An institution of general history from the beginning of the vvorld to the monarchy of Constantine the Great : composed in such method and manner as never yet was extant / by William Howel ...

REligion now flourish'd in Greece, where Arts Gave her the highest place in all mens hearts. Learning was pos'd, Philosophy was set. Sophisters taken in a fishers net. Plato, and Aristotle were at a losse, And wheel'd about again to spell Christs Crosse. Prayers chased Syllogisms into their den, And Ergo was transform'd into Amen. Though Greece took horse as soon as Egypt did, And Rome as both, yet Egypt faster rid, And spent her period, and prefixed time Before the other. Greece being past her prime, Religion went to Rome, subduing those, Who that they might subdue made all their foes. The Warriour his dear skars no more resounds, But seems to yield Christ hath the greater wounds, Wounds willingly endur'd to work his blisse, Who by an ambush lost his Paradise. The great heart stoops, and taketh from the dust A sad repentance, not the spoils of lust; Quitting his spear, lest it should pierce again Him in his members, who for him was slain. The shepherds hook grew to a Scepter here, Giving new names, and numbers to the year. But th' Empire dwelt in Greece, to comfort them Who were cut short in Alexander's stem. In both of these Prowesse and Arts did tame And tune mens hearts against the Gospel came, Which using, and not fearing skill in th' one Or strength in th' other, did erect her Throne. Many a rent, and strugling th' Empire knew (As dying things are wont) untill it flew At length to Germany, still Westward bending, And there the Churches festival attending: That as before Empire, and Arts made way, (For no lesse Harbingers would serve than they) So they might still, and point us out the place Where first the Church should raise her down-cast face. Strength levels ground, Art makes a Garden there, Then showrs Religion, and makes all to bear. Spain in the Empire shar'd with Germany, But England in the higher victory Giving the Church a Crown to keep her state, And not go lesse than she had done of late. Constantines British line meant this of old, And did this mystery wrap up, and fold Within a sheet of paper, which was rent From time's great Chronicle and hither sent. Thus both the Church and Sun together ran Unto the farthest old Meridian. How dear to me, O God thy Counsels are! Who may with thee compare?

FINIS.

Notes

• Mr. George Her∣bert his Church Militant.