And he found a Ship of Alexandria, sayling into Italie.
Acts 27.6.
THe Infernall Tempter, when he first begun
To trade for soules, no labour did he shun;
He could not stay (for hast) to take advice,
But trots on foot as farre as Paradise,
Where he not ceast to use (be't good or bad)
Such Retorick the Land of Darknesse had:
And all to gaine that pure immortall breath.
Blown from the spring of life, then free from death;
And having got but one poore soule in store,
Forthwith to it he addeth many more.
But now who lives, and doth not plainly see,
That under Heavens Star-spangled Canopie,
Ther's scarce a place, or Countrey to be found,
Wherein this Hell-born crew doth not abound;
Deceiving soules, and griping in their hands
The wealth and riches of the fruitfull Lands,
Witnesse this Iland, which not long agoe,
Was in subjection to this Hell-borne foe:
For who can say he did not see, or heare,
What sway the Lordly Prelates late did beare?
None scarce durst preach without these Lords admission,
But streight were hoist aboard their High Commission,
Which in full Sayle here fixt before thine eye,
Adumbrats plaine, that wicked Hierarchie;
'Tis now in pomp, and makes a glorious fight,
Though now 'tis faire, it may be foule ere night.
Now Winds obey, and send a Soveraigne gale,
Which makes those Sea-Men thus hoyst up their Sayle,
And o're blest Albions Church and State to ride,
Discharging Canons in their furious pride;
Whence flew the Oath, Et Caetera; after came
A good strong Halter to conclude the game;
The Duck takes wing, and to the Topsayle flyes,
And on the Flag a Processe neatly tyes;
The Sayles have got a Licence, to proclaime,
No preaching 'thout a Licence in their name;
Their Colours are displaid, that all may see,
How in this Ship the Devill and they agree.