Scribes Pertaking Grace without disparity Made onely Iust by Faiths dependency Not by their Owne but by Anothers Deedes T is strange how they are clear'd of their misdeedes What sparkling Eyes more beautifull then Wine â—â—ose Teeth like Milke whose Body lookes Divine â— mild Aspect yet of S. Michaels strength â—â—epard to Plague and foile our Foes at length â—hose Haires more white theÌ„ Wooll or the full moone â—â—d whose bright Face outshines the Sun at Noone â—hose voyces Tunes like silver Brookes resounds â—â—d whose faire Feet like finest Brasse doe sound â—hat is He a Prophet Prince or Peere â—ho in mans shape climb'd up our Highest Sphere â—â—d there instal'd with the Divinest Light â—â—eares now a Crowne more bright then Chrysolite WHat can he be then said Others the Lord â—ho to save men became th' Incarnate word â—nd having led on Earth an Humble life â—e hath trod on the Dragons Crowne of strife Who Preacht to Soules with hideous Mists perplext â—et for his Love by his owne Nation vext Who slaine at last by Romes Authority Yet spite of Hell Rose up with Majesty This New man God the Third day rais'd from Dead To be our King and Comforts more to breath Who made Light things or Spirits to descend Now upwards holp Christs Body to ascend Whose Body now we see Incorruptible Most Glorious New of strength Invincible Divine aswell as Humane not with hands Of Mortalls wrest as Errour understands Yet his long Hands I meane his Spirits Armes Extend to shield his Church from deadly Harmes His clearest Eyes all Penitents behold And his white Teeth doe Temperance infold His Silver Haires his knowledge Ripe declare And his bright Face foretells his Favours rare Out of his Mouth flowes Truths melodious Word But his just Wrath darts forth a Lightning Sword From Heaven He survayes each Holy Place And raps with mystick Trance Men chang'd by Grace At their great Feast He is the Soules Colleague Spirit matcht with Hypostaticke League 〈◊〉 really as in One Horoscope â—wo Soules that plight with hands their mutual Hope â—hilst up to Him with Thankes she lifts and heaves 〈◊〉 Ravisht Thoughts like Wheates ripe eared sheaves 〈◊〉 Captive He hath led Captivity 〈◊〉 Gifts to Men and doth their Chaines unty â—â—solving quite lewd Passions Linkes a sunder 〈◊〉 knots of Eeles or Swarmes of Waspes by thunder â—preme there He all Creatures overswayes â—â—d there in his high Manhoods Person stayes â—ill All th' Elect the Gentile as the Iew â—al'd up for Grace come in and till they rue â—th shamefull Guilt their Rancour Guile Priâ—â—â— â—ho his pure Word and Deity still deride â—is Garments red shew that He trod alone â—he Winepresse how in Need him succour'd None â—is Robes likewise resembling Bozraes Graine 〈◊〉 Crimsondipt imply that Men againe Will in his Members him oppresse and gore As they their Head and Master did before With Aspicke Tongues hir'd to empoyson Fame With strife and Losse or Plots surmizing Blame Whereby weake Natures Brood torne by Dissention Might lose the hopefull use of Christs Ascention Or with Crosse Flames more fiercely violent Them in their lives last Period to torment Because false Christ's they would not every where Kisse and adore Christs Body heere and there BVt leaving them for Antichristians Limbs Let us applaud and greet with Ioyfull Hymnes The Reall Forme and Body of the Lord From mangling now to Lasting Life restor'd This Crowned Lambe the first Fruits of the Dead Whom God ordain'd to be our Prince and Head Great Iesus Christ borne on Sinnes necke to tread And to divide the Right from the Misse-led The Sonne of our Iehovah Elohim â—â—om Saints their Saviour call and None but Him 〈◊〉 unto Him our Maker hath resign'd 〈◊〉 Creatures sway with Power unconfin'd 〈◊〉 whose dread Name all Angels Saints and Men â—ust bow and at his Praise vent forth Amen â—ot onely with loude sounding Tunes expression â—t likewise with Loves Inward Flames impression The New mans Cloze of Thankesgiving for our Saviours Ascending up into Heaven â—ll Glory be to God for evermore â—ho with New Layes hath multiplied our store â—nd taught us by the Holy Gholy to finde Where Christ remaynes rais'd in his Humaine kind That the New man put downe our Carnall Sence 'T was well therefore that he departed hence â—is Body rapt till Doomesday from our fight â—et by his great Victory infusing Light With Wondrous Gifts on the Apostolick And ever since on the Church Catholik Or more or lesse as She with Zealous Hope Dayes Turret climb'd or in Nights vale did grope For these high Flames more bright then Sunny Rayes We sing to Three in One New Songs of Prayse THE MOST MEMORABLE OCCVRRENCES WHICH â—apned in Our Christian Church from The Thirtieth Three yeere of Our Saviours â—â—carnation and from the Eighteenth yeere â—f Tiberius Caesars Raigne the Roman Emperour untill the yeere of Our Lord 100. at which time Trajan the Emperour began his Raigne The Argument Behold what Thanks from Worldlings worse then Mad For Preaching Truth the chiefe Apostles had â—ot One escapes a sad Tormenting Fate Which holpe to build at first the Churches state VVHat better Fruit can a New Sparkling Muse Produce then Holy Odes for Christians use â—hen by th' Apostles Glasse of Peace to chime 〈◊〉 from late Iarres to scare the World with Rime O would I could like Roman Arato In English Tune such Labours undergoe As might display th' Apostles Acts and Lives Gladding our Age with their Pure Honey-Hives Which spite of Drones False Brethren stormy Blast And tortures stood through watchings vows Faâ—â— Forear'd against the Foemen of the Crosse As to prevent from Hell ensuing Losse Although our Latter be not built as well Nor may that Church in Glory paralell Yet our Good Will availes in stead of Spice And our New man helps us to Sacrifice For we have had our Martys like the First Yea and the Living Rocke to quench our Thirst We have beheld the Spirits Lightning Sword Onely I feare we want the Flames of Love Which Primer Saints with mutuall Heate did move This want Some may with their Ambrosian Food Supply sound forth and publish for our good If as they have begunne they warble out â—hat I to bring about do stand in doubt â—his Taske Pauls Faithfull Mate in Physicke skâ—ll'd Though more for Soules then Bodies Cure fulfill'd â—cring two Workes to Greeke Theophilus 〈◊〉 Monuments and by his Lamps to us 〈◊〉 left them us to shew what Legacies â—â—e Heavens lent for Christian Sacrifice â—ence as his Ape by Imitations straine â—ope some Light for Brittaines Church to gaine â— least to serve as Sparkes Babes to revive â—ho faile for want of Torches store to thrive â—Hen that our New-mans Sire the Holy Ghost â—â—h Cloven Tongues like Fire at Pentecost 〈◊〉 lighted on th' Apostles visible â—he some times inspir'd invisible â—â—s Prophets then Faith Love and Christian Ioyeâ— â—â—ighd Delphick Dreames and Babelsâ—arring Noise Then
Neighbours Amity How then could they thinke on Priority And stand on Points of Prelates Primacie Without distrust of some Conspiracie THe Truth is this who were styl'd Bishops then They fish'd not for fraile Wealth but Soules of Men Not to enrich themselves with Private store But like Saint Paul the Crosse they thought on mâ—â—â— From Christian Caesars they got Liberties But not so great to claime Regalities About the Yeare Sixe Hundred sixty sixe We finde that Rome began to play more Tricks Then she durst act within the Ages past As Paul and John fore-told her Breach at last And never left to lift her Lofty Crest Till she Gods Word had darkned in the West And dar'd upon the Caesars State to prey The maine great Let to her Prodigious Sway. She never ceas'd to stirre up raging Fires Till she at Trent concluded her Desires Repugnant to the Vow which she profest At her First Rise Sixe Hundred yeares at least At such wild Fits I onely glance not carpe This Taske I leave for an iambicks Warpe THE OCCVRRANCES OF THE THIRD AGE From the yeere of our Lord 200. untill the yeere 300. At which time Dioclesian and Maximinus raigned Emperours of Rome The Argument Next to the Greekes the Latine Scribes begin Idolaters unto Christs Church to win Romes Tyrants fret and Saints they martirize Saint Anthony into a Desart flyes WIthin this Age the Church most Militant And Cautious strove to shun exorbitant Attempts of Foes one while to secret Caves Constrained to retire sometimes to tame the Braves Of her owne Tribe Domesticke Mutineers Shee us'd the Spirits Sword 〈◊〉 the Jeeres And Flouâ—ing Stuffes of Fâ—rrainers to daunt Which did at her Poore Robes and Altars taunt She fought against Caetilius and his Traine And prov'd their Vaunt for Outward Glories vaine Her State was then unsetled New and Poore But Time to come might make her flourish more A thousand of such Taunts and Fiery Darts A Thousand of great Dangers Envious Arts By Satans Plots she daily underwent While Caesars sought their Pagan-Gods Content The neerer that the Church drew to her Time Of Liberty least that too high she climbe Satan suborn'd his Agents in this Age Against her Race to shew their utmost Rage He knew her Thraldomes Date to Iohn foretold Would shortly end And that made him so bold AS otherwhiles a Woman Chast and Faire Dishevel'd seemes or with loose dangling Haire So without Art and in her Native Dresse The Church at first for want of Time to dresse And to compose her Outward Ornament Came forth to spread her Saviours Testament Not carking much for Superficiall Weaâ—e But in the Heart the New Mans Gifts to beare And yet both Chaste and Faire She comely shone With Constant Faith built on the Corner-stone And though she liv'd and raign'd of Men unseen With Carnall Eyes yet of Good Angels seen Heard in the Quire which to the Lambe belongs Answer'd by Saints with Sympathizing Songs Nay seene and knowne of Men Reborne anew Both then and now who never kneel'd to Baal But to One Christ the Saviour of us all Who by his Word and bright Diâ—rnall Light Hath late disperst the Tempests of the Night Sav'd us like Peter out of Herâ—ds Iayle From Babels Powder-traine for Saints availe For which sweet Grace redintegracious Love The Saints on Earth with Those of Heaven above United in One League shall ever sing Melodious Songs to our Triumphant King OUr Latine West unto the Church of Greece Acknowledge must her selfe in some degrees Inferiour and oblig'd From her she had the Forme Of Christian Rites false Altars to reforme As she the Substance from Ierusalem More neere to Greece then Rome the Church Supreme From her she borrow'd her prime Words of Art Those Second coin'd Intentions to impart From Man to Man by Termes Discourse and Tongue What otherwise would dormant lye unstrung Her Noblest Name of Christian Catholick The Eucharist the Faith Apostolick Types Symboles and Ecclesiasticke Lawes What be they but Greeke words for Christian Cause Disguis'd in Latine Robes Faith to expresse And to worke on Mild Hearers more or lesse The Sev'nty Soribes translated Iewries Ioyes To the Greeke Tongue by Philadephus Choise Saint Paul and Luke divulg'd in Graecian Tone Christs Mysteries yea and Saint Iohn wrought on His Auditours in Graecian Vestiment Fit in that Age to further his Intent Greece more to praise ere Rome saw Christ his Light Some Greekes of Philip cray'd his Masters sight NO marvell then that Greeks ere Latinists Did publish Workes fought in our Christian Lists With Infidells against their Rites obsceane Towards the Period of the Second Sceane To celebrate this Age Tertullian rose With Tullian Phrase to daunt the Churches Foes False Heretickes and Jewes whom he refells And but for Dreaming Fasts his Part excells Whilst he gainst Marcion makes Christs Body good Truths Figure not Imaginary Food Since Figures shew not false but things indeed And in another Place quoth he We feed By Hearing on the Word Inâ—arnate blest With Understanding chew through Faith digest SAint Cyprian him succeeds who famous made By Monuments which cannot faile nor fade The Churches Union and the Martyrs Crowne Which since himselfe receiv'd in Carthage Towne This Saint bids us the Holy Bread to part And breake by Faith not with sharpe Teeth nor Art While we confesse That which is broke to Parts Divine-Humane both God and Man imparts Out of his Bookes we cull at Carthage Towne How he did frâ—t and all the Councell frowne To heare that any should Romes Pope install The Bishop of all Bishops Generall NExt after him Minucius Foelix came In Roman Robes Caecilius overcame With Dialogues and foil'd his Heath'nish Dreames So did Arnobius by the Spirits Beames In the like Garbe the Gentiles Rage abate And shewes the Cause why Christians Idolls hate By Fabian Bath'd He grac'd this Centers Age Who first of Caesars wore the Christian Badge LOng had the Church been rackt with bitter woes In travell like a Woman tir'd with Throes To bring that faire Light forth and Blessed Birth Which in th' Elect shines with Harmonious Mirth The Inward Man I meane whose Praise we sing Grac'd to that end with Will by Heavens King Through all the Roman Empire tortured And by fierce Tyrants hands sore Martyred In every Age during her Pilgrimage Heere in this World untill Maxentius Rage Became supprest by zealous Constantine She felt what Dioclesian Maximine And what their Praetours could impose of Force Upon her Limmes without their least remorce She felt Christ in his Members felt againe What Hangmen could inflict of Hellish Paine And what their Predecessors could inflict Upon her Lambes by Proclamations strict Prefiguring our late New Christian Fry Whom men professing Christ in Flames did fry And yet they fail'd by their Decrees severe Or Wolvish Decius them to daunt with feare But that in midst of Paine by Satan stung They to the Lambe Allelujaes sung Slighting the Gridiron
in Albions Ile Whilst that Our Kings beare Faiths Defenders Stile This by our Virgin Queene of Tydirs Race Great Debora was since made good to raze And quite demollish here Romes strongest Fort And chiefest Nerves which did her Pride support And surely if Romes Tributary Thralls Would take that Course she on a sodaine falls Her Lofty Towres would yeeld so loud a Crack That they which Court her now would soon go baâ—k When slartled up at the New wondrous Sight They see a Church more Catholick of Light They would â—vouch no Advocate but One And build their Faith upon the Corner Stone That was hewne from the Mountaine without hand Male-borne without Male-Sire in Iewry Land They would exalt Our Church Apostolick Above their Owne the Carâ—all Catholick And by Gods Word Truths ground the Churches noâ—e They would conclude what now they â—on by roat ABout the midst of this strange Century Iniquities prodigious Mystery Began at Trent or City Tridentine Againe to play upon the Word Divine By Canons propt with Iulians Tyranny More fit for Moores then Councells harmony Least that the Gospel should Romes Captives free From their Old doating Dreames they did decree That all such Bookes which Protestants had pen'd To blaze Gods Word they should in pieces rend Or if they toucht her Carnall Copy-hold To Martyr them since Babel aimes at Gold And that who did gaine-say in Word or Deed Or tooke it not as Parcell of their Creed That the whole Masse both for the Dead and Quick Suffic'd those Men they doom'd no Catholick That who beleev'd not all the Romish Crewes Traditions they were worse then Turks or Iewes Such Acts at Trent were last determined By the Fourth Piâ—s Romes most impious Head With Thundring Threats FroÌ„ whence arose those Jars Combustions Powder-plots and Bloudy Warres Which ever since embroiled Christendome And will I feare untill the Day of Doome Endure unlesse our head-strong Strayes afford While Time remaines more Passage to Gods Word NOne can deny but that this Councell gave More Liberty for Papists to out-brave The Church Reform'd by Inquisitions strict To rack poore Soules and by severe Edict On Forfeiture of Life and Goods Escheat If they would not adore the Papall Seat From hence began the Civill Warres in France Which ended not but by most Bloudy Dance And various sort of Massacres and Spoiles They ended not for all their Leaguers Broiles Untill their Kings the Guisians and their Chiefes Who sided in the Quarrell di'd in Griefes In Anguishes and Bloud And this the Starre In Seventy Two which past all Comets 〈◊〉 For strange Portent and Blazing-hearded Rayes Did then denounce with woes to stubborne Strayes For Belgiaes injur'd States did thereupon Incenc'd by Alvâ—es Duke and Austriaâ—â— Iohn Who would have forc'd to Masse mens Consciences Breake into warres against Spaines Out-râ—â—es Which last as yet So likewise Portingall With her Sebastian did in Affrick fall Enduc'd to fight with Moores by Iesuites Traine That Philip by his Death might ceaze all Spaine Excluding Don Antonio and his Race Quite from the Sway of Lisâ—ons Royall Mace But to retire to our French Leaguers back How Fatall prov'd their Plots They thought to sack And ransack all the Townes which Protestants For their Defence then held But in their wants God aided these and on their Foes return'd The Tragick Flames wherwith they would have burn'd Their Neighbors Roofes Guise arm'd agaist his King The King 'gainst him till Both felt Judgments sting Both di'd in Bloud yea which appear'd most rare The King was caught in the same Bloudy Snare Where he in time fore-past had leagu'd the Death Of Saints whereby Catillion off his â—teaâ—h For in that very Roome the King was slaine By Friers hands where first was laid that Traine LOng liv'd Our Queen to build things out of square A Virgin vâ—w'd to Christ of Dowries rare Excelling in the Gifts of Tongues and Arts But more then all â—â—one her Diviner Parts Church-Elders She propt up when Some their Fall As if their State toucht not the Temporall For Lucre sake had plotted to deface Our Churches Forme her Frame and Outward Face Whereby her Sway had prov'd an Anâ—rchy Of scorned stemme the House of God a Sty And Learning held in vile Contempt for lack Of Wages due yea all had gone to wrack If this Good Queene had not supported them Who holp to build our New Ierusalem IN her Buddes-time to counterpoize or let Our Churches Growth or in her Teâ—ts beset To ruinâ— some of our good Souldiâ—rs spâ—â—â—g The Iesuites Sect with the False Serpents Tongue Disguis'd with Zeale and promising to Youth Mountaines of Rules New Documents for Truth Upon which Newes and Newneâ—â—â— of their Name Degrading Antioch and the Christiâ—â— Fame They wan Repute in Babel But of â—are Discreeter States their Bloudy Doctrine hate Among these Frogs croakt Mariana first Against all Kings who were by Popes Accurst And by Blacke Rules deriv'd from Hells Abysse Dethron'd them of their States for their Amisse Yea and their Lives subjected unto Slaves With such lewd Points wherein this Jesuite raves He Campians Braine so stuff'd that Irelands Realme And Desmonds Crew he poisned with the streame For which his Plots and false Conspiracies Himselfe became a Damned Sacrifice As well deserv'd the Authour for his Bookes Entangling Christians with such Hellish Hookes But all their Plots of Piâ—â—olls Poison Swords Nor Romish Bulls nor Briefes lowd thundring words Could shorten or impeach Elizaes Raigne But that she thriv'd in spight of Rome and Spaine While they prevail'd with Fatall wound to sting One whom they tooke for the most Christian King Which Deed so pleas'd Pope Sixâ—â—â— that he durst With Iudith ranke the Malefactour Câ—rst THis Sixtus dar'd to Excommunicate Our Famous Queene her Empire to translate As much as in him lay and Leave to gore Her Person gave as Pius did before But all their roaring Bulls and Thunderclaps With Interest return'd with heavy Raps Upon themselves their Faction and on those To whom they dream'd her Kingdomes to transpose Under his shrowd who from a Fishes Craw Did Toll for Christ and his owne Person draw IN the meane time faire Englands Zealoâ—s Queene Like Char-coale sparks contemn'd their flashing spleen And for her Zeale God blest her brave Attempts That she cri'd Quittance for his slight Contempts Of Neighbours Love with the Great King of Spaine Who suffâ—ed still his Inquisitions Traine Under pretext of their Religions Lawes To prey upon her Merchants without Cause And on their Goods or sheading of their Bloud Or Galley-slav'd or to weare Benets Hood These wrongs by Drake and Candish she redrest And fear'd not to encounter him at Best With all his Navall Force in Eighty Eight And afterwards at Cales she shew'd her Might Nor went his Indies free from her Revenge Nor Belgiaes Soile but that she did avenge Her Quarrell full by Force of Armes transverse The Belgian State and free the Hollanders From th' Inquisitions
feele endlesse Paine â—â—u shall with Christ in Peace for ever Raigne â—â—ch blisse pursues a Pious-minded Peere And such I hope attends you there and heere Which to seale up and to set forth Your Traine â—eere take your Choise of Posies various Straine Without the New-mans Robes none are indeed True Noble-men but borne of Mongrell Seed To be borne Great great Honour some esteeme it But to doe Good I greater Honour deeme it Vertue so farre excells Sires Heraldry As doth Day-light the Darke the Sap the Dry. A Noble Minde surmounts a Noble Birth But who hath Both-shines like Sunne on Earth Magnus honor nasci praelustri stemmate Major Stemma Piis Factis nobilitare suum Quantò Lux Tenebras Siccum vel Succidus Humâ— Tanto depictos Mens Pia vincit Avos Virtus Naturam superat sed amictus utrisque Dotibus ut Lumen Solis in orbe nitet THE CHVRCH MILITANT HERE ON EARTH FOVNDED AND RENEWED BY OVR SAVIOVR CHRIST Who is this that comes from Edom with red Garments from Bozrah Esay 63. The Argument The Church is built on Christ who under-went The Curse Rose up and then to Heaven went This wonder-rapt some Angels of that Spheare That they with Ioyes speake of his comming there IN Paradise the Church of Christ began WheÌ„ after Breach God opened unto Man The hopefull meanes whereby he might deface The Sting of Sinne and bee restor'd to Grace If on the promise of the Womans Seed Man would rely he might redeme his Deed. But Bloody Cain with his accursed Race Went Whoring after Satan sleighting Grace And then the Church in Seth Methusalem In Noe and his Arke in Godly Sem And Iaphet fix't from whence no liking Cham She downeward past to Iob and Abraham And settled in the Circumcized Ligne Vntill the Promis'd Seed with Light Divine And Gospels Sound arriu'd graft things anew And by his Crosse our Charter did renew The Gentiles then by his Apostles blest From Heaven gain'd the Holy Ghost for Guest To cheere their Church within her to reside And evermore her Christian Broode to guide As long as they Him for their Rock protest Whome Peter thrice for all his Mates Confest So Thousands did with Angels Gifts encrease From Age to Age and found in Conscience Ease As testify the Pulpet and the Presse Which holp our Church to bloome with good successe Others since the Word late came in vse â—pir'd have wrot and Preacht of Faiths Abuse 〈◊〉 so likewise we see that in our Dayes 〈◊〉 feele the Heate of that bright Spirits Rayes 〈◊〉 them our New man reapes the Fruits of Truth â—â—â—nsformes Old wily Age to Saintlike Youth â—â—y for Eve for Adam Christ he sings â—â—ose Blood then Abels speakes forth better things â—â—rancing Soules with Gifts Propheticall â—â—d otherwhiles with Numbers Sphericall â—â—at by those Meanes and sweet enchanting Layes â—â—ey might confirme themselves as call home strayes â—irst like Babes with Bells smiles mixt with threats â—weanes the weake before their Sence he beaâ—es â—â—th Zealous Charmes from worldly vanities â—â—apting them for purer Qualities â—hich our Good Sire with Metaplastick Mould â—â—nds ready to infuse more fine then Gold THis Prudent course Some take in Verse as Prose For stilling Swarming Bees or Stubborne Foes To winne Applause to their more waighty work Which in their Braine like ember'd Fire did Lork They tickle first with smooth Conceptions Youth Laurell their Name and then gaine Roome for Truâ—â— To spread without Repulse or sowre Distast Before they dresse rare Manna for their Tast Clozing their Feast with Healths from Sions Fount Like Petrarch Beza and Mâ—randols Count Who with ripe Fruite by good mens Suffrages Ransom'd their Froth and greener passages Such Wits I wish with Lines of Sacred Truth From Carnall Dreames to scare our Straggling Youth And such I hope by Grace here to produce As Types of Vertue drawne for Holy use â—N the Lords Day though not with full content â—ate sung Christs from Olives Mount ascnt 〈◊〉 to that Orbe whose height no Earthly Scribe 〈◊〉 by the Booke or Astrolabe describe Though Galilees new Glasse a World espies Within the Moone yet Moone-sick are the Spies While clog'd with flesh not Spirit-rapt they pry â—o Gods Thrones Transcendent Mystery 〈◊〉 Heav'n I glaunc'd wherein his Man-hood rests â—â—eparing Roome for his Beleeving Guests Who su'd to Christ Mens Advocate alone â—ot parcelling his Worship into halves 〈◊〉 Iewes for Moloch Baal and Golden Calves â—hat so the Sabaoths change at Pentecost â—ucceede with Gifts sign'd by the Holy Ghost The Comforter which should the Church renew And grace thenceforth the Gentile and the Jew Till the Returnes as Man-Emanuell Within the Cloudes to Iudge the World and Hell HEre now againe with Fiery Flights I horer And his Ascent more spaciously runne over Then I did late because our Church hath drest And cookt upon another Day this Feast The way of Christs up to Gods Orbe Ascention Transcends above fraile Natures Apprehention I dare not wrest Christs Body nor confine His God-head There He Raignes a Man-Divine As Man He sâ—es for Men. As God he sends The Holy Ghost to gratifie his Friends And by Infusion heere his Church to grace If we Beleeve and Love and Pray for Grace Although as God his Presence never â—ayles us His Bodies Absence heere yet more availes us As he is Man or else his Bodiâ—s Sight Had made us Carelesse of the Spirits Light His Manhood by his owne Experience saw Our Natures weakenesse how Fiends would draw Vs from Gods will and from true Innocence Whereby none could avoid Hells Pestilence Unlesse himselfe did stand within the Gap â—etwixt our Sinnes and Wraths fierce Thunderclap â—nd that made him remove his Person hence â—o Heaven there to ease our Punishments â—y suing to Gods Grace as Advocate â—hat for his sake he would repayre our State GReat were the Angels Ioyes when Iesus came â—n humane shape with such Imperiall Fame Vp to th' Empyrean Sphere where none before Of that New Forme could like a Phaenix soare â—s by his Crosse lay husht Hells damned Crowd So wondring heere Some Angels sung alowd What 's He that mounts and sits on Gods right hand With Bozraes Robes come from red Edoms Land Clad like to One who hath the Winepresse trod Yet looking like unto the Sonne of God Who did ride on the Cherubins and fly Yea fly upon the wings of winds most High Perhaps He is a New Melchisedeck Gods Spouse to grace or her with Gemmes to deck Or else the Cause of this New Mans Ascent Might be her Vowes and Offrings to presert Or for her Strayes to sue as Advocate Those whom the Gospels Light reclaimes of late His comming here with such Triumphant Port Doubtlesse to Men Salvation doth import This Mystery and Ioyfull Spectacle Above all Wonders prove a Miracle Vnparalell'd that by Divinity Infus'd in Flesh men gaine Eternity And that the Gentiles as the Iewish Tribes In Truths rare Secrets grow most learned
Men that learnd no language save their owne Amid ' strange Folkes rung foâ—th the Lords Renowne And blaz'd his deedes in every Forraigne Tongue Like Angels Quire with sweet harmonious song As perfectly as they their Natives were So that those Aliens stood entranc'd with Feare For how could they but be agast to heare Iewes speake with Tongs peculiar to their Eare. Some Others deem'd them Mad or Drunk with Winâ— Till Peter prov'd them rapt with Joyes Divine He prov'd them rapt by Gods immediate Rayes With Ectasies above all Humane wayes And not alone the gifts of Tongues but Zeale To Preach they had and without Drugs to heale Some Prophesiâ—d some Sung whil'st others told What wondrous Acts the Lord performd of Old Those Mystick sparkes which by Degrees we learne God then infus'd as of more Blessings Earne To paralell Iob Abraham Salomon For Patience Faith and Wisedome thereupon 〈◊〉 who can blaze the Wonders of that Day â—e more I muse on them the more Dismay 〈◊〉 spend my Sence Lord rayse up my desires â— sing th' Event of that Dayes Glorious Fires â—hich comforted the Gentile as the Iew â—rich'd the Barren Will made Old things New 〈◊〉 such rare Signes came first the Mystèry Three in One the sacred Trinity 〈◊〉 be more knowne unto the Church on Earth â—â—d since Old Rites were past at our New Birth â—at she might name at her solemnities â—e Holy Ghost Colleaged to Baptize â— working we agnize feele and admire 〈◊〉 who but He could stony Hearts inspire Done as with Gifts this Holy Flame appear'd â—uls Chaos melt and their dull wits had clear'd â—ds Word then from Melchisedechs choice Towne â— from the Earths fixt Meditullium blowne Pierst Egypt Greece Damascus Babilon The Temperate yea and the Torrid Zone Where Negroes though of Circumcised Race Converted by an Eunuch looke for Grace The Gospell pierc'd each Countrey and each Towne Truths Sound went forth to all the world then know Whereby no Nation might excuses pleade But that they might be linkt with Christ their Head WIth like successe the Christian Faith did bloome And flourish there where brave Triumphant Rome Prepard the way by Morall Arts and Aw That Grace Mens Hearts might so the sooner draw While tatling Newes fond Athens itch'd to tell The Romans dri'd her Aristotles Well These Second Meanes for Planting Christian Rites In those dayes much avayld Romes Proselites Arts usher Faith Faith quick by Hearing growes But most of all when the Good Spirit blowes There wanted none of these in Ancient Rome Where vowes teares for Grace had purchaâ—'d roome Rome was the Empires Head Great Caesars Seat The Westernes Mother Church where then complete From Salem sâ—one the Crosses radiant Starre Which in Pauls time enlightning neere and farre Transferr'd on Linus Clemens Anaclete The Martyrs Crowne with Flaming stones beset And thence bespred Truthes universall Course â—or then all Men to Tiber had recourse â—ut though I much commend Old Christian Rome 〈◊〉 should forget my selfe and Christendome 〈◊〉 that faire Towne of memorized Fame Which first profest to beare the Christian Name 〈◊〉 chance to passe by vnsaluted now Not doing Homage which all Christians ow. Had I rich Tassoes veine to set her forth Or Godfreyes strength to vindicate heâ—worth 〈◊〉 would possesse all Christians Catholicke That Antioch was S Peters Bishopricke And that it well becomes a Christian Knight Who first bore Christian Badge to doe her Right I would redeeme her from proud Ottoman From Mufftie 's sway and Mechaes Alcoran In Iowry Land arose the Gentiles Light From Antioch came the Name which Fiends doth frigâ—â— And shall out last all Names untill our Head As God and Man shall judge both Quick and Dead Till Christ resignes to the Supremest Mace To All in All his Intercessors Place THis Light and Name the Sire of Antichrist In Envie unto Man and spite to Christ With his Blacke-Guard that were depriv'd of Light And for their Pride enwrapt in Errours Night They all conspir'd and strove to prejudice With all their Might the New-mans Sacrifice For this designe their Malice to effect They seiz'd the wits of Annas and his sect They first plaid on the soules of Saducees â—nd gull'd such Braines as idolld Golden Fees â—hrist in his Limmes to Crucifie againe And all for Pomps support and worldly Gaine THe Creeple rais'd in Iesus Christ his Name â—y Fishermen that wonder put to shame The Iewish Scribes so that they burn'd for Ire And fear'd least Christ might diâ—â— their Levites Fire Or quite abate their Old Traditions Gaine Which holpe their present Glory to maintaine At first they silenc'd them and then with Gall They thundred out big words sesâ—uipedall That if thenceforth they acted Miracles In Iesus Name they would as Spectacles Of Infamy their Bodies publickely Afflict or make them in Iaile-Shackles ly But since th' Apostles them regarded not Nor car'd for Threats nor scourging then they shot Their Church-Darts out of Excommunications Till a Law Doctour calm'd their Combinations By this Advice that no Devise of Man Might stop the Will of God do what they can ON this the Levites rested for a while And ceas'd their hande with Murther to defile The which Advise if Romes late Catholikes Had â—aigh'd for them whom they call'd Here tickes Rome might have held a Reverend Mothers Sway She had ere this turn'd Easterne Nights to Day Where ministring now scandall to the Turkes Both they and we detest their Bloudy workes For Ten Yeares space till Claudius Casar raignd The Scribes lay still their spleene a while restrain'd And seem'd to winke at the Apostles Fame Whilst in that breathing Truce the Christian Name The Church encreas'd had all her wants reliev'd Antioch receiv'd Sâ—maritans Believ'd Ioppa â—rejoyc'd Caesare a gained Grace â—â—d many Iewes joyd of the Christian Race â—well the Gentiles as the Circumtiz'd â—n'd in One League for Christ to be Baptiz'd â—hat Good Time Saints gaped not for Gold â—liv'd in Common their Possessions sold â—â—d without Guile the Price did distribute â—hereby they barr'd the Cause of wrangling suite â— Mine and Thine Their Care was Bread and Wine 〈◊〉 sacred use and for the Heavenly Vine 〈◊〉 build Christs Church upon the New-Mans Rock 〈◊〉 on the Sand False Keyes or stumbling Block â—â—at Wonders wrought they of stupendious sort â—â—ove fraile Sence Or Carnall wits Report 〈◊〉 Words they made the Cripled wight to walke â—he Dead to Rise Blinde see the Dumbe to talke 〈◊〉 Words they strooke a Lying Couple Dead â—nd Blinded One who men by Charmes misseled Through Iesus Name they wrought such Miracles And freed themselves from Tyrants Manacles The Fame of such faire deedes in Salem rung As Nettle prickes the Envious Clergy stung That Gentiles should partake with Israels Tribes Of Gods good Grace they brookt not without â—iâ—es They flouted that the New-mans Troupes aswell As their Old Scribes should â—ame the Fiends of Hell And the most part like unto snarling Curres In Manger
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
Deedes to the Apostles Forme Such Pious Deedes with Zealous Sparkes beset As I for Saints have in my Preface set From Justines Workes likewise I apprehend The Eucharists Religious Use and End We take no Common Bread nor Common Wine Saith he but like as Christ by the Divine Bright Word became true Flesh and for our Good Tooke on him our Attire of Flesh and Blood So we by Vertue of his Word Record That Food to be the Body of the Lord Yet Sacramentall Wine and Sacred Bread Which have our Soules by the Remembrance fed With this short Course the Presect of the Feast Insinuates Vowes into each Sacred Breast They fed with zeale the Throng Thanksgiving sing And Deacons did unto the Absent bring The Consecrated Food that they likewise Might have a Taste of the Soule-sacrifice Such was the Ancients Forme to distribute The Holy Food without Quirkes or Dispute IN those Dayes Crosse to Food blest by the Word Was Sacrifice of Flesh at Heathens Boord To Idoll-Gods which Christians did refuse By reason of the Cursed End and Vse As we likewise that Carnall Food despise Which some Create a God at Sacrifice And yet the Food ere it was so disgrac'd Could not pollute the honest Takers taste So when Gods Word hath blest Ours to record Our Saviours Crosse it quickens by that Word Which full of Life breathes Spirit Life Reliefe If it be tane by Soules firme of Beliefe For otherwise the present Ectasy Doth uanish and away those Blessings fly They at their Feast Emanuels Presence lose His Presence whose rare Forme some Clearks appose Though they beleeve that Christ is God and Man And stiled God with us his Forme they scan And question how could Paul and Stephen see Emanuel while on Earth Men living be As to the Pure this Mystiâ—ke Trance turnes Pure So t is Damnations Bait to the Impure And when Faiths Feast becomes a Sacrifice To Idoll Gods it tends to prejudice For this grave Cause good Christians doe refuse False Altars Meate where Satan Poison scrues WHat shall I write of Mark Aurelius Raigne When all his Campe distrest for want of Raine Were at the point to perish Christians then By Miracle gain'd showres to save his Men While hopelesse Pagans dig'd by Prayers they Gain'd in One Night what they had toyl'd by Day Such wondrous Deedes of the Church Primitive Like those Blest Showrs will cause our Mâ—se to thrive If therewithall we moisten Thirsty Soules Which long to taste of our Nectarean Bowles In hope from Bruites to be trasnform'd anew To better shapes then Ovid could renew Or Samian Forge Our New-Man sings more strange Of Manners not of Bodies the Exchange WIthin this Age liv'd Irenaeus knowne A Bishop where France built her Lions Towne He stoutly did the Marriage-state defend Whose Foes he writes blame God and Natures End He taxed Romish Victors Lightnings Flash And qualifi'd his Squibs denounced rash Which he presum'd against the East to throw For Easters Date with Supercilious Brow Or did perhaps not excommunicate But barre with them Rome to communicate So likewise did Grave Policrates blame His Censure-causing Schisme and Christians shame This Reverend Man to win the more Applause For his Defence of that propounded Cause Demonstrated that his seven Ancestours And he the Eighth from those Progenitours Were Bishops all of Ephesus and held Their yearely Course of Easter unrepeal'd Implying that his Lineall Holy Race Confirm'd the Truth to cleare that wrangling Case NExt unto those shone Athenagor as Tatian and He who with his Sire would passe To Martyrdome and but for Mothers Teares Partake like Adamant not shrunke with Feares He gloss'd Gods Word would have bin more priz'd If he had not too much allegoriz'd Severus sent for him such was his Fame To Antioch where he stuck to Christ his Name And blaz'd his Word with such rare Eloquence That he return'd by Caesar grac'd from thence Dismiss'd with Gifts and Courtiers good report He came againe to the sev'n Flouded Port Where he much Oyle in Alexanders Towne Consum'd untill his Errour put him downe Where well he wrote no better Writer knowne Where ill none worse then Origen is showne Famous for this he termes Christs Flesh and Blâ—â—â—â— The Spirits Type his Word Soule-quickning Food Most infamous for this that first he Gelt Himselfe and then for feare he should have felt A Buggering Rape by a Black-hired Moore He Sacrific'd to Idolls a farre more Scurfe-spreading sinne for which with Bolts accurst By Alexandriaes Church to Teares he burst Whenlighting on a Text in Salmes Towne And there desir'd to Preach he found his owne Unhappy Act by Lot nay by Divine Appointment How the Precepts which are mine Dar'st thou presume within thy Mouth profane To teach or read O thou ungodly Man Upon which Text poore Origen abasht With Teares his Crime and his Presumption washt THE STATE OF THE BISHOPS OF ROME DURING THE TIME OF PERSECVTION and while they were subject to the Emperours IT may be heere some Curious Wits expect That I their Lives and Deedes should recollect Whom Priestly Votes hâ—ve voyc'd for Roman Popes In Peters Chaire on whom they sixt their Hopeâ— To binde and loose their manifolded Criâ—eâ— Both then and now and in ensuing Times But such a Taske I dare not undergoe Nor will I have with Fraudfull Styles to doe The Servant when of Servants One proclaimes Himselfe and yet a Monarques Power claimes Let them who build on Flesh and Blouds Desires Entangling their Beliefe with needlesse Fires Of High Ambitious Thrones not warranted By Gods deare Lambe who for our sakes here led An Humble Life Let them I say bow downe Before the Gold-cross'd Shooe and Triple Growne But I am sure they no Record shall finde Nor Chronicle that mentions in that kinde The least Reflexe of Royall Majesty Due to Romes Popes with Both Swords Soveraignty Untill the French the Lumbards overcame Till Charlemaine did Desiderius tame Since Phocas Time they Nine score yeeres before Above all Priests the Chiefest Miâ—er wore Since Constantines who Phocas did precede Three Hundred yeeres a Patriarchs sway I read They had heere in our West But till that Time They scarce found space to breath much lesse to climb Or claime a Mace and to be called Lord A Style which Christ forbad and Saints abhorr'd For till the Raigne of Constantine the Great Thirty they were which grac'd Romes Pastours Seat And of those Thirty Bishops there were None But they were slaine or did through Troubles grone As English Saints were in Queen Maries dayes By Tyrants spleene distressed sundry wayes Imprison'd rackt and put to Open shame Depriv'd of all their Goods and burnt in Flame So Christs New Church tho with rare Dowries blest Neere for Three Hundred yeares was sore opprest Caefars without and Herteickes within Did persecute and plunge her Members in So many Toiles that hardly they could meet In Private Place nor one another greet With Common shewes of
his Counsellors but Fooles As bad prov'd Valens since to Arrians sold But Gothes by Fire purg'd his Presumption bold WHat Iulian spoild did Valentinian raise And Graâ—ian grace But Theodosius Praise Deserves much more He by Pope Damasus And Millains starre did Arrian Tumults crush Blest be his Name who barr'd for his Amisse From Church refrain'd till he gain'd Ambrose blisse And though a King of Kings yet not withstood Checks for rash Doome of Thessalonians Blood O Godly Prince who when he might command A Pardon yet most humbly demand Of him One sung Each thing with him prevailes So Winds Conjurd descended to his Sailes For him the Heavens fought the Waves went backe And Natures course for all his Foes ran slacke This Claudian blazd with Panegyrick straine And Ambrose of his Death did much complaine I lov'd this Prince quoth he because he car'd More for the Church then his owne Wea le regard MUch owes the Church unto his Memory For after he had chasd Idolatry And calm'd the Arrians Rage to Catholicks Content he setled Christian Bishopricks And least the Church for want of Meanes should â—ade Confirm'd the Act which Good Iovinian made For Tythes to Pastours which hath ever since Reviv'd the Fame of this Religious Prince What Good this Act hath done in Ages past Till Mungrell Monkes the Churches Hire defac't Encroaching on the Clergy Seculare For their Support of Sloth and Private Care Let Godly States observe and waigh what Losse Ensues of Soules by such as doe ingrosse Impropriate Tythes while many Thousands pine For want of Meanes to spread the Seed Divine THE OCCVRRENCES OF THE FIFTH AGE From the yeere of our Lord 400. untill the yeere 500. At which Time Anastasius Raigned Emperour of Rome The Argument Priests Marriages Confirm'd Foule Heresies Burst out False Christians plagu'd by Enemies What wondrous Wits that Age brought forth Divine Now bloom'd the Irish Church and Abissine THat Parcell of false Babels Mystery Broacht at the End of the last Century Inhibiting Priests Marriage in the Rise Of this New Age returnes to Hell and dyes For while the Arrians Heat began to slake Siricius made Romes Clergies hearts to ake When he would them in the last Age constraine To live without their Wives in Tantales Paine Without their Plightd Mates whom Christ had joy'nd As Type of his Church-Mystery injoyn'd From Strangers sheets as well with Holy Seed To store his Church as to partake some Meed For Solace of their Lives anxiety While they soil'd not Chast Society Like Heathen Men with Wives Pluralities Or haunted Whores in surreptitious wise But quickly was this Cloud disperst and gone As not by Mortalls to be undergone When Wiser Men condemned his Decree And prov'd the Marriage State for all men free Aswell by Lessons out of Sacred Story As Nicens Warrant to Paphnutius Glory Who though himselfe had never married been Yet he to barre Priests Marriage deem'd it Sinne. And so the Councell held at Gangren past The like Decree for evermore to last That Married Priests might safely Minister And who enacted otherwise did erre With thundring Doome accursing every Wight That dares maintaine that Tenets Opposite Saint Nazianzen sung that he was borne The third Yeare since his Siâ—e a Priest was sworne THough this and other Fire-drakes choake in snuffe Yet did not Other Clouds leave off to puffe And poison Soules Each One must have his Guard Of Angels two both Good and Bad to ward Or tempt his Soule that the Sect Manicbee Might conjure them but not without a Fee To ayde them with Free-will and Merits Charmes Pelagius offers now to lend them Armes For these two Sects together with the Mists Breath'd forth by Arrians and the Donatists The World then suff'red condigne Punishments In Lives and Fortunes with distracted Rents THat Ages Church was so with Heresies Beset and from the Truth seduc'd with Lies That though she fled into a Wildernesse To sojourne there safe from their Wickednesse And damned Plots yet did the Dragon spew A Floud of 〈◊〉 in hope to 〈◊〉 heâ—hew But missing her he persecutes her Seed And seekes by Open Force to slay her Breed Which though he fail'd because of his restraint Yet he prevai'ld her Luke-warme Race to taint For this great Warre he rais'd up Bloudy Foes Gothes Vandalls Hunnes all prest at his dispose By Rhadagase Alaricke Totilas By Him whom Aetius foil'd proud Aâ—tilas Who had proclaim'd himselfe the Scourge of God To chastise Mortalls with an Iron Rod Besides the Vandall Arrian Gensericke Who sackt at Austines Death his Bishopricke By these whom Rome had sometimes kept in Thrall God suff'red Fiends for Sinne to worke Romes Fall To let lewd Worldlings know that when they faile In Zeale and Love then Satan will prevaile Before these Stormes when as the Church was like To perish quite God grac'd her Catholike Againe by Meanes of Athanasius Creed By Ambrose Jerome and good Austines Deed. BEsides those Foure how many radiant Lamps Did the Good Spirit raise against the Damps Of Hellish Fiends in that fam'd Century From Gratians Time till Zenoes Empery No Age before nor since hath ever seene Such Lights to Crowne Theology a Queene No Age more wise more Learned Wits brought forth Since the Apostles Time of better Worth Then those fore-nam'd then famous Hiâ—â—ary Theodoret Eusebius Gregory And Basil his deare Mate then Chrysost omes Rare Hoâ—â—ties whose fluent Golden Tomes Ravish the dullest sence Or who can share With Epiphanius Or for skill compare With both the Cyrills or with Emissene And Others who renown'd that Ages Scene Extirping Arrians and the Mâ—â—ichees Daunting Donatus and his Complices And striving to keepe downe Pelagians Pride Orfor a time to stint their swelling Tide Which but for them had sooner made the way For sale of Soules and Antichristian Sway These shone as Starres within the Firâ—ament And did then Satan in that Age prevent From his deep Reach And we might doe as much If next Gods Word upon their Stone we touch Discreetly without Passion or selfe-love Since Men are proâ—e the worst things to approve Tempted by Fiends which wheele about the Braine To misconceive the Right for Worldly Gaine Such bred in Errour from their Infancie Will hardly see the Truths resplendencie BUt soone relaps'd that Ages Proselytes They whoor'd againe as did the Israelites On which Relapse He that for Abrams Seed Could raise up Stones a Stony-hearted breed Stirr'd from the North his Blessings to partake Which Christians soil'd These did in time forsake Their Pagan Gods and the True Faith embrac'd In milder Climes which Hypocrites disgrac'd At last they fell likewise through pamp'â—ing Ease And with grosse Sinnes their Saviour did displease SO stood where Caesars raign'd the Churches state But now I must looke backe where Belul sate The Southerne Queenes Successour Sabaes Heire Who was Baptiz'd in the Fourth Hundred Yeare LOng had the Church of th' Equinoctiall Line Candaces Clime since stil'd the Abissine Been tost
Thousands let them Bloud or tooke their Cures This Quarrell made all Germany to quake With Rodolfe Some with Henry more partake The Crosse and Eagle rear'd for Bloudy Signes Yet Caesar foil'd Saint Peters false Assignes And Rodolfe in the last great Battell fought Lost his Right Hand which to him dying brought He shew'd it to the Bishops standing by Lo here the Guerdon of disloyalty That Hand quoth he which did to Caesar vow I lost by your Advise Behold it now But notwithstanding all these cruell Broiles Proud Hildebrand late Gregoriz'd embroiles Himselfe againe will hazard Soule and Body But he will prove the Emperour a Noddy His Soveraigne Selfe comparing to the Sun And Caesars Person to his Vassall Moone So long he play'd till Caesar sacked Rome Doom'd him and set another in his roome As Others his Successours Herods Sword Drew out so oft crosse to their Masters Word That now of late Popes odious in their place Twice Burbon did and Alva Rome deface ABout this time our Rufus to enlarge New Forrest there to have a Chase more large Pull'd many Churches downe But while he plies The Game into his Heart an Arrow slies ERâ— I proceed to the Next Ages Stemme I must reflect upon Ierusalem Our Westernes now by Romes Croisadoes spurr'd Made a brave League and like good Brethren stirrd With Christian Zeale they having Antioch won To Salem went and took that Famous Towne Mauger the Forces of the Saracens Erected there the Crosse for Christian Mens Encouragement then living in those dayes Wherewith the sight they might as Star-like Rayes Behold a glimpse of some Pathetick Love Home-frozen there renew'd of force to move Compunction in their hearts on Calvaries And Olivets survey a Sacrifice Well pleasing unto Christ while they with Teares Mus'd on his Griefes his Bloudy sweat and Feares His Passion undergone for their Amisse His Fathers Wrath for Sinne appeas'd and Blisse Restor'd to them and to the Penitent By his Deserts alone and Punishment Who without help the Bloudy Wine-presse trod And seal'd for us a New Contract with God THis Citty by victorious Godfrey gain'd When all his Host would have him there constrain'd As King to weare a Golden Crowne Shall I Most Sinnefull Man quoth he unworthily Yeeld to be Crown'd with Gold in that same Towne Where Christ was forc'd to weare a Thorny Crowne Farre be that Thought from me weak Mortall Clod To slight his Crosse my Duty unto God Such Carnall Pomp I utterly contemne Pitch we our Thoughts on New Ierusalem Where every Saint the Vassall as the King Shall Crown'd with Blisse Alleluiaes fing The New-mans Complaint in the Name of Our Saviour Christ for the Romaine Churches Apostasie and Adulterate Religion WHilst in thy Name I vent this just Complaint Beare with my Song O Christ my Soveraigne Saint But thou Romes Cause of Sinne thou Dotards Clod Pack hence or humbly waigh the Word of God I am Truths Light yet None from râ—aming cease I am the Prince of Peace yet None loves Peace I am the Hill yet None climbes Sions Mount I am the Spring yet None drinks of my Font I am the Shepheard yet None heares my Call I am Gods Priest yet None heedes me at all I am Sinnes Death yet None from Sin will rise I am Soules Health yet None me gratifies I am the Way yet none will tract my Pace I am Lifes Vine yet none affâ—ords me Place I am Faiths Quintessence yet none partakes me I am Soules Manna yet aright none takes me I am Most true to Man None true to me I am Rais'd up yet None my Forme will see I am Mans Baile yet None doth con me Thankes I am Hells scourge yet None hates Satans Prankes I am the Golden Meane None waighes my Center I am Heavn's Doore yet None the doore dares enter I am Gods Word yet None will heare his Word I am their Iudge yet None regards the sword I am Heavens strength yet None sticks to my Fame I am Zeales-Mover yet None heedes the Flame I am the Starre of the New-Eastern Morne I am the New-mans Head yet None 's new-borne I am the Thundrer yet None feares my stroake I am Free-hearted yet None beares my yoake I am the Lambe None will my Nature take I am the Sunne yet None Sinnes Cloudes forsake I am Truths Rock yet None will now believe me I am Mens Hope yet None will cease to grieve me But in these Times with coulour of my Rock The Dragons seed doth persecute my Flock And all Romes Clergy now doe listen more Unto the Popes Decrees then to my Lore No wonder with Hells Plague that Soules are stung When such foule Mists rise from the Monsters Dung O wretched Man whom neither Christ his Path Nor Gospel moves nor yet his Threatning Wrath Nemo Yet if the Romaine None thou backward spell Omen I may to thee a Converts LUCK fore-tell Thou soone shalt chase our Aiery Foes to Hell If thou by Faith seekst in the Heavens to dwell And by the Crosse the Old Man to expell Here lyes our Task think on it and Farewell The same Complaint reiterated in Latine Measures DUm novus erumpo vates sub nomine Christi Da veniam justae Rex Sacrosancte Querelae Sed Romae Terrene Senex tu causa malorum I procul aut humili pende haec Oracula mente Sum Lux sed Nemo Tenebras Latebrasque relinquit Sum Rex Pacificus sed nemo est Pacis amicus Sum Mons sed Montem conscendit Nemo Sionis Sum Fons sed potat Nemo de Fonte Pereâ—â—i Sum Pastor sed Ovilis adest mihi Nemo vocanti Sum Mystes sed Nemo tenet mea Mystica mente Sum Mors Peccati Nemo expergiscitur insons Sum Rediviva Salus sed Nemo rependit amorem Sum Via sed Nemo sequitur vestigia nostra Sum Vitis vitae sed Nemo hanc Corde reponit Sum Liquor at Nemo me spiritualiter haurit Sum Panis Coelestis edit sed Pectore Nemo Sum Fidus sed Nemo fidem mihi praestat ad-â—â—â—â— Sum Sursum positus sed me vult Nemo videre Sum Datus Obses agit mihi Grates Nemo libeâ—ter Sum Satanae Domitor sed vitat Nemo Gehennam Sum Modus CentruÌ„ tamen hac duo Nemo revolvit Sum Pia Porta Poli sed Nemo precatur ut intâ—et Sum Praeco sed Nemo sacris accommodat aures Sum Judex sed Nemo fugit modò vindicis Ensem Sum Coeli virtus sed adhaeret Nemo vigori Sum Zeli Motor sed flammis Nemo movetur Sum Matutinum Sidus vates que Diei Sum Restaurator Populi sed Nemo renatâ—â— Sum Deus Altitonans melior sed Nemo fitâ—ictu Sum Mitis sed molle jugum fert Nemo modernus Sum Patiens Agnus sed me vult Nemo Patronum Sum Sol exoriens sed nubila Nemo retractat Sum Rupes Fidei sed Nemo sideliter orat Sum Spes sola hominum sed Nemo lacessere probris Meque meumque Gregem