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 |  |
The Insolent Triumph of the Romish Strumpet over the Protestant Church.
VVhy do these Hereticks so brisk appear,
And their false Church such jollity declare?
Poor silly Souls! 'Tis now but Eighty seven,
And soon you'll find I with you will be ev'n:
I smile to think how much thou art mistaken,
'Tis I am mounted high; Thou art forsaken;
Sure thou are frantick, and thy senses fail,
To think that over me thou canst prevail,
A final Conquest I shall make o're thee;
And swift destruction shall thy portion be.
For all my wounds I now have got a cure,
And from your fiery darts I am secure:
I now am raised to the height of bliss,
And all my Glory in its Zenith is,
I am a Queen, and so shall still remain.
And as Supream I o're the Earth will reign,
In Pomp and Glory I must govern all,
The Mightiest Monarchs me their Mistriss call.
And their false Church such jollity declare?
Poor silly Souls! 'Tis now but Eighty seven,
And soon you'll find I with you will be ev'n:
I smile to think how much thou art mistaken,
'Tis I am mounted high; Thou art forsaken;
Sure thou are frantick, and thy senses fail,
To think that over me thou canst prevail,
A final Conquest I shall make o're thee;
And swift destruction shall thy portion be.
For all my wounds I now have got a cure,
And from your fiery darts I am secure:
I now am raised to the height of bliss,
And all my Glory in its Zenith is,
I am a Queen, and so shall still remain.
And as Supream I o're the Earth will reign,
In Pomp and Glory I must govern all,
The Mightiest Monarchs me their Mistriss call.
How can I fall when such a Holy prop
Does me support as, My Lord God the Pope.
Does me support as, My Lord God the Pope.
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The Great men of the Earth his Vassals are,
VVho sits in grandeur in St. Peters Chair;
The Glorious Empire of the VVorld he hath,
And he retains the keys of Heaven, and Death;
Think not that he regards the little tricks
Of the weak, ignorant, and damn'd Hereticks,
Alas! He can make use, when e're he please,
Of Peters Sword, as well as Peters Keys.
He'l make his Canons roar louder than Guns,
To ruin those thou call'st, Thy Protestant Son's;
If once his roaring Bulls give the Alarm,
He'l make all Christendom forthwith to arm
Themselves in my defence, who soon will work,
Thy overthrow; Alas! didst thou not lurk,
Hundreds of years in holes where none could see
Or understand what was become of thee?
He that then broke thy feeble force asunder,
Has still sufficient strength to hold thee under,
And in such strict Subjection thee will keep,
That thou e're long shalt not even dare to peep;
VVho sits in grandeur in St. Peters Chair;
The Glorious Empire of the VVorld he hath,
And he retains the keys of Heaven, and Death;
Think not that he regards the little tricks
Of the weak, ignorant, and damn'd Hereticks,
Alas! He can make use, when e're he please,
Of Peters Sword, as well as Peters Keys.
He'l make his Canons roar louder than Guns,
To ruin those thou call'st, Thy Protestant Son's;
If once his roaring Bulls give the Alarm,
He'l make all Christendom forthwith to arm
Themselves in my defence, who soon will work,
Thy overthrow; Alas! didst thou not lurk,
Hundreds of years in holes where none could see
Or understand what was become of thee?
He that then broke thy feeble force asunder,
Has still sufficient strength to hold thee under,
And in such strict Subjection thee will keep,
That thou e're long shalt not even dare to peep;
Am I not arm'd with the Stupendious power
Of all the Earth? Can't I with ease devour
Thy whole Concernments at one single mess?
Have I not Skilful Cooks such meals to dress?
Ev'n the Imperial and the Royal Sword,
Are ready to be brandish't at my word;
Of all the Earth? Can't I with ease devour
Thy whole Concernments at one single mess?
Have I not Skilful Cooks such meals to dress?
Ev'n the Imperial and the Royal Sword,
Are ready to be brandish't at my word;
Great Britains King, and Catholick Nobles will
My Interest to promote, use all their Skill,
Oh! happy hour; Oh long desired day,
Great James doth now the Royal Scepter sway;
Ah! VVhat a night of darkness has been here,
On me and mine, when nothing did appear,
But black despair, until this happy Reign;
And dost thou think e're to prevail again?
Is not the Soveraign Power in my hand?
I'll make thee now submit to my command,
The Sacred Sword is once more giv'n to me,
And all shall now obey the Holy See.
Heav'n has beheld my sorrows, and therefore
In favour, me hath visited once more;
Nor can I now miscarry; For you see,
How wise our King, and's Secret Council be;
VVhat e're you hope, 'tis certain I can't fail,
VVhen over Crowned Heads I thus prevail;
VVhen Reverend Jesuits sit at the Helm,
They'll quickly raise up my Jerusalem.
My Interest to promote, use all their Skill,
Oh! happy hour; Oh long desired day,
Great James doth now the Royal Scepter sway;
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On me and mine, when nothing did appear,
But black despair, until this happy Reign;
And dost thou think e're to prevail again?
Is not the Soveraign Power in my hand?
I'll make thee now submit to my command,
The Sacred Sword is once more giv'n to me,
And all shall now obey the Holy See.
Heav'n has beheld my sorrows, and therefore
In favour, me hath visited once more;
Nor can I now miscarry; For you see,
How wise our King, and's Secret Council be;
VVhat e're you hope, 'tis certain I can't fail,
VVhen over Crowned Heads I thus prevail;
VVhen Reverend Jesuits sit at the Helm,
They'll quickly raise up my Jerusalem.
The former Governments for many years,
Ruin'd the Monarchy, and increast my fears;
The Old Foundations we will raze up quite,
And new ones raise, either by force or right;
Impudent Varlets question Royal pleasure,
Though from the Power Divine he takes his measure;
VVhy may not Gods Vicegerent justly claim,
The same Dominion? And why not aim,
At such an absolute Soveraignty, that none
Shall contradict whatever he'll have done?
If th' People rule, what use is there of Kings,
VVhen Subjects may at pleasure clip their wings?
This with my Doctrine never will agree,
VVhere Will is Law, there's the best Monarchy.
This is the Government I approve of too,
'Twill strengthen me, and work thy overthrow;
Ruin'd the Monarchy, and increast my fears;
The Old Foundations we will raze up quite,
And new ones raise, either by force or right;
Impudent Varlets question Royal pleasure,
Though from the Power Divine he takes his measure;
VVhy may not Gods Vicegerent justly claim,
The same Dominion? And why not aim,
At such an absolute Soveraignty, that none
Shall contradict whatever he'll have done?
If th' People rule, what use is there of Kings,
VVhen Subjects may at pleasure clip their wings?
This with my Doctrine never will agree,
VVhere Will is Law, there's the best Monarchy.
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'Twill strengthen me, and work thy overthrow;
A Parliament shall do what er'e they please,
That so disturbed minds we may appease;
But if they fail; We have already seen,
That none of them for many years have been
Fit to be trusted; And their name I hate,
For they Eclipse the glory of the State;
They make the Crown seem but an Airy thing;
As good be nothing as not Absolute King.
Why may not Kings be as they were of old,
Why should they be in any thing controul'd?
I'le have it here e're long as 'tis in France,
'Tis only that my Glory will advance;
That so disturbed minds we may appease;
But if they fail; We have already seen,
That none of them for many years have been
Fit to be trusted; And their name I hate,
For they Eclipse the glory of the State;
They make the Crown seem but an Airy thing;
As good be nothing as not Absolute King.
Why may not Kings be as they were of old,
Why should they be in any thing controul'd?
I'le have it here e're long as 'tis in France,
'Tis only that my Glory will advance;
I now perceive what made us lose the Game,
It was our slow proceedings caus'd the same;
Our timorous Spirits; But to my Joy I know,
We now have one who fast enough will go,
Delays are dangerous; The Sword is ours;
By Law declar'd; what need we other powers?
We may be counted Fools indeed, or worse,
If we can't make the Sword command the Purse;
And though the Nation be inslav'd thereby,
Who shall contend with Just Authority?
For Monarchy is so Divine a thing,
None dares gainsay what e're's done by the King.
He surely is accountable to none,
But God alone who set him on the Throne.
It was our slow proceedings caus'd the same;
Our timorous Spirits; But to my Joy I know,
We now have one who fast enough will go,
Delays are dangerous; The Sword is ours;
By Law declar'd; what need we other powers?
We may be counted Fools indeed, or worse,
If we can't make the Sword command the Purse;
And though the Nation be inslav'd thereby,
Who shall contend with Just Authority?
For Monarchy is so Divine a thing,
None dares gainsay what e're's done by the King.
He surely is accountable to none,
But God alone who set him on the Throne.
Your Protestants will to Providence impute
Their thraldom, and will presently grow mute,
For they poor pious Fools think the Decree,
Of Heav'n falls on them, though from Hell it be;
And when their Reason is abus'd by it,
Religion then will teach them to submit,
For Non-resistance is a truth so clear,
Your Reverend Church-men preach it every where,
And well they may; Does not the Apostle Paul,
Declare what doom will on Resister's fall?
For all who do resist Authority,
Are doubtless damn'd to all Eternity.
Their thraldom, and will presently grow mute,
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Of Heav'n falls on them, though from Hell it be;
And when their Reason is abus'd by it,
Religion then will teach them to submit,
For Non-resistance is a truth so clear,
Your Reverend Church-men preach it every where,
And well they may; Does not the Apostle Paul,
Declare what doom will on Resister's fall?
For all who do resist Authority,
Are doubtless damn'd to all Eternity.
But seeing Tyranny does so odious look
To catch you Hereticks we must hide the hook,
And of your Burdens give you present ease,
That afterward we may do what we please;
For since the Nation is returned back,
Dear Mother Church will never see them lack
Money nor Men, so that they all shall see,
My Purse as open as my arms now be;
Besides Great Sums the Catholicks in France
Have offered my Interest to advance,
Lewis the Great vast Treasures will bestow,
If he thereby can work your overthrow:
The Pope will likewise drein his Treasures dry,
Before he'l lose this opportunity
You to depress and me to set on high;
No Aid from Parliaments we need to crave
Without Demand money enough we have,
And thus the Commons we shall gratify,
By taking off the pressures which did lye
So heavy on them in the former Reign,
VVhereby we hope their very hearts to gain.
To catch you Hereticks we must hide the hook,
And of your Burdens give you present ease,
That afterward we may do what we please;
For since the Nation is returned back,
Dear Mother Church will never see them lack
Money nor Men, so that they all shall see,
My Purse as open as my arms now be;
Besides Great Sums the Catholicks in France
Have offered my Interest to advance,
Lewis the Great vast Treasures will bestow,
If he thereby can work your overthrow:
The Pope will likewise drein his Treasures dry,
Before he'l lose this opportunity
You to depress and me to set on high;
No Aid from Parliaments we need to crave
Without Demand money enough we have,
And thus the Commons we shall gratify,
By taking off the pressures which did lye
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VVhereby we hope their very hearts to gain.
Some others of thy Children we will please,
By giving of their Consciences some ease;
VVe'll give them Conventicle room that they
May let us steal the Englishman away,
And though the greatest part of them I see,
Are crafty Foxes and discover me,
Yet divers of them us do magnify,
Since we declared for their Liberty;
That Declaration hath great Service done,
And many discontented minds has won.
By giving of their Consciences some ease;
VVe'll give them Conventicle room that they
May let us steal the Englishman away,
And though the greatest part of them I see,
Are crafty Foxes and discover me,
Yet divers of them us do magnify,
Since we declared for their Liberty;
That Declaration hath great Service done,
And many discontented minds has won.
I odious strove to make the former Reign,
That of our Actings they might not complain;
So that they now confess, a Popish King
Is no such dangerous or frightful thing:
VVe manag'd all at such a subtle Rate,
One heretick we made another hate,
And their destruction we contrived so,
That blindfold they might utterly undo,
And ruin one another; Yet not see,
How subtilly things were carryed on by me.
And you'll perceive within a little while,
We only did design you to beguile,
That you might quietly the halter take,
Or else be burnt in Smithfield at the Stake.
I laugh to see some of your Children join
With us, to bring about our blest Design,
These Mighty Statesmen, like unwary Fools,
To serve a present turn become my Tools;
I knew what they from Penal Laws did fear,
And did foresee how ease would them ensnare.
That of our Actings they might not complain;
So that they now confess, a Popish King
Is no such dangerous or frightful thing:
VVe manag'd all at such a subtle Rate,
One heretick we made another hate,
And their destruction we contrived so,
That blindfold they might utterly undo,
And ruin one another; Yet not see,
How subtilly things were carryed on by me.
And you'll perceive within a little while,
We only did design you to beguile,
That you might quietly the halter take,
Or else be burnt in Smithfield at the Stake.
I laugh to see some of your Children join
With us, to bring about our blest Design,
These Mighty Statesmen, like unwary Fools,
To serve a present turn become my Tools;
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And did foresee how ease would them ensnare.
Look on the Army, and you'll soon espy,
Not mine, but your destruction's drawing nigh;
What though you grin? No matter for your hate,
To rule by Law becomes a Sneaking State;
We value not what e're you prate or say
Regard to you will our Intrigues betray;
When you cant't bite, what hurt will barking do?
Nay in a while we'll spoil your barking too.
My Holy Mass begins now to go down,
Is boldly said in City and in Town,
For even in London, there two Chappels are,
To which without controul all may repair,
And in the middle of that City stand,
With divers more in several Parts o'th' Land.
This, I assure you, fills my Soul with joy,
Nor do I matter though it some annoy.
Since I observe them guarded carefully,
By Protestants now in Authority.
Not mine, but your destruction's drawing nigh;
What though you grin? No matter for your hate,
To rule by Law becomes a Sneaking State;
We value not what e're you prate or say
Regard to you will our Intrigues betray;
When you cant't bite, what hurt will barking do?
Nay in a while we'll spoil your barking too.
My Holy Mass begins now to go down,
Is boldly said in City and in Town,
For even in London, there two Chappels are,
To which without controul all may repair,
And in the middle of that City stand,
With divers more in several Parts o'th' Land.
This, I assure you, fills my Soul with joy,
Nor do I matter though it some annoy.
Since I observe them guarded carefully,
By Protestants now in Authority.
Thou silly Wretch, do I not all command?
Is not the Kingdoms strength all in my hand?
The Sword and Scepter too, even all the power;
Such blessings Heav'n upon my head does shower.
But yet our Claws and Teeth must not appear
Until more firmly all things setled are.
Is not the Kingdoms strength all in my hand?
The Sword and Scepter too, even all the power;
Such blessings Heav'n upon my head does shower.
But yet our Claws and Teeth must not appear
Until more firmly all things setled are.
Yea, what doth further to my glory add,
Comes from the joyful news I lately had,
The Turk our Pagan Enemy, is o'recome,
And forc't to fly before all-conquering Rome?
Hungary whose reduction cost so dear,
And who t'oth' Hereticks closely did adhere,
Is now recover'd, and in tears returns,
And for her former deviations mourns:
The Transilvanians likewise, do comply,
And now submit to my authority;
With many other Protestants I could name,
Who in those Countreys my Protection claim.
Comes from the joyful news I lately had,
The Turk our Pagan Enemy, is o'recome,
And forc't to fly before all-conquering Rome?
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And who t'oth' Hereticks closely did adhere,
Is now recover'd, and in tears returns,
And for her former deviations mourns:
The Transilvanians likewise, do comply,
And now submit to my authority;
With many other Protestants I could name,
Who in those Countreys my Protection claim.
Ah! What a face of things does now appear,
This is my Jubilee; A glorious year;
England and Scotland both returned are
Unto their Mother, and th' Apostolick Chair
Tho' Ireland still is unto me most Dear;
Yet all are mine; They all themselves submit,
And prostrate lye at Mother Churches feet;
Into my bosom they again are come,
And like the Prodigal are returned home.
This is my Jubilee; A glorious year;
England and Scotland both returned are
Unto their Mother, and th' Apostolick Chair
Tho' Ireland still is unto me most Dear;
Yet all are mine; They all themselves submit,
And prostrate lye at Mother Churches feet;
Into my bosom they again are come,
And like the Prodigal are returned home.
What mighty favours are bestow'd on me?
No Widdowhood, nor sorrow shall I see,
Ever hereafter I shall sit as Queen,
Though almost desolate I have lately been;
We sing Te Deum, and Great Gifts we send
For joy that now thy Power's at an end,
Thou art subdu'd; Thy witnesses are slain,
They never more shall me torment again;
My Children now under their Mothers wings,
Are safe; Which Joy to Holy Father brings;
No Widdowhood, nor sorrow shall I see,
Ever hereafter I shall sit as Queen,
Though almost desolate I have lately been;
We sing Te Deum, and Great Gifts we send
For joy that now thy Power's at an end,
Thou art subdu'd; Thy witnesses are slain,
They never more shall me torment again;
My Children now under their Mothers wings,
Are safe; Which Joy to Holy Father brings;
There's little more for me, or mine to do,
But since we have contriv'd thy overthrow,
That we now root thy name from off the Earth;
And this Design is almost at the birth,
And cannot fail, Vengeance will you or'ethrow,
The Plot is laid so strong and secreet too;
And such great men therein concerned are,
That of success we never need despair,
But since we have contriv'd thy overthrow,
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And this Design is almost at the birth,
And cannot fail, Vengeance will you or'ethrow,
The Plot is laid so strong and secreet too;
And such great men therein concerned are,
That of success we never need despair,
My Chancellor and Loyal Judges will,
Spare for no Cost, no Pains, no Time, no Skill;
Nay they resolve their very Lives to spend,
Rather than not perform what I intend,
My brisk Monsieurs, and lofty Spanish Dons,
Will overmatch thy Weak and Silly Sons;
Of murdering Villains I great numbers have,
As pliable as any Turkish slave,
Who at my beck will with their bloody Knives,
Massacre Fathers, Infants, Virgins, Wives.
Kill any but themselves; I'm sure they'll do't,
And quickly lay them sprawling at my foot;
I've Irish Teagues and Tories still at hand,
To act the greatest mischiefs I command;
Bold hardned Miscreants who will never start,
If bid to tear out their own Mothers heart.
Spare for no Cost, no Pains, no Time, no Skill;
Nay they resolve their very Lives to spend,
Rather than not perform what I intend,
My brisk Monsieurs, and lofty Spanish Dons,
Will overmatch thy Weak and Silly Sons;
Of murdering Villains I great numbers have,
As pliable as any Turkish slave,
Who at my beck will with their bloody Knives,
Massacre Fathers, Infants, Virgins, Wives.
Kill any but themselves; I'm sure they'll do't,
And quickly lay them sprawling at my foot;
I've Irish Teagues and Tories still at hand,
To act the greatest mischiefs I command;
Bold hardned Miscreants who will never start,
If bid to tear out their own Mothers heart.
Faint hearted Rogues may melt with qualms and fears,
At Fathers groans, or Mothers bitter tears,
But mine, as little pitty have, as sence,
And ne're are plagu'd with gripes of Conscience,
Many of these I have in constant pay,
For they can hunt and live upon the Prey;
Thy tender Infants that like Carps were stew'd,
In their own bloud, their Teeth have often chew'd,
With humane Fat, Candles they made, to light
Them in those horrid Banquets of the night.
Whatever 'tis my greedy Stomach craves,
Let me but nod, 'tis done by these my slaves.
They know no Scruples, Scorning to dispute,
But always act just like a Turkish Mute;
Nor need you wonder they do thus, since I
Endeavour to perswade them certainly
That they do well, and will gain Heav'n thereby.
For what will Holy Church, advance, is right,
Though ne're so hateful in Jehovahs sight.
At Fathers groans, or Mothers bitter tears,
But mine, as little pitty have, as sence,
And ne're are plagu'd with gripes of Conscience,
Many of these I have in constant pay,
For they can hunt and live upon the Prey;
Thy tender Infants that like Carps were stew'd,
In their own bloud, their Teeth have often chew'd,
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Them in those horrid Banquets of the night.
Whatever 'tis my greedy Stomach craves,
Let me but nod, 'tis done by these my slaves.
They know no Scruples, Scorning to dispute,
But always act just like a Turkish Mute;
Nor need you wonder they do thus, since I
Endeavour to perswade them certainly
That they do well, and will gain Heav'n thereby.
For what will Holy Church, advance, is right,
Though ne're so hateful in Jehovahs sight.
Therefore besides those I did now describe,
I have vast numbers of my Sacred Tribe,
My Clergy make a very numerous Host,
And wait but for my Word, in every Coast;
Nay in these Northern, and Heretical Regions,
I have in secret, many armed Legions,
The Priest, the Monk, the Fryer my Ensign carries,
The Jesuits are still my Janisaries;
Having such Troops as these to guard my Chair,
Sure it will make your Protestants despair,
That so invincible I now should be!
And that thy God hath quite forsaken thee.
Since he to me discovers so much favour,
My deeds sure to him are a pleasant savour,
Therefore th' Apocalyptick Prophecy,
You very foolishly to me apply,
Who from pollution, and all Stains am clean;
Thou art that filthy Harlot he doth mean:
I am his Holy Church, and it is I
Thy threatnings, Thy God, and Thee defy.
I have vast numbers of my Sacred Tribe,
My Clergy make a very numerous Host,
And wait but for my Word, in every Coast;
Nay in these Northern, and Heretical Regions,
I have in secret, many armed Legions,
The Priest, the Monk, the Fryer my Ensign carries,
The Jesuits are still my Janisaries;
Having such Troops as these to guard my Chair,
Sure it will make your Protestants despair,
That so invincible I now should be!
And that thy God hath quite forsaken thee.
Since he to me discovers so much favour,
My deeds sure to him are a pleasant savour,
Therefore th' Apocalyptick Prophecy,
You very foolishly to me apply,
Who from pollution, and all Stains am clean;
Thou art that filthy Harlot he doth mean:
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Thy threatnings, Thy God, and Thee defy.
| Distressed Sion Relieved | |