 | A transcript of Edward Taylor's Metrical History of Christianity by Donald E. Stanford |  |
The Shine of Divine Justice
Poore mop-ey'd man at all these horrid sights
Not having sight enough to touch a Ray
Of Righteousness, is ready t'aske for light,
Is Justice Dead? Exild? or lost her way?
T'uncloud her Beams and cleare the Aire that hides
Se how she in her flaming Chariot rides.
Not having sight enough to touch a Ray
Of Righteousness, is ready t'aske for light,
Is Justice Dead? Exild? or lost her way?
T'uncloud her Beams and cleare the Aire that hides
Se how she in her flaming Chariot rides.
When Dioclesians reign was mild, Christs lambs
Fell into Carnall Gospelling, did jarr
And fight with Head, Horns, Teeth and Tongues (strange Hams)
Dishonour God the Gospell, shame and slurr.
They want a Rod and Clarifying times.
Hence Justice Usd, these firy Whips and shines.
Fell into Carnall Gospelling, did jarr
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Dishonour God the Gospell, shame and slurr.
They want a Rod and Clarifying times.
Hence Justice Usd, these firy Whips and shines.
These Rods worn to the stumps into the fire
Are Cast, for justice hath as much to doe
With Wicked Tyrants, as with saints in mire
Of Sin. Hence such do set their joy in Woe.
Hence Dioclesian faild in his design
And Maximinian both, the Throne resign.
Are Cast, for justice hath as much to doe
With Wicked Tyrants, as with saints in mire
Of Sin. Hence such do set their joy in Woe.
Hence Dioclesian faild in his design
And Maximinian both, the Throne resign.
Nicophorus saith Dioclesian
Dide mad at thee, Milain, and thus he shows
It was by plagues divine, do what he can,
His body swells up, breaks, then meagre grows.
God sets a fine upon his filthy tongue,
Which had belcht out black blasphemies in throng.
Dide mad at thee, Milain, and thus he shows
It was by plagues divine, do what he can,
His body swells up, breaks, then meagre grows.
God sets a fine upon his filthy tongue,
Which had belcht out black blasphemies in throng.
A Troop of Worms between his filthy jaws
He musters up which from this mouth out crawle
Whose fetid Stinck did fill his house, he draws
The same in on his Putrid lungs withall
Then out his Wicked Soule he breaths while he
Was barking like a dog as like could bee.
He musters up which from this mouth out crawle
Whose fetid Stinck did fill his house, he draws
The same in on his Putrid lungs withall
Then out his Wicked Soule he breaths while he
Was barking like a dog as like could bee.
And as for Maximinian whose time
At Nicomedia was private spent,
Sore judgments ceizd sent from the hand divine
And him unto his own Hobgoblins sent
A fistulated ulcer up arose
In's secret parts that did Physicians pose.
At Nicomedia was private spent,
Sore judgments ceizd sent from the hand divine
And him unto his own Hobgoblins sent
A fistulated ulcer up arose
In's secret parts that did Physicians pose.
The rage then of his sickness up did graze
His intrails, and inutterable store
Of Worms came bubbling up, all to amaze
A Deadly stinck steamd from his rotten sore
His Paunch all turnd to fat suppur'd, he's like
A most intolerable, Horrid Sight.
His intrails, and inutterable store
Of Worms came bubbling up, all to amaze
A Deadly stinck steamd from his rotten sore
His Paunch all turnd to fat suppur'd, he's like
A most intolerable, Horrid Sight.
Hence some Physicians, who his filthy smell
Could not indure, were slaine, and others some
Because they Could not cure him, murder'd fell.
Yet one comanded to be slain spake home
Thou err'st, Oh Sir, Can Doctors cure Gods Wound?
Minde how thy rage against Gods Saints was found.
Could not indure, were slaine, and others some
Because they Could not cure him, murder'd fell.
Yet one comanded to be slain spake home
Thou err'st, Oh Sir, Can Doctors cure Gods Wound?
Minde how thy rage against Gods Saints was found.
How thou an impious and profane man wast
'Gainst his Divine Religion risen thus,
And thou shalt understand whence Cures are askt
And to be sought by thee, and not from us.
For I can die with others, yet assur'd
That thou shalt not be by Physicians cur'd.
'Gainst his Divine Religion risen thus,
And thou shalt understand whence Cures are askt
And to be sought by thee, and not from us.
For I can die with others, yet assur'd
That thou shalt not be by Physicians cur'd.
Nay Dioclesians rage Confronted was
In Syria with a Dread Earthquake which
At Tyre and Sidon many Roofs did Clash
And many thousand men on ruin pitch
The like as Vincent saith fell out at Rome
Which Perropag with forty men did doom.
In Syria with a Dread Earthquake which
At Tyre and Sidon many Roofs did Clash
And many thousand men on ruin pitch
The like as Vincent saith fell out at Rome
Which Perropag with forty men did doom.
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And at Spoleto th'Palace fell and slew
Seven fiftie Pagans serving idols there
When Gregory bishop fell an Angell flew
Flaccas the bloody President that were
Who for his Wages took a Pill full blew
That made him all his intrails up spew.
Seven fiftie Pagans serving idols there
When Gregory bishop fell an Angell flew
Flaccas the bloody President that were
Who for his Wages took a Pill full blew
That made him all his intrails up spew.
Dioscorus that slew for Christs deare name
His daughter Barbary, dide by skie fire.
A Demon did Vile Aprofrasius tame
Did throw him head long down from's horse (good sire)
At Mendula with Death did Christians Check
And for his Wages Satan breaks his neck.
His daughter Barbary, dide by skie fire.
A Demon did Vile Aprofrasius tame
Did throw him head long down from's horse (good sire)
At Mendula with Death did Christians Check
And for his Wages Satan breaks his neck.
The Captain who some women dragd full lewd
Before the Court, they at Damascus held
Where he by threats vile sclanders from them screwd
'Gainst Christian's if they vile prancks usd, and Geld.
Hence hatred sprang, and Persecutions blaze
His hand's his butcher, he the Calfe it flayes.
Before the Court, they at Damascus held
Where he by threats vile sclanders from them screwd
'Gainst Christian's if they vile prancks usd, and Geld.
Hence hatred sprang, and Persecutions blaze
His hand's his butcher, he the Calfe it flayes.
And Maximine who gravd in sheets of braze
His Vile decrees against Christs lambs hereon
And Vaunts of Peace, health, Plenty, brought to pass
By Idols, and them fixt on Pillars strong
In Cities through his Empire with an eye
False Gods to fame unto Eternity.
His Vile decrees against Christs lambs hereon
And Vaunts of Peace, health, Plenty, brought to pass
By Idols, and them fixt on Pillars strong
In Cities through his Empire with an eye
False Gods to fame unto Eternity.
But see this Fame defam'd immediatly
For while this Edict now to pillars went
God stopt the spouts of heaven, a season dry
In winter led a grievous Famine sent,
Some sell their Farms and others do not linger
To sell their Choicest things for belly timber.
For while this Edict now to pillars went
God stopt the spouts of heaven, a season dry
In winter led a grievous Famine sent,
Some sell their Farms and others do not linger
To sell their Choicest things for belly timber.
Some noble Matron did, i'th'countrey goes
A begging, some eate pills of grass full small
Some fed on noxious herbs. Hence sickness grows
Some look like lifely pictures, reel, dead fall,
Some groveling in the street with hands out laid
Scarce able to breath out yet hungry said.
A begging, some eate pills of grass full small
Some fed on noxious herbs. Hence sickness grows
Some look like lifely pictures, reel, dead fall,
Some groveling in the street with hands out laid
Scarce able to breath out yet hungry said.
Many lay dead in streets and Corners sad
Yea dogs devour'd them, hence the Living then
Killd up these dogs lest that these dogs grow mad
And man keen, and should hence devour men.
One measure now of Wheate was, as its told,
For five and twenty hundred Atticks sold.
Yea dogs devour'd them, hence the Living then
Killd up these dogs lest that these dogs grow mad
And man keen, and should hence devour men.
One measure now of Wheate was, as its told,
For five and twenty hundred Atticks sold.
The Greate ones were to big for th'Famine's jaws.
They're therefore bits left for the Pestilence
Which fangs them with her firy burning Claws
And to their bulks do Carbuncles dispense
Whose burning pains so greate about their eyes
Did many thousands blinde, of ery sise.
They're therefore bits left for the Pestilence
Which fangs them with her firy burning Claws
And to their bulks do Carbuncles dispense
Whose burning pains so greate about their eyes
Did many thousands blinde, of ery sise.
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And wars up rose and sorely vext his reign
Th'Armenians that were his friends before
These Christians he to idolls would Constrain
Hence for the truth their wars did vex him sore.
His brags of Peace, Health, Plenty now are blast
And he confest God did these plagues downcast.
Th'Armenians that were his friends before
These Christians he to idolls would Constrain
Hence for the truth their wars did vex him sore.
His brags of Peace, Health, Plenty now are blast
And he confest God did these plagues downcast.
But yet he shall not thus come off God still
Comes to his Carrion, tortures it surprize
Grows like a Picture, his souls sepulchre till
His Eyes leape out and sight doth leave his eyes
For his mad rage against Christs Cause he said
These things befell him. Death then him out laid.
Comes to his Carrion, tortures it surprize
Grows like a Picture, his souls sepulchre till
His Eyes leape out and sight doth leave his eyes
For his mad rage against Christs Cause he said
These things befell him. Death then him out laid.
His Pictures now and monuments he raisd
Up for his and his Childrens glory bright
Are tumbled down, broke, blurd and all dispraisd,
His Children and his Kindred stroyed quite.
His bloody Presidents with Phy upon 'em,
Are all Cashiered too, good riddance of 'em.
Up for his and his Childrens glory bright
Are tumbled down, broke, blurd and all dispraisd,
His Children and his Kindred stroyed quite.
His bloody Presidents with Phy upon 'em,
Are all Cashiered too, good riddance of 'em.
Maxentius too was moustrap't in the trap
He set for Constantine; he triall made
And found the bridge would tilt up, 't was his hap
To fall by Tybur. Tyburn I'de have said
He dide in Tyburs lap dropt from the ridge
Of his devised Milvian boaty bridge.
He set for Constantine; he triall made
And found the bridge would tilt up, 't was his hap
To fall by Tybur. Tyburn I'de have said
He dide in Tyburs lap dropt from the ridge
Of his devised Milvian boaty bridge.
Licinius finds that God is just whose hand
He could not shun by all his Witcheries
But when he did Christ glorious Cause withstand
And rowld in persecuting tyrannies
Greate Constantine twice beates him, thus he sped,
And after makes him shorter by the head.
He could not shun by all his Witcheries
But when he did Christ glorious Cause withstand
And rowld in persecuting tyrannies
Greate Constantine twice beates him, thus he sped,
And after makes him shorter by the head.
Millis who martyr'd by Sapores was
Once to a Persian City tender made
Of Christ with Exhortations greate, alass,
Could none perswade, but was by them assaid
Was by them scourged through the City, hence
He dropt a Curse upon them going thence.
Once to a Persian City tender made
Of Christ with Exhortations greate, alass,
Could none perswade, but was by them assaid
Was by them scourged through the City, hence
He dropt a Curse upon them going thence.
Soon after which when that their governour
The King offended had of Persia
He sent his army out who as in war
The City all in ruine then did lay.
If thou abuse and thus refuse Gods son
Divine revenge will thee to ruin run.
The King offended had of Persia
He sent his army out who as in war
The City all in ruine then did lay.
If thou abuse and thus refuse Gods son
Divine revenge will thee to ruin run.
When Teridates an Armenian prince
In persecution fell and up had shut
Great Gregory for fourteen yeares t'evince
His rage and in a dirty dungeon put,
Was turnd with house and Nobles by Gods power
Int'Swine, saith Nicophor, themselves devour.
In persecution fell and up had shut
Great Gregory for fourteen yeares t'evince
His rage and in a dirty dungeon put,
Was turnd with house and Nobles by Gods power
Int'Swine, saith Nicophor, themselves devour.
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That Cursed Arius the Heretick
That set the Eastern Churches all on fire
And put on Constantine a fob, a trick
Swearing the Nicene Faith, but plaid the liar,
Swore he believ'd as he had writ but ment
A scrowlin's bosom, not that 'fore he'd sent.
That set the Eastern Churches all on fire
And put on Constantine a fob, a trick
Swearing the Nicene Faith, but plaid the liar,
Swore he believ'd as he had writ but ment
A scrowlin's bosom, not that 'fore he'd sent.
Hence Constantine not spying his strange jeare
Charg'd he should have Church Fellowship again,
But Alexander griev'd, his prayres and tears
Prevented all, and laid the matter plain.
Let me not see an end of this Dispute
If Arius holds the truth, was part of's suite.
Charg'd he should have Church Fellowship again,
But Alexander griev'd, his prayres and tears
Prevented all, and laid the matter plain.
Let me not see an end of this Dispute
If Arius holds the truth, was part of's suite.
But if the truth is on my part, I pray
That Arius the broacher of this flame
The punishment of all his impious fray
May from thy holy hand indeed sustain.
This prayre God hear'd, and Arius desert
Is tumbled on his head unto his smart.
That Arius the broacher of this flame
The punishment of all his impious fray
May from thy holy hand indeed sustain.
This prayre God hear'd, and Arius desert
Is tumbled on his head unto his smart.
For passing from the Palace as he came
Nigh Constantines brave market where there stood
A Marble Pillar Red he did sustain
A terrour that he quickly understood
He feels a Flux, asks for a Cuss-Johns-grace,
And meets with one behinde the market place.
Nigh Constantines brave market where there stood
A Marble Pillar Red he did sustain
A terrour that he quickly understood
He feels a Flux, asks for a Cuss-Johns-grace,
And meets with one behinde the market place.
He on it fainting sits and Voids his guts,
His blood doth flush down then abundantly,
His small roaps then come trailing out, out puts
Much blood with's spleen and Liver; Death thereby
This Cuss-Johns at Constantinople was
Which folk in scorn did point at as they'd pass.
His blood doth flush down then abundantly,
His small roaps then come trailing out, out puts
Much blood with's spleen and Liver; Death thereby
This Cuss-Johns at Constantinople was
Which folk in scorn did point at as they'd pass.
Constantius son to Constantine the greate
A Persecuting Arian Prince, (Oh! Deare)
Doth Fall on Christ and Christ on him to beate
All things a snick snarls ran it doth appeare.
When Athenasius and the Nicene Faith
His Synod had Condemnd, he sad things hath.
A Persecuting Arian Prince, (Oh! Deare)
Doth Fall on Christ and Christ on him to beate
All things a snick snarls ran it doth appeare.
When Athenasius and the Nicene Faith
His Synod had Condemnd, he sad things hath.
God soon did make the Earth a trembling fall
That did him beare, over the Eastern parts
And chiefly then at Antioch withall
Which for a twelve month altogether starts
At Berytum in Phenice 't quaking fell
And much thereof did ruin, histories tell.
That did him beare, over the Eastern parts
And chiefly then at Antioch withall
Which for a twelve month altogether starts
At Berytum in Phenice 't quaking fell
And much thereof did ruin, histories tell.
And Newcesaria in Pontus was
Destroyed by an Earth-Quake, and all there
Except the Church the Bishop such as pass
Did unto it. Oh! that men God would feare.
Darrachium in Dalmatia perisht soe
Rome and Campania towns three dayes dance too
Destroyed by an Earth-Quake, and all there
Except the Church the Bishop such as pass
Did unto it. Oh! that men God would feare.
Darrachium in Dalmatia perisht soe
Rome and Campania towns three dayes dance too
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When that the Arians an harlot bought
To Charge Eustathius the bishop choice
Of Antioch of being with her naught
She rotted of a filthy sickness th'price
Of her Vile Wickedness, rotts quite away.
God will not let such pass without their pay.
To Charge Eustathius the bishop choice
Of Antioch of being with her naught
She rotted of a filthy sickness th'price
Of her Vile Wickedness, rotts quite away.
God will not let such pass without their pay.
The Persian War did sorely stress, destroy
And grieve them sore, taking their glory down
At Daphne, Antiochs brave sububs, high
An horrid monsters born so nigh the town
A Babe with two Chins, mouths, two sets of teeth
Two short prick Ears, four Eyes. Man such scarce seeth.
And grieve them sore, taking their glory down
At Daphne, Antiochs brave sububs, high
An horrid monsters born so nigh the town
A Babe with two Chins, mouths, two sets of teeth
Two short prick Ears, four Eyes. Man such scarce seeth.
At Antioch there plainly did appeare
The sign now of a Cross not Comet like
In heaven having a larg, thick yet Cleare
And shining body of abundant light
Stretcht fifteen furlons long out in the skie
And answerable too in breadth, men spy.
The sign now of a Cross not Comet like
In heaven having a larg, thick yet Cleare
And shining body of abundant light
Stretcht fifteen furlons long out in the skie
And answerable too in breadth, men spy.
An Earth Quake now did shatter many towns
Nice, Perinthus, Constantinople, sore
And others too, Arsatius of renown
Foresaw urgd to repent, was scorn'd therefore,
God ruind Nice then by this Earthquake, nay
Fire that fell down did it in ashes lay.
Nice, Perinthus, Constantinople, sore
And others too, Arsatius of renown
Foresaw urgd to repent, was scorn'd therefore,
God ruind Nice then by this Earthquake, nay
Fire that fell down did it in ashes lay.
The following yeare Constantius when he dide
At Mopsus Wells of a strang Apoplex
As out he went 'gainst Julian who tride
Now for the Empire and to play the rex
An Earth quake stroy'd Constantinople sore
And injur'd many Eastern Cities more.
At Mopsus Wells of a strang Apoplex
As out he went 'gainst Julian who tride
Now for the Empire and to play the rex
An Earth quake stroy'd Constantinople sore
And injur'd many Eastern Cities more.
Now Julian th'Aposte wares the Crown
And in his scepter Vileness doth prevaile,
Dread Earthquakes rise, throw many buildings down.
All things within or out doores safty faile.
Sore Droughts, hence scarcity of fruits up springs
And persons hungry eat unwholsom things.
And in his scepter Vileness doth prevaile,
Dread Earthquakes rise, throw many buildings down.
All things within or out doores safty faile.
Sore Droughts, hence scarcity of fruits up springs
And persons hungry eat unwholsom things.
A Persian War constrains him, out he goes
Swares to destroy Christs lambs at his return
But there his army pincht with hunger grows
And now comes on a pace his time to mourn
He now bewildred in the Desert were
By th'treachery of th'Persian Pilot there.
Swares to destroy Christs lambs at his return
But there his army pincht with hunger grows
And now comes on a pace his time to mourn
He now bewildred in the Desert were
By th'treachery of th'Persian Pilot there.
And in this case he's broacht up on a Speare
Or as some say a Dart from heaven strong
He with his fist tost th'blood i'th'aire, said there
Thou Galilean hast me overcome
In tending Christ in scorn so calld, He di'de
And did without a grave unbur'd 'bide.
Or as some say a Dart from heaven strong
He with his fist tost th'blood i'th'aire, said there
Thou Galilean hast me overcome
In tending Christ in scorn so calld, He di'de
And did without a grave unbur'd 'bide.
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His unckle Julian with Chamber Lee
Profan'd at Antioch i'th'temple there
Th'Communion Table, and Euzoy, when he
Reproov'd him, he him boxt about the eare
Then soon his guts did rot and's Excrements
He upward through his mouth, not downwards vents.
Profan'd at Antioch i'th'temple there
Th'Communion Table, and Euzoy, when he
Reproov'd him, he him boxt about the eare
Then soon his guts did rot and's Excrements
He upward through his mouth, not downwards vents.
His rotten flesh is turnd to worms that ly
At bottom knawing all his quick flesh up
Of which sad stroke he dieth wretchedly
Which others of his Palace did of Cut
His Treasurer who scorn'd Christs Vessells dies
By blood draind through his mouth froms Corps that flies.
At bottom knawing all his quick flesh up
Of which sad stroke he dieth wretchedly
Which others of his Palace did of Cut
His Treasurer who scorn'd Christs Vessells dies
By blood draind through his mouth froms Corps that flies.
In Valentinians reign an Earthquake shakes
The Universe and many Cities stroyes
The sea doth seeke new quarters, and so makes
Some dry land sea, some seay Coasts drains drie
Hence by the roofes of houses when seas fell
Cockboats invented were as some do tell.
The Universe and many Cities stroyes
The sea doth seeke new quarters, and so makes
Some dry land sea, some seay Coasts drains drie
Hence by the roofes of houses when seas fell
Cockboats invented were as some do tell.
Hailstones so great as would a mans hand match
Fell at Constantinople in greate store
At Atrobate it rained woole, they Catch
With rain indeed that from the Clouds flows o're
Nice by an Earthquake's wholy now destroyd
And Germa Hellespontine much annoy'd.
Fell at Constantinople in greate store
At Atrobate it rained woole, they Catch
With rain indeed that from the Clouds flows o're
Nice by an Earthquake's wholy now destroyd
And Germa Hellespontine much annoy'd.
Soon after Valens burnd eighty Choice Saints
Up in a ship at Sea, a Famine greate
So hunger bit the Phrygians, them it faints
They leave their homes and take up other seates
The Goths invade him, he i'th'war is smitt
And in a Cottage burnt by them with it.
Up in a ship at Sea, a Famine greate
So hunger bit the Phrygians, them it faints
They leave their homes and take up other seates
The Goths invade him, he i'th'war is smitt
And in a Cottage burnt by them with it.
The Goths when beat out of their own doore by
The Huns, now Valens chuckled up in Thrace
His guard he made, but th'Cockrell soon growes high
And necks the Roost Cock when his spurs take place.
Mevia too Queen of the Saracens
Had almost took all's Eastern Quarters then.
The Huns, now Valens chuckled up in Thrace
His guard he made, but th'Cockrell soon growes high
And necks the Roost Cock when his spurs take place.
Mevia too Queen of the Saracens
Had almost took all's Eastern Quarters then.
And as a sad presage of monstrous times
Before the Pious Theodosias dies
A Double Child at Emmaus out shines
Single from th'navle down, up otherwise,
Two backs, two breasts, two Heads, two Mouths, two faces
Four Arms, four Eyes, four Cheeks, four Ears t'imbraces.
Before the Pious Theodosias dies
A Double Child at Emmaus out shines
Single from th'navle down, up otherwise,
Two backs, two breasts, two Heads, two Mouths, two faces
Four Arms, four Eyes, four Cheeks, four Ears t'imbraces.
One of these tops doth eate the other not
Sometimes both sleep at once, though oft but one
Sometimes they strike each other knock for knock
But weep and Cry do both together it's known
And this alive did nigh two years abide,
Then one before the other, four dayes di'de.
Sometimes both sleep at once, though oft but one
Sometimes they strike each other knock for knock
But weep and Cry do both together it's known
And this alive did nigh two years abide,
Then one before the other, four dayes di'de.
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Presages 'fore this Pious Emp'rour dies,
Were dreadfull. Earthquakes, Rains, Dark fogs each way,
A great Ecclips 'for Pentecost surprize
Did all the World with feare of th'judgment day.
A Troop of Locust now about which pray're
Cast i'th'East and West which spoild the aire.
Were dreadfull. Earthquakes, Rains, Dark fogs each way,
A great Ecclips 'for Pentecost surprize
Did all the World with feare of th'judgment day.
A Troop of Locust now about which pray're
Cast i'th'East and West which spoild the aire.
He that beholds these things, and such as these
Will easly see how Justice Wares her shine
In glorious Scutchons. These are golden fees
Put in thy hand to plead her case divine
These arguments will quite Confound all those
That rise gainst Justice up her wicked foes.
Will easly see how Justice Wares her shine
In glorious Scutchons. These are golden fees
Put in thy hand to plead her case divine
These arguments will quite Confound all those
That rise gainst Justice up her wicked foes.
| A transcript of Edward Taylor's Metrical History of Christianity by Donald E. Stanford | |