Distressed Sion Relieved Or, The Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness. Wherein are Discovered the Grand Causes of the Churches Trouble and Misery under the late Dismal Dispensation. With a Compleat History of, and Lamentation for those Renowned Worthies that fell in England by Popish Rage and Cruelty, from the Year 1680 to 1688. Together with an Account of the late Admirable and Stupendious Providence which hath wrought such a sudden and Wonderful Deliverance for this Nation, and Gods Sion therein. Humbly Dedicated to their Present Majesties. By Benjamin Keach |
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A Complaint against Hypocrites.
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 | Distressed Sion Relieved |  |
A Complaint against Hypocrites.
I am not only Persecuted by
My open Foes, but lurking Snakes do lye
VVithin my Bosom, using all their Art
To seize my Vitals, and corrode my Heart.
Such seeming Friends, such Traytors in disguise,
Are more malignant than known Enemies:
For the Attaques of these, a man may VVard;
Those unsuspected, stand within our Guard.
How many seem to reverence my name,
For worldly Ends, or to avoid the shame
Of Irreligion? frequently they go
To worship God, and so devout do show
As if meer Saints; but Hypocrites in grain,
Do all the while Intelligence maintain,
VVith my declared Foes, who proudly join,
And all their Politicks in one combine,
To root my name from off the very Earth,
And make provision that no more get Birth;
Betray'd by middle and by low degrees,
But most of all by Capital Grandees.
Such as my peace and safety should procure,
Contribute most to make me unsecure:
Such seem their purpose by soft words to smother;
So Boatsmen look one way, but row another.
Such perjur'd Statesmen have the Art to smile
Upon my Face, but cut my Throat the while.
But grant, dread Soveraign of the Universe,
That whilst I weep my grievances in Verse,
Thy Sion's interest may not be betray'd
To Rome, by Protestants in Masquerade.
O let me hear the joyful Trumpet sounded,
That does proclaim their Babylon confounded.
My open Foes, but lurking Snakes do lye
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To seize my Vitals, and corrode my Heart.
Such seeming Friends, such Traytors in disguise,
Are more malignant than known Enemies:
For the Attaques of these, a man may VVard;
Those unsuspected, stand within our Guard.
How many seem to reverence my name,
For worldly Ends, or to avoid the shame
Of Irreligion? frequently they go
To worship God, and so devout do show
As if meer Saints; but Hypocrites in grain,
Do all the while Intelligence maintain,
VVith my declared Foes, who proudly join,
And all their Politicks in one combine,
To root my name from off the very Earth,
And make provision that no more get Birth;
Betray'd by middle and by low degrees,
But most of all by Capital Grandees.
Such as my peace and safety should procure,
Contribute most to make me unsecure:
Such seem their purpose by soft words to smother;
So Boatsmen look one way, but row another.
Such perjur'd Statesmen have the Art to smile
Upon my Face, but cut my Throat the while.
But grant, dread Soveraign of the Universe,
That whilst I weep my grievances in Verse,
Thy Sion's interest may not be betray'd
To Rome, by Protestants in Masquerade.
O let me hear the joyful Trumpet sounded,
That does proclaim their Babylon confounded.
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Rome's black Militia is all up in Arms,
Annoying Europe in unusual swarms.
This critick moment they expect and hope,
To thrust Me out, and introduce a Pope
To plague this Noble Nation, that has been
A VVall, a Fort, a Counterscarp between
Their bawling Canons most impetuous shots,
And Forreign States, that countermines their Plots.
The desp'rate Archers are aware of this,
They know that England the chief Bulwark is,
To check their growth: If they could make it sup
Th' invenom'd dregs of th' Antichristian Cup,
They judge it easie to subdue the rest
Of my European Gospel-interest.
Annoying Europe in unusual swarms.
This critick moment they expect and hope,
To thrust Me out, and introduce a Pope
To plague this Noble Nation, that has been
A VVall, a Fort, a Counterscarp between
Their bawling Canons most impetuous shots,
And Forreign States, that countermines their Plots.
The desp'rate Archers are aware of this,
They know that England the chief Bulwark is,
To check their growth: If they could make it sup
Th' invenom'd dregs of th' Antichristian Cup,
They judge it easie to subdue the rest
Of my European Gospel-interest.
But Oh! my melting, Soul-tormenting fears
Burst into sighs, and bubble into tears.
Observe the Heavens! view that dreadful mark
Of flaming vengeance that precedes the dark
Approach of night! can this vast Comet be
Ought but the Prologue of calamity?
Prodigious Meteors, blazing fiery Stars,
Are Heraulds sent to menace open VVars
Against rebellious and polluted Coasts,
By him who is the mighty Lord of Hosts.
Awake O England! this Lethargick sleep
Is out of Season, 'tis a time to weep;
'Tis guilty Children tremble at the Rod,
Can you be stupid when the angry God
Sets up this dreadful Ensign of his wrath?
Rouze up Repentance, let a lively Faith
Now go to work; see how the preaching Air,
Instead of sinning, does exhort to Prayer:
For thy fantastick Garbs, Perfumes, and all
Thy other trash, it doth for Sackcloth call:
From carnal sports it bids thee quickly get,
Calls from the Taverns to the Mercy seat.
From that accursed Randezvouz of Lust
It bids thee hasten, and repent in dust.
Have not th' experience of past Ages given
Their sad remarks upon these Signs in Heaven?
VVhat follow'd still, but certain spoil of Nations,
Plagues, Fire and Sword, and other devastations?
The sure Eversion of some potent Crown;
The death of Heroes, Monarchs tumbled down.
Burst into sighs, and bubble into tears.
Observe the Heavens! view that dreadful mark
Of flaming vengeance that precedes the dark
Approach of night! can this vast Comet be
Ought but the Prologue of calamity?
Prodigious Meteors, blazing fiery Stars,
Are Heraulds sent to menace open VVars
Against rebellious and polluted Coasts,
By him who is the mighty Lord of Hosts.
Awake O England! this Lethargick sleep
Is out of Season, 'tis a time to weep;
'Tis guilty Children tremble at the Rod,
Can you be stupid when the angry God
Sets up this dreadful Ensign of his wrath?
Rouze up Repentance, let a lively Faith
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Instead of sinning, does exhort to Prayer:
For thy fantastick Garbs, Perfumes, and all
Thy other trash, it doth for Sackcloth call:
From carnal sports it bids thee quickly get,
Calls from the Taverns to the Mercy seat.
From that accursed Randezvouz of Lust
It bids thee hasten, and repent in dust.
Have not th' experience of past Ages given
Their sad remarks upon these Signs in Heaven?
VVhat follow'd still, but certain spoil of Nations,
Plagues, Fire and Sword, and other devastations?
The sure Eversion of some potent Crown;
The death of Heroes, Monarchs tumbled down.
But thou Illustrious Architect of wonder,
Remove the sorrows which I labour under.
Does this amazing Prodigy betoken
That Rampant Babel shall be quickly broken?
Does it portend that Antichrist shall break
In pieces, striving to destroy the weak
Remains that on this blessed name do call?
Or does't presage that (trembling) I shall fall?
Lord canst thou see thy pleasant Vineyard tore,
And rooted up, by this rapacious Boar?
Or have my Childrens crying sins provok'd
That dismal sentence, not to be revok'd.
(Gods methods were to chasten, not destroy
Those sinning Souls in whom he once took joy.)
O give thy sinking Church a true discerning
VVhat thou dost mean by this prodigious warning:
That by thy Spirits sacred Flame calcin'd,
By Scourges mended, and by heat refin'd,
We may find Grace, and all our ways amend,
For some strange change this doubtless doth portend.
Remove the sorrows which I labour under.
Does this amazing Prodigy betoken
That Rampant Babel shall be quickly broken?
Does it portend that Antichrist shall break
In pieces, striving to destroy the weak
Remains that on this blessed name do call?
Or does't presage that (trembling) I shall fall?
Lord canst thou see thy pleasant Vineyard tore,
And rooted up, by this rapacious Boar?
Or have my Childrens crying sins provok'd
That dismal sentence, not to be revok'd.
(Gods methods were to chasten, not destroy
Those sinning Souls in whom he once took joy.)
O give thy sinking Church a true discerning
VVhat thou dost mean by this prodigious warning:
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By Scourges mended, and by heat refin'd,
We may find Grace, and all our ways amend,
For some strange change this doubtless doth portend.
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