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
that Light Whose least-least part may all the World amase That of our Spirit which doth the Powers condense Of muddie Mortalls farre transcends the sense 5 A Fyre before him no resistance findes Fierce sounds of Horrour thunder in each eare The noyce of Armies Tempests and Whirle-windes A weight of Wrath more then ten Worlds can beare Thinke what a Terrour stings distracted Mindes When Mountaines melt and Valleyes burst for feare What what must this in guiltie Mortalls breed Whilst all this All stands trembling like a Reed 6 The GOD of Battells Battell doth intend To daunt the Nations and to fetter Kings He with all Flesh in Iudgement to contend At Mid-night comes as on the Mornings wings O tyme of Ruine ending without End Huge time of Vengeance where all ballanc'd hings The LORDS Great Day a Day of Wrath and Paine Whose Night of Darkenesse neuer cleares againe 7 That Element still cleare in spight of Nights Which as most subtill mounted vp aboue To kindle there perchance those glorious Lights Which dy'd by it as deckt by Beautie moue Of curious Fancies else to stay the Flights As which may not be touch'd a bounds did proue That they presume no higher things to see Then are the Elements of which they be 8 Marke how Aeolian Bands loos'd from the Bounds Where them in Fetters the Eternall keepes As if the angrie Spirit of all the Rounds Like Tyrants rage till Heauen to quensh them weepes Whose rumbling Furie whilst it all confounds Whyles cleaues the Clouds whyles parts the deepest Deepes By Noyse aboue and Violence below Earth-quake and Thunder both at once to show 9 Euen so Fire which was made nought to annoy To liquid Limits clos'd with Clouds retire Lest what it fosters it might else destroy O when enlarg'd and kindled by GODS Ire It him at Midnight doth as Torch conuoy All all will seeme a PYRAMID of Fyre To GOD what is this Vniuersall Frame Now but a Moate at last a litle Flame 10 The Axell-trees on which Heauens Round doth moue Shrunke from their Burden both fall broken downe Those which to Pilots point out from aboue Their Wayes through Waues to richesse or renowne And so though fix'd the Strayers helpers proue Nights stately Lampes borne in an Azure Crown Those guyding Starres may as not needfull fall When worldlings wandrings are accomplish'd all 11 The Vagabonds aboue lasciuious Lights Which from fond Mindes which did their Course admire By strange Effects obseru'd from seuerall hights As Deities Altars Idoles did acquire Thrown from their Spheares expos'd to Mortalls sights As abject Ashes excrements of Fire They in their Ruines farre from what before Shall damne the Nations which did them adore 12 With Ludgings twelue design'd by seuerall Signes Now falls that Building more then Crystall cleare Which the dayes Eye though circling all confynes Still tempring Tymes and seasoning the Yeare All temporall Light no more to ryse declynes That Glory may eternallie appeare All then being Infinit no bounds attend Tymes and halfe tymes being past Tyme takes an end 13 As slymie Vapours whilst like Starres they fall Shot from their Place do hurle alongst the Skie The Pleiades Arcturus Orion all The glistring Troupes Lights languishin do die Lyke other Creatures to confusion thrall They from the Flammes as Sparkes from Fyre do flie The Heauens at last grieu'd for their falling Spheares All else dry'd vp weep down their Starres for Teares 14 As Leafes from Trees the Starres from Heauen do shake Darke Clouds of Smoake exhausting those of Raine The Moone all turnes to Blood the Sunne growes Blacke Which whilst those Monstrous Formes they do retaine Of Vengeance Badges Signes of Ruine make And not eclips'd by vsuall meanes remaine Those common Lights obscur'd the Iust shine bright The Wicked enter in Eternall Night 15 VVhilst staggering reels this Vniuersall Frame The Heauens bow down with GOD as being his Seat His Scepter Iron his Throne a fyrie Flame To bruise the Mighty and to fyne the Great VVho of his Glory can the Greatnesse dreame VVho once was valued at a litle Rate GOD by his Word did first make all of nought And by his Word shall judge All of each thought 16 When GOD his people did together draw On Sions Mount to register his Will He that they might attend with reuerent Aw Came clad with Clouds sterne Trumpets sounding shrill And threatned Death whilst thundring forth his Law To all that durst approach the trembling Hill What compassed with Death he thus did giue Ah who can keep or violat and liue 17 Since this confounding Forme did Myndes to tame That of their Yoke all might the burden know Those dreadfull Statutes terriblie proclaime All Flesh for feare shall fade away below How they were kept when GOD a count doth claime A tyme of Terrour more then words can show He gaue in Mercie shall exact with Ire The Mountaine smoak'd the World shall burne on Fire 18 In spight of Natures powers which then exspyre Through liquid Limits breaking from aboue Lo down-ward tends the Tempest of this Fyre The Airie Region doth a Fornace proue To boyle her Guests the Vessells of GODS Ire Which tortur'd there can no where else remoue Flammes which should still for their confusion rage Thus kindled first perchance nought can asswage 19 The growing Creatures which doe mount most high And as their earthly Bounds they did disdaine Would whilst their Tops encroach vpon the Skie Base Men vpbraide who not their Strength doe straine With heauenly Helps still higher vp to flie And spurne at Earth where rooted they remaine Those leauie Bands while as they fan the Air As fittest Baits for Fire first kindle thair 20 Who can imagine this and yet not mourne What Battell must succede this huge Alarme Of Lebanon the stately Cedars burne The Pines of Idus fall without an Arme The fertill Forrests all to Flames do turne And waste the World which they were wont to warme To plague proud Sinners euery thing accords What Comfort once Confusion now affords 21 The smoaking Mountaines melt like Waxe away Else sincke for Feare O more then fearfull things They which the Fields with Riuers did array As if to quensh their Heat drinke vp their Springs Like faded Flowres their drouping Tops decay Which crown'd with Cloudes stretch'd through the Air their wings As did the Raine the Fire doth sease all bounds What Last the First the Last at First confounds 22 Then of That Birth Hills shall deliuered be Which big by Nature they so long haue borne Though it fond Mortalls Slaues by being free To make Abortiues haue their Bellies torne Gold as when Midas wish O just Decree Shall flow superfluous Couetice to scorne What of All else did measure once the Worth Shall then ly loath'd by Aguous Earth spued forth 23 The godly Kings wise Sonne from Ophir brought With Ethnickes joyn'd all welcome are for Gaines What Spaniards now in other Worlds haue sought That golden Fleece still winne
Apostasie applauded all Then to vsurpe Heauens Throne did bend their care So hasting on the Horrour of their fall Whose traitrous Head made lyke a Whoore that strayes His burning Beauties prodigall of Rayes 48 Whil'st vainlie puft vp with preposterous Aymes He euen from GOD his Treasure stryn'd to steale The Angels good Those not deseruing Names With sacred Ardour boldly did appeale Their Eyes shot Lightning and their Breath smoak'd Flames As rauish'd with GODS loue burnt vp with Zeale All listed vp their Flight their Voyce their Hands Then sang GODS Praise rebuk'd rebellious Bands 49 This Mutinie a monstrous Tumult bred The place of Peace being plenish'd thus with Armes Bright Michael forth a glorious Squadron led Which forc'd the Fiends to apprehend their harmes The Lights of Heauen lookt pale Clouds thundering shed Windes roaring Trumpets bellow'd lowd Alarmes Thinke what was fain'd to be at Phloegra bounds Of this a shadow Echoes but of sounds 50 O damned Dog who in a happie State Could not thy Selfe would not haue Others byde Sinne Death and Hell thou opened first their Gate Ambitions Bellowes Fountaine of all pryde Who Force in Heauen in Paradise Deceat On Earth vs'd both a Traitour alwayes try'd O first the Ground still guilty of all Euils Since whom GOD Angels made thou made them Deuils 51 When them He view'd whose Power nought can expresse To whose least Nod the Greatest things are thral Although his Word his Looke his Thought or lesse Might them haue made Dust Aire or what more small Yet he their pryde though purpos'd to represse Grac'd by a Blow disdain'd to let them fall But them reseru'd for more opprobrious strypes As first of Sinne still of his Iudgements Types 52 Those scorned Riuals GOD would Iudge not fight And then Themselues none else more fit could find Brands for his Rage whilst flamming at the hight To cleare their Knowledge it with Terrour shin'd Whose guilty Weaknesse match'd with his pure Might Did freeze with Horrour each amazed Mind Their Conscience kindled who from GOD rebell Hell first is plac'd in Them then They in Hell 53 That damned Crue GOD hauing spy'd a space First lightning Lookes then thundred forth those Words Woods for my Wrath that haue abus'd my Grace As once of Light of Darkenesse now be LORDS Where Order is since forfaiting your place Passe where Confusion euery thing affords And vse your spight by pyning and being pyn'd Not Angels no Do EVIZS as Deuils design'd 54 If with Great things we Small things may compare Or with their Maker things which haue bene made As when the Falcon fierce soares through the Aire The litle feathred Flocks foll downe as dead As Darknesse flies Heauen like a Bryde lookes faire When Phoebus forth doth fyrie Coursers lead Like some Bryde-grome bent for his wedding place Or lyke a mighty Man to runne his race 55 Euen so as Lightning flashing from the Skie Doth die as it descends gone with a glance More fast then follow could a Thought or Eye Heauens banish'd Rebels fell downe in a trance Then abject Runnagats ouer all did flie As seeking out some place to hide their Chance O what a deadly Storme did then beginne When Heauen rain'd Deuils to drown the World with Sinne 56 That Forge of Fraud Euils Center Spheare of Pryde From Blisse aboue whom GODS owne Breath had blowne He who his Strength in Heauen in vaine had try'de As Dogs byte stones for him who hath them thrown GODS Image did pursue in Adam spy'de And did despite his state despise his owne It neuer ended yet which then beganne His Hate towards GOD his Enuy vnto Man 57 Ere tainted first with that twyse fatall Cryme Then Adam liv'd more blest then can be thought Babe Infant Chylde Youth Man all at one tyme Form'd in perfection hauing need of nought To Paradise preferr'd from abject slyme A graine of Earth to rule it all was brought Him to content whilst all things did contend GOD walk'd and talk'd with him as with his Friend 58 Then of his pleasures to heap vp the store GOD Euah form'd adorn'd with Beauties rare Such as none since a Woman did decore Thinke what it is to be perfectly faire And then imagine her euen much then more She principall the rest but Pictures are No hight of words can her Perfections hit The Worke was matchlesse as the Worke-mans Wit 59 The Worlds first Father what huge Ioyes did fill Whilst Prince of Paradise from trouble free The fairest Creature entertain'd him still No Riuall was he could not Iealous be Being onely wretch'd in hauing all his Will And yet discharg'd the tasting of one Tree Let one haue all things good abstract some Toy That Want more grieues then all he hath giues Ioy. 60 Through Edens Garden stately Euah stray'd Where beauteous Flowres her Beauties back reglanc'd By Natures selfe and not by Art array'd Which pure not blushing boldly were aduanc'd With dangling Haires the wanton Zephyrs playd And in rich Rings their floting Gold enhanc'd All things concurr'd which pleasure could incite So that she seem'd the Center of Delight 61 Then could she not well thinke who now can tell What banqueted her sight with objects rare Birds striu'd for her whose Songs should most excel The odoriferous Flowres perfum'd the Aire Yet did her Breath of all most sweetly smell Not then distemper'd with intemperate faire No mixtures strange compos'd corrupting food All naturally was sweet all simplie good 62 But ah when she the Apples faire did spie Which since reseru'd were thought to be the best Their preciousnesse suppos'd enflam'd to trie By being discharg'd she lookt where they did rest Luxuriously abandon'd to the Eye Swolne languishing like those vpon her Brest Ah Curiousnes first Cause of all our ill And yet the Plague which most torments vs still 63 On them she doubtfull earnestly did gaise The Hand being oft aduanc'd and oft drawn bak Her State and Beautie entring thus to praise Whilst subtle Sathan in a Serpent spake Your State is high you may it higher raise And may as Gods your Selues Immortall make This precious Fruit GOD you forbids to eate Lest knowing Good and Euill you match his State 64 Those fatall Fruits which poyson'd were with Sinne She hauing tasted made her Husband proue What could not Words of such a Sirene winne O Wo to Man that Woman thus can moue He Him to hide his Falls first Course did rinne VVhom Knowledge now had learn'd to loth and loue Death from that Tree did shoot through Shaddowes dark His Rest an Apple Beautie was his Marke 65 Thus Good and Euill they learn'd to know by this But Ah the Good was gone the Euill to be VVhen They so monstrously had done amisse They Clothing sought poore Shift from Shame to free Loe the first Fruits of Mortalls Knowledge is Their Nakednes and Miserie to see Thus Curiousnes to Knowledge is the Guide And it to Miserie all Toyles when tri'de 66 Marke Adams answere when his
for the best whose thoughts sway'd by his Breath Had squair'd his Actions onely by his Will His Calfe GODS Lambe both feasted the Prophane His Best was grieu'd GODS only Sonne was slaine 3 Who can expresse consider or conceaue Our Makers Mercy our Redeemers Loue Or of that Spirit the Power which who receaue By sacred Ardour rauish'd are aboue O to Creat to Sanctifie to Saue Ingratitude to Gratefulnesse may moue Who weighes those Works else damned were his State Must if no more be grieu'd for being ingrate 4 First ere by Ends Beginnings could be prou'd Whilst Time nor Place to limit nought attain'd All wholly Holy wholly to be lou'd GOD in Himselfe and All in him remain'd Whilst both the Sunne and Spheare in which he mou'd That which contain'd and that which was contain'd Truth lightned Light All in Perfection stood More high then Thoughts can reach all GOD all Good 5 All this alone the LORD would not possesse But would haue some who taste his Goodnesse might Which by being giuen in no Degree proues lesse What darker growes the Sunne by giuing Light Not that his Blisse ou'rflow'd no not beguesse All was of Purpose prouidently right His Glories Witnesses GOD Men did raise That they might it admire Him serue and praise 6 VVhen GOD in Vs no Kind of Good could see Saue that which first was from Himselfe to fall Great was his Fauour making Vs to be Euen ere we were much lesse deseru'd at all What since in vs Affection must be free Who dare presume to make our Makers Thrall He first vs freely made when nought of Nought When sold to Sinne with his owne Blood vs bought 7 Though Some sometime inspir'd by GOD we see Doe gratefull I not meritorious Deedes The Fruit not Root of Mercies sauing Tree Which was CHRISTS Crosse whence all our Rest proceedes As owing Most they should most humble be To Him whose Grace in them such Motions breedes From whom for Good a Mind and Meanes they had Where Others were abandon'd to be Bad. 8 The LORD to those whose Soules produce his Seale Good things doth giue as who them justly owes bound by his Promise pleaded with true Zeale Which all the Arguments of Wrath ou'rthrowes Whilst they from it to Mercy do appeale Which justifies all that Repentance showes GOD Sinnes confess'd with Griefe with Ioy forgiues That which Faith humbly seekes Power freely giues 9 He who when Pilgrims all their Trouble sees The faithfull Soules from Danger doth secure And them from Fetters of Corruption frees Grieu'd for the Grieues which Mortalls must endure But now for them fulfilling first Decrees He would true Rest perpetually procure At that great Court which must determine All Euen till CHRIST rise as Iudge from Adams Fall 10 Their Blood which Tyrants by euill Angels led Like worthlesse Waters lauish'd on the Dust From out the Altar cryes all that was shed From Abel till and since Zacharie the Iust To see the Wicked with Confusion cled When judg'd by Him in whom they would not trust The sorrow of his Saints doth moue GOD much No sweeter Incense then the Sighes of such 11 GOD is not slacke as Worldlings do suppose But onely patient willing all to winne Times Consummation quickly shall disclose The Period of Mortalitie and Sinne And for the same his Seruants to dispose Else charg'd by Signes the Processe doth beginne Signes which each Day vpbraide vs with the last Few are to come some present many past 12 What fatall Warnings do that Time presage A due Attendance in the World to breede Though oftner now some vs'd in euery Age And some more monstrous straight the Day preceede Ah flie the Flames of that encroaching Rage And arme against these Terrours which succede For whom the First not feares the Last confounds As whilst the Lightning shines the Thunder wounds 13 Whilst threatning Worldlings with the last Deluge Old Noah Scorne acquir'd but neuer Trust Though building in their Sight his owne Refuge So were the People drunke with Pride and Lust And ere the comming of the generall Iudge To damne the Bad and justifie the Iust Euen when the Tokens come which CHRIST aduis'd As Noahs then CHRISTS Words are now despis'd 14 Euen as the Lifes last Day to None was shown That still attending Death all might liue right So that great Iudgements Day is kept vnknown To make vs watch as CHRIST were still in Sight Like Virgins wise with Oyle still of our own That when the Bridegrome comes we want not Light Liue still as looking Death should vs sur-prise And go to Beds and Graues as we would rise 15 O what great Wonder that so few are found Whom those strange Signes make grieu'd or glad appeare Though that Day haste which should their Soales confound Or from Corruption make them euer cleare If holy Jerome thought he heard the Sound Of that dead Trumpet thundring in his Eare What jealous Cares should in our Brests be lodg'd Since greater Sinners nearer to be judg'd 16 When Will to Man or rather Man to Will Was freely giuen then Discord did beginne Though Brether earst one did another kill Of Those who first were borne Lifes Race to rinne Thus striuing as it seem'd who did most Ill The Father fell the Sonne did sincke in Sinne Loue Adam lost but Cain kindled Wraith The Author breeding Actor bringing Death 17 Thus at the first Contentious Worldlings jarr'd Of all the World when only two were Heires And when that Nations were then Nations warr'd Oft sowing Hopes and reaping but Dispaires Base Auarice Pride and Ambition marr'd All Concord first and fram'd Death diuerse Snares Though as a Wind soone blasted is our Breath We furnish Feathers for the Wings of Death 18 Though as the sacred Register records Strife is still boyling mortall Mens Desires The thing most fertile which the World affords Of which each litle Sparke may breede great Fires Yet that portentuous Warre which CHRISTS own Words Cites as a Signe when Iudgement Earth requires It is not that which vaine Ambition bends By partiall Passions rais'd for priuat Ends. 19 Such was the Warre which in each Age was mou'd When by prepostrous Cares from rest restrain'd Bent to be more then Men Men Monsters prou'd Whilst others Lords who their owne Slaues remain'd For whilst aduancement vaine they fondlie lou'd The Deuill their Soules whilst they but Bodies gain'd So with their owne disturbing euery State They bought Hels Horrours at too high a Rate 20 CHRIST came below that Soules might be relieu'd Not to breed Peace but worse then ciuill Warres Broyles among Brethren scarse to be beleeu'd Euen twixt the Sonne and Sire engendring Iarres GOD must be pleas'd who euer else be grieu'd The Gospels growth no Tyrants malice marres As Egypts Burdens Israels Strength did crowne The Truth mounts most when Men would presse it downe 21 Those Warres which come before that fatall Day End things begunne and endlesse things beginne Are not vs'd Broyles which
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
Earth more earthlie proue 58 Whyles in some parts whose Ruines Fame renownes In indignation of her sinfull Seede As Men should do their Eyes the Earth GOD drownes Which those to plague who the first cause did breede Doth vomit Mountaines and doth swallow Townes The Worlds Foundation brangling lyke a Reede Whilst with pale Hearts the panting People thinke That Hell will rise or that the Heauen will sinke 59 One Earth-quake toss'd the Turkes imperiall Heade Dayes sensible but violent some Houres Till in that Towne a monstrous Breach was made As charg'd at once by all the damned Powers I know not whether buried first or deade Troupes seem'd to striue in falling with their Towers Whilst those who stood all trembling did attend That all the World at least themselues should end 60 Twix Rome and Naples once in Enuies Eye What stately Townes did the Worlds Conquerours found Which now we not no not their Ruines spye Being laide more low then leuell with the Ground They with all theirs en-earth'd by Earth-quakes lye Whose Stones drawn downe where Darknesse doth abound Lyke Sisiphus perchance a number roulles Else Dis builds Doungeons for the damned Soulles 61 Late neere those Parts whose Ruines men admire Where Wealth superfluous idle Wonders wrought An Earth-quake strange amazement did acquire A Plaine conceau'd and forth a Mountaine brought Which diuerse dayes disgorged Flammes of Fire And Stones whose Substance was consum'd to nought Hells Fire it seem'd which as GODS Wrath still lights Grown great flamm'd forth vp-braiding Sinners sights 62 Last in this Land our Eyes saw one of late Whose Terrour from some Mindes rests not remou'd Then any else as strange though not so great Not violent but vniuersall prou'd As if of Natures Course the threatned Date All at one Houre this Kingdome trembling mou'd The olde State loathing longing for a new Earth leapes for joy as ready to renew 63 But ah who wakes when rock'd is all this Round Or stryues to stand though euen the Earth thus starts Though GOD doth tosse this Ball till it rebound Who least it part from his Corruption parts Ah that the World so senselesse should be found Both Heauen and Earth do shake but not Mens Hearts Since for his Word the World disdaines to bow Dumbe Creatures do denounce GODS Iudgements now 64 I thinke the Earth by such strange Throwes would tell How much she doth her present State despise Or else all those who in her Bowells dwell Do rouze themselues as readie now to rise Her Bellie thus growne Big doth seeme to swell As one whose Trauell soone should her sur-prise And yet her Brood she Viper-like must free Whose Course must end when Theirs beginnes to be 65 As GOD that Day of Doome striues to make known By Monstrous Signes which may amaze the Mind That Iudgement Great by Iudgements is fore-shown Whilst all the Weapons of his Wrath haue shin'd That others may whilst some rest thus ouer-thrown Stand in the fornace of Affliction fin'd For still the Wretched most Religious proue And oft Examples more then Doctrine moue 66 The Sword of GOD shall once be drunke with Blood And Surfette on the Flesh of thousands slaine Of those who following Euill do flee from Good And scorning CHRIST professe to be prophane From GODS Wine-presse of Wrath shall flow a Flood Which shall with Blood their Horses Bridles staine None may abide nor yet can flie his sight When arm'd with Vengeance GOD doth thundring fight 67 When Father-like GOD chastising his Child Plagu'd alt the Subjectes for their Soueraignes Crime What Thousands then were from the World exild Euen in three Dayes so soone turnes Flesh to Slyme The Earth made waste Men had no more defild Had but one Angell warr'd a litle Time Since by GODS Word the World did made remaine Lesse then his Looke may ruine it againe 68 The Pestilence of Wrath chiefe Weapon thought Which of all Plagues the PLAGVE is onely cald As if All else respecting it were nought It hath so much the Minds of Men appald That Wound by GODS owne Hande seemes only wrought Whose mediat Meanes scarse rest to Reason thrald That which we not conceaue admire we must And in GODS Power aboue our Knowledge trust 69 That poyson'd Dart whose Power none can gaine-stand GOD rarely vs'd in time of greatest Wrath And had it once but brangled in his Hand All trembling stood as twixt the Iawes of Death Then now it selfe the Fame more fear'd this Land Of this great Frensie which infects the Breath A thing thought strange by Habit homely proues What first all Griefe at last all Sense remoues 70 Once in one Age few Dayes and in few Parts The Pest some People to Repentance vrg'd And did with Terrour strike the strongest Harts Whilst his Vine-yard the Heauens great Husband purg'd The Quier of whose Wrath did raine down Darts By which of late what Kingdome was not scourg'd So that Men now not feare that VVhip of GOD Like Boyes oft beaten which contemne the Rod. 71 Lo in this stately Ile admir'd so much What Prouince no what Towne hath not bene pind By that abhorr'd Disease which strikes who touch Whilst Byles the Body Madnesse swells the Mind Ah of some Townes the Anguish hath bene such That All all Hope of safetie had resign'd Whilst Friendes no Comfort gaue no no Reliefe The Sicknesse only not the Death bred Griefe 72 This raging Ague bursts so vgly out Till Men of those whom they loue best are dread Then Danger all in euery thing do doubt Men by the Plague made Plagues as Plagues are fled And are with Horrour compass'd round about When that Contagion through the Aire is spred The Air which first our Breath abus'd doth staine It poyson'd so but Poysons vs againe 73 What thing more wretched can imagin'd be Then is the Towne where once the Botch abounds There not one Sense rests from some Burden free Three doe infect and Two though pure beare Wounds Oft in one Hole Heapes thrown at once we see As where to burie Men fear'd Want of Bounds Yea whilst in Plaintes they spend their plaguie Breath Of all things which are fear'd the least is Death 74 Death whilst no Drogue this Feuers Force ou'rthrowes Oft ere the Patient the Physition claimes The Aire they draw their Heate still higher blowes Till euen what should refresh thus most enflames Of damned Soules the State their Torment showes Who gnash their Teeth as cold whilst Fire enflames And twix their Paines this Difference only winnes Death endes the One the Other but beginnes 75 To plague those Parts where CHRISTS own Troupes do dwell The Angell which destroyes hath most bene bent That whom Words could not moue Wounds may compell Ere Ruine come in Time now to repent By Paine on Earth made thinke of Paine in Hell As this they flie that That they may preuent What can discourage those whome CHRIST doth loue To whom Euill Good Griefe Ioy Death Life doth proue 76 Where