Sion in distress, or, The groans of the Protestant Chruch [sic] Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. 1681 Approx. 208 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 69 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A47607 Wing K87 ESTC R27452 09859682 ocm 09859682 44277 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. A47607) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 44277) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1361:20) Sion in distress, or, The groans of the Protestant Chruch [sic] Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704. [6], 128 p. Printed by George Larkin for Enoch Prosser, London : 1681. Attributed by Wing, NUC pre-1956 imprints to Benjamin Keach. In verse. Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library, New York. 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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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Catholic Church -- Anecdotes 2005-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2005-05 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2005-07 Rachel Losh Sampled and proofread 2005-07 Rachel Losh Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion SION in DISTRESS : OR , THE GROANS OF THE Protestant CHRUCH . Lam. I , 12. Is there any Sorrow like unto my Sorrow ? Vers . 17. Sion spreadeth forth her Arms , and there is none to comfort her . Vers . 20. Behold , O Lord , I am in DISTRESS ! — Quis talia Fando Temperet a lachrimis ? — Virgil. LONDON : Printed by George Larkin , for Enoch Prosser , at the Sign of the Rose and Crown in Sweethings-Alley , at the East End of the Royal Exchange , 1681. To the READER . YOu are here presented with a Reviv'd Poem , with such Additions and Enlargements as makes it very different from the First Impression . It is suited to the Present State of the Protestant Church , shewing the Causes of her present Calamity , with an Ennumeration of some Prevailing Sins ; the Plots and Contrivances of ROME against SION ; the Marks of the Antichristian Beast and Scarlet Whore , with her Arraignment and Condemnation , ( illustrated in difficult places with Marginal Notes . ) Also some probable Discoveries of the Churches Redemption , and the approaching Glory of the Latter Day . We have now a plain Prospect ( by the Gracious Discoveries of Providence ) of those Horrid and Execrable Plots , which the restless Adversary has contriv'd against the Peace and very Being of SION , and which were much in the dark when my Muse first bewail'd its Condition , and suspected that this Epidemical Mischief ( now Reveal'd ) was then a hatching . In a Subject of Grief , a quaint and ornamental Method is not to be expected : for an abrupt and sobbing Delivery is more natural in the Delineations of Sorrow , then a studied well-poiz'd and artificial Harrangue . The Subject is Divine , and too lofty for so weak a Muse ; which I hope will oblige the Generous Reader to a candid and mild Construction . I have writ according to the measure of Light received , and have contributed my Mite ( in a well-meaning Spirit ) to reduce us to our Selves . Against the Reigning Evils which expose us to Temporal and Spiritual Enemies , many Wholesome Precepts from Scripture and Reason are given . The Rise , Progress , and Persecutions of the Man of Sin , are succinctly delivered , with the Evidence of Approved Historians , ( some of them Papists ) whose Evidence against Themselves ought to be convincing . There cann't be too many Defendants against so Vigorous an Assailant as Rome is . There are many Excellent Tracts that discover the Villanies of Popery , and I wish they were more Common . It is a great comfort that the Spirit of the Nation is so much ( and justly ) incensed against it . And that our Parliament is so Thorow and Resolved to crush that Interest , whose Principles teach them to be ( to all Hereticks , for so they call Protestants ) Trayterous Subjects , ill Neighbours , and worse Soveraigns . To promote the Just Odium of my Native Countrey against so destructive and malignant an Enemy , is ( in part ) the Design of this Essay ; ( which being of small bulk and price , may possibly come into more hands then larger Volumns . ) If it contributes any thing in order to that End , it answers the Expectation of Your Souls Well-Wisher . To his Friend the AVTHOR , On the FIRST IMPRESSION . WHat Muse is this , that thus inspires thy Brain , And leads thy Genius to so high a Strain ? Must thy Aspiring Fancy now rehearse Thy Mothers Groans in an Elegiack Verse ? Is Prose too mean and unregarded now , That still in Verse thou let'st the World know how SION's abus'd by Rome's Infernal Crew ? How in her Blood they did their hands imbrew ? Let thy Endeavours 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 , who are of Satan born . ) Aspiring Soul ! What from her Sorrows climb To a Prophetick Spirit in thy Rhime ! Foretelling how she shall deliver'd be From all those Bloody Beasts , whom thou do'st see God will destroy , and will thy Mother make Heav'ns Glory , and Earths Joy , for his Names sake . Jehovah bless thy Work this Book , though small , And make it prove a Preface to Rome's Fall. Vale. To my Friend the AUTHOR , Upon His REVIV'D POEM . HEre 's Grief in Raptures ! Who could thus infuse All Strains of Sorrow ? No Aonnian Muse Such Sacred Rhapsodies could e'er inspire : Nor were they borrow'd from Apollo's Quire. No Inspiration from the Thespian Spring , Does teach our Poet in this mode to sing . He suks no Hippocrene , nor feeds upon The fancy'd Dew of Pagan Helicon . He mounts no Pegasus , nor gathers Drops Distill'd by Clio from Parnassian Tops . These are but Whimsies — Some Seraphick Fire His Muse did with this Mourning Song inspire Who ran but , in the highest Notes of Grief , Weep Tears in Verse , when SION wants Relief ? Such as from . Art their lofty Strains do borrow , Do but describe an Artificial Sorrow : But his is purely Natural : for we Perceive it comes from perfect Sympathy . His clear discerning Soul her danger sees Approaching on by unperceiv'd degrees . He gives us Warning to prevent the Stroke , To leave our Sins , and Mercy to invoke . Here 's a Prophetick Glass , where we may view The swift Destruction that will ( else ) ensue . But Friend , we thank thee that thou hast not left us Without some hope , nor has thy Book bereft us Of Consolation ; for the SCARLET WHORE Is there so Sentenc'd , that She 'll rise no more . Sion in Distress : OR , THE GROANS OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH . SION . What dismal Vapour ( in so black a form ) Is this , that seems to Harbinger a Storm ? What pitchy Cloud invades our Starry Sky , To stop the Beamings of the Worlds Great Eye ? What spreading Sables of Egyptian Night , Would rob the Earth of its Illustrious Light ? What interposing Fog obscures our Sun ? What dire Eclipse benights our Horizon ? Is England's Great and Royal Bridegroom fled ? Is its Aurora newly gone to bed ? That scatter'd Clouds make such prodigious haste , Combine in one , and re-unite so fast . Clouds that so lately dissipated were , Do now conspire to make a Darker Air ! I mourn impity'd , groan without Relief ! No bounds nor measures terminate my grief ! The Sluces of mine Eyes are too too narrow To went the Streams of my increasing Sorrow . Ebbs follow swelling Floods , and Vernal Days Adorn the Fields that Winter disarrays : All States and Things have their alternate ranges , As Providence the Scene of Action changes . All Revolutions , hurries to and fro , At length some Rest and Settlement do know . But helpless I , have often look'd about , To find some Ease , or Soul-Refreshment out ; Yet can I see no prospect of Relief , But swift Additions multiply my grief . As Pilgrims wander in their deep distress Amongst the wild rapacious Savages , In pathless Desarts , where the midnight howls Of hungry Wolves , mixt with the screech of Owls , And Ravens dismal croaks , salute the Ears Of poor erratick trembling Passengers : So I 'm sorrounded , so the Beasts of Prey Conspire to take my Life and Name away . My glowing Soul does melt , my Spirits faint ●or want of vent ; I 'm pregnant with complaint . No Age nor Generation but has known ●ome part of this my just and grievons moan . ●ut now I 'm far more dangerously charg'd ; ●y Bolder Foes my sorrows are enlarg'd : 〈◊〉 hellish Tribe from black Avernus flew , ●hat , Bloodhound-like , me and my Lambs pursue . Lord JESUS come ! O let my Cries invoke Thy sacred Presence to divert the stroke . Are all my Friends withdrawn ? what is there non Steps in to ease me of my grievous moan ? Sion's Friend . WHat doleful noise salutes my wondring Ear What grief-expressing Note is that I hear Methinks the Accent of this Dismal Cry , Bespeaks some one in great extremity . The shrilness of the mournful Voice bespeaks A Womans loud and unregarded shrieks . The more her deep and piercing sobs I heed , The more my Heart in sympathy does bleed . Ah! who can find her out ? who can make known The Author of this Heart-relenting Moan ? Doubtless , though Grief now seizes thous upon her , She is a Lady of high Birth and Honour ; Of Royal Stem , extracted from Above , Nurs'd in the Chambers of the Fathers Love ; Espoused to a most Illustrious Prince , Who over all has Just Preheminence , Monarch of Monarchs — Sion ! Is it Thou ! O mourn , my soul ! O let my Spirit bow ! Let all that love the Bridegroom sigh for grief ; For Sion weeps as one past all Relief . But why , O Sion , since th● art belov'd Of Heavens Supream , art thou so sadly mov'd ? Thy Arms expanded , thus implore the Skies ? Thy streaming Rivulets , flow from thine eies ? ●●is makes me wonder . — Sion . — MY forlorn Estate 〈◊〉 poor , unpitty'd , mean and desolate ; ●ong have wander'd in the Wilderness ●volv'd in trouble , kept in sore Distress , 〈◊〉 Caves , absconding from the horrid Rage ●f Savage Beasts , until this later Age 〈◊〉 made Attempts to look a little Out , ●he Monster spy'd me , and does search about ; ●he Roaring Bloud-Hounds , greedy on the scent , ●o kill , or drive me back again , are bent . ●o Interval of Peace , no Rest they give , ●●onounce me cursed , and not fit to live : 〈◊〉 Dragon fell , combined with the Beast ●o gore my Sides , and spoil my Interest . ●h ' old Lion , Lionness , and Lions Whelp , ●ith dreadful Jaws , the other Beasts do help . ●●gs , Bulls , and Foxes , Bears and Wolves agree ●o rend , to tear , and make a spoil of me . ●hat have been so delicately bred , 〈◊〉 Children at a Royal Table fed ; ●n how expos'd to the Infernal Spite 〈◊〉 such as do in Fire and Blood delight . ●ots hatch'd in Hell and Rome ! that black design 〈…〉 a Monarch ; and to undermine Our Ancient Laws , subvert Religion , and Bow England's Neck to Antichrists command ; Were but Preludiums to that dismal Vrn ( As martyr'd heaps in flaming Smithfield burn ) Design'd for Protestants , and all the Rest Who hate Romes Idol , th' Image of the Beast . I am the Mark the Monsters aim at : All Their grand designs were to contrive my fall . If Friends or others any Favours show , They straight conspire to work their Overthrow . Ah vile Conspiracy ! Ah cursed PLOT ! So deeply laid ! How canst thou be Forgot ? Hells grand Intreagues ne'er introduc'd a Brat Into the World , so horrible as that . Since Rome the western cheated Monarchs rid , A Rampant WHORE , the horned Beast bestrid . Disgorging Plots , employing hellish Actors : May all our Off-spring Exeerate such Factors ! Sion forlorn ! How very few regard Thy cries & tears , mens hearts are grown so hard ! In Restless Hurries , tost with every wind , No Ease , no Peace , no Comfort can I find The horrid Aspect of these Monsters do Affright my Children , some they worry too ; On Some they seiz , like greedy Beasts of prey , And to their Dens the Sacrifice convey . Renowned GODFREY ! ( whose immortal glory Mastyr'd for me , shall ever live in Story ) Let every Loyal Eye that sees it there , Yield to his Name the Tribute of a Tour. Brave Soul ! Thy Love and Loyalty do claim That King and People should proclaim thy Name , As England's Victim , ne'er to be forgot , Fast'ning on Rome an everlasting Blot . The Great Jehovah , who is onely Wise , Permits thy Fall as a sweet Sacrifice . Thy Barb'rous Murder has made clearly out That Plot which none but Infidels can doubt . Those bloody Varlets , black Assassinates , Curs'd Executioners of Rome's Debates , Drunk with Infernal Cruelty , made Thee A Specimen of England's Tragedy . By Thee we learn what Courtesie to hope From Romish Butchers , Vassals to the Pope . Thou led'st the Van , first fell into the Trap , From whence they say no Protestant shall ' scape . Pure Innocence Trapann'd , amongst them came , Without suspicion , ( like a harmless Lamb ) Whilst they , like hungry Tygers , ready stood T'embrue their Tallons in thy guiltless Blood. Thou little thought'st such an Infernal Snare Had been thus laid to trap Thee unaware ! 'T is strange , say some , what Reason should engage Them to make Thee the Object of their Rage ? The Cause was thus : The Babylonish Whore , Big with a Bastard , long'd ( as heretofore ) 〈◊〉 Christian Blood : her Favourites made haste , ●a her great need to help her to a Taste . Of choicest Liquors this she calls the first , To chear her linking heart and quench her thirst . Fearing Miscarriage , when her Spirits faint , She drinks the hearts Blood of some Martyr'd Saint Then Horse-leech more insatiable , she cries , Give , give me that , or nothing will suffice My Craving Paunch ; my pleasure must be done : This Heretick was a Pragmatick One ; He knew my Secret Clubs , and would Reveal My Tragick Plots : We must prevent his Zeal . We 'll Strangle Him , before He gives a glimpse Of our Designs , or Countermines our Imps. Ah Brutish Whore ! of Cannibals the worse . This bloody Draught has brought an endless Curse On thee : And lasting Calendars we see Records this Instance of thy Cruelty . This Loyal Knight ne'er injur'd you , but stood Discharging Justice for his Countreys Good. Will nought but Blood of Protestants give ease Or quench your thirst ? What mischievous Disease Infects your Bowels ? Must your Chruches Food Be flesh of Saints ? Your mornings-draught , their blood Fellonious Strumpet ! Must you be so bold , To steal by night into your Neighbours Fold ? Seiz on my Lambs ? Thy Theft and Cruelty , As well as Murder , shall revenged be . But since He 's gone , and Justice does pursue ▪ With eager steps th' Assassinating Crew , We 'll acquiesce : For Heaven seems to call For Tears Cessation at his Funeral : Let Christians offer , through the Universe , Whole H●catombs upon his bleeding Herse . And could their Tears increase into a Flood , 'T were no excess — So much I prize his Blood. But other grounds of Grief are in mine Eye , Which cause my Sorrows to advance so high , That my o'er-burthen'd Heart can scarce express The nature of my Inward Heaviness . Sion's Friend . SIon , Thy sad and bitter Lamentation Does move my very Soul unto Compassion : But say , what Cause does aggravate your Fears , And thus provokes to further Cries and Tears ? Sion . IF that my Head were Waters , and each Eye A brim-full Fountain , I could drein 'em dry . I 'm steep'd in brackissh Floods , nay almost drownd , To see how Sin does ev'ry where abound . Where e'er I am , I nought can see or hear , But that which doth my Soul in pieces tear . It breaks my heart that England thus should be A Scene for Actors of Debauchery . What perpetrations of the blackest Crimes Appear not bare-fac'd in our present times ? The God ( incens'd ) has fearful Judgments sent , To humble men , and move them to repent ; Yet they proceed in soul Impenitence , And aggravate their horrid insolence ; Seeming to bid Defiances to Heaven , Scorning to take the dreadful Warnings given . The sweeping Plague ( that Messenger of Wrath ) In such as ' scap'd , small Reformation hath Produc'd ! Nor has the desolating Fire ( A perfect Token of Gods flaming Ire ) Remov'd the City's Pride ; 't was great before , And now it seems to multiply much more . Fantastick Garbs , and Antick Modes declare How much from Pride their Souls reformed are ; Though want , though poverty , and loss of Trade , Do many Men and Families invade ; Yet do they vaunt in pride and luxury , As if they had vast Mines of Treasures by . Some know not what to eat , nor how to go , Yet on the Poor will no Compassion show : ( Whose unregarded Cries , unheeded Moans , Whose unreliev'd Distress , unpity'd Groans , Can scarce extort a Mite ) such do not grudge To purchase Hell at dearest Rates , and drudge To please their brutish lusts , who void of measure Consume Estates to wantonize in Pleasure , Tumbling in Riot ( as proud Dives fat ) Whilst Lazarus lies starving at the Gate . A Complaint of Oaths . Volleys of Oaths , with horrid Blasphemy , And dreadful Cursings , in mine Ears do cry . Mark but our impious Gallants when they meet , Observe the mode how they each other greet . What new-coin'd oaths , what modish execrations What damming , sinking , horrid Imprecations Do they disgorge ? The Serpents fiery hiss , That belches Sulphur from the black Abyss , Can scarce out-do this Ranting Tribe , who count The Man Genteel that is most paramount In wickedness ; he that blasphemes aloud Christs blood and wounds , is Courtier alamode . How can th' abused Earth but gape again , To swallow quick vile Wretches so prophane ! Can Heavens great Artillery so long Forbear the Treasons of a mortal Tongue ? Jehovah's Attributes so vilely us'd ! His sacred Essence and his Name abus'd ▪ Fresh Blasphemies they mint , new Curses frame , And Sins that never had before a Name . Graduates in Courtship are preferr'd , who made Most quick proficience in a hellish Trade : Such rant and roar , such revel , domineer , As if nor God nor Devil they did fear . Approaching dangers can't disturb their pleasure But still they sin until they fill their measure Judgments deferr'd , in evil makes them bold , Despising such by whom they are controld . As if th' avenging Hand their Lives did spare , Thus to provoke Him without dread or fear . But poor Blasphemer , when thou art past by , 'T is not t' indulge thee in iniquity . Think'st thou the God of Purity does like Such ways , because he yet for bears to strike ? Do'st think a gloomy interposing Cloud , From Gods all-searching Eye can be thy shroud ? Or that because He is inthron'd on high , Thy Deeds of Darkness He cannot espy ? Or since his Judgements are so long delaid , Wilt thou proceed , and be no whit afraid ? Wilt thou His Patience without end abuse , Slight true Repentance , and His Grace refuse ? If so , thy Judgment hastens — For a Rod Will quickly reach thee from an angry God. Because of Oaths the Land does greatly mourn , For which my Soul much inward grief has born . Do'st thou not see how filthy Drunkenness Does raign in City , and in Villages ? Some reel and wallow in the street , like Swine , Whilst others boast their strength in drinking Wine : Although to such , God doth denounce a Curse , They mind it not , but still grow worse and worse . Dread not Examples of Gods wrath at all , Nor what to Drunkards does so oft befall : Altho Gods Word has dreadful Warnings given , That Drunkards never shall inherit Heaven , But that their lot shall with damn'd Spirits be , In Chains of Darkness to Eternity . They drink , carouse , and waste their jolly breath , Upon the brink of Everlasting Death . Whate'er ensues , they are resolv'd they will Carouse full Goblets , and be filthy still . Thus men by Pride , by Oaths , by Worldliness , By daily swallowing Liquor to excess , Defile the Land , and do the Lord Provoke , To cause his Vengeance on the Land to smoak . Sin sets the door wide open , and makes way For all the Sorrows of th' approaching day . These are in part the cause of England's Wo , And will ( if Grace prevents not ) it undo . But there are other heinous Sins behind , Which pierce my Bowels , and perplex my Mind ▪ A Complaint of Whoredom , Adultery , &c , Did filthy Lust and Whoredom ever rage With more success then in the present Age ? Abominations of so vile a Name , That their bare mention is indeed a shame . What Sin more hateful in Jehovah's Eye , Then this of Whoredom and Adultery ? 'T is rank'd as Chief , and marches in the Van Of all the gross Debaucheries of Man , In those black Muster-Rolls God does record Of grand Offences in his holy Word . What more affronts the Second Table ? Or Provokes the Lord ? No fitter Metaphor Could be produc'd t ' express Idolatry , Then that abhorred Name , Adultery . Besides the Terrors of Gods fiery Wrath , Which judges such to everlasting Death ; On Earth , amongst all sober men , they gain So vile a blot , so infamous a stain , As all the Waters in the Sea can nev'r Wipe off , nor can it be forgot for ever . But O what dismal Consequences wait For speedy entrance at the wretches gate ! ●r lewd Embraces of lascivious Dames ●ill rot their bones , breed cankers in their names , ●get consumption in Estate and Purse , ●●oduce Destruction , and a certain Curse : ●●e common ends that such arrive unto , ●●e soul Diseases , Beggery and Wo. ●●ey're sottish Fools ( says wise Demosthenes ) ●●at buy Repentance at such Rates as these : ●hat sin , to please an Enemy , that strives ●o damn their Souls , and rob them of their lives . ●od in his Scared * Ordinances hath ●ppointed such to an immediate Death . ●ould men but judge it as their greatest Foe , ●hey'd never love , nor hug it as they do . ●●ch Sex is bad , but Women seem to be ●he very Brokers of Immodesty ; ●hich makes that passage to be born in mind , ● wise and vertuous Woman who can find ? our City-Dames and Ladies are on fire With wanton passion , and unchaste desire ; ●●oviding Meats on purpose to inflame ●heir pamper'd Gallants to their wonted shame . ●●re Brests and Naked Necks , a Harlots Dress , ●re strong Temptations unto Wickedness . ●ll other sins ( th' Apostle does declare ) Which men commit , without the Body are : ●●t this abominable Act alone , ●gainst his Body by a man is done . ●arriage to all , the Undefiled Bed , Honourable ; he that will , may wed : But Whoremongers God judges , and they shall Be cast into the Lake , both great and small , The Wiseman calls th' Adulterer , A Fool : And well he may , for he destroys his Soul. No Sots like them , for branded , still they show The marks of Folly wheresoe'er they go . O how th'unclean and bruitish man exceeds Inferiour Sinners in reproachful Deeds ! My Grievances are many , and my Fear Is more then my distressed Soul can bear : My panting Breast and a king Heart is sad , To think of what I further have to add . But O amazing master-piece of wonder ! That 's like to rend my very heart a sunder , When I consider that an Age of Light Produces Monsters blacker then the Night : A Cursed Tribe of wretched Atheists dare , Without all Dread and Reverential Fear , Strike at the Essence of the Great Jehove , And all the Glories that reside Above : As if me●r Francis of a Cloudy Brain , And all Religion an Intrigue of Man : That dare pronounce all Evangelick Law A Trick of State to keep the World in aw . Creating Idols in their Brains ; that even Make mocks of Hell , and a meer scorn of Heaven . But can such Fancies challenge an abode Within your Hearts , to Dis-believe to GOD ? On th' Vniversal Fabrick cast an Eye , The Sea , the Earth , and the expanded Sky : Can so Sublime Illustrious an Effect ●e form'd without a Glorious Architect ? ●f Reason be your Rule , true Logicks Laws ●ronounce Effects resulting from a Cause , Whose Order leads us to Infinity , ●ure Arguments of a Divinity . Created Things must a Creator have ; And that Begetter who first Being gave To Essences produc'd , can't be Begot ; He 's therefore GOD , and other else is not . This Causa Prima , without Time or Date , ●s He that did all Entity create . The First could not Himself create ; so He Must have His Essence from Eternity . Who can make Phoebus his swift Course Reverse ? Or balance in his Palm the Universe ? Who can the Ocean in a Sieve confine ? ●f none can do 't , then none can GOD define . ●irst Principles are beyond Definition ; No Logick reaches at so high a Vision : ●Tis unreveal'd to Reason , for no strain Of lofty Metaphysicks can contain Those Mysteries ; true Wisdom therefore hath Commanded Reason to give room to Faith. ●f what we see had not a first Creator , Then 't is its own immediate Operator ; ●f so , it Acts , before it had a Being : But such Conclusions are too diksagreeing With Reasons Maxims : For all things that be , May say they are their own Divinity , If each can make it self , and that which can Create it self , can so it self sustain In infinitum , and will ne'er dissolve Its self ; for Nature's principal Resolve Is , That no Essence will for bear to be , If it can keep up its own Entity . This strain of Aatheistick Sophistry Makes all of equal Independancy , Without Subordination : 'T is a Theam , Without Inferior , making all Supreme . FIRST CAUSE suppose Time , & Time supposes Some second Acts , which After-Time discloses . So view their Series , you may trace them all ( As links in Chains ) to their Original , The Great JEHOVAH , whose unfathomd Glory Is Emblem'd in the Universe before ye . There is a thing in Man call'd CONSCIENCE , Which of his Actions gives clear Evidence , Whether he likes or not : That 's ready still To check the Course of his Disorder'd Will : It is Eccentrick to his Sensual Part , Arraingns his Words , his Deeds , his very Heart ; And if it finds they be irregular , It does pursue them with continual War. What can this Just , this Inward Witness be , But some bright Beam of a Divinity ? In former Times was not Jehovah known By Miracles which visibly were shown ? Can Reason brag that Causes Natural Could raise the Dead ? Or that a Word can call An Intomb'd Carcass to behold the Light ? Make sound a Cripple ? give the blind their sight ? If not , then surely it will follow hence , That 't is an Act of some Omnipotence : That such were done we have the Common Vote Of Pagans , Jews . and all the Men of Note , Whose Works are Extant , whom we may believe , Because they had no int'rest to deceive . Whence come those Judgements which you daily hear , Of Wrath and Vengeance darted every where Against Prophaners of that Sacred Name ? Whence come those Arrows , that Consuming flame Which terrrifys the World ? & whence the breath That strikes Blasphemers with a sudden Death ? Which of these rare Philosophers can show What makes the Spacious Deep to Ebb and Flow ? Let them produce their Maxims , if they can , How scatter'd Atomes can compose a Man ? Who brandishes those blazing Signs of Wonder ? Who frights the Earth with rapid Peals of Thunder ? Who did defeat the Fatal Enterprize Which Rome , by Devils Counsel , did devise ? Who sets the Comet in the Angry Sky , Those dismal Harbingers of Misery ? God does Himself by many Ways make known ; Forewarning Men of what 's a coming on : Yet Senseless Mortals faulter more and more , Though hovering Vengeance threaten at the Door ; Deceit , Soul-killing-Errors , Perjury , Injustice , Murder , Theft , Hipocrisy , Do so abound through our enlightned Isle , That sodom hardly e'er appear'd more vile . A Complaint against Hypocrites . I am not onely persecuted by My Open Foes , but Lurking Snakes do lie Within my●Bosom , using all their Art To seiz my Vitals , and corrode my Heart . Such seeming Friends , such Traytors in disguise , Are more malignant then known Enemies : For the Attaques of These , a man may ward ; Those , unsuspected , stand within our Guard. How many seem to reverence my Name For worldly Ends , or to avoid the shame Of Irreligion ? Frequently they go To worship God , and so devout do show , As if meer Saints : but , Hypocrites in grain , Do all the while Intelligence maintain With my declared Foes , who proudly joyn , And all their Politicks in one combine , To root my Name from off the very Earth , And make provision that no more get Birth . Betray'd by middle , and by low Degrees , But most of all by Capital Grandees . Such as my Peace and Safety should procure , Contribute most to make me Unsecure : Such seem their purpose by soft words to smother : So Boatsmen look one way , but row another . Such pejur'd Satesmen have the Art to smile Upon my Face , but cut my Throat the while . But grant , Dread Soveraign of the Vniverse , That whilst I weep my Grievances in Verse , Thy Sion's Interest may not be betray'd To Rome , by Protestants in Masquerade . O let me hear the Joyful Trumpet sounded , That does proclaim their Babylon confounded . Rome's black Militia is all up in Arms , Annoying Europe in unusual Swarms . This critick moment they expect and hope To thrust Me out , and introduce a Pope , To plague this Noble Nation , that has been A Wall , a Fort , a Counterscrap between Their bauling Canon's most impetuous shots , And forraign Saints ; that countermines their Plots . The desp's rate Archers are aware of this , They know that England the chief Bulwark is , To check their growth : If they could make it sup Th'invenom'd dregs of th'Antichristian Cup , They judge it easie to subdue the rest Of my European Gospel-Interest . But O my melting Soul-tormenting Fears ! Burst into Sighs , and bubble into Tears ! Observe the Heavens ! View that dreadful Mark Of flaming Vengeance , that precedes the dark Approach of Night ! Can this vast Comet be Ought but the Prologue of Calamity ? Prodigious Meteors , blazing fiery Stars , Are Heralds sent to menace open Wars Against rebellious and polluted Coasts , By Him who is the mightly Lord of Hosts . Awake O England ! this Lethargick Sleep Is out of Season , 't is a time to weep ; If guilty Children tremble at the Rod , Can you be stupid when the Angry God Sets up this dreadful Ensign of his Wrath ? Rouze up Repentance , let a lively Faith Now go to work ; See how the Preaching Air Instead of Sinning , does exhort to Prayer ; For thy Fantastick Garbs , Perfumes and all Thy other Trash , it doth for Sackcloth call : From Carnal Sports it bids thee quickly get , Calls from the Taverns to the Mercy-Seat . From that accursed Rendezvous of Lust It bids thee hasten , and repent in Dust . Have not th' Experience of past Ages given Their sad Remarks upon those Signs in Heaven ? What f●llow'd still , but certain Spoil of Nations ? Plagues , Fire and Sword , and other Devastations The sure Eversion of some Potent Crown ; The Death of Heroes , Monarchs tumbled down . But thou Illustrious Architect of Wonder , Remove the Sorrows which I labour under . Does this Amazing Prodigy betoken That Rampant Babel shall be quickly broken ? Does it portend that Antichrist shall break In pieces , striving to destroy the Weak Remains that on this blessed Name do Call ? Or dos't presage , that ( trembling ) I shall fall ? Lord , canst thou see thy pleasant Vineyard Tore , And rooted up , by this rapacious Boar ? ● have my Childrens crying Sins provok'd ●hat dismal Sentence , not to be revok'd ? ●ods Methods were to chasten , not destroy ●●ose Sinning Souls in whom he once took joy ) ● give thy Sinking Church a true discerning ●hat thou dost mean by this prodigious Warning ; ●hat by thy Spirits sacred Flame calcin'd , 〈◊〉 Scourges mended , and by heat refin'd , We may find Grace . But oh ! My Spirits faint ●nder the Pressure of my Great Complaint ! 〈◊〉 panting Soul another grief doth feel , 〈◊〉 feeble Knees beneath their burden Reel . Sion's Children . AH Mother ! who can disallow your moan ? The cause is just , for every one must own ●ur failings great , and that our sins provoke ●mpending Judgement , and a future Stroke , ●f interceding Mercy steps not in To ward the blow , and cancel out our Sin. But since unthought-of Providence gives light , And calls the Sun to see the Acts of Night ; Since Heav'n exposes the Results of Rome To Publick Notice ; since the Traytors come To Legal Execution ; since the grand Contrivers of this Mischief dare not stand To Test of Law , or due Examination ; Since such brave Heroes represent the Nation . Whose clear sagacious penetrating Eyes Dive into Rome's abhorred Mysteries ; Whose Nobler Souls , whose Loyal English Hearts , The closest Slights of Antichristain Arts Can ne'er deceive ; whose brave Resolves defeat Those curs'd Delinquents , whether small or great ; Whose Free-born Courages do scorn to stoop To be the Vassals of a Rascal-Pope , An Vpstart Imp , whose Title ne'er was given By binding Laws of either Earth or Heaven . We therefore , dearest Mother , do conclude , That what has past of Romish Interlude , Is near an Exit ; that the Scene will be Chang'd from a Tempest to Serenity . Sion . O That 's a Cordial ! But my grief does borrow Some fresh Objections to renew my sorrow : For some that wish me well , do yet , in spite Of Gospel-Beamings , and the clearest Light , Retain some Romish Fragments , which displeases The meek , the humble , self-denying JESVS . His way of Worship , Scripture does express ; No Useless Pomp , no Artificial Dress Becomes Religion : Chastity abhors The Garb , the Painting , and the Gate of Whores . Why should my Friends a Virgin-Church pollute With any Relicks of that Prostitute ? Why Gawdy Things , that never had a Name In sacred Records , our Profession shame ? Why are our Rites enamel'd with their Gloss ? Why must our Gold be mingled with their Dross ? Why further Reformation is supprest , T' uphold a Grandeur that 's Vsurp'd at best ? Why Doors and Windows must be shunt up quite , To stop the Radiance of a further Light ? And why must such as disallow those Tricks , Be branded as the vilest Schismaticks ? But that 's not all : My Children more refin'd From those Corruptions , do afflict my mind . O depths of Sorrow that disturb my Rest ! O racking Grief that rends my woful Brest ! Some are so Carnal , some so swiftly hurl'd Into the Labrinths of th' inticing World , That in the hurries of that crouded Road , They find small leasure to attend their God ; Preferring filthy Gain , and ill-got Wealth , Before the means of their Eternal Health . Some that in words respect me , I behold In that sad posture , betwixt hot and cold . Sometimes they seem for sanctity ; sometimes Slide with the current of prevailing Crimes : Their Pulses beat with an alternate motion ; Now for the World , then for some faint Devotion . Some that unto my Tabernacles were Admitted , left me for Egyptian Fare : These not content with my Celestial Diet , Do run with others to excess of Riot . Some to be Popular , away would give Those Gospel-Dutys that are positive : From such as these , my Sorrows do increase , That Sell Gods Order for a seeming Peace ; Such Open Gaps that do pervert the Laws Of my just Right , and well-defended Cause . But O! how many Easy Christians take Their Rest in Forms , and no distinction make 'Twixt Shell and Kernel , that rely on Duty As if it were the sole adorning Beauty ? Such give the Lord the more invalid part , Present their Body , but deny their Heart . Are not some Pastors careless to provide A Word in Season , for the Flocks they guide ? Some are too backward to supply the Need Of painful Lab'rers , that their Souls do feed : Discourag'd by Close-fisted Avarice , Despis'd , neglected , through this Hellish Vice. My Workmen languish , and have cause of moan , To see their Toyl so ineffectual grown . The most Pathetick Preaching scarce can move Some Rocky Hearers to the Grace of Love. Must Hag-fac'd Envy , and foul-tongu'd Detraction , Invenom'd Malice , and unfaithful Action , Ill-grounded Slander , and uncertain Rumors , Backbitings , Quarrels , and the worst of Humours Be practic'd thus ? Ah grief of griefs to fee Professing People act iniquity To such a Pitch ! — Some Husbands and some Wives Do lead such shameful , such unsavoury Lives ; Whilst mutually at strife , they do impeach That Name that should be very dear to each : Such Pride , such surly , dogged reprehension For every Toy , such sharpness and contention , As does disgrace Religion , and does lay Blocks and Offences in a Converts Way . Ah! why can 't Saints in Familys eschew That which meer Heathens are asham'd to do ? Their Houses are the Scene of Civil Wars , Of Brawls , of Discord , and Domestick Jars . In grace or comfort can they find increase , Or Heavenly Blessings , who are void of Peace ? How oft do Parents Ill Example draw Their tender Children to infringe the Law And Sanctions of the Everlasting God : Do they not spoil them when they spare the Rod ? To strict Extremes some Parents do adhere , Check not at all , or else are too severe : On Back and Belly they bestow much Cost , But care not if their Precious Souls be lost : Are they not guilty of Prodigious Folly That teach them Courtship , & neglect what 's Holy ? A Child untutor'd , ( a meer lump of Sin , ) May justly curse its cause of having been . Such as instruct , do doubly them beget , By timely Lessons lab'ring to defeat Their growth in Ill ; such mold their better part By wise prevention of a Canker'd heart . O! then 's the time to give 'em Form and Mold For Trees admit no bending that are Old. Who timely sow such seed they would have grow , Will surely reap according as they sow . Some like the Ape , that does by hugging kill , Prompt on a Child to tip his tongue with ill In his first prattle : But it is less pain To form good Habits , then reform the vain . On th' other hand , how many Children do Prove vain , rebellious , disobedient to Their godly Parents ? Slight their careful teaching Make Games of Prayer , and a mock of Preaching . Contempt of Parents , of what kind so e'er , Contracts a bitter Curse , which every where Will find them out . But O my aking Soul Beats sad Alarms of Grief ! I must condole The dismal Fate of Youth ! Alas how few The ways of God and Holiness pursue ! But very eager to obey the Devil , In quickly learning every reigning Evil. Here you may see , if you survey the Nation , Our Youth grown old in vile abomination : Such early Graduates in the Hellish Science , Setting both Heaven and Hell at loud defiance . Let Grace and Vertue grovel in the Dust , Their Youth and Strength they 'l sacrifice to Lust . That sacred Precept in the Word of Truth , To mind their Maker in the Days of Youth , They scorn to head : Ah fools ! that would begin Conversion , when they can no longer sin . But know , preposterous Sots , the Day of Doom That dreadful Audit of Accounts ) will come . How dare you run this vile Career , till Death , Like a Grim Serjeant , comes t' arrest your breath , When Tongues do faulter , & your Eyestrings crack When stings of Horror do your Conscience rack , When Hells Abyss sets ope its spacious Gate , And Troops of Devils round about you wait , When nought but Horrour and Confusion seizes , Upon your Sences , when those foul Diseases You got by vile Debauches , have at length Destroy'd your Person , and subdu'd your Strength , Is this a Season to Detest your Lewdness , To talk of Vertue , or pretend to Goodness ? Egregious Fools ! how dare you to delay Your Souls Affair to that uncertain Day ! O! Can you trust so grand a Work to that Moment of Anguish ? when you know not what ( When Sonnd ) your end will be , nor yet how soon , Though brisk at Morning , you may die ere Noon ! And if unchang'd , your certain Doom will be To lye in Hell to all Eternity . Sion's Children . O Dismal State ! O miserable Case ! Enough to daunt all that are void of Grace ! And crush the bragging of the stoutest mind ! But are there still more grievances behind ? Sion . STill more behind ? O that there were no more ! Since they 're too many that I 've told before : Masters and Servants , Kings and Subjects err In their Relation : does not each prefer Base , Selfish Ends to gratifie a Lust , Before what 's honest , and supreamly Just ? Ah! how much time , among the Saints , is spent In fruitless , idle Talk ? How negligent In holy Conference ! strange to each other ! How dull is each to quicken up his Brother In Gospel-dutys ! O! how few do nourish That Love and Zeal which heretofore did flourish ! A Love whose flaming Heat and Gen'rous Rays ●Replete with Spirit ) fam'd the former days . ●ious Discourses may reclaim the Vile ; ●ut they are hard'ned in their Sins the while ●aints do converse like them , and rather learn Their vicious Tricks , then teach them to discern The dismal Snares and Perils that do lurk 〈◊〉 sinful Words , and every evil Work. ●●me are so convetous , that they would grasp The World in Arm-fulls , till their latest Gasp . ●●me full of Envy : others do express Their Lust on Dainties , feeding to Excess : 〈◊〉 nice and delicate , in choice of Meat , Whilst their poor Brethren scarce have bread to eat . Merchants and Traders have a nimble Art To summ their Shop-books , but neglect the Heart ; For that they think there 's time enough , and look But seldom to the Reck'nings of that Book . How many come for Fashion-sake to hear ? ( What one receives , goes out at t'other Ear ) How many loyter in their Christian Race , Profusely squandering the day of Grace ? Many like Drones , on others Toyl do live , Though 't is less honour to receive than give . What lying , cheating , couz'ning and deceit Do Traders use ? O! how they over-rate What they would sell ? but if they be to buy , They undervalue each Commodity . But why should Pride , that vile Abomination , Be found in Saints ? must every Apish Fashion Bewitch their minds , when God is so Express In strict for ●idding of so vile a Dress ? Prayer , that Sacred Ordinance , that holds An intercourse with Heaven , which beholds The Fathers Glory , and on High does mount , Is made by many but of small account ; 'T is that that carrys our Desires to God , And comes down fraighted with a blessed Load Of sweet Returns ; yet 't is much disrespected , And Closet-Duty too too much neglected . Scriptures themselves are slighted and dis-us'd , And oft , when read , perverted or abus'd : Helping the Weak , is turn'd into a slighting ; Gospel-Reproofs perverted to backbiting . Many that do of God their Mercy crave , Yet on the Needy little Mercy have ; All owe their Blessings to the God of Love , Yet too too many do unthankful prove . Some follow Whimsies that do nearly border Upon Confusion , and despise all Order : Such on all Sacred Institutions trample , ( Though fortify'd by Precept and Example ) As if 't were low for an exalted mind To be , to Gods Declared Will , confin'd ; But can these Men of Rapture make pretences That they have more Divine Intelligence Then all th' Illustrious Saints , as Prophets , Priests , Apostles , Martyrs and Evangelists , That were the Scribes and Messengers of Heaven , And strictly practic'd all the Dutys given Unto the Church , which are without repeal ? But if they 're disanul'd , who did reveal Their Abrogation to these bold Pretenders ? Gods Laws are sound , and need no Cobling-menders . But Oh! that Dismal Evil that 's behind Disturbs my Reason , and distracts my Mind ! It is DIVISION ! That unhappy word Has done more Mischief than a Popish Sword Could ever do , if that a sweet Communion ( At least of Love ) did but compleat our Vnion . Why should Licentious Heat , my Children hurry To those Extreams ? must they each other worry For trivial things ? do they not all agree ●n Fundamentals of Divinity ? Is there no Room for Love ? or must that grace Among my Children , have no proper place ? Why must one Saint be angry with his Brother If not so tall as he ? or with another , Because his Face is not so white as his ? Or that his Habit not so gawdy is ? Alas ! no Folly can be more absund , Nor more exploded in Gods Holy word . All should to Gospel-Purity adhere ; But to calumniate , villifie and jeer All such as are not of their very pitch , Is Anti-Gospel , and a practice which The Lord abhors : If Causes of dissent Evert not Truth , and shake the Fundament Of True Religion , why such angry brawling ? Such Odious Nick-names ? and such vile miscalling ? Who dares intrude into the Judgment-Seat Of God Almighty ? who is only Great , And only Judgment gives ; to him belongs To pass the Sentence , and to punish wrongs . Why cannot Christians with each other bear ? Among Apostles some dissentions were ; But did they therefore persecute each other ? These Mortal Conflicts , Brother against Brother , Destroys our safety , for they set a GAP Open for Rome , that would us all intrap In Fatal Snares : their Maxim is , we know , Divide and Rule ; Distract and Overthrow . Their Crafty Agents to creep in among Our heedless Parties , and divide the Throng , That with more Ease they may us all devour , Destroy our Nation , and subvert our power . Why therefore do not Protestants agree As One , against the Common Enemy ? Who waits with bloudy hand , t' involve 'em all , In one Destruction Epidemical . Sion's Children . AH Mother ! who can remedy your grief ? For this Disease admits of no relief . Sion . OF no relief ? O then my Heart must break ! Unless my Sons , their Mothers Counsel take ; Which will those fatal flaming heats allay , Obstruct their Growth , and take 'em clear away . O can a Mothers Tears and woful Crys Be dis-regarded in her Childrens Eyes ? Can English Protestants , who do profess To serve one God in Truth and Holiness , Slight all my Wishes , and Requests despise ? O! Hearken to my Counsel , and be Wise . Let Wrathful Pride , and foolish Self-conceit Let Quibbles and Sophistical deceit Be quite exploded ? let a cool Debate All Fundamentals of Religion state : In such you all , will certainly agree ; ( O happy Model of sweet Vnity ! ) Let none that to those Principles do stick , Be branded with the name of Heretick ; It glads my heart to hear 'em call each other By tha● sweet Title of a Christian Brother . Next if you would not Charity explode , Abuse the guiltless , and affront your God , Judge not your Brethren at a distance , neither Give easie Credit to the Tales of either Hot-headed Scriblers , or licentious tongues , That often load the innocent with Wrongs : So Hellish Monks did serve Waldensian Saints With horrid clamour , and unjust complaints : So Popish Impudence spews out its Gall To make us odious , and bespatter all The Reformation ; sure that cause is bad Whose chief support from Railing must be had . If giddy rumour , or uncertain fame Should raise a Slander on your Brothers Name , Repair to him , and in Converse you 'll see Whether he guilty , or not guilty be : If he be faulty , tell him of his sin ; Be mild and secret , and you may him win . Admonish gently , let your whole discourse Be full of savour , love and Scripture-force . This is the way to bring him to a sence , And Gods prescribed Method to convince ; But if you fail , then leave him to his God , Who can reform , or punish with a Rod. Your Work is done , you have discharg'd the part Of Friend , of Brother , of a Christian heart . Before Belief , examine what is vented , Good Men by Malice may be represented In Monstrous Shapes : Some that to God are dear , Hatred will paint like a mishapen Bear ; Believe not therefore distant imputation ? No Censure 's Just , before Examination . In all Debates be sure to lay aside All prejudice , and let the Scriptures guide Your calm , sedate Disputes , let Truth be scann'd With cool Resolves : O! let that great Command Of Love take place ! for that should moderate All Eager Sallies in a warm Debate . Who loses Error , truly gains the Field ; And he is Victor , that to Truth does yield . Where e're you find it , though in mean array , Subscribe , and win the Glory of the Day . O! what 's the World , but Shackles to the Mind ? What 's Reputation , but a fleeting Wind ? Why should those Bawbles which the Lord abhors , Become the Sacred Truths Competitors ? Away with all such Rubs , let Truth take place ! And then the Springs of Everlasting Grace Will drop down Blessings , Vnity , Increase , Among my Children , as the fruits of Peace . Sion's Children . OVr Common Danger , and the Real Sence ( Which we have got by dear Experience ) Of those Advantages , our cruel Foe Gets by our Factions , will unite us so , As that our Enemys , shall ne're prevail To break our League , or make our Courage fail : But tell , Dear Mother , has some new affright So dis-compos'd you , that you fear our Light Is near Extinction ? tell your Sons , we pray , What are the Symptoms of th' expiring Day . Why do you judge , that England's Day of Grace Draws to an Evening , and declines apace ? Shew some Prognosticks of that dismal Night , That threatens to succeed our Gospel-Light . Sion . WHen Sol once touches our Meridian Line , It straight descends , does by degrees decline ; Its heat grows less , its dis-appearing Light Yields to the Sable of approaching Night : Just so the Gospel in its Altitude , Once shot such Beams , that in this Isle ensu'd So great Conversion , that those former Days Did feel its blest and universal Rays . A General Heat did warm this Happy Nation , From its benign and pow'rful Operation : But now it falls ! and from our Horizon It s vig'rous influence is almost gone . Thousands of Sermons lately have been preacht , But very few ( if any ) sinners reacht . How ineffectual is the quick'ning word ! It shines , but warms not ; it s but like a Sword That 's fair to sight , but has no Edge at all ; Few prick'd at heart ! and scarce do any fall At Jesus feet ! or have a sence of Sin , Confessing how rebellious they have bin ! It is a dismal and apparent Sign That Night comes on , when Phoebus does decline , When Heat and Fervour fail , our Hemisphere Will quickly see its glory disappear . The Ev'ning of the Nat'ral Day is come , When Harvest-Work-men are repairing home : So when quick Summons of Omnipotence , Removes the Dressers of his Vineyard hence , We may conclude the Gospel-Morning past , Because Gods Servants disappear so fast . Can I , when Gap-defenders fall asleep , But like old Isr'el , for my Prophets weep ? How can the naked and unguarded Flock , Sustain the Brunt of an invading Shock ? When of its Shepherds it is thus bereft , When scarce a Moses , or a Joshua's left , How many active Guides , most dearly lov'd By Me , have been in little time remov'd ; Scarce can I dry mine Eies for loss of one ; But News arrive of many others gone : If that my Head were Waters , and each Eie A Well of Tears , I could distil 'em dry . Bright Lamps extinguish't ! and no other Lights Appear to chace the horrour of our Nights ! Shook by concussions of my Foes I stand , Whilst few are rais'd to hold my trembling hand ! If thus my Horsemen , and Commanders dye , What will become of the poor Infantry ? Who can support the burden of the Day , When such brave Hero's daily drop away ? Is Summer past , or is the Harvest done ? That such presages of a Storm come on ! Sure God ( as Monarchs do ) intendeth Wars , When he recalls his choice Embassadors . Ah too licentious World ! come , look about , Before the Lord , the bloudy Flag puts out : When God from Sodom , righteous Lot did call , Sulphureous Flashes did consume them all . Another ground of my prevailing fear That England's black Catastrophe is near , Is that , as in the Closure of the Day , The Evening Wolves do range abroad to Prey So Romish Beasts in monstrous Swarms do peep From their black Caverns , to destroy my Sheep : Such hate the tell-tale-light , and therefore hide Themselves in Dens , until the Ev'ning ●ide . Their cursed products are resolves of Night , Like silent Currs , that in the dark do bite . Another Symptom of the days declension , Is when the Shadows do increase dimension : So when I look about , I plainly see Our Ev'ning shadows very long to be . In Humane Bodys when the Head grows Hoary , It notes decay of Vigor , Strength and Glory . Gray hairs are thick upon our Ephraim's Head , His Strength decays , his Face is withered . When joynts grow palsy'd , & the Blood 's congeal'd Into a Jelly , can the Man be heal'd ? When limbs grow stiff , and feeble Age does plow Its wrinkled furrows on the Patients brow ; When heat gives place to a benumming cold , When doting Fancy cares not to be told Of its approaches to a certain Grave ; When it rejects the Physick that would save , The Case is desperate , for the Patient 's just Upon the Point to be intomb'd in Dust : E'en so ( Alas ! ) this Gasping Nation lies Under the pressure of sad Maladies ! 'T is sick at heart , yet seems averse to take That sacred Physick , whose Ingredients make Diseases vanish , and would ward the Blow Which will , ( I fear ) produce its overthrow . Ah! must our Glory ( like a brittle Glass Reduc'd to Fractions ) into Atomes pass ! So Rude a Chaos ! an unform'd confusion ! Threatning the whole with utter dissolution . Once Happy Isle , I grieve at thy condition : Where 's thy Repentance ? where is thy Contrition ▪ Thou hast been counted our Emanuel's Land , The Gospel seems on Tip-toe now to stand , To bid thee farewel : Must thy Sun so soon Be sett ! before it did approach to Noon ! Must that Illustrious Morning-light be gone , That spread it Beams through all our Horizon ? Must wretched Malice , and prodigious Lust , Must bare-fac'd Pride , and impudent Distrust , Rob thee of this inestimable Jewel ? How canst thou be so pittiless , so cruel Unto thy self ? Sin is the flaming dart That cuts thy Veins , and wounds thy very heart . Can Sion chuse but send out mournful Crys ? And weep thy Downfal in sad Elegies ? Within thy Bounds my Tabernacles were Built up , and I did long inhabit here . Thy Gospel-glory , and Renown's gone forth Into all Parts and Corners of the Earth . Thou mayst be justly stil'd the place of Vision ? ( Though made by Foes an Object of Derision ) The Joy of Saints , the Protestant's Delight , The Mark and Butt of Antichristian spite . But if the Crown be ravisht from thy Head , And Romish Clouds thy Lustre overspread , What heart so brawny , but thy doleful Cry Must move to pity ? what relentless Eye , Can see thy fall , and not dissolve to drops ? O fleeting Joys ! O dis-appearing hopes ! O hastning horrour ! O invading fears ! Had I a Sea of never-empty'd tears , My boundless , helpless grief wide open sets The Sluces for its streaming Rivulets . The very Air , drest in Prodigious Forms , Must groan in Thunder , and must weep in Storms . Nature , of strong Convulsions sickned is , To see this horrid Metamorphosis ! Where Gospel Pastors did some Millions feed , Must blind and sottish ignorance succeed ? Must all their Throats be cut that won't adore The hateful Carcass of a Rotten Whore ? Must all that execrate Rome's Superstition , Be Murder'd by a bloudy Inquisition ? Must such as won't to Idols ●ow , be broke ? Must flaming Smithfield , belch out Fire and Smoke Of Martyr'd Saints ? must all that will not turn ( With Bibles and good Books ) together burn ? Must Monkish Torys , meer Incarnate Devils , Possess our Land , and pester it with Evils , Of such an odious and abhorred Grain , That but to name 'em is a lasting Stain ? Must our Renowned Ministers give place To Romish Block-heads ? O the vile disgrace Of such a Change ! Must an adult'rous Priest Belch out his Mass , where they have preached Christ Must that absurd and irreligious Tribe Who fetter Conscience , and regard a Bribe Beyond their Souls , be Leaders to our Flocks ? Must paultry Non-sence , and those Apish Mocks , Mis-call'd Devotion , fill the House of Prayer ? Must Pestilence infect our purer Air ? Must Sodom be translated to our Isle , And filthy Priests our chastity defile ? Must Satans Factors in a humane shape , On modest Virgins perpetrate a Rape ? Must all our painful Ministers be driven To fiery Stakes , if they renounce not Heaven ? Must our dear Infants lose their harmless lives In f●aming Faggots , or with Popish Knives ? Must guiltless bloud through all our Streets rebound A mournful Echo ? must the horrid sound Of Axes , Whips , and dreadful Scourges tear Our aking hearts , and pierce the yielding Air ! All this will be , if Rome can but prevail ! Amazement stops my Speech ! my Spirits fail ! I only can in Interjections cry , I sink in Trances ! O! I dy , I dy ! Sion's Children . AH ! how can we with any Patience bear This sad Complaint ? Can any Children hear Their Mother delug'd in a Sea of Grief , And not step in to give her some relief ! Chear up , Illustrious Spouse , and be not cast Into despair , by this approaching blast : Christ is our Captain , then we may be bold , In all our storms , he is our Anchor-hold . But what 's this Beast , of whom thou dost complain ? Whence came he first ? and of what date 's his Reign ? Give us his Marks , that we may surely know him , Repel his Pride , and quickly overthrow him With Vniversal and Vnited Force , Our Armed Legions shall impede his Course . If God Commands ( who do's the Scepter wield ) Wee 'll fight his Battels , and dispute his Field . In Martial Syllogisms our Arms shall speak : Wee 'll strom his Wall , and make his Pillars quake . Araging Anger in our Bosom burns , Patience Provok't too much , to Fury turns . Sion . THis Beast above ( a ) twelve hundred years has bin My Mortal Foe , he 's call'd ( b ) The Man of Sin , ( a ) The most diligent and industrious Searchers into the Epocha , or Beginning of Antichristo as the learned Mede , Alstedius , Mr. T. L. in his Book intituled A Voice out of the Wilderness , Mr. Brightman , Tillinghast , with several other Eminent Men , seem harmoniously to agree that the Beast began his forty two Months , or one thousand two hundred and sixty ( Prophetical ) Days or Years , between the years 365. and 455. and therefore must consequently end in a short time . See Mr. Mede , page 600 , & 601. To confirm which , the witness of the best Chronologers , Historians and Antiquaries concur ; as also the posture of the Worlds Affairs , the unusual working of things , and the awakening Providences of God ; which makes us hope , as Mr. Withers affirms , That that glorious Revolution will be in this present Age. And though famous Du Moulin , and some Others , speake not of the Popes claiming the Title of Universal Bishop , till about the year 604. or 606. when the Traytor Phocas by the help ●f Boniface the 3d. murdered the Emperour Mauritius , ( in requital of which , the Vsurper Phocas gave the said Boniface that blasphemous Title , and decreed that the Roman Church should be head of all Churches ; Which Platina a Papist , and a Writer of the Popes Lives agrees to ▪ as Beda , de 6 Aetat Mundi , Paul ▪ Diacon . rer . Rom. 18. Histor . Longob . lib. 4. 11. Anast . Bibl. Vit. Bon. 3. Ado. Aetat . 6. Reg. Chron. l. 1. Aimon . de gest . Franc. lib. 4. c. 4. ) Yet the same Du Moulin seems positively to affirm , that the Persecution of the Church under the Pope , shall have an end in ( or about ) the Year , 1689. See his Book entituled , The Accomplishment of the Prophecies , Pag. 4. 12. Thus Term once expired ( saith he ) the Truth that was apprest shall lift up her head afresh , and the Witnesses shall be seen to stand up again , who shall astonish the Church of Rome , &c. ( b ) 2 Thes. 2. 3. Man of Sin. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is an Hebraism , and imports a person given up to Impiety and Wickedness , as Pro. 24. 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vir scientiae , a Man of knowledge , that is , Very Knowing , 2 Sam. 16. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vir sanguinum , A Man of Bloud , that is , one arrived at a non ultra of impiety . This introducer of blind Superstition , Is stil'd in Holy Writ , ( c ) Son of Perdition . From Hells Abyss , at first he did proc●ed , As in the Revelations ( d ) you may read : 'T is he whom Daniel calls ( e ) the little Horn , By whom three more up by the Roots were torn . ( c ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Son of Perdition , is also an Hebraism , and denotes , One designed for destruction , as a hopeless and graceless wretch . Chrysost . on 2 Thes. Hom. 3. tells us , he is called so because he shall be destroyed Piscator and Erasmus think it may be expounded , one desperate , and past all hope of Honesty — the perfect Copy of his Original Judas , who is called the Son of Perdition , John 17. 12. for he seemed an Angel , yet was a Devil — he was no Heathen , quitted Judaism , followed Christ , was an Apostle , seemed to pity the Poor , pretended great affection to his Master , yet betrays him with a Kiss , lov'd the Bag , hatcht a Villany able to rend the Rocks , and make the Earth quake — In which let all impartial men consider whether the Romish Antichrist does not exactly Parallel him , ( d ) Rev. 11. 7. The Beast that a ascendeth out of that Bottomless Pit , &c. ( e ) Du Moulin , p. 379. amply demonstrates that the portion of the Roman Empire , which the Pope hath under him hath such proportion in respect of the whole Extent of the Roman Empire , as there is of ● to 10 , that is little less than the third Part , agreeable to Dan. 7. 8. THe Marks of the Beast . First Mark. The Spirit aptly does Characterize This Mushroms growth , ( f ) declares he shall arise Not till a day of great Apostacy Corrupts true Faith and Gospel Purity : Just so it happened at that very time , When Romes proud Prelate did attempt to climb To that Prodigious Grandeur which devours Both Regal , Princely and Imperial Powers . That such a Fall as then Predicted was , Did e're his rising , truly come to pass , Some Learned Writers of their own confess , With detestation of their wickedness . ( f ) This is one way whereby we may know who the Man of Sin is , viz. He shall not be revealed until there come a falling away first , as 2 Thess . 2. 3. The Revelation of Antichrist was then to be , when there should appear some eminent Defection in the Church . Now Antiquity clearly makes out when that Apostacy was ; it began an very early : It is affirmed by some , The Church did not continue a pure Virgin , nor retained her Primitive Purity , longer then one hundred years . But however , all approved Historians agree , that about the beginning of the Fourth Century , the Apostacy of which the Apostle speaketh , was visible , and fully manifested : Joan. Wolfius out of Jerom , saith , That about the year 390. the Law perished from the Priest , and the Vision from the Prophet ; Avarice and Corruption crept into the Church ; they condemned Meats and Marriage , and yet gave themselves up to luxurious Banquets and Uncleanness . In the year 326 , it was endeavoured in the Council of Nice , to cause Bishops and Elders to refrain from their Wives . See Alsted in Chronologia testium Veritatis . Also the said Wolfius alledgeth a Saying out of Augustine , applying it to the year 399. who speaketh thus : That Religion about that time was corrupted with Traditions land Humane Rites ; that the condition of the Jews under the Law , was easier then that of Christians under the Gospel . Dionysius in an Epistle hinteth that they were burdened with Ceremonies and Traditions that were obtruded and laid upon Christians ; and that the Sacraments both of Baptism and the Lords Supper , suffered great mutation , and was grievously corrupted . Also we find Chrysostom declaiming against the Bishop of Rome , concerning Purgarory ; which thing is applied to the Year 410. or there abouts . Besides , we find mention made of worshipping of Images ▪ which is reprehended by one Amphilocus Bishop of Iconium , as also by Epiphanius , whom we find speaking thus : Whence is this Image-Worship , and Design of the Devil ? And a little after , he saith , Be mindful , my beloved Children , that ye bring not Images into the Church , but bear about God in your hearts . The Second Mark. WHen Romes great Empire to its Period came , The Papal Hierarchy ( h ) usurpt the same , By hellish Craft he makes that Seat his own , And forms Regalia's to a Tripple-Crown . This Man of Sin in * Gospel-Times we know VVas but a hatching , and in Embrio ; And e'er he could come to maturity , The † Roman Empire must dissolved be ; Upon whose Ruines he hath built his Nest , An rais'd his Rampant Domineering Crest . ( h ) The second thing that was to precede the coming of Antichrist , was the taking away of the Sixth Head , viz. The Heathen Empire , which in the Apostles time * did let or hinder his Rise ; He that now letteth will let , until he be taken out of the way , and then shall that wicked one be revealed , &c. The Empire ( saith du Moulin ) which did bear rule , must be abolished , and out of the Ruins thereof the Son of Perdition is made manifest , and exalts himself : the Emperors hindred him , but the Empire being decayed in the West , and diminished in the East by the Saracens , the Pope found means to seiz upon the chief City of the Empire , together with great part of Italy , and to devour the Neighbouring Churches and Realms at his pleasure . Du Moulin , ubi supra , p. 119. That this was the general Opinion of Antiquity , may be seen in Tertullian , lib. de Resurrect . cap. 24. Chrysost , 4 Sermon on 2 Thes . The Greek Scholiast . in loc . August . de civitat Dei , lib. 20. cap. 19. Iren. 11. quest to Algasia , Lipsius , &c. He that would see more particularly how the Bishop or Rome hath made his Market by the ruine of the Empire , let him read Signonius his History of the Kingdom of Italy : In the beginning of his third Book he shews how Pope Gregory the Second , because the Emperor opposed his setting up of Images in the Church , forbad the People to pay Tribute to him , and not so much as once to name him in their Publick Service , Du Moulin , p. 157. This then being out of question , to wit , That the Roman Empire whereof St. Paul speaks , is already ruined , and that the Bishop of Rome thereupon rose to that height of pride and Blasphemy , it must needs follow that the Son of Perdition is revealed , and that this is he . The Third Mark. AT first from mean estate ( 1 ) this Beast arose , Came from the Earth , and did at length oppose The former Beast , the Roman Empire ; he By help of Lombards chac'd from Italy , Us●rpt his Seat , appropriates his Power , And doth the Saints ( as bad as he ) devour . Popes Tragicks are the second part of his . As if that Soul by Metempseuchosis ( 2 ) Surviv'd , and were translated into this . Now let all judge if Antichrist become That sees these Marks upon the Beast or R●me . ( 1 ) This Beast ( saith Du Moulin ) rose from a small beginning and mean estate , signified by a Little Horn in Daniels Prophecy , and in the Revelations of St. John by his rising out of the Earth , according as the Latines call such as get up from a little , Terrae Filios , as Mushromes or Toad-stools , pag. 259. Now who is there but knows how mean and poor the Bishops of Rome were , before they came to be Earthly Monarchs ? then when they had not one foot of ground , that the Emperour caused them to be whipt , imprisoned , banished , &c. but by degrees to what a mighty height did he rise ? He exercised the Power of the First Beast by little and little , he took the Empire upon him , ( 2 ) sat down in his very Seat , assumed his Habit and Shoes of Scarlet , and counterfeited the actions and rights of the Roman Empire : casting off his Crosier-Staff , he takes to hisself a Crown , and is cloth'd in Scarlet , which was proper to the Emperor : the Emperor had a Senate ●lad in Scarlet , and he hath a Senate of Cardinals clad in cloth of the same colour , and in many other things he seem'd to represent the First Beast . The Fourth Mark. ( 1. ) HE doth exalt himself above all those Call'd Gods on earth , does by his ( 2 ) Bulls oppose All Regal Edicts , that receive not their Obliging Sanction from his papal Chair , He like a Peerless Potentate does now Make Sov'raign Thrones , and Crowned Monarchs bow . ( 1. ) This is notorious to the World , though the brevity of Notes admit not room for many Examples . ( 2. ) Pius the Fifth , sent a Bull to depose Qu. Elizabeth . See Jewel's View of Sedition , and Cambden's Eliz 1570. Tom. 1. Gregory the 13 labour'd secretly to rnine her , Id. ibid. Anno 1378. Tom. 1. Sixtus 5. gave her Kingdom to the king of Spain , Anno 1588. ibid. Clement 8. Strictly commands that none should inherit the English Crown , how good soever his Title be , unless they be sworn and resolved Papists , he words are thus : Nisi ejusmodi esset , qui fidem Catholicam non modo toleraret , sed omni opp & studio promoveret , & studio promoveret , & more majorum jurejurando se id praestiturum susceperet . Camb. Ann. 1600. Tom. alter . ( 3. ) Some hold his Stirrup , ( 4. ) some are made to wait Three Frosty Nights bare-footed at his Gate . ( 5. ) Imperial Heads lye prostrate at his Beck , And to his trampling feet submit their Neck . ( 3. ) Pope Adrian 4. made the Emperour Frederick 1. to hold his Stirrup , and chid him for holding the wrong one , Balaeus in Act. Rom. Pont. in Vit. Adrian 4. ( 4. ) Gregory 7. made the Emperour Henry 4. his Empress and Child , to wait 3 days and 3 night , in a Frosty Season , bare-footed and bare-legged , before his Gates , before they could get Audience . Id. In vit . Gregor . 7. ( 5 ) Alexander 3. Made the Emperour fall upon the ground , in the Temple of St. Mark at Venice , the whole People being present , and puts his Foot upon his Neck , uttering the Psalmists words , Psal . 91. 13. Thou shalt tread upon the Lion and the Adder , the young Lion and Dragon shalt thou trample under feet , Id. in vit . Alex. 3. see 40 Examples of this in the Learned Dr. White 's Way of the Church . p. 18 , 19 , 20 , 21. The Fifth Mark. ANother Mark , He in Gods Temple sits , Boasting himself a God , and counterfeits True Holiness ; when he assum'd the Throne , There was a Temple ( * ) of the Holy One In Rome , and did continue so , till they Displaced Christ , ( † ) and flung his Truth away . 'T is expresly latd down by the Apostle , as an undoubted Mark of the Man of Sin , viz. That he should sit in the Temple of God. Chrysost . is very express , Hom. 3. 2. Thes . 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , not in Jerusalem but in the Church , so Oecumenus , de Rom , lib. 3. cap. 13. and Theoph. Theodor. Ambros . Primus Anselm . Severian . apud imsum . Besides it was to be in a C●with 7 Hills , and where 7 kings of supream Magistrates were or had been , which agrees to no City ty but Rome , as is demonstrated by peter du Moulin and others ; if it be objected , That the Church of Rome at the time of Antichrists Rise , could not be the Temple of God , because upon the Great Apostacy that denomination ceases , it is answered ▪ It might be called the Church and Temple of God then , though the Presence of God and the true Religion and Power of Godliness was gone it might retain the Name ; as Royal Palaces keep their names when ruined ; ' its said , I sa . I. 2 I. How is the Faithful City become an Harlot ? Could she be a faithfull City and a Harlot too ? The meaning is , she was so , but now thus ; so Matth. II. 5. Mark 7. ult 't is said , The blind see , the deaf hear , the dumb speak , the lame walk , &c. that is , they were so , but now otherwise ; a Woman keeps her Husbands Name though divorced for Whoredom ; so Rome ( * ) was Gods Temple & Christs Church , but when she espoused another Head , and cast off her first Husband ( † ) and the true Faith , she became an Harlot and Synagogue of Satan , though bearing still the name of Church and Christian also . See an excellent Treatise , Intituled , The Man of Sin , Printed 1677. pag. 40. &c. The Sixth Mark. THis is the Beast upon whose Back the great Inticing Strumpet rides in Pompous State ( * ) By him she was supported all along , By his Imposture she was rendred strong . ( * ) So he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness , and I saw a Woman set upon a Scarlet colourd Beast , full of Names of Blasphemy , having seven Heads and ten Horns , Rev. 17. 4. I will shew the Mystery of the Woman , and the Beast that carrys her , vers . 7. This Mark that ( † ) Notion throws quite out of Door , That says the Beast shall not arise before The Desolation of the Scarlet Whore. ( † ) It hath been a received Opinion of some Christians of late times , that the Beast who is the Antichrist or Man of Sin , shall not arise till the Whore is destroyed , and that when he comes he shall only Reign 3 Years and a half . Which Notion may seem strange to all considerate men ; because that Beast who is of the 7th . and an 8th . all confess is the Man of Sin : and how evident is it that this very Beast bears up , and carrys the Whore from first to last ? Besides , Consider 't is said , the 10 Horns of this very Beast's shall hate the Whore , and make her desolate , how could the Horns hate or hurt her , if the Beasts rise not till she is destroyed ? can there be Horns and no Beast ? And besides , should this Notion be received , it might seem strange that the Holy Spirit passeth by in silence , and takes no notice of this horrid Monster , or Succession of Popes , that have continued so long , having all the Marks and Characters so clearly upon him of Antichrist . If any should say , he doth not deny Christ come in the Flesh . I answer , In a Mystery he doth , and particularly , in his ordaining of Sacrifices , as it was under the Law , which cease all when the Antitype came , and by assuming the place of Christs Supremacy and Government . The Seventh Mark. THe Holy Spirit most expresly faith , In later times some shall renounce the faith . That by the Spirit of Seduction led , Doctrine of Devils through the Earth shall spread , That belch out Falshood in Hypocrisie And many Thousands do deceive thereby ; Forbidding Marriage , ( * ) and the use of Meat , Which God ordain'd for every man to eat . ( * ) This is an undeniable Mark of the Son of Perdition , viz. That he shall forbid Marriages , and command to abstain from Meats , and who it is that commands to abstain from Meats , and who it is that suffers not his Clergy to Marry , and forbids the eating of Flesh on some eertain Day and seasons of the Year , is known to all . The Council of Chalcedon saith ( Conon . Cap. 16. ) ut nec Deo dicata Virgo , nec Monachus nuberit ; That no Nun or Monk shall marry . Bellarmine in his 34. Cap. of the Book of Monks , stiles the Marriage of Clarks and Monks by the name of Sacriledge ; and affirms , That they sin less which commit Fornication after they have once taken a Vow , than they do which Marry ; nay , and in the 19 Cap of the First Book of Clarks , he saith , That the Marriage of saints is not without some Sin , Pollution and Uncleanness . The General Council assembled at Trullo , to make Canons , tell us plainly in the 13 Canon , that in the Church of Rome , Whosoever will be a Deacon or Priest , must first protest that he will never any more after that have to do with his Wife , & — If a man be found to have broke the Ordinance of the Church , by eating Flesh in Lent , especially in the Week which they call the Holy Week , the Priest , saith my Author , hath no power to absolve him , &c. This Doctrine of the Pope , as ' its a Mark of Antichrist , so'its expresly called the Doctrine of Devils . The Eighth Mark. HE 's not content to be Supream below , And make all Scepters to his Crosur bow ; But th' impious Wretch is grown so bold that even He dares affront the Majesty of Heaven . What God Commands , this Imp of Hell controuls , Condemns the sav'd , and saves condemned Souls : Himself he places in Jehouah's ( a ) Throne , As Chief of all , as Second unto none . ( a ) He shall oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God , or that is worshipped , shewing himself that he is God , 2 ▪ Thess . 2. He shall speak great things against the most High , Dan. 7. 25. That the Pope is guilty of opposition to , and emaltation of himself above the Majesty of God , is made appear by divers worthy Writers ; the very Life and Soul of Popery seems to run in this vein . The Lord Jesus ( saith one ) is made a very Lacquey to the Pope , he changes Times and laws at his pleasure . God says , Thou shalt make to thy self on graven Image , &c. The Pope takes away that Commandment , and declares ' its lawful to worship Images . The Lord bids us Search the Scriptures ; the Pope opposeth this , and forbids the reading of them , nay burns to death those that do read them ; and to prevent it , locks them up in an Unknown Tongue . God pardons Sins upon Repentance , the Pope without , for a Sum of Money . The Pope can invest a sorry Priest with power by uttering a few words to make a God , to turn Bread into the Real Body of Christ , and have power over him to do with him what he pleases when he hath done , and he can't deliver himself out of his hands . A brace of Keys he carrys in his hand , To shut and open at his own Command . He curses and absolves , he binds , releases , Puts down , advances whomsoe're he pleases . This is th' Apocalyptick Beast , that claims Sublimest Titles , and Blasphemous Names , With Matchless Pride , and Peerless Impudence , He does for Money with Gods Laws dispence To fill his Purse ( O shameless Avarice ! ) All sorts of Sins he values at a price ( b ) ( b ) What Sin is it but the Pope takes upon him to pardon for Money ; besides be makes , the detestable Sins of Treason and Murder , if it be done in Zeal , and by his Authority , for the Promotion of the Pretended Holy Church , meritorious , Canonizing black and brutish Sinners for Saints , in his Kalendar , he exalts himself above the Word of God , he usurps Gods Seat , by giving what Interpretation to Gods Law he pleases , which he makes of equal Authority with it . The Ninth Mark. FAlse Miracles and Lying Wonders too This grand Deceiver does pretend to do ( a ) He fain would make th' abused World believe , That he with Ease can make a Dead Man live . They do such things , their Sottish Legend saith , As far exceeds all Truth or Humane Faith ; Their Nature , Number , Circumstances all , Done by Atchievments Dabolical ; Their senselss Fables , arrant Fopperys , Are meer Impostures and apparent Lyes . This is an Engine which the Granceless Wretch Does spread abroad , the Sons of Men to catch : And God lets such those horrid lies believe , Who Gospel-Truths would not in love receive , That they might perish and be damn'd thereby , The just desert of such Iniquity ! ( a ) Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power , and Signs , and lying Wonders , 2 Thes . 2. 9. Bellarmin ( de not ▪ Eccl. l. 4. cap. 14. ) maketh Miracles one infallible Sign of the True Church ; md certain I am , the false and lying Wonders of the Roman Church , clearly sheweth the Pope to be the Antichrist , or Son of Perdition . I have not room here to enumer ate many of them , only take one or two , by which you may judge of the rest . One Becanus's Head being off , St. Itas Prayers made it come posting through the Air , stand by the Body , and she joyned them fast again , so that in one Hours space the Man became as lively as ever be had been in all his life . St. Anthony's Arm , that precious Relick at Geneva , was kiss'd and worship'd with great Devotion , whilst Popery kept its ground ; but when the Gospel came , and the Relick was produced , 't was found the Pisle of a Stag , Calv. de reliq . propinitium . Possibly you may have heard of the Wonders that Relick had done ; and of St. Decumanus , who carried his own Head after it was cut off , to a Spring , and there washed off the Bloud from it . A Country Curate , saith Erasmus , getting Crabs , and fastning Candles to their backs , set them a crawling up and down the Church-Yard at Night , and in the Morning , after he had taken them in again , persuaded the People that they were poor distressed Souls in Purgatory , you must think such that wanted Masses and Almes ▪ saith my Author ; ye know the Proverb , No Penny , No Pater Noster : a fit Miracle to pick the Peoples Pockets . Lib. 22. Jo. Epist . p. 1529. in Epist . Edit . Basil . A Maid coming into a Garden , and taa Lettice to eat it , crusht the Devil between her Teeth in the Lettice ; and this poor Devil , saith Du Moulin , whom she belike swallowed down together with the Lettice , being commanded to go out , and checkt by Equitius , excuseth himself , saying , Alas ! what hurt did I ? I was sitting quietly upon the Lettice , and she came and bit me , the fault was in her for not making the Sign of the Cross when she gathered the Lettice . Moreover , these ridiculous Impostors affirm , that when the Body of Pope Formosus was carry'd into St. Peters Church , all the Images of the Saints that stood there , did him Obeysance ; but above all , the Miracle of the ass that left his Provender to worship the Hoest , seems most ridiculous to King James : see his Apology , &c. Many of their pretended Miracles were wrought , as Writers intimate , about the 4 and 5 Century , and were contrived to confirm the Popes Headship and Universal Supremacy , together with their idle storys of Purgatory , Images , Praying for the Dead , &c. Those that would see more , let them read Du Moulin , also a late Book Intituled , the Man of Sin. The Tenth Mark. HIs out Side 's smooth , he 's garb'd in Sheeps array , But in wardly a rav'nous Beast of Prey . He has a Mouth ( a ) wherewith he speaks great things , Blasphemes the glory of the King of Kings . ( a ) And there was given unto him a Mouth speaking great things , and Blasph●nys , Rev. 13. 5. And he opened his Mouth against God , to blaspheme his Name and Tabernacle , and them that dwell in Heaven , ver . 6. He shall speak great words against the Most High , Dan. 7. 25. This Mark of the Beast is apparently seen in the Pope , in those Insolent and Blasphemous Titles he assumes to himself ; he is called Christs Vicar , or his Viceroy and Lieutenant . Bellarm. de Rom. lib. 2. cap. 31. Foundation , Head , and Husband to the Catholick Church ; Hid Holiness , that can be judged by no Man ; though he draw an innumer able number to Hell , who shall say to him , what dost thou ? What would you think to hear him called , The Lion of the Tribe of Judah , the Root of David ? so Begnius one of his Bishops Courted Pope Leo the Tenth , and thereupon bad the Daughter of Sion not to weep , saying , God had raised to her a Saviour ▪ See Council Later ▪ sub Leon 10. Sess . 6. ap . sur . He is frequently called by those of the Romish Church , Our Lord God the POPE . Exter . Joan. 22. Tit. 14. c. 4. And as touching his Blasphemies against those that dwell in Heaven , to wit , the Saints of God , 't is evident that they are continually branded for Hereticks Schismaticks , and what not . The Eleventh Mark. 'T is He that aims at th' utter Dissolution Of precious Saints , by Bloudy Persecution , That does pronounce no Christian fit to live , Unless they do his Beastly Mark receive . Forbids all Traffick , none must sell or buy , Except th' adorers of his Hierarchy . This Mark the Pope doth in his Forehead bear Of which full proof , is extant ev'ry where , The Numbers he hath ( a ) murder'd do surmount The stricttest of Arithmeticks account . They stain'd each Nation with a Crimson Floud And Swelling Current of my Childrens Bloud . ( a ) He shall wear out the Saints of the Most High , Dan. 7. and caused as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed , Rev. 13. 5. We find upon Record , That Pope Innocent the 3. within the space of a few Months , made more then 200000 of the faithful to be slain , who they called Albigeans , he had made all Europe to stream with Bloud ; in St. Bartholomews Massacre , in the Year 1572M more than 80000 were slain in cold bloud ▪ see Du Moulin p. 246. 247. The Duke de Alva ( s●ith he ) played the Butcher in Flanders , and under the shew of Catholick Zeal , slew Millions of People , in recompence where of the Popesent hem a Holy Sword and Consecrated Gloves ; besides the infinite numbers slew in other places , by Wars , bloudy Massacres , and otherwise , of which you will hear more hereafter ; so that by this time sure all may conclude Antichrist is come , and that this is he in whom all the Marks and Characters do so fully meet , which the Holy Ghost hath given of him . Sion's Sons . THese Marks are so notorious that we can Say of the Romish Pope , He is the Man : For these Characteristicks truly are To him ( and only him ) peculiar . This raging Monster is that Beast of Prey : Shall we arise to take his Strength away ? That hath so long time tyrannized thus ( With Hellish Fury ) over thee and us ? Self-preservation is , by every creature Esteem'd a Sacred Principle in Nature . Each Free-born mind , must at those Tyrants spurn That would infect their Souls , their Bodies burn . Why should this Beast still rage and domineer As he hath done , without controul or fear ? Sion . YOu are to wait for Gods great Dispensations , At whose disposal is the fate of Nations ; His time is best , and in due Season he Will bring this Beast to his Catastrophe . He sits in Heaven , and beholds with Scorn , This Rebels Pride . His glorious Son that 's born Heir of the World , and Prince of Kingdoms too , Shall surely Reign , because it is his due ; For all to him the Soveraign Rule must yield ; He shall the Crown and Royal Scepter wield : Nations shall serve him ; Kings that have abhor'd His Name , shall pay him Homage , as their Lord. To JESVS all shall bow , he shall be King , And to poor Sion shall Redemption bring . Till this Beasts month , and latest hour be spent , No Humane Weapon can his Rage prevent . To suffer Persecution I 'm appointed , Till Instruments are chosen and anointed For my Deliverance ; your work 's to pray , And be prepared for that blessed day ; When Babel falls , and Sion is restor'd To height of favour , with her Blessed Lord. The day approaches , and if you would win Renown by Fighting , then encounter Sin ; That home-bred Foe , which in your Bosome lurks , And like the Venome of an Aspick works Through all your Vitals ; 't is the Capital And grandest foe , that would betray you all ; It corresponds with those that do expose To torments , all that with the Bridegroom close ; Till this is conquer'd , I shall not arise , Nor be deliver'd from mine enemies . This Traytor makes my very heart to faint , And does occasion most of my Complaint ; For by 's conspiring with the Beast and Devil , I am surrounded with the present evil . Besides these Foes of my forlorn Estate , There is another strong Confederate , The Proud , Imperious and Insulting Whore , Of whom I made a sad Complaint before ; She with lascivious Looks and Wanton Eyes Prompts on to Lust and all Debaucheries ; By her salacious and bewitching Charms She does intice Great Men into her Arms , Corrupting Princes by her Incantations , Destroys the brave Nobility of Nations . Great God asist me , e're my Spirits fail ! That I the State of Monarchs may bewail , Who to her Yoke yield their Illustrious Necks , And move ( like Vassals ) at her sawcy becks . Oh! they that should My Nursing-Fathers be , Are Executioners of Cruelty , By this Whores influence , the Civil Power Is made a dreadful Engine to devour The Saints of God , and kick at the Creator ; But let them know that Sovereign Arbitrator Of all their Destinies , is Great and Just , And can , at pleasure , tumble them to Dust . What pity is 't that Dukes and Noble Peers , With other Heroes , should for many years Thus truckle to that Proud , Usurping Whore , And for her sake inslave themselves ? nay more , Exhaust their Treasure , and debase their Name , And bring themselves to such reproach and shame , By thus ingaging in her Hellish Plots , Which fastens on them Everlasting Blots . That shameless Strumpet , whose accursed Wiles Trappans the Conscience , and the Soul beguiles , When she involves them in the deepest guilt , She does pretend to wash away the filth , By impious Pardons ! Yea , to such an height Does she bewitch Men , that the very sight Of Tyburn , cannot move them to confess , Their load of guilt and horrid Wickedness ; It is her Art , when they are parting hence , To steel their Fronts with shameless impudence . When they are drawn to a deserved Death , With lyes She makes them to resign their breath . She makes them drunk till they forget their fears , Her Agents buzzing in their doubting Ears ; Who ( like ill Angels ) round about them hover , For fear they should her Rogueries discover . When some are stretcht upon the fatal Block , And Justice ready to discharge the stroak ; Such is the strength of her Inebriation , That they ( oh horrible ! ) on their Sa●vation . Protest they 'r innocent ! when all the while No Treason ever did appear more vile , Then that for which Impartial Justice hath Judg'd them ( as Traytors , to deserved Death . Rome ( by their frantick Resolutions ) would Out-face the Sun , and baffle ) if She could ) The clearest Proofs , and solid'st Evidence Produc'd by Heav'ns unerring Providence . Ah! Cruel Mistress of deluded Souls ! That 's not content to make them arrant Fools To lose Estates and Lives , but must thereby Make them stab Conscience , when they come to Dye . She , to encourage Treasons , does prefer Those Traytor-Martyrs in her Calender . SIONS Sons . This Whore and Beast in Interest are so join'd , That many puzzl'd are , which way to find , whereiny the differ , pray tell us therefore , How is the Beast , distinguished from the Whore. SION . ( a ) The Pope's the Beast , usurping over all , A Power Supream and Magisttraticall ; This Scarlet Beast does in the strictest sence , Lay claim to Secular Preheminence . The Roman Empire lost the Ruling Seat , The Pope usurpt it , and from thence grew great , All Kings that he could by his craft allure , Receive their Power ; and Investiture , This Whore cannot be the Beast . ( a ) 1. Because the Beast is exprest in the Masculine Gender , the Man of Sin , the Son of Perdition , and the Beast that was , and is not even HE is the Eight and of the Seven , i. e. He came up by means of the Liberty and large Revenues The Seven Heads , viz. The Christian Emperors gave to the Ch● rch and Church-Men , though a diff●rent and distinct sort of Government to all before it , but Mystery Babylon is exprest by the Feminine Gender , a Woman a Whore , Mother of Bar●●● ; I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints , 〈◊〉 And when I saw her I wondered , &c. 2. The Angel describes them distinct , the one from the other , a Beast and Whore , I John saw them as clearly distinct as a Beast is from her that sits upon him , and I saw a Woman set upon a Scarlet coloured Beast , Rev. 17. 3. 3. If the Beast and Whore were 〈◊〉 and the same , then the Whore sets up and rides upon her self ▪ then which nothing can be more absurd and ridiculous . 4. There is as real a difference between the Man of sin , and the Wh●re or false Church , as is between Christ and the true Church : the Beast or Anti-Christ is the Head , the Whore is the Body ; and indeed it was by renouncing the Headship and Government of Christ Jesus , and espousing , owning , and swarming to the Headship and Supremacy of the Pope , that first gave the Church of Rome , the denomination of a Whore ; for a Woman that has Two Heads , Two Husbands can be no other . 5. Moreover t is evident that the Beast shall remain though in Captivity , his Power being taken away after the Whore is destroyed . And burned with Fire , Rev. 1 ) . 19 , 20● Dan. 726. From him : the Whores , th' ( b ) Ecclesiastick State , Or Romish Hierarchy , that take her Seat Upon the back of this Ten horned Steed , ( Which gores my side , and makes my Children bleed . ) ( b ) Though 't is granted the Magistratical Power ●f Popish Kings in large sence is singified by the Beast who do support the Ecclesiastick State or false Church , yet Originally it more strictly resides in the Pope , for by a ●olentary submission to him : he is become their Master , as Du Moulin , page 161. Observes their Crowns being at the Popes disposal , who takes it , and gives it ( saith he ) to whom he thinks good , which things have been Noted by Buicciardine , that famous Historian , in his History of the rises and advancements of the Pope . SIONS Sons . SHall we ( indanger'd by her Plots ) arise To curb this Whore , that our great God defies ? Why should her Treasons any more annoy Thy precious Saints and Nations thus destroy , Le ts make her Drink in that invenom'd Cup She fills for us shall she not swill it up ; Will none fall on , provok't by flaming ire , To Eat her Flesh , and burn her in the fire ? SION . VVHo instrumental in that work shall be ; Read well the Sacred Scriptures , you may see Rev. Esa . Jerem. And since the matter you do understand , It brings me comfort on the other hand : As 't was fore-told in Sacred Scripture story You are inlightnen'd with the Angels glory ; As for my Children who before did live , Light from this Angel they could not receive . My Children brought forth in the latter days , Shall do great matters to Jehovah's praise . I see some good men do desire to know The time when they this Whore shall overthrow ; I cannot blame them for this very thing , To the whole World it will much glory bring . Then shall the Gospel through the Earth be spread And Men instead of Husks shall feed on Bread ; God's Worship shall its freedom then enjoy , Rome's Locust then shall you no more annoy . There shall be then a wonderful increase Of Sion's glory and of Israel's peace ; Then shall my Children in sweet consort sing Anthems of joy to the Eternal King. No names then of distinction more shall be , But speak one Language all they shall agree In peace and Oneness and blest Harmony . But to reply to what you have requir'd , At present you must keep your selves retir'd Make no attempts untill the Lord on high , Does give you strength this Babel to defie . You now do seem to lie as persons dead , As being unable to erect your head : But then you shall appear to be alive , The Spirit of the Lord shall you revive : God hath ( I know ) set down the time exact , When hee 'l begin this strange and dreadful Act , To the confusion of your Enemies . When God shall call his Witnesses to rise ; Then from the Heavens , they shall hear a voice , Which shall make all their Spirits to rejoyce . Then shall they have so evident a call , That they straight way shall on this Strumpet fall . With patience therefore wait upon the Lord , Until his saving strength he doth afford . To him you are to make your supplication , For from him only is my expctation . O sigh with me , and in your Spirits groan , And send strong crys up to his gracious Throne : Give him no rest till , ( in those glorious days . ) Of all the Earth , I 'm made the only praise . And I 'll lift up my voice to God on High , And make my moan to him , and thus will cry . SIONS Prayer . O Lord of Hosts , consider my Estate , Let me remain no longer desolate . Have I not been most precious in thy sight ? O do not therefore my Petition slight ; O let thy Bowels , to thy Children move , In tender token of Parental love . Shall Sion totter ? And the Beast grow steady In his proud Seat ? Hast thou not try'd already ? What some advantage , or what Gospel good , Is to be hop'd for , from the wicked Brood ? Canst thou expect they 'l serve thee better Now ? Are they more like to bless the World below ; Then thy Poor Sion ? If their measures be Repleted brimful of Iniquity , Then by just forfeiture , their right is gon , To Earthly Power , and Dominion . Will these thy saving Gospel Truths preserve ? Or in pure Worship at thine Altars serve ? Will these protect the Innocent and good , And not provoke thee with their crying blood ? Will they make Judgment in right channels go ! Extirpate Vice ? Make Righteousness to flow Like mighty streams ? Are they in Covenant with Thee ? Or wert thou ever pleased to grant Them any Promises that they should wear The Sacred badges of thy Name ? And bear The Soveraign Rule ? Will Fathers , and young men , Within thy Church , be priz'd and honor'd then ? Shall they not rather , by their Barb'rous hands , Be Butcher'd , for obeying thy Commands ? Will not thy Childrens Souls in danger be Of swift Damnation , by Rome's blasphemie ? If Laud on Earth and Praises will be given , If Hallalujahs will be sung in Heaven , To thy great Name , for raising Babylon , And bringing Sion to Destruction : If then the Door of Grace , be open'd more , For Mens Salvation , then it was before . If Sinners access unto the blessed Jesus , Be made more free ; if cure of Soul Diseases Be then more eafie , then let Sion fall . And Rome Usurp Dominion over all . But if in sight of thine all-seeing Eye , Their Monstrous Crimes are of so black a Dye : If from their very Springing , they have been , The vilest Wretches , and the worst of men : If for the future they intend to be The Perpetrators of all Villany . If their black sins , of gross Idolatry , Pride , horrid Murthers , and Adultry , Mount up to Heavens great Imperial Throne , If thy oppression makes thy Churches groan ; If they will burn thy Scriptures and suppress All Books that treat of Gospel Holiness ? If guiltless Souls of every Sex and Age , Will be made Sacrifices to their Rage ; If they are Foes , without thy Covenants , If they will trample on thy precious Saints ; If they ( because thou didst not hear and save Thy praying Sion , from a sinking Grave ) Deride thy Glory , and blaspheme thy Name , And put thy Faithful ones to open shame . Deut. 32. 36. Then hear O Lord , thou see'st my power is gone , In thee I trust , besides thee there is none , That can thy Sion , from her Foes deliver , O draw some flaming Arrows from thy Quiver To quel the pride of this oppressing Crew , Thy mighty Arm alone can them subdue . On Thee I fix an absolute Reliance , Do Thou but help , I 'le bid them all defiance . Hear and consider , for thy Mercy sake , On gasping Sion some compassion take . I have been ransom'd with the precious Blood Of thy dear Son , and fill'd with Heavenly Food . O Lord I pray , thy Churches sins forgive , And in sweet concord let thy Children live ; Teach them true saving knowledge from thy word That they may worship Thee with one accord . Thou canst the Prostrate raise , and cure his wound For nothing difficult for Thee is found . Thou knowest my grief , O Lord incline thy Ear , Revive my hope , and chace away my fear . In Achors Valley open thou a Door , And make me sweetly sing as heretofore ; I pray Thee break the Bonds of my distress , And lead me from this dolesome Wilderness . O let me shine like Sols illustrate light , And be 's an Army terrible in fight . Pull off that Vail that does thy Sion cover , Those clouds , O scatter that I may discover What thou doest mean by this thy dispensation , And what my work is in this Generation . It s time for Thee to plead thy Peoples cause , When wicked men make void thy righteous Laws . Thou canst destroy them with their brimful Cup , And lofty Cedars , by the roots pull up ; But Lord remember for to spare thy Vine , That spreading Plant which thou hast chosen thine , Make that to flourish and be ever green , And full of clusters as before 't has been . From Egypt thou hast brought it heretofore : From thence I pray deliver it once more , Let thine hand plant it , give it steadfast root , That all the Land may Feast upon its Fruit ; O let its Cordial Juice the Nation fill , And let its boughs o'reshadow ev'ry Hill ; From Sea to Sea do thou her branches send , And her , from all her Enemies defend ; Make up her Hedge , her Fence , be thou a Wall , To keep her from the violence of all Rapacious Bears , and from the greedy Boar that would destroy it , and its fruit devour . Lord from on high thy lovely Vine behold , thin own Plantation , valued more then Gold ; Canst thou deny thy helping hand the while Wild Beasts thy Vineyard ravage thus and spoil , I am Chrst's Spouse , his undefiled One , Canst thou permit me to be trod upon ; 'T is by thy Grace I am Intitled so , Great God relieve me , and divert my wo , I am surrounded on all sides with pain , O let me see thy lovely smiles again . Thou hast withdrawn the beamings of thy grace , And wrapt in clouds the splendor of thy Face ; O this has caus'd such anxious grief and smart , As tears my Soul , and rends my very heart To tears of blood , whilst thou the glorious Sun Of light art hid : O whether shall I run , For beams of comfort in this dolesome hour ? Whilst I lye delu ' d in this Brinish shower More would she speak , but her great passion ties Her mournful tongue : the Flood-gates of her eyes In chrystal streams do represent an anguish , That makes her vital operations languish . Sunk in despairing sounds , she scarce appears to breath or live , but by her sights and tears , SIONS Sons . Mourn , mourn O Heav'ns ; and thou , O Earth bewail And weep ye Saints untill your spirits fail , For she that is the glory of the Earth , Of the most Noble and Illustrious Birth , Lyes sadly weltring in a deep despair , Her grievous sorrows , can no tongue Declare , O that our Brethren would , but hasten hither That in Gods fear we may confer together You must needs grieve , when her complaints you hear Do not your hearts dissolve into a tear ? Do not your Eyes like to a Fountain stream ? And all your Joys , turn to a mourning Theme ? Does not your nightly rest from you depart ? Are you not pierced to the very heart ? Are you not in the depth of bitterness , Because of Sion and her sore distress ? How can your hearts delight in thins below ? How can you sleep in peace as others do ? How can we comfort have , or Pleasure find ? Or how can we the Worlds concernments mind ? How can we eat or drink with hearts content , And not with grief poor Sions state lament ? How can we bear our Mothers doleful cries , She sighs , she sobs , she languishes , she dies , In dreadful Agonies , in bitter pain , How can we brook her Enemies disdain ? She is reproached by ev'ry Drunken Sot , And thrown away like to a broken Pot. She is depis'd and trod upon like Dung , The Drunkard on her makes his dayly Song : But Christ will turn and will expostulate The Case with Sion , touching her Estate . Why art thou sometimes up , then down again ? Sometimes at ease , sometimes in bitter pain ? They 'r doubtless throw's chear up and do not fear For thy deliverance is very near . Those lab'ring pangs shall speedily be o're , Fear not , thou shalt not dye , one , or two more Shall bring that Child into the World , which thou Hast trave'ld with in bitter pangs till now . Address they self to God , for surely he From these thy Tortures will deliver thee , 'T is he a lone that brings unto the Birth , And do's give strength and vigour to bring forth ; Then stay thy self upon this blessed Lord , His gracious help he will to the afford , Upon his Promises do thou depend , And thou shalt see deliv'rance in the end . These words of comfort like a Cordial wrought And to her sences , mourning Sion brought , With languish'd looks , she casts a weeping Eye Upon her Children , and Reaues her crie . SION . I Am affraid my God hath me forsook , My sighs he minds not , scarce bestows a look . His former pitty , he hath quite forgot , His Anger 's kindled & his wrath is hot ; When that burns sore , how can I choose but mourn ? How am I spoil'd , how am I rent and torn ? ●m like a Ship with raging Tempest tost Midst Rocks and Sands , just ready to be lost : Where ev'ry Bellow does present a grave , And Death in Triumph rides on ev'ry wave . Ah! But I am , engraven on his hand , And in his sight for evermore shall I 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 crie , Unless thou save me , I must surely die , CHRIST . IN glorious Regions of approachless light Where Joys unmixt with perfect love unite ; There do I sit , there do I see and hear What Kings and Potentates consulting are , ●esounding in mine Ears continually , ●hear a bitter , and complaining cry . I feel my Bowels with compassion move , And therefore 't is the voice of one I love , She whom I purchased with my dearest blood ▪ Seems drencht in tears and drowned in flood ▪ Some grievous sorrow , or great tribulation , Extorts from her this doleful lamentation , Enough to pierce my tender heart again . And make the Temple rend once more in twain ▪ Alas poor Sion ! thy sad voice I hear , I 'le come and help thee , for I know thy fear , And what occasions these thy lanquid Moans , I know thy sorrow , and I hear thy Groans . 'T is I can still the blust'ring Winds and Seas , And in thy greatest Anguish give thee ease . 'T is I can wound , and cure ; I build , I break , I kill , I make alive : I give and take . And can ( if I think fit ) make Nations shake , And Kingdoms totter , reeling to and fro : I for thy sake , strange things will quickly do . In thy affliction , great distress and pain , Of which thou dost , so grievously complain , I am afflicted : What they do to thee . Of hurt or wrong , I take as done to me ; I tender thee as th' Apple of mine Eye , Fear not therefore , thy proudest Enemy . Although with Foes thou art environ'd now , All power and wisdom is mine ; and I know how To strengthen thee , and make them all to bow ▪ I will arise and shew my Soveraignty ; I le make them to the Rocks and Mountains fly ; Though with the Powers of Hell they have combin'd I will pursue them , & they shall not fiud A hiding place my vengeance to avoid , Till by my fury they be all destroy'd I will bring down each high and lofty head , Their mighty ones like Mortar I will tread . Thy cause I le plead , though silent I have stood , I le be reveng'd for all the Righteous blood , That has run down like to a Mighty flood . And therefore now ; I le make no long delay , What 's due to Justice , they shall surely pay ; Besides the bloody wrongs thou dost repeat The crying Martyrs loudly do intreat Me to avenge their blood , therefore I will Come down in fury , and those Monsters kill ; Then , thou before me very strong shalt wax , For I le make thee my dreadful Battle-Ax . Thy Horn shall Iron be , & thy Hoof Brass , With which thou shalt tread down the Serpents race . Thy Sons that scatter'd o're the Earth throughout , I will soon gather with a mighty shout . The Mighty they shall overcome with Slings , And bind in Fetters perfecuting Kings . Ill lay thy Stones , with Colours fair and sure , Thy strong Foundation shall be Saphyrs pure : Although I seem'd to have forsaken thee , Yet , from all bondage I will set thee free , Though I have thee afflicted heretofore , I le turn my hand upon the bloody VVhore ; Because thou dost my holy Name profess , Ill break in peice them that thee oppress : Arm'd with Commission from the great Jehove , I will come down and all thy Griefs remove . All Weapons form'd against my Sion , shall Unprosp'rous prove , for I will break them all . I 'll teach thy Children , give thee lasting Peace , Converted Gentiles shall the Church increase . Though wicked Men with words do thee deride , Thy Borders I 'll enlarge on every side . Each hungry Soul with plenty I will feed , The Earth I will divide among thy Seed . I 've promis'd that they shall the world possess , And will perform it now in Righteousness . I will descend unto my Holy Hill , The Earth with knowledge I will quickly fill . I will supperss al Luxury and Riot , The Heathen in my presence shall be quiet . Above all Kings I shall exalted be , And Rule the Earth with Soveraign Majesty . When all the Kingdoms in the World are mine , Then thou in Beauty like a Queen shalt shine ; And with thy Children in sweet Consort sing , Triumphant Hallelujahs to your King. SION . O Matchless Grace , and Love beyond degree ! Now I am certain there is none like Thee , In Heav'n or Earth , were there ten thousand more For thou hast found a Salve for every Sore . Transported by thy love , with joy I cry , My Ravisht Spirit must exalt the high . And mighty Lord , by whose unbounded grace , My hearts enlarg'd to run the blessed Race ; Thou shalt conduct me to thy living Springs : From thence I 'll mouant up , as with Eagles Wings , Vnto the Heavenly Mount of Faith's desire , Where I thy Grace and Glory will admire ; Then I 'll descend from those Abodes above , To be embraced in the Arms of Love. I 'll hold thee fast , and never let th●● go , For by thy loss , O what a Depth of Wo Did I sustain ! In what a dreadful Case Was I , when thou didst hide thy glorious face ! Thee having , though nought elsn 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 nothing is of worth to me ; All things are vile — when once compar'd to thee . To be thy Portion , Lord , thou didst me chuse , And thou my Portion art : I 'll ●●'re refuse So rich a Grace : thou art my Heritage , Thou art a God of Love from Age to Age , And therefore evermore I 'll dwell with thee , For thou alone , my Hiding-place shalt be . In time of trouble and of fury great , I will unto thy Holy Name retreat ; Which is a sure defence to all that fly With care and speed from their iniquity . When I was down , thou lift'st me up on high , And I thy Name will therefore magnify . O Lord , with Patience I will undergo Their indignation , for I well do know I have provok't thy great and glorious Name , Which is the cause that I do suffer shame : Although at present I am low and mean , Poor and despis'd , and so long time have been ; Thou canst all Sorrows to thy Sion bless , I therefore , in thy Pleasure acquiesce ; I 'll wait upon thee , till thou dost arise To break in pieces all mine Enemies : My precious Cause then I do leave with thee , Which thou , O Lord , wilt surely plead for me ; Thy Voice is to my ravisht Soul so sweet , That I 'm reviv'd , and set upon my feet : I 'll speak thy Praise in Songs , because I see That Glory near , which thou hast promis'd me . And now thou bloudy Whore , that art my Foe , My time 's at hand , which thou shalt quickly know . My God has not forsaken me , for now He will advance me , and make thee to bow : Then shalt thou hide ( for shame ) thy filthy head , Whilst I , in Triumph , shall upon thee tread ; Because so long , thou hast upon me trod , And in Contempt hast said , Where is thy God ? He will therefore in Right retaliate , And bring just Vengeance on thy cursed Pate . Babylon . POOR Sion ! thou art much mistaken ; I 'm mounted high , thou art forsaken : Sure thou art Frantick , when thou dost Make such a vain and groundless boast : The final Conquest must be mine , And swift Destruction must be thine ; For all my Wounds I 've got a Cure , From all your Darts I am secure . I am arriv'd at height of Bliss , My Glory in its Zenith is . I am a Queen , and shall remain Supream on Earth , I only reign In glitt'ring Grandeur over all . Great Monarchs Me their Mistriss call : How can I fall , when such a Prop Supports , as my Lord God the POPE ? All Men on Earth , His Vassals are , Who sits in Peter's Holy Chair ; The Empire of the World he hath , He keeps the Keys of Hell and Death ▪ Dost think he fears the little tricks Of thy small brood of Hereticks ? He can make use ( when he doth please ) Of Peter's Sword , as well as Keys . His Canons roar , as loud as Guns , To crush thy feeble , Pigmy-Sons . Let but his Bulls give an Alarm , Hee 'll make all Christendom to Arm Themselves in my defence , and work Thine Overthrow ; didst thou not lurk Some Hundred Years , that none could see , Or know , what was become of thee ? He that could rend thy force asunder , Has still the Strength to keep thee under : He will thee in Subjection keep , So that thou shalt not dare to peep . Am I not armed with the Power Of all the Earth ? I can devour Your Int'rest at a single Mess , I have fit Cooks such Meals to dress ; Th' Imperial and the Regal Sword Are brandish'd when I give the word : Great Princes , Dukes and Nobles will With all their force My Mind fulfil ; My Gentry who brave Heroes are , Resolved be , no Pains to spare ; Their Very Lives they 'll freely spend To bring my Purpose to an end ; My Brisk Mounsieurs , My Spanish Dons , Will over-match thy silly Sons : My Rogues in Grain , I ready have , Obedient like a Turky-slave : If bid to thrust their bloudy Knives In throats of Fathers , Children , Wives , In any 's out their own they 'll do 't , And lay them sprawling at my Foot. I've Teagues and Torys at my Beck , Will wring their Heads as Chickens Neck ; Try'd Villains ! that will never start From Mothers Womb to tear the heart Of Unborn-Infants ; they 'll deflour , Then rip her up in half an hour : Faint Rogues will melt with qualms of fears At Fathers Groans , or Mothers Tears ; But mine are void of any Sense , Not plagu'd with bawling Conscience . To some I give no constant pay , Yet they can hunt and live by Prey . Your Infants that ( like Carps ) are stew'd In their own bloud , their Chops have chew'd . The Fathers Cawls shall make a light For those Sweet Banquets of the Night . What e're my greedy Stomack craves , But Nod , 't is done , by ready Slaves : They know no scruples nor dispute , But act just like a Turkish Mute . Besides all these , I could describe Vast Musters of my Sacred Tribe : My Clergy makes a num'rous Host , That wait in swarms in every Coast . Yea , ev'n in all Rebellious Regions , I have in secret Armed Legions : A Great Grandee my Ensign carrys , The Jesuits are my Janisaries . Thou see'st what Troops do guard my Chair , What canst thou do then but Despair ? Thou seest me lodg'd in safe abode , Whilst thou' rt forsaken by the God. Hee 's doubtless pleas'd with my behaviour , For I alone have got his Favour . Th' Apocalyptick Prophecy You falsely do to me apply ; For I from Sin am washed clean ; Thou art the Whore , he there does mean ; I am the Church , and therefore I , Thy Threats , Thy GOD , and Thee , Defie . Sion . LEave off , leave off , thou Bloudy minded Whore Imagine not that thou shalt Evermore Thus Domineer in Pomp and swacy Pride , For God e're long , thy Rulers will divide . Those Mighty Ones , in whom is all thy Trust , Long shall not hold , but into peices must Be surely broken : thou shalt quickly see The swift beginning of thy Misery . Those that did love thee most , will hate thee so , That they will seek thy utter Overthrow ; As was their love , their hatred then will be , And to destory thee they will all agree . Thou hast inslav'd them to thy bruitish Lust , Whilst they ( like simple Fools ) in no wise durst Offend or cross thy base and bloudy mind ; That they have been bewitcht , they then will find , By thine alluring Voice , and lustful Eye , To joyn with thee in black iniquity . Thy Flatterys shall then no more deceive ; Nor thy base Whoredoms Thousands more bereave Of inward peace , and outward riches , so As they have been , to their eternal Wo : Then shall they see thy Villanous Intent , In setting them against the Innocent . To Glut thy Base Adulterous Desire , Their sinful hearts were in a flaming Fire , And through the Instigation of the Devil , Became partakers of this Monstrous Evil. But , what approaches ? Hark! methinks I hear Some Dreadful Noise ! see how the Mountains tear And Mighty Hills do into peices fly ; Whilst Lightning flashes through the Angry Sky ; The Stars and Planets in Confusion hurl'd , Have banisht Natures Order from the World. See how the Melting Orbs of Heaven sweat , Like Parchment Parcht , and shrivel'd up with heat , Loud Thunder-Cracks through the Enraged Air , With frightful Aspects Meteors do appear , To usher in the Day of Heav'ns dread Ire On those , who do against the Saints conspire . Gods ( long incensed ) Majesty is come To judge the Whore , and pass her final Doom . Of Treason she is under an Attainder , For which Impartial Justice will arraign her . She 's seiz'd upon and in the Jaylors hands , Who only waits for Justices Commands . Jehovah bids , that Babylon the great Be forthwith brought before his Judgement-Sea● Justice . MOst Sovereign Lord , who is it dares gainsay● What thou command'st ? I must and will obey Lo , here I bring the Scarlet Strumpt forth Before thee who createdst Heav'n and Earth : Thy Judgment-Seat she seems to slight and scorn , Says she 's as guiltless as the Child unborn . Jehovah . HEr Crimes lay open , and her facts declare , Turn up her Skirts and let her faults appear : Let th'Vniverse by her Indictment see The cause of my most just Severity . Justice . DRead Sov'reign of the World ! I will proceed , And will her black Indictment loudly read . Come forth , Great Whore ! and hear your dismal charge , Which shall by proofs be evidenc'd at large . By th' Name of BABYLON , thou' rt hither cited , And by the Name of Whore , thou stand'st Indicted . Thou void of Grace , and Gods most Holy Fear , To Satans Machinations didst adhere ; With him , to plot against thy Sov'reign Prince , To whom thou ought'st to yield Preheminence . In Ancient times he was thine only Spouse , ( Our Holy Law no Bigamy allows ) Yet thou hast him perfidiously forsook , And to thy self another Husband took ; And with a graceless Impudence art led By they lewd Train , to an Adult'rous Bed. Thou hast dethron'd him , and thy brazen face Sets up a Monstrous Traitor in his place , To whom thou hast Blasphemous Titles given , Exalting him above the God of Heaven . Thou hast not only playd th' Adulteress , But plain Idolatry thou dost profess ; Of Treason , Murder , Theft , ( abhorred things ! ) Of Burning Citys , poysoning of Kings , Of Undermining States , and furthermore , Of spoiling Trade , and making Kingdoms poor , Of horrid Plots , of causeless bloudy Wars , And of contriving cruel Massacres , Thou guilty art ; thy bloudy Rage has hurl'd Millions of Innocents Out of the World : Prodigious Numbers have in divers Lands Been Sacrific'd by thy bloud-thirsty hands . Insatiate Butcheries that know no end ! Thou stabd'st men , when thou Pity didst pretend . In times of Peace thy horrid rage has shed Bloud without Measure , thou hast murthered ( Perfidious Wretch ! ) thy nearest Neigbours when They thought themselves the most secure of m●n , Thou hast made Currents of their guiltless 〈◊〉 To run like Waters of a mighty Flood ; So void of Pity , your inhumane rage Destroy'd the Saints , and spar'd no Sex nor Age. Speak Bloudy Whore , hold up thy Graceless Head , Guilty , or Not ? By Law thou art to plead . Babylon . LOok down , Blest Virgin ! and bid Justice stay● Speak to thy Son to drive my Foes away : You Glorious Saints , who near St. Mary stand , In my distress , lend me your helping hand . All Angels , and Arch-Angels I invoke , To strengthen me , and to divert the Stroke : These Hereticks will work wy Overthrow , I am amaz'd , I know not what to do ! Belzebub . WHat needs my Darling thus to stand and pause , Laws , Thou know'st the Custom of our Romish Though black as Hell , yet be not so forlorn ; Swear , that thou' rt guiltless , as the Child unborn . What Violence to Hereticksy ou do , Is lawful , honest , and your Duty too . Justice . PLead Vile Delinquent ! or thou shalt receive The Fatal Sentence which I am to give . Babylon . I Do affirm the Charge is false , and I All Points of this Indictment do deny . Produce your Proofs , I 'll stand in just Defence Of my apparent , spotless Innocence . Justice . THat like a Harlot , of thine own accord , Thou hast forsaken thine Espoused Lord , Will be made evident ( to thy disgrace ) By clear probation in its proper place . You say , that you your God can daily make , Which is an Idol of a Wafer-Cake . If thou dost Shrines and Images adore , And prov'd to be th' Apocalyptick Whore ; If thou upon the Scarlet Beast doth sit , And Lewdness with so many Kings commit ; It clearly follows from these Marks , that thou Art a meer Strumpet , and hast broke thy Vow . If thou art by the Papal Edicts led , Dis-owning Christ , and making that thy Head : The consequence is clear , for thou must be Guilty of Whoredom and Idolatry . And to examine thy Notorious Deeds , This great Tribunal out of hand proceeds : Call in the Witnesses — Waldenses . Albigenses . Protestants of Piedmont . Savoy , &c. — DRead Lord ! we 're here , And with our just Complaints do now appear . That Bloudy Whore , the Pris'ner at the Bar , Has follow'd us with a perpetual War , Because we would not to her Idols bow , Nor her curs'd Edicts and base pranks allow . About the dismal Year of Fifty Five , A dreadful Massacre she did contrive Within the Territories of Savoy , Where thirty Thousand Souls she did destroy In three days time , Curs'd Edicts bid them turn To Popery , or they must hang or burn . Which when those Innocents refus'd to do , Most horrid Execution did ensue ; Our Brethrens Brains out of their Heads were beaten And by her Imps were fry'd and after eaten : Our Children rent to pieces , thrown to Dogs , And our dear Pastors flung ( as Meat ) to Hogs ; Others on Pikes into the Air were tost , And many others they alive did roast ; Some ty'd with Ropes they pierc'd unto the ( hearts , And hung up others by their Secret Parts . Houses and Barn-fulls they have burnt , so that Our Suff'rings are beyond an Estimate . Bohemia . Germany . Poland . Lithuania , &c. TO satifie this cruel Strumpets Lust , Some Thousands have been turned unto dust : Our Towns and Famous Cities of Renown She hath dis-peopled , burnt or broken down : The Ruins still appear and desolations In many places of our Spoiled Nations . Great Multitudes un-numbred were our Slain Which in the Field unburied did remain : Our Brethren they have hung upon a Beam And then consum'd them in a lingring flame . Some she has into boyling Cauldrons put , And many others into peices cut , Without respect unto the Hoary Head , Into their Throats they powr'd down melted Lead ; And many other deaths she did contrive : Some burned were , and others flead alive . Into deep Mines , three thousand Souls and more , At several times were tumbled by this Whore ; Because they would not their Religion leave , And unto Romish Superstitions cleave , That worthy Man John Huss , was burn'd to death , For owning of the Apostolick Faith ; Jerom of Prague , to fill her Measure up , She made , soon after , drink of the same Cup. 'T were endless to enumerate our grief : From thee , Just Judge , we do expect Relief . France . AH ! How shall I my inward grief disclose ! What Tongue is able to recount my Woes ? Prodigious Numbers of my Natives have , By this Whores means , found an untimely Grave . The barb'rous Harlot would not be content , To kill or drive them into Banishment ; But with unheard of Crueltys she must Their Bodys mangle , to asswage her Lust ; Some hang'd in Water , yield their strangled breath ; Some brain'd on A●vils , some were starv'd to death ; Some hall'd with Pullies , till the Top they meet With heavy Weights and Loads upon their feet . Rap't Maidens stab'd , poor Infants yet unborn , From Mothers Wombs by bloudy hands were torn How many thousand guiltless Christians were Butcher'd in the Parisian Massacre ? Some broke on Crosses , some were cut in twain , Whilst others languish in a lingring pain . Our Worthy Kings have lost their Noble Lives By Jesuits Poysons , and by Monkish Knives . I can produce an uncontroull'd Record Of many Thousands Murder'd by the Sword. It would require whole Volumes to transcribe The bloudy acts of this Infernal Tribe . Deep dolour hinders what I would say more ! O Glorious Judge ! avenge me on this Whore. Italy . Spain . Portugal . Low Countrys , &c. REnowned Judge ! those Witnesses that have Their Grief presented & do Judgment crave , Save us much labour , for we heretofore Have felt the same , from this blond-thirsty Whore. Besides , being next her Seat , and neer her Power , Her greedy Jaws Our Brethren did devour With cruel Spite , and without intermission , We have been tortur'd in her Inquisition . No Tongue can speak the unexampled terror Of that curst Pattern of Infernal horrour . They count it mild , when they our Persons burn , And Wives and Children into Ashes ; turn ; They say they 're courteous when our Throats they cut Or when in Dungeons ( vile as Hell ) we 're put . They say they favour us , when they employ Their Daggers , Pistols , Axes to destroy . In lingring flames they did our Brethren roast , On Halberts tops we saw our Infants tost : All this we 've suffer'd , and a Thousand more , And that by means of this Infernal Whore. Ireland . COuld deepest grief receive Additions , I Would give Examples of her Cruelty . I can her in more monstrous colours draw , Than Bloudy Nero , or Caligula . Those horrid Tortures which may Brethren say She exercis'd on them , the same I may Affirm t' have suffer'd , by the instigation Of this vile Strumpet , whose Abomination . Stinks in the Nostrils of each civil Nation . Her cursed Priests , when first they did begin Our Massacre , proclaim'd it was a sin Unpardonable , if they durst to give Quarter , or our Necessities relieve ; Some they stript Naked , then they bid them go Through Bogs & Mountains , in the Frost & Snow Men , Women , Children , then were butchered , And all that spoke our Language punished ; The very Cattel , if of English breed , They slasht and mangled , that they could not feed . With joy , that Romish and rebellious Brood Have wash't their hands in Marty'd English bloud ▪ Thousands of naked Protestants that fled From these Barbarians have been famished . Their faithless Gentry , that pretended love , Perswaded th' English that they would remove Their Goods to them ; Yet ( once possession got ) They ( like perfidious wretches ) cut their Throat . Numbers of naked Women they did drive Into a Barn , and burnt them all alive . Each Sex and Age , that could not from them fly , Did by these Blood-hounds , without mercy die . Once at the fatal Bridge of Portladown , A thousand Souls these Miscreants did drown ; A couple ( with five Children ) first they hung , And in a Hole th' expiring bodies flung ; The youngest on the Mothers breast did stick , Cries , Mammy , Mammy , yet is buryed quick . Some hackt to pieces , travailing Women strip'd , And half●born Infants from their bellies rip'd ! Which ( with their Mothers ) h●ngry Dogs did eat , And Swine fed on them , as on common meat . When some poor Souls in burning Houses Cry , The Villains said , How sweetly do they Fr● ! When holy Scripture in the flames did cast , They cry , 'T is Hell-fire , and a lovely blast ; That blessed Book , when some have trampled on , They cry , Plague on 't , that has the mischief done . They made poor Wives , their Husbands blood to spill , And trembling Youths , their aged Parents kill . They forc'd the Son to stab his Dearest Mother , And then one Brother to destroy the other . Some they put fast in Stocks , then teach a Brat To rip them , and make Candles of their Fat. How many Virgins did they Ravish first ? Then with their Hearts-blood quench their eager thirst ! Some they did bury just unto the Head , And left them on surrounding Grass to feed . Struck fast on Tenter-hooks , grave Matrons were , And Virgins hang'd up in their Mothers Hair. Some , with their small Guts , were forc'd to run About a Tree , until their Life was gone . The Mouths of godly Ministers they cut Unto their Ears ; betwixt their Jaws they put A monstrous Gag , then with a Romish Scoff They bid them preach , their Mouths were large enough . In these furies brag'd , that ( to their joy ) They did Two hundred thousand Souls destroy . We therefore pray , as others did before , For a just Sentence on this bloody Whore. Scotland . O Monstrous horror ! Oh abhorred sink Of Villany ! O bloody Throats that drink The Bloods of Innocents ! which oft they qua●t As freely as a common Mornings Draught ! Thousands of mine were butcher'd by this Whor● In that poor Nation , that has spoke before The sufferings of my guiltless Natives , were Equal with theirs in every little there . Yet this blood thirsty Curtezan of Rome , Was not content , but tortur'd me at home . Some burnt , some hang'd , some scourg'd , some banished , Some drown'd , and some in Dungeons murdered . A sinking Grief forbids me to inlarge , Or else with ease I 'd aggravate her charge . Since Gospel Light did in my Borders shine , She thirsted to destroy both me and mine . Her Imps all parts , like filthy Locusts fill , And such as they cannot delude , they kill . Her Wolves put on the Habit of my Sheep , And in their Folds destroy them as they sleep . They have an art to work upon the weak , That they Gods Order should in pieces break ; Under pretences of refrom'd Devotion , They instigate the Rabble to Commotion ; That in those troubled Waters they may fish , And bring about their long expected with . Their cursed Politicks have been employ'd , To r●in those that they have so decay'd . A thousand Forgeries they do invent , To charge their Plots upon the innocent : That ( Whilst they act the Rogues in Masquerade ) Poor guiltl●ss Saints the Victims may be made ▪ Thus have I open'd something of my Grief , And from the Judge expect a quick relief . England . HAd I has many Tongues at my commands , As Argus Eyes , Briareus Hands ; I scarce could in a Century express One half of my unspeakable distress ! In every Age I had some Sons of Light , That would discover Romes Egyptian Night ; Yet they no sooner on the Stage appear , But that her Setting Dogs , like Blood-hounds , we● Upon the scent , and never left pursuit , Until to death they did them persecute . My Royal Edicts this bold Whore has broke , And on my Neck clapt her Tyranick Yoke . Vast Treasures from my Natives were extorted , And to inrich her Exchequer transported . Prodigious Sums she yearly squeezed hence , For Pardons , Obits , Annales , Peter-pence . And though each Land where she her Triumphs l●● Whose swarms of Locusts Priests and Friers w●● These ( as the Janizaries to the Turk ) Were faithful slaves still to promote her work . Whilst to maintain these Drones , she swept awa● The Fat and Wealth of Nations for their prey . Such as would not be by her Witch-craft led Were tortur'd , murher'd , burnt or massacred . The Papal Beast could in a Frollick tell , I was his Fountain inexhaustible . She planted Priests , and Ganimedes she rooted , Within my Bowels , which the Land polluted ; With such a pest of vile Debaucheries , As Pagans , Turks , and Infidels outvies . She crushes any that her Acts opposes ; My Kings she Poisons , Murders or Deposes . Some she deludes her Sov'raignty to own , And does instruct them to betray the Crown . Her lurking Imps do menace me with storms , Like Egypts Frogs in pestilential swarms . She is so greedy nothing will suffice , Unless I 'm more a general Sacrifice . ●Tis known to all the Earth , how many ways She martyr'd Protestants in Marian days . Then was I made a dismal Field of Blood , Which ran like currents of a swelling flood . She stirs the Spaniard in a great bravado , For to invade me with his proud Armado . The hellish Powder Treason she prepares , At once to blow up Commons , Kings and Peers . Her hellish Brands ( without a spark of pitty ) Consum'd to Ashes my Imperial City . Nought but my Ruine her can satiate , My Justices she does assassinate . ●or many years she has been carrying on A damn'd Intreague for my Destruction . And all the ways that Satan prompts her to Contrive my fall , she 's ready still to do . Her spite and malice nothing will abate , ●ts still more deadly and inveterate . Dread Providence shall ever have my thanks , That has discover'd her infernal pranks ; Yet I am still in danger , and therefore D● beg just sentence on this bloody Whore. The Evidence summed up . O Gulph of horror ! O profound Abyss ! Was ever mischief half so black as this ! Thou monstrous Whore , what Language can express The boundless measure of thy wickedness . Throughout the Earth thou hast such mischief wrought As is amazing to a humane thought . It would compel a heart of stone to melt , When it revolves what Frotestants have felt . Thy bloody fury and infernal rage , Has persecuted them in every age . Thou mad'st the Magistrates their Enemies , And all the tortures which thou could'st devise , Toes Thou didst inflict , as testimony shows , Some thou didst hang by the Head , some by th● Some millions thou didst burn aud broil on Coles And others starve to death in stinking holes . Some thou didst cut to pieces very small , And Infants Brains didst dash against the Wall. Upon their Bodies thou didst tread like dung , Thou hadst no mercy upon old or young . By thy cursed crew were Women ravished , Who then ( like Butchers ) knockt them on the hea● Some had their Eyes and Tongues by thee pull'd out , Some were made harborless , and forc'd about To wander , till in Woods and dismal Caves They found their woful and untimely Graves . What rocky heart but justly may admire Thy rage , that made poor Children to set fire To fatal piles in which their Parents dear In cruel flames consum'd to ashes were . Thy wicked Agents have some Millions slain , Who did endure the most inhumane pain . Thy Bishops , Monks , and Fryers could devise , Whose blood to me for speedy Vengeance Cries . The waies thou tookst to run a Soul from error Was unexampled flesh-amazing terror Of horrid Racks whereon a man must lie , Tortour'd to death , and dying cannot die . Accursed Wretch , didst thou not give Commission For to erect thy bloody Inquisition ; That loathsom Dungeon and most ghastly Cell , A place of horror representing Hell , Where nothing is so plentiful as tears , Where Martyr'd Protestants can find no ears To hear their Cries and lamentable moans , Nor Hearts to pity their extorted groans ; Where Saints in torments all their daies must spend , Not knowing when their suff'rings will have end . Thousands by thee were in Bohemia slain , Whose Carkasses unburied did remain . Thou madest thy Vassals fall upon that Nation , On no less penalty than their Damnation . Didst thou not promise upon that condition To give them full and absolute remission , The vilest wretch that on the Earth has stood ; You fully pardon'd , if hee 'd shed the blood Of one Bohemian ; O stupendious rage ! Not to be paralled'd in any Age , But by thy self , 't was judg'd De Alva's Crime That he destroy'd no more in six years time Than eighteen thousand souls ; were they so few In the accont of this blood-thirsty Crew ! But if the Wretch ( De Alva's ) bloody Bill Come short in numbers , yet his hand did fill It up with torments ; dreadful to rehearse , The very mention cannot chuse but pierce A Marble heart , make Infidels relent , Torments that none but Devils could invent . But if all this was over-little still , His Predecessors did inlarge the Bill : For from the time thy hellish Inquisition Did from the Devil first receive Commission , By cruel torments ( which they still retain ) There were a hundred fifty thousand slain , From that black season when the hellish rage Of Jesuits acted on th' European Stage In England , France , in Italy , and Spain , By thy accursed bloody hands were slain Nine hundred thousand souls , or thereabout , ( E're many years had run their circuits out ) Of poor Americans by cruel Spain In fifty years were many Millions slain . The poor Waldenses whose enlighted eye Thy filthy Whoredoms quickly did espye . Thou hast with raging Persecutions rent And murder'd Parents with their innocent And harmless Babes ; thy more than barb'rous crew Their cursed hands did in their blood imbrue ; At once were eighty Infants famished , And many thousands basely Murthered . When some have fled unto obscurest Caves , Thy Villains made their hiding place their Graves . What part of Europe now can make their boast , And say they have not tasted ( to their cost ) Of thy Malignity ? What shall I say Of Germany , whose Martyr'd Spirits pray For spe●dy Vengeance on thy cursed head ? That Sea of blood thou hast in Ireland shed , Cries night and day for Justice ; now I fix My serious thoughts upon black sixty six , Thou bloody Strumpet , how canst thou repair The loss of Englands great Imperial Chair ; How many rich men were to beggars turn'd , When that brave Isles , Metropolis was burn'd By thy accursed Imps , Fire●brands of Hell , Incarnate Devils without parallel . Brave Merchants of their great Estates bereft , To day Rich men , to morrow nothing left ; Their Wives and Children harbourless became , Their substance all consumed in the flame . But to conclude , I have not yet ●orgot Thy Powder-Treason , nor thy modern Plot , Nor all thy dismal Villanies that were Done in the Merindolian Massacre . Should I but recapitulate thy charge , And speak of all thy Rogueries at large ' I would fill vast Volums ; Often did I see The Lord of Life was Crucify'd by thee When this dear Members blood by thee was shed , Millions unnumbred basely Murthered . Yet still thou hast the impudence to say That thou art innocent unto this day - Thou shameless Curtezan , didst thou not run With filthy Panders , and renounc'd the Son Of Glory , this did thine Espousals break ; Canst thou deny it , shameless Strumpet , speak . Babylon . I am the Mother Church , and hence deny That filthy name I am indicated by . The odious Epithets of Scarlet Whore , Is daily laid unjustly at my door . I am Christs Church , his Spouse and only love , His undefiled one and spotless Dove . Pray then forbear the Sentence , look about To find that Whore and grand Deliquent out . Bold Hereticks , who never would adhere , To the true Faith and Apostolick Chair . Have born my just rebukes , some more , some less , As was their Pride , Rebellion , Wickedness . Judge . Thou graceless Wretch , thou art bereft of shame , How drast thou thus deny thy proper name . Christ's Church , his Members never did annoy , Nor persecute , and millions thus destroy . 'T is to no purpose for thee to dispute , For all thy Forgeries I can confute . I am thy Judge , and never will pass by Thy horrid Acts , and bloody Villany . The times at hand when I 'll fulfil my word , And in just fury draw my glittering sword . My frown shall make thy proud foundation quake , And all the Pillars of thy House I 'll shake . Dost think because I did forbear so long , That I 'll revenge not my dear Childrens wrong . What I resolve to do or will command , No Pope nor Devil can the same withstand . He that presum'd great Monarchs to depose , Shall soon be tumbled down by some of those Whom he so crusht ; from Hell he did ascend , And thither shall be flung down in the end . He 'll surely fall and never rise again ; The hope thou hast of him is therefore vain . There 's no recalling of the Sentence gone , Thy Execution day approaches on , Thy Pardon-Merchants then shall cry and howl , And thy Destruction ( in this sort ) condole . " Illustrious City thou wert great and fair , " Most brave and sumptuous , ev'n beyond compare . " Alas ! how quickly are thy Judgments come , " Thy fall , thy ruin , and thy final doom . " Our Trade is gone , our gainful Merchandize " Is lost , and no man does regard our Cries . " O sad Destruction ! we are all 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 ! Truth . Most glorious Judge , since this bold Whore denies Her filthy lewdness , and Adulteries , Let me but prove it , and proclaim her shame , 'T is known that I a saithful Witness am . It has been Evidenc'd by Vision clear That some strange Monster should on earth appear , Which by imperfect views did first amaze Segacious minds when they on it did gaze ; Which made mens Judgments to divide asunder To see an Object of unusual Wonder , A Woman ! City ! and a scarlet Whore ! The like on Earth was never seen before . A Woman in her pompous glory drest , And sitting on a Monstrous Horned Beast , Who it decypher'd by prodigious things , His very Horns ( explain'd ) are Crowned Kings . And then this mighty wonder to compleat , She 's plac'd on a Seven-hilled Seat ; She 's stiled a Woman , and a Whore , because She once submitted to Enacted Laws , As other women do , when they do wed A Husband , and enjoy a Marriage bed . And who this Woman is , shall now be known , Her proper Title is ( Great Babylon ) Who in great Pomp and Royal State doth ride , Excelling haughty Jezebel in Pride ; Who in our modern times hath boasting been , That she Rules all men as a mighty Queen , Trampling on Kings and Crowned Potentates , Commanding Kingdoms , Common-wealths , and States , Requiring Subjects blindly to obey , Pressing the Beast , and Horns , to kill and slay At such a rate , as that all Christendom Like Butchers bloody Shambles are become . If by this Mark she is not understood , Neither by Garb , Beast , Actions , or by Blood , To other waies of proof , I 'le quickly come And shew this Whore to be the Church of Rome . The Woman which th' Adpostle John beheld Array'd in Purple , and in Pomp upheld By that blasphemous , scarlet colour'd Beast That was with Gold and Stones of value drest : Holding a Cup full of Abominations , And black pollutions of her Fornications ; That with great Kings Adultery commits , And on a Sev'n-hill'd Habitation sits , * The holy Angel of the Lord explains That 't is that City which so proudly Reigns Over the Kings of th' Earth ; but all these Notes , And what besides the blessed Spirit quotes , With Papal Rome , exactly do agree , She therefore must this bloody Strumpet be . If all the Marks that of this Whore are given Will not meet any where so plain and even As on the Church and People I did name , Then certainly She is the very same ; First , then 't is evident that there is none May be so fitly stiled Babylon . Was Babylon a People of Renown To that same height the Church of Rome is grown . Had Babylon a great and peerless King ? This Church can shew an Image of that thing . Did Babylon poor Israel Invade ? This Church on Sion the same Invades made . Did Babylon make Salem desolate ? This hath brought Sion near to that Estate . Did Babylon make Prophets drink their Tears , Shake Kingdoms , and fill Peoples hearts with fears ? This Church , hath done so ; yea , and far out-done Her Arch type , and so beyond her run . Did Babylon the Prophets bear away ●nto Captivity , and make a prey Of all the Treasure that her hand could find ? This Papal Church is not a whit behind . On th' ablest guides she laid her hellish hands , Confining them to Prison under Bands ; As if 't were not enough for her to do , She seiz'd their Persons , and their substance too . Did Babylon God's Worship over-throw , Set up an Idol , and command to Bow ? This Church hath done the fame , yea , and much more , Fill'd heaped measure , and much running o're . 'T was she that took the Word of God away , And by a String of Beads taught men to pray . She rob'd the Layety of the blessed Cup , And spoil'd the Feast where Children come to Sup , At the Lords Table where they us'd to mind The blessed things their Saviour left behind . She did set up her Superstitious Mass , As rank an Idol as yet ever was , Commanding adoration to be given Of equal honour with the God of Heaven ; Imposing Vows , unwarranted Traditions , Implicit Faith , and thousand Superstitions , Pretended Miracles , apperent Lies , Damnable Errors , and ●ond Fopperies ; She clogs the Conscience , and to make all well , Boasts all her Dictates are Infallible . Did Babylon the burning Work begin ? Make a hot Farnace ? Thrust Gods Worthies in ? This Church herein hath driven such a trade , That thousands , broiling Martyrs she hath made . She sets the Pope above the holy one , The great Jehovah and his blessed Son. 'T is she declares him Universal Head , 'T is she forbids the Bible to be read . 'T is she that first did from the Faith depart , 'T is she that wounded Sion to the heart . 'T is she hath been the occasion of all evil , 'T is she advanc'd the Doctrine of the Devil . 'T is she that taught her Sons to swear and lie , To vouch great falshdods , and plain truths deny . 'T is she that did forbid the Marriage Bed , Whilst her vile Clergy such ill lives have led ▪ Was it not she that Canon did create , Commanding plainly to abstain from meat , Which God gave licence unto all to eat . If from this charge she can her self defend , Then may she make the Judge and Law her friend Or if she can produce another tribe , To whom we may this Character ascribe ; With greater clearness than we do to her , We will consent her Sentence to defer . Judge . ROme , since thou canst not make a fair defence , And shew to all the World thine innocence . 'T is very evident that all these things , Have been fulfilled on Kingdoms and their Kings . And now if there no other People be , That did the like , then thou alone art she . Let thy denials trouble men no more , Thou only art the bloody scarlet Whore. Therefore in Justice I at length am come , ( Being long provokt ) to pass thy final d●om . The Sentence . ROME Thou hast been Indicted by the Name of Mystery , Babylon , Mother of Harlots , Scarlet-coloured Whore , and False Church , or pretended Spouse of Jesus Christ . And found guilty of all these horrid and prodigious Crimes , following : Thou didst first fall from the Holy Religion of God and his Son , which were established ▪ and professed in the Apostles time . Thou didst set up the vile Monster the POPE , the Man of Sin , that foul , Blasphemous Beast . Thon didst most sacrilegiously give those Attributes and Titles to him , that belong to Jehovah and the Great Emanuel . Thou mad'st his Decrees in Wicked Counsels , above the Laws of God , ( the Vniversal Sovereign ) Thou hast made void the Laws and Constitutions of the Gospel , forming whole Nations into Churches , though the greatest part do shew themselves the worst of Men. Thou hast made Nurseries of Priests and vile Men , and impowered them to take Confessions for Money , and forgive Sins . Thou hast hypocritically abused all sorts of People , by perswading them that thou hast power to heal their soul here , and help them hereafter , by which cursed frauds thou hast drawn a great part of the Riches of Europe into thine unhallowed hands . Thou hast laid Close Siege to the Courts of Princes , and drawn them into the highest strains of Wickedness to commit fornication , promote Idolatry ▪ and take away the lives of Innocents . Thou hast layn in wait ( where they would not fulfil thy bloudy and barbarous Lusts ) to contrive Treasons , Sedition and Rebellion against them , to Depose and Murder them by Excommunications , Poysons and Powder-Plots . Thou hast corrupted all Countrys and Kingdoms ( where thy power extended ) by such downright and abominable Ieolatrys , that Heathens themselves were never guilty of worse . Thou hast not only countenanced Stews and Brothel - Houses , where abominable Sodomy and Adulteries are practiced , but even thy very Nunneries are become Habitations of Whoredom and Filthiness , the bottoms of whose Motes and Ponds , have shewed the Murders of New born Babes . Thou hast killd the best Men ; thou hast not spared delicate Women and sucking Children . Thou hast made away many Millions both of Christians and poor Heathens . And after so Hellish a sort , that the best learned Heart and Tongues want Rhetorick to set it forth ; Thou hast cut them to pieces in Cool Bloud , thou hast chained to Stakes and burnt them . Thou hast ripped up Women with Child , and Ravisht Women and Maids — and then hast barbarously slain them — Thou hast been guilty of burying alive , Roasting upon Spits , scalding with burning Oyl and boyling Lead — Blowing their Heads in pieces with Gun-Powder ; thou hast made Women Widdows , Children Fatherless ; Houses and Villages , Towns and Cities without Inhabitants . Thou hast destroyed by Fire and Sword and all manner of Hostitities and Outrages . Thou hast fomented Wars betwixt Kingdoms and Nations . Thou hast done thy endeavour to make all men slaves , but thy own accursed Tribe of Cardinals , Arch-Bishops , Bishops , &c. Thou hast Murder'd multitudes of Souls , as well as destroy'd multitudes of Bodys . In short , thou hast filled the Earth with Corruption , and loaded it with Opprassion , and standest in the way of its promised Deliverance and Restitution . And for all this Apostacy , Oppressions , Adulteries , Fornications , Rebellions , Treasons and Blasphemies , with the guilt of a mighty Mass of Innocent Bloud , which hath been proved against thee , and from which thou canst not defend thy self , and for which , both by the Law of God , Nature and Nations , thou oughtest to suffer , thy Sentence therefore is — Thou shalt continue in safe Custody till the 1260 Years be expired , ( which is now very near ) and then thou shalt he taken from off the Beast , where thou art imperiously Mounted , thy Golden Cup ( with which thou hast deceived the Nations ) shall be taken out of thy hand , and by the Hand of God , the Horns of the Nations , and Swords of Good Men , thou shalt have these Judgements come upon thee in one day , Death , Mourning and Famine , and thou shalt be utterly burnt with Fire , like a Woman that hath broken Wedlock , and slain her Sovereign ; At which all the Host of Saints and Angels , shall say Amen , — Hallelujah . The AVTHOR's REQUEST . I. SOme things , great God , my Soul doth long to have , Before these transient days of mine be o'er ; Which things in deep humility I crave , Before I go from hence , and be no more . Till my Requests I can of thee obtain , I shall be fill'd with sorrow , grief , and pain . II. Alas my Griefs are now increased double ! O that thou would'st be pleas'd to hear O Lord ! Then should my Soul be free from inward trouble If what I humbly ask thou would'st afford Until thy grace allows me my Request , I cannot cease , nor give thee any rest . III. 'T is not for fading Riches of this World , Nor empty Honour , that to thee I cry ; Such with a puff are oft to nothing hurld , They get them Wings , and from Possessors fly . All sublunary things uncertain be ; I ask them not , some better things I see . IV. 'T is not for Pleasures that are transitory , Which fill vain Fancies with a foolish Joy ; But for some Glimpses of Diviner Glory , Which my transported Soul longs to enjoy . Can Riches , Honours , fading Pleasures give The things I want , whilst on the Earth I live ? V. The things that I am longing to receive , Most precious are ; O let me humbly urge , That thou thy presence unto me would'st give , My heart from sin that thou wouldst also purge . These are the things my never-ceasing Cry Petitions for ; Lord grant them e'er I die . VI. Thy presence does more consolate my heart , Then sweetest Honey , or the Honey-Comb : I will ( with Mary ) chuse the better part : 'T is Sin my Soul would be deliver'd from : Then I thy Name in Songs will magnifie And happy be , when e'er I come to die . VII . Let thy good Spirit be my blessed Guide , And in thy House let me for ever dwell ; From Gospel-Truths O let me never slide , Nor find my Conscience like another Hell : And I thy Name for evermore shall praise And happy be when I shall end my Days . VIII . Lord whatsoever my Estate is here , With sweet Submission let me be content , When I 'm most troubled , then be thou most near , And never from me thy dear self absent : This will my prostrate Spirit highly raise , And if I suffer , to thy Name be praise . IX . Teach me , I pray thee , that Celestial Skill , My Days to number , as thy Saints have done ; Let me still yield unto thy blessed Will , And wait upon thee till my Glass be run : So shall my Raptur'd Tongue thy praise proclaim And sing Hosanna's to thy Glorious Name . X. O regulate my Tongue , and make me see , How few my days are , and how short their length , Let all my Trust be still repos'd in thee ; Relax thy scourge , or add unto my strength : Be thou my way , my strength , my light that I May learn to live , and in thy favour die . XI . When hungry , let thy Manna be my meat ; When circled in the dark , enlighten me ; When I am weary , O! be thou my Seat ; And when imprison'd , do thou set me free : So fill'd , enlightned , after sweet repose , Enlarg'd from Bonds , I will thy praise disclose . XII . In time of wrath , when fury waxes great , Be thou my Bulwark and securest Tower ; To thy transcending Name let me retreat , And be defended by thy mighty Power . Secure me till thy Vengeance is past over , That I thy Praises may to all discover . XIII . Let me with Patience run that blessed Race , And From my weights , which very sore have bin , Be now set free , that with a swifter pace I may the Prize of lasting Glory win . Be thou my Guide , do thou direct my Path , Lord give me Patience , & with Patience Faith. XIV . Thy Children are as ( many ) Members joyn'd Which make one body , whose blest Head thou art , O cause them with an undivided mind And perfect Union , to have all one heart : Then shall I hope to see a blest increase Of sion's Glory , and of Israel's Peace . XV. Thy Children have in many things provok'd Thee , but in Mercy pass Offences by . By Grace , O Lord , let Judgment be revok'd That they may live thy Name to magnifie ; And I thy Goodness will proclaim to all , And warning take , lest I my self do fall . XVI . Remember Sion in her aking grief , She mourns , she weeps , and is in inward pain , Do thou in Mercy , send her such relief That she ( with cause ) may never more complain ; Then ( not till then ) my sorrows will be over , And I thy goodness will to all discover . XVII . O let thy Gospel through the Earth be spread ! Rome's black design , O let thy Grace prevent ! Permit not them to grow into a Head , As they have purpos'd , with a full intent . Then shall I ( quickned by a holy Flame ) Ascribe the Glory to thy Blessed Name . XVIII . I pray thee scatter our inraged Foes , And baffle all who proudly have combin'd Against thine Heritage , do thou expose Them to be tost as Chaff before the Wind ; Preserve thy Flock from bloudy Babels hand , Establish Truth and Quiet in the Land. XIX . O God whose dreadful Judgments are severe , And whose great Mercy 's full of sweet compassion Destroy thy Churches Foes both far and near , And grant to me the joy of thy Salvation ; Then will I spend the Remnant of my days . In Psalms of Thanks to thee , and Hymns of Praise . XX. Make hast to judge the Persecuting Whore , Thy righteous Judgment quickly execute ; Let her so fall that she may rise no more . O Lord be pleas'd to grant my earnest suit , That I may see her fall before I die . That I thy Name may therefore magnifie . XXI . O Lord , establish thiee own interest , And set thy Son upon his blessed Throne ; Destroy the Kingdom of the Scarlet Beast , Let Christ his Foes to conquer now go on , That on the Top of Sion I may sing Aloud , Hosanna to the Highest King. XXII . What thou , O Lord , hast to thy Sion told Of Blessings that thou hast for her in Store ; Them once fulfill'd , O let mine Eyes behold , And then let me go hence and be no more In this disturbing World , but let me be Translated to a blest Eternity . XXIII . In all the course of my short Pilgrimage , Be thou my Load-Star , let my heedful Eye Be fixt on thee , that when I leave the Stage , I may be fitted and prepar'd to die ; That when this transitory life is o'er , With Angels I may fing for evermore . XXIV . Whate'er of any Suit thou dost deny , Grant me True Faith , that I may still believe That through Christs Ransom , when I come to dy A Glorious Crown from thee I shall receive , O Lord of Hosts , vouchsafe me my request , Let me enjoy but thee , and I will rest ; For having thee , all precious things I have , And in the World there 's nothing else 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 Bridegrooms nigh , 'T is near the midst of Night . II. Rouse up , awake , your Lamps to take , And longer do not slumber ; You must them trim , to tend on him Into the Wedding Chamber . III. You Virgins all , to you I call , What Oil have you in store ? If you have none , you are undone , Then look to it therefore . IV. Watch then alway , Our Lord doth say , None knows the day nor hour Watch carefully , for you are nigh The day of his great Power . V. With speed arise , lift up your Eies , The Day-Star doth appear , Rise from your Bed , raise up your Head , Redemption's very near . VI. Such as are wife , their time do prize , Preparing for their Lord , To them he will , his Word fulfil And his sweet smiles afford . VII . But Fools do hast , their time to waste In sleep and slothfulness ; Yet such presume , they shall assume His Glory ne'r the less . VIII . But they indeed on fancys feed , 'T will come to such an Ebb , That they shall see their hopes will be Like to the Spiders Wed. 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 so very vain , And in a formal state , And all the while have got no Oil , You 'll mourn when 't is too late . XI . You who profess , and not possess The Truth in Life and Power ; Your state is bad , and will be sad Before this day be o'er . XII . You have the Shel , but no Kernel , The Chaff but not the Wheat , The Husks you 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 . Still have a care , and do not dare In Babel to remain ; For if you do , then must you know , With her you shall be slain . XV. Come , hast away without delay , With all speed and indeavour , Her end is come , her fatal Doom , Therefore your Souls deliver . XVI . You now do hear , her Ruine's near , Your Sins therefore forsake , And you 'll prevent the punishment Of which she must partake . XVII . All her Pleasures and rich Treasures Hate as monstrous evil , Gods Word doth shew , who love them do , Shall go unto the Devil . XVIII . You must remove , your dearest Love From Earth , and things thereof ; For this hath bin a crying Sin , Now cast it therefore off . XIX . On things above , set all 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 , As you e're long will find . XXI . You must not rest on Self-Intrest , But wholy for the Lord , He 'll else at last you surely blast , According to his Word . XXII . There are some Men , cry loud , When , when , Wilt thou in Glory come ? But few repent , or do relent , And pray for his Kingdom . XXIII . But such shall see , with them 't will be As when one'scapes a Bear , Which being gone , Lyons come on , Which do in peices tear . XXIV . Subdue your Sin ; for it hath been Your greatest Enemy : If that does reign , you strive in vain , You must it Crucifie . XXV . In every Land , there 's none shall stand And happy be indeed , But only those whom God hath chose , Who on Christ Jesus feed . XXVI . O therefore cry continually For Christ and precious Grace That being blest , you all may rest When you have run your race . XXVII . The great Bridegroom when he doth come , Will all such entertain , And you shall then be happy Men , And with him ever Reign . XXVIII . He 'll place you high in Majesty , Your honour shall excel ; And so I 'll end , who am your Friend And bid you all farewel . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A47607-e1580 * Lev. 20. 10. * Rev. 17. 18.