Zion in distress, or, The sad and lamentable complaint of Zion and her children wherein are demonstrated the causes of her miserable calamities, and her faith in God ... : also shewing the dreadful controversie God hath with the beast of Rome ... Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. 1666 Approx. 85 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 31 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2007-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A47095 Wing K108 ESTC R18256 12349532 ocm 12349532 59937 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A47095) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 59937) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 213:14) Zion in distress, or, The sad and lamentable complaint of Zion and her children wherein are demonstrated the causes of her miserable calamities, and her faith in God ... : also shewing the dreadful controversie God hath with the beast of Rome ... Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. [8], 52 p. Printed in the fatal year, London : [1666] In verse. Written by Benjamin Keach. Cf. BM. Later editions are entitled: Sion in distress. Date of publication from Wing. Reproduction of original in Yale University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Also shewing The dreadful controversie God hath with the Beast of Rome , and Mother of Harlots , and all Adversaries and Nations of the world for Zion's sake . Lam. 1.12 . Is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow ? Vers . 17. Zion spreadeth forth her hands , and there is none to comfort her . London . Printed in the Fatal Year . THE AUTHOR To the Reader . Courteous Reader , IF these ensuing illiterate and homespun-Poems come to thy hand , let me crave this of thee , viz. Diligently and impartially to peruse them ; and do not censoriously judge , nor prejudicially condemne the plain and simple-hearted Author thereof : Neither doe thou slight them because of the lowness and meanness of the stile that they run in : But esteem them rather for the honesty of the matter , then for their Elegancy ; more for their Vertue , than for the Variety of Scholastick Expressions . I never learned the Art of Rhetorick , nor courted the Universities . Neither have I studied to deliver my self in that stile that might tend either to the pleasing of the Mind , Fancies , Or vain Humours of any ; nor to delight the Ear , but to affect the Heart ; not to stir up the Mind to Mirth , but to move the Soul to Mourn . And if , Courteous Reader , thou art a Christian , one that art truly and really born from Above , of the free Woman , and brought up vertuously in the Heavenly Family ; if so , I am perswaded that I need not inforce many Arguments to induce thee to a kinde acceptance of what I present thee with , because it treateth of the state of Her whose Womb did bear thee , and whose Paps have spiritually giv'n thee suck . Shall thy dear Mother be in a miserable languishing state and condition , and not her own dear Children incline with all diligence to her mournful Complaints ? God forbid . If I have misrepresented the state of ZION this day , in any thing , I humbly crave pardon : I have writ according to the measure of Light received . The Subject is Divine , and I confess too high and good to be so low and badly handled ; too worthy for such an unworthy VVorm to meddle with . Such as it is , I here present to you : I have , with Mary , done what I could ; you must not expect a mans Head upon a Childs Shoulders . And if it prove acceptable in your eyes , I matter not how I and it are censured by others : It cannot speed worse then She doth for whose sake I have writ these Lines . This onely I intreat of thee . Let Zions Captivity be thy Misery , and never adde thou to her Afflictions : So shall I be thine for ever , in all Christian Service . Farewel . Let Zealots carp at Homer , if they will , And barke like Dogs , until they barke their fill : True Protestants will not offended be ; 'T is onely Popish Imps will snarle at me . To his Friend the AUTHOR . WHat Muse is this doth thus possess thy brain , That leads thy Genius to so high a strain ? Must thy aspiring thoughts needs now rehearse Thy Mothers Groans in such a kind of dress ? What , Poet-like , thy self deliver now ? Is Prose too mean , to let the World know how She is opprest by Rome's black hellish Crew , How in her Blood they did their hands imbrew ? Let thy Endeavour ● prosper ; let them prove To be Rome's shame : A Token of thy Love To thy distressed Mother , ( now the scorn Of black-mouth'd Imps , the Sons of Satan born . ) Aspiring Soul ! What from her Sorrows clime To a Prophetick Spirit in thy Rime ! Fore-telling how she shall delivered be From all those Bloody ▪ Hounds , whom thou do'st see God will destroy ; and will thy Mother make Heavens Glory & Earths Joy , for his Name sake . Jehovah bless thy work , this Book , though small , And make it prove a Preface to Rome's Fall. Vale. ZION IN DISTRESS : OR , The Sad and Lamentable Complaint of Zion and Her Children . Zion's Sons . ATtend all People , hearken and draw near : What doleful noise is that soun●s in my ear ? Me thinks I hear a very dismal Cry , Like one that doth lament most bitterly ; And by the mournful voice that I do hear , Some VVoman is in great distress , I fear . The more I mind t●is Cry , and do give heed , The more my heart is pierc'd and made to bleed : O how I thirst to know who this should be , That makes my Soul to grieve and sigh in me ! A Person of great Honour and Descent , Doubtless this VVoman is , that doth lament ; Highly descended ; born she 's from above ; Nurs'd in the Chambers of the Fathers Love : Espoused to a Prince of high degree ; For King of kings , and Lord of lords is He. Alas , alas , poor Zion ! Is it thou ? O mourn my Soul , and let my Spiri bow : Let all that love the Bridegroom , mourn for grief ; For Zion weeps , as one past all Relief . But why , O Zion , lov'd of the most High , Dost thou lament and mourn so bitterly ? ZION . Ah! poor I am , mean , low , and desolate ; And few there be that pity my estate : A long time I have in the VVilderness VVander'd about in sore and great distress ; Hiding my self from the Beasts furious rage , And there have been until this very Age : And having lately look'd a little out , Again he spy'd me , and doth search about : For to destroy me 't is his full intent , Or drive me back again his mind is bent : No rest nor peace to me or mine he 'll give , Declaring that we are not fit to live . The Dragon too , hath with this Beast combin'd To spoil both me and mine , when Us they find . Th' old Lion , Lioness , and Lions VVhelp , Come out against me , other Beasts to help . Dogs , Bulls , and Bears , and VVolves do all agree To rend and tear , and make a spoil of me . O that e'er I , so delicately bred , And my dear Babes , at the Kings Table fed , Should be this day as one even quite cast out , And they as Sheep now scatter'd round about . Now to deliver me , there 's none dare venter ; The Truth would fain , but knows not how to enter : And Justice that is made to stand far off ; VVhilst I become the Object of mens scoff . Zion am I , that no man doth regard ; Mens hearts against me now are grown so hard : Hurl'd to and fro , and tost as with the wind ; And not one Dram of Comfort can I find . My Children , which both young and tender are , The fierce looks of these Beasts do greatly scare . And some they seiz upon as their own Prey , And them into their Dens do bear away ; Where they are kept in sore captivity , Mourning for me , and their extremity ; Who for Christ Jesus sake , with much content , Do from their Foes indure all punishment : For they in Prison rather chuse to lie , Then to obtain , by sin , their liberty . The spoiling of their Goods with joy they take , Before they will the Lord of Life forsake ; Or to be sent out of their native Soyl , Before they will their Consciences defile ; Or otherwise to suffer or be slain , Than to expose the Gospel to disdain . These are the Souls I love , I love most dear , Who for the Gospels sake exposed are To all those troubles I before did tell , That they with Christ for evermore might dwell : But O that men should ever be so blind , Who lived have where Gospel-Light hath shin'd , My Children dear thus for to persecute ▪ Because they can't Gods holy Name polute ! If they were cast amongst the Turks or Jews , Doubtless they would not them so badly use , As some of mine have been within this Nation , For witnessing against abomination . Ah! Wo is me ! for this is a sad time ; Now Godliness is counted for a Crime : The Gospel now , poor Souls , you must not preach ; For of their Laws , they say it is a breach ; Nor meet together in Christs holy Name , But to the Goal you must go for the same : If you do venture once more and again , Then Banishment or Death must be your pain . Alas poor Souls ! If this falls to your lot , 'T will be for good : Don't care for it a jot . Though I c●●not forbear to grieve and mourn , That you thus dealt with are , whom I have born ; Yet I had rather you s●ould chuse to die , Than any of you should your Lord deny . But I lament , and greatly , for all those Who out of Ignorance do you oppose ; Who shall ere long be brought in unto me , For whom in pa●n I travel ti●l it be . But there are thousands more within this Land , Who with the Beast are like to fall or stand . I do grieve a●so , and that very sore , Because the Gospel wants an open Door ; Instead whereof , a piece of stuff is read , Whereby poor Souls in no wise can be fed , No better then the Body of a man Can nourish'd be with Husks , or Chaff , or Bran : Which my Beloved never did compose , Nor ever on poor men at all impose ; But the Inventions are of mens own Brain , O that therefore all would it much disdain . They to impose it , think it Policy , To keep themselves in safe security : Thus Jeroboam too , by his g●eat sin , Thought with himself in sa●ety to have bin . Gods Threshold is digg'd down by wicked ha●ds , And in its room another Threshold stands : But hark ! methinks I hear my Foes a hisling , As if some of my Sons of late were missing : O let me mourn , as w●ll indeed I may , For those dear Sons I lost the other day : But not because they 're to their Father gone ▪ For so they 're out o' th' storm that 's coming on ; But ●ather ' c●use they might have useful been To me , if God t' have spar'd them good had seen : And also ' cause the En●my doth boast Saying , Tour Expectation is quite lost . My very heart is pierced , whilst they say , Where is the God to whom so oft you pray ? For they having escap'd his mighty hand , Resolv'd to make more strong my heavy band . They do blaspheme , swear , curse , and domineer , As if nor God nor Devil they did fear . But to return , and of my great loss speak , This thing doth cause my very heart to ake ; For I do fear some did these idolize , As others to their worth did not them prize : Offe●ded doubtl●ss is my righteous God , That he hath struck me with his heavy Rod ; And yet my Children they do not agree That do remain , nor live in unity . Alas , I see hat love doth much decline Even ev'ry day , in these poor Babes of mine : Strifes and debates amongst them are so high , They envy one another piteously : They grieve themselves in this , and me also ; And unto Christ and Truth much wrong they do . O that they all were once but as one man , How would the Gospel spread an●●lourish then ! But ah ! this Rod their ju●gements han't inform'd , Nor yet their Conversation ●eform'd ; For some there are , that walk but carnally , And little m●nd the stroke of the most High : Alas with these it will go very bad , Whom frowns nor smiles will turn , nor yet the Rod. O mou●n , my Children ; you have not done well , The Voice within this Rod doth plainly tell . O mourn and weep , I say ; cry bitterly : For I , your Mother , weep , lament , and cry : Your Father loves you dear , and so ●o I ; In love h' hath smitten you assuredly : It 's doubt●esly to purge your Souls from s●n , Which you of late have much abounded in . And if that you your Ways do not amend , Some greater Judgement surely God will send : Besides the great reproach you bring to me , My dawning Glory you will hardly see . The day is dark that I have lived in ; And here of late much darker it hath been : Thick Clouds do hide the glorious glistering Skies , Some mists or fogs do shade or blind my Eyes . Because the day abides of my distress , Some Children fall now in the Wilderness , Who murmur in their hearts against the Lord , That Canaan to them he doth not afford . Alas , I shall be thin , before that I Be ready for that blessed Liberty : And some there are that seemingly do feed Amongst my Sheep , of whom I would be freed ; For though that they are called by my Name , Yet they do cause i● for to suffer shame : Some Truths of Christ indeed these do profess , But not his saving Grace and Life possess : I never brought them forth ; they are not mine : Do thou , O Hagar , own them ; for they 're thine : After the Flesh they 're born , and so do walk ; Though of the Spirit they do sometimes talk . The day draws near when such shall be afraid , All Hypocrites in me shall be dismaid . For such I therefore now do greatly grieve , Because that they do thus their Souls deceive . When the Bridegroom doth to his Chamber come , These in that glorious Place will finde no room ; But they must go into eternal Pain , If quickly now they are not born again . Thus do I spend my days in grief and care , Because so few the mighty GOD do fear . Though fearful Judgements he doth oft times send , It 's not his Word nor Works will make them bend ; Nor minde the operation of his hand ; They slight strange Prodigies by Sea and Land ; Which of great Ruines are a plain symptom , That from the God of Vengeance soon will come : For greater Judgements there are still behind , The Truth of which you all shall quickly find . ZION's SONS . O how can we this Lamentation hear ? Or patiently this doleful mourning bear ? That our dear Mother should take on her thus ; Our hearts are pain'd , our Spi●its fayl in us . Whence comes that Beast of whom thou hast complain'd● ▪ What is he , and how long hath he thus raign'd ? ZION . From Hell beneath , this Monster did proceed , As in the Revelations you may read : He is the Little Horn , the Man of Sin , Above twelve hundred years my Foe hath bin . Once he receiv'd , I know , a deadly wound , But for the same a cure he since hath found ; And ●eing heal'd , he glories in his power , As if he would me presently devour . ZION's SONS . Shall we arise against this Beast of Prey , To rescue thee , and take his strength away , Who hath so long time been thine Enemy , Ruling o'er thee and thine in cruelty ? Or shall he eve●●eign and domineer , As he hath done , without controul or fear ? ZION . No , stay a while ; I shall deliver'd be From his fie●ce wrath , and cruel ●yranny . When the set time is come , I fully know I shall deliver'd be , as Truth doth show ; For he that sitteth in the Heavens doth scorn At this great Rebel ; for his Son that 's born Heir of the World , and Prince of Kingdoms too , Shall surely ●eign , because it is his due : For God hath promis'd that his Son shall have The C●own , the K●ngdom , and the Scepter brave : Nations shall serve him ; Kings that have abhorr'd His Name , shall pay him homage , as their Lord : To JESUS all shall bow ; he shall be King , And to poor Zion shall Redemption bring . Wherefore my Children , I do say again , Do you not stir ; he hath some time to reign : Him to destroy , it is beyond your skill ; Your Wisdom and your Strength is to fit s●ill , Till his long months be out , yea , the last hour , None can consume or take away his power . To suffer still it is for me appointed , Till some to do this Work shall be anointed With Gods good Spirit , that most holy Oyl ; And then they shall this cruel Beast quite foyl . Your present work is therefore for to pray , To be prepared for that blessed Day . Be therefore ready , for the time draws near When he shall fall ; of this you need not fear . But since I see you active fain would be , Revenge your selves , I give you liberty , On one which a long time my Foe hath ●in ; If you would know his name you shall , 't is Sin ▪ Arise now , kill and slay ; upon him fall ; A worser Foe I 've not among them all . Spare not ; it 's he which always doth oppose Both you and I , and all that with Christ close . Until he is beat down , I shall not rise , Nor be deliver'd from my Enemies . Because of Sin my very heart doth ake , And much of this complaint doth therefore make . For it is Sin , together with the Devil , That is the cause of all my p●esent evil . O strive against them in Gods holy power , And give no place to them not for an hour . Besides them and the Beast , there is the Whore , Some wrongs I must impute unto her score ; For she doth call my Children Hereticks , , Phanaticks , also , for by such her tricks She keeps the World in such blindness , that so There 's very few that do my Children know : She takes from them their Souls most precious food , Because they can't partake with her vile brood : Besides , of her I have cause to complain , For she hath many of my Children slain ; She makes the Beast to run at me , and roar , And with his Horns oft-times my Sides to goar . She hath some Brats too , cloath'd in black & white , Which st●ike at me this day , with all their might ; But amongst all he● cursed hellish Train , None shall speed worse then they , when she is slain . ZION's SONS . Mother , What Whore is that ? for she shall rue : Hath she so many of our Brethren slew ? L●t Veng'ance be on her , Gods Saints do cry , Whose D●aths are precious in their Father's Eye : ●hough she hath taken our good Name f●om us , ●et her not think she shall escape it thus . ●e do estèem our Names as precious Oyl , ●hich she hath labour'd so much to defile . 〈◊〉 know whom she should be , we do think long , 〈◊〉 hath unto us all done thus much wrong . ZION . She is great Babylon , of whom you 've read , Wh●ch owns not Christ in truth to be her Head. This is that Romish Antichristian Harlot , Who for long time hath sat bed●●k'd in Scarlet , Upon the Beast which from the Sea did rise , Whose Fore-head's spread with Names of Blasphemie● ; Who with the golden Cup that 's in her hand , Invites the Rich and Noble of the Land , For to commit the Sin of Fornication , Which to the Lord is great abomination . And now because that I abhor this Sin , She to this day my Enemy hath been ; And makes the Mighty Ones me to oppress , For laying open her great wickedness . ZION's SONS . Shall we arise ? Why should this wicked Whore Blaspheme our God , or wrong us any more ? She glories , and doth live deliciously : Both God , his Christ , and Us , she doth defie . And more then this , she thousands doth annoy ; Both Souls and Bodies too , she doth destroy . She stretcheth forth her hand ; and still doth crave Poor Innocents , that them she might inslave . Yea , to the whole World she has done such wrong , We her abhor more then the stinking Dung. Shall we now fill to her in the same Cup That she hath fill'd to us for to drink up ? Yea double to her double , saith Gods Word ; No mercy unto her at all afford . Shall we arise , O Zion , full of ire , To eat her Flesh , and burn her in the fire ? ZION . You instrumental in this work shall be ; Your Brother John long time since told it me . Esay also , and Jeremy before , Did clearly show you should destroy this Whore. And I perceive you this do understand , Which comforts me too , on the other hand : You are enlight'ned with the Angels Glory , As it hath been fore-told in sacred Story . As for my Children who before did live , Light from this Angel they could not receive . But you , my Sons , brought forth in these last days , Great things shall do , though many it gain-says . And you , I see , are earnest for to know The time when you this Whore shall overthrow : And I can't blame you in this very thing , Because great Glory to me it will bring : The Gospel too , over the world shall spread , And men instead of Husks shall feed on Bread : And Gospel-Freedom you shall then enjoy , No Popish Prelate you shall more annoy : Nor shall the Locusts of you make a prey , Because that Tythes to them you cannot pay . Those wicked Fiends of Hell shall then no more Have power for to sting and hurt the poor : They shall be cast with shame , as 't is most fit , Into that dismal , dark and smoaking pit : Thither they shall , I say , with wrath be turn'd , And with those lasting Flames they shall be burn'd . But to reply to what you have enquir'd , At present you must keep your selves retir'd ; To make attempts you ought for to defie , Till strength be given from the Lord on high . You now within the streets do lie for dead , Not knowing yet how to lift up your head ; But you shall then appea● to be alive , The Spirit of the Lord shall you revive . God hath ( I know ) let down the time exact , When he 'll begin his strange and dreadful Act , To the amazement of your Enemies , When God shall call his Mighty ones to rise : And from the Heav'ns you then shall hear a Voice , The which shall cause your Souls for ●o rejoyce ; And that will be to you so clear a call , That you straight way shall on this St●umpet fall . Wait now with patience therefore on the Lord , Until his saving strength he doth afford ; And make to him always your supplication , For from him onely is my expectation . O sigh with me , and in your Spirits groan , And send stro●g c●ies up to his gracious Throne ; Do you give him no rest , until he hath Made me the only Praise of all the Earth : And I 'll lift up my Voice to God on high , And make my moan to him , and thus will cry : O Lord , my Lord , consider my estate ; Let me remain no longer desolate . Am I not dear and precious in thy sight ? My sad Complaint do thou nor therefore slight ; But let thy Bowels now towards me move , For sure I am thou dost me dearly love ; Thou hast redeem'd me with thy precious Blood , And nothing thou hast thought fo● me too good . Lord , though I sinned have , do thou forgive , And let my Children dear in concord live : Teach them all truly to know thee , O Lord , And worship thee in peace , with one accord . Let not the wicked of me make a spoil ▪ Who Thee abhor , and Me esteem most vile . Thou dost cast down , and raise up ; wound and cure ; And nothing is to hard for thee , I 'm sure . Thou knowst my grief , there 's nothing hid from thee Arise , O Lord , for to deliver me . Long time between the Serpent vile and me , Thou know'st there has been bitter Enmity ; Above five thousand years h' hath bruis'd my Heel , And I this day that grievous sore do feel : Thou hast declar'd , O Lord , my Seed shall break His cursed Head ; for thou wilt Vengance take On this vile Serpent , and his cursed Seed , Which first did wound my Heel , and made it bleed . But when , O Lord ? Is not the time yet come , That thou wilt put an end to his Kingdom ? In Achor's Valley open thou a Door , And make me sing , as once I did before . O do thou break the bonds of my distress , And bring me , Lord , out of this Wilderness : Let me break forth , like to the Sun most bright , And as an Army terrible in fight . O take away the Vail that covers me , And these thick Clouds , that I may clearly see What is thy mind in this thy Dispensation , And know the work of th●s my Generation . It 's time for thee , O Lord to plead my Cause , For wicked men make void thy Righteous Laws . Obedience to their Law , they say is Reason ; Thine to obey , they make as bad as Treason . Lord where thou sittest , thou dost see and hear That in their shame they glory without fear : Thy fearful Judgements they do not regard , But sin the more , their Hearts are grown so hard . Judgements deferr'd , in sin doth make them bold , Scorning in their vile course to be control'd ; As if thy dreadful hand their Lives did spare , To sin against thee without fear or care ; Saying within thei● hearts , We a●e past by , To serve our Lusts , in all Iniquity . Thinking that God who doth forbear to strike , Of them and their debauched ways doth like : Or else as if some interposing Cloud From Gods all-searching-Eye could be a shrou● : Supposing that thy Seat is so on high , That thou their sinful doings canst not spy : Or that since thou their Judgments hast delay'd , Thou l't do it still ; they are no whit afraid . Thus they thy blessed patience do abuse , And true Repentance wickedly refuse ; Whereby they do unto themselves procure Great wrath from Heaven , which they shall sure endure ; And fit themselves for the great day of slaughter , When into sorrow shall be turn'd their laughter . Thy sev'n last plagues thou wilt pour forth on them , Because they do both Grace and Truth contemn . And how canst thou with them so long forbear , Who to thy face thee scornfully do dare ? Saying , Make speed , that we thy work may see , And know thy Counsel , whatsoe'er it be . Is not their sinful Cup fill'd to the top , That thou mightst off these mighty Cedars lop ? Cut down these Trees , O Lord , but spare thy Vine , Which thou amongst the Trees hast chose for thine . Make that , O God , to flourish and be green , And fruitful , as before time it hath been . Thou brought'st this Vine from Egypt heretofore ; From thence , Lord , bring it out again once more : Make room for it to ●oot , the Land to fill ; The Boughs thereof , let shade the highest Hill. From Sea to Sea let her her Branches send . And from all w●ongs her graciously defend . Make up her Hedge , her Fence , which like a Wall , Secure and safe should keep her now from all Those wild Beasts of the field , with the wild Boar , Who to devour and waste will ne'er give o'er . Visit thy Vine , O Lord ; do thou behold That which thou plant'st and prisedst more then gold Do they not burn and of it make a spoil ? And thou dost hide thy face too all this while . Who is this Vine , but me whom thou hast chose ? Both Vine , and Lily , and thy Sharon Rose . I am thy Love , Dove , Undefiled One ; Why dost thou then let me be trod upon ? By thy own Grace , I am made thus to thee ; Consider now therefore my misery : For I am scorch'd and burnt in grievous pain ; And shall I never more thy Love obtain ? Hast thou withdrawn thy self for evermore ? And will these days of Sorrow ne'er be o'er ? O I am wounded , and in bitter smart ! Sure it 's not long ere these will break my heart . ZIONS SONS . Mourn , mourn , O Heav'ns ; and thou , O Earth bewail ; And weep , ye Saints , until your Spirits fail : For she that is the Glory of the Earth , Most High and Mighty , and of precious Birth , Lies sadly weltring almost in despair ; Her grievous sorrows no Tongue can declare . And now , my Brethren , come , I pray , come hither ; And in Gods fear let us confer together : Doth not G●ief seiz on you , my Brethren dear ? Doth not your hearts dissolve into a tear ? Doth not your eyes like to a fountain run ? Doth not all Joy now into Mourning turn ? Doth not your sleep also from you depart ? Are you not peirced to the very heart ? Are you , or are you not in bitterness , Because of Zion , and her sore distress ? How can our hearts delight in things below ? How can we sleep in peace as others do ? How can we comfort have , or comfort find : Or how can we the Worlds concernments mind ? How can we eat or drink with Hearts content , And not with Grief poor Zion's state lament ? Because that our dear Mother is a crying ; She sighs and sobs , as if she were a dying : She languisheth , and is in bitter pain , And in this state all do her much disdain : She is reproach'd by every drunken Sot , Being cast out , like to a broken Pot : She is despis'd and trod upon like Dung , The Drunkard of her makes his dayly Song . But I will turn , and will expostulate The case with Zion , touching her estate ; Why art thou sometimes up , then down again ? Sometimes at ease , sometimes in bitter pain : They 're doubtless throes ; chear up , and do not fear ; Deliverance , dear Soul , is very near : And though thy throes and pains should now give o'er ▪ Don't fear , thou shalt not die ; One or two more Shall bring that Child into the World , which thou Hast travel'd with in bitter pangs till now . O cry to God , thy Midwife he will be ; For I am sure he will deliver thee : He is the God that brings unto the Birth , He also 't is that gives strength to bring forth . O stay thy self upon thy blessed Lord , His gracious strength he will to thee afford : Vpon his Promises do thou depend , And thou shalt see deliverance at the end . ZION . Alas poor Hearts ! my God hath me forsook , My sighs he doth not mind , nor on me look ; To pity me ▪ he hath now quite forgot ; His anger 's kindled , and his wrath is hot : It burneth sore against me ; let me mourn ; For I am sorely spoiled , rent and torn : Like to a Ship with raging tempests toss'd , That suffers Shipwrack , ready to be lost . Ah wo is me , that ever I did on , And so unfaithful to my God have bin ! How beautiful and comely once was I ? Like to a Pearl in his most blessed Eye : I could not speak , but he would answer me , But now I lie in sore captivity . I cry and call , but he doth stop his Ear , And answers not , as if he had no care Of me ; but I will prove him once again , And not give over till I do obtain : Of Bowels he is full , and can't retain His anger , but will ease me of my pain . O Lord , I come ; I come again to thee ; O pardon , Lord , and do thou pity me : For when I said I was of thee forsaken , I see that I therein was much mistaken ; For I engraven am upon thy hand , And in thy sight for evermore shall stand . Awake , O Arm of God , and do not stay ; My Sorrows are so great , O say not nay . Hear me , dear Jesus , unto thee I cry ; My Heart doth bleed : O save me , or I die . CHRIST . In Heav'n where I do sit in Majesty , A Voice sounds in mine Ears continually ; And now of late much louder it doth cry : Sing therefore Hall●lujah . And doubtless 't is the voice of her I love , My Bowels in me do so greatly move ; I will therefore to her now faithful prove Sing therefore Hall●lujah . Alas , poor Heart , thy mournful voice I hear ; And will come down to help ; be of good chear ; For thou art precious to me , and most dear . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Go to ; for all thy sorrows I well know , And will deliver thee from them also ; And will again th' Egyptians overthrow . Sing therefore Hallelujah . I AM THAT I AM , that is still my Name , The proudest of thy Foes shall know the same ; And they shall never more put thee to shame . Sing therefore Hallelujah . In thy afflictions , great distress , and pain , Of which thou dost so grievously complain , I am affli●ted , and made grieve again . Sing therefore Hallelujah . F`or all the hurts and wrongs they do to thee , I take as if they did them all to me ; And this indeed ere long they all shall see . Sing therefore Hallelujah . It was for thee that I did bleed and die ; I love thee as the Apple of mine Eye : Fear not thou then thy proudest Enemy . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Although , 't is true , thou in their hands art now ; Yet Power 's mine , and Wisdom : I know how To strengthen thee , and make them all to bow . Sing therefore Hallelujah . And I will rise now in great Jealousie ▪ To shew my Power and great Soveraignty , And make them to the Rocks and Hil●s to fly . Sing therefore Hallelujah . The Day of Vengeance now is in my minde , And where to hide themselves they shall not find , Though with the Powers of Hel they have com●in'd . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Thy Controversie throughly I will plead , And will bring down each high and lofty Head : The Mighty Ones like Mortar I will tread . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Though silent for a long time I have stood , I 'll be reveng'd for all the righteous Blood , That hath run down , like to a mighty Flood . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Though Judgement on them I did long delay , Yet what is due to Justice they shall pay ; And but a little longer will I stay . Sing therefore Hallelujah . For now besides the wrongs thou dost repeat , The Martyrs blood doth loudly me entreat ; I will come forth therefore in fury great . Sing therefore Hallelujah . I will perform my strange and dreadful Acts , And thou before me very strong shalt wax ; For I 'll make thee to be my Battle-Axe . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Thy Horn shall Iron be , and thy Hoof Brass , With which thou shalt be at down the Serpents Race ; And quickly will I b●ing this thing to pass . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Thy Sons that scattered are , the Earth throughout , I will soon gather them , do thou not doubt , And bring them forth too , with a mighty shout . Sing therefore Hallelujah . The Mighty they shall overcome with Slings , The Nobles also , and the Heathen Kings , With Fetters they shall binde , and such-like things . Sing therefore Hallelujah . O t●ou who art with raging tempests tost , Without all comfort , ready to be lost ; Thy expectation shall not long be crost . Sing therefore Hallelujah . I 'll lay thy Stones with colours fair and sure , And thy Foundations shall be Saphirs pure , Which shall indeed for evermore endure . Sing therefore Hallelujah . For a small time I have forsaken thee , But with great mercy thou shalt gather'd be ; And from all bondage I will set thee free . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Though I have thee afflicted heretofore , I 'll turn my hand upon the bloody Whore , And will not now afflict thee any more . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Because thou dost my holy name profess , I will establish thee in Righteousness , And break in pieces them that thee oppress . Sing therefore Hallelujah . I will come down also from Heaven above , And will from thee oppression far remove ; ' Gainst thee no Weapon form'd , shall prosp'rous prove . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Thy Children too , shall all be taught of me ; Also great peace for ever there shall be , And I 'll bring in the Gentiles unto thee . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Though many do thee grievously deride , Thy Borders I 'll enlarge on every side , And to thy Seed the whole Earth will divide , Sing therefore Hallelujah . For I did promise them , I do confess , That they should fully all the World possess ; And I 'll perform it now in Righteousness Sing therefore Hallelujah . I will come now unto my holy Hill , The Heathen at my presence shall be still ; The Earth with Knowledge I will also fill . Sing therefore Hallelujah . Exalted I shall be ; and sit on high , Above all earthly Kings in Majesty ; And thou shalt reign with me triumphantly ▪ Sing therefore Hall●lujah . All Kingdoms of the Earth shall now be mine , And then be sure that they shall all be thine , And thou in Beauty like a Queen shalt shine . Sing therefore Hallelujah ▪ ZION . O matchless Grace , and Love beyond degree ! Now am I sure there is none like to thee In Heaven nor Earth , were there ten thousand more , For thou hast found a Sal●e for eve●y Sore . By thee I ravish'd am , O thou most High : O how my Spirit and my Soul doth cry To thee , O Lord , by whose enlarged Grace ▪ My Heart's enlarg'd to run the blessed Race . Thou shalt me lead unto thy living Springs ; From thence I 'll mount up , as with Eagle's Wings , Unto the Heavenly Mount of Faith's Desire , Where I thy glory great may much admire : And then will I descend down from above , To be imbraced in the Arms of Love : I 'll hold thee fast , and never let thee go ; For by the loss of thee , what grievous wo Did I sustain ? O what great misery ! Thou hidst thy face , and troubled sore was I. Thee having , though nought else , what have I not ? Without thee , though all else , what have I got ? Lord , having all things , and not thee , what have I ? Let me enjoy but thee , what further crave I ? Without thee , Lord , things be not what they be ; All things are nothing , when compar'd with thee : I am thy portion , Lord , though didst me chuse ; And thou my po●tion art , I 'll ●e'er refuse . But thou , O God , shalt be my Heritage ; Thou art a God of Grace from age to age : And therefore evermore I 'll dwell with thee : For thou , O God , my hiding place shalt be . In time of trouble and of fury great , I will unto thy holy Name retreat ; Which is a Tower strong to all that fly With care and speed , from their iniquity . Thou light in darkness art , and joy in grief ; Though I in trouble am , thou send'st relief : When I am down , thou lift'st me up on high ; And I thy Name , O God , will magnifie . And with much patience I will undergo Thy indignation , Lord , for well I know That I have sinn'd against thy holy Name , And therefore 't is that I do suffer shame . And though this day I am but low and mean , Poor and despis'd , and so long time have been ; Yet for my good I know that thou wilt make it , And with content I therefore now will take it ; And will wait on thee till thou dost arise To break in pieces all our Enemies . My precious Cause then I will leave with thee ; Which thou , O Lord , wilt doubtless plead for me . Thy Voice , great God , is to my Soul so sweet , I am reviv'd , and set upon my feet : O I can sing , in hopes of what I see , Thou hast , O Lo●d , laid Blessings up for me . And now , O Whore , that art my bitter Foe , My day is near , I would have thee to know : My God han't me forsook , for he will now Set me on high , and make thee for to bow , And shalt with shame cover thy filthy Head , Whilst I in triumph shall upon thee tread . Because so long thou hast upon me ●rod , And in contempt hast said , Where is thy God ? He will therefore in right retaliate , And bring just Judgements down upon thy pate . BABYLON . Zion , thy self mistake thou dost ; The Day will still be mine , Wherefore then dost thou proudly boast , As if it would be thine ? I for my Wounds have got a Cure ; At ease I am , and well : I very safe am , and secure ; And so I know shall dwell . My Glory is return'd to me , Which I had lost indeed : No Widowhood more shall I see , From sorrow I am freed . A Queen I am , so shall remain , And have my Pleasures still : For so long as my Lord doth raign , I can do what I will. For he doth me most dearly love ; And mighty strength has he ; All other Lords he is above , They all his servants be . He is the chief in all the Earth , And sits in Peter 's Chair : The Keys of Hell and Death he hath , And is past all compare . The Dragon , from whence did derive His power , strength and seat , Thee to the Wildernesse did drive , There for to seek thy meat . And they have got the same pow'r still : Who da●es make wa● with them ? To spoil them , is beyond the skill Of all that them condemn . One Emperor , and also Kings , Love me , as doth appear : My name in every Court so rings , Ruine I do not fear . My Sons , likewise , are Noble men , For Dukes and Lords they be ; They will secure me alwayes , when Great dangers they do see . Their Honours , and their Riches too , From me they have them all ; They know they should them lose also , If ever I should fall . The Lawyers too , and Priests , I know , Dear Children to me are , To keep me from an overthrow , Their lives they will not spare . The Merchants , yea , and thousands more , Will all lend me their hand ; Ce●tain , I am , from hence therefore ▪ Secure I long shall stand . And thus thou clearly may'st behold , What strength is on my side ; And although I am now grown old , With glory I shall ride . And as for God , the Lord most high , He hath spar'd me so long ; He doth love me assuredly , And will do me no wrong . Falsly accus'd am I therefore , As if God did mean me , When he speaks of the wicked Whore , That shall destroyed be . 'T is some one else , that God doth mean ; His Church , in truth , am I , And from all sin , I am wash'd clean : Thy speech I do defie . ZION . Leave off , leave off , 't is thou , O bloody Whore , Do not thou think , thou shalt for evermore Thus dominere , in pomp and wicked pride : For God , ere long , thy Rulers will divide ; Those mighty ones , in whom are all thy trust , Long shall not hold , but into pieces must Be surely broken ; this thou soon shalt see : Here , here , begins thy bitter misery . Those that did love thee most , will hate thee so , That they will seek thy utter overthrow ; As was their love , their hatred now will be , And to destroy thee , they will all agree : For thou hast them inslav'd unto thy lust , Whilst they , like simp●e ones , in no wise durst Offend , or cross , thy vile and bloody mind , For they have been bewitch't , they now will find ; By thy alluring Voice and lustful Eye , To joyn with thee in all iniquity . Thy flatteries sha●l them no more deceive , Nor thy base Whoredoms thousands more bereave Of inward Good , and outward Riches , so As they have been to their eternal wo. They then shall see thy vile and ill intent , In setting them against the Innocent . To sati●fie thy lust and base desire , Their sinful Hearts , alas , were set on fire : And through the provocation of the Devil , Have yeilded to commit such horrid Evil , That there 's no Pen can write , no Tongue declare , What things were acted almost every where . For throughout Europe , either more or less , There hath been wrought indeed such wickedness ; Which surely would cause Hearts of Stone to melt , When they consider what my Children felt , And did indure from savage Tyrants great , Who cruelly those tender Lambs did treat ; More then did ever the blood-thirsty Turk : Which Tyrants thou didst always set on work . Some hints of which , here briefly doth insue , Which I shall now present unto your view . And what at this time I lay to thy Charge , I 'd briefly speak , and shall not much en●arge : For men have writ great Volumns , thou dost know , Which of thy cruelties do largely show . Thou hast all men opprest in every Age ; But eve●mo●e thy spiteful Hellish rage ▪ Was always set against my Children dear , Who could not to thy wicked ways adhere . Thou mad'st the Magistrates their Enemies ; A●d the worst torments that thou couldst devise Thou madst them suffer , sto●ie plainly shows ; Some thou didst hang by th' Head , some by the Toes . And thousands thou didst burn , and broil on Coals , And others starve to death in stinking holes . Some thou didst cut to pieces very small , And Infants Brains were dash'd against the Wall , On Bodies of the Saints thou trod'st like dung ; Thou spard'st no Sex , neither the old nor young . By thy curs'd Crew Women were ravished ; And after cruelly were knock'd o' th' Head. Some had their Eys and Tongues by thee pull'd out , Some ha●borless were made , and forc'd about To wander , and in Woods and Caves to lie , Until their days were spent in misery . Thousands were famish'd so , till forc'd to eat Worms , Frogs & Toads , and Spiders for their meat . Thy C●uelties all People may admire , Thou hast poor Children forced to set fire To that same Wood in which their Parents dear , By burning Flames consum'd to Ashes were . By cruel Massacres were thousands slain , Who did endure the most in humane pain That Bishops , Monks , and Fryars could devise ; Whose Blood aloud to God for Vengeance cries . What precious Blood was shed in Italy , In Spain also , yea and in Germany ? How were the Merindolians put to death ? For Cruelties were e'er the like on Earth ? The Massacres in Piedmont were sad ; And many more in France there were as bad . As for Spain's Inquisition-Cruelties , And of those many horrid miseries That they invented for Religions sake , 'T would fill a Volumn should I them relate : But I 'll forbea● to speak of them at large , And leave them to the day wherein the charge Of all the Righteous Blood that hath been shed , Shall come with Vengeance down upon the Head Of all thy proud and persecuting crew , That studied have , the Righteous to undoe ; The precious blood , which wicked hands did spil In Ireland , I do remember still ; Thou there didst play a very cruel part , Poor innocents were there stob'd to the heart ; Yea grievous tortures those poor Lambs did bear , Because they would not buy thy Popish ware . But to come nearer home , within this Land , How many blessed Saints , at thy command , Were crue●ly to ashes burnt at Stake , Because God's Truth they no wise durst forsake ? As in the Marian dayes ; ye , and before ; I dare not say that yet thou hast giv'n o're , And hast forgot to make attempts again ; For I do clearly see , there doth remain The self-same Spirit ; hadst thou but the power , Both me , and mine , thou quickly wouldst devour : For secretly , I do perceive , this day , Thy Romish Ruffins , like to Beasts of prey , Do now contrive , and privately design To work the ruine both of me and mine . Wi●l not those horrid wretched cruelties That thou hast done , thy raging lust suffice ? Why thou art drunk already , and dost reel , And yet thou cryest , O give , O give me still The blood of Hereticks , that I may drink , O fill my Cup up to the very brink . 'T is full , O Whore , for this I clearly see , All precious blood the Lord doth charge on thee , That e'er was shed , from Righteous Abels daies , ' T●ill all be found in thee , the Scripture saies . O shameless , vile , and wretched bloody Whore ! Hast drunk so much , & wouldst thou yet have more ▪ What blood of Prophets and Apostles too , Of Christ , the Lord , whom thou hast also slew ? And since those dayes , hast many millions slain , Whose Blood , and Souls , do to the Lord complain For Righteous Judgements to be pour'd on thee , For all thy vile and bloody cruelty . Prepare thy self for ruine , for I 'm sure , The patient God much longer won't indure , Ere he avenge the cause of his dear Son , For all the wrongs thou hast unto him done ; Those who would see more of thy cruelties , Let them read my Son Fox his Histories . BABYLON . O why dost thou father Christs death on me ? This is a lie , all people plain may see That I am free of this , all people know , Fo● who put him to death , the Scriptures show ; Don't charge his death on me , for I am clear , But Hereticks fit were not to live here ; I therefo●e did such kill , and sweep away , And so 't is fit I should this present day ; For if to holy Church they won't be turn'd , 'T is fit , in truth , that they should all be burn'd . ZION . That this is true , vile Whore , I 'le prove it plain , That thou hast my most blessed Jesus slain ; For if all precious Blood is found in thee , That e'er was spilt by hands of cruelty , It followeth then , by consequent most clear , That thou hast shed the Blood of Christ , most dear ▪ The former's so ; I shew'd it thee before , Therefore 't is true : be silent , say no more , But stop thy mouth , for this I further see , That many times he hath been slain by thee ; Under thy Romish pow'r , his Flesh did die , In Spirit since thou didst him crucifie : And what thou hast unto God's Servants done , He takes as if thou didst it to his Son. He also is the Head , they Members are Of his own Body , whence it doth appear , Thou hast tormented him in every part , And hast oft-times pluckt out his very heart . Thou hast Imprison'd , Scourged him also , Ye burnt and hang'd , and starved him I know : Can the dear body thus be put to pain , And not the head the like sore grief sustain ? And more then this , to shew what thou hast done , The Father , Son , and blessed Saints are one ; What ere therefore thou hast done unto me , Thou hast it done unto the Trinity : Who touch God's Saints , the apple of his eye Do also touch ; O dreadful tyrannie ! For men to persecute the Lord of Life , And with the mighty God to be at strife ! When Saul afflicts the Saints , then Christ doth cry , Saul , Saul , 'T is me that thou dost crucifie . This is the reason of thy wicked spight Thou bear'st unto the blessed Saints of Light ; It is , because that they do testifie Against thy Whoredoms and Adultery . As they are men , thou dost not persecute , But 't is because they won't God's Name pollute ; 'T is Christ in them , and them fo● his Name sake , That thou dost hate , and such a spoil dost make ; But it is from the Lord , that they can't now Unto thy whoredoms and thy falsehoods bow ; Revenge thy self on God , who is the cause Why they contemn all thy invented Laws ; Let these alone , do not in mischiefs run , For these , alas , what have these poor Lambs done ? Ye Persecutors all , mind well I pray , The dreadful work you are about this day . But I 'le return , and talk with thee yet further Who guilty art , most clear , of horrid murther ; And yet dost wipe thy mouth , and proudly say , I innocent have been unto this day , And am in truth Christs holy Ch●rch , I know H●s love is such , there 's none shall me o'rethrow . But to confute thy lies and insolence , And stand in Truths and blessed Saints defence ; No other Arguments need● to bring , For to disprove thee in this very thing ; For 't is most clear , by all this horrid evil , That thou vile Whore , art of and from the Devil ; Thou art no Church of Christ , he doth thee hate , And with his Soul doth thee abominate ; Christ's Church his Members never did annoy , Nor persecute , and millions thus destroy . To blind mens eyes , thou hast thy former tricks , To tell the World that they are Hereticks ; But after that way thou call'st Heresie , That God they worship , whom thou dost defie . And here vile Worm , dost thou think to contend With God the Lord , whom thou dost thus offend ? O● thinkest thou he hath quite passed by , All thy vile acts and cruel tyrannie ? Dost think he won't fulfil his holy Word , And in his fury draw his glittering Sword ? Dost thou not at his presence fear and quake , Who with a frown will make all Nations shake ? Dost think that man can save thee from his stroke , That thou go'st on , and still dost him provoke ? Dost think , because he hath spar'd thee so long , He 'l ne'r avenge on thee my grievous wrong ? Or dost thou think the Pope , that Fiend of Hell , Who 'bove all Gods , doth in God's Temple dwell , Can save thee from that great and dreadful blow , Which will produce thy utter overthrow ? Alas vile wretch , for all thy mighty strength , There is no hope but down thou must at length . What God resolves to do , on Sea or Land , No Beast , nor Devil , can the same withstand . As to the Pope , let me speak in thy Ear , His time is short for to continue here ; For he that hath presum'd Kings to depose , Shall soon destroyed be by some of those Of whom he now nor dreads , nor stands in fear ; The t●uth of this , ere long , will plain appear . This is the Beast , that did from Hell ascend , And thither shall be cast too in the end : This , this is he that ha●h so often swell'd thee With hopes , and hath unto this day upheld thee ; For his false Pardons , and uncivil power , Incourag'd thee my Children to devour . Though his Foundation 's laid as deep as Hell , And doth in strength abundantly excel The g●eatest Potentate , who heretofore E'er swaid a Scepter ; nay , I add much more ; Though he himself doth greatly magnifie , Above the blessed Stars that are on high , Yet he sh●ll fall , and never rise again : Thy hopes thou hast of him is therefore vain ; He is condemn'd , the Sentence that is gone , His day of execution doth come on ; And to be short , I fear thee not at all , Do now thy worst , you both together shall Drink of one Cup , with all thy lovers too , For thou shal● surely know what God can do . Thy Magpy-Merchants then shall cry and howl , And mou●nfu●ly thy ruine thus condole . Alas , alas , this City great and fair , Sumptuous and very brave , beyond compare ; How in a moment are her judgments come , Her fall , her ruine , and her final doom : Our Trade is gone , and all our Merchandize , And ah ! there 's none pitties our grievous cries : Alas , alas , we all are quite undone , What shall we do , or whither shall we run ? O that the Mountains , and the Hills would cover Us , till the vengeance of the Lord be over ! But to conclude , all people , this I say , From Babylon see that you haste away ; For if you don 't , then you too late will mourn , And curse the day that ever you were born . Like as the Hee-Goat doth before the Flock , So haste away , and fly to Christ your Rock : For if you follow her , then I am sure , You will destru●ion to your Souls procure ; For you like Oxen to the Slaughter go , Though like a Bird insnar'd , you do not know The danger you are in , and what 't will cost , Till Soul , and Body , Life and all is lost ; Many Sh 'as wounded , and has strong men slain ; Let all Gods Saints then , from her wayes refrain : Her wayes do lead unto the depths of Hell ▪ Who follows her , shall with the Devils dwell . The Authors Request . I. SOme things , great God , my Soul doth long to have , Before these mortal days of mine be o'er , Which things , Lord of thee I do humbly crave , Before I go from hence and be no more ; Until which things , O Lord , I do obtain , I shall be fill'd with sorrow , grief , and pain . II. Alas , my sorrows they do greatly double ; O that thou wouldst be pleas'd to hear me Lord , So should my Soul thereby be freed from trouble , If that these things to me thou wouldst afford ; Until , O Lord , thou grants me my request , I can't give o'er , nor give thee any rest . III. 'T is not for riches of this wicked world , Nor for vain honour , Lord that I do cry ; They with a puff alas , oft-times are hurl'd , They get them wings and quite away dofly ; These things I know , dear God , uncertain be , I ask them not , some better things I see . IV. Nor are they earthly momentary pleasures For which , great God , I come now unto thee , But it is for thy everlasting Treasures , Which now I seek and beg , O Lord , for me ; Can Riches , Honours , Pleasures to me give , The things that I do want whilst here I live ? V. No , no , O Lord , the things I ask of thee More precious are ; the first that I shall urge , Thy blessed presence , Lord , give unto me ; My heart from sin , Lord , also do thou purge . These are the things , in part , for which I cry , Lord , grant me this before I come to die . VI. Thy presence is more sweet unto my heart Then Hony , or the Hony-Comb , indeed ; And I will chuse , O Lord , the better part , From sin therefore , O let my Soul be freed ; And I thy holy Name shall magnifie , And happy be , when e'er I come to die . VII . Let thy good Spirit ever be my guide , And in thy house for ever let me dwell ; And from thy Truths , Lord , never let me slide , Nor find my Conscience to be like a Hell. And I thy Name , Lord , evermore shall praise , And happy be , when ended are my daies . VIII . And whatsoever , Lord , my state is here , Let me therein alwayes be well content ; When I in trouble am , Lord , then be nere , And from me never do thy self absent ; And then , O Lord , I never more will fear , What e'er I suffer for thy Name-sake dear . IX . Teach me alwayes , O Lord , that heavenly skill , My dayes to number , as thy Saints have done ; And ever let me yeeld unto thy Will , And wait on thee until my Glass is run ; So shall I then thy holy Name adore ▪ And sound thy praise , O Lord my God , therefore . X. Lord , bridle thou my tongue , and make me see How few my dayes are , O how short their length ! Incline my heart alwayes to trust in thee ; Remove thy Scourge , O Lord , or give me strength : Be thou my Way , my Strength , my Truth , my Light , So shall I learn to live and die upright . XI . When , Lord , I hungry am , be thou my Meat ; When I in darkness am , be light to me ; And when I weary am , Lord , be my Seat ; And when in Prison , do thou set me free : And I thy Name , O Lord , will glorifie , And walk in thankfulness until I die . XII . In time of wrath , O Lord , and fury great , Be unto me a Fence , and Tower strong ; And let me to thy blessed Name retreat , Till thou avenged art for all the wrong That wicked men , O Lord , have done to me , And unto all , dear God , that do love thee . XIII . Let me , with patience , run that blessed race , And from my weights which grievious have bin ; Lord set me free , that I may run apace , And the immortal Crown , the prize , may win : Grant me thy fear , O Lord , guard well my Path , O give me patience , and with patience , Faith. XIV . Make thy dear Saints , great God , all of one heart , Let their divisions end also by thee , Let them unite again , and never part Whilst there is either Earth or Sea ; And then thy praises , Lord , I will declare , For I shall then be freed from all my care . XV. Thy Saints , dear Lord , are many Members joyn'd To make one body , whose blest Head thou art ; Let all thy Children , Lord , be of one mind , Let this one Body , Lord , have but one heart ; Then shall I see indeed a blest increase , Of Zions Glory , and of Israels Peace . XVI . Thy Children dear . O Lord , offended have , Do thou in mercy all their sins pass by ; Have mercy , Lord , thy mercy do I crave , That they may live thy name to magnifie ; And I thy mercy , Lord , will shew to all , And warning take , l●st that I also fall . XVII . Zion remember , Lord , in all her grief , She mourns , she weeps , she cries , and is in pain ; Do thou in mercy send her such relief , That she with cause may never more complain ; And then , O Lord , my sorrows will be o're ▪ And I thy praises , Lord , will sing therefore . XVIII . O'er all the world , now let thy Gospel spread ; All Popish enterprizes Lord prevent : Let Papists never here get any head , As is their purpose , Lord , and full intent ; And then ▪ I shall , O Lord , without all shame , Ascribe the Glory to thy Holy Name . XIX . Lord , cast thine eyes upon those cruel Foes ; Prevent their purpose , who this day combine Against thy Flock , O God , that thou hast chose ; Do thou make them like Chaff before the wind ; Preserve thy Heritage out of their hand , Establish Truth and Peace , Lord , in the Land. XX. O thou , great God , whose Judgements are severe , Whose Mercies too are full of sweet compassion ; Do thou , Lord , scourge thy Foes both far and near , And grant to me the joy of thy Salvation ; And I will spend the remnant of my dayes In Psalms of thanks to thee , and Songs of praise . XXI . Make haste , great God , to judge the bloody Whore ▪ Thy Righteous Judgements do thou execute ; O let her fall , and never rise no more , Lord , don't deny me this my earnest Suit : But let me see her down before I die , That I thy Name therefore may magnifie . XXII . Establish , Lord , the Kingdom of the Just ; O let thy Son , upon his blessed Throne , Destroy the Kingdom , Lord , of the vile Beast ; Let Christ , his foes to conquer , now go on , That in the heights of Zion I may sing , Hosanna , in the highest , to my King. XXIII . What thou , O Lord , hast un●o Zion told , Of blessings that thou hast for her in store ; Those things , great God , O let my eyes behold , And then let me go hence and be no more . No more , dear God , I mean , as now am I , For I shall live to all eternity . XXIV . There 's one thing more , O Lord , I beg for me , Let me alwayes be well prepar'd to die ; And this do I , Lord , also crave of thee , To reign with Christ to all eternity . And then , great God , when this short life is o'er , With Angels I will sing for evermore . XXV . What ever of my Sute thou dost deny , Grant me true Faith , let me alwayes believe , That through Christs death , when ere I come to die , A Paradise from thee I shall receive . O grant , dear God , to me this one request , Let me enjoy but thee , and I will rest . For having thee , O Lord , I all things have , And having thee , there 's nothing more I crave . An Alarm to the wise and foolish Virgins . I. ALL you that fear The Lord , give ear To what I do indite , There is a cry , The Bridegroom 's nigh , T is now about midnight . II. Awake , awake , Your Lamps to take , ●nd longer do not slumber ; Them do you trim , To tend on him ●nto the Wedding Chamber ▪ III. You Virgins all , To you I call ; What Oyl have you in store ? If you have none , You are undone , Look to it now therefore . IV. Watch you alway , Our Lord doth say , None knows the day nor hour ; Watch carefully , For now it 's nigh , The day of his great pow'r . V. Wherefore arise , Open your eyes , The Day-Star doth appear ; Rise from your Bed , Lift up your head , Redemption now draws near . VI. All who are wise , Their time do prize , Preparing for their Lord ; To them he will His Word fulfil , His presence to afford . VII . But fools do haste , Their time to waste , In sleep and slothfulness ; Yet they do dream , I do presume , Of glory ne'ertheless . VIII . But they indeed , On fancies feed ; 'T will come to such an ebb , That they shall see , Their hopes will be , Like to the Spiders Web. IX . They still do keep Themselves asleep , And know not where they be ; Were they awake , How would they quake , Their woful state to see . X. You who remain , Carnal and vain , In a cold formal state ; And all the while , Have got no Oyl ; You 'l mourn when 't is too late . XI . You who profess , And not possess , The Truth in Life and Pow'r ; Your state is bad , And will be sad , Before this day is o'er . XII . What is the shell To the kernel , Or Chaff unto the Wheat ? You husks do take , And do forsake Your Souls most precious meat . XIII . 'T is the last day ; O , therefore pray , And faithful now abide , Unto the Lord , With one accord , And be on the Lambs side . XIV . And have a care , You do not dare , In Babel to remain ; For if you do , Then also know , With her you shall be slain . XV. Come , come away , Without delay , With all speed and indevour ; Her end is come , Her fatal doom ; Your Souls therefore deliver . XVI . You now do hear , Her ruin's near ; Your sins therefore forsake ; And you 'l prevent , Great punishment , Of which she must pertake . XVII . All her pleasures , And rich treasures , Abhor as a great evil ; Gods Word doth show , Who love them do , Shall go unto the Devil . XVIII . Do you remove , Your Souls , dear Love , From Earth , and things thereof ; For this hath bin , Your very sin ; Now cast it therefore off . XIX . On things above , Set you your love , Affections and desire ; These things below , God will o'erthrow , With his consuming fire . XX. Alas , poor Souls , Be not such fools , To labour for the Wind ; The Wealth you heap , You shall not keep , 'T is true , ere long you 'l find . XXI . Do you not rest On self-int'rest , But wholly for the Lord ; For he 'l at last , You surely blast , According to his Word . XXII . There are some men , Cry Lord , When , when , Wilt thou in Glory come ? Who will repent , And then relent , They pray'd for his Kingdom . XXIII . For it will be , They then shall see , As when on scapes a Bear ; That being gone , Comes a Lyon , Doth him in pieces tear . XXIV . Subdue your sin , For it hath bin , Your chiefest Enemy ; I say , again , Let it not reign , Throughly it crucifie . XXV . For in this Land , There 's none shall stand , And happy be indeed , But onely those , Whom God hath chose , Who on Christ Jesus feed . XXVI . Continually , O , therefore cry , For Christ and precious Grace ; That with his blest , You all may rest , When you have run your race . XXVII . And the Bridegroom , When he doth come , He will you entertain ; And you shall then , Be happy men , And with him ever reign . XXVIII . Yea , gloriously , In majesty , Your honour shall excel ; Here will I end , Who am your Friend , And bid you all farewell . A POSTSCRIPT : Or , an After-Word to ENGLAND . TO thee , O Land , this after-word I write , Which doth love darkness , and abhor the light ; I finish can't this Work , until that I , Against thy wickedness do testifie ; And do pronounce the Righteous Gods decree , Which will with vengeance executed be In a short time ; and that because thou hast , Let Zion , like a barren Field , lie waste : She hath bin trod upon in great disdain , And yet from thee no comfort could obtain ; Thou hast not succour'd her in great distress , Nor helped her , though in the Wilderness : She , as a stranger , fain would so●ourn here , But thou not willing art , as doth appear , Her to imbrace ; no nor the Gospel neither , But fain thou would'st be rid of them together . Alas , thou sinful Nation , most unwise , That hates thy friends , and loves thy enemies ; What wilt thou do over a little space ? I much lament thy sad and heavy case ; Thy sins more vile then Sodoms doth abound : Some Righteous ones , indeed , in thee are found , Or else , before this time , I fully know , God had , like Sodom , wrought thy overthrow . God hath with great compassion born with thee , But yet thou art as vile ; this I do see : Judgements therefore already are begun , And God will make thee bow ere he has done ; He 'l break thy heart , and make thee for to cry , Lord , I have sin'd , thy Name I glorifie . God hath begun to make thy people few , And made them know , that they are like the dew , Which early passeth , when the Sun doth rise , Or like the Shadow which so swiftly flies . The glory of thy City God hath stain'd , Which like a Queen so long a time hath reign'd . But yet , the worst , O England , is behind ; Alas , these judgements I do clearly find , Have made thee worser then thou wert before ; Instead of healing , they have made thy sore Appear so dangerous , that I do see , There is no help , nor cure now for thee . Wo , wo , unto all people high and low , My Soul doth mourn and bleed , because I know The day of vengeance doth draw very near , Wherein all people shall cry out with fear ; They then will weep , and bitterly will mourn , And curse the day that ever they were born To see such dayes , the which will surely come , Which will be like , though not the day of doom . Thou wilt repent that ere thou didst provoke The Righteous God ; for why , his dreadful stroke Will be so sore , that some will seek to die ; But Death , alas , from them away will fly ; While others they their bitter dayes shall end , A just reward , from God , whom they offend . Some now there be alive , which shall behold , The dreadful things which to thee have bin told . With Nineveh , therefore , with speed repent , If happily thou mayst Gods Wrath prevent ; Which otherwise will come on thee , O Land , Before which Wrath , alas , no flesh can stand . Cease to do evil , I do thee advise , Learn to do well , I do thee advertise ; Break of all yoaks , set the oppressed free , And labour for a Christian Liberty . The Pope , that Hellish Beast , do thou withstand , And all who ready are at his command , To yeeld unto that wicked bloody Whore , Who thinks to have the day again once more ; Do thou in time their purpose frusterate , Who enemies are both to Prince and State. Yeeld thou obedience unto God and King , Rebellion is a vile and cursed thing ; which I exhort thee to defie and hate , And utterly for to alominate : For like the sin of witch-craft , 't is I know , And those that guilty are God will o'erthrow . If thou this counsel take , I dare not say , But God may turn his furious wrath away ; And thou mayst notwithstanding at the length , Shine forth in glory and in perfect strength . FINIS .