The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary by William Tough |
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 | The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan |  |
Grounds of Hope for Beleevers.
But smiles the Sectary? how with disdain
Heard is the freedom of the Muse's strain?
Us adversaries brave on either hand,
These, on successefull fate's smooth conduct stand.
Grown desperate are others, whose disgrace
Through failings of attempts, leaves shame of face.
Both at advantage ly. Shall this breed fear?
No: We a Chiftain follow who shall clear
Our way, and (in this sad temptation's houre,
On travell, in the greatnesse of his pow'r,
As gifted with Earth's ends and Isles, where we,
Rul'd by His Scepter, live) shall the decree
Past in his favours earst (even Ours, by right
Of promise) see, for us fulfil'd, in spight
Of opposition, on his word who rest,
Whose times, and wayes of working are the best.
Heard is the freedom of the Muse's strain?
Us adversaries brave on either hand,
These, on successefull fate's smooth conduct stand.
Grown desperate are others, whose disgrace
Through failings of attempts, leaves shame of face.
Both at advantage ly. Shall this breed fear?
No: We a Chiftain follow who shall clear
Our way, and (in this sad temptation's houre,
On travell, in the greatnesse of his pow'r,
As gifted with Earth's ends and Isles, where we,
Rul'd by His Scepter, live) shall the decree
Past in his favours earst (even Ours, by right
Of promise) see, for us fulfil'd, in spight
Of opposition, on his word who rest,
Whose times, and wayes of working are the best.
How-ever (often) persecuting foes
Saints' blood have shed, yet (while this tempest blows)
Who not discerne (unto its greatest hight
The throne of Antichrist attain'd, the light
Of many Gospel Truths begun to shine)
That, drest in Armes for warfare (to refine
His Gold, and purge away the object Ore)
Christ is marchd forth (flames ushering him before)
In bloody Garments, through destruction dyde
Of Truth's opposers, who shall prosperous ryde
In Triumph, minding (hence) an active way
Before as silent, in his suffering day?
Saints' blood have shed, yet (while this tempest blows)
Who not discerne (unto its greatest hight
The throne of Antichrist attain'd, the light
Of many Gospel Truths begun to shine)
That, drest in Armes for warfare (to refine
His Gold, and purge away the object Ore)
Christ is marchd forth (flames ushering him before)
In bloody Garments, through destruction dyde
Of Truth's opposers, who shall prosperous ryde
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Before as silent, in his suffering day?
For (meerly) Civill things did we contend
(As, in this case, Lands a Religious end
Professing, (nothing so), deserv'dly, have
Been trampled on,) us might our hopes deceive.
But formally for Christ, in termes direct
We for his title stand, (all due respect
Had to our Soveraigne's intrests, in the right
Of all his Crownes). Will Christ his quarrell slight,
Not vindicate His Honour? not maintain
The setled Order of his house, in vain
Els heer (alone) establisht by his hand
At such expense of Means, throughout the Land,
Yea of his People's blood, dear in his sight?
Which Order (hitherto) gainst hellish slight
And brutish force, so tendered Providence,
That, not one dyat of his Church, hath (thence)
Been mar'd from meeting; neither any part
Of all his work foes suffred to evert.
(As, in this case, Lands a Religious end
Professing, (nothing so), deserv'dly, have
Been trampled on,) us might our hopes deceive.
But formally for Christ, in termes direct
We for his title stand, (all due respect
Had to our Soveraigne's intrests, in the right
Of all his Crownes). Will Christ his quarrell slight,
Not vindicate His Honour? not maintain
The setled Order of his house, in vain
Els heer (alone) establisht by his hand
At such expense of Means, throughout the Land,
Yea of his People's blood, dear in his sight?
Which Order (hitherto) gainst hellish slight
And brutish force, so tendered Providence,
That, not one dyat of his Church, hath (thence)
Been mar'd from meeting; neither any part
Of all his work foes suffred to evert.
The choice place, where to dwell he doth encline,
In beauty where his Ordinances shine,
Will he not care for, cover with his wing,
And guard against those men, a meaner thing
Who counted have the Oath of God, and past
So lightly, from proud necks, his yoke to cast?
In beauty where his Ordinances shine,
Will he not care for, cover with his wing,
And guard against those men, a meaner thing
Who counted have the Oath of God, and past
So lightly, from proud necks, his yoke to cast?
Will he, aveng'd who violated faith
In heathen's favours, on his People hath,
In favours of his People, from on high,
Let passe unplagued heathnish perfidie?
While some designe, Christ next a King to place;
Or (thus disguisde) are found upon the chace
Of self-advantages, a cloake to draw
Of zeal, of duety of supremest Law.
Yea, while with Christ, deny'd to raigne alone,
Their Dagon Others, his divided Throne
To share do offer, and with Christ to dwell
Have priviledged all the powers of hell.
In heathen's favours, on his People hath,
In favours of his People, from on high,
Let passe unplagued heathnish perfidie?
While some designe, Christ next a King to place;
Or (thus disguisde) are found upon the chace
Of self-advantages, a cloake to draw
Of zeal, of duety of supremest Law.
Yea, while with Christ, deny'd to raigne alone,
Their Dagon Others, his divided Throne
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Have priviledged all the powers of hell.
Is Christ his house of purging at the paines,
And planting men, by whom his Kingdome gaines,
(A Ministrie according to his heart)
That bloody hands the Gospel spoiles should part?
Or hath our Lord a tender brood begot
Of children heer, his weaklings to devote
To bloody hands, his youth; whose chiefest thing
Desirable, is to detaine the King;
Yea, while on life and death resolv'd they have
Close to his Truth and Covenant to cleave?
And planting men, by whom his Kingdome gaines,
(A Ministrie according to his heart)
That bloody hands the Gospel spoiles should part?
Or hath our Lord a tender brood begot
Of children heer, his weaklings to devote
To bloody hands, his youth; whose chiefest thing
Desirable, is to detaine the King;
Yea, while on life and death resolv'd they have
Close to his Truth and Covenant to cleave?
In mouths of all the Prophets, whence arise
Our joyes of successe, speaks the Sprite of lyes?
Or shall the Saints, to whom he doth declare
His counsell, (friends, who on his secrets are)
With what he doth acquainted, in this case,
(This case alone) for hopes have shame of face?
Our joyes of successe, speaks the Sprite of lyes?
Or shall the Saints, to whom he doth declare
His counsell, (friends, who on his secrets are)
With what he doth acquainted, in this case,
(This case alone) for hopes have shame of face?
Brought low (indeed deserv'dly) we have been,
And yet may low be laid, that every mean
In which we might conceat, abasde may be,
Even all our Glorie's pride staind we may see.
But when in us all strength is spent and gone,
Turne and Repent him shall that Holy One;
He, all whose wayes his searchlesse wisdome sute,
And for his Works perfection contribute
Shall purge the Land, and Rebels' plots supplant,
Unmindfull never of his Covenant:
Els with that Throne of sin should Christ partake
For framing mischief, which a Law doth make.
And yet may low be laid, that every mean
In which we might conceat, abasde may be,
Even all our Glorie's pride staind we may see.
But when in us all strength is spent and gone,
Turne and Repent him shall that Holy One;
He, all whose wayes his searchlesse wisdome sute,
And for his Works perfection contribute
Shall purge the Land, and Rebels' plots supplant,
Unmindfull never of his Covenant:
Els with that Throne of sin should Christ partake
For framing mischief, which a Law doth make.
May never dawne to us that horrid day,
(Day of rebuke and blasphemy,) on way
While brought the Child is to the place of birth,
That from the womb strength faileth to bring forth.
For say, all means should fail, how great our shame
To doubt that Christ shall magnifie His Name.
(Day of rebuke and blasphemy,) on way
While brought the Child is to the place of birth,
That from the womb strength faileth to bring forth.
For say, all means should fail, how great our shame
To doubt that Christ shall magnifie His Name.
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How ever heer iniquitie abound,
Yea sin on foot, to fill the Land be found,
Yet he, his People who doth not foresake,
The Holy Seed shall for its substance take,
And with his vine (provockt) if he debate,
The stroake in measure he shall moderate.
Yea sin on foot, to fill the Land be found,
Yet he, his People who doth not foresake,
The Holy Seed shall for its substance take,
And with his vine (provockt) if he debate,
The stroake in measure he shall moderate.
Then shew we faces, foes let us defy,
While Jesus Christ his Standard rears on high.
Fall may who ripe are to receive the Crown,
Or rotten branches, fit for hewing down,
But fall who will, the Cause shall never fall,
While stick to him a seed, a Remnant shall.
For he, who comes in judgement, Lands to sift,
Against the sorcerers, a witnesse swift,
Shall, cloath'd with vengeance, poure contempt and shame
Upon false-swearers, by His Holy Name.
Then Colours fly, Drums beat. Gird on your Swords.
Arme, Gallants, arme. The Battell is the Lord's.
While Jesus Christ his Standard rears on high.
Fall may who ripe are to receive the Crown,
Or rotten branches, fit for hewing down,
But fall who will, the Cause shall never fall,
While stick to him a seed, a Remnant shall.
For he, who comes in judgement, Lands to sift,
Against the sorcerers, a witnesse swift,
Shall, cloath'd with vengeance, poure contempt and shame
Upon false-swearers, by His Holy Name.
Then 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 | |