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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 | Distressed Sion Relieved |  |
Sion's Friend.
Sion.
Sion's Children.
Whose Clear, Sagacious, penetrating Eyes,
Dive into Rome's abhorred Mysteries.
VVhose Noble Souls, whose Loyal English Hearts,
The closest sleights of Antichristian Arts
Can ne're deceive; whose brave resolves defeat
Those curs'd Delinquents, whether small or great.
VVhose Free-born courages do scorn to stoop
To be the Vassals of a doting Pope,
An upstart Vicar whose Pow'r ne're was given,
By binding Laws of either Earth or Heaven.
VVe therefore, (Dearest Mother,) do conclude,
That what has past of Romish interlude,
Is near an Exit; That the Scene will be
Chang'd from a Tempest to Serenity.
Sion.
Sion's Children.
O dismal state! O miserable case!
Enough to daunt all that are void of grace!
And crush the bragging of the stoutest mind!
But are there still more grievances behind?
Sion.
Still more behind! O that there were no more!
Since they'r too many that I've told before:
Masters and Servants, Kings and Subjects err
In their Relation: does not each prefer
Base selfish Ends to gratifie a Lust,
Before what's honest, and supreamly just.
Sion's Friend.
Thus, thus I'm sure it was that year when I
Publisht that Book of Sion's Misery;
For King and People strangely were misled,
And the curst Popish Plot near smothered;
And many other horrid shameless crimes
I'th' Land were perpetrated in those times,
But I'll have done; (Dread Matron) pray declare
What th' other Motives of your sorrows are.
Sion.
Sion's Children.
Ah Mother! who can remedy your grief?
For this Disease admits of no relief.
Sion.
Sion's Children.
Our common danger, and the Real sence,
Which we have got by dear experience
Of those advantages our cruel Foe
Gets by our Factions, will unite us so,
As that our Enemies shall ne'er prevail
To break our League, or make our courage fail.
But speak (Dear Mother,) has some new affright
So discompos'd you, that you fear our Light
Is near Extinction? Tell your Sons, we pray;
What are the Symptoms of th' expiring day.
Why do you Judge, that Englands day of grace
Draws to an Evening, and declines apace?
Shew some prognosticks of that dismal night,
That threatens to succeed our Gospel Light.
Sion.
Sions Children.
Ah! How can we with any patience bear
This sad Complaint? Ah! How can Children hear
Their Mother delug'd in a Sea of grief,
And not step in to give her some relief?
Chear up, Illustrious Sion, be not cast
Into despair by this impending blast;
Christ is our Captain, and we may be bold.
For in all Storms he is our Anchor hold
But what's that Beast whereof thou dost complain
From whence came he? And of what date's his Reign?
Give us his marks, that we thereby may know him,
And then abate his pride, and overthrow him
With Universal, and United force,
Our Armed Legions shall impede his course,
I'th' cause of God who does all Scepters weild
We'l fight his battels, and dispute i'th' Field,
In Martial Syllogisms our Arms shall speak
We'l storm his Walls, and make his Bulwarks quake
Revenge and Anger in our bosom burns
Patience too much provokt to fury turns.
Sion.
See! That's the Beast upon whose back the great
Inticing Strumpet rides in pomp and State
By him she was supported all along
By his Impostures she was rendred strong
He's not content to be Supream below,
And make all Scepters to his Crozier bow,
But th' Impious wretch is grown so bold that ev'n
He dares affront the Majesty of Heav'n
VVhat God Commands this Antichrist controuls
Condemns the Sav'd, and saves Condemned Souls.
Himself he places in Jehovahs Throne,
As Principal, and Second unto none;
A brace of Keys he carries in his hand
To shut and open at his own Command;
He curses and absolves; He binds, releases,
Puts down, advances, whom so e're he pleases
This is th' Apocalyptick Beast that claims
Sublimest Titles, and Blasphemous names,
VVith matchless Pride, and monstrous Impudence,
He does for money with Gods Laws dispence;
Yea, such is his unheard of avarice,
Upon the worst of crimes he set a price.
Sion's Children.
These Marks are so notorious that we can
Clearly discern the Pope of Rome's the Man,
This raging Monster, and this Beast of prey;
Shall we arise, and take his strength away,
That hath so long time tyrannized thus
With Hellish fury over thee and us?
Self-preservation is by every creature
Esteemed a Sacred Principle in Nature;
Each Free-born Soul must at those Tyrants spurn
That would infect their Souls; Their bodies burn
Why should this Beast still rage and domineer
As he hath done without controul or fear.
Sion.
Sions Children.
Shall we (indangered by her Plots) arise,
And curb this Harlot who our God defies?
Why should her Treasons any more annoy
Thy precious Saints, and Nations thus destroy?
Let's make her drink of that invenom'd Cup
She fiill'd for us; Shall she not drink it up?
Will none fall on, provoked by just ire
To eat her flesh, and burn her in the Fire?
Sion.
Dear Children! as to what you have requir'd,
At present you must keep your selves retir'd,
Make no attempts until God from on high
Affords you strength this Babel to defie;
At present you are ev'n like Persons dead
And seem unable to erect your head,
But then you shall appear to be alive,
Gods Spirit shall your fainting Souls revive,
VVho to the fixed time will be exact
VVhen he'l begin this strange and dreadful Act,
To the confusion of your Enemies,
Then God will cause his Witnesses to rise,
And you will have a clear and gracious Call
To join with those that on the Whore shall fall.
Sion's Friend.
These lines were writ eight years ago or more
In the book which I mentioned before
We then had hopes of what was drawing near;
But stay my Muse! To Sion lend an Ear,
To what she at that time was heard to say
About the Dispensations of that day.
Sion.
VVith patience (Children) wait upon the Lord,
Until his saving Strength he does afford;
To him you all must make your Supplication,
For from him only is my expectation.
Oh! sigh with me, and in your Spirits groan
Send up strong cries to the Almighties Throne,
Give him no rest until those happy days
I shall exalted be, and made the praise
Of all the Earth; And I will likewise cry
And mount my voice to Him who sits on High.
This was first published eight years ago,
Just as God did that Fiery Meteor show;
And when amaz'd at that astonishing sight,
What you have read, I moved was to write,
What in my judgment it might signifie,
Though I did ne're pretend to Prophecy;
But yet we see some things since come to pass,
Of what so plainly then predicted was.
A dismal hour of darkness did appear,
And from that time increased every year;
Which England, nor Gods Witnesses before
Did ever see; nor I hope ne're will more.
Our Governments Foundation up was torn,
Our famous City stript, and left forlorn.
Good men turn'd out of Office without cause,
And those imploy'd who violate those Laws
Which only can the Subjects Right secure,
And England did sad Slavery to endure.
Just as God did that Fiery Meteor show;
And when amaz'd at that astonishing sight,
What you have read, I moved was to write,
What in my judgment it might signifie,
Though I did ne're pretend to Prophecy;
But yet we see some things since come to pass,
Of what so plainly then predicted was.
A dismal hour of darkness did appear,
And from that time increased every year;
Which England, nor Gods Witnesses before
Did ever see; nor I hope ne're will more.
Our Governments Foundation up was torn,
Our famous City stript, and left forlorn.
Good men turn'd out of Office without cause,
And those imploy'd who violate those Laws
Which only can the Subjects Right secure,
And England did sad Slavery to endure.
Gods Witnesses have likewise since been slain,
Though they are lately brought to Life again.
Yea, what a wondrous strange Catastrophie
Has since befall'n Great Brittain's Monarchy
And what a blow is thereby given to Rome?
We may presage what further is to come;
For I don't doubt ere its effects are o're,
The Church of Rome shall fall and rise no more.
And though proud Lewis triumph, let him know
It may foretel his final overthrow.
The Turks have felt the sad effects, and shall
(Unless they own the truth) entirely fall.
No Comet (I believe) did e're fore-show
More good that unto Protestants should grow.
Though they are lately brought to Life again.
Yea, what a wondrous strange Catastrophie
Has since befall'n Great Brittain's Monarchy
And what a blow is thereby given to Rome?
We may presage what further is to come;
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The Church of Rome shall fall and rise no more.
And though proud Lewis triumph, let him know
It may foretel his final overthrow.
The Turks have felt the sad effects, and shall
(Unless they own the truth) entirely fall.
No Comet (I believe) did e're fore-show
More good that unto Protestants should grow.
But lest I should appear unkind to be
In stopping Sion's groans in misery,
I will forbear; that she may yet relate
What for some years has been her direful state;
And shew what grief she now does labour under,
Which seems to break her very Heart asunder.
In stopping Sion's groans in misery,
I will forbear; that she may yet relate
What for some years has been her direful state;
And shew what grief she now does labour under,
Which seems to break her very Heart asunder.
Dear Mother pray be pleased to proceed,
For to your words I'll give attentive heed.
For to your words I'll give attentive heed.
Sion.
Your news is good; but Oh! my Spirits faint,
Finding such doleful causes of complaint.
My panting Soul renewed grief doth feel,
My feeble knees beneath their burden reel.
Such are the black enormities and crimes
Which do attend these dark and gloomy times;
Although I see a Parliament most just,
Yet I alas lye covered in the dust.
Finding such doleful causes of complaint.
My panting Soul renewed grief doth feel,
My feeble knees beneath their burden reel.
Such are the black enormities and crimes
Which do attend these dark and gloomy times;
Although I see a Parliament most just,
Yet I alas lye covered in the dust.
This was in Eighty when thou couldst not see
The Saviour which God had prepar'd for thee.
The Saviour which God had prepar'd for thee.
I am beset within, and round about,
Nor can I see how God will bring about
Deliverance; for my Enemies are strong,
And snares have laid to ruin me ere long.
And since my sins, and Englands are so great,
It may God move to leave his Mercy-Seat,
And give us up into Rome's Hellish power,
To be destroy'd in this most dismal hour:
And if at this time we preserved be,
When Rome attacks us with such subtilty;
Playing (with so much malice) her last Game,
We ought to praise the great Jehovahs Name.
Since nothing but a Miracle can do this,
So very dangerous our condition is.
Nor can I see how God will bring about
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And snares have laid to ruin me ere long.
And since my sins, and Englands are so great,
It may God move to leave his Mercy-Seat,
And give us up into Rome's Hellish power,
To be destroy'd in this most dismal hour:
And if at this time we preserved be,
When Rome attacks us with such subtilty;
Playing (with so much malice) her last Game,
We ought to praise the great Jehovahs Name.
Since nothing but a Miracle can do this,
So very dangerous our condition is.
Sion's Children.
Ah Mother! who can disallow your moan,
The Cause is just; for every one must own
Our failing great, and that our sins provoke
Impending Judgments, and a future stroke,
If interceeding Mercy step not in
To Ward the blow, and Cancel all our sin.
But since amazing Providence now gives light,
And makes appear the dark Intrigues o'th' night.
Since Heav'n exposes the results of Rome
To publick notice; since the Traytors come
To Legal Execution; since the Grand
Contrivers of these mischiefs, dare not stand
The Test of Law, or due Examination;
The Cause is just; for every one must own
Our failing great, and that our sins provoke
Impending Judgments, and a future stroke,
If interceeding Mercy step not in
To Ward the blow, and Cancel all our sin.
But since amazing Providence now gives light,
And makes appear the dark Intrigues o'th' night.
Since Heav'n exposes the results of Rome
To publick notice; since the Traytors come
To Legal Execution; since the Grand
Contrivers of these mischiefs, dare not stand
The Test of Law, or due Examination;
1680.
Since such brave Hero's represent the Nation,Whose Clear, Sagacious, penetrating Eyes,
Dive into Rome's abhorred Mysteries.
66
The closest sleights of Antichristian Arts
Can ne're deceive; whose brave resolves defeat
Those curs'd Delinquents, whether small or great.
VVhose Free-born courages do scorn to stoop
To be the Vassals of a doting Pope,
An upstart Vicar whose Pow'r ne're was given,
By binding Laws of either Earth or Heaven.
VVe therefore, (Dearest Mother,) do conclude,
That what has past of Romish interlude,
Is near an Exit; That the Scene will be
Chang'd from a Tempest to Serenity.
Sion.
O that's a Cordial! but my grief does borrow
Some fresh objections to renew my sorrow;
For some that wish me well, do yet in spite
Of Gospel-beamings, and the clearest Light
Retain some Romish fragments which displeases
The meek, the humble, self-denying JESUS.
His way of worship Scripture does express,
No useless Pomp, no Artificial Dress
Becomes Religion; Chastity abhors
The Garb, the Painting, and the Gate of Whores.
VVhy should my Friends a Virgin-Church pollute
VVith any Relicks of that Prostitute?
VVhy gawdy things, that never had their name
In Sacred Records, our Profession shame?
Why are our Rites enammel'd with their gloss?
Why, must our Gold be mingled with their dross?
Why, farther Reformation is supprest,
T'uphold a Grandeur that's Usurp'd at best?
Why doors and windows must be shut up quite,
To stop the radiance of its further Light?
And why must such as disallow those tricks,
Be branded as the vilest Schismaticks?
Some fresh objections to renew my sorrow;
For some that wish me well, do yet in spite
Of Gospel-beamings, and the clearest Light
Retain some Romish fragments which displeases
The meek, the humble, self-denying JESUS.
His way of worship Scripture does express,
No useless Pomp, no Artificial Dress
Becomes Religion; Chastity abhors
The Garb, the Painting, and the Gate of Whores.
VVhy should my Friends a Virgin-Church pollute
VVith any Relicks of that Prostitute?
VVhy gawdy things, that never had their name
In Sacred Records, our Profession shame?
67
Why, must our Gold be mingled with their dross?
Why, farther Reformation is supprest,
T'uphold a Grandeur that's Usurp'd at best?
Why doors and windows must be shut up quite,
To stop the radiance of its further Light?
And why must such as disallow those tricks,
Be branded as the vilest Schismaticks?
But that's not all; my Children (more refin'd
From those corruptions,) do afflict my mind.
Oh depths of sorrow that disturb my rest!
Oh racking grief that rends my woful Breast!
Some are so carnal, some so swiftly hurl'd
Into the Lab'rinths of th' inticing World,
That in the hurries of that crouded Road,
They find small leisure to attend their God;
Preferring filthy gain, and ill-got wealth,
Before the means of their Eternal health.
Some that in words respect me, I behold,
In that sad posture, betwixt hot and cold:
Sometimes they seem sor sanctity; sometimes
Slide with the current of prevailing crimes:
Their Pulses beat with an alternate motion;
Now for the world, then for some faint devotion:
Some that unto my Tabernacle were
Admitted, left me for Egyptians fare:
These not content with my Celestial Diet,
Do run with others to excess of Riot.
Some to be popular, away would give
Those Gospel-duties that are positive:
From such as these, my sorrows do increase,
That sell Gods order for a seeming peace;
Allow such gaps as do pervert the Laws
Of my just Right, and well-defended Cause.
But O! how many easy Christians take
Their rest in forms, and no distinction make
'Twixt shell and kernel, that rely on Duty,
As if it were the sole adorning Beauty.
Such give the Lord the more invalid part,
Present their Bodies, but deny their Heart.
From those corruptions,) do afflict my mind.
Oh depths of sorrow that disturb my rest!
Oh racking grief that rends my woful Breast!
Some are so carnal, some so swiftly hurl'd
Into the Lab'rinths of th' inticing World,
That in the hurries of that crouded Road,
They find small leisure to attend their God;
Preferring filthy gain, and ill-got wealth,
Before the means of their Eternal health.
Some that in words respect me, I behold,
In that sad posture, betwixt hot and cold:
Sometimes they seem sor sanctity; sometimes
Slide with the current of prevailing crimes:
Their Pulses beat with an alternate motion;
Now for the world, then for some faint devotion:
Some that unto my Tabernacle were
Admitted, left me for Egyptians fare:
These not content with my Celestial Diet,
Do run with others to excess of Riot.
Some to be popular, away would give
Those Gospel-duties that are positive:
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That sell Gods order for a seeming peace;
Allow such gaps as do pervert the Laws
Of my just Right, and well-defended Cause.
But O! how many easy Christians take
Their rest in forms, and no distinction make
'Twixt shell and kernel, that rely on Duty,
As if it were the sole adorning Beauty.
Such give the Lord the more invalid part,
Present their Bodies, but deny their Heart.
Are not some Pastors careless to provide
A Word in Season, for the Flocks they guide?
Some are too backward to supply the need
Of painful Lab'rers, that their Souls do feed:
Discourag'd by close-fisted Avarice,
Despis'd, neglected, through this Hellish Vice.
My Workmen languish, and have cause of moan,
To see their toyl so ineffectual grown.
The most pathetick Preaching scarce can move
Some Rocky hearers to the Grace of Love.
Must hag-fac'd Envy, and foul-tongu'd Detraction,
Invenom'd Malice, and unfaithful Action,
Ill-grounded Slander, and uncertain Rumors,
Backbiting, Quarrels, and the worst of Humors
Be practic'd thus? Ah grief of griefs to see
Professing people act iniquity
To such a pitch!—some Husbands and some Wives
Do lead such shameful, such unsavoury Lives;
Whilst mutually at strife, they do impeach
That name that should be very dear to each.
Such pride, such churlish reprehension
For every toy, such sharpness and contention,
As does disgrace Religion, and does lay
Blocks and offences in a Converts way.
Ah! why can't we in Families eschew
That which meer Heathens are asham'd to do?
Their Houses are the Scene of Civil Wars,
Of Brawls, of Discord, and Domestick Jars;
In Grace or Comfort can they find increase,
Or Heavenly Blessings, who are void of peace?
A Word in Season, for the Flocks they guide?
Some are too backward to supply the need
Of painful Lab'rers, that their Souls do feed:
Discourag'd by close-fisted Avarice,
Despis'd, neglected, through this Hellish Vice.
My Workmen languish, and have cause of moan,
To see their toyl so ineffectual grown.
The most pathetick Preaching scarce can move
Some Rocky hearers to the Grace of Love.
Must hag-fac'd Envy, and foul-tongu'd Detraction,
Invenom'd Malice, and unfaithful Action,
Ill-grounded Slander, and uncertain Rumors,
Backbiting, Quarrels, and the worst of Humors
Be practic'd thus? Ah grief of griefs to see
Professing people act iniquity
To such a pitch!—some Husbands and some Wives
Do lead such shameful, such unsavoury Lives;
Whilst mutually at strife, they do impeach
That name that should be very dear to each.
69
For every toy, such sharpness and contention,
As does disgrace Religion, and does lay
Blocks and offences in a Converts way.
Ah! why can't we in Families eschew
That which meer Heathens are asham'd to do?
Their Houses are the Scene of Civil Wars,
Of Brawls, of Discord, and Domestick Jars;
In Grace or Comfort can they find increase,
Or Heavenly Blessings, who are void of peace?
How oft do Parents ill Example draw
Their tender Children to infringe the Law,
And Sanctions of the Everlasting God?
Do they not spoil them when they spare the Rod?
To strange Extreams some Parents do adhere,
Check not at all, or else are too severe:
On Back and Belly they bestow much cost,
But care not if their precious Souls be lost:
Are they not guilty of prodigious folly
That teach them Courtship, and neglect what's holy?
A Child untutor'd (a meer lump of sin,)
May justly curse its cause of having been.
Such as instruct, do doubly them beget,
By timely Lessons lab'ring to defeat
Their growth in ill; such cure their better part
(By wise prevention) of a canker'd Heart.
Oh! then's the time to give 'em Form and Mold,
For Trees admit no bending that are old;
Who timely sow such Seed they would have grow,
Will surely reap according as they sow.
Some like the Ape, that does by hugging kill,
Prompt on a Child to tip his Tongue with ill
In his first prattle; but it is less pain,
To form good habits, than reform the vain.
On th' other hand, how many Children do
Prove vain, rebellious, disobedient to
Their godly Parents? slight their careful teaching,
Make sport of Prayer, and a mock of Preaching?
Contempt of Parents, of what kind so e're,
Contracts a bitter curse, which every where
Will find them out. But Oh my akeing Soul
Beats sad Alarms of grief! I must condole
The dismal Fate of Youth! alas how few
The ways of God and holiness pursue!
But very eager to obey the Devil,
In quickly Learning every reigning evil;
Here you may see if you survey the Nation,
Our youth grown old in vile Abomination:
Such early Graduates in the Hellish Science,
Setting both Heaven and Hell at loud defiance.
Let Grace and Vertue grovel in the dust,
Their Youth and Strength they'l Sacrifice to Lust:
That Sacred Precept in the Word of Truth,
To mind their Maker in the days of Youth
They scorn to heed: Ah Fools! that would begin
Conversion, when they can no longer Sin;
But know, preposterous Souls; the day of Doom
(That dreadful Audit of Accounts) will come.
How dare you run this vile career till Death,
Like a grim Serjeant, comes t'arrest your Breath?
When your Tongues faulter, and your Eye-strings crack,
When stings of horror do your Conscience rack,
When Hells Abyss sets ope its spacious Gate,
And Troops of Devils round about you wait.
When nought but horror and confusion seizes
Upon your Sences? when those foul Diseases
You got by vile Debauches have at length
Destroy'd your Persons, and subdu'd your Strength;
Is this a Season to detest your Leudness,
To talk of Vertue, or pretend to Goodness?
Egregious Fools! how dare you to delay
Your Souls Affairs to that uncertain day?
Oh! can you trust so grand a work to that
Moment of anguish? when you know not what
(When sound) your end will be, nor yet how soon,
Though brisk at Morning, you may die ere Noon:
And if unchang'd, your certain doom will be
To lye in Hell to all Eternity.
Their tender Children to infringe the Law,
And Sanctions of the Everlasting God?
Do they not spoil them when they spare the Rod?
To strange Extreams some Parents do adhere,
Check not at all, or else are too severe:
On Back and Belly they bestow much cost,
But care not if their precious Souls be lost:
Are they not guilty of prodigious folly
That teach them Courtship, and neglect what's holy?
A Child untutor'd (a meer lump of sin,)
May justly curse its cause of having been.
Such as instruct, do doubly them beget,
By timely Lessons lab'ring to defeat
Their growth in ill; such cure their better part
(By wise prevention) of a canker'd Heart.
Oh! then's the time to give 'em Form and Mold,
For Trees admit no bending that are old;
Who timely sow such Seed they would have grow,
Will surely reap according as they sow.
70
Prompt on a Child to tip his Tongue with ill
In his first prattle; but it is less pain,
To form good habits, than reform the vain.
On th' other hand, how many Children do
Prove vain, rebellious, disobedient to
Their godly Parents? slight their careful teaching,
Make sport of Prayer, and a mock of Preaching?
Contempt of Parents, of what kind so e're,
Contracts a bitter curse, which every where
Will find them out. But Oh my akeing Soul
Beats sad Alarms of grief! I must condole
The dismal Fate of Youth! alas how few
The ways of God and holiness pursue!
But very eager to obey the Devil,
In quickly Learning every reigning evil;
Here you may see if you survey the Nation,
Our youth grown old in vile Abomination:
Such early Graduates in the Hellish Science,
Setting both Heaven and Hell at loud defiance.
Let Grace and Vertue grovel in the dust,
Their Youth and Strength they'l Sacrifice to Lust:
That Sacred Precept in the Word of Truth,
To mind their Maker in the days of Youth
They scorn to heed: Ah Fools! that would begin
Conversion, when they can no longer Sin;
But know, preposterous Souls; the day of Doom
(That dreadful Audit of Accounts) will come.
How dare you run this vile career till Death,
Like a grim Serjeant, comes t'arrest your Breath?
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When stings of horror do your Conscience rack,
When Hells Abyss sets ope its spacious Gate,
And Troops of Devils round about you wait.
When nought but horror and confusion seizes
Upon your Sences? when those foul Diseases
You got by vile Debauches have at length
Destroy'd your Persons, and subdu'd your Strength;
Is this a Season to detest your Leudness,
To talk of Vertue, or pretend to Goodness?
Egregious Fools! how dare you to delay
Your Souls Affairs to that uncertain day?
Oh! can you trust so grand a work to that
Moment of anguish? when you know not what
(When sound) your end will be, nor yet how soon,
Though brisk at Morning, you may die ere Noon:
And if unchang'd, your certain doom will be
To lye in Hell to all Eternity.
Sion's Children.
O dismal state! O miserable case!
Enough to daunt all that are void of grace!
And crush the bragging of the stoutest mind!
But are there still more grievances behind?
Sion.
Still more behind! O that there were no more!
Since they'r too many that I've told before:
Masters and Servants, Kings and Subjects err
In their Relation: does not each prefer
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Before what's honest, and supreamly just.
Sion's Friend.
Thus, thus I'm sure it was that year when I
Publisht that Book of Sion's Misery;
For King and People strangely were misled,
And the curst Popish Plot near smothered;
And many other horrid shameless crimes
I'th' Land were perpetrated in those times,
But I'll have done; (Dread Matron) pray declare
What th' other Motives of your sorrows are.
Sion.
Ah! how much time by Christians is spent
In fruitless idle talk? how negligent
In holy conference? strange to each other!
How dull is each to quicken up his Brother
In Gospel-duties? O! how few do nourish
That Love and Zeal which heretofore did flourish?
A Love whose flaming heat and gen'rous rays
(Repleat with Spirit) fam'd the former days.
Pious discourses may reclaim the vile;
But they are hardn'd in their sins the while
Christians converse like them, and rather learn
Their vicious tricks, than teach them to discern
The dismal snares and perils that do lurk
In sinful words, and every evil work.
Some are so covetous that they would grasp
The World in Arm-fulls till their latest gasp.
Some full of Envy, others do express
Their Lust on dainties, feeding to Excess:
So nice and delicate in choice of Meat,
Whilst their poor Brethren scarce have Bread to eat.
In fruitless idle talk? how negligent
In holy conference? strange to each other!
How dull is each to quicken up his Brother
In Gospel-duties? O! how few do nourish
That Love and Zeal which heretofore did flourish?
A Love whose flaming heat and gen'rous rays
(Repleat with Spirit) fam'd the former days.
Pious discourses may reclaim the vile;
But they are hardn'd in their sins the while
Christians converse like them, and rather learn
Their vicious tricks, than teach them to discern
The dismal snares and perils that do lurk
In sinful words, and every evil work.
Some are so covetous that they would grasp
The World in Arm-fulls till their latest gasp.
73
Their Lust on dainties, feeding to Excess:
So nice and delicate in choice of Meat,
Whilst their poor Brethren scarce have Bread to eat.
Merchants and Traders have a nimble Art
To sum their Shop-books, but neglect the Heart;
For that they think there's time enough, and look
But seldom to the Reck'nings of that Book.
To sum their Shop-books, but neglect the Heart;
For that they think there's time enough, and look
But seldom to the Reck'nings of that Book.
How many come for fashion sake to hear?
(What one receives, goes out at t'other Ear)
How many loyter in their Christian Race,
Profusely squandering the day of Grace?
Many like Drones on others toyl do live,
Though 'tis less honour to receive than give.
What Lying, Cheating, Couz'ning and Deceit
Do Traders use? Oh! how they over-rate
What they would sell? but if they be to buy,
They under-value each commodity.
(What one receives, goes out at t'other Ear)
How many loyter in their Christian Race,
Profusely squandering the day of Grace?
Many like Drones on others toyl do live,
Though 'tis less honour to receive than give.
What Lying, Cheating, Couz'ning and Deceit
Do Traders use? Oh! how they over-rate
What they would sell? but if they be to buy,
They under-value each commodity.
But why should Pride, that vile Abomination
Be found in Christians? must each Apish Fashion
Bewitch their Minds when God is so Express,
In strict forbidding of so vile a Dress.
Be found in Christians? must each Apish Fashion
Bewitch their Minds when God is so Express,
In strict forbidding of so vile a Dress.
Prayer that sacred Ordinance, that holds
An intercourse with Heaven, which beholds
The Fathers Glory, and on high does mount,
Is made by many but of small account.
'Tis that which carries our desires to God,
And comes down fraighted with a blessed load
Of sweet returns; yet 'tis much disrespected,
And Closet Prayer too too much neglected.
Scriptures themselves are slighted and disus'd,
And oft, when read, perverted or abus'd:
Helping the weak, is turn'd into its slighting,
Gospel-reproofs perverted to Backbiting.
Many that do of God his Mercy crave,
Yet on the needy little Mercy have.
They own they 've Blessings from the God of Love,
Yet too too many do unthankful prove.
An intercourse with Heaven, which beholds
The Fathers Glory, and on high does mount,
Is made by many but of small account.
'Tis that which carries our desires to God,
And comes down fraighted with a blessed load
Of sweet returns; yet 'tis much disrespected,
And Closet Prayer too too much neglected.
74
And oft, when read, perverted or abus'd:
Helping the weak, is turn'd into its slighting,
Gospel-reproofs perverted to Backbiting.
Many that do of God his Mercy crave,
Yet on the needy little Mercy have.
They own they 've Blessings from the God of Love,
Yet too too many do unthankful prove.
Some follow whimsies that do nearly border
Upon confusion, and despise all order:
Such on all sacred Institutions trample,
Though fortify'd by Precept and Example;
As if 'twere low for an exalted mind,
To be to Gods declared will confin'd;
But can these men of Rapture make pretence
That they have more Divine intelligence
Than all th' illustrious Saints, as Prophets, Priests,
Apostles, Martyrs and Evangelists,
That were the Scribes and Messengers of Heaven,
And strictly practic'd all the Duties given
Unto the Church; which are without repeal?
But if they're disanul'd whō did reveal
Their Abrogation to these bold pretenders?
Gods Laws are sound, and need no humane menders,
Upon confusion, and despise all order:
Such on all sacred Institutions trample,
Though fortify'd by Precept and Example;
As if 'twere low for an exalted mind,
To be to Gods declared will confin'd;
But can these men of Rapture make pretence
That they have more Divine intelligence
Than all th' illustrious Saints, as Prophets, Priests,
Apostles, Martyrs and Evangelists,
That were the Scribes and Messengers of Heaven,
And strictly practic'd all the Duties given
Unto the Church; which are without repeal?
But if they're disanul'd whō did reveal
Their Abrogation to these bold pretenders?
Gods Laws are sound, and need no humane menders,
But Oh! that dismal evil that's behind,
Disturbs my Reason, and distracts my Mind,
It is Division; that unhappy word
Has done more mischief than a Popish Sword
Could ever do; Oh! that a sweet Communion
(At least of Love) did but compleat our Union.
Why should licentious heat, my Children hurry
To those Extreams? must they each other worry
For trivial things? do they not all agree
In fundamentals of Divinity?
Is there no room for Love? or must that grace
Among my Children have no proper place?
Why is one Christian angry with his Brother
If not so tall as he? or with another,
Because his face is not so white as his?
Or that his habit not so gawdy is?
Alas! no folly can be more absurd,
Nor more exploded in Gods holy word.
All should to Gospel-purity adhere;
But to calumniate, vilifie and jeer
All such as are not of their very pitch,
Is Anti-gospel, and a practice which
The Lord abhors; If causes of Dissent
Evert not Truth, nor shake the Fundament
Of true Religion, why such angry bawling?
Suck odious nick-names, and such vile miscalling.
Disturbs my Reason, and distracts my Mind,
It is Division; that unhappy word
Has done more mischief than a Popish Sword
Could ever do; Oh! that a sweet Communion
(At least of Love) did but compleat our Union.
75
To those Extreams? must they each other worry
For trivial things? do they not all agree
In fundamentals of Divinity?
Is there no room for Love? or must that grace
Among my Children have no proper place?
Why is one Christian angry with his Brother
If not so tall as he? or with another,
Because his face is not so white as his?
Or that his habit not so gawdy is?
Alas! no folly can be more absurd,
Nor more exploded in Gods holy word.
All should to Gospel-purity adhere;
But to calumniate, vilifie and jeer
All such as are not of their very pitch,
Is Anti-gospel, and a practice which
The Lord abhors; If causes of Dissent
Evert not Truth, nor shake the Fundament
Of true Religion, why such angry bawling?
Suck odious nick-names, and such vile miscalling.
Who dares intrude into the Judgment-seat
Of God Almighty who is only great,
And only judgment gives; to him belongs
To pass the sentence, and to punish wrongs.
Why cannot Christians with each other bear?
Among Apostles some dissentions were;
But did they therefore Persecute each other?
These Mortal conflicts, Brother against Brother,
Destroy our safety, for they set a gap
Open for Rome, that would us all intrap
In fatal snares: their Maxim is we know,
Divide and rule, distract and overthrow.
Their crafty Agents do creep in among
Our heedless parties, and divide the throng,
That with more ease they may us all devour,
Destroy our Nation, and subvert our Power.
Why therefore do not Protestants agree
As one, against the common Enemy?
Who waits with bloody hand t'involve 'em all,
In one destruction Epidemical.
Of God Almighty who is only great,
And only judgment gives; to him belongs
To pass the sentence, and to punish wrongs.
Why cannot Christians with each other bear?
Among Apostles some dissentions were;
But did they therefore Persecute each other?
These Mortal conflicts, Brother against Brother,
Destroy our safety, for they set a gap
Open for Rome, that would us all intrap
76
Divide and rule, distract and overthrow.
Their crafty Agents do creep in among
Our heedless parties, and divide the throng,
That with more ease they may us all devour,
Destroy our Nation, and subvert our Power.
Why therefore do not Protestants agree
As one, against the common Enemy?
Who waits with bloody hand t'involve 'em all,
In one destruction Epidemical.
Sion's Children.
Ah Mother! who can remedy your grief?
For this Disease admits of no relief.
Sion.
Of no relief? O then my Heart must break!
Unless my Sons their Mothers counsel take,
Which will those fatal flaming heats allay,
Obstruct their growth, and take 'em clear away.
Oh! can a Mothers tears and woful cries
Be disregarded in her Childrens Eyes?
Can English Protestants, who do profess
To serve one God in truth and holiness,
Slight all my wishes, and requests despise?
Oh! hearken to my counsel and be wise:
Let wrathful Pride, and foolish Self-conceit;
Let Quibbles and Sophistical Deceit
Be quite exploded: let a cool debate
All Fundamentals of Religion state:
In such you all will certainly agree:
Oh happy Model of sweet Unity!
Let none that to those Principles do stick,
Be branded with the name of Heretick;
It glads my Heart to hear 'em treat each other,
By that sweet title of a Christian Brother.
Next if you would not Charity explode,
Abuse the guiltless, and affront your God,
Judge not your Brethren at a distance; neither.
Give easy Credit to the Tales of either
Hot-headed Scriblers, or Licentious tongues
That often load the Innocent with wrongs:
So hellish Monks did serve Waldensian Saints
With horrid Clamour, and unjust Complaints.
So Popish Impudence spews out its Gall
To make us odious, and bespatter all
The Reformation; Sure that cause is bad
Whose chief support from Railing must be had;
If giddy Rumour, or uncertain Fame
Should raise a slander on your brothers name,
Repair to him, and in converse you'll see
Whether he guilty or not guilty be:
If he be faulty, tell him of his sin;
Be Mild and Secret, and you may him win.
Admonish Gently, let your whole discourse,
Be full of Savour, love and Scripture force.
This is the way to bring him to a sence,
And Gods prescribed Method, to convince;
But if you fail, then leave him to his God,
Who can reform, or punish with a Rod.
Your work is done, you have discharg'd the part
Of Friend of Brother, of a Christian heart
Unless my Sons their Mothers counsel take,
Which will those fatal flaming heats allay,
Obstruct their growth, and take 'em clear away.
Oh! can a Mothers tears and woful cries
Be disregarded in her Childrens Eyes?
Can English Protestants, who do profess
To serve one God in truth and holiness,
Slight all my wishes, and requests despise?
Oh! hearken to my counsel and be wise:
Let wrathful Pride, and foolish Self-conceit;
Let Quibbles and Sophistical Deceit
Be quite exploded: let a cool debate
All Fundamentals of Religion state:
77
Oh happy Model of sweet Unity!
Let none that to those Principles do stick,
Be branded with the name of Heretick;
It glads my Heart to hear 'em treat each other,
By that sweet title of a Christian Brother.
Next if you would not Charity explode,
Abuse the guiltless, and affront your God,
Judge not your Brethren at a distance; neither.
Give easy Credit to the Tales of either
Hot-headed Scriblers, or Licentious tongues
That often load the Innocent with wrongs:
So hellish Monks did serve Waldensian Saints
With horrid Clamour, and unjust Complaints.
So Popish Impudence spews out its Gall
To make us odious, and bespatter all
The Reformation; Sure that cause is bad
Whose chief support from Railing must be had;
If giddy Rumour, or uncertain Fame
Should raise a slander on your brothers name,
Repair to him, and in converse you'll see
Whether he guilty or not guilty be:
If he be faulty, tell him of his sin;
Be Mild and Secret, and you may him win.
Admonish Gently, let your whole discourse,
Be full of Savour, love and Scripture force.
This is the way to bring him to a sence,
And Gods prescribed Method, to convince;
But if you fail, then leave him to his God,
Who can reform, or punish with a Rod.
78
Of Friend of Brother, of a Christian heart
Before Belief examine what is vented
Good men by Malice may be represented
In Monstrous Shapes: Some that to God are dear,
Hatred will paint like a Mishapen Bear;
Believe not therefore distant imputation,
No censure's just before Examination,
Good men by Malice may be represented
In Monstrous Shapes: Some that to God are dear,
Hatred will paint like a Mishapen Bear;
Believe not therefore distant imputation,
No censure's just before Examination,
In all Debate's be sure to lay aside
All prejudice, and let the Scriptures guide
Your calm, sedate disputes, let truth be scan'd
VVith cool resolves: O! Let that great Command
Of Love take place! for that should moderate
All Eager Sallies in a warm debate.
VVho loses Error, truly gains the field,
And he is Victor, that to truth does yield;
VVhere e're you find it, though in mean aray,
Subscribe and win the glory of the day.
O: what's the world, but Shackles to the mind
VVhat's Reputation, but a fleeting-wind.
VVhy should those bawbles which the Lord abhors
Become the Sacred Truths Competitors?
Away with all such rubs let truth take place
And then the Springs of Everlasting grace
VVill drop down blessings, Unity, increase
Among my Children as the Fruits of peace.
All prejudice, and let the Scriptures guide
Your calm, sedate disputes, let truth be scan'd
VVith cool resolves: O! Let that great Command
Of Love take place! for that should moderate
All Eager Sallies in a warm debate.
VVho loses Error, truly gains the field,
And he is Victor, that to truth does yield;
VVhere e're you find it, though in mean aray,
Subscribe and win the glory of the day.
O: what's the world, but Shackles to the mind
VVhat's Reputation, but a fleeting-wind.
VVhy should those bawbles which the Lord abhors
Become the Sacred Truths Competitors?
Away with all such rubs let truth take place
And then the Springs of Everlasting grace
VVill drop down blessings, Unity, increase
Among my Children as the Fruits of peace.
Sion's Children.
Our common danger, and the Real sence,
Which we have got by dear experience
79
Gets by our Factions, will unite us so,
As that our Enemies shall ne'er prevail
To break our League, or make our courage fail.
But speak (Dear Mother,) has some new affright
So discompos'd you, that you fear our Light
Is near Extinction? Tell your Sons, we pray;
What are the Symptoms of th' expiring day.
Why do you Judge, that Englands day of grace
Draws to an Evening, and declines apace?
Shew some prognosticks of that dismal night,
That threatens to succeed our Gospel Light.
Sion.
When Sol once touches our Meridian Line,
It straight descends, does by degrees decline;
Its heat grows less, its dis-appearing Light
Yields to the Sable of approaching night:
Just so the Gospel in its Altitude,
Once shot such beams, that in this Isle ensu'd
So great conversion, that those former days
Did feel its blest and universal Rays.
A general heat did warm this happy Nation,
From its benign and powerful operation
But now it falls and from our Horizon
Its vigorous influence is almost gone.
Thousands of Sermons lately have been preacht,
But very few (if any) sinners reacht.
How ineffectual is the quickening word!
It shines, but warms not, 'tis but like a Sword
That's fair to sight, but has not Edge at all,
Few prick'd at heart, and scarce do any fall
At Jesus feet; Or have a sense of sin,
Confessing how Rebellious they have been!
It straight descends, does by degrees decline;
Its heat grows less, its dis-appearing Light
Yields to the Sable of approaching night:
Just so the Gospel in its Altitude,
Once shot such beams, that in this Isle ensu'd
So great conversion, that those former days
Did feel its blest and universal Rays.
A general heat did warm this happy Nation,
From its benign and powerful operation
But now it falls and from our Horizon
Its vigorous influence is almost gone.
Thousands of Sermons lately have been preacht,
But very few (if any) sinners reacht.
How ineffectual is the quickening word!
It shines, but warms not, 'tis but like a Sword
80
Few prick'd at heart, and scarce do any fall
At Jesus feet; Or have a sense of sin,
Confessing how Rebellious they have been!
It is a dismal and apparent sign
That night comes on, when Phœbus does decline,
When heat and fervour fail, our hemisphere
Will quickly see its glory disappear.
The ev'ning of the nat'ral day is come
When harvest-work-men are repairing home:
So when quick Summons of Omnipotence,
Removes the Dressers of his Vineyard hence,
We may conclude the Gospel-morning past,
Because Gods Servants disappear so fast.
Can I when Gap-defenders fall asleep,
But (like old Israel) for my Prophets weep?
How can the naked and unguarded Flock,
Against devouring Wolves sustain the shock,
When of the Shepherds it is thus bereft,
When scarce a Moses or a Joshua's left
How many active Guides, most dearly lov'd
By me, have been, in little time remov'd,
Scarce can I dry mine Eyes for loss of one,
But news arrives of many others gone:
Ah if my head were waters, and each Eye
A well of tears, I could distil 'em dry;
Bright Lamps extinguish't! and no other Lights
Appear to chase the horrour of our nights!
Shook by concussions of my Foes, I stand
Whilst few are rais'd to hold my trembling hand,
If thus my Horsemen and Commanders dye
What will become of the poor Infantry?
Who can support the burden of the day,
When such brave Hero's daily drop away?
Is summer past, or is the harvest done?
That such Presages of a Storm come on!
Sure God (as Monarchs do) intendeth Wars,
When he recals his choice Embassadors.
Ah too Licentious world! Come look about,
Before the Lord the bloudy Flag puts out,
When God, from Sodom righteous Lot did call,
Sulphurious flashes did consume them all.
That night comes on, when Phœbus does decline,
When heat and fervour fail, our hemisphere
Will quickly see its glory disappear.
The ev'ning of the nat'ral day is come
When harvest-work-men are repairing home:
So when quick Summons of Omnipotence,
Removes the Dressers of his Vineyard hence,
We may conclude the Gospel-morning past,
Because Gods Servants disappear so fast.
Can I when Gap-defenders fall asleep,
But (like old Israel) for my Prophets weep?
How can the naked and unguarded Flock,
Against devouring Wolves sustain the shock,
When of the Shepherds it is thus bereft,
When scarce a Moses or a Joshua's left
How many active Guides, most dearly lov'd
By me, have been, in little time remov'd,
Scarce can I dry mine Eyes for loss of one,
But news arrives of many others gone:
Ah if my head were waters, and each Eye
A well of tears, I could distil 'em dry;
Bright Lamps extinguish't! and no other Lights
Appear to chase the horrour of our nights!
Shook by concussions of my Foes, I stand
Whilst few are rais'd to hold my trembling hand,
81
What will become of the poor Infantry?
Who can support the burden of the day,
When such brave Hero's daily drop away?
Is summer past, or is the harvest done?
That such Presages of a Storm come on!
Sure God (as Monarchs do) intendeth Wars,
When he recals his choice Embassadors.
Ah too Licentious world! Come look about,
Before the Lord the bloudy Flag puts out,
When God, from Sodom righteous Lot did call,
Sulphurious flashes did consume them all.
Another ground of my prevailing fear,
That England's black Catastrophe is near,
Is that, as in the closure of the day,
The Evening-wolves do range abroad to prey.
So Romish Beasts in monstrous swarms do peep
From their black Caverns to destroy my Sheep:
Such hate the tell tale-Light, and therefore hide
Themselves in Dens, until the Ev'ning tide
Their cursed products are resolves of night,
Like silent Curs, that in the dark do bite.
That England's black Catastrophe is near,
Is that, as in the closure of the day,
The Evening-wolves do range abroad to prey.
So Romish Beasts in monstrous swarms do peep
From their black Caverns to destroy my Sheep:
Such hate the tell tale-Light, and therefore hide
Themselves in Dens, until the Ev'ning tide
Their cursed products are resolves of night,
Like silent Curs, that in the dark do bite.
Another Symptom of the days declension,
Is when the Shadows do increase dimension.
So when I look about I plainly see
Our Ev'ning Shadows very long to be;
In humane bodies when the head grows hoary,
It notes decay of vigor, strength, and glory,
Gray hairs are thick upon our Ephraims head
His Strength decays, his Face is withered,
When Joynts grow palsi'd, and the blood's congeal'd,
Into a Jelly, can the man be heal'd?
When limbs grow Stiff, and feeble Age does plow
Its wrinkled furrows on the Patients brow,
When heat gives place to a benumming cold,
When doting fancy cares not to be told
Of its approaches to a certain Grave,
When it rejects the Physick that would save;
The case is desperate, for the Patient's just
Upon the point to be intomb'd in dust:
Even so (Alas!) This gasping Nation lies
Under the pressure of sad Maladies!
Is when the Shadows do increase dimension.
So when I look about I plainly see
Our Ev'ning Shadows very long to be;
In humane bodies when the head grows hoary,
It notes decay of vigor, strength, and glory,
Gray hairs are thick upon our Ephraims head
His Strength decays, his Face is withered,
82
Into a Jelly, can the man be heal'd?
When limbs grow Stiff, and feeble Age does plow
Its wrinkled furrows on the Patients brow,
When heat gives place to a benumming cold,
When doting fancy cares not to be told
Of its approaches to a certain Grave,
When it rejects the Physick that would save;
The case is desperate, for the Patient's just
Upon the point to be intomb'd in dust:
Even so (Alas!) This gasping Nation lies
Under the pressure of sad Maladies!
'Tis sick at heart yet seems averse to take
That Sacred Physick whose Ingredients make
Diseases vanish, and would ward the blow
Which will I fear produce its overthrow:
Ah! must our glory, (like a brittle Glass
Reduc'd to fractions) into Atomes pass
So Rude a Chaos! An unform'd confusion
Threatning the whole with utter dissolution.
That Sacred Physick whose Ingredients make
Diseases vanish, and would ward the blow
Which will I fear produce its overthrow:
Ah! must our glory, (like a brittle Glass
Reduc'd to fractions) into Atomes pass
So Rude a Chaos! An unform'd confusion
Threatning the whole with utter dissolution.
Once happy Isle, I grieve at thy condition
Where's thy Repentance? Where is thy contrition?
Thou hast been counted our Emanuel's Land
The Gospel seems on Tip-toe now to stand
To bid thee farewel: Must thy Sun so soon
Be set! before it did approach to noon!
Must that illustrious Morning-light be gone
That spread its beams through all our Horizon!
Must wretched Malice and prodigious Lust
Must bare-fac'd pride, and impudent distrust,
Rob thee of this inestimable Jewel?
How canst thou be so pittyless, so cruel
Unto thy self? Sin is the flaming dart
That cuts thy Veins, and Wounds thy very heart.
Where's thy Repentance? Where is thy contrition?
Thou hast been counted our Emanuel's Land
The Gospel seems on Tip-toe now to stand
To bid thee farewel: Must thy Sun so soon
Be set! before it did approach to noon!
Must that illustrious Morning-light be gone
That spread its beams through all our Horizon!
Must wretched Malice and prodigious Lust
Must bare-fac'd pride, and impudent distrust,
83
How canst thou be so pittyless, so cruel
Unto thy self? Sin is the flaming dart
That cuts thy Veins, and Wounds thy very heart.
Can Sion chuse but send out mournful cries
And weep thy downfal ïn sad Elegies?
Within thy bounds my tabernacles were
Built up, and I did long inhabit here
Thy Gospel-glory, and Renown's gone forth
Into all parts and corners of the Earth,
Thou maist be Justly stil'd the place of Vision
(Though made by foes an Object of derision)
The Joy of Saints, the Protestants delight,
The Mark and Butt of Antichristian spite.
But if the Crown be ravish't from thy head,
And Romish Clouds thy Lustre overspread,
VVhat heart's so brawny but my doleful cry
Must move to pity? VVhat relentless Eye
Can see thy fall and not dissolve to drops?
Oh fleeting Joys; Oh disappearing hopes!
Oh hastning horrour, Oh invading fears!
Had I a sea of never empty'd tears,
My boundless, helpless grief wide open sets
The Sluces for its Streaming Rivulets
The very Air, drest in prodigious Forms,
Must groan in Thunder, and must weep in Storms;
Nature of strong convulsions sickned is,
To see this horrid Metamorphosis:
VVhere Gospel Pastors did some Millions feed
Must Blind and Sottish ignorance succeed?
Must all their throats be cut that won't adore
The hateful carcass of a filthy Whore?
Must all that execrate Romes Superstition,
Be Murder'd by a bloudy Inquisition?
Must such as won't to Idols bow, be broke?
Must flaming Smithfield belch out Fire and Smoke
Of Martyr'd Saints? Must all that will not turn,
VVith Bibles and good Books together burn?
Must Monkish Tories, meer incarnate Devils
Possess our Land, and pester it with Evils
Of such an odious and abhorred grain,
That but to name 'em is a lasting stain?
Must our Renowned Ministers give place
To Romish Block-heads? Oh the vile disgrace
Of such a change? Must an adulterous Priest
Belch our his Mass, where they have preached Christ.
Must that absur'd and irreligious Tribe,
VVho fetter conscience, and regard a bribe
Beyond their Souls, be leaders to our Flocks
Must Paultry non-sence, and those Apish Mocks
Miscall'd devotion, fill the house of prayer?
Must Pestilence infect our purer Air?
Must Sodom be translated to our Isle,
And filthy Priests our chastity defile?
Must Satans factors in a humane Shape
On modest Virgins perpetrate a Rape?
Must all our painful Ministers be driven
To Fiery Stakes, if they renounce not heaven?
Must our dear Infants lose their harmless lives
In flaming Faggots, or with Popish Knives?
Must guiltless, blood through all our Streets rebound
A mournful Eccho? Must the horrid sound
Of Axes, Whips, and dreadful Scourges tear
Our aking hearts and pierce the yielding Air?
All this will be, if Rome can but prevail!
Amazement stops my Speech! My Spirits fail!
I only can in interjections cry,
I sink in trances! O I dye, I dye!
And weep thy downfal ïn sad Elegies?
Within thy bounds my tabernacles were
Built up, and I did long inhabit here
Thy Gospel-glory, and Renown's gone forth
Into all parts and corners of the Earth,
Thou maist be Justly stil'd the place of Vision
(Though made by foes an Object of derision)
The Joy of Saints, the Protestants delight,
The Mark and Butt of Antichristian spite.
But if the Crown be ravish't from thy head,
And Romish Clouds thy Lustre overspread,
VVhat heart's so brawny but my doleful cry
Must move to pity? VVhat relentless Eye
Can see thy fall and not dissolve to drops?
Oh fleeting Joys; Oh disappearing hopes!
Oh hastning horrour, Oh invading fears!
Had I a sea of never empty'd tears,
My boundless, helpless grief wide open sets
The Sluces for its Streaming Rivulets
The very Air, drest in prodigious Forms,
Must groan in Thunder, and must weep in Storms;
Nature of strong convulsions sickned is,
To see this horrid Metamorphosis:
VVhere Gospel Pastors did some Millions feed
Must Blind and Sottish ignorance succeed?
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The hateful carcass of a filthy Whore?
Must all that execrate Romes Superstition,
Be Murder'd by a bloudy Inquisition?
Must such as won't to Idols bow, be broke?
Must flaming Smithfield belch out Fire and Smoke
Of Martyr'd Saints? Must all that will not turn,
VVith Bibles and good Books together burn?
Must Monkish Tories, meer incarnate Devils
Possess our Land, and pester it with Evils
Of such an odious and abhorred grain,
That but to name 'em is a lasting stain?
Must our Renowned Ministers give place
To Romish Block-heads? Oh the vile disgrace
Of such a change? Must an adulterous Priest
Belch our his Mass, where they have preached Christ.
Must that absur'd and irreligious Tribe,
VVho fetter conscience, and regard a bribe
Beyond their Souls, be leaders to our Flocks
Must Paultry non-sence, and those Apish Mocks
Miscall'd devotion, fill the house of prayer?
Must Pestilence infect our purer Air?
Must Sodom be translated to our Isle,
And filthy Priests our chastity defile?
Must Satans factors in a humane Shape
On modest Virgins perpetrate a Rape?
Must all our painful Ministers be driven
To Fiery Stakes, if they renounce not heaven?
Must our dear Infants lose their harmless lives
In flaming Faggots, or with Popish Knives?
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A mournful Eccho? Must the horrid sound
Of Axes, Whips, and dreadful Scourges tear
Our aking hearts and pierce the yielding Air?
All this will be, if Rome can but prevail!
Amazement stops my Speech! My Spirits fail!
I only can in interjections cry,
I sink in trances! O I dye, I dye!
Sions Children.
Ah! How can we with any patience bear
This sad Complaint? Ah! How can Children hear
Their Mother delug'd in a Sea of grief,
And not step in to give her some relief?
Chear up, Illustrious Sion, be not cast
Into despair by this impending blast;
Christ is our Captain, and we may be bold.
For in all Storms he is our Anchor hold
But what's that Beast whereof thou dost complain
From whence came he? And of what date's his Reign?
Give us his marks, that we thereby may know him,
And then abate his pride, and overthrow him
With Universal, and United force,
Our Armed Legions shall impede his course,
I'th' cause of God who does all Scepters weild
We'l fight his battels, and dispute i'th' Field,
In Martial Syllogisms our Arms shall speak
We'l storm his Walls, and make his Bulwarks quake
Revenge and Anger in our bosom burns
Patience too much provokt to fury turns.
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See! That's the Beast upon whose back the great
Inticing Strumpet rides in pomp and State
By him she was supported all along
By his Impostures she was rendred strong
He's not content to be Supream below,
And make all Scepters to his Crozier bow,
But th' Impious wretch is grown so bold that ev'n
He dares affront the Majesty of Heav'n
VVhat God Commands this Antichrist controuls
Condemns the Sav'd, and saves Condemned Souls.
Himself he places in Jehovahs Throne,
As Principal, and Second unto none;
A brace of Keys he carries in his hand
To shut and open at his own Command;
He curses and absolves; He binds, releases,
Puts down, advances, whom so e're he pleases
This is th' Apocalyptick Beast that claims
Sublimest Titles, and Blasphemous names,
VVith matchless Pride, and monstrous Impudence,
He does for money with Gods Laws dispence;
Yea, such is his unheard of avarice,
Upon the worst of crimes he set a price.
Sion's Children.
These Marks are so notorious that we can
Clearly discern the Pope of Rome's the Man,
This raging Monster, and this Beast of prey;
Shall we arise, and take his strength away,
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With Hellish fury over thee and us?
Self-preservation is by every creature
Esteemed a Sacred Principle in Nature;
Each Free-born Soul must at those Tyrants spurn
That would infect their Souls; Their bodies burn
Why should this Beast still rage and domineer
As he hath done without controul or fear.
Sion.
Gods time is best, and in due season he
Will bring this Beast to his Catastrophe.
He sits in Heav'n, and there beholds with scorn
This Rebels Pride; His glorious Son that's born
Heir of the World, and Prince of Kingdoms too,
Shall surely reign because it is his due
For all to him the Soveraign Rule must yield;
His is the Crown; He shall the Scepter weild;
To Jesus all shall bow; He shall be King,
And to poor Sion shall Redemption bring.
Forty two months unto this Beast is given
So long shall he tread down the Host of Heav'n;
And now I hope the end thereof draws nigh,
And that some will be spirited from on high,
Who in the Great Jehovahs name shall sound
Such an Alarm as shall his power confound.
Will bring this Beast to his Catastrophe.
He sits in Heav'n, and there beholds with scorn
This Rebels Pride; His glorious Son that's born
Heir of the World, and Prince of Kingdoms too,
Shall surely reign because it is his due
For all to him the Soveraign Rule must yield;
His is the Crown; He shall the Scepter weild;
To Jesus all shall bow; He shall be King,
And to poor Sion shall Redemption bring.
Forty two months unto this Beast is given
So long shall he tread down the Host of Heav'n;
And now I hope the end thereof draws nigh,
And that some will be spirited from on high,
Who in the Great Jehovahs name shall sound
Such an Alarm as shall his power confound.
Another Enemy, his Confederate
There is likewise, that my forlorn Estate
Hath much occasion'd, and of whom before
I made complaint; The proud insulting Whore,
Who with lascivious looks and wanton eyes
Incites to Lust and all Debaucheries.
By her provoking and bewitching charms
Grandees she doth intice into her arms,
Corrupting Princes by her incantations,
And ruining the Nobles of the Nations.
There is likewise, that my forlorn Estate
Hath much occasion'd, and of whom before
I made complaint; The proud insulting Whore,
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Incites to Lust and all Debaucheries.
By her provoking and bewitching charms
Grandees she doth intice into her arms,
Corrupting Princes by her incantations,
And ruining the Nobles of the Nations.
Great God! Assist me, lest my Spirits fail,
That I the State of Monarchs may bewail,
Who to her Yoke yield their Illustrious necks
And move like Vassals at her haughty becks;
Ah! they that should my nursing Fathers be
Are Executioners of her Cruelty,
And by her influence the Civil Power
Is made a dreadful Engine to devour
The Saints of God, and kick at their Creator,
But let them know the Soveraign Arbitrator
Of all their destinies, is Great and Just,
And can at pleasure crumble them to dust
That I the State of Monarchs may bewail,
Who to her Yoke yield their Illustrious necks
And move like Vassals at her haughty becks;
Ah! they that should my nursing Fathers be
Are Executioners of her Cruelty,
And by her influence the Civil Power
Is made a dreadful Engine to devour
The Saints of God, and kick at their Creator,
But let them know the Soveraign Arbitrator
Of all their destinies, is Great and Just,
And can at pleasure crumble them to dust
Thus hath she made the Greatest Kings and Peers
Submit to her Dominion many years,
Exhaust their treasures, ruinate their fame,
And at the last gain nought but loss and shame;
For by ingaging in her Hellish Plots
They to their names have gain'd Eternal Blots;
Nay of their Kingdoms some depriv'd have been
As it in divers Nations has been seen;
Submit to her Dominion many years,
Exhaust their treasures, ruinate their fame,
And at the last gain nought but loss and shame;
For by ingaging in her Hellish Plots
They to their names have gain'd Eternal Blots;
Nay of their Kingdoms some depriv'd have been
As it in divers Nations has been seen;
Impudent Strumpet! Whose curst wiles defile
Mens Consciences, and do their Souls beguile
And when involved in the deepest guilt
She then pretends to wash away the filth
By impious Pardons; Yea to such a height
Of folly does bewitch them, that the sight
Of Death approaching won't make them confess
Apparent guilt and horrid wickedness;
And by her Arts, when they are parting hence
Their Fronts Steels with such hardned impudence
That though brought to a most deserved death,
With lies and falshoods they resign their breath,
Her Agents buzzing in their doubting ears
False hopes, whereby they may forget their fears,
Who like ill Angels round about them hover,
Doubting they should their Villanies discover.
Mens Consciences, and do their Souls beguile
And when involved in the deepest guilt
She then pretends to wash away the filth
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Of folly does bewitch them, that the sight
Of Death approaching won't make them confess
Apparent guilt and horrid wickedness;
And by her Arts, when they are parting hence
Their Fronts Steels with such hardned impudence
That though brought to a most deserved death,
With lies and falshoods they resign their breath,
Her Agents buzzing in their doubting ears
False hopes, whereby they may forget their fears,
Who like ill Angels round about them hover,
Doubting they should their Villanies discover.
VVhen some are stretcht upon the fatal block,
And Justice ready to discharge the stroke,
Such is the strength of her inebriation,
That they, (Oh! horrible) on their Salvation
Protest they're innocent, when all the while
No Treason ever did appear more vile
Than that for which Impartial Justice them
To a just death as Traytors did condemn;
For Rome, by downright impudence ev'n would
Outface the Sun, and baffle if she could
The clearest proofs, and Solid'st evidence
Produc'd by Heavens unerring Providence.
And Justice ready to discharge the stroke,
Such is the strength of her inebriation,
That they, (Oh! horrible) on their Salvation
Protest they're innocent, when all the while
No Treason ever did appear more vile
Than that for which Impartial Justice them
To a just death as Traytors did condemn;
For Rome, by downright impudence ev'n would
Outface the Sun, and baffle if she could
The clearest proofs, and Solid'st evidence
Produc'd by Heavens unerring Providence.
Ah cruel Mistriss of deluded Souls!
That's not content to make them arrant fools,
To lose Estates and Lives, but must thereby
Make them stab conscience when they come to dye
She to incourage Treasons does prefer
Those Traytors Martyrs in her Calender
But will this recompence the loss of Thrones,
Or ease the Soul in hell of its sad groans.
That's not content to make them arrant fools,
To lose Estates and Lives, but must thereby
Make them stab conscience when they come to dye
She to incourage Treasons does prefer
Those Traytors Martyrs in her Calender
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Or ease the Soul in hell of its sad groans.
Sions Children.
Shall we (indangered by her Plots) arise,
And curb this Harlot who our God defies?
Why should her Treasons any more annoy
Thy precious Saints, and Nations thus destroy?
Let's make her drink of that invenom'd Cup
She fiill'd for us; Shall she not drink it up?
Will none fall on, provoked by just ire
To eat her flesh, and burn her in the Fire?
Sion.
Dear Children! as to what you have requir'd,
At present you must keep your selves retir'd,
Make no attempts until God from on high
Affords you strength this Babel to defie;
At present you are ev'n like Persons dead
And seem unable to erect your head,
But then you shall appear to be alive,
Gods Spirit shall your fainting Souls revive,
VVho to the fixed time will be exact
VVhen he'l begin this strange and dreadful Act,
To the confusion of your Enemies,
Then God will cause his Witnesses to rise,
And you will have a clear and gracious Call
To join with those that on the Whore shall fall.
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These lines were writ eight years ago or more
In the book which I mentioned before
We then had hopes of what was drawing near;
But stay my Muse! To Sion lend an Ear,
To what she at that time was heard to say
About the Dispensations of that day.
Sion.
VVith patience (Children) wait upon the Lord,
Until his saving Strength he does afford;
To him you all must make your Supplication,
For from him only is my expectation.
Oh! sigh with me, and in your Spirits groan
Send up strong cries to the Almighties Throne,
Give him no rest until those happy days
I shall exalted be, and made the praise
Of all the Earth; And I will likewise cry
And mount my voice to Him who sits on High.
| Distressed Sion Relieved | |