Zion in distress, or, The sad and lamentable complaint of Zion and her children wherein are demonstrated the causes of her miserable calamities, and her faith in God ... : also shewing the dreadful controversie God hath with the beast of Rome ...

ZION IN DISTRESS: OR, The Sad and Lamentable Complaint of Zion and Her Children.

Zion's Sons.

ATtend all People, hearken and draw near: What doleful noise is that soun••s in my ear? Me thinks I hear a very dismal Cry, Like one that doth lament most bitterly; And by the mournful voice that I do hear, Some VVoman is in great distress, I fear. The more I mind t••is Cry, and do give heed, The more my heart is pierc'd and made to bleed: O how I thirst to know who this should be, That makes my Soul to grieve and sigh in me! A Person of great Honour and Descent, Doubtless this VVoman is, that doth lament; Highly descended; born she's from above; Nurs'd in the Chambers of the Fathers Love: Espoused to a Prince of high degree; For King of kings, and Lord of lords is He. Alas, alas, poor Zion! Is it thou? O mourn my Soul, and let my Spiri bow: Let all that love the Bridegroom, mourn for grief; For Zion weeps, as one past all Relief.

But why, O Zion, lov'd of the most High, Dost thou lament and mourn so bitterly?

ZION.

Ah! poor I am, mean, low, and desolate; And few there be that pity my estate: A long time I have in the VVilderness VVander'd about in sore and great distress; Hiding my self from the Beasts furious rage, And there have been until this very Age: And having lately look'd a little out, Again he spy'd me, and doth search about: For to destroy me 'tis his full intent, Or drive me back again his mind is bent: No rest nor peace to me or mine he'll give, Declaring that we are not fit to live. The Dragon too, hath with this Beast combin'd To spoil both me and mine, when Us they find. Th' old Lion, Lioness, and Lions VVhelp, Come out against me, other Beasts to help. Dogs, Bulls, and Bears, and VVolves do all agree To rend and tear, and make a spoil of me. O that e'er I, so delicately bred, And my dear Babes, at the Kings Table fed, Should be this day as one even quite cast out, And they as Sheep now scatter'd round about. Now to deliver me, there's none dare venter; The Truth would fain, but knows not how to enter: And Justice that is made to stand far off; VVhilst I become the Object of mens scoff. Zion am I, that no man doth regard; Mens hearts against me now are grown so hard: Hurl'd to and fro, and tost as with the wind; And not one Dram of Comfort can I find. My Children, which both young and tender are, The fierce looks of these Beasts do greatly scare.

And some they seiz upon as their own Prey, And them into their Dens do bear away; Where they are kept in sore captivity, Mourning for me, and their extremity; Who for Christ Jesus sake, with much content, Do from their Foes indure all punishment: For they in Prison rather chuse to lie, Then to obtain, by sin, their liberty. The spoiling of their Goods with joy they take, Before they will the Lord of Life forsake; Or to be sent out of their native Soyl, Before they will their Consciences defile; Or otherwise to suffer or be slain, Than to expose the Gospel to disdain. These are the Souls I love, I love most dear, Who for the Gospels sake exposed are To all those troubles I before did tell, That they with Christ for evermore might dwell: But O that men should ever be so blind, Who lived have where Gospel-Light hath shin'd, My Children dear thus for to persecute▪ Because they can't Gods holy Name polute! If they were cast amongst the Turks or Jews, Doubtless they would not them so badly use, As some of mine have been within this Nation, For witnessing against abomination. Ah! Wo is me! for this is a sad time; Now Godliness is counted for a Crime: The Gospel now, poor Souls, you must not preach; For of their Laws, they say it is a breach; Nor meet together in Christs holy Name, But to the Goal you must go for the same: If you do venture once more and again, Then Banishment or Death must be your pain. Alas poor Souls! If this falls to your lot, 'T will be for good: Don't care for it a jot.

Though I c••••not forbear to grieve and mourn, That you thus dealt with are, whom I have born; Yet I had rather you s••ould chuse to die, Than any of you should your Lord deny. But I lament, and greatly, for all those Who out of Ignorance do you oppose; Who shall ere long be brought in unto me, For whom in pa••n I travel ti••l it be. But there are thousands more within this Land, Who with the Beast are like to fall or stand. I do grieve a••so, and that very sore, Because the Gospel wants an open Door; Instead whereof, a piece of stuff is read, Whereby poor Souls in no wise can be fed, No better then the Body of a man Can nourish'd be with Husks, or Chaff, or Bran: Which my Beloved never did compose, Nor ever on poor men at all impose; But the Inventions are of mens own Brain, O that therefore all would it much disdain. They to impose it, think it Policy, To keep themselves in safe security: Thus Jeroboam too, by his g••eat sin, Thought with himself in sa••ety to have bin. Gods Threshold is digg'd down by wicked ha••ds, And in its room another Threshold stands: But hark! methinks I hear my Foes a hisling, As if some of my Sons of late were missing: O let me mourn, as w••ll indeed I may, For those dear Sons I lost the other day: But not because they're to their Father gone▪ For so they're out o'th' storm that's coming on; But ••ather 'c••use they might have useful been To me, if God t'have spar'd them good had seen: And also 'cause the En••my doth boast Saying, Tour Expectation is quite lost.

My very heart is pierced, whilst they say, Where is the God to whom so oft you pray? For they having escap'd his mighty hand, Resolv'd to make more strong my heavy band. They do blaspheme, swear, curse, and domineer, As if nor God nor Devil they did fear. But to return, and of my great loss speak, This thing doth cause my very heart to ake; For I do fear some did these idolize, As others to their worth did not them prize: Offe••ded doubtl••ss is my righteous God, That he hath struck me with his heavy Rod; And yet my Children they do not agree That do remain, nor live in unity. Alas, I see hat love doth much decline Even ev'ry day, in these poor Babes of mine: Strifes and debates amongst them are so high, They envy one another piteously: They grieve themselves in this, and me also; And unto Christ and Truth much wrong they do. O that they all were once but as one man, How would the Gospel spread an•• ••lourish then! But ah! this Rod their ju••gements han't inform'd, Nor yet their Conversation ••eform'd; For some there are, that walk but carnally, And little m••nd the stroke of the most High: Alas with these it will go very bad, Whom frowns nor smiles will turn, nor yet the Rod. O mou••n, my Children; you have not done well, The Voice within this Rod doth plainly tell. O mourn and weep, I say; cry bitterly: For I, your Mother, weep, lament, and cry: Your Father loves you dear, and so ••o I; In love h'hath smitten you assuredly: It's doubt••esly to purge your Souls from s••n, Which you of late have much abounded in.

And if that you your Ways do not amend, Some greater Judgement surely God will send: Besides the great reproach you bring to me, My dawning Glory you will hardly see. The day is dark that I have lived in; And here of late much darker it hath been: Thick Clouds do hide the glorious glistering Skies, Some mists or fogs do shade or blind my Eyes. Because the day abides of my distress, Some Children fall now in the Wilderness, Who murmur in their hearts against the Lord, That Canaan to them he doth not afford. Alas, I shall be thin, before that I Be ready for that blessed Liberty: And some there are that seemingly do feed Amongst my Sheep, of whom I would be freed; For though that they are called by my Name, Yet they do cause i•• for to suffer shame: Some Truths of Christ indeed these do profess, But not his saving Grace and Life possess: I never brought them forth; they are not mine: Do thou, O Hagar, own them; for they're thine: After the Flesh they're born, and so do walk; Though of the Spirit they do sometimes talk. The day draws near when such shall be afraid, All Hypocrites in me shall be dismaid. For such I therefore now do greatly grieve, Because that they do thus their Souls deceive. When the Bridegroom doth to his Chamber come, These in that glorious Place will finde no room; But they must go into eternal Pain, If quickly now they are not born again. Thus do I spend my days in grief and care, Because so few the mighty GOD do fear. Though fearful Judgements he doth oft times send, It's not his Word nor Works will make them bend;

Nor minde the operation of his hand; They slight strange Prodigies by Sea and Land; Which of great Ruines are a plain symptom, That from the God of Vengeance soon will come: For greater Judgements there are still behind, The Truth of which you all shall quickly find.

ZION's SONS.

O how can we this Lamentation hear? Or patiently this doleful mourning bear? That our dear Mother should take on her thus; Our hearts are pain'd, our Spi••its fayl in us. Whence comes that Beast of whom thou hast complain'd••▪ What is he, and how long hath he thus raign'd?

ZION.

From Hell beneath, this Monster did proceed, As in the Revelations you may read: He is the Little Horn, the Man of Sin, Above twelve hundred years my Foe hath bin. Once he receiv'd, I know, a deadly wound, But for the same a cure he since hath found; And ••eing heal'd, he glories in his power, As if he would me presently devour.

ZION's SONS.

Shall we arise against this Beast of Prey, To rescue thee, and take his strength away, Who hath so long time been thine Enemy, Ruling o'er thee and thine in cruelty? Or shall he eve•• ••eign and domineer, As he hath done, without controul or fear?

ZION.

No, stay a while; I shall deliver'd be From his fie••ce wrath, and cruel ••yranny.

When the set time is come, I fully know I shall deliver'd be, as Truth doth show; For he that sitteth in the Heavens doth scorn At this great Rebel; for his Son that's born Heir of the World, and Prince of Kingdoms too, Shall surely ••eign, because it is his due: For God hath promis'd that his Son shall have The C••own, the K••ngdom, and the Scepter brave: Nations shall serve him; Kings that have abhorr'd His Name, shall pay him homage, as their Lord: To JESUS all shall bow; he shall be King, And to poor Zion shall Redemption bring. Wherefore my Children, I do say again, Do you not stir; he hath some time to reign: Him to destroy, it is beyond your skill; Your Wisdom and your Strength is to fit s••ill, Till his long months be out, yea, the last hour, None can consume or take away his power. To suffer still it is for me appointed, Till some to do this Work shall be anointed With Gods good Spirit, that most holy Oyl; And then they shall this cruel Beast quite foyl. Your present work is therefore for to pray, To be prepared for that blessed Day. Be therefore ready, for the time draws near When he shall fall; of this you need not fear. But since I see you active fain would be, Revenge your selves, I give you liberty, On one which a long time my Foe hath ••in; If you would know his name you shall, 'tis Sin▪ Arise now, kill and slay; upon him fall; A worser Foe I've not among them all. Spare not; it's he which always doth oppose Both you and I, and all that with Christ close. Until he is beat down, I shall not rise, Nor be deliver'd from my Enemies.

Because of Sin my very heart doth ake, And much of this complaint doth therefore make. For it is Sin, together with the Devil, That is the cause of all my p••esent evil. O strive against them in Gods holy power, And give no place to them not for an hour. Besides them and the Beast, there is the Whore, Some wrongs I must impute unto her score; For she doth call my Children Hereticks,, Phanaticks, also, for by such her tricks She keeps the World in such blindness, that so There's very few that do my Children know: She takes from them their Souls most precious food, Because they can't partake with her vile brood: Besides, of her I have cause to complain, For she hath many of my Children slain; She makes the Beast to run at me, and roar, And with his Horns oft-times my Sides to goar. She hath some Brats too, cloath'd in black & white, Which st••ike at me this day, with all their might; But amongst all he•• cursed hellish Train, None shall speed worse then they, when she is slain.

ZION's SONS.

Mother, What Whore is that? for she shall rue: Hath she so many of our Brethren slew? L••t Veng'ance be on her, Gods Saints do cry, Whose D••aths are precious in their Father's Eye: ••hough she hath taken our good Name f••om us, ••et her not think she shall escape it thus. ••e do estèem our Names as precious Oyl, ••hich she hath labour'd so much to defile. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 know whom she should be, we do think long, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath unto us all done thus much wrong.

ZION.

She is great Babylon, of whom you've read, Wh••ch owns not Christ in truth to be her Head. This is that Romish Antichristian Harlot, Who for long time hath sat bed••••k'd in Scarlet, Upon the Beast which from the Sea did rise, Whose Fore-head's spread with Names of Blasphe∣mie••; Who with the golden Cup that's in her hand, Invites the Rich and Noble of the Land, For to commit the Sin of Fornication, Which to the Lord is great abomination. And now because that I abhor this Sin, She to this day my Enemy hath been; And makes the Mighty Ones me to oppress, For laying open her great wickedness.

ZION's SONS.

Shall we arise? Why should this wicked Whore Blaspheme our God, or wrong us any more? She glories, and doth live deliciously: Both God, his Christ, and Us, she doth defie. And more then this, she thousands doth annoy; Both Souls and Bodies too, she doth destroy. She stretcheth forth her hand; and still doth crave Poor Innocents, that them she might inslave. Yea, to the whole World she has done such wrong, We her abhor more then the stinking Dung. Shall we now fill to her in the same Cup That she hath fill'd to us for to drink up? Yea double to her double, saith Gods Word; No mercy unto her at all afford. Shall we arise, O Zion, full of ire, To eat her Flesh, and burn her in the fire?

ZION.

You instrumental in this work shall be; Your Brother John long time since told it me. Esay also, and Jeremy before, Did clearly show you should destroy this Whore. And I perceive you this do understand, Which comforts me too, on the other hand: You are enlight'ned with the Angels Glory, As it hath been fore-told in sacred Story. As for my Children who before did live, Light from this Angel they could not receive. But you, my Sons, brought forth in these last days, Great things shall do, though many it gain-says. And you, I see, are earnest for to know The time when you this Whore shall overthrow: And I can't blame you in this very thing, Because great Glory to me it will bring: The Gospel too, over the world shall spread, And men instead of Husks shall feed on Bread: And Gospel-Freedom you shall then enjoy, No Popish Prelate you shall more annoy: Nor shall the Locusts of you make a prey, Because that Tythes to them you cannot pay. Those wicked Fiends of Hell shall then no more Have power for to sting and hurt the poor: They shall be cast with shame, as 'tis most fit, Into that dismal, dark and smoaking pit: Thither they shall, I say, with wrath be turn'd, And with those lasting Flames they shall be burn'd. But to reply to what you have enquir'd, At present you must keep your selves retir'd; To make attempts you ought for to defie, Till strength be given from the Lord on high. You now within the streets do lie for dead, Not knowing yet how to lift up your head;

But you shall then appea•• to be alive, The Spirit of the Lord shall you revive. God hath (I know) let down the time exact, When he'll begin his strange and dreadful Act, To the amazement of your Enemies, When God shall call his Mighty ones to rise: And from the Heav'ns you then shall hear a Voice, The which shall cause your Souls for ••o rejoyce; And that will be to you so clear a call, That you straight way shall on this St••umpet fall. Wait now with patience therefore on the Lord, Until his saving strength he doth afford; And make to him always your supplication, For from him onely is my expectation. O sigh with me, and in your Spirits groan, And send stro••g c••ies up to his gracious Throne; Do you give him no rest, until he hath Made me the only Praise of all the Earth: And I'll lift up my Voice to God on high, And make my moan to him, and thus will cry: O Lord, my Lord, consider my estate; Let me remain no longer desolate. Am I not dear and precious in thy sight? My sad Complaint do thou nor therefore slight; But let thy Bowels now towards me move, For sure I am thou dost me dearly love; Thou hast redeem'd me with thy precious Blood, And nothing thou hast thought fo•• me too good. Lord, though I sinned have, do thou forgive, And let my Children dear in concord live: Teach them all truly to know thee, O Lord, And worship thee in peace, with one accord. Let not the wicked of me make a spoil▪ Who Thee abhor, and Me esteem most vile. Thou dost cast down, and raise up; wound and cure; And nothing is to hard for thee, I'm sure.

Thou knowst my grief, there's nothing hid from thee Arise, O Lord, for to deliver me. Long time between the Serpent vile and me, Thou know'st there has been bitter Enmity; Above five thousand years h'hath bruis'd my Heel, And I this day that grievous sore do feel: Thou hast declar'd, O Lord, my Seed shall break His cursed Head; for thou wilt Vengance take On this vile Serpent, and his cursed Seed, Which first did wound my Heel, and made it bleed. But when, O Lord? Is not the time yet come, That thou wilt put an end to his Kingdom? In Achor's Valley open thou a Door, And make me sing, as once I did before. O do thou break the bonds of my distress, And bring me, Lord, out of this Wilderness: Let me break forth, like to the Sun most bright, And as an Army terrible in fight. O take away the Vail that covers me, And these thick Clouds, that I may clearly see What is thy mind in this thy Dispensation, And know the work of th••s my Generation. It's time for thee, O Lord to plead my Cause, For wicked men make void thy Righteous Laws. Obedience to their Law, they say is Reason; Thine to obey, they make as bad as Treason. Lord where thou sittest, thou dost see and hear That in their shame they glory without fear: Thy fearful Judgements they do not regard, But sin the more, their Hearts are grown so hard. Judgements deferr'd, in sin doth make them bold, Scorning in their vile course to be control'd; As if thy dreadful hand their Lives did spare, To sin against thee without fear or care; Saying within thei•• hearts, We a••e past by, To serve our Lusts, in all Iniquity.

Thinking that God who doth forbear to strike, Of them and their debauched ways doth like: Or else as if some interposing Cloud From Gods all-searching-Eye could be a shrou••: Supposing that thy Seat is so on high, That thou their sinful doings canst not spy: Or that since thou their Judgments hast delay'd, Thoul't do it still; they are no whit afraid. Thus they thy blessed patience do abuse, And true Repentance wickedly refuse; Whereby they do unto themselves procure Great wrath from Heaven, which they shall sure en∣dure; And fit themselves for the great day of slaughter, When into sorrow shall be turn'd their laughter. Thy sev'n last plagues thou wilt pour forth on them, Because they do both Grace and Truth contemn. And how canst thou with them so long forbear, Who to thy face thee scornfully do dare? Saying, Make speed, that we thy work may see, And know thy Counsel, whatsoe'er it be. Is not their sinful Cup fill'd to the top, That thou mightst off these mighty Cedars lop? Cut down these Trees, O Lord, but spare thy Vine, Which thou amongst the Trees hast chose for thine. Make that, O God, to flourish and be green, And fruitful, as before time it hath been. Thou brought'st this Vine from Egypt heretofore; From thence, Lord, bring it out again once more: Make room for it to ••oot, the Land to fill; The Boughs thereof, let shade the highest Hill. From Sea to Sea let her her Branches send. And from all w••ongs her graciously defend. Make up her Hedge, her Fence, which like a Wall, Secure and safe should keep her now from all Those wild Beasts of the field, with the wild Boar, Who to devour and waste will ne'er give o'er.

Visit thy Vine, O Lord; do thou behold That which thou plant'st and prisedst more then gold Do they not burn and of it make a spoil? And thou dost hide thy face too all this while. Who is this Vine, but me whom thou hast chose? Both Vine, and Lily, and thy Sharon Rose. I am thy Love, Dove, Undefiled One; Why dost thou then let me be trod upon? By thy own Grace, I am made thus to thee; Consider now therefore my misery: For I am scorch'd and burnt in grievous pain; And shall I never more thy Love obtain? Hast thou withdrawn thy self for evermore? And will these days of Sorrow ne'er be o'er? O I am wounded, and in bitter smart! Sure it's not long ere these will break my heart.

ZIONS SONS.

Mourn, mourn, O Heav'ns; and thou, O Earth bewail; And weep, ye Saints, until your Spirits fail: For she that is the Glory of the Earth, Most High and Mighty, and of precious Birth, Lies sadly weltring almost in despair; Her grievous sorrows no Tongue can declare. And now, my Brethren, come, I pray, come hither; And in Gods fear let us confer together: Doth not G••ief seiz on you, my Brethren dear? Doth not your hearts dissolve into a tear? Doth not your eyes like to a fountain run? Doth not all Joy now into Mourning turn? Doth not your sleep also from you depart? Are you not peirced to the very heart? Are you, or are you not in bitterness, Because of Zion, and her sore distress? How can our hearts delight in things below? How can we sleep in peace as others do?

How can we comfort have, or comfort find: Or how can we the Worlds concernments mind? How can we eat or drink with Hearts content, And not with Grief poor Zion's state lament? Because that our dear Mother is a crying; She sighs and sobs, as if she were a dying: She languisheth, and is in bitter pain, And in this state all do her much disdain: She is reproach'd by every drunken Sot, Being cast out, like to a broken Pot: She is despis'd and trod upon like Dung, The Drunkard of her makes his dayly Song. But I will turn, and will expostulate The case with Zion, touching her estate; Why art thou sometimes up, then down again? Sometimes at ease, sometimes in bitter pain: They're doubtless throes; chear up, and do not fear; Deliverance, dear Soul, is very near: And though thy throes and pains should now give o'er▪ Don't fear, thou shalt not die; One or two more Shall bring that Child into the World, which thou Hast travel'd with in bitter pangs till now. O cry to God, thy Midwife he will be; For I am sure he will deliver thee: He is the God that brings unto the Birth, He also 'tis that gives strength to bring forth. O stay thy self upon thy blessed Lord, His gracious strength he will to thee afford: Ʋpon his Promises do thou depend, And thou shalt see deliverance at the end.

ZION.

Alas poor Hearts! my God hath me forsook, My sighs he doth not mind, nor on me look; To pity me▪ he hath now quite forgot; His anger's kindled, and his wrath is hot:

It burneth sore against me; let me mourn; For I am sorely spoiled, rent and torn: Like to a Ship with raging tempests toss'd, That suffers Shipwrack, ready to be lost. Ah wo is me, that ever I did on, And so unfaithful to my God have bin! How beautiful and comely once was I? Like to a Pearl in his most blessed Eye: I could not speak, but he would answer me, But now I lie in sore captivity. I cry and call, but he doth stop his Ear, And answers not, as if he had no care Of me; but I will prove him once again, And not give over till I do obtain: Of Bowels he is full, and can't retain His anger, but will ease me of my pain. O Lord, I come; I come again to thee; O pardon, Lord, and do thou pity me: For when I said I was of thee forsaken, I see that I therein was much mistaken; For I engraven am upon thy hand, And in thy sight for evermore shall stand. Awake, O Arm of God, and do not stay; My Sorrows are so great, O say not nay. Hear me, dear Jesus, unto thee I cry; My Heart doth bleed: O save me, or I die.

CHRIST.

In Heav'n where I do sit in Majesty, A Voice sounds in mine Ears continually; And now of late much louder it doth cry: Sing therefore Hall••lujah. And doubtless 'tis the voice of her I love, My Bowels in me do so greatly move; I will therefore to her now faithful prove Sing therefore Hall••lujah.

Alas, poor Heart, thy mournful voice I hear; And will come down to help; be of good chear; For thou art precious to me, and most dear. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Go to; for all thy sorrows I well know, And will deliver thee from them also; And will again th' Egyptians overthrow. Sing therefore Hallelujah. I AM THAT I AM, that is still my Name, The proudest of thy Foes shall know the same; And they shall never more put thee to shame. Sing therefore Hallelujah. In thy afflictions, great distress, and pain, Of which thou dost so grievously complain, I am affli••ted, and made grieve again. Sing therefore Hallelujah. F`or all the hurts and wrongs they do to thee, I take as if they did them all to me; And this indeed ere long they all shall see. Sing therefore Hallelujah. It was for thee that I did bleed and die; I love thee as the Apple of mine Eye: Fear not thou then thy proudest Enemy. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Although, 'tis true, thou in their hands art now; Yet Power's mine, and Wisdom: I know how To strengthen thee, and make them all to bow. Sing therefore Hallelujah. And I will rise now in great Jealousie▪ To shew my Power and great Soveraignty, And make them to the Rocks and Hil••s to fly. Sing therefore Hallelujah. The Day of Vengeance now is in my minde, And where to hide themselves they shall not find, Though with the Powers of Hel they have com••in'd. Sing therefore Hallelujah.

Thy Controversie throughly I will plead, And will bring down each high and lofty Head: The Mighty Ones like Mortar I will tread. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Though silent for a long time I have stood, I'll be reveng'd for all the righteous Blood, That hath run down, like to a mighty Flood. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Though Judgement on them I did long delay, Yet what is due to Justice they shall pay; And but a little longer will I stay. Sing therefore Hallelujah. For now besides the wrongs thou dost repeat, The Martyrs blood doth loudly me entreat; I will come forth therefore in fury great. Sing therefore Hallelujah. I will perform my strange and dreadful Acts, And thou before me very strong shalt wax; For I'll make thee to be my Battle-Axe. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Thy Horn shall Iron be, and thy Hoof Brass, With which thou shalt be at down the Serpents Race; And quickly will I b••ing this thing to pass. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Thy Sons that scattered are, the Earth throughout, I will soon gather them, do thou not doubt, And bring them forth too, with a mighty shout. Sing therefore Hallelujah. The Mighty they shall overcome with Slings, The Nobles also, and the Heathen Kings, With Fetters they shall binde, and such-like things. Sing therefore Hallelujah. O t••ou who art with raging tempests tost, Without all comfort, ready to be lost; Thy expectation shall not long be crost. Sing therefore Hallelujah.

I'll lay thy Stones with colours fair and sure, And thy Foundations shall be Saphirs pure, Which shall indeed for evermore endure. Sing therefore Hallelujah. For a small time I have forsaken thee, But with great mercy thou shalt gather'd be; And from all bondage I will set thee free. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Though I have thee afflicted heretofore, I'll turn my hand upon the bloody Whore, And will not now afflict thee any more. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Because thou dost my holy name profess, I will establish thee in Righteousness, And break in pieces them that thee oppress. Sing therefore Hallelujah. I will come down also from Heaven above, And will from thee oppression far remove; 'Gainst thee no Weapon form'd, shall prosp'rous prove. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Thy Children too, shall all be taught of me; Also great peace for ever there shall be, And I'll bring in the Gentiles unto thee. Sing therefore Hallelujah. Though many do thee grievously deride, Thy Borders I'll enlarge on every side, And to thy Seed the whole Earth will divide, Sing therefore Hallelujah. For I did promise them, I do confess, That they should fully all the World possess; And I'll perform it now in Righteousness Sing therefore Hallelujah. I will come now unto my holy Hill, The Heathen at my presence shall be still; The Earth with Knowledge I will also fill. Sing therefore Hallelujah.

Exalted I shall be; and sit on high, Above all earthly Kings in Majesty; And thou shalt reign with me triumphantly▪ Sing therefore Hall••lujah. All Kingdoms of the Earth shall now be mine, And then be sure that they shall all be thine, And thou in Beauty like a Queen shalt shine. Sing therefore Hallelujah▪

ZION.

O matchless Grace, and Love beyond degree! Now am I sure there is none like to thee In Heaven nor Earth, were there ten thousand more, For thou hast found a Sal••e for eve••y Sore. By thee I ravish'd am, O thou most High: O how my Spirit and my Soul doth cry To thee, O Lord, by whose enlarged Grace▪ My Heart's enlarg'd to run the blessed Race. Thou shalt me lead unto thy living Springs; From thence I'll mount up, as with Eagle's Wings, Unto the Heavenly Mount of Faith's Desire, Where I thy glory great may much admire: And then will I descend down from above, To be imbraced in the Arms of Love: I'll hold thee fast, and never let thee go; For by the loss of thee, what grievous wo Did I sustain? O what great misery! Thou hidst thy face, and troubled sore was I. Thee having, though nought else, what have I not? Without thee, though all else, what have I got? Lord, having all things, and not thee, what have I? Let me enjoy but thee, what further crave I? Without thee, Lord, things be not what they be; All things are nothing, when compar'd with thee: I am thy portion, Lord, though didst me chuse; And thou my po••tion art, I'll ••e'er refuse.

But thou, O God, shalt be my Heritage; Thou art a God of Grace from age to age: And therefore evermore I'll dwell with thee: For thou, O God, my hiding place shalt be. In time of trouble and of fury great, I will unto thy holy Name retreat; Which is a Tower strong to all that fly With care and speed, from their iniquity. Thou light in darkness art, and joy in grief; Though I in trouble am, thou send'st relief: When I am down, thou lift'st me up on high; And I thy Name, O God, will magnifie. And with much patience I will undergo Thy indignation, Lord, for well I know That I have sinn'd against thy holy Name, And therefore 'tis that I do suffer shame. And though this day I am but low and mean, Poor and despis'd, and so long time have been; Yet for my good I know that thou wilt make it, And with content I therefore now will take it; And will wait on thee till thou dost arise To break in pieces all our Enemies. My precious Cause then I will leave with thee; Which thou, O Lord, wilt doubtless plead for me. Thy Voice, great God, is to my Soul so sweet, I am reviv'd, and set upon my feet: O I can sing, in hopes of what I see, Thou hast, O Lo••d, laid Blessings up for me. And now, O Whore, that art my bitter Foe, My day is near, I would have thee to know: My God han't me forsook, for he will now Set me on high, and make thee for to bow, And shalt with shame cover thy filthy Head, Whilst I in triumph shall upon thee tread. Because so long thou hast upon me ••rod, And in contempt hast said, Where is thy God?

He will therefore in right retaliate, And bring just Judgements down upon thy pate.

BABYLON.

Zion, thy self mistake thou dost; The Day will still be mine, Wherefore then dost thou proudly boast, As if it would be thine?

I for my Wounds have got a Cure; At ease I am, and well: I very safe am, and secure; And so I know shall dwell.

My Glory is return'd to me, Which I had lost indeed: No Widowhood more shall I see, From sorrow I am freed.

A Queen I am, so shall remain, And have my Pleasures still: For so long as my Lord doth raign, I can do what I will.

For he doth me most dearly love; And mighty strength has he; All other Lords he is above, They all his servants be.

He is the chief in all the Earth, And sits in Peter's Chair: The Keys of Hell and Death he hath, And is past all compare.

The Dragon, from whence did derive His power, strength and seat,

Thee to the Wildernesse did drive, There for to seek thy meat.

And they have got the same pow'r still: Who da••es make wa•• with them? To spoil them, is beyond the skill Of all that them condemn.

One Emperor, and also Kings, Love me, as doth appear: My name in every Court so rings, Ruine I do not fear.

My Sons, likewise, are Noble men, For Dukes and Lords they be; They will secure me alwayes, when Great dangers they do see.

Their Honours, and their Riches too, From me they have them all; They know they should them lose also, If ever I should fall.

The Lawyers too, and Priests, I know, Dear Children to me are, To keep me from an overthrow, Their lives they will not spare.

The Merchants, yea, and thousands more, Will all lend me their hand; Ce••tain, I am, from hence therefore▪ Secure I long shall stand.

And thus thou clearly may'st behold, What strength is on my side;

And although I am now grown old, With glory I shall ride.

And as for God, the Lord most high, He hath spar'd me so long; He doth love me assuredly, And will do me no wrong.

Falsly accus'd am I therefore, As if God did mean me, When he speaks of the wicked Whore, That shall destroyed be.

'Tis some one else, that God doth mean; His Church, in truth, am I, And from all sin, I am wash'd clean: Thy speech I do defie.

ZION.

Leave off, leave off, 'tis thou, O bloody Whore, Do not thou think, thou shalt for evermore Thus dominere, in pomp and wicked pride: For God, ere long, thy Rulers will divide; Those mighty ones, in whom are all thy trust, Long shall not hold, but into pieces must Be surely broken; this thou soon shalt see: Here, here, begins thy bitter misery. Those that did love thee most, will hate thee so, That they will seek thy utter overthrow; As was their love, their hatred now will be, And to destroy thee, they will all agree: For thou hast them inslav'd unto thy lust, Whilst they, like simp••e ones, in no wise durst Offend, or cross, thy vile and bloody mind, For they have been bewitch't, they now will find;

By thy alluring Voice and lustful Eye, To joyn with thee in all iniquity. Thy flatteries sha••l them no more deceive, Nor thy base Whoredoms thousands more bereave Of inward Good, and outward Riches, so As they have been to their eternal wo. They then shall see thy vile and ill intent, In setting them against the Innocent. To sati••fie thy lust and base desire, Their sinful Hearts, alas, were set on fire: And through the provocation of the Devil, Have yeilded to commit such horrid Evil, That there's no Pen can write, no Tongue declare, What things were acted almost every where. For throughout Europe, either more or less, There hath been wrought indeed such wickedness; Which surely would cause Hearts of Stone to melt, When they consider what my Children felt, And did indure from savage Tyrants great, Who cruelly those tender Lambs did treat; More then did ever the blood-thirsty Turk: Which Tyrants thou didst always set on work. Some hints of which, here briefly doth insue, Which I shall now present unto your view. And what at this time I lay to thy Charge, I'd briefly speak, and shall not much en••arge: For men have writ great Volumns, thou dost know, Which of thy cruelties do largely show. Thou hast all men opprest in every Age; But eve••mo••e thy spiteful Hellish rage▪ Was always set against my Children dear, Who could not to thy wicked ways adhere. Thou mad'st the Magistrates their Enemies; A••d the worst torments that thou couldst devise Thou madst them suffer, sto••ie plainly shows; Some thou didst hang by th' Head, some by the Toes.

And thousands thou didst burn, and broil on Coals, And others starve to death in stinking holes. Some thou didst cut to pieces very small, And Infants Brains were dash'd against the Wall, On Bodies of the Saints thou trod'st like dung; Thou spard'st no Sex, neither the old nor young. By thy curs'd Crew Women were ravished; And after cruelly were knock'd o'th' Head. Some had their Eys and Tongues by thee pull'd out, Some ha••borless were made, and forc'd about To wander, and in Woods and Caves to lie, Until their days were spent in misery. Thousands were famish'd so, till forc'd to eat Worms, Frogs & Toads, and Spiders for their meat. Thy C••uelties all People may admire, Thou hast poor Children forced to set fire To that same Wood in which their Parents dear, By burning Flames consum'd to Ashes were. By cruel Massacres were thousands slain, Who did endure the most in humane pain That Bishops, Monks, and Fryars could devise; Whose Blood aloud to God for Vengeance cries. What precious Blood was shed in Italy, In Spain also, yea and in Germany? How were the Merindolians put to death? For Cruelties were e'er the like on Earth? The Massacres in Piedmont were sad; And many more in France there were as bad. As for Spain's Inquisition-Cruelties, And of those many horrid miseries That they invented for Religions sake, 'Twould fill a Volumn should I them relate: But I'll forbea•• to speak of them at large, And leave them to the day wherein the charge Of all the Righteous Blood that hath been shed, Shall come with Vengeance down upon the Head

Of all thy proud and persecuting crew, That studied have, the Righteous to undoe; The precious blood, which wicked hands did spil In Ireland, I do remember still; Thou there didst play a very cruel part, Poor innocents were there stob'd to the heart; Yea grievous tortures those poor Lambs did bear, Because they would not buy thy Popish ware. But to come nearer home, within this Land, How many blessed Saints, at thy command, Were crue••ly to ashes burnt at Stake, Because God's Truth they no wise durst forsake? As in the Marian dayes; ye, and before; I dare not say that yet thou hast giv'n o're, And hast forgot to make attempts again; For I do clearly see, there doth remain The self-same Spirit; hadst thou but the power, Both me, and mine, thou quickly wouldst devour: For secretly, I do perceive, this day, Thy Romish Ruffins, like to Beasts of prey, Do now contrive, and privately design To work the ruine both of me and mine. Wi••l not those horrid wretched cruelties That thou hast done, thy raging lust suffice? Why thou art drunk already, and dost reel, And yet thou cryest, O give, O give me still The blood of Hereticks, that I may drink, O fill my Cup up to the very brink. 'Tis full, O Whore, for this I clearly see, All precious blood the Lord doth charge on thee, That e'er was shed, from Righteous Abels daies, 'T••ill all be found in thee, the Scripture saies. O shameless, vile, and wretched bloody Whore! Hast drunk so much, & wouldst thou yet have more▪ What blood of Prophets and Apostles too, Of Christ, the Lord, whom thou hast also slew?

And since those dayes, hast many millions slain, Whose Blood, and Souls, do to the Lord complain For Righteous Judgements to be pour'd on thee, For all thy vile and bloody cruelty. Prepare thy self for ruine, for I'm sure, The patient God much longer won't indure, Ere he avenge the cause of his dear Son, For all the wrongs thou hast unto him done; Those who would see more of thy cruelties, Let them read my Son Fox his Histories.

BABYLON.

O why dost thou father Christs death on me? This is a lie, all people plain may see That I am free of this, all people know, Fo•• who put him to death, the Scriptures show; Don't charge his death on me, for I am clear, But Hereticks fit were not to live here; I therefo••e did such kill, and sweep away, And so 'tis fit I should this present day; For if to holy Church they won't be turn'd, 'Tis fit, in truth, that they should all be burn'd.

ZION.

That this is true, vile Whore, I'le prove it plain, That thou hast my most blessed Jesus slain; For if all precious Blood is found in thee, That e'er was spilt by hands of cruelty, It followeth then, by consequent most clear, That thou hast shed the Blood of Christ, most dear▪ The former's so; I shew'd it thee before, Therefore 'tis true: be silent, say no more, But stop thy mouth, for this I further see, That many times he hath been slain by thee; Under thy Romish pow'r, his Flesh did die, In Spirit since thou didst him crucifie: And what thou hast unto God's Servants done, He takes as if thou didst it to his Son.

He also is the Head, they Members are Of his own Body, whence it doth appear, Thou hast tormented him in every part, And hast oft-times pluckt out his very heart. Thou hast Imprison'd, Scourged him also, Ye burnt and hang'd, and starved him I know: Can the dear body thus be put to pain, And not the head the like sore grief sustain? And more then this, to shew what thou hast done, The Father, Son, and blessed Saints are one; What ere therefore thou hast done unto me, Thou hast it done unto the Trinity: Who touch God's Saints, the apple of his eye Do also touch; O dreadful tyrannie! For men to persecute the Lord of Life, And with the mighty God to be at strife! When Saul afflicts the Saints, then Christ doth cry, Saul, Saul, 'Tis me that thou dost crucifie. This is the reason of thy wicked spight Thou bear'st unto the blessed Saints of Light; It is, because that they do testifie Against thy Whoredoms and Adultery. As they are men, thou dost not persecute, But 'tis because they won't God's Name pollute; 'Tis Christ in them, and them fo•• his Name sake, That thou dost hate, and such a spoil dost make; But it is from the Lord, that they can't now Unto thy whoredoms and thy falsehoods bow; Revenge thy self on God, who is the cause Why they contemn all thy invented Laws; Let these alone, do not in mischiefs run, For these, alas, what have these poor Lambs done? Ye Persecutors all, mind well I pray, The dreadful work you are about this day. But I'le return, and talk with thee yet further Who guilty art, most clear, of horrid murther;

And yet dost wipe thy mouth, and proudly say, I innocent have been unto this day, And am in truth Christs holy Ch••rch, I know H••s love is such, there's none shall me o'rethrow. But to confute thy lies and insolence, And stand in Truths and blessed Saints defence; No other Arguments need•• to bring, For to disprove thee in this very thing; For 'tis most clear, by all this horrid evil, That thou vile Whore, art of and from the Devil; Thou art no Church of Christ, he doth thee hate, And with his Soul doth thee abominate; Christ's Church his Members never did annoy, Nor persecute, and millions thus destroy. To blind mens eyes, thou hast thy former tricks, To tell the World that they are Hereticks; But after that way thou call'st Heresie, That God they worship, whom thou dost defie. And here vile Worm, dost thou think to contend With God the Lord, whom thou dost thus offend? O•• thinkest thou he hath quite passed by, All thy vile acts and cruel tyrannie? Dost think he won't fulfil his holy Word, And in his fury draw his glittering Sword? Dost thou not at his presence fear and quake, Who with a frown will make all Nations shake? Dost think that man can save thee from his stroke, That thou go'st on, and still dost him provoke? Dost think, because he hath spar'd thee so long, He'l ne'r avenge on thee my grievous wrong? Or dost thou think the Pope, that Fiend of Hell, Who 'bove all Gods, doth in God's Temple dwell, Can save thee from that great and dreadful blow, Which will produce thy utter overthrow? Alas vile wretch, for all thy mighty strength, There is no hope but down thou must at length.

What God resolves to do, on Sea or Land, No Beast, nor Devil, can the same withstand. As to the Pope, let me speak in thy Ear, His time is short for to continue here; For he that hath presum'd Kings to depose, Shall soon destroyed be by some of those Of whom he now nor dreads, nor stands in fear; The t••uth of this, ere long, will plain appear. This is the Beast, that did from Hell ascend, And thither shall be cast too in the end: This, this is he that ha••h so often swell'd thee With hopes, and hath unto this day upheld thee; For his false Pardons, and uncivil power, Incourag'd thee my Children to devour. Though his Foundation's laid as deep as Hell, And doth in strength abundantly excel The g••eatest Potentate, who heretofore E'er swaid a Scepter; nay, I add much more; Though he himself doth greatly magnifie, Above the blessed Stars that are on high, Yet he sh••ll fall, and never rise again: Thy hopes thou hast of him is therefore vain; He is condemn'd, the Sentence that is gone, His day of execution doth come on; And to be short, I fear thee not at all, Do now thy worst, you both together shall Drink of one Cup, with all thy lovers too, For thou shal•• surely know what God can do. Thy Magpy-Merchants then shall cry and howl, And mou••nfu••ly thy ruine thus condole. Alas, alas, this City great and fair, Sumptuous and very brave, beyond compare; How in a moment are her judgments come, Her fall, her ruine, and her final doom: Our Trade is gone, and all our Merchandize, And ah! there's none pitties our grievous cries:

Alas, alas, we all are quite undone, What shall we do, or whither shall we run? O that the Mountains, and the Hills would cover Us, till the vengeance of the Lord be over! But to conclude, all people, this I say, From Babylon see that you haste away; For if you don't, then you too late will mourn, And curse the day that ever you were born. Like as the Hee-Goat doth before the Flock, So haste away, and fly to Christ your Rock: For if you follow her, then I am sure, You will destru••ion to your Souls procure; For you like Oxen to the Slaughter go, Though like a Bird insnar'd, you do not know The danger you are in, and what 'twill cost, Till Soul, and Body, Life and all is lost; Many Sh'as wounded, and has strong men slain; Let all Gods Saints then, from her wayes refrain: Her wayes do lead unto the depths of Hell▪ Who follows her, shall with the Devils dwell.