The Church Militant Historically Continued from the Yeare of Our Saviours Incarnation 33. untill this present, 1640: By William Vaughan |
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| 17. | THE OCCVRRENCES OF THE SEVENTEENTH AGE,
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 | The Church Militant |  |
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THE OCCVRRENCES OF THE SEVENTEENTH AGE,
From the yeere of our Lord 1600. untill this present yeere 1640. Being the 16. of King Charles his Raigne over Great Brittaine.
The Argument.
Our Church escapes the Dragons Powder-traine;And is confirm'd in James, and Charles his Raigne.
Abroad the Bloudy Crosse her Members smites;
In Brittaine some blame Types, and Outward Rites.
The third Yeare past of this our present Age,
Our Sun-set Queen expir'd her Pilgrimage
A Virgin on our Virgin Ladies Eve.
To see her Starre Death did her hence bereave.
Elizabeth then folding up her Raigne
Of Forty Foure, Triumphant over Spaine,
The Popish Side, Tirone, and Irish Kernes;
Faire Englands Crowne to Him whom it concernes
By Right of Bloud descends, to Salomon,
Our Phœnix Iames, who like the radiant Sunne
Shot forth his Rayes, of Kings the Paragon;
A Writer most acute, for Natives Tone
Unparalell'd by any Regall Scribe,
Next to that Starre, the Honour of his Tribe.
Whether in Prose or Measur'd Lines he steeres,
The Loadstone of his Labours still appeares
Directly aim'd unto the New mans White.
His Davids Psalmes our Belials so appall,
None dare them now Geneva-jigges mis-call.
This Posthume Fruit hath Learned Sterline late
Set forth, the Fainting Soule to recreate.
His Workes endure the Light, his Lamp the Night
Of Ignorance repells, and None our Iames,
His Bookes, his Life, or Raigne, save Envie blames.
He Vorstius foil'd, restrain'd Superfluous Doubts,
And by his Pen convinc'd Scholastick Routs.
While here he liv'd, O how did Knowledge shine!
The Church renew her Hopes, the Grave Divine
Affoord us daily Manna for Soule-Food,
And by his Royall Rayes all things did Bud,
Yea, his Rayes made the Wildest Red-shanks tame,
Dri'd Irish Bogges, and spred Virginiaes Fame.
Our Sun-set Queen expir'd her Pilgrimage
A Virgin on our Virgin Ladies Eve.
To see her Starre Death did her hence bereave.
296
Of Forty Foure, Triumphant over Spaine,
The Popish Side, Tirone, and Irish Kernes;
Faire Englands Crowne to Him whom it concernes
By Right of Bloud descends, to Salomon,
Our Phœnix Iames, who like the radiant Sunne
Shot forth his Rayes, of Kings the Paragon;
A Writer most acute, for Natives Tone
Unparalell'd by any Regall Scribe,
Next to that Starre, the Honour of his Tribe.
Whether in Prose or Measur'd Lines he steeres,
The Loadstone of his Labours still appeares
Directly aim'd unto the New mans White.
His Davids Psalmes our Belials so appall,
None dare them now Geneva-jigges mis-call.
This Posthume Fruit hath Learned Sterline late
Set forth, the Fainting Soule to recreate.
His Workes endure the Light, his Lamp the Night
Of Ignorance repells, and None our Iames,
His Bookes, his Life, or Raigne, save Envie blames.
297
And by his Pen convinc'd Scholastick Routs.
While here he liv'd, O how did Knowledge shine!
The Church renew her Hopes, the Grave Divine
Affoord us daily Manna for Soule-Food,
And by his Royall Rayes all things did Bud,
Yea, his Rayes made the Wildest Red-shanks tame,
Dri'd Irish Bogges, and spred Virginiaes Fame.
Nor lackt this King the Gift of Prophesie,
To pry into the Jesuites Secrecie,
Whereby they thought to blow up Albions State
With Powder-Traine Hells next obnoxious Fate.
For though that Tressams Lines seem'd intricate,
Flowing from Sphynx, or Cœdipus his Pate,
A Riddle, darke, and scorn'd by Other Men,
Yet this Wise Prince the same did not contemne,
But pointed at the Mine, and their Intent,
Which they kept close sworne on the Sacrament.
To pry into the Jesuites Secrecie,
Whereby they thought to blow up Albions State
With Powder-Traine Hells next obnoxious Fate.
For though that Tressams Lines seem'd intricate,
Flowing from Sphynx, or Cœdipus his Pate,
A Riddle, darke, and scorn'd by Other Men,
Yet this Wise Prince the same did not contemne,
But pointed at the Mine, and their Intent,
Which they kept close sworne on the Sacrament.
298
This
Peacefull King upon the least disgust
Among his Neighbour States, or Warres mistrust,
Spar'd for no Paines nor Charge to mediate
A Christian End, their Passions to abate.
How many Treaties hath Vienna seene?
What Embassies to calme fierce Austriaes Spleen?
That without Bloud the Palatine might gaine
His Owne, he sent his onely Sonne to Spaine.
In hope to shunne th' Events, which hapned since,
To Dangers he expos'd our Darling Prince,
That by that gentle Course or Sacrifice,
He might prevent ensuing Prejudice.
No Age paints out, nor points at the like Type
Of Princely Love, Offence away to wipe.
Among his Neighbour States, or Warres mistrust,
Spar'd for no Paines nor Charge to mediate
A Christian End, their Passions to abate.
How many Treaties hath Vienna seene?
What Embassies to calme fierce Austriaes Spleen?
That without Bloud the Palatine might gaine
His Owne, he sent his onely Sonne to Spaine.
In hope to shunne th' Events, which hapned since,
To Dangers he expos'd our Darling Prince,
That by that gentle Course or Sacrifice,
He might prevent ensuing Prejudice.
No Age paints out, nor points at the like Type
Of Princely Love, Offence away to wipe.
Like
Iames in Zeale came Young Iehosaphat,
Our Royall Charles, whose sweet and moderate
Condition yeeld us Hopes, that, like his Sire,
He will retaine unquencht the Sacred Fire,
Which in his Soule burnes calmely by the Heat
Of Heavens Flame, the Holy Paraclete:
Now in his Raigne we plant Virginiaes North
With Colonies, and hope by setting forth
The Gospel there the Savages to winne
In Christ his Name from Lust and Bloudy Sinne.
Our Drones turne Bees in his Auspicious Raigne,
Remov'd to Forraigne Iles in hope of Gaine,
And by his Famous Glasse, who built of Old,
For Tharsus Ships to fetch thence Ophirs Gold,
This Prudent Prince prepares a Warre-like Fleet
To scowre the Seas, and Force with Force to meet,
As testifie of late his Admiralls,
Which forced Moores to yeeld home English Thralls.
But more then all, the New man he doth grace,
And the Divine holds in his Counsaile Place.
While Mars went on the Electours wings to pull,
Against the Charter of the Golden Bull,
Distressed Teutons Limmes found both reliefe
And Succour of our Charles, to ease their Griefe.
And while their Church with Tortures lay opprest,
Her Babes exil'd: our Brittaine Mother blest
Thrives by the Cares of our Religious Charles,
Secur'd from Schisme, and Superstitious Snarles.
Our Royall Charles, whose sweet and moderate
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He will retaine unquencht the Sacred Fire,
Which in his Soule burnes calmely by the Heat
Of Heavens Flame, the Holy Paraclete:
Now in his Raigne we plant Virginiaes North
With Colonies, and hope by setting forth
The Gospel there the Savages to winne
In Christ his Name from Lust and Bloudy Sinne.
Our Drones turne Bees in his Auspicious Raigne,
Remov'd to Forraigne Iles in hope of Gaine,
And by his Famous Glasse, who built of Old,
For Tharsus Ships to fetch thence Ophirs Gold,
This Prudent Prince prepares a Warre-like Fleet
To scowre the Seas, and Force with Force to meet,
As testifie of late his Admiralls,
Which forced Moores to yeeld home English Thralls.
But more then all, the New man he doth grace,
And the Divine holds in his Counsaile Place.
While Mars went on the Electours wings to pull,
Against the Charter of the Golden Bull,
300
And Succour of our Charles, to ease their Griefe.
And while their Church with Tortures lay opprest,
Her Babes exil'd: our Brittaine Mother blest
Thrives by the Cares of our Religious Charles,
Secur'd from Schisme, and Superstitious Snarles.
O happy
Brittaine, couldst thou know thy Good
Where Neighbor-states ore-flow with Spoiles & Bloud
To calculate who were by Warres extinct
In Belgia, France, and Germanies Precinct,
Or the late Troubles of the Valtoline,
The Grisons Griefes, or Rochels to define,
A Buskin craves more then Poeticall,
Or Algebraes Points Mathematicall.
Nay, he that counts the Scarres in Christian Lands,
On Christian Folkes late made by Tyrants hands,
Shall sooner tell the Names of Magogs Bands,
Which Iohn compares unto the Ocean Sands.
All which the Saints, though in their Tents beset
By Fiends, yet them from Vowes no Crosses let.
All which Gods Church, though oftentimes she feares,
And vents forth Angels Mones, with Patience beares.
Our King bewailes their Case, stands on Defence;
He Armes, and yet not ministers Offence.
We feele their Griefes, with them we sympathize,
And pray for Cure, which Passion mollifies.
Where Neighbor-states ore-flow with Spoiles & Bloud
To calculate who were by Warres extinct
In Belgia, France, and Germanies Precinct,
Or the late Troubles of the Valtoline,
The Grisons Griefes, or Rochels to define,
A Buskin craves more then Poeticall,
Or Algebraes Points Mathematicall.
Nay, he that counts the Scarres in Christian Lands,
On Christian Folkes late made by Tyrants hands,
Shall sooner tell the Names of Magogs Bands,
Which Iohn compares unto the Ocean Sands.
301
By Fiends, yet them from Vowes no Crosses let.
All which Gods Church, though oftentimes she feares,
And vents forth Angels Mones, with Patience beares.
Our King bewailes their Case, stands on Defence;
He Armes, and yet not ministers Offence.
We feele their Griefes, with them we sympathize,
And pray for Cure, which Passion mollifies.
When
Austriaes Cæsar had with Eagles Wings
Aspir'd, and lift against the King of Kings
His lofty Head, and muster'd all his Force
To trample on Christs Flocke without remorce,
Having begun the Electours Plumes to pull
Against the Germane Lawes and Golden Bull:
Ev'n then (O Wonder!) unexpected Aide
Was by the Lord from Swethens Land convai'd,
From the farre North brave King Gustavus came,
Who came like Thunder, fought, and overcame.
And though this Heros perish'd for our Sinnes
In Battell late, yet to the Philistines,
Like Sampson, he full dearely sold his Breath,
Confounded them, and Triumph'd by his Death;
Yea, from his Cinders since sprung up a Flame,
Which Tyrants Threats, and Turncoats puts to shame,
Long may thy Trophees last, Great Macchabee,
All Terrour to our Foes, untill they see,
That they who wittingly shead Christians Bloud,
Like Romaine Pilate, and the Iewish Croud,
Stand guilty all of Christ his Death againe,
And cannot Purge, or wash away the staine
With Bribes, or Ransome of Sophistick kind,
Besides the Scandall which they leave behind,
That Tearing Bonds of Christian Unity
Confirmes the Turke by their Hostility
To flout, and them with faigned Leagues to wind,
As shortly his Confederates may find.
Meane while they wast a Christian Monarchy,
And Teutons Land becomes an Anarchy.
Aspir'd, and lift against the King of Kings
His lofty Head, and muster'd all his Force
To trample on Christs Flocke without remorce,
Having begun the Electours Plumes to pull
Against the Germane Lawes and Golden Bull:
Ev'n then (O Wonder!) unexpected Aide
Was by the Lord from Swethens Land convai'd,
From the farre North brave King Gustavus came,
Who came like Thunder, fought, and overcame.
302
In Battell late, yet to the Philistines,
Like Sampson, he full dearely sold his Breath,
Confounded them, and Triumph'd by his Death;
Yea, from his Cinders since sprung up a Flame,
Which Tyrants Threats, and Turncoats puts to shame,
Long may thy Trophees last, Great Macchabee,
All Terrour to our Foes, untill they see,
That they who wittingly shead Christians Bloud,
Like Romaine Pilate, and the Iewish Croud,
Stand guilty all of Christ his Death againe,
And cannot Purge, or wash away the staine
With Bribes, or Ransome of Sophistick kind,
Besides the Scandall which they leave behind,
That Tearing Bonds of Christian Unity
Confirmes the Turke by their Hostility
To flout, and them with faigned Leagues to wind,
As shortly his Confederates may find.
Meane while they wast a Christian Monarchy,
And Teutons Land becomes an Anarchy.
303
But leaving them with Fire and Sword to skuffle,
I saw Our Churches Foes begin to shuffle
Strange Cards, in hope by Arts Legier-de-maine
To win. The Stake is Soule prodigious Gaine,
Which God avert, and grant that we take heed
Of Sheep-skin'd Wolves, who sacrifice their Seed
To Moloch, and expect for Ioviall Nunnes
To be Confest by Romes unmarried Sonnes.
This Women styld the Iesuitrices,
Did lately presse, that they by their Accesse
To Ladies might for their Conversion speed,
And work upon their Owne fraile Sexes Creed
With greater sleight, and with more fervency
Then Priests oft blurr'd for Carnall Privacie.
This Femall Sect, before it grew to height,
Was by the present Pope, Urbans the Eight,
Dasht in the Spring. A prudent Act indeed,
To stint the Growth of Antichristian Seeds,
God grant him more such Sparkes, that as his Book
Of Poems bruites his skill, so he the Hook
And Fishers Net convert to better use
Then Other Popes have done to Faiths abuse,
The which he may, like Peter or Saint Paul,
Soone bring to passe by Counsell Generall;
Yea, and perhaps he may there Reconcile
Those Worldly Jarres, which blur Old Antiochs stile.
I saw Our Churches Foes begin to shuffle
Strange Cards, in hope by Arts Legier-de-maine
To win. The Stake is Soule prodigious Gaine,
Which God avert, and grant that we take heed
Of Sheep-skin'd Wolves, who sacrifice their Seed
To Moloch, and expect for Ioviall Nunnes
To be Confest by Romes unmarried Sonnes.
This Women styld the Iesuitrices,
Did lately presse, that they by their Accesse
To Ladies might for their Conversion speed,
And work upon their Owne fraile Sexes Creed
With greater sleight, and with more fervency
Then Priests oft blurr'd for Carnall Privacie.
This Femall Sect, before it grew to height,
Was by the present Pope, Urbans the Eight,
Dasht in the Spring. A prudent Act indeed,
To stint the Growth of Antichristian Seeds,
304
Of Poems bruites his skill, so he the Hook
And Fishers Net convert to better use
Then Other Popes have done to Faiths abuse,
The which he may, like Peter or Saint Paul,
Soone bring to passe by Counsell Generall;
Yea, and perhaps he may there Reconcile
Those Worldly Jarres, which blur Old Antiochs stile.
For what poor things wuld some disguiz'd with zeale
Disturbe the Peace of Christ his Common-weale?
Some startle at the Altars Ancient Name;
Others our setled Forme of Vowes defame.
Because they want some businesse from without,
To make their Bodies sweat, or smart, they pour,
And peevish grow, not knowing what they aile
Within their Sickly Braine, till Eits prevaile;
Like idle Maids with the Greene-sicknesse vext,
They loath what's good, and inward are perplext
With brackish Fleame, with Moodes extravagant,
And Longings oft from Reason discrepant.
Because they cannot have their owne Chymeres
And whimseyes of their Will, they wast with Feares,
Repining at their Neighbours store of Grace,
And yet their Crazed selves will not embrace
The tendred Forme, nor joine in the Soule-Cure,
As Others do, and with sweet Sauce procure,
Whereby they may with Understanding Pray.
And not by roat, nor rashly Vowes repay.
Glutted with Quailes, and Mannaes precious Fare,
Their stomacks long for Onions, homely ware,
And Simple Trash, which may the Bloud inflame
More then that wholesome Food, which they defame.
Have we not seene more Pride in Course Attire
Then in Rich Robes? Yea, some, who did aspire
Under the Mask of plaine Sincerity,
Yet afterwards strove for Priority?
Disturbe the Peace of Christ his Common-weale?
Some startle at the Altars Ancient Name;
Others our setled Forme of Vowes defame.
Because they want some businesse from without,
To make their Bodies sweat, or smart, they pour,
And peevish grow, not knowing what they aile
Within their Sickly Braine, till Eits prevaile;
Like idle Maids with the Greene-sicknesse vext,
They loath what's good, and inward are perplext
305
And Longings oft from Reason discrepant.
Because they cannot have their owne Chymeres
And whimseyes of their Will, they wast with Feares,
Repining at their Neighbours store of Grace,
And yet their Crazed selves will not embrace
The tendred Forme, nor joine in the Soule-Cure,
As Others do, and with sweet Sauce procure,
Whereby they may with Understanding Pray.
And not by roat, nor rashly Vowes repay.
Glutted with Quailes, and Mannaes precious Fare,
Their stomacks long for Onions, homely ware,
And Simple Trash, which may the Bloud inflame
More then that wholesome Food, which they defame.
Have we not seene more Pride in Course Attire
Then in Rich Robes? Yea, some, who did aspire
Under the Mask of plaine Sincerity,
Yet afterwards strove for Priority?
306
Let him, that blames the Surplice comely weare,
Looke how the Saints in long-white Robes appeare
Before the Highest Throne, and then no doubt
At such a Sight he will no longer pout.
And who is he so frowardly severe,
That rayles at Graduates Hood of Minnivere?
The Scarlet Robe? or at the Corner'd Cap
In Academes Matriculated Lap,
Like Laureate Wreathes, borne and produc'd to grace
Industrious Wits, the Churches hopefull Race?
That with such Types and Tokens garnished
The Bees from Drones might be distinguished?
And that by Vertues Hire, faire Honours Crowne,
Some might, as Starres, from Lesser Lights be known?
Much more distinct the Sacred Ranke had need
From Vulgar Garbes of Grave and Reverend Weed,
Aswell to move regard by Outward Hew
Of Surplices and Miters, as to shew
To hardned Romaine Strayes, that without stings
We joyne with them in all Indifferent Things,
And that to shun Offence, Faiths Essence sav'd,
We can forbeare, and yeeld to them that rav'd
In clozing Rents, for some Traditions, Rites,
And Outward Formes, so to renew their Lights.
The Iewes lost not by Aarons Bells their Hopes:
And what lose we by Miters Sight, or Copes?
Looke how the Saints in long-white Robes appeare
Before the Highest Throne, and then no doubt
At such a Sight he will no longer pout.
And who is he so frowardly severe,
That rayles at Graduates Hood of Minnivere?
The Scarlet Robe? or at the Corner'd Cap
In Academes Matriculated Lap,
Like Laureate Wreathes, borne and produc'd to grace
Industrious Wits, the Churches hopefull Race?
That with such Types and Tokens garnished
The Bees from Drones might be distinguished?
And that by Vertues Hire, faire Honours Crowne,
Some might, as Starres, from Lesser Lights be known?
Much more distinct the Sacred Ranke had need
From Vulgar Garbes of Grave and Reverend Weed,
Aswell to move regard by Outward Hew
Of Surplices and Miters, as to shew
307
We joyne with them in all Indifferent Things,
And that to shun Offence, Faiths Essence sav'd,
We can forbeare, and yeeld to them that rav'd
In clozing Rents, for some Traditions, Rites,
And Outward Formes, so to renew their Lights.
The Iewes lost not by Aarons Bells their Hopes:
And what lose we by Miters Sight, or Copes?
Thus stands our Church beset with Schifmaticks,
And Romish Routes pretended Catholiks:
The Former raising Jarres for Triviall things,
The Latter seemes to taint the New mans Springs.
And yet she shines most bright, while like a Storme,
The Formers Faction quailes, and may reforme
Their slips with Ease, at least, when mellow Age
Shall by Degrees compose their Passions Rage.
And there is Hope the Other will renounce
Dependencies on Saints, and so pronounce:
(As did those Saints themselves) Faith Justifies,
And Christ his Bloud alone doth us suffice
Without our Owne, or other Merits Boast,
To gaine Salvation through the Holy Ghost.
For want of Tythes the One a Sect contrives:
And Discontent tempts Babels Fugitives.
Thus hath our Christian Church by Grace Divine,
Past through the Seventeenth Age till Thirty Nine,
And Sixteen Hundred Yeares from Christ his Birth
Are fully told by Mortalls here on Earth;
In spight of Tyrants, Schismes, Idolatry,
The Dragons Floud, and Babels Butchery.
And Romish Routes pretended Catholiks:
The Former raising Jarres for Triviall things,
The Latter seemes to taint the New mans Springs.
And yet she shines most bright, while like a Storme,
The Formers Faction quailes, and may reforme
Their slips with Ease, at least, when mellow Age
Shall by Degrees compose their Passions Rage.
And there is Hope the Other will renounce
Dependencies on Saints, and so pronounce:
308
And Christ his Bloud alone doth us suffice
Without our Owne, or other Merits Boast,
To gaine Salvation through the Holy Ghost.
For want of Tythes the One a Sect contrives:
And Discontent tempts Babels Fugitives.
Thus hath our Christian Church by Grace Divine,
Past through the Seventeenth Age till Thirty Nine,
And Sixteen Hundred Yeares from Christ his Birth
Are fully told by Mortalls here on Earth;
In spight of Tyrants, Schismes, Idolatry,
The Dragons Floud, and Babels Butchery.
O would my Muse knew wayes to reconcile
The stubborne Strayes and Hot-spurs of this Ile,
That, as We all extoll One Christian Creed,
And what were in Six Hundred Yeares decreed
By the First Synods of the East and West,
So we might meet at our Communion Feast
In mutuall Love, without distrust or stings,
To pay our Vowes unto the King of Kings,
Like Brethren with Harmonious Ravishment
In Spirit, with One Will, and One Consent.
Accounting Copes, Bells, Organs, Surplices,
Or shaven Crownes, as Rites, not Substances
To barre the Faith or Conscience of a Saint,
As Some with such Conceits the Church would taint.
“A Christian should be mild in Temporall Things,
“Which breeds not Sin, nor Soul-sick Scandall brings.
“So that Gods Word be preacht and Faith encrease,
“I will accept what Outward Garbes they please.
“Ile kneele, sit, stand, or else in Sack-cloth Fast;
“So that I may win Soules, no Flesh Ile taste
“Ile weare the Sainte Robe, Saint Benets Hood,
“Or Friers Cowle, to doe our Weaklings good.
“Such shapes I take for harmelesse Policie,
“As Adiaphors with Indifferency
“Expedient for some Persons more then Other,
“So to shake hands, and wrangling Quillets smother;
Not like Old Friers of corrupted Zeale,
Who rackt sometime the Romish Common-weale,
And wanting Wit to chuse Frize, Black, or Gray,
Or White, at last they made a Bloudy Fray.
The stubborne Strayes and Hot-spurs of this Ile,
That, as We all extoll One Christian Creed,
And what were in Six Hundred Yeares decreed
By the First Synods of the East and West,
So we might meet at our Communion Feast
309
To pay our Vowes unto the King of Kings,
Like Brethren with Harmonious Ravishment
In Spirit, with One Will, and One Consent.
Accounting Copes, Bells, Organs, Surplices,
Or shaven Crownes, as Rites, not Substances
To barre the Faith or Conscience of a Saint,
As Some with such Conceits the Church would taint.
“A Christian should be mild in Temporall Things,
“Which breeds not Sin, nor Soul-sick Scandall brings.
“So that Gods Word be preacht and Faith encrease,
“I will accept what Outward Garbes they please.
“Ile kneele, sit, stand, or else in Sack-cloth Fast;
“So that I may win Soules, no Flesh Ile taste
“Ile weare the Sainte Robe, Saint Benets Hood,
“Or Friers Cowle, to doe our Weaklings good.
“Such shapes I take for harmelesse Policie,
“As Adiaphors with Indifferency
“Expedient for some Persons more then Other,
“So to shake hands, and wrangling Quillets smother;
310
Who rackt sometime the Romish Common-weale,
And wanting Wit to chuse Frize, Black, or Gray,
Or White, at last they made a Bloudy Fray.
About such Outward Formes the Fiend of late
With Bloudy Broiles thought to enwrap our State,
But He, that left at his Departure hence
Against Hell Plot a Gods Spirit for Defence,
Inspir'd our King with Mercy, to forgive
Them for whose Faults he more then they did grieve.
When Some for Fame, and Others for their Hire,
When some for Spoiles glad of Combustions Fire,
And some for Doubts with swelling Spleen did hope
In Savage Fight with Martiall Troupes to cope:
Our Charles, though strongly Arm'd extended there
In Christian Love Grace unto Erring Men,
Like Him, who rather chose One Citizen
To save then Stay a Thousand Hostile Men.
By this rare Act of sacred Clemencie
He paralells, nay, gets Precedencie
Above all Kings that sway this Worldly Spheare,
Whose Subjects more their Frownes and Rigour feare
Then honour them for Ballanc'd Equity,
Or Reall Deedes surmounting Quality.
Had Theodosius so his Passions squar'd,
He surely had the Thessalonians spar'd,
And not been warn'd by Ambrose to refraine
Frō Millains Church, til conscience wrought some Pain
O Happy Prince, that knew'st thy Saviours Will!
O Happy Land where Soveraigns feare to Kill!
Now, yee that vaunt of Albions Albanact,
Or of Fergusius Sway, applaud this Act
With thankfull Layes set forth in Charles his praise,
VVho when he might destroy forgave your Strayes.
But O what dolefull Newes borre in my Eares?
That Discords Flame, late quencht, againe appeares?
VVe shall, they say, Have Warres, and bloudy warres
New Musters, Taxes, Toile. Our Wizzards starres,
And Malt-Worme Braines inculcate like Bug-beares,
In Luke-warme Breasts effeminated Feares.
My Censure now of our late Vulgars Bruit,
Who blinded in their Owne would seeme acute
In Heavens Affaires, is this: that if Our God
Smite them or us, who can resist his Rod?
Some Ranke of Ease require Phlebotomy:
Some Craz'd: Some Leane, like an Anoatmy:
Their Sinnes are great, and we excuse not Our.
Our Feasts, Rich Robes, Law-suites, and Humors store
Bloud-letting need, and purge of Hellebore.
But, if as oft as Men offend, God powre
The Vialls of his Wrath and Vengeance downe,
Who now had liv'd to have his Mercies knowne?
Whether we dye at Sea, or on the Land
By Famine, Plagues, or Blowes from Butchers hand,
That Three-string'd Whip, which doth us here attend
For Temporall Revenge, or Trialls End,
Gods Will be done. Yet whilst his Church on Earth
Stands firme, I feare no Wars, no Plague nor Dearth:
For Worldly things (so Fates have weav'd the Plot)
Rowle, reele, and squierme like Eeles within a Pot.
With Bloudy Broiles thought to enwrap our State,
But He, that left at his Departure hence
Against Hell Plot a Gods Spirit for Defence,
Inspir'd our King with Mercy, to forgive
Them for whose Faults he more then they did grieve.
When Some for Fame, and Others for their Hire,
When some for Spoiles glad of Combustions Fire,
And some for Doubts with swelling Spleen did hope
In Savage Fight with Martiall Troupes to cope:
Our Charles, though strongly Arm'd extended there
In Christian Love Grace unto Erring Men,
Like Him, who rather chose One Citizen
To save then Stay a Thousand Hostile Men.
311
He paralells, nay, gets Precedencie
Above all Kings that sway this Worldly Spheare,
Whose Subjects more their Frownes and Rigour feare
Then honour them for Ballanc'd Equity,
Or Reall Deedes surmounting Quality.
Had Theodosius so his Passions squar'd,
He surely had the Thessalonians spar'd,
And not been warn'd by Ambrose to refraine
Frō Millains Church, til conscience wrought some Pain
O Happy Prince, that knew'st thy Saviours Will!
O Happy Land where Soveraigns feare to Kill!
Now, yee that vaunt of Albions Albanact,
Or of Fergusius Sway, applaud this Act
With thankfull Layes set forth in Charles his praise,
VVho when he might destroy forgave your Strayes.
But O what dolefull Newes borre in my Eares?
That Discords Flame, late quencht, againe appeares?
VVe shall, they say, Have Warres, and bloudy warres
New Musters, Taxes, Toile. Our Wizzards starres,
312
In Luke-warme Breasts effeminated Feares.
My Censure now of our late Vulgars Bruit,
Who blinded in their Owne would seeme acute
In Heavens Affaires, is this: that if Our God
Smite them or us, who can resist his Rod?
Some Ranke of Ease require Phlebotomy:
Some Craz'd: Some Leane, like an Anoatmy:
Their Sinnes are great, and we excuse not Our.
Our Feasts, Rich Robes, Law-suites, and Humors store
Bloud-letting need, and purge of Hellebore.
But, if as oft as Men offend, God powre
The Vialls of his Wrath and Vengeance downe,
Who now had liv'd to have his Mercies knowne?
Whether we dye at Sea, or on the Land
By Famine, Plagues, or Blowes from Butchers hand,
That Three-string'd Whip, which doth us here attend
For Temporall Revenge, or Trialls End,
Gods Will be done. Yet whilst his Church on Earth
Stands firme, I feare no Wars, no Plague nor Dearth:
313
Rowle, reele, and squierme like Eeles within a Pot.
How shall we then weare out these Worldly Broiles?
So voluble of Course, so full of Toiles?
Just as some dealt with a tumultuous Crew
Of Leaguer'd Goats. When first the Quarrell grew,
And Shepheards met with mind to trounce them all,
A Swaine did thus their sodaine Doome recall:
What shall we doe with these bold Animalls:
Which pill our Plants, and spoile our Vegetalls?
Which gathering into Whoords care not for words?
Nor with their Valiant Tupper doe feare our Swords.
As if they would out-bear'd, they threaten us,
That Cats enrag'd may turne as perilous
As greater Beasts. So me thinke them to immure,
Lest other Beasts to Follies they inure.
They Custome claime, and Native Liberties,
To pill our Bark, and bronze on Grafts of price,
But what bald Custome can their Bucks inferre
(Not in their Rutting time, for then to erre
VVas Frenzies Fit) the Peace to violate?
With Skreames to scare our Mellbœan State,
VVhen Prudent Pan with Countenance severe
Assay'd by Law the Mutineers to feare?
What shall we doe with this long bearded Kind
Of Catrell, which presume to rend the Rind
And Beauty of our Woods without controule?
Slighting our Writs like a vain Blank or Scrowle?
These Out-rages are great. Yet Policie
With Pitty mixt warnes our Vicegerency
Over Gods Creatures to provide some Course,
That Beasts of Gaine may thrive, nor fare the worse.
Fire and Blood-letting are the last of Cures:
So, to be Mild hurts not, but us secures;
And though it seemes a while, like to a Block
Contemn'd of Frogs, yet lasts it like the Rock.
The Oxe must not be muzzled, not these Goates
Depriv'd of Food, nor Horses rob'd of Oates.
What Forrests are reserv'd for straggling Deere,
Which retribute small Profit in the Yeare?
We foster greedy Hounds and swilling Swine:
And shall we now lesse hurtfull Beasts confine?
What Cares take we for Drones more then for Bees?
And yet to Kiddes grutch a few Sapling Trees?
If we hemme in their Dammes, Both dye of Dearth,
And so we lose some of the Best on Earth
For Profits Breed. They rough and hardy are
In Aires Extremes, content with simple Fare:
(A Gift which many Beasts, nay men do want,
A Gift which lessens Crimes exorbitant.)
A little them sustaines. And yet their Does
Yeeld store of Milk to countervaile some Cowes.
They doe bring forth two or three Kiddes a piece
Within the Yeare; their Milk doth cordialize,
Natur'd like what they eate. Feed them with Spurge
Or Lettice, then their Milk doth Humours purge.
The Male-Goats Bloud refines the Diamond;
It breakes the Stone, and makes the Gravell'd sound.
When it is bakt, or into Powder done,
And strew'd on Liquid Food, it Cures the Stone
Sooner then Leeks, or Alisanders Broth,
Which seemes with it compar'd but skummy Froth.
A Hivers Pasty tasts like Venison;
The Buffe defends from Frost as from the Sunne.
I skip the Stuffe wrought of Goats stately Beard,
Lest not a Goats-haires worth be what I heard;
Nor mention I Borrachoes Spanish Case,
Which Pilgrims vow with Healths to Bacchus Grace;
Nor yet their Flesh, which Portingalls do dresse
And lay with Salt for Indiaes Voyages.
So usefull are these Goats, that none for want
Of them in wild and New-found Lands can plant:
Which is the Cause that Brittaines Colonies
Thrive not there like the Spaniards Progenies.
Now for my Vote or Cloze particulare,
Which I submit to your more Silver Haire:
It is not safe the moody to constraine;
Tread on a Worme, and it will turne againe.
The Fits o're-past: we may cull out the Bad,
Divide their Troupes, and Cure in time the Mad.
If we permit the Weanelings of their Flocks,
Their tender Kiddes, which cannot shift on Rocks
For stronger Food, to champ on weaker Boughes;
And their Moone-sick on Plants sometimes to brouze:
Both these will, when their Constitution growes
To abler Nerves, eat Hay in time of Snowes,
And be right glad to taste of stronger Food
Aswell to our Content, as for their Good.
And let the rest live in their Craggy Soile,
In hope they will no more keepe revell Coile;
Lest if we thence provoke their Wilder Whelpes,
They may turne mad with Tupping and with Yelpes,
Unlesse in the Mid-Summers Moone we chaine
Those whom we finde most Crazed in the Braine.
'Twere well we could their Teeth with safety file,
And not our hands with Streames of Bloud defile
If they disband, and of their Crimes repent,
And will with Griefe redeeme their Punishment,
Let's suffer them to spend their windy Breath
Upon the Rocky Hills and Barren Heath,
That it may be ingross'd in After-Rowles:
We left them there, where bustling Boreas cooles
The hottest Spleen, in hope that they would grow
More usefull farre then we doe finde them now.
When Riper Time shall Humours purifie,
They will conforme themselves, at least their Fry.
Since Forraigne Coasts to Beares & Wolves submit,
I thinke we may lesse harmefull Goats admit
To their Old Haunts our Daisies to encrease,
So that henceforth their Buckes from Tupping cease.
Let us not then root out these Beasts with Beards,
Weakning our Stock (an Honour to our Heards)
Lest we give Cause of Jeering to our Foes,
Who, if our Stock decayes, may worke us woes.
They pill our Barke: that's it you now will say;
So did our Iron-men and Tanners play:
So Others have by causelesse Brawles and Fees,
And Heathnish Spoiles, forc'd men to sell good Trees.
But here one whisperd him: Touch not that Noat,
Lest you be term'd a rash-promoting Goat,
Incurring Scorne with hobbubs and out-cries,
For glancing at our Modernes Robberies.
The Swaine abash'd, his Face to Crimson did;
And the Goats Cause lies in suspense untri'd:
Where though Great Pan an Higher skill relies,
Yet scornes he not a Rusticks poore Supplies,
In all Extreames on this I set my Rest.
Of Ills to abuse the Least, of Good the Best,
And if I misse the Latter to attaine,
Yet I will hope the Golden Meane to gaine.
So voluble of Course, so full of Toiles?
Just as some dealt with a tumultuous Crew
Of Leaguer'd Goats. When first the Quarrell grew,
And Shepheards met with mind to trounce them all,
A Swaine did thus their sodaine Doome recall:
What shall we doe with these bold Animalls:
Which pill our Plants, and spoile our Vegetalls?
Which gathering into Whoords care not for words?
Nor with their Valiant Tupper doe feare our Swords.
As if they would out-bear'd, they threaten us,
That Cats enrag'd may turne as perilous
As greater Beasts. So me thinke them to immure,
Lest other Beasts to Follies they inure.
They Custome claime, and Native Liberties,
To pill our Bark, and bronze on Grafts of price,
314
(Not in their Rutting time, for then to erre
VVas Frenzies Fit) the Peace to violate?
With Skreames to scare our Mellbœan State,
VVhen Prudent Pan with Countenance severe
Assay'd by Law the Mutineers to feare?
What shall we doe with this long bearded Kind
Of Catrell, which presume to rend the Rind
And Beauty of our Woods without controule?
Slighting our Writs like a vain Blank or Scrowle?
These Out-rages are great. Yet Policie
With Pitty mixt warnes our Vicegerency
Over Gods Creatures to provide some Course,
That Beasts of Gaine may thrive, nor fare the worse.
Fire and Blood-letting are the last of Cures:
So, to be Mild hurts not, but us secures;
And though it seemes a while, like to a Block
Contemn'd of Frogs, yet lasts it like the Rock.
The Oxe must not be muzzled, not these Goates
Depriv'd of Food, nor Horses rob'd of Oates.
315
Which retribute small Profit in the Yeare?
We foster greedy Hounds and swilling Swine:
And shall we now lesse hurtfull Beasts confine?
What Cares take we for Drones more then for Bees?
And yet to Kiddes grutch a few Sapling Trees?
If we hemme in their Dammes, Both dye of Dearth,
And so we lose some of the Best on Earth
For Profits Breed. They rough and hardy are
In Aires Extremes, content with simple Fare:
(A Gift which many Beasts, nay men do want,
A Gift which lessens Crimes exorbitant.)
A little them sustaines. And yet their Does
Yeeld store of Milk to countervaile some Cowes.
They doe bring forth two or three Kiddes a piece
Within the Yeare; their Milk doth cordialize,
Natur'd like what they eate. Feed them with Spurge
Or Lettice, then their Milk doth Humours purge.
The Male-Goats Bloud refines the Diamond;
It breakes the Stone, and makes the Gravell'd sound.
316
And strew'd on Liquid Food, it Cures the Stone
Sooner then Leeks, or Alisanders Broth,
Which seemes with it compar'd but skummy Froth.
A Hivers Pasty tasts like Venison;
The Buffe defends from Frost as from the Sunne.
I skip the Stuffe wrought of Goats stately Beard,
Lest not a Goats-haires worth be what I heard;
Nor mention I Borrachoes Spanish Case,
Which Pilgrims vow with Healths to Bacchus Grace;
Nor yet their Flesh, which Portingalls do dresse
And lay with Salt for Indiaes Voyages.
So usefull are these Goats, that none for want
Of them in wild and New-found Lands can plant:
Which is the Cause that Brittaines Colonies
Thrive not there like the Spaniards Progenies.
Now for my Vote or Cloze particulare,
Which I submit to your more Silver Haire:
It is not safe the moody to constraine;
Tread on a Worme, and it will turne againe.
317
Divide their Troupes, and Cure in time the Mad.
If we permit the Weanelings of their Flocks,
Their tender Kiddes, which cannot shift on Rocks
For stronger Food, to champ on weaker Boughes;
And their Moone-sick on Plants sometimes to brouze:
Both these will, when their Constitution growes
To abler Nerves, eat Hay in time of Snowes,
And be right glad to taste of stronger Food
Aswell to our Content, as for their Good.
And let the rest live in their Craggy Soile,
In hope they will no more keepe revell Coile;
Lest if we thence provoke their Wilder Whelpes,
They may turne mad with Tupping and with Yelpes,
Unlesse in the Mid-Summers Moone we chaine
Those whom we finde most Crazed in the Braine.
'Twere well we could their Teeth with safety file,
And not our hands with Streames of Bloud defile
If they disband, and of their Crimes repent,
And will with Griefe redeeme their Punishment,
318
Upon the Rocky Hills and Barren Heath,
That it may be ingross'd in After-Rowles:
We left them there, where bustling Boreas cooles
The hottest Spleen, in hope that they would grow
More usefull farre then we doe finde them now.
When Riper Time shall Humours purifie,
They will conforme themselves, at least their Fry.
Since Forraigne Coasts to Beares & Wolves submit,
I thinke we may lesse harmefull Goats admit
To their Old Haunts our Daisies to encrease,
So that henceforth their Buckes from Tupping cease.
Let us not then root out these Beasts with Beards,
Weakning our Stock (an Honour to our Heards)
Lest we give Cause of Jeering to our Foes,
Who, if our Stock decayes, may worke us woes.
They pill our Barke: that's it you now will say;
So did our Iron-men and Tanners play:
So Others have by causelesse Brawles and Fees,
And Heathnish Spoiles, forc'd men to sell good Trees.
319
Lest you be term'd a rash-promoting Goat,
Incurring Scorne with hobbubs and out-cries,
For glancing at our Modernes Robberies.
The Swaine abash'd, his Face to Crimson did;
And the Goats Cause lies in suspense untri'd:
Where though Great Pan an Higher skill relies,
Yet scornes he not a Rusticks poore Supplies,
In all Extreames on this I set my Rest.
Of Ills to abuse the Least, of Good the Best,
And if I misse the Latter to attaine,
Yet I will hope the Golden Meane to gaine.
Concerning other Points of Faiths abuse,
As Furgatories Paine, false Idolls use,
Courting of Saints, to Christs apparant wrong,
Gods Sacred Word kept from the Vulgar Tongue,
Additions to the Masse, the Papall Keyes,
And Priests debarr'd of Wives: Let him that waighes
The Dreames of Balaams Priests, this Passage know:
Pride made the Pope a Simon Magus grow,
And then he chang'd the Spirits Gifts for Gaine.
For after the Decease of Charlemaine,
Who Sceptred Popes, in the ensuing Yeares,
They to maintaine their Pomp, the Christian Meeres
Of Modesty transcended, got elbow roome
To spread the Divels Huskes in rampant Rome.
Which to reforme, as we of late have done
In Brittaines Orbe, by Wickliffs Cares begun
About three Ages past, so let all them,
Who hope to see the New Ierusalem,
Looke backe upon the first Sixe Centuries;
Or if that seeme too tedious to revise,
Let them the next Sixe Ages well review,
And they shall finde Romes Faith then patcht anew,
That by Degrees the Popes by Phocas first,
And by Great Charles since rais'd, became accurst;
And that Our Church the very same of Old,
Which was at Nice, and Chalcedon enroll'd
For Orthodoxe, is Catholick and True;
Onely, because new-scour'd, enstiled New.
As Furgatories Paine, false Idolls use,
Courting of Saints, to Christs apparant wrong,
Gods Sacred Word kept from the Vulgar Tongue,
Additions to the Masse, the Papall Keyes,
And Priests debarr'd of Wives: Let him that waighes
320
Pride made the Pope a Simon Magus grow,
And then he chang'd the Spirits Gifts for Gaine.
For after the Decease of Charlemaine,
Who Sceptred Popes, in the ensuing Yeares,
They to maintaine their Pomp, the Christian Meeres
Of Modesty transcended, got elbow roome
To spread the Divels Huskes in rampant Rome.
Which to reforme, as we of late have done
In Brittaines Orbe, by Wickliffs Cares begun
About three Ages past, so let all them,
Who hope to see the New Ierusalem,
Looke backe upon the first Sixe Centuries;
Or if that seeme too tedious to revise,
Let them the next Sixe Ages well review,
And they shall finde Romes Faith then patcht anew,
That by Degrees the Popes by Phocas first,
And by Great Charles since rais'd, became accurst;
And that Our Church the very same of Old,
Which was at Nice, and Chalcedon enroll'd
321
Onely, because new-scour'd, enstiled New.
Lo here, Deare Countrey-men, in Pithy Phraze,
What some have whirl'd about with winding Maze,
And some, I hope, these short Analyses,
Will rellish more then long Remonstrances,
Since Substances yee like, I simply shew
Where lay our Church Pure, Catholick and True,
Before we tooke the Name of Protestants
At Auspurg late; which Our Extravagants
By Transmarine and false exotick Glosse
Would soile, like Pitch, with Appellations grosse
Of Huguenots, or Luthers Hereticks;
While they usurpe the Name of Catholicks,
Like Hagars Brood, which Moores terme Saracen;
Like Hypocrites, who passe for Godly Men.
For why should they alone be in our West
Call'd Catholicks, when Thousands in the East,
The Abissines and Others doe contend
For the like Name in Substance, Use, and End?
Why should the Parts above the Whole presume?
One Sister Church the Mothers Stile assume?
The Catholick, which spreads in every Coast
With Mutuall Gifts powr'd by the Holy Ghost?
Why should the Beames against the Sunne compact?
The Branches from the Oakes Good Name detract?
Our Churches are (waigh the Comparison)
As Boughes or Beames: Christs Spouse the Oak or Sun.
And for Our Church, more yet I could relate,
To manifest her Wane, Eclipse, and Fate
In Popish Times, but that each Novice knowes
What meanes the Desert, where she powr'd her vowes
During the Raigne of that great Mystick Whore,
Which preacht False Christs by the red Dragons Lore.
But mauger Constance, Trent, and Lateran,
The Night is past of Skreeching Ignorance,
And we embrace the Spirits Countenance,
Which at this day shines bright in Brittaines Ile,
And may doe long, if we shun Hate and Guile.
Not Ecchius, Moore, Poole, Fisher, Posse vine,
Not Dowayes Fry, nor Copious Bellarmine
Can match our Calvin, Zanchius, Bullinger,
Frith, Jewell, Foxe, Fulkes, Raynolds, Whitaker,
Andrewes, Usher, and those whose Melodies
Mount up to Christ, like a New Sacrifice,
With many moe in our Great Brittaines Orbe,
Surviving yet, and able them to curbe:
Whose Praises Web more Curious if I spun,
I should then light a Candle in the Sunne;
Or undertake Saint Michaels Warre to pen,
A Taske more fit for Angels then for Men.
Yet by that Mystick Type Saints may discry
The Battels Issue, and our Victory:
For such a Palme the Fiery Crosses Signe
Hath gain'd, as in the Dayes of Constantine.
But now in Embers clozing up my Fire,
I silently into my Thoughts retire,
Oft looking backe to Babels Mystery,
Oft musing on Faire Sions Victory,
Where first Six Hundred Sixty Six I fixe,
One Thousand then Six Hundred Fifty Sixe,
Times Pedegree from Mans Creation cast,
Till Fatall Showres for Sinne the Earth defac't,
I ruminate in Mind, least sodainly
While I deferre my Duty to supply,
The last great Trumpets Sound concludes the Day
To Worldlings woe, and Sinners sore Dismay.
Warres in Faiths House proclaim'd, and Babylon
Discover'd shew great Doomes-dayes signs neer gone:
From which Extreames, Lord, save our Church aswell
As thou Elias didst from Iezabel,
That with the Spirits streame she quench her Thirst
Untill that Day, while Babel lies accurst.
As long as Sun and Moone, or Raine-bowes signe
Shall last, preserve our King like Constantine,
Assigning us from Stewarts Regall Ligne
Good Stwards still to over-see what's Thine.
Remove not hence our Churches Candlestick,
While firmely we to Thy Sonnes Pledges stick,
But for his Sake who paid the Costly Price
In Judgement due for our Enormities,
Whereas some led by Fiends as yet do stray,
If they Repent, reduce them to thy way,
That Ismaels Brood henceforth no Christians flout
For Lutherans, or the Wicklevian Rout,
For Huguenots, Novatians, Schismaticks,
For Puritans, or Mungrell Catholicks.
When these with Peter vouch Gods Living Sonne,
With Paul One God, One Advocate alone
Exploding School-mens Dreames, Hypocrisies,
Soules-Marchandize, and winding Fallacies,
We then shall soone for Other Points agree,
Without recourse to Edens curious Tree.
This Fruit the Church reapes by her Childrens Peace:
When they from jarres, then Foes from jeering cease.
What some have whirl'd about with winding Maze,
And some, I hope, these short Analyses,
Will rellish more then long Remonstrances,
Since Substances yee like, I simply shew
Where lay our Church Pure, Catholick and True,
Before we tooke the Name of Protestants
At Auspurg late; which Our Extravagants
By Transmarine and false exotick Glosse
Would soile, like Pitch, with Appellations grosse
Of Huguenots, or Luthers Hereticks;
While they usurpe the Name of Catholicks,
Like Hagars Brood, which Moores terme Saracen;
Like Hypocrites, who passe for Godly Men.
For why should they alone be in our West
Call'd Catholicks, when Thousands in the East,
322
For the like Name in Substance, Use, and End?
Why should the Parts above the Whole presume?
One Sister Church the Mothers Stile assume?
The Catholick, which spreads in every Coast
With Mutuall Gifts powr'd by the Holy Ghost?
Why should the Beames against the Sunne compact?
The Branches from the Oakes Good Name detract?
Our Churches are (waigh the Comparison)
As Boughes or Beames: Christs Spouse the Oak or Sun.
And for Our Church, more yet I could relate,
To manifest her Wane, Eclipse, and Fate
In Popish Times, but that each Novice knowes
What meanes the Desert, where she powr'd her vowes
During the Raigne of that great Mystick Whore,
Which preacht False Christs by the red Dragons Lore.
But mauger Constance, Trent, and Lateran,
The Night is past of Skreeching Ignorance,
And we embrace the Spirits Countenance,
Which at this day shines bright in Brittaines Ile,
323
Not Ecchius, Moore, Poole, Fisher, Posse vine,
Not Dowayes Fry, nor Copious Bellarmine
Can match our Calvin, Zanchius, Bullinger,
Frith, Jewell, Foxe, Fulkes, Raynolds, Whitaker,
Andrewes, Usher, and those whose Melodies
Mount up to Christ, like a New Sacrifice,
With many moe in our Great Brittaines Orbe,
Surviving yet, and able them to curbe:
Whose Praises Web more Curious if I spun,
I should then light a Candle in the Sunne;
Or undertake Saint Michaels Warre to pen,
A Taske more fit for Angels then for Men.
Yet by that Mystick Type Saints may discry
The Battels Issue, and our Victory:
For such a Palme the Fiery Crosses Signe
Hath gain'd, as in the Dayes of Constantine.
But now in Embers clozing up my Fire,
I silently into my Thoughts retire,
Oft looking backe to Babels Mystery,
324
Where first Six Hundred Sixty Six I fixe,
One Thousand then Six Hundred Fifty Sixe,
Times Pedegree from Mans Creation cast,
Till Fatall Showres for Sinne the Earth defac't,
I ruminate in Mind, least sodainly
While I deferre my Duty to supply,
The last great Trumpets Sound concludes the Day
To Worldlings woe, and Sinners sore Dismay.
Warres in Faiths House proclaim'd, and Babylon
Discover'd shew great Doomes-dayes signs neer gone:
From which Extreames, Lord, save our Church aswell
As thou Elias didst from Iezabel,
That with the Spirits streame she quench her Thirst
Untill that Day, while Babel lies accurst.
As long as Sun and Moone, or Raine-bowes signe
Shall last, preserve our King like Constantine,
Assigning us from Stewarts Regall Ligne
Good Stwards still to over-see what's Thine.
Remove not hence our Churches Candlestick,
325
But for his Sake who paid the Costly Price
In Judgement due for our Enormities,
Whereas some led by Fiends as yet do stray,
If they Repent, reduce them to thy way,
That Ismaels Brood henceforth no Christians flout
For Lutherans, or the Wicklevian Rout,
For Huguenots, Novatians, Schismaticks,
For Puritans, or Mungrell Catholicks.
When these with Peter vouch Gods Living Sonne,
With Paul One God, One Advocate alone
Exploding School-mens Dreames, Hypocrisies,
Soules-Marchandize, and winding Fallacies,
We then shall soone for Other Points agree,
Without recourse to Edens curious Tree.
This Fruit the Church reapes by her Childrens Peace:
When they from jarres, then Foes from jeering cease.
327
THE PICTVRE OF THE TRVE CATHOLICK AND APOSTOLICK CHURCH
Represented in English and Latine Numbers.
The Argument.
The Authour last this Corollary knits,To help Our Church against mad wrangling Wits:
Till the Sixth Age the Spouse of Christ shone Pure;
So doth our Church. And here's her Portraiture.
The
Spouse of Christ shone in her Prime
When she liv'd neere th' Apostles Time,
But afterwards Ecclips'd of Light,
She lay Obscure from most mens Sight:
For while her Watch hugg'd Carnall Ease,
And loath'd the Crosse, she felt Disease.
Because they did Gods Rayes contemne,
And Maumets serv'd, Grace fled from them.
Then Starres fell downe, Fiends blackt the Aire,
And Mungrells held the Churches Chaire.
But now dispelling Errours Night,
By Christ his Might, our New-mans Light,
She may compare for Faith alike
With famous Romes first Catholick,
And Paragons for Vertue bright
The Royall Scribes sweet Sulamite,
Who train'd to Zeale, yet without Traps,
Her poore Young Sister wanting Paps;
Without Traditions she train'd her,
Or Quillets, which make Soules to Erre.
When she liv'd neere th' Apostles Time,
But afterwards Ecclips'd of Light,
She lay Obscure from most mens Sight:
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And loath'd the Crosse, she felt Disease.
Because they did Gods Rayes contemne,
And Maumets serv'd, Grace fled from them.
Then Starres fell downe, Fiends blackt the Aire,
And Mungrells held the Churches Chaire.
But now dispelling Errours Night,
By Christ his Might, our New-mans Light,
She may compare for Faith alike
With famous Romes first Catholick,
And Paragons for Vertue bright
The Royall Scribes sweet Sulamite,
Who train'd to Zeale, yet without Traps,
Her poore Young Sister wanting Paps;
Without Traditions she train'd her,
Or Quillets, which make Soules to Erre.
So feedes our Church her Tender Brood
With Milk, the Strong with stronger Food.
She doth contend in Grace to thrive,
Reformed, like the Primitive.
She hates the Darke, yet walkes the Round,
And joyes to heare the Gospels Sound.
She hates their Mind in Judgement blind,
Who swell with Merits out of kind.
In Christ alone lies all her Hope,
Not craving Help of Saint or Pope.
Poore Saints, to shew her Faith by Deedes,
She fills their Soules, their Bodies feedes.
She grants no Weapons for Offence;
Save Vowes and Fasting for Defence;
And yet she strikes. But with what Sword?
The Spirits Sword, Gods Lightning Word.
Indiff'rent Toyes, and Childish Slips
She slights, but checks grosse Sinnes with stripes.
Yet soone the Strayes her Favour winne,
When they Repent them of the Sinne,
So mild is she, still loathing Ill,
And yet most loath the Soule to kill.
With Milk, the Strong with stronger Food.
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Reformed, like the Primitive.
She hates the Darke, yet walkes the Round,
And joyes to heare the Gospels Sound.
She hates their Mind in Judgement blind,
Who swell with Merits out of kind.
In Christ alone lies all her Hope,
Not craving Help of Saint or Pope.
Poore Saints, to shew her Faith by Deedes,
She fills their Soules, their Bodies feedes.
She grants no Weapons for Offence;
Save Vowes and Fasting for Defence;
And yet she strikes. But with what Sword?
The Spirits Sword, Gods Lightning Word.
Indiff'rent Toyes, and Childish Slips
She slights, but checks grosse Sinnes with stripes.
Yet soone the Strayes her Favour winne,
When they Repent them of the Sinne,
So mild is she, still loathing Ill,
And yet most loath the Soule to kill.
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Such is the Lady, whom I serve;
Her Goodnesse such, whom I observe,
And for whosee Love I beg'd these Layes
Borne from the Spheares with Flaming Rayes.
But who can paint the Dowries forth
Of this New Mary to the Worth?
O let us for her Gifts restor'd
Then Sacrifice to Heavens Lord
Our Hearts with Psalmes, like Trumpets lowd,
For sending her to curbe the Proud,
And to beare downe Romes Antichrist,
As she types her that brought forth Christ,
The Object of our Second Birth,
And the Prime cause of all our Mirth.
Thus is Our Church in Essence like
The Ancient True Apostolick.
Her Goodnesse such, whom I observe,
And for whosee Love I beg'd these Layes
Borne from the Spheares with Flaming Rayes.
But who can paint the Dowries forth
Of this New Mary to the Worth?
O let us for her Gifts restor'd
Then Sacrifice to Heavens Lord
Our Hearts with Psalmes, like Trumpets lowd,
For sending her to curbe the Proud,
And to beare downe Romes Antichrist,
As she types her that brought forth Christ,
The Object of our Second Birth,
And the Prime cause of all our Mirth.
Thus is Our Church in Essence like
The Ancient True Apostolick.
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God
grant this Dame, our Brittaines long to sway,
Whereby they may to Christ new Vowes repay;
And blesse thee, Reader, with like Happinesse,
To hold his pledges firme with Godlinesse.
Whereby they may to Christ new Vowes repay;
And blesse thee, Reader, with like Happinesse,
To hold his pledges firme with Godlinesse.
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Another Hymne to the same Effect, as how to discerne the True Catholick Church.
The
Crosse, on which our Saviour di'd,
For many Yeares lay undiscri'd
With Rubbage soil'd in Calvary,
Till, to renew Christs Memory,
The Mother of Great Constantine
Searcht, found, and left it for a Signe,
That Converts then might understand,
Christ di'd for them in Jewries Land.
In the like sort the Church of Christ,
Lay long Eclips'd through Carnall Mist,
Resembling Gold obscur'd with drosse,
As was with Earth that Woodden Crosse.
And though some wisht to find her out,
They could not bring their wish about,
(So strong of Might, so full of sleight
Was Babels Whore to bleare their Sight)
Untill Gods Word perform'd the Deed
With Martyrs Bloud, the Churches Seed;
Till Wickliffe first, and Luther next
Stept up, her Babes stood sore perplext.
For many Yeares lay undiscri'd
With Rubbage soil'd in Calvary,
Till, to renew Christs Memory,
The Mother of Great Constantine
Searcht, found, and left it for a Signe,
That Converts then might understand,
Christ di'd for them in Jewries Land.
In the like sort the Church of Christ,
Lay long Eclips'd through Carnall Mist,
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As was with Earth that Woodden Crosse.
And though some wisht to find her out,
They could not bring their wish about,
(So strong of Might, so full of sleight
Was Babels Whore to bleare their Sight)
Untill Gods Word perform'd the Deed
With Martyrs Bloud, the Churches Seed;
Till Wickliffe first, and Luther next
Stept up, her Babes stood sore perplext.
Now (O looke up) this Gracious Queene
On Sions Hill is to be seene,
With her New man, Gods hopefull Sonne,
Rayes darting like the Glorious Sunne.
But they, who would descry her right,
Must her descry with Inward Sight,
Not like the Old Brasse-Serpent, which
Idolaters did earst bewich,
But like the Crosse, which Saints took up
Ere Some to that since found did stoup.
Thus stands the Church seen and unseen,
Unseen of Sots, of Saints well seen.
These by Gods Word her Presence waigh,
Those by false Dreames and Worldly Sway.
Now, Brother, mark, which of these Crew
Of Christ his Church are Children true?
The One kneele to the New mans Rock,
The Other to an Outward Stock,
Like Manichees, which they doe paint
For Angellick, or Guardian Saint.
There, they meet men, who live by Lurch,
But never Saints of the True Church.
On Sions Hill is to be seene,
With her New man, Gods hopefull Sonne,
Rayes darting like the Glorious Sunne.
But they, who would descry her right,
Must her descry with Inward Sight,
Not like the Old Brasse-Serpent, which
Idolaters did earst bewich,
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Ere Some to that since found did stoup.
Thus stands the Church seen and unseen,
Unseen of Sots, of Saints well seen.
These by Gods Word her Presence waigh,
Those by false Dreames and Worldly Sway.
Now, Brother, mark, which of these Crew
Of Christ his Church are Children true?
The One kneele to the New mans Rock,
The Other to an Outward Stock,
Like Manichees, which they doe paint
For Angellick, or Guardian Saint.
There, they meet men, who live by Lurch,
But never Saints of the True Church.
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