fraud:
As though bare naming Iesus, and Saint Paul,
Without true faith, could worke those wonders all.
113
129
These Exorcists were quickly taught to know,Their fault in vsing counterfeit Commission:
The Deuill made the men themselues beshrew,
For as they vs'd their skill without suspition,
The man whom they (being seuen) had coniur'd,
Doth wound them all, and sends them to be cur'd.
130
Behold the common tricks of that Seducer,Good Angels shape in shew he doth assume:
Of all that come to him, he is th' abuser,
When most vpon his fauour they presume,
He quits their seruice with a wofull hire,
Prouides them lodging in a flame of fire.
131
Meanewhile (perhaps) till he of them be sure,With vaine and short delights giues them content:
Then hauing trayn'd them readie to his lure,
Prepares himselfe vnto their punishment.
Hee'll take a limme or ioynt, in part of pay,
T'assure him of the whole another day.
132
These Exorcists, sore wounded for their paines,With shame and sorrow, tooke them to their heeles:
The man possest, no helpe by them regaines,
Nor easement of his former torment feeles.
“All deuillish Artists finde the like successe:
“Small good they doe themselues, to others lesse.
133
But they to whom Christ did that powre impart,To worke great wonders, calling on his Name:
To men opprest brought ease, and ioy of heart,
To them and to their doctrine, prayse and fame.
Beleeuers, in their faith were faster grounded,
Oppugners of the Truth, thereby confounded.
114
134
While Paul at Troas preacht till mid of night,Intending his departure on the morrow:
A chance befell that did them much affright,
Possest his hearers hearts with griefe and sorrow.
A sleeping youth fell downe three stories hie,
And with the fall, departed instantlie.
135
Some friends (it's like) were there, who for him grieu'd,Discomfort to the rest the chance did breede,
Sith he was of the faithfull, and belieu'd:
But Paul, who neuer fail'd his friends at need,
When he had stretcht himselfe vpon the Lad,
Reuiued him, and made th' assembly glad.
136
“For one good faithfull man, of God belou'd,“A multitude oft doe his fauour finde:
By Pauls example that was fully prou'd,
When in a ship tost with tempestuous winde,
Two hundred seuentie fiue God to him gaue,
And for his sake the liues of all did saue.
137
As he not long before to them had told,When sad despaire possessed all their hearts:
He comforts them, perswades them to be bold,
(So they would ply themselues to doe their parts,
For why, fit meanes might not be cast aside:)
No losse of one mans life should them betide.
138
It so fell out. A matter seldome seene,Where seas so swell'd, and tempests were so strong:
No trauailer who in like case had beene,
So tost with waues, and toyll'd with labours long,
Would thinke in such a wreck, neere fourteene score,
Not one man lost, should all come safe to shore.
115
139
When Paul had past the danger of the Seas,And safely landed in Melita's Ile.
He rested not, nor idly tooke his ease,
Intending his Commission all the while.
Diseased people flockt to him amayne,
He cured all, and rid them of their payne.
140
Among the rest, the Ruler of that place,A noble Romane, shew'd him curtesie:
Whom Paul requited with a worke of grace,
The Rulers father sicke, and like to die,
In perfect health he setled by his prayer,
And many moe, that did to him repayre.
141
That great Physitian of our soules and bodies,Who cured all diseases with a word.
Could not escape the taunts of simple noddies,
(Whereof in holy Writ I finde record)
But some durst say, if thou haue pow'r at will,
Physitian heale thy selfe, and shew thy skill.
142
I reade how Paul was once put to that push,Vpon himselfe his pow'rfull art to proue:
The triall would haue made a stout man blush,
But he assured of his Masters loue,
Those dangers which did other men appall;
Esteemed light, and reck'ned them but small.
143
No sooner was he free on shore from drowning,His nummed lims refreshing by a fire:
As if both sea and land lookt on him frowning,
And creatures all against him did conspire:
A worme whose biting present death would bring,
Doth seize his hand, and closely to it cling.
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144
This hap, the standers by did much affright,Who knew the Vipers venom was so strong:
That none whom they should happen once to bite,
From swelling, or from death could hold out long.
A murtherer they iudg'd him to haue beene,
This plague laid on him, for that horrid sinne.
145
He soone shooke-off the beast into the flame,Not mou'd, nor feeling any harme at all:
The people then began t'extoll his name,
They change their mindes, and him a God they call.
Poore fooles, they might haue said, and spoken right,
That none could so haue done, but by Gods might.
146
Now put together since the worlds creation,All workes of wonder done in any time,
Which might deserue or challenge admiration,
In any Countrey, Region, or Clime:
(Except what Moses and Gods Prophets wrought)
Compar'd with these, they'll seeme as things of nought.
147
Here could I lose my selfe with wonderment,Amid this forest of such rarities:
My soule is stricken with astonishment,
And most at Iewish incredulities,
To thinke how such a Sauiour they could scorne,
Who of their bloud, and for their good was borne.
148
An Atheist, or a selfe-wise polititian,Presuming on the finenesse of his wit:
Will rayse a doubt (much like a Matchiuellian)
And sweare, there's no Diuine can answere it,
Such Apes there be that hugge their own brain-broods,
Deeme all men, but themselues, of muddie moods.
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149
If these Apostles could such wonders worke,Make sicke men whole, restore the dead to life,
Giue blinde men sight, strike some sharpe-sighted darke;
Resolue me of one doubt, to end the strife.
Why could they not haue mast'red all their foes,
Who slaught'red them, and bred them many woes?
150
That (thinke these men) had beene the onely way,Their doctrine and themselues so to haue grac't,
As all men would them readily obay,
No Tyrant, such examples, had out fac't.
But sith themselues they were not able saue,
We doubt how they such helpe to others gaue.
151
So said the Iewes when they our Lord reuil'd,From them these Wizards this objection borrow:
The Scribes and Priests spake scoffingly, and smil'd,
(What time his suffrings might haue mou'd their sorrow:)
Come downe now from the Crosse, so wee'll belieue,
Else, to thy Doctrine we no credit giue.
152
Though he had Angell-legions at his becke,Whereby his foe-men all he could haue slaine:
Though he could soone haue giu'n them such a checke,
As all their banding 'gainst him, had beene vaine:
Yet, to another purpose was he bore;
T'accomplish things, long prophecy'de before:
153
How then should Scriptures be fulfill'd? (said hee)That answere may suffice vs in this case:
From Masters state, the seruants were not free,
Most willingly the Crosse they did embrace.
“So, all that purpose to be Christ his schollers,
“In patient suff'ring they must be his followers.
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154
“Gold's not refin'd, but if it feele the fire;“Wheat not well cleans'd, but by the winde or fan:
“Who can expect a worthy Souldiers hire,
“Vnlesse he fight, and quit him like a man?
“We are Gods men of warre, his gold, his wheat;
“We must be cleans'd, refin'd, with labours sweat.
155
The workes by Christ, and his Apostles done,Might well suffice their Doctrine to auerre:
To get beliefe in such as would be wonne,
Confound all those, that wilfully would erre.
Of greater workes then those there was no need,
Men must be pleas'd, with what God hath decreed.
156
The Glutton sought a messenger from heauen,(When he in hell, for sinnes fore-past did burne:)
Who might relate a message to his brethren,
And moue them from their wicked deeds to turne.
Gods written warnings which they had afore,
Were left vnto them: they could get no more.
157
Is't meet a Vassal should prescribe his Liege,The way how he his people ought to rule?
Or that a priuate Souldier at a siege,
Command the breach to enter, or recule?
If no, lesse reason hath a mortall wight,
Direct his God the way to rule aright.
158
One worke of wonder resteth to be told,Though some (perhaps) will not confesse so much:
As Maxim, not as Paradox I hold,
It iustly merits to be termed such:
That Christen faith should grow so fast, and flourish,
E're King, or State endeuour'd it to nourish.
119
159
The Gentiles furiously together rag'd,Their Kings and Princes banding did vnite:
'Gainst th' Infant-Church they wholly were engag'd,
To roote it out they bent their wit, and might.
Both Iewes and Gentiles therein did agree,
To stop the growth of Christianitie.
160
When Romane Empire flourisht in her prime,Had all the world subiected to her yoke:
Whose lawes to breake, was held a haynous crime,
A sacriledge their Idolls to prouoke.
New legionarie Souldiers then arose,
Th' old Emperors had neuer none like those.
161
Grey-headed Fathers marcht in foremost ranke,Graue Matrones boldly did those Leaders second:
Young striplings of their bloud and life were franke,
And tender Virgins follow'd them as jocond.
Weake troupes (a man would thinke) to win a field,
Get ground vpon their foes, and make them yeild.
162
Such were those noble Christen Martyrs old,That first enlarg'd the bounds of Christs Dominions:
No Heathen worthies euer were so bold,
So constantly maintayned their Opinions.
By their example Nations were conuerted,
And Heath'nish-Idoll-Altars all subuerted.
163
Their Precepts tended not to vaine delights,Nor loos'd the reynes to lustfull libertie:
Not smoothly soothed carnall-minded wights,
Nor sau'ring ought of sensualitie.
But teaching men, worlds pleasures to despise,
Set onely heauens ioyes before their eyes.
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Humilitie and Meeknesse to professe,To offer no man wrong, but suffer rather:
To succour widdowes, and the fatherlesse,
No goods, but onely by good meanes, to gather:
To feede the hungrie with their bread and meate,
With clothes the naked keepe from cold, and heate.
165
Chastely to liue, and shunne Incontinence,Th' vnruly flesh with often fasts to tame:
To liue vprightly, giue no man offence,
Of vice and lewdnesse onely to take shame.
To doe in all things vnto other men,
As we wish others doe to vs agen.
166
Say, was not this a worke of wonderment?That men who knew not God, but seru'd the Deuill;
The way which Nature led them, therein went;
Whose thoughts were fleshly, all their actions euill:
Their liues in sports, and pleasures vaine did spend,
Suppos'd they were created to that end?
167
That such men freely should the world forsake,Bid vaine delights, and vanities adue:
Themselues to rigid rules of life betake,
Renounce old errors: like Babes borne of new,
Suck the sweet milke of pious Christen Doctrine,
Gladly endure the yoke of Church discipline?
168
Compare these times with theirs, it will appeare,Such alteration was a matter strange:
Sith men 'mongst whom Christs doctrin now shines cleare,
From vertue vnto vice profanely range:
Now most professing Christ, like Heathens liue,
And by their deeds, denie what they belieue.
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169
A wonder 'tis, in either of the twaine,Or vs, or them: (aduize vpon the oddes)
It's fear'd least Paganisme returne againe,
And Heath'nish manners, bring in Heathen gods,
Among the Iewes, iust so it came to passe,
Our state is seene in theirs as in a glasse.
170
Not so, as did the Christian faith first rise,That worlds-great-damn'd Seducer did begin:
By other meanes his foule impieties
Were set abroach, and did their credit win.
The Romaine Empire growing to decay,
To that false prophets doctrine made a way.
171
'Mongst men of nature fierce, of weake beliefe,Of manners lewd, of dissolute conditions,
That false Seducer he became the chiefe,
So pleasingly set forth his propositions;
With cunning art, and subtle stratagemes,
He first divulg'd his gracelesse theoremes.
172
Halfe-Iew, halfe-Christian he makes shew to bee,Takes some thing from them both, as likes him best:
What tends to pleasure, wealth, and libertie,
That he culls-out, and ouer-slips the rest:
So made a medley of religions both,
Which then had in the world the chiefest growth.
173
Not much vnlike a palat-pleasing Cooke,That dights some luscious dish to feed a Glutton:
On sundrie sorts of Cates at hand doth looke,
Takes one choice morsell from a well-fed mutton
One bit he borrowes of a fatted Capon,
Layes in a little piece of sweet new Bacon.
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174
From fat-beeues bones drawes halfe a pound of marrow,Of Kid hee'll haue a part, and so of Veale:
For birds-flesh minceth out the Larke, and Sparrow,
Addes Spices, Sugar, Sack a pretie deale.
Thus makes a Hotch-potch fit to feede a Gull,
Who chops it vp, till he be gorged full.
175
So, that religion-monger Mohomet,To feede the fancies of vnstable braines:
From all religions doth such Maxims get,
As best might sooth mens humours, fit their vaines.
No meruaile if a doctrine so all-pleasing,
Tooke roote, assisted by his fraud and leasing.
176
“Force ioyn'd with fraud and cunning, may doe much,“It's hard those sleights, and engins to withstand:
That Sect began, and is vp-held by such,
Not with the touch, whereby the Truth is scan'd.
The meanes that rays'd our faith, first made it flourish,
Are best the same to foster, feede and nourish.
177
Gods hand's not short'ned, but that still he can,And doth somewhile worke wonders in this Age:
Yet they are needlesse to a Christen man,
Whose faith is founded on a former gage.
Whom Christs old wonders cannot satisfie,
An Infidell he liues, and so hee'll die.
178
Oh might I liue some miracles to see,(Then die the death that righteous men desire:)
Our pride, conuerted to humilitie:
Our cold deuotion to loue-kindling fire:
Our auarice, to liberalitie:
Our luxurie, to stayd sobrietie:
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Our cancred hatred, turn'd to charitie:Our captious questions in Theologie,
(Foule enemies of fairest Vnitie!)
To simple Truths sincere Apologie.
Our swords diuerted from our fellowes hearts,
Against that foe, which worketh all our smarts.
180
This worke thou, onely thou canst bring to passe,Whose admirable acts my Muse doth tell:
Thy pow'r is now as great as e're it was,
But we of thee doe not deserue as well.
The lesser our desert, the more's thy grace:
Wayuing the first, the later we embrace.
181
Great Lord of Hosts, and gracious God of Peace,(These Titles both, to thee of due belong.)
Thou makest warres, and causest them to cease,
Defendest right, hast no delight in wrong.
Though horse and charet be prepar'd to fight,
Yet victorie consists not in their might.
182
Shew forth thy pow'r, as thou hast done of yore,Bow downe the backs of Nimrodizing men:
Now make them feele thy hand, as heretofore,
Let hundreds of them, turne their backs to ten.
Let windes, and seas, and skies at thy drad beck,
Fight for thy chosen, giue their foes a check.
183
Let King and Prince be vnder thy protection,As they thy Truth, and people doe protect:
Let Subiects yeild to them all due subiection,
So, let their fauours back on them reflect.
Let Vnitie vs in one bundle binde,
That all may be of one heart, and one minde.
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A worke of wonder: yet, so well begunne,As cheeres vp good mens hearts to see't perfected:
Let them that with faire meanes could not be wonne,
Repent for peacefull passages reiected.
When Sion ioyes in this felicitie,
Then with old Simeon I desire to die.
The end of the third Classis.
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