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
Maker crau'd If that his Will had bene by him transgress'd The Woman LORD whom I from thee receau'd She made me eat as who my Soule possess'd The Woman said the Serpent me deceau'd Both burdend Others None the Fault confess'd Which Custome still their faultie Race doth vse All first do rinne to hide next to excuse 67 But he who tries the Reines and viewes the Hart As through the Clouds doth through fraile Bodies see And is not mock'd by Mens ridiculous Art By which their Crimes made more more odious be Who proudly sinne they must submissely smart Loe GOD crau's compt of what he did decree And those who joyn'd in Sinne are punish'd all All Adams Partners crush'd were with his Fall 68 GOD thus first damn'd the Fountaine of Deceate O most accurst of all the Beasts which breede Still wallowing in the Dust a lothsome state Drawn on thy Belly basely shall thou feede The Woman Thee thou shall the Woman hate Which Hatred still inherite shall her Seede Whose fierce Effects both mutually shall feele Whilst he shall breake thy Head thou bruise his Heele 69 And Woman weake whose Thoughts each Fancie blowes I will encrease thy Griefe thy Ioyes restraine And since thy Iudgement doth depend on showes Thou to thy Husband subject shall remaine And bringing forth thy Brood with bitter Throwes What was with Pleasure sown shall reape with Paine Those Beauties now which mustred are with Pride In withred Wrinckles ruinous Age shall hide 70 Fond Adam thou obeying thus thy Wife What I commanded violat who durst Cares shall exhaust thy Dayes Paines ende thy Life Whilst for thy Cause the Earth becomes accurst With Thornes and Thistles guerdoning thy Strife Who sweating for thy Food art like to burst And looke no more for Rest for Toyle thou must Till whence thou came thou be turn'd backe to Dust 71 By Angels arm'd barr'd from the pleasant Place When wretched Adams Pilgrimage was past The Tree of Sinne ou'rshaddowing all his Race They from their minds all Loue of GOD did cast Them to reclaime who did contemne his Grace Who wearie was with striuing at the last Of all the VVorld a Haruest made by Raine He did resolue to trie new Seede againe 72 Yet since that Noah vprightly had liu'd He and his Race stood safe on Horrours hight And when all Creatures Ruine was contriu'd They liu'd secure the fourtie-day-long Night To make the World repent that good Man striu'd His swelling Bulwarke battering in their Sight But with the Wicked nought can well succeede In whom Perswasions Obstinacie breede 73 As the Worlds sinnes ou'rflow'd GODS Wrath ou'rflam'd VVhich when rais'd high down Floods of Vengeance pours As Noahs Preaching oft times had proclaim'd Heauens threatning straight to drown the highest Tours Clouds clustred Darkenesse Lightnings Terrour stream'd And rumbling Thunders vshered vgly Shours Whilst rauenous Tempests swallow'd vp the Light Day dead for Feare brought forth abortiue Night 74 From Guests prophane that Earth might be redeem'd The Lights of Heauen quensh'd in their Lanterns lay The Azure Vaults all but one Cisterne seem'd Whilst safe the Waters All things did decay The Fire drown'd out Heauens all dissolu'd were deem'd Air Water grew the Earth as wash'd away By monstrous Stormes whilst All things were ou'rturn'd Then safe GODS Wrath in all the World nought burn'd 75 Men to the Mountaines did for Helpe repaire Whence them the Waues did violently chace In Natures Scorne came scallie Squadrouns thair The Forrests Guests inheriting their place By too much Water no for lacke of Air All were confounded in a litle Space The Elements with Anguish we enjoy All must nurse one One thus may all destroy 76 That vaulting Vault against the Storme did striue VVhich all the Creatures of the VVorld contain'd And whyls through Depthes whyls through the Clouds did driue Not by the Compasse nor the Rudder rain'd No Port no Land was where it could ariue VVhilst Earth with VVaters leuell all remain'd The VVaues the VVorld all else being hush'd at once Roar'd forth a Consort with Mens dying Grones 77 But when ouer all GODS Breath did Ruine blow The Arke with others Sinne from Death did saue Him whom the raging Floods did not ou'rthrow VVho of GODS Iudgements Iudge did all perceaue A litle Liquor did at last ou'rthrow VVhich to his Sonne to mocke Occasion gaue Thus Drunkennesse disdainfull scorne doth breede A fertile Vyce which Others still succeede 78 As the first World did first by Pryde offend Whose burning Rage to such a hight did win That it to quensh GOD did the Waters bend O Drunkennesse the second Worlds first sinne The course of Vice that Element must end Which is oppos'd to it which did beginne In euery thing GODS Iustice we may spy As Floods drown'd Pryde Flames Drunkennesse must dry 79 When Men againe to fill the World did weare Straight in their Soules did Satan raise his Throne O what a Burden Nature dost thou beare Since that to Sinne and Liue seeme both but one Men Babels Towres against the Starres did reare Since lyke deseruing fearing what was gone As though that GOD could but one Plague command Ah Fooles what Strength against his Strength can stand 80 Whilst fondly They proud weaknesse did bewray Who can the Depths of His high Iudgements sound By making their owne Tongues their Hearts betray Those Titans straight the Thund'rer did confound Here diuerse Tongues the Worke of Men did stay Which afterwards the Worke of GOD did ground The Mind not meanes effectuall doth remaine What help'd Apostles hindred the Prophane 81 When purpos'd to dissolue quicke Clouds of Dust GODS Wrath as stubble Sinners doth deuoure That Towne to sacke which had not tenne Men just He Brimstone rain'd O most prodigious Showre Their Bodies burn'd whose Soules were burn'd with Lust What faire was vglie what was sweet grew sowre Yet of that Fyre Lot scap'd the great Deluge GODS holy Mountaine is a sure Refuge 82 I recken not the ruine of those States Which being but Strangers to the ground of Grace Were caried head-long with their own Conceits And euen though brightly blindlie ranne their Race GODS firme Decrees which fondlie they call'd Fates Did bound their Glory in a litle Space Whil'st Tempests huge toss'd their tumultuous Mindes Lyke Reeds by Riuers wauering with all Windes 83 Such rais'd not for their good but for GODS ends When bent his owne to punish or support Do as his Arrowes hit but where he tends Else of themselues their power doth nought import When he his spotted Flocke to purge intends They are but Tooles vs'd in a seruile sort To fanne or cleanse as Fannes or Beesomes they Which when the Worke is done are throwne away 84 Proud Ashur first did daunt all other Soyles Till barbarous Persia did become her Head The Greekes did glory in the Persians spoyles Whose Prince at last Rome did in Triumph lead Rome rauishing the Earth bred bloody Broyles Yet was by whom she scorn'd a Widow
made The World a Tenniscourt the Rackets Fates Great Kings are Balls when GOD will tosse their States 85 To them whom GOD to do Great things doth chuse He generous Mindes and noble Thoughts imparts And doth in them all Qualities infuse That are requyr'd to act Heroick parts Of Matters base then making others muse He breakes their spirits and vilifies their Hearts As Greatnesse still a gallant Mind preceeds A staggering Courage Fortunes fall succeeds 86 The glancing Glory dazeled euery Eye Of Greece and Rome made all the Muses song On both the Wings of Worth which forth did flie By Valour rais'd borne vp on learning long But now both base in abject Bondage lie Whose Brood proues now as Faint as once thought Strong That with their Empyres made their Enemies Spoyles Their Spirits seeme too transferr'd to forraine Soyles 87 For Nations once which strangers were to Fame On whom as Monsters Ciuill Lands did gaise Those who in scorne did them Barbarians name Do now surpasse in all which Merits praise Thus Glories Throne is made the Seate of Shame Who were obscure do Honour highest raise Nought constant is below no not true Worth It melted South and freezes in the North. 88 What Heart not quakes when as it doth record The Vengeance huge inflicted whyles below Not onely Gentiles thus being then abhorr'd High indignation justlie did ou'rthrow That Heritage long labour'd by the LORD Which as his Portion he would onlie owe As loath'd for Sinne or for Repentance lou'd GODS Minion whyles a Strangers Slaue whyles prou'd 89 By monstrous Plagues GOD did his power expresse In Nilus Bounds which yet admir'd remaines The subtill Sorcerers forcing to consesse That his owne Finger pointed out their paines The Seas retir'd would not his Will transgresse Till Squadrons march'd vpon their Virgin Plaines He gloriously triumph'd ou'r Pharaos Hoste What Israell sau'd that the Egyptians lost 90 GOD Wonders made not strange to Jacobs brood When their great Iourney boldly was begunne Ouer them a Cloud by Day by Night Fyre stood A guide a guard a shadow and a Sunne Rockes vomited a Flood Heauens rain'd downe Food Canaan was miraculouslie wonne Their Armes did Armies spoyle huge Giants kill Weake blasts breath'd walls the Sun as charm'd stood still 91 But who can thinke and trust trust not admire That those Ingrate to such a GOD could proue Who oft had seene aboue their owne Desire By Wonders Power by Benefits his Loue Yet They prouok'd the Holy One to Ire And did the Mighties Indignation moue Till as abhorr'd the Land did spue Them forth And Jordans Glory grac't Euphrates Worth 92 That Realme the Worlds first Froth and now the Lees Of which for Israell Angels Hostes had slaine The Lord transplanting Men as Men do Trees It Israell made a Captiue to remaine The stately Temple nought from ruine frees Whose sacred Vessels Ethnickes did prophane Yet all turn'd back by a repenting Faith Sole Mortalls Teares quench the Immortalls Wrath. 93 And yet of all the Workes which GOD hath wrought None more to stray Opinions course permittes Then our Saluation offred vrg'd not sought At which who highest aymes the Trueth worst hittes What was contemn'd a pretions Treasure bought A Mysterie surmounting Vulgar Wittes The Worker not the Worke must moue our Mindes Celestiall Secrets Faith not Reason findes 94 O who could looke for Glory from the Dust Or for a Sauiour fettred in the Graue The Power which wrought it must giue Power to trust This Iudgetnent else all Iudgements will deceaue O Iustice mercifull O Mercy just He lost his best Belou'd his Foes to saue And euen to suffer suffer did his Sonne The Victorie ouer Hell is hardly wonne 95 The Word was Flesh the God-head dwelt with Men Inuisible yet subject to the Sight He whom no Bounds could bound was bounded then Whilst earthly Darknesse clouded heauenly Light Birds had their Nests and euery Beast a Den Yet had he nought who did owe All of right No Kind of Thing the wicked World could moue Not Wonders done below Words from aboue 96 Those Wonders then which sacred Writes record Did Some conuert A Multitude amaze What did not GODS own Word do by a Word Lame ran Deafe heard Dumb spake Deuils fled Dead raise Of seruants Servant whilst of Lords the LORD Did seeke but his own Paine Mans Good GODS Praise To marie Heauen with Earth He first beganne GOD without Mother without Father Man 97 Who neuer did beginne He would beginne That Life 's chiefe Fountaine might of Life be reau'd The Innocent would beare the Weight of Sinne That by his Sufferings Sinners might be sau'd Yet that which GOD must giue and none can winne Though offred freely many not receau'd Whilst on a Tree CHRIST gain'd when tortur'd most What by a Tree for Pleasure Adam lost 98 The Worlds great Iudge was judg'd and Worldlings stood Euen glorious Glory glorying to disgrace They damn'd as Euill the Author of all Good Though Death of Death who vnto Death gaue Place Ah for our Ransome offring vp his Blood Huge was the Warre he had ro make our Peace The Heire of Heauen daign'd to descend to Hell That in the Heauen Hell-worthy Men might dwell 99 The Father saw the Sonne surcharg'd with Woe Yet would to Calme his Griefe no Fauour show For Man could not refound nor GOD forgoe That Debt which the first Man did justly ow CHRIST as a GOD could not haue suffred so Nor haue as Man preuaild but both below He Men most grac'd when Men him most disgrac'd Iustice and Mercy mutually embrac'd 100 VVhen GOD confirm'd with many fearefull Wonder The great Worke which was wrought for them he lou'd Heauen clad with Darknesse mourn'd Earth sob'd asunder Thus Creatures wanting Sence were highly mou'd VVho should haue had had none nor could not ponder VVhat did import the Anguish which he prou'd But of his Torments strange which did abound Ah Mans Ingratitude did deepest wound 101 O wicked off-spring of a Godly Syre VVho saw the Sauiour of the VVorld arise That which your Fathers did so oft desire Yet could not get that which you did despise VVho Mercy mock'd prepare your selues for Ire He liues he liues whose Death you did deuise His Blood not spent in vaine must wash or drowne Those whome it cannot cleanse it shall sincke downe 102 To rest on them and Theirs Iewes who did cry For CHRISTS contemned Blood had what they sought Then Blood no Burden with more VVeight doth lie Euen as they his so was their Ou'rthrovv vvrought They by the Romane Povver did make Him die And them the Romane Povver to Ruine brought VVhilst for their Cause GOD euery Thing had curst Romes mildest Emperour prou'd for them the VVorst 103 Ierusalem the Faire IEHOV AHS Loue Repudiated by disdainfull VVrath A bastard Race did beare vvhom Nought could moue A vile Adultresse violating Faith Then did the VVorlds Delight her Terrour proue And Harmes perform'd foretold by sacred Breath Nought
rested where the stately Citie stood Saue Heapes of Horrour rais'd of Dust and Blood 104 But murdring Saints in Wickednesse growne bold That Towne which long was drunke last drown'd with Blood That Towne by which who bought the World was sold Sold with Disgrace beheld her scorned Brood Them lou'd by GOD Men did in Honour hold And loth'd by GOD with them in Horrour stood Then Iewes whom GOD high rais'd and low doth bow What Name more glorious once more odious now 105 When of Saluation joyfull Newes were spred VVith spirituall Grace all Nations to bedew VVhilst famish'd Soules that sacred Nectar fed The LORD strange Iudgements Millions made to view And those who first fierce Persecutions bred A jealous GOD with Vengeance did persew His Wrath against Themselues against their Foes Is quensh'd is kindled by his Seruants Woes 106 By him who first gainst CHRIST did Ensignes pitch His Brother Mother Wife and Selfe was slaine The Great Apostat wounded in a Ditch Did grant with Griefe the Galileans raigne Of him whose Errours did whole Realmes bewitch The Death most vile did viler Doctrine staine A monstrous Death doth monstrous Liues attend And what All is is judged by the End 107 He who made Hymens Torch drop Blood and Teares The Nation most Humaine being Inhumaine Did blood when dead at Mouth Nose Eyes and Eares As vomiting his Surfet so againe In Crime and Crowne his second fraught with Feares The bloody Band by mutuall Blowes was slaine The King the Duke the Friers deuis'd that Ill The King the Dake the Friers the King did kill 108 Whos 's Sight is so eclips'd which now not sees In euery Kingdome Prouince Towne and Race On Princes Subjectes Men of all Degrees What weighty Iudgement Sinners Steppes do trace Which not the Crowne more then the Cottage frees The Wicked Man sayes GOD shall haue no peace A Countenance calme may maske a stormy Mind But Guiltinesse no perfect Ease can find 109 Those temporall Plagues are but small Smokes of Ire To breach a Brest which is not arm'd with Faith And are when GOD due Vengeance doth require Of Indignation Drops weake Sparks of Wraith As Lightning is to Hels eternall Fire Or to a Tempest huge a litle Breath So are all those of this which I proclame A Puft a Glance a Shaddow or a Dreame 110 As weigh'd by GOD still ballanc'd hings this Round Which Sinne growne heauie now quyte downe ward beares Exhausted Courage Horrour shall confound Till Hopes high Towers rest all ou'rflow'd with Feares All shall together fall as by one Wound Not hauing Time to flie no not for Teares On Day as Night as on the Wearied Sleepe Death steales on Lyfe and Iudgements way doth sweepe 111 All clearely see who Lyfes short Race do rinne The last Decree though being suspended yet That fatall Doome inflicted first for Sinne Though not attended doth not doubted hit And of all Soules the Processe doth beginne For straight when Death arrests the Iudge doth sit For this first Charge all fortifie the Mind As Death vs leaues so Iudgement shall vs find 112 Death each Man daylie sees but none fore-sees The Wage of Sinne the Jubilie of Cares First Iudgement threatned base Corruptions Lees Inheritance which serues all Adams Heires Iust onely Equaller of all Degrees The Charge enjoyn'd for no Respect which spaires What Agues Wounds Thoghts Paines al breathing Breath Are Heraulds Sergeants Vshers Posts of Death 113 Death Doores to enter at and Darts to wound Hath as the Heauen hath Starres or Sea hath Sands What though not sicke not stab'd not choak'd burnt drown'd Age matchlesse Enemie all at last commands O what Designes this Emperour Pale doth bound Built of bare Bones whose Arche Triumphall stands Ah for Ones Errour all the World hath wept The Golden Fruite a leaden Dragon kept 114 Then since Sinnes Hang-man Natures vtter Foe By whom true Lyfe is found Lyfes Shadow lost A thousand Fancies interrupting so When least exspected doth importune most Haste haste your recknings all must pay and go Guests of the World poore Passengers who post And let vs stryue a Change being wyselie made To die alyue that we may liue when dead 115 All thinke whilst sound what Sicknesse may succeed How in the Bed imprison'd yee may be When euery Object Loathsomnesse doth breed Within without that Soule or Eyes can see To trembling Nature which still death doth dread Griefe paints out Horrour in a high degree The Bodie in the Bed Thoughts in it roule The Conscience casting vp a bitter scroule 116 But when externall Powers beginne to faile That neither Tongue can giue nor Eares receaue Friends wretched Comforters retir'd to waile To agonize the soule alone do leaue Which Satan straight with Squadrons doth assaile Being bent to force whom first he did deceaue Who once entys'd then to accuse beginnes To wakened Soules vpbraiding buried Sinnes 117 That fatall Conflict which all Flesh doth feare By helpes from Heauen being foughten past and wonne Whilst it to Heauen triumphing Angels beare This mortall Race magnanimouslie runne As being ordain'd to decke the highest Spheare The Soule shall shine more glorious then the Sunne Whilst cloath'd with Righteousnesse a Priest a King Hell where thy Victorie Death where thy Sting 118 O when to part GOD doth the Soule permit Rais'd from her Shell a Pearle for Sion chus'd She recollects accomplish'd ere she flit Her Faculties amidst fraile Flesh diffus'd As Iudgement Reason Memorie and Wit Being all refyn'd no more to be abus'd Then parts in Triumph free from Earthlie Toyles Yet longs perchance to gather vp her Spoyles 119 Let all those Plagues smoakes of our Makers Ire Make all in time their inward State reforme Those Plagues of which loe euen to sing I tyre Ah what do those who beare their vglie Forme Yet they but kindlings are of endlesse Fyre And litle drops which do fore-goe a Storme Looke looke with Clouds Heauens Bosome else doth swell To blow the Wicked to the lowest Hell The second Houre THE ARGVMENT THat threatned Time which must the World appall Is that all may amend by Signes fore-shown Warres rumor'd are the Gospell preach'd ou'r All Some Jewes conuert the Antichrist is known Deuils rage Vyce raignes Zeale cooles Faith failes Starres fall All sorts of Plagues haue the last Trumpet blown And by prodigious Signes may plaine appeare That of the Sonne of Man the Signe drawes neare 1 THough thundring down those who transgresse his Lawer And with Disdain his Bountie do abuse As Adamants do Irne Repentance drawes The LORD to loue Those whom he first did chuse A Space retir'd from the tempestuous Waues The Port of Mercie must refresh my Muse Whose ventrous Flight all Loftinesse must leaue And plainly sing what all Men should conceaue 2 The LORD delights not in a Sinners death But Sheep which stray toyles to recouer still To please a Sonne who had deseru'd his Wrath His Calfe long fed the Father straight did kill Not
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
count his Host Had sought all meanes by which they might be lost 49 All Salaminaes Straits disgorge againe Those whom they swallow'd and disgested had But broken Squadrons are restor'd in vaine Since with no Armes no with no Garment clad Whilst both the parts then joyn'd in one remaine Great is the Number but the Cause is bad Who striu'd for State both as most abiect bow Greekes and Barbarians no way differ now 50 By this last Blast those do assemble all At diuerse tymes who in the Depths fell dead By him almost preuenting Persias fall Who the Greeke Empire had abortiue made Who charg'd with Chaines lay for his Father thrall An Act more great then all his Hostes to lead From Vertues hight this generous course did come A Man most vitious Armies might ouercome 51 The last great Act which Athens did intend It Thousands did defraud their funerall Right Which did presage their Greatnesse neere an end Whose State then chang'd as hauing past the hight Those to pursue that then did Armies send From that tyme forth did for their confines fight A mightie Town whose growing nought could stay When com'd to faile doth wither soone away 52 Their greatest Captain fondly being remou'd The other cold procur'd what he diuinde Who happie first last most vnhappie prou'd Vaine superstition vilified his Minde But Siracusa yet to stand behou'd Whose ruine was for greater foes design'd And those by Sea to winne more Land who striu'd Drownd in the Sea were of all Land depriu'd 53 Faire Sicile long still by great States being sought As fertile Fields weake owners did entyse The fatall Lists where Rome and Carthage fought When all the World was made the Victors pryse Thy bounds oft bath'd with Blood was dearely bought Which Strangers still else Tyrants did surpryse Thy Sea the Stage where Death oft act'd with Wounds Must muster manie when the Trumpet sounds 54 Earst Athens Pirrhus Carthage Rome in Ire Their hungrie Hopes whilst Ceres fill'd with Dreames To daunt that People proudlie did aspire Not fearing Scilla nor Charibdis Streames Nor thundring Aetna vomiting forth Fire Nor Vulcans Forge nor monstrous Giants Names No Plutoes selfe who wedded in those Fields His conquer'd Hells to greedy men he yeelds 55 Those whose great Valour did so honour Wrong That each eternall Pen it yet renownes Who Riualls liu'd in loue of Glorie long And though but Cities did dispose of Crownes Those two by Sea did striue who was most strong As all the Earth could not containe two Townes Each State the World lesse then it selfe contriues A just Proportion Ruine only giues 56 That hautie Race which Kings in Triumph led All not being pleas'd with parting of the Spoyles That Fishes might as well as Beasts be fed The Land else glutted by their guiltie Broyles They on the Sea a Sea of Blood did shed Which wash'd by Waues away might foyle their Soyles That them to plague no Furie Place could find All Objects raz'd which might vpbraide the Mind 57 A spatious Field the Waters did afford Where floting Armies might their Forces trie When free Men fighting who should be their Lord With too much Valour did their Bondage buy Whilst AEolus did rage and Neptune ror'd More cruell Creatures then Themselues to spie Men of all else which this large Circuit fill Most subtill are and violent in Ill. 58 From liquid Fields where Carcasses are rife Now with his Troupe Volteius Passage finds Who were more bold then fortunat in Strife And dying did triumph ouer Foes Waues Winds Of Fame too greedy prodigall of Life As those whose Soules were Strangers to their Minds Who lose their owne to gaine from others Breath Life by Opinion seeke for certaine Death 59 When Father Sonne and Brother bound in Law Did pledge their Liues who only should be free Pale Neptune once at Actium wondring saw His Chrystall Walks all as congeal'd in Tree Which from their Kingdomes diuerse Kings did draw To know whose Slaues they were ordain'd to be As both till clear'd from what they crau'd would stand Two on the Sea did fight for all the Land 60 To lose their Owne or others Shippes to winne When loftie Legions did a Purpose take Of Winds Waues Armes Oares Sounds Showts blowes the din Gaue bold men Courage made the Cowards quake Whilst sloting Forrests did together rin Which Neptune Mars and AEolus made shake The Bellies big with Men abortiue burst By thundring Engines violated first 61 When this Encounter had made many smart A stately meeting terrible to thinke Shippes without Kindnesse kiss'd yet loth to part Stood strugling long which should the other sinke Till some oft pierc'd and past all Hope of Art For Poyson last as desprat Floods did drinke And that none might their conquer'd Ensignes clame Slipt vnder Seas as if to hide their Shame 62 But hautie Romans storm'd to be withstood And vs'd to conquere maruail'd to be match'd From Floods in vaine some drinking backe their Blood Halfe kill'd halfe drown'd Death by two Darts dispatch'd There where they fought whilst Bodies pau'd the Flood Till emptie first no wooden Caue was catch'd O how that Life seemes foule which blots Fames Bookes In Glories Glasse whilst generous Courage lookes 63 Whilst Mars as yet a doubtfull Iudge did proue The barbarous Queene fled with Pelusian Slaues Who liu'd in her with her did straight remoue Not fear'd no not as who in Feauers reaues He fled not Foes but follow'd on his Loue For whom the Hope of all the World he leaues Who vanquish'd Armies oft a Woman foyld Who all of All him of himselfe she spoyld 64 The Seas surrender at that dreadfull Blast Troupes of all Lands which in their Depthes did fall Which Foes fell down rise as in League at last The Cause being common which doth joyne them all Not onely Ancients famous in Times past But Turkes and Christians thence a voyce doth call Whom euen when raging raging Floods supprest That Waues might tosse them still who would not rest 65 What Turband Band abandons Thetis Bowres By their Misfortune fortunat to Fame Who by a ROYALL PENNES Eternall Powers Reft backe from Death Breath whilst Men Breath doth clame How those still Turkes were baptiz'd in few Houres Where Azure Fields fom'd forth a hoarie Streame This my GREAT PHOEBVS tun'd to Trumpets Sounds Whose stately Accents each strange Tongue rebounds 66 Not onely thus by barbarous Bands ou'rthrowne Some whome CHRIST bought a floting Tombe confines But by themselues like Pagans spoyld though knowne In liquid Plaines a Number Breath resignes Whilst those who toyle to make the World their owne Doe with Deuotion paint most damn'd Designes That they when all things else haue faild for Baites May Superstition vse to angle States 67 When hautie Philip with this I le in Loue Whose Rage to raigne no Reason could appease As oft by Fraud it last by Force would proue To barren Spaine whose fertile Fields did please He send huge Hulks which did like