This stately isle which still för worth excell'd,
The first great bounds which (of itselfe intire)
Both paganisme and popery quite expell'd,
And to perfection alwayes did aspire;
With sacred rage though first some Germans swell'd,
Here rose the sparke, whence they themselves took
Who clear'd the way to many strugling ones, [fire:
Yet dy'd in peace, though spite did burne his bones.
Straight (boldly building on so solid ground)
From Bohem two for glory are design'd,
With learned Hierome, holy Hus renown'd,
A second Stephen, first martyr of one kinde;
He for that faith which in himselfe was found,
And want in others whom no faith could binde,
For too much goodnesse prov'd a guilty man,
Though call'd a goose, succeeded by a swanne.

Salvation's worke performing as fore-told,
Our great Redeemer offred up his bloud;
And with like inke their blisse doth rest enrold,
To nourish soules with a celestiall food,
Who (when grown strong) the truth so to unfold,
Could but by death make their profession good:
Thus cruelty the foes of Christ doth prove,
And suffring is their badge whom he doth love.

Their severall parts what volume could containe,
Whom (whilst they guiltlesse scorn'd for feare to flie)
French massacres, and Mary's bloudy raigne,
As Christ for them, for Christ did make to dye;
And in all states which did the truth restraine,
The faith of numbers raging flames did try.
Yet naming some, lest silence others wrong,
As now in Heaven, Muse, joyne them in my song.
And martyrs you who bravely march'd before,
Whil'st match'd with moderns do not wrath conceive;
When press'd by Pagans idols to adore,

You chus'd to dye, ere quite your Lord to leave;
These suffred have as much, and aym'd at more,
Who (though they might themselves as Christians
save)

Did dye ere that they would Christ's will transgresse, In substance, forme, or any way made lesse.

The Levites long a darknesse huge endur'd,
Till that those books which did God's will containe,
When found, and read, a publicke griefe procur'd,
Each soule from sinne divorcing with disdaine;
Even so the truth (which ignorance obscur'd)
lames (like losias) did divulge againe:
But priests of purpose would the gospell hide,
Where priests were glad to get the law for guide.

O happy you whose pennes in nectar steept!
To flye the like, doe draw immortall lines,
Which well deserve in marble to be kept,
Since light enlarg'd by them more clearely shines;
Whil'st all securely cloath'd with darkenesse slept,
Religion's difference quickned good engines,
Which courting knowledge now tosse learned
Not by implicite faith adventring soules. [scroules,

A number, loe, I view made happy here,
Who by their travell, sprituall gold refin'd,
And mysteries, which doubtfull were, made cleere,
Instructing all, confirming many minde,
Not aym'd to others till themselves were neere,
Did leade their flockes, not driv'd, yet stay'd be-
hinde:

Such (as their doctrine) were reputed pure; "Words but direct, example must allure."

Thrice happy those, who now in time beginne,
Themselves first judging, judgement to prevent,
Ere swallow'd quite, opposing horrid sinne
By pale remorse, with inward anguish rent;
Aswing'd with winde, houre's ayery glasse doth rinne,
And can no more be turn'd, repent, repent.
That fatall serjeant, Death, spares no degree,
And Heavens straight hast to give their last decree.

DOOMES-DAY;

OR,

THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD'S IVDGEMENT.

THE TENTH HOURE.

THE ARGUMENT.

To this great court, all come from every land,
T'attend the sentence of their joy or paine,
And straight the blessed and the damned band,
Are here to part, no more to meet againe ;
But first the wicked and the Divell doe stand,
Against Christ's justice grudging to complaine:
Till both are straight transported unto Hell,
Where they together must for ever dwell.

HEAVEN'S Monarch with great majesty doth sit,
His count'nance flaming from a stately throne;
This processe doth no deputy admit,
But he himselfe is indge of every one;
Due reverence fore'd with circumstances fit,
Whil'st murmuring guiltinesse doth sadly groue,
The bookes of conscience open doe remaine,
And all accuse of that which they containe

Some seeme not apt to heare by distance made,
(Much place possess'd) when all the world are met,
O! but his voyce (which they even heard when dead)
May to their eares who live soone passage get;
And some would thinke their noyse for feare who
fade,

Should all Heaven's circuit with confusion set:
If from his court each judge can tumult take,
Who order'd order may an order make.

Who can that throne imagine in his minde,
Where starres would be but staines, and terrours
Yet (as in gold a diamond enshrin'd) [grace?
More glorious he who doth adorne that place;
All darknesse is, which any where hath shin'd,
If match'd with rayes of that majesticke face:
And all to crowne what farther can be told?
There God in person his chiefe court doth hold.

This mighty Judge that comes downe from above,
No end at all in any sort can sway;
No intercession can his judgement move,
No advocates defend, no, not delay,
No witnesse wants, nor circumstance to prove,
Time so to gaine, as something were away:

Christ lightning love surveighes that joyfull band,
Since them (even then while as they wretched seem'd)
He did foresee by grace reserv'd to stand,
And could not faile to know whom he redeem'd,
Their honour now (when plac'd at his right hand)
Can by no meanes be high enough esteem'd;
He doth delight in them as his owne broode,
Who had their being onely from his bloode.

That happie squadron is not question'd now,
What ill they did, what good they did neglect,
No circumstance is urg'd, when, where, nor how,
They oft had fail'd, in what God did direct;
He trusts, not tries, not counts, but doth allow;
The Lord in Israell will no fault detect,
But absolutely doth absolve them all,
And from their bondage to a kingdome call.

"You whom my Father bless'd (noe more dismai'd)
Come, and enjoy that boundlesse kingdom now,
Which ere the world's foundations first were lai'd,
By Heaven's decree hath beene prepar'd for you,
With raies more bright then are the sunne's arrai'd,
Before the throne you shall with reverence bow;
The height of pleasure which you should possesse,
No tongue of man is able to expresse.

"When press'd by famine you me friendly fed,
And did with drinke my scorching thirst allay;
You with your garments mee (when naked) clad,
Whose kindely visits sickenesse could not stay;
No, even in prison, they mee comfort bred,
Thus (charity extended every way)
Your treasures (kept in Heaven) for int'rest gaine,
That you enrich'd eternally remaine."

With sprituall joy each one transported sings,
And (lifted up) to Heaven in haste would flie,
But yet this speech so great amazement brings,
That modestly they (as with doubt) replie;
"Unbounded Lord, when didst thou lack such things,
That there was cause our willingnesse to try?
Who nothing had but what thou gav'st to us;
How couldst thou need, or we afford it thus?"

"That which was given (as now I do reveale) Unto the least of those whom I held deare, (Saith Christ) deep grav'd with an eternall seale, As due by me, I do acknowledge here; Those were the objects prompted for your zeale, By which your goodnesse onely could appeare;

Best magazines for wealth the poore did prove, Where, when laid up, no thiefe could it remove'."

Thus helpfull almes, the off'ring most esteem'd,
Doth men on th' Earth, the Lord in Heaven content,
How many are (if time might be redeem'd)
Who wish they thus their revenues had spent?
If this on th' Earth so profitable seem'd,
What usurer would for others gaines be bent?
But would the poore with plenty oft supply,
Though they themselves for want were like to die.

Those who (affecting vaine ambition's end)
To gaine opinion muster all in show,
And (prodigall) superfluously spend
All what they have, or able are to owe,
For pleasures fraile whil'st straying fancies tend,
As Paradise could yet be found below:
Still pamp'ring flesh with all that th' Earth can give,
No happinesse more seek but here to live,

Those if not gorgeous who do garments scorne,
And not in warmnesse, but for cost exceed,
Though as of wormes they have the entrails worne,
Wormes shall at last upon their entrails feed;
Those dainty tastes who, (as for eating borne)
That they may feast, strive appetite to breed:
And (curious gluttons) even of vilenesse vaunt,
Whil'st surfetting when thousands starve for want.
The world's chiefe idoll, nurse of fretting cares,
Dumb trafficker, yet understood ore all, - [faires,
States' chaine, life's maintenance, load-starre of af-
Which makes all nations voluntar❜ly thrall,
A subtle sorcerer, alwayes laying snares;
How many (money) hast thou made to fall!
The generall jewell, of all things the price,
To vertue sparing, lavish unto vice.
The foole that is unfortunately rich,
His goods perchance doth from the poore extort,
Yet leaves his brother dying in a ditch,
Whom one excesse (if spar'd) would well support,
And (whil'st the love of gold doth him bewitch)
This miser's misery gives others sport;
"The prodigall God's creatures doth abuse,
And them the wretch not necessarily use."
Those roving thoughts which did at randome soare,
And (though they had conveniently to live)
Would never look behinde, but farre before,
And (scorning goodnesse) to be great did strive;
For (still projecting how to purchase more)
Thus (bent to get) they could not dreame to give.
"Such mindes whom envy hath fill'd up with grudge,
Have left no roome, where charity may lodge."

Ah! who of those can well expresse the griefe,
Whom once this Earth did for most happy hold?
Of all their neighbours still esteem'd the chiefe,
Whsl'st strai'd opinion ballanc'd worth by gold;
That which to thousands might have given reliefe,
Wrong spent, or spar'd, is for their ruine told;
Thus pleasures past, what anguish now doth even?
We see how hardly rich men go to Heaven.

That speech pronounc'd to the elected band,
May make the wicked apprehend their part,
Whose black accounts, ere them the Iudge demand,
Strict conscience offers, summ'd in every heart:
Thus (freez'd with horrour) they dejected stand,
Not hoping help by power, nor yet from art:
And whil'st their souls are swallow'd up by feare,
This fatall sentence thunders in each eare.

"You souls accurst, who have provok'd mine ire,
(Detested crue) not worthy of my sight,
Go, get you hence to Hell's tormenting fire,
Which hath of heat, that which it lacks of light;
Where (with his angels) Satan must retire,
To be entomb'd in an eternall night :
This as their due was first for them prepar'd,
But (since their mates) it must with you be shar❜d.

"When I was hungry, you refus'd me meat ;
When I was thirsty, would afford no drink ;
When I was naked, cloth'd me not of late;
When I was sick, did of no kindenesse think,
And when a stranger, held me at the gate;
Then when in prison, quite away did shrink:
Thus as compassion never mov'd your minde,
You from henceforth shall no compassion finde."

Though griev'd to look upon his flaming face,
They thus dare tempt, yet without hope to move;
** When saw we thee (O Lord!) in any place,
Where our support might have procur'd thy love?
Who had not wish'd that he himselfe might grace,
By helping one descended from above?

If such can here be found, damn'd may they be,
Who would not lodge, feed, clothe, and visit thee."
“With fortune's trifles confidently proud,
And puffed up with an applauding noise,
You for the poore (saith Christ) no share allow'd,
Yet choak'd your owne desires with pleasure's choice,
Whil'st at your feet they (fainting) humbly bow'd,
Though heard in Heaven, you scorn'd to heare their
voice;

These men thus us'd, who were my members pris'd,
Even me in them you likewise then despis'd."
The sentenc'd squadron sunk below despaire,
At first ore-whelm'd (as if distract'd) remaine;
And have their breasts all torne with stormy care,
Both for their losse, and for th' approaching paine,
Yet mindes perverse their course doth still declare,
Who, when condemn'd, do straight accuse and
plaine:

Not that they seek to have the truth be seene,
No, hate and envy do provoke their spleene.
"That which thou hast decreed obey we must,
Nor will we seek (say they) the same to breake,
Yet since as judge most great, so be most just,
Ere damn'd for ever, beare us once to speake;
Ah! abject creatures fetter'd in the dust,
In minde and body every way too weake:
Though huge our sinnes, and scarce to be excus'd,
To make us fall too many wayes were us'd.

"Each seed must grow as by the labourer sowen,
Though earthen vessels, vessels of thy hand,
We were expos'd (to make thy justice known)
Where sinne was strong, a weake neglected band,
And those whom thou selected for thine owne,
(As mercie's objects) strengthned were to stand;
Thus as at first made fit for wrath, or grace,
How could thy creatures but direct their race?

Thus long ere borne our processe did begin,
When so made weake, and apt for further sinne.
"That roaring tyrant who still loath'd the light,
Did first tempt thee to have made bread of stones,
Then would have mov'd thee from a temple's height,
By falling headlong to have crush'd thy bones;
Last, on a mountaine (mounted out of sight)
The world's great kingdomes offred all at once;
He durst demand that thou should'st him adore,
Then judge by these if his assaults were sore.,
"Still compassing the Earth, his prey to spie,
Not onely of himselfe he aym'd at all,
But by direction did some persons plie,
Who were given ore to his invasion thrall;
As when he made proud Achab's prophets lye,
And train'd him forth where as ordain'd to fall;
What mortall strength could scape to be subdu'd;
When warranted by God, the Devill pursu'd?
"Thus left by thee, and by him courted still,
Thy grace with-drawn, his favours mustred faire,
How could poore wretches wrestling with selfe-will,
But soone be catch'd by such a subtle snare?
We but through weaknesse, not in spite, wrought ill,
Kept from repentance onely by despaire:
Then let not rigour take up mercie's place,
Thy greatest glory is in giving grace."
All tendernesse by justice quite exil'd,
Whil'st this their grudge doth indignation move,
That Lambe of God who still hath beene so milde,
Of Iuda's tribe doth then the lyon prove,
And marking them whom filthie sinnes defil'd,
Like abject swine not looking up above:
At their repining taking just offence,
Perchance his answer may import this sense.

"O faulty fathers, execrable race,

Though by your birth you but of death could boast,
What forfeitures have I restor❜d by grace?
You might have gain'd more then your parents lust,
Some (forcing Heaven) with zeale did me embrace,
Who now triumph as a victorious hoast;
To do the like they oft did you exhort,
Whom I (if sought) was ready to support.

And thou wast still when they succumb'd in strife,
As first to helpe, straight ready to forgive:
And oft in them who have beene guarded thus,
Thou pardon'd more then punish'd is in us.
"What way could we, fraile fortresses, defend,
Against Hell's lord with legions bent for ill,
Who even in Heaven so proudly durst contend,
Whil'st flying armies shining fields did fill?
And though he fail'd in compassing his end,
Yet here below was refractory still;
Though by this meanes unto confusion brought,
Whil'st bold to vaunt, that once with God he fought.

"Our earth-bred parents, when they seem'd most

You rebels first, then obstinate did prove,
And drunk with vanity, by pleasures snar'd,
Still (mocking mercy) did contemne my love;
Whil'st glu'd to th' Earth, you for no further car'd,
But how things fraile by pleasure to improve:
And working mischiefe more then words can even,
Rais'd mounts of sinne to barre your selves from
Heaven.

"Though long ere done, your faults were knowne to
For which in vaine selfe-love excuses frames, [me,
I them discern'd, but never did decree;
No time nor place could bound the deitie's beames;
In contemplation of what was to be,

I from life's books excluded had your names:
And did foresee, but not fore-doome your parts,
My mercies were more ready then your hearts.
"For many wrongs which Israel had indur'd,
The Lord their safety, Pharaoh's ruine sought,
As surgeons for their practise have procur'd
An executed corps, when odious thought,
His heart (pass'd hope) of purpose was obdur'd,
That for our glory wonders might be wrought:

Thus meanes were us'd exempling such a one, That Achab might by bloud fall from his throne.

"Your wayes were cross'd by many a stumbling block,

But you gave care to every whispered charme,
Whil'st waving pleasures plastred ruine's rock,
Where Satan's ambush lay to do you harme;
Nor shall that traitor at your judgement mock,
Who still his troups against all good did armie:
Come, sprits impure, come and receive your due,
You never would repent, but now must rue."

To muse what muster every monster makes,
I scarce for feare my fancies dare engage,
If every one a hideous bodie takes,
Vile like their minde, to tread this fatall stage:
What gorgons, hidras, lynx, chimeras, snakes,
By hissing, howling, lowing, roaring rage?
What strange aspects, what intricated sounds,
A dreadfull horrour all in one confounds?

But all such masks (poore jugling tricks) grow stale,
Though they (like bug-beares) frighted some before,
They now themselves defend, none else assaile,
And terrour take, not give; all them abhorre,
But at this time no person can grow pale,
Since apprehensions power can move no more;
Each doubtfull thing, that day doth fully cleare,
And as first made, all creatures must appeare.

Infernall fiends now no man can affright,
For all the godly whom they oft had brav'd,
Do look upon them, comfortably bright,
As glad to thinke that they from such were sav'd;
And in the wicked anguish (at the height) [grav'd:
Then shows can move, hath deeper thoughts en-
So that this object all with ease can beare,

Despaire, and confidence, both banish feare."
Yet marking them by whom so many fell,
Huge exclamations burst abruptly out;
Those vagabonds who did from God rebell,
To tempt (it seemes) still walk'd the world about,
And (bent with guests to grace their driry Hell)
Made oft toss'd souls of their salvation doubt:
Who when for Heaven they hunting were the way,
Turn'd headlong backward, train'd by them to stray.
Great naturalists, of art chiefe masters made,
By starres, and times, they could each course dis-
close,
[spread,
And marking still when life's first powers were
What influence affections did dispose,
Or to what custome education led,
Where every heart for pleasure did repose:
They having found each inclination's square,
As best might fit the same did frame some snare.
When lustfull fancies had enflam'd the minde,
Then liberall beauties charm'd the wand'ring eye;
When to contention one was knowne inclin❜d,
Occasions offred were franke wrath to try;
When avarice did make the judgement blinde,
Straight meanes were us'd that it might never dye;
Thus did they nurse (by tempting objects) still,
The vice predominant that swayd the will.
This generall course (extended unto all)
Not onely did insensibly betray,

Whil'st souls for pleasure voluntar❜ly thrall, Were (by prevailing) made their enemie's prey; Some whom they did perswade, or else appall, For feare, or gaine, did to their will give way:

Yet (Heaven exchang'd for toyes which th' Earth
Were but deluded by ambiguous words. [affords)
Those with much passion bitterly declare
How they the Devill (by him seduc'd) ador'd,
Who, storm'd by sea, and thundred in the aire,
(As he affirm'd) of all the world sole lord;
That they with him should (when dissolv’d) repaire,
Where they should be with all contentment stor❜d:
Thus painting out how they had beene abus'd,
The great accuser is by them accus'd.

But he who once durst dreame in Heaven to raigne,
Whose pride prepostrous (swolae with madnesse)
Though that designe attempted was in vaine, [raves,
And he throwne headlong to Tartarian caves:
Loe, when at last, even ready to arraigne,
He doth not seek to purge, nor pardon craves;
Though just excuses something might acquite,
But thus bursts forth with his accustom'd spite.
"Since fled from Heaven to pacifie your spleene,
Whose jealousies my fall could onely free,
I of your wrath a minister have beene,
To execute all what you did decree:
Thus all your ends to take effect were seene,
Whil'st still the hate reflected back on me,
To whom the world imputed every ill,
Though all my power was bounded by your will.
"That excrement of th' Earth, that drosse of dust,
Who wanting courage publick force to try,
Though not so stout, yet did prove as unjust,
He serv'd for nothing but in thee to trust,
And would have beene like thee, as well as I;
Yet for all this, did oft thy name deny:
He broke thy law, had power to do no more,
Yet by his fault is better than before.

"From abject basenesse rais'd to such a state, Till damn'd to die, no bounds could man containe; Nor was his change by that decree made great, Since, but by it whence drawne, turn'd backe againe; Yet though these worms were still (when grac'd) ingrate,

Thou by thy suffering did'st prevent their paine;
That these vile mortalls might immortall be.
Whom though immortall we did mortall see,

"But I who was a fountaine once of light,
Whose envied beauties angels did commend,
With those the partners of my wretched flight;
Who suffer did because they lov'd their friend;
We might have serv'd to make the Heavens more.
In indignation whom thou mad'st descend: [bright,
And would'st not unto us one fault forgive,
Though sacrific'd, to make great sinners live.
"Man (pittied thus) his pardon did procure,
That still his weakenesse might thy power admire,
Where we whose power thou no way could'st indure,
Are persecuted with an endlesse ire;
Imprison us, that thou maist live secure;
Nor will we daigne thy favour to requires
But since defrauded earst of hopes so high,
Must live in anguish since we cannot die.

"But this indignity doth make me storme,
In Heaven, in th' Earth, in th'aire since long so great,
That this poore creature, this detested worme,
Whom I have troad upon so oft of late,
By partiall hate both ballauc'd in one forme,
Where earst my slave, must now become my mate: