Zions Thankful Echoes from the Cliffs of Ireland
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The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
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This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
ZIONS thankful Ecchoes from the Clifts of IRELAND.
Or the little Church of Christ in Ireland, warbling out her humble and graceful addresses to her Elder Sister in England: And in particular, To the Parliament, to his Excellency, and to his Army, or that part assigned to her assistance, now in her low, yet hopeful Condition.
[illustration]
Printed for Richard Harper at the Bible and Harp in Smithfield. 1648.
The Messengers humble Presentation.
REnowned Christians, what I here present,
As from a persecuted Sister sent
By my rude hand, to your judicious eye,
Please to accept, and graciously survey:
'It is neither hyperbolical; nor news
From either Turks, Antipodes, or Jews;
But Ecchoes sounding, what you ought to know,
The state of
Zion
in a Land you owe:
Her sighs, her suits, & in the same made known
Her thankful spirit for your kindness shown,
And hopes of comfort by you late assigned,
And blest assistance to relieve her mind.
As in this humble tender you may view
In her own language; Characters full true;
Which
I
her servant, though the most unmeet;
Am thus enjoin'd to offer at your feet,
Which Heavens make powerful in your hearts, so beit.
EDWARD CALVER.
Zion's thankful Ecchoes from the Clifts of IRELAND.
To her Elder Sister in England.
OH, thou my English eldest sister dear,
Who hast took notice of my troubles here,
These times of sorrow, and hast had a heart
To yield me succor, (which thou hast in part,)
But wanted power to make thy purpose known,
By reason of distractions of thine own.
Thou hast again recalled my cares to mind,
And such assistance to my aid assignde,
That, if that malice do not it prevent,
I may be happy in your blest content.
But thou that hast this blessed help assignd,
Wilt not, I see, by a contrary wind
Be beaten off thy purpose, when I see
The winds again do with thy will agree.
No, no, dear sister, thou hast more respect
Unto my case, then to my cares neglect,
Thou wilt not so our sister-hood betray;
Nor doth thy safety stand with my decay.
Our heavenly Father, in his tender care,
Doth to his children like affection bear;
And hath us ti'd by his most sacred laws,
We one should venture in another's cause.
But I have sinned, tis true, but I repent,
And tears have virtue to dissolve a flint.
But tears distild from tender children's eyes,
They stir the fountain where compassion lies.
God such affection to his children bears,
That, out of question, he bewayles their tears;
And in his time, will also still their cries,
And grant their suits, and wipe their watery eyes.
But in his wisdom, he for us thinks meet,
We should have here much bitter with our sweet:
His grapes must be the most exactly pressed,
His wheat must be with greatest labor dressed:
His Dove must live where Ravens and Vultures fly:
His Lambs must feed where Wolves in covert lie:
His Lilies must amongst the thistles grow:
His Rose of Sharon, with the briers blow:
Ishmael and Isaac must be kept alive;
Esau and Jacob must together strive.
And therefore it is policy divine,
That Isaac should with Israel combine
And be united in a mutual band,
Who have such potent forces to withstand.
Besides, our concord and our mutual care,
They are the garments we are bound to
〈◊〉
By Heavens injunction, that we may thereby
Appeare we do belong to the most High:
Whose children here are clad in peace and love.
To make them fit to dwell with him above,
Where faith, and hope, and patience shall surcease,
But love, and peace, and unity increase.
Faith, hope, and patience, are our we
•
pe no here;
But Love the spirit that gives life and cheer.
And we shall fail in all our other parts,
Unless that sacred fire enf
•
ame our hearts.
But wherefore, Sister, should I go about
To bring thy love and care of me in doubt?
When as I see thy love is so divine,
Thou canst not from that principal decline.
To the Parliament of England.
AND You, whom God, who passeth all selectors,
Hath made his choice of to be our protectors,
To labor to defend us by your Laws,
Who have besides, some interest in our cause.
I bless the Heavens that you have heard our cries
Which have been earnest with you for supplies:
And out of sacred sympathizing care,
Have took in hand our low estate to rear,
And still are acting, and in counsel sit
To add more comfort to our causes yet;
Like brave and Christian Senators in trust,
That fear no danger in a cause so just.
Most brave resolve, ride on and prosper still,
And what you have so well begun, fulfill:
No doubt, but God, who set you such a hard
And tedious task, hath set out your reward,
And will bestow it on you, if not here,
Yet when it shall to all the world appear.
Indeed, tis true, your weighty labors call
For great rewards, which yet have been but small;
Unless reproachful language and disdain,
With deadly hatred, may be counted gain:
For this from millions hath been all your pay,
Unless what force from such hath fetched away.
Whose tongues envenom'd with malignant spite
Have breathed out vapors to obscure your light;
Infusing into foolish people's brains,
That stead of freedom, you procure their chains.
These, and too many such like scandals base,
Have vented been, to further your disgrace,
By such as have been enemies, and stood
Against the progress of all Christian good.
Nay these reproaches have so public been,
And so enticing to suspect herein,
That many Christians, and good Christians some,
Have so suspicious by this means become,
As if they had deluded been, because
Their expectation could not brook a pause,
And wait with patience for those things which will
Be worth a wonder, if an age fulfill.
Nay in this nature, I myself have been,
Too much forgetful; pardon me therein;
Poor wretch, because that in my state of grief,
I had not from you, as I wished; relief:
But, notwithstanding many speeches fair,
I still lay under notions of despair;
I grew impatient, and was much inclined
To many perturbations in my mind:
One while resolving that you were my friends,
And would declare unto no other ends,
But loo'd upon me with a melting eye,
And were resolved that I should have supply,
And to my comfort would yourselves enlarge,
Both out of pity, and your special charge.
Another while these hopes of mine were shaken.
And I begun to think myself mistaken;
And that you did not, as I hoped, respect me,
But either did delude me, or neglect me;
And that the voice of people in this kind,
So common, was not all malignant wind.
Thus like the Phoenix, feeding on the air,
'Twixt heaven and earth, twixt hoping and dispair;
My thoughts were wrestles, and my time was spent
In various musing upon the event.
When I considered what you had begun,
And had already for my comfort done,
Together with your promised supplies.
My heart got comfort, and my hopes did rise;
And hourly looked you should my aid renew
By every wind that from your confines blew.
But when, alas, I looked, and looked again;
And yet at last I saw I looked in vain:
No colors for me on my coast displayd,
But winds and tides came empty still of aid.
Whiles what I had already did abate,
Through the increase of such as do me hate,
Who still persisting, and my life pursuing,
With Oaths combining to effect my ruin.
My heart oft fainted, and my fears got ground,
And sometimes cast me into such a swound,
That I did almost all belief refrain
Of ever seeing good day here again,
And that it was but trusting to a reed,
To wait for help of mortal men at need,
Whose strength was like their promises, but frail,
And at most need, most likely then to fail,
Thus like a Turtle mourning for her mate,
Or like an Orphan in a helpless state:
Or like a Captive in a Tyrants hand:
Or like a Virgin in a Bruitish Land:
In forced silence, with my face obscured,
Through tears distilled, and griping woes indur'd,
My life hath long time in sad discontent,
And fears, and cares, both night and day been spent.
Thus, worthy Patriots passion hath been strong,
And caused me sometimes to conceive you wrong,
And look upon you with a frowning brow,
Neglecting what I had more cause to know,
Which were mine own infirmities, my sin,
In viewing which I have too partial been,
When under heavens correction for the same,
I laid on others (not myself) the blame.
Nor did I duly, as indeed I ought,
Regard the task wherein at home you wrought;
How hard it was, how difficult, and vast,
And through what care and dangers must be past;
How many hills and mountains leveld be,
Before you could have passage unto me.
Besides, my elder Sister in your hand
Must be secured, before you took in hand
To state the younger in her freedoms fit,
Which would another tedious work beget.
In these respects I was, indeed, too blind,
The woeful sense of present grief of mind,
So far my senses, and my soul oppressed,
That I thought little of ensuing rest.
But you, whose judgments are p
•
ofound and wise,
And foresee dangers, you have cleerd my eyes,
And made me see and sensible in fine,
That you did never pu
•
pose to decline
Or slight my cause, but only were withheld,
Or by a strong necessity compelled
To rest content, till Heavens should permit
Both time and opportunity most fit.
But now so soon as that eternal hand,
Which turns and orders all things at command,
Hath set his wheel of providence some stay
Within that Nation where you do bear sway,
You have, unto your everlasting fame,
To my rejoicing, and unto the shame
Of such as have most wretchedly bely'd you,
Assign'd me, by that providence that guide you,
So brave an Army, such a strong supply,
To aid your part here, and my cause to try,
That if brave Worthies; here may be no want
Of those supplies you have been pleased to grant,
I doubt not but my cruel foes ere long
Will prove as weak as ever they were strong,
And fly as fast, and faster out of fight,
As ever they did gather and unite.
For though the Heavens have used them as a rod,
Yet in their hearts, they fighting against God,
He hearing his afflicted ones complain,
Will cast his tod out of his hand again,
And make it known his children are beloved,
Though by the wicked, for their good, reproved.
This is most certain, therefore you that have
So kindly sent to raise me from the Grave,
And give me life and freedom, once again,
In spite of all my enemies disdain;
I bless you for it, and beseech you still
Persist therein, and now the work fulfill.
And let not such impediments prevent,
As spring from mere sinister discontent;
But let the dread of the divine displeasure
Which is concerned herein in such a measure,
Exalt your thoughts above such trivial causes,
As may incite you unto needless pauses.
That God, whose hand did ever so appear
To aid at home, will not be absent here:
Your case is still the same it was before,
And your engagements equal, if not more.
What though your foes be numerous? alas,
Heavens, by your hands, bring miracles to pass:
And though the work you have to overcome.
Doth threat to shake the very walls of Rome,
And seems a Writ of Privilege now hurld
Amongst the Saints throughout the Christian world;
Yet fear not, tis not multitudes nor art,
Can rout that side, with whom the Heavens take part.
Let not your hearts then, nor your hands decline,
That work shall prosper which is Heavens design:
You have a warrant that will bear you out
In any Christian work you go about;
Especially that work above the rest,
Suppressing of the Antichristian beast.
And you, whose wisdoms have so well been tried
In circumventing of this man of Pride,
You having courage, need not counsel'd be
Which way to act to set me soonest free.
Yet, out of feeling of my former woes,
Admit me leave to show what I suppose
Hath been a special or the master plot,
Whereby the Papists here such part have got.
The watchful soldier that doth center keep,
When foes are waking, will not be asleep:
The skillful boatsman that would make to shore,
The winds not serving, plies his Oares the more:
The Garden-dresser, that sows tender seeds,
Takes the more labor to prevent the Weeds:
The prudent Husband that hath Corn to sow
On grounds are doubtful, the more seed doth throw;
And when with care he hath bestowd his cost,
He still doth labor that it be not lost.
Even so, this many an unhappy year,
The Romish seeds men, Seminaries here
Have been most active, diligent, precise,
By art and labor, what they could devise
To sow this Land with their corrupted grains,
And through their subtle and uncessant pains,
This work hath so far prosperd in their hands,
That crops are plenteous in the very sands.
But, to the scandal of the English care,
Good seeds men in this Nation have been rare,
And that amongst the English too, a shame
That English Christians, who desire the fame,
Of the Professors of the truth indeed,
Should take so little pains to sow good seed;
For want whereof so many grounds lie wast,
So many souls are barren, or at least,
Let lie, as Land that hath on purpose been
Designd the foe, to sow his tares therein.
Nor lies this blemish only here, no doubt,
But partly upon such as sent these out;
Those Pilots that sat at the helm to guide,
They should this Charge with more repect have ey'd;
They should as well have took the work in hand
For to convert, as to subject this Land;
Have sought to save the precious souls of men,
As well as seise the substance was therein.
And questionless, the want of this same care
Of gaining souls, converting people here
Hath moved that God who gave us this possession,
Thus now to bring our holding it in question.
But herein you that now are at the stern,
I mean you not, this doth you not concern:
This fault is ancient, these are passing by's,
Or doors left ope before you had the keys.
But now you are in trust in like condition,
Your care already may prevent suspicion;
That when you have possession in your hand
Of this rebellious, and revolting Land,
You will proceed in what you have begun,
And no good action shall be left undone,
That heavens agreeing with your resolution,
May by your means be put in execution.
And in especial that your care will be
So far extended in respect of me,
That you will use all diligence and speed
To sow this Land with uncorrupted seed;
Will plant a plenteous Ministry herein,
And far more faithful then before hath been,
That every cornet of this continent
May have a watchman from your confines sent.
Or that some happy nursery of wits
May here be founded, as indeed besits;
From whence, as from a sacred foord, may flow,
Such streams of knowledge, and such seed to sow:
This void, or rather this corrupted Isle,
That it in time may prove a fruitful soil,
Or second
Canaan,
where may safely dwell,
The seed of
Abraham,
sons of Israel
Without disturbance by the native part,
The sons of
Belial,
or the Romish art.
This famous Founders, I
•
xp
•
ct
••
s
•
y
If
•••
vens again shall give you here the d
•
y;
L
••
in a pl
•
nteous Ministry, and sound
In lif
•
•
nd Doctrine pious, and profound,
D
••
ssenting not in judgment, as of lat
•
,
Consists the safety both of Church and St
•
te,
And when an able Ministry is plant
•
d,
As it is sit such maintenance be granted,
As may both keep their spirits up from filling,
And add a glory to their sacred calling:
So it is needful, on the other side:
That it relates not to excess, or pride.
For what especially but the desire,
And avaricious longing to aspire,
And be above all moderated scope,
Did first incite, and now hath set the Pope
Upon the head of Emperors and Kings,
Yea climbs above all sublunary things?
But you that do these weighty causes pond
•
r,
And whose especial charge th
•
y do lie under;
I need not question that you will be just,
And wise, and watchful in your charge in trust,
Not only in relation to that hand
That made you great, and put you in command;
But also in a serious respect,
So many eyes upon your acts reflect,
That almost all the Christians of this age
Are gazet on the Actions of your stage;
And lastly in regard unto the cry,
My elder sister, in your arms, and I
Within your trust, upon our knees do make,
That you will not our case in hand forsake,
But speed and prosecute it in that kind
And blessed manner that you have designed.
And that division, that same bane of Peace,
And foe to virtue, do not make you cease
That work you have begun, and so far wrought
Untill it be unto perfection brought.
To His Excellency the Lord FAIRFAX.
MOst Noble Champion, England's chief Commander,
Who in the tedious dangerous
Meander
Of England's winding, waving, desperate ways,
In wars intestine, have got through with praise;
And brought those swelling, raging, roaring Seas,
Through God's assistance to a calm, and peace.
For which your Kingdom, and therein my sister,
That through your labors, God hath late so blest her,
Are bound to write your name in gold so pure,
That time, nor envy, may the same obscure;
But after ages may so happy be,
To read your worth, which we are blest to see.
And now you have those craggy mountains past,
And gained a valley, well secured at last,
Whiles friends at house are singing your deserts,
Your care is how to succor other partes.
A truly worthy General indeed,
Whose actions are so generous at need,
That no good motion can have your denial.
To aid where Christian quarrels are in trial.
Of which brave Warrior I have cause of boasts,
Or c
•
use to bless you, and the God of hosts,
Who in my g
•
eat nec
•
ssity and gri
•
fe,
Have out of pity thought o
•
my relief;
That I who long time have been forced to shifts,
And d
•
iven for safety to the rocks and clifts,
Am now in hope I shall ere long disclose,
And show myself in presence of my foes.
Your foes at home are forced now to sooth,
And out of fear do give you language smooth,
Dissembling in your presence sugared Notes,
Hiding like Asps, the poison in their throats;
Which in your absence they are bold to v
•
nt
With secret friends, to your disparagement;
And if they could advantage find, and place,
Are ready yet to spit it in your face.
Whiles such as are your foes abroad, no doubt,
In your disgrace are ready to speak out;
And do proclaim their malice, and invite
All others they confide in to unite;
That it concerns you to have
Argus
ey
•
s
To foresee dangers, and their plots surprise.
But heavens, upon the other side I know
Do aid you, and the better part below
Are on your side, and do esteem you dear,
And out of doubt, are ready to appear
With help, and hearts united to assist,
And take your part, in whom they have been blest.
And therefore fear not such as shall oppose;
You yet have made them all subdued foes
That have adventured to resist your hand,
And out of question shall do whiles you stand
In the defense of Truth and right, although
The world should join to work your overthrow.
And for that strength you have assigned to me,
Your force thereby shall not enfeebled be,
The heavens herein will make supply no doubt,
Whose case to aid you, send a party out,
For God himself doth still assistance lend
To aid all such as in his case contend.
And what brave
Joshua,
can be judged hath been
The cause that since you did your task begin
You have so prospered, and atchiev'd such fame
That Europe wonders, and admires the same?
But only that the active hand of heaven,
By which success and victories are given:
Hath still gone with you in each enterprise
In an especial and most pow'rfull wise.
To withstand which in any time of trouble,
The arm of flesh is but like straw, or stubble
To withstand fire; or like a drop of rain
Let fall to still the raging of the main.
To order battles, and give victory
Is the prerogative of the most high,
To show his greatness, who is strength indeed;
That so no flesh should glory in their reed.
Only amongst men where he doth affect,
As instrumental he doth some select
To fight his battles, and infuseth skill,
And care, and force to execute his will.
Which in your person doth appear at large,
He having granted to your noble charge
The greatest work for latter times, that yet
The heavens did to a human hand commit:
And in the same hath hitherto no less
Renown'd you with miraculous success.
I long indeed have sighed for relief,
And filled the air with echoes of my grief,
In hope the winds would on my woes so smile
To bear the sense thereof into your Isle.
But long I looked for what I longed to hear,
A sweet return of what the winds should bear,
A happy answer of my heavy cry,
Before my woeful wants could have supply.
But now I see and to my comfort find
The cause my suits have been so long declined,
Was not for want of pity in the rest,
Nor want of courage in your noble breast,
But want of opportunity to send
Such aid and comfort as you did intend.
Let glory then eternallize your fame,
Whose courage, whiles the cause remains the same,
Doth constant hold, and tis not distance, fate,
Nor fear, nor danger, can the same abate.
Proceed and prosper then as you have done;
Here is another conquest to be won,
Which heaven I hope which have the same in birth,
Will add unto the Trophies of your worth.
What though my state hath been full bad? you know
The case of God can never be too low
For him to raise it, but the lower cast,
The higher he doth raise it at the last.
B
•
sides, the wisdom of our Maker waits
To t
•
ke a sweet advantage of our States,
And then his help and comforts do explain,
When help and hopes with men are counted vain.
That so the world may see his working hand;
His foes thereat the more amazed stand:
And those whose state so desperate he raises,
May be engaged unto his greater praises.
Thus God proceedeth often, as full well
You by experience of the same can tell;
Which is enough forever to incline
Your dauntles spirit to a just design,
How hard so ere it be to undergo,
If God shall please to call you thereunto.
Now in assurance of the same I stand,
Attending on God's pleasure in your hand,
And in submission to the same shall rest,
Presenting of my most entire request
Unto the heavens, that they your part may take,
And favor all that sight for ZIONS sake.
To the English Commanders and Soldiers assigned forth relief of Ireland.
WElcome that will come, noble friends indeed,
That will vouchsafe a visit where is need:
The rich, tis true have many friends, but such
As do want riches, do want friends as much.
But with you, Worthies, it is otherwise,
You seem to grace where others do despise.
Oh that I had but means unto my mind,
To welcome you, and those that are behind,
That you might taste my thankfulness, and they
Might hear thereof, and make no more delay!
But though my hand be empty, I am poor,
Yet there are riches plenty on my shore:
Such as have robbed me, they have riches left
They stole from me, to take which is no theft;
And what is missing, tis but justice shown,
If they make restitution of their own.
Besides this Island is a fruitful field.
Or pleasant Garden which doth plenty yield:
The Sun, the Moon, the Stars consenting be;
The Elements do all therein agree.
The fire is not predominating here;
But cold and heat do moderate appear:
The Air so fare an Antidote and pure,
That nothing poisonous can the same endure.
The water sweet and pleasant streams abound,
Where fowls and fishes are in plenty found.
The earth a Garden, from whose fatness springs
A blessed fullness of terrestrial things.
Besides these strong inducements which invite
In the respect of profit, and delight:
You also have some int'rest here, 'tis known,
That you, in part, contend but for your own:
Your own by conquest, and should that be lost
Through want of care, which in achieving cost
Your noble and renowned fathers dear,
The price of blood, the work of many a year?
Should that, I say, then, which bold fathers got
Be lost by children? Oh! it were a blot,
A scar, a shame, a scandal to your deeds,
That England's Cedars should become such reeds,
The offspring of such active, valiant, strong,
And conquering hands, should put up such a wrong:
Besides the loss; which is so great, that sure,
True English hearts will not the same endure,
They will not have it in records to find,
That English spirits can be so declined.
But valiant Leaders, you whose acts declare
That English hearts are still without compare,
And will not have your reputation stained,
By losing honor your forefathers gained;
If you thus claim an interest in this Land,
You have a greater prize then here in hand:
And what more deeply doth engage your fame
Unto the prosecution of the same?
God's case is your case, as his instruments:
And he in his especial providence,
Hath called you hither, as it doth appear,
To fight the battles of Jehovah here.
His holy word, his worship, truth, and name,
With all sincere Professors of the same.
Have here a long time persecuted been
By Antichrist that active man of sin,
And his adherents, who have here of late
Prevail'd insulted, seemed predominate.
But now I hope the heavy sighs and groans,
And cries and tears of God's afflicted ones;
Together with the jealousy and care,
He doth unto his word, and worship bear,
Hath wrought upon his clemency so far,
That he intends to be at open war
Against his, and my enemies, and yours,
And will r
•
prove them, and confound their powers.
This God can do, and will do too, although
The times and seasons when we do not know,
But when tis most unlikely in man's eye,
'It is then God's usual opportunity.
And why not now then, may not we conceit,
When as our foes were got to such a height?
For my part I remain undaunted still,
Because I know God can do what he will,
He now I hope will in his tender love,
His power and wisdom in this Land improve,
In once more sowing it with holy seed,
His sacred truths, and the most saving Creed;
His worship, Sabbaths, Sacraments and Saints,
In purest sense, and without sad restraints;
And make this Kingdom (which hath been a cage
Of unclean spirits, and a very stage
For Antichrist to Act upon at pleasure,
Too many years, and in too great a measure)
To become now an holy Land, excelling
In virtue, truth, and righteousness; a dwelling
For God himself, in holiness and grace,
An earthly ZION for his Saints, a place
Where I in peace, may henceforth sit and sing
The holy praises of my heavenly King.
Most glorious work! what heart that is upright,
Can think upon the same without delight?
Or yet what hand can closed up be found
Against a work so pious, and renowned?
Sure you that are admitted to the same,
It will forever add unto your fame,
And if your hearts do answer this design,
Your works will surely render you divine.
Brave and approved Commanders there
•
proceed,
The case requires your diligence, and speed.
Your hearts did never fail you, and I t
•
ust,
Your hands, your help will to your hearts be just.
What though your foes be numerous or mad.
And shall prove desperate? yet their case is bad,
And that which God doth, out of doubt detest,
Which is enough to warrant you the best;
For where, and only where the heavens oppose
That side proves ever the subdued foes.
You have experience hereof and can tell
God's wonder working in this kind full well;
Which cannot but your noble breasts inspire
With such a valiant resolute desire
To take his part, who still did succor grant you,
That fear nor force, nor danger now can dant you.
But what need other arguments herein,
Then the suppressing of the man of sin?
Who in this nation, and in other parts,
The truths of God, and souls of men subverts.
What can be more encouragement then this?
No combat half so capable of bliss.
The honor both of this world, and the fame
Of that which is to come attends the same;
Where such as have been soldiers in the wars
For God, and souls, shall shine above the stars,
And wear the crown of conquerors, more worth
Then all the Crowns, and Diadems on earth.
Can you fear danger then in such a strife?
In which to die, admi
••
a better life?
I trust you cannot, nay by trial know it.
Your constant actions do directly show it.
Then, to plead further in this cause I need not,
You so fear God, the face of men you dread not,
That God who can, who hath, and sure who will
Whiles you stand for him stand up for you still.
And you the Soldiers under this command,
Who are assigned to redeem this Land,
And that indeed which is by odds most dear,
Profession of the true Religion here:
By rooting out of Popery, that spell
Of Antichrist, that active charm of hell.
Wherewith this Kingdom is become enchanted;
Nay most of Europe by this fury haunted.
You ever have most willingly appeared
And resolutions readily declared
For the defense, and manfully to fight
For true Religion, piety, and right:
Here you may have your element for this,
Of all things here, such noble minds I miss:
For true Religion here hath been disdained,
And Popery hath domineer'd and reigned,
And I that have inhabited this Isle,
Have been as banished, driven into exile.
Consider this, and out of care Divine,
And pity to this sad estate of mine;
Together with the garlands you may wear
If you persist; but shame if you forbear.
And rouse your warlike spirits, and be seen
In holy zeal, above malignant spleen,
Or superstitious jealousy, that fire;
And make the world take notice and admire.
That Jesus Christ hath better soldiers far
Then Antichrist hath any in his war.
Besides, you know that savage beast of Rome
Is sentenced by irrevocable doom,
To be subjected, weaken and decline,
And be a prey unto the Saints in fine,
And Rome shall fall, and sure God is not slack
Concerning this; do you not hear it crack?
Sure if your ears were opened aright,
To heavens predictions in this thing, you might.
Can you be without comfort then, or cold?
Or will you not be resolute and bold?
In such a quarrel as hath such a warrant,
As is in holy records so apparent?
Yes, yes, brave Soldiers, these are sure such ti
•
s
As will contstrain you, make y
•
ur spirits rise,
And stir your veins, and Christian valiant hearts
In this design to show your true deserts.
And stop the mouth of envy, and make known
Those fatal blasts malignant breath hath blown
Into your faces, are but out of spite.
And false r
•
ports, which tell men that you sight
For neither faith, nor truth, nor to def
•
nd
The true Religion, as you do pretend.
But Christian Soldiers, though these be some scars,
Or sc
•
ndalls vented to disgrace you
•
wars;
Yet I am hopeful, nay, am confident,
That these were never heads of your intent,
Nor ever shall be: and indeed I tremble,
To think you should be thought so to dissemble.
Moreover had God's case been h
•
er let fall,
And I left helpless now in hopeless thrall,
I had not o
•
lie seemed a sad compliance
With Antichrist (whom God hath in defiance)
But in the loss of this Land had be shown,
The hazard if not losing of y
•
ur own.
It is time then to be stirring, and resolved
To quit this cloud wherein you were involved,
And make it truly to the world appear,
You are in all such accusations clear,
And that your hearts do with your case comply,
And so resolved you will live and die.
It is time, I say, but not, I hope, too late,
Though time delayd, yet not time out of date,
But that you may recover all this loss,
Yea make advantage of it, and engross
The greater honor by your hotter fires
Of Christian zeal, to show your just desires.
And pious hearts for peace of Church, and State;
And that you do abominate, and hate
All fatal insurrection, mutinizing,
First heavens abuse, of
Lucifers
devising;
And ever since hath been the overthrow
Of all that practice in the same below.
Elisha's
servant was afraid, tis true,
When as th
•
ir foes were only in his view;
But when the heavens had made his eye-sight clear,
The strongest pa
•
t did on their side appear.
That part, indeed, is strongest which is God's,
Although it seems the weakest part by odds;
Nay, God doth mostly multitudes eschew,
To try his case, and chooseth but a few;
That so his greatness may the more be known;
And men not challenge what is not their own.
Nay God can make his s
•
nsles creatures stand
His friends at need, his Army at command,
Too great to be resisted, as is found
In plaguing
Pharaoh,
and his Army drowned:
The
•
lemen
•
s, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars
Are all his host to prosecute his wars.
That tis, inde
•
d his clemency and love,
To grace and honor men herein, above
His other creature
•
s, that he gives men art,
And call them forth, as friends, to take his part,
When it is known he is sufficient, still,
Without his creatures aid to do his will;
His Word is able in a trice to burst
All earthen vessels, by it made at first.
Oh! then, you men whom this great God hath chose
To take his part, as friends, against his foes;
You cannot sure be faint, or fearful where
'It is thus confirmed, you have no cause to fear.
Or may you not be rather seemly proud,
That you are to that dignity allowed,
To help the Lord against the Mighty? when
The Lord indeed is only Mighty: men
Are earth, worms, or his earthen vessels wrought,
Which he can dash in pieces with a thought.
B
•
sides brav
•
S
•
uldiers, if you could be faint,
Or f
•
lse, or fig
•
t but upon mere constraint,
Or w
•
ich is worse
•
be disolute, and rude;
To God's disho
•
our, and your shame, conclude,
G
••
would not own you, though he might employ you:
B
••
h
•
d a purpose
•
r
•
there to destroy you,
T
•
en to d
•
fend you or to give you part
Of c
•••••
st with him, who had not your heart:
But wherefore should I presuppose or qu
•
stion
Such fa
•
lings in you who have made profession
Of your sincere, and Christian-like intents,
And there to given unanimous consents?
No, noble Warriers, Christian Soldiers, know,
I do you better estimation owe;
I cannot construe your intentions bad,
Who so good Christian discipline have had.
Proceed, proceed, then doubt not of success;
Your case in question promiseth no less;
God will not fail you, nor your spirits yield,
Which are by God and Conscience clear up held.
As for supplies, you need not fear delay:
As for reward, God's is the only pay:
His service with the best supplies abound:
His Soldiers with the richest Garlands crowned.
And as for men, I dare presume so far,
That, where their purses to your former war
Were oft forced ope: they to relief of me,
Now out of zeal and pity will be free;
Their purses, hands, and hearts to this design
Will freely ope, and joyfully incline:
In which so fully is to be discerned
Both their own safety, and God's cause concerned.
Besides, what here you, by your valor shown,
Shall conquer, shall in part become your own;
You shall not beat the air, or the wind;
But booty pray and pay, are yours assigned,
That with the greater courage you maintain
This enterprize, the more shall be your gain.
Do then, oh do then your brave hearts express,
As to your honor you declare no less,
And stop the mouth of malice, and compel
Meer envy on your actions to speak well.
Whiles I, and all the Saints on earth shall pray
That you may prosper, and our foes decay:
That ZIONS side may have the upper hand,
And Rome's impostures be expelled this Land.
FINIS