Times anotomie [sic]. Containing: the poore mans plaint, Brittons trouble, and her triumph. The Popes pride, Romes treasons, and her destruction: affirming, that Gog, and Magog, both shall perish, the Church of Christ shall flourish, Iudeas race shall be restored, and the manner how this mightie worke shall be accomplished. Made by Robert Pricket, a souldier: and dedicated to all the lords of his Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell.

Times anotomie [sic]. Containing: the poore mans plaint, Brittons trouble, and her triumph. The Popes pride, Romes treasons, and her destruction: affirming, that Gog, and Magog, both shall perish, the Church of Christ shall flourish, Iudeas race shall be restored, and the manner how this mightie worke shall be accomplished. Made by Robert Pricket, a souldier: and dedicated to all the lords of his Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell.

Table of contents

Title page

To the Right Honourable, the Lords and others of his Maiesties most Honourable priuie Councell. Robert Pricket wisheth all increase of Honour in this world, and in the world to come life euerlasting.

To the Reader.

TIMES ANOTOMIE.

A Song of reioycing for our late deliuerance.

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Times Anotomie. Containing: The poore mans plaint, Brittons trouble, and her triumph. The Popes pride, Romes treasons, and her destruction: Affirming, That Gog, and Magog, both shall perish, the Church of Christ shall flourish, Iudeas race shall be restored, and the manner how this mightie worke shall be accomplished.

Made by Robert Pricket, a Souldier: and dedicated to all the Lords of his Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell.

Multis pateo, non multiloquis.

[figure]

Imprinted at London by George Eld, and are to be sold by Iohn Hodgets. 1606.

To the Right Honourable, the Lords and others of his Maiesties most Honourable priuie Councell. Robert Pricket wisheth all increase of Honour in this world, and in the world to come life euerlasting.

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MY honoured Lords, it is a true saying, that Conscientia est mille testes, which sentence makes me confident, because I know the vprightnes of my heart to God, and faithfull and obedient loyalty vnto my King, and loue to you the honourable Peeres and Princes of the State, together with my honest zeale vnto my countries benefit, is, in the presence of heauens Maiestie testified by a thousand witnesses, and therefore in the iustice of my hopes resolue, I haue aduentured, vnto your honours to dedicate this little booke, and in the clearenes of my consciencs, I cannot but expect a kind acceptance at your Lordships hands.

The last vntimely fruit, which by a publicke print I rashly published▪ gaue iust occasion to procure your dislike: and my amisse there in, was greater, then at first I could conceiue, for it is an euill not to be borne with, when the greatest (much more, when so meane a subiect as my selfe) shall dare to call in qrestion, things formerly determined, by the iustice of the Law, iudgment of the honoured Peeres, and prudent wisedome of a kingdomes most honourable Councellers: and too high doth their [Page] presumption clime (especially in a cause of so great consequence▪) whose words would seeme as if they did desire, so to extenuate an offence, as that in respect of the offendor, opinion should bee taught, eyther to taxe the Lawe with crueltie, or the State with inhumanity: he therefore whose actions shall but beare a shew, as if they were directed vnto some such purpose, iustly deserueth to be punnished. And yet may it please your Honours; I must needes confesse, my punnishment was compounded of an absolute Lenitie, without (in the least sort) beeing mixt with any apparance of Seueritie: [...] as I am in this respect, bound vnto you all (my Lords) so principally my thanks must humbly runne, vnto the Right Honorable the Earle of Salisbury, by whose loue and bountie, my cause was fauourably censured, my liberty procured, and my wants relieued. Concerning the worthinesse of whose euer honourable disposition, I would largely speake, but that I know; true honoured vertue, whose euer constant wisdome, and approued Iudgement, laboureth to performe each vertuous and well commended office, so as it cannot, but by a certaine kinde of supreame excellence, worthily deserue worlds praise, yet will it not indure to heare it selfe praised.

As iust cause there is, so now I doe reioyce to see, that Mars and Mercurie, are in Coniunction ioyned, the powerfull Venus, Lady of that house, and mightie Iupiter, with kinde Apect, Predominate: Maiestie, Honour, Wisdome, loue, and wisdomes gouernment, haue wrought a happie worke, vnto them all, be still continued and increast, the glory of each best esteemed happinesse. And that Emperiall greatest vnion maker, whose prudent iudgement, laboureth in peace for to vnite, great Brittons Monarchie, in him, and in his Royall line, shall most Princely and potent Monarches be establish [...]d, by [...] Empires and Kingdomes, shall bee vnto their Christ vnite [...] Conquest and Triumph, shall for euer waite vpon the Regall Scepter of their awfull gouernment, Oh let the loue of all good Subiects, vnto them remaine as constant, as they are constantly of heauen beloued.

[Page]In this little worke which I haue called, Times Anotomie, (the first part wherof was finisht by me almost two years since) I doe with a religious anger chid [...], the violont, and presumptious rage of vnrul'd abuses, because I greeue to see the grosse impieties which our time commits; bree [...]ely therefore, I haue Anotomis'd those euills which do ass [...]ct the world, And in the prosses of my bookes discorse, my reprehentions, may paraduenture be accounted round, and sharpe. But Co [...]siue vseth not to be applied vnto the slesh that is sound, and where it hath no power to to [...]ch, it procures no smar [...], and therefore cannot be offensiue vnto you my Lords, whose iudgement, wisdome, vertue, and Iustice, alwaies bou [...]ded [...]n the most honorable life of v [...]stained vprightnesse, lab [...]reth by all meanes p [...]ssible to purge our land from those iniquities, against which my poore and vnresp [...]cted words complaine. But when they shall from your perfection passe, vnto the generall, much disord [...]red multitude, where imperfection swelles with misdemeaners sur [...]eting▪ if the [...] it be there chance to light vppon an ill compounded outside closed vp vlser, whose vnseene hollownesse in it selfe containes, [...] payson of some grosse corruptions Coare, there let them sinke and worke, and purge, and by the rootes pluck vp that which puts do [...]ne the race of man; from heauens eternal most glorious and vncompared felicity.

Some lit [...]le part of my most pi [...]h-lesse worke is drawne from obseruation [...] Philosophicall, the rightly termed Agar. seruant to Saray, a [...]d hand-made to diuinity; for signes of times and seasons, [...] the starres created, and sonne and moone were made times gouernors: all which do by a speciall influence vnto time, presage times future accedents, and doe prescribe right well opproued, and most worthily commended documents, so far forth as the al pourful Mai [...]sty of the Creator, be not tyed to the [...] included in the Creature, and what in this case I hau [...] breifly specified, I hope my pen hath vsed such moderation, a [...] that no word in this vnworthy worke shalbe offensiue to your honored wisdomes.

Against the Sea, and seate of Blasphemy, I do (in this my writing) most desire with greatest force to beare [...]y selfe because [Page] from Rome, that cursed Babilon, proceeds each [...]ellborne dangerous mischiefe, by which our King and State is, ( [...] alwayes hath beene) menaced: I haue therefore directly pointed, a [...] the approued neerenesse of proud Romes destruction, farther shewing, that both Gog, and Magog, shall be [...] extinct, and vtterly caste out, by the wrathfull furie of a mercilesse confusion, and haue briefly giuen an Index vnto the manner how, this mightie worke shall be accomplished, grounding the truth of my discription, vpon obseruations grounded on holy Writ, that most Sacred and Diuine authoritie. And though that in a plaine and moderne verse, I haue describde the waightie Accedents of Time: yet if your Honors will vouchsafe to read, I hope you shall finde me much to differ, from an idle Poet [...] vsuall course▪ for without hauing respect to a vaine varietie of words, or painted circumstance, I haue onely applyed my indeuours, vnto the effectuall life, 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, Solabar [...]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 duti [...], Robert Pri [...]ket.

To the Reader.

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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 boū ded in a compas [...]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 he [...]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 [Page] 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 godles [...]e blasphemy, doe rend [...] 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 cōsuming [Page] 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 Briton [...] 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 si [...]tes vpon the seat, and Sea, of blasphemy; I will not vse any shewe of re [...]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 of Christiandome, since when, neither by lawes humane, nor yet diuine, but rather by deuilish plottes, most treacheries and inhumane pollicies the Pope, and court of Cardinalls haue [Page] [...] maintain'd the most [...], tyrannicall, vsurpant, bloudy, and aspiring pride of Romes blasphemous gouerment, which shortly will breake forth into [...] publicke rage, and then confusions shame, with condign [...] punishment, armde in wraths furie, will vnto the fearfull downefull of her vtmost ruin [...], [...]wiftly follow her, when she, and all her followers shall mourne, because the lawes of hell they followed.

About the approbation of Romes most monstrous greatnesse, I cannot with my Pen make answer, vnto the sophisme of their wrangling Sophister, Romes great [...] les, and like him a Christian, famo [...]s Bellermine; but if on Romes behalfe, in a Souldiers place, a Champion would skip forth, and play the Challenger, him I thanke God I durst be bold to answer, and on his head, and heart for to [...], that Rome maintaines, an Antichristian regencie, & that the Pope is this worlds deceiuing Antichrist, and the selfe same whore that in the Reuelation of S. Iohn is specified, and in this trueths defence, if called by a lawfull meanes, the resolued readinesse of my liues resolution, shall with most comfortable ioy both liue and die.

Mors Christi causa, vita perennis erit:

Not to wrong the Romaine charitie, but to giue the diuell his due, if on the Popes behalfe I stood with no lesse confidence, then I against him doe, vndoubtedly, I thinke that then I should not need for to deplore, nor yet complaine, the wants of me and mine, nor to indure an vnrespected misery: but God forbid that any hope of gaine, should make me ioyne with them that are the soes to Christ, nor doe I now inforce my maner of writing, by reason of the times aduantage, for by a booke intituled A Souldiers Resolution, dedicated to the King, and vnto his Royall selfe deliuered, I made bould to tell his Maiestie, euen at his first comming into England, what fruites his Highnesse should expect to reape from Romaine Catholicks, and now my words are by their actions verified.

[Page]As touching Papists generally, I those to heauen commit, that vnto heauen belong, and for the treasons to our King, & kingdomes, done by Romes adherence, & Popish packe, Catholicall, be all they accused, that may iustly be condemned and for those that haue beene actors in this last and greatest treason, let iustice vnto their destruction follow them, and least good subiects should still too much affect, those that will remaine infected with the Romane Leprosie, I but request the well affected sort indifferently to iudge. What may not they doe, vnto whom all thinges may be made lawfull to be done, and what credit is there to be giuen to them, vnto whom is granted so learge a libertie? and what vse they haue alwaies made thereof, the world may witnesse, and our experience haue oft beene in a dangerous hassar'd, to be most dearely bought, those then that by substantiall proofe, cannot otherwise bee accounted, then corrupted and infected members, alwaies corrupting, infecting, and most dangerously working in our publick weale, why may not euery good subiect, iustly desire to be discharged of them, for vnlesse, the materiall cause whence euill proceeds be clearely takē hence, the effects of euill can neuer cease, and when some times an euils presumption, be not so at first laide hold vpon, as that thereby the passage of each suspected course, may with an inuiolable strength be stayed: A little sufferance (in such cause) may most vnhappily too soone, produce the damned vildenesse of some vil le action done, whereby a iust lamenting, shall haue too iust a cause to runne before a iust reuenging; but the consideration hereof, I referre vnto the Maiestie, honour, and wisdome of that place, where at this time, there should not now haue beene, eyther place, wisdome, honour, or Maiestie, if Romes designes, could with a hell-borne blacke destructions hand, haue rac'd them out.

[Page]To conclude, seeth the sinnes of the People: doe [...] bring the wrat [...] of GOD vpon that land, in which they dwel, it behoueth all of vs, with feare and trembling, v [...] to our God [...]ue, & with faiths repentance in the [...] of Iesus Christ to pray heauens maiesty, that as in mercy he hath preserued vs from that vninersall blowe, which wold in blood haue drowned our monarchy, that so in th [...] loue & fauour of his stil continued grace, he would vouchsafe farre from vs to remoue, those other iudgments which if we stil procure his wrath do stand prepared for our punishment, and to this peticion (of more waight [...] then is considered) let euery honest reader say amen.

Thus wishing that my labours may vnto the best procure contentment, I leaue the r [...]st, euen as they will to [...] contented, and do onely vowe my selfe a friend to thos [...] that vnto God, my King, and Country, are approued friends, to such, the abondant zeale, of a poore mans loue, slowes foorth, to you, the well affected, himselfe he humbly giues.

That will in life, and death, be only yours▪

Robert [...].

TIMES ANOTOMIE.

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EVen in the time, when ioy and sorrow met,

When present woe, did present ioy beget.

When eyes, and hearts, did make an equall choise,

To weepe, to mourne, to triumph, and reioyce:

When heauen tooke hence, and yet vnto vs sent

Most cause of griefe, and cause of most content:

Then in that strange, worst, best, and happiest time,

A Souldier sung, Loues song, in vnsmooth'd [...]ime.

Yet by his words, it might be plainely seene,

He prais'd the vertues of a maiden Queene.

Whose Maiestie in glory now excelling,

Leaues glories fame on earth, to keepe her dwelling;

A poore mans loue, her grace would well requi [...]e,

But now poore men, in vaine Loues songs indite.

The Muse by whom, her vertues most are prais'd,

Shall least thereby, from woe to weale be rais'd.

When matchlesse worth, is wrapt in leaues of lead,

The liuing, they forget the worthiest dead.

No vertue can, it selfe continuance giue,

It is the pen, that makes all vertues liue,

And pennes I know, will mount her praise so high,

That in this world, her fame shall neuer die.

My lines alas, from worth do differ farre,

I do confesse, they most vnworthy are:

And yet my loue aswell desir'd to sing,

The praises of the worlds admi [...]'d King:

A Souldiers wish, I am sure, wisht all things well,

His wish, his want, did in strange sort compell.

Yet he resolu'd; A Resolution fram'd,

For which (gainst him) Gods foes haue chiefly aim'd.

[Page]A traytrous speech, which might not be conceald▪

Hee's, hated most, by whom it was reueald.

Hate, Scorne, Despight, wrong done to honest [...]

Then out of rule are such disordered fractions.

Though men not gaine, when well to do they [...]

It's hard when men for doing well shall loose.

But poore to be, if thence proceeds the cause,

Ha [...]d world, when poore, must feed proud [...] [...]

Hence doth proceed sad woes, aboundant sorrow,

Not knowing whence, it might contentment borrow▪

To the poore mans King, a poore mans plain [...] shall [...]

And thus complaine, vnto his Maiesty.

The poore mans breast, in seas of sorrow [...]ost,

For shipwracke lookes, hopes anke [...]s all are lost.

Oh where is mercie, doth the poore man aske,

On earth to finde, it were a wondrous taske.

The word alone, is easie to be found,

But as a word, it hath no more then sound.

Contempt, and scorne, extortion, Enuies rage,

They florish b [...]st, in this remorceles age.

The poore may say, feeling oppressions wrong,

That fewe or none, will sing King Dauids song.

This rotten world, doth painted garments weare,

Leaues without s [...]uit, prosessions name doth beare.

Blest charity, diuine religio [...]s grace,

Now stearu'd to death, hath but a pictures place▪

Celestiall Loue, the goulden chaine of piety.

Is turn'd to lust, and cloth'd in sinnes variety.

Friendships best shew, deceipt and fraud doth [...],

Dissembling friends, are wrapt in flatteries smoake.

Plaine dealyng men, that honest plainnesse vse,

Them to vphold, doth euery hand refuse.

[Page] Clam Claw [...]ack he, with Peter Pi [...]k▪ [...] [...],

To reape reward, euen from the worthiest hands.

Faire words feedes fooles, best wise men are mi [...]led,

Euen by that baire, wherewith most fooles are fed.

Wel, wil they speake, whose thoughts [...] [...] euil,

In words a Sainct, in [...], a [...] [...].

Who doth desire worlds wise [...] to [...],

Must learne by art, with cunning to [...],

He that is not, beyond all compasse hollo [...],

His wit is grosse, and his inuention shallow.

Good policie, hath lost commended vse,

Bad politicks, boast, in that words abuse.

A faithles wit, is wisdome which excelles,

They are best wise, that most are [...].

Wisedome it selfe, it selfe doth much disgrace,

When as it striues, a shadow to imbrace.

As if that men should here for euer liue,

So they themselues vnto the world do giue.

Poore men that in this world, do want worlds wealth,

Are sure to want, loue, friends, meat, drinke, clothes. health

This proueth liues, each for himselfe cries all,

Great [...] thereby, from heauen to hell do fall.

The poore man thus, this world his tour [...]e doth serue,

Steale, and be hang'd, or mourning, sigh and starue.

Wet eyes, sad hearts, poore men opprest and greeued,

May liue, or die, vnpittied, vnreleeued.

Great wealth that [...], euill gotten riches fast,

Will not his bread, vpon the water cast▪

Sadly poore men, may mourne their wretched thrall,

Whilst rich men add, more bitternesse to gal.

Proudly, rich pompe (with proudnesse) pride adorneth,

Proud wealth, the poore mās poorenes, proudly scorneth

[Page]Poore, poorely sits, his pouerty deploring,

Wealth (as his God) sits heapes of durt adoring.

What old Churles gets, by extortious vsury,

Young fooles do spend, in pride and luxury.

Vaine, Vainest, Vainnesse, Vanity doth nourish,

In silke and golde, vaine ones doe vainely flourish.

Experience tels, Prides painted prodigalitie,

Hath cut the throat, of wonted hospitality.

The poore mans want, no painted Pecock feeles,

Poore soules must not come ne [...]e Prides waggon wheel [...].

Silkes must be worne, what price so ere they cost,

Three suites perhaps, ere once the booke be crost.

Proud female fel [...]s, are like the Ostridge plum'd,

And Souldiers now, by chamber warres consum'd,

Such in their caps must gallant feathers weare,

Who in their hearts do such like lightnesse beare:

Nature; no Art, beautifies the blood

As faire, as sweete, both artificiall good.

Muske, Ciuit, and Imbrothery, high priz'd vaine,

Hath charity, with Prides corruption slaine.

Pride hath so much a decent forme forsooke,

As now proud heads through gridi [...]on ribs must looke.

So much is lou'd the tricks of French attire,

As many are more Frencht then they desire.

Pripe puppet-like in Female folly flings,

with a good gownes charge, in one vaine paire of wings.

worlds pompe, worlds wrack, worlds woe, worlds misery

Pride, not content to goe, gets wings to flie.

Court, Prides deuise, our gentry imitates,

The Cittie follows, each, each ruinates.

The yoemans name, proud minds will not allow,

All Gentles, Knights, Ladies or Beggers now.

[Page] Pride beares that wealth, vpon presumptions back,

That makes the poore, so much releife to lack.

Italian tricks haue rays'd the auncient rent,

In idle Pompe must be most bounty spent.

Gay Cloathes, Rich Plate, fine Houses, Iewells, Rings,

To publique weale, pale deaths consumption brings.

Pride, to defend base proud ambitions fort,

A Cotage makes to seeme a princely Court.

Now to maintaine the pompe of th [...]iftles sending,

Each subtill braine must be in Law contending.

A hurtfull swarme of hungry trencher-flies,

To fat themselues, can wrangling trickes deuise.

With foggy sweat, the Lazie lubbers toyle,

Desir's to feede vpon his countries spoile.

Oh were they Tith'd, and all the Nie [...]ths cast by,

Each tenth would serue to labour honestly.

Their wits can make such wondrous heapes their owne,

As molehills are to mighty mountaines growne.

Wealthes current in a three-fold streame doth runne,

Two flouds are past, the third not yet begunne,

The Clergie first, the Law [...]er next getts much,

The end of time will make the Souldier rich.

Goods by deceipt, cunning, fraud and wrong,

Togither scrapt, will not continue long.

The mother Church, lockt vp a goulden store,

To feede it selfe, and to relieue the poore.

That bountie which did vnto all sorts giue,

Fatts but a fewe, the most must poorely liue.

Wealth which it selfe did to good vse dispose,

Now serues to paint an idle veluet hose.

The stock growne poore, which should maintaine good preachers,

Makes Coblers now to seeme sufficient teachers.

[Page]All sorts can prate and talke of things diuine,

In fewe or none a righteous life doth shine.

Braue plumed gallants, made gay with silken suites,

On Gods pure word, amongst their cups disputes.

A tauerne, dice, wine, sugar, and a wench,

Much loue to them, doth good deuotion quench.

The Papa [...] sea, doth thinke good workes doe merite,

The Protestant his [...]aith must heauen inherite.

For to euill vse, one doth good workes deuise,

The other doth good workes, to vse despise.

Time past, did to the world, this truth reueale,

A blinde deuotion, hindered faithfull zeale.

Time present doth, this truth for certaine show,

Least good we doe, when most we seeme to know.

The Heathen men did so themselues incline,

That Stoycks seem'd (then we) farre more diuine.

Amongst them was, the law of mine and thine,

With better faith, though in a faithlesse time.

They seru'd their Gods, with a religious care,

And did their lawes obey, with trembling fea [...]e.

The God of Gods, to vs in truth declar'd,

We liue, as though, nor heauen, nor hell we fear'd.

Ierusalem, men seeme as if they sought,

But going wrong, they are to Babell brought,

Some fooles doe thinke, to finde the way by chance,

And thither runne, as in a Mor [...]ice daunce.

Some at a play, haue wisely more discern'd,

Then euer they, at any Sermon learn'd.

Who from the Stage, would fetch heauens admonitions

Let Woodcocks be, vnto those fooles Phisitions.

By-wayes to seeke, and tread in pathes vneuen,

Such trauailers nere finde the way to heauen.

[Page]No shadow can, substanciall hope beguild,

If on Gods word, faith doth arightly build.

In building new, men vse such 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 restor [...]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 d [...]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 infectio [...]s fruite,

[Page]When hell▪ borne [...]mpes, dares thus like deuils [...] ▪

Eares stopt, and hearts, with burning Irons sear'd,

As [...]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 predestina [...]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 tis for to offend.

If euill we doe, and shall his gr [...]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 [...]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 fi [...], 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,

[Page]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 clou [...]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 Hum [...]ery.

In blood our gallants once cald to vse wor [...] [...],

With running they will swe [...]t most fearfully.

Theyle do no lesse vnto the fild once led,

Then Romes braue youthes for their great Pompay did.

[Page]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.

whē 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 ist the worst may not for money buy,

Honour, much Loue; and seeming honesty.

Rich let him be, and who ca [...] hurt him then,

Knaues wrapt in wealth, are counted honest men.

Honest, if poore, he this reward must haue,

Hang him ba [...]e roage, proud begger, impious knaue.

No place nor o [...]fice can the poore man buy,

Wealth neere so vilde, can mount it selfe on high.

Such is the [...]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 lea [...]e beasts had, of seauen fat oxen, power,

But now seauen [...]at, do seauenty leane deuoure.

Rich men do make, poore trad [...]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 non [...]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 p [...]oples languishment.

And pay farre more, in taske, and subsidy,

Then now is rais'd, to Brittons Maiesty.

[Page]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.

Monopoli [...]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 kis [...]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 ex [...]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 [...]age doth threaten,

For crying then he must againe be beaten.

Poore men accus [...]d, though no offence be proued,

Hate is th [...]ir meede, they are of none beloued.

Do euill, and then, Iustice will seaze on thee,

Do well, and then, thou shalt contempned bee.

From good desert, [...] reward is stealing,

Trust, wan ing truth, doth vse perfidious dealing.

Like [...] fish, let poore men swimme or flie,

They haue no meanes; to shunne their misery.

A poore man whilst his greefe, woes passion weepeth,

Dispai [...]e, the dore of his affliction keepeth.

A minde whose thoughts, no force no [...] danger feares,

Is forc't to weepe, his wife and childrens teares.

[Page]Vaine sighes, vaine teares, when want proclaimes [...] woe,

The poore man knowes not vnto whom to goe.

Poore man, poore wife poore children all reiected,

Apes, Parrets, Dogges, and Monkeys more respected,

The poore mans words plainely and truely tels,

He cannot finde, the place where Mercy dwels,

And yet he seekes, and hath a long time sought,

His labou [...] hath his woes inlargement wrought.

For whilst he waites on time, best time obseruing,

Himselfe and his by want of food are steruing.

Those hands cannot, their Countries weale preserue,

Which in their Count [...]y must indure to sterue▪

Hard world when loue to do [...] a thing most iust,

Shall cause the poore that wrong indure they must.

Iustice, loue, [...], and faith, all these are raced,

When things well done, must be with force disgraced,

When Law commands an action to be done,

Why should that act into vilde scandall runne,

If so the law and makers thereof must,

In cause of euill be iustly blamed first.

To King and State, a Souldiers honest loue,

Hath causde his heart, sad woes extreames to proue,

A Sou [...]diers h [...]nd, halfe staru'd, and wanting might,

Shall for them both want force and power to fight.

No peace on earth, though seeming most secure,

Can well resolue, how long it shall indure.

When warres sta [...]u'd force, threatens a kingdoms land,

B [...]st safetie then liues in the Souldiers hand.

In peace me thinkes, those men should not be ste [...]ued,

By whom the strength of peace, is best preserued.

I [...] to respect time present barbarous be,

The time to come, should wisdomes eyes foresee.

[Page]All those great nations which themselues dispe [...]se,

Vpon the bosome of worlds vniuerse.

For rash attempts are not so much condemned,

As is that Ile, in which our selues are hemined,

P [...]oud witte, that is with selfe conceitment swolne,

Makes fast the dore, when first the steed is stolne.

An after-wit, is counted Englands guise,

A forehand lookes iudiciall wisdomes eyes,

For gaine, men will their liues and country sell,

A generall spoile, makes some to prosper well.

Our Corne that goes vnto corruptions friend,

May feed a strength against our selues to bend.

We not respect although both heauen and ear [...]h,

Doe in their course foretell a threatned dearth▪

As Dragons we our selues desire to bite,

Our hands, our selues doe most vnkindly smite.

Warres weapons we vnto those countries send,

Whose vse at last will most our selues offend.

We haue no feare, our land no danger knowes,

Vntill it feeles the force of dangers blowes.

Britaine hath foes, who in their thoughts doe striue,

How best they may our countries harme contriue.

But this I thinke, our [...]ame shall thus be spred,

We may be beat, but neuer conquered.

I would to God our land may so prouide,

As we at first might kill presumptions pride.

Peace smiles on vs, but view heauens motion well,

Combustious times doth Sunne and Moone foretell.

This yeares Eclipse, a fatall period maketh,

And God thereby all earths foundation shaketn.

The Planets in their [...]spects differ farre,

From former time by course irregular.

[Page]The Crab, and Goate, whose Circles doe deuide,

The sweating Summer, from frostie Winters tide.

Keepe still the times, of auncient nomination,

But want the force, of wonted operation,

Ver, Eastus, Autumn [...], Hymen, all growne strange,

Seeme as they would, their seasons each exchange.

Celestiall fyers, that round this world impale,

And should from hence, corruptions dregs exhale.

Leaues them beneath, that noysome pestilence,

On earth, might fetch, materiall cause from thence.

When from the graue, corruptions slime doth soake,

Mantling the earth, in clouds of stiucking smoake.

Deuouring creatures in that fogge shall breed,

Earths brest shall then, her children scarcely feed.

Corruption grosse, thick, fatte sad, slimie, slowe,

Shall by the Sunne, to a combustion growe.

Those dreggs congeald, by steps to hugenesse creepes,

By Ayery Orbes, a wandring motion keepes.

Turning about, from place to place, their sent,

Spreading themselues, on earths vast continent.

Taking the shapes, from whence they first did grow,

In Ayerie formes like men and beasts they show.

When so they doe themselues, with wonder spreed,

It tels▪ they still expect on Death to feed.

Amidst some plaine, so are those Mea [...]ures spred,

As were an armie there imbattelled.

And when they thus, on heapes together cluster,

They fummon men, vnto a generall muster.

But humaine eyes amazde, cannot dispence

With reasons force, of Natures influence.

Inuolued heapes, growne once vnmeasured great,

They striue to rise; against the Clowdes to beat.

[Page] Exhaled once, in rotten showers doe fall,

Infectious drops, such as men Mill-dewes call.

And then at last, in Midle-Region fed,

They are with force from thence exturbated.

And hauing climbde the vpper Regions hem,

To blazing fierie Commets tourned then.

For so our God by mightie wonder makes,

Prodigious fiers, threatning Kingdomes states.

Then shall the vilde ones of this world dispaire,

When they behold, such flames amidst the ayre.

A while beneath, those exhalations stayes,

Which shortly will, foretell some dangerous dayes.

But not to build on humaine foolery,

I thus much ground on scriptures Prophecie.

EVen in the dayes when the seauenth Angell should,

Begin to blow his Trumpet, then God would

His Ministrie accomplished should be,

As to his Prophets before reueald had he.

The Angeli hath, long time his Trumpet blowne,

Which to the world, worlds latter end hath showne.

Before which time the worlds Deceiuers must,

By wraths fierce hand, be all in sunder burst.

And first falles he, with stroake of Yron rod,

Who in Gods Church, doth sit as he were God.

With suttell craft, when he suspects his fall,

By secret force, himselfe defend he shall.

When as gainst him, a long feard power doth grow,

Such as before, the world could neuer showe.

Then desperate mad, his anger and his feare,

Against that power, a secret wrath shall beare.

To hell his hope, doth for assistance flie,

And then corrupt earths Princes secretly.

[Page]An hoast of tigers shal them selues combine,

With sauage hogges to spoyle the [...] vine.

And thinke from grapes to draw a bleding flood,

When in one night, shal raine a shower of blood.

A winter gre [...]ne their somers hope doth make,

They thinke their force shal cause [...]oues Iland shake.

That downe they might heauens goulden Pallace take,

A strenth shall rise from hells infernall lake.

The Leopard, the Wolfe, the Fox, all these,

Shall vnawares; vppon the Lyon sease-

The Lyon rows d his foes shall soone be torne,

With him shall ioyne the princely Vnicorne.

And push the best with his all clensing horne,

And make him wish he neuer had bin borne.

Hells dogs shal thinke oa [...]e mountayne tops to clime,

But breake their necks before their wisht for time.

They ar mustering now of Sathans regiment,

Their plot is lay'd hope feeds their vild intent.

When time shall be into combustion thrown,

And falsehoods nurse to hostile actions growne.

Wars thunder then, when it sha [...]l shake the world,

People shal be into amasement whorld.

A sca [...]let horce shal stomble and fall downe,

And after him a triple hallowed crowne.

The beast whose legges of claye, and Irone, wrought,

Must be vnto a feareful ruine brought▪

Because Gods t [...]uth for to defile he sought,

He and his sea shall wast and come to noug [...]t.

[...] seat doeth shake and reele I see him [...]alling,

The wounded monster, on the earth lies scravvling.

[Page]He gapes for breath, strangled himselfe he choakes,

About his eares, his painted Pallace smoakes.

Downe tumble must, that triple crowned whore,

Once fal [...]e, her fall not any shall deplore.

But those that would her spotted garments weare,

Whose foreheads doe, the marke of Dagon beare.

The Champions all, which would the best maintaine,

Shall at his feete, by conquering swords be slaine.

Gog ouerthrowne, Mag [...]g shall thinke to come,

With fire and sworde, through glorious Christendome,

From E [...]phrates, and Tygris, then shal [...]ise,

A strength, that will, our tyrants tyrannise.

Arabians Gul [...]e, to Percias Gulfe shall flow,

From whence, a high reard softly floud shall grow.

Whose Sea like waues, from thence to Fes shall roule,

Downe tumbling all, that would their force controule.

R [...]uenge, and death, to war [...]es alarums leades.

The Eagles last continued monstrous heads.

The mountaine VVol [...]es frō Christian bounds cald hence,

Christians then, by force shall driue them thence.

And Christendome, whilst God her peace doth shield,

Shall striue aright, in her Gods house to build.

That she may teach, the nations thus to say,

Her Christ is God, we will his lawes obay.

Our Bishops then, the truth shall ratifie,

In order chiefe, not in authoritie,

And that Religion shall stand most beloued,

Whose rule is best by Scriptures truth approoued,

And for a Iudge, a Church finde out we can,

That knew the truth, before the Pope began.

[Page]Then shall the Church be built on Peters faith,

And that beleeue, which holy Scripture saith.

Then shall Gods Church her strength and glory see,

When Christ alone, her corner stone shall be.

Aboue Gods word, shall then be raisde no head,

By Christ their Sheapheard, shall his flock be lead.

Such Vnion shall the Northren Prince contriue,

As Christians shall no more with Christians striue.

Then Christendome, shall all her power bestow,

By force to worke the Pagans ouerthrow.

All Christian Princes, will themselues protect,

As shall the Northren Prince their course direct.

And now me thinkes, I see a glorious sight,

A Christian Armie, shining wondrous bright,

Marching in warres [...] fit for fight,

In the defence of their Redeemers [...]ight.

The Northren Emperour, doth the red crosse beare,

To who [...]e command, the armie craues to swea [...]e.

With [...] bloud, their warlike weapons staines,

[...] fields, and faire Hungarian plaines.

Whilst [...], Ismael, and the cursed seed,

Doe striue to make each others breast to bleed.

Working that worke, for which they were compoūded,

That each by other, may be with warre consounded.

The t [...]mperour of the North, that Prince of fame,

Brings Christendome into her wonted frame.

And all that did vnto that Empire bend,

At last shall back, vnto that state descend.

Empires, and Kingdomes, shall at once recoile,

And bend their strength, to worke their spoilers spoile.

Those lockt vp Deuils, in wildest Mountaines bred,

Whom Christian hands, from thence deliueted;

[Page]To whom at first, the Sarazens gaue pay,

By whom at last, themselues destroyed were they;

By all that strength, which hath their wrong indur'd,

Shall be at last their rac'd out name procur'd.

Sara, and Ketura, shall a conquest winne,

Of whom there is a mightie power vnseene.

And then once more, in pompe of Empire swels,

Those that are calde Religious [...].

Before they doe the sacred truth retaine,

Mongst them is [...] and Elias slame.

From forth the North, a Lyons voyce shall rore,

And make them then, the murthered dead deplore.

The doctrine which they taught, once calde to minde,

Shall Heathens teach, the way heauens path to finde.

Old Magog then new built, his name shall loose,

And for his God, the God of Gods shall choose.

The Northren Empire, shall to him disclose,

That Truth, gainst which he did himselfe oppose.

The Persians shall the Christians kindly greet,

When both their Armies, shall with conquest meet.

Mount Harmons dew, that sweetly then distils,

From off the tops of faire Arabian hils:

Shall fall on them, of Abrahams line the race,

Though yet vnseene, by faith the seeds of grace.

Then hungrie Dogges, no more a stray shall wander,

Iudeas race, shall finde the Bridegromes chamber.

Time takes in hand, to worke this wonder great,

A Northren blast, must coole the Sothern heate.

For of the Princes that shall worke this thing,

The worthiest power, from forth the North shall spring,

A Potent Prince, a strong and powerfull King,

His famous deeds, through all the world shall ring.

[Page]It is establisht, and his Throne shall stand,

Whose force shall take a wondrous worke in hand.

In his blest Li [...]e triumphant glory goes,

With glorious Race of conquering Emperours.

This is the winde; and Lion of the wood,

From whom a most Emperiall strength shall bud.

And to the Eagle, in wrathes fiers fury speake,

And al his winges, and Feathers, pe [...]cemeale breake.

The Heathens he, at iudgments bar shall set,

And make them know the power gainst which they fre [...].

He shall the land from Paganisme deliuer,

And wash heauens flock, in faith's saluations riuer.

He shall the earth, with heauenly grace refresh,

And vnto her, heauens lawes with truth expresse.

The foes whereof he shall with force destroy,

And turne earths bondage into freedomes ioye.

Set free her hope, shall waite on that saluation,

whose mercies iudgment, layed her first foundation.

This Royall line, the whole continuance, summes,

Of all the yeares vntill great Shil [...] comes.

God shortly will the businesse vndertake,

For which he doeth the Northen Empier make.

Vpon his head, stands an Emperiall Crowne,

Whose Monarchy shall throw Romes Empire dovvne.

Fooles though they brag, their cloud of earths elus [...]on,

Both must, and shall, come to a rac't confusion.

And that eare long, time doeth a course beginne,

Whereby consum'd shall be, worlds sinke of sinne.

This happen shall, and when these signes appeare,

Know then the day of iudgment draweth neere.

Be I excusd, and not condempn'd of men,

No deuill-borne Merline, doth direct my pen.

[Page]Vnto an end time doth each creature driue,

From holy writ do I these words deriue.

This rotten age, pointing at worlds decay,

But well obseru'd, doth wondrous things bewray.

Both heauen, and earth, mankind so loades with sinne,

They pray heauens God, he would their rest beginne.

And set them in that state wherein they stood,

When God made all, and said all things were good.

Of time to come, what meanes my pen to write?

Whom present time, holdes in such base despight.

In spight of time, and times vnkind [...]espising,

My time shalbe, 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.

[Page]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 contentio [...]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 tri [...]les which doe now dissturbe our peace,

Could men be wise, they of themselues would cease.

The consort of a lawfull ministr [...]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 tru [...]h, with blessed vnitie,

Great Britaines [...]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.

[Page]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.

Ou [...] 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 wr [...]thfull sword.

[Page]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 se [...]se of feeling woe.

With seeming Saints, the time not temporize,

A broken heart to God is sacrifice.

Wraths [...] [...]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.

[Page]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 [...]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 o [...] 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.

[Page]Be they imbrac'd with loues respectiue arme,

Whose hands know how to shield our peace frō [...]

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 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, mēs 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.

[Page]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,

[Page]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 no [...] 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.

[Page]And some sad houres, on skie-born [...] bookes I read,

Amongst the flarres, an humble path I tread.

And see the great, and strange Con [...]unctions there,

Of angrie, Saturne, Mars, and Iupiter.

Since fi [...]st the Planets disclosde their variation,

Saturne neer had more Lord-like domination.

What it foretels, my wea [...]y Muse sorgets,

In Dragons taile, when strange Coniunction sets.

His name stands rouled in perditions booke,

Whose taile from heauē, 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 L [...]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 [...]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▪

[Page]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,

[Page]May doubt his words wil too presumptuous growe.

FVll twenty times, nights Bride her selfe 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 fa [...]e to talke.

For when daies light vpon my face should shine,

I knew those wants, would [...]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.

[Page]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.

[Page]Its 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 thē, 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.

[Page]The rich mans wealth, should not his owne haue b [...]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.

Whose maskt vp che [...]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 correspondēce, rude armes besmeer'd with greace

Should haue imbrac'd a painted sluttishnesse,

And they perhaps, resolu'd in miserie,

Would smi [...]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.

[Page]In vayne should then the officers haue said,

In the Kings name wee charge, lets 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 require,

All these Consum'd by flame of rutheles fire.

No age makes record, of so foule a sinne,

Since god did first to frame this world begyn.

Doomes day to England, now bin threatned hath,

Ore which heauens God hath shak [...]e his hand of wrath.

Oh may our deedes his mercy so Commend,

As still his grace, may Britons Ile defend.

[Page]But now behold, the fruites of Romish faith,

And know for truth, what Popish doctrine saith.

Of binding, and of loosing, Popes haue got,

A strength, which knittes of euery euill the knot.

And makes damnation seeme saluation sure,

If so thereby Rome may her gaine procure,

What most she craues, is euery course to take,

How best she may her selfe. worlds Monarch make.

The Pope that saith himselfe, worlds God to be,

Speakes truth, for so's the deuill as well as he.

But Pope from Peter doth deriue his race,

And saith, to him belongs the keyes of grace.

And he Christs vicar, of all Gods church the head,

Must be supreame, all Kings his frowne must dread.

With any oath, he can at large dispence,

And at his pleasure, pardon each offence.

Aboue Gods word, he doth himselfe auow,

And his construction, must the world allow.

True Christians, they onely his doctrine likes,

And all the rest are damned Heretikes.

Gainst this, the Lyon of the Tribe of Iuda cries,

And tels the Pope, that like a diuell he lyes.

But still the Pope will keepe heauens golden gate,

And doth from thence, Kings excomunicate.

No King on earth, must haue his name inrold.

Vnlesse that first on him his Crowne he hold.

And al the world, that on his sea not dwels,

Are Ethnicks, Pagans, faithlesse Insidels.

Those that not grow vpon his stock intire,

Are branches wilde, fit for destructions fire.

Such hath he power, to any death to put,

And from lifes tree, those saplesse twigs to cut.

[Page]Without the Church, as Iewes and Turkes they be,

That will not yeeld to his supremacie.

And Popish Romaines, they are taught to know,

It lawfull is to worke their ouerthrow.

That will not yeeld obedience to the Pope,

In whose behalfe is giuen so large a scope,

That Traytors doe for heauenly merite hope,

Though thence the deuill doth pluck them in a Rope.

If for Romes sake, they kill their lawfull King,

Bald iades for them, shall trotting trentalls sing.

And they, because so vilde a deed [...] they did,

For Saints at Rome shall be canonized.

The Pope such power vnto himselfe doth take,

As he, a diuell, a Saint, can quickly make.

Heere briefely see, the power of Rome set downe,

Aboue the world, himselfe, himselfe doth crowne,

Aboue Gods word, and sacred Lawes diuine,

The monsters proud, ambitious steps doe clime.

And from his seate of blasphemie hath flowne,

The fire that should haue King and Realmes vp blowne.

Villaines that would the world in sunder riue,

Say for Religions sake, they did contriue

That damned plot; oh hellish insolence!

When deuils will make Religion euils desence.

The actors in a worke more then Tyrannicall,

They did themselues, their countries purgers call.

In all they did, meerely their countries loue,

Did them vnto the vildest actions moue.

They would not leaue her, but like Champions stand,

Till they from bondage, had freed their natiue land.

They but resolu'd to be most mercilesse,

To free the Catholicks from their long distresse▪

[Page]From desperate times disease, euils strength to loose,

They were inforc'd a desperate salue to choose.

The worst of euill, was b [...]st in their esteeme,

From worse then euill, their countrie to redeeme.

The Pope might them, for faithfull Christians take,

When what they did, was for religions sake.

Their plot found out, the very place to sack,

Where all the lawes were made, that wrought their wrack.

And this conceit in them, a hope prefers,

They should be thought, Gods iustice ministers.

These Realmes with Rome, in vnion to vnite,

Was all the cause, for which their hopes did fight.

For Romes auaile, and for the Church her good,

King & Kingdomes, they would haue drownd in bloud▪

For these good deedes, whatsoeuer did befall,

Saints at the least, the Pope would make them all.

Now see their worke, and cause, for which th [...]y wrought

And iudge how well, Rome hath her children [...]aught.

Their euill to doe, they were so confident,

As to performe't, they tooke the Sacrament.

Christs Royall body, substanciall flesh and bloud,

They say, they eate and dranke, and thereby stood;

Bound to performe the euill which they intended,

Oh then, how farre should be their faith commended▪

Here doth my Muse want words, my thoughts to speake,

And doth into a strange admirement breake.

Oh God, how durst these me [...] Sathanicall,

Imbru'de in bloud, with hearts Tyrannicall.

Made blacke with treason, gainst Gods annointed King,

Themselues before heauens Iesus Christ to bring.

[Page]And though from bread, they can him not [...],

Yet in the signe he's representatiue.

And bread not chang'd, yet holy scripture saith,

By it we feed, on Iesus Chris [...] by faith.

Not to dispute, but say as they accoumpt,

Into what height, doe their presumption mount.

When as a wretch, before his God shall stand,

And thinke he holdes his Maker in his hand.

And yet with soule all stain'd, as black as hell,

Euen at that instant, doth in damnation dwell.

And records God, and in him all the Trinitie,

To be the witnesse of his hell-borne villanie.

And sweares by them, with desperate hand to act,

The vildenesse, of the very vildest fact.

And thus resolu'd, his Sauiour vp he eates,

So arm'd in proofe, a King and State he threates.

Oh fearefull thing, the seale of mans saluation,

Seales vp to them, assured condemnation.

Yet they so blinde, in faithlesse hopes doe trust,

And thinke thereby, their vildest actions iust.

Heere see the strong delusion that should mocke,

The race, cast from the number of Christs flocke▪

Heere see the cup of worlds abhominations,

And know the whore, that breaths forth execrations

Against heauens throne, the Lambe, and all his Saints,

And yet she so, her damned vildenesse paints;

As that she seemes of holinesse the seate,

But God for her, hath laid vp iudgments great.

She, and her pack, that had our fall compounded,

Shall be ere long, by Gods fierce wrath confounded.

And they that did for vs one flame desire,

God hath for them, prepar'd an endlesse fire.

[Page]

NOw would my Muse desire to expresse,

In vildest euill, false traytors readinesse.

Catesbie, so soone as he did Winter mooue,

Consent straight ioynd, the worst of euill to proue.

There needed no perswasion to be vsde,

Hels motion was at first, not once refusde.

What course so ere, hell could to him propound,

His liues aduenture, he thereon would ground.

So all the rest, with selfe-same swismesse ranne,

To worke an euill, the like nere wrought by man.

Their labour then, their care, and diligence;

Their watchfull heed, their bountie, and expence,

Their desperate and resolued confidence:

Till death, to fight gainst heauen, in hels defence:

Approues what power, the deuill doth beare in those,

That serue his will, and to his Aul [...]ers goes.

In England now, what course the Pope doth take,

His Champions proud, so fit for hell to make,

Let me set forth; that euery one may spie,

The cunning worke of Romes ar [...]h villany.

For Romes auaile, are built beyond the Seas,

(As Christian deedes) some stately Colledges.

And they are giuen in charitie, to bring

Vp those, that will Romes Masses learne to sing:

Children there taught, the rules of Popery,

Are learnd to know proud Romes supremacie.

Their teachers largely, doe to them expresse,

How much th [...]y owe, to Romes Scald holinesse.

And that their liues, lost in th [...] Popes behoofe,

Confirmes the truth of their religions proofe.

If for Romes good, to shamefull death they come,

It crownes them with, a glo [...]ious martirdome.

[Page]Who yeeldes not to Romes lawes are only those,

Which they must know on earth to be Gods foes.

Their parents, if they shall Romes Pope displease,

It's lawfull for them, on their liues to seaze.

To any Prince they are no subiect helde,

That dares deny, vnto Romes sea to yeelde.

For Rome, If subiects their lawfull soueraigne kill,

Romes lawes affirme, that they Gods lawes fulfill.

Vnto the Church a benefite to bring,

Each euill is made a sanctimonious thing.

When thus they are instructed, then I hope,

They may become, fit seruants for the Pope.

Then taking oath in vildest euills to trade,

They are indeede substanciall villaines made.

And thus those schooles, the Popes best charitie,

Are made the nurse of treasons treacherie.

Thether oft goes our Englands Papall youthes,

To read the volumes of the Popes vntruthes.

To studie there, doe idle wits deuise,

Where legions are, of vprearde mountaine lies.

Logician like, who best can lies mayntaine,

Can best vphold Romes blood red scarlet traine.

There in those schooles, Rome doth those schollers che [...]ish,

By whome he hopes to make gods kingdome perish.

From forth those lakes, as from a stigian gulfe,

To England comes each hell-borne Romane woolfe.

Of our owne people, doe those schooles beg [...]tt,

A viperous swarme, for vildest treasons fit.

Semina [...]yes, the children of perdition,

Thence bring to vs Romes Popish superstition.

With him he brings aucthoritie to beare,

All shapes, and formes, and may each fashion weare.

[Page]Sometimes like clownes, sometimes like ruffins br [...]ue,

Sometimes like courtiers sometimes like lawyers gra [...]e,

Like Farmors, Citizens, or like a seruing man,

Like glassemen, tinkers, or like foote posts, can

Those Rascalls runne, our kingdome round about,

And not be found when iustice seekes them out.

They may be droncke, or sweare, or of the Pope speake [...],

Forsweare themselues, or lie, or what they will.

No euill in them, can ioyne sinnes name vnto it,

If for the Church, and Popes auayle they doe it.

The selfe same power that to deccaue hath he,

He giues to them that once deccaued be.

With hells Commission, giuen a deuill to preach,

So doth the Pope his Saints and Children teach.

From Rome then let this truth be vnderstood,

The Pope knowes how, to make all mischiefs good.

These hell seed sowers, when they come to see

Such, as to whom, they may vnmasked be.

With wordes dissolu'd in graceles zeale to teares,

He then to them, with humble speech declares.

He doth no more then their saluation craue:

He comes, their soules from Hell, and Deuill, to s [...]ue,

Alas saith he, your preachers doe you wrong,

Not of the Church, you not to heauen belong.

The [...] with a crosse, and bodie humbly bent,

My Lord the Pope his holynes hath sent▪

By me, from forth Saint Peters blessed store,

Heauens heauenly kingdome, home vnto your doore.

Oh doe you then, with ioye your hearts addresse,

For to receiue, heauens proffered happines.

To heauen, marke well, for it is truth I say,

You cannot goe, vnlesse I teach the way.

[Page]And if you will no longer be beguiled,

To holy Rome you must be reconciled.

Thus they at first, doe set destructions trap,

And throwe themselues into deuotions lapp.

They [...]old their words, in seeming holy zeale,

And from the hearers, thus their hearts they steale.

And when as their perswasions thus haue wrought,

As to Romes sea, by th [...]m some soules are brought.

Then to the Pope, once reconcilde and sworne,

From hence to Rome, their hallowed names are borne.

And afterwardes, its taught them by degrees,

To vnderstand the strength of Romes decrees.

And so forth on, vntill they come to this,

To know like them, their prince no Christian is.

And some thing done, from sinne their land to free,

As murthering him, should meritorious bee.

And as they sinde a spirite fit to heare,

So will they vse their doctrines to declare.

And giue to them, wha [...] thei [...] denotion brings,

Beades, pictures, Saints, and pretie hallowed things.

Popes do maintaine their Antichristian Scisme,

With relicks, ragges, and A pish Munckanisme.

The simple thus, by them dece [...]ued are,

The wise are caught, euen by the selfe same snare.

Thus in the da [...]cke of hells eternall shade▪

Amongst our selues, are English traytors made.

This is the seede that [...] sowe,

And this the [...], that from their labours groue.

And that these euills vnseene may safely florish,

our Papists doe them and thei [...] actions nourishe.

But that which thre [...]ts great Brit [...]ns monarchie,

and best vpholde Romes hatefull dignitie.

[Page]Is that mongst vs, there ruleth secretly,

A sea, and state, of Popish presbetrie.

In England here Rome hath an Arch-priest plac'd,

The Pope hath him as with a Councel grac'd.

Some certaine Papists onely knowes his walke.

And they alone, of Romes diseignes must talk [...].

All Iesuites, of Romes Priuie Councell be,

For best they know the grounds of trecherie.

At Rome for them, Princelike their Agents are,

Who doth their causes to the Pope prefer.

Rome hether, they thether, vsually,

As cause requires, doe send in embassie.

Before our safetie, can soundly be inioyed,

This Priest and Councell needes must be destroyed.

For by their meanes the Pope doth play the deuill,

And plagues vs here with euery kinde of [...].

All they desire, is our Co [...]fusions shame,

And o [...]er vs, the Pope supreame to name.

Arch-Papist, doth for this the best he ca [...],

Church-papist, he becomes his iorney man;

All worke together, the Pope aloft to rayse,

And still their working, workes our dangero [...]s dayes.

Of some perhaps that thing is now cond [...]mned,

which done, would thē, much more haue bin cōmende [...]

All did not know, by some the treason coynd,

Once done, God knowes, how many would haue [...]

To sound effect, could Rome her hopes compose,

Romes forreine friends, would soone bec [...]me our [...]

For he, on whom is laide their faiths foundation,

Can quickly giue a gene [...]all dispensation.

What Rome not gets by force or policie,

By promise, vowes, oathes, threates, or [...].

[Page]By charmes, in chantments, witchcraft, sorcerie,

For that he fights ape [...]te, or secretly.

With murther, treason, bloud, and treacherie,

The Pope makes these his great artillarie.

Thus he vpholds his sea of blasphemie,

And when he doth, to hostile actions flie,

Then that which most is shame to Maiestie:

His kings must serue him in his villanie,

Ther's not an euill, that hell determine shall,

But Popes will vse, to seru [...] their turnes withall.

Their actions waied, then let the truth speake thus,

Pittie to them, is crueltie to vs.

Are these the fruites, that Romish Saints forth bring?

Is it for this, so oft th [...]y masses sing?

Is this the zeale of their veligio [...]s heate?

So oft for this, doe they their prayers repeate?

Is it for this, their God in minde to beare?

That on their brests, a Crueifixe they weare?

Is it for this, that whip themselues they vse?

For this doe they, their cloathes to weare refuse?

Doe they for this, to Saints and Angels pray.

Vse shrift, and ponance, and fast so oft must they?

Is this their loue, almes, patience, and humilitie?

Is this their peace, and churches sweete tranquilitie▪

Are these the children, that Romane faith begets?

With helpe of Popes, Friers, Nunnes and Iesuits?

Are they for this, with holy-water bles [...]?

Doe their perfection in these effects consist?

Now sute since they, such deeds as these preferre,

The Pope's a whore, her children bastards are.

All their deuotion [...], brings such workes about,

Oh God keepe me from being so deuout.

[Page]I hope the Papists, no excuse can make,

This treason was for their religion sake.

And all the treasons, in late Eliza [...]s raigne,

Were done by those, that did Romes Sea [...] ▪

So many then, as are thereof asham'd,

Leaue Rome, serue God, and be no further blam'd.

But let obedience, to your Soueraigne proue,

Your saithfull soundnesse, and repentant loue.

And though ere long the cunning of Romes dr [...]ft,

Will coyne some cause, themselues from shame to [...]

Yet those of you, that will not shamelesse be,

Come to our Church, and from Romes doctri [...]e flee.

And you that are the simplest sort of them,

That may be thought, plaine honest meaning men▪

Your ignorance, no sound deuotion teacheth,

Trust not the lyes, that Popish doctrine preacheth.

Some now I hope heauens grace to them imparted,

Will be from Rome, by Romes foule deeds conuerted▪

Oh may that honor, whose heart sinnes action loath'd,

Hence forth no more, be in Romes darknesse cloath'd▪

Mounte Eagles like, loue heauens all lightning sunne,

And from the clouds of Popish darknesse runne.

So many yeares the truth hath clearely shinde,

As none but those that will, can still be blinde.

Who so his eyes, against the light will shut,

Must needs himselfe in mistie darkenesse put.

Be such Religion, of the world disdain'd,

As is with treason, bloud, and murther stain'd.

Papists still blinde, let not our Ile containe them,

Send them to R [...]me, for all but Rome disdaines them.

From of Romes shore, my Muse her selfe doth wend,

And would her course vnto Great Briton bend.

[Page]My natiue land, oh let to her my zeale,

The euidence of loues affection seale.

Who ist that sees the wrong vnto vs done,

But will from Rome and Romes adherents runne.

God in thy loue, preserue those Princely states,

Who all as one, Romes Sea, and doctrine hates,

And those mongst vs, that of profession vant,

My little ruft, most peeuish puritant.

Whose Brownisme, must our quiet state offend,

That witlesse striues for trifles to contend.

Whose in good sooth, indeed, and verilie,

Nere knew the ground, of faiths sinceritie.

Whose folly, in a wide maskt net doth dance,

Whose zeale is but a painted ignorance.

Whose wildenesse runnes the fields and woods vnto,

Where preaching Coblers, learnes them what to doe.

Nise, curious wits, vaine, idle, wise, like dawes,

Iumpe ouer blocks, and stumble most at strawes.

When now they see, how God his Church hath loued,

Let them thereby, to ioyne with vs be moued.

And striue no more to prooue their foolerie,

Against both learning and authoritie.

Such will alone, for Christ his flock be knowne,

And will allow no Church, besides their owne.

Twixt them and those, throwne into like suspence,

There should be made, some greater difference.

Those that haue borne the burthen of the day,

And neuer ceast, to watch, to preach, to pray.

Whose loue and zeale, hath so heauens precepts taught,

As they to heauen, haue greatest number brought.

To King and State, whose hearts are constant, sound,

Whose doctrine doth on faiths saluation ground.

[Page]Let not the Church, giue to it selfe a wound,

By loosing those that are most faithfull found.

All those graue Preachers, wise and fit to teach,

For trifles, let them not refuse to preach.

But vse their tallant, Gods number to increase,

Great is the sinne, if now they holde their peace.

He doth not euill, that to his power withstands it,

But who forbids not sinne, and may, command it.

The threates of lawe, sway not affection so,

As those good deeds which righteous rulers doe,

When no man may, tell kings they doe amisse,

Then in obedience their corruption is.

But God hath sent to vs a vertuous King,

Let vertues loue, true loues obeysance bring.

Oh let our loue be to that grace not mist,

In which our selues, and all the world is blist.

The glory of that royall issues line,

Like to the sunne, their famous deeds shall shine.

For Britons weale, let all good people trie.

To crowne her fame with perpetuitie.

God so the ground of her foundation lay,

As that no strength may worke her weales decay.

Her glories, trophies, let no such earth-quake shake,

Whose force would her, the land of Ruine make.

But let the glory of her King and state,

Consume those foes that would her ruinate.

Traitors that would, in bloud our land haue drownd,

God them destroy, and all their plottes confound.

Those hearts that would, domestick warres procure.

Be they first made, of deaths destruction sure.

No home bred broiles, may they our peace disturbe,

Such mindes, oh let the strength of iustice [...].

[Page]Me thinkes there should be some thing vnderstood,

When heauen is cloath'd in cloudes of fire and bloud.

Before and since the heauens did neuer cast,

More signes then were about this treason last.

Could heathen men iudge future euils to hap,

When thunder did the Okes in peeces rap.

And if the sunne should but some signe bewraie,

Might no man dare gainst such prediction saie.

And now shall heauen both fier and bloud presage,

And we not thinke they chide this sinfull age.

Eclipses strange both [...] Moone and Sunne,

When strangely they, on heapes together come.

Shall reason so, and wisdomes strength be broken,

That by such signes, there shalbe nothing spoken.

Shall God oft shake, as in his furies wrath,

The solled roundle of this maslie earth.

And yet we still remaine secure in sinne,

Oh no, letts all for to repent begine.

The better that our safetyes strength may grow,

Let Iosua, Acan, and his wedge hence throw.

Our peace at home, be that establisht sure,

No force abroad, can Britons wracke procure.

In ciuill warres, when souldiers armes are worne,

Vniust, tryumphe, the iust are force't to mourne.

No souldiers sword, could make Romes Empire stand,

When Rome, Rome selfe, brus'd with rebellions hand.

Let Britons, which doe God and Christ pro [...]esse,

Their faiths true soundnes, by their deeds expresse.

So shall heauens God, our King and land defend,

And from his Loynes a Roiall issue send.

That on his throne, shall sit triumphantly,

Til Christ doth come in glorious dignitie.

This grace God grant, and thus shall cease my pen,

But still my heart, till death shall say Amen.

FINIS.

A Song of reioycing for our late deliuerance.

[Page]

GReat Brittons Ile, worlds wonder, heauens delight,

Religions strength, faiths seate, professions stay:

Confirmd, mayntaynd, vpheld, in hels despight,

That [...] in thee saluation florish may.

Thy King suruiues, and on Mount Sion standes,

Protected safe, from force of traytors handes.

Thy Queene, thy Prince, thy Peeres, and Princely state,

Thy Lords, thy Bishopps, Knights, and Burgesses:

God hath preseru'd from Romes intestine hate,

A suddaine slame, should haue consum'd, all these.

Romes traytors n [...]w, so to the world are knowne,

As treasons Min [...], hath Rome, and them vp blowne.

Falshood, [...]ells childe, in hel darke Pathes doth treade,

To hide it selfe, from truthes disc [...]rning eye▪

But traytors, God will to destruction leade,

They cannot liue, from iudgements stroke to flye.

Treason is like, the Baziliske his eyes,

First seeing, kills, first being seene, it dies.

In s [...]ight of Rom [...]s proude Antichristian force,

Celestiall ioy [...], with heauenly comfort [...]

Their soules in whom, once toucht with sinnes remorce.

By [...]aith in Christ, a gratious dew distills.

Rome is exilde, and this is Albions glory,

King Iames maintaines, the scriptures sacred story,

[Page]

When Gods true Church, doth in her glory shine,

Why should some mindes, their wisdome so preserre:

As if they were, then scripture more diuyne,

By selfe conceipt, to seede contentions iarre.

Sunne, Moone, and Starrs, those lights too little be,

To giue them light, that will themselues not see.

A vnyon, and a vniforme, Conclude,

For trifles, let not time with truth contende:

No shadowes can, substantiall faith delude.

Indifferent things, should not the wise offend.

By ioyning all, in blessed vnitie,

With datelesse fame, Crowne Brittons monarchie.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

Times anotomie [sic]. Containing: the poore mans plaint, Brittons trouble, and her triumph. The Popes pride, Romes treasons, and her destruction: affirming, that Gog, and Magog, both shall perish, the Church of Christ shall flourish, Iudeas race shall be restored, and the manner how this mightie worke shall be accomplished. Made by Robert Pricket, a souldier: and dedicated to all the lords of his Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell.

Pricket, Robert.

Edition statement

1606

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A10089

ID [STC]

STC 20342

ID [STC]

ESTC S115240

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99850459

ID [PROQUEST]

99850459

ID [VID]

15666

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A10089)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 15666)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1150:4)

Source

— Times anotomie [sic]. Containing: the poore mans plaint, Brittons trouble, and her triumph. The Popes pride, Romes treasons, and her destruction: affirming, that Gog, and Magog, both shall perish, the Church of Christ shall flourish, Iudeas race shall be restored, and the manner how this mightie worke shall be accomplished. Made by Robert Pricket, a souldier: and dedicated to all the lords of his Maiesties most honourable priuie Councell., Pricket, Robert..

Extent

[64] p.

By George Eld, and are to be sold by Iohn Hodgets,. Imprinted at London :: 1606.. (In verse.) (Signatures: [par.]² A-G⁴ H² .) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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