GODS Sight That he in Darkenesse fall the Light who flies And O this is the vttermost of ill When GOD doth giue one ou'r to his owne Will 40 This Aduersarie of CHRISTS heauenly Word He should himselfe extoll by Sathans Wit Ouer All that is call'd GOD or is ador'd And of Iniquitie no Meanes omit Though worthy of the World to be abhorr'd He in the CHVRCH of GOD as GOD shall sit This Hypocrite huge Mischiefe borne to breede Should looke like GOD yet proue a Deuill indeede 41 This Mysterie of Sinne which GOD doth hate Euen in Pauls Time beganne and since endur'd Yet could not then be known till from the Gate That which then stopt was raz'd and it assur'd The Romane Empire then it was so Greate That of lesse States the Luster it obscur'd The Let which then remain'd being once remou'd This ANTICHRIST the next Aspirer prou'd 42 That spirituall Plague which poysons many Lands Is not the Turke nor Mahomet his Saint Nor none who to crosse CHRIST directly stands He whom the Spirit takes such great Paine to paint It must be one who in the Church commands No Foe confess'd but a Professour faint For if All did him know None would him know Fain'd Friends false Foes may whom they will ou'rthrow 43 Ere that Day come which should the Iust adorne And shall discouer euery secret Thought The ANTICHRIST whose Badge whole Lands haue borne The Prophet false which lying Wonders wrought The Beast with the blasphemous Mouth and Horne Shall be reueal'd and to Confusion brought For Causes hid though GOD a Space spare some Their Iudgements are the heauier when they come 44 The shamelesse Whore which sits vpon seuen Hills Whose Sight lasciuious riotously roules Whose Wine doth make Kings drunke snares thousands will The Deuils chiefe Baud adulterating Soules The Cup of Wrath that filthy Strumpet filles Whose boundlesse Lust no Law no Time controules That stumbling Blocke by whom so many fell Shall once burne here and euer in the Hell 45 The Part where now that Whore her Court doth hold Vile Habylon abominable Towne Where euery thing euen Soules of Men are sold Low in the Dust to lie shall be brought down Her Nakednesse all Nations shall behold And burne that Body which their Soules did drown Whore as she sow'd so shall she reape huge Euills Of the Worlds Mistresse made a Den of Deuils 46 Flie faithfull Christians from that Sea of Sinne Who hate the Whore and the two horned Beast Flie flie in time before their Griefe beginne Lest as their Pleasures so their Plagues you taste When as the Lambe the Victorie doth winne He of fat things will make his Flocke a Feaste This Cloud dispers'd the Sunne shall shine more bright Whilst Darkenesse past endeeres the present Light 47 Now in the dangerous Dayes of this last Age When as he knowes that CHRIST to come prepares The Deuill shall like a roaring Lyon rage And to catch Soules shall set a thousand Snares He gainst GODS Saintes twise deadly Warres shall wage Whilst some Presumption tempts and some Despaires If that this Time not shortned were deceau'd GODS chosen Children hardly could be sau'd 48 Some for a glorious Vse who once did serue As Starres to Eyes cleare Lights of Soules esteem'd Loe stumbling Blockes from their first Course doe swerue Not what they were else were not what they seem'd Such justly damn'd Lights Foes as they deserue From Darkenesse more shall neuer be redeem'd Church Angells all all for Examples vse So that their Fall doth many thousands bruise 49 Men so the World shall loue Religion hate That all true Zeale shall in Contempt be brought The spirituall Lights Eclipse shall grow so greate That Lies the Truth Truth shall a Lie be thought Yet some shall weigh their Works at such a Rate As they Themselues not CHRIST their Soules had bought All just to seeme not be their Thoughts shall bend Not bent to edifie but to contend 50 Some Signes are gone which registred were found To rouze the World before that dreadfull Blast But Ah what All now see and I must founds I wish they were to come or else were past Those Signes those Sinnes I sing do warne shall wound This Age too ag'd and worthy to be last It Signes that shadow'd were doth so designe I must historifie and not diuine 51 The Deuils last charge to shunne CHRIST gaue aduyce Since all the World would be seduc'd by Lies He now whilst all adore their owne Deuyce Taints all mens Hearts or else vpbraides their Eyes The Froth of Vertue and the Dregs of Vice Which onely last the Worlds last Period tryes So high a point Impietie doth winne Not grieu'd no not asham'd men bragge of Sinne. 52 Men with Themselues so much in loue remaine That Rich without and poore within being worne They if not gorgeous Garments do disdaine Though the first badge of Bondage which was borne Yet pampred Bodies famish'd Soules retaine Which seeke the Shadow and the substance scorne Ere high aduanc'd all once must humble proue Those first themselues must loath whom GOD will loue 53 The Greatest number now prophanely sweares And dare to Brawle or Iest name GOD in vaine Yet that Heauen Thunder or Earth burst not feares Lest so they crush'd or swallowed should remaine Some vomit forth polluting purer Eares That what them first may others after staine A filthie Tongue and a blasphemous Mouth Of Sathans Seed doe showe a mighty Growth 54 That Auarice which the Apostle told When as the World declynes Mens Mindes should sway Doth rage so now that euen their GOD for Gold Not onely Men Men in our time betray To Sathan some for gaine their Soules haue sold Whilst what their Hearts hold Trueth their Words gain-say By Ethnickes once those must condemn'd remaine Who change Religion Earthlie things to gaine 55 What Age ere this so many Children saw Who with their Parents O vnhappie Stryfe Plead still at Law though wronging Natures Law And helpe to haste their Death who gaue them Lyfe Now Vertuous Words to vitious Deeds do draw The Loue of GOD is rare of Pleasure ryfe This Darkenesse showes that it drawes nere the Night Sinne it must shortly fall since at the hight 56 Then euen the most of Miserie to make The Soules of some which still being euill grow worse All Sence quyte lost in Sinne such pleasure take That frozen Myndes can melt in no remorse No threatned Terrours can their Conscience wake Sinne hath so much the Spirit so litle force No Physick for the Sicke which liue as sound A Sore past sense doth shew a deadly wound 57 As such a Burden it did burst to beare Through Horrour of our Sinnes the Earth doth shake And shall it selfe oft-tymes asunder teare Ere CHRIST his Iudgement manifest doth make Or else I know not if it quake for feare Of that great Fyre which should it shortly sacke The liuing Earth to moue dead Earth doth moue Yet earthlie Men then
rested where the stately Citie stood Saue Heapes of Horrour rais'd of Dust and Blood 104 But murdring Saints in Wickednesse growne bold That Towne which long was drunke last drown'd with Blood That Towne by which who bought the World was sold Sold with Disgrace beheld her scorned Brood Them lou'd by GOD Men did in Honour hold And loth'd by GOD with them in Horrour stood Then Iewes whom GOD high rais'd and low doth bow What Name more glorious once more odious now 105 When of Saluation joyfull Newes were spred VVith spirituall Grace all Nations to bedew VVhilst famish'd Soules that sacred Nectar fed The LORD strange Iudgements Millions made to view And those who first fierce Persecutions bred A jealous GOD with Vengeance did persew His Wrath against Themselues against their Foes Is quensh'd is kindled by his Seruants Woes 106 By him who first gainst CHRIST did Ensignes pitch His Brother Mother Wife and Selfe was slaine The Great Apostat wounded in a Ditch Did grant with Griefe the Galileans raigne Of him whose Errours did whole Realmes bewitch The Death most vile did viler Doctrine staine A monstrous Death doth monstrous Liues attend And what All is is judged by the End 107 He who made Hymens Torch drop Blood and Teares The Nation most Humaine being Inhumaine Did blood when dead at Mouth Nose Eyes and Eares As vomiting his Surfet so againe In Crime and Crowne his second fraught with Feares The bloody Band by mutuall Blowes was slaine The King the Duke the Friers deuis'd that Ill The King the Dake the Friers the King did kill 108 Whos 's Sight is so eclips'd which now not sees In euery Kingdome Prouince Towne and Race On Princes Subjectes Men of all Degrees What weighty Iudgement Sinners Steppes do trace Which not the Crowne more then the Cottage frees The Wicked Man sayes GOD shall haue no peace A Countenance calme may maske a stormy Mind But Guiltinesse no perfect Ease can find 109 Those temporall Plagues are but small Smokes of Ire To breach a Brest which is not arm'd with Faith And are when GOD due Vengeance doth require Of Indignation Drops weake Sparks of Wraith As Lightning is to Hels eternall Fire Or to a Tempest huge a litle Breath So are all those of this which I proclame A Puft a Glance a Shaddow or a Dreame 110 As weigh'd by GOD still ballanc'd hings this Round Which Sinne growne heauie now quyte downe ward beares Exhausted Courage Horrour shall confound Till Hopes high Towers rest all ou'rflow'd with Feares All shall together fall as by one Wound Not hauing Time to flie no not for Teares On Day as Night as on the Wearied Sleepe Death steales on Lyfe and Iudgements way doth sweepe 111 All clearely see who Lyfes short Race do rinne The last Decree though being suspended yet That fatall Doome inflicted first for Sinne Though not attended doth not doubted hit And of all Soules the Processe doth beginne For straight when Death arrests the Iudge doth sit For this first Charge all fortifie the Mind As Death vs leaues so Iudgement shall vs find 112 Death each Man daylie sees but none fore-sees The Wage of Sinne the Jubilie of Cares First Iudgement threatned base Corruptions Lees Inheritance which serues all Adams Heires Iust onely Equaller of all Degrees The Charge enjoyn'd for no Respect which spaires What Agues Wounds Thoghts Paines al breathing Breath Are Heraulds Sergeants Vshers Posts of Death 113 Death Doores to enter at and Darts to wound Hath as the Heauen hath Starres or Sea hath Sands What though not sicke not stab'd not choak'd burnt drown'd Age matchlesse Enemie all at last commands O what Designes this Emperour Pale doth bound Built of bare Bones whose Arche Triumphall stands Ah for Ones Errour all the World hath wept The Golden Fruite a leaden Dragon kept 114 Then since Sinnes Hang-man Natures vtter Foe By whom true Lyfe is found Lyfes Shadow lost A thousand Fancies interrupting so When least exspected doth importune most Haste haste your recknings all must pay and go Guests of the World poore Passengers who post And let vs stryue a Change being wyselie made To die alyue that we may liue when dead 115 All thinke whilst sound what Sicknesse may succeed How in the Bed imprison'd yee may be When euery Object Loathsomnesse doth breed Within without that Soule or Eyes can see To trembling Nature which still death doth dread Griefe paints out Horrour in a high degree The Bodie in the Bed Thoughts in it roule The Conscience casting vp a bitter scroule 116 But when externall Powers beginne to faile That neither Tongue can giue nor Eares receaue Friends wretched Comforters retir'd to waile To agonize the soule alone do leaue Which Satan straight with Squadrons doth assaile Being bent to force whom first he did deceaue Who once entys'd then to accuse beginnes To wakened Soules vpbraiding buried Sinnes 117 That fatall Conflict which all Flesh doth feare By helpes from Heauen being foughten past and wonne Whilst it to Heauen triumphing Angels beare This mortall Race magnanimouslie runne As being ordain'd to decke the highest Spheare The Soule shall shine more glorious then the Sunne Whilst cloath'd with Righteousnesse a Priest a King Hell where thy Victorie Death where thy Sting 118 O when to part GOD doth the Soule permit Rais'd from her Shell a Pearle for Sion chus'd She recollects accomplish'd ere she flit Her Faculties amidst fraile Flesh diffus'd As Iudgement Reason Memorie and Wit Being all refyn'd no more to be abus'd Then parts in Triumph free from Earthlie Toyles Yet longs perchance to gather vp her Spoyles 119 Let all those Plagues smoakes of our Makers Ire Make all in time their inward State reforme Those Plagues of which loe euen to sing I tyre Ah what do those who beare their vglie Forme Yet they but kindlings are of endlesse Fyre And litle drops which do fore-goe a Storme Looke looke with Clouds Heauens Bosome else doth swell To blow the Wicked to the lowest Hell The second Houre THE ARGVMENT THat threatned Time which must the World appall Is that all may amend by Signes fore-shown Warres rumor'd are the Gospell preach'd ou'r All Some Jewes conuert the Antichrist is known Deuils rage Vyce raignes Zeale cooles Faith failes Starres fall All sorts of Plagues haue the last Trumpet blown And by prodigious Signes may plaine appeare That of the Sonne of Man the Signe drawes neare 1 THough thundring down those who transgresse his Lawer And with Disdain his Bountie do abuse As Adamants do Irne Repentance drawes The LORD to loue Those whom he first did chuse A Space retir'd from the tempestuous Waues The Port of Mercie must refresh my Muse Whose ventrous Flight all Loftinesse must leaue And plainly sing what all Men should conceaue 2 The LORD delights not in a Sinners death But Sheep which stray toyles to recouer still To please a Sonne who had deseru'd his Wrath His Calfe long fed the Father straight did kill Not
61 Of all the Beasts by Men domesticke made The most obsequious and obedient still The fawning Dog which where we list we leade And wants but Words to doe all which we will Which loues his Lord extreamly euen when dead And on his Tomb for Griefe himselfe doth kill He then with Tongue stretch'd forth doth panting rin Which straight when fir'd drawn backe burnes all within 62 The generous Horse the Gallants greatest Friend In Peace for Show and in effect for Warre Which to his Lord when wearie Legges doth lend To flie or chase in Sport or earnest Farre A Pegasus he through the Air would bend Till that his Course turn'd Centaure Man doth marre His wauing Treasures fir'd to flie from Death He first the wind outrunnes and then his Breath 63 This squadrons King that doth for Fight prepare As if he wrack'd the World doth raging goe His Foote doth beate the Earth Taile whippes the Aire Mad to be hurt and yet not find a Foe But soone his Shoulders rough the Fire makes bare And melts his Strength which was admired so Death doth to Rest arrest his rouling Eyes Loe in a litle Dust the Lyon lyes 64 Those Poysnous Troupes in Africks Fields which stray In Death all fertill as the first began By Look by Touch by Wound and euery Way True Serpents Heires in Hatred vnto Man Which GOD still good in Deserts maks to stay To waste the World still doing what they can But whilst they houle scritch barke bray hurle hisse spout Their inward Fire soone meetes with that without 65 The Crocodile with running Depthes in Loue By Land and Water of Tyrannicke powr With vpmost Iawes which and none else do moue Whose Cleansing first is sweet oft after sowr And whyls his Crime his Punishment doth proue Whilst a deuouring Baite train'd to deuoure He neither now can fight nor yet retire His scalie Armour is no Proofe of Fire 66 The Beast though haunting Depthes not there confin'd Whose Haires as precious decke each Great Mans Head Before like Eagles Gooses like behind Whose Feet as Oares to manage Streames are made To waste the liquid Wayes not needing Wind Whose Taile his Course doth as a Rudder leade A Sparke falne from a Tree may then confound Him with his Teeth that now strikes Trees to Ground 67 The Otter black where sinne-wing'd troupes repaire Fresh Riuers Robber which his prey doth chuse And all that kinde nor Fish nor Flesh which are But do two Elements Amphibions vse Not able to touch Earth nor to draw Aire In Waters they their kindled Skinnes infuse But yet refuge can find in neither Soile They burne on Earth and in the Depths do boyle 68 Floods seem'd to grone which beasts Incursion maimes All altered then which lookt of late like Glasse And murmure at the flamming of their streames By Carcasses flot-flotting in a Masse A mouing Bridge whilst euery Channell frames When as there are no Passengers to passe With Beasts all buried Waters are press'd down Whilst both at once their Burdens burne and drown 69 The Crystalls quicke which slowlie vs'd to go And others Heat by coldnesse did allay As if being grieu'd to be polluted so Grown red with rage boyld vp pop-popling stay And tread in Triumph on their breathlesse Fo Whoses Ashes with their Sands they leuell lay But Vulcan now a Victor in each place By Violence doth all their Nymphes embrace 70 The Dwellers of the Depths not harm'd in ought When first Vyce all and next the Waters drown'd So since by some more sacred still are thought As whom Sinnes Scourge did onely not confound The Elements not pure to purge being brought They likewise fall kill'd by this generall Wound The Fishes sodden are in euery Flood Yet find no Eaters though a callour Food 71 All which Corruption only serues to feed When it doth end doth end so Heauen designes Nought saue the Soule which doth from GOD proceede Ouer death triumphes and still is pleas'd else pynes Death nor mans Essence but his Sinne did breed And it with it the end of Tyme confines Then Death and Lyfe shall neuer meet againe The State then taken alwayes doth remaine 72 Salt Seas fresh Streames the Fish which loues to change The Riuers Prince esteem'd by daintie Tastes Which through the Ocean though he yearelie range The bounds him bred to see yet yearelie hastes Ah Man whyles wants O Monster more then strange This kind Affection common vnto Beasts That Salmon fresh for which so many stryue May then be had boyld where it liu'd alyue 73 The Trout the Eele and all that Watrie Brood Which without Feet or Wings can make much Way Then leape aloft forc'd by the raging Flood Not as they vs'd before for sport or prey That which whyles freez'd their Glasse to gaze in stood Now turn'd to Flammes makes what it bred decay Those which to take Men did all Snares allow All without Baites or Nets are taken now 74 Those Floods which first did Fields with Streames array The Riuers foure by sacred Write made known Which since farre sundrie makes their Wits to stray Who Paradise drawn by their Dreames haue shown As turn'd from it or it from them away In all the Earth their strength shall be ou'r-thrown VVhom first high Pleasures Horrours huge last bound As if for Griefe they vanish from the Ground 75 The fertile Nilus neuer rashlie mou'd Which ag'd in trauell manie Country knowes Whose Inundation by the Labourer lou'd As Barrennesse or Plentie it fore-showes From diuerse meanes but doubtfull all is prou'd Oft Natures worke all Reasons Power ouer-throwes The Ancients wondred not to find his Head But it shall all inuisible be made 76 Heauens Indignation seazing on all things The greatest Waters languish in their Way The litle Brookes exhausted in their Springs For Pouertie can not their Tribute pay Of Moisture spoyl'd the Earth craues Help not brings The Mightie thus left to themselues decay Great powers compos'd make but of manie one Whose weaknesse showes it selfe when left alone 77 That Flood whose Fame more great then Waters straide Whose Race like it more then their owne would ow Which from the Appennins oft gathering aide Would those ouer-throw who did the world ou'r-throw VVhich though vnstable onely stable staide In that great Citie where all else fell low It which so long familiar was with Pame Shall be dry'd vp an vnregarded streame 78 The Sheep-heards Mirrours all like Siluer pure VVhich curious Eyes delighted were to see VVhen Flammes from Heauen fraile Beauties shall combure No Creature then being from Confusion free Euen they shall grow more vglie and obscure Then the infernall Floods are fain'd to be Of their long course there shall no signe remaine VVorse then that Lake where Brimstone once did raine 79 Whilst Thetis bent to court those Streames as vaine That on themselues to gaze stryue Time to win And liquid Serpents wynding through the Plaine As if to sting the Earth oft gathered in
hight That the last part on this Worlds Stage was shown Else to vpbraid as a prodigious sight Them who did haste what bent to haue ouer-thrown And others all thus rais'd more glad do ryse Of Soules birth once then of their Bodies thryse 106 There come those two from whence no Flesh can know Yet not more soone then whom fraile Eyes saw dead Of which as Types one to each World did show That Mortalls might be straight Immortall made Grosse Bodies mount and some Death not ouerthrow A Laberinth whence Nature none can lead In most euill tymes most good to be mark'd so Those did from hence mans common Way not go 107 That godly man by GOD judg'd Iust to be Translated was that he might not see Death Being Death to him his LORD despis'd to see Whilst poysond with vile Mens blasphemous Breath Or else at last from Pangs and Horrours free He priuiledg'd from all the signes of Wrath Did part not die from Sinne not Life estrang'd Soules must remoue else haue their lodging chang'd 108 Whilst him saue GOD who ought disdain'd to feare Vile Baals Scourge of Kings who scorn'd the Ire With flamming Steeds a burning Coach did beare The Wind being Wagoner an Angell Squire Twix this grosse Globe and the celestiall Spheare Zeale did triumph euen as it fought with Fyre That Heauen and Earth both might his Glory know As earst his Toyles when but contemn'd below 109 As where he liue or lyes to turne or stay To dispute easie is hard to conclude The LORD perchance committed him to Clay As one with whom He on Mount Tabor stood Else not dissolu'd but changd when borne away And some thinke kept apart yet to do good For without all no Saints perfected be The Maide-borne-bodie so Heauens onely see 110 A loude Alarme still doubling from aboue The Word Eternall may make Breath abound All this vaste Circuit doth a Trumpet proue Whose Concaue wastes not but maintaines the sound At the first blast nought else saue it did moue As drearie Silence had prepard the ground But till all Eares be fill'd it higher swells A horrid Echo roaring from the Hells 111 Those guiltie Soules what further comfort shields From sleepe whose Conscience with the Bodie stares Then when they see as Grasse ouer all the fields Men grow about them O what frozen Hearts Earth labour'd long a Monstrous Haruest yeelds Which straight Heauens Husband loe grindes sifts and parts Who can but thinke how such endure this sight And yet what they attend makes it seeme light 112 He who them hates that he should others grace Both Grief and Enuie tortures them at once Of two who rest companions in one place One pleas'd doth joy the other desp'rat moues One parts as pointed for Eternall Peace The other sign'd for paine stayes howles and grones Thus of the Godlies good the first degree Is from the wicked that they parted be 113 Those Creatures who still sound did neuer fall That fatall Summons do no sooner heare Then those whom it forth from the Dust doth call Where they had slept euen manie a hundreth yeare Soules lodgings thus which had bene ruin'd all Straight builded then first perfect do appeare The Iust they first the Reprobat last moue Which bide below whilst others flie aboue 114 Those Temples then which not dissolu'd still stay A Mysterie difficult to conceaue All debt of death not dying shall defray The other life being com'de ere this them leaue The Bodies then all frailtie burn'd away Being quintessenc'd new qualities receaue Which though still quicke yet in their Sinnes being dead Ere mortall prou'd shall be Immortall made 115 If oft to gaze a multitude remaines To hold his Court whilst it some Prince attends Who still being mette with many stately Traines Doth make a Musters of imagin'd friends As by small Brookes a Flood swolne when it raines Till that on him it seemes the World depends That Pomp to all a reuerent aw imparts And strykes with Terrour Malefactours Hearts 116 Thinke with what glory CHRIST must wondring wonne Whilst thundring Terrour and yet lightning Grace He might come clad with Starres crown'd with the Sunne But to his brightnesse such as base giue place His court at first of heauenly Hostes begunne From hence enlarg'd is in a litle space O what strange noyce doth all the World rebound Whilst Angells sing Saints shout and Trumpets sound 117 My rauish'd Soule transcending Reasons reache So earnest is to surfet on this sight That it disdaines what may high thoughts empeach Whilst mounting vp to Contemplations hight Which flight so farre doth passe the power of speech That only Silence can pursue it right And that my Spirit may be refresh'd that way It must a space amidst dombe Pleasures stray FINIS
theirs the wicked neuer can attaine 29 Ah why should Soules for senselesse Riches care They Mercie need it is a way to Wrath The first Man he was made the rest borne bare Those floting Treasures come and go with Breath Not mortall Goods no mortall Euils they are Which since being dead can naught afford but Death Their seed base Care their fruite is burd'nous Paine A losse when found oft lost the Loosers gaine 30 The greatest good which by such Wealth is sought Are flattering pleasures which whilst fawning staine A smoak a shaddow froth a dreame a thought Light slyding fraile abusing fond all vaine Which shewes when staying soone dissolu'd in naught Do to the mind as Clouds to Skies remaine As of Heauens Beauties Clouds would make vs doubt Through mists of Minds the Spirit peepes faintlie out 31 That King of men admir'd of GOD belou'd Whom such none did preceede nor yet succeede Who Wisdomes Minion Vertues Paterne prou'd He slow'd what hight of Blisse this Earth could breede Whose Mind and Fortune equall Meruailes mou'd Whilst Wealth and Wit striu'd which should most exceede Yet he when quicke was cross'd and scorn'd when dead By Happinesse too much vnhappie made 32 Her store franck Nature prodigally spent To make that Prince more then a Prince esteem'd Whilst Art to emulate her Mistresse bent Though borrowing strength from her yet stronger seem'd He wanted naught which might a Minde content What once he wish'd or but to wish was deem'd For thousands Reason rested on his Will Great fortunes find obsequious followers still 33 With GOD the Father he who did conferre And of the Sonne plac'd for a Paterne stood He to Gods Law did his vile Lust preferre His Lust as boundlesse as a raging flood Who would haue thought he could so grossely erre Euen to serue Idoles scorne a GOD so good The strong in Faith when GOD abstracts his Grace Like Men disarm'd fall faintly from their Place 34 GODS Way cannot be found his Course not knowne As Thoughts he did enlarge or else restraine Some were made Saintes who Saintes had once ou'r-throwne Some highly Holy turn'd to be Prophane To mocke Mens Iudgement magnifie his Owne Whilst GOD by both did glorified remaine Let None presume nor yet all Hope despise Who stand feare fals who fall exspect to rise 35 Through Hell to Heauen since our Redeemer past Thinke that all Pleasure purchas'd is with Paine But though first Death none shall the second tast Whom GOD predestinates with him to raigne Choos'd Call'd made Holy Iust and Glorious last Twixt Heauen and Earth them holds a spirituall Chaine Whose fastning Faith whose Linkes are all of Loue Through Clouds by GODS own Hand stretch'd from aboue 36 Let not the godly Men Affliction feare GOD wrestle may with some but none ou'r-throwes Who giues the Burden giues the Strength to beare And greatest Seruice greatest Guerdon owes Those who would reape they at the first must care GODS Loue his Faith a good Mans Trouble showes Those whom GOD tries he giues them power to stand He Iacob tost and stay'd both by one Hand 37 Since first being chus'd ere made much more ere prou'd A Soule elected cannot lose though stray And let none aske what so to doe GOD mou'd His Will his Word his Word our Will should sway He hated Esau and he Iacob lou'd Hath not the Potter power to vse the Clay And though his Vessels could why should they pleade If to Dishonour or to Honour made 38 Some dare tempt GOD presuming of his Grace And proudly sinne as sau'd assur'd to be Nor care not much what Course they doe embrace Since nought they say can change GODS first Decree No None find Heauen but heauenly Wayes first trace The Badge the Bearer shewes the Fruits the Tree Who Safetie doubt do as you might deserue Who trust be thankefull both GOD better serue 39 With Gifts fit for their State all are endew'd Grace Mercie still Wrath Iustice doth conuoy GOD cleares their Sight of whome he will be view'd And blindes Them here Whom hence he will destroy Those whom he did elect those he renewd Those whom he leaues They sinne and sinne with Ioy Such liue like Beasts but worse when dead remaine Beasts dead lose Sence Death giues them Sence with Paine 40 This froward Race that to Confusion rinnes Through Selse-presumption or Distruct of GOD Shall once disgorge the Surfet of their Sinnes Whilst what seemes light then prou's a burdnous Lod With Them in Iudgement once when GOD beginnes To beate to bruise them with an yron Rod Whilst ayrie Pleasures leaden Anguish bring Exhausted Honny leaues a bitter Sting 41 Yet wicked Men whom foule Affections blind Dare say O now that Heauen not Brimstone raines Let vs aliue haue what contents the Mind And dread when dead brags of imagin'd Paines The Debt we sweet the Intrest easie find At least the Payment long deferr'd remaines Who Shaddowes feare whilst they the Substance keepe But start at Dreames when they securely sleepe 42 Ah filthie Wretch thy Fancies higher lift That doth encroach which then would'st thus delay Then Eagle Arrow Ship or Wind more swift Match'd only by it selfe Time slides away Straight of all Soules GOD shall the secrets sift And priuat thoughts with publicke Showts display Then when Times glasse not to be turn'd is runne Their Griefe still growes whose Ioyes were scarse begunne 43 Whiles rais'd in haste when Soules from him rebell By Inundations of impetuous Sinne The Floods of GODS deepe Indignation swell Till Torments Torrents violently runne Damnations Mirrours Models of the Hell To shew what hence not ends may heere beginne Then let me sing some of GODS Iudgements past That who them heare may tremble at the last 44 That glorious Angell bearer of the light The Mornings eye the Messinger of Day Of all the Bands aboue esteem'd most bright As is among'st the rest the Month of May He whom those Giftes should haue engadg'f of right Did swolne with pride from him who gaue them stray And sought a Traitour to vsurpe his Seate Yea worse if worse may be did proue ingrate 45 His starrie Taile the pompous Peacok streames As of all Birds the basenesse to disproue So Lucifer insulted in his Beames As since Narcissus with himselfe in loue And better Angels scorn'd whilst drunke with dreames If Enuy not at least Disdaine to moue Those who grow proud presuming of their State They others do contemne them others hate 46 To Wickednesse the Wicked soone accords That stryfe which one deuys'd all did conclude Their Armour Malice Blasphemie their Swords Their darts of Enuy only aym'd at Good And when they mette they vs'd not many Wordes Thoughts vtter most when they are vnderstood By bodies grosse when they no hinderance haue The Spirits being pure may others mindes perceaue 47 As where Vncleannesse is the Rauens repaire The spotted Band swarm'd where he spent his Gall Who fondlie durst with GOD foule foole compare And his
States with Steell array Whilst Worldlings would but Worldly Treasures winne No euen Religion must make Peace decay And Godlinesse appeare the Ground of Sinne Then let the World exspect no Peace againe When sacred Causes breed Effects prophane 22 Such Warres haue bene such some are yet to be What must not once plague Adams cursed Brood Ah that the World so oft those Flammes did see Which Zeale had kindled to be quensh'd with Blood Whilst disagreeing thoughts in deeds agree Some bent for Sprituall some for Temporall Good Hells Fire-brands rage whilst Zeale doth weakly smoake When Policie puts on Religions Cloakc 23 All Nations once the Gospells Light shall see That Ignorance no just excuse may breed Trueth spreads in spite of Persecution free The Blood of Martyrs is the Churches Seede That it contemn'd or they condemn'd may be All on the Word their Soules may sometyme feed The Word by which All Helpe or Harme must haue Those Knowledge damnes whom Conscience can not saue 24 When bent to mitigate his Fathers Wrath Mans mortall Vaile the God-head did disguyse The VVorlds Redeemer was engadg'd to Death And rais'd Himselfe to show how VVe should ryse Those twelue whole Doctrine builded on his Breath To beare his Yoke all Nations did entyse They Terrours first and then did Comfort sound For ere the Gospell heale the Law must wound 25 In simple Men who seruile Trades had vs'd The Wysest of the World are greatest Fooles The holy Ghost one Trueth all Tongues infus'd And made them teach who neuer knevv the Schooles Yea vvith more povver the Soules of Men they bruis'd Then Rhetorick could do vvith golden rules The Spirit vvhen GOD the Soules of Men conuerts Doth moue the Teachers Tongues the Hearers Hearts 26 As Temporall Power nere to the hottest Pole At first being sprung then spred in other parts One State ou'r all did to the Starres extoll By morall Vertues and by Martiall Arts Till colder Climats did that Heat controll Both shovving stronger Hands and stouter Hearts That Miserie Reliefe Plagues follovving Sinne Slaues Libertie Lords Bondage did beginne 27 The Light of Heauen first in the East did shine Then ranne the Course kept by the Earthlie Light And did as Zeale in Realmes ryse and decline Still giuing Day to some to others Night The Faith of Men yet toyl'd it first to fyne And left no Land till loath'd not forc'd no flight The Gadarens in their Land did CHRIST confyne Till to his presence they preferr'd their Swyne 28 Where are these Churches seuen those Lanternes seuen Once Asias glorie grac'd by sacred Scroules With Monsters now as then with Martyrs euen The Turke their Bodies Sathan rules their Soules Lands then obscure are lifted vp to Heauen Whose Soules like Linxes look whilst theirs lyke Owles Those whom the Word renown'd are known no more Those know GOD best who scarse knew Men before 29 The Worlds chiefe State old Rome with Glory gain'd Of which the losse her Nephewes shame did seale The Gospells Trueth at Rome once taught remain'd Yet from that puritie her Heires appeale Thus temp'rall Power and Spirituall both Rome stain'd Growne cold in Courage first and last in Zeale The Church first stood by Toyles whilst poore still pure And straight whilst Rich being rent fell when secure 30 From offring Grace no Storme the Word can stay Ere Iudgement come to those who will receaue In this last Age Time doth new Worlds bewray That CHRIST a Church ouer all the Earth may haue His Righteousnesse shall barbarous Realmes array If their first loue more ciuill Lands will leaue To Europe may America succeede GOD may of Stones raise vp to Abram Seede 31 The Gospell once being preach'd in euery Place To Lands of which our Fathers could not tell And when the Gentiles all are draw'n to Grace Which in the new Jerusalem should dwell Then shall the stubborne Jewes that Trueth embrace From which with such Disdaine they did rebell Who first the Law last shall the Gospell haue CHRIST whom he first did call shall last receaue 32 When GOD would but be seru'd by Jacobs Brood By his owne Mercie not their Merites mou'd The Gentiles did what to their Eyes seem'd good And Sathans Slaues the workes of Darkenesse lou'd They vnto Idoles offred vp their Blood Yea bow'd to Beasts then Beasts more beastlie prou'd Those whom GOD did not chuse a God did chuse And what they made did for their Maker vse 33 But when that onely Soyle too narrow seem'd To bound GODS Glory or to bound his Grace The Gentiles Soules from Sathan he redeem'd And vnto Shems did joyne of Japhets Race The bastard Bands as lawfull were esteem'd The Strangers entred in the Childrens place The Infidels grew glorious by their Faith Whilst Mercies Minions Vessels were of Wrath. 34 That chosen Flock whom to Himselfe he drew Who saw not Jacobs fault nor Israels sinne When we regener'd they degener'd grew To lend vs Light their Darkenesse did beginne Yea worse then we when worst GODS Saints they slew And when that his Vine-yard they come to winne They first his Seruants kill'd and then his Sonne Nought growes more fast then Mischiefe when begunne 35 Sonnes of the second Match whom CHRIST should crownè Ah bragge not you as Heritours of Grace The naturall Branches they were broken downe And We wild Oliues planted in their Place Feare feare lest Seas of Sinnes our Soules do drowne Shall He spare Vs who spar'd not Abrams Race As they for lacke of Faith so may we fall What springs in some is rooted in vs all 36 Till ours be full though Israels Light lyes spent Our Light shall once them to Saluation leade Is GOD like Man that he should now repent That Promise which to Abrams Seede was made For his great Haruest ere that CHRIST be bent The Iewes shall haue a Church and Him their Heade Both Iewes and Gentils once one Church shall proue We feare their Law they shall our Gospell loue 37 This Signe it seemes might soone accomplish'd be Were not where now remaines that Race of Shems The Gentils Dregs and Idoles which they see Makes them loth all for what their Law condemns To be baptiz'd yet some of them agree Whilst them their Mates their Mates the World contemnes And why should we not seeke to haue them sau'd Since first from them Saluation we receau'd 38 When the Euangell most toyl'd Soules to winne Euen then there was a Falling from the Faith The ANTICHRIST his Kingdome did beginne To poyson Soules yet ere the Day of Wrath Once shall Perditions Child that MAN OF SINNE Be to the World reueal'd and plagu'd to Death GOD may by Tyrants scourge his Church when grieu'd Yet shall the Scourge be scourg'd the Church relieu'd 39 The ANTICHRIST did come with Power and Might By Signes and Wonders to delude the Eyes Thus Sathan seemes an Angell whyles of Light That who the Truth contemn'd may trust in Lies And this with Iustice stands euen in
hath chang'd thrise thrise about He bursted forth neglecting Mothers Grones Though from him first as poore fond weake Teares flow Doth straight of GOD a talking Image grow 31 So sowne by Death where rests fraile Mortalls Seede The Earth conceau'd shall to grow Big begin And though at first a mouing Masse doth breede Shall stay from Trauell till the Time forth rin Whilst vitall Moisture Ashes dry doth feede That marrow Bones Bones Flesh Flesh takes on Skin Till all at last being to Perfection worne Graues are deliuered Mankind is new borne 32 The spirituall Powers shall soone haue repossess'd Their ancient Rowmes recognised by Grace Which were they thence by Natures Rigour press'd To Death by Sinne morgag'd but for a Space But now redeem'd who had bene thus distress'd All Members moue Power pour'd in euery Place What could corrupt all worne vnto an Ende They spirituall Bodies bodied Spirits ascend 33 Then shall not Weaknesse passing each Degree A Progresse haue Perfection to attaine But from Infirmitie made freely free They Shape Proportion Strength and Knowledge gaine All Qualities at once accomplish'd be That to augment there nothing doth remaine The first and second Birth do differ farre First Men were made now rais'd then grew now are 34 Some Gentiles fond who from the Trueth did stray When by Apostles told did scorne this once Yet trusted Grounds which vaine Inuentions lay By fabulous Doctrine Learn'd and Fooles at once That by Prometheus Men were made of Clay And by Deucalion quickned out of Stones Thus had their Soules to see the Trueth no Eyes Who loth the Light GOD giues them ouer to Lyes 35 Great Armie oft as if one Bodie moue Whose Soules it seemes the Trumpets Sound doth swey So when this Charge is thundered from aboue One Moment makes who were or are obey O strange Alarme what must this meeting proue Where Ruine only hath prepar'd the Way All knowne when mustred though not numbred th aire A dreadfull Censor no Mans Spot will spaire 36 Those which the Depthes disgested did containe As bent to drinke those who them oft did drinke To Heauen exhald though still'd through Fruites by Raine That daintie Tasts more delicate them thinke Their Tronkes drawn downe when once throwne vp againe Though dead and buried moue not swim nor sinke A Death which Drunkards do deserue to haue To lie with Liquor in a liquid Graue 37 With Kisses cold of Thetis choak'd of late Who her three Mates faln in her Bosome leaue Some Windes and Waues against each Rocke do beate Till them for Food the scaillie Troupes receaue That Fishes Men Men may those Fishes eate Chang'd Qualitie and Forme whose Flesh may haue Mans Substance it may transsubstantiat oft But shall the same that first mount last aloft 38 Muse doe not striue aboue thy Strength to mount As Mortalls Braines those Hosts could comprehend Which not Seas Sands nor yet Heauens Starres can count Then whilst swarm'd forth they Heauens high Court attend All Faculties of Memorie surmount Being raisd from Dust more thicke then Dust in End But yet a Part most known by Fame design'd May leaue a more Impression in the Mind 39 The first great Troup inunding from the Deepes Which long haue wandred with the watrie Brood Which glutted Neptune in his Caues did keepe When all his Guests were surfaited of Food Are those amidst the roaring Waues who sleepe Since first they fell drown'd by the generall Flood Those who of GOD the Threatnings still did scorne Till Death at once one Fleece ouer all had shorne 40 What strange Deluge from that Deluge doth flow Of Monstrons People terrible to see Whose Stature showes what time it had to grow The Duarfes with them with vs would Giants be Ere bended was the many-colour'd Bow All that had falne rise from corruption free Where raging Depths had Iustlie lodgd their Dust Still drown'd when dead who burn'd aliue with Lust 41 Thence comes the Tyrant who did sway the State Where fertile Nilus mollifies the Mind Whom to confirme his owne with Wonders great GOD did obdure and made by brightnesse blind With guilded Slaues which flattering his conceat The LORD to him would needs inferior find Those all like him by his example made As oft to sinne he shall to Iudgement lead 42 Mad Man to whom by wondrous Blowes abroad The Arme of GOD had justlie Terrour brought Foole who had seene the proofe of Arons Rod What danger was thou might in time haue thought Whilst vaine Magicians emulatiug GOD The same in show but not in substance wrought Vaine Sophists to be mock'd but mocke the Eyes Trueth naked trueth Lies are though painted Lies 43 What made thee doubt that he whom thou did spie Turne Streames to Blood might mixe them with thy Blood That he who made thy Lands first borne to die Would saue the liues of his friend Abrams Brood Where his might march he who the Depths did drie That he would make them drowne who him withstood But those whom GOD will lose he makes them blind Those headlong runne who are for wrack design'd 44 Those who with haste the Hebrue Hoste pursu'd Whose glancing Armes each Eye shouts fill'd each Eare Who lack'd no stately show which might when view'd In them breed Courage and in others feare The Troupes by them contemn'd ere seene subdu'd Who did themselfes as if in Triumph beare And spuing Blasphemie from Prides low hight Euen challenge durst the LORD of Hostes to fight 45 Lo from the Mudde they now creep poorelie out As from a Prison which vpbraids their Blame And spoyld of all which compasse them about Ryse naked vp yet kept by feare from shame They heare Heauens Trumpet horriblie to shout Which straight they thinke their Sentence will proclaime And euen great Pharo vyle amidst his owne Can by no signe more then the rest be known 46 What Fooles then ryse who neuer could be pleas'd Though settled Owners of a fertile Ground Where vnder them euen Thousands were well eas'd And then their Masters more contentment found Whose traitrous Hopes still on new conquests seas'd Till death did show how litle might them bound That as all Lands could but strict limits giue Last for the Seas vaste like their Mynds did striue 47 Ah for Mans madnesse who enough can mourne From whom still pure that there might rest no place Who makes his rage euen in the Depths to burne And standing runnes in walking woods his race Makes Neptunes Azure all to purple turne And filles with blood the wrinkles of his Face What thirst of Mischiefe thus torments Man still That it no Sea can quensh nor Land can fill 48 The Grecian Seas shall giue those Bodies back When floting Athens camp'd in Wooden Walls Which Mountaines Plaines and Floods dry Fields wold make Scourg'd all the Windes rank'd Nature with their thralles Which all conspyrd seeme to procure their wrack Both Sea and Land being famous by their falles As if that King who could not