Church recalled home Those whom late Tyrants had proscrib'd from Rome SUch Grace she found But soone her Sonnes forgot To thanks our God the Author of their Lot Who had inspir'd th' Imperiall Majesty With Zeale to serve One God in Trinity And at the Nicâ—ne Councell to restore By Publick Acts what prostrate lay before To build up Temples with large Liberties There to serve God with Vowes and Sacrifice To chuse Grave Mitred Sires to over-see Least Christ his Flocke by Wolves should scared â—e And by Decree to quashall Idolls downe At Synod held in Eliberiâ— Towne This Course he tooke by his Good Mothers Lore Whose Birth much Fame to Brittains did restore And Helens Name deserves to be engilt For finding Christ his Crosse for Temples built Five Bishopricks he rais'd to mighty Height Whereof each One possest a Severall Right And None of these in one anothers Charge To meddle but their owne Taske to discharge O're-seeing their Proper Flockes The Chiefest Roome He gave the Popes of New and Ancient Rome The Third he granted to Jerusalem Then Antiochs fell and Alexandriaes stem This stinted Course they long observ'd and None Swarv'd from the Stem at Nice agreed upon But Brethren-like liv'd in true Amity Not striving for more Seates Priority Then Constantine out of his bounteous Grace Allotted them in their distinguish'd Place The First that sithence kickt was He of Rome Who at Bizantiums Councell would become The Chiefest Priest as of Old Rome the Pope Sometime the Empires Head of spatious scope The which the Pope of New-built Rome gaine-sayd And there to hold the Prime Place he assayd At which Vigilius did so powte and frowne He would not meet with them though then in Town Thus they who should a Lowly Minde possesse Began to climbe to Lordly Loftinesse Perverting to wrong Sence the Living Rocke Gods Word the Keyes and Feeding of Christs Flocke That they might raigne here in this World a while For a few yeares pufft with a Princely Stile When they know in their Consciences they Erre That after Death they fall like Lucifer But they for Faith lean'd unto Humane worth And scatt'red Doubts against Gods Spirit forth They mutined against the Holy Ghost Apostate Arrians raung'd through every Coast. They soone forgot the Mysticke Crosses sence The New-mans Vewes and the Words Excellence Their Plenty pufft them up and the Sunnes Light Bedazzeled them like Gazing Birds of Night For the True Substante Shadowes they ador'd For the Creator Creatures they implor'd The late Baptiz'd enur'd to Pagan Rites To Saturnalian Feasts and Idoll sights Could not away with that Religions Forme Which typing Christs their Lives ought to reforme Their Flamiues grudg'd that the New-â—lergy held The Conquest over Soules themselves expelld The Lay-men wav'd betwixt the Old and New Like Aethiops loath to change their pristine Hew To punish these when Constantine was urg'd Not so said he Mad men should rather purgd By Physicke be We must though Curres do bark With Gentle Gales to Port bring Christ his Ark. This Prince when he Paphnutius saw at Niâ—e His Hollowes kist whom Focs depriv'd of Eyes The Roman Empire was most fortunate Under his Sway. He rais'd Romes falling state To such a Height that never Kingdome since His Paralell enjoy'd nor any Prince Succeeded like to him in Pieties True Practice farre exempt from Avarice And Crying sinnes His Palace with the Poore Then with Praetorian Bands abounded more He was not serv'd in Gold or Silver Plate Though he might set on all the World a rate But Earthen Vessels or of Wood he chose He curbd himselfe because he would not lose His wavering Subjects hearts And what he spar'd Above the Pensions of his Souldiers Guard The Publike Troup and his owne Private Charge He yeerely did conferre the same at large To Pious use and Temples up to build But more Christs Living Temple to rebuild Blest was the Church while his good Monarch raignâ— Having Peace Freedome Wealth and Honour gain'd But after his decease by Arrians vext She like a Widow stood long time perplext But not with Open Force for Satan then Was for a Thousand Yeares from Murthering Men For the Faiths sake begun to be restrain'd Yet so that Saints for Tryall might be Pain'd SInce I my Taske for Constantine have spun I must not leave Constantiaes Web unspun This zealous Princesse whether Fancies Flame Or to become Cortivall of her Fame Who late had found the Crosse in Calvary Or Satans Plot into her Creed to pry Whether these Tempting Baites wrought on her Will To shake her Faith and her Best Part to spill She sought the Picture of our Saviour Christ As if her Creed did on the same consist To bring to passe her Project frivolous She wrote unto Euscbius Pamphilus Requiring him to send it her to Greece To make her happy in that Graven Peece The Holy Father with disdainefull Eye Perus'd her Lines he feard Idolatry Lest the Connivence at such Passages Might blurre the New-mans Ghostly Images He therefore answer'd her with Piety In Zealous Lines not without Majesty Your Grace desires Christs Portraiture to have But which of his Two Persons would you crave Which doe you meane quoth he His Shape Divine That beares the â—â—kenesse of the First in Trine Or else the Image of a Servants Forme To which for us he did himselfe transforme If you aspire his God-heads Shape to see Take heed you touch not on Old Adams Tree None knowes the Father but the Sonne alone And none but by the Father knowes the Sonne But if that Persons-Picture you demand Borne of our Flesh you must then understand That none by Art and Oily Colours di'd Can limne His Bodies Frame now Glorifi'd For since that his Disciples could not see His shining Face at Tabor how shall wee View his bright Face and Persons Lineaments Which till Doomes-day he hath removed hence On this Monition the Good Empresse staid And of such Carnall Types became afraid WHile Luke-warme Thoughts contended much with Zeale False Arrius crept into Christs Common-weale Where Six score yeares his Sect Good Men so griev'd That in those dayes the Most part mis-believ'd Two Councels then the Arrian side preferr'd The Millaine stray'd the Ariminian err'd Yea Bishops both of New and Ancient Rome Subscribed and to Hereticks gave roome Against them all did Athanafius warre And therefore may be stil'd That Ages Starre By his true Zeale and Pen the Arrians quail'd And Truth at last with Victory prevail'd During Soules Time of Blindnesse Satans Warre Began againe both neere at hand and farre Against false Hearts not by Blouds violence But by fly Arts to try Saints Innocence To dim the Churches Splendour he sent out His slyest Fiends to compasse them about Mad Iulian he stirr'd up till he perforce Did yeeld unto the Galileans Force Where Magick Spells nor his Deare â—orphiry Could stop Gods Doome due for his Trechery Which unto Christians interdicting Schooles Made Wits more hoâ—
Mother full of Grace Thou Mortall Man quoth She dost wonder now Why on Poore Thralls my Favours I bestow And not on Scarlet Robes in midst of Plenty I dwell not with the Proud Not one of Twenty That spends the time in Carnall Jollity Enjoyes my Love Heat or Society Which Caiphas-like Pope Adrian true confest He saw not how Romes Scepter could be blest Since He to whom Christ left the Churches Care Shun'd worldly Rule Pompe and Simonious Ware The Consciences where I frequent me most Are styl'd The Temple of the Holy Ghost And there no Swine no Beasts of prey nor Curres Dare enter once nor any thing that blurres Notorious sinnes with Penance I commute But Common slips to Nature I impute I never sold the Holy Spirits Gifts But I receive Strayes gratis without shifts Though I enjoy the Keyes to bind or loose I seldome Curse nor Yealding Reedes do bruize 'Gainst Hereticks I warre but not with Sword My Fence is Vowes and Teares my Sword Gods Word For my Chast Faith to Christ I am belov'd And by his Fiery Crosse I am approv'd If thou desirest then to finde me out Looke VAUGHAN not for me among the Rout But with my Babes which beare a loving Mind Wise Constant sad And there thou me shalt finde With such I liv d in Superstitious Times And so proclaime me in thy New-mans Rimes With such I dwelt by Worldlings scorn'd the while My Beldame Foe Christs Altars did defile With Carnall Sence and Sacrilegious Rape Moulding th' Immortall in fraile Mortall shape THus stood Our Church though not so faire of Face As she seemes now yet by Elections Grace Christs Merits and his Blouds Prerogative She breathed free from Sinnes imputative And though her Seed were not so pure as Our Nor Ours as Saints yet may the Man-Gods Pow'r For their Faiths sake Old Passions purifie When Doomedayes Flames shall Bodies change or try Or rather at Deaths Gaspe to Paradise Convaigh them like the Theefe with Saints to rise The Iudge will cloth them with his Robes of Grace And them enroule with his True Churches Race Thus stood Our Church most visible to Saints Ere Luther broke into his Just Complaints Here in Our West she persecuted lay While Rome made sale of Soules and open Prey She in the House of Mourning at the Stake Lay Patient while Rome forg'd the Masses Cake How did they her with Racks and Tortures touze Within their Jailâ—â— and Inquisition House How in Old Times did Berengariuâ— fare For daring to controule cotrupted Ware Nay how in Spainâ— doe they speed at this day Who Christ alone for Advocaâ—e display A Thousand Yeares the Dragon with Restraint Of Bloudy Force â—y Close Till then a Saint Possest his Conscience free from Tortures Fiâ—e Or Hells Constâ—aint No Synod fâ—ll of Ire Till the Fourth Henry raign'd did signe a Law By Massacres poore England to withdraw From preaching Christ. No Councell Generall Doom'd Saints to Flames to end Religions Braâ—le Till Sigismond at Constance suffred Husse And Ierome to be burnt without discusse Of their true Cause Yet Sautre first Of Martyrs did appease the Bloudy thirst Of Antichristian Priests in the First Yeare Of the said Henries Raigne Next Badby here Thorpe Purvey Taylour White and Hoveden With the Lord Cobham Floure of Noblemen Who did before the Bishops of this Land With burning Zeale the Romish Church withstand For the Faiths sake and the Wicklevian Sect Did by their Bloud and Martyrs Seales erect An Altar up in honour of our Christ As Members of their Head 'gainst Antichrist How many Soules were forced to abjure And to recant No Saint then liy'd secure In the Three Henries Sway of Lancaster Who preacht Gods Word as He of Chichester Grave Peacock felt and many moe that far'd As bad because they Babels Whore out-dar'd Kent Herefords and Norwich Diocesse Saw men styl'd Lollards then with like successe Take up the Crosse and yeeld for Christ their Breath So Prelates Saints pursu'd with spite and Death And not content the Living to torment They one Degree beyond the Pagans went For Wickliffs Bones from out the Grave they tore And burnt which lay there Forty Yeares before With solemne Pomp and Degradations Maske Those Gotam-Scribes perform'd that Gothish Taske O Would the Lines of this Epitome Could move our Strayes which haunt the Romish Sea To meditate on Times Old Monuments And there to marke what Savage Punishments One Hundred Yeares ere Luther rose were then Inflicted by mad Priests on Christian Men For seeking to reforme Old things amisse And by Gods Word to win blind strayes to Blisse I might then hope some would relent and turne To our New-man and with New Zeale would burne Not heeding Dreames and Superstitious Mists Which spred abroad by false Masse-monging Priests And Idoliz'd by haughty Hildebrand Lay yet on Rome an Ignominious Brand But noting what the New-man put in ure The first Six Hundred Yeares they hold most pure For such our Martyrs did and such I know Great Brittaine now extolls at least in show BUt to review the Churches History The Looking-Glasse of Sacred Memory Whilst halfe this Age with doubtfull chance embroils Which France shall feel or England Bloudier Broules The Center of this Age melts into Teares And cryes out shame upon 〈◊〉 Westorne Pâ—â—res For suffring Turkes Bizantium to possesse And by that meanes quite to subvert the Peace Of all the Easterne Church and there for Christ To fiixe a mighty Limbe of Antichrist Had they in time buâ— seconded the Duke Of Burgâ—ndy when he Thralls a rebuke With a Check-mate receiv'd in Hungary The Ottomans had not faire Bulgary Subjected nor the Graecian Iles fince won To Christians Losse and Mahomeâ—s renowne But as with Cunning Plots the Dragon rac'd Our Westernes Faith so then he there defac'd With Open Force the Easternes Primest Seat The City of New Rome in which Defeat He glories that the same with Salems Towne And Antioch he from Servile Christians won Their Sinnes them servile made that so before The Iudgement Day their Fall might Others more Rowze up from Sloth and Dull Security To Watch least they feele more Indignity ANd then neere Thirty Yeares were past since Popes Branding each Other for false Antipopes Copartners at a Councell Generall By Sigismonds good Cares they stint the Brawle At which I cannot in my Zealous Trance Unnamed leave a Chancellour of France Grave Gerson whom our Chronicles record That for Truths Rights to be againe restor'd He motion'd to bring back the Light Divine As in the Dayes of Paul or Constantine This he crav'd in the Councell Generall Most Zealous but the State Pontisicall Would not assent to heare of Reformation Lest they might clinch their Court of Augmentation Like Politicks who winke at Theeves or Stewes At Spoiles or Bribes at Barrettours or Iewes Encreasing Sinne and what to Vengeance tends For Private Gaine and their owne Idoll-ends This Motion made that Clerk Magnanimous About the Time when
lay'd found fault with Others Cures Repining thus at Progresse of the Word Since that no Trickes could stop it by the Sword â—ebedees sonne they caus'd to lose his breath As they by stoning wrought the Deacons death By Caesars Minion King they weav'd their Plot Who would have cast on Peter the like Lot But that an Angel came to free his Chaines To Plague with wormes the Tyrant for his Paines â—His puts my Muse in mind of Phillips Queene â—ho wreakd on Saints her Gall with swelling spleene â—ill with her Gods her States and Calleis Losse â—e felt the weight of a more heavie Crosse â—nd of the Royall Brothers styl'd Valois â—ho di'd in Blood for Blood and Bloody Ioyes â—riaes Rings can testifie likewise â—hat they have got by Belgiaes bloudy Cries MOre mild yet dealt Agrippa with Saint Paul â—ot barring him from Romes Appeale at all â—t would have join'd with Feftus to enlarge â—nd save for his Appeale him to discharge Much lesse would once that sage Praetorian Peere â—or Words Names the Iewes mad Clamours heare HOw many Snares with Tumultes spite and Rage Did they spread forth for Christians in that Age By all the meanes which Satan could devise Men sought to stop the New Mans Sacrifice But all in vaine like trod on Cammomell It grew the more and with a fragrant smell Not Elimas nor Magus with Hell Charmes Nor could Dianaes Smith knock down their Armes Or quench in them the Holy Spirits Flame Which they conferr'd in Jesus Christ his Name That like themselves at first Enthusians rapt For Holy Trances they made others apt VNwearied they in their Vocation went And acted Deedes to Arts astonishment No by-respects to Glory Wealth or Ease No Emulations Sting could make them cease From the Pursuit of the Immortall Prize No servile Feares Detraction nor surmize Could let their maine intent and Ghostly Race From setting forth Gods Charter of free Grace No Choller 's Heate Debate nor Casuall Brawle As fell betwixt Saint Peter and Saint Paule For Iewish Rites as likewise came to passe For Chusing Mark twixt Paule and Barnabas Or as it chanc'd to Abraham and Lot Their Passions sway'd not so that they forgot The Progresse of the Word the worke in hand But that they ranne and toil'd by Sea and Land In Accidentalles though as Men they err'd Yet as Divines the substance they preferr'd Their Elder Man they stoupt in spite of vice And their New-Man went on to Sacrifice Here Paule and Silas Preach Apollos there While Barnabas and Marke doe teach else where Mathias Iude and Simon burn'd alike To execute their Charge Apostolicke With the like zeale all the Apostles rapt Transformed soules for Mysticke Trances apt THey Catechiz'd and sought their Saviours Praise Their Soveraigne Ioyes were to reclaime some Strayt With Constant Faith the Gospel they did blaze And daily wrought great wonders of amaze Till by Romes Mace the Type of Antichrist Which slue their Master Christ they di'd for Christ. In all their Deeds they were so farre from Pride That when some Gentiles would have Deified Good Barnabas and Paul with glorious shout In stead of yeelding thankes they ranne about With cloathes all rent among the wondring throng And beg'd of them the Deity not to wrong Nor by detracting from their Makers Grace With Sacrifice his servants to disgrace They vilified themselves tooke up the Crosse Contemning Pompe and Gold like seumme or drosse They varnish'd not Gods Word with Glosse of schooles But sought the wholsome spring not Muddy Pooles And spar'd their New built Church to interrupt With knotty doubts of Phantasies Corrupt Now for a Type of their essentiall Gare â— will produce this One Example rare When Proselites of Pharisaicall sort Would Gentiles to strict Moses Lawes exhort â—â— Salems Councell the Apostles sate And in few lines resolv'd their Questions state Whereas by some ye were perplext with Feare â—bout Old Rites we warne you to forbeare From Meates Prophane at Idolles Sacrifice From beastly Lust or Wives Pluralities From strangled Flesh and shedding Humane Blood â—f as your owne yee Carke anothers Good And do abstaine from the said sinnes withall Yee shall doe well By Barnabas and Paul And two of the Chiefe Brethren moe they sent These Pithy Actes the Gentiles to Content Whereby I note on Weaklings they impose No heavier Yoake then what the New-man chose They combred not the Church with Needlesse Lawes Nor with Traditions Superstitious Flawes They could not brooke Food drest with Satans 〈◊〉 Nor at Christs Feasts to glut their hungry Mawes Thus we observe how easie is Christs Yoak That to cleare doubts Faith beares the Soveraign 〈◊〉 Faith linkt with Love requires us to forbeare And not for Toyes Christs seamelesse Coate to teare HOw wondrously did the Good Spirit breathe The New-Mans Gifts from darkenesse from death To raise up soules and Heathen Clouds to cleare Dispersing Christs Disciples heere and there By visions He Immediate lighted on Cornelius and Saint Peter both for One â—â—fect to let the wavering Gentiles know â—â—at God tooke care within their Hearts to sow â—s seed of Grace which stubborne Iewes abus'd â—â—d Christ their Head Gods husbandman refus'd â—â—d that without respect of high or low 〈◊〉 loves all them who to his Service bow â—Hat Travels did good Peter undergoe Sea and Land he did undaunted goe â—â—ough wanting meanes unfurnished of Money â—t for himselfe to gaine a Patrimony 〈◊〉 corruptible mould or brittle Masse â—â—ich like fond dreames in time away doe passe 〈◊〉 for his Master Christ soules wrapt with mists 〈◊〉 Ignorance he made good Catechists â—od Catholicks Apostolickes he made â—â—â—tructing them in his Soule-fishing Trade â—â—d as some write when Simon with his Whore â—â—ene brag'd hee like a God would soare Above the Clouds by Peters vowes he fell And brake his Necke left by his Guard of Hell TO Iewes and Gentiles He the Gospel taught But chiefly he the Iewes conversion sought Deputed for the Circumcisions Charge Unto the Elect dispenst hee shew'd at large The Patent of his â—eald Apostleship Yea and if Fame belies him not his Ship And Fishing-nets hee left at Tibers streame Where some then so journ'd of Ierusalem As in the Acts wee read there he baptiz'd If there he was till Nero tyranniz'd Now whether Rome hath cause of him to boast As for his seate more then the Holy Ghost Which living Peter gave to men of Faith Some since have strove not following Peters pathâ— 'T is certaint that he wâ—re no Triple Crowne None kist his Foot nor â—rod he Princes downe 'T is knowne that Gold and silver he hast none A Tanners house was of his Lodgâ—ngs One 'T is credited that to the Crosse he bow'd A kind of Death which onely Rome allow'd Till Constantine in love to Christ for bad This cruell paine and spectacle most sad That being Old against fraile Natures will Others did Peter lead his Bloud to spill As Christ foretold but his
Crosse-fixed place Romes Empire lay so large I dare not trace BUt sure I am Saint Paul in bloudy Rome When Nero raign'd endured Martyrdome There having twice before that Tyrant stood His Faiths Defence he sealed with his Bloud About the time when that mad Bouteseu Had fir'd the City with his wanton Crew Because he â—ong'd to sing the sacke of Troy And by such Types would execute his Toy To cloake the Fact and stop the Mutiny Yet not repenting of his villainy He authour'd Christians of those dismall cryes And butcher'd them to bleare the Peoples eyes Among that guiltlesse Troupe then suffered Paul Who had fore-wrote what should him there befall This chosen Saint hath left brave Monuments Unto the Church which Satans Ambushments Can never trap nor Canker-fretting Age Consume but they stand firme in spight of Rage IN Albions Orbe an arched stately Roome The chiefest Pile I thinke in Christendome Of Pauls sole Name revives his memory Till Doomes-dayes blast the River Thames shall dry In the meane time grave Saint-like Ministers Accompanied with Asaphs Quiristers Sing praise to God for gracing of Saint Paul Who once had beene a bloody-minded Saul Of late repair'd it shines with zealous Fire â—s erst with flames rag'd the stupendious spite Blest be their Zeale their Cares and good Intent Which have re-built this famous Monument Resembling that of Salems Second one Renew'd by Iewes first built by Salomon LIke these so did all Christs Apostles Fish And on some Coast or other never miste To catch for Christ some choise and dainty Prey Bartholomew and Thomas knew the way â—nto the East and there engrav'd their Names â—aint Mathewes Paines sev'n flouded Nilus fames And pretious Iohn the Belâ—ll Abissine From him and Philip claimes Christ a Faith Divine Achaia vaunts of good Saint Andrewes Cares With whom he pawn'd his Bones till those rich wares Some Scottish Saints by a Greeke Monke redeem'd Them and their worth like precious Gems esteem'd While Mark from Peters mouth Gods Word compilâ— To leave it her Niles Alexandria smiles Sea-spousing Venice too did sacrifice Unto Saint Mark a goodly Edifice The latter James Christs kinsmâ—n by the flesh In Salem liv'd disorders to redresse Where hee though stiled just as spectacle Of shame was throwne downe from the Pâ—â—â—aâ—le Which Satan mov'd to Christ. There he expir'd And Roman Force the place soone after fir'd Yet hath his Fame to after-Ages spred His Bishops Seat with Christians flourished By Princes grac'd and for Antiquity Puts Antioch downe and Romes Priority At the First Councell Iameâ— â—aâ— President There Sâ—inâ—t cloz'd up the Circumcised Renâ— In Salem â—ate the High Commission Court Where they decided doubts of most import Galicians since built up a sacred 〈◊〉 At Compostell which later Wits profane Adoring â—â—mes as if Humanity Should offer Vowes due to the Trinity ABout the Time of Iames his death to 〈◊〉 The Fatall Web for sinfull Salem spunnâ— Upon the Siege the Christian Iewes fore-warn'd By Oracle from Christ fled thence unaâ—â—'d With Humane helpes but guarded by Divine Supplica themselves to â—ella they confine Where they on Iâ—rdans Bâ—â—ks securely lay While Rebell-Iewes were slaine and fold away SO stood the Church with them who flourish'd first Next Christs Ascent most pure untill accurst The Iewish Nation for their Crying sinne And hardned Hearts deep woes were pluâ—ged in And then God pleas'd for Iewries unbeliefe The Gentiles to adopt to Iewries griefe And our Church seemes to them a stumbling sinne Till all th' Elected Gentiles be come in As unto them of Antichristian Race She seemes till Babel feeles her last disgrace But why were Saints like Christ so foulely slaint Because the more they suffâ—red here more Gaine They reape the Nobler Crowne in Heav'n they gaiâ—â— And shall judge those who put them hereto paine IF you would know by Times Gradation mâ—c Domitius and Domitian yeelds you store Read Tacitus when Rome lay wast with fire How Christians felt the Formers Franticke Ire Some crucifi'd some burnt and some were â—as'd In wild beasts skins by Mastives torne and chasd So cruelly that who did them contemne In hate to Nâ—â—â—â—s spleene then pittied them Though Christians were to manifolded paine Throughout the twelfe yeere put of Neroes Raigne â—et like to Palme supprest the more they grew The Church the more by Martyrs did renew Athmos with Romes whole Empire tells what paine The Church endurd in the last Flavians Raigne â—ith greater Numbers Martyrs Calendar â—anonizing then in mad Neroes yeare â—uring which Rage some Brethren false did rove The Deacons Sect lewd Family of Love â—nd hee that durst afore Christs Darling bath â—ut felt the Doome of his incensed wrath The Bath-walls fell crushd Cerinthe underneath As soone as Iohn had menac'd him with death THE OCCVRRANCES OF THE SECOND AGE From the yeere of our Lord 100. untill the yeere 200. At which time Severus raigned Emperour of Rome The Argument Saint John deceas'd Fiends Seedes of Error sow Yet doth the Church though persecuted grow And from her Wombe spring up a Learned Crew Of Saints who with their bloud do Truth renew HE that desires a Saint-like Life to lead Let him the steps of ancient fathers tread Who neerest liv'd unto th'Apostles times Thence I collect the Course in Raptur'd Rimes Which Christ his Church then for her members held What Pathes they trac'd and wherein she excelld If wee mislike her Plainenesse or their Marts Love bids us chastely gaze and winke at Warts For like the Moon at full sometimes the Church Raignes knowne from her who lives upon the lurch Dispersed through the World Apostolicke Yet like our God in Three one Catholicke In sundry shapes repleat with sacred Fire With many Tongues in Spirit yet entire And Essence one who though diversifi'd For Rites or Forme 〈◊〉 yet â—ustifi'd By Faith with Him who tryes mens Consciences Beares with their â—â—ips and heares her Grievances Returne quoth hee Yeâ— people full of strife Who Me have wrong'd like a rebellious Wife Alluding to which challenge in his Word Before the Lord and Angeâ—â—s I record That I beleeve no Church on Earth this day Then Britaines Church goes a more knowing 〈◊〉 In substance pure and in her good intents Seal'd rightly with the Newmans Sacraments And with the Best her Elders I conferre Yet dare not say her Troupes doe never erre Nor brag that shee hath neither Mole nor Wen While shee cohabits heere with mortall men But pray that she in Fruit more pregnant thrive As shee in shape is like the Primitive And that with flames of mutuall Love wee glow As forward as in height we seeme to grow One thing I adde against her Foes in briefe And therewithall to ease our Weaklings griefe Although I honour with my heart and Pen The Couneclls Fathers and the Ancient men Who wrote before the seventh Century Became bewitcht with Babels Mystery Yet we no more give credit to their Lore Their Matter Tropes and Topick
Maximes store Derived from Old Adams double Tree Nor further then wee finde them to agree With Gods owne Word or Oracles Divine Dare wee consent with them in every Line For men may erre yea Learned Countells erre By Factionâ— sway'd as other whiles they were And as Eusebius markt the Church began To be unchast soone as th' Apostles ranne The Hower-glasse out of their lives Pilgrim age By Cerinths Toyles and Nicholaites Rage Or by those Fogges which Epiphanius brands For Heresies of Antichristian Bands Or Sects whose Augustine expells the mists Be they Pelagians or the Donatists AT the New Rising of the Second Age In the First yeere came Trajan on the Stage Adopted Caesar by good Nervâ—es choise Broiles to prevent and Cares to counterpoise In his precedent Raigne Domitians Act Against the Church in Rome was somewhat slackt But otherwhere the Praetours for their Gaine By Christians goods escbeat renew'd againe The Old Decree and in their Liberties Practiz'd on Saints their former Cruelties But leaving them a while to racke and rage I now glance on the Wonder of that Age. OF Him I sing who would have kneeled downe But was forbod unto an Angel knowne Of all the Apostles longest to have seene The Churches course eclips'd by Tyranis spleene One while assail'd anon strong Militant Iohn saw her curbe Conetits exorbitant Thou haft O glorious Saint beheld her Pure Like to the â—unne dispelling Clouds obscure When Shepheard Pan deceas'd then Oracles From that time ceas'd through Christian Miracles For when Tiberiâ—t swayd Fiends waild their losse While they shipt Tamâ—â— forc'd to bruite â—he Crosse And to proclaime in Midland Seas with dread That Pan the great God Pan was newly dead Thou hast survivd thy Brethren and thy Mates Thou hast beheld strange Turnes of worldly States The Temple sackt Ierusalem destroyd Thy Native soile all harried and annoyd Thou liv'st to see weedes of blacke Heresies Amidst the Church spring up Apostafies Grownerife the Saints with Persecutions flame Scorcht every where and put to open shame Thou hast out-dar'd a dozen Emperours Since thy good Lord triumphed over powrs When thou beganst to shine Tiberius raignd They saw thy Lifes sun-set whom Trajan paind What dangers wrackes and buffetings of Fiends Hast thou oft felt What snares of glozing Friends Portents to make the Patientâ—â— Iob dismaid Thou hast out-liv'd thy Charge the Widow-Maid Thy Mother deare adopted on the Crosse To thee his Minion left to ease thy losse When therehence out thou tookst her to thy house As a true Nunne to helpe thy Christian vowes HOw long shee liv'd with thee to calculate An Angel must the certaine Time relate Or name the Place where her Blest Body lyes Whether she was in Body Enoch-wise Immediately to Heaven assumed up Or dwelt with Iohn till Age made her to stoup And payd her debt as other Mortalls doe To Nature much it skills not us to know Since now with Christ her Soule Triumphant rests And as her Life deserv'd with him she feasts Admitting no such Mediatrix style Or Goddesses as some themselves beguile That she doth oftentimes command her Sonne To heare a Sinners suite or Orison SAve that I might be into Whirle-pooles brought Or for my Guesse be too Sagacious thought I would Conjecture at the Time when Iohn Before the Siege of Salem undergone Departed into Corinth Ephesus Or other Coasts where Titus and Timotheus Were by Saint Paul ordain'd to Over-see There to confirme each Saint in his Degree As they by Him who all those Churches bare Upon his shoulders first were bred with Care There he consum'd the Remnant of his Age Untill to Pathmos by Domitians Rage Confin'd he saw in spirit Christ againe Who then and there by Revelations plaine To his Rapt Sence though hid from Carnall Braine Did prophesie the future Churches staine For Comfort of th' Elect the Lord appear'd Unto this Saint and his Wits Sences clear'd To understand what plagues he will effect In the last dayes for his true Words Neglect THese Mysteries Christ opened unto Iohn Whom he reserv'd so long And thereupon I humbly glance by leave of Holy Wits To whom my Muse her Raptures here submits That when One asked Christ what Iohn should do Whether he should remaine behinde or go His Answer was unto this bold Assay If my will be to have him here to stay Untill I come what matters that to thee And long he staid as all may cleerely see Before his Death he did so settle things That Greece his Praise aswell as Asia rings In Norvaes Raigne he came with his Release To Ephesus where he deceas'd in Peace While Trajan sway'd as Graecian Clearks relate Having escap'd an Oily scalding Fate Impos'd on him by fierce Domitians Rage Who then exiled him to Pathmos Cage Where though cub'd up a while from Christians sight He saw what cheer'd his Soule His Masters Light BOth in his time and after soone began The Divels Plots to scare the Christian man Which Valentinian and Menander spred And many moe which Weaklings then misled For whose Mistakes Saint Irenaeus griev'd Two hundred yeeres ere Epiphanius liv'd To blazon them and other Heresies Which then obscur'd the New Mans Sacrifice After Saint Iohns decease till Adrian raign'd The Roman Praetours still the Christians Pain'd Who so confirm'd were for the Fiery Crosse They fear'd not Death nor Paine nor Fortunes Losse The Truth when rackt by Inquisition strict That Christians much were wrong'd by Romes Edict Great Trajan then did unto Pliny write To mitigate the Fiery Trialls Spight Yet not to spare them if they were brought in Damn'd policie so cloaking Bloody Sinne In which implicite Snare Ignatius bound Like Christs fine Corne by Lions Teeth was ground NExt after this the Second Century Points at some Saints of Glorious Memory As Pillars of that Age with whom as Chiefe Succeeding those fore-nam'd I ranke in Briefe A Martyr'd Sire of Naples Palestine One that foretold his death to Antonine When shortly after did a Cynickes Hate Conclude with Flames the Swans Prognosticate Having first wrote to calme the Emperours Spleene his Defence and to Romes Senatours In Iustines time which by the yeeres account Since Christs Ascention up from Olives Mount One Hundred shone good Christians liv'd content With simple Meanes and scorn'd the Blandishment Of Gaine or Pompe with all false worldly Wares But fixt on Christ and Cure of Soules their Cares Platoes and Moores Eutopiaes Common-Wealth Compar'd to them seemes but Promethean stealth Phant asticke Dreames or Speculations Flame Which being unpractiz'd breed the Authours shame They taught and wrought with Reall Charity As if that day they were arraign'd to dye Not like to Stoicks dissembling Lookes austere But against Sinne with Discipline severe With Vowes and Fasts the Outward man to tame Not for Repute or Superficiall Fame But with intent to keepe their Vessels pure And to seale up their Christian Calling sure They promis'd not but what they did performe And squar'd their
through the Holy Ghost Now chuse thy Flesh quoth Lawrence Raw or Rost. Faire Theodora to the Stewes confin'd â—er Friend holp her to scape in Masked kind â—ay'd in her place He thrall'd she came againe â—et did the Iudge for Martyrs both arraigne MAuger all Rackes and Flames Saint Albaâ— here â—n Brittaine first and Noble George appeare Who arm'd on Horse-backe with a Sangaine Crosse Leagu'd Salems Knights and oft fear'd Englands Foes As Ancient Wits conceiv'd their Aiery Signe Like that which meteour'd once to Constantine Which Signe they might more fitly to their Head Impute then with his Members quartered Their Crimson Gore transform'd to Robes of White By vertue of their Faith Beames-darting-bright With Amphibale they live yet in our West And with those Twaine whom of her Martyrs Best With sacred Bayes at Vsk Carleons Towne Saint Aaron and Saint Iulius still doth Crowne WIthin this Age like to th' Essences Sect Good Men of Life austene did Cells erect Of Christian Hermites or Anachorites In Aegypts Desarts there that Convertites Might solitaty dwell from Passions free And from those Baites wherewith we daily see The greatest Part ev'n of the Churches Brood Ensnar'd a Mystick Point not understood By Libertines in these our Carnall Dayes There cloystred up from soule Temptations stayes Alone and farre from Mortalls Company The Holy Saint the long-liv'd Anthony His life sustaining onely by the Fruit Of one Palmitoe Tree whose Rind did suit And cloath his Limmes as did the Fruit him feed His Patterne then good Saint Macarius trac'd Whose Presence since the Nicen Councell grac'd O happy Types If Superstition since For Hypocrites Some came not to convince As Savoyes Hermite through Confessions shrow'd Since Cuckolded the Best of all the Crowd ABout the end of this Third Century When Dioclesians Rage and Butchery Did persecute the Saints God raised up Lactantius to confirme them not to droup For now their Time of Liberty drew neere Which by Gods Grace did after soone appeare For saving Philip whom Pope Fabian blest All Caesars hitherto Christs Flocke opprest The Church as yet fixt on no Constant Formes Of Government So grievous were the Stormes Of Persecution rais'd by Tytants Rage The First three Ages of her Pilgrimage That she could not Correct but now and then Judge nor with Tythes reward Industrious men As Lollards were by our Lancastrians curb'd And Huguenots in France by Kings disturb'd So her aw'd Stâ—rres durst scarce a Synod call By stealth much lesse a Councell Generall Where her Chiefe Watchmen of the Christian Race Might Congregate in one convenient Place Popes stood not then on high Prerogatives Glad oft to flye to lurke and save their lives But Christians now began to be more bold The Time in the Apocalipse foretold The two and Forty Monthes being full expir'd Monthes counted for Yeares Sabbaths they aspir'd By the Imperiall Leave to settle things In Order without Gall or Envious stings As shall appeare after Licinius Death Meane while I le rest so to resume more breath THE OCCVRRANCES OF THE FOURTH AGE From the Yeare of our Lord 300. untill the Yeare 400. being the Second Yeare of the Raigne of Arcadius and Honorius the Sonnes of Theodosius the Roman Emperour The Argument The Glorious Church which Constantine â—uilâ— vp At his Decease by Arrians vext doth droupe For Schooles Restraint of Julian she complaines Which Rise againe through Theodosius Paines THough I be slow the Strumpet to 〈◊〉 Yet I contend to blaze the New-manâ— Taske And to performe enough to satisfie My Noble Friends where the True Church did lye Since Christ his Time untill our present Age Mauger Hells spight during her Pilgrimage Because she did on no Foundation stand But Christ none shall her Name with Errour brand Because she built upon the Living Rocke Which Peter voucht she shunn'd the Fatall shocke Of the fierce Dragons Floud in Darknesse shin'd Though to a Desart rude she seem'd confin'd Because she squar'd her Doctrine and her Rites According to Gods Word her Opposites Can never blacke her Fame and Memory Nor need she feare Proud Babels Mystery That Errours spirit can obliterate The Gospels Text which she enjoyes of late I Will make good that though some Curse 〈◊〉 Yet by Gods Rayes or his Saint Michaels Banner She spreads Christs Name in Saints and Martyrs blest In Dangers oft and seldome times at Rest One while in Tents in Warres against her Foes Another time beleaguer'd feeling woes When seeking Christ in time of superstition The Watchmen smote her in the Inquisition As Salomon sung in his Canticles As Christ himselfe by Scribes Convenâ—icâ—â—s And Roman Doome in person felt what Grace His Limmes with Men finde in their Holy Race By Martyrs Bloud and spoiles of the Old Man Our New man first his Sacrifice began Continues still his Feast though some conspire To marre the same and Our Good Church to fire ANd yet for all Mens Hate our Mother lives Yea from her Flames the New Man buds and thrives Not much unlike the Phoenix whom they say That being burnt her Like revives alway Though alway not so Vigourous or Faire By reason of the Climate Food or Aire Too high Conceit of her splendidious Worth Or of the Keyes to shut the stubborne forth Or other Accidentall Le ts she seeme But vile or lacking Tythes in poore esteeme Nipt with hard Winters Frost or scorcht with Hear Course Dyet or with changing Soile or Seate Yet at the last the Bridegroome in extreames Shewes her the way to his spirituall Streames To pray with Zeale more cautiously to watch Least Fiend-like Pride her or her Brood attache To feed his Flocke though they ungratefull be Combining to keepe backe his Tythes her Fee For whether Poore or Sicke by dankish Aire She sleepes not till she doth to Christ repaire With contrite thoughts and Lusts Mortification With the New-mans and Soules Resussitation Of whom she begs and humbly sues for Grace Which on her Teares she gaines then sees his Face The splendour of his Spirit working wonders With mildest Gales restraining Sinaies Thunders And thereupon is throned on a Hill With large Command according to his Will To Bind or Loose her Childrens Sinnes to keepe To watch and Feed but not to Flay his Sheepe Like her with Triple Crowne on seven Hills Who with false Fires now sits as God and fills Mens Consciences with Smoaky Pardons Wares Of the Beasts Marke with Lies and Bugâ—e are Cares A Bout three hundred Yeares the Gospels Light Had through our Saviours Bloud acquired Might And rooting when restrain'd it faster spred Enlightning Soules whom Forged Tales missed When die had foil'd Maxentius Maximine And to a Nooke Licinius did confine The Christian Church was rear'd by Constantine Most Glorious on a Hill with Rires Divine And decent States as well from Foes Contempt As from home-scandalls to become exempt Soone as that Signe had meteour'd in the Aire Which Conquerour him styl'd he did repaire The Ruines of the
Petrae sub imagine cessat Sic hodie Semen solet insanire Draconis Ut Papae Decreta magis quam Dogmata nostra Iura Hominum non Iussa Dei bibit aure Sacerdes Nec mirum Nubes ortae de stercore Monstri Inficiunt animas Ecclesia pestc laborat O vetule infoelix qui Christi Calle nec Aris Nec sacris Monitis nec moveare Minis Sin nomen NEMO supplex inverteris OMEN Destinat Christo sic Anagramma placet Aëreos Hostes citâ— profligabis in Orcum Si modo rimaris Caelica Claustra Fide Proditor ille Senex tunc evanescet in Auras Succumbit Christi cum tuâ— Massa Cruci Hoc Opus hic labor est Perlege pende Vale. THE OCCVRRENCES OF THE TWELFTH AGE From the yeere of our Lord 1100. untill the yeere 1200. At which Time King John raigned here in England who to be absolved of the Popes Excommunications made himselfe Tributary to His Holinesse The Argument The Councell Lateran confirmes the Masse The Canon Lawes for Romes maine Profit passe The Pope mounts up on Caesars humbled Back Schoole-men new use And Salem goes to wrack THose whom Rome styl'd the Berengarian Sect Because her Masse they ventur'd to correct Were censur'd at the Councell Lateran As at l'ercelli the like Act prophane Against them past that Politician Whâ—re For her Trades sake in the last Age before And here likewise such Labours went to Pot As Joachim a Latian Abbot wrot To prove the Man of Sinne the Antichrist And Babels Whore jumpt with the Romaine Priest O Valiant man who for this Mystick Point On Truths behalfe adventur'd his best Joint NO better sorts the Churches Pilgrimage In this obscure Eclipse and Carnall Age Popes struggling still for Worldly Dignity With Emperours and for Priority Amidst these Broyles although Eugenius storme Yet Bernard dar'd his Popedome to enforme How he in striving Both the Swords to hold Might lose them Both for his encroachment bold ANd sure if Popes had not on Princes play'd Nor warr'd with Worldly States but onely Pray'd And sought the Health of Soules by Lenity They might have raign'd in long Prosperity And by their Doctrine linkt with Holy Life Drawn wrangling States from Faction Bloud strife Whereas for Peace they rather Quarrels spun Not caring by what sleights they Places won So that some call him Pope a Yeare or two And that great Kings or Dukes doe kisse his shooe Old Adrian wreakes not how he came to mount Nor by what Meanes so he his Peeres surmount And yet this Fate with a repenting Breath This Pope perplext lamented at his Death And said that he who got the Papacy By Murther trac'd the Steps and Policie Of Romulus who slue his Brother Rheme Alone to weare Romes New-found Diademe When that Eleven Hundred Yeares and Ten Had wheel'd from Christ his Birth a Bishop then Of Florence preacht that the Proud Man of Sinne The Antichrist who long conceal'd had been Was surely come and in Gods Temple sate Pretending Right to sway the Christian State The Mystick Let of Caesars Glorious Traine Which made him hide his head and did restraine His haughty Thoughts and Plots unlimited Was thrust away and neere extinguished By the Popes Tumults Threats and Stratagemes Subjecting Bodies Soules and Diademes Priests Ghostly Charge into an Earthly chang'd The Spirits Gifts Simoniously exchang'd The Words Eclipse Idolatries encrease And Sodomies with want of Christian Peace These Hellish Crimes or Deedes irregulare Demonstrate who the Churches Foe-men are When Pope Paschalis Second of that Name Had heard diuulg'd his Hierarchies shame Most Politick to stop the Bruit at first Of such New Sparkes by his Old wayes accurst He sent his Briefes at Florence to appoint A Councell there to right things out of joint As he surmiz'd where Coram nobis brought The Bishop there was fore'd to be new taught With Babels Glosse to palliate what he knew The Cole-black for Snow white the False for True And so to leave the Pope in Peters Chaire Chaffring for Soules till Saints disturbe the Faire BUt in the midst of all these brandling Cares Which rackt the Church succeeded other Snares Soules to subject unto the Vultures Clawes Renewd with Glosse Voluminous of Lawes By Azoes Gratians and Accursius Paines That so Mens Wits by such divertive Traines In hope of Worldly Fees toâ—ld might not pry Into Sinnes deep concealed Mystery But nimbly helpe to execute the Bulls And Briefes wherewith his Thralls the Tyrant gulls Emptying their store sacking their Substance dry That he might joy at Clients Misery And though the One the Elder Sister were The Younger yet and Canon Law did beare The primest Sway and Kings durst not gainesay But must appeare at Rome on a set day For when the Pope enthrall'd the Emperour Romes Keyes then Caesars Lawes did over-towre TO fortifie the Canons glozing Glosse About that Time Our Schoole-men then arose Quaint Wits who spun Divinity anew And by Distinctions would the Gospel mew Such Knots and Wiles did Curious Wits compose That they to Rome might all the World transpose And so heale up and cloze the grievous Scarres Which she sustain'd deservedly for Jarres And for her Breach of Faith at Christ his Spring Vow'd that to him she 'gainst the World would cling But in the next Ensuing Age shall rise Bald Friers Sects to help Baals Sacrifice To temper or to stint these Busie Braines There shall start up Men of unwearied Paines Who seeme to raise Devotion at a pinch 'Mong which I ranke Poore Francis Sainted since Who innocent in Life by Poverty Would faine restore the Old Integrity To imitate as much as in him lay The Ancient Monks or the Essences way Or rather Benets Rules but afterward The Dragon brib'd his Mates to be his Guard His Sect soone stray'd and his Fraternity With Merits boast corrupted Purity Pestring the Church and Christian Common-weale With Dreames adverse unto the Founders Zeale OUt of their Dung did other Orders grow Austere in Life of Sanctimonious show Pretending Holinesse in Outward Sight But inwardly in Melancholick plight Now spending Dayes and Nights neere in dispaire Anon blowne up like Bladders in the Aire With Meritorious Wind Pelagian Worth And Humane Workes they set their Doctrine forth They lash'd their Flesh to keep the Old man downe And like that Sect from craz'd Montanus flowne They stupifi'd through Fasts their Brawny Sides In hope of Grace and Worldly Fame besides Meane while the Bloud of Christ they frustrate made And by such blasted Buds Faiths Tree did fade Yet by their Deedes and seeming Sacrifice The Scarlet Whore thought to redeeme her vice And that their Workes of Supererogation Suffis'd at least to win a Prorogation Of Vengeance due for her high Pamperd Pride If not to purge what Christ had left untri'd Like those who bought to ransome Iudas Sinne Blouds Hire a Field to bury Strangers in O What a Rabble doth my Muse descry Of Croakers from the Dragons mouth to slye Within the
from the Empire But his Owne Of Naples Realme with the Sicilian Crowne He gives away for Prey to Charles of France Whose Banners there Pope Clement did advance And never left such was his Choller 's Flame To Conradine for his dead Grandsires Fame Till he and Austriaes Prince by a sly way Were taken and beheaded in One day Judge Readers now if Popes liv'd like to Christ Or whether they resembled Antichrist SO Sly and Cautious were this Ages States That None for feare to have with Popes Debates For Seventeene Yeares durst hazard on the Mace Imperiall but the same lay for that Space Still vacant For Alphonsus King of Spaine Had flat refus'd the Cumbers to sustaine Least of an ancient Friend his Ghostly Sire Become his Foe and so his Love expire He would not leave he said Astronomy Which he then studied for all Germany Th' Electours then chose Richard Cornewalls Duke The Romaines King but he with some rebuke Was since put off because his Holidome Expected more of Others for that Roome And thereupon he Hasburgs Earle enthrones Since Austriaes Head with him the Pope attones In Old Lausannaes Towne but could not get Him once to Rome lest that his footing set In that unlucky Place some Jealous Fit Might nip the Popes rash Braine and crazed Wit That he from thence should never more returne But perish there except he serv'd his turne As Caesars were before his time to doe Constrain'd or else his Wrath to undergoe And to that end the prudent Emperour Rehears'd the Tale how to the Lions Bowre Who fain'd him sicke the Fox saw many Beasts To enter in as Complementall Guests But not the steps of any comming back And that made him to Rome his Visit slacke NOw at this Ages Period Celestine The Romish Pope was cheated by a fine And Cunning Sleight the Popedome to resigne To Boniface himselfe and to confine Into an Hermites Cell to end his Dayes With Prayers Fasts and such Religious wayes This by a whispring Cane or hollow Reed He acted and his wish did so succeed Thus Boniface began But as such Plots Thrive seldome so entangled in those knots Which he for others warp'd he waged Warres In Italy In France he moved Jarres Against the King with Fulminating Darts Against his Realme till spite of all his Arts His Holinesse Captiv'd in Prison fast For very Griefe then he deceas'd at last With this Memoriall fixed on his Clog He came a Fox Raign'd a Wolfe di'd a Dog But to encrease Romes Superstitious store Before his Death he coin'd one Custome more The Jubilees great Teare wherein all such Who came to Rome were â—as'd of Sinne and Pouch Eas'd of Sinnes Paine from Purgatories Flame Eas'd of their Gold as Ransome for the same This Pope decreed it first with Balaams Fire When that One Hundred Yeares did full expire But since to Fifty Yeares Popes chang'd the Course That they might reap more Gaine by Gulls recourse And Pilgrim-Visits of the Lateran And other Sainted-Fanes late made profane Since Freedome was proclaim'd by Romish Sires For many Thousand Yeares from Purging Fires So doth the Mystick Whore entangle Soules To credit Dreames which raise her Market Tolles And now likewise for her Gods Adoration Popes first Decreed the Messes Elevation Thus I winde up this Popish Age the while I warne thy Wits to greet O Patricks Ile Thy Prelate Fitz-Raphe Primate Armachan Who 'gainst the Upstart Friers playd the Man And provd their Begging Orders Vaine and False Before the Pope and all his Cardinalls So shone that time this Learned Mans Renowne That when his Death was through Avinion knowne A Cardinall was heard of Him to say The Church hath lost a Pillar strong this day ANd yet for all such Good mens Prophesâ—es Rome would not quit her Pedlers Marchandise Which to her use those Croaking Frieâ—s truckt But by their Liâ—s she all our Horey suckt Their Legends wrought such Superstitious Feare They saw Our Lady here Our Lady there At Mountserrat Lorrette Walsingham Whereby they got as to th' Ephesian Dame To Isis Baal and Moloch Temples built And Images with Gold and Azure gilt By which false specious Showes old Satans Mists Rich Offrings they procur'd to Romish Priests Then Miracles were rife of Wise men knowne For Ghostly Wiles now to a Proverbe growne That to conclude Some for Notorious Liers It is enough to say that they are Friers THE OCCVRRENCES OF THE FOURTEENTH AGE From the Yeare of our Lord 1300. untill the Yeare 1400. At which time Henry the Fourth Raâ—gned King of England The Argument The Fratricells soone up and quasht At Masse By Papall Plot then Caesar poisâ—ed was Pope John maintaines he can all Kings depose Our Wickliffe now Romes Doctrine doth oppose ABout the Dawne of this New Century The Fratricells of Anabaptists Fry In Germany disperst their Arguments That Christians should not perk to Governments But that all things lay Common to the Poore As to the Rich. No Creature lesse or more Then Others must possesse Equallity They taught of States and Lives Conformity Much like to that which Plato Chymeriz'd Or the Utopian Weale which Moore devis'd But their Opinions vanish'd into Smoak And they themselves endur'd the Churches stroak Censur'd for Bedlems of Corrupted Zeale Offensive to the Church and Common-weale Which without hope of Gaine would slothfull grow Yet by the Fruit a Christians Faith we know I wish in Wealth a Meane from Mizers store A Miracle extended to the Poore O how my Heart doth grieve to see their Cures Neglected whilst our Drâ—nish Epicures Most idly waste what Godly Families Would save from Dearth and serve as Sacrifice To cover Sinnes We carâ—y hence no Gold Nor Land Eight Foot alone a Coarse will hold A Friers Act yet hapned to his Liege Great Luxembâ—roughs Caesar at the Siege Of Florence more prodigious by the Popes Procurement which quasht sodainely the Hopes And Life of the Imperiall Majesty Deciphring Babels black Iniquity By a Black Frier with a Masses Cake Envenomed and taen his Heart-strings brake And so whom Force nor Flashes could out-brave One hallowed Bit dispatcht him to his Grave NOr did the Next succeeding Emperour Much better speed for he likewise the sowre And crabb'd aspect felt of proud Anti brâ—st He Lewis dar'd out of the Church of Christ By Thundâ—ing Bulls to shut and made his Boast That he had Power through the Holy Ghost Both Emperours and Princes to dispose And at his Will their Kingdomes to transpose Thus John the Two and Twentieth of that Name On Caesar play'd and Scriptures did defame Untill some Grave and Learned Men arose In that Tempestuous Age him to oppose AMong which Occam started up with Quill Of Cherubs Wing and prov'd that Doctrine ill He prov'd the Rule of all this Earthly Ball To appertaine unto States Temporall And by the Light transferr'd from Holy Scrowles How Truth exempts no priviledged Soules No not the Pope himselfe from Caesars Doome Since Peter felt