The two incomparable generalissimo's of the world, with their armies briefly described and embattailed, visibly and invisibly opposing each other

The two incomparable generalissimo's of the world, with their armies briefly described and embattailed, visibly and invisibly opposing each other

Table of contents

THE TWO INCOMPARABLE GENERALISSIMO'S of the world, with their Armies briefly deſcribed and embattailed, viſibly and inviſibly oppoſing each other. The one is the old Serpent the Devill, Generall of the Church Malignant. The other is the Lord JESUS CHRIST, Generall of the Church Militant.

To the Reader.

§

THE TWO INCOMPARABLE GENERALISSIMO'S of the world, with their Armies briefly deſcribed and embattailed, viſibly and inviſibly oppoſing each other.
The one is the old Serpent the Devill, Generall of the Church Malignant.
The other is the Lord JESUS CHRIST, Generall of the Church Militant.

[Page]

Argument.

ACcording to the Enmity decreed

Betweene the womans and the Serpents ſeed

In Paradiſe, each other doth defie,

This hatred laſteth to Eternity:

No marvell then that Warre is now begun

Unnaturally 'twixt father and the ſon.

CLad all in angry Armes of diſcontent,

Becauſe of his perpetuall baniſhment

From bliſſe, above fiv [...] [...]houſand yeares ago,

And in revenge of that ſame fatall blow,

Given him by that pure unſpotted Ch [...]

Borne of a woman whom he ſo beguil [...]

The old infernall Serpent ever ſince,

Hath prov'd a hatefull Rebell to his Prince,

And all enrag'd with malice and deſpight,

He leads his captive ſouldiers thus to fight.

In Van, or Front march Infidels without

The Church, then Perſecutors, and the rout

Of Heretiques within; the Middleward

Prophane, and all ungodly men do guard;

The Reare conſiſts of an accurſed Crew,

Terrible indeed, and hideous to view

(As Conſcience awaked once can tell)

Deadly ſinne, damnation, death and hell.

The wings, or ſides this body that incloſe

Are fleſhly luſts, and worldly pleaſures Foes,

That by force of ſtrong perſwaſion kill,

Moe, than the Tempter can with all his skill▪

The Collonels, Captains, Drums and Trumpeters,

And other ſuch inferiour Officers,

Are infernall ſpirits hovering in the aire;

Th'word of command's Preſumption and Deſpaire.

Thus Summum Malum, Summum Bonums Foe,

Sets up his Standard here on earth below;

And with his falſe ſuggeſtions, every houre

Drawes to his party a Malignant power

Of Potentates, as well as baſer ſort,

His earthly fading kingdomes to ſupport,

And ſends abroad his nimble Mercuries,

Intelligencers, Scouts, and Aulick lyes,

And promiſeth rewards for all their paines,

As pleaſures, treaſures, dignities and gaines:

But all theſe proffers prove but a flim-flam,

He leaves them at the laſt like Doctor Lambe;

And when delights, and life are gone and paſt,

Then comes the ſad Cataſtrophe at laſt,

Endleſſe and eaſeleſſe torments in hell-fire,

This is the Serpents and his ſouldiers hire.

AGainſt this Hydra-headed Army ſtands

The Prince of Peace, with his victorious bands;

Not that this glorious Conquerour doth need

Created helpe, t'effect a noble deed;

For He Himſelfe did long ago ſubdue

The Prince or darkneſſe, and th'infernall crew;

But to communicate He doth delight

To ſilly Mortals His owne match [...]eſſe might,

Which ſo upon them daily He conferres,

That in the end th'are more than conquerers;

Yet none but ſlaves, and conquered by ſinne

He makes His ſould [...]ers, and the field to winne,

After He firſt hath pull'd them from the jawes

Of death and hell, and given them new Lawes

And principle [...] divine; then doth diſpoſe

Them thus in order 'gainſt His Churches Foes.

The Vant-guard doth conſiſt of Saints, and brave

Heroick Martyrs, who deſpiſe the grave;

The true Profeſſours of the Goſpell next,

(With ſcoffing Chams and lying Doegs vext)

March in the Middleward; But O the Reare,

(That which moſt th'infernall force doth feare)

Conſiſteth of the Generalls owne merits,

Which ſuccour ſends unto the fainting ſpirits

Of all His ſouldiers, who elſe would be loſt;

The wings on each ſide of this glorious Hoaſt,

Are ſtretched farre above all earthly things,

Spirituall graces making lively ſprings

Of hope and joy with promiſes ſo ſure

Of heav'nly life for ever to endure.

The Officers to this High Generall,

Are brave Commanders, bleſſed Angels all,

Who at their Captaines becke like lightning move;

Th'word of command is this; I feare, and love.

Thus ſtands the Chriſtian arm'd againſt his Foes,

Giving, and ſometimes taking many blowe [...],

And that not by imaginary force

But as really as did Foot and Horſe

Neare Wincheſter of late, where ſoules apace

Fled to the frowning and the ſmiling face

Of this great Generall; For only He

Bindeth, and maketh men and Angels free.

And by His mighty power doth ſo keepe

His ſouldiers happy ſoules that fall aſleepe

That ſtinging death ſhall never hurt them, why?

Becauſe they dye to live eternally.

To the Reader.

NOw may thine eye convey unto thy heart,

Thine own condition (Reader) on whoſe part

Or ſide, to take up armes thou doſt intend,

Or be unto thy ſelfe a Foe or Friend;

For under one of theſe two Generalls

The ſervice of all men and Angels falls;

You ſee the Captaines and their wages both,

O love the one then, and the other loath.

G W.

§

London Printed, for Iames Butler, 1644,

Information about this book

Title statement

The two incomparable generalissimo's of the world, with their armies briefly described and embattailed, visibly and invisibly opposing each other

Wither, George, 1588-1667.

Edition statement

1644

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2006-02 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A66787

ID [STC]

Wing W3204C

ID [STC]

ESTC R39741

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

18478470

ID [OCLC]

ocm 18478470

ID [VID]

107828

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A66787)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 107828)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1644:23 or 2104:2)

Source

— The two incomparable generalissimo's of the world, with their armies briefly described and embattailed, visibly and invisibly opposing each other, Wither, George, 1588-1667..

Extent

1 broadside.

Printed for James Butler,. London :: 1644.. (In verse.) (Signed: G.W.) (Attributed to George Wither by NUC pre-1956 imprints.) (Wing number W32 cancelled in Wing (CD-ROM, 1996).) (Reproduction of originals in the Harvard University Library.)

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