Brat ' Into the world so horrible as that ' Since Rome Usurpt the Western Monarchy ' Which she still Rules with Fraud and Treachery ' In forging Plots imploying Hellish Actors ' Ah! let us treat 'um as the Devils Factors ' Distressed Sion O how few regard ' My sighs and tears their Hearts are grown so haâ—â— ' My restless Hurricanes with storms and wind ' No ease no peace no comfort can I find ' ' The horrid aspect of these Monsters do ' Affright my Children some they worry too ' Others they seize like greedy Beasts of prey ' And to their Den the Sacrifice convey ' Renowned GODFREY whose immortal Glory ' Martyr'd for me shall ever live in Story ' Let every Loyal Eye that reads it there ' Yield to his name the Tribute of a Tear. ' Brave Soul thy Love and Loyalty do claim ' That King and People should proclaim thy name ' As England's Victim ne're to be forgot ' Fastning on Rome an Everlasting blot ' The Great Jehovah who is only wise ' Permits thy fall as a sweet Sacrifice ' Thy barbarous Murder has made clearly out ' That Plot which none but Infidels now doubt ' Those bloody Varlets black Assassinates ' Curst Executioners of Rome's Debates ' Drunk with Infernal cruelty made thee 'A Specimen of England's Tragedy ' By thee we learn what curtesie to hope ' From Romish Butchers Vassals to the Pope ' Thou led'st the Van first fell'st into the Trap ' From whence they hope 't no Protestant should scape ' Poor Innocent trepann'd amongst them came ' Into their Nets like a poor harmless Lamb ' Whilst they like hungry Tygers ready stood 'T' imbrue their Tallons in thy guiltless Blood. ' Thou little dream'dst such an Infernal snare ' Had there been laid t' intrap thee unaware 'T is strange say some what reason should ingâ— ' Them to make thee the Object of their rage ' Some think 't was 'cause the Babylonish Whore ' Big with a Bastard long'd as heretofore ' For Christian Blood Her Favourites made haste ' In her great need to help her to a taste ' Of choicest Liquors thine she calls for first 'To cheer her sinking Heart and quench her Thir ' Fearing miscarriage when her Spirits faint ' She drinks the Hearts blood of some Martyr'd Sain ' Insatiate like the Horse-leech still she cries ' Give give me that there 's nought else will suffice ' My craving Paunch my pleasure must be done ' This Heretick was a Pragmatick one ' He knew my secret Clubs and would reveal ' My Tragick Plots we must prevent his Zeal ' Let 's strangle him before he does relate ' The Villanies we intend to perpetrate ' Ah brutish Whore of Canibals the worst ' For this curst draught be thou for ever curst ' In the most lasting Records let us see ' This horrid instance of thy cruelty ' This Loyal Knight ne're injur'd thee but stood ' Upright for Justice and his Countreys good ' Will nought but Blood of Protestants give ease ' Or quench thy thirst What mischievous Disease ' Infects thy Bowels Must your Churches food ' Be Flesh of Saints Your Mornings draught their Blood ' Fellonious Strumpet dar'st thou be so bold 'To steal by night into thy Neighbours Fold ' And seize my Lambs Thy Theft and Cruelty ' And all thy Murders shall revenged be ' But since he 's gone and Justice does pursue ' With eager steps the Assassinating Crew ' We 'l acquiesce for Heav'n now seems to call ' And bid tears cease at his sad Funeral ' Let Christians offer through the Universe ' Whole Hecatombs upon his bleeding Herse ' And could their tears increase into a Floud ' 'T were no excess so much I prize his Bloud THus thus did I in Eighty make sad moan For that brave Hero who was dead and gone But Oh my Heart A Cordial presently My Spirits faint Ah me Help Lord I die Unless I have relief I can't sustain My sinking Soul was ever any pain Or sorrow equal to what I now feel My burd'ned mind under her weight does reel Oh since that year what woes have I beheld How have my mournful Eyes with tears been fill'd I then did fear what since is come to pass As in that Treatise plainly hinted was Did Rachel mourn and all relief refuse How then can I forbear How can I chuse But weep and to lament for my sad Lot What Children have I lost who now are not Did I for one such Lamentation make My Bowels now may surely throb and ake When I recount how many since are gone Who murdered were by bloody Babylon 1681. Poor Colledge first before this Idol fell Betray'd to death by Evidence from Hell To drink his Blood there seem'd to be some strife Was twice Indicted they must have his Life Yet they could never shake his constancy Hear his great Soul sing his own Elegy A Poem written by Mr. Stephen Colledge a while before he was sent to Oxford where he Suffered Death Aug. 31. 1681. Wrongful Imprisonment Hurts not the Innocent WHat if I am into a Prison cast By Hellish Combinations am betray'd My Soul is free although my Body's fast Let them repent that have this evil laid And of Eternal vengeance be afraid Though Racks and Gibbets can my Body kill My God is with me and I fear no ill What boots the clamours of the giddy Throng What Antidote 's against a poysonous Breath What Fence is there against a Lying Tongue Sharpen'd by Hell to wound a man to Death Snakes Vipers Adders do lurk underneath Say what you will or never speak at all Our very Prayers such Wretches Treason call But Walls and Bars cannot a Prison make The Free-born Soul enjoys its Liberty These clods of Earth it may incaptivate Whilst Heavenly Minds are conversant on high Ranging the Fields of Blest Eternity So let this Bird sing sweetly in my Breast My Conscience clear a Rush for all the rest What I have done I did with good intent To serve my King my Countrey and the Laws Against the bloody Papists I was bent Cost what it will I 'le ne're repent my Cause Nor do I fear their Hell-devouring Jaws A Protestant I am and such I 'le dye Maugre all Deaths and Popish Cruelty But what need I these Protestations make Actions speak men far better than their words Whate're I suffer's for my Countrey 's sake Not 'cause I had a Gun or Horse or Sword Or that my Heart did Treason e're afford No 't is not me alone they do intend But thousands more to gain their cursed End. And sure of this the World 's so well aware That here 't is needless more for me to say I must conclude no time have I to spare My winged hours do fly too fast away My work Repentance must I not delay I 'le add my Prayers to God
Thou hast contrived innumerable Treasons Rebellions and Sâ—ditions thereby endeavouring to betray Kingdoms aâ—d States and to subject them to the Pope and See of Rome Thou hast laboured to Corrupt and Debauch all Nations by countenancing and allowing Stews and â—othel-houses where filthy and abominable Sodomy and Adulteries are praâ—tiâ—â—d Hast murthered the best of Men even the Saints of Jesus putting them to all manner of cruel Tortures and Deaths that with the Devil's assistance could be invented Ripping up Women with Child causing thy villanous Sons to ravish Chast Women and Virgins and then barbarously Murthering them Thou hast Burned Thousands alive Roasted many on Spâ—â—s Thrown worthy Christians into Furnaces of boyling Oyl Blown their Heads in pieces with Gun-powder Fleaing off their Skins alive Starving several to Death and exercising on them abundance of other hideous Torments Thou hast made Wives to be Widdows and Children Eâ—therleis Towns and Cities to be without Inhabitant Hast burned famous Cities and destroyed diveâ—s Countries by Fire Sword and other lamentable Devastations and hast endeavour'd to enslave others by depriving them of their Just and Good Laws Liberties and Properties Thou hast not only murder'd the Bodies but likewise the Souls of multitudes of People In short Thou hast been guilty of shedding a mighty mass of innocent Blood by cutting off Millions of Men Women and Children without cause and many other unspeakable Enormities hast thou committed For all which horrid Crimes thou hast been Legally Indicted and Tryed and against which thou hast made no defence And therefore by the Laws of God Nature and Nations thou oughâ—est to be Punished according to the following Sentence Thou shalt be thrown off the Ten Horn'd Beast in every Kingdom whereon thou hast sate and all the 7 Vials of God's Wrath shall successively be poured out upon thee by the Angel out of the Temple till thou art utterly consumed from off the face of the Earth The Horns or Powers of the Nations which thou hast deceived with the Swords of good men shall destroy thee Death Mourning and Famine shall come upon thee in one day and thou shalt be utterly burnt with Fire Amen Hallelujah An Hymn of Praise upon Babylons Fall grounded upon Revel 19. 1 2 3 4. ROuse up my Muse attend and hear What Melody is in mine ear For Sions Joy is at the door Great Babel howls and is in pain Now falling is that Bloudy Whore And never more shall rise again The Saints and all that dwell on high Sing Allelujahs constantly That haughty City called Great Which boasted of her lofty Seat Is on a sudden now brought under She prostrate in the dust does lye Hearken I hear a mighty Thunder Which no good man doth terrify For Babels fall'n and Saints now sing Sweet Allelujahs to their King. Out of the Throne voices descend As if they would the Heavens rend With Praises unto God on High For he 's come forth in dreadful ire And hath the VVhore Judg'd righteously To be consum'd in flaming Fire They Hallelujahs sing amain Nay heark They double them again See! How her Smoak does fill the air Whilst Harpers sing and merry are And with one voice loud Praise proclaim To God the Lord Ornnipotent Ah! how they magnify his name With th' highest strains they can invent Again they Hallelujahs sing To God and Christ their Glorious King. Yet this Joy's only in One Isle Which Babel lately strove to spoil Scituate in the Northern Sea. That Heav'n has sav'd from Bloudy Rome Could Ireland too asjoyful be Would God in Mercy to them come How would it add unto our Joys Our Hallelujahs and our Praise A Happy Land thou seem'st to be And greater Glory shalt thou see If by Repentance thou dost fly To God in Christ by Faith and Pray'r And cast off all Iniquity For God will then remove thy fear And then thou shalt have cause to sing Sweet Allelujahs to thy King. Poor Ireland and France also E're long shall triumph as we do For God will quickly crush his Foes Their Bloud like water out he 'l pour Their Flesh shall feeding be for Crows And the Great Whore shall be no more That Allelujahs may be sung Throughout the Earth by old and young Now God Omnipotent will Reign Who will the Pride of Nations stain And make his Pow'r and Glory known His Son he 'l set on Sion Hill His Enemies shall be overthrown He will the Earth with Glory fill In th' heights of Sion we shall sing Sweet Allelujahs to our King. Sighs for Ireland O Lord who hast such wonders wrought Of late as well as formerly And down with vengeance now hast brought Thy Churches bloudy Enemy Oh! look upon poor Ireland And save them with thine own right hand Lord Bless our King and as he 's great Let him be likewise just and good His Enemies O Lord defeat VVho greedily thirst for his blood Oh! be his guard continually From workers of Iniquity Shall England thus triumph and sing VVhilst Ireland still does bleeding lye Ah! this is an afflicting thing It wounds our Souls and makes us cry To Ireland Lord send help we pray Ah! succour them without delay Unite us here and make us one And let our mutual Love appear Let 's never into fractions run And then our Foes we need not fear Whilst Protestants united be No dread of Rome or Popery The Sun on us begins to shine Lord let it break forth more and more And by that mighty pow'r of thine Confound our Foes as heretofore Arise O Lord Let Ireland be Reliev'd with speed and sav'd by thee These days in England seem to us As pleasant as the flourishing spring Oh ' let them still continue thus Prevent our Foes Preserve our King Thy People Lord in Ireland Redeem with thy out-stretched hand When we for Darkness look't and Night At Evening â—yde we did behold The Sun broke forth with Glorious Light As in the Scripture 't is foretold O're Ireland Lord thy beams display Like to the dawning of the day Let not our Sun Eclipsed be Nor Clouds of Darknes interpose Between Great Britain Lord and thee Since thus in Mercy thou art rose From Ireland let 's good Tydings here That thou likewise art risen there Let not thy Glorious Sun appear To lighten only these dark Parts But let the Nations far and near Thy Gospel-Light have in their hearts From Ireland Lord all Clouds expel Oh pity there thy Israel Let Light and Glory there break forth And Popish darkness thence be gone That all good Protestants on Earth In the Truth may be joyn'd in one On Ireland Lord Compassion take Their Sorrows we our own would make Let the French Tyrant thy Great Foe The Scourge and Plague of Christendom Receive an utter Overthrow Ah! quickly let his downfall come Those vile Usurpers Lord abase And pity there thy Childrens case Let France and Spain and Germany Enlightned be and let them see The folly of Idolatry From Babylon Lord make them flee Because her Judgment now is come And they thereby may 'scape her doom Let Christendom new Christened be why should they still believe a Lye And not on Names depend But see The great Deceits of Popery Christ's Name no good at all will do Unless they have his Nature too Let thy blest Gospel grow and work Victoriously in every place Let Tartars and the ignorant Turk Enlightned be with Heavenly Grace Poor Ireland Lord relieve with speed For whom our Hearts do almost bleed Send forth thy Light ev'n like the Morn That it o're all the Earth may fly From Cancer unto Capricorn That all Lands which in darkness lye May see how they have gone astray And be reduc'd to the Right way The fulness of the Gentiles now Bring in and give them all a Call That they may unto Jesus bow And under his Dominion fall That Popish Pow'r which do's annoy Poor Ireland Lord do thou destroy The Gospel-Tydings and good News Of Jesus Christ the Saviour Declare to the hard-hearted Jews And their strong Unbelief o're-power Oh let the Gospel on them shine For Abraham's sake that Friend of thine The Saints be'ng many Members join'd One Body make the Head thou art Lord let them have One Will One Mind Let this One Body have One Heart Then shall I see a blest increase Of Sion's Glory Israel's Peace Out of all Nations under Heaven Expel thick Darkness Lord away Let Power to thy Saints be given That all may thee and them obey Mean while let these three Northern Lands United be in Sacred Bands Let Holland likewise Happy be 〈◊〉 those Great Sev'n Preserve these Three FINIS * Lev. 20 10. Deut. 32. 36. * Rev. 17. 18.
1. Sion 2. Her Children 3. the Beast and Where overthrown 4 The two Witnesses Rising 5. Pope and Jesuit 6. Enemies of the Church all Flying 7. Angels destroying them Distressed Sion RELIEVED OR The Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness Wherein are Discovered the Grand Causes of the Churches Trouble and Misery under the late Dismal Dispensation With a Compleat History of and Lamentation for those Renowned Worthies that fell in England by Popilh Rage and Cruelty from the Year 1680 to 1688. Together with an Account of the late Admirable and Stupendious Providence which hath wrought such a sudden and Wonderful Deliverance for this Nation and Gods Sion therein Humbly Dedicated to their Present Majesties By Benjamin Keach Author of a Book called Sion in Distress or the Groans of the True Protestant Church Licensed and Entred according to Order LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside 1689. To their Most Excellent Majesties William and Mary by the Grace of God King and Queen of England c. Dread Soveraigns May it please your Majesties MOST graciously to cast your Princely Eyes And to accept of this small worthless Mite From one whose Soul 's enamour'd with the sight Of seeing you brought to Great Britains Throne Which Angels do delight to look upon Methinks I see the Cherubs clap their wings Singing sweet Anthems to the King of Kings That such a King and Queen are set on high In glorious Power and Soveraign Majesty No marvel 't is since by Angelick Power You 're both preserved to this happy hour For sure he 's blind who can't discern most clear T was by Heavens Conduct you were both brought here Such a stupendious Providence before Was never known and never may no more Be seen again in this Great Northern Isle Which fills our hearts with joy makes us smile What a distressed and for lorn estate Was this now glorious Kingdom in of late Poor England alas did bleeding lye For many years inslav'd by Tyranny And Sion too was in the same condition Weeping with bitter groans and deep contrition Let me a little freely now dilate Upon Great Britains miserable state When first on her you cast your Royal look And her Salvation likewise undertook A glorious Enterprize which Heaven did bless With such amazing and admir'd success Sick sick as heart can hold the Kingdom lies Filling each corner with her mournful cryes Sometimes she burns as when a Fever heats Anon Despair brings cold and clammy sweats No rest she gains or if she do she dreams Of Massacres Fires Blood and direful Theams She no Physicians finds Bold Empiricks Are from St. Omers sent to try their tricks Who wicked crafty counsel take together To poyson her 't was this that brought them hither Nay hold says Petre we 'l first let her blood That 's fit for her and will do us most good Her Blood 's infected so corrupt I see Naught else can cure her Northern Heresie But let us first prescribe a Golden Pill To ease her that she may suspect no ill But may conclude we choice Physicians be The Pill that they prepar'd was Liberty Curiously gilt it was and tasted well But when 't was down she in t ' an Ague fell Then these State-Mountebanks do her assure Jesuits-Powder will effect the cure Yet still she 's sick and seiz'd with stronger fits Which made most think these Drs. all were Cheats Their Physick was of such a composition It made the Body Politick in confusion And many evidently did foresee 'T was to effect a direful Tragedy They did pretend to purge ill humours out That they their black Designs might bring about And th' evil humours which did lurking lie In divers parts o' th' Body grew thereby More strong and vigorous and did disturb What nature did before so strongly curb That wise Physicians made this wise conclusion T would wholly change the Bodys constitution From good to bad from healthy free and sound Would cause malignant humours to abound Ill ones no doubt it was design'd to nourish Tho' for a while some good ones it did cherish Thus may a Medicine which is safe and good As Liberty is if rightly understood When ill prepared and unduly given Prove dangerous as any under Heaven And pity 't is this universal Pill That has wrought wonders was design'd so ill But ah what shall she do th' Impostors Art Her head doth poison and corrupt her heart Must she O must she die O hear her groans Hear Sions too O hearken how she moans There is no help but from the God of Wonder 'T is he alone that 's able to bring under This Foe to Nature which is grown so strong And hath her vital parts opprest so long All her Physicians weep and secretly Were heard to say poor England now must die Unless th' Almighty by his own right hand Work Miracles to save our sinking Land. But who 's the Instrument will rise up for her Who is the Man whom God delights to honour To bring relief when all her hopes were gone Great Sir 'T was you Jehovah fixt upon No sooner heard she your victorious Name But she reviv'd and cheerful soon became But ah the Winds were cross this made us fear We n're should have your long'd for presence here And when we heard you were upon the Seas Our hearts rejoyced yet had not perfect ease We doubted still what dangers you might meet In that most Glorious and Renowned Fleet Yet still our Prayers more fervent were and more To see your Royal Person safe on shore And all the time in England you have been What strange amazing wonders have we seen A poor sick Land divided by Christs power Made whole and all united in an hour United so as joyntly to combine To own this just and glorious design O're us long hung a black and dismal Cloud From whence we fear'd a dreadful storm of blood Yet when it brake nought but sweet dews distill This this may sure our souls with wonder fill To see a Mighty Army rais'd by Rome Some flie for fear and others Friends become To gain the Victory yet never fight This plain appears Gods hand to all mens sight Poor Sion who i' th' dust did prostrate lie Bewailing her approaching misery Began to rouse and on her feet to stand When you upon the English Shore did land She long expected in our Hemisphere A glorious Star would certainly appear And now he 's come she can't for bear to sing With Joy to welcom her desired King And as the Sun whose powerful reflection Gives to all Vegetables a resurrection Even so Gods Witnesses now raised are Whose bodies lay like dead so lately here For though it was in the cold Winter time We saw so great a change in our sharp Clime As made us cry The Winter now is gone Your powerful Rays in this our Horizon Made Flowers bud as in the early Spring And chirping Birds
in the Book of Fame When he is gone his Works shall never dye But still be Famous to Posterity C. N. Distressed Sion RELIEVED OR The Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness FOR almost Thirty years last past have I Seen Floods of Tears flowing continually From Sions Eyes whose sad distressed state With Filial Sympathy I did relate In Sixty Six a year of expectation Came no relief but still fresh Lamentation When she was told her sorrows would be o're That year produc't more sorrow than before Which caus'd me who in Prison then did lye To sigh and sob and weep most bitterly In prospect of what I saw coming on Poor Sion e're her miseries would be gone And therefore did before that year run out Foretel some things time since hath brought boâ— Sions Distresses plainly did appear And still they did increase year after year Until the time the Popish Plot was known That Grand Intrigue of Bloody Babylon My Soul had then some ease I then did hope The day was come should quite o'rethrow tâ—â— Popâ— And bloody Whore That cursed Church of Rom That she would now receive her fatal Doom But all my hopes being frustrate I again In the year Eighty pour'd out Tears amain For at that time came forth a new Addition To Sions groans and sorrowful condition When I had thought poor Sions woes were gone What dismal Clouds o're spread our Horizon Just as I deem'd I spy'd the morning Light. How were we threatned with a dismal Night Of Popish Darkness this I did descry And mourn'd in Verse for England's misery But Sion's troubles I did most lament Whose Enemies were strong and insolent Which caused me in Christian Sympathy With bitter groans my grief to testifie In this sad manner ' WHat dismal vapour in so black a form ' Is this which seems Harbinger to a Storm ' What pitchy Cloud invades our starry Sky 'To stop the beamings of the Worlds great Eye ' What spreading Sables of Egyptian Night ' Would rob the Earth of its illustrious Light ' What interposing Fog obscures our Sun ' What dire Eclipse benights our Horizon ' Is England's Great and Royal Bridegroom fled ' Is its Aurora newly gone to Bed ' That scattered Clouds make such prodigious haste ' Combine in one and re-unite so fast ' Clouds that so lately dissipated were ' Do now conspire to make a darker Air. ' I mourn unpitied groan without relief ' No bounds nor measures terminate my grief ' The Sluces of mine Eyes are too too narrow 'To vent the Streams of my increasing sorrow ' Ebbs follow swelling Floods and springing Days ' Adorn the Fields which Winter dis-arrays ' All States and Things have their alternate ranges ' As Providence the Scene of Action changes ' All Revolutions hurry to and fro ' Yet rest and settlement at length do know ' But helpless I have often lookt about 'To find some ease and Soul refreshment out ' Yet can I see no prospect of relief ' But swift additions multiply my grief ' As Pilgrims wander in their great distress ' Amongst the wild rapacious Savages In pathless Desarts where the midnight howls Of hungry Wolves mixt with the screech of Owls And Ravens dismal croaks salute the Ears Of poor Erratick trembling Passengers ' So I 'm surrounded so the Beasts of prey ' Conspire to take my Life and Name away ' My glowing Soul does melt my Spirits faint ' For want of vent I 'm pregnant with complaint ' No Age nor Generation but has known ' Some part of this my just and grievous moan ' But now I 'm far more dangerously charg'd ' By bolder Foes my sorrows are enlarg'd 'A Hellish Tribe of black Avernus Crew ' Do Blood-hound like me and my Lambs pursue ' Lord Jesus come O Christ let me invoke ' Thy sacred presence to divert the stroke ' Have all my Friends forsook me Are there none 'To ease my woes Ah must I grieve alone Sion's Friend ' What doleful noise salutes my listning Ear ' What grief expressing voice is that I hear ' Methinks the accent of this dismal cry ' Issues from one in great extremity ' The shrilness of this mournful tone bespeaks 'A Womans loud and unregarded shrieks ' The more her deep and piercing sighs I heed ' The more my Heart in Sympathy does bleed ' Ah! who can find her out who can make known ' The Author of this Heart-relenting moan ' Doubtless though sorrow now has seiz'd upon her ' She is a Lady of high Birth and Honour ' Of Royal Stem extracted from above ' Nurs'd in the Chambers of the Fathers Love ' Espoused to a most Illustrious Prince ' Who over all has Just Preheminence ' Monarch of Monarchs ' Ah Sion is it thou ' Oh mourn my Soul Oh let my Spirit bow ' Let all that Love the Bridegroom sigh for grief ' For Sion weeps as if past all relief ' But why O Sion since thou art belov'd ' Of Heaven's Supream art thou so sadly mov'd ' Why with stretcht Arms dost thou implore the Skies ' Why do such streams of Tears flow from thine Eyes ' This makes me wonder Sion ' My forlorn Estate ' Is poor unpitied mean and desolate ' I long have wandred in the Wilderness ' Involv'd in trouble and in sore distress ' In Caves absconding from the horrid rage ' Of savage Beasts until this latter Age. ' Yet when I but attempted to look out ' The Monsters to destroy me searcht about ' The roaring Bloud-hounds greedy on the scent 'To kill or drive me back again are bent ' No interval of peace no rest they give ' Pronounce me cursed and not fit to live ' The cruel Dragon joineth with the Beast 'To gore my sides and spoil my Interest ' Th' old Lion Lyonness and the Lyons whelp ' With dreadful Jaws the other Beasts do help ' Dogs Bulls and Foxes Bears and Wolves agree 'To rend and tear and make a spoil of me ' I that have been so delicately bred ' My Children at the Royal Table fed ' Am now expos'd to the Infernal spight ' Of such who still in Fire and Blood delight ' Hatch Ploâ—s in Hell and Rome whose black desig ' Is to stab Monarchs and to undermine 'Our Ancient Laws subvert Religion and ' Bow Englands Neck to Antichrists command ' These were Fore-runners of that dismal Doom ' Of Fire and Faggot which the Whore of Rome ' Prepar'd for English Protestants and the rest ' Who won't adore the Image of the Beast ' I am the mark these Monsters aim at all ' Their Grand Intrigues were to contrive my fall ' If Friends or Strangers any favour show ' They straight conspire to work their overthrow 1678. ' Ah vile Conspiracy Ah cursed Plot ' So deeply laid How canst thou be forgot ' Th' Infernal Conclave ne're produc'd a
for England's good And if he please will Seal them with my Blood. O Blessed God destroy this black design Of Popish Consults it's in thee we trust Our Eyes are on thee help O Lord in time Thou God of Truth most Merciful and Just Do thou defend us or we perish must Save England Lord from Popish Cruelty My Countrey bless Thy will be done on me Mans Life 's a Voyage through a Sea of tears If he would gain the Haven of his Rest His signs must fill the Sails whilst some Men Steers When Storms arise let each man do his best And cast the Anchor of his hopes opprest Till Time or Death shall bring us to that Shore Where Time nor Death shall never be no more Laus Deo. Amen From my Prison in the Tower August 15 1681. Stephen Colledge Great Essex Ah thy groans methinks I hear What ne're a Friend hadst thou not one Friend near Noâ—e none to help in vain it was to cry When there were none but Savage Monsters nigh Since thy great Soul could not inticed be Noâ— wouldst conceal their cursed cruelty They make a bloody Tragedy of thee Surpriz'd lest all should be discovered Unto this Dev'lish Policy they were led And to conceal their horrid Plot they try Those wicked Arts which do it justifie Confirming it to all Posterity Though thy Assassinates like men appear Their curst attempt shew'd least of man was there Incarnate Devils certainly they were Ah cruel Tyrants destitute of shame To murder both thy Body and thy Name Could not thy Blood their hellish thirst suffice But must thou die a double Sacrifice What! cut thy Throat with such barbarity And when thy Soveraign also was so nigh The Royal Prison though a Tower strong Was no defence nor refuge to thee long Thou careful wast how to preserve thy life And yet didst fall by a curst Romish Knife Thy Head almost cut off and yet they cry That thy own hands did act the Tragedy â—â—t now we hope it plainly will appear Who the vile Actors who the Murderers were May I not borrow now as many do Some proper lines made on an Essex too Shall such a Noble Peer fall thus by Rome And shall I not drop tears upon his Tomb Shall none who loved him move for a Vote Ye Lords and Commons ye are bound to do 't A Vote that all on that same day o' th' year On which he fell shall mourn or shed a tear Or else be judg'd a` Papist It were wise T' erect an Office in my Childrens Eyes For issuing forth a constant sum of tears There 's no way else to pay him his Arrears And when we 've drien'd this Ages Eyes quite dry Let him be wept the next in History 1683. Renowned Great Lord Russel next 〈◊〉 Is markt out for this direful Tragedy Scarce had I dry'd mine Eyes for loss of one But they another Hero fall upon A braver Lord scarce ever lost his Head Nay few like him hath England ever bred From a most Noble Stem he did Spring forth And had a Spirit â—uited to his Birth Had I not wept so many tears before For him whole Rivers from mine Eyes might pour Had I an Helicon in either Eye The thoughts of Russel soon may draw them dry Great Soul too great for our inferior praise You for your self the Noblest Trophies raise Your Love to Sion and your Native Land Shall mention'd be ev'n while the Earth doth stande My loss and England's too who shall repair Great God! his hardned Enemies do not spare 'T was by the Blood of these Great Men I see England was freed from Rome's curst Tyranny T' avoid the Odium of their cursed Plot Which notwithstanding ne're will be forgot Another was contriv'd wherewith they thought The innocent to insnare who should be brought Thereby to ruin and then hop'd to see Sion and her best Friends would ruin'd be This was the Second part of Rome's design To work the overthrow of me and mine And these two Champions standing in their way With bloudy hands they villanously slay The first inhumanely was Murdered The other they did publickly Behead They charged him indeed with odious Crimes And many others too in those black times Crimes he to th' last did utterly deny Whose Noble Soul their malice did defie But Villains swore and he alas must die O Heav'n and Earth be ye astonished How fain would they have struck off my poor Head Yet of my Blood that they themselves might clear Good Protestants the scandal on 't must bear 1683. Sydney dear Sydney treacherously fell Whom I esteem'd a Prince in Israel Those Laws that were intended for defence Were wrested so thou couldst not have from thence Any relief but thou must likewise dye Although on thee no guilt at all did lye Jury and Judge dealt so inhumanely What hadst thou done what cause of death in the For Sion 't was 't was for thy Love to me Thy Principles were such Hell could not bear The thoughts thereof though publisht they ne're we Thou wast too Just and hadst such piercing Eyes Those Hellish Statesmen doubted a surprize And therefore made thee a third Sacrifice 1684. By Popish Arts many more ruin'd were Poor Holloway likewise fell into the snare B'ing from th' Western World a Prisoner brought By those who fiercely his destruction sought Who at the place of Execution Delivered his Bible unto one Of his Relations wherein he had writ The following lines which I do here transmit ' Owner hereof prize this and bless the Lord ' That yet to England doth his Word afford ' Had I liv'd longer hopes I should have had 'T' have seen times mend but now expect them bad ' Truth will not do for much of it I wrote ' And for 't I die much rather than the Plot. ' Did you know all you 'd say I did my part 'To free you from designed Popish smart And now alas behold my dismal case Great Flouds of sorrow follow on apace Many Religious Pious Men of worth Are rendred vile not fit to live on Earth Observe Rome's policy who contriv'd it so That Protestants should Protestants undo Conscience must now be basely shackled Against its Light impos'd on and misled And truckle like a Slave unto all those Who did Christ's Regal power in man oppose Either their Consciences must wounded lye Under despair for their Apostacy Or if they were resolved and sincere They loss of Goods Contempt and Scorn must bear Be sent to noisom Jayls or to Exile Which many chose rather than to defile Their precious Souls and treacherously dis-own Or yield the power of Christs righteous Throne Up to Usurpers who audaciously Cry All is Caesar ' s due and so deny God over Conscience has the Soveraignty No wonder they Laws violently break down That all our Civil Rights are overthrown That our Just Properties they take away And our most Ancient Liberties betray Since they the Glorious Monarchy of Heav'n
â—o now Invade and strive to have it given â—nto their hands that they may tread it down And impudently cry All is their own Grand Rebels what attempt the Right of God â—â— you not fear his dreadful Iron Rod Would you Dethrone him would your hellish spite â—â—â—rive both God and Man of their just Right This you design'd although in vain to do And Christ's blest Kingdom fain would overthrow One while they cry Conscience to them must beâ— Another time Christ's Right they did defend When it did seem to favour their design Conscience in all its rights they undermine But when they found 't would with their Interest staâ— And with th' Intrigues that they then had in hand They cry Nought's juster than that all men do To others as they would be done unto But to return nothing for many years Is seen but Persecution Bloud and Tears No Liberty at all Conscience must have But the Dissenters Prison proves his Grave Where hundreds of them lay long buried Whilst others of their Goods were plundered Many in filthy Jayls so long did lye That poysoned with the stench they there did dye Law and Religion both were trampled down And most good men term'd Enemies to the Crown Charters of Towns and Cities ta'ne away That Popery and Slavery might bear sway No Stone 〈…〉 unturn'd whereby they might Bring 〈◊〉 poor England an Eternal Night Of Popish darkness many therefore fled Whilst others were strangely dis-spirited Divers good Magistrates were laid aside And wicked men for Judges they provide Void of all fear of God who any thing Would give for Law they thought would please 〈◊〉 King Did a Dissenter Law or Justice crave He 's branded for a Rascal Rebel Slave Yet many men so strangely blinded were They could not see though things appear'd so clear Because that King a Protestant was thought Matters by him so cunningly were wrought And carried on but when he came to fall All things were plain and bare-fac't unto all For the next King his Visage did lay down And publickly himself a Papist own And I likewise more clearly did espy My dreadful danger then approaching nigh The Popish Plot under a Cloud was hid And a Sham Plot contrived in its stead Though own'd by three Successive Parliaments â—et all 's denied by Romish Innocents â—hose Jesuits who hang'd for Treason were Themselves free from all guilt or crime declare 〈◊〉 th' unborn Child nor is this strange since they 〈◊〉 Dispensation have That they may say Whatever will preserve their Cause from blame And Holy Church secure from her just shame 1685. Therefore is Dr. Oates brought on the Stage â—egraded and expos'd to brutish rage They on his Back their cruel strokes do lay Whereby their Hellish Plot they stifle may â—et let them whip and lash him till he die And practice all their Romish cruelty â—one of his Evidence he can deny 'T is to his Honour and Immortal praise And to his name it will high Trophies raise Those many hundred stripes laid on by Rome Are as so many Monuments become More great and lasting than a Marble Tomb. Poor Dangerfield couragious and bold Whom Rome's Incendiaries never could By horrid threats or subtle flattery Prevail upon to gainsay or deny What he of their Intrigues did testifie Unto a cruel whipping they him doom Which yet could not his Fortitude o'recome 'T would pierce ones Heart to think what miseries He suffered from his bloody Enemies And though perhaps not well prepar'd to die Yet he must fall by Romish Tyranny A Villain in the midst of all his pain Stabbing his tender Eye out with a Cane Which pierc't so deep he in great torments lay That never ceast till Death took him away The Fence b'ing thus thrown down the ravenous Beasts Rush in and of poor Innocents make Feasts Wild Boars and Bears yea Wolves and Tygers strive All to destroy and leave no Lambs alive Religion Laws though all good mens great care Yea and mens precious Lives they did not spare That England seem'd as if it were become A Scene of misery and a prey to Rome And what could Sion do Alas poor I Bewail'd my state but saw no comfort nigh Yea my poor Children about me hung B'ing hardly able to endure the wrong And sharp Assaults of those fierce Fiends of Hell Yet knew not how their malice to repel About this time i' th' West there did appear Some unto whom their Countrey was most dear Striving to free it but mistook the time And Person too who Landed then at Lyme A Man belov'd but not the Instrument God chosen had and now to us hath sent To save our Land and Sion from that blow Which would have been to both an overthrow 1685. But of my joys I must forbear to sing A doleful noise seems in my Ears to ring And still grows louder sure 't is from the West What 's that I see a cruel savage Beast A Man no sure a Monster though he came Of Humane Race he don't deserve that name A cursed Spirit of th' Infernal Legion A Lord Chief Justice of the Lower Region I cannot rest hot strugling rage aspires And fills my Free-born Soul with Noble Fires My Muse soars high and now she doth despise What e're below attempts to Tyrannize Ah! but again she faints how shall I tell What to those poor mistaken Souls befel The dismal news of Rapine Spoil and Blood Shed in those Parts which ran ev'n like a Flood Works strange Effects in my afflicted Soul For grief my Bowels do within me rowl In biting Satyr I could even contemn That Villanous Judge who Innocents did condemn Who on the Bench did nought but what he knew Would gratifie the bloody Popish Crew Though nature seems assistance to refuse Revenge and Anger both inspire my Muse. Shall the Wretch live why is he spar'd so long Justice seems to complain of having wrong Th' Infernai Daemons angry seem to say Dead or alive we him will fetch away And at his stay they all seem to repine That to their vengeance we don't him resign But Ah! his Blood can never recompence His ruining so many Innocents And it may seem the wonder of the time And some are apt to think may be a crime That we no more regard their memory Who for their Countries welfare dar'd to dye Poor Hearts who seeing we were drawing nigh To Vassalage and ROMISH Tyranny Resolv'd to save Religion and the Laws But mist and fell into this Tygers Claws Whose mind upon the prey was wholly bent Pitying none though ne're so Innocent bâ—â— like an hungry Wolf or furious Bear Without remorse the harmless Lambs did tear No time of preparation would he give To many nor Petitions would receive Nor would he hâ—aâ— their Wives and Childrens cry But scoâ—t and laught at them in â—isery And though they pity beg'd with sighs and groans He was relentless to their tears and moans Beg'd that distressed Widdows he 'l not make
own Children too unworthy were This did not hinder thy Parental care How earthly unbelieving Ah! how vain How did their Lives their Holy Calling stain Cold Carnal Senseless dead They seem'd to be A People laden with iniquity Deserving nothing at thy hands O Lord When thou this great deliverance didst afford I then did much bewail their faults and crimes Both those of old and those of latter times Yet thou o'relookedst then unworthiness And camest down to save them ne'retheless Thou wonderfully didst make it appear That these strange works ' which thou hast shewed here Were like to those in Egypt long ago When thou didst Pharaoh utterly o'rethrow For when we thought we should have been destroy'd And their dire vengeance never could avoid We saw them suddenly before us fall And could not do us any hurt at all A raging sea we seem'd before to see Behind us was a raging Enemy But when thy chosen Servant did draw near The threatning waters soon divided were A sure presage Gods presence too was there Who sav'd us from what we so much did fear These are thy doings Lord and Marvellous Are all thy Dispensations unto us Nay let us not forget this one thing more As worthy notice as those nam'd before The People of the Land divided were Nay to each other did much hatred bear Yet thou no sooner sent'st thy Servant hither But they united and were join'd together All as One man against their comon Foe In prayers in wishes and in Arms also Which gave me hopes that the set time was come Of thy great wrath against the Whore of Rome Our Nobles and our Gentry did their part Assisting both with counsel hand and heart Like our Old English Heroes they did rise And chearfully espouse this enterprize Undauntedly they undertook the Cause Of our Religion Liberties and Laws Their free-born Souls contemn'd the Romish Yoke And to a just revenge it did provoke These Gallant Spirits who could not endure The Jesuits should our slavery procure With so much impudence that they seem'd to laugh At all our Laws and at our Parliaments Scoff A great Convention Lord thou didst convene And didst unite them so that like brave men The Throne they did declare Vacant to be And it to fill again did soon agree To the great Satisfaction of the Land And with their Lives they did ingage to stand By William thy Servant and our King Whom for our safety thou didst hither bring All this we saw perform'd by thee alone Who dost abase and set upon the Throne To every man dost measure what is right And actest still what seems good in thy sight Ah! how didst thou confound ev'n in an hour Those dark Intrigues contrived by the Power Of bloudy Rome and carried on so long And by such Aids that they grew mighty strong Here and abroad So that they durst to say All was their own and they should have the day When in her heart she said I fit a Queen And ne're shall loss of Children see agen Yet then Oh blessed Lord thou heardst our cries And suddenly our Enemies didst surprize As soon as thy poor Protestants abroad Heard these Strange wonders of our Gracious God. It did their Spirits raise and them enliven To sing the Praises of the God of Heav'n Poor Holland that was so much threatned And to effect the work all ventured Began thereat again to raise its head Then we were sore distressed it was they That to relieve us hastened away They 'gainst our Foes for our defence did stand Let them be dear to thee and to this Land How were thy People strengthened thereby Who did before like withered branches lye Expecting mischief would upon them fall And Popery would overwhelm us all All Praise and Glory therefore now be given Unto the Lord of Lords and King of Heaven O let the Throne surely establisht be In righteousness which will Establish me And let the King so wisely all dispose To please â—â—s God and disappoint his Foes Let his Court still with Virtuous Men abound And let no vitious Persons there be found This will most happy days to him procure And cause his Government long to endure Let Scotland to his Crown united be That we may live in peace and amity Incline their minds their Interest to discern And that our Union is their great Concern Do not forget poor Irelands sad fate Destroy those Rebels who disturb that State O give our Armies Victory and Success Thy People save Their Enemies distress This is my Prayer and when this is done I 'le sing the Praises of the Three in One. Mean while let us our best Affections raise To celebrate in grateful Songs his praise Who has been our deliverer in these days An Hymn of Gratitude and Thankfulness I do not in a lofty strain Strive to revive Great Hectors Glory Nor the all-conquering Pagan Train Whose acts recorded are in Story Nor is it our Great Williams Fame Who came and saw and overcame Nor any of those Worthy Nine Nor Alexanders Great renown Whose Deeds were thought almost Divine When Victory did his Temples Crown But 't is the Praise of God I sing Who hath wrought Wonders by our King. My Heart and Tongue shall both rejoice Whil'st England sings Triumphantly And with a loud melodious voice Doth laud the name of God most High O'tis his praise That Holy One That I must magnify alone My Heart is warm'd whil'st I proclaim The praises of the God of wonder My lips shall glorify his name Whose voice is like a mighty Thunder I 'll bless him for 't is he alone Has vacated and fill'd the Throne Whose Feet are like to burning Brass Whose Eyes are like a flaming Fire Who bringeth wondrous things to pass Him I adore him I admire What changes hath he suddenly Made in Great Brittains Monarchy My Soul and Pen shall both express The Praises of Great Judahs Lion The sweet and fragrant Flower of Jess The Holy Lamb The King of Sion For He it is and he alone Has vacated and fill'd the Throne Whose Head is Whiter than the Snow That 's driven with the Eastern Wind Whose Visage like a Flame doth show Confining all yet unconfin'd â—is He who Marvels wrought of late â—o save a sinking bleeding State. â—e praise his name who hath made known The Man to us he fixt upon â—o save us from the envious frown O' th' bloudy Whore of Babylon â—â— Righteousness Oh! let him Reign That nothing may his Glory stain â—or this great subject of my Verse Though discontented subjects should Refuse Gods praises to rehearse The Hills the Rocks and Mountains would Make his deserved Praises known For Wonders here so lately shown You twinkling Stars which day and night Do your appointed circuit run â—weet Cynthia in thy monthly flight Also thou bright and flaming Sun Who to the Earth Gods blessing bring Do you Great Brittains mercies sing That all Gods Foes both far and near Who Tyrannize