Caledonias covenant Or ane panegyrick to the world. Wherin is brieflie set doune the trew caus and occasioune of the present trubles of the kingdome of Scotland. By G. L. [i.e. George Lauder] |
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 | Caledonias covenant |  |
CALEDONIAS COVENANT
A PANEGYRICK TO THE WORLDE.
Heauens listen, Earth beare Witnes, Time recorde
My heauy Grieffe, and Speedy help affoard,
My soule half sunk in sad dispaire doth faint,
I scarce haue breath to sighe out my Complaint:
My moistned Eyes with weeping almost blinde
And parched tounge whose Cries no pittie finde
Now worne with woaes and wroungs without reliefe
At last giue over hope and yeeld to Griefe.
My heauy Grieffe, and Speedy help affoard,
My soule half sunk in sad dispaire doth faint,
I scarce haue breath to sighe out my Complaint:
My moistned Eyes with weeping almost blinde
And parched tounge whose Cries no pittie finde
Now worne with woaes and wroungs without reliefe
At last giue over hope and yeeld to Griefe.
Yet that the world may know my wretched Cace,
And where Tales runne Trueth may at length take place,
To all good Christians, members of that head
Whose Cause, and Churches priviledge I plead,
And in whose presence heere I doe protest
To haue no other ayme but peace and rest,
Relligions puritie, the Gospels light
To shine agayne through Superstitions night,
I heere rip up my brest that euery Eye
Not bleard with Passion, may my heart descrie,
And all unpartiall Eares may rightlie ponder
The load of wroungs which I lie groaning under.
And where Tales runne Trueth may at length take place,
To all good Christians, members of that head
Whose Cause, and Churches priviledge I plead,
And in whose presence heere I doe protest
To haue no other ayme but peace and rest,
Relligions puritie, the Gospels light
To shine agayne through Superstitions night,
I heere rip up my brest that euery Eye
Not bleard with Passion, may my heart descrie,
And all unpartiall Eares may rightlie ponder
The load of wroungs which I lie groaning under.
When from the dauning of the Gospels day,
The sunne of Trueth (long sett) did first display
His glorious beames, and gild the glowing East;
The light so dazel'd Babels blindfold beast
That like a roaring Lion mad hee ranne.
And cast false clouds of scorne t'ecclypst againe:
Yea all that worship'd it with humbled heart
Of his fierce rage did finde the fierie smart,
The darkned dens of Ignorancé, where sat
Blind Heresie and bowd to knew not what,
To be discouered spewd there spite at heauen
For feare there dwellars should from thenc be driven:
Rome ragd to see a Corner of the worlde
Where from his thron his triple Croun was hurl'd,
And I was then with candle, book, and bell
By Antichrist condemnd to lowest hell;
The blessed martyrs that his threats withstood
And seald the glorious gospell with ther blood
With heauenly courage and with constant hop
Preachd Christ aboue the pardons of the pop,
For which calld Hereticks, ther liues did pay:
And burnd to ashes drenchd in blood, did lay
The Churches firme foundation, which by time
Did to a fayre and beauteous temple climbe,
When God set open the eyes of Prince and peeres
And made the Gospells trumpet pierce the eares
Of deafned Idoll-worshippers, and call
To mercy penitent beleeuers all,
The mist clear'd up, the masse did vanishe quite
At the faire sunshine of the Gospels light,
Then ignorance and superstition fled
To hell agayne where they were hathd and bred,
Proud priests, that on the silly people prey'd
Whil the crosse staffe abou the scepter sweyd,
There knauerie seen did melt away for shame
And simple shepheards in there places came,
That was my golden age, then loue and feare
Of God throughout all Scotland did appeare,
My prince a patterne of true pietie,
That after ages his great zeal might see,
To Gods pure worship, with a heart vpright
His subjects and himselfe did fast vnite
By couenant subscriv'd and sworne with God
On highest payne of heaviest plague and rod,
All superstition, poperie, heresies,
Episcopall authoritie, Hierarchyes,
Willworship and what ere was then rejected
As hurtfull, or which had the church infected:
With heart and hand with life estate and might
Still to withstand while they could stand and fight.
No prelat then presum'd before another;
Nor calld him lord whom office made his brother.
A Bishop and a bugge beare were all one,
And meerly names there lordships were not knoune,
Vntill the time great JAMES, our Salomon
Changd Scotland England into ALBION.
The sunne of Trueth (long sett) did first display
His glorious beames, and gild the glowing East;
The light so dazel'd Babels blindfold beast
And cast false clouds of scorne t'ecclypst againe:
Yea all that worship'd it with humbled heart
Of his fierce rage did finde the fierie smart,
The darkned dens of Ignorancé, where sat
Blind Heresie and bowd to knew not what,
To be discouered spewd there spite at heauen
For feare there dwellars should from thenc be driven:
Rome ragd to see a Corner of the worlde
Where from his thron his triple Croun was hurl'd,
And I was then with candle, book, and bell
By Antichrist condemnd to lowest hell;
The blessed martyrs that his threats withstood
And seald the glorious gospell with ther blood
With heauenly courage and with constant hop
Preachd Christ aboue the pardons of the pop,
For which calld Hereticks, ther liues did pay:
And burnd to ashes drenchd in blood, did lay
The Churches firme foundation, which by time
Did to a fayre and beauteous temple climbe,
When God set open the eyes of Prince and peeres
And made the Gospells trumpet pierce the eares
Of deafned Idoll-worshippers, and call
To mercy penitent beleeuers all,
The mist clear'd up, the masse did vanishe quite
At the faire sunshine of the Gospels light,
Then ignorance and superstition fled
To hell agayne where they were hathd and bred,
Proud priests, that on the silly people prey'd
Whil the crosse staffe abou the scepter sweyd,
There knauerie seen did melt away for shame
That was my golden age, then loue and feare
Of God throughout all Scotland did appeare,
My prince a patterne of true pietie,
That after ages his great zeal might see,
To Gods pure worship, with a heart vpright
His subjects and himselfe did fast vnite
By couenant subscriv'd and sworne with God
On highest payne of heaviest plague and rod,
All superstition, poperie, heresies,
Episcopall authoritie, Hierarchyes,
Willworship and what ere was then rejected
As hurtfull, or which had the church infected:
With heart and hand with life estate and might
Still to withstand while they could stand and fight.
No prelat then presum'd before another;
Nor calld him lord whom office made his brother.
A Bishop and a bugge beare were all one,
And meerly names there lordships were not knoune,
Vntill the time great JAMES, our Salomon
Changd Scotland England into ALBION.
ELIZA dead, Sabrina Trent and Thames,
Fell prostrate at the feet of royale JAMES,
There peeres in pompe and state louwe homadge made
There prelates of the church did stile him head:
And put themselues next him that rank to holde
In Parlament and State they had of olde,
The gracious prince was pleasd with what hee found,
Nor did hee change the least thing being cround,
But for to make both one as was his ayme
Hee laboured to make them both the same,
The greattest ods was in the Church indeed
Which to make euen did mee much mischeeffe breed,
Aspiring priests pufft up with vaine ambition,
Tolde Him this Church was of a base Condition,
When euery priuat preacher durst reproue
The Prince Himselfe, whom God had sett aboue
The reach of censure, and't would better sute
The Kingdomes honor, if the King would do't
To settle Bishops, who should haue the Charge
Of Spirituall things, would Hee there power enlarge
And authorise Them, with his Royalle ayde;
Both Prince and priest should be feard and obeyd:
Then first began my miserie alace!
And pride did from the Church Deuotion chase,
A jealous Aemulation streight way filled
My newmade Bishops breasts, who all aspired
To be as great as Romes great beast in pouer:
And gouerne euerie state, for all wer lower.
The mitre, thoughe it brought no Monarchie,
Yet was an Enseigne of there Hierarchie.
All publicque charges of the croune and State
They eyther did posses or aymed at,
Which made my Zealous Pastours to crie out
Against those wolfes who closely went about,
To slave the church to there Imperious will,
Who had combind with England; to fulfill
All there desires to compasse there designes:
Wherfor they banishd all my best diuynes,
Emprisond, silencd, whilst might daunted right,
And Souueraignitie for them did fight.
The neighbour world and churche did shelter giue,
When persecution would nott lett them liue
In peace at home, Thus clad with Royale armes,
Transported from themselues, bewitchd with Charmes
Of Greatnes; and that highe Triumphant state
In which the Neighbour Englands Prelates sate,
(Though great the disproportion was in all
As from the shrub unto the Cedar tall,)
My pettie priests would all be Popes at oncé
And (Basans bulls) into there bulles denounce
Destruction, to all such as durst withstand
Th'usurped pouer of Prelates in Command,
The first assault they gaue was all in vaine
Ther growing pride was soon repulsd againe,
Though it had no intention but to bring
Conformitie in Church and everie thing
That England had retaynd, reforming first
Those errours which Rome fostered had and nurst.
My people wer mor sharpely gone to worke
And had found out what euer hid did lurke
Into the deapest Corners most obscure;
And what could not the light and touch endure
As false was cast away; The King surceast
In wise foresight and would not haué it prest
Vpon mee more, when hee the danger sawe
Which such an innovation on could drawe,
Heauen call'd him hence vnto a greater Croune
And in his Chayre our Mightie CHARLES sate doune,
Those Sycophants empoysoning his Eares,
(While thrusting in betuix Him and His Peeres)
A damned Maxime mad Him vnderstand
No Bischop, then no King into a land:
And which was worse, conspiring with the whoore
Whose foule embraces wee cast off before
Assisted with the Prime of Englands priests
They fram'd a seruice booke, my soule detests:
Which I should first receaue and make the way
The soules of all great Brittayne to betray,
For Ireland as a page must followe still
And subject be vnto her conquerours will.
That stood against my stomacke I confesse
As't was against the treuth I did professe.
God rousd my conscience and did call mee up
The course of poperie in the source to stop,
And call'd to mynd the couenant I hade made
With him, when I from slauerie first was fred,
Never to return to Rome. my soule did bleed
When I reneend that oath, my teares did plead
For pittie at my prince, and I besought
No stranger rites might in my church be brought.
But all in vaine, what ever I beggd' or pray'd
I was a traytour and a rebell made,
That durst oppose whateuer was found good
By those who in the church did what they wold,
All my petitions were cast back with scorne,
And ere my prince had seen them, rent and torne;
Great armyes raisd by sea and land, to fall
At once upon mee, neither durst I call
To God or man for helpe, and what I did
Was treason still and misinterpreted.
The strongest forts I had for my defence
For my destruction arm'd, to giue offence
And make mee guiltie, were with strangers clad,
All warrelike engines for invasion made
Against mee drest, yet did I not forbeare,
To praye and sue to those that would not heare,
When all that I could thinke was try'd invaine,
And I had still my labour for my payne.
Danger did threaten and at last drew neare
Then in myne oun defenc I arm'd with feare,
To saue my life, as nature doth allowe,
Nor did I passe my bounds as all men knowe,
Mine enemyes amazed to see mee stand
Vpon my border still with sword in hand,
When they could not engadge mee into blood
And found that I but for my freedome stood
Of church and contrye, vnder show of peace
Betrayd mee falsely with a faynd embrace:
Whilst what was promisd was not truely meant.
Nor durst I craue, for feare of discontent.
There maine intentions were but to beguile
My rashe beleeffe: and foolle mee for a while,
Till they could take new breath and strength againe
When I had layd doune armes: and fall amayne
With all there might upon mee vnaware,
For which, afresh they Parlaments prepare
With monneys to suplie ther mischeefs want,
And ask farre more then free consent will graunt.
To neighbour princes I am pourtrayd blacke
My cause and mee both hatefull for to make,
Newe thunders forg'd, the King embark'd againe
In priests revenge, till Scotland all be slayne
And Laud be pope of Brittaine, t'was then time
For mee (whoes zeall to Gods house was a crime)
To looke about, and if I could prevent
The threatning Tempest which was imminent.
Fell prostrate at the feet of royale JAMES,
There peeres in pompe and state louwe homadge made
There prelates of the church did stile him head:
And put themselues next him that rank to holde
In Parlament and State they had of olde,
The gracious prince was pleasd with what hee found,
Nor did hee change the least thing being cround,
But for to make both one as was his ayme
Hee laboured to make them both the same,
Which to make euen did mee much mischeeffe breed,
Aspiring priests pufft up with vaine ambition,
Tolde Him this Church was of a base Condition,
When euery priuat preacher durst reproue
The Prince Himselfe, whom God had sett aboue
The reach of censure, and't would better sute
The Kingdomes honor, if the King would do't
To settle Bishops, who should haue the Charge
Of Spirituall things, would Hee there power enlarge
And authorise Them, with his Royalle ayde;
Both Prince and priest should be feard and obeyd:
Then first began my miserie alace!
And pride did from the Church Deuotion chase,
A jealous Aemulation streight way filled
My newmade Bishops breasts, who all aspired
To be as great as Romes great beast in pouer:
And gouerne euerie state, for all wer lower.
The mitre, thoughe it brought no Monarchie,
Yet was an Enseigne of there Hierarchie.
All publicque charges of the croune and State
They eyther did posses or aymed at,
Which made my Zealous Pastours to crie out
Against those wolfes who closely went about,
To slave the church to there Imperious will,
Who had combind with England; to fulfill
All there desires to compasse there designes:
Wherfor they banishd all my best diuynes,
Emprisond, silencd, whilst might daunted right,
And Souueraignitie for them did fight.
The neighbour world and churche did shelter giue,
In peace at home, Thus clad with Royale armes,
Transported from themselues, bewitchd with Charmes
Of Greatnes; and that highe Triumphant state
In which the Neighbour Englands Prelates sate,
(Though great the disproportion was in all
As from the shrub unto the Cedar tall,)
My pettie priests would all be Popes at oncé
And (Basans bulls) into there bulles denounce
Destruction, to all such as durst withstand
Th'usurped pouer of Prelates in Command,
The first assault they gaue was all in vaine
Ther growing pride was soon repulsd againe,
Though it had no intention but to bring
Conformitie in Church and everie thing
That England had retaynd, reforming first
Those errours which Rome fostered had and nurst.
My people wer mor sharpely gone to worke
And had found out what euer hid did lurke
Into the deapest Corners most obscure;
And what could not the light and touch endure
As false was cast away; The King surceast
In wise foresight and would not haué it prest
Vpon mee more, when hee the danger sawe
Which such an innovation on could drawe,
Heauen call'd him hence vnto a greater Croune
And in his Chayre our Mightie CHARLES sate doune,
Those Sycophants empoysoning his Eares,
(While thrusting in betuix Him and His Peeres)
A damned Maxime mad Him vnderstand
No Bischop, then no King into a land:
Whose foule embraces wee cast off before
Assisted with the Prime of Englands priests
They fram'd a seruice booke, my soule detests:
Which I should first receaue and make the way
The soules of all great Brittayne to betray,
For Ireland as a page must followe still
And subject be vnto her conquerours will.
That stood against my stomacke I confesse
As't was against the treuth I did professe.
God rousd my conscience and did call mee up
The course of poperie in the source to stop,
And call'd to mynd the couenant I hade made
With him, when I from slauerie first was fred,
Never to return to Rome. my soule did bleed
When I reneend that oath, my teares did plead
For pittie at my prince, and I besought
No stranger rites might in my church be brought.
But all in vaine, what ever I beggd' or pray'd
I was a traytour and a rebell made,
That durst oppose whateuer was found good
By those who in the church did what they wold,
All my petitions were cast back with scorne,
And ere my prince had seen them, rent and torne;
Great armyes raisd by sea and land, to fall
At once upon mee, neither durst I call
To God or man for helpe, and what I did
Was treason still and misinterpreted.
The strongest forts I had for my defence
For my destruction arm'd, to giue offence
And make mee guiltie, were with strangers clad,
Against mee drest, yet did I not forbeare,
To praye and sue to those that would not heare,
When all that I could thinke was try'd invaine,
And I had still my labour for my payne.
Danger did threaten and at last drew neare
Then in myne oun defenc I arm'd with feare,
To saue my life, as nature doth allowe,
Nor did I passe my bounds as all men knowe,
Mine enemyes amazed to see mee stand
Vpon my border still with sword in hand,
When they could not engadge mee into blood
And found that I but for my freedome stood
Of church and contrye, vnder show of peace
Betrayd mee falsely with a faynd embrace:
Whilst what was promisd was not truely meant.
Nor durst I craue, for feare of discontent.
There maine intentions were but to beguile
My rashe beleeffe: and foolle mee for a while,
Till they could take new breath and strength againe
When I had layd doune armes: and fall amayne
With all there might upon mee vnaware,
For which, afresh they Parlaments prepare
With monneys to suplie ther mischeefs want,
And ask farre more then free consent will graunt.
To neighbour princes I am pourtrayd blacke
My cause and mee both hatefull for to make,
Newe thunders forg'd, the King embark'd againe
In priests revenge, till Scotland all be slayne
And Laud be pope of Brittaine, t'was then time
For mee (whoes zeall to Gods house was a crime)
The threatning Tempest which was imminent.
God great and iust who tries the heart and reins
Is witnesse, if to warre my heart enclynes,
Or if I meane to England harme at all:
But only banishd Iustice to recall,
And haue Relligion sett al Libertie,
A Captiue handmaid late to Tyrannie,
Tvved sawe my Teares and knowes I did not pass
His streame to prey or spoyle, but that I was
Constraynd in suertye to march on my way
And seeke redresse, for what I took to pay:
To offer no man wrounge but freindly ayde.
Nor ever meant my neighbours to invade:
The want of justice, breach of promise past,
Relligion slau'd, and vtter ruyne last
In such extreames made need a law to mee;
To seeke my safetie and her libertie.
My first encounter when I past the Tine
What blood was spilt it was no fault of myne,
And heavens are witnes I did never intend
In quiet passadge England to offend,
But with all loue and friendship joyntlie goe
In Common cause to find the Common foe,
And to remoue the wicked from the King
Whose malice seekes on both a scourge to bring,
For thoughe I spoke shee thought no lesse then I:
But durst not shaik the Church authoritie:
And rather choos'd in silence for to suffer
Then have her nose and eares to be cutt off her,
As many had bein seru'd by th' Highe Cōmission.
Neare cousine to the Spanishe Inquisition.
Is witnesse, if to warre my heart enclynes,
Or if I meane to England harme at all:
But only banishd Iustice to recall,
And haue Relligion sett al Libertie,
A Captiue handmaid late to Tyrannie,
Tvved sawe my Teares and knowes I did not pass
His streame to prey or spoyle, but that I was
Constraynd in suertye to march on my way
And seeke redresse, for what I took to pay:
To offer no man wrounge but freindly ayde.
Nor ever meant my neighbours to invade:
The want of justice, breach of promise past,
Relligion slau'd, and vtter ruyne last
In such extreames made need a law to mee;
To seeke my safetie and her libertie.
My first encounter when I past the Tine
What blood was spilt it was no fault of myne,
And heavens are witnes I did never intend
In quiet passadge England to offend,
But with all loue and friendship joyntlie goe
In Common cause to find the Common foe,
And to remoue the wicked from the King
Whose malice seekes on both a scourge to bring,
For thoughe I spoke shee thought no lesse then I:
But durst not shaik the Church authoritie:
And rather choos'd in silence for to suffer
Then have her nose and eares to be cutt off her,
As many had bein seru'd by th' Highe Cōmission.
Newcastle found no force but sawe us freynds,
So Durrham did, (whose Deanes vnluckie ends
A prouidence prevented, and will pay
His lies with there rewarde some happie day)
And when command to march no further, came,
In hope of hearing I obeyd the same,
Till Englands Parlament should weell considder
The justice of that cause that brought mee hither,
And well examine if I haue done well;
Or with hostilitie should mee expell.
That sacred senate hauing leaue to speake,
And of all state abuse the source to seeke:
Found in her bosome and about the Prince
Those vipers whom highe treason doth convince.
Those factious firebrands that so falslie deale
With God and King in church and common weale
Shall of ther merite finde the earned meede;
Farre better they should then tuo nations bleed.
Those that haue'scapt by flight to forraine lands;
A power shall reach which ouer all commands,
And giue the just reward as it is due
Ther's no protection when the heauens pursue.
Those monsters vnto whom I once lent birth
Become my bane, a scandale to the earth;
Though now at court a time they shelterd bee
With guilty conscience for there wroungs to mee:
A day will come I hope when they shall finde
There mischeeffs merite in the highest kinde.
Will CHARLES but leaue them to my Parlament
Ther they shall haue deserued punishment,
So shall great Brittaine prosper, and his raigne
Bring to this isle the golden age agayne.
So Durrham did, (whose Deanes vnluckie ends
A prouidence prevented, and will pay
His lies with there rewarde some happie day)
And when command to march no further, came,
In hope of hearing I obeyd the same,
Till Englands Parlament should weell considder
The justice of that cause that brought mee hither,
And well examine if I haue done well;
Or with hostilitie should mee expell.
That sacred senate hauing leaue to speake,
And of all state abuse the source to seeke:
Found in her bosome and about the Prince
Those vipers whom highe treason doth convince.
Those factious firebrands that so falslie deale
With God and King in church and common weale
Shall of ther merite finde the earned meede;
Farre better they should then tuo nations bleed.
Those that haue'scapt by flight to forraine lands;
A power shall reach which ouer all commands,
And giue the just reward as it is due
Ther's no protection when the heauens pursue.
Those monsters vnto whom I once lent birth
Become my bane, a scandale to the earth;
Though now at court a time they shelterd bee
With guilty conscience for there wroungs to mee:
A day will come I hope when they shall finde
There mischeeffs merite in the highest kinde.
Will CHARLES but leaue them to my Parlament
Ther they shall haue deserued punishment,
Bring to this isle the golden age agayne.
But ah! my feares forbid to hope so much:
The subtile Spanishe serpents craft is such,
That all our aymes houeuer well begunne
Euen in the budd are presently vndone.
That wretched golde, that farre fetchd Indian dross
All our attempts and good designes doth cross.
Corruption is a court disease become,
And takes no doctors counsaill but from Rome;
Which neuer whollie cures the lame or blinde
But alwayes there remaynes some dreggs behinde
Which like the fire in ashes hid breaks out
And of a sudden kindleth all about:
Though for a time it lye as close as dead
I feare that foule infection forth shall spread:
Vnles it please that God by whom kings raigne
To giue vs warre against both Rome and Spaine:
Which wee haue now iust cause to vndertake
For CHARLES his sister and his nephewes sake.
But wee must wait with prayers on our God
Who'il giue us peace at home and warre abroad.
The subtile Spanishe serpents craft is such,
That all our aymes houeuer well begunne
Euen in the budd are presently vndone.
That wretched golde, that farre fetchd Indian dross
All our attempts and good designes doth cross.
Corruption is a court disease become,
And takes no doctors counsaill but from Rome;
Which neuer whollie cures the lame or blinde
But alwayes there remaynes some dreggs behinde
Which like the fire in ashes hid breaks out
And of a sudden kindleth all about:
Though for a time it lye as close as dead
I feare that foule infection forth shall spread:
Vnles it please that God by whom kings raigne
To giue vs warre against both Rome and Spaine:
Which wee haue now iust cause to vndertake
For CHARLES his sister and his nephewes sake.
But wee must wait with prayers on our God
Who'il giue us peace at home and warre abroad.
Heer like the hart that panteth for the spring,
My soule awaits good tidings from my King.
My prayers are the weapons which I use
That heaven will in his sacred breast infuse
True wisedome, that his reasons eyes may sie,
Through all the clouds of spyte and flatterie
My upright heart, the churches sore oppression,
And scan the trueth of euery mouths confession,
Reward the good, rebuke the reprobate,
Remeed the greevances of church and state,
Maintayne the Gospell in its puritie,
Remoue false Doctors, root out heresie,
Lay doun good lawes, doe justice vnto all,
Curb vice, without respect in great and small,
That those whom God hath joyn'd, may vnder him
And his, liue happye to the end of Time.
This is my heartye wishe and prayer still:
Which heauen will heare I hope and soone fulfill,
To send mee home a song of joye to sing
And pray for fayths defender, CHARLES the King.
My soule awaits good tidings from my King.
My prayers are the weapons which I use
That heaven will in his sacred breast infuse
True wisedome, that his reasons eyes may sie,
Through all the clouds of spyte and flatterie
My upright heart, the churches sore oppression,
And scan the trueth of euery mouths confession,
Reward the good, rebuke the reprobate,
Maintayne the Gospell in its puritie,
Remoue false Doctors, root out heresie,
Lay doun good lawes, doe justice vnto all,
Curb vice, without respect in great and small,
That those whom God hath joyn'd, may vnder him
And his, liue happye to the end of Time.
This is my heartye wishe and prayer still:
Which heauen will heare I hope and soone fulfill,
To send mee home a song of joye to sing
And pray for fayths defender, CHARLES the King.
Svnt Artibvs Arma Decori.
FINIS.
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