The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary by William Tough |
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For the People and Commonalty.
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 | The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan |  |
41
For the People and Commonalty.
God's precious people, Commons of the Land,
Religion's forward friends with Life in hand,
For Christ who have adventred, meerly driven
By reason of his Right and Title given
To earth's remotest ends; by whom enclinde
This Generation, seriously did minde
Their Intrest in the Promises to owne,
By Gospell Light made to Beleevers known,
Held forth unto the Church; from whence to heart
Was lay'd, (in speciall duty on our part)
For Christ, King, Country, into Covenant
To enter, and rich successe ne'er did want
While honestly, in Men and Angels' view
We jointly moving, did joint ends pursue.
And now, while after so much blood's expense,
Cost, Paines, and prayers (in our Just Defence)
Our hopes were far advanc'd, Behold, the way
Obstructed is anew. Ludibrious Clay
Dare craule on borrowed leggs, and Heaven defy,
The Son of God take on its top, and try
His work to overturne, Himself dethrone,
And, in the hand of his Anointed One,
The Scepter break. What honest heart not bleeds,
What spirit's not on edge, at these misdeeds,
These unexampled Acts, that dim the glory
To these, and after-times, of Christian story?
Religion's forward friends with Life in hand,
For Christ who have adventred, meerly driven
By reason of his Right and Title given
To earth's remotest ends; by whom enclinde
This Generation, seriously did minde
Their Intrest in the Promises to owne,
By Gospell Light made to Beleevers known,
Held forth unto the Church; from whence to heart
Was lay'd, (in speciall duty on our part)
For Christ, King, Country, into Covenant
To enter, and rich successe ne'er did want
While honestly, in Men and Angels' view
We jointly moving, did joint ends pursue.
And now, while after so much blood's expense,
Cost, Paines, and prayers (in our Just Defence)
Our hopes were far advanc'd, Behold, the way
Obstructed is anew. Ludibrious Clay
Dare craule on borrowed leggs, and Heaven defy,
The Son of God take on its top, and try
His work to overturne, Himself dethrone,
And, in the hand of his Anointed One,
The Scepter break. What honest heart not bleeds,
What spirit's not on edge, at these misdeeds,
These unexampled Acts, that dim the glory
To these, and after-times, of Christian story?
But face they hitherward in Arms? what then?
Choose slaves to darknesse, servants unto men,
To yeeld yourselves or venter? Yet a day
Doth Christ (heer) call for, on His Royall way
Of noble conquest, can it sute your minde,
Your spirits, by a Covenant refin'd,
Not to attend His Orders, who in vaine
You kept not hitherto, that ye remaine
Till now unvanquish'd? set before your eyes
What, even what not, at stake in hazard lyes,
And, gath'ring from past practise, how have been
All your attempts for Christ successefull seen,
Set foreward stoutly, in his strength stand to it,
Not bow nor shield, the Lord's Right Hand must do it,
Who, if our King He Instrumentall make,
As Orderer of the Play, the stage to take
(In answer to our earn'st desires), by all,
Be held a presage most auspicious shall,
For which we pray, yea hope; that grounds to none
Occur, of controversie 'gainst the Throne;
As of his Diadems the Royall Right
He would establish (in his foes' despight)
To Christ committed, every way beside
God's way disclaim'd; As on His part to side,
Engage he would the pow'rs of Earth and Heaven,
And, by His Order, may (for word) be given:
Let Colours fly, Drums beat. Gird on your swords.
Arme, Gallants, Arme. The Battell is the Lord's.
Choose slaves to darknesse, servants unto men,
To yeeld yourselves or venter? Yet a day
Doth Christ (heer) call for, on His Royall way
Of noble conquest, can it sute your minde,
Your spirits, by a Covenant refin'd,
42
You kept not hitherto, that ye remaine
Till now unvanquish'd? set before your eyes
What, even what not, at stake in hazard lyes,
And, gath'ring from past practise, how have been
All your attempts for Christ successefull seen,
Set foreward stoutly, in his strength stand to it,
Not bow nor shield, the Lord's Right Hand must do it,
Who, if our King He Instrumentall make,
As Orderer of the Play, the stage to take
(In answer to our earn'st desires), by all,
Be held a presage most auspicious shall,
For which we pray, yea hope; that grounds to none
Occur, of controversie 'gainst the Throne;
As of his Diadems the Royall Right
He would establish (in his foes' despight)
To Christ committed, every way beside
God's way disclaim'd; As on His part to side,
Engage he would the pow'rs of Earth and Heaven,
And, by His Order, may (for word) be given:
Let Colours fly, Drums beat. Gird on your swords.
Arme, Gallants, Arme. The Battell is the Lord's.
| The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan | |