sent To humble men and move them to repent Yet they proceed in foul impenitence And aggravate their horrid insolence Seeming to bid defiance unto Heaven Scorning to take the dreadful warnings given ' The sweeping Plague that Messenger of wrath ' In such as scap'd smâ—ll Reformation hath ' Produc'd nor has the desolating Fire ' A perfect token of Gods flaming Ire ' Burnt up the Cities 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 ' Should any Women have such Children Born ' With such Attire as on their Heads are worn ' Would it not them affright and terrifie ' God may do so it you don 't speedily ' Reform your Lives and cast your Fashions off ' Which make ill men at you revile and scoff ' Though Want though Poverty and loss of Trade ' Do many Men and Families invade ' Yet do they vaunt in Pride and Luxury ' As they had Mines of Treasure lying 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 sate ' Whilst Lazarus lies starving at the Gate A Complaint against 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 Damning Sinking horrid Imprecations Do they disgorge the Serpents flery 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 Christ's Blood and Wounds a Courtier 's Alamode How can th' abused Earth but gape again To swallow quick vile wretches so prophane How 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 'ave made Most quick proficience in the Hellish Trade That Rant and Roar Revel and 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 controul'd As if th' avenging hand their Lives did spare Thus to provoke him without dread or fear But poor Blasphemer though 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 forbears to strike Dost 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 Judgments are so long delay'd 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 A Complaint against Drunkenness DOst thou not see how filthy Drunkenness Does reign in City and in Villages Some reel and wallow in the Streets 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 befal Although Gods Word has fearful 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 What-e're 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 smoke Sin sets the door wide open and makes way For all the sorrows of th' approaching day These are in part the cause of Englands woe 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 against Whoredom and Adultery DID filthy Lust and Whoredom ever rage With more success than 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 Than 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 Than 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 That all the waters in the Sea can never VVipe off nor can it be forgot for ever The loud Embraces of Lascivious Dames VVill rot their Bones breed Cankers in their names Beget consumption in Estate and Purse Produce destruction and a certain curse The common ends that such arrive unto Are foul Diseases Beggery and VVoe They 're sottish Fools says wise Demosthenes That buy Repentance at such rates as these VVho Sâ—n to please an Enemy that strives To damn their Souls and rob them of their Lives God in his Sacred Ordinances hath Appointed such to an immediate Death VVould mâ—n but judge it as their greatest Foe They'd never love nor hug it as they do Each Sex is bad but VVomen seem to be The very Brokers of Immodesty Which makes that passage to be born in mind A Wise and vertuous Woman who can find Your City Dames and Ladies are on Fire With wanton Passion and unchast Desire Providing Meats on purpose to inflame Their pamper'd Gallants to their wonted shame Bare Breasts and naked Necks a Harlots Dress Are strong Temptations unto wickedness All other Sins th' Apostle does declare Which men commit without the Body are But this abominable Act alone Against his Body by a man is done Marriage to all the undefiled Bed Is 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.
melodiously to sing We heard the Turtles Voice too in our Land Such mighty Blessings Thankfulness command Blessings which England never knew before For which the God of Heaven we should adore And since our Sun is risen let him shine Most gloriously in Rays which are Divine Like powerful Sol whose Soul reviving Beams Whose warming nature and delightful gleams Send forth on all his powerful Influence So let him equally his warmth dispence Nor can we fail of this our expectation It 's like your self 't is like your Declaration You by some just sublime and sacred Arts Are both become the King and Queen of hearts You there erect your Throne 't is there you reign Sure such a Kingdom always will remain Oh may our Sun never Eclipsed be Oh may he send his Beams from Sea to Sea And may he give an Universal Light That all dark Regions may receive their sight And may his strong attractive Power likewise Dry up those naufeous sinks of sin that rise And grow so rife unto our Nations shame And high dishonour of Jehovah's Name May he his growing cherishing Beams display Upon the Good and Virtuous so that they May all strive to exceed in fruitfulness And flourish like those Trees the Lord doth bless But let him Lord be a hot scorching Sun To thy grand Foe The Whore of Babylon Let him make all those noisom weeds to fade And lose the glory which they lately had So that the Flower de Luce may hang the head It is high time it quite were withered Let proud Tyrconnels heart now die away To hear who does Great Britains Scepter sway Let our Dear Soveraign send such powerful Darts As may subdue the most rebellious hearts Of Teagues and Tories in that mournful Land O're which our Princes long have had command But let him be a healing Sun unto His People and their Differences subdue When Both have run their Race Crown Both on high Among thy Saints to all Eternity So prays your Majesties most humble and most obedient and truly Loyal Subject Benj. Keach TO THE READER YOU are here presented with a Poem that gives a full Relation of the woful state and sufferings of the Protestant Church from the year 1680. until the year 1688. Together with an Account of those Worthy Christians and Renowned Heroes that suffered during the same space of time In the year 1666. I wrote a Treatise called Sion in Distress I then perceiving Popery ready to bud and would if God prevented not spring up afresh in this Land and then in 1680. came forth a new Edition with such Enlargements which made it very different from the first Impression which was entituled also Sion in Distress or The Groans of the True Protestant Church wherein I shewed the Causes of her Calamities with an Enumeration of some prevailing Sins together with the Plots and Contrivances of Rome against Sion which Book received general Acceptance But now this as the Title assures you brings better News for our great joy and astonishment at what God hath wrought he hath graciously been pleased to turn our sorrow and mourning into Rejoicing You have therefore an Account of the glorious Deliverance both of Church and State from Popery and Slavery by the hand of His now present Majesty which as it is the Wonderment of this present Age so it will be no doubt of future Generations But since the excellencies of things appear best when compared to their contraries as Light when compared to Darkness and Health to Sickness and Liberty to Bonds c. I have repeated many things that you have in Sion in Distress which set forth her deplorable condition that so we may the more clearly discern and admire the present blessing and future glory of God's Church but because many grounds of Sions Complaint still continue such I mean as respect the Divisions that are amongst good Protestants and the sad Enormities of Professors she doth repeat those her Sorrows with some fresh aggravations and additions of them And since the Great Whore is fallen and suddenly too in this Kingdom and many that represent her are in hold I have added something concerning her Tryal Sentence or Condemnation that was in the last which part lookt to such a happy hour as this is and tho' we cannot perfectly foresee what God is about to do as yet we being but in the morning of the approaching glory yet are we full of expectation that the work of God in respect of these great and longed for blessings will not go back again but do believe their present Majesties are raised up to be glorious Instruments in the hand of God beyond what some 't is like may suppose nor do I doubt but that the slain Witnesses are a-getting out of their graves time will open things clearer to us But I am sure we cannot sufficiently adore the Divine Goodness for that Salvation wrought by his own right hand let us strive to be thankful to God and labour to live in love one with another and improve the present Providence for since God hath graciously been pleased to do wonders for us let us endeavour to do some great things for him If this may stir up any to act and do valiantly in Israel and be any ways useful to the Church of God or to any Member thereof I have my desire Who am still thy Souls Friend and Servant for Christs sake Benjamin Keach On the Ingenious Author of the Poem called Distressed Sion Relieved OUR Author heated with Seraphick Fire Which did his late lamenting Muse inspire He thereby in the highest notes of grief Wept Tears in Verse when Sion lackt Relief From Art high lofty strains he would not borrow But only did describe a Natural sorrow His clear discerning Soul did then foretel Her danger and what afterward befel He gave us warning to prevent the stroke Sins to forsake and M 〈…〉 y to invoke Yet would not without Consolation leave us Nor did that Book of comfort quite bereave us But still assur'd us That the Scarlet Whore Should in a short time fall and rise no more What he did then predict we hope that we Within a little while perform'd shall see That Heav'n on Sion's sorrows will look down And for her sufferings will at length her Crown That Sion late distrest God will relieve And for her troubles comfort to her give These Hopes our Authors Soul do now inspire they rouse his Muse and make him to admire What Great Deliverance is already wrought So great that it was ev'n beyond our thought This he in cheerful accents to us sings And our past sufferings to our memory brings The Glory of those Worthies he revives That for their Countrey offered their Lives They Popery and Slavery did withstand Which was ev'n ready to o're-spread the Land. And though God did not then success afford Our Author doth their Gallant Names record And thereby hath himself obtain'd a Name That shall be registred
The total of his days His All-seeing Eye Though his own could not saw that he should dye That very fatal hour yet saw his death Not so so necessary but his Breath Might have been spared to a longer date Had he imbraced this not taken that Had not a furious Judge condemned thee Void of all pity and humanity Thou might'st have liv'd and seen with joyful Eyes That done for which thou fell'st a Sacrifice Yet that God orders all things right w' are sure The Death of some may Life to more procure But here 's just cause of further Lamentation For one we scarce can equal in the Nation A worthy Preacher who could not comply With what his Conscience could not justifie But hark how th' Enemy doth scoff and jear That a Dissenter's taken in the snare A better Sacrifice there could not come To please the Canibals of Bloody Rome Who do believe there is no Dish so good As a John Baptist's Head serv'd up in Blood. But he 's a Rebel Ay! that that 's the cry Now as to that let 's weigh impartially His dying words now printed which relate He did believe Monmouth Legitimate Or Lawful Son of Charles or else that he Would ne're have acted in the least degree In that design and we may likewise find The rest in general were of that mind And though they were mistaken let 's take care Not to asperse what dying men declare But sober thoughts of them still to retain And not with Obloquy their Memory stain But lo a multitude of Sufferers more Whose Blood for vengeance cries stand at the door Open to them my Muse Ah! do but see What a great number of them still there be Now they are come 't is fit I first make room For the most gallant generous Battiscombe A worthy Person of a great Estate Although he was cut off by cruel Fate The wretched Judge allur'd him to accuse Some other Gentlemen which he did refuse VVith scorn for he abhorr'd his Life to buy By such base and unmanly treachery VVen he o' th' Ladder was he seemed to smile Saying He hoped in a little while He should enjoy a Crown and Diadem Of Glory in the New Jerusalem That from a Land of misery and woe To the Coelestial Paradice he should go Hamling fell too nor was his Innocence Before so vile a Judge the least defence Against the Crimes wherewith they charged him Though altogether free from any Crime VVho neither was in Arms nor did assist Any that were nor any who did List Themselves for Monmouth nay he did advise His Son not to ingage but to be wise And unto Gods dispose leave every thing VVho in due Season would Deliverance bring But he was a Dissenter and for this He must not live for he accused is By two such Rascals as did never care VVhether 't were truth or falshood they did Swear But with the Judges humour would comply And by such Evidence this man must die Next Mr. Brag a Man of good Descent And well known to be wholly innocent VVho though a Lawyer yet no Law could have VVhereby his Life from violence to save When Law and Justice both o're-ruled were And Judge and Jury too resolv'd to steer By the false Compass of the Princes will In vain was the most Learned Lawyers skill None were secure neither the weak nor strong Will was made Law whether 't were right or wrong The Land-mark was remov'd all Common laid And all our English Liberties betray'd But time will fail me therefore I 'll proceed And not forget Smith Rose and Joseph Speed And Evans too shall such a man as he Fall basely and not draw a tear from me Then Madder Kid young Jenkins too all bled Who for his Youth ought to be pitied With Doctor Temple Spark and Captain Lisle Kill'd in cold Blood their malice was so vile And many hundred others who there fell So barbarously there 's scarce a Parallel Of Stirs that were in any former Reign Where so much cruelty was and leaves a stain Upon that time will ne're be wip't away Until the World and all things else decay But notwithstanding so much Blood was shed Some hundreds of poor Souls were banished Bereaved of their VVives and Children dear And into Forreign Countreys driven were And there exposed to all misery And the severities of Slavery The Husband separated from the VVife Depriv'd of all the joys of humane Life Their Goods and their Estates all forfeited And nothing left wherewith to buy them Bread. But should I all their miseries recount They to a mighty number would amount Yet now Great Nassaw's setled on the Throne VVe do not doubt but he 'll regard their moan That on their sorrows he will cast his Eyes And of his Princely goodness ease their cries But stay my Muse for here 's more cause of grief And I have still more cause of Heav'ns relief For now alas two Martyrs I espy On whom were acted a sad Tragedy The one a Person of great worth and name A Citizen of London of much Fame VVho by Time serving wretches that would do VVhat e're might please the Factious Romish Crew VVas doom'd to death by villanous Evidence Though for himself he made a just defence Alderman Cornish was this worthy man That thus unjustly suffered Who now can Forbear to weep or can forbear to tell VVhat to a pious woman then befel Poor Mistress Gaunt most dear thou wast to me Few of thy Sex ever excelled thee â—â— Zeal in Knowledge or in Charity VVho wast condemn'd a cruel death to die Cause thou relievedst men in misery These two I must bewail who in one day By Romish Treachery were swept away 'Gainst whom these Miscreants malice did appear ' Though altogether innocent and clear As doubtless we shall find apparently VVhen their Case stated is impartially As to the woman 't will be shewed ere long That many ways she suffered much wrong VVho by a Jury at Hâ—â—ks-Hall was freed Yet at th' Old-Bailey 'gainst her they proceed A London Jury took her Life away VVhich they may answer for another day On the same day these worthy Christians fell Most of us may remember very well That Gods displeasure ere that day was done Seem'd very evident to every one That his works doth observe and mind his hand In his strange operations in the Land. O come ye Angels lend your glorious Stile Created Beings to lament a while Ye blessed Hosts that sing Jehovah's praise Assist my Muse in lamentable Phrase For now the City Streets ev'n run with Blood Of those Just men who only sought our good Ah! London let all future Ages see Thy grief that Cornish lost his Life in thee Could not their burning thee abate their rage Nor their inslaving thee their wrath asswage Could not Great Russel's death them mollifie Nor Essex's murder stop their cruelty VVould not th' inthralling of Great Brittain do Religion and Liberty to o'rethrow Hast thou not
Engines of most horrid cruelty Tormenting them they rather chose to die The torturing Boot and burning Matches too They made these innocent Souls to undergo And after all were Sentenc'd unto death And villainously were depriv'd of Breath Some that were guiltless yet were Sentenced To lose their Ears and then be Banished And after this again Examin'd were Whether to their Opinions they adhere If so a second Sentence doth succeed And they are instantly condemn'd to bleed Thus multitudes of Men and Families Were ruined by such Barbarities Extravagant Fines and long Imprisonment And all the Hellish ways Rome can invent Were exercis'd severely on all those Who Popery and Slavery durst oppose Yea they not only took their Lives away But their good Name seek likewise to destroy By representing them as Mortal Foes T' th' King and that they did his Power oppose Thus was our Saviour dealt with by the Jews And thus did they his blest Apostles use Hoping that by their heaping infamy Upon good men they would obnoxious be Unto the Censure of the Mobile And by this their Infernal Policy Induce them all Religion to decry Especially if they be Men of Name As many were whom they sought to defame And hereby thought all Piety to root out Their vile Intrigues with ease to bring about For when Men all Religion do defie They 'll quickly suck in Rome's Idolatry Their wicked Laws good Men must not transgress Nay which is worse they force them to profess And to declare They just and righteous are And fit to be obey'd yea they must Swear They will defend them and that Power too That did Enact them which was hard to do There 's one thing more that 's grievous to relate Which shews their cruel and malicious hate That finding Legal Tryals 'gainst them slow And troublesome they grant a power to The rude ungovern'd Souldiers so that they Have pow'r to challenge and examine may Whom they think fit and Oaths likewise impose Scotland ne're saw such Justices as those Yea they commanded and enjoined were To put to death all such as would not Swear Yea if they would not answer the demands Of these loud wretches then into their hands They fell who most severely them did use The French Dragoons could them not worse abuse And in few weeks no less than Fifty dy'd Of those that their curst Tyranny decry'd No Judge these Martyr'd Christians did condemn Neither did any Jury pass on them The Souldiers without cause destroy'd them all Which doth aloud to Heav'n for vengeance call They kill and slay without respect to Age Or Sex to gratifie their brutish rage They raise an Army like to that in France Their Arbitrary Power to advance And the Intrigues of Rome to carry on And this for Scotland s sorrows makes me moan Poor men Free Quarters must provide or they Are plundered and all is swept away And many hundred sober Persons were Inhumanely destroy'd year after year No former Tyrant scarcely did invent More Tortures than good men there under-went VVhich they must suffer or must else defile Their Consciences with their Opinions vile It seem'd as if Inquisitors were come To Scotland now from Spain or else from Rome Ah! poor inslaved Land Ah! must thou be The Scene of Popish Pride and Cruelty Thy Magistrates are ravening VVolves become Of Esau's Race fit Instruments for Rome Thy Noble Patriots mourn thy Priests are sad Thy Kirk has lost that Glory which she had 'T is good for thee to weigh and lay to Heart What caus'd these woes under which thou dost smart Hast thou not been too hot and too severe And hence are forc'd such miseries now to bear Learn wisdom then and mild and gentle be Since God doth never love severity If ever he return to thee again Let not thy sharpness all thy glory stain Let such who can't unite and joyn with thee Have equal Love and Christian Liberty Or else at length a fiercer Storm may come Than what thou hast already had from Rome Farewel poor Scotland for I must be gone And now methinks I hear poor Ireland groan With a sad Heart I take my leave of thee And what is doing there resolve to see AH dismal sight What! all in Popish hands Not one good Protestant that here commands Must Wolves be Keepers of my harmless Sheep Take heed poor Souls take heed and do not sleep Ah! now I see what the King did intend Is this the love and kindness of a Friend Did he pretend all should have equal share Of Trust and Honour how does this appear Yet let their Honour go if that were all I should not care but when to mind I call The sad and dismal year of Forty One And what by Irish Papists then was done I cannot think my Children safe to be Whilst only such are in Authority Is 't fit such bloody Butchers should bear sway Whose Hearts were never changed to this day Here 's not a Constable ev'n so mean a place But what is of the Irish Popish Race I fear dear Children if God don't appear Your utter ruin now approaches near I cannot but lament when I behold These hungry Lions compassing my Fold If Heav'n don't them deter and soon prevent You will ere long be all in pieces rent But yet cheer up I long expected have The Lion of the North will come to save Both me and mine and will great Wonders do Protecting of these Lands from overthrow The Chicken of the Eagle will appear And vanquish all my Foes both far and near When you of him have Tidings weep no more For your Redemption then is at the door I can't stay longer here my Eye doth glance To pity my poor Children too in France But should I dive into their State I fear I should want strength their miseries to bear BUT other grounds of grief are in mine Eye ' Which cause my sorrows to advance so high ' That my o're-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 Heart unto compassion But say what cause does aggravate your fears And thus provokes to further cries and tears Sion Oh if my Head were waters and each Eye A Springing Fountain I could drein 'em dry I 'm steep'd in brackish Floods nay almost drown'd To see how Sin does ev'ry where abound This was my cry and moan Eight years ago And worse since that I find these evils grow therefore must repeat them o're again For these alas do England's Glory stain And bring reproach likewise on my blest name The grief of Heaven and my Childrens shame ` Where-e re 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 th' Actors of Debauchery What perpetrations of the blackest Crimes Appear not bare-fac'd in our present times Though God incens'd has fearful Judgments
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 Heraulds sent to menace open VVars Against rebellious and polluted Coasts By him who is the mighty Lord of Hosts Awake O England this Lethargick sleep Is out of Season 't is a time to weep 'T is 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 orhwe 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 Randezvouz of Lust It bids thee hasten and repent in dust Have not th' experience of past Ages given Their sad remarks upon these Signs in Heaven VVhat follow'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 does 't presage that trembling I shall fall Lord canst thou see thy pleasant Vineyard tore And rooted up by this rapacious Boar Or have my Childrens crying sins provok'd That dismal sentence not to be revok'd Gods methods were to chasten not destroy Those sinning Souls in whom he once took joy O give thy sinking Church a true discerning VVhat thou dost mean by this prodigious warning That by thy Spirits sacred Flame calcin'd By Scourges mended and by heat refin'd We may find Grace and all our ways amend For some strange change this doubtless doth portend Sion's Friend This was first published eight years ago Just as God did that Fiery Meteor show And when amaz'd at that astonishing sight What you have read I moved was to write What in my judgment it might signifie Though I did ne're pretend to Prophecy But yet we see some things since come to pass Of what so plainly then predicted was A dismal hour of darkness did appear And from that time increased every year Which England nor Gods Witnesses before Did ever see nor I hope ne're will more Our Governments Foundation up was torn Our famous City stript and left forlorn Good men turn'd out of Office without cause And those imploy'd who violate those Laws Which only can the Subjects Right secure And England did sad Slavery to endure Gods Witnesses have likewise since been slain Though they are lately brought to Life again Yea what a wondrous strange Catastrophie Has since befall'n Great Brittain's Monarchy And what a blow is thereby given to Rome We may presage what further is to come For I don't doubt ere its effects are o're The Church of Rome shall fall and rise no more And though proud Lewis triumph let him know It may foretel his final overthrow The Turks have felt the sad effects and shall Unless they own the truth entirely fall No Comet I believe did e're fore-show More good that unto Protestants should grow But lest I should appear unkind to be In stopping Sion's groans in misery I will forbear that she may yet relate What for some years has been her direful state And shew what grief she now does labour under Which seems to break her very Heart asunder Dear Mother pray be pleased to proceed For to your words I 'll give attentive heed Sion Your news is good but Oh! my Spirits faint Finding such doleful causes of complaint My panting Soul renewed grief doth feel My feeble knees beneath their burden reel Such are the black enormities and crimes Which do attend these dark and gloomy times Although I see a Parliament most just Yet I alas lye covered in the dust This was in Eighty when thou couldst not see The Saviour which God had prepar'd for thee I am beset within and round about Nor can I see how God will bring about Deliverance for my Enemies are strong And snares have laid to ruin me ere long And since my sins and Englands are so great â—t may God move to leave his Mercy-Seat And give us up into Rome's Hellish power To be destroy'd in this most dismal hour And if at this time we preserved be When Rome attacks us with such subtilty Playing with so much malice her last Game We ought to praise the great Jehovahs Name Since nothing but a Miracle can do this So very dangerous our condition is Sion's Children Ah Mother who can disallow your moan The Cause is just for every one must own Our failing great and that our sins provoke Impending Judgments and a future stroke If interceeding Mercy step not in To Ward the blow and Cancel all our sin But since amazing Providence now gives light And makes appear the dark Intrigues o' th' night Since Heav'n exposes the results of Rome To publick notice since the Traytors come To Legal Execution since the Grand Contrivers of these mischiefs dare not stand The Test of Law or due Examination 1680. Since such brave Hero's represent the Nation Whose Clear Sagacious penetrating Eyes Dive into Rome's abhorred Mysteries VVhose Noble Souls whose Loyal English Hearts The closest sleights of Antichristian Arts Can ne're deceive whose brave resolves defeat Those curs'd Delinquents whether small or great VVhose Free-born courages do scorn to stoop To be the Vassals of a doting Pope An upstart Vicar whose Pow'r ne're was given By binding Laws of either Earth or Heaven VVe 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 This was writ in 1680. respecting the Worthy Englisâ— Parliament then Sitting Such were our hopes then 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 JESUS 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 VVhy should my Friends a Virgin-Church pollute VVith any Relicks of that Prostitute VVhy gawdy things that never had their name In Sacred Records our Profession shame Why are our Rites enammel'd with their gloss Why must our Gold be mingled with their dross Why farther Reformation is supprest T' uphold a Grandeur that 's Usurp'd at best Why doors and windows must be shut up quite To stop the radiance of its further Light And why must such as disallow those tricks Be branded
them and rather learn Their vicious tricks than teach them to discern The dismal snares and perils that do lurk In sinful words and every evil work Some are so covetous that they would grasp The World in Arm-fulls till their latest gasp â—ome 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 â—o sum their Shop-books but neglect the He art â—or 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 â—rofusely 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 Oh! how they over-rate What they would sell but if they be to buy They under-value each commodity But why should Pride that vile Abomination Be found in Christians must each Apish Fashion Bewitch their Minds when God is so Express In strict forbidding 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 which carries our desires to God And comes down fraighted with a blessed load Of sweet returns yet 't is much disrespected And Closet Prayer too too much neglected Scriptures themselves are slighted and disus'd And oft when read perverted or abus'd Helping the weak is turn'd into its slighting Gospel-reproofs perverted to Backbiting Many that do of God his Mercy crave Yet on the needy little Mercy have They own they 've Blessings from 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 pretence That they have more Divine intelligence Than 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 Duties 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 humane 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 Oh! that a sweet Communion At least of Love did but compleat our Union Why should licentious heat my Childern hurry To those Extreams must they each other worry For trivial things do they not all agree In fundamentals of Divinity Is there no room for Love or must that grace Among my Children have no proper place Why is one Christian 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 absurd Nor more exploded in Gods holy word All should to Gospel-purity adhere But to calumniate vilifie 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 nor shake the Fundament Of true Religion why such angry bawling Suck 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 Destroy 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 do 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 bloody 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 Oh! can a Mothers tears and woful cries Be disregarded 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 Oh! 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 〈◊〉 such you all will certainly agree Oh happy Model of sweet Unity Let none that to those Principles do stick Be branded with the name of Heretick It glads my Heart to hear 'em treat each other By that 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 easy Credit to the Tales of either Hot-headed Scriblers or Licentious tongues That often load the Innocent with wrongs So hellish Monks did serve Wald ensian 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 Debate 's be sure to lay aside All prejudice and let the Scriptures guide Your calm sedate disputes let truth be scan'd VVith cool resolves O! Let that great Command Of Love take place for that should moderate All Eager Sallies in