same shall to the heauens aspire Great Britaine so is by Gods hand instal'd As it shall be the land of conquest cal'd But now to ease a poore mans grieued minde In things aboue my sight shall comfort finde I know the time when I poore wretch reiected Shall as the best be no whit lesse respected When Kings and Queenes of greatest excellence Twixt them and me shall be no difference And there dwels Mercy Oh there a Sauiour liueth That to the poore saluations comfort giueth Not many Kings nor Queenes nor Nobles shall Triumph before heauens throne maiesticall But those that in this world their heauen doe make Shall in that world before Gods iudgment shake The beautie which on earth no praise doth lack Maskt vp in shame hels sulphure smoake makes black The snowe white hand moyst soft foule sinnes desire Shall burne in lake of hels eternall fire where diuels meÌ„s soules with fiery darts strikes thorow And in their iawes like dogges they them shall worow Where God doth so his angers iudgment frame As that his wrath shall blow hels endlesse flame Euer Euer oh fearefull word for euer Where plagues encrease but shall be ended neuer Where torment brings torments with fresh supplie Where dying soules doe liue but neuer dye And ther 's the place where earths proud dignitie Shall plunge it selfe in endlesse misery But happie those whose soules by grace made pure Exempt from wrath shall no such plagues indure And most of them poore soules scornd and disgrac'd Are those that shall with God and Christ be plac'd When most on earth the poore despisde doe stand It doth presage Christs comming neere at hand Deiected base and out-cast pouertie Reioyce triumph in Mercies clemencie You are heauens flock a Shepheard doth you keepe Who of his number will not loose a sheepe Thus hath my sigh an honest passion breathed And of my woes a weeping garland wreathed My sighes my teares my woes my griefes lament My plaints my groanes all fruites of discontent Doe not themselues vpon one substance feed A generall doubt makes heart and soule to bleed A generall cuill a land to vildenesse bent Must needs expect some fearefull punishment Of present time the things desired heere Time prooues my words and makes the truth appeere Of time to come I humbly doe auowe Experience shall my words for truth allowe Search but the Story of that writte diuine And vnderstand the change of euery time Fiue hundred fiftie two yeares coumpted was A period whole which euer brought to passe Strange alterations both in Church and State Kings Kingdomes then did striue to ruinate Temples were rac'te Religion cleane despisde Tyrants by force of sword new lawes deuisde And now the time doth on such period stand As if it meant to take like course in hand Do but obserue each Celestiall spheare And see what signes doe in their course appeare Compare the time with antedated times And vnderstand the Heauens true speaking signes Then will you not these lines of mine deride Nor smother them with smoake of scornfull pride A Souldiers writing like his fighting is His course noâ—â—â—â—â— knowes how dangers rockes to misse Those Pens doe most their hopes in peeces batter That cannot best with oyled smoothnesse flatter A Souldiers name striue not for to disgrace Poore should not be accompted 〈◊〉 base And that I may not from the truth digresse My humble lines shall thus my state expresse The Souldier which doth scorne the lye to take Should scorne as much himselfe the lye to make The open fields to me is made my bed A bancke of earth a pillow for my head In shadie groues and sollitary places My steps doe make their sorrowes mournfull traces Imprisonment woes wofull habitation Hath forc't my Muse to secret contemplation In winter nights when I a Souldier was Alone my Muse should priuate motions tosse When in the warre I warres attire did beare My bookes to me most kinde companions were And some sad houres on skie-bornâ—â—â—â—â— bookes I read Amongst the flarres an humble path I tread And see the great and strange Conâ—â—â—â—â—unctions there Of angrie Saturne Mars and Iupiter Since fiâ—â—â—â—â—st the Planets disclosde their variation Saturne neer had more Lord-like domination What it foretels my weaâ—â—â—â—â—y Muse sorgets In Dragons taile when strange Coniunction sets His name stands rouled in perditions booke Whose taile from heaueÌ„ of starres the third part strooke Vnder the Dragons taile is fixed fast A strength that shall him and his tayle downe cast Mankinde the starres that Heauen should 〈◊〉 Shall be vpreard with glorious dignitie Though obseruation rightly may collect The iudgment of some retrograde aspect Yet Christ our King and kingdomes hath possessed With that wherein ourselues and world is blessed Though Lâ—â—â—â—â—os house hath such reflection glided As tels there is some wondrous thing prouided I leaue to write and will conceit the rest Our land shall still by Gods great loue be blest A constant faith true resolution proues Feares not what vnder the first moouer mooues And in this thought I see with humble eye The mighty worke of Prima â—â—â—â—â—obili And know the world in fiery flames shall burne Before he doth to his first point returne For Heauen and earth by fire once purgd then sure They shall remaine as they at first were pure When God the world to iudgement summon will That first great mouer keepes his motion still Whose slow pace round doth roundly comprehend Those lesser Orbes that vnder him doe wend. In order each his fixed iourney takes And in their turnes celestiall musicke makes And then I thinke of that most happie time When I shall heare their dulsiue heauenly chime Aboue them all faiths eyes through Bethelem Be holds the glory of new Ierusalem Where sits vpon a Throane maiesticall The mightie maker of this wondrous all When thether once my ioyfull thoughts are sent I am amazde with wonders rauishment Nor tongues nor Pens nor Angels can expresse The glory of that glorious happinesse From thence to Luna not any Orbe to misse I cannot finde where Purgatorie is So that I thinke it sure remaineth yet Within their bellies that deuised it And those that would attaine to heauens great ioy Must leaue bye-pathes and finde in Christ their way But for the Starres I creatures them account Aboue them all their makers power must mount And by their influence more I will not learne Then Rules diuine shall teach me to discearne And in that course men sometimes are befriended Of those pure fiers by whom they are attended God euer yet by signes and visions told So as worlds change worlds worldlings might behold But cloddes of clay because they will not greeue This course they take to heare but not beleeue To gesse to speake to iudge great states to touch For me poore soule it is a strength too much Who so doth tel what things themselues doe show May doubt his words wil too presumptuous growe FVll twenty times nights Bride her selfe
vnkind â—â—â—â—â—espising My time shal be my countries good deuising The times abuse let time to come amend For trifles let not time with truth contend A vnion and a vniforme conclude Oh let no shadowes this happiest time delude Vnto the Church a glorious time is sent Things now decreed must be worlds president Let then this time foresee with iudgements sight By sacred lawe to rule all actions right Time must suppresse all such vntimely fruit As doth it selfe in Scisme and Faction suite Condemne not those either of Scisme or Faction Whose liues are giuen to euery godly action Let goodmen vse wise wisdomes sound aduise Least causelesse feare makes them vnwisely nice Who so their wills before their wit preferre By wilfulnes may most vnwisely erre Indifferent things not hindring good deuotion Wise men for them should raise no vaine commotion No true Church can her glory dignifie Whose power Commands gainst written veritie Wee may obserue what ere the wrangler saith Rules that are held within the list of faith True faith in which saluations strength is found It must it selfe vpon the scriptures ground Things done which doe not hinder faiths beleife Why should they seeme to worke Religious greife Me thinkes we doe vnto religion wrong By seeming weeke when faith should make vs strong Foxes dumbe doggs let no man them prefer Nor such as those that too contentioâ—â—â—â—â—s are Let not diuines like phisick doctors be The more the worse and most lack honestie Nor let our hope vpon this motion rest To keepe the worst and cast away the best Those triâ—â—â—â—â—les which doe now dissturbe our peace Could men be wise they of themselues would cease The consort of a lawfull ministrâ—â—â—â—â—e Must be on earth heauens sweetest harmonie Oh let them then that doe Gods vineyard keepe Watch preach and pray and not like sluggards sleepe Paul shau'd his head and did thereby intend His course might not his brethren weake offend Ioyne in on truâ—â—â—â—â—h with blessed vnitie Great Britaines â—â—â—â—â—ame adorne and beautifie Feare not but know for it is Albions dome Her kings shall neuer yeeld their Crowne to Rome Then let heauens flock with patient soules abide Although like gold they must be seauen times tri'de When God doth meane to scourge a land for sinne At his owne house the blow must first beginne Who so will be the glorious Bridegromes Bride Must in afflictions flames be purified The path to glory is no pleasant way Take vp thy crosse and seeke eternall ioy Whilst Preachers preach of Christ his sacred deitie Where are the deeds of Mercy Loue and Piety Where are the fruites Religion should bring forth When Saint-like shew vngodly actions doth Ouâ—â—â—â—â— seeming zeale doth this report preserre We scornefull proud and meerely faithlesse are A seeming friend will friendships name delude And staine himselfe with hels ingratitude One by his friend both raisde to wealth and credit His thankes shall be to cut his throat that did it Let but a muck-heape possesse great heapes of gould And Honour then shall be by him contrould Each witlesse peasant by his wealth made proud Thinkes he talkes well and if he speakes but lowd A seruile minde his hopes at lowest ebbe Worships as God the golden Calse in Hereb Though by the poore the rich are honoured Yet by the rich the poore may starue vnfed Our lamenesse must with skilfull Arte be dressed So out of ioynt are all our actions wrested Great Britaine know a time will come to thee In which thy sinne shall sharply punisht bee Therefore repent least iudgements follow fast First plague then dearth and vse of swords at last Be reconcilde though God will not abhorre thee Yet he prepares an angrie iudgement for thee Thy pride and proud contempt of Gods pure word Makes Heauen gainst thee to draw a wrâ—â—â—â—â—thfull sword Thy whordoms lust and drunkards blasphemie Extortion bribes and hatefull vsinie Lyes fraud deceipt and poores oppression Slownesse to good from God thy swift digression Will bring on thee a wrath to plague thee so As thou shalt groane with seâ—â—â—â—â—se of feeling woe With seeming Saints the time not temporize A broken heart to God is sacrifice Wraths 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—â—eares shall whip thee for thy sinne Vnlesse thou doest for to repent begin Such iudgments doe gainst thee themselues assemble As were they seene would make hels Ruffins tremble Heauens gracious God be pleasde for thine elect Faire Albions good with safetie to protect Direct vs so that we to thee may turne That then gainst vs thy wrath may cease to burne The swarmes sent from the Antechristian beast Confound them Lord let them in no place rest And those by whom our harme is yet concealed In thy good time be all their plottes reuealed Great Britaine doe thou not despaire but mourne In sorrow let repentant robes be worne That when thou sightst for thy Redeemers name Thy deeds in warre may dignifie thy fame From forreine coasts the thing which most thee harmes Is Englands Armour wanting English armes And English-men from vse of warre exempt Are oft prou'd cowards in the first attempt A Souldiers name though now it be refused A time will come when Souldiers must be vsed Not euery one that beares a Souldiers name If rightly tride will be approued the same It is not he that drinkes sicke healths and sweares That in a Tauerne proudly swagger dares Nor he that doth a misled Mistresse keepe And vowes for her his sword in bloud to steepe Nor he that feareth neither God nor diuell Whose daily actions are the worst of euill He is no Souldier that wanteth vertues stay Who loues to make a desperate drunken â—â—â—â—â—ray That is no valour nor resolution right That vainely will for worthlesse trifles fight But they doe best a Souldiers name approue Who wisely doe their reputation loue Be he a Souldier worthy praise to winne Who feares his God and hates the deeds of sinne He whose body and stomack can disgest Heat colde hunger thirst much paines and little rest He that can well imbattell soone his men And knows in clouds oâ—â—â—â—â— smoake to skirmish then He that leads on and with discretion leads And least dismaide when most in bloud he treads He that when thousands doe with thousands fight By word or signe can giue directions right He that so can both charge and make retraite As Honour still vpon his steps shall waight That Fortitude ioynd with sound iudgments sense Is wrought of more then natures quintessence Those Souldiers are of greatest excellence Whose liues and deaths haue honours recompence A poore man if a Souldier rightly tride King Harry would haue plac'd him by his side Those spirits which are fit for warre esteem'd Amongst the best be they the worthiest deem'd Be they imbrac'd with loues respectiue arme Whose hands know how to shield our peace froÌ„ 〈◊〉 I doe not wish but doubt warres ratling drumme Ere long to armes will summon Christendome The Red-crosse though it may some times retire At last his
hath chaung'd Since from my former worke my muse estraung'd Her grieued thoughts my owne estate to viewe Still being fed with wormewood gall and rue And now though wrapt in foldes of mournefull care I am rowsde vp some part with them to beare Which doe reioyce as theirs so is my ioy That God is pleasd hells actions to destroye And now my muse in more then wonder wrapt Will speake of what since first shee writ hath hapt Two nights before the night of Englands wrack Such greifes themselues vpon my breast did pack That from woes Cowch I rose alone to walke And with myselfe of my sad faâ—â—â—â—â—e to talke For when daies light vpon my face should shine I knew those wants would â—â—â—â—â—ip both me and mine No sooner vp and forth my chamber stept But straight my thoughts into amasement lept For round about I saw so cleere a light As that I thought it rather daie then night And well I knew that Luna then did please To shew her selfe to the Antipedes And when aloft I did suruey the skie There was no starres that any man could spie To search the cause resolu'd of my intent I walkt abroade to view the Element A tossing winde whorl'd round the earth below as from earths wombe some tombling noyse did growe Said I such noyse as this is said of some For to foretell an Earth-quake nere to come And looking vp a generall seeing flame With burning streames bemantled all heauens frame That from one part did not arise lights beames But heauen was Cloath'd with vniuersall streames Amids the Ayre I might sometimes espie The flashing flames vnto a roundnes flye And then dispierce themselues immediatly The world ore spreeding with a burning Cannopie When thus I saw sent from the fiery spheate Such burning streames and flashing flames so cleere Said I this truth doth on these signes depend Doubtles the world is neere vnto her end And then I thought that such despisde as I With ioy should haue an end of miserie Thus hauing view'd till eyes all dazled were My reeling steps my dussie braines did beare To sorrows cell the Caue of former Care Vnto my selfe I did my woes declare From Sol to Mars with vsuall attribute Foure times Aurora in her Crimson sure Had bid god morrow to her friendes beneath Whilest all this time my griefe woes sighs did breath And then my minde griefes danger to eschue For solace went Gorguntus walles to viewe Abroad my steps had me no sooner brought But straight my eares had such a rumour caught As made me start and in a maze to wonder How hell deuisde to rend the world in sounder A treason no A deuill borne fiery rage A worke nere thought of in precedent age A Sauage wrath whose like nere staynd a storie Should haue destroyd the heauen of Britons glory It s true in warre that souldiers not refuse Against their foes the like deuise to vse But in a kingdome by subiects to their King The world till now nere heard so vilde a thing The name of England with datelesse infamie Had stood ingrauen to worldes posteritie Breeder of Deuills so sit for villany As at one blow could sack a monarchie The whore whose lawes allowes such deedes of horror Let heauen and earth and all the world abhorre her The Proiect of these trayterous homycites A booke at large to euery mind recites And though I would I dare not speake no more Of Treason plotts then hath beene spoke before But now I see the night that I admyred Foretold the flame that should the world haue fiered And yet the generall of heauens fiety warte Included more then on particular Oh if that God for Englands sinne had pleasd That horred act on king and state had seazd Great Britons breast had now beene drownd in blood Rac'd sackt and spoyl'd bereft of euery good Theft murther Rape and euery act of hell Had built their house on Englands face to dwell The spoile of man of humane race the shame Would haue rac'd out all humane vertues name Vilde dissolutes prophane and insolent Like Tirants would haue wrong'd the innocent A Goathian Armye amongst ourselues maintain'd Would theÌ„ with blood our townes streets haue stain'd Our lawes of God our lawes of man should then haue bene of force to gouerne faithles men The rich mans wealth should not his owne haue bâ—â—â—â—â—ene But made a spoile vnto the hands of sinne Faire London then her glorious pompe and state The vildest hands would vildely ruinate Young maides and wiues of feature excellent Had beene abusde by brutish rauishment Beautie most rare if it continued chaste Had then vnto luxurious armes beene cast The courtly nimphes faire wise and trimly gay That could not but with silkes and veluets play Whos 's maskt vp cheâ—â—â—â—â—kes from winde sunne are fled All fresh to keepe their artificiall red There beauties sheild white breasts scarce paper proofe Must then haue tumbled with some ruder stuffe With correspondeÌ„ce rude armes besmeer'd with greace Should haue imbrac'd a painted sluttishnesse And they perhaps resolu'd in miserie Would smiâ—â—â—â—â—e at that their least calamitie But mindes refin'd of purest substance fram'd Such as on earth may be heauens Angels nam'd Whose beauties no adulterate deeds haue staind But spotlesse they haue truly chaste remainde That Angell number with hels rage ore spred That Heauens impression vildely rauished Oh what a terror should their hearts haue felt When vilde ones would with them haue vildely delt Euill to suppresse when Iustice sturd had beene Then bloud and murther had mainteind hels sinne The strength which makes the magistrate most strong And giues him warrant to suppresse each wrong The name which doth vnto the lawes giue force Had hence bene snatcht if hell had held his course In vayne should then the officers haue said In the Kings name wee charge le ts be obeyd In the Queenes name then if iustice out should crye Hells howndes had said she with the king should die Prince Henryes name if iustice should haue tried Sweete Prince he should with King Queene haue died If to the Duke of Torke our hopes had fled Doubtles hells hands would him haue murthered Should iustice then vnto the Princesse flie She had beene seidze by traytors tyranny The honor'd Councell might help the iust to saue For King Queene Prince them was made one graue Then to the Lords and Bishops of the land They with the rest had dyed by treasons hand Should in the Iudges then our hope haue ioyed They with the rest had beene at once destroyed From knights and burgesses if safeties hope distilld They with the rest a sulpher flame had kilde With bibles then should faithfull preachers presse And breath forth iudgments gainst sinnes wickednes And saie Behold heauens indignation feare This booke of God doth Gods fierce wrath declare The rage which should from Romishe flames haue fum'd Would quickly haue them and their books consum'd Oh then of whom should iustice help
and materiall Substance of that which I desire to describe Though time receiues disturbance by some neither valiant wise nor honest but in their hearts no lesse then State disturbing Catalines for Libellers are meerly such whose thoughts be in themselues rebellions and actions tend vnto rebellion but in despight of them and treasons treacherie God will bring his purposes to passe by the instrumentall meanes of Humane gouernment and Britton shall as now it is by a prudent wisdome iudgement and prouidence be for euer vprightly gouerned Thus may it please your Honours I haue once more aduentured by my vnworthy and yet well meaning Pen not to present this booke alone but therewith to dedicate my poore and vnrespected selfe vnto your Lordships and though my labours doe neuer chance to meet with the approbation of this sentence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet I hope my now indeuours shall not make me say Solabarâ—â—â—â—â—atis contraria Fata rependens for my labour doth but desire to liue to the end my liues imploiments may wholy be deuoted to my countries benefis But vnto that all powerfull prouidence which holdes the hearts of Kings within his hand do I commit my hopes and you my Lords to heauens eternall happinesse Your Honors in all humble dutiâ—â—â—â—â— Robert Priâ—â—â—â—â—ket To the Reader THough custome doth in a sort compell my Pen by this Epistle generally to direct my labours to the vulgar multitude yet I neither do desire nor expect a fauourable censure of euery one that reads for my affection bouÌ„ded in a compasâ—â—â—â—â—e more particular doth onely desire to content and please the Graue wise religious and well affected Readers for the rest let them in opposition stand for my part neither lou'd nor fear'd yet in my charitie I wish amendment vnto all least all bee marde for want of mending Such as my selfe either Souldiers or generally the poorer sort whose pouertie vnto the earth is crusht with the massie burden of their woes calamitie to whom is giuen no hand to helpe them vp but hate contempt and scorne to keepe them downe whilst Enuie Pride and Malice mercilesse strange Monsters-like with heâ—â—â—â—â—ds of Brasse hands of Lead feete of Yron and hearts of Flint with violence and insulting steps doe tread vpon the aduerse fortune of a poore mans miserie vnto those poore ones though in this worlds respect accounted absolutely comfortlesse yet may my lines to them the comfort of the sweetest consolation bring if with a Christian patience they do indure their wants and in the sight of their impietie confesse that God is iust and iustly punisheth and then if in the inward feeling of griefes true compunction and sorrowes sound Anxietie for sinne Their soules humilitie and repentant hearts doe from these things beneath with ioy direct faiths eyes aboue to looke they shall behold the glory of that throne where shines the euer radiant golden beames of heauens eternall glorious malestie where at the right hand of God the father sits redemptions only strength worlds alone saluation Iesus Christ who hath prepard a kingdome for his Saints from whence the greatest power can neuer plucke the poorest soule that on his grace depends and in the meditation of this felicitie and vncompared neuer ending happines let them reioyce who in this world do want each worldly cause of ioy Those Idle vaine misgouernd dissolutes the spots and staines of our corrupted time proud plumed gallants whose actions Atheismeticall do seeme as if they scornde both heauen and hell for them I wish they did but know themselues or could perceaue the fearefull horror of their owne estate for certaine the world shal passe from them or they from it and they not here on earth their sinnes repenting the world to come shall be to them most terrible When they in vaine shall wish earths mountaines on their heads to fal thereby to hide them from the wrath of God those therefore that make a gaine of sinne and letts adultry and fornication out to feare those that by whoredome reape an anuall rent and do resolue by them to liue vpon whom they haue spent their meanes of liuing such as do with most delight sucke vp the filthyest dregges of worst Impiety and glut themselues with ranke damnation whose proud presumptuous sinne doeth as it were euen in a desperate vilde despight proudly beare it selfe against the powerfull greatnesse of their makers maiesty with their sauage rude and godlesâ—â—â—â—â—e blasphemy doe rendâ—â—â—â—â— and teare in sunder the glory of saluations name those of that number which vsually do vse for affirmation of their vildest filthynesse to sweare God confound them Gods curse light on their hearts God damme them body soule perpetually and if it were not so when for because it was so all that they wish on their owne heads shall fall and in the presence of heauens Iustice their names beeing regestred in hells black booke they one day must receiue that sentence which shall throwe their soules and bodies into that sulpher lake where for euer in endlesse burning flames amongst the diuels they must shal indure the al coÌ„suming fury and fiers indignation of Gods eternall iudgement Oh may we therefore here on earth our selues so iudge as that in the world to come we be not vnto hell adiugded You little least and almost vnseene number in respect of worlds great multitude who in your hearts doe purpose to performe those actions that vnto righteousnes belong know I canot giue offence to you by plainly setting foorth the true Anotamy of our times abuse doe you as those of heanen beloued increase in loue and heauenly charity for those whom God doth iustifie their affections are also sanctied vnto the obedience of his will Make therefore your election sure by sufficient testimony in your selues on earth by holy workes let your faith bee dignified that in heauen by faith alone you may be iustified bild not the sollace of your faiths content vpon the fruitlesse florish of vnfruitful leaues nor let a selfe concealed pride or wilfull arrogance disturbe the peace of Syon and glory of our church but as becomes the members of Iesus Christ our head ioyne in the fellowship of saints and walke together in the pathes of sanctity stil praysing God whose mercie hath preserued great Britonâ—â—â—â—â— monarke with the princely state and glory of his monarchye Concerning Rome if any Papist chance to reade and find himselfe agrieued at my words let him or them euen as they will or can be satisfyed for were the Pope a temporall Prince and so accounted and no more I would vse him with some reuerent respect although I know him as indeed he is my countries enemy But as he is the now reuealed Antichrist and siâ—â—â—â—â—tes vpon the seat and Sea of blasphemy I will not vse any shewe of reâ—â—â—â—â—erence to his misnamed holines whose vildest predecessor Boniface the 3. at first did builde the strength of euery Popes supremacie vpon the bloud of Christians and spoile
curious cost As that the most haue best foundation lost Some thinke such power in them remaineth still As Gods commandements breake and keepe they will But if there did such strength in vs remaine God then should vse saluations meanes in vaine What Adam lost all humane race did lose And what he kept that for our part we chose Will to do good that force in Adam died Since when that grace was to his seed denied So in our selues sinne euery action staines That to do good in vs no power remaines From Heauen where God doth in his glory dwell By Adams fall he and his children fell And when to rise no meanes at all they knew The promisd seede did Death and hell subdue We are restorâ—â—â—â—â—d by our Redeemers hand Not of our selues but by his grace we stand Then let the soules of righteous men expresse That in their Christ doth liue their righteousnesse I sigh to heare some vilde ones vildly say That vnto life or death foredoomd are they A soule dâ—â—â—â—â—ownde vp in hellish desperation Saith he beleeues in Gods predestination Or heauen or hell or well or euill to do He hath or doth what hee 's ordaind vnto Taught by the deuil falsely affirme he can Without Gods will ther 's nothing done by man Our knowledge hath brought forth infectioâ—â—â—â—â—s fruite When hell borne â—â—â—â—â—mpes dares thus like deuils 〈◊〉 Eares stopt and hearts with burning Irons sear'd As â—â—â—â—â—uell are for Gods fierce wrath prepar'd Who thinkes of sinne that God the author is Shall be exempt from Gods eternall blisse The strength of Gods vncomprehended state Is that whereby we are predestinaâ—â—â—â—â—e Yet doth he suffer what he doth not will Wherein his Power is vndeuided still The euill we doe he willes not to be done For in our selues that cause is first begun God by his Grace doth so mans soule attend As that we know what t is for to offend If euill we doe and shall his grâ—â—â—â—â—ce reiect The fault is ours for done by our neglect Heauens iustice then most iustly doth dispence Presumptuous sinne is a most damn'd offence Doe well and then in Christ thy deeds are knowne Doe â—â—â—â—â—uill and sinne is in thy selfe thine owne Be not deceiu'd good workes thy faith must proue For God in Christ doth all good actions loue Christ dyed for me so each beleeuer saith As Infidels are men of fruitlesse faith Profession fiâ—â—â—â—â— it doth too much dissemble Not vsing that which most Christ doth resemble Where are the hands which should poore creatures cherish Christ saues not those that lets his members perish Do good to them that of faiths houshold be No the world delights their greatest wants to see On earth alas to whom should poore men flie In vaine their words tels forth their misery Honor which should the poore mans cause defend Helpes not that hope which doth thereon depend Compassion so in all estates is vanisht As by decree it were from all sorts banisht Religions name is but dessemblers mockery And seeming saincts are maskt in hells hipocrisie Oh in this age such is the worlds condition As this word poore doth spoile the poore petition Poore man poore hope poore to thy plaint not put Poore gainst it selfe it selfe al dores doeth shut The poore mans heart with griefe to death is stung In vayne he speaks that wants a goulden tongue Silent be he whose come his cause declareth A feeling sence which vnderstanding heareth An honest name diuine religion two Is bought and sould all this can money do Who to good fame by gou den steps can mount Him doth this world for worthiest man accompt Let vertue in a poore man cleerely shine A guilded gull is counted more diuine A sattin suite be dawb'd with siluer lace Beyond desart doth vildest clouâ—â—â—â—â—ship grace Immodest talke and shameles ribaldry With monstrous oathes is court like blasphemy In mony now there is such wondrous might As that a clowne will striue to be a knight Bright Honers wreath vaine idle fooles will craue it That want wherewith to keepe it when they haue it No doubt but now a gallant veluet company Three times a weeke may banquit with Duck Humâ—â—â—â—â—ery In blood our gallants once cald to vse worâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 With running they will sweâ—â—â—â—â—t most fearfully They le do no lesse vnto the fild once led Then Romes braue youthes for their great Pompay did Proud 〈◊〉 lookes in scorne of all disgraces Will turne their backes to saue their amorous faces A face starke nought in feare of present harmes Muffels it self with crosse wreth'd recreant armes wheÌ„ once Sir mony Knight heares the fier'd mouth'd guns He startes and shakes and sweares and hence he runnes Disgrace not deares to touch the worthy merite Of any valiant well resolued spirit What i st the worst may not for money buy Honour much Loue and seeming honesty Rich let him be and who caâ—â—â—â—â— hurt him then Knaues wrapt in wealth are counted honest men Honest if poore he this reward must haue Hang him baâ—â—â—â—â—e roage proud begger impious knaue No place nor oâ—â—â—â—â—fice can the poore man buy Wealth neere so vilde can mount it selfe on high Such is the â—â—â—â—â—orce of this corrupted time Downe trampled poore helpes wealth aloft to clime Wealth doth so much from natures lawe digresse As that it feedes vpon the poore mans flesh Seauen leaâ—â—â—â—â—e beasts had of seauen fat oxen power But now seauen â—â—â—â—â—at do seauenty leane deuoure Rich men do make poore tradâ—â—â—â—â—s-men faint and sweat Who in their wants their cloathes and tooles must eate The science which made Englands weale to florish And of the poore did many thousands nonâ—â—â—â—â—ish Must now inrich a forreine strangers store And leaue vs heapes of vnreleeued poore From England if raw cloathes might not be sent It would redresse poore pâ—â—â—â—â—oples languishment And pay farre more in taske and subsidy Then now is rais'd to Brittons Maiesty In common wealth a man may thousands see That common wealths-men doe disdaine to bee Selfe scraping gaine the children are of sloath In publique weale they are like mothes in cloath Monopoliâ—â—â—â—â—ans are they whose policy Commits a vilde yet vncheckt felony Let poore men thus of this or that complaine Rich men will hould the course whereby they gaine Who findeth fault with things that are amisse If he be poore he must affliction kisâ—â—â—â—â—e The poore man saith that Iustice wants a hand It beates the bad not helpes the good to stand That Soueraigne Mistres should the euill reiect But not refuse her children to protect Oppression swims amidst exâ—â—â—â—â—ortions streames And doeth not know what restitution means Rich men do wrong no it 's right though it be wrong At lest he makes it so whose 〈◊〉 is strong A poore man struck his cry hates â—â—â—â—â—age doth threaten For crying then he must againe be beaten Poore men accusâ—â—â—â—â—d though no offence be proued Hate is thâ—â—â—â—â—ir meede they are of none beloued Do euill and then Iustice will seaze on thee Do well and